Film Bits: ‘Moonlight’ Sets Awards Season Tone at Gotham Awards; Kevin Smith Walks Away From ‘Buckaroo Banzai’

‘Moonlight’ Wins Big at Gotham Independent Awards

moonlight

In what many consider to be a key moment in the run up to the Academy Awards race, indie hit Moonlight took home several key prizes last night at the Gotham Independent Awards in New York City. The film took home awards for Best Feature, Best Ensemble, and Best Screenplay, capping off what has been a remarkable run for the recently released film. Actress Anya Taylor-Joy won Best Breakthrough Actor for her performance in The Witch. See below for the full list of winners:

Best Feature

Moonlight

Barry Jenkins, director; Adele Romanski, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, producers (A24)

Best Documentary

O.J.: Made in America

Ezra Edelman, director; Caroline Waterlow, Ezra Edelman, Tamara Rosenberg, Nina Krstic, Deirdre Fenton, Erin Leyden, producers (ESPN Films)

Breakthrough Series – Long Form

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Rachel Bloom & Aline Brosh McKenna, creators; Marc Webb, Rachel Bloom, Aline Brosh McKenna, Erin Ehrlich, executive producers (The CW)

Best Ensemble

Moonlight

Best Actress

Isabelle Huppert in Elle (Sony Pictures Classics)

Best Actor

Casey Affleck in Manchester by the Sea (Amazon Studios)

Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award

Trey Edward Shults for Krisha (A24)

Best Screenplay

Moonlight, Story by Tarell Alvin McCraney; Screenplay by Barry Jenkins (A24)

Breakthrough Series – Short Form

Her Story, Jen Richards and Laura Zak, creators (herstoryshow.com)

Breakthrough Actor

Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (A24)

Independent Film Audience Award

Moonlight

Kevin Smith Walks Away from ‘Buckaroo Banzai’ Amid MGM Lawsuit

buckaroo-banzai

Director Kevin Smith has washed his hands of the planned TV adaptation of Buckaroo Banzai, stepping away from the project hours after it was announced that MGM was suing the creators of the original film in order to make the new series. The director, an avowed longtime fan of the cult 1984 sci-fi comedy film, was dismayed over the news of the lawsuit against the creators of the original film, writer Earl Mac Rauch and director Walter Richter, stating, simply, “This is not what I signed up for.” The legal issues stem from a convoluted trail of rights acquisitions and reacquisitions that have occurred over the years, creating a sort of nebulous void over who, exactly, controls what part of the original film. Richter and Rauch claim that, while MGM might hold rights to film as it exists, the two of them hold the rights to the characters and world presented by Buckaroo Banzai, and that any new endeavor would have to have their involvement. Smith, for his part, says he wants nothing to do with the project without Rauch and Richter’s involvement, and MGM’s legal action against them has soured his desire to work on the project. The director did say he would be willing to return in the future if the rights get worked out, stating, “I’m no longer involved. I don’t wish anybody harm; I wish all parties well. I hope these dudes come to an agreement, and if they do and they still want me involved down the road, I’ll be here.” I wouldn’t hold my breath for any of it, however.

(Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter)

’10 Cloverfield Lane’ Director Eyed for Houdini Biopic

10 Cloverfield Lane

It’s been a big year for director Dan Trachtenberg. Between his breakout feature 10 Cloverfield Lane and helming one of the best episodes of Black Mirror (“Play Test”), things are looking pretty good. So good, in fact, that Lionsgate is reportedly courting the director helm their Harry Houdini biopic, The Secret Life of Houdini. Noah Oppenheim, who wrote the script for Jackie, adapted the script from the biography by William Kalush and Larry Slomen, which follows not only Houdini’s death defying feats of escape, but his time as a spy, and his early life as well. This would be a massive move for Trachtenberg, putting him in line for bigger, higher profile works after if it’s a success. Considering the enduring legacy of Houdini, that seems like the closest thing to a sure bet you can get to.

(Variety)

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