The haunting first trailer for writer-director Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station is now available.  The Weinstein Company looks to have another winner on their hands with this based-on-true-events crime drama.  Without giving anything away, the 2013 Sundance Film Festival winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film centers on Oscar (Michael B. Jordan), a young man in the San Francisco Bay area who encounters friends, family, enemies and strangers on the last day of 2008.  Also starring Melonie Diaz, Kevin Durand, Chad Michael Murray and Octavia Spencer, Fruitvale Station opens in limited release on July 12th.  Hit the jump to watch the trailer.

Blockbusters dominate the summer movie season, and some will definitely be worth your time.  You’ll pre-order your ticket, get together with friends for the earliest possible screening, and probably have a grand time.  But there are some smaller films this summer that shouldn’t escape your attention.  I’ve compiled a list of ten worthwhile indie films I saw at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and SXSW 2013.  The list includes coming of age comedies, moving romances, brutal dramas, and more.  There are other smaller films this summer that might be worth a look such as The Bling Ring and Blue Jasmine, but I haven’t seen them yet.  I can vouch for these ten.  Hit the jump for the list.

We’ve got a number of new release dates and changes to share this afternoon.  In chronological order:

• Fruitvale Station – The Weinstein Company has moved up the limited release of this tearjerking Sundance smash from July 26th to July 12th.  The pic stars Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer.
• Nebraska – Director Alexander Payne’s black-and-white road trip drama starring Will Forte and Bruce Dern will arrive in limited release on November 22nd.
• Inside Llewyn Davis – The highly anticipated new film from writers/directors Joel and Ethan Coen will hit theaters in limited release on December 6th, just in time for awards season.  Taking place in the 1960s folk scene, the pic stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, and Justin Timberlake.
• A Haunted House 2 – The unnecessary Marlon Wayans horror-spoof sequel hits theaters on March 28, 2014.
• Tammy – The road trip comedy starring Melissa McCarthy (who also co-directs with Ben Falcone) has been slated for a prime July 2, 2014 release date opposite Disney’s Maleficent and the Jason Segel comedy Sex Tape.
• Beware the Night – Director Scott Derrickson’s (Sinister) horror thriller has been given a January 16, 2015 release date.  The film stars Eric Bana, Olivia Munn, and Edgar Ramirez.

The lineup for the 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival has been announced.  Fox Searchlight’s The Way, Way Back—which marks the directorial debut of Oscar-winning The Descendants screenwriters Jim Rash and Nat Faxon—has been selected as the closing night film, while Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives and the Sundance hits Fruitvale Station and The Spectacular Now will also fill out the festival.  Additionally, the fest will host the US premiere of the sci-fi thriller Europa Report starring Sharlto Copley and there will be community screenings of Badlands, Dazed and Confused and John Waters’ Hairspray.  Hit the jump for the full press release.

The full lineup for the 2013 Cannes Film Festival was announced today, and it looks like a really great group of films will be screening in the south of France later next month.  Official selections include Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra, Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis, Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives, Alexander Payne’s Nebraska, Roman Polanski’s Venus In Fur, and James Gray’s The Immigrant (previously titled Low Life).  Additionally, the Robert Redford man vs. nature film All Is Lost will premiere out of competition, and Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring, James Franco’s As I Lay Dying, and the Sundance hit Fruitvale Station (previously titled Fruitvale) will screen Un Certain Regard.

A number of these titles are early awards contenders, and I’m particularly interested to hear the reaction for the Coens’ Davis and Payne’s The Descendants follow-up Nebraska, which is a black-and-white road trip movie starring Will Forte and Bruce Dern.  Hit the jump to read the full lineup.  The 2013 Cannes Film Festival runs from May 15 – 26th.

Check out the latest release dates for the following movies:

• Need for Speed – From director Scott Waugh (Act of Valor) comes this EA video game adaptation starring Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The First Avenger), Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) and Michael Keaton (Batman).  Need for Speed now opens March 14, 2014.
• Baggage Claim – Adapted from his own novel for the screen, First Sunday director David E. Talbert’s film stars Paula Patton (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), Taye Diggs (Chicago), Djimon Hounsou (Gladiator) and Adam Brody (Mr. & Mrs. Smith).  Baggage Claim now opens September 27, 2013.
• Fruitvale – Writer/director Ryan Coogler’s feature debut starring Michael B. Jordan (Chronicle), Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill), Kevin Durand (Real Steel) and Octavia Spencer (The Help).  Fruitvale now gets a summer release date of July 26, 2013.

Hit the jump for more on each production.

It’s been less than a week since this year’s Oscars, but The Weinstein Company has already set fall release dates for four of next year’s contenders.  And with Meryl Streep in the mix, it’s safe to say that Harvey “Thanked More Than God” Weinstein’s chances are looking good.  So what’s on tap?  Check it out below:

• Fruitvale – This Sundance darling (read our review), the true story of a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who was shot to death in the early hours of Jan. 1, 2009, will open October 18.
• August: Osage County – A family comes together after their alcoholic patriarch goes missing in this adaptation of Tracy Lett’s comedic play, which is slated for November 8.
• Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Idris Elba portrays Nelson Mandela in this film based on the South African president’s 1995 autobiography, scheduled for November 29.
• Grace of Monaco – Nicole Kidman steps into the shoes of the legendary Hollywood star who became a princess in this film, which opens on December 27.

Hit the jump for more on each of the movies, as well as their release dates.

A number of debut posters from some films that premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival have surfaced.  Briefly:

• Breathe In – Writer/director Drake Doremus’ (Like Crazy) devastating family drama stars Guy Pearce, Felicity Jones, and Amy Ryan.  Read my review here, which is actually quoted on this poster.
• Fruitvale – Writer/director Ryan Coogler’s debut film took the festival by storm, raking up a number of awards.  The heartbreaking real-life drama stars Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, and Melonie Diaz.  Read Matt’s review here.
• Two Mothers – Director Anne Fontaine’s drama about two lifelong friends who fall in love with each other’s sons was met with a mixed response.  The film stars Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, and Ben Mendolsohn.  Read my review here, and watch the trailer here.
• Toy’s House – Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ peculiar comedy earned some strong notice at the festival.  The film stars Nick Robinson, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, and Megan Mullaly.

Hit the jump to check out images and synopses.

Now playing is The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia.  Based on a true story, the sort-of sequel is not a continuation of the Campbells’ story from the first film, but follows a new family, the Wyricks, as they confront the supernatural.  Andy (Chad Michael Murray) and Lisa (Abigail Spencer) move their daughter (Emily Alyn Lind) to a historical Georgia home, joined by Lisa’s free-spirited sister Joyce (Katee Sackhoff) the Wyricks soon find themselves face to face with the ghosts of the Underground Railroad.

I recently landed an exclusive interview with Chad Michael Murray.  We talked about what attracted him to the role, what it was like playing a father, his favorite horror films, and, meeting the Wyrick family.  We also discussed the Sundance success of Fruitvale, what people can expect from Cavemen, and trying his hand at comedy.  Check out what he had to say after the jump.

Here’s one of the most morbid thoughts you can ever put in your head: will I die today?  This thought isn’t to spur you to live each day like it’s your last.  It’s a simple observation.  Where has life led you to this point, where would you like your life to go, and how does one affect the other?  In his debut feature Fruitvale, writer-director Ryan Coogler goes into the last day in the life of Oscar Grant, who was infamously shot by BART police officers in Oakland, California on New Year’s Day, 2009.  Coogler’s solemn, no-frills direction lets us walk into Oscar’s life, and become absolutely devastated as it heads to its inevitable conclusion.  The film’s emotional impact is only lessened by Coogler’s bizarre decision to push a message that doesn’t coincide with his movie’s theme.

Among the many great films premiering this week at Sundance Film Festival is Ryan Coogler’s drama Fruitvale.  The writer/director brings us his representation of the final day in the life of Oscar Grant, the 22-year-old Bay Area resident who was shot by a police officer in the Fruitvale BART station on New Year’s Eve, 2008.  Michael B. Jordan (Chronicle, Redtails) plays the man who was a father, a fiancé, a son and a friend whose life was tragically ended that fateful day.  The film also stars Melonie Diaz as Grant’s fiancé and Octavia Spencer (The Help, Smashed) as his mother.

After the film’s premiere, I was able to speak to director Ryan Coogler about the film.  He told me about his connection to this story and how he originally got involved with it, the sense of responsibility he felt to Grant’s family, and what he hopes people take away with them after seeing the film.  A previous Sundance Lab participant, Coogler discussed how it feels to be back at Sundance with his finished film, as well as his future plans.  Click after the jump to read the full interview.

Among the many great films premiering this week at Sundance Film Festival is Ryan Coogler’s drama Fruitvale.  The writer/director brings us his representation of the final day in the life of Oscar Grant, the 22-year-old Bay Area resident who was shot by a police officer in the Fruitvale BART station on New Year’s Eve, 2008.  Michael B. Jordan (Chronicle, Redtails) plays the man who was a father, a fiancé, a son and a friend whose life was tragically ended that fateful day.  The film also stars Melonie Diaz as Grant’s fiancé and Octavia Spencer (The Help, Smashed) as his mother.

Shortly after the film’s premiere, I was able to chat with star Michael B. Jordan about his portrayal of main character and real-life person Oscar Grant.  Jordan told me how he prepared to tackle this role, including research and time spent with Grant’s real family and friends.  He told me all about the pressure he felt to do the character justice and what he hopes people will take away from the film. Finally, I got the scoop on his upcoming projects (Are We Officially Dating? with Miles Teller and Zac Efron) and his plans to branch out in the industry.  Click after the jump to read the whole interview.

Steve, Matt, and I are currently braving the cold of Park City for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and following the premieres of some of the major films this past weekend, a few high profile acquisitions are taking place.  Briefly:

• Don Jon’s Addiction – Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut, a comedy that follows the life of a guido addicted to porn, has been picked up by Relativity Media for a record-breaking $4 million, per Variety.  Read Matt’s review here.
• The Spectacular Now – This coming of age drama from director James Ponsoldt (Smashed) and writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (500 Days of Summer) garnered some great buzz, and A24 films has picked up the domestic rights.  Read Matt’s review here.
• Fruitvale – Fresh off its premiere on Saturday night, this Octavia Spencer and Michael B. Jordan-fronted drama is currently the “buzz” film that everyone’s rushing to see.  Variety reports that the Weinstein Company is closing in on a deal worth north of $2 million following a heated bidding war.
• The Look of Love – IFC Films has picked up the rights to Michael Winterbottom’s comedy starring Steve Coogan.  Read Matt’s review here.
• Austenland – The new comedy from Jerusha Hess and starring Keri Russell may be been picked up by Exclusive and FilmDistrict. [Update: Talks with FilmDistrict and Exclusive fell through, but Heat Vision reports that Sony Pictures Worldwide has now acquired distribution rights.]

Hit the jump to read the press releases.

The 2013 Sundance Film Festival recently announced a couple batches of films that will screen at the Fest in January, and today we’ve got some first images and synopses for a few films that will be playing in competition as part of the U.S. Dramatic lineup.  Briefly

• Emanuel and the Truth About Fishes – Written and directed by Francesca Gregorini, starring Kaya Scodelario, Jessica Biel, Alfred Molina, Frances O’Connor, Jimmi Simpson, and Aneurin Barnard.
• Fruitvale – Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, starring Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Ahna O’Reilly, Kevin Durand, and Chad Michael Murray.
• In a World… – Written and directed by Lake Bell, starring Bell, Demetri Martin, Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Ken Marino, and Fred Melamed.
• May in the Summer – Written and directed by Cherien Dabis, starring Dabis, Hiam Abbass, Bill Pullman, Alia Shawkat, Nadine Malouf, and Alexander Siddig.

Hit the jump for the images and synopses.  The 2013 Sundance Film Festival runs January 17 – 27.

The 2013 Sundance Film Festival is a little under two months away, and the first exciting lineups of films have been announced.  Today the lineups for U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions were unveiled, as well as the lineup for the out-of-competitions NEXT section.  A few highlights include the Daniel Radcliffe-fronted Kill Your Darlings, the outlaw pic Ain’t Them Bodies Saints with Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck, the strong ensemble The Spectacular Now, Primer director Shane Carruth’s new film Upstream Color, and many, many more.

Hit the jump to check out the full lineups, and be sure to check back here on Collider in January for our in-depth coverage from the festival including reviews and interviews.  The 2013 Sundance Film Festival runs January 17 – 27.