Exceeding expectations of many this weekend is Ride Along, getting a timely Martin Luther King Day weekend release from Universal Pictures, raking-in a record-setting $47.8 million for the Holiday in its debut! The Action-Comedy starring Ice Cube and Funnyman Kevin Hart brought-on the laughs from its Audience with an A CinemaScore, although Critics agreed it wasn’t as stellar with a 16% rating on the Tomatometer.
After a huge debut last weekend, Lone Survivor slips to second spot for Universal Pictures/eOne Films with $23 million from 2,989 theatres. In just two weeks, the Film has grossed $55 million, undoubtedly boosted earlier this week by its wins at the Critics Choice Awards, including Best Action Film.
The Nut Job opens this weekend with a solid $20 million for Open Road Films/eOne Films. Made for $45 million, the Canadian/South Korean/American Animated-Feature starring Will Arnett didn’t get much love critically, but Audiences reacted well giving it a B CinemaScore.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit opens in fourth spot with $16.5 million for Paramount Pictures, the fifth Film in the Franchise of Tom Clancy Adaptations starring Chris Pine. Reviews have been decent for the Film, tallying-in at 61% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore.
American Hustle sees a nice boost this weekend with $10 million grossed from 2,204 theatres for Sony Pictures/eOne Films – good enough for sixth spot – undoubtedly from all its exposure last week winning three Golden Globe Awards where it won Motion Picture – Comedy.
Devil’s Due debuts in seventh spot with $8.4 million from 2,544 theatres for 20th Century Fox, the Horror Film garnering 19% on the Tomatometer and an equally unforgiving D+ CinemaScore.
Spike Jonze’s Her rounds-out the Top Ten for Warner Bros. with $4 million from 1,729 theatres in its fifth week of release.
The domination continues! American Hustle continues to solidify itself as a major threat to its Competitors to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards in March with a win at tonight’s Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. The Dramedy from acclaimed Writer/Director David O. Russell won Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture. Although there is no actual Award for Best Picture at the Ceremony, with Actors recognizing exclusively the work of their Peers, the Cast of Argo last year also won the same Honour before going-on to win at the Oscars last year. The Ensemble Cast of American Hustle includes: Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner.
Also getting recognized tonight in Film Categories were: Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club (Outstanding Male Actor), Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine (Outstanding Female Actor), Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave (Outstanding Supporting Female Actor) and Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club (Outstanding Supporting Male Actor).
Winning tonight in the Television Categories were: Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad (Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama), Maggie Smith for Downton Abbey (Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama), Ty Burrell for Modern Family (Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Veep (Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy).
The Oscars air Sunday, March 2, 2014 on CBS.
In Canada, you can watch the Screen Actors Guild Awards at 8:00 PM EST on Global Television Sunday, January 19, 2014.
Photos at Zimbio.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
And the Countdown officially begins! The Nominees for the 86th annual Academy Awards were unveiled this morning at Samuel Goldwyn Theatre with expecting-Father Chris Hemsworth and Academy President Cheryl Isaac Boone on-hand to make the announcements. Leading the way each with ten nominations are Gravity and American Hustle. 12 Years a Slave certainly wasn’t far behind with nine nominations. American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave are seen as being in close contention after each winning a Golden Globe Award this past weekend for Best Motion Picture Comedy and Drama respectively.
There was little dispute that this year’s Nominees for Best Picture this year aren’t a deserving bunch, that eclectic List including: 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, Her, Dallas Buyers Club, Philomena, The Wolf of Wall Street, Captain Phillips, Nebraska and Gravity. Some are surprised the highly-buzzed Inside Llewyn Davis and Saving Mr. Banks lacked recognition from the Academy. Canada received a Nod with Director Jean-Marc Vallée responsible for Dallas Buyers Club.
Even more heated a battle is the Category of Actor in a Leading Role, where again there are no major surprises, but the question now exactly is who will be victorious. Up for the Oscar are: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Bruce Dern (Nebraska) and Christian Bale (American Hustle).
Actress in a Leading Role also again presents few surprises, although Fans of the well-receieved Saving Mr. Banks might make a case that its Star Emma Thompson was snubbed. Nominated this year are: Amy Adams (American Hustle), Judi Dench (Philomena), Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Sandra Bullock (Gravity) and Meryl Streep (August: Osage County). Indeed a tough Category with the exception of Adams is filled by previous Winners, with Blanchett regarded as a Favourite to take it all despite her Film being released far in advance of Awards Season.
For Actor in a Supporting Role, we see repeat Nominees Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street), Bradley Cooper (American Hustle) up against a trio of first-time Nominees in Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave), Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) and definitive Choice Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club).
The Actress in a Supporting Role Category also is an immensely-talented Group including a Newcomer in Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), in addition to Screen Veteran June Squibb (Nebraska) and previous Golden Globe Winner Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) being recognized. Previous Winners Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) and Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) add mega-watt Starpower to the Race. Much controversy came of Nyong’o‘s loss to Lawrence in the same Category at last weekend’s Golden Globes and this outcome will be highly-watched by Award Pundits and Fans.
Up for Directing this year are first-time Nominee Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), two-time Nominee Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity), three-time Alexander Payne (Nebraska), five-time Nominee David O. Russell (American Hustle) and eight-time Nominee/one-time Winner Martin Scorcese (The Wolf of Wall Street).
Watch the Nominations below courtesy of The Telegraph:
Click here to view a complete List of Nominees.
CBS airs the 86th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 7:00 PM EST.
(Photo credit: The Telegraph)
Taking place at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre, the Stars electrified the Red Carpet tonight at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards. Honouring the year’s best in Film and Television, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association selected their most deserving, unveiled at the Ceremony, seen by many as a Precursor to the Oscars.
Hosted by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey a second time, the Funnywomen brought-out big laughs from the Celebrity-filled Audience including pokes at George Clooney on his habit of dating younger Women to Matt Damon jokingly being called a “Garbage Man” amidst the high caliber Talent which filled the room. An aloof Julia Louis-Dreyfus, nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy, played-up her new-found Movie Star status, donning sunglasses as the Camera panned her with Reese Witherspoon playfully trying to take a Selfie with her. Poehler after several nominations, finally won her first Golden Globe tonight for Best Lead Actress in a TV Series Comedy with Parks and Recreation.
American Hustle walked away the big Winner tonight winning three Awards, including Best Motion Picture Comedy, Best Lead Actress in Motion Picture Comedy (Amy Adams) and Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Jennifer Lawrence). The ’70s-set Dramedy directed by David O. Russell, who received a Nomination in the same Category last year with Silver Linings Playbook, is garnering commercial success in addition to acclaim, exceeding the $100-million mark in North America.
12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, regarded as a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars next month, was awarded one single win for Best Motion Picture Drama. The Film which received the coveted People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’13 in September.
Breaking Bad, Behind the Candelabra and Brooklyn Nine-Nine in the Television Categories each took home two Golden Globes apiece, winning Best Actor with Bryan Cranston, Michael Douglas and Andy Samberg respectively. Each Series also won Best Series in each Category: Best Television Series Drama, Best Television Mini-Series or Movie and Best Television Series Comedy.
Auteur Filmmaker Woody Allen was given lifetime achievement distinction with a Cecil B. DeMille Award despite being in absentia. Accepting on his behalf was his Annie Hall Muse Diane Keaton whose heartfelt Speech was highlighted by song and laughter.
Red was a highlight on the Red Carpet tonight with some of the Evening’s best looks coming from eventual Winner Amy Adams in a two-toned red Valentino Number and Country-Pop Sensation Taylor Swift stunning in a cherry-red and black Dress by Carolina Herrera. Also, Newcomer Lupita Nyong’o of 12 Years a Slave dazzled in a red caped Piece by Ralph Lauren. Another Fresh Face, The Wolf of Wall Street Star Margot Robbie wowed in a white Gucci dress and surprisingly was overlooked for her work in the acclaimed Martin Scorcese Film.
Toronto’s Tatiana Maslany despite being nominated for Best Lead Actress in a TV Series Drama with Orphan Black, still represented our City proudly despite losing-out to a deserving Robin Wright of Netflix‘s House of Cards. Fans avidly supported Maslany online with the Hashtag #TATIANAPOCALYPSE.
Complete List of Winners below:
BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
“12 Years a Slave”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”
BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
“American Hustle”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Amy Poehler, “Parks & Recreation”
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
“Frozen”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Michael Douglas, “Behind the Candelabra”
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“The Great Beauty”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Andy Samberg, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
Spike Jonze, “Her”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Robin Wright, “House Of Cards”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Amy Adams, “American Hustle”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jon Voight, “Ray Donovan”
BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
“Ordinary Love,” “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
Music by: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Jr., Brian Burton
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
Alex Ebert, “All Is Lost”
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
“Breaking Bad”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Elisabeth Moss, “Top of the Lake”
BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
“Behind The Candelabra”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jacqueline Bisset, “Dancing on the Edge”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Jennifer Lawrence “American Hustle”
Mr. Will and some of the 2014 Golden Globe Winners:
The Academy Awards air on CBS Sunday, March 2, 2014.
(Photo credit: Getty Images/Mr. Will Wong)
Like this current deep freeze we’re experiencing, Disney‘s FROZEN continues to show amazing resilience, taking the top of the Box Office once again in this its seventh week of release with $20.3 million grossed from 3,318 theatres. The Film has just surpassed the $300-million mark in North America also in its run.
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones spooked its way to second spot in its debut for Paramount Pictures. This fifth Film in the Franchise opens with $18.5 million from 2,867 theatres, which while decent, is still far off the mark of 2011’s third instalment which opened with a whopping $52 million. Critics gave the Horror 45% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a C- CinemaScore.
After a multi-week reign, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug slips to third spot with $16.2 million for Warner Bros. in its fourth week out. The second Film in the Peter Jackson Trilogy has grossed over $231 million domestically in four weeks.
There is a tie for fourth spot with two Oscar Contenders, vying not only for Awards, but at the Box Office. The Wolf of Wall Street continues to perform strongly in fourth spot for Paramount Pictures, bringing-in $13 million, now earning $63.9 since its Christmas Day opening. American Hustle also comes in with $13 million for Sony Pictures/eOne Films, now earning $90 million in its four-week run across North America. Anchorman 2 is sixth with $12.8 million in its third week.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in eighth spot with $7.3 million its seventh week out, with a cumulative total of $408 million earned for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.
Grudge Match finds itself in tenth spot with $5.4 million for Warner Bros., just surpassing $25 million in its second week.
In its second week out, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues to perform phenomenally at the Box Office with $31.4 million from 3,928 theatres for Warner Bros. In just two weeks, the second in the Peter Jackson-helmed Trilogy has grossed over $128 million.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues in its debut certainly is no slouch only getting bested narrowly with $26.8 million from 3,507 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Critics loved the Sequel to the 2004 Box Office Hit, which also opened with a similar $28 million in its debut. Critics gave it positive Reviews, coming-in at 75% on the Tomatometer and an on-par B CinemaScore.
Oscar Contender American Hustle expands in its second week to third spot with $19.1 million from 2,507 theatres. . The ’70s-set Dramedy from David O. Russell (The Fighter) comes with astoundingly good Reviews (94% on the Tomatometer), although Audiences were a little less enthused with a B+ Cinemascore. This ties with former Champ Frozen in third spot, now in its sixth week as it has its eyes set on that $200-mark domestically.
Saving Mr. Banks expands in fifth spot with $10 million, coming also with very strong Reviews, sitting at 81% on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it a fair A CinemaScore.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire finds itself in sixth with $9.5 million, now in its fifth week of release, just surpassing the $370-million mark in North America for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.
Walking With Dinosaurs opens in eighth spot with $7.3 million from 3,231 theatres for eOne Films/20th Century Fox. Critics panned the Family Flick voiced by Justin Long and John Leguizamo, getting 21% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences enjoyed it much more with a B+ CinemaScore.
Thor: The Dark World pulls-in $1.2 million for Disney/Marvel in its sixth week of release, just surpassing the $200-million mark in North America.
It was a desolation indeed at the Box Office as The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug obliterated the Competition in its debut for Warner Bros.! Bringing-in $73.6 million from 3,903 theatres, the second instalment in The Hobbit Trilogy debuted below its Predecessor, which opened last December with $84 million. Critics respected it, giving it a decent 74% on Rotten Tomatoes‘ Tomatometer and it garnered an A- CinemaScore from Audiences. This makes the Film the fourth-highest December opening of all time – the Record of course was set by the first in the Trilogy.
In its fourth week out, Disney’s Frozen still is solid in second with $22.8 million, gaining lots of word-of-mouth in a time when there are few Family options in theatres. In its run, it has grossed $166 million already.
Although other Films in its Franchise have fared better, Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas debuts in third with $16 million from 2,194 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. The highest debut in the Madea Series of Films still is 2009’s Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail which opened with $41 million. The Audience gave it an A- CinemaScore despite a 20% from Critics on the Tomatometer.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire certainly hasn’t been forgotten, in fourth spot with $14 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. To date it has earned $357 million domestically in its Run.
In a distant fifth is Thor: The Dark World with $3 million for Disney/Marvel. It is about to surpass the $200-million mark in North America in this its sixth week.
Philomena may have received a bit of a boost with Judi Dench getting a Best Actress in a Drama nod at the Golden Globe Nominations this week, in eighth spot with $1 million from only 835 theatres.
Bubbling-under are America Hustle, which opens wide next week, earning a healthy $690k from only six theatres as a Sneak Preview, and fellow Oscar Contender Saving Mr. Banks earned $421k from only 15 theatres.
Awards Season officially is here with the 71st annual Golden Globe Award nominations being announced earlier this morning by Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde and Aziz Ansari out of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
No real surprises this year as American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave each lead the way in the Film categories with seven nominations apiece, the former up for Best Comedy or Musical and the latter up for Best Drama. Although both Films are touted as Favourites to win in their respective categories, both likely will vie each other for Best Picture at the Oscars. The Stars of each Film, Christian Bale (American Hustle), Amy Adams (American Hustle) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) are all up for Best Actor and Best Actress for their respective Comedy and Drama categories. Nebraska starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte follows closely behind with five nominations, with the former up for Best Actor, and the Film itself also being up for Best Comedy.
HBO‘s Behind the Candelabra ties with with Netflix‘s House of Cards in the Television Categories, each garnering four nominations each, although they will not be in direct competition with one another with the former up for Best Mini-Series or TV Movie and the latter in the running for Best Television Series – Drama. Candelabra stars Michael Douglas and Matt Damon however are both vying for Best Lead Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie.
A now-concluded Breaking Bad received three nods for AMC and it will receive stiff competition from House of Cards in its Series and Best Actor categories especially – the latter soon to be in its second season through ground-breaking Internet-based service Netflix.
Surprising omissions this year from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who determine the Nominees, are the lack of a Best Drama acknowledgement for Dallas Buyers Club despite its Stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto getting nods; it is thought to be in the Oscar race. Also, the excellent Saving Mr. Banks, shockingly only received one nomination for Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins Author P.L. Travers. Many also are scratching their heads at the classifying of August: Osage Country, an emotionally-heavy Film which deals with death, addiction and mental illness within a Family, as a Comedy or Musical. Its Stars Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts are up for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical and also Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
The 71st annual Golden Globe Awards will be televised on NBC Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 8:00 PM EST.
Complete List of Nominees here.
(Photo credit: eOne Films)
I really don’t know how Moviegoers are going to choose, but Christmas Day 2013 is shaping-up to be perhaps the busiest yet with Oscar Contender vs. Oscar Contender vs. Oscar Contender pitted against one another. Check-out the above latest Character Posters for David O. Russell‘s (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter) American Hustle, which evaded us at TIFF ’13, but cannot hide much longer with its release soon before us!
The authenticity is killing me.
The Drama is about a former Con Artist and his Partner-in-Crime, who are enlisted by a Federal Agent to turn the tables against other Criminals and corrupt Politicians, namely the Mayor of Camden, New Jersey. American Hustle stars Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence.
Trailer below:
Sony Pictures/Columbia Pictures releases AMERICAN HUSTLE on Christmas Day.
(Photo/video credit: Columbia Pictures)
Anticipation is building for TIFF ’13, with less than two months to go as Toronto prepares to light-up on Star Power! The first batch of Films were announced by Piers Handling and Cameron Bailey on July 23, 2013 at TIFF Bell Lightbox and indeed there are several exciting Galas and Premieres to take place in Toronto this September. Today, August 8, 2013 the Canadian Film Slate was unveiled also!
The Opening Night Gala slot goes to DreamWorks‘ highly-anticipated WikiLeaks Film, The Fifth Estate from Director Bill Condon. “It’s about one of the most important issues of the day, information, and who controls it”, says Bailey. The Crime-Comedy, Life of Crime, will close-out the Festival.
With only one-quarter of the titles announced, there are several more Titles to be confirmed in coming weeks. I’ve also listed some major Contenders to get their Premieres here in the City after Labour Day Weekend! Most of these are based on Awards buzz, with speculation being made based on their release dates or the fact that they already are on the Festival Circuit.
AMONG THE CONFIRMED:
The Fifth Estate – A look at the relationship between WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his early supporter and eventual colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg, and how the website’s growth and influence led to an irreparable rift between the two friends. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Stanley Tucci, Daniel Brühl, Laura Linney and Anthony Mackie.
August: Osage County – A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Stars Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Juliette Lewis and Abigail Breslin.
12 Years a Slave – In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Giamatti.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – A chronicle of Nelson Mandela‘s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Stars: Naomie Harris, Idris Elba and Robert Hobbs.
The Railway Man – A victim from World War II’s “Death Railway” sets out to find those responsible for his torture. A true story. Stars Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård.
The Grand Seduction – A much-needed boost, in the form of a new factory, is promised to the residents of the tiny fishing village St. Marie-La-Mauderne, provided they can lure a doctor to take up full-time residency on the island. Inspired, the villagers devise a scheme to make Dr. Christopher Lewis a local. From Toronto’s Don McKellar, starring Taylor Kitsch, Brendan Gleeson and Liane Balaban.
The Art of the Steal – A third-rate motorcycle daredevil and part-time art thief teams up with his snaky brother to steal one of the most valuable books in the world. Film in Toronto and directed by Jonathan Sobol, it stars Jay Baruchel, Kurt Russell, Katheryn Winnick and Matt Dillon.
The Right Kind of Wrong – Leo the dishwasher falls in love with a bride on the day of her wedding – to another man. Stars Ryan Kwanten and Catherine O’Hara.
Don Jon – A New Jersey guy dedicated to his family, friends, and church, develops unrealistic expectations from watching porn and works to find happiness and intimacy with his potential true love. Stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore.
Dallas Buyers Club – The story of Texas electrician Ron Woodroof and his battle with the medical establishment and pharmaceutical companies after being diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1986, and his search for alternative treatments that helped established a way in which fellow HIV-positive people could join for access to his supplies. Stars Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Dennis O’Hare and Steve Zahn.
Devil’s Knot – The savage murders of three young children sparks a controversial trial of three teenagers accused of killing the kids as part of a satanic ritual. The latest from Toronto Director Atom Egoyan, starring Reese Witherspoon, Colin Firth, Mireille Enos and Stephen Moyer.
Labour Day – Depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited. Stars Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin and Tobey Maguire.
Prisoners – A Boston man kidnaps the person he suspects is behind the disappearance of his young daughter and her best friend. Stars Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Mario Bello, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Terrence Howard and Paul Dano. One of two possible Denis Villeneuve Films to premiere at TIFF.
Rush – A biography of Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his rival, James Hunt. Stars Liam Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, Natalie Dormer and Daniel Brühl; Ron Howard directs.
The Past – An Iranian man deserts his French wife and two children to return to his homeland. Meanwhile, his wife starts up a new relationship, a reality her husband confronts upon his wife’s request for a divorce. Stars Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim and Ali Mosaffa.
Blue is the Warmest Colour – The story of a young lesbian couple’s beginning, middle and possible end. Stars Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos and Salim Kechiouche.
Can a Song Save Your Life – A dejected music business executive forms a bond with a young singer-songwriter new to Manhattan. Stars Hailee Steinfeld, Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo.
Belle – Period drama inspired by the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle. She was the illegitimate daughter of John Lindsay a Captain in the Royal Navy, stationed in the Caribbean with a Black woman named Maria Belle who bore him a daughter c. 1762. There has been a great deal of speculation about Maria Belle‘s status: whether enslaved, captured, free and so on. It is likely she was a slave aboard a captured Spanish ship. Stars Sarah Gadon, Matthew Goode and Tom Felton.
Bad Words – A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult. Stars Jason Bateman and Ben Falcone; Bateman also directs.
The Double – A comedy centered on a man who is driven insane by the appearance of his doppleganger. Stars real-life Couple, Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska.
Enough Said – A divorced woman who decides to pursue the man she’s interested in learns he’s her new friend’s ex-husband. Stars the late James Gandolfini, Ben Falcone and Toni Collette.
Ida – Poland 1962 Anna is a novice, an orphan brought up by nuns in the convent. She has to see Wanda, the only living relative, before she takes her vows. Wanda tells Anna that Anna is Jewish. Both women start a journey not only to find their family tragic story, but who they really are and where they belong. They question their religions and ideas they believed in. Both are trying to go on living but only one of them can. Stars Agata Kulesza, Dawid Ogrodnik and Agata Trzebuchowska.
Third Person – Three interlocking love stories involving three couples in three cities: Rome, Paris, and New York. Stars James Franco, Mila Kunis and Olivia Wilde; Toronto’s Paul Haggis directs.
Felony – Life changes in an instant for a decorated police officer on his way home after having a few drinks when he kills a bicyclist, but he ends up hiding the truth from his fellow officers. Stars Joel Edgerton, Jai Courtney and Melissa George.
Gravity – Astronauts attempt to return to Earth after debris crashes into their space shuttle, leaving them drifting alone in orbit. Stars George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.
Like Father, Like Son – Ryota Nonomiya is a successful businessman driven by money. He learns that his biological son was switched with another child after birth. He must make a life-changing decision and choose his true son or the boy he raised as his own. Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono and Yôko Maki.
Mystery Road – An indigenous detective returns to the Outback to investigate the murder of a young girl. Stars Hugo Weaving and Aaron Pedersen.
Joe – An ex-con, who is the unlikeliest of role models, meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin. Stars Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan and Sue Rock.
Man of Tai Chi – A young martial artist’s unparalleled Tai Chi skills land him in a highly lucrative underworld fight club. Stars Keanu Reeves, Hu Chen, and Karen Mok.
Under the Skin – An alien in human form is on a journey through Scotland. Stars Scarlett Johansson, Paul Brannigan and Antonia Campbell-Hughes.
Philomena – A woman searches for her adult son, who taken away from her decades ago when she was forced to live in a convent. Stars Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.
Night Moves – A drama centered on three environmentalists who plot to blow up a dam. Stars Dakota Fanning and Jesse Eisenberg.
Tracks – A young woman goes on a 1,700 mile trek across the deserts of West Australia with her four camels and faithful dog. Stars Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver.
Pioneer – This conspiracy thriller is set in the early 80’s, the beginning of the Norwegian Oil Boom. Enormous oil and gas deposits are discovered in the North Sea and the authorities aim to bring the oil ashore through a pipeline from depths of 500 meters. A professional diver, Petter, obsessed with reaching the bottom of the Norwegian Sea has the discipline, strength and courage to take on the world’s most dangerous mission. But a sudden, tragic accident changes everything. Petter is sent on a perilous journey where he loses sight of who’s pulling the strings. Gradually he realizes that he is in way over his head and that his life is at stake. Stars Wes Bentley and Stephen Lang.
Omar – The portrait of a 17 year-old girl, in 4 seasons and 4 songs. Directed by François Ozon and starring Marine Vacth and Géraldine Pailhas.
Only Lovers Left Alive – A story centered on two vampires who have been in love for centuries. Stars Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton.
Parkland – A recounting of the chaotic events that occurred at Dallas’ Parkland Hospital on the day U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Stars James Badge Dale, Zac Efron, Paul Giamatti, Colin Hanks, Marcia Gay Harden and Billy Bob Thorton.
The Lunchbox – Indian Drama set in Mumbai about love by correspondence. Stars Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Life of Crime – Ordell Robbie and Louis Gara hit it off in prison, where they were both doing time for grand theft auto. Now that they’re out, they’re joining forces for one big score. Stars Jennifer Aniston, Isla Fisher and John Hawkes.
The Green Inferno – A group of student activists travel from New York City to the Amazon to save a dying tribe but crash in the jungle and are taken hostage by the very natives they protected. Stars Lorenza Izzo, Sky Ferreira and Ariel Levy.
All Cheerleaders Die – A rebel girl signs up a group of cheerleaders to help her take down the captain of their high school football team, but a supernatural turn of events thrusts the girls into a different battle. Stars Sianoa Smit-McPhee, Caitlin Stasey and Brianna Womick.
Kill Your Darlings – A murder in 1944 draws together the great poets of the beat generation: Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs. Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Ben Foster, Dane DeHaan, Michael C. Hall and Elizabeth Olsen.
Enemy – A man seeks out his exact look-alike after spotting him in a movie. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent and Sarah Gadon; a second Denis Villeneuve Film (made in Toronto) which could well premiere at TIFF.
The F Word – A story of a young man and woman who struggle to navigate their friendship, which has developed a deep romantic undercurrent. Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Adam Driver, Rafe Spall, Megan Park and Zoe Kazan.
All the Wrong Reasons – An ensemble Film about four everyday people: a Store Manager, a Security Guard, a Fire Fighter and a Clerk who struggle in the aftermath of trauma. Stars Kevin Zegers, Emily Hampshire and the late Cory Monteith.
Tom à la ferme – A grieving Man meets his lover’s family, who were not aware of their son’s sexual orientation. Stars and is directed/written by Festival Favourite Xavier Dolan, Lise Roy and Pierre-Yves Cardinal.
TO BE CONFIRMED:
Machete Kills – The U.S. government recruits Machete to battle his way through Mexico in order to take down an arms dealer who looks to launch a weapon into space. Stars Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Alexa Vega, Mel Gibson, Vanessa Hudgens, Sofia Vergara and Lady Gaga.
Runner Runner – When a poor college student who cracks an online poker game goes bust, he arranges a face-to-face with the man he thinks cheated him, a sly offshore entrepreneur. Stars Ben Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Justin Timberlake and Gemma Arterton.
Carrie – A sheltered high school girl unleashes her newly developed telekinetic powers after she is pushed too far by her peers. Stars Julianne Moore, Chloë Grace-Moretz, Judy Greer, Ansel Elgort, Portia Doubleday and Gabriella Wilde. Filmed in Toronto, this would be a welcome return home and possible Midnight Madness Premiere.
The Counselor – A lawyer finds himself in over his head when he gets involved in drug trafficking. Stars Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Natalie Dormer, Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
Oldboy – An advertising executive is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his punishment, only to find he is still trapped in a web of conspiracy and torment. Stars Josh Brolin, Samuel L. Jackson and Elizabeth Olsen.
The Wolf of Wall Street – Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill, Jon Favreau and Ethan Suplee.
Nebraska – An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize. Stars Bruce Dern and Will Forte.
Grace of Monaco – The story of former Hollywood star Grace Kelly‘s crisis of marriage and identity, during a political dispute between Monaco’s Prince Rainier III and France’s Charles De Gaulle, and a looming French invasion of Monaco in the early 1960s. Stars Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth and Frank Langella.
American Hustle – The story of a con artist and his partner in crime, who were forced to work with a federal agent to turn the tables on other cons, mobsters, and politicians – namely, the volatile mayor of impoverished Camden, New Jersey. Stars Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Robert DeNiro and Jeremy Renner.
How to Catch a Monster – A single mother is swept into a dark underworld, while her teenage son discovers a road that leads him to a secret underwater town. Stars Saoirse Ronan, Eva Mendes, Christina Hendricks and Ben Mendelsohn; Ryan Gosling‘s directorial debut.
Noah – The Biblical Noah suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge, and takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood. Stars Russell Crowe, Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Hopkins.
Inside Llewyn Davis – A singer/song-writer navigates New York’s folk music scene during the 1960s. Stars Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac.
Haunter – The ghost of a teenager who died years ago reaches out to the land of the living in order to save someone from suffering her same fate. Stars Abigail Breslin, David Hewlett and Stephen McHattie; filmed in Toronto.
Very Good Girls – Two New York City girls pact to lose their virginity during their first summer out of high school. When they both fall for the same street artist, the friends find their connection tested for the first time. Stars Elizabeth Olsen, Dakota Fanning, Demi Moore and Peter Sarsgaard.
Diana – The last two years of Princess Diana‘s life: her campaign against land mines and her relationship with surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan. Stars Naomi Watts, Cas Anvar and Naveen Andrews.
More Titles at ‘TIFF 13 to come in the coming weeks… Full Schedule to be released August 20, 2013.
(Photo credit: DreamWorks)
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