Watch the trailer for the Museum of the Moving Image’s annual First Look showcase, which will run from March 15-19 in Queens, New York City. The 38-film lineup features 25 New Faces of Film alums Artemis Shaw and Prashanth Kamalakanthan‘s New Strains, which recently won a Special Jury Prize at IFFR as well as Kevin Jerome Everson‘s short Gospel Hill, on which he collaborated with Claudrena N. Harold. Other notable titles include Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel‘s short film Maid, which will be shown ahead of the Dardenne brothers’ Tori and Lokita. We’ve also covered several First Look films during their premieres at other festivals, including […]
The post Trailer Watch: MoMI’s First Look 2023 first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Trailer Watch: MoMI’s First Look 2023 first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/9/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Watch the trailer for the Museum of the Moving Image’s annual First Look showcase, which will run from March 15-19 in Queens, New York City. The 38-film lineup features 25 New Faces of Film alums Artemis Shaw and Prashanth Kamalakanthan‘s New Strains, which recently won a Special Jury Prize at IFFR as well as Kevin Jerome Everson‘s short Gospel Hill, on which he collaborated with Claudrena N. Harold. Other notable titles include Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel‘s short film Maid, which will be shown ahead of the Dardenne brothers’ Tori and Lokita. We’ve also covered several First Look films during their premieres at other festivals, including […]
The post Trailer Watch: MoMI’s First Look 2023 first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Trailer Watch: MoMI’s First Look 2023 first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/9/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Pop culture comes to life in St. Louis next month! It’s the Wizard World Comic Con May 22nd through the 24th at America’s Center downtown (701 Convention Plaza – St. Louis, Mo 63101), and boy oh boy, do they have an amazing line-up of guests!
Sure, you got the comic artists and cosplayers, wrestlers, a St. Louis Ram, a Power Ranger, and of course the ubiquitous Walking Dead stars, but what We Are Movie Geeks is most excited about are the celebrities from movies that will be on hand: Horror legend George Romero, Sharknado legend Tara Reid, horror hostess with the mostest (if you know what I mean) Elvira, Guardians Of The Galaxy tough guy Dave Bautista, Henry the serial killer himself Michael Rooker, Do The Right Thing’s ‘Buggin Out’ Giancarlo Esposito. Lord of the Rings Trilogy’s Pippin Billy Boyd, Captain America squeeze Hayley Atwell, and Silent Bob’s buddy Jay aka Jason Mewes.
Sure, you got the comic artists and cosplayers, wrestlers, a St. Louis Ram, a Power Ranger, and of course the ubiquitous Walking Dead stars, but what We Are Movie Geeks is most excited about are the celebrities from movies that will be on hand: Horror legend George Romero, Sharknado legend Tara Reid, horror hostess with the mostest (if you know what I mean) Elvira, Guardians Of The Galaxy tough guy Dave Bautista, Henry the serial killer himself Michael Rooker, Do The Right Thing’s ‘Buggin Out’ Giancarlo Esposito. Lord of the Rings Trilogy’s Pippin Billy Boyd, Captain America squeeze Hayley Atwell, and Silent Bob’s buddy Jay aka Jason Mewes.
- 4/20/2015
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
By Rachel Bennett
Television Editor & Columnist
* * *
It’s rare that a television character literally goes out with a bang, but — spoiler alert — that’s precisely what happens to Gustavo “Gus” Fring, restaurant owner by day and drug kingpin by night, on the season four finale of AMC’s masterful Breaking Bad. It is a moment no less shocking than the one in The Wizard of Oz in which the Wicked Witch of the West melts away, but one that elicits quite different emotions once it sinks in. Everyone wanted the Wicked Witch to be eliminated; after all, she had tormented Dorothy and her little dog Toto, among many others, and it was about time. Gus, too, was a character who tormented the lives of those around him, particularly the show’s protagonist Walter and his sidekick Jesse. But when Gus finally gets his comeuppance, the reaction among viewers is not...
Television Editor & Columnist
* * *
It’s rare that a television character literally goes out with a bang, but — spoiler alert — that’s precisely what happens to Gustavo “Gus” Fring, restaurant owner by day and drug kingpin by night, on the season four finale of AMC’s masterful Breaking Bad. It is a moment no less shocking than the one in The Wizard of Oz in which the Wicked Witch of the West melts away, but one that elicits quite different emotions once it sinks in. Everyone wanted the Wicked Witch to be eliminated; after all, she had tormented Dorothy and her little dog Toto, among many others, and it was about time. Gus, too, was a character who tormented the lives of those around him, particularly the show’s protagonist Walter and his sidekick Jesse. But when Gus finally gets his comeuppance, the reaction among viewers is not...
- 8/24/2012
- by Rachel Bennett
- Scott Feinberg
Jackson's movies, ranging from Pulp Fiction to Snakes on a Plane, have grossed $7.4bn in total. So does it pay to be cool?
Who do you think is the highest-grossing movie star of all time? Tom Cruise? Arnold Schwarzenegger? John Wayne, perhaps? A woman? You couldn't be any more wrong. In fact, the Guinness Book of Records has just declared that it's actually Samuel L Jackson. In total, his films have grossed $7.4bn (£4.6bn), putting him way above any of his co-workers, living or dead.
But how has he managed this remarkable feat? Was it luck? Good choices? The strength of his ability? Let's find out how to become the highest-grossing movie star in history, the Samuel L Jackson way ...
Step one: Never stop making films
Since playing the part of Stan in 1972's Together for Days, Samuel L Jackson has featured in over 100 movies. The man is a machine.
Who do you think is the highest-grossing movie star of all time? Tom Cruise? Arnold Schwarzenegger? John Wayne, perhaps? A woman? You couldn't be any more wrong. In fact, the Guinness Book of Records has just declared that it's actually Samuel L Jackson. In total, his films have grossed $7.4bn (£4.6bn), putting him way above any of his co-workers, living or dead.
But how has he managed this remarkable feat? Was it luck? Good choices? The strength of his ability? Let's find out how to become the highest-grossing movie star in history, the Samuel L Jackson way ...
Step one: Never stop making films
Since playing the part of Stan in 1972's Together for Days, Samuel L Jackson has featured in over 100 movies. The man is a machine.
- 10/28/2011
- by Stuart Heritage
- The Guardian - Film News
Chicago – AMC just announced that they have come to terms with creator Vince Gilligan to bring his smash hit and Emmy winner “Breaking Bad” back to the network for a 16-episode fifth season, which will also, as has been widely rumored, be the program’s last. Premiere date has yet to be determined for the Bryan Cranston drama but Charlie Collier, President of AMC, said production would start in early 2012, so it seems likely that the final season will be airing a year from now. The fourth season is currently underway.
Breaking Bad: Season Four
Photo credit: AMC
The fourth season premiere of “Breaking Bad” premiered on Sunday, July 18th to series-high ratings. This critically-acclaimed season has continued to perform with overall ratings at 30% above season three and an amazing 45% more in the key demo of adults 18-34.
Collier said, “From the day we heard Vince Gilligan’s completely original vision for ‘Breaking Bad,...
Breaking Bad: Season Four
Photo credit: AMC
The fourth season premiere of “Breaking Bad” premiered on Sunday, July 18th to series-high ratings. This critically-acclaimed season has continued to perform with overall ratings at 30% above season three and an amazing 45% more in the key demo of adults 18-34.
Collier said, “From the day we heard Vince Gilligan’s completely original vision for ‘Breaking Bad,...
- 8/15/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
By Anthony D’Alessandro
HollywoodNews.com: Not many producer-financiers make movies about themselves, especially early in their career.
However, Christopher Mallick, whose film “Middle Men” opens tomorrow, has lived such a topsy-turvy life filled with mobsters and X-rated actresses, he can only wish it was fictitious.
Mallick, a Texas entrepreneur, was at the forefront of the adult entertainment industry’s explosion on the internet, minting millions as a billing middle party. Leaving his seedy past behind, Mallick divulged his story to “Bad Boys” scribe George Gallo.
“Middle Men” tells the story of two Los Angeles-based loose cannons played by Giovanni Ribisi and Gabriel Macht who hatch the idea of launching the internet’s first adult entertainment website. The million-dollar venture becomes too unwieldy for them to handle and a straight-laced businessman played by Luke Wilson steps in to shepherd the operation, ultimately making the website a billing party to several portals.
HollywoodNews.com: Not many producer-financiers make movies about themselves, especially early in their career.
However, Christopher Mallick, whose film “Middle Men” opens tomorrow, has lived such a topsy-turvy life filled with mobsters and X-rated actresses, he can only wish it was fictitious.
Mallick, a Texas entrepreneur, was at the forefront of the adult entertainment industry’s explosion on the internet, minting millions as a billing middle party. Leaving his seedy past behind, Mallick divulged his story to “Bad Boys” scribe George Gallo.
“Middle Men” tells the story of two Los Angeles-based loose cannons played by Giovanni Ribisi and Gabriel Macht who hatch the idea of launching the internet’s first adult entertainment website. The million-dollar venture becomes too unwieldy for them to handle and a straight-laced businessman played by Luke Wilson steps in to shepherd the operation, ultimately making the website a billing party to several portals.
- 8/6/2010
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Hollywoodnews.com
AMC announced today that it has ordered a fourth season of Breaking Bad starring two-time Emmy-winning Bryan Cranston. The series from Vince Gilligan (The X-Files) aired its season three finale on Sunday. The show’s ratings were up 18 percent in viewers for the season versus last year and 30 percent among adults 18-34.
The drama is filmed on location in Albuquerque, Nm.
“AMC’s Breaking Bad is one of the most layered and intense dramas on television today,” said Joel Stillerman, Senior Vice President of original programming, production and digital content, in a statement. “The critical acclaim and strong audience growth...
The drama is filmed on location in Albuquerque, Nm.
“AMC’s Breaking Bad is one of the most layered and intense dramas on television today,” said Joel Stillerman, Senior Vice President of original programming, production and digital content, in a statement. “The critical acclaim and strong audience growth...
- 6/14/2010
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside Movies
The Unofficial List Of Important Films Of The Decade by ArtMattan Productions
Happy New Year! Here at ArtMattan Productions, we are very happy to celebrate a new decade with more challenges ahead and we are sure plenty of new emotions.
The past decade was turbulent and brought many important moments to our lives and our activities in the film industry. Just over the last two years, we released Gospel Hill, Youssou N’Dour: Return to Gorée, Maria Bethania: Music is Perfume and the controversial Made in Jamaica. Music was the thing here at ArtMattan Productions headquarters.
Theatrical releases of Independent and Foreign Language films were many and diverse all over the country, with some more exciting than others. As some companies folded, other started and the turbulence in the field was intense and sometimes very emotional.
For ArtMattan Productions, it was business as usual. Getting to release a film in theaters was a nightmare,...
Happy New Year! Here at ArtMattan Productions, we are very happy to celebrate a new decade with more challenges ahead and we are sure plenty of new emotions.
The past decade was turbulent and brought many important moments to our lives and our activities in the film industry. Just over the last two years, we released Gospel Hill, Youssou N’Dour: Return to Gorée, Maria Bethania: Music is Perfume and the controversial Made in Jamaica. Music was the thing here at ArtMattan Productions headquarters.
Theatrical releases of Independent and Foreign Language films were many and diverse all over the country, with some more exciting than others. As some companies folded, other started and the turbulence in the field was intense and sometimes very emotional.
For ArtMattan Productions, it was business as usual. Getting to release a film in theaters was a nightmare,...
- 1/5/2010
- by ArtMattan
- ShadowAndAct
The 10th annual Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival kicks off Nov. 5 with Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith's documentary, "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers," screening at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, Calif.
Under artistic director Steve Grumette, the fest, which runs through Nov. 8 at several venues throughout Ojai as well as Ventura's Brooks Institute, will present more than 60 films.
Actor Peter Graves and cinematographer Haskell Wexler will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Other documentary features on tap include Suzanne Jurva's "Changing Keys," Anne Aghion's "My Neighbor, My Killer" and Cory Taylor's "The Power of the Powerless."
The narrative film line-up includes Mo Perkins' "A Quiet Little Marriage," Jon Gunn's "Like Dandelion Dust" and Giancarlo Esposito's "Gospel Hill."...
Under artistic director Steve Grumette, the fest, which runs through Nov. 8 at several venues throughout Ojai as well as Ventura's Brooks Institute, will present more than 60 films.
Actor Peter Graves and cinematographer Haskell Wexler will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Other documentary features on tap include Suzanne Jurva's "Changing Keys," Anne Aghion's "My Neighbor, My Killer" and Cory Taylor's "The Power of the Powerless."
The narrative film line-up includes Mo Perkins' "A Quiet Little Marriage," Jon Gunn's "Like Dandelion Dust" and Giancarlo Esposito's "Gospel Hill."...
- 10/9/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Another monster release slate this week finds, amongst other things, interpretations of the Irish troubles, both real and imagined. Also, we meet the real life Mad Men, Qt's Basterds and the godfather of African-American indie film as a bearded ten-year-old boy.
Download this in audio form (MP3: 15:35 minutes, 14.3 Mb) Subscribe to the In Theaters podcast: [Xml] [iTunes]
"Art & Copy"
Filmmaker Doug Pray ("Surfwise") goes inside the advertising industry to uncover the creative minds behind such iconic slogans as "Got Milk?" and "Just Do It," encountering a multitude of contrasting viewpoints, from those who feel they have whored themselves out in the name of commerce to those hopelessly addicted to the rush of satisfying the constantly changing needs of the modern world. Don Draper, eat your heart out.
Opens in New York.
"The Baader Meinhof Complex"
This year's German nominee for the best foreign-language film Oscar, Uli Edel's adaptation of...
Download this in audio form (MP3: 15:35 minutes, 14.3 Mb) Subscribe to the In Theaters podcast: [Xml] [iTunes]
"Art & Copy"
Filmmaker Doug Pray ("Surfwise") goes inside the advertising industry to uncover the creative minds behind such iconic slogans as "Got Milk?" and "Just Do It," encountering a multitude of contrasting viewpoints, from those who feel they have whored themselves out in the name of commerce to those hopelessly addicted to the rush of satisfying the constantly changing needs of the modern world. Don Draper, eat your heart out.
Opens in New York.
"The Baader Meinhof Complex"
This year's German nominee for the best foreign-language film Oscar, Uli Edel's adaptation of...
- 8/17/2009
- by Neil Pedley
- ifc.com
Oh. My. God. A Natalie Wood Retro right here in NYC next week. Wheeeee. I'm bouncing up and down in my chair as I type. (I'll fix the resultant typos later).
If you've never seen Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice you'd be insane to miss it. "Oh, Insight!" I'd also suggest catching Inside Daisy Clover because it's a) really weird and b) all about Hollywood and c) they totally nominated the wrong supporting actress from it for the Oscar.
There's also the opportunity to see Rebel Without a Cause, Gypsy, This Property is Condemned or West Side Story on the big screen if you haven't. I have so I'll be trying to catch the ones I haven't laid eyes on yet: Tomorrow is Forever (1946) with Claudette Colbert, the controversial hard to find Kings Go Forth (1958) with Frank Sinatra and Peeper (1975) with Michael Caine. Why can't this series last longer than a week.
If you've never seen Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice you'd be insane to miss it. "Oh, Insight!" I'd also suggest catching Inside Daisy Clover because it's a) really weird and b) all about Hollywood and c) they totally nominated the wrong supporting actress from it for the Oscar.
There's also the opportunity to see Rebel Without a Cause, Gypsy, This Property is Condemned or West Side Story on the big screen if you haven't. I have so I'll be trying to catch the ones I haven't laid eyes on yet: Tomorrow is Forever (1946) with Claudette Colbert, the controversial hard to find Kings Go Forth (1958) with Frank Sinatra and Peeper (1975) with Michael Caine. Why can't this series last longer than a week.
- 8/14/2009
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Nashville Film Festival ~ Day 2
Began the day with the Inuit drama Before Tomorrow and fantastical optimism. Basically I was expecting another Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. Atanarjuat, one should know, is nearly impossible to repeat. Followed that with a tiny indie called Mothers & Daughters (so tiny it doesn't have an IMDb page) which... I hesitate to talk about. It was so in love with its actresses that I imagine it would be the type of movie I would make (warts and all) if someone handed me production equipment and several eager actresses eager to chew on scenery. Not that anyone should hand me those.
You'd probably be more interested to hear that it was preceded by a short called Water Pills which starred none other than Winona Ryder. She played a shaky sweating desperate hot mess of a former actress / addict. Um... ouch. She attacked the role so aggressively that I...
Began the day with the Inuit drama Before Tomorrow and fantastical optimism. Basically I was expecting another Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. Atanarjuat, one should know, is nearly impossible to repeat. Followed that with a tiny indie called Mothers & Daughters (so tiny it doesn't have an IMDb page) which... I hesitate to talk about. It was so in love with its actresses that I imagine it would be the type of movie I would make (warts and all) if someone handed me production equipment and several eager actresses eager to chew on scenery. Not that anyone should hand me those.
You'd probably be more interested to hear that it was preceded by a short called Water Pills which starred none other than Winona Ryder. She played a shaky sweating desperate hot mess of a former actress / addict. Um... ouch. She attacked the role so aggressively that I...
- 4/20/2009
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
The 9th Annual ReelWorld Film Festival hosted the debut of Giancarlo Esposito's first directed film "Gospel Hill." Winner of Best Feature Film at the 2009 Texas Black Film Festival, the stirring civil rights drama stars Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, Danny Glover and Julia Stiles.
"Gospel Hill" focuses on residential lives and tragic losses in a racially divided community of Julia, South Carolina. Facing eviction from their homes by a proposed luxury golf course development, the townspeople unearth barely suppressed racial discord which has characterized their civic identity for decades.
The disturbance caused by the golf course development serves as a backdrop for the hotpot of hatred, bigotry and resentment that has stewed for so long. Danny Glover plays John Malcom, the son of assassinated civil rights organizer Peter Malcom (Samuel L. Jackson). Still grieved by the murder 30 years on, John struggles to understand why his father's legacy was tragically cut short.
"Gospel Hill" focuses on residential lives and tragic losses in a racially divided community of Julia, South Carolina. Facing eviction from their homes by a proposed luxury golf course development, the townspeople unearth barely suppressed racial discord which has characterized their civic identity for decades.
The disturbance caused by the golf course development serves as a backdrop for the hotpot of hatred, bigotry and resentment that has stewed for so long. Danny Glover plays John Malcom, the son of assassinated civil rights organizer Peter Malcom (Samuel L. Jackson). Still grieved by the murder 30 years on, John struggles to understand why his father's legacy was tragically cut short.
- 4/19/2009
- icelebz.com
Actor Jake Abel has been dubbed a rising star, but he knows when to be humble — like, for example, when he meets Frances McDormand later this week at the 16th annual Hamptons International Film Festival, which opens today on the eastern end of New York's Long Island."McDormand's been in the business a lot longer than me, and she knows a lot more than I do," says Abel. "Whatever it is they have us doing with her, it's a shut-your-mouth-and-listen-to-the-master-speak situation."Abel, a 21-year-old actor from Ohio, is one of three American actors who are part of the festival's Rising Stars program, designed to draw attention to actors on the brink of success. He has featured roles in Flash of Genius, which will be shown at the festival, and the upcoming Lovely Bones, starring Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz and directed by Peter Jackson. Other Rising Stars are Taylor Kitsch...
- 10/15/2008
- by Robert Nicolais
- backstage.com
Hollywood is preparing to decamp for Denver for what could be the frothiest showbiz participation in a political convention ever.
There will be almost as many invite-only events featuring Hollywood stars and studio bigwigs at the Democratic National Convention as there will be proceedings planned for the podium or parties for the faithful. This go-round will rival if not surpass the star power of the 1960 and 1992 conventions, where glitzy candidates John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton attracted an unusually large contingent of their Tinseltown friends and supporters. But both of those confabs were held in sprawling, distracted Los Angeles; in the much narrower confines of Denver, the impact of the Hollywood heavyweights might be even more noticeable.
Sen. Barack Obama's own rock-star status no doubt also will ratchet up the sizzle factor.
Celebrities expected to attend at least some of the events in the Mile High City include Ben Affleck, Josh Brolin, Annette Bening, Spike Lee, Anne Hathaway, Susan Sarandon, Richard Schiff and Kerry Washington.
Among the likely execs on hand will be Sony's Michael Lynton, DreamWorks' Jeffrey Katzenberg, Endeavor's Ari Emmanuel, producer Lawrence Bender and Comcast's Jeff Shell -- all of whom have served on Obama's National Finance Committee.
And because it is in Denver, the home of the country's key coterie of cablers, companies like Starz are among those that intend to make the most of their host perch.
Prominent figures from entertainment, mainstream and new-media and literature will be part of what the John Malone-backed cable conglomerate has dubbed the Starz Green Room, a venue just steps from the main convention hall in the Pepsi Center.
Stressing that it is "a topical but nonpartisan undertaking," Starz organizers are positioning their initiative as a complement to the official events of the convention, which runs Aug. 25-28. The schedule ranges from socially themed films and panel discussions to an online film competition discussing the meaning of democracy. The program is being produced by Starz Entertainment and its partners SeaChange Communications, founded by Jamie McGurk and Victoria Hopper; the Impact Film Festival, founded by Jody Arlington, Jamie Shor and Kimball Stroud; and the Denver Film Society, based at the Starz FilmCenter in the Tivoli.
Among the participants at one Starz event or another are Brolin, Affleck, Charlize Theron and Morgan Spurlock, who will either cross paths with or interface with such politicians as Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and assorted other city, state and national elected officials. Pundits, bloggers and activists on hand will include Arianna Huffington, John Podesta, Hilary Rosen, Walter Isaacson and Dennis Prager.
Panel topics planned for the SeaChange Ideas Forum range from how high-profile friends help politicians succeed to the increasing role of viral videos and social networks in political debate and an examination of the role of faith-based voters and alternatives to military solutions for solving global crises.
The Impact Film Festival is presenting such contemporary films as "Flow," "Battle in Seattle," "Trouble the Water" and "The Black List," which will be followed by conversations with the filmmakers and others associated with the projects. Also included are "The Visitor" and "Henry Poole Is Here" from Overture Films, the theatrical division of Starz.
Another organization fielding a sizable Hollywood contingent in Denver is the nonprofit Creative Coalition, which with Target is sponsoring a gala featuring a benefit performance by the Black Eyed Peas on Aug. 27 at the Fillmore Auditorium.
The Creative Coalition is focused on bringing Hollywood star power to bear on such issues as health care and education reform, public funding for the arts and affordable housing. The Creative Coalition neither endorses nor raises funds for political parties or candidates and also will be present at the Republican National Convention.
Robin Bronk, executive director of the Creative Coalition, said that what matters most at these conventions is not star power itself but how such power can draw attention to the issues.
"We have a great track record of bringing substance with splash," she said.
In addition to hosting the Wednesday night gala, the Creative Coalition will host a luncheon honoring Bening and the 14 female senators of the 109th Congress. A Screen Media Films documentary about the senators and narrated by Bening, "14 Women," will get its close-up at the morning reception at Earl's restaurant in Denver.
"14 Women" is one of several films that Screen Media and the Creative Coalition will be showing during both the Democratic and Republican conventions.
The "Spotlight Initiative" highlights films -- "Skid Row," "Big Rigs," "Honeydrippers" and "14 Women" -- that have a social message.
Robert Baruc, president of Screen Media Films, said Monday that the films' messages are key.
"We feel they address important issues," Baruc said. "Here is a platform where we will have the eyes of important people in politics."
Lee will be honored Sunday night, just before the convention's opening, at a reception sponsored by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the Creative Coalition and Eli Lilly. It's to honor the accomplishments of black leaders in the field of public policy. "Gospel Hill," a film by Giancarlo Esposito starring Danny Glover and Angela Bassett, will unspool Monday morning at a brunch in Denver.
Elizabeth Guider reported from Los Angeles; Paul J. Gough reported from New York.
There will be almost as many invite-only events featuring Hollywood stars and studio bigwigs at the Democratic National Convention as there will be proceedings planned for the podium or parties for the faithful. This go-round will rival if not surpass the star power of the 1960 and 1992 conventions, where glitzy candidates John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton attracted an unusually large contingent of their Tinseltown friends and supporters. But both of those confabs were held in sprawling, distracted Los Angeles; in the much narrower confines of Denver, the impact of the Hollywood heavyweights might be even more noticeable.
Sen. Barack Obama's own rock-star status no doubt also will ratchet up the sizzle factor.
Celebrities expected to attend at least some of the events in the Mile High City include Ben Affleck, Josh Brolin, Annette Bening, Spike Lee, Anne Hathaway, Susan Sarandon, Richard Schiff and Kerry Washington.
Among the likely execs on hand will be Sony's Michael Lynton, DreamWorks' Jeffrey Katzenberg, Endeavor's Ari Emmanuel, producer Lawrence Bender and Comcast's Jeff Shell -- all of whom have served on Obama's National Finance Committee.
And because it is in Denver, the home of the country's key coterie of cablers, companies like Starz are among those that intend to make the most of their host perch.
Prominent figures from entertainment, mainstream and new-media and literature will be part of what the John Malone-backed cable conglomerate has dubbed the Starz Green Room, a venue just steps from the main convention hall in the Pepsi Center.
Stressing that it is "a topical but nonpartisan undertaking," Starz organizers are positioning their initiative as a complement to the official events of the convention, which runs Aug. 25-28. The schedule ranges from socially themed films and panel discussions to an online film competition discussing the meaning of democracy. The program is being produced by Starz Entertainment and its partners SeaChange Communications, founded by Jamie McGurk and Victoria Hopper; the Impact Film Festival, founded by Jody Arlington, Jamie Shor and Kimball Stroud; and the Denver Film Society, based at the Starz FilmCenter in the Tivoli.
Among the participants at one Starz event or another are Brolin, Affleck, Charlize Theron and Morgan Spurlock, who will either cross paths with or interface with such politicians as Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and assorted other city, state and national elected officials. Pundits, bloggers and activists on hand will include Arianna Huffington, John Podesta, Hilary Rosen, Walter Isaacson and Dennis Prager.
Panel topics planned for the SeaChange Ideas Forum range from how high-profile friends help politicians succeed to the increasing role of viral videos and social networks in political debate and an examination of the role of faith-based voters and alternatives to military solutions for solving global crises.
The Impact Film Festival is presenting such contemporary films as "Flow," "Battle in Seattle," "Trouble the Water" and "The Black List," which will be followed by conversations with the filmmakers and others associated with the projects. Also included are "The Visitor" and "Henry Poole Is Here" from Overture Films, the theatrical division of Starz.
Another organization fielding a sizable Hollywood contingent in Denver is the nonprofit Creative Coalition, which with Target is sponsoring a gala featuring a benefit performance by the Black Eyed Peas on Aug. 27 at the Fillmore Auditorium.
The Creative Coalition is focused on bringing Hollywood star power to bear on such issues as health care and education reform, public funding for the arts and affordable housing. The Creative Coalition neither endorses nor raises funds for political parties or candidates and also will be present at the Republican National Convention.
Robin Bronk, executive director of the Creative Coalition, said that what matters most at these conventions is not star power itself but how such power can draw attention to the issues.
"We have a great track record of bringing substance with splash," she said.
In addition to hosting the Wednesday night gala, the Creative Coalition will host a luncheon honoring Bening and the 14 female senators of the 109th Congress. A Screen Media Films documentary about the senators and narrated by Bening, "14 Women," will get its close-up at the morning reception at Earl's restaurant in Denver.
"14 Women" is one of several films that Screen Media and the Creative Coalition will be showing during both the Democratic and Republican conventions.
The "Spotlight Initiative" highlights films -- "Skid Row," "Big Rigs," "Honeydrippers" and "14 Women" -- that have a social message.
Robert Baruc, president of Screen Media Films, said Monday that the films' messages are key.
"We feel they address important issues," Baruc said. "Here is a platform where we will have the eyes of important people in politics."
Lee will be honored Sunday night, just before the convention's opening, at a reception sponsored by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the Creative Coalition and Eli Lilly. It's to honor the accomplishments of black leaders in the field of public policy. "Gospel Hill," a film by Giancarlo Esposito starring Danny Glover and Angela Bassett, will unspool Monday morning at a brunch in Denver.
Elizabeth Guider reported from Los Angeles; Paul J. Gough reported from New York.
- 8/18/2008
- by By Elizabeth Guider and Paul J. Gough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Julia Stiles has signed with ICM. Stiles next appears in the summer's The Bourne Ultimatum, the third installment of the Bourne franchise. Her upcoming projects include Gospel Hill, a drama co-starring Danny Glover, and she's also set to star in and co-produce The Bell Jar, an adaptation of the semi-autobiographical novel by Sylvia Plath.
Stiles also wrote, directed and starred in the short film Raving, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her acting credits include The Omen, Save the Last Dance, The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy. Stiles also is repped by manager Raelle Koota of Anonymous Content and attorney David Weber.
Stiles also wrote, directed and starred in the short film Raving, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her acting credits include The Omen, Save the Last Dance, The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy. Stiles also is repped by manager Raelle Koota of Anonymous Content and attorney David Weber.
- 6/25/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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