TEN MORE THAT COULD PLAY
Yesterday I began to look at 30 films in addition to this week’s “Ten Bets” list that have some sort of chance of playing at Telluride next week and assigning a percentage for those chances. I'm talking ten a day. No guarantees.
Mira Nair talks "The Reluctant Fundamentalist"
“The Reluctant Fundamentalist”-directed by Mira Nair, this is already announced at TIFF and Venice. Nair has a T-ride history having been in 1988 with “Salaam Bombay” and again in 2006 with “The Namesake”. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this is on our schedule next week. Chances- 50%
Official Looong trailer for "Cloud Atlas"
“Cloud Atlas”- directed by Tom Tykwer and The Wachowskis…this is a big budget adaptation of the David Mitchell novel from Warner Brothers. It’s not the kind of film you’d probably normally think of as a “Telluride” film. But the word is that Warner Brothers showed it to T-ride programmers and made a case for its inclusion. And there is some thought that the attempt was successful. Chances-50% (Maybe a Tom Hanks tribute?)
The teaser for last night's San Francisco sneak of "The Master"
“The Master”…well…you know…who knows…Paul Thomas Anderson’s opus starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams has been anything but conventional over this last month as we run up to the Big Three fests of Telluride, Toronto (where it will screen) and Venice (where it will screen). I’ve been all over the place about its chances of playing T-ride. I think some things suggest it’s possible…even the unconventionality of Anderson sneak screening all over the country the last few weeks cuts both ways in the assessment process. Jeff Wells says he hears it’s not going to be there. Others who play this game much more intensely than I as well as folks with much more TFF experience say there’s a chance. And, of course, there’s my wishful thinking. At bottom, my soul says it will be like Malick’s “The Tree of Life” last year…meaning no show at Telluride…but a guy can hope! Chances 25% (and that might be on the long side).
"Trouble with the Curve" trailer
“Trouble with the Curve”-directed by Robert Lorenz and starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake. Until recently I wasn’t bullish on this film’s chances of playing at TFF #39 but Kris Tapley (InContention/HitFix) and Anne Thompson (Thompson on Hollywood) both think it’s a real possibility. Consequently, I have turned around on it. Chances-60%
“Rainy Day Tales”- This animated short from Pixar is very likely, I think, to precede some films next week much like “La Luna” last year. “RDT” has been on the “Ten Bets” lists in the second half of the summer. Chances-65%.
"Killing Them Softly" trailer
“Killing Them Softly”- Director Andrew Dominik teaming again with Brad Pitt. It’s a Weinstein Company film and was a Cannes piece. Reviews there were fair. Trying to assess its chances are problematic because TWC has so much stuff in their cupboard. I have been and continue to be lukewarm about its Telluride chances. Chances- 40%
"The Silver Linings Playbook" trailer
“The Silver Linings Playbook”- Also from The Weinstein Company, this seems to be getting some attention as a real T-ride possibility. Tapley has mentioned it and it seems to me that it is the kind of film that the TWC peeps might think will play well in Telluride. Also, the trailer looks good. Might be a good coming out party for Bradley Cooper if they think he has a legit shot in the Best Actor Oscar race. Chances- 55%
Matt Damon and John Krasinski of "Promised Land"
“Promised Land” directed by Gus Van Sant who has periodically played in Telluride. Starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski (who also co-wrote) and based on a story from Dave Eggers (who scripted Krasinski’s “Away We Go”). Eggers is this year’s poster artist for the fest…so maybe…It probably depends if it’s ready in terms of editing/post-production. IMDb still lists it in post-production, so…. One other note…of course, “Away We Go” co-starred Maya Rudolph…whose main squeeze is Paul Thomas Anderson. Come on, bring the kids…Chances- 30%
“Argo” directed and starring Ben Affleck. If Matt attends, maybe Ben does too. Actually, “Argo” probably has a better chance than “Promised Land” because we know it’s done. The trailer looks good and there’s some buzz going around. Also, Tapley is on record as saying it’s even “Probable” for Telluride…I’ll definitely see it if it’s playing next week. Chances- 50%
“Anna Karenina” directed by Joe Wright with Keira Knightley in the title role. Here’s what it has going for it that lends some credence to the notion that it could play Telluride: It’s being distributed by Focus Features which is almost certainly going to be repped next week anyway with “Hyde Park on Hudson”. Still, I’m dubious…Chances-30%
PS: Kris Tapley’s Telluride “Probables”: Argo, At Any Price, Hyde Park on Hudson, Passion, Rust and Bone, Silver Linings Playbook, Trouble with the Curve.
And his “Maybes”: Amour, Great Expectations, Killing Them Softly, The Master, No, Smashed, To the Wonder
INVITE
Please join me and our hosts, Mitzi and Larry Mallard of The River Club at the "Club" on Friday, Aug. 31 at 5:00pm for the Second ever "Guide to the 'Ride; Flow of the SHOW". Refreshments and conversation will ensue...
LAST TORONTO TITLES
The Toronto International Film Festival announced their last round of titles yesterday and they, not surprisingly, include a number of Telluride-likely projects including: "Amour", "Something in the Air"< "Beyond the Hills" and "Like Someone in Love". Check these links for a variety of reports about the final films added to the TIFF lineup:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/michael-winterbottoms-everyday-premieres-at-tiff-amour-something-in-the-air-more-round-out-lineup-20120821
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/toronto-festival-adds-david-geffen-johnny-depp-javier-bardem-and-michael-haneke-52841
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118058104.html?cmpid=RSS|News|FilmNews
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/toronto-2012-bernardo-bertolucci-michael-haneke-masters-lineup-364265
PS...I don't think we'll see "The West Memphis Three" next week for two reasons...1) It was a Sundance debut and 2) topically, it's somewhat similar to "The Central Park Five" which I'm thinking is a virtual lock. BUT, if by some happenstance it IS playing (maybe it's a theme doc year?) then maybe we see Mr. Depp in support of it before he jets to Toronto to do the same thing...which would be cool.
MARION
"Rust and Bone" trailer with subtitles
I feel good about the chances that we'll see Jacques Audiard's "Rust and Bone" show up next week. I'd love to see Ms. Cotillard there in Telluride as well...tres bien!!!
Cotillard has this interview up yesterday with Jada Yuan of Vulture.com:
http://www.vulture.com/2012/08/marion-cotillard-rust-and-bone-interview.html
More later,
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