yes its true, with school starting back up, I will have to put the hut on hiatus for just a week until I can get settled in. When I get back there will be constant updates, at least once a day so keep checking in guys/
Thanks,
Tyler j. Pratt
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tom Cruise and Valkyrie Coming This....December ?
After a few delays and some bad press, It seems that Tom Cruise and United artists are getting a second shot for their WWII picture "Valkyrie", Directed by Brian Singer and starring Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh and Terrence Stamp among others.What does this do for the film's Oscar chances ? If anything it could sneak into many of the arts and tech races, and who knows ? If the film is good enough, Kenneth Branagh may very well slip into a Supporting Actor slot, though I remain unconvinced of the film's potential as of now.
Toronto Film Fest Line Up
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Aide-toi le ciel t'aideraFrançois Dupeyron, FranceWorld PremiereIn his latest film, François Dupeyron (Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran, TIFF 2003) again turns his attention to an underprivileged sector of society, creating a memorable figure of remarkable spirit and tenacity. Sonia (Félicité Wouassi, La Haine), the long-suffering matriarch of the Mousse family, finds her life spiraling out of control on her daughter's wedding day – her eldest son is dabbling with drugs while her husband has gambled away the money for the wedding reception. She is determined, however, that nothing will disrupt this special day.
Un Barrage Contre le Pacifique Rithy PanhFrance/Cambodia/BelgiumWorld PremiereAdapted from the novel of the same name by Marguerite Duras, Un Barrage Contre le Pacifique is directed by Rithy Panh (S21, La Machine de mort Khmère Rouge, TIFF 2003), who has turned to a classic work French literature to make a film about his native country. The legendary Isabelle Huppert stars as the matriarch of a small land-owning family in 1930s French Indochina (now Cambodia) who try to survive by working on rice fields located dangerously close to the ocean. Driven to fight against both nature and corrupt bureaucrats, she devises an imaginative scheme to build a dam against the sea with the help of the villagers.
The Brothers BloomRian Johnson, USAWorld PremiereThe brothers Bloom (Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo) are the best con men in the world, swindling millionaires with complex scenarios of lust and intrigue. Now they've decided to take on one last con – showing a beautiful and eccentric heiress (Rachel Weisz) the time of her life with a romantic adventure that carries them around the world. The Brothers Bloom also features Rinko Kikuchi, Maximilian Schell and Robbie Coltrane.
Easy VirtueStephan Elliott, UK/USAWorld PremiereColin Firth, Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ben Barnes star in an adaptation by Stephan Elliott (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) of Noel Coward's wickedly witty play. A young Englishman (John Whittaker), falls madly in love with an older woman – Larita is sexy, glamorous and American. They marry impetuously. When they return to John's family home, his mother Veronica has an instant allergic reaction to her new daughter-in-law but Larita finds an unlikely ally in John's father.
Faubourg 36Christophe BarratierFranceA dazzling musical from the director of Les Choristes (TIFF 2004), Faubourg 36 is set between December 1935 and July 1936 in a working-class neighbourhood on the northeastern edge of Paris. The springtime election of a left-wing government brings wild new hopes, yet also sees the rise of extremist ideas. Three unemployed stage workers decide to produce a "hit show "and occupy the music hall where they formally worked. The stage is set for a short-lived but wonderful adventure.
GenovaMichael Winterbottom, United KingdomWorld PremiereSeeking a new life after the sudden death of his wife, Joe (Colin Firth) moves his family to the exotic Italian town of Genova, hoping for a fresh start for himself and his two daughters. His eldest daughter Kelly explores the sexy and dangerous underbelly of this mysterious city, leaving the younger Mary in a world of her own. A poignant tale of love and forgiveness, Genova is directed by Michael Winterbottom (Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, TIFF 2005), and also stars Catherine Keener and Hope Davis.
Is There Anybody There?John Crowley, United KingdomWorld PremiereFrom the director of Boy A, comes a wise and charming story of an unlikely friendship between a scruffy former magician and a little boy with a morbid streak. Ten year-old Edward (Bill Milner) has become increasingly obsessed with death and the afterlife since his parents turned their house into a retirement home. Edward's is a lonely and peculiar existence – until he meets Clarence (Michael Caine) who introduces him to wonders in the here-and-now.
Last Stop 174Bruno Barreto, BrazilWorld PremiereDirector Bruno Barreto expands on the true event at the centre of José Padilha and Felipe Lacerda's hard-hitting documentary Bus 174 (TIFF 2003), telling the story of how a child grows up to become a hostage-taker. Young Sandro lives in the slums of Rio de Janeiro where corruption and violence are the norm. Orphaned, alienated and fearing for his life, Sandro falls into a life of crime from which he may find it impossible to escape.
ManagementStephen Belber, USAWorld PremiereManagement is a romantic comedy that chronicles a chance meeting between Mike Cranshaw (Steve Zahn) and Sue Claussen (Jennifer Aniston). When Sue checks into the roadside motel owned by Mike's parents in Arizona, what starts with a bottle of wine "compliments of management" soon evolves into a multi-layered, cross-country journey of two people looking for a sense of purpose. Mike, an aimless dreamer, bets it all on a trip to Sue's workplace in Maryland – only to find that she has no place for him in her carefully ordered life. Buttoned down and obsessed with making a difference in the world, Sue goes back to her yogurt mogul ex-boyfriend Jango (Woody Harrelson), who promises her a chance to head his charity operations. But having found something worth fighting for, Mike pits his hopes against Sue's practicality, and the two embark on a twisted, bumpy, freeing journey to discover that their place in the world just might be together.
Me and Orson WellesRichard Linklater, United KingdomWorld PremiereZac Efron, Claire Daines, Ben Chaplin and Christian McKay star in this entertaining ode to Orson Welles from the director of The School of Rock (TIFF 2003) and Before Sunrise. Seventeen-year-old Richard Samuels (Efron) spends his days dreaming of the bright lights of Broadway. He gets his big break when he happens upon Orson Welles (McKay) and his fledgling Mercury Theatre company. Richard impresses Welles with an impromptu audition and lands a bit part in the Mercury's forthcoming run of Julius Caesar. With Welles's womanizing taking priority over rehearsals, chaos and calamity mark the production from the start. Before long, opening night has arrived and Richard will discover the terrible secrets of show business.
Slumdog MillionaireDanny Boyle, United KingdomWorld PremiereFrom acclaimed director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) comes a story about a kid with nothing, who has everything to lose. Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's Who Wants to be A Millionaire? Arrested on suspicion of cheating, he tells the police the amazing tale of his life on the streets, and of the girl he loved and lost. But what is a kid with no interest in money doing on the show? And how does he know all the answers?
A Woman in BerlinMax Färberböck, Germany/PolandWorld PremiereAdapted from the international bestseller based on a true story, A Woman in Berlin is directed by Golden Globe nominee Max Färberböck (Aimée & Jaguar). In April 1945, the Red Army invades Berlin; among the chaos, a group of women fall victim to rape in a half-destroyed house. One of them is a former journalist and photographer. In desperation, she decides to find an officer who can protect her. A relationship develops with a Russian officer; soon, what began as an act of self-preservation becomes a complicated and forbidden affair.
Zack and Miri Make a PornoKevin Smith, USAWorld PremiereSeth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks star in this bawdy tale of love and friendship from Kevin Smith. Lifelong friends and roommates Zack (Rogen) and Miri (Banks) are facing hard times and a mountain of debt. When the electricity and plumbing get cut off, the two seize upon the idea of making a homegrown porno movie for some quick cash, enlisting the help of their friends. The two vow that having sex will not ruin their friendship; but as everyone starts "doing" everyone, what started out as a friendly business proposition turns into something much more.
A Perfect DayFerzan Ozpetek, ItalyInternational PremiereOne year after their separation, the violence that defined Emma and Antonio's marriage returns with ferocious consequences. Meanwhile, Antonio's boss, MP Fioravanti, tries frantically to salvage his political career, unaware that he is destroying his personal life by pushing his young wife to desert him, having already alienated his only son. An adaptation of the novel by Melania Mazzucco, A Perfect Day juxtaposes competing stories of disintegration and personal ruin as a group of characters challenge the cards they have been dealt and try to regain control of their lives – even if it means performing an unspeakable act of betrayal against those they love the most.
More than one option
(Film) A Perfect Day
(Tv) A Perfect Day
SéraphineMartin Provost, France/BelgiumInternational PremiereBased on a true story, Séraphine delves into the relationship between naive painter Séraphine Louis (1864–1942) and art collector Wilhelm Uhde. In a little town north of Paris, Séraphine works as a maid for Madame Duphot, who rents an apartment to German art critic and dealer Wilhelm Uhde, an enthusiastic advocate of modern and primitive artists. In her spare time, Séraphine paints, with anything she can find – wine, mud, a mixture of fruits and flowers. When Wilhelm comes across one of her paintings, he is instantly mesmerized and insists that Séraphine show him the rest of her work. So begins a nurturing relationship that will expose Séraphine's work to the world. But as Séraphine paints her most inspired canvas, the power of her work leads her into the realms of madness.
35 RhumsClaire Denis, FranceNorth American PremiereThe celebrated French filmmaker Claire Denis returns with 35 Rhums, exploring the working underclass of French society. Lionel, a widower, has raised his daughter Josephine on his own. They lead a quiet, comfortable life together, devoted to one another. Their relationship, however, starts to change when Jo befriends a young man and Lionel entertains the attention of a middle-aged woman. Before long, father and daughter find themselves forced to reconcile the past.
The Burning PlainGuillermo Arriaga, USANorth American PremiereCharlize Theron and Kim Basinger star in Academy Award-nominee Guillermo Arriaga's directorial debut, a romantic mystery about a one woman's emotional journey to uncover the secret of a past love. Theron plays Sylvia, a beautiful restaurant manager whose cool demeanor masks the sexually charged storm within. When a stranger confronts her with her mysterious past, Sylvia is launched into a journey through space and time that inextricably connects her to three disparate characters, all grappling with their own romantic destinies. Basinger stars as the housewife whose affair puts them all on a collision course with the explosive power of forbidden love.
Che: Part OneStephen Soderbergh, USA/SpainNorth American PremiereOn November 26, 1956, Fidel Castro sails to Cuba with eighty rebels. One of those rebels is Ernesto "Che" Guevara, an Argentine doctor who shares a common goal with Fidel Castro – to overthrow the corrupt dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Che proves indispensable as a fighter, and quickly grasps the art of guerrilla warfare. As he throws himself into the struggle, Che is embraced by his comrades and the Cuban people. Che: Part One tracks Che's rise in the Cuban Revolution, from doctor to commander to revolutionary hero.
Che: Part TwoStephen Soderbergh, USA/SpainNorth American PremiereAfter the Cuban Revolution, Che is at the height of his fame and power. Then he disappears, re-emerging incognito in Bolivia, where he organizes a small group of Cuban comrades and Bolivian recruits to start the great Latin American Revolution. The story of the Bolivian campaign is a tale of tenacity, sacrifice and idealism, and of guerrilla warfare that ultimately fails, bringing Che to his death. Che: Part Two explores how Che remains a symbol of idealism and heroism that lives in the hearts of people around the world.
Inju, la bête dans l'ombreBarbet Schroeder, FranceNorth American PremiereBarbet Schroeder directs this thriller starring Benoît Magimel (La Pianiste) as Fayard, a successful crime novelist. Invited to Japan for the release of his latest book, he encounters Tamao, a geisha who confides to him that one of her former lovers is threatening to kill her. This former lover may well be Shundei Oe, a novelist known for his extremely violent and disturbing books, and whose work Alex has studied extensively. Agreeing to help Tamao, Alex finds himself pitted against a man bent on vengeance and before long, his business trip becomes a bloody quest in which fiction becomes indistinguishable from reality.
Synecdoche, New YorkCharlie Kaufman, USANorth American PremiereWorried about the transience of his life, theatre director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman) leaves his home behind and sets out to construct a massive artistic enterprise. Gathering an ensemble cast into a warehouse in New York City, he hopes to create a work of brutal honesty. He directs them in a celebration of the mundane, instructing each to live out their constructed lives in a growing mockup of the city outside. The years rapidly fold into each other, and Caden buries himself deeper into his masterpiece but the textured tangle of real and theatrical relationships blurs the line between the world of the play and that of Caden's own deteriorating reality. Synecdoche also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Catherine Keener, Dianne Wiest, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Emily Watson and Hope Davis.
The WrestlerDarren Aronofsky, USANorth American PremiereBack in the late '80s, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of die-hard wrestling fans in high-school gyms and community centres. Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans; but when he suffers a heart attack after a match, he is forced into retirement. He begins to evaluate the state of his life but the allure of the spotlight and the passion for his sport threatens to pull him back inside the ring. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain, TIFF 2006), The Wrestler also stars Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Judah Friedlander and the Necro Butcher.
More than one option
(Film) The Fountain
2006 - Hugh Jackman, Darren Aronofsky
(Film) The Fountain
Janna Kerimtayeva, Yuri Mamin
Flash of GeniusMarc Abraham, USACanadian PremiereBased on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns' (Greg Kinnear) long battle with the American automobile industry, Flash of Genius tells the tale of one man whose fight to receive recognition for his ingenuity would come at a heavy price. But this determined engineer refused to be silenced, and he took on the corporate titans in a battle that nobody thought he could win. And while paying the toll for refusing to compromise his dignity, this everyday David tried the unthinkable: to bring Goliath to his knees. Flash of Genius also stars Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney and Alan Alda.
Aide-toi le ciel t'aideraFrançois Dupeyron, FranceWorld PremiereIn his latest film, François Dupeyron (Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran, TIFF 2003) again turns his attention to an underprivileged sector of society, creating a memorable figure of remarkable spirit and tenacity. Sonia (Félicité Wouassi, La Haine), the long-suffering matriarch of the Mousse family, finds her life spiraling out of control on her daughter's wedding day – her eldest son is dabbling with drugs while her husband has gambled away the money for the wedding reception. She is determined, however, that nothing will disrupt this special day.
Un Barrage Contre le Pacifique Rithy PanhFrance/Cambodia/BelgiumWorld PremiereAdapted from the novel of the same name by Marguerite Duras, Un Barrage Contre le Pacifique is directed by Rithy Panh (S21, La Machine de mort Khmère Rouge, TIFF 2003), who has turned to a classic work French literature to make a film about his native country. The legendary Isabelle Huppert stars as the matriarch of a small land-owning family in 1930s French Indochina (now Cambodia) who try to survive by working on rice fields located dangerously close to the ocean. Driven to fight against both nature and corrupt bureaucrats, she devises an imaginative scheme to build a dam against the sea with the help of the villagers.
The Brothers BloomRian Johnson, USAWorld PremiereThe brothers Bloom (Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo) are the best con men in the world, swindling millionaires with complex scenarios of lust and intrigue. Now they've decided to take on one last con – showing a beautiful and eccentric heiress (Rachel Weisz) the time of her life with a romantic adventure that carries them around the world. The Brothers Bloom also features Rinko Kikuchi, Maximilian Schell and Robbie Coltrane.
Easy VirtueStephan Elliott, UK/USAWorld PremiereColin Firth, Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ben Barnes star in an adaptation by Stephan Elliott (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) of Noel Coward's wickedly witty play. A young Englishman (John Whittaker), falls madly in love with an older woman – Larita is sexy, glamorous and American. They marry impetuously. When they return to John's family home, his mother Veronica has an instant allergic reaction to her new daughter-in-law but Larita finds an unlikely ally in John's father.
Faubourg 36Christophe BarratierFranceA dazzling musical from the director of Les Choristes (TIFF 2004), Faubourg 36 is set between December 1935 and July 1936 in a working-class neighbourhood on the northeastern edge of Paris. The springtime election of a left-wing government brings wild new hopes, yet also sees the rise of extremist ideas. Three unemployed stage workers decide to produce a "hit show "and occupy the music hall where they formally worked. The stage is set for a short-lived but wonderful adventure.
GenovaMichael Winterbottom, United KingdomWorld PremiereSeeking a new life after the sudden death of his wife, Joe (Colin Firth) moves his family to the exotic Italian town of Genova, hoping for a fresh start for himself and his two daughters. His eldest daughter Kelly explores the sexy and dangerous underbelly of this mysterious city, leaving the younger Mary in a world of her own. A poignant tale of love and forgiveness, Genova is directed by Michael Winterbottom (Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, TIFF 2005), and also stars Catherine Keener and Hope Davis.
Is There Anybody There?John Crowley, United KingdomWorld PremiereFrom the director of Boy A, comes a wise and charming story of an unlikely friendship between a scruffy former magician and a little boy with a morbid streak. Ten year-old Edward (Bill Milner) has become increasingly obsessed with death and the afterlife since his parents turned their house into a retirement home. Edward's is a lonely and peculiar existence – until he meets Clarence (Michael Caine) who introduces him to wonders in the here-and-now.
Last Stop 174Bruno Barreto, BrazilWorld PremiereDirector Bruno Barreto expands on the true event at the centre of José Padilha and Felipe Lacerda's hard-hitting documentary Bus 174 (TIFF 2003), telling the story of how a child grows up to become a hostage-taker. Young Sandro lives in the slums of Rio de Janeiro where corruption and violence are the norm. Orphaned, alienated and fearing for his life, Sandro falls into a life of crime from which he may find it impossible to escape.
ManagementStephen Belber, USAWorld PremiereManagement is a romantic comedy that chronicles a chance meeting between Mike Cranshaw (Steve Zahn) and Sue Claussen (Jennifer Aniston). When Sue checks into the roadside motel owned by Mike's parents in Arizona, what starts with a bottle of wine "compliments of management" soon evolves into a multi-layered, cross-country journey of two people looking for a sense of purpose. Mike, an aimless dreamer, bets it all on a trip to Sue's workplace in Maryland – only to find that she has no place for him in her carefully ordered life. Buttoned down and obsessed with making a difference in the world, Sue goes back to her yogurt mogul ex-boyfriend Jango (Woody Harrelson), who promises her a chance to head his charity operations. But having found something worth fighting for, Mike pits his hopes against Sue's practicality, and the two embark on a twisted, bumpy, freeing journey to discover that their place in the world just might be together.
Me and Orson WellesRichard Linklater, United KingdomWorld PremiereZac Efron, Claire Daines, Ben Chaplin and Christian McKay star in this entertaining ode to Orson Welles from the director of The School of Rock (TIFF 2003) and Before Sunrise. Seventeen-year-old Richard Samuels (Efron) spends his days dreaming of the bright lights of Broadway. He gets his big break when he happens upon Orson Welles (McKay) and his fledgling Mercury Theatre company. Richard impresses Welles with an impromptu audition and lands a bit part in the Mercury's forthcoming run of Julius Caesar. With Welles's womanizing taking priority over rehearsals, chaos and calamity mark the production from the start. Before long, opening night has arrived and Richard will discover the terrible secrets of show business.
Slumdog MillionaireDanny Boyle, United KingdomWorld PremiereFrom acclaimed director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) comes a story about a kid with nothing, who has everything to lose. Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's Who Wants to be A Millionaire? Arrested on suspicion of cheating, he tells the police the amazing tale of his life on the streets, and of the girl he loved and lost. But what is a kid with no interest in money doing on the show? And how does he know all the answers?
A Woman in BerlinMax Färberböck, Germany/PolandWorld PremiereAdapted from the international bestseller based on a true story, A Woman in Berlin is directed by Golden Globe nominee Max Färberböck (Aimée & Jaguar). In April 1945, the Red Army invades Berlin; among the chaos, a group of women fall victim to rape in a half-destroyed house. One of them is a former journalist and photographer. In desperation, she decides to find an officer who can protect her. A relationship develops with a Russian officer; soon, what began as an act of self-preservation becomes a complicated and forbidden affair.
Zack and Miri Make a PornoKevin Smith, USAWorld PremiereSeth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks star in this bawdy tale of love and friendship from Kevin Smith. Lifelong friends and roommates Zack (Rogen) and Miri (Banks) are facing hard times and a mountain of debt. When the electricity and plumbing get cut off, the two seize upon the idea of making a homegrown porno movie for some quick cash, enlisting the help of their friends. The two vow that having sex will not ruin their friendship; but as everyone starts "doing" everyone, what started out as a friendly business proposition turns into something much more.
A Perfect DayFerzan Ozpetek, ItalyInternational PremiereOne year after their separation, the violence that defined Emma and Antonio's marriage returns with ferocious consequences. Meanwhile, Antonio's boss, MP Fioravanti, tries frantically to salvage his political career, unaware that he is destroying his personal life by pushing his young wife to desert him, having already alienated his only son. An adaptation of the novel by Melania Mazzucco, A Perfect Day juxtaposes competing stories of disintegration and personal ruin as a group of characters challenge the cards they have been dealt and try to regain control of their lives – even if it means performing an unspeakable act of betrayal against those they love the most.
More than one option
(Film) A Perfect Day
(Tv) A Perfect Day
SéraphineMartin Provost, France/BelgiumInternational PremiereBased on a true story, Séraphine delves into the relationship between naive painter Séraphine Louis (1864–1942) and art collector Wilhelm Uhde. In a little town north of Paris, Séraphine works as a maid for Madame Duphot, who rents an apartment to German art critic and dealer Wilhelm Uhde, an enthusiastic advocate of modern and primitive artists. In her spare time, Séraphine paints, with anything she can find – wine, mud, a mixture of fruits and flowers. When Wilhelm comes across one of her paintings, he is instantly mesmerized and insists that Séraphine show him the rest of her work. So begins a nurturing relationship that will expose Séraphine's work to the world. But as Séraphine paints her most inspired canvas, the power of her work leads her into the realms of madness.
35 RhumsClaire Denis, FranceNorth American PremiereThe celebrated French filmmaker Claire Denis returns with 35 Rhums, exploring the working underclass of French society. Lionel, a widower, has raised his daughter Josephine on his own. They lead a quiet, comfortable life together, devoted to one another. Their relationship, however, starts to change when Jo befriends a young man and Lionel entertains the attention of a middle-aged woman. Before long, father and daughter find themselves forced to reconcile the past.
The Burning PlainGuillermo Arriaga, USANorth American PremiereCharlize Theron and Kim Basinger star in Academy Award-nominee Guillermo Arriaga's directorial debut, a romantic mystery about a one woman's emotional journey to uncover the secret of a past love. Theron plays Sylvia, a beautiful restaurant manager whose cool demeanor masks the sexually charged storm within. When a stranger confronts her with her mysterious past, Sylvia is launched into a journey through space and time that inextricably connects her to three disparate characters, all grappling with their own romantic destinies. Basinger stars as the housewife whose affair puts them all on a collision course with the explosive power of forbidden love.
Che: Part OneStephen Soderbergh, USA/SpainNorth American PremiereOn November 26, 1956, Fidel Castro sails to Cuba with eighty rebels. One of those rebels is Ernesto "Che" Guevara, an Argentine doctor who shares a common goal with Fidel Castro – to overthrow the corrupt dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Che proves indispensable as a fighter, and quickly grasps the art of guerrilla warfare. As he throws himself into the struggle, Che is embraced by his comrades and the Cuban people. Che: Part One tracks Che's rise in the Cuban Revolution, from doctor to commander to revolutionary hero.
Che: Part TwoStephen Soderbergh, USA/SpainNorth American PremiereAfter the Cuban Revolution, Che is at the height of his fame and power. Then he disappears, re-emerging incognito in Bolivia, where he organizes a small group of Cuban comrades and Bolivian recruits to start the great Latin American Revolution. The story of the Bolivian campaign is a tale of tenacity, sacrifice and idealism, and of guerrilla warfare that ultimately fails, bringing Che to his death. Che: Part Two explores how Che remains a symbol of idealism and heroism that lives in the hearts of people around the world.
Inju, la bête dans l'ombreBarbet Schroeder, FranceNorth American PremiereBarbet Schroeder directs this thriller starring Benoît Magimel (La Pianiste) as Fayard, a successful crime novelist. Invited to Japan for the release of his latest book, he encounters Tamao, a geisha who confides to him that one of her former lovers is threatening to kill her. This former lover may well be Shundei Oe, a novelist known for his extremely violent and disturbing books, and whose work Alex has studied extensively. Agreeing to help Tamao, Alex finds himself pitted against a man bent on vengeance and before long, his business trip becomes a bloody quest in which fiction becomes indistinguishable from reality.
Synecdoche, New YorkCharlie Kaufman, USANorth American PremiereWorried about the transience of his life, theatre director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman) leaves his home behind and sets out to construct a massive artistic enterprise. Gathering an ensemble cast into a warehouse in New York City, he hopes to create a work of brutal honesty. He directs them in a celebration of the mundane, instructing each to live out their constructed lives in a growing mockup of the city outside. The years rapidly fold into each other, and Caden buries himself deeper into his masterpiece but the textured tangle of real and theatrical relationships blurs the line between the world of the play and that of Caden's own deteriorating reality. Synecdoche also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Catherine Keener, Dianne Wiest, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Emily Watson and Hope Davis.
The WrestlerDarren Aronofsky, USANorth American PremiereBack in the late '80s, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of die-hard wrestling fans in high-school gyms and community centres. Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans; but when he suffers a heart attack after a match, he is forced into retirement. He begins to evaluate the state of his life but the allure of the spotlight and the passion for his sport threatens to pull him back inside the ring. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain, TIFF 2006), The Wrestler also stars Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Judah Friedlander and the Necro Butcher.
More than one option
(Film) The Fountain
2006 - Hugh Jackman, Darren Aronofsky
(Film) The Fountain
Janna Kerimtayeva, Yuri Mamin
Flash of GeniusMarc Abraham, USACanadian PremiereBased on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns' (Greg Kinnear) long battle with the American automobile industry, Flash of Genius tells the tale of one man whose fight to receive recognition for his ingenuity would come at a heavy price. But this determined engineer refused to be silenced, and he took on the corporate titans in a battle that nobody thought he could win. And while paying the toll for refusing to compromise his dignity, this everyday David tried the unthinkable: to bring Goliath to his knees. Flash of Genius also stars Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney and Alan Alda.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Full NY Film Fest Line Up
NYFF '08 line up with descriptions provided by the Film Society of Lincoln Center:
Opening Night"The Class" (Entre les murs)Laurent Cantet, France, 2008; 128mA tough, lively and altogether revelatory look inside a high school classroom, enacted by real teachers and students.
Centerpiece"Changeling"Clint Eastwood, USA, 2008; 140mAngelina Jolie is a single mother whose troubles are just beginning when her son goes missing in Clint Eastwood's majestic fact-based period drama.
Closing Night"The Wrestler"Darren Aronofsky, USA, 2008; 109mMickey Rourke gives the performance of a lifetime in Darren Aronofsky's raw and raucous new movie.
"24 City" (Er shi si cheng ji)Jia Zhangke, China/Hong Kong/Japan, 2008; 112mThe rise and fall of a Chinese factory town is chronicled in this film, straddling the border between fiction and documentary.
"Afterschool"Antonio Campos, USA, 2008; 122mWhen two students at a posh prep school accidentally overdose, a student filmmaker struggles to create an appropriate tribute for them.
"Ashes of Time Redux"Wong Kar Wai, Hong Kong, 2008; 93mThe final, definitive version of Wong Kar Wai's modernist take on the classic Chinese martial arts tale.
"Bullet in the Head" (Trio en la cabeza)Jaime Rosales, Spain/France, 2008; 85mA powerful, engrossing meditation on politics and the contemporary cult of surveillance.
Benicio Del Toro in a scene from Steven Soderbergh's "Che." Image courtesy of the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
"Che"Steven Soderbergh, France/Spain, 2008; 268mSteven Soderbergh's two-part Spanish-language epic about Che Guevara's revolutionary military campaigns in Cuba and Bolivia features a brilliant lead performance by Benicio del Toro.
"Chouga" (Shuga)Darezhan Omirbaev, France/Kazakhstan, 2007; 91mA Kazakh, minimalist adaptation of Anna Karenina.
"A Christmas Tale" (Un conte de Noel)Arnaud Desplechin, France, 2008; 150mArnaud Desplechin's grand banquet of a movie brims with life, as Catherine Deneuve, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Devos and the other members of a marvelous ensemble cast come home for Christmas.
"Four Nights with Anna" (Cztery noce z Anna)Jerzy Skolimowski, Poland/France, 2008; 87mThis visually mesmerizing tale of a shy man and his obsession with the woman across the way marks the triumphant return of Polish maestro Jerzy Skolimowski.
"Gomorrah" (Gomorra)Matteo Garrone, Italy, 2008; 137mA blistering version of Roberto Saviano's modern true crime classic about the modern-day Neapolitan mafia.
"Happy-Go-Lucky"Mike Leigh, UK, 2008; 118mAn affectionate portrait of an unattached, 30-something London schoolteacher coming to terms with the fact that she's no longer young.
"The Headless Woman" (La mujer sin cabeza)Lucrecia Martel, Argentina/France/Italy/Spain, 2008; 87mArgentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel's powerful third feature takes us into an altered perceptual state with a woman who hits something with her car.
"Hunger"Steve McQueen, UK, 2008; 96mBritish visual artist Steve McQueen's feature film debut is an uncompromising look at the hunger strike led by IRA prisoner Bobby Sands in 1974.
"I'm Going to Explode" (Voy a explotar)Gerardo Naranjo, Mexico, 2008; 103mTwo Mexican teenagers go into hiding to see the reactions their disappearance will get from relatives and friends.
"Let It Rain" (Parlez-moi de la pluie)Agnes Jaoui, France, 2008; 110mA portrait of a rising feminist politician may be the ticket to fame and jobs for two aspiring filmmakers.
Opening Night"The Class" (Entre les murs)Laurent Cantet, France, 2008; 128mA tough, lively and altogether revelatory look inside a high school classroom, enacted by real teachers and students.
Centerpiece"Changeling"Clint Eastwood, USA, 2008; 140mAngelina Jolie is a single mother whose troubles are just beginning when her son goes missing in Clint Eastwood's majestic fact-based period drama.
Closing Night"The Wrestler"Darren Aronofsky, USA, 2008; 109mMickey Rourke gives the performance of a lifetime in Darren Aronofsky's raw and raucous new movie.
"24 City" (Er shi si cheng ji)Jia Zhangke, China/Hong Kong/Japan, 2008; 112mThe rise and fall of a Chinese factory town is chronicled in this film, straddling the border between fiction and documentary.
"Afterschool"Antonio Campos, USA, 2008; 122mWhen two students at a posh prep school accidentally overdose, a student filmmaker struggles to create an appropriate tribute for them.
"Ashes of Time Redux"Wong Kar Wai, Hong Kong, 2008; 93mThe final, definitive version of Wong Kar Wai's modernist take on the classic Chinese martial arts tale.
"Bullet in the Head" (Trio en la cabeza)Jaime Rosales, Spain/France, 2008; 85mA powerful, engrossing meditation on politics and the contemporary cult of surveillance.
Benicio Del Toro in a scene from Steven Soderbergh's "Che." Image courtesy of the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
"Che"Steven Soderbergh, France/Spain, 2008; 268mSteven Soderbergh's two-part Spanish-language epic about Che Guevara's revolutionary military campaigns in Cuba and Bolivia features a brilliant lead performance by Benicio del Toro.
"Chouga" (Shuga)Darezhan Omirbaev, France/Kazakhstan, 2007; 91mA Kazakh, minimalist adaptation of Anna Karenina.
"A Christmas Tale" (Un conte de Noel)Arnaud Desplechin, France, 2008; 150mArnaud Desplechin's grand banquet of a movie brims with life, as Catherine Deneuve, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Devos and the other members of a marvelous ensemble cast come home for Christmas.
"Four Nights with Anna" (Cztery noce z Anna)Jerzy Skolimowski, Poland/France, 2008; 87mThis visually mesmerizing tale of a shy man and his obsession with the woman across the way marks the triumphant return of Polish maestro Jerzy Skolimowski.
"Gomorrah" (Gomorra)Matteo Garrone, Italy, 2008; 137mA blistering version of Roberto Saviano's modern true crime classic about the modern-day Neapolitan mafia.
"Happy-Go-Lucky"Mike Leigh, UK, 2008; 118mAn affectionate portrait of an unattached, 30-something London schoolteacher coming to terms with the fact that she's no longer young.
"The Headless Woman" (La mujer sin cabeza)Lucrecia Martel, Argentina/France/Italy/Spain, 2008; 87mArgentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel's powerful third feature takes us into an altered perceptual state with a woman who hits something with her car.
"Hunger"Steve McQueen, UK, 2008; 96mBritish visual artist Steve McQueen's feature film debut is an uncompromising look at the hunger strike led by IRA prisoner Bobby Sands in 1974.
"I'm Going to Explode" (Voy a explotar)Gerardo Naranjo, Mexico, 2008; 103mTwo Mexican teenagers go into hiding to see the reactions their disappearance will get from relatives and friends.
"Let It Rain" (Parlez-moi de la pluie)Agnes Jaoui, France, 2008; 110mA portrait of a rising feminist politician may be the ticket to fame and jobs for two aspiring filmmakers.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
R.I.P Bernie Mac
Im shocked, especially since the newspaper I picked up this morning reported that his death was a rumor blown out of preportion. Than I log on to the internet and find it flooded with news of his death. 2008 may go down in history as one of the worst years of Hollywood fatalities ever. All I can say right now is that Bernie will be sorely missed. I'll never forget how he made me and most of my freinds laugh. The world just got a little less funny.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Morgan Freeman, 71 Injured In Rollover Accident
Morgan Freeman, 71, was injured in a rollover car accident sometime last night, but thankfully he only broke a few ribs and no serious damage was done. He was seen aware and talking to police after the incident. I don't know about you readers, but for myself 2008 has been a downer of year, with Sydney Pollack, Anthony Minghella and Heath Ledger dying, and Paul Newman on the ropes. Thank god we didn't lose the great Morgan Freeman yesterday, as he has a good 20-30 years and some potentially great projects on the way.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Tom O'Neil dukes it out with Ryan Adams
Well it seems that Tom O'Neil may be declaring war on Ryan Adams and Awards Daily over Ryan writing an article in response to Tom O'Neil's response to the response of an article written by Tom O'Neil about possible future oscar nominee Melissa Leo's having a temper tantrum, even though it seems that in reality there was no tantrum to speak of.
Well, all I have to say is that The Gold Derby and Awards Daily will be getting alot more traffic than The Oscar Hut !, and i'm not having that . So Im tossing my hat into the ring: "Tom, your an assclown. Ryan, keep on keepin amigo, dont let some fake prognosticator get you down. I mean seriously Jeff Wells is cooler than this guy, and so is david Poland while I'm at it."
Tyler j. Pratt
"The Oscar Hut !"
The Oscars From The Outside In Vol. 3: Original Song and Score
This year, many of the most critically respected and lauded compoers are having their projects released, some with as many as two or three scores ex.) Thomas Newman, Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, leading to one of the most competitive years for original scores so far this decade. While we probably wont hear a visionary score as good as Johnny Greenwood's for There Will be Blood, there is no doubt in my mind that this year's winner will be an amazing original work. As far as song goes, there is very little to predict as there is..well..very little to predict from. So here now my top 10 for Song and score.
Best Original Score
1. Wall-E by Thomas Newman
2. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull by John Williams
3. Australia by David Hirschfelder
4. Revolutionary Road by Thomas Newman
5. Defiance by James Newton Howard
6. The Dark Knight by James Newton Howard & Hans Zimmer
7. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by Alexandre Desplat
8. The Soloist by Dario Marinelli
9. The Road by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
10. The Changeling by Clint Eastwood
Thomas Newman has double the chances of a nod this year for his sure to be one-two punch of Wall-E and Revolutionary Road, while John Williams ,who has never missed the cut with an Indy film, is looking for nomination # 46 this year to land himself with the second most Oscar nods ever right behind Walt Disney with 59 tips of the hat. James Newton Howard and David Hirschfelder round ot the top 5 with Defiance and Australia respectively, but look out for The Dark Knight's amazing score from the tag team of Howard and Hans Zimmer which may or may not qualify under the Academy's rules.
Best Song 
Seeing as this category never really rounds out until near January, I'll just present the few original songs I know of.
1. "Down To Earth"- Wall-E by Thomas Newman and Peter Gabriel
2. "Pineapple Express"-Pineapple Express by Huey Lewis and The News
3. "Call To The Wild"(?)- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by Regina Spector(?)
Once again we'll have no clue of the nominees until next year, but I think it's safe to call Wall-E's song a lock and the Pineapple express theme song by Huey Louis is enjoyable enough but I doubt it'll catch Oscar's fancy much like last year's great "Walk Hard".
Friday, August 1, 2008
Great One Sheets 2008 # 4 : Doubt
The poster is great and I think it is obviously is aiming more towards Oscar material than general entertainment. This may be the dark horse candidate for Best Picture this year, though I still remain Doubtful (pun intended)
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