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   <channel>
      <title>Ioncinema News Feed</title>
      <link>http://www.ioncinema.com</link>
      <description>All News</description>
      <language>en-us</language>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:59:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:24:17 -0500</lastBuildDate>
      <managingEditor>eric@ioncinema.com (Eric Lavallee)</managingEditor>
      <webMaster>shyamramani@gmail.com (Shyam Ramani)</webMaster>
      <atom:link href="http://www.ioncinema.com/rss/showme/all" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
      <copyright>All other copyright &#64; 2000 &#45; 2012 Eric Lavallee. All Rights Reserved</copyright>
      <category>Entertainment</category>
      <category>World</category>
      <category>Cinema</category>
      <category>Film</category>
<item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: China Heavyweight]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7053/review-china-heavyweight</link>
         <description><![CDATA[China Heavyweight       Click here to read the review!
"Thanks to Chang's unique ancestry, he has been able to gain the trust of his foreign subjects, presenting Chinese culture with an unfiltered view from a first world perspective. Adhering boxing as a backdrop, he has painted an inspiring and captivating impression of perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity with great respect for the admirable coaches that instill life shaping values in their young students. China Heavyweight is a brilliant sophomore feature that proves Chang is a highly talented director who produces documentary that transmit both authenticity and technical artistry."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7053/review-china-heavyweight</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Love Free or Die]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7050/review-love-free-or-die</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Love Free or Die       Click here to read the review!
"There&rsquo;s nothing innately wrong with Alston&rsquo;s documentary, other than that it seems to lack a cohesive focus. While the main thrust seems to be concerned with the subject of Gene Robinson, the documentary slips into a mild treatise on homosexuality and how divisive it is in the religious realm. While everyone should be able to practice the faith of their choosing and everyone should be respected and treated equally, it&rsquo;s a bit hard to feel too emotionally distraught over the treatment of Gene Robinson and the struggle for acceptance in the religious realm."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7050/review-love-free-or-die</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: I Am Not a Hipster]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6737/review-i-am-not-a-hipster</link>
         <description><![CDATA[I Am Not a Hipster       Click here to read the review!
"The title I Am Not A Hipster suggests a focus on image and perception, which in fleeting instances come to fruition, but the film is really a heartfelt meditation on loneliness, and art's ability to both help process the past or provide phlegmatic entertainment."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6737/review-i-am-not-a-hipster</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: LUV]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6758/review-luv</link>
         <description><![CDATA[LUV       Click here to read the review!
"By the film&rsquo;s conclusion, there&rsquo;s just no way a child of that age would be able to accomplish what he does, especially after only one day&rsquo;s &ldquo;training&rdquo; (and not to mention a wholly unbelievable police encounter at the film&rsquo;s end). However, it&rsquo;s noteworthy to mention that Common is surprisingly good here, and it will be intriguing to see if he will continue to take more substantial work in independent cinema."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6758/review-luv</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Spellbound [Blu-ray]]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7048/review-spellbound-blu-ray</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Spellbound [Blu-ray] Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"From the crisp formality of its acting, to the famous Salvador Dali designed dream sequence, Spellbound  often seems to exist in a dimension other than our own. While the rational mind attempts to impose order on Hitchcock&rsquo;s tantalizing clues and fragments, the narrative quietly expands to surprising proportions and pursues unexpected avenues, creating a sense of the hypnotically surreal."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7048/review-spellbound-blu-ray</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[DVD Review: Project Nim]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7049/dvd-review-project-nim</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Project Nim Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"James Marsh once again uses his story telling brilliance to construct an emotional portrait of a chimp that informs us more about ourselves as humans than its subject. Sleek editing and a wealth of archival footage unveil a sad, and thought provoking tale of humans overstepping their reach in the name of science without regard to the well being of other living creatures."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:50:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7049/dvd-review-project-nim</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: V/H/S]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6749/review-vhs</link>
         <description><![CDATA[V/H/S       Click here to read the review!
"Overall, V/H/S is a slick and fun little romp of offerings from some newer voices in horror cinema. A much publicized incident of a couple vomiting and suffering seizures during the premier screening at Sundance 2012 may have has more to do with altitude sickness rather than disturbing imagery, as most of what occurs is quite tame by today&rsquo;s horror standards. But the two standout elements of the anthology are the book ends."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:20:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6749/review-vhs</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Red Hook Summer]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6090/review-red-hook-summer</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Red Hook Summer       Click here to read the review!
"Be patient&mdash;Lee is not simply giving us a sermon because we&rsquo;re captive in the theater (an obvious poke at Tyler Perry&rsquo;s work discreetly peeks out of the background in the form of a poster), but he definitely has something to say, and you&rsquo;ll be listening by the end."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6090/review-red-hook-summer</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Chasing Ice]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7039/review-chasing-ice</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Chasing Ice       Click here to read the review!
"Featuring never before captured time lapse photography as the film's center piece, this documentary should make for a revelatory experience for climate change naysayers. The evidence is quite conclusive. Complimenting this horrifying melt footage is an assemblage of Balog's incredible still snapshots. Among the arctic alien landscapes, Balog finds unyielding beauty in the massive icebergs, and he aspires to share their allure with the world with a unique eye."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7039/review-chasing-ice</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Price Check]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6091/review-price-check</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Price Check       Click here to read the review!
"Price Check, director Michael Walker&rsquo;s sophomore feature, coming twelve years after his 2000 debut, Chasing Sleep is a complete 180 from his first film. Whereas Walker&rsquo;s first foray was in the psychological art house, this latest feature is a comedic character study that has one delectable asset that is both the sole reason to see the film, and also, sadly, what viciously outshines every other aspect of the film; and that&rsquo;s a wickedly perfect role for Parker Posey."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6091/review-price-check</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Kill List]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6732/review-kill-list</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Kill List       Click here to read the review!
"As the film crosses over into frenetic violence and foreboding happenings, the excellent soundtrack heightens the tension. When Jay begins to lose his cool, anxiety gives way to despair as events finally spiral out of control. Wheatley manages to get excellent performances from his cast, in particular the stunning MyAnna Buring as Jay&rsquo;s wife, and proves he&rsquo;s one of the best upcoming voices in British cinema."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:05:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6732/review-kill-list</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: The Words]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/3602/review-the-words</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Words       Click here to read the review!
"For a film centered on the literary world using literary devices to unfold itself, The Words, the directorial debut of directing duo Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal, sure in the hell suffers from some tepid writing. A three tiered narrative proves to be the vicious undoing of the film, an ambitious moral tale that&rsquo;s already been told, several times over."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:25:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/3602/review-the-words</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Detropia]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6082/review-detropia</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Detropia       Click here to read the review!
"With a mindful eye and an evenhanded approach, stark photography and unmitigated confessions, Detropia gives an austere depiction of a floundering city who's glory days are over, but the acceptance of failure remains unthinkable while potential still remains."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6082/review-detropia</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Shadow Dancer]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/4033/review-shadow-dancer</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Shadow Dancer       Click here to read the review!
"Despite these auspiciously suspenseful peaks and the natural twisting, turning nature of the tail, Marsh's creation lacks the true ferocity it needs to ascend from thrill seeking mediocrity to cinematic greatness. As is, Shadow Dancer falls somewhere in between, a seething potboiler built on bloodlines that never blows the lid off."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/4033/review-shadow-dancer</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[First Look: Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky's Francine]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7046/first-look-brian-m-cassidy-and-melanie-shatzkys-francine</link>
         <description><![CDATA[We've been raving about this pair of filmmakers since we caught their candid, visual essay The Patron Saints at TIFF last year, and now we've got a pair of stills from Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky's feature film debut, which is set to showcase at the 2012 edition of the Berlin Film Festival. Featuring Melissa Leo in what we imagine is an atypical role for the actress, Francine (#23 in our Most Anticipated Films list for 2012) will have its U.S premiere at SXSW next March in the Emerging Visions section. This is about a woman struggling to find her place in a downtrodden lakeside town after leaving behind a life in prison. Taking a series of jobs working with animals, Francine turns away those who take an interest in her and instead seeks intimacy in the most unlikely of places.

]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7046/first-look-brian-m-cassidy-and-melanie-shatzkys-francine</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Grabbers]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6376/review-grabbers</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Grabbers       Click here to read the review!
"Intentionally goofy, and drearily written, your reception of the film will all depend on how high you set your stakes. Think Tremors (1990) was a classic? Maybe you&rsquo;ll enjoy this tired flick."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6376/review-grabbers</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Joachim Trier's Finds Shelter for 'Louder than Bombs']]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7045/joachim-triers-finds-shelter-for-louder-than-bombs</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Good news on the Scandi film front as Joachim Trier's Louder than Bombs (an English language film to be shot in the U.S) appears to have gained some traction as Cineuropa confirms that Sigve Endresen's prod co. Motlys AS will be working alongside Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa's Bona Fide Productions with a fall start date being eyed.
Bona Fide is the production company behind the soon to be released He Loves Me (Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris) and is in pre-prod with Nebraska (Alexander Payne) and the Blacklist favorite, The Only Living Boy in New York (Seth Gordon). Briefly discussed in our interview with the filmmaker back in May, the project which some industry folk describe as a cross between Ordinary People and Don't Look Now (Roeg's influential classic happens to second as the name of Trier's production company) and we should be hearing some casting news I'd say midway in 2012.
Gist: Trier told us that the family drama will contain comedic and dramatic elements.  Worth Noting: Trier was recently invited to participate at Sundance's January Screenwriters Lab.  Do We Care?: In two, stylistically and tonally different strokes (Reprise and Oslo, August 31st), the Norwegian filmmaker has established himself as a sophisticated storyteller and quite intuative with his visual approach. After showing at Sundance and although it would be fitting, Strand Releasing will hopefully not release his second pic at the end of the summer.]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7045/joachim-triers-finds-shelter-for-louder-than-bombs</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: The Invisible War]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6078/review-the-invisible-war</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Invisible War       Click here to read the review!
"Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering have crafted a heartbreaking, highly important film that exposes this rampant sexual abuse that is widely ignored by the military system with hopes of changing the unjust military judicial structure that is currently in place."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6078/review-the-invisible-war</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: John Dies at the End]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7043/review-john-dies-at-the-end</link>
         <description><![CDATA[John Dies at the End       Click here to read the review!
"It&rsquo;s obvious Coscarelli still has his audience out there, but unless your hearing and vision may be impaired, there&rsquo;s not one element to salvage in this utter waste of time, the only tension begat by the anticipation of the titular John&rsquo;s death, thereby heralding the end of the feature."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7043/review-john-dies-at-the-end</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Sony Pictures Classics Grab Audiard's Rust and Bone]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7044/sony-pictures-classics-grab-audiards-rust-and-bone</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Among the rare times where they pick up a film before completion, Sony Pictures Classics have lassoed the North American, Latin American and Eastern European rights to Jacques Audiard's Rust &amp; Bone (Un go&ucirc;t de rouille et d&rsquo;os), hence continuing their partnership with the French filmmaker after having distributed his last pic, A Prophet. Is the foreign film specialist looking to showcase their longstanding label in the Croisette in May? Despite a French release in October and a little added CGI that needs to be worked on, it certainly looks like it.
Gist: Co-written by Thomas Bidegain, this is an adaptation of Craig Davidson's Rust and Bone (a short story collection) and centers around Alain van Versch. He is 25 years old and lives in the North. He has no money and has never had any. When you&rsquo;re young and alone, money is not a problem. It becomes one when the girl with whom you have had a child places it in your hands. Now, obviously, Ali has a problem: his name is Sam, and he&rsquo;s five years old. Running on and running out of ideas Ali calls his sister who lives in Antibes in the south. This is where the father and the child who don&rsquo;t know each other will find shelter for the winter, in the basement of a house. Ali agrees with the song: misery is less painful in the sun. He does odd jobs: night watchman, bouncer &hellip; And it is in a nightclub, le Fever, that he meets St&eacute;phanie (Marion Cotillard).  Worthy Noting: A love story with equal romance, mystery and thriller elements, this is most likely Audiard's most expensive film to date. Do We Care?: Listed at our number 10 spot among our Most Anticipated Films for 2012,  this filmmaker is among the best in his trade when you measure the quality his his last threee pictures in: Sur mes l&egrave;vres (2001), The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) and A Prophet.]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:15:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7044/sony-pictures-classics-grab-audiards-rust-and-bone</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: ME at the ZOO]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6086/review-me-at-the-zoo</link>
         <description><![CDATA[ME at the ZOO       Click here to read the review!
"Thousands of videos later, first time feature directors Chris Moukarbel and Valerie Veatch have waded through the mass of material, miraculously piecing together a fresh documentary that not only tells the personal story of Crocker's life, but questions what it means to inhibit cyberculture and how it affects our view of the world at large."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6086/review-me-at-the-zoo</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Black Rock]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6081/review-black-rock</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Black Rock       Click here to read the review!
"Director Katie Aselton has made a genre picture that recalls those genre classics of decades past. Black Rock, her sophomore effort is one of the best American thrillers in recent memory and it&rsquo;s impossibly simple."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6081/review-black-rock</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blu-ray Review: Manhattan]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7042/blu-ray-review-manhattan</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Manhattan (Blu-ray) Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"Annie Hall saw Allen seamlessly integrate experimental and European influences to create a delightful film as inventive as it was entertaining. Interiors, a grim and boldly unapologetic homage to Ingmar Bergman, proved Allen&rsquo;s chops at skillful direction and the evocation of icy, angst ridden moods. Manhattan follows as a stylistic hybrid, returning to Allen&rsquo;s comfort zone of satirical wit and sight gags, presented in a visually poetic package."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:05:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7042/blu-ray-review-manhattan</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blu-ray Review: Annie Hall]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7041/blu-ray-review-annie-hall</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Annie Hall (Blu-ray) Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
" Allen&rsquo;s tale of neurotic love in gritty Gotham remains a witty and vital entertainment; not aging a day since its initial release in 1977. The film, despite a thick stew of European influences, stands as an icon of the Great American Romantic Comedy and indeed both enlarges and transcends the genre&rsquo;s conventions."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7041/blu-ray-review-annie-hall</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: An Oversimplification of Her Beauty]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6079/review-an-oversimplification-of-her-beauty</link>
         <description><![CDATA[An Oversimplification of Her Beauty       Click here to read the review!
"Precocious, self-consciously solipsistic, and quixotically ambitious, Terence Nance's distinctive feature debut is a multimedia essay film about relationships - or, really, one of Nance's relationships - that cannot adequately resolve nor communicate the complex angst at its core."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:59:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6079/review-an-oversimplification-of-her-beauty</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Kid-Thing]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6755/review-kid-thing</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Kid-Thing       Click here to read the review!
"But it&rsquo;s mostly aggravating to note that Kid-Thing is a film featuring an excellent concept with commendable aspects (Tyrrell, a score from The Octopus Project) that fails to live up to its own intentions. However, the Zellner Brothers have managed to create an inadvertent sort of social commentary. After all, Annie isn&rsquo;t the first Texan in control of vulnerable people using religious ignorance and fear to keep them in the dark."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:05:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6755/review-kid-thing</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Keep the Lights On]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6742/review-keep-the-lights-on</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Keep the Lights On       Click here to read the review!
"Not a hundred reviews could give justice to the importance and beauty of a film like Keep the Lights On, a throwback to the way queer cinema was starting to head in the 1990&rsquo;s, but perhaps hasn&rsquo;t quite reached. Just as Erik recuperates a forgotten gay artist for his documentary, Ira Sachs has recuperated and documented a modern gay existence, and a realistic one, at last."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6742/review-keep-the-lights-on</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: The Grey]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6740/review-the-grey</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Grey       Click here to read the review!
"Resembling an action genre re-dux of &lsquo;Alive,&rsquo; but without the complex allegory or spiritual underpinnings, the movie stars Liam Neeson as a lone-wolf wolf expert employed with &ldquo;ex-cons, drifters, and assholes&rdquo; on an Alaskan oil rig."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6740/review-the-grey</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Sleepwalk With Me]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7040/review-sleepwalk-with-me</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Sleepwalk With Me       Click here to read the review!
"Sleepwalk With Me is a startling debut that takes Birbiglia's already successful stage production and presents it to larger audiences than a limited run off-Broadway show could ever provide. Mike has a knack for finding the comedic in everyday experience, and he captures that ability with confidence and grace, and pairs it with his absurd, yet genuine dream sequences that bring a slight air of worry despite their obvious humor."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7040/review-sleepwalk-with-me</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Lay the Favorite]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7035/review-lay-the-favorite</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Lay the Favorite       Click here to read the review!
"Every once in a while, a great director, an auteur even, will helm such a dastardly atrocious film, that you can&rsquo;t possibly comprehend how such a work could come into being. The great Stephen Frears has such a film on his impeccable resume with this latest turkey,  Lay the Favorite."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7035/review-lay-the-favorite</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Arbitrage]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7034/review-arbitrage</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Arbitrage       Click here to read the review!
"Arbitrage is defined as &ldquo;the simultaneous purchase and sale of the same securities, commodities, or foreign exchange in different markets to profit from unequal prices.&rdquo; It's also a big no-no and the title of Nicholas Jarecki&rsquo;s fictional feature debut."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7034/review-arbitrage</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Excision]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7032/review-excision</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Excision       Click here to read the review!
"Excision is a hilarious, character driven flick, and one that manages to climax with an effective chilly final shot."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7032/review-excision</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Turkish Master Yilmaz Güney Makes a Home at the TIFF Bell Lightbox]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7038/turkish-master-yilmaz-gney-makes-a-home-at-the-tiff-bell-lightbox</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Ask a random sampling of cinephiles - let's even make a rule that they must be well-researched in and fanatic about European cinema - to name a significant Turkish filmmaker, living or dead, and by far the most common answer will be Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Runners-up will be 2010 Golden Bear-winner Semih Kaplano&#287;lu and German filmmaker Fatih Akin (he's of Turkish descent), and way down at a very distant fourth place will be a man by the name of Yilmaz G&uuml;ney. Winner of the 1982 Palme d'Or by proxy for Yol (he was imprisoned during production and gave detailed directions to &#350;erif G&ouml;ren, the 'official' director, on how to make the film), G&uuml;ney is the most influential Turkish filmmaker in the country's history, and, frankly, still probably the greatest of them all (Ceylan may well surpass him, though, especially if he makes any more films on the plane as Once Upon a Time in Anatolia, but that's a debate for another time and place).  Helping to rectify this injustice of a behemoth forgotten, Toronto's TIFF Bell Lightbox will screen an eight-film retrospective comprising G&uuml;ney's most important, influential, and best films, to run from January 26 to February 5. The centerpiece of this programme will undoubtedly be the aforementioned Yol, which TIFF acknowledges by inviting Ercument Akman (editor of Turkish Cinema Newletter) as a guest speaker to introduce the film's screening on January 28, when he will provide a background on Turkish cinema, G&uuml;ney's significance and influences, and the film's complicated production method.  Exemplifying an unfortunately common motif in his body of work, Yol is one of three films in the retrospective to not be solely directed by G&uuml;ney (the other two are The Herd (January 27) and The Poor Ones (January 29)). In a way, it would actually make a brilliant double bill with Jafar Panahi's 2011 shackled doc This is Not a Film, as both films were made while the filmmakers were imprisoned (G&uuml;ney was arrested for shooting the public prosecutor of the Yumurtal&#305;k district to death, while Panahi was under house arrest for, well, being a filmmaker [AKA "the intention to commit crimes against the country&rsquo;s national security"), and reflect the zealotry, bigotry, and misogyny of their respective oppressive societies and governments.  The gist of Yol's plot is fairly simple, even a tad schematic: five Kurdish prisoners are granted a week-long leave of absence from a Turkish prison, and we follow each of their journeys into their pasts, right down to their bitter ends. And in case that last point is understated, let it be reiterated: this is a bleak, wrenching, cruel, and bitter portrayal of humanity as told by a voice that views freedom and compassion as concepts that are utterly alien to the Turkish experience of the early 80s. Saying so much about the impossibility of freedom in the face of tradition (there is no real question that the women here are worse off than the men in jail), it]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7038/turkish-master-yilmaz-gney-makes-a-home-at-the-tiff-bell-lightbox</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Robot and Frank]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7031/review-robot-and-frank</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Robot and Frank       Click here to read the review!
" Robot and Frank, the feature debut of director Jake Schrier, sounds like it has the potential to land in independent cinema quirk hell, but surprisingly manages to hit all the right notes with its quiet arc. While it&rsquo;s mostly a comedy featuring light dramatic streaks and science-fiction buttressing, at its core it features a much more melancholy tone, only furthered by an excellent turn from Frank Langella."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7031/review-robot-and-frank</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blu-ray Review: Criterion Collection: Godzilla [Blu-ray]]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7020/blu-ray-review-criterion-collection-godzilla-blu-ray</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Criterion Collection: Godzilla [Blu-ray] Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"While often derided as imitative of such American-made creature features as The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms and Them - an odd criticism since all of these films were actually made at about the same time - Godzilla upped the ante by cashing in not only on a nation&rsquo;s primal fears, but its recent experience with mysterious forces of mass destruction."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7020/blu-ray-review-criterion-collection-godzilla-blu-ray</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Celeste & Jesse Forever]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7036/review-celeste-jesse-forever</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Celeste &amp; Jesse Forever       Click here to read the review!
"Jones and McCormack's script continuously rejuvenates us with Celeste and Jesse's many character quarks, but the film is entrenched in the idea of coming to terms with deep regret. Despite its often lighthearted feel, the story is about a divorce that no one actually wants, and the chemistry found on screen makes it that much more tragic."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7036/review-celeste-jesse-forever</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: The Pact]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7030/review-the-pact</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Pact       Click here to read the review!
McCarthy&rsquo;s debut is evidence that short films are indeed an art form and, if successful, do not necessitate a feature length running time. In fact, the tightest elements abound in the first third of the film, which shares the narrative of the short. McCarthy certainly nails a decent creepy atmosphere in his first few frames, but this convoluted turkey quickly kills any genre frills it tries to master.]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7030/review-the-pact</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Red Lights]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7029/review-red-lights</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Red Lights       Click here to read the review!
"Recalling films like the 1935 Claude Rains&rsquo; starrer, The Clairvoyant or the underrated S&eacute;ance On A Wet Afternoon, (and, strangely, maybe even a bit of De Palma&rsquo;s The Fury, if only a Bernard Herrmann score could have accompanied the film), Cortes gives us an excessive amount of window dressing in its first half, only to pull the rug on us with one indefatigably head scratching conclusion. And this is what will either determine your reading of the film as convoluted or harebrained brilliant."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7029/review-red-lights</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Middle of Nowhere]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7027/review-middle-of-nowhere</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Middle of Nowhere       Click here to read the review!
"Director Ava DuVernay returns with her sophomore feature, Middle of Nowhere, less than a year after her awesome yet terribly unappreciated 2011 debut, I Will Follow, and also a film as equally nuanced about loss and love."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7027/review-middle-of-nowhere</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: About The Pink Sky]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6754/review-about-the-pink-sky</link>
         <description><![CDATA[About The Pink Sky       Click here to read the review!
"Kobayashi's nonchalant writing and deft direction of his first time actors make About A Pink Sky a solid debut, but the intimacy and inner conflict he creates with a shallow focus field and hand held cinematography brings the picture up a notch. Through teenage reckless abandon and a world stripped of both visual and aural extraneous noise, Kobayashi is able to remove the social shields of youth to unveil one of humanity's greatest gifts, compassion and understanding that beams through the awkward fog of aged humor."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6754/review-about-the-pink-sky</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Interview: Daniel Mulloy (Baby)]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7026/interview-daniel-mulloy-baby</link>
         <description><![CDATA[It's the week before the Sundance Film Festival that best exemplifies the all encompassing commitment to indie film and up-and-coming filmmakers. The week prior to the madness in Park City, the Sundance Institute nurtures (in some snowy setting that I'd love to be a fly on the wall for) about a dozen projects via the Screenwriters and Directing Labs. So before we kick off our coverage for the 28th edition, I deemed it was fit to publish an interview (which took place same time last year) that I conducted with someone who is fresh from the labs with 2012's January lab invited project, Mitrovica.  Brit Daniel Mulloy is an award-winning short filmmaker (over 80 fest awards folks) who belongs to both the extended Sundance filmmaking family and a celluloid loving family of his own -- we've featured his sister Lucy and her debut film, Una Noche which is headed off to Berlin next month. We've been keeping tabs on the helmer since 2006's "Antonio&rsquo;s Breakfast," and it was last year where I got to speak to Mulloy about what should be the last of a string of shorts, before he embarks on the feature filmmaking portion of his career. The inspriation for the 25 minute drama "Baby," is based on a true mishap that thankfully ended well for Mulloy. This nocturnal, at times claustrophobic film features Dardenne Bros.' discovery in Arta Dobroshi (Lorna's Silence) and the excellent photography from Lol Crowley (Four Lions, Ballast). With ambigious character motivations steeped in mischief and mystery, this speaks volumes about how a specific setting can coerce and simplify our connection to ours.







]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7026/interview-daniel-mulloy-baby</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Interview: Gerardo Naranjo and Stephanie Sigman (Miss Bala)]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6833/interview-gerardo-naranjo-and-stephanie-sigman-miss-bala</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Gerardo Naranjo's savage, bullet riddled, all-encompassing torrid thriller featuring a full scale border-war demonstrates the prowess of an auteur filmmaker who up until 2011 was labeled as an art-house rebel with the low budget experimental "Drama/Mex," and French New Wave influenced Voy a explotar. In comparison with these previous entries, Miss Bala counts as a monumental shift way in aesthetic, shape and form. With a brilliantly choreographed outline, Naranjo borrows from fact, takes a piercing/critical stance and depicts a society that is held hostage via a symbolic lead figure, who at times emblematically represents the "route" nature of the drug trade. After stops in Cannes (Un Certain Regard) and Toronto, NYFF was where we caught up with the filmmaker and his lead, Stephanie Sigman in this roof top sit down. Interview was conducted by Sean Glass. Fox International releases the film in theaters and on VOD this Friday.








&nbsp;]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6833/interview-gerardo-naranjo-and-stephanie-sigman-miss-bala</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[2012 Guide to the Sundance Twitterverse]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7024/2012-guide-to-the-sundance-twitterverse</link>
         <description><![CDATA[As technology moves relentlessly forward, the smart phone has become an everyday item for the general populous, and with it social networks have continued to grow with explosive propensity.  For massive events like film festivals, Twitter has become the go-to info stream for up to the second updates on who, what, and where things are happening around town, and of course has become an instant method in which to gauge a film's popularity/critical reception. We've collected a list of  Twitter accounts from the filmmakers, actors and folks behind the scenes in the U.S. Drama/Doc Comps, Premiere categories and NEXT section. Click on the twitter accounts (below) to follow folks such as Christine Vachon, Mike Birbiglia, the Tim and Eric guys for some lively feeds where the secrets of Park City will be revealed. And don't forget to follow the IONCINEMA.com team @ioncinema -- Nicholas Bell (NB), Eric Lavallee (EL) and myself, Jordan Smith (JS) will be tweeting from this channel. U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION &bull;	Beasts of the Southern Wild &ndash; @BeastsTheMovie Producer: Michael Gottwald - @gottswana Producer: Dan Janvey - @djanvey  Producer: Josh Penn - @joshcpenn Writer: Lucy Alibar - @lucyalibarCinematographer: Ben Richardson &ndash; @benrichardson &bull;	The Comedy Star: Tim Heidecker - @timheidecker &bull;	The End of Love -  @endoflovemovie Director and screenwriter: Mark Webber - @likemark &bull;	Filly Brown - @FillyBrown Star: Gina Rodriguez - @hereisgina &bull;	The First Time Stars: 	Dylan O'Brien - @dylanobrien Victoria Justice - @VictoriaJustice Halston Sage - @halstonsage &bull;	For Ellen Producer: Jen Gatien - @JenGatien Cinematographer - Reed Morano - @reedmorano Star: Jon Heder - @hederjon Star: Margarita Levieva - @LevievaMaggie 
Hello I Must Be Going Writer: Sarah Koskoff - @skoskoff Producer: Hans Ritter - @hansCritter &bull;	Keep the Lights On - @ktlomovie Director: Ira Sachs - @irasachs &bull;	LUV Director: Sheldon Candis - @sheldoncandis Stars: 	Common - @common Dennis Haysbert - @HaysbertDennis Donald Glover - @mrdannyglover &bull;	Middle Of Nowhere &ndash; @MiddleNowhere Director and screenwriter: Ava DuVernay - @AVADVA Star: Omari Hardwick - @OmariHardwick &bull;	Nobody Walks Co-writer: Lena Dunham - @lenadunham  &bull;	Safety Not Guaranteed - @SNGmovie Director: Colin Trevorrow - @colintrevorrow Stars: 	Mark Duplass - @MarkDuplass Aubrey Plaza - @evilhag &bull;	Save the Date Director: Michael Mohan - @michaelmohan Star: Alison Brie - @alisonbrie &bull;	Simon KillerBorderline Films - @BLFILM_NYC Producer: Matt Palmieri - @mattpalmieri Director and screenwriter: Antonio Campos - @antoniocampos1Editor: Zachary Stuart-Pontier  - @zacedits
&bull;	Smashed - @SmashedMovie Director: James Ponsoldt - @jamesponsoldt Stars: 	Aaron Paul - @aaronpaul_8 Mary E. Winstead - @M_E_Winstead &bull;	The Surrogate Stars: 	Helen Hunt - @HelenHunt William H. Macy - @WilliamHallMacy U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION &bull;	Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry - @AWWNeverS]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7024/2012-guide-to-the-sundance-twitterverse</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Exclusive: Poster One Sheet for So Yong Kim's For Ellen]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7025/exclusive-poster-one-sheet-for-so-yong-kims-for-ellen</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Being a fan of the filmmaker, the principle actor and several key indie filmmaking members behind the scenes, we're proud to have your first look at the festival one sheet poster for For Ellen - the U.S. Dramatic Competition feature film from So Yong Kim. In the one sheet designed by Gregory Homs (who designed one-sheets for A Room with a View, Home Of The Brave), the spatial dimensions in the shot expound on the central characters' solace (Paul Dano's character of Joby appears to be torn by his past, but his forthcoming future as well) and the carrot mahogany orange drowns out any frigidness of the wintery backdrop in favor of a warmer palette -- I'm thinking after featuring a pair of tiny siblings wrestling with pre-abandonment issues in Treeless Mountain, that we might be in store for a loving portrait about not giving up control. You can read the synopsis below, or let So Yong Kim describe it in her own words.

When Joby (Dano), an aspiring young rock star, finally agrees to sign divorce papers with his estranged wife (Malone), he discovers that he is about to forfeit all custody of his six-year-old daughter, Ellen (Shaylena Mandigo). Never having been in Ellen&rsquo;s life before, Joby suddenly realizes that he&rsquo;s not ready to lose that part of himself. Hoping to make up for lost time, he tries to win her heart.]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7025/exclusive-poster-one-sheet-for-so-yong-kims-for-ellen</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Lula, Son of Brazil]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6739/review-lula-son-of-brazil</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Lula, Son of Brazil       Click here to read the review!
"While everything on the screen is likely based on fact, this portrayal of his life evokes the trite characterizations and sympathetic sucker punches typically reserved for only the most schmaltzy Hollywood dramas, and ignores any elements that might paint a negative image of the leader. It isn't quite propaganda, but it is a bit surprising that the film wasn't funded by Lula himself."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6739/review-lula-son-of-brazil</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Man on a Mission: Richard Garriott's Road to the Stars]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6741/review-man-on-a-mission-richard-garriotts-road-to-the-stars</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Man on a Mission: Richard Garriott's Road to the Stars       Click here to read the review!
"We behold all of the unpleasant physical trainings and the grand achievement of a successful space voyage, and subliminally we are told that if you dream big, anything can happen. Unfortunately, most of us will never be millionaires with the privilege to spend without repercussions, and watching Garriot do so with such egregious waste is often downright annoying."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6741/review-man-on-a-mission-richard-garriotts-road-to-the-stars</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[And the Most Anticipated Film of 2012 is... Carlos Reygadas' Post Tenebras Lux]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/5636/and-the-most-anticipated-film-of-2012-is-carlos-reygadas-post-tenebras-lux</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#01. Post Tenebras Lux
Director/Writer: Carlos Reygadas&#8232;Producers: Le Pacte's Jean Labadie and Mantarraya Producciones' Jaime Romandia Distributor: Rights Available

The Gist: Childhood and adolescence memories, dreams of life, emotions and thoughts of the present existence. It's a feature film with a loose plot link in its discourse but really clear in its poetics. It is not united by the plot but by the harmony in the expression of the feelings. It works like this: at a superficial level, by the stylistic coherence; at a deep level, making sense through the identity of the personal vision...(more)
Cast: Further use of non-professional actors.
List Worthy Reasons...: Incrementally perfecting his stylistic and narrative approach, in Japon and Battle in Heaven, Carlos Reygadas examined our will to live, defined how compassion and sympathy can sustain itself in dire trying moments, and he painfully, unflinchingly reminded us that there is nothing romantic about cruelty found in nature (violence brought about by humans). In his third feature, he examined such themes under the weight of the world or the gods above -- in my books the cinematic miracle known as Silent Light defies classification as it reaches far beyond the film patronage experience. Working with DP Alexis Zab&eacute;, with Post Tenebras Lux (literal translation, Light After Darkness), we should expect strong imagery, a deeply personal journey and a composition that the filmmaker described as &ldquo;an expressionist painting where you try to express what you're feeling through the painting rather than depict what something looks like." -- Special thanks to the filmmaker for the image frame/still.
Release Date/Status?: Three feature films and three showings in Cannes means by all logic this will receive a Main Competition showing at the festival.




&nbsp;
&nbsp;


]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/5636/and-the-most-anticipated-film-of-2012-is-carlos-reygadas-post-tenebras-lux</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: The Divide]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6738/review-the-divide</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Divide       Click here to read the review!
"With 2012 already upon us, the Mayan prophecy of world&rsquo;s end is destined to become more pervasive in the future cinematic offerings. But it&rsquo;s the tagline for The Divide that reinforces the film&rsquo;s glum outlook and proves the least hackneyed element about it, proclaiming that &ldquo;the lucky ones died in the blast.&rdquo; His film makes a strong case for that. Or maybe you&rsquo;d rather be caged with strangers losing their minds while eating kidney beans and getting raped for an inordinate amount of time. Which side of the divide are you on?"]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6738/review-the-divide</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #2. Michael Haneke's Love]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6990/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-2-michael-hanekes-love</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#02. Love (Amour)
Director/Writer: Michael HanekeProducers: X-Filme Creative Pool's Stefan Arndt, Les Films du Losange's Margaret M&eacute;n&eacute;goz, Veit Heiduschka, Wega Film's Michael Katz Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This centers on cultured octogenarians Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant) and Anne (Emmanuelle Riva), who are retired music teachers. Their daughter (Isabelle Huppert), also a musician, lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne suffers a minor stroke. When she leaves the hospital and returns home, she is paralysed down one side. The love that binds this old couple will really be put to the test...(more)
Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Riva, William Shimell and Jean-Louis Trintignant
List Worthy Reasons...: We haven't been this excited about senior citizen couplehood since Bergman's Saraband. Not that we have any problems with the more extreme samples in his filmography, but we welcome this change of pace for Haneke. Kudos to the Austrian filmmaker for tackling a  rarely addressed subject matter head-on and for employing octogenarian screen legends Emmanuelle Riva (Hiroshima Mon Amour) and Jean-Louis Trintignant (The Conformist). The film also happens to be a third pairing with Isabelle Huppert (Time of the Wolf/The Piano Teacher).
Release Date/Status?: Cannes red carpet photogs will have plenty of time to snap pics of the stars of Haneke's film - this already has an assured Main Competition showing status and we expect outfitter SPC to grab the rights and place it in the awards contention fall season.




&nbsp;



]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6990/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-2-michael-hanekes-love</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #3. Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/5314/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-3-paul-thomas-andersons-the-master</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#03. The Master
Director/Writer: Paul Thomas AndersonProducers: Anderson, Annapurna Pictures' Megan Ellison (Wettest County), Daniel Lupi (There Will Be Blood), Ghoulardi Film Company's JoAnne Sellar (she has been producing for PTA since Boogie Nights). Distributor: The Weinstein Co.
The Gist:  Set in America in the years following World War II, a charismatic intellectual (Philip Seymour Hoffman) launches a faith-based organization and taps a young drifter (Phoenix) as his right-hand man. But as the faith begins to gain a fervent following, the onetime vagabond finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor. The drama explores the need to believe in a higher power, the choice of which one to embrace and the point at which a belief system graduates into a religion....(more)
Cast: Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Laura Dern ... Helen
List Worthy Reasons...: Firstly, the excellent Hoffman saddles back in with PTA and will be given more screen time than Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Punch Drunk Love put together. Secondly, the tech crew is comprised of Mihai Malaimare Jr. who is using 65mm, Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood is laying the track, Production Designer David Crank (Tree of Life) and Jack Fisk are fitting this with a 50's look. I'd have a hard time finding a more skilled American filmmaker than PTA (David Lynch needs to come out of retirement) - his impeccable track record speaks for itself. There will be plenty of award season kudos for this one and once a premiere date is announced, the buzz should be of biblical proportions. 
Release Date/Status?: Well into post production, we have every reason to think that this would be ready for a Cannes showing - but betch your bottom dollar that the Weinstein Co. have award season in mind and no official release date set. Is this a Fall or Holiday release? TWBB was released on Dece.26th.




&nbsp;



]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/5314/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-3-paul-thomas-andersons-the-master</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #4. Terrence Malick's The Burial]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6426/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-4-terrence-malicks-the-burial</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#04. The Burial
Director/Writer: Terrence MalickProducers:&nbsp;Nicolas Gonda (Voyage of Time) and Sarah Green (Tree of Life)Distributor: Rights Available (FilmNation Ent.)
The Gist: To likely go by another title, set over a period of several years, Neil (Ben Affleck), is a failed writer stuck in a loveless marriage with Marina (Kurylenko), whose expiring visa put pressure on Neil to propose. Neil and Marina have a daughter (Tatiana Chilin) together, but both of them are looking outside the marriage. Neil is drawn to Jane (McAdams) and Marina betrays her husband by having an affair with Charlie (Charles Baker)...(more)
Cast: Rachel McAdams, Jessica Chastain, Rachel Weisz, Ben Affleck, Michael Sheen, Javier Bardem, Olga Kurylenko, Amanda Peet, Barry Pepper and Charles Baker
List Worthy Reasons...: With a cast and tech crew (Emmanuel Lubezki, Jack Fisk) worth boasting about, I'm betting this will be the least ambiguous film in Malick's slender, four-decade spanning filmography. 
Release Date/Status?: Despite his busy schedule (filming has already commenced Knight of Cups and Lawless) there is no reason to think that Thierry Fr&eacute;maux won't be able to re-invite Malick's currently untitled star-studded, romantic drama -- especially after a Palme d'Or win for Tree of Life. With almost every single territory sold, U.S. rights are still available and FilmNation Ent. would once again welcome the platform of a Cannes Film Festival - I picture this released as a fall season item.




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         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6426/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-4-terrence-malicks-the-burial</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #5. Something in the Air (Après mai)]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/5318/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-5-something-in-the-air-aprs-mai</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#05. Something in the Air (Apr&egrave;s mai)
Director/Writer: Olivier AssayasProducers:&nbsp;MK2's Charles Gillibert (On the Road), Marin Karmitz and Nathana&euml;l Karmitz (Summer Hours)Distributor: IFC Films
The Gist: Written by Assayas, set during the 70's, Gilles (Clement Metayer), is a high school student in Paris who is swept up in the political fever of the time. Yet his real dream is to paint and make films, something that his friends and even his girlfriend cannot understand. For them, politics is everything, the political struggle all consuming. But Gilles gradually becomes more comfortable with his life choices, and learns to feel at ease in this new society...(more)
Cast: Newcomer Clement Metayer and Lola Cr&eacute;ton topline.
List Worthy Reasons...: With Assayas currently on a roll with Carlos and Summer Hours, we imagine this coming-of-age project as in the vein of The Dreamers with perhaps some biographical elements embedded in the protagonist (first time actor Clement Metaye plus the co-lead is Lola Cr&eacute;ton who is the latest icon in French auteur cinema as she was recently seen in Catherine Breillat's Bluebird and in Assayas' significant other Mia Hansen-L&oslash;ve's Goodbye First Love.  
Release Date/Status?: Currently in production, the French distributor has pegged the film with a September release which means this is looking to be a no-show for Cannes and obviously readied for Venice. IFC picked the film up early, so a theatrical release around NYFF time is definitely in the cards.




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         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/5318/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-5-something-in-the-air-aprs-mai</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Indie Stalwarts Lynette Howell and Jamie Patricof Form New Prod Co. Electric City]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7022/indie-stalwarts-lynette-howell-and-jamie-patricof-form-new-prod-co-electric-city</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Production companies Hunting Lane Films &amp; Silverwood Films are officially on their last legs, as Deadline got the exclusive news that Jamie Patricof and Lynette Howell have come together to form the new production shingle called Electric City Entertainment. Crystal Powell and Katie McNeill will be production vice presidents, Mark Tuohy director of development. Collectively they've helped launch the careers of helmers we hold dear to our cinephilic hearts in Ryan Fleck and Derek Cianfrance. They've contributed to the burgeoning careers of talented behind the scenes folk such as Cinematographer Andrij Parekh, Art Director Inbal Weinberg and Costume Designer Erin Benach. And Ryan Gosling has been the biggest winner on the three times that Patricof and Howell (and producer Alex Orlovsky) got together for a shared common goal. Sundance/Park City which has become a second home to both producer's independent productions will likely be the last time where we see the Silverwood Films logo on screen as the Howell produced Twenty-Eight Hotel Rooms was selected for the NEXT section (we'll be there covering the film). Our hope is that their focus on larger scale independent films in the $10 million-$30 million range will enable them to develop more of the smaller, risky projects such as Stephanie Daley, Terri, Sugar and Little Birds. The first film we are most likely to see under the banner (crossing our fingers for Cannes) is Cianfrance's The Place Beyond The Pines. On tap, they've got the following projects:  Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden's Hate Mail, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski's Big Eyes, David Slade's Coward and an HBO penned series by Cianfrance called, "Muscle". Other projects could include On Green Dolphin Street, Borderline, A Dirty Love Story, Electric Slide and Mule.]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7022/indie-stalwarts-lynette-howell-and-jamie-patricof-form-new-prod-co-electric-city</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #6. Wong Kar-Wai's The Grandmasters]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6800/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-6-wong-kar-wais-the-grandmasters</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#06. The Grandmasters
Director: Wong Kar-Wai Writer(s): Xu Haofeng and Kar-WaiProducers:&nbsp;Jacky Pang Yee Wah and Kar-Wai
Distributor: Annapurna Pictures
The Gist: This will be a kung-fu movie about the life of Bruce Lee. The film will be set in the 1950's and will focus on the relationship between Bruce Lee and his master Ip Man (Tony Leung). ...(more)
Cast: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Ziyi Zhang and Chen Chang
List Worthy Reasons...: To give you an idea of how long we've been waiting, we've had this on our Most Anticipated lists for 2010 and 2011. The trailer was enough to maintain its position among the Most Anticipated elite and we're confident this won't go the 2046 (five years in editing) route. 
Release Date/Status?: Now that all plans for a 2011 release are a thing of the past, the logicial next bet is Cannes 2012. Prod company Annapurna Pictures picked up distribution rights for the U.S. - if they do release the pic it will be their first ever theatrical release and they'll want to hit theaters at the same time this is shown in mainland China.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6800/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-6-wong-kar-wais-the-grandmasters</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[DVD Review: Bobby Fischer Against The World]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7021/dvd-review-bobby-fischer-against-the-world</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Bobby Fischer Against The World Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"You may be old enough to remember the televised match with Spassky, an avid chess enthusiast yourself, or just a fascinated onlooker of the train wreck that Fischer became, but one and all will surely find it hard to turn away from this stirring biographic doc."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7021/dvd-review-bobby-fischer-against-the-world</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #7. Abbas Kiarostami's Like Someone in Love]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6993/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-7-abbas-kiarostamis-like-someone-in-love</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#07. Like Someone in Love
Director/Writer: Abbas KiarostamiProducers: Kiarostami and Nathana&euml;l Karmitz Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Japan, 2011. Akiko, a pretty young student, sells herself to help pay for her studies. But then she comes across a very unusual client: a learned old scholar who shows her great kindness. An extraordinary relationship develops between her and the old man...(more)
Cast: Ryo Kase, Denden, Rin Takanashi, Tadashi Okuno, Ayumi Miyata
List Worthy Reasons...: Currently in the "Woody Allen phase" of his career (unlike Woody, he left his homeland for more than pure economics) Abbas Kiarostami delivered in his third decade of work, an invigorating, intellectually stimulating piece of cinema with another career high with in Certified Copy. What I'm most curious about is how the kindness, civility and humanity in a post Tsunami Japan might be further illuminated/embedded in this work.
Release Date/Status?: Cannes Main Competition showing and despite not having the presence of a Juliette Binoche, I'm thinking this should follow the same festival/distributor interest route as Certified Copy.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6993/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-7-abbas-kiarostamis-like-someone-in-love</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #8. Antonio Campos' Simon Killer]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6992/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-8-antonio-campos-simon-killer</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#08. Simon Killer
Director/Writer: Antonio CamposProducers: Borderline Films' Sean Durkin and Josh Mond, FilmHaven's Matt Palmieri Distributor: Rights Available (CAA &amp; UTA)
The Gist: Shot in some of the more touristy spots including the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, Charles de Gaulle International Airport and the Gare du Nord train station, this centers on a young New Yorker (Corbet) who seeks refuge from the pain of a difficult breakup, travels to France in search of distraction, quickly falls for an exotic woman (Diop) and finds himself drawn into the dark underbelly of Paris...(more)
Cast: Brady Corbet and Mati Diop
List Worthy Reasons...: Now that devoted year of Martha Marcy May Marlene is complete, 2012 will see Borderline focus on what we expect will be an equally and exquisitely jarring sophomore follow up to Campos distinguished debut, Afterschool. The versatile Brady Corbet takes on the ballsy lead part, the excellent Daniel Bensi &amp; Saunder Jurriaans offer the score -- described as a neonoir thriller, this soul searching in a part of Paris that is probably not mentioned in your Let's Go Guidebook will be among the most talked about films showing up in Park City.
Release Date/Status?: This is slotted in U.S. Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6992/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-8-antonio-campos-simon-killer</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #9. Derek Cianfrance's Place Beyond the Plains]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6991/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-9-derek-cianfrances-place-beyond-the-plains</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#09. Place Beyond the Plains
Director: Derek CianfranceWriter(s): Cianfrance, Ben Coccio, Darius MarderProducers: Silverwood Films' Lynette Howell, Sidney Kimmel, Alex Orlovsky and Hunting Lane Films' Jamie PatricofDistributor: Rights Available (Sierra/Affinity)
The Gist: This is about a motorcycle rider (Gosling) who, after having a child, begins robbing banks to support the baby. Cooper plays the part of a cop-turned politician who goes up against Gosling's character...(more)
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Rose Byrne, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, Bruce Greenwood and Ben Mendelsohn
List Worthy Reasons...: Thank god we don't have to wait twelve years between films. Derek Cianfrance's second film was my top pick of 2010. After his critically lauded sophomore film tomahawk chopped critics from Sundance to Cannes to TIFF, Blue Valentine producers wasted no time in backing his next project: a drama about family and motorcycles? It features Ryan Gosling (his career best was with Cianfrance) and its got tech folks such as Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt (Shame)  and Production Designer specialist Inbal Weinberg.
Release Date/Status?: Cianfrance was invited to the Un Certain Regard section from the Cannes folks for a film that had already premiered at Sundance -- I expect this to follow in the path of last year's Drive - a Cannes Main Competition showing.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6991/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-9-derek-cianfrances-place-beyond-the-plains</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #10. Jacques Audiard's Rust and Bone]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/4539/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-10-jacques-audiards-rust-and-bone</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#10. Rust and Bone
Director: Jacques AudiardWriter(s): Audiard and Thomas BidegainProducers:&nbsp;Martine Cassinelli (A Prophet) and Why Not Productions' Pascal Caucheteux (Love and Bruises)Distributor: Rights Available (Celluloid Dreams)
The Gist: Co-written by Thomas Bidegain, this is an adaptation of Craig Davidson's Rust and Bone (a short story collection) and centers around Alain van Versch. He is 25 years old and lives in the North. He has no money and has never had any. When you&rsquo;re young and alone, money is not a problem. It becomes one when the girl with whom you have had a child places it in your hands. Now, obviously, Ali has a problem: his name is Sam, and he&rsquo;s five years old. Running on and running out of ideas Ali calls his sister who lives in Antibes in the south...(more)
Cast: Marion Cotillard,  Matthias Schoenarts, Celine Sallette and Bouli Lanners
List Worthy Reasons...: The naughts were good to us with Jacques Audiard - he handed us back to back to back cinematic gems in Sur mes l&egrave;vres (2001), The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) and Special Jury Prize winning A Prophet (2009). Audiard is arguably among the best French filmmakers in the biz, so how will he fare when he dabbles a bit more in CGI and with a spiked production budget north of 20 million? And will Oscar-winning lead actress in Cotillard knock it out of the park like Emmanuelle Devos did in Sur mes l&egrave;vres? We don't expect him to compromise on his trademark marriage of style and suspense.
Release Date/Status?: Still in production, we doubt that this will be ready for Cannes, but Venice would be a sure bet.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/4539/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-10-jacques-audiards-rust-and-bone</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #11. Terrence Malick's Voyage of Time]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6989/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-11-terrence-malicks-voyage-of-time</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#11. Voyage of Time
Director: Terrence MalickProducers: The mega production team includes: Dede Gardner, Nicolas Gonda, Sarah Green, Brad Pitt, Bill Pohlad, Andreas Roald and Donald RosenfeldDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This is an examination of the birth and death of the universe...(more)
Cast: At this point we've got no clue if Pitt, Penn, Chastain or the children used in Tree of Life will make it into this picture, but the narration is provided by Pitt and Emma Thompson.
List Worthy Reasons...: Expecting this docu essay to be reminiscent of such canvases as Koyaanisqatsi, Microcosmos, Powaqqatsi and Baraka, we expect this to not only reveal some of the larger in scope ideas Malick has been toying with for Tree of Life, and we'll be pleasantly surprised if Voyage comes across as more than just a companion piece. Employing several formats (including IMAX) this features the work from renowned natural history photographer Peter Parks and "Planet Earth" cinematographer Paul Atkins. Plus we've taken a liking to Pitt's narration voice in PBS' e&sup2; series. 
Release Date/Status?: Filming of the docu essay was simultaneously shot with Tree of Life, and new footage was added post Tree so this should be good to go in 2012 and would make a great double billing at a festival like Cannes with a certain other title that ranks higher up on this list. With some IMAX shot sequences we imagine that only a distributor with long term strategy will want to take on the project.




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         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6989/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-11-terrence-malicks-voyage-of-time</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #12. Cristian Mungiu's Provizoriu]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6988/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-12-cristian-mungius-provizoriu</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#12. Provizoriu
Director/Writer: Cristian MungiuProducers: Mungiu's Mobra Films which he runs with Hanno Hoefer and Oleg Mutu along with Why Not Films (who produced his last pair) and Dardenne Bros.' Les Films du Fleuve.Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Direct translation of the title is "provisionally". This is a Romanian convent-set tale of a 23-year-old girl's overweening love for a girl inmate....(more)
Cast: None announced yet - we imagine two young Romanian actresses. 
List Worthy Reasons...: Unlike the folks at the Academy, Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days hit us like a ton of bricks and 2009's barely noticed Tales from the Golden Age was a welcome side project (five Romania filmmakers contributed to five POV's of Romanian rural life). Mungiu's third feature film (his debut was 2002's Occident) should be up our alley if it holds some of the strong dramatic core that we associate with this helmer. 
Release Date/Status?: We learned that we would be receiving our Romanian film fix for 2012 rather late in 2011 with a headline about Mungiu's film receiving funding from Europe's Eurimages Fund.  Much to our surprise, we've heard this is currently filming. Is Cannes 2012 a valid possibility?




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6988/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-12-cristian-mungius-provizoriu</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #13. Jeff Nichols' Mud]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6987/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-13-jeff-nichols-mud</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#13. Mud
Director/Writer: Jeff NicholsProducers: Everest Entertainment's Lisa Maria Falcone (Win Win), Sarah Green (Malick), FilmNation Ent.'s Aaron Ryder Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This is the story a coming-of-age drama centered around two fourteen-year-old boys who encounter a mysterious fugitive (McConaughey) hiding out on an island in the Mississippi. Intrigued by this man, they enter into a pact to help him evade capture and reconnect with the love of his life named Juniper (Witherspoon). Though it is hard for the boys to discern truth from fiction when it comes to Mud, it isn&rsquo;t long until their small Arkansas town is besieged by a beautiful girl with a line of hunters in tow. ...(more)
Cast: Sarah Paulson, Reese Witherspoon, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Shannon, Sam Shepard and Ray McKinnon 	
List Worthy Reasons...: For film snobs such as myself, you'd need a really valid reason to want to see a film with Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey toplining. Arkansas born Jeff Nichols is that reason. From the day in 2007 where I decided to pull out Shotgun Stories from my pile of screeners to the blissful satisfaction I received approximately one year ago when taking in Take Shelter on premiere night in Park City, in just two feature films, this gifted auteur has proven his worth as one of the most talented filmmaking voices in American Independent cinema.  Worth noting: Michael Shannon is in this film too.
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post, although Cannes' Critics' Week decided to include the film in it's sidebar last year, I think a Fall festival release around Venice, TIFF and Telluride might be a more favorable release.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6987/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-13-jeff-nichols-mud</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #14. Coen Bros.' Inside Llewyn Davis]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6986/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-14-coen-bros-inside-llewyn-davis</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#14. Inside Llewyn Davis
Director/Writer: Joel and Ethan CoenProducers: Coen Bros. and Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men and True Grit)Distributor: Rights Available.
The Gist: Based on the life of musician Dave van Ronk (played by Oscar Isaac) and van Ronk's memoir, "The Mayor of MacDougal Street" this is about a singer-songwriter who navigates New York's folk music scene (Greenwich Village) during the 1960s...(more)
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman and Oscar Isaac.
List Worthy Reasons...: Coens' working on a musical biopic? We're in. In the mean time, we'll be checking out van Ronk's career (listen here) and watching companion film, I'm Not There.
Release Date/Status?: Knowing that the Coens bros. are all business when it comes to shooting, their rapid fire execution and an early production date could equate to a 2012 with a year-end showing and potential award buzz for Oscar Isaac. We certainly hope so.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6986/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-14-coen-bros-inside-llewyn-davis</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #15. Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6985/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-15-quentin-tarantinos-django-unchained</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#15. Django Unchained
Director/Writer: Quentin TarantinoProducers:&nbsp; Reginald Hudlin, Pilar Savone, Stacey Sher and of course, Harvey WeinsteinDistributor: The Weinstein Co.
The Gist: This is a spaghetti Western style story of Django (Jamie Foxx), a freed American slave who under the tutelage of a German bounty hunter (Waltz) and then becomes a badass bounty hunter himself. After assisting Waltz on taking down some bad guys for profit, he is in turn assisted by Waltz in tracking down his slave wife and liberating her from an evil plantation owner (DiCaprio)...(more)
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell, Don Johnson, James Remar, Michael Kenneth Williams, RZA, Kerry Washington, Anthony LaPaglia and James Russo
List Worthy Reasons...: Yet another QT signed revenge coming to us with the usual bells and whistles: scenes with instant re-watch value, classic characters (Waltz has the funnest character of them all), well-written spoken dialogue, an homage riddled score and a casting job that will pay out in spades. Should be a blast - but will this top Basterds or the Kill Bills?&nbsp; 
Release Date/Status?: Filming begins this month. Weinstein's are giving this to us for Xmas.




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         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6985/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-15-quentin-tarantinos-django-unchained</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #16. Kelly Reichardt's Night Moves]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6984/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-16-kelly-reichardts-night-moves</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#16. Night Moves
Director/Writer: Kelly ReichardtProducers:&nbsp;Neil Kopp (every single Reichardt film since Old Joy) and Film Science's Anish Savjani Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This centers on three environmentalists (Sarsgaard, Dano) who are intent on blowing up a dam...(more)
Cast: Paul Dano and Peter Sarsgaard
List Worthy Reasons...: Coming off her career best in Meek's Cutoff (which was one of our top films of the year regardless if you think of the title as a 2011 or 2010 release -- as we saw this in Toronto the year before), we hope that Reichardt has a long-lasting wind in her sails. Her she tacks the rarely explored subject matter of eco-terrorism and would be joined by actors (Dano for a second time in a row) in touch with their indie roots. Watch the doc If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front to get prepped for this work. 
Release Date/Status?: Heading to Rotterdam this month as they're still in financing mode, they've already got Dano and Sarsgaard on board and are one away from completing the trio - a female lead will be cast (Rooney Mara was mentioned) leaving us with the idea that it would take some miracle work for this to be released before 2013. But if this somehow gets anchored down early, this indie model (less punishing than the wagon pulling episodes in Meek's Cutoff) might be economic enough for Venice and TIFF could consider themselves lucky again to have a Reichardt film among their line-ups.




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         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6984/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-16-kelly-reichardts-night-moves</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #17. Sergei Loznitsa's In the Fog]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6922/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-17-sergei-loznitsas-in-the-fog</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#17. In the Fog
Director/Writer: Sergei LoznitsaProducers: Heino DeckertDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Based on the Russian novel of the same name, this is set on the Western frontiers of the USSR, 1942. Two partisans receive an order to kill a suspected collaborator. The innocent suspect is desperate to save his honour. Left face-to-face with his enemies, deep in an ancient forest, where the line between treason and heroism dissappears, the main character tries to make a moral choice under immoral circumstances...(more)
Cast: Unknown actors from several European countries of the region.
List Worthy Reasons...: Once again working with Cinematographer Oleg Mutu (4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days), I'm expecting this depiction of WWII to employ the same sort of gritty realism found in his 2010 Cannes preemed My Joy, his feature film debut about a grizzly road trip gone terribly wrong was totally up my alley, but was dissed by fellow Cannes critics. The helmer describes his film as the tale &ldquo;about a man trying to make a moral choice under the immoral circumstances&rdquo; and with a harsh, wilderness backdrop we expect humanity to be put to test once again. We can't wait for this.
Release Date/Status?: Currently in production, this will be completed sometime in 2012 and perhaps even ready for Cannes - where he was one of the very few debut filmmakers to showcase his film in the Main Comp. Kino Lorber distributed My Joy in the U.S. and this should follow the same kind of pathway perhaps in 2013.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6922/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-17-sergei-loznitsas-in-the-fog</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #18. Park Chan-wook's Stoker]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6982/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-18-park-chan-wooks-stoker</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#18. Stoker
Director: Park Chan-wookWriter(s): Wentworth Miller and Erin Cressida WilsonProducers:&nbsp; Scott Free Productions&rsquo; Tony Scott, Ridley Scott and Michael CostiganDistributor: Fox Searchlight
The Gist: Written by Wentworth Miller, after India's (Wasikowska's) father dies in an auto accident, her Uncle Charlie (Goode), who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her emotionally unstable mother (Kidman). Soon after his arrival, she comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives, but instead of feeling outrage or horror, this friendless girl becomes increasingly infatuated with him....(more)
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska, Dermot Mulroney, Matthew Goode, Lucas Till, Ralph Brown, Jacki Weaver, Alden Ehrenreich and Phyllis Somerville
List Worthy Reasons...: Based on the highly touted 2010 Blacklist script by Wentworth Miller, this has undergone a wave or two or changes since appearing on that list, despite the loss of Colin Firth, certain casting changes such as Wasikowska in place of Carey Mulligan might prove in the long-term to be for the better. We have high hopes that Chan-wook's first English language project carries some of his signature stylistic choices found in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy and of course, Lady Vengeance, but expectation levels are in check. 
Release Date/Status?: Fox Searchlight will want to show this in Cannes and see how to map out the film's release from that point on.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6982/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-18-park-chan-wooks-stoker</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #19. Walter Salles' On the Road]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6981/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-19-walter-salles-on-the-road</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#19. On the Road
Director: Walter SallesWriter(s): Jose RiveraProducers: Charles Gillibert, Nathana&euml;l Karmitz and Rebecca YeldhamDistributor: Rights Available (Cinetic)
The Gist: Based on Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac&rsquo;s bestselling cult novel, scripted by Jose Rivera, this is set in New York, the late 1940&rsquo;s. After his father&rsquo;s death, Sal Paradise (Sam Riley), an aspiring 24-year old writer, meets Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), a 20-year old ex-jailbird with flexible morals and a devastating charm. Dean is fascinated by Sal&rsquo;s obsession with writing; Sal is fascinated by Dean&rsquo;s unfettered freedom. They spend their intense, alcohol-fueled nights dreaming of another world, forming a friendship that will take them on the road across the USA. After a stay at Bull Lee&rsquo;s place in Louisiana, Sal, Dean and his beautiful young wife Marylou (Kristen Stewart) form a merry threesome, traveling naked and freely enjoying themselves, a suspended moment in time...(more)
Cast: Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Sturridge, Viggo Mortensen, Amy Adams, Alice Braga, Steve Buscemi, Danny Morgan, Giovanna Zacar&iacute;as, Elisabeth Moss, Terrence Howard
List Worthy Reasons...: Cult novel, an epic 30 plus years for Coppola to bring this to the big screen, a talented filmmaker whose best films are those about personal search/quests (Central Station and The Motorcycle Diaries), A grade ensemble and one of the better cinematographers in Eric Gauthier should make for a brilliant film.
Release Date/Status?: We were thinking this might be ready for 2011 (#26 in our top 100), we expect a huge red carpet (first Monday of the festival) showing for this heavyweight film, followed by huge North American display at a fall festival. Price tag for the film should be a hefty one for Fox, Focus or the Weinsteins.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6981/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-19-walter-salles-on-the-road</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #20. John Hillcoat's Wettest County]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6980/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-20-john-hillcoats-wettest-county</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#20. Wettest County
Director: John HillcoatWriter(s): Nick CaveProducers: Michael Benaroya (Margin Call), Megan Ellison, Red Wagon Prod.'s Lucy Fisher (The Great Gatsby) and Douglas WickDistributor: The Weinstein Co.
The Gist: Based on Matt Bondurant's "The Wettest County in the World," this is true story of the freewheelin' Bondurants brothers, bootlegging siblings taking the law into their own hands. This is the story of the rural hard-men that created the big city gangsters. Brazen and fearless, these young rebel brothers helped build the American Dream in this exuberant tale of what was to become crime's first major gold rush...(more)
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman, Mia Wasikowska
List Worthy Reasons...: We're huge fans of revisionist Westerns and Gangster Films in general, and such a blend in the hands of John Hillcoat and his creative partnership with musical genius Nick Cave (they last gave us gold in 2005's The Proposition) should make Wettest County one of the year's earliest must see pics of the year. 
Release Date/Status?: Weinstein Co. have circled an August 31st release date. Opening film at Venice is a distinct possibilty.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6980/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-20-john-hillcoats-wettest-county</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #21. Andrew Dominik's Cogan's Trade]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6979/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-21-andrew-dominiks-cogans-trade</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#21. Cogan's Trade
Director/Writer: Andrew DominikProducers: Plan B.'s Dede Gardner and Brad Pitt with Chockstone Pictures' Paula Mae Schwartz and Steve SchwartzDistributor: The Weinstein Co.
The Gist: Scripted by Andrew Dominik, this story is said to focus on a hit man's point person. Jackie Cogan is a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game...(more)
Cast: Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, James Gandolfini, Vincent Curatola, Richard Jenkins and Ray Liotta
List Worthy Reasons...: Fearful that Andrew Dominik's filmography would be a snail paced one, a big thanks goes to Brad Pitt who essentially put the Aussie filmmaker right back on the map after a less than 4 million dollar domestic gross for his poetic 2007 sophomore pic, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. We've been fans of the helmer since his debut film, Chopper and hope that this criminal underworld, James Gray-like nocturnal set street pic is steel cold and gritty. Animal Kingdom's Ben Mendelsohn casting choice is spot on. One of the many Weinstein Co. anticipated 2012 releases. 
Release Date/Status?: Dominik brought Jesse James to Venice and if the Weinsteins don't have another menu item positioned for Cannes, then we can expect this to be a part of the Croisette.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6979/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-21-andrew-dominiks-cogans-trade</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #22. Roy Andersson's A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6978/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-22-roy-anderssons-a-pigeon-sat-on-a-branch-reflecting-on-existence</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#22. A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
Director/Writer: Roy AnderssonProducers:&nbsp;Pernilla Sandstr&ouml;m (You, the Living) Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist:  This focuses on two central characters: one is a traveling salesman and the other is slightly mentally retarded. It is the vendor who tells his friend about why society is what it is...(more)
Cast: Unknown.
List Worthy Reasons...: We discovered the absurdest humor of Roy Andersson late in his career with Songs from the Second Floor -- which oddly counted as only his second feature film in a four decade run which was interfered by his career of avant-garde commercial work. We loved parts of 2007's You, the Living and apparently this shot on the RED camera is the final part of a trilogy that Andersson mentions will be "enormous, deep and fantastic, humorous and tragic, philosophical, Dostoyevsky film." 
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post production - this is more than likely heading to Cannes' Main Competition section circa 2012.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6978/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-22-roy-anderssons-a-pigeon-sat-on-a-branch-reflecting-on-existence</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #23. Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky's Francine]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6977/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-23-brian-m-cassidy-and-melanie-shatzkys-francine</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#23. Francine
Directors/Writers: Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie ShatzkyProducers:&nbsp;Washington Square Films' Joshua Blum (And Everything Is Going Fine) and Katie SternDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Francine (Melissa Leo), is a woman struggling to find her place in a downtrodden lakeside town after leaving behind a life in prison. Taking a series of jobs working with animals, Francine turns away those who take an interest in her and instead seeks intimacy in the most unlikely of places...(more)
Cast: Melissa Leo is the heart and soul of the drama. Keith Leonard, Victoria Charkut, Dave Clark and Mike Halstead co-star.
List Worthy Reasons...: The TIFF preemed The Patron Saints was my introduction to the extremely gifted husband and wife directing team of Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky. Some called their vigorous docu-essay depressing, I couldn't have been more animated by this unclassifiable document and I can just imagine how much of an atypical role was designed &amp; developed for their film lead, Melissa Leo. Expectations levels are high enough to think we'll find something more fierce than her performance in Frozen River.
Release Date/Status?: Surprised that this wasn't included at Sundance - this could be a Cannes Directors' Fortnight showing be a possibility with a probalbe second viewing in Toronto.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6977/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-23-brian-m-cassidy-and-melanie-shatzkys-francine</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #24. Untitled Ramin Bahrani Film]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6976/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-24-untitled-ramin-bahrani-film</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#24. Untitled Ramin Bahrani Drama
Director: Ramin BahraniWriter(s): Bahrani and Hallie Elizabeth Newton Producers: Killer Films' Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, Treehouse Films' Justin Nappi and Kevin Turen with Teddy Schwarzman, Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This centers on an enterprising farmer (Dennis Quaid) whose plans to expand cause conflict with his wife and sons  - he clashes with his race car-driving son (Zac Efron) because he&rsquo;d like the boy to follow in his career footsteps. Clancy Brown plays a rival farmer...(more)
Cast: Zac Efron, Dennis Quaid, Heather Graham, Clancy Brown, Kim Dickens and Red West
List Worthy Reasons...: Haven't been this excited for a farm-related drama since the Blu-Ray release of Days of Heaven. It'll be interesting to see how Bahrani and his wingman DP Michael Simmonds tackle a project which is bigger in production value than his previous three indie gems. With Man Push Cart and Goodbye Solo, Bahrani focused on the immigrant experience, and now with purebreds Dennis Quaid and Efron this looks like apple pie Americana. We're hoping something close in terms of family dynamics to Jeff Nichols' Take Shelter - worth noting is the participation of Goodbye Solo's Red West. 
Release Date/Status?: Both Cannes and Venice have been kind to Bahrani - curious to see how the name cast and an applied Bahrani sensibility plays out on the big screen.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6976/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-24-untitled-ramin-bahrani-film</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #25. Untitled Kathryn Bigelow Osama Bin Laden Thriller]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6975/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-25-untitled-kathryn-bigelow-osama-bin-laden-thriller</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#25. Untitled Kathryn Bigelow Osama Bin Laden Thriller
Director: Kathryn BigelowWriter(s): Mark BoalProducers: Boal and Megan EllisonDistributor: Columbia Pictures
The Gist: Written by Boal, this is described as a black ops thriller which focuses on the mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, which culminated in his death during a high-stakes raid on his compound in Pakistan on May 2nd, 2011...(more)
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Edgar Ramirez and Mark Strong have just joined Jason Clarke, Chris Pratt and lead Joel Edgerton.
List Worthy Reasons...: Thanks to one Republican party member for giving this project tremendous buzz when it was in the development stage - rumors that an the Academy award winning director had classified Bin Laden information in her possession is beyond ridiculous, but aligning herself with scribe Mark Boal assures an authenticity, fleshed out combat zone situations and characters (soldiers quirks have always been a point of fascination for me. We saw how great journalism and popcorn could be a winning formula on the smaller scaled The Hurt Locker, but working from a backdrop and a form she is accustomed to, this might be slightly less badass than her Oscar wining pic but a great pulled from the headlines account.
Release Date/Status?: With casting almost confirmed and an imminent production start date, Columbia Pictures have targeted an awards-friendly date of December 19th, but don't be surprised if this moves into 2013.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6975/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-25-untitled-kathryn-bigelow-osama-bin-laden-thriller</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #26. Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6974/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-26-wes-andersons-moonrise-kingdom</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#26. Moonrise Kingdom
Director: Wes AndersonWriter(s): Anderson and Roman CoppolaProducers:&nbsp;Anderson, Jeremy Dawson, Steven M. Rales and Scott RudinDistributor: Focus Features
The Gist: Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, this follows a young boy and girl (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) falling in love. When they are moved to run away together, various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down &ndash; which might not be such a bad thing. Bruce Willis plays the town sheriff; Edward Norton is cast as a camp leader; and Bill Murray and Frances McDormand portray the young girl&rsquo;s parents...(more)
Cast: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Jason Schwartzman and Harvey Keitel
List Worthy Reasons...: While we have a stronger allegiance to the other Anderson, the child at heart Wes Anderson can't do any wrong with first loves, summer camps, concerned parents by enlisting the help of the likes of co-writer Roman Coppola (The Darjeeling Limited), regular DP Robert Yeoman and with Fantastic Mr.Fox's Composer Alexandre Desplat with a slew of supporting plays both new (Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Harvey Keitel) and old (Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman). I'll be more buzzed about this when the first images and trailer arrive. 
Release Date/Status?: Focus have lassoed a May 25th release date, a red carpet Cannes becomes a definite option.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6974/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-26-wes-andersons-moonrise-kingdom</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #27. Matthew Porterfield's I Used to Be Darker]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6973/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-27-matthew-porterfields-i-used-to-be-darker</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#27. I Used to Be Darker
Director: Matthew PorterfieldWriters: Porterfield and Amy BelkProducers:&nbsp;Steve Holmgren and Eric Bannat, (Putty Hill), Amy Dotson and Nomadic Independence Pictures' Ryan Zacarias (#99 on our list When the World's on Fire)Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This is about a young woman named Taryn, a Northern Irish runaway, who finds herself pregnant in Ocean City, MD, she seeks refuge with American relatives in Baltimore. But Aunt Kim and her husband, Bill, have problems of their own: they&rsquo;re trying to handle the end of their marriage gracefully for the sake of their daughter Abby, just home from her first year of college...(more)
Cast: Ned Oldham, Kim Taylor, Hannah Gross and Deragh Campbell
List Worthy Reasons...: Talk about having this project tattooed to his heart (and arm - see pic above) - one of our U.S indie filmmaker revelations to watch out for is helmer Matthew Porterfield. His sophormoe feature, Putty Hill was a major hit at several film festival stops in 2010 (where we meet up with him for this viral interview) and the pic was not surprisingly mentioned on several top lists of the year 11'. He didn't waste anytime putting this project together - in one of the most funniest crowd-sourcing pleas, and we're kind of excited for this project in the way thousands incomprehensibly fell for music-imbedded in narrative Once.&nbsp; 
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post-production, we see this on the Croisette (Directors' Fortnight).




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6973/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-27-matthew-porterfields-i-used-to-be-darker</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #28. David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6972/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-28-david-cronenbergs-cosmopolis</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#28. Cosmopolis
Director/Writer: David CronenbergProducers:&nbsp;Paulo Branco and Martin KatzDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Based on Don DeLillo's novel, this centers around a multimillionaire (Pattinson) on a 24-hour odyssey across Manhattan as he attempts to get a haircut, betting his wealth against the declining Japanese Yen...(more)
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Paul Giamatti, Jay Baruchel, Kevin Durand, Juliette Binoche, Samantha Morton, Sarah Gadon and Mathieu Amalric
List Worthy Reasons...: Supplied with a strong Euro and North American cast, apparently Cronenberg's adaptation of Don DeLillo's work is fairly strong. The novel is a modern re-interpretation of James Joyce's Ulysses smack dab in NYC's corporate world.  
Release Date/Status?: With Binoche and Amalric in the mix the logic is a grand Cannes red carpet premiere with plenty of buyer activity thinking of the fall season and milking it for Pattinson presence factor. If this becomes a fall release, look for a TIFF North American premiere.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6972/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-28-david-cronenbergs-cosmopolis</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #29. Nicolas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives ]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6971/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-29-nicolas-winding-refns-only-god-forgives</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#29. Only God Forgives 
Director/Writer: Nicolas Winding RefnProducers:&nbsp;Johnny Andersen and Lene B&oslash;rglumDistributor: FilmDistrict
The Gist: Set in the worlds of gambling, boxing and prostitution in Bangkok, this revenge story centers on a Thai cop and a British gangster hiding in Thailand...(more)
Cast: Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas
List Worthy Reasons...: We often discuss performance, image, sound and a distinct voice in what makes the measures of a great film. Refn check-marked all these boxes when he made the cinematic wallop known as Drive. One of the highlights for 2011, the union between Ryan Gosling and Nicolas Winding Refn might provide one more cinematic gem for 2012, that is if they get back together quick enough.  One more tough guy role is fine by us, but to be honest we'd prefer to see this in 2013 as Gosling is playing badboy part of Luke in Derek Cianfrance's film and Sgt. Jerry in The Gangster Squad. 
Release Date/Status?: Still in pre-production, if Gaumont want to get this into the 2012 calendar they'll need to start filming very early. 2013 release is more probable.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6971/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-29-nicolas-winding-refns-only-god-forgives</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #30. Untitled Mark Jackson Drama]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6950/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-30-untitled-mark-jackson-drama</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#30. Untitled Mark Jackson Drama
Director/Writer: Mark JacksonProducers: TBADistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This is about a war photographer who is stationed in Sicily after covering the war in Libya. ...(more)
Cast: Expect a female lead to be announced shortly.
List Worthy Reasons...: In our interview with the filmmaker, Jackson described this as an "emotional sequel" to his debut, which we classify as a one of 2011's best American indie filmmaker feature film debuts. Without generated the kind of critical buzz at the beginning of the year that helped the push it past the midway point, adding top tier fall film festival invites and nominations from both the Gotham and Indie Spirit awards.
Release Date/Status?: The probabilities of this making a splash in Italy's premium fest (Paolo Baratta's Venice Film Festival) are extremely slim as the production is planned for March of this year, but such variables as size, scope and the tech crew behind the production could get this ready for back to back festival years.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6950/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-30-untitled-mark-jackson-drama</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #31. Pablo Larrain's No]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6920/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-31-pablo-larrains-no</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#31. No
Director: Pablo Larra&iacute;nWriter(s): Pedro Peirano Producers: Daniel Marc Dreifuss, Juan de Dios and Pablo Larra&iacute;nDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Inspired in part by "Referendum," an unpublished play by Antonio Skarmeta and based on true events, "No" takes place before the 1988 referendum staged by Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet to gain a further eight-year term in office. Adopting a brilliantly upbeat advertising campaign, the "No" campaign won the plebiscite, ousting Pinochet...(more)
Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal (and hopefully a small appearance from Alfredo Castro?)
List Worthy Reasons...: Huge fans of both his second (Tony Manero) and third (Post Mortem) features, we hope that Larrain's subversive, edgy style in all things related to his beloved, politically challenged Chile somehow continue with this project -- which appears lighter in tone and boasts the good-natured Gael Garcia Bernal (an actor we like best when working with more challenging, auteur-driven material as recently witnessed in The Loneliest Planet. 
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post production, Venice and TIFF/NYFF dates are almost certain.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6920/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-31-pablo-larrains-no</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #32. Martin McDonagh's Seven Psychopaths]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6968/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-32-martin-mcdonaghs-seven-psychopaths</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#32. Seven Psychopaths 
Director/Writer: Martin McDonaghProducers: McDonagh, Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin Distributor: CBS Films
The Gist: This is about Marty (Colin Farrell) a struggling writer who dreams of finishing his screenplay Seven Psychopaths. All he needs is a little focus and inspiration. Billy (Sam Rockwell) is Marty&rsquo;s best friend, an unemployed actor and part time dog thief, who wants to help Marty by any means necessary...(more)
Cast: Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Abbie Cornish, Olga Kurylenko, Gabourey Sidibe, Tom Waits and Kevin Corrigan
List Worthy Reasons...: Martin McDonagh blasted onto the seen with the highly likeable In Bruges. Key to the film was the presence of Colin Farrell. In this film the Irishman is being paired with Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Abbie Cornish, Olga Kurylenko and a bottle of whiskey. Such an ensemble could pay dividends once again.  
Release Date/Status?: Currently filming, this will certainly be shown theatrically in the 3rd or 4th quarter this year with a festival premiere just beforehand.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #33. Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6967/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-33-jonathan-glazers-under-the-skin</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#33. Under the Skin
Director: Jonathan GlazerWriter(s): Walter Campbell Producers:&nbsp;Nick Wechsler and James WilsonDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Based on Michel Faber&rsquo;s eponymous novel, Scarlett Johannson plays an alien on earth, disguised as the perfect aesthetic form of a mesmerizing woman. She scours remote highways and desolate scenery looking to use her greatest weapon to snare human prey &ndash; her voracious sexuality...(more)
Cast: Scarlett Johansson toplines. 
List Worthy Reasons...: Like just about everyone else we were huge on Sexy Beast back in Y2K and we thought his follow-up film, Birth was a well-intentioned misfire, so you could say it was a long eight year wait for Jonathan Glazer's third film. We were skeptical at first about this project, but then we're reminded of the video helmer/commercials' director skill at creating moody atmospherics and is a whiz with the camera. Sexual identity and humanity are major themes of this sci-fi book to film adaptation.  
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post-production, the question we should be asking ourselves is how SFX work will be needed, if any to this sci-fi storyline? He is accustomed to the fall festival season releases (TIFF for Sexy Beast, Venice for Birth) and will probably line-up both fests this time out and with Scarlett Johansson toplining, it assures a pick-up for North America.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6967/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-33-jonathan-glazers-under-the-skin</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #34. So Yong Kim's For Ellen]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6966/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-34-so-yong-kims-for-ellen</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#34. For Ellen
Director/Writer: So Yong KimProducers:&nbsp;Kim, Bradley Rust Gray and Jen GatienDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: When an aspiring young rock musician (Paul Dano) agrees to sign divorce papers with his estranged wife, he discovers he is not ready to forfeit all custody of his six-year-old daughter...(more)
Cast: Paul Dano, Jon Heder, Jena Malone, Margarita Levieva and Dakota Johnson.
List Worthy Reasons...: 2012 is the year of Paul Dano who reminds us why he is a sought after indie film lead. He has got Looper, He Loves Me, Being Flynn and this single parent drama in the can and he is working on Night Moves and gets to play Karl Rove in the blacklist favorite, College Republicans. Fans of Kim can breathe a collective sigh of relief -- after back to back consecutive years on our Top Most Anticipated List (#53 in 2010, #18 in 2011).
Release Date/Status?: This is finally getting a festival premiere at Sundance with a possible showing in Berlin as well. Will be picked up for distribution and set up for a 2012 release.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6966/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-34-so-yong-kims-for-ellen</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #35. Peter Strickland's Berberian Sound Studio]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6965/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-35-peter-stricklands-berberian-sound-studio</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#35. Berberian Sound Studio
Director/Writer: Peter StricklandProducers:&nbsp;Mary Burke (Submarine), Illuminations Films' Simon Field and Keith Griffiths (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives)Distributor: Rights Available (Match Factory)
The Gist: Berberian Sound Studio is one of the cheapest, sleaziest post-production studios in Italy. Only the most sordid horror films have their sound processed and sharpened in this studio. Gilderoy (Toby Jones), a shy and nondescript sound engineer from the UK is hired to mix the latest giallo film by horror maestro, Santini (Antonio Mancino) and he soon finds himself caught up in a forbidding world of bitter actors, capricious foley artists and confounding bureaucracy...(more)
Cast: Toby Jones toplines.
List Worthy Reasons...: The Silver Bear (2009 Berlin Film Festival) and The European Film Academy's Discovery of the Year award winning Katalin Varga announced that the arrival of helmer Peter Strickland. I have a penchant for films about the filmmaking process and an important factoid worth mentioning is that Strickland has a background in sound effect/recording profession so this should be of interest twofold. 
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post-production, this would make for a great showing in Cannes or Venice followed by a BFI London premiere.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6965/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-35-peter-stricklands-berberian-sound-studio</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #36. Bruno Dumont's La Créatrice]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6964/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-36-bruno-dumonts-la-cratrice</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#36. La Cr&eacute;atrice 
Director/Writer: Bruno Dumont Producers:&nbsp;Rachid Bouchareb and Jean Br&eacute;hatDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This is about the tragic destiny of the sculptor Camille Claudel (Binoche) who in 1914 was committed by her family to a mental asylum in the South of France where she spent the last 30 years of her life and never sculpted again...(more)
Cast: Juliette Binoche and Denis Podalyd&egrave;s
List Worthy Reasons...: Unlike G&eacute;rard Depardieu, I can only picture a select few A-level French actresses who would be up to the challenge of working with someone such as Bruno Dumont and his emotionally devastating texts. It'll be a first for him (he usually works with non-pros) and in an odd karma alignment, Binoche is playing the same role that Isabelle Adjani played in 1988's titular Camille Claudel. Adjani's co-star was Depardieu. Binoche will kick butt.
Release Date/Status?: The project was announced late in 2011 with filming is set for February.&nbsp; A 2012 festival release at Venice/TIFF date is an outside possibilty.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6964/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-36-bruno-dumonts-la-cratrice</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #37. Untitled Hong Sang-soo Project]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6963/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-37-untitled-hong-sang-soo-project</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#37. Untitled Hong Sang-soo Project
Director/Writer: Hong Sang-sooProducers: TBDDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Taking place near the backdrop of the beach/coastal town, what we do know is that Huppert is joined by Hong Sang-soo regular Yu Jun-Sang and I like how we put it: "one can presume that the thematic material in this one won&rsquo;t deviate too much from his usual concerns, i.e. love triangles (squares, pentagons, and so forth), filmmaking and creative processes, and kimchi eating."...(more)
Cast: Isabelle Huppert and Yu Jun-Sang
List Worthy Reasons...: 2012 will be known as the year that Isabelle Huppert experimented with Asian auteur filmmakers and we're more curious about a potential relationship drama with Hong Sang-soo than the hostage Berlin preemed Captured by Brillante Mendoza. 
Release Date/Status?: Filming towards the end of 2011, if there is a filmmaker who can meet a Cannes deadline in a short amount of time it is Sang-soo. Naturally with Huppert involved, we expect a Croisette showing in either the Main Comp or Un Certain Regard competition.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6963/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-37-untitled-hong-sang-soo-project</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #38. Todd Rohal's Scoutmasters]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6962/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-38-todd-rohals-scoutmasters</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#38. Scoutmaster
Director/Writer: Todd RohalProducers:&nbsp;Big Beach Films' Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub (Our Idiot Brother) and Lisa Muskat (Shotgun Stories) Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: When a well-meaning but immature Scouting Leader kidnaps his adopted Sudanese nephew to indoctrinate him into the joys of scouting, his good intentions are quickly thwarted as he leads his troop down a darkly comic road of chaos, death, and destruction. Knoxville and Oswalt will play battling brothers who attempt to honor their ailing father by taking a troop of boys on a camping trip...(more)
Cast: Patton Oswalt, Maura Tierney, Johnny Knoxville, Rob Riggle and Patrice O'Neal's final film role before his death - (check out this stand-up comedy number).
List Worthy Reasons...: Perhaps the least known member of the North Carolina club (David Gordon Green, Jeff Nichols, Craig Zobel, Jody Hill, DP Tim Orr, Aaron Katz and Ramin Bahrani) this is the year that Todd Rohal breaks out beyond the faithful few who've been tracking Rohal's genius since The Guatemalan Handshake, and more recently, the Sundance/SXSW preemed The Catechism Cataclysm (here is our review). We like this helmer's offbeat, unique humor and wouldn't be surprised if Patton Oswalt and Johnny Knoxville were challenged by the material -- which was part of the Sundance's 2009 Screenwriting Lab.
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post-production, the untitled project missed out on a Sundance deadline so you can be sure that producers are weighing the pros and cons of a festival release in 2012.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6962/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-38-todd-rohals-scoutmasters</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #39. Andrew Dosunmu's Ma' George]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6961/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-39-andrew-dosunmus-ma-george</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#39. Ma' George
Director: Andrew DosunmuWriter: Darci PicoultProducers:&nbsp; The Group Entertainment's Carly Hugo and Matthew Parker(Restless City) along with Parts and Labor's Jay Van Hoy and Lars KnudsenDistributor: Rights Available

The Gist: Mosa, a 31 year-old African woman having just arrived in from Africa for her wedding, finds herself in the middle of Brooklyn already engaged to marry fellow African, Lebo. Both struggle to define their relationship in modern terms, and resolve the gaps between African tradition and American life...(more)
Cast: Yaya DaCosta, Isaach De Bankol&eacute; and Danai Gurira
List Worthy Reasons...: Dosunmu has been workshopping this project since 2005 (he was invited to the Sundance labs with it) but got delayed (here is our sit-down with the Dosunmu) and then the filmmaker with a photography background and a true knack for capturing city life made the indie budgeted gem Restless City (released on the festival circuit  at fests such as Sundance, AFi Fest) and here re-teams with the excellent DP Bradford Young for a project that includes the beautiful Yaya DaCosta and regular Jim Jarmusch contributor, Isaach De Bankol&eacute;. We're banking an intimate, immigrant experience tale that is textured and stylized.  
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post-production, look for this to receive a film festival premiere (Cannes' Directors' Fortnight or Critics' Week would be smart bets) en route towards a 2013 theatrical release.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6961/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-39-andrew-dosunmus-ma-george</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #40. Laurent Cantet's Foxfire]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6970/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-40-laurent-cantets-foxfire</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#40. Foxfire
Director/Writer: Laurent CantetProducers:&nbsp;Simon Arnal, Caroline Benjo, Barbara Letellier, Carole Scotta, Simone Urdl and Jennifer WeissDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Based on Joyce Carole Oates&rsquo;s novel Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang, this is set in a working-class district of a small town in New York State in the 1950s. In this violent post-war culture controlled by men, a group of headstrong teenage girls unite into a sisterhood of blood: they form the Foxfire gang, a secret female-only society, recognized by the flame tattooed on the back of its members&rsquo; shoulders...(more)
Cast: Comprised of unknown actresses.
List Worthy Reasons...: It'll be a great 2012 for fans of the Palme d'Or winning director Laurent Cantet, as he explores both Havana (La Fuente) with his Sunday piece in 7 Days and with this English language first. With The Class, the filmmaker certainly felt at ease working with teens, and something tells me that this 50's piece will be just as poignant. 
Release Date/Status?: Cannes 2012 is obviously a huge possibilty.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6970/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-40-laurent-cantets-foxfire</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #41. Cate Shortland's Lore]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6959/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-41-cate-shortlands-lore</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#41. Lore
Director: Cate ShortlandWriter(s): Shortland and Robin MukherjeeProducers:&nbsp;Porchlight Films' Liz Watts, Paul Welsh, Rohfilm's Karsten Stoeter &amp; Benny DrechselDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Based on the book by Rachel Seiffert and written by Cate Shortland and Robin Mukherjee, set in Spring of 1945, as the German front collapses, the Allied forces take control over Hitler&rsquo;s country. With her Nazi parents imprisoned, 14-year-old Lore is left alone in charge of her four young siblings...(more)
Cast: Saskia Rosendahl and Ursina Lardi
List Worthy Reasons...: It's been a long, very long eight years since she dropped Somersault upon art-house patrons. Once again employing the unknown young actress in the lead, this multi-territory co-production is a heftier and I don't think will have any resemblance to her 2004 debut (I recall a more gloomy, low budget aesthetic) this could make for a potentially engrossing watch with young leads surviving WW2.
Release Date/Status?: Cannes appears to be the logical venue for the film - her debut was presented in the Un Certain Regard section - this might receive the same slot.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6959/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-41-cate-shortlands-lore</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #42. Nick Cassavetes' Yellow]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6958/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-42-nick-cassavetes-yellow</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#42. Yellow
Director: Nick CassavetesWriters: Cassavetes and Heather WahlquistProducers: Jordan Gertner, Chris Hanley, David Hillary, Timothy Wayne PeternelDistributor: Seven Arts Entertainment and GFM Films LLC
The Gist: This is about a young woman whose drug habit isn&rsquo;t the worst of her problems...(more)
Cast: Lucy Punch, Sienna Miller, David Morse, Daveigh Chase, Elizabeth Daily, Melanie Griffith, Gena Rowlands, Max Thieriot, Riley Keough and Wahlquist
List Worthy Reasons...: Going on year two, we've been anticipating the project when it was first announced (#61 in 2011) and oddly, somewhere along the way Ben Foster dropped out of this indie addiction drama (perhaps Rampart took its place?) which is a shame because he and Cassavetes worked out so well with his Alpha Dog character. On paper this is up our alley and we think this dark comedy might pan out to be an edgier, more worthwhile career choice for this Cassavetes.
Release Date/Status?: Picked up by a new distribution company, this could receive a world premiere at a fest as early as Berlin, or as late as Venice/TIFF/Telluride/London/AFI Fest.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6958/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-42-nick-cassavetes-yellow</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #43. Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6957/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-43-harmony-korines-spring-breakers</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#43. Spring Breakers
Director/Writer: Harmony KorineProducers:&nbsp;Charles-Marie Anthonioz (Trash Humpers), Jordan Gertner, Chris Hanley, David Zander Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work...(more)
Cast: James Franco, Selena Gomez, Emma Roberts, Vanessa Hudgens, Heather Morris and Rachel Korine (featured in pic above with husband). 	
List Worthy Reasons...: After his most recent creative misfires in Trash Humpers and Mister Lonely, I figured that I wouldn't be too pumped for Harmony Korine's future output...well I think I might be wrong with that assertion. With a premise that sounds Gregg Araki-like, with Steven Spielberg's right-hand man DP Janusz Kaminski on board and risk-taker James Franco being cast alongside tween icons (Selena Gomez, Emma Roberts, Vanessa Hudgens) we might just be in for an avant-garde caper film. 
Release Date/Status?: With casting in place, production should begin sometime this year. An early shoot means a possible Venice/TIFF showing, a late shoot means this is going to Cannes in 2013. If that occurs, look for Lotus Community Workshop as a filler.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6957/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-43-harmony-korines-spring-breakers</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #44. François Ozon's Dans la Maison]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6956/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-44-franois-ozons-dans-la-maison</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#44. Dans la Maison
Director/Writer: Francois OzonProducers: Eric and Nicolas AltmayerDistributor: Rights Available (Wild Bunch)
The Gist: This is about a professor and the student who comes to threaten the relationships of those around them...(more)
Cast: Fabrice Luchini, Emmanuelle Seigner and Kristin Scott-Thomas
List Worthy Reasons...: With back to back films Le Refuge and Potiche constituting as an upward swing in his career, Francois Ozon's In the House is according to the producers of the film closer to the atmosphere found in Swimming Pool with a more comedic tone. 
Release Date/Status?: Shot late in 2011, this might be more ready for Cannes, but multiple fall festival season showings is more likely.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6956/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-44-franois-ozons-dans-la-maison</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #45. Raymond Depardon's Journal de France]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6955/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-45-raymond-depardons-journal-de-france</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#45. Journal De France
Director: Raymond Depardon and Claudine NougaretProducers:&nbsp;Claudine Nougaret Distributor: Rights Available (Wild Bunch)
The Gist: Traveling alone, internationally acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Raymond Depardon spent six years capturing his home country with a large format camera. This long, solitary road trip provided fertile ground for the creation - with his long-time partner and collaborator Claudine Nougaret - of an extraordinary travel journal. The journey returned Depardon to important places from his past as a reporter - Chad, Venice, Cannes - and to a wealth of previously unseen footage from his archive - an interview with Jean-Bedel Bokassa, film of Jean-Luc Godard, extraordinary glimpses of private and public life. Intimate, compelling, revelatory, "Journal de France" offers a unique portrait of a country and its landscapes, an overview of a truly remarkable career and a fascinating resume of the development of the photographic art over the past half century...(more)
List Worthy Reasons...: So if Raymond Depardon filmed the French countryside with such care and attentiveness in 2008's La Vie Moderne, I imagine we'll be getting some of the same and then more -- apart from the road docu movie, Depardon will be including a treasure trove of items from a career spanning almost half a century.
Release Date/Status?: Logically this would have a rendez-vous date in Cannes in 2012. Un Certain Regard selection appears more than likely.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6955/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-45-raymond-depardons-journal-de-france</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #46. Jesper Ganslandt's Blondie]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6954/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-46-jesper-ganslandts-blondie</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#46. Blondie
Director/Writer: Jesper GanslandtProducers:&nbsp;Jesper KurlandskyDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Blondie is about a family, where the three adult sisters (Alexandra Dahlstrom, Helena af Sandeberg, Carolina Gynning) who move home with their mother (Marie Goranzon), once again experiencing sibling rivalry and feelings of hate and love...(more)
Cast: Marie G&ouml;ranzon, Alexandra Dahlstr&ouml;m, Carolina Gynning, Helena af Sandberg &amp; Olle Sarri
List Worthy Reasons...: In 2009 the Swedish helmer factory gave us a new name to watch out for. It's The Ape that put the filmmaker on our map but we won't be expecting further medicine-ball pounding from this Swede. Apparently moving closer to the tone of Farewell Falkenberg, Jesper Ganslandt is delving into family and female dynamics via situational humor. We look forward in reading these subtitles. 
Release Date/Status?: A 2012 Film Festival release premiere is assured. TIFF should have the North American preem.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6954/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-46-jesper-ganslandts-blondie</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #47. Juan Solanas' Upside Down]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6953/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-47-juan-solanas-upside-down</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#47. Upside Down
Director: Juan SolanasWriter(s): Santiago Amigorena and Solanas
Producers:&nbsp;Claude L&eacute;ger, Dimitri Rassam, Aton Soumache, Jonathan Vanger and Alexis VonarbDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Adam (Sturgess) is a seemingly ordinary guy in a very extraordinary universe. He lives humbly trying to make ends meet, but his romantic spirit holds on to the memory of a girl he met once upon a time from another world, an inverted affluent world with its own gravity, directly above but beyond reach... a girl named Eve (Dunst)...(more)
Cast: Jim Sturgess toplines supported by Kirsten Dunst.
List Worthy Reasons...: I'll reiterate what I mentioned same time last year (#53 in 2011) : filmmaking is in his blood, his debut film was a Cannes invite, the short film (The Man Without a Head) I have seen of his is stellar and while I have an aversion to sci-fi/time travel related romances, if the chemistry between Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturgess works, this might break out of the so-called "mold" that I dislike.
Release Date/Status?: With test screenings out of the way, we think that there might be a return trip to Cannes for Dunst. What section of the festival? Good question. With a price tag of north of 60 million and with several territories up for grabs, a North American release will depend on size and scope of the film and this could possibly go to a major studio who'll want a world release date.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6953/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-47-juan-solanas-upside-down</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #48. Atom Egoyan's Devil’s Knot ]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6952/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-48-atom-egoyans-devils-knot</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#48. Devil's Knot
Director: Atom EgoyanWriter(s): Originally written by Scott Derrickson and Paul Boardman, rewrites from Egoyan and Producers:&nbsp;Paul Harris Boardman, Elizabeth Fowler, Clark Peterson, Richard SapersteinDistributor: Rights Available (Dimension put this in turnaround)
The Gist: Based on Mara Leveritt's book, the drama centers on an infamous Arkansas murder case that ended with the conviction of three teens based largely on their alleged fascination with the occult. Three children were savagely murdered in 1993. Weeks later, police announced the arrest of three teens accused of committing the murders as part of a satanic cult ritual...(more)
Cast: So far only Reese Witherspoon has been mentioned, a whole lot of casting mentions should be made shortly.
List Worthy Reasons...: Back when the project was in the works, the Paradise docs were not yet a trilogy, West Memphis 3 were nowhere near freedom. Despite the heavy media coverage, Atom Egoyan can convincingly get into the psyche of the epoque but will need to bring his A game (The Sweet Hereafter skillset) and strike this while still hot. With Melissa Leo overused in such roles, a Reese Witherspoon could get away with playing the role of the mother of one of the murder victims.
Release Date/Status?: Chances for a 2012 release are slim as production is scheduled for the summer.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6952/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-48-atom-egoyans-devils-knot</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #49. Craig Zobel's Compliance]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6951/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-49-craig-zobels-compliance</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#49. Compliance
Director/Writer: Craig ZobelProducers: Zobel, Tyler Davidson, Sophia Lin, Lisa Muskat and Theo SenaDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Based on actual events, when a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee, no one is left unscathed...(more)
Cast: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker and Pat Healy
List Worthy Reasons...: Winner of the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Director, Craig Zobel has been attached to about a half dozen projects the moment 2007's Great World of Sound became a part of the collective consciousness, and my thinking that this unfathomable true story is a culmination of going with your gut, going micro and being pro-active in the creation department rather than wait it out any further. Zobel works with DP Adam Stone (amazing resume includes works with David Gordon Green, Jeff Nichols and Zobel's debut film) in what I'm thinking might be a modern day horror film. Pat Healy rejoins Zobel, but look for plenty of poise from Dreama Walker.
Release Date/Status?: Showing up in Park City in the NEXT section at the Sundance Film Festival, this looks like great bait for an indie distributor looking to add to their 2012 slate.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6951/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-49-craig-zobels-compliance</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #50. 7 Days In Havana]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6960/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-50-7-days-in-havana</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#50. 7 d&iacute;as en La Habana
Director: Laurent Cantet. Julio Medem, Benicio Del Toro, Gaspar No&eacute;, Elia Suleiman, Juan Carlos Tab&iacute;o, Pablo TraperoWriter: Leonardo PaduraProducers:&nbsp;Laurent Baudens, Didar Domehri, Alvaro Longoria, Gael Nouaille, Fabien PisaniDistributor: Rights Available (Wild Bunch)
The Gist: The film is presented as a mosaic of seven stories that take place in Havana over the course of one week. The purpose of the movie is to provide a snapshot of modern Havana in all its complexity. (more)
Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Vladimir Cruz, Mirta Ibarra, Jorge Perugorria, Melvis Santa Estevez, Beatriz Dorta, Othello Rensoli, Daniel Br&uuml;hl, Elia Suleiman, Emir Kusturica
List Worthy Reasons...: Typically, I'm not a fan of the omnibus, but I consider myself a fan to various degrees of the seven attached names in this pack. The untouched utilized backdrop of Havana is such a rich and rarely shot locale and a seven day Monday to Sunday narrative stretch and conjoining storyline and characters means the bookends of the film will feel a lot more natural. Pic above is from Gaspar No&eacute;'s section. 
Release Date/Status?: 2012. A planned festival showing should be followed by a pick-up from indie label distributor.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6960/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-50-7-days-in-havana</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #51. Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6948/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-51-alfonso-cuarns-gravity</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#51. Gravity
Director: Alfonso Cuar&oacute;nWriter(s): Alfonso Cuar&oacute;n, Jon&aacute;s Cuar&oacute;n and Rodrigo Garc&iacute;aProducers: Alfonso Cuar&oacute;n and David Heyman Distributor: Warner Bros.
The Gist: Co-written by Alfonso and his son, Jonas Cuar&oacute;n, this centers on a team of astronauts &mdash; including the lead medical engineer and a talkative "mile-a-minute" veteran astronaut &mdash; who are asked to abandon their fix-it Hubble telescope mission and quickly reboard their ship after a sudden implosion of Russian satellites triggers a debris avalanche in orbit that threatens their immediate safety. It's basically a very high concept sci-fi thriller and a nonstop race for our protagonists to get back to earth...(more)
Cast: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock
List Worthy Reasons...: Alfonso Cuar&oacute;n's Children of Men was among the best films of 2006. Emmanuel Lubezki is among the top three working DPs in the business. The last time he wore a spacesuit (Solaris) Clooney wasn't out of his place. The big unknown: was Sandra Bullock right choice for the co-lead? The highest "studio" project on our top 100 list, this merges auteur with the Hollywood system.
Release Date/Status?: Wide release on November 21st. Could this be an AFI Film Festival or NYFF entry?




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6948/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-51-alfonso-cuarns-gravity</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #52. Tim Burton's Frankenweenie]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6947/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-52-tim-burtons-frankenweenie</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#52. Frankenweenie
Director: Tim BurtonWriter(s): John AugustProducers: Burton and Allison AbbatDistributor: Walt Disney
The Gist: This is a feature-length adaptation of the live-action short film Burton directed in 1984 about a pet dog brought back to life by his loyal owner. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life&mdash;with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor&rsquo;s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new &ldquo;leash on life&rdquo; can be monstrous..(more)
Cast: Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Atticus Shaffer, Conchata Ferrell, and Tom Kenny
List Worthy Reasons...: Of the pair of Tim Burton releases this year, it's the stop-motion animated film that wins over the television to film adaptation (Dark Shadows). The beloved member among Burton's trove of characters is served up with a great set of speaking voices by folks that have been in his films before (Winona Ryder, Catherine O&rsquo;Hara, Martin Short and Martin Landau). Quality-wise, we think the stop-motion will be up there with &ldquo;Corpse Bride&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Nightmare Before Christmas". 
Release Date/Status?: A wide October 5th release date is set with a very slim chance that Toronto Int. Film Festival could manage to nab a premiere.&nbsp;




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:15:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6947/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-52-tim-burtons-frankenweenie</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #53. Woody Allen's Nero Fiddled]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6946/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-53-woody-allens-nero-fiddled</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#53. Nero Fiddled
Director/Writer: Woody AllenProducers: Letty Aronson, Steve Tenenbaum, Giampaulo Letta and Faruk AlatanDistributor: Sony Pictures Classics
The Gist: Loosely inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio&rsquo;s The Decameron, a collection of 100 bawdy novellas written in the 14th century, the film is expected to feature four vignettes, two stories involving Italian characters in Italian and two in English involving American characters in Rome...(more)
Cast: Ellen Page, Woody Allen, Jesse Eisenberg, Alison Pill, Pen&eacute;lope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Greta Gerwig, Roberto Benigni, Judy Davis, Ornella Muti, Riccardo Scamarcio, Carol Alt, Isabella Ferrari, Maricel &Aacute;lvarez, Flavio Parenti
List Worthy Reasons...: We never get tired of Woody and Woody never gets tired of making movies. These extended euro-vacation has definitely given us plenty to cheer about with Vicky Cristina Barcelona being his best so far we can hope that a bit of Penelope Cruz and a bit of everyone else (international cast plus Greta Gerwig meets Italians) will make for some ecstasy-filled, emotionally weighty comedic scenes. 
Release Date/Status?: For an umpteenth consecutive year, Woody will showcase this in Cannes and Sony Pictures Classics will attempt to repeat the same winning formula they had with Midnight in Paris.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6946/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-53-woody-allens-nero-fiddled</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #54. Sean Baker's Starlet]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6945/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-54-sean-bakers-starlet</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#54. Starlet
Director: Sean BakerWriter(s): Baker and Chris BergochProducers: Blake Ashman, Kevin Chinoy, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach, Francesca Silvestri Distributor: Rights Available

The Gist: This explores the unlikely friendship between Jane (Dree Hemingway), a twenty-one year old free spirit, and Sadie (Besedka Johnson) an eighty-five year old recluse - both living in the San Fernando Valley...(more)
Cast: Dree Hemingway (left in pic above), Besedka Johnson and James Ransone
List Worthy Reasons...: His cinema-verit&eacute; styled aesthetic demonstrated in 2004's Take Out and more recently, the well-traveled Prince of Broadway (2009) makes Sean Baker's POV better than Google's streetview. When it comes to detailing the microcosms, his docu-treament will most certainly aid in detailing one young adults journey into the seedy world of porn. Could be a break-out role for Dree Hemingway (yes that family).   
Release Date/Status?: Currently in the editing stages, this should be ready midway in 2012 allowing for a wealth of film festival possibilities.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6945/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-54-sean-bakers-starlet</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #55. David Riker's The Girl]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6944/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-55-david-rikers-the-girl</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#55. The Girl
Director/Writer: David RikerProducers: Paul Mezey Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: A young mother from South Texas is thrown into an unexpected and life-changing journey when her attempt to smuggle immigrants across the border goes terribly wrong...(more)
Cast: Abbie Cornish, Will Patton and Giovanna Zacar&iacute;as
List Worthy Reasons...: An indie project that has been in the works for quite some time now (it was workshopped at Sundance in 2007 and was one of the 2009 Sundance NHK Filmmaker Award winners) it would be an understatement to say we can't wait to see how David Riker follows up 1998's La Ciudad with this sophomore picture which could incidentally become more political due to the 2012 presidential climate. We imagine this to be a back breaking drama and Cornish might fall into the heroine/best actress territory that a Jennifer Lawrence was in for Winter's Bone.   
Release Date/Status?: We would have bet the farm that this was going to this year's Sundance, but the filmmaker did feature his first film at TIFF back in 1998 - so perhaps the aim is a huge international film festival to launch foreign sales.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6944/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-55-david-rikers-the-girl</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #56. Hilary Brougher's Innocence]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6943/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-56-hilary-broughers-innocence</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#56. Innocence
Director: Hilary BrougherWriter: Tristine SkylerProducers: Killer Films' Pamela Koffler and Christine Vachon Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: An adaptation of Jane Mendelsohn's dark coming-of-age novel, this is about a schoolgirl's loss of innocence...(more)
Cast: Abigail Breslin 	and Chlo&euml; Sevigny
List Worthy Reasons...: Among the several contemporary indie vampire flicks in this top 100 list (more to come in 2013 with Jim Jarmusch interested in the genre), it is this coming-of-ager that we feel holds the most promise as the form, from the book description, is reminiscent of some of those plot-twisting Spanish thriller titles. The Killer FIlms folks usually don't do horror but instead the human condition, and that the one helming the pic is Stephanie Daley's Brougher - who gave us a strong, underappreciated directing debut which did feature some rather strong female performances means that with a better production value we see this female filmmaker making huge strides.  
Release Date/Status?: Other than Julianne Moore dropping out of the project and being replaced by Chlo&euml; Sevigny, no word on the status of this production has been given since October. We imagine shooting is expected to begin anytime now, but they need to round out the casting and tech crew.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:15:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6943/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-56-hilary-broughers-innocence</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #57. István Szabó's The Door]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6942/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-57-istvn-szabs-the-door</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#57. The Door
Director: Istv&aacute;n Szab&oacute;Writer(s): Szab&oacute; and Andrea V&eacute;szitsProducers: Jen&otilde; H&aacute;bermann and S&aacute;ndor S&ouml;th Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Based on the novel by Magda Szab&oacute;, this is a story of a special relationship between two women, a writer and her maid...(more)
Cast: Helen Mirren and Martina Gedeck 
List Worthy Reasons...: Look no further than this Hungarian-German co-production for perhaps the under the radar acting performance of 2012. It could back to back years where the relationship with maid turns out to be material worth exploring (Andrei Zvyagintsev's Elena was gold) as veteran Oscar-winning Hungarian director Istv&aacute;n Szab&oacute; managed to lasso Helen Mirren in what will be known as her most unglamorous role to date. 
Release Date/Status?: Main Competition at Cannes appears likely as Szabo has been a frequent guest and winner at the fest (Mephisto).




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6942/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-57-istvn-szabs-the-door</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #58. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's Lovelace]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6941/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-58-rob-epstein-and-jeffrey-friedmans-lovelace</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#58. Lovelace
Director: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey FriedmanWriters: Merritt Johnson and Andy BellinProducers: Heidi Jo Markel, Laura Rister, Jason Weinberg and Jim YoungDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Written by W. Merritt Johnson and based on Eric Danville's bio "The Complete Linda Lovelace", this film follows Linda Boreman's rise to fame as iconic porn star Linda Lovelace of 1972's Deep Throat, and her subsequent transformation into feminist, anti-porn activist Linda Marchiano. The story is told through the perspective of three interviewers at various stages of her life...(more)
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, James Franco, Juno Temple, Demi Moore, Hank Azaria, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, Eric Roberts, Wes Bentley, Adam Brody, Robert Patrick, Bobby Cannavale and Chris Noth
List Worthy Reasons...: Howl saw Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman experimented with the biopic form and they came up with some surprising innovative results -- we're expecting some more of the same with the Linda Lovelace twin life stories. Massive casting round-up is impressive, and they got James Franco on board again, moving from his stint as Allen Ginsberg to the Playboy inventor. This is the first one out of the gate for the competing Lovelace biopics. 
Release Date/Status?: Currently filming, we've got the feeling this will be picked up well before it is completed. 2012 festival release is sure thing.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6941/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-58-rob-epstein-and-jeffrey-friedmans-lovelace</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #59. Ry Russo-Young's Nobody Walks]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6940/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-59-ry-russo-youngs-nobody-walks</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#59. Nobody Walks
Director: Ry Russo-YoungWriter(s): Dunham and Russo-YoungProducers: Jonathan Schwartz (Like Crazy), Andrea Sperling (Kaboom) and Alicia Van Couvering (Tiny Furniture)Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: A a driven young artist is a guest at the home of a Hollywood sound 
designer and his family as he helps her finish her first film. Their 
professional connection triggers a sexual and emotional entanglement 
that lays bare the needs, narcissism and questionable morality of 
everyone involved....(more)
Cast: Olivia Thirlby, Dylan McDermott, John Krasinski, Jane Levy, Rosemarie DeWitt, Rhys Wakefield and Sam Lerner
List Worthy Reasons...: A project we've been keeping track of the moment it was mentioned as part of the Sundance labs, two hip and gifted New York based filmmakers putting their powers together in what should be a dialogue rich, fragile and vulnerable friendly kind of love story. Ry Russo-Young's You Wont Miss Me is best describe as an honest portrait with a melange of styles and we look forward in seeing how the selected actors (Olivia Thirlby, Dylan McDermott, John Krasinski) deal with the material. Here's an idea of the what the most used DVD library items you'd find on Russo-Young's shelf. &nbsp; 
Release Date/Status?: World Film Festival premiere to take place at Sundance, distribution pick-up and release for 2012 is a certified guarantee. &nbsp;




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6940/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-59-ry-russo-youngs-nobody-walks</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #60. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris' He Loves Me]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6939/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-60-jonathan-dayton-and-valerie-faris-he-loves-me</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#60. He Loves Me
Director: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie FarisWriter(s): Actress Zoe KazanProducers: Bona Fide Productions' Albert Berger and Ron YerxaDistributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
The Gist: Calvin (Dano) is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing - as well as his romantic life. While suffering from writer's block, is told to write the woman he thinks will love him. He winds up creating Ruby and willing her into existence, "Weird Science" style. When Calvin finds Ruby (Kazan), in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person...(more)
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Paul Dano, Alia Shawkat, Deborah Ann Woll, Steve Coogan, Annette Bening, Elliott Gould, Chris Messina, Zoe Kazan and Aasif Mandvi 
List Worthy Reasons...: Their 2006 breakout audience pleasing Little Miss Sunshine probably brought a truckload of directing offers for the team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, but in the end, they opted for actress Zoe Kazan's screenwriting debut which says plenty about the material at hand (or perhaps their rapport with LMS' Paul Dano). The Searchlight project managed to attract a diverse set of supporting actors and with Dano in the lead this might be a sophomore project worth keeping tabs on.
Release Date/Status?: Fox Searchlight have yet to date the pic - but it'll definitely show sometime in 2012. Perhaps a Toronto/Telluride/NYFF festival premiere?




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6939/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-60-jonathan-dayton-and-valerie-faris-he-loves-me</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #61. Roman Coppola's A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6938/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-61-roman-coppolas-a-glimpse-inside-the-mind-of-charles-swan-iii</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#61. A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III
Director/Writer: Roman CoppolaProducers: Coppola and Youree HenleyDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: A graphic designer's enviable life slides into despair when his girlfriend breaks up with him...(more)
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Bill Murray, Charlie Sheen, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman, Patricia Arquette and Katheryn Winnick
List Worthy Reasons...: He might have gone a good decade between films, but The Directors Bureau label creator, American Zoetrope co-owner and scribe Roman Coppola has remained acutely integrated in both the writing (Wes Anderson) and filming process (video work and helping out his sis). Charlie Sheen can kiss the shoes that Coppola walks in for the role of Charlie Swan, and we can kiss our future ticket stub for what should pan out to be a delicious comedy noir number. Winning!
Release Date/Status?: Producers of the the film will want to showcase this at a major film festival and since CQ was first launched in Cannes back in 2001, my thinking is France first, North American rights pick-up and then theatrical release all within a six month stretch.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6938/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-61-roman-coppolas-a-glimpse-inside-the-mind-of-charles-swan-iii</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #62. Scott McGehee and David Siegel's What Masie Knew]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6937/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-62-scott-mcgehee-and-david-siegels-what-masie-knew</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#62. What Maisie Knew
Director: Scott McGehee and David SiegelWriter(s): Carroll Cartwright and Nancy Doyne Producers: Daniela Taplin Lundberg, William Teitler and Charles WeinstockDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: The film which is an adaptation of the Henry James novel is about Maisie, a six-year-old girl enmeshed in the bitter divorce of her mother (Moore), a rock and roll icon, and her father (Coogan), a charming but distracted art dealer. Skarsg&aring;rd will play Moore's new husband...(more)
Cast: Alexander Skarsg&aring;rd, Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan
List Worthy Reasons...: I haven't been big on the Scott McGehee and David Siegel pairing since certain elements in 2001's The Deep End, but this triage drama via the eyes of a seven year-old protagonist might do the trick - we still have faith in Julianne Moore and we're of course curious to see how the core of a Henry James novel might still be relevant 100 years after publication.
Release Date/Status?: Well into post production, this might head over to the Toronto Film Festival for the kind of exposure which would allow for a pick-up for distribution.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6937/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-62-scott-mcgehee-and-david-siegels-what-masie-knew</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #63. Daryl Wein's Lola Vs.]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6936/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-63-daryl-weins-lola-vs</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#63. Lola Vs.
Director: Daryl WeinWriters: Wein and Zoe Lister JonesProducers: Jocelyn Hayes, Michael London and Janice Williams Distributor: Fox Searchlight
The Gist: This tells the story of Lola (Gerwig), a 29-year-old woman dumped by her longtime boyfriend Luke (Kinnaman) just three weeks before their wedding. With the help of her close friends Henry (Linklater) and Alice (Lister-Jones), Lola embarks on a series of desperate encounters in an attempt to find her place in the world as a single woman approaching 30...(more)
Cast: Greta Gerwig, Bill Pullman, Debra Winger, Joel Kinnaman, Hamish Linklater, Zoe Lister Jones and Cheyenne Jackson
List Worthy Reasons...: The 2010 Black List favorite screenplay from Breaking Upwards pairing of Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister Jones has plenty going for it. Firstly it helps when an indie distributor gets behind the project before production and the awkward cast of characters and Greta Gerwig in the driver's seat has got our attention. 
Release Date/Status?: Another project that is currently in post and doesn't have an affixed release date, we imagine Fox might circle a summer limited release with perhaps a first showing at SXSW just prior.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6936/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-63-daryl-weins-lola-vs</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #64. Ben Affleck's Argo]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6935/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-64-ben-afflecks-argo</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#64. Argo
Director: Ben AffleckWriter: Chris TerrioProducers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov and David Klawans Distributor: Warner Bros.
The Gist: Written by Chris Terrio, this is about how the CIA teamed with the Canadian government to rescue six U.S. diplomats who'd been taken hostage at the American embassy by a group of Iranians in 1979 by pretending that they were part of a Hollywood film crew scouting a movie called "Argo."...(more)
Cast: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Kyle Chandler, Taylor Schilling, Alan Arkin, Clea DuVall, Kerry Bish&eacute;, Tate Donovan
List Worthy Reasons...: A top 2010 Blacklist script (ranked right after Stoker and Margin Call) that Clooney's politically inclined prod label Smoke House backed, after years of paycheck roles on action films and displaying his double duty skill-set on The Town, Ben Affleck is poised to deliver a career best here with a story that was especially gripping on paper and being accompanied by Rodrigo Prieto taking care of the Cinematography, one shouldn't be surprised if we mention this during award season.     
Release Date/Status?: A September 14th release perfectly timed for the Toronto Int. Film Festival.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6935/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-64-ben-afflecks-argo</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #65. Julie Delpy's 2 Days in New York]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6934/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-65-julie-delpys-2-days-in-new-york</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#65. 2 Days in New York
Director/Writer: Julie DelpyProducers: Scott Franklin, Ulf Israel, Christophe Mazodier, Jean-Jacques Neira, Hubert Toint Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This centers again Marion (Delpy), who has broken up with Jack and now lives in New York with their children. Her Parisian family come to visit her, but the cultural differences between her eccentric father and new American boyfriend will turn out to be explosive. Meanwhile, her sister has had the "good" idea of bringing an ex-boyfriend from Paris and there is the pressure of an upcoming photography exhibition...(more)
Cast: Julie Delpy, Chris Rock and Dylan Baker
List Worthy Reasons...: The notion of sequels are made more magical whenever Julie Delpy is involved. Her writing and character development in Linklater's Before Sunrise/Sunset makes us especially hopeful for her 2 Days transatlantic gigs. We expect nutty cast of characters and a nuttier premise this time out. 
Release Date/Status?: Sundance Film Festival premiere should be followed by a rights pick up and a showing before the fall season hits.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6934/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-65-julie-delpys-2-days-in-new-york</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #66. Xavier Dolan's Laurence Anyways]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6933/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-66-xavier-dolans-laurence-anyways</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#66. Laurence Anyways
Director/Writer: Xavier DolanProducers: Nathana&euml;l Karmitz and Lyse LafontaineDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Laurence, a young french teacher and soon-to- be-published author, enjoys an intense and mutually loving relationship with his fianc&eacute;e, Fred. But on the day after his 30th birthday, Laurence confesses to Fred that he longs to become a woman, asking her to support him in this transformation. Despite her best efforts, Fred is too hurt by this development, and they break up. Each of them tries to build a new life, without thinking of the past. Five years later, Laurence sends a copy of his first book of poetry to Fred...(more)
Cast: Karine Vanasse, Nathalie Baye and Melvil Poupaud
List Worthy Reasons...: In just two quick strokes, French Canadian helmer Xavier Dolan has canonized himself as one of the international film circuit's best nouveau gifts, but yet his third feature, his most difficult and perhaps least accessible (in terms of subject matter) film might be the item that allows him to do away from the wunderkid label. Landing grade A talents from France in Nathalie Baye and Melvil Poupaud, and subtracting himself from the front of the cameras will help draw more attention to both the film's aesthetic (which Dolan excels in) but the core attributes of the narrative as well.  
Release Date/Status?: This will show in Cannes. Un Certain Regard or Directors' Fortnight appear likely.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:55:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6933/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-66-xavier-dolans-laurence-anyways</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #67. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's Imogene]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6932/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-67-shari-springer-berman-and-robert-pulcinis-imogene</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#67. Imogene
Director: Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini Writer: Michelle MorganProducers: Alix Madigan, Celine Rattray, Trudie StylerDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This centers on a moderately successful New York playwright who fakes a suicide attempt in order to win back her ex-boyfriend, only to be under the custory of her mother, a gambler...(more)
Cast: Kristen Wiig, Darren Criss, Matt Dillon, Annette Bening and Natasha Lyonne
List Worthy Reasons...: Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini have had a spotty track record (The Nanny Diaries and The Extra Man) since they first won over audiences with the creatively ambitious American Splendor, but they've managed to stay committed to the indie comedy sphere and with the brilliant Kristen Wiig toplining, we think this might just pay huge dividends.
Release Date/Status?: Currently in Post production, we think a TIFF selection is highly possible. White hot Wiig might draw plenty of early interest from distributors.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:50:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6932/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-67-shari-springer-berman-and-robert-pulcinis-imogene</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #68. Bradley Rust Gray's Jack and Diane]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6931/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-68-bradley-rust-grays-jack-and-diane</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#68. Jack and Diane
Director/Writer: Bradley Rust Gray Producers: Gray, Karin Chien (Circumstance), Jen Gatien (Holy Rollers), So Yong KimDistributor: Magnolia Pictures
The Gist: This revolves around the two women who meet in New York City and spend the night kissing ferociously. Diane&rsquo;s charming innocence quickly begins to open Jack&rsquo;s tough skinned heart. But when Jack (Keough) discovers that Diane (Juno Temple) is moving she pushes her away. Unable to grasp her new feelings, Diane&rsquo;s emotions begin to cause unexplainable violent changes to her body...(more)
Cast: Jena Malone, Juno Temple, Kylie Minogue (see tattooed character above) and Riley Keough
List Worthy Reasons...: Miffed that this didn't crack the Park City line-up, The Exploding Girl helmer Bradley Rust Gray had the internets abuzz for the right reasons: a teen lesbian werewolf premise and all female cast lead by Jena Malone, Juno Temple, Kylie Minogue and rising starlet, Riley Keough. But there is more to expect out of this and for Magnolia to swoop in and pick up the rights early suggests we might be talking favorable about this indie film late next year. 
Release Date/Status?: Magnolia will be releasing this on June 1st - Bradley Rust Gray is a festival favorite so we expect an international premiere showing right before.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6931/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-68-bradley-rust-grays-jack-and-diane</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #69. Xan Cassavetes' Kiss of the Damned]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6930/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-69-xan-cassavetes-kiss-of-the-damned</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#69. Kiss of the Damned
Director/Writer: Xan CassavetesProducers: Jen Gatien (For Ellen) and Alex Orlovsky (The Place Beyond the Pines)Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This centers around two beautiful French vampire sisters who have separately come to stay at a summer estate -- a 'safe house' in Connecticut. Ventimiglia plays a screenwriter who begins a love affair with the "good" sister and insists on joining her among the undead. However, after they begin their life together, the other "bad" sister (Mesquida) shows up and begins wreaking havoc almost as soon as she arrives. Slowly, her dark presence threatens to destroy them all...(more)
Cast: Milo Ventimiglia (see fangs above), Michael Rapaport, Riley Keough, Roxane Mesquida, Anna Mouglalis and Jos&eacute;phine de La Baume
List Worthy Reasons...: The last of the Cassavetes offspring to make her feature fiction debut, we anticipate that this vampire pic will definitely come across more Euro-like (due in part to the influx of sexy French actresses), and more unique in terms of design and influences than its crappy vampire-themed flick counterparts.
Release Date/Status?: Seeing that Xan Cassavetes showcased Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession in Cannes back in 2003, my feeling this will make it into the Croisette's line-up - perhaps the Un Certain Regard category.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6930/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-69-xan-cassavetes-kiss-of-the-damned</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #70. Alan and Gabe Polsky's The Motel Life]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6929/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-70-alan-and-gabe-polskys-the-motel-life</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#70. The Motel Life
Director: Alan and Gabe PolskyWriter(s): Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah HarpsterProducers: Polsky Bros. (Little Birds) and Ann Ruark (The Beaver)Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Based on the novel, this is about a pair of working-class brothers who flee their Reno Motel after getting involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident...(more)
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson and Joshua Leonard 
List Worthy Reasons...: Producers of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans and Elgin James' Little Birds, my feeling is Alan and Gabe Polsky are just as shrewd about the material they picked up for their first directing gig. They've assembled a curious bunch of indie acting vets in Dakota Fanning, Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson and Joshua Leonard, who'll give this batch of crumbling ego a certain crispness. Hipsters' Cinematographer Roman Vasyanov makes his leap into English language film. 
Release Date/Status?: I'm thinking this will look to premiere at a major film festival (Venice or TIFF) and a subsequent North American distribution deal should materialize.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6929/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-70-alan-and-gabe-polskys-the-motel-life</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #71. Sebastián Silva's Magic, Magic	]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6928/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-71-sebastin-silvas-magic-magic</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#71. Magic, Magic
Director/Writer: Sebasti&aacute;n SilvaProducers: Killer Films' Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, David Bernad, Frida Torresblanco (Rudo y Cursi) and actor/scribe Mike WhiteDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This is the story of a girl on vacation in Chile with some friends, Alicia begins to lose her mind when she starts seeing disturbing images which seem to be visible only to her...(more)
Cast: Emily Browning, Michael Cera, Juno Temple and Catalina Sandino Moreno
List Worthy Reasons...: Rooted in his backdrop of his native Chile, I'm curious in seeing how Sebasti&aacute;n Silva's might move into a genre item that we normally associate to the Guillermo del Toro's of the business especially after work on minimalist portraits of The Maid and Old Cats. We like three of the actresses he has managed to package in this horror thriller. 
Release Date/Status?: We look forward to further production updates (currently this is still in pre-production) as they'll confirm whether this has a shot at a 2012 or 2013 calendar release.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6928/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-71-sebastin-silvas-magic-magic</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #72. Spiros Stathoulopoulos' Meteora]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6927/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-72-spiros-stathoulopoulos-meteora</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#72. Meteora
Director/Writer: Spiros StathoulopoulosProducers: Stathoulopoulos, Philippe Bober, Theo Alexander, Asimakis A. Pagids, Yolanda Markopoulou Distributor: Rights Available (Co-production Office)
The Gist: One young monk is drawn to temptation when he meets a nun. They start communicating, sending signals across the abyss from one monastery to another using mirrors and sunlight...(more)
Cast: Theo Alexander, Tamila Koulieva
List Worthy Reasons...: Greek/Colombian helmer Spiros Stathoulopoulos blasted onto the scene with the 2007 Cannes Directors' Fortnight selected PVC-1 (one 85 minute continuous shot featuring a human time bomb). This torrid love story has been simmering in post-production for a while now, we're confident that this won't go unnoticed once it hits the festival circuit.  
Release Date/Status?: We thought this would have been released in Cannes or Venice of 2011. Looks like a bonafide 2012 release. Update: This has been selected for the Berlin Film Festival.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6927/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-72-spiros-stathoulopoulos-meteora</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #73. Benh Zeitlin's Beasts of the Southern Wild]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6926/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-73-benh-zeitlins-beasts-of-the-southern-wild</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#73. Beasts of the Southern Wild
Director: Benh ZeitlinWriter(s): Zeitlin and Lucy AlibarProducers: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey, Josh Penn Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist:  In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, six year-old Hushpuppy exists on the brink of orphanhood. Her motherlong gone, and her beloved father Wink a wildman on a perpetual spree, Hushpuppy is left to her own devices on an isolated compound filled with semi-wild animals...(more)
Cast: Quvenzhan&eacute; Wallis, Dwight Henry 
List Worthy Reasons...: An Annenberg Film Fellowship Grant recipient and Sundance NHK Filmmaker Award winning project that was supported via the Sundance Screenwriters and Directors labs, I'm not sure what comparisons this debut feature from the Filmmaker Magazine Top 25 alumni might draw, but a rural backdrop and apocalyptic state makes me think of Jeff Nichols' Take Shelter. 
Release Date/Status?: The Sundance Film Festival gave this a premium slot in the U.S Dramatic Comp.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:15:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6926/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-73-benh-zeitlins-beasts-of-the-southern-wild</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #74. James Gray's Low Life]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6925/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-74-james-grays-low-life</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#74. Low Life
Director: James GrayWriter: Gray and Ric MenelloProducers: Anthony Katagas, Greg Shapiro and Christopher WoodrowDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: An innocent immigrant woman (Marion Cotillard) is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician (Jeremy Renner) tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island...(more)
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner
List Worthy Reasons...: While the unveiled brief synopsis doesn't sound alluring, James Gray can be affecting with his dramas and what could you ask for more when you have Jeremy Renner, Marion Cotillard and regular James Gray contributer Joaquin Phoenix under one billing?
Release Date/Status?: By the time this is finished this won't be going by the provisionary title above, but so far they got the production money and cast to go so all this needs is an official start date. Late film festival 2012 showing not impossible.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6925/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-74-james-grays-low-life</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #75. Carter's Maladies]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6924/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-75-carters-maladies</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#75. Maladies
Director/Writer: CarterProducers: Vince Jolivette, Miles Levy, Jeff Most, Jeff Rice, Marni ZelnickDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: A talented and successful actor retires at a young age due to a perceived mental illness. Now living in a small town with his deranged sister and his best friend, we watch as their Maladies intertwine...(more)
Cast: James Franco, Catherine Keener, Fallon Goodson and David Strathairn
List Worthy Reasons...: Joined by a solid supporting cast in Catherine Keener and David Strathairn, Maladies will forever be known as the film that set Franco off towards a stint on General Hospital in 2010. Despite not knowing much on Carter, we're curious enough to include this in our top 100. 
Release Date/Status?: Passed on or not submitted to Park City, a 2012 film festival release is a certainty.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:50:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6924/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-75-carters-maladies</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #76. Ken Loach's Angel's Share]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6923/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-76-ken-loachs-angels-share</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#76. Angel's Share
Director: Ken Loach Writer(s): Paul LavertyProducers: Rebecca O'BrienDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This follows protagonist Robbie as he sneaks into the maternity hospital to visit his young girlfriend Leonie and hold his newborn son Luke for the first time. Overwhelmed by the moment, he swears that Luke will not have the same tragic life he has had. Escaping a prison sentence by the skin of his teeth, he's given one last chance...(more)
Cast: Loach regulars John Henshaw, William Ruane, Gary Maitland, Roger Allam with Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly and Jasmin Riggins.
List Worthy Reasons...: Ken Loach isn't showing any signs of slowing down in his fourth decade of filmmaking, but what's noteworthy in this portion of the Palme D'Or winning English filmmaker's career is how his material, and not his trademark realism is switching up the tone. Shot in Glasgow and penned by his right-hand man Paul Laverty, Loach is taking on another comedy (2009's Looking For Eric was his first successful attempt). 
Release Date/Status?: Long time completed, this should follow in the footsteps of his previous films and grab a Cannes Main Comp slot. North American release could come towrd the end of the year, or 2013.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6923/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-76-ken-loachs-angels-share</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #77. Matteo Garrone's Big House]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6983/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-77-matteo-garrones-big-house</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#77. Big House
Director: Matteo Garrone Writer(s): Garrone, Ugo Chiti, Massimo Gaudioso and Maurizio Braucci Producers:&nbsp;Garrone and Fandago's Domenico ProcacciDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Focusing on the myth of reality shows in our society, this is about a Neapolitan based family who await the news about a their father being selected for a Big Brother type show...(more)
Cast: Claudia Gerini, Ciro Petrone, Nunzia Schiano, Angelica Borghese, Aniello Arena, Loredana Simioli
List Worthy Reasons...: Before his inside look into modern-day crime and corruption (Gomorrah), Matteo Garrone was better known as the helmer of Euro hits The Embalmer and First Love. Hopefully this comedy slash drama will be a biting commentary rather than a Truman Show like concoction.
Release Date/Status?: Cannes is a distinct possibilty since his last film was a Grand Prix winner.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6983/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-77-matteo-garrones-big-house</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #78. Steve Buscemi's Queer]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6921/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-78-steve-buscemis-queer</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#78. Queer
Director: Steve BuscemiWriter: Oren MovermanProducers: Buscemi, Moverman and Wren Arthur (A Prairie Home Companion)Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Written by Oren Moverman, this is a biopic of William S Burroughs based on his novels Queer and Junky and about the period spent by author William S. Burroughs in Mexico City in the late 1940s and early '50s...(more)
Cast: Guy Pearce, Kelly Macdonald and Ben Foster
List Worthy Reasons...: An actor who I sincerely hope would devote more time behind the camera (examples Tree Lounge, Interview and one vivid Sopranos episode I have in mind prove that Buscemi has got the goods) our first and only William S. Burroughs fix for 2012 might come via Viggo Mortensen's bit of Old Bull Lee in On the Road. With a great trio of characters and Moverman's involvement, plus the fact that the novel was written in '52 but only published in 1984 adds to the fascination behind the prose of this great American Beat Generation novelist.   
Release Date/Status?: Originally meant to be Buscemi's first directing project about a decade ago, scribe/producer Oren Moverman recently dusted off the cobwebs with the first casting summary in Guy Pearce, Kelly MacDonald and The Messenger/Rampart's Ben Foster. If Buscemi can plan around his work as an actor (Boardwalk Empire among others) then a 2012 shoot date would be a possibility and a 2013 premiere more than likely.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:20:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6921/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-78-steve-buscemis-queer</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #79. Michael Hoffman's Gambit]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6969/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-79-michael-hoffmans-gambit</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#79. Gambit
Director: Michael HoffmanWriter(s): Coen Bros.Producers:&nbsp;Mike Lobell, Rob Paris and Adam RippDistributor: CBS Films
The Gist: This is based on the 1966 British caper pic that starred Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine. In this version Harry Dean's (Colin Firth) plan to steal a painting from one of the world's richest men is missing one final component -- the participation of a beautiful woman to act as his gambit. In Nicole, he meets someone who appears to be the perfect candidate, but Harry himself becomes enraptured with her, causing his plan to take a series of wrong turns...(more)
Cast: Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Stanley Tucci and Alan Rickman
List Worthy Reasons...: Rarely do we care for remakes, The Last Station's helmer Michael Hoffman isn't a selling point for this caper film and neither are Cameron Diaz's short shorts. The reason why this is so high up on our most anticipated list is that the screenplay is signed by the Coen Bros. Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth stars.
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post-production, this is another CBS Films project that could bypass the festival circuit and land a summer release date




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6969/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-79-michael-hoffmans-gambit</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #80. Roger Michell's Hyde Park on Hudson]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6909/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-80-roger-michells-hyde-park-on-hudson</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#80. Hyde Park on Hudson
Director: Roger MichellWriter: Richard NelsonProducers: David Aukin and Kevin Loader (Wuthering Heights)Distributor: Focus Features
The Gist: Based on Richard Nelson's own radio play, in June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) host the King and Queen of England (Samuel West and Olivia Colman) for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York &ndash; the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. With Britain facing imminent war with Germany, the Royals are desperately looking to FDR for support...(more)
Cast: Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Olivia Williams, Olivia Colman and Samuel West
List Worthy Reasons...: While Roger Michell has a spotty record (The Mother and the first 8 minutes of Enduring Love are his best in the past decade) we are stoked about seeing Bill Murray toplining as FDR, it should be a blast to see his interpretation of the president during the enchantment phase. Worth noting on the tech side is the involvement of DP Lol Crawley (Better Things/Ballast).
Release Date/Status?: We figure that Focus will decide on a 3rd or 4th quarter showing plus a festival premiere.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6909/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-80-roger-michells-hyde-park-on-hudson</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #81. Rian Johnson's Looper ]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6885/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-81-rian-johnsons-looper</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#81. Looper
Director/Writer: Rian JohnsonProducers: Ram Bergman and James D. SternDistributor: Tristar Pictures
The Gist: A time travel thriller, set in a near future where time travel doesn't exist but will be invented in a few decades. It's pretty dark in tone and involves a group of killers (called Loopers) who work for a crime syndicate in the future. Their bosses send their targets hogtied and blindfolded back in time to the Loopers, and their job is to simply shoot them in the head and dispose of the body. So the target vanishes from the future and the Loopers dispose of a corpse that doesn't technically exist, a very clean system. Complications set in from there...(more)
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Piper Perabo, Paul Dano and Jeff Daniels
List Worthy Reasons...: Sci-fi in September? Not sure why Sony isn't tent-poling the release of Rian Johnson's third film, which should be brimming with the same creative wit we became accustomed with his first pair of outings. This time travel caboose which sounds like the thinking man's version of Inception, oddly includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt (returning to the Johnson fold since Brick) and Paul Dano who is going to have one hell of a 2012. 
Release Date/Status?: September 28th release date was issued. If this remains intact, expect a huge red carpet showing at TIFF just weeks before.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6885/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-81-rian-johnsons-looper</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #82. RZA's The Man with the Iron Fists]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6884/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-82-rzas-the-man-with-the-iron-fists</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#82. The Man with the Iron Fists
Director: RZAWriter(s): RZA and Eli RothProducers: Produced by Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, Eli Roth and presented by Quentin Tarantino.Distributor: Universal Pictures
The Gist: This tells the epic story of warriors, assassins and a lone outsider hero in nineteenth-century China who must unite to destroy the clan traitor who would destroy them all. Since his arrival in China&rsquo;s Jungle Village, the town&rsquo;s blacksmith (RZA) has been forced by radical tribal factions to create elaborate tools of destruction. When the clans&rsquo; brewing war boils over, the stranger channels an ancient energy to transform himself into a human weapon. As he fights alongside iconic heroes and against soulless villains, one man must harness this power to become savior of his adopted people...(more)
Cast: RZA, Russell Crowe, Dave Batista, Rick Yune, Lucy Liu and Pam Grier
List Worthy Reasons...: Shot in China, working with the kind of tech folk (Corey Yuen) you would want for a swords and kung fu inspired project, the Wu-Tang Clan member/Hip Hop maestro has workshopped the project for more than half a decade, formed a working alliance with Russell Crowe, Tarantino and Eli Roth and while we expect a kick-ass soundtrack, this should be this year's wild card project.
Release Date/Status?: There is mention of an October release, but Universal have yet to confirm the date.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6884/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-82-rzas-the-man-with-the-iron-fists</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #83. Yaron Zilberman's A Late Quartet]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6883/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-83-yaron-zilbermans-a-late-quartet</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#83. A Late Quartet
Director: Yaron ZilbermanWriter(s): Zilberman and Seth GrossmanProducers: Zilberman, Vanessa Coifman, David Faigenblum, Emanuel Michael, Tamar Sela and Mandy Tagger Distributor: RKO Pictures
The Gist: This centers on a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and insuppressible lust. Set in iconic New York City, this is the story of four musicians, bound together by their passion for music and long years of working together. But when their patriarch Peter (Walken) is diagnosed with a terminal illness, the repercussions hit the group deeper than they could imagine...(more)
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Imogen Poots, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener
List Worthy Reasons...: Zilberman's first narrative feature benefits from a solid quartet of actors, and it could be an engrossing drama if illness and romance are portrayed with the required honesty. 
Release Date/Status?: A festival premiere is likely, and how RKO Pictures plans to release the drama is anyone's guess.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6883/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-83-yaron-zilbermans-a-late-quartet</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #84. Katie Aselton's Black Rock]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6882/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-84-katie-aseltons-black-rock</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#84. Black Rock
Director: Katie AseltonWriter(s): Mark DuplassProducers: Adele RomanskiDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Three childhood friends set aside their personal issues and reunite for a girls' weekend on a remote island off the coast of Maine. One wrong move turns their weekend getaway into a deadly fight for survival...(more)
Cast: Kate Bosworth, Lake Bell and Katie Aselton
List Worthy Reasons...: Pitched as a Deliverance with a female cast, we look forward in seeing Kate Bosworth, Lake Bell and helmer/actress Katie Aselton taking a turn for the worse in the woods. And oddly, it's in the woods where scribe Mark Duplass recently gave one of his better perfs (Lynn Shelton's indie trend setting secluded wood cabin locale in Your Sister's Sister). Aselton's debut The Freebie was flawed, but yet scored points for its honest portrayal of couplehood. Glad she switched genres for her sophomore pic. We hope this is uncomfortable as the mentioned 70's film.
Release Date/Status?: World premiere showcase in Sundance's Park City at Midnight section should be followed by a pick-up and better box office than her debut film.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6882/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-84-katie-aseltons-black-rock</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #85. Eugene Jarecki's The House I Live In]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6881/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-85-eugene-jareckis-the-house-i-live-in</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#85. The House I Live In
Director: Eugene JareckiProducers: Jarecki and Melinda Shopsin Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: While the Iraq War rages, another war continues, unnoticed, barely reported, and yet it has taken more lives than the war, destroyed more families, orphaned more children, and, like the war, holds significant implications for the future of American society. America&rsquo;s War on Drugs has deep roots in the country&rsquo;s history....(more)
List Worthy Reasons...: With solid samples such as The Trials of Henry Kissinger and Why We Fight in his filmography, it'll be a nice change of pace for Eugene Jarecki, as he moves slightly off topic concentrating on those at the bottom, and not the top.
Release Date/Status?: Premiering in Park City this month in Sundance's U.S Docu Comp, this should get picked up and shown theatrically if it carries the critical praise such as his 2005 film, Why We Fight.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6881/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-85-eugene-jareckis-the-house-i-live-in</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #86. Ang Lee's Life of Pi]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6880/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-86-ang-lees-life-of-pi</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#86. Life of Pi
Director: Ang LeeWriter: David MageeProducers: Lee, Gil Netter and David WomarkDistributor: 20th Century Fox
The Gist: "Pi" follows a 16-year-old Indian boy whose passage to a new life in America aboard a freighter ends in shipwreck in the Pacific. Left to fend for himself for 227 days on a 26-foot life raft with a hyena, an orangutan, an injured zebra and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, Pi survives for the better part of a year through faith and guile, though Richard eventually kills off and dines on the rest of Pi's shipmates...(more)
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Irrfan Khan, Tabu and introducing Suraj Sharma
List Worthy Reasons...: We believe that the big screen adaptation of Yann Martel's award winning novel had their man when Jean-Pierre Jeunet was assigned to the director's chair. But Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Ang Lee is no slouch either. Unlike the huge support behind Peter Jackson's film, in the month of December we're much more willing to go into CGI, IMAX and 3D waters with Lee and that is taking into account his epic failure of a feature in Taking Woodstock.     
Release Date/Status?: One week after Hobbit, 20th Century Fox releases this on December 21st.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6880/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-86-ang-lees-life-of-pi</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #87. James Ponsoldt's Smashed]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6879/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-87-james-ponsoldts-smashed</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#87. Smashed
Director: James PonsoldtWriters: Ponsoldt and Susan Burke Producers: Jennifer Cochis, Jonathan Schwartz (Nobody Walks) and Andrea Sperling Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This is the story of a married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of alcohol gets their relationship put to the test when the wife decides to get sober and begins attending AA...(more)
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul and Octavia Spencer 
List Worthy Reasons...: If Gosling in Half Nelson had a significant other it might come across like this sophomore addiction/romance from Filmmaker magazine writer/filmmaker James Ponsoldt. Making it two for two at Sundance (Off the Black preemed back in 2006), this could give thesps Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul some major post-fest clout. 
Release Date/Status?: Sundance U.S Dramatic Comp premiere. Should be picked up for distribution from the fest and nestled into 2012 slot.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6879/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-87-james-ponsoldts-smashed</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #88. Ross Bros.' Tchoupitoulas]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6878/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-88-ross-bros-tchoupitoulas</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#88. Tchoupitoulas
Director/Producers: Ross BrothersDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Three young brothers take a secret sunset journey across a river to a pleasure island that&rsquo;s always been forbidden to them. As such, the narrative conceit of Tchoupitoulas is as timeless as a fairy tale. But through the eyes of our juvenile protagonists, we experience an impressionistic immersion into this beguiling kaleidoscope of dancers, musicians, hustlers, drag queens, and revelers that parade through the lamp-lit streets between Rampart and the river...(more)
List Worthy Reasons...: I'll re-iterate what I mentioned before, Bill &amp; Turner Ross' magical docu 45365 brought much deserved acclaim to the pair. Hopefully this will see a progression of their docu style.
Release Date/Status?: The SXSW folks are certainly hoping that they'll get to showcase the pic, so we're hopeful for a 2012 film fest premiere.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6878/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-88-ross-bros-tchoupitoulas</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #89. M.Blash's The Wait]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6877/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-89-mblashs-the-wait</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#89. The Wait
Director/Writer: M.BlashProducers: Ryan Crisman, Neil Kopp (Meek's Cutoff) and David Guy Levy (Lying)Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: The film follows two sisters (Jena Malone and Chlo&euml; Sevigny) who decide to keep their deceased mother in the house after receiving a call that she will come back to life. Grimes will portray a philosophical and enigmatic man who becomes smitten with Malone's character...(more)
Cast: Jena Malone, Chlo&euml; Sevigny and Luke Grimes
List Worthy Reasons...: Another delayed sophomore feature we're itching to see, this features the cinematography from DP Kasper Tuxen and sees M.Blash once again work with thesps Jena Malone and Chlo&euml; Sevigny who appeared in his debut, 2006's Lying.
Release Date/Status?: Cannes 2012?




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6877/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-89-mblashs-the-wait</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #90. Michel Gondry's The We and the I]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6876/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-90-michel-gondrys-the-we-and-the-i</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#90. The We and the I
Director: Michel GondryWriters: Gondry, Paul Proch and Partizan's Jeffrey GrimshawProducers: Raffi Adlan and Georges BermannDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: There is no official synopsis yet, this is pieced from interviews @ ThePlaylist: Gondry&rsquo;s team interviewed participants from youth programs at The Point, Go Girl, Bronx Defenders and area high schools, asking them to describe important moments in their lives, then to act out these stories, improvising short sketches. This centers on a group of school kids who accidentally travel into the future to discover another machine that keeps people younger. "It's about the group effect, how people in groups transform when the group is dislocated, because everyone jumps out of the bus at different times, there is a smaller group and how the relationships evolve."...(more)
Cast: Non professional actors.
List Worthy Reasons...: Combine the faux individual and group filmmaking inventiveness in Be Kind Rewind, the community spirit found in Dave Chappelle's Block Party along with Gondry's habitual playfulness found in all his work (both theatrical, commercial and video) and with this project you've got the DIY essence that makes the French filmmaker a creative person you keep revisiting despite the occasional misstep (aka The Green Hornet). Experimental in design, this one comes from the Bronx - and like Scorsese's Hugo, demonstrates an auteur's passion for cinema. 

Release Date/Status?: 2012. Should premiere at a festival that have supported the filmmaker in the past.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6876/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-90-michel-gondrys-the-we-and-the-i</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #91. Manolo Nieto's The Militant ]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6869/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-91-manolo-nietos-the-militant</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#91. The Militant
Director/Writer: Manolo NietoProducers: Lisandro Alonso and Andy KleinmanDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Unknown...(more)
Cast: Unknown
List Worthy Reasons...: Part of the New Uruguayan Cinema movement (he was as assistant director on both "25 Watts" and "Whisky"), Manolo Nieto's sophomore picture after 2006's The Dog Pound (Best Film at Rotterdam) is being produced by the great Lisandro Alonso.
Release Date/Status?: We think this will show in Cannes at either the Un Certain Regrd, Directors' Fortnight or Critics' Week section. TIFF premiere should follow.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6869/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-91-manolo-nietos-the-militant</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #92. Wachowskis' and Tykwer's Cloud Atlas]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6868/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-92-wachowskis-and-tykwers-cloud-atlas</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#92. Cloud Atlas
Directors/Writers: Tom Tykwer, Andy and Lana Wachowski Producers: Tykwer, Wachowskis, Stefan Arndt and Grant Hill Distributor: Warner Bros
The Gist: Co-written by Lana and Andy Washowski and Tom Tykwer, this film is based on the book by David Mitchell and tells the tale of a reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan&rsquo;s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified &ldquo;dinery server&rdquo; on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilization &mdash; the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other&rsquo;s echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small...(more)
Cast: Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Hugh Grant, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, Keith David, James D'Arcy, Xun Zhou and Doona Bae
List Worthy Reasons...: You can write them off collectively for some of their most recent efforts, but in terms of craft, the pairing of Tom Tykwer and the Wachowski duo might be well-suited for sci-fi aesthetics, but the major apprehension lies in how they'll manage to string the six stories into the fashion laid out in the novel. This might be the year's most ambitious book adaptation. 
Release Date/Status?: Warner Bros. has an October release date set.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6868/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-92-wachowskis-and-tykwers-cloud-atlas</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #93. Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6867/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-93-baz-luhrmanns-the-great-gatsby</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#93. The Great Gatsby
Director: Baz LuhrmannWriter(s): Luhrmann and Craig PearceProducers: Luhrmann, Lucy Fisher, Catherine Knapman, Catherine Martin and Douglas Wick Distributor: Warner Bros.
The Gist: Based on the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald first published in 1925, this follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton)...(more)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joel Edgerton, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, Tobey Maguire, Callan McAuliffe, Gemma Ward, Amitabh Bachchan and Jason Clarke
List Worthy Reasons...: Here are the list of pros: the roaring 20s, classic novel, great cast, award season conflicts (Dicaprio will go head to head again with his performance in Django Unchained), holiday release date, bootleg and a filmmaker in dire need of a career boost especially after the colossal bore known as Australia.
Release Date/Status?: Opens wide on December 25th.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6867/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-93-baz-luhrmanns-the-great-gatsby</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #94. The Gangster Squad]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6866/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-94-the-gangster-squad</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#94. The Gangster Squad
Director: Ruben FleischerWriter(s): Will BeallProducers: Dan Lin (The Box), Kevin McCormick and Michael TadrossDistributor: Warner Bros.
The Gist: Scripted by Will Beall, and based on L.A. Times' recent seven-part series "Tales From the Gangster Squad", this explores Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and&mdash;if he has his way&mdash;every wire bet placed west of Chicago...(more)
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Josh Pence, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Giovanni Ribisi
List Worthy Reasons...: Among the very few studio projects on this top 100 list, we're picking this one for the obvious dream cast (Gosling, Penn, Brolin) and the era that it is set in (less than a decade before L.A. Confidential). Our guys with guns guilty pleasure of the year is helmed by Ruben Fleischer - this is his third outing after Zomebieland and 30 Minutes or Less.
Release Date/Status?: Warner Bros. is releasing the pic on October 19th.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6866/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-94-the-gangster-squad</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #95. David O. Russell's The Silver Linings Playbook]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6865/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-95-david-o-russells-the-silver-linings-playbook</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#95. The Silver Linings Playbook 
Director/Writer: David O. RussellProducers: Bruce Cohen (Milk) and The Weinstein Co.'s Donna GigliottiDistributor: The Weinstein Co.
The Gist: Based on novel by Mathew Quick, about a man (Cooper) who, after a mental collapse, is released from a health facility determined to find the silver linings in his life. In total denial that his wife has remarried and moved on, he moves home with his parents and befriends a depressed woman (Lawrence) who offers to act as a liaison between him and his wife...(more)
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Julia Stiles, Taylor Schilling, Chris Tucker, Shea Whigham, Dash Mihok and John Ortiz 
List Worthy Reasons...: Honestly we're a bit peeved by the entire Nailed situation, but if this comedy contains some of the humor elements we've previously enjoyed from O. Russell's dark comedies such as Flirting with Disaster and I Heart Huckabees then we are good to go.
Release Date/Status?: Set with a November 21st release...this might receive a Toronto or AFI Fest premiere.




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6865/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-95-david-o-russells-the-silver-linings-playbook</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #96. Hal Hartley's Meanwhile ]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6864/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-96-hal-hartleys-meanwhile</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#96. Meanwhile
Director/Writer/Producer/Composer: Hal HartleyDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Meanwhile concerns Joe Fulton, a man who can do anything from fixing your sink to arranging international financing for a construction project. He produces online advertising and he&rsquo;s written a big fat novel. He&rsquo;s also a pretty good drummer. But success eludes him. For Joe can&rsquo;t keep himself from fixing other people&rsquo;s problems. His own ambitions are constantly interrupted by his willingness and ability to go out of his way for others...(more)
Cast: D.J. Mendel toplines.
List Worthy Reasons...: Whit Stillman makes a new film. Check. Hal Hartley is moments away from completing his first (feature) film since Fay Grim. Check. It's almost fitting that U.S indie icons Stillman and Hartley will release their films this year, and while Hartley's film output is more vast, I'd be curious to know production dollar difference there is between his debut 1989 film, The Unbelievable Truth and this comedy partially financed via  Kickstarter. This looks and sounds funny. 
Release Date/Status?: Will certainly premiere at a festival that has appreciated Hartley's work in the past and Cannes was a great lieu for the filmmaker. Perhaps the Directors' Fortnight once again?




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]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6864/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-96-hal-hartleys-meanwhile</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #97. Sally Potter's Bomb]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6863/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-97-sally-potters-bomb</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#97. Bomb
Director/Writer: Sally PotterProducers: BBC FilmsDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This is about two teenage rebel girls living in 1960s London. Fanning plays a teen whose dad, a charismatic writer (Alessandro Nivola) is a freethinking writer who wrecks his relationship with his daughter when he has an affair with her friend (Englert)...(more)
Cast: Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Alessandro Nivola, and Jane Campion's daughter Alice Englert.
List Worthy Reasons...: Two decades since she her magnificent debut (Orlando), Potter has fallen off the radar with what panned out to be further films experimenting with the form. We haven't cared much for her recent slate, but with a Ban the Bomb movement and the sexual revolution serving as the backdrop, this counterculture item with a possible Lolita situation germinating makes this a rare Sally Potter film to look forward to.
Release Date/Status?: With casting already set and filming expected to begin in February, we expect a possible Venice/TIFF festival showing.




&nbsp;



]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6863/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-97-sally-potters-bomb</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #98. Untitled Drake Doremus Drama]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6862/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-98-untitled-drake-doremus-drama</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#98. Untitled Drake Doremus Drama
Director: Drake DoremusWriter(s): Doremus and writing partner, Ben York JonesProducers: Steven M. Rales, Mark Roybal, Jonathan Schwartz, Andrea SperlingDistributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Very little to go on: this is a film about love, fidelity, marriage and music...(more)
Cast: Guy Pearce, Felicity Jones, Kyle MacLachlan, Amy Ryan, Alexandra Wentworth, Hugo Becker
List Worthy Reasons...: We liked, but didn't love Doremus' third feature (Like Crazy) - aside from the sugar-coatedness and scattered observational POV, we think a more fleshed out drama, Pearce and Amy Ryan supporting Felicity Jones in her second Doremus outing will provide more substantial results from the this untapped potential.&nbsp; 
Release Date/Status?: Currently in post-production, after premiering in Park City for three films straight (Slamdance once and Sundance twice) we think that he'll visit TIFF once again and hope for a distributor pick-up then.




&nbsp;



]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6862/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-98-untitled-drake-doremus-drama</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #99. James Clauer's When The World’s On Fire]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6861/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-99-james-clauers-when-the-worlds-on-fire</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#99. When The World&rsquo;s On Fire
Director/Writer: James ClauerProducers:&nbsp;Brent Stewart, Ryan Zacarias and Brooke Bernard (from Septien) with John Maringouin (Big River Man)Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist:  Javier, a Guatemalan immigrant, &#64257;nds himself homeless and living on 
the fringes of society in a hardscrabble Southern town. With a loyal dog 
for a companion, Javier encounters a revolving cast of characters each 
more colorful than the last, rugged souls who are &#64257;ghting to break free 
from their suffocating predicaments, and hoping to catch some faint 
glimmer of the American dream...(more)
Cast: James Cooke and Leo Kling
List Worthy Reasons...: Six years since his breakout short film debut "The Aluminum Fowl," hit the festival circuit (Sundance, Rotterdam, Cannes), James Clauer's feature length debut in glorious 35mm is finally upon us and should make the immigrant experience samples as Sin Nombre feel like a Disney film. Backed by the Nomadic Independence clan, this Gotham in Progress selected project will surely be a fierce commentary about the unattainable and indoctrinated myth that has been going strong since 1931.  
Release Date/Status?: We were thinking Sundance, and now we're thinking the Directors' Fortnight (Cannes) folks will be interested in re-inviting the filmmaker.




&nbsp;



]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6861/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-99-james-clauers-when-the-worlds-on-fire</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #100. Leos Carax's Holly Motors]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6860/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-100-leos-caraxs-holly-motors</link>
         <description><![CDATA[
#100. Holly Motors
Director/Writer: Leos CaraxProducers:&nbsp;Pierre Grise Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: This traces 24 hours in the life of a person who travels between different lives, including that of a murderer, beggar, CEO, monstrous creature and father of a family. Like a lone killer acting in cold blood and going from one hit to the next, he has a completely different identity in each of his intertwining lives. Like in a film-within-a film, he plays different roles... (more)
Cast: Denis Lavant, Kylie Minogue, Michel Piccoli, Edith Scob with a brief appearance from Eva Mendes.
List Worthy Reasons...: The pic above (Denis Lavant aiding an Eva Mendes from a manhole) tells us that Carax appears to have incorporated some narrative and film character elements from his portion of the Carax-Michel Gondry-Bong Joon-ho triptych Tokyo!. In it, Lavant plays some excruciatingly annoying Godzilla-like creature, which wouldn't be a selling point for this project as it was worst than fingernails on a chalkboard, but we're curious about how this "meta" film within a film formula might work out. Also worth noting: this is Carax's first feature film since 1999's Pola X. 
Release Date/Status?: Seeing that Carax has been invited to Cannes for Boy Meets Girl (1984), Pola X and Tokyo!, we expect to see added to the festival's 2012 slate.



&nbsp;
&nbsp;



]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:50:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6860/top-100-most-anticipated-films-of-2012-100-leos-caraxs-holly-motors</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Ryan's Top 20 of 2011: Picks 10-1]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6484/ryans-top-20-of-2011-picks-10-1</link>
         <description><![CDATA[10) The Sleeping Beauty Perverse, bizarre, sexy, funny, provocative. In other words, signature Catherine Breillat. More scattered than her superior 'Bluebeard,' but still fearless and fun. Challenging, uncompromised insights into the female psyche and sexuality, without any pat prescriptions or audience pandering. 9) Rise of the Planet of the Apes A pop-art plea for the primal rebirth of mankind. Rebel ape Caesar -- tamed but intemperate, savage but sedated, a beast who experiences self-awakening not through a celestial&rsquo;s arrow but a technician&rsquo;s syringe -- is one of the great Hollywood protagonists of our time. Andy Serkis is riveting as Caesar, giving a great silent-movie performance, all (almost) without words. Spielberg fell disappointingly short of making &lsquo;War Horse&rsquo; his &lsquo;Au Hazard Balthazar&rsquo; (though perhaps he already has done so, with the Bresson-ian &lsquo;E.T.&rsquo;), leaving director Rupert Wyatt as the only director this year to truly make a non-human his protagonist.  (Serkis&rsquo; unguarded performance stands vastly superior to George Clooney&rsquo;s flaccid pandering in the intolerable &lsquo;The Descendants.&rsquo;  Whereas Wyatt enables Serkis to create rich subtlety without words, the painfully overrated Payne drowns the first act of his two-hour TV pilot in nothing BUT words, in the form Clooney&rsquo;s droning book-on-tape voice-over.)
&lsquo;Rise&rsquo; represents the best use to date of motion-capture effects, opening a new horizon to the possibilities of merging performance with CGI. It is a genuinely stirring story of resistance -- personal, social, and political -- to oppressive forces of control. James Franco is a dull actor, but he is perfectly cast here as the embodiment of the 21st century&rsquo;s (per)version of Dr. Frankenstein: now an anti-Romantic corporate stooge, morally dim, complacent, a hipster- and industry-endorsed bureaucrat. My biggest complaint with the movie is that Caesar didn&rsquo;t throttle Franco&rsquo;s head like a vise, and squeeze out his screen-saver brains like a cannonball. Maybe in the sequel? 8) Essential Killing Famished Taliban refugee Vincent Gallo suckles on the enormous lactating teet of an unsuspecting female Polish bicyclist. Vive le cinema! A thrilling survival adventure and a cryptic hallucination: Only Jerzy Skolimowski could pull this off. After a long departure from filmmaking, Skolimowski graced us with 'Four Nights with Anna,' a disconcerting, heart-wrenching movie that is one of the ten best from the previous decade, but which confoundingly never received U.S. distribution. The VOD fate of 'Essential Killing' was equally underwhelming. It so completely avoids political agendas of any kind that it might as well have been made by an alien from another planet. Is there any actor in film more captivating than the great Vincent Gallo?  7) Pina Wim Wenders engages in some of his best film directing in years in this documentary focusing on the w]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6484/ryans-top-20-of-2011-picks-10-1</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blake's Top 20 of 2011: Picks 10-1]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7002/blakes-top-20-of-2011-picks-10-1</link>
         <description><![CDATA[10)  A Separation Yeah, this movie is pretty devastating, but it's also a clever kind of memory game for first-time viewers that had me constantly second-guessing what I had seen in its crucial scene. That the questions are all answered and tidily sorted out is as understandable as it is disappointing, but for script and acting alone, this is could be the year's most well-crafted film.  9) Margaret This 'big movie that couldn't' might actually top A Separation for ensemble acting and script, but you'd never know it because the Kenneth Lonergan&rsquo;s second time behind the camera has been virtually erased by a nagging lawsuit; it will certainly go down in history (beside Touch of Evil, Ambersons, and Blade Runner, to name just a few that come to mind) as one of the most tragic studio butcherings of a potential masterwork.  8) Tuesday, After Christmas A far simpler film than A Separation, narratively and formally, and probably not as devastating in the end. What does elevate it slightly above Farhadi's film, though, is Radu Muntean&rsquo;s graceful last shot. Taking care to preserve their daughter's illusion of a reality capable of fantasy and happiness (i.e. Santa and loving parents), it's the first time we see the true connection that this couple shared, and still shares.  7) The Future And then here is a film that is all about connection. Miranda July gets a lot of flack for some reason that is entirely lost on me - I can see it, like Paw Paw and the 30 Dances in 30 Days ambition, but these things don't really matter in the themes or her films. Anyway, there is a fine line between having a connection (Internet, relationships, awareness of and participation with the state of the world, etc.) and losing that connection. This film is about the psychological and emotional trauma that can occur at the moment(s) of disconnection.  6) Meek's Cutoff I couldn't make heads or tails of Kelly Reichardt&rsquo;s third film on a first viewing, then I checked it out again eight months later and understood that its strangeness lies in its utter rejection of convention. As informed by the history of movies, this particular narrative, strictly adhering to realism, could not have been told in a more enigmatic way than it is here. It's a movie designed to haunt on a purely unconscious level, expertly eliding any detail or event that could break its spell.  5)  Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives Weerasethakul's most overtly political film is also his most accessible, at least in some degree. Ironically, it's also the only film of his that I cannot make sense (logically, emotionally, et al) of its final reel. There is probably not a Working filmmaker, though, who I feel more of a connection with in terms of sensibility.  4)  Cave of Forgotten Dreams Herzog marries the oldest found record of human representational Illustration with the most technologically advanced method we have today (i.e. 3D); it's the strange emotional wallop upon seeing the film's final]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7002/blakes-top-20-of-2011-picks-10-1</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Nicholas' Top 20 of 2011: Picks 10-1]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6301/nicholas-top-20-of-2011-picks-10-1</link>
         <description><![CDATA[10) The Hedgehog The debut of director Mona Achache, The Hedgehog, based on a popular French novel, centers on Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic), an 11 year old girl that, fed up with her world, has decided to kill herself on her twelfth birthday. Formidably (and thankfully, not annoyingly) precocious, Paloma is fascinated with art and philosophy, decided to film her world around her as she moves forward with her plan, narrating her opinions to us on what&rsquo;s wrong with her parents and the world at large. Paloma meets a kindred spirit in the form of the cranky and seemingly unhappy Renee (an absolutely fabulous Josiane Balasko), the building janitor. The arrival of a new tenant creates some ripples as he flirts with the avid reader Renee through Tolstoy&rsquo;s Anna Karenina and the cinema of Ozu, and soon a very endearing and unpredictable romance ensues. Touching, tragic, and funny, The Hedgehog is an excellent debut, and features a great performance from one of France&rsquo;s best performers.  9) When We Leave This directorial debut from Austrian actress Feo Aladag stars the gorgeous Sibel Kekilli (of Fatih Akin&rsquo;s Head-On) as Umay, a woman of Turkish descent living in Germany, in the midst of attempting to leave her abusive husband. As she flees with her son (in one incredibly tense scene) and seeks solace with her family in Berlin, she finds she is rejected at every turn due to religious and traditional conventions. A deadly look at the clash of Western and non-Western ideals in the Turkish community, Kekilli gives one hell of a performance as a woman struggling to make a better life for herself even as her own family sabotages her. Infuriating, compelling, and altogether one sucker punch of a film.  8) A Separation Much praise has been heaped on this Iranian film from director Asghar Farhadi, the seemingly simple tale of a married couple faced with the decision to leave Iran. Opening with Nader (Peyman Moaadi, in an excellent performance) and Simin (Leila Hatami) arguing in front of a judge concerning divorce proceedings, it&rsquo;s this initial separation that causes the remaining conflicts of the film. Simin is eager to leave Iran for a more progressive country, both as an opportunity for herself and their 11 year-old daughter. Nader refuses to leave, citing that he needs to stay and care for his father, ailing from Alzheimer&rsquo;s. Upset that he refuses to leave and that he would rather agree to divorce then do so, Simin flees to her parent&rsquo;s house, their daughter choosing to stay with her father. When Nader hires a working class woman to care for his father while he is at work, a situation arises which results in one hell of an awesome drama that plays out like an enticing thriller. Beautifully shot and superbly acted, it transfixes from the first frame.  7) We Need To Talk About Kevin Lynne Ramsay&rsquo;s much anticipated follow-up to her quietly beautiful 2002 film, Morvern Callar, plays like The Bad Seed meets The Omen ]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6301/nicholas-top-20-of-2011-picks-10-1</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Jordan's Top 20 of 2011: Picks 10-1]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6303/jordans-top-20-of-2011-picks-10-1</link>
         <description><![CDATA[10) Melancholia Lars Von Trier can't stop torturing his female protagonists, but with such an intriguing filmography that relies heavily on just that dynamic, who could blame him?  He continues his torment, this time with Kirsten Dunst in the lead.  His entrancing images of a planet on track to collide with Earth, paired against the fluid liveliness of an already doomed wedding, perfectly encapsulate the experience of being inundated by panoptic depression.  It's obvious Von Trier and Dunst know the topic at hand all too well, but in this case their pain is their catharsis and our pleasure. 9) Hugo Something most people assumed probably wouldn't or shouldn't happen; Martin Scorsese at the helm of 
a family film.  And in 3D.  Ugh.  But, somehow he pulled it off, and not just by a thread.  Hugo is a glorious success that nods to the films that started it all (particularly those of Georges M&eacute;li&egrave;s), while delving into the ideas of young independence, perseverance, shared experience, and profound appreciation for family.  It's a sugary sweet cinematic treat, but it bares a big heart and a history lesson to boot.  (Though, I still would recommend seeing it in regular old 2D if possible.) 8) Take Shelter Michael Shannon can be one intense dude, and he certainly maintains his acute sense of suspense and release in Jeff Nichols's welcome return to the big screen.  Constantly leading us on with thoughts of oncoming insanity, we are uncomfortably given our own decision about Curtis's mental health.  The film is a remarkable take on what it would be like to be diagnosed with a mental disability you have little or no control over in the prime of your life.  It makes my heart hurt just thinking about it. 7) Project Nim Rise of the Planet of the Apes was the primate centered film about humans over reaching themselves in the name of science that did the most business this year, but James Marsh's doc about the fate of Nim Chimpsky is by far the better picture, and much more disheartening in its truthfulness.  Pulling from archival footage of Nim's fascinating life, and new interviews with the people who were involved in communication experiment, Marsh has once again proven he is at the top of his craft. 6) Burning Man Largely overlooked by the general populous on the festival circuit, writer/director Jonathan Teplitzky crafted a highly personal film of explicitly sensual love and soul crushing lose with a keen handle on the narrative form.  He intelligently chose to dole out the drama in moments of intense memory recall, letting the audience connect the dots slowly but surely, putting together one of the most heartfelt depictions of the devastation of having to deal with cancer yet. Is it considered cheating if this was released outside of the U.S.? 5) Martha Marcy May Marlene Sean Durkin's vexing debut takes Elizabeth Olsen down a paranoid one way path of cultic discipline and misogynistic surrender.  Olsen puts forth one of the best performances ]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6303/jordans-top-20-of-2011-picks-10-1</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Ryan's Top 20 of 2011: Picks 20-11]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6810/ryans-top-20-of-2011-picks-20-11</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The best movies of the year came from the elder classmen, the cinephile household names: Herzog, Malick, Scorsese, Almodovar, Skolimowski. Hopefully, some promising freshman will start to emerge in 2012. There are certainly a few more from the old hands to look forward to: As an alternative to Lars von Trier&rsquo;s self-castrating, simplistically nihilistic &lsquo;Melancholia,&rsquo; Abel Ferrara&rsquo;s &lsquo;4:44: Last Day on Earth&rsquo; treats the apocalypse as a celebratory wake, an acknowledgement that life is always lived -- joyfully, angrily, dolefully, dependently -- in the specter of impending mortality.
There&rsquo;s also the supposed final work by one of the era&rsquo;s masters: Bela Tarr&rsquo;s act of cinematic sorcery, &lsquo;The Turin Horse,&rsquo; put almost everything else at this year&rsquo;s NYFF to shame (including the atrocious &lsquo;Shame&rsquo;). Tarr makes movies as Dreyer would -- out of time, out of culture, outside all trivial contexts. The opening shot alone, a ragged horse charging ahead against the blistering barrenness of the world, brands it as a cinematic landmark. But words, wonderfully, fall well short of Tarr. This would have been Samuel Beckett's favorite movie. What else is there to be said? Maybe one thing -- it might be the only work of art this year to match PJ Harvey&rsquo;s &lsquo;Let England Shake&rsquo; as a bleakly beautiful death reverie. &ldquo;Cruel nature has won again &hellip;&rdquo;&nbsp;








&nbsp;
20) Of Gods and Men Select sequences are almost worthy of comparison to Bresson, including head monk Lambert Wilson's conflicted hike into nature, or the monks' final, close-up filled suppertime farewell. The film needed a more ruthless editor, however -- many scenes come across as mundane and unnecessary. Could easily be an hour shorter, and better for it. 19) Le Quattro Volte A film that proves that the protagonist of a film need not be a human being, or even be animate. At times, however, its resistance to traditional storytelling feels more like a cop-out than a radicalism. The possibility of an inanimate object being a fully realized character is never fully explored. Still, an absorbing and unusual two hours in the movie theater.  18) R An intense and disarming first-person prison movie from Denmark. Visceral, doc-style film undercuts genre clich&eacute;s. An unheralded surprise. (Reviewed) 17) The Guard Brendan Gleeson gives one of the year&rsquo;s best performances as a Falstaff-ian Irish cop-as-priest navigating the rough waters of humanity&rsquo;s myriad channels of sin. A true Catholic, he spends equal time with his mother, and whores. No movie made this year has as sharp and smart a wit. (Reviewed) 16) Take Shelter Daddy may not know best in this B-movie apocalypse noir meets blue-collar horror flick. It&rsquo;s tight and taut, with a captivating performance by Michael Shannon at the center as a man descending into a paranoid panic. Doesn&rsquo;t know how to choose its ]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6810/ryans-top-20-of-2011-picks-20-11</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blake's Top 20 of 2011: Picks 20-11]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6857/blakes-top-20-of-2011-picks-20-11</link>
         <description><![CDATA[It's probably too early to call 'Year of the Decade', but 2011 is certain to be a major contender for that prize eight years from now; at the moment, it's at least the best since 2007, which did battle with 2006 for the king of the previous decade. But I'm getting ahead of myself, jumping the gun a bit to look at the big picture, when in fact, this has been a year of many great small ones.  Sure, you had some big guns (The Tree of Life, Samsara, and We Need to Talk About Kevin) that swung for the fences with their cosmic ambitions to (re)define life and/or art as we know them (and speaking of that Tree movie, it appears that nobody told Jessica Chastain that you only have to give one great performance for folks to decide you've had a good year). For me, I step back and feel as if I've fallen victim to some unfortunate 'elitist' bug - my selections for the best films of 2011 have proven to be anything but easy to find (nor, evidently, easy to like). Whether you had to petition to see it, or got snickered at on the Croisette for standing up for it, the Rottentomatoes age of love-it-or-hate-it film criticism has proven to be a difficult time for breaking away from the consensus. Alas, this has been a year of Imperfect films for me, in which I learned to stop worrying and love the rambling, messy, flawed whats-its that signify that a film was not made on autopilot, but rather with a creative consciousness too busy to dot the I's, cross the T's. Additionally, it tears me up to have to leave off the brilliant films I caught in Cannes and Toronto that didn't get released in theatres this year, but 2012 will be none-the-richer when cinema-goers see the likes of Crazy Horse, The Loneliest Planet, and The Deep Blue Sea, to name but a few.  20) Le Quattro Volte The year's most Bazinian film is also the only one that makes a solid case for there needing to be more animal performances in movies. Shot after shot is a miracle, simultaneously spontaneous and impossibly choreographed, including the year's best dog performance for one shot alone. It's a bit too tidy in the grand scheme of it all, but Michelangelo Frammartino&rsquo;s film is perhaps the purest example of magic realism in any art form in some time.  19)  Drive Cars, blood, slo-mo, bad guys, good guys, the 80s, pink, Gosling, Brooks - I'm not sure there's much more than that in this cool, Nicolas Winding Refn 100-minute neon-noir. If there were, if may well have popped and gotten swallowed down the wrong pipe.  18)  Take Shelter Are his visions real or are they fake? Frankly, I don't give a damn, as this wins the year's award for best film about the economic crisis regardless of what that last scene is supposed to mean (for the record, 2010's winner of that award goes to the criminally disposed-of The City Below by Christophe Hochh&auml;usler). Add in the best leading male and supporting female performances of the year, and you've got winner in Jeff Nichols&rsquo; sophomore pic.  17)  Moneyball Speak]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6857/blakes-top-20-of-2011-picks-20-11</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Nicholas' Top 20 of 2011: Picks 20-11]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6253/nicholas-top-20-of-2011-picks-20-11</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Not unlike other years, 2011 had its share of particular titles that dominated cinematic conversations (though I don&rsquo;t recall ever having had more conversations about a new film than The Tree of Life), with the end of the year heralding shoe-in awards fodder for hotly anticipated, overbearing biopics, starring Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams. While many an auteur trotted out new, astounding masterworks, whether they be tempered with flaws (Cronenberg&rsquo;s A Dangerous Method) or arrived without much ado (Almodovar&rsquo;s excellent The Skin I Live In), 2011 also really featured some excellent debuts and some auteurs-in-the-making returning with astounding second (Kenneth Lonergan&rsquo;s devastingtly ignored Margaret, Oren Moverman&rsquo;s brilliant Rampart) and third efforts (Lynne Ramsay&rsquo;s bad-seed Swinton starrer, We Need to Talk About Kevin).  And whereas 2009 was credited as an exceptional year for female directors, one could argue that 2011 announced some excellent new global female filmmakers, with spectacular debuts from France&rsquo;s Mona Achache with The Hedgehog, and Austria&rsquo;s Feo Aladag with When We Leave. And on the American side, 2011 saw the debuts of two exceptional female African American directors, with Dee Rees&rsquo; Pariah and Ava DuVernay&rsquo;s I Will Follow.
And as with every year&rsquo;s crop of new films, there&rsquo;s always a plethora of festival circuit films to look forward to in the new year. The best theatrically unreleased films of 2011 include a beautiful (and Cannes panned) new film from Christophe Honore, Beloved; an astounding new feature from Yorgos Lanthimos, ALPS; Ben Wheatley&rsquo;s sophomore genre jumping thrill fest, Kill List; a trashy pulp extravaganza from master William Friedkin, Killer Joe; the Duplass Brothers&rsquo; best feature yet, Jeff, Who Lives At Home; the latest from Turkey&rsquo;s master auteur, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, with Once Upon a Time in Anatolia; the excellent debut of Austria&rsquo;s Markus Schleinzer, Michael; what may be the last film of Hungarian auteur Bela Tarr, with his mesmerizing The Turin Horse; the Dardenne Brothers&rsquo; understated The Kid With a Bike; an amazing Mexican art house neo-noir Miss Bala; and a frothy and hilarious performance from Isabelle Huppert in Anne Fontaine&rsquo;s My Worst Nightmare. But without further ado, my 20 favorite theatrically released films of 2011 are as follows:  20) Leap Year No, this isn&rsquo;t that bizarrely anachronistic romantic comedy starring Amy Adams, but something much darker and startling. The feature debut of Australian born Michael Rowe, who has been living in Mexico for the past 17 years, Leap Year (slightly reminiscent of a grainy Italian art house mess starring Elizabeth Taylor from 1974, The Driver&rsquo;s Seat) is set nearly entirely in the Mexico City apartment of a freelance magazine writer, Laura (Monica del Carmen). It becomes immediately apparent that Laura is a lonely woman, spouting obviou]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6253/nicholas-top-20-of-2011-picks-20-11</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Jordan's Top 20 of 2011: Picks 20-11]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6830/jordans-top-20-of-2011-picks-20-11</link>
         <description><![CDATA[It's hard to believe that the predicted apocalypse is nearly upon us. Looking back though, it wouldn't be a bad note to go out on, with so many quality films making their way to theaters around the globe this year. Not surprisingly, several titles tackled the topic of the end of the world (most notably the beautifully bleak Melancholia and the horrifically realistic Contagion), while others looked at the grim realities of life and decided that a brighter future is just around the bend (the youthful confusion of In A Better World and the depressingly sensual Burning Man).
This year, an adept assemblage of master auteurs put forth some of their greatest work to date, while an abundance of newcomers by the likes of Tristen Patterson, Sean Durkin, Richard Ayoade and Jason Eisener caused quite a ruckus in the film world with their magnificent debut efforts. Each with distinct voices and clear cut styles, whether they be punk influenced authenticity, or blood spattered, B-grade goodness, excellent young filmmakers were in abundance, and thanks to them, it looks like cinephiles have a lot to look forward to in the coming years.  Keep an eye out for Jonathan Teplitzky's devastating look at the fallout in the wake of cancer in Burning Man, and, though it didn't make the top 20, Jessica Yu's concerning doc on the incoming water crisis, Last Call at the Oasis, to make a splash in the coming year. That is, if we make it that far.   20) 13 Assassins Takashi Miike has slowed down a bit over the years from making three or four films a year to only about two, still much more prolific than your average director.  The extra time seems to have allowed Miike to let his projects breathe, and 13 Assassins is a slow builder with more more class than anything Miike has done up to this point.  The film is basically an updated take on Kurosawa's masterpiece, Seven Samurai, but it is an artfully crafted, surprisingly tasteful representation.  Plus, the final 45 minute battle sequence is a must see action set piece that is pure insanity.  I would never have expected that this came from the creator of Visitor Q and The Happiness of the Katakuris. 19) Hobo With A Shotgun Following the inclusion of Jason Eisener's fake trailer with the Tarantino/Rodriguez Grindhouse double feature, Hobo With A Shotgun became an actual feature with its young creator at the helm and Rutger Hauer in the leading role.  Paying homage to the blood oozing ridiculousness of exploitation's past, Eisener found the sweet spot between admiration and emulation.  Knowing full well that the envelope needed to be pushed to the absolute brink while giving the lead a likable, emotional core, this joy ride of over the top gore and outrageous humor is a refreshing filmic experience that breathes new, sanguine life into midnight cinema. 18) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo After watching the original Swedish series, I honestly didn't see much point in creating an American remake, but if anyone was to attempt such ]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6830/jordans-top-20-of-2011-picks-20-11</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: The Iron Lady]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6750/review-the-iron-lady</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Iron Lady       Click here to read the review!
"Streep is lively, precise, and inventive in her mimicry (much like Kenneth Branagh, the lone standout in the torturous &lsquo;Marilyn,&rsquo; was with his take on Olivier) but ultimately The Company&rsquo;s entertainment commodity finds its joys only in cheap sentiment, broad laughs, and packaged triumphs. Scenes are not constructed to explore the complex inner contradictions of a woman of power and strength, but only to illustrate simplistic feminist bromides and to repeat fatiguingly familiar melodrama tropes."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6750/review-the-iron-lady</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: A Separation]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6831/review-a-separation</link>
         <description><![CDATA[A Separation       Click here to read the review!
"Iranian writer-director Asghar Farhadi&rsquo;s deeply involving A Separation manages to absorb the audience in a tangled domestic whodunit sparked by the break-up of a 14-year marriage, while also engaging them in a conscious dialogue about the thorny moral choices the characters are forced to make. Perfect consonance between the art and camera departments allows Farhadi and cinematographer Mahmood Kalari to shoot family members through windows, doorways, and marbled glass dividers, spatially emphasizing their internal disconnect. Lack of a musical score highlights Farhadi&rsquo;s resistance to passing any kind of verdict on the characters, who are all angled against each other for their own, often concealed, motives."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6831/review-a-separation</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[DVD Review: Criterion Collection: 12 Angry Men [Blu-ray]]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7019/dvd-review-criterion-collection-12-angry-men-blu-ray</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Criterion Collection: 12 Angry Men [Blu-ray] Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"Through clever and telling details, Reginald Rose&rsquo;s script strips away his characters&rsquo; thin veneer of civilization and exposes the racism and class warfare that lies beneath. With the fate of an accused murderer in the balance, each juror is forced to look into the dark mists of his own soul and ultimately issue a verdict; not just in this case but on the whole of humanity."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7019/dvd-review-criterion-collection-12-angry-men-blu-ray</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[DVD Review: Blackthorn [Blu-ray]]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7018/dvd-review-blackthorn-blu-ray</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Blackthorn [Blu-ray] Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"Mateo Gil and screenwriter Miguel Barros want you to forget all about that image, re-imagining the event with Cassidy surviving, reinventing himself down the road as James Blackthorne. It's been marketed almost like a sequel that could never live up to its predecessor, but taken as a sovereign entity, Blackthorn is a beautiful new take on the legendary bandit that disregards the past and assigns Cassidy moralistic hindsight in his golden years."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7018/dvd-review-blackthorn-blu-ray</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Angelina Nikonova Says 'Welcome Home' to Olga Dykhovichnaya]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6845/angelina-nikonova-says-welcome-home-to-olga-dykhovichnaya</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Screen Daily have learned that filmmaker Angelina Nikonova (pictured on the right) will once again team up with Olga Dykhovichnaya (the star and co-writer of her Venice Days and TIFF showcased debut feature film Twilight Portrait) on a film item that carries a whole other DNA. Welcome Home will most likely be followed by a third project by the pair -- they are looking for Japanese co-producers to board "a Russian-Japanese story set in the early 20th century Japan."
Gist: After tackling some fairly rough dramatic terrain, Nikonova is targeting the funny bones with her sophomore pic - the English-language New York-set comedy will be "about a group of immigrants who have become hostage to their life choices."  Worth Noting: After debuting Twilight Portrait at a Russian film festival, a glowing Variety review was foolowed by a birth at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals (where we floored by the gusto performance from Dykhovichnaya and both the originally constructed framework, aesthetic choices and craftsmanship).  Do We Care?: Among our top new discoveries of the year, Nikonova will be working in a backdrop that is familiar to her - she is a School of Visual Arts in New York grad and we measure her confidence level to be quite high by picking a project that will likely be a complete switch up in terms of tone. Here's what her 2011 film looks like.:








&nbsp;]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6845/angelina-nikonova-says-welcome-home-to-olga-dykhovichnaya</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: The Flowers of War]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7017/review-the-flowers-of-war</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Flowers of War       Click here to read the review!
"While both a brutal and beautiful motion picture (though it doesn&rsquo;t quite manage to justify a running time of nearly two and a half hours), an aggravating thread of saccharine romanticism dilutes the impact of what is in fact, a horrific and unforgettable atrocity."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7017/review-the-flowers-of-war</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blu-ray Review: Criterion Collection: Three Colors [Blu-ray]]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7015/blu-ray-review-criterion-collection-three-colors-blu-ray</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Criterion Collection: Three Colors [Blu-ray] Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"Not only is the trilogy of a decidedly anti-collectivist mindset, each film offers a rich and rewarding stand-alone cinematic experience. Related only by the slimmest of narrative threads - a thread that actually seems quite jarring once it's finally revealed - Blue,White and Red employ different cinematographers, different actors and take place in a variety of European cities. While each film presents a variation in visual aesthetics, the mournful tones of composer Zbigniew Preisner give the pieces a vital kinship, and provide critical psychological linkage."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7015/blu-ray-review-criterion-collection-three-colors-blu-ray</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Albert Nobbs]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6763/review-albert-nobbs</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Albert Nobbs       Click here to read the review!
"...it&rsquo;s been a minute since we saw a project that was so highly anticipated, so deliciously intriguing on paper, turn out to be so limp, dry and exhaustingly lifeless on celluloid."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6763/review-albert-nobbs</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Sundance 2012: Cannes Preemed Pair, Philip Dorling's Prediposed and Don Coscarelli's John Dies at the End Added to Slate]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7014/sundance-2012-cannes-preemed-pair-philip-dorlings-prediposed-and-don-coscarellis-john-dies-at-the-end-added-to-slate</link>
         <description><![CDATA[A foursome of films have been added to the 2012 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Joining Sundance's "Spotlight" section (which showcases films that have made their mark on the festival circuit in the previous year) we've got a couple of Cannes films in Paolo Sorrentino's oddball comedy/travelogue/revenge pic (This Must Be The Place) and Joachim Trier, who will be attending the Sundance Screenwriting labs the week before will extend his stay in the state of Utah by showing one of our favorites of the year in, "Oslo, August 31st." World premieres come in the shape of the Paul Giamatti starring horror comedy (Park City at Midnight selection), "John Dies at the End," from Bubba Ho-Tep director Don Coscarelli (here's the trailer) and we get one more correct prediction with Philip Dorling's Predisposed joining the Premieres line-up. The pic stars Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo, Tracy Morgan, Sarah Ramos, Isiah Whitlock Jr.








&nbsp;]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7014/sundance-2012-cannes-preemed-pair-philip-dorlings-prediposed-and-don-coscarellis-john-dies-at-the-end-added-to-slate</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Eurimages Fund: Mungiu, Kechiche, Pastor Bros and Tomm Moore Receive Coin]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7012/eurimages-fund-mungiu-kechiche-pastor-bros-and-tomm-moore-receive-coin</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Here is some great news for fans of the long take. Cannes' 2007 Palme d'Or winning director Cristian Mungiu (4 months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) and Golden Lion winning director Abdellatif Kechiche (La Graine et le mulet) are two of the 18 European co-productions that have received coin from Council of Europe's Eurimages Fund. Mungiu's next project entitled "Provizoriu," is produced by the filmmakers' shingle Mobra Films alogn with France's Why Not Productions and Belgium's Les Films du Fleuve (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's co.) This is a Romanian convent-set tale of a 23-year-old girl's overweening love for a girl inmate - and we could easily see rising starlet Ada Condeescu in the key role. Another "same sex romance" might be the focus of Kechiche's next project entitled, "Le Bleu est une couleur chaude."&nbsp; Based on an award-winning graphic novel, this is set up by the Wild Bunch folks, Quat'Sous Films, Kechiche's own label, Belgium's Scope Pics and Spain's Vertigo Films.
Other filmmakers to receive support include Camiel Borgmann from Alex van Warmerdam (Waiter), The Last Days from the Pastor Bros. (Carriers) and Song of the Sea from animation filmmaker Tomm Moore (who directed the award-winning "The Secret of Kells". 2013 is already looking like a great year.]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7012/eurimages-fund-mungiu-kechiche-pastor-bros-and-tomm-moore-receive-coin</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[2012 Rotterdam’s CineMart Loaded in Talent with Ostlund, Reichardt, Antoniak and Tsangari ]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7013/2012-rotterdams-cinemart-loaded-in-talent-with-ostlund-reichardt-antoniak-and-tsangari</link>
         <description><![CDATA[New film projects by the likes of Aktan Arym Kubat (The Light Thief), Athina Rachel Tsangari (ATTENBERG), Taika Waititi (Eagle vs Shark), Kelly Reichardt (Meek's Cutoff), &Uacute;rszula Antoniak (Code Blue and Nothing Personal), Quentin Dupieux (Rubber and the Sundance selected Wrong), Florin Serban (If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle), Ruben &Ouml;stlund (pictured above) and Aditya Assarat (Wonderful Town) are among the 36 projects participating in Rotterdam&rsquo;s 29th co-production market CineMart (where a whopping 850 potential co-financiers add coin to future projects).
Among the filmmakers we are keeping a closer eye on, we see that Athina Rachel Tsangari's breakout Venice-winning ATTENBERG helped her secure producing help for her next feature, "Duncharon," - Haos Films will be joined by Faliro House Productions, Maharaja Films and one of our favorite outfitters in The Match Factory. Another female auteur in The Netherlands' &Uacute;rszula Antoniak is working on Nude Area with Topkapi Films and Pandora Film producing. We especially look forward to Ruben &Ouml;stlund's next picture titled "Turist," (his Cannes-selected "Play" was one of our favorites of 2011 and was also a project that was aided by the market). Plattform Produktion, Essential Filmproduktion, and one of our preferred Euro labels Coproduction Office are producing. And finally, U.S. indie filmmaker Kelly Reichardt already has thesps Paul Dano and Peter Sarsgaard attached to Night Moves - the eco-terroism pic is being supported by the Anish Savjani's excellent filmscience prod co. Here's the complete list of participants.
Apprentice, by Boo Junfeng, production companies: Zhao Wei Films, Peanut Pictures (Singapore)
Between Ten and 
Twelve, by Peter Hoogendoorn, production companies: Keren Cogan 
Productions, Phanta Vision Film International (The Netherlands) 
Cannibal, by Manuel Mart&iacute;n Cuenca, production company: La Loma Blanca P.C. (Spain) 
Centaur, by Aktan 
Arym Kubat, production companies: A.S.A.P. Films, Pallas Film GmbH, Oy 
Art Film Producing Company (France, Germany, Kyrgyzstan)  
Duncharon, by Athina
 Rachel Tsangari, production companies: Haos Films, Faliro House 
Productions, Maharaja Films, The Match Factory GmbH (Greece, France, 
Germany) 
Estiuejants, Els, by Lluis Galter, production company: Paco Poch Cinema, S. L. (Spain) 
Groenlandia, by Jos&eacute; Luis Torres Leiva, production company: Jirafa Films (Chile) 
Happy Death, A, by Eduardo Nunes, production company: Superfilmes, 3 Tabela Filmes (Brazil) 
History of Fear, by Benjamin Naishtat, production company: Rei Cine (Argentina) 
Hungry Mouth, by Argyris Papadimitropoulos, production company: Stefi Productions (Greece) 
Invisibles, The, by Mushon Salmona, production company: Transfax Film Production Ltd (Israel) 
Jojo Rabbit, by Taika Waititi, production companies: Defender Films, Unison Films (New Zealand, US) 
Little Dog Boy, by Henry Coombes, production company: Brocken Spectre (Unite]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7013/2012-rotterdams-cinemart-loaded-in-talent-with-ostlund-reichardt-antoniak-and-tsangari</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Sundance Institute's 2012 January Screenwriters Lab: Mulloy, Uricaru and Mansbach Among 12 Selected]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7011/sundance-institutes-2012-january-screenwriters-lab-mulloy-uricaru-and-mansbach-among-12-selected</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The week before the beast known as Sundance gets unleashed, 12 projects and their writers/directors will hit the Sundance Resort in Utah and get to work with such names as Lisa Cholodenko, Nicole Holofcener and Joachim Trier on what they hope will one day become feature film projects. This year appears to have more stories that go beyond U.S. borders and worth noting several of the mentioned lab attendees have a bit more "clout". Among the dozen, we have helmer Jonas Carpignano who'll be basing his feature on his award-winning short, A Chj&agrave;na (which won at the Venice Film Festival, we've got Ioana Uricaru (one of the filmmaker contributors on Cristian Mungiu's Tales From the Golden Age) who'll work from a U.S./Romanian perspective. David Lowery who was featured in Filmmaker Mag's 25 New Faces of Independent Film of 2011, who I think has a legitimate shot at attracting some fine folk with Ain&rsquo;t Them Bodies Saints and actress Marielle Heller will adapt Phoebe Gloeckner's Diary of a Teenage Girl. Worth highlighting is Daniel Mulloy (see pic above) who I had the chance to interview in Park City last January is making the big leap forward into feature filmmaking after a brilliant resume of award-winning short films. Arta Dobroshi (Dardenne's Lorna's Silence) is pegged to star in Mitrovica. Of the twelve projects, ten are from writer-directors while a pair are from scribe-onlys - and worth noting is the inclusion of Adam Mansbach's whose Go the Fuck to Sleep, was a #1 New York Times bestseller. His lab project, We&rsquo;re Entertainment is among the many writing projects the author is involved with.
Here's the complete list of 2012 January  Screenwriters Lab Fellows and Projects:
Jonas Carpignano (writer/director) / A  Chj&agrave;na (Italy/U.S.A.):
 After leaving his native Burkina Faso in search  of a better life, 
Ayiva makes the perilous journey to Italy; though he finds  compatriots 
along the way, they are unprepared for the intolerance facing  
immigrants in their newly-claimed home.
Jonas  Carpignano is an Italian-American filmmaker currently based in
 New York City  and Rome. While raised and educated in New York, he has 
spent periods of time  in Italy where he began his career working as an 
assistant director. Since  enrolling at NYU&rsquo;s Tisch School of the Arts, 
Carpignano&nbsp;has made several  short films that have screened in numerous 
prestigious festivals throughout the  world. Recently, he was awarded 
the Martin Scorsese Young Filmmaker Award, and  his latest short film A Chj&agrave;na won  the Controcampo Award for Best Short Film at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
Ioana Uricaru (writer/director) / After  the Wedding (U.S.A./Romania):
 Mara, a Romanian immigrant with a young  son, soon discovers her recent
 marriage to an American is not enough to secure  their place in the 
country. As she learns more about the system, an unfamiliar  culture, 
and her husband, she must decide how far she will go t]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7011/sundance-institutes-2012-january-screenwriters-lab-mulloy-uricaru-and-mansbach-among-12-selected</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6747/review-cormans-world-exploits-of-a-hollywood-rebel</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel       Click here to read the review!
"With her feature debut, Corman&rsquo;s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel, director Alex Stapleton brings us a fascinating and superbly endearing portrait of an overlooked artist and a man whose significance to modern day Hollywood is unmistakable."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6747/review-cormans-world-exploits-of-a-hollywood-rebel</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Carnage]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6829/review-carnage</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Carnage       Click here to read the review!
"Four solid performances -- Jodie Foster &amp; John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet &amp; Christoph Waltz -- keep Yasmina Reza&rsquo;s satirical drama above the level of highbrow sitcom &hellip; but only just. The bombastically overstated title never delivers on its promise of emotional violence; the characters in &lsquo;Carnage&rsquo; are ultimately too shallow to generate any great revelations or catastrophes."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:15:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6829/review-carnage</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Cook County]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6743/review-cook-county</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Cook County       Click here to read the review!
"What bogs down Cook County beyond repair is an undeniable lack of clarity and absence of focus, bouncing around like a narrative whose tragic finale was conceived well before the avenues it would take to get there were planned. While the three male leads all give noteworthy performances as drug addled urchins with no direction home, the father/son relationship between Abe and Sonny feels underwritten."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6743/review-cook-county</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blu-Ray Review: West Side Story 50th Anniversary Edition [Blu-ray]]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7007/blu-ray-review-west-side-story-50th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray</link>
         <description><![CDATA[West Side Story 50th Anniversary Edition [Blu-ray] Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"Available in an eye-popping new 50th Anniversary blu-ray edition, the film remains a surpassingly well designed and executed example of the Great American Musical. Through a synthesis of styles, the film echoes the great cultural melting pot of urban America post WWII, and uses an array of rousing set pieces to hint at the era&rsquo;s growing unrest and generational division. Under the feel-good, entertaining veneer of Steven Sondheim&rsquo;s witty lyrics and Jerome Robbins&rsquo; acrobatic choreography is a genuine whiff of the sour xenophobia that plagues the nation to this day."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7007/blu-ray-review-west-side-story-50th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blu-ray Review: Velvet Goldmine [Blu-ray]]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7009/blu-ray-review-velvet-goldmine-blu-ray</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Velvet Goldmine [Blu-ray] Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"Writer/director Todd Haynes's film, Velvet Goldmine, is his bizarre tribute to an incredibly wild period of musical history that obviously helped him find himself as a teen."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7009/blu-ray-review-velvet-goldmine-blu-ray</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Blu-ray Review: Cave of Forgotten Dreams [Blu-ray]]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7008/blu-ray-review-cave-of-forgotten-dreams-blu-ray</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Cave of Forgotten Dreams [Blu-ray] Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"Under significant restrictions, Herzog managed to piece together an existential documentary that observantly unearths prehistoric artistic expression and pictorial storytelling with humility only his weathered voice could convey."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7008/blu-ray-review-cave-of-forgotten-dreams-blu-ray</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Interview: Andrew Dosunmu (Restless City)]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7005/interview-andrew-dosunmu-restless-city</link>
         <description><![CDATA[We were thrilled to see Andrew Dosunmu&rsquo;s latest film, Restless City, his first film since his 1999, Hot Irons, show up as part of the 2011&rsquo;s AFI New Auteurs Program. Originally premiering at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Dosunmu&rsquo;s latest is a vibrant story about an African immigrant living in New York City following his passion in music. Falling in love with a girl in trouble, the trajectory of his fate becomes tinged with tragedy.
Receiving extremely positive word of mouth for its amazing cinematography and excellent performances from some young newcomers, Restless City is really Dosunmu&rsquo;s love letter to New York City, where good, the bad, and the grey resides side by side and frame by frame. I was able to sit down with Dosunmu after a screening of his film at the AFI Film Festival, where we discussed immigrant stories in cinema, New York, and the difficulties in making movies and telling stories without the funding to do so. Restless City is still seeking distribution -- check out the interview below.&nbsp;







]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7005/interview-andrew-dosunmu-restless-city</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Knuckle]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6746/review-knuckle</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Knuckle       Click here to read the review!
"Having the distinction of being filmed for a period of over 12 years, Palmer&rsquo;s documentary would have you think that his roving camera was in fact voraciously following several sparring Traveller clans in Ireland. But the fact of the matter is the act of filmmaking seems to be more of an afterthought, as what Palmer&rsquo;s camera (much like his audience) really seeks is the rabid thrill of hand to hand bare-knuckled fighting."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6746/review-knuckle</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Trailer Exclusive: Gregory Kohn's Northeast]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7006/trailer-exclusive-gregory-kohns-northeast</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Yesterday we premiered the poster one sheet for Gregory Kohn's Northeast, today we've your first look at the trailer. Tribeca Film is releasing the indie pic nationwide on December 26th via cable VOD, iTunes, Amazon, and Vudu. For more updates (including a new batch of stills) check out the official Northeast Facebook Page.








&nbsp;]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7006/trailer-exclusive-gregory-kohns-northeast</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Young Adult]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6752/review-young-adult</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Young Adult       Click here to read the review!
"The most notable and memorable aspect of Young Adult&rsquo;s awkwardly maligned narrative is Theron&rsquo;s wickedly warped performance of a woman whose adulthood has veered into a mediocre failure. And her chemistry with the damaged Oswalt makes for some exceptionally comedic, bittersweet cinema. But any scenes not pairing Theron and Oswalt seem like the brakes are grinding."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6752/review-young-adult</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Gregory Kohn's 'Northeast' First Look: Poster for Tribeca Film's 16mm DIY Relationship Drama]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6274/gregory-kohns-northeast-first-look-poster-for-tribeca-films-16mm-diy-relationship-drama</link>
         <description><![CDATA[We've got your exclusive first look at the poster one sheet for Gregory Kohn's Northeast, the shot on 16mm pic which stars David Call, ("Two Gates of Sleep") and Eleonore Hendricks (from the Safdie Bros.' The Pleasure of Being Robbed and Go Get Some Rosemary). Tribeca Film is releasing the indie pic nationwide on December 26th via cable VOD, iTunes, Amazon, and Vudu. 
Tomorrow we'll be bringing you the trailer. David Call plays Will, an unemployed and aimless playboy in Brooklyn, New York, has spent his 20&rsquo;s skating on easy charm from one casual, distant affair to the next. Noticing his friends&rsquo; happiness as they gradually settle into steady jobs and committed relationships, Will decides to trade apathy for effort in order to find someone with whom he can start the next chapter of his life.
]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6274/gregory-kohns-northeast-first-look-poster-for-tribeca-films-16mm-diy-relationship-drama</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Safdies, Ken Jacobs, Lucy Walker and Nash Edgerton Load Up Sundance Shorts Section]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7004/safdies-ken-jacobs-lucy-walker-and-nash-edgerton-load-up-sundance-shorts-section</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Ken Jacobs' SEEKING THE MONKEY KING, Alexis Dos Santos' Random Strangers and the Cannes winning Nash Edgerton's BEAR are part of the shorts program which this year is comprised of 64 films selected from a whopping 7,675 submissions. Among the titles that have caught our attention we find actress Brie Larson getting behind the camera for The Arm, The Safdie brothers continue what they do best which is an output of films in all lengths (The Black Balloon), we have one fourth of Kyle Henry short film collage in FOURPLAY: TAMPA and also in the U.S. Narrative section of 32 we have one of our 2010 American New Wave 25 selected individuals who brings The Fort to the fest (see pic above).  Other new shorts worth noting come from Lucy Walker who visited Japan's devastated zone coming up with the short docu The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom, we have Don Hertzfeldt's It&rsquo;s Such a Beautiful Day and from a new Belgium talent in Nicolas Provost, who was at TIFF with his feature, The Invader, and brings short film Moving Stories to the fest. Here is the complete listing.
U.S. NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS &rsquo;92 Skybox Alonzo Mourning Rookie Card (Director: Todd Sklar, Screenwriters: Todd Sklar, Alex Rennie) &mdash; Jim and Dave are brothers who haven't spoken in years and don't like each other very much, but are forced to come together for a week when their dad dies in Kansas City. A limited edition 1992 Skybox Series Alonzo Mourning rookie card is a point of contention. The Arm (Directors and screenwriters: Brie Larson, Sarah Ramos, Jessie Ennis) &mdash; In an attempt to keep up with social pressure in a technologically advanced world, Chance starts a texting relationship with Genevieve, a girl he meets at a yogurt shop. The Black Balloon (Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie) &mdash; The Black Balloon strays from the herd and experiences what life as an individual is like. He explores New York City in the deepest way, seeing all of its characters. Dol (First Birthday) (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Ahn) &mdash; A gay Korean American man yearns for a family life just out of reach. Famous Person Talent Agency: Pearls of Asia (Director: Ivan Hurzeler, Screenwriter: Cami Delavigne) &mdash; Jackie Diamond is a luckless talent agent who never stops dreaming. He believes in his clients and he believes in show business. Jackie reaches for the stars from a shabby office in Queens &ndash; the Famous Person Talent Agency. FISHING WITHOUT NETS (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey) &mdash; A story of pirates in Somalia, told from the perspective of the pirates themselves. The Fort (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Renzi) &mdash; On a rainy day, a young boy builds a fort in the woods when a man appears and offers to help. FOURPLAY: TAMPA (Director: Kyle Henry, Screenwriter: Carlos Trevino) &mdash; Louis loops into a local mall to grab lunch in the food court and a quickie in the public restroom. Paranoid about his own small package]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7004/safdies-ken-jacobs-lucy-walker-and-nash-edgerton-load-up-sundance-shorts-section</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Sundance 2012: Heavyweight Auteurs Spike Lee, Rodrigo Cortés, James Marsh and Stephen Frears Populate Premieres Section]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7003/sundance-2012-heavyweight-auteurs-spike-lee-rodrigo-corts-james-marsh-and-stephen-frears-populate-premieres-section</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Sundance will have some heavyweight auteurs in the shape of Spike Lee, Rodrigo Cort&eacute;s, James Marsh and Stephen Frears for the Premieres Section. Among the 15 selected titles, worth highlighting are Leslye Headland&rsquo;s debut, "Bachelorette" which stars Kirsten Dunst, we&rsquo;ve got Julie Delpy&rsquo;s 2 Days in New York and a Blacklist favorite in Celeste and Jesse Forever. Count on Lee&rsquo;s Red Hook Summer, Cort&eacute;s&rsquo; Red Lights, Marsh&rsquo;s Shadow Dancer and Frears&rsquo; Lay the Favorite to garner the most buzz.
&nbsp;"2 Days in New York," France (Director: Julie Delpy, Screenwriters: Julie Delpy, Alexia Landeau)
Marion has broken up with Jack and now lives in New York with their child. A visit from her family, the different cultural background of her new boyfriend, her sister&rsquo;s ex-boyfriend, and her upcoming photo exhibition make for an explosive mix. Cast: Julie Delpy, Chris Rock, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau, Alex Nahon. &nbsp;"Arbitrage," U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Nicholas Jarecki)
A hedge-fund magnate is in over his head, desperately trying to complete the sale of his trading empire before the depths of his fraud are revealed. An unexpected, bloody error forces him to turn to the most unlikely corner for help. Cast: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling, Laetitia Casta. "Bachelorette," U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Leslye Headland)
Unresolved issues between four high school friends come roaring back to life when the least popular of them gets engaged to one of the most eligible bachelors in New York City and asks the others to be bridesmaids in her wedding. Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, James Marsden, Adam Scott, Kyle Bornheimer.&nbsp;"California Solo," U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Marshall Lewy)
A former Britpop rocker has long settled for an unfettered life working on a farm outside of L.A. When he&rsquo;s caught driving drunk and faces deportation, he must confront past and current demons in his life to stay in the country. Cast: Robert Carlyle, Alexia Rasmussen, Kathleen Wilhoite, A Martinez, Danny Masterson.&nbsp;"Celeste and Jesse Forever," U.S.A. (Director: Lee Toland Krieger, Screenwriters: Rashida Jones, Will McCormack)
Celeste and Jesse met in high school, married young, and at 30, decide to get divorced but remain best friends while pursuing other relationships. Cast: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Ari Graynor, Chris Messina, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts. "For A Good Time, Call...," U.S.A. (Director: Jamie Travis, Screenwriters: Katie Anne Naylon &amp; Lauren Anne Miller)
Lauren and Katie move in together after a loss of a relationship and a loss of a rent controlled home, respectively. When Lauren learns what Katie does for a living the two enter into a wildly unconventional business venture. Cast: Ari Graynor, Lauren Anne Miller, Justin Long, Mark Webber, James Wolk.&nbsp;"Goats," U.S.A. (Director: Christopher Neil, Screenwriter: Mark Jude ]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7003/sundance-2012-heavyweight-auteurs-spike-lee-rodrigo-corts-james-marsh-and-stephen-frears-populate-premieres-section</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: I Melt With You]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6841/review-i-melt-with-you</link>
         <description><![CDATA[I Melt With You       Click here to read the review!
"What starts out as another one of those films examining the male psyche in the context of a yearly bonding buddy get-together, Pellington&rsquo;s film feels like Bret Easton Ellis&rsquo; version of The Hangover (2009). But just when you&rsquo;ve thought you were watching Less Than Zero (1987) for the mid-life crisis male, it take a dark nose-dive, creating an emotionally draining yet compellingly vivid drama about the death of dreams."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6841/review-i-melt-with-you</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6751/review-force-of-nature-the-david-suzuki-movie</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie       Click here to read the review!
"His lecture and look back is chronicled in Sturla Gunnarsson's Force Of Nature &ndash; The David Suzuki Movie, a film that beholds a man who always speaks with wisdom, authenticity, and simplicity as if every line were part of a story recounted to his youngest grandchild."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:55:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6751/review-force-of-nature-the-david-suzuki-movie</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Answers to Nothing]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6744/review-answers-to-nothing</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Answers to Nothing       Click here to read the review!
"A celluloid merry-go-round concerning the lives of several Los Angeles residents as they meander throughout their lives, nary a moment exists in the film that doesn&rsquo;t reek of supreme artificiality and strained connections resulting in a laborious, exhausting exercise in kindness porn, belonging instead to the televised sap on solipsistic network channels than the cutting edge cinema it believes itself to be."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:15:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6744/review-answers-to-nothing</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: The Lady]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6805/review-the-lady</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Lady       Click here to read the review!
"His story telling clings hard to sentimentality rather than historical facts, but thanks to an Oscar worthy performance by Yeoh and a stark realism lensed ever so gracefully by Besson's long time cinematographer, Thierry Arbogast, The Lady makes for a powerful, if not weighty, biopic."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:15:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6805/review-the-lady</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Shame]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6718/review-shame</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Shame       Click here to read the review!
Engaging and competently-produced as it may be, Shame's biggest downfall can really be sourced to its questionable worldview. In an age of political progression regarding sexual liberation, McQueen's film posits a stubbornly one-sided debate between family and hedonism."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6718/review-shame</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Review: Coriolanus]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6912/review-coriolanus</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Coriolanus       Click here to read the review!
"A bold and unconventional exploit for a debut (not unlike Julie Taymor&rsquo;s 1999 film, Titus), Fiennes&rsquo; choice to adapt the play as a modern political power struggle is sometimes successful in its union of Shakespeare&rsquo;s prose to contemporary sociopolitical unrest, but also reveals itself to be a stale, pale echo of the bard&rsquo;s original play."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6912/review-coriolanus</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Zobel, Zellner, Carrie Preston and Matt Ross Directing Debuts Among Sundance's NEXT Section]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6999/zobel-zellner-carrie-preston-and-matt-ross-directing-debuts-among-sundances-next-section</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Now in its third year, Sundance's NEXT section (which describes its works as "bold", and "innovative" (think more accessible than and just as low budget as the stuff we find in the New Frontiers section) grabs our attention because of its inclusion of Craig Zobel's latest effort, Compliance a true story drama perhaps in the same budget range as Great World of Sound. Other alumni embedded in this group of nine include: Helmer Destin Daniel Cretton (who one in Park City a couple of years back for Short Term 12) returns with his feature debut, I Am Not a Hipster&nbsp;and the Zellner bros. are back again with their latest, Kid-Thing (the teaser on Kickstarter seriously rocks). Worth noting: actress Carrie Preston brings her feature bromance-like comedy (That's What She Said) with the unlikely trio of actresses in Anne Heche, Marcia DeBonis, Alia Shawkat while Matt Ross (I'm sure it is Ross the actor) gives us 28 Hotel Rooms, which pairs Chris Messina and Marin Ireland together -- pic (see still above) is produced by one of our favorite producers in Lynette Howell (Cianfrance's Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines). Here's the list of nine.
&nbsp;COMPLIANCE / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Craig Zobel) &mdash; When a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee, no one is left unscathed. Based on true events. Cast: Ann Dowd, Pat Healy, Dreama Walker, Bill Camp, Philip Ettinger. I AM NOT A HIPSTER / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Destin Daniel Cretton) &mdash; Set in the indie music and art scene, this is a character-driven story exploring themes of love, loss and what it means to be creative in the face of tragedy. Cast: Dominic Bogart, Alvaro Orlando, Brad William Henke, Tammy Minoff, Kandis Erickson, Lauren Coleman. KID-THING / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Zellner) &mdash; A rebellious girl whose existence is devoid of parental guidance, spends her time roaming the land, shoplifting, and vandalizing. Her routine is broken one day while playing in the woods when she hears a woman calling from a mysterious hole in the ground, asking for help. Cast: Sydney Aguirre, Susan Tyrrell, Nathan Zellner, David Zellner. Mosquita y Mari / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Aurora Guerrero) &mdash; A friendship between two 15-year-old Latinas becomes complex as they struggle to recognize the sexual undercurrent in their relationship. Cast: Fenessa Pineda, Venecia Troncoso, Joaqu&iacute;n Garrido, Laura Patalano, Dulce Maria Solis. My Best Day / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Erin Greenwell) &mdash; Karen&rsquo;s life as a small-town receptionist is turned upside down when the father she never knew calls for a refrigerator repair. That day she encounters a sister addicted to off track betting, a brother struggling with grade school heartache and bullies, and a load of fireworks. Cast: Rachel Style, Ashlie Atkinson, Ra&uacute;l Castillo, Jo Armeniox, Robert Salerno, Harris Doran. Pu]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6999/zobel-zellner-carrie-preston-and-matt-ross-directing-debuts-among-sundances-next-section</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Sundance 2012: Adam Wingard, Katie Aselton and Nicholas McCarthy Stock Park City at Midnight Section]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7001/sundance-2012-adam-wingard-katie-aselton-and-nicholas-mccarthy-stock-park-city-at-midnight-section</link>
         <description><![CDATA[New proof that mumblecore is heading into a natural fitting genere of horror, Katie Aselton's Black Rock and V/H/S - the project helmed by Adam Wingard, David Bruckner, Ti West, Glenn McQuaid, Joe Swanberg, Radio Silence featuring Joe Swanberg, Calvin Reeder, Adam Wingard, Sophia Takal and Kate Lyn Sheil are a pair of highly anticipated titles that'll be shown in Park City at Midnight. Among our correct predictions we find Nicholas McCarthy's The Pact and (see pic above) Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim's wacko Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie. Completing the roster we have a non-horror title, documentary (SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS) which follows the 48-hour period after LCD Soundsystem pulled the plug. Look for perhaps one more title to be added to a line-up that only has seven titles in all. 
&nbsp;Black Rock / U.S.A. (Director: Katie Aselton, Screenwriter: Mark Duplass) &mdash; Three childhood friends set aside their personal issues and reunite for a girls' weekend on a remote island off the coast of Maine. One wrong move turns their weekend getaway into a deadly fight for survival. Cast: Katie Aselton, Lake Bell, Kate Bosworth. Excision / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Richard Bates, Jr.) &mdash; A disturbed and delusional high school student with aspirations of a career in medicine goes to extremes to earn the approval of her controlling mother. Cast: AnnaLynne McCord, Traci Lords, Ariel Winter, Roger Bart, John Waters. Grabbers / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director: Jon Wright, Screenwriter: Kevin Lehane) &mdash; When the residents of an idyllic Irish fishing village are attacked by mysterious, blood-sucking sea creatures, a high blood alcohol content could be the only thing that gets them through the night. Cast: Richard Coyle, Ruth Bradley, Russell Tovey, Bronagh Gallagher.&nbsp;The Pact / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Nicholas McCarthy) &mdash; As a woman struggles to come to grips with her past in the wake of her mother's death, an unsettling presence emerges in her childhood home. Cast: Caity Lotz, Casper Van Dien. SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS / United Kingdom (Directors: Dylan Southern, Will Lovelace) &mdash; A documentary that follows LCD Soundsystem front man James Murphy over a crucial 48-hour period, from the day of their final gig at Madison Square Garden to the morning after, the official end of one of the best live bands in the world.&nbsp;Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim) &mdash; After two guys are given a billion dollars to make a movie, their Hollywood dreams run off course and they decide to rehabilitate a run-down shopping mall in an attempt to make the money back. Cast: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim. V/H/S / U.S.A. (Directors: Adam Wingard, David Bruckner, Ti West, Glenn McQuaid, Joe Swanberg, Radio Silence, Screenwriters: Simon Barrett, David Bruckner, Ti West, Glenn McQuaid, Radio Silence) &mdash; When a group of misfits is hired by an unknown ]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:55:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7001/sundance-2012-adam-wingard-katie-aselton-and-nicholas-mccarthy-stock-park-city-at-midnight-section</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Monsieur Lazhar, Wuthering Heights and Your Sister's Sister: Tons of TIFF Items Moving to Sundance's Spotlight Program]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7000/monsieur-lazhar-wuthering-heights-and-your-sisters-sister-tons-of-tiff-items-moving-to-sundances-spotlight-program</link>
         <description><![CDATA[It'll be a TIFF does Sundance this year in the Spotlight Program as the majority of the films programmed in the section (which staffers state, "regardless of where these films have played throughout the world, the Spotlight program is a tribute to the cinema we love") are films that moved from Cannes to TIFF en route to Sundance or had their world premieres at TIFF and are moving into Park City. Among the highlights we have have several Foreign Oscar submissions in Declaration Of War (France), Monsieur Lazhar (Canada) and Where Do We Go Now? (Lebanon), we have heavyweight audience favorites from TIFF in Lynn Shelton's Your Sister's Sister and Gareth Evans' The Raid and Andrea Arnold will have her U.S premiere for Wuthering Heights in Park City. Among the "must see" titles in the batch of nine is Andrei Zvyagintsev's Elena - (see pic above) a film that should have played in Cannes Main Comp but was assigned to the Un Certain Regard section. Here is the section selections.
Corpo Celeste / Italy (Director and screenwriter: Alice Rohrwacher) &mdash; After moving back to southern Italy with her mother and older sister, 13-year-old Marta struggles to find her place, restlessly testing the boundaries of an unfamiliar city and the catechism of the Catholic church. Cast: Yle Vianello, Salvatore Cantalupo, Anita Caprioli, Renato Carpentiere. Declaration Of War / Belgium (Director: Val&eacute;rie Donzelli, Screenwriters: J&eacute;r&eacute;mie Elka&iuml;m, Val&eacute;rie Donzelli) &mdash; A young couple embark upon a painful, enlightening journey when they discover that their newborn child is very ill. Cast: Val&eacute;rie Donzelli, J&eacute;r&eacute;mie Elka&iuml;m, C&eacute;sar Desseix. North American Premiere Elena / Russia (Director: Andrei Zvyagintsev, Screenwriter: Oleg Negin) &mdash; A meditative, modern-noir tale about an older woman, Elena, who marries the wealthy business man for whom she worked and, when his health fails, is forced to deal with his estranged daughter who threatens her inheritance. Cast: Andrey Smirnov, Nadezhda Markina, Elena Lyadova, Alexey Rozin. Monsieur Lazhar / Canada (Director and screenwriter: Philippe Falardeau) &mdash; An elegant reflection on loss and death focused on an Algerian immigrant teacher who brings emotional stability to a Montreal middle school class shaken by the suicide of their well-liked teacher. Cast: Fellag, Sophie N&eacute;lisse, &Eacute;milien N&eacute;ron, Danielle Proulx, Brigitte Poupart. The Orator (O le Tulafale) / New Zealand (Director and screenwriter: Tusi Tamasese) &mdash; A Samoan villager must defend his land and family when they are threatened by powerful adversaries. Cast: Fa&rsquo;afiaula Sagote, Tausili Pushparaj, Salamasina Mataia, Ioata Tanielu. The Raid / Indonesia (Director and screenwriter: Gareth Evans) &mdash; All hell breaks loose when an elite SWAT team, given orders to raid a run-down Jakarta apartment building that houses the city&rsquo;s most notorious crime boss, is forced ]]></description>
         <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/7000/monsieur-lazhar-wuthering-heights-and-your-sisters-sister-tons-of-tiff-items-moving-to-sundances-spotlight-program</guid>
      </item><item>
         <title><![CDATA[Sundance 2012 World Cinema Docu Comp: Great Danes Headline Comp Section]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6997/sundance-2012-world-cinema-docu-comp-great-danes-headline-comp-section</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Sundance's World Docu Comp section might come across as the olympics with strong representation from 3 countries dominated by the Danes (Mads Br&uuml;gger, Lise Birk Pedersen, Malik Bendjelloul and docu team Omar Shargawi and Karim El Hakim). With several items being carried over from this past November's IFDA Doc Film Festival, the 12 film section includes three Israeli film and three World Premieres from Canadian documentarians. Here's the complete list.1/2 REVOLUTION / Denmark (Directors: Omar Shargawi, Karim El Hakim) &mdash; In January 2011, two filmmakers captured the reality of the Egyptian revolution as it occurred out of view from the world's media in the alleyways and streets away from the square &ndash; and in the process were arrested by the secret police. North American Premiere 5 Broken Cameras / Palestine, Israel, France (Directors: Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi) &mdash; A Palestinian journalist chronicles his village&rsquo;s resistance to a separation barrier being erected on their land and in the process captures his young son&rsquo;s lens on the world. International Premiere THE AMBASSADOR / Denmark (Director: Mads Br&uuml;gger) &mdash; What happens when a very white European man buys his way into being a diplomat in one of Central Africa's most failed nations? Welcome to the bizarre and hidden world of African diplomacy, where gin and tonics flow and diamond hustlers and corrupt politicians run free. North American Premiere BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!* / Sweden (Director: Fredrik Gertten) &mdash; The behind-the-scenes story of a full-scale attack on freedom of speech. When Dole set its sights on the WG Film production Bananas!* in May 2009, confusion was the method, aggression was the tactic and media control was the story. North American Premiere China Heavyweight / Canada, China (Director: Yung Chang) &mdash; In central China, where a coach recruits poor rural teenagers and turns them into Western-style boxing champions, the top students face dramatic choices as they graduate &ndash; should they fight for the collective good or for themselves? A metaphor for the choices everyone in the New China faces now. World Premiere Gypsy Davy / Israel, U.S.A., Spain (Director: Rachel Leah Jones) &mdash; How does a white boy with Alabama roots become a Flamenco guitarist in Andalusian boots? A tale of self-invention and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of the cost to others. International Premiere The Imposter / United Kingdom (Director: Bart Layton) &mdash; In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappears from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in Spain with a shocking story of kidnap and torture. But all is not what it seems in this tale that is truly stranger than fiction. World Premiere Indie Game: The Movie / Canada (Directors: Lisanne Pajot, James Swirsky) &mdash; Follow the dramatic journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to th]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
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         <title><![CDATA[Argott, Ewing and Grady, Silverbush, Kirby Dick, Greenfield and Eugene Jarecki Among Sundance's U.S. Docu Comp]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6995/argott-ewing-and-grady-silverbush-kirby-dick-greenfield-and-eugene-jarecki-among-sundances-us-docu-comp</link>
         <description><![CDATA[If you're a fan of the docu form especially those that genuinely begin their film festival life in Park City, then this group of 16 American documentary films that are the make up of the U.S. Documentary Competition appear to be docu gold. We've got some heavy hitters among docu filmmakers such as Don Argott, Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady, Lori Silverbush, Kirby Dick, Lauren Greenfield and&nbsp;Eugene Jarecki. All docs are obviously world premieres. Here's the list.&nbsp;
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry / U.S.A., China (Director: Alison Klayman) &mdash; Renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has garnered international attention as much for his ambitious artwork as his political provocations and increasingly public clashes with the Chinese government. The Atomic States of America / U.S.A. (Directors: Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce) &mdash; In 2010, the United States announced construction of the first new nuclear power plant in more than 32 years. A year later, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Fukushima Power Plant in Japan sparking a fierce debate in the U.S. over the safety and viability of nuclear power. Chasing Ice / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Orlowski) &mdash; Science, spectacle and human passion mix in this stunningly cinematic portrait as National Geographic photographer James Balog captures time-lapse photography of glaciers over several years providing tangible visual evidence of climate change. DETROPIA / U.S.A. (Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady) &mdash; The woes of Detroit are emblematic of the collapse of the U.S. manufacturing base. This is the dramatic story of a city and its people who refuse to leave the building, even as the flames are rising. ESCAPE FIRE: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare / U.S.A. (Directors: Matthew Heineman, Susan Froemke) &mdash; What can be done to save our broken medical system? Powerful forces are trying to maintain the status quo in a profit-driven medical industry, but a movement to bring innovative methods of prevention and healing is finally gaining ground &ndash; potentially saving the health of a nation. Finding North / U.S.A. (Directors: Lori Silverbush, Kristi Jacobson) &mdash; A crisis of hunger looms in America and is not limited to the poverty stricken and uneducated. Can a return to policies of the 1970s save our future? The House I Live In / U.S.A. (Director: Eugene Jarecki) &mdash; For over 40 years, the War on Drugs has accounted for 45 million arrests, made America the world's largest jailer and damaged poor communities at home and abroad. Yet, drugs are cheaper, purer and more available today than ever. Where did we go wrong and what is the path toward healing? How to Survive a Plague / U.S.A. (Director: David France) &mdash; The untold story of the intensive efforts that turned AIDS into a manageable condition &ndash; and the improbable group of (mostly HIV-positive) young men and women whose amazing resilience broke through a time of rampant death and political indifference. The Invis]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:55:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6995/argott-ewing-and-grady-silverbush-kirby-dick-greenfield-and-eugene-jarecki-among-sundances-us-docu-comp</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Sundance 2012 World Cinema Dramatic Comp Includes Dupieux, Slama, Makridis and Kieran Darcy-Smith]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6996/sundance-2012-world-cinema-dramatic-comp-includes-dupieux-slama-makridis-and-kieran-darcy-smith</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Of all the fourteen films/filmmakers mentioned we see Quentin Dupieux return to screen fairly quick after his debut film Rubber, we have Blue Tongue Films team member (Animal Kingdom, Hesher and tons of awesome short films) Kieran Darcy-Smith who gets behind the camera for Wish You Were Here with (see pic) Joel Edgerton topling. We have Dogtooth writer contributing to helmer Babis Makridis' debut film "L" and finally Czech director Bohdan Sl&aacute;ma (The Country Teacher (2009) and Something Like Happiness (2005)) coming to the festival with 4 Suns. Here's the complete selected items for this often overlooked World Dramatic Comp section.
4 Suns / Czech Republic (Director and screenwriter: Bohdan Sl&aacute;ma) &mdash; Immature Fogi attempts to straighten up and accept his responsibilities as a new husband and father, as well as role model to his troubled son from a previous relationship, but finds himself unable to change his nature, leaving him to watch haplessly as his family begins to crumble. Cast: Jaroslav Plesl, A&#328;a Geislerov&aacute;, Karel Roden, Ji&#345;&iacute; M&aacute;dl, Kl&aacute;ra Mel&iacute;&scaron;kov&aacute;. World Premiere About the Pink Sky / Japan (Director and screenwriter: Keiichi Kobayashi) &mdash; A high school girl finds a wallet full of money and tracks down its owner, leading to unexpected consequences for the girl and her friends. Cast: Ai Ikeda, Ena Koshino, Reiko Fujiwara, Tsubasa Takayama, Hakusyu Togetsuan. International Premiere Can / Turkey (Director and screenwriter: Rasit Celikezer) &mdash; A young married couple live happily in Istanbul, but their decision to illegally procure a child threatens their future together. Cast: Selen Ucer, Serdar Orcin, Berkan Demirbag, Erkan Avci. World Premiere Father's Chair (A Cadeira do Pai) / Brazil (Director: Luciano Moura, Screenwriters: Elena Soarez, Luciano Moura) &mdash; Following the trail of his runaway teen son, Theo confronts his own identity as a son, a father and a man along the way. Cast: Wagner Moura, Lima Duarte, Mariana Lima. World Premiere L / Greece (Director: Babis Makridis, Screenwriters: Efthymis Filippou, Babis Makridis) &mdash; A man who lives in his car gets caught up in the undeclared war between motorcycle riders and car drivers. Cast: Aris Servetalis, Makis Papadimitriou, Lefteris Mathaios, Nota Tserniafski, Stavros Raptis. World Premiere The Last Elvis (El Ultimo Elvis) / Argentina (Director: Armando Bo, Screenwriters: Nicol&aacute;s Giacobone and Armando Bo) &mdash; A Buenos Aires Elvis impersonator who believes that he is the reincarnation of the King struggles to shake free from reality and live his musical dream. Cast: John McInerny, Griselda Siciliani, Margarita Lopez. World Premiere Madrid, 1987 / Spain (Director and screenwriter: David Trueba) &mdash; The balance of power and desire constantly shifts during the meeting of an older journalist and a young student, of two generations completely foreign to one another. Cast: Jos&eacute; Sa]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6996/sundance-2012-world-cinema-dramatic-comp-includes-dupieux-slama-makridis-and-kieran-darcy-smith</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Sundance 2012 U.S. Dramatic Comp: Zeitlin, Yong Kim, Russo-Young, Ponsoldt and Campos Among 16 Selected]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6994/sundance-2012-us-dramatic-comp-zeitlin-yong-kim-russo-young-ponsoldt-and-campos-among-16-selected</link>
         <description><![CDATA[A pair of films from our favorite auteurs So Yong Kim's For Ellen&nbsp;(see Paul Dano still) and Antonio Campos' Simon Killer are finally making their long awaited world film fest debuts and items from an emerging talent base in the likes of Benh Zeitlin, Ry Russo-Young and James Ponsoldt are part of a handful of lucky filmmakers selected in Sundance's U.S. Dramatic Competiton section.
Among the 10 out of 16 we guessed right, we find: Michael Mohan's Save the Date, Ben Lewin's The Surrogate, Colin Trevorrow's Safety Not Guaranteed, Ira Sachs' Keep the Lights On and the newly titled The End of Love - a sophomore effort from filmmaker and actor Mark Webber.
Completing the section we find: The Comedy from Rick Alverson (produced by Mike S. Ryan), Filly Brown from Youssef Delara (former Visual Effects Associate on Star Trek), The First Time&nbsp;by Jonathan Kasdan (his second film after In the Land of Women), Hello I Must Be Going from Todd Louiso (his third film after Love Liza and The Marc Pease Experience), LUV from Sheldon Candis (second feature film - this one more polished) and Middle Of Nowhere from Ava DuVernay (longtime film publicist who switched over to filmmaking). Here's the press release below:
U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION
The world premieres of 16 American narrative feature films.&nbsp;Beasts of the Southern Wild / U.S.A. (Director: Benh Zeitlin, Screenwriters: Benh Zeitlin, Lucy Alibar) &mdash; Waters gonna rise up, wild animals gonna rerun from the grave, and everything south of the levee is goin&rsquo; under, in this tale of a six year old named Hushpuppy, who lives with her daddy at the edge of the world. Cast: Quvenzhan&eacute; Wallis, Dwight Henry. The Comedy / U.S.A. (Director: Rick Alverson, Screenwriters: Rick Alverson, Robert Donne, Colm O'Leary) &mdash; Indifferent even to the prospects of inheriting his father's estate, Swanson whiles away his days with a group of aging Brooklyn hipsters, engaging in small acts of recreational cruelty and pacified boredom. Cast: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alexia Rassmusen, Gregg Turkington.&nbsp;The End of Love / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Mark Webber) &mdash; A young father unravels following the loss of the mother of his child. Cast: Mark Webber, Shannyn Sossamon, Michael Cera, Jason Ritter, Amanda Seyfried, Frankie Shaw. Filly Brown / U.S.A. (Directors: Youssef Delara, Michael D. Olmos, Screenwriter: Youssef Delara) &mdash; A Hip Hop-driven drama about a Mexican girl who rises to fame and consciousness as she copes with the incarceration of her mother through music. Cast: Lou Diamond Phillips, Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera, Edward James Olmos. The First Time / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Jonathan Kasdan) &mdash; Two high schoolers meet at a party. Over the course of a weekend, things turn magical, romantic, complicated and funny, as they discover what it's like to fall in love for the first time. Cast: Brittany Robertson, Dylan O'Brien, Craig Roberts, Ja]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:25:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6994/sundance-2012-us-dramatic-comp-zeitlin-yong-kim-russo-young-ponsoldt-and-campos-among-16-selected</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[DVD Review: The Future]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6711/dvd-review-the-future</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The Future Movie:   Disc:       Click here to read the dvd review!
"Within, there is much humor to be found, natural feeling relationships to appertain to, and a modern conundrum that an entire generation is currently experiencing. The Future doesn't escape its shortcomings, but it is a surreal success non-the-less. July remains an indie icon, fearlessly pursuing her own visions with the utmost tyrannical control."]]></description>
         <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:55:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6711/dvd-review-the-future</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[2012 Indie Spirits Noms: Artist leads Drive, Beginners, Take Shelter and MMMM with Five Noms]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6917/2012-indie-spirits-noms-artist-leads-drive-beginners-take-shelter-and-mmmm-with-five-noms</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Fresh off a big double win at the Gothams (where it won Best Feature and Best Ensemble), Mike Mills' Beginners has nabbed four nominations for the 27th Indie Spirit Awards tying with three other Best Feature hopefuls in Jeff Nichol's Take Shelter, The Descendants and Cannes preemed, Drive. However the four were outmatched by Michel Hazanavicius's The Artist which garnered five noms in Best Feature, Best Director, Best Male Lead, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography categories. Martha Marcy May Marlene grabbed four noms as well if you add the Upcoming Producer award along with the three noms in the Best First Feature, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor categories. Among the notable nominees worth mentioning and that raised some eyebrows, we have Lauren Ambrose's perf in TIFF shown "Think Of Me" and Rachel Harris' bit in the SXSW preemed "Natural Selection" that landed Best Female Lead nods but we think this is Elizabeth Olsen's time to shine (contrary to what occured at the Gothams.) Pariah which received a nom in the category as well is perhaps the frontrunner in the John Cassavettes Award section -- which include fellow Sundance titles "Bellflower" and 
"Circumstance" along with barely known titles of "Hello Lonesome" and "The Dynamiter". In the Best Cinematography cate, worth noting are the noms of Joel Hodge - "Bellflower" and Benjamin Kasulke - "The Off Hours". And finally we have my favorite three awards of the night. The Truer Than Fiction Award signals the next gen of docu filmmakers worth watching out for in Heather Courtney, Danfung Dennis and Alma Har'El. The Piaget Producers Award displays up-and-comer producers - we have Chad Burris, Sophia Lin and Borderline Film's Josh Mond (MMMM). And the Someone To Watch category includes one of my favorite discoveries of the year in Mark Jackson (Without) he'll go up against Simon Arthur (Silver Tongues) and Nicholas Ozeki (Mamitas). The only winner so far was Margin Call which picked up the Best Ensemble award. Here's the complete noms list.
Best Feature "50/50" "Beginners" "Drive" "Take Shelter" "The Artist" "The Descendants" Best Director Mike Mills - "Beginners" Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive" Jeff Nichols - "Take Shelter" Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist" Alexander Payne - "The Descendants" Best First Feature "Another Earth" "In The Family" "Margin Call" "Martha Marcy May Marlene" "Natural Selection" Best Male Lead Demian Bichir - "A Better Life" Jean Dujardin - "The Artist" Ryan Gosling - "Drive" Woody Harrelson - "Rampart" Michael Shannon - "Take Shelter" Best Female Lead Lauren Ambrose - "Think Of Me" Rachel Harris - "Natural Selection" Adepero Oduye - "Pariah" Elizabeth Olsen - "Martha Marcy May Marlene" Michelle Williams - "My Week With Marilyn" Best Supporting Male Albert Brooks - "Drive" John Hawkes - "Martha Marcy May Marlene" Christopher Plummer - "Beginners" John C. Reilly - "Cedar Rapids" Corey Stoll - "Midnight In Paris" Best Supporting Female Jessica Chastain - "Take Sh]]></description>
         <pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6917/2012-indie-spirits-noms-artist-leads-drive-beginners-take-shelter-and-mmmm-with-five-noms</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[Interview: Mark Jackson (Without)]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6998/interview-mark-jackson-without</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Mark Jackson's directorial debut Without, premiered in Park City this year - not at Redford's biggie event, but Sundance's competing film festival. It won the Special Jury Award in Slamdance and when Jackson was named among Filmmaker Magazine's Top 25 New Faces, the minimalist/microscopic budgeted chilly and ambiguous psychological thriller found more international love with showings at international fest stops Locarno, BFI London, Deauville and the Hamptons.
In the viral interview below, I discuss Jackson's background as a filmmaker (he studied in Italy's Cinecitt&agrave;), the extremely busy year he had at all the film festivals, his muse Joslyn Jensen, his collaboration with Dp and producer Jessica Dimmock (check out her photography work) and the support from IFP/Filmmaker Magazine which gave the film a Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You nomination.








&nbsp;]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6998/interview-mark-jackson-without</guid>
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         <title><![CDATA[21st Gotham Awards: Hung Jury Means The Tree of Life and Beginners win Best Feature]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6512/21st-gotham-awards-hung-jury-means-the-tree-of-life-and-beginners-win-best-feature</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The 21st Gotham Awards ended with a hung jury: Mike Mills' &ldquo;Beginners&rdquo; and Terrence Malick's &ldquo;The Tree of Life&rdquo; are both crowned with Best Feature film beating out fellow noms &ldquo;The Descendants&rdquo;, &ldquo;Meek&rsquo;s Cutoff&rdquo; and &ldquo;Take Shelter&rdquo;. Best Doc went to (a film which I don't even remember having had a theatrical release) in Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane de la Vega's &ldquo;Better This World&rdquo;. It beat &ldquo;Bill Cunningham New York&rdquo; by Richard Press, &ldquo;Hell and Back Again&rdquo; by Danfung Dennis, &ldquo;The Interrupters&rdquo; by Steve James and &ldquo;The Woodmans&rdquo; by C Scott Willis.  In the Best Ensemble Performance, it was Mike Mills' Beginners crew of Ewan McGregor, M&eacute;lanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Kai Lennox, Mary Page Keller, Keegan Boos and Christopher Plummer, the veteran actor who should get ready for Best Supporting Actor speeches for the Indie Spirits and Oscars. Beginners beat out several films that had stornger one, two and three punches in &ldquo;The Descendants&rdquo;, &ldquo;Margin Call&rdquo;, &ldquo;Martha Marcy May Marlene&rdquo; and &ldquo;Take Shelter&rdquo;. In the Breakthrough categories we have some surprise winners. In what will help the film gin a little bit more momentum before it gets released in late December (Focus Features 12.28), the Breakthrough Director award went to Dee Rees for &ldquo;Pariah&rdquo; - she beat out four nominees who were all competing at Sundance in Mike Cahill for (Another Earth), Vera Farmiga (Higher Ground) Evan Glodell (Bellflower) and our favorite of the group, Sean Durkin for &ldquo;Martha Marcy May Marlene&rdquo;. In the Breakthrough Actor category, MMMM was shut out for a third time as Felicity Jones (&ldquo;Like Crazy&rdquo;) beat out Elizabeth Olsen, Harmony Santana  (Gun Hill Road), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) and Jacob Wysocki (Terri).  In the Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You category, the lone documentary, Scenes of a Crime from helmers Blue Hadaegh &amp; Grover Babcock beat out the four feature films items: &ldquo;Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same&rdquo; &ndash; Madeleine Olnek, &ldquo;Green&rdquo; &ndash; Sophia Takal, &ldquo;The Redemption of General Butt Naked&rdquo; &ndash; Eric Strauss, Daniele Anastasion and &ldquo;Without&rdquo; &ndash; Mark Jackson.
And finally in the evening's newest categories, the Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers &ldquo;Live the Dream&rdquo; Grant
&ndash; $25,000 cash award for an alumnus of IFP&rsquo;s Independent Filmmaker Labs &ndash; went to Lucy Mulloy for Una Noche (we profiled her just recently in our In the Pipeline series. Jenny Deller's Future Weather and Rola Nashef's Detroit Unleaded were fellow noms. In the awkward Audience Award ---  the TIFF 2010 selected Girlfriend beat &ldquo;Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey&rdquo;, &ldquo;Buck&rdquo;, &ldquo;The First Grader&rdquo; and &ldquo;Wild Horse, Wild Ride&rdquo;.]]></description>
         <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
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         <title><![CDATA[Interview: Bertrand Bonello (House of Tolerance)]]></title>
         <link>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6949/interview-bertrand-bonello-house-of-tolerance</link>
         <description><![CDATA[We were pleasantly surprised last April when Bertrand Bonello's new film House of Tolerance (L'Apollonide - Souvenirs de la maison close) was announced as part of the stacked Cannes Competition slate (We thought it'd perhaps be in Un Certain Regard after his Director's Fortnight berth in 2008 with On War (De la guerre)). With a reputation as somewhat of an enfant terrible ever since his sophomore feature The Pornographer (Le pornographe) premiered at TIFF in 2001, Bonello was even mentioned - alongside names such as Gaspar No&eacute;, Catherine Breillat, and Bruno Dumont - as a member of the 'New French Extremity' style of filmmakers by Artforum critic and TIFF programmer James Quandt. This reputation is, in part, why House of Tolerance was such as a surprise when it was unveiled on the Croisette last May. Representing a monumental leap in poise and craft, it is also Bonello's most subtle work in terms of provocation and shocking or subversive imagery. I met up with Mr. Bonello after his film's North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, when we discussed his place in the New Extremity Movement, the mixed reception that his film has had with North American critics, and the research that went into the project, among other things. This Friday, the film hit limited screens in North America under the new title 'House of Pleasures; be sure to check out the interview below.








&nbsp;]]></description>
         <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
         <guid>http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/6949/interview-bertrand-bonello-house-of-tolerance</guid>
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