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.

TELLURIDE – I give you a teenager.  Let’s say a high school senior, maybe. Counting the days till they can leave their silly small town and go to their dream college in a city far, far away. This is a coming of age storyline that you’ve seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching. Ladies and gentleman please welcome to the stage Greta Gerwig and “Lady Bird.”

Gerwig’s solo directorial and screenwriting debut, “Lady Bird” centers on Christine (Saoirse Ronan), who has renamed herself the title in question.

Continue reading ‘Lady Bird’: Laurie Metcalf Has Her Moment In Greta Gerwig’s Solo-Directorial Debut [Telluride Review] 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.

TELLURIDE – A little less than three weeks from the publication of this review John Lithgow is expected to win an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the Netflix series “The Crown.” Earlier this year Brian Cox earned positive notices for his own interpretation of the legendary British Prime Minister in the appropriately titled “Churchill.” In fact, Churchill appears in some form or another a few times a year and talents such as Brendan Gleeson, Albert Finney, Bob Hoskins, John Houseman and Richard Burton have tried to capture the once in a lifetime charisma of this historical figure on the big or small screen.

Continue reading ‘Darkest Hour’: Gary Oldman Is Simply A Force Of Nature As Winston Churchill [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.

When the Venice Film Festival kicks off next Wednesday it will signal the unofficial start of the 2017-2018 awards season.  Yes, it’s that time again.  It feels like the improbable Best Picture win by “Moonlight” over “La La Land” was just yesterday, doesn’t it? Perhaps it’s because there has been so little to celebrate in the world in the months since. Well, except for some good movies, that is.

Continue reading 13 Oscar Players That Demand Your Attention This Fall And What To Look For 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.