Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender: 12 Years a Slave: Telluride Review

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
7:04 PM PDT 8/31/2013 by Todd McCarthy

The Bottom Line

A strong, involving, at times overstated telling of an extraordinary life story.

Venue

Telluride Film Festival

Opens

October 18 (Fox Searchlight)

Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Garrett Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti

Director

Steve McQueen

The recent popular revenge fantasy Django Unchained notwithstanding, there have been so few good and strong films about slavery in America that, for this reason alone, 12 Years A Slave stands quite tall. With director Steve McQueen dedicating himself to detailing the “peculiar institution” with as many dreadful particulars as he can, Chiwetel Ejiofor leads a fine cast with a superior performance as the real-life Solomon Northup, a free black man from New York who was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into Southern slavery until being miraculously rescued. Perhaps the nature of the story is such that the film can’t help but be obvious and quite melodramatic at times, but it gets better as it goes along and builds to a moving finish. Despite the upsetting and vivid brutality, Fox Searchlight has a winner here that will generate copious media coverage, rivet the attention of the black public, stir much talk in political and educational circles and appeal to film audiences who crave something serious and different.

Northup published a memoir of his 12-year nightmare in 1853, the year after Uncle Tom’s Cabin came out, and it was so successful that he went on to participate in two stage adaptations. The book dropped from sight in the 20th century, but the movie tie-in will certainly reestablish its virtually unique status as a work by an educated free man who managed to return from slavery. British director McQueen, whose striking first two features, Hunger and Shame, remained restricted to the art film world, paints on a much bigger canvas and with a much broader brush here, befitting a subject that defined the structure of American society before the Civil War. The nature of the outrage, villainy and human suffering on display is entirely genuine if also familiar, but it is never far removed from the direct experiences of Northup, who, near the beginning of his ordeal, decides, “I don’t want to survive, I want to live.”

READ MORE HERE:http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/twelve-years-a-slave/review/618848

Michael Fassbender: ‘I like that Magneto’s king of the nerds, because I’m a nerd too’

CELEBITCHY
August 27, 2013

I think I lost consciousness for a moment when I discovered this new Michael Fassbender interview. Aren’t you excited?! I’m excited. We haven’t had any new Fassbender interviews in months and months. Since Prometheus, right? And even then, Michael didn’t do a lot of press for that film. This year he’s got two big movies coming out. The Oscar-bait, awards-circuit Twelve Years a Slave, and the Ridley Scott thriller The Counselor. Fassy is scheduled to appear at the Toronto International Film Festival for 12 Years, and I suspect that The Counselor will have a more traditional marketing campaign, and maybe Fassy will even get a magazine cover of two for some November issue. Probably not American GQ… maybe Details or Interview. I wouldn’t hate it if he finally made the cover of Vanity Fair, but I think VF is all “if they have a pulse, we don’t want ‘em.”

Anyway, that was just a tangent. Because Fassy has already started doing press!! IT’S SO EXCITING. Although I love Benedict Cumberbatch, I’m ready to fly my Fass-loonie Freak Flag once again. Here’s the interview (it’s really cute).

Glamour: You get into drugs in The Counselor and play a slave owner in 12 Years a Slave. Why do you always pick such intense roles?
Michael Fassbender: I like when characters have layers. I’d actually love to do a comedy— characters in romantic comedies can have layers too. But I always try to pick roles that scare me.

Glamour: Is that why you were drawn to playing Magneto in X-Men?
MF: I like that Magneto’s sort of king of the nerds, because I’m a nerd too.

Glamour: You star alongside one of our future-of-Hollywood favorites, Quvenzhané Wallis, in 12 Years a Slave.
MF: Oh my God, I love that girl! I almost gave up acting after I saw Beasts of the Southern Wild, she’s so amazing.

READ MORE HERE:http://www.celebitchy.com/318533/michael_fassbender_i_like_that_magnetos_king_of_the_nerds_because_im_a_nerd_too/

Michael Fassbender Talks Rom-Coms, X-Men, and Inspiring Women With Us

GLAMOUR
by Megan Angelo

He’s got a brain that’s at least as hot as his body—and he’s not afraid to use either. (When your grandkids go, “Sheesh, Nana!” after you recommend his full-frontal scenes in Shame, remind them it’s art.) Next month he stars in two dark dramas, The Counselor and 12 Years a Slave, both superstar-making roles. Fassbender called Glamour after a day of filming X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Glamour: You get into drugs in The Counselor and play a slave owner in 12 Years a Slave. Why do you always pick such intense roles?
Michael Fassbender: I like when characters have layers. I’d actually love to do a comedy—characters in romantic comedies can have layers too. But I always try to pick roles that scare me.

Glamour: Is that why you were drawn to playing Magneto in X-Men?
MF: I like that Magneto’s sort of king of the nerds, because I’m a nerd too.

Glamour: You star alongside one of our future-of-Hollywood favorites, Quvenzhané Wallis, in 12 Years a Slave.
MF: Oh my God, I love that girl! I almost gave up acting after I saw Beasts of the Southern Wild, she’s so amazing.

READ MORE HERE:  http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/blogs/obsessed/2013/08/michael-fassbender-talks-rom-c.html

Benedict Cumberbatch: Find Out Why Michael Fassbender And Brad Pitt's Next Movie Is Looking Better Than Ever Author: Katey Rich | published: 2013-06-28 11:49: (CINEMA BLEND)

Whether you caught his previous films Hunger and Shame or only heard all the jokes about Michael Fassbender's penis, there's plenty of reason to look forward to director Steve McQueen's upcoming third film, 12 Years A Slave. It's a huge departure for the visual-artist-turned-director, bringing back Fassbender in a supporting role but primarily focusing on Solomon Northrup, a man played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was living as a free black man in pre-Civil War upstate New York when he was kidnapped and forced into slavery. Sure, that's a grim story, but with a cast that includes Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Beasts of the Southern Wild's Quvenzhane Wallis, The Wire's Michael K. Williams and other luminaries, it ought to hit hard.

Now some early buzz confirms our high expectations. Deadline reports that distributor Fox Searchlight has been testing the film and earned fantastic audience response, which has inspired them to give Slave an even better Oscar season release date. It had originally been scheduled for December 27, but now the studio will begin a "limited platform release"-- meaning it will open in a handful of theaters at a time until it's eventually everywhere-- on October 18. 

READ MORE: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Find-Out-Why-Michael-Fassbender-Brad-Pitt-Next-Movie-Looking-Better-Than-Ever-38275.html

Tom Hiddleston’s Loki rules as best villain at MTV Movie Awards – thanks to his devoted fan armyApril 14, 2013. 11:26 pm • Section: The Cine Files (THE GAZETTE)

Actor Tom Hiddleston says thank you for the Best Villain award for Marvel's The Avengers while Quvenzhane Wallis and Chloe Grace Moretz watch, at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards on April 14, 2013 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)A

Quvenzhane Wallis is still a young girl and Tom Hiddleston is very tall. Some bending over is called for. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

“I am Loki of Asgard and I am burdened with . . . glorious popcorn!” Actor Tom Hiddleston with the Best Villain award, for his portrayal of Loki in Marvel’s The Avengers, at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards on April 14, 2013 in Culver City, California.  (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Actors Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson and Tom Hiddleston accept the Movie of the Year award for Marvel’s The Avengers at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards at Sony Pictures Studios on April 14, 2013 in Culver City, California.   (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Read more: http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2013/04/14/tom-hiddlestons-loki-rules-as-best-villain-at-the-mtv-movie-awards/

Michael Fassbender: Steve McQueen's Twelve Years A Slave Sets December Release Date Author: Katey Rich (CINEMA BLEND)

When Michael Fassbender first got international attention as an actor, it was for his gripping lead turn in the Steve McQueen-directed drama Hunger. When Michael Fassbender's private parts got even more international attention, it was for his lead turn in the Steve McQueen-directed drama Shame. And now even though Fassbender is off starring int he likes of Prometheus and X-Men: Days of Future Past, Fassbender is staying loyal to the director who gave him his big break-- and finally we know when the next collaboration between them will be revealed.

Though don't get too excited about Fassbender's performace-- for the first time McQueen is directing a film without Fassbender in the lead, hiring Chiwetel Ejiofor to lead the historical drama Twelve Years A Slave. Based on the true story of Solomon Northrup, a free black man sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War South, Twelve Years A Slave is coming to theaters on December 27, according to a tweet from distributor Fox Searchlight. Ejiofor is playing Northrup, and McQueen has brought in a serious cast to back him up-- Brad Pitt is on board to act as well as produce, rising stars Paul Dano, Adepero Oduye and Scoot McNairy have roles, and even little Quvenzhane Wallis, fresh off her Best Actress nomination, has a role. Fassbender is back with McQueen, of course, and if your heart can handle it, Benedict Cumberbatch has found his way on board as well.

READ THE REST OF THE CINEMA BLEND ARTICLE HERE

Henry Cavill and Nina Dobrev present Critics Choice awards

Don't Fall in love...

Will 'Twelve Years A Slave' Premiere At The Cannes Film Festival? FESTIVALS BY SERGIO (INDIE WIRE)

Of course, we're still quite a few months away before this year's Cannes Film Festival announces its selection of films that will screen, both in and out of competition. But both Tambay and I agree that this is a no-brainer.

Steve McQueen's Twelve Years a Slave for certain, will make its premiere at this year's festival. So how can we be so confident? Well there are several factors in its favor.

First of all, it's an independently made, much talked about and anticipated, high profile film with major stars, about a controversial subject matter made by an equally controversial major director. That's the kind of movie they live for at Cannes.

Second, as I just alluded to, it's got star power: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfre Woodward, Ruth Negga, Quvenzhane Wallis and Dwight Henry among others. And there's nothing they love more at Cannes than to have movie stars walking up those famous red carpeted steps to the Grande Auditorium on The Palais, for the movie's premiere, with the world's paparazzi out in full force.

And it will be the second trip in a row for both Wallis and Henry, who were at Cannes last year for Beasts of the Southern Wild.


read more: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/will-12-years-a-slave-premiere-at-the-cannes-film-festival?_tmc=X--Rjzk39R8K7CZklte7LMobpsS6js96Qht56B2OU5U

'Lincoln' tops Oscar nominations By Todd Leopold, CNN

(CNN) -- "Lincoln," director Steven Spielberg's film about the 16th president and his battle to end slavery, topped the nominations for the 85th Academy Awards on Thursday, receiving 12 nods, including best picture.

Along with Spielberg, who picked up a best director nomination, the film earned picks for best actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), best supporting actress (Sally Field), best supporting actor (Tommy Lee Jones) and best adapted screenplay (Tony Kushner).

"Life of Pi" was second with 11 nominations, including best picture, best director (Ang Lee) and best adapted screenplay.

As always, there were a handful of surprises. The most notable, perhaps, was the showing by the small independent film "Beasts of the Southern Wild." Its 9-year-old star, Quvenzhane Wallis, earned a nomination for best actress, becoming the youngest person ever in that category. In addition, the film was nominated for best picture, best director (Benh Zeitlin) and best adapted screenplay -- four nominations in all.


Along with "Lincoln," "Pi," "Beasts" and "Amour," the other best picture nominees are "Argo," "Django Unchained," "Zero Dark Thirty," "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Les Miserables."

The nominees for best actor are Day-Lewis ("Lincoln"), Hugh Jackman ("Les Miserables"), Denzel Washington ("Flight"), Joaquin Phoenix ("The Master") and Bradley Cooper ("Silver Linings Playbook").

The nominees for best actress are Wallis ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"), Jessica Chastain ("Zero Dark Thirty"), Jennifer Lawrence ("Silver Linings Playbook"), Naomi Watts ("The Impossible") and Emmanuelle Riva ("Amour").

The nominees for best supporting actor are Jones ("Lincoln"), Robert De Niro ("Silver Linings Playbook"), Philip Seymour Hoffman ("The Master"), Alan Arkin ("Argo") and Christoph Waltz ("Django Unchained").

The nominees for best supporting actress are Field ("Lincoln"), Amy Adams ("The Master"), Anne Hathaway ("Les Miserables"), Helen Hunt ("The Sessions") and Jacki Weaver ("Silver Linings Playbook").

The nominees for best director are Spielberg ("Lincoln"), Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"), David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook"), Lee ("Life of Pi") and Haneke ("Amour").

READ MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/10/showbiz/movies/oscar-nominations/?hpt=hp_c1