"It's a kind of longing... a kind of idiotic, marvelous, ridiculous longing." Damn, does this look good. The Playlist has found the first trailer for actress-filmmaker Sarah Polley's new film Take This Waltz, which premiered at TIFF last year. The film stars Michelle Williams as a woman "struggling to choose between two different types of love", and it looks incredibly charming, exciting, but bittersweet and potentially quite sad, but I'm very interested in seeing it. In the film, her two lovers are played by Seth Rogen and Luke Kirby, and her friend is played by Sarah Silverman. Give this trailer a watch, it looks fantastic. Enjoy! ›››
Continue reading: Indie Trailer Sunday: 'Take This Waltz' Featuring Michelle Williams
"The highest honor given for excellence in animation." Each year, Annie Award trophies are awarded for the year's best feature film, video, TV and more, and they've just announced the 2012 winners. Topping the charts is Gore Verbinski's charming western Rango winning Best Animated Feature as well as Best Writing. The winners include a large number of other categories (full list via ComingSoon), but other nominees for the top prize included A Cat in Paris, Arthur Christmas, Pixar's Cars 2, Chico & Rita, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots, Rio and Tintin. Bill Nighy also won an award, but not for playing Rattlesnake Jake in Rango. ›››
Continue reading: Gore Verbinski's 'Rango', Bill Nighy Top 39th Annual Annie Awards
Now that you've seen it, what did you think? Now in theaters everywhere is a movie titled Chronicle, from first-time feature director Josh Trank (hear his story), a found-footage movie about three high school teens in Seattle who get telekinetic superpowers and what happens after that. And boy does it get crazy. Is it as awesome as the concept sounds on paper? Should it have even been a found-footage movie to begin with? How are the three leads: Dane DeHaan as Andrew (the crazy one), Alex Russell as Matt and Michael B. Jordan as Steve? Once you've seen it, post a comment below with your own thoughts on Trank's Chronicle. ›››
Continue reading: Sound Off: Josh Trank's First Film 'Chronicle' - What Did You Think?
"A career-defining, powerfully physical lead performance." That's Variety's quote from this trailer, and it looks like it's quite accurate. Drafthouse Films recently unveiled the official US trailer on Apple for Michael R. Roskam's Bullhead, starring Mattias Schoenaerts, the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar nominee from Belgium. I missed this film at numerous festivals last year and it's one of those I'm now kicking myself over, as it looks tremendous. It may also be just how incredible this trailer is, the editing and tension and intensity of the characters, it's got to be hard to watch this and not say you're intrigued. Must check it out! ›››
Continue reading: Must Watch: Official US Trailer for Belgium's Oscar Nom 'Bullhead'
Earlier today I got into a huge discussion on twitter about 3D, gimmicks, and how bad The Artist is (except that I love The Artist) and how much better Hugo is. It all started because @KrisTapley posed the question: "Which film will you remember more a year from now? The Artist or Hugo?" While I am not an awards blogger, I follow the awards season closely, and root for my faves. I'm on the side of The Artist this year, mainly because I really adore the film, but I've started to realize that no one really likes the Best Picture winner (for now I should say frontrunner) anymore. No one is ever happy, it's never the right film. Why? ›››
Continue reading: Is It Personal? No One Ever Likes the Best Picture Winner Anymore
Right off the bat, I'm going to tell you that this article contains my own opinion, so if you're not used to that by now, I'm sorry. Frankly, I've been really excited to see what happens with the comedic thriller The Happytime Murders since the project was announced back in 2008. Thankfully, back in 2010 the project was picked up by Lionsgate with Jim Henson's son Brian Henson (who helmed A Muppet Christmas Carol) lined up to direct a script from Kung Fu Panda 2 scribe Todd Berger. Well, Variety reports the project has gained Katherine Heigl as talent in the film and I really could not be more displeased with the news. ›››
Continue reading: Really? Katherine Heigl Signs on for Puppet Noir 'Happytime Murders'
While it was initially reported that Mirror, Mirror star Lily Collins would move from the lighthearted fantasy of Tarsem Singh's fairytale adaptation to the dark horror of Fede Alvarez's remake of Evil Dead, the actress has left the project. However, Deadline reports an actress has quickly replaced her with Jane Levy, the star of ABC series "Suburgatory" and the forthcoming film Fun Size from Josh Schwartz. She will now play the lead role of Mia, one of five friends holed up at a remote cabin where they discover a Book of the Dead which unleashes a demonic force possessing each until only one is left to fight. But there's more! ›››
Continue reading: Jane Levy Replaces Lily Collins in Fede Alvarez's 'Evil Dead' Remake
Not too many films have seen the better days of Al Pacino lately as he seems to be struggling just as much in his acting career, if not moreso, than Robert De Niro as they both get up there in the years. However, the best part of Pacino will likely go to good use sooner than later as Deadline has word that the Scarface and The Godfather star will voice the villain in Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures' forthcoming sequel to Despicable Me. Of course, we still have no idea where Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) and his adorable little minions will be headed for the sequel, or even what kind of villain Pacino will be playing. ›››
Continue reading: Al Pacino to Voice the Villain in Illumination's 'Despicable Me' Sequel
The first trailer for the forthcoming remake of Silent House starring Elizabeth Olsen touted the idea of a real-time horror flick, and the poster is keeping that claim afloat. However, in the film that is supposedly one single take through an entire house of horrors, there's bound to be some trickery afoot. However, I'm pleased to see that the first poster for the film doesn't use a standard image of an ominous haunted house, but rather focuses on Sundance starlet Olsen clearly scared out of her wits by something. The question is whether or not the film actually works as well as the original Uruguayan film on which this remake is based. ›››
Continue reading: You Can't Hear Elizbaeth Olsen Scream on Poster for 'Silent House'
It seems like everyone is keen on teaming up with Melissa McCarthy after her turn in Bridesmaids last year, which just won her an Oscar nomination last month. Jason Bateman will do Identity Theft with the comedienne later this year and there's been talk of a few more projects with Jon Hamm and The Help director Tate Taylor. Now 24 Frames has word that Chris Rock is looking to get McCarthy into a marriage comedy that he's writing that would see the actress playing his wife as part of a "Jerry Springer couple." However, McCarthy isn't officially involved in the project just yet as Rock says, "I'm trying to romance her." ›››
Continue reading: Chris Rock Looks to Melissa McCarthy for a New Marriage Comedy?
Hot on the heels of Octavia Spencer landing a role in Snow Piercer, another acclaimed talent from The Help is filling up her future schedule as well. Variety has word that Viola Davis has signed for two supporting roles in two different adaptations: Ender's Game at Summit Entertainment. and Beautiful Creatures from Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. Considering all the awards love Davis has been getting for her lead role in The Help, including another Oscar nomination (she was previously nominated for Doubt), it's no surprise to have her lining up two high profile project, both of which are fantastical in their own unique way. ›››
Continue reading: Viola Davis Lands Roles in 'Ender's Game' and 'Beautiful Creatures'
Usually when a pair or even a trilogy of films are crafted hand-in-hand, that kind of gesture of faith is reserved for big budget, blockbuster franchises. However, Myriad Pictures is planning a pair of projects that follows a New York City couple during a difficult time in their marriage from the perspectives of the restaurant owner husband and his wife, who goes back to college. The films, which will be split into The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: His and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Hers, will tell the story from the view of both the husband and wife played by Jessican Chastain and Joel Edgerton. ›››
Continue reading: Jessica Chastain & Joel Edgerton to Lead Two 'Eleanor Rigby' Films
One of my favorite films from Cannes Film Festival last year that unfortunately did not break out of the fest was Miss Bala, from Mexican filmmaker Gerardo Naranjo, an intense and riveting thriller about a girl caught up in the Mexican drug wars. It's damn good, I highly recommend seeing it. Good news to report, as Deadline says that Fox is negotiating a deal with Naranjo to direct an upcoming adaptation of the novel The Mountain Between Us, written by Charles Martin. This definitely seems inspired by the recent success of The Grey, as it's about more survivors of a plane crash in a snowy area, but this time it's a survival romance. ›››
Continue reading: 'Miss Bala' Director Heads to 'The Mountain Between Us' Adaptation
After racking up almost $100 million from a film that only cost $1.5 million to make, it is no surprise to hear that the supernatural horror flick Insidious is getting the sequel treatment. Deadline reports writer Leigh Whannell and director James Wan are both returning for the sequel, but it's not clear of any of the original cast members will return or even what the story will focus on this time. I'm at least mildly interested even though the second half of the first film left a bad taste in my mouth, mostly because it's an entirely different style of horror than the first half, almost as if two directors worked on the film separately. ›››
Continue reading: Leigh Whannell & James Wan Are Returning for an 'Insidious' Sequel
"Two things that mean most anything to him in the world is his father and football, and we've got to make sure we're there for him." Just in time for the big game this weekend, The Weinstein Company has unveiled the official trailer (on Apple via The Film Stage) for Oscar nominated documentary Undefeated, about a struggling inner-city high school football team in Memphis trying to win their first playoff game in their history. "Oscar nominated" (this year!) is really all that needs to be said about this and how great it looks. I haven't seen it yet, but now I really really want to, I'm hooked. This is a fantastic trailer, check it out below! ›››
Continue reading: Watch: Oscar Nominated Football Doc 'Undefeated' Official Trailer
Meet Josh Trank. Get to know his name. You will be hearing it quite a bit in the near future. Not only is he the very talented filmmaker behind the superpowers found-footage film Chronicle, which I've seen and is awesome, but he's already being pursued for the new Fantastic Four movie, too. With Chronicle arriving in theaters this weekend, I met up with Josh on Skype for a video chat and interview/discussion on how he got here, how he made this movie, plus everything else in-between, with references to Blair Witch Project, Stand By Me, Akira and even Jaws. Josh is a big cinephile like all of us and it was great to talk with him. ›››
Continue reading: Interview: 'Chronicle' Director Josh Trank on Making Telekinesis Real
A lot of uncertain variables are at work in The Woman in Black. Since returning to the world of horror, Hammer Films has had hits - Let Me In and Wake Wood - and misses - The Resident. Fresh from the Harry Potter finale, Daniel Radcliffe is untested outside of the franchise. Director James Watkins' previous film, Eden Lake, was a mixed bag of heavy atmosphere and foreboding tension with an ending both anti-climactic and shaky. Perhaps Eden Lake is a fine indicator of what to expect from The Woman in Black, a gothic and effective throwback to the mood-drenched fogs and creaky manors of the Hammer Films of old. ›››
Continue reading: Review: Atmosphere, Character Make 'Woman in Black' a True Return
Though she was recognizable for goofy roles in films like Dinner for Schmucks and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, actress Octavia Spencer is quickly on the rise as a big name after her Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress in The Help, not to mention all the acclaim from critics and various other awards. Now Spencer has been lined up for Snow Piercer the story set in a future where, after a failed experiment to stop global warming, an Ice Age kills off all life on the planet except for the inhabitants of the Snow Piercer, a train that travels around the globe and is powered by a sacred perpetual-motion engine. More below! ›››
Continue reading: Oscar Nom Octavia Spencer Joining Bong Joon-Ho's 'Snow Piercer'
Unlike The Academy, BAFTA knows what they're doing! Not only did they nominate five of the truly Best Films of 2011 (including the best of them all, Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive) but every year they whip up custom posters for their awards brochure and they're always outstanding. HeyUGuys recently posted all five of the new posters, designed by Eda Akaltun & StudioSmall (studiosmall.com), online and you've got to see them, especially the one for Drive. The other Best Film nominees and posters include: The Descendants, The Artist, The Help and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Winners will be announced on Feb. 12 in a few weeks. ›››
Continue reading: Check Out the 2012 BAFTA Five Best Film Poster Brochure Covers
Back in 1992, before venturing into a different kind of fantasy with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, director Mike Newell went Into the West for the story of two young boys who escape the poverty of their Dublin council estate on adventure ‘into the west’ to find a mystical horse recently stolen from them. Now it sounds like a remake is in order as Screen Daily reports director Jim Sheridan, who most recently struck out with Dream House, has been lined up to write and direct an update of the film with original producer Tim Palmer also involved. The story will be reimagined with the same themes, but in a United States setting. ›››
Continue reading: Director Jim Sheridan to Write and Direct a Remake of 'Into the West'