Over 6,500 BAFTA members around the world voted for the 2018 British Academy Film Awards and Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” led all films with 12 nominations. “Darkest Hour” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” each earned nine nominations with “Blade Runner 2049” and “Dunkirk” each.taking eight nods each. “Call Me by Your Name” and “Phantom Thread” took four each while “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool,” “I, Tonya,” “Lady Bird” and “Paddington 2” receive three nominations each.

Continue reading ‘Shape of Water’ And ‘Three Billboards’ Lead 2018 BAFTA Awards Nominations at The Playlist.

We might be entering into another peak phase of Jamie Bell‘s career.  After an unfortunate association with the “Fantastic Four” reboot and a four-season run on AMC’s “Turn,” the 31-year-old actor returns with one of his best performances yet in Paul McGuigan’s “Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool.”  And, frankly, while the movie has its issues, more people should be paying attention to Bell’s impressive work in it.

Continue reading Jamie Bell Thought He Blew A Pivotal Scene In ‘Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool’ at The Playlist.

Just like that, it’s December, end of year lists are being curated (if not already posted) and the Sundance Film Festival has released their lineup for the upcoming fest which will subsequently, technically, begin chatter for the 2018 Oscars.

There’s a lot going on at the end of the year and that’s not even when we account the personal stresses that come along with the holiday season. December is pretty light for the first two weeks with only really three films posed to make any sort of splash and then the latest in the “Star Wars” saga enters the race and obliterates its competition.

Continue reading 13 Movies To Watch In December at The Playlist.

There are a lot of movies trying to elbow into the awards race, and Sony Pictures Classics is hoping voters will remember “Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool.” While it doesn’t have the same buzz as the studio’s other major contender — “Call Me By Your Name” — it does have a big, secret weapon: the legendary Annette Bening.

The actress leads the movie as Hollywood star Gloria Grahame, in this based on a true story tale about the actresses’ late life relationship and romance with a much younger lover.

Continue reading ‘Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool’ Trailer: Love Blooms Between Annette Bening & Jamie Bell at The Playlist.

If you live in Los Angeles and haven’t caught up with most of this year’s awards season titles you can breathe easy.  No, screeners aren’t arriving early, but AFI Fest has added some unexpected starpower and prestige to its 2017 slate.

Joining previously announced galas “Mudbound” (opening night), “All The Money In The World” (closing night), “Call Me By Your Name,” “The Disaster Artist” and “Hostiles” are seven films that hope to make a dent in the Oscars race in various categories.

Continue reading ‘I, Tonya,’ ‘Shape of Water’ And ‘Molly’s Game’ Added To 2017 AFI Fest Slate at The Playlist.

It was probably inevitable, but at this point it’s a smart bet that the 2018 Best Picture winner didn’t screen at the 44th Telluride Film Festival. I mean, sure, it’s still possible, and without question the annual Labor Day cinephile extravaganza featured at least two Best Picture nominees: “The Shape of Water” and “Darkest Hour.” But no one left the Colorado town believing either were locks to win Oscar’s top prize.

Continue reading Fox Searchlight Dominates Telluride As ‘Shape Of Water’ And ‘Battle Of The Sexes’ Make Oscar Pitches at The Playlist.

Annette Bening has been nominated for an Oscar four times, but has yet to put one on the shelf. But that could change this year thanks to “Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool,” which is already earning awards season buzz, not just for Bening’s turn, but for the performance of her co-star Jamie Bell as well.

READ MORE: Annette Bening Shines In ‘Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool’ [Telluride Review]

Directed by Paul McGuigan (“The Acid House,” “Gangster No.

Continue reading ‘Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool’ Trailer: Annette Bening & Jamie Bell Fall In Love at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE – In case you haven’t heard, people have been waiting for an Annette Bening performance for the ages. It’s a thing. The sort of role that would encapsulate a mighty fine career that when compared to her peers hasn’t always gotten the notoriety it deserves despite four Academy Award nominations. Improbably, while Bening is incredible playing a fading Hollywood starlet in Paul McGuigan’s “Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool,” it’s her co-star, Jamie Bell, who might be the film’s real secret weapon.

Continue reading Annette Bening Shines In ‘Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool’ [Telluride Review] at The Playlist.

The Telluride Film Festival has earned its reputation as one of the best-curated film events in the world and this year’s lineup is no exception. Contrary to popular opinion, the programmers don’t make their selections in regards to a film’s Oscar chances as much as whether they think it will challenge or captivate the faithful moviegoers who spend $780 (or more) for passes (it’s not a cheap fest, but to the regulars it’s movie heaven).

Continue reading Telluride Film Festival: 10 Most Anticipated Films at The Playlist.

The 44th Telluride Film Festival announced its main program Thursday morning and it includes a number of highly anticipated premieres as well as the always sought after second screenings of a few Venice Film Festival showcases.

This year’s lineup includes:

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.

Continue reading 2017 Telluride Film Festival Lineup Includes ‘Hostiles,’ ‘Lady Bird,’ ‘The Shape Of Water,’ More at The Playlist.

While we have our eyeballs full with Venice, TIFF, NYFF, and Telluride (which kicks off this weekend), The BFI London Film Festival is no slouch at bringing the business. While they’re less concerned with World Premieres as their counterparts, each year their lineup represents the cream of the festival crop, and 2017 is no different.

Among the highlights in the first wave of programming is Lynne Ramsay‘s “You Were Never Really Here,” which notably isn’t screening at “the big three” North American festivals.

Continue reading 2017 BFI London Film Festival Lines Up ‘You Were Never Really Here,’ ‘Mudbound,’ ‘Lean On Pete,’ More at The Playlist.

The first wave of 2017 Toronto International Film Festival screenings were announced this morning and, as always, it was illuminating in many ways. Toronto still has its share of complete world premieres, but in many ways has become a catch up festival for potential awards players that have already debuted at Sundance, Cannes, Venice and the dreaded Telluride. And, it must be noted, while TIFF has focused on a slimmer and more “focused” slate this year there will still be a ton of other titles added in the weeks to come.

Continue reading What TIFF’s 2017 Slate Tells Us About the 2018 Oscar Race at The Playlist.