Harry Potter hasn't failed to be the number one film of the year (in terms of UK Box Office) yet, and I don't expect it to falter at the sixth entry. Here's the first trailer which came out last year:
Harry Potter opens on 17 July 2009.
Happy Birthday to
Cara Williams
84 today
You'll be forgiven for not knowing who Ms Williams is. After a promising start to film she made the move to utterly forgettable 1960's TV, including "Pete and Gladys" and "The Cara Williams Show". However the ratings were never quite good enough, so the scatty red-head, who was positioned as the next Lucille Ball was pretty much retired by the end of the 60's returning only for small dramatic roles.
Happy Birthday to
Bruce Davison
63 today
There was a time when Bruce was starring in respectable movies, like The Crucible and the X-Men films. Now he's doing dreck like this knock-off of a knock-off. Where did it all go wrong?
Happy Birthday to
Isabelle Adjani
54 today
The French have provided us with some beautiful and versatile actresses. In the top flights of these is Isabelle, who shot to fame in Truffants' L'histoire d'Adèle H. Unfortunately she tends to take big gaps between pictures, so there's nothing in the pipeline.
Slow week for news, unless you count the annoucement that there will be 10 best picture nominees next year. Yes 10. Will the quality of films overall get better as a result? Probably not. Maybe we'll see some smaller releases get into the big picture race or maybe it'll be a triumph for the MOR pictures, but let's just wait and see.
Dark Shadows
Dark shadows was a pulpy camp horror TV series from the 60's with a soap opera type family beset by demons, zombies and parallel universes. I don't know about you, but this seems a perfect fit for film duo Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, and would you believe it Depp been spilling the gossip to the press during the Public Enemies junkets.
Based on the picture above do you think they had a costume designer, or did they just grab whatever was lying around in the studio?
Fahrenheit 451
Frank Darabont is still trying to remake Truffant's anti-facist film about book burning. In interviews this week he's been saying he's close to signing on a big name in the Oskar Werner role. Can't wait to see how Darabont builds his dystopian futurescape.
Social Network
Yes, I'm interested in a facebook movie. Its' been that slow a week. Of course the reason it's here is the somewhat bizarre news that David Fincher will be directing the Mark Zuckenburg story. For thse of you not in the know Zuckenburg was the founder of Facebook, who has built up this massive world changing empire, whilst battling off a score of legal actions over the rights to the site.
Kevin Spacey is producing, so could that mean a return to exciting roles for him? Could be interesting if he does go for it.
Box Office News
Release Date News
Antichrist - Lars Von Trier incendiary horror film, which we saw the trailer for on Tuesday, is due to be released fully uncut in the UK in less than a month. Better get the letters to the Daily Mail ready to send. It opens on 24 July 2009.
The Informant - I had the trailer for this multi-strand US imigration tome a few weeks ago, only to hear the release date has shunted back a couple of weeks, nothing serious though. Now out on 31 July 2009.
Creek - Horror starring the one that isn't Dominic Purcell from "Prison Break". It's all about Nazi experiments and underground cults, blah blah. Coming on 18 September 2009.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - Heath Ledger's final film, with alternative versions of himself played by Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. Sure to be fascinating, if abstract Gilliam piece. See it from 09 October 2009.
Bright Star - Jane Campion's Keats biopic, focusing on the chaste love affair with next door neighbour Fanny Brawne have a prime autumn release date. Described as a return to form, I'm not sure when Campions films haven't been on top form. Opens on 06 November 2009.
Girlfriend Experience - You can stream it from the internet now, but to truly experience watching Soderbergh's latest with someone you f**k why not visit a cinema on 20 November 2009.
The Informant - Bizarrely moved to the same release date is Soderbergh's other 2009 film about a pharmaceuticals whistle blower. Should make an interesting double at some arty-cinemas. Now out on 20 November 2009.
Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader - I've said it before and I'l say it again, Dawn Treader is by far the best of the Narnia novels, hence my vague excitement at the film. Dragons, sea serpents, hurricane winds, it has it all on 10 December 2010.
Box Office Report
In May the blockbuster season started with relish, and predictably two of the top 5 releases were advertised to within an inch of their lives and the other three are all aimed at the kids and families market. Star Trek is confidently leading the frame with an extra £2m more than the Night at the Museum sequel. I have at least seen one of these this month, but none were recommended as film of the week.
1. Star Trek
2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
3. Angels & Demons
4. Hannah Montana: The Movie
5. Coraline
Just a short jog this morning, concentrating on lifting my feet (really) and keeping a long even stride going.
3.9 km in 21 minutes or 11.3 kmph.
There are an extraordinary number of films being released this week, so the whole going to the cinema decision making thing is going to be really tough. Of the 11 features I'm going to recommend the ultimate art-house picture Shirin, although none are really jumping out so make your own choice.
Blood: The Last Vampire
Live-action remake of the 2000 anime about a government-sponsored vampire who hunts down "deamons" in her high school. Sounds like a very Japanese version of Buffy.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
The Blue Tower
Bleak british thriller set within the Indian communities, mixing inter-racial tensions with low-life crime and potent symbology.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Dummy
I know very little about this drama from British TV director Matthew Thompson, other than watching the odd little trailer. It appears to be about young brothers coping with their mothers death, the older one goes off the rails and the younger one paints a face on a tailor's dummy.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Lake Tahoe
Semi farcical film about a boy who's car breaks down and his increasingly bizarre attempts to get help, against the backdrop of a terrible persoanl tragedy. Includes scenes of him being confused with a burglar and walking dogs - like a Mexican Clockwise.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
The Last Thakur
Like a Bangladeshi version of the Big Country - Kala arrives in a small town where two major persoanlities are warring for the souls of the inhabitants.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
My Sister's Keeper
Saccharine looking tosh from the director of The Notebook. Abigail Breslin is tired of giving parts of her body to her cancer ridden sister, Cameron Diaz is desperate for an oscar.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
New York
Running the risk of being in extremely bad taste this is a Bollywood movie about three students affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks. I'm certainly interested to see what the reactio is like.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Rudo & Cursi
The gorgeous duo of Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna are on screen together for the first time since Y Tu Mama Tambien. Carlos Curaon' footballer's brothers story may be less ambitious than their last collaboration, but it should be well worth the ticket price.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Shirin
It is hard to seperate the heritage of this Iranian film with current cultural events, suffice to say the very freedom to make films like this may be at stake. Abbas Kiarostami selects a unique way of presenting the Persian love poem Shirin, first he directs a stage performance of the show, but instead of watching that we watch the reactions of 115 female audience members to the play whilst we only hear the action. Almost exclusively in close up we see every tear and laugh that the audience feel. Incredible concept and very deserving of this weeks top film, regardless of the timing.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Sunshine Cleaning
Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are sisters setting up a crime scene cleaning company, watch as they hilariously discover the best way to remove blood stains from silk curtains and learn how to be responsible adults. True fact: I was asked to host a charity preview of this.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Tenderness
Low key Aussie crime thriller with high key cast of Russell Crowe, Laura Dern and Jon Foster (who probably butchered his family). From the director of Swimfan, but not as bad as that might imply. I wonder if there's some gratuitous shots of Foster's torso?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Year One
I can imagine the pitch meeting for this high concept comedy with Jack Black and Micheal Cera. 2 failed hunter gatherers go out in the wide world after being banished from thier tribe, only to bump into various characters from the old testament. With hilarious consequences (!).
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Repeating the disatnce on Tuesday (more or less) and trying to go faster. I will be doing that for most Tuesday/Thursdays over the next few weeks - but not next week which we'll get to when we get to it.
So today 10.0 km in 53 minutes. Or 11.3 kmph, which is pretty much where I want to be so I'm quite happy right now.
2008. Dir: Jan Troell. Starring: Maria Heiskanen, Mikhail Persbrandt, Jesper Christensen, Emil Jensen and Ghita Nørby. ●●●●●
I am so very glad I had the opportunity to watch this beautiful and moving film from Sweden, and I can fully recommend the picture to anyone with even the slightest interest in love stories in film.
Essentially it is a tale of a woman (Heiskanen) who falls in love with 2 men. The first is her husband (Persbrandt), a strong, rebellious manual labourer, who drinks, womanises and evetually beats his wife and children. The second is a more cultured photographer (Christensen - Mr. White from Casino Royale) who the woman meets whilst trying to pawn her camera. The photographer teaches her how to use the camera, and through that Mrs. Larsson finds a new outlook on life, the camera becoming a symbol of her independence and strength against her brutish husband.
It's a curious thing, love, and this film gets right into the heart of how a woman can love 2 people equally but vastly differently. With her husband the love is borne of duty and family, and there are times when he is surprisingly touching and romantic to her. Her love for the photograher, whilst wholey chaste is no less powerful, and when he moves away to be with his granddaughter there were tears running down my face at what might have been.
All three of the leads put in superb performances, Heiskanen is especially moving as the woman torn. At the same time Persbrandt finds enough humanity in the role of Sigge to stop him from becoming a cardboard cut out monster.
The script is perfect with even the cliched narration by one of the duaghters and end of a last frame left in the camera seeming to be natural rather than forced. Importantly the film doesn't shy away from the effects of domestic violence and the terror of living with a volatile bully.
The film stock is desaturated giving the cinematography a sepia tinge, entirely in keeping with the themes. The set decoration is also incredibly real, with exactly the right amount of detail.
The use of Carter Burwell's theme from Gods and Monsters is also incredibly moving, and used at just the right time to get maximum effect.
Overall this is a superb film, and one I would recommend to everyone.
I suppose today was technically fartlek training - although to be honest it was slow, bit less slow, recover from hangover training.
And it's very hot in the capital today. Enough of the excuses:
5.9 km in 34 minutes or an average of 10.3 kmph.
I was thinking of holding this until next week, and therefore not spoiling this Saturdays Box Office news, but frankly I'm too excited about the release of Lars von Trier's contoversy fest. It's Cannes debut is sure to go down as legendary, and the best actress win for Charlotte Gainsbourg will only help to cement it's status. Personally any film that gets that sort of response is one for me.
Antichrist will be released on 24 Jluy 2009.
I am finally in London.
Ohh, it's exciting. Staying in a youth hostel, going for drinks in Soho. I'm having a whale of a time.
Of course the reason I'm here is to perform Lifelong Yearning at the Baron's Court Theatre, opening tonight and running until the end of the week.
GOOD NEWS - We have a 2 for 1 offer tonight and tomorrow (23-24 June), so if you're near Baron's court, come and see the show the people of Birmingham are calling:
Very Funny; and Fab Play
Somehow running feels different when you go in a circle, so this morning when I ran round Kensington Gardens (more on that in the next post) I was in a super good mood.
Not that I did significantly better - 9.7 km in 55 minutes or 10.7 kmph.
Which less face is exactly the same speed as Tuesday and Thursday last week, but I felt better! Whatever that means.
Happy Birthday to
Klaus Maria Brandauer
65 today
There's an obvious birthday to celebrate today, however as much better bloggers will be concentrating on her I'd like to concentrate on her Out of Africa co-star (I think his performance is slightly less cliched and therefore better as well!). Klaus is currently leaving large shadows over his put-upon family in Coppola's Tetro. Can't wait until that makes it over here.
Nice big run this morning, and before you try to make me feel bad about the slowish pace, it was deliberate. I just wanted to take it a little easy.
19.6 km in 1 hour 55 minutes. Or 10.2 kmph.
By the way, that's pretty close to a half-marathon distance, so that's almost half-way of the complete distance I need to be preparing for.
Phew!
Happy Birthday to
Graham Greene
57 today
Coming from certain ethnic groups can help and hinder an acting career. For someone with Native American ancestry that can be doubly bad - what else is there but Westerns and the like. Luckily Graham is a good enough actor to impress in even the most cliched role, and even break out - his performance in Transamerica is certainly worth a second look.
Actually quite an interesting week for news, with a couple of really big projects getting a mention, and a couple of smaller ones thought to have disappeared being resurrected.
Indiana Jones 5
You have to wonder whether I've crapped on enough of my youth by going to see 3 Star Wars prequels and the 4th Indiana Jones movie, but apparently I'm still gagging for more. So hearing Shia LaBeouf chatting away at pre-Transformers interviews about the next Indy script in the works I have been a little excited. I'm not an apologist for the last film, it was a dreadful misstep. But then again so was The Temple of Doom, and it wasn't the CGI gophers and Shia loving monkeys that made me dislike it. It was more the bizarre UFO, 5th dimension, Lucas/Spielberg mindfuck that I objected to.
In the next film I'd like to see a return to Nazi and Judeo-Christian mythology. Maybe Joseph Mengele and a group of exiled Nazis mount an expedition to find the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Knowledge. It might be a rip off (say The Boys from Brazil meets The Fountain) but that won't stop it being entertaining.
Black Swan
Talking about The Fountain Darren Aronofsky is returning to one of his side-lined projects following the runaway success of The Wrestler. Black Swan tells of the rivalry between two prima ballerinas, one of whom is Natalie Portman, the other is either imaginery or from beyond the grave!!! It'll be good to see Portman strecting herself again, as well.
City of Angels
I've always thought the 1989 Tony award winning Musical has always seemed like it was destined for film. Well apparently Mssrs. Shaye and Lynne of Unique films have thought the same. In a press annoucement this week covering over 10 projects in the works there's a mention of turning the part Hollywood satire, part hard-boiled detective thriller into a movie.
Love and Other Drugs
I don't know how I missed this a couple of weeks ago but Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway are teaming up for this adaptation of Jamie Reidy comic tome about life inside the pharmaceutical sales environment. It will be nice to see them play a couple who actually in to each other, unlike their Brokeback Mountain collaboration. And the serio-comic style of the book might be right up their street.
Sam Mendes (Butcher's Crossing and Middlemarch
Focus Features have made a first look deal with Sam Mendes and his producing partners, according to Variety.com. Now, I'm not completely sure I fully understand this story. I expect a first look deal, means that Focu Features get to choose whether they distribute a film first - should have chosen not to distribute Away We Go, from what I hear. They've also bought out 2 productions that are currently being prepped, either one of whcih could be done by Mendes. These are George Eliot novel Middlemarch, which has been rumoured for some time (and is a great novel); and the adaptation of John Williams' revisionist western Butcher's Crossing, about a harvard graduate who goes buffalo hunting (I'm sure it's more complex than that). Curiously the article makes no mention of Preacher, which I though was Mendes' next challenge. Looks like that particular graphic novel may have even longer to wait.
Mixed Blood
Anyone want any Samuel L. Jackson action? After all he was only been in 7 films in 2008 and a mere 16 projects at some point of the development and production process. At least he's signed on to star in Mixed Blood based on the Roger Smith novel. From the precis it sounds like a version of The Fugitive where Richard Kimble beats up kidnappers rather than saving boys with heart defects with Jackson in the Tommy Lee Jones role.
Unbreakable 2
In related Samuel L. Jackson news, M. Night Shyamalan has been talking up the idea of returning to the Unbreakable story he kicked off in 2000. Personally I quite like this idea, Shyamalan movies has got steadily worse since then and the central conceit of a master criminal who needs a hero to feel a purpose and a hero who doesn't think of himself as a hero is quite fascinating in a low-key way. Of course whether Bruce and Samuel will sign back on may be a tricky one, but if M. Night pulls it off it may just be the trigger for getting the public back on his side.
In my defence I didn't have much sleep last night.
8.1 km in 46 minutes. 10.6 kmph.
Happy Birthday to
Nicole Kidman
42 today
There are few stars in cinema today who can claim such an interesting and exciting C.V. as Nicole. She may not have topped the Box Office in a while but we are still in awe of her star quality, and at the sme time she's worked for directors as diverse as Stephen Daldry, Stanley Kubrick, Baz Luhrmann, Anthony Minghella and Lars von Trier, and shone for each of them. She's just had to drop out of Woody Allen's next London set picture, but at least we'll get to see her sining again in Nine.
After last week's nail-biting finish to see which film was the top recommendation, I was hoping this week would be a simpler affair. Indeed it's still close with 3 films getting four blob ratings, however unlike last week where any one of them could have won, this week I'm pretty sure which is in the lead. Maybe surprisingly it's the Polish historical drama Katyn.
Beyond the Fire
According to IMDB the tagline is "Through the darkest secret... comes the deepest love". As the plot revolves aroung Catholic priests what's the bet it involves peadophilia and the unlikely co-incidence of a pupil of a respected Priest falling for one of his victims.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
The Disappeared
There are a couple of I know you actors in this, which sort of interests me. However it's a horror with elements of child abduction isn't enough to make me want to buy a ticket.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Gigantic
Gigantic has the unbelievably quirky, but still relatively interesting premise of a mattress salesman (Paul Dano) who is attempting to adopt a Chinese baby, whilst developing feelings for a mysterious stranger (Zooey Deschanel). Reviews are mixed, and maybe the whole is less than the sum of the parts, but director Matt Aselton may just be a name to look out for in the future.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Katyn
The massacre at Katyn is one of the most barbaric and sinister accounts of war crimes in the 20th Century, however it was largely ignored by the Allies during the Second World War as it was perpetrated by the Russians. Andrzej Wajda's dramatisation looks at the political and social situation inside of Poland at the time, and the persoanl ramifications of the massacre.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Telstar
British biopic about the doomed record produced Joe Meeks, who virtually created echo's, reverbs and compression in his bedroom-cum-studio in North London. Naturally the good times pass and Joe sinks into a world of depression, rent boys and satanism. Some interesting and instantly recognisable tracks, mind.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
I seriously doubt Transformers needs any introduction from me. The follow up to 2007's smash hit sees Shia LaBeouf team up with the Autobots to fight off the evil Decepticons, and to pan slowly over a mostly undressed Megan Fox.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Happy Birthday to
Gena Rowlands
79 today
Gena truly is one of cinema's greatest actresses, most notably in the work of her former husband John Cassavetes, but also in recent work like the Notebook and Paris, je t'aime. And don't just take my word for it, her fans include Maggie Gyllenhaal and Pedro Almodovar.
I don't know how to feel. As promised on Tuesday I have completed the same route with the idea of being a tiny bit faster.
The good news is I was faster. The bad news is I was only faster by 8 seconds (according to my Nike-iPod) which is less than the margin of error. So no improvement at all really.
9.8 km in 55 minutes. 10.7 kmph.
Happy Birthday to
Greg Kinnear
46 today
It was Helen's birthday on Monday, so it's only fair to celebrate As Good as it Gets co-star Greg Kinnear today. P.S. if someone could get Greg some better films as a birthday present that would be great.
Does that title even approach making sense, or inspire you to join me in the training?
...
I thought not.
Hill practice today. Jog to a hill and then run up, jog down 10 times then come back home. There aren't any major hills where I am right now (kipping in a friends spare room) but I found one that was almost steep - it was definitely an incline, anyway.
5.4 km in 31 minutes, which comes in at 10.3 kmph. I know that's slow, but didn't I tell you I was going up and down a hill.
Going up against Frozen River (as featured in last weeks trailer) is another US immigration story. Although instead of focusing on one woman's hardship and the actions she takes to overcome her situation, Crossing Over takes a multi-stranded approach to the immigration debate including the different experiences as seen by people emanating from different cultures. By the way this is going to be one tricky week to decide the recommended film, Crossing Over was one of my top 20 for 2009 and it's up against the next Harry Potter and Moon both of which look like they're worth a look.
Crossing Over opens on 17 July 2009.
I think any way I try to structure my training schedule here I will get confused with it. What I will try to be consistent about is the weeks (only 12 and a bit until the Nottingham Marathon!).
Back to this morning run - I finished 9.8 km in 55 minutes, which is approximately 10.7 kmph.
I intend to run the same route on Thursday, and hopefully be a little faster.
Hello all. I know I should be more proactive with the persoanl posts but sometimes I forget.
Anyway I had a weekend off Lifelong Yearning, so spent the time wisely and productively (well, I watched a couple of films and drank a bottle of wine). I've also managed to get 2 auditions for this week. Not that I'm able to make it to both... Unfortunately Michael's Resignation clashes with another appointment so I won't be able to go - looks like a great project as well. I have asked for an alternative audition date, but I'm not holding much hope. Oh, well.
On Wednesday I'll be auditioning for Shelved Memories, a short (paid) film about the break-up of former Yugoslavia. Fingers crossed for that one.
Which only leads to me reminding you all that Lifelong Yearning is this weekend at Oldbury and all next week in Baron's Court, London. Use this link to book Baron's Court tickets. You can also find details of the play in The London Paper and The London Theatre Guide. (I'm really excited about next week - I'm sure you can guess).
Happy Birthday to
Helen Hunt
46 today
I don't rightly know what to say about Helen. It's good that she's having a birthday and all, but the most impressive performance I've ever seen her give was in the queue for the utterly pointless Twister ride at Universal Studios, Florida. Was seeing a tornado really the scariest thing she's ever done? Or was it kissing lethario Jack Nicholson (26 years her senior) in As Good as it Gets...
Proving to myself I've still got it (albeit a very very slow it), I went for a longer run this morning.
14.6 km in 1 hour 29 minutes. That's an average speed of 9.8 km per hour.
So I know I can do the distances, but I really need to speed up when doing them.
Like a fool I've signed up for the Nottingham Half Marathon with only 13 weeks to go without having done any training for ages.
So I went out this morning. 5.1 km in 28 minutes, or 10.95 kmph, which isn't as bad as you might have thought given the circumstances.
Some small stories this week - but only for minor projects that may or may not ever happen. At least there's a wide range of genre's - family comedies, horror and soft-core porn all get their moment in the sun (after the jump).
The Originals
Did you think that Bryce Dallas Howard has been a little quiet recently? Well apparently the reason she's only done a couple of films in the last few years (including the Terminator behemoth currently in cinemas) is because there are times she like to do other things - like going on family picnics and writing screenplays.
I'm only half kidding about the family picnics, because her latest screenplay - The Originals - was co-written with her brother-in-law Dane Charneneau and may be directed by dad Ron (up in the picture with Bryce).
It's about a groups of twenty somethings who go back to their home town when a former teacher mysteriously lapses into a coma. No doubt they share their angsty stories and learn a little about living. 
Heavy Metal
James "King of the World" Cameron has signed on to direct a segment of the Heavy Metal portmanteau film, joining David Fincher, Gore Verbinski, Zack Snyder and Mark Osbourne in the based-on-comic-book franchise. It's an odd adaptation as the comics, which mix ultra-violence with sexual imagery (although notably it's rarely sexual violence), have no recurring characters which leaves the directors with hundreds of stories to use. It's a fascinating group or auteurs, so I for one will certainly be in thye queue to see this.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
It's from Disney, and has a great title. Is there anything else to say. Story idea is being developed by Peter Hedges.
Scream 4
And 5, and 6...
Wes Craven has been letting the Weinsteins know that he might just be interested in taking the reins for the next Scream movie if Kevin Williamson's script is up to scratch. It's a tough dilemma to face, obviously Wes doesn't want the highly successful franchise to slip through his fingers, but at the same time will the law of dimishing returns continue to affect the series. David and Courtney Cox Arquette have both already signed on to be chased by the mysterious ghostface.
This is a really tough week for making recommendations. Honestly there's nothing in it for the top three films. I suppose you'll have to make a choice about whether you want a film about drunken stag nights in Las Vegas, halucinations about sage footballers, Chinese history lessons or social commentary about the state of the class wars in the UK. In the end I'm going to have to recommend Red Cliff, the trailer is suitably stunning and who honestly doesn't love a good mix of battle scenes with the sort of step back love scenes you get in Chinese films.
Doghouse
Mmm, Danny Dyer is back. But assuming he keeps his clothes on there is little reason to fork out on this Brit horror - a sort of Lesbian Vampire Killers redux with less laughs and zombies. Of course if he strips off and goes gay to avoid the rampaging locals (with co-stars Noel Clarke and Stephen Graham?) I'll be first in the queue. Someone get me a review. *Breaking news, one of the other main characters is gay, but not Dyer's role. Apparently he almost went for it, though. So gay brother in City Rats, gay friend here, is he trying to tell us something?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
The Hangover
Taking just shy of $45m in it's opening weekend in the States, this is proving to be the breakout comedy of 2009. Three virtually unknown actors wake up following the stag night to end all stag nights to find they've lost the groom and gained a tiger and a baby. Hijinks ensue as they try to sort everything out in the 12 hour deadline before the wedding.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Last House on the Left
Tired looking retread of seminal 70's video nasty. Only probably less nasty and more gorey, and very likely with less alusions to the government and the direction of societal forces. (I may not be a fan of Wes Craven, but at least he understood allegory.)
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Looking for Eric
Ken Loach, purveyour of gritty realism, directs a light-hearted look at a postman who imagines former Manchester United player Eric Cantona whenever he's feeling in the dumps. Cannes was positive, bit it looks like forgettable fare at best.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
New Town Killers
I'm thinking the story of 2 Investment Bankers who pay a kid from the council estates to run away from them whilst they try to kill him is a satire on the state of the British Class system and the collapse of morals in the financial sector. If so, this could be brilliant, if not, I expect it's rubbish. Anyone seen it?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Red Cliff
John Woo directs the most expensive Chinese film ever made, basically re-enacting one of the most important battles towards the crumbling of the Han Dynasty. Lots of familiar faces and beautiful kung fu work should make this an incredible experience for those willing to commit to the 2.5 hour running time.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Soi Cowboy
A true international collaboration. British writer-director, Thai set story and Danish leading man. It's essentially a love story between a rich, insecure European and a pregnant ex-prostitute.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Shadows in the Sun
I'm a week late with this minor release from Artificial Eye. It's a low key drama, set in Norfolk, about a mysterious loner who helps a family rediscover their affection for each other. James Wilby and Jean Simmons headline.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Happy Birthday to
Gene Wilder
76 today
Although he'll forever be associated with the Mel Brooks comedies and his hilarious pairings with Richard Pryor, it's worth remembering that Wilder is a fairly impressive straight actor as well. His debut in Bonnie and Clyde being a good reminder of his versatility.
1946. Dir: Edmund Goulding. Starring: Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, John Payne, Anne Baxter and Clifton Webb. ●●○○○
I had hoped to have seen Sugar, or even Everlasting Moments during the weekend, neither however have made it to the West Midlands so I was forced to randomly select a movie. Eventually picking this train wreck. The plot revolves around Tyrone Power, a Pilot from the First World War, who was saved by a friend. His shell shock at this event is such that he needs to leave the Mid-West with his fancy friends and socialite fiancee, electing to find himself in the artist quarters of Paris, the coal mines of Poland and the lower Himalayas.
When he returns his ex, who has since married falls in love with him again and then plans to control him and keep him for herself.
It's not that I dislike melodrama, some directors like Douglas Sirk or Leo McCarey could have made a decent three hanky picture from the source, however Goulding just isn't strong enough to bring the piece from the rather flat script and dull characterisation.
Power tries hard, in a somewhat thankless role of the man who finds himself and them becomes alomst annoyingly good. Gene Tierney (as the fiancee Isabel) simply resprises her Leave Her to Heaven role from the previous year, but she isn't given the room to develop the character. During at least two scenes other characters have to tell her (and us) her motivations. Surely that wasn't in W. Somerset Maugham's novel.
Clifton Webb is delightful, mind. His fussy unmarried uncle, clearly a homosexual even if it's not stated, is an incredible comic foil to the heaviness of the rest of the plot. It earned him his second (of three) Oscar nod.
Technically the film is merely perfunctory, even the set design (you have slums, mansions and mountain ranges) fails to impress. And the score typifies the excess of the period, and was probably a rush job from the usually reliable Alfred Newman.
The fault of the piece has to lie with writer Lamar Trotti, his previous experiences in Ford Westerns and quirky comedies meant he couldn't summon together the necessary emotional weight to fully adapt the more emotive scenes.
All in all I wish I had gone out to Leeds.
The wait has been indeterminable. This weeks trailer comes form a film that premiered at Sundance in 2008, opened in the States last May, and then led to Melissa Leo's first oscar nomination at the beginning of the year.
Of course over here we only get it in July. Really depressing that we have to wait so long for intelligent indie fare like this.
Frozen River comes out on 17 July 2009.
Happy Birthday to
Johnny Depp
46 today
I've been dreading this morning for the last month or so, not because I'm a Deppophile - I quite like the guy - but because his slate is so full of films I want to see this might be the longest birthday celebration/advert for forthcoming pics I've done.
First up is Public Enemies, which I showed you the trailer for last Tuesday. Then later this year we'll see Depp channelling Heath Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. In 2010 he'll grace the screens only once, for old pal Tim Burton, as the Mad Hatter in the Alice in Wonderland live action pic. In 2011 we'll him voice a dog in the animated Rango, so there's another box office topper (animated dogs virtually guarantees it). He's also potentially back in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote when Terry Gilliam resurrects that project. Finally (and we're really talking the long game here) Depp will be Tonto to the yet to be cast Lone Ranger.
All in all that's a really impressive slate of films, I'm sure you'll agree.
Theres a trio writer directors making the headlines this week. Um, and a couple of other stories that I can't fit into a single witty headline.
How do you Know
Writer-director James L. Brooks has recruited his old buddy Jack Nicholson to join the supporting cast of this Reese Witherspoon vehicle set to start lensing next month. Nicholson's replacing the notoriously diffident Bill Murray, who forgot to checks hi messages, or something. Jack has won 2 Oscars whilst working for Brooks in the past, so hopefully there'll be some good things coming. The film only has How do you Know as a working title, but I prefer that to the untitled blah blah blah...
When Jack and James last worked together they made the world fall in love with Helen Hunt, and this yappy dog.
Creed of Violence
Writer-Director Todd Field (I'm determined to make that link work) has been hired as a writer to adapt Boston Teran's latest novel (it's due to be published later this year). Field only usually writes when he's going to direct as well, so I can almost get away with the opening words. Plot revolves around a desperado and a Government agent halting an arms smuggling operation in 1910.
Hamlet
It's been a couple of years since the last Hamlet adaptation, so we're due another. This time brought to the 21st century and starring an "age-appropriate" Emile Hirsch. I've seen some snark about this project, but I'm sure Hirsch has the acting chops to be able to carry the role. His work in Into the Wild was incredible, and Hamlet's similar just with an even weirder family.
Invictus
Kris Tapley over at Incontention had the scoop on the title for Eastwood's Mandela biopic, so I'll just link to that. The title comes from a poam by William Earnest Henley, that was a favourite of Mandela's during his time in prison.
Next Three Days
Yesterday the French Film Anything for Her came out in the UK, so this week the US remake has been announced. Writer-Director Paul Haggis (we're back with that ridiculous link) will be finding ways to make a film with little commercial appeal, yet strangely award magnety.
The French Film Poster.
Happy Birthday to
Paul Giamatti
42 today
Paul is one of the most convining average schmoes out there - never adding unnecessary quirks to the character, except when they are very much needed (see Duplicity). I think it's fair to say he's one of the strongest characters actors working in Hollywood today. Among his upcoming projcts look out for Downsizing reuniting him with his Sideways director Alexander Payne.
You might say it'll be a quiet weekend with only 6 new titles to choose from. Unless you were crazy enough to forget that one of those is the fourth entry from a massively popular franchise. So no prizes for guessing what film will be top of the box office. My recommendation is a different kettle of fish though, so it's Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson finding love when they least expect it in Last Chance Harvey.
Anything for Her
Happily married (French) couple are rudely interrupted by the Gendarme who arrest Mrs. (Diane Kruger) on a murder charge. Naturaly hubby wants to prove her innocent, but to what lengths will he go, and how well does he really know her in this taught thriller.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
The Hide
Independent British film about a twitcher who bumps into a stanger whilst spotting some rare coastal birds. Turns out the stranger isn't quite as innocent and lost as he first seems.
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Last Chance Harvey
Harvey - see what they did there - Shine (Hoffman) is having a really bad time, losing his job, finding out his daughter wants her Step-Father to walk her down the aisle, finding a new hobby in excessive drinking. Until he bumps into British statistician, Emma Thompson, and sparks fly. Interestingly this is one of the only films I know of where Toronto has stood in for London whilst filming.
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Sugar
Not my recommendation - it's complicated - but the film I intend to watch at some point over the weekend. True life story about a Dominican baseball player who struggles to fit in the minor leagues.
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Summer Scars
More strangers lurking in the British countryside. This time he's befriending a group of skiving schoolkids in the local woods. He's no good kids - run away before he... Oh, too late.
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Terminator: Salvation
Without James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger may have walked away from Skynet, but the John Connor story continues to rumble on. Christian Bale repeats his Batman schtick, Sam Worthington lets us see he means business as a leading man, McG directs to within an inch of his life. British critics have been a lot kinder than the US ones.
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2009. Dir: Sam Raimi. Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao and David Paymer. ●●●●○
I very rarely go to the cinema to see comedies, and horror films come up on my screenings with even less regularity, however Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell seemed interesting enough to go to a midnight screening at the local fleapit. Shock confession; I've never seen the Evil Dead trilogy, so I only really had the Spiderman movies to whet my interest in Raimi's powers. I'm really happy to say it was well worth the cinema ticket.
In a nutshell Drag me to Hell is the story of a loan officer, sweet Alison Lohman, who refuses to grant an extension on the mortgage of Mrs. Ganesh (Lorna Raver - great makeup). Naturally the thought of being repossesed make the old woman a bit peeved, so she uses a Gypsy curse to bring forth the Lamia, a goat-like spirit who will torment Lohman for three days before dragging her to hell!!!
It's quite clearly utter rubbish, but the trick to horror-comedies is not the story but the execution. And Raimi more than delivers in that regard.
In terms of the outright scares there are some splendid jump cuts and the possessed hankerchief (you have to see it) is genuinely frightening as it hits the car. There are also more unsettling creeps, rot and decay is a recurring theme for the Lamia to present us with. On the comedy side there's the general ickiness of being being gummed by an old woman, and I've never laughed so much at someone saying "Here, Kitty Kitty".
One aspect I found fascinating, especially from a horror, is how rounded Lohman's character is. Partly this can be put down to her down to earth performance and partly due to the film concentrating on her and not racking up a large body count like so many horror films do. Her refusal to admit the whole truth to her boyfriend, the ambition in her job, the steady change in her resourcefulness following the curse and even the highlighted attitudes towards class and equal rights in the workplace all helped to bring the audience in on her side. Of course we're implicit with the prejudices, if Lohman had played the homeless gypsy and Raver the cursed bank employee would we have felt the same? There's an interesting debate for the comments - should anyone get this far.
The performances are generally good, although I'd particularly highlight the baddies (Raver, Reggie Lee as her obsequious colleague and Molly Cheek as the Mother-in-Law) as the stand out performers. All of them manage to prevent their roles becoming the one-note monsters they could have been in lesser films.
Techincally the most impressive elements are the sound design (squelching and shocking) and the make-up department do a great job.
The double ending is a bit of a cop-out, I think it would have worked bteer if it was allowed to last longer. But overall a jolly good night out. Go and see it, or I'll get the Lamia on you!
Happy Birthday to
Anjelina Jolie
34 today
By now Anj must have the most recognisable face in the world, surely everyone can immediately identify those lips? Well, if not, there'll be more chances for her to show them off when Salt opens next summer. In case you've forgotten Salt is the film Anjelina stole from under the eyes of Tom Cruise when she proved she could open a film with Wanted. And barring any more head injuries we'll be seeing it in August 2010.
Happy Birthday to
Tony Curtis
84 today
The venerable Tony Curtis has been in London over the last couple of weeks flogging his book, which is where this photo comes from (for some reason he likes posing in grocers). Apparently in it he admits to a catalogue of affairs throughout the golden age of Hollywood. Sounds like a must read to me.
Now that May is over we can start to show trailers for July, and that's a good thing as there are many films I want to see. Right at the top is Michael Mann's depression pic Public Enemies. Just watch this trailer and tell me you're not fascinated by the grace of the camera, the gorgeous sets (I love 1930's banks) or the Goldenthal score.
Public Enemies comes out on 3 July 2009.
Happy Birthday to
Morgan Freeman
72 today
Hot of the heels of his Human Factor directors birthday yeaterday is soon to be multiple Oscar Winner Morgan Freeman. Let's be hones playing Nelson Mandela can't fail to win some shiny statues.
