Jeffrey Blitz

Shawn Levy Talks TABLE 19 with Jeffrey Blitz, KODACHROME and MR. MEN; Describes TABLE 19 as BREAKFAST CLUB with Adults at a Wedding

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 21st, 2012 at 6:10 pm

Throughout the past few days, we’ve been bringing you updates on pretty much every upcoming project on director/producer Shawn Levy’s plate from his recent interview with Steve.  We’ve already run what Levy had to say about a Real Steel sequel, Frankenstein, Fantastic Voyage and Interns, The Ten Best Days of My Life starring Amy Adams and Home Movies, and just yesterday we shared Levy’s updates on the animated re-imagining Kong, and his adaptations of The Devil You Know and Fancy Nancy with Tina Fey.

Today we’ve got Levy’s comments on Table 19 (described as The Breakfast Club with adults at a wedding being written by Jeffrey Blitz), the intimate family drama Kodachrome, and a disappointing status update on Mr. Men. Additionally, Levy clarifies that Family Album was a pilot he directed last year that was not picked up, and he talks briefly about an adaptation of Steve Martin’s novel The Pleasure of My Company. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

Jeffrey Blitz in Talks to Direct TABLE 19 for Fox Searchlight

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: October 27th, 2011 at 4:36 pm

Jeffrey Blitz, the director behind the 2002 Spelling Bee documentary Spellbound, is currently in negotiations to helm the comedy Table 19. The story, written by Jay and Mark Duplass, follows a group of strangers who meet at the “singles” table at a wedding.  The so-called “losers” make running commentary about the ongoing wedding as Table 19 explores the ideologies of marriage from an outsider looking in.

Variety reports that although Jay and Mark Duplass were originally attached to direct, Blitz should easily be able to handle the awkward comedy that will certainly run rampant in Table 19. He also directed Rocket Science, a pic about a stuttering high school student who joins the debate team, and has directed episodes of Parks and Recreation and The Office. Shawn Levy (Real Steel) is attached to produce through his 21 Laps outfit.

 

Jury Members Announced for 2011 Sundance Film Festival; Includes Matt Groening, Bong Joon-Ho, and Jason Reitman

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 18th, 2011 at 12:22 pm

The Sundance Institute has announced its juries for this year’s Sundance Film Festival.  There are plenty of notable names that will judging this year’s in-competition films including The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, as well as directors Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Susanne Bier (In a Better World), Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry), Bong Joon-Ho (The Host), and Clark Gregg (Choke).  Actor-writer-director Tim Blake Nelson (Leaves of Grass) will host the awards ceremony on January 29th.

Hit the jump for the full press release and a list of all of the jury members.  The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 20th – 30th.

First Trailer for SECRET ORIGIN: THE STORY OF DC COMICS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 11th, 2010 at 2:44 pm

On November 9, Warner Home Video will be releasing a very cool documentary called Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics and it’s going to be narrated by Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern).  As the press release says:

The original DC Comics Documentary is the first of its kind: a compelling look at the company that created the modern super hero, produced with unprecedented access to the archives at Warner Bros. and DC Comics. Both a celebration of the best writers and artists in comics and a thoughtful exploration of seventy-five years of DC Comics history, Secret Origins combines insights from respected hitorians, interviews with some of the most influential comic book creators in history, and excerpts from comics, films, and television shows to bring the story of DC Comics to life in new and unexpected ways.

While the press release makes no mention of who directed and produced the documentary, I’m guessing this is the project Jeffrey Blitz (Spellbound, Rocket Science, Lucky) and producer Sean Welch told me about at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.  At the time, they said they had just started working on a documentary about the history of DC Comics and I think this DVD is it.  Anyway, we’ve been given the first trailer, so hit the jump to check it out:

UPDATE: I was right. This is the project Jeffrey Blitz told me about. Full press release after the jump.

Jeffrey Blitz and Producer Sean Welch Exclusive Video Interview LUCKY

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: February 9th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to win the lottery?  Do you think all your problems would disappear?  After watching Jeffrey Blitz’s (Rocket Science, Spellbound) new documentary Lucky, I’ve learned what people go through when they come into a ton of new money and it isn’t always easy.

Lucky premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and the film features interviews with both lottery winners and regular folks hoping to win.  What’s interesting is how some of the winners have changed dramatically, and others are almost the exact same people.  It’s a fascinating movie about something millions of people play every week, and by the end, you’ll probably want to buy a ticket.

While at the Festival, I was able to talk with Jeffrey Blitz and producer Sean Welch.  They talked about being back at Sundance, how hard it was to find people to be in the film, the editing process, what will be on the DVD, and they tell some great behind the scenes stories.  Watch what they had to say after the jump:

Exclusive: Director Jeffrey Blitz and Producer Sean Welch are Making a Documentary About the History of DC Comics and it Will Premiere at Comic-Con!

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: February 4th, 2010 at 8:06 pm

While millions of kids around the world know the origin of Superman and Batman, I’d wager most of them don’t know they were originally created by DC comics a long time ago.  But if director Jeffrey Blitz (Spellbound, Rocket Science, Lucky) and producer Sean Welch (he produced all three of Blitz’s movies) have their way, at this summer’s Comic-Con, a lot more people are going to know the history of DC comics.

The reason is at last week’s Sundance Film Festival, the two filmmakers told me they’ve just started work on a documentary about the history of DC Comics!  While they just started rolling cameras last week, they said the plan is to premiere the movie at this summer’s Comic-Con.  And if you’re nervous they’re doing this without the support of DC, Welch told me:

“DC Comics contacted us and asked if we would do this.  Jeff and the director are comic book enthusiasts since they were kids and remain comic book enthusiasts.  So yes, we have access to their archives, their material, their covers, their panels, the creatives and the executives in the DC world.”

Read or watch what they had to say about the project after the jump:

Sundance Video Review Jeffrey Blitz’s Documentary LUCKY

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 25th, 2010 at 7:53 pm

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to win the lottery?  Do you think all your problems would disappear?  After watching Jeffrey Blitz’s (Rocket Science, Spellbound) new documentary Lucky, I’ve learned a lot about what people go through when they come into a ton of money.

Lucky has Blitz going around the country interviewing a number of past winners of the Lottery.  Some won a little, others a lot.  What’s interesting is how some of them changed dramatically and others are almost the exact same people.

Anyway, after the first press screening ended earlier today, Peter Sciretta and David Chen from Slashfilm and I recorded our thoughts on my Flip mini outside the theater.  If you’d like to check it out, hit the jump:

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