Middleburg Day 1: Two Adam Drivers, Three for Cate Blanchett, and a Tenth Anniversary

by Nathaniel R

"Is this starting to looking familiar?," the driver asked as we neared our destination, surrounded by lush greens on every side. Yes, yes, it's all very familiar. Horse and wine country. We've been coming to the Middleburg Film Festival, for so many years now that it now has the kind of nostalgic pull that only comes from the combo of staying power and lovely memories. The festival launched back in 2012. On Thursday October 13th, opening day in 2022, sandwiched between the first screening (TÁR) and the opening night film (White Noise), the festival's founder Sheila Johnson, welcomed corporate sponsors, select press, and Virginia power players like Middleburg's Mayor at a special reception to toast the 10th Anniversary edition of the festival...

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Venice Gowns '22, Round 4

Ooops. We've been neglecting the fashion-watching duties so this is an abridged version of the gowns from the past few days before the closing ceremony (very soon). So who gets your vote for Best Dressed?

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Bakers Dozen Links: Don't Worry Darling, Funny Girl, Telluride, etc...

• Vanity Fair checks in with Jane Fonda about her cancer diagnosis and general feeling these days
• Gawker a rundown of all the Don't Worry Darling chaos from early rumors to bizarre press conference
• Jezebel a funny review of Madonna's "50 Questions with Madonna" video
• Coming Soon Have you always wanted to see Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman on the big screen? Here's your chance as Batman Returns gets a one day (?) rerelease on "Batman Day" Sept 17th

More after the jump including Lea Michele finally treading the boards at Funny Girl, Telluride Oscar contenders, Jason Momoa's shaved head, Jodie Turner-Smith's new role, and conservative meltdowns over the new Lord of the Rings series on Amazon...

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Venice Gowns '22, Round 3

Belgian goddess Virginie Efira (at Venice for Other People's Children) and French icon Isabelle Huppert (presenting Le Syndicaliste) often exude sexual danger onscreen, but only Huppert opted for murder weapons as heels (look at those!). Efira went with a non-dangerous but gorgeous carmine velvet dress. Spain's movie queen Penelope Cruz hit Venice to promote her new Italian film L'Immensita and stunned as usual; truly one of the bonafide MOVIE STARS of our era. American actresses Hong Chau, Sadie Sink (both promoting The Whale), Patricia Clarkson (Monica), ad Britich actresses Jodie Turner-Smith (who is at every red carpet event in Venice this year), and Mia Goth (promoting Pearl) complete today's red carpet lineup. 

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Round 1 - Jodie Turner-Smith, Catherine Deneuve, Julianne Moore, etc...
Round 2 - Timothée Chalamet, Tessa Thompson, Cate Blanchett, etc...

Venice Gowns (and Pants) '22, Round 2

by Nathaniel R

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Tessa Thompson and Jodie Turner-Smith continued to bring the DRAMA (all caps intended) and rising star Taylor Russell (Waves, Bones and All)  joined them in boldness. Meanwhile Maude Apatow went classic, Chloe Sevigny went short, Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education) was doing a polka dot theme all day including this gown. And last but not least, Timothée Chalamet and Cate Blanchett knew exactly what to wear to keep people talking. So which was your favourite?