Movie News
Bill Kong is cautious, vastly experienced and has an impeccable reputation as a key gateway between Hollywood and China to maintain. He is someone far more likely to deadpan than gush.
So, to hear him getting into high gear with a pitch for his bucket list martial arts movie project “The Furious” immediately invites comparison with previous Kong-produced action pictures including Oscar-winner “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Jet Li’s Fearless” or the Zhang Yimou-directed “Hero.”
“I’m going to do an action movie that rocks the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give the film industry. I want to show that Asian people can still make an action movie that is better than the rest of the world,” Kong tells Variety.
Significantly, “The Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, rather than made in Hong Kong. Kong’s Edko Films is financing and producing.
So, to hear him getting into high gear with a pitch for his bucket list martial arts movie project “The Furious” immediately invites comparison with previous Kong-produced action pictures including Oscar-winner “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Jet Li’s Fearless” or the Zhang Yimou-directed “Hero.”
“I’m going to do an action movie that rocks the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give the film industry. I want to show that Asian people can still make an action movie that is better than the rest of the world,” Kong tells Variety.
Significantly, “The Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, rather than made in Hong Kong. Kong’s Edko Films is financing and producing.
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
A quartet of fast-rising British names are coming together for a buzzy new project launching at the Cannes market.
Bella Ramsey, Louis Partridge and Ruby Stokes are set to lead “Sunny Dancer,” the sophomore feature from George Jaques. Embankment Films is handling global pre-sales of the film, which it says showcases the “best of new British talent.”
“Sunny Dancer” follows Ivy (Ramsey), a teenager in remission from cancer, whose gloriously outspoken mum and well-intentioned dad insist she attend Children Run Free Camp, a summer retreat for young adults affected by cancer. The camp’s slogan, “Where kids come to kid,” does little to alleviate Ivy’s apprehension, and a quick Google search confirms her fears when she stumbles upon a cringeworthy promotional video filled with tacky messages and clichéd sunsets. As if conquering cancer wasn’t enough of a challenge, Ivy now faces the prospect of spending her summer at what she calls “chemo camp.
Bella Ramsey, Louis Partridge and Ruby Stokes are set to lead “Sunny Dancer,” the sophomore feature from George Jaques. Embankment Films is handling global pre-sales of the film, which it says showcases the “best of new British talent.”
“Sunny Dancer” follows Ivy (Ramsey), a teenager in remission from cancer, whose gloriously outspoken mum and well-intentioned dad insist she attend Children Run Free Camp, a summer retreat for young adults affected by cancer. The camp’s slogan, “Where kids come to kid,” does little to alleviate Ivy’s apprehension, and a quick Google search confirms her fears when she stumbles upon a cringeworthy promotional video filled with tacky messages and clichéd sunsets. As if conquering cancer wasn’t enough of a challenge, Ivy now faces the prospect of spending her summer at what she calls “chemo camp.
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
Fred Schepisi is set to direct Israel-based thriller “The Dimona Affair,” Variety has learned exclusively.
The project is based on the story of a whistleblower who claimed Israel was building a nuclear weapons program. (The country has always denied it has nuclear weapons).
After giving The Sunday Times of London a detailed interview about the program in the 1980s, causing an international scandal, “low level” Israeli nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu fled the country. He was then reportedly lured to Rome by a female Israeli secret service agent in a honeytrap operation where he was kidnapped and repatriated to Israel. Vanunu eventually stood trial for espionage and treason before being convicted and jailed.
Schepisi, whose last feature project was “Words and Pictures” starring Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche in 2013, is set to direct from a script penned by screenwriter and investigative journalist Morrie Rosmarin.
The director is best known for 1993 pic “Six Degrees of Separation...
The project is based on the story of a whistleblower who claimed Israel was building a nuclear weapons program. (The country has always denied it has nuclear weapons).
After giving The Sunday Times of London a detailed interview about the program in the 1980s, causing an international scandal, “low level” Israeli nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu fled the country. He was then reportedly lured to Rome by a female Israeli secret service agent in a honeytrap operation where he was kidnapped and repatriated to Israel. Vanunu eventually stood trial for espionage and treason before being convicted and jailed.
Schepisi, whose last feature project was “Words and Pictures” starring Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche in 2013, is set to direct from a script penned by screenwriter and investigative journalist Morrie Rosmarin.
The director is best known for 1993 pic “Six Degrees of Separation...
- 4/25/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety - Film News
Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” has added Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes to its cast.
The continuation of the “28 Days Later” franchise will be released in theaters globally by Sony Pictures. “28 Days Later” was released in 2002 and starred Cillian Murphy, then largely unknown. Boyle directed the feature, while Alex Garland wrote. A sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” was released in 2007.
Plot details are still being kept under wraps for the new screenplay, written by Garland. It will be part of an upcoming trilogy, for which Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the second film.
Boyle and Garland are producing, as is original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice. Bernie Bellew is also producing. Murphy is also returning as an executive producer, and is not currently attached to star.
Comer earned an Emmy for her work as Villanelle on “Killing Eve.” She will next be seen...
The continuation of the “28 Days Later” franchise will be released in theaters globally by Sony Pictures. “28 Days Later” was released in 2002 and starred Cillian Murphy, then largely unknown. Boyle directed the feature, while Alex Garland wrote. A sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” was released in 2007.
Plot details are still being kept under wraps for the new screenplay, written by Garland. It will be part of an upcoming trilogy, for which Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the second film.
Boyle and Garland are producing, as is original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice. Bernie Bellew is also producing. Murphy is also returning as an executive producer, and is not currently attached to star.
Comer earned an Emmy for her work as Villanelle on “Killing Eve.” She will next be seen...
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has set its lineup of narrative and documentary features for its 28th edition, including Jussie Smollett’s return to acting in “The Lost Holliday,” filmmaker Christine Swanson’s latest drama “Albany Road” and the acclaimed Luther Vandross doc “Never Too Much.”
This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF Play. Winners of film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy-nominee Dondré Whitfield.
The 2024 narrative lineup includes “Albany Road,” directed and written by Swanson, starring Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield and J. Alphonse Nicholson; “The Lost Holliday” directed by, co-written and starring Smollett alongside Vivica A. Fox, produced by Mona Scott-Young; “The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony and Quavo; and “Black Heat,...
This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF Play. Winners of film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy-nominee Dondré Whitfield.
The 2024 narrative lineup includes “Albany Road,” directed and written by Swanson, starring Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield and J. Alphonse Nicholson; “The Lost Holliday” directed by, co-written and starring Smollett alongside Vivica A. Fox, produced by Mona Scott-Young; “The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony and Quavo; and “Black Heat,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang will star in Bleecker Street and Shivhans Pictures’ remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 romantic comedy “The Wedding Banquet” from director Andrew Ahn.
Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar-winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen are also attached to star.
The reimagination of Lee’s Oscar-nominated film is based on a screenplay by Ahn and James Schamus. Schamus also co-wrote the original film with Lee and Neil Peng.
The film, which begins filming in May in Vancouver, follows what happens when Min’s boyfriend Chris rejects his marriage proposal. Min convinces his best friend Angela to marry him instead, paying for her partner Liz’s IVF treatments in exchange for his green card. However, things begin to unravel when Min’s grandmother makes a surprise trip from Seoul to throw the couple a Korean wedding banquet.
“It warms my heart to see how my film from so many years...
Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar-winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen are also attached to star.
The reimagination of Lee’s Oscar-nominated film is based on a screenplay by Ahn and James Schamus. Schamus also co-wrote the original film with Lee and Neil Peng.
The film, which begins filming in May in Vancouver, follows what happens when Min’s boyfriend Chris rejects his marriage proposal. Min convinces his best friend Angela to marry him instead, paying for her partner Liz’s IVF treatments in exchange for his green card. However, things begin to unravel when Min’s grandmother makes a surprise trip from Seoul to throw the couple a Korean wedding banquet.
“It warms my heart to see how my film from so many years...
- 4/25/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Aniston is ready to pour herself a cup of ambition.
Aniston and her Echo Films partner Kristin Hahn are producing a “9 to 5” reimagining for 20th Century Studios, Variety has confirmed.
The film is currently in development, with Diablo Cody working on the latest draft of the “9 to 5” reimagining. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
The original “9 to 5” follows three female office colleagues who decide to exact revenge on their sexist, egotistical boss. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman starred in the 1980 office satire, directed by Colin Higgins and written by Patricia Resnick. The hit comedy film spawned a sitcom of the same name, which aired on ABC from 1982 to 1983, and in first-run syndication from 1986 to 1988. Parton, Tomlin and Fonda participated in the 2022 documentary “Still Working 9 to 5,” which focuses on the impact of the classic film 40 years later.
Aniston and her Echo Films partner Kristin Hahn are producing a “9 to 5” reimagining for 20th Century Studios, Variety has confirmed.
The film is currently in development, with Diablo Cody working on the latest draft of the “9 to 5” reimagining. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
The original “9 to 5” follows three female office colleagues who decide to exact revenge on their sexist, egotistical boss. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman starred in the 1980 office satire, directed by Colin Higgins and written by Patricia Resnick. The hit comedy film spawned a sitcom of the same name, which aired on ABC from 1982 to 1983, and in first-run syndication from 1986 to 1988. Parton, Tomlin and Fonda participated in the 2022 documentary “Still Working 9 to 5,” which focuses on the impact of the classic film 40 years later.
- 4/25/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Multi award-winning Filipina actress Ruby Ruiz has landed her first major screen role following her appearance in Amazon’s “Expats.” She will lead “First Light,” the feature directorial debut of James. J. Robinson.
Principal photography is now underway on the Australian-Filipino co-production, which comes with funding from Screen Australia. Veteran actress Maricel Soriano (“Mother Nanny”), Rez Cortez (“Bukal”), Soliman Cruz (“Blue Room”) and Kidlat Tahimik round out the cast.
Set in the remote mountains of the Philippines, “First Light” sees the death of a young construction worker force an elderly nun to confront the muddied ethics of an institution she has dedicated her life to. The script, also by Robinson, is a deeply personal story exploring the intersection of duty, faith and institutional power.
“Developing ‘First Light’ over the past two years has been an incredibly profound journey into the heart of pre-colonial Filipino philosophy,” Robinson said. “To be able...
Principal photography is now underway on the Australian-Filipino co-production, which comes with funding from Screen Australia. Veteran actress Maricel Soriano (“Mother Nanny”), Rez Cortez (“Bukal”), Soliman Cruz (“Blue Room”) and Kidlat Tahimik round out the cast.
Set in the remote mountains of the Philippines, “First Light” sees the death of a young construction worker force an elderly nun to confront the muddied ethics of an institution she has dedicated her life to. The script, also by Robinson, is a deeply personal story exploring the intersection of duty, faith and institutional power.
“Developing ‘First Light’ over the past two years has been an incredibly profound journey into the heart of pre-colonial Filipino philosophy,” Robinson said. “To be able...
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
Sudanese first-timer Mohamed Kordofani’s “Goodbye Julia,” a timely morality tale that takes place just before the 2011 secession of South Sudan, and Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters” lead the way in nominations for the eighth edition of the Critics Awards for Arab films, winners of which will be announced during the Cannes Film Festival.
The first Sudanese film ever to screen in Cannes’ official selection, “Goodbye Julia” (pictured) is the story of two women — one from the North, the other from the South — who are brought together by fate in a complex relationship that attempts to reconcile differences between northern and southern Sudanese communities in the currently war-ravaged country.
The drama, which marked Kordofani’s debut, has scored nominations in seven categories of the Arab film awards, including best feature, director, screenplay, actress, actor and editing.
Ben Hania’s hybrid doc/drama “Four Daughters,” about an Arab...
The first Sudanese film ever to screen in Cannes’ official selection, “Goodbye Julia” (pictured) is the story of two women — one from the North, the other from the South — who are brought together by fate in a complex relationship that attempts to reconcile differences between northern and southern Sudanese communities in the currently war-ravaged country.
The drama, which marked Kordofani’s debut, has scored nominations in seven categories of the Arab film awards, including best feature, director, screenplay, actress, actor and editing.
Ben Hania’s hybrid doc/drama “Four Daughters,” about an Arab...
- 4/25/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - Film News
Magnify, the rebranded international sales arm of Magnolia Pictures, has acquired global and U.S. sales rights to “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” in the run up to its world premiere at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
Directed and co-writer by Tyler Taormina (“Ham on Rye”), the film stars Michael Cera (“Barbie”), Francesca Scorsese, Maria Dizzia (“Martha Marcy May Marlene”), Ben Shenkman (“Billions”), Elsie Fisher (“Eighth Grade”), Gregg Turkington (“Entertainment”), Sawyer Spielberg (“Masters of the Air”) breakout actor Matilda Fleming, among others.
Written by Taormina and Eric Berger, the film revolves around a rambunctious extended family descending upon their small Long Island hometown for the holidays where hijinks, generational squabbles, and family traditions ensue.
“Taormina takes a singular approach to the classic holiday family movie, bringing his absurdist humor and dynamic filmmaking to life with a charming and perfectly cast ensemble,” said Lorna Lee Torres, Magnify SVP of Global Sales. “We...
Directed and co-writer by Tyler Taormina (“Ham on Rye”), the film stars Michael Cera (“Barbie”), Francesca Scorsese, Maria Dizzia (“Martha Marcy May Marlene”), Ben Shenkman (“Billions”), Elsie Fisher (“Eighth Grade”), Gregg Turkington (“Entertainment”), Sawyer Spielberg (“Masters of the Air”) breakout actor Matilda Fleming, among others.
Written by Taormina and Eric Berger, the film revolves around a rambunctious extended family descending upon their small Long Island hometown for the holidays where hijinks, generational squabbles, and family traditions ensue.
“Taormina takes a singular approach to the classic holiday family movie, bringing his absurdist humor and dynamic filmmaking to life with a charming and perfectly cast ensemble,” said Lorna Lee Torres, Magnify SVP of Global Sales. “We...
- 4/25/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
Titans of the faith-based filmmaking industrial complex they helped to create, Kingdom Story Company founders Andrew and Jon Erwin built their brand on the Christian rock biopics “I Still Believe” and “I Can Only Imagine,” ultra-benign stories of faith, loss, and profit that rely on powerful songwriting to compensate for sermon-like storytelling, and frame their subject’s artistic success as both a testament to their faith and a megaphone for the word of Jesus Christ. Absent the rigor or artistry of secular comps like “Love & Mercy” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (but also absent the Wikipedia-driven ghoulishness of more recent examples like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”), these movies are happy to function as feature-length commercials for the musicians they were made to honor, just as they’re happy to offer halos to the people who inspired them.
That’s a key feature of cinematic evangelism,...
That’s a key feature of cinematic evangelism,...
- 4/25/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
They don’t call the scammer who fooled hundreds of entertainment gig workers out of their money, time, and dreams the “Hollywood Con Queen” for nothing. Filmmaker Chris Smith’s three-part docuseries starts streaming May 8 on Apple TV+ and aims to flesh out the staggering impact of an anonymous fraudster who preyed on hundreds of industry hopefuls from across the globe.
The criminal mastermind — whose identity you can Google but is the linchpin dramatic question in the forthcoming true crime project — posed as various major players from across development. Pretending to be everyone from Amy Pascal to Deborah Snyder to Kathleen Kennedy, the mysterious female voice dangled the promise of life-changing career opportunities in Southeast Asia before exploiting the unlucky creatives who actually tried to take them.
Based on the original reporting of “The Hollywood Reporter” journalist Scott Johnson and his book for Harper Collins (“Hollywood Con Queen: The Hunt...
The criminal mastermind — whose identity you can Google but is the linchpin dramatic question in the forthcoming true crime project — posed as various major players from across development. Pretending to be everyone from Amy Pascal to Deborah Snyder to Kathleen Kennedy, the mysterious female voice dangled the promise of life-changing career opportunities in Southeast Asia before exploiting the unlucky creatives who actually tried to take them.
Based on the original reporting of “The Hollywood Reporter” journalist Scott Johnson and his book for Harper Collins (“Hollywood Con Queen: The Hunt...
- 4/25/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer called the disgraced producer’s overturned convictions a “great day for America” and said that Weinstein intends to take the witness stand once the charges are inevitably re-tried.
“Harvey Weinstein did not get a fair trial,” Arthur Aidala, one of Weinstein’s attorneys, told press outside Manhattan’s Criminal Courts building on Thursday. “It may sound like exaggeration but it’s not: Today’s legal ruling is a great day for America because it instills in us the faith that there is a justice system.”
He continued, alluding to Donald Trump’s ongoing hush money trial in New York: “Whether it’s a former president of the United States or the most-storied Hollywood producer of our generation, the law applies to everyone.”
Aidala added that should Weinstein be re-tried in New York, Weinstein will be itching to take the witness stand. “He’s been dying to...
“Harvey Weinstein did not get a fair trial,” Arthur Aidala, one of Weinstein’s attorneys, told press outside Manhattan’s Criminal Courts building on Thursday. “It may sound like exaggeration but it’s not: Today’s legal ruling is a great day for America because it instills in us the faith that there is a justice system.”
He continued, alluding to Donald Trump’s ongoing hush money trial in New York: “Whether it’s a former president of the United States or the most-storied Hollywood producer of our generation, the law applies to everyone.”
Aidala added that should Weinstein be re-tried in New York, Weinstein will be itching to take the witness stand. “He’s been dying to...
- 4/25/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
US outfit Gkids has partnered with the UK’s Anime Ltd. to secure international rights to The Colors Within, the highly anticipated anime feature directed by Naoko Yamada.
It was revealed today that the upcoming feature will receive its world premiere in competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (June 9-15).
The two companies secured the rights – which exclude Asia, the Middle East and North Africa – from Japan’s Story Inc. and have appointed Paris-based Charades to handle sales for select territories.
Gkids has rights for North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. Anime Ltd. has rights for the UK,...
It was revealed today that the upcoming feature will receive its world premiere in competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (June 9-15).
The two companies secured the rights – which exclude Asia, the Middle East and North Africa – from Japan’s Story Inc. and have appointed Paris-based Charades to handle sales for select territories.
Gkids has rights for North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. Anime Ltd. has rights for the UK,...
- 4/25/2024
- ScreenDaily
The Cannes Film Festival may still be a few weeks away, but that doesn’t mean its film market can’t start heating up. Deadline reports that a package for one of the buzzier titles to hit the Croisette ready to go. And while it’s a Chris Pratt vehicle, not exactly an actor who comes to mind when thinking of Cannes, it’ll likely be a success for whomever snatches it up.
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
Pratt will star in an adaptation of Jocko Willink‘s bestselling novel “Way Of The Warrior Kid,” with McG attached to direct. It’s the first time Pratt and McG work together, but it sounds like a winning combo for the white American male demographic on paper.
Continue reading ‘Way Of The Warrior Kid’: Chris Pratt & McG To Team Up For Adaptation Of Jocko Willink’s YA Novel,...
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
Pratt will star in an adaptation of Jocko Willink‘s bestselling novel “Way Of The Warrior Kid,” with McG attached to direct. It’s the first time Pratt and McG work together, but it sounds like a winning combo for the white American male demographic on paper.
Continue reading ‘Way Of The Warrior Kid’: Chris Pratt & McG To Team Up For Adaptation Of Jocko Willink’s YA Novel,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
When composing the score for Netflix’s “Unfrosted,” Christophe Beck had a simple request from the film’s writer, director and star Jerry Seinfeld: “For everything to be just a little bit extra,” says Beck.
Set in the 1960s, “Unfrosted” is the Pop-Tarts origin story. Seinfeld plays the Kellogg’s employee who helps the company beat its rival, Post, in the breakfast pastry race. Beck used music to emphasize the optimism of American innovation. “I found it effective to inhabit a particular character in a scene, imagine what they were feeling in that moment, and then exaggerate it to a pretty extreme effect,” he says.
Such an example can be heard early on, as Bob Cabana (Seinfeld) is in a diner in the present day, recalling the past and how the Pop-Tart came to be. “That music is very period, jolly and optimistic because we’re setting up the...
Set in the 1960s, “Unfrosted” is the Pop-Tarts origin story. Seinfeld plays the Kellogg’s employee who helps the company beat its rival, Post, in the breakfast pastry race. Beck used music to emphasize the optimism of American innovation. “I found it effective to inhabit a particular character in a scene, imagine what they were feeling in that moment, and then exaggerate it to a pretty extreme effect,” he says.
Such an example can be heard early on, as Bob Cabana (Seinfeld) is in a diner in the present day, recalling the past and how the Pop-Tart came to be. “That music is very period, jolly and optimistic because we’re setting up the...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety - Film News
The year 2023 was an embarrassment of riches when it came to animation. Movies like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” became massive commercial successes and crossed the billion-dollar mark at the box office, while movies like “Nimona” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” hit big with audiences and critics. There were films that boasted wildly different aesthetics and showed the power of the animation medium, like “Blue Giant” and “The First Slam Dunk.” We also saw the return of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, who gave us his most personal film to date with “The Boy and the Heron.”
That’s a lot for 2024 to live up to — luckily, it seems the year will bring with it a healthy mix of big studio franchises and more grown-up animated fare. There are still big and highly anticipated animated movies slated to be released in 2024. Here is a rundown of 2024 animated releases with updates to come.
That’s a lot for 2024 to live up to — luckily, it seems the year will bring with it a healthy mix of big studio franchises and more grown-up animated fare. There are still big and highly anticipated animated movies slated to be released in 2024. Here is a rundown of 2024 animated releases with updates to come.
- 4/25/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Indiewire
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers celebrated his overturned rape conviction at a press conference in New York Thursday.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we knew Harvey Weinstein didn’t get a fair trial,” his attorney Arthur Aidala told reporters. “There are some people who are unpopular but we still have to apply the law fairly to. The law was not applied fairly to Harvey Weinstein. The court of appeals said today that no one is above the law, but no one is below the law either. You can’t throw out 100 years of legal precedent because someone is unpopular.”
The press conference took place in a park across from the Manhattan court where Donald Trump is currently on trial for hush money payments. Shouting Trump protesters surrounded the scrum of over 50 reporters, including a man in a pig mask with a sign that said “Trump is a pig.” Once he...
“From the bottom of our hearts, we knew Harvey Weinstein didn’t get a fair trial,” his attorney Arthur Aidala told reporters. “There are some people who are unpopular but we still have to apply the law fairly to. The law was not applied fairly to Harvey Weinstein. The court of appeals said today that no one is above the law, but no one is below the law either. You can’t throw out 100 years of legal precedent because someone is unpopular.”
The press conference took place in a park across from the Manhattan court where Donald Trump is currently on trial for hush money payments. Shouting Trump protesters surrounded the scrum of over 50 reporters, including a man in a pig mask with a sign that said “Trump is a pig.” Once he...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
Organizers of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world’s oldest and most important animation festival, revealed Thursday that all the big U.S. studio animation players will be in attendance this year to preview some of their most exciting upcoming titles.
Annecy has long been a launch point for global and indie animation, but over the past several years, it has become an increasingly important platform for big studios as well. This year, that trend continues and, indeed, ramps up.
Disney will host sneak peeks of its 2024 animated feature releases: Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2.” Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Animation Studio will offer a preview of “Transformers One,” a new animated feature coming to theaters on Sept. 20 this year.
Illumination will host a sneak preview of “Despicable Me 4” in its entirety. The three previous “Despicable” films and the “Minions: The Rise of Gru...
Annecy has long been a launch point for global and indie animation, but over the past several years, it has become an increasingly important platform for big studios as well. This year, that trend continues and, indeed, ramps up.
Disney will host sneak peeks of its 2024 animated feature releases: Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2.” Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Animation Studio will offer a preview of “Transformers One,” a new animated feature coming to theaters on Sept. 20 this year.
Illumination will host a sneak preview of “Despicable Me 4” in its entirety. The three previous “Despicable” films and the “Minions: The Rise of Gru...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety - Film News
In this week’s episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo goes undercover to discuss “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” with star Cary Elwes (“The Princess Bride,” “Stranger Things,” “Saw”). The movie is based on real events and dives into the origin of the Special Operations Executive, a small group of highly skilled men recruited by the British military to strike German forces behind enemy lines.
Continue reading ‘The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare’: Cary Elwes Talks Special Connection To Guy Ritchie’s Film, ‘Knuckles,’ ‘The Princess Bride’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare’: Cary Elwes Talks Special Connection To Guy Ritchie’s Film, ‘Knuckles,’ ‘The Princess Bride’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.
- 4/25/2024
- by Mike DeAngelo
- The Playlist
New York-based Argentinian director Matiás Piñeiro’s work is without a doubt, a celebration of intertextuality. After continuously exploring the female roles in Shakespeare’s comedies from 2011’s Rosalinda up until 2020’s Isabella, he was drawn to a text which seemed impenetrable, admitting he had no clue how to film a poetic dialogue. In order to collect the shots for the adaptation-film-collage that would become You Burn Me, the filmmaker traveled between New York and San Sebastian, which gave him the possibility to “develop the material, watch it and think […]
The post A Film To Read: Matiás Piñeiro, Tomas Paula Marques and Gabi Saidón on You Burn Me first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post A Film To Read: Matiás Piñeiro, Tomas Paula Marques and Gabi Saidón on You Burn Me first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 4/25/2024
- by Savina Petkova
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
This article contains spoilers for "X-Men '97."
Episode 5 of "X-Men '97" — "Remember It" — may very well go down as the most shocking TV moment of 2024. Adapting the dark "X-Men" comic storyline "E Is For Extinction" by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, a giant Sentinel razed the new mutant homeland of Genosha, killing thousands, if not millions.
Episode 6, "Lifedeath Part 2," took a break focusing instead on the absent Storm and Professor X, but episode 7, "Bright Eyes," explores the fallout of Genosha. It picks up about a week later when the X-Men are hosting a rainy funeral for Gambit. They go back to Genosha to continue searching for more survivors. They find one: Emma Frost, White Queen of the Hellfire Club.
Emma, who was part of Genosha's short-lived ruling council, is a telepath. During the attack, she unlocked a second mutation to turn her skin diamond hard, so she survived being crushed under rubble.
Episode 5 of "X-Men '97" — "Remember It" — may very well go down as the most shocking TV moment of 2024. Adapting the dark "X-Men" comic storyline "E Is For Extinction" by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, a giant Sentinel razed the new mutant homeland of Genosha, killing thousands, if not millions.
Episode 6, "Lifedeath Part 2," took a break focusing instead on the absent Storm and Professor X, but episode 7, "Bright Eyes," explores the fallout of Genosha. It picks up about a week later when the X-Men are hosting a rainy funeral for Gambit. They go back to Genosha to continue searching for more survivors. They find one: Emma Frost, White Queen of the Hellfire Club.
Emma, who was part of Genosha's short-lived ruling council, is a telepath. During the attack, she unlocked a second mutation to turn her skin diamond hard, so she survived being crushed under rubble.
- 4/25/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
[Editor’s note: The following interview includes some spoilers for “Challengers.”]
Justin Kuritzkes managed to hit an ace with the first feature-length screenplay he’d ever written “that I felt good enough to share with anybody,” he joked during a recent interview with IndieWire over Zoom.
The playwright, author, and to some most memorably “Potion Seller,” credits the controversial 2018 U.S. Open final between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams that began to devolve after an umpire penalized the latter tennis legend for allegedly receiving coaching from the sidelines.
“She immediately got really upset and said, ‘I didn’t do that. I would never do that.’ And I had never heard this rule before because I wasn’t massively into tennis. But immediately, this struck me as intensely cinematic,” said Kuritzkes. “You’re all alone on the court and there’s this one person in the stands who cares as much about what happens to you as you do, but you can’t talk to them.
Justin Kuritzkes managed to hit an ace with the first feature-length screenplay he’d ever written “that I felt good enough to share with anybody,” he joked during a recent interview with IndieWire over Zoom.
The playwright, author, and to some most memorably “Potion Seller,” credits the controversial 2018 U.S. Open final between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams that began to devolve after an umpire penalized the latter tennis legend for allegedly receiving coaching from the sidelines.
“She immediately got really upset and said, ‘I didn’t do that. I would never do that.’ And I had never heard this rule before because I wasn’t massively into tennis. But immediately, this struck me as intensely cinematic,” said Kuritzkes. “You’re all alone on the court and there’s this one person in the stands who cares as much about what happens to you as you do, but you can’t talk to them.
- 4/25/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
HBO had the Lakers, now FX has the Clippers. Will the series’ fates differ (as the real-life teams’ have), or will “Clipped” face the same quick, quiet end as “Winning Time”? We’ll find out this June, when FX’s latest ripped-from-the-headlines adaptation premieres exclusively on Hulu. The trailer was released Thursday, April 25 — just under six weeks prior to the premiere — and now you can watch the first footage below.
Set in 2013, the six-episode limited series stars Ed O’Neill as L.A. Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling and Laurence Fishburne as the team’s head coach, Doc Rivers. Formerly with the Boston Celtics (who won an NBA title in 2008), Rivers had just joined the Clippers when the owner’s racist comments went public, sending the organization into a tailspin and Sterling into a power struggle with Rivers, players, and the NBA at large. Key players in the tumultuous saga include Shelly Sterling...
Set in 2013, the six-episode limited series stars Ed O’Neill as L.A. Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling and Laurence Fishburne as the team’s head coach, Doc Rivers. Formerly with the Boston Celtics (who won an NBA title in 2008), Rivers had just joined the Clippers when the owner’s racist comments went public, sending the organization into a tailspin and Sterling into a power struggle with Rivers, players, and the NBA at large. Key players in the tumultuous saga include Shelly Sterling...
- 4/25/2024
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang will star in Bleecker Street and Shivhans Pictures’ remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 romantic comedy “The Wedding Banquet” from director Andrew Ahn.
Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen are also attached to star.
The reimagination of Lee’s Oscar-nominated film is based on a screenplay by Ahn and James Schamus. Schamus also co-wrote the original film with Lee and Neil Peng.
The film, which begins filming in May in Vancouver, follows what happens when Min’s boyfriend Chris rejects his marriage proposal. Min convinces his best friend Angela to marry him instead, paying for her partner Liz’s IVF treatments in exchange for his green card. However, things begin to unravel when Min’s grandmother makes a surprise trip from Seoul to throw the couple a Korean wedding banquet.
“It warms my heart to see how my film from so many...
Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen are also attached to star.
The reimagination of Lee’s Oscar-nominated film is based on a screenplay by Ahn and James Schamus. Schamus also co-wrote the original film with Lee and Neil Peng.
The film, which begins filming in May in Vancouver, follows what happens when Min’s boyfriend Chris rejects his marriage proposal. Min convinces his best friend Angela to marry him instead, paying for her partner Liz’s IVF treatments in exchange for his green card. However, things begin to unravel when Min’s grandmother makes a surprise trip from Seoul to throw the couple a Korean wedding banquet.
“It warms my heart to see how my film from so many...
- 4/25/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety - Film News
[Editor’s note: Spoilers for the Season 1 finale of “Diarra from Detroit” below.]
By the time the Season 1 finale of “Diarra from Detroit” draws to a satisfying conclusion, Diarra (and we) have been through a lot. And the episode brings the tangled mystery to such an adroit close (while leaving enough unanswered questions to fuel a second season) that surely its structure was always part of the show’s DNA.
Nah, that’s not how TV works. Luckily, showrunner and star Diarra Kilpatrick knows how to pivot.
“We didn’t have the budget to shoot Episode 8 as it was originally written and conceived,” Kilpatrick told IndieWire. “Sometimes creativity comes from limitations.”
Diarra’s reconciliation with Swa (Morris Chestnut) proves to be short-lived when she finally solves the mystery of why he abruptly asked for an open marriage (to misdirect her away from learning about the vasectomy he’d had years ago!). Burying her feelings once again with the case,...
By the time the Season 1 finale of “Diarra from Detroit” draws to a satisfying conclusion, Diarra (and we) have been through a lot. And the episode brings the tangled mystery to such an adroit close (while leaving enough unanswered questions to fuel a second season) that surely its structure was always part of the show’s DNA.
Nah, that’s not how TV works. Luckily, showrunner and star Diarra Kilpatrick knows how to pivot.
“We didn’t have the budget to shoot Episode 8 as it was originally written and conceived,” Kilpatrick told IndieWire. “Sometimes creativity comes from limitations.”
Diarra’s reconciliation with Swa (Morris Chestnut) proves to be short-lived when she finally solves the mystery of why he abruptly asked for an open marriage (to misdirect her away from learning about the vasectomy he’d had years ago!). Burying her feelings once again with the case,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
In Human Resources, Time Out and The Class, the Palme d’Or-winning film-maker – who has died aged 63 – addressed French and European society at all levels
Laurent Cantet was a classic product of the French cinema industry: a deeply intelligent, high-minded progressive film-maker of the same generation as Robin Campillo and Dominik Moll whose supremely literate, emotionally committed, stylish and well-acted movies aspired to address French and European society at all levels.
Cantet made films that you could imagine being discussed around a gregarious dinner table of fashionable Parisians, with glasses being avidly drained and refilled all round – in fact, you could imagine Cantet himself talking about his work at just this kind of gathering.
Laurent Cantet was a classic product of the French cinema industry: a deeply intelligent, high-minded progressive film-maker of the same generation as Robin Campillo and Dominik Moll whose supremely literate, emotionally committed, stylish and well-acted movies aspired to address French and European society at all levels.
Cantet made films that you could imagine being discussed around a gregarious dinner table of fashionable Parisians, with glasses being avidly drained and refilled all round – in fact, you could imagine Cantet himself talking about his work at just this kind of gathering.
- 4/25/2024
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
When one thinks of auteur-driven Peak TV in the streaming age, the first shows that generally come to mind are “House Of Cards” (2013) with David Fincher at the helm (at least for the first few eps), “True Detective” (2014) by director Cary Fukunaga, and Steven Soderbergh’s “The Knick” (2014). Crucial to the mix, but sometimes missing in that conversation, is Jane Campion’s “Top Of The Lake” starring Elisabeth Moss, which debuted in 2013, right at the beginning of this new second golden age of TV.
Continue reading Elisabeth Moss Says “‘Top Of The Lake’ Has More To Say” & Wants To Reunite With Jane Campion For Season 3 at The Playlist.
Continue reading Elisabeth Moss Says “‘Top Of The Lake’ Has More To Say” & Wants To Reunite With Jane Campion For Season 3 at The Playlist.
- 4/25/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
2024 is an important year for the movie business. The past few years have been all about recovering from the pandemic. Now? Hollywood and theater chains are facing the challenge of weathering a year that has been crippled by 2023's Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America strikes. There have been moments worth cheering about, such as the success of "Dune: Part Two." But, as always, there have been plenty of sour moments at the box office as well, with more than a few flops to go along with the hits.
The early part of the year was anchored by relatively smaller hits like director David Ayer's "The Beekeeper" and the "Mean Girls" musical. Mixed in along the way were a wide variety of misfires, from hopeful big studio blockbusters to smaller, original movies just trying to find their way in an uncertain theatrical landscape. Some of these flops...
The early part of the year was anchored by relatively smaller hits like director David Ayer's "The Beekeeper" and the "Mean Girls" musical. Mixed in along the way were a wide variety of misfires, from hopeful big studio blockbusters to smaller, original movies just trying to find their way in an uncertain theatrical landscape. Some of these flops...
- 4/25/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
The Peabody Board of Jurors released the rest of the 2024 Peabody Awards nominees today and the results were somewhat surprising. Comprising the Arts, Children’s/Youth, Entertainment, Interactive, and Immersive categories, the list of honorees included anticipated programs such as “The Last of Us,” “The Bear” and “Bluey.” What was something of a shock was a snub of the critically acclaimed and awards favorite, “Beef.”
Read More: “20 Days in Mariupol” and “The Eternal Memory” among early 2024 Peabody Awards nominees
Beyond “Last of Us” and “The Bear,” other Entertainment category nominees include “Poker Face,” “Lupin,” “Blue Eyed Samurai,” “Somebody Somewhere,” “Dead Ringers,” “Reservation Dogs,” “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Israel-Hamas War,” “Reality,” and “Jury Duty.” Surprising nominees included “Fellow Travelers” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
On the Children/Youth front, “Bluey” was joined by fellow Disney+ series “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” and “Summer Camp Island.
Read More: “20 Days in Mariupol” and “The Eternal Memory” among early 2024 Peabody Awards nominees
Beyond “Last of Us” and “The Bear,” other Entertainment category nominees include “Poker Face,” “Lupin,” “Blue Eyed Samurai,” “Somebody Somewhere,” “Dead Ringers,” “Reservation Dogs,” “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Israel-Hamas War,” “Reality,” and “Jury Duty.” Surprising nominees included “Fellow Travelers” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
On the Children/Youth front, “Bluey” was joined by fellow Disney+ series “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” and “Summer Camp Island.
- 4/25/2024
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
The annual Peabody Awards have unveiled its 2024 nominations.
This year, the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors selected nominees from over 1,100 entries from television, podcasts/radio, and the web in the entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and multimedia programming categories. Documentary films such as “Judy Blume Forever” and “The Eternal Memory” topped the list of nominees, along with series “The Bear” and “The Last of Us.”
“Whether a hilarious comedy, an engaging interactive experience, or a heartwarming children’s show, Peabody is dedicated to honoring the most compelling stories across the media landscape,” Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, said. “Each of the 68 nominees this year deserve to be recognized for telling unique stories that leave a profound impact in capturing our imaginations. From exposing injustice to capturing the struggles and triumphs of inspirational figures across the world, these extraordinary nominees demonstrate the power and beauty of compelling storytelling.
This year, the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors selected nominees from over 1,100 entries from television, podcasts/radio, and the web in the entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and multimedia programming categories. Documentary films such as “Judy Blume Forever” and “The Eternal Memory” topped the list of nominees, along with series “The Bear” and “The Last of Us.”
“Whether a hilarious comedy, an engaging interactive experience, or a heartwarming children’s show, Peabody is dedicated to honoring the most compelling stories across the media landscape,” Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody, said. “Each of the 68 nominees this year deserve to be recognized for telling unique stories that leave a profound impact in capturing our imaginations. From exposing injustice to capturing the struggles and triumphs of inspirational figures across the world, these extraordinary nominees demonstrate the power and beauty of compelling storytelling.
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Sue Kroll, head of global marketing for Amazon MGM Studios, has worked on the launch of every kind of movie under the sun, from blockbusters such as “Harry Potter” and “The Matrix” franchises to streaming originals such as the recent reboot of “Road House” and the buzzy new rom-com “The Idea of You.”
The discipline of marketing has changed dramatically in recent years, with more digital tools and metrics at her disposal. But one crucial element that hasn’t changed, as Kroll discussed during her keynote conversation at Variety‘s Entertainment Marketing Summit presented by Deloitte, is the need to go with your gut instinct at times on what’s right for a given property.
“You can feel when something feels right,” Kroll said during her April 24 session at the daylong conference held at the Beverly Hilton. At the same time, there’s a feedback loop happening 24/7 around movies and...
The discipline of marketing has changed dramatically in recent years, with more digital tools and metrics at her disposal. But one crucial element that hasn’t changed, as Kroll discussed during her keynote conversation at Variety‘s Entertainment Marketing Summit presented by Deloitte, is the need to go with your gut instinct at times on what’s right for a given property.
“You can feel when something feels right,” Kroll said during her April 24 session at the daylong conference held at the Beverly Hilton. At the same time, there’s a feedback loop happening 24/7 around movies and...
- 4/25/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - Film News
Another year, another exorcism horror movie for Russell Crowe, who may have found a new go-to role in this stage of his career. But “The Exorcism” isn’t in the same vein as “The Pope’s Exorcist” from last year. Instead, Joshua John Miller‘s film takes a meta twist on the possession movie premise, with Crowe as an actor whose psychological demons (and maybe some real ones) are plaguing him while working on a horror movie set.
Continue reading ‘The Exorcism’ Trailer: Russell Crowe’s Latest Exorcist Flick Goes Meta, Hits Theaters On June 7 at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Exorcism’ Trailer: Russell Crowe’s Latest Exorcist Flick Goes Meta, Hits Theaters On June 7 at The Playlist.
- 4/25/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
It’s wild to think that Jeremy Renner was facing life-threatening injuries in January 2023 following his snowplow accident. Yet, about a year later, he was on the set of his crime and prison industrial complex series, “Mayor Of Kingstown,” shooting a third season. And that third season is almost upon us as Paramount+ revealed the full official trailer for “Mayor of Kingstown” S3 today. The series returns and premieres Sunday, June 2, in the U.S.
Continue reading ‘Mayor Of Kingstown’ Trailer: Jeremy Renner Returns For A Third Season Of His Prison/Crime Series On June 2 at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Mayor Of Kingstown’ Trailer: Jeremy Renner Returns For A Third Season Of His Prison/Crime Series On June 2 at The Playlist.
- 4/25/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
French filmmaker Laurent Cantet, whose 2008 film The Class won the Palme d’Or in Cannes in 2008, died on April 25 at the age of 63.
The acclaimed filmmaker was planning to shoot his next film Enzo, co-written by Robin Campillo and produced by Anatomy Of A Fall producer Marie-Ange Luciani, later this year.
Cantet’s agent Isabelle de la Patellière confirmed to French media the filmmaker “died this morning in Paris from an illness.”
The Class is a Paris documentary-drama based on a semi-autobiographical book by François Bégaudeau set in a French classroom about a teacher in a tough Parisian neighbourhood that starred a mostly unprofessional cast.
The acclaimed filmmaker was planning to shoot his next film Enzo, co-written by Robin Campillo and produced by Anatomy Of A Fall producer Marie-Ange Luciani, later this year.
Cantet’s agent Isabelle de la Patellière confirmed to French media the filmmaker “died this morning in Paris from an illness.”
The Class is a Paris documentary-drama based on a semi-autobiographical book by François Bégaudeau set in a French classroom about a teacher in a tough Parisian neighbourhood that starred a mostly unprofessional cast.
- 4/25/2024
- ScreenDaily
What is the best trilogy of all time? Fans might immediately jump to George Lucas' original "Star Wars" trilogy or maybe Christopher Nolan's more recent Dark Knight trilogy. The more prestige audiences might pull out "The Godfather" trilogy, even if the final chapter doesn't match up to the quality of the first two installments (especially since Francis Ford Coppola revisited them with a superior cut of the final chapter). The indie crowd may put forth Richard Linklater's "Before" trilogy with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's evolving love story. But honestly, there's really only one answer that makes sense.
Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is the greatest motion picture trilogy of all time. An incredible feat of blockbuster filmmaking and a box office phenomenon, all three movies were shot back-to-back in one of the biggest risks ever taken by a Hollywood studio on a largely untested filmmaker.
Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is the greatest motion picture trilogy of all time. An incredible feat of blockbuster filmmaking and a box office phenomenon, all three movies were shot back-to-back in one of the biggest risks ever taken by a Hollywood studio on a largely untested filmmaker.
- 4/25/2024
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Bill Kong is cautious, vastly experienced and has an impeccable reputation as a key gateway between Hollywood and China to maintain. He is someone far more likely to deadpan than gush.
So, to hear him getting into high gear with a pitch for his bucket list martial arts movie project “The Furious” immediately invites comparison with previous Kong-produced action pictures including Oscar-winner “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Jet Li’s Fearless” or the Zhang Yimou-directed “Hero.”
“I’m going to do an action movie that rocks the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give the film industry. I want to show that Asian people can still make an action movie that is better than the rest of the world,” Kong tells Variety.
Significantly, “The Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, rather than made in Hong Kong. Kong’s Edko Films is financing and producing.
So, to hear him getting into high gear with a pitch for his bucket list martial arts movie project “The Furious” immediately invites comparison with previous Kong-produced action pictures including Oscar-winner “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Jet Li’s Fearless” or the Zhang Yimou-directed “Hero.”
“I’m going to do an action movie that rocks the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give the film industry. I want to show that Asian people can still make an action movie that is better than the rest of the world,” Kong tells Variety.
Significantly, “The Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, rather than made in Hong Kong. Kong’s Edko Films is financing and producing.
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Vertical Entertainment has released the first trailer for its upcoming supernatural horror film “The Exorcism,” starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Simpkins.
According to the official logline, “The Exorcism” follows Crowe as “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play.”
Additional cast members include Sam Worthington (“Avatar: The Way of Water”), Chloe Bailey (“Praise This”), Adam Goldberg (“The Equalizer”), David Hyde Pierce (“Frasier”), Adrian Pasdar (“Near Dark”), Tracey Bonner (“The Beanie Bubble”) and Josh Warren (“Footloose”).
Joshua John Miller serves as director and co-wrote the script with his partner M.A. Fortin. “The Exorcism” marks Miller and Fortin’s second feature, after the 2015 horror comedy “The Final Girls.” They also created the USA Network drama series “Queen of the South.” Producers...
According to the official logline, “The Exorcism” follows Crowe as “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play.”
Additional cast members include Sam Worthington (“Avatar: The Way of Water”), Chloe Bailey (“Praise This”), Adam Goldberg (“The Equalizer”), David Hyde Pierce (“Frasier”), Adrian Pasdar (“Near Dark”), Tracey Bonner (“The Beanie Bubble”) and Josh Warren (“Footloose”).
Joshua John Miller serves as director and co-wrote the script with his partner M.A. Fortin. “The Exorcism” marks Miller and Fortin’s second feature, after the 2015 horror comedy “The Final Girls.” They also created the USA Network drama series “Queen of the South.” Producers...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
Muscular bodies dripping with sweat are all over cinema screens – and each other. But these films are very different from the sports romances of old
This spring is shaping up to be the season of the artful athletic romance in cinema. Rose Glass’s Love Lies Bleeding and Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers both offer up their own twisted queer romances set within the world of sport. Both film-makers share a preoccupation with their athletes, lingering over their bodies in ultra-closeup. Muscles ripple and swell like the powerful pulse of the tide. Perfect, glistening orbs of sweat form then drift off the body in slow motion. In these films, ripped, toned bodies become tantalising, treacherous landscapes, and it’s on this physical terrain that we can see exactly how and why the characters’ internal desires play out.
Love Lies Bleeding opens with a pulsating montage in a grimy gym as Glass confronts us with running,...
This spring is shaping up to be the season of the artful athletic romance in cinema. Rose Glass’s Love Lies Bleeding and Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers both offer up their own twisted queer romances set within the world of sport. Both film-makers share a preoccupation with their athletes, lingering over their bodies in ultra-closeup. Muscles ripple and swell like the powerful pulse of the tide. Perfect, glistening orbs of sweat form then drift off the body in slow motion. In these films, ripped, toned bodies become tantalising, treacherous landscapes, and it’s on this physical terrain that we can see exactly how and why the characters’ internal desires play out.
Love Lies Bleeding opens with a pulsating montage in a grimy gym as Glass confronts us with running,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Meg Walters
- The Guardian - Film News
This article contains spoilers for "X-Men '97."
I'm the precise age to have been introduced to the Marvel Universe by animation and film. Back then in the bygone 2000s, superhero movies never crossed over and the best that us wee fans could hope for was, say, the X-Men playing guest star on "Spider-Man" for an episode or two. I've now evolved into a curmudgeon who thinks superhero cinema could use more individuality and less interconnectivity, but I digress.
All this is to say that "X-Men '97" episode 7, "Bright Eyes," featured the sort of brief guest appearance that would've made 10-year-old me super-excited: Rogue meets Captain America (Josh Keaton). You might recall that Cap appeared back in the original "X-Men" cartoon; the season 5 episode, "Old Soldiers," showed him and Wolverine on a mission together in World War II. We've known for two weeks that Cap would be showing up (thanks to...
I'm the precise age to have been introduced to the Marvel Universe by animation and film. Back then in the bygone 2000s, superhero movies never crossed over and the best that us wee fans could hope for was, say, the X-Men playing guest star on "Spider-Man" for an episode or two. I've now evolved into a curmudgeon who thinks superhero cinema could use more individuality and less interconnectivity, but I digress.
All this is to say that "X-Men '97" episode 7, "Bright Eyes," featured the sort of brief guest appearance that would've made 10-year-old me super-excited: Rogue meets Captain America (Josh Keaton). You might recall that Cap appeared back in the original "X-Men" cartoon; the season 5 episode, "Old Soldiers," showed him and Wolverine on a mission together in World War II. We've known for two weeks that Cap would be showing up (thanks to...
- 4/25/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Pierce Brosnan will star in the romantic thriller A Spy’s Guide To Survival for Uri Singer’s Passage Pictures, with Nadine de Barros’ Fortitude International launching sales in Cannes.
Simon Barry, the creator and showrunner on Netflix’s Warrior Nun, makes his feature directing debut on the story of a reclusive, retired spy who is brought out of hiding by his enigmatic new neighbour, digging up both of their secrets in the process.
Barry wrote the screenplay based on a story he created with his father Derek Barry. The writer-director’s Reality Distortion Field is producing alongside Passage Pictures.
Simon Barry, the creator and showrunner on Netflix’s Warrior Nun, makes his feature directing debut on the story of a reclusive, retired spy who is brought out of hiding by his enigmatic new neighbour, digging up both of their secrets in the process.
Barry wrote the screenplay based on a story he created with his father Derek Barry. The writer-director’s Reality Distortion Field is producing alongside Passage Pictures.
- 4/25/2024
- ScreenDaily
Cannes Classics, the festival’s selection for tributes and retrospectives, has announced the rest of its program after the previously-announced opening night film “Napoleon Par Abel Gance.”
Among the highlights are a restoration of Charles Vidor’s 1946 “Gilda” to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Columbia Pictures, with Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, attending. Wim Wenders will be on hand for a 40th anniversary screening of Palme d’Or winner “Paris, Texas,” while Faye Dunaway will be present for the screening of “Faye,” the first documentary about her life.
Ron Howard will present his documentary “Jim Henson Idea Man,” while Nanette Burstein brings the premiere of her documentary “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes.”
See the full program of Cannes Classics below.
100 years of Columbia Pictures
“Gilda”
Charles Vidor
1946, 1h50, United States
A Sony Pictures Entertainment presentation. Restoration from the original 35mm nitrate negative and a 35mm nitrate internegative.
Among the highlights are a restoration of Charles Vidor’s 1946 “Gilda” to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Columbia Pictures, with Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, attending. Wim Wenders will be on hand for a 40th anniversary screening of Palme d’Or winner “Paris, Texas,” while Faye Dunaway will be present for the screening of “Faye,” the first documentary about her life.
Ron Howard will present his documentary “Jim Henson Idea Man,” while Nanette Burstein brings the premiere of her documentary “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes.”
See the full program of Cannes Classics below.
100 years of Columbia Pictures
“Gilda”
Charles Vidor
1946, 1h50, United States
A Sony Pictures Entertainment presentation. Restoration from the original 35mm nitrate negative and a 35mm nitrate internegative.
- 4/25/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety - Film News
Andy Garcia was much more of a gentleman with Bridget Fonda in “The Godfather Part III” than he was with Joe Mantegna.
Garcia said during “The Pete and Sebastian Show” that his co-star Fonda was “nervous” to be fully nude for a scene in the 1990 Francis Ford Coppola feature. Garcia instead suggested that she wear his coat, which is what we see on film.
“Bridget Fonda was extraordinary to work with, and that’s my coat she’s wearing,” Garcia recalled. “That’s my coat. And initially, you know, they wanted her to be, you know, naked. And she was very nervous. And I said, ‘No, no. She’s not gonna be naked, no. Come on.'”
Garcia continued, “I said to [costume designer] Milena Canonero, I said, ‘Milena, why doesn’t she just wear my leather coat. It’s on the bed, it’s on the floor. Let her come out in my coat.
Garcia said during “The Pete and Sebastian Show” that his co-star Fonda was “nervous” to be fully nude for a scene in the 1990 Francis Ford Coppola feature. Garcia instead suggested that she wear his coat, which is what we see on film.
“Bridget Fonda was extraordinary to work with, and that’s my coat she’s wearing,” Garcia recalled. “That’s my coat. And initially, you know, they wanted her to be, you know, naked. And she was very nervous. And I said, ‘No, no. She’s not gonna be naked, no. Come on.'”
Garcia continued, “I said to [costume designer] Milena Canonero, I said, ‘Milena, why doesn’t she just wear my leather coat. It’s on the bed, it’s on the floor. Let her come out in my coat.
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Laurent Cantet, the French director who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival in 2008 for his film “The Class,” has died. He was 63.
A spokesperson for Cantet’s agency, Ubba, confirmed to Variety that he died on Thursday morning of an illness.
“The Class” is based on the novel of the same name by François Bégaudeau and is a semi-autobiographical account of his experience as a teacher in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. Bégaudeau also starred in the film. “The Class” received a unanimous vote for the Palme d’Or at Cannes, making it the first French film to do so since 1987. The movie also earned an Oscar nomination for best foreign language film.
After studying at the Institut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques in Paris and working in television, Cantet released his first feature film, “Human Resources,” in 1999. It followed a management trainee as he starts a job at his father’s factory.
A spokesperson for Cantet’s agency, Ubba, confirmed to Variety that he died on Thursday morning of an illness.
“The Class” is based on the novel of the same name by François Bégaudeau and is a semi-autobiographical account of his experience as a teacher in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. Bégaudeau also starred in the film. “The Class” received a unanimous vote for the Palme d’Or at Cannes, making it the first French film to do so since 1987. The movie also earned an Oscar nomination for best foreign language film.
After studying at the Institut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques in Paris and working in television, Cantet released his first feature film, “Human Resources,” in 1999. It followed a management trainee as he starts a job at his father’s factory.
- 4/25/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety - Film News
Harvey Weinstein’s accusers slammed the decision to overturn his New York rape conviction, saying it’s “profoundly unjust” and a “major step back.”
The New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction on Thursday in a 4-3 decision, ruling that the trial showed prejudice to him by allowing women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case. Weinstein will now face a new trial.
“The news today is not only disheartening, but it’s profoundly unjust,” said the Silence Breakers, a group of Weinstein survivors, in a statement. “But this ruling does not diminish the validity of our experiences or our truth; it’s merely a setback. The man found guilty continues to serve time in a California prison. When survivors everywhere broke their silence in 2017, the world changed. We continue to stand strong and advocate for that change. We will continue to fight for justice for survivors everywhere.
The New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction on Thursday in a 4-3 decision, ruling that the trial showed prejudice to him by allowing women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case. Weinstein will now face a new trial.
“The news today is not only disheartening, but it’s profoundly unjust,” said the Silence Breakers, a group of Weinstein survivors, in a statement. “But this ruling does not diminish the validity of our experiences or our truth; it’s merely a setback. The man found guilty continues to serve time in a California prison. When survivors everywhere broke their silence in 2017, the world changed. We continue to stand strong and advocate for that change. We will continue to fight for justice for survivors everywhere.
- 4/25/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
“The Jinx” filmmaker Andrew Jarecki was living out a personal “The Journalist and the Murderer” saga when Robert Durst was on the run.
During the latest post-episode “Official Jinx Podcast” for “The Jinx — Part Two,” Jarecki and executive producer Zac Stuart-Pontier revealed that they were concerned for their safety between seasons of their HBO docuseries, before the fleeing Durst was apprehended by authorities.
“I said to them, ‘I think there’s a risk to me. And I’m Ok with that, but I’d like to have a plan in place if anything weird happens,’” Jarecki said of telling the FBI. “And then I remember calling up my guy and having him say, ‘Yeah, we really have no idea where he is.’ And I said, ‘Well, how’s that possible? You’re the FBI, right? You’re the Federal Bureau of Investigation. You should be the boss of where people are,...
During the latest post-episode “Official Jinx Podcast” for “The Jinx — Part Two,” Jarecki and executive producer Zac Stuart-Pontier revealed that they were concerned for their safety between seasons of their HBO docuseries, before the fleeing Durst was apprehended by authorities.
“I said to them, ‘I think there’s a risk to me. And I’m Ok with that, but I’d like to have a plan in place if anything weird happens,’” Jarecki said of telling the FBI. “And then I remember calling up my guy and having him say, ‘Yeah, we really have no idea where he is.’ And I said, ‘Well, how’s that possible? You’re the FBI, right? You’re the Federal Bureau of Investigation. You should be the boss of where people are,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Thanks to a breakout role in Max‘s “Hacks,” and a couple of roles in indies like “Problemista” and “Sometimes I Think About Dying,” Meg Stalter is on the brink of stardom. Let’s see if her first star vehicle pushes her beyond that point, as “Cora Bora” hits theaters this summer.
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
The upcoming queer comedy sees Stalter star as a musician who returns home to try and win back her girlfriend.
Continue reading ‘Cora Bora’ Trailer: Meg Stalter Is A Musician Who Needs Saving In Upcoming Queer Comedy On June 14 at The Playlist.
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
The upcoming queer comedy sees Stalter star as a musician who returns home to try and win back her girlfriend.
Continue reading ‘Cora Bora’ Trailer: Meg Stalter Is A Musician Who Needs Saving In Upcoming Queer Comedy On June 14 at The Playlist.
- 4/25/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
One of the most bizarre TV series to ever air since David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks: The Return,” and certainly one of the oddest shows of this decade, is Showtime’s “The Curse,” which could potentially have more in store.
Created by deadpan comedian Nathan Fielder and filmmaker Benny Safdie (“Uncut Gems”) and starring Fielder and Emma Stone (both of them also executive producers along with Safdie), “The Curse,” which premiered last fall on Showtime, is a satirical black comedy thriller.
Continue reading ‘The Curse’: Emma Stone & Nathan Fielder Suggest Bizarre Series Could Continue & Was “Mapped Out” Beyond Season 1 at The Playlist.
Created by deadpan comedian Nathan Fielder and filmmaker Benny Safdie (“Uncut Gems”) and starring Fielder and Emma Stone (both of them also executive producers along with Safdie), “The Curse,” which premiered last fall on Showtime, is a satirical black comedy thriller.
Continue reading ‘The Curse’: Emma Stone & Nathan Fielder Suggest Bizarre Series Could Continue & Was “Mapped Out” Beyond Season 1 at The Playlist.
- 4/25/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
The 2024 Tribeca Festival has announced its lineup of live events and official selections for audio storytelling and games with special guest stars. This year’s festival, presented by Okx, takes place June 5 through 16, with the audio storytelling program running June 9 to 13 and the games lineup June 12 to 16.
Tribeca’s 2024 audio storytelling live events program includes the 10th anniversary of Vox Media’s award-winning true crime podcast “Criminal,” with Melissa McCarthy joining. The audio storytelling section of the festival is presented by Audible.
Lena Waithe will be a guest on Stitcher Studios’ “Vibe Check,” a dissection of news, entertainment, politics, and everything in between through a Black queer lens, while Slate’s “Death Sex & Money” hosts an event on the art of the interview with special guest Kara Swisher.
This year, Tribeca received a record-breaking number of audio storytelling submissions from talented creators worldwide. Tribeca also recognizes the impact of audio...
Tribeca’s 2024 audio storytelling live events program includes the 10th anniversary of Vox Media’s award-winning true crime podcast “Criminal,” with Melissa McCarthy joining. The audio storytelling section of the festival is presented by Audible.
Lena Waithe will be a guest on Stitcher Studios’ “Vibe Check,” a dissection of news, entertainment, politics, and everything in between through a Black queer lens, while Slate’s “Death Sex & Money” hosts an event on the art of the interview with special guest Kara Swisher.
This year, Tribeca received a record-breaking number of audio storytelling submissions from talented creators worldwide. Tribeca also recognizes the impact of audio...
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The film business has had to battle its way through everything from Covid shutdowns to strike-induced box office delays to steep competition from a tidal wave of high-priced streaming content over the past seven years.
The contraction in theatrical releases and the post-pandemic downturn at the box office has raised the stakes for every film release, from blockbusters to arty fare — so said a group of top theatrical marketing executives who spoke April 24 during a roundtable panel at Variety’s annual Entertainment Marketing Summit, presented by Deloitte.
“If you’re not an event movie for someone, you’re a movie for no one,” said Josh Goldstine, president of worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Pictures Group, during the daylong, Sro event at the Beverly Hilton.
Goldstine noted the ante for theatrical films has been raised by “an extra $100 billion worth of streaming content that has entered the marketplace” since about 2017. Dwight Caines,...
The contraction in theatrical releases and the post-pandemic downturn at the box office has raised the stakes for every film release, from blockbusters to arty fare — so said a group of top theatrical marketing executives who spoke April 24 during a roundtable panel at Variety’s annual Entertainment Marketing Summit, presented by Deloitte.
“If you’re not an event movie for someone, you’re a movie for no one,” said Josh Goldstine, president of worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Pictures Group, during the daylong, Sro event at the Beverly Hilton.
Goldstine noted the ante for theatrical films has been raised by “an extra $100 billion worth of streaming content that has entered the marketplace” since about 2017. Dwight Caines,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety - Film News
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