The world premiere of Periods., an improvised comedy film series from Victor Quinaz, Anne Martemucci and Zachary Quinto‘s Before the Door Pictures, will kick off the eighth annual HollyShorts Film Festival on Thursday, August 9 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, according to a recent press release. Quinto will host the kick-off; for tickets and more information, hit up HollyShorts’ website.
Category Archives: Ephemera
Brave Redux
Opening this week, of course, is Disney/Pixar’s Brave, which means it’s time to reset my review. Does the movie trade in more traditional “Disney princess” story pivots more than one might wish? A bit. But is it visually sumptuous, even by Pixar standards? Yes it is.
The Island President Hits iTunes
Director Jon Shenk’s The Island President, which takes as its central figure the environmentally crusading ex-head of state of the Maldives, Mohamed “Anni” Nasheed, is now available on iTunes, don’tcha know. Again, for my previous review, click here.
Friends: The Complete Series Gets Blu-ray Date
Friends: The Complete Series will debut on Blu-ray on November 13, it was announced today by Warner Bros. Home Video. This ultimate collector’s set will feature over 110 hours of content — all 236 original broadcast episodes released for the first time in the United States, plus 20 hours of supplemental features, including over three hours of newly added special features. This never-before-seen content includes a retrospective documentary with new interviews looking back at the influential 10 years of the series, never-before-released cast appearances, various unaired on-set footage, a new gag reel and more. All 10 seasons have been completely remastered in stunning 1080p high definition video with a 16×9 widescreen format and 5.1 audio. No word yet on whether interviews with the Rembrandts or a remix CD will be included. To pre-order the set via Amazon, click here.
Nobody Else But You Redux
Opening this week at the Nuart is the offbeat French noir Nobody Else But You, which somewhat justifiably invokes Fargo and Twin Peaks in its press notes. Click here for the review, and/or click here for ticket information.
The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye Redux
As a reminder, The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye opens tomorrow for its one-week run at the Nuart. For ticket information, click here.
Wakefield Pictures Inks Duo for Debut, Squatters
Veteran film producers Julius R. Nasso and Todd Moyer have partnered in a new film financing and production entity, Wakefield International Pictures LLC. With offices in both Los Angeles and New York, the company plans to package, finance and produce as many as four to six films per year.
First up for Wakefield will be Squatters, directed by Martin Weisz. Nasso, Moyer and Cordula Weisz will produce the film, which begins shooting in Los Angeles next month. Starring Thomas Dekker (Angels Crest) and Gabriella Wilde (The Three Musketeers), the movie tells the story of a young homeless couple in Venice Beach who move into a mansion in the Pacific Palisades while the owners are on vacation. When the owners come home early, things get complicated, in ways presumably not involving housewarming gifts from Pier One and gift cards to Bed Bath & Beyond.
Return of the Tar Heels…
The day has arrived, for a 7 p.m. Eastern smackdown of the Rat and his minions. Romp well, compadres, and restore order to the hoops world. Game face!
Of Oscar Films, and Looking to Past Versus Present
As part of a pre-Oscars piece, I bemoan the relative lack of Hollywood studio films tackling contemporary life. It’s a huge problem, in my opinion, because you’re not actively attempting to grow a new generation of movie fans, for whom cinema truly means something special.
Live Look Chat with Adam Rifkin, Ali Cobrin
Join me, won’t you, for a live chat with Look director-creator Adam Rifkin, star Ali Cobrin, and possibly some surprise guests. Tip time is one hour from now, at 5 p.m. Pacific time.
UPDATE: Marcus Giamatti actually ended up sitting in with Adam Rifkin, instead of Ali Cobrin, for our chat. Good times. The entire chat is now up on YouTube, and can be viewed here.
Jean Dujardin, Nicolas Cage Provide SNL Uplift
The “Les Jeunes de Paris” segment on Saturday Night Live last night, offering a tip of the cap to The Artist by way of Jean Dujardin’s guest spot with host Zooey Deschanel, was a fantastic little slice of referential show business self-love. Great Nicolas Cage cameo, too, in the show’s “Get In the Cage” segment with Andy Samberg. It’s that self-awareness and embrace of the outlandish that prevents so much of the stink of some of his film choices from sticking to him.
Life, Interrupted
Hampered by a few jury duty curveballs courtesy of the criminal justice system, which are presently gracing me with some 17-hour days. Case in point: set to conduct an interview this morning via cell phone, with recorder jacked into earpiece, while I’m driving to Van Nuys, as that was the only mutually convenient time I was free. We’ll see how that works out. Exhausting, yet it’s also interesting to be thrown together with a random cross-section of folks — a reminder of what’s out there, as Jack London might not say.
Alamo Drafthouse Launches Line of Princess Bride Wines
In honor of the 25th anniversary of The Princess Bride, Alamo Drafthouse is launching a limited line of signature wines entitled The Bottle of Wits, on February 14. What does this mean? Two varietals: “Inconceivable Cab” and “As You Wish White.” For more information, click here.
Haywire Redux
Steven Soderbergh’s Haywire opens this Friday, January 20, so it’s time for another tip of the cap for MMA fighter Gina Carano, who damages the skulls of Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor and others in Soderbergh’s at once lithe and bruising revenge film. I first saw this movie about a year ago, but for my review of it from its AFI Festival presentation last fall, click here.
An Update From the Fringe of Sanity
Updates and postings here have been and will continue to be a bit sporadic, at least until the Los Angeles Film Critics Association awards dinner on Friday is in the rearview mirror, and I have collapsed and caught up on sleep. Them’s the breaks, unless someone has some cloning technology or one of those remote controls from Click that they’d like to share, although I’d really prefer to leave Christopher Walken out of this if at all possible.
Grass Grows Again Over Pasadena, Santa Monica
For adventurous cineastes seeking “a dreamlike visual statement” (in Steve Dollar’s words), Sophie Fiennes’ Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow opens in two local Laemmle theaters this Friday, January 6 — in Pasadena at the Playhouse 7, and in Santa Monica at the Monica 4-Plex. Again, for my previous review, from last fall, click here.
Open Road Films Snags Rights to Outrun
I meant to post this a while back, but Open Road Films has acquired all rights to the romantic action comedy Outrun, starring Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper, Kristin Chenoweth and Tom Arnold, which represents a lot of blonde in one movie. “Dax Shepard is one of the most exciting comedic talents working today,”
stated Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg. “He’s assembled a brilliantly
talented cast in a wildly fun and funny movie. We are thrilled to be in
business with him, as well as producer Andrew Panay, and look forward to
bringing Outrun to audiences around the country.”
Outrun is the story of Charlie Bronson (Shepard), a former getaway driver who busts out of the Witness Protection Program to drive his girlfriend (Bell) to Los Angeles so she can land her dream job. Their road trip goes awry when they’re chased by a group of federal officers (led by Arnold), as well as a group of Charlie’s former cohorts (led by Cooper). Shepard’s directorial debut, the industry-satirizing mockumentary Brother’s Justice, wasn’t a huge success, but it showed some promise, so here’s hoping this sophomore effort — co-directed with David Palmer — delivers in more finely honed fashion on his talents, and those of his co-stars.
Daniel Craig Slams the Kardashians
With his recent British GQ thrashing of Khloe Kardashian and her sisters, Daniel Craig has earned a man-hug and even more respect from me. Props, sir.
Bellflower Marks DVD Release With New Trailer
The folks over at Coatwolf Productions have posted an old-as-new trailer for the superlative Bellflower, which may seem an odd thing to do for a movie making its DVD debut this week. As director Evan Glodell explains, though, it’s also kind of an appropriate time to finally loose this version, the narration of which was written before the entire screenplay was even finished, upon the world. Also, for those rich and interested, you can purchase your own custom-made Medusa from the collective creative team for a pretty penny. Huzzah!
David Lynch Releases Debut Solo CD, Crazy Clown Time
David Lynch‘s debut solo album, a collection of “modern blues” entitled Crazy Clown Time, goes on sale today. Hit up iTunes to sample some of the delicious weirdness.
Naomi Watts and Valerie Plame Wilson: “Cut Nukes”
Valerie Plame Wilson and Naomi Watts, who of course played the outed CIA agent in Fair Game, team up to make a pitch for a world with less nukes, via advocacy group Global Zero. For more information about the campaign, meanwhile, click here or here.
The Girls Next Door Get 17-Disc DVD Set
In blonde home video news, on November 29, a 17-disc set containing all six seasons of the E! reality show The Girls Next Door, centering on Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and gal pals Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson, arrives on DVD. (Newcomers Kristina Shannon, Karissa Shannon and Crystal Harris are also featured in the last season.) Extra features include audio commentaries with the girls on every episode, loads of deleted and extended scenes, and the pilot for short-lived spin-off series The Bunny House. I’m imagining this makes a great holiday gift for mothers. To purchase via Amazon, click here.
November Redux
In honor of the new month, a linked look back at Courteney Cox’s self-serious indie flick November, wherein I spell her name correctly and assay all of the movie’s DVD bonus features.
Wrong Turn 4 Offers Up “Cannibal Cookbook”
Because the phrase “hillbilly cannibals” really whets one’s appetite, Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings is offering up a “cannibal cookbook” via its Facebook page, just in time for Halloween. You know, in case peeled grapes in a paper bag long ago lost their thrill for you.
Toast Redux
Fans of British cinema, mark your calendars: Toast, starring Freddie Highmore and Helena Bonham Carter, opens next week, October 7, for a one-week engagement at the Nuart. Butter will not be included, alas. For a review, click here.