In Contention

TELLURIDE, Colo. – Fox Searchlight was smart to get into business with filmmaker Steve McQueen two years ago when, not long after screening his last film, “Shame,” here at the Telluride Film Festival, they acquired it for distribution. Further dividends will be paid in the sterling accomplishment of “12 Years a Slave,” to be sure.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Telluride: The Coen Bros. and T Bone Burnett celebrated for telling the stories of American music

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:15 pm · August 31st, 2013

Given the Coen brothers’ catalog of great American films, they would have been perfectly suited to a tribute unto themselves at this year’s 40th annual Telluride Film Festival. But when you consider Telluride’s connection to music via the annual Bluegrass music festival held in June, the Coens’ collaboration with T Bone Burnett over the years and particularly how that collaboration has reached a peak with this year’s “Inside Llewyn Davis,” honoring them together made way too much sense.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Review: Judi Dench on touching form in reductive but effective 'Philomena'

Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:03 am · August 31st, 2013

Stephen Frears’ true-life drama brings the house down in Venice.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Review: Powerful '12 Years A Slave' won't turn away from the brutality of slavery

Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 11:02 pm · August 30th, 2013

Chiwetel Ejiofor is exceptional in Steve McQueen’s powerful “12 Years A Slave,” the true story of Solomon Northrup, a free man kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Telluride: Robert Redford looks back at the progression of an industry

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:52 pm · August 30th, 2013

It’s interesting seeing Robert Redford receive a tribute at the Telluride Film Festival. With Sundance so ingrained in his blood and his being the face of an entire institution, his presence here — albeit in a completely warranted capacity — feels like a touch of infidelity. But it’s too good an opportunity to pass up for a fixture of Hollywood history who this year delivers an absolutely amazing, sure-fire Oscar-contending performance in J.C. Chandor’s “All is Lost.”

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Telluride: Denis Villeneuve's 'Prisoners' is a bow of tension drawn impossibly tight

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:47 pm · August 30th, 2013

They simply don’t make thrillers like Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” at the studio level, and yet here it is. Glacially paced, bloated to a 158 minute running time, stingy with details as its mystery unfolds, it goes against most every convention for a film like this.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

'12 Years a Slave' added to New York Film Festival lineup

Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:25 pm · August 30th, 2013

Steve McQueen’s hotly buzzed historical drama sneaks in Telluride tonight.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Telluride: Weinstein to sneak 'Salinger' after pulling 'Philomena' at the last minute

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 2:42 pm · August 30th, 2013

Shane Salerno’s documentary “Salinger” has reportedly grabbed a “surprise late entry” to the lineup. If true, it’s an interesting turn of events, given how things were apparently supposed to shake out originally.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Review: Nicolas Cage finds no Southern comfort in grim, grimy 'Joe'

Posted by Guy Lodge · 7:08 am · August 30th, 2013

David Gordon Green’s latest comes as a disappointment after ‘Prince Avalanche.’

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Review: Scarlett Johansson is incredible in the mesmerizing 'Under the Skin'

Posted by Gregory Ellwood · 1:35 am · August 30th, 2013

Jonathan Glazer’s “Under the Skin” is an original piece of cinema that is gorgeous, mesmerizing, heartbreaking, frustrating and pretentious all at the same time.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Telluride dedicates The Werner Herzog Theater with a gorgeous presentation of 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God'

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:21 pm · August 29th, 2013

In 1975, filmmaker Werner Herzog had films such as “The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser,” “Even Dwarfs Started Small” and “Signs of Life” under his belt. Tom Luddy went to his fellow Telluride Film Festival co-founders Bill and Stella Pence with the idea to honor him with one of the festival’s tributes at the second annual edition. And so the stage was set for a long-lasting relationship.

Filed in: HitFix · In Contention