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 forward to seeing this one.

Image: splashnewsonline.com

Post from: Film Gecko

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 audience, not just children but adults, as well.”

John Lasseter and George Lucas

Founded in 1986 and based in Northern California, Pixar really paved the way for digital computer animation and has made ten feature films to date; four of those have won Oscars in animation, a category introduced in 2001.

More after the jump…

Lasseter was "tremendously honored" that the award was given to the team of five Pixar directors: Brad Bird ("Ratatouille" and "The Incredibles"), Pete Docter ("Up" and "Monsters Inc."), Andrew Stanton ("Finding Nemo" and "Wall-E"), Lee Unkrich ("Toy Story 3"), and Lasseter (the first two "Toy Story" movies and "Cars”).

“Filmmaking and animation is one of the most collaborative art forms there is in the world, and it is never more collaborative than it is at Pixar," Lasseter said after accepting the award from George Lucas, who helped found the studio.

And if you think Pixar films are all about guys, stay tuned! The upcoming “The Bear and the Bow” is Pixar’s first fairy tale, a mother-daughter story set in Scotland and directed by filmmaker Brenda Chapman.

"We believe very strongly in having really strong female characters," Lasseter said, then explained why it hadn’t happened yet: "I mean, you are looking at a bunch of guys up here."

Peter Docter, Nancy Lasseter, director John Lasseter and Jonas Rivera pose with “Up” characters Carl Fredricksen and Russell the Wilderness Explorer

Images: Elisabetta Villa, 2009 Getty Images via Image.net

Post from: Film Gecko

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: Film Gecko

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

Post from: Film Gecko

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 the ring — and a rematch with his old nemesis — looms large.

Mickey Rourke has averaged a few movies every year for the past 30 years or so. I remember thinking he was such an interesting and sexy character in 1990’s Wild Orchid. I don’t know if he’s just playing up the worn-out actor/wrestler thing, but man, he looks tough in recent film fest pictures. Don’t you think? Or is it just me? I don’t know if this is his comeback or his swan song.

Post from: Film Gecko

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…

Celluloid Dreams has also picked up Yu Lik-Wai’s Plastic City, the first Brazilian/Chinese/Japanese co-production. Also set in Brazil, this time in San Paulo, “Plastic” involves gangsters in a futuristic multi-ethnic neighborhood with the world’s largest Japanese immigrant community.

I’m excited for both of these films and hope they find distribution in the U.S. soon. I’m not finding a subtitled trailer, but check this one out and see how beautiful it is. 

Image: Birdwatchers, Classic, 2008; Source: Hollywood Reporter 

Post from: Film Gecko

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

Post from: Film Gecko