The fall festival trifecta of Venice/Telluride/Toronto traditionally have been venues for the serious start of Oscar season.
It is a strategy distributor Sony Pictures Classics left in the hands of the stars.
A recent CAA screening brought out the likes of Brad Pitt, Olivia Wilde and other high-profile Oscar voters.
Oscar statuetteGetty Images
Voters love to see actors change it up, and there is no question Craig delivers here.
Whether hard-coreJokerfans respond is a real question as the studio isnt emphasizing its musical elements in their trailers.
It comes from Oscar-nominated animator Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville)and is a real kick.
From left: Tilda Swinton, Pedro Almodóvar and Julianne Moore at ‘The Room Next Door’ premiereGetty Images
The studio had been floating it for sale but now is fully on board.
No such unforced Oscar season error this time.
Opening in November,September 5,directed by Swiss filmmaker Tim Fehlbaum is simply extraordinary and timely.
It also has a shot of being the first Focus Features movie to win Best Picture.
It isa brilliantly assembled ensemble.
Too often it comes off as Terence Malick-lite.
When you start watching thefilmmakingrather than the film, its trouble.
Paramounts Robbie Williams musical biopic, in which he (yes!)
Kris Bowers majestic score is a big winner too, if you ask me.
Although well-acted, Bleecker Streets TIFF debut and Oscar hopefulHard Truthsis minor Mike Leigh.
Hugh Grant and Amy Adams got the kind of reviews that could light up an Oscar campaign.
Hopefully Searchlight gives it the nurturing Oscar campaign it deserves.
Performance-wise, some other world premieres at TIFF also delivered.
11 straight nights of sleep deprivation seeing movies and turning out reviews in this Fall Fest Fanstasia of cinema.
