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

Are vampires the hot thing right now, or what? “Thirst” is another vampire movie, and it’s already a box office hit in Korea and winner of the Jury Prize at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.
It stars Song Kang-ho as Sang-hyun, a priest who volunteers for a secret vaccine project aimed at eradicating a deadly virus. But when things go horribly wrong, a blood transfusion is needed to save him, and the blood turns out to be infected. Sang-hyun is now a vampire.
Not only does he have to struggle with his newfound “thirst” for blood, but another hunger comes …read more

I imagine I’ll be seeing some of the Cannes films at the Traverse City Film Festival in August. Until then, I’m reveling in hearing about the films and people involved in Cannes’ 12-day run, which ended tonight. 
“The White Ribbon” scored the coveted Palme d’Or, the festival’s top honor.  Jury president Isabelle Huppert presented Michael Haneke with the prize at the closing-night ceremony held in the Palais des Festivals.
It’s the first time a jury president has presented the award since Clint Eastwood gave the award to Quentin Tarantino for "Pulp Fiction."
Grabbing the Grand Prix award was Jacques Audiard’s …read more

We’re used to seeing Mariah Carey all glammed up, like she was on the red carpet premiere of “Precious” at Cannes last week. But in the movie itself, she is anything but glam. No makeup, dowdy hair, the whole works.
“Precious” tells the story of an overweight teen (Gabourey Sidibe) in Harlem who’s pregnant with her second child. But when she’s invited to enroll in an alternative school, it just might turn things around for her.
“Precious” has already scored three wins at Sundance, and looks to be a darling of the film festival circuit. It opens in theaters (limited) on …read more

Does Angelina Jolie know how to make an entrance or what? Check out the up-to-here slit in that dress! She and Brad Pitt attended the red carpet premiere of "Inglourious Basterds" at Cannes on May 20, 2009.
Director Quentin Tarantino’s take on World War II stars Brad Pitt as a U.S. army lieutenant leading a group of soldiers operating behind Nazi lines. The movie arrives in theaters August 21, 2009. Check out the trailer here.
More after the jump…