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Celluloid Notes - what are you watching?

Celluloid Notes - August 2007

Trailer of the Day:Zebraman and Audition

Trailer of the Day

Zebraman
A 2004 film by Takashi Miike (Audition, Ichi the Killer, MPD) that is a play on the superhero genre. This film is just finally hitting theaters in America (though in a very limited way). Right now I think it's only playing the Two Boots Pioneer Theater in NYC. The trailer doesn't have subtitles, but it's so absurd that you have to watch it. I haven't seen it yet, but am going to at the first opportunity I have. Anyone seen it yet?





Retro-Trailer of the Day

Audition
Miike's classic horror picture, that's really a drama for about an hour and twenty minutes (a fairly mediocre one) and then it pulls a 180 and it's one of the scariest films ever made. This is cerainly a film that everyone must see, a horror film like nothing else...




A short interview with Takashi Miike about filming the Audition, directing it, and what seperated it from it's contemporaries in Ju-On and Ringu.

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August 31st 2007 @ 15:53

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Fall Preview (or what will I watch this fall?): part 1

What are you watching King?

This is a just a skimming of what is coming out this fall/winter. But here are some of the films that people seem to be excited about, films that are recieving a lot of buzz (though online that seems to require nothing more than a barf bag), and a few films that I'm kind of excited to see. I cut off the list at the end of the year, which excludes a few films I'm really excited to see, like Michel Gondry's 'Be Kind, Rewind,' which has been pushed back to late January.


This Week:

Halloween

Mike Myers...again

Rob Zombie's "re-imagining" of Carpenter's horror masterpiece has gotten a lot of buzz online, and the footage and pictures released have looked edgy and intriguing. It's been the year of remakes (with no end in sight) but this is one that make break the trend of the new films being inferior to the originals.

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Deep Water

A documentary that is causing a lot of buzz. Follows a 1968 one man yacht race around the world. A once wealthy British man, who is essentially a "weekend sailor," joins the race at the risk of financial ruin. This film looks like it's going to be a big winner. Intense and rare footage, and the distance of time to make the witness interviews slightly more intriguing, with the benefit of reflection.

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Exiled

This Johnnie To film sounds like it may be in a similiar vein to many of his other gangster films (Election, Triad Election). But he is increasingly receiving praise for his films in America and is becoming more and more intriguing of a director. In a review of this film J. Hoberman points out that he is one of the few directors of Hong Kong films that has remained edgy and fought for his ability to continue to create the films he wants, they've changed for sure, but they retain that edge more than almost anyone else. (Kar-Wai has gone to American financed films, and the same for Ang Lee) the trailer makes it looks great.




Sept. 7

3:10 to Yuma

Everyone is always ready for the next great western. And it's been a while since American screens have seen anything close (maybe since Eastwood's 'Unforgiven,' but even that was a pretty atypical western). I don't know if this film will be the one, but the combination of Russell Crowe and Christian Bale interests me. Crowe hasn't really been anything but his stock character in a while, so maybe he can come up with something fresh. James Mangold is certainly a competent director but lacks any sort of stylization in his films, which a western can't survive without (see Tombstone). But it looks like there may be hope for this one.




Sept. 14

The Brave One

Neil Jordan's films are patchy at best. The successes of his career are marred by films like 'Interview with the Vampire.' This looks like one his most blatent ventures into Hollywood since the aforementioned film. But he is good, and this could be a suprise thriller success. Jodie Foster looks ok in the trailer, but Terrence Howard looks better...



Eastern Promises

eastern Promises


Cronenberg has been only making gold lately, and this looks like no exception. already getting lots of oscar buzz. Viggo Mortensen is at his best under the direction of Cronenberg. There isn't much to say about this film, it's been doing well, playing in many of the major festivals, Toronto next... looks good.



In the Valley of Elah

Paul Haggis second attempt at direction. His first film 'Crash' earned him an Oscar for Best Picture (which may be one of the worst Best Picture's ever). This film looks interesting, but maybe not that exciting. But the Academy seems to love everything Haggis touches and Tommy Lee Jones is always a good addition to a cast. It's part of a new trend of filmmakers becoming willing to talk openly about Iraq in a narrative format, hopefully it's not as trite and 'black and white' as many of his other scripts...



Ira and Abby

Jennifer Westfeldt's second feature length screenplay seems to excite a lot of people who were fans of 'Kissing Jessica Stein' but either way this looks like it could be one of the falls 'indie' success stories. She's been called the female Woody Allen, which is oddly appropriate. The film looks good, especially for the crap that romantic comedies have turned into. John Cusak look out...




Sept. 21

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Another potentially great western this fall. Looks slightly more paced but has recieved a lot of praise from the festival circuit. Brad Pitt doing independent films is always a good prospect. A good topic as well, interesting to historical buffs and film geeks (Fuller).



Into the Wild

Sean Penn directs this biopic(ish) film of Christopher McCandless adventures from high school through his decision to leave for the Alaskan wilderness. Audiences had widely differing reactions to Werner Herzog's 'Grizzly Man,' the reaction to McCandless as any sort of hero was anything but agreeable. Penn's decision to do make a very Hollywood pic out of this topic seemed distasteful, but spent a lot of bidget on filming on location, actually following McCandless' road trip from SoCal to the Pacific Northwest.




Sept. 28

Lust, Caution

Much praise to Ang Lee and co. for accepting the NC-17 rating without bating an eye. They didn't appeal the rating and refuse to change anything in their pciture to recieve a more viewer friendly rating. Ang Lee's return to chinese films is exciting in that it looks like he really refused to make any comprimises. Should be another Oscar contending film for Lee.



The Darjeeling Limited

Wes Anderson has such a large core of dire-hard fans that this film can't help but be successful. A great cast with Adrien Brody, Jasoon Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson. film has been playing at myriad film festivals. Doing the Tornoto soon and is the opening night selection for the upcoming New York Film Fest. Comes out this week, in a very limited release, then widens the release in the coming weeks.




Oct. 5

My Kid Could Paint That

A documentary about the strange success of Marla Olmstead, a 4 year old painter who is compared readily to Picasso and whose paintings sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's at least an interesting topic and should create an interesting discussion of art for the film.



Michael Clayton

I've seen very little buzz about this movie, adn the studios haven't released much in the ways of the story here, but the trailer and meager plot description available are intriguing. And when hasn't Clooney been good lately? (reply: 'Intolerable Cruelty')



Sleuth

Another remake of an old film. Directed by Kenneth Branagh starring Michael Caine and Jude Law (Caine was in the original). The film doesn't look like it's going to exacly follow the original plot, which is good, may be a bit more of another "re-imagining." Could be another decent remake for the fall.

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August 29th 2007 @ 20:29

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the Day: Deep Water and Rat Race

Trailer of the Day

Deep Water movie poster


Deep Water
A new documentary, coming out shortly, about a 1968 solo yacht race around the world. The race consisted of 8 veteran sailors and one British man no one had ever heard of...



Retro-Trailer of the Day

Having 'Deep Water' as the trailer of the day reminded me of another, classic (though not that retro) race movie, 'Rat Race.' You know the kind of funny, kind of over cast, kind of ridiculous comedy of the mid 90s with Seth Green. Jon Lovitz, Cuba Gooding Jr. Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, Whoopi Goldberg... hang on having a painful flashback to the 90s...

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August 28th 2007 @ 15:04

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the Day: American Gangster and Mafioso

Trailer of the Day

American Gangster


American Gangster
dir. Ridley Scott
starring: Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington
Kind of looks like it's got a bit of an Untouchables spin, but more focused on the mob. Poor casting for a mob pic, but maybe they'll surprise me..

< embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QOSOYSLDuQE" type="application/x-shockwave -flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350">

Retro-Trailer of the day
Mafioso
The rediscovered Italian mob comedy that has been doing American theaters since the 06 New York Film Festival

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August 27th 2007 @ 21:02

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Tim Burton letting the studio make the decisions for him on Sweeney Todd...

According to The Sunday Mail the studio heads at Warner Bros. would like their upcoming adaptation on murderous barber to caontain less blood. Tim Burton's upcoming adaptation of 'Sweeney Todd,' starring Johnny Depp as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Didn't meet the spproval of the Warner Bros heads and they've handed down lengthy cuts they'd like to see for the final version of 'Sweeney Todd,' which comes out in December (American theaters).

Sweeney Todd, a documentary about Johnny Depp's life


Apparently some of the scenes were so greusome that crew members were getting nauseous and leaving set. the studio heads want less blood spraying from the necks of the Demon Barber's victims, fewer dead corpses hanging around the sets and want a scene chopped were Helena Bonham Carter (who lives below the Demon Barber and uses his dead bodies for her pies) and a ten yera old boy are carving up a victim. According to Sunday Mail's sources, "
"The thing is, the studio really likes the film and they want to make it accessible to as big an audience as possible - which means stemming the blood flow. But that's a bit difficult for a story involving a guy who gets high slitting throats."

The studio is hoping that the musical, coming out around Christmas, will have a wider appeal. They want a PG-13 rating in the US, and a 15 in the U.K. Sounds to me, though Burton is reportedly upset about the changes, that the studio ehads should mind their own damn buisness and wreck a potentially good flilm so that 13 year-olds can go and see it. It's about a homicidal barber, and you're going to cut the blood? Ridiculous.
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August 27th 2007 @ 20:32

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Jeremy Blake 1972-2007

Behold the Bubbles:
The Man Who Made Paintings Move

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August 25th 2007 @ 22:19

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the Day: The Assassination of Jesse James... and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

Trailer of the day

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Andrew Dominik, 2007


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August 24th 2007 @ 22:05

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


The Top 100 Directors of All Time

So if you haven't seen the links circulating the web to the latest (mostly meaningless) top 100 list, Total Film magazine has released a list of the top 100 directors of all time. Now, of course, a list so huge cannot possibly please everyone, but this list was assembled by people who do not like movies... Just, briefly, to skim a few of the blatant problems with this list:

1. Michelangelo Antonioni was not included. Of course he seems a little more in the media at the moment because of his recent death, but this is one of the great directors. You can't go including Sofia Coppola, Curtis Hansen and James Whale and then deny Antonioni. Poor decision


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August 23rd 2007 @ 23:08

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the Day: Eastern Promises and The Brood

Trailer of the Day

'Eastern Promises' is the newest film from David Cronenberg (Videodrome, Naked Lunch) starring Naomi Watts and his new favorite Viggo. The film is currently making the rounds on teh festival circuit, up next is Toronto, then a US theatrical releasse will follow. It looks good, Cronenberg has shifted from drug induced hypno-horror gore-porn, to a more refined thirller style, which inevitably has it's "Cronenberg" moment where the gore mounts to extreme proportions (Ed Harris' head being, more or less, exploded in A history of Violence). The Trailer


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August 23rd 2007 @ 14:23

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


No Bale or Routh for Justice League Picture

The upcoming 'Justice League of America' picture from Warner Bros has been the hot film of the week, with rumors circulating everywhere about who will be playing Batman and who will playing Superman. WEll yesterday moviehole and IESB have confirmed that Christian Bale and Brandon Routh will not be playing the roles of Batman and Superman in the film. this makes sense, and doesn't. But in an interview with IESB Christian Bale outlined the simplicity of the situation:

IESB: Are you doing Justice League after TDK?

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August 23rd 2007 @ 14:01

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Another Family Guy movie?

Rotten Tomatoes is reporting, in talks with Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, that he is planning on making a Family Guy feature film. But that's not all, "I would like to do a Family Guy movie at some point, I'd like it to be a musical." The major challenge to creating a Family Guy movie at the moment? Finding time to constantly comeup with new material for the show while writing a feature length film. "It'd be great if we could do it within the next few years. The challenge is finding the time to do it while we're doing a TV series because you don't want the TV series to suffer."

iAgree

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August 22nd 2007 @ 16:10

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


A remake of The Wizard of Oz?

According to Variety Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn) is looking to get the ball rolling on a new 'Wizard of Oz.' He is teaming up with screen-writer Josh Olson (A History of Violence) to bring a dark new vision of the classic to the screen. With the perpetual onslaught of films that were good the first time round being remade it's mildly nausiating, but this project seems to have a little something different than a remake of, say, 'Enter the Dragon.'

A few years back McFarlane designed a series of figures/toys based on The Wizard of Oz (which are kind of shocking and disturbing, also kind of interesting):
Bad bad bondage Dorothy

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August 22nd 2007 @ 15:55

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


'I'm Not There' official trailer released

The much anticipated Bob Dylan biopic 'I'm Not There' has an official trailer (finally). the film is currently making the rounds at the major festivals and will see a US theatrical release later this year. The Weinstein produced film has prompted Harvey Winstein to tell the NY Times "if Cate Blanchett doesn't get nominated I'll shoot myself." Hmm...a loaded statement... Pictures of all six actors who will be playing Dylan have been posted online, none look quite as authentic as Blanchett, yet there is a waft of dylan in everyone's look, except for Heath Ledger, who looks like Heath Ledger with poor hygiene and a scruffy beard. Anyhow here is the trailer for the film. The buzz is getting so loud it's becoming hard to concentrate on writing any longer...


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August 21st 2007 @ 21:23

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the Day: Cassandra's Dream and Bananas

Trailer of the Day

Woody Allen and his men on the set of Cassandra's Dream

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August 21st 2007 @ 17:55

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the day: Shine a Light and Gimme Shelter

The Trailer for Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones documentary 'Shine a Light,' originally slated to be released soon, now delayed until April 08:

< embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hMMa94p85sY" type="application/x-shockwave -flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350">
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August 20th 2007 @ 21:27

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Jet Li asks Chinese government to ease up on censorship

As I had previously reported, the Chinese government has a tight grip on the film industry in China. He spoke out on his blog calling the government's demands for realism in film unreasonable, leaving "only the ancient Chinese stories to be produced." In his entry he mentions many of his films which were banned because of depictions of gangsters or policemen that were deemed insensitive to the Chinese population.

Every year they only allow 20 foriegn films to enter Chinese theaters. Even in those twenty films there is often some censorship (As with the new Pirates of the Carribean this year), most recently they decided to ban Rush Hour 3 starring Jackie Chan (one of the biggest stars in China). Jet Li and Jackie Chan are currently at work on 'The Forbidden Kingdom,' their first film together, a hollywood produced film being shot in a Chinese studio


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August 20th 2007 @ 21:02

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Review: The Battle of Algiers: *****

Gillo Pontecorvo's 'The Battle of Algiers'

Dir. Gillo Ponteocorvo
Screenplay by: Gillo Pontecorvo and Franco Solinas
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August 18th 2007 @ 22:18

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the day: The Invasion and Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Trailer of the Day

Nicole Kidman in 'The Invasion'

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August 17th 2007 @ 14:55

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Articles and Essays: Scorsese, Polanski, Korine, Antonioni, Bergman, Allen, Rosenbaum

Time Out article on directors who cameo in other directors films.
Werner Herzog cameo's in Harmony Korine's 'Julien Donkey Boy'
Werner Herzog's cameo in Harmony Korine's 'Julien Donkey Boy'


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August 17th 2007 @ 14:20

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the Day: Walk Hard and Bande a Part

Trailer of the Day

'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' is the Judd Apatow's newest production, starring John C. Reily. It's roughly a parody of the life of Johnny Cash and in particular 'Walk the Line.' I think it looks pretty solid, I'm not a huge fan of parody films, but Judd Apatow is hot right now, everything he touches is gold


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August 16th 2007 @ 22:32

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Turturro releases 'Romance and Cigarettes' with his own money

turturro's Romance and Cigarettes
I've been trying to follow the path of John Turtutto's 'Romance and Cigarettes' (produced by Joel and Ethan Coen) in it's long path to finally being released in theaters. Finished in 2004 (with a price tag of $11 million) it originally debuted at the Toronto and Venice Film Festival's. (In Venice it was nominated for the Golden Lion) After that it was slated to have a limited, nation-wide theater release. But then, during the Sony/MGM merger, it seems to have been placed on the backburner for the studio. The release date was continually puched back and back and then never saw the theatrical release that was anticipated. But now the film, starring James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Christopher Walken, Kate Winslet, Steve Buscemi, Aida Turturro, Mandy Moore, Mary-Louise Parker, Eddie Izzard, and Amy Sedaris, is being released in New York theaters, by Sony, wait no, by Tuturro Studios? Turturro is releasing it by himself, he is paying, out of pocket, to get it played in theaters across New York. The film has had reviews praising it as an original musical that you couldn't help but be drawn to, and others have called nearly unwatchable. Either way, it's coming to theaters in New York, and (so says Rotten Tomatoes) it will see a DVD release sometime in 2008. The film sounds interesting, here's the synopsis, lifted from the Rotten Tomatoes article:

Romance and Cigarettes is a down-and-dirty musical love story set in the world of the working class. Nick (Gandolfini) is an ironworker who builds and repairs bridges. He's married to Kitty (Sarandon), a dressmaker, a strong and gentle woman with whom he has three daughters. He is carrying on a torrid affair with a redheaded woman named Tula (Winslet). Nick is basically a good, hardworking man driven forward by will and blinded by his urges. Like Oedipus at Colonus, he is sent into exile and searches to find his way back through the damage he has done.

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August 16th 2007 @ 22:01

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Kino International releases for 9/4

Francois Ozon's collection of fine short films finally gets a release on DVD

Kino International is releasing a cache of great classic films on September 4th. If you aren't familiar with Kino they are a less publicity equivalent of The Criterion Collection (who often releases slightly more mainstream and accessible films, though not always), a brilliant group of film preservationists who continue to bring classic and previously unavailable on DVD films to cinephiles (they also, like Criterion, release newer films). This newest group of releases from Kino includes Alibi (a 1929, Roland West directed expressionistic crime thriller, winner of 3 academy awards), Be Yourself (a Fanny Bride star vehicle musical), and The Lottery Bride (the story of a mail order bride who is bought by her lover's brother). They are also releasing three more recent films including Five Dedicated to Ozu, directed by Iranian auteur Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry) it is five extended, single take stories, Scene of the Crime, a French psychological thriller starring Catherine Deneuve, and Francois Ozon: Curtain Raiser and Other Shorts, short films by Francois Ozon unique auteur of such films as 'Swimming Pool.' All should be great additions to your Netflix queue or wherever you find movies that the local rental house no longer offers because they need 35 copies of 'Norbit.'

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August 16th 2007 @ 21:25

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


G.I. Joe now directorless

As previously reported, here and at other sites such as Rotten Tomatoes, Stepehn Summers (The Mummy Series) was supposed to be directing the upcoming G.I. Joe film. Well today Rotten Tomatoes is reporting that he has already left the project over a contract and salary dispute. So the project is once again directorless.

Have they thought about casting Sgt. Slaughter?

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August 15th 2007 @ 15:58

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Trailer of the Day: 3:10 to Yuma and The Untouchables

Trailer of the Day

3:10 to Yuma starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe

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August 15th 2007 @ 15:45

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'I'm Not There' soundtrack officially unveiled

The Playlist has been tracking the tenative list for the soundtrack for weeks, and it appears he's about drilled it, as today Billboard released an official track listing for the soundtrack. It appears as follows:

"All Along the Watchtower," Eddie Vedder and the Million Dollar Bashers


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August 15th 2007 @ 15:13

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


'Darjeeling' not the only new Wes Anderson this year...

Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson's new feature film 'Darjeeling Limited' is premiering at the Venice Film Festival, among many other festivals, but what has not been as extensively covered is 'Hotel Chevalier.' This is a new 12 minute short film by Anderson that will also be premiering at this year's Venice Film Festival, though it will not be in competition. the film is starring Jason Schwartzman and Natalie Portman, who (as The Playlist is reporting) is also going to have a cameo role in 'Darjeeling Limited.' I would expect that the short film will likely have a DVD release on the 2008 Criterion Collectin double disc of 'Darjeeling Limited.'
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August 14th 2007 @ 19:34

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Trailer of the Day for Aug. 14: Reservation Road and Battle of Algiers

Trailer of the Day
The official trailer for Focus Features' 'Reservation Road' has been posted. Directed by up-and-coming 'Hotel Rwanda' director Terry George.

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August 14th 2007 @ 19:19

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Articles and essays: 10/13

Sofia Copolla

Searching for female directors from CNN.com.

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August 13th 2007 @ 15:54

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Jurassic Park IV

As the fine people who run Bloody-Disgusting.com said "I can now safely declare that this franchise has entered 'ridiculous sequel mode'." The word today is that Universal Studios has officially begun casting for the film, which will be shot in Hawaii. Laura Dern has confirmed her return to the franchise as Dr. Elie Sattler, Sam Neil will not be back, and neither will Jeff Goldblum.
This plus guns equals Jurassic Park IV

Remember for this last bit that you are not reading The Onion. Bloody-Disgusting is reporting that the plot synopsis, thus far, is that the government has taken the dinosaurs and trained them to carry weapons. Essentially turning the dinosaurs into a wartime weapon of their own. I'm shocked by the plot (though it's early, it could be better than it sounds, but probably not) but I'm even more shocked that Laura Dern has signed on for this.
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August 13th 2007 @ 15:38

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G.I. Joe gets a director

The Paramount-Dreamworks production of the G.I. Joe movie has found a director. Stephen Sommers, the writer-director of the Mummy series and Van Helsing will be hrlming the production slated to be completed in 2010, but IGN is reporting that production may begin sooner than planned to avoid being delayed by the impending Hollwood strike. The word is that the live action film will be part origin story by Skip Woods (Swordfish) and part screen play by David Elliot and Paul Lovet (Four Brothers).
The Original G.I. Joe film (this concept smells familiar)
This is a great case study in Hollwood production. Transformers makes money, so let's rehash another 80's cartoon, with lots of visual effects, that's already had a cult-ish feature length cartoon movie...
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August 13th 2007 @ 15:12

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Review: Stray Dog: ***

Original Japanese poster for Kurosawa's 'Stray Dog'

Dir. Akira Kurosawa
Written by: Akira Kurosawa and Ryuzo Kikushima
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August 12th 2007 @ 14:52

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Brand Upon the Brain!: ****

Guy Maddin's Brand Upon the Brain!

Dir. Guy Maddin
Written By: Guy Maddin and George Toles


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August 11th 2007 @ 18:05

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Links list for August 10

The 100 bets Filipino films of all time....pretty interesting

The worst action film cliches, from AOL Movies
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August 10th 2007 @ 16:09

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Scorsese and The Stones would be in theaters till mid 2008

The new Rolling Stones documentary, directed by Martin Scorsese, has been pushed back to an April 2008 release. The film's distributor, Paramount Classics, is sighting a hectic touring schdule for the band and Scorsese's other engagements as a reason 'Shine a Light' has not gotten the publicity it deserves. They are revamping the marketing campaign in an attempt to build some more buzz going into April 2008. Meh. The buzz I've heard is that it's not that spectacular. We're taking 90's-00's Rolling Stones, it's not like its the 70s anymore, they're getting old and new tunes from them are like a Kevin Costner movie, who cares?

The Documentary was shot by Scorsese and crew last year at The Beacon Theater and will feature guest appearances from Buddy Guy, Jack White of The White Stripes fame, and Christina Aguilera. And according to The IMDB Bill Clinton is involved in the film, in one capacity or another. Maybe there will be a killer sax solo, or so not so killer Hillary campaigning


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August 10th 2007 @ 16:08

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Poster posted for 'Semi-Pro'

How about another film where Will Ferrell is playing a sports star. Anyone sick of these yet?

Another film where Will Ferrell plays a sports star, 'Semi-Pro'
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August 10th 2007 @ 15:17

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


'Rush Hour 3' banned in China

The third installment of the 'Rush Hour' trilogy, starring Chinese star Jackie Chan, has been banned in China. The film ignited some controversy over a scene in which a Chinese family, involved with the Triads, visits Paris. But the government run Film Bureau has insisted that this scene has nothing to do with its executive decision to pull the movie from Chinese theaters. according to Box Office Mojo the first two films in the series were hits in China and with the legacy of star Jackie chan it would seem plausible that the third installment would follow suit. IMDB is quoting Xiao Ping, member of China Film Groups import and export department, as saying "We think that it will not be popular in China." The decision echoes the harsh trimming that imported films go through in China, like the trimming of Pirates star Chow Yun-Fat from the third installment of that trilogy earlier this year. Under current laws China only allows 20 films to be imported for theatrical exhibition per year.


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August 10th 2007 @ 15:09

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Trailer of the Day for Aug. 10: Trailer for 'Be Kind, Rewind' released and Saw IV clip

So yesterday the trailer for 'Be Kind, Rewind' was released online and the first five minute of 'Saw IV' leaked it's way onto the internet. Click here for the bloody first five minutes of Saw IV

Trailer of the Day


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August 10th 2007 @ 14:49

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the Day for Aug. 9

Opening this week, 'Rocket Science,' the new film from Jeffery Blitz:


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August 9th 2007 @ 16:57

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


The Link List today

A treatisie on the decline of horror, from Cinephile New York

The Rise of Guerilla Drive-Ins, from NPR
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August 9th 2007 @ 15:08

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


William Friedkin given high honor in France

Director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) has been given an extreemly prestigous award from the French government. He has been named Officer, Order of ARts and Letters. Friedkin said that this award is an incredible honor, "because of the profound influence French cinema has had on all the filmmakers of my generation." Previous American filmmakers to recieve the award include Mel Brooks, Clint Eastwood, Gordon Parks and Robert Redford. Though Friedkin may be an odd choice because of his marginal success outside of his two major films he has directed countless films and been producing movies for many years. His latest film Bug has recieved decent reviews and hasn't tanked at the box office.
Exorcist



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August 9th 2007 @ 14:29

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Weinstein's go Asian

The Weinstein corporation has decided to invest $285 million in Asian films. Harvey Weinstein has been quoted as saying he hopes to impart a "western sensibility" on these new projects. I pray that this doesn't result in the same Hollywood-ization of Asian films that America saw with Kung-Fu films. Some of the intial investments will be a remake of the 1954 Kurosawa film Seven Samurai and The Forbidden Kingdom to star briefly retired Jet Li and Jackie Chan. the weinstein company seems to have slowed production on a number of films due to some lousy numbers at the box office, but rumors are that they are giving the green light to Sin City 2 and 3 now, which should come out late 2008 or 2009.

Screen shot from Kurosawa's Seven Samurai

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August 9th 2007 @ 14:17

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Fox to reinvest in 'Once'

The indie musical 'Once' is going to get a $150,000 boost from Fox Searchlight after drawing $6.5 million on just 140 screens across America. The Dublin set film, starring members of The Frames, has certainly been the independent triumph of the year getting loads of press time and constant buzz, and is likely a shoe-in for an Oscar bid at best score. IMDB is quoting Steven Spileberg as saying, "a little movie called 'Once' gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year." 'Once' is still currently in theaters.

Once, the minimum times you should this

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August 9th 2007 @ 14:05

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Global Lens 2008 announces line-up

The Global film Initiative announce ten awward winning films, from around the world, that will comprise the Global Lens series for 2008. Now in it's fifth year the Global Lens series will premiere at the MoMA in New York in January of '08, and will tour across the country stopping in many cities including the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Leading the stellar list of films are Opera Jawa (New Crowned Hope, The Bet Collector (FIPRRESCI) and Luxury Car (Un Certain Regard), The Custodian (had a Golden Berlin Bear nomination), and the South African comedy which is appearing in this years Toronto Film Fest, 'Bunny Chow.'

Here is the official list of the ten films taken from The Global Film Initiative
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August 8th 2007 @ 17:20

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Trailer of the Day

Trailer of the Day

Coming out this fall, the new Coen Bros. 'No Country For Old Men


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August 8th 2007 @ 17:12

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


'I'm Not There' update, soundtrack info and Heath Ledger still

The Playlist has updated the official artist list for the upcoming double disc soundtrack release to coincide with the release of the Dylan biopic.
Heath Ledger as Bob Dylan in Todd Hayne's 'I'm Not There'
Previously announced artists included Calexico, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, My Morning Jacket, Sonic Youth, Karen O, Sufjan Stevens, Eddie Veder, Jeff Tweedy, Iron & Wine and Willie Nelson. But today he is reporting a confirmation of tracks from Dylan himself (which is somewhat expected, probably the title track to the film), Charlotte Gainsberg (who plays Dylan's wife in the film) and roger McGuinn.
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August 8th 2007 @ 17:07

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Criterion Collection this month: three new films, two new directors and one new sale

Carlos Saura's 'Cria Cuervos' out Aug. 14 from Criterion
The Criterion Collection is releasing three films this month, coinciding with a sale at Barnes and Noble on all Criterion films. All Criterion films are 30% off all month at Barnes and Nobles nationwide.
This Tuesday Criterion unleashes Carlos Saura's family drama, 'Cria Cuervos,' and David's Mamet's debut film 'House of Games.' Both Mamet and Saura are new directors to the Criterion collection. And the third film ebing released this month is another masterfully scathing satire from Luis Bunuel, 'The Milky Way.' All of these films are available at online sellers and you can find out more at the Criterion website (click here)

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August 8th 2007 @ 16:44

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Universal lies, busted by The Bourne Fan

A British fan of the Jason Bourne series movies (The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Identity)recently purchased the new "extended edition" of 'The Bourne supremacy.' Disappointed by his inabliity to see what had been added to the film, he pulled out the standard edition of the film, which he also happened to own, and discovered that there were no extra scenes. The extended edition was not actually extended. Click here to see the letter from this man and the hackneyed response from Universal studios. From Deadline Hollywood Daily

The Bourne Supremacy, meh
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August 8th 2007 @ 16:30

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Celluloid Notes aug.7: Eastern Promises, Monopoly, podcast, Reservation Road and more

Newsworthy:

Cronenberg film to open San Sebastian Film Festival
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August 7th 2007 @ 18:18

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Celluloid Notes Aug 6: The Nines trailer, a few interesting essays, not much news today....

Trailers-n-Things

Trailer of the day:
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August 6th 2007 @ 18:35

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Review: The Good German: ***1/2


dir: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire


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August 4th 2007 @ 20:55

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


Celluloid Notes Aug. 3: Sean Penn, McCarthy and Toy Story 3, Darjeeling Limited, My Name is Nobody

Newsworthy


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August 3rd 2007 @ 15:47

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


The movie news: August 2nd

Newsworthy

'The Dark Knight' footage leak
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August 2nd 2007 @ 22:16

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


The Movie New for August 1st, 2007

Newsworthy

Venice Film Festival Announces Queer Lion
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August 2nd 2007 @ 03:57

Posted By: Dustin - Category: No Category
   


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