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Now Playing: THE WARRIORS, THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, and RAISING ARIZONA

Article: Now Playing: THE WARRIORS, THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, and RAISING ARIZONA

Posted June 12th, 2013, 2:06 PM by

The late 70′s and early 80′s were not always kind to New York in film – for every MANHATTAN or FAME, we had an ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK or THE WARRIORS. We’re featuring that last film this week, a cult classic that achieved that status because it’s both a real expression of the fear we all felt for where the city was headed… but it’s also kind of hilarious. “Warriors – you guys are the big dudes!”

Tune in for more great films this week too – check out our featured lineup after the jump.

Now Playing: THERE WILL BE BLOOD, DOG DAY AFTERNOON and MISERY

Article: Now Playing: THERE WILL BE BLOOD, DOG DAY AFTERNOON and MISERY

Posted June 05th, 2013, 2:06 PM by

Daniel Day-Lewis, Al Pacino, Kathy Bates, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman… all great actors who happened to have career-defining roles in our films this week. Whether initially putting them on the Hollywood map or finally garnering them the recognition they always deserved, this week’s films are all actors’ films in every way they can be.

Now Playing: BABEL, LITTLE CHILDREN and KILLING ZOE

Article: Now Playing: BABEL, LITTLE CHILDREN and KILLING ZOE

Posted May 07th, 2013, 1:05 PM by

This week’s films are deep. From the fragility of human existence to the meaning of war, our lineup this week will make you think. But they’re also star-studded, with names like Brad Pitt, Kate Winslet and a young Mel Gibson to keep your eyes locked on the screen. And we’ve got high octane entertainment too, in the form of a Tarantino-produced bank heist gone wrong. All that and more below!

Now Playing: THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, FEMALE PERVERSIONS

Article: Now Playing: THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, FEMALE PERVERSIONS

Posted May 01st, 2013, 10:05 AM by

This week, we’ve got Forest Whitaker as a brutal dictator, Robert Redford in the CIA, and Jodie Foster as a domineering nun. Can you say “playing against type”? Watch these actors and others prove that great actors can play any role, and they can make us believe.

Now Playing: CONFIDENCE, RESCUE DAWN and A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

Article: Now Playing: CONFIDENCE, RESCUE DAWN and A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

Posted April 10th, 2013, 10:04 AM by

Sundance patriarch Robert Redford makes two appearances on our list this week (or three, counting his regular weekly pick) – one as actor and one as director. We’ve also got Christian Bale doing some serious method acting, a young Brad Pitt showing off that winning smile, and a real sleeper hit starring Ed Burns and Dustin Hoffman.

Now Playing: ADAPTATION, THE PROFESSIONAL and HOUSE OF PLEASURES

Article: Now Playing: ADAPTATION, THE PROFESSIONAL and HOUSE OF PLEASURES

Posted April 03rd, 2013, 10:04 AM by

Writing movies is hard. This week, let’s show a little appreciation for all the struggling screenwriters out there. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is just write a movie about yourself, as Charlie Kaufman did (portrayed above by Nicolas Cage). And sometimes, that’s what ends up winning awards.

Now Playing: THE QUIET AMERICAN, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM and BARTON FINK

Article: Now Playing: THE QUIET AMERICAN, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM and BARTON FINK

Posted March 26th, 2013, 4:03 PM by

This week, around the 10 year anniversary of our last military foray into a foreign land, let’s think back to lessons not learned from an earlier conflict. We’ve got Michael Caine starring in a film that explores the ethical morass surrounding even the early days of the Vietnam War, in a sleeper of a film that shouldn’t be missed. And don’t forget our four other featured films this week, including Robert Downey Jr. in a career-making performance, an early Coen brothers classic and more.

Now Playing: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, and PUBLIC SEX in Britain

Article: Now Playing: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, and PUBLIC SEX in Britain

Posted February 20th, 2013, 1:02 PM by

This week’s highlights include four strong character films defined by great acting performances, including Noomi Rapace in the Swedish version of the complex psychological thriller THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. As a bonus, we’ve also got one quirky rom-com about a decidedly British sexual fetish – outdoor sex. Hey, it is almost spring, right? Why not?

Now Playing: X marks the spot for SHE’S SO LOVELY this Valentine’s Day

Article: Now Playing: X marks the spot for SHE’S SO LOVELY this Valentine’s Day

Posted February 13th, 2013, 3:02 PM by

This Valentine’s week, celebrate with four films that all take a different, non-traditional view of love and romance in the modern age. From a story of prostitution gone awry to a dark tale of love in a fantasy world, we’ve got films more interesting than your typical V-Day fare. If you’re not into the whole Hallmark holiday thing at all, may we suggest Tommy Lee Jones in a modern western instead?

Now Playing: David Lynch is WILD AT HEART, Scorsese revisits the mob in CASINO

Article: Now Playing: David Lynch is WILD AT HEART, Scorsese revisits the mob in CASINO

Posted February 06th, 2013, 10:02 AM by

This week’s assortment of celluloid delights begins tonight with Liev Schreiber’s directorial debut and continues with the seminal David Lynch road movie, a foul-mouthed British political parody, a profile of a sexy French coed, and Martin Scorsese doing what he does best. Sit back and enjoy the ride, because this road’s gonna take you anywhere you want to go.

Now Playing: Get that BARTON FINK feeling and say hello to MOMMIE DEAREST

Article: Now Playing: Get that BARTON FINK feeling and say hello to MOMMIE DEAREST

Posted January 30th, 2013, 10:01 AM by

And… we’re back! The blizzard of independent film known as the 2013 Sundance Film Festival is over, leaving Park City with a host of unexpected yet deserving award winners and yes, a fresh dusting of snow. We can’t wait to bring you some of the films featured at this year’s festival. Until then, you’ll just have to content yourselves with these, many of which appeared at Sundance Film Festivals past.

Now Playing: CONTROL, THE WAR OF THE ROSES, plus nymphomaniacs, Daniel Day-Lewis and more!

Article: Now Playing: CONTROL, THE WAR OF THE ROSES, plus nymphomaniacs, Daniel Day-Lewis and more!

Posted January 09th, 2013, 10:01 AM by

This week’s theme is… nymphomania! Ok, so only two of our five featured films focus on characters who go beyond simple promiscuity, but that’s 50% more than a normal week. In addition, we’ve got Daniel Day-Lewis, Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and the story behind one of post-punk music’s biggest fallen icons. Unfortunately not all in the same film, but hey, you’ve got to pace yourself. We’ve got all week together.

Now Playing: THE TRUMAN SHOW, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, and THE HOUSEMAID brighten your post-holiday week

Article: Now Playing: THE TRUMAN SHOW, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, and THE HOUSEMAID brighten your post-holiday week

Posted December 26th, 2012, 10:12 AM by

The presents have been opened, the ill-fitting or poorly-considered clothing gifts packed back up for return, the wrapping paper now sitting in a mess on the floor like the aftermath of your own living room ticker tape parade. While you get over the hangover left by the day before and look forward to the traditional week-long workplace goof-off period between now and January 1st (hey, you’ve earned it!), check out what we’ve got in store this week as you plan your New Year’s Eve party.

Now Playing: THE QUIET AMERICAN, DEAD POETS SOCIETY, and THE EXTERMINATING ANGELS plus more Sundance Channel premieres

Article: Now Playing: THE QUIET AMERICAN, DEAD POETS SOCIETY, and THE EXTERMINATING ANGELS plus more Sundance Channel premieres

Posted December 19th, 2012, 10:12 AM by

Leading up to the holidays this year, we’ve got the gift of five fantastic films for you this week including three novel adaptations and three Sundance Channel premieres. It’s a Festivus miracle! Hey, at least we didn’t give you a pink bunny suit like your Aunt Clara always does. Sit back, relax, and celebrate the season with these films and a nice highball of your favorite hard spirit mixed with a thimble of eggnog – what, that’s not how your family drinks it?

Now Playing: FISH TANK, FARGO, and SEX MAGIC, plus more great films this week

Article: Now Playing: FISH TANK, FARGO, and SEX MAGIC, plus more great films this week

Posted December 12th, 2012, 12:12 PM by

This week we delve into our darkest fears and deepest desires with films about alienation, death, love, sex and… improper surgical techniques? Luckily, not all in the same film. Like this crazy month of December so far, our films are running hot and cold this week, from the blazing Arizona sun of SEX MAGIC to the North Dakota/Minnesota snow and ice of FARGO and points in between.

Now Playing: TINY FURNITURE and SAY ANYTHING, plus Stephen King, the first-ever NC-17 and more

Article: Now Playing: TINY FURNITURE and SAY ANYTHING, plus Stephen King, the first-ever NC-17 and more

Posted December 05th, 2012, 10:12 AM by

Ever feel that twinge of nostalgia for those glory days of high school and college? Well, you may have forgotten the aimlessness and angst of post-graduation – but don’t worry, we’ve got two films to remind you of it this week. Also on tap, a sexy (but literary!) romp through Paris, one of the best Stephen King film adaptations ever, and Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason-Leigh at each other’s throats.

Now Playing: MADE IN CHINA, BLOWN AWAY, BLIND DATE, ONE WEEK

Article: Now Playing: MADE IN CHINA, BLOWN AWAY, BLIND DATE, ONE WEEK

Posted November 28th, 2012, 10:11 AM by

On tap this week, we’ve got three quirky, funny and yes, sad films for the independent minded, plus a bonus: an unlikely blockbuster thriller with an unusual stock of Oscar-winning talent. That’s four films for the price of three. Who doesn’t love a holiday season deal like that?

Now Playing: STARGATE, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and TAZZA: THE HIGH ROLLERS

Article: Now Playing: STARGATE, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and TAZZA: THE HIGH ROLLERS

Posted November 21st, 2012, 3:11 PM by

This week, let’s be thankful for Asian cinema and some sleeper films that spawned monster hit TV series. If it wasn’t for the risks taken by Asian filmmakers like Takashi Miike, Johnnie To and Park Chan-wook, where would western directors like Quentin Tarantino and RZA get their inspiration? And if it wasn’t for films like STARGATE and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, we probably would never have had… well, Stargate or Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV shows, that is). But even if you believe a life without Stargate or Buffy on TV wouldn’t be such a bad thing (or maybe even especially if you do), you’ll want to check out the original films – they are very different from the series they spawned.

Now Playing: ANGEL HEART, THE PRIME GIG, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS

Article: Now Playing: ANGEL HEART, THE PRIME GIG, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS

Posted November 14th, 2012, 2:11 PM by

Mickey Rourke and Robert DeNiro in a neo-noir with a twist. Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman in a Tom Clancy nuclear thriller. And Ed Harris and Vince Vaughn in a long con. It’s a roller coaster week of suspense, thrills, chills and twist endings here on Sundance Channel. Hang on to your hats!

Now Playing: GIGANTIC, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, AN AMERICAN HAUNTING

Article: Now Playing: GIGANTIC, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, AN AMERICAN HAUNTING

Posted October 11th, 2012, 12:10 PM by

This week on Sundance Channel, we’ve got a true American horror story, a modern take on a literary classic… and Zooey Deschanel! In fact, there are great casts all around in our choices this week — watch these films for the performances, if for nothing else.