(The cast of Carnage)
As summer comes to a close, the raunchy comedies and action flicks that define the season start to drift toward the dollar theaters to make way for fall releases. The Venice Film Festival kicks off next Wednesday, Telluride two days later and Toronto the following Thursday, setting off the much anticipated fall film festival season and the eminent Oscar race to follow. As things get kicked off, I’d like to highlight a few of the titles coming out this fall that I’m most excited about seeing.
The Iron Lady
Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd; Starring Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent and Richard E. Grant
See the teaser trailer here.
It’s no shock to anyone who knows me that Meryl Streep is my favorite living actress. Whether she’s divorcing Kramer or wearing Prada, she is perfection… she could even play Batman! Bonus points if you know what that’s from, but I digress. Meryl’s next electric onscreen turn is as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. If there’s one thing I adore as much as Meryl, it’s British period dramas about historical figures (think The Queen). Although she might get some competition from Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs, I have a sense that Meryl is the one to beat in the Best Actress category this year.
Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy
Directed by: Tomas Alfredson; Starring Colin Firth, Gary Oldman and Tom Hardy
See the trailer here.
Even the first line in the trailer begins to build the suspense and mystery present in this upcoming release. If recent Oscar winner Colin First isn’t enough to draw you to see Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy, consider the excellent art direction, compelling score, strong supporting cast and source material from John le Carre, the same writer who provided the original idea for The Constant Gardener. This thriller follows the search to locate a Soviet mole within the British secret intelligence forces during the Cold War. From what little I know about this film, I already feel like it will be a strong contender come awards season. Time—and initial reactions at upcoming festivals—will tell.
Carnage
Directed by Roman Polansky; Starring Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster and John. C Riley
View the trailer here.
Any fans of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe and other Tennessee Williams style character driven dramas will be excited about Carnage. The film is set around an informal conference between two sets of parents after their sons are involved in a schoolyard brawl. What starts off as civilized and cordial quickly intensifies as personalities clash and tempers go through the roof. I have no doubt this strong cast with translate Polansky’s script to the screen with hilarious precision.
My Week with Marilyn
Directed by Simon Curtis; Starring Michelle Williams
See a video of Michelle as Marilyn on set here.
Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe. Need I say more? I truly believe that Michelle Williams is one of the most talented and underrated actresses in Hollywood today. Her consistently strong performances in films like Brokeback Mountain and Blue Valentine wow me time and time again. Taking on such an iconic and illusive public persona like Marilyn Monroe is a bold task, but if anyone can do it, Michelle can.
The Artist
Directed by Michel Hazanavicius; Starring John Goodman, Malcolm McDowell and Missi Pyle
See the trailer here.
When I heard that the Weinsteins had picked up this nearly-silent film from Cannes this year, my interest was immediately sparked. Not only is it an old Hollywood film made in the modern era, but the story is centered around a silent film star fearful that talking pictures will throw him into oblivion—very reminiscent of classics like Sunset Blvd. This movie certainly isn’t for everyone, but I for one am thrilled to see it.
(Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady)
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I feel pretty well settled into my summer in LA. The past couple weeks since I started have been a whirlwind of activity and excitement. I hardly know where to begin!
The most exciting news comes by way of Participant Media: I got a promotion! My direct supervisor and the assistant to the president of the company called me in Thursday to chat. They asked me if I’d be interested in interning two days a week on the president Ricky’s desk, reporting directly to him and his first assistant Jack. Would I be interested? Of course! Jack trained me today, explaining the phones and how everything works, and even got to take a few calls myself (baby steps, right?). I’m really excited to have this opportunity because I already love this company so much and I’m eager to learn as much about it as possible. Getting the chance to interact directly with the head of the organization and see how he works will be invaluable. Not to mention, Jack and Ricky are fantastic, and I know I’m going to really enjoy working with them. I’m so excited! I’ll still be reading scripts and working with the narrative department, so this will just be an added bonus.
Other things to know about Participant: they offer free yoga and pilates classes on Mondays and Thursdays; I’m meeting with their HR director tomorrow to talk about my resume and cover letter; last week I was in the office for the “all staff” meeting where each department talked about what they’re doing and the founder spoke; and before the summer’s up, I’ll likely get to see Contagion, The Help, Page One and Circumstance before they hit theaters because they’re having screenings at work.
Things are going really well at MGM as well. Last week I read a script I really liked, and when it came up in our evening staff meeting, the president of the company says, “well, if you liked it, pitch it to us.” I know I must have been so red in the face, but I managed to produce words (high point), and I was convincing enough that several of the execs took home the script to read it that evening. The photo that headlines this post was taken in the lobby at MGM. It’s the Best Picture Oscars for Gone with the Wind, a film the company produced back in 1939. So much history in that place.
I’m still reading scripts for Phoenix Pictures, but I’m finding it difficult to make time to read and write coverage for them. There’s just so much else going on!
I was able to go visit my dear friend Dennis Byrd in San Francisco this past weekend, and although the trip was short, I had a wonderful time. I use to love San Francisco, and while I still think it’s a great city, I have to say LA has really grown on me and is definitely ahead of San Fran now. I just love how LA is truly a combination of many smaller cities and neighborhoods that meshed together create a vibrant, diverse and interesting place. I’m feeling better about the possibility of moving out here in December.
I also got to attend opening night at the Hollywood Bowl with the folks I’m living with this summer. In addition to great performances by Harry Connick Jr and Gloria Estefan, Hilary Swank and Helen Mirren were there to introduce the entertainers. What a treat! I also saw Donald Sutherland and Carol Burnett roaming around looking for their seats before the show started.
This Thursday I’m going to a cast and crew screening of Bad Teacher with my friend Stacey before the film hits theaters on Friday, and that should be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to friends visiting in the next few weeks and seeing what adventures I can get myself into in and out of the office. Most of all, though, I’m looking forward to reading as many scripts as possible, meeting as many people as possible, and learning as much as possible. I can’t believe I’m really here — I’m truly living my dream, y’all!
Blake
Article by Grady College About My Oscars Experience
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It probably comes as no surprise that I’m gearing up for another summer in Los Angeles. But where have I been since the Oscars? I know, I know, I inundated you all with endless posts, Tweets, and messages about voting (once a day, every day, remember?) and then I disappeared. Well, life gets busy, and when you’ve neglected school for two months and only focused on the Academy Awards, you have to hit the books.
But I’m back and committed to blogging throughout the summer again while I’m continuing to live my dream in El Lay (LA for those that don’t read Perez).
So what will I be doing? On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I will be interning at MGM, working on the desk of one of their Vice Presidents for Creative Development. In that role, I’ll handle calls, scheduling, and will be reading lots and lots of scripts! Also, I get to sit in staff meetings every evening that I’m there and interact with the company’s execs. It’s going to be an incredible learning experience. MGM is working on some notable big-budget projects including The Hobbit and the newest installment of the James Bond franchise. I’m not the biggest fan of blockbuster films (aka I’m a snob), but as Jenn put it, it’s important to get to know all facets of the industry.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays I’ll be at Participant Media, a much smaller production company that works on films that cover certain important social issues. They’ve produced Food, Inc., Waiting for Superman, An Inconvenient Truth, Syriana, and The Informant!, just to name a few. If you don’t know about Participant Media, you need to check them out — watch the TED talk here! They create a social action campaign with every film, and their end goal is to inspire social change in an entertaining way. This will be a great balance to MGM and another wonderful way to learn about the industry.
Finally, I will be doing what we’re calling “remote coverage” for a company called Phoenix Pictures, the producers of Black Swan and Zodiac. I interviewed with them late, after I had my other plans set, but one of their creative execs was willing to let me write script coverage during my free time and still come in to the office periodically throughout the summer to meet their executives. It will be just another way to get my hands on more scripts, meet more people, and learn about the way movies are made.
As jealous as I am of all my friends living the life at the Cannes Film Festival right now, I’m enjoying a slow day-to-day pace in Athens and am anticipating my departure to LA in two weeks. It’s going to be another incredible summer!
Blake
Photos from the Oscars Red Carpet -
Check out these fabulous pictures that David took from our front row seats on the Oscars red carpet!
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The Oscars are upon us, and it’s time that I reveal my predictions. I’m taking a step in a new direction and making a call on all 24 categories. I might as well give it a shot, right?
Best Picture: The King’s Speech
Directing: David Fincher, The Social Network
Actor in a Leading Role: Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
Actress in a Leading Role: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Actor in a Supporting Role: Christian Bale, The Fighter
Actress in a Supporting Role: Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 3
Art Direction: The King’s Speech
Cinematography: True Grit
Costume Design: The King’s Speech
Documentary Feature: Inside Job
Documentary Short: Strangers No More
Film Editing: The Social Network
Foreign Language Film: In a Better World
Makeup: The Wolfman
Music - Original Score: The Social Network
Music - Original Song: “We Belong Together,” Toy Story 3
Short Film - Live Action: Wish 143
Short Film - Animated: Day & Night
Sound Editing: Inception
Sound Mixing: Inception
Visual Effects: Inception
Writing - Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network
Writing - Original Screenplay: The King’s Speech