Archive for May, 2009

  • 16 May

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    What’s Up Lovely Teaser Trailer

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    Both John and I had nothing but huge praise for Gary King’s New York Lately a couple of months back. And as promised, his next film is on the way which showcases some of the acting talent of his first film, but also one of the greatest cities in the world, New York.

    So we got word of the trailer hitting the web today and I gotta say, once again I’m pretty impressed. It looks like my gut reaction was right as the aesthetic quality of this trailer gives off sort of an unpolished My Blueberry Nights vibe. And I don’t use the word “unpolished” in a bad way; far from it. In fact I like the raw realism of a “bright lights, big city” feel to the story that although gives a sense of cold and loneliness in the trailer, it still has warmth and heart at the same time.

    Stay on top of this production over at the film’s website. Or stay tuned to RowThree as I’m sure we’ll remain in the loop and follow this one quite closely. I truly love good indie fare when I see it. And so far these films are straight up my alley.

    check out the trailer below the seats…
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  • 16 May

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    We’re Finally “In the Loop”

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    In the LoopAs an avid listener of Mark Kermode movie review podcast, one of the films he has talked about quite a lot as of recent is a title called In the Loop. I really didn’t know much about the movie as it mostly been in only in European markets as it is a British made satire on the US/UK penchant for rushing in to war (specifically Iraq in this case).

    While I’ve seen trailers on various websites and on YouTube and what not, the Americanized trailer has been released and I think it’s the best one yet. There is definitely a Kubrick-esque vibe I get from this trailer. Being a crass and vulgar comedy, it’s hard to imagine something like that as Kubrick-esque, but maybe it’s the starting off of the trailer with The William Tell overture or the bombastic one-word fonts that are presented or the quick herky-jerky editing (which it seems is necessary as apparently there isn’t much language in the film that would be safe for a standard, American trailer).

    At any rate the film has been getting a good response and after viewing this trailer I can see why. The use of “more colorful metaphors” used in a smart and quick witted way always hit my funny bone in just the right way (see Vince Vaughn). Take a look at the trailer below the seats and I think you’ll agree.
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  • 15 May

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    Behind the Mask 2. Say it with Me: AWESOME

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    About three years ago I had the pleasure to sit down with Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon as the closing gala screening at Toronto After Dark’s inaugural year. Next to Funky Forest: The First Contact, this is probably the best film I’ve seen in the three years of attending the festival… or at least one of my favorites.

    Nathan Baesel and Leslie Vernon

    Behind the Mask is a film that defies conventions and manages to create a fun new sub-genre called a slashumentary in which we follow the stages of a young man determined, as he prepares to become one of the greatest slasher villains of all time; better than Michael Myers or even the great Freddy Krueger. Check out our full review for the details, but I can assure you it is one spectacular romp through the mind of a psychotic.

    Immediately following the screening in Toronto was a Q&A with director Glosserman in which someone inevitably brought up the question of a sequel. Glosserman made some remarks that he had a couple of ideas but that would be a long way down the road. Apparently we’re nearing the end of that road as there are some mur murs of a sequel possibly already in the works.

    In an interview over at Icons of Fright, co-writer of Mask, David J. Stieve, mentions that despite a poor theatrical run, consistent, healthy DVD sales provided some “concrete interest in making a sequel to BEHIND THE MASK soon”. He goes on to talk about overall ideas of how the film might continue on with the real-world scenarios played out in the first film and stick with the documentary feel to the film but still maintain the slasher goodness that Leslie has now become known for.

    Definitely check out the full interview to glean some more details and thoughts on what Vernon might have in store for us in the future. It really sounds like this is a go project and so for me the details don’t concern me. I will be giving my money to the film makers gladly for anything more from Leslie Vernon and the sleepy town of Glen Echo.

  • 15 May

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    Pontypool 2. Say it with Me: AWESOME

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    Bruce McDonaldJust yesterday I posted news about Pontypool (our review) coming to DVD and today we have news that a sequel is also in the works.

    Again I say: AWESOME.

    Our Twitchy friends posted a news item in which producer Jeffrey Coghlan confirms rumours that Pontypool Changes is in the works which will bring director Bruce McDonald with screenwriter Tony Burgess (who also wrote the book from which the original is based) together again. No news on what we’ll get in the second film and I’ll pretty much see it regardless but I hope it stays a fairly small film since it’s one of the things I liked best about the original.

    The press release (as does the fact that they’re greenlighting a sequel) also suggests that the distributor is expecting a good turnout when the film debuts in theatres on May 29th. I’m hoping the buzz turns into box office dollars. If it opens near you, do yourself a favour and go see it.

  • 15 May

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    “Everybody Relax, I’m Here” – BTILC Gets The Blu-Ray Treatment!

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    Not much different from the Special Edition version already available out there in terms of special features. And maybe Jack Burton won’t look all that much brighter and cleaner (I hope not!) than with the regular DVD or your standard awesome VHS copy of Big Trouble in Little China, but dammit anyway – even though I don’t have a blu-ray player as of yet, I just may run out and pick this one up on August 4th just on general principal.

    Big Trouble in Little ChinaSpecs:
    BD-50 dual-layer disc via seamless branching
    1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (2.35:1)
    DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround track

    Extras:
    audio commentary by Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell
    nine deleted scenes
    alternate ending
    vintage making-of featurette
    music video
    additional interviews
    still gallery
    theatrical trailers and TV spots.

    Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95.
    “Son of a bitch must pay.”

  • 15 May

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    Screen Shot Quiz #186

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    Jay C was right with his guess that yesterday’s quiz was from Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

    We are continuing on with Period Pieces today. I’ll post the answer to today’s quiz on Tuesday (Sorry its a long weekend and I’ll be camping on Monday) along with the next quiz.

    screen shot 186

    p.s. I’m lying… Jonas was correct and yesterday’s quiz was actually from Gettysburg. I believe this shot is from the part where the North has to protect the end of the line. I remember watching this with a roommate and we were cheering by the end of the battle. It is one of the best filmed Civil war battles ever.

  • 15 May

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    Cannes; Round One

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    Penelope Cruz & Pedro AlmodovarThey’re in full swing in the South of France. The sun is shining, the bubbly is flowing and the stars are a schmoozing but there are also movies. Lots of movies. And with those comes a whole lot of movie news. Here’s a roundup of some of the happenings over the last few days.

    Though the economy might be at a downturn, it’s not stopping studios from picking up a few films and not surprisingly, the first few to go all come to us from some big name directors. Michael Haneke’s newest offering The White Ribbon was picked up for North American distribution by Sony Pictures Classics. Canadian’s will have a chance to see Dario Argento’s newest offering Giallo (thanks to E1 Entertainment) and though the film has been picked up for a number of other markets, it doesn’t have a US distributor. As for those looking for something a little more light hearted (I think), IFC Films has picked up rights to Cristian Mungiu’s Tales From The Golden Age. This is one I’m really looking forward to so it’s nice to see it may actually play on this side of the pond.

    Jandy will be happy to see that Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank is getting a lot of positive attention thanks in part to the film’s star Katie Jarvis. So much so that Indie Wire has toted Jarvis as the “Discovery of Cannes (so far)”.

    My buds at Movie Set have put together a little video of the happenings at Cannes. Check it:



    They’re doing regular updates, including red-carpet coverage and interviews so stay tuned to their blog for regular updates (if you’re on Twitter, you may want to follow them too).

    I think they need a female correspondent, don’t you agree? I should start a petition for next year: “Movie Set Needs a Female Voice! Send Marina to Cannes!” Yeah…that’ll work…

    The image of Penny (looking dashing as usual) and Pedro comes via Anne Thompson.

    More to come next week! See, almost as good as being there! If you just close your eyes…Oh who am I kidding?

  • 15 May

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    Shorts Program: Reach

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    Reach

    Currently in contention at Cannes for their animated short corner is this cute little four minute clip of a robot whose curiosity just may end up getting the best of him. Pixar animators watch your back (or take notice); Reach says so much in so little time with absolutely no dialogue.

    Creator Luke Randall put this together over the period of about eight months and has apparently already been doing very well in the festival circuit. This is certainly one of the finer animated shorts I’ve seen in a while (ya know, because I see so many). In a word, wonderful.

    See it in high quality over at YouTube (recommended); otherwise, I’ve embedded the short underneath the seats here in the third row. I highly encourage you to check it out.

    [via]/film

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 15 May

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    AT-AT Cake

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    Yeah. It’s a cake.

    AT AT Cake

    more info and pics below the seats…
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  • 14 May

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    Mamo #139: Prime Invective

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    Mamo!

    Modern science has given the world many gifts, large and small. The heart-lung machine. The large Hadron collider. Liquid Prel. But who among us us could have predicted the latest miracle of modernity – namely that it is finally cool to like Star Trek again. The Matt’s take a swipe at what could be the perfect summer film, its box office prospects, and why Hugh Jackman’s only saving grace came courtesy of the calendar. As always – spoilers abound, so if you’re one of the few – take care.

    Mamo #139: Prime Invective [ 31:43 | 24.56 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup
  • 14 May

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    Pontypool Coming to DVD Sooner than Expected

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    Though it looks like Bruce McDonald’s much raved about horror film Pontypool (our review) is only getting a limited US release on May 29th, those who don’t get a chance to see it on the big screen will have an opportunity to catch up with the film on DVD a few short weeks later.

    DVD Active has news that the film will see a DVD release on July 21st and they even have cover. DVD release news is great but the cover art? It’s garbage. Seriously cheesy considering how awesome the film’s one sheet was. This is the best they could come up with? Not that it will stop me from buying the thing but seriously?

    No other details on what, if any, extras will be included on the DVD but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out. For the time being, go and enjoy the trailer.

    Pontypool DVD Cover

  • 14 May

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    The trailer for Day-Lewis’s Nine is here.

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    Oh happy day! First, the trailer for The Road was released today, and now the trailer for the Fellini inspired musical Nine, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren, a bunch of Italian people, and that chick from Black Eyed Peas. They are all directed by Rob Marshall, whose last musical, Chicago, went on to win six Oscars, including Best Picture.

    This looks rad. A mega-cast, plenty of spectacle, an interesting plot about a film director, his search for peace, and the relationships with those around him. I have a feeling that this is going to be a critic’s darling this year. We’ll have to wait until November 25th to find out, though.

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