Thompson on Hollywood

Sundance Review and Roundup: Park Chan-Wook's Creepy 'Stoker'

Reviews

There's a risk every time a noted foreign filmmaker takes a stab at an English-language movie. Clearly, Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook ("Old Boy") knows his Hollywood history: he admits that Alfred Hitchcock not only inspired him to become a filmmaker but that "Psycho," "Shadow of a Doubt," and "The Trouble With Harry" creeped into archetypal thriller "Stoker," which is based on actor-writer Wentworth Miller's script.

By Anne Thompson
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January 21, 2013 6:11 PM
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Sundance Dealmaking Heats Up; 'Don Jon's Addiction,' Harvey Lands 'Fruitvale'

Festivals

In the biggest sale of the fest so far, Sundance newbie Relativity Media is closing a deal to acquire U.S. rights for $4 million, according to sources close to the sale. CAA and WME (who rep Gordon-Levitt and packaged the film) brokered the deal. Relativity committed to a wide release. Companies wanting to make a splash at Sundance often overpay, but clearly Relativity was not the only buyer convinced that this portrait of a sex-addicted bartender (JGL) trying to give up porn for his first love (Scarlett Johannson) was commercial. TWC offered an early bid of $2 million, reports Variety; CBS Films and Lionsgate/Roadside were also in the hunt.

By Anne Thompson
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January 21, 2013 4:04 PM
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Sundance: HBO Documentary Films Acquires US TV Rights to 'Pussy Riot -- A Punk Prayer'

News

HBO Documentary Films has picked up US television rights to "Pussy Riot -- A Punk Prayer" at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, directed by Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin, had its world premiere in Park City on January 18.

By Beth Hanna
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January 21, 2013 2:45 PM
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Takeaways from the Sundance 'Women Who Dare' Film Panel

Festivals

“There are men involved in some of these films,” said producer Lucy Webb, chair of Women in Film’s 7th Annual Sundance Filmmakers Panel, called "Women Who Dare," which was held Sunday morning. “We just don’t talk about them too much.”

By Valentina Valentini
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January 21, 2013 2:36 PM
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Watch: Anarchy Rules in First Trailer for Batmanglij and Marling's Sundance Title 'The East'

Video

The first trailer for "The East," director Zal Batmanglij's follow-up to "Sound of My Voice," has landed via distributor Fox Searchlight. The film just debuted at Sundance (check out ThePlaylist's review here). Brit Marling, who also co-wrote the film, stars as a woman who infiltrates an anarchist group and quickly finds herself in over her head. Ellen Page, Alexander Skarsgard and Patricia Clarkson also star. Page voices the trailer, threatening terrorist attacks.

By Sophia Savage
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January 21, 2013 2:32 PM
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Film Industry's Gender Inequality Targeted by Sundance Institute and Women In Film's Research

News

The results of a first-of-its-kind study on gender disparity in independent film, conducted by the Sundance Institite and Women In Film Los Angeles, were shared today with a group of industry leaders at the Park City festival.

By Sophia Savage
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January 21, 2013 1:47 PM
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Weekend Recap: Abrams May Direct Lance Armstrong Biopic, Sundance News, 'Lovelace' and 'Stoker' Clips, 'Les Mis' Cast to Perform at Oscars and More

News

The best of the weekend, including Sundance news, in-the-works updates, clips and more!

By Maggie Lange
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January 21, 2013 12:27 PM
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Sundance: IFC Films Picks Up Michael Winterbottom's 'Look of Love'

News

IFC Films has taken North American rights from Studio Canal to Michael Winterbottom's "The Look of Love," which premiered January 19 at the Sundance Film Festival. The film stars Steve Coogan, Imogen Poots, Anna Friel and Tamsin Egerton.

By Beth Hanna
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January 21, 2013 11:55 AM
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A24 Nabs Sundance Breakout 'The Spectacular Now'

News

A24 has picked up North American rights to buzzy Sundance title "The Spectacular Now," directed by James Ponsoldt and starring Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller.

By Beth Hanna
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January 21, 2013 11:13 AM
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Sundance Sex in Cinema: Gordon-Levitt's 'Jon Don's Addiction,' Winterbottom's 'The Look of Love'

Reviews

Michael Winterbottom's "The Look of Love" is hardly the most daring of the sexually explicit movies on display at Sundance this year. Joseph Gordon-Levitt made his debut as writer-director with "Don Jon's Addiction," a New York blue collar comedy in the vein of "Saturday Night Fever" in which JGL's version of Tony Manero is a bartender who hangs with his posse at clubs on the prowl for high-rated pussy (her face is a 9, her tits are a 4 etc.)