robert deniro
#TRIBECA: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
By Justin Waldman
The 2015 TriBeCa Film Festival ran from April 15-26, 2015 in beautiful Tribeca, New York and I attended for the first time ever! What originally drew me into travelling for 10 days to New York City for this incredible Film Festival co-founded by Robert DeNiro to bring people back downtown New York after the tragedies of 9/11, were the conversations, or Tribeca Talks: Director Series that was announced in the middle of March, just a mere month before the Festival. The booking and scouring to look-up Films, allow time to line up and travel, and build a schedule with no backups had begun.
The Tribeca Talks: Director Series that was just aforementioned including one hour Conversations with George Lucas moderated by Stephen Colbert, Christopher Nolan moderated by Bennett Miller, Cary Fukunaga moderated by James Schumer, and last not certainly not least, Brad Bird moderated by Janeane Garofalo. These Talks were not only incredible for their insight, but they were beyond entertaining and masterful. The 60 minutes flew-by in what felt like seconds, but the entire time was surreal, something that words cannot merely describe.
As well, the selection of seemingly endless Movies was unfathomable. There were so many great choices, and promising options, most of which turned out to be extremely fun and enjoyable while others fell short of that standard. Some of the highlights were: Leslye Headland’s Sleeping with Other People starring Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis. This Movie was absolutely hysterical as it steered from the typical Romantic Comedy norms and clichés, and provided new laughs and nuances that truly made this RomCom stand-out from the crowd. Hopefully it gets a Canadian release, and if it unfortunately does not it will be released on VOD 90 days after its opening in Cinemas. Other standouts included Man Up from Director Ben Palmer which paired Simon Pegg and Lake Bell together in an unseeingly-perfect Romantic Comedy as well. I swear I did not just see Romcoms at TriBeCa. Ashby from Director Tony McNamara is another extremely funny, brilliant, Dark Comedy featuring Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff and Emma Roberts. The Film focuses on Wolff and Rourke who is a former Assassin and how the manage to enrich one another’s life.
The TriBeCa Film Festival also features an after the Movie discussion for certain Titles, not that the new Movies don’t have Q&As but rather they take older Movies and bring back Cast and Crew for a 45 minute discussion about the Movie and some insider information regarding the Project. The one that I was lucky enough to attend was Gus Van Sant’s brilliant Good Will Hunting. Minnie Driver, Gus Van Sant and Stellan Skarsgård were in attendance for this post movie talk and included a lot of information about Robin Williams on the set. This moved most of the Audience to laughter and tears. Some of the most memorable moments were when Skarsgård revealed that the first take of the scene between Williams and Skarsgård in the bar, Robin did the entire Role in his Nicholson impersonation. Another memorable tidbit was from Driver who reveled that the focus puller was terrible and could not be fired because he was related to someone high up so he referred to him as Helen… Keller. Moments like these unknown facts are what make for great memories.
TriBeCa was an incredible experience, which offered a ton of excitement in an array of events geared to true Film Lovers. These separate ticketed events are something that would be classified as once in a lifetime. Events such as Mary J. Blige’s Documentary The London Sessions, followed by her performing a live Concert, or a showing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail followed by a Talk with Monty Python. However, the Closing Night Film was the piece DE résistance. Goodfellas’ 25th Anniversary Screening in the new 4K restoration with a post-Screening Discussion with Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino, moderated by Jon Stewart. That was a memory never to be duplicated.
TriBeCa was a delight to attend, and a Festival I cannot wait to experience again next year!
Audio from this year’s Director Series below:
(Photo credit: Justin Waldman)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO THE ADVANCE SCREENING OF “GRUDGE MATCH” IN TORONTO, VANCOUVER, OTTAWA, HALIFAX, WINNIPEG, CALGARY, VICTORIA, EDMONTON AND MONTREAL!
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers across Canada a chance to win a Double Pass to see hilarious Sports-Comedy GRUDGE MATCH! That’s right, Screen Legends Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro pitted against one another in the ring in this latest Film from Director Peter Segal (Get Smart)!
Double Passes are available in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Halifax,Victoria, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal! Screenings take place Monday, December 16, 2013.
Official Synopsis:
In GRUDGE MATCH, De Niro and Stallone play Billy “The Kid” McDonnen and Henry “Razor” Sharp, two local Pittsburgh Fighters whose fierce rivalry put them in the national spotlight. Each had scored a victory against the other during their heyday, but in 1983, on the eve of their decisive third match, Razor suddenly announced his retirement, refusing to explain why but effectively delivering a knock-out punch to both their careers. Thirty years later, Boxing Promoter Dante Slate Jr. (Kevin Hart), seeing big dollar signs, makes them an offer they can’t refuse: to re-enter the ring and settle the score once and for all.
GRUDGE MATCH also features performances from Golden Globe and Academy Award Winners Kim Basinger and Alan Arkin.
Watch the Trailer in full below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/grudgematch @MRWILLW wants us to #enter to #win Double Passes to see #GRUDGEMATCH starring #DENIRO & #STALLONE. Out Christmas!
Good luck.
Official Artwork below:
#FIRSTLOOK: DAVID O. RUSSELL’S “AMERICAN HUSTLE”
Although there’s been no confirmation of this premiering at TIFF ’13, we’re still holding hope that David O. Russell‘s (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook) upcoming ’70s-era Crime-Drama, American Hustle, will get a bow in Toronto here in September.
The Film is based on the True Story for the ABSCAM Operation in which a Con Artist and his Girlfriend are enlisted by Federal Agent to turn the tables on other Con Artists, Politicians and Mobsters.
This brand new Trailer looks and feels absolutely authentic to the Era. You must see it:
I love the idea of Amy Adams getting arrested and having a meltdown. I think I actually am in love with this Movie already!
eOne Films releases American Hustle on Christmas Day.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
#TIFF12: “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK” REVIEW
After being institutionalized, Pat (Bradley Cooper) transitions back to his normal life again, staying with his Parents Dolores (Jackie Weaver) and Pat Sr. (Robert DeNiro). His ultimate goal is to reconcile with his Wife, proving to her that they can pick-up where things left off, but along the way he meets an equally troubled Woman named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). Matters become complicated as they both get to know one another, confusing what it is that Pat really wants, as they prepare themselves with a challenge of an upcoming local Dance Competition.
David O. Russell (The Fighter) helms and writes a beautiful Piece here with rich, complex and flawed Characters, maintaining our interest and support throughout. Make no mistake though, Silver Linings Playbook is a Comedy and it is chalk full of biting humour and you will leave feeling uplifted. Its message is central and universal – with love you achieve and endure anything, no matter what you’re working against.
Oscar-nominated Lawrence‘s performance here is a true revelation, commanding our attention at all times with Tiffany‘s presence. Just wait till you see her school the Boys on Football in one scene and surely, a great deal of discipline was required to learn some of the Choreography in the Film. Cooper is endearing as a lovesick Man who at moments is unable to contain his emotions or bite his tongue – at once grating and incredibly charming.
Whether or not Silver Linings Playbook has the meatiness to win Best Picture at the Oscars remains to be seen, but on its own it surely is a Movie I’d love to see again! Alliance Films releases on November 21, 2012.
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