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Author Ta-Nehisi Coates disputes HBO’s request that critics of the upcoming Civil War-era drama “Confederate” reserve judgment until it airs, saying it doesn’t deserve the wait for a verdict the network has asked for. In an article for The Atlantic called “The Lost Cause Rides Again” published Friday, Coates points out that had the response to “Confederate” been positive, the network probably wouldn’t be asking audiences to “reserve judgement,” as HBO said in a statement responding to the backlash. “HBO hoped to communicate that approval to its audience through the announcement,” Coates writes. “And had that communication been successful,...

Well, this is certainly an unconventional way for a new project from Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor to be announced, but we guess it's as effective a way as any. The duo have re-teamed for a new script, which will be previewed at a headlining staged reading at next month's Nantucket Film Festival.

Titled "The Lost Cause," the project looks to be an expansion of Taylor's 2004 short film of the same name. While there's no mention of who is taking the helm, Taylor is notably directing the stage reading, so he may be following his compatriot into full-length features. If not, it still seems unlikely that Payne would take the reigns with a fair bit on his upcoming slate (including "Nebraska," which he hopes will star Bruce Dern and Will Forte, around the corner). Either way, the project does sound intriguing. The coming-of-age story centers on a cleaner who moonlights as a Civil War reenacter,...

The Nantucket Film Festival has announced Frank Langella will receive the Compass Rose Acting Award at this year's festvial. The honor recognizes "an outstanding performer whose contribution to the world of acting has been profound." Langella will be attending the festival with the film "Robot and Frank." "Langella is one of the most respected stage and screen actors working today," said Nff Artistic Director Mystelle Brabbée. "We are proud to honor him with this year's Compass Rose Acting Award. In his role in 'Robot and Frank,' he delivers some of his most robust work, playing the role with wry wit, making an authentic connection between human and machine." The festival also announced it will feature a stage reading of Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne's new script "The Lost Cause" and the return of the Fog and Flounder Radio Hour hosted by NPR's Tom Bodett. Full press release...