Category Archives: Movies

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Wins At Toronto Film Festival

Posted on by

By Creative Media Times

Fox Searchlight Pictures


Director Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” was a surprise winner at Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, winning the Grolsch People’s Choice Award, the event’s top prize. First runner up went to Craig Gillespie’s “I, Tonya”, the Tonya Harding biopic which stars Margot Robbie.

‘Three Billboards’, which screened at the Venice Film Festival earlier in the month where it took best screenplay, stars Frances McDormand as a grieving mom whose daughter was brutally raped and murdered. She then decided to commission the titular three billboards to protest and find the killer after no arrests have been made.

Considered an early harbinger for paths to the awards season, the award is voted by the TIFF moviegoers. Winners and runners up films at Toronto in the past such as “Spotlight,” “12 Years A Slave,” “The King’s Speech” and “La La Land” have gone on receive Oscar nominations. For the past 10 years, only 2011’s winner “Where Do We Go Now?” failed to score an Academy Awards best-picture nomination.

Written by Martin McDonagh, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” also stars Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes and Peter Dinklage. The film is currently scheduled for a Nov. 10 release.

Share

“John Wick: Chapter Three” Eyes May 2019 Release

Posted on by

By Creative Media Times

Lionsgate

The next chapter of the sleeper hit John Wick series is officially in the works, and will now open within the heat of summer movie-going season as Lionsgate has set a release date of “John Wick: Chapter 3” to May 17, 2019, this according to Hollywood Reporter.

The film is currently the only major studio film unveiling on the date before the big Memorial Day weekend which will see Aladdin and Minecraft open.

The release date demonstrate how the series evolved into a summer tentpole from its humble beginnings. In 2014, the first Wick film was a surprise boxoffice hit, grossing $88 million worldwide on a $29 million budget, while the first sequel earlier this year grossed $171.5 million. Critical response to both films were also positive.

Screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who wrote the first two installments, will return to write Chapter 3. Director Chad Stahelski helmed both Wick films with David Leitch co-directing the first installment.

The action packed neo-noir thriller John Wick focused on retired hitman John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) as he seeks vengeance for the theft of his car and death of his puppy. Wick returned in the sequel, this time on the run after a large bounty is placed on his head. There are currently no plot details about Chapter Three.

Share

Franco is Wiseau In Bizarre Yet Fascinating “The Disaster Artist” Trailer

Posted on by

By Armando

New Line Cinema

James Franco’s latest directorial effort “The Disaster Artist”, is getting plenty of acclaim following its world premier Monday at the Toronto Film Festival. A24 has now released a full trailer (below) and its both hilarious and bizarre, showing a long-haired Franco with a strange accent, devouring ramen, awkwardly throwing football and shooting himself, all of which weird yet amusing; appropriate given the film’s eccentric subject.

The film chronicles the making of the 2003 independent romantic drama The Room, a critically lambasted film written, starred and directed by Tommy Wiseau. Often pilloried as “the Citizen Kane of bad movies,” The Room was pulled from theaters after just a couple of weeks and prompted refunds from audience.

In spite of that notoriety, or maybe because of it, the film’s love triangle tale managed to garner a cult following, and later inspired a video game and a live play/reading based on the original script.

One of the actors in The Room was Greg Sestero, who wrote a memoir of his experience during the troubled production of Wiseau’s vanity film. Titled The Disaster Artist, the book was published to critical acclaim in 2013 and received various literary awards.

That biographical memoir is the basis of James Franco’s eponymous film, which he developed with comedian/filmmaker Seth Rogen, with Franco playing Tommy Wiseau while his brother Dave plays Sestero. Writing partners Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (The Fault in Our Stars) penned the script.

“The Disaster Artist” marks the first time that the Franco brothers are working together in a film, and a good timing it is now that Dave made good on his own following appearances in Now You See Me, Neighbors, 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie, all of which received a sequel, with The LEGO Ninjago Movie out next weekend. The film also stars co-producer Rogen, as well as Alison Brie, Ari Graynor, Josh Hutcherson, Jacki Weaver and Zac Efron.

Not only is the film scoring well with critics (currently 96% on RT), many speculate James Franco’s efforts in front and behind the camera could be a player come awards season. The film’s work-in-progress version also received similar reception when it screened early this year at South by Southwest Festival in Austin.

The Disaster Artist is scheduled for theatrical release Dec. 1.

Share

First Look At David Harbour as Hellboy

Posted on by

By Creative Media Times

Lionsgate

Hellboy creator Mike Mignola gives fans their first glimpse of David Harbour as Hellboy on Wednesday, posting a photo of the actor in character on social media. “Holy crap… first look #hellboy,” Mignola posted with the photo.

Harbour’s version of the powerful demon looks accurate to comics, and is not entirely a different look from that of Ron Perlman who played the role in the 2004 original and on it’s sequel in 2008, Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

The character’s latest iteration does look grittier and imposing, more realistically muscular, and has longer locks of hair .

Set to be directed by Neil Marshall, the currently untitled Hellboy reboot also stars Ian McShane, Milla Jovovich, Sasha Lane and Daniel Dae Kim.

With the release of the image, production is moving quickly as principal photography expected to get underway this month. The film is expected to be shot in U.K. and Bulgaria. The film is set to be released next year, but no specific release date has been announced.

Share

XLrator Media Acquires “Infinity Chamber” For Worldwide Distribution

Posted on by

Sci-Fi Thriller to be released September 15, 2017

LOS ANGELES (September 12, 2017) – XLrator Media has acquired global distribution rights to the science-fiction thriller INFINITY CHAMBER and will release the film in U.S. theaters on September 15 and on VOD and iTunes September 26. The film will roll out internationally later this year and early 2018.

INFINITY CHAMBER was written and directed by Travis Milloy (writer and executive producer of the Dennis Quaid-Ben Foster sci-fi actioner Pandorum) in his feature directorial debut and produced by Laurie Sheldon and Tom Eberts. The film stars Christopher Soren Kelly (Ink), Cassandra Clark (“Englishman in L.A.”) and Jessie Arrow.

The film soundtrack by Jacob Yoffee will be available on digital services September 25.

INFINITY CHAMBER is set in a fully automated government prison in the future. Subjected to relentless computer interrogation, a wrongfully imprisoned man must outwit his captors and escape to the outside world that may already be wiped out.
Continue reading →

Share

JJ Abrams To Direct Star Wars: Episode IX

Posted on by

By Creative Media Times

Lucasfilm

“With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.

JJ Abrams’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens was a dynamite at the boxoffice, $2.06 billion worldwide making it the third highest-grossing film of all time, including unadjusted $936 million domestically, above Titanic and Avatar.

As such, the director responsible for reintroducing the beloved characters of the franchise to a new generation of fans is arguably a perfect choice to close the trilogy. Abrams will co-write the film with Chris Terrio.

Last week, Lucasfilm announced that Colin Trevorrow will no longer be directing Star Wars: Episode IX. According to the statement, the split was a mutual decision.

Abrams is currently not attached to direct any film, which makes one wonder why he was not initially pursued. Though its possible his involvement with Mission: Impossible 6 and HBO’s Westworld as producer might have something to do with that.

Principal photography for Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to start early 2018 with the film’s release scheduled to be May 24, 2019.

Share

Focus Features Acquires International Rights To “Lady Bird”

Posted on by


TORONTO, CANADA, September 11, 2017 – Focus Features has acquired international rights to Greta Gerwig’s acclaimed directorial debut Lady Bird, company chairman Peter Kujawski announced today. A24 and IAC Films are partners on the movie. Focus will be handling distribution in all territories outside of North America. Lady Bird has emerged as one of the biggest breakouts of the fall season, winning rave reviews from its screenings at both the Telluride and Toronto International Film Festivals. Scott Rudin, Eli Bush and Evelyn O’Neill are the producers.

“With Lady Bird, Greta has proven herself to be both a brilliant illusionist and a towering filmmaker. She tricks us into believing this is an intimate story about a specific character, time, and place until the culmination of the laughter and the tears makes you realize it’s actually a grand epic that is as universal, relatable and emotionally powerful as any story of mothers and daughters that has ever been put on film,” said Focus Chairman Peter Kujawski. “We couldn’t be more honored to team with Greta and our friends at A24 and IAC to share her incredible work with audiences around the world.”

In Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig reveals herself to be a bold new cinematic voice with her directorial debut, excavating both the humor and pathos in the turbulent bond between a mother and her teenage daughter. Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) fights against but is exactly like her wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mom (Laurie Metcalf), a nurse working tirelessly to keep her family afloat after Lady Bird’s father (Tracy Letts) loses his job. Set in Sacramento, California in 2002, amidst a rapidly shifting American economic landscape, Lady Bird is an affecting look at the relationships that shape us, the beliefs that define us, and the unmatched beauty of a place called home.

Share

Patty Jenkins Officially Directing “Wonder Woman” Sequel

Posted on by

By Creative Media Times

DC/WB


Jenkins led Wonder Woman to critical and commercial success this summer, and on Monday, the director officially closed the deal to helm the sequel after a lengthy negotiation process, Variety reported.

To fans, this is more of a confirmation and less a surprise as Jenkins was widely speculated to return. While Wonder Woman broke multiple boxoffice records during it’s theatrical run, its been reported that Jenkins was already working on a script.

What is a revelation however is the amount she’s expected to receive for the job. According to the report, Jenkins is said to be paid “in the $8 million dollar range to write, direct and produce.” A substantial jump from the $1 million she was paid for the original.

This makes her the highest paid director of all time, above Nancy Meyers (What Women Want, Something’s Gotta Give and The Holiday), who reportedly earned $5 million per film during her heyday. And as with similar deals, her fortunes could rise further given the “back-end of boxoffice grosses” deal included in the contract.

Gal Gadot is also set to reprise her role as the Amazonian warrior princess, and will next be seen in this November’s Justice League superhero team up. Wonder Woman 2 is currently scheduled to open in theaters on December 13, 2019.

Share

“Stranger Things,” “Westworld” Win Big At Creative Arts Emmy 2017

Posted on by

By Creative Media Times

“Stranger Things” cast at Comic-Con 2017. Photo: aiphotoimaging.com


HBO’s sci-fi western “Westworld” and Netflix’s 80s throwback “Stranger Things” were big winners Sunday night at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, as both shows picked up five wins on night 2 of the ceremony. SNL also won five, two of which for best guest actor and actress in a comedy series, Dave Chappelle and Melissa McCarthy respectively. Also winning multiple awards were “The Night Of” and “Veep.”

The awards are strong harbinger for the televised Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony set for next Sunday, Sept. 17. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards honor “outstanding artistic and technical achievement in a variety of television program genres, guest performances in weekly series, as well as exceptional work in the animation, reality and documentary categories.”

The 2017 Creative Arts Awards were presented on two nights, September 9, Saturday, and September 10, Sunday. Sunday night’s ceremonies were focused scripted comedies and drama series, while Saturday night’s event honored the best in animatino, reality, variety and documentary shows.

Last night, Ava DuVernay’s political documentary from Netflix “13th” received the most awards with four, winning outstanding documentary special as well as for writing, original music and lyrics for “The Letter to the Free”, and motion design. Other notable winners were “Hairspray Live,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” James Corden, and “Saturday Night Live.”

See the full winners of Sunday winners, click here.
See the full winners of Saturday winners, click here.

Share

Guillermo Del Toro’s “The Shape Of Water” wins Golden Lion at Venice

Posted on by

By Creative Media Times

Fox Searchlight Pictures


“The Shape of Water”, Guillermo del Toro’s monster thriller took the top prize Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. The Mexican filmmaker’s new movie is favorite and also one of the best reviewed films during the festival. The romantic fantasy film stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer.

Another prestigious award, the Grand Jury Prize, went to “Foxtrot” from Israeli filmmaker Samuel Maoz, while the Best Director went to French filmmaker Xavier Legrand for his family drama “Custody.”

Here’s the full list of winners:

Golden Lion:
“The Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro

Grand Jury Prize:
“Foxtrot,” Samuel Maoz

Silver Lion for Best Director:
Xavier Legrand, “Custody”

Volpi Cup for Best Actress:
Charlotte Rampling, “Hannah”

Volpi Cup for Best Actor:
Kamel El Basha, “The Insult”

Best Screenplay:
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Martin McDonagh
Continue reading →

Share
Page 98 of 139
1 … 97 98 99 … 139