What is Movie News After Dark? It’s a nightly thing about movies. No big deal.
We begin tonight with a new image from The Great Gatsby featuring Leo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Joel Edgerton looking quite dapper. One can only imagine how much more dapper this will all look when we see it for the first time in 3D. I like the word dapper.
Last year, The Golden Globes learned that finding a comedian with a bit of edge can be dangerous and good for your ratings. This year, the Independent Spirit Awards is following suit… Or, wait, cancel that. The Indie Spirits are going to be filled with stoner humor. Seth Rogen is hosting. He will undoubtedly laugh a lot, though.
In the world of theater there’s a new thing called ‘Tweet Seats’ where you can come and Tweet through a performance. It sounds like an awful idea, as Monkey See’s Beenish Ahmed hints. How long, then, until a movie theater begins installing rows for Tweeters? The sky is falling, friends.
George Lucas on Indiana Jones 5: “Actually, I told him I didn’t have it yet. I told him about the story, but I really haven’t found the MacGuffin yet. I mean, I know what it’s about, but I just have to find a MacGuffin that fits into the arena we’re working in.” Hopefully George’s MacGuffin isn’t a real MacGuffin and he actually doesn’t have any ideas and totally quits.
What if the system used to predict crime in Minority Report existed in real life? Would you believe that it already sort of does? You will once you check out this fancy new infographic, which can be seen by clicking below (the image is massive, so you’ll have to click to view it).
Because we can never talk enough about the brilliance of Roger Corman, here’s a very great piece on Corman as Indy Hollywood’s Original Superhero over at The Big Picture.
Oh, joyous day! A sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs has its directors. Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn, who worked on the first film under Phil Lord and Chris Miller, are set to direct the sequel, which is said to be based on the book Pickles to Pittsburgh. As someone who unabashedly loved Cloudy, I can’t wait.
The Broadcast Film Critics of America have announced the nominees for the 17th Critics Choice Awards, including a number of noms for the likes of Hugo, The Artist, Drive, The Descendants and Stephen Daldry’s heartbreaking 9/11 drama Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
We close tonight with a stark reminder that the end of the year is coming to a close. We know that because we’ve now seen our first ‘Year in Movies’ mash-up, coming from Matt Shapiro, the same clever cat who brought us 2010: The Cinescape. His latest is called, you guessed it, 2011: The Cinescape.
This week’s DVD column only features one certified blockbuster, but happily it’s a kick ass movie worth picking up and enjoying as soon as possible. The rest of the week’s offerings are smaller fare of varying quality including the incredibly fun Detective Dee, the too grim to be good Little Deaths, the better than expected Fright Night, the enlightening but sad Circumstance, and more.
As always, if you see something you like, click on the image to buy it.
Apocalypse, CA
It’s the end of the world thanks to an impending impact from a very large asteroid, but where most films with that premise would focus on efforts to avert disaster this smaller budget indie has a bit more on its mind. John is using Earth’s final days trying to make up for lost time, but his attempts to right past wrongs meet with questionable results. As you’d expect those results include body swapping, Armageddon, a 100-foot tall giant and more. Obviously. Imagine Bellflower with more appealing characters, a lighter tone and far less whining, and you’ll have a good idea what to expect from writer/director Chad Peter’s film. Well, not really, but the point is it’s an interesting and creative look at gender and relationships through an apocalyptic lens that makes up for its budgetary restraints and occasionally dodgy acting (I’m looking at you “Hank”) with wit, foul language and impressive visual effects.
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
Pitch: This ancient Chinese secret is more concerned with ass-kickery than with laundry…
Why Buy? A banished detective (Andy Lau) is released from prison on the condition that he prevent the assassination of the woman who put him there, but he’ll need all the help he can get when he comes to realize the full extent of the threat facing her kingdom. Tsui Hark has been in a bit of a slump for a while now, but he bursts back onto the scene with this martial arts and magic filled adventure that brings Sherlock Holmes to ancient China with gloriously entertaining action sequences, a smart and witty script and fun performances from all involved. Plus Bingbing Li who is as gorgeous to look at as her name is fun to say. That’s to say, very.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Pitch: Hey Tim Burton! Hey Matthijs van Heijningen Jr! This is how you make a prequel…
Why Buy? A scientist with a crooked smile (James Franco) accidentally creates an intelligent ape while working on a cure for Alzheimers, and that fur-covered Einstein starts to create trouble in the Bay Area. It also leads to a future Earth that will eventually play host to a visit from Charlton Heston and friends. Rupert Wyatt’s prequel to the classic Apes franchise is blockbuster entertainment at its finest with stunning special effects, fantastic set pieces and thought provoking concepts. It shouldn’t have worked at all, but just about all of it works beautifully.
Action Double Feature: The Nickel Ride & 99 and 44/100% Dead
Pitch: Wonder if this John Frankenheimer fellow can film a worthwhile car chase…
Why Rent? The latest Action Double Feature from Shout! Factory features the Jason Miller-starring thriller, The Nickel Ride, and the Richard Harris action comedy, 99 and 44/100% Dead. If you’re like me you’ve never heard of either film, but both are actually somewhat pleasant surprises. The Nickel Ride stars Miller as the guy who manages multiple warehouses for the mob, but as mob-related plans are prone to do things soon start falling apart in dramatic fashion. It’s well acted but a bit slow. The terribly titled 99 and 44/100% Dead stars Harris as a glasses-wearing man for hire who gets shit done in an odd GTA-like world where crime, car chases, and gun fights are the norm. The fight choreography blows, but the car and gun action is pretty cool. It is a John Frankenheimer joint after all.
Circumstance
Pitch: Who knew Iran (ex-pats included) would become the …
Why Rent? Two teenage girls in Iran struggle to live in a world that limits expressions of personality and sexuality especially from females. Atafeh (Nikohl Booshen) and Shireen (Sarah Kazemy) discover truths about themselves and what they mean to each other, but Iranian society is a far from welcoming environment. Despite Lionsgate’s attempt to sell this as “an outrageously sexy movie” Circumstance is actually a frustrating and often depressing drama about young lives forced to conform to ridiculously sexist and cruel cultural standards. Both girls give strong performances filled with yearning and desire in a story that follows their diverging paths. Plus, well, there are a couple truly sexy scenes between them too.
Fright Night
Pitch: I was on set of this movie during the night club scene. So that’s cool…
Why Rent? A teenager (Anton Yelchin) with a single mom discovers their new next door neighbor is a vampire (Colin Ferrell), and with the help of his plucky girlfriend (Imogen Poots) and a Las Vegas magician (David Tennant) he sets out to stop the monster’s reign of terror. This remake of the beloved 80s film took a lot of flack and criticism that it didn’t really warrant. The movie has issues to be sure, but it’s still a fun and bloody horror comedy with solid performances and effects.
The Life and Times of Tim: The Complete Second Season
Pitch: You will not envy Tim’s life, but you will enjoy laughing at it…
Why Rent? Imagine an animated version of Demitri Martin with Ray Romano’s voice and George Costanza’s luck, and you’ll have a good idea what to expect with this very funny series on HBO. Tim is a schlub in NYC who just can’t catch a break whether it be at work, out with friends or home with a lady. But his loss is our gain as creator Steve Dildarian and friends find the humor in situations awkward and mundane. The set includes all ten episodes and serves as a good lead in to season three which starts this month.
Sledge Hammer! The Complete Series
Pitch: “I haven’t seen anything this perverted since the Webster holiday special…”
Why Rent? Detective Sledge Hammer (David Rasche) is an LA cop who’d rather shoot first then, well, do anything else. He fights crime with a giant hand gun, a sexist attitude, and a willful ignorance of Miranda rights. This sitcom-ish show from the eighties is front loaded with a variety of stupid jokes, dumb bits and broad comedy, and while it went over a lot better with my teen self than it does now it’s still fun, goofball entertainment.
Kill Katie Malone
Pitch: May be the first eBay-inspired movie. Hopefully the last…
Why Avoid? A battered and beleaguered Dean Cain auctions a mysterious wooden box online which he claims contains the ghost of a long dead servant girl, but when some crazy college kids buy it all hell breaks loose. That actually makes it sound more exciting than it is. This ghost-in-a-box tale offers little reason to care about anything that’s happening onscreen to any of the characters. On the plus side the trio of college buds aren’t annoying, but they’re also not very interesting. There are a couple mildly effective ghost effects, but the movie as a whole is scare-free and often nonsensical. Skip it and watch The Innkeepers instead.
Little Deaths
Pitch: “We all have appetites. Some of us just have different tastes…”
Why Avoid? This anthology horror film from the UK mixes sex and death in three separate tales to varied effect. Unfortunately none of those effects are all that interesting or exciting. The first story opens promisingly enough with a couple who take a young homeless girl into their home, but it flips on a dime to a fairly goofy denouement. Story two has a crazy idea at its core, but it’s excruciatingly slow and uninteresting in its execution. The final segment is the best of the bunch and features a brutal and squirm-inducing finale, but getting there is once again a dull drag. Skip it and watch season one of The Hitchhiker instead.
Also out this week, but I haven’t seen the movie/TV show, review material was unavailable, and I have no blind opinion:
The Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975
Branded to Kill (Criterion)
Eames: The Architect and the Painter
Kung Fu Panda 2
Ra.One
Tanner Hall
Tokyo Drifter (Criterion)
Paramount Pictures has released the first trailer for The Dictator, in which Sacha Baron Cohen plays a ruthless Middle Eastern dictator, something along the lines of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, who is sent to America in exile and must live among the infidels. It’s what one might call a brave move, if this weren’t another Sacha Baron Cohen and Larry Charles joint. It’s safe to assume that Cohen is trying to create this modern generation’s version of Chaplin’s The Great Dictator, but with far more hairy Kardashians jokes.
Watch the trailer for yourself below and let us know what you think:
The Dictator is due out May 11, 2012. The film will also star Megan Fox, Anna Faris, John C. Reilly, Ben Kingsley, B.J. Novak and J.B. Smoove. The trailer is courtesy of The Huffington Post.
If you liked Joe Johnston’s superhero action flick Captain America: The First Avenger this summer, you might want to watch some of his older movies. No, I’m not talking about The Wolfman. I’m talking about his other comic book film from 1991: The Rocketeer.
In honor of its 20th anniversary, Disney has released the film for the first time on Blu-ray. Fans of The Rocketeer will recognize the fact that the rocket pack is powered by alcohol. What a coincidence… so is this column. Take a few drinks from your own rocket pack and enjoy this classic adventure in high definition.
And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and don’t try flying a rocket pack without a helmet and chewing gum.
Merry Christmas movie/TV/goat-cheese lovers! As part of our week-long gift guide extravaganza thingamajig we’ve put together a list of Blu-rays, DVD and a few other ideas for you to use when shopping for others or for putting on your own Christmas list. Or both. Some of the films below are from years past, but they all hit Blu-ray and/or DVD this year so they totally count for this gift guide.
Click on the links to be magically transported to Amazon, AmazonUK and other places where lovely things can be found.
For Everyone
In a perfect world this would be a no-brainer, but unfortunately the one we live in is filled with people who choose Whitney and season twenty-three of Two & a Half Men over smart, hilarious and endlessly creative shows like Community. The series has recently gone on hiatus thanks to not enough people giving it a chance, and maybe you’re one of those people. If so shame on you… don’t you realize you get to see Annie’s Boobs here? Luckily you may have a chance to set things right for existing fans and new ones alike. Buy a copy of Community: The Complete First Season for everyone on your list. Then buy them the Community: The Complete Second Season too for good measure.
For Those Who Blinked and Missed Some Of the Year’s Best Releases
Another Earth is one of two smartly affecting indies featuring Brit Marling that I saw this year, but it’s the only one available to own. It’s a thought-provoking and intimate drama that weaves sci-fi elements to tell a very personal story. Attack the Block (also on DVD) is probably the most well-known title in this group as the blogosphere (us included) hasn’t shut up about it since its premiere. But don’t let the hype blind you to the fact that this British import is an incredibly fun little action/horror hybrid. Brotherhood (also on DVD) didn’t get a chance in theaters, but it’s easily a far better thriller than many big budget ones that graced screens this year. It hits the ground running from the opening scene and continues to build momentum as things get more and more out of hand. Ceremony (also on DVD) was unfairly maligned as a Wes Anderson-wannabe, but Michael Angarano’s performance alone makes it a winner. The supporting cast, funny script and smart ending help make it a winner too. Forget Me Not is a no profile little horror film that quietly released on DVD a few months ago but deserves to be seen by more eyeballs thanks to some legitimate scares, solid effects and above average plotting. By all accounts Meek’s Cutoff (also on DVD) should have been a boring slog through the Midwest, but somehow it managed to captivate through strong performances and a surprisingly dramatic dilemma. Plus, Oscilloscope’s packaging is once again stellar. If you had told me that one of my favorite films of the year would be a sports drama I’d have dribbled a hockey puck on your head, but Warrior (also on DVD) is an amazing movie. The family drama is intense, but it takes a back seat to a spectacular face-off in the ring where I honestly would have been thrilled to see either side win. Win Win (also on DVD) features a schlubby Paul Giamotti (as if there’s any other kind) in a film that really sneaks up on you with its warmth, wit and heart.
For Shut-Ins Who Think Wonderful Things Can’t Come From Small Boxes With Asian-Sounding Names
Know someone who doesn’t like leaving the house and has a general disdain for things with holes in them? Roku (roku.com) offers boxes of varied sizes and colors that connect to the TV and internet to bring digital joy into living rooms across America. The box itself has no subscription free and comes packed with lots of streaming content, but owners can also navigate their existing HBO, HuluPlus, Netflix and other services through the box for enjoyment on their TVs.
For Couch Potatoes Whose Arms Are Still Strong Enough to Lift a Box-Set
Without Barney Miller: The Complete Series we never would have had Fish. Something to think about while grinning at the creative box design for this classic series set. Big Love: The Complete Series came to an end this year, and the fact that HBO’s show was able to consistently find engaging drama and spectacular characters in a story about an offshoot of the Mormon religion is a miracle. The Kids in the Hall: The Complete Series is sketch comedy which by its very nature is a hit or miss experience, but these five Canadians earn laughs far more often than they not. Thirty Helens agree. Law & Order: The Complete Series is a monster of a set for a monster of a show. Ripped from the headlines or not Dick Wolf’s iconic series is an endlessly fascinating peek into our justice system. M.A.S.K.: The Complete Series puts a human face on a Transformers-like concept as a group of top secret agents use transforming vehicles to fight baddies. The toys were pretty cool too. Robotech: The Complete Series collects all 85 episodes of this anime classic and tells the story of mankind’s war against alien attackers across multiple generations. The set is loaded with extras too, but even if it wasn’t the series is engaging enough on its own to warrant a buy. Torchwood: The Complete Original UK Series (also on DVD) bears a tenuous connection to Dr. Who, but while I’ve never really gotten into that one Torchwood grabbed me early on and kept me engaged all the way through to the end. Some interesting character dynamics at play here alongside stories that deftly move from genre to genre. The Universe: The Complete Series (also on DVD) shouldn’t need an introduction seeing as we all live in it, but trust me when I say the science geek in your life would love this set and its hours upon hours of stunning imagery.
For Fans Who Prefer Their Classics in HD
Amelie finally hit Blu in the US this year, and it was well worth the wait. It remains one of the sweetest and most visually inventive romances ever brought to the screen. I may or may not be dating myself with this, but Broadcast News (Criterion) is probably my favorite film of all time. Fast moving, witty, and heartbreaking, this is a near perfect film. Judge all you want, but I watched Citizen Kane: 70th Anniversary for the first time this year. And, predictably, I immediately fell in love with it. Dario Argento isn’t revered in the same way as Orson Welles, and his last twenty years worth of films show that he shouldn’t be, but at one time he managed to churn out several movies that have since become classics of the genre. Deep Red is his best film, hands down, and Arrow Video has released a fantastically presented and packaged region-free Bluray. Charlie Chaplin left us with several pieces of cinematic brilliance, and The Great Dictator (Criterion) may just be the best of the bunch. Sharp satire melded with Chaplin’s patented comedic persona make for timeless entertainment. Rushmore (Criterion) may have only been Wes Anderson’s second film, but it shows an assured hand behind the script, camera, and characters. He succeeds in getting across a simple honesty here that would be begin to get bogged down in excess style and awareness just two films later. And Bill Murray is spectacular.
For Those Who Like Gifts That Keep on Giving Until They Stop
Love movies? Love well crafted packaging? Oscilloscope may just be the best label in the business when it comes to pairing great films with beautifully done sleeves and cases. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Meek’s Cutoff, and We Need to Talk About Kevin are just a few of the titles they’ve released (or will release soon). Any one of them would be a fine gift, but even better is their Circle of Trust gift subscription (Oscilloscope.net) that gets the recipient their next ten releases in addition to a discount on catalog titles. Great deal at a great company.
For Folks Who Begrudgingly Acknowledge That Sometimes Blockbusters Can Be Great Movies Too
Captain America: The First Avenger (also on DVD) had everything going against it including a director in decline, a cinematically untested comic book hero, and a lead actor known more for pretty boy looks than charisma, but I’ll be the first to admit Joe Johnston’s film proved me wrong with thrilling action, true comedy, and a surprising element of heart. It’s unheard of for a fourth sequel in an otherwise unspectacular franchise to become the best of the series, but Fast Five (also on DVD) did just that. Spectacular vehicular action and destruction along with a memorable clash between Vin Diesel and The Rock make it a keeper. Horrible Bosses (also on DVD) is not only the most consistently funny film of the year but it’s also the one with the best ensemble cast. Most folks thought Tim Burton’s craptastic reboot from a few years ago put the final nail in the monkey cage, but Rise of the Planet of the Apes (also on DVD) proved there was still more story to be told in this franchise, and Rupert Wyatt was the man to tell it. Not even James Franco can keep the film from being alternately exciting and eye-opening. X-Men: First Class (also on DVD) wasn’t the only comic book superhero movie of the year, but it is the best.
For Movie Lovers Who Think Region Coding Is Ridiculous
I’ve had a region-free DVD player for several years now and have enjoyed countless imports from other countries that simply never hit US shelves, but this year I went ahead and upgraded to a Region Free Blu-ray Player. There are several sites and models to choose from, but I went with an LG-BD630 from 220-Electronics.com and I couldn’t be happier. It plays any region Blu or DVD from anywhere in the world, offers Netflix and other network features, and its region-free abilities are guaranteed for life. I have no affiliation with 220-Electronics, but their pricing, selection, customer service and shipping time were all top notch.
For Movie Lovers Who Know Region Coding Is Ridiculous
One of the advantages to owning a region-free player is occasionally having access to movies well in advance of a US release. Of the five films below only the last one is available in the US but only on DVD. All of them are worth owning on Blu, and all of them will give you bragging rights with your fellow movie lovers (at least for a little while). These discs are all region-locked, so a region-free player is required to enjoy them.
Certified Copy (also on DVD) is a delightfully romantic and unassuming film that’s already topping many critics foreign language lists.Kill List (also on DVD) is a film that defies labels as it moves through genres with a fierce and surprising intensity, and while IFC is releasing it here next March it’s available overseas in two weeks. No one seems to say or know much about Mr. Nobody (also on DVD), but I have to imagine that’s because this 2009 film has yet to see a release in the States. Having seen it I can’t imagine why as it’s a gorgeous film that intertwines fate and love into a sci-fi setting. The Skin I Live In (also on DVD) is Pedro Almodovar’s latest, and while it’s in limited theatrical release here in the States it hits home video in the UK at the end of the month. It’s not only new films that are worth importing from the UK as Eureka’s new Blu-ray of Orson Welles’ noir classic Touch of Evil proves. Three remastered cuts of the film in two different aspect ratios along with a whole host of extras make this a definitive must-own for cinema fans.
For Cogs In the Global Capitalist Machine
People talk about Google becoming our supreme overlords or Apple deciding the fads of our future, but just as big of a player in our lives is the Amazon empire. They have everything. And they often have it for very, very good prices. If you or someone you love is like the rest of us then an Amazon Prime membership will come in handy for the next year. Benefits include free two-day shipping, no minimum sized order, unlimited streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows, and for Kindle owners a free book rental every month.
For Everyone, Part 2
Like Community above, in a perfect world I wouldn’t need to pimp the upcoming US release of Fish Story on DVD. Director Yoshihiro Nakamura’s film is beloved by pretty much anyone who sees it, and while it’s been available for import for a while now its impending release on 12/27 should be bigger news than it is. The film posits the end of the world via an asteroid headed for Earth, and while faraway astronauts race to avert the disaster the film focuses on two friends in a record store sharing a story about a pop song with a mysterious but intentional paused silence in the middle of the track. What does the song have to do with humanity’s probably extinction? Easily the best film of 2009 that you’ve never heard of before.
For Fans of International Ass-Kickery and Bloodletting
Black Death (also on DVD) is a British film ostensibly about knights dealing with the plague and black magic, but its true narrative is a stinging attack on blind faith and religious control. Detective Dee & the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (also on DVD) is easily Tsui Hark’s best film in years and features Andy Lau as a pseudo Sherlock Holmes in a magic-filled ancient China. Dream Home is social commentary from Hong Kong at its bloodiest, most violent and darkly comic best. I Saw the Devil (also on DVD) is one of the finest and most brutal serial killer flicks Korea has exported in years. The Man From Nowhere (also on DVD), Max Manus: Man of War (also on DVD) is a true story from Norway, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t filled with action, intrigue and fantastic acting. The adrenaline-fueledPoint Blank (also on DVD) sees a husband racing to save his pregnant wife while walking a fine line between adversaries on both sides of the law.
For the Rugrats Who Creep and Crawl Their Way Into Your Life
I don’t pretend to understand half the craziness filling every frame of Adventure Time: My Two Favorite People, but I know it’s mesmerizing and entertaining as hell all the same. Hell, I’m not even sure if it’s for kids, but it’ll be good for them. Someday. Rango (also on DVD) is hands down the best animated movie of the year, and it would probably have been so even if Pixar had a movie out in 2011 too. (Yes, we’re ignoring the abomination that is Cars 2.) It’s absolutely stunning to look at and damn funny to boot. I missed Rocko’s Modern Life: Season One when it originally aired on TV, but I caught up with it this year and loved its odd mix of gags and commentary. Plus, it has a catchy theme song. For some reason audiences avoided Disney’s Winnie the Pooh (also on DVD) in theaters, and it’s a real shame because they missed out on a simple, sweet and entertaining journey with characters that every kid should know by heart. Sure it’s hand-drawn style instead of CGI, but that shouldn’t be seen as a sign that it’s automatically less than anything Pixar releases.
For That White Elephant Party You Really Don’t Want To Go To
Antfarm Dickhole seems like a film designed entirely around its title. Attract Women with Hypnosis features a cover destined for controversy as it suggests white women need hypnosis in order to date tall guys. Jesus Christ: Serial Rapist pretty much blows its wad right there in the title. Pupaphobia: The Fear of Puppets is a serious look at a stupid phobia that is nowhere near as frightening as coulrophobia. Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 is a brilliant adaptation of Ayn Rand’s novel about the joy and necessity of self sacrifice.
Why Watch? The less said about this one, the better the experience, but suffice it to say that the animation is vibrant and incredibly bald. It’s a long strange twist into the mind of a man locked up in a padded room, desperately afraid of being forced out.
And, of course, the man in the little white coat who will try his best to rip him violently out of his safety zone.
Every year, a pack of wily filmmakers descend on sleepy Park City, Utah to show their films, carouse, and hopefully get noticed by the bigwigs. But did you also know about the Sundance Film Festival? That’s a joke, festival-lovers! Of course, everyone knows about the Sundance Film Festival, but while the bright lights and weary film writer eyes of the ‘dance shine all over Park City, just up the hill, on the top of Main St. at the Treasure Mountain Inn, the Slamdance Film Festival rages on and continues to impress. The festival lives by their own self-professed mantra: “By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers.” As they note, no other festival is fully programmed by filmmakers. Slamdance alums include Christopher Nolan, Marc Forster, Jared Hess, and Oren Peli.
Today, the festival announced their in-competition titles for the feature category. The 2012 Slamdance Film Festival feature 18 feature-length competition films, including ten narratives and eight documentaries, with no less than thirteen of those films getting their World Premiere at the Slam. Though Sundance is my favorite of the year’s festivals, last year I made time to head up to the Treasure Mountain Inn for an afternoon at Slamdance, and it proved to be a welcome respite from the oversized screening rooms, long lines, and often-heavy fare of Sundance. Also, they have really great snacks.
Check out the full list of Slamdance Feature Film Competition offerings after the break, one that has something for everyone (including a documentary about Master Gee and Wonder Mike). Picks that instantly jump out at me include Derek Franson’s Comforting Skin, Axel Ranisch’s Heavy Girls, Peter McLarnan’s The Sound of Small Things, James Stenson’s Kelly, and Brian Knappenberger’s We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists.
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION PROGRAM, PRESENTED BY KODAK: BINDLESTIFFS – Director: Andrew Edison, Screenwriters: Andrew Edison, Luke Loftin. (USA) World Premiere
Three smart-mouthed high school virgins, suspended from school on a graffiti charge, flee to the inner city to live out the plot of The Catcher in the Rye.
Cast: Andrew Edison, Luke Loftin, John Karna
Comforting Skin – Director: Derek Franson, Screenwriter: Derek Franson. (Canada) US Premiere
A lonely young woman’s desperate need for emotional and physical companionship draws her into a surreal and ultimately destructive relationship with a shifting and whispering tattoo she has willed to life on her skin.
Cast: Jane Sowerby, Tygh Runyan, Victoria Bidewell
Doppelgänger Paul (or A Film About How Much I Hate Myself) – Director: Dylan Akio Smith, Kris Elgstrand, Screenwriter: Kris Elgstrand. (Canada) US Premiere
The unlikely relationship of two lonely men whose connection sets off a chain of events resulting in the loss of a thumb, the theft of a manuscript, and two appearances on a popular morning talk show.
Cast: Brad Dryborough, Tygh Runyan
Faith, Love and Whiskey – Director: Kristina Nikolova, Screenwriters: Kristina Nikolova, Paul Dalio. (Bulgaria) World Premiere
A young Bulgarian woman, engaged to a well-off American, panics and runs back home, reuniting with her drifter friends and the wild life of her past and falling in love with her passionate but alcoholic best friend.
Cast: Ana Stojanovska, Valeri Yordanov, John Keabler, Lidia Indjova, Yavor Baharov
Heavy Girls – Director: Axel Ranisch, Screenwriters: Axel Ranisch, Heiko Pinkowski, Peter Trabner. (Germany) US Premiere
Sven lives with his elderly mother; Daniel is her caregiver. When she wanders off, their misadventure to find her leads them to discover their confusing affection for each other.
Cast: Heiko Pinkowski, Peter Trabner, Ruth Bickelhaupt
OK, Good – Director: Daniel Martinico, Screenwriters: Hugo Armstrong, Daniel Martinico. (USA) World Premiere
A series of demoralizing auditions and a cultish movement workshop push a struggling actor over the edge.
Cast: Hugo Armstrong
Roller Town – Director: Andrew Bush, Screenwriters: Andrew Bush, Mark Little, Scott Vrooman. (Canada) US Premiere
At the peak of disco-mania, three friends try and stop a local crime syndicate from turning their beloved roller rink into a video arcade.
Cast: Kayla Lorette, Mark Little, Scott Vrooman
The Sound of Small Things – Director/Screenwriter: Peter McLarnan. (USA) World Premiere
Sam and Cara’s attempt to navigate their young marriage is complicated by miscommunication, suspicion and her deafness.
Cast: Cara Krippner, Sam Hoolihan
Sundowning – Director/Screenwriter: Frank Rinaldi. (Singapore/USA) World Premiere
A story about the relationship between a young woman who has lost her memory and her mysterious caregiver.
Cast: Shannon Fitzpatrick, Susan Chau
Welcome to Pine Hill – Director/Screenwriter: Keith Miller. (USA) World Premiere
A reformed drug dealer, now a claims adjuster by day and bouncer by night, receives earthshattering news that compels him to return to his past and seek transcendence beyond the Brooklyn concrete.
Cast: Shannon Harper, Mary Meyers, David Williams
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION PROGRAM: Buffalo Girls – Director: Todd Kellstein. (Thailand/USA) World Premiere
Two eight year old girls fight in rural Thailand’s underground child boxing economy to earn money to support their families.
Danland – Director: Alexandra Berger, Screenwriters: Ann Husaini, Alexandra Berger. (USA) World Premiere
Amateur porn producer Dan Leal, aka ‘Porno Dan,’ searches for intimacy despite his industry and in spite of himself.
The First Season – Director: Rudd Simmons. (USA) World Premiere
To achieve their version of the American dream, the Van Amburg family struggle as they fight against relentless toil, financial ruin and the harsh reality of dairy farming.
Getting Up – Director: Caskey Ebeling, Screenwriter: Tempt. (USA) World Premiere
After being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and rendered almost completely paralyzed, Tony “Tempt” Quan, a legendary L.A. graffiti artist, regains his voice through technology that reads the movement of his eyes and enables him to create art and write once again.
I Want My Name Back – Director: Roger Paradiso. (USA) Utah Premiere
Thirty years after the historic recording of the iconic mega-hit “Rapper’s Delight,” Master Gee & Wonder Mike come back to reclaim their identities and rightful place in Hip Hop history.
Kelly – Director: James Stenson. (USA) World Premiere
Having fled a provincial past, a young, transgender prostitute searches for love and acceptance in a landscape of broken Hollywood Dreams.
No Ashes, No Phoenix – Director/Screenwriter: Jens Pfeifer. (Germany) World Premiere
A locker room expose about young basketball players in Hagen, Germany who face their fears of losing and challenge enormous odds to succeed.
We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists – Director/Screenwriter: Brian Knappenberger. (USA) World Premiere
An intimate look inside the world of Anonymous, the radical “hacktivist” collective that has redefined civil disobedience for the digital age.
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The 2012 Slamdance Film Festival will run concurrently with the 2012 Sundance Film Festival from January 20 to 26, in Park City, Utah.
Note: Despite what the byline says, this article was written by the conglomeration of Luke and Brian; two guys who watch Die Hard and Die Hard 2 every Christmas…and then over and over with unsettling frequency throughout the rest of the year.
The holidays can be a tough time for all of us. In-laws and extended family members coming into town, travel on snowy roads, and holiday weight gain are just a few of the landmines we have to navigate during December. While this iteration of FSR’s Cinematic Holiday Survival Guide won’t help you avoid your drunk Uncle Vernon or keep that turkey and mashed potatoes from expanding your waist line, hopefully it will come in handy should your holiday plans be thwarted by terrorists.
Some guys just can’t seem to catch break, even during the holidays. John McClane is one of those poor, unfortunate souls. Time and time again, this oneupsman of terrible Christmases runs afoul of the worst sort of scum and villainy; even without vacationing at Mos Eisley. Should you ever find yourself in a similar situation, well, let’s face it you’ll probably kill yourself. But should you decide to be a McClanian style badass, just call to mind the following tips and tricks and you might just end up a hero…or dead…or, a HERO!
Brian here,
I just wanted to interject that my idea for this article involved drinking turpentine and seeing if we could actually walk barefoot across broken glass. But just as I was scattering the shards and making my third prank call to Alan Rickman’s house, Luke decided to be all not-get-arrestedy and write this article instead. Whatever, some people lack imagination…and the desire to receive an Ass-Kick-O’Gram from Bruce Willis.
Christmas Is The Most TerrorFul Time Of The Year
Apparently the only thing more prevalent than carols, presents, and egg nog at Christmas time is profiteering mercenaries and sociopolitical radicalism. Whether targeting a major cooperation or an international airport on its busiest of days, terrorists are essentially just Grinches with Glocks, so be at your most vigilant between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when the terror threat level rises from frankincense to mir. Also, make sure Santa brings you a machine gun (ho ho ho). – Brian
Reporters Are Scum
Ahhh the media, they just love that first amendment, and they’ve frankly been coasting on it for well over 200 years. The thing is that some reporters take that freedom to mean freedom to be a vicious, spotlight-hungry asshole. It’s unfortunate really, but it’s important to know that reporters will try to screw you over if it means getting their handsome mug on TV for an extra 15 seconds, even if they have to exploit your children to do it. When the day has been saved and the bright lights and microphones are stuck in your face, opt for the strong right cross over the stern “no comment.” - Luke
Footwear Optional
If there is one thing we can say about John McClane without fear of contradiction, it’s that he’s a fan of Annie Lennox. But no manner of shoelessness or broken glass will keep him from fighting terrorists. He doesn’t let a little thing like getting t0re-up from the toe-up stand in the way of his selfless heroism and neither should you. Helpful tip: when bleeding profusely from your feet after defeating a room full of gunmen, trying making fists with your toes. Should the toe-fisting fail, get to a goddamn hospital. - Brian
Don’t Be Afraid To Improvise
If terrorists are attacking your family Christmas party then chances are you’ve already given up on normality. Thankfully, improvisation can be your best friend. That fire hose? Looks like a rope and harness for scaling tall buildings to me. How about that leftover packing tape from wrapping presents? Seems like a great way to hide a gun on your back. Grandma’s made-from-scratch pie? Well actually that’s just good eating. But that dead body next to you? That’s the perfect greeting card! And improv is not just for materials either. It is very handy when it comes to creating punchy catch-phrases, provided you can reach deep and draw from your obscure knowledge of TV cowboys. Yippie-ki-yay! - Luke
Don’t Trust Germans, Especially When They’re Alan Rickman
When battling the leader of a terrorist cell, it is vitally important to know your adversary. In the case of Die Hard, that adversary is a smooth, crafty, studly muthafucker named Hans Gruber. Gruber is played by that old Snape-in-the-grass Alan Rickman. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by his dizzying intellect or hypnotized by his dulcet tones, this guy is the epitome of villains. He got expelled from a German terrorist organization for crying out loud! He’s so evil, he actually traveled into the netherworld and commanded the ghost of Beethoven to return with him; blaring sinister renditions of Ode to Joy as a herald of his every entrance. - Brian
Carl Winslow Is Your Friend, Sipowicz Is A Dick
It’s almost inevitable that a bumbling, chubby ex TV cop will show up at some point. Determining their personality and viability for a sidekick role is an important step for the burgeoning hero. Sipowicz will bitch and moan and get in your way at every turn to the point that a great many deaths can be directly attributed to his idiocy. Carl Winslow, on the other hand, will provide a radio-assisted shoulder to cry on as he listens to your every problem while oozing sympathy. Thankfully, this emotional support is not all he has to offer. A well-timed bullet from his Dirty Harry style revolver may well save your life. - Luke
Bullets Are Cheap, As Is Life
Taking a page from the John Woo playbook, it’s important to remember that bullets are cheap, as are the lives of terrorists. John McClane is never afraid to empty a full magazine even if it’s only to dispatch one European shampoo spokesman, and you should keep that in mind. While it’s important to have a weapon, it’s even more important to stay alive. Plus, if you use all your bullets killing a long, silky-haired foreigner, you can always take his gun and bullets afterwards. He won’t be needing them anymore. - Luke
Terrorists Have Very Progressive HR Departments
The thing about terrorists, as portrayed in the extremely plausible Die Hard films, is that they are equal-opportunity employers. You may think that since the leader of a given cell is German, you can put that German degree of yours to work and listen in on their radio conversations. But turns out that group includes Italians, Americans, Spaniards, Chinese, and Nerds. So that degree of yours will prove just as worthless in this circumstance as it would…in any another situation. In Die Hard 2, the terrorists even hired a Leguizamo and a T-1000 even before the controversial fair labor legislation was passed. - Brian
You Have To Crawl Before You Can Walk
As we all know, one of your biggest advantages in these types of situations is the element of surprise. Maintaining that edge is highly important and sometimes that means you’ve got to get a little dirty. Crawling on the floor to avoid detection and taking refugue hiding in air conditioning ducts will both require you to hit your knees or stomach and crawl around. You may want to stretch first to avoid cramping. And be prepared to run for you life at any moment. - Luke
Heroes Have The Worst Luck
You know that expression about lightning never striking twice in the same place? Well, if the lightning is terrorism and that place is anywhere near John McClane, the maxim proves quite dubious. Don’t ever become complacent that just because you were able to foil a terrorist plot last Christmas that your quota for heroism in this area is permanently satisfied. In fact, you could face the same situation three, even four, total times; the fourth time being laden with bad effects, weak-ass villains, and a stupid fucking script even a brain-damaged sea slug wouldn’t buy. I digress. In summation, happening upon, and subsequently having to deal with terrorism is not like chicken pox. - Brian
There is absolutely no satisfying way to explain and introduce Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked in a classic film review format, because of one major hurdle – it’s a film about singing chipmunks that get shipwrecked (sigh, chipwrecked) on a seemingly unpopulated island. It’s hard to believe this is a real film (it’s nearly impossible to also believe that it’s the third film in a franchise), and it’s even harder to attempt to talk about it in a critical and professional manner. But let’s try.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked opens with human moron Dave Seville (Jason Lee) and his six-pack of fuzzy (children? paychecks? vermin?) heading off on what is meant to be restful holiday cruise. Dave is understandably exhausted after spending years of his life raising six chipmunks – Alvin, Simon, Theodore, Brittany, Jeanette, and the other one – who are also international signing superstars. The seven of them plan to use the cruise to relax before hitting the International Music Awards (sort of like the MTV Video Music Awards, but somehow even less important), where the boys (Alvin and the Chipmunks, so much for Simon and Theodore’s name recognition) and the girls (The Chipettes, much more equal opportunity) will likely rack up a bevy of awards. Of course, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes ultimately get marooned on a tropical island, thanks to (shockingly!) a move by ol’ troublemaker Alvin, a plan so stupid that even these damn singing chipmunks should have realized the depth of their idiocy before launching into it.
The rest of Chipwrecked focuses on the chipmunks’ desperate bid for survival and Dave’s frantic search to rescue them. There are lessons learned, relationships deepened, tails whipped, songs ruined, a subplot about brain poisoning, and the introduction of a new character (Jenny Slate) who is somehow more insane than the dude who lives with six chipmunks.
As Dave, Jason Lee turns in a perfectly serviceable performance, one that relies on him frequently embracing CGI chipmunks and looking alternately pissed off and exhausted beyond measure. It’s perhaps a more challenging piece of work than it looks on screen, because it looks excruciating on screen. As ever, the chipmunks themselves are voiced by recognizable names – Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate. Despite apparent star value to attaching such talents, the chipmunks’ voices are so distorted to get that classic chip pitch that they could literally be voiced by anyone. These are the six most throwaway performances of the entire year.
David Cross also returns as the evil Ian, former music mogul turned cruise ship fun director who is bent on avenging his loser life on Dave and the ‘munks. Though Cross spends the entire film in a large, somewhat terrifying pelican costume, he somehow manages to pull off the least embarrassing performance in the entire film. That’s the sort of film Chipwrecked is – a grown man can spend its full runtime toddling around inside a bird suit (underneath which he is naked) and ultimately build a nest to sleep in (easily the funniest gag of the entire film), and that man can still come across as the most professional actor involved with the entire endeavor. These things do not happen every day.
Yet, what is most confounding about Chipwrecked and its two predecessors is that it exists in a world that seems to hinge on absolute lunacy. The film supposes that the Chipmunks and the Chipettes are the two most famous musical groups in the world – not because they are chipmunks or children, but because they are good singers. No one talks about the shtick – again, that they are chipmunks who are also children – instead, they are lauded for their apparent talent. In this way, Chipwrecked is oddly in touch with the current climate of the music industry. Predictably, this means that the Chipmunks and the Chipettes break out some jams – including The Go-Gos’ “Vacation,” Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor,” and a particularly horrifying rendition of Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” (a song that is already horrifying by its very design). There were other songs in the film, including (I am sure of it!) a Lady Gaga tune, but honestly, I was groaning too loudly to truly process the majority of them. However, the three named above give a good idea of the bizarre cross-section of songs the film employs – again, bizarre.
In what can only be a bid to appeal to adults and to make amends for the idiocy of the entire outing, Chipwrecked is also packed with slightly out-of-date references – jokes about Sarah Palin, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, the double rainbow guy, The Most Interesting Man in the World, and many more populate the film. These jokes are not funny. Yet, these attempts at adult-friendly chuckles are not alone, as Chipwrecked is clearly designed mainly to appeal to children. Oftentimes, when a studio screens a kid-aimed film for critics, they set the screening at a family-friendly time and allow the press to bring their children. It’s a nice touch by the bigwigs, but it allows grumbly old critics some key insights – mainly, are kids laughing at this? Kids laughed at Chipwrecked, but they didn’t seem taken in by it, delighted by the film, or even especially consumed by it. The kids laughed for the obvious reason – because they were watching all-singing and all-dancing cartoon chipmunks on a giant screen and someone called it a movie.
The Upside: Chipwrecked (apparently) amuses children. David Cross in a bird suit.
The Downside: Everything else.
On the Side: Theodore does exhibit an interesting eye for stylish neck apparel that is functional, attractive, and sentimental. If only Chipwrecked were any of those things.
Saoirse Ronan has been through a big couple of years, despite being such a young actress, the highlights of which have probably been her breakout performance in the period (time, not menstrual) thriller Atonement, and her starring role in Joe Wright’s slick assassin movie Hanna. Despite such lofty accomplishments, it’s starting to look like 2012 is going to be her biggest year yet. She’s currently filming a Neil Jordan movie called Byzantium, she co-stars in recent festival assassin flick called Violet & Daisy, and she’s also set to star in an adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s non-Twilight young adult novel The Host. Sounds like the girl has a busy schedule, but somehow she’s managed to squeeze another project in.
Variety is reporting that the budding young starlet has now signed to head the next film by Kevin Macdonald (the guy who made The Last King of Scotland, not the Kids in the Hall guy, that’s Kevin McDonald), How I Live Now. This one is also an adaptation of a novel about young people, but decidedly less creature filled and much more war torn than Meyer’s book. “How I Live Now” was written by Meg Rosoff, and Amazon describes its plot as such:
“Fifteen-year-old Daisy is sent from Manhattan to England to visit her aunt and cousins she’s never met: three boys near her age, and their little sister. Her aunt goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives. The next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy.
As power fails, and systems fail, the farm becomes more isolated. Despite the war, it’s a kind of Eden, with no adults in charge and no rules, a place where Daisy’s uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and extraordinary. But the war is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way.”
The screenplay has been written by Tony Grisoni of Red Riding Trilogy fame and Jeremy Brock, who wrote The Last King of Scotland for Macdonald previously, so it sounds like there are talented people working on getting this one to the screen on all levels. I haven’t completely loved any film I’ve seen Ronan in yet, but I have completely loved every performance I’ve seen from her so far; so I’ve got high hopes that this is the project that could rocket her into the upper echelon of young actresses. Or at least I hope it’s not weird and lame, what with all that secret eden of no adults talk; that sounds like it could get annoying.
Apparently, not all YA fiction these days centers on monsters of the mythical variety, and now it’s time to bring those particular blood-suckers to the big screen. Deadline Echo Park reports that filmmaker Kat Coiro will direct the film adaptation of Paige Harbison‘s novel, “Here Lies Bridget.” The story focuses on what happens “after narcissistic mean girl Bridget Duke crashes her car and ends up in limbo, [where] she must confront the people she has bullied, degraded and belittled, all of whom must decide if she goes to heaven or hell.”
Coiro recently wrote, directed, and produced L!fe Happens, a mildly satisfying slice-of-life female-centric dramedy that stars Kate Bosworth, Rachel Bilson, and Krysten Ritter. The film revolves around three best friends and roommates who find their entirely life thrown into disarray when one of them (Ritter) gets pregnant from a one night stand and decides to raise the baby on her own (with the help of her equally-as-unprepared roommates). The film premiered at this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival and is set to open in theaters on March 30, 2012. While I was not a tremendous fan of L!fe Happens (and, please, someone ditch that exclamation mark), the film did exhibit Coiro’s charm and ability to craft female characters that feel both likeable and real. Much of the film rang true, so it will be interesting to see Coiro apply her talents to a film that’s significantly less down-to-Earth.
Coiro herself explained, “Here Lies Bridget is a profound coming of age story wrapped in the glossy packaging of a teen comedy–think an edgy It’s A Wonderful Life meets Mean Girls. The film is deceptively deep, genre-bending, surprising and entertaining.” The filmmakers has not penned the script for this one, as the film comes with an adaptation from Leah Rachel, a an up-and-coming comedy writer who recently sold two television pilots.
Coiro is in the midst of finishing her second feature, While We Were Here, which also stars Bosworth. Coiro is again pulling triple-duty on the film, with credits as director, writer, and producer.
Casting for Here Lies Bridget is currently underway. Any ideas on who should play Bridget? Having not read the book, the name Dianna Agron still came to mind.
It turns out there’s a Nicolas Cage movie out there that is ready to be watched, but has been sitting on the shelf waiting for distribution. Why there haven’t been alarm bells sounding, protests happening in the streets, and 24/7 coverage from media outlets the entire time this atrocity was occurring is beyond me, but apparently we can all stop (not) panicking. Deadline Lomita is reporting that Cage’s next film, Seeking Justice (once known as The Hungry Rabbit Jumps), has been acquired by Anchor Bay and is set for a U.S. release on March 16th of next year. Let’s all take a moment to silently thank Anchor Bay.
(Thanks, Anchor Bay.)
News of a new Nic Cage movie is usually reason for celebration enough, no matter what the particulars of the project are, but this time there’s another big reason why I’ve now got Seeking Justice’s release date circled on my calendar with a big red heart. In this Roger Donaldson-directed thriller, Cage plays a mild-mannered teacher whose life changes when his wife is brutally assaulted. While that sounds awfully bleak, the good news here is that January Jones is playing the wife. That’s right, the man who’s never met a chance to overact he didn’t like and the stone-faced creep who’s never experienced a human emotion will be playing a married couple on the big screen. The results should be like a car crash being interrupted by a train wreck all while a woman breast feeds in public: I won’t be able to take my eyes off of them.
Also, there’s something in the movie about a shady figure approaching Cage’s character and offering to dispense immediate street justice on the punks who hurt his wife, and the dude is played by Guy Pearce, who is an awesome and underused actor; but I don’t have any time to focus on stuff like that. Nic Cage and January Jones are going to pretend like they’re married! Coming to a theater near you!
When I was given the opportunity to interview French composer Alexandre Desplat, the question wasn’t what I would ask him, it was how many questions I would be able to get in. One of the busiest composers in the business, just this year alone Desplat has created the scores for The Tree of Life, A Better Life, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Ides of March, Carnage, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and is already on deck to compose next year’s Moonrise Kingdom.
Desplat first caught my attention a few years ago when I realized he was the composer behind both the quirky score for Fantastic Mr. Fox and the epic score for Twilight Saga: New Moon – two very different films with two very different musical tones. Having won Film Composer of the Year at the World Soundtrack Awards, it is clear that the rest of the world is starting to take notice as well.
As this year comes to a close, I spoke with Desplat about what inspires him, his composing process, the differences between working on American and French films, and how he balances his various projects while keeping his passion for composing fresh with each go around.
First and foremost, congratulations on winning Film Composer of the Year! How did you begin your career in film composing?
Movies and music have always been the great passions in my life, so it was a natural choice to go into film composing, and one that I made at an early age. I soon started writing short films, as many as I could, and this led to me building up a career in French cinema.
In looking back over your body of work, is there a particular score or project that most stands out to you?
Writing good music is always a challenge. An intimate score like the one I recorded with the Traffic Quintet for L’Armee du crime [Army of Crime] requires a lot of attention. Sitting by a legend like Roman Polanski and playing him your themes to picture can be rather…nerve wracking. Of course Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2 were challenging in terms of the amount and scale of the music that had to be written and the expectation of the most famous global franchise, but it was also a great pleasure to meet this challenge. I cannot say that I have one favourite project – I give each project my all, so my favourite is the one I am currently working on! Or actually…the next to come.
You have worked on a variety of films from last year’s Academy Award Best Picture winner The King’s Speech to Terrence Malick’s artistic vision for The Tree of Life to the teen-centric Twilight Saga: New Moon – what draws you to a project and makes you want to take it on?
It is a combination of the subject, which has to resonate in me, the quality of the script, the anticipation of the relationship with a new director, the long-term relationship with a faithful director or producer. The cast can also be decisive – you don’t want to spend eighteen hours a day for several weeks watching an actor or an actress on screen who does not inspire you. All these many things together inspire me to take on a project.
Do you prefer a collaborative process when composing or to figure things out on your own before conferring with others on your vision?
I spend a lot of time working alone – I can be quite monk-like in this respect and try to go almost into a trance. So I prefer to be on my own when I write, although every score is of course a collaboration with the director.
What is the first thing you do when sitting down to begin composing a new project?
The first moment I see a movie, I don’t think melodies, I think colours. Before I find a structure and the way I would write a motif or character moments, I think about what the orchestra will play. What textures, what “sound” does this movie need? Then I start searching for ideas and themes and once I have found a strong skeleton or structure for the score I then build on it to flesh it out, adding and varying these colours, and developing the music. My favourite part of the process is conducting the orchestra and hearing the best musicians, like those of the LSO playing the score for the first time.
Do you prefer composing along with footage from the films or simply based on the idea of what is happening in a scene?
I am quite a visual composer. I write the majority of my music to picture. I spend some time absorbing the images and the narrative, then try to find my way of expressing not just what is on the screen, but often what isn’t there.
Is there a difference between composing for French films versus American films?
Yes, there is, because our cultures are different, our history of cinema is different.
[Luchino] Visconti or [François] Truffaut has a different point of view to [Howard] Hawks or [Martin] Scorcese.
The filmmakers are all different, but the composer has the same exchange with the director. It’s always: how can I improve the movie with music? What’s my duty here, what can I do to help? Working with American directors or French directors or English directors actually is the same. It’s an exchange between two creators who know the crafts of their own and meet to put these crafts together and make them merge. At the end, I’m working for the director, he’s the one I need to fulfill with my score. Otherwise, I would write for the concert hall.
You may be one of the hardest working composers in the business having composed the scores for no less than FIVE films this year alone – how do you jump from the emotional space of a father struggling to provide a better life for his son (A Better Life) to the finale of the beloved Harry Potter series (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 & 2) to a high stakes political thriller (The Ides of March)?
I dedicate myself to each project for a period of time. So I become immersed in the film and its emotions and can then write quite quickly. Once the score is complete, I then commit and invest myself fully in the next project.
You are composed the score for the upcoming Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – how did you get involved with this film?
I have wanted to work with Stephen Daldry for a long time but our paths had not crossed until this project. He contacted me to ask if I could score his film and I could not refuse!
My anticipation for the original The Expendables was massive, only to be matched in size and scope by my disappointment after I actually saw the film. Stallone’s new version of Rambo was awesome, it was packed full of R-rated action movie sleaze and it wasn’t at all ashamed of being exploitation. The Expendables looked like it was going to be a continuation of that, and also a massive team-up of bitchin’ 80s action stars the likes of which we’ve never seen. It didn’t really turn out to be all that though. It was kind of lame and boring, and really it was just a Stallone and Statham team-up movie with a handful of other cameos thrown in. So I’m approaching The Expendables 2 much more cautiously.
But even with lowered expectations, I can’t help but feel a little bit of a tingle watching the first teaser. I don’t know if it’s going to be the classless, take no prisoners, R-rated schlock that I’m hoping for, but at least it looks like this one is finally going to be the huge team-up of old guys that I wanted from the first. The team-up aspect is all that can be discerned from this teaser though. It’s a teaser in the truest sense, basically we get the names and head shots of the principal cast and not much else.
Actually, there’s one bit of dialogue in the whole thing, and it seems to me that Bruce Willis stumbles over his words. Does he really say, “ … because I knew one day would come when you were gonna pay me back?” Was that really the best take they had to use as the only dialogue in this trailer? Hopefully this thing was a rush job because somebody from the studio wanted a teaser out pronto, and not an indication of what the final cut of the film is going to look like. Not that it really matters. Nobody is watching this thing for the dialogue. We’re watching it to see Chuck Norris roundhouse kick Jean Claude Van Damme in the face. On my God, I can’t wait! [Apple]
“For over 20 years, Jimmy Testagross has lived his childhood dream: being a roadie for his childhood heroes, Blue Oyster Cult. But the band’s Arena-Rock glory days are a distant memory. County fairs and club gigs pay the bills. And Jimmy has become a casualty of these leaner times. With no place to go, no job prospects, and no real skills outside of being a roadie, Jimmy needs to regroup. So he returns to his childhood home in Queens, NY. There, he revisits old relationships: his ailing, widower mom, a high school crush, a former nemesis and, most importantly, his relationship with himself.” I’m not sure about all of you, but they had me at Blue Oyster Cult. Super 8‘s Ron Eldard stars in Roadie as Jimmy, a middle-aged man child, who is featured in this exclusive clip we’ve received. Of course, this clip also involves Bobby Cannavale and Jill Hennessy.
Watch the clip:
Roadie is available on VOD platforms December 2nd, followed by a January 6, 2012 theatrical release.
It’s December 16th, and the winter blockbuster season is very nearly upon us. This coming weekend sees three huge movies hit, all of which are sure to be box office megastars. Yes, even the chipmunks. One of those films, the one where that one guy from Top Gun runs a whole lot, is only hitting IMAX, so it’s day of box office bloodletting will have to wait. In the meantime, Sherlock Holmes and, yes, the chipmunks are going to be taking the box office by storm. Plus, unlike 2009, they won’t have any blue aliens to contend with. It’s this week’s edition of the Reject Report, and this shiz is about to get Chipwrecked.
BIG HITTERS
Everyone knew in 2009 Sherlock Holmes was going to be a monster success. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in a reimagining of one of the most celebrated fictional characters in history? Yes, please. Well, we were all right. Sherlock Holmes topped out at $209m domestic and another $315m in foreign markets. That’s $524m worldwide between you and me. Now, the game is afoot once again, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is bound to be just as successful if not more. The whole team is back, but this time, the marketability goes beyond the popular actors and the familiarity of the character. WithMission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol hitting IMAX screens this weekend, some of Sherlock Holmes take will be dwindled a bit. Not a lot of people will want to shell out cash for Holmes and Watson after giving up their first-born for IMAX tickets. The Christmas day opening also gave the first film a huge bump, so any additional dollars the sequel might have brought in this opening weekend might be lost there, as well. Still, A Game of Shadows is sure to come in somewhere around $65m, a slight increase over the $62.3m the first movie opened with.
I, for one, prefer Downey Jr. and Law over Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Nonetheless, here, for your viewing pleasure, is the trailer to one of those classic Sherlock Holmes adventures. I’m not sure which one it is. All old movies look alike to me:
Chipmunks. Oh, those chipmunks. They keep making these movies, and Jason Lee and David Cross just keep making their house payments. This third movie in the Alvin and the Chipmunks saga – hahaha, saga – is called Chipwrecked, so I’m sure there’s something about the squeaky-voiced rodents getting stranded on an island. I’m sure there’s something about having to get off the island in time for a concert. I’ll bet $5 right now David Cross gets hit in the head with a coconut at some point. Takers? Anyway, the other Chipmunk movies were rousing successes, so why should this one be any different? Let’s say $46.9m for good measure. You can spot me the $5.
It’s not exactly a huge hitter, but Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol drops into IMAX theaters this weekend. As if that wasn’t enough to have people lining up, the prologue to The Dark Knight Rises is playing in front of it. That bit of marketing sure helped I Am Legend back in 2007, and it’s a guarantee now. Only playing on 400 screens, Ghost Protocol won’t be launching full force this weekend, but its per screen average is sure to get it somewhere around $10m. That’s a lot of money spend to see a trailer for something you’re gonna pay money to see anyway. I’m sure Mission: Impossible is a draw itself, too.
Tom Cruise running. We all love to see it. Here’s a look at the evolution of the man’s stride. Nice form:
FAMILIARITIES
Young Adult expands this weekend from 8 theaters to 1000. That’s not much of a surprise considering the $38,783 per screen average it generated last weekend. This expansion is sure to bring it some big, box office buck and likely to bump it into the top 5 for the whole weekend. Like The Descendants, it’s going to end up being a successful movie based on roll-out as well as the buzz being created from its awards possibilities. Expect Young Adult to pull in between $8-8.5m this weekend with another expansion coming in the next few weeks. Also expect me to continue stalking Charlize Theron well after the film disappears from cinemas. Stuart Townsend who? That’s what I say.
LITTLE OPENERS
There’s not much in the way of limited releases coming out this weekend, but we should mention Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel. The man’s a legend in the industry and brought many of today’s A-listers into the game. Stars like Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Robert De Niro, and a whole lot more owe Corman a huge debt of gratitude. This documentary shows all of that as well as the way he changed the industry for good. You should check it out. I’m sure going to check it out. It opens this weekend in New York and L.A.
Also opening in limited release are Carnageopening in New York and L.A. and Cook County opening in select cities.
Here’s how the weekend is shaping up:
Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows – $64.8m NEW
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked – $46.9m NEW
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – $9.6m NEW
Young Adult – $8.4m Expanding to 1000 screens
New Year’s Eve – $6.2m (-52.2%)
Arthur Christmas – $5.1m (-21.4%)
The Sitter – $4.9m (-49.5%)
The Muppets – $4.5m (-33.7%)
Hugo – $4.5m (-23.6%)
Breaking Dawn Part 1 – $3.4m (-55.5%)
Sherlock Holmes clearly wins this game, but the whole weekend is something to be excited for. $158.3m for the top 10 is what we’re looking at, a bump up from the same weekend last year when Tron: Legacy was letting people down left and right. In fact, this will be the biggest weekend this early in December in history. Most of these winter blockbusters hit on Thanksgiving or Christmas, and this year’s slew of new releases is an indication the Winter blockbuster is ever expanding to include all of December. I’ll drink a glass of eggnog to that. Also, I’m still waiting for my $5.
We’ll be back on Sunday to go over the weekend numbers.
Why Watch? A short that you’ll remember next time you go clothes shopping.
The director of Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer packs terror, paranoia and baseball into a few short minutes with a tale that would feel right at home in The Outer Limits or in a film starring Chuck Connors.
What does it cost? Just 7 minutes of your time. 9 if you like to watch credits.
We’ve all been there. It’s holiday time, you’re stuck at home with extended family you see but once a year, conversation topics have run thin and you cannot stuff your face with anymore Christmas cookies to keep from having to fill the awkward lulls. Before you go into diabetic shock, why not let a movie do the talking (and entertaining) for you? The question then becomes – what is a good movie to sit down to watch with grandma that won’t have a sudden sex scene or slasher moment that will not only horrify an older movie watcher, but will probably also scar you for life? (As thecommercial showing grandma getting a True Blood DVD set proves, amorous vampires and fairies may not be for all ages).
Have no fear – I have compiled a list of family-friendly fare that will not only wile away a few hours, but will make you look like a caring and thoughtful grandkid, which in turn may pay off in more holiday loot. (I mean that’s the point of the season, right? One time of the year being good actually pays off?)
Grab your favorite Snuggie and pop one of these in the ol’ entertainment center!
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Starring a young Natalie Wood as Susan (the little girl convinced a Macy’s Santa is the real deal) this film is a Christmas classic. The original version may stir up some nostalgia for grandma and introduce you to the performances of Maureen O’Hara, John Payne and Edmund Gwenn (who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in this role). It could even lead to some decent bonding as grandma tells you about the first time she saw the film!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town These Rankin-Bass films should entertain not just grandma, but you as well with their sweet (but not too sweet) messages and stop-motion animation that is pretty impressive for a time before Tim Burton and Wes Anderson. Plus they are usually playing on TV around the clock during Christmas time so you should be able to catch a viewing of one fairly easily.
Christmas in Connecticut It’s a black-and-white classic from the ‘40s starring Barbara Stanwyck! You can’t really go wrong here. Plus the story is pretty madcap (Faux marriages! Faux engagements! Stolen babies! Flipping flapjacks! Wandering cows!) and could be used as good ammunition against grandma’s nagging over your single status (if you are single and deal with this kind of harassment). Just explain you don’t want to end up missing out on your true soul mate like Elizabeth (Stanwyck) and Jones (Dennis Morgan).
Elf No, I don’t think the only “grandma approved” films are those before this decade. I have to watch Elf every time it is on and the goofy tale is one the whole family should be able to agree on. Grandma should enjoy Buddy’s (Will Ferrell) innocent nature and who doesn’t crack up when he answers the phone and asks what the caller’s favorite color is? You also get a blonde Zooey Deschanel (playing Buddy’s love interest, Jovie) and a heart-felt story about family and the true meaning of Christmas. (And keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from a now grownup actor made famous for another Christmas movie.)
A Muppet Christmas Carol I know there has been a lot of Muppet talk lately, but they truly are the great equalizer, appealing to those of all ages. (Honestly, you could drag grandma out of the house to see the newest film, but we’ll stick with the holiday theme here.) It’s a classic story with jokes and songs that should keep both you and grandma entertained. Plus it features hilarious commentary from Gonzo and Rizzo (my favorite Muppet duo).
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer For the grandma with a sense of humor, this made-for-TV movie may seem cruel, but if you take it for what it is (a goofy animated film based on a novelty song by Randy Brooks) it’s actually kind of funny and is usually playing on the Cartoon Network or the CW. And it may even discourage grandma from making or bringing fruitcake to holiday gatherings.
Hopefully, this list will not only help quell any awkwardness brought on by forced conversation, but also give you a few hours of actual fun and entertainment this holiday season!
Good day, Mr. FSR Readership. Just in time for the release of Brad Bird’s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, we have a pair of stylish boots from Giorgio Brutini as featured in the film. These men’s boots are plain-toed, six inch calf leather and are generally damn sexy. Take a good look at this slick pair below.
Your mission, should you wish to win the boots, is to complete the post-colon, secondary title to the next Mission: Impossible film. What we’re looking for is the funniest, cleverest, most laugh-inducingest title continuation. For example… MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – PICKLE JAR. Does that one suck? Absolutely! So come up with a better one and post it in the comment section on this piece. We’ll choose a winner on Monday who will be stylin’ like a bad IMF’er. This post will self-destruct…never.
Despite being the least efficient mode of transportation available today, people can’t get enough to these damned amusement park rides. I myself enjoy being flung around by steel monsters quite a bit, but truth be told I much prefer rides as they are depicted in films.
The reason for this is simple: since they aren’t going to build a whole amusement park ride just for the film they go find one that already exists, then they proceed to make it look 10 times more awesome than it really is by adding cool elements or characters to it. The result is a ride that is just too fun to exist. The following are those rides that set the bar up high, as well as their less-awesome real world equivalents.
6. Wally World’s “Whipper Snapper” in National Lampoon’s Vacation
I don’t know if it’s the movie-long anticipation, the slow motion victory run in the parking lot, or that big moose thing – Wally World just seems like the most awesome theme park ever. The best ride in the bunch has to be the Whipper Snapper, the steel coaster that flips the Griswolds around during their day of bonding/hostage taking at the park. It’s the combination of both horror and satisfaction on the entire group’s faces that really does it for me; after going through days and days of road trip hell for a few hours getting scared shitless on some rollercoasters, it’s nice to see them actually enjoy it.
In reality, anyone can visit Wally World by taking a trip to Six Flag’s Magic Mountain right outside of LA and take a ride on either the Colossus – which was the wooden coaster in the film – or of course Revolution – which is the real name of the Whipper Snapper. Personally, I have only driven past this place (undoubtedly the worst ride of an amusement park is driving by it), but I hope to spend a day there at some point. No doubt it won’t be as fun as I imagine; unless you are visiting the park with Chevy Chase during its closed season, it’s just not going to be the same.
5. Waterloo’s Waterslides in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Much like the Griswolds at Wally World, this is more about whom you’re with than what the ride is like. Ever go to a water park with someone who has never been to a water park before? It’s fun; it’s a lot of fun actually. The reason why is that you get to relive your own amazement by watching theirs. This is exactly why we have kids, so life doesn’t get boring.
Now, imagine going to a water park with someone who doesn’t even know that they exist, someone from the 1800s, perhaps. Also, imagine that this person is Napoleon.
I don’t know if I was incepted by this scene or not, but I just feel in my heart that the real Napoleon would have been a big water park guy. Obviously we’ll never know because damned if I can even find a phone booth, let alone turn one into a time machine – but if you’re up to it you can always don the uniform and head over to the Golfland-Sunsplash Waterpark in Mesa Arizona, which is the location of this Waterloo park. It looks like the same deal you see in the movie – minus the whole French emperor aspect.
4. Price Amusement’s “Terror Incognita” in The House On Haunted Hill
Okay, this would kind of depend on your definition of “awesome.” Ask yourself: do you enjoy thinking you are about to die? If the answer is “no,” then here’s another question: do you enjoy the relief of not dying enough to undergo the sensation of thinking you are about to die? I guess what I’m really asking is if you’re the kind of person who might describe the movie Flatliners as “inspirational” – and if the answer is “yes” to any of this, then you’d probably enjoy the Terror Incognita. Why, you ask?
For those of your at work, what the rollercoaster does is simulate not one, but two different accidents, giving the rider that lovely feeling that you get right before you die – only without the dying. Say what you want about this movie, which I personally thought was so-so, but that’s a freaking awesome ride idea. Maybe I’m sick, but I would totally ride that thing again and again, which – in a way – I actually have. What Lisa Loeb is screaming on is actually The Hulk at Universal Studios Florida, and it’s absolutely awesome. No, there is no elevator or faked crash – but the rollercoaster itself is just as fun.
Not really surprising that a Universal film would think to shoot their amusement park scene at Universal Studios – but it takes some balls to show your star rollercoaster crashing. What does bother me, however, is that there must have been a lot of disappointed people showing up to the real coaster expecting that awesome elevator – it’s like if a ride was shown having knarly laser robots only to have no such thing in real life…
3. Wonderworld’s “Alien Attack” in Beverly Hills Cop 3
Seriously, picture walking around Universal Studios with your little shit kid tugging at you asking where the robot ride is – I have to imagine that this happened a lot to parents visiting the park after this movie came out.
Well – I guess you could just tell the kid that Eddie Murphy killed all the robots before puppeteering a corpse.
Murder spree aside – that looks awesome; you just can’t beat robots shooting at you. Wicked laser effects too, right? If only those things actually existed where this was shot at the Universal Studios Hollywood Earthquake ride. The rest of Wonderworld, however, was shot at California’s Great America in Santa Clara. I find it funny that Universal Studios in Hollywood had so little rides that they had to outsource their amusement park scene – in fact, having actually worked at this park, I can tell you that they still have only one coaster.
That being said, the Studio Tour ride in which I worked, which includes Earthquake along with King Kong and Jaws, is well worth the visit. The movie sets alone are amazing – you can actually be in the presence of (and if you’re lucky, actually touch) the sets from classics like Psycho, Jurassic Park, Harvey, Spartacus, and of course, Beverly Hills Cop 3.
2. Pacific Playland’s Zombie Coaster in Zombieland
This is, like before, not really about where you are and more about whom you’re with. The people you’re with being zombies, of course.
You know – there’s a Men In Black ride in the aforementioned Universal Studios in Florida where you get to shoot at aliens as you ride around, and I recall going on it and thinking to myself, “wow, did they really manage to screw this up?” They had, they really had. It was only after seeing this film did I finally see what that ride should have been like. Imagine a first person shooter where you get to fling around on a metal track with a shotgun wailing on zombies – it’s the American dream.
This bloodbath of a ride, in real life, is actually called “Go Bananas!” which is strangely fitting; I would personally qualify what happens in that scene as ‘bananas’, amongst several other adjectives as well. The park itself is the Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta Georgia.
In fact, both Zombieland and The Walking Dead were shot almost entirely in Georgia, which really doesn’t say very good things for that place.
1. The Bazooko Circus Merry-Go-Round in Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Of all the ways you can stack up these behemoth steel towers and push people at high velocities, all the ways you simulate explosions and floods, all the money you can toss at putting together a mind bending thrill – none of it compares to the simple combination of a merry-go-round and alcohol.
It’s simply diabolical if you ask me – put a bar at the center of a spinning room and stick the whole thing in the most psychotically colorful and noisy environment imaginable. It also doesn’t help if you happen to be on mescaline.
I really can’t count the ways I love this film, but if I had to, this scene would be far up that list. The Bazooko Circus seems just too insane, too cruel to be a real place – and throwing in Dr. Thompson and Gonzo into the mix is like pouring gasoline on a fire. The kicker is that – not only is The Bazooko Circus and the merry-go-round real, but it’s just as crazy as you think it is.
Get your ass to Vegas and check out the Circus Circus hotel and casino that borders the south strip, there you will find the Horse-A-Round bar, which is exactly what you see in the film. The actual book doesn’t even hide this, calling the casino by its actual name.
Having personally visited this place, I can absolutely confirm that it is, as the late doctor put it, “What the whole hep world would be doing on Saturday night if the Nazis had won the war.” It’s that insane.
Also, for all you Tupac fans, it should be noted that it was this casino where, after exiting, he successfully faked his death to protect himself from the Illuminati.
We begin tonight with a new image from The Great Gatsby featuring Leo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Joel Edgerton looking quite dapper. One can only imagine how much more dapper this will all look when we see it for the first time in 3D. I like the word dapper.
This week’s DVD column only features one certified blockbuster, but happily it’s a kick ass movie worth picking up and enjoying as soon as possible. The rest of the week’s offerings are smaller fare of varying quality including the incredibly fun Detective Dee, the too grim to be good Little Deaths, the better than expected Fright Night, the enlightening but sad Circumstance, and more.
If you liked Joe Johnston’s superhero action flick Captain America: The First Avenger this summer, you might want to watch some of his older movies. No, I’m not talking about The Wolfman. I’m talking about his other comic book film from 1991: The Rocketeer.
Why Watch? The less said about this one, the better the experience, but suffice it to say that the animation is vibrant and incredibly bald. It’s a long strange twist into the mind of a man locked up in a padded room, desperately afraid of being forced out.
Still Life (2005)
