Filmmakers Symposium

I used to be quite a film buff, but these days, with seeing 40 or so plays a year, I rarely have the time or the inclination to go to the movies (or the pictures, I always loved that phrase). The only film I've seen in a theater in the last 18 months is "The Simpsons Movie," and that was because I figured it would be my only chance to see Homer in all his big-screen glory.

But for those who love a good picture show, see below regarding the FIlmmakers Symposium, which for 16 years has been sneak-previewing major films before they are officially released. Discussion follows with actors, writers and other principals of the production. I went to a few of these when Chuck Rose was first starting out, and I also know they have, at least at times, been very very popular. So if you like the idea, get your name on the list sooner than later.

Big weekend on tap as we head into the end of August, traditionally one of the slowest times for the theater beat. But I just got my calendar of premieres for the new season from the NJ Theatre Alliance, and it looks like a busy fall. So while I fill the lull with Phil Rizzuto tributes and cinema notes, you can all look forward to a lot of review previews and theater chat in the near future.

How about letting me know: What are you looking forward to seeing on Jersey Stages this fall? Jack Klugman returning to George Street Playhouse? "Blood and Roses" at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey?" "Happy Days" (let's hope) at Paper Mill?

Personally, I can't wait to see Fonzie bust on Potsie, then break into song. Aaaay!

CHERRY PICKING THE BEST MOVIES FROM SUNDANCE, CANNES AND TRIBECA
Imagine seeing a movie before anyone, then the lights come up, and there in front of you are the creators of the film, ready to answer questions and discuss their work. Starting September 17th, Filmmakers Symposium will run for twelve weeks in New Jersey at two theatres: AMC Loews Mountainside and AMC Loews Monmouth Mall. This series has hosted 1,198 movie premieres with 792 live guest appearances over the past sixteen years. “The program will always be flexible in order to take advantage of opportunities as they arise,” said Symposium director Chuck Rose. “Wonderful surprises and fantastic celebrities can pop up out of nowhere, so I try to keep the schedule as fluid as possible. In the past two years, we premiered 71 films that later earned a total of 18 Oscar, 16 British Academy, 18 Spirit, and 17 European Film Award nominations.” Oscar winners and nominees Danny Aiello, Alan Arkin, James Cromwell, Frank Darabont, Ethan Hawke, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, John Sayles, Marc Shaiman, Howard Shore and David Strathairn have joined Dylan Baker, Al Franken, Famke Janssen, Delroy Lindo, Derek Luke, David Morse, Viggo Mortensen, Connie Nielsen and Kevin Smith as guest speakers who have come to share their insights with Symposium participants. Rose added, “Last fall, well in advance of public release, we previewed Academy Award nominees “Pan’s Labyrinth”, “Jesus Camp” and “Little Children”, highlighted by a fascinating discussion with screenwriting nominee Tom Perrotta. For information or to register, call 1-800-531-9416 or visit www.PrivateScreenings.org The series is open to anyone, but seating is limited, so early enrollment is advised. Subscription is $166 for six weeks or $299 for twelve weeks. Discounts will be available for registrations made by September 4th. “Even before we started in 1991, I have worked to create a VIP network of filmmakers, international reporters, critics and film industry executives whose jobs involve identifying and evaluating the cream of Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, Venice, Berlin, Tribeca and the other important film festivals. We also work to ferret out potential hits in the development and production stages so we are ready to pounce on the best films first,” explained Rose. Confirmed films and those under consideration for the upcoming session include: “Charlie Wilson’s War” with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, director Mike Nichols; “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” with Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, director Julien Schnabel; “Elegy” with Penelope Cruz, Ben Kingsley, director Isobel Coixet; “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” with Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, director Shekhar Kapur; “Feast of Love” with Morgan Freeman, Selma Blair, director Robert Benton; “Flawless” with Michael Caine, Demi Moore, director Michael Radford; “Grace Is Gone” with John Cusack, Alessandro Nivola, director James C. Strouse; “Into the Wild” with Vince Vaughn, Emile Hirsch, director Sean Penn; “The Kite Runner” with Wali Razaqi, Shaun Taub, director Marc Forster; “Leatherheads” with George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, director George Clooney; “Lions for Lambs” with Tom Cruise , Meryl Streep, director Robert Redford; “Love in the Time of Cholera” with Javier Bardem, Benjamin Bratt, director Mike Newell; “Margot at the Wedding” with Nicole Kidman, Jack Black, director Noah Baumbach; “Mongol” with Channing Tatum, Tadanobu Asano, director Sergei Bodrov; “No Country for Old Men”; with Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson, directors Coen Brothers; “The Orphanage” with Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo, director Juan Antonio Bayona; “The Other Boleyn Girl” with Eric Bana, Natalie Portman, director Justin Chadwick; “P.S. I Love You” with Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, director Richard LaGravenese; “Redacted” with Kel O’Neill, Ty Jones, director Brian De Palma; “Rendition” with Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, director Gavin Hood; “The Savages” with Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, director Tamara Jenkins; “Starting Out in the Evening” with Frank Langella, Lauren Ambrose, director Andrew Wagner; “Sweeney Todd” with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, director Tim Burton; “Terror’s Advocate” with Jacques Verges, director Barbet Schroeder; “There Will Be Blood” with Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Dano, P.T. Anderson; and “Things We Lost in the Fire” with Halle Berry, David Duchovny, directed Susanne Bier.