John Woo’s Next Film Is ‘A Half-Musical’ With Sparks: ‘My First Movie Where I Don’t Need A Stuntman’
John Woo movies always have a spark – the legendary Hong Kong director is responsible for some of the greatest (and most bonkers) action ever committed to the screen, in Hard Boiled and Face/Off and The Killer, to name but a few. But we’ve never had a John Woo movie with Sparks – the legendary cult pop duo also known as Ron and Russell Mael, behind such earworms as ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us’. Until now, that is. Because, as the filmmaker tells Empire in a major upcoming interview, he’s currently working with the art-pop icons on a very different kind of Woo movie.
“My next project is actually a half-musical,” Woo confirms to Empire. “I’m going to be working with the Sparks Brothers, who wrote the script and songs — we are just starting work on some changes to the script.” While the...
“My next project is actually a half-musical,” Woo confirms to Empire. “I’m going to be working with the Sparks Brothers, who wrote the script and songs — we are just starting work on some changes to the script.” While the...
- 9/9/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
A fun game those of legal drinking age can play while watching Roger Vadim's surreal/sexy 1968 Eurotrash space romp "Barbarella": take a drink every time Barbarella (Jane Fonda) changes costumes. One will be blindingly intoxicated by the 20-minute mark. "Barbarella" takes place in the distant future wherein the President of Earth (Claude Dauphin) has tasked the title heroine, a freelance space captain, to locate and retrieve Durand-Durand (Milo O'Shea) a scientist who has invented the positronic ray, a weapon of massive destructive power. Barbarella must trek through a picaresque adventure, stopping to be savaged by killer dolls, locked into an orgasm machine (!), and to befriend a friendly angel (John Philip Law). The film was based on the bawdy 1966 French comic by Jean-Claude Forest.
Yes, the band Duran Duran got their name from "Barbarella."
Back in October 2022, it was announced that Sony was developing a remake of "Barbarella," and...
Yes, the band Duran Duran got their name from "Barbarella."
Back in October 2022, it was announced that Sony was developing a remake of "Barbarella," and...
- 5/13/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Music movies are having a moment — if, indeed, they ever stopped having one. Take the pop-music biopic. There are times, like right now, when it surges in popularity, yet the form has never gone out of style. And music documentaries, a staple of the indie-film world, have only proliferated during the streaming era. This means that they have to compete for visibility, but a ton of them are getting made and (mostly) getting seen. They’ve become a happy epidemic.
A few, like “Amy” or “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?,” are popular and vital enough to have carved out a place in the culture — and, in the case of both those films, to have inspired the creation of a biopic. I have it on good authority that when you’re trying to put together a music documentary, the prospect of it spawning a biopic can be a key selling point.
A few, like “Amy” or “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?,” are popular and vital enough to have carved out a place in the culture — and, in the case of both those films, to have inspired the creation of a biopic. I have it on good authority that when you’re trying to put together a music documentary, the prospect of it spawning a biopic can be a key selling point.
- 3/24/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Edgar Wright appeared on the latest episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast and went on a reflective rant about the current state of Hollywood’s intellectual property addiction (via IndieWire). Without calling out any franchises in particular, the “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and “Baby Driver” director expressed frustration over the lack of breathing room when it comes to studios needing to plan and date multiple franchise movies over the course of a few years. Wright didn’t name Marvel, for instance, but that studio proves his point as it released six movies in the last two years.
“One of the problems with film franchises is sometimes when they announce — I’m not mentioning any names or anything — when they announce like massive slates of films and TV shows […] there’s a danger of killing the golden goose,” Wright said. “It is a weird thing: If I could go...
“One of the problems with film franchises is sometimes when they announce — I’m not mentioning any names or anything — when they announce like massive slates of films and TV shows […] there’s a danger of killing the golden goose,” Wright said. “It is a weird thing: If I could go...
- 11/27/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy is one of those movie trilogies that is linked in nearly every way except narratively. In other words, while visual elements, themes, actors and even jokes repeat between 2004's "Shaun of the Dead," 2007's "Hot Fuzz" and 2013's "The World's End," the films don't actually share any characters or even take place in the same universe. That's because it was formed as a joke in and of itself at first, with a throwaway reference to the Italian mini-ice cream cones in "Shaun" leading to Wright and actor/co-writer Simon Pegg attempting to emulate (and lightly parody) other thematic trilogies such as the "Three Colours" trilogy by Krzysztof Kieślowski.
Ever since "The World's End," there's been no further reference to Cornettos or the characters and events in the Trilogy in Wright's work — until now. As Wright's film adaptation of creator Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim" series of comics,...
Ever since "The World's End," there's been no further reference to Cornettos or the characters and events in the Trilogy in Wright's work — until now. As Wright's film adaptation of creator Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim" series of comics,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
It’s time for some body-snatching mayhem.
Zach Clark’s “The Becomers,” about confused alien lovers trying to find their place on Earth, and each other, has debuted the first clip and poster ahead of its Fantasia Film Festival premiere.
“I was really inspired and influenced by 1950s B-movies. I have always liked the disreputable pockets of film history. My general approach to the entire movie was to embrace that and embrace kitsch as an access point,” said Clark.
“Older genre films really invite the audience in. Now, it’s all about visual effects and things looking as real as possible. But this more lo-fi effect asks you to play along in a way that modern stuff doesn’t.”
Also joining in on the fun is the film’s surprising narrator, Russell Mael, best known as the lead singer for Sparks: The cult American band celebrated by Edgar Wright...
Zach Clark’s “The Becomers,” about confused alien lovers trying to find their place on Earth, and each other, has debuted the first clip and poster ahead of its Fantasia Film Festival premiere.
“I was really inspired and influenced by 1950s B-movies. I have always liked the disreputable pockets of film history. My general approach to the entire movie was to embrace that and embrace kitsch as an access point,” said Clark.
“Older genre films really invite the audience in. Now, it’s all about visual effects and things looking as real as possible. But this more lo-fi effect asks you to play along in a way that modern stuff doesn’t.”
Also joining in on the fun is the film’s surprising narrator, Russell Mael, best known as the lead singer for Sparks: The cult American band celebrated by Edgar Wright...
- 7/17/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Lydia Tár made her Glastonbury debut, sort of, as actress Cate Blanchett joined Sparks onstage at the U.K. festival to interpretive dance during the performance of the cult rockers’ recent single “The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte.”
Blanchett’s surprise appearance was a live rendition of the Oscar-winning actress’ starring role in the track’s music video, which similarly featured Blanchett in a bright yellow suit, sunglasses and red headphones, dancing to her own beat as the Sparks songs plays.
Cate Blanchett and Sparks at #Glastonbury! pic.twitter.
Blanchett’s surprise appearance was a live rendition of the Oscar-winning actress’ starring role in the track’s music video, which similarly featured Blanchett in a bright yellow suit, sunglasses and red headphones, dancing to her own beat as the Sparks songs plays.
Cate Blanchett and Sparks at #Glastonbury! pic.twitter.
- 6/24/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Although I’ve been a fan of stop-motion for years, the craft and artistry that goes into this particular animation technique continue to be a source of amazement for me. The tactile nature of the puppets, sets and props, combined with the attention and time that goes into it, means that when a director gets it right, they can be some of the most exciting works in the short film arena. Case in point: Joseph Wallace’s new film Salvation Has No Name, which not only made it to the elite cohort of short films on this year’s BAFTA longlist but also did the same for the 2022 BIFAs. A modern epic sporting a timeless aesthetic, Wallace returns to Dn with his most ambitious work yet, a film that was years in the making, but well worth the wait.
Welcome back to Directors Notes Joseph, let’s start with things off nice and simple,...
Welcome back to Directors Notes Joseph, let’s start with things off nice and simple,...
- 6/20/2023
- by Rob Munday
- Directors Notes
Formidable creative duo Will & Carly are no strangers to the pages of Dn with their focus on the social and political forces which shape society today explored through an attuned and perceptive filmmaking approach. Their previous project Filterface, a satirical dance indictment of self-obsession and projected perfection, concentrated on the effect of social media on young girls and with their new thought provoking piece Tits: A Voyage Into Objectification, the duo turn their focus towards young men with a similar biting edge. As the couple were watching Edgar Wright’s documentary on the Sparks Brothers, they were struck by the discordance of the track Tits in which a man laments about his disappointment at the repurposing of his wife’s breasts to feed his child. This inspired them to delve head first into their own exploration of the perception of breasts, specifically from a young male gaze – juxtaposing uncensored anonymous...
- 4/19/2023
- by Sarah Smith
- Directors Notes
Pop-rock stalwarts Sparks landed one of the greatest acting talents the world has ever seen, Cate Blanchett, for their new music video and got her to do what she does best — dance!
In the new clip for “The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte” (the title track from Sparks’ next album), Blanchett appears in a striking yellow suit with red headphones covering her ears, oblivious to Sparks’ Ron and Russell Mael behind her. While Russell sings the song and Ron sits quietly in the back — briefly cleaning up a bit...
In the new clip for “The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte” (the title track from Sparks’ next album), Blanchett appears in a striking yellow suit with red headphones covering her ears, oblivious to Sparks’ Ron and Russell Mael behind her. While Russell sings the song and Ron sits quietly in the back — briefly cleaning up a bit...
- 3/3/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
At over 400 pages, Clark Collis' You’ve Got Red on You: How Shaun of the Dead Was Brought to Life is a must-have for any fan of Edgar Wright's beloved horror comedy. If you haven't had a chance to pick it up yet, a new softcover edition is on its way from 1984 Publishing with new art from HagCult!
"Entertainment Weekly senior writer Clark Collis’ You’ve Got Red on You: How Shaun of the Dead Was Brought to Life, an anecdote-packed, 424-page look at the making of the 2004 horror-comedy, is receiving a softcover edition this September featuring all-new hand-drawn artwork by HagCult.
Collis interviewed dozens of Shaun of the Dead cast and crew members for the project, including director Edgar Wright, producer Nira Park, actors Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Bill Nighy, Lucy Davis, and Coldplay singer Chris Martin, as well as many of the extras who played zombies in the film.
"Entertainment Weekly senior writer Clark Collis’ You’ve Got Red on You: How Shaun of the Dead Was Brought to Life, an anecdote-packed, 424-page look at the making of the 2004 horror-comedy, is receiving a softcover edition this September featuring all-new hand-drawn artwork by HagCult.
Collis interviewed dozens of Shaun of the Dead cast and crew members for the project, including director Edgar Wright, producer Nira Park, actors Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Bill Nighy, Lucy Davis, and Coldplay singer Chris Martin, as well as many of the extras who played zombies in the film.
- 4/21/2022
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Movie: The Sparks Brothers
Where You Can Stream It: Netflix
The Pitch: As its title suggests, "The Sparks Brothers" is about Ron and Russell Mael, the brothers behind Sparks, the best band you may never have heard of. Filmmaker Edgar Wright pulls back the curtain on the inscrutable duo, giving them the career retrospective they deserve. Using a delightful mixture of animation, concert footage, interviews and more, self-described Sparks...
The post The Daily Stream: Edgar Wright's The Sparks Brothers Is a Must-Watch Music Documentary appeared first on /Film.
The Movie: The Sparks Brothers
Where You Can Stream It: Netflix
The Pitch: As its title suggests, "The Sparks Brothers" is about Ron and Russell Mael, the brothers behind Sparks, the best band you may never have heard of. Filmmaker Edgar Wright pulls back the curtain on the inscrutable duo, giving them the career retrospective they deserve. Using a delightful mixture of animation, concert footage, interviews and more, self-described Sparks...
The post The Daily Stream: Edgar Wright's The Sparks Brothers Is a Must-Watch Music Documentary appeared first on /Film.
- 3/5/2022
- by Jamie Gerber
- Slash Film
The Oscar-nominated “Flee” took home the top prize at the 15th annual Cinema Eye Honors on Tuesday evening at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York.
Going into the evening, Neon and Participant Media’s “Flee” led the field with a total of seven nominations, while “Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” followed with six.
Filmmaker Cheryl Dunye also received the organization’s legacy award during the ceremony. The director was honored for her landmark 1996 independent feature “The Watermelon Woman.” After accepting the legacy award on stage, Dunye presented the category of audience choice prize.
See the full list of film winners and nominees below.
Outstanding Nonfiction Feature
“Ascension”
“Faya Dayi” (Directed and produced by Jessica Beshir)
“Flee” (Winner)
“The Rescue”
“Summer of Soul”
“The Velvet Underground”
Outstanding Direction
“Ascension”
“Faya Dayi”
“Flee”
“In the Same Breath”
“Procession” (Winner)
“Summer of Soul”
Outstanding...
Going into the evening, Neon and Participant Media’s “Flee” led the field with a total of seven nominations, while “Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” followed with six.
Filmmaker Cheryl Dunye also received the organization’s legacy award during the ceremony. The director was honored for her landmark 1996 independent feature “The Watermelon Woman.” After accepting the legacy award on stage, Dunye presented the category of audience choice prize.
See the full list of film winners and nominees below.
Outstanding Nonfiction Feature
“Ascension”
“Faya Dayi” (Directed and produced by Jessica Beshir)
“Flee” (Winner)
“The Rescue”
“Summer of Soul”
“The Velvet Underground”
Outstanding Direction
“Ascension”
“Faya Dayi”
“Flee”
“In the Same Breath”
“Procession” (Winner)
“Summer of Soul”
Outstanding...
- 3/2/2022
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s animated documentary “Flee” has been named the best nonfiction film of 2021 at the 15th annual Cinema Eye Honors, which were presented on Tuesday night in New York City. “The Rescue,” about the efforts to retrieve a Thai youth soccer team from a flooded cave, won the Audience Choice Prize.
The Neon release “Flee,” which uses animation to give anonymity to a young gay man who escaped Afghanistan as a teenager and made his way to Denmark, also won the award for graphic design and animation. It is nominated for Oscars in the documentary, animated-feature and international-feature categories.
Robert Greene won the directing award for “Procession,” while Matthew Heineman, Jenna Millman and Leslie Norville took the producing prize for “The First Wave.”
Jessica Kingdon’s “Ascension” won the most Cinema Eye awards, three, taking the prizes for debut feature, cinematography and score.
Other winners included “Summer of Soul...
The Neon release “Flee,” which uses animation to give anonymity to a young gay man who escaped Afghanistan as a teenager and made his way to Denmark, also won the award for graphic design and animation. It is nominated for Oscars in the documentary, animated-feature and international-feature categories.
Robert Greene won the directing award for “Procession,” while Matthew Heineman, Jenna Millman and Leslie Norville took the producing prize for “The First Wave.”
Jessica Kingdon’s “Ascension” won the most Cinema Eye awards, three, taking the prizes for debut feature, cinematography and score.
Other winners included “Summer of Soul...
- 3/2/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The Oscars have announced that 276 feature films are eligible for this year’s Academy Awards, with nomination voting set to begin Thursday, Jan. 27 until Tuesday, Feb. 1.
Last year, the Academy extended the eligibility year until Feb. 28, 2021 due to the pandemic, which produced 366 eligible films, the largest number of submissions since 1970. With only 10 months in this period, 2022’s eligibility list is on par with previous submission years.
All of the presumed Oscar contenders are on the list including “Being the Ricardos” (Amazon Studios), “Belfast” (Focus Features), “C’mon C’mon” (A24), “Candyman” (Universal Pictures), “Coda” (Apple Original Films), “Dune” (Warner Bros), “Encanto” (Walt Disney Pictures), “House of Gucci” (MGM/United Artists Releasing), “Nightmare Alley” (Searchlight Pictures), “Parallel Mothers” (Sony Pictures Classics), “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix), “A Quiet Place Part II” (Paramount Pictures), “Spencer” (Neon/Topic Studios), “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (Sony Pictures) and “West Side Story” (20th Century Studios).
Some of...
Last year, the Academy extended the eligibility year until Feb. 28, 2021 due to the pandemic, which produced 366 eligible films, the largest number of submissions since 1970. With only 10 months in this period, 2022’s eligibility list is on par with previous submission years.
All of the presumed Oscar contenders are on the list including “Being the Ricardos” (Amazon Studios), “Belfast” (Focus Features), “C’mon C’mon” (A24), “Candyman” (Universal Pictures), “Coda” (Apple Original Films), “Dune” (Warner Bros), “Encanto” (Walt Disney Pictures), “House of Gucci” (MGM/United Artists Releasing), “Nightmare Alley” (Searchlight Pictures), “Parallel Mothers” (Sony Pictures Classics), “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix), “A Quiet Place Part II” (Paramount Pictures), “Spencer” (Neon/Topic Studios), “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (Sony Pictures) and “West Side Story” (20th Century Studios).
Some of...
- 1/20/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
There’s no pretending on my part to have seen everything there was to see in 2021. I’ve still got a pretty long list of movies from the year that I would like to catch up on, including the other movie from director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Wheel Of Fortune And Fantasy, Hamaguchi’s was a name that was completely unknown to me before a couple of months ago, so it’s exciting to actually have another film of his on which to hang my high expectations, after being so captivated by Drive My Car. But there are others than have yet gone unseen, including end-of-year award contenders like Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza, King Richard and Belfast, along with potentially fascinating (or disappointing) titles like Luca, Red Rocket, Citizen Ashe, Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar, A Choice Of Weapons: Inspired By Gordon Parks,...
- 1/16/2022
- by Dennis Cozzalio
- Trailers from Hell
Following The Film Stage’s collective top 50 films of 2021, as part of our year-end coverage, our contributors are sharing their personal top 10 lists.
Music docs, Memoria, and more music docs: welcome to my top ten. There are some non-music-docs, but only seven. It was almost six. And in a rare moment of clarity I exercised restraint. I’ll probably regret it. Themes are disparate between the rest. From unseen masterwork to global phenomenon, Chile to Romania, nautical myth to coming of age in the ’70s––they run the gamut.
To the point of showing there’s no such thing as a “bad year” in cinema, my list of honorable mentions is insufferable. Barely edging out the top ten is The Power of the Dog, The Worst Person in the World, The Velvet Underground, and Drive My Car, any of them a likely 9 or 10 spot were I writing this on a different day.
Music docs, Memoria, and more music docs: welcome to my top ten. There are some non-music-docs, but only seven. It was almost six. And in a rare moment of clarity I exercised restraint. I’ll probably regret it. Themes are disparate between the rest. From unseen masterwork to global phenomenon, Chile to Romania, nautical myth to coming of age in the ’70s––they run the gamut.
To the point of showing there’s no such thing as a “bad year” in cinema, my list of honorable mentions is insufferable. Barely edging out the top ten is The Power of the Dog, The Worst Person in the World, The Velvet Underground, and Drive My Car, any of them a likely 9 or 10 spot were I writing this on a different day.
- 1/13/2022
- by Luke Hicks
- The Film Stage
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has revealed its longlist of nominees across 24 categories for its upcoming film awards.
“No Time to Die,” “Belfast,” and “West Side Story| are among the leading films announced on Wednesday following the first round of votes.
As revealed on Monday, not included in the long-list is “Spider-Man: No Way Home” after “failing to meet eligibility criteria,” according to BAFTA. The film had originally sought consideration for the best picture and best special effects categories. Sony declined to comment.
Round Two voting, to determine the nominations in the member voted categories, will open between Feb. 14 and 27 2022. Nominations will be announced on Feb 3.
Round Three voting, to determine the winners, will open between Feb. 9 and March 8.
The BAFTA Awards are set to take place in central London on March 13.
Check out the full longlist below:
Best Film
15 films go through to the Round Two of voting,...
“No Time to Die,” “Belfast,” and “West Side Story| are among the leading films announced on Wednesday following the first round of votes.
As revealed on Monday, not included in the long-list is “Spider-Man: No Way Home” after “failing to meet eligibility criteria,” according to BAFTA. The film had originally sought consideration for the best picture and best special effects categories. Sony declined to comment.
Round Two voting, to determine the nominations in the member voted categories, will open between Feb. 14 and 27 2022. Nominations will be announced on Feb 3.
Round Three voting, to determine the winners, will open between Feb. 9 and March 8.
The BAFTA Awards are set to take place in central London on March 13.
Check out the full longlist below:
Best Film
15 films go through to the Round Two of voting,...
- 1/12/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
BAFTA has unveiled the longlists across all categories for its 2022 Film Awards. Scroll down to see them in full.
These lists have been compiled via Round One of BAFTA’s voting. Round Two, which determines the nominations, opens on January 14 and closes on January 27.
The Rising Star Award nominations will be announced on February 1. The full nominations will then be unveiled February 3. Round Three, to determine the winners, runs February 9 – March 8. The 2022 BAFTA Film Awards take place March 13, with a physical ceremony planned.
The below field paints a wide picture of the films participating in the current awards campaign, and gives a moment in the sun to a handful of titles that may not make the final cut for nominations.
While drawing conclusions from the below lists in regards to the likely winners is largely a guessing game, a few notable takeaways include: Spider-Man: No Way Home is entirely absent...
These lists have been compiled via Round One of BAFTA’s voting. Round Two, which determines the nominations, opens on January 14 and closes on January 27.
The Rising Star Award nominations will be announced on February 1. The full nominations will then be unveiled February 3. Round Three, to determine the winners, runs February 9 – March 8. The 2022 BAFTA Film Awards take place March 13, with a physical ceremony planned.
The below field paints a wide picture of the films participating in the current awards campaign, and gives a moment in the sun to a handful of titles that may not make the final cut for nominations.
While drawing conclusions from the below lists in regards to the likely winners is largely a guessing game, a few notable takeaways include: Spider-Man: No Way Home is entirely absent...
- 1/12/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Following The Film Stage’s collective top 50 films of 2021, as part of our year-end coverage, our contributors are sharing their personal top 10 lists.
As 2021 careens recklessly to a close, it seems mentally beneficial to emphasize the positives.
On a personal level, the opportunity to return to cinemas, especially with my children, felt wondrous. And while I was unable to attend the Toronto International Film Festival in person for the second-straight year, having the chance to virtually cover TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, Hot Docs, Tribeca, New York, and Chicago in the last twelve months was a genuine pleasure. It was through these festivals that I saw many of the films on the list below.
Just outside my top fifteen are a number of films that delighted and enthralled me: Joel Coen’s marvelous Tragedy of Macbeth; Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s triumphant Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy and Drive My Car; Edgar Wright’s...
As 2021 careens recklessly to a close, it seems mentally beneficial to emphasize the positives.
On a personal level, the opportunity to return to cinemas, especially with my children, felt wondrous. And while I was unable to attend the Toronto International Film Festival in person for the second-straight year, having the chance to virtually cover TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, Hot Docs, Tribeca, New York, and Chicago in the last twelve months was a genuine pleasure. It was through these festivals that I saw many of the films on the list below.
Just outside my top fifteen are a number of films that delighted and enthralled me: Joel Coen’s marvelous Tragedy of Macbeth; Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s triumphant Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy and Drive My Car; Edgar Wright’s...
- 1/3/2022
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
Chicago – Are we there yet? Another pandemic year, 2021, somewhat affected the cinema world, but many films that had been delayed finally saw the light of screen, and one true blockbuster was had for the industry (kudos to Spidey). Around mid-year, the critics and public went back to the theaters, and this 10 Best list is a hybrid of in-person and online viewings.
So begins my* list of the 10 Best Films Of 2021, on a hopeful note. Hoping that this current viral surge will be our last, and we will come back fully and in person moving forward, as a wish for the world. *The Über Critic, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Wbgr-FM & Wssr-fm
I’m formatting this 10 Best differently this year, to reflect the on-air reviews I do weekly on Wbgr-fm and Wssr-fm. Each of the 10 Best will be in the on-air or audio format for your listening pleasure.
I begin...
So begins my* list of the 10 Best Films Of 2021, on a hopeful note. Hoping that this current viral surge will be our last, and we will come back fully and in person moving forward, as a wish for the world. *The Über Critic, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Wbgr-FM & Wssr-fm
I’m formatting this 10 Best differently this year, to reflect the on-air reviews I do weekly on Wbgr-fm and Wssr-fm. Each of the 10 Best will be in the on-air or audio format for your listening pleasure.
I begin...
- 12/29/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The Sounds of 2021 mix of movie soundtracks comes in at just over two hours: a synergy of cerebral, graceful, paranoid, turbulent, and wondrous sounds from across all genres, merged to tell its own sonic story. The focus is mainly Hollywood and American indie movies, with a few excursions to Ethiopia, Chile, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Italy, and Sweden. My moviegoing practices became ever more erratic this year after a move to a new country, on-off rule changes in cinemas, and a tendency to have cinematic interests in something specific that was not part of the current slate. That being said, there was excitement in the air when it came to new cinema that felt more powerful this year than last and I hope that grows. New work from Mica Levi, Ludovico Einaudi, and a country soundtrack from Clint Eastwood’s latest film are a few of the exciting moments from...
- 12/23/2021
- MUBI
There were few surprises among the shortlisted films announced for the 2022 Documentary Film Oscar but, as always there was at least one. While “Summer of Soul,” “The Rescue” and “Flee” (also earning an International Film shortlist mention) were expected, “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry” was definitely not. It was one of two Apple TV+ shortlisted docs this year alongside Todd Haynes’ “The Velvet Underground.”
Read More: “Summer of Soul” and “Flee’ lead 2021 IDA Awards nominations
One of the most competitive categories (and often head-scratching) of them all, it’s no surprise there were a number of high-profile snubs from this shortlist including Edgar Wright’s “The Sparks Brothers,” Liz Garbus’ “Being Cousteau,” “Wojnarowicz: F**K You F*ggot F**ker,” and “North By Current” and “Jacinta.”
Additionally, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlist selections for the Documentary Short, Live Action Short, and Animated Short Film categories.
Read More: “Summer of Soul” and “Flee’ lead 2021 IDA Awards nominations
One of the most competitive categories (and often head-scratching) of them all, it’s no surprise there were a number of high-profile snubs from this shortlist including Edgar Wright’s “The Sparks Brothers,” Liz Garbus’ “Being Cousteau,” “Wojnarowicz: F**K You F*ggot F**ker,” and “North By Current” and “Jacinta.”
Additionally, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlist selections for the Documentary Short, Live Action Short, and Animated Short Film categories.
- 12/21/2021
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
French prize-winner Titane misses out on international feature consideration.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled its shortlists for the international and documentary Oscars as well as eight other categories.
Widely tipped entries including Japan’s Drive My Car, Iran’s A Hero, Denmark’s Flee and Finland’s Compartment No 6 all made the international shortlist, but French Palme d’Or winner Titane is a surprise omission. Also absent from the list are Costa Rica’s Clara Sola, Chad’s Lingui, The Sacred Bonds and Russia’s Unclenching The Fists. Ten of the 15 titles on the international...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled its shortlists for the international and documentary Oscars as well as eight other categories.
Widely tipped entries including Japan’s Drive My Car, Iran’s A Hero, Denmark’s Flee and Finland’s Compartment No 6 all made the international shortlist, but French Palme d’Or winner Titane is a surprise omission. Also absent from the list are Costa Rica’s Clara Sola, Chad’s Lingui, The Sacred Bonds and Russia’s Unclenching The Fists. Ten of the 15 titles on the international...
- 12/21/2021
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
1. FleeThe official release poster for Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s animated refugee memoir Flee—the one you might have seen more often than this—isn’t half bad: the film’s subject, Amin, is revealed in the elongated ascenders of the title, as if behind bars, while a happy memory of him as a child slips freely into the poster’s negative space. And, to be honest, the design I have chosen as my favorite movie poster of the year (this is the original Swedish version but a US version of this design has been seen in the wild) doesn’t express Flee half as well as that other one does. Its it-takes-a-village cast of characters promises something different from the film itself, which is a lean and harrowing and often solitary odyssey from Afghanistan to Denmark, and from childhood to manhood. That said, I can’t stop loving this poster...
- 12/18/2021
- MUBI
Last year, IndieWire’s annual critics survey was a squeaker, with two equally beloved films vying neck-and-neck for the top spot. In 2021, though, the final result has been anything but a photo finish. With 187 critics and journalists voting on the best films and performances in this year’s survey, Jane Campion’s Western character study “The Power of the Dog” was the landslide victor, winning Best Film, Best Director, Best Performance (for Benedict Cumberbatch), and Best Cinematography. It’s the second time in the history of this poll, and the second year in a row following “Nomadland,” that a film directed by a woman topped the list, and it also topped IndieWire’s own staff list of the The Best Movies of 2021. Staffers from IndieWire, Variety, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Entertainment Weekly voted, as well as freelance and staff writers for newspapers, websites, radio, and TV from across Europe,...
- 12/13/2021
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
The Oscar shortlists hit Hollywood on Dec. 21, with filmmakers and artisans alike waiting to see if their pics have made it. It’s another Covid-challenged year, with theaters still not running at full capacity and screening links de rigueur even as widespread vaccinations boost the confidence in getting back in a cinema. The films below have been gaining traction on the awards circuit so far, but given the contours of kudos campaigns, surprises can and will emerge. Critics groups are beginning to weigh in and some guild nominations are imminent. Oscar nominations will be announced Feb. 8, with the ceremony taking place March 27.
Documentary Feature
This category once again offers up an embarrassment of riches, with films such as Denmark’s “Flee” leading the pack — the Sundance winner recently won a Gotham award. “Flee” can also grab noms in animation and international feature. NatGeo’s lineup includes John Hoffman and Janet Tobias’ “Fauci,...
Documentary Feature
This category once again offers up an embarrassment of riches, with films such as Denmark’s “Flee” leading the pack — the Sundance winner recently won a Gotham award. “Flee” can also grab noms in animation and international feature. NatGeo’s lineup includes John Hoffman and Janet Tobias’ “Fauci,...
- 12/11/2021
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
Animation, documentary submissions also tallied.
The Academy has confirmed it has received 93 country submissions for the international feature film category in the run-up to the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022.
The Academy said on Monday (December 6) it had also received 26 animated feature and 138 documentary feature submissions.
The entire list of international feature film submissions can be viewed here and includes a first submission from Somalia. The Academy said some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfil that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
The Academy has confirmed it has received 93 country submissions for the international feature film category in the run-up to the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022.
The Academy said on Monday (December 6) it had also received 26 animated feature and 138 documentary feature submissions.
The entire list of international feature film submissions can be viewed here and includes a first submission from Somalia. The Academy said some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfil that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
- 12/6/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Animation, documentary submissions also tallied.
The Academy has confirmed it has received 93 country submissions for the international feature film category in the run-up to the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022.
The Academy said on Monday (December 6) it had also received 26 animated feature and 138 documentary feature submissions.
The entire list of international feature film submissions can be viewed here and includes a first submission from Somalia. The Academy said some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfil that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
The Academy has confirmed it has received 93 country submissions for the international feature film category in the run-up to the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022.
The Academy said on Monday (December 6) it had also received 26 animated feature and 138 documentary feature submissions.
The entire list of international feature film submissions can be viewed here and includes a first submission from Somalia. The Academy said some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfil that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
- 12/6/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Glenda Jackson, Charlotte Moore & Michaela Coel Among Wftv Winners
Glenda Jackson, Wunmi Mosaku, Stacey Dooley, Emily Maitlis, Michaela Coel and Charlotte Moore were among winners at the 30th Women in Film and TV (UK) Awards, which took place in London on Friday. Brit veteran Jackson was honored with The Eon Productions Lifetime Achievement Award, accepted on her behalf by Aisling Walsh, who directed Jackson in BBC One’s Elizabeth is Missing. Mosaku, star of drama Our Loved Boy, won The Argonon Best Performance Award presented to her by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who she starred with in Marvel Studios’ Loki. Stacey Dooley was awarded with The Eikon Presenter Award by Ria Hebden, and I May Destroy You writer and actor Michaela Coel won The ScreenSkills Writing Award, which was picked up on her behalf by Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Journalist and broadcaster Emily Maitlis and producer Sam McAllister were jointly awarded with The BBC...
Glenda Jackson, Wunmi Mosaku, Stacey Dooley, Emily Maitlis, Michaela Coel and Charlotte Moore were among winners at the 30th Women in Film and TV (UK) Awards, which took place in London on Friday. Brit veteran Jackson was honored with The Eon Productions Lifetime Achievement Award, accepted on her behalf by Aisling Walsh, who directed Jackson in BBC One’s Elizabeth is Missing. Mosaku, star of drama Our Loved Boy, won The Argonon Best Performance Award presented to her by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who she starred with in Marvel Studios’ Loki. Stacey Dooley was awarded with The Eikon Presenter Award by Ria Hebden, and I May Destroy You writer and actor Michaela Coel won The ScreenSkills Writing Award, which was picked up on her behalf by Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Journalist and broadcaster Emily Maitlis and producer Sam McAllister were jointly awarded with The BBC...
- 12/6/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
No one in the film world had a Year in Music quite like Edgar Wright. Almost right on the heels of “The Sparks Brothers,” his documentary tribute to a duo celebrating its 50th anniversary of eccentric rock heroism, came “Last Night in Soho,” a bloody supernatural thriller that nearly doubled as a movie musical, thanks to a soundtrack jam-packed with mostly female-fronted British pop hits of the mid-1960s.
Wright, who’d earlier proved himself as no slouch in the soundtrack department with heavily music-based films like “Baby Driver,” joined Variety‘s Music for Screens conference for a keynote conversation in which he spoke in considerable detail about the philosophies of how he treated music in these two strikingly different projects. Watch our chat, above, or read a lightly edited version of our conversation, bellow.
Variety: First, let’s just talk about what culminated for you this year before we get to the individual projects.
Wright, who’d earlier proved himself as no slouch in the soundtrack department with heavily music-based films like “Baby Driver,” joined Variety‘s Music for Screens conference for a keynote conversation in which he spoke in considerable detail about the philosophies of how he treated music in these two strikingly different projects. Watch our chat, above, or read a lightly edited version of our conversation, bellow.
Variety: First, let’s just talk about what culminated for you this year before we get to the individual projects.
- 12/6/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Ron and Russell Mael didn’t intend for 2021 to be the year they conquered Hollywood, but there’s serendipity in what wound up happening. The brothers, known for their longtime work in the band Sparks, found themselves overcoming decades of false starts in the movie business with not one but two highly acclaimed films.
First up was Edgar Wright’s documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” detailing their rise from an obscure duo to influencing some of today’s most significant artists – all the while avoiding super stardom.
Shortly thereafter came the Cannes premiere of “Annette,” a musical film which is based on the duo’s screenplay and features their music.
Listen to the full interview with the Maels in the latest edition of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast below:
In “Annette,” Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star as a comedian and an opera star with a unique young daughter who sings...
First up was Edgar Wright’s documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” detailing their rise from an obscure duo to influencing some of today’s most significant artists – all the while avoiding super stardom.
Shortly thereafter came the Cannes premiere of “Annette,” a musical film which is based on the duo’s screenplay and features their music.
Listen to the full interview with the Maels in the latest edition of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast below:
In “Annette,” Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star as a comedian and an opera star with a unique young daughter who sings...
- 12/3/2021
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
Documentaries are often among the best movies of the year, but in 93 years of Oscar ceremonies, no documentary has ever been nominated for Best Picture. Many documentaries campaign heavily for Best Original Song, and six documentaries have been nominated in the category over the past decade. “Honeyland” and “Collective” received nominations for Best International Feature Film, but campaigns for “Hoop Dreams” and “Fahrenheit 9/11” came up short.
The oversight raises major questions about the way the Academy Awards tend to prioritize conventional narratives over non-fiction, and whether that distinction has any merit in the first place. “What the fuck is a picture in a Best Picture race? I don’t know even know what that means,” said veteran documentary executive Sheila Nevins, a no-nonsense advocate for the form who produced over 1,000 documentaries at HBO prior to joining MTV Studios. “A best picture of what? There is no rule that says anything about reality versus reenactment.
The oversight raises major questions about the way the Academy Awards tend to prioritize conventional narratives over non-fiction, and whether that distinction has any merit in the first place. “What the fuck is a picture in a Best Picture race? I don’t know even know what that means,” said veteran documentary executive Sheila Nevins, a no-nonsense advocate for the form who produced over 1,000 documentaries at HBO prior to joining MTV Studios. “A best picture of what? There is no rule that says anything about reality versus reenactment.
- 11/30/2021
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Pop music brothers Ron and Russell Mael, who perform as Sparks, were ‘meta’ before it became a thing, and certainly before Mark Zuckerberg decided to call his company by that name.
They’re meta in the way some of their songs comment on songwriting itself (a bit like how Monty Python would sometimes stop in the middle of a comedy sketch to comment on the sketch). Edgar Wright, director of the Oscar-contending documentary The Sparks Brothers, cites one example from the brothers’ oeuvre.
“‘When I’m with You’ has a middle eight [section] where it says, ‘It’s the break in the song/Where I should say something special/But the pressure is on and I can’t make up nothing special,’” Wright notes. “That’s hilarious. That’s so Sparks. What a brilliant thing to put in a pop song.”
The brothers—Ron was born in 1945, Russell in 1948—have been...
They’re meta in the way some of their songs comment on songwriting itself (a bit like how Monty Python would sometimes stop in the middle of a comedy sketch to comment on the sketch). Edgar Wright, director of the Oscar-contending documentary The Sparks Brothers, cites one example from the brothers’ oeuvre.
“‘When I’m with You’ has a middle eight [section] where it says, ‘It’s the break in the song/Where I should say something special/But the pressure is on and I can’t make up nothing special,’” Wright notes. “That’s hilarious. That’s so Sparks. What a brilliant thing to put in a pop song.”
The brothers—Ron was born in 1945, Russell in 1948—have been...
- 11/29/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The long Thanksgiving weekend provides an opportunity for awards voters to get through the first pile of screeners — or in the case of the Academy Awards and BAFTA groups, scroll through their streaming room platforms. In multiple discussions with awards voters, it’s been interesting to note how few movies they’ve seen at this point in the year. Perhaps it’s related to the pandemic, and many of them returning to work and under the gun of deadlines, or maybe not hearing about anything that’s drummed up enough passion for them to seek it out.
The in-person awards screenings in Los Angeles have been brimming especially for films like Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” and most recently, Paul Schrader’s “The Card Counter,” both with star Oscar Isaac in attendance. But in this first year where DVDs are barred from being sent to Oscar and Bafta voters, will each...
The in-person awards screenings in Los Angeles have been brimming especially for films like Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” and most recently, Paul Schrader’s “The Card Counter,” both with star Oscar Isaac in attendance. But in this first year where DVDs are barred from being sent to Oscar and Bafta voters, will each...
- 11/24/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Leos Carax and Sparks’ ‘Annette’ Evolution: A Failed Tim Burton Musical, 80 Original Songs, and More
[Editor’s note: This article was originally published in August 2021 and has been updated. It includes some mild spoilers about the plot of “Annette.”]
This has been a most unusual year for Sparks. The pop rock duo, comprised of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, have adapted to the strange trajectory of their fame that has followed them for 50-odd years. Despite some diehard fans in the U.S., their energetic and eclectic compositions have been far more appreciated across Europe. Needless to say, it took a few Europeans to bring Sparks back into the limelight. First came the June release of Edgar Wright’s sprawling documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” which reintroduced them to American audiences just in time for “Annette” to open the Cannes Film Festival in July. The unorthodox rock opera marks the latest undertaking by elusive French auteur Leos Carax, whose previous feature, “Holy Motors,” came out nearly a decade ago.
Carax never really stopped working. The filmmaker spent almost eight years collaborating with Sparks on “Annette,” which stars Adam Driver as Henry,...
This has been a most unusual year for Sparks. The pop rock duo, comprised of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, have adapted to the strange trajectory of their fame that has followed them for 50-odd years. Despite some diehard fans in the U.S., their energetic and eclectic compositions have been far more appreciated across Europe. Needless to say, it took a few Europeans to bring Sparks back into the limelight. First came the June release of Edgar Wright’s sprawling documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” which reintroduced them to American audiences just in time for “Annette” to open the Cannes Film Festival in July. The unorthodox rock opera marks the latest undertaking by elusive French auteur Leos Carax, whose previous feature, “Holy Motors,” came out nearly a decade ago.
Carax never really stopped working. The filmmaker spent almost eight years collaborating with Sparks on “Annette,” which stars Adam Driver as Henry,...
- 11/23/2021
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Deadline has launched the streaming site for Contenders Film: Documentary, featuring all 25 panels from our Sunday event showcasing the filmmakers behind the buzziest nonfiction feature films of the awards season.
The daylong virtual presentation featured participants including Edgar Wright, Liz Garbus, Todd Haynes, Sam Pollard, Selma Blair, Morgan Neville, Matthew Heineman, Betsy West and Julie Cohen, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and R.J. Cutler among many others.
Click here to go to the streaming site.
A total of 12 studios and streamers took part in the event which spotlighted Amazon Studios’ My Name Is Pauli Murray and Val; Apple Original Films’ Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry and The Velvet Underground; CNN Films’ Citizen Ashe; Discovery+’s Francesco, Introducing, Selma Blair and Rebel Hearts; Focus Features’ Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain and The Sparks Brothers; HBO’s In the Same Breath, Simple As Water and Street Gang: How We...
The daylong virtual presentation featured participants including Edgar Wright, Liz Garbus, Todd Haynes, Sam Pollard, Selma Blair, Morgan Neville, Matthew Heineman, Betsy West and Julie Cohen, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and R.J. Cutler among many others.
Click here to go to the streaming site.
A total of 12 studios and streamers took part in the event which spotlighted Amazon Studios’ My Name Is Pauli Murray and Val; Apple Original Films’ Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry and The Velvet Underground; CNN Films’ Citizen Ashe; Discovery+’s Francesco, Introducing, Selma Blair and Rebel Hearts; Focus Features’ Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain and The Sparks Brothers; HBO’s In the Same Breath, Simple As Water and Street Gang: How We...
- 11/23/2021
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline Film + TV
Edgar Wright has been directing scripted films, music videos and episodic television for over 25 years, but he had yet to make a documentary feature—until now.
In The Sparks Brothers, he explores two of the most talented men in popular music: brothers Ron and Russell Mael, who have been performing together since the late 1960s, first as Halfnelson and later as Sparks. They are considered simultaneously among the most influential groups in history, but one of the most overlooked.
“I thought it was interesting that Sparks had an unusual sort of following, in that different pockets of the world were into different [eras] of the music,” Wright said during an appearance at Deadline’s Contenders Film: Documentary awards-season event. “What I wanted to do was give an overview of the whole career and also just show how influential they were by interviewing the people that they influenced.”
Beck, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers,...
In The Sparks Brothers, he explores two of the most talented men in popular music: brothers Ron and Russell Mael, who have been performing together since the late 1960s, first as Halfnelson and later as Sparks. They are considered simultaneously among the most influential groups in history, but one of the most overlooked.
“I thought it was interesting that Sparks had an unusual sort of following, in that different pockets of the world were into different [eras] of the music,” Wright said during an appearance at Deadline’s Contenders Film: Documentary awards-season event. “What I wanted to do was give an overview of the whole career and also just show how influential they were by interviewing the people that they influenced.”
Beck, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers,...
- 11/21/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Deadline’s Contenders Film: Documentary awards-season event, our virtual showcase of the year’s leading nonfiction, gets underway Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. Pt. This year’s lineup of 25 movies reflects the growing availability of documentary content across a variety of platforms: Showtime and HBO, streamers HBO Max, Netflix, Discovery+, Hulu, Amazon Studios, and Apple TV+, as well as theatrical distributors Neon, Focus Features, Searchlight Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics.
Click here to register and watch the livestream.
If Sunday’s Contenders event came with a soundtrack, it would be a chart topper for the ages. No fewer than four of the films in our panel lineup today throb to a musical beat: Summer of Soul recovers the long-forgotten Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969 that welcomed incredible artists, from a teenage Stevie Wonder to Mahalia Jackson, Sly and the Family Stone, and The Fifth Dimension.
Click here to register and watch the livestream.
If Sunday’s Contenders event came with a soundtrack, it would be a chart topper for the ages. No fewer than four of the films in our panel lineup today throb to a musical beat: Summer of Soul recovers the long-forgotten Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969 that welcomed incredible artists, from a teenage Stevie Wonder to Mahalia Jackson, Sly and the Family Stone, and The Fifth Dimension.
- 11/21/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
In “The Sparks Brothers” the new documentary about their careers, Ron Mael and Russell Mael discuss the various movie musical projects that fell through over the years. They finally managed to see one to fruition with “Annette,” a dark fantasia directed by Leos Carax that opened the Cannes Film Festival and is now streaming on Amazon Prime. This newfound mainstream success is not lost on the brothers, who have performed as Sparks since the 1960s. “To have two films at the same time was strange for us, but they kind of complement each other,” says Ron in an exclusive new interview for Gold Derby. “They help each other and people can get a broader view of what we’re up to.” Watch the full interview with Ron and Russell above.
The brothers first conceived of “Annette” in the early 2010s, thinking of it as a concept album about parents who...
The brothers first conceived of “Annette” in the early 2010s, thinking of it as a concept album about parents who...
- 11/20/2021
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
Films presently on release include ‘The French Dispatch’ and ’Ghostbusters: Afterlife’.
Austria’s cinemas are being forced to close their doors from next Monday (November 22) as part of a national lockdown announced by Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna on Friday morning.
The lockdown, which is expected to last 10 days and could be extended for another 10 days, means Austrians are not allowed to leave their homes except for work, essential purchases such as food or medicine and for exercise.
A partial lockdown had already been introduced for unvaccinated Austrians since last Monday (November 15) but cinemas remained open.
Now exhibitors and distributors...
Austria’s cinemas are being forced to close their doors from next Monday (November 22) as part of a national lockdown announced by Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna on Friday morning.
The lockdown, which is expected to last 10 days and could be extended for another 10 days, means Austrians are not allowed to leave their homes except for work, essential purchases such as food or medicine and for exercise.
A partial lockdown had already been introduced for unvaccinated Austrians since last Monday (November 15) but cinemas remained open.
Now exhibitors and distributors...
- 11/19/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Honors were given out in more than 30 categories at Wednesday’s 12th annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards, with singer-songwriters like Billie Eilish, H.E.R., Adam Levine and Rufus Wainwright being celebrated in the live webcast as well as composers including Hans Zimmer, Rachel Portman, Alberto Iglesias and Nicholas Britell.
The HMMAs reward songwriters, composers and even performers in fields that include not just film and TV work but everything from video games to commercials to theme park music.
Film nominations are given in multiple genres, which allows for a series of short lists that members of the Academy’s music branch may end up studying as they vote for the Oscars’ much, much shorter lists.
Best score for a feature film went to Britell for his work on Adam McKay’s satirical “Don’t Look Up.” Other score prizes went to Zimmer for “Dune” (sci-fi/fantasy film), Beltrami for “A Quiet Place II...
The HMMAs reward songwriters, composers and even performers in fields that include not just film and TV work but everything from video games to commercials to theme park music.
Film nominations are given in multiple genres, which allows for a series of short lists that members of the Academy’s music branch may end up studying as they vote for the Oscars’ much, much shorter lists.
Best score for a feature film went to Britell for his work on Adam McKay’s satirical “Don’t Look Up.” Other score prizes went to Zimmer for “Dune” (sci-fi/fantasy film), Beltrami for “A Quiet Place II...
- 11/19/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
The Critics Choice Association awarded “Summer of Soul” the top prize at the sixth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards, which honors the best achievements in nonfiction released in theaters, on TV, or on major digital platforms. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s look at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival took home the most awards of any film, with five in total.
This year’s nominees were led by “Ascension” and “Summer of Soul,” two films by first-time documentarians. Each had six nominations. But “Ascension,” Jessica Kingdon’s look at the pursuit of the Chinese dream, failed to score any prizes November 14.
“Summer of Soul,” which won the top documentary prize and an Audience Award following its Sundance premiere earlier this year, won five of the six awards it was nominated for at the critics awards: Best Documentary Feature, Best First Documentary Feature, Best Editing, Best Archival Documentary, and Best Director, a prize Thompson...
This year’s nominees were led by “Ascension” and “Summer of Soul,” two films by first-time documentarians. Each had six nominations. But “Ascension,” Jessica Kingdon’s look at the pursuit of the Chinese dream, failed to score any prizes November 14.
“Summer of Soul,” which won the top documentary prize and an Audience Award following its Sundance premiere earlier this year, won five of the six awards it was nominated for at the critics awards: Best Documentary Feature, Best First Documentary Feature, Best Editing, Best Archival Documentary, and Best Director, a prize Thompson...
- 11/15/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
The Cinema Eye Honors has announced the nominations for its 15th annual awards. “Flee” leads the field with seven nominations, while “Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” followed with six.
Written and directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, the animated documentary “Flee” landed nominations in outstanding nonfiction feature, direction, production, original score, graphic design and animation, audience choice prize and this year’s new category for outstanding achievement in sound design. The film follows the story of Awin Nawabi, an Afghan refugee who is suddenly forced to face the life-altering effects of a secret that he has kept for 20 years.
“Summer of Soul” is nominated for outstanding nonfiction feature, direction, editing, sound design, audience choice prize and debut. The documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival is the first directorial effort by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.
Other films with multiple nominations include “Ascension,” “Faya Divi” and “The Rescue” with five nominations,...
Written and directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, the animated documentary “Flee” landed nominations in outstanding nonfiction feature, direction, production, original score, graphic design and animation, audience choice prize and this year’s new category for outstanding achievement in sound design. The film follows the story of Awin Nawabi, an Afghan refugee who is suddenly forced to face the life-altering effects of a secret that he has kept for 20 years.
“Summer of Soul” is nominated for outstanding nonfiction feature, direction, editing, sound design, audience choice prize and debut. The documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival is the first directorial effort by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.
Other films with multiple nominations include “Ascension,” “Faya Divi” and “The Rescue” with five nominations,...
- 11/10/2021
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
The Cinema Eye Honors, recognizing outstanding artistry and craft in nonfiction filmmaking, today announced the full slate of nominees for its 15th Annual Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, New York. Leading the pack of nominees are two Sundance premieres: Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s animated “Flee” and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s “Summer of Soul,” which was nominated for six awards.
A trio of other lauded docs are nominated for five awards apiece, including Jessica Kingdon’s “Ascension,” Jessica Beshir’s “Faya Dayi,” and E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s “The Rescue.” Both Kingdon and Beshir are first-time feature filmmakers, while Vasarhelyi and Chin are long-time Cinema Eye faves, and Chin currently ranks as the most-winning Cinema Eye honoree in the event’s history, with five wins.
Historically, films nominated for Cinema Eye will often go on to other nominations and critics prizes.
A trio of other lauded docs are nominated for five awards apiece, including Jessica Kingdon’s “Ascension,” Jessica Beshir’s “Faya Dayi,” and E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s “The Rescue.” Both Kingdon and Beshir are first-time feature filmmakers, while Vasarhelyi and Chin are long-time Cinema Eye faves, and Chin currently ranks as the most-winning Cinema Eye honoree in the event’s history, with five wins.
Historically, films nominated for Cinema Eye will often go on to other nominations and critics prizes.
- 11/10/2021
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s singular animated doc Flee and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Summer of Soul will head into the 15th annual Cinema Eye Honors as the leaders in nominations, Cinema Eye announced today.
Flee led all films with seven nominations, with Summer of Soul claiming six. Jessica Kingdon’s Ascension, Jessica Beshir’s Faya Dayi and E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s The Rescue followed with five noms apiece, with Todd Haynes’ Apple pic The Velvet Underground claiming four. HBO led all distributors with 16 nominations, with Hulu notching 12. Nat Geo and Neon followed with 11 each.
Of particular note with regard to the noms list was a newly introduced category for Outstanding Sound Design, which will see All Light, Everywhere contending alongside Faya Dayi, Flee, Summer of Soul and The Velvet Underground.
The award ceremony recognizing...
Flee led all films with seven nominations, with Summer of Soul claiming six. Jessica Kingdon’s Ascension, Jessica Beshir’s Faya Dayi and E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s The Rescue followed with five noms apiece, with Todd Haynes’ Apple pic The Velvet Underground claiming four. HBO led all distributors with 16 nominations, with Hulu notching 12. Nat Geo and Neon followed with 11 each.
Of particular note with regard to the noms list was a newly introduced category for Outstanding Sound Design, which will see All Light, Everywhere contending alongside Faya Dayi, Flee, Summer of Soul and The Velvet Underground.
The award ceremony recognizing...
- 11/10/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Slasher fantasy and ghostly magic collide in Edgar Wright’s heady thriller about a fashion student who is mysteriously transported into the life of a 60s nightclub singer
“It’s not what you imagine, London,” says Rita Tushingham in this deliciously twisted love letter to Britain’s cinematic pop-culture past. Director and co-writer Edgar Wright, whose CV runs from the rural action-comedy Hot Fuzz to the recent dramatic music doc The Sparks Brothers, has cheekily described Last Night in Soho as “Peeping Tom’s Midnight Garden”, a mashup of seedy Soho nostalgia and melancholy magic. Making superb use of its West End and Fitzrovia locations, and boasting a cast that includes Terence Stamp (cutting a silhouette that weirdly recalls William Hartnell’s Doctor Who) and Diana Rigg in her final role, it’s a head-spinning fable that twists from finger-snapping retro fun to giallo-esque slasher fantasy as it dances through...
“It’s not what you imagine, London,” says Rita Tushingham in this deliciously twisted love letter to Britain’s cinematic pop-culture past. Director and co-writer Edgar Wright, whose CV runs from the rural action-comedy Hot Fuzz to the recent dramatic music doc The Sparks Brothers, has cheekily described Last Night in Soho as “Peeping Tom’s Midnight Garden”, a mashup of seedy Soho nostalgia and melancholy magic. Making superb use of its West End and Fitzrovia locations, and boasting a cast that includes Terence Stamp (cutting a silhouette that weirdly recalls William Hartnell’s Doctor Who) and Diana Rigg in her final role, it’s a head-spinning fable that twists from finger-snapping retro fun to giallo-esque slasher fantasy as it dances through...
- 10/31/2021
- by Mark Kermode, Observer film critic
- The Guardian - Film News
The Critics Choice Association has announced nominees for the sixth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards.
The awards cover documentaries released in theaters, on TV and on major digital platforms. The awards gala takes place Nov. 14 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
“Ascension” and “Summer of Soul, both from first-time documentarians, led the nominations with six each. “Becoming Cousteau” and “The Rescue” both received five nods each.
“This has been and continues to be a fantastic year for documentary storytelling. And the number of first-time feature documentarians in the mix of nominees, alongside proven veterans, shows that nonfiction cinema continues to have a very bright future,” said Christopher Campbell, President of the Critics Choice Association Documentary Branch. “Our world, from its most amazing wonders to its greatest challenges, is being reflected back on the screen so immediately and creatively by today’s filmmakers, and it’s a tremendous honor for us to recognize all of their achievements.
The awards cover documentaries released in theaters, on TV and on major digital platforms. The awards gala takes place Nov. 14 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
“Ascension” and “Summer of Soul, both from first-time documentarians, led the nominations with six each. “Becoming Cousteau” and “The Rescue” both received five nods each.
“This has been and continues to be a fantastic year for documentary storytelling. And the number of first-time feature documentarians in the mix of nominees, alongside proven veterans, shows that nonfiction cinema continues to have a very bright future,” said Christopher Campbell, President of the Critics Choice Association Documentary Branch. “Our world, from its most amazing wonders to its greatest challenges, is being reflected back on the screen so immediately and creatively by today’s filmmakers, and it’s a tremendous honor for us to recognize all of their achievements.
- 10/18/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Notably leading the pack of nominees revealed Monday for the sixth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards are a pair of films from directors making their debut as documentarians. Ascension’s Jessica Kingdon and Summer of Soul’s Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson pulled off the impressive feat, with both films receiving six nods apiece. On their tails however are a pair of docus from Nat Geo with five nods each: The Rescue. whose directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi took the Oscar for their previous effort Free Solo; and Becoming Cousteau, whose director Liz Garbus is also a docu veteran with two Oscar nominations and two Emmys to her credit.
All will compete in the Best Documentary Feature and Best Director categories, with Thompson and Kingdon also facing off for Best First Documentary Feature along with such indie film giants as Todd Haynes and Edgar Wright.
All will compete in the Best Documentary Feature and Best Director categories, with Thompson and Kingdon also facing off for Best First Documentary Feature along with such indie film giants as Todd Haynes and Edgar Wright.
- 10/18/2021
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
The Critics Choice Association (Cca) has announced the nominees for the sixth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards (Ccda). This year’s winners will be revealed at a gala on Sunday, November 14, 2021, in Brooklyn, NY. The awards honor the best achievements in nonfiction released in theaters, on TV, or on major digital platforms.
Both films by first-time documentarians, “Ascension” and “Summer of Soul” lead this year’s nominations with six each. “Ascension,” a look at the Chinese dream across social classes, is also up for Documentary Feature, Director (Jessica Kingdon), First Feature, Cinematography, Editing, and Score. Meanwhile, “Summer of Soul” is up for Documentary Feature, Best Director (Ahmir “Questlove’ Thompson), First Documentary, Editing, Archival Documentary, and Music Documentary.
“Becoming Cousteau” and “The Rescue” also picked up five nominations each.
Last year, “Dick Johnson Is Dead” took home the Cca’s top award for Best Documentary as well as the Best Director award for Kirsten Johnson.
Both films by first-time documentarians, “Ascension” and “Summer of Soul” lead this year’s nominations with six each. “Ascension,” a look at the Chinese dream across social classes, is also up for Documentary Feature, Director (Jessica Kingdon), First Feature, Cinematography, Editing, and Score. Meanwhile, “Summer of Soul” is up for Documentary Feature, Best Director (Ahmir “Questlove’ Thompson), First Documentary, Editing, Archival Documentary, and Music Documentary.
“Becoming Cousteau” and “The Rescue” also picked up five nominations each.
Last year, “Dick Johnson Is Dead” took home the Cca’s top award for Best Documentary as well as the Best Director award for Kirsten Johnson.
- 10/18/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
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