There is absolutely no way it wins Best Picture, maybe a nomination, but no way a win. The narrative structure is not that accessible — it could be the token arthouse/critic-backed nominee, but that’s about it.
Read moreBradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein Biopic to Start Shooting in May 2022
‘West Side Story’: The Positive and Negative Reactions
Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” just screened in New York and reactions are all over the place; From it’s better than the original to it’s clearly not. It’ll be interesting to see how reviews pan out for this one, which I’m set to watch on Thursday.
Read more‘Spencer’ Makes $610, While ’Licorice Pizza’ Scores Record $83,852 Per Theater This Weekend
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza” grossed $335,000 in four theaters in 70mm this weekend l and generated an astounding per-theater average of $83,852. A pandemic-era record. The film will expand to 1,800 theaters on Christmas Day, the largest release for any PTA film.
Read moreCahiers du Cinéma Reveals Their Top 10 Films of 2021
The Cahiers du Cinéma never cared about hive-mind or “groupthink,” they live in their own passionate world of moviegoing.
Read moreOmicron: What’s Berlin and Sundance’s Next Move?
I tried to contact the Sundance Film Festival to see if there are any changes planned for the festival with the emergence of the Omicron variant around the world. No comment as of the publishing of this piece.
Read more‘West Side Story’ Screens; Rita Moreno a Standout, “Dirty and Gritty Remake”
A few “West Side Story” reactions have leaked online. Steven Spielberg’s remake of the 1961 original screened for SAG members last night. There will be additional screenings for press all throughout the week.
Read more‘Benedetta’ Deserves Your Attention; It’s Essential Verhoeven
Paul Verhoeven’s “Benedetta” is finally set to be released on Friday. In my Cannes dispatch on 07.10.21, titled “Lesbian Nun Drama Has Everyone Buzzing,” I had this to say:
Read moreMike Leigh Can’t Find Funding For His Next Project; Netflix Turned Him Down
Casablanca Released 79 Years Ago Today
79 years ago on this date, Michael Curtiz’s “Casablanca” was released. It's a film that has withstood the test of time, and produced some of movie history’s most memorable lines.
Read morePaul Thomas Anderson Proclaims His Love for Linklater’s ‘Everybody Wants Some’; Influenced ‘Licorice Pizza’
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza” felt like a mix of Richard Linklater’s “Everybody Wants Some” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” So, I’m glad that PTA is acknowledging the former’s groovy vibe and influence.
Read moreOscars: Kodi Smit-McPhee is the Best Supporting Actor Frontrunner; Bradley Cooper and Jared Leto Close Behind
This is the sixth instalment in our ever-evolving series of 2022 Oscar predictions. We’ve already tackled the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best International Film categories.
Read moreHotshot Festival Director on ‘West Side Story’…
I’m scheduled to catch Spielberg’s “West Side Story” on Thursday. You just can’t brush off something, anything, from Spielberg. He’s a storytelling genius as far as I’m concerned, despite his last few films being rather underwhelming.
Read moreBig Week Ahead
Post-Thanksgiving. I didn’t plan it this way, but next week I have screenings for “Nightmare Alley,” “Don’t Look Up,” “West Side Story,” “Cyrano,” and a second go-round of “Licorice Pizza.” Fun times. Expect reviews for all of them and a better understanding of the Oscar race ahead.
Almodovar’s Wrath; Looking Back at Cannes 1999
Pedro Almodovar throwing some shade at Venice winner “Happening” isn’t anything new for the Spanish filmmaker, he has a past of being adamantly vocal about his films not winning the top prize at festivals.
Read moreDid National Board of Review Delay Their Vote?
Looks like a date change may have occured with the National Board of Review. Their Twitter account has pulled the “just one week until our Nov 30 awards announcement” tweet from earlier this week, and on their website the press release from earlier this year revealing the Nov. 30 date has gone missing. Could this have to do with Guillermo del Toro's “Nightmare Alley” still not being ready? As it stands, the first “Nightmare Alley” screening is set for December 1st in Los Angeles and New York City. Steven Spielberg's “West Side Story” surely adhered to NBR's original date, setting up a screening the day before the vote on November 29th.
James Gray’s ‘Armageddon Time’ Has Wrapped Filming
James Gray’s “Armageddon Time” has wrapped filming in New York City. That’s six weeks of shooting. Short and sweet.
Read moreWho Directed The World's Best Poker Films?
When it comes to a film's success, a lot hinges on the quality of the director. A poor director can squander even the best of scripts or the most talented of casts. But a strong director can make magic even without the benefit of fundamentally great material.
Read moreDenzel Washington’s ‘A Journal For Jordan’ Getting Bad Reactions
I hope Sony Pictures knew what they were doing when they greenlit Denzel Washington’s A Journal for Jordan. Early word is negative on Washington’s third film as director. Are you surprised? The film screened on November 11th to tepid reactions.
Read more‘House of Gucci’ Set for $26 Million 5-Day Opening
Don’t hate too much on “House of Gucci.” The Razzie-worthy film is quite the unsubtle, but wild ride, especially whenever Jared Leto and Al Pacino are on-screen.
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It’s been seven years since Alma Har’el’s feature debut, “Honey Boy,” which was written by and starred Shia LaBeouf — she is now set to direct her next film, with a very talented cast.