Talking Pictures: Skateland’s Anthony Burns

There’s nothing like a fading pleasuredom to throw lost innocence in sharp relief. It’s been a Texas trademark ever since Larry McMurty wrote The Last Picture Show. In Anthony Burns‘ film, a group of teenagers united by the local roller-rink face up to growing up. To add to the melancholy vibe, it’s set in 1983. Although Skateland sounds very much like Dazed & Confused with added John Waite, the debuting director has scored at least one coup. One of the characters is played by Ashley Greene, beloved of the Twilight set. Written by Burns and Brandon Freeman, who also served as executive producer and second unit director. Music by Michael Penn. Screening at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Talking Pictures: 3 Backyards’ Edie Falco

We’re very excited about 3 Backyards, the new film by writer-director Eric Mendelsohn. Mostly because he wowed us a few years ago over a decade ago with Judy Berlin, starring a then unknown Edie Falco. Backyards returns the pair to familiar territory: the Long Island suburbs. It may even return the pair to the same kind of meteorological phenomena. At Sundance, some dude with a microphone cornered Edie to get more scoop. We learn that she contributed her own blue minivan to the production. Dig that body language.

Talking Pictures: Night Catches Us’ Tanya Hamilton

Usually when a filmmaker tackles the Black Panthers, we get something sensationalistic. Writer-director Tanya Hamilton wanted to take a different approach. Her thoughtful debut feature Night Catches Us looks at the legacy of the Black Power movement on a Philadelphia neighborhood from the perspective of the ’70s. The Hurt Locker‘s Anthony Mackie is an ex-Panther who hooks up with a fellow activist vet (Kerry Washington), during the long, hot summer of 1976. Another reason to be excited: There’s music by the Roots, too. Hamilton spoke to the Los Angeles Times at Sundance and explained why it took her a decade to bring Night to the screen.

Talking Pictures: Ralph Bakshi

Squally missed this the first time around, but it’s vintage Bakshi. All over the place, fails to answer the question, passionate and definitely compelling. It’s ironic, too. According to IMDB, the iconoclastic animator’s last film was released in 1997. (via Boing Boing)