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In Theaters Now: The Mummy, Swing Vote, The Midnight Meat Train & Frozen River
Some independent films make their way to the box office this weekend amid the third installment of The Mummy, Kevin Costner's key political decision in Swing Vote and a subway killer in The Midnight Meat Train.
August 1st, 2008 | Category: In Theaters Now | By Beth Levin
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' . $phpAds_raw['html'] . ''; } ?>The International Cinematographers Guild Announces its 2008 Emerging Cinematographer Honorees
The International Cinematographers Guild recently announced the seven winners and three runners-up that make up the 2008 honorees in its annual Emerging Cinematographer Awards.
July 31st, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Jessica Wall
Vince Vaughn: Hollywood’s Best Bet?
Big Hollywood stars are often known as much for their multi-million dollar salaries as they are for their actual work, but what do those astronomical paychecks really mean? Is it worth it for studios to allot such a large chunk of a movie’s budget to just one star? In its annual list of the “Ultimate Star Payback,” Forbes investigated how much money these big names actually earned the studios who financed their films to reveal just who lives up to his or her big paycheck—and who is way overpaid.
July 30th, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Jessica Wall
Darren Aronofsky Takes on Robocop
MGM has just filled its yearly quota of random acts of kindness by officially announcing the return of Robocop, a film franchise so iconic that even Microsoft Word recognizes the name. The most tantalizing bit from the press release is the confirmation of director Darren Aronofsky's (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) attachment to helm the film, putting to rest any worries about this franchise reboot valuing spectacle over substance. (Speaking of moviemakers who value spectacle over substance, the press release also spilled the beans about Brett Ratner's attachment the direct the film adaptation of the insanely successful video game God of War.)
July 29th, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Andrew Gnerre
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' . $phpAds_raw['html'] . ''; } ?>Notes from the Underground: Tarkovsky, Alli, Maddin and Me
Andrei Tarkovsky re-wrote my life. I was merrily moving along on my little path, happily completing my B.F.A. in photography at Parsons, when a friend suggested I check out the Tarkovsky film festival at the Film Forum. The imagery reminded him of my artwork (www.annenorda.com). I signed up for a double feature—Mirror and Nostalgia—the perfect blend of Russian surrealism and melancholia. Although the realm of sadness Tarkovsky dredged up felt more visceral, something like heartbreak or deep regret.
July 28th, 2008 | Category: Notes From Movieland | By Anne Norda
The Dark Knight Is No Joke
It’s official: Batman has won out once again. The Dark Knight not only stole the number one spot at the box office once again in its second weekend, but also broke new records as being the only movie to reach the $300 million mark within just 10 days. Christopher Nolan’s superhero film took in about $75.6 million this weekend, bringing its current total gross more than $314 million.
July 28th, 2008 | Category: Top of the Box Office | By Beth Levin
In Theaters Now: Step Brothers, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, Brideshead Revisited, Boy A & American Teen
Things get a little lighter at this weekend's box office with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly's Step Brothers. Plus: "The X-Files" hits the big screen (again) and teens from across the pond compete with a true-life Sundance winner.
July 25th, 2008 | Category: In Theaters Now | By Lauren Barbato
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' . $phpAds_raw['html'] . ''; } ?>Woodstock Awards Haskell Wexler for His Lifetime of Work
After garnering a slew of awards and nominations from the Oscars to the Emmys, renowned cinematographer Haskell Wexler, A.S.C will be adding one more honor to his already impressive list when he receives the Woodstock Film Festival’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award this fall.
“We are thrilled to present him with the award,” says Woodstock Film Festival co-founder and executive director Meira Blaustein. “Wexler’s outstanding talent as a cinematographer, his unique voice as a director and his unwavering passion as a social activist have been an inspiration and a guiding light.”
July 24th, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Lauren Barbato
Doorpost Awards $300,000 to “Undiscovered” Moviemakers
The Doorpost Film Project, a “contest aimed at discovering and developing moviemakers capable of producing films that inspire and influence rather than simply entertain,” just finished round one and is now left with 15 finalists who are described by Nathan Elliott, the Project's director, as “a globally, ethnically and racially diverse group of filmmakers that have one important thing in common: They're enormously talented."
July 23rd, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Jessica Wall
Citizen Kane Tops 99 Remarkable Films of the World
“Rosebud.” We all know this famous cinematic word all too well. Auteur Orson Welles’ consistently highly praised film, Citizen Kane, tops yet another list in a newly released book on cinema entitled “99 Remarkable Films of the World,” written by Rajan Zed.
July 22nd, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Beth Levin
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' . $phpAds_raw['html'] . ''; } ?>Grassroots Moviemaker: Building a Moviemaking Team
A couple of years ago, the first night I landed in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival, my friend and I were sitting at a lively little bar, minding our own business, about to order dinner. Next thing I knew we were talking to a group of very sharp young people about grassroots moviemaking and the various projects they were doing. We ended up hanging out with them all evening and before it was over I knew that when the time came to do my next movie I wanted to try to work with them if the project seemed right. More than two years later one of those Sundancers has agreed to come aboard as the DP on Rufus Rex and one has become the producer.
July 21st, 2008 | Category: Grassroots Moviemaker | By Timothy Rhys
Batman Flies High Over the Box Office
Not only did Batman fly high over Gotham City's skies this weekend, but he also smashed box office records all throughout the nation. Christopher Nolan's latest in the Caped Crusader franchise, The Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale as Gotham's Knight and the late Heath Ledger as his new psychotic villain, The Joker, broke all opening weekend box office records, grossing an estimated $155.3 million. The movie also stars Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Caine.
July 21st, 2008 | Category: Top of the Box Office | By Beth Levin
In Theaters Now: The Dark Knight, Mamma Mia!, Transsiberian & Space Chimps
It will be hard for movies to compete against The Dark Knight this week. But for those who are looking for something a little more animated, something harmonious, a film to cool you down this summer—or for when you can't get tickets to see the latest superhero movie—check out what else is being released at the box office this weekend.
July 18th, 2008 | Category: In Theaters Now | By Lauren Barbato
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' . $phpAds_raw['html'] . ''; } ?>The Dark Knight Sells Out
Though the bat doesn’t officially fly out of the cave and into theaters nationwide until July 18th at 12:01 a.m., the Caped Crusader is already striking up a storm at the box office. MovieTickets.com reported that Christopher Nolan's long awaited The Dark Knight has already sold out more than 700 performances from coast to coast—more than 270 of these performances are in Los Angeles and New York City alone.
July 16th, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Lauren Barbato
Buy a Condo, See a Movie at Trump Parc Stamford
Not sold on a luxury high-rise condominium, complete with 24-hour doorman, indoor swimming pool, full-service health club, screening rooms and a private rooftop observation deck?
What if the condo threw in tickets to an advanced screening of the latest collaboration between acting legends Robert De Niro and Al Pacino?
July 15th, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Lauren Barbato
Getting Revved Up for BMW of Sarasota’s Short Film Contest
Aspiring moviemakers looking for a life in the cinematic fast lane should be aware of a new short film contest. BMW of Sarasota is holding a short film contest, awarding a $10,000 grand prize to whomever makes the best BWM-inspired movie. The short movie, which should be between one and three minutes in length, must refer to BMW in general and specifically BMW of Sarasota in some creative fashion. The movie can be any—action, drama, comedy, it's totally up to the maker. Of course, the material must not be offensive in any manner. Acceptable formats for the movie are HD and standard. The deadline is tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15th, so do some quick creative brainstorming about BMWs if you want a shot at some extra cash.
July 14th, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Beth Levin
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' . $phpAds_raw['html'] . ''; } ?>Hellboy's Golden Weekend
Moviegoers were swept away this weekend by the visually stunning underground world depicted in Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army, which stole the number one spot at the box office, taking in an approximate $35.9 million.
Will Smith’s Hancock fell short after its heroic debut, taking in $33 million this weekend and reaching a total gross just over $165 million thus far. The remake of the 1959 film of the same name, Journey to the Center of the Earth, now starring Brendan Fraser in 3D, took the number three spot, reaching a gross of nearly $20.6 million.
July 14th, 2008 | Category: Top of the Box Office | By Beth Levin
Third Annual ELAN Awards Recognize Technical Achievement
The self-proclaimed Oscars of the animation and video-gaming world, Canada’s third annual ELAN awards ceremony will take place on February 28, 2009 and it will be bigger and better than ever before. Fresh off the success of the past two years, the ELANS have recently announced an expansion to include Visual Effects awards categories and international submissions.
July 11th, 2008 | Category: News/Commentary | By Jessica Wall
In Theaters Now: Journey to the Center of the Earth, Hellboy II, Meet Dave & August
Go on a journey with this week's box office premieres: Journey to the Center of the Earth, Hellboy II, Meet Dave and August.
July 11th, 2008 | Category: In Theaters Now | By Beth Levin
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' . $phpAds_raw['html'] . ''; } ?>It’s Official—Pre-production Begins
“I never ask people for permission to make a film. Instead, I present them with the fact that I’m making a film. If they’re wise, they’ll get in on it early.”
—Francis Ford Coppola
Last week our unit production manager for Rufus Rex officially started work and I paid UPS an astounding amount of money to deliver a letter to the Republic of Georgia officially inviting our lead actress to the United States. We’re also officially in pre-production on the grassroots (my preferred term, since I dislike “microbudget”—no art should be defined by its budget) movie Rufus Rex, which my 15-year-old son, Nick, and I wrote together last winter.
July 8th, 2008 | Category: Grassroots Moviemaker | By Timothy Rhys
Chaos c/o Dr. Mickhead
My friend, Frank Cameron, is not a tattoo kind of guy. So when he revealed his spanking new shoulder tattoo to me, I almost swooned. 'What? Why? When?' was all I could muster. Not that Frank is conservative; he’s just not the type to advertise his beliefs to the world in any print form other than a screenplay.
July 7th, 2008 | Category: Notes From Movieland | By Anne Norda
Hancock Lands on Top
Will Smith tops the July 4th box office for the fifth time in his career thus far. The actor's superhero drama, Hancock topped the weekend box office, blowing away the competition, taking in more than $107 million. Not even WALL-E could dent the actor's appeal.
July 7th, 2008 | Category: Top of the Box Office | By Beth Levin
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' . $phpAds_raw['html'] . ''; } ?>In Theaters Now: Hancock & The Wackness
This July 4th weekend box office demonstrates what America is all about: Big superheros and movie stars battling it out against a potential independent gem.
July 4th, 2008 | Category: In Theaters Now | By Jessica Wall
Check out the new Astro Boy!
Yes, that's right... Astro Boy is back! The popular anime character and 1960s television star will hit the big screen next summer with help from some of Hollywood's most animated actors. Nicolas Cage, Freddie Highmore, Bill Nighy and Donald Sutherland are among those that will bring the young robot to life in a big way. Get a sneak peek and more information about this movie at the 2008 Anime Expo, taking place July 3 - 6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Mention MovieMaker at the IMAGI booth for a free Astro Boy special edition T-shirt. Or, if you can't make it to the event, enter here to win one of your own!
July 3rd, 2008 | Category: Contests, Happenings, News/Commentary | By Mallory Potosky
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