Tag Archives: festival

Box Office Weekend: Pixar’s Formula Delivers Again As Up Flies High

To win a summer weekend, a movie usually needs a star name or an action-film punch, or to be a sequel to or the remake of a blockbuster. Except, that is, for any new Pixar release. Rising on the propulsion of a brand name known for quality entertainment, the studio’s tenth animated feature, Up, surpassed most predictions by earning $68.2 million this weekend, according to official projections.

Red carpet beauties at Cannes premiere

The 62nd annual Cannes Film Festival opened in style on Wednesday as the film world descended on the French Riviera for the premiere of Pixar’s new 3D animated film "Up" — the first time an animated movie has ever opened the festival. Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee, Holder repeated Obama’s assertion that the decision to oppose the photos’ release had been made “consistent with the best interests of our troops.” Holder emphasized Obama’s conclusion that making the photos public would endanger U.S. troops and have a “negative impact” on the military situation in Iraq and Afghanistan

An ‘Up’ note to Cannes opening: Pixar goes 10 for 10

The Cannes Film Festival entrusted its opening to a Pixar film, and the animation studio did not disappoint. Pixar, which has produced such gems as “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles” and “WALL-E,” introduced its latest feature, “Up,” on Wednesday night at the French movie celebration.

Roadkill cook-off, Spam Jam lure bold foodies

Thousands of people converge on the small town of Marlinton, West Virginia, each fall for a feast whose main ingredients were unlucky enough to crawl, slither or lurk too close to a speeding car. It’s RoadKill Cook-Off time, where past years’ crowds have sampled dishes like Pothole Possum Stew, Fricasseed Wabbit Gumbo and Smeared Hog with Groundhog Gravy. Welcome to the world of unusual — dare we say weird — food festivals.

Cannes gets specs appeal as 3D ‘Up’ opens festival

Dark glasses are de rigueur on the sun-kissed French Riviera, but this year glamorous cineastes attending the opening night of Cannes were matching another kind of face wear with their tuxedoes and designer dresses. The audience donned 3D glasses as they attended the premiere of Pixar’s “Up,” an animation in 3D, which marked the start of world’s most prestigious film festival

Tarantino, Ledger are focus at Cannes

The economic downturn may take its toll at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, which opens Wednesday night. But as always, the show will go on. Studios are cutting back on parties and all the glitz that goes with them, according to news reports

Roxana Saberi: Out of Iranian Prison, Into a Soap Opera

In an unexpectedly swift move, a Tehran court reduced the sentence of Iranian-American reporter Roxana Saberi and released her from prison on Monday, only a day after she appealed her case in court. Last month, Saberi had been sentenced to eight years imprisonment on charges of spying for the United States, causing tension between the two countries at a time when President Barack Obama had declared his Administration’s intention to improve relations with Iran. Just before the official announcement came, Saberi’s parents and lawyers, as well as dozens of reporters, had gathered in front of Tehran’s Evin prison in anticipation of her release

Ledger’s final film to feature at Cannes Film Festival

The film Heath Ledger was making when he died, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," will feature at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The Terry Gilliam production was delayed by several months after Ledger’s death from an accidental overdose last January, before Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law stepped in to complete his role. It will screen out of competition