Last week all the studios were afraid to compete with the might of Harry Potter, so now we're facing a tsunami of mid range fodder none of which are likely to break into the top slot in the box office. There are a few that could be worth a look though. Film of the week is a toughie but I think assassin George Clooney is beaten at the last fence by Denzel Washington's train driver in Unstoppable
Allah Ke Banday
Not only is it a busy week for US output it's also a bumper week of Bollywood offerings - not that any of them are really jumping out at me. This one concerns two slum kids getting involved in crime gangs.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
The American
George Clooney stars virtually alone in Anton Corbijn's follow-up to his Joy Division biopic Control. He wanders aimlessly around a small Italian village, philosophises with a local Priest and has an affair with a prostitute whilst we figure out if he's a contract killer. Slow and deliberate - should be a good bet.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Break Ke Baad
Bollywood love story about two sweethearts made for each other who have to see if their relationship survives a number of unfortunate twists - largely based on her desire to bcome an actres. Have a guess!
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Girl who kicked the Hornets Nest
The final part of the Millenium trilogy drifts around the titular heroine, splendidly played by Noomi Replace, as she spends half of the movie in a hospital and half in a prison cell. That said it ties up most of the loose ends and as a moody thriller probably efficiently moves along.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
London Boulevard
Colin Farrell is an ex-con trying to go straight by bodyguarding Keira Knightley's model/actress. The reviews of William Monaghan's (The Departed) script and direction have not been kind, but I expect the two leads look lovely and it's partly influenced by Sunset Boulevard.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Machete
Robert Rodriguez turns his fake trailer from the Grindhouse movies into a fully stretched movie, probably losing all it's charm in the process. Danny Trejo is probably taking his only chnce to lead a film, curious supporting cast includes Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan and Steven Segal.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Nandalala
We've been here before - or at least this film has meant to have been released before. Small child and idiot adult go on a long journey to find their parents. This will be moved again, I suspect.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Ordinary Execution
French movie investigating the final days of Stalin through the eyes of his personal doctor. Skirting with ideas of paranoia and the principles of medical ethics.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Ratha Charithram
Trilingual Bollywood political biopic. Apparently it's a sequel but that shouldn't stop anyone that's not seen the first - this does seem to be the best of the Bollywood releases.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Scar Crow
British horror movie which seems to take the set up of Hocus Pocus and remove all the charm and laughs and heighten up to horror. Probably not worth the bother.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Tere Ishq Nachaya
Final Bollywood release for this week, about a girl torn between two men, one of whom is rich and reliable, the other a poor dancer. I'm guessing she goes for the latter.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Unstoppable
Tony Scott and Denzel Washington reunite for the fifth time, to better effect than their last collaboration, in spite of the train connection. Whilst we can probably second guess the ending the plot about a runaway train full of dangerous chemicals being stopped by Washington and Chris Pine looks like it's exactly what it should be.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
These next couple of movies slipped out with out me seeing:
Vay Arkadas
Turkish movie with very little explanation out there n the net as to what it's about. If anyone's still reading or still cares please feel free to bring me up to speed.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Action Replayy
Another Bollywood film, that was released back on 05 November, with Ashwaiya Ray and Akshay Kumar. Big enough names so I don't need to do any explaining.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Runaway movies (Out this week - 26/11/10)
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Tuesday Trailers - True Grit
Here's the thing, I have recently rewatched the original John Wayne starring adaptation of Charles Portis' Western novel and I confess to enjoying it more than I emember, sure it's uninterestingly directed and a little uncertain of tone but I can't see why the Coen's have decided to return to the book for a new version - especially as watching the trailer it appears most of the dialogue is identical. I realise the clamour on the internet is that this will be the best thing since sliced bread but I have my doubts. Will definitely see it though.
True Grit is released on 14 January 2011.
Monday, 22 November 2010
Tom Conti
Happy Birthday to
Tom Conti
69 today
I wanted to find a screen capture of Tom in The Tempest, Julie Taymor's on screen adapatation of Shakespeare's fantastical tale set on a deserted island, however none seem to exist. I guess this Scottish actor is just too far down the pecking order in the cast list that includes Helen Mirren and Russell Brand.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
The parallel is too obvious to comment on (Film News - 20/11/10)
Another week - another chance to make disconnected irreverent comments about the state of modern Hollywood. Still no pictures, and I still don't have a real clue what I'm doing. By the way thanks for the comments over the past couple of weeks I promise to reply to them on my return to Manchester next weekend - I may even spill the beans on some personal stuff (oh, how I love to trail the real world for you).
Vulture
This week may be chock full of remakes, the first of which is a English language attack on an Argentinean success story that's still to reach the pinnacle of it's achievements. At the moment Comancho is best known for it's inclusion in the Un Certain Regard selection at Cannes, by the end of the year it could well find itself Oscar nominated after having been selected by it's home country. The story revolves around a less than perfect ambulance chasing lawyer who finds his loyalties and his courage in question after stumbling across a wider conspiracy.
Scott (Crazy Heart) Cooper is set to call the shots on this, which does give me hope that it will be slightly better than most US remakes. (I realise I am an incredibly hypocrite having only seen one picture not in the English Language at the cinemas this year.)
Read on for Fashion, the future, Tolstoy, international police, bad parenting, cat burglars, assassinated presidents and a warning to the studios.
Tom Ford's Next Movie
Snappy title, eh? Contrary to our expectations last year it looks like fashion designer-cum-director Tom Ford will be returning behind the camera for a self-penned comedy. I had doubts about Single Man, see my review back in February, but I can't deny Ford had style in abundance. Which only makes the idea of him making a comedy all the more intriguing.
Afterburn
You've got to love Gerard Butler's tenacity, haven't you? After scoring big with 300 he has continued with the action thriller theme in countless films of falling quality. Be honest, what says crappy CV more than say, a combination of Gamer and Law Abiding Citizen. Yet he's interested in this project described as Mad Max meets Indiana Jones - in a future Earth devastated by solar flares one lone hero must find important artifacts. I'm mainly worried about why he has to find them? Surely in a scorched planet life will be tough enough milking cockroaches and fighting off cannibals without pointless quests to find ancient writings?
Anna Karenina
Given the recent success of The Last Station in reminding us of Leo Tolstoy extraordinary reputation at the time of his death, no to mention we are now passing the centennial anniversary of his passing it's no surprise to read a new version of his classic novel of love and betrayal in 19th century Russian aristocracy is set to get another film version. This time Keira Knightley is set to step in front of a train as Anna with Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice) reuniting with his star to direct. This is bound to be classy and be warned tissues will be required for the last reel.
Man from UNCLE
I'm not sure I remember the TV series about international detectives Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin(Robert Vaughn and Robert McCallum). Naturally I remember catching the odd episode as a kid, in a vague channel hopping kind of way, but the tone of the series completely escapes me. It's therefore going to be difficult to second guess what the planned big screen adaptation will be like, are we up for a modern take on UNCLE in a post cold war anti-terrorism plot, or will it be a retro look at the 60's. Are we going to get tension or laughs? Steven Soderbergh is circling the project with Scott Z. Burns (The Informant!) set to redraft the script and George Clooney interested in a major role. I can only assume with this trio that we could see a serio-comic take on it, and this is one update I'm keeping an eye on.
Wilson
I don't know why but I'm always shocked by the variety of subject matter provided by graphic novels, gone are the days of it being just semi-pornographic action hero stuff (if indeed it ever was the case). The latest series to edge closer to a big screen adaptation is based on Daniel Clowes' portrait of a man apart from society due to his brutal honesty and caustic character. The plot progresses as he attempts to reconcile with his ex-wife and his daughter he never knew he had. It's not a tones throw away in plot terms from Alexander Payne's upcoming The Descendants (maybe just turned on it's head in terms of character loyalties) so it shouldn't come as a big surprise to hear he's interested in directing.
Gambit
Some remakes are beyond the pale (see the last film listed here) whereas others are perfectly acceptable. Such as this remake of the Michael Caine/Shirley Maclaine starring 60's crime caper. Enjoyable fun as it is, there are no suggestions of masterpiece attached to it so I'm very interested to see how the Coen brothers update works.
Lincoln
Steven Spielberg's presidential biopic is back, now with Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role. Given the delays and other projects Spielberg has continuously put in his way before I won't be holding my breath for this.
Wizard of Oz
Robert Zemeckis has officially stated he has no interest in directing the remake of the 1939 classic. My advice to all Hollywood directors is to pass as well, otherwise the ghost of Judy Garland will surely track you down and destroy your career.
Goldie Hawn
Happy Birthday to
Goldie Hawn
65 today
This perky star may have retired from acting (it's been 8 years since we last saw her on screen) but her influence in modern cinema can't be underestimated. She remains the model for fluffy rom-coms, every Katherine Heigl and Amy Adams out there needs to thank Goldie for shoing them how it's done.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
He who must not be named gets the upper hand (Out this week - 19/11/10)
I'm writing this in advance, so some of the excitometer scores are yet to be confirmed, but saying that I'm still taking a punt on the film of the week. I would love to pick out the Cuban romantic animation Chico and Rita, but frankly unless the reviews are dreadful the box office champ and my own personal film of the week is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Adrift
No, it's not the Open Water sequel, but instead a Brazilian drama about a 14 year girl old on holiday discoveries her fathers (Vincent Cassel) infidelities and developing a burgeoning romance of her own.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Broken Sun
Australian drama set during the second World War charting the shifting relationship between a suicidal veteran and an escaped Japanese POW as the former returns him to the camp across the outback as each discover how war impacts the soul of a soldier.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Chico and Rita
Adult animation, partly hand drawn, partly CGI, about a Cuban couple (a singer and a pianist) who love each other too much for the relationship to last longer than thier international tour.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Dream Home
Satire on the housing crisis and the desire for a better home with Josie Ho running amock on her would be neighbours after a housepurchase falls through. Some inventive deaths look inevitable.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Guzaarish
I'm curious to see what the tone of this Bollywood drama starring Aishwarya Rai will be. The plot concerns a magician fighting for euthanasia following a major accident.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
And so it begins, the (first half of the) final chapter of J K Rowling's wizard franchise. I expect Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) will appear to gain the upper hand at the end of this installment with Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and chums looking like their beaten. The massive Brit cast includes (deep breath) Helena Bonham Carter, John Hurt, Miranda Richardson, Imelda Staunton, Julie Walters and Alan Rickman.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Life Goes On
British drama, set among the Indian community, about a husband and father, leaning to cope following the sudden passing of the wife he idolised.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Silent Army
Drama about child soldiers in South Africa, as told through the eyes of a white reastauranteur who searching for his neighbours kidnapped son. Surprisingly this was the Dutch submission for last years Foreign Language Oscars.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Uncle Boonmee who Can Recall his past Lives
The least likely Palm D'Or winner in years directed by Thai auteur Apichatpong Weerasethakul looks at the final hours of the titular character as he remembers his life. Lyrical, spirtiual and in some places quite surreal. A beautiful but enigmatic experience.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Friday, 19 November 2010
Kathleen Quinlan
Happy Birthday to
Kathleen Quinlan
56 today
Kathleen's been plodding away at her career since the early 70's, always working which is a great sign of quality. Bonus points for anyone who can tell me her one line in American Graffiti?
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Chloe Sevigny
Happy Birthday to
Chloe Sevigny
36 today
Known as a fashion icon and a disco dancing it girl as well a varied and exciting acting career working with direcors as diverse as Lars von Trier, David Fincher and Woody Allen. It's a shame whenever her name is mentioned we tend to think first of a certain scene in 2003's Brown Bunny.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Happy Birthday to
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
52 today
I'm really not sure what happened with Mary Elizabeth, oscar nominated when supporting Tom Cruise, facing The Abyss with James Cameron and an incredibly sexy Maid Marian. Since then she's pretty much disappeared from the radar. Currently appearing in a Law & Order spin-off series.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Tuesday Trailers - Next Three Days
And before you know we're looking at films opening in 2011, the barrier has been broken. As with any year January is full to the brim with high end prestige pictures, but for some reason this prison escape drama, as corny and predicatable as it looks, is appearing high on my radar. Maybe it's just the thought of Russel Crowe kicking some serious ass but I'm really excited to see how this remake of the French hit works.
The Next Three Days is released on 07 January 2011
