By Gregg Goldstein gcgoldstein@yahoo.com
Sundance Sales Chart Day Ten
by Gregg Goldstein
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Film
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Section
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Sales
Co |
Odds
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Pros
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Cons
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First
Screening |
| Today’s Top Five | ||||||
| Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire |
DrComp
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Cin
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2:1
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Standing O for audacious portrait of abused girl; vivid performances by Mo’Nique and wacky supporting cast (Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz). A TWC/BET partnership one of several possibilities; hoped-for close before awards ceremony.
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… but how long will it take? And how do you sell it? Both buyers and sellers carefully weighing release strategy for tough material
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1/16, 8p, Racquet Club
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| I Love You Phillip Morris |
Prem
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CAA/
End |
3:1
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A Carrey/McGregor prison romance from writers of “Bad Santa.”Good reviews flowing in for true con-man story with a dozen twists, some great audience response. | A comedy? A drama? A romance? A crime thriller? One thing’s for sure, lots of gay sex. Buyers dragging feet, waiting for better deal on big names. | 1/18, 9:30p, Eccles |
| Art & Copy |
Doc Comp
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Sub
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4:1
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Ad industry study getting good word of mouth; could it be this year’s “Helvetica?” Growing sales buzz.
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Amidst interest, some are questioning commercial appeal
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1/16, 5:30p, Prospector
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| The September Issue |
Doc Comp
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CAA
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4:1
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Rare inside look at the alleged inspiration for “The Devil Wear’s Prada,” Vogue’s Anna Wintour; some positive buzz and interest ramping up..
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Sellers still have to convince buyers it’s as theatrical as its subject and that there’s enough Devil with the Prada.
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1/16, 6:30p, Rose Wagner
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| The Greatest |
DrComp
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End/ CAA |
4:1
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Tearjerker with Brosnan and Sarandon called “as fine a debut as we can present”; packed an emotional wallop for many and said to be moving. Buyers interested, could be tears of joy soon, if talk is to be believed.
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Son dies in car accident: not a great sales pitch.
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1/17, 3:15p, Eccles
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| Other Narratives In Play | ||||||
| Paper Heart |
DrComp
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UTA
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4:1
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Two words: Michael Cera. Sale of flawed all-star “Brooklyn’s Finest” bodes well; some in audience responded well …
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… some, not so much. Response at premiere didn’t improve muted reaction to screener much
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1/17, 8p, Racquet Club
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| Five Minutes of Heaven |
World DrComp
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UTA
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4:1
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Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt and director of “Downfall”
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Violence in Northern Ireland. Good times.
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1/19, 6:30p, Egyptian
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| Cold Souls |
DrComp
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Cin
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4:1
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Giamatti, Strathairn, Watson, Ambrose in a unique “metaphysical tragi-comedy”; Canadian rights acquired by E1 Films Canada; more screenings warming things up a bit
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Chilly response from some south of the border, but buyers may be warming to it.
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1/17, 5:15p, Racquet Club
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| Amreeka |
Dr Comp
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WM
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5:1
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Sometimes humorous, very topical struggle of Palestinian mom on West Bank; some positive reviews could make for a late pickup
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No stars, Iraq war backdrop, and some not as enthusiastic; will need more critical response
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1/17, 12:15p, Eccles
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| Don’t Let Me Drown |
DrComp
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Loeb
Loeb |
5:1
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Latino high schoolers in post-9/11 romantic drama; getting some very positive reaction and potential awards traction
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No stars, premise depressing on paper.
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1/18, 12:15p, Eccles
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| Endgame |
Prem
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End
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5:1
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Good cast (Hurt, Ejiofor) in South African apartheid thriller garnering a few good reviews
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Did anyone get to see it? CNN currently chock full of other real-life political thrillers
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1/18, 6:15p, Eccles
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| World’s Greatest Dad |
Spectrum
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CAA/
Cin |
5:1
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Robin Williams in another dark comedy from Bobcat Goldthwait. Some loved it, and said to be momentous …
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… others felt it was just crass with flawed execution of good idea. Buyers won’t kill themselves if they don’t get it.
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1/18, 5:30p, Library
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| Motherhood |
Premieres
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End
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6:1
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Harried-mom comedy with Thurman, Edwards, Driver
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Urban anxiety can make for anxious audiences; may be a bit slower than hoped for in finding the right parents.
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1/21, 9:30p, Eccles
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| Peter and Vandy |
DrComp
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End
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6:1
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Some good buzz behind Manhattan romance with Sundance “Teeth” award-winner Weixler
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Unclear if played well enough to break out, overcome lack of star power
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1/19, 8p, Racquet Club
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| Shrink |
Premieres
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WM
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6:1
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“In Treatment” has proven the appeal of therapy dramas
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Spacey’s star power has shrunk; Hollywood inside baseball? Experiencing some shrinkage
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1/20, 11p, Holiday Village II
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| The Messenger |
Premieres
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UTA
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6:1
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Talented scribe Oren Moverman’s directing debut, and some seem to like it
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Another Iraq war drama; Ben Foster, Harrelson have spotty track records
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1/19, 9:30p, Eccles
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| Big Fan |
DrComp
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Andr
Hur |
7:1
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Some champions for dark sports fanatic spoof directed by “The Wrestler” scribe. Manohla likes.
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Others not such big fans; momentum slowing. Despite good performance, star Patton Oswalt an unproven commodity.
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1/18, 8p, Racquet Club
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| Brief Interviews with Hideous Men |
Dr Comp
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CAA
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8:1
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Hot star John Krasinski directing, starring and adapting from David Foster Wallace novel
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Response not hideous, but not great
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1/19, 3:15p. Eccles
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| Arlen Faber |
Dr Comp
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CAA/
ICM |
8:1
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Daniels, Graham, Pucci in romantic tale of reclusive author
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Mixed-to-negative reactions.
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1/18, 5:15p, Racquet Club
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| The Killing Room |
Mid
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CAA
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8:1
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Psychological thriller with compelling premise and solid indie cast slayed some audience members …
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… while others feel it’s a pretentious “Saw”; could middling response kill theatrical chances?
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1/16, 11:30a, Prospector
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| The Vicious Kind |
Spectrum
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ICM
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8:1
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Tough portrait of emotionally damaged man; getting some good buzz
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See “Pros”; very Sundance, and appears more dour on paper than it really is.
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1/17, 8:30p, Library
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| Dare |
DrComp
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xCin
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9:1
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Sex-charged teen romance featuring Emmy Rossum
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Not great buzz.
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1/19, 5:15p, Racquet Club
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| Manure |
Premieres
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v
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10:1
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Thornton, Leoni, McLachlan in what could be the Polish Bros’ Coen Bros moment with a ’60s period comedy
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Polish Bros artiness sometimes overwhelms all else; lives up to title for some.
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1/20, 9:30p, Eccles
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| Mary & Max |
Opening Night
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Icon
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10:1
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Quirky Aussie claymation from Oscar-winning director good enough to attract Hoffman and Collette
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Too quirky for many at the opening night screening, garnering mixed reactions
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1/15, 6p, Eccles
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| Mystery Team |
Midnight
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Sub
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11:1
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Potential sleeper with foul-mouthed teens; could hit right chord; got some good reviews.
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Others not as enthused by comedy troupe’s feature as their online shorts. No-name cast.
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1/17, 11:30p, Library
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| Toe To Toe |
DrComp
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WM
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11:1
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Complicated relationship between two female high school teammates; interracial issues a hot topic. A few good reviews.
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No stars, also very Sundance. Sales buzz not strong, but is this the kind of movie the jury will go for?
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1/16, 3:15p, Eccles
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| Helen |
Spectrum
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Little
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12:1
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Ashley Judd sinks her teeth into bipolar role, and can sell some ancillary
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Seems to be depressing buyers, and audience response is tepid; living up to its name for some.
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1/16, 8:45, Library
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| Moon |
Premieres
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–
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1000:1
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Compelling 2001-style sci-fi thriller getting good buzz from two P&I screenings. Sony Pictures WW Acq Group has English language rights and was quietly looking for theatrical partner, but went for in-house SPC.
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Perennial Sundance fave Sam Rockwell, the only on-screen talent, not a box office draw. If that good, why was Sony looking to partner?
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1/23, 6:15p, Eccles
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| Other Documentaries In Play | ||||||
| The Carter |
Midnight
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Cin
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4:1
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One of the hottest selling rappers in a hurting music biz, Lil’ Wayne.
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Not much rapping among buyers, but the fest is young; will the audience for this film go to the theater or wait for DVD? Or copy the DVD making the rounds at the festival?
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1/17, Midnight Eccles
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| Good Hair |
Doc Comp
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ICM
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4:1
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If every black hair magazine reader buys a ticket to producer/star Chris Rock’s comic, celeb-filled take on the topic, it’s a hit. Great early reaction.
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Interest in niche topic could be hair today, gone tomorrow
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1/18, 9p, Temple
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| Passing Strange |
Spectrum: Docu Spotlight
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End
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4:1
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Spike Lee filmed this unconventional, Tony-nominated musical, and both names will help sell the project: some good initial word growing
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Still has to show its theatrical pull
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1/16, 2:30p, Library
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| The Cove |
Doc Comp
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Sub/
WM |
4:1
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Fascination with dolphins may propel sale of this dark tale; some very emotional audience reactions and sold-out screenings
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Animal Planet shows wade in similar waters
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1/18, 3p, Temple
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| We Live In Public |
Doc Comp
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Sub/
Cin |
5:1
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Stranger than fiction dot-com boom art experiment from Web entrepreneur; living up to some initial hype/
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Must rise above Discovery Channel audience interest to sell
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1/19, 6p, Temple
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| Reporter |
Doc Comp
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Films
Trans |
7:1
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A New York Times reporter’s valiant attempt to put an African crisis on the map speaks volumes about the state of journalism today
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Most political docs have had a tough box office ride
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1/16, 9:30p, Temple
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| When You’re Strange |
Doc Comp
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Sub/
Cin |
8:1
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Indie vet Tom DiCillo unveils all-original footage of The Doors
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Video sales assured, but will it break on through to theatrical? Some not loving it two times … or even once.
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1/17, 9p, Temple
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| No Impact Man |
Spectrum: Docu Spotlight
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Cin
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8:1
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Family undertakes controversial experiment to live a year with no carbon footprint; could tap “An Inconvenient Truth” audience
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Another inconvenient truth: many socially conscious docs have no theatrical impact
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1/16, 11:30a, Library
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| Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy |
Spectrum
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WM
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8:1
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Robert Townsend interviews a Who’s Who of top comedians. The next Kings of Comedy?
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DVD co. is a producer, so no pressure for theatrical sale
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1/17, 5:30p, Prospector
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| Big River Man |
World Doc Comp
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Salt
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20:1
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Slovenian man’s attempt at record swim could be Michael Phelps meets “Grizzly Man”
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No waves just yet.
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1/16, 3:15p, HV4
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FILMS SOLD SO FAR …
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Film
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Buyer
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Sales
Co |
Section
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Pros
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Cons
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First
Screening |
| Adam |
Fox Searchlight
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Film Sales Co.
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DrComp
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Manhattan 20-something romance with Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne; hey, they did well with “Once” | Common quote from execs on Monday night party circuit: They’re buying thatmovie? | 1/16, 6:15p. Eccles |
| Brooklyn’s Finest |
Senator Ent
& Sony Pictures |
WM/
CAA |
Prem
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Gere, Cheadle, Hawke, Snipes, Barkin in cop drama from “Training Day” director. Film went out with a bang audiences hated, but director is cutting. | Not the feel-good film of the year. Audience liked sections of it, hated others, but helmer has until fall to tweak. | 1/16, 6:15p. Eccles |
| Black Dynamite |
Sony Pictures
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End
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Mid
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Good response leads to overnight sale.
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May be too culty for its own good, but at 2 million a safe bet.
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1/18, 11:30p, Library
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| Humpday |
Magnolia
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Sub
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DrComp
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Straight best buds link for gay porn; those who loved it really have a hard-on for it…
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No stars, a premise not for the squeamish, and failed to turn a few on
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1/16, 12:15p, Eccles
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| An Education |
Sony Picutres Classics
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CAA
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3:1
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’60s coming-of-age romance from scribe Nick Hornby with Sarsgaard, Molina, Thompson and a breakout Mulligan
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Despite the pedigree, still no bankable stars.
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1/18, 3p, Egyptian
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| In The Loop |
IFC Films
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Prot/WM
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3:1
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James Gandolfini in satire of war and politics could be a sleeper hit; seemed to live up to initial promise for most
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Small, filled with unknown Brits and distinctly British humour |
1/19, 11:15a, Yarrow
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| Spread |
Anchor Bay/TVA
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CAA/
End |
3:1
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Gigolo satire from sexpert helmer of “Young Adam.” Lots of T (female) and A (Ashton Kutcher). Played like a wide-release commercial film but distributors not putting out what sellers want. | Some don’t feel it lives up to the sum of its body parts, others low-balling offers. Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche don’t scream “smart comedy” to prospective moviegoers. | 1/17, 9:15p, Eccles |
| The Winning Season |
Lionsgate
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Cin
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4:1
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Female “Bad News Bears” dramedy centering on high school basketball team, Emma Roberts, late add like top-seller “Hamlet 2”; some found very charming …
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Sam Rockwell films sell big at Sundance, but haven’t performed.
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1/19, 8:30p, Library
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