Hollywood is Terrifying in David Cronenberg’s “Maps to the Stars”

You can also read this review (and other writings) at my column for 'The Whit' here

David Cronenberg isn’t a director known for complying with any sort of “norms” when it comes to making films; as a filmmaker, he has been referred to as, “the most audacious and challenging narrative director in the English-speaking world.” So it comes as no surprise then, that the director’s latest is a (very) black comedy-satire about the poisonous Hollywood lifestyle. The only surprise about the project, is that it’s come so late in Cronenberg’s career. 

Some Takeaways From TIFF & Telluride

Both the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals have become feverishly important events in the Oscar race, especially in recent years. Though some winners peak early in the year (for example, 2011's Best Picture winner, "The Artist" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival), more and more often it seems that Telluride and (especially Toronto) are 2 of the biggest places to build buzz.

It should come as no surprise then, that in the near aftermath of these 2 festivals, several contenders have built enormous amount of buzz, buzz that should very well carry them over the finish line.

Though the People's Choice Award (Toronto Film Festival's highest honor) has yet to be announced, here are some things we've learned over the last few days as films have had their premieres:

New York Film Festival Reveals A Very Buzzy Line Up

The New York Film Festival has been the unveiling point and stateside release for several key films headed into the Oscar race in years past, and this year will be no different. Though it was previously announced that David Fincher's "Gone Girl" will have its world premiere here, the thriller will be joined by the likes of Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice", Sundance hit "Whiplash" and Alejandro González Ińárritu's "Birdman" (which will have its official unveiling at Venice weeks earlier).

The festival will take place from September 26, 2014 until October 12, 2014. Stars such as Kristen Stewart, Channing Tatum and Jean-Luc Godard are expected to be in attendance.

Take a look at the full list of films that will play during the festival's duration below. If the film's trailer is available click on the film title to watch the trailer.

Toronto Film Festival Lineup

TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival) has announced its official lineup this morning. Running from September 4th to the 14th, several films will have their official world premiere here, while some holdovers from Cannes will also appear to build upon the buzz they got (or didn't get) there.

TIFF is an even more important, and influential Oscar precursor than Cannes; last year's winner of the People's Choice Award "12 Years A Slave" won the Oscar for Best Picture, with almost all of the other recipients following suit, or winning other Oscars including: "Silver Linings Playbook", "The King's Speech", "Precious", "Slumdog Millionaire", Whale Rider" and "American Beauty" have all been recognized in some way by the Academy Awards.

Take a look at the full list below (I've also included trailers for the films if they're available by making the film title a link).

Early Oscar Predictions

With this year's Cannes Film Festival finished, we have (un)officially began the 2014 Oscar season... which makes my brain hurt because it doesn't even seem like that long ago that I was watching Lupit Nyong'o and Jennifer Lawrence duke it out for Best Supporting Actress. But as it does every year, Oscar season seems to start just as it ends.

Cannes Jury Announces Prizes for Main Competition

Awards listed below in the order they were announced.