1989

Issue 1
June/July 1989

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Contents include: The Rise Of The Baseball Movie (article by Angie Errigo); Mad, Bad And Dangerous To Know?: The Sean Young Saga (article by Joe Queenan); The Cosy Nostra: The Mob Remodelled (article by John Mount); The Submarine In The Movies (article by Tom Hibbert); Who Is Yahoo Serious? (article by Phillipa Hawker); Aliens Stole My Movie (article by Patrick Goldstein); Mickey Rourke (article by Tom Hibbert); MISSISSIPPI BURNING (article by Patrick Goldstein); Bond And The Hitmen (article by Chris Heath); Interview: David Puttnam (by David Hepworth); Death On The Rock: A CRY IN THE DARK (article by Phillipa Hawker); Nightmare On The High Street (article by Kim Newman and others); London On Location (article by Lloyd Bradley); GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! (production report by Patrick Goldstein);Reviews: WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN; PAPERHOUSE; DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS; HOMEBOY; EIGHT MEN OUT; MISSISSIPPI BURNING; PARIS BY NIGHT; CHILD'S PLAY; BULL DURHAM; FAREWELL TO THE KING; PELLE THE CONQUEROR; FLETCH LIVES; BEACHES; MILES FROM HOME; HER ALIBI and others.And much more.

Issue 2
August 1989

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Issue 3
September 1989

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Issue 4
October 1989

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Issue 5
November 1989

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Issue 6
December 1989

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Issue 7
January 1990

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1990

Issue 8
February 1990

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Issue 9
March 1990

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Issue 10
April 1990

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Issue 11
May 1990

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Issue 12
June 1990

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Issue 13
July 1990

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Issue 14
August 1990

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Issue 15
September 1990

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Issue 16
October 1990

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Issue 17
November 1990

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Issue 18
December 1990

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Issue 19
January 1991

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1991

Issue 20
February 1991

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Issue 21
March 1991

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Issue 22
April 1991

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Issue 23
May 1991

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Issue 24
June 1991

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Issue 25
July 1991

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Issue 26
August 1991

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Issue 27
September 1991

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Issue 28
October 1991

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Issue 29
November 1991

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Issue 30
December 1991

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Issue 31
January 1992

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1992

Issue 32
February 1992

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Issue 33
March 1992

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Issue 34
April 1992

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Issue 35
May 1992

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Issue 36
June 1992

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Issue 37
July 1992

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Issue 38
August 1992

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Issue 39
September 1992

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Issue 40
October 1992

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Issue 41
November 1992

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Issue 42
December 1992

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Issue 43
January 1993

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1993

Issue 44
February 1993

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Issue 45
March 1993

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Issue 46
April 1993

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Issue 47
May 1993

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Issue 48
June 1993

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Issue 49
July 1993

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Issue 50
August 1993

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Issue 51
September 1993

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Issue 52
October 1993

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Issue 53
November 1993

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Issue 54
December 1993

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Issue 55
January 1994

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1994

Issue 56
February 1994

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Issue 57
March 1994

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Issue 58
April 1994

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Issue 59
May 1994

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Issue 60
June 1994

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Issue 61
July 1994

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Issue 62
August 1994

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Issue 63
September 1994

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Issue 64
October 1994

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Issue 65
November 1994

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Issue 66
December 1994

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Issue 67
January 1995

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1995

Issue 68
February 1995

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Issue 69
March 1995

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Issue 70
April 1995

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Issue 71
May 1995

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Issue 72
June 1995

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Issue 73
July 1995

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Issue 74
August 1995

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Issue 75
September 1995

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Issue 76
October 1995

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Issue 77
November 1995

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Issue 78
December 1995

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Issue 79
January 1996

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1996

Issue 80
February 1996

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Issue 81
March 1996

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Issue 82
April 1996

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Issue 83
May 1996

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Issue 84
June 1996

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Issue 85
July 1996

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Issue 86
August 1996

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Issue 87
September 1996

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Issue 88
October 1996

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Issue 89
November 1996

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Issue 90
December 1996

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Issue 91
January 1997

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1997

Issue 92
February 1997

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Issue 93
March 1997

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Issue 94
April 1997

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2nd Cover

Issue 95
May 1997

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Issue 96
June 1997

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Issue 97
July 1997

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New films: The 5th Element, The Devil's Own, Con Air, The Chamber, Crash, Private Parts, Marvin's Room, Trigger Happy and more 
The future is now: 8 pages for Besson's 5th Element 
The Riviera Dance: 50 years of Cannes 
Trading Places: The original casting choises 
Batman and Robin: 10 pages of exclusive interviews and unseen pictures 

Also John Waters, Milla Jovovich, Howard Stern, Jason Flemyng, Chris O'Donnell, Video reviews, Book reviews and more.

Issue 98
August 1997

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New films: The Lost World, Batman and Robin, Men In Black, Bean, Addicted to Love, Murder at 1600, Swingers, Unforgettable, Get on the Bus, City of Industry, Thinner, Bang, Palookaville, Unhook the Stars, Gamera and more 
Men In Black: Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. 
The movies that came in from the cold: 50 films that just don't get the recognition. 
That's me, That is: Confessions of movie extras 
Wesley Snipes: The lost action hero. 
A trip to the flix in foreign climes: From India to Jamaica. 
Lounge Lizard: Jeff Goldblum and The Lost World. 
Also Spike Lee, Elsa Zylberstein, Chesney Hawkes, Burt Ward, Jackie Chan, Minnie Driver, Ray Liotta, Julianne Moore, Video reviews, Book reviews and more.

Issue 99
September 1997

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New films: Speed 2: Cruise Control, Conspiracy Theory, Austin Powers, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Albino Alligator, Lost Highway, Night Falls on Manhattan, The Full Monty, That Old Feeling, Slab Boys, The Disappearance of Kevin Johnson, Plein Soleil, Tierra, Mrs Brown, Jump the Gun, Warriors of Virtue. 
Profiles: Bill Pullman, Paula Marshall, Jean Reno, Dermot Mulroney. 
Event Horizon: The scariest Sci-fi flick since Alien. 
Are you a movie nerd ?: Just how far will you go to protect your video collection ? 
Kevin Spacey: From acting to directing. 
The cinemas that time forgot: Going to the movies has change. 
Sidney Lumet: From 12 Angry Men to Night Falls on Manhattan. 
Speed 2: Sandra Bullock and Jason Patric smear the goosefat and swim the sequel channel. 
Also Mel Smith, Pamela Green, Bob Balaban, Video reviews, Book reviews and more.

Issue 100
October 1997

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New films: Air Force One, Contact, Event Horizon, Spawn, My Best Friend's Wedding, Face, Career Girls, Head Above Water, 187, Photographing Fairies, The Sweet Heeafter, Deep Crimson, L' Appartement, The Leading Man, Gallivant. 
The Grease Generation: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Michael Tucci, Jeff Conaway, Barry Pearl, Kelly Ward, Jamie Donnelly, Didi Conn, Dinah Manoff, Stockard Channing. 
Gimme Five: The five star movies in Empire's lifetime. 
From issue #1 to issue #100: Sean Young, Robert Englund, Dennis Quaid, David Puttnam, Jerico Stone, Nicole Kidman, Alan Parker, Danny Baker, John Travolta, Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Martin Scorsese, Andy Garcia, Patrick Stewart, Geoffrey Rush, Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, Sandra Bullock, Pete Postlethwaite, Pierce Brosnan, Willem Dafoe, Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Bob Hoskins, John Hodge, Danny Boyle, Andrew Mac Donald. 
Hopelessly Devoted: Empire Magazine collectors. 
Pulp Fiction: Everything you needed to know about the greatest cult movie ever. 
101 consternations: the rows, the courtcases, the tantrums and general palaver of the last 8 years. 
Mike Myers: Austin Powers. 
Mike Leigh: There's no face like gnome. 
Harrison Ford: from Han Solo to President in AFO. 
The top 100 movie stars of all time: Harrison, Clint, Tom, Al, Robert, Jack, Cary ... (hey where are the girls ?...) . 
Mike Myers: Austin Powers. 
Also Jon Bon Jovi, Alan Parker, Toby Stephens, Sarah Polley, Damon Albarn, Jim Wilson, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 101
November 1997

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New films: A Life Less Ordinary, LA Confidential, The Peacemaker, The Game, Volcano, Nil By Nouth, Hercules, Shooting Fish, Father's Day, Hard Eight, Wilde, Suburbia, Smila's Feeling for Snow, Temptress Moon, Pusher, Free Willy 3: The Rescue, Jackie Chan's First Strike, A Simple Wish, Small Time, Fools Rush In, Snow White: A Tale of Terror, Ma Vie En Rose, Spider Baby, Darklands, House of America, La Maman Et Le Putain. 
Star Wars: Episode 1: First photos from the prequels. 
George Clooney: Talks about Batman. 
Jennifer Ehle: in the role of Wilde's wife. 
Salma Hayek: Fools Rush In. 
Tommy Lee Jones: An interview with the most single-minded man in Hollywood. 
Ewan McGregor: Back with another Danny Boyle film: A Life Less Ordinary. 
Underground Filmmaking: Making movies on the cheep. 
Gary Oldman: Has returned home to London to direct Nil By Mouth. 
The Britpack: Robert Carlyle, Lena Headey, Sean Pertwee, Anna Friel, Jason Isaacs, Jason Flemyng, Catherine McCormack, Jane Horrocks, Ewen Bremner, Emily Watson, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Ian Hart. 
The Game: David Fitcher follows Seven with a freaky Michael Douglas chiller. 
  Also Ken Russell, The 41st London Film Festival, Gerald Scarfe (Hercules), Steven Seagal, Dan Futterman, Mimi Leder, Tom Baker, Robert Hoffman, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 102
December 1997

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New films: Face/Off, Seven Years in Tibet, An American Werewolf in Paris, G.I.Jane, Regeneration, One Night Stand, Welcome to Serajevo, Nothing to Lose, The Myth of Fingerprints, Lawn Dogs, Keep the Aspidistra Flying, Eight Heads in a Duffel Bag, Excess Baggage, Inventing the Abbotts, Chasing Amy, The Gambler, Under the Skin, The Tango Lesson, Up on the Roof, Will It Snow for Christmas? 
Profiles: Kim Basinger, Christopher Walken, Julia Ormond, Stephen Dillane. 
LA Confidential: The finest movie of its kind since Chinatown. 
Brad Pitt: At the top of the mountain. 
Beyond the realms of known science: Blockbusters that push realism well beyond breaking point. 
John Woo: Face to face with king of Kong. 
The Top 20 maddest directors on movie history. 
Ridley Scott: From seminal visualist to just another director? 
ALIEN Reincarnation: Back from the dead. 
  Also Tim Robbins, The Jackal, Joey Lauren Adams, Sam Rockwell, Scott Baio, Larry Hagman, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 103
January 1998

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New films: Alien Resurection, Cop Land, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Borrowers, George of the Jungle, Paradise Road, Prince Valiant, Maximum Risk, Home Alone 3, The Grass Harp, It's A Wonderfull Life, Kiss Me Guido, This World-Then the Fireworks, The Magnificent Ambersons, Persons Unknown, Trial and Error, Marius Et Jeannette, A Futher Gesture, Incognito. 
Profiles: Jennifer Aniston, Brendan Fraser. 
Sylvester Stallone has become a proper actor with Cop Land. 
Good God, it's Jack Nicholson: Empire took to the streets of London with professional lookalikes. 
Tomorrow Never Dies: Pierce Brosnan launches himself into the 18th official Bond movie. 
A load of old semiotics: Empire discovers some hidden meanings in films like Basic Instinct, Alien, Forrest Gump, Babe and more. 
You only live spice: Baby, Scary, Ginger, Sporty and Posh have made a movie. 
Review of the year: The triumphs and disasters, the winners and losers, the highs, lows and in-betweens of the movie world in 1997. 

  Also Kyle MacLachlan, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kevin Williamson, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

1998

Issue 104
February 1998

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New films: Titanic, Starship Troopers, Boogie Nights, The Jackal, Devil's Advocate, Tomorrow Never Dies, Picture Perfect, Spiceworld The Movie, In and Out, The Winter Guest, The Wings of the Dove, The End of Violence, Das Boot: The Director's Cut, Kissed, Lucie Aubrac, Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis, The Winner, Resurrection Man, Pretty Village-Pretty Flame, Devil's Island, Stella Does Tricks, Up 'n' Under, Kitchen, I Went Down, Written on the Wind, The Battleship Potemkin. 
Profiles: Charlize Theron, Heather Graham, Diane Venora. 
Devil's Advocate: Keanu Reeves plays a hotshot lawyer, Al Pacino plays Satan... 
Boogie Nights: Mark Wahlberg sheds his kit and his old image to star in a 70s porn story. 
Starship Troopers: Paul Verhoeven's effects-laden-sci-fi alien gorefest. 
Emote control: Acting lessons for the young and hopefull-LA style. 
Titanic: The most expensive movie ever made sails into the cinemas. 
1998 preview: What's coming your way at the cinema over the next 12 months. 
  Also Neil Morrissey, Alison Elliott, Stuart Townsend, Lois Maxwell, Paul Darrow, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 105
March 1998

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New films: Amistad, The Postman, The Rainmaker, Flubber, Breakdown, Hard Rain, The Edge, The Ice Storm, The Butcher Boy, Desperate Measures, Traveller, In the Company of Men, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Paws, Downtime, The Ugly, The Blackout, Good Burger, The Woodlanders, Prisoner of the Mountains, Clubbed to Death, Sick: The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan-Super Masochist, This is the Sea, Fairytale-ATrue Story, La Maman Et Le Putain. 
Profiles: Joan Allen, Matthew Modine, Kathleen Quinlan, Paul McGann. 
Morgan Freeman: One of the five top finest actors of his generation. 
Amistad: Spielberg's last word on the slave story. 
Ashley Judd: Hollywood's next superstar. 
Francis Ford Coppola: Visionary mogul, wine maker. 
Steven Spielberg: Empire's tribute to the director of Jaws, Close Encounters, Raiders, ET, Jurassic Park etc. 
  Also Kurt Russell, Lolita, Patrick Stewart, Chris Farley, Olivia Williams, Aaron Eckhart, Tobey Maguire, Claudia Schiffer, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 106
April 1998

Main Cover

New films: Jackie Brown, Sphere, The Boxer, Good Will Hunting, Kiss The Girls, As Good As It Gets, Wag the Dog, The Man In the Iron Mask, Fallen, Gattaca, Anastasia, Best Men, TwentyFourSeven, Un Air De Famille, Les Voleurs, Bent, Mrs Dalloway, Mother And Son, Rothschild's Violin. 
Profiles: Ethan Hawke, Alison Eastwood, Mick Jagger, Denzel Washington. 
The Man In The Iron Mask: On the set with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, swashes, buckles and black velvet eye goggles.... 
Eyes Wide Shut: Empire goes deep undercover to learn the secrets of Stanley Kubrick's Tom Cruise starrer. 
The Oscars previewed: The runners and riders in this year's back-slapping fest. 
Sphere: Sharon Stone, Dustin Hoffman and Samuel L. Jackson have a close encounter at the bottom of a Michael Crichton ocean. 
The A-Z of cult celluloid: The weirdo movies most likely to wake up with a crowd around them. 
Quentin Tarantino: Directing his first film since Pulp Fiction, the Quentmeister returns with Jackie Brown. 
  Also Michael Keaton, In production, Natascha McElhone, Shane Meadows, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 107
May 1998

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New films: The Big Lebowski, Primary Colors, U-Turn, US Marshals, Deconstructing Harry, Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, Oscar And Lucinda, Mouse Hunt, Kundum, Ulee's Gold, Great Expectations, Gummo, Telling Lies In America, Money Talks, Most Wanted, Junk Mail, Happy Together, Love Etc., Different For Girls, Twilight of the Ice Nymphs, Salut Cousin!, Killer Tongue, Out of the Past, The River. 
Profiles: Jeff Bridges, Rachel Weisz, Oliver Stone. 
Woody Allen: Still funny after all these years....Woody on the internet: "I couldn't even tell you exactly what it is...I don't own a computer...Sometimes I think, I must find out what this is all about, but I never carry through with it". 
Titanic: How a budget-busting $200 million headache became the biggest box office hit of all time... 
Martin Scorsese: From the mean streets of New York to the foothills of the Himalayas. 
Embarrassing the favourites: Readers own up to the turkeys they can't live without. 
Scary movies special: Top 50: 1.The Shining, 2.The Exorcist, 3.Jaws, 4.Halloween, 5.The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 6... 
Scream 2: Wes Craven takes Courtney Cox and crew back to the scene of post modern terror. 
  Also the Coen brothers, the Empire Awards 98, Godzilla, Cate Blanchett, Adrian Lester, Ernie Hudson, Matt Frewer, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 108
June 1998

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New films: Scream 2, Blues Brothers 2000, Wild Things, Sliding Doors, Liar, Martha-Meet Frank, Daniel And Laurence, Dark City, Lolita, Afterglow, Mr Magoo, Wishmaster, The Man Who Knew Too Little, The Real Blonde, Hurricane Streets, Live Flesh, The James Gang, Amy Foster, Shall We Dance?, Star Kid, Washington Square, Something To Believe In, The Hanging Garden, Wildman Blues, Western, My Son The Fanatic, Gravesend, Animal Farm, Breakdown, Deep Impact, Guy. 
Profiles: John Hannah, Dominique Swain, Liev Schreiber. 
Blues Brothers 2000: Black suits, shades and harmonicas are back. With John Landis rounds up most of the usual suspects. 
Celluloid life: The seven ages of man as seen through the movie camera lens. 
Don Simpson: The shocking life and death story of the Top Gun producer. 
John Barry: Britain's top scorer reveals a few tricks of the trade. 
Deep Impact: Director Mimi Leder has just two hours to save the earth from meteorite destruction. 
The 20 hottest movies to see this summer: Godzilla, Lost in Space, The Avengers, X-Files: The Movie, Saving Private Ryan, Lethal Weapon 4, Six Days Seven Nights, Out of Sight, Dr Dolittle, Mercury Rising, Primary Colors, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Wedding Singer, Velvet Goldmine, The Gingerbread, The Replacement Killers, Species 2, The Horse Whisperer, City of Angels, Mimic and more. 
  Also a free summer blockbuster preview videotape, Dan Aykroyd, Monica Potter, Catherine Keener, Rachel Griffiths, Masayuki Suo, Molly Ringwald, Pete Walker, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 109
July 1998

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New films: Deep Impact, The Wedding Singer, Red Corner, The Replacement Killers, Mimic, The Object of My Affection, The Apostle, City of Angels, Nowhere, Firelight, Point Blank, The General, A Thousand Acres, Dream With The Fishes, The Last Time I Committed Suicide, Savior, Soul Food, Stiff Upper Lips, The Big Swap, Girls' Night, Ponette, Barney's Great Adventure, Dad Savage, Monk Dawson, The Girl With Brains in Her Feet, The Taste of Cherries, The Scarlet Tunic, Journey to the Beginning of the World. 
Profiles: Richard Gere, Mira Sorvino, Chow Yun-Fat, Dennis Quaid. 
John Boorman: Brit directing legend returns with The General - and the re-released classic Point Blank. 
Movie collectors: Empire goes deep undercover in the subterranean world of movie memorabilia mania. 
Robert Duvall: The star of the Godfather, Apocalypse Now and this month's The Apostle. 
The '80s revisited: Starts with The Wedding Singer and continues over nine pages of nostalgia. 
Hot 1998: Sexy photos and wise words of the hottest new young talent in Hollywood-and beyond-headed up by Matt LeBlanc, with Denise Richards, Matt Damon, Neve Campbell, Heather Graham, Ben Affleck and more. 
  Also Sir Peter Ustinov, Bai Ling, Joanna Ward, David Moscow, Daniel Peacock, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 110
August 1998

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New films: Godzilla, Lost In Space, Six Days Seven Nights, Grease, Sling Blade, The Gingerbread Man, Mad City, Kurt And Courtney, Love and Death On Long Island, Kiss or Kill, The Castle, Life is All You Get, Psycho, The Daytrippers, The Grass Harp, The War At Home, The Little Mermaid, Hana-Bi, Paulie-A Parrot's Tale, Dance Of The Wind, The Thief, Guru In Seven, Touch, La Grande Illusion, Chubby Goes Down Under. 
Profiles: Harrison Ford, Embeth Davidtz, Jason Priestley, Nick Broomfield. 
Lost In Space: From 60s television series with wobbly sets to 90s sci-fi effects-fest. 
Empire dictionary of film jargon: What movie terms really mean. 
Cannes: Empire goes to the Freanch seaside and sees some films. 
Psycho: The full story of the re-released Hitchcock classic. 
Harry Knowles: <A HREF='http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com' target='_new'>Ain't It Cool News</A> has dished more dirt on more blockbusters than a busload of Pauline Kaels. Meet the geek who shall inherit the earth. 
Godzilla: You 've seen those tantalising trailers, and now the big green one finally comes to town. 12 pages for the big lizard. 
  Also Geri Halliwell, Frances O'Conor, Andy Serkis, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 111
September 1998

Main Cover

New films: Armageddon, The X-Files, The Horse Whisperer, Doctor Dolittle, Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, Zero Effect, BASEketball, Metroland, The Nephew, Eve's Bayou, Gang Related, To Have And To Hold, The Spanish Prisoner, Le Bossu, Palmetto, The Life of Stuff, Gadjo Dilo, Majorettes In Space, Mr Nice Guy, The Adventures Of Robin Hood. 
Profiles: Kristin Scott-Thomas, Emily Watson, Christian Bale. 
Armageddon: The world's about to end, who ya gonna call? 10 pages on the new comet caper. 
Die! Video! Die!: Is DVD here to stay or just another flash in the digital pan ?. 
The Avengers: A leather catsuit, a pinstripe three piece, and a plot to harness the power of the elements. Uma Thurman, Ralph Fiennes and Sean Connery in the 90s cinematic arrival of the coolest TV series. 
Number one fans: How far would you go in worship of your idol? Empire unearths a handful of devotees worthy of the title. 
In loving memory: It's always a sad moment when a loved one dies. But what would the papers say when it's a character in a movie? 
The producers: No one knows their names, but everyone knows their movies. 
The X-Files: The full story behind the film of the world's most famous TV series is revealed. 
  Also Vinnie Jones, Kasi Lemmons, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Mora & Jason Statham, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 112
October 1998

Main Cover

New films: Saving Private Ryan, Lethal Weapon 4, The Avengers, There's Something About Mary, The Last Days of Disco, He Got Game, Species II, The Land Girls, Men With Guns, Cube, Your Friends And Neighbours, Cousin Bette, Secret Defence, The Real Howard Spitz, The Doom Generation, Way Out West (1937), Love is the Devil, La Vie De Jesus, Babymother, Hands. 
Profiles: Natasha Henstridge, Ben Stiller, Chloe Sevigny. 
There's Something About Mary: Cameron Diaz and Matt Dillon - Hollywood's hottest couple - act very oddly in the new comedy from the Dumb And Dumber crew. 
Is there a script doctor in the house?: Empire takes a flight of fantasy over those original drafts. 
Anna Friel: The Land Girls star is digging for victory. 
Classic is as classic does: How to spot a classic movie. 
The buying game: The cutthroat world of movie shopping. 
Child Stars: It's never too early to start an acting career. The grim history of the kids who wanted fame. 
Saving Private Ryan: Steven Spielberg leads Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemone, Edward Burns et al into D-Day hell. 
War is swell: The 50 greatest war movies. 
  Also Empire's 100 Sexiest Movie Stars of 1998, Michael Caine, Rebecca Pidgeon, Vincenzo Natali, Curtis Armstrong, Dennis Christopher, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 113
November 1998

Main Cover

New films: The Truman Show, The Exorcist, A Perfect Murder, Deep Rising, Halloween H20, Small Soldiers, Ever After, Mulan, Divorcing Jack, Mercury Rising, Velvet Goldmine, Elizabeth, Still Crazy, Buffalo 66, The Governess, Kissing A Fool, Air Bud, Character, I Want You, Deja Vu, Loved, Funny Games, Rien Ne Va Plus, Safe Men, Kuhle Wampe, Woo, The Disappearance of Finbar, Marquise, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, East Side Story, The Proposition. 
Profiles: Robin Wright Penn, David Thewlis, Michelle Williams, Christopher Eccleston. 
The Truman Show: A profound, moving and intelligent Hollywood movie with Jim Carrey. 
Mike Nichols: Primary Colors has a US President embroiled in an embarrassing pants-down scenario. 
Small Soldiers: The toys are back in town-and this time they're armed. 
The 50 freakiest movies: From Apocalypse Pooh to The Worm Eaters. 
The Exorcist: The scariest movie ever made gets a 25th anniversary re-release. 
Screenwriting software 
Titanic: Empire charts the whole amazing story: from a lightbulb illuminating above James Cameron's head to Titanic's docking at your local video emporium. 
  Also Rutger Hauer, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Hans Matheson, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 114
December 1998

Main Cover

New films: Snake Eyes, Out Of Sight, The Negotiator, Blade, Rounders, Antz, Hope Floats, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, Twilight, Holy Man, Ronin, The Odd Couple 2, The Players Club, Girlstown, The Fountainhead (1949), The Wisdom Of Crocodiles, My Name Is Joe, Henry Fool, Left Luggage, Slums of Beverly Hills, The Eel, Les Miserables, Victory, Fire, The Knowledge Of Healing, If Only, The Philadelphia Story (1940), Angel Sharks. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: 8MM, Very Bad Things, Psycho, Star Trek: Insurrection, Patch Adams, Snow Falling On Cedars, The Talented Mr.Ripley, You've Got Mail, The tabloid hell of Leo DiCaprio, Eyes Wide Shut, Ken Loach, Marcus Nispel. 
In person: Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez, Claire Danes. 
The Negotiator: Kevin Spacey and Samuel Jackson are the cops who talk first and shoot later. 
Snake Eyes: Brian De Palma as mean, moody and brilliant as ever. 
The 30 worst behaved people in Hollywood: 1.Charlie Sheen, 2.Robert Downey Jr., 3.Christian Slater, 4.Courtney Love, 5.Rob Lowe .... 
Terry Gilliam: From Python to Hunter S. Thompson. 
Destiny calling: Rare shots of the rich and famous in the grip of obscurity. 
Catherine Zeta-Jones: The Mask Of Zorro's Hollywood sensation. 
  Also Alessandro Nivola, Gretchen Mol, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 115
January 1999

Main Cover

New films: The Mask Of Zorro, The Prince of Egypt, Enemy of the State, Rush Hour, What Dreams May Come, Practical Magic, The Parent Trap, Dancing At Lughnasa, Storefront Hitchcock, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Playing God, The Impostors, The Boys, The Year Of The Horse, Insomnia, The Apple, On Connait La Chanson. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Existenz, The Thomas Crown Affair, Shakespeare In Love, The Ninth Gate, The General's Daughter, A Civil Action, Ed TV, Arlington Road, American History X, Indiana 4, Sean Connery. 
In person: Natascha McElhone, Chris Tucker, Annabella Sciorra, George Clooney. 
The Mask Of Zorro: Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins flash their blades. 
The 50 greatest movie posters: 1.The Truman Show, 2.Batman, 3.Scandal, 4.Schindler's List, 5.The Silence of the Lambs .... 
Practical Magic: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman cast their spells. 
Mansions of the stars: Gaffs you'll never afford and prime unreal estate. 
The Prince of Egypt: DreamWorks' Jeffrey Katzenberg plots animated world domination . 
Steven Sodenbergh: From Sex, Lies and Videotape to Out of Sight. 
Review of 1998: The 50 movies that people talked about in 1998 plus a month by month guide to the movie events. 
TV movie hell: A whole week watching, frankly, rubbish. 
  Also Charley Boorman, Stacey Keach, Claire Forlani, Matthew Lillard, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

1999

Issue 116
February 1999

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New films: Psycho, The Siege, Meet Joe Black, Star Trek: Insurrection, Shakespeare in Love, Little Voice, Stepmom, The Mighty, Babe: Pig In The City, Living Out Loud, Very Bad Things, Two Girls And A Guy, The Opposite Sex, Bulworth, Hilary And Jackie, 54, Dobermann, Pi, Sitcom, Glass Trip, To Have And Have Not (1945), The Acid House. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, The Mummy, End of Days, Permanent Midnight, Onegin, Chris Columbus, Christopher Reeve. 
In person: Halle Berry, Joseph Fiennes, Jeanne Tripplehorn. 
Brad Pitt: Despite godlike features, untold riches, and Jennifer Aniston for a ladyfriend, he wants to be a serious actor. 
Psycho: Vince Vaughn stars in the Gus Van Sant remake/homage. 
The uglyometer: Gorgeous stars made to look worse than a dog's breakfast. 
Snuff movies: People are just dying to learn the truth. 
Geddit? With a vengeance: The 3nd instalment of Empire's movie in-joke compendium. 
Patrick Stewart: The man who replaced Shatner goes boldly into the ninth Star Trek movie. 
1999 Preview: Over 130 new movies coming at ya! 
  Also Gil Gerard, Billy Warlock, Tara Reid, James Frain, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 117
March 1999

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Issue #117 - March 1999</CENTER>
New films: A Bug's Life, Patch Adams, You've Got Mail, A Simple Plan, The Thin Red Line, Hideous Kinky, A Night At The Roxbury, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Live Is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella), Madeline, Jack Frost, Perdita Durango, Affliction, Slam, Pecker, Painted Angels, This Year's Love, Out Of The Present, Urban Legend, Titanic Town, Sour Grapes, Switchblade Sisters, I Think I Do. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Planet Of The Apes, Oskars, Harry Knowles, Ally Sheedy, Paul Le Mat, Parker Posey, Ciaran McMenemin. 
In person: Anthony Edwards, Jason Patric, Catherine McCormack, Christina Ricci. 
Patch Adams: Robin Williams, Monica Potter and director Tom Shadyac consider the healing powers of comedy. 
A Simple Plan: Sam Raimi's psychodrama in the snow. 
Mobile phones in movies: How they could have ruined those classic moments. 
Kate Winslet: Getting the shits in the Sahara. 
The Hollywood how to ... Let the movies show you how to get on in life. 
John Waters: He's not trying to shock anyone. Honest. 
Empire's 100 most...: Your guide to the most of everything in Hollywood 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 118
April 1999

Main Cover

New films: Payback, Mighty Joe Young, Gods And Monsters, Pleasantville, American History X, Waking Ned, Beloved, Arlington Road, The Rugrats Movie, An Autumn Tale (Conte D' Automne), Southpaw, Central Station, Festen (The Celebration), My Giant, Seul Contre Tous, Aprile, The 39 Steps (1935), American Independence. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, The Green Mile, Man On The Moon, Mystery Men, Bringing Out The Dead, The Beach, Oskar noms, Sean Penn, Kelly McGillis, Alan Cox, Radha Mitchell, Hope Davis. 
In person: Charlize Theron, Edward Norton. 
Payback: Mel Gibson wants violent revenge in his darkest ever role. 
Waking Ned: Irish lotto comedy with old and dead people in it. 
Genreology: Just what kind of film are you watching? 
Charlton Heston: From Moses to last man on earth. 
Salma Hayek: Cover story: Sultry, steamy, sexy star of The Faculty. 
Sex in Hollywood: The Ultimate A-Z. With knobs in. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 119
May 1999

Main Cover

New films: 8MM, The Waterboy, Blast From The Past, The Faculty, A Civil Action, Plunkett And Macleane, Message In A Bottle, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Orgazmo, Return to Paradise, The Honest Courtesan, Happiness, Tea With Mussolini, High Art, An Ideal Husband, In Dreams, Bedrooms And Hallways, eXistenZ, The Ninth Configuration, The Red Violin, Actresses, Orphans, Dance With Me, The Brylcreem Boys, Earth, Solomon And Gaenor, The Night of the Hunter, Prometheus. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, The Matrix, The Fight Club, Anywhere But Here, Entrapment, Mickey Blue Eyes, The Exorcist, Night of the Living Dead, Eyes Wide Shut, John Waters, Empire Awards 1999, Terry Moore, Ray Harryhausen, Josh Hartnett, Laura Harris. 
In person: Jonny Lee Miller, Minnie Driver, Alicia Silverstone. 
Plunkett and Macleane: Jake "Son of Ridley" Scott directs Robert Carlyle in a highwayman romp with Jonn Lee Miller and Liv Tyler. 
Bob Hoskins: From gangland to gongland. 
Stanley Kubrick: The genius is dead. Long live the genius 
The 50 coolest moments in movie history: If only real life could be this way ... 
8MM: Cover story: Nicolas Cage as a detective who finds snuff movies are not to be sniffed at. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 120
June 1999

Main Cover

New films: Notting Hill, True Crime, Apt Pupil, Best Laid Plans, Forces of Nature, Varsity Blues, Captain Jack, My Favorite Martian, The King And I, At First Sight, Swing, The Italian Job, Get Real, Crush Proof, Besieged, The Idiots, Parting Shots, The Corruptor, Black Cat White Cat, Artemesia, Perfect Blue, Eternity And A Day, The Inheritors, The Misadventures of Margaret, No, Side Streets. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, The World Is Not Enough, Wild Wild West, Deep Blue Sea, Dr. No, ET goes BT, William Friedkin, Mia Sara, Paul Mercurio, Scott Caan, Lisa Stansfield. 
In person: Ryan Phillippe, Angelina Jolie, James Van Der Beek. 
Forces Of Nature: Ben Affleck is plagued by stormy weather, rotten luck and Sandra Bullock on the way to his nuptials. 
Michael Winner: The film director who certainly knows his restaurants. 
David Cronenberg: From controversy to controversy. 
1989-1999: The ten movies of the decade. 
Pub turnament: The best actor of the 90s debated over a pint or two dozen. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 121
July 1999

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New films: The Matrix, The Mummy, Cruel Intentions, Celebrity, Bride of Chucky, Simon Birch, She's All That, The Deep End of the Ocean, Human Traffic, Heart, Vigo-Passion For Life, The Big Hit, The Lost Son, Croupier, Touch of Evil, Without Limits, Citizen Cane, Just the Ticket, Finding North, Get Carter, The Debt Collector, American Perfekt, Virus, Twin Dragons, Among Giants, Deadbeat At Dawn, Rogue Trader, Paperback Hero, Wing Commander, Venus Beauty. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: The Flintstones Viva Rock Vegas, Sleepy Hollow, Notting Hill in real life, Jonathan Ross, World War 2 history rewritten by Yanks, Dead Poets Society, Max Beesley, Rachael Leigh Cook. 
In person: Michelle Pfeiffer, Rachel Weisz, Sarah Michelle Gellar. 
The Matrix: Keanu Reeves has seen the future - and it's a cyberpunk alternate reality. With guns. Big ones. 
Robert Towne: The Hollywood screenwriter extraordinaire - from penning Chinatown to script doctoring on Armageddon. 
The Mummy is back from the dead and conjuring up Indiana Jones. 
Unmissable: Empire's annual summer preview extravaganza proudly directs you to the 20 films you must see before Christmas. 
Grudge matches: The gloves are off for Hollywood feuds that run and run. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 122
August 1999

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New films: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Entrapment, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, 10 Things I Hate About You, Virtual Sexuality, Last Night, The Match, All the Little Animals, Goodbye Lover, The Third Man, Le Diner De Cons, Tango, Belly, Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss, Other Voices Other Rooms, Wintersleepers, The Polish Bride. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Episodes II and III, The biggest stars caught by the biggest Cannes cameras, The Lucas Props Archice, Ahmed Best, Pernilla August. 
In person: Jake Loyd, Natalie Portman. 
The toys: Plastic, collectible, valuable. And cool as ice. 
Ray Park: Martial arts guru turned Darth Maul. 
Liam Neeson: Historical character actor turns to The Force - and into Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn. 
Fan obsessives: Inside the lives and bedrooms of the phantom Force collectors. 
Ewan McGregor: Leader of the Britpack turned young Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master-to-be. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 123
September 1999

Main Cover

New films: Wild Wild West, The Thomas Crown Affair, Rushmore, South Park: Bigger, Longer And Uncut. Mickey Blue Eyes, Playing By Heart, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Life, Never Been Kissed, The Hi-Lo Country, Cookie's Fortune, Late August Early September, Another Day In Paradise, Doug's 1st Movie, All About My Mother, Strangers On A Train, Koyaanisqatsi, Place Vendome, Le Notti Di Cabiria, West Beirut, Ca Commence Aujourd' Hui, L'Arche Du Desert. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Gladiator, keeping The Faith, Me, Myself And Irene, Austin Powers 2, Stanley Kubrick, Daniel Day Lewis, Julie Hagerty, Craig Wasson, Jason Schwartzman, Amy Smart. 
In person: Rene Russo, Heather Graham. 
The Thomas Crown Affair: Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo get steamy in an art theft caper. 
Charley Says...: Why were we watching 70s public information films? 
Austin Powers 2: Mike Myers and titchy Mini-Me on The Spy Who Shagged Me. 
Hollywood marriages: Hitches and glitches: marital disasters LA style. 
Wild Wild West: Pardners in crime Will Smith and Barry Sonnenfeld "do" cowboy sci-fi. 
George Lucas: Jar Jar, Maul, Episode II - George tells it like it is. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 124
October 1999

Main Cover

New films: Eyes Wide Shut, The Haunting, Analyze This, The 13th Warrior, Go, Drop Dead Gorgeous, William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Instinct, Election, The War Zone, LA Without A Map, The General's Daughter, A Kind Of Hush, The Theory Of Flight, Sweet Angel Mine, The Trench, Girl, Stop Making Sence, Beautiful People, Ravenous, Passion In The Desert, Yellow Submarine, A La Place Du Coeur, Final Cut, Buena Vista Social Club. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Bowfinger, Mission: Impossible 2, Anna and the King, Double Jeopardy, The Lord of the Rings, Robert Downe Jr., The Blair Witch Project, Charlotte Lewis, Richard Anderson, Desmond Askew, Caroline Ducey. 
In person: Kirsten Dunst, Julie Delpy, Lisa Kudrow. 
The Haunting: Jan De Bont talks about his latest frightfest. 
Eyes Wide Shut: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Stanley Kubrick in one of the most mysterious shoots in film history. 
Tim Roth: American indies' favoured Brit talks about his directorial debut, The War Zone. 
Your 100 greatest movies ever!: 1.Star Wars, 2.Jaws, 3.The Empire Strikes Back... 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 125
November 1999

Main Cover

New films: The Blair Witch Project, American Pie, Tarzan, Deep Blue Sea, Bowfinger, Runaway Bride, Pushing Tin, Big Daddy, Simply Irresistible, Detroit Rock City, The Big Tease, Holy Smoke, Lucia, Head On, Romance, The Winslow Boy, Run Lola Run, Cat People, Greenwich Mean Time, The Love Letter, The Alarmist, Felicia's Journey, The Last Days, Lucky People Center International, Mifune, After Life, Such A Long Journey, Kes. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Three Kings, Sleepy Hollow, Any Given Sunday, 15 Minutes, Supernova, Birthday Girl, David Bradley, Paul Gleason, Elaine Cassidy, Natasha Little. 
In person: Anna Friel, Joey Lauren Adams. 
Deep Blue Sea: On set with Samuel L.Jackson,, Reny Harlin, and sharks with big brains and bigger appetites. 
The Blair Witch Project: Deep in the woods the movie surprise of the year is stirring. 
David Mamet: America's finest screenwriter speaks his mind. 
Teen photo special: Hollywood's hottest young 'uns revisit Hitchcock. 
American Pie: The guys! The Girls! Meet the cast of the teen sensation of the year. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 126
December 1999

Main Cover

New films: Fight Club, The Sixth Sense, Ride With The Devil, EdTV, Random Hearts, The Out-Of-Towners, East Is East, Jacob The Liar, Onegin, The Astronaut's Wife, Music of the Heart, Gregory's Two Girls, Mad Cows, The Rage-Carrie II, The Loss of Sexual Innocence, Brokedown Palace, Fanny And Elvis, The Limey, The Glandestine Marriage, The Other Sister, You 're Dead, A Walk On The Moon, Universal Soldier: The Return, Taxi, Dreaming Of Joseph Lees, John Carpenter's Vampires, The Children of the Marshland, Ratcatcher, The Cup, The Tichborne Claimant, Scrooge, The Story Of O, The Secret Laughter Of Women, Following. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Toy Story 2, American Beauty, Bicentennial Man, The Bone Collector, Three Kings, Easy Rider, Ten Commandments, Chris Bisson, Paul Nicholls. 
In person: Diane Lane, Tobey Maguire, Jenna Elfman, Ralph Fiennes. 
The Sixth Sense: It's dead scary, it's got Bruce Willis and it's set to be one of the hugest film ever. 
Fight Club: Evil influence or social satire? Director David Fincher defends the most controversial film of the year. 
Robin Williams: The cuddliest man in film takes on the Holocaust. 
00 Heaven! To celebrate the release of Bond No.19, The World Is Not Enough, Empire brings you 14 glorious pages of Bond's most beautiful babes. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 127
January 2000

Main Cover

New films: The World Is Not Enough, End Of Days, Dogma, Mystery Men, Happy Texas, The Straight Story, The Iron Giant, Anna And The King, Inspector Gadget, October Sky, The Last Yellow, Muppets From Space, Anywhere But Here, Guest House Paradiso, Blue Streak, The Muse, 8 1/2 Women, Hold Back The Night, Legend Of 1900, Cinema Paradiso, Cotton Mary, Alice Et Martin, The Five Sences. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: The Messenger, The Insider, Play It, Girl Interrupted, Blair Witch secrets divulged, Matthew McConaughey's arrest, director Steven Soderburgh's Life In The Movies, Vincent Friell, Lee Majors, Nia Long, Helene Mahieu. 
In person: Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman, Ben Affleck. 
Caligula: The biggest mess ever made or a pornographic work of genius? Empire asks eveyone involved (well, nearlly). 
Isn't that?: Cameo appearances by some very strange characters. 
Sleepy Hollow: On the set with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. 
End Of Days: When Arnie met Satan... 
Kevin Smith: Indie film's golden boy defends controversial comedy, Dogma. 
Review of the year: 20 glorious pages on a sensational year at the movies. 
Guest House Paradiso: In a total departure from their usual fare, Ade and Rick run around in bikinis, poison people and hit each other. 
  Also Empire Calendar 2000, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

2000

Issue 128
February 2000

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New films: Sleepy Hollow, American Beauty, The Bone Collector, Double Jeopardy, Bringing Out The Dead, Summer Of Sam, Angela's Ashes, Wonderland, Stigmata, Bicentennial Man, One More Kiss, Strange Planet, Train Of Life, The Wood, Limbo, Simpatico, Time Regained, The Darkest Light, Lovers Of The Arctic Circle, Three Seasons, Scarlet Street, Lies. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Fantasia 2000, Little Nicky, House On Haunted Hill, Stuart Little, Hanging Up, Head Over Heels, The future of movies, Pokemon explained, A Clockwork Orange update, How to spot The Sixth Sense twist, Stigmata unravelled, Tura Satana, Larry Wilcox, Naomi Watts, Wes Bentley. 
In person: Alan Parker, Lisa Marie. 
The 50 films you must see in 2000: Toy Story 2, Mission Impossible 2, The Beach, Gladiator, Scream 3, The Green Mile, The Messenger, Battlfield Earth, X-Men, The Patriot, Me Myself And Irene... 
Kevin Spacey: On the eve of American Beauty's UK release and amidst frenzied Oskar talk, Empire caught up with Kevin Spacey - a new breed of Hollywood hero. 
Bringing Out The Dead: On the set of Martin Scorsese's dark paramedic drama. 
Angelina Jolie: She's beautiful, talented and at the moment she's just about everywhere - meet the new princess of Hollywood. 
Tim burton: The Sleepy Hollow auteur invites us into his weird but wonderful world. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 129
March 2000

Main Cover

New films: Toy Story 2, The Green Mile, Topsy-Turvy, House On Haunted Hill, The Beach, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Fantasia 2000, The End Of The Affair, Agnes Browne, A Room For Romeo Brass, Strong Language, Supernova, Fast Food, Blood Guts Bullets And Octane, From The Edge Of The City, Rear Window, Rosetta, The Cherry Orchard, Open Your Eyes, You Only Live Once. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Love's Labour's Lost, Sweet And Lowdown Circus, The Replacements, The Legend Of Bagger Vance. The Oscars, Puff Daddy, Harry Potter, Barry Pepper, Virginie Ledoyen. 
In person: Neil Jordan, Matthew Liliard, Julianne Moore. 
Toy Story 2: Screenwriter-director John Lasseter talks us through the making of the most eagerly-awaited sequel for years. 
The Beach: After one of the most controversual shoots for ages, Danny Boyle - and Leonardo DiCaprio - are back. Here Boyle exclusively reveals the story behind the making of The Beach. 
Bonkers contracts: Check out the weirder clauses imposed on Hollywood's stars, past and present. 
Man On The Moon: Next month sees the release of Jim Carrey's new movie, Andy Kaufman biopic Man On The Moon. But who the hell was he? 
The fall guy: Empire's Mark Dinning finds out exactly what it takes to become a professional stuntman. 
Anthony Minghella: The English Patient director on his star-studded follow-up, this month's The Talented Mr. Ripley. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 130
April 2000

Main Cover

New films: Three Kings, The Insider, The Hurricane, Girl Interrupted, Being John Malkovich, Joan Of Ark, Man On The Moon, Lake Placid, Magnolia, Ordinary Decent Criminal, Next Friday, Tumbleweeds, Any Given Sunday, What Ever Happened To Harold Smith?, Love's Labour's Lost, The Miracle Maker, Show Me Love, Broken Vessels, A Clockwork Orange, Bleeder, Mansfield Park, Third World, The Last Broadcast, A Matter Of Life And Death, The Long Good Friday, Lola + Bilidikid, House!, In All Innocence, Les Convoyeurs Attendent. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: Mission To Mars, The Patriot, All The Pretty Horses, U-571, The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle, Empire Awards 2000, The 72nd Oscars, The $75m. man, Spike Jonze, Michael Legge. 
In person: Milla Jovovich, John Malcovich. 
Winona Ryder: The true star of this month's Girl, Interrupted reveals the demons that nearly drove her over the edge. 
The Insider: Director Michael Mann reveals the inside story on the scandal that disgraced a TV station, rocked an industry and shattered one man's life. 
William H. Macy: The star of hot ensemble drama Magnolia talks us through his acting masterclass. 
Three Kings: George Clooney, water fights, pneumonia and eight-inch needles. Director David O. Russell tells all about the 'troubled' shoot. 
Frank Darabont: The nicest man in the world on Shawshank, sex toys and his latest Stephen King-athon, The Green Mile. 
  Also News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 131
May 2000

Main Cover

New films: Scream 3, Erin Brockovich, The Cider House Rules, Boys Don't Cry, American Psycho, Galaxy Quest, The Million Dollar Hotel, Kevin And Perry Go Large, Cradle Will Rock, Snow Day, Sunshine, Hurly Burly, Love Honour And Obey, Up At The Villa, The Closer You Get, Once Upon A Time In The West, Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar, Ghost Dog The Way of the Samurai, The Tigger Movie, Sex The Annabel Chong Story, Pippi Longstocking, Brother, L' Ennui, Of Freaks And Men. 
Reel life: Films in production, celeb news and pics etc.: The Perfect Storm, Lord of thr Rings, High Fidelity, Shiner, Virtually reality, Annabel Chong, Tahnee Welch, Michael Berryman, Laura Fraser, Jamie Foxx. 
In person: Kristin Scott Thomas, Gary Sinise, Chloe Sevigny. 
Kenneth Branagh: The star answers the most unusual and interesting questions from Empire readers. 
Psycho killers: Cover story. With the release this month of the slash-happy Scream 3 and American Psycho, has Hollywood gone too far? 
Denzel Washington: The Hurricane star reveals his tough new image may not be simply an act. 
Galaxy Quest: Laugh long and prosper! Empire on the set of this year's funniest sci-fi spoof. 
The Million Dollar Hotel: Exclusive, behind-the-scenes photographs from the hippest film of the year. 
The curse of Oscar: At the best of times Hollywood is a very superstitious place. 
Kevin And Perry Go Large: On the eve of their big screen debut, telly's Kevin and Perry - Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke - share their cringiest secrets. 
Tim Robbins: The multi-talented Robbins on his star turn in Mission To Mars, and being back behind the lens for this month's Cradle Will Rock. 
  Also The Art of Star Wars, News, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 132
June 2000

Main Cover

New films: Gladiator, Pitch Black, The Virgin Suicides, Mission To Mars, Final Destination, Honest, Stir Of Echoes, The Whole Nine Yards, 25 Days, Snow Falling On Cedars, Circus, Nora, Saving Grace, Pokemon, One Day In September, The Girl On The Bridge, La Nouvelle Eve, Hanging Up, Pola X, To Walk With Lions, Man Is A Woman, A Monkey's Tale, Best, The Filth And The Fury, Trick, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, My Life So Far, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Sullivan's Travels, Janine Beard 45WPM, Down to You, The Last September, Boiler Room. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: Why Julia Roberts is worth $20 million; On the set of Snatch; Oscars; BAFTAS; New Lord of the Rings picture; Celebrity drivers do some damage; Amanda Peet; Craig Ferguson; Heather Langenkamp; Top 20 movies in the works. 
In person: Ethan Hawke, Sofia Coppola, Kelly Macdonald. 
Ewan McGregor answers the questions on Jar Jar, nudity, stalking and a lot more hairy things. 
Honest: Three-quarters of All Saints make their film debut this month. But can they cut it on the big screen? 
Gladiator: Russell Crowe is prepared to fight all-comers for the title of next action hero as he takes the lead in Ridley Scott's swords, sandals and tigers epic. 
Kevin Bacon: It's Bacon year: two films on the way - Stir of Echoes and The Hollow Man - and the band plays on. 
Matt Stone & Trey Parker: How do you define comedy? South Park's creators thing they've got the answers. 
Memo to Hollywood: The truth! They want it but they can't handle it! The readers say how Hollywood must change. 
William Goldman: He's written more scripts than you 've had hot dinners, knows the industry better than anybody and isn't afraid to speak his mind. 
  Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 133
July 2000

Main Cover

New films: U-571, Battlefield Earth, Sweet And Lowdown, For Love Of The Game, Deception, Three To Tango, Eye Of The Beholder, Frequency, Return To Me, The Next Best Thing, Maybe Baby, The Ninth Gate, Gangster No. 1, The Story Of Us, When The Sky Falls, Beyond The Mat, Isn't She Great, Chill Factor, Drive Me Crazy, Simon Magus, The Barber Of Siberia, Brothers, Relative Values, The King Of Paris, Small Time Obsession, Jaya Ganga, Mal, The Best Man. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: What has happened to Kevin Costner?, Who is L.Ron Hubbard?,On set with U-571, The Blockbuster Awards, Connie Nielsen, Tom Hollander, Barbara Crampton, Top 20 movies in the works. 
In person: Matthew McConaughey, Joely Richardson, Emmanuelle Seigner. 
Stephen Fry answers the questions on real butlers, Julie Andrews, writing novels etc. 
Summer preview 2000: M:I 2, The Perfect Storm, High Fidelity, The Patriot, The X-Men, Gone in 60'', Loser, Me Myself And Irene, Snatch. 
The green pile: Empire analyses the excess, materialism and, arguably, lunacy of movieland's salary system. 
Richard Harris: Britain's biggest movie hellraiser is still here. 
The Tartan Army: An exclusive look at the National Portrait Gallery's new excibition in honour of Scottish actors. 
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A retrospective peak behind-the-scenes of the infamous horror movie. 
Woody Allen: He's short. He's neurotic. He's going deaf. But 30 years on, he's still firing at his best. 
  Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 134
August 2000

Main Cover

New films: Mission: Impossible 2, High Fidelity, American Movie, Stuart Little, The Patriot, Titan A.E., Big Momma's House, Chicken Run, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, Breakfast of Champions, Shaft, Love & Basketball, Kikujiro, Flamenco, Beau Travail, Butterfly's Tongue, In Too Deep, Essex Boys, 24 Hours in London, Not One Less, Bats, The Emperor and the Assassin, A Bout De Souffle. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: 30 new Episode II rumors; on the set of Keanu's new flick; the MTV Movie Awards; summer movie scandal; the best animated film you'll never see; new Lord of the Rings pics; Jessica Pare; Top 20 movies in the works. 
In person: Mark Wahlberg, Dougray Scott. 
Tim Roth answers the questions from getting bloody as Mr. Orange to getting stuck in The War Zone. 
John Cusack: High Fidelity's front man spends a day (and night) in London town with Empire in tow. 
Cannes people: First-time actors, veteran directors. They 're all here. 
The Patriot: Mel Gibson gets out the big guns once more to smote the English and banish their evil from the earth forever. 
Mena Suvari: The American Beauty reveals her hidden art skills. 
Chicken Run: The story of how some crazy guys from Bristol with a chicken obsession and a ton of Plasticine made a hit movie. 
Spend! Spend! Spend!: Wonder how moviestars get shot of their millions? Empire's man in LA did his damnedest to find out. 
John Woo: The sultan of shoot-'em-ups on M:I 2, slo-mo and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 
  Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 135
September 2000

Main Cover

Pierce Brosnan answers all the questions from being Bond to that stair-shagging sequence in The Thomas Crown Affair. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: Where have all the female stars gone? The hazards of foreign filmmaking. Merchandising wars. More news from Lord of the Rings. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. Future films. 
New films: X-Men, The Perfect Storm, Gone in 60 Seconds, Shanghai Noon, Rules of Engagement, Timecode, The Road to El Dorado, There's Only One Jimmy Grimble, Thomas and the Magic Railroad, Donald Cammell's Wild Side, The Color of Paradise, Some Voices, La Veuve De Saint-Pierre, Ring, Me Myself I, Kadosh, Siberia, Himalaya, The Wedding Tackle, My Dog Skip, Those Who Love Me Can Take The Train, Jesus' Son. 
In person: Saffron Burrows, Tommy Lee Jones, Owen Wilson. 
X-Men: From the set in Toronto to the night before the premiere in New York, Empire tracks this summer's record-breaking blockbuster. 
The Perfect Storm: George Clooney and serial on-screen partner Mark Wahlberg don scraggy beards to climb aboard the storm-tossed ship to blockbuster land. 
Raiders of the lost art: How two cinema giants turned their boyhood love of Saturday morning serials into the greatest summer movie ever made. 
William Friedkin: The Exorcist wunderkind and '70s survivor on hostility, Oscars and ass-kissing. 
  Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 136
October 2000

Main Cover

Morgan Freeman answers all the questions from which deadly sin tempts him the most to where does he keep his Empire award? 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: How did Brad shape up for Snatch? First Episode II pics, Big Budget Brother, Hollywood rumours, Brittany Murphy loses her cherry. Future films. 
New films: O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Snatch, Billy Elliot, Keeping the Faith, Hollow Man, Scary Movie, Me, Myself & Irene, The Cell, Titus, Nurse Betty, Shaft, Love & Sex, Play It to the Bone, The Luzhin Defence, Twin Falls Idaho, Where the Money Is, Miss Julie, The Wind Will Carry Us, Dancer in the Dark, Nightfall/Abendland, Going Off Big Time, L' Humanite, Whatever, Space Cowboys, Elephant Juice, Secrets of the Heart, Gossip, Cherry Falls. 
In person: Bjork, Anna Paquin, Jenn Elfman. 
Jennifer Lopez: Fresh from conquering the pop charts, La Lopez is back in The Cell. An exclusive audience with the hottest star in Hollywood. 
Cinema survey: The worst and the best cinemas in UK. 
Snatch. 
Famke Jansen and Jon Favreau: The cosy co-stars of Love & Sex talk about... love and sex. 
A fistful of dollars: A celebration of the classic Spaghetti Western trilogy, which made Clint Eastwood into a star. 
The Coen brothers: The laconic geniuses attempt to be serious. 
  Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 137
November 2000

Main Cover

Joel Silver answers all the questions from what happens in The Matrix 2 to how often does he lose his temper. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: How far is to far? On the set of Mummy 2. Meet the Road Trippers. Future films. 
New films: What Lies Beneath, Road Trip, Dinosaur, Girlfight, Under Suspicion, Coyote Ugly, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Center Stage, Romeo Must Die, The House Of Mirth, Liberty Heights, This is Spinal Tap, I Could Read The Sky, Nasty Neighbours, Rage, Water Drops on Burning Rocks, Memento, The Little Vampire, Sorted, In The Mood For Love, Julien Donkey-Boy, Some Like It Hot (1959). 
In person: Elisabeth Shue. 
...and beneath lies, the truth: Empire meets Michelle Pfeiffer in venice and chases Harrison Ford around Europe to ask the really tough questions. For starters, what, exactly, lies beneath? 
Empire's 69 sexiest movie characters of all time: Attractive actors come and go, but truly sexy character can live forever. 
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2: Sequel director Joe Berlinger reveals why he decided to go back into the woods, but leave the shaky camera behind. Plus, meet two of the new campers. 
Girlfight: The star and director of this year's big Sundance smash give us a blow-by-blow account of making their 'female Rocky'. 
Paul Verhoeven: The always controversial Dutch director of Hollow Man defends his good name in an explosive interview. 
  Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 138
December 2000

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Joel Schumacher answers all the questions from is there life after death to has he ever worn a dress? 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: Spielberg's favourite swear word; more Episode II pics; make like a Raging Bull; Adam Sandler: genius or goat? Vin Diesel; Twin Peaks cast; Future films. 
New films: Wonder Boys, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, Bedazzled, Bring It On, The Way Of The Gun, Loser, Duets, The Yards, Flawless, The Exorcist: Director's Cut, Chopper, Purely Belter, Disney's The Kid, The Skulls, Chuck & Buck, Black And White, Singin' In The Rain, East-West, Judy Berlin, Tom's Midnight Garden, Where The Heart Is, Bodywork, Goya In Bordeaux, Harry He Is Here To Help, Into The Arms Of Strangers, Gun Shy, It Was An Accident, Man Utd: Beyond The Promised Land, Suzhou River, The Road Home, The Golden Bowl, Confessions of a Trickbaby, Grey Owl, Siam Sunset, Pourquoi Pas Moi?, Raging Bull. 
In person: Carrie-Anne Moss, Jason Biggs. 
Elizabeth Hurley: Britain's most eligible leading lady talks exclusively to Empire about sex, sinning and seducing Brendan Fraser in Bedazzled. 
Charlie's Angels: Catsuits and catfights. The full story behind one of the most anticipated films of the year. 
Wonder Boys: On set with Curtis Hanson, Michael Douglas and their fellow boy wonders. 
Natalie Portman: The beauty with a brain talks about Harvard and her plans for the future, and offers an insight into her new movie, Where The Heart Is. 
Get Carter: Not the Sly Stallone re-make, but the diamond hard original. Michaels Hodges and Caine talk us through the best British gangster film of all time. 
James Caan: The Godfather of cool chats about his turbulent four decades in Hollywood. 
  Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 139
January 2001

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John Waters answers all the questions from Divine and dog shit to bad hair days and Cecil B. Demented. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: Who's gonna win the 2001 Academy Awards? Will Smith takes on Ali; Ioan Gruffund and Alice Evans in 102 Dalmatians; Future films. 
New films: The Grinch, Charlie's Angels, Meet the Parents, The 6th Day, Little Nicky, The Family Man, Small Time Crooks, 102 Dalmatians, Cecil B. Demented, Hamlet, Ready to Rumble, The Art of War, Les Destinees Sentimentales, The Original Kings of Comedy, Merlin The Return, The Man Who Cried, Blackboards, Groove, La Fidelite, Urban Legends: Final Cut, The Apartment. 
In person: Tea Leoni, Julia Stiles, Ben Stiller. 
The Grinch: Jim Carrey and Ron Howard reveal all about the mad green world of The Grinch. 
Review of the year: What was this year called 2000 all about? Only the definitive Empire review will set you straight. 
George Clooney: Three hit films in one year. One cool customer. Clooney looks back on his career to date. And life with a pig. 
Philip Seymour Hoffman. 
It's A Wonderful Life: The true story of how a dud become a classic. 
Cameron Crowe: Tom Cruise's mate on realising his dream film, Almost Famous. 
  Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

2001

Issue 140
February 2001

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Ray Winstone answers all the questions from teenage Scum to sun-tanned Sexy Beast. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: Can Tom Hanks make it an Oscar hat trick? Amelia Warner; On set with Madeleine Stowe; Fight like a Crouching Tigger; Future films. 
New films: Unbreakable, Traffic, Cast Away, Almost Famous, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Vertical Limit, Quills, Requiem for a Dream, Pay It Forward, Red Planet, Bless the Child, Saltwater, The Criminal, The Low Down, Lost Souls, Crime & Punishment in Suburbia, Salo or The 120 Days Of Sodom, Kiss Me Kate, Beautiful Creatures, Bounce, Dead Babies, The Ring 2, Woman On Top, Pokemon The Movie 2000, Sexy Beast. 
In person: Kate Hudson, Steven Mackintosh, Don Cheadle. 
Preview 2001: Twenty pages of exclusive interviews and brand new shots of the movies which will rule the next 12 months. 
Joaquin Phoenix: An interview with the star of Gladiator and Quills. 
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Empire explains the tricks behind the gravity-defying fight scenes in Ang Lee's martial arts masterpiece. 
Sexy Beast: On the sun-soaked Spanish set of this cool Brit gangster flick. 
Traffic: Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Empire talks to all the big players behind Steven Soderbergh's ''$49 million Dogme movie''. 
M. Night Shyamalan: An exclusive interview with the director of this month's Unbreakable. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 141
March 2001

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Minnie Driver answers all the questions from Riverdance: The Movie to her most recent appearance in heart-swap romcom Return To Me. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: First look at Harry Potter and Planet Of The Apes; Castaway in Margate; How would a Hollywood actor's strike effect the UK?; Prince William: movie star in the making; Future films. 
New films: What Women Want, Shadow of the Vampire, State and Main, Remember the Titans, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Born Romantic, The Claim, Finding Forester, The Emperor's New Groove, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Dude Where's My Car?, Liam, Faithless, Digimon The Movie, Second Skin, The Lost Lover, Breakfast At Tiffany's. 
In person: Helen Hunt, Sarah Jessica Parker. 
My bloody Valentine: A special section celebrating the release of Hannibal, including: An exclusive audience with Hannibal director Ridley Scott; Willem Defoe talks vampires; Are you a psycho? Take the test; Takeshi Kitano: the hardest man in movies; The 10 most shocking movie moments of the last century or so; Anthony Hopkins explains why he returned to his favorite role; Baise-Moi; And buckets more gore. 
The Legent of Bagger Vance: Intimate portraits of the talent behind Bagger Vance: Robert Redford, Charlize Theron, Matt Damon and Will Smith. 
Born Romantic: On the salsa lovin' set of David Kane's latest London love story. 
Breakfast at Tiffany's: The romantic classic is 40 years old this month, but don't worry - she doesn't look a day over 25. 
Jerry Bruckheimer: The surviving half of the infamous Simpson-Bruckheimer duo talks about his billion-dollar career. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 142
April 2001

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Matthew Broderick answers all the questions from leaping lizards in Godzilla to locking limbs in You Can Count On Me. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: The Oscar race hots up; On set with Burton's Planet Of The Apes; Thirteen Days' Kennedy brothers; Wes Craven directs Bill Clinton; Hot new pics from Jurassic Park III, A.I., Episode II, Lord Of The Rings; Heidi Klum. 
New films: Enemy At The Gates, Thirteen Days, Hannibal, Chocolat, All The Pretty Horses, The Gift, You Can Count On Me, The Contender, Audition, Best In Show, Miss Congeniality, Malena, An Everlasting Piece, The Terminator, Dungeons & Dragons, Save The Last Dance, Proof Of Life, Shower, The Tao Of Sreve, Blow Dry, Last Resort, Men Of Honour, About Adam, Brother, Nationale 7, Elvis: That's The Way It Is Special Edition, 2001: A Space Odyssey, But I'M A Cheerleader, Damnation, The Watcher, Dark Days, Don't Look Now. 
In person: Sandra Bullock, Monica Bellucci. 
Instand cool: From blow jobs to Italian Jobs, from the macho of McQueen to the wisdom of Woody, Empire brings you the 273 funniest, scariest, sexiest, hippest, downright memorable moments in movie history. 
The Gift: On set with Cate Blanchett and Keanu Reeves for Sam Raimi's supernatural chiller. 
Proof Of Life: Love, landsides and loud-mouthed directors - all the drama behind the most harrowing shoot of the year. 
Enemy At The Gates: On location in Berlin, Empire takes aim at Jude Law and Ed Harris for a sniper spectacular. 
2001: A Space Odyssey: Unseen photos and the full story behind Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece. 
Robert De Niro: A rare audience with the world's greatest movie actor: Scorsese, Godfather II, his difficult rep - it's all here. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 143
May 2001

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Vinnie Jones answers all the questions from ''did he bond with Charlton Heston'' to male strippers and Smoking Snatch. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: Reality cinema is here; on the set of Schumacher's Phone Booth; Cotton bud cinema; Russell Crowe kidnap drama; BAFTAs round-up; Flora Montgomery; hot new pics from Gangs of New York, Lord of the Rings, A.I. 
The Empire Awards 2001: The stars! The speeches! the hobbits! The full lowdown on the best movie bash of the year. 
New films: The Mexican, Bridget Jones's Diary, One Night At McCool's, The Hole, The Wedding Planner, Bamboozled, The Tailor Of Panama, 15 Minutes, Mildred Pierce, A Hard Day's Night, Under The Sand, Rugrats In Paris: The Movie, The Invisible Circus, Les Enfants Du Siecle, Bread And Roses, When Brendan Met Trudy, Aimee And Jaguar, The Captive. 
In person: Liv Tyler, Claire Forlani. 
The Mexican: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and director Gore Verbinski talk exclusively about quirky road trip The Mexican. 
Renee Zellweger Takes Empire exclusively through Bridget Jones's Diary. 
Your 10 most F.A.Q.: How do you go to a premiere? How do you become a film critic? Life's essential posers answered. 
The Contender: Former Empire scribe Rod Lurie talks us through his Oscar-tipped pot-boiler. Snaps by Jeff Bridges. 
Josh Hartnett and Rachael Leigh Cook: Sexy young Yanks invade Blighty in Blow Dry. 
The Hole: Underground with the hot teens of the Brit chiller. 
Peeping Tom: The birth and rebirth of Michael Powell's classic. 
Bryan Singer: X-Men director Bryan Singer on mutants, court cases and bad hair. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 144
June 2001

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Christian Bale answers all the questions from ''will he be the next James Bond'' to ''did he enjoy hanky panky with Ewan?'' 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: The full story behind Beatty's Town & Country; Tarantino rumors shot down; Robert Rodriguez does kid flick; Tom Cruise sandwich; Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu; Pipeline: the all-new in-production dection, with unseen pics from Spy Game, Resident Evil and Ali. 
Oscars 2001: Who won what and why. 
New films: Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Tigerland, Along Came A Spider, Blow, The Dish, Amores Perros, Exit Wounds, Spy Kids, The Mummy Returns, Goodbye Charlie Bright, The Taste Of Others, The Terrorist, Le Libertin, Alfie, Antitrust, Boesman And Lena, Valentine. 
In person: Colin Farrell, Carla Gugino. 
The Mummy Returns: Rachel Weisz, Brendan Fraser, director Stephen Sommers and ILM talk exclusively about the summer's first blockbuster. 
The ultimate summer preview: Confused about what to see this summer? After reading Empire's comprehensive guide, you won't be! Includes: Tomb Raider, Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, Jurassic Park III and A.I. 
Penelope Cruz: An intimate audience with the Spanish stunner who puts the twang in Captain Corelli's Mandolin. 
Stand By Me: The real-life curse behind the teen classic. 
Working Title: Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner talk Bridget Jones, Four Weddings, Bean and Captain Corelli's Mandolin. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 145
July 2001

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David Duchovny answers all the questions from ''will there be an X-Files 2?'' to ''who is his favourite Muppet?'' 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: Sex is back; Hobbits in Cannes, Damon Albarn rocks; Melissa Sagemiller rolls; Russell Crowe gnomed; Tom Cruise gets gunged; Steve Buscemi's stabbing: Tarantino-style; The Replacements. 
New films: Pearl Harbor, Shrek, The Mummy Returns, Ginger Snaps, Down To Earth, Say It Isn't So, Series 7: The Contenders, Croupier, La Bete, Another Life, 101 Reykjavik, Out Of Depth, Dracula 2001, Get Over It, Late Night Shopping, Autumn In New York, Merci Pour Le Chocolat, Before Night Falls, The Crimson Rivers, Nowhere To Hide, Taxi 2, Very Annie Mary, Bande A Part, See Spot Run, Fiddler On The Roof, El Mar, Like Father, Evolution. 
In person: Heather Graham, Franka Potente. 
Pearl Harbor: Empire gives you the exclusive lowdown on the bombs, the bullets and the budget of Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay's $135 million sure thing. Including exclusive interviews with stars Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale. 
Shrek: Behind the scenes with this year's CGI marvel. 
Jean Reno: The enigmatic Gallic star talks Luc Besson, Hollywood and his new film, The Crimson Rivers. 
Sisters of no mercy: Ginger Snaps and Series 7 offer heroines with more balls and bite than a tombful of Laras. 
Chris Rock: America's second funniest man. 
Ghostbusters: Empire reveals the full story fehind the king of comedy blockbusters. 
Jack Cardiff: From The Red Shoes to Rambo, a cinematographer's life in pictures. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 146
August 2001

Main Cover

Jon Voight answers all the questions from hanging with Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy to lording with Lara in Tomb Raider. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: When critics attack Pearl Harbor; A re-cut version of Episode I; Natalia Verbeke; The real Cannes; A visit to Mel Gibson's new movie. 
New films: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Evolution, Town & Country, Dr. T And The Women, Sweet November, High Heels And Low Lifes, The Princess And The Warrior, Together, Urban Ghost Story, Whipped, The Ladies Man, When Love Comes, Solas, The In Crowd, Ed Gein, Intimacy, The Iron Ladies, Pokemon 3: The Movie, Possible Worlds, Room To Rent, Jurassic Park III. 
In person: Jason Isaacs. 
Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie, as Lara Croft, in this month's event movie. 
Minnie Driver and Mary McCormack: Spend a girls' night in with the transatlantic trouble-makers from High Heels Low Lifes. 
Jurassic Park III: Director Joe Johnston and his dinosaur specialists (Stan Winston and ILM) talk us through the challenge of life after Spielberg, while on set the cast talk about life as lunch. 
Director's gallery: Intimate portraits of the maverick talents behind some of cinema's most distinctive films. Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, De Palma, Stone, Carpenter, Woo. 
The Abyss: Hold your breath as Empire goes deep to tell the extraordinary story of the James Cameron shoot which earned the nickname ''The Abuse''. 
Jeffrey Katzenberg: The K from Dreamworks SKG talks about his remarkable career, including his latest animation triumph, Shrek. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 147
September 2001

Main Cover

William H. Macy answers all the questions from was he really shot in an armed robbery to playing a cockroach. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: The death of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote; Casting America's Sweethearts; Paul Bettany and Shannyn Sossamon sass up A Knight's Tale; Cats & Dogs behind the scenes; When the strike is over: special report; Jack Lemmon RIP; visit to Hart's War and new Episode II; Spider-Man. 
New films: Jurassic Park III, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Swordfish, A Knight's Tale, Heartbreakers, Cats & Dogs, Lucky Break, Crocodile Dundee In Los Angeles, Crazy/Beautiful, Animal Attraction, What's The Worst That Could Happen?, The Parole Officer, Me You Them, The Farewell, Gohatto, Suspicious River, Dr. Dolittle 2, Hedwig And The Angry Inch, A Time For Drunken Horses, Recess: School's Out, What's Cooking?, Josie And The Pussycats, Tears Of The Black Tiger, At The Height Of The Summer, The Truth Game, Help! I'm A Fish. 
Planet Of The Apes: Tim Burton defies convention yet again this month to return to the Planet Of The Apes. Empire brings you the full inside story on the $100 million blockbuster (just don't call it a remake), with exclusive interviews with Burton, Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth et al, and unprecedented on-set access. Plus Charlton Heston anchors Empire's full-on retrospective look at the original film that became a classic. 
Jennifer Love Hewitt: The scream queen-turned-Heartbreaker tells all about her ticket out of teen. 
Final Fantasy: It's more than a computer game adaptation; more than just the next wave of computer animation. Final Fantasy could herald the next era of cinema - but will it also sound the death knell for flesh and blood actors? 
Steve Coogan and James Nesbitt: Two of Britain's brightest comedic talents are set to bust out to cinematic stardom in prison-related comedies, The Parole Officer and Lucky Break. Empire goes down for a long stretch with both. 
Swordfish: Director Dominic Sena reveals how he created the best explosion of the summer. 
A Knight's Tale: Heath Ledger on impending stardom, the paparazzi and singalonga-swordplay. 
Robert Altman: Call him Maverick. From Nasville to The Player, the legendary Robert Altman tells how he's been bucking the Hollywood system for years. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 148
October 2001

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Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: New shots from Gangs Of New York, Four Feathers, Ali, Spider and The Reckoning; Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster, co-stars in The Fast And The Furious; Audrey Tautou, the breathtaking face of Amelie; set visits to Joaquin Phoenix's war epic, Buffalo Soldiers, and Vinnie Jones' Mean Machine. 
Sigourney Weaver answers all the questions from alien orgies and wife-swapping to Ghostbusters 3 and losing out at the Oscars. 
A.I. Robot wars: The full lowdown on Steven Spielberg's sci-fi spectacular. 
Molly Parker: Find out why the ''innocent 25 year-old'' is the bravest woman working in movies today. 
The Fast And The Furious: Director Rob Cohen and star Vin Diesel reveal how they made cars go really fast. 
Moulin Rouge: Welcome to Baz Luhrmanns weird and wonderful musical extravaganza! Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor give us all the behind-the-scenes juice, rumours'n'all. 
Battle Royale: Before the inevitable controversy kicks in, discover exactly why this biting satire deserves your attention. 
Ed Norton: He's been called the finest actor of his generation. We meet the man to find out why. 
The making of... Superman: ''You'll believe a man can fly,'' boasted the teaser poster - but living up to that line turned out to be a whole lot tougher than anyone expected. 
The method: Brando was famous for it. Monroe was driven mad by it. The origins of a school of acting that was to shape a generation. 
Hall of fame: His name is Michael Caine, and with underworld drama Shiner his 58th film, he looks back over a long and very busy career. 
New films: A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Planet Of The Apes, Moulin Rouge, The Fast And The Furious, The Score, Crush, Scary Movie 2, Enigma, Battle Royale, Shiner, George Washington, Greenfingers, Pandaemonium, Rush Hour 2, The Center Of The World, The Circle, The Brothers, The Martins, The Forsaken, Women Talking Dirty, Angel Eyes, Le Secret, Ali Zaoua, Bloody Angels, Sweet Smell Of Success. 
Oliver Stone explains how, and why, he brought Salvador and Wall Street To DVD. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 149
November 2001

Main Cover

First look: New shots from Windtalkers, Bandits, Kevin Spacey in The Shipping News, a new animated version of A Christmas Carol and Steven Soderbergh's all-star Ocean's Eleven. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: The full low-down on Apocalypse Now Redux; The Guide; Snatches; Jet Li teatches us kung fu. 
Talent: Rat Race co-stars Breckin Meyer and Seth 'Quasi-evil' Green; plus Mrs. Ryan Phillippe, Legally Blonde's Reese Withserspoon. 
Pipeline: An exclusive visit to the set of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man; plus Harry Potter toys, the new James Bond car and a glimpse of the first official Lord Of The Rings poster. 
Last word: Kim Newman ponders what the failure of Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the success of Shrek means for traditional animation, and Disney in particular. 
Mark Hamill: The original Skywalker facing questions about Episode I, OJ Simpson and his Star Wars co-stars. 
The ultimate movie poll: From best actress to best poster, best soundtrack to best film. The finest in movie history as voted by the readers. 
American Pie 2: There are hundreds of people in this summer's comedy sequel, but Empire just talk to the funny ones: Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan and Jason Biggs. Plus, Eugene Levy explains the comedy of embarrassment. 
Jeremy Northam: The perfect English gentleman may yet become a purpose-built American star. So long as he can still find time to warch the cricket. 
America's Sweethearts: A press conference starring huge movie stars talking about a film in which huge movie stars struggle through press conferences...Oh, sod it, it's got Julia Roberts and John Cusack in it. 
The making of Taxi Driver: Not many films have inspired both a Levi's commercial and a Presidential assassination attempt. 
Ed Norton: He's been called the finest actor of his generation. We meet the man to find out why. 
Hall of fame: With Cannes favourite Mulholland Drive marking a return to prime weird form, Empire looks back over the singular career of director David Lynch. 
New films: America's Sweethearts, American Pie 2, Legally Blonde, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, The Pledge, Rat Race, Kiss Of The Dragon, Osmosis Jones, Original Sin, Peaches, Presque Rien, Wild About Harry, The Man Who Wasn't There, Down From The Mountain, Jeepers Creepers, SW9, La Ville Est Tranquille, The Brotherhood Of The Wolf, Driven, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2, Large, Eureka, Amelie, Asoka, La Cienaga, Little Otik, Mike Bassett: England Manager, Annie Hall. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 150
December 2001

Main Cover

First look: New shots from the Hughes brothers' blood epic From Hell, plus Shallow Hall, Monsters Inc. and stunning images from Ocean's 11 trailer. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: 20 tips for Oscars, Snatches, The Guide, and how to dress like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. 
Talent: Katharine Isabelle, E.R.'s Goran Visnjic and the twisted brilliance of Happiness director Todd Solondz. 
Pipeline: Set visits to underwater horror Below and Salma Hayek's Frida, plus all the new production news, including a casting rumour round-up. 
Last word: Foreign films are fun too! So long as you can find a cinema brave enough to show them. 
Billy Connoly: The hirsute Scot answers all your questions. 
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: On set and behind the scenes, Empire talks to author J.K. Rowling, 12 year-old Daniel Radcliffe, director Chris Columbus and a host of others in a bid to reveal the magician's best kept secrets. 
The Others: Starring Nicole Kidman, produced by her ex and directed by a 29 year-old Spanish wunderkind. The Seventh Sense, anyone? 
Ghost World: Comic creator Daniel Clowes draws an exclusive picture of life on the set of the Ghost World, the movie version of his cult graphic novel. 
Billy Bob Thornton: He may be married to one of the most beautiful women in the world, but as a boy, Billy Bob had designs on somebody very different. A barmy but brilliant interview. 
The making of The Evil Dead: Director Sam Raimi and star Bruce Campbell talk demons and Vaseline. 
Apocalypse Now: Chopper attack: All the method and madness - and what you see on screen doesn't come close to what happened off camera - behind perhaps the greatest action set-piece in movie history. 
Tony Curtis: The Hollywood legend talks frankly about the highs and lows of a career stretching over five decades. 
New films: The Others, Heist, Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, Ghosts Of Mars, Glitter, Zoolander, Me Without You, Ghost World, Gabriel & Me, Eloge De L' Amour, The Animal, Strictly Sinatra, Storytelling, A Bench In The Park, Disco Pigs, Kandahar, The Navigators, The Piano Teacher, New Year's Day, Esther Kahn, Baby Boy, The Body, Apocalypse Now Redux, My Brother Tom, This Filthy Earth, The Devil's Backbone, Jump Tomorrow. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Issue 151
January 2002

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2nd Cover

First look: New shots from Monsters Inc, Vanilla Sky, Behind Enemy Lines. 
Front row: Movieland's hottest stories including: Episode II trailers analysed. 
Talent: Adam Garcia and the anti-Amelie, Roxane Mesquida. 
Pipeline: An exclusive visit to the set of Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down; plus Soderbergh's Solaris flair. 
Review of the year: Including the 50 must-see movies of 2001, Last word on a mediocre year, and the inaugural Snatches Awards for all that was great and good. And not good. 
Ben Stiller: The star of Zoolander has no shame. That's why we love him. 
The Lord Of Rings special section: Including: The full production story, Interviews with all the cast and Peter Jackson, The SFX secrets behind the movie magic, An exclusive on-set diary, Parts two and three preview, And all manner of Hobbit-related nonsesnse! 
The making of... The Wizard Of Oz: It must be Christmas, Dorothy's on the box. Follow the yellow brick road. 
Samuel L. Jackson: He's the one that says bad motherfucker. 
New films: The 51st State, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, Serendipity, Bandits, The Princess Diaries, The Deep End, Christmas Carol: The Movie, Rock Star, Mean Machine, Riding In Cars With Boys, Maelstrom, The Believer, Djomeh, The Hired Hand, A Ma Soeur, The Day I Became A Woman, Dog Eat Dog, Meet Me In St. Louis, Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure. 
Â Â Also News, DVD, Video, TV, Books, Multimedia, Music and more.

Special
2001

Main Cover

Empire (Special Collectors Edition) 
The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Ever 
The Definitive Guide.

2002

Issue 152
February 2002

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Issue 153
March 2002

Main Cover

First Look: Blade II, We Were Soldiers, Lilo & Stitich, Chamber of Secrets, Reader Screening Double Bill: A Beautiful Mind & Ali. 
Front Row: DVD RIP?: Stars seek payment for DVD extras, Last-Ditch Oscar Tips, Movie Nepotism. 
Talent: Amy Smart, Laurence Fox. 
Pipeline: Franchise Special: Batman Projects, Indiana Jones IV, Back To The Future IV, James Bond XX, Set Visit: Thunderpants. 
Public Access: Christopher Walken. 
Cover Story: Ocean's 11: two months with the best cast of 2002. 
Monsters Inc.: This ain't no Toy Story! 
In The Bedroom: How Todd Field made the best-reviewed film of the year. 
Jennifer Connelly: The Beautiful Mind star on Oscar buzz, The Hulk and escaping the clutches of child stardom. 
Ali: When Fresh Prince met the Ring King: Will Smith sparring with the champ. 
Cate Blanchett: From playing real royalty in Elizabeth to Elf royalty in The Lord Of The Rings, is Australia's finest the best actress in the world today? 
Retro: Robocop, The French Connection. 
Hall of Fame: Michael Mann: Ali's auteur on crime, Russell Crowe and ice cream. 
Every New Film Reviewed: Ali, Ocean's 11, Monsters Inc., From Hell, Training Day, Made, Don't Say A Word, Gosford Park, A Beautiful Mind, Shallow Hal, Charlotte Gray, Bloody Sunday, D-Tox, In The Bedroom, The Lady And The Duke, The Hidden Fortress, Bangkok Dangerous, Cool And Crazy, Late Marriage, Just Visiting, Funny Girl, Muhammad Ali: The Greatest, The affair Of The Necklace, Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, Metropolis, Promises, The Fluffer, Night Shift. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Multimedia Classic Scene, Back to the Future Competitions! Box Office: Who cashed in on last month's movies.

Issue 154
April 2002

Main Cover

First Look: Exclusive Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones pics and words. Plus Spider-Man, Minority Report, Men In Black II. 
Front Row: Who will win the Oscars? Plus Ali G's on-set diary, the horror map of the USA and Reese Witherspoon scratching her butt. 
Talent: Slackers' James King (she's a girl, don't you know), and Blade II's vamp, Leonor Varela. 
Pipeline: On set with Jackie Chan. Michael Mann on his new flicks. Eric Bana on David Banner. Spider-Man toys. Episode II vs. Closet. Plus pics from the new Adam Sandler. 
Last word: Do the Oscars treat commerce and culture with the same dispassionate eye? And why is comedy always left out in the cold? 
7th Annual Empire Awards: The winners, presenters and celebs of 2002. 
Cover Story: Russell Crowe: Clocking up three days in London and Paris with the world's hottest actor, Empire enters the psyche of the A Beautiful Mind star - his most revealing, honest interview yet. 
The Royal Tenenbaums: Meet the cast of Wes Anderson's follow-up to the brilliant Rushmore. Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Anjelica Huston and the head of the family Gene Hackman, talk up working with cinema's quirky wunderkind. 
The Sundance Film Festival: Empire traipsed off to the icy climes of Park City, Utah, for the coolest film festival in the world - and we bumped into Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston and Rhus Ifans sleeping on a pavement. 
Retro: The making of An American Werewolf In London: ''I see a bad moon rising...'' The making of the greatest comedy horror flick ever. Includes exclusive interview with director John Landis, plus a look at the work of effects supremo Rick Baker. 
Hall of Fame: Mel Gibson: The first superstar of Australian cinema talks the classic movies - Mad Max, Lethal Weapon, Braveheart - plus pub brawls, giving up booze and getting too old for heroes. 
Every New Film Reviewed: The Royal Tenenbaums, We Were Soldiers, Hearts In Atlantis, The Shipping News, The Mothman Prophecies, Life As A House, Ice Age, Fatma, Return to Never Land, Behind The Sun, The Experiment, Thirteen Ghosts, Slogans, Bully, The Son's Room, La Comedie De L'Innocence, Warm Water Under A Red Bridge, Ali G Indahouse, The Conversation, Ikingut, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Officer's Ward, If.... 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: If...

Issue 155
May 2002

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First Look: Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, Spider Man, MIB II, John Q, 40 Days And 40 Nights, The Time Machine, Showtime, The Majestic, Resident Evil, Minority Report and more. 
Front Row: Behind the headlines at the BAFTAs, Snatches and all the usual regulars. 
Talent: Four faces for the future: Gael Garcia Bernal, Summer Phoenix, Keira Knightley and Dagmara Domincyzk. 
Pipeline: Down under on the set of Scooby Doo, Bryan Singer on X2 and Michael Madsen on the return of Tarantino. 
Last word: Why the next 12 months could be the most exciting ever. 
Public Access: Jeff Bridges. 
Cover Story: Hugh Grant: With About A Boy set to add to his glittering C.V., Empire spends a day in New York with Britain's biggest box office star. 
How to build the perfect... action hero: After watching every action movie ever made (nearly), Empire knows all Hollywood's secrets. 
24 Hour Party People: Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan throw this year's can't-miss party in Manchester. 
Kevin Reynolds: The Waterworld director has his revenge with The Count Of Monte Cristo. 
Blade II: Wesley Snipes tells us why his vampire hunter is meaner and leaner this time around. Plus, an exclusive look at the director's own sketches. 
Row rage: Empire investigates violence in your local multiplex. 
Sundance portrait gallery: Cool people. Hot photos. 
Retro: The making of E.T.: The marketing of a classic. Plus a visit to ILM as E.T. gets a digital face-lift for his 20th Anniversary reissue. 
Hall of Fame: David Fincher: With Panic Room, only his fifth proper film, about to debut, the visual maestro gets an early abduction into Empire's gallery of heroes. 
Every New Film Reviewed: About A Boy, K-Pax, Blade II, Kate & Leopold, The Count Of Monte Cristo, Bend It Like Beckham, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: 20th Anniversary Special Edition, Roadkill, Invincible, Offending Angels, The Mystic Masseur, Italian For Beginners, I Am Sam, 20 Hour Party People, Delbaran, The 5,000 Fingers Of Dr. T, And Your Mother Too, Revelation, Crossroads, Dinner Rush, L'Emploi Du Temps, Pauline And Paulette, Sidewalks Of New York, The Green Ray, Super 8 Stories, Waking Life, Collateral Damage, Hotel, The Pornographer, The One, Queen Of The Damned. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Fight Club.

Issue 156
June 2002

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First Look: The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, Minority Report, Unfaithful. 
Front Row: The Oscars: the laughs, the tears, the parties, plus Oscar Snatches And The Guide to Gap ads. 
Talent: Slacker's Jason Schwartzman and Devon Sawa. Plus Paz Vega from Sex And Lucia. 
Pipeline: On set with The Banger Sisters, plus Star Trek: Nemesis, Spidey merchandise and Gangs Of New York. 
<CENTER>Star Wars Episode II</CENTER>
Christopher Lee: Episode II's fallen Count takes your questions on nipples, dringing songs and vampire slayer Buffy. 
Hayden Christensen: The new Anakin reveals why he is not afraid of the dark side. 
The Empire Jedi school: We teach a bunch of Padawans (well Empire readers) how to do Jedi mind tricks. No, really. 
Natalie Portman: Star Wars royalty on the dangers of love, showing skin and being an action hero. 
Ewan McGregor: Bluescreen, space gin and mullets - the jaunty Jedi is on top form. 
Samuel L. Jackson: Face-toface with Mace - meet the coolest dude in the galaxy. 
Episode III: The facts - not the fiction - surrounding the saga's last stand. 
Retro: The making of The Empire Strikes Back. 
The Lucas legacy: How five films changed the world - in easy-to-understand diagram form. 
Hall of Fame: Harrison Ford: The world's greatest movie star on Han Solo and much, much more. 
Every New Film Reviewed: Panic Room, The Majestic, The Closet, Showtime, Baise-Moi, Hart's War, Biggie And Tupac, Slackers, Dog Soldiers, No Man's Land, The Business Of Strangers, I'm Going Home, Pollock, Mother India, Pather Panchali, Sex And Lucia, The Scorpion King, Dust, Skin Of Man Heart Of Beast, Sur Mes Levres, The Warrior, Thunderparts, Brighton Rock, Dark Blue World, Happy Man, Tosca. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Fight Club.

Issue 157
July 2002

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Front Row: The '80s soft porn revival, things we're bored with and the Movie Poster World Cup! Plus the first look at Chris Rock in Bad Company and Austin Powers' latest squeeze: Beyonce Knowles. 
Talent: Vincent Cassell and The Scorpion King's Kelly Hu. 
Pipeline: Production news on Indy IV, Guillermo Del Toro's Hellboy and X2. 
Last word: Why do all reviews of Attack Of The Clones insist on plot spoilers? 
Andie MacDowell: The Crush star answers your queries but declines all proposals. 
Arach attack: How Sam Raimi took on the weight of comic book legend, the wrath of fanboys, and the spectre of September 11 to bring Spider-Man to life. 
Ed Harris: The most intense man in movies takes on one of the most driven artists of all time. The result? Obsession. 
Blockbuster preview: The A-list. The next generation of blockbusters that will rock your world. 
Women talking dirty: Unfaithful's Diane Lane and Killing Me Softly's Heather Graham explain what nice girls like them are doing in movies like these. 
Retro: The making of Escape To Victory. Pele and Michael Caine in the same team! 
Billy Wilder: Director Cameron Crowe pays touching tribute to the man who inspired him. 
Hall of Fame: Willem Dafoe: From a warrior's death in Platoon to Spider-Man's arch nemesis, Dafoe grins and bears all. 
Every New Film Reviewed: Spider-Man, Monster's Ball, Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, Rollerball, Not Another Teen Movie, Betty Fisher And Other Stories, Crush, Divided We Fall, Gregoire Moulin, Murder By Numbers, Roberto Succo, Comment J'Ai Tue Mon Pere, High Society, John Q, The Lawless Heart, Kissing Jessica Stein, Unfaithful, Cairo Station, 40 Days And 40 Nights, Everything Put Together, Dragonfly, Dancing At The Blue Iguana, Cabaret, Killing Me Softly, Snow Dogs, Beijing Bicycle, The Musketeer, The Time Machine, Big Fat Liar, Beginner's Luck, Impostor, Hardball, Resident Evil. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Double Indemnity.

Issue 158
August 2002

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Front Row: Featuring exclusive looks at Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets and Daredevil. Plus, is FilmFour in trouble? And Daryl Hannah returns. 
Talent: The Abduction Club's Matthew Rhys, and Mandy Moore takes A Walk To Remember. 
Pipeline: Empire visits Chicago - the film, not the city. Plus: a comprehensive remakes round-up, and the worst poster ever. 
Cannes diary: Two interpid Empire reporters on the highs and lows of Cannes - the greatest film festival in the world. 
Patrick Stewart: The movies' favourite egghead answers your questions. 
Minority Report: Cruise! Spielberg! Together at last! Here is the full story. 
Men In Black II: Will Smith and director Barry Sonnenfeld on the return of the MIB. 
Buddy Hollywood: An indispensable guide to the chummiest people in Tinseltown. 
Scooby-Doo: How the 'net tried to neuter Scooby. 
Internet piracy: It's costing studios millions. An Empire investigation. 
Beyonce Knowles: Austin Powers' latest shagadelic co-star talks about her destiny, child. 
It's only a movie, but...: Cinema's most baffling inconsistencies skewered on the sword of implacable logic. 
Retro: The making of Top Gun 
Wild and crazy guys: In the 1970s, a new, funnier breed of rat pack arrived. Martin, Chase, Belushi et al spelt sex, drugs and comedy galore. Hollywood hasn't been the same since. 
Hall of Fame: Steven Spielberg: An exclusive interview with the world's greatest [?] and Empire reader's favourite director. 
Every New Film Reviewed: Minority Report, Scooby-Doo, Nine Queens, Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron, Bad Company, Devdas, Birthday Girl, Novocaine, Le Roi Danse, To Sleep With Anger, Jason X, Sunshine State, Silence We're Rolling, Days And Nights In The Forest, The Abduction Club, Tape, Lighthouse, Vivre Sa Vie, Amadeus: The Director's Cut, Hijack Stories, Before You Go, 23rd March 1931 Shaheed, Dogtown And Z Boys, Chop Suey, ivans xtc., The Girl From Paris, Ultimate X. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Little Shop Of Horrors.

Issue 159
September 2002

Main Cover

Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: First looks at Die Another Day, xXx and Catch Me If You Can. Plus Ben Affleck's war on terrorism, how The Crocodile Hunter could be award-winning (as if!), and your completed Josh Hartnett questionnaire . 
Talent: Bridget Moynahan, Giovanni Ribisi. 
Pipeline: Set visits to Red Dragon, Daredevil and Young Adam. 
Rupert Everett: Unconditional Love's Everett answers your questions on Madonna, singing and Labradors. 
The Two Towers: Join Peter Jackson on the set of the second in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, and find out what's in store for the Fellowship on DVD. 
Emily Mortimer: Lovely & Amazing's break-out star proves she's both. 
Road To Perdition: Tom Hanks and Paul Newman talk up the first serious Oscar contender of the year. 
Digital cinema: Is this really the future? 
Reign Of Fire: Dragons! Matthew McConaughy with tattoos! Christian Bale with a beard! What more could you want? 
The Guru: Jimi Mistry is sex. It's true. 
Eight Legged Freaks: Giant spiders! David Arquette as the hero! Scarlett Johansson as the damsel in distress! What more... oh, we did that already. 
Christian Slater: His rise, fall and re-rise. 
Retro: The making of Point Break. 
The film that changed my life: Thirty stars on just that. 
Hall of Fame: Barry Sonnenfeld: The MIB 2 director on his porn career and beyond. 
Every New Film Reviewed: Eight Legged Freaks, Men In Black II, The Sum Of All Fears, The Guru, Reign Of Fire, Lovely & Amazing, Unconditional Love, Platform, La Spagnola, Heaven, Lost In La Mancha, Tortilla Soup, Be My Star, Talk To Her, Lantana, Time Of Favor, Rififi, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, Black Knight, Scratch, Amen, Austin Powers In Goldmember, Happy Times, The Quiet American, Stuart Little 2, The Wash. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Austin Powers International Man Of Mystery.

Issue 160
October 2002

Main Cover

Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: The sad demise of FilmFour; Why all movies should be set in space; The lovely Erika Christensen. 
Pipeline: New movie news, including the full lowdown on Batman vs. Superman. 
Harry Potter 2: With the sequel to the second-biggest film of all time just months away, Chris Columbus redefines ''pressure''. 
Red Dragon: Hopkins, Norton and Fiennes explain why one last bite of Hannibal was too tempting to turn down. 
Movie titles lost in translation: Find out where in the world Fargo went by the name of Mysterious Murder In Snowy Cream. 
Signs: Have faith! With a $60 million opening weekend in the States, M. Night Shyamalan seems to have rediscovered his box office touch, without compromising his unique gift. The director and cast talk crop circles, aliens and Mel Gibson's pranks. 
UK movie release nightmares: Can't see the latest US indie at your local multiples? Here's why. 
The Importance Of Being Earnest: Captured in exclusive on-set photography, the starry cast go on the hunt of Oscar glory. 
Sam Mendes: Pure Brit genius as Empire goes one-on-one with the Road To Perdition director. 
Chris Nolan: Yet more British genius with the man behind Memento. 
Retro: The making of Good Will Hunting: How Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote themselves the part of their young lives. 
Raiders of the lost archives: Thirty lost classics, located and rated (Unman, Wittering And Zigo, anyone?) 
Hall of Fame: Steve Buscemi: The indie icon looks back over an eclectic career. 
Every New Film Reviewed: Road To Perdition, Signs, Insomnia, Windtalkers, The Bourne Identity, Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Swimf@n, All About Lily Chou-Chou, Secret Ballot, Frailty, The Sweetest Thing, Minor Mishaps, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Trouble Every Day, A Walk To Remember, Ma Femme Est Une Actrice, Dog Days, Spy Kids 2: The Island Of Lost Dreams, O, Two Can Play That Game, The Trespasser, Once Upon A Time In The Midlands, The Bunker, The New Guy, The Importance Of Being Earnest. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Beautiful Girls.

Issue 161
November 2002

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Issue 162
December 2002

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The 10 scariest movie jumps. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: 2003 preview, Solaris, Jack Black, Lynne Ramsay, Michael Moore's Bowling For Columbine, The Quiet American, Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis, Eminem. 
Pipeline: New movie news, including: Terminator 3, The Rules Of Atraction. 
Every New Film Reviewed: 28 Days Later, Red Dragon, Changing Lanes, Mr Deeds, Morvern Callar, Anita & Me, Bowling For Columbine, The Quiet American, Rabbit-proof Fence, 8 Women, Manic, The Safety Of Objects, Avalon, Laissez-Passer, Orange County, Sans Soleil, The War Bride, He Loves Me He Loves Me Not, L.I.E., Two Men Went To War, Abouna, Enough, Ted Bundy, Shakti: The Power, City By The Sea, They, Juwanna Mann. 
Jason Isaacs: Harry Potter's latest nemesis answers all the questions. 
James Bond in Die Another Day: The secrets of 007's enduring success. 
The ultimate movie bogeyman: The bloody guide to the ultimate movie killer. 
The battle over the Four Feathers: Shekhar Kapur's one-man, two-year war against a swarm of deadly scorpions, a plague of king cobras and one Harvey Weinstein. 
Jennifer Aniston in The Good Girl. 
Religious horror movies: Be afraid, be very afraid... 
Neil LaBute: Possession. 
The 45 greatest rock 'n' roll moments in movie history. 
Terry Gilliam talks Monty Python, studio interference, the burden of dreams and how Sean Connery saved his ass. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: The Seventh Seal.

Issue 163
January 2003

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2003

Issue 164
February 2003

Main Cover

The 10 best fist fights. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: The return of James Cameron, Famke Janssen and Adrien Brody in Talent. 
Pipeline: Shanghai Knights set visit, exclusives on George Clooney and Watchmen, plus Orlando Bloom on Ned Kelly. 
Reviews: Gangs Of New York, The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, Catch Me If You Can, 8 Mile, Star Trek: Nemesis, The Good Girl, Narc, Irreversible, Love Liza, Real Women Have Curves, Wild Strawberries, Ghost Ship, Spider, Divine Intervention, Perfume DE Violetas, About Schmidt, The Man Without A Past, Metropolis, The Tuxedo, I Spy, The Pianist, The Banger Sisters, The Master Of Disguise, City Of God. 
Kermit The Frog answers all the questions. 
Gangs Of New York: Martin Scorsese reveals the passion behind bringing his dream project to the screen. 
Leonardo DiCaprio is back. 
Catch Me If You Can: Steven Spielberg talks about scamming, Oscars and Indy IV. 
The 2003 preview: The 10 biggest films of next year. 
City Of God: Director Fernando Meirelles writes about his startling adventures in the Brazilian underworld. 
8 Mile: Eminen in credible movie shocker. 
Irreversible: Star Monica Bellucci and director Gaspar Noe defend the most controversial film of the year. 
Star Trek: Nemesis: The journey to the final frontier. 
David Cronenberg talks body horror, the Crash contoversy and his latest thriller, Spider. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: The Matrix.

Issue 165
March 2003

Main Cover

The 10 sexiest movie kisses. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: The demise of Natural Nylon, Claire Danes, Robert Evans, Johnny Knoxville. 
Pipeline: Octane, Hollywood Homicide, X2. 
Reviews: The Ring, Solaris, Analyze That, Two Weeks Notice, The Hours, Punch-Drunk Love, The Kid Stays In The Picture, Treasure Planet, The Wild Thornberrys Movie, Persona, Jackass: The Movie, The One And Only, Death In Venice, Innocence, The Good Thief, Revengers Tragedy, Life Forever, Hejar, Frida, The Magdalene Sisters, Derrida, Moonlight Mile, Adaptation, Japon, Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War, Kaante, Undercover Brother. 
Ray Liotta answers all the questions. 
George Clooney: Meet the star of Solaris. 
Daredevil: Marvel's blind superhero comes to the big screen with Ben Affleck. 
DVD drinking games: Enliven classic movies with some booze-related tomfoolery. 
Cool & the gang: Paul Thomas Anderson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C.Reilly. 
The Ring: A small-scale remake of a cult Japanese flick. 
Salma Hayek: The Latino goddess does the tortured artist thing in pet project Frida. 
Adaptation: Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman talk about their latest weird-fest. 
Nick Nolte: A Conversation with a Hollywood survivor. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Out Of Sight.

Issue 166
April 2003

Main Cover

The 10 funniest sight gags. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: Surefire tips to win big on the Oscars, Master Of Disguise, Killing Me Softly, Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights, Rhona Mitra. 
Pipeline: Reports on upcoming horror flicks and toys from The Hulk. 
Reviews: The Rules Of Attraction, Daredevil, Far Frpm Heaven, Auto Focus, The Recruit, The Life Of David Gale, Maid In Manhattan, Just Married, L'Homme Du Train, Elling, Sunset Boulevard, Equilibrium, Personal Velocity, Final Destination 2, Evelyn, Fogbound, National Security, In This World, Stealing Harvard, Barbershop, Renault French Film Tour, Bollywood/Hollywood, Khushi, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. 
The 8th Annual Empire Awards: Stars. Booze. Laughs. Plexiglas bricks. Your votes sparked off the most anarchic movie bash of the year. 
50 reasons movies kick ass: Everything that is great about films at the moment in an easy-to-read, listy feature. 
Julianne Moore: Lunch with the double Oscar contender She talks intimately about her career. 
The Rules Of Attraction: Roger Avary directs the most honest, raw teen movie for ages. 
Sam Rockwell: Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. 
D.I.Y. movie sex: How to recreate famous movie sex scenes. 
Laura Linney: The best actress you've never heard of. 
Paul Schrader: From creating Travis Bickle to Auto Focus. 
The secret history of the Oscars: How the Academy Awards went from a $10 dinner to the greatest gong show on earth. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: When Harry Met Sally.

Issue 167
May 2003

Main Cover

The 10 greatest cameos. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: Oliver Stone, The Animatrix, Bulletproof Monk, Natalie Imbruglia, Rosario Dawson. 
Pipeline: Van Helsing, Tomb Raider 2. 
Reviews: Phone Booth, Dreamcatcher, Intacto, Shanghai Knights, 25th Hour, The Core, Blue Crush, Hope Springs, Werckmeister Harmonies, Virgil Bliss, How To LOse A Guy In 10 Days, Trapped, Le Fate Ignoranti, Le Souffle, A Guy Thing, Welcome To Collinwood, Seeing Double, Ararat, Nowhere In Africa, Russian Ark, Open Hearts, Puckoon, Lilya 4-Ever, The Jungle Book 2, Indian Babu, The Little Polar Bear, Cradle 2 The Grave. 
Kurt Russell answers all the questions. 
X2: The mutants are back. 
Owen Wilson: The man who can do everything. 
Test your movie IQ: 50 tough filmy questions. 
Dreamcatcher: The latest Stephen King fest explored. 
Spike Lee: Bigmouth strikes again. 
The Hollywood scandal map: Check out the diagram of degradation. 
The River Phoenix story: The tragic demise of a gen X legend. 
How to build The perfect movie teenager. 
The making of Trainspotting. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Ferris Buellers's Day Off.

Issue 168
June 2003

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2nd Cover

3rd Cover

4th Cover

The 10 deadliest femmes fatales. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: The Oscars, Rose Byrne, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Will Ferrell. 
Pipeline: The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Exoecist: The Beginning, Bad Boys II, Battl Royale II. 
Reviews: X-Men 2, Secretary, Heartlands, Bringing Down The House, To Kill A King, El Crimen Del Padre Amaro, Son Of The Bride, The Truth About Charlie, Balzac And The Little Chinese Seamstress, The Missouri Breaks, Kangaroo Jack, Bulletproof Monk, The Happiness Of The Katakuris, Half Past Dead, Pure, Pot Luck, I Capture The Castle, Dolls, Trembling Before G-d, Antwone Fisher, Extreme Ops, In The Name Of Buddha, The Leopard, Mostly Martha, Johnny English, The Last Great Wilderness, Ghosts Of The Abyss, The Heart Of Me, Full Frontal, The Hot Chick, Old School, The Actors, A Man Apart, Shiri. 
Vince Vaughn answers all the questions. 
The Matrix Revolution: Keanu Reeves, the Wachowskis, Monica Bellucci, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Ann Moss, Hugo Weaving. 
James Cameron: The world's greatest action director. 
The De Niro-Pacino story: The rivalry between the greatest living Iti-American actors. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: High Society.

Issue 169
July 2003

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The 10 greatest car chases. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: An exciting winter preview - snow, nights getting darker earlier and a new series of A Touch Of Frost with David Jason. Plus John Travolta, Eva Mendes, John Cusack on Max, Adam Sandler. 
Pipeline: Pirates Of The Caribbean, Terminator 3, Seabiscuit. 
Reviews: Anger Management, The Matrix Reloaded, Bruce Almighty, Basic, Igby Goes Down, Dirty Deeds, Dragonflies, Fausto 5.0, Winged Migration, Max, Dark Water, The Most Fertile Man In Ireland, Spingtime In A Small Town, Nicholas Nickleby, The Hunted, Lo Comunidad, Ripley's Game, Chihwaseon, Monrak Transistor, A Snake Of June, Etre Et Avoir, I'll Be There, Tadpole, Day Of Wrath, feardotcom, Identity, Broken Wings, Rain, Summer Things, Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance. 
John Goodman answers all the questions. 
The Hulk: The complete low-down on all things Hulkular. 
Summer of sequels: Are sequels giving audiences what they want or a symbol of creative bankruptcy? 
Jack Nicholson: As good as it gets. 
Igby Goes Down: Meet the new Ferris Bueller. 
Takashi Miike: Is this the world's most dangerous filmmaker? 
50 movie moments to make a grown man cry. 
Peter Bogdanovich: The rise, fall and rise of the ultimate movie brat. 
How to build The perfect movie teenager. 
The making of Trainspotting. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: His Girl Friday.

Issue 170
August 2003

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2nd Cover

The 10 worst movie accents. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: The lowdown on the Cannes Film Festival: Arnie publicized, Gus Van Sant won, Alan Morrison slept. Also Eliza Dushku, Sam Elliott. 
Pipeline: Includes on set with Kill Bill, The Italian Job, Nemo found. 
Film facts: A Matrix film facts special. 
Reviews: The Hulk, The In-Laws, Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas, Dumb And Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, Daddy Day Care, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, Whale Rider, Le Cercle Rouge, Fulltime Killer, Double Whammy, Brown Sugar, Hoover Street Revival, Public Enemy, Animal Factory, Wrong Turn, The Clay Bird, Sex Is Comedy, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Good Bye Lenin, Historias Minimas, Ma Vie, Buffalo Soldiers, Bad Guy, Gods And Generals, Piglet's Big Movie, Le Corbeau, Dark Blue, Bolivia, Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary, The Passion Of Joan Of Arc, Unknown Pleasures. 
Jeff Goldblum answers all the questions. 
Terminator 3: Arnie returns in the only role he was ever any good in (just joking, big fella). This time he's up against a stop-at-nothing bitch. 
Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Austrian Oak speaks. 
Buffalo Soldiers: The Joaquin Phoenix black comedy is finally here. 
The 12 best unmade scripts: Genius screenplays revealed. 
Demi Moore: The 'body' is back. 
The 50 greatest movie trailers. 
Neil Simon: The king of wry comedy. 
Coping with The Phantom Menace: Todd Hanson, head writer of satirical mag The Onion, offers a personal view of The Summer Of Star Wars. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: Comedian, the trailer.

Issue 171
September 2003

Main Cover

The 10 best black comedies. 
Front Row: All the latest movie news and views, including: The new generation of horror movies, the truth about Colin Farrell, Ludivine Sagnier, Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh, Zooey Deschanel. 
Pipeline: Includes new films like LGX, Van Helsing and Bad Boys 2. 
Film facts: Q&A. 
Reviews: Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines, Confidence, Legally Blonde 2, Charlie's Angels Full Throttle, Man Of The Year, Kirikou And The Sorceress, Floating Weeds, The Four Feathers, Veronica Guerin, What A Girl Wants, Respiro, Agent Cody Banks, Monsieur Hulot's Holiday, Van Gogh, Angela, Roger Dodger, Jeepers Creepers 2, The Great Dictator, The Man Who Sued God, View From The Top, Vendredi Soir, Rivers And Tides, Hawa, Gerry, Swimming Pool, All The Real Girls, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Rugrats Go Wild, Jeremy Hardy vs The Israeli Army, El Bonaerense, Food Of Love. 
Robert Rodriguez answers all the questions. 
Young, gifted and British: Keira Knightley, Parminder Nagra, Orlando Bloom, Gerard Butler, Kate Beckinsale, Paul Bettany, Sophia Myles, Asif Kapadia, Emily Mortimer, Paddy Considine, Romola Garai, Johnny Vegas. 
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The film based on the Disney theme park ride. 
Campbell Scott: The actor-producer-director steps out of the long shadows. 
Confidence: The perfect alternative to superhero spandex and sequels. 
Harrison Ford gives you an exclusive masterclass in megastardom in ten easy-to-follow stages. 
American Pie: The Wedding. 
The Pythons: Kings of comedy. 
The 50 greatest taglines of all time. 
Science-fiction B-movies of the '50s: How the creature-feature invaded Hollywood. 
Regulars: Home Entertainment: Videos to Rent, Videos to Buy, DVD to Buy, Soundtracks, Books and Classic Scene: To Kill A Mockingbird.

Issue 172
October 2003

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1. Public Enemies 
Johnny Depp. Michael Mann. Christian Bale. The question is why you're still here reading this instead of booking tickets for Public Enemies, the Mann film that casts Depp as legendary 1930s gangster John Dillinger and Bale as Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent assigned to track him down. We talked to the filmmakers (including Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard) to get the full story on the film's history - which goes back to a script Mann wrote in the 1970s) and see what we can expect from this latest Mann opus. Also, Kim Newman lays out the 20 Greatest Gangster Movies You've Probably Never Seen. 

2. Heroes of 2010 
Iron Man returns! Conan muscles in! Scott Pilgrim sidles in, grins, spills something, apologises and then unleashes a storm of martial arts moves! Yes, it's our preview of the films expected to rock our world next year, the big (Clash of the Titans), the beautiful (Toy Story 3) and the ugly (the scarred Jonah Hex). With exclusive pictures, interviews and more, this is your first port of call for all the upcoming news. 

3. The Wolfman 
It may have been delayed a time or two, but The Wolfman is still a thriller/horror that promises a fascinating take on the monster movie, with Benicio del Toro as the man bitten by a beastie who finds himself experiencing extreme mood swings come the full moon. Emily Blunt's his damsel in distress, Anthony Hopkins is his "mad as a bag of snakes" father, and Joe Johnston oversees the whole thing. We bring you the full story from the film's set. 

4. Year One 
We sent our Chris on set with Jack Black, Michael Cera, Bill Hader and Harold Ramis to get a taste of a comedy that travels from Stone Age to New Age(ish) Bible study of the Old Testament, taking a comical look at the characters along the way. Ramis explained to us what effect 9/11 had on the film, why it's not just a knockabout comedy, and tells us what he thinks about the current comedy generation. 

5. Looking For Eric 
When you think of football, you naturally think of Ken Loach, who's been angling to make a football movie for ages. And when you think of deep thinkers with an idiosyncratic approach to life and a distinctive political outlook, you naturally think of Eric Cantona. Which is why we're so excited to see the two working together on Looking For Eric, Loach's new film about a down-at-heel postal worker who has visions of Eric to keep his life on track. The pair talked us through their collaboration. 

6. Funny People 
It's been scientifically demonstrated by men in white coats that if you distil all the funny from the cast of Funny People and drink it, you will actually die laughing. So we asked writer/director/producer/comedy hub Judd Apatow to talk us through his all-comedy cast and explain who does what, and how much work they had to do to prep their stand-up routines for the film. 

7. District 9 
By now you may have seen the teaser trailer but it's likely that you still don't know much about District 9, the Peter Jackson-produced, South Africa-set aliens-among-us story. Well, we've got the lowdown for you in this month's news section, explaining just what's going on and showcasing some new images from the film. Also in news: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Soderbergh does porn, the future of Ghostbusters and this summer's comedy hit-in-waiting, The Hangover. 

8. Tony Scott 
He's rarely been accused of being subtle, but Tony Scott sure knows how to set up a striking image, whether that's billowing curtains, fighter pilots playing volleyball, Denzel Washington negotiating a fireball or Keira Knightley gun-toting. This month he talks us through his entire filmography to date, giving us the lowdown on his latest, The Taking Of Pelham 123, as a bonus. 

9. Highlander 
There can be only one. Well, five, if we're talking films. Plus two live-action TV shows, a cartoon and an anime series. So there can be only nine, plus books and merchandising. We bring you the full story of the Highlander saga: how they came to cast a French dude as a Scot, what the heck was going on in Highlander II and why Mario Van Peebles outweighs Guns 'n' Roses. 

10. Winona Ryder 
From Beetlejuice, Mermaids and Heather as a teenager, via Scorsese, Coppola and Arthur Miller, Winona Ryder's had a hell of a career to date. We went to her home in LA recently to ask her about two recent roles - in Star Trek and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee - and discuss the highlights of her career to date, as well as talking Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie and why she doesn't really dislike John Hughes movies.

Issue 242
August 2009

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1. Inglourious Basterds 

QT's knife-flicking, throat-slitting, Nazi-scalping stab at a history lesson shakes up the World War II epic and puts Brad Pitt into Dirty Dozen mode as red-neck agent-of-Deutsche-doom LT. Aldo Raine. Empire got unparalleled access to the set, checked out the major players, and saw just how Tarantino turned around a film he had been planning for nigh on a decade in just under ten months. 

2. 1001 Greatest Movie Moments 

Ever wondered what the nine greatest movie plunges are? Or perhaps the seven best film scenes in the dark? And how about the eight most marvellous door-kicking-in moments? Empire has painstakingly re-watched, ruminated on and recorded the times of all of the greatest moments in movie history, the bits which get people talking - the 1001 moments in cinema which you simply must see. 

3. Surrogates 

One Bruce is just not enough. We take a look at exclusive footage of Jonathan Mostow's Surrogates, and get a sneak peek of a shiny, rather buffed-up Brucie running riot. But he hasn't hit the botox: this is Willis' very own Surrogate, a robotic replica, which allows those in possession to live vicariously without ever having to leave their homes. But with people being killed via their surrogates, Willis is forced out of housebound retirement to find the killer. Empire talks to director Mostow about bringing the 54 year old Willis back to an action with a sci-fi twist. 

4. Judd Apatow 

He's the King of Hollywood Comedy just at the moment, sitting at the centre of a web of talented writers, performers and directors who are shaping Tinseltown's laughers in their own image. But now Judd Apatow's heading in a slightly different direction with Funny People, a semi-serious look behind-the-scenes of stand-ups and comedy players with an all-star cast. We caught up with him to hear why he thinks his career has all gone wrong. 

5. Land of the Lost 

Reviving an American classic in the shape of alternate reality family fun starring Will Ferrell, Lemony Snickett director Brad Silberling has done away with the nuclear family of palaentologist Dr. Rick Marshall (Ferrell), replacing them with a thirty something grad student from the North of England (Anna Friel) and a sleeveless denim-shirted Carnie (Danny McBride). Prepare yourself for effects-filled comedy and the welcome sight of comedy veteran Ferrell trading quips with up-and-comer McBride - and we've got the full story. 

6. Daniel Radcliffe 

The cherub face is gone, replaced by some chiselled edges and a decidedly grown-up approach to the last three films as Harry Potter nears its close. We find out just how Radcliffe plans to move on from his magic years, and why - despite looking distinctly manly these days - he is still distracted by oddly thought-out interior decoration. Plus, we give you our selection of the top five Harry Potter moments so far committed to celluloid. 

7. Jennifer's Body 

As if the first look at Megan Fox in a cheerleading uniform wasn't enough, we find out why Diablo Cody decided to follow up teen pregnancy comedy Juno with a feminist horror movie. Co-starring Mamma Mia!'sAmanda Seyfried as Fox's former best friend who bites back at her now demonic mean girl mate, we get the lowdown on what even Fox calls a sick, offensive comedy. 

8. Avatar 

James Cameron's last film was a little effort called Titanic, so the world's on tenterhooks to see his latest effort - and return to the sci-fi of his early Terminator and Aliens hits - with Avatar later this year. We bring you the latest on the videogame tie-in, along with quotes from Cameron himself on what we can expect. "Historically, games derived from movies have sucked, and I don't want anything from Avatar to suck," said Cameron. Colour us excited. 

9. Two Big New Reviews 

Inglourious Basterds and Public Enemies are both reviewed in the new issue of Empire, and after intense office debate on the question of whether Michael Mann or Quentin Tarantino more deserved the top spot, we decided to avoid the problem and give them both in-depth, exhaustive three-page reviews so you can be supremely well-informed on both before you even set foot in the cinema. Also in reviews, Antichrist, Frozen River and the excellent Moon. 

10. News, Features, And More 

But that ain't all! We've also got fresh pictures from The Twilight Saga: New Moon, your guide to Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island, news from Stallone's The Expendables, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the missing link between Transformers and Star Trek, all the DVD, Blu ray, book, soundtrack and game reviews worth bothering with, and much much more. Pick up the new Empire to find out!

Issue 243
September 2009

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1. Sherlock Holmes: On-Set Exclusive! 
Empire joins the new-look Holmes and Watson - aka Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law - to find out how director Guy Ritchie is reinventing The World's Greatest Detective™ and his sidekick as gritty, kick-ass crimefighters. 

2. Best Ever Preview Issue! 
And it's not just Holmes we're previewing: we line up the unmissable movies for the coming year, giving you fresh insight into (deep breath) James Cameron's blockiest of busters Avatar, Megan Fox's Jennifer's Body, Pixar's latest caper Up, indie coming-of-age dramedy Adventureland, lavish Victorian legend Dorian Gray, dapper animated tale Fantastic Mr Fox, natural disaster flick 2012, Jim Carrey's festive A Christmas Carol, Matt Damon in The Informant, space horror Pandorum, and Spike Jonze's childhood fantasy Where The Wild Things Are. Phew! See what we mean about best ever? 

3. Alice In Wonderland 
Bringing you a first look at Tim Burton's stunning vision of Alice In Wonderland, including new shots of Anne Hathaway as The White Queen, Mia Wasikowska's Alice, Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen and Johnny Depp in his most outlandish get-up to date as The Mad Hatter. Well, it's the role he's been preparing for for years, isn't it? 

4. District 9 
South African sci-fi District 9, directed by up-and-comer Neill Blomkamp, looks to be this year's underground must-see blockbuster-in-the-making. It tells the story of a marginalised society of refugee aliens, cast out and living in Johannesburg's rundown District 9, who are under threat from a mercenary law-enforcement unit determined to utilise the alien weapons technology. When a human becomes mutated with alien DNA, he is forced to hide in their midst, becoming the most hunted bounty in the country. 

5. Mavericks 
Vincent Cassel, Katheryn Bigelow, Joe Wright, Shane Meadows and Paddy Considine... Empire showcases the ones to watch of the current crop of cinema's coolest outsiders. From Brit directors Joe Wright and Shane Meadows to Gallic trailblazer Vincent Cassel and Hurt Locker helmer Katheryn Bigelow, this is a definitive collection of the most important iconoclastic talent working in film right now. 

6. Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli 
Empire goes inside Studio Ghibli to meet the world's greatest animation director. With unparalleled access to the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, we get a taste of the inspirations behind films such as Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away and the upcoming Ponyo. 

7. Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time 
Check out the news section for exclusive new shots of Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton looking decidedly sultry, sexy and (strangely) a little bit soggy in the desert for Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time, Mike Newell's swashbuckling Middle Eastern adventure. We get the lowdown from producer Jerry Bruckheimer on why this is could be the next Pirates Of The Caribbean. 

8. 9 
Not to be confused with Rob Marshall's lady-laden musical Nine, or for that matter District 9 or The Nines, this is an apocalyptic epic, rag-doll style. We have brand new shots from the film, where we get to witness our sackcloth saviour 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood) staring into the abyss and finding the courage to save the world (we hope). We find out how producers Timor Bekmambetov and Tim Burton shaped the film, and get a little hint of what we can expect. 

9. The Hurt Locker 
Kathryn 'Point Break' Bigelow returns with the most literally exciting movie of the year, totally bucking the trend of not-so-great Iraq War movies with this deeply thrilling tale of a bomb-disposal team on the front line. Read our five-star review - and also find all the latest cinema and DVD reviews, as well as much, much more. Pick up the new issue of Empire, on sale July 30, for the world's best movie coverage. 

10. The Big Interview: Pedro Almodovar 
Back with latest muse Penelope Cruz for Broken Embraces, we meet Spanish director Pedro Almodovar for a career-spanning interview, taking in everything from his earliest films in post-Franco Spain to his current international reknown. Read on to find out what makes the man who gave us Bad Education, Talk To Her and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! tick.

Issue 244
October 2009

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Issue 245
November 2009

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1. Clash of the Titans 
Gods, monsters, ladies with snakes for hair, mechanical owls and the star of Avatar and Terminator Salvation: Clash of the Titans has got it all. We were on set of the forthcoming Greek epic multiple times, so here we bring you the lowdown from all the cast and crew, from director Louis Leterrier to Gemma Arterton, here typecast as a goddess, on the grittier, dirtier remake of a nostalgic favourite. 

2. New Moon 
Free New Moon Posters! 
Aaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Yes, calm yourselves ladies: we talked to R-Pattz, K-Stew and Jake-Abs to bring you the lowdown on Twilight sequel New Moon. Oh, there are still lovestruck teenage girls involved, and romantic vampires, but director Chris Weitz and his cast explain why this one is a more guy-friendly movie. And as if that weren't enough, there are giant posters too. 

3. The Alien Saga 
It's Alien's 30th birthday, and to celebrate the anniversary of the Facehugger's explosive emergence from its egg we bring you the complete story of the saga. An anatomy of the chestburster scene. The lowdown on all the Colonial Marines. A set report from Alien3 that goes some way to explaining what went worng. An exclusive, in-depth interview with Sigourney Weaver. This is the Alien story in full, and will remind you how freakin' great the films are. 

4. Diablo Cody 
She's hot, she's cool and she understands three-act structure: welcome to the superstar screenwriter of Juno and the upcoming Jennifer's Body. We talked to Diablo Cody about alpha females, giant robots and her new horror movie, and asked why it is that she identifies so strongly with teenagers. Warning: contains tattoos and pictures of hot women. 

5. Taking Woodstock 
Ang Lee has mastered pretty much every genre there is, and now he's tackling a US cultural watershed with a behind-the-scenes story set at the Woodstock Festival. We bring you the story on his near-breakdown following Lust, Caution's negative reaction and the search for authenticity that shaped his take on Woodstock… 

6. Robert Zemeckis 
He's been working solely in 3D performance capture for years now, and with his latest film A Christmas Carol Robert Zemeckis has taken another leap forward in making convincing computer characters. We talked to a cinema pioneer about why he's turned his back on live action, and look through his back catalogue at some classic films. 

7. Centurion 
Neil Marshall doesn't make things easy on himself or his cast. From beheadings to death-leaps from waterfalls to actual cases of frostbite, the shooting of Centurion has been a tough one - but it's one that everyone's surprisingly cheery about, because it looks like this "Scottish-Roman Western" is on to something. We've got the full story from the set. 

8. Steve Soderbergh 
The Oceans films. Erin Brockovich. Sex, lies and videotape. Steven Soderbergh has one of the most impressive and eclectic CVs in Hollywood, so when we sat down for a (very) long chat with him recently for this month's Big Interview, the conversation was wide-ranging and comprehensive. Pick up the issue for the lowdown on why he loves Ocean's Twelve, working with a porn star and his philosophy on filmmaking. 

9. Nine 
The News section this month opens with Penelope Cruz in full showgirl mode in Rob Marshall's Nine, the Daniel Day-Lewis-starring musical where every single member of the cast has at least fourteen Oscar nominations. But that's not all: we also have the full report from Movie-Con, new pics from The Expendables and Up In The Air, a tribute to Patrick Swayze and so much more that the internet has run out of room. 

10. Up 
Leading the In Cinemas review section this month is the sublime Up, Pixar's latest film and one that makes the weirdo proposition of tying balloons to your house and sailing off to the Amazon seem like a good idea. Also in there is The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and Jennifer's Body, as well as Fantastic Mr Fox and 9. Meanwhile Sam Raimi's Drag Me To Hell opens a packed At Home section - this is an issue packed to the gills.

Issue 246
December 2009

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Issue 247
January 2010

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</td></tr></table>Iron Man 2 

Looking cool as ice on the cover this month is Iron Man, back once again like the renegade master he is. We have a full set report giving you the inside story on the production, as well as all-new behind-the-scenes shots of Tony Stark and co.


Robin Hood 
Get lost in Sherwood with Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe for company, opening out News Etc. section this month. We've got a first look at Maid Marion and the Merry Men (not so merry in this serious, action-packed adaptation), as well as big news from Salt, A Prophet, The Hobbit, The A-Team and Avatar.


Sherlock Holmes 
Because you can never have too much Robert Downey Jr. Yes, as well as appearing in Iron Man he's also in Sherlock Holmes, and we got the full story from Holmes, his Doctor Watson - Jude Law - and director Guy Ritchie, as well as femme fatale Rachel McAdams.


Oscars 2010 Special 
We bring you a profile of the likely contenders at next March's Academy Awards. There's a strong Brit showing from Clive Owen and Colin Firth, as well as Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, The Road and Up In The Air, to name but a few.


Oscars 2010: The Lovely Bones 
Leading off our Oscar special is Peter Jackson's adaptation of the heartbreaking bestseller. As well as some rather gorgeous new stills from the film, we have the full story from the cast and crew for what looks set to be another Jackson success.



Oscars 2010: Morgan Freeman 
He has more gravitas than entire national judiciaries, and he's playing a legend in Clint Eastwood's new film Invictus, where Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela. We talked to the man, the myth, the legend to find out all about his latest challenge.


Oscars 2010: Avatar 
As the release date of James Cameron's Avatar approaches, we persuaded James Cameron to stop working for a minute and talk about his sci-fi epic, addressing the initial reaction to the first footage and what we can expect from the finished product.



Oscars 2010: Up In The Air 
George Clooney's latest film has been garnering Oscar buzz like no one's business, the tale of a depressed executive and his quest for an air miles milestone. We talked to director Jason Reitman and star Anna Kendrick for the full story.


Aaron Johnson 
He's not even 20 yet, but Aaron Johnson has already made a name for himself in Hollywood and is set to explode with two very different new films: a serious turn as John Lennon in Nowhere Boy and a rather twisted superhero turn in Kick-Ass.



Bunny and the Bull 
We ceded control of four pages of the magazine to the Bunny and the Bull team this issue, inviting them to design and write their own feature in their own inimitable style. You may need to turn the mag sideways or upside down to read this, but it's worth it, we promise.


Review of the Year 
It's that time again, as we bring you the best and brightest, the big breakthrough performances, the big trends in filmmaking and Empire's pick of the top ten films of the year. Can you guess what movie landed at number one? Clue: it wasn't Transformers 2.


Jean Pierre Jeunet 

In celebration of Mic Macs, the upcoming movie from Jean-Pierre Jeunet, we take a look back over the work of one of the most individual and instantly recognisable filmmakers around, from Delicatessen and Amelie to A Very Long Engagement. Vive la France!


Gene Hackman 
He's a living legend, a man who delivered great performances from The French Connection to Mississippi Burning to The Royal Tenenbaums, to name but a few. And while Gene Hackman's largely retired from acting, he took time out to talk to us about his new book and a little about his career.

2010

Issue 248
February 2010

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On Set: Alice In Wonderland 

Judging by its gloriously trippy artwork, Lewis Carroll's fantastical classic, Alice In Wonderland, is virtually tailor made for the kaleidoscopic vision of Tim Burton. And 'virtual' is the operative word as the director takes us down the rabbit hole and into the film's LA studio, where the tale is taking shape gloriously in front of greenscreen, all faithfully recording in our special on-set report.


On Set: Tron 
More secret than a bag full of squirrels, Tron Legacy is shrouded in the kind of subterfuge more normally associated with a Cold War spy thriller. Our approach was simple: take star Olivia Wilde and lock her in a room until she told us something we could put in our on-set preview. It was a tough gig but it paid off.


On Set: The Last Airbender 
M. Night Shyamalan is a man who likes to surprise us and by adapting a Saturday morning cartoon for his next project, he's repeated the trick. We went behind the scenes of The Last Airbender to find out what we can expect from the family-friendly fantasy.


Mel Gibson: A Life On Set 
Mad Max... Martin Riggs... William Wallace; Mel Gibson looks set to add Edge of Darkness' man-on-a-mission Thomas Craven to that hefty list of iconic characters. Gibson gave us an exclusive interview to mark his first appearance in nearly nine years and talk us through his three decades in film.


News: Percy Jackson 
Roll over Harry, there's a new teen hero with an elemental quest on his plate. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is helmed by Chris Columbus, the man who brought Harry Potter to the screen, and is the first in a planned franchise for the super-powered Percy. Hear about from Columbus himself, as he gives us his A-Z(eus) on the young demi-god.



News: Toy Story 3 
The Toys are back in town. In 2010, Buzz, Woody, Rex, Hamm, the Potatoes and the rest of the lovable clan are joined by a host of new characters for Toy Story 3. Director Lee Unkrich gives News Etc. a sneak peak behind the door of Andy's bedroom and the latest helping of Pixar perfection.


Helen Mirren 
From The Long Good Friday and Prime Suspect to The Queen and this year's Golden Globe-nominated performance in The Last Station, Helen Mirren is an actress for whom the word 'doyenne' was practically invented. Just don't tell her that. She joined us to cast an eye back over her career to date and look forward to her Rowan Joffe's Brighton Rock.


Re.View: District 9 

In celebration of our new-look home entertainment section, we've assembled more prawns than a bumper Aussie barbie for a spectacular behind-the-scenes look at District 9, the sci-fi sleeper that blew us away this summer. Clue: it's an anatomy of a scene with actual anatomy.


Re-View: Funny People 
With a cast that included Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Jason Schwartzman, Funny People could hardly fail to raise a healthy laugh count. But will time prove kinder to it than the box office? And what does Judd Apatow have in store on the DVD extras? Find out here.



Re-View: 24 
If it weren't for Jack Bauer we'd all be cowering in a nuclear bunker by now, praying quietly we didn't leave the iron isn't on. We spoke to the man behind the man, Kiefer Sutherland, to get all the gen on 24 Day 8.

Issue 249
March 2010

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Kick-Ass 
Our fetchingly bruised cover star this month is Kick-Ass' Aaron Johnson (along with co-stars Chloe Moretz and Nicolas Cage), and inside is our comprehensive set report and interviews with the cast and crew. Director Matthew Vaughn explains why he was delighted that the studios didn't want it; Nicolas Cage explains the influence of an ex-girlfriend on his role, and we hear how Christopher Mintz-Plasse got the Zac Efron part. This may be the coolest film of 2010; you're going to want the lowdown.


Avatar 2 

James Cameron was, unsurprisingly, in good form when we spoke to him recently about the success of Avatar, its award prospects and - most importantly of all - what we can expect from a sequel. But that's just the opener to our new section, The Slate, which also has exclusive pics and news from Scott Pilgrim, The Expendables and more, as well as interviews with Amanda Seyfried, Brendan Fraser, Tom Ford and more...


Wall Street 2 
In these financially uncertain times, it's good to know that Gordon Gekko is still out there preaching that greed is good, or possibly bad, or maybe so-so. To find out which, you're really going to have to read our first look at Oliver Stone's Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. With an exclusive on-set report and the latest from Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf and Stone himself, this will fully prepare you for its April release.


Shutter Island 
Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone and now Shutter Island, talks us through Martin Scorsese's new thriller and explains why the book is the result of him "imploding" as he wrote it. He's also got the inside scoop on working with Scorsese and the filmic touchstones to the paranoia-drenched, Gothic thriller, and explains why the only people who are really going to like it are the French...


Natalie Portman 
She's more beautiful than sunset reflected on a diamond necklace designed by da Vinci, but Natalie Portman isn't just playing love interests and girlfriends. In Brothers, she's playing drama and tragedy as the wife of a Marine lost in Afghanistan, but after that she's going straight for lighter movies with the knockabout comedy of Your Highness, the action of Thor and the, er, zombies of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies - and we've got her take on all of them.


Harrison Ford 

The man, the myth the legend, that is Harrison Ford talks us through his new film Extraordinary Measures (which he also produces), his stellar career and confounds our Ian Freer's best attempts not to mention Indiana Jones, Rick Deckard or Han Solo. In fact, he manages to talk about all his major films at some length, so if you're studying for a degree in Ford-ology, this should be your textbook.


Legion 
Paul Bettany has accomplished many things since he turned to acting, appearing in Oscar-winning films, with the Royal Shakespeare Company and as Chaucer in, er, A Knight's Tale. But the pinnacle of his career to date is surely his turn in Legion as a de-winged, machine-gun-armed archangel fighting the heavenly host to protect the unborn Second Coming from a vengeful Almighty. Sign up for Legion with director Scott Stewart and Bettany himself in the new issue.


Roman Polanski 

Oscar-winner and fugitive Roman Polanski is probably one of the most controversial figures in the world right now, something that has, to date, thoroughly overshadowed the release of his new film, The Ghost. Nev Pierce untangles the web that surrounds Polanski to report on the arrest, the aftermath and the film that Polanski finished editing from jail. That, at least, involves a political rather than a criminal scandal.


Re.View 
Pixar's mighty Up leads off our look at this month's home entertainment, where we also explain how to follow Mesrine's lead in breaking out of prison, what Park Chan-Wook was thinking when he swapped vengeance for vampires, and what Christopher Walken really thinks about his internet fame. Plus all the games, books, soundtracks and TV that you'd expect.


The Back Story 

Sure, there are also features on 30 Rock's Tracy Morgan, war movie Lebanon and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan - but if you're a fan of Hollywood history, the one you're going to want to focus on is the theory that Orson Welles was responsible for the still-unsolved murder of the Black Dahlia, aspiring actress Elizabeth Short. Sound barmy? Well, maybe - or maybe not! (or maybe). Read the facts and judge for yourself.

Issue 250
April 2010

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25 Years of Back to the Future 
Marty McFly. Doc Brown. Flux capacitors. 1.21 gigawatts. Few films have entered into our pop-culture consciousness like Back To The Future, and on this 25th anniversary of the McFly's debut (or, depending on your point in the timeline, 125th, 55th or -5th anniversary) we get the full story from the people who made it, as well as bringing you a viewing guide to each of the films and a helpful timeline...



The Slate 
The Slate this month comes packed with exclusive looks at some of the hottest new films of the year, including the lowdown on The Losers, a peek at Prince of Persia and an insight into Inception. There's also word from the set of Never Let Me Go, an introduction to Noomi Rapace, star of an early contender for the year's best thriller in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and lots more. How much does Ben Kingsley know about his own films? Only Empire has the answer...


Kick Ass Reviewed! 
Kicking off our In Cinemas section this month is Matthew Vaughn's Kick-Ass, the non-super superhero story that's already blown everyone here away and is set to do the same to you come March 26. But that's not all: we also have Empire's verdict on Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island, Paul Greengrass' Green Zone and other contenders including I Love You Phillip Morris, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and How To Train Your Dragon. These and all the other new movies out this month...


Gemma Arterton 

You may still think of her as a Bond girl, or as a be-stockinged, miniskirted schoolgirl in St Trinians. But Gemma Arterton is branching out this summer, starring in two very different sword-and-sandal epics - playing "earth mother" Io in Clash of the Titans and feisty princess Tamina in Prince of Persia - and in between there's tense drama in The Disappearance Of Alice Creed. We talked to the hottest upcoming British star about her career to date, and what's next...


The A-Team 
On set of the long-awaited adaptation of the 1980s TV series, we spoke to director Joe Carnahan and his cast about the tone they're going for, the challenge of taking on such iconic roles and the tweaks needed to bring the plot up to date. Rest assured as well: a whole lot of stuff will be blown up.


Up In The Air 
All three leads of Jason Reitman's Up In The Air are Oscar-nominated, so we thought it would be a jolly jape to get them all together and quiz them on what they thought of each other. So here are Vera Farmiga, George Clooney and Anna Kendrick on each other and their success to date. Warning: accompanying portraits may cause hopeless feelings of unhandsomeness.


Clash of the Titans: The Creatures 
Don't know your Gorgons from your Gordons gin and tonic? Have trouble telling Calibos from the Kraken? Well, fear no more: our latest Clash of the Titans feature is here to explain the monsters, myth and mayhem behind Louis Leterrier's take on the 1981 mini-classic. Oh, and Leterrier explains why Pegasus is black now...


Stallone 
You might not instantly associate Sylvester Stallone with wit, self-deprecating humour and a successful career as a painter, but turns out he's got all three of those in spades. He's also got a quite astonishing collection of injuries following his directing and starring stint on The Expendables, but it turns out that's good, because actors don't do their best work when they're "soft".


Gervais and Merchant 
You don't so much interview the team behind The Office and the upcoming Cemetary Junction as try to get in a word edgeways occasionally. But we met the pair on set of their new film to talk about the appeal of Reading to them, the size of Arnold Schwarzenegger's head and the joy of, er, vampire boobs - and it's all in this month's issue.


Tim Burton Sketches 
Ever wondered what the inside of Tim Burton's head looks like? Well, we have 15 glimpses of the contents, thanks to a selection of sketches that show some of the character development in his movies. Fun fact: he basically drew Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter long before he knew either of them.


Danny Boyle 
His last film, Slumdog Millionaire, may have won eight Oscars, but Danny Boyle isn't making things easy for himself with his next effort, 127 Hours. Based on the true story of Aron Ralston, a climber who cut off his own arm when he became stuck halfway up a cliff (yes, really) this is a film with some unusual challenges, so we persuaded Boyle to talk us through his approach to a one-character movie...


Troublemaker Studios 
It's named after a style of cowboy hat, it's filled with some of the geeky-coolest merchandise you'll ever see and, oh, they also make movies there. We visited Austin and Robert Rodriguez' Troublemaker Studios to bring you the lowdown on how to make movies outside of Tinseltown and save money doing it.



Tarantino's Favourite Scenes 
Filmmakers often say that choosing a favourite among their films would be like choosing a favourite child - simply impossible. But we persuaded Quentin Tarantino to at least talk us through his favourite scenes, resulting in a list of the ten moments and sequences that he prefers throughout the movies he's written and directed. Expect the unexpected.


Clint Eastwood 
As he approaches his 80th birthday and shows no signs whatsoever of slowing down, Clint Eastwood is as tough and clear-minded as he ever was, unable to stop making films because he learns something new on each one. We talked to him about his films to date, the directors who inspired him, and whether he'll act again...


Re.View 

We have a bumper selection of DVD and Blu-ray reviews this month, led by Zombieland, A Serious Man and Fantastic Mr Fox among the new releases, and pieces on Clash of the Titans (the original) and Fitzcarraldo further back. Oh, and we take a look at Band of Brothers companion piece The Pacific, as well as sitting in on a scoring session for Centurion and lots more besides.


Seven Samurai 
It may look like magic onscreen, but we've dug around and discovered the tears, tantrums and, er, trout that went into making a masterpiece in an in depth feature on Akira Kurosawa's most famous people. This feature is also extremely useful for pub quizzes, since it not only gives you the names and cast list for all Seven Samurai, but The Magnificent Seven and the Battle Beyond The Stars team for good measure. No need to thank us; just send us half your winnings.

Issue 251
May 2010

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Robin Hood 

After the feast of magic numbers that was Empire's 250th issue, there's only one digit to wrap your mind around in this month's Blockbuster special: 1200. It's not just the Middle Ages setting for Ridley Scott's gritty reimagining of Robin Hood, but the number of extras the legendary director uses for the film's epic battle scenes. Empire visits the film's Nottingham set to talk to Sir Ridley, Russell and their Merry Men, and find out from Maid Marian - aka Cate Blanchett - what makes the Rid 'n' Russ partnership tick. It's got something to do with hippos.


Prince Of Persia 
The baron of the blockbuster, Jerry Bruckheimer, welcomes us onto the set of this month's second bow-based epic, Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time, to share the secret of making a computer game adaptation that doesn't suck and a few juicy morsels on the film's magical McGuffin, the Dagger of Time. The man who stumbles up on it, Jake Gyllehaal's Persian scamp Dastan, is also on hand to talk about his comic chemistry with Gemma Arterton, while director Mike Newell tells us what it was like to play alongside Alan Shearer. Ah, wrong Mike Newell apparently.


Iron Man 2 

War Machine. Whiplash. AC/DC. Cheerleaders. Ma-hooosive explosions. That's right, 'Ol Shellhead is back and a million percent louder. With Marvel's magnificent metal magnate poised to bust some serious block this summer, the third part of Empire's blockbuster special takes in the changes chez Stark. And there's plenty. We talk to the cast and Iron Man 2's director, Jon Favreau, as he whizzes from set to post-production to give your one-stop guide to all things ferrous.


Oliver Stone 
Director, agent provocateur, unofficial spokeman for a generation, and the man who turned Colin Farrell blond - Oliver Stone has been burning the midnight oil putting the finishing touches on his latest cinematic statement, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. If money never sleeps (does it at least nap?), Stone doesn't either and he's as energised as ever as he talks us through a sequel 23 years in the making but as topical as if it was hatched yesterday.



The Killer Inside Me 
This month's feature to give the Daily Mail a collective coronary, The Killer Inside Me lit up the Sundance Festival, and not in a completely good way. We sent our Johnny-on-the-spot, Damon Wise, to Utah to find out why Michael Winterbottom's adaptation of Jim Thompson's '50s noir had one audience member screaming at the end of a screening. It might have had something to do with its stomach-churning scenes of violence and wife-beating by Casey Affleck's psycho sheriff, Lou Ford. Just a guess, mind.


The Slate 
The Slate this month is all about the comedy (The Other Guys, Get Him To The Greek)... and action (The Losers, Bad Lieutenant)... oh, and with any luck, a bit of both (Date Night speed dating with the fantabulous Tina Fey and Steve Carrell). Look out too for a World Exclusive first look at John Landis' return with Burke And Hare, a pitch-black-comedy that boasts the talents of Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Tom Wilkinson and, indeed, Ronnie Corbett.


Whip It 

Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut with Whip It, an ambitious coming-of-age tale starring a posse of females (Ellen Page, Juliette Lewis and Kristen Wiig among them) with the steel and smarts to send the A-Team packing - epecially if the A-Team should ever take up roller derby, a demented cross between rollerskating and bar-brawling, all shot under the watchful eye of Steven Spielberg's niece. Whip It will rock your (pop)socks off and Empire is on set to join the scrimmage and find out why.


Lord Of The Rings On Blu-ray 
Break out the pipeweed and rejoice for this month is Lord Of The Rings month in ReView. With the trilogy finally released on Blu-ray, we travel back to Middle Earth to reveal what you, the reader, have voted your favourite scene, and find out how it was made. Does your choice tally with James Cameron or Guillermo del Toro's? Find out as we canvas Hollywood's finest to discover which moment they flick too most often. There's loads of other stuff too (2012! Sherlock Holmes! Doctor Parnassus) so buy, you fools!


Conan The Unmade 

With Cimmerian's mighty muscle-bound, snake-wrestling warrior soon returning to our screens to wreck more majestic carnage, the pages of Back Story flick to another epic tale. This one involves cloned beast-men, shark attacks, ice worms, witch queens and Oliver Stone. The young scriptwriter was one of many players in the quest to bring Robert E. Howard's legendary Conan to the big screen. This month's issue tells the full story of how the sullen-eyed reaver finally came to cinematic life.


Pierce Brosnan 
Suaver than an otter in a silk cravat, Pierce Brosnan is back and busier than ever. This month's Big Interview is a cracker as the erstwhile 007 talks widely and freely about life after Bond, Tony Blair ("I have no feelings for the man"), Roman Polanski ("He's formidable") and how he scored that part in Mamma Mia ("it was for my legs - in Lycra"). With Remember Me out shortly, he gives his take on the R-Pattz phenomenon and the slightly older demographic that still drives Brosnan-mania.

Issue 252
June 2010

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Meet The A-Team 
If you love it when a plan comes together, you're going to love Joe Carnahan's The A-Team. Not only are there a number of different plans, each coming together beautifully, but there are tanks fighting planes. In the sky. In short, this isn't the Saturday evening TV staple of your youth simply rebooted. This is the Saturday TV staple of your youth with a rocket under it and a giant cigar stuffed in its mouth. Our on-set special takes you to Vancouver to hear from the band of modern-day brigands - Neeson, Copley, Cooper and Jackson - to find out what to expect. 

Meet The Expendables 
Forget sunbathing and jaunty trips to the seaside, this summer is all about men with pecs the size of Romford beating each other to a pulp. That's right, The Expendables are here. If you're lookingh for one long reason to dodge the sunshine to spend a few hours in a darkened cinema in the company of virtually every '80s action star worth his salt, look no further. Empire spoke to Sylvester Stallone and the most granite-hued cast in movie history to talk Latin despots, on-set injuries and the perils of expendability. As an statistical bonus, we've taken out our calculator to work out how many movie fatalities the cast have been responsible for. It's a giant calculator. 

World Exclusive Look At Salt 
In a role once earmarked for Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie joins the action wham-boree this summer as Evelyn Salt, a CIA operative accused of working for the KGB. Phillip Noyce, the man who gave us Patriot Games and Clear And Present Danger, knows his way around a pulse-escalating actioner. In a world exclusive, he talks Empire through Salt's labyrinthine world of espionage-heavy thrills, a world in which nothing -including Jolie's hair colour - is what it seems. 

Chris Evans On Captain America 
One of the most used phrases in the Empire office is the line, "Chris Evans is the best thing in it". It's true of Fantastic Four, Push, his new film The Losers and even, er, The Nanny Diaries. But at last the man who isn't the Radio 2 DJ of the same name (you can tell cause this one's massively better looking) has a leading role all of his own in blockbuster-in-the-making Captain America - and we took him aside and threatened his perfect abs with a doughnut until he talked turkey about Cap'. 

Cruise And Diaz On Knight And Day 
Among this summer's blockbusters, Knight And Day has snuck along under the radar like some kind of stealth movie - albeit a stealth movie which, with its breakneck bike chases and breathless banter, moves at supersonic speed. With a trailer just the other side of awesome, the comedy-actioner high on any respectable must-see list. Director James Mangold talks through reuniting Vanilla Sky co-stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz and unleashing them on an unsuspecting world. 

Can Anyone Stop Chris Morris? 
A man who is to media outrage what a disorientated bull is to a overstocked china shop, Chris Morris sets his sights on the war on terror with Four Lions, a comedy-drama that entertains and challenges in equal measure. In a rare interview, he tells us what makes him tick and what we can expect from a film that, on paper, sounds like a headliner writer's dream waiting to happen. He's a provocateur, comedic genius and now a film director - whatever you do, though, don't call him a satirist. 

Master Of Villains: Mark Strong 
Devilish in Sherlock Holmes, demented in Kick-Ass, dastardedly in Robin Hood, and very unlikely to be petting kittens or escorting grannies across busy roads in either Green Lantern or John Carter Of Mars, it's safe to say Mark Strong is rapidly becoming Hollywood's go-to bad guy of choice. There's more to the North Londoner than menacing the righteous though. Much more. He takes Empire behind the scenes of Robin Hood and Kick-Ass and lets us into a film future so bright it may actually burn our eyes. In, like, a metaphorical sense. 

The Inside Story Of The Awards 
It was another star-studded year at the Empire awards, and we have all the photos, quotes, sketches and scandal from the night presented for your convenience in one handy magazine-sized package. So did Sir Ian McKellen punch anyone? Did Sam Worthington insist on drinking camomile tea all evening? And did the famously nice Simon Pegg reveal himself as a horrendous diva with an entourage of 20? Well, no, of course not; but to find out what really happened, you'll have to pick up the new issue. 

Big Interview: Nicolas Cage 
A man of a thousand faces, and at least as many haircuts, Nicolas Cage is one of Hollywood's biggest stars and someone whose performances are always memorable. As the barmy but brilliant Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans nears release, we cornered Cage to ask about his latest role and career to date. From that well-known comic-book obsession to rather more obscure Cage facts, it's all here in a comprehensive interview with one of the unpredictable actors around. 

The Men Of Hot Time Tub Machine 
A hands-down winner for title of the year, Hot Tub Time Machine sees John Cusack revisit the sort of raunchy sex comedy he used to make in his teens - only this time he's old enough to know better, and joined by the comedy powerhouses of Rob Corddry (long a stalwart of The Daily Show), Craig Robinson (Knocked Up, Walk Hard), and Michael Cera's sometime comedy foil, Clark Duke (Kick-Ass). We got the lowdown on their barmy '80s-set time-travel adventure from all four stars: read it before you see the movie! 

Avatar On Blu-ray Reviewed 
You may have heard of Avatar. It's the biggest movie of all time, a box-office behemoth that your mum probably took your granny to see at a midnight screening on the Imax. And now it's reached DVD and Blu-ray, so we thought you just might want to see a review of it. We've also got a freeze-frame-friendly guide to the hidden references and gags you might find on home viewing, and the word from James Cameron and producer Jon Landau on what to look out for.

Back Story: The Three Stooges 
The Three Stooges may not be household names in this country, but in the US the 1930s stars remain cultural icons, pioneers of a brand of physical comedy that puts even Jim Carrey to shame. While the long-mooted Three Stooges movie continues to wend its way slowly through the Seven Circles of Development Hell, we look back at the original pioneers to bring you the true story behind the pratfalls and endless petty acts of violence. Whadya mean, you didn't know there had to be a story behind petty acts of violence?

Issue 253
July 2010

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Inception 
Forget about that elusive Batman III, because the movie you've been dreaming of is just over a month away. We've had four days' on-set access as well as an interview with Leonardo himself to help us solve the riddle of Nolan's latest, a contemporary sci-fi actioner 'set within the architecture of the mind'. It's The Matrix meets 007 "on steroids!" - arguably the most exciting sentence in the world. Ever. 
Christopher Nolan Interview 
The Dark Knight's master welcomes us into his home and production HQ in the Hollywood hills to talk Batman, Kubrick, sci-fi, 'old-school directing', and 3D, as his follow-up to the Caped Crusader's billion-dollar triumph is finally prepared for release. 
Christopher Nolan: The Movies, The Memories. 
Batman Begins, The Prestige, Insomnia, Memento and, of course, The Dark Knight - fantastic films all. But don't take our word for it, as Gary Oldman, Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, Wally Pfister and Jonathan Nolan (respectively) write exclusively on just how Nolan makes the magic happen. 
Scott Pilgrim: Meet The Seven Evil Exes 
Not one, not two, but... seven - and not all of them male, by the way, but all of them ever so very evil and hell-bent on kicking Scott Pilgrim's ass. Keep your enemies close as you discover just who Scott will be standing up against once Edgar Wright's graphic novel adaptation flies headlong into your multiplex come August this year. 
Predators: On-Set Special 
Grab your mud-coloured body-paint and sharpen yourself a very pointy stick, because the Predators have returned to ask a few questions... and they're not taking your petrified screams for an answer. We go behind the scenes to see how the sci-fi reboot is shaping up after its decade-and-a-half wait to see the light of day. 
Knight And Day: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz 
Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, amazing screen icons alone, a dynamite interview together. Poor Nev Pierce has the arduous task of sitting down and chatting with a couple of the most charismatic characters in the business as they talk Hitchcock, Paul Newman and espionage comedies, as well as their previous outing, Vanilla Sky, and their latest, Knight And Day. 
The Story Of Pixar 
A long, long time ago (okay, just over 30 years) in a land far, far away (the US, to be precise) some of Pixar's biggest names all went to the California Institute Of The Arts, to one special classroom, A113, and since then they've gone on to create some of the most revolutionary animated movies ever made. Love 'em or merely like 'em a lot, it's an amazing tale and one we retell in this very issue. 
Rachel Weisz Inteview 
Prepare your longing sighs now, gentlemen, as she's just as charming, delightful and intelligent as you'd expect her to be - i.e. very. Damon Wise talks to the Brothers Bloom star about playing Blanche Du Bois on stage, the Jackie O movie she's working on with her husband, Darren Aronofsky, and the disappearance of decent drama in Hollywood. 
Escape To Victory Reunited 
The World Cup? Do you think we'd forget the beautiful game, after all it's given cinema? Why there's, um, Mean Machine, and, er, Shaolin Soccer and, wait, wait, wait... Escape To Victory! Now there's a film - one that we partially recreate as the old boys are brought back together to celebrate the best football/World War II movie ever made. 
Russell Brand 
What's this? Russell Brand, he of naughty radio show fame, playing an oversexed, drugged-up rock and roll buffoon? This cannot be! Katy Perry's husband to-be explains how Get Him To The Greek director Nick Stoller ransacked his past in creating his Aldous Snow character and why playing the leather clad ne'er-do-well was actually a lot harder than you might think... 
How To Love... Alfred Hitchcock 
Celebrating Psycho's 50th birthday, we take an in depth look at just how Hitchcock pulled off hugely entertaining movies that were also darkly profound, again and again. In the first of our two-part series on the great man, the silent years, his leading men, and his collaborators all get the kind of analysis only the great masters deserve.

Issue 254
August 2010

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Tron Legacy 
It was ahead of its time in 1983, but the original Tron is getting a heck of a tribute in the form of big-budget, gorgeously designed sequel Tron Legacy. The film isn't due until December, but we have a report from the Vancouver set and exclusive interviews with all the key cast and crew to bring you everything you need to know on this latest tale of lightcycles, neon and gladiator games. Step through Flynn's Arcade into a whole new and completely stunning world in the latest issue. 
Comic-Con Preview 
Later this month Comic-Con will smother San Diego under a pasty-white avalanche of geek-flesh, but in anticipation of the big event (which we will of course be live-blogging and videoblogisode-ing online) we've got a Comic-Con preview to give you a sneak peek at the films expected to rock this year's festival. From Thor to Machete to Conan, these are going to be the big hitters that set the internet abuzz come July 22. 
The Future Of Movies 
The Empire Rolodex came out this month as we called up Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Robert Zemeckis to talk to us about the future of movies for an exclusive peek into what cinema has in store over the next few years. The three performance-capturing big-thinkers sat down with our Ian Freer to talk about 3D, slamming Meryl Streep and Andy Serkis scratching his butt. Possibly in retaliation, we also asked Andy Serkis, surely the world's leading performance-captured actor, his views on the cinema of the future 
The Last Airbender 
Before there was Avatar, there was... Avatar: The Last Airbender, a kids’ cartoon show that’s bigger than Justin Bieber, the Twilight Saga and Rafael Nadal's biceps combined. And now M. Night Shyamalan, master of the twist, has turned the phenomenon into, as the saying goes, a major motion picture. And, just to make sure you can keep up to date on the film, as well as handily impress any young 'uns you meet in the near future, we’ve put together a handy guide to the major characters, from the villainous Prince Zuko (Slumdog Millionaire's Dev Patel), to Katara (Nicola Peltz) and even the bender of air himself, Aang (Noah Ringer), complete with exclusive interviews. Bend that... 
The Slate 
Want the latest on Seth Rogen's Green Hornet? Fancy a look at Despicable Me? How about a chat with the cast of Shrek on the final instalment in the franchise? Or, if that doesn't float your boat, what about a look at the unfeasibly beautiful Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the new star of Transformers 3? That and much more are in this month's Slate section, where we also find out how much Sean Bean knows about his own movies and how hairy Sharlto Copley's ass is. 
Jerry Bruckheimer 
His movies have made $47 bajillion at the box office and he's got two big blockbusters out this summer - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Nicolas Cage in the upcoming Sorcerer's Apprentice. Jerry Bruckheimer is the producer, after all, who brought us everything from Top Gun to Pearl Harbor to the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies. We posed your questions to the uber-producer and got his views on explosions vs. character, the place of 3D and whether we can ever expect to see him on Entourage... 
Dennis Hopper 
The death in May of Dennis Hopper marked the end of an era in Hollywood and the passing of an iconoclastic icon. From fresh-faced, straight-laced turns in the 1950s through the countercultural '60s and the chaotic '70s, Dennis Hopper was always worth watching and continued to inspire as a writer, director and fine artist throughout his crazy life. In tribute to the man who defined several Hollywood eras, we reflect on his career and films. 
Jonah Hex 
It didn't exactly set the US box office alight, but there's a fascinating story behind Jonah Hex, starring Josh Brolin as the scarred comic-book anti-hero, directed by the guy who made Horton Hears A Who! and filmed in conditions so difficult that they scared even Mickey Rourke. We talked to all involved to get the inside story on an unlikely supernatural Western, and bring you the story of a true underdog. 
Anjelica Huston 
She's Hollywood royalty, an Oscar-winner in her own right and the daughter of the legendary John Huston, but Angelica Huston is more than just a member of a famous family. We talked to her about her astonishing career to date, from early films with her father to Prizzi's Honor and The Addams Family, to her recent collaborations with Wes Anderson. Empire forumites will even be pleased to know that she mentions the cult sci-fi effort Ice Pirates in an in-depth career discussion. 
Curb Your Enthusiasm Celebration 
It's chalks up more laughs per minute than a Tickle-Me-Elmo going full-blast, and after seven seasons Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm shows no signs of slowing down. As shooting starts on season eight, we talked to the cast about the secrets of the show's success and what's coming up next time around. Plus, we get Ricky Gervais to talk us through his favourite Curb moments - and that's just one part of the mammoth Re:View section, packed with all this month's DVD, book, soundtrack and blu-ray releases. 
How To Love... Alfred Hitchcock: Part 2 
Continuing last month's mammoth How To Love Hitchcock feature, we leave aside the darker side of his filmography to look at the lighter, funnier chase movies like The 39 Steps and North By Northwest that grace his CV. We've also compiled profiles of his favourite blondes, delved deep into his war work and non-film projects, and taken a look at his knack for publicity stunts. After this, you will know everything there is to know about the Master of Suspense.

Issue 255
September 2010

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Issue 256
October 2010

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Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows 
The boy wizard is headed towards a final confrontation with He Who Must Not Be Named as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, nears release. We talked to the central three castmembers - Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson - to profile how they're dealing with the end of an era, and a shoot that's lasted well over a year. But there's also news on what you can expect from the King's Cross scene, how much damage Hogwarts will sustain and why it's the emotional stuff that's really going to get you this time. 
10 Coolest Movies We Want To See 
Some movies get everyone excited because they're big. But other movies get people excited because you just know they're going to be cool, and it's those films that we preview in this month's issue. From the Coen Brothers True Grit to Matt Damon channelling Philip K. Dick in The Adjustment Bureau, these promise to be weird and wonderful rather than merely explosive. With on-set reports and exclusive new pictures, it's also a handy guide to the films whose names you should start dropping early for maximum credibility. 
The Slate - Alien Invasion Special 
If one thing was clear from Comic-Con this year, it's that alien invasion stories are big news. Our intrepid team braved infected territory to get you the lowdown on all these extra-terrestrial visitors, from the large-scale infestations of Skylight, Monsters and Battle: Los Angeles to the rather less threatening Paul and the more Western Cowboys & Aliens. With a packed news section rounded out by a James Cameron Movie Mastermind and all the latest on Jon Hamm, Dominic Cooper, Rooney Mara (the new Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) and Let Me In, this should keep you going all month. 
Red 
Age cannot wither them, nor custom stale their infinite variety. Which "them" do we mean? Why, the cast of Red, wherein Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren star as retired assassins who show the young folk how it's done. Tell you what, we wouldn't want to be in Karl Urban's shoes (as their opponent) when this quartet get going. We were on set in Louisiana to get the full story on why a bunch of distinguished older actors are getting their machine-guns on in a comic-book adaptation. 
The Social Network 
Let's be clear: this is not going to be a film about people staring at a computer screen. The story of the creation of Facebook, as taken from Ben Mezrich's book, adapted in Aaron Sorkin's script and directed by David Fincher, promises to be an epic story of creation, friendship and betrayal. With exclusive access to the set and the cast - including Jesse "Zombieland" Eisenberg, Andrew "new Spider-Man" Garfield and Justin "Sexy Back" Timberland - here's the lowdown on a geek tragedy (sorry). 
The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader 
The effect of Mexican drug wars on children's cinemas is often overlooked, but in the case of the latest Chronicle of Narnia, they played a huge role. The film, once set to shoot in Mexico as a Disney production, now comes to us via Australia and 20th Century Fox. From the set and the editing room, here's everything you need to know about (probably) the best of the Narnia stories, from its troubled start to the dragon-filled finish. 
Ryan Reynolds 
He's already played Deadpool and now he's the Green Lantern, but Ryan Reynolds is having a harder time of it this month as he's buried alive in, er, Buried. We sat down with the disgustingly good-looking, appallingly funny, outrageously charming actor to ask why someone married to Scarlett Johansson would volunteer to spend weeks in a splintery wooden box, six feet under, for Spanish director Rodrigo Cortes. Oh, and there's some Green Lantern news in there as well. Just because we like spoiling you. 
John Landis, John Carpenter And Joe Dante Are Back! 
John Landis, John Carpenter and Joe Dante were once legends of Hollywood horror, churning out strings of hits through the late 1970s and early 1980s. All three, however, suffered setbacks and have been missing in action for much of the last decade. But now, with (respectively) Burke & Hare, The Ward and The Hole in 3D, all three are back on our screens, so it seemed the perfect time to talk to the trio, and present the parallel stories of their rises, falls and - hopefully - returns to form. 
Re-view Roundup 
Robin Hood leads our Re-View section this month, with Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott's epic also deconstructed in our Anatomy of a Scene. But there's also an in-depth look at the new Banksy movie, Exit Through The Gift Shop, some consideration of Solaris in our Masterpiece section, an in-depth (and spoiler-filled) discussion of Lost, and oodles of new films, old films, games, music and more. It's got everything, basically. 
Behind-The-Scenes At Movie-Con III 
August this year saw the third Empire-BFI Movie Con at the BFI Southbank, bringing together some of the most interesting filmmakers around and a whole heap of Empire-reading movie fans. Our Chris Hewitt once again hosted the event without getting himself arrested (except by Stormtroopers at one point), and we had exclusive clips and news from films like Thor, Captain America, 127 Hours, Let Me In, Buried and lots more. This month's issue has our full write-up of the event, and exclusive photos of the attendees, making it the perfect souvenir for those who were there and the perfect bluffer's guide for anyone who missed it. 
Julia Roberts Interview 
Judging by the reception for her latest film, Eat Pray Love, at the US box office, Julia Roberts just might have regained her crown as the world's biggest female star. As the film rolls out on this side of the pond, we sat down to chat with her about her career break and coming back to the big time - via a stint of pasta-eating in Italy, praying in India and snuggling with Javier Bardem in Bali (in the movie. Not in real life - Penelope Cruz would be furious). Read on to remember why you loved her in the first place.

Issue 257
November 2010

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Thor 
Forsooth! What light through yonder magazine breaks? It's the Norse God of Thunder, and Kenneth Branagh is his director! Our James went on set of Marvel's latest superhero movie to find out how Captain Kirk's dad, Shakespeare's biggest director and a really outlandish Avenger are getting along together. Have they kept the Shakespearean dialogue that Thor is famous for? Will he bring the thunder? And what's this about The Destroyer? 
Let Me In 
Starring her from Kick-Ass and him from The Road, this adaptation of Let The Right One In is not just another remake. For one thing, director Matt Reeves felt a very personal connection to the story's hero, and fought against studio attempts to change the age of the characters. For another, he got the coolest young actors in the business as his stars. And third, he offers some honest explanations for the changes he's made to the original's approach, and some good reasons why things could also work his way. If you're not convinced, read on to find out more 
Mark Ruffalo 
He's long been one of the most likable and interesting indie actors around, but after being cast in The Avengers as Bruce Banner earlier this year, Mark Ruffalo's suddenly on track for honest-to-god stardom. We asked him about his plans for the role, but also got the latest on his upcoming film, The Kids Are Alright, where he stars opposite Annette Benning and Julianne Moore and no one has any superpowers at all. 
The Fighter + The Slate 
It's another jam-packed Slate section this month, opening with The Fighter, starring the rather combative Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg, and directed by the equally feisty David O. Russell. We've also got exclusive interviews with Emma Stone, Sally Russell and Simon Pegg, while Werner Herzog takes our fiendish Movie Mastermind quiz. And then there's a first look at The Thing, The Tempest and Arthur, as well as much, much more 
Unstoppable 
Tony Scott. Denzel Washington. Chris Pine. A runaway train that's essentially a missile the size of the Chrysler Building! It is, we learn, like Runaway Train meets Jaws meets Speed meets Training Day meets Duel meets Apocalypse Now, as Tony Scott delivers his latest slice of big action. The good news is that the train's a "living, breathing, mean sonuvabitch". The really good news is that it's not in 3D, it doesn't use loads of CG and the train really was going at 60mph during filming. 
Todd Phillips 
Robert Downey Jr calls Todd Phillips his favourite director in our profile of the Due Date creator, something that could royally piss off Guy Ritchie and Jon Favreau. But in person we get the Hangover director's take on Hollywood, comedy and his future plans. Did you know about his start in documentaries? His connection to a serial killer? And what when wrong with School for Scoundrels? If not, read this month's issue for the lowdown. 
In Cinemas Preview 
This month opens with our take on David Fincher's The Social Network, but we're also bringing you the verdict on Let Me In, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Easy A, RED and many more. However, one spoiler right now: Vampires Suck scrapes a one-star review. Shocking, right? 
Drew Struzan 
Probably the best poster artist of the last 40 years, Drew Struzan illustrated the posters for everything from The Thing to Raiders of the Lost Ark to Hook. And however the movie turned out, his posters are always a thing of beauty. We talk to the man himself and get his views on discarded, never-before-seen designs, modern classics and a few special one-offs. Struzan also explains why he retired, and let's just say we need to start a letter writing campaign to the big studios to get him back 
Monsters 
The most buzzed-about low-budget movie of 2010 is Monsters, Gareth Edwards' small-scale huge epic set against the background of a Mexico populated by alien monsters. We got Edwards to give us the experience of making the movie in his own words, and talked to the stars, Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able, whose own relationship blossomed and turned into engagement during the making of the film. Aww. 
The American 
George Clooney's new film, from the director of Control - and what more do you need to make you go see it? - is shaping up to be a very different sort of thriller. Director Anton Corbijn is determined to bring us dark Clooney rather than Cary Grant-Clooney, and talks us through the creation of a more European, slightly 1970s-style movie in The American. 
Back Story - The Day After 
Occasionally, a movie comes along that people say will change the world. Very, very rarely, a film actually does. And one of the most influential films ever was a TV movie called The Day After, the story of a cataclysmic nuclear war and the consequences for the few survivors left in its immediate aftermath. Mary Poppins, it ain't - but after US President Ronald Reagan watched it, he changed his whole defence policy. We have the full story 
Re-View Roundup 
Kicking off with the long-awaited Alien Anthology (now on shiny Blu-ray, hoorah) and continuing with everything from Iron Man 2 to Fanboys to Back to the Future to the Court Jester, it's a busy month for fans of films at home. And what's this? A set visit to The Walking Dead? Don't mind if we do. And there's a bit of Empire Strikes Back to round it all up. What's not to love? 
Mark Wahlberg 
He may have started off pants - sorry, in pants - advertising undies while rapping with the Funky Bunch, but these days Mark Wahlberg is one of the cooler stars out there. We chatted to him about everything from going to jail as a teenager, tackling comedy improvisation on The Other Guys and working with Scorsese on The Departed. Read it, then say hi to your mother for us.

Issue 258
December 2010

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Issue 259
January 2011

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2011

Issue 260
February 2011

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Issue 261
March 2011

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Issue 262
April 2011

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Transformers: Dark Of The Moon 
Michael Bay is back, back, back with another dose of blockbusting mayhem in Transformers 3, the biggest toy-to-screen franchise until Christopher Nolan decides to make an Action Man biopic. Bay is Hollywood's equivalent of LA's sky-reaching US Bank Tower: a reliably ginormous monolith dwarfing everything around in the City of Angels. Love him or not, he paints from a bigger canvas than any other director at work. Empire caught up with him as he put the finishing touches on Transformers: Dark Of The Moon, a third instalment he describes as 'kind of like a spy movie". Disappointingly, this doesn't turn out to involve Optimus Prime brandishing a newspaper with eyeholes cut out. Happily, in a refreshingly candid chat, Bay shed some light on his new 'bot-battling tentpole and told us where Transformers 2 went wrong. Two words, Michael: Robot genitals.
 

The Slate 
This month's chockers news section has a fantastical feel to it. An in-depth first look at the long-awaited and finally confirmed cast of The Hobbit gets things off to a rollicking start. If you know the bit on the telly when footballers turn and grin at the camera, the introduction of Peter Jackson's new cast of hobbits and dwarves at Wellington's Weta Digital was a bit like that, only with more beards. We chatted to the key players before packing our bags and heading several thousand years (in mythology terms) to the '60s of X-Men: First Class to cast a beady one over Matthew Vaughn's bone-shaking X-prequel. If all that doesn't sate your appetite, there's a double dose of Superman, aka Henry Cavill, who'll be buckling swash as Theseus in Tarsem Singh's Immortals before donning the red cape as the Man Of Steel. 
Marion Cotillard 
Oscar winner, conspiracy theorist and holder of Empire's prestigious Weirdest Dream Ever award (it involves lesbians, shootouts and the cast of Hawaii Five-O... don't ask), Marion Cotillard isn't your average Hollywood starlet. "I admired Greta Garbo," she purrs, "but I really wanted to be Peter Sellers". Quoi? If the thought of Cotillard tiptoeing through a Parisian apartment whispering, "Now is not ze time, Kato!" seems a little melon-twisting, she's the kind of screen presence that can carry audiences seemingly wherever she desires. She's appearing next in a typically free-spirited role in relationship drama Little White Lies - think a French version of The (Le) Big (Grande) Chill (Chill?) - in which the old fibs and deceits of a group of friends come out to play during a seaside vacation. For added spice, it's also directed by her partner Guillaume Canet. Catch the whole interview in this month's issue. 
Green Lantern 
As we know, it has not been a gilded few years for films with the word 'green' in the title. Green Zone flopped, Green Hornet fizzled and Greenberg, good as it was, scarred us with the most awkward sex scene for many moons. Can Green Lantern buck this in-no-way-arbitrary trend? Don't bet against it, especially with Ryan Reynolds' physical presence and razor-like comic timing in front of the camera, and Martin Campbell, the man who made Bond fly again, behind it. The story of a man's quest for a higher purpose - a free-wheeler turned superhero - dates back to the '40s and inspired Star Wars. Can it inspire audiences weaned on superhero epics? The star and director told us what to expect from the $200m spectacular. 
Conan 
This month Empire stepped back in time to ancient Hyboria to meet the new Conan. Disappointingly, Marcus Nispel's Conan doesn't feature a scrawny, red-haired New York talkshow host spending two hours trying to pick up a giant sword; happily he'll be offering a freshly sharpened take on Robert E. Howard's tale of revenge, romance and 'pecs the size of Romford. Nispel has taken the epic John Milius/Arnie adventure, torn up much of the original tale, added 3D, vengeance, a hessian sack worth of effects and the muscular presence of Hawaii-born actor Jason Momoa. "Conan needs to be the kind of guy that grabs a girl's ass, and he likely gets laid that night," Nispel explains. Arnie wouldn't do that. He's the Governor of California. 
Scream 4 
The Ghostface killer returns. After a decade's hiatus, the malevolent, masked presence in Wes Craven's postmodern horror is creeping back onto our screams, sorry, screens, with old hands Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette in close attendance. There's also a cast of fresh-faced teens to face the knife-wielding but super-smart psychopaths. There will unquestionably be blood. Loads of it. So how better to mark the occasion than to get the three survivors of the first three films, give them a big 'ole knife, get out the karo syrup and taking a few snaps, while chatting merrily with Craven himself about the Scream tetralogy? 
Kubrick: Part One 
Roll up for the first of a two-part film-by-film, or if you're Scatman Crothers, blow-by-blow account of Stanley Kubrick's glorious career. There are new interviews with Stanley's widow Christiane Kubrick who he met on the set of Paths Of Glory, producer Jan Harlan (Christiane's brother) and 2001's FX maestro Douglas Trumbull. Astonishingly, Kubrick's only Oscar came for his and Trumbull's work on 2001's special effects, but pick one of his movies at random and the chances are you've got a worthy Best Picture. Empire casts a fresh eye at his early work from The Killer's Kiss to The Killing, his sci-fi masterpiece and his three war epics, Paths Of Glory, Dr. Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket. Unmissable. 
Hangover 2 
The April issue's quickfire Hangover 2 set visit is brought to you by the number four and the drug Rohypnol. The four - Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis), Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Doug (Justin Bartha) - were last seen piecing together their night of Vegas carnage. The Rohypnol may or may not make another appearance in the sequel, but one thing is for sure, judging by our interview: Bangkok ain't gonna be an easier ride for the boys, with or without Mel Gibson. For that they can thank director Todd Phillips. "Patpong's for tourists," he tells us, "I was more into the ladyboy scene..." 
Peter Cook and Dudley Moore 
Pete and Dud... Derek and Clive... however you remember the double act, whether as loveable charmers or as the sweariest, most booze-soaked rogues ever to (dis)grace tellies in the '70s, the pair were every inch the rebel geniuses of British comedy. With Arthur, Moore's Hollywood comedy hit, making his merrily ramshackle way back onto our screens with Russell Brand, Empire looks back at a creative partnership that could be a little, well, tense. Okay, they hated each other's guts. So where did it all go wrong, and how did it end up going so right for the salt-and-vinegar pairing of wits? Find out here - all with the bonus of Brand on Moore and Rhys Ifans on Cook, a man he's played.
Ken Loach 
Is his visceral new film, Route Irish, Ken Loach's audition to become the new Michael Bay? "The thing is", he laughs, "if you've got to shoot an explosion, you get special effects in and they make it explode and you just chose the camera positions". We're saying that's probably a no, then. The Iraq and Liverpool-set thriller is, however, a departure for one of Britain's longest working filmmakers. At 74, he's turned his eye to Britain's role in the new Iraq, a violent setting against which a character drama plays out boasting all Loach's usual grit and power. What better excuse to track down the Midlander for a cuppa and a fascinating chat about his life, career and love of Bath City FC? 
In Cinemas Roundup 
The Adjustment Bureau opens this month's In Cinemas section in a blur of Inception-meets-Casablanca-meets-Philip K. Dick wizardry, with Bourne Ultimate writer George Nolfi making his directorial bow, and Matt Damon and Emily Blunt playing lovers chased across most of Manhattan by shady men in hats. Another debut feature follows hot on the heels of the sci-fi magic: Richard Ayoade's homespun coming-of-age tale Submarine, as well as Farrelly brothers' rom-com Hall Pass, Julie Taymor's adaptaton of The Tempest, and the return of filmmaking legends Woody Allen (You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger), Ken Loach (Route Irish) and Werner Herzog (Cave Of Forgotten Dreams). They all get the rule run over them right here. 
At Home Roundup 
This month's Re-View section careers in with Denzel Washington and Chris Pine clinging to the roof and a cargo of kittens heading straight for it. That's right: Unstoppable is out for your at-home viewing needs. Also out are a dazzling array of DVD/Blu-ray releases that can be broadly split into three categories: Awesomely demented (Jackass 3, Machete, Paranormal Activity 2, Skyline); cerebral and provocative (The Kids Are All Right, The American, The Arbor, Tamara Drew, Made In Dagenham); and Thai films with 'Uncle Boonmee' in the title (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives). There's a special joy for fans of Matt Reeves' horror Let Me In with that terrifying swimming pool scene broken down by Reeves and his FX honcho Brad Parker. What was that about being safe to go back into the water?

Issue 263
May 2011

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X-Men: First Class 
Matthew Vaughn's X-Men prequel, First Class, gets not one but two covers this month: one led by Professor Xavier's X-mutants, the other by Magneto's brotherhood. Which - because Magneto knows what he's doing - includes January Jones' barely-dressed psychic Emma Frost. Inside, we have a full report from the film's set and editing suite, with the word from the cast and director on the insanely pressured shooting schedule, the cool cast and the 60s sci-fi chic look. And for a bonus, we have the first news on Marvel's upcoming spin-offs and sequels - including a potential First Class follow-up... 
Thor 
Marvel's Thor might speak in cod-Shakespearean tones in the comics, but it was nevertheless a surprise when very-non-cod-Shakespearean actor and director Kenneth Branagh was hired to direct the film adaptation of Thor's adventures. Rounding out the Brit Director's Diary series, Branagh talks us through his childhood discovery of Thor, the decision to suddenly involve himself in a comic-book movie, and the challenges of making the Thunder God's story work onscreen. He also addresses that Idris Elba casting choice, and even discusses Chris Hemsworth's diet. If you've ever wanted to look like a god, you'll get your tips here. 
Attack The Block 
If you asked Hollywood about the greatest threat to the human race, they'd probably say it was aliens: after all, those little green / grey bastards have come close to blowing up the planet countless times. But if you asked the British tabloids, they probably reckon it's hoodies and "yoofs". Clever Joe Cornish (our second Brit Director) has pitted the two against each other in his debut film, which is already one of the most buzzed about efforts of the year. In his own words, here he explains what on Earth inspired him to pit ET against the inhabitants of a south London tower block, and how he got the film's distinctive lingo just right. 
Priest 3D 
Our Slate section kicks off this month with the latest news on Priest, wherein Paul Bettany plays the sort of holy man who tends not to sit and have tea with little old ladies, what with being busy slaying vampires. Also packing the section is Steven Spielberg's War Horse; Rodrigo Cortes' follow-up to Buried, Red Lights; Michelle Monaghan and Jake Gyllenhaal explaining Source Code, Takeshi Miike's 13 Assassins and Roland Emmerich's unlikely Shakespeare project, Anonymous. Rounding out the section there's news on Bad Teacher, Jason Statham, Carla Gugino and Bryan Singer. 
Hanna 
In the first of our Brit Director's Diary features, Joe Wright gives his own account of the decision to make an action movie / fairy tale about a 13 year-old girl. Starring Saoirse Ronan as the titular Hanna, alongside Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana, this starts in northern Finland and takes in half of north Africa and Europe as well as some dead reindeer. Wright talks us through his experiences in Hollywood and his decision to go from schizophrenia drama The Soloist to a rather more bizarre, almost dreamy ultra-violent growing up story. 
Robert Pattinson 
Alright, stop shrieking, ladies, and stop throwing things, gentlemen. The once and future R.Pattz hasn't just been sitting on his Team Edward T-shirts during the gap between Twilight movies; he's been out there making the potentially interesting literary adaptation Water For Elephants, alongside Oscar-winners Christoph Waltz and Reese Witherspoon. Last time he worked with Witherspoon, on 2004's Vanity Fair, he ended up on the cutting room floor. This time, he should do better - and he swears he had no idea that Twilight would be so big. Read this, and you might even like the guy. 
Apocalypse Now 
Our Ian Freer gets all the tough gigs. This month, he had to fly out to California's Napa Valley to hang out with Francis Ford Coppola at his vineyard home and discuss his war drama masterpiece, Apocalypse Now. Ian's about the world's biggest fan of the film, and Coppola was in a talkative mode, so however much you think you know about it, we can pretty much guarantee that you're going to learn something new as Coppola talks about the shoot, the cast, those set pieces and what's next for cinema... 
Kubrick: Part Two 
Following on from last month's detailed examination of half of Stanley Kubrick's films, we follow up with an in-depth look at more of his masterpieces: the traumas involvedi in making The Shining, the premonitions of The Shining, the disastrous attempts to toe the studio line in Spartacus, and Kubrick's strange love stories in Eyes Wide Shut, Barry Lyndon and Lolita. Including new interviews with everyone from Christiane Kubrick to Malcolm McDowell, this is a must for fans of history's most meticulous - and maybe most talented - director. 
Martin Sheen And Emilio Estevez 
One of them played Billy the Kid; the other one played the best President America never had. Now they're teaming up for The Way, a touching drama directed by Emilio and starring Martin that tells the story of a father mourning his dead son by following in the latter's footsteps - literally - along the pilgrim's route to Santiago in northern Spain. Here the pair talk about their careers, the decisions that led to this movie, and their own prodigal son / brother, Charlie, as he deals with his own demons. 
Charlie Sheen 
Speaking of which, here's a look back over the career of the current holder of the Most Controversial Man In Showbusiness award. Adam Smith looks at the highs and lows of Sheen's career to date, from his early and breakthrough performances to his recent tiger-blood drinking, self-rehabing notoriety. Because whatever else you claim about the black sheep of the Sheen/Estevez clan, never claim that he's boring.

Issue 264
June 2011

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July 2011

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August 2011

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November 2011

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Issue 270
December 2011

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Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol 
The fourth outing of the spy franchise welcomes a new director - Pixar genius Brad Bird - but boasts a return from the man who's still maybe the biggest star in the world, Tom Cruise. Our editor, Mark Dinning, went along to Pittsburgh, where he's now filming Jack Reacher adaptation One Shot, to chat to the star about his latest outing and what's next for him. But we also sent Mark to track down his Impossible cast mates and director, to get the full story on just what difficulties Ethan Hunt and team will be facing in Ghost Protocol and what we can expect from the latest director in the series. 
War Horse: The Spielberg Special Part Two 
Last month we brought you Steven Spielberg's thoughts on The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn. This month, we're looking at his next film, War Horse, the World War I epic that follows the boy detective in a few months' time. Our Ian Freer travelled down to the film's Surrey set on a cold and rainy day last October to talk exclusively to a cold-afflicted Spielberg, as well as joining him in LA ten months later, to get the full story. Warning: contains a nearly-unthinkable tale of Spielberg playing practical jokes on cinematographer buddy Janusz Kaminski. 
The Lord Of The Rings 10th Birthday Celebration 

Hobbits Reunion 
At the very heart of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy are the four hobbits played by Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan. Inseparable during the shoot and linked for life by their experiences there, they hadn't seen each other all together for years until we reassembled them for a reunion shoot to mark the 10th anniversary of the release. So take a look, and read the accompanying interview to hear all about having lilies strewn at their feet, the toilets on set and whether hobbit feet are hereditary. We also have an exclusive collection of Aragorn's personal photos from the set in Viggo Mortensen's Middle-Earth. Jackson's Unseen Concept Art
Ever wondered how they settled on the design for the Balrog? Or Shelob? Or Sauron, or the Witch King of Angmar? Well, wonder no more: our trove of previously-unreleased concept art, as explained by Richard Taylor, Alan Lee and Peter Jackson himself, gives you new details on how the monsters of The Lord Of The Rings came to look the way they did. Throughout the Lord Of The Rings celebration, we also bring you untold stories from all the cast and crew. Yes, they still had a few untold stories after all these years! Lord of the Rings: Oscar Memories 
How does it feel to win all 11 of the 11 Academy Awards you're nominated for? What do you tend to remember of Oscar night? And what did Steven Spielberg tell Peter Jackson on the way off-stage after presenting him with Best Director? The answers to all these questions and more are right here, as we bring you a complete oral history of that night-of-nights for New Zealand. They may just have won the Rugby World Cup on home turf, and sure, a few All Blacks are probably pleased about that, but we all know that it's the Oscars victory that matters most. Right? 
Terry Gilliam 
He has been called the unluckiest man in Hollywood, but he's also one of the most creative and bloody-mindedly brilliant filmmakers out there. Terry Gilliam sat down with us to talk about his career, from animated Python insanity to the glorious tilting at windmills he's undertaken on behalf Don Quixote. From Time Bandits to Brazil, from 12 Monkeys to Brothers Grimm to why he doesn't like The Prestige, it's all here in a lengthy and relaxed interview that is typically Gilliam. Warning: no punches pulled. 
Terrence Davies 
Our Ian Freer really loves Terrence Davies' films - as, indeed, do all of the ten people who have seen his films. So the release of his latest, an elegant adaptation of Terrence Ratigan's play The Deep Blue Sea (not about sharks) starring Rachel Weisz, Simon Russell Beale and Tom Hiddleston, marked a god-given opportunity to look back over Davies' career to date and hopefully introduce a few new people to his works. The good news is that he's very, very fun (directing actors, he says, "I'd like to ply you all with cocaine, but we can't afford it"); the better news is that he's one of Blighty's finest filmmaking talents and he's right here in this month's Empire. 
The Two Marilyns 
A Tale of Two Films, this. You see, My Week With Marilyn, wherein Michelle Williams plays the gorgeous Ms Monroe, is set during filming of Laurence Olivier's Hollywood comedy The Princess And The Showgirl. So we cleverly combined the two and discuss both in one epic feature, with the cast and director of My Week With Marilyn talking about their inspiration. Find out why this story offers such a compelling insight into Monroe's life, and why it is that - just sometimes - Monroe could totally out-act the none-more-thespy Olivier onscreen... 
Games Special 
Do you enjoy unleashing hell in your spare time? Do you like to unwind by laying smackdown or blasting a cap in others? Well then this month's game supplement is for you, laying out exactly what you'll be needing over the next few months to exercise your more violent impulses in perfect safety. We go behind the scenes on Modern Warfare 3, preview 2012's finest with a look at titles like Aliens: Colonial Marines, Hitman: Absolution, Star Wars: The Old Republic and BioShock Infinite, and review Batman: Arkham City and the other big releases of the moment. 
The Slate 
Superteams lead the way in Slate this month, with a look at The Avengers and, er, The Three Stooges. Then there's the death-and-destruction theme, with spies going postal in This Means War and aliens invading in The Darkest Hour. We learn more about what Gerard Butler's been up to, take a look at Arthur Christmas, see what Dexter Fletcher's been up to with Wild Bill and learn more about the new Dragon Tattoo, Headhunters. All this, and the hairiness of Nick Frost's arse is revealed! And Nic Cage's secret vampire past! 

In Cinemas 
The world's biggest director kicks things off as we review The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn, followed by two of its biggest stars: Brad Pitt in Moneyball and Johnny Depp in The Rum Diaries. Terrence Davies goes back to the 1950s in The Deep Blue Sea, while Andrea Arnold visits Wuthering Heights and Gerard Butler becomes a Machine-Gun Preacher. But who gets the Empire seal of approval and who's left languishing in one-star ignominy? Read on to find out. 

ReView 
What do Bridesmaids, The Tree of Life and Transformers: Dark of the Moon have in common? Why, the fact that they're all in the Re:view section this month, a bumper section that includes all the best pre-Christmas releases. Silent Running, Touch Of Evil and, er, Kung Fu Panda 2 are also in there, along with a Passport To Pimlico masterpiece, a look at Community and some gorgeous coffee table tomes in Books. You'll never have to leave the house again!

Issue 271
January 2012

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2012

Issue 272
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March 2012

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July 2012

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August 2012

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Issue 279
September 2012

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The Hobbit 
You wait ages for a Hobbit movie and then two come along at once. As Peter Jackson's latest Middle-Earth opus inches ever closer, we talked to the two stars at the heart of its pivotal Riddles in the Dark scene, Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis, to get their take on the Unexpected Journey. 

Dredd 
It's the biggest British indie movie ever made, and it's looking as bloody, violent and uncompromising as one could wish from a Judge Dredd film. We got the skinny from all the filmmakers about what went on, those editing-nightmare rumours and why we can soon expect Three Colours Dredd. 

Taken 2 
Liam Neeson has a particular set of skills, but as it turns out "being the hardest man in the world" is only secondary to "giving a fascinating interview on his hard-boiled sequel". Which is just as well, really, as our Chris was worried that he'd be hunted down if he asked the wrong question... 

Oliver Stone 
We take a two-pronged approach to Oliver Stone this month, ahead of his latest film, Savages. First, we sit down with the man himself to get his thoughts on his latest film and his career to date. Then, we quiz his collaborators from four decades to learn what it's like working with one of Hollywood's most mercurial talents. 

The Sweeney 
Start practicing your Cockney because legendary tough-cop series The Sweeney is headed to the big screen, and Ray Winstone is leading the way. Our Mark Dinning headed down to talk to director Nick Love on why this is a brand new dawn, as well as Winstone and co-star Ben "Plan B" Drew on playing such bad-boy cops. 

Frankenweenie & Paranorman 
Two animated films about kids dealing with the undead - so sue us, we covered them side-by-side. But there's still much to distinguish Frankenweenie and ParaNorman. One comes from crazy-haired auteur Tim Burton; the other from the stop-motion animation geniuses at Laika. Read all about them, and get excited for both. 

Keira Knightley 
She burst onto the scene as an almost fully-formed star, but has been working like the dickens ever since to push her boundaries and hone her skills. Ahead of her turn in Anna Karenina, we talk to Blighty's finest about working with Joe Wright again and what's up next... 

Clive Barker's Nightbreed 
Clive Barker's Nightbreed was an infamous flop on release, a film that alienated both horror fans and critics. But it was a corrupted fragment of the director's original cut, which has only recently emerged thanks to a fan campaign lasting decades. We got the full story on what went wrong - and how a select few have been trying to put it right... 

On Location 
Wondering what Thor did next? Wonder no longer, because we have an exclusive report from the set of Ron Howard's Rush, the Formula 1 drama starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl. Also in On Location this month, we look at Riddick, Ruby Sparks, Les Miserables and Mud. On Location: brought to you by the letters R and M. 

Slate 
Everyone who's anyone is in Slate this month. We look at Christian Bale's collaboration with Zhang Yimou, the start of filming on Mad Max: Fury Road, get the low-down from John Moore on Die Hard 5, learn more about Argo and 50 Shades Of Grey, investigate how often Matthew McConaughey takes his shirt off and ask Jackie Chan about a Pint of Milk. It's all here! 

In Cinemas 
Ted kicks things off in cinemas this month, with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and, er, a cuddly toy entertaining us mightily. Then we take a good long look at Pixar's Brave, and enjoy a Christian Bale double-bill between our meaty four-page Dark Knight Rises review and a look at The Flowers Of War. These and much more in cinemas this month! 

Re-View 
The Hunger Games leads Re-View this month as the dystopian teen thriller hits DVD and Blu-ray. But we also take a peek at Marley, Headhunters, the Jaws Blu-ray release and much more. The Masterpiece is Billy Wilder's The Apartment, and Hans Zimmer talks us through the Dark Knight Rises score.

Issue 280
October 2012

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Winter Preview: Skyfall 
He dived out of a helicopter with the Queen to open the Olympics but the real work is still ahead for James Bond. We talked to the entire cast and crew of Skyfall to find a few clues on the plot, some hints about the action and a good lead on what Q and M will be doing this time... 

Winter Preview: Reacher 
Lee Child is the author behind none-more-hard man Jack Reacher, who finally reaches the screen this year with Christopher McQuarrie directing and Tom Cruise starring as the ex-MP himself. We talked to Child, the real Reacher, about the character's origins and where he's headed. 

Winter Preview: Django 
This month we talked to Django himself, Jamie Foxx, about his iconic cowboy character, and learned that he dresses like Little Lord Fauntleroy, isn't necessarily a religious man and thinks before he speaks. That aside, expect some dark moments in Tarantino's Southern Western. 

Plus... 
Rounding out our Winter Preview, we take a quick glance at The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, don night-vision goggles for Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty, brace for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, nod respectfully to Lincoln and reanimate Frankenweenie. These, and much more, in the only preview you need. 

Winter TV Preview 
In addition to talking to The Doctor himself, we have also previewed the best of the rest of winter's TV, from current favourites like The Walking Dead, Homeland and Game Of Thrones to new shows like Moone Boy, Revolution and H+. Line up your viewing schedule with this special look ahead. 

Matt Smith 
Time Lords: they're cool. Just like bowties, fezes and cowboy hats. That's especially true in the case of Matt Smith, the current Doctor and the one who has seen the show go nuclear and finally, really and truly, break America. Here he talks fame, aliens and how "ridiculous and brilliant" it all is. 

On Location 
Guillermo del Toro's giant monsters vs. giant robots movie Pacific Rim kicks things off in On Location this month, but we also globetrotted to Ireland to see alcohol-averse aliens; to Spain for natural disasters and to New Zealand for the end of World War II. 

The Slate 
Stallone and Schwarzenegger kick off the Slate section this month, but this section is not just about action icons: it runs the gamut. We also explain who the heck the Guardians Of The Galaxy are, what's happening with Aronofsky's Noah, who Andy Samberg would like to kill, and much more. 

Slate: Summer Infographics 
You know what you need in life? This summer's films in numbers. So how many other hits would you need to equal the Avengers' box-office gross? How dark is The Dark Knight Rises really? And what's the deal with Prometheus' evolution? The answers are all here... 

Killing Them Softly 
Brad Pitt's back with Andrew Dominik, his director on the marvellous The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford, for crime drama Killing Them Softly. Based on the book Cogan's Trade, expect a slicked-back, pared-down thriller that doesn't pull punches or bullets, as Pitt and Dominik explain in this month's issue. 

Ray Liotta 
One of the stars of Killing Them Softly, Ray Liotta's been a Hollywood staple for nearly 3 decades now. While all his roles may not be as impressive as his electrifying turn in GoodFellas, there are enough highs in there to easily balance out Operation Dumbo Drop. We talked to him in LA to get the story so far. 

Tarzan 
He's 100 years old and has appeared in an astonishing 89 films, and Tarzan's set to swing once again in animated form next year. So what made him so popular for such a long stretch? And why did Edgar Rice Burroughs' wild man disappear for so long? And what can we expect now he's on his way back? Owen Williams examines the story so far. 

In Cinemas 
It's an insanely packed In Cinemas section this month, led by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis facing off in Looper and delivering a law-and-order triple bill thanks to Lawless, The Sweeney and Dredd. You might also want to find out which film earns the tagline "50 Shades Of Grey Hair". 

Re-View 
The year's biggest film (unless The Hobbit can topple it) leads the Re-View section this month, with the Avengers Assembling all over the joint. We also look at The Raid, Bond's 50 year box set, masterpiece The Leopard and classics Lawrence of Arabia and The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp. You'll never leave the house again.

Issue 281
November 2012

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Arnold Schwarzenegger Interview 
Our James went to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger and grilled the former Governor on Terminator, Predator, Commando and the rest of his extraordinary career - from his earliest days as a muscle builder to his upcoming return to the screen. 

Working With Arnie 
Where did Arnie get those one-liners? What were his most-used weapons? What does he have coming up now he's back? And what do other action stars really think of the Austrian Oak? Find it all out this month. 

Exploring Predator 
One of the greatest action movies of the '80s, we dissect the Predator step-by-step to explain what happened, where, to whom and why. Warning: may contain a mini-gun pointlessly firing into a jungle, homoerotic undertones. 

Survining Commondo 
The most OTT Arnie movie ever and a firm fan favourite, we go minute-by-minute through Commando to chart its excesses in full. And if you're the original Bennett, please get in touch. 

Arnie Killed Me 
How does it feel to be killed by Arnold Schwarzenegger onscreen? We asked the people who know: the brave heroes, villains and goons who were summarily dispatched by Arnie in his screen career. Essential reading just for the Miriam Margoyles quotes. 

Elliott Gould 
While a generation knows him best as Monica's Dad from Friends, they're missing out. Elliott Gould's back onscreens in Ruby Sparks, and we sat down with him to talk over a 50-year career. 

On Location 
Crime may not pay but it sure looks cool this month, as we report from the sets of Welcome To The Punch and Seven Psychopaths. We also have Byzantium's vampires and festival favourite Zeytoun to round out the line-up. 

The Slate 
We investigate the new Jack Ryan and the new Carrie, pay tribute to Tony Scott and Michael Clarke Duncan and check out the new Terrence Malick. We also ask Chris O'Dowd about Pints of Milk and much more. 

The Master 
A new Paul Thomas Anderson film is always something to look forward to, and The Master looks like the There Will Be Blood director is on blistering form. Our Damon Wise sat down with him to get the full story. 

Room 237 
Stanley Kubrick's The Shining has sparked more elaborate conspiracy theories than the JFK assassination, and new documentary Room 237 explores the most compelling of the lot. Ian Nathan got the full story on this brilliant film-on-film. 

In Cinemas 
Tim Burton's stop-motion horror tribute Frankenweenie kicks things off, while we salute three new 5-star movies Beasts Of The Southern Wild, Holy Motors and Room 237. Also: surprisingly strong teen comedies, indie road movies and Taken 2. Brace yourselves. 

Re-View 
Indiana Jones is out on Blu-ray, Once Upon A Time In The West gets the Masterpiece treatment, Girls leads our TV section and we get scared by Universal's Monsters collections and a new Hitchcock box set. OooOOOoooooh!

Issue 282
December 2012

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Return To Middle-earth Part One 
Peter Jackson and his team talk us through the story so far, the making of The Hobbit and how it felt to return to Tolkien's world. 
Ian McKellen 
Returning as Gandalf, Ian McKellen sits down to chat iPad difficulties, hanging with Stephen Hawking, his wizard buddy Radagast and much more, alongside an exclusive photo shoot. 
The Characters 
With a sprawling cast, you might have had trouble figuring out who's who and what's what in The Hobbit - but not with our handy character guide! You're welcome, world! 
The Dwarves 
There are 13 dwarves in Thorin's band, so here we profile each one individually so you can separate the Oris from the Noris and the Oins from the Gloins. Warning: contains some serious facial hair. 
The Locations 
Wondering what's left to explore in Middle-earth after the epic journey of Lord Of The Rings? Well here's your official guide book, with exclusive pictures of the pit-stops on Bilbo's route. 
J.R.R. Tolkien 
It's all very well talking about the making of the film of The Hobbit - but here we look at how JRR Tolkien wrote the book, and the earlier attempts to adapt it in myriad forms. We even look at the Ballad of Bilbo Baggins! 
Cate Blanchett 
Cate Blanchett is the only major female star returning to the Rings world, so we figured that this was a good time to catch up with the Oscar winner about her career to date and her love of Elf ears. 
Peter Jackson 
How has New Zealand's biggest export changed over the years? We talk to collaborators old and new to bring you a complete oral history of Peter Jackson's career so far. 
Slate 
James Mangold talks Wolverine in this month's Slate, while we also look at the chances of River Phoenix's last film finally seeing the light of day, Werner Herzog faces the Pint Of Milk challenge and much more. 
On Location 
Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer kick things off this month with a trek through the desert for The Lone Ranger, while Mark Wahlberg finds a Broken City and Paul Rudd learns that This Is 40. 
In Cinemas 
We give Argo very little aggro, master The Master, take a view on Sightseers and much more in this jam-packed reviews section. 
Re-View 
The Amazing Spider-Man kicks things off with a triple-back-flip (probably), but this month we also look at Men In Black 3, Singin In The Rain, E.T. and much more.

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"2nd cover" (left) is the cover for subscribers,
before it is peeled
back to reveal the real cover.

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Empire celebrates three decades of iconic cinema with 30 different covers.

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April 2023

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The Fast family approaches the finish line • Director Louis Leterrier on the franchise’s dramatic penultimate chapter, FAST X. It’s boom time
 
DC’s new breed of heroes are ready for action • With the studio unveiling its new super-slate, we break down the ins, outs and weaponised weasels
 
BLACK IN FOCUS • AMON WARMANN chews over the main moment in Black film and TV this month
 
EVERY-SING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE • With Michelle Yeoh calling for a musical EEAAO spin-off, we imagine the perfect accompanying songs
 
DO THE ROBOT
 
M3GAN: from AI to A-lister • Blumhouse’s JASON BLUM on the doll’s phenomenal success — and sequel
 
South London gets its romcom moment
 
The twists and turns of the Oscars race • From big risks to a year of dicks, this year’s list of ACADEMY AWARDS contenders came with highs and lows aplenty
 
The rise of the 60+ female star
 
How Cocaine Bear got uncaged • JIMMY WARDEN, the writer of the year’s grizzliest thriller, on how he found ursine inspiration
 
NEXT IN THE SERIES • You fell in love with that incredible new TV show. And then it ended! Don’t despair — Boyd Hilton recommends the sibling shows to watch next
 
THE ROAD BACK TO THE COLOSSEUM
 
Meet the godly sisters taking on Shazam • HELEN MIRREN, LUCY LIU and RACHEL ZEGLER reveal the highs and lows of their magic-wielding DC debut
 
“‘Cut the cheque!’ will always be my line on set. I know when a take is good” • With his fun family horror We Have A Ghost incoming and Marvel trajectory rising, ANTHONY MACKIE is suiting up for his next chapter
 
DRAMA-BEARING YACHTS • Proof that theatrics thrive on open water
 
Payakan-mania explained • The Avatar: The Way Of Water scene-stealer’s designers and fans on why this hyper-whale is winning hearts
 
Tetris • The iconic game’s genesis gets a dramatic adaptation for Apple TV+
 
Putting on a one-woman pity parade • Sick Of Myself star Kristine Kujath Thorp on getting under the skin of a 20-something liar
 
CAPTAIN PLANET POWERS UP
 
Inside an apocalyptic masterpiece • The team behind THE LAST OF US’ stand-out third episode describe its journey to the small screen
 
Welcome to the year of the Sandman • Adam Sandler is set to have his most creatively daring year yet. Here’s why we need to pay him more attention
 
TRAILER TALK 65 • Unfiltered, uncensored, uncompromising trailer reactions from team EMPIRE
 
Bringing a Greek tragedy to an Irish village • God’s Creatures’ co-directors break down their rainswept parable about a small-town predator
 
INTRODUCING... • THE AUSTRALIAN ACTOR PLAYS HUGH JACKMAN’S TROUBLED KID IN EMOTIONAL DRAMA THE SON

Issue 413
May 2023

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