Some Business /The Distributors: Open Road Films / Images Tease

Good Tuesday Film Fans.


SOME BUSINESS

Just a quick piece of business here.  Recently I posted a story that upset members of the Telluride Film Festival management.  I was informed of this privately via email and responded accordingly.  In hindsight, the choice to have published the story was unwise.

As a part of my response I privately apologized to members of the Telluride staff.  Now, after allowing some time to pass, I also wanted to apologize publicly and in this space to underscore the sincerity of my remorse.

Now, on to today's regularly scheduled post.


THE DISTRIBUTORS: OPEN ROAD FILMS

Open Road Films has had a short but notable presence in Telluride in just the last few years.  The company first began business in 2011.  In 2014 they brought their first film to Telluride by landing Jon Stewart's directing debut Rosewater.  They followed that in 2015 with Tom McCarthy's Spotlight which won the Best Picture Oscar along with another for original screenplay for McCarthy and Josh Singer.  The film also had four other nominations.

In 2016 Open Road was represented at Telluride by Ben Younger's Bleed for This.

So, three straight years with a film each year at TFF makes you think there is a very good chance that an Open Road film will make the TFF #44 lineup.

Reviewing their catalogue, it seems that four films could fit into a Labor Day schedule:

Marshall, Home Again, LAbyrinth and Finding Steve McQueen.

Of these, Marshall seems to be the most likely choice.  I had the film's first trailer posted here last week.  It's scheduled for release on  Oct. 13th, right in the thick of prime release territory if you have an eye on awards season.  It's focus on a case from the early career of eventual Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall seems like material that could be a contender.  Give it a 50% chance to play T-ride.

The other three possibilities have a variety of issues that argue against their inclusion in The SHOW.

Home Again stars Reese Witherspoon (directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyre) but its Sept. 8th releases date, though a few days after Telluride's completion, suggests it's unlikely.  It is worth noting, however, that Sully actually followed that exact path last year opening on Sept. 9, 2016.  Chances: 20%.

LAbyrinth directed by Brad Furman and starring Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker in a long gestating project about the investigation into the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.  The film is listed by IMDb as being in post-production since February but it doesn't have a release date beyond the generic 2017.  Chances: 15%.

Finding Steve McQueen:  Directed by Mark Stephen Johnson is listed as being in post-production since last October and feels like a light weight genre piece.  Chances: 15%.



IMAGES TEASE

 I ran across a couple of images over the past few days from two projects that may pique the interest of Telluride watchers.

I commented not long ago that Amazon Studios decision to date Woody Allen's latest film, Wonder Wheel, for Dec.1st might mean that we need to take it seriously as a possible Telluride choice.

Last week, our first image of Kate Winslet in that film emerged via Twitter.  Here she is:

In the same vein, we got a glimpse this week of Jessica Chastain on a poster for Xavier Dolan's The Death and Life of John F. Donovan:

Donovan is expected in 2018.

That's your post for Tuesday.

There's your MTFB for Monday, June 26, 2017.  More tomorrow...

EMAIL:  mpgort@gmail.com OR michael_speech@hotmail.com

TWITTER @Gort2 (and follow me there as well)

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COMMENT to the BLOG

The Film Awards Clearinghouse Major Category Thanksgiving Update / Oscar Experts / Todd Haynes Interviewed by Gus Van Sant

Good Monday to everyone and welcome to Thanksgiving Week 2015...


THE FILM AWARDS CLEARINGHOUSE MAJOR CATEGORY THANKSGIVING UPDATE

Nearly a month has passed since our last snapshot of the four major Oscar categories and there have been some developments.  "Steve Jobs" took a dive at the box office and that has definitely altered the view among Oscar experts regarding its chances in the Best Picture and Directing categories.  "The Martian" appears to be coming on strong.  Let's take a look.


For the purpose of The FAC I gather data from the publicly posted predictions of the following:

Erik Anderson/Awards Watch
Clayton Davis/Awards Circuit
Scott Feinberg/The Hollywood Reporter
Peter Knegt/Indiewire
Joey Magidson/Hollywood News
Nathaniel Rogers/Film Experience
Sasha Stone/Awards Daily
Kristopher Tapley/Variety-InContention
Anne Thompson/Thompson on Hollywood

TFF #42 films are in Bold.

The positions that these possible nominees had in our last look at these categories is indicated in parenthesis.


BEST PICTURE

"Spotlight" trailer via YouTube

1) Spotlight (1)
2) The Revenant (3)
3) The Martian (12)
4) Room (5)
5) Bridge of Spies (6)
6) Brooklyn (4)
7) Joy (7)
8) Steve Jobs (2)

9) Inside Out (11)
10) Carol (10)
11) The Hateful Eight (9)
12) The Big Short (NR)

Hot: "The Martian", "Inside Out", "The Big Short"
Cold: "Brooklyn", Steve Jobs", "The Hateful Eight" and "The Danish Girl" which dropped off the list entirely.
Comment:  "The Martian" change and the "Steve Jobs" box office debacle have really shaken this race up.  I'm not so sure that "Jobs" is completely out of this as Fassbender still has a lot of Best Actor support (see below).  At this point, I could see any of the top four films taking the big prize...and yes, I'm including "Room" in that assessment.  People really love the film and its strength is reflected in Lenny Abrahamson's climb in the director's race and Brie Larson's support in the Best Actress race.  Remember too, that it won the Toronto audience award and finished in the top spot in my collection of viewers' ratings for The People's Telluride.


BEST DIRECTION

"Room" trailer via YouTube

1) Tom McCarthy/Spotlight (1)
2) Alejandro Inarritu/The Revenant (3)
3) Ridley Scott/The Martian (7)
4) Steven Spielberg/Bridge of Spies (5)
5) Lenny Abrahamson/Room (NR)

6) David O. Russell/Joy (4)
7) George Miller/Mad Max: Fury Road (10)
8) Todd Haynes/Carol (8)
9) Danny Boyle/Steve Jobs (2)
10) Quentin Tarantino/The Hateful Eight (6)

Hot: Scott, Abrahamsom and Miller.
Cold: Russell, Boyle and Tom Hooper (Danish Girl)
Comment:Danny Boyle's fall also underscores the drop in prospects for "Steve Jobs" as Abrahamson's ascendance emphasizes the popularity of "Room".  Also, "The Danish Girl" is taking a hit in both Picture and Directing categories.  Eddie Redmayne still seems to be competitive in the Best Actor category (see below).


BEST ACTRESS

"Carol" trailer via YouTube

1) Brie Larson/Room (1)
2) Jennifer Lawrence/Joy (2)
3) Saorise Ronan/Brooklyn (3)
4) Cate Blanchett/Carol (4)
5) Charlotte Rampling/45 Years (6)

6) Carey Mulligan/Suffragette (5)
7) Blythe Danner/I'll See You in My Dreams (10)
8) Lily Tomlin/Grandma (7)
9) Maggie Smith/The Lady in the Van (9)
10) Cate Blanchett/Truth (8)

Hot: Danner
Cold: Blanchett in "Truth"
Comment: A remarkably steady category.  Larson is the closest thing to a lock in any of the four major categories in a year where "locks" have been few and far between.


BEST ACTOR

"Steve Jobs" trailer via YouTube

1) Leonardo DiCaprio/The Revenant (3)
2) Michael Fassbender/Steve Jobs (1)
3) Eddie Redmayne/The Danish Girl (2)
4) Johnny Depp/Black Mass (4)
5) Matt Damon/The Martian (6)

6) Michael Caine/Youth (5)
7) Will Smith/Concussion (8)
8) Tom Hanks/Bridge of Spies (7)
9) Ian McKellen/Mr. Holmes (9)
10) Steve Carell/The Big Short (10)


Hot: DiCaprio
Cold:  No one really.
Comment:  Both Fassbender and Redmayne stay in the thick of the race despite their films having suffered some serious doubts in the Picture and Directing categories.  The same could be said for Johnny Depp.

Currently, if The FAC is 100% accurate Telluride #42 films will get 10 nominations from these major categories with another four possibilities.

I'll update the Supporting and Screenplay categories on Thursday so come back for that.



OSCAR EXPERTS

The latest Oscar assessments in detail from the pros: Kristopher Tapley, Scott Feinberg and Sasha Stone:

http://variety.com/2015/film/in-contention/oscar-predictions-oscars-academy-awards-1201600870/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/awards/predictions/awards/predictions/oscars/2015/academy-awards-112015/

http://www.awardsdaily.com/2015/11/20/predictions-friday-still-guessing-at-what-we-dont-know-for-sure/


TODD HAYNES INTERVIEWED BY GUS VAN SANT

Todd Haynes and Rooney Mara at the Patron's Brunch 

For Issue Magazine, Todd Haynes sat down with film maker Gus Van Sant to talk about "Carol" and other topics.  It's here:

http://issuemagazine.com/todd-haynes/#/


That's a wrap for Monday...remember to come back for Thursday's MTFB for a look at where The FAC says we are in the Supporting Acting and Screenplay races.

Contact me at:

michael_speech@hotmail.com OR

mpgort@gmail.com OR

via Twitter @Gort2 OR to

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"Hateful Eight" is a Dish Served Cold...Really Cold and Other "Hateful" News/"Black Mass" Poster and Pics/"Suffragette" Musings

Hoo-dee-hoo on a Tuesday...


"HATEFUL EIGHT" IS A DISH SERVED COLD...REALLY COLD AND OTHER "HATEFUL" NEWS

Samuel L. Jackson told the world last week that Quentin Tarantino kept his "Hateful Eight" set chill...very chill.  Jackson was quoted as saying that the set was refrigerated to create and keep the reality of the freezing, snowy conditions.  Check the story here from Rope of Silicon:

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/samuel-l-jackson-reveals-hateful-eight-shot-refrigerated-set/

We still wish that we'd see it on Labor Day weekend...but doubt that will happen.

In other "Hateful" news, Rope of silicon was reporting yesterday that Tarantino is going to aid in the retro-fitting of up to 50 screens nationwide to be able to screen the new film in the 70mm format that he's shot it in.  I'd also point out that T-ride has the capability to screen in 70 mm.

Here's the story from ROS:

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/tarantino-rumored-to-be-retrofitting-50-theaters-with-70mm-projection-for-hateful-eight-release/



"BLACK MASS" POSTER AND PICS

"Black Mass" poster

Scott Cooper's "Black Mass", the story of gangster Whitey Bulger played by Johnny Depp remains one of four films from Warners that are on my watch list for T-ride '15.  The others: "In the Heart of the Sea", "Our Brand is Crisis" and "Midnight Special".  

The film dropped what was described by The Playlist as a teaser poster, which you see above.

Take a look at the new pics from the film that are also included as a part of The Playlist's post from yesterday:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-johnny-depp-turns-cold-blooded-mob-boss-in-the-new-trailer-for-crime-drama-black-mass-20150522

"SUFFRAGETTE" MUSINGS

"Suffragette" trailer via YouTube

I keep coming back to the London Film Festival announcement form last week that Sarah Gavron's "Suffragette" will open the BFI LFF in early October and their listing of the film as its "European" premiere. (MTFB-June 4)

As Anne Thompson mentioned in her "Screen Talk" podcast that I linked here yesterday...the "European" designation means that the film will have played somewhere in North America before LFF.  As others noted in the analysis of the original announcement, that also means that it will not have played Venice.

I think the key to parsing this out is whether or not the LFF announcement and its designating the film as an "European" premiere means that it is NOT the film's "International" premiere.  If LFF is designating it as "European" as opposed to "International" because they wish to be specific in terms of that designation, then I believe the chances that "Suffragette" plays Telluride go way up. If the choice to designate as "European" makes this distinction, then it likely means that the film will have played Toronto and either New York or T-ride (or both).  In the scenario of choosing one over the other, Telluride may have the upper hand.

If, on the other hand,  it is NOT an LFF distinction of any real consequence, then the odds for "Suffragette" in the San Juans remain moderate at best.  Of course, there's no way (at least that I have found yet) to determine whether LFF officials made this calculation when they announced the film as a "European" premiere last week,

Something to think about, though...


More on Wednesday...


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Cannes Adds Nine Titles/Cinemacon: "Black Mass"/Cinemacon: "The Revenant"/Winterbottom and Ferrell Meet Ebert and Meyer

CANNES ADDS NINE TITLES

The 68th Cannes Film Festival completed its lineup this week by announcing nine more titles to its Palme competition section, Un Certain Regard and Special Screenings.  I had expected that when these additional films were announced there would be one or two that seemed like possible or even probable Telluride/Cannes crossover films but after parsing the list for a couple of days, I have to say...ummm.  not really.

What it leaves us with, at least initially and until the films actually start screening next month, is the same list we had on April 16th with the original Cannes announcement:

Audiard's "Dheepan"
Villeneuve's "Sicario"
Garoone's "The Tale of Tales"
Schroeder's "Amnesia"
Haynes' "Carol"
Kurzel's "Macbeth"
and
Van Sant's "The Sea of Trees"

Of course this will all change and shift when the festival actually kicks in and three factors begin to enter into my analysis: critical response, distribution deals and ultimately the awards presented by the Coen Brother's led jury.

The announcement of the additional nine films is covered here:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/cannes-adds-titles-to-complete-official-selection-20150423

http://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/cannes-completes-2015-official-selection-lineup-1201478310/


CINEMACON: BLACK MASS

Cinemacon, the trade event in Las Vegas that was held last week allows a spring peak at a number of films that are scheduled to be released through the summer and fall.  It also gives journalists the first glimpses of footage of eagerly anticipated titles and this year, two, which I have on my Telluride watch list made big impressions: Scott Cooper's "Black Mass" with Johnny Depp and Benedict Cumberbatch and Alejandro Innaritu's "The Revenant" with Leonardo DiCaprio.  Coverage for both is below...including the teaser for "Black Mass":

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/johnny-depps-black-mass-provokes-strong-response-at-cinemacon-1201477124/

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/21/first-look-johnny-depp-whitey-bulger-black-mass

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/first-look-johnny-depp-goes-gangster-in-as-whitey-bulger-in-black-mass-20150422

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/watch-johnny-depp-is-whitey-bulger-in-black-mass-trailer/

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/watch-black-mass-trailer-starring-johnny-depp-as-whitey-bulger-20150423

http://www.awardsdaily.com/blog/2015/04/watch-johnny-depp-in-black-mass/

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/this-black-mass-trailer-sets-the-stage-for-johnny-depps-return-to-form





CINEMACON: THE REVENANT REVEALED

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/leonardo-dicaprio-revenant-cinemacon-1201478399/

http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/2015/04/lubezki-eyeing-3rd-oscar-forrevenant-lensing-dicaprio-vs-depp/

WINTERBOTTOM AND FERRELL MEET EBERT AND MEYER

And news this week that Michael Winterbottom will direct a film based on the development and collaboration that brought the cult classic "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" to the big screen.  Will Ferrell is reportedly on board to star as director Russ Meyer while Winterbottom and producers are still looking for an actor to play film critic Roger Ebert, who co-wrote the screenplay for the "Valley of the Dolls" sequel.

Could it be a future Telluride prospect.  As it will feature Ebert and will be directed by Winterbottom, at least initially...maybe.  I'll keep an eye on its development.

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/michael-winterbottom-to-direct-will-ferrell-in-russ-roger-go-beyond-john-wick-duo-to-helm-bloodshot-20150422

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/will-ferrell-eyes-role-of-russ-meyer-in-russ-roger-go-beyond-20140801

http://deadline.com/2014/08/will-ferrell-circles-russ-meyer-role-in-russ-roger-go-beyond-wholl-play-ebert-813174/

More on Thursday...

Cannes Adds/Nebraska in November/Rudderless Rolls/Depp Into the Woods?

Good Monday morning to everyone!

CANNES ADDS

As is often the case, The Cannes Film Festival added some titles to various components of their slate as the week ended.  The original lineup was announced on Apr. 18.  The day after, Cannes crew added Ari Folman's "The Congress".  Then this week, they added 5 more titles.  IndieWire has the rundown of the new selections including Jim Jarmusch's vampire tale"Only Lovers Left Alive" starring 2011 Telluride tributee Tilda Swinton.  Here's the post from IndieWire:

http://www.indiewire.com/article/cannes-adds-jim-jarmuschs-tilda-swinton-starring-vampire-tale-to-competition-among-other-new-titles


NEBRASKA IN NOVEMBER

Alexander Payne sporting an Oscar

Paramount has announced that Alexander Payne's next project, "Nebraska", starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte will be released on Nov. 22.  The film will get its world premiere next month at Cannes and I fully expect its North American premiere will happen in the San Juan Mountains over Labor Day weekend.  The Hollywood Reporter has details here:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-sets-release-date-alexander-447402

The Playlist also dropped a story:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/alexander-paynes-nebraska-gets-ready-for-oscar-with-fall-release-date-set-20130427


RUDDERLESS ROLLS THROUGH FIRST WEEK OF FILMING

William H. Macy's directing debut is through its first week of filming here in Oklahoma.  Executive Producer and co-writer Casey Twenter posted a couple of interesting pics this weekend:

Casey Twenter and writing/producing partner Jeff Robison with "Rudderless" star Laurence Fishburne

Fishburne autographed this copy of the script

And the piece de resistance...karaoke in OKC this weekend...

Casey, Jeff and some guy they call Bill...

DEPP INTO THE WOODS?

Not that it has any real connection to Telluride...but the interweb was full of reports this weekend that Johnny Depp was close to signing onto a Disney production of the Stephen Sondheim (There's your Telluride connection...Sondheim guest directed the festival in 2003)  musical "Into the Woods".  Purportedly Depp would re-team with his "Pirates/Stranger Tides" director Rob Marshall.  Also, reportedly, Meryl Streep's name is being bandied about as playing the central character of The Witch.

I'm of two minds here...I love the stage musical and the original production starring Bernadette Peters and the notion of a film version is both enticing and frightening...

But I'll show up to see it, should it come to pass, just to satisfy my curiosity.

Here's a story about the possibility from The Playlist:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/johnny-depp-to-reteam-with-rob-marshall-for-musical-into-the-woods-20130426

More on Thursday!

Not So Smart/View of Hyde Park/Depp and Anderson/Knight Without Damsel

Good Tuesday to All!


NOT SO SMART

So, yesterday, I was doing my research thing; trying to suss put clues here and there to what might be playing at this year's fest.  I stumbled over a reference online and dug into it.  At one point I was about 90% certain that I had a backdoor confirmation that a film that I have mentioned and that has been on the Ten Bets list was a go for TFF.  Very exciting...and I'm thinking I'm a film research genius.  Then I get a response to a feeler I had sent to a source....mmm...nope...no confirmation.  Actually, more confusion...

So..."not so smart"...but I'll keep trying!

VIEW OF HYDE PARK

The Playlist has a post up this morning that shows us posters for John Hillcoat's "Lawless" which we won't see in Telluride (it opens nationally that weekend) and Roger Michell's "Hyde Park on Hudson" which I feel strongly that we WILL see in Telluride.  Here's the poster:

And the post from The Playlist:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/shia-labeouf-lives-in-the-shadows-on-new-lawless-poster-hyde-park-on-hudson-poster-spotlights-bill-murrays-fdr-20120717

The "Hyde Park" teaser:

JOHNNY DEPP AND WES ANDERSON

Wes Anderson is enjoying some of his best reviews for his current "Moonrise Kingdom".  Meanwhile, Johnny Depp may be the biggest movie star on the planet ("Dark Shadows" notwithstanding).  Neither film maker has made an appearance at Telluride, but that could change.  The interweb was lousy yesterday with the story that the two will apparently work together on Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (rhetorically, does that sound a lot like John Madden's "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"?)

Check the barrage of reporting:

Deadline.com

http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/johnny-depp-wes-anderson-movie-starring-grand-budapest-hotel/

HitFix:

http://www.hitfix.com/news/johnny-depp-checks-into-wes-andersons-the-great-budapest-hotel

The Playlist:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/johnny-depp-confirmed-for-wes-andersons-new-film-the-grand-budapest-hotel-20120716

The Hollywood Reporter:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/johnny-depp-wes-anderson-next-film-349863

For hoots, here's the trailer for "Moonrise Kingdom":

KNIGHT WITHOUT DAMSEL

We have gotten used to seeing set photos of Christian Bale with various beautiful women from Terrence Malick's currently filming "Knight of Cups".  Finally, photos emerged yesterday of Bale and someone male.  Oakenfold, who I gather is something of a well known DJ are featured.  Here's a pic:

and the story from The Playlist:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-yes-that-is-christian-bale-hanging-with-paul-oakenfold-shooting-terrence-malicks-knight-of-cups-20120716


More later...


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Invitation/The New Rumors/The Newly Nearly Confirmed/New Bets

And here's the last "Hello" from the Oklahoma Panhandle before the 38th Telluride Film Festival gets underway.  The Chief Executive and I will be departing for 9,000 feet in about 4 hours.  I'm watching the clock....

Telluride Daily Planet photo of film cans ready to go up the mountain

1 DAY  and then it begins...and hold onto your hats, it's going to be an insane festival.

We've reached that point that we reach every year when the internet has gone crazy with rumor, counter-rumor, claims, denials...and even when we see the actual lineup later today (and I'll be tweeting [@Gort2] and posting flash updates while I'm on the road!) and even then we won't know the full story because, of course, Luddy, Meyer and Huntsinger will some stuff back and sneak it as the weekend unfolds.  All that  being said, let's try to sort the wheat from the chaff! (hey, I'm an Oklahoma Panhandle boy).

First though, this reminder...

YOUR ENGRAVED INVITATION WOULD LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THIS:

Come and join me for the first ever Michael's Telluride Film Blog get together ( I thought about calling it a "Hootenanny" but I think that legally obligates you to sing folk songs and Union dirges) called: "The Guide to the Ride; The Flow of the SHOW" on Friday, Sept. 2 from 5:00 to 5:30 PM in The River Club in Telluride. Larry and Mitzi Mallard of the Club will be our hosts and I am told that refreshments will be provided. The River Club is located at 550 Depot in Telluride. That's 4 blocks west of the Gondola station. Come by and say hello and we'll talk a little film.


THE NEW RUMORS (AND THEY'RE JUST RUMORS!)

I am always back and forth about passing on blatant hearsay.  I'd much rather be able to cite a source or more than one, or at least if I can't attribute the story, then I want to be on pretty good terms with the source I can't name.  However...sometimes stuff seems like it's just too good to pass up passing on...so, forgive me...

TwitchFilm's posts that they're "hearing" (are you sitting down) both "Carnage" and "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" at Telluride this weekend.  The story also says the Herzog doc "Into the Abyss", but if you read this blog regularly, you've been onto the Herzog "news" for a good long while.

Now, I'll be honest, I don't know the reliability of TwitchFilm to save my soul.  It hasn't been a blog that I have visited terribly often in this summer's run-up to the fall festivals...and you know that this space has all but written off the chances for both of these films...

But what if I'm wrong and they're right?  The inclusion of the Polanski play adaptation and the Alfredson thriller would make Telluride's slate stratospherically vital.

Look at the story as it was posted Wednesday afternoon on the TwitchFilm website here:
http://twitchfilm.com/news/2011/08/herzog-polanski-and-alfredson-headed-to-telluride.php

And in another "rumor" fueled bit of intrigue, unnamed sources on the ground in Telluride have mentioned a certain "Pirate-y" actor purportedly has been sighted.  Now, there's absolutely no confirmation from any published source as of this morning of the veracity of the claim...but...one could envision the appearance of said actor in conjunction with, say a film that reminded us all of a certain "Gonzo" journalist.  It might involve the consumption of rum...

There, I've said it without saying anything and if you forced me to wager actual money, at this point I'd still be inclined to bet against any of these three films  being on the SHOW's lineup...but it's fun to dream!

And speaking of rumors...independent of TFF #38...who will be in town for the Lauren/Bush wedding?

THE NEWLY NEARLY CONFIRMED

Two BIG lockdowns yesterday...First...

George Clooney WILL BE IN TOWN and is a tributee.  Expect to see him in both "The Descendants" and his own directorial effort "The Ides of March" which opened the Venice Fest yesterday as well.

A blog reader by the name of Mo was kind enough to point me this New York Post story which ran yesterday and seems to remove all doubt:
http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/clooney_rolls_with_his_pals_cNHop2Y03Ie9UvnfqBZy3M?utm_campaign=Post10&utm_source=Post10Alpha

Later in the day The Denver Post got on the bandwagon and confirmed in this story (thanks to @EzeeE1983 for dropping that to me):
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18797394

Clooney's "Ides" seems to be garnering generally good to great reviews after hits bow at Venice.  I've included links to a sample of the critical response:
Dave Karger at Entertainment Weekly:
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/08/31/george-clooney-the-ides-of-march-best-picture-oscar/

Guy Lodge at Incontention.com:
http://incontention.com/2011/08/31/review-the-ides-of-march/

Oliver Lyttleton at The Playlist via IndieWire:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/venice_11_review_the_ides_of_march/#

And a sampling from Hollywood News:
http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2011/08/31/the-ides-of-march-reviews-from-venice-awards-alley/

The Ides of March IMDb page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124035/

The Descendants IMDb page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033575/

Mr. Clooney's IMDb page:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000123/

The other BIG LOCKDOWN (that I had already become pretty certain of in the last 72 hours...) "A Dangerous Method."  David Cronenberg's Freud vs. Jung period piece WILL PLAY IN THE SHOW! 

How do we know.  Word was around yesterday that there was a new domestic trailer for the film. Friend of this blog Eugene Novikov at FilmBlather.com took a look...and then dropped me a tweet.  (Thanks, Eugene.  Looking forward to shaking your hand tomorrow!)

Right at the beginning of the trailer the "Official Selection of The Telluride Film Festival" comes up...so pretty compelling evidence I think and a thrilling addition to the slate.  Check it for yourself via this link to the story and trailer from Rope of Silicon:
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/watch-domestic-trailer-cronenbergs-a-dangerous-method

Method's IMDb page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1571222/


NEW BETS

In light of today's developments I have put together a revise "Ten Bets" list and expanded it to "Twenty Bets."  Here it is (in order of greatest likelihood of being in the SHOW):
1) The Descendants
2) Into the Abyss
3) We Have to Talk About Kevin
4) The Ides of March
5) A Dangerous Method
6) Shame
7) Goodbye First Love
8) The Skin I Live In
9) The Artist
10) Footnote
11) A Trip to the Moon
12) The Birds Upstairs
13) Prohibition
14) Le Havre
15) The Lady
16) Dark Horse
17) Butter
18) Miss Bala
19) Drive
20) Martha Marcy May Marlene

I'm still greedy enough to pull for "Coriolanus," "The Kid with a Bike," "Wuthering Heights"  "W.E." and the Georgre Harrison Doc directed by Martin Scorsese.

We'll know more later today!

More from the road!!!



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Shame Is In/McCarthy Salutes Telluride/Looks at Artist, Rum and Chicken

Hello all.  You can tell it's getting closer because the buzz is getting louder...

7 days...and...counting...

YOUR INVITATION HAS ARRIVED

Come and join me for a Michael's Telluride Film Blog get together called: "The Guide to the Ride; The Flow of the SHOW" on Friday, Sept. 2 from 5:00 to 5:30 PM in The River Club in Telluride. Larry and Mitzi Mallard of the Club will be our hosts and I am told that refreshments will be provided. The River Club is located at 550 Depot in Telluride. That's 4 blocks west of the Gondola station. Come by and say hello and we'll talk a little film.


"SHAME" YOU SAY?

Stories appeared yesterday about Steve McQueen's "Shame" starring Michael Fassbender (who was in McQueen's "Hunger" in 2008 in Telluride) and Carey Mulligan (in T-ride the last two years with "An Education" and "Never Let Me Go").  The thrust of the stories was the revelation that Mulligan sings in the film.  In the Daily Mail version of the story we get confirmation that it will follow in "Hunger's" footsteps and appear in Telluride next week.

I can't say I'm surprised as I 've had it on this blog's T-ride watch list for a good long while.  As a matter of fact, "Shame" sets this week at # 8 on my "Ten Bets" list.  Looks like we'll be winning that bet.

The Daily Mail Online story in its entirety is here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2030218/BAZ-BAMIGBOYE-The-Big-Yin-hist-high-notes.html

Shame's IMDb page is here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1723811/


TODD MC CARTHY TALKS TELLURIDE

Film critic Todd McCarthy has a long history with TFF and his Hollywood Reporter post yesterday about how the secretive scheduling works was in a lot of places on the web.  I'm just one more link to it in case you missed it.

Interestingly, McCarthy does make some semi-guesses at some of the possible lineup for the fest including what I think are virtual locks at this point: Payne/Descendants, Herzog/Abyss, Bromberg/Moon and now McQueen/Shame.  He also includes some others about which I am less certain...most excitingly, though: David Cronenberg (which would mean "A Dangerous Method") and Martin Scorsese (the George Harrison Doc).  All that and more.

Here's a link to the McCarthy article:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/telluride-film-festival-why-a-227947

TRAILERS FOR POSSIBLES...

Finally there's a trailer for one of the most anticipated possible Telluride titles: Michael Hazanavicus' "The Artist."  The film earned raves at Cannes and the Best Actor award there for Jean Dujardin.  Since it's debut in May, I have been a strong believer that it will make its way up the winding canyon road into Telluride next week.  I hope so: it's # 3 on the Ten Bets list and I' also really like to see it.

A note here: there was quite a bit of scuttlebutt on the web yesterday that this trailer gives away too much, so fair warning.  I have chosen to avoid taking a peek because I have anticipated the film to such a high degree for the last 3 months that I'd rather not have anything spoil it for me...so, due diligence has been done.

Jeffrey Wells at Hollywood Elsewhere provides us with his impression of the film and a link to the trailer here:
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2011/08/spiffy_artist_t.php

The Artist's IMDb page is here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655442/

Also rolling out a look-see yesterday via Entertainment Tonight, a trailer for Bruce Robinson's "The Rum Diary" with Johnny Depp channeling Hunter S. Thompson again.  "Diary" has been flying really under the radar for a good long while but I have to tell you, it looks entertaining.

Check The Playlist (IndieWire) for commentary and your link to the ET look at the teaser here:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/watch_johnny_depp_once_again_goes_into_the_mind_of_hunter_s._thompson_in_th/

Rum's IMDb page is here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376136/
And finally...2007 was a magical Telluride experience for me.  it was my second trip there and the first where I kind of really began to understand what it was that I had been allowed to become a part of.  One of the highlights of that weekend was the wonderful animated "Persepolis" from Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud.  I have been awaiting their follow up since then and it has finally come around.  The film is entitled "Chicken with Plums" and is live action.  It stars Mathieu Almaric (who also stunned me at T-ride in 2007 with his fantastic performance in "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"..it still may be my favorite Telluride film ever) and Isabella Rosselini.

We finally get to see some of what the duo have been working on in a trailer accessed from Rope of Silicon.  Will "Chicken" be in the San Juans next week?  Hope so...chances...50/50.

Here's the link to the ROS story and trailer:
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/directors-persepolis-french-trailer-chicken-plums

Chicken with Plums IMDb page:
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/directors-persepolis-french-trailer-chicken-plums

 It's getting busy and crazy as we get closer to SHOW time...hold onto your hats!

More on the morrow...

Topping the Chinese/Schnabel's Got Depp/Dream Team

Good Morning from Santa Fe!

We're heading home today after a whirlwind "vacation" here in northern New Mexico.  Hate to leave, but things to do.

TOPPING THE CHINESE

The Long and Winding Road that leads to the Olympics?

I've mentioned in this space that Telluride favorite, director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours) has an unenviable next project.  Boyle is directing the ceremonies for the Summer Olympics in London next year.  I like Danny Boyle.  He's a clever, inventive director (and writer too).  He's always been very pleasant as he's presented his work at TFF in 2008 and last year.  I've gotten to rub shoulders and speak with him a couple of times as we've crossed paths at the Telluride Film Festival.  So, I was concerned that he was in a no win situation for him in this endeavor.  The Chinese in 2008 set the bar so incredibly high that I (and I'm sure many others) believed that whoever accepted this gig was starting from the bottom of an insurmountable mountain. 

Now comes word that Boyle and the London Olympic folks may be putting the pieces in place to present one of the few things that could electrify the world at the same level that the Chinese achieved 3 years ago.
"What could that possibly be?" you ask.  The Wrap has the potential answer...

Can you say "Fab  Four"?  Or, perhaps more accurately, the Fab Two and the closest thing we can get to the other two that are no longer with us.  The Wrap reports that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr would potentially be joined by Julian Lennon or Sean Lennon and Dhani Harrison to perform as part of the Olympic ceremonies.

You can read The Wrap's story here:
http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/report-beatles-reunion-works-2012-olympic-games-28962

Can you say (sing) "Let it Be"?

 SCHANBEL AND DEPP

The Playlist has the story that Julian Schnabel may have his next film project to develop and that it includes collaboration with Johnny Depp.  Schnabel has also been a Telluride participant.  He presented his best film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" at Telluride in 2007 and has also been the festival's poster artist in the past.

Last year I was somewhat surprised that his "Miral" wasn't part of TFF#37.  I was relatively certain that it would be.  But nope.  Now comes news that Schnabel has a new film project that re-pairs him with his "Before Night Falls" star Johnny Depp.  The proposed project would pair the two in an adaptation of the Nick Tosches book "In the Hand of Dante". 

As you might expect from the title, the focus, in part, on Dante's "Divine Comedy".  The tenor of the story suggests that neither man is in a big hurry to get the project adapted and made and Depp has at least 2-3 films lined up currently including his expected turn as Tonto in "The Lone Ranger".  So don't expect to see this at TFF #39  or maybe 40...or...well, who knows.  But you have to believe that if it DOES get made, it would be a prime possibility for Labor Day in the San Juans (unless, of course, there's any bad blood over the "Miral" exclusion from last year).

The Playlist story is here:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/exclusive_julian_schnabel_planning_in_the_hand_of_dante_with_johnny_depp/

DREAM TEAM

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn"

Yesterday's post included a list of a few films that we have on our Telluride film list.  Today I'm flinging out into the Universe my wish list for individuals that I'd love to see on Colorado Avenue in September.

And I make no apology about still be entirely star struck.  Maybe that makes me uncool.  But I'm still stunned when I see, stand by, or exchange words with some of the people that I've run into in the last five years.  Passing words with Oscar nominees/winners like Boyle, Laura Linney, James Franco, Sean Penn, and  Jason Reitman (to shamelessly name drop) has been one of the highlights of my festival experience so forgive me my adolescent joy at being in the same room as Daniel Day-Lewis, Ed Harris, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.

All that aside, who would I love to see, bump into, pass words with at this year's SHOW?  I've tried to limit the list to those people who have at least a scintilla of a chance to have a film there ( and I realize that it all won't happen and that Telluride often has the director of a film on hand rather than any of the talent, but a guy can dream...right?)

This isn't a complete list, but a first pass.  I'm sure I'll add to it over the next six weeks as we get closer to Labor Day.

Meryl Streep/The Iron Lady
Glenn Close/Albert Nobbs
George Clooney/The Descendants and/or The Ides of March
Philip Seymour Hoffman/Moneyball
Brad Pitt/Moneyball (I'd like to talk to him about his connections to Oklahoma)
Colin Firth/Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Gary Oldman/Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Charlize Theron/Young Adult
Ralph Fiennes/Coriolanus
Vanessa Redgrave/Coriolanus
Michelle Williams/My Week with Marilyn
Jodie Foster/Carnage
Kate Winslet/Carnage
Christoph Waltz/Carnage
and, of course, my girl friend, Laura Linney...

Later!