Tag Archives: unusual-number

Ask a Programmer: Movieline’s Guide to 5 Major Fall Film Festivals

Just ask Movieline Chief Critic Stephanie Zacharek, who is already stationed in Venice for the season’s first major film festival: Fall is the happening time for these organized movie galas. In honor of this fest upswing — and Movieline’s week-long seasonal cinema celebration — we contacted authorities at the Telluride, Toronto, New York, London and AFI film festivals to pick their brains about the programming process, their events’ unique identities in the fest circuit and much more. For festival novices, consider this a primer for the autumn film festivals. And for the seasoned vets out there, enjoy these behind-the-scenes accounts of the rigorous preparation that goes into selecting tomorrow’s award-winning films.

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Ask a Programmer: Movieline’s Guide to 5 Major Fall Film Festivals

REVIEW: Hong Kong’s Tsui Hark Makes a Grand, Loopy Spectacle with Detective Dee

When I saw Hong Kong producer-director Tsui Hark’s Detective Dee and the Mystery of Phantom Flame at the Venice Film Festival last year, I lamented that although American viewers would probably be able to track the movie down on DVD or online, the picture wasn’t likely to get a U.S. theatrical release. Happily, I was wrong, and if you’re lucky enough to live in one of the cities where Detective Dee is playing, you too will now have a chance to witness Tsui’s glorious and somewhat unhinged vision as he tackles an episode in the real-life history of China — the ascent of the first female emperor to the throne — adding fanciful touches like spontaneous human combustion and mysterious creepy-crawlies with dangerous powers. It’s the kind of ambitious, loopy spectacle that begs to be seen on the big screen if at all possible.

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REVIEW: Hong Kong’s Tsui Hark Makes a Grand, Loopy Spectacle with Detective Dee

The New Class vs. the Old Guard: Predicting the Breakout Action Stars of the Season

The fall movie season may coincide with the start of Oscar season, but this year there’s an unusual number of spy thrillers, flying fists, leaping hardbodies, and weapons masters on deck for your viewing pleasure. Some of these fall action pics feature your favorite adrenaline-pumping stars — Tom Cruise ! Jason Statham ! Helen Mirren ? — but just as many are anchored by a younger generation of performers making their first forays into the genre. ( Jessica Chastain , you can do it all!) Take a look at the action-packed fall slate and make your predictions: Who will own action at the box office this fall, the new class or the old guard?

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The New Class vs. the Old Guard: Predicting the Breakout Action Stars of the Season