The lovely Disney/Pixar film “Up” hits DVD and Blu-ray on Nov. 10, 2009 (read my review here), and I had an opportunity to catch up with writer-director Pete Docter (pictured), who talked about the challenges of making an animated movie.
Q: “Up” became the first animated film to open the Cannes Film Festival. Do you believe animated features are becoming accepted as a more serious artistic platform?
Pete Docter: We were very honored to be the first animated film to open the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Walking around there, I kept picturing Hitchcock, Coppola, Truffaut; these big time directors … …read more

The stars came out in full force – and such a diverse group they were – for the premiere of “Precious“ at the 2009 New York Film Festival on Oct. 3, 2009. I posted the trailer last spring, and can’t wait to see the film.
It tells the story of an overweight, illiterate teen (Gabourey Sidibe) in Harlem who’s pregnant with her second child. But when she’s invited to enroll in an alternative school, things might start turning around for her. Check out the photos below, and also the red carpet premiere at Cannes last spring.
Mariah Carey (I could make some …read more

With “Zombieland” in theaters this weekend, what better time to take a look back at zombies in movie history? I have to say, I hadn’t seen that many zombie movies until I saw “Dead Snow” at a midnight showing at the Traverse City Film Festival this summer, and now I’m hooked. Basically, it’s all zombies, all the time. Let’s see what Indy Mogul uncovered on this very important topic…

“The Invention of Lying” hits theaters Oct. 2, 2009, and the stars walked the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival.
It’s a comedy set in a world (clearly fictional!) where no one has ever lied. That is, until a writer seizes the opportunity to lie for personal gain. The movie stars Ricky Gervais (who also wrote, directed and produced), Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Tina Fey, and Rob Lowe. It’s rated PG-13 for language including some sexual material and a drug reference.
Check out the stars on the red carpet. They look like they’re having a lot …read more

The Toronto International Film Festival is taking place Sept. 10 – 19, 2009. Here are a few pictures from here, there and everywhere. Some of the films screening at the festival include Steven Soderbergh’s “The Informant!,” Joel and Ethan Coen’s “A Serious Man,” Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air,” and Pedro Almodovar’s “Broken Embraces.”
If any Film Gecko readers are AT the festival and want to send me photos, I’d love to post them. For now, here’s a few from INF:
Megan Fox

I would imagine that all the publicity an actor has to do would get tiring after a while. I mean, making the movie is probably just a small part of the acting business. Once you make the movie, you have to get out there and promote it.
But George Clooney says he’s all done with the publicity – although the story in The Hollywood Reporter’s Showbiz411.com blog doesn’t make it clear whether he’s just giving up Oscar promotion or movie promotion altogether. Is Clooney a big enough star that he doesn’t have to promote his movies? People will just …read more

Ok, I love Megan Fox as much as the next person, but does her wardrobe seem to be getting more hooker-ish? Here she is signing autographs at the world premiere of “Jennifer’s Body” at the Toronto International Film Festival.
She’s really working it, isn’t she? Whatever “it” is. Do you think she needs to tone it down? Or are you in the “go for it” camp? I mean, if we’re talking hooker, she’d definitely be a high-class one, right?
For all of Film Gecko’s coverage of the movie, click here. The slasher-cheerleader flick opens in theaters Sept. 18, 2009.

Image: splashnewsonline.com

It’s been 20 years since Michael Moore’s groundbreaking documentary “Roger & Me,” came into our consciousness. I saw the film at the Traverse City Film Festival this summer, with Moore and filmmaker friend Larry Charles talking about the behind-the-scenes goings on. More on that here.
Moore’s latest film, “Capitalism: A Love Story,” continues the probing of beaurocracy and corporate dominance in our everyday lives. But this time, the subject goes beyond General Motors and Moore’s bumbling filmmaking efforts from Flint, Michigan (even he admits that; read that post and you’ll see what I mean).

This time, Moore takes on capitalism and …read more

Actor Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso walked the red carpet at the 66th Venice International Film Festival. The occasion? His new film “The Informant’ was shown at the festival.
Director Steven Soderbergh’s film, a true story based on the book by Kurt Eichenwald, follows an agri-business corporation accused of price fixing. The star witness is vice president turned informant Mark Whitacre (Damon). Scott Bakula and Patton Oswalt also star in this film, scheduled for a Sept. 18, 2009 release.
Damon has found a nice niche with these sorts of intrigue / conspiracy / political movies, and I’m looking …read more

Nemo, Woody and Sulley are so proud right now. Their creators, the head honchos at Pixar, were awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 66th Venice International Film Festival. It’s the first time in festival history that the award went to not just one filmmaker, but an entire studio.
What do I love about Pixar? Where to start. The main thing is they make films that are both fun and thoughtful, and which appeal to people of all ages. That’s just what director and producer John Lasseter told reporters yesterday. "We really set out to deeply entertain an …read more