http://blogs.indiewire.com/jamesisrael/ iW NOW en Copyright 2010 2010-03-12T17:26:59+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/murnaus_sunrise_returns_to_nyc/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/murnaus_sunrise_returns_to_nyc/ F. W. Murnau’s seminal, 1927 silent film "Sunrise" will be given a week-long revival run at New York City's Film Forum, April 2 through 8 in a new 35mm print. Murnau's first Hollywood feature, which he made in collaboration with screenwriter Carl Mayer, stars George O’Brien and Janet Gaynor as a married couple whose idyllic life together is threatened when he falls for cigarette-smoking, jazz-loving vamp from the city. Film Forum's new print features the original Movietone musical score. News 2010-03-12T16:26:59+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/lionsgate_rejects_icahns_partial_tender_offer/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/lionsgate_rejects_icahns_partial_tender_offer/ It was announced today that Lionsgate's Board of Directors rejected an unsolicited partial tender offer from the Icahn Group. The Group's offer was to purchase up to 13,164,420 common share of Lionsgate for $6.00 per share. The Board deemed this financially inadequate. “Lionsgate is a strong and diversified Company with a focused strategy that we expect to generate far greater value for shareholders," said Lionsgate Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer in a press release. "The Board and the Company’s management is committed to continuing to take all appropriate and necessary actions to build value for Lionsgate’s shareholders. We… News 2010-03-12T14:35:49+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/variety_drops_todd_mccarthy/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/variety_drops_todd_mccarthy/ Variety is dropping its chief film critic, Todd McCarthy. The New York Times reports: "Neil Stiles, the president of Variety, said the entertainment industry trade paper is cutting from its staff two of its most prominent writers — film reviewer Todd McCarthy and theater critic David Rooney. In a telephone interview, Mr. Stiles said the critics were cut as a cost-saving measure. 'It’s economic reality,' Mr. Stiles said. He said the paper will continue to carry the same number of reviews, but he expects them all to be done on a freelance basis. Many of the trade paper’s reviews are… Industry Moves 2010-03-08T20:04:52+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/unitiled_oliver_sacks_project_begins_production/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/unitiled_oliver_sacks_project_begins_production/ An "Untiled Oliver Sacks Project," based on Sacks's own case study of a man with an amnesia-inducing brain tumor, "The Last Hippie," has just begun production in New York City. The film marks the directorial debut of executive producer Jim Kohlberg ("Two Family House," "Forever Fabulous"), and stars J.K. Simmons ("Juno"), Julia Ormond ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Cara Seymour ("An Education"). Sacks's book "Awakenings" was made into a film starring Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro, directed by Penny Marshall. Movies, News 2010-03-04T19:39:19+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/the_hangover_director_awarded_by_showwest/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/the_hangover_director_awarded_by_showwest/ ShoWest has named Todd Phillips ("The Hangover," "Old School," "Road Tip") Director of the Year, it was announced today. Phillips will be presented the award on ShoWest's closing night Awards Ceremony, on March 18. “With many more films in the works, including his star-studded film 'Due Date,' coming later this year, Phillips is beyond deserving of the Director of the Year Award," said Robert Sunshine, managing director of ShowWest in a press release. "We look forward to presenting him with this accolade, which we believe will be only one of many throughout his career.” ShoWest runs from March 15-18 in… Awards, Festivals, News 2010-03-04T19:32:24+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/dallas_international_film_festival_honors_up_director_and_announces_lineup/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/dallas_international_film_festival_honors_up_director_and_announces_lineup/ The Dallas International Film Festival (April 8-18) announced today 12 official selections from their lineup, and that the recipient of the Texas Avery Animation Awards will be "Up" director and writer Pete Docter. Three out of the 12 selections are world premieres: Peter Rosen's documentary "A Surprise In Texas," Matthew Leutwylers drama "The River Why" based on the novel by David James Duncan, and Neil Truglio's "We Are the Sea," which features music by Iron & Wine. Films not making their world premieres include the Sundance winners "A Winter's Bone" directed by Debra Granik and Diane Bell's "Obselidia." A host… News 2010-03-04T17:52:40+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/film_society_celebrates_anne_bancroft/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/film_society_celebrates_anne_bancroft/ The Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York will present "Fierce and Fabulous: Anne Bancroft," an 11-film tribute to the actress, March 8 to 11. Best known for her performances in Arthur Penn's "The Miracle Worker" and Mike Nichols' "The Graduate," the Film Society will also showcase her work in David Lynch's "The Elephant Man," Anthony Mann's "The Last Frontier," and David Jones' "84 Charing Cross Road." Special guests will include actress Patty Duke, who will appear on Monday, March 8 for a screening of "The Miracle Worker," director Mike Nichols, on Tuesday, March 9 to introduce "The Graduate,"… Events 2010-03-03T15:07:32+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/sxsw_gets_peek_at_predators/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/sxsw_gets_peek_at_predators/ Austin's own Robert Rodriguez, producer of "Predators," will unveil clips from the film at the SXSW Film Festival this year with director Nimrod Antal. The promotional event, set for March 12th, the opening day of the festival, will also include a Q & A with Rodriguez and Antal. Also added to the festival this year is the world premiere of Gela Babluani's "13," which will take one of the surprise screening slots at the fest (which runs March 12 - March 20, 2010). Last year the fest offered a look at scenes from Sacha Baron Cohen's "Bruno." Festivals 2010-03-03T11:39:40+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/panahi_arrested_in_iran/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/panahi_arrested_in_iran/ Jafar Panahi, winner of the Golden Lion at Venice and the Silver Bear at Berlin, has been arrested in his home in Iran, the BBC reports. Panahi, director of "The Circle" and "Offside," was arrested during the protests and vigils that followed Iran's elections last year. Earlier this year, he was denied by the Iranian government his request to attend the Berlinale as a special guest. At this time, the Iranian government has not disclosed the reason for his arrest, only saying, ""The arrest of Jafar Panahi is not because he is an artist or for political reason. He is… News, People 2010-03-02T17:24:47+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/little_theaters_being_shut_out_of_big_film_business/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/little_theaters_being_shut_out_of_big_film_business/ On MSNBC.com, Bill Briggs profiles the troubles faced by independently owned film theaters, as megaplexes are making exclusive deals with studios to block out their (smaller) competition. The article profiles the Big Picture in Redmond, Washington, which forbids children and serves such delicacies as martinis and cheddar popcorn in champagne buckets. The theater is struggling to keep up with their crushing giant competitors and their partners-in-crime, the studios. Theater co-owner Mark Stern says of the situation, “Does this now become anti-competitive and antitrust? We believe so. Regal is a bully. ... When you are a small business owner in this… News 2010-03-02T16:55:19+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/lincoln_center_recognizes_new_yorks_oscar_contribution/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/lincoln_center_recognizes_new_yorks_oscar_contribution/ Though the Oscars haven't been in New York since 1957, when for five years the awards were handed out simultaneously in LA and NYC, Film at Lincoln Center is taking a look at the best Oscar contenders of years past that star the city that never sleeps with their series "And the Winner Is...New York." From Woody Allen's ode to awkward Upper West Side love to Sidney Lumet's chronicle of a sweaty, tense Bay Ridge attempted bank robbery to the Jerome Robbins-choreographed turf war that was shot where Lincoln Center now stands, a total of ten screenings will play in… Events 2010-03-02T14:40:18+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/bamcinematek_fetes_ifc_films/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/bamcinematek_fetes_ifc_films/ The Brooklyn Academy of Music's BAMcinématek will present its third annual edition of Focus on IFC Films, March 19–21. The series comprises a selection of IFC Films’ upcoming theatrical and video on demand releases from its IFC In Theaters and Festival Direct platforms. This year’s Focus on IFC Films line-up includes the New York premiere of Ken Loach's "Looking for Eric," Claire Denis' "White Material," Johnnie To's "Vengeance," and Elia Suleiman's "The Time That Remains." In addition, Christophe Honoré and actress Chiara Mastroianni will be at BAM on Saturday, March 20 for a screening of Honoré's new film "Making Plans… News 2010-02-26T22:10:59+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/outfest_legacy_projects_celebrates_5th_anniversary/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/outfest_legacy_projects_celebrates_5th_anniversary/ The Outfest Legacy Project, a program dedicated to saving and protecting LGBT films from deterioration, is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The initiative, a collaboration between the UCLA FIlm & Television Archive and Outfest, has scheduled screenings and events across Los Angeles to commemorate the occasion. A screening of Jamie Babbit's "But I'm a Cheerleader" will kick off the celebration on February 26 at UCLA's Billy Wilder Theater. To date, the Project has archived over 13,000 titles. "It is crucial that these works and histories be preserved for future generations," said Kirsten Schaffer, Executive Director of Outfest. "We are so grateful… News 2010-02-26T14:35:46+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/area_23a_to_release_the_best_worst_movie/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/area_23a_to_release_the_best_worst_movie/ Michael Paul Stephenson's documentary, "Best Worst Movie," which had its world premiere at South by Southwest and has since gone on to receive several festival awards, will be theatrically released by Area 23A, the event-based film distribution company. The film marks Stephenson's directorial debut. It explores his involvement in one of the most critically reviled movies ever made, "Troll 2." Of the acquisition, Stephenson said in a press release: “Our movie – that we have devoted the last four years to – can not be in better hands than with Area23A. They have demonstrated their ability to skillfully handle specialized… Acquisitions 2010-02-25T19:56:55+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/hurt_locker_producer_aims_dig_at_avatar/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/iwnow/archives/hurt_locker_producer_aims_dig_at_avatar/ Following in the footsteps of DreamWorks ads that ran during the 2004 Oscar campaign, "The Hurt Locker"'s producer Nicolas Chartier played dirty in an email that went out last Friday to voters, by soliciting votes while taking aim at James Cameron's "Avatar." In the email he wrote: "I just wanted to write you and say I hope you liked "Hurt Locker," it began, asking that recipients who did like it tell "your friends who vote for the Oscars, tell actors, directors, crew members, art directors, special effects people, if everyone tells one or two of their friends, we will win… Awards, Hollywood 2010-02-25T18:28:35+00:00