First Look at Iron Lady/What Oscars New Rules Could Have Changed/Rinko Gets a Job/Film Companies and T-ride

Good Morning Peeps!

FIRST PEEK AT "THE IRON LADY"

One of the possible films for Telluride with a considerable amount of buzz already is "The Iron Lady" starring Meryl Streep as British PM Margaret Thatcher.  Buzz because a lot of Oscar handicappers think that this might be the role that earns Streep her third Oscar.  I've detailed in this space reasons that it could be in the TFF#38 lineup (it's a Weinstein project, Oscar buzz, Streep is a past TFF Tributee) .  Now comes the first teaser/trailer of the film at FirstShowing.net.  It's modestly entertaining. Here's the link:

http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/must-watch-first-teaser-trailer-for-the-iron-lady-with-meryl-streep/

OSCARS NEW RULES-WHAT THEY MIGHT HAVE CHANGED

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced new rules for Best Picture nominations on June 15.  Now the folks at HitFix have done some detective work to make some retro-predictions about what would have happened if those rules had been in place from 2001-2008 (2009 and 2010 had 10 nominations under what are now superseded rules).  HitFix starts their analysis with the revelation from the Oscar accountants, Price Waterhouse, that had the new rules been in effect during those years that no year would have produced 10 Best Picture nominations but that years with 5,6,7,8 and 9 nominations would have happened.

It's fascinating stuff if you're an Oscar watcher, which this blog becomes once the Telluride Film Festival  (and Venice and Toronto) concludes.

That article is here:
http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/new-oscar-rules-who-would-have-been-nominated-for-best-picture-2001-2008

REMEMBER HER IN BABEL

The very first film I ever saw at a Telluride Film Festival was in 2006 when I stood in line at the Chuck and got into see "Babel."  We had no idea at the time what we were in for in as far as the festival or the film was concerned.  Kris and I stood in line with a young guy who was part of the underwriting company for the film.  He thought he might be in the credits.  We were so impressed.  Then we go in and the MC introduces Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, himself, and he introduces the film.  Kris and I looked at each other, realizing at that moment that we had been allowed to be a part of something very, very special.

Two acting Oscar noms came out of that film both for Supporting Actress: Adrianna Barraza (who, whimsically, Kris was mistaken for on the Gondola ride back to Telluride) and Rinko Kikuchi (pictured above) who, for my money should have won the Oscar that year (Jennifer Hudson won for Dreamgirls).

Now comes word that Kikuchi has been cast in the lead for the big budget Guerillmo Del Toro's "Pacific Rim."  Kikuchi has been virtually undetectable to American audiences since Babel.  This new role will likely change that.  "pacific rim" is set to be released in July of 2013.

The link to The Playlist story announcing the casting is here:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/babel_oscar-nominee_rinko_kikuchi_bags_female_lead_in_guillermo_del_toros_p/

ANOTHER BRITISH FILM COMPANY AND TELLURIDE

Recently I've been back tracking the slate of films from the past 4-5 years of Telluride Film Festivals in an effort to correlate to whatever degree possible past  participation from film companies and if it tells us anything about what we might expect to see this year.  Today I'm looking at BBC Films which has had a substantial presence in that time period...well, really, the last couple of years.

2009: An Education, Fish Tank, Bright Star
2010: Tamara Drewe, The First Grader

2011 possibles: We Need to Talk About Kevin and My Week with Marilyn.  Both of these could be on the Telluride film lineup.  Both Tilda Swinton (Kevin) and Michelle Williams (Marilyn) will likely be in the Best Actress conversation this year.  I'd place a higher likelihood on seeing "Kevin" at T-ride.

Have a great Thursday everybody!