Dog-amoto Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21123532 Film director and newspaper columnist Michael Winner has died, aged 77, his wife Geraldine has confirmed. Born in Hampstead, London in 1935, he directed films including Scorpio and Death Wish. He was also famous for his barbed restaurant reviews, written for The Sunday Times under the banner "Winner's Dinners". Winner had been ill for some time. Last summer, he said liver specialists had given him 18 months to live. Paying tribute to her husband, Mrs Winner said in a statement: "Michael was a wonderful man, brilliant, funny and generous. "A light has gone out in my life." Winner began his career as a journalist and film critic before joining Motion Pictures Limited as a writer and editor in 1956. His first work as a director was satirical but he became more well known for his action films, especially the violent Death Wish series, starring Charles Bronson. In later years, he also directed a series of commercials for an insurance company featuring the catchphrase "calm, down dear!" Two years ago, Prime Minister David Cameron was criticised for addressing the line to a female colleague in the House Of Commons during a debate on the NHS. For his entry in the 2012 edition of Who's Who, the director listed his interests as "eating, being difficult, making table mats, washing silk shirts" and "doing Pilates badly". I loved Death Wish. Shame he'll only be recently remember for this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbob Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 It's a shame, really is a shame. R.I.P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I remembered him for a TV show he did a couple of years back where he judged people's cooking. I think it was called Dinner Stars or something. Anyway, it's a shame. R.I.P! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumo73 Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Several years ago he wrote in a newspaper about life and it was very inspirational and positive. It made me change my opinion about him and I liked him ever since. Yes he was opinionated (and I didn't agree with everything he said) but he was true to himself which can't be said for many people. R.I.P! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEVILMURRAY Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I was at a murder mystery dinner on Saturday where Winner played the part of the victim... COINCIDENCE?! Probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.C.G Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 R.I.P Michael Winner. Funnily enough if he's to be burned instead of buried I could imagine him saying from inside the coffin right before the last moment... 'Calm down dear! It's just a cremation...' :p Quite honestly though I'll remember him more for Death Wish, used to love those films. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iun Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Don't seem to have many characters like him these days - people who are extremely respected and capable within their art but who are opinionated lunatics. And I mean that it the most positive way possible. Too many "characters" these days are just offensive - they are rude and brash without really earning their eccentricities. People like Frankie Boyle and Russell Brand spring to mind. Anyway, a controversial figure, much like Patrick Moore, but one that I certainly respected. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumo73 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Too many "characters" these days are just offensive - they are rude and brash without really earning their eccentricities. People like Frankie Boyle and Russell Brand spring to mind. Can I add Jimmy Carr to that list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iun Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Can I add Jimmy Carr to that list? YES. It was either the Royal Variety Performance or Prince's Trust gig where he was talking about "getting piss on your hands" at about 7pm. Thoroughly inappropriate for the time, place and audience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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