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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Tapley's Take/Master not Fantastic/Trouble Poster/Coming Attractions

Good Friday All from Las Vegas!


TAPLEY'S TAKE

Incontention/HitFix's Kris Tapley is already on record with some Telluride guessing but last night he tweeted two very specific lists in regard to the festival which is a mere three weeks away at this point.

Tweet #1:"Probables" for Telluride:

Probablies for Telluride: Argo, At Any Price, Hyde Park on Hudson, Passion, Rust and Bone, Silver Linings Playbook, Trouble with the Curve.

Tweet #2:  And "Maybes"

Maybes for Telluride: Amour, Great Expectations, Killing Them Softly, The Master, No, Smashed, To the Wonder



First to the "probablies"...Yes Please..."Hyde Park", "Rust and Bone",  have been solidly on the "Ten Bets" list all summer.  "Silver Linings" has flirted with making that list.  "Argo" has been more of a wish than a likelihood.  

As to "Trouble with the Curve", Tapley said a few weeks back he had a hunch about it and he clearly still feels strongly...Eastwood in town?  It would be cool.  

And DePalma's "Passion" wouldn't be a shocker..."Redacted" showed up as a 'sneak" back in 2006...so it's possible.

Then there are his "maybes":  I'm for any scintilla of a chance that "The Master" makes it to the San Juans.  I have also been bullish that "Amour" and "No" will make the trip to T-ride and continue to be.

I think the other "maybes"  are less likely, although I'd be primed for "Killing Them Softly" and Malick's "To the Wonder" and you could certainly make the case that Ben Affleck might show in support of both his "Argo" and the Malick film especially if Mrs. Affleck (Jennifer Garner) went home from last year's fest and raved about it...


MASTER NOT FANTASTIC

"The announcement came yesterday that Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" will NOT play as a part of Fantastic Fest but will play in Austin at the Alamo Drafthouse as a part of a 70mm series of films.  IndieWire has the story here:
http://www.indiewire.com/article/the-master-will-screen-in-70mm-as-part-of-alamo-drafthouse-series-70mm-at-the-ritz

I'm not sure that this really means anything in terms of telling us about its Telluride chances...but let's chose to believe that it makes it more likely.


TROUBLE POSTER


Robert Lorenz's "Trouble with Curve" starring Clint Eastwood (and now a hot Telluride possibility per Mr. Tapley) has a poster.   It looks like this:

Via Rope of Silicon

Here's the post from Rope of Silicon:

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/new-posters-skyfall-character-posters-trouble-with-the-curve-and-red-dawn/ 

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Updating casting news for Jon Wells "August Osage County":

The Wrap: http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/margo-martindale-joins-cast-august-osage-county-50321

The Wrap: http://www.thewrap.com/deal-central/column-post/chris-cooper-talks-join-meryl-streep-august-osage-county-47016

The Playlist: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/abigail-breslin-juliette-lewis-join-august-osage-county-with-julia-roberts-meryl-streep-20120720

The Playlist: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/andrea-riseborough-to-join-meryl-streep-julia-roberts-in-august-osage-county-20120706



More later....actually from Telluride...I'll be there tonight!

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Best of the Week with Trailers!

Good Saturday to Everyone!


BEST OF THE WEEK

I started looking studio by studio, distributor by distributor this week at those film firms that are often the source for films that play at Telluride.  This first week focused on 4 specifically: Focus Features, Fox Searchlight, Sony Pictures Classics and The Weinstein Company.  Here's what I had to say:


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".

FOX SEARCHLIGHT

I'm continuing my look at the "independent" type production/distribution firms that have had a significant presence at the Teluuride Film Festival over the past few years in order to look at their possible offerings for this year's fest.  Today's company is Fox Searchlight.

FS has had a number of high profile films over the past several years at T-ride including:

As distributor and/or production company:
2011: Shame, The Descendants
2010: 127 Hours, Never Let Me Go, Black Swan
2008: Slumdog Millionaire
2007: Juno, The Savages
2006: The Namesake, The Last King of Scotland
2004: Kinsey
2000: Quills

Take note of three things:
1) FS plays most years (especially since 2006)
2) FS averages 2 films per year when they play
3) FS does NOT always play...ex. 2009
4) When they do have offerings, they're almost always a part of the year end awards conversation.

So what's the takeaway?

Fox Searchlight's slate this year is not particularly large nor Telluride friendly.



Chan-wook Park's "Stoker" has been getting a lot of buzz, but doesn't seem particularly Telluride-like.
Ben Lewin's "Sessions" premiered at Sundance...
Benh Zeitlin's "Beasts of the Southern Wild" opened today in New York and L.A.
Jonathan Dayton and Valeire Faris' "Ruby Sparks" opens July 25.

Nothing else listed at the FS page on IMDb seems likely in terms of content or time frame.

Now, there is "The East" from director Zal Batmanglij that is NOT currently listed with Fox Searchlight on IMDb but is reported as an FS project in the media.  "The East" has no announced release date and is listed as being post-production.  It was written by (and also stars) indie rising star Batmanglij and Brit Marling who also co-wrote "Sound of My Voice".  Marling also penned and starred in 2011 Sundance sensation "Another Earth".

"The East" co-writer/star Brit Marling

"The East" also stars Alexander Skarsgard, Ellen Page, Patricia Clarkson and Julia Ormand

So, ultimately, "The East" becomes Fox Searchlight's best Telluride option by default.  That's why I have it listed on this week's (and the summer's first) "Ten Bets" list posted Monday.

I'm still hoping (and nagging) that "Sessions" gets on the Telluride program despite having had its premiere at Sundance.

Fox Searchlight's IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0028932/

"The East's" IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1869716/





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.





THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

Today marks the fourth day to continue our examination of production/distribution film firms that have or may have a Telluride connection in the past and one for 2012.  Today's company du jour is The Weinstein Company.

TWC usually plays Telluride, but it often does so with two characteristics being true.  First, they don't normally have many films there and second, the films they do have are almost always serious awards contenders by the end of the year and it's very clear that the Weinstein people (meaning head guy Harvey Weinstein) carefully calibrates choices in terms of what they wish to unveil during the Labor Day festival.

Here's the TWC Telluride history as a distributor/producer:

2011: The Artist (Best Pic winner), Butter
2010: The King's Speech (Best Pic winner)
2009: The Road
2007: I'm Not There, My Enemy's Enemy

So, as you can see, one or two films per year with the last two years being part of the path that TWC used on the way to winning the Best Picture Oscar.

So what does TWC bring to Telluride in 2012?  Their shelves are stocked full...so many potential Telluride releases.  I have a feeling that this is the year that there are more than two TWC films on the TFF #39 program...

Here are the most likely/intriguing possibilities that TWC has slated for a 2012 release that fit Telluride's window:

Dustin Hoffman's "Quartet"
Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained"
Kar Wai Wong's "The Grandmasters"
Regis Roinsard's "Populaire"
David O. Russell's "The Silver Linings Playbook"  (see trailer below)
Paul Andrew Williams "Song for Marion"
Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master"
Andrew Dominick's "Killing Them Softly"
Wayne Blair's "The Sapphires"

John Hillcoat's "Lawless" is set for an Aug. 29th release date...so no Telluride for what was once called "The Wettest County in the World".

Currently I only have "Song for Marion" listed on this week's "Ten Bets" list but I think ANY of the films listed above are possible T-ride choices.

If forced to handicap the field I'd suggest that the most likely are "The Sapphires", "The Silver Linings

Playbook" and, yes, I'm going to say it..."The Master".

Mid-level possibilities: "Killing Them Softly" and "Populaire"

Least Likely: "The Grandmasters", "Quartet" and "Django Unchained".

TWC's IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0150452/

Keep your eyes open and your fingers crossed!



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...




And, finally, the year's first "Ten Bets" list was up on Monday.  I'll have an new list up in 2 days... Here's this week's:



1) Amour
2) Rust and Bone
3) Beyond the Hills
4) Hyde Park on Hudson
5) Song for Marion
6) No
7) Midnight's Children
8) The East
9) Something in the Air
10) On the Road




More later...Have a great weekend!


Follow me on Twitter @Gort2

TWC/Silver snd Sessions Trailers/Coming Attractions

Good Friday to All!


THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

Today marks the fourth day to continue our examination of production/distribution film firms that have or may have a Telluride connection in the past and one for 2012.  Today's company du jour is The Weinstein Company.

TWC usually plays Telluride, but it often does so with two characteristics being true.  First, they don't normally have many films there and second, the films they do have are almost always serious awards contenders by the end of the year and it's very clear that the Weinstein people (meaning head guy Harvey Weinstein) carefully calibrates choices in terms of what they wish to unveil during the Labor Day festival.

Here's the TWC Telluride history as a distributor/producer:

2011: The Artist (Best Pic winner), Butter
2010: The King's Speech (Best Pic winner)
2009: The Road
2007: I'm Not There, My Enemy's Enemy

So, as you can see, one or two films per year with the last two years being part of the path that TWC used on the way to winning the Best Picture Oscar.

So what does TWC bring to Telluride in 2012?  Their shelves are stocked full...so many potential Telluride releases.  I have a feeling that this is the year that there are more than two TWC films on the TFF #39 program...

Here are the most likely/intriguing possibilities that TWC has slated for a 2012 release that fit Telluride's window:

Dustin Hoffman's "Quartet"
Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained"
Kar Wai Wong's "The Grandmasters"
Regis Roinsard's "Populaire"
David O. Russell's "The Silver Linings Playbook"  (see trailer below)
Paul Andrew Williams "Song for Marion"
Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master"
Andrew Dominick's "Killing Them Softly"
Wayne Blair's "The Sapphires"

John Hillcoat's "Lawless" is set for an Aug. 29th release date...so no Telluride for what was once called "The Wettest County in the World".

Currently I only have "Song for Marion" listed on this week's "Ten Bets" list but I think ANY of the films listed above are possible T-ride choices.

If forced to handicap the field I'd suggest that the most likely are "The Sapphires", "The Silver Linings Playbook" and, yes, I'm going to say it..."The Master".

Mid-level possibilities: "Killing Them Softly" and "Populaire"

Least Likely: "The Grandmasters", "Quartet" and "Django Unchained".

TWC's IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0150452/

Keep your eyes open and your fingers crossed!


SILVER LININGS AND SESSIONS TRAILERS

Trailers broke online yesterday for "The Silver Linings Playbook" and "Sessions"...my pet "please program this" project.  For what its worth, I think "Silver Linings" looks better than expected and "Sessions" looks like the film that Sundance on fire (along with "Beasts of the Southern Wild").  Here they are via YouTube:

Silver Linings:

Sessions:

FirstShowing.net had posts up yesterday about both films' trilaers (and "Sessions" poster as well):
http://www.firstshowing.net/2012/bradley-cooper-jennifer-lawrence-in-silver-linings-playbook-trailer/

http://www.firstshowing.net/2012/john-hawkes-stars-in-first-trailer-for-sundance-hit-the-sessions/


Silver Lining's IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/

The Sessions IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1866249/





COMING ATTRACTIONS

Each Friday this summer, I'm trying to highlight an announced film project that has at least some chance to play at TFF #40 (or 41).  Today's addition to that list is "August:Osage County"  set to star Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.  Directed by John Wells.  George Clooney and Grant Heslov signed n as producers last week and The Weinstein Company is on board to distribute.  It's based on Tracy Lett's Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway stage hit.

August's IMDb page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322269/

Here are a series of links concerning the early developments surrounding "August: Osage County":

The Wrap: http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/meryl-streep-julia-roberts-star-august-osage-county-35446

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/george-clooney-grant-heslov-produce-august-osage-county-44631

The Hollywood Reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-clooney-grant-heslov-august-osage-county-338804

HitFix: http://www.hitfix.com/news/george-clooney-teams-with-julia-roberts-meryl-streep-for-august-osage-county


More later...


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Venice Spec/20th Century Fox (and Won't Back Down)/Master's Facebook/

Good Wednesday to All!

VENICE SPECULATION

We're probably about 5 weeks away from the official lineup announcement for the Venice Film Festival.
We already know that it's under new direction from a past director.
We know it will be smaller (near Telluride-size in terms of the total number of films screened).
We know that the new director has claimed that he's likely to have "The Master", "To the Wonder" and Brian DePalma's new film, "Passion", though I think these might all be wishful thinking rather than hard and fast commitments.
We know that the overlap between Telluride and Venice films is usually very small...last year: 3 films (to the best of my ability to dig  this up): "Shame", "A Dangerous Method" and "Diana Vreeland".  And 3 is about normal.
Overlap in 2010: "Black Swan" and "Letter to Elia"
Overlap in 2009: "The Road", "Life During Wartime" and "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans"
So Venice is usually a lineup that winnows Telluride possibilities...

All that to get to this: The Playlist has a big Venice speculation piece posted yesterday.

Highlights include two specific Telluride references in their analysis of Derek Cianfrance's "The Place Beyond the Pines" and David O. Russell's "The Silver Linings Playbook".  "Pines" is Cianfrance's follow up to the very well received "Blue Valentine".  "Silver Linings" is the latest project from the director of "The Fighter" and "Three Kings" and will be distributed by The Weinstein Company.

Some other intriguing notes from The Playlist post:
They appear to believe the claims about "The Master", "To the Wonder" and "Passion" as they have them listed as "strong possibilities" for Venice along with "Anna Karenina", "Argo", "Gangster Squad" and "Something in the Air" among others.

Among "possibilities" they list: "Life of Pi", "The Place Beyond the Pines" and "Love is All You Need".

Among the "long shots" are: "Seven Psychopaths", "The Silver Linings Playbook", "Django Unchained","Low Life", "Cloud Atlas", "Inside Llewyn Davis" and "Zero Dark Thirty".

The complete post is here:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/terrence-malick-the-master-anna-karenina-more-what-could-be-in-this-years-venice-film-festival-line-up-20120619


20TH CENTURY FOX

Continuing to look at "Major" studios who might have been the studio reference by reports from the L.A. Film Festival that a so-called "major" was dangling bait in front of Telluride programmers we review the late year offerings from 20th Century Fox.

It looks like four possibilities emerge:

Ang Lee's "Life of Pi"...which I'm watching anyway because Lee's been represented at Telluride before with "Brokeback Mountain" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" perhaps most notable.

Curtis Hanson's "Of Men and Mavericks"...mostly because I met Hanson at Telluride a few years ago.

And Daniel Barnz's "Won't Back Down" starring Viola Davis in what purports to be this year's vehicle for Ms. Davis to challenge for the Best Actress Oscar that Meryl Streep won over her last year.

Won't Back Down" is featured in a post this week from The Playlist with links to 4 clips from the film.

Here's one of them:

Check others here at The Playlist:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-viola-davis-maggie-gyllenhaal-wont-back-down-in-4-clips-from-the-education-drama-20120618

And of course, the big dog Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" which Fox is co-producing with Dreamworks and Amblin and a bunch of others.  I'll have more to say about it on Friday. ("Lincoln's IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/)

20th Century Fox has been represented at Telluride in the past with: "The Descendants" (2011), "127 Hours", "Never Let Me Go" and "Black Swan (2010) and "The Savages" (2007) and others.

My take:  "Life of Pi" chances are at 30%, "Of Men and Mavericks" 15% and "Won't Back Down" at 25%.

Tomorrow a look at what Warner Brothers might have tried to play with if they're the studio in question.

THE MASTER: "LIKE"???

Paul Thomas Anderson fansite Cigarettes and RedVines posted the link to the official "The Master" Facebook page yesterday.  It's...um...still under construction...visit it here:

http://www.facebook.com/themaster.twc

More later...

Follow me on Twitter @Gort2

And Now for Telluride #39 (2012)

First, apologies for not having posted the Academy member/industry insider Oscar response yet.  Been a little busy.  I'll get that together in the next few days...I promise.

Today, though, the first look in an organized, semi-researched fashion speculating on what seem the most likely prospects for films that we could see in Colorado on Labor Day weekend.

This first post-Oscar stab at what might play in Telluride is always a fun exercise.  Last year, at this time, I correctly speculated about: "The Descendants", "Albert Nobbs", "A Dangerous Method" and "Shame".  I also added "We Need to Talk About Kevin" to the possibles list three weeks later.  Of course, I missed a lot too.

In my 2010 post-Oscar first stabs I had: "127 Hours'" "Another Year," Biutiful," "Black Swan," and "Never Let Me Go".

So the bottom line is that you'd be able to reasonably expect that five or so of the following films will make their way into the San Juans in early September.  (Actually, I am hoping I'm getting better at this and that this year's first attempt is better than the last two).  Here we go:

"Rust and Bone"  Co-written and directed by Jacques Audiard.  Stars Marion Cotillard.  Why in T-ride?  Audiard was in TFF with "A Prophet" in 2009 and it's being fronted by Sony Pictures Classics.
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2053425/

"Amour"  written and directed by Michael Haneke.  Stars Isabelle Huppert and Jean-Louis Tintignant.  Why Telluride?  Haneke has been a Telluride favorite with "Cache" and"The White Ribbon".  I expect he'll be back.
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1602620/

"Something in the Air" written and directed by Olivier Assayas.  Another Telluride favorite with past appearances including"Carlos" and "Irma Vep".  The fest even had "Goodbye First Love" as an entrant last year written and directed by Mia Hansen-Love, Assayas" significant other, that drew Assayas to Telluride for her presentation.
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1846472/

"Beyond the Hills" written and directed by Christian Mungiu. Expect the creator of "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" is back with this film and one would expect that it would be a likely consideration for TFF inclusion.
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2258281/

"Song for Marion" written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams.  Terrence Stamp and Vanessa Redgrave in a film from The Weinstein Company.  One of three Weinstein films that you figure have a reasonable shot at Telluride.  TWC probably won't park more than one or two at T-ride.  Of the three, my guess is that this is the most likely.
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1047011/

"Hyde Park on Hudson"  Bill Murray as FDR.  Why should it be in Telluride?  Directed by Roger Michell, another frequent Telluride invitee ("Venus" and "Enduring Love") and a starring role for part-time Telluride resident Laura Linney.  I'm betting that Ms. Linney will return after missing last year's fest.
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477855/

"Big House" Co-written and directed by Matteo Garrone.  Garrone, after having been a part of the fest with "Gomorrah" and "First Love" could well return with this film.
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1846487/

"The Master"  Paul Thomas Anderson's follow up to "There Will Be Blood" is the second of the Weinstein's projects that could be in Telluride.  It will certainly be TWC's biggest awards horse (at least as it appears now) and PTA was in Telluride as a part of the Daniel Day-Lewis tribute that included 20 min. of "Blood" in 2007.  Those factors make it possible.  BUT...see the note about TWC only parking one or two films at TFF ("The King's Speech" in 2010 and "The Artist" and "Butter" in 2011).  This won't need any TFF boost to be a big part of the 2012 awards conversation...and I have to admit, it's real wishful thinking in my part.  Oh, and one last thing that might suggest it will be in Telluride is that star Philip Seymour Hoffman might return to the place that started him to his Best Actor  Oscar for "Capote".
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560747/

Other possibles: Ang Lee's "Life of Pi", TWC's Bradley Cooper starrer "The Silver Linings Playbook", David Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis" and Walter Salles "On the Road".

Key developments that we can look for over the next few months:  Cannes' selections and what magic that SPC, Fox Searchlight and The Weinsteins work over the next few months.

Here are some links to posts/articles that try to shed some light on the likely awards contenders and/or Cannes selections for 2012:

From The Playlist:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/Could-The-Dark-Knight-Rises-The-Master-Be-Contenders-We-Prematurely-Predict-The-2013-Best-Picture-Oscar-Nominees#l

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/2012/03/02/could-bill-murray-and-keira-knightley-soon-be-oscar-winners-we-prematurely-predict-best-actor-and-actress-at-the-2013-academy-awards

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/are-leonardo-dicaprio-and-vanessa-redgrave-heading-for-the-oscars-predicting-best-supporting-actor-actress-2013#

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/022012/will-the-master-terrence-malicks-new-film-james-grays-latest-and-more-actually-premiere


From Rope of Silicon:
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/top-40-anticipated-films-2012-1-10/

Follow me on Twitter @Gort2

Later...

Occupy!/The Descendants Descends Upon Us/Butter Pix/Silver Linings/Albert Nobbs News/Oscar Pickin'/Odds and Ends

Good Thursday morning, America!

OCCUPY!

I have (and will) continued my "#occupyoscar" movement on Twitter advocating for some "dark horse" Oscar candidates.  Check it and follow me on Twitter @Gort2.

THE DESCENDANTS DROPS

It will come as no surprise to anyone that MTFB/FAC leads off with an immense amount of coverage of Alexander Payne's "The Descendants" which opened on the coasts last night and goes wider tomorrow.  The George Clooney starring vehicle has been the talk of Oscar bloggers since it opened up the Telluride fest as the patrons preview screening on the Friday afternoon that opened the festival (complete with Clooney and Payne and  a brief opportunity for to meet and converse with these two men who in all likelihood will be nominated for Oscar for their work on the film).  It was a fun afternoon.  You can actually read my Playlist review here: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/alexander_payne_george_clooney_riff_on_family_love_loss_death_and_the_choic

So without any further dithering, here is a ton of "Descendants" coverage, interviews and reviews from the past two days or so...

REVIEWS:

Peter Travers/The Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-descendants-20111115

The Playlist (New, not mine): http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/review-george-clooney-grapples-with-life-death-fatherhood-in-the-descendants

Alonso Duralde/The Wrap: http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/%E2%80%98descendants%E2%80%99-mid-life-crisis-hawaiian-style-32785

A.O. Scott/The New York Times: http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/movies/descendants-with-george-clooney-review.html

Leonard Maltin/Movie Crazy: http://blogs.indiewire.com/leonardmaltin/the-descendants


The Daily Mubi Roundup of Reviews (this has a link to Telluride reviews which includes mine...by name...crazy huh?):  http://mubi.com/notebook/posts/alexander-paynes-the-descendants

INTERVIEWS:

Shailene Woodley interviews with...

Jeff Wells/Hollywood Elsewhere: http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2011/11/grace_under_pre.php

Katey Rich/Cinema Blend: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Descendants-Breakout-Star-Shailene-Woodley-Reveals-What-George-Clooney-Has-Taught-Her-27917.html

Clooney and Payne...

Greg Ellwood/HitFix: http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/awards-campaign/posts/george-clooney-and-alexander-payne-talk-shooting-on-the-descendants-and-praise-the-wire

John Horn/The LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-descendants-payne-20111113,0,1621276.story

GENERAL STORIES:

Fox Searchlight: http://content.foxsearchlight.com/inside/node/5027

Pamela McClintock/The Hollywood Reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-clooney-descendants-twilight-breaking-dawn-box-office-261881

Benjamin Mercer/The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/11/why-eternal-bachelor-george-clooney-makes-for-a-great-family-man/248019/

PICTURES

The Playlist: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/the-descendants-new-images

Go see it.  It's good.

Descendats' IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033575/

BUTTER PIX

One of the lesser lights of this year's fest (in my opinion...at The Playlist here: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/telluride_11_review_jennifer_garners_butter_churns_and_churns_but_doesnt_pr ) was the Jennifer Garner vehicle "Butter".  Word now comes that The Weinstein Company has moved its release to March of 2012.

New pictures are out at a variety of online venues.  Here's a link to //Film's story: http://www.slashfilm.com/olivia-wilde-hugh-jackman-butter/

Butter's IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1349451/

 SILVER LININGS

And a new film to add to the TFF #39 watchlist..."The Silver Linings Playbook".  Weinsteins have announced its planned release date and it seems very Telluride-friendly.  Check the release story from The Playlist: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/david-o-russells-the-silver-linings-playbook-gets-november-21-2012-release-date


Silver Linings IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/


ALBERT NOBBS NEWS

Anne Thompson at Thompson on Hollywood talks to both Glenn Close and Janet McTeer about the gender bending period piece which is still generating Oscar buzz for Close and also some buzz for McTeer as well.  Check out my Telluride review for The Playlist here:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/telluride_11_review_albert_nobbs_glenn_close_mia_wasikowska

Thompson with Close: http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/oscar-watch-glenn-close-talks-gender-bender-albert-nobbs

Thompson with McTeer: http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/oscar-watch-janet-mcteer-talks-stealing-albert-nobbs-from-glenn-close

Albert's IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1602098/


OSCAR PICKIN'

New Oscar prognostications and analysis from...

Movie City News' Gurus of Gold: http://moviecitynews.com/2011/11/gurus-o-gold-november-15-2011/

Sasha Stone/Awards Daily/State of the Race: http://www.awardsdaily.com/2011/11/the-state-of-the-race-a-storms-coming/

Oscar Poker: http://www.awardsdaily.com/podcasts/oscarpoker/episode55.mp3

Greg Ellwood's Contender Countdown at HitFix: http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/awards-campaign/posts/contender-countdown-can-margin-call-crash-the-oscar-party


ODDS AND ENDS

The Village Voice talks to David Cronenberg about "A Dangerous Method": http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-11-16/film/freudian-trip-in-dialogue-with-david-cronenberg/

24 Frames talks to the cast of "The Artist": http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/11/the-artist-cast-talks-envelope.html

The Playlist talks to Werner Herzog about (among other things) "Into the Abyss: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/interview-werner-herzog-talks-teaching-lock-picking-being-a-living-legend-and-into-the-abyss



FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @Gort2  #occupyoscar