With Venice, Toronto, and Telluride becoming this fall’s go-to places to premiere a film, we had no idea that the BFI London Film Festival had an ace up its sleeve. Today, the LFF announced its lineup of films appearing in the Official Competition, and while there are some incredible films from throughout this year, the big surprise was a new entry from acclaimed filmmaker Ben Wheatley.

That’s right, Ben Wheatley, best known for his films “High-Rise” and 2016’s “Free Fire,” is back with a film that we didn’t even know was finished, titled “Happy New Year, Colin Burstead.” The film seems to be a bit of a departure for Wheatley, as its described as a family dramedy focused on the titular Colin and his dysfunctional family around New Years.

Continue reading Ben Wheatley’s Surprise New Film Headlines BFI London Film Festival’s Official Competition Slate at The Playlist.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced the main selections for the 2018 New York Film Festival, and it won’t disappoint the city’s cinephile community.  It also confirms that barring a last minute addition or secret screening there are no world premieres at this year’s NYFF.  Then again, the fest is programming a significant number of Foreign Language Film contenders even if the homegrown selections are slight.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite,” Alfonso Cuarón‘s “Roma“ and Julian Schabel‘s “At Eternity’s Gate“ were previously announced as the opening, centerpiece and closing night films for this year’s fest.

Continue reading ‘If Beale Street,’ ‘Cold War’ & ‘Ballad Of Buster Scruggs’ Among Main NYFF 2018 Selections at The Playlist.