I thought about backdating this post by a couple of years so it looks like I was reading the future - but that would be a silly thing to do as no-one would read it (even less than the normal count of people who read the release round-up). Some interesting looking projects out this week, with Richard Ayoade's debut probably picking up the highest praise, but it's Woody who gets my - doubtless unwarranted - support with film of the week going to You will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.
You will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Woody Allen returns to London for the fourth time with his latest relationship comedy, this time with a heavy dose of fortune telling providing the narrative force. He's persuaded high profile thesps like Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts and Josh Brolin to come along for the ride.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●○○
Lincoln Lawyer
Matthew McConaughey in non-romantic comedy shocker! He plays the titular attorney, conducting business out of the back of his car including defending the highly-dodgy looking playboy Ryan Phillippe. I'm guessing all is not as it seems. Marisa Tomei and William H. Macy pop up to provide sound advice.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Ballast
New Orleans based drama which follows the brother, wife and son of a suicide victim as they struggle to make sense of his actions and begin to piece their lives back together. Very highly praised on the festival circuit.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Route Irish
Ken Loach turns his critical eye towards the invasion of Iraq and the private security firms that appear to run unchecked amongst the criminal underworld of the Middle East. There are actual scenes of waterboarding in the film which the actor involved is suing for compensation right now.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Submarine
Richard Ayoade, Moss from the excellent "IT Crowd", makes his feature directorial debut with this Welsh coming of age story. Based on Joe Dunthorne's novel it focuses on the dilemmas faced by Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) and his precocious thoughts about starring in the movie of his life.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Chalet Girl
It's getting far better notice's than it's trailer seems to warrent, but this British class-bashing romantic comedy, set in the European ski slopes might be a good bet for those wanting to waste a couple of hours. Felicity Jones and Ed Westwick are the forgettable leading couple, Bill's Bailey and Nighy among the faces you'll recognise.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Cinar Agaci
The Turkish releases have been quiet lately (it always surprises me that the industry is so prolific over there) so it's good to see this familial drama, focusing on the relationship between a young boy, his single mother and his widowed grandmother getting a release.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Anuvahood
Uncertain of tone and audience this is a gritty spoof of life on the mean streets of London. Co-directed by and starring Adam Deacon, one of the cast in the far-superior Kidulthood, who frankly should know better.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Saturday, 19 March 2011
All this will be seen in the future (Out this week - 18/03/11)
Glenn Close
Happy Birthday to
Glenn Close
64 today
Oscar nominated 5 times it's a terrible shame that Glenn has never had the opportunity to lift the golden statuette, altough maybe her cross-dressing turn in Albert Nobbs may change that later this year.
Friday, 18 March 2011
Susan Tyrrell
Happy Birthday to
Susan Tyrrell
66 today
Tyrell's story is an extraordinary one of excess and tragedy, even by Hollywood standards. Having picked an Oscar nomination for Fat City in 1972 she went to wildly overact in an bizarre range of roles in sub-genre horror and with directors such as John Waters. Unfortunately Susan lost her legs as a result of a rare blood disorder in 2000 not that that has stopped her and her very unique talent.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Rango
2011. Dir: Gore Verbinski. Starring: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Timothy Olyphant, Ned Beatty and Bill Nighy. ●●●●○
Chinatown, Pale Rider, Cat Ballou, Apocalypse Now, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Off the top of my head there are just a tiny number of the films that Rango either knocks off or pays homage to (depending on your point of view). I could probably go on to name at least five or six more. It's such a cine-literate film it's unbelieveable. That in itself would be a good enough reason to watch this animated movie. The good news is that as well as fusing all these elements it also happens to be laugh out loud funny, combining a touch of the surreal to the animated format. Just don't bother bringing the kids.
The film opens with Johnny Depp's unnamed Chameleon performing a virtual one-lizard show (his co-stars are plastic toys and dead bugs) of derring-do in his safe, comfortable glass cage. Not for long, as his owners lose him off the parcel shelf as they cross the Mojave desert. Pretty soon he's invented the persona of Rango and cleaning up the town of Dirt from it's least pleasant inabitants whilst falling for ranch owner Beans (Isla Fisher).
The comparisons to Chinatown are most striking. Once the story gets going the central mystery about water being dumped in the desert, as well as lines and even characters seem to be lifted directly from Roman Polanski's 1974 Noir masterpiece. With that in mind the identity of the bad guy comes as no surprise as it's the character most similar to Noah Cross - thanks to Ned Beatty for his delightful voice impersonation.
The action sequences are paced well both in terms of individually and where they fit in the film running. The initial crash sequence is slow enough to get a sense of what's happening, building tension, before it catches up into real time with a jolt and the central chase sequence involving a wagon, bats and The Ride of the Valkyries is both hilarious and edge of the seat stuff. Only the final showdown with Rattlesnake Jake (Bill Nighy) seems a slight let down - but then most Westerns disappoint with the fianl battle, even when they're basing the plan on Carry on Cowboy.
Slower moments are provided with the two dream sequences. The first goes in Dali surrealism territory, whilst the second has a mad Clint Eastwood (as voiced by Timothy Olyphant) cameo. There's also a scene by the fireside which speaks to the moral of the movie and is the closest we'll come to tears as audience members.
The design of the film is fantastic, from the always engaging characters (even the background figures are unique and funny and suitably disgusting) to the dryness of the vistas and at times star trails and mirages are so close to being real you doubt whether it's an animation at all. It was also a clever move to keep this in 2D. Any conversion of sterescope would have meant a serious reduction in the light somewhat destroying the illusion of desert heat.
The performances are all great, with Depp and Beatty in particular shining, from a cast outside of Depp who are not so famous it seems like stunt casting.
I would question though whether this is a film for kids at all. Some of the humour is either too bawdy - "Our Mother had an active social life" - or too over the heads of small children - prostate examinations? Most of it is also derived from the references which most kids won't understand. That's not to say they will be bored - there's ample belching and action to keep them entertained but be under no illusions this is a film for the parents even more than it is for their children that force them to go.
Kate Nelligan
Happy Birthday to
Kate Nelligan
61 today
Curious supporting actress who's never managed to get a solid foothold into movies. Did you know she's nine years younger than Nick Nolte who played her son in The Prince of Tides?
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Tuesday Trailers - Red Riding Hood
As we rumble on to April's releases we hit on a project that's an anomaly for my usual viewing habits. Not only because I'm clearly not part of the demographic the film is supposed to pull in (we're talking girls in the mid teens through to mid twentys) but also because this is directed by a woman - Twilight helmer Catherine Hardwicke. It's clear from my 20 for 2011 list that female directors rarely get a chance to shine for me (only Lone Sherfig's One Day made the cut) so I'm going to try to broaden my horizons and see what Hardwicke has to offer. That and this movie is the first in a tide of fairy tale based properties (Jack the Giant Killer, Hansel and Gretel) set to arrive over the coming years and I want to see what the mini-genre has to offer.
Red Riding Hood is released on 15 April 2011.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Running (13/03/11)
I've gone further than in previous weeks, and whilst there has been a knock on effect on the overall speed it's not been as disasterous as you might have thought. Short week next week.
5 runs
23.5 miles
3 hours 47 minutes
So that's an average speed of 6.21 mph.
Michael Caine
Happy Birthday to
Michael Caine
78 today
He's the son of a fish market porter and a charlady yet has steadily climbed the greasy pole to the top of British box office and has earned a knighthood for his trouble. Still as busy as ever it's his fifth collaboration with Christopher Nolan, and the third Batman film (Dark Knight Rises) which is most interesting me.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
The Perils of Time Travel (Film News - 12/03/11)
It's been a very slow news week for film projects. So much so that I'm resorting to using the Tabloids as a source of information - although does that count if I don't believe the story? Hopefully next week will prove a little more exciting, otherwise I'm going to have to start making stuff up.
The Runner
Time travel is a silly thing to do, as we all know from watching the movies. Whatever your intention you always end up messing things up by kissing your mum, treading on butterflies or wearing a tea towel on your head. It's even more likely to go wrong if you've been sent by "the authorities" to prevent the oncoming apocalypse and end up falling for some girl you bump into. However Disney seem to think it won't go all Twelve Monkeys in the new multimedia platform franchise they've lined up from Dave Andron's pitch.
I'm not completely sure how they can spin quite a closed story into such a large tapestry, unless it's a fairly upbeat ending, or how they're pitching the tone (Andron has worked on "Knight Rider" and "Justified" so this could go any way), but the idea seems interesting it could be one to watch out for.
By the way this sculpture by Kostas Varotsos has nothing to do with the film, but it's also called The Runner and I liked the time travel feel to it so I'm sticking it in here with or without relevance.
Read on for C-beams glittering in the dark near the Tannhauser gate, a trip to Rome and some unsurprising casting news.
Blade Runner Prequel
Alcon Entertainment, the company behind Insomnia, 16 Blocks and The Blind Side (How's that for a night of counter-programming?) have bought the rights to all prequels and sequels of the classic mind-bending sci-fi actioner Blade Runner which pitted Harrison Ford against a cohort of replicants, of whom he may or may not have been a member. Featured some of Ridley Scott's most memorable work it's frankly a surprise the Hollywood vultures hadn't already jumped onto this particular rotting corpse. Whilst I have said repeatedly that I have no objection to the concept of remakes or sequels I do admit I'm slightly queasy about this possibility. One of the charms of the 1982 original is the unanswered questions that successive directors cuts have only left even muddier, all of which boil down to Is Deckard a replicant, and does he know?; any return to Philip K. Dick's world will only attempt to answer that, something which I doubt any of us really want.
Woody Allen's Rome picture
The Woody Allen grand tour continues. We've had Barcelona, this year we're going to Paris, and London's been done to death. Next stop Italy, just in time for the 150th Centenary of it's unification (see banner below). Not that it'll probably matter - location is so much background to Mr Allen - I suspect the real reason is down to generous tax credits or a sympathy for the beleaguered Silvio Berlesconi (after all they have some interests in common). Naturally we know nothing about the story or cast yet, but as soon as the details come in I'll be straight on it.
Casting News
Even the casting news this week was fairly uninspired. The only thing we learnt of note was Joe Wright is seriously considering Keira Knightley for the title role in Anna Kerenina. What the same Joe Wright who directed Pride and Prejudice and Atonement, both of whom starred Ms Knightley? Why yes, the very same. The Sun also proudly announced Anthony Hopkins will be joining Bond 23 as a villain, sounds possible but with that source I wouldn't hold my breath.
Charles Jarrott
We did learn of the passing of Charles Jarrott (83), the British film director behind the classic Tudor big screen adaptations Anne of a Thousand Days and Mary, Queen of Scots in 1969 and '71 respectively. Never more than a competent director - his projects before and after this mini-run were spectacularly bad - he nevertheless deserves all the praise he got for these delightful period romps. Here's a section of the former, with Richard Burton on fine form, for you to enjoy:
Saturday, 12 March 2011
A song to remember (Out this week - 11/03/11)
I probably won't go to the cinema this weekend. It's a oddly downbeat selection, none of which are really drawing me in spite of the far reviews and interesting subject matter involved in some of them. Oddly the film with the best looking trailers has had the worst reviews so I won't be seeing that. Film of the week is Norwegian Wood.
Norwegian Wood
Period Japanese movie about a student (Kenichi Matsuyama) establishing his identity in a cold but rapidly changing culture whilst falling for the ex-girlfriend (Rinku Kikuchi) of his best friend who recentl commited suicide. Gorgeously filmed adaptation of Haruki Murakami's seminal novel.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○
Company Men
Ben Affleck (continuing to shakeup his filmstar persona) leads an all-star cast in this unemployment drama focusing on white collar workers with nowhere to go in the recent financial meltdown. Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper and Kevin Costner are all feeling the pinch.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Fair Game
The Valerie Plame story, as interpreted by Bourne director Doug Liman. Naomi Watts plays the CIA agent suddenly left out in the cold with Sean Penn as her noble husband standing by her in the wake of dodgy dossiers and the Iraq invasion.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Hall Pass
The Farrelly brothers used to be box office gold, their gross-out comedy of the Nineties was able to attract top performers as well as audiences. This latest, about two marrieds getting a week off, barely hit the box office champ against Gnomeo and Juliet's third week of release. Richard Jenkins has a small role, so there must be something worthwhile about it.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Heartbeats
Canadian sexual drama about two friends (one male, one female) falling for the same stranger, competing for his desire and the knock on effect on their friendship. Feted on the estival circuit for it's crisp design and urgency.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Life Goes On
British Hindi film about a widow coming to terms with losing the love of his life. Looks a bit cloying and over-emotional.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
The Resident
The resurrected Hammer studios are going back to their roots with this horror with Christopher Lee in a supporting role. Hilary Swank rents a surprisingly cheap apartment only to find all is not right with her neighbours.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
All American Orgy
The clue's in the title. Three couples go on a sex retreat to reinvigorate their relationships in the sub-American Pie farce.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Battle: Los Angeles
Disappointing reviews for ths Alien invasion pic have destroyed allthe good will the thumping trailershad built up. I hear it's like World of the Worlds meets Saving Private Ryan, only nowhere near as good as that sounds.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Legacy: Black Ops
I don't care if Idris Alba was brilliant in "The Wire" he's going to need to pick his game up if he wants to break into movies, and avoid this part-Nigerian-funded psychbabble about hallucinating soldiers.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Last week I actually missed five new releases, but given that four were limited release low-budget interchangable American horror movies I'm not going to give individual summaries of those. Suffice to say, having watched the trailers, that Prowl, Scream of the Banshee, Seconds Apart and The Task all deserve a Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○.
Lion of the Punjab
Faring slightly better, but only because I'm generous to non-English movies is this Bollywood enigma with plenty of action in the short trailer, but not much to indicate a plot.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
