Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. But don’t worry, we got you. Here’s a quick round-up of the week’s highlights in case you possibly missed them.
“20 Great Actors & The Roles They Probably Just Did For The Money”
There comes a time in an actor’s career when one has to swallow their pride to get the dough for their second summer house or their child’s tuition. While this mindset certainly doesn’t produce great cinematic performances for the ages (“Garfield” was an UNHOLY ABOMINATION, Bill Murray!), it is oddly comforting to realize all actors, no matter how storied their careers, have films they would rather forget having been part of.
“The 10 Best Episodes of Girls”
HBO’s “Sex And The City“-esque millennial dramedy is distilled down to its 10 most iconic episodes. Mazel tov, Lena Dunham!
“The 35 Best Movie Car Chases”
If you want to brush up on famous cinematic car chases and get AMPED for “The Fate Of The Furious,” then this is the article for you. I would bet good money Edgar Wright’s “Baby Driver” will soon be included in the pantheon.
“Playlist Interview: James Gray Talks ‘The Lost City Of Z,’ Isabelle Huppert & The Disruptive World Of Streaming [Deep Focus Podcast]”
Leading up to his latest release “The Lost City Of Z,” director James Gray opens up to Playlist’s Rodrigo Perez about his opinions about the streaming revolution and the mercurial film industry, an encounter with French legend Isabelle Huppert, and how Brad Pitt has slipped through his fingers for projects over a dozen times.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” Bonanza
We received an embarrassment of riches from the Star Wars Celebration Panel, with the crown jewel being the first trailer for Rian Johnson’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” I predict minds will be blown and tears will be shed come December (RIP Carrie Fisher).
An “Enraged” Vin Diesel Reportedly Cut A Post-Credits Sequence From ‘The Fate Of The Furious’
Grade-A Boy Sh*t or an extremely elaborate publicity stunt — who knows (but Vin Diesel’s behavior isn’t exactly a surprise)? It won’t stop F8 from notching a #1 opening weekend at this week’s box office.
Sofia Coppola, Todd Haynes, Michael Haneke, Bong-Joon Ho & ‘Twin Peaks’ Lead 2017 Cannes Film Festival Line Up
The lion’s share of the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival was announced this Thursday, and some gauntlets have been thrown down. Studio fare is out, streaming is in vogue (with a few caveats, a-HEM Netflix), and Nicole Kidman has a full dance card with four projects (“The Beguiled,” “The Killing Of A Sacred Deer,” “How To Talk To Girls At Parties,” and “Top Of The Lake: China Girl”) set to screen on the Croisette. Some additional awards-related thoughts here.
Tom Holland Says Shane Carruth’s ‘The Modern Ocean’ Has “The Craziest Idea For A Movie Ever”
Renaissance man Shane Carruth’s (“Primer,” “Upstream Color”) long-gestating third feature keeps accumulating serious cinephile buzz. Good things come to those who wait, but that doesn’t mean the wait still isn’t torture.
‘Detroit’ Burns In First Trailer For Kathryn Bigelow’s New Film
Academy Award winner Kathryn Bigelow continues her streak of politically motivated films with the haunting trailer for “Detroit.” Capturing the madness of the 1967 Detroit Riots and starring a sprawling cast, including John Boyega, “Detroit” unfortunately still has enormous relevance today.
The Hammer Comes Down in First Trailer for “Thor: Ragnarok”
It looks like the “Thor” franchise is going to stick the landing in a big way. I’m just hoping we get a scene of Darryl and Thor’s “friend from work” commiserating over what a bad roommate the Prince of Asgard is.
Weekly Bits and Pieces
John Ridley will write and direct the time-travel film “Needle In A Timestack”
Producer John Ridley (“12 Years A Slave, “American Crime”) is set to write and direct “Needle In A Timestack” for Miramax. Only time will tell if the film, focusing on a devoted husband who will stop at nothing to save his marriage when it’s destroyed by a time-traveling rival, will be an interesting twist on the time-travel genre. [Variety]
Sienna Miller stars in James Toback’s latest, secret film
Sienna Miller has made some smart career choices after brief hiatus at the end of the Noughties, choosing to work with respected directors such as Bennett Miller, Ben Wheatley and Ben Affleck. One will have to wait and see if her role in James Toback’s hush-hush, TOP SECRET new film “The Private Life Of A Modern Woman” will be yet another feather in her cap. [Page Six]
Matteo Garrone puts “Pinocchio” on hold to make “Dogman”
The “Tale Of Tales” director is putting “Pinocchio” on the backburner to focus on bringing shooting “Dogman,” based on a murder committed by a strung-out dog groomer in the 1980s outside of Rome. Smart move — supposedly “Pinnocho” is having trouble raising funds for the special effects required for the film. [Variety]