In 2013, the veteran director Benny Chan gave us the spectacular action film “The White Storm” which honored the best heroic bloodshed films Hong Kong madein the 80s and 90s. This year the sequel: “The White Storm 2: Drug Lords ” arrives, at the hands of Herman Yau, another veteran director who does not need any introduction.
The White Storm 2: Drug Lords is released in UK cinemas 12th July from Cine Asia
As is usual in some franchises of this type, the continuity is different, which is why it has nothing to do with the previous one. Louis Koo repeats his part in this installment, and he is accompanied by Andy Lau, Michael Mui, Chrissie Chau, Kent Cheng and Kar Yan Lam among others.
The story begins in 2009 in Hong Kong, where the criminal gang of Ching Hing controls much of the city. This criminal gang, led by Yu Nam (Kent cheng...
The White Storm 2: Drug Lords is released in UK cinemas 12th July from Cine Asia
As is usual in some franchises of this type, the continuity is different, which is why it has nothing to do with the previous one. Louis Koo repeats his part in this installment, and he is accompanied by Andy Lau, Michael Mui, Chrissie Chau, Kent Cheng and Kar Yan Lam among others.
The story begins in 2009 in Hong Kong, where the criminal gang of Ching Hing controls much of the city. This criminal gang, led by Yu Nam (Kent cheng...
- 7/11/2019
- by Pedro Morata
- AsianMoviePulse
Above: Seven Blows of the Dragon aka The Water Margin.Known as “The Godfather of Hong Kong cinema,” Chang Cheh (1923-2002), who directed nearly 100 films between the late 50s and the early 90s, is currently the subject of a week-long, 14-film retrospective at the Quad Cinema in New York, co-presented by the New York Asian Film Festival. You can read about Chang in depth in Sean Gilman’s Notebook article “Chang Cheh: Death and Glory,” but here is the Quad’s introduction:As the storied Shaw Brothers began to transform the Hong Kong film industry in the 1950s, a new golden age was on the horizon. At the vanguard of it was director Chang Cheh. The martial arts action in his movies was awe-inspiring—and so too was his career. “Prolific” barely does justice to a director who averaged a half-dozen movies annually during the 1970s boom. He was first and...
- 5/25/2018
- MUBI
By Hank Reineke
As one might expect from any 1960’s James Bond pastiche, an assortment of cool spy gadgetry is on display in Franklin Adreon’s Dimension 5 (1966): microchips secreted in the rear compartment of a Bulova wristwatch, a poison dart firing pen, an exploding briefcase, and a cool bullet-firing point-and-shoot 35mm camera. If that’s not enough – and with possible exception of the invisible car from Die Another Day (2002) - Dimension 5 offers us one of the more ridiculous and dubious items found in any secret agent arsenal… a “time-convertor” belt.
We’re first introduced to this device during the film’s mildly exciting pre-credits sequence. In the first few minutes we’re treated to what one expects from a nifty ‘60s spy thriller: a bit of a car chase, a surprising punch-to-the mouth of a double-crossing Asian villainess and a swooping helicopter rescue. What we do not...
As one might expect from any 1960’s James Bond pastiche, an assortment of cool spy gadgetry is on display in Franklin Adreon’s Dimension 5 (1966): microchips secreted in the rear compartment of a Bulova wristwatch, a poison dart firing pen, an exploding briefcase, and a cool bullet-firing point-and-shoot 35mm camera. If that’s not enough – and with possible exception of the invisible car from Die Another Day (2002) - Dimension 5 offers us one of the more ridiculous and dubious items found in any secret agent arsenal… a “time-convertor” belt.
We’re first introduced to this device during the film’s mildly exciting pre-credits sequence. In the first few minutes we’re treated to what one expects from a nifty ‘60s spy thriller: a bit of a car chase, a surprising punch-to-the mouth of a double-crossing Asian villainess and a swooping helicopter rescue. What we do not...
- 12/8/2017
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
21 Best Foreign Language Film submissions and 16 Golden Globe submissions make this festival an important event in Los Angeles.
Now in its third year, The Asian World Film Festival is held at the Arclight in Culver City. While still dealing with growing pains, especially finding its audience, it still hosts a great community of film lovers and filmmakers. My wish is that next year it will reach farther to the Asian filmmaking community in L.A. and to the ethnic communities of L.A. who would love to see the works of their homeland filmmakers which are making their way toward Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Films.
Awff Jury President Lisa Lu
The winner this year of multiple prizes was the South Korean submission A Taxi Driver. This funny and very serious film is so important today, and with the best publicist for the Academy Awards, Pogodin & Associattes, it...
Now in its third year, The Asian World Film Festival is held at the Arclight in Culver City. While still dealing with growing pains, especially finding its audience, it still hosts a great community of film lovers and filmmakers. My wish is that next year it will reach farther to the Asian filmmaking community in L.A. and to the ethnic communities of L.A. who would love to see the works of their homeland filmmakers which are making their way toward Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Films.
Awff Jury President Lisa Lu
The winner this year of multiple prizes was the South Korean submission A Taxi Driver. This funny and very serious film is so important today, and with the best publicist for the Academy Awards, Pogodin & Associattes, it...
- 11/12/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Craig Lines Nov 1, 2017
Every now and then, martial arts movies go, er, a 'little leftfield', Here are some examples...
There are few feelings I enjoy as much as watching a movie that shakes me out of my complacency, wakes me up from my jaded quasi-slumber and makes me go “I’ve not seen that before!” I watch way too many films and it can take a lot to genuinely shock or surprise me, but there are few genres that manage it as often as martial arts.
Now, I appreciate there’s a lot of base level ‘weirdness’ to the genre if you’re not used to it. There’s curious dubbing, an emphasis on physicality over plotting, some eastern cultural touchpoints that baffle unfamiliar western audiences… but fans get used to all that. I’m talking about something slightly different.
To clarify, it might seem strange to new viewers when...
Every now and then, martial arts movies go, er, a 'little leftfield', Here are some examples...
There are few feelings I enjoy as much as watching a movie that shakes me out of my complacency, wakes me up from my jaded quasi-slumber and makes me go “I’ve not seen that before!” I watch way too many films and it can take a lot to genuinely shock or surprise me, but there are few genres that manage it as often as martial arts.
Now, I appreciate there’s a lot of base level ‘weirdness’ to the genre if you’re not used to it. There’s curious dubbing, an emphasis on physicality over plotting, some eastern cultural touchpoints that baffle unfamiliar western audiences… but fans get used to all that. I’m talking about something slightly different.
To clarify, it might seem strange to new viewers when...
- 10/31/2017
- Den of Geek
Premiering out of competition at the Venice Film Festival last week before traveling to Toronto, John Woo’s breezy, tongue-in-cheek actioner Manhunt sees him return to his roots in genre filmmaking and delighted fans on both continents, including our own reviewer out of Tiff.
We had the honor of speaking with the iconic director in Venice about making a movie in Japan, how he collaborates with action choreographers and, of course, those white doves.
How does it feel to be regarded as a legend of action cinema?
John Woo: I’m not a legend. I’m just one of many filmmakers. I know I love film. I love being part of the filmmaking world. I’m not trying to be humble when I say this but I’m very much still a student. I still like to learn from my fellow filmmakers, from world cinema. I learn so much...
We had the honor of speaking with the iconic director in Venice about making a movie in Japan, how he collaborates with action choreographers and, of course, those white doves.
How does it feel to be regarded as a legend of action cinema?
John Woo: I’m not a legend. I’m just one of many filmmakers. I know I love film. I love being part of the filmmaking world. I’m not trying to be humble when I say this but I’m very much still a student. I still like to learn from my fellow filmmakers, from world cinema. I learn so much...
- 9/11/2017
- by Zhuo-Ning Su
- The Film Stage
Yvonne Monlaur: Cult horror movie actress & Bond Girl contender was featured in the 1960 British classics 'Circus of Horrors' & 'The Brides of Dracula.' Actress Yvonne Monlaur dead at 77: Best remembered for cult horror classics 'Circus of Horrors' & 'The Brides of Dracula' Actress Yvonne Monlaur, best known for her roles in the 1960 British cult horror classics Circus of Horrors and The Brides of Dracula, died of cardiac arrest on April 18 in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Monlaur was 77. According to various online sources, she was born Yvonne Thérèse Marie Camille Bédat de Monlaur in the southwestern town of Pau, in France's Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, on Dec. 15, 1939. Her father was poet and librettist Pierre Bédat de Monlaur; her mother was a Russian ballet dancer. The young Yvonne was trained in ballet and while still a teenager became a model for Elle magazine. She was “discovered” by newspaper publisher-turned-director André Hunebelle,...
- 4/27/2017
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Whether or not you know his name, odds are you’ve seen James Hong on screen. The 88-year-old character actor has more than 400 credits to his name. And this new hour-long episode of the YouTube series No Small Parts dives into Hong’s lengthy career. Born in 1929 in Minneapolis to parents who emigrated from Hong Kong, Hong spent his childhood in both the U.S. and China. After showing an early aptitude for impressions (his Jimmy Stewart is uncanny), Hong eventually found his way into a showbiz career that has now spanned six decades.
The episode delves into the specifics of Hong’s career and also also zooms out to look at larger issues of Asian representation. Host and creator Brandon Hardesty discusses representation in a nuanced but comprehensible way, acknowledging the complexities and contradictions of the issue. For instance, Hardesty explains he was surprised that many of ...
The episode delves into the specifics of Hong’s career and also also zooms out to look at larger issues of Asian representation. Host and creator Brandon Hardesty discusses representation in a nuanced but comprehensible way, acknowledging the complexities and contradictions of the issue. For instance, Hardesty explains he was surprised that many of ...
- 2/24/2017
- by Caroline Siede
- avclub.com
Emiliano Torres’ The Winter [pictured] was named best film at the first edition of the International Film Festival and Awards Macao (Iffam).
Emiliano Torres’ The Winter [pictured] was named best film at the first edition of the International Film Festival and Awards Macao (Iffam), while Saint George (Sao Jorge) won best director for Marco Martins and best actor for Nuno Lopes.
British film Trespass Against Us also received two awards, best actress for Lyndsey Marshal and a jury prize.
Jennifer Yu won best newcomer for Macanese director Tracy Choi’s debut feature Sisterhood, which also received the Macao Audience Choice Award.
Best screenplay went to UK director Ben Wheatley and Amy Jump for Free Fire, while Brazilian drama Elon Doesn’t Believe In Death received the best technical contribution award for its original music and sound design.
The new festival was co-organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office (Mgto) and Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (Mftpa).
“First...
Emiliano Torres’ The Winter [pictured] was named best film at the first edition of the International Film Festival and Awards Macao (Iffam), while Saint George (Sao Jorge) won best director for Marco Martins and best actor for Nuno Lopes.
British film Trespass Against Us also received two awards, best actress for Lyndsey Marshal and a jury prize.
Jennifer Yu won best newcomer for Macanese director Tracy Choi’s debut feature Sisterhood, which also received the Macao Audience Choice Award.
Best screenplay went to UK director Ben Wheatley and Amy Jump for Free Fire, while Brazilian drama Elon Doesn’t Believe In Death received the best technical contribution award for its original music and sound design.
The new festival was co-organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office (Mgto) and Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (Mftpa).
“First...
- 12/14/2016
- by screenasia@yahoo.com (Silvia Wong)
- ScreenDaily
Kicking off with a special screening of The Forest with star Natalie Dormer in attendance, and finishing in racy rock-fuelled style with Sean Byrne’s The Devil’s Candy, the UK’s favourite horror fantasy event returns to Glasgow Film Festival with another stellar line-up to shock, chill and thrill. A record thirteen films will screen from Thursday 25th February to Saturday 27th February, alongside a selection of unmissable shorts, guest director Q & A’s, great give-aways and a sneak preview of Paul Hyett’s Heretiks, with the popular director in attendance.
The line-up starts at 9pm on Thurs 25 Feb with the UK Premiere of The Forest starring Natalie Dormer searching for her twin sister in Japan’s most haunted location, the fabled Sea of Trees. The ‘Game of Thrones’ star is making her first appearance at Glasgow Film Festival and is thrilled to be headlining this gala event the...
The line-up starts at 9pm on Thurs 25 Feb with the UK Premiere of The Forest starring Natalie Dormer searching for her twin sister in Japan’s most haunted location, the fabled Sea of Trees. The ‘Game of Thrones’ star is making her first appearance at Glasgow Film Festival and is thrilled to be headlining this gala event the...
- 1/11/2016
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Paul Feig tweeted a photo of four Ghostbusters reboot figures on Friday that look pretty rad. We have details, as well as a look at the figures, below. A Q&A with Daniel Abella, the director of the Philip K. Dick Film Festival, and info on Robert Englund's upcoming appearance at Silver Scream Festival, are also in this round-up.
Mattel's Ghostbusters Figures: The photo below features the prototypes of all four of the figures which stand at six inches tall. The official release date for these items is not available at this time.
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, and Leslie Jones, Paul Feig's Ghostbusters reboot is slated to hit theaters on July 15th, 2016. Chris Hemsworth will play Kevin the receptionist, with Andy Garcia, Matt Walsh, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Cecily Strong also along for the ride.
Original Ghostbusters stars Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Annie Potts,...
Mattel's Ghostbusters Figures: The photo below features the prototypes of all four of the figures which stand at six inches tall. The official release date for these items is not available at this time.
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, and Leslie Jones, Paul Feig's Ghostbusters reboot is slated to hit theaters on July 15th, 2016. Chris Hemsworth will play Kevin the receptionist, with Andy Garcia, Matt Walsh, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Cecily Strong also along for the ride.
Original Ghostbusters stars Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Annie Potts,...
- 1/9/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks, will make its World Premiere at the 53rd New York International Film Festival, running from September 25 to October 11. The film was one of 26 announced as part of the festival’s main slate, along with one of four World Premieres.
Some of the main slate highlights include Todd Haynes’s Carol, featuring Cannes Best Actress Winner Rooney Mara alongside Cate Blanchett, Miguel Gomes’s three part saga Arabian Nights, Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s The Assassin, the Us premiere of Michael Moore’s latest Where to Invade Next, Michel Gondry’s French film Microbe et Gasoil, and the World Premiere of the documentary Don’t Blink: Robert Frank, about the life of the fames photographer and filmmaker.
Previously announced films include the World Premiere of The Walk, Robert Zemeckis’s Philippe Petit biopic serving as the opening night film, the World Premiere of...
Some of the main slate highlights include Todd Haynes’s Carol, featuring Cannes Best Actress Winner Rooney Mara alongside Cate Blanchett, Miguel Gomes’s three part saga Arabian Nights, Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s The Assassin, the Us premiere of Michael Moore’s latest Where to Invade Next, Michel Gondry’s French film Microbe et Gasoil, and the World Premiere of the documentary Don’t Blink: Robert Frank, about the life of the fames photographer and filmmaker.
Previously announced films include the World Premiere of The Walk, Robert Zemeckis’s Philippe Petit biopic serving as the opening night film, the World Premiere of...
- 8/13/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
I interviewed James Coburn in late 1998 for the cover story of the February 1999 issue of Venice Magazine. I had grown up watching Coburn on the late show, but also seeing him on the big screen, first-run. Meeting him was a thrill as he entered the living room of his manager, the late Hilly Elkins', home in Beverly Hills. Coburn was elegant, charming and had the grace of a cat. The only thing that revealed the health problems that had nearly done him in were his gnarled hands, the result of severe arthritis. We spoke about his role in Paul Schrader's newest film, "Affliction," which would earn him a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award. Later, as I walked Coburn to his Acura Nsx sport coupe, he bid me a warm farewell.
Several months later, I encountered him again at The Independent Spirit Awards, in Santa Monica. I went up...
Several months later, I encountered him again at The Independent Spirit Awards, in Santa Monica. I went up...
- 7/15/2015
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
I confess that my first reaction to this news was caught on film and you can now see it in photo form attached to this story. Here's the thing: I am on record as saying that I consider Dwayne Johnson a bit of a natural resource. I don't think the movies he makes are always worthy of his charisma and his genuine talent, but i think he's more than proven himself capable. I am hopeful when he announces a project that it'll be something that is as good as he is. I am also on record as saying that it's exhausting to get worked up about every single remake or sequel or reboot or whatever at this point. The industry has so clearly embraced that as an omnipresent business plan that it is wasted energy. It takes a lot to shake that loose from me now, but maybe this one...
- 6/2/2015
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
The director of Mercenary: Absolution talks to us about international appeal, tough guys, and all things Seagal...
I’m Den of Geek’s go to guy for Steven Seagal movies and, as such, was very excited when the opportunity to interview Keoni Waxman arose. He’s directed six movies that have starred Seagal and worked on the TV series True Justice with the big man.
Not only was I excited to speak to Waxman because I like his films, I thought he’d be an interesting interview subject. While I understand that interviews with big Hollywood stars are more popular, I felt like I would have a chance to speak to someone that many Den of Geek readers wouldn’t know much about, and that he’d be able to offer us an interesting perspective on a part of the film industry that we don’t have much access to.
I’m Den of Geek’s go to guy for Steven Seagal movies and, as such, was very excited when the opportunity to interview Keoni Waxman arose. He’s directed six movies that have starred Seagal and worked on the TV series True Justice with the big man.
Not only was I excited to speak to Waxman because I like his films, I thought he’d be an interesting interview subject. While I understand that interviews with big Hollywood stars are more popular, I felt like I would have a chance to speak to someone that many Den of Geek readers wouldn’t know much about, and that he’d be able to offer us an interesting perspective on a part of the film industry that we don’t have much access to.
- 5/20/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Gazing into the crystal ball, Screen rounds up its Cannes predictions.
With the unveiling of Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection now exactly three weeks away buzz over the titles that Thierry Fremaux and his team will select for the 68th edition is hitting fever pitch.
Official teaser announcements have started to roll this week, led by the confirmation on Wednesday that George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road would premiere in an Out of Competition screening on May 14.
Earlier the week, Cannes unveiled its poster featuring Ingrid Bergman to mark the centenary of the late big screen’s birth and it was announced that Stig Bjorkman’s documentary Ingrid Bergman – In Her Own Words would show in Cannes Classics as part of the commemorations.
For the rest of the Official Selection, except perhaps the opening film which is traditionally revealed in advance, Cannes watchers will have to wait for the announcement press conference in Paris on April...
With the unveiling of Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection now exactly three weeks away buzz over the titles that Thierry Fremaux and his team will select for the 68th edition is hitting fever pitch.
Official teaser announcements have started to roll this week, led by the confirmation on Wednesday that George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road would premiere in an Out of Competition screening on May 14.
Earlier the week, Cannes unveiled its poster featuring Ingrid Bergman to mark the centenary of the late big screen’s birth and it was announced that Stig Bjorkman’s documentary Ingrid Bergman – In Her Own Words would show in Cannes Classics as part of the commemorations.
For the rest of the Official Selection, except perhaps the opening film which is traditionally revealed in advance, Cannes watchers will have to wait for the announcement press conference in Paris on April...
- 3/26/2015
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Tan Twan Eng’s award-winning novel set for English-language feature to be co-produced with HBO Asia.
Malaysia’s Astro Shaw has optioned Tan Twan Eng’s award-winning novel The Garden Of Evening Mists, which it plans to adapt as an English-language feature to be co-produced with HBO Asia.
Set across three time periods, the book follows a woman who lost her sister during the Japanese occupation of Malaysia and later becomes the apprentice and lover of a Japanese gardener in the Cameron Highlands.
It was awarded the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2012 and the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.
“We see it as a project that will really showcase the best of Malaysia in terms of literature, culture and locations,” said Astro vice president, business development, Najwa Abu Bakar.
Acclaimed dramatist and actor Huzir Sulaiman is scripting the adaptation.
The project joins a rapidly expanding production slate for Astro Shaw, the film arm...
Malaysia’s Astro Shaw has optioned Tan Twan Eng’s award-winning novel The Garden Of Evening Mists, which it plans to adapt as an English-language feature to be co-produced with HBO Asia.
Set across three time periods, the book follows a woman who lost her sister during the Japanese occupation of Malaysia and later becomes the apprentice and lover of a Japanese gardener in the Cameron Highlands.
It was awarded the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2012 and the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.
“We see it as a project that will really showcase the best of Malaysia in terms of literature, culture and locations,” said Astro vice president, business development, Najwa Abu Bakar.
Acclaimed dramatist and actor Huzir Sulaiman is scripting the adaptation.
The project joins a rapidly expanding production slate for Astro Shaw, the film arm...
- 2/8/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
How would you program this year's newest, most interesting films into double features with movies of the past you saw in 2014?
Looking back over the year at what films moved and impressed us, it is clear that watching old films is a crucial part of making new films meaningful. Thus, the annual tradition of our end of year poll, which calls upon our writers to pick both a new and an old film: they were challenged to choose a new film they saw in 2014—in theatres or at a festival—and creatively pair it with an old film they also saw in 2014 to create a unique double feature.
All the contributors were given the option to write some text explaining their 2014 fantasy double feature. What's more, each writer was given the option to list more pairings, with or without explanation, as further imaginative film programming we'd be lucky to catch...
Looking back over the year at what films moved and impressed us, it is clear that watching old films is a crucial part of making new films meaningful. Thus, the annual tradition of our end of year poll, which calls upon our writers to pick both a new and an old film: they were challenged to choose a new film they saw in 2014—in theatres or at a festival—and creatively pair it with an old film they also saw in 2014 to create a unique double feature.
All the contributors were given the option to write some text explaining their 2014 fantasy double feature. What's more, each writer was given the option to list more pairings, with or without explanation, as further imaginative film programming we'd be lucky to catch...
- 1/5/2015
- by Notebook
- MUBI
With the New Year just days away, Universal Pictures has released brand new photos, storylines and dates for some of the most anticipated movies in 2015.
First up is Ted 2.
Hitting theaters on June 26, 2015, Seth MacFarlane returns as writer, director and voice star of Ted 2, Universal and Media Rights Capital’s follow-up to the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time.
Joined once again by star Mark Wahlberg and fellow “Ted” writers Alec Sulkin & Wellesley Wild, MacFarlane produces the live action/CG-animated comedy alongside Bluegrass Films’ Scott Stuber, as well as John Jacobs and Jason Clark.
http://www.tedisreal.com
Photo Credit: Tippett Studios/Universal Pictures © 2015 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
(L to R) Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite for Sisters
Sisters – December 18, 2015
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, John Leguizamo, Dianne Wiest, John Cena and James Brolin
Directed by: Jason Moore
Writer:...
First up is Ted 2.
Hitting theaters on June 26, 2015, Seth MacFarlane returns as writer, director and voice star of Ted 2, Universal and Media Rights Capital’s follow-up to the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time.
Joined once again by star Mark Wahlberg and fellow “Ted” writers Alec Sulkin & Wellesley Wild, MacFarlane produces the live action/CG-animated comedy alongside Bluegrass Films’ Scott Stuber, as well as John Jacobs and Jason Clark.
http://www.tedisreal.com
Photo Credit: Tippett Studios/Universal Pictures © 2015 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
(L to R) Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite for Sisters
Sisters – December 18, 2015
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, John Leguizamo, Dianne Wiest, John Cena and James Brolin
Directed by: Jason Moore
Writer:...
- 12/29/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Perched at the top of this week’s flock of specialty film debuts is Birdman (Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance), a possible Oscar contender starring Michael Keaton. Though it’s a limited release, Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s complex film about a fading action-hero trying to reclaim his mojo on Broadway nevertheless combines elements of a superhero franchise that could tap fans well beyond the art house.
It’s part of yet another big flock of specialty film debuts coming this weekend, including the controversy-minded Sundance award-winner Dear White People, William H. Macy‘s directorial debut Rudderless, Kristen Stewart‘s Camp X-Ray, Jason Schwartzman‘s Listen Up Philip, The Golden Era, Summer Of Blood, and one great revival, Alain Resnais’ 1959 landmark Hiroshima Mon Amour.
To get a sense of Fox Searchlight’s ambitions for Birdman, the film closed the New York Film Festival last weekend to strong reviews, but then...
It’s part of yet another big flock of specialty film debuts coming this weekend, including the controversy-minded Sundance award-winner Dear White People, William H. Macy‘s directorial debut Rudderless, Kristen Stewart‘s Camp X-Ray, Jason Schwartzman‘s Listen Up Philip, The Golden Era, Summer Of Blood, and one great revival, Alain Resnais’ 1959 landmark Hiroshima Mon Amour.
To get a sense of Fox Searchlight’s ambitions for Birdman, the film closed the New York Film Festival last weekend to strong reviews, but then...
- 10/16/2014
- by David Bloom
- Deadline
Joan Lorring, 1945 Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee, dead at 88: One of the earliest surviving Academy Award nominees in the acting categories, Lorring was best known for holding her own against Bette Davis in ‘The Corn Is Green’ (photo: Joan Lorring in ‘Three Strangers’) Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nominee Joan Lorring, who stole the 1945 film version of The Corn Is Green from none other than Warner Bros. reigning queen Bette Davis, died Friday, May 30, 2014, in the New York City suburb of Sleepy Hollow. So far, online obits haven’t mentioned the cause of death. Lorring, one of the earliest surviving Oscar nominees in the acting categories, was 88. Directed by Irving Rapper, who had also handled one of Bette Davis’ biggest hits, the 1942 sudsy soap opera Now, Voyager, Warners’ The Corn Is Green was a decent if uninspired film version of Emlyn Williams’ semi-autobiographical 1938 hit play about an English schoolteacher,...
- 6/1/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Ace Studios and Odyssey Media’s action thriller Pound Of Flesh, starring Jean Claude Van Damme, wrapped in Ace Studios’ facilities in Guangdong, China this week.
Directed by Ernie Barbarash, the film is produced by Odyssey’s Kirk Shaw and Ace Studios’ Henry Luk. It will be distributed by Odyssey, Automatic Entertainment and China’s Chunqiu Time Culture Co.
Van Damme stars alongside Canadian actor John Ralston, UK actress Charlotte Peters, UK martial arts actor Darren Shahlavi (Ip Man 2: Legend Of The Grandmaster), Marsha Yuan, Jason Tobin, Andrew Ng and Aki Aleong.
Action choreography was overseen by John Salvitti, who has worked on several films with Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen, including Kung Fu Jungle, Special ID, Iceman and Iceman 2.
Directed by Ernie Barbarash, the film is produced by Odyssey’s Kirk Shaw and Ace Studios’ Henry Luk. It will be distributed by Odyssey, Automatic Entertainment and China’s Chunqiu Time Culture Co.
Van Damme stars alongside Canadian actor John Ralston, UK actress Charlotte Peters, UK martial arts actor Darren Shahlavi (Ip Man 2: Legend Of The Grandmaster), Marsha Yuan, Jason Tobin, Andrew Ng and Aki Aleong.
Action choreography was overseen by John Salvitti, who has worked on several films with Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen, including Kung Fu Jungle, Special ID, Iceman and Iceman 2.
- 5/27/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Principal photography has just wrapped on Jean Claude Van Damme's latest martial arts thriller, Pound of Flesh, which was filming at Ace Studios in Nanhai, China under the direction of regular collaborator Ernie Barbarash (6 Bullets, Assassination Games). Jcvd stars alongside British actor Darren Shahlavi, familiar to many from his work in Ip Man 2 and Mortal Kombat Legacy, as well as Hong Kong's Jason Tobin (Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift), Andrew Ng (The Man With The Iron Fists) and veteran performer Aki Aleong. The film also stars John Ralston, Charlotte Peters and Marsha Yuen. Produced by Kirk Shaw and Henry Luk, with Mike Leeder as co-producer, Pound of Flesh features fight choreography from John Salvitti, whose work with Donnie Yen has been highly praised in films...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 5/27/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Alex Walton arrived on the Croisette with a new company backed by Garmin heir Ken Kao and arguably the prestige title of the market – and the buyers have responded.
Walton struck a deal for the Matthew McConaughey starrer with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions for Latin America, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe and licensed the UK, Australia and New Zealand to eOne.
Rights went for France (Snd), Cis and the Baltic States (West), Italy (Lucky Red), Japan (Parco), South Korea (Sookie), Benelux (Belga), Israel (United King), South Africa (Times Media South Africa), Iceland (Sam) and Greece (Odeon).
Deals also closed in Portugal (Leopardo), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Turkey (Chantier) and airlines (Jaguar). Apsara picked up Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and South-east Asian TV. CAA and Wme Global handle Us sales.
Gus Van Sant is scheduled to start directing in July the story of a widower who goes through a life-changing encounter...
Walton struck a deal for the Matthew McConaughey starrer with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions for Latin America, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe and licensed the UK, Australia and New Zealand to eOne.
Rights went for France (Snd), Cis and the Baltic States (West), Italy (Lucky Red), Japan (Parco), South Korea (Sookie), Benelux (Belga), Israel (United King), South Africa (Times Media South Africa), Iceland (Sam) and Greece (Odeon).
Deals also closed in Portugal (Leopardo), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Turkey (Chantier) and airlines (Jaguar). Apsara picked up Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and South-east Asian TV. CAA and Wme Global handle Us sales.
Gus Van Sant is scheduled to start directing in July the story of a widower who goes through a life-changing encounter...
- 5/21/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Alex Walton arrived on the Croisette with a new company backed by Garmin heir Ken Kao and arguably the prestige title of the market – and the buyers have responded.
Walton struck a deal for the Matthew McConaughey starrer with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions for Latin America, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe and licensed the UK, Australia and New Zealand to eOne.
Rights went for France (Snd), Cis and the Baltic States (West), Italy (Lucky Red), Japan (Parco), South Korea (Sookie), Benelux (Belga), Israel (United King), South Africa (Times Media South Africa), Iceland (Sam) and Greece (Odeon).
Deals also closed in Portugal (Leopardo), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Turkey (Chantier) and airlines (Jaguar). Apsara picked up Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and South-east Asian TV. CAA and Wme Global handle Us sales.
Gus Van Sant is scheduled to start directing in July the story of a widower who goes through a life-changing encounter...
Walton struck a deal for the Matthew McConaughey starrer with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions for Latin America, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe and licensed the UK, Australia and New Zealand to eOne.
Rights went for France (Snd), Cis and the Baltic States (West), Italy (Lucky Red), Japan (Parco), South Korea (Sookie), Benelux (Belga), Israel (United King), South Africa (Times Media South Africa), Iceland (Sam) and Greece (Odeon).
Deals also closed in Portugal (Leopardo), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Turkey (Chantier) and airlines (Jaguar). Apsara picked up Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and South-east Asian TV. CAA and Wme Global handle Us sales.
Gus Van Sant is scheduled to start directing in July the story of a widower who goes through a life-changing encounter...
- 5/21/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ trailer: New trailer for 2014 ‘Planet of the Apes’ film shows humans are the most dangerous apes of them all (image: Caesar in ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’) The new Dawn of the Planet of the Apes trailer is out. Caesar and his fellow genetically modified apes enjoy a peaceful existence until created-in-God’s-image apes — that’s self-delusional humans — discover the Gmo apes’ hiding place in a lush forest. Much like gays were blamed for the AIDS virus a few decades ago, the virtuous and righteous humans (Gary Oldman among them) blame the Gmo apes for a virus that all but wiped out humankind. Enter the military, ever eager to save the world for peace and happiness by way of some heavy-duty weaponry. Needless to say, I’m ardently rooting for Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his fellow Gmo apes. Check out the...
- 5/8/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Feature Michael Reed 21 Feb 2014 - 05:56
We take a look at some potential turning points that could have altered the Bond legacy significantly...
007 lists resurrection amongst his hobbies, but speculation is our game today. Your own ideal fantasy James Bond film probably depends on what sort of Bond you're into. If you like serious Bond, you probably consider it a crying shame that Timothy Dalton didn't get to make at least one more film. A fair proportion of the fandom consider Never Say Never Again to be one of the worst of the series, so for them, rolling the dice on a 1976 production with a different actor and a more exciting script would have been worth it.
Furthermore, a Sony Pictures produced rival film with, say, Liam Neeson in the late 1990s could have been fascinating. How about Connery returning to the role in his 60s? All of these possibilities...
We take a look at some potential turning points that could have altered the Bond legacy significantly...
007 lists resurrection amongst his hobbies, but speculation is our game today. Your own ideal fantasy James Bond film probably depends on what sort of Bond you're into. If you like serious Bond, you probably consider it a crying shame that Timothy Dalton didn't get to make at least one more film. A fair proportion of the fandom consider Never Say Never Again to be one of the worst of the series, so for them, rolling the dice on a 1976 production with a different actor and a more exciting script would have been worth it.
Furthermore, a Sony Pictures produced rival film with, say, Liam Neeson in the late 1990s could have been fascinating. How about Connery returning to the role in his 60s? All of these possibilities...
- 2/20/2014
- by sarahd
- Den of Geek
Looking back over the year at what films moved and impressed us, it is clear that watching old films is a crucial part of making new films meaningful. Thus, the annual tradition of our end of year poll, which calls upon our writers to pick both a new and an old film: they were challenged to choose a new film they saw in 2013—in theaters or at a festival—and creatively pair it with an old film they also saw in 2013 to create a unique double feature.
All the contributors were given the option to write some text explaining their 2013 fantasy double feature. What's more, each writer was given the option to list more pairings, with or without explanation, as further imaginative film programming we'd be lucky to catch in that perfect world we know doesn't exist but can keep dreaming of every time we go to the movies.
How...
All the contributors were given the option to write some text explaining their 2013 fantasy double feature. What's more, each writer was given the option to list more pairings, with or without explanation, as further imaginative film programming we'd be lucky to catch in that perfect world we know doesn't exist but can keep dreaming of every time we go to the movies.
How...
- 1/13/2014
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Tiffcom 2013, which runs during the Tokyo International Film Festival, has revealed its CoPro Connection line-up including projects from Sabu and Nicolas Winding Refn.
Comprising 20 projects from 12 countries, the co-production event will run Oct 22-24 in Tiffcom’s Odaiba venue.
In cooperation with the Korean Film Council (Kofic), CoPro Connection has invited five Korean filmmakers with Korea-Japan co-production projects. These include Shobu, to be directed by Ki-hwan Oh, whose Korea-China co-produced romantic comedy A Wedding Invitation was a recent hit in China.
Tiffcom’s CoPro and Atelier du Cinema Europeen (Ace) will jointly hold the Ace Co-production Lab in Japan for the five Japanese and six European projects in the selection. These include Japanese writer/director/actor Sabu’s cross-media project Ten No Chasuke (working title) and Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn’s Japan-set project, The Avenging Silence.
Project and event details will be available later this month on the Tiffcom website.
Full CoPro Connection...
Comprising 20 projects from 12 countries, the co-production event will run Oct 22-24 in Tiffcom’s Odaiba venue.
In cooperation with the Korean Film Council (Kofic), CoPro Connection has invited five Korean filmmakers with Korea-Japan co-production projects. These include Shobu, to be directed by Ki-hwan Oh, whose Korea-China co-produced romantic comedy A Wedding Invitation was a recent hit in China.
Tiffcom’s CoPro and Atelier du Cinema Europeen (Ace) will jointly hold the Ace Co-production Lab in Japan for the five Japanese and six European projects in the selection. These include Japanese writer/director/actor Sabu’s cross-media project Ten No Chasuke (working title) and Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn’s Japan-set project, The Avenging Silence.
Project and event details will be available later this month on the Tiffcom website.
Full CoPro Connection...
- 9/10/2013
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Mediumrare Entertainment continue their trend of releasing some of the weirdest cult films and TV shows with four films that are making their UK DVD debuts – and two are also getting the Blu-ray treatment too! Check out all the details below. I know I’ll be snapping these up, will you?
Operation Condor: Armour Of God II (1991)
Global adventurer Asian Hawk (Jackie Chan) comes to Europe in search of the ‘Armour of God’, a magical relic from the Crusades. He hopes he can use it to bargain for the freedom of his girlfriend from a deadly cult. With his trusty companion (Andy Tam) by his side, his quest takes him from one perilous adventure to another. Directed by Jackie Chain himself, who performed all his own stunts, it was regarded as one of the most expensive films at the time. The third instalment of the Armour of God adventures,...
Operation Condor: Armour Of God II (1991)
Global adventurer Asian Hawk (Jackie Chan) comes to Europe in search of the ‘Armour of God’, a magical relic from the Crusades. He hopes he can use it to bargain for the freedom of his girlfriend from a deadly cult. With his trusty companion (Andy Tam) by his side, his quest takes him from one perilous adventure to another. Directed by Jackie Chain himself, who performed all his own stunts, it was regarded as one of the most expensive films at the time. The third instalment of the Armour of God adventures,...
- 9/9/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Cinema is a kind of uber-art form that’s made up of a multitude of other forms of art including writing, directing, acting, drawing, design, photography and fashion. As such, film is, as all cinema aficionados know, a highly collaborative venture.
One of the most consistently fascinating collaborations in cinema is that of the director and actor.
This article will examine some of the great director & actor teams. It’s important to note that this piece is not intended as a film history survey detailing all the generally revered collaborations.
There is a wealth of information and study available on such duos as John Ford & John Wayne, Howard Hawks & John Wayne, Elia Kazan & Marlon Brando, Akira Kurosawa & Toshiro Mifune, Alfred Hitchcock & James Stewart, Ingmar Bergman & Max Von Sydow, Federico Fellini & Giulietta Masina/Marcello Mastroianni, Billy Wilder & Jack Lemmon, Francis Ford Coppola & Al Pacino, Woody Allen & Diane Keaton, Martin Scorsese & Robert DeNiro...
One of the most consistently fascinating collaborations in cinema is that of the director and actor.
This article will examine some of the great director & actor teams. It’s important to note that this piece is not intended as a film history survey detailing all the generally revered collaborations.
There is a wealth of information and study available on such duos as John Ford & John Wayne, Howard Hawks & John Wayne, Elia Kazan & Marlon Brando, Akira Kurosawa & Toshiro Mifune, Alfred Hitchcock & James Stewart, Ingmar Bergman & Max Von Sydow, Federico Fellini & Giulietta Masina/Marcello Mastroianni, Billy Wilder & Jack Lemmon, Francis Ford Coppola & Al Pacino, Woody Allen & Diane Keaton, Martin Scorsese & Robert DeNiro...
- 7/11/2013
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
This article is dedicated to Andrew Copp: filmmaker, film writer, artist and close friend who passed away on January 19, 2013. You are loved and missed, brother.
****
Looking at the Best Actor Academy Award nominations for the film year 2012, the one miss that clearly cries out for more attention is Liam Neeson’s powerful performance in Joe Carnahan’s excellent survival film The Grey, easily one of the best roles of Neeson’s career.
In Neeson’s case, his lack of a nomination was a case of neglect similar to the Albert Brooks snub in the Best Supporting Actor category for the film year 2011 for Drive(Nicolas Winding Refn, USA).
Along with negligence, other factors commonly prevent outstanding lead acting performances from getting the kind of critical attention they deserve. Sometimes it’s that the performance is in a film not considered “Oscar material” or even worthy of any substantial critical attention.
****
Looking at the Best Actor Academy Award nominations for the film year 2012, the one miss that clearly cries out for more attention is Liam Neeson’s powerful performance in Joe Carnahan’s excellent survival film The Grey, easily one of the best roles of Neeson’s career.
In Neeson’s case, his lack of a nomination was a case of neglect similar to the Albert Brooks snub in the Best Supporting Actor category for the film year 2011 for Drive(Nicolas Winding Refn, USA).
Along with negligence, other factors commonly prevent outstanding lead acting performances from getting the kind of critical attention they deserve. Sometimes it’s that the performance is in a film not considered “Oscar material” or even worthy of any substantial critical attention.
- 2/27/2013
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
Feature Ryan Lambie Jan 23, 2013
Jack Palance kisses mice. Teri Hatcher plays drums. Just two of the many remarkable things we've discovered in Tango & Cash...
In this occasional series of 'remarkable things' articles, we've mostly focused exclusively on movies that were critical or financial flops. Previous entries have included Jaws: The Revenge, Battlefield Earth and RoboCop 3, which all suffered in both critics' reviews and at the box office.
This time, our choice isn't a notorious flop at all - it's Tango & Cash, a film which actually made a few million dollars more than it cost to make. At this stage in Sylvester Stallone's career, which featured the critical and financial nightmares Rocky V, Oscar and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Tango & Cash was a comparative blockbuster.
In terms of critical reception, though, Tango & Cash fared less well. It was nominated for three Razzies (though won precisely none) and reviews...
Jack Palance kisses mice. Teri Hatcher plays drums. Just two of the many remarkable things we've discovered in Tango & Cash...
In this occasional series of 'remarkable things' articles, we've mostly focused exclusively on movies that were critical or financial flops. Previous entries have included Jaws: The Revenge, Battlefield Earth and RoboCop 3, which all suffered in both critics' reviews and at the box office.
This time, our choice isn't a notorious flop at all - it's Tango & Cash, a film which actually made a few million dollars more than it cost to make. At this stage in Sylvester Stallone's career, which featured the critical and financial nightmares Rocky V, Oscar and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Tango & Cash was a comparative blockbuster.
In terms of critical reception, though, Tango & Cash fared less well. It was nominated for three Razzies (though won precisely none) and reviews...
- 1/22/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Here is last week's caption pic winner. This week's caption pic is at the bottom of the page.
Thanks to everyone for participating! The winner is ...
"Santa and the Ho Ho Hos prep for the 2013 I-Did-Rod."
Thanks to David for this week's winning caption!
Weekend Birthdays! (Note: Birthday shoutouts are for out entertainers, allies, or for any celeb that seems to have a following on Ae). Joe Manganiello (above) is 36, Dame Maggie Smith is 78, Seth Meyers is 39, Diego Luna is 33, Paul Rudnick is 55, Jude Law is 40, Mekhi Phifer is 38, Eliza Dushku is 32, and Tracey Ullman is 53.
The 25 Worst Anti-lgbt Villains Of 2012.Ad Out? In Search of a Professional Gay Male Tennis Player in 2013.3 New Year's Resolutions for the Lgbt Community 100 Beyonce fans will win a chance to join her onstage at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. 2012 Outsports Year in Review: The Rise of the Straight Ally It appears that the...
Thanks to everyone for participating! The winner is ...
"Santa and the Ho Ho Hos prep for the 2013 I-Did-Rod."
Thanks to David for this week's winning caption!
Weekend Birthdays! (Note: Birthday shoutouts are for out entertainers, allies, or for any celeb that seems to have a following on Ae). Joe Manganiello (above) is 36, Dame Maggie Smith is 78, Seth Meyers is 39, Diego Luna is 33, Paul Rudnick is 55, Jude Law is 40, Mekhi Phifer is 38, Eliza Dushku is 32, and Tracey Ullman is 53.
The 25 Worst Anti-lgbt Villains Of 2012.Ad Out? In Search of a Professional Gay Male Tennis Player in 2013.3 New Year's Resolutions for the Lgbt Community 100 Beyonce fans will win a chance to join her onstage at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. 2012 Outsports Year in Review: The Rise of the Straight Ally It appears that the...
- 12/28/2012
- by snicks
- The Backlot
Some of the biggest and most successful series of games come in the form of the open world genre. Assassin’s Creed III, Grand Theft Auto IV and more recently, Far Cry 3 are a handful of the top free roaming games. Some would think it unfathomable for a new IP to even attempt to squeeze into this field of iconic games. It’s almost as daring as introducing a new Fps in this day and age (and we know how those turn out). Despite the treacherous economic landscape for new IPs, Square Enix was bold enough to introduce Sleeping Dogs. This game consistently impresses with mission variety set amidst the vibrant landscape of Hong Kong.
United Front Games takes the established conventions of sandbox games and doesn’t introduce anything revolutionary, but does refine it into a very polished package. Sleeping Dogs takes relatively unfamiliar Hong Kong as its overworld...
United Front Games takes the established conventions of sandbox games and doesn’t introduce anything revolutionary, but does refine it into a very polished package. Sleeping Dogs takes relatively unfamiliar Hong Kong as its overworld...
- 12/12/2012
- by Francois Chang
- BuzzFocus.com
Here is last week's caption pic winner. This week's caption pic is at the bottom of the page.
Thanks to everyone for participating! The winner is ...
"...And I would have won too if it wasn't for those meddling kids and their dog!"
Thanks to Addison Dewitt for this week's winning caption!
Weekend Birthdays! (Note: Birthday shoutouts are for out entertainers, allies, or for any celeb that seems to have a following on Ae). Gael Garcia Bernal (above) is 34, Britney Spears is 31, Matthew Shepard would have been 36, Sarah Silverman is 42, Elisha Cuthbert is 30, Clay Aiken is 34, Ben Stiller is 47, Billy Idol is 57, Mandy Patinkin is 60, and my beloved Stacey Q is 54.
Carrie Underwood has been cast as Maria in NBC's live broadcast of The Sound Of MusicDirector James Gunn has apologized for the blog post he made two years ago that many people felt was misogynistic and homophobic. Discovery Channel has...
Thanks to everyone for participating! The winner is ...
"...And I would have won too if it wasn't for those meddling kids and their dog!"
Thanks to Addison Dewitt for this week's winning caption!
Weekend Birthdays! (Note: Birthday shoutouts are for out entertainers, allies, or for any celeb that seems to have a following on Ae). Gael Garcia Bernal (above) is 34, Britney Spears is 31, Matthew Shepard would have been 36, Sarah Silverman is 42, Elisha Cuthbert is 30, Clay Aiken is 34, Ben Stiller is 47, Billy Idol is 57, Mandy Patinkin is 60, and my beloved Stacey Q is 54.
Carrie Underwood has been cast as Maria in NBC's live broadcast of The Sound Of MusicDirector James Gunn has apologized for the blog post he made two years ago that many people felt was misogynistic and homophobic. Discovery Channel has...
- 11/30/2012
- by snicks
- The Backlot
We love crime movies. We may go on and on about Scorsese’s ability to incorporate Italian neo-realism techniques into Mean Streets (1973), the place of John Huston’s The Asphalt Jungle (1950) in the canon of postwar noir, The Godfather (1972) as a socio-cultural commentary on the distortion of the ideals of the American dream blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda…but that ain’t it.
We love crime movies because we love watching a guy who doesn’t have to behave, who doesn’t have to – nor care to – put a choker on his id and can let his darkest, most visceral impulses run wild. Some smart-mouth gopher tells hood Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), “Go fuck yourself,” in Scorsese’s Goodfellas (1990), and does Tommy roll with it? Does he spit back, “Fuck me? Nah, fuck you!” Does he go home and tell his mother?
Nope.
He pulls a .45 cannon out from...
We love crime movies because we love watching a guy who doesn’t have to behave, who doesn’t have to – nor care to – put a choker on his id and can let his darkest, most visceral impulses run wild. Some smart-mouth gopher tells hood Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), “Go fuck yourself,” in Scorsese’s Goodfellas (1990), and does Tommy roll with it? Does he spit back, “Fuck me? Nah, fuck you!” Does he go home and tell his mother?
Nope.
He pulls a .45 cannon out from...
- 10/30/2012
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
Chinese/South Korean co-production based on the classic French novel ‘Les Liaisons dangereuses’ by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos gets the official Us release trailer as well as teaser poster.
Director Jin-ho Hur’s adaptation of the 1782 French romance novel is not a remake of the 1988 Glenn Close-John Malkovich film, which is certainly the most popular adaptation.
The romance blockbuster which is pretty close to the book stars stunning Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,) as Du Fenyu – an update on virtuous Madame de Tourvel, with Jang Dong-gun (Tae Guk Gi, The Warrior’s Way) as Xie Yifan.
Also featuring Hong Kong actress Cecilia Chung, who plays the seductress, with Shawn Dou and Lisa Lu, the film, which takes place in 1930s Shanghai, is expected to open in limited release on November 9th, 2012.
Check out the trailer, poster and images from Chinese Dangerous Liaisons project shown during the main...
Director Jin-ho Hur’s adaptation of the 1782 French romance novel is not a remake of the 1988 Glenn Close-John Malkovich film, which is certainly the most popular adaptation.
The romance blockbuster which is pretty close to the book stars stunning Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,) as Du Fenyu – an update on virtuous Madame de Tourvel, with Jang Dong-gun (Tae Guk Gi, The Warrior’s Way) as Xie Yifan.
Also featuring Hong Kong actress Cecilia Chung, who plays the seductress, with Shawn Dou and Lisa Lu, the film, which takes place in 1930s Shanghai, is expected to open in limited release on November 9th, 2012.
Check out the trailer, poster and images from Chinese Dangerous Liaisons project shown during the main...
- 10/27/2012
- by Nick Martin
- Filmofilia
Continuing on from part one, when comedy meets horror is an attempt to track the most interesting examples of films that mix comedy and horror together. As a genre, its possibly the one that can be pinpointed as the biggest perpetrator for bad horror movies. For example, Scary Movie is the film that comes to mind with people who have a less specialist interest in cinema. Just before we get into part 2, I can safely report that the aforementioned franchise won’t be getting its mits anywhere near these articles. Also, another worthy note of mention – look forward to part 5 in which the entries will be “the greatest horror comedies ever made”. Until then, we are just warming up.
Save The Green Planet
Save the green planet is quite the Korean eccentricity. Mixing together torture, slapstick comedy, highly stylised fight scenes, police procedural and sci-fi results in a concoction that defies definition.
Save The Green Planet
Save the green planet is quite the Korean eccentricity. Mixing together torture, slapstick comedy, highly stylised fight scenes, police procedural and sci-fi results in a concoction that defies definition.
- 10/27/2012
- by Rob Simpson
- SoundOnSight
Montreal’s Festival Du Nouveau Cinema (10.10 – 10.21) announced their line-up today for their 41st edition and among the smorgasbord of subtitle offerings dating back to this year’s Rotterdam, Berlin, Cannes, Locarno, Venice and Tiff editions, we’re knee-deep in avant-garde world cinema from the established auteurs Assayas, Vinterberg, Ozon, Sang-Soo, Joao Pedro Rodriguez, Larrain, Loach, Reygadas, Ghobadi, Mungiu and Miguel Gomes. Heavy on offerings from Quebec and France, the fest also manages to offer a stellar snapshot of the up-and-comers from all corners of the globe. Among the notable titles in the (Competition category) International Selection we’ve got Pablo Berger’s Blancanieves, Ursula Meier’s Sister, Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky’s Francine (which received its theatrical release earlier this month) and Rodrigo Plá’s La Demora. Loaded in Cannes items, the Special Presentations is the fest’s A-list selections (see filmmakers named above) and the one pic...
- 9/25/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
This year’s Toronto was competing in my psyche with the recent loss of my mother. My focus was less on finding the greatest of films this year. I hear from others that the festival offered a good mix, if not the most outstanding, selection of films. Personally, I am discovering that a new community has opened its arms to me and the films that are standing out most for me are by women and about women. My community, those women who have lost their mothers, is sharing a unique and profound rite of passage whose meaning continuously unfolds.
In Toronto I was hyper aware of the women and their position in this corner of the world I inhabit. Canadian women, Helga Stephenson, Director Emerita of the Toronto Film Festival, predecessor to Piers Handling; Michele Maheux, Executive Director and COO of Tiff ever since I've known her which has been a long time; Linda Beath who headed United Artists when I was beginning my career and who has since moved to Europe where she teaches at Eave (European Audio Visual Entrepreneurs), Kay Armitrage, programmer of the festival for 24 years and professor at University of Toronto, are all women to helped me envisage myself as a professional in the film business, and they are still as vibrant and active as when we met more than 25 years ago. Carolle Brabant, Telefilm Canada’s Executive Director continues Canada’s female lineage as does Karen Thorne-Stone, the President and CEO of Ontario Media Development Corporation.
18 films currently are in a large part attributable to Omdc; they include Nisha Pahuja’s doc The World Before Her (contact Cinetic) (Best Doc Feature of 2012 Tribeca Ff), Sarah Polley’s Take This Waltz (Isa: TF1), Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children (Isa: FilmNation), Anita Doron’s The Lesser Blessed, (Isa: EOne) Ruba Nadda’s Inescapable (Isa: Myriad), Alison Rose’s doc, Following the Wise Men.
Tiff’s new program for year-round support of mid-level Canadian filmmakers, Studio, under the directorship of Hayet Benkara is bringing industry mentorship to 16 filmmakers with experience, shorts in the festival circuit, features in development. Exactly half of these filmmakers are women. This was a conscious move on Hayet’s part. She said there is always such a predominance of males without thinking about it that she decided to bring balance.
Then a look at some more of the Canadian talent here brings me to the Birks Diamonds celebration of seven Canadian women: Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, Manon Briand, Anita Doron, Deepa Mehta (Midnight’s Children), Kate Melville, and Ruba Nadda which honored each with a Birks diamond pendant in a reception hosted by Shangri-La Hotel and Telefilm Canada where 300 guests mingled and caught up with each other. The pre-eminence of women was again made so apparent to me.
Talking to publicist Jim Dobson at Indie PR at the reception of Jordanian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir whose film When I Saw You was so evocative of the 60s, a time of worldwide freedom and even optimism among the fedayeem in Jordan looking to resist the Expulsion of the Palestinians from Palestine; he said that all five of his clients here are women directors, “I had When I Saw You, (Isa: The Match Factory), Satellite Boy (Isa: Celluloid Dreams/ Nightmare), Hannah Arendt (The Match Factory), Inch'allah (Isa: eOne), English Vinglish (Isa: Eros Int')."
Of the 289 features here at Tiff, Melissa Silverstein at Women and Hollywood is trying to zero in on the women directors, so watch her blogs More Women-Directed Films Nab Deals out of Tiff, Tiff Preview: Women Directors to Watch and Tiff Preview: The Female Directing Masters Playing at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival.
Add to this the upcoming Sundance initiative on women directors that Keri Putnam is heading up (more on that later!) and I am feeling heartened by the consciousness of women, directors and otherwise, out there. That is saying a lot since last season in Cannes with the pathetic number of women directors showing up in the festival and sidebars this past spring.
Here is the Female Factor for Tiff 12 which scores an A in my book:
Gala Presentations - 6 out of 20 = c. 30% which is way above the usual 13% which has been the average up until Cannes upended that with its paltry 2%..2 of these were opening night films.
Mira Nair The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Also showed in Venice. Isa: K5. Picked up for U.S. and Canada by IFC. Shola Lynch Free Angela & All Political Prisoners. Isa: Elle Driver Deepa Mehta Midnight’s Children. Isa: FilmNation already sold to Roadshow for Australia/ N.Z., Unikorea for So. Korea, DeaPlaneta for Spain. Ruba Nadda Inescapable. Isa: Myriad. Canada: Alliance. Liz Garbus Love, Marilyn. Isa: StudioCanal. HBO picked up No. American TV rights. Madman has Australia. Gauri Shinde English Vinglish. Isa: Eros International.
Masters – 0 – Could we say that women directors have not been around that long or shown such longevity as the men? Lina Wertmiller was a long time ago. I don’t even know if she is still alive. Ida Lupino was an anomaly. Who else was there in those early days? Alice Guy-Blaché ?
Special Presentations - 13 out of 70 = 19%
Everybody Has A Plan - Argentina/ Germany/ Spain - Ana Piterbarg - Isa: Twentieth Century Fox International - U.S.: Ld Entertainment, U.K.: Metrodome Lines Of Wellington - Also in Venice, San Sebastian Ff - Portugal - Valeria Sarmiento - Isa: Alfama Films. Germany: Ksm Cloud Atlas--Germany - Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski - Isa: Focus Int'l. - U.S. and Canada: Warner Bros. , Brazil - Imagem, Finland - Future Film, Eastern Europe - Eeap, Germany X Verleih, Greece - Odeon, Iceland - Sensa, India - PVR, So. Korea - Bloomage, Benelux - Benelux Film Distributors, Inspire, Slovenia - Cenemania, Sweden - Noble, Switzerland - Ascot Elite, Taiwan - Long Shong, Turkey - Chantier Inch'allah – Canada - Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette - Isa and Canada: Entertainment One Films Hannah Arendt – Germany – Margarethe von Trotta – Isa: The Match Factory Imogine – U.S. – Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini - Isa: Voltage. U.S.: Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions acquired from UTA, Netherlands: Independent Ginger and Rosa – U.K. – Sally Potter – Isa: The Match Factory. U.S. contact Cinetic Love is All You Need – Also played in Venice) Denmark – Susanne Bier – Isa: TrustNordisk - U.S. : Sony Pictures Classics, Canada: Mongrel, Australia - Madman, Brazil - Art Films, Bulgaria - Pro Films, Colombia - Babilla Cine, Czech Republic - Aerofilms, Finland - Matila Rohr Nordisk, Germany - Prokino, Hungary - Cirko, Italy - Teodora, Japan - Longride, Poland - Gutek, Portugal - Pepperview Lore – Australia/ Germany/ U.K. – Cate Shortland – Isa: Memento. U.S.: Music Box, France: Memento, Germany - Piffl, Hong Hong - Encore Inlight, So. Korea - Line Tree, Benelux - ABC/ Cinemien, U.K., Artificial Eye Dreams for Sale – Japan – Miwa Nishkawa – Isa: Asmik Ace Stories We Tell – Canada – Sarah Polley - Isa: Nfb. U.K.: Artificial Eye Liverpool – Canada – Marion Briand - Isa: Max Films. Canada: Remstar Venus and Serena – U.S./ U.K. – Michelle Major, Maikin Baird. Producer's Rep: Cinetic
Mavericks - 3 out of 7 “Conversations With” were with women (43%)
Discovery 11 out of 27 = 40% which includes The-Hottest-Public Ticket for the Israeli Film directly below (a Major Buzz Film Among its Public)
Fill the Void by Rama Burshtein, a first-time-ever Hasidic woman director Kate Melville’s Picture Day Alice Winocour Augustine - Isa: Kinology 7 Cajas by Tana Schembori from Paraguay - Isa: Shoreline Gabriela Pichler’s Eat Sleep Die from Sweden, Serbia and Croatia - Isa: Yellow Affair Oy Rola Nashef’s Detroit Unleaded France’s Sylive Michel’s Our Little Differences Contact producer Pallas Film Russian censored film Clip from Serbia by Maja Milos - Isa: Wide sold to Kmbo for France, Maywin for Sweden, Artspoitation for U.S. Satellite Boy by Australian Catriona McKenzie - Isa: Celluloid Dreams/ Nightmares Ramaa Mosley’s The Brass Teapot - Isa: TF1 sold to Magnolia for U.S., Intercontinental for Hong Kong, Cien for Mexico, Vendetta for New Zealand Veteran Korean-American Grace Lee’s Janeane from Des Moines.
Tiff Docs 7 out of 29 = 24% - Women traditionally have directed a greater portion of docs
Christine Cynn (codirector ) The Act of Killing - Isa: Cinephil Janet Tobias No Place on Earth - Isa: Global Screen Sarah Burns (codirector) The Central Park Five Isa: PBS sold to Sundance Select for U.S. Treva Wurmfeld Shepard & Dark - Contact Tangerine Entertainment Nina Davenport First Comes Love - Contact producer Marina Zenovich Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out - Isa: Films Distribution Halla Alabdalla As If We Were Catching a Cobra (Comme si nous attraptions un cobra) about the art of caricature in Egypt and Syria! Halla is Syrian herself, studied science and sociology in Syria and Paris - Isa: Wide
Contemporary World Cinema 11 out of 61 = 18%
Children of Sarajevo by Aida Begic, Sarajevo - Isa: Pyramide Baby Blues by Katarzyna Rostaniec, Poland. Contact producer The Cowards Who Looked to the Sky by Yuki Tanada, Japan - Isa: Toei Comrade Kim Goes Flying by Anja Daelemans (co-director), Belgium/ No. Korea. The first western financed film out of No. Korea Three Worlds by Catherine Corsini, France - Isa: Pyramide sold to Lumiere for Benelux, Pathe for Switzerland Middle of Nowhere by Ava DuVernay, U.S. - Contact Paradigm Talent Agency The Lesser Blessed by Anita Doron, Canada - Isa: eOne Watchtower by Pelin Esmer, Turkey/ France/ Germany- Isa: Visit Films Jackie by Antoinette Beumer, Netherlands - Isa: Media Luna When I Saw You by Annemarie Jacir, Palestine,/ Jordan/ Greece All that Matters is Past by Sara Johnsen, Norway- Isa: TrustNordisk
Tiff Kids 0 out of 5. Any meaning to this???
City To City – Mumbai 0 Out Of 10 Any meaning to this???
Vanguard 2 out of 15 = 13% (the average for most festivals)
90 Minutes– Norway – Eva Sorhaug - Isa: Level K Peaches Does Herself – Germany - Peaches. Contact producer. See Indiewire review.
Midnight Madness 0 out of 9 which is fine with me, thank you. This is a boy's genre or a date-night genre for girls and boys with a plan for the night.
In Toronto I was hyper aware of the women and their position in this corner of the world I inhabit. Canadian women, Helga Stephenson, Director Emerita of the Toronto Film Festival, predecessor to Piers Handling; Michele Maheux, Executive Director and COO of Tiff ever since I've known her which has been a long time; Linda Beath who headed United Artists when I was beginning my career and who has since moved to Europe where she teaches at Eave (European Audio Visual Entrepreneurs), Kay Armitrage, programmer of the festival for 24 years and professor at University of Toronto, are all women to helped me envisage myself as a professional in the film business, and they are still as vibrant and active as when we met more than 25 years ago. Carolle Brabant, Telefilm Canada’s Executive Director continues Canada’s female lineage as does Karen Thorne-Stone, the President and CEO of Ontario Media Development Corporation.
18 films currently are in a large part attributable to Omdc; they include Nisha Pahuja’s doc The World Before Her (contact Cinetic) (Best Doc Feature of 2012 Tribeca Ff), Sarah Polley’s Take This Waltz (Isa: TF1), Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children (Isa: FilmNation), Anita Doron’s The Lesser Blessed, (Isa: EOne) Ruba Nadda’s Inescapable (Isa: Myriad), Alison Rose’s doc, Following the Wise Men.
Tiff’s new program for year-round support of mid-level Canadian filmmakers, Studio, under the directorship of Hayet Benkara is bringing industry mentorship to 16 filmmakers with experience, shorts in the festival circuit, features in development. Exactly half of these filmmakers are women. This was a conscious move on Hayet’s part. She said there is always such a predominance of males without thinking about it that she decided to bring balance.
Then a look at some more of the Canadian talent here brings me to the Birks Diamonds celebration of seven Canadian women: Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, Manon Briand, Anita Doron, Deepa Mehta (Midnight’s Children), Kate Melville, and Ruba Nadda which honored each with a Birks diamond pendant in a reception hosted by Shangri-La Hotel and Telefilm Canada where 300 guests mingled and caught up with each other. The pre-eminence of women was again made so apparent to me.
Talking to publicist Jim Dobson at Indie PR at the reception of Jordanian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir whose film When I Saw You was so evocative of the 60s, a time of worldwide freedom and even optimism among the fedayeem in Jordan looking to resist the Expulsion of the Palestinians from Palestine; he said that all five of his clients here are women directors, “I had When I Saw You, (Isa: The Match Factory), Satellite Boy (Isa: Celluloid Dreams/ Nightmare), Hannah Arendt (The Match Factory), Inch'allah (Isa: eOne), English Vinglish (Isa: Eros Int')."
Of the 289 features here at Tiff, Melissa Silverstein at Women and Hollywood is trying to zero in on the women directors, so watch her blogs More Women-Directed Films Nab Deals out of Tiff, Tiff Preview: Women Directors to Watch and Tiff Preview: The Female Directing Masters Playing at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival.
Add to this the upcoming Sundance initiative on women directors that Keri Putnam is heading up (more on that later!) and I am feeling heartened by the consciousness of women, directors and otherwise, out there. That is saying a lot since last season in Cannes with the pathetic number of women directors showing up in the festival and sidebars this past spring.
Here is the Female Factor for Tiff 12 which scores an A in my book:
Gala Presentations - 6 out of 20 = c. 30% which is way above the usual 13% which has been the average up until Cannes upended that with its paltry 2%..2 of these were opening night films.
Mira Nair The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Also showed in Venice. Isa: K5. Picked up for U.S. and Canada by IFC. Shola Lynch Free Angela & All Political Prisoners. Isa: Elle Driver Deepa Mehta Midnight’s Children. Isa: FilmNation already sold to Roadshow for Australia/ N.Z., Unikorea for So. Korea, DeaPlaneta for Spain. Ruba Nadda Inescapable. Isa: Myriad. Canada: Alliance. Liz Garbus Love, Marilyn. Isa: StudioCanal. HBO picked up No. American TV rights. Madman has Australia. Gauri Shinde English Vinglish. Isa: Eros International.
Masters – 0 – Could we say that women directors have not been around that long or shown such longevity as the men? Lina Wertmiller was a long time ago. I don’t even know if she is still alive. Ida Lupino was an anomaly. Who else was there in those early days? Alice Guy-Blaché ?
Special Presentations - 13 out of 70 = 19%
Everybody Has A Plan - Argentina/ Germany/ Spain - Ana Piterbarg - Isa: Twentieth Century Fox International - U.S.: Ld Entertainment, U.K.: Metrodome Lines Of Wellington - Also in Venice, San Sebastian Ff - Portugal - Valeria Sarmiento - Isa: Alfama Films. Germany: Ksm Cloud Atlas--Germany - Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski - Isa: Focus Int'l. - U.S. and Canada: Warner Bros. , Brazil - Imagem, Finland - Future Film, Eastern Europe - Eeap, Germany X Verleih, Greece - Odeon, Iceland - Sensa, India - PVR, So. Korea - Bloomage, Benelux - Benelux Film Distributors, Inspire, Slovenia - Cenemania, Sweden - Noble, Switzerland - Ascot Elite, Taiwan - Long Shong, Turkey - Chantier Inch'allah – Canada - Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette - Isa and Canada: Entertainment One Films Hannah Arendt – Germany – Margarethe von Trotta – Isa: The Match Factory Imogine – U.S. – Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini - Isa: Voltage. U.S.: Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions acquired from UTA, Netherlands: Independent Ginger and Rosa – U.K. – Sally Potter – Isa: The Match Factory. U.S. contact Cinetic Love is All You Need – Also played in Venice) Denmark – Susanne Bier – Isa: TrustNordisk - U.S. : Sony Pictures Classics, Canada: Mongrel, Australia - Madman, Brazil - Art Films, Bulgaria - Pro Films, Colombia - Babilla Cine, Czech Republic - Aerofilms, Finland - Matila Rohr Nordisk, Germany - Prokino, Hungary - Cirko, Italy - Teodora, Japan - Longride, Poland - Gutek, Portugal - Pepperview Lore – Australia/ Germany/ U.K. – Cate Shortland – Isa: Memento. U.S.: Music Box, France: Memento, Germany - Piffl, Hong Hong - Encore Inlight, So. Korea - Line Tree, Benelux - ABC/ Cinemien, U.K., Artificial Eye Dreams for Sale – Japan – Miwa Nishkawa – Isa: Asmik Ace Stories We Tell – Canada – Sarah Polley - Isa: Nfb. U.K.: Artificial Eye Liverpool – Canada – Marion Briand - Isa: Max Films. Canada: Remstar Venus and Serena – U.S./ U.K. – Michelle Major, Maikin Baird. Producer's Rep: Cinetic
Mavericks - 3 out of 7 “Conversations With” were with women (43%)
Discovery 11 out of 27 = 40% which includes The-Hottest-Public Ticket for the Israeli Film directly below (a Major Buzz Film Among its Public)
Fill the Void by Rama Burshtein, a first-time-ever Hasidic woman director Kate Melville’s Picture Day Alice Winocour Augustine - Isa: Kinology 7 Cajas by Tana Schembori from Paraguay - Isa: Shoreline Gabriela Pichler’s Eat Sleep Die from Sweden, Serbia and Croatia - Isa: Yellow Affair Oy Rola Nashef’s Detroit Unleaded France’s Sylive Michel’s Our Little Differences Contact producer Pallas Film Russian censored film Clip from Serbia by Maja Milos - Isa: Wide sold to Kmbo for France, Maywin for Sweden, Artspoitation for U.S. Satellite Boy by Australian Catriona McKenzie - Isa: Celluloid Dreams/ Nightmares Ramaa Mosley’s The Brass Teapot - Isa: TF1 sold to Magnolia for U.S., Intercontinental for Hong Kong, Cien for Mexico, Vendetta for New Zealand Veteran Korean-American Grace Lee’s Janeane from Des Moines.
Tiff Docs 7 out of 29 = 24% - Women traditionally have directed a greater portion of docs
Christine Cynn (codirector ) The Act of Killing - Isa: Cinephil Janet Tobias No Place on Earth - Isa: Global Screen Sarah Burns (codirector) The Central Park Five Isa: PBS sold to Sundance Select for U.S. Treva Wurmfeld Shepard & Dark - Contact Tangerine Entertainment Nina Davenport First Comes Love - Contact producer Marina Zenovich Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out - Isa: Films Distribution Halla Alabdalla As If We Were Catching a Cobra (Comme si nous attraptions un cobra) about the art of caricature in Egypt and Syria! Halla is Syrian herself, studied science and sociology in Syria and Paris - Isa: Wide
Contemporary World Cinema 11 out of 61 = 18%
Children of Sarajevo by Aida Begic, Sarajevo - Isa: Pyramide Baby Blues by Katarzyna Rostaniec, Poland. Contact producer The Cowards Who Looked to the Sky by Yuki Tanada, Japan - Isa: Toei Comrade Kim Goes Flying by Anja Daelemans (co-director), Belgium/ No. Korea. The first western financed film out of No. Korea Three Worlds by Catherine Corsini, France - Isa: Pyramide sold to Lumiere for Benelux, Pathe for Switzerland Middle of Nowhere by Ava DuVernay, U.S. - Contact Paradigm Talent Agency The Lesser Blessed by Anita Doron, Canada - Isa: eOne Watchtower by Pelin Esmer, Turkey/ France/ Germany- Isa: Visit Films Jackie by Antoinette Beumer, Netherlands - Isa: Media Luna When I Saw You by Annemarie Jacir, Palestine,/ Jordan/ Greece All that Matters is Past by Sara Johnsen, Norway- Isa: TrustNordisk
Tiff Kids 0 out of 5. Any meaning to this???
City To City – Mumbai 0 Out Of 10 Any meaning to this???
Vanguard 2 out of 15 = 13% (the average for most festivals)
90 Minutes– Norway – Eva Sorhaug - Isa: Level K Peaches Does Herself – Germany - Peaches. Contact producer. See Indiewire review.
Midnight Madness 0 out of 9 which is fine with me, thank you. This is a boy's genre or a date-night genre for girls and boys with a plan for the night.
- 9/21/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Next to Stan Lee, directing legend John Carpenter was most likely the biggest guest to grace Toronto’s FanExpo convention in 2012 and was certainly the guest that every horror fan wanted to see.
John Carpenter has always been one of those genre-bending directors that is equally comfortable jumping from horror film (Halloween, The Fog, Vampires) to science fiction films (Escape from New York, They Live, The Thing) but deep down has always been a filmmaker of westerns.
During the Q&A hosted by Rue Morgue Magazine editor Dave Alexander at FanExpo, John Carpenter touched on all areas of his career and why he Really loves the sequels and remakes of his movies.
Here are a few highlights…
Q: On being influenced by Hitchcock…..
John Carpenter: Well I was drawn to all types of movies when I was young. I saw Alfred Hitchcock films but I didn’t understand Alfred Hitchcock films.
John Carpenter has always been one of those genre-bending directors that is equally comfortable jumping from horror film (Halloween, The Fog, Vampires) to science fiction films (Escape from New York, They Live, The Thing) but deep down has always been a filmmaker of westerns.
During the Q&A hosted by Rue Morgue Magazine editor Dave Alexander at FanExpo, John Carpenter touched on all areas of his career and why he Really loves the sequels and remakes of his movies.
Here are a few highlights…
Q: On being influenced by Hitchcock…..
John Carpenter: Well I was drawn to all types of movies when I was young. I saw Alfred Hitchcock films but I didn’t understand Alfred Hitchcock films.
- 8/31/2012
- by Kelly Michael Stewart
- Planet Fury
Sleeping Dogs catapults players into the role of undercover cop Wei Shen, tasked with taking down one of the world?s most fearsome criminal organisations from the inside… the Hong Kong Triads. As players explore the bustling and crowded Hong Kong island, through its neon-lit side streets and sprawling street markets, an incredible story unfolds of loyalty and betrayal where Wei begins to question his own motives as he is sucked in deeper than he could ever imagine. Offering players an island packed with action, every street corner, market stall, harbor dock or city skyscraper can become an opportunity for intense shoot-outs, adrenaline-fuelled street races and intense, brutal martial arts combat. Featuring one of the most intuitive and imaginative combat systems, Sleeping Dogs empowers players to perform an extensive set of martial arts moves, singlehandedly taking on numerous opponents. Players perform bone-crunching kicks and combos, vicious counters and a cinematic...
- 8/12/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Sleeping Dogs catapults players into the role of undercover cop Wei Shen, tasked with taking down one of the world?s most fearsome criminal organisations from the inside… the Hong Kong Triads. As players explore the bustling and crowded Hong Kong island, through its neon-lit side streets and sprawling street markets, an incredible story unfolds of loyalty and betrayal where Wei begins to question his own motives as he is sucked in deeper than he could ever imagine. Offering players an island packed with action, every street corner, market stall, harbor dock or city skyscraper can become an opportunity for intense shoot-outs, adrenaline-fuelled street races and intense, brutal martial arts combat. Featuring one of the most intuitive and imaginative combat systems, Sleeping Dogs empowers players to perform an extensive set of martial arts moves, singlehandedly taking on numerous opponents. Players perform bone-crunching kicks and combos, vicious counters and a cinematic...
- 8/3/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
[ video unavailable on this device ]
After the reveal a couple of weeks back that Will Yun Lee would be heading up the voice cast of United Front Games' Sleeping Dogs, I've been curious about how the developer along with publisher Square Enix planned on filling out the rest of the voice cast. And apparently, they decided to go the Hong Kong/Hollywood route, bringing on a lot of familiar actors from both industries.
More details about the cast as well as some expanded story details after the jump.
Stone, Liu, and Lee are joined by the previously announced Edison Chen (Infernal Affairs), and Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins), who plays police inspector Pendrew. Perry Shen (Better Luck Tomorrow). Mortal Kombat's Robin Shou joins the cast along with James Hong (Blade Runner, Kung Fu Panda), Kelly Hu (X2), Yunjin Kim (Lost), Terrence Yin (New Police Story), and Tzi-Ma (Rush Hour).
The story follows Will Yun Lee's...
After the reveal a couple of weeks back that Will Yun Lee would be heading up the voice cast of United Front Games' Sleeping Dogs, I've been curious about how the developer along with publisher Square Enix planned on filling out the rest of the voice cast. And apparently, they decided to go the Hong Kong/Hollywood route, bringing on a lot of familiar actors from both industries.
More details about the cast as well as some expanded story details after the jump.
Stone, Liu, and Lee are joined by the previously announced Edison Chen (Infernal Affairs), and Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins), who plays police inspector Pendrew. Perry Shen (Better Luck Tomorrow). Mortal Kombat's Robin Shou joins the cast along with James Hong (Blade Runner, Kung Fu Panda), Kelly Hu (X2), Yunjin Kim (Lost), Terrence Yin (New Police Story), and Tzi-Ma (Rush Hour).
The story follows Will Yun Lee's...
- 7/17/2012
- by Charles Webb
- MTV Multiplayer
From the get go, it was obvious that Square Enix truly believes in Sleeping Dogs. However, that fact is even more evident now that we know the Japanese publisher went an extra mile by asking A-list voice actors to step in and give life to its sandbox action game’s cast of characters. It would have been easier if they’d casted relative unknowns, but that didn’t happen. Instead, those who play through the impressive-looking title will hear vocal offerings from the likes of Tom Wilkinson, Emma Stone, Will Yun Lee, Lucy Liu and Jackie Mah.
“Sleeping Dogs features over two hours of rich dialogue in a story inspired by some of Hong Kong’s finest films,” said Stephen van der Mescht, executive producer at United Front Games. “As huge fans of the genre we knew exactly who we wanted; we knew who could bring the script to life.
“Sleeping Dogs features over two hours of rich dialogue in a story inspired by some of Hong Kong’s finest films,” said Stephen van der Mescht, executive producer at United Front Games. “As huge fans of the genre we knew exactly who we wanted; we knew who could bring the script to life.
- 7/17/2012
- by Chad Goodmurphy
- We Got This Covered
Edouard Waintrop, Artistic Director of Directors' Fortnight, has presented the lineup for this year's edition, running from May 17 through 27.
Features
Merzak Allouache's El Taaib. Evene claims it's an angry film aimed at the malaise of Algerian society.
Rodney Ascher's Room 237. A documentary about the plethora of theories that have sprung up over the years regarding just what Stanley Kubrick was up to when he made The Shining (1980). More here. IFC Midnight picked up North American rights just yesterday.
Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner's Ernest et Célestine. From the makers of A Town Called Panic, this is an animated adaptation of a series of books about a little mouse who doesn't want to become a dentist and a big bear who doesn't want to become a notary. Site.
Benjamin Ávila's Infancia clandestina. From the San Sebastian Film Festival: "Juan lives in clandestinity. Just like his mum,...
Features
Merzak Allouache's El Taaib. Evene claims it's an angry film aimed at the malaise of Algerian society.
Rodney Ascher's Room 237. A documentary about the plethora of theories that have sprung up over the years regarding just what Stanley Kubrick was up to when he made The Shining (1980). More here. IFC Midnight picked up North American rights just yesterday.
Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner's Ernest et Célestine. From the makers of A Town Called Panic, this is an animated adaptation of a series of books about a little mouse who doesn't want to become a dentist and a big bear who doesn't want to become a notary. Site.
Benjamin Ávila's Infancia clandestina. From the San Sebastian Film Festival: "Juan lives in clandestinity. Just like his mum,...
- 4/25/2012
- MUBI
DVD Playhouse—December 2011
By Allen Gardner
The Rules Of The Game (Criterion) Jean Renoir’s classic from 1939 was met with a riot at its premiere and was severely cut by its distributor, available only in truncated form for two decades until it was restored to the grandeur for which it is celebrated today. A biting comedy of manners set in the upstairs and downstairs of a French country estate, the film bitterly vivisects the bourgeoisie with a gentle ferocity that will tickle the laughter in your throat. Renoir co-stars as Octave. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Introduction to the film by Renoir; Commentary written by scholar Alexander Sesonske and read by Peter Bogdanovich; Comparison of the film’s two endings; Selected scene analysis by Renoir scholar Chris Faulkner; Featurettes and vintage film clips; Part one of David Thomson’s “Jean Renoir” BBC documentary; Video essay; Interviews with Renoir, crew members,...
By Allen Gardner
The Rules Of The Game (Criterion) Jean Renoir’s classic from 1939 was met with a riot at its premiere and was severely cut by its distributor, available only in truncated form for two decades until it was restored to the grandeur for which it is celebrated today. A biting comedy of manners set in the upstairs and downstairs of a French country estate, the film bitterly vivisects the bourgeoisie with a gentle ferocity that will tickle the laughter in your throat. Renoir co-stars as Octave. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Introduction to the film by Renoir; Commentary written by scholar Alexander Sesonske and read by Peter Bogdanovich; Comparison of the film’s two endings; Selected scene analysis by Renoir scholar Chris Faulkner; Featurettes and vintage film clips; Part one of David Thomson’s “Jean Renoir” BBC documentary; Video essay; Interviews with Renoir, crew members,...
- 12/12/2011
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
"Cars 2, directed (like several great Pixar films of the last two decades) by John Lasseter, finds itself in the unlucky position of the not-so-bright kid in a brilliant family," finds Slate's Dana Stevens. "No matter if his performance in school is comfortably average; he'll always be seen as a disappointment compared to his stellar siblings. There's nothing really objectionable about Cars 2, although parents of young children should be warned that a few evil vehicles meet violently inauspicious ends. It's sweet-spirited, visually delightful (if aurally cacophonous), and it will make for a pleasant enough family afternoon at the movies. But we've come to expect so much more than mere pleasantness from Pixar that Cars 2 feels almost like a betrayal."
Nick Schager for the Voice: "Pixar's Cars franchise takes a sharp turn from Nascar mayhem and rural red-state-targeted 50s nostalgia to 007 espionage with this upgraded sequel, though in its...
Nick Schager for the Voice: "Pixar's Cars franchise takes a sharp turn from Nascar mayhem and rural red-state-targeted 50s nostalgia to 007 espionage with this upgraded sequel, though in its...
- 6/25/2011
- MUBI
The first Kung Fu Panda was a very enjoyable action comedy with better action sequences than one might have expected, but nevertheless this sequel even manages to improve on it significantly.
Kung Fu Panda 2 works as a great film in its own right, and probably also if you haven’t seen the first, though there are some nice references back to it, and it provides the background for the characters. (A similar thing is true of Fast Five; although Fast Five is more about the past, possibly because it’s the fifth film in the franchise.)
While more of the same can sometimes be fun, especially when it worked well the first time, it’s always nice when sequels move the story forward and have meaningful progression for the characters, with the likes of X-Men 2, Spider-Man 2, and Terminator 2 being notable examples of this.
Similarly, Kung Fu Panda 2...
Kung Fu Panda 2 works as a great film in its own right, and probably also if you haven’t seen the first, though there are some nice references back to it, and it provides the background for the characters. (A similar thing is true of Fast Five; although Fast Five is more about the past, possibly because it’s the fifth film in the franchise.)
While more of the same can sometimes be fun, especially when it worked well the first time, it’s always nice when sequels move the story forward and have meaningful progression for the characters, with the likes of X-Men 2, Spider-Man 2, and Terminator 2 being notable examples of this.
Similarly, Kung Fu Panda 2...
- 6/16/2011
- Shadowlocked
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