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‘Dune 2’ Director Denis Villeneuve Says Epic Sandworm-Riding Scene Took ‘Sometimes a Week for One Shot’ and Required a Separate Unit: ‘If I Had Done It Myself, I Would Still Be Shooting’

Celebrated director Denis Villeneuve reflected on some of his favorite moments from his films during a career-spanning Screen Talk at the BFI London Film Festival on Saturday. In conversation with “Ted Lasso” star Brett Goldstein, who guaranteed lots of laughs in the hour-long discussion, Villeneuve broke down “Dune: Part Two’s” …read more

Oscar Nominee Jeff Pope, Producer Xavier Marchand Set Series ‘Castle of the Eagles,’ Based on True Story of Daring WWII Prison Break

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Jeff Pope (“Philomena”) and Xavier Marchand of “Nautilus” producer Moonriver TV are teaming up on “Castle of the Eagles,” a six-episode limited series based on the true story of Allied POWs who staged a daring prison break from a fortified Italian castle during World War II. The duo …read more

Top 10 Horror Movies With the Best Practical Effects

As indie filmmakers—especially in the genre space—sometimes we have to find creative ways to visually show off some crazy stuff. Heads exploding? Body transformation to bugs? Extraterrestrial predators disrespecting your boundaries and popping out of chest cavities?

You name it, we conceive it.

One of the great joys of movie …read more

‘Saturday Night’ Cast Guide: Meet the Actors Playing Chevy Chase, Lorne Michaels, Gilda Radner and More ‘SNL’ Icons

Just as “Saturday Night Live” celebrates its 50th season on the air, Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” is hits theaters, chronicling the humble beginnings of the legendary late-night sketch show. Premiering in 1975, “NBC’s Saturday Night” featured eight original cast members dubbed the “Not Ready for Prime-Time Players”: Chevy Chase, Gilda …read more

‘Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid’ Review: Political Junkies Will Feast on Portrait of the Outspoken Democratic Operative

You take a major risk while trying to be as topical as possible when you make a documentary about a contemporary issue: The situation you originally set out to examine can change in heartbeat — too late for you to do much more than make a passing reference to that change …read more

Oscars: Best International Feature — ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig,’ ‘I’m Still Here’ and ‘Emilia Perez’ Among Early Non-English Language Favorites

Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect …read more

Yola on the ‘Gig Energy’ of Playing Persephone in Broadway’s ‘Hadestown,’ and Why She’s Taking a Turn in Her Music Career to Do Things Her Way

The name Yola is not to be confused with YOLO, but if her moniker were to be an acronym, it might stand for You Only Live Awe-Inspiringly. The British-born singer has been expanding her horizons rather widely since being nominated for best new artist at the 2020 Grammys, particularly in …read more

Take Big Swings to Produce Your Next  Movie

Written By Lisa Cordileone & Shaan Dasani

This one’s for all of the indie producers out there.

It’s also for those of you who don’t consider yourselves producers, but are slipping into producer mode in order to make your movie. You might find yourself leaning into the role a little …read more

‘Joker 2’ DP Lawrence Sher on Lighting Lady Gaga’s Harley to Represent Love and Shooting for Imax

In “Joker: Folie à Deux,” there is a scene where Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck is awaiting sentencing. He’s just fired his defense attorney and he’s decided he’s going to represent himself. His lover Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga) comes to visit him in his jail cell, giving him a kiss …read more

Asif Kapadia’s Grierson Trust Patronage Rescinded Over Israel-Gaza Social Media Posts Accused of Being ‘Antisemitic’

The Grierson Trust has rescinded the patronage conferred on Oscar- and BAFTA-winning British filmmaker Asif Kapadia over social media they described as “antisemitic.” “Since the Grierson Trust announced that Asif Kapadia had been appointed as one of our patrons, some social media posts shared by him have been drawn to …read more