Oscar suitors give TIFF a miss this year Sep 11, 2008
So this year, the major opening weekend title was the gala debut of Burn After Reading, which distributor Focus Features, the specialty unit of Universal, is releasing before this year's Oscar race begins in late September and October. Oscar watchers say Focus is keen on Milk, starring Sean Penn as San Francisco's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk. (Globe and Mail)
Brad Pitt Rocks to Madonna Sep 7, 2008
That is, unless Focus Features botches it somehow. They ve already made one key mistake, premiering "Burn" at the Venice Film Festival. (Fox News)
Burn after reading Sep 6, 2008
Thompson On Hollywood - Blog on Variety. Choose the one that's best for you. (Variety)
Oscar Goes to Canada Sep 5, 2008
George Clooney and Frances McDormand in Burn After Reading Focus Features Article Tools. The members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences choose the Oscar candidates by going to the Academy theaters for pre-release screenings throughout the year. (Time.com)
Toronto film fest includes Spike Lee, Coens movies Sep 3, 2008
In this image released by Focus Features, Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand are shown in a scene from, "Burn After Reading." (AP Photo/Focus Features, Macall Polay). TORONTO Sundance is about new talent and small, personal films. (Florida Times-Union)
For Toronto film festival, a pragmatic approach Sep 2, 2008
Other principal attractions are Joel and Ethan Coen's "Burn After Reading," the comic caper from Focus Features, with George Clooney and Brad Pitt among its stars, that had its premiere last week at the Venice Film Festival, and "The Secret Life of Bees," from Fox Searchlight, adapted and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood from a Sue Monk Kidd novel. But a number of the big studios' Oscar bets are missing. (International Herald Tribune)
'Tropic Thunder' holds top spot at box office Aug 25, 2008
Universal Pictures' specialty division, Focus Features, plans to release the film on more than 1,500 screens Wednesday. Gross earnings for movies were down 4% compared with the same weekend last year, according to Media by Numbers estimates, and year-to-date revenue is down 0. (Los Angeles Times)
Bill Maher's Anti-Religion Movie Aug 23, 2008
The critics hate Hamlet 2, a one-note joke that played so well at Sundance that Focus Features reportedly paid more than $10 million for it. If the movie bombs this weekend, it could well signal the end for Focus as a stand-alone within Universal Pictures. (Fox News)
The man who rocks sexy Jesus Aug 22, 2008
"Hamlet 2" became the focus of a Sundance bidding war last January (Focus Features got it for $10 million), but removed from that hothouse atmosphere it is, as Coogan himself says, a "Frankenstein's monster" of a film, with a brilliant premise, a lot of uneven sketch-comedy material and a few dynamite musical numbers. Coogan plays a high school drama teacher in Tucson, Ariz. (Salon)
Anything goes in 'Hamlet 2' Aug 21, 2008
Cathy Kanavy / Focus Features ... The audacious movie, picked up by Focus Features following its premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival, also includes Catherine Keener, David Arquette and Amy Poehler. (Los Angeles Times)
Clooney, Pitt, Coens join Toronto festival lineup Aug 20, 2008
In this image released by Focus Features, Brad Pitt is shown in a scene from, "Burn After Reading." (AP Photo/Focus Features, Macall Polay). TORONTO Movies featuring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Kate Beckinsale, Edward Norton and Colin Farrell and a documentary about Paris Hilton have joined the lineup for the Toronto International Film Festival. (Florida Times-Union)
Taking an a indie approach to distribution, too Jul 30, 2008
What remains is the slim chance of being picked up by one of the surviving "mini-majors" like Sony Classics, Fox Searchlight or the Universal-owned Focus Features, or finding themselves at the mercy of smaller distributors. While many are well regarded, most offer small cash advances (if any) in exchange for most of the rights (DVD, TV, international release), but don't usually spend the kind of money necessary to assure public awareness and ticket sales. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Box Office Boffo Jul 29, 2008
And in its new date, "The Rocker"--about a wanna-be drummer who gets a second chance at stardom--goes up against the limited bow of Focus Features' "Hamlet 2.". In terms of the decision to push back the release of "Rocker," Fox says it will use the extra time to attach trailers of the pic to "Step Brothers" and "Pineapple Express.". (Variety)
Gay pride abounds, but indie gay films tank Jun 17, 2008
On a more ambitious scale, Focus Features is one of the few specialty filmmakers that has been willing to bet on gay subject matter, with good reason: Brokeback became its most successful release ever. Focus now is producing a Woodstock film which, while not a gay film per se, is based on a gay mans memoir, and the studio might be taking its biggest risk by making Gus Van Sants long-gestating Harvey Milk biopic, Milk. (MSNBC -- News)
A passion project gets beaten to the punch Jun 11, 2008
After spending 16 years trying to make their film, Zadan and Meron's project is dead in the water, beaten into production by the Van Sant film, which is due for release this fall from Focus Features. To add salt to the wound, several key people involved with "Milk," including Van Sant, were once involved with Zadan and Meron's film, "The Mayor of Castro Street," which was based on Randy Shilts's groundbreaking 1982 biography. (Boston Globe)
'Indiana Jones' unearths box office gold: $126M May 26, 2008
Universal Pictures and Focus Features are owned by NBC Universal, a joint venture of General Electric Co. and Vivendi Universal; Sony Pictures, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; DreamWorks, Paramount and Paramount Vantage are divisions of Viacom Inc.; Disney's parent is The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is a division of The Walt Disney Co.; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight Pictures are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. New Line, Warner Independent and... (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Buyers want no remorse at Cannes May 11, 2008
Focus Features paid $10 million for Hamlet 2 and may not be in the mood for another big buy, and Sony Pictures Classics is allergic to overspending. In the wake of Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouses demise, its uncertain what Warners plans are for acquiring specialty titles. (Variety)
Ang Lee to make gay Woodstock film Apr 23, 2008
The project is set up at Focus Features, and will be adapted by the studio's CEO, James Schamus. Lee and Schamus' most recent collaboration was Focus' Chinese-language drama "Lust, Caution," which earned $66 million worldwide. (MSNBC -- News)
Full Story Apr 2, 2008
They took our permit away," Weinstein told Page Six. The leaders in Beijing reportedly pulled the permits of six other movies as well in reaction to Focus Features' "Lust, Caution," which was filmed in China though it can't be be shown there because of its explicit sex. China has also blacklisted the film's female star, Tang Wai, although the male lead, Tony Leung, escaped censure. Weinstein, who claims he has good relations with the Chinese government, has gone to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia... (New York Post -- Gossip)
FX, Universal ink $100 million deal Mar 27, 2008
The U pic package also includes a few titles already in theaters: Focus Features' "In Bruges," Rogue Pictures' "Doomsday," "Eastern Promises," "Jarhead" and "Definitely, Maybe.". "This deal is a tremendous vote of confidence in Universal Pictures," said U Pictures vice chairman Rick Finkelstein. (Variety)
New on DVD: Oscar-nominated 'Atonement' is solid Mar 21, 2008
No Country For Old Men2. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. (USA Today -- Life)
Director Ang Lee's 'Lust' fuels NC-17 debate Mar 15, 2008
But instead of trimming the film to get a more commercially viable R rating, Lee and Focus Features distributed the movie uncut ... Focus Features head James Schamus, who produced Lust and also received the ShoWest award, says he welcomed the NC-17 rating. (USA Today -- Life)
Movies' mid-range meltdown Mar 15, 2008
Focus Features prexy James Schamus admits that he can't play in the arthouse playpen as much as he'd like. "Ninety percent of the movies I love I can't acquire," he says. (Variety)
New Lantos venture takes aim at Alliance Mar 15, 2008
Their main competition is long-time colleague Victor Loewy, now head of Alliance Films, who has contracts with Hollywood studios such as New Line Cinema, Miramax Films, the Weinstein Co. and Focus Features. These produce some of the biggest films made in Hollywood each year. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
'Lust, Caution' took sting out of NC-17 Mar 15, 2008
It was lying fallow, and everybody simply assumed the stigma was still there, said Schamus, who heads Focus Features, which released both Lust, Caution and Brokeback Mountain. . (MSNBC -- Movies)
10,000 B.C. leads weekend box office Mar 10, 2008
In narrower release, Focus Features' 1930s comedy Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, opened with $2. 5-million in 535 theatres for an average of $4,750 a cinema, compared with $10,478 in 3,410 theatres for 10,000 B.C. and $5,174 in 2,706 locations for College Road Trip. (Globe and Mail)
Majors vow to reclaim Oscar spotlight Mar 3, 2008
The niche divisions Focus Features, Miramax, Sony Pictures Classics, etc. have provided ample evidence that Oscar is a valuable marketing tool for the right kind of film. (Variety)
Hollywood puts focus on China Feb 29, 2008
When it came to making a third "Mummy" film, this one set in China, Universal co-chairman David Linde turned to Kong, with whom he had worked at Good Machine and Focus Features on many of his films. "We needed Kong to bridge not just the cultural gap but the way different countries operate," says Linde, who plans to operate more directly in Asia through local studio co-productions. (Variety)
Oscar party circuit Feb 26, 2008
"American Gangster" (Universal) Art Direction: Arthur Max Set Decoration: Beth A. Rubino "Atonement" (Focus Features) Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood Set Decoration: Katie Spencer "The Golden Compass" (New Line in association with Ingenious Film Partners) Art Direction: Dennis Gassner Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock "Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (DreamWorks and Warner Bros ... Despite Focus Features' best efforts not to let this happen, the early fest raves in the fall, combined... (Variety)
A wall of publicists surrounds Hollywood Feb 25, 2008
Adriene Bowles stands guard for James Schamus, chief executive of Universal's Focus Features division, and commands a crew of picture publicists to match the gang over at Fox Searchlight. 1. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Box office boost for 'Country' Feb 25, 2008
Focus Features' "Atonement" came in No. 15, declining 18% to an estimated $1. 2 million from 755 runs for a cume of $49. (Variety)
Universal's re-born identity Feb 23, 2008
"Their predecessor, Stacey Snider, although successful in her own right, left in what could be best described as frustration at trying to operate in GE's corporate environment. The head of NBC Universal at the time, Bob Wright, was never a huge fan of the film division, a sentiment perhaps reflected in the fact that U let a proposed purchase of DreamWorks slip away to Paramount. (Wright's successor, Jeff Zucker, is much more keen on the feature business.)So when Universal Studios chairman Ron... (Variety)
Modest films, niche marketing reshape box office, Oscars Feb 22, 2008
Film: Atonement Studio: Focus Features Gross receipts (in millions): $47. 9. (USA Today -- Life)
Oscar will love Old Men Feb 20, 2008
(Besides, Juno distributor Fox Searchlight is owned by News Corp., and Atonement was released by Focus Features, part of the NBC/Universal family, so when we say theyre indie movies, we arent suggesting that they were made with credit cards and borrowed film stock. Ditto No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood, both collaborations between Miramax and Paramount Vantage. (MSNBC -- News)
Countdown to Oscar Feb 19, 2008
Atonement comes through Universal-distributed Focus Features. Fox Searchlight co-financed Juno with indie company Mandate Pictures. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Transcript: Forbes.com Buzz Feb 19, 2008
Despite an A-list star in Keira Knightey, the Focus Features film has struggled to find an audience. Since its early December release, the love story has less than $50 million in box office receipts to speak of. (Forbes -- Business)
Underdogs take slow path to Oscar honors Feb 18, 2008
Four out of Focus Features five contenders died: David Cronenbergs Eastern Promises, Terry Georges Reservation Road, Kasi Lemmons Talk to Me and even Lust, Caution. Only Atonement survived the onslaught after its release was delayed by three months to the second weekend of December. (MSNBC -- News)
'Jumper' leads box office Feb 18, 2008
Palm Beach Post - News from The Associated Press. Feb 17, 11:16 PM EST. (The Palm Beach Post)
Berlin fest short on hot pics Feb 16, 2008
Focus Features and Lakeshore took two of the largest booths in the overflowing Martin Gropius Bau, but without any new product. The three month Writers Guild strike appeared to have affected TV more than movie production, but the threat of a SAG strike caused buyers and sellers to be cautious about which pictures will be able to align scripts, talent and finance in time to wrap by the end of June. (Variety)
On Movies: Where is Bruges? Action flick will answer Feb 10, 2008
" In Bruges launched the Sundance Film Festival last month, and Focus Features has been running ads and trailers emphasizing the thriller aspects of the plot. (And why not?) The trailers also boast: "from Academy Award-winning director Martin McDonagh," which, amazingly enough - especially to McDonagh - is true. "Six Shooter," a blood-splattered (of course) half-hour film starring Gleeson as a guy on a strange train ride, took the Oscar for best live-action short at the 2006 ceremonies. It was... (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Strangers in Strange Lands Feb 9, 2008
In Bruges (Focus Features), the first feature film written and directed by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh (The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Beauty Queen of Lenane), is a jolly mess of a movie ... Still from In Bruges 2008 Focus Features. (Slate)
Blanchetts Oscar hopes blowin in the wind? Feb 7, 2008
Blanchetts Oscar hopes blowin in the wind. - Oscars 2008- msnbc. (MSNBC -- News)
Heath Ledger Feb 7, 2008
Accidental pill overdose killed Ledger - Yahoo. Secondary Navigation. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Hannah Montana 3-D concert tour movie scores big at box office Feb 5, 2008
Universal Pictures and Focus Features are owned by NBC Universal, a joint venture of General Electric Co. and Vivendi Universal; Sony Pictures, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; DreamWorks, Paramount and Paramount Vantage are divisions of Viacom Inc.; Disney's parent is The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is a division of The Walt Disney Co.; 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox Atomic are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. New Line, Warner Independent... (Sioux City Journal, IO)
'Hannah' Holds Box-Office Sway With $29M Feb 5, 2008
"Hollywood's box-office roll continued, with the top-12 movies taking in $101.5 million, up 43 percent from Super Bowl weekend a year ago. Movie attendance so far this year is up nearly 11 percent, according to box-office tracker Media By Numbers.Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.1. "Hannah Montana Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert," $29 million.2. "The Eye," $13 million.3. "27... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Oscar nominees gain big box office Feb 4, 2008
Focus Features' "Atonement" was also hanging back for the heart of awards season before expanding too much. Since winning the Golden Globe for best drama on Jan. 13, followed by the Oscar noms, "Atonement" has grown its cume by $8. (Variety)
Strong slate of Canadian films vying for Genie glory Feb 1, 2008
Director David Cronenberg on the set of Focus Features' 'Eastern Promises. Strong slate of Canadian films vying for Genie glory. (CTV.ca)
January box office jumpstarts year Jan 31, 2008
Focus Features' "Atonement" has grossed a hefty $38. 5 million. (Variety)
Kingsleys Wackness one of Sundances 7 best Jan 29, 2008
Focus Features paid $10 million for Hamlet 2, the steepest price paid for any flick at this years festival. English comedian Steve Coogan is a high school teacher who failed miserably as an actor but wants to rekindle his showbiz flame by putting on a production of Hamlet as a way of helping to save the drama department from budget cuts. (MSNBC -- News)
Big-name films fail to find buyer audience Jan 28, 2008
Stars British comedian Steve Coogan (24 Hour Party People) playing a Tucson high school drama teacher staging a cracked sequel to "Shakespeare's bummer." Focus Features purchased for distribution for a reported $10 million, near the festival record. Up the Yangtze. (USA Today)
Sony closes deal on 'Wackness' Jan 28, 2008
Focus Features: world rights "Hamlet 2" $10 million. Fox Searchlight: world rights "Choke" $5 million. (Variety)
What if Oscar threw a party, and nobody came ... Jan 27, 2008
Juno, the only comedy, was produced under th 00004000 e Fox Searchlight banner, and the British wartime drama Atonement was made by Working Title for the independent Focus Features ... The specialised market, agreed James Schamus, of Focus Features, has matured. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Joe Wright inks pact with Universal Jan 26, 2008
Us specialty arm Focus Features distributed Wrights first feature, Pride dice, which received four Oscar noms, and, like Atonement, starred Keira Knightley. That pic was produced by Working Title and Studio Canal. (Variety)
Berlin Film Fest Preview Jan 26, 2008
"There won't be many big, new, English-language projects bought and sold in Berlin. You need that adrenalin to drive a market," says Alison Thompson, prexy of Focus Features Intl. The move of the AFM to the fall and the relocation of the EFM into the Martin Gropius Bau have certainly allowed the market to expand. (Variety)
The best films of Sundance 2008 Jan 26, 2008
With a couple of days to go, that shopping splurge hasn't materialized, and with the exception of "Hamlet 2" -- a comedy starring Steve Coogan that sold to Focus Features for $10 million -- the handful of deals that have been announced have been relatively modest in scale. Folks, there is a recession on. (CNN -- Showbiz)
Rambo returns to take on 'Spartans' Jan 25, 2008
Focus Features expands "Atonement" from 1,291 theaters to 1,400, while Vantage boosts the location count for "There Will Be Blood" from 389 to 885. On the foreign front, "I Am Legend" looks likely to win its sixth straight weekend, even though the Will Smith sci-fier won't be opening in any new markets. (Variety)
A Few 'dance Lessons Jan 25, 2008
It quickly sold to Focus Features for a reported 10 million, just short of the 10. 5 million record set by "Little Miss Sunshine" a couple of years ago. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Heath Ledger, 28, actor Jan 24, 2008
This image provided by Focus Features shows actor Heath Ledger portraying the character Ennis Del Mar in the movie 'Brokeback Mountain. . (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Coogans Hamlet 2 sells for $10 mil at fest Jan 24, 2008
Focus Features bought the film for a reported $10 million in the wee hours of Tuesday after a premiere the night before at which it was greeted with loud laughter. advertisement. (MSNBC -- News)
Stars may align for strike settlement before Oscars Jan 24, 2008
"There's still a way to go, but I'm confident they'll come to an agreement," says James Schamus, head of Focus Features and a negotiator for the Writers Guild during its contract settlement in 2005. "I think fences are being mended.". (USA Today -- Life)
Sundance sales continue slowly Jan 24, 2008
Other films that sold Monday and Tuesday were the Steve Coogan high school comedy "Hamlet 2," which sold world rights to Focus Features for $10 million, one of the biggest deals ever at Sundance; the edgy thriller "Choke," starring Sam Rockwell, which Fox Searchlight acquired for $5 million for the world (less several territories), and the spiritual drama "Henry Poole is Here," starring Luke Wilson, for which Overture scooped up U.S. rights for $3. 5 million. (Variety)
Done Deals Finally Start to Appear at Sundance Jan 23, 2008
Overture beat Warner Independent Pictures and Focus Features for the release rights, one executive involved said. That agreement came hours after perhaps the most rousing premiere of the festival, that of Hamlet 2, a bawdy romp starring Steve Coogan as a failed actor turned pathetic high school drama teacher who stages a musical sequel to Hamlet, with a sexy Jesus in a starring role. (New York Times)
Oscar's mad about 'Country,' 'Blood' Jan 23, 2008
" AP WEB EXTRAS How'd they do? North American box-office performance as of Sunday for Oscar best-picture nominees:"Atonement," Focus Features, seven nominations, released December, $31.8 million."Juno," Fox Searchlight, four nominations, released December, $85.3 million."Michael Clayton," Warner Bros., seven nominations, released October, $39.3 million."No Country for Old Men," Miramax, eight nominations, released November, $48.6 million."There Will Be Blood," Paramount Vantage, eight... (Florida Today)
Do your Oscar viewing at home on DVD Jan 23, 2008
By Mike Clark, USA TODAY Several movies nominated for Oscars in the six major categories already are available on DVD. Others have been scheduled for release closer to the Feb. 24 ceremony, while still others have a way to go in their theatrical runs. It's a volatile time of year for DVD scheduling, but here are release dates (subject to change) announced for films that received at least one nomination in the picture, actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress or director categories. (USA Today -- Life)
Box office revivals for Oscar noms Jan 23, 2008
Going down the list of best pic noms, Focus Features' period drama "Atonement" has grossed $32. 6 million to date; Warner Bros. (Variety)
