In a nutshell, what “The Holdovers” signifies is a back-to-the-basics approach for director Payne, albeit done in a very mainstream, comfort-food type of fashion. It’s far from Payne’s best film, but an immensely likeable one.
Read moreWhat’s Missing: Part 3
Here’s the third, and possibly final, instalment of what’s missing at the fall festivals. Most of the big fests (save for AFI) have announced their entire lineups, so expect all of these to be bumped to 2024.
Read moreMartin Scorsese Wants to Adapt the Novel ‘Home’
David Fincher’s Favorite Coen Film is ‘Miller’s Crossing’ — A Big Influence on ‘The Killer’
Chris Pine’s ‘Poolman’ Bombs Hard at TIFF
Yikes. Based on the chatter I’ve been hearing here at TIFF, Chris Pine’s “Poolman” might be the worst-received film at this year’s edition of the festival. There were a ton of walkouts at last night’s premiere.
Read moreAnna Kendrick’s ‘Woman of the Hour’ Bought by Netflix For $11 Million
On the weekend I had positive things to say about Anna Kendrick’s “Woman of the Hour.” It’s a solid directing debut for the actress and it just got bought by Netflix for $11 million. The biggest sale of the fest. It currently sits at 78 on Metacritic, with 9 reviews counted, and is 94% fresh.
All 4 of Wes Anderson’s ‘Henry Sugar’ Films Will Release This Month on Netflix
We weren’t entirely sure what Netflix’s game-plan was in regards to releasing all four of Wes Anderson’s ‘Henry Sugar’ short films.
Read more‘L.A. Confidential’ Writer Says Sequel Rejected by Multiple Studios
“L.A. Confidential” writer Brian Helgeland has obsessively tried to kickstart a sequel to the 1997 classic for almost 10 years now.
Read moreHamaguchi’s ‘Evil Does Not Exist’ Came Very Close to Winning the Golden Lion
Most people figured that Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” would win the Golden Lion, and that it did, but apparently there was a block of the jurors who fought hard for Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Evil Does Not Exist.”
Read moreGuillermo del Toro Calls ‘Past Lives’ an “Exquisite, Delicate, Powerful Piece of Cinema”
Spike Lee Slams Critics Who said ‘Do the Right Thing’ Would “Incite Riots”
Spike Lee's “Do The Right Thing” celebrates its 30th anniversary this weekend and it still packs a wallop. The writer-director’s examination of the racial divide in America is as relevant today as it’s ever been before.
Read moreShot in 2019, Taika Waititi’s ‘Next Goal Wins’ Finally Screens to Mediocre Reviews
Principal photography on Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins” began in November of 2019 and ended in January 2020. After multiple delays, which included extensive reshoots, the film finally premiered yesterday evening in Toronto.
Read moreTIFF Report #4 — ‘American Fiction’ is a Marvel [Capsule]
Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction” is a confident debut — a remarkable feat of comedy, satire and racial politics featuring a brilliant performance from Jeffrey Wright.
Read more‘Reptile’: Wasted Potential in Fincher-esque Thriller [TIFF]
For 70% of Grant Singer’s “Reptile,” I was invested, and then it gets totally bogged down by a plot twist.
Read moreTim Burton Defends Johnny Depp
Craig Gillespie’s ‘Dumb Money’ Screens to Politely Positive Reviews at TIFF
I watched Craig Gillespie’s ”Dumb Money”, which tackles this true story, and it’s a fairly watchable affair, but tamper your expectations down.
Read moreTIFF Report #3 — Boldly Original ‘Dream Scenario’ is Nicolas Cage at His Very Best
Nicolas Cage never ceases to impress me with his chameleon-like gift to immerse himself, full-on, into character. Case in point: his gonzo performance in “Dream Scenario.”
Read moreTim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice 2’ Had Two Days of Shooting Left Before Strike: “It’s 99% Done”
Production on Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice 2” started in May and had to be halted on July 14th due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Read moreRumor: Marvel Wants Alfonso Cuaron to Direct ‘Avengers: Secret Wars‘
I’ll position this one as a “rumor” because it sounds too wild to be true.
Read moreTodd Haynes’ “Explicit” 1930s Gay Drama, With Joaquin Phoenix, Aiming For Summer 2024 Shoot
Todd Haynes hasn’t even started shooting his next film yet but he’s already implying that it’ll be a button-pusher of the highest order. It sure sounds like it.
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