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Recent historical spectacles have underperformed at the box office. Will the new 'Ben-Hur' prove to be a holy inspiration or an epic fail? At the edge of Cinecitta Studios in [...]

Nick Park, the creator of Wallace & Gromit, reflects on his 40-year career in stop-motion animation. When Park started out, clay animation was a slow and labor-intensive format with crude results. However, thanks to Park's success at Aardman Animations and the popularity of Wallace & Gromit, stop-motion animation is now thriving worldwide. Park's ambition was to be a cartoonist and create his own characters, and he drew inspiration from Disney and other animators. He started working with Plasticine clay and eventually created Wallace & Gromit, which went on to win multiple Oscars. Park's work has had a significant impact on the animation industry, inspiring filmmakers like Tim Burton and Wes Anderson. He continues to create new projects, including the upcoming film "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl." [Extracted from the article]

Nate Bargatze COMEDY CENTRAL'S 'MAGIC' MAN 'You make people laugh growing up and stuff,' says Bargatze In his signature laid-back drawl, talking about his first forays into performing. 'And you [...]

Save for a mention in Arthur Conan Doyle's 'His Last Bow,' precious little is known about the latter years of Sherlock Holmes: 'We heard of you as living the life [...]

AT LAST YEAR'S CESAR AWARDS, three of the top contenders for France's top film prize--specifically, 'Blue Is the Warmest Color,' 'Stranger by the Lake' and 'Me, Myself and Mum'--centered on [...]

Whereas every other celebrity who visited the sixth-floor Variety Studio at the Toronto Film Festival arrived by elevator, Isabelle Huppert took the stairs--which says a lot about the French star. [...]

Two years ago, when 'The Lego Movie' was snubbed in Oscar's animated feature category, fans of the movie cried foul. How could the year's top-grossing ($258 million domestic) and best-reviewed [...]

This article introduces four emerging directors in the film industry. Blitz Bazawule, from Ghana, is currently working on a musical adaptation of Alice Walker's "The Color Purple." Ilker Çatak, a German-Turkish director, gained recognition for his film "The Teachers' Lounge" and is now working on a new project called "Yellow Letters." Sophie Dupuis, a Quebecois director, explores toxic relationships in her film "Solo," set in the drag world. Cord Jefferson, known for his TV writing, is making his directorial debut with "American Fiction," based on Percival Everett's novel "Erasure." Titus Kaphar, an artist turned filmmaker, presents his semi-autobiographical film "Exhibiting Forgiveness" at the Sundance Film Festival. [Extracted from the article]

Film Jason Bateman Actor After a seven-year absence, Jason Bateman and the rest of the original 'Arrested Development' cast returned this year for the show's Netflix revival. The actor earned [...]

The real-life laika--a Russian street dog who became the first animal launched into orbit--lasted mere hours in space, but paved the way for humans to eventually follow in her tracks. [...]

Back when the Academy first introduced an Oscar for animated feature, audiences were still buying tickets just to witness the medium's latest breakthroughs, from realistic fur to plausible water. These [...]

No.2 Snow White "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) Snow White, a fairy tale character dating back to the 1800s, became Disney's first movie princess in the ambitious 1937 film named for her. 3 Bambi "BAMBI" (1942) Disney animators studied live deer while creating the character of Bambi, a fawn whose mother is killed by hunters during the movie, a development that left many young viewers in tears. The original movie, co-starring Dick Van Dyke as chimney sweep Bert, spawned a hit Broadway musical in 2004, followed by the making-of movie "Saving Mr. Banks", starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney in 2013 and "Mary Poppins Returns", starring Emily Blunt in 2018. Many subsequent Disney animated movies have featured protagonists that lose a parent, including Simba in "The Lion King", but "Bambi" is perhaps the first children-skewing film to explore grief so poignantly - through the eyes of its young protagonist. [Extracted from the article]

Eventually, Waters convinced Bob Shaye, founder of New Line, to distribute his films. When Fine Line rereleased Waters' most notorious film, 1972's "Pink Flamingos", for its 25th anniversary, the poster proudly quoted Variety: "One of the most vile, stupid and repulsive films ever made." FEATURES JOHN WATERS LOOKS POSITIVELY GIDDY as he perches on the edge of his chair at the Provincetown Film Festival, chuckling as he recalls the bad reviews Variety gave him back in the day. [Extracted from the article]

When it comes to justifying to taxpayers why their money is helping to subsidize local film production, it helps to have an Oscar winner you can point to. In New [...]

ATONEMENT Sure, there's the scene at the fountain, or the one in the library, but the moment in 'Atonement' that gets everyone talking is the five-minute-plus tracking shot during the [...]

ACTING THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL Location: New York City Estimated cost: $25,610/year tuition Success stories: Robin Williams, Zevin Spacey and Kelsey Grammer are all grads. So are Anthony Mackie ('We Are [...]

This article provides a brief overview of twelve standout films that were showcased at the Venice, Telluride, and Toronto film festivals. The films cover a range of genres and themes, including abortion in Georgia, the life of a fabled architect, a Catholic cardinal's struggle, an unpleasant wife and mother, a farming community's downfall, the rise of the white-supremacist movement, a family's legacy, queer culture in Mexico City, a woman's decision to die, a one-legged wrestling champion, a transgressive affair, and a behind-the-scenes look at the first episode of "Saturday Night Live." Each film offers a unique perspective and explores diverse topics. [Extracted from the article]

The Arkansas Cinema Society, co-founded by director Jeff Nichols and Kathryn Tucker, aims to bring local and global filmmakers to Little Rock through its annual Filmland event. The organization supports the local film community by hosting screenings of movies that may not otherwise receive exposure in the state. They also offer grants to indie directors, mentor aspiring young filmmakers, and provide networking opportunities for filmmakers to connect and collaborate. The Filmland event includes screenings, master classes, and social events, and this year featured a Southern Storytellers Panel. The organization's ultimate goal is to improve film incentives in Arkansas to attract bigger-budget productions and retain talent in the state. [Extracted from the article]

Willem Dafoe, a versatile actor known for his range of roles, reflects on his career and upcoming film "Poor Things" in an interview. Dafoe discusses his approach to selecting roles and his preference for working with visionary directors. He also shares his experience working on "Platoon," which earned him his first Oscar nomination and solidified his decision to pursue a career in film. Dafoe's dedication to his craft and willingness to take risks have led to a diverse filmography and numerous collaborations with acclaimed directors. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the contenders for the Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars. With a record-setting number of animated films submitted this year, the competition is tough. While blockbusters tend to have an advantage, independent and foreign films like "Flee" and "Marcel the Shell With Shoes On" have also received nominations in recent years. The article provides a brief overview of several films in contention, including "The Boy and the Heron," "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget," "Deep Sea," "Elemental," "Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia," and others. It also mentions other films competing for the nomination, such as "The Peasants," "Titina," and "Unicorn Wars." [Extracted from the article]

Like the intensely single-minded drummer Miles Teller plays in 'Whiplash,' its writer-director, Damien Chazelle, did not arrive on the world stage unprepared. In fact, exactly one year before his white-knuckle [...]

Last month, during a master class at the Taormina Film Festival, no less a star than Ben Stiller admitted that his career wouldn't have gotten far if he'd relied on [...]

THE 10 PICS CHAMPIONED BY variety critics selected to screen at the Karlovy Vary Inti. Film Festival next month are an eclectic mix of the year's best-reviewed Euro-backed features. Representing [...]

Of the year's 10 top-grossing films, three fit what the Academy celebrates via its 13-years-young animated feature category: 'Despicable Me 2,' 'Monsters University' and 'The Croods.' But then, what do [...]

PIXAR HAS THE 'BRAIN TRUST' to provide feedback on every new project. DreamWorks Animation relies on a rotating stable of A-list scribes. But over at Illumination Entertainment, two guys are [...]

Opening a week after Bradley Manning's sentencing in the U.S., where significant portions of the case were held in secret to protect national security, British courtroom thriller 'Closed Circuit' challenges [...]

Just over a decade ago, Vin Diesel shot from near-obscurity to earning a $10 million payday in what seemed like record time, racing from an ensemble role in 'Saving Private [...]

The Marvel team has recast the Incredible Hulk three times in recent years, but when it comes to its most popular hothead, Wolverine, there's only one actor fit to wear [...]

The morning of the Oscar nominations, the Academy's final selections in the directing category caught the pundits and public alike by surprise. Preoccupied with the oversights, the conversation focused on [...]

By Justing Chang There's a key scene in 'The Master' in which Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic cult leader played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, reassures his newest and most improbable convert: [...]

BEN AFFLECK 'Argo' Bona fide movie star. Oscar-winning scripter. Ben Affleck went on to score the hat trick when he entered the directing ranks with 'Gone Baby Gone' and 'The [...]

FILM: THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (WARNER BROS.) Director: Peter Jack; Cast: Ian McKellen, Marlin Freeman, Richard Armitage Fulfilling just a fraction of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'There and Back Again' subtitle, [...]

Everyone knows pure comedy gets little AMPAS love. That fact was apparent in Year One, 1927-28, when a one-time-only 'Comedy Picture' directing award elbowed out a certified comic genius. Chaplin's [...]

A John Lasseter joined Lucasfilm's Computer Division in 1984 before it became Pixan His first CG assignment was the short film 'The Adventures of Andre and Wally B.,' which debuted [...]

Oscar's youngest category turns 10 this year, which seems a good time to reflect on how much the animated feature field has changed in a decade's time. When the Academy [...]

"Deadpool & Wolverine" is a raunchy bromance that serves as a fan-service sequel under the Marvel banner. The film brings back Hugh Jackman's Wolverine character from the grave and features Deadpool's sarcastic R-rated sensibility and fourth-wall-breaking commentary. While the movie tries to have it every which way with its meta-concept and alternate dimensions, it achieves unexpected poignance when Deadpool and Wolverine are exiled together to The Void. Overall, the film serves as an irreverent homage to what's come before in the Marvel saga. [Extracted from the article]

"Longlegs" is a '90s-set serial killer thriller that initially may not seem as frightening as its early buzz suggests. However, the demented character played by Nicolas Cage embeds in viewers' minds, causing nightmares long after watching the film. The story follows a rural dollmaker who creates life-size effigies of his victims, leading their families to turn homicidal. While the film has some logical inconsistencies and preposterous elements, it effectively taps into viewers' inner child and delivers unexpected bursts of absurdity. [Extracted from the article]

"Kinds of Kindness" is a three-part anthology film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos that explores themes of control and consent in various realms of society. The film features a killer cast, including Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, and Willem Dafoe. Each segment presents a different scenario, such as a submissive office worker, a cop grieving his wife's disappearance, and a woman who abandons her marriage to follow a cult leader. Lanthimos' surreal and absurdist style challenges conventional logic and demands patience from viewers. The film is both enthralling and frustrating, offering a dark humor that defies expectations. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Variety provides reviews of several films showcased at the Cannes Film Festival. The films cover a range of genres and themes, including a portrait of two roommates in Mumbai, a docudrama about Donald Trump's early years, a small-town tale with a Western twist, a story about middle-aged baseball players, a film about a drug lord embracing their true self as a woman, a political clash over a city's future, a Holocaust fable, a film about young women seeking justice for sexual abuse, a thriller set in Tehran, a drama about fame and social media, a subversive romantic comedy, a feminist body-horror film, and more. The reviews provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each film, allowing library patrons to make informed decisions about which films to explore further. [Extracted from the article]

Jacques Audiard's film "Emilia Pérez" is a south-of-the-border pop opera set in the macho realm of Mexican cartels. The film tells the story of Manitas del Monte, a fearsome drug lord who decides to embrace his true self as a woman named Emilia. The film challenges stereotypes and offers a powerful portrait of someone undergoing a metamorphosis. While the film does not strictly adhere to the codes set by LGBT advocates, it explores the character's journey beyond just the transition itself. The film raises questions about identity and the potential for positive change in society. [Extracted from the article]

"Kindness" is a three-part anthology film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos that explores themes of control and consent in a surreal and absurdist manner. The film follows different characters and their unconventional relationships, including a submissive office worker, a grieving cop, and a woman who joins a kinky cult. Lanthimos challenges conventional logic and presents a darkly humorous critique of modern society. The film features a talented cast, including Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, and Willem Dafoe. While the themes may be ambiguous, "Kindness" offers a unique and thought-provoking viewing experience. [Extracted from the article]

Director Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited film "Megalopolis" is a grandiose and ambitious epic that explores themes of art, life, and legacy. Despite its large scale, much of the film is shot in close-up and could be viewed on smaller screens. The cast includes both young stars and Coppola veterans, but their performances are described as oddly cartoonish. The film combines elements of Shakespearean drama and campiness, and some critics suggest that animation may have been a better medium for telling the story. "Megalopolis" is set in a fictional city called New Rome and follows the conflict between city planner Cesar Catilina and conservative politician Mayor Franklyn Cicero. The film includes bawdy and outrageous moments to prevent it from becoming too self-important. While the sci-fi elements are not far from reality, the film's budget may have limited the depiction of certain events. Despite its flaws, "Megalopolis" is seen as a late-career statement from Coppola, who has remained dedicated to cinema. [Extracted from the article]

"The Second Act" is a French film directed by Quentin Dupieux that explores the concept of irony and meta-fiction. The movie follows a group of actors, including Léa Seydoux, Louis Garrel, Vincent Lindon, and Raphaël Quenard, who play actors in a romantic comedy. Throughout the film, the actors break character and critique the shoot, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. Dupieux aims to subvert conventional filmmaking and comment on the contemporary state of cinema. The film received mixed reviews, with some finding it clever and others feeling that it falls short in its execution. [Extracted from the article]

Director: Jordan Peele Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' meets 'The Stepford Wives' in 'Get Out,' in which a white girl brings her black [...]

Director: Dee Rees Starring: Carey Mullian, Jason Clarke, Mary J. Blige, Rob Morgan Some folks look out on the world, and all they see are the differences between people, the [...]

Tommy's Honour Director: Jason Connery Starring: Peter Mullan, Jack Lowden The founding father of golf, Tom Morris, designed some of the world's first courses, but it was his son, Tommy, [...]

The Sense of an Ending Director: Ritesh Batra Starring: Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Harriet Walter, Michelle Dockery A couple years back, festival audiences fell in love with Indian director Ritesh [...]

Director: Ding Sheng Starring: Jackie Chan When was the last time you saw a good Jackie Chan movie? Sure, the 'Rung Fu Panda' movies are great, but they don't really [...]

1. 'Hell or High Water' Remember the days when people robbed banks, not the other way around? Screenwriter Taylor Sheridan has concocted a tough Texas snarl in which an about-to-be-foreclosed-upon [...]

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Director: Gareth Edwards Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna A short time before the film 'Star Wars: A New Hope' took place, in a galaxy [...]