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06.03.2026 17:07
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It is telling about how stellar all aspects of #Hamnet are hitting in that there is virtually no discussion about Emily Watson’s supporting role which, if delivered in any other movie, would be getting Oscar buzz galore. Go see HAMNET. Greatness doesn’t come often but it has here
Day 4 report from Telluride Film Festival. scriptmag.com/2025-telluri...
TweeView: JAY KELLY - 30 years of filmmaking hones a pretty big toolset. Baumbach uses all of his skills with aplomb making his most complete film yet. Every subtle detail is there. And Clooney is the perfect pallet to paint the tale on since “his memories are the movies.” #TFF52
TweeView: BUGONIA - In short, I didn’t like it. In long, read my Day 3 report for the Why. #TFF52
TweeView: THE HISTORY OF SOUND - Oliver Hermanus is a maestro of cinema. He demonstrates through a heart wrenching love story that nearly all emotions can be expressed in song, the rest in the silences. Imagery, performance, score - not one note is missed. Perfect movie. #TFF52
Sorry for the double posts about A PRIVATE LIFE. My sleep deprived brain is responsible for the faux pas. Both still are true, though. #TFF52
TweeView: GHOST ELEPHANTS - sometimes, looking for what you’re searching for is better than finding it. This straightforward doc is what it says on the tin. A perfect fit for National Geographic. Herzog’s narration and touch bring a special something too. #TFF52
TweeView: TUNER - in response to “What next?” after his Oscar Daniel Roher set out to make, “A film I’d want to watch,” and boy did he. In a style ala BABY DRIVER, this movie is fast paced, expertly sound designed, written and performed. A film you’d want to watch indeed. #TFF52
TweeView: A PRIVATE LIFE - what Jodie Foster describes as, “Just a little French film,” is so much more. A very French Hitchcockian mystery, an internal search for answers when the questions are unclear. Zlotowski delivers a wonderful introspective world to experience. #TFF52
TweeView: A PRIVATE LIFE - a very French Hitchcockian mystery-ish. An internal search for answers when the questions aren’t clear. Told expertly thru a melange of genre. Jodie Foster inhabits the full humanity of her character. Her first full French lead done quite well. #TFF52
TweeView: HAMNET - Chloé Zhao is a visceral filmmaker. With her Will, Paul Mescal, and Agnes, a stellar Jessie Buckley, Zhao has crafted an emotional, intimate depiction of sorrow. In realistic, almost documentary style, the grit, nature & passion mix in a perfect amalgam. #TFF52
TweeView: BLUE MOON - Linklater’s film is a unique style, almost a stage musical without the tunes, lyrical and fast paced dialogue. You’ve never seen Hawk like this portrayal, almost a one man play, subsumed within the character’s desperate self imposed ego prison. #TFF52 Definitely awards bound.
TweeView: LA GRAZIA - Paolo Sorrentino, consummate filmmaker in complete control of the craft. Subtlety, economy, perfect images, sound tells the story, nuanced performances. Breathtaking (literally). A must see masterpiece. #TFF52 (I keep telling people the law isn’t boring!)
Telluride Film Festival has released its theme laden list of offerings. scriptmag.com/2025-telluri...
One week from today begins the Telluride Film Festival #TFF52 and once again I'll be covering it for @scriptmagazine.bsky.social You can keep track of my fest experience as always through my (legacy named and I'm sticking with it,) TweeViews - first impressions of all the films I see. Can't wait.
I was tapped by the one and only Ted Hope for his Substack Friday Takeover this week. Let me know how I did.
We’re doing it wrong! Let’s change that.
open.substack.com/pub/tedhope/...
The recent ire raised around constricted embargos for film critics miss a key issue. Embargos only work if the critics align with distribs dog and pony show and only affect "first to publish" impressions. If critics give add value to read their reviews regardless of when written, embargos lose power
Another long shot hope/prediction? for a film for #TFF52. It'd be a fast turnaround, but, not totally out of possibility to see Werner Herzog's BUCKING FASTARD starring the Mara sisters play in Telluride this year. Filming's underway in Ireland. Anything Herzog likely to show up in town, if ready.
It's normal to socialize with more people than would likely remember you. Still, it's pleasurable to scan the industry headlines, recognize the name and think back on the wonderful hours of dining and conversation you had with that person back then. Congrats from the vaguely familiar guy in the hat.
My latest @scriptmagazine.bsky.social article is on the hot topic of the moment, AI or artificial intelligence in our industry. scriptmag.com/it-depends-a... Let me know what you think and thanks for reading.
"Doubling down on the stupid," never the smartest strategy.
Interesting stat: Of the 23 total awards handed out at last night's #Oscars, only 5 were given to what are undeniably mainstream "Hollywood" films. All the rest (18) were won by independent films. If we keep pointing out these things will we eventually get financiers to listen when we come calling?
I used to say (and still do,) instead of spending $100M on a dud of a blockbuster, give me 10 $10M indie films and we'll make money. Now I can add, and with ONE of those $10M spends we can get TWO Oscar feature film wins! Anora & Flow for the wins!!!
And at 15 minutes everything is gone.
Fastest sell out in history!
Telluride Film Festival, the absolute, most desirable ticket in the industry.
So the Telluride Film Festival website worked well this year. Good thing too. It took LESS THAN TEN MINUTES to sell out both the Festival and Acme passes. Only Cinephile passes were left last I checked. We got ours, but, man, that's FAST!
See everyone who did get theirs at #TFF52 in the mountains!
Sean Baker's speech last night, as heart felt as it was, used a term that needs re-definition: "Total Creative Freedom." It doesn't exist. Even Orson Welles never had it. No one has. "Meaningful Creative Freedom" includes compromise, risk, disappointment & pivots. Therein lie the truly great works.
