Gotham film media institute

A.O. Scott this week ends his 23-year run as film critic for the New York Times and most movie people are glad to see him go. So is he. “If the film world is to become relevant again, it needs critics whose work reflects passion and advocacy, and that’s the opposite of Scott,” observes one important filmmaker who fears being quoted. Besides, he notes, Scott didn’t leave the movies; the movies left Scott. When cinema was “hot,” a critic like Pauline Kael could stir anger or applause in Hollywood simply by walking into a restaurant. Contentious reviews of movies like Midnight Cowboy or Bonnie & Clyde stirred as much noise as did the movies themselves. Quentin Tarantino tells friends he’s even making a film titled The Movie Critic about a Kael-like presence. That would likely be the final movie from the filmmaker, who believes that directors should “hang ‘em up” at the age of 60 (his 60th birthday is this month). So should critics follow suit? Kael’s … [Read more...] about Peter Bart: Quentin Tarantino’s Movie About A Film Critic May Be A Parting Shot To A Fading Species

EXCLUSIVE : Actor-filmmaker Zach Braff has signed with Range Media Partners ahead of the MGM theatrical release of his newest directorial effort A Good Person , starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman. The film hitting screens this Friday, March 24th, which Braff also wrote and produced, tells the story of Allison (Pugh), whose life falls apart after her involvement in a fatal accident. In the following years, it is the unlikely relationship she forms with her would-be father-in-law (Freeman) that helps her inevitably live a life worth living. Braff landed Emmy and DGA Award nominations for his directing on Ted Lasso Season 1 and also recently reteamed with that series’ co-creator Bill Lawrence as a director on his Apple series Shrinking , with Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, which has been renewed for a second season . He kicked off his career behind the camera with 2004’s Garden State — a drama that had him starring opposite Natalie Portman which … [Read more...] about ‘A Good Person’ Filmmaker Zach Braff Inks With Range Media Partners

Picturestart and Picture Perfect Federation have set JC Lee to direct the English-language remake of Thai hit Bad Genius and also announced key cast members as well as a raft of international presales. Lee also takes co-writing credits for the English-language screenplay with Julius Onah, who was previously announced as the director. The pair previously collaborated on the Sundance 2019 title Luce , adapted from Lee’s original play of the same name. Up-and-coming talents Callina Liang, star of ITVX teen drama Tell Me Everything , and Jabari Banks (Bel-Air) will star with veteran UK actor Benedict Wong ( Doctor Stranger In The Multiverse Of Madness ). The English remake is billed as a high-stakes, high-octane thriller about a diverse group of young people who team up to fight the system of injustice and inequity and take down the rigged academic institutions around them. It is produced by Erik Feig and Jessica Switch at Picturestart with Patrick … [Read more...] about Picturestart & Picture Perfect Federation Set JC Lee To Direct ‘Bad Genius’; Unveil Key Cast & Int’l Deals

Oscar winner and Academy member Roger Ross Williams is saying publicly what many in the documentary community have stewed over privately – that the sums of money being spent on Oscar documentary campaigns has “gotten insane.” And Williams, a former Academy Governor representing the Doc Branch, says something may be done about it. “We in the Academy, in the Doc Branch, have a campaign finance reform committee… to sort of try to work through that and figure out solutions to that. It’s gotten insane. It’s gazillions of dollars to get seen and heard,” he said, “and that’s so troubling because it should be on the merit of the films.” His remarks, less than two weeks after the Academy Awards, came in a discussion with documentary programmer and Pure Nonfiction podcaster Thom Powers at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen. Powers asked the filmmaker about “the escalating attention that awards season sucks up in our industry,” and Williams didn’t hold back. “We know it’s awards, it’s the … [Read more...] about Oscar Winner Roger Ross Williams: Spending On Oscar Doc Campaigns Has “Gotten Insane” — CPH:DOX

Neon has unveiled a raft of cast additions for Joshua Oppenheimer ’s musical The End as principal photography begins in Ireland. The freshly-unveiled cast includes Moses Ingram, Michael Shannon, Bronagh Gallagher, Tim McInnerny, and Lennie James. They join previously announced lead actors Tilda Swinton and George MacKay. Neon is co-financing the international co-production. The long-gestated project revolves around the story of the last human family. Principal photography has begun in Ireland and will continue through the spring in Italy and Germany. “I am thrilled to be making The End in collaboration with this miraculous ensemble of artists. I am in awe of each of them. It has been a journey of six years to reach this point, and I could not be more humbled,” said Oppenheimer. Final Cut for Real’s Signe Byrge Sørensen and Oppenheimer are producing with Wild Atlantic Pictures, The Match Factory, Dorje Film, Moonspun Films and Anagram co-producing. … [Read more...] about Moses Ingram, Michael Shannon, Bronagh Gallagher, Tim McInerney & Lennie James Join Joshua Oppenheimer’s Neon-Backed Musical ‘The End’

EXCLUSIVE : Matt Reeves ’ 6th & Idaho is teaming with ZQ Entertainment to produce God’s Country — a new genre film starring Scream VI’ s Melissa Barrera , which will mark the American directorial debut of Egor Abramenko ( Sputnik ). The film going into production this summer will have Barrera playing a young Salvadoran woman who travels to Kentucky to meet her fiancé. What she uncovers is something sinister beyond comprehension, as her American dream curdles into a nightmare of biblical proportions. Will Soodik ( Westworld ) wrote the script. Reeves ( The Batman ) and Rafi Crohn ( Tales from the Loop ) will produce for 6th & Idaho, alongside ZQ Entertainment’s Ara Keshishian and Petr Jákl (who financed the development), Adam Kassan ( End of Watch ), and Barrera. WME reps foreign and co-represents domestic rights with CAA Media Finance, and will introduce the project at EFM. “Egor is an exciting emerging talent,” Reeves told Deadline, “and … [Read more...] about Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho, ZQ Entertainment Team On ‘God’s Country’ Starring Melissa Barrera; Egor Abramenko Directing – EFM

Imagine Entertainment co-founders, Oscar winners and USC School of Cinematic Arts alums Brian Grazer and Ron Howard will deliver the school’s commencement address in May, the university said Thursday. Grazer, who also serves on the School of Cinematic Arts Board of Councilors, received a BA in Psychology at USC in 1974. Howard attended courses at the School of Cinematic Arts. Both received honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degrees from USC in 2022. The pair, who have teamed on the likes of Oscar Best Picture winner A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13 , 8 Mile and 24, Parenthood and Friday Night Lights among other hits join a list of previous commencement addressees that includes Matt Reeves last year along with Ryan Coogler, Jon M. Chu, Donna Langley, Ron Meyer, Paul Feig and more. The ceremony, to be held Friday, May 12 at the Shrine Auditorium, will also see producer-writer-director Tracy Oliver honored with the Mary Pickford Alumni Award, an award Grazer also has … [Read more...] about Imagine That: Ron Howard And Brian Grazer To Give This Year’s USC School Of Cinematic Arts’ Commencement Address

EXCLUSIVE: The John Wick franchise has flourished in its post theatrical market, and strong the Keanu Reeves action series will remain in that sector. Ahead of John Wick: Chapter 4 ‘s opening tomorrow, Lionsgate has unveiled its largest consumer products program to date for the film. Together with the studio’s global consumer products representative, licensing giant IMG, a diverse range of John Wick products have been curated including an apparel collection with American Classics (currently available at Box Lunch, Spencer’s and Hot Topic) as well as a collectible figures line with YouTooz launching later this year. In addition, other partners include Hot Toys for John Wick action figures, Prime 1 for statues, and Medicom for collectibles. There’s also a collection with Ripple Junction featuring apparel and accessories comprised of drinkware, bags, and fleece throws, as well as an in-theatre merchandise deal with Zinc. “We’ve created a world of John Wick … [Read more...] about ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Consumer Products Line Includes Action Figures, Apparel, Drinkware & Fleece Throws

EXCLUSIVE: Television literary agent Christopher Licata has left CAA — and agenting. He has joined Los Angeles and London-based management and production company 42 ( The Silent Twins, The Flatshare ) as a manager. Based in 42’s Los Angeles office, Licata will continue to specialize in literary talent representation, working with creators and writers across television and film. Licata had been a TV agent at CAA since 2017. He will continue to represent a number of his clients in his new role of manager at 42, including showrunners Alena Smith, Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss, Jeffrey Paul King, and Ben Roy; New York Times bestselling author Mackenzi Lee; Australian TV creator and screenwriter Maria Lewis; and Mexican filmmaker and TV creator Carlos Rincones. “Chris is a whirlwind of ideas and creativity, and his exceptional clients have a partner and guide that is built for management,” said Josh Varney, 42 Managing Partner. “As we continue to build our domestic … [Read more...] about CAA TV Lit Agent Christopher Licata Joins 42 As Manager

EXCLUSIVE : Gersh on Thursday announced their signing of James Wolk , the always-busy actor who most recently led NBC’s drama series Ordinary Joe , exec produced by Matt Reeves . Wolk in that show played Joe Kimbreau, a character followed on multiple timelines after making a pivotal, life-changing decision at his college graduation. He previously led CBS’ sci-fi thriller series Zoo , based on the bestselling novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, which ran for three seasons, also starring opposite Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar in CBS’ sitcom The Crazy Ones . The actor appeared alongside Regina King, Don Johnson, and Tim Blake Nelson in HBO’s Emmy-winning smash Watchmen , and has also been seen in prominent roles on such series as Tell Me A Story (CBS All Access), Goliath (Prime Video), Billions (Showtime) and Mad Men (AMC). Notable feature credits for Wolk include Chris Sparling’s Netflix thriller Mercy , the dramedy This Is … [Read more...] about Gersh Signs ‘The Boys In The Boat’ And ‘Ordinary Joe’ Actor James Wolk