With the week coming to a close, Indiewire has put together a list of some of our most popular content of the week. There are a few news items and features on Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood,” Emmy predictions in light of the recent nominations announcement and some lists honoring the most recent indie film releases.
Take a look at the 10 most viewed news items, reviews and features from this week at Indiewire below:
1. Specialty Box Office: ‘Boyhood’ Blasts Off To Summer’s Best Limited Debut (UPDATED)
Audiences flocked to Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood” last weekend, giving the specialty market a much needed shot in the arm. With astounding reviews and months of anticipation following festival screenings at Sundance, Berlin and SXSW, the 12 years in the making film did not disappoint. Full report below:
2. Here Are the Best Indie Posters of 2014…So Far
“I want to make more movies like ‘Garden State.’ I mean, Woody Allen was my hero. He’s someone who, in his heyday, in the era of his films that I love the most, was making movies that were just taking the social temperature of his group of people in New York City, and I’d like to make more movies like that for people my age.”
—Zach Braff, 2004
A decade has passed since actor-writer-director Zach Braff made the above declaration in an Indiewire interview at the Sundance Film Festival. Despite his idealism, Braff wouldn’t succeed at directing another feature for a full 10 years, but his goal was finally completed this past January at the Sundance Film Festival, with the world premiere of “Wish I Was Here,” the widely documented Kickstarter-backed comedy in which he also stars.
READ MORE: Here are 9 Kickstarter-Funded Films That Deserve Your Attention
Here’s Indiewire’s predictions for the 66th Primetime Emmy Award nominations, which will be announced on July 10th, 2014 before a ceremony on August 25, 2014 announcing the winners.
Throughout 2014, members of Indiewire’s Criticwire Network — comprised of nearly 500 critics from around the world — have been adding their grades and reviews to our database of film pages. Below is a collection of those films released in theaters during that time that have a) received 15 or more reviews and b) maintained a grade average of “B+” or higher. We’ll update this list as new additions surface and as fresh waves of feedback arrive. Averages and totals are subject to change (grade totals listed in italics below have changed since the last update), but for now, these are the titles that many members of the Criticwire Network suggest you should watch.
7. 15 Tips On Making Your First Micro-Budget Feature
“As It Is In Heaven” is a feature film directed by Joshua Overbay in Kentucky around a small college film department. Shot in Scope digital video, the film is opening in New York City, Chicago, Seattle, Lexington, L.A., New Orleans and other cities in July and August. Below, Overbay writes about how, as a first-time director, he managed to make a micro-budget film and get it released. Find out more about the film at the web site: http://asitisinheaventhemovie.com.
8. Review: ‘True Blood’ Season 7, Episode 4 ‘Death Is Not the End’: The Gang’s All Here Whether We Like It or Not
Who is this season of “True Blood” for? I guess one could argue that’s it’s for the die hard fans, but is there really a “True Blood” fan that thinks to themselves, “Boy, I hope we get one more glimpse of Robert Patrick as Alcide’s dad before this season’s over?”
9. Attention Filmmakers: You Can Get a Blackmagic Pocket Camera for Half Price
The major roadblock faced by many aspiring and independent filmmakers is managing to produce professional work on such a low budget. Well, that challenge got a little bit easier. Originally on the market for just shy of $1000, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera will temporarily be available for $495. The device, which is a product of Blackmagic Design, is compatible with various accessories such as Super 16 cinema lenses and Micro Four Thirds lenses, not that add-ons are necessary.
10. 2015 Oscar Predictions
It’s only summer, but here’s an ignorant stab at the 2015 Oscars anyway, well before there’s any substantial evidence in its regard (save recent festival premieres “Foxcatcher,” “Mr. Turner,” “Boyhood,” “Whiplash” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” the latter of which — given its glowing reviews and sizable box office — could very well make for Wes Anderson’s first best picture nomination). So with that in mind, here they are, clearly not to be taken seriously until at least September:
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
