Camp X-Ray - First Trailer

This film received less than luke-warm reviews at Sundance, but I think it looks interesting enough to give it a shot. Kristen Stewart seems to be trying to get back to what she does best and that is independent film. I'm not sure how believable this story is going to be to anyone, like me, who knows a lot about the military but we shall see. I'm intrigued.

In Camp X-Ray, Stewart plays a US Army soldier who forms a strange bond with a detainee while stationed at Guantanamo Bay. It also stars Cory Michael Smith, Lane Garrison, and Peyman Maadi. It's set for some form of theatrical release and VOD availability on October 28th.

Sundance 2014 acquisions

There is a decent number of Sundance acquisitions this year. The popular film festival occurring this weekend gave films from just about every genre. Acquisitions include:

• Magnolia and Paramount have picked up Happy Christmas. The film is directed by Joe Swanberg and stars Anna Kendrick, Lena Dunham, and Mark Webber. Magnolia previously released Swanberg's film, Drinking Buddies.

• Focus Features picked up the newest offering from Zach Braff, Wish I Was Here. Braff's follow-up to Garden State features Kate Hudson, Josh Gad, and Ashley Greene. It received overall positive reviews over the weekend. 

• Fox Searchlight acquired I Origins starring Michael Pitt and Brit Marling. 

• A24 picked up domestic rights for Laggies starring Chloe Moretz, Keira Knightley, and Sam Rockwell. This is another one that received overall positive reviews and is aiming for a Summer release. A24 also acquired Obvious Child. 

• Sony Pictures Classics picked up Whiplash starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons.

I might make it to Sundance one day...

First trailer for Escape From Tomorrow revealed

If you haven't heard of Escape From Tomorrow, in a nutshell it is the guerrilla film secretly shot at Disneyworld. Yes, it was shot without permission or permits which has thus far prevented its release despite it screening at Sundance.

However, the film has managed to get a release date for VOD and theaters this October and we now have a theatrical trailer.

Here is the link via Playlist: http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/escape-from-tomorrow/trailer

"An epic battle begins when a middle-aged American husband and father of two learns that he has lost his job. Keeping the news from his nagging wife and wound-up children, he packs up the family and embarks on a full day of park hopping amid enchanted castles and fairytale princesses. Soon, the manufactured mirth of the fantasy land around him begins to haunt his subconscious. An idyllic family vacation quickly unravels into a surrealist and darkly comic nightmare of paranoid visions, bizarre encounters, and an obsessive pursuit of a pair of sexy teenage Parisians. Chillingly shot in black and white, ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW dissects the mythology of artificial perfection while subversively attacking our culture’s obsession with mass entertainment."

Now... I don't really know what to say about this trailer or the movie in general, but you can be damn sure I will be seeing it. Now, that is if I can see it. The trailer is already being yanked off YouTube like it's a porno video. I am curious to see if the release date is going to stick.

IFC and Sundance Selects to distribute On the Road

This is pretty good news. IFC Films and Sundance Selects have acquired distribution rights for On the Road. There still is no US release date but with this distribution pickup rumors of this fall are swirling around. The film will be shown at Cannes 2012.

I am a fan of the book and people are saying the movie is fantastic so yes... I am very excited. If it is that good a fall 2012 release is a very positive thing when it comes to the award season. It's not too late but it's not too early. Let's hope!

http://collider.com/on-the-road-ifc-films-sundance-selects/164940/