1-20 of 32 items from 2009 « Prev | Next »
27 December 2009 9:03 PM, PST | The Hollywood Interview | See recent The Hollywood Interview news »
Best Films Of The Decade (aka The Naughties) From Alex & Terry
List # 1
By Alex Simon
When Terry and I initially discussed writing these lists, I had a tough time thinking back on 20 films over the past decade which I was really taken with, thinking that movies have sunk so low over the past ten years, that even choosing a dozen would be a short-order job. Thirty minutes into it, my list had nearly 60 titles! After much cutting, pasting, and re-cutting and pasting, here are my top 20 films (in no particular order) of the first decade of the 21st century, dubbed by many as “the naughties.” --A.S.
1.No Country for Old Men (Coen Brothers, 2007) An elegiac blend of stark beauty and full-throttle despair from two of our finest filmmakers, set in the contemporary American West. Every frame is damn near flawless, and would have been an even more perfect vehicle for the late Sam Peckinpah. »
- The Hollywood Interview.com
12 December 2009 6:25 PM, PST | ioncinema | See recent ioncinema news »
The good news is that a handful of films that I predicted that would be at the fest and that I wanted to see (Blue Valentine, Happythankyoumoreplease, Hesher, Howl, Sympathy for Delicious and Winter's Bone) have indeed been selected. - The good news is that a handful of films that I predicted that would be at the fest and that I wanted to see (Blue Valentine, Hesher, Howl, Happythankyoumoreplease, Sympathy for Delicious and Winter's Bone) have indeed been selected. Then there is a film in Zeina Durra's The Imperialists Are Still Alive! (see pic) that I had wanted to mention because of the delicious trailer, but didn't think would secure a spot. And then there there are a bunch of films flying so low on the radar that'll be a pleasure to discover what and who there all about (Drake Doremus's Douchebag, Ryan Piers Williams' The Dry Land, »
8 December 2009 2:49 AM, PST | Twitch | See recent Twitch news »
The man with the most famous circumflex in Australian filmmaking - and the bane of sub-editors everywhere - David Michôd, bounced back into headlines again last week with the news that not one - but two - of his feature films have been accepted into Official Competition at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
Yes, that's right - both Michôd's feature directorial debut Animal Kingdom, a gangland movie set in the Melbourne criminal underworld, and Hesher, the Joseph Gordon-Levitt-starring independent Us feature he co-wrote with director Spencer Susser, will screen at the Park City alpine festival in January.
Michôd first sprang to international attention after practically taking over the short film circuit in 2008 when Crossbow (which he wrote and directed) premiered at Sundance along with two other shorts he co-wrote, Nash Edgerton's Spider, and Spencer Susser's zombie film I Love Sarah Jane.
In 2009, the festival also screened another of his short films, »
4 December 2009 8:55 AM, PST | Collider.com | See recent Collider.com news »
With Sundance 2010 a little over a month away, over the next few weeks, we are going to be posting a ton of images from all the films premiering at the festival. While I’d love to tell you about the buzz on some of the Sundance films, almost none of them have been seen outside of the people at Sundance who make the decisions. That’s why posting these first look images is always so much fun, as this is the first time most of us have gotten any info on these movies and we can use the images and synopses to try and guess if the films will be good or bad. Of course with a film like Hesher (directed by Spencer Susser) - which stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Natalie Portman - I’m pretty sure this will be a film worth checking out. Hit the jump for the synopsis and the images. »
- Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub
4 December 2009 3:05 AM, PST | Rope of Silicon | See recent Rope Of Silicon news »
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Hesher I have plenty of images for films that will be showing at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, but I have been previewing so many images lately I don't want this site to turn into some sort of image machine where people don't read anymore so I am going to space them out a little bit. However, when I have your first look at Natalie Portman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Spencer Susser's Hesher it seems a little silly to hold out.
The film is written by Susser and David Michod from a story by Brian Charles Frank, in which an awkward 13-year-old boy living with his pill-popping father (Rainn Wilson) and grandmother. His mother recently passed away and a loser twenty-something named Hesher (Gordon-Levitt) has entered the young man's life serving as both a good and bad influence. Portman, who is producing the film with Lucy Cooper, »
- Brad Brevet
3 December 2009 1:00 PM, PST | LatinoReview | See recent LatinoReview news »
Sundance released their slate for 2010. It includes:43 documentaries on the Middle East12 films about friends who 'discover' something33 movies about people you've never heard about1 comedyHopefully the lineup this year is strong but it doesn't look that way compared to last year. Last year we had Push (Precious), that Lil Wayne documentary that never went anywhere, Mystery Team which might make my top ten, Moon, Mike Tyson documentary, Cold Souls. Just so much last January that was excellent. I hope I don't go out therer and freeze my tail off just to see...I don't know, a documentary about a former Pakistani prime minister or something silly like that.Here's the lineup so far: Premieres To showcase the diversity to contemporary independent cinema, the Sundance Film Festival Premieres section offers the latest work from American and international directors as well as world premieres of highly anticipated films. Presented by Entertainment Weekly. »
3 December 2009 5:47 AM, PST | ReelLoop.com | See recent Reel Loop news »
I feel a special bond with the Sundance Film Festival. Not because I’ve been there, but because the guy in charge of it this year, John Cooper, shares my name. Because we share this bond, I feel that I’m able to take license in referring to the man as Coop for the rest of this article.
For the annual event held in Park City, Utah from January 21-31, thousands of films are submitted and screened — this year, 3,724 films were viewed by the festival’s ten programmers. I wonder when they slept.
Coop has high hopes for the festival as a whole:
“We may even be going into a golden age for independent films, in that the technology will make it possible for the films to be made and for audiences to see them. The industry is going through a major evolutionary stage right now, there’s no doubt about that, »
- John Cooper
3 December 2009 2:55 AM, PST | icelebz.com | See recent iCelebz news »
The romantic comedy "Love Happens" starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download on February 2 of 2010, just in time for Valentine's Day.
The movie tells the story of a self-help author Dr. Burke Ryan (Eckhart) who arrives in Seattle to teach a sold-out seminar. But the therapist who asks his patients to openly confront their pain is secretly unable to take his own advice. Eloise Chandler (Aniston) has sworn off men and decided to focus on her floral business. However, when she meets Burke at the hotel where he's speaking, the two are instantly attracted. But will two people who have met the right person at exactly the wrong time be able to give love another chance?
The Blu-ray and DVD will offer several additional features. Commentaries with director and co-writer Brandon Camp, producer and co-writer Mike Thompson and executive producer Rick Solomon are included. »
2 December 2009 11:41 PM, PST | LatinoReview | See recent LatinoReview news »
Sundance released their slate for 2010. It includes:43 documentaries on the Middle East12 films about friends who 'discover' something33 movies about people you've never heard about1 comedyHopefully the lineup this year is strong but it doesn't look that way compared to last year. Last year we had Push (Precious), that Lil Wayne documentary that never went anywhere, Mystery Team which might make my top ten, Moon, Mike Tyson documentary, Cold Souls. Just so much last January that was excellent. I hope I don't go out therer and freeze my tail off just to see...I don't know, a documentary about a former Pakistani prime minister or something silly like that.Here's the lineup so far: U.S. Documentary Competition This year’s 16 films were selected from 862 submissions. Each film is a world premiere. Bhutto(Directors: Jessica Hernandez and Johnny O'Hara; Screenwriter: Johnny O'Hara)—A riveting journey through the life and work of recently assassinated Benazir Bhutto, »
2 December 2009 8:36 PM, PST | newsinfilm.com | See recent newsinfilm news »
The Sundance Film Festival has unveiled the lineup of films playing in competition from January 21 through January 31, 2010. The early fest typically debuts some of the best films the year has to offer, like 2009’s Precious, (500) Days of Summer, and Moon.
I’m bummed I won’t be in Park City, Utah next month because the lineup looks great, and these are just the films playing in competition. Here’s a few that stood out to me:
The Allen Ginsberg trial film Howl starring James Franco, a documentary by Alex Gibney (a truly great filmmaker) on Jack Abramoff, Mark Ruffalo’s directorial debut Sympathy for Delicious, a doc about Joan Rivers, the directorial debut of “How I Met Your Mother” star Josh Radnor titled Happythankyoumoreplease (I wrote a glowing script review of it here), Hesher with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Natalie Portman, and Blue Valentine starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.
I »
- Jeff Leins
2 December 2009 6:02 PM, PST | WeAreMovieGeeks.com | See recent WeAreMovieGeeks.com news »
Sundance Film Festival 2010 is a little over a month away and that means we can now bring you a list of the competition films that will be playing. Here you go boys and girls… enjoy!
Documentary Competition
“Blue Valentine” – Directed by Derek Cianfrance, written by Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne and Joey Curtis, a portrait of an American marriage that charts the evolution of a relationship over time. With Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mike Vogel, John Doman. “Douchebag” – Directed by Drake Doremus, written by Lindsay Stidham, Doremus, Jonathan Schwartz and Andrew Dickler, in which a man about to be married takes his younger brother on a wild goose chase to find the latter’s fifth-grade girlfriend. Features Dickler, Ben York Jones, Marguerite Moreau, Nicole Vicius, Amy Ferguson, Wendi McClendon-Covey. “The Dry Land” – Directed and written by Ryan Piers Williams, in which a returning U.S. soldier tries to reconcile his experiences overseas with his life in Texas. »
- Scott
2 December 2009 3:19 PM, PST | Rope of Silicon | See recent Rope Of Silicon news »
Photo: Sundance Today the Sundance Institute announced the films that will be in competition at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in both the U.S. and International dramatic and documentary categories. The festival will run from January 21-31 in Park City, Utah. There are a few changes this year as there will be no opening-night picture and the festival will take select festival films to eight cities during as the fest plays out.
Last year notable films such as this year's major Oscar contenders Precious and An Education debuted at Sundance 2009 as did audience and critical favorite (500) Days of Summer.
As for this year's crop I have highlighted a few titles among the list below in red, but I have primarily done so considering the names attached to the pictures not necessarily based on any advanced buzz I've heard around any of the films. Names to look out for include Ryan Gosling, »
- Brad Brevet
2 December 2009 3:00 PM, PST | MTV Movies Blog | See recent MTV Movies Blog news »
I've been fortunate enough to attend Sundance Film Festival for the past two years, and it's quite an experience. I tend to spend my time there gorging on as many movies as possible. In my two trips and 10 cumulative days spent in Park City, Ut, I've seen roughly 50 screenings. Not even as press really; writing would consume too much time.
Sundance 2010 is going to be different: either I'll be here manning the blog or out in Utah seeing only the occasional movie while participating in MTV's ongoing coverage. And manning the blog, of course. After looking at the competition lineup, just released today, I'm very much hoping that I'll be able to attend. There are some cool-looking movies in contention, and many more yet to be announced that aren't competing. Hit the jump to check out some of the highlights and then head over to the Sundance website for the full list. »
- Adam Rosenberg
2 December 2009 2:15 PM, PST | Collider.com | See recent Collider.com news »
The Sundance Film Festival is where some of the great films of the year will get their first viewings, and if you don’t believe me, here’s just some of the great films this year that made their debut at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival: Precious, World’s Greatest Dad, Big Fan, Bronson, Moon and even (500) Days of Summer, which I didn’t care for but made a big splash.
The festival is where buzz starts happening and now Sundance has released the list of which films will be in competition for 2010. Keep in mind that there are plenty of other films which play out of competition and can be just as great. But some of the big names fighting for the crown are the Allen Ginsberg obscenity trial film Howl starring General Hospital’s James Franco, Hesher starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo’s directing debut Sympathy for Delicious, »
- Matt Goldberg
2 December 2009 1:12 PM, PST | QuietEarth.us | See recent QuietEarth news »
And the first announcement is upon us and includes quite a few movies we've already reported on.. What does that include?
The incredible looking Estonian drama The Temptation of St. Tony for which we got the exclusive trailer on a while ago. It's by Veiko Õunpuu who did the incredible Sügisball and I'm greatly looking forward to seeing this.
From Spencer Susser, the director of the incredible zombie short I love Sarah Jane comes Hesher, his first feature which stars Jgl!
David Michôd's Australian thriller Animal Kingdom which stars Guy Pearce.
From Taiki Waititi, director of Eagle vs Shark comes Boy which we previously reported on, but then it was known as The Volcano.
Full list after the break!
U.S. Documentary Competition
This year’s 16 films were selected from 862 submissions. Each film is a world premiere.
Bhutto (Directors: Jessica Hernandez and Johnny O'Hara; Screenwriter: Johnny O'Hara)—A riveting »
2 December 2009 12:00 PM, PST | The Hollywood Reporter | See recent The Hollywood Reporter news »
Although the Sundance Film Festival might have tried to wring some extra sunshine from its selections last year, the 2010 lineup looks to be back to its typical mirthless self. One could say it has gone from "You gotta give 'em hope" to "You gotta give 'em mope."
"That's our filmmakers," festival director John Cooper said with an amused mix of pride and resignation. "There's some lightness in here somewhere."
Yes, it's wedged back behind the assassinations, political corruption, war carnage, crumbling educational system and Khmer Rouge revelations. The fest, which runs Jan. 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah, might start to feel like 11 Days of Glummer.
But perhaps that's to be expected. The implosion of the independent distribution system amid the ever-present threats of a maimed economy and two wars has provided festival organizers and filmmakers an opportunity to cut loose and follow their probing passions, »
- By Jay A. Fernandez
2 December 2009 10:01 AM, PST | FilmSchoolRejects.com | See recent FilmSchoolRejects news »
Fargo (1996) I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper. Synopsis Facing a mountain of debt, Minneapolis car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) hires thugs Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) and Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife Jean (Kristin Rudrüd) and ransom her for money from his wealthy father-in-law Wade (Harve Presnell). When Carl and Gaear leave three bodies in their wake on the car ride to their hideout in Brainerd, Minnesota, the pregnant local police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) gets involved in the case. Why We Love It When he first reviewed it in 1996, Roger Ebert wrote “films like Fargo are why I love the movies.” I couldn’t say it any better myself. The crowning achievement in the illustrious careers of Joel and Ethan Coen, it’s the movie that most fully displays their preternatural knack for blending insightful character depictions with a keen sense of the ways genre work. It »
- Robert Levin
24 September 2009 6:39 PM, PDT | Digital Media Law | See recent Digital Media Law news »
In a victory for the SAG moderate coalition (Unite for Strength / Usan / independents), the Ufs candidates for president, Ken Howard, and secretary, Amy Aquino, won the union's national offices.
However, the election was close: Howard's total was slightly less than the two hardline candidates added together (Anne-Marie Johnson and Seymour Cassel) and Aquino's was slightly more than that of incumbent Connie Stevens. So the union is still very divided, and Howard acknowledged that the results were not a landslide and that the union is very divided, while saying that he planned to reach out to Mf supporters.
On the national board, the moderates showed strength as well: They picked up 4 of 11 seats in Hollywood and held all of the NY and regional (Rbd) seats. I estimate that this brings the moderate's board majority to around 60%, vs. 40% for Mf, but that's a very rough calculation and I'm not sure at this point. »
- jhandel@att.net (Jonathan Handel)
24 September 2009 5:00 AM, PDT | The Hollywood Reporter | See recent The Hollywood Reporter news »
There are surely more conflicts to come, but the Screen Actors Guild membership on Thursday night settled a big one: Ken Howard has been elected the union's new national president.
Running mate Amy Aquino beat two-time incumbent Connie Stevens in the race for secretary-treasurer. Howard and Aquino will serve two-year terms beginning Friday.
For the moment, at least, the outcomes indicate that a winning 47.2% of the voting segment of SAG's roughly 120,000 members prefers the less strident approach of the self-styled moderate wing of the party represented by Unite for Strength.
Howard collected 12,895 votes, or 3,989 more than MembershipFirst candidate Anne-Marie Johnson, who received 32.6% of the 27,295 votes cast. Independents Seymour Cassel and Asmar Muhammad garnered 17.7% and 1.5%, respectively, in their bid for the presidency.
Ufs came together last year in opposition and in January led a boardroom coup at SAG, installed new negotiators and salvaged a deal with Hollywood producers nearly a »
- By Jay A. Fernandez
18 September 2009 8:50 PM, PDT | screeninglog.com | See recent screeninglog news »
Seen on: September 18, 2009
The players: Director: Brandon Camp, Writers: Brandon Camp, Mike Thompson, Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler, John Carroll Lynch, Martin Sheen
Facts of interest: None.
The plot: A self-help author (Eckhart) who has troubles dealing with his own problems falls for a florist.
Our thoughts: Brandon Camp’s “Love Happens” is more of a tearjerker than a romance, and that’s certainly part of what’s wrong with the film. As awkward as it sounds, this movie would probably work a whole lot better without the love story, because at its core, it’s more about dealing with loss than falling in love. »
- Franck Tabouring
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