One of the most vexing and unanticipated problems facing independent filmmakers involves realizing that brief, seemingly incidental references — a song lyric, the quoting of a movie character, or referencing a line from a novel — are actually copyrighted materials requiring clearance. Yes, there is what’s known as Fair Use — a doctrine allowing selective quotation of copyrighted works. But Fair Use is most often used in documentary and less so in fiction works. But a recent court ruling involving a William Faulkner line quoted in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris offers hope to filmmakers. This problem of quote clearance […]
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 24, 2013(2 Days in New York world premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up for distribution by Magnolia Pictures. It is available through various VOD outlets—Amazon, iTunes, etc.—on July 6, 2012, and opens theatrically on August 10, 2012. Visit the film’s official website to learn more.) I’ve been known to knock the French, toodling around on bicycles with their phallic baguettes, vin rouge, and perennial boredom with all things Americain. But is there any way to withstand the Julie Delpy charm offensive? She had me at bonjour in this witty comedy, a sequel to her earlier film 2 Days in Paris. Delpy (who wrote and directed the film) […]
by Susanna Locascio on Aug 9, 2012As 2011 comes to a close it’s time to look back on the year in movies. It’s always tough for me to come up with a yearly best movie list because I never feel I’ve seen everything by Jan. 1. By this time of year I’m still trying to finish watching the award contenders (still on my list: Hugo, War Horse, Moneyball, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, The Help). So here are 10 movie moments from 2011 (in no particular order) that have stayed with me. “I Want You To Help Me Find A Killer of Women” I know you’re probably […]
by Jason Guerrasio on Dec 31, 2011Now on our VOD calendar are titles available for the month of December. Some highlights: Ti West‘s latest horror The Innkeepers; critically acclaimed films The Help, Warrior and The Debt; microbudgets The Off Hours and Edward Burns‘ Newlyweds; and if you haven’t seen it yet (or want to see it again) Woody Allen‘s love letter to the City of Lights, Midnight in Paris hits VOD later this month. For titles from previous months go to our VOD Calendar homepage.
by Jason Guerrasio on Dec 1, 2011(After world premiering at the 2011 South By Southwest Film Festival where it won an Audience Award, Weekend was picked up for distribution by Sundance Selects. It opens theatrically in New York City on Friday, September 23, 2011, before expanding to more cities in the coming weeks. It’s also available through cable VOD for three months beginning on September 30th. Visit the film’s official website to learn more.) It is Independent Film Week in New York City. As this is the first time that I’ve personally been involved in IFP’s annual program to the extent that I have (I’m pitching […]
by Michael Tully on Sep 22, 2011What better way to celebrate the surprising success of Woody Allen‘s latest film, Midnight in Paris, but to take a victory lap. The 75-year-old filmmaker’s highest grossing film in the U.S. with $49.9 million ($83 million worldwide), is getting another go-around in theaters starting Aug. 26. Sony Pictures Classics announced yesterday that the film will play in an additional 500 to 600 theaters from the 400 it’s currently at now. The film opened May 20th. But this is most likely not the swan song for Allen’s nostalgic journey through Paris’ past, as Oscar talk on the film and its writer-director […]
by Jason Guerrasio on Aug 18, 2011