The Los Angeles Film Festival has usually been held in June but last year, the Film Independent, which produces the event, decided to move the fest in to fall. The goal is to be taken more seriously as an important part of the film festival circuit, especially since the city of Los Angeles is considered an integral part of the movie business. This year's LA Film Fest will be held September 20th to the 28th. Now, considering that we have Venice, Telluride, Toronto, New York and BFI London fests all happening very close to each other, it appears that an already crowded season is now even more jammed up with everyone trying to get some of the same coveted fall movies and be the first to premiere them.
"Echo In The Canyon", Andrew Slater’s documentary on how the Laurel Canyon music scene was created, has been selected as the Opening Night Film. This feature places a spotlight on some of the incredible artists that emerged from that era like The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield and The Mamas & the Papas to name just a few. The film will be screened at the Ford Theatre and will be followed by a live performance by some of the musicians influenced by the scene.
TheClosing Night Film will be "Nomis", a crime-drama from first-time director, David Raymond and the screening will be held at the Arclight Hollywood Cinerama Dome. The film follows a disturbed online predator apprehended by the police and while interrogating him, discover that his crimes go far beyond what they could imagine. Henry Cavill, Nathan Fillion, Alexandra Daddario and Ben Kingsley star.
In between these premieres, there will be a wide-range of exciting new independent cinema. Forty feature films and forty-one short films from across the globe have been selected to compete for prizes. A fine selection of documentaries, world fiction, television series and podcasts will also be found at LA Fest.
Some of the Gala Screenings at the Festival will include a few highly anticipated films like "All About Nina", "Free Solo", Ike Barinholtz's directorial debut, "The Oath" and "The Happy Prince" which Rupert Everett wrote, directed and stars in as Oscar Wilde. And there will be a Special Screening of "Maria By Callas", Tom Volf's new documentary on the legendary Greek-American opera singer which will feature never-before-seen footage of performances by Callas.
For the complete list of films, purchase festival passes or individual tickets and any additional information, please click below:
Where & When: Arclight Cinemas, Hollywood, CA. August 28, 2018 5:15 PM
"Searching", Aneesh Chaganty’s inventive family drama-thriller, follows in the tradition of "The Blair Witch Project" and the first "Cloverfield" which relies on modern technology and social media to tell it’s story. Every moment of action in the film takes place only through a computer monitor utilizing video chat, photos, streaming video, live blogging and surveillance footage. It's really a remarkable achievement and the film made an impressive splash at this year's Sundance Film Fest and received the NEXT Audience Award. While this parental nightmare of a missing child takes us through this harrowing ordeal with plenty of unnerving suspense and emotional anguish, it fails to keep our attention throughout and offers a resolution that's far from satisfying.
And in this long-standing call for diversity in entertainment, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the importance in the casting of John Cho in the starring role as a desperate father in search of his missing daughter. The actor has been doing outstanding work in largely supporting parts in film and television for a number of years with only a previously co-lead in the 2004 stoner comedy, "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and the sequels. Here, Cho is finally given the opportunity to really shine as he carries the film, delivering a complex and deeply emotional performance motivated by fear and rage.
The opening scenes introduce us to the Kim family during the era of dial-up internet and MSN Messenger. David (Cho) and Pamela (Sara Sohn) are a young couple in love and soon have a baby they name Margot. We see images of Margot growing up and taking to the piano but tragedy strikes the happy family. Pamela becomes seriously ill and while she fights bravely, sadly loses the battle.
The story moves in to the present day and the advancement of the internet and technology. Margot (Michelle La) is now a high school senior and David is trying to do the best he can as a single father. But he can be controlling and overprotective which causes some tension in their relationship.
One late evening, Margot calls her father several times but he’s fast asleep and doesn’t answer his phone. The next morning, David tries reaching her with no answer. First, he assumes she’s taking her piano lessons only to find out she quit six months ago. Then he remembers that Margot was supposed to go on a school trip only to discover she didn’t show up. As hours go by with no response from his daughter, David becomes more concerned and frightened.
With relative ease, David is able to gain access to his daughter's Facebook, Tumblr and other social media accounts in an attempt to trace her steps. He begins to contact her friends, only to discover that she wasn't as social as it may appear. David soon learns that Margot has been keeping many secrets from him, some because she's a young woman experimenting in life but also to protect her father from further pain and disappointment.
Margot is now officially a missing person and Detective Rosemary Vick (Debra Messing) has been assigned to the case. David gives what little info he has uncovered to Dt. Vick but he continues his own investigation.
The mystery of the whereabouts of Margot builds with several unexpected twists and turns (some ingenious, others not so much) until we reach the tangled conclusion. While there are feeble hints dropped here and there, unfortunately, "Searching" follows in the frustrating trend in current thrillers to have the least likely person be involved in the crime without any real clues revealed throughout the film until that caught person explains their involvement in long-winded detail.
What makes "Searching" such an intriguing effort is the outstanding, innovative work from first-time filmmaker, Mr. Chaganty and that it offers Mr. Cho a long overdue leading role in a Hollywood feature film. However, under closer scrutiny, the story doesn't hold up very well. There were too many moments that felt repetitive and common sense took a backseat to serve this narrative method. Finally, if you remove the admittedly clever gimmick from the movie, what you have left is a fairly routine and unconvincing thriller.
"Roma", Alfonso Cuaron's family drama that is loosely based on the director's childhood in Mexico City, took the top prize of the Golden Lion at this year's Venice Film Festival. This is Netflix's first major win at a film fest and the streaming service plans for a theatrical run for the film in December. Netflix had another showing with the Coen Brothers as they received the Best Screenplay Award for their latest, "The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs" which was originally planned as a television series for the channel but later changed to a feature film.
Jacques Audiard, the acclaimed French filmmaker, received the Best Director Award for his first English-language film, "The Brothers Sisters". This western dark comedy is about two hit-men brothers on the trail of their mark during the California gold rush.
Another film that entered Venice with a lot of buzz was "The Favourite", Yorgos Lanthimos' period-costume drama, and it took home the runner-up Grand Jury Prize. Olivia Colman, who plays the British Queen Anne in the film, received the Best Actress Award. The Best Actor Award went to Willem Dafoe who plays Vincent van Gogh in "At Eternity's Gate", Julian Schnabel's bio-pic which explores the final days of the Dutch painter.
And Jennifer Kent, who made a splash with her debut in 2014 with the horror film, "The Babadook", won a Special Jury Prize for her follow-up feature, "The Nightingale". This Australian period thriller set in a British penal colony tells the story of a young female ex-con seeking revenge against a British officer who harmed her family. Baykali Ganambarr, who won the Best New Young Performer Prize for the film, plays an Aboriginal tracker who helps her on her quest.
Here is a list of winners from the 2018 Venice Film Festival:
Golden Lion: "Roma"
Grand Jury Prize: "The Favourite"
Silver Lion, Best Director: Jacques Audiard, "The Sisters Brothers"
Volpi Cup, Best Actress: Olivia Colman, "The Favourite"
Volpi Cup, Best Actor: Willem Dafoe, "At Eternity’s Gate"
Best Screenplay: Joel & Ethan Coen, "The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs"
Special Jury Prize: "The Nightingale"
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Performer: Baykali Ganambarr, "The Nightingale"
The Horizons (Orizzonti) Section
Best Film: "Manta Ray"
Best Director: Emir Baigazin, "Ozen (The River)"
Special Jury Prize: "Anons (The Announcement)"
Best Actress: Natalya Kudryashova, "The Man Who Surprised Everyone"
Best Actor: Kais Nasif, "Tel Aviv On Fire"
Best Screenplay: Pema Tseden, "Jinpa"
Best Short Film: "Kado"
Lion of the Future, Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film: "The Day I Lost My Shadow"
Burt Reynolds, the sexy and charismatic actor who was one of the biggest movie stars throughout the 1970's, has passed away on September 6th at the age of eighty-two. He had been in poor health over the last few years including heart problems and died unexpectedly from cardiac arrest. One of Reynolds' last films, "The Last Movie Star" was released earlier this year and he had been cast in Quentin Tarantino's latest opus, "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood" but had not yet begun to film his role.
He was born Burton Milo Reynolds, Jr. in Lansing, MI but his family eventually ended up near West Palm Beach, FL. It was there during high school that Reynolds had planned to play pro-football. However, during college at Florida State he suffered several serious injuries which ended that plan. Reynolds drifted in to acting at school and after some success in the theater, he received a scholarship to Hyde Park Playhouse, a summer stock theater in New York.
From there, Reynolds found work in many plays and television shows before making his film debut, "Angel Baby" in 1961. But it wasn't until the 1972 thriller, "Deliverance", which earned three Academy Awards nominations including Best Picture, that began his ascent to movie stardom. Reynolds' easy-going, good ol' boy persona lead him to box-office gold with such hits as "Smokey and the Bandit", "Semi-Tough", "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", "The Longest Yard" and "Cannonball Run" which helped make him the consective number-one grossing star from 1978 to 1982.
Other notable films during his career include, "Hustle", "Sharky's Machine", "The End" (with his girlfriend at the time, Sally Field), "Hooper", "Starting Over", "Best Friends" (with Goldie Hawn) and "Boogie Nights" which earned Reynolds his only Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1997 for his role as a '70's porn director.
While Reynolds had many hits (and quite a few flops), there were some movies he famously turned down that went on to become major critical and box-office successes. Some of these include the Han Solo part in "Star Wars", "Die Hard", "Pretty Woman" and two films that Jack Nicholson rode to fame and Oscar wins; "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and "Terms of Endearment". The only role Reynolds later really regretted not taking was in the 1983 comedic-weepie Best Picture winner and I think he would have been very good in the part.
Another notable moment in his career was when Reynolds decided to play off his sex-symbol image and appeared nude on a bear-skin rug as the centerfold in the April 1972 issue of the women's magazine, "Cosmopolitan". It went on to sell an astounding 1.5 million copies however Reynolds later stated that this publicity stunt was one of the biggest mistakes of his career.
I don't think Burt Reynolds was ever really appreciated for his talent as an actor. I'm sure it didn't help that many could not see past his good looks, macho swagger, irresistible charm or how he simply made it look far too easy. But he did give some great performances throughout his career in films that were either little seen or just not acknowledged. Vulture has put together a few of the most essential movies he made and you should see to remember and (for those too young to have been around in his glory days) truly understand the captivating appeal of Burt Reynolds.
This summer we received a surprisingly good collection of sequels, a not-so-great collection of original comedies ("Crazy Rich Asians" as the only exception), a nice showing of indie fare, a surprising number of well-received documentaries and the sad decline (and seemingly inevitable demise) of Moviepass which lead to this season ending with the box-office reaching an impressive 4.4 billion dollars in receipts. This was an improvement over last summer where there were a lot more poorly-received flops and ticket sales dropped to it's lowest level in ten years.
As we move in to fall, there will be plenty of upcoming movies that will not only be trying to lure audiences in to theaters but also vying for award consideration. I've seen a few trailers for several interesting films coming soon but I have selected ten to share that have particularly captured my attention.
All release dates are subject to change:
"LIZZIE"
Release date: September 14, 2018
We are all familiar with the story of Lizzie Borden and what was said she did with an ax but with "Lizzie", we are given a more complex look in to her life and another possible motivation for the crime she was accused of committing. Chloë Sevigny stars (and serves as a producer) as Borden, an unmarried woman living with her controlling father (Jamey Sheridan) and stepmother (Fiona Shaw). When a new maid (Kristen Stewart) is hired, Lizzie finds friendship and close intimacy with her which eventually leads to them devising a deadly plan.
"COLETTE"
Release date: September 21, 2018
Keira Knightley returns to her comfort zone in a period drama with "Colette". This bio-drama by Wash Westmoreland ("Still Alice") tells the story of Gabrielle Sidonie Colette, a young French woman who marries an older man, Henry Gauthier-Villars (Dominic West) known to the public as the writer, "Willy". Colette becomes interested in writing and her husband encourages her to do so but under his name. When the books become a success, this eventually creates some serious tension between the couple.
"THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER"
Release date: October 12, 2018
Based on the acclaimed 2014 Israeli film, this English-language remake of "The Kindergarten Teacher" is set in New York and stars Maggie Gyllenhaal as a teacher who notices a child (Parker Sevak) in her class who she believes is extremely gifted. While his father is not particularly interested in having him apply for any advanced placement, the teacher begins to obsess over the boy which leads to misguided and disturbing situations. Sara Colangelo won the Best Director prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival for this film and also features Gael García Bernal.
"CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?"
Release date: October 19, 2018
We know that Melissa McCarthy is more than capable of making us laugh but is she also able to give us some serious drama? We shall soon see with "Can You Ever Forgive Me?", where she plays Lee Israel, a once successful writer but by 1992, she could no longer get published and was soon broke. Desperate, she begins to forge letters by deceased writers and actors and sell them for top dollar. But it doesn't take long for people to become suspicious and getting the FBI involved. Based on Israel's memoir, this is the long-awaited follow-up by Marielle Heller, the director of one of my favorite films of 2015, "The Diary of a Teenage Girl" and with a script by Nicole Holofcener who was once attached to direct.
"SERENITY"
Release date: October 19, 2018
"Serenity", from writer/director, Steven Knight, is a neo-noir thriller about a fishing-boat captain (Matthew McConaughey) whose sultry ex-wife (Anne Hathaway) suddenly reenters his life asking for a small favor. And that would involve helping to murder her wealthy but abusive husband (Jason Clarke). Djimon Hounsou and Diane Lane also star.
"WILDLIFE"
Release date: October 19, 2018
Actor Paul Dano ("Little Miss Sunshine", "There Will Be Blood", "Swiss Army Man") has made his directorial debut with "WildLife". He co-wrote the screenplay with his girlfriend and actress, Zoe Kazan (which is based on the novel by Richard Ford) and tells the 1960's set story of a teenage boy (Ed Oxenbould) who watches as his parents' (Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal) troubled marriage crumbles further apart after his mother begins an affair.
"A PRIVATE WAR"
Release date: November 2, 2018
"A Private War" examines the fascinating life of celebrated war correspondent, Marie Colvin who was willing to risk her life by moving through the middle of dangerous conflicts in order to get the story. Rosamund Pike plays the journalist who was recognized for wearing an eye patch after losing sight in her left eye from a grenade in Sri Lanka in 2001. With photographer, Paul Conroy (Jamie Dornan) by her side, Colvin bravely went in to witness what was actually happening in the front so she could accurately write about the true cost of war. Matthew Heineman, a documentary filmmaker whose work includes the Oscar-nominated, "Cartel Land", directs his first narrative feature.
"THE FAVOURITE"
Release date: November 23, 2018
The latest from Yorgos Lanthimos, the director behind the delightfully quirky films, "Dogtooth" and "The Lobster", is certainly not expected. "The Favourite" is a period-piece romp set in early 18th century England but it still appears to offer some offbeat moments. With the British at war with France, an ill and testy Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) is comforted by her dear friend, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) with words of guidance and reassurance. Sarah's charming cousin, Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives at the palace and sets her sights on becoming close to the Queen, putting in to motion a bitter rivalry for her royal affections.
"IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK"
Release date: November 30, 2018
Barry Jenkins has finally returned with the follow-up to his 2016 Best Picture Oscar-winner, "Moonlight" and it's an adaption of James Baldwin's novel, "If Beale Street Could Talk". Set in 1970's Harlem, Tish (Kiki Layne, making her film debut) and Fonny (Stephan James) are young and in love. But their happiness is tragically disrupted when Fonny is falsely accused of committing a crime and Tish discovers she is pregnant. With the help of her family and the community, she struggles to find evidence to help free her man. Brian Tyree Henry, Dave Franco, Diego Luna and Regina King also star.
"MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS"
Release date: December 7, 2018
The story of the royal rivalry between Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth of England has been covered numerous times in literature, the stage and film. The latest is "Mary, Queen of Scots", a historical drama based on John Guy's book and a script by Beau Willimon ("House of Cards"). This version features two of last year's Best Actress nominees; Saoirse Ronan plays Mary Stuart and Margot Robbie is Elizabeth. Josie Rourke, who has had a long history directing for the British stage, makes her feature film debut.
The 75th Annual Venice International Film Festival, which has traditionally kicked off as the first chance to see many of the upcoming fall movies and potential award contenders, is set to begin on August 29th and conclude on September 9th.
Damien Chazelle returns to open the festival, following the writer/director's acclaimed 2016 romantic musical ode to Los Angeles, "La La Land", with his latest, "First Man". This biographical drama focuses on Neil Armstrong (played by Ryan Gosling) and the years leading up to the Apollo 11 space mission in 1969 with him becoming the first man to walk on the moon. Claire Foy, Corey Stoll, Kyle Chandler and Jason Clarke also star. "First Man" will make it's world premiere at Venice and has also been chosen as one of the films to compete for prizes.
There are twenty other films selected for the main international competition and it will feature the latest works from some of the world's most distinguished filmmakers. This list includes Paul Greengrass ("22 July"), Julian Schnabel ("At Eternity's Gate"), Jennifer Kent ("The Nightingale"), Mike Leigh ("Peterloo"), Yorgos Lanthimos ("The Favourite"), Alfonso Cuarón ("Roma"), Olivier Assayas ("Non-Fiction"), Luca Guadagnino ("Suspiria") Jacques Audiard ("The Sisters Brothers") and the Coen Brothers ("The Ballad of Buster Scruggs").
Guillermo del Toro, last year’s Golden Lion winner for "The Shape of Water" which then went on to take the Best Picture Oscar, will be this year's president of the main jury. Also on board as part of the International selection committee for prizes will be Australian actress, Naomi Watts; New Zealand filmmaker, Taika Waititi; Taiwanese actress, Sylvia Chang; Danish actress, Trine Dyrholm; French actress/director Nicole Garcia; Italian director/screenwriter Paolo Genovese; Polish filmmaker Malgorzata Szumowska and Austrian actor and two-time Oscar-winner, Christoph Waltz.
The classic romantic musical drama, "A Star Is Born" has been remade for the fourth time and this new version will make it's world premiere at the fest out of competition. Bradley Cooper directs and stars as a hard-drinking country musician who discovers and falls in love with a struggling young singer, played by pop-star, Lady Gaga.
Orson Welles will be the highlight of two special event screenings. "The Other Side of the Wind", a highly unconventional feature film that Welles had been working on for ten years in the 1970's but was unable to complete in his lifetime due to financial hardships, legal difficulties and his outrageous behavior, will finally make it in to a theater. And a new documentary by Morgan Neville (who is behind the current box-office smash Fred Rogers doc, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?") called "They'll Love Me When I'm Dead", which examines the disastrous and complicated making of "The Other Side of The Wind", will also make it's world premiere.
Vanessa Redgrave and David Cronenberg are this year’s recipients of the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement. The eight-one year old Oscar-wining, British actress is part of a respected acting family dynasty and is still quite active in film and on stage. Mr Cronenberg, the seventy-five year old Canadian filmmaker, has been involved in creating daring and original works of cinema since the 1970’s with a particular taste for horror and sci-fi.
And the Closing Night Film will be "Driven", Nick Hamm's dark comedic look at the relationship between John DeLorean (Lee Pace), the man behind the iconic motor company and Jim Hoffman (Jason Sudeikis), an ex-con turned FBI informant. Inspired by true events, the film also stars Judy Greer and Corey Stoll.
Where & When: Nuart Theater, West Los Angeles, CA. August 8, 2018 7:20 PM
She was born Christa Päffgen in Cologne, Germany but would be later known to the world as Nico. Taking the name from her former filmmaker boyfriend, she first found success as a model before abandoning that occupation to try her hand at acting. Nico also achieved some minor success in films until she gravitated towards singing where she truly made a name for herself. After meeting Andy Warhol, he teamed her with a band he was managing at the time, the Velvet Underground and together recorded a self-titled debut album in 1967. The record was essentially ignored at the time of it's release but would go on to become a highly influential rock album.
With “Nico, 1988”, writer/director, Susanna Nicchiarelli examines the chaotic, final three years of the life of this iconic entertainer. Trine Dyrholm, an award-winning Danish actress who began her professional life as a singer while a teenager, delivers an explosive performance of the now weary and troubled, middle-aged vocalist and impresses further by vividly performing the songs we hear in the film. This winner of the Orrizonti Award for Best Film at the 2017 Venice Film Festival creates a fascinating intimate portrait of a performer trying to reclaim her voice as an artist and the narrative of her career on her terms.
The film begins in 1986 with Nico (Dyrholm), who lived a nomadic life which has taken her to Paris, London and New York, currently settled in Manchester, England. She has been trying to put some distance between her short-lived past with the Velvet Underground and have people focus on her current solo work yet not many are interested. With her glory days behind her, the singer travels around Europe in a run-down van with her scrappy band to play small venues set up her manager, Richard (John Gordon Sinclair). No longer the golden blonde siren, Nico has gone back to her natural mousey-brown hair coloring and her appearance has become hardened and sallow, largely due to her continuing heroin addiction.
It's not much of a surprise that Nico's conduct has become erratic and she's easily agitated which makes the outcome of her shows highly unpredictable. She is further distracted by wanting to see her son, Ari (Sandor Funtek) now complicated as he's been institutionalized because of his recent suicide attempt. Far from naturally maternal as Ari was given to be raised by his grandparents (the rumored father was French actor, Alain Delon who always publicly denied paternity) yet Nico still wanted to try to comfort her son, sensing the destructive nature he has inherited from her.
As she tours in a drug-fueled haze, it's not until they reach the Soviet Union-occupied Prague for a vaguely legal gathering of a concert that the singer has an awakening. Unable to bring her drugs across the border, a strung-out Nico becomes lucid enough to be able to deliver an electrifying performance. As she and Richard both become aware of this revelation, he offers to get her on a methadone treatment and Nico finally agrees.
While this would hardly appear to be the best period in the singer's story, Ms Nicchiarelli wanted to capture how performers, particularly female artists, are swiftly admired and adored yet can be discarded and forgotten just as fast. Nico's life and career may have spiraled out of control (largely by her own doing) but her talent is, while buried, still very much alive. The film also touches on Nico's traumatic childhood haunted by the devastating war in Germany. There is a clear connection with these difficult memories and the music the singer would later write, somber songs filled with despair and her vocals are wails of rage and pain.
Like many artists, Nico lived a life filled with creativity and recklessness. She could be brilliant and engaging yet also moody and downright unpleasant. With exceptional direction by Ms Nicchiarelli and a first-rate performance by Ms Dyrholm, "Nico, 1988" manages to take a seemingly questionable premise and effectively makes a fascinating study of a redemption of creative energy.
