Sam Mendes is undoubtedly one of the best filmmakers of our times. Among his many hit films are American Beauty (1999), which earned him the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Director, then Road to Perdition (2002), Jarhead (2005), Revolutionary Road (2008), the James Bond films Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015), and the critically acclaimed war film 1917 (2019). He also made Empire of Light in 2022 but has not been active since. Yet, earlier this year, it was reported that Mendes was working on an ambitious four-film project related to arguably the best band ever – The Beatles!
Mandes is working on four individual biopics, each dedicated to one member of the famous group – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. All four movies are currently planned for a 2027 release, which demonstrates just how big this project is. But this is old news. What we have for you here is some important casting information,...
Mandes is working on four individual biopics, each dedicated to one member of the famous group – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. All four movies are currently planned for a 2027 release, which demonstrates just how big this project is. But this is old news. What we have for you here is some important casting information,...
- 6/7/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie and Jessica Gunning have joined the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s classic, ‘The Magic Faraway Tree.’
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the story follows Polly and Tim Thompson and their children, Beth, Joe and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants.
The inhabitants of the tree, capable of transporting visitors to fantastical far-off lands, will be played by Coughlan who is cast as beloved woodland fairy Silky, Nonso Anozie as self-appointed group leader Moonface, Jessica Gunning as Dame Washalot and Dustin Demri-Burns as Saucepan Man. Rounding out the cast of the magical denizens of the woodlands will be Mark Heap as Mr. Oom Boom Boom and Oliver Chris as Mr. Watzisname.
Also in news – Cillian Murphy...
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the story follows Polly and Tim Thompson and their children, Beth, Joe and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants.
The inhabitants of the tree, capable of transporting visitors to fantastical far-off lands, will be played by Coughlan who is cast as beloved woodland fairy Silky, Nonso Anozie as self-appointed group leader Moonface, Jessica Gunning as Dame Washalot and Dustin Demri-Burns as Saucepan Man. Rounding out the cast of the magical denizens of the woodlands will be Mark Heap as Mr. Oom Boom Boom and Oliver Chris as Mr. Watzisname.
Also in news – Cillian Murphy...
- 6/6/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie and Jessica Gunning have joined the cast of the upcoming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s “The Magic Faraway Tree.”
Coughlan (“Bridgerton”) will portray the woodland fairy Silky, joined by Anozie (“Ted Lasso”) as Moonface. Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”) takes on the role of Dame Washalot, with Dustin Demri-Burns (“Slow Horses”) as Saucepan Man. Mark Heap (“Friday Night Dinner”) will play Mr. Oom Boom Boom, and Oliver Chris (“Trying”) Mr. Watzisname.
The film, based on Blyton’s beloved “The Faraway Tree” series, follows the Thompson family as they move to the English countryside and discover a magical tree. The fantastical tree’s residents transport visitors to distant lands, setting the stage for a series of whimsical adventures.
Adding to the star-studded cast, British icons Lenny Henry, Michael Palin and Simon Russell Beale will portray mystical wise men from the Land of Know-Alls. Previously announced cast members include Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.
Coughlan (“Bridgerton”) will portray the woodland fairy Silky, joined by Anozie (“Ted Lasso”) as Moonface. Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”) takes on the role of Dame Washalot, with Dustin Demri-Burns (“Slow Horses”) as Saucepan Man. Mark Heap (“Friday Night Dinner”) will play Mr. Oom Boom Boom, and Oliver Chris (“Trying”) Mr. Watzisname.
The film, based on Blyton’s beloved “The Faraway Tree” series, follows the Thompson family as they move to the English countryside and discover a magical tree. The fantastical tree’s residents transport visitors to distant lands, setting the stage for a series of whimsical adventures.
Adding to the star-studded cast, British icons Lenny Henry, Michael Palin and Simon Russell Beale will portray mystical wise men from the Land of Know-Alls. Previously announced cast members include Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.
- 6/6/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
A sexy comedy featuring man-of-the-moment Glen Powell posing as an undercover hitman, Jessica Alba kicking ass in an all-action revenge tale, the inimitable David Letterman interviewing a new round of guests, the continuing saga of Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, the return of a beloved fantasy series and the story of the most iconic franchise in cheerleading are among the standout new additions to Netflix in June.
Returning in June on Netflix is the third season of the fantasy series Sweet Tooth. Based on the beloved comic book series created by Jeff Lemire, the show tells the story of society after it has been decimated by a virus and human-animal hybrids begin to appear. The focus of the show is Gus, a young half-human, half-deer boy who is looking for his mother. Season one of Sweet Tooth debuted in June 2021, with season two arriving last June. The third season launches...
Returning in June on Netflix is the third season of the fantasy series Sweet Tooth. Based on the beloved comic book series created by Jeff Lemire, the show tells the story of society after it has been decimated by a virus and human-animal hybrids begin to appear. The focus of the show is Gus, a young half-human, half-deer boy who is looking for his mother. Season one of Sweet Tooth debuted in June 2021, with season two arriving last June. The third season launches...
- 6/1/2024
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It's no surprise that there isn't a single war movie that's easy to watch. Still, these films are usually adored by both critics and audiences.
First, they require a great deal of technical skill to make. Second, the amount of thought that goes into the set and costume design cannot go unnoticed. And third, the actors tend to shine the brightest in the face of dramatic dialogue and heartbreaking scenes, and there is no shortage of those when it comes to war.
If you're craving a good war movie, but don't have anything specific in mind, Netflix is ready to help with a new addition to its library.
Is 1917 Worth Watching?
Unlike many war movies, 1917 takes viewers back to World War I, not a few decades later. This alone sets 1917 apart from many other films in the genre, giving it a unique setting and rare insight into the events.
First, they require a great deal of technical skill to make. Second, the amount of thought that goes into the set and costume design cannot go unnoticed. And third, the actors tend to shine the brightest in the face of dramatic dialogue and heartbreaking scenes, and there is no shortage of those when it comes to war.
If you're craving a good war movie, but don't have anything specific in mind, Netflix is ready to help with a new addition to its library.
Is 1917 Worth Watching?
Unlike many war movies, 1917 takes viewers back to World War I, not a few decades later. This alone sets 1917 apart from many other films in the genre, giving it a unique setting and rare insight into the events.
- 5/27/2024
- by virginia-singh@startefacts.com (Virginia Singh)
- STartefacts.com
Netflix keeps going on with its permanent mission to give old flicks a second life, and it seems like one of last years’ most successful movies will thrive once again as soon as it lands on the streaming giant’s platform.
Next month will mark the arrival of 1917 at Netflix’s collection of movies thus giving Sam Mendes’ epic war drama a very promising future at the streaming’s top chart.
What Is 1917 About?
Released back in 2019, 1917 became a big phenomenon in the industry upon its release. Starring a whole list of the cinema’s most prominent actors like George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch and many others, the movie follows two British soldiers, Will Schofield and Tom Blake, portrayed by MacKay and Chapman respectively, who get to outwit death during World War I.
Having received an order to deliver a very...
Next month will mark the arrival of 1917 at Netflix’s collection of movies thus giving Sam Mendes’ epic war drama a very promising future at the streaming’s top chart.
What Is 1917 About?
Released back in 2019, 1917 became a big phenomenon in the industry upon its release. Starring a whole list of the cinema’s most prominent actors like George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch and many others, the movie follows two British soldiers, Will Schofield and Tom Blake, portrayed by MacKay and Chapman respectively, who get to outwit death during World War I.
Having received an order to deliver a very...
- 5/25/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
With the release of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” on May 10, this year’s Best Visual Effects Oscar race just got a lot more interesting. That’s because we’re almost guaranteed to get three, possibly even four, movies in the race that are follow-ups to previous Visual Effects nominees. “Apes” is likely to be the fourth movie in its franchise nominated for the innovative performance capture used to help create the film’s photo-realistic apes. Three previous films, starring Andy Serkis, were nominated for Oscars in the category in 2011, 2014, and 2017, but none of them won.
The work done by director Wes Ball and his team has made “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” a serious contender in multiple below-the-line categories, not just visual effects. Its production design and sound are equally impressive. But the academy branch that’s most likely to be impressed will be the...
The work done by director Wes Ball and his team has made “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” a serious contender in multiple below-the-line categories, not just visual effects. Its production design and sound are equally impressive. But the academy branch that’s most likely to be impressed will be the...
- 5/22/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Basado en el best-seller de David Gilbert.
Según anuncia Deadline, Bill Nighy (“Living”), Noah Jupe (“A Quiet Place”), George MacKay y Matt Smith (“The Crown”) protagonizarán el debut en inglés del cineasta argentino Pablo Trapero (“El Clan”) “& Sons”, cuyo guion ha sido escrito por la ganadora del Oscar Sarah Polley (“Women Talking”).
La película “& Sons” está basada en la novela homónima de David Gilbert. Andrew es un novelista más conocido en el mundo como A.N. Dyer. Escribió su primer libro a los 27 años y se convirtió en un clásico instantáneo, vendiendo 45 millones de ejemplares. Andrew se despierta una mañana convencido de que está a punto de morir. Sabe que se le acaba el tiempo y necesita arreglar los vínculos más importantes de su vida, así que reúne a sus hijos para que estén con él. Han pasado casi 20 años desde que un “incidente” destrozó el hogar de los Dyer.
Según anuncia Deadline, Bill Nighy (“Living”), Noah Jupe (“A Quiet Place”), George MacKay y Matt Smith (“The Crown”) protagonizarán el debut en inglés del cineasta argentino Pablo Trapero (“El Clan”) “& Sons”, cuyo guion ha sido escrito por la ganadora del Oscar Sarah Polley (“Women Talking”).
La película “& Sons” está basada en la novela homónima de David Gilbert. Andrew es un novelista más conocido en el mundo como A.N. Dyer. Escribió su primer libro a los 27 años y se convirtió en un clásico instantáneo, vendiendo 45 millones de ejemplares. Andrew se despierta una mañana convencido de que está a punto de morir. Sabe que se le acaba el tiempo y necesita arreglar los vínculos más importantes de su vida, así que reúne a sus hijos para que estén con él. Han pasado casi 20 años desde que un “incidente” destrozó el hogar de los Dyer.
- 5/20/2024
- by Marta Medina
- mundoCine
Exclusive: Oscar nominee Bill Nighy (Living), Indie Spirit nominee Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place I & II), BAFTA nominee George MacKay (1917) and BAFTA nominee Matt Smith (The Crown) are set to star in acclaimed Argentinian filmmaker Pablo Trapero’s (El Clan) English-language movie debut & Sons, which is being scripted by Oscar winner Sarah Polley (Women Talking).
Bankside Films is launching world sales on the buzzy project at this week’s Cannes market. Bankside, UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance are co-repping North American rights.
Pic is based on the novel of the same name by David Gilbert. The official synopsis reads:
“Andrew is a novelist best known to the world as A.N. Dyer. He wrote his first book when he was 27 and it became an instant classic, selling 45M copies and creating a cult around its elusive author. Andrew wakes up one morning convinced that he is about to die.
Bankside Films is launching world sales on the buzzy project at this week’s Cannes market. Bankside, UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance are co-repping North American rights.
Pic is based on the novel of the same name by David Gilbert. The official synopsis reads:
“Andrew is a novelist best known to the world as A.N. Dyer. He wrote his first book when he was 27 and it became an instant classic, selling 45M copies and creating a cult around its elusive author. Andrew wakes up one morning convinced that he is about to die.
- 5/17/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
We suggest turning to some of the most important American war films ever made. Whether you're watching them for the first time or the tenth, each of these movies will have you on the edge of your seat, empathizing with characters who face the terrible reality of warfare and its aftermath. Plus, each of the 11 war movies listed below is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Now on Prime: 11 Great War Movies
1. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
2. We Were Soldiers
3. The Hurt Locker
4. Black Hawk Down
5. The Thin Red Line
6. Fury
7. Dunkirk
8. Hacksaw Ridge
9. 1917
10. Saving Private Ryan
11. Schindler's List
From the Atlantic to the Pacific, from World War I to contemporary conflicts in Africa, the Levant, and South Asia, from the physical challenges to the mental ones, from the horror of the first kill to the horror of losing brothers in arms — although Hollywood has always strived...
Now on Prime: 11 Great War Movies
1. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
2. We Were Soldiers
3. The Hurt Locker
4. Black Hawk Down
5. The Thin Red Line
6. Fury
7. Dunkirk
8. Hacksaw Ridge
9. 1917
10. Saving Private Ryan
11. Schindler's List
From the Atlantic to the Pacific, from World War I to contemporary conflicts in Africa, the Levant, and South Asia, from the physical challenges to the mental ones, from the horror of the first kill to the horror of losing brothers in arms — although Hollywood has always strived...
- 5/14/2024
- by louise.everitt@startefacts.com (Louise Everitt)
- STartefacts.com
Jeff Zucker, the former president of CNN and CEO of NBCUniversal, explained his M&a focus with RedBird Imi during a conference appearance in London on Thursday, saying that “quality programming that you own … will continue to be the key” in a media industry that has been facing “disruption” and various challenges.
The investment firm bases its work on a key premise. “The idea is that intellectual property and quality content, whether it’s entertainment or news and information, will succeed in the long run with the proper eventual amount of capital and patience,” the industry veteran explained at the Wall Street Journal event.
So, “investing, building, and growing” is the focus at RedBird Imi, which is “not what is really going on in a lot of media,” Zucker said. “It’s actually quite a relief right now to be in the process of trying to grow assets, and each...
The investment firm bases its work on a key premise. “The idea is that intellectual property and quality content, whether it’s entertainment or news and information, will succeed in the long run with the proper eventual amount of capital and patience,” the industry veteran explained at the Wall Street Journal event.
So, “investing, building, and growing” is the focus at RedBird Imi, which is “not what is really going on in a lot of media,” Zucker said. “It’s actually quite a relief right now to be in the process of trying to grow assets, and each...
- 5/9/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy will lead the film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree.
The story from the author, based on her The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Two-time Academy Award-nominee Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick…Boom!, Hacksaw Ridge) will play Tim and two-time Emmy Award-winner Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers, The Crown) will take on the role of Polly.
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group, and Ashland Hill Media Finance will produce, with principal photography to begin in June 2024 and additional casting currently underway.
Screenwriter Simon Farnaby, British star of Wonka and Paddington 2, said: “To have two actors of the quality of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy is a dream for any screenwriter.”
“I have long admired their warmth,...
The story from the author, based on her The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Two-time Academy Award-nominee Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick…Boom!, Hacksaw Ridge) will play Tim and two-time Emmy Award-winner Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers, The Crown) will take on the role of Polly.
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group, and Ashland Hill Media Finance will produce, with principal photography to begin in June 2024 and additional casting currently underway.
Screenwriter Simon Farnaby, British star of Wonka and Paddington 2, said: “To have two actors of the quality of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy is a dream for any screenwriter.”
“I have long admired their warmth,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy have joined the cast of magical family adventure feature “The Magic Faraway Tree,” based on Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s classic.
The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.
Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.
Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
- 5/3/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Chris Besseling, former marketing lead at eOne and Pathé UK, is joining Zygi Kamasa’s True Brit Entertainment as head of theatrical distribution, marketing and publicity.
Besseling is one of the distribution and financing outfit’s first major hires, with True Brit’s speedily expanding slate including Marching Powder, The Scurry, Giant, The Critic and Gurinder Chadha’s Christmas Karma.
He will be based in London and report to Kamasa.
Throughout his career Besseling has been responsible for launching over 200 films at the UK and Ireland box office. He has also held posts at Metrodome, the BFI, Optimum Releasing and consulted for Studiocanal.
Besseling is one of the distribution and financing outfit’s first major hires, with True Brit’s speedily expanding slate including Marching Powder, The Scurry, Giant, The Critic and Gurinder Chadha’s Christmas Karma.
He will be based in London and report to Kamasa.
Throughout his career Besseling has been responsible for launching over 200 films at the UK and Ireland box office. He has also held posts at Metrodome, the BFI, Optimum Releasing and consulted for Studiocanal.
- 4/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
Former eOne and Pathé UK marketing executive Chris Besseling has joined True Brit Entertainment, the UK distribution company run by Zygi Kamasa.
Besseling’s official title at True Brit is Head of Theatrical Distribution, Marketing, and Publicity. He will oversee the full theatrical distribution, marketing, and publicity function for True Brit Entertainment’s slate. He will be based in London and report to True Brit Entertainment CEO Kamasa.
Besseling began his career at the Metrodome, BFI, and Optimum Releasing. Since then, he has been responsible for launching over 200 films at the UK and Irish box office. During his time at eOne and Pathé, he spearheaded the theatrical campaigns for a wide array of titles, including 1917, Suffragette, Green Book, Selma, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Amongst Thieves, Wild Rose, The Death of Stalin, The Woman King, Stan & Ollie, Clifford The Big Red Dog, The House With A Clock In Its Walls, Blinded By the Light...
Besseling’s official title at True Brit is Head of Theatrical Distribution, Marketing, and Publicity. He will oversee the full theatrical distribution, marketing, and publicity function for True Brit Entertainment’s slate. He will be based in London and report to True Brit Entertainment CEO Kamasa.
Besseling began his career at the Metrodome, BFI, and Optimum Releasing. Since then, he has been responsible for launching over 200 films at the UK and Irish box office. During his time at eOne and Pathé, he spearheaded the theatrical campaigns for a wide array of titles, including 1917, Suffragette, Green Book, Selma, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Amongst Thieves, Wild Rose, The Death of Stalin, The Woman King, Stan & Ollie, Clifford The Big Red Dog, The House With A Clock In Its Walls, Blinded By the Light...
- 4/29/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Angelina Jolie’s scrapped “Cleopatra” movie was part romance epic and part “political thriller with assassinations and sex,” according to the movie’s original screenwriter Brian Helgeland. The Oscar-winning actor was set to play the Egyptian queen in a tentpole for Sony Pictures that once courted director David Fincher to helm. It never got off the ground.
“I was the very first writer on ‘Cleopatra’ when it was being developed for Angelina Jolie to star in, which was almost made,” Helgeland said in an interview with Inverse. “It had elements of a political thriller with assassinations and sex, but it’s an epic that’s divided between her love affairs with Caesar and Marc Antony. Lots of true events surprised me when I was writing it.”
“For example, the day Caesar was assassinated — the Ides of March and all that stuff — she was in Rome,” he continued. “They were leaving for Egypt,...
“I was the very first writer on ‘Cleopatra’ when it was being developed for Angelina Jolie to star in, which was almost made,” Helgeland said in an interview with Inverse. “It had elements of a political thriller with assassinations and sex, but it’s an epic that’s divided between her love affairs with Caesar and Marc Antony. Lots of true events surprised me when I was writing it.”
“For example, the day Caesar was assassinated — the Ides of March and all that stuff — she was in Rome,” he continued. “They were leaving for Egypt,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
George MacKay became one Hollywood’s most sought after young actors after his starring role as a sweet-faced solider in Sam Mendes’ Oscar-winning “1917.”
But he’s looking much different in his latest film, “Femme.” He stars in the queer revenge thriller from directors Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping as a closeted street thug who begins a sexual relationship with Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), a man he doesn’t realize is the drag queen he once brutally gay-bashed.
For the film, MacKay’s body is ripped and covered in tattoos. His hair is shaved and slicked back. He wears tracksuits and garish gold chains and rings, and his working class accent can be hard to decipher.
It took him about eight weeks of “bulking” to get in shape. Even so, MacKay admits he did a lot of push-ups for scenes where he had to be particularly “big and scary.
But he’s looking much different in his latest film, “Femme.” He stars in the queer revenge thriller from directors Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping as a closeted street thug who begins a sexual relationship with Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), a man he doesn’t realize is the drag queen he once brutally gay-bashed.
For the film, MacKay’s body is ripped and covered in tattoos. His hair is shaved and slicked back. He wears tracksuits and garish gold chains and rings, and his working class accent can be hard to decipher.
It took him about eight weeks of “bulking” to get in shape. Even so, MacKay admits he did a lot of push-ups for scenes where he had to be particularly “big and scary.
- 4/8/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
You know the gifted actor George MacKay from films like 1917 or True History of The Kelly Gang. Now he has given us two absolutely incredible performances in Femme (in select theaters now) and The Beast (out on April 5th). On this episode, he takes us into his process of inhabiting these two extremely different characters. He explains why context is becoming more and more important to him in his preparation, talks about the actor as storyteller, the secret to appearing truly menacing, those sex scenes in Femme, a lesson about respect that he learned from Eddie Marsan, and much […]
The post “All You Can Do is Give Your Offering” George MacKay, Back To One, Episode 284 first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “All You Can Do is Give Your Offering” George MacKay, Back To One, Episode 284 first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/26/2024
- by Peter Rinaldi
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
You know the gifted actor George MacKay from films like 1917 or True History of The Kelly Gang. Now he has given us two absolutely incredible performances in Femme (in select theaters now) and The Beast (out on April 5th). On this episode, he takes us into his process of inhabiting these two extremely different characters. He explains why context is becoming more and more important to him in his preparation, talks about the actor as storyteller, the secret to appearing truly menacing, those sex scenes in Femme, a lesson about respect that he learned from Eddie Marsan, and much […]
The post “All You Can Do is Give Your Offering” George MacKay, Back To One, Episode 284 first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “All You Can Do is Give Your Offering” George MacKay, Back To One, Episode 284 first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/26/2024
- by Peter Rinaldi
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
With his victory on Monday at the Critics’ Circle Theatre awards, Andrew Scott has made history. The Irish performer, recognized as best actor for his one-man West End show, “Vanya,” previously was named best actor at the 2024 Critics’ Circle Film Awards for his performance in “All of Us Strangers.” He’s the first person to win lead actor Critics’ Circle prizes in both film and television in the same year.
“It’s a thrilling delight,” Scott says. “I’ve been involved with both film and theater ever since I started acting when I was 17 years old. I’ve always worked between the two mediums. So to have these two projects, which were very dear to me, be recognized is more than I could have wished for.”
In the case of “Vanya,” Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya,” Scott played all of the show’s eight roles. That was a herculean task,...
“It’s a thrilling delight,” Scott says. “I’ve been involved with both film and theater ever since I started acting when I was 17 years old. I’ve always worked between the two mediums. So to have these two projects, which were very dear to me, be recognized is more than I could have wished for.”
In the case of “Vanya,” Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya,” Scott played all of the show’s eight roles. That was a herculean task,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
An empathy-for-all approach to a queer revenge thriller about the attraction that forms between a Black drag queen and his white attacker after a homophobic assault? That’s the slippery thrust of queer British filmmakers Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s “Femme,” starring Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and George MacKay as East Londoners who share a perverse romantic connection founded on revenge. It’s a movie in revenge noir drag of its own, concealing a sinister love story.
As “Femme” begins, Jules is coming off the high of another fabulous performance under the drag persona Aphrodite Banks. Still in full garb, he stops at a convenience store where he’s at first cruised by Preston, a tatted-up criminal cutting an alluring figure under a streetlamp. But Preston soon after brutally beats Jules to impress his rabbling macho band of friends, leaving Jules naked and collapsed in the street.
But cut to some time later,...
As “Femme” begins, Jules is coming off the high of another fabulous performance under the drag persona Aphrodite Banks. Still in full garb, he stops at a convenience store where he’s at first cruised by Preston, a tatted-up criminal cutting an alluring figure under a streetlamp. But Preston soon after brutally beats Jules to impress his rabbling macho band of friends, leaving Jules naked and collapsed in the street.
But cut to some time later,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The “Star Wars” universe is finally expanding further with Disney+ series “The Acolyte.”
The highly-anticipated show hails from “Russian Doll” creator Leslye Headland and stars “Bodies Bodies Bodies” breakout Amandla Stenberg as a Sith in training. The series is billed as a mystery-thriller that will “take the audience into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark side powers in the final days of the High Republic era,” per Disney+. “The Acolyte” takes place in the final days of the High Republic era of the “Star Wars” timeline, when the Republic and the Jedi are at their zenith and peace is the order of the day — though there may be seeds of the dark times to come.
The official logline states, “An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-Jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down...
The highly-anticipated show hails from “Russian Doll” creator Leslye Headland and stars “Bodies Bodies Bodies” breakout Amandla Stenberg as a Sith in training. The series is billed as a mystery-thriller that will “take the audience into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark side powers in the final days of the High Republic era,” per Disney+. “The Acolyte” takes place in the final days of the High Republic era of the “Star Wars” timeline, when the Republic and the Jedi are at their zenith and peace is the order of the day — though there may be seeds of the dark times to come.
The official logline states, “An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-Jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down...
- 3/19/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Now that the Oscar winners are known, we can determine the other winners: the studios’ and distributors’ strategic release decisions that impacted results.
Some may reflect genius or gut instinct; others are timing and preparation creating luck. In each case, distribution (or the lack thereof) played a significant role in positioning the films for success — but none of them could be considered a template.
Surprisingly, the universal non-factor appeared to be SAG strike, which constrained promotion. “Oppenheimer” completed most cast appearances in time, while “Killers of the Flower Moon” had press stockpiled from Cannes. The French “Anatomy of a Fall” was unaffected.
“The Holdovers,” along with “Priscilla,” took the biggest chances with their October releases. Both made platform debuts on the same day. Sofia Coppola’s biopic showed a faster response, but Alexander Payne’s film found awards success (as well as a near-equal box office haul and bigger home...
Some may reflect genius or gut instinct; others are timing and preparation creating luck. In each case, distribution (or the lack thereof) played a significant role in positioning the films for success — but none of them could be considered a template.
Surprisingly, the universal non-factor appeared to be SAG strike, which constrained promotion. “Oppenheimer” completed most cast appearances in time, while “Killers of the Flower Moon” had press stockpiled from Cannes. The French “Anatomy of a Fall” was unaffected.
“The Holdovers,” along with “Priscilla,” took the biggest chances with their October releases. Both made platform debuts on the same day. Sofia Coppola’s biopic showed a faster response, but Alexander Payne’s film found awards success (as well as a near-equal box office haul and bigger home...
- 3/15/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
The films in the running for the 2024 Best Visual Effects Oscar are “The Creator,” “Godzilla Minus One,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” and “Napoleon.” Our odds currently indicate that “Godzilla Minus One” (10/3) is the frontrunner, followed in order by “The Creator” (18/5), the new “Guardians” entry (9/2), “Napoleon” (9/2), and the latest “Mission: Impossible” chapter (9/2).
Included among the 17 individuals in this lineup are 13 first-timers who constitute the category’s largest newcomer rate since the minimum annual amount of nominated films was set at five in 2011. This vast majority comprises all four “Godzilla Minus One” team members, dual contender Simone Coco (“Mission: Impossible” and “Napoleon”), three artists from “The Creator”, two from “Guardians of the Galaxy” (Theo Bialek and Alexis Wajsbrot), two more from “Mission: Impossible” (Jeff Sutherland and Alex Wuttke), and one more from “Napoleon” (Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet).
The third “Guardians” volume is the 14th Marvel...
Included among the 17 individuals in this lineup are 13 first-timers who constitute the category’s largest newcomer rate since the minimum annual amount of nominated films was set at five in 2011. This vast majority comprises all four “Godzilla Minus One” team members, dual contender Simone Coco (“Mission: Impossible” and “Napoleon”), three artists from “The Creator”, two from “Guardians of the Galaxy” (Theo Bialek and Alexis Wajsbrot), two more from “Mission: Impossible” (Jeff Sutherland and Alex Wuttke), and one more from “Napoleon” (Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet).
The third “Guardians” volume is the 14th Marvel...
- 3/7/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The films vying for the 2024 Best Sound Oscar are “The Creator,” “Maestro,” “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” “Oppenheimer,” and “The Zone of Interest.” Our current odds indicate that “Oppenheimer” (31/10) will prevail, followed in order of likelihood by “The Zone of Interest” (37/10), “Maestro” (9/2), “Mission: Impossible” (9/2), and “The Creator” (9/2).
This year’s Best Sound award will be the fourth handed out since the former Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing categories were consolidated ahead of the 93rd Oscars. The 17 craftspeople involved in this race have collectively amassed 70 previous nominations and 16 wins for their audio work, with the largest share of those bids (30%) belonging to Kevin O’Connell (“Oppenheimer”). With an Oscars resume dating back to 1984, he stands as one of this lineup’s nine returning champions, having memorably broken his unprecedented losing streak on his 21st bid for “Hacksaw Ridge” (2017).
O’Connell shares his new nomination with fellow former winners Richard King,...
This year’s Best Sound award will be the fourth handed out since the former Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing categories were consolidated ahead of the 93rd Oscars. The 17 craftspeople involved in this race have collectively amassed 70 previous nominations and 16 wins for their audio work, with the largest share of those bids (30%) belonging to Kevin O’Connell (“Oppenheimer”). With an Oscars resume dating back to 1984, he stands as one of this lineup’s nine returning champions, having memorably broken his unprecedented losing streak on his 21st bid for “Hacksaw Ridge” (2017).
O’Connell shares his new nomination with fellow former winners Richard King,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The films in contention for the 2024 Best Cinematography Oscar are “El Conde,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” “Oppenheimer,” and “Poor Things.” Our odds currently favor “Oppenheimer” (31/10) taking the prize, followed in order by “Killers of the Flower Moon” (4/1), “Poor Things” (4/1), “Maestro” (9/2), and “El Conde” (9/2).
After 2013 and 2016, this is the third time that a 21st century cinematography lineup has exclusively consisted of previously nominated lensers. This case differs from the preceding two, however, in that none of the current contenders have ever won before. The one with the most losses so far is Rodrigo Prieto, whose bid for “Killers of the Flower Moon” is his third for a Martin Scorsese-directed film, following “Silence” (2017) and “The Irishman” (2020). Having initially earned a notice for his work on “Brokeback Mountain” (2006), he remains the category’s second most recognized Latin American-born nominee behind fellow Mexican Emmanuel Lubezki.
Currently on their respective third nominations...
After 2013 and 2016, this is the third time that a 21st century cinematography lineup has exclusively consisted of previously nominated lensers. This case differs from the preceding two, however, in that none of the current contenders have ever won before. The one with the most losses so far is Rodrigo Prieto, whose bid for “Killers of the Flower Moon” is his third for a Martin Scorsese-directed film, following “Silence” (2017) and “The Irishman” (2020). Having initially earned a notice for his work on “Brokeback Mountain” (2006), he remains the category’s second most recognized Latin American-born nominee behind fellow Mexican Emmanuel Lubezki.
Currently on their respective third nominations...
- 3/6/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" admin_label="section" _builder_version="3.22" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row admin_label="row" _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Hollywood-Insider-Oscars-for-Best-Stunts-Category-Academy-Awards-Hollywood-Action-Movies.jpg" alt="Hollywood Insider Oscars for Best Stunts Category, Academy Awards, Hollywood Action Movies" title_text="Hollywood Insider Oscars for Best Stunts Category, Academy Awards, Hollywood Action Movies" _builder_version="4.9.0" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.14.6" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]
Photo: Stunts
I think we can all agree that stunt performers are some of the key ingredients in making action movies what they are.
Every year at the Academy Awards 24 different teams and individuals are presented with an award for their work on certain films from the previous year. With four acting categories, several for sound, costumes, directing, cinematography, and more there are a lot of professions within the film-making industry honored. However, there is one group that goes unrepresented within all of the annual film praise despite being a large part of most movie productions nowadays. These people punch, tumble, and choreograph their way through impressive fight sequences that draw us into their films: stunt performers.
The request that the Academy Awards should recognize stuntmen...
Photo: Stunts
I think we can all agree that stunt performers are some of the key ingredients in making action movies what they are.
Every year at the Academy Awards 24 different teams and individuals are presented with an award for their work on certain films from the previous year. With four acting categories, several for sound, costumes, directing, cinematography, and more there are a lot of professions within the film-making industry honored. However, there is one group that goes unrepresented within all of the annual film praise despite being a large part of most movie productions nowadays. These people punch, tumble, and choreograph their way through impressive fight sequences that draw us into their films: stunt performers.
The request that the Academy Awards should recognize stuntmen...
- 3/6/2024
- by Caroline Schneider
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
“Oppenheimer” lenser Hoyte van Hoytema took top honors from the American Society of Cinematographers on Sunday. He edged out all four of his Oscar rivals for Best Cinematography: Edward Lachman (“El Conde”), Matthew Libatique (“Maestro”), Rodrigo Prieto (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) and Robbie Ryan (“Poor Things”).
Over its 38-year history, the ASC has predicted 152 of the 190 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five this year and in both 2018 and 2017. Last year, it previewed three of the Best Cinematography contenders — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”). While Walker won over the ASC, she lost the Oscar to “All Quiet on the Western Front” lenser James Friend.
Indeed, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall,...
Over its 38-year history, the ASC has predicted 152 of the 190 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five this year and in both 2018 and 2017. Last year, it previewed three of the Best Cinematography contenders — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”). While Walker won over the ASC, she lost the Oscar to “All Quiet on the Western Front” lenser James Friend.
Indeed, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall,...
- 3/4/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Three of the five Oscar nominees for Best Sound won at the Golden Reel Awards bestowed by the Motion Picture Sound Editors (Mpse) on March 3 . The Oscar frontrunner, “Oppenheimer,” picked up the prize for effects/ foley and dialogue/Adr while another nominee, “Maestro,” waltzed off with the music award. “Society of the Snow” claimed the foreign language trophy over, among others, Oscar nominee “The Zone of Interest. The other two Oscar nominees — “The Creator” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One “- were snubbed by the Mpse.
The upcoming Oscars mark the fourth year for the new Best Sound category, which combines Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. There can be up to six nominees from a film: one production sound mixer, two supervising sound editors and three re-recording mixers.
Last year, “Top Gun: Maverick” won the prize for sound effects and foley here before prevailing at the Oscars.
The upcoming Oscars mark the fourth year for the new Best Sound category, which combines Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. There can be up to six nominees from a film: one production sound mixer, two supervising sound editors and three re-recording mixers.
Last year, “Top Gun: Maverick” won the prize for sound effects and foley here before prevailing at the Oscars.
- 3/4/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Cinema Audio Society Awards gave a boost to the Oscar hopes of “Oppenheimer” on Saturday. The film took top honors at these precursor prizes that honor sound mixing over one of its Oscar rivals for Best Sound — “Maestro”– as well as “Barbie,” “Ferrari,” “and “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
The upcoming Oscars mark the fourth year for the Best Sound category, which combines Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. The Cas honors the latter while the Motion Picture Sound Editors salute achievements in the former.
Last year all five of the society’s favorites — “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Batman,” “Elvis” and “Top Gun: Maverick” — sounded good to the academy’s sound branch. “Top Gun: Maverick” won both awards.
In 2022, four of the five Cas nominees — “Dune,” “No Time to Die,” “The Power of the Dog” and “West Side Story” — went on to contend at the Oscars.
The upcoming Oscars mark the fourth year for the Best Sound category, which combines Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. The Cas honors the latter while the Motion Picture Sound Editors salute achievements in the former.
Last year all five of the society’s favorites — “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Batman,” “Elvis” and “Top Gun: Maverick” — sounded good to the academy’s sound branch. “Top Gun: Maverick” won both awards.
In 2022, four of the five Cas nominees — “Dune,” “No Time to Die,” “The Power of the Dog” and “West Side Story” — went on to contend at the Oscars.
- 3/3/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Lionsgate Television just eliminated more than half of its development deals, IndieWire has confirmed. The reduction comes after Lionsgate’s $375 million acquisition of eOne from Hasbro. The eOne purchase, which on the television side brought over “Yellowjackets” and other series, mixed with general industry contraction in the post-Peak TV era, rationalized the sweeping cuts.
Lionsgate executives conducted a two-months-long review of the Lionsgate Television and eOne talent rosters, which together included nearly 60 overall and first-look deals. The number is now below 30; no names have been reported on either the “stay” or “go” side of the ledger.
Deadline first reported the news. A Lionsgate rep declined comment on this story.
It is pretty common for a company to slim down ahead of acquisition — just ask Paramount — but this round was pretty drastic. It is important to remember that during last year’s writers strikes, pretty much all overall deals were put on pause.
Lionsgate executives conducted a two-months-long review of the Lionsgate Television and eOne talent rosters, which together included nearly 60 overall and first-look deals. The number is now below 30; no names have been reported on either the “stay” or “go” side of the ledger.
Deadline first reported the news. A Lionsgate rep declined comment on this story.
It is pretty common for a company to slim down ahead of acquisition — just ask Paramount — but this round was pretty drastic. It is important to remember that during last year’s writers strikes, pretty much all overall deals were put on pause.
- 2/29/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Gary Sinise has shared the devastating news that his son Mac has passed away.
McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise died on January 5, 2024 after battling a rare form of cancer for over five years.
Gary opened up about the loss in a blog post on he Gary Sinise Foundation’s website, in which he revealed that Mac recorded an album in the months leading up to his death.
Keep reading to find out more…
“The week the album went to press, Mac lost his battle with cancer,” Gary wrote in the tribute. “He died on January 5, 2024 at 3:25pm, and was laid to rest on January 23rd. Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can…I am so blessed, fortunate, and proud to be his dad.”
Mac was diagnosed with Chordoma in August 2018, just months after his mom had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise died on January 5, 2024 after battling a rare form of cancer for over five years.
Gary opened up about the loss in a blog post on he Gary Sinise Foundation’s website, in which he revealed that Mac recorded an album in the months leading up to his death.
Keep reading to find out more…
“The week the album went to press, Mac lost his battle with cancer,” Gary wrote in the tribute. “He died on January 5, 2024 at 3:25pm, and was laid to rest on January 23rd. Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can…I am so blessed, fortunate, and proud to be his dad.”
Mac was diagnosed with Chordoma in August 2018, just months after his mom had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
- 2/27/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
McCanna “Mac” Anthony Sinise, the musician son of actor Gary Sinise, has died of the rare spinal cancer Chordoma, the Forrest Gump star announced today.
Mac Sinise, who had recently completed work on his album Resurrection & Revival, died on January 5 following a years-long battle with the disease. Gary Sinise announced his death today on the Gary Sinise Foundation’s website.
“The week the album went to press, Mac lost his battle with cancer,” his father wrote in a lengthy tribute. “He died on January 5, 2024 at 3:25pm, and was laid to rest on January 23rd. Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can…I am so blessed, fortunate, and proud to be his dad.”
Mac Sinise was diagnosed with Chordoma in August 2018, just two months after Gary Sinise’s wife Moira was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. “What was happening?...
Mac Sinise, who had recently completed work on his album Resurrection & Revival, died on January 5 following a years-long battle with the disease. Gary Sinise announced his death today on the Gary Sinise Foundation’s website.
“The week the album went to press, Mac lost his battle with cancer,” his father wrote in a lengthy tribute. “He died on January 5, 2024 at 3:25pm, and was laid to rest on January 23rd. Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can…I am so blessed, fortunate, and proud to be his dad.”
Mac Sinise was diagnosed with Chordoma in August 2018, just two months after Gary Sinise’s wife Moira was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. “What was happening?...
- 2/27/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
If you told me there was a plan in place to make four Beatles biopics — one each about John, Paul, George, and Ringo — and that they were going to be directed by Richard Linklater, I’d be suffused with curiosity and excitement. If you told me that those same four movies were going to be directed by Martin Scorsese, I’d be suffused with curiosity and excitement. If you told me that a quartet of Beatles biopics were going to be directed (one apiece) by Linklater, Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, and Todd Haynes, I’d be suffused with curiosity and excitement — and, in fact, that last option would make a beautiful kind of sense. When you think about it, why would anyone — even Scorsese, the poet of rock-operatic drama — want to direct all four Beatles biopics? Talk about hogging the spoils.
But Sam Mendes does. According to a master plan handed down on stone tablets by…...
But Sam Mendes does. According to a master plan handed down on stone tablets by…...
- 2/24/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Christopher Nolan‘s “Oppenheimer” will notch another incredibly important precursor win on its path to the Oscars at the upcoming 35th Producers Guild of America Awards on Sunday, Feb. 25. According to our official odds, the blockbuster film will take home the honor of Best Picture. The ceremony includes other film categories such as animated and documentary feature and television trophies for drama, comedy, limited series and more. Scroll down for our official PGA Awards odds in 10 categories with our winner predictions highlighted in gold.
A victory for “Oppenheimer” here would be significant because, more often than not, the winner at PGA goes on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Since 2000, the two prizes have gone hand-in-hand 16 times. The exceptions are film years 2001 (when PGA opted for “Moulin Rouge!” and the Oscars awarded “A Beautiful Mind”), 2004 (“The Aviator” / “Million Dollar Baby”), 2005 (“Brokeback Mountain” / “Crash”), 2006 (“Little Miss Sunshine” / “The Departed...
A victory for “Oppenheimer” here would be significant because, more often than not, the winner at PGA goes on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Since 2000, the two prizes have gone hand-in-hand 16 times. The exceptions are film years 2001 (when PGA opted for “Moulin Rouge!” and the Oscars awarded “A Beautiful Mind”), 2004 (“The Aviator” / “Million Dollar Baby”), 2005 (“Brokeback Mountain” / “Crash”), 2006 (“Little Miss Sunshine” / “The Departed...
- 2/23/2024
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
Sam Mendes, the man behind films like 1917 and Skyfall, is slated to helm four distinct The Beatles movies, each concentrating on a different band member. As a result, actors who can carry a tune and have a passable Liverpool accent may definitely be polishing their resumes in the hopes of landing an audition.
For those who are unfamiliar, The Beatles were an influential English rock band founded in Liverpool in 1960 by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The band was instrumental in the development of counterculture in the 1960s and the acceptance of popular music as an art form.
Sam Mendes (Image via Wikimedia Commons)
Having said that, Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr were iconic for a reason. Finding an actor with that unique blend of singing prowess, seductive good looks, charisma, and something extra that makes pop music icons stand out from ordinary individuals is going to be challenging.
For those who are unfamiliar, The Beatles were an influential English rock band founded in Liverpool in 1960 by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The band was instrumental in the development of counterculture in the 1960s and the acceptance of popular music as an art form.
Sam Mendes (Image via Wikimedia Commons)
Having said that, Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr were iconic for a reason. Finding an actor with that unique blend of singing prowess, seductive good looks, charisma, and something extra that makes pop music icons stand out from ordinary individuals is going to be challenging.
- 2/21/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Somewhere, my Beatles-adoring mom is going wild. After watching several of the most famous singers and bands in the world receive the biopic treatment in recent years, from "Bohemian Rhapsody" to "Rocketman" to "Elvis", it's now time for arguably the most legendary musical group of them all to get their time in the limelight once again. And no, 2019's "Yesterday" doesn't quite count.
After dominating the charts and becoming everyone's favorite music group on the planet for several years running back during the swingin' sixties, The Beatles deserve nothing less than the full red-carpet treatment. Sony apparently agrees, as the studio announced this morning that acclaimed director Sam Mendes will be setting his sights on The Beatles for a truly ambitious undertaking. See, this isn't just your run-of-the-mill biopic, mind you. According to the press release, the English rock band will basically be getting their own Avengers-style crossover. Yes, really.
After dominating the charts and becoming everyone's favorite music group on the planet for several years running back during the swingin' sixties, The Beatles deserve nothing less than the full red-carpet treatment. Sony apparently agrees, as the studio announced this morning that acclaimed director Sam Mendes will be setting his sights on The Beatles for a truly ambitious undertaking. See, this isn't just your run-of-the-mill biopic, mind you. According to the press release, the English rock band will basically be getting their own Avengers-style crossover. Yes, really.
- 2/20/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
John, Paul, George and Ringo will each be the subject of a different upcoming feature film.
Director Sam Mendes plans to make four separate movies, one from each Beatles member’s point of view. They will intersect to “tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history,” leading up to their 1970 breakup, according to a press release. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of the late John Lennon and George Harrison have granted full life story and music rights for the scripted films.
“I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” Mendes, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker of “American Beauty,” war drama “1917” and James Bond films “Skyfall” and “Spectre,” said in a statement.
Sony Pictures Entertainment will finance and distribute all four films theatrically in 2027. Details about...
Director Sam Mendes plans to make four separate movies, one from each Beatles member’s point of view. They will intersect to “tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history,” leading up to their 1970 breakup, according to a press release. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of the late John Lennon and George Harrison have granted full life story and music rights for the scripted films.
“I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” Mendes, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker of “American Beauty,” war drama “1917” and James Bond films “Skyfall” and “Spectre,” said in a statement.
Sony Pictures Entertainment will finance and distribute all four films theatrically in 2027. Details about...
- 2/20/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The winners of the 77th annual BAFTA Awards were revealed on February 18, just four days before Oscar voters begin weighing in with their choices for the winners of the 96th annual Academy Awards. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has approximately 10,000 voting members as does the motion picture academy.
The BAFTAs and Oscars have 19 categories in common. Last year, they agreed on just seven races, all of which were below-the line. The BAFTA Awards went all in on “All Quiet on the Western Front” awarding it a lucky seven wins including Best Picture and Best Director while the Academy Awards did the same for “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” And none of the four BAFTA acting winners took to the podium at the Oscars.
Conversely in 2022, the two academies aligned in 15 races. The exceptions were Best Picture (the Oscars went with the BAFTA-snubbed “Coda” while the Brits loved...
The BAFTAs and Oscars have 19 categories in common. Last year, they agreed on just seven races, all of which were below-the line. The BAFTA Awards went all in on “All Quiet on the Western Front” awarding it a lucky seven wins including Best Picture and Best Director while the Academy Awards did the same for “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” And none of the four BAFTA acting winners took to the podium at the Oscars.
Conversely in 2022, the two academies aligned in 15 races. The exceptions were Best Picture (the Oscars went with the BAFTA-snubbed “Coda” while the Brits loved...
- 2/18/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Jeff Zucker and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Imi has finalized a £1.15 billion ($1.45 billion) deal to acquire production powerhouse All3Media — the largest TV producer in the U.K. and the company behind such shows as reality series Squid Game: The Challenge and films like World War I epic 1917 — from owners Warner Bros. Discovery and John Malone’s cable and telecom giant Liberty Global.
The deal gives the new owner control over a big production business across scripted and unscripted series as well as theatrical movie titles. Earlier this year, RedBird Imi acquired a stake in Media Res, the studio behind the Apple TV+ shows The Morning Show and Pachinko, among other projects, which was founded by former HBO executive Michael Ellenberg.
Launched in late 2022 with a $1 billion war chest backed by RedBird Capital and Abu Dhabi’s Imi, RedBird Imi has the mandate to pursue investments in the news, entertainment and sports sectors.
The deal gives the new owner control over a big production business across scripted and unscripted series as well as theatrical movie titles. Earlier this year, RedBird Imi acquired a stake in Media Res, the studio behind the Apple TV+ shows The Morning Show and Pachinko, among other projects, which was founded by former HBO executive Michael Ellenberg.
Launched in late 2022 with a $1 billion war chest backed by RedBird Capital and Abu Dhabi’s Imi, RedBird Imi has the mandate to pursue investments in the news, entertainment and sports sectors.
- 2/16/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
31-year-old actor George MacKay has really moved up in the world ever since Sam Mendes cast him in as the lead in “1917,” but the young actor (also known for “The Beast” and “Wolf”) pulls off one of his most challenging roles in the upcoming, so-called “queer thriller,” “Femme.” The British film was written and directed by Sam H.
Continue reading ‘Femme’ Trailer: George MacKay Stars In A Provocative Queer Revenge Thriller Arriving In March at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Femme’ Trailer: George MacKay Stars In A Provocative Queer Revenge Thriller Arriving In March at The Playlist.
- 2/14/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” pulled off a surprise tally at the Oscar nominations announcement, riding in with three bids, the most for a movie that was not recognized in the Best Picture category this year. It cracked Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects, signaling significant support for the Apple Original Films’ historical epic, particularly in the last category as it took out powerful contenders like “Society of the Snow,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and Best Picture nominee “Poor Things.” Since the VFX race looks to be up in the air, “Napoleon” may have a stronger chance of emerging victorious than most awards pundits think.
“Napoleon’s” four visual effects artists are competing alongside those from “The Creator,” “Godzilla Minus One,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.” This is the first nomination for Martin-Fenouillet and the second for Henley, who was...
“Napoleon’s” four visual effects artists are competing alongside those from “The Creator,” “Godzilla Minus One,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.” This is the first nomination for Martin-Fenouillet and the second for Henley, who was...
- 2/12/2024
- by Christopher Tsang
- Gold Derby
“Poor Things” has performed well throughout this awards season, winning Best Comedy/Musical Film at the Golden Globes and snagging 11 Oscar nominations in total. That is the same number of awards the Searchlight Pictures movie was nominated for at the BAFTAs, where we predict it to perform well.
One person who is set to have a good night at the British film awards is Tony McNamara, who adapted Alasdair Gray‘s 1992 novel of the same name. McNamara previously worked with Emma Stone on “Cruella” and “The Favourite,” the latter of which was another Yorgos Lanthimos film. McNamara co-wrote that period piece with Deborah Davis. The duo was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars in 2019 but lost to “Green Book”.
However, they won the BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay, over “Cold War” (Janusz Głowacki and Paweł Pawlikowski), “Green Book,” “Roma” (Alfonso Cuarón), and “Vice” (Adam McKay). The film won six other BAFTAs in total,...
One person who is set to have a good night at the British film awards is Tony McNamara, who adapted Alasdair Gray‘s 1992 novel of the same name. McNamara previously worked with Emma Stone on “Cruella” and “The Favourite,” the latter of which was another Yorgos Lanthimos film. McNamara co-wrote that period piece with Deborah Davis. The duo was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars in 2019 but lost to “Green Book”.
However, they won the BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay, over “Cold War” (Janusz Głowacki and Paweł Pawlikowski), “Green Book,” “Roma” (Alfonso Cuarón), and “Vice” (Adam McKay). The film won six other BAFTAs in total,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Christopher Nolan is one of Britain’s best filmmaking exports, having made many movies adored by fans and critics alike. “Memento,” “The Prestige,” “The Dark Knight,” “Inception,” “Interstellar,” and “Dunkirk” all wowed cinema fans and he continued his hot streak with another epic — this time in the form of Universal’s historical biopic “Oppenheimer.”
The film follows Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in his quest to create the atomic bomb while he gets caught up in the political machinations of Robert Downey Jr.’s Lewis Strauss. “Oppenheimer” is currently predicted to do well at the Oscars but how about on Nolan’s home soil?
Nolan has never won a BAFTA. His first three nominations all came in 2011 for “Inception,” for Best Picture (shared with Emma Thomas), Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Nolan and Thomas lost Best Picture to “The King’s Speech,” while Nolan lost his writing bid to...
The film follows Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in his quest to create the atomic bomb while he gets caught up in the political machinations of Robert Downey Jr.’s Lewis Strauss. “Oppenheimer” is currently predicted to do well at the Oscars but how about on Nolan’s home soil?
Nolan has never won a BAFTA. His first three nominations all came in 2011 for “Inception,” for Best Picture (shared with Emma Thomas), Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Nolan and Thomas lost Best Picture to “The King’s Speech,” while Nolan lost his writing bid to...
- 2/9/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
It’s an old canard in the movie business: Never underestimate a Holocaust movie when it comes to Oscar attention. From Hungary’s Best Foreign Language winner “Son of Saul” (2016) and Oscar-winners “Judgment at Nuremberg” (1961), “Cabaret” (1973), “Sophie’s Choice” (1983), and “The Pianist” (2004) to Steven Spielberg’s Best Picture winner “Schindler’s List” (1994), many Holocaust subjects, especially shorts and documentary features, have won Oscars. Documentaries like “Anne Frank Remembered” won for 1995, “The Long Way Home” for 1997, “The Last Days” for 1998, and “Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport” for 2000, and more recently, the nonfiction short “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life” won for 2014 — just one week after its subject, Alice Herz-Sommer, the world’s oldest Holocaust survivor, passed away.
This season’s most decorated Holocaust film, “The Zone of Interest” (Metascore: 91) has multiple Oscar advantages. First, the film, which British filmmaker Jonathan Glazer adapted from the Martin Amis novel of the same name,...
This season’s most decorated Holocaust film, “The Zone of Interest” (Metascore: 91) has multiple Oscar advantages. First, the film, which British filmmaker Jonathan Glazer adapted from the Martin Amis novel of the same name,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
According to Gold Derby’s current combined predictions, “Godzilla Minus One” is the frontrunner to win Best Visual Effects with 17/5 odds at this year’s Oscars. Meanwhile “Napoleon” is in fourth place with 9/2 odds. However there’s a trend with winners in this category that may benefit the latter film.
SEEVanessa Kirby (‘Napoleon’): Empress Joséphine was a ‘shape-shifter’ full of ‘resilience, rage and integrity’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
So far this century, 20 Oscar winners for Best Visual Effects also had a corresponding nom for Best Production Design. They are:
2000 – “Gladiator”
2001 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
2002 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
2003 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”*
2005 – “King Kong”
2006 – “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
2007 – “The Golden Compass”
2008 – “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”*
2009 – “Avatar”*
2010 – “Inception”
2011 – “Hugo”*
2012 – “Life of Pi”
2013 – “Gravity”
2014 – “Interstellar”
2017 – “Blade Runner 2049”
2018 – “First Man”
2019 – “1917”
2020 – “Tenet”
2021 – “Dune”*
2022 – “Avatar: The Way of Water...
SEEVanessa Kirby (‘Napoleon’): Empress Joséphine was a ‘shape-shifter’ full of ‘resilience, rage and integrity’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
So far this century, 20 Oscar winners for Best Visual Effects also had a corresponding nom for Best Production Design. They are:
2000 – “Gladiator”
2001 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
2002 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
2003 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”*
2005 – “King Kong”
2006 – “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
2007 – “The Golden Compass”
2008 – “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”*
2009 – “Avatar”*
2010 – “Inception”
2011 – “Hugo”*
2012 – “Life of Pi”
2013 – “Gravity”
2014 – “Interstellar”
2017 – “Blade Runner 2049”
2018 – “First Man”
2019 – “1917”
2020 – “Tenet”
2021 – “Dune”*
2022 – “Avatar: The Way of Water...
- 2/7/2024
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
The 76th annual BAFTA Awards nominations were revealed on January 18, just two days after the deadline for Oscar voters to weigh in with their choices for nominations. The BAFTAs will be handed out in London on Feb. 18. That is four days before academy members start casting their final ballots. The 96th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 10.
The British Academy of Film and Television Academy has approximately 9,000 voting members as does the academy. Historically, about two-thirds of the contenders here also reap Oscar bids. Since the BAFTAs moved up in 2000 to take place before the Oscars, these kudos have foreseen just nine of the 22 Best Picture Oscar winners including the 2021 double dipper “Nomadland.”
Discuss All the Oscar contenders with Hollywood insiders in our notorious forums
These precursor prizes also foresaw academy glory for “Gladiator” (2001), “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004) and “Slumdog Millionaire” (2009). And the...
The British Academy of Film and Television Academy has approximately 9,000 voting members as does the academy. Historically, about two-thirds of the contenders here also reap Oscar bids. Since the BAFTAs moved up in 2000 to take place before the Oscars, these kudos have foreseen just nine of the 22 Best Picture Oscar winners including the 2021 double dipper “Nomadland.”
Discuss All the Oscar contenders with Hollywood insiders in our notorious forums
These precursor prizes also foresaw academy glory for “Gladiator” (2001), “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004) and “Slumdog Millionaire” (2009). And the...
- 1/18/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
All five of our predicted Oscar nominees for Best Sound number among the contenders for the Golden Reel Awards bestowed by the Motion Picture Sound Editors (Mpse) announced on Jan. 16. Oscar frontrunner “Oppenheimer” reaped three bids across the six film categories. One of its closest Oscar rivals, “Maestro,” earned two nominations while the other three — “Ferrari,” “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “The Zone of Interest” — had to make do with one apiece.
The upcoming Oscars mark the fourth year for the new Best Sound category, which combines Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. There can be up to six nominees from a film: one production sound mixer, two supervising sound editors and three re-recording mixers.
Last year, “Top Gun: Maverick” won the prize for sound effects and foley here before prevailing at the Oscars. In 2022, “Dune” pulled off the same double act. And in 2021, “Sound of Metal” still...
The upcoming Oscars mark the fourth year for the new Best Sound category, which combines Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. There can be up to six nominees from a film: one production sound mixer, two supervising sound editors and three re-recording mixers.
Last year, “Top Gun: Maverick” won the prize for sound effects and foley here before prevailing at the Oscars. In 2022, “Dune” pulled off the same double act. And in 2021, “Sound of Metal” still...
- 1/16/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The American Society of Cinematographers nominees announced on January 11 include only four of our five leading Oscar contenders for Best Cinematography: frontrunner Hoyte van Hoytema for “Oppenheimer”plus Matthew Libatique (“Maestro”), Rodrigo Prieto (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) and Robbie Ryan (“Poor Things”). Our other predicted nominee, Łukasz Zal (“The Zone of Interest”), got bumped by Edward Lachman (“El Conde”).
Over its 37-year history, the ASC has predicted 147 of the 185 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. Last year, it previewed three of the Best Cinematography contenders — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”). While Walker won over the ASC, she lost the Oscar to “All Quiet on the Western Front” lenser James Friend.
Indeed, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll,...
Over its 37-year history, the ASC has predicted 147 of the 185 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. Last year, it previewed three of the Best Cinematography contenders — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”). While Walker won over the ASC, she lost the Oscar to “All Quiet on the Western Front” lenser James Friend.
Indeed, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Four of our five predicted Oscar nominees for Best Sound number among the contenders for the Cinema Audio Society Awards for sound mixing announced on Jan. 9. Oscar frontrunner “Oppenheimer” reaped a bid as did three of its closest competitors –“Ferrari,” “Maestro,” “and “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The fifth nominee at the Cas is “Barbie,” which we have in 7th place on our Oscars chart. It bumped our fourth-place contender “The Zone of Interest.”
The upcoming Oscars mark the fourth year for the Best Sound category, which combines Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. The Cas honors the latter while the Motion Picture Sound Editors salute achievements in the former.
Last year all five of the society’s favorites — “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Batman,” “Elvis” and “Top Gun: Maverick” — sounded good to the academy’s sound branch. “Top Gun: Maverick” won both awards.
The upcoming Oscars mark the fourth year for the Best Sound category, which combines Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. The Cas honors the latter while the Motion Picture Sound Editors salute achievements in the former.
Last year all five of the society’s favorites — “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Batman,” “Elvis” and “Top Gun: Maverick” — sounded good to the academy’s sound branch. “Top Gun: Maverick” won both awards.
- 1/9/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.