The One Eyed Man is King

I'm pleased to announce that Fernando Meirelles, Director of "City of God" and "The Constant Gardner" will be releasing his latest film "Blindness" this August.

"Blindness" starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo is the adaptation of the Nobel Prize of Literature winning book of the same title. The story follows a doctor's wife (Julianne Moore) who is the only person who can see in her city after a mysterious virus (called the white sickness) causes everyone else to go blind. And because of this blindness, society around her begins to crumble.

From the trailer it looks like "Children of Men" meets "28 Days Later," although many of Meirelles' trailers don't do his films justice. Either way, the film still looks very entertaining and I have the highest of hopes for its quality.

For those who haven't seen "Cidade de Deus" (a.k.a "City of God") it's time to make a trip to the video store. It is truly an amazing film and should wet your whistle for things to come later this year.

There isn't much else to say about the newest effort from Meirelles, but as always stay posted for more updates on "Blindness," and check out the trailer below.

(Photo taken from www.lancemannion.com)

Rambow?

So this blog post goes out to all you British comedy lovers, myself included.

"Son of Rambow," which opens this week, tells the story of two young boys who set out to make "Son of Rambow" on a home video recorder.  The "stuntman" and actor in "Son of Rambow" is Will, the eldest of three sons whom are "God's chosen ones" (or so his parents say).  In reality, they belong to a religious sect that doesn't allow Will to mix with other boys outside of his religion and watch secular TV.  Carter, the director of the film, has a wild imagination and his only outlet for his creativity is through his odd home movies.  When Carter shows Will a copy of "Rambo: First Blood," he convinces Will to become the stuntman in his latest feature "Son of Rambow."  But, as their popularity grows, their friendship and film are put on the line.

The film takes place in England during the 1980s and is heavy on the nostalgia ticket.  It at first glance seems to be a kid's film, but in reality is quite the contrary.  It reminds me of 2004's "Millions," where it tells an adult calibur story through the eyes of children.

"Son of Rambow" is directed by Garth Jennings, director of "The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy."  Don't be mislead by this, "Rambow" is actually supposed to be good.

It has accrued rave reviews as well as "Official Selection" from the Sundance Film Festival, the Toronto Film Festival, as well as a slew of others.  Rotten Tomatoes seems to be favoring it already, as it is currently set at 90% freshness.

So if you're looking for an indy film fix this week/weekend, look no further than "Son of Rambow."  Something tells me we're all in for a treat.

Those Savages!

On April 22, 2008, "The Savages" was released on DVD.  

So why haven't you rented it yet?!

This new release is not to be missed.  The film stars Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Capote") and Laura Linney (The Squid and the Whale) and was written and directed by Tamara Jenkins ("The Slums of Beverly Hills").

The story follows an estranged brother and sister (Hoffman and Linney) who must come together when their father's girlfriend dies and he is diagnosed with dementia shortly thereafter.  The heart of the movie illustrates the real life struggle to place their father in a nursing home without feeling like they've abandoned him, all the while, dealing with their own personal problems in their own lives.

Linney and Hoffman give stellar performances which gives the movie an all too eerie sheen.  If this movie does one thing well, it's accurately portraying these relationships and the hardships of being mature adults.  

I warn you, this movie is fairly depressing.  But even though the premise is a tad gloomy, there is a subtle humor that allows the audience to not only cry at the main characters' despair, but laugh a little too.  Ultimately, it's worth a watch.

So over the next few visits to the video store you may be tempted to waltz right by "The Savages," but don't let this movie fall through the cracks!  And if you need some reinforcement (which I just know you do), you'll be pleased to see that IMDB rates this movie at a 7.7 out of 10, RottenTomatoes gives this one a 96% freshness, and I'm pretty sure this guy gave it two thumbs up.

(Photo taken from www.worstpreview.com)

Update: Opening this week

Hey ladies and gents, here's a quick look at a few movies coming to theaters this week.

• "Baby Mama" - Tina Fey's newest comedy about a soon-to-be mother (Fey) and her surrogate mother and friend (Amy Poehler).  Ye old RottenTomatoes certifies this one at 86% freshness and I think you should partake.
• "A Plumm Summer" - Billy Baldwin and Henry Winkler star in this film about two boys from Montana, in 1968, who go "head to head with the FBI to crack the kidnapping case of the beloved TV puppet, Froggy Doo.  Sounds interesting and shouldn't be missed by indie fans.
  
• "Roman de Gare" - Yet another "86% fresh" foreign film from Oscar-winning director Claude Lelouche.  This film shows how three lives cross when "a woman abandoned, a stranger awaiting his chance and, a best-selling author who imagines the thriller of the year."  Apparently, it's cleverly shot and with entwining story lines that outwits the audience along the way.  If you want to do some reading that's not in a book, this one goes on the recommendation list.
• "Rogue" - Fans of the Aussie film "Wolf Creek" may enjoy this film, as it is from the same director.  "Rouge" follows a group of tourists taken on a river tour to find an ancient deadly crocodile, and as you may have guessed, they find it and wish they hadn't.  If you like preposterous deadly animal movies like "Snakes on a Plane," "Lake Placid," or "Anaconda"(hilarious), you may just get some enjoyment out of this film.  But if you're looking for real scares, I warn you that this one looks cheesy.

There you have it:  four movies premiering this week that you can sink your teeth into and there's a little something for everybody.  So, let's get watching!

In Dreams I Walk With You

Well, today's post is going to cover the lovier, dovier side of cinema.  In particular, two films that put the scene-chick back in your flick.

Ryan Gosling has come a long way since his success with "The Notebook."  And, if you're like me, that one left you feeling a tad mushy.  His new film, however, should appeal to the indie-lover in all of us.

"Lars and the Real Girl," Gosling's latest effort is winning the hearts of critics and viewers alike, though it has a strange twist on your conventional love story.  Bianca, Lars' (Gosling) fiancee, is anything but organic on screen. 

In fact, she's plastic.

According to RottenTomatoes, Lars is a quiet man who keeps to himself and remains quite isolated until he announces to his brother and sister that he has a new girlfriend.  A girlfriend whom he has purchased off the internet in the form of an atomically correct doll.

Yes, he buys a blow-up doll from the internet and his family and fellow neighbors play along so as not to provoke the shy and emotionally challenged Lars.

Though this one sounds a little on the strange side, the reviews for this film are extremely positive and it supposedly has a sweet and quirky humor to it.

It hit the shelves of your local DVD stores on the 15th, so don't delay.

Next on the list, if you're looking for a good date movie that you can take your special someone to, look no further than "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," coming to theaters April 18th.

The producers of 40-year-old Virgin and Knocked up have lent their talents to this tale about getting over being dumped.  It stars Jason Segel ("Knocked Up"), Kristen Bell ("Pulse"), and Mila Kunis ("That 70's Show") and is directed by Nicholas Stoller.

The basic plot outline is that Peter (Jason Segel) travels to Hawaii for a vacation after being broken up with by Sarah (Kristen Bell) who's also taking a vacation to Hawaii with her new boyfriend.

Plot-line sound a little...predictable?  Well there's plenty of romance and vulgar comedy to go around, says IMDB.  The Tomato-meter ranks this puppy (love?) at a cool 85% freshness.  And, if you're feeling skeptical, just check out the reviews here.  Sounds like a winner to me.

So there you go.  Two movies you and your main-squeeze can fully enjoy, both parties fully satisfied.  

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a 2-year anniversary to celebrate.

(Picture taken from www.dundee.ac.uk)

If Only Juno Was a Thriller...

Well now that the buzz is surrounding Miss Ellen Page has reached a subtle roar after her performance in Juno, you may be wondering where this surprising young actress came from?  More importantly, you're probably wondering what else you can see her in without waiting for her new films to hit theaters.

Oh, do I have a rental suggestion for you.

To begin with, 2005's "Hard Candy" is a doozy.  The films stars Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson and they give quite a compelling performance.

Here's a quick synopsis.  Hayley Stark (Ellen Page) is a 15-year-old girl who's friend has been chatting with 32-year-old photographer Jeff Kohlver (Patrick Wilson) over the internet for the past three weeks.  Upon meeting Jeff at a local coffee shop, Hayley flirts with Jeff and talks him into going back to his house, despite their age difference.  Once back at Jeff's apartment, Hayley accuses Jeff of pedophilia.  When he denies these accusations, Hayley tortures him both mentally and physically to find out the truth.

As you can tell from the subject matter and its R rating, the film is rather controversial.  If you're worried about the gore factor, you can put your fears to bed.  Most of the torture sequences never actually show the target area, leaving your mind to fill in the gaps.  This is incredibly effective and will keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole ride.

The psychological game of cat and mouse is brilliant.  Page's character acts eerily mature for her age and actually makes the adult in the movie seem like a child.  Occasionally, you'll catch Page slipping back into her more vulnerable 15-year-old persona, but only for an instant.  This only puzzles the audience more, making them wonder if she really does have every angle figured out.  Creepy stuff.

The film has an incredibly low budget (under $1 million according to wikipedia) and most of it takes place inside Jeff's house.  However, this movie is shot cleanly and has an uncanny sense of style.  To quote an IMDB reviewer, this is indie film done right.  Indeed.

So, if you're up for the challenge of stomaching this little number, I highly recommend it.  If not, Page has a new more light hearted film "Smart People" coming out this year.  Either way, keep your eye on this budding young actress.

(Picture taken from www.horrorlair.com)

Enter the Grind House

Warning:  The contents of today's blog post will shock and horrify you.  Continue at your own risk.

Grind House |'grnd'·'hous'| (n): an often shabby movie theater having continuous showings especially of pornographic or violent films.

And that boys and girls, is the topic of today's blog post.

For those of you who just can't get enough guts for your greenback, blood for your buck, or sex for your salary, there are a few low budget "grind house" pictures coming your way.

First off, we have "Hell Ride" from director and legendary biker-movie star Larry Bishop (Chrome and Hot Leather).  This over-the-top journey into the dangerous and violent world of motorcycle gangs is said to take a "contemporary look on the classic western, 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,'" Bishop said (Star Pulse).

The film stars Larry Bishop, Michael Madsen, and Dennis Hopper and was produced by none other than Quentin Tarantino.  If anyone is going to put together a film about themed bikers, I can think of no better line-up.

The story consists of three men:  Pistolero, the Gent, and Comanche, and their "unfinished businesses among them" (IMDB).  As you can tell just from the character names, this one's going to be cheesy from the get-go.

The early reviews of this film have not been so favorable; from what I can tell, people still hate B-movies.  But hey, if you're like me, you'll still probably shell out the $7 bucks, even if it is total trash.  That's the fun of it right?

And now for our second exploitation feature:  "Zombie Strippers."  You read that last line correctly: "Zombie Strippers."

The film stars Pornstar actress Jenna Jameson (don't worry, the link takes you to her IMDB page), Robert Eglund (the "Nightmare on Elmstreet" series), and UK chick-rocker Roxy Saint.  I know, I can hardly believe it myself.  This one might require you to shower twice after viewing it.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the basic plot-line follows a secret government agency that lets out a deadly chemo virus causing the reanimation of the dead, and first place to get hit is (wait for it...) Rhino’s, a hot underground strip club.

From the trailer, it appears that the film is poorly shot and the writing is terrible, but this sounds like just what the doctor ordered.  Though, nothing says "good-bye oscar season" quite like watching a group of deadly zombie-strippers maim and eat their clientele on screen.  Am I right?

With "There Will Be Blood" making its way to DVD and Blu-Ray in the next couple of days, I confess that I feel a bit guilty waiting in anticipation for these two - dare I even call them - films.  But hey, everything is relative I suppose.

So, don't stop biting your fingernails until you get to your victim's shoulder and stay posted for more on "Hell Ride" and "Zombie Strippers" coming to theaters this year.

(Picture taken from www.moviemorlocks.com)

Watching the Watchmen

Two months ago, I posted about the upcoming Zach Snyder film "The Watchmen" and am happy to report that production is running smoothly.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, new stills of the sets of the "Watchmen" have surfaced and things are starting to look interesting - just see for yourself.  In addition to these stills from the set, the Watchmen's official website uploaded new photos of some of the cast too.  Snyder seems to be trying very hard to stay close to the original vision of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, the "Watchmen's" creators.

Also, ComingSoon.net posted a video podcast from Snyder about the production process and, in particular, the sets.  The video is a great insight to the arduous task of bringing a fictitious city to life and it serves to wet our appetite for the time being.

According to Snyder this is the "first of 12 video blogs that we will be releasing during the next year to give you an inside look at the making of Watchmen."  He adds, "We'll launch on every month on the 6th, so keep an eye out for them as they will be premiering on various sites throughout the year."

As a quick reminder, "Watchmen" takes place in an alternate 1985, where the U.S. and Soviet Union are coming closer and closer to engaging in nuclear war.  "The Doomsday clock is 5 minutes to midnight (wikipedia.org)."  The story itself highlights the different Watchmen superheroes as they set out to uncover a conspiracy to defame and kill all past superheroes after the death of one of their own.  The twist is that only one of the Watchmen truly has superpowers.  "Their mission is to watch over humanity, but who is watching the Watchmen? (Watchmen.com)"

Be sure to stay tuned for further "Watchmen" updates and check out the first video podcast here.

Not Silenced for Good

One of my favorite critics has been silenced.  Well, not quite in that way.

According to a blurb on the Seattle Times website, Pulitzer Prize winning critic Roger Ebert has lost his ability to speak after complications in surgery.  They wrote that his "surgery in January ended in complications, and his ability to speak was not restored."

"But I still have all my other abilities, including the love of viewing movies and writing about them," Ebert said (CNN).

Thankfully, the 65-year-old reviewer will continue to review movies through writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, says IMDB.  He will not, however, return to his syndicated television series "At the movies with Ebert & Roeper."

Ebert has a history with cancer.  According to Wikipedia, he was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer that was successfully removed.  In 2003, he also underwent a surgery and radiation treatment for cancer in his salivary gland.  This reportedly left his voice altered.

If you're not a reader of Ebert's reviews (other than the "Two Thumbs Up" slogan on trailers), I suggest you get reading.  I find that Ebert has an impeccable perspective in his reviews and shares his taste in film with yours truly.

I'm glad to hear that he is on his way to recovery, and that we can still enjoy his insightful reviews we've all come to love.