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

Eva Mendes and Nicolas Cage were at the 66th Venice Film Festival promoting their film “Bad Lieutenant.” Directed by Werner Herzog, this remake follows Terence McDonough as he investigates the murder of five Senegalese immigrants. Val Kilmer and Jennifer Coolidge also star in this film, which is currently making the rounds at film festivals. Next up: Sept. 15 at the Toronto Film Festival.

Image: Zuma Press

Actor Viggo Mortensen is looking mighty fine these days. Not that he could ever look bad, but I’m liking the long hair on him.
He and Kodi Smit-McPhee arrived at the 66th Venice Film Festival to promote their movie "The Road,” a post-apocalyptic tale about a man and his son struggling to survive. The film hits U.S. theaters Oct. 16, 2009, and also stars Charlize Theron and Robert Duvall. Love the T-shirt.

Image: Pacific Coast News

Variety is reporting that Fox Searchlight Pictures has picked up director Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler at the Toronto International Film Festival for about $4 million. The drama won The Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.
The film centers on Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a burned-out, 1980s-era pro wrestler. After suffering a heart attack during a small-time match, a doctor tells him he could die if he fights again.
So Robinson takes a job at a deli, moves in with an aging stripper, and tries to build a relationship with her son. But the call of …read more

Rolling off a warm reception at the Venice Film Festival, Paris-based distributor Celluloid Dreams has sold several territories on Marco Bechis‘ Birdwatchers.
An eco-drama romance, “Birdwatchers” is set in the Brazilian jungle, and tells of a rebellion by natives against wealthy landowners. The film has also sold to the U.K. (Artificial Eye), Germany (Pandora), Benelux (Cinemien), Austria (Filmladen) and Switzerland (Trigon). Come on, people! We need this film in the U.S.!
More after the jump, including a trailer…

The Venice Film Festival is in full swing right now, and there really hasn’t been a ton of star power in attendance.
But that changed when Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood arrived on the scene to premiere The Wrestler, which centers on an aging former wrestler.
Is it just me, or does Mickey Rourke look a little rough around the edges? Probably good casting anyway.
Thursday’s premiere was Kathryn Bigelow’s well-received The Hurt Locker, the festival’s lone Iraq War film.
Image: Newscom.com
Technorati Tags: 65th venice film festival,mickey roarke,evan rachel wood,marisa tomei,the wrestler movie,the hurt locker,film,movies,film festivals,jane …read more