Oscar Thoughts/Cannes 66 Dates/IFC and Frances/Royal Foreign Affair/Metacritic/New Players for Oscar/Lincoln Closing/NYFF

OSCAR THOUGHTS

OSCAR TALK

This week's edition of Oscar Talk from Kris Tapley (InContention/HitFix) and Anne Thompson (Thompson on Hollywood).  Links from both of their blogs:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/oscar-talk-considering-new-entry-hitchcock-moving-oscar-dates-the-zeitgeist-and-foreign-language

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/oscar-talk-ep-88-academy-changes-dates-while-searchlight-adds-a-
new-contender

OSCAR POKER

This week's issue of Oscar Poker with Sasha Stone (Awards Daily) and Jeff Wells (Hollywood Elsewhere):
http://www.awardsdaily.com/podcasts/oscarpoker/episode93.mp3

FEINBERG FORECAST

With the news that Fox Searchlight is going to release "Hitchcock" (see below), Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter factors that into his latest Oscar predictions...I've looked at them.  He thinks it will have some significant impact.  Check it:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscars-scott-feinberg-forecast-371171



CANNES HAS A DATE

The Cannes Film Festival has released the date for the 66th Edition along with a peculiarly American take on their promotional poster:

Here's the tweet from Cannes:

https://twitter.com/cannes_66

IFC AND FRANCES

The Independent Film Channel peeps have nabbed distribution for Telluride (and Toronto) hit from Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, "Frances Ha".  Reports below from The Movie City News, The Chicago Tribune and Movie Scope:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-09-20/entertainment/sns-201209201700reedbusivarietynvr1118059563-20120920_1_greta-gerwig-arianna-bocco-ifc-films


http://www.moviescopemag.com/features/ifc-acquires-new-gerwig-and-baumbach-vehicle-frances-ha/

http://moviecitynews.com/2012/09/ifc-films-takes-north-and-latin-american-rights-to-noah-baumbachs-frances-ha/


A ROYAL AFFAIR FOR FOREIGN

Denmark has chosen "A Royal Affair" which played at Telluride a few weeks back as a part of the Mads Mikkelsen tribute, as its official entry for the Foreign Language Oscar.  It edged out Susan Bier's "Love is All You Need".  Mikkelsen was very pleasant to talk to wen I caught him Sunday night of the festival at The New Sheridan Bar.  He said he had been amazed at how friendly the entire atmosphere of the festival was.

Here's a post from The Hollywood Reporter about Denmark's announcement:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-royal-affair-is-denmarks-372919

METACRITIC AND TELLURIDE (AND CANNES)

Metacritic.com posted a lengthy round-up of critical response to a number of films that have played the fest circuit (Telluride, Venice, Toronto) so I have provided that link here:  I also included a link to their Cannes round-up from last May that includes a number of films that played at Telluride.  You can see the films and links below:

From Telluride (and Venice, Toronto):
http://www.metacritic.com/feature/reviews-from-tiff-telluride-venice-film-festivals-2012

"Argo"
"At Any Price"
"Frances Ha"
"Ginger and Rosa"
"Hyde Park on Hudson"
"Stories We Tell"


From Cannes:
http://www.metacritic.com/feature/cannes-film-festival-reviews-2012

"Amour"
"The Hunt"
"No"
"Paradise: Love"
"Rust and Bone"
"The Sapphires"

NEW OSCAR PLAYERS

There has always been some thought that Gus Van Sant's "Promised Land" might get a shot at an Oscar run and we now know hat is true.  What was more surprising this past week was the announcement from Fox Searchlight that they're going to drop the Sacha Gervasi directed Anthony Hopkins starring "Hitchcock" in time for an Oscar run as well.

At some point this last summer I had mentioned both of these as possible Telluride programs depending on whether they were complete or not.  Looks like it was close on both of them.

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/trailer-and-poster-for-gus-van-sants-promised-land/

"Promised Land's IMDb entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2091473/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-searchlight-puts-hitchcock-oscar-372431

"Hitchcock's" IMDb entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0975645/



LINCOLN WILL CLOSE AFI FEST

For the second consecutive year Stephen Spielberg will have a film concluding the AFI Film Fest.  "Lincoln" has been announced for that spot.  Here are links to that story via IndieWire and The Wrap:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/steven-spielbergs-lincoln-to-make-world-premiere-as-closing-film-of-afi-fest-20120920

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/steven-spielbergs-lincoln-premiere-afi-fest-57286
 


THE NEW YORK FILM FEST BORROWS FROM T-RIDE

The New York Film Festival includes from this year's Telluride program:

"Amour"
"Barbara"
"Frances Ha"
"The Gatekeepers"
"Hyde Park on Hudson"
"No"

More on Thursday...have a great week...

Follow me on Twitter @Gort2.

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Frances Ha/Passion Trailer/Promised Land's Promise//Master Poster #3/Invitation/Preview for Saturday

Good Friday to All!  7 days until it happens! (6 days 'til I'm burning up road to get there)

FRANCES HA

Just yesterday I reported that Jeff Wells had posted that he was hearing the Noah Baumbach's and Greta Gerwig's "Frances Ha" was likely going to show at the SHOW next week.  Consequently I included it in the concluding (part 3) portion of my "Thirty That Could Play" and put its chances at 60%.

I'm bumping that up today.  I'm saying with very little equivocation, count on it playing.  So much so that "Frances Ha" will be somewhere on Monday's (and the final) "Ten Bets" list.

Wells also revisited the film yesterday at some length and you can find that post linked here:
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2012/08/spiritual_buoya.php


"Frances" has an IMDb entry here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2347569/


PLUS TWO

I've posted "Thirty That Could Play" throughout the week and as I go to press today two more films have emerged as real possibilities for the SHOW program...so "32 That Could Play"?

Jeff Wells/Hollywood Elsewhere continues his reveal of snippets he's learned about prospective Telluride films with "Ginger and Rosa" directed by Sally Potter and starring Elle Fanning and Alice Englert with Annette Bening and Christina Hendricks in support.  The film follows the lives of two young women in London in 1962.

Wells says it's "another likely Telluride Film Festival attraction".
His full post is here:
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2012/08/two_rode_togeth_1.php

"Ginger and Rosa's" IMDb entry: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2115295/

Meanwhile, as I was perusing the Toronto International Film Festival website this week I cam across a documentary that has been executive produced by Werner Herzog and Errol Morris (though neither is IMDb credited).  That alone is enough to think that it has serious Telluride potential.  The title: "The Act of Killing" from Joshua Oppenheimer and according to its TIFF info it focuses on Indonesian death squads.

Its IMDb entry is here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2375605/



PASSION TRAILER

Trailer for DePalma's "Passion"

Also moving up on the is Brain DePalma's "Passion" which released a trailer yesterday...looks...intriguing?  It stars Noomi Rapace and Rachel McAdams.

Check the post from Rope of Silicon here:
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/watch-passion-trailer-brian-de-palma-mcadams-rapac/


PROMISED LAND'S PROMISE

Gus Van Sant's "Promised Land" co-written and starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski has a just announced December release date (Dec. 28 in NY/LA) says Kris Tapley at InContention/HitFix.  But Tapley also flat out states "no festival season" for the film based on a story by Dave Eggers...this year's TFF #39 poster artist.


Bummer...I really thought I might have connected the dots here by including "Promised Land" as a 30% shot among the "Thirty That Could Play".  As long is it was "ready" I said. Thought I was pretty smart...but I guess it's not "ready"

Still...

Keith Jagernauth at The Playlist says there is NO word on festival status for the film and even tosses Telluride into the converstion.  Look...here:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/gus-van-sants-promised-land-with-matt-damon-john-krasinski-gets-december-28th-release-date-20120823#

OK...I'm gonna say it...I STILL think this could "sneak" next weekend...call me crazy...go ahead...I'll wait...

Here's Tapley's post:

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/matt-damon-and-john-krasinski-join-the-season-in-gus-van-sants-promised-land


MASTER POSTER #3

Apparently unleashed on the San Francisco crew that watched the screening of "The Master" at the Castro Theater on Tuesday night:

YOUR INVITATION...

I want to make sure every reader knows that they (well, everyone) is cordially invited to a brief reception on Friday, Aug. 31 at 5:00pm at The River Club (550 Depot) in Telluride.  The soiree is called "The Second Annual(?) Guide to the "Ride; The Flow of the SHOW".  We'll rub elbows and talk a little bit about what the weekend is going to hold for us.  Should be fun.  Hosts Mitzi and Larry mallard tell me that we can expect refreshments...maybe a little wine, maybe a nosh.


SATURDAY PREVIEW

Tomorrow's post will focus on re-assessing the "Thirty That Could Play" complete with updated chances and rankings of likelihood...plus any late breaking news and any other "Best of the Week" items that strike me as worthy of re-posting.


More later...

Follow me on Twitter @Gort2.

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Ten More That Could Play/Invite/Last Toronto Titles/Marion

Good Wednesday to All!  Nine more days...

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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Eggers and Telluide/UK Film/Love is All?/Beauties and Bale

Good Tuesday to All!


EGGERS AND TELLURIDE

The news release hit my email yesterday at 11:44 AM CDT.  I had a post up at 12:02 PM CDT.  The news from the Telluride Film Festival Press Office was that author Dave Eggers had been selected as the poster artist for TFF#39...and the poster was up and running...

I think I had the story up first anywhere on the web...by a ways...

The frustration, such as it was, when it came to re-tweeting/re-posting...nada...zip...zilch.  As the story rolled through the afternoon all of the movie blog type outlets you'd expect got it posted and it looks like Anne Thompson's "Thompson on Hollywood" got the majority of re-production.  Good for her.

I had hoped that the rapidity of getting their first would have reaped some more online love...not so much.

Nevertheless, there's an interesting side note to the Dave Eggers selection.  Eggers will obviously be in Telluride to schmooze and sign the poster and the press release says he will be honored by the UCLA film school in the course of the weekend's activities...but here's the intriguing thing...Dave Eggers also has film bona fides.  He was the screenwriter for 2009's "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Away We Go" (starring Jon Krasinski and Maya Rudolph.  His novel "Zeithoun" has reportedly been optioned by director Jonathan Demme and if you check his IMDb page you'll find that he has provided the "story" for "Promised Land".

"Promised Land"???  Wait.  Isn't that the Gus Van Sant directed (TFF in 1995-"Elephant" and 2003-"To Die For"), Matt Damon and Jon Krasinski co-written and co-starring film being distributed by frequent Telluride participant Focus Features that The Playlist has reported could well be ready for a fall film fest debut?  Here's The Playlist post:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/gus-van-sants-the-promised-land-could-hit-theaters-by-the-end-of-the-year-not-an-anti-fracking-movie-says-john-krasinski-20120618 

Yes to all...

So does that mean "Promised Land" is suddenly a lock for TFF #39?  No...but it does make me suspect it has a much better shot at being there than it seemed to have yesterday.

"Promised Land's" IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2091473/

AND...maybe there is a continuing connection with/to Maya Rudolph who shares three children with Paul Thomas Anderson who also happens to be directing a film with some buzz about it.  You know..."The Master".

Last year my grand conspiracy theory was that George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon might all three show up in Telluride and have an "Oceans" movie reunion while their respective films ("Descendants", "Ides of March, "Moneyball", and "We Bought a Zoo") all played...

Only the Clooney part with "The Descendants" actually happened...but it was fun to spin the grand story.

This Dave Eggers/TFF #39 Poster/"Promised Land"/Gus Van Sant/Focus Feature/Maya-PTA/"Master" thing looks like it will be the story I spin for this year.  

Chances that it happens: 1%...but it's a good story.

UK FILM COUNCIL

I continue looking at European film production houses that have had some Telluride presence in that past and to see if they have any films in the pipe that look reasonably Telluride-ish and today that's The UK Film Council.  Their past at Telluride includes:

2011: Shame, We Need to Talk About Kevin

2010: The King's Speech, The First Grader, Tamara Drewe, Another Year, Camerman: Jack Cardiff

2009: Bright Star, Fish Tank

2008: Happy Go Lucky

2007: Brick Lane, When Did You Last See Your Father

2006: Venus, The Last King of Scotland, Severance

As you can see, the last 6 fests have had a substantial UKFC footprint with 2 films common and 2010 being the banner year with 5 films playing.

So what does their announced 2012 slate hold that might have Telluride potential?

The best bet is the Dakota Fanning starrer "Now is Good".  I think the only other possibility (and I think it's not highly likely) is the Scarlett Johansson as an alien film "Under the Skin" from director Jonathan Glazer who is probably best known for 2000's "Sexy Beast".

I'd put "Now is Good's" chances at 30% and "Under the Skin" at 10%.

"Now is Good" IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1937264/

"Under the Skin" IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441395/

LOVE IS ALL?

The international trailer for Susanne Bier's film (and thus T-ride possible) "Love is All You Need" popped up over the weekend.  Here's the link to the story and the trailer from The Playlist:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-international-trailer-for-susanne-biers-love-is-all-you-need-starring-pierce-brosnan-20120707

BEAUTIES AND BALE

And yet at least two more sets of photos have emerged from the Terrence Malick shoot of his "Knight of Cups" project starring Christian Bale.  These feature Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four) and are beginning to make me think that the film is nothing more than Bale with 37,000 beautiful women...and a beach or an outdoor concert.  You can find these stories both at The Playlist:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/freida-pinto-is-the-latest-actress-shooting-with-christian-bale-on-terrence-malicks-knight-of-cups-20120627#

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/teresa-palmer-the-latest-beauty-to-join-terrence-malicks-knight-of-cups-20120707

More later...

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SPC/Half of 2012/12 Years Cast/Bernie's Texas

Good Thursday Everyone!


SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

I am continuing my summer march through film distribution and production companies and their recent past relationship in terms of the Telluride Film Festival as a way of looking at possibilities for what we might see come Labor Day weekend.

Today's focus is on a major player at Telluride: Sony Pictures Classics...what is essentially Sony Pictures Entertainment's indy/foreign wing.

Here's what SPC has shown in Telluride recently:

2011: A Dangerous Method, In Darkness, Footnote, A Separation
2010: Incendies, Of Gods and Men, Tamara Drewe, Another Year, The Illusionist, Inside Job
2009: The Last Station, The White Ribbon, Coco Before Chanel, A Prophet, An Education
2008: Waltz with Bashir, I've Loved You So Long
2007: O'Horten, Brick Lane, When Did You Last See Your Father, Persepolis, The Band's Visit, The Counterfeiters
2006: Jindabyne, The Lives of Others, Volver,
2005: Breakfast on Pluto, Capote
2004: Being Julia, House of Flying Daggers, Bad Education

So you can see, SPC averages about 4 films per TFF over the last 8 years, tending toward more rather than less as you look at the most recent years.

SPC's IMDb page appears to list 4 films that haven't or will not have been released prior to TFF and which did not bow at Sundance making them all prime possibilities:

Susanne Bier's "Love is All You Need" starring Pierce Brosnan.
Jacques Audiard's "Rust and Bone" with Marion Cotillard
Pablo Larrain's "No" with Gael Garcia Bernal
and Michael Haneke's Cannes Palme D'Or Winner "Amour"

My bet right now is that "Rust", "No" and "Amour" are all going to make the Telluride cut (see Monday's Ten Bets list) and I'd put the odds at 50% for "Love is All You Need".

One final note: should SPC pick up the North American distribution for other films in the next 6 weeks or so (or if they have them already and they just haven't been announced) then depending on strategy, those late acquisitions could stop in Telluride as well.

Tomorrow: The Weinstein Company

HALF OF 2012

2012 starts its downhill tilt this weekend as we pass the halfway mark on the calendar.  Variety put up an interesting piece today discussing Oscar prospects of what has been released thus far and what is still to come.  Look at it here:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118056045/

Most interesting from my perspective is the mention near the end of the story about the possible completion of both Gus Van Sant's "Promised Land" (which I have been mentioning of late) and Sacha Gervasi's "Hitchcock" before year's end.

I noted yesterday that Fox Searchlight, which is where both of these films are parked, has a thin slate as we look at the end of the year and awards season.  These could change that and if they're ready, they could be on the Telluride radar.

"Hitchcock" (a  look at the story of Hitch's experiences making "Psycho")might be a stretch but it is slated for release in some European nations in mid-February.

I think there would be a greater chance that "Promised Land" might be ready and on the Telluride slate.

Personally, I'm looking forward to both.

12 YEARS CAST

I have been highlighting virtually any news about Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" as I think it's a decent bet for TFF #40.  Of late has come further casting news (for a cast that now is immense and increasingly impressive).  Latest additions are reportedly Michael K. Williams (Life During Wartime) and Dwight Henry (Beasts of the Southern Wild).  Check the stories:

Get the Big Picture:
http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2012/6/25/omar-comin-yo-to-twelve-years-a-slave.html

The Playlist:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/twelve-years-a-slave-becomes-more-awesome-by-adding-michael-k-williams-20120623

Shadow and Act
http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/beasts-of-the-southern-wild-actor-dwight-henry-added-to-mcqueens-12-years-a-slave#

BERNIE'S TEXAS

One of my favorite films of the year so far is Richard Linklater's "Bernie" with Jack Black in a fine (maybe his best ever) performance.  One of the highlight scenes is this gem explaining the nature of the state of Texas (where the true story that the film is based on took place).  Look at it here:

 

More later...


Follow me on Twitter @Gort2

Focus on Focus/All Django/Master Trailers Reviewed

Good Tuesday All!

38th Telluride Film Fest favorite and Best Picture Oscar winner "The Artist" is available today on VD and Blu Ray.  Check it out.

FOCUS ON FOCUS

Today I begin the breakdown of some of the "usual suspects" in as far as film companies that produce and/or distribute and are, at least sometimes, players at the Telluride Film Festival.  This week I'll be focusing on domestic companies and specifically today on Focus Features.

Focus has had what I would term a "modest" Telluride relationship in the recent past.  It has been represented there previously and in some years has been fairly prevalent.  There have also been some years where Focus has been absent altogether.

Here's the recent Focus films that have been in Telluride's lineup:

As distributor:

2007: Into the Wild
2006: Catch a Fire
2005: Brokeback Mountain
2004: The Motorcycle Diaries, House of Flying Daggers
2003: Lost in Translation

As production company:
2010: Bitiful, Another Year

As you can see.  Focus doesn't play every year at T-ride and doesn't play "big" (I define "big" as 3 or more films).

So what does Focus have in store for this year that might tempt the Telluride programmers?

They're distributing Joe Wright's "Anna Karenina" and Roger Michell's "Hyde Park on Hudson".  They're producing and distributing the Gus Van Sant directed Matt Damon and John Krasinski authored and starrer "Promised Land" which IMDb lists in post-production but which at least film news outlet thinks might be ready for fall festivals and Oscar consideration.

Of the three "Hyde Park on Hudson" is almost a lock I think.  It's directed by Roger Michell (TFF's in 1995 for "Persuasion", 2004 for "Enduring Love" and 2006 with "Venus") and stars Laura Linney (tributed at TFF in 2004 (Kinsey and P.S.) and returning to Telluride with films or as a part of their guest list in 2006 (Jindabayne), 2007 (The Savages), 2008, 2009 and 2010).

In all likelihood "Hyde Park" is the lone representative from Focus Features at Telluride this year.

If there is a second, it's probably more likely to be "Promised Land" if it's ready.  Director Gus Van Sant has had some Telluride experience in the past...but it's been a good while (1995 To Die For, 2003 Elephant).

"Anna Karenina" is the least likely, though not completely impossible.  Joe Wright's career is young enough not to have a long track record of films to have even been considered for Telluride.  In AK's favor, I suppose, is the fact that TFF programmers have enjoyed programming films that star Keira Knightley as of late: 2011: "A Dangerous Method" and in 2010: "Never Let Me Go".

Tomorrow a look at Fox Searchlight.


ALL DJANGO ALL THE TIME

If you're breathlessly awaiting the arrival of Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" then you need to go to this website now:
http://ht.ly/bOd27

Links to pictures, logo, trailer and a ton of other stuff on this "Webmasters Toolkit".

There is a lot of stuff here...


THE MASTER'S TRAILERS REVIEWED?

Yes indeed and by a real film critic.  David Thomson spends a significant amount of time breaking down the two teasers that we have seen come forth for Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master".  The article is for The New Republic.  Check it here:
http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/104329/paul-thomas-anderson-the-master-trailers-scientology-film

Trailers:

More later...

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Anna Teased/Gus Promise/Warner's

Good Thursday Everyone!


Finally saw "Prometheus" last night...liked it...a lot.  Kind of want to see it again and will be excited when the next chapter comes along...

ANNA TEASED

"Anna Karenina" is getting the P.R. roll out this week with a trailer and poster.  "Anna" is directed by Joe Wright and follows the generally well received 2007 film "Atonement" (83% all critics/88% "top" critics on Rotten Tomatoes),and his less well received  2011's "Hanna" (71%/59%) and 2009's "The Soloist" (56%/62%).

It's certainly a possible Telluride choice.  Factors pointing toward its possible inclusion: the occasional T-ride connection to distributor Focus Features ("Into the Wild" TFF '07, "Catch a Fire" TFF '06).  Focus also is distributing "Hyde Park on Hudson" which will appear on this summer's first "Ten Bets" list on Monday...so my bet is that Focus is in Telluride for that at least and might desire to double dip.


Both of "Anna's" production companies, Working Title and Studio Canal,  were a part of "Catch a Fire's" production.  


So, let's say it's a 25% possible...


Here's the trailer:

Also two recent posts from
Rope of Silicon:
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/anna-karenina-trailer-keira-knightley-joe-wright/

And The Playlist:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/glitzy-first-poster-unveiled-for-anna-karenina-starring-keira-knightley-aaron-johnson-jude-law-20120620

"Anna's" IMDb page is here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781769/


GUS PROMISE

Gus Van Sant was once a frequent invitee to the Telluride Film Festival ("Elephant" in 2003, "To Die For" in 1995)...but hasn't been back in a long time ( last year's "Restless" was not well received critically and 2008's Best Picture contender "Milk" didn't come to T-ride).

But he's got a new film in play this year featuring his old "Good Will Hunting" collaborator Matt Damon and written by Damon and "The Office's" John Krasinski  (who also co-stars) entitled "Promised Land" and this week The Playlist contends that it just might be ready for the end of the year and that a "fall festival" appearance is a possibility.

Here's The Playlist story:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/gus-van-sants-the-promised-land-could-hit-theaters-by-the-end-of-the-year-not-an-anti-fracking-movie-says-john-krasinski-20120618

And the "Promised Land" IMDb page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2091473/

The producer and distributor is the above mentioned Focus Features...so...maybe they go for three films in TFF #39.


WARNER BROTHERS

Deadline. com reported last week that at least one "major" studio was showing film to TFF programmers in an effort to polish Oscar chances who were in L.A. during the L.A. Film Fest and so this week I have been trying to nail down some possibilities.  Today: Warner Brothers.

According to their IMDb page (http://www.imdb.com/company/co0026840/) WB is distributor for a ton of Oscar bait  films: Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby" (DiCaprio, Maguire and Telluride favorite Carey Mulligan), Ben Affleck's "Argo"( Affleck, Goodman, Arkin) , The Wachowski Bros."Cloud Atlas"(Hanks, Sarandon, Berry), Robert Lorenz's "Trouble with the Curve" (Eastwood, Adams), and Ruben Fleischer's "Gangster Squad" (Penn, Gosling, Brolin).  Oh, and that "Hobbit" thing.

There's a lot there and WB has played in Telluride before...just not recently.  They distributed "Slumdog Millionaire" in 2008 and "Rails and Ties" in 2007...Allison Eastwood's directing debut...I have a nice New Sheridan story about her.  WB also produce "Benjamen Button" and "zodiac" which were a pert of the festival's David Fincher tribute in 2008.

For my money...if it was Warners...I'd guess "Argo" and "Curve" would be the best possibilities and "Gatsby" on the outside.

Tomorrow, I'll spend a little time assessing these "majors" and why it might be true.

More later...


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