ScreenCrave.com » gus van sant

Trailer: Gus Van Sant’s Restless With Mia Wasikowska

Krystal Clark — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:29:54 +0000

The first trailer has been released for Gus Van Sant’s latest film, Restless. The movie is a shared venture between Columbia and Imagine Entertainment and stars Alice in Wonderland’s Mia Wasikowska and Henry Hopper. Yes, Hopper as is the son of the late great Dennis, and he looks like a spitting image of his dad. Take a look…

Official Synopsis:

“From Imagine Entertainment comes a powerful and emotional coming of age story, a remarkable film told with honesty and originality that will leave audiences moved. In the film, two outsiders, both shaped by the circumstances that have brought them together, forge a deep and lasting love. Directed by Gus Van Sant, one of the most astute observers of people living life on the edge, comes a take on friendship and young love as engaging and true as it is provocative and stirring.”

It seems like we have another “I’m fascinated with death until it gets too close” story here. Restless has a very Harold and Maude vibe to it but without the old woman, and the massive age difference. A few questions have to be raised about the story such as: why does the boy have an imaginary friend? Who is he and where does he come from? What’s with his obsession with death and funerals? Really, who crashes funerals?

Restless is scheduled to hit theaters on January 28, 2011.

What do you think of the first trailer for Restless?

Source: Moviefone

Twilight Breaking Dawn Director’s Shortlist

Krystal Clark — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:00:07 +0000

Summit Entertainment has established themselves as a commercially viable studio thanks to their wildly popular Twilight franchise. The vampire-werewolf series is starting to come to a close with the last few films upon us and Summit has already started reaching out to several name directors to helm the final two installments, Breaking Dawn Part I and Part II.

According to Entertainment Weekly, no one is too big or too artsy for Twilight because Summit has reached out to some of the most unlikely candidates. Their looking at Academy Award nominated directors such as Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), Gus Van Sant (Milk), and Bill Condon (Dreamgirls). Are they insane?! Do they really think any of these guys would dampen their respectable resumes with a teen vampire flick?

Van Sant’s people did confirm that the studio approached him about directing Breaking Dawn, but Condon and Coppola’s reps didn’t return their calls by press time, and Summit declined to comment. No official decision has been made, because the studio is awaiting the outline from screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, which should be delivered sometime this week.

It sounds like Summit is trying to pull a Harry Potter, not only with the two installments of their final films but by hiring acclaimed directors to helm them. If the script is bad there’s only so much a director can do to improve upon it, and if their using the same person to bring these characters to life a fourth and fifth time, I’m not sure how much that’s going to help.

Do you think either of these directors will take on Breaking Dawn? Who do you think has the best vision for the films?

Hopper and Fisk Cast in Van Sant Film

Krystal Clark — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:21:05 +0000

We previously reported that Alice in Wonderland star Mia Wasikowska had landed the lead role in an untitled coming of age drama from director Gus Van Sant, and now two more young actors are have signed on to the film. According to Reuters, Hollywood’s second generation will be front and center as Schuyler Fisk and Henry Hopper join the cast.

Schuyler Fisk is the daughter of Oscar winning actress Sissy Spacek, and Henry Hopper is the son of two time Oscar nominee Dennis Hopper. Both are on board for this untitled Van Sant film, which is being produced by Bryce Dallas Howard, her father Ron Howard, and Brian Grazer. The film was previously under the working title, Restless and centers on a teenage boy and girl’s obsession with mortality.

This will be the debut role for Hopper who will play the boy who’s grieving over the death of his parents, while Fisk will star as Wasikowska’s sister. Newbie screenwriter Jason Lew, who attended film school with the younger Howard, wrote the screenplay, developing it from a play he wrote.

For a movie without a said title it sure has a lot of professional backing behind it. This sounds like it will be in the same vain as the majority of Van Sant’s other films. They all have a certain indie vibe to them, due to the style of cinematography and of course the budget. Lets see who else joins the crew.

What do you think of the recent casting for Van Sant’s film?

Gus Van Sant Pens The Golden Suicides

Krystal Clark — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:17:15 +0000

Milk director Gus Van Sant has a new project on the horizon, and it’s going to be heavy. According to Variety, the director will team up with author Brett Easton Ellis to form a suicide pact, not literally but for the screen. The duo will co-write the screenplay for the film adaptation of The Golden Suicides, which has been acquired by PalmStar Entertainment, Celluloid Dreams and K5 Film.

The Golden Suicides centers on the double suicide of artists Theresa Duncan and Jeremy Blake. Both individuals were talented in their own right, with Duncan being a video game designer and Blake creating several ground breaking “digital paintings.” The couple descended into a paranoid spiral when the artists developed a consuming belief that government and religious organizations were conspiring against them. She killed herself in 2007. Blake found her body on the floor of their bedroom, and walked into the Atlantic Ocean a week later, ending his life.

At the moment Van Sant is only involved as a writer on the film, with no intention of directing. He is currently prepping for a Columbia based film entitled, Restless. It’s a coming of age drama that will star Alice in Wonderland alum, Mia Wasikowska. I can see Van Sant’s signature all over this suicide project. He always finds a way to incorporate himself into films that illustrate some kind of internal corruption.

What do you think of Gus Van Sant writing the screenplay for The Golden Suicides?

Mia Wasikowska Cast in Gus Van Sant’s Restless

Krystal Clark — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:06:27 +0000

Alice in Wonderland star Mia Wasikowska is taking the leap from one highly visual director to another. According to THR, the young actress is in talks to star in Gus Van Sant‘s next film, Restless. It will be a dark coming of age drama, that will once again have Wasikowska front and center as the lead.

Wasikowska is the first person to be cast in the film, in a role that has been highly sought after by several Hollywood actresses. Producers are currently on the look out for the male lead in the feature that will delve into the complex tale of a teenage boy and girl who share a preoccupation with mortality. First time screenwriter Jason Lew penned the screenplay, that Van Sant will direct from.

Bryce Dallas Howard, Ron Howard, and Brian Grazer are all on board to produce Restless, so the screenplay is in good hands. Wasikowska actually had the opportunity to choose between this film and the Robert Redford period drama The Conspirator, but opted for Van Sant’s project. It must be nice to be a teenager in Hollywood and have those types of options.

What do you think of Mia Wasikowska joining Van Sant’s latest film?

Gus Van Sant In Talks to Team Up with The Howards and Jason Lew

Mali Elfman — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:17:09 +0000

Gus van Sant is in negotiations to develop and direct Restless, an original screenplay by first-time screenwriter Jason Lew that will be produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Bryce Dallas Howard (THR).

It does seem like a rather “friendly” film, with the two Howards involved, and is only furthered when you realize that the screenwriter, Lew, went to college with Bryce Howard and the two acted in plays together.

Although some may be accusing them of helping a friend out, none of the talent that’s getting involved would come on board without there being something for them to work with. With Van Sant fresh off Milk‘s success, I can’t wait to see what he’ll do next. Van Sant and the Howard’s both like to work on films that pull on the heart-strings, although their styles are very different. It will be interesting to see how they all come together.

Sadly, the description of the film has not been released. All that we know that it is a “contemporary and distinctive take on young love.” Well, that could mean almost anything.

The intent is to shoot the movie in Oregon for around $15 million.

What do you think about Lew working with the Howard duo? And do you think Gus van Sant is the right man for the job?

5 Films that Inspire Equal Rights in Honor on GLBT Month

Guest Writer — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:30:36 +0000

With the release of Gus Van Sant‘s film Milk coinciding with the current issues of Prop 8, gay cinema was finally pushed into the forefront of everyones attention both on screen and off. Although this genre may be a touchy subject, more and more directors and actors are choosing to discuss the issues behind the repression of homosexuality both in politics and ones life.

The month of June is Gay & Lesbian Pride Month so in honor of that, we have put together a list of some of the most influential gay films which have helped inspire, educate, and encourage audiences to make a change and support equal rights.

Take a look after the jump…

5. Philadelphia (1993) – Philadelphia is a great gay/Aids movie starring Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Antonio Banderas. The film tells the story of Andrew Beckett (Hanks), a gay lawyer infected with AIDS who is fired from his law firm because his colleagues fear they might contract AIDs. This film is important because it was one of the first all-star casts, which could pull in big audiences, that tackled the issues of AIDs in the United States, and also introduced a more realistic picture of gays and lesbians. Although the film is about two gay lovers, the AIDs issue in the film was meant for everyone. The film exploited the discrimination that gays and AIDs patients still undergo in our democratic society and began the change towards AIDs no longer just being associated with the homosexual community.

Overall the film was very successful at the box office ($200 million worldwide) and in encouraging AIDS awareness and acceptance.

Check out the trailer below . . .

4. Bad Education (2004) – A stand-out film by Pedro Almodóvar, about two childhood friends who discovered love and cinema as young pupils. The film deals with sexual abuse, trans-sexuality and gender abuse, and it is known for it’s nearly all-male cast and considered one of Almodóvar’s more serious and poignant films. The film doesn’t let anyone off the hook especially the Catholic church. It brings awareness to the sexual abuse happening in churches everywhere; from the priest to the young boys that spend there days inside the church.

Overall it holds a powerful message that churches can be just as hypocritical as anyone. It’s better to be a good person than to say you’re a good person, and being gay has nothing to do with whether or not you’re “good.”

Bad Education received mixed reviews, but made over $40 million worldwide.

Check out the trailer below.

3. Fire (1996) – Get’s points for a unique perspective on the gay community. Fire is the first Indian film to explicitly show homosexual relations, and after its release many right-wing Hindu groups violently protested against homosexuality. In the film, two daughters-in-law who were forced to marry into the family in an arranged marriage become lovers. The women go through many hardships, but in the end prove that following ones heart is the only way to live no matter what the consequences. Although many critics loved the film calling it “explosive” and “pathbreaking,” many were outraged by the explicit lesbian relationship shown in the film.

There were many protest against the film, but gay activist Ashok Row Kavi criticized the protest as “gay bashing” and argued against lesbianism being against Indian tradition. Director of the film Deepa Mehta said in an interview about the film, “Fire is not a film about lesbians [but rather about] the choices we make in life.” Sounds like a good message for everyone.

Check out the trailer below.

2. Brokeback Mountain (2005) – Why? Because this film is iconic. Perhaps the issues of homosexuality aren’t in the forefront as they are with some of the other films on this list, but Ang Lee‘s film consists of some of the finest performances (Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal) and an extremely personal exploration of the pain behind hiding who one really is.

The thing about Brokeback Mountain is that although it isn’t outwardly about gay rights, it’s about the misery of having to live in secret and denying one’s true self. Instead of taking an activist perspective, it went through the struggles of real people and shows how lying to oneself doesn’t make things better, it destroys lives.

What could inspire more honest activism then a message like that?

Brokeback Mountain made over $170 million worldwide and seemed to be well received by audiences all over.

Check out the trailer below.

1. Milk (2008) – Milk is an award winning biopic film about the life of activist and politician Harvey Milk. Milk has received very high acclaim and redefined Queer Cinema. I had never seen a gay film like Milk; most gay films are about two or three characters, but Milk is about the suffrage of an entire people. Although the movement started in Castro it stretched far and wide, and now with the film, hopefully Harvey Milk’s message can stretch even further especially in a time when it’s needed most.

Sadly, we haven’t come that since the 60′s-70′s, in fact some people may even say we’ve taken some steps backwards. The disappointing thing about this film is that not many people went to see it. In fact, for the most part it was only pro-gay audiences who were already accepting that purchased tickets. Although Sean Penn and Dustin Lance Black both won Academy Awards for the film it was probably the least well received, which shows that people aren’t ready for change.

That being said, this film was not made to persuade people, it was made to move them.

So what better time than now to let this great film motivate you. You can’t just sit and let things happen, get out there and make a difference like, Harvey did and like Black is currently doing with the couragecampaign and more!

Milk has made over $53 million so far, and I believe Milk to be a film that deserves a month like June to honor it because it’s currently out fighting to make a difference.

Check out the trailer below.

Which films do you think are the better ones in gay cinema?

Penn Wants You to Join the Courage Campaign

Krystal Clark — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:55:12 +0000

As we all know the U.S. government, specifically California has been under fire for their refusal to recognize gay, bi-sexual, and transgender marriages. Once Proposition 8 was passed in the state last November, several organizations immediately went to work to appeal the decision. Since then it’s been an uphill battle, but many celebrities and other’s of influence have tried to do what they can to help obtain equality for all effected. Last year’s biopic Milk, which earned Sean Penn his second Academy Award, mirrored similar struggles of today’s gay community more than 30 years after Harvey Milk’s unfortunate death.

The Courage Campiagn, an “online organizing network that empowers nearly 700,000 grassroots and netroots activists to push for progressive change” has been backed by the creators of Milk to help stop discrimination against the gay community. A recent letter was sent out on behalf of Sean Penn, Dustin Lance Black, Cleve Jones, Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks and Gus Van Sant in an attempt to gain supporters to take a stand against those who backed Prop 8.

Here is a snippet from the letter that details the current state of their fight for equality.

A few minutes ago, the California Supreme Court heard the final oral arguments in the case to overturn Proposition 8. Within 90 days, we will know whether the court will restore equal rights or uphold injustice. No matter what the state Supreme Court decides, the fight for equality will continue in California and across the country.

Harvey Milk understood the need to organize communities from the bottom-up, the need for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people to be out and proud as leaders in this movement, and the need for straight allies to join them in solidarity. That’s why we worked so hard to get the film “Milk” to movie screens across America. We wanted to show a new generation of Americans how Harvey organized to win landmark victories in the fight for equal rights.

If you would like to give your support and read the rest of the letter you can visit the official Courage Campaign website here.

DGA Noms: Looks like Dark Knight Made the Cut

Mali Elfman — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:44:43 +0000

Well it looks like Nolan made the cut. This means he’s a hop, skip and a jump away from the Oscars. It seems like if the Dark Knight is nominated, it wins, but when it’s not nominated, it’s a Boyle world. The DGA definitely has a list of impressive Directors to choose from. Personally (put down your pitchforks) I still don’t think The Dark Knight should be on the list, it’s a great film, but I’m still biased. Heath Ledger should definitely have his performance counted, but I’m still unconvinced about the rest.

Check out the list of nominees for the DGA Award below…

David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight)
Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon)
Gus Van Sant (Milk)
Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

Anyone else you would have liked to see on this list? If not, who do you think deserves to win?

Eastwood, Howard, Boyle, Van Sant, Aronofsky and Zwick Talk Film

Mali Elfman — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:45:47 +0000

Well THR is rather bold. Before the Oscar noms have even been announced they interviewed the 2009 Oscar Directors. Really? THR has decided that Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard, Danny Boyle, Gus Van Sant, Darren Aronofsky and Ed Zwick are going to be our Oscar nominated Directors. Good picks yes, but hardly rock solid. Apparently they’re not buying the whole Christopher Nola, Dark Knight buzz.

All the directors all sat down together at one table to talk about their 2008 film(s). Everyone seemed more than happy to chime in about their filmaking process and the challeneges of directing except for Gus Van Sant. Apparently THR decided to cut Van Sant out of the show. I can’t imagine he didn’t say a single work. Why no Van Sant THR?

Check out the interviews with all the other Directors below…

Ron Howard and Clint Eastwood talk about starting to direct…

Ed Zwick, Ron Howard and Clint Eastwood talk about ideas, emotions, and sharing ones story…

Danny Boyle talks Bollywood…

Darren Aronofsky on the reality behind shooting The Wrestler with no money…

Review: Gus Van Sant’s Milk

Mali Elfman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:42:47 +0000

Almost 30+ years after Harvey Milks fight, when the issue has again risen to the forefront of state and national politics, Gus Van Sant offers a stunning portrayal of the history of gay rights. In fact it’s timing is almost a little too perfect for Milk. I think Gus Van Sant intentionally threw the vote to make a point. Well maybe not.

Detailing the inspiring story of Harvey Milk, writer Dustin Lance Black and director Gus Van Sant illustrates broader implications of social and political change. The path to change is never an easy one and is filled with far more failures to overcome than successes to celebrate. For Harvey, like many others who fight for something they believe in, they only reach their greatest accomplishments through much devastation. But it’s worth it.

That being said, let’s talk about the sex. Van Sant sets a new film standard: that there is NOTHING wrong with exhibiting homosexuality. With the longest guy-on-guy kiss in all of film history between Sean Penn and James Franco within the first 10 minutes of the film, he sets the stage for his in your face argument. Many directors would have backed off, for the sake of finding a middle ground, appealing to a mass audiences or selling tickets. Van Sant does not try to find a middle ground, because there is no middle ground to be found. Van Sant, like Milk, makes it very clear that he believes discriminating against gays, whether in film or in our legal system is WRONG and needs to be fought, and that nothing, religion, politics, money, or success changes that.

In many ways this film accomplishes what W. was lacking. Both films address the political issues currently taking place, but Milk does so with a firm hand. It has the ability to say, no we don’t understand your side of things because there is no understanding to be had. This film is unapologetic for it’s subject matter and it’s gay sex, because there is no reason to apologize. It’s in your face, honest and incredibly refreshing. All the people out their rallying Prop 8, this is a film to keep you going, to show you that the fight IS worth it and completely necessary.

As Harvey Milk says “this is not just an issue, this is our lives we are fighting for.” Today, is no different. This is not just an issue on a ballot, it’s an issue of human rights.

Now let’s get to the acting. What a cast. Every single character knocked it out of the park. I’m not sure if it’s Van Sant’s leadership or the AMAZING cast he rallied up, but they all do an absolutely wonderful job.

Sean Penn is stunning. Of course. I didn’t realize how accurate his portrayal of Harvey Milk was until I was able to compare him with footage of the real Harvey Milk speaking. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets an Oscar nod for his role. And speaking of Oscar nods, Josh Brolin, is getting good at playing the guy you hate. Every character he plays from W. to Dan White, is so complex and layered. He shows your the good in evil and the evil in good. Emile Hirsch, plays Cleve Jones, who is the only person in the film that is still alive and able to see the movie. I spoke with Jones and he said that he thought Emile did a wonderful job with the role and representing who he was and what he stood for, which is really the greatest compliment an actor in his position could get. Alison Pill, the token woman, is hard as nails and does a great job with the film.

Although the true scene stealers are James Franco and Diego Luna. Boy do they know how to cuddle up with the camera. The two of them have perfected the “come hither/I’m so cute” look. Franco is the man who opens Harvey’s eyes to change, and Luna is the one who shows him the consequences of it. Both of them are Milk’s lovers, but in two very different ways.

Overall I highly recommend this film. It’s a strong film that needs to be seen and now is the right time to see it. It is not afraid of the humor that naturally comes out of difficult circumstances and therefore keeps it from becoming to much like a docu-drama.

People have become to complacent and accepting of wrongs done to them by the government. We need to be reminded that it’s okay to fight, it’s what this country stands for.

LIFE AND FILM: MILK Mimicks Reality

Krystal Clark — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:49:50 +0000

Just one week after one of the most historical elections in American history, rally’s and protests have been taking place all over the state of California, and it has nothing to do with the new president. By a close 52%, Proposition 8, a law which forbids same-sex marriage in the state, was passed.

The law has been heavily condemned by Hollywood celebrities, and many have lended their support to fight it. Actress Drew Barrymore attended a rally last week in Los Angeles, where she spoke openly about her position on the passing of Prop 8.

Check out the video…

These events have arose during an interesting time, November 27, 2008 will mark the 30th anniversary of LGBT activist Harvey Milk’s untimely death. Milk was the first openly gay official elected into a political office, coincidentally in the state of California. A biopic entitled Milk, has been in the works for the past year and it will finally be released November 26 (Limited), and December 5 (Wide). The film stars Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco, and Diego Luna.

The Milk trailer gives insight into the activists fight for the rights of gays and lesbians in mainstream society. It sends a message of a hope; hope for a better future, hope for equality, and most importantly hope for change. To see people picketing on the same streets he picketed, and fighting the same fight 3 decades later is truly a testament to the times.

Check out the trailer:

ScreenCrave.com » gus van sant

Trailer: Gus Van Sant’s Restless With Mia Wasikowska

Related Posts

Twilight Breaking Dawn Director’s Shortlist

Related Posts

Hopper and Fisk Cast in Van Sant Film

Related Posts

Gus Van Sant Pens The Golden Suicides

Related Posts

Mia Wasikowska Cast in Gus Van Sant’s Restless

Related Posts

Gus Van Sant In Talks to Team Up with The Howards and Jason Lew

Related Posts

5 Films that Inspire Equal Rights in Honor on GLBT Month

Related Posts

Penn Wants You to Join the Courage Campaign

Related Posts

DGA Noms: Looks like Dark Knight Made the Cut

Related Posts

Eastwood, Howard, Boyle, Van Sant, Aronofsky and Zwick Talk Film

Related Posts

Review: Gus Van Sant’s Milk

Related Posts

LIFE AND FILM: MILK Mimicks Reality

Related Posts