Supporting Players Oscar Chances / Awards Daily's Latest Oscar Take / Weinstein Out of AMPAS

Welcome back from the weekend and to this Monday in October...


SUPPORTING PLAYERS OSCAR CHANCES

Since I got this year's FAC underway in last Thursday's post (with looks at the Best Picture, Direction, Actress and Actor categories), I thought I'd continue today with a review of where the Supporting Acting races look to stand at this point in mid-October.

Telluride #44 performances are in Bold.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

1) Alison Janney/I, Tonya
2) Laurie Metcalf/Lady Bird
3) Holly Hunter/The Big Sick
4) Octavia Spencer/The Shape of Water
5) Melissa Leo/Novitiate

Others: Kristen Scott Thomas/Darkest Hour, Mary J. Blige/Mudbound, Hong Chau/Downsizing


SUPPORTING ACTOR

1) Sam Rockwell/Three Billboards
2) Willem Dafoe/The Florida Project
3) Armie Hammer/Call Me By Your Name
4) Michael Stuhlbarg/Call Me By Your Name
5) Ben Mendelsohn/Darkest Hour

Others: Michael Shannon/The Shape of Water, Mark Rylance/Dunkirk, Kevin Spacey/All the Money in the World


Adding the first two FACs of the season together, here's where TFF #44 films stand in terms of the six categories that get the most attention:

Darkest Hour- Four nominations and one other potential. Noms: Picture, Direction, Actor, Supporting Actor and also a possible shot at Supporting Actress.

The Shape of Water-Four nominations and one other potential. Noms: Picture, Direction, Actress and Supporting Actress.  The other possibility is Supporting Actor.

Lady Bird-One nomination and two potentials.  Nom: Supporting Actress.  Other possibilities are Best Picture and Actress.

Downsizing has a possible nomination for Supporting Actress.

Battle of the Sexes is possible for Best Actress.



AWARDS DAILY'S LATEST OSCAR TAKE

Sasha Stone's Awards Daily website (www.awardsdaily.com) posted its latest collection of Oscar predictions in her weekly "Predictions Friday" post.

TFF #44 films according to Stone grab nominations as follows:

Darkest Hour (10) Picture, Direction, Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Costumes

The Shape of Water (10): Picture, Direction, Actress, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Costumes

Lady Bird (3): Picture, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay

Battle of the Sexes (2): Picture, Actress

Wonderstruck (1): Adapted Screenplay

The complete Predictions Friday from Awards Daily is here.


WEINSTEIN OUT OF AMPAS

It seemed like I should probably mention something about Harvey Weinstein in light of all of the furor of the past few days and his expulsion Saturday from The Academy of Motion Picture Hearts and Sciences.

Just a couple of notes...

The Weinstein Company has certainly been a presence (and Miramax before TWC) in the years I have been attending TFF.  Since I started going to T-ride, I count 18 films from one or the other of the companies including Oscar Best Picture winners The King's Speech and The Artist.  Other notable films from TWC or Miramax at TFF the last 12 fests included: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, I'm Not There, The Imitation Game and The Road.

There were other films from Weinstein at the fest before I started going such as Finding Neverland and Lost in Translation.

From my notes, TWC was last represented at Telluride in 2015 with Todd Haynes' Carol.

In the dozen fests I have attended I only actually saw Weinstein with my own eyes in 2014 when The Imitation Game was playing the fest.

I recall some behind-the-scene angst in 2013 when I thought that Philomena would play TFF and did not.  The rumor was that it was a last minute pull and that TWC replaced it with Salinger.

I can recall being more than a little surprised in 2012 as I was going into The Chuck to see The Sapphires and was stopped by name by a representative from TWC saying that she'd like to get my reaction to the film afterwards.  I was stunned that they had any idea who I was and had a nice conversation after the film which I had really enjoyed.

So...

Weinstein is now gone from the membership of The Academy and is out at TWC.  I'm not sure where all of this will ultimately end up but I hope for some measure of justice for all the women that have come forward these past few days.

Here's Anne Thompson's Indiewire story from Sunday about Weinstein's ejection from AMPAS.


That'll do it for this Monday.  More to come on Thursday.


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

TWITTER @Gort2 (and follow me there as well)

FACEBOOK Message me on FB MTFB's Facebook Page

COMMENT TO THE BLOG

The Distribution Tango / The Cartoons in France

Good Thursday to all...from La La Land...

THE DISTRIBUTION TANGO

I'm right up against it for this summer.  The annual stroll through distribution outlets to examine their wares and try to determine what films from which outlets will wend their way to the San Juans over Labor Day weekend.

Some companies have a long and illustrious relationship with TFF.  Sony Pictures Classics is the prime example of this.  Here's their Telluride resume over the past several years:

2016: The Eagle Huntress, Maudie, Norman, Toni Erdmann (4)
2015: Son of Saul (1)
2014: Foxcatcher, Leviathan, Red Army, Mr. Turner, Wild Tales, Salt of the Earth and Merchants of Doubt (7)
2013: The Invisible Woman, The Lunchbox, The Past, Tim's Vermeer and Jodorowsky's Dune (5)
2012: The Gatekeepers, At Any Price, Rust and Bone, No, Wadjda, Amour (6)
2011: A Dangerous Method, In Darkness, Footnote, A Separation (4)
2010: Incendies, Of Gods and Men, Tamara Drewe, Another Year, The Illusionist, Inside Job (6)
2009: The Last Station, The White Ribbon, Coco Before Chanel, A Prophet, An Education (5)
2008: Waltz with Bashir, I've Loved You So Long, O'Horten (3)
2007: Brick Lane, When Did You Last See Your Father, Persepolis, The Band's Visit, The Counterfeiters, Steep! (6)
2006: Jindabyne, The Lives of Others, Volver, The Italian (4)
2005: Breakfast on Pluto, Capote, Cache, The Child (4)
2004: Being Julia, House of Flying Daggers, Bad Education, Merchant of Venice, Up and Down, Yes (6)
2003: The Fog of War, My Life Without Me, The Triplets of Belleville, Young Adam (4)


Or relative newcomers like A24 which hasn't been in business long but already has made a place for itself in Telluride.

Note:

2016: Moonlight
2015: Room
2014:  _____
2013: Under the Skin
2012: Ginger and Rosa

Then there are the players who are hit and miss like The Weinstein Company and Fox Searchlight:

TWC:

2015: Carol
2014: The Imitation Game, Escobar: Paradise Lost
2013: The Unknown, Salinger, Tracks
2012: The Sapphires
2011: The Artist, Butter
2010: The King's Speech
2009: The Road
2008: Happy-Go-Lucky
2007: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, My Enemy's Enemy, I'm Not There
2006: Venus, Indigenes

But no TWC film at TFF in 2016.

Fox Searchlight:

2015: He Named Me Malala
2014: Birman, Wild
2013: 12 Years a Slave
2011: Shame, The Descendants
2010: Never Let Me Go, 127 Hours, Black Swan
2008: Slumdog Millionaire
2007: Juno, The Savages
2006: The Last King of Scotland, The Namesake
2005: Bee Season
2004: Kinsey

But, like TWC, there was no FS film at Telluride in 2016.

Plus several others including major studios that occasionally play in The SHOW.  We're going to start looking at all of that tomorrow.

THE CARTOONS IN FRANCE

The Annecy Animation Festival has started up in France this week.  The festival opened on Monday and continues through the weekend.  Annecy sometimes serves up a film or two that make the TFF lineup in the fall.  This year I am keeping my eye on Loving Vincent which is playing in the Annecy Fest and which I have been keeping track of for months.

Variety reported on Loving Vincent's accelerating distribution sales this week in light of its premiere at Annecy.  U.S. distribution for the completely hand-painted film is with Good Deed Entertainment which is a very young outlet.

It will be of some interest should the film be  a prize winner by week's end.

More tomorrow.

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

TWITTER @Gort2 (and follow me there as well)

FACEBOOK Message me on FB MTFB's Facebook Page

COMMENT to the BLOG

Indiewire Critics Panel Pick Their Most Anticipated Films for Fall / The Mystery of Lion and TWC / Hidden Figures Heads to Toronto / The People's Telluride

Hello and welcome to your Thursday.  I will be arriving in Telluride, if all goes according to plan, two weeks from today.  Additionally, if all goes according to past patterns, we'll have the official release of the Telluride Film Festival #43 schedule two weeks from today.  So close and still so far.



INDIEWIRE'S CRITIC'S PANEL PICK THEIR MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS FOR THE FALL

Earlier this week the folks at Indiewire asked a panel of film critics to name some of the films they are most looking forward to as we head into the fall season.  A n umber of films that are probably headed to Telluride made a mark in their answers.  Mentioned were:

Barry Jenkins' Moonlight
Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester by the Sea
Damien Chazelle's La La Land and
Maren Ade's Toni Erdmann

Among the critics queried were Indiewire's own David Ehrlich (who actually wrote the piece) and Tomris Laffly of Film Journal Int'l. both of whom will be contributing to this year's Professionals' Telluride rating of films for TFF #43 reported right here.

Check Ehrlich's complete post here:

http://www.indiewire.com/2016/08/indiewire-critics-survey-most-anticipated-movie-2016-1201716804/



THE MYSTERY OF LION AND TWC

Loyal MTFB reader Jason Osiason messaged me yesterday asking if I knew what was up with Garth Davis' Lion in Toronto.  Me: Nope.

Osiason pointed out that, "quietly" Lion has gone from a Gala to Special Presentation status and wondered if that signaled that it could be back in play as a possible addition to the Telluride lineup.

I did some due diligence and sure enough, Jason has it right.  The film was originally announced at TIFF to be a Gala but is now listed at the TIFF website as a "Special Presentation".  But it's also still listed by TIFF as a World Premiere.

My original answer to Jason was that it could have been done to move things around concerning the availability of talent.

A couple of other possibilities struck me since that original answer.  The switch may also signal something of the internal distress and possible financial status of The Weinstein Company.  A number of sources of late have mentioned that TWC is under some strain.  I don't pretend to know the veracity of those claims and I'm sure no expert in the workings of the Toronto fest but I believe that Galas and Special Presentations require that the distributor take on certain costs and that the Gala is a pricier situation.  It could be that the switch is simply a matter of dollars and cents.

Or it could be a mistake.

Or it could signal a TFF #43 play...though I think that's an unlikely scenario, I still find it difficult to believe that TWC won't have some sort of presence this year.



HIDDEN FIGURES IS HEADED TO FILM FEST...IN TORONTO

I've been following the increased profile of late of Theodore Melfi's Hidden Figures.  The film is about the story of African-American women who worked at NASA in its early days and their little known contributions to the American space effort.

The film has shown up lately in the press with a trailer and images and that rarely happens without a reason.  And now we know what that reason is.

The Toronto organizers announced yesterday that the film will be screened in an unfinished state during TIFF.  It's being billed as an "exclusive sneak peak" which seals its fate in as far as Telluride is concerned.  Not going to happen at TFF #43.  So be it.


The story is here from both The Hollywood Reporter and Awards Circuit:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/taraji-p-hensons-hidden-figures-920326

http://www.awardscircuit.com/2016/08/17/hidden-figures-headed-tiff-exclusive-first-look/


THE PEOPLE'S TELLURIDE

Remember to report your ratings for the films you see at TFF #43 and be a part of MTFB's People's Telluride.  Rate films on a 1 to 5 scale (1=BAD, 5=GREAT) once the fest has concluded.  Send ratings via email to:

mpgort@gmail.com OR
michael_speech@hotmail.com

OR send via Twitter to @Gort2

You can also comment to the blog itself or to MTFB's facebook page.

Also, remember to click on the new FOLLOW button in the upper right hand corner of the Blog's page.  That'll make it easier to get the latest Telluride Film Festival news and speculation quickly.

Tomorrow:  A new "Ten (Plus) Bets", films that are still in play and a look at the rumor mill...come on back!

TFF #43 Ten Bets #5 / Rules Festing? / Mining for Gold and Weinstein Woes / Venetian Rumors

Good Friday to everyone...

Let's start off with this week's Ten Bets update and the last one we'll have prior to next Tuesday's first wave of films announced for the Toronto International Film Festival and Thursday's Venice Film Fest announcement.

TFF #43 TEN BETS #5

Last week's Ten Bets:

10) The Unknown Girl
9) Things to Come
8) Wilson
7) La La Land
6) American Honey
5) Moonlight
4) The Red Turtle
3) Toni Erdmann
2) Fire at Sea
1) The Salesman


This week's Ten Bets:

10) The Unknown Girl
9) Arrival
8) Things to Come
7) American Honey
6) Moonlight
5) La La Land
4) The Salesman
3) Toni Erdmann
2) The Red Turtle
1) Fire at Sea

Close: Lion, Aquarius, Denial, A Monster Calls, How to Talk to Girls at Parties, Paterson, Dog Eat Dog, The Sense of an Ending.

A couple of notes:  as of this writing (7:00 am on Fri. 7/22) I am really back and forth about the Dardenne Brothers The Unknown Girl.  I am continuing to include it in the Ten Bets because of the frequency that the brothers have had films make the T-ride lineup but I honestly wouldn't be stunned if it is announced Tuesday for TIFF as a North American premiere.

I have The Weinstein's Lion just under the Ten Bets again this week although the turmoil and rumors surrounding TWC have me wondering if any TWC film will play Telluride this year.  The lack of a TWC title would be incredibly odd as they've played at least one film in the Telluride lineup every year that I've attended.  Still, of the four films that are possible ( Lion, The Founder, Gold, HHhH), none of them seems to be making a ton of pre-fest noise.  Meanwhile, rumors of financial difficulties also are dogging TWC right now which further muddies the picture and may explain some of the release date shifting that has occurred.  See below...


RULES FESTING?

Remember yesterday's post that included the analysis of The Guardian's 40 Films...Predict...Fests" article?   You might have noticed that Warren Beatty's Rules Don't Apply was included among The Guardian's "Dead Cert(ain)" list.  I suggested that its inclusion was intriguing because of Beatty's reported reluctance to play the film at Festivals.

Then, later in the day yesterday, a post popped up on Indiewire from Anne Thompson assessing the film's Oscar potential.  In it Thompson makes two references to the film making a play at fall film fests.  First writing that the film is

"...the film is ready to be unveiled at film festivals this fall"

And then late in the article Anne writes:

"Whether Rules Don't Apply (November 23) delivers both commercially and  artistically will be revealed at the fall festivals."

You might say..."well, Mikey...maybe it just plays New York."  And I'd say, that makes a lot of sense, but Thompson pretty clearly uses the plural "festivals" twice.

One other tidbit, Thompson compares the film in some respects to four films, two of which are The Artist and Birdman.  Both films played Telluride and won the Oscar for Best Picture.

I have to wonder if Thompson and The Guardian know more than we do...

Let's keep our eyes and ears open, shall we?

Hers' the link to the entire Thompson post:

http://www.indiewire.com/2016/07/warren-beatty-alden-ehrenreich-rules-dont-apply-comedy-oscar-1201706837/


MINING FOR GOLD AND WEINSTEIN WOES

Matthew McConnaughey and Edgar Ramirez in Gold

TWC-Dimension announced a release date for Stephen Gaghan's Gold starring Matthew McConnaughey.  The film will be opening on Dec. 25 making it eligible for Oscar consideration. TWC earlier this week moved its Michael Keaton starring The Founder off its August date and into December as well with a limited release on 12/16 and a wider rollout on Jan. 20.  They also moved Tulip Fever starring Alicia Vikander to 2017.  That film has been booted around a good deal as well.

As of this morning TWC has these four films in the chute for between now and the end of the year:

Lion (11/25)
Gold (12/15)
The Founder (12/16 and 1/20/17)
HHhH (Undetermined 2016 date)

It's all a dance amid speculation that The Weinstein Company is having some money trouble.

Check out this story and interview with Harvey Weinstein from The Hollywood Reporter:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/harvey-weinstein-explains-movie-release-913142

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weinstein-cos-movie-shifts-raise-912571

Additionally, here is coverage of the announcement for Gold's release:

http://www.thewrap.com/twc-sets-holiday-release-date-for-matthew-mcconaugheys-gold/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matthew-mcconaugheys-gold-dec-25-913306

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/21/matthew-mcconaughey-gold-christmas-release


VENETIAN RUMORS

Indiewire reported yesterday that Denis Villenueve's Arrival and Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals are likely to be named as films to play the Venice Film Fest next week.  They would join Damien Chazelle's La La Land which has already been announced as the opener.

All three films could conceivably make the leap between Venice and Telluride.

Here's the Indiewire story:

http://www.indiewire.com/2016/07/tom-ford-nocturnal-animals-denis-villeneuve-arrival-venice-film-festival-1201708530/



That's it for this week.  Monday's post will include news about a likely animation title for TFF #43 and our annual look at TFF's "Usual Suspects" and who among them might be returning with projects for this year's SHOW.

Contact MTFB at:

mpgort@gmail.com

OR on Twitter @Gort2

OR check out Michael's Telluride Film Blog on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Michaels-Telluride-Film-Blog-and-The-Film-Awards-Clearinghouse-107846269309712/

Or leave a comment...

Distribution: The Weinstein Company (and Variations) / Dardennes Re-Tool Unknown Girl / Trailering It's Only the End of the World

Good Wednesday World...


DISTRIBTUION: THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY (AND VARIATIONS)

Tracking the Weinsteins as distributors at Telluride for the past decade shows us that they've been a part of The SHOW for a good long while.  Here's their Telluride slate as Miramax or The Weinstein Company or Radius-TWC since 2006:


2006: Venus, Indigenes
2007: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, My Enemy's Enemy, I'm Not There
2008: Happy-Go-Lucky
2009: The Road
2010: The King's Speech
2011: The Artist, Butter
2012: The Sapphires  (also was represented during the Marion Cotillard tribute by James Gray and 5 min. of The Immigrant)
2013: The Unknown Known, Salinger, Tracks
2014: The Imitation Game", "Escobar: Paradise Lost"

2015: Carol

18 films over the past decade including Best Picture winners in 2010 and 2011.  With an average of 1.8 films and a presence every year at the fest, TWC and its ancillary companies are the third most prolific distributor and one of the most consistently represented at Telluride over the past decade.

Let's look at The Weinstein Company's playlist as it is listed today in IMDb:

Lion

Wild Oats

Ballerina

At this point, these look like the only films in the line at TWC that might have a shot at playing. Clearly the most probable is Garth Davis' Lion which is dated for a Nov. 25 release.  The other two films seem as if they don't have a big chance.  I wouldn't completely rule them out though.  Wild Oats stars Jessica Lange and Shirley McLaine and they're enough to make you wonder at least a little about the film.  

One other note...the dating for the release of John Lee Hancock's (The Blind Side, Saving Mr. Banks) The Founder starring Michael Keaton has me scratching my head.  It's set to come out a full month before T-ride/Toronto on Aug. 5th.  This is a film whose pedigree would (and did at one point) make me think that it would be both a T-ride possible and maybe a part of the Oscar convo.  That Aug. 5 date, though, takes it off the fall fest circuit and, for me anyway, sends up a red flare of concern.

Probabilities:

Lion 60%

Wild Oats 30%

Ballerina 15%

 Tomorrow we look at Fox Searchlight.


DARDENNES RE-TOOL UNKNOWN GIRL

Reports surfaced yesterday that the Dardennes Brothers have re-edited their Cannes entry The Unknown Girl.  The film is reported to have been shortened by seven minutes and had 32 separate cuts since its screening in May in France.

The film was received in a lukewarm fashion from critics when it debuted.  The Dardennes actions are said to have been in response to those concerns and further, they claim that some critics have seen the re-vamped version and say that it has improved.

If you read yesterday's post, you'll know that I still regard Unknown Girl as a real Telluride possibility.  Additionally, I had it on last week's initial Telluride Ten Bets list at #4.  This news, I think, strengthens the case that The Unknown Girl makes an appearance in the SHOW.

Coverage of the announced editing is here:

http://www.screendaily.com/dardenne-brothers-re-edit-cannes-drama-the-unknown-girl/5106274.article

http://variety.com/2016/film/global/the-dardennes-brothers-have-re-edited-the-unknown-girl-1201805048/

https://thefilmstage.com/news/the-dardennes-have-re-edited-the-unknown-girl-for-theatrical-release/

http://theplaylist.net/daredennes-re-edited-unknown-girl-muted-response-cannes-20160628/



TRAILERING IT'S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD

Trailer for Xavier Dolan's It's Only the End of the World via YouTube

Prior to the Cannes Film Fest in May, I would have regarded Xavier Dolan's It's Only the End of the World as a near dead certainty to make the TFF #43 lineup.  Dolan has been on fire here at the start of his career including success at Cannes and Venice and a Telluride slot in 2014.   Additionally, a cast that include Marion Cotillard, Lea Seydoux and Vincent Cassels seems T-ride friendly.

The critics chewed the film up after its premiere in France in May, however.  It had a dismal 4.46 average critic rating on the Urban composite (http://cannes-rurban.rhcloud.com/2016).

After that the film took a huge nose dive in as far as I was concerned in terms of its SHOW profile. Then, at the end of  Cannes, it was named winner of the Grand Prix award.  That knocked me back a little and kept the film on my watch list.

The film still lacks a U.S. distributor and release date, though the release of its trailer yesterday reminded us that it is scheduled for release in Quebec on Sept. 21.

Here are stories covering the release of the trailer:


https://thefilmstage.com/trailer/a-family-reunites-in-first-trailer-for-xavier-dolans-its-only-the-end-of-the-world/

http://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/its-only-the-end-of-the-world-trailer-xavier-dolan-cannes-winner-marion-cotillard-vincent-cassel-1201700306/

http://theplaylist.net/first-trailer-xavier-dolans-end-world-marion-cotillard-lea-seydoux-vincent-cassel-20160628/

http://www.firstshowing.net/2016/watch-first-trailer-for-xavier-dolans-its-only-the-end-of-the-world/


That concludes MTFB for Wednesday...come back for more tomorrow

Contact MTFB at:

mpgort@gmail.com

OR on Twitter @Gort2

OR check out Michael's Telluride Film Blog on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Michaels-Telluride-Film-Blog-and-The-Film-Awards-Clearinghouse-107846269309712/

OR leave a comment...

Toronto Part Two / Categorical Weirdness / Tapley Lands at Variety / The Continuing "Jane Got a Gun" Saga

Welcome to Tuesday Everyone.

TORONTO PART TWO

I am expecting the second wave of announcements of films that will play the Toronto International Film Festival to come later today.  I believe that they are announcing Canadian films as a part of a specific program of films for that fest.

Whatever is announced, check back here for analysis about the TIFF choices and revelations and what they tell us about Telluride's possible lineup choices.

Which leads to this next thing...

CATEGORICAL WEIRDNESS

If you read this space with frequency and certainly in the last week since TIFF's announced first wave of films, then you know that there has been some oddity regarding how the film "Spotlight" has been categorized.  Reportedly tabbed as a Canadian premiere in some places and International in others plus some confusion in as far as what TIFF views as an International premiere.  That has led to a number of outlets concluding that "Spotlight" could well be playing Telluride.

Now, this added weirdness at least a couple of  sources reported yesterday that Julie Delpy's "Lolo" will premiere in Venice even though the TIFF website claims their screening is its World premiere.

Here's "Lolo's" page at the TIFF website:

http://tiff.net/festivals/festival15/galapresentations/lolo


Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter and tell us that the film will premiere as a part of the Venice Days program during the Venice Fest.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/julie-delpy-lolo-premiere-venice-812666

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/watch-julie-delpy-writes-directs-and-stars-in-venice-premiere-lolo-20150803

Obviously, the film can't World Premiere twice and in two different places.  So, what gives?

My takeaway from this is that these film fests still haven't gotten all the kinks and communication worked out regarding any particular film's premiere status and that all of us who are trying to read these particular tea leaves would do well to remember that.

PS...in my fevered dementia surrounding the Toronto and Venice announcements last week, I even developed a theory that would allow "Spotlight" to play all three fests, including Telluride, and still be properly labeled an "International" premiere in what seems to be the most commonly accepted definition of the term.  Don't ask.  It's really almost impossible.

TAPLEY LANDS AT VARIETY

I'm really happy to pass on this note that Kristopher Tapley and his InContention awards coverage has landed at Variety.com.  Tapley, who has been kind enough to provide film ratings each year as a part of MTFB's "Telluride Professionals" and has also been a source that I have accessed for The Film Awards Clearinghouse portion of this blog, will be joining the venerable entertainment publication on Aug. 24th and will be back in Telluride providing Variety's coverage.

Tapley's InContention and HitFix.com had been together since 2011 but came to a parting of ways at the end of June.

It will be good to have Kris' voice back online (and in Variety's print edition as well) very, very soon.
Congratulations, Mr. Tapley!

Coverage is here:

http://variety.com/2015/biz/awards/kris-kristopher-tapley-joins-variety-in-contention-1201555437/

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/variety-adds-kris-tapley-to-awards-coverage-20150803

http://www.awardsdaily.com/blog/2015/08/kris-tapley-lands-at-variety/


THE CONTINUING "JANE GOT A GUN" SAGA

"Jane Got a Gun" First Look from Movieclips and YouTube

If you've read this blog for some time, you know that I have often included stories about Gavin O'Conner's "Jane Got a Gun" which has been beleaguered to say the least.  It's struggle continued this week as half of its distributor plan- Relativity Media-declared bankruptcy.

The film had changes in director and cast and now this.  Vanity Fair posted a story of where this film is here:

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/07/natalie-portman-jane-got-a-gun-delay


Will the film make it to its Sept. 4 release date or get pushed to 2016?


That's all for now.  Check back later today and tomorrow for news about the most recent announcements from Toronto.


Please feel free to leave a comment or question here at the blog.

Email me at michael_speech@hotmail.com or mpgort@gmail.com

Tweet/Follow at me @Gort2 on Twitter

You can also message me on Facebook (and "Like" me too)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaels-Telluride-Film-Blog-and-The-Film-Awards-Clearinghouse/107846269309712

Cousins Return?/"Youth" Arrives in December/"Three Generations" Release Date Too/Thompson Talks "Carol" with Haynes and Nagy

Welcome to Wednesday...


COUSINS RETURN

Mark Cousins had been a consistent part of the Telluride program this last half decade until last year. Cousins had been involved in Telluride's program for many years beginning in 2009 with "The First Movie" and continuing in  2011 with "The Story of Film: An Odyssey".  He continued in 2012 with "What is this Film Called Love?" and in 2013 with "The Story of Children and Film" and "Here Be Dragons".

In 2014 Cousins didn't make the Telluride SHOW (despite having "Life May Be" as a possible entrant).

So, in 2015?  Cousins could return.  His "I Am Belfast" is finished and has been announced for the Karlovy Vary documentary lineup (that fest runs in early July).  Cousins has often played Karlovy Vary prior to bringing his films to Telluride.

I have linked a couple of stories about the announcement of "I Am Belfast's" inclusion for the Karlovy Vary Fest as well as the film's IMDb page:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/karlovy-vary-festival-unveils-lineup-799426

http://www.screendaily.com/festivals/karlovy-vary/karlovy-vary-unveils-2015-competition-line-ups/5088907.article

http://www.kviff.com/en/news/824-new-films-by-helena-trestikova-a-mark-cousins-in-the-documentary-competition-of-the-50th-kviff

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3847390/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_1


"YOUTH" ARRIVES IN DECEMBER

Fox Searchlight has dated Paolo Sorrentino's Cannes competition entry "Youth" for a Dec. 4 release date in the U.S. according to Anne Thompson/Thompson on Hollywood:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/cannes-youth-gets-awards-friendly-release-date-20150602

The awards friendly date continues to suggest that the film which received relatively good reviews, especially for Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Jane Fonda's performances, could easily slide into the program in T-ride on Labor Day.  Sorrentino's last film "The Great Beauty" won the Best Foreign Language Oscar in 2014.



"THREE GENERATIONS" RELEASE DATE TOO

The Weinstein Company is wasting little time.  TWC acquired Gaby Dellal's transgender drama "Three Generations" for $6 million during the Cannes Fest last month and has already slated it for a September release.  The 18th to be exact.  That's a small two week window after this year's Telluride Fest begins but it's not without precedent that a TWC film could play T-ride and then hit theaters that quickly.

Two years ago, "Salinger" opened in the U.S. a week after it was s screened in Telluride.  So don't count out "Three Generations" in your Telluride speculation.


http://www.thewrap.com/transgender-drama-starring-elle-fanning-3-generations-acquired-by-weinstein-co-at-cannes/

http://www.thewrap.com/elle-fanning-transgender-drama-three-generations-gets-release-date/


IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4158624/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1


THOMPSON TALKS "CAROL" WITH HAYNES AND NAGY

Anne Thompson recently talked to "Carol" director Todd Haynes and screen writer Phyllis Nagy about the upcoming film starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.



http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/cannes-todd-haynes-and-writer-phyllis-nagy-talk-carol-glamorous-stars-highsmith-and-more-20150601



That's all for now..more tomorrow...


Follow Michael's Telluride Film Blog on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaels-Telluride-Film-Blog-and-The-Film-Awards-Clearinghouse/107846269309712


And on Twitter @Gort2

Weinstein's at Telluride/Wild Makes an Appearance/Pixar's Short Lava

Good Monday everyone.  I'm back in the Oklahoma Panhandle after 2 1/2 weeks on the road and some fantastic lifetime memories...

Today, I conclude my look at U.S. distributors that have films that could play Telluride with one of the biggest players in that field....The Weinstein Company:



WEINSTEIN'S AT TELLURIDE

Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob have had a fairly common presence at the Telluride Film Festival over the years.  Their current incarnation is as The Weinstein Company.  Previously they were Miramax.

Tracking both companies as distributors at Telluride for the past decade shows us that they've been a part of The SHOW for a good long while.  Here's their Telluride slate as Miramax or The Weinstein Company since 2006:


2006: Venus
2007: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, My Enemy's Enemy, I'm Not There
2008: Happy-Go-Lucky
2009: The Road
2010: The King's Speech
2011: The Artist, Butter
2012: The Sapphires  (also was represented during the Marion Cotillard tribute by James Gray and 5 min. of The Immigrant)
2013: The Unknown Known, Salinger, Tracks

So over 8 years...13 films.  1.6 per year and TWC has been repped at TFF consistently each year since 2006.  So what's in TWC's stable this year that has a chance to play in T-ride?

"MacBeth"
"St. Vincent"
"The Imitation Game"
"Suite Francaise"
"Big Eyes"

And from TWC's Radius arm, the best chance is Cannes film "It Follows".

What seems likely here?  Because you have to believe that TWC will want to play.  Maybe more than any other distributor, the Toronto/Telluride show down may have its greatest effect here.  I believe that their decision will be propelled by their analysis about which fest and what platforming of films in which places will do them the most good.

It seemed pretty clear last year that TWC placed more faith in Toronto when they made the last minute switch from "Philomena" as a Monday TBA to "Salinger".  But Harvey and company also can't ignore that their greatest successes in recent years: "The Artist" and "The King's Speech" both played Telluride on their way to Oscar glory.  Another factor is that I don't really see a slam dunk Best Picture player here.  All of them could be but none of them are perceived as having an inside track to a nomination for BP at this point (as, for example. "Unbroken" or "Foxcatcher" seem to have at this point).

Bottom line is that I expect a two or three of these films to make the Telluride lineup but discerning, at least at this point, which are the most likely is really difficult.

I'm personally campaigning to see Morten Tyldum's "The Imitation Game" with Benedict Cumberbatch telling the true story of British genius and hero Alan Turing but it may actually be the least likely choice insofar as Telluride is concerned.  Almost everyone that guesses at this sort of stuff thinks it's headed to Toronto.  Tim Buton's "Big Eyes" also seems fairly unlikely...my bet is that it goes to New York.  That leaves "Suite Francaise", "MacBeth" and "St. Vincent" for Telluride.  I'd be pretty happy with any or all of them.  At this point, Murray's "St. Vincent" might actually be the most likely.


WILD MAKES AN APPEARANCE

Jean Marc Vallee's follow up to "Dallas Buyers Club" is "Wild' starring Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon.
Over the last few days we have seen a new poster appear as well as a trailer for the film.  Here's the trailer:

"Wild" Trailer via YouTube

 and the poster:

Friend of MTFB Kris Tapley, writing at HitFix, seems to think that "Wild" could be a Telluride choice as you'll see when you read this post from the weekend:

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/wild-trailer-reveals-a-de-glammed-reese-witherspoon-hiking-the-pain-away

Here is a another post about the trailer:

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=877035

PIXAR'S SHORT LAVA

Pixar's new animated short film is entitled "Lava" and will precede their feature "Inside Out" in the summer of 2015.  I wouldn't be all that surprised to see it pop up somewhere in Telluride's program over Labor Day.  Read about it here:

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/first-look-pixars-lava-new-short-film-coming-2015/

More to come on Tuesday...including our annual look at "The Usual Suspects"...not the film...

Oscar Matters: Looking at Oscar from a Long Way Out/Best of the Week

It's Saturday!


OSCAR MATTERS: LOOKING AT OSCAR FROM A LONG WAY OUT

Oscar predictions are a fool's errand at best and that's true up until the moment the envelopes are opened.  Still, some intrepid souls have the courage to stick their necks out months ahead of time and attempt to suss out what's going to happen.  That's important to the enterprise of what I try to do here at MTFB-which is to do my level best to explore the possible Telluride Film Festival lineup.  It's secret nature makes it a challenge that this space tries to accept.  To that end, even early Oscar predictions can give some insight into the films that, at a minimum, have some perception of being quality productions and because of that give us some clues about what films are likely in the mix for prime placement at Toronto, Venice New York and Telluride film fests.

Late this week, Joey Magidson of Hollywood News updated his early early Oscar predictions which you can find in its entirety here:

http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2014/06/06/foxcatcher-by-bennett-miller-a-june-oscar-predictions-update/

Magidson's ten predicted Best Picture films are "Foxcatcher", "Unbroken", "Men, Women and Children", "Big Eyes", "Rosewater", "Gone Girl", "Interstellar", "Mr. Turner", "Boyhood" and "A Most Violent Year".

Of these ten, you could make a case for any title being at Telluride with the likely exception of "Boyhood" which played Sundance.  The most likely film to make T-ride from Magidson's list is Mike Leigh's "Mr. Turner".  Also with at least a 50/50 chance from this list: "Foxcatcher", "Men, Women and Children" and "A Most Violent Year".  The other five films are all possibles but unlikely at this point.

From other categories that Magidson predicts,  "Suite Francaise" and "Inherent Vice" mentions remind me that they also some TFF #41 potential.


BEST OF THE WEEK

20 FILMS FROM HITFIX

Michael Fassbender as "MacBeth"

Last week, the staff at HitFix posted a story entitled : "20 Movies Coming Out in 2014 That Aren't on Your Radar Yet".  Maybe they're not on everyone's radar, but most of them have been on the MTFB radar and some of them for quite awhile.  Of the 20 films that HitFix include are a good half dozen that have real Telluride potential:

"Birdman" from Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.  Inarritu and distrib Fox Searchlight make this one to watch for TFF #41.

"MacBeth" from Justin Kurzel.  Distrib is The Weinstein Company.

"The Imitation Game" from Morten Tyldem...also distributed by TWC.

"Men, Women and Children" from T-ride fave Jason Reitman.  Paramount is distributing and had both Reitman's "Up in the Air" and "Labor Day" at Telluride.

"A Most Violent Year" from J.C. Chandor.  A24 is the distributor (which had "Enemy" and "Under the Skin" at T-ride last year)

"Suite Francaise" from Saul Dibb.  Another TWC film.

From this list of six films I feel the most strongly about "Birdman".  I actually think "A Most Violent Year" is the next most likely TFF #41 selection from this particular list.  I'm personally pretty hot to catch "MacBeth" and "The Imitation Game" but one of the big mysteries for puzzling out Telluride titles this year is trying to figure out how Harvey Weinstein is going to play with the pieces he has.  Last year TWC had "Tracks", "The Unknown Known" and "Salinger" which was  a last minute replacement for "Philomena".  The year before, they were repped at Telluride only by "The Sapphires".  But Harvey has also had great success in past years with both "The King's Speech" and "The Artist" running through Telluride before going n to win the Best Picture Oscar.

Three other films that are on the HitFix list that have what I would term a "theoretical" chance to play T-ride are Tim Burton's "Big Eyes" (another TWC film), James Marsh's "Theory of Everything" (Focus Features) and Jon Stewart's "Rosewater" (Open Road Films).

All of this comes with the same caveat that I have already been repeating fairly ceaselessly which is: Toronto's demands to chose them or Telluride for prime screening  times is a joker in the deck that adds an incredible level of uncertainty into the mix.

Here's the link to the HitFix post:

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/20-movies-coming-out-this-year-that-arent-on-your-radar-yet#oErfmwXyRE1WK7bP.99

SPC VS. TWC

I have often wondered about the dynamic that exists between these two powerhouse independent distributors and now we have a really good article that addresses that very situation.  Steven Zeitchik in the Los Angeles Times wrote this analysis about the battle for Indie supremacy between the two:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-sony-weinstein-20140529-story.html#page=1


POLAND ON LEVIATHAN

David Poland from The Movie City News put up his latest DP/30 focusing on Cannes hit (and screenplay winner) "Leviathan" from director and co-writer Andrey Zvyagintsev.  SPC has the U.S. distribution.  That combined with the high profile success at Cannes makes it a very real Telluride #41 lineup possibility.  Here's the link:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-sony-weinstein-20140529-story.html#page=1

RUDDERLESS APPEARS

I couldn't say anything about it until it happened and it happened last night.  William H. Macy's "Rudderless" screened in a private setting in Oklahoma City last night and through the kindness of co-writer Casey Twenter, my wife and I were in attendance.

Lots to talk about.  The film, the Q and A after with Macy in attendance and the plans going forward.for the film which is in the Samuel Goldwyn Films distribution company.

Most of that's coming in tomorrow's post.  Suffice it to say we had a great time and were thrilled to be a part of the first screening in Oklahoma.

I will say what I tweeted last night...I've been waiting to see this film, literally for years...and  I finally got to. It didn't disappoint...it is very, very good.

RUDDERLESS REACTION

William H. Macy at the Q&A for "Rudderless" in OKC Monday night via Kristy Patterson

As Monday night's OKC screening fades a bit in the rear view of the mind...here are some impressions of William H. Macy's "Rudderless":

The film's screenplay has changed a good bit from the original version that I first looked at back in November of 2009.  It's even changed since the re-write that I looked at after Macy came on board the project.

The acting is generally good with standout performances from Billy Crudup in the lead and excellent support from Anton Yelchin, Laurence Fishburne and Felicity Huffman.  Selena Gomez, who soaks up a lot of the press that has surrounded the film, is very effective in a small but pivotal role.

The music is outstanding.  Virtually all of it was written for the film by Simon Steadman and Charlton Pettus. Macy said in the Q&A Monday night that the music is intended to be its own character and that is definitely the case.  It also serves, as you'd expect, to carry a lot of subtext for the film. It does that too.  Make no mistake here, the music is just great...and largely performed by the cast.  You can sample the music at the Rudderless Movie website.  I've linked it below.

Expect (finally) a trailer to drop in a month or so...that's according to Macy.

The future for "Rudderless" is still an open question at this point.  Samuel Goldwyn Films has the U.S. distribution and Macy said Monday night that they along with Paramount are still developing a marketing plan.  Realistically, the decision about how to market the film will be determinative in terms of when and how the film id released.  Frankly, I expect (and this without a shred of implication from any of the principal players on Monday night) that the SGF folks will attempt to position the film via some plays in film fests this fall.  As I have noted numerous times, the "Rudderless" play at Sundance virtually guarantees that it's out of the running for Telluride.  Frankly, New York and Venice don't feel right to me either.  Toronto...I could see that happening.

"Rudderless" was reportedly shot for $5 million and credit should go to all involved as it sure looks and sounds like a much more expensive production.

For those that haven't kept up with the "Rudderless" developments over the years...here's the official synopsis from the film's website:

Several years after tragically losing his son in an all-to-familiar school shooting, a grieving father, SAM (Billy Crudup), discovers a box of demo tapes and a notebook full of lyrics. The revelation of his son's unknown talent drives him to perform one of the songs at an open-mic night. What was supposed to be an act of catharsis sets in motion a series of events that ends with him reluctantly agreeing to start a band with a quirky young man named QUENTIN (Anton Yelchin). As weeks turn into months and practices turn into gigs the band, RUDDERLESS, begin to gel. With each performance it seems Sam has found the catalyst he needs to move on with his life. He revels in the opportunity to do things for Quentin that he never did for his own son. He swells with pride over the prospect of completing Josh’s musical journey. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for his illusion of a second chance to begin to crumble. RUDDERLESS is an uplifting human drama about music’s ability to heal, chasing dreams and the unconditional love of a parent. - See more at: http://www.rudderlessthemovie.com

Finally, maybe I'm a sucker for this because I have been spooking around on the fringes of this project for more than five and half years.  Admittedly it punches some of my buttons thematically and so I'm predisposed to affection for the film and I do love the music.

"Rudderless" is very, very good.

As you might expect, I'll keep following this project as it continues its journey.  I'll also continue to follow the fortunes of Oklahoma film makers Casey Twenter and Jeff Robison whose dream "Rudderless" who managed to make the dream become a reality...believe me, there were ups and downs...and I don't even know all of them.  Casey and Jeff...if you're reading this somewhere:  you're an inspiration!

ANY DAY NOW

Three events are (or almost have to be looming) as far as the 41st Telluride Film Festival is concerned.

1) A poster artist should soon be named...though early June isn't always an absolute certainty.  Last year the artist was named on June 3rd.  In 2012, it was July 9th before we found out who it would be.  In 2011, we actually had the 38th TFF poster released for public consumption.  So, I expect that an artist announcement is probably very near.

Last year's poster:

Hey, Telluride Honchos, if you're still looking for a poster artist...or want to start thinking about one for next year...look at these samples of what my wife is currently doing.  Imagine a "SHOW" version:

OR

They're original illustrations done directly on rescued/re-purposed vintage dictionary pages.  The illustration is done on a page on which that definition appears.  Would be a cool poster...

Check this and her other work on Etsy or Pinterest:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/flyingshoes

http://www.pinterest.com/flyingshoes/

2) A guest director announcement should probably occur before June is gone.  Of course last year there was no announcement...really ever.  It was the lineup press release the day before the fest that revealed the many-headed approach that the fest took last year as a part of their 40th anniversary edition.  Since we're back to "normal" this year (no anniversary...no five day fest), I expect we'll be back to normal as regards a guest director as well.  That means we have a good chance to see that news in the next three weeks.  The 2012 announcement came on June 11th while the 2011 announcement came June 28th.

3) Will there be a "Telluride Party" in L.A. in the next week or two?  There has been, at least for the last two years.  I reported that news on June 12, 2013 and June 16, 2012 respectively.  My guess is probably yes.  Will it give us any clues about what to expect?  The jury is out about that.  Last year I got bupkes from it.  I chased the presence of James Grey as a sure indicator that "The Immigrant" would screen and tried to puzzle out the significance of the attendance of "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner.  I thought it meant we might see Weiner's film or that he might be the 40th TFF Guest Director...um...no.  None of that.

The previous year's story on the T-ride L.A. wing-ding gave some clues that panned out..I.E. "Amour" and "Rust and Bone" as well as a reference to a major studio making a play for Telluride programmers.  I have always thought that was likely Warners and that they were making the pitch for "Argo".

So three events to watch for over the next thee weeks that will have some significant baring on our TFF #41 experience.  Stay tuned.

MARION COTILLARD AND TWO DAYS (AND MAC BETH TOO)

Marion Cotillard in "Two Days, One Night"

The first "Ten Bets" for TFF #41 is two weeks away (or so) and almost certain to land somewhere on that list is "Two Days, One Night" from the Dardennes Brothers starring Oscar winner Marion Cotillard.

Cotillard was a tributee in 2012 at Telluride and could conceivably make a return this year to accompany the film (and also with Justin Kurzel's "MacBeth" with Michael Fassbender...Marion is one of this year's "twofer" possibilities).

The Playlist posted a big article yesterday with Cotillard's new pics from "Two Days", an interview with Charlie Rose, a Brit interview about MacBeth, the Cannes press conference for "Two Days", footage from "The Immigrant".  There's a lot of stuff.  Take a look here:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-20-minute-marion-cotillard-james-gray-interview-on-charlie-rose-plus-new-photos-of-two-days-one-night-20140604

SALT OF THE EARTH

Wenders and Selgado via The Film Stage

Thompson on Hollywood posted links yesterday to clips from Wim Wenders documentary about Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Selgado entitled "Salt of the Earth".  "Salt" is one of a number of docs that seem like they have reasonably good chances to make the Telluride '14 lineup ("Red Army" is another).

 The Thompson piece links to those clips via The Film Stage. I have provided the links to both posts here:

 http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/watch-provocative-new-clips-from-wim-wenders-doc-salt-of-the-earth

http://thefilmstage.com/news/preview-wim-wenders-the-salt-of-the-earth-with-first-batch-of-clips/#BYEErCFKmFWTVZwi.03

NEW VIEWS OF IMITATION

Benedict Cumberbatch in "The Imitation Game" via Entertainment Weekly

Also up yesterday...a couple of new stills from the set of "The Imitation Game" directed by Morten Tyldum.  Anyone who reads this space with much frequency knows that this right at the top of my TFF #41 wish list.

Take a look at the post and the other pic from Entertainment Weekly/The Playlist here:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/new-photos-of-benedict-cumberbatch-keira-knightley-in-the-imitation-game-20140605

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/06/05/benedict-cumberbatch-outwits-nazis-in-the-imitation-game-first-look/

Remember to like and follow Michael's Telluride Film Blog on Facebook and Twitter @Gort2

More coming on Monday...