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Viewed, 5700x, Last Updated 2007-04-04
The man behind some of the most innovative, creative, and visually inventive action films of the late '90s and early 2000s, director Robert Rodriguez is the epitome of the do-it-yourself attitude and a renaissance man of cinema. Directing, shooting, and editing nearly every one of his films, Rodriguez's energetic and self-immersing approach to filmmaking has resulted in some of the most stylish and exciting action films in cinematic history.
Born in July of 1968 into a large family that included ten siblings, Rodriguez was never lacking in inspiration due to the antics of his brothers and sisters and became fascinated with cartooning and filmmaking at an early age. Prompted to jump behind the camera after becoming enamored by John Carpenter's Escape From New York at age 12, the fledgling director's brothers and sisters served as a capable cast and crew, and with his father's Super-8 camera in hand, Rodriguez took his first steps toward auteurhood.
Shocked by the cost of developing films, the junior director showed early signs of budget-consciousness when he switched to video due to its versatility and the room it gave him to experiment. Awarded a scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin soon after his graduation from St. Anthony's High School, Rodriguez inked a popular comic-strip entitled Los Hooligans (inspired by the antics of his siblings) and continued to make films despite being rejected from the institution's film school due to poor academic promise. Undaunted by the rejection, it was Rodriguez who would have the last laugh as his 16 mm film Bedhead won multiple awards and opened many doors. A humorous tale of a girl who gains psychic powers after receiving a bump on the head, the film's unique humor stood out among the usually morose film-festival entries and charmed audiences and judges alike.
Also recognized by Columbia University for his skills as a comic writer and artist during this period, Rodriguez soon began setting his sights on making a feature-length film. Once again intimidated by the high cost of processing film, the resourceful director came up with one of the most unique forms of financing ever conceived by a filmmaker desperate for funding. Serving as a human guinea pig by subjecting himself to experimental drug studies, Rodriguez secured the 7,000 dollars he needed to get El Mariachi off the ground. With his good friend Carlos Gallardo serving as the hapless lead and a ragtag crew working round-the-clock in a Mexican border town, shooting was completed in 20 days for intended distribution in the Spanish video market. Bought by Columbia Pictures for distribution in the United States, El Mariachi was hailed for not only its unique style and energy, but also for the remarkably resourceful circumstances surrounding its creation as well.
Brought in at the last minute to direct the made-for-cable feature Roadracers (1994) soon after, and helming "The Misbehavors," arguably the most entertaining segment in the ill-received Four Rooms the following year, it wasn't long before Hollywood was calling for a sequel to Rodriguez's maiden effort. As much a remake as a sequel, though this time with the noted lead of Antonio Banderas (whom Rodriguez had worked with on "The Misbehavors"), Desperado displayed further indication of its director's resourcefulness but failed to capture the core energy of the original.
Re-teaming with his Four Rooms cohort Quentin Tarantino for the super-kinetic, schizophrenic crime/horror extravaganza From Dusk Till Dawn, the director continued to find his groove in the land of bloated budgets, and despite its dark humor and giddy energy, the film was criticized by many for not sticking to the conventions of a single genre. His follow-up, the subversive sci-fi teen romp The Faculty, was equally compelling, though lost in a sea of post-Scream (1996) self-conscious thrillers. In subsequent years, Rodriguez would remain only slightly involved with the two straight-to-video From Dusk Till Dawn sequels, and many may have found it ironic that the director would receive his most substantial critical success yet with what was essentially a children's film.
A massive box-office hit that offered a family friendly adventure yarn served with a distinctively stylish and surreal twist, Spy Kids (2001) retained all the elements that had endeared Rodriguez to fans and critics, sans the graphic violence and adult elements that rendered his previous works unsuitable for the small fry. Alarmed by the fact that numerous kids had approached him and expressed their love of his very adult-oriented previous features, Rodriguez set out to craft an energetic adventure that called back to his more lighthearted early efforts and shifted away from the latter-career trend of excessive violence. With its deliciously twisted Willy Wonka-inspired villain, bizarre set-pieces, high-tech gadgetry, and positive messages pertaining to the worth of a healthy self-image and the importance of family, Rodriguez won over a whole new generation of fans while simultaneously retaining his already solid and fiercely loyal fan base.
Again turning out a stylish and flashy finished product on a remarkably tight budget (Rodriguez edited much of the film in his garage), the established director proved that his talent spanned numerous genres and his appeal was far reaching. Soon beginning work on a sequel to Spy Kids, Rodriguez also kept busy by beginning production on his longtime dream project, the epic Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Filmography: Desperado, El Mariachi, Grindhouse, Machete, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Planet Terror, Shorts, Sin City, Sin City 2, Sin City 2, Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, The Adventures Of Shark Boy And Lava Girl In 3-D, The Faculty,
Latest Robert Rodriguez News, Opinion & Discussion:
Marc Guggenheim Talks Flash Movie, Green Lantern Trilogy
In an interview with Newsarama writer Marc Guggenheim took some time to talk about the Green Lantern Trilogy and the status of the Flash film. I am ex...
I am honestly not sure why you need six reasons to go see Machete if you are a red blooded male since Machete is THE must see movie of the year but ju... Robert Rodriguez, Danny Trejo Interview, Machete
Machete was given an offer he couldn’t refuse. Yesterday he was a decent man living a decent life. Now he is a brutal savage who must slaughte... Eli Roth Talks Thanksgiving Movie
MACHETE was one of the 'faux' trailers attached to Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantinos GRINDHOUSE and that will hit theaters this September. For a... Predators Comes to DVD October 19th
From IGN Comes word that Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS will be exploding onto DVD and Bluray on October 19th packed full of all kinds of goodies includ... Watch 8 Minutes of Machete From Comic Con
Bring on the Machete! Below you can checkout 8 minutes of Robert Rodriguez's MACHETE which was shown during Comic con. The film which is being directe... Machete Free Tacos & Beer at Comic Con
At Comic Con Robert Rodriguez held one heck of a shindig providing free beer, tequila and tacos to everyone who attended his Machete Taco Stand party ... Robert Rodriguez talks Dead Pool Movie
At Comic con Robert Rodriguez spilled the goods on the upcoming Dead Pool movie and the fact he has been approached to direct it. Robert has read the ... Lindsay Lohan Sexy Photos Hit Complex
Lindsay Lohan for me is still one of the sexiest young actresses in Hollywood and her new photoshoot for COMPLEX just proves that. Complex&rsquo... Sin City 2 Movie Updates.. Script Changes
From DigitalSpy comes word that Sin City 2 is once again trapped in delays and rewrites. They quote Robert Rodriguez as saying; “We’re ... Adrien Brody, Walter Goggins Interview, Predators
Men plummet through the void at terminal velocity, their parachutes deploying only seconds before certain death. With no idea of where they are or the... Robert Rodriquez, Nimrod Antal Interview, PREDATORS
Robert Rodriguez’s bold new chapter in the Predator universe, Predators, was shot on location under Rodriguez's creative auspices at the filmmak... Robert Rodriguez To Direct DeadPool Movie?
There has been so much talk recently of the upcoming spinoff DEAD POOL movie and I for one am really looking forward to it. The writers of Zombieland ... Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS 'PredatorVision' Poster
Below from IMPAWARDS comes a look at a new poster for Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS which is in what I am calling 'PredatorVision'. I like it but wish ... Adrien Brody Interview, SPLICE
In a private, state-of-the-art lab funded by a pharmaceutical giant, two brilliantly talented young bio-engineers, Clive Nicoli (Adrien Brody) and Els... Predator Comes to Bluray
The ultimate warrior faces the ultimate enemy when Predator: Ultimate Hunter Edition arrives on Blu-ray with a stunning new restored transfer on June ... New Posters For Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS
Below from BadTaste and FilmSchoolRejects comes two new posters for Predators. PREDATORS is a bold new chapter in the Predator universe, sh... New Predators Clip: Introducing Isabelle
Its a busy day for Predators clips. Below you can checkout a new clip for PREDATORS which introduces the character of Isabelle played by Alice Braga. ... Robert Rodriguez's, Nimrod Antal Interview PREDATORS
Below you can checkout a 4 minute interview where Robert Rodriguez and Nimrod Antal talk about the upcoming Predators film featuring clips from t... Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS New Clip
Below you can checkout a brand new clip for the upcoming PREDATORS movie which features a great cast including Topher Grace. This new clip titled EDWI... PREDATORS Clip Featuring Adrien Brody
Below you can checkout a brand new featurette for PREDATORS featuring Adrien Brody's character ROYCE. PREDATORS, a bold new chapter in the Predat... Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS Trailer
Below you can checkout the first trailer for Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS. PREDATORS, a bold new chapter in the Predator universe, shot under th... Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS Live Chat!
Fans around the world are invited to chat with Austin-based filmmaker Robert Rodriguez about the upcoming motion picture PREDATORS on Thursday, March ... Robert Rodriguez's PREDATORS Movie Poster
Its been a great week for PREDATOR fans. First we had the new footage and now from IMPAWARDS comes the very simplistic new poster for PREDATORS. Check... Robert Rodriguez's Predators Movie Clip
Predator is easily one of my favorite scifi horror films and its sequel is also near and dead to my heart. The recent Alien vs Predator movies have be... 10 of the Best Vampire Movies
Awhile ago I did a piece on 5 Vampire Movies Everyone should see and since the Vampire myth is one of my favorite genres of film it only made sense to... Photos for Robert Rodriguez's Predators
Lookout kids cause those galactic hunters are back and they are ready to stomp a mudhole into mankind Robert Rodriguez style. Below you can checkout t... Sin City 2 in 2010, More Updates
Sin City 2 is coming and its been a non stop on and off as to when exactly we would get it. We have talked to Clive Owen and Rosario Dawson about the ... Box Office Report August 23rd
Dude here again. I bring you the weekend numbers. Alongside, I offer commentary that's both insightful AND witty. I wouldn't go so far as to say what ... James Spader Interview, Shorts
We sat down with James Spader to talk about his new movie, “Shorts,” written and directed by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. The magical fan... Robert Rodriguez Interview, Shorts
From filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, creator of the "Spy Kids" trilogy and "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D," comes the family action-adven... Carla Gugino Interview, Race to Witch Mountain
Race to Witch Mountain starring Carla Gugino just hit DVD. Below you can read an interview where she talks about the experience of being involved... Robert Rodriquez Talks Predator Remake
Predator is one of those rare classic action / scifi / horror flicks that ranks up their with ALIEN. Its action packed, full of carnage and features o... Rosario Dawson Interview, Explicit Ills
MoviesOnline sat down with Rosario Dawson (“Sin City 2”) to talk about her new film, “Explicit Ills,” directed by actor Mark W... Sin City 2 Script Done, Shooting to Commence
From the folks at MTV comes word that the script for Sin City 2 has just been completed and they are now working towards shooting the film this year. ... Cast Interview, Street Fighter Legend of Chun Li
MoviesOnline sat down with the bad guys of “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” – Neal McDonough, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Tabo... Clive Owen Interview, The International
Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Clive Owen has taken the big screen by storm, making quite a name for himself in the U.K., the United St... Mickey Rourke Interview, The Wrestler
We go in the ring with the battered and bruised Mickey Rourke and discuss his resurrection as The Wrestler! MoviesOnline sat down with Mickey Rou... Frank Miller Talks Sin City 2
Frank Miller is out promoting his new film The Spirit that will be coming out on Christmas Day. While he was doing his rounds he spoke to IGN UK and t... Freddy Rodriguez, Melonie Diaz Interview
MoviesOnline sat down recently with Freddy Rodriguez and Melonie Diaz to talk about their new movie, “Nothing Like the Holidays,” from awa...
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