Sometimes, like with Ben Affleck’s Iran hostage crisis film “Argo,” a film’s reflections of the here and now are much more defined.
Making the case for 'Argo' and the zeitgeist
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:14 am · September 13th, 2012
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: Telluride wraps, Toronto approaches
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:43 am · September 3rd, 2012
The season is here. “Argo” has sounded the starting gun in the mountains of Telluride while “The Master” has made a strong case on the Lido of Venice. Where will we go from here?
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Wrapping up the 39th annual Telluride Film Festival
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:23 am · September 3rd, 2012
Things are pretty much wrapping up at the 39th annual. Monday is generally a great time for catch-up, as the schedule is filled in with repeat showings. Unfortunately, I tend to leave on Monday afternoon each year, so I don’t get to use the day productively. But nine-and-a-half movies over the three-day spread is good enough for me. (I won’t knock the movie I walked out of. I’ll come back to it at some point, as it’s generated interesting split reactions.)
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Does WB have an Oscar thoroughbred on its hands with Ben Affleck's 'Argo?'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 6:57 pm · September 1st, 2012
“Argo” is another step up for Ben Affleck, who continues to grow as a filmmaker and surprise not just formally but with his adeptness at handling ensembles as well. And that’s what “Argo” is: an organic, finely tuned ensemble where no one really stands out from the pack. And that’s not a bad thing, particularly for a film that is very much about the efforts of the many.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Frances Ha,' 'Hyde Park on Hudson' and more set for 39th Telluride Film Festival
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:47 am · August 30th, 2012
I’ve just landed at the airport and gotten a look at the fresh-off-the-presses release announcing the line-up for the 39th annual Telluride Film Festival. As I await the shuttle into Telluride for my fourth-straight SHOW, and as many of my Los Angeles brethren board the charter flight into Montrose here, let’s dig in and see what’s in store.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Off the Carpet: Getting out the vote
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:20 am · August 27th, 2012
That’s what’s so great about movies, books, paintings, songs, etc. They are as much a direct reflection of the times as they are a nebulous Rorschach for them. Involuntary extrapolation can be as significant as clear-eyed reaction to a straight-forward treatise. And in an environment as heated, tense and divided as this, the art that escapes the cauldron is bound to be, if not willfully profound, then a fascinating looking glass, at the very least.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
'Gatsby' release rescheduled for summer 2013
Posted by Guy Lodge · 10:12 am · August 6th, 2012
Baz Luhrmann’s lavish 3D adaptation of the classic novel is out of the 2012 Oscar frame.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Fall fests set to fire the Oscar starting gun
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:14 am · July 30th, 2012
Now that the first wave of festival announcements has hit, let’s take a look at things.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Venice jury includes Samantha Morton and Marina Abramovic
Posted by Guy Lodge · 12:55 pm · July 13th, 2012
The festival has picked eight artists to serve under jury president Michael Mann.
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Off the Carpet: Setting the table for the 2012-2013 film awards season
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 9:35 am · June 11th, 2012
With the film awards season still a few months off, it’s time to at least clean up the joint and get some fresh predictions out there. Today we take a look at the lay of the land at the year’s midway point.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Kevin Smith on Ben Affleck's directing career and cherry-picking 'Red State' for 'Argo'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:18 pm · June 6th, 2012
Kevin Smith (relatively) recently offered up some thoughts on friend and former collaborator Ben Affleck’s transition into directing, and particularly the cast he’s putting together for “Argo.”
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
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