"Black Mass" to Venice/"Our Brand" Gets a Release Date/The "Unified Clooney Theory"/This Would Be a Shocker

Good Monday morning campers.  I hope you enjoyed a stress free weekend.



"BLACK MASS" TO VENICE

"Black Mass" trailer via YouTube

The Venice Film Festival announced Friday that Scott Cooper's "Black Mass" will world premiere out of competition as a part of their lineup on Sept. 4.

You probably noticed that I listed "Black Mass" in Friday's MTFB post at #10 and for the first time this summer.  I also mentioned in this space last week that I was seeing a good deal of smoke about the chances that it would play Telluride and in light of the Hollywood Elsewhere story above, the #10 spot seems conservative.

 Finally, I have been suggesting for months now that I thought that Warners would be back at Telluride this year after laying out last year.  Their success with "Argo" in 2012 and "Gravity" in 2013.  In addition to "Black Mass", Warners also has "Our Brand is Crisis" and "In the Heart of the Sea" and "Midnight Special" as potential material for Telluride.

The Telluride/Venice overlap is usually fairly smallish.  In most years, the overlap is around three films.  But...

The dating of the "Black Mass' premiere for Sept. 4th works for a Venice play followed by a Telluride screening half way through.  "Gravity" followed that path in 2013.



A couple of questions remain.  First, does Johnny Depp make the trip from Venice to Telluride and second, do any of the supporting players also come along?  Like Benedict Cumberbatch?  You may recall that in 2013 a mass of the "12 Years a Slave" crew made the journey: McQueen, Pitt, Fassbender, N'yongo, Ejiofor...so maybe the whole gang.

Here is a sampling of the coverage from the media about the Venice "Black Mass" announcement:

http://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/johnny-depp-starrer-black-mass-to-world-preem-at-venice-film-festival-1201547904/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-black-mass-world-premiere-810884

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/24/black-mass-venice-film-festival

http://www.indiewire.com/article/johnny-depp-heading-to-venice-film-festival-for-black-mass-world-premiere

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/johnny-depps-black-mass-will-officially-play-the-venice-film-festival-out-of-competition-20150724





"OUR BRAND" LANDS WITH A FALL DATE

Another tidbit of interest that was announced this weekend was the dating of release for David Gordon Green's "Our Brand is Crisis" for Oct. 30th.  That puts the film in prime position to be a part of any number of fall film fests including Telluride.  As mentioned above, "Our Brand" is being distributed by Warners which could bring it to T-ride along with "Black Mass" as they did with "Prisoners' and "Gravity in 2013.

"Our Brand" stars Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton and Zoe Kazan and is based on the 2005 documentary of the same name which explored the extension of American style political campaigning in South America.

The film also shows up below in my look at "The Unified Clooney Theory" of Telluride possibilities.

The stories from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter:


http://variety.com/2015/film/news/sandra-bullock-our-brand-is-crisis-set-for-oct-30-1201548567/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sandra-bullocks-crisis-gets-october-811106

THE UNIFIED CLOONEY THEORY

George Clooney on the set of the Coen Brothers' "Hail Caesar"

It's time once again to re-visit my annual proposal of the "Unified Clooney Theory".  The UCT suggests that Telluride clues can be found by examining the work of George Clooney and his friends and associates.  Last year the UCT was abysmal at suggesting possibilities, but remember that 2013 when the UCT was actually fairly prophetic: "12 Years a Slave" and "Gravity".  So...it's a "so-so" tool at best but kind of fun...

So, start with Clooney himself.  Acting wise, he's involved with a couple of films that might be Telluride worthy: "Money Monster" directed by Jodie Foster that almost certainly is unready (IMDb says it is till filming and isn't "expected until Mar. 31) and "Hail, Caesar" the Coen Brothers (also members of The UCT) film that is set for Feb. 5, 2016 release.

I'd really love "Caesar" to be surprise at T-ride...but it's not likely.

Much more likely is a film that Clooney is a producer on which David Gordon Green's "Our Brand is Crisis"  The film stars (and is also being produced by) Sandra Bullock.  The film is distributed by Warners and I actually think there's a real shot for it to play on Labor Day weekend.

Next up in The UCT is Clooney pal and sometimes co-star Brad Pitt.  Pitt and his wife Angelina Jolie have a much anticipated film that they have done together and was directed by Jolie.  "By the Sea" is at Universal and is set for a Nov. 13th release.  Honestly, I think the film is more likely as a New York Film Fest possibility rather than Telluride...but you never know.

The third member of The UCT to mention is Matt Damon.  Unlike Clooney and Pitt, Damon has not made it to Telluride.  His big acting gig for this year is the upcoming "The Martian" from director Ridley Scott.  "The Martian" is distributed by 20th Century Fox and is scheduled for release on Oct. 2.  One could make the case that it could SHOW with a big splash as "Gravity" did a couple of years ago but I'd be very, very surprised.

Damon, like Clooney, might be more likely to be Telluride involved through hos producing as he is a producer for Kenneth Lonergan's "Manchester-by -the-Sea" which, although I don't think its T-ride chances are great, has a greater chance to make the lineup than "The Martian" does.

Then there's Damon's longtime friend and occasional collaborator Ben Affleck who is all about being Batman now in the upcoming "Batman vs. Superman" flick.  Affleck is also starring in "The Accountant" from Warners which has late January release date.  Warners could conceivably include it at T-ride with the roll out of "Black Mass".

Known Clooney accomplice Julia Roberts could show at The SHOW with "Secret in Their Eyes".

Cate Blanchett, another Clooney crony, has both "Truth" (which appears to be set for Telluride-see above) and "Carol" (which may not be as solid for Telluride as I have been thinking-also see above).

Of course, Clooney pal Don Cheadle is off the T-ride chart with his Miles Davis biopic that has been announced as the world premiere closing night film for the New York Film Fest.

Then there's Tilda Swinton who received a tribute at Telluride the same year as Clooney and has been in a number of films with Clooney and/or other UCT members: "Michael Clayton", "Hail, Caesar", "Burn After Reading", "Benjamin Button".  She's in "A Bigger Splash" which could be in the TFF #42 lineup.

Best UCT Telluride chances this year are:

1) "Truth" (Blanchett)
2) "Carol" (also Blanchett)
3) "Our Brand is Crisis" (Clooney)
4) "Manchester-by-the-Sea (Damon)
5) "Secret in Their Eyes" (Roberts)

THIS WOULD BE A SHOCKER

Roger Freidman's ShowBiz411 posted this tasty rumor/tidbit over the weekend: the Warren Beatty Howard Hughes project could show up at one of the three upcoming festivals...including Telluride.

The story seems unlikely, but I guess it's possible.  Freidman cites a "source close to the production" who also is reported to have claimed that if it were to show at Venice, Toronto or Telluride that it might well be a "surprise" screening.

That would be a stunning coup for any of the fests as the project is shrouded in mystery.

Here's the IMDb page for the untitled film:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1974420/?ref_=ttrel_rel_tt

and the link to the Freidman post:

http://www.showbiz411.com/2015/07/24/warren-beattys-howard-hughes-movie-may-surface-at-fall-film-festival



Leave a comment 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

"Rosewater" has a Date/Best of the Week: Ten Bets #6; Toronto's Second Wave; Brit Producers; French Producers; Unified Clooney Theory; Homesman; Birdman; Bad News?; Interstellar

Hello from Crested Butte, Colorado on a Saturday...

"ROSEWATER" HAS A RELEASE DATE

Director Jon Stewart on the set of "Rosewater" (via Ioncinema.com)

HitFix's Kris Tapley reports that Jon Stewart's "Rosewater" has a release date in early November.  Tapley also suggests that a Telluride screening is likely in the cards for the film which stars Gael Garcia Bernal.  Here's the story:

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/jon-stewarts-passion-project-rosewater-gets-a-november-release-date#Ptp8beD6TeLRDoyL.99

And "Rosewater's" IMDb page is here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2752688/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1


BEST OF THE WEEK


TEN BETS #6

If we're reading the Toronto tea leaves correctly, we may may have the best idea of the Telluride lineup beforehand ever.

Last week's "Ten Bets":

10) Leviathan
9) Two Days, One Night
8) Rosewater
7) The Imitation Game
6) Wild Tales
5) Queen of the Desert
4) Wild
3) Birdman
2) Mr. Turner
1) Foxcatcher

This week's "Ten Bets" plus a couple...

12) Red Army

11) The Look of Silence

10) Two Days, One Night

9) Leviathan

8) Rosewater

7) Wild Tales

6) Wild

5) The Imitation Game

4) Queen of the Desert

3) Mr. Turner

2) Foxcatcher

1) Birdman

TORONTO'S SECOND WAVE

Tuesday morning the Toronto International Film Festival announced its second wave of titles and again, reading between the lines, we can make some educated guesses about films that will have appeared at Telluride prior to TIFF...Here's what I can surmise:

In the Documentaries section:

There appear to be three or four of TIFF's announced docs that look to be Telluride bound:

Joshua Oppenhimer's "The Look of Silence"
Gabe Polsky's "Red Army"
Robert Kenner's "Merchants of Doubt"


These three appear solid as they are listed as Canadian Premieres.  Ethan Hawke's "Seymour: An Introduction" is listed as an International Premiere and I can't find an instance of it having played yet anywhere else.

Frederick Wiseman's "National Gallery" which I had considered a real Telluride possibility, looks like it will not play at The SHOW.

In the Masters section it appears that we can plan to see Andrey Zvyaginsyev's "Leviafan" (Leviathan) as I have suspected since Cannes.  It is listed as a Canadian premiere.

It also seems we can write off Roy Andersson's "A Pigeon Sat on a Branch...", "Jean Luc Goddard's "Goodbye to Language" and Michael Winterbottom's "The Face of an Angel" as they are all listed as either World or North American premieres.

In the Vanguard and Midnight madness sections there are a couple of films that are listed as International premieres but I'm not prepared to claim any status for them regarding Telluride.  There are two films with Canadian premieres listed but they both played Sundance.

So, ultimately, we believe we know at least four more titles that are probably Telluride bound after this morning's TIFF announcement.

You can check the entire list of new films announced this morning form TIFF here from IndieWire:

http://www.indiewire.com/article/tiff-adds-ethan-hawke-robert-kenner-docs-announces-masters-midnight-madness-and-vanguard-programs-20140729


BRIT PRODUCERS

For the last couple of summers I have included an analysis of certain European production companies focusing on the Brits and the French companies that are consistently connected to films that end up on the Telluride playlist.  I'm doing it again this week beginning with some of the British companies.

BBC FILMS

Here's what I have been able to track down from the last half decade vis-a-vis BBC Films at Telluride:

2008: Millions
2009: Fish Tank, Bright Star, An Education
2010: The First Grader, Tamara Drewe
2011: We Have to Talk About Kevin
2012: Ginger and Rosa
2013: The Invisible Woman

Up until Tuesday, the best guess I would have had for Telluride from what BBC Films has in its stable this year would have been Alan Rickman's "A Little Chaos" but that was announced as TIFF's closing night film so that's off the table now.  Perhaps the best BBC Film shot for Telluride this year is Michael Winterbottom's "The Face of an Angel" starring Kate Beckinsale and Daniel Bruhl.

Carol Morley's "The Falling" starring Greta Scacchi is also a possibility.

"The Face of an Angel's "IMDb page:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2967008/

BBC Film's IMDb page:

http://www.imdb.com/company/co0103694/?ref_=ttco_co_1


THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE

BFI's past Telluride history includes:

2012: Ginger and Rosa
2013: Under the Skin

They have some involvement with the already assumed Telluride title "Mr. Turner".  Additionally, BFI also has a hand in the above mentioned "The Falling".  An additional title that might have some legs for Telluride is Debbie Tucker Green's "Second Coming" starring Idris Elba.

The best BFI shot this year is probably Ken Loach's Cannes competition piece "Jimmy's Hall" that's being distributed here in the U.S. by Sony Pictures Classics.

"Jimmy's Hall's" IMDb page:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3110960/?ref_=ttco_co_tt


THE UK FILM COUNCIL

This British production house has an even more prevalent profile for Telluride over the past decade than BBC Films does, although they were shut out in 2012.

The UK Film Council track record over the past decade:

2003: Intermission, Touching the Void
2004: Enduring Love, Merchant of Venice
2006: Venus, The Last King of Scotland, Deep Water
2007: When Did You Last See Your Father, Brick Lane
2008: Happy-Go-Lucky
2009: Fish Tank, Bright Star
2010: Tamara Drewe, The King's Speech
2011: Shame, We Need to Talk About Kevin
2013: Under the Skin

Here's the thing...the UK Film Council has no film listed that seems remotely ready for a 2014 play date.

FILM4

Film4 has been a fairly constant presence at Telluride over the past few years and often when they are represented, they're represented with multiple titles:

2006: Deep Water
2007: When Did You Last See Your Father, Brick Lane
2008: Happy-Go-Lucky, Hunger, Slumdog Millionaire
2009:
2010: Another Year, Never Let Me Go
2011: Shame
2012:

2013: Under the Skin, 12 Years a Slave, Starred Up

This year, Film4 is associated with many titles that have the potential to play at TFF #41 including the all but certain Mike Leigh film "Mr. Turner".

Also in the Film4 basket:

"Slow West", "Suffragette", "Jimmy's Hall" and "Carol".  

There seem to be some questions about whether either "Suffragette" and "Carol" will be ready for a festival play.  "Jimmy's Hall" screened at Cannes, so it's clearly ready and "Slow West" has been listed on IMDb in post-production since December...so you'd think it should be ready.

Film4's IMDb page:

http://www.imdb.com/company/co0197272/?ref_=ttco_co_3

SEE-SAW FILMS

See-Saw has only been producing since 2009 but in that short time they have been a part of a few films that have made an impact at Telluride.  The first film they were associated with that made a splash at The SHOW was "The King's Speech" in 2010.  They were also involved with:

"Shame" in 2011 and 

"Tracks" in 2013.

In 2014, See-Saw has involvement with two Michael Fassbender starring vehicles: Justin Kurzel's "Macbeth" and John Maclean's "Slow West" (see above).  Macbeth also stars Marion Cotillard and is listed as being in post-production by IMDb as of April.  Could See-Saw be part of a Fassbender double play?  Possibly.  

Of the two, my guess is that "Slow West" might be the more likely play and that's based on nothing more than conjecture.  Note this, however:  Fassbender seemed to have a really great time in Telluride last year and he is an executive producer on the film.

And on a late note...it appears that Macbeth isn't ready to roll.  See the Thompson on Hollywood story below.

See-Saw's IMDb page:

http://www.imdb.com/company/co0230132/?ref_=ttco_co_1

FRENCH PRODUCERS

This week, I've been looking at the films coming with attachemnts to production companies in Europe that have had some presence at Telluride over the last decade or so.  Monday and Tuesday it was the British and today and tomorrow I'll be looking at French production houses and the films that they have been a part of that might be Telluride bound.

CANAL+

Look at the history of Canal+ as a producer of films that played at Telluride over the last decade:

2003: The Barbarian Invasions, Dogville, Love Me If You Dare, The Tripletts of Belleville
2004: The Weeping Meadow
2005: The Child, Cache, Lemming, Live and Become
2006: Volver, Indigenes, The Page Turner
2007: The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, Terror's Advocate, Jellyfish
2008: With a Little Help From Myself, I've Loved You So Long
2009: Farewell, Coco Before Chanel, A Prophet, The White Ribbon
2010: The Illusionist, Carlos, Of Gods and Men, The Princess of Montpensier
2011: Crazy Horse, Albert Nobbs, Goodbye First Love, The Kid with a Bike, The Artist, Le Havre
2012: Rust and Bone, Superstar, The Attack
2013: Blue is the Warmest Color", Le Maison de la Radio", "The Past"

There are a title or two that we can eliminate from the Canal+ canon as Telluride material based on what we know from Toronto's announcements.  However, still in play are "Clouds of Sils Maria", "The Blue Room". "Bird People" and "Two Days, One Night".


STUDIO CANAL

Another French production outfit that sometimes plays at Telluride is StudioCanal.  Look at their ten year Telluride track record:

2003: Young Adam, Love Me If You Dare
2004:
2005: Cache
2006: Indigines, Catch a Fire
2007:
2008:
2009:
2010: The Princess of Montpensier
2011:
2012: Love, Marilyn
2013: Inside Llewyn Davis

2014 seems to be a fairly sketchy title list for Studio Canal.  "Before I Go to Sleep" starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth is a way, way outside shot.  Also with a very outside shot "El Nino" starring Ian McShane. Nothing else on their schedule appears to be likely.  This may be one of thise years where StudioCanal just doesn't have a play at Telluride.


FRANCE2 CINEMA

Here are the films from France2 Cinema that have played Telluride in recent years:

2006: Indigenes
2009: A Prophet, Coco Before Chanel
2010: The Princess of Montpensier
2011: The Kid with a Bike
2012: Rust and Bone

2013: Blue is the Warmest Color

As you can see, about one film per year plays that has been co-produced by France 2.  This year, their best chances are two Cannes films (and one of them is a pretty good chance, I think):  "Two Days, One Night" and "Bird People".  I have a strong feeling that "Two Days" makes the T-ride lineup.

FRANCE 3 CINEMA

2003: Dogville, The Tripletts of Belleville
2004:
2005: Lemming, Live and Become, Cache
2006: The Page Turner, Indigenes
2007: The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, Persepolis
2008: I've Loved You So Long
2009: The White Ribbon
2010: The Illusionist, The Princess of Montpensier, Of Gods and Men
2011: The Artist
2012: Superstar, Amour
2013: The Past

Though France3 has had a larger profile than France2 at Telluride over the past few years, their pool of films this year seems thin with no one film standing out as a likely suspect.

Perhaps "Le Temps des Aveux" or, more likely "Caricaturistes, fantassins de la démocratie" the documentary about cartoonists and democracy that played at Cannes.



ARTE FRANCE CINEMA

Another Franco production outfit that has had persistent presence in Telluride is arte France Cinema.  Their track record looks like this:

2003: Dogville
2004: The Weeping Meadow
2005: The Child, Cache, Paradise Now
2006: Day Night Day Night
2008: O'Horten
2011: Le Havre, Goodbye First Love
2012:
2013: Le Maison de la Radio, The Lunchbox

After no Telluride presence in 2012, arte France Cinema came back in 2013 fairly strong.  In 2014 their best chance at playing Telluride is the yet unannounced for any fall fest, Olivier Assayas' Cannes competition piece "Clouds of Sils Maria" starring Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart and Chloe Grace Moretz.

As we haven't seen it in Toronto's list yet, I am inching a little closer to thinking that it could actually play at Telluride and, perhaps a Juliette Binoche tribute?


CINECINEMA/CINE+

CineCinema changed over to Cine+ within the last three years or so but it's all the same.  This production company has often been represented at Telluride over the last few years:

2005: Lemming, Live and Become
2006: The Page Turner, Indigenes
2007: The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
2008: With a Little Help from Myself
2009: Farewell, Coco Before Chanel, A Prophet, Inferno
2010: The Illusionist, The Princess of Montpensier, Of Gods and Men
2011: Goodbye First Love, The Kid with a Bike, Le Havre, The Artist
2012: Rust and Bone, Superstar, The Attack, Amour
2013: The Past, Blue is the Warmest Color, Le Maison de la Radio

Cine+ has four projects that they're involved in that could well make the Telluride playlist:  "The Blue Room", "Bird People", "Two Days, One Night" and "Clouds of Sils Maria".

THE UNIFIED CLOONEY THEORY

I proposed "The Unified Clooney Theory" a couple of years ago as a different hypothesis to test possible Telluride films.  Does it always work?  Nope.  Does it often work?  I wouldn't even say that.  .t get lucky every now and then?  That's probably the best way to put it.

The UCT posits that by focusing on Clooney and his "known associates" (as law enforcement might call them) we can sometimes nail down a film or two that could play at Telluride.

The UCT last year suggested both "Gravity" and "12 Years a Slave" might make a Telluride appearance so what's The UCT suggest for this year?

Well, no Clooney...that's for sure.  He's got zero projects as an actor, producer or director that are ready for a Telluride play.

But Clooney KA (known associate) Brad Pitt is loaded up as the star of David Ayers "Fury" which could play.  I put its chances at 10%.  Pitt is also a producer on the Jonah Hill/James Franco collaboration "True Story" which at least one website had as a Telluride possible early on...I'd think it's in the 10% range.

Brad leads to KA and significant other Angelina Jolie and her "Unbroken" which I have at a 25% level of being in the Telluride lineup.  Also with "Unbroken" don't forget that another set of Clooney KA's, The Coen Brothers worked on the script.

Other members of The UCT we should look at?  How about "Oceans" 11-13 alum Don Cheadle?  Cheadle has a producer credit on "St. Vincent"...though, if you read yesterday's post...looks unlikely for T-ride.

Then there's Tim Blake Nelson whose "Clooneyness" stems from being cast within "Syriana" and "O Brother Where Art Thou".  Nelson is in "Kill the Messenger" starring Jeremy Renner which is still unclaimed by any fall film fest.  Nelson also has his own project reportedly in the can.  His "Anesthesia" could conceivably make a Telluride appearance.  I give "Messenger" a 15% shot and "Anesthesia" about a 10% chance to make the T-ride field.


Maybe semi-Clooney-ite Cate Blanchett shows at The SHOW in Todd Haynes "Carol".  Chances are 15%.

There could be other members of The UCT I need to think about...and as/if I do, I'll pass them along.

MAYBE MAKE ROOM FOR "THE HOMESMAN"

I have been reluctant since Cannes to really think that Tommy Lee Jones sophomore directorial effort "The Homesman", starring the irascible Mr. Jones and two time Oscar winner Hillary Swank, was a high-likelihood Telluride possibility but a Hollywood Reporter story out yesterday is making me reconsider.

Pamela McClintock writes that: "its likely to get a coveted slot at Telluride" in the story about upstart Saban Films plans to position the film for Oscar season.

I had put it on the back burner of T-ride possibles owing to its mixed reviews out of Cannes, the lack of a Saban Films history with...well...any festival and the fact that Jones hasn't ever been to TFF.  Now, if THR has it right,  all of that may change.

Check the complete story from THR here:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/saban-films-makes-key-marketing-722586


NEW LOOK AT "BIRDMAN"

Fox Searchlight dropped a new trailer for Alejandro Inarritu's "Birdman" yesterday.  I still fully expect the film to make the Telluride lineup.  Here's the new trailer

via YouTube

And an accompanying story from IndieWire:

http://www.indiewire.com/article/watch-new-birdman-trailer-proves-michael-keaton-is-a-god-in-underpants-20140731

and also from HitFix:

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/michael-keaton-exorcizes-his-batman-demons-in-international-birdman-trailer

BAD NEWS ON THE ST. VINCENT AND VIOLENT YEAR FRONTS

"St. Vincent" photo via yahoo.com

Deadline.com reported yesterday that a Toronto World Premiere Gala is all but a done deal for "St. Vincent" starring Bill Murray.  I have been holding out some hope that it and Murray would make the trip to Telluride but if the Mark Fleming, Jr. report is accurate...it looks unlikely now.

Read the story from Deadline.com here:

http://m.deadline.com/2014/07/mr-bill-murray-toronto-st-vincent-gala-but-cannot-find-you/

And speaking of bad news...there's some buzz that J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year" which I was thinking was a pretty good Telluride bet (and I was hoping would make the trip as well) may not be ready in time for the festival.

Gotta say that I'm bummed if both of these films miss the fest.

NEW INTERSTELLAR TRAILER

Much was made of the reveal at Comic Con last week by Christopher Nolan of a new trailer for his "Interstellar".  The film remains a way way outside possibility for Telluride, although I've become all but convinced that it won't happen.  Nevertheless, the new trailer can be accessed at the official Interstellar website by typing in the access code 7201969...the date U.S. astronauts landed on the moon.  Here's the site:

http://www.interstellarmovie.com/

It's a cool trailer too.

Ten Bets #6/Maybe Make Room for "The Homesman"/New Look at "Birdman"/And the Crowd Goes Wild/A Herzog Retrospective/The Unified Clooney Theory

Good Friday from Crested Butte, Colorado

Flying Shows Art Studio (that's the wife...check here http://flyingshoesstudio.blogspot.com/ ) is in Crested Butte for the 42nd Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival ( http://crestedbutteartsfestival.com/ ) .  Come by and see us...we're in Booth #23.  It's not Telluride but it's close...geographically speaking.

TEN BETS #6

If we're reading the Toronto tea leaves correctly, we may may have the best idea of the Telluride lineup beforehand ever.

Last week's "Ten Bets":

10) Leviathan
9) Two Days, One Night
8) Rosewater
7) The Imitation Game
6) Wild Tales
5) Queen of the Desert
4) Wild
3) Birdman
2) Mr. Turner
1) Foxcatcher

This week's "Ten Bets" plus a couple...

12) Red Army

11) The Look of Silence

10) Two Days, One Night

9) Leviathan

8) Rosewater

7) Wild Tales

6) Wild

5) The Imitation Game

4) Queen of the Desert

3) Mr. Turner

2) Foxcatcher

1) Birdman

MAYBE MAKE ROOM FOR "THE HOMESMAN"

I have been reluctant since Cannes to really think that Tommy Lee Jones sophomore directorial effort "The Homesman", starring the irascible Mr. Jones and two time Oscar winner Hillary Swank, was a high-likelihood Telluride possibility but a Hollywood Reporter story out yesterday is making me reconsider.

Pamela McClintock writes that: "its likely to get a coveted slot at Telluride" in the story about upstart Saban Films plans to position the film for Oscar season.

I had put it on the back burner of T-ride possibles owing to its mixed reviews out of Cannes, the lack of a Saban Films history with...well...any festival and the fact that Jones hasn't ever been to TFF.  Now, if THR has it right,  all of that may change.

Check the complete story from THR here:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/saban-films-makes-key-marketing-722586


NEW LOOK AT "BIRDMAN"

Fox Searchlight dropped a new trailer for Alejandro Inarritu's "Birdman" yesterday.  I still fully expect the film to make the Telluride lineup.  Here's the new trailer

via YouTube

And an accompanying story from IndieWire:

http://www.indiewire.com/article/watch-new-birdman-trailer-proves-michael-keaton-is-a-god-in-underpants-20140731

and also from HitFix:

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/michael-keaton-exorcizes-his-batman-demons-in-international-birdman-trailer

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD

Last week I spent a little time musing on the "who" of the festival.  You know, the relatively smallish group of talent that will attend the fest to support this or that film.  Last year featured Robert Redford and the Coen Brothers as parts of tributes as well a giant chunk of the "12 Years a Slave" crew: Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Oscar winner Lupita N'yongo, Chiwetel Ejiofor.  Ralph Fiennes was there.

So, as I said, last week, I thought about who could make the trip this year. One response came from friend of the blog Eric Bialis who  tweeted out about the potential for Angelina Jolie to come in support of her "Unbroken" and Brad Pitt with "Fury".  Is it possible?  You bet. (I actually think if Angie shows up with "Unbroken" that Brad might just be there without "Fury"...maybe even a more likely scenario).

Would that make the small Colorado mining town a bit crazy?  Ummm...probably.

But imagine this not so crazy scenario...

R-Pat and K-Stew...

Of course I'm talking about Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.  The two stars of the now completed "Twilight" series of films would still generate a ton of buzz were they to be in Telluride at the same time.  Pattinson will almost certainly have at least one film playing the fest: Werner Herzog's "Queen of the Desert" and though it would seem more likely that if any talent attends from that film it would be Nicole Kidman...it's not impossible the Pattinson could make the trip as well.

Stewart could also make the weekend as a part of the crew for "Clouds of Sils Maria" should that film make the T-ride lineup...which, as I mentioned above, may be an increasing possibility.

Imagine the social media buzz...

A HERZOG RETROSPECTIVE

The Playlist has chronicled the career of Telluride institution Werner Herzog in a post that was up earlier this week. In light of the likelihood that "Queen of the Desert" is playing TFF #41, I have included that link here:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/the-films-of-werner-herzog-a-retrospective-20140729

So many of the films you'll find on the comprehensive list have played at previous fests.  Herzog fans should enjoy it.

THE UNIFIED CLOONEY THEORY

I proposed "The Unified Clooney Theory" a couple of years ago as a different hypothesis to test possible Telluride films.  Does it always work?  Nope.  Does it often work?  I wouldn't even say that.  .t get lucky every now and then?  That's probably the best way to put it.

The UCT posits that by focusing on Clooney and his "known associates" (as law enforcement might call them) we can sometimes nail down a film or two that could play at Telluride.

The UCT last year suggested both "Gravity" and "12 Years a Slave" might make a Telluride appearance so what's The UCT suggest for this year?

Well, no Clooney...that's for sure.  He's got zero projects as an actor, producer or director that are ready for a Telluride play.

But Clooney KA (known associate) Brad Pitt is loaded up as the star of David Ayers "Fury" which could play.  I put its chances at 10%.  Pitt is also a producer on the Jonah Hill/James Franco collaboration "True Story" which at least one website had as a Telluride possible early on...I'd think it's in the 10% range.

Brad leads to KA and significant other Angelina Jolie and her "Unbroken" which I have at a 25% level of being in the Telluride lineup.  Also with "Unbroken" don't forget that another set of Clooney KA's, The Coen Brothers worked on the script.

Other members of The UCT we should look at?  How about "Oceans" 11-13 alum Don Cheadle?  Cheadle has a producer credit on "St. Vincent"...though, if you read yesterday's post...looks unlikely for T-ride.

Then there's Tim Blake Nelson whose "Clooneyness" stems from being cast within "Syriana" and "O Brother Where Art Thou".  Nelson is in "Kill the Messenger" starring Jeremy Renner which is still unclaimed by any fall film fest.  Nelson also has his own project reportedly in the can.  His "Anesthesia" could conceivably make a Telluride appearance.  I give "Messenger" a 15% shot and "Anesthesia" about a 10% chance to make the T-ride field.


Maybe semi-Clooney-ite Cate Blanchett shows at The SHOW in Todd Haynes "Carol".  Chances are 15%.

There could be other members of The UCT I need to think about...and as/if I do, I'll pass them along.

More to come tomorrow including the Best of the Week.

Follow me on Twitter @Gort2

Salinger in Telluride?/How I Live Now Trailer/New Stuff from Saturday's Post

Good Monday Everyone...back from Colorado late last night and headed to my first In-Service for the new school year.  Bring it!


SALINGER IN T-RIDE?

Ioncinema tweeted yesterday that they believed the new documentary about J.D. Salinger from director Shane Solerno and The Weinstein Company would likely be a part of the Telluride lineup.
The tweet says, "Telluride slot?  J.D. Salinger doc from the Weinsteins will probably be in the lineup."

I've hedged my bets on this film simply because of the release date occurring so soon after Telluride concludes.  It's set to open Sept. 6th ( the Friday after T-ride ends.

That being said, the Ioncinema folks almost certainly have better info than I do.  Additionally, the film would definitely be on my list of films to see.  Although, ( if I have most if this stuff right)  I have to admit that my dance card is getting awfully full.

The "Salinger" trailer:

"Salinger's" IMDb page is here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596753/?ref_=sr_1

FROM THE OUTSIDE POSSIBILITY DEPT.

Kevin Mcdonald's new feature is an outside possibility for Telluride.  "How I Live Now" starring Saoirse Ronan premiered a trailer over the weekend.

 

I've also linked stories from The Playlist and FirstShowing:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-trailer-for-kevin-macdonalds-apocalyptic-how-i-live-now-starring-saoirse-ronan-tom-holland-20130809

http://www.firstshowing.net/2013/saoirse-ronan-in-first-trailer-for-kevin-macdonalds-how-i-live-now/

SATURDAY MATERIAL RE-POST...

New material I posted originally on Saturday...

THE UNIFIED CLOONEY THEORY; PART TWO

Earlier this week I proposed the "Unified Clooney Theory", a suggestion of the connective web between Clooney and many of his friends and a number of the films that have the potential to be a part of this year's Telluride program.  You can see that I've re-posted it above as a part of the "Best of the Week" segment.

Well...there's more.  Julia Roberts is another part of the UCT.  She's appeared with Clooney, Pitt and Damon in the Ocean films and will be getting a lot of notice in the Clooney produced "August: Osage County".  Many Oscar observers believe that she'll be a player in the awards conversation at the end of the year.

Tilda Swinton is another actress that is a part of the UCT and has a lively Telluride possibility or two.  Swinton appeared with Clooney in Michael Clayton and they were both tributed at Telluride the same year.  Swinton also has appeared with fellow UCT members Brad Pitt in "Benjamin Button" and both Clooney and Pitt in the Coen Brothers "Burn After Reading"  (Coens...more UCT!)

Swinton is set to appear in Terry Gilliam's "The Zero Theorem" (with UCT member Matt Damon) and Jim Jarmusch's "Only Lovers Left Alive".  Both of those have some level of Telluride potential.

And we can't forget Cate Blanchett in this feminine examination of the Unified Clooney Theory.  Blanchett who is currently basking in breathless reviews for her performance in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine" has had her moments in Clooney-land.  Blanchett is, of course, the female lead in Pitt's "Benjamin Button" and also plays the lead in the Steven Soderberg directed and Clooney  starrer "The Good German".  Blanchett has Clooney's "The Monuments Men" in the can (or nearly so) as well as co-starring as Pitt's wife in "Babel".  Blanchett also appeared in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" with Matt Damon.

Again, as with the male version of the UCT, the chances of all of these films playing and all of these women being in Telluride is very unlikely...actually, my guess is that Swinton and "only Lovers" is your best chance.  But, again, they're all possible at least to varying degrees.

COME AND PLAY

We're still ironing out details but you can be sure that you have a personal invitation to the Third Guide to the Ride, Flow of the Show.  Tentative plans look like we'll be moving the soiree to Thursday (the opening day if the fest).  I expect to host again at The River Club (550 Depot St. in Telluride).  Time and duration are still being ironed out.  Keep an eye on the blog for more details as we get closer to Festival time.

RANKING THE FILMS

For the second year Michael's Telluride Film Blog is putting together an array of Film Critics, blogger and Experts who have agreed to offer their ratings of the films that they see during the festival.  i'll be collating that information and passing it on to you.  

Among the fine film folk that have agreed to particiapate are :

Alex Billington/FirstShowing

Scott Feinberg/The Hollywood Reporter

Scott Foundas/Variety

Eric Kohn/IndieWire

Eugene Novikov/Film Blather

Kristopher Tapley/InContention-HitFix

Sasha Stone/Awards Daily

I have other invitations out and hopes that we'll have more players in this endeavor.

ALSO...

As I did last year, I want YOUR ratings too.  As we move through the festival in a few weeks, I'm inviting you to rank the films you see from 0 to 5 and email those ratings to me at either:

michael_speech@hotmail.com or

mpgort@gmail.com

It should be fun!

PHILOMENA TRAILER

Judi Dench and Steve Coogan star in Stephen Frears "Philomena".  dench is reportedly fantastic in this film about a woman looking for the son she surrendered fro adoption when she was young.  "Philomena" dropped a trailer yesterday.

Here it is:

Follow/Like Michael's Telluride Film Blog on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter @Gort2.

More on Tuesday...