Toronto Film Festival - FishbowlLA

Trade Round-Up: Sept. 14, 2007

Guest Blogger — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:16:43 +0000

Johnson Helps Clinton Campaign
Following up on Oprah‘s ritzy fundraiser for Barack Obama last weekend in Montecito, Variety gives the deets on another campaign party planned for Southern California this weekend but this time it’s Magic Johnson hosting a bash for Hillary Clinton. Variety‘s Ted Johnson writes that some are calling the back-to-back events “an unprecedented courting of African Americans by each campaign”

Valkyrie Gains Access in Germany
Tom Cruise‘s star power has helped German officials change their minds, allowing the filmmakers behind Cruise’s Valkyrie to shoot at Bendlerblock, the original site where officers behind the failed 1944 plot to kill to kill Adolf Hitler were executed.

Gore to Appear at Emmys
Al Gore really loves Hollywood. Well, actually he loves the award shows. Gore is set to appear at this Sunday’s Emmy telecast during which his cable network, Current TV, is nominated in the interactive TV category. Variety reports that the showing will make him a veteran of the “Hollywood loop” following appearances at the Grammys, the Oscars and now the Emmys.

Foster Pic Expected to Win at B.O.
THR takes on the weekend boxoffice with Carl Diorio projecting that the Jodie Foster-starrer The Brave One will win the weekend taking in approximately $15 million. Other openers include Mr. Woodcock and Dragon Wars.

Joy in Toronto for Weinsteins
In more Toronto Film Festival news, the Weinstein Co. has acquired North American distribution rights to the music docu Joy Division, THR reports. Grant Gee directed the pic, an account of the late 1970s English rock band.

- CHRIS GARDNER

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Trade Round-Up: Sept. 12, 2007

Guest Blogger — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:20:05 +0000

Stewart Tapped for Academy Awards
He’s baaaack! Jon Stewart has signed on to front next year’s Oscarcast, bringing him back to the Kodak Theatre stage for the second year in a row. And even though it’s his second outing, Stewart says in today‘s Variety, “I’m thrilled to be asked to host the Academy Awards for the second time because, as they say, the third time’s the charm.”

Pitt Back to Work, Again
Even though Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie already have four kids and seem to repeat to the press over and over how they plan to take some time off, Mr. Pitt has signed on for yet another film role. He’ll reteam with his Fight Club costar Edward Norton in State of Play for Universal Pictures, Michael Fleming reports in today’s Variety. It’s an adaptation of the British miniseries and Kevin Macdonald will direct.

Toronto Film Acquisitions
THR’s film team gives the scoop on several acquisitions out of the Toronto Film Festival including George Romero’s Diary of the Dead to the Weinstein Co. and Tom McCarthy’s The Visitor to Overture Films. Read the rest of the fest sales wrap here.

- CHRIS GARDNER

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Toronto Film Fest Documentary Picks

Kate — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:26:05 +0000

The Toronto Film Festival has announced documentary selections. Political-themed docs abound, but there are some more personal films as well. Some of the select:

Man of Cinema: Pierre Rissient directed by Todd McCarthy, USA
Variety critic Todd McCarthy explores the legacy of Pierre Rissient, a key behind-the-scenes figure in Cannes for more than 40 years.

Surfwise directed by Doug Pray, USA
Filmmaker Doug Pray tells the bizarre story of an eccentric family: 85-year-old legendary surfer Dr. Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz, his wife Juliette, and their nine children–raised and home-schooled in a camper on a California beach.

Hollywood Chinese directed by Arthur Dong, USA
Punctuated with clips from over 100 movies, Hollywood Chinese offers a captivating revelation on the Chinese in American feature films, from the very first Chinese-American film produced in 1916 to Ang Lee’s triumphant Brokeback Mountain.

continued…

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