The Telluride Film Festival has earned its reputation as one of the best-curated film events in the world and this year’s lineup is no exception. Contrary to popular opinion, the programmers don’t make their selections in regards to a film’s Oscar chances as much as whether they think it will challenge or captivate the faithful moviegoers who spend $780 (or more) for passes (it’s not a cheap fest, but to the regulars it’s movie heaven). This year’s lineup will certainly do that.
If we’re frank, however, we’re slightly disappointed Telluride skipped over Cannes players “120 Beats Per Minute” or Palme d’Or winner “The Square” for “Loveless” (it’s fine). And the fact “Call Me By Your Name”* isn’t included and “Wonderstruck” made it is somewhat annoying (we absolutely get that it’s part of the Edward Lachman tribute, but seriously?). And we’re also scratching our heads over why “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” isn’t included as it seems perfect for this audience, but perhaps they simply didn’t want Fox Searchlight to have three films on deck (or no talent could make it).
*Yes, it’s rare for Telluride to screen Sundance premieres, but it’s not unheard of. And in this amazing year of LGBT cinema, it seems like a huge mistake.
As you let those nitpicky questions swirl around your mind here are 10 movies that will screen in the gorgeous Colorado mountain town that we can’t wait to see.
“The Shape of Water”
(North American Premiere)
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Cast: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Octavia Spencer
Lowdown: Del Toro’s prestige comeback is a twist on the “Beauty and the Beast” fable with Sally Hawkins playing a mute janitor who falls in love with an amphibious creature in a secret government lab in the early 1960’s. The trailer hints at a return to del Toro’s more prestige horror origins and there is already tremendous buzz over it. It will be all anyone can do to ignore those rave Venice reviews first before it quickly screens in Telluride.
“Darkest Hour”
(World Premiere)
Director: Joe Wright
Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas
Lowdown: Wright returns to his period prestige roots with a biopic about the early days of Winston Churchill’s reign as Prime Minister as WWII draws near. Oldman went through a tremendous amount of makeup to help transform himself into Churchill and this could be the role that finally earns him a well-deserved Academy Award (or, at worst, another nod). For Wright, “Darkest Hour” could steer the ship back on course after the disastrous misfire “Pan” last year (which everyone associated with this movie would probably like us to forget).
“Lady Bird”
(World Premiere)
Director: Greta Gerwig
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Danielle Macdonald, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges
Lowdown: Gerwig adds director to her resume and the buzz is she knocks it out of the park. Ronan plays a Sacramento high school student (O.K., hadn’t she aged out of these sorts of parts after “Brooklyn“?) who joins the school drama club to help boost her extracurricular activities. It sounds oh, so familiar, but Gerwig has always had a unique voice that is all her own whether in front of or behind the camera. Our guess is that’s a big plus here.
