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A Look At Seattle International Film Fest's New 'African Pictures' Program Selections For 2013

It was announced last fall that SIFF (the Seattle International Film Festival) was the 2012 recipient of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences multi-year grant for its African Pictures program, which comprises of a total of $150,000 over a three-year period - funds that will go toward...

Review and Trailer for Oscar-Nominated 'Kon-Tiki' - An Enjoyable, Supersized High-Seas Adventure

Norway's Oscar-nominated Foreign-Language entry, the enjoyably supersized “Kon-Tiki,” follows the real-life adventures of explorer Thor Heyerdahl, who, in 1947, embarked on an eccentric mission across the Pacific Ocean, from Peru to Polynesia, on a wooden raft. His goal was to prove that Polynesia.....

Oscar Watch: New Look at Naomi Watts as Princess 'Diana'

A new image has arrived of Naomi Watts as Princess Diana in Oliver Hirschbiegel's "Diana" (previously titled "Caught in Flight"). The film follows the last two years of Diana's life, charting her various romances and her evolution into a major international campaigner and humanitarian. Entertainment...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: 'Kill List' Director Ben Wheatley Talks IFC's 'Sightseers'

Brit filmmaker Ben Wheatley had brought his prior two low-budget features, "Down Terrace" and "Kill List," to the Cannes market. Then he made his proper Cannes debut with "Sightseers" in the Director's Fortnight, an unexpected breakout during an unexceptional year. Then the film played the fest circ...

Zimbabwean Director Of 'Pride' Heading Home To Shoot 'Riding w/ Sugar' (Watch Short Version)

It never ocurred to me that the 2007 drama, Pride, which starred Terrence Howard, Kimberly Elise, Bernie Mac and others, was directed by a Zimbambwean filmmaker named Sunu Gonera. Film blogging wasn't anything I was doing at the time, and I think was more focused on filmmaking, so I don't recall i...

Skinny Matthew McConaughey Talks New Approach to Roles: 'Mud,' 'Dallas Buyer's Club,' 'Magic Mike' [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

When we sat down with Matthew McConaughey last November, he looked scarily thin. He'd lost 38 pounds to prep for passion project "The Dallas Buyer's Club," about a straight man fighting HIV who becomes a dealer in unapproved drugs to stave off AIDS. (The film just landed a distributor.) The actor wa...

Navigating Documentary 'Venus and Serena' with the Williams Sisters Was Not Easy

Veteran broadcast journalists Maiken Baird and Michelle Major spent four years obtaining access to the private world of tennis superstars the Williams sisters for "Venus and Serena," which debuted last week at the Toronto Film Festival. But when the tennis documentary finally premiered, it did so wi...

Ben Stiller Pulling Strings On 'Pinocchio' With Robert Downey Jr; Geppetto A Cross Between Jake LaMotta & Chico Marx

A friendly reader had pointed us to this news a couple weeks back, when Robert Downey Jr. dropped the news to Italian press, but Google translate made it all sound iffy... but lo and behold, "Pinocchio" lives.

One Time Only Chicago Screening Of 'Portrait Of Jason' May 29th

Any regular readers of S & A know that we have been extensively covering the restoration and progress of Shirley Clarke’s groundbreaking 1967 documentary Portrait of Jason.

Feel Good Jewel Thief Tale 'Doris Payne' Charms Hot Docs Audiences

One of the many world premieres that enjoyed a warm response from Hot Docs' opening weekend (here's our take on another), Kirk Marcolina and Matthew Pond's "The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne" tells the remarkable story of their titular subject -- a woman who went from a poor, single African-America...

VidCritz: New Jersey, The Easy Target State

All the people in this video are now dead to me.

Watch The New Extended Trailer For 'Pacific Rim' With Idris Elba

Here’s the new extended trailer for Guillermo Del Toro’s giant monsters vs. giant robots movie Pacific Rim, with Idris Elba, opening July 12th.

How Trent Harris Became the Best Underground Filmmaker You Don't Know -- But Should

Years ago, Trent Harris moved to Los Angeles in the hopes of becoming a famous director. Instead, he garnered cult appeal. But maybe it's better that way.

Watch: Kristen Wiig Is The 'Girl Most Likely' In Trailer For The New Comedy From The Directors Of 'American Splendor'

Kristen Wiig exploded after the massive success of "Bridesmaids," but unlike Melissa McCarthy, we have yet to see the cinematic rewards be reaped. Her only notable post-'Bridesmaids' turns were a small part in "Friends With Kids" and another little bit in "Friends With Jolly!," but by the end of yea...

Rolling Stones Launch 2013 Tour Tonight in LA

The Rolling Stones are launching their 2013 tour tonight at the Staples Center in LA.

TV Casting News: Xosha Roquemore, Kevin Frazier, Richard Ayoade Book Gigs

Some quickie TV news:

Victoria Mahoney ('Yelling To The Sky') Directing 1st Season Of New ASPiRE Talkie - 'Exhale'

Here's some news worth knowing that the press release I received announcing this new talk show didn't include - Victoria Mahoney (writer/director of lauded indie drama Yelling To The Sky), is directing it.

'Black, Brown & Digital' Web Content Event at MIST Harlem on May 15

LAFF Preview - 'Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton' (This Is Stones Throw Records)

This should be a treat for music lovers - especially non-commercial hip-hop.Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton is a feature-length documentary about the Los Angeles-based record label Stones Throw Records. Under the direction of founder and world-renowned DJ Peanut Butter Wolf, Stones Throw has consistentl...