July 4 | SpoutBlog

5 Independent Films That Dared Open Independence Day Weekend

By Christopher Campbell posted 4 months ago

July 4th weekend is typically reserved for huge blockbuster releases, particularly those starring Will Smith and/or showcasing America as a force not to be messed with (against aliens or the British). Very, very rarely does an independent release even bother trying to go up against the studios during the big holiday. For example, the only option for an American indie we have this weekend is IFC’s wrong-holidayed I Hate Valentine’s Day, which is uneventfully the second Nia Vardalos movie in a month. And this year we don’t even have the usual sort of event movie debuting on July 4th weekend. There’s just Public Enemies and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Boring.

Isn’t it ironic that independent films can’t open on Independence Day? It would make sense for there to be a number of good U.S.-produced indies opening this week, going up against the big guys with their American spirit (including their disregard for broad, worldwide marketability) and evidence of the American Dream come true. Wondering if there have ever been great independents released at this time of year, we took at look at the last 30 years of cinema and found only a few significant titles.

See what little (American) films bucked the 4th of July weekend release system after the jump:
…Read more

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Classics, Indies, Lists

Will Smith Sings The Songs. SpoutBlog Week in Review

By Karina Longworth posted 1 year ago

Gonzo director Alex Gibney talks about what makes him feel like Gandalf, and the search for the American Dream.
Gerard Depardieu goes to the dungeon.
Dragging the Hitchcock out of Mad Men.
LAFF: Heaven Wants Out, Trinidad and Thing With No Name
Metropolis edges towards a landmark restoration.
Plot songs: classic style, Will Smith style.
Who needs critics when we’ve got the producer of 88 Minutes?
John Waters has a new “anarchist” muse.
Videos: Quantum of Solace trailer, Hellboy goes Inside the Actors Studio; New Miyazaki, Muppets love America, too.
Lists: 10 Best Superheroes Created For The Screen
I always feel like, YouTube is watching me!
IsThe Wackness Juno for boys? Or is it just a mirror of the ultra-boyish segment of the movie blogosphere?
Related: 10 movies that definee New York in the 90s.
On FilmCouch: Inside the YouTube screening room, and Wall-E.
There are an awful lot of unauthorized ways to produce a Harvey Weinstein expose, apparently.
War, Inc isn’t coming to DVD … yet.
Peter Greenaway brings laser light show aesthetics to The Last Supper.
Girls and boys can’t share Hollywood porn.
Anti-strike activism from Temp X.
Finally, a special July 4th treat: Nick Dawson points us to the website for Proud American, a film described thusly by its official synopsis, “While showing the nation’s spectacular landmarks and engineering marvels, historical sites and natural wonders, Proud American is really about the American people.” And it’s “presented by” Coca-Cola, MasterCard and Wal-Mart, so you know it has to be good!

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Week in Review

Hancock’s High Expectations. Trade Roughage 07/02/08

By Karina Longworth posted 1 year ago

Hancock is expected to make around $100 million this weekend, simply because Will Smith + July 4th = boatloads of money, regardless of negative buzz.
SAG still doesn’t have a contract, but nobody seems to be particularly concerned. According to Variety, “There’s a ubiquitous sense among studio and network execs, talent reps and multihyphenates that SAG does not have the bedrock of support among its members to call for a work stoppage.” Meanwhile, Tom Hanks is supporting a ratification of the AFTRA deal, which would almost certainly nix any possibility of a SAG strike, whilst Jack Nicholson wants his compatriots to hold out for a better deal.
Sacha Baron Cohen will play Sherlock Holmes opposite Will Ferrell’s Watson in an as-yet untitled comedy based on the detective stories. But they’ll have stiff competition from a competing Sherlock film being developed by the week’s most famous male maybe-divorcee, Guy Ritchie…right? [crickets]