Kari’s Hum 210 Blog

Jerry Bruckheimer

 
“After a quarter-century at the top of the business, Jerry Bruckheimer is the envy of almost every producer in town”(3).  Jerry Bruckheimer was born September 21, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan to his German born immigrant parents who met in the U.S. in the 1920’s.  Mr. and Mrs. Bruckheimer were simple people and earned their monies as a salesman and a bookkeeper.  Jerry Bruckheimer spent his entire childhood in Detroit before heading off to college at seventeen.  Bruckheimer attended the University of Arizona and there he majored in psychology and minored in algebra.  Bruckheimer’s passion for film began as a youth; around the time he first began attending matinees.  Despite Bruckheimer’s intensity for film, he was unsure he would ever make waves in the industry.  Shortly after finishing college, Bruckheimer moved to New York and worked as an ad executive.  While working on a Pepsi-Cola commercial, the director solicited Bruckheimer for his new project, catapulting a new career in films.  In 1972 The Culpepper Cattle Company was born, this was the first film in which Bruckheimer had professional ties.  Shortly after the film, Bruckheimer became a friend of film industry legend Don Simpson.  Bruckheimer met Simpson in 1973 at a film screening for The Harder They Come; however, the two did not actually build a relationship until 1975.  Bruckheimer was recently divorced at this point in time and became Simpson’s roommate.  Eventually the two became business partners in 1983 and produced their first blockbuster, Flashdance for Paramount Pictures.  Eventually Bruckheimer left Paramount to join Disney Pictures, which allowed him free reign of his creativity.  The blockbuster hits have not stopped, nor do they show any signs of slowing down.  Year after year, Bruckheimer continues to produce films as well as television shows that boast popularity and success.  Mind blowing special effects, stunts and charismatic actors is what make Bruckheimer’s work stand above the rest.  His film portfolio is as wide as it is long, never ceasing to create the best work of motion picture art. 

I had a difficult time choosing which films to watch for this project, at the same time I was surprised to learn how many of my favorite films were tied to Jerry Bruckheimer.  For the sake of the assignment, I viewed Armageddon (1998) Remember the Titans (2000) and National Treasure (2004).  Armageddon featured a star-studded cast of Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Billy Bob Thorton and Liv Tyler.  “An asteroid the size of Texas is heading directly toward Earth at 22,000 mph.  NASA’s executive director, Dan Truman (BILLY BOB THORNTON), has only one option ­ to send up a crew to destroy the asteroid.  He enlists the help of Harry S. Stamper (BRUCE WILLIS) ­ the world’s foremost deep core oil driller ­ and Stamper’s roughneck team of drillers to land on the asteroid, drill into its surface, and drop a nuclear device into the core.  On this heroic journey, they face the most physically and emotionally challenging conditions ever encountered…to save the world and prevent ARMAGEDDON” (2).  I found this film amazing; each film element that I find important was included in Armageddon.  Suspense, love, action and desire for improving mankind were involved.  The cast was perfect; each actor suited the role in which they played.  The special effects were performed to the viewer’s expectations and appeared highly realistic. 

“In the early 1970s, two schools in Alexandria Virginia integrate forming T.C. Williams High School. The Caucasian head coach of the Titans is replaced by an African American coach from North Carolina. Tensions arise when players of different races are forced together on the same football team. Many of these tensions are eased during the two-week training camp in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. When players returned to Alexandria the players found the city in turmoil due to the forced desegregation of the high school. As the season progresses the team’s success caused the community to accept the changes. After the Titans’ perfect season, the team and the city were closer than ever” (1).  I found Remember the Titans an emotional film, which caused the viewer to question basic human rights.  There were a few moments in the film that it was easy to be angry at how one person would treat another.  My favorite part of the film was when the Titans played their arch enemy for a state playoff position.  During this intense game, the Titans were penalized for every play they made without just cause.  Coach Yost finally calls out the referee and tells the team to make history, stating that this will be the day that the town will never forget the Titans.  I liked this scene because Coach Yost took a bad situation, turned morality around and good conquered evil, the Titans were victorious.  In an interview, Jerry Bruckheimer spoke of why he chose to make Remember the Titans, “We made Remember the Titans about these two coaches who changed perceptions of racism in their community and should be remembered. I like to make pictures about people who make a difference”(4). 
“As an impressionable child, Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) learned from his grandfather (Christopher Plummer) their family’s unique and thrilling history. Six generations earlier, in 1832, stable boy Thomas Gates (Jason Earles) was entrusted with the cryptic words “The truth lies with Charlotte” by the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence”(6).  As an adult, Gates begins to seek out the “The truth lies with Charlotte” mystery.  Although Gates father believes that the entire family history is nothing but a story, he soon finds himself entwined in his son’s mess.  Gates decides to steal the Declaration of Independence and seek out the truth to his family’s legacy.  Eventually the truth is uncovered and Gates does find the treasure left by Templar Knights.  The conclusion of the film is open ended and I recently learned of a sequel, currently under production.  I enjoyed National Treasure because it combined a little bit of history, even if the point of view was skewed in with suspense.  But most of all, I like that the film evoked an imagination for the audience, providing a little time to escape into a child-like world of mystery. 

“The Bruckheimer logo encompasses more than rocket-launching mayhem. “What I hope the brand will signify is good entertainment,” says Bruckheimer, “whether it’s a car chase or whether it’s a hard-hitting story about a true individual”(4).  Bruckheimer has a wide variety of films in his resume; he does not follow one format and therefore is not a stereotype.  During and interview in 2003, Bruckheimer was asked what he looked for in a movie, his answer was simple. . . . “Something I want to go and see. It’s that simple. Everything I do is like that — I have a very broad range of movies I like. I just want it to be entertaining. I want you to like the characters. I want to take you on a ride, have strong themes — just like any good novel” (3).  Jerry Bruckheimer has a unique way of mise-en-scene, “putting on stage.”  The audience becomes involved in the film, viewing it from the perspective of actually being in the movie.    I feel as though a great amount of effort and consideration are put first in the production of each Bruckheimer’s films.  For example each hit on the football field in Titans was real and convincing, almost as though the viewer is on the field.  Every scene has wonderful lighting and is shot from at an angle that engages the audience.  This is the main reason why I think Bruckheimer has been incredibly successful.  He has mastered the art of involving the audience and stimulating their imagination, encouraging them to think outside of the box.  The editing in Bruckheimer films appears to be flawless, each scene is stitched exactly on the seam of the next, and I never felt like a scene was left unfinished.  In many movies it is easy to see where one scene was filmed and then edited, combining it with a reshot scene, I did not notice this flaw in any of the three films I viewed.  Moving on to sound, once again Bruckheimer has mastered this all-important trait in filmmaking.  I did not see Armageddon in the movie theater, but I could only imagine how powerful the film was in surround sound.  I find music and sound effects very important in the connection for the film viewer.  Bruckheimer is able to make a connection between sound and film.  Music selection for National Treasure was upbeat and would become faster during the chase scenes.  Due to the timing of the music growing faster, the overall momentum of the viewer increase, stimulating and adrenaline like response.    

I noticed that Bruckheimer has many return actors in his films.  For example Tom Cruise filmed Top Gun and Days of Thunder, whereas Ben Affleck has stared in Armageddon and Pearl Harbor.  A few other actors who have starred in more than one Bruckheimer film are Will Smith, Josh Harnett and Martin Lawrence.  Nicholas Cage is one actor who has returned to star in many Bruckheimer films including Con Air, Gone in Sixty Seconds, The Rock and National Treasure.  The fact that many big name actors take part in many Bruckheimer films speaks volumes of his ability, passion, vision and success.  “From American Gigolo, Flashdance, Dangerous Minds, and The Rock, to Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, Remember the Titans, and Pirates of the Caribbean, Bruckheimer is one of the most innovative producers of the last twenty years. With a knack for entertaining audiences, Bruckheimer’s passionate storytelling truly has the midas touch with his films earning worldwide revenues of over $13.5 billion in box office, video and recording receipts”(7). 

Many of Bruckheimer’s films revolve around suspense, action, love and improving mankind.  His ability to combine two different types of movies and find success is remarkable.  For example Armageddon, the basic plot is about and asteroid that will destroy the earth.  Mixed in to the tragedy is a love story between Grace and AJ with the ending resulting in the ultimate sacrifice, a father’s love for his daughter.  Not many people are capable of producing a film that can encompass two completely different styles of film.  I noticed that Bruckheimer has a genuine goal in film producing; he wants to make movies that will benefit the world around the viewer.  Bruckheimer has said, “I always like telling stories that are about individuals that changed things for the better”(5).

Jerry Bruckheimer has had an amazing career, he has learned from experience, been honored by many and chooses to create the best film to his ability.  He is important to the film industry because of his passion to create and show the audience the inner being of the film industry.  Bruckheimer shows the best of the movies through his creativity and willingness to step outside of the basic Hollywood template.  By putting great thought in each film he produces the audience reaps the benefits of his imagination.  Jerry Bruckheimer has said, you can’t do anything halfway, you’ve got to go all the way in anything you do”(8). 

Works Cited

 
1.  Anonymous, “Remember the Titans.” http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0210945/ Internet

 
Movie Database Inc. c. 1996-2006. 22 April 2006. 

 
2.  “Armageddon Plot.” http://www.jbfilms.com/ TM and Jerry Bruckheimer Inc. c 2005.

 
17 April 2006.  

 
3.  Galloway, Stephen. “Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer.”

 
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/interviews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2031154.

 
17 November 2003.  17 April 206. 
 
4.  Head, Steve. “An Interview with Jerry Bruckheimer.” 

 
http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/455/455046p1.html. 15 October 2003. 17 April

 
2006.  

 
5.  Leopold, Todd. “Bruckheimer: The Brand Name in Movies.”

 
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/jerry.bruckheimer/.

 
12 January 2006. 17 April 2006. 

 
6.  Mc Donagh, Maitland. “Review for National Treasure.”

 
http://online.tvguide.com/newsearch/detail.aspx?id=45716&sourcetype=m&progseriesparentid=0&tvobjectid=137675&keyword=&more=ucmoviereview. 17 April 2006.

 
7.  Pila, Megan.http://www.nbrmp.org/awards/JerryBruckheimer.cfm. 4 November 2004.

 
c. 2003 National Board of Review. 17 April 2006.

 
8.  Unknown. “Jerry Bruckheimer Quotes.”

 
http://204.202.3.19/quotes/authors/j/jerry_bruckheimer.html. Brainy Media

 
c. 2006. 22 April 2006. 

 
9.  http://www.jbfilms.com TM and Jerry Bruckheimer Inc. c. 2005. 17 April 2006.