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Telluride Film Festival’s 2017 Program Lineup Announced

Downsizing plays at Telluride Film Festival
Kristen Wiig and Matt Damon in ‘Downsizing’ (Photo © 2017 Paramount Pictures)

The 2017 Telluride Film Festival will run Friday, September 1st through Monday, September 4th, and with the festival just about to get underway the full program lineup has been announced. Once again, the films screening at the festival include movies that are expected to earn Oscar consideration. Among the movies screening at this year’s Telluride Film Festival are Alexander Payne’s Downsizing, Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour, and Valerie Faris & Jonathan Dayton’s Battle of the Sexes, all early favorites to be in the running for the 2018 Oscars.

The 44th Telluride Film Festival will screen more than 60 feature films, shorts, and revival programs, with 26 countries are represented in this year’s film lineup. “Telluride Film Festival has long been a platform for films from many different cultures and backgrounds that celebrate diversity,” stated Telluride Film Festival executive director Julie Huntsinger. “We feel it’s more important than ever to promote the unique and beautiful differences that exist in the world. From a wide range of new American and foreign cinema to eye-opening documentaries and gorgeous restorations, we are proud to present this 44th program and honor those artists who have made it possible.”

Oscar winner Christian Bale and Oscar nominated cinematographer Ed Lachman will be presented with Silver Medallion Awards during the festival. The Silver Medallion Award is “given to recognize an artist’s significant contribution to the world of cinema.” Israeli Film Fund director Katriel Schory will be given the Special Medallion award as a “hero of cinema who preserves, honors and presents great movies.”


Telluride Film Festival Lineup:

· ARTHUR MILLER: WRITER (d. Rebecca Miller, U.S., 2017)

· BATTLE OF THE SEXES (d. Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton, U.S., 2017)

· DARKEST HOUR (d. Joe Wright, U.K., 2017)

· DOWNSIZING (d. Alexander Payne, U.S., 2017)

· EATING ANIMALS (d. Christopher Quinn, U.S., 2017)

· FACES PLACES (d. Agnes Varda, JR, France, 2017)

· A FANTASTIC WOMAN (d. Sebastián Lelio, Chile-U.S.-Germany-Spain, 2017)

· FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL (d. Paul McGuigan, U.K., 2017)

· FIRST REFORMED (d. Paul Schrader, U.S., 2017)

· FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER (d. Angelina Jolie, U.S.-Cambodia, 2017)

· FOXTROT (d. Samuel Maoz, Israel, 2017)

· HOSTAGES (d. Rezo Gigineishvili, Georgia-Russia-Poland, 2017)

· HOSTILES (d. Scott Cooper, U.S., 2017)

· HUMAN FLOW (d. Ai Weiwei, U.S.-Germany, 2017)

· THE INSULT (d. Ziad Doueiri, France-Lebanon, 2017)

· LADY BIRD (d. Greta Gerwig, U.S., 2017)

· LAND OF THE FREE (d. Camilla Magid, Denmark-Finland, 2017)

· LEAN ON PETE (d. Andrew Haigh, U.K.-U.S., 2017)

· LOVELESS (d. Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia-France-Belgium-Germany, 2017)

· LOVE, CECIL (d. Lisa Immordino Vreeland, U.S., 2017)

· LOVING VINCENT (d. Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman, U.K.-Poland, 2017)

· A MAN OF INTEGRITY (d. Mohammad Rasoulof, Iran, 2017)

· THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE (d. Aki Kaurismäki, Finland, 2017)

· THE RIDER (d. Chloé Zhao, U.S., 2017)

· THE SHAPE OF WATER (d. Guillermo del Toro, U.S., 2017)

· TESNOTA (d. Kantemir Balagov, Russia, 2017)

· THE VENERABLE W. (d. Barbet Schroeder, France-Switzerland, 2017)

· THE VIETNAM WAR (d. Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, U.S., 2017)

· WORMWOOD (d. Errol Morris, U.S., 2017)

· WONDERSTRUCK (d. Todd Haynes, U.S., 2017)

Revival Programming:

· EVEN DWARFS STARTED SMALL (d. Werner Herzog, West Germany, 1970)

· HOTEL OF THE STARS (d. Jon Bang Carlsen, Denmark, 1981)

· THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (d. Charles Laughton, U.S., 1955)

· SALAM CINEMA (d. Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Iran, 1995)

· TITICUT FOLLIES (d. Frederick Wiseman, U.S., 1967)

· THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (d. Jacques Demy, France, 1964)




‘Death Note’ – Behind the Scenes on Bringing Ryuk to Life on the Screen

Death Note character Ryuk
The character Ryuk in Netflix’s ‘Death Note.’

The new two-minute behind-the-scenes video from Death Note focuses on how Ryuk was brought to life in the film. Death Note‘s based on the popular Japanese manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata and was directed by Adam Wingard (Blair Witch). Wingard discusses Ryuk in the behind-the-scenes peek, and Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man) talks about how he approached delivering the voice of the character. The cast also includes Lakeith Stanfield (Get Out), Nat Wolff (Paper Towns), Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers), Paul Nakauchi (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End), and Shea Whigham (American Hustle).

Death Note opened in select theaters and premiered on Netflix on August 25, 2017.

The Plot: Death Note follows a high school student who comes across a supernatural notebook, realizing it holds within it a great power; if the owner inscribes someone’s name into it while picturing their face, he or she will die. Intoxicated with his new godlike abilities, the young man begins to kill those he deems unworthy of life.




‘Tales From the Tour Bus’ Animated Series Details and Episode Guide

Tales from the Tour Bus
Johnny Paycheck in the animated series, ‘Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus’ (Photo Courtesy of CINEMAX)

Cinemax has set a Friday, September 22, 2017 premiere date for the animated series, Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus. Judge co-created, narrates, and executive produces the series which is set in the Country music world and features interviews with bandmates, friends, and other associates of Country artists. Season one will consist of eight half-hour episodes focusing on Johnny Paycheck, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Billy Joe Shaver, Waylon Jennings (two parts), and Blaze Foley.

Tales from the Tour Bus is a return to the animated genre for Mike Judge who created Beavis and Butt-Head and co-created King of the Hill. Richard Mullins and Dub Cornett co-created Tales from the Tour Bus and executive produce with Glen Zipper, Sean Stuart and Dub Cornett. John Frizzell (The Following, United States of Tara) composed the series’ music.

The Plot: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus recounts the raucous adventures of these musicians, as told by those who knew them best. The series includes uncensored anecdotes about the exploits of these artists, brought to life by animated reenactments, woven together with live-action archival performance footage and photos.


Tales from the Tour Bus Episodes:

Episode #1: “Johnny Paycheck”
Debut: FRIDAY, SEPT. 22 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
In addition to selling 40 million records and producing chart-topping hits like “She’s All I Got” and “Take This Job and Shove It,” country music outlaw Johnny Paycheck became notorious for living the part. He was known for his music, grand theft auto, drug binges and stints in jail. At the height of Paycheck’s fame, he shot a man over a turtle soup recipe, which led to a high-profile trial, a prison sentence and one of his greatest hits, “Old Violin.”
Written by Mike Judge, Dub Cornett, Richard Mullins, Jeff Feuerzeig, Julien Nitzberg; directed by Mike Judge.

Episode #2: “Jerry Lee Lewis”
Debut: FRIDAY, SEPT. 29 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
One of the pioneers of rock’n’roll, Jerry Lee Lewis also happened to be a country music singer who liked to call himself “The Killer.” He made a name for himself not just as a magnetic piano-playing singer, but also as an impulsive, gun-wielding wild man, who stoked epic rivalries with the likes of Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley. The Killer also notoriously married his 13-year-old second cousin, setting off an epic worldwide scandal.
Written by Mike Judge, Mark Monroe; directed by Mike Judge.

Episode #3: “George Jones and Tammy Wynette (Part One)”
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 6 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
He was a poor boy from a bootleggers’ town in the Texas backwoods. She was a cotton-picking Mississippi girl dreaming of stardom in Nashville. Together, George Jones and Tammy Wynette became the first power couple in country music. They were perfect in the public eye, but their tumultuous relationship was punctuated by George’s alcohol-fueled escapades and his paranoia over Tammy’s romantic past. She tried to keep the marriage from turning toxic, singing “Stand By Your Man,” her greatest hit, onstage with her husband every night.
Written by Mike Judge, Mark Monroe, Jeff Feuerzeig, Julien Nitzberg; directed by Mike Judge.

Episode #4: “George Jones and Tammy Wynette (Part Two)”
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 13 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Collaborating on 33 hit songs and nine studio albums, George Jones and Tammy Wynette projected an image of marital bliss. Backstage, real life was more of a mess, highlighted by actual gunplay, an accusation of poisoning and ingenious disappearing acts in the name of alcohol. The marriage was ultimately sacrificed, but the music survived. Despite George’s split personalities and Tammy’s endless string of men, the two maintained an artistic partnership that stood the test of time and gave them one of their greatest hits, “Golden Rings,” about love and marriage.
Written by Mike Judge, Mark Monroe, Jeff Feuerzeig, Julien Nitzberg; directed by Mike Judge.




‘Mr. Robot’ Season 3 New Trailer and Character Posters

Mr. Robot star Rami Malek
Rami Malek as Elliot Alderson in ‘Mr. Robot’ season 3 (Photo by Michael Parmelee / USA Network)

If you weren’t already anxiously anticipating the return of Mr. Robot, this new season three trailer will remind fans what makes this drama a must-see series. In addition to the one minute trailer, USA Network unveiled five new character posters featuring Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin, Portia Doubleday, and Grace Gummer. Season three is set to premiere on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 10pm ET/PT.


The cast of the 10 episode season two includes Rami Malek as Elliot Alderson, Christian Slater as Mr. Robot, Portia Doubleday as Angela Moss, Carly Chaikin as Darlene, Martin Wallström as Tyrell Wellick, Grace Gummer as Dominique DiPierro, Michael Cristofer as Phillip Price, BD Wong as Whiterose, and Stephanie Corneliussen as Joanna Wellick. Sam Esmail, the series’ creator, is the writer and executive produces. Steve Golin and Chad Hamilton also serve as season two executive producers.

The Plot: Mr. Robot follows Elliot Alderson (Malek), a cyber-security engineer who, along with Mr. Robot (Slater) and fsociety, starts a revolution to change the world. Picking up immediately following the Season 2 cliffhanger, Season 3 will explore each character’s motivations and the disintegration between Elliot and Mr. Robot.


Mr. Robot Season 3 PosterMr. Robot Season 3 PosterMr. Robot Season 3 PosterMr. Robot Season 3 PosterMr. Robot Season 3 Poster




‘Friend Request’ Unveils a New Poster and Trailer with Alycia Debnam-Carey and William Moseley

Friend Request PosterAlycia Debnam-Carey (Fear the Walking Dead, The 100), William Moseley (The Royals), and Connor Paolo (Gossip Girls) star in the horror thriller, Friend Request, which has just released a brand new trailer and poster. The creepy trailer mixes social media and the supernatural, setting up Debnam-Carey’s character as the target of a lethal curse. The cast also includes Brit Morgan, Brooke Markham, Sean Marquette, Liesl Ahlers, and Shashawnee Hall.

Friend Request was written by Simon Verhoeven, Philip Koch, and Matthew Ballen, and directed by Verhoeven. Byron Allen, Carolyn Folks, Jennifer Lucas, Chris Charalambous, Mark Borde, Richard Barner, and Chad Doher served as executive producers. Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures’ is planning a September 22, 2017 theatrical release.

The Plot: Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends, both on Facebook and IRL. She graciously accepts social outcast Marina’s (Liesl Ahlers) online friend request, until Marina crosses the line and Laura unfriends her. To everyone’s shock, Marina takes her own life in a ritual meant to torment Laura, which appears in a video posted on Laura’s profile.

Even though it wasn’t Laura who posted the video, or other creepy content that begins appearing on her page, her Facebook friend count begins to dwindle as a result. When her real-life friends start dying mysterious, cruel deaths, Laura must figure out how to break the deadly curse before it’s too late.





‘Boy Erased’ Film with Nicole Kidman Adds Flea and Cherry Jones

Boy Erased Movie Details

The feature film adaptation of Garrard Conley’s Boy Erased has added Emmy Award winner Cherry Jones (24), Grammy Award winner Michael “Flea” Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Xavier Dolan (I Killed My Mother), Troye Sivan, Emily Hinkler (Tyler Perry’s Boo 2), Jesse LaTourette (Z Nation), David Joseph Craig (The Gift), Théodore Pellerin (It’s Only the End of the World), and Britton Sear (Vice Principals). They will be joining Oscar winners Nicole Kidman (The Hours) and Russell Crowe (Gladiator), along with Oscar nominee Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea), in the dramatic film based on Garrard Conley’s memoir.


Joel Edgerton adapted Conley’s story for the screen, with Conley actively involved as a consultant “to ensure the film is an accurate adaption of his memoir,” according to Focus Features. Boy Erased is Edgerton’s second film as director following his successful directorial debut with 2015’s The Gift in which he starred alongside Rebecca Hall and Jason Bateman. Filming is expected to get underway later this year, and Focus Features is targeting a 2018 theatrical release.

Rebecca Yeldham, Ann Ruark, Kim Hodgert, and Tony Lipp are on board as executive producers. Edgerton, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, and Steve Golin are producing.

“The Boy Erased cast is rounding out in a way I could only dream of. We have gathered an incredible ensemble of actors,” stated Edgerton.

The Plot: The film will tell the story of Jared (Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Kidman and Crowe) at age 19. Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a gay conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith. Boy Erased is the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.




‘Survivor’ Season 35 Castaways and Tribes Announced

Survivor Season 35 Castaways

Season 35 of CBS’s reality competition series, Survivor, will feature an NFL player, an Olympian, and a celebrity assistant, along with a firefighter, a Marine, a diversity advocate, and a social worker. The 18 castaways on Survivor‘s 35th season will initially be separated into three groups: Heroes, Healers, and Hustlers. Per CBS, “heroes are used to being heralded for their achievements, healers receive gratitude for their work and hustlers must earn respect from others.”

Emmy Award-winner Jeff Probst returns as host, guiding the action taking place on the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. CBS has set a Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 8pm ET/PT premiere for the new season which finds the castaways once again competing to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other in order to earn the title of Sole Survivor.

This season’s tribes will be called “Levu” (the Heroes Tribe), “Soko” (the Healers Tribe), and “Yawa’ (the Hustlers Tribe).


Survivor Season 35 Castaways:

“LEVU”- HEROES TRIBE

    Alan Ball, 31
    Hometown: Houston, Texas via Detroit, Mich.
    NFL Player

    Ben Driebergen, 34
    Hometown: Boise, Id.
    Marine

    John “JP” Hilsabeck, 28
    Hometown: Los Angeles
    Firefighter

    Chrissy Hofbeck, 46
    Hometown: Glen Gardner, N.J.
    Financial Analyst

    Ashley Nolan, 26
    Hometown: Satellite Beach, Fla.
    Lifeguard

    Katrina Radke, 46
    Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
    Olympian

“SOKO”- HEALERS TRIBE

    Jessica Johnston, 29
    Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
    Nurse Practitioner

    Roark Luskin, 27
    Hometown: Palo Alto, Calif.
    Social Worker

    Cole Medders, 24
    Hometown: Little Rock, Ark.
    Wilderness Therapy Guide

    Joe Mena, 34
    Hometown: Tolland, Conn. via Bronx, N.Y.
    Probation Officer

    Desiree “Desi” Williams, 27
    Hometown: Peachtree City, Ga.
    Physical Therapist

    Mike Zahalsky, 43
    Hometown: Parkland, Fla.
    Urologist

“YAWA”- HUSTLERS TRIBE

    Patrick Bolton, 24
    Hometown: Lanett, Ala.
    Small Business Owner

    Alexandrea “Ali” Elliott, 24
    Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
    Celebrity Assistant

    Simone Nguyen, 25
    Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
    Diversity Advocate

    Devon Pinto, 23
    Hometown: Carlsbad, Calif.
    Surf Instructor

    Lauren Rimmer, 35
    Hometown: Beaufort, N.C.
    Fisherman

    Ryan Ulrich, 23
    Hometown: North Arlington, N.J.
    Bellhop




‘Professor Marston & the Wonder Women’ Debuts Three New Posters

Professor Marston Luke Evans Poster

In support of its upcoming Toronto International Film Festival premiere, Professor Marston & the Wonder Women has just unveiled three new character posters. The batch of posters feature Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast) as Dr. William Moulton Marston, Bella Heathcote (The Man in the High Castle) as Olive Byrne, and Rebecca Hall (The Gift) as Elizabeth Marston. The film’s based on a true story and was written and directed by Angela Robinson (The L Word), with Amy Redford and Terry Leonard producing.


Annapurna Pictures is targeting an October 13, 2017 theatrical release.

The Plot: In a superhero origin tale unlike any other, the film is the incredible true story of what inspired Harvard psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston to create the iconic Wonder Woman character in the 1940’s. While Marston’s feminist superhero was criticized by censors for her ‘sexual perversity,’ he was keeping a secret that could have destroyed him.

Marston’s muses for the Wonder Woman character were his wife Elizabeth Marston and their lover Olive Byrne, two empowered women who defied convention: working with Marston on human behavior research — while building a hidden life with him that rivaled the greatest of superhero disguises.

Professor Marston Bella Heathcote PosterProfessor Marston Rebecca Hall Poster




‘mother!’ New Clip with Jennifer Lawrence and Michelle Pfeiffer

mother star Michelle Pfeiffer
Michelle Pfeiffer in Paramount Pictures’ ‘mother!’

The latest video clip from mother! finds Michelle Pfeiffer pressuring Jennifer Lawrence into having children. Written and directed by Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream), the thriller stars Oscar winners Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), and Oscar nominees Ed Harris (Apollo 13) and Michelle Pfeiffer (Dangerous Liaisons). Paramount Pictures is targeting a September 15, 2017 theatrical release.


Jeff Waxman, Josh Stern, and Mark Heyman executive produce, with Scott Franklin and Ari Handel producing.

The Plot: A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. From filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, mother! stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer in this psychological thriller about love, devotion and sacrifice.





‘Stranger Things’ Season 2: Dacre Montgomery Interview on Playing a Villain

Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery
‘Stranger Things’ season 2 new cast member, Dacre Montgomery (Photo by Mike Windle / Netflix)

Dacre Montgomery’s 2017 finds him following up a starring role in the reboot of the popular Power Rangers franchise by playing a villain in season two of one of the most binge-worthy shows on television, Netflix’s Stranger Things. The cast of Netflix’s critically acclaimed series made the trek to the 2017 San Diego Comic Con to deliver non-spoilery answers to what’s in store for the show’s much anticipated second season during a packed Q&A with fans. They also hit the red carpet to discuss season two, with Dacre Montgomery providing a little insight into his character, Billy. Season two will premiere on October 27, 2017.

You got to reboot one of the quintessential ‘90s franchises earlier this year and now Stranger Things is so embedded in the ‘80s. Are there any similarities or are they vastly different?

Dacre Montgomery: “I think there’s many similarities in the sense that it’s a coming of age story just like Power Rangers is. It’s about kids going through puberty, growing up, learning things, learning through failure, learning through success. And, ultimately, sort of banding together just like that film is just the same. But I wasn’t born in the ‘80s so I don’t know a lot of things about the time to stay authentic to that period. And embodying a villain as well, I play a protagonist in Power Rangers so playing the antagonist has certainly been lots of fun.”


How does Billy the antagonist fit in with these kids who are coming of age?

Dacre Montgomery: “I think he ruffles a few feathers. I think it’s like that time of life when you’re like, ‘Whoa, who is that person in my life that sort of messed with me or made me feel weird or bad?’ He’s a scary character, you know? It’s unnerving.”

Does Billy have anything to do with the Upside Down?

Dacre Montgomery: (Laughing) “I can’t say. Sorry.”

Is Billy who he seems at first?

Dacre Montgomery: “No. But there’s a lot of sort of exposition in the season where you’ll sort of discover more.”

What should we know about Billy going in?

Dacre Montgomery: “The Duffers mentioned a lot of Jack Nicholson type stuff, so I’ll just leave you with that. I love Jack Nicholson so it’s certainly fantastic to sort of play with his kind of presence.”

Do you do a good Jack?

Dacre Montgomery: (Laughing) “I don’t know. I hope so. I hope that I can find qualities (like that) and make him my own. Somebody who is my own age and discovering myself.”

Watch the full Dacre Montgomery Stranger Things interview:

Stranger Things Season 1: A love letter to the ’80s classics that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is set in 1983 Indiana, where a young boy vanishes into thin air. As friends, family and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very strange little girl.

Stranger Things Season 2: It’s 1984 and the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana are still reeling from the horrors of the Demogorgon and the secrets of Hawkins Lab. Will Byers has been rescued from the Upside Down but a bigger, sinister entity still threatens those who survived.

More on Stranger Things Season 2: Natalia Dyer Interview / Duffer Brothers Interview




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