Joseph Ruben
Encyclopedia
Joseph Paul Ruben is an American film director
, screenwriter
, and producer
.
have become cult classics. In the 1990s, he went to direct high grossing mainstream films such as Sleeping with the Enemy
starring Julia Roberts
(which grossed over $100,000,000 at the box office), the controversial thriller The Good Son starring Macaulay Culkin
and Elijah Wood
, Money Train
, and Return to Paradise. He frequently collaborates with film editor George Bowers
.
He has won awards at various film festivals for his films The Stepfather
, True Believer
and Dreamscape
. He will return to direct the serial killer thriller Jack after not working for six years. Ruben is also attached to direct the film The Politician's Wife written by Nicholas Meyer
.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
.
Movie career
Most of his earlier films are B movies, of which some, such as The StepfatherThe Stepfather (1987 film)
The Stepfather is a 1987 American thriller film starring Terry O'Quinn in the title role. It is loosely based on the life of mass murderer John List, although the plot is more commonly associated with slasher films of the era than a true story. It was directed by Joseph Ruben and written by Donald E...
have become cult classics. In the 1990s, he went to direct high grossing mainstream films such as Sleeping with the Enemy
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991 film)
Sleeping with the Enemy is a 1991 psychological thriller film directed by Joseph Ruben and starring Julia Roberts. The film is based on Nancy Price's 1987 novel of the same name...
starring Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts
Julia Fiona Roberts is an American actress. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman , which grossed $464 million worldwide...
(which grossed over $100,000,000 at the box office), the controversial thriller The Good Son starring Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Carson Culkin is an American actor. He became widely known for his portrayal of Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He is also known for his roles in Richie Rich, Uncle Buck, My Girl, The Pagemaster, and Party Monster...
and Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood
Elijah Jordan Wood is an American actor. He made his film debut with a minor part in Back to the Future Part II , then landed a succession of larger roles that made him a critically acclaimed child actor by age 9. He is best known for his high-profile role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's...
, Money Train
Money Train
Money Train is a 1995 American comedy thriller film starring Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson and Jennifer Lopez as New York City transit cops...
, and Return to Paradise. He frequently collaborates with film editor George Bowers
George Bowers (filmmaker)
George Bowers is an American film director, editor and producer.Bowers was born in the Bronx, New York. As an editor, he has an extensive list of credits dating from 1968 to his latest film in 2008. As a director, he directed films such as Private Resort with Johnny Depp and My Tutor with Crispin...
.
He has won awards at various film festivals for his films The Stepfather
The Stepfather (1987 film)
The Stepfather is a 1987 American thriller film starring Terry O'Quinn in the title role. It is loosely based on the life of mass murderer John List, although the plot is more commonly associated with slasher films of the era than a true story. It was directed by Joseph Ruben and written by Donald E...
, True Believer
True Believer (1989 film)
True Believer is a 1989 courtroom drama directed by Joseph Ruben and released by Columbia Pictures.-Synopsis:The film stars James Woods as burnt-out attorney Eddie Dodd, who has left behind civil rights work to defend drug dealers. Robert Downey Jr...
and Dreamscape
Dreamscape (film)
Dreamscape is a 1984 science fiction horror film directed by Joseph Ruben and written by David Loughery, with Chuck Russell and Ruben co-writing...
. He will return to direct the serial killer thriller Jack after not working for six years. Ruben is also attached to direct the film The Politician's Wife written by Nicholas Meyer
Nicholas Meyer
Nicholas Meyer is an American screenwriter, producer, director and novelist, known best for his best-selling novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, and for directing the films Time After Time, two of the Star Trek feature film series, and the 1983 television movie The Day After.Meyer graduated from...
.
Filmography as a director
- The Forgotten (2004)
- Return to Paradise (1998)
- Money TrainMoney TrainMoney Train is a 1995 American comedy thriller film starring Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson and Jennifer Lopez as New York City transit cops...
(1995) - The Good Son (1993)
- Sleeping with the EnemySleeping with the Enemy (1991 film)Sleeping with the Enemy is a 1991 psychological thriller film directed by Joseph Ruben and starring Julia Roberts. The film is based on Nancy Price's 1987 novel of the same name...
(1991) - True BelieverTrue Believer (1989 film)True Believer is a 1989 courtroom drama directed by Joseph Ruben and released by Columbia Pictures.-Synopsis:The film stars James Woods as burnt-out attorney Eddie Dodd, who has left behind civil rights work to defend drug dealers. Robert Downey Jr...
(1989) - The StepfatherThe Stepfather (1987 film)The Stepfather is a 1987 American thriller film starring Terry O'Quinn in the title role. It is loosely based on the life of mass murderer John List, although the plot is more commonly associated with slasher films of the era than a true story. It was directed by Joseph Ruben and written by Donald E...
(1987) - DreamscapeDreamscape (film)Dreamscape is a 1984 science fiction horror film directed by Joseph Ruben and written by David Loughery, with Chuck Russell and Ruben co-writing...
(1984) - Breaking Away (1980) (unknown episodes)
- GorpGorp (film)Gorp is a 1980 independent comedy film starring Michael Lembeck and Dennis Quaid, and featuring early acting work of Rosanna Arquette and Fran Drescher in supporting roles. Directed by Joseph Ruben, with both story and screenplay by Jeffrey Konvitz & A...
(1980) - Our Winning SeasonOur Winning SeasonOur Winning Season is a 1978 film directed by Joseph Ruben from a screenplay by Nicholas Niciphor.-Plot:A high school senior aspires to become a track star.-Principal cast:...
(1978) - JoyrideJoyride (1977 film)Joyride is a 1977 film directed by Joseph Ruben. The screenplay was written by Ruben and Peter Rainer.-Taglines:"It was fun... while it lasted!""They're Burning Up The Blacktop!""Did You Ever Want to Just Shove It and Leave It All Behind?"-Plot:...
(1977) - The Pom Pom GirlsThe Pom Pom GirlsThe Pom Pom Girls is a 1976 film directed by Joseph Ruben. The screenplay was written by Ruben and based on a story by him and Robert J. Rosenthal...
(1976) - The Sister-in-LawThe Sister-in-LawThe Sister-in-Law is a 1974 film written and directed by Joseph Ruben. The film was his directorial debut and was shot in New York City.-Taglines:"She Helped Her Husband Destroy His Brother By The Most Immoral Act Imaginable"...
(1974)
Filmography as a writer
- DreamscapeDreamscape (film)Dreamscape is a 1984 science fiction horror film directed by Joseph Ruben and written by David Loughery, with Chuck Russell and Ruben co-writing...
(1984) - screenplay only - JoyrideJoyride (1977 film)Joyride is a 1977 film directed by Joseph Ruben. The screenplay was written by Ruben and Peter Rainer.-Taglines:"It was fun... while it lasted!""They're Burning Up The Blacktop!""Did You Ever Want to Just Shove It and Leave It All Behind?"-Plot:...
(1977) - The Pom Pom GirlsThe Pom Pom GirlsThe Pom Pom Girls is a 1976 film directed by Joseph Ruben. The screenplay was written by Ruben and based on a story by him and Robert J. Rosenthal...
(1976) - screenplay and story - The Sister-in-LawThe Sister-in-LawThe Sister-in-Law is a 1974 film written and directed by Joseph Ruben. The film was his directorial debut and was shot in New York City.-Taglines:"She Helped Her Husband Destroy His Brother By The Most Immoral Act Imaginable"...
(1974)
Filmography as a producer
- The Good Son (1993)
- The Pom Pom GirlsThe Pom Pom GirlsThe Pom Pom Girls is a 1976 film directed by Joseph Ruben. The screenplay was written by Ruben and based on a story by him and Robert J. Rosenthal...
(1976) - The Sister-in-LawThe Sister-in-LawThe Sister-in-Law is a 1974 film written and directed by Joseph Ruben. The film was his directorial debut and was shot in New York City.-Taglines:"She Helped Her Husband Destroy His Brother By The Most Immoral Act Imaginable"...
(1974)