“Moonlight” (A24) remains the top story. Barry Jenkins’ best-reviewed film of the year expanded to a range of big city theaters this week. The movie continued as the top 2016 specialized performer in head to head comparisons this year. This performance is more than enough to buttress its elevated awards expectations, as critics groups start voting in in a few weeks.
But it wasn’t the only successful widened release. Subtitled film “The Handmaiden” (Magnolia) continued to impress, as it added far more than the usual number of second week theaters. It’s playing to both Korean-American and conventional arthouse audiences.
On a Halloween-adjacent weekend that seemed to scare off most distributors, two rock-related documentaries braved the competition. Jim Jarmusch’s “Gimme Danger,” with an initial conventional theater release, scored well, while “Oasis: Supersonic” (A24) mostly went for initial one-night events before adding streaming as its main venue.
The best reviewed...
But it wasn’t the only successful widened release. Subtitled film “The Handmaiden” (Magnolia) continued to impress, as it added far more than the usual number of second week theaters. It’s playing to both Korean-American and conventional arthouse audiences.
On a Halloween-adjacent weekend that seemed to scare off most distributors, two rock-related documentaries braved the competition. Jim Jarmusch’s “Gimme Danger,” with an initial conventional theater release, scored well, while “Oasis: Supersonic” (A24) mostly went for initial one-night events before adding streaming as its main venue.
The best reviewed...
- 10/30/2016
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
This year, Michael Moore will use his Traverse City Film Festival to throw down the gauntlet for women filmmakers. The official selection — not the sidebar, not a spotlight — is comprised of 32 films, and every one is directed by a woman.
“Every film in our Official Selection (Us), fiction and nonfiction, is directed or co-directed by a woman,” Moore told IndieWire in an email. “And they’re all incredible movies. As an expression of tokenism usually reserved for women, I am bringing five films by American men in a sidebar called, ‘Men Make Movies —The Struggle Continues.'” There are other movies in the lineup directed by men, of course, whether foreign or classic.
Compiling the list took some digging, as Moore, admits in his Traverse City Film Festival welcome letter. But the results are impressive, ranging from Sundance hits (Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady’s documentary “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,...
“Every film in our Official Selection (Us), fiction and nonfiction, is directed or co-directed by a woman,” Moore told IndieWire in an email. “And they’re all incredible movies. As an expression of tokenism usually reserved for women, I am bringing five films by American men in a sidebar called, ‘Men Make Movies —The Struggle Continues.'” There are other movies in the lineup directed by men, of course, whether foreign or classic.
Compiling the list took some digging, as Moore, admits in his Traverse City Film Festival welcome letter. But the results are impressive, ranging from Sundance hits (Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady’s documentary “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,...
- 7/20/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
This year, Michael Moore will use his Traverse City Film Festival to throw down the gauntlet for women filmmakers. The official selection — not the sidebar, not a spotlight — is comprised of 32 films, and every one is directed by a woman.
“Every film in our Official Selection (Us), fiction and nonfiction, is directed or co-directed by a woman,” Moore told Indiewire in an email. “And they’re all incredible movies. As an expression of tokenism usually reserved for women, I am bringing five films by American men in a sidebar called, ‘Men Make Movies —The Struggle Continues.'” There are other movies in the lineup directed by men, of course, whether foreign or classic.
Compiling the list took some digging, as Moore, admits in his Traverse City Film Festival welcome letter. But the results are impressive, ranging from Sundance hits (Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady’s documentary “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,...
“Every film in our Official Selection (Us), fiction and nonfiction, is directed or co-directed by a woman,” Moore told Indiewire in an email. “And they’re all incredible movies. As an expression of tokenism usually reserved for women, I am bringing five films by American men in a sidebar called, ‘Men Make Movies —The Struggle Continues.'” There are other movies in the lineup directed by men, of course, whether foreign or classic.
Compiling the list took some digging, as Moore, admits in his Traverse City Film Festival welcome letter. But the results are impressive, ranging from Sundance hits (Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady’s documentary “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,...
- 7/20/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
To help sift through the increasing number of new releases (independent or otherwise), the Weekly Film Guide is here! Below you’ll find basic plot, personnel and cinema information for all of this week’s fresh offerings.
Starting this month, we’ve also put together a list for the entire month. We’ve included this week’s list below, complete with information on screening locations for films in limited release.
See More: Here Are All the Upcoming Movies in Theaters for July 2016
Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. the week of Friday, July 1. All synopses provided by distributor unless listed otherwise.
Wide
The Bfg
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Mark Rylance, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Ruby Barnhill
Synopsis: The Bfg is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It’s lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been...
Starting this month, we’ve also put together a list for the entire month. We’ve included this week’s list below, complete with information on screening locations for films in limited release.
See More: Here Are All the Upcoming Movies in Theaters for July 2016
Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. the week of Friday, July 1. All synopses provided by distributor unless listed otherwise.
Wide
The Bfg
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Mark Rylance, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Ruby Barnhill
Synopsis: The Bfg is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It’s lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been...
- 7/1/2016
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
As with anything Roseanne Barr talks about, the comedienne does not hold back when it comes to the way the United States handles presidential elections. "It's almost impossible to get anything that helps this country or anybody in it on the ballot," she says. "Real people are going to have to decide for themselves whether it makes any difference to vote or not."
But she's not encouraging people not to vote ... right? "A lot of people say if you don't vote, you have no right to complain," Barr says, laughing.
But she's not encouraging people not to vote ... right? "A lot of people say if you don't vote, you have no right to complain," Barr says, laughing.
- 7/1/2016
- Rollingstone.com
It’s never too early to start planning a trip to the movies. Now that July is upon us, we wanted to have a place for movie fans to see every film opening in theaters for the entire month. We’ve separated the wide releases from the arthouse/specialty offerings for each week, giving you the best of both worlds. (Synopses are provided by festivals and distributors.)
For more of what’s on the horizon, you can also bookmark our calendar page, where we’ll update releases for the rest of the year. In the meantime, enjoy your time at the theaters!
Week of July 1 Wide
The Bfg
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Mark Rylance, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Ruby Barnhill
Synopsis: The Bfg is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It’s lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been...
For more of what’s on the horizon, you can also bookmark our calendar page, where we’ll update releases for the rest of the year. In the meantime, enjoy your time at the theaters!
Week of July 1 Wide
The Bfg
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Mark Rylance, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Ruby Barnhill
Synopsis: The Bfg is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It’s lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been...
- 6/30/2016
- by Kate Halliwell, Kyle Kizu and Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Here are a bunch of little bites to satisfy your hunger for movie culture: Movie Parody of the Day: Scenes from the original Ghostbusters are re-created and lampooned in this stop-motion Lego fan film (via /Film): Movie Franchise Spoof of the Day: The Nsfw trailer for the new South Park game takes down the idea of superhero mega franchise cinematic universes: Toy of the Day: Exclusively available at Comic-Con this year, here's the Iron Man and couch toy you've wanted since you saw Iron Man 3 (via io9): Visual Listicle of the Day: Documentary filmmakers share thoughts on favorite fiction films in the below video, including Werner Herzog on The Dark Knight and Michael Moore on A Clockwork...
Read More...
Read More...
- 6/14/2016
- by Christopher Campbell
- Movies.com
Roseanne Barr was fed up with the "f—ed up” two-party political system when she told her friend Michael Moore that she wanted to make a satire about herself running for president. "I told her if she was going to run she should film it,” says Moore. "The film is a brave behind-the-scenes look few people of Roseanne's stature give the public.” Barr's 2012 run — first as a Green Party candidate and later on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket — is chronicled in the new documentary Roseanne For President! The film, which hits theaters
read more...
read more...
- 6/7/2016
- by Tracy Ross
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Get ready to relive the Oscars like its 2005 again. Chris Rock has just been named the official host of the next Oscars telecast, airing on Sunday, February 28, 2016.
Rock, who hosted the 77th Academy Awards in 2005, where the night’s big winners included Million Dollar Baby,Jamie Foxx for his performance in Ray, Cate Blanchett for her role as Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator, and screenplay trophies for Sideways and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Now Rock will follow in his own footsteps and return to the stage as the master of ceremonies. On his last outing, Rock riffed on nominees,Michael Moore, and then-president George W. Bush.
We’ll have to wait to see which films will find themselves at the mercy of Rock’s quips, though early buzz points towards Room, Brooklyn, Steve Jobs, Spotlight, Joy, and The Revenant. We’ll have to wait and see what...
Rock, who hosted the 77th Academy Awards in 2005, where the night’s big winners included Million Dollar Baby,Jamie Foxx for his performance in Ray, Cate Blanchett for her role as Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator, and screenplay trophies for Sideways and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Now Rock will follow in his own footsteps and return to the stage as the master of ceremonies. On his last outing, Rock riffed on nominees,Michael Moore, and then-president George W. Bush.
We’ll have to wait to see which films will find themselves at the mercy of Rock’s quips, though early buzz points towards Room, Brooklyn, Steve Jobs, Spotlight, Joy, and The Revenant. We’ll have to wait and see what...
- 10/21/2015
- by Rachel West
- Cineplex
After the initial slate for the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival was announced last month there were many observers, including this pundit, who wondered of the annual September event had once again lost the battle of premieres to its Fall festival cousins. While debuting Ridley Scott's "The Martian," Jean Marc Valle's "Demolition" and Michael Moore's "Where Do We Invade Next" is nothing to sneeze at the fact some of the most anticipated films of the year are heading to Venice and Telluride first has to be a bit disheartening. Especially when it's your 40th anniversary. Never fear fans of the Great White North, Toronto always seems to land some eyebrow raising last minute additions and this year is no different. Today Tiff announced that David Gordon Green's "Our Brand Is Crisis" with Sandra Bullock, Marc Abraham's "I Saw The Light" with Tom Hiddleston, Catherine Hardwicke's "Miss You Already...
- 8/19/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Steven Spielberg’s espionage thriller starring Tom Hanks has found its awards season launchpad as the New York Film Festival (Nyff) confirmed it had landed the world premiere.
DreamWorks’ Bridge Of Spies, which Buena Vista releases in the Us on October 16, is part of the 26-strong main slate unveiled on Wednesday by Nyff director and selection committee chair Kent Jones.
The line-up includes previously announced opening night world premiere The Walk from Robert Zemeckis, closing night world premiere Miles Ahead from Don Cheadle and Danny Boyle’s Centrepiece selection (but not world premiere) Steve Jobs.
Laura Israel’s Don’t Blink: Robert Frank, a documentary about the life and work of the photographer and filmmaker, gets its world premiere and there are first North American outings for Arnaud Desplechin’s My Golden Days and Stéphane Brizé’s The Measure Of A Man.
The roster includes Us premieres for:
Arabian Nights, Miguel GomesThe...
DreamWorks’ Bridge Of Spies, which Buena Vista releases in the Us on October 16, is part of the 26-strong main slate unveiled on Wednesday by Nyff director and selection committee chair Kent Jones.
The line-up includes previously announced opening night world premiere The Walk from Robert Zemeckis, closing night world premiere Miles Ahead from Don Cheadle and Danny Boyle’s Centrepiece selection (but not world premiere) Steve Jobs.
Laura Israel’s Don’t Blink: Robert Frank, a documentary about the life and work of the photographer and filmmaker, gets its world premiere and there are first North American outings for Arnaud Desplechin’s My Golden Days and Stéphane Brizé’s The Measure Of A Man.
The roster includes Us premieres for:
Arabian Nights, Miguel GomesThe...
- 8/12/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The 40th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival now has something of a slate. Festival toppers Cameron Bailey and Piers Handling presided over a press conference Tuesday morning where more than 34 films were announced including the world premieres of "The Martian," "The Family Fang" and "Demolition." It's an intriguing initial lineup for the venerable Canadian institution and something of a steadying the ship after losing some major debuts to Venice, Telluride and the New York Film Festival over the past few years. Well, maybe. The most impressive world premieres include the aforementioned "Demolition" with Jake Gyllenhaal (officially the best opening night film in recent memory), "The Family Fang" with Nicole Kidman, "Legend" with Tom Hardy, "Trumbo" with Bryan Cranston, "The Martian" with Matt Damon and Lance Armstrong doc "The Program" with Ben Foster and Michael Moore's latest documentary, "Where to Invade Next." Notable films that will have premiered...
- 7/28/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Hot on the heels off Nyff announcing Steve Jobs as their centerpiece film yesterday comes the Gala and Special Presentations lineup from Tiff. There are the expected Cannes holdovers, and a handful of world premieres from Julie Delpy, Ridley Scott, Michael Moore, Terence Davies, Rebecca Miller and more. The full list is below. Opening Night Film “Demolition” Jean-Marc Vallee, USA (World Premiere) Galas “Beeba Boys” Deepa Mehta, Canada (World Premiere) “Eye in the Sky” Gavin Hood, United Kingdom (World Premiere) “Forsaken” Jon Cassar, Canada (World Premiere) “Freeheld” Peter Sollett, USA (World Premiere) “Hyena Road” (“Hyena Road: Le Chemin du Combat”) Paul Gross, Canada (World […]...
- 7/28/2015
- by Sarah Salovaara
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Hot on the heels off Nyff announcing Steve Jobs as their centerpiece film yesterday comes the Gala and Special Presentations lineup from Tiff. There are the expected Cannes holdovers, and a handful of world premieres from Julie Delpy, Ridley Scott, Michael Moore, Terence Davies, Rebecca Miller and more. The full list is below. Opening Night Film “Demolition” Jean-Marc Vallee, USA (World Premiere) Galas “Beeba Boys” Deepa Mehta, Canada (World Premiere) “Eye in the Sky” Gavin Hood, United Kingdom (World Premiere) “Forsaken” Jon Cassar, Canada (World Premiere) “Freeheld” Peter Sollett, USA (World Premiere) “Hyena Road” (“Hyena Road: Le Chemin du Combat”) Paul Gross, Canada (World […]...
- 7/28/2015
- by Sarah Salovaara
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
2015’s Toronto International Film Festival, now in its 40th year, will kick off the fall festival season with their opening night film, Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal in Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée’s follow-up to Dallas Buyers Club. Over 350 films are among this year’s festival.
Tiff 15’s list of Special Presentation is an incredible list of new films from Michael Moore (Where to Invade Next), Charlie Kaufmann (Anomalisa), Scott Cooper (Black Mass), Denis Villeneuve (Sicario), Tom Hooper (The Danish Girl), Cary Fukunaga (Netflix’s Beasts of No Nation), and Jacques Audiard (Dheepan). Several of the titles were among this year’s Cannes lineup, including The Lobster, Youth, and Louder than Bombs.
Deepa Meetha’s Beeba Boys, Stephen Frears’s Lance Armstrong movie The Program, Freeheld, starring last year’s Oscar winner Julianne Moore alongside Ellen Page, Steve Carell, and Michael Shannon, Atom Egoyan’s Remember, and Brian Helgeland’s Tom Hardy...
Tiff 15’s list of Special Presentation is an incredible list of new films from Michael Moore (Where to Invade Next), Charlie Kaufmann (Anomalisa), Scott Cooper (Black Mass), Denis Villeneuve (Sicario), Tom Hooper (The Danish Girl), Cary Fukunaga (Netflix’s Beasts of No Nation), and Jacques Audiard (Dheepan). Several of the titles were among this year’s Cannes lineup, including The Lobster, Youth, and Louder than Bombs.
Deepa Meetha’s Beeba Boys, Stephen Frears’s Lance Armstrong movie The Program, Freeheld, starring last year’s Oscar winner Julianne Moore alongside Ellen Page, Steve Carell, and Michael Shannon, Atom Egoyan’s Remember, and Brian Helgeland’s Tom Hardy...
- 7/28/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
The first films selected for the 2015 Toronto Film Festival have been announced in the Gala and Special Presentation selections as well as the opening night film, which just so happens to be Jean-Marc Vallee's Demolitian starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts, which Fox Searchlight recently dated for an April 8, 2016 release date. Have they reconsideredc Are they planning on gauging the reception at Toronto to see if it's worth opening this year in hopes of Oscarsc Might it have had something to do with the tepid response to the release of Southpawc As for the films announced today, and there are many more announcements to come, I'll begin with the Special Presentations, which include several highly anticipated titles as well as many that played to acclaim earlier this year, either in Sundance or at Cannes. New to the festival circuit include Cary Fukunaga's Beasts of No Nation starring Idris Elba,...
- 7/28/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
'The Insider' movie: Al Pacino and Russell Crowe 'The Insider' movie: 1999 exposé of CBS news show barks, but doesn't bite Michael Mann's 1999 movie The Insider quote exchange: "It's old news. ... We'll be ok," says Don Hewitt (Philip Baker Hall), the creator of the CBS news show 60 Minutes. "These things have a half-life of 15 minutes." "No, that's fame," replies 60 Minutes anchor Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer). "Fame has a 15-minute half-life. Infamy lasts a little longer." The infamous "things" referred to by Hewitt and Wallace are the series of scandals that erupted in early 1996, when it was revealed that CBS had refused to air an interview with a tobacco company whistleblower because the network feared the (financial) consequences. What Freedom of the Press? Based on Marie Brenner's Vanity Fair article about the events that led up to that embarrassing – and disturbing – incident, The Insider tells the story of scientist Jeffrey Wigand...
- 5/14/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Hollywood’s hopes for a record 2015 box office have received a shot in the arm from the electrifying run of “American Sniper,” which has driven one of the biggest January hauls in history.
Going into the weekend, overall domestic box office grosses for January were at nearly $900 million, of which Warner Bros.’ Iraq War saga had contributed $213 million, a little less than a quarter of that. Only January of 2010, when James Cameron’s “Avatar” was dominating with 30 percent of $924 million, has been bigger.
Also Read: 21 Burning Questions for 2015: ‘Star Wars’ or ‘Avengers’? Where’s M. Night?
The fast start...
Going into the weekend, overall domestic box office grosses for January were at nearly $900 million, of which Warner Bros.’ Iraq War saga had contributed $213 million, a little less than a quarter of that. Only January of 2010, when James Cameron’s “Avatar” was dominating with 30 percent of $924 million, has been bigger.
Also Read: 21 Burning Questions for 2015: ‘Star Wars’ or ‘Avengers’? Where’s M. Night?
The fast start...
- 1/29/2015
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
With the Super Bowl kicking off Sunday, it seems somehow appropriate that we’re looking at another “American Sniper” blowout at the box office this weekend.
The NFL’s biggest game has seen more than its share of lopsided contests over the years, and if Las Vegas set odds on the movies, the breakout hit from Warner Bros. would be a 35-point favorite.
Also Read: Howard Dean Apologizes for Calling ‘American Sniper’ Watchers ‘Very Angry,’ Slams ‘Right-Wing Nut Jobs’ (Video)
Three movies will debut nationwide Friday: the teen time-travel tale “Project Almanac,” Kevin Costner’s race relations drama “Black or White...
The NFL’s biggest game has seen more than its share of lopsided contests over the years, and if Las Vegas set odds on the movies, the breakout hit from Warner Bros. would be a 35-point favorite.
Also Read: Howard Dean Apologizes for Calling ‘American Sniper’ Watchers ‘Very Angry,’ Slams ‘Right-Wing Nut Jobs’ (Video)
Three movies will debut nationwide Friday: the teen time-travel tale “Project Almanac,” Kevin Costner’s race relations drama “Black or White...
- 1/28/2015
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
Johnny Depp’s “Mortdecai” and George Lucas’ “Strange Magic” bomb as Jennifer Lopez scores with “Boy Next Door”
The Iraq War saga “American Sniper” soared like a superhero movie at the box office, with a $64.3 million second weekend in wide release that would make any caped crusader proud.
The Clint Eastwood-directed telling of the tough return home by Navy Seal Chris Kyle, played in the movie by Bradley Cooper, continued its electrifying run with the best second weekend ever by an R-rated movie. In the process, “American Sniper” hit the $200 million mark in domestic grosses just 10 days after earning nominations for Best Picture,...
The Iraq War saga “American Sniper” soared like a superhero movie at the box office, with a $64.3 million second weekend in wide release that would make any caped crusader proud.
The Clint Eastwood-directed telling of the tough return home by Navy Seal Chris Kyle, played in the movie by Bradley Cooper, continued its electrifying run with the best second weekend ever by an R-rated movie. In the process, “American Sniper” hit the $200 million mark in domestic grosses just 10 days after earning nominations for Best Picture,...
- 1/25/2015
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
Chicago – In a year where shoots with perpetual photo fashionistas like Cindy Crawford and Sarah Jessica Parker still failed to crack the Top Ten list of biggest celebrity photo-ops, you know 2014 was a very good year for HollywoodChicago.com and myself, Joe Arce, as Senior Staff Photographer.
Narrowing down the 182 celebrity subjects that posed for my lens last year to a mere ten favorite portraits is not an easy task. Nonetheless, here are my Top Ten picks for biggest celebrity shoots of 2014. I based this on a combination of star power wattage of the subjects, the artistic results and the degree of difficulty in landing the quarry – for those iPhone carrying budding celebrity stalkers who may wish to play along at home.
10. Anjelica Huston
Backstage at the Chicago Humanities Festival, November 14th, 2014
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
Not only an Oscar winner, but the daughter...
Narrowing down the 182 celebrity subjects that posed for my lens last year to a mere ten favorite portraits is not an easy task. Nonetheless, here are my Top Ten picks for biggest celebrity shoots of 2014. I based this on a combination of star power wattage of the subjects, the artistic results and the degree of difficulty in landing the quarry – for those iPhone carrying budding celebrity stalkers who may wish to play along at home.
10. Anjelica Huston
Backstage at the Chicago Humanities Festival, November 14th, 2014
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
Not only an Oscar winner, but the daughter...
- 1/20/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Wednesday morning, the International Documentary Association announced its nominees and select winners for the 2014 Ida Awards, an annual tribute to the best-of-the-best of non-fiction film and television. Pertinent to award season are the Best Feature contenders, including Lara Poitras’ recent hit “Citizenfour” “Point and Shoot,” an American filmmaker’s look inside Libyan prisons, “Finding Vivian Maier,” a portrait of the posthumously legendary photographer, Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado's artist profile “The Salt of the Earth,” and Nick Broomfield’s verite serial killer investigation, “Tales of the Grim Sleeper.” Unlike years past, all five films look like viable Best Documentary candidates come Oscar time, making the Ida Awards even more influential. Past winners include “The Square” (2013), “Searching for Sugar Man” (2012), “Nostalgia for Light” (2011), and “Waste Land” (2010). For his work founding the Sundance Institute and producing documentaries through Sundance Productions, the Ida Awards will honor Robert Redford with its career achievement award.
- 10/29/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
Today was a busy day for some of the smaller guilds with the Visual Effects Society, the Cinema Audio Society, and the Makeup and Hairstylists Guilds all announcing their nominations for 2013.
First, we have the Ves, whose main category to look at is “Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture,” where we find Gravity and four other nominees that are just going to have to be happy with the fact that they got nominated. This is perhaps the easiest category to call in the entirety of awards season, and I don’t mean just here, but for the Oscar as well (Last year’s winner, Life of Pi, easily took this category before going on to claim the Oscar). It’s true that films like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and Star Trek Into Darkness had outstanding effects as well, but nothing even came close to the amazing,...
First, we have the Ves, whose main category to look at is “Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture,” where we find Gravity and four other nominees that are just going to have to be happy with the fact that they got nominated. This is perhaps the easiest category to call in the entirety of awards season, and I don’t mean just here, but for the Oscar as well (Last year’s winner, Life of Pi, easily took this category before going on to claim the Oscar). It’s true that films like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and Star Trek Into Darkness had outstanding effects as well, but nothing even came close to the amazing,...
- 1/15/2014
- by Jeff Beck
- We Got This Covered
The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild (Muahs) announced on January 14 its nominations for the 2014 awards show on February 15.
Voting will begin online on January 21 and closes on February 11.
Feature Length Motion Picture (Feature Films)
Best Contemporary Hair Styling
Unfinished Song – Lucy Cain
One Chance – Christine Blundell, Donald Mc Innes
Lee Daniels’ The Butler – Candace Neal, Robert Stevenson
Best Contemporary Make-Up
Prisoners – Donald Mowat, Pamela Westmore
August: Osage County – Carla White, Bjoern Rehbein
One Chance – Christine Blundell, Donald McInnes
Best Period And/Or Character Hair Styling
American Hustle – Katherine Gordon, Michelle Johnson
The Lone Ranger – Gloria Pasqua Casny, Jules Holdren
Jobs – Nina Paskowitz, Michael Moore
Best Period And/Or Character Make-Up
Dallas Buyers Club – Evelyne Noraz, Rachel Geary
The Lone Ranger – Joel Harlow, Mike Smithson, 3rd Petition Robin Beauschesne
The Great Gatsby – Maurizio Silvi, Lesley Vanderwalt
Best Special Make-Up Effects
Bad Grandpa – Stephen Prouty
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters – Mike Elizalde, Lufeng Qu
[link...
Voting will begin online on January 21 and closes on February 11.
Feature Length Motion Picture (Feature Films)
Best Contemporary Hair Styling
Unfinished Song – Lucy Cain
One Chance – Christine Blundell, Donald Mc Innes
Lee Daniels’ The Butler – Candace Neal, Robert Stevenson
Best Contemporary Make-Up
Prisoners – Donald Mowat, Pamela Westmore
August: Osage County – Carla White, Bjoern Rehbein
One Chance – Christine Blundell, Donald McInnes
Best Period And/Or Character Hair Styling
American Hustle – Katherine Gordon, Michelle Johnson
The Lone Ranger – Gloria Pasqua Casny, Jules Holdren
Jobs – Nina Paskowitz, Michael Moore
Best Period And/Or Character Make-Up
Dallas Buyers Club – Evelyne Noraz, Rachel Geary
The Lone Ranger – Joel Harlow, Mike Smithson, 3rd Petition Robin Beauschesne
The Great Gatsby – Maurizio Silvi, Lesley Vanderwalt
Best Special Make-Up Effects
Bad Grandpa – Stephen Prouty
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters – Mike Elizalde, Lufeng Qu
[link...
- 1/14/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Los Angeles, Jan. 14, 2014 – Today the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild’s President Susan Cabral-Ebert announced nominations for the 2014 Annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards in 14Categories. Winners will be announced at the 2014 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild (Iatse Local 706) Awards honoring make-up artists and hair stylists outstanding achievements in motion pictures, television, commercials and live theater and will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Paramount Studios. M.A.C. Cosmetics is the Official Cocktail Reception Sponsor. Here’s the full list of nominations: Feature Length Motion Picture (Feature Films) Best Contemporary Hair Styling Unfinished Song Aurora Bergere One Chance Christine Blundell Donald Mc Innes Lee Daniels’ The Butler Candace Neal Robert Stevenson Best Contemporary Make-up Prisoners Donald Mowat Pamela Westmore August: Osage County Carla White Bjoern Rehbein One Chance Christine Blundell Donald Mc Innes Best Period And/Or Character Hair Styling American Hustle Katherine Gordon Michelle Johnson...
- 1/14/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
You want funny? We got funny! From Airplane to Duck Soup, here are the Guardian and Observer critics' pick of the 10 best rib-ticklers
• Top 10 romantic movies
• Top 10 action movies
Peter Bradshaw on comedy
Notionally, one of the most loved of genres, comedy persistently finds that it is somehow ineligible for greatness. Comedies rarely get Oscars. Charlie Chaplin, the great comic, was one of cinema's first international superstars. Keaton, the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy produced sublime gems of film-making, arguably cherished more now than at the time. Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot is one of the most loved films of all time, with a miraculously light touch and a glorious romantic chemistry between Curtis, Lemmon and Monroe. In Hollywood, the screwball tradition came to be supplanted in public taste by Woody Allen, whose DNA can be traced through the cerebral creations of Charlie Kaufman.
Recently, Hollywood comedy...
• Top 10 romantic movies
• Top 10 action movies
Peter Bradshaw on comedy
Notionally, one of the most loved of genres, comedy persistently finds that it is somehow ineligible for greatness. Comedies rarely get Oscars. Charlie Chaplin, the great comic, was one of cinema's first international superstars. Keaton, the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy produced sublime gems of film-making, arguably cherished more now than at the time. Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot is one of the most loved films of all time, with a miraculously light touch and a glorious romantic chemistry between Curtis, Lemmon and Monroe. In Hollywood, the screwball tradition came to be supplanted in public taste by Woody Allen, whose DNA can be traced through the cerebral creations of Charlie Kaufman.
Recently, Hollywood comedy...
- 10/11/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
Ever since 2008 when Marvel introduced the cinematic world to Tony Stark and reintroduced Robert Downey Jr. to the world of pay-checks, the Marvel films have consistently been some of the most talked about and highly anticipated films around, especially when the San Diego Comic-Con is taking place.
The importance and hype around these films has been propelled to whole new levels with the incredible success of last year’s Avengers Assemble, and with it the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a true phenomenon of the modern movie age.
The reasons for the financial and critical success of these films are no doubt down to Marvel’s unique choices in casting and directors, as well as fun, action packed scripts that haven’t taken themselves too seriously in an age where superhero films could more aptly be described as noir thrillers. However, when it comes to superhero films, or sci-fi/action films in general,...
The importance and hype around these films has been propelled to whole new levels with the incredible success of last year’s Avengers Assemble, and with it the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a true phenomenon of the modern movie age.
The reasons for the financial and critical success of these films are no doubt down to Marvel’s unique choices in casting and directors, as well as fun, action packed scripts that haven’t taken themselves too seriously in an age where superhero films could more aptly be described as noir thrillers. However, when it comes to superhero films, or sci-fi/action films in general,...
- 7/25/2013
- by Joe McFarlane
- Obsessed with Film
Sundance and Tribeca festivals showcase a stunning crop of films, focusing on Afghanistan, killer whales and more
It may count as the least likely of cinematic comebacks since Mickey Rourke bleached his hair and started self-tanning for The Wrestler. A new wave of documentaries are ensuring a return to cinema screens of something long thought lost to our era of spandex-wearing superheroes and CGI fireballs: reality.
Marvelling at "the explosion – and creative flowering – of this most commercially unsexy of genres" at the Tribeca film festival last week, New York magazine's David Edelstein wrote:
In this age of digital video – in which there are cheap cameras, editing software and funding to be had … the cool kids are making docs. The form is not just good for you these days. It's incredibly sexy.
At Sundance this year at least four titles – Pussy Riot, The Summit, Stardom and Blackfish – sold for more than $1m.
It may count as the least likely of cinematic comebacks since Mickey Rourke bleached his hair and started self-tanning for The Wrestler. A new wave of documentaries are ensuring a return to cinema screens of something long thought lost to our era of spandex-wearing superheroes and CGI fireballs: reality.
Marvelling at "the explosion – and creative flowering – of this most commercially unsexy of genres" at the Tribeca film festival last week, New York magazine's David Edelstein wrote:
In this age of digital video – in which there are cheap cameras, editing software and funding to be had … the cool kids are making docs. The form is not just good for you these days. It's incredibly sexy.
At Sundance this year at least four titles – Pussy Riot, The Summit, Stardom and Blackfish – sold for more than $1m.
- 4/23/2013
- by Tom Shone
- The Guardian - Film News
Seven years after "An Inconvenient Truth," what has changed in the world's efforts to come to grips with global warming? The scientific consensus has firmed up, even further. Public opinion has, at last, fallen in line with the science, assisted by any number of in-your-face extreme weather events -- epic droughts, record ice melts, multiple applications of the phrase "storm of the century."
But action? Nothing. By anyone.
So filmmaker Craig Scott Rosebraugh ("Seventh Generation") dispenses with conveniences and niceties and goes straight for the jugular with "Greedy Lying Bastards," a documentary about the folks who have fought, stalled and misdirected the international conversation about this dire subject for decades.
"Climate change is already with us," Rosebraugh narrates over a montage of very recent natural disasters, from floods to droughts, wildfires to hurricanes. "We knew decades ago" that this was coming, he adds. And to make his point, he shows...
But action? Nothing. By anyone.
So filmmaker Craig Scott Rosebraugh ("Seventh Generation") dispenses with conveniences and niceties and goes straight for the jugular with "Greedy Lying Bastards," a documentary about the folks who have fought, stalled and misdirected the international conversation about this dire subject for decades.
"Climate change is already with us," Rosebraugh narrates over a montage of very recent natural disasters, from floods to droughts, wildfires to hurricanes. "We knew decades ago" that this was coming, he adds. And to make his point, he shows...
- 3/7/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
This is Not a Film
"A subtle and haunting work of art ... A masterpiece in a form that
does not yet exist.” – A.O. Scott, The New York Times
“An extraordinary film. This Is Not a Film ends with a whimper that is a bang.”
– David Edelstein, New York Magazine
EW's Grade: A
"Ignore the title This is Not a Film — this is a great film, and a triumph of creativity and courage over repression." - Lisa Schwarzbaum , Entertainment Weekly
Released by Palisades Tartan, this “breathtakingly cinematic” (Karina Longworth, Village Voice) film already opened in more than 50 markets and continues to play in select venues throughout the United States. With a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and rave reviews by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker and Village Voice, to name a few, This is Not a Film has already been included on several annual Top 10 lists (Sight & Sound; The Guardian; Washington Post).
Shot partially on an iPhone and smuggled into France (in a Flash-Drive hidden inside a cake) for a last-minute submission to Cannes, This is Not a Film depicts a day in the life of acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi (Offside, The Mirror, The Circle).
While appealing his sentence – six years in prison and a 20-year ban from filmmaking – fellow director Mojtaba Mirtahmasb (Lady of the Roses) visits Mr. Panahi at his Tehran apartment and films him talking to his family and lawyer on the phone, reflecting on the art of filmmaking, meeting some of his neighbors and even interacting with an inquisitive iguana. After several years of conflict with the Iranian government over the content of his films (including several short-term arrests), Panahi was arrested on March 1, 2010 and taken to Evin Prison, an Iranian penitentiary noted for its political prisoners' wing. He was released three months later on bail, and was eventually prosecuted for "assembly and colluding with the intention to commit crimes against the country’s national security and propaganda against the Islamic Republic."
On December 20, 2010, Panahi was given a six-year jail sentence and a 20-year ban on making or directing any movies, writing screenplays, giving any form of interview with Iranian or foreign media as well as leaving the country.
On Octorber 16, 2011, the appeal which is discussed in the film was denied, and Mr. Panahi can be taken to prison at any time.
The film's co-director, Motjaba Mirtahmasb, was arrested in September 2011, on his way to present This is Not a Film in Toronto. He was released on bail in December of 2011, after he was charged with being a spy for the BBC.
Since his detention in 2010, Panahi's cause has won international support from the film community. World-renowned directors, including Joel and Ethan Coen, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Robert De Niro, Ang Lee, Terrence Malick, Michael Moore, Robert Redford, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Frederick Wiseman, among many others, signed a letter of support calling for his release.
Confirming the importance of Mr. Panahi’s work as well as his trailblazing role in Iranian society, The European Parliament has recently honored him with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The Sakharov prize is widely considered to be the most important human rights award in the world. The Prize was shared with the imprisoned Iranian Human Rights Lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, who just ended her 49-day hunger strike after Iranian authorities finally met her demand to stop harassing her family. The European delegation canceled their visit to Iran in October 2012, after Iran refused for them to meet with, and present the prize to, both winners.
http://www.thisisnotafilm.net...
"A subtle and haunting work of art ... A masterpiece in a form that
does not yet exist.” – A.O. Scott, The New York Times
“An extraordinary film. This Is Not a Film ends with a whimper that is a bang.”
– David Edelstein, New York Magazine
EW's Grade: A
"Ignore the title This is Not a Film — this is a great film, and a triumph of creativity and courage over repression." - Lisa Schwarzbaum , Entertainment Weekly
Released by Palisades Tartan, this “breathtakingly cinematic” (Karina Longworth, Village Voice) film already opened in more than 50 markets and continues to play in select venues throughout the United States. With a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and rave reviews by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker and Village Voice, to name a few, This is Not a Film has already been included on several annual Top 10 lists (Sight & Sound; The Guardian; Washington Post).
Shot partially on an iPhone and smuggled into France (in a Flash-Drive hidden inside a cake) for a last-minute submission to Cannes, This is Not a Film depicts a day in the life of acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi (Offside, The Mirror, The Circle).
While appealing his sentence – six years in prison and a 20-year ban from filmmaking – fellow director Mojtaba Mirtahmasb (Lady of the Roses) visits Mr. Panahi at his Tehran apartment and films him talking to his family and lawyer on the phone, reflecting on the art of filmmaking, meeting some of his neighbors and even interacting with an inquisitive iguana. After several years of conflict with the Iranian government over the content of his films (including several short-term arrests), Panahi was arrested on March 1, 2010 and taken to Evin Prison, an Iranian penitentiary noted for its political prisoners' wing. He was released three months later on bail, and was eventually prosecuted for "assembly and colluding with the intention to commit crimes against the country’s national security and propaganda against the Islamic Republic."
On December 20, 2010, Panahi was given a six-year jail sentence and a 20-year ban on making or directing any movies, writing screenplays, giving any form of interview with Iranian or foreign media as well as leaving the country.
On Octorber 16, 2011, the appeal which is discussed in the film was denied, and Mr. Panahi can be taken to prison at any time.
The film's co-director, Motjaba Mirtahmasb, was arrested in September 2011, on his way to present This is Not a Film in Toronto. He was released on bail in December of 2011, after he was charged with being a spy for the BBC.
Since his detention in 2010, Panahi's cause has won international support from the film community. World-renowned directors, including Joel and Ethan Coen, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Robert De Niro, Ang Lee, Terrence Malick, Michael Moore, Robert Redford, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Frederick Wiseman, among many others, signed a letter of support calling for his release.
Confirming the importance of Mr. Panahi’s work as well as his trailblazing role in Iranian society, The European Parliament has recently honored him with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The Sakharov prize is widely considered to be the most important human rights award in the world. The Prize was shared with the imprisoned Iranian Human Rights Lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, who just ended her 49-day hunger strike after Iranian authorities finally met her demand to stop harassing her family. The European delegation canceled their visit to Iran in October 2012, after Iran refused for them to meet with, and present the prize to, both winners.
http://www.thisisnotafilm.net...
- 1/4/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
In the wake of Barack Obama's re-election to the White House, documentary filmmaker Michael Moore has written the President an open letter, asking him to follow through with his promises from 2008 and push through a politics of populism -- policies that support more than just the upper crust of American society. After taking the President to task for being extra chummy with the leaders of Wall Street in his first term, Moore outlines a ten-point plan for using the work Obama and his team have done to raise grassroots support amongst the American people to reduce corporate influence on Us politics. Screw bipartisan politics, Moore says; the other side doesn't actually care about the majority of Us citizens. His ten well-reasoned, hard-to-contest suggestions: 1. Drive The Rich Right Off Their Fiscal Cliff. 2. End All The Wars Now. 3. End The Drug War. 4. Declare A Moratorium On Home Foreclosures And Evictions. 5. Get Money Out Of Politics.
- 11/19/2012
- by Bryce J. Renninger
- Indiewire
For those of you who have seen the superb documentary Searching For Sugarman or if you’re still thinking about seeing it, here’s some news about the film. It will be featured in a piece on October 7′s edition of the long-running CBS news magazine TV show ” 60 Minutes “. Now if you’re going to record it with a DVR device be sure and allow extra end time in case the football game runs over ( 30 minutes would be safe, I think ). Here’s the press release:
New York (October 3, 2012) . CBS .60 Minutes. correspondent Bob Simon will spotlight artist/musician Rodriguez and director Malik Bendjelloul.s critically-acclaimed documentary Searching For Sugar Man on the show this Sunday, October 7th at 7pm Et/Pt. The film was released by Sony Pictures Classics on July 27th and is continuing to expand nationwide. The film’s soundtrack album is now available from Legacy Recordings/Light In The Attic.
New York (October 3, 2012) . CBS .60 Minutes. correspondent Bob Simon will spotlight artist/musician Rodriguez and director Malik Bendjelloul.s critically-acclaimed documentary Searching For Sugar Man on the show this Sunday, October 7th at 7pm Et/Pt. The film was released by Sony Pictures Classics on July 27th and is continuing to expand nationwide. The film’s soundtrack album is now available from Legacy Recordings/Light In The Attic.
- 10/5/2012
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A quiet Labor Day weekend capped a Summer season that started off strong but struggled to maintain momentum through the full four months. Total domestic box office came in at $4.29 billion, which is off 2.6 percent from last year's record $4.4 billion. Overall, it ranks as the third highest-grossing Summer behind 2011 and 2009. However, the estimated 534 million tickets sold during the period is tied with 2010 for lowest ticket sales in at least 15 years. While this is a bit of a cliche, it truly was feast-or-famine at the domestic box office this Summer. The Top Five titles accounted for over 41 percent of total grosses for the season, which is the highest share in at least 20 years. In comparison, the Top Five only contributed 32 percent of last Summer's box office.Using historical comparisons and pre-release expectations, I've compiled a list of the winners, losers, and everything in between for Summer 2012.WinnersThe Avengers: Everyone knew The Avengers would be big,...
- 9/7/2012
- by Ray Subers <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
What is Movie News After Dark? It’s the next big thing, the opening night every night, the closing ceremony before the event even starts. It’s also a contender in the 100-meter dash. We begin this evening with a great new image from Rian Johnson’s Looper featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his next breakout role. I say next because this guy seems to be on a hot streak of break-out roles. How many breakout roles can one have, anyway? 1. 10 Actors Poised to Become Major Feature-Film Stars – Speaking of breaking out, the folks at Pajiba have a list of the whose who of next year’s It list, including Jane Levy, the star of the upcoming Evil Dead remake and not to mention, a total babe. 2. Weinberg vs. Kevin Smith on the Value of Film Criticism – It’s time to take a moment to defend the art of film criticism from its staunchest opponent, director...
- 7/27/2012
- by Neil Miller
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
The Hunger Games was so starved for cash it ate all of it, like Galactus devouring planets. There’s none left for any other movie. $155 million opening weekend: the third biggest opening of all time just behind the final Harry Potter movie and The Dark Knight, and better than all of the Twilight flicks. Suck on that, glittering vamps.
Men, women, and children all flocked to the theaters this weekend to see teenagers kill each other for the pleasure of others, much like the Capitol’s audience in the movie itself. Lionsgate’s movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling tweener novels about a dystopian future where the super wealthy force the huddled masses to send teenagers as an offering to compete in a televised death match opened with $68.2 million on Friday and another $50 million on Saturday on its way to a record shattering $155 million weekend.
Box Office Mojo reports that...
Men, women, and children all flocked to the theaters this weekend to see teenagers kill each other for the pleasure of others, much like the Capitol’s audience in the movie itself. Lionsgate’s movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling tweener novels about a dystopian future where the super wealthy force the huddled masses to send teenagers as an offering to compete in a televised death match opened with $68.2 million on Friday and another $50 million on Saturday on its way to a record shattering $155 million weekend.
Box Office Mojo reports that...
- 3/25/2012
- by Foywonder
- DreadCentral.com
By Scott Mendelson
Besting any number of opening weekend records, The Hunger Games (review Here) opened this weekend with a scorching $155 million. That’s the third-biggest opening weekend of all-time, behind The Dark Knight ($158 million) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II ($169 million). Obviously by virtue of being number 03 on the list, it’s also the biggest opening weekend for a non-summer movie, a non-sequel. It’s of course the biggest debut in history for a film not released by Warner Bros. during the third weekend in July, for those keeping release-date score. It’s also Lionsgate’s highest-grossing film ever after just three days, besting the $123 million-debut of Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11. While it’s Lionsgate’s most expensive movie, it’s still an example of smart budgeting as it came it at $90 million before tax credits which brought the total exposure to just $78 million. Even if...
Besting any number of opening weekend records, The Hunger Games (review Here) opened this weekend with a scorching $155 million. That’s the third-biggest opening weekend of all-time, behind The Dark Knight ($158 million) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II ($169 million). Obviously by virtue of being number 03 on the list, it’s also the biggest opening weekend for a non-summer movie, a non-sequel. It’s of course the biggest debut in history for a film not released by Warner Bros. during the third weekend in July, for those keeping release-date score. It’s also Lionsgate’s highest-grossing film ever after just three days, besting the $123 million-debut of Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11. While it’s Lionsgate’s most expensive movie, it’s still an example of smart budgeting as it came it at $90 million before tax credits which brought the total exposure to just $78 million. Even if...
- 3/25/2012
- by Scott Mendelson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Well, that’s one way to make an impression. The Hunger Games surpassed the wildest industry expectations to debut to $155 million, according to studio estimates.
That’s the third-biggest opening weekend ever, behind only Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 ($169.2 million) and The Dark Knight ($158.4 million). It’s also the best debut ever for a non-sequel, crushing 2010′s Alice in Wonderland ($116.1 million), and it represents the top opening weekend for any picture outside the summer movie season. And, yes, it must be mentioned — The Hunger Games opened stronger than all four Twilight films.
The Hunger Games was front-loaded this weekend,...
That’s the third-biggest opening weekend ever, behind only Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 ($169.2 million) and The Dark Knight ($158.4 million). It’s also the best debut ever for a non-sequel, crushing 2010′s Alice in Wonderland ($116.1 million), and it represents the top opening weekend for any picture outside the summer movie season. And, yes, it must be mentioned — The Hunger Games opened stronger than all four Twilight films.
The Hunger Games was front-loaded this weekend,...
- 3/25/2012
- by John Young
- EW - Inside Movies
Happy Hunger Games, indeed.The big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins' international best-seller finally hits theater on Friday, and it's riding a wave of anticipation unheard of for the first movie in a prospective series. The Hunger Games is set to play on at least 10,000 screens at 4,137 locations, which is the widest release ever for a non-sequel and for a movie released by a non-major studio (in this case, it's from mid-major studio Lionsgate). With pre-sales at nearly-unprecedented levels, it now looks like a foregone conclusion that The Hunger Games will score one of the top openings in movie history.With over 24 million copies in worldwide circulation, The Hunger Games has drawn abundant comparisons to the Twilight series: both The Hunger Games and Twilight are extremely popular genre-oriented young adult franchises that feature a love triangle between a female protagonist and two hunky suitors. That's about the extent of the association,...
- 3/22/2012
- by Ray Subers <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Photos from John Carter, The Raven, Snow White and the Huntsman, Project X, The Amazing Spider-Man, and set photos of Jaden Smith shooting After Earth along with Van Damme shooting Welcome to the Jungle.
Posters for Wrath of the Titans, Marley, Lockout, and John Carter, the second season of Game of Thrones, and the novelisation of Snow White and the Huntsman.
"Liam Neeson is reportedly being lined up to play Lyndon B. Johnson in Lee Daniels' "The Butler", joining a cast that potentially includes John Cusack, Hugh Jackman, Mila Kunis and David Oyelowo…" (full details)
"Cirque du Soleil will deliver a one-time-only performance at the 84th Academy Awards, one that will feature the largest Cirque cast ever assembled for a single act and accompanied by music by Danny Elfman…" (full details)
"'Star Trek' actor Chris Pine is being subjected to a lawsuit by his former talent agency...
Posters for Wrath of the Titans, Marley, Lockout, and John Carter, the second season of Game of Thrones, and the novelisation of Snow White and the Huntsman.
"Liam Neeson is reportedly being lined up to play Lyndon B. Johnson in Lee Daniels' "The Butler", joining a cast that potentially includes John Cusack, Hugh Jackman, Mila Kunis and David Oyelowo…" (full details)
"Cirque du Soleil will deliver a one-time-only performance at the 84th Academy Awards, one that will feature the largest Cirque cast ever assembled for a single act and accompanied by music by Danny Elfman…" (full details)
"'Star Trek' actor Chris Pine is being subjected to a lawsuit by his former talent agency...
- 2/17/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Trailers are an under-appreciated art form insofar that many times they’re seen as vehicles for showing footage, explaining films away, or showing their hand about what moviegoers can expect. Foreign, domestic, independent, big budget: I celebrate all levels of trailers and hopefully this column will satisfactorily give you a baseline of what beta wave I’m operating on, because what better way to hone your skills as a thoughtful moviegoer than by deconstructing these little pieces of advertising? Some of the best authors will tell you that writing a short story is a lot harder than writing a long one, that you have to weigh every sentence. What better medium to see how this theory plays itself out beyond that than with movie trailers? Day Is Done Trailer Thomas Imbach seems to be one of those kinds of filmmakers who would eschew the kind of populist documentary filmmaking that...
- 12/3/2011
- by Christopher Stipp
- Slash Film
Christopher Hitchens, philosopher, atheist and a man who can be relied upon to boldly pronounce the stuff a lot of guys think but hesitate to say, once claimed that women aren’t capable as being as funny as men. Not that some women can’t be funny, admitted Hitchens in an article for Vanity Fair (link http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/01/hitchens200701):
“In any case, my argument doesn’t say that there are no decent women comedians … Most of them, though, when you come to review the situation, are hefty or dykey or Jewish, or some combo of the three.”
Apart from Hitchens’ logic fail (what other combo of the three does he mean? Hefty, Jewish and dykey is different from Jewish, dykey and hefty how exactly?) this statement is a classic example of damning with faint praise. Yes, says Hitchens, women can be funny, but only if they’re fat Jewish lesbians.
“In any case, my argument doesn’t say that there are no decent women comedians … Most of them, though, when you come to review the situation, are hefty or dykey or Jewish, or some combo of the three.”
Apart from Hitchens’ logic fail (what other combo of the three does he mean? Hefty, Jewish and dykey is different from Jewish, dykey and hefty how exactly?) this statement is a classic example of damning with faint praise. Yes, says Hitchens, women can be funny, but only if they’re fat Jewish lesbians.
- 11/1/2011
- by Cath Murphy
- SoundOnSight
The man behind The Greatest Movie Ever Sold appears to adore his subjects – and why not? They're enabling him to posture, though it's not exactly clear as what
• Morgan Spurlock: 'I asked cigarette and gun companies for money to make a film'
That Morgan Spurlock – so much smarter than Michael Moore, isn't he? Really knows how to lay bare the overlooked evils that disfigure society. And few things could be more overlooked or sinister than product placement.
This at least is the premise underpinning Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. How wittily our hero skewers the greedy corporations that thrust their corrosive messages into the innocent entertainments of the people! How thankful we should be that such a tribune is peeling the scales from our eyes!
There's no doubt that the phenomenon being depicted is indeed rampant. Last year, Apple got its products featured in ten of America's 33 box-office chart-toppers.
• Morgan Spurlock: 'I asked cigarette and gun companies for money to make a film'
That Morgan Spurlock – so much smarter than Michael Moore, isn't he? Really knows how to lay bare the overlooked evils that disfigure society. And few things could be more overlooked or sinister than product placement.
This at least is the premise underpinning Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. How wittily our hero skewers the greedy corporations that thrust their corrosive messages into the innocent entertainments of the people! How thankful we should be that such a tribune is peeling the scales from our eyes!
There's no doubt that the phenomenon being depicted is indeed rampant. Last year, Apple got its products featured in ten of America's 33 box-office chart-toppers.
- 10/18/2011
- by David Cox
- The Guardian - Film News
Susan Sarandon was one of several show business celebrities who personally visited with Occupy Wall Street protesters to lend them support. "I don't know that much about Wall Street," Sarandon was quoted as saying in The Associated Press, "but if I was running a business and I made that big of a mistake and lost that many people's future, I don't think I would get a bonus or even keep my job." That, of course, depends on how high up one is in any business, including the movie business. Anyhow, the presence of people like Sarandon, her former companion Tim Robbins, Michael Moore, Penn Badgley, Mark Ruffalo, Roseanne Barr, Kanye West and Russell Simmons irks right-wingers who insist that if you're rich, you can't — in fact, you have no right to — strive for a just socioeconomic system. Unless, of course, you give all your money away and live in rags,...
- 10/13/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
By Kim Palacios
hollywoodnews.com: Kanye West and Russell Simmons were the latest in a long list of celebrities to make an appearance at Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in New York City. On Monday, the pair arrived at the scene—Simmons to appear as a guest on Al Sharpton’s MSNBC radio show and West simply to witness and play an informal role in the event.
Tweeted Russell Simmons, in response to reactions about he and West’s appearance, “The best thing about having resources or celebrity is that u can use them/ it to empower others. #occupywallstreet.”; earlier, in response to those who questioned the participation of West, Simmons, and other extremely wealthy celebrities, Simmons also tweeted the following: “Don’t hate the players change the game .. I want every one to have greater opportunity then I was afforded #occupywallstreet”
Other celebrity/activists who attended or spoke included Susan Sarandon and ex Tim Robbins,...
hollywoodnews.com: Kanye West and Russell Simmons were the latest in a long list of celebrities to make an appearance at Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in New York City. On Monday, the pair arrived at the scene—Simmons to appear as a guest on Al Sharpton’s MSNBC radio show and West simply to witness and play an informal role in the event.
Tweeted Russell Simmons, in response to reactions about he and West’s appearance, “The best thing about having resources or celebrity is that u can use them/ it to empower others. #occupywallstreet.”; earlier, in response to those who questioned the participation of West, Simmons, and other extremely wealthy celebrities, Simmons also tweeted the following: “Don’t hate the players change the game .. I want every one to have greater opportunity then I was afforded #occupywallstreet”
Other celebrity/activists who attended or spoke included Susan Sarandon and ex Tim Robbins,...
- 10/12/2011
- by Kim Palacios
- Hollywoodnews.com
Two weeks ago, a group labeled Occupy Wall Street began taking to the streets of Manhattan to protest… something. Or, rather, everything: White collar crime, global warming, gas prices, general economic malaise, and, of course, shirts.
But, of course, a vague protest isn’t a protest until Hollywood jumps on board — and indeed they have. Big names like Susan Sarandon, Michael Moore, and Roseanne Barr have all showed up at the demonstrations — which, over the weekend, led to 700 arrests on the Brooklyn Bridge — to voice their support for the cause, which is spreading to other parts of the country, like Los Angeles and Boston.
But, of course, a vague protest isn’t a protest until Hollywood jumps on board — and indeed they have. Big names like Susan Sarandon, Michael Moore, and Roseanne Barr have all showed up at the demonstrations — which, over the weekend, led to 700 arrests on the Brooklyn Bridge — to voice their support for the cause, which is spreading to other parts of the country, like Los Angeles and Boston.
- 10/3/2011
- by Kate Ward
- EW.com - PopWatch
When I heard that Morgan Spurlock had a documentary at Toronto called Comic-Con: Episode IV — A Fan’s Hope, I knew I wanted to go, and I thought I had a good idea of what I was in for: Spurlock, with his Gen X Michael Moore wisenheimer prankishness, showing up at Comic-Con to interview droolers in shiny white Star Wars stormtrooper armor with an affectionate camera- ready wink of “Can you believe this?” condescension.
The first surprise of Comic-Con: Episode IV is that it’s the first Morgan Spurlock movie that Spurlock isn’t in. The second surprise is that it’s the most entertaining,...
The first surprise of Comic-Con: Episode IV is that it’s the first Morgan Spurlock movie that Spurlock isn’t in. The second surprise is that it’s the most entertaining,...
- 9/13/2011
- by Owen Gleiberman
- EW - Inside Movies
HollywoodNews.com: However immature it may be, it can be fun to crow when your enemy fails. Thus we’ve had two weeks of various liberal bloggers jumping for joy at the financial under-performance of the Sarah Palin halo-agraphy The Undefeated. The film opened with $65,132 on ten screens for a mediocre $6,532 per-screen average. It expanded to 14 locations this past weekend but dropped 62%, earning just $24,662 for a $1,762 per-screen average. The film barely has $100,000 after ten days and has announced premature (?) plans to debut on Video on Demand and DVD release. This is frankly an out-and-out tank, a genuine bomb even when compared to other political documentaries that aren’t directed by Michael Moore (comparing all political documentaries to Moore’s work would be like expecting Punisher: War Zone to out-gross Spider-Man 3). Ben Stein’s Intelligent Design documentary, Expelled, ended up grossing $7.7 million in 2008. Even something as relatively low-key as The Us vs.
- 7/28/2011
- by Scott Mendelson
- Hollywoodnews.com
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:4
War is a nation’s ultimate commitment of blood and treasure. As such, the stories a people tells about its wars – and don’t tell – and the ways it remembers its wars – or chooses to forget them – tells us much about the kind of people they consider themselves to be at different times in their history, as well as the kind of people they really were…and are.
For most of the 20th century, the war film was a Hollywood staple. From one era to the next, war movies documented the nation’s conflicts, reflected the national consciousness on particular combats as well as on thinking going far beyond any one, particular war. They’ve been propagandistic and revisionist,...
and their spears into pruning hooks;
One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:4
War is a nation’s ultimate commitment of blood and treasure. As such, the stories a people tells about its wars – and don’t tell – and the ways it remembers its wars – or chooses to forget them – tells us much about the kind of people they consider themselves to be at different times in their history, as well as the kind of people they really were…and are.
For most of the 20th century, the war film was a Hollywood staple. From one era to the next, war movies documented the nation’s conflicts, reflected the national consciousness on particular combats as well as on thinking going far beyond any one, particular war. They’ve been propagandistic and revisionist,...
- 5/22/2011
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
Last night Roseanne Barr interviewed with Michael Moore on The Joy Behar Show. And, of course, they talked politics. But, they talked in a way that sheds light on things that many people don.t understand (and maybe by some people, I mean me). Here.s what Michael had to say: .I take some grief for this this, but I just think it.s important that you have some people that are always questioning . even the good people like Obama . you need to have people that are asking questions. And I.ll continue to ask questions.. Moore is currently questioning our involvement in Libya. He thinks Obama should stop listening to advisers and start listening to himself. I think...
- 3/30/2011
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
Michael Moore appeared last night on The Joy Behar Show with guest host Roseanne Barr and expressed great disappointment with President Obama and American intervention in Libya. Although Moore still believes Obama is a "man with a good heart," Moore wishes Obama would "start listening to himself" rather than listening to the people who think that the American military is the answer to everything.
- 3/30/2011
- by Matt Schneider
- Mediaite - TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.