Groves Goldmine

Marina Zenovich

With Oscar winning director Roman Polanski now in a Swiss jail fighting extradition to the U.S. involving charges that sent him fleeing to France some 30 years ago to avoid being imprisoned by a publicity seeking Los Angeles judge, there’s new interest in writer-director Marina Zenovich’s critically acclaimed 2008 documentary “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired”. More >>

Michael Moore

Writer-director Michael Moore’s new documentary “Capitalism: A Love Story” from Overture Films and Paramount Vantage opens Sept. 23 in New York and Los Angeles and goes wide Oct. 2. When Moore’s hit documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11” was being talked about in 2004 as a possible Oscar best picture contender, he spoke to Martin Grove about the film. More >>

Matteo Garrone

Director Matteo Garrone’s critically acclaimed drama “Gomorrah”, Italy’s official selection in last year’s Oscar race for best foreign film, won seven David di Donatello Awards in Rome May 8, Italy’s equivalent of the Oscars, writes Martin Grove. The film took home statuettes for best picture, director, screenplay, producer, editor, sound and original song. More >>

Simon Kinberg

With 20th Century Fox and Marvel Entertainment’s “X-Men” franchise still showing great signs of life at the boxoffice, Martin Grove looks back to his Goldmine of columns for some insights into what’s made the series work so well. Here’s what co-screenwriter Simon Kinberg said about “X-Men: The Last Stand” in May 2006. More >>

Lauren Shuler Donner

20th Century Fox and Marvel Entertainment’s “X-Men” franchise has grossed nearly $694 million since the series began in July 2000, writes Martin Grove. About $87 million of that total represents opening weekend ticket sales for the latest episode “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” The series is a success story not only for Fox, but also for producer Lauren Shuler Donner, a key figure from the start in bringing the comic book characters to the screen. More >>

Zack Snyder

“Watchmen” director Zack Snyder catapulted to Hollywood’s directing A List on the strength of just one hit movie, writes Martin Grove. Snyder was a little known director back in March 2007 when his highly anticipated effects driven adaptation of the graphic novel “300” opened to blockbuster business. More >>