"Junun" To Stream Exclusively On MUBI Starting October 9th

Variety reports that subscription based streaming platform MUBI has nabbed exclusive streaming rights for Paul Thomas Anderson's new 54-minute documentary Junun, and it will be available to watch following the film's bow at New York Film Festival on October 8th. For those who don't know, MUBI functions sort of as an online movie theatre, where 30 films are available to stream at one time, with one dropping off and another replacing it each day.

In the Variety piece, PTA is quoted as saying, "We’re huge fans of MUBI and wanted to be a part of what they do. Hopefully people will discover both the music that’s been made by Shye and Jonny and a great place to watch films." Notably, this is the most overt embrace PTA has ever publicly given to viewing films in a digital format. 

So there you have it. A new film from Paul Thomas Anderson will be ready to be seen by the general public in just two short weeks. Now would be a good time to stroll over to MUBI.com and consider subscribing.

C&RV

Details On New Paul Thomas Anderson Feature!

Variety is reporting the following about the sixth as-of-yet Untitled follow-up feature to There Will Be Blood written and directed by Paul. Here's their update:

“There Will Be Blood” writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson has found religion, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, for his next film. 

Anderson has written an untitled period drama that is set up at Universal. Hoffman, who has played supporting roles in most of Anderson’s past films, would this time be the centerpiece. 

Hoffman will play “The Master,” as in “master of ceremonies,” a charismatic intellectual who hatches a faith-based organization that begins to catch on in America in 1952. 

The core is the relationship between The Master and Freddie, a twenty-something drifter who becomes the leader’s lieutenant. As the faith begins to gain a fervent following, Freddie finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor. 

Anderson's treatment of religion was cynical in "There Will Be Blood." Here, the scrutiny isn't specifically directed toward faith-based movements like Scientology or Mormonism that are newcomers compared to established religions. Anderson explores the need to believe in a higher power, the choice of which to embrace, and the point at which a belief system graduates into a religion. .  

Universal, which has become very selective about green lighting adult dramas, won’t make a decision on Anderson’s $35 million budget pic until he delivers his finished script. His hope is to make the picture next year, sources said. 

Anderson’s frequent collaborator, JoAnne Sellar, is the producer.  

Hoffman made his breakthrough in the cast of Anderson’s “Boogie Nights,” and has also appeared in the Anderson-directed “Hard Eight,” “Punch-Drunk Love” and “Magnolia.” 

Neither the studio nor reps for Anderson or Hoffman would comment. 

Interview: "US Comic Adam Sandler Makes Splash At Cannes"

Variety, Written By Jodie Diderich
May 19th, 2002


CANNES, France - Adam Sandler, the accident-prone comic hero of simplistic U.S. hits like "Big Daddy" and "The Waterboy," gate-crashed the rarefied world of art house film Sunday.

Sandler performs a 180-degree turn in "Punch-Drunk Love," a romantic comedy with a twist directed by cult independent director Paul Thomas Anderson.

The New York-born Sandler is emotionally wrenching as Barry Egan, a small business owner brow-beaten by his seven sisters and unable to fall in love until he meets Lena, a mysterious woman played by Emily Watson.

It was also a complete change of direction for Anderson, whose last movie was the three-hour lyrical opus "Magnolia" with Tom Cruise.

The much shorter "Punch-Drunk Love" is competing for the coveted Palme d'Or at the world's biggest film festival, where Anderson said he was thrilled to surprise audiences with his unlikely choice for the lead role.

December 3-6, 2001

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

Adam Sandler is a busy man. According to Variety, his next film may be Revolution Studios' Anger Management, playing a timid businessman who is sentenced to an anger management program where he finds himself tutored by an ultra-aggressive psycho. Possible co-stars include Jack Nicholson, though no offers have been made.

In addition to the upcoming PTA film, Punchdrunk Knuckle Love, Sandler has also completed work on Deeds, the Sony/Columbia Tri Star picture inspired by Mr. Deeds Comes to Town co-starring Winona Ryder. Other possible Sandler projects include the romantic comedy Fifty First Kisses with Julia Roberts & Scared Guys, a Dean Parisot-directed comedy about a man with phobias who attempts to leave his apartment for the first time in years to stop a contract killing.

Michael Chabon will be interviewing Ricky Jay in this Thursday, December 6th in San Francisco at the Herbst Theatre. Definitely worth checking out if you live in the Bay Area. You can call (415) 392-4400 for more information. (Thanks John!)

As many of you reported, Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) was among the guests on the premiere episode of MTV's Movie House. Hard Eight was mentioned as one of his favorite films during a trip into a video store. He even explained that the film's original title was Sydney. The PTA fan base continues to grow...

Director Joel Schumacher briefly mentions Boogie Nights, referring to the opening tracking shot as "great" during his commentary track for the St. Elmo's Fire DVD. (Thanks Jeff!)

September 8, 1999

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

Magnolia Release Date?

According to the latest issue of Variety magazine, Magnolia is still scheduled to open up in limited release on December 25, 1999 (the deadline for 1999 Oscar consideration). It would then open wider on January 7, 2000. According to the article, six films are currently scheduled to open on Christmas day, so it's very possible that we may see some movement. Hopefully, Paul and New Line decide to push the title up a bit but it's looking like a very crowded holiday season.

September 4, 1999

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

De Luca named Variety Showman of the Year!

Mike De Luca, President of Production for New Line Cinema was named Variety's Annual Showman of the Year. Previous honorees include Michael Eisner, Michael Crichton, Robert Wright, and Jim Carrey. 

Here are Paul's comments on New Line and Mike:

Paul Thomas Anderson, writer-director of Boogie Nights puts it bluntly, "I go where Mike goes. He lets me do what I want to do but, he can also guide me away from some self-inflicted wounds I might cause." Studios have suggestions, but "if you're an egotistical filmmaker like myself you don't want to listen."

As for what sets Michael De Luca apart: "I really haven't dealt with that many other studio execs. I've met a few of them and I wouldn't want them to have my home phone number. But Mike does.

"Everybody in Hollywood rushes to give their opinion and he doesn't do that. What he can do is not say a lot and keep his mouth shut and let you discover it. I would prefer to not make movies anywhere else and I think there's a lot of people who feel the same way."

Courtesy of Vanessa Torres - Variety Magazine August 23-29, 1999

Paul's Ad

Here's Paul's ad in Variety congratulating Mike De Luca

July 15, 1999

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

John C Reilly and a little tidbit on Magnolia

REILLY TAKES A “STORM”: Emerging as the perfect guy to play a male buddy, John C. Reilly will join George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg in the Warner Bros. pic “A Perfect Storm,” playing an experienced fisherman who joins the other two in the ill-fated voyage of the Andrea Gail. Film, to be directed by Wolfgang Petersen, is based on the bestselling nonfiction account by Sebastian Junger.

It’s Reilly’s second tour with Wahlberg after playing his porn star buddy in “Boogie Nights,” a film that launched Reilly into playing Kevin Costner’s best buddy and catcher in “For the Love of the Game,” the Beacon/Universal drama about a pitcher’s perfect game that will open Sept. 17.

Reilly gets a chance to be the star this Christmas in New Line’s “Magnolia.” He’s the central figure playing a police officer in a star-studded ensemble directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, for whom Reilly starred in “Hard Eight” and “Boogie Nights.”