Despite Clint Eastwood's frequent appearance in an honored spot at the New York Film Festival -- Mystic River opening night 2003, The Changeling centerpiece 2008, Hereafter closing night 2010 -- his new movie J. Edgar is not playing the NYFF this year, nor will it screen at Toronto. According to the Star, this was his and Warner Bros.' decision. Why would they skip the two major buzz-generating fests? Is it bad? Are they hiding the gay content? The NYFF runs to October 16; the movie opens November 9.
For the first time in forever, Almodovar's new film The Skin I Live In will not play as the NYFF opening, centerpiece, or closing night film. He's been downgraded to a new, phony, midweek "gala screening." Unfortunately, the films they have selected for their big three spots signal the NYFF's continued slide toward mainstream pandering. Formerly dedicated to promoting the underdogs of world cinema in prime slots, the fest for two years running has opened, centerpieced, and closed with star-studded, English-language product. Last year: The Social Network, The Tempest, and Hereafter. This year, the Brooklyn-based couples squabble Carnage, a Marilyn Monroe biopic, and Alexander Payne's solo parenting pic starring George Clooney. You know how yawns come in threes? Or is that sneezes?
See the full NYFF lineup with photos and trailers here. A three-and-a-half-hour Scorsese documentary on George Harrison? Boomers, you have so much to answer for.
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