IT: Chapter Two makes a terrifying debut at Number 1 on the first Official Film Chart of 2020

By Greg Evans

The best political documentary at Sundance this year does not star Hillary Clinton or AOC, but a bunch of 17-year-old dudes.

Pete (Will Ferrell) and Billie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) are a prosperous American couple who’ve taken their two sons on a ski vacation to the Alps. Are they having fun yet? That’s a question that hovers over the movie, as the family members hit the slopes and make pilgrimages to the alpine-lodge restaurant, or retire to their room, where they always feel guilty about playing games or watching TV, since they could do that anywhere.

Addiction, you could say (and I would), has become the central demon that plagues Americans. We’re addicted to everything: alcohol, illegal drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, psychotropic drugs, sugar-bomb soft drinks, processed food, video screens…you name it.

One of the people who’s made long-form television drama arguably more interesting as a whole than its mainstream big-screen equivalent in recent years, Alan Ball has underlined his superior comfort with that format in the few theatrical features he’s made to date. His screenplay for “American Beauty,” which Sam Mendes directed, was brilliant but glib; as writer-director of 2007’s “Towelhead,” he couldn’t quite make the complicated agenda of Alicia Erian’s novel gel in two-hour form.

"I haven't paid for a kebab in five years!"

In today’s film news roundup, Legion M is launching its Film Scout mobile app, the first round of Oscar presenters are unveiled, Verve is expanding its book-to-screen business, “Gladiator” producer David Franzoni boards an American Indian project, and XYZ announces promotions.

When David O. Russell made “Three Kings” in 1999, it was one of the most definitive films on the Gulf War. At the time, the director had worked on shorts “Hairway to the Stars” and “Bingo Inferno: A Parody on American Obsessions.” He had also worked on features “Spanking the Monkey” and “Flirting with Disaster.” The film came after “Courage on Fire,” and with a distinctive look courtesy of DP Newton Thomas Siegel, provided an incredible satirical look at war.

The dark knight rises! Christian Bale returned to the red carpet at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, January 19, following an illness that kept him from attending the 2020 Golden Globes earlier this year.

The new project is reportedly "on a fast track"

“Parasite” made history on Friday night when it became the first Foreign Language film to win the top prize at the Ace Eddie Awards. Editor Jinmo Yang was recognized for his work on Bong Joon Ho’s drama. Best Edited Feature Film (Comedy), went to”Jojo Rabbit editor, Tom Eagles won.

Christian Bale and David O. Russell are in talks to team on an untitled film that’s being developed at New Regency through its overall deal with Disney and Fox, Variety has confirmed.

Acorn TV has acquired exclusive North American rights to British drama “Deadwater Fell,” which launched on Channel 4 last week.

By Jake Kanter

Acclaimed director Spike Lee will serve as the president of the Cannes Film Festival’s 73rd jury, making him the first black person to do so. In a statement released by the organization, the filmmaker said that he “was shocked, happy, surprised and proud all at the same time.” 

While Lulu Wang’s emotional family drama “The Farewell” may have broken through last year, and upcoming comic book adaptations “Birds of Prey” (by Cathy Yan) and “The Eternals” (from Chloé Zhao) spell fresh opportunities for filmmakers of Chinese descent in 2020, a rollicking little follow-the-money caper called “Lucky Grandma” from first-time feature director Sasie Sealy and co-writer Angela Cheng proves there are plenty more emerging Chinese American talents just waiting for their shot.

Don't come for Katharine McPhee Foster.