Showbiz History: Andrei Rublev, Avatar 2, and a reunion for the stars of Grease

4 random things that happened on this day, December 16th, in showbiz history

1966 Andrei Tarkovsky's classic Andrei Rublev premieres in Moscow but an actual release for moviegoers was blocked by the Soviet censors. The years will be kind to it and its reputation grows. It goes to Cannes in 1969, finally opens in the Soviet Union in 1971 (to sold out houses) and reaches US arthouses in 1973...

Click to read more ...

Sundance 2021 - The Lineup

by Nathaniel R

Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson in "Passing"

Sundance has revealed its lineups for the forthcoming virtual edition of their fesival: 72 features, 50 shorts, 4 indie series, and more. It's a bit shorter and later than usual this year running from January 28th through February 3rd. Tickets are on sale  January 7th. The full lineup is after the jump...

Click to read more ...

Almost There: Andy Serkis in "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"

by Cláudio Alves

The particularities of screen acting make it a collaborative effort, even in the most low-fi of situations. What gets left on the cutting room floor, what reactions are chosen by the editor and director, the sound, the makeup, the way a cinematographer lights the performer's eyes, all shape what we see projected on-screen. Still, when it comes to awards, there's a belief that performance is the sole responsibility of the individual in front of the camera.

When the collaborative aspects of screen acting are made inescapable, it's  difficult to collect golden accolades. We see that happening to voice-only performances and motion-capture efforts, in particular. With The Lord of the Rings trilogy new to streaming on Hulu, we have a good opportunity to explore the mo-cap performance that came closest to Oscar glory. I'm talking about the paradigm-shifting work of Andy Serkis as Sméagol/Gollum in 2002's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers…

Click to read more ...

Showbiz History: Olivia marries, Spice Girls act, and Gone With the Wind premieres

7 random things that happened on this day, December 15th, in showbiz history

1939 Gone With the Wind has its world premiere in Atlanta, Georgia. The premiere was very well documented because the movie was so famous even before release. It was three days (!!!) of festivities in Georgia for the world premiere to usher in the surefire blockbuster.  NYC followed a few days later and LA just after Christmas before the movie went nationwide in January of 1940. If you adjust for inflation it's still the highest grossing movie of all time (with Star Wars, The Sound of Music, E.T. and Titanic completing the top five).

1978 Ryan O'Neal risks a sequel to his blockbuster Oscar hit Love Story (1970) called Oliver's Story, new in theaters on this day. It's hard to capture lightning in a bottle twice and critics and audiences weren't fond... 

Click to read more ...

Ann Reinking (1949-2020)

Ann Reinking in "All That Jazz" 

The musical form has lost a bonafide legend. Ann Reinking, actress, director, choreographer, mentor, Roxie Hart revivalist, and Fosse expert nonpareil, passed away this weekend in her sleep at the age of 71...

Click to read more ...