Nénette Directed by Nicolas Philibert Nénette begins by confronting the audience with a familiar gaze: it’s not human, but we are still almost immediately drawn in, struck by pathos for something like but unlike ourselves. The camera never leaves the orangutan cage located at the Paris Menagerie. Voice-overs from various authorities and backgrounds, offering multiple …
“Soledad Miranda and Ewa Stroemberg are beautiful to look at, but the film isn’t as exciting as the premise would have it perceived to be.” Vampyros Lesbos Director: Jess Franco Writers: Jaime Chavarri, Jess Franco Starring: Soledad Miranda, Ewa Stroemberg, Dennis Price 1970 Spain | Not Rated | 89 mins The vampire has taken on the …
Being a critically acclaimed indie director to jumping onto the big budget stage is quite a leap for Darren Aronofsky. If what Deadline is claiming to be accurate, Mr. Aronofsky is pretty close to signing the deal to become the next Wolverine director. After being named on the shortlist for Superman, ultimately given to Zack …
Volkswagen has more on their mind then just automobiles. VW has been seen sponsoring various film festivals these days and have been really taken with the industry. The See Film Differently campaign has been reignited after a few cute print ads that surfaced last year. The new campaign is focused on locations rather than cars …
It is a bit unusual to review short films, but imagineNATIVE has a pretty cool series of shorts. In addition to shorts screened before features, the festival will be running several dedicated shorts programs, including a youth program, a late-night program, and a dance program. The shorts themselves cross many genres, such as drama, sci-fi, …
Room In Rome Directed by Julio Medem A remake of the 2005 Chilean film En La Cama, Room in Rome is the latest film from esteemed director Julio Medem (Lovers of the Arctic Circle, Sex and Lucia) and stars Elena Anaya (Hierro, Mesrine, Sex and Lucia) and Natasha Yarovenko. Boiled down to it’s simplest elements, …
/Film is reporting that Zack Snyder, the director of the new Superman movie, has spoken to what the film will be about. [Translated from French] “As I have already explained, the film will focus on early days of Superman, so there will be no links with other films. This is not a remake then. Similarly, …
USA Today is reporting that Bosnia’s cultural minister, Gavrilo Grahovac, has changed his mind and is letting Angelina Jolie film her directorial debut in Bosnia after reviewing the script. “It’s very simple,” commented Jolie on Friday. “There was a nasty rumor that it was about a relationship that started with a rape and torture — …
L’arbre Directed by Julie Bertucelli Strong characterizations can’t quite save Julie Bertucelli’s new effort, L’Arbre. After the death of her husband, Charlotte Gainsbourg struggles to readjust, while her daughter believes that her father’s spirit continues to live on in the ancient tree that grows right outside of their home. Most of the film’s failings lie …
“Piranha is a fun cult classic with lots of blood and a great script.” Piranha Director: Joe Dante Writer: John Sayles Starring: Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies, Dick Miller 1978 United States | R | 92 mins Deep down in the big blue abyss so many creatures, known and unknown, lurk. Sharks, barracudas, jelly fish, and other …
“Where Let The Right One In was beguiling, Let Me In is brittle and snaps in its final movements, but Reeves cast and crew have talent to spare and one hopes that they stalk fresher prey the next time round.” Let Me In Directed by Matt Reeves A palpable roar of disapproval was emitted from …
The week started with a rather odd film in 1971’s Tombs of The Blind Dead. It is bizarrely constructed, and strangely misogynistic at points, but still fun. That was followed up by another bizarre film; the 1977 film Shock Waves. It doesn’t always make sense, but it too is fun, and Peter Cushing and Brooke …
Boy Dir. Taika Waititi (2010, New Zealand, 85 mins.) Boy is not what one would expect from a coming-of-age story. Director Taika Waititi chooses to forgo the type of cinematic angst and melodrama the appeals to the MTV crowd; this film has no eyeliner or bubblegum punk. He as instead elected to portray childhood more …
La Pequeña Semilla en el Asfalto Dir. Pedro Daniel López López (2009, Mexico, 80 mins.) I have fairly mixed feelings on about this film. On the one hand, La Pequeña Semilla en el Asfalto is very successful at what it sets out to do: that is, portray the struggles of young indigenous Mexicans who leave …
Dreamland Dir. Ivan Sen (2010, Australia, 84 mins.) Dreamland is aptly titled; watching the film is much like watching a dream, albeit someone else’s dream. I make this distinction because, whist a dreamer instinctively knows what is happening in a dream without explanation, someone else trying to watch the same dream would be lost. This …
“Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is old-school fun.” Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer Director: Jon Knautz Writers: Jon Knautz, John Ainslie Starring: Trevor Matthews, Robert Englund, David Fox 2007 Canada | R | 85 mins They are big, ugly, grotesque, slobbering, and sometimes found under your bed. They guard treasures, they eat children, they live in caves or …
A Safe House Directed by Stephen G. Schioppo This film rivetingly reveals that in that life, real life there is no such thing as “A Safe House.” Amidst family crime dramas that populate the small screen (Blue Bloods, The Good Wife) and the big screen, (The Town, The Departed, Mystic River), A Safe House delivers …
“Opera showcases Argento at his insane stylistic best that rivals the Technicolor mastery of Suspiria.” Opera Director: Dario Argento Writers: Dario Argento, Franco Ferrini Starring: Christina Marsillach, Ian Charleson, Coralina Catildi-Tassoni 1987 Italy | R | 107 mins You know a Dario Argento film when you see one – vivid and hypnotic colours, elaborate camera moves …
“Some viewers will be bored and others entranced, but in either case La Quattro Volte seems destined to provoke discussion…” La Quattro Volte Directed by Michelangelo Frammartino Under its Cinema Europa programme strand, the London Film Festival strives to screen the best of the world’s contemporary European cinema, an experience that can either swing from …
Never Let Me Go Directed by Mark Romanek In the five years since its Booker prize nomination, Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Never Let Me Go has collected a cadre of devoted fans who were quietly reassured that despite the recruitment of an American director – Mark Romanek – to bring this literary favourite to the big …
Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson) has recently been cast by Nolan to play a role in his next Batman film. This news comes from Deadline, which has no real further information regarding his character or his importance to the film. I do like that Nolan and Hardy are reuniting after working together in Inception. A reasonable …
Bleeding Cool released these new stills which show a much darker and moodier side to Marcus Nispel’s upcoming Conan reboot. The film will star Stephen Lang, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan, Jason Momoa, Leo Howard, Saïd Taghmaoui, Bob Sapp, Nonso Anozie, Marco Khan and Raw Leiba. Synopsis: After his father is murdered and village destroyed, Conan …
“In the end, what we have is a well thought-out horror classic worthy to be in anyone’s prized collection.” We Are What We Are (Somos Lo Que Hay) Directed by Jorge Michel Grau Ever so often the genre film gets a surge of dramatization, creating something very special and memorable for the moviegoer. This year, …