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Michel Hazanavicius In Talks To Direct Tom Hanks, Maybe Natalie Portman In 'In The Garden Of Beasts'

By Oliver Lyttelton
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September 13, 2012 8:29 PM
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5 Comments

News

An hour or so ago, most of the moviegoing world had their eyes on the trailer premiere for Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln," tipped by many to lead to Oscars for both the director and its star, Daniel Day-Lewis. And yet at the same time, last year's Best Director Academy Award winner, and one of only five living actors with as many gold statues as Day-Lewis, were sneakily making plans for a film that looks like it could be a future awards juggernaut, and may be bringing along a recent Best Actress winner too.

By Kevin Jagernauth
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November 2, 2011 2:08 AM
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0 Comments

"The Artist" actor Jean Dujardin is to director Michel Hazanavicius what Ryan Gosling is to Nicolas Winding Refn. With the former's silent movie sensation winning over audiences and poised to become a Best Picture nominee at the Oscars, it marks their third film together following the two very popular French-language spy spoof 'OSS 177' films, and what do you know, the pair have already collaborated on another project that is gearing up for release next spring in France.

By Oliver Lyttelton
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October 28, 2011 8:52 AM
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1 Comment

Writers. As Robert Downey Jr. memorably described them during a recent Academy Awards ceremony: the "sickly little mole people." With the bulk of big movies seemingly coming from board games, comic books and theme park rides, those who actually bother to come up with something off their own back get a little more credit, and it's always seemed as though the Best Original Screenplay Oscar has carried a little more prestige.

By Christopher Bell
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October 15, 2011 6:49 AM
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2 Comments

Director Wanted To Revive Silent Movie Style For A Contemporary Movie AudienceDespite stealing audiences' hearts and walking away from the prestigious Cannes Film Festival with the Best Actor Award, Michel Hazanavicius's nostalgia-fueled silent feature "The Artist" may have its work cut out for it. Will regular movie-goers go and see something like this in an era when the mere thought of a flick not being in color is appalling? It's a tough call, but with the right push, it might get sales solely based on the fact it's unlike anything in at the cineplex today. After that, all the movie needs is five minutes: it's an instant charmer, an escapist picture done with flair and an enormous amount of heart.

By Oliver Lyttelton
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September 15, 2011 1:22 AM
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1 Comment

The big film that no one saw coming this year was Michel Hazanavicius's "The Artist." The director was best known for his cult French comedies in the "OSS 117" series, and reunited with star Jean Dujardin for a silent movie homage, riffing on films from "Singin' in the Rain" to "A Star Is Born," shot in black and white and with (almost) no dialogue.

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 15, 2011 8:23 AM
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2 Comments

When The Weinstein Company announced last week just before the kick off the Cannes Film Festival that they had picked up Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" it was certainly a surprise. Harvey and Bob laid down big bucks for a film that, in this age of CGI and 3D blockbuster pictures, seems like box office poison. A silent film, in black and white, led by two French stars that are virtually unknown in the United States, it doesn't seem like the kind of movie that, outside of arthouse buffs, would catch on with a broader audience. But, the Weinstein instincts were right on as screening this morning for critics, not only did "The Artist" play like gangbusters to critics who applauded the film at various points during the film but more importantly, Hazanavicius' film is a pure joy. Wildly entertaining, with a big generous heart, "The Artist" is not just an exercise in old school filmmaking, it's a beautifully told story that is classic and timeless in feel.