Cinematical http://www.cinematical.com Cinematical http://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gif Cinematical http://www.cinematical.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Oxford Film Fest: Voices 'Ole' and Newhttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/oxford-film-fest-voices-ole-and-new/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/oxford-film-fest-voices-ole-and-new/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/oxford-film-fest-voices-ole-and-new/#comments
According to a detailed manifesto on its website, the Oxford Film Festival began in 2003 "as a project of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council... committed to celebrating the art of independent cinema." What the festival actually is, however, is so much more: a four-day celebration where filmmakers, industry professionals, critics, and cinephiles gather together, get to know one another, and share in a community's collective appreciation for film in all of its forms. Cozily entrenched in the businesses and residences of Oxford, Mississippi, the town that the picturesque college Ole Miss calls home, OFF is a modest, maturing sibling of mainstay festivals like Sundance and South By Southwest whose smalltown charm bypasses superficial spectacle in favor of more substantial rewards.

The festival runs four days and features more than 80 different offerings, including narrative features, documentaries, short films, animated works, and experimental projects. I was enlisted at the last minute to serve as a member of OFF's documentary jury, so I was unfortunately unable to attend the Opening Night screening of director Joshua Goldin's Wonderful World, but took a break from some 20 hours of verite filmmaking to attend a party at Oxford's Southside Gallery. In attendance were several of the filmmakers who brought their movies to the fest, as well as an array of other participants and locals without whose presence the festival simply wouldn't have its singularly intimate feel.

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Continue reading Oxford Film Fest: Voices 'Ole' and New

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>a quiet little marriageAQuietLittleMarriagebicycle laneBicycleLanecarried awayCarriedAwaydivefor the love of moviesForTheLoveOfMoviesmississippi queenMississippiQueennaturally obsessed: the making of a scientistNaturallyObsessed:TheMakingOfAScientistOFFoxford film festivalOxfordFilmFestivalplaygroundstreets of plentyStreetsOfPlentythe last survivorthe mountainthe river and the roadThe ScenestersTheLastSurvivorTheMountainTheScenesterswheedles grooveWheedlesGroovewonderful worldWonderfulWorldTodd GilchristTue, 09 Feb 2010 12:55:00 ESTDiscuss: Movie Date Disastershttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/discuss-movie-date-disasters/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/discuss-movie-date-disasters/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/discuss-movie-date-disasters/#commentsThere are varying schools of thought on the movie date. Some think it seems silly to try and get to know someone in the dark of a movie theater -- I mean, get to know each other's personalities, you frisky whippets! I tend to agree with this when it comes to more formal first dates, but I think seeing a movie with someone you have already been on one or two dates with can be a good way to feel out the other person's taste, sense of humor, and temperament. And I definitely agree with Christopher Campbell that going to a movie with your steady is an awesome thing indeed.

If going out to see Cannibal Holocaust at midnight is your dream date and you've found a guy or gal who's just as jazzed as you (or wants to hang out with you enough that s/he's willing to peek through their fingers when necessary), my magic eight ball says there could be a love connection there. But what if the other person, who before your movie date seemed pretty awesome, texts the whole time or gets shouty with nearby teens who won't stop talking or otherwise behaves in a way that makes you embarrassed to be seen with him/her? (Personal tolerance of other's behavior in public may vary. Also, similarly indicative behavior in other settings includes being rude to waiters, hocking loogies in public, drunken sobbing, etc.) Being stuck for two hours next to a person whose behavior makes you wanna crawl up your own you-know-what is a terrible way to spend the evening.

Filed under:

Continue reading Discuss: Movie Date Disasters

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>movie date disastersMovieDateDisastersvalentines dayValentinesDayJenni MillerTue, 09 Feb 2010 12:20:00 ESTSpin-ematical: New on DVD and Blu-ray for 2/9http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-and-blu-ray-for-2-9/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-and-blu-ray-for-2-9/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-and-blu-ray-for-2-9/#commentsCinematical's Spin-ematical: New on DVD and Blu-ray for 2/9

A Serious Man
Coen Brothers. Academy Award-nominated. Need more? "The culmination of their lives, reminiscent both of their own suburban childhoods in the '60s, and of their cinematic successes over the last twenty-five years." Michael Stuhbarg stars as "a man utterly at a loss to explain his life's severe turn for the worse; he is a man desperate for answers." (Monika Bartyzel, Cinematical.) Buy it.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

Couples Retreat
Shameless it may be, but "you end up laughing more than expected," I wrote in my review. Vince Vaughan, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell and Kali Hawk star. The comedy is broad and silly, but harsher truths occasionally emerge. Rent it.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

The Time Traveler's Wife
Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams star in an adaptation of the novel by Audrey Niffenegger. "Adds up to a mildly successful time-passer, though one too concerned with trying to target its audience rather than with trying to figure out where it's actually coming from." (Jeffrey M. Anderson, Cinematical.) Rent it.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

The Stepfather
"The most intense Lifetime Channel Original Movie that the Lifetime Channel never made. ... [It] just isn't enough." (Peter Hall, Horror Squad.) Skip it.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

Also out: Serious Moonlight, Free Style, Emma, Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic.

After the jump: Indies on DVD, library titles on Blu-ray, and Collector's Corner!

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Continue reading Spin-ematical: New on DVD and Blu-ray for 2/9

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>a serious manASeriousManbad girls of film noirBadGirlsOfFilmNoirblu-raybronsoncollectors cornerCollectorsCornercouples retreatCouplesRetreatdarefeaturedindies on dvdIndiesOnDvdnew on dvd and blu-rayNewOnDvdAndBlu-raypeter and vandyPeterAndVandyspin-ematicalthe pleasure of being robbedthe stepfatherthe time travelers wifeThePleasureOfBeingRobbedTheStepfatherTheTimeTravelersWifePeter MartinTue, 09 Feb 2010 11:35:00 ESTWatch This: Brilliant Oscar-Nominated Short 'Logorama'http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/watch-this-brilliant-oscar-nominated-short-logorama/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/watch-this-brilliant-oscar-nominated-short-logorama/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/watch-this-brilliant-oscar-nominated-short-logorama/#comments

I was glad I opted to watch the opening night shorts program at this year's Sundance Film Festival because it was packed with four fantastic short films. One of those (arguably the favorite of the bunch) was an animated film called Logorama, written and directed by the French duo of François Alaux and Herve de Crecy. Now nominated for a Best Animated Short Oscar, Logorama takes place in a world full of corporate and brand logos (in which roughly 2,500 appear), and it follows a few different stories that all intertwine with one another. Honestly, it's bloody brilliant, and I guarantee it'll be the best thing you watch all week.

At Sundance, a bunch of us wondered how these guys could get away with making something like this without facing hundreds of lawsuits, and then we wondered whether legal matters would ever stop it from existing in some form online. Perhaps someone with a law background could chime in here, but in the meantime you simply must head after the jump to watch this film. My favorite part is the Joker-esque Ronald McDonald, but it's also the tiniest details that truly make this film a work of art. You may normally not pay attention to the short film categories at the Oscars (partly because they're not as widely distributed as the feature films), but after watching Logorama I think you'll be rooting for it come March 7th.

Check it out after the jump and let us know what you think.

Filed under: , ,

Continue reading Watch This: Brilliant Oscar-Nominated Short 'Logorama'

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>academy awardsAcademyAwardscinematicalfeaturedlogoramasundance10watch logoramaWatchLogoramaErik DavisTue, 09 Feb 2010 10:50:00 ESTChris Nolan to Lead 'Superman' Reboot!?http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/chris-nolan-to-lead-superman-reboot/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/chris-nolan-to-lead-superman-reboot/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/chris-nolan-to-lead-superman-reboot/#comments

It's a bird, it's a plane ... it's Warner Bros. asking Christopher Nolan to pretty please resurrect their Superman franchise and do something cool with it! According to Deadline Hollywood, Nolan has been asked to come in and sort of "mentor" the next Superman movie, and it won't be a sequel to Superman Returns, but instead the beginning of a brand new franchise. Furthermore, DH says Nolan probably won't direct -- especially since David Goyer, Jonah Nolan and Chris Nolan are all busy planning and writing the next Batman installment as we speak -- so what will he do, exactly, when it comes to the new Superman? That's not clear yet, and DH stresses that the film is still in its real early stages of development (ahem, I think they're bringing him in to lay the groundwork for a Justice League movie, but we'll see ...)

Still, knowing Nolan is somehow involved in the rebirth of Superman should at the very least breathe some excited life into a franchise that a lot of folks have kinda lost faith in because, let's face it, the fans feel Warner Bros. had lost faith in it, too. One insider told DH, "We know what we don't want to do. But we don't know what we want to do. We learned a lot from the last movie, and we want to get it right this time." Obviously Nolan has success in rebooting a DC Comics franchise, as evidenced by the work he's done with Batman. But Superman is a different beast all together, and one imagines they'll start with trying to ground the franchise a bit more with a freakier set of villains and perhaps a more relatable, down-to-earth storyline. Not that we need Clark Kent making MySpace references for 120 minutes, but I could see them focusing more on the burden Superman is carrying -- that "weight of the world" angle -- and less on his little romance with Lois Lane.

What do you think? What would you like to see them do with the new Superman?

Filed under: , , , , ,

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>christopher nolanChristopherNolancinematicaldc comicsDcComicsfeaturedsupermansuperman rebootSupermanRebootwarner brothersWarnerBrothersErik DavisTue, 09 Feb 2010 10:18:00 ESTTim Robbins Joins 'The Green Lantern'http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/tim-robbins-joins-the-green-lantern/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/tim-robbins-joins-the-green-lantern/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/tim-robbins-joins-the-green-lantern/#commentsAs you may have realized by now, the main villain of The Green Lantern isn't going to be Sinestro, but will be Peter Sarsgaard's Dr. Hector Hammond. Sinestro will be there, lurking in the wings, but it's all about Hammond and his big, bad, psychic powers this time around. But like all bad boys, Hammond has turned to the dark side because of deep seated issues in his childhood. So, you need a father figure to menace our poor doctor, and THR's Heat Vision reports that Tim Robbins has volunteered for the job.

Robbins will play Senator Hammond, the disapproving father of Hector. Despite that Hector has become a brilliant pathologist, the Senator remains unimpressed. Presumably, the senator would rather his son follow him into politics, and reap the benefits of wealth, power, money, and women. When Hector stumbles upon a meteor that gives him overwhelming psychic powers, I'm guessing Daddy Dearest becomes enemy #1. The Senator's going to live to regret never playing catch with his son.

Sarsgaard and Robbins should play very well off each other. Both of them excel at playing despicable people. It might be more fun watching them go at each other than seeing the eventual showdown between Hal Jordan and Dr. Hammond. Therein lies the danger of a great cast filling out those supporting roles!



Filed under: , , , , ,

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>DC ComicsDC StudiosDcComicsDcStudiosDr. Hector HammondDr.HectorHammondfeaturedpeter sarsgaardPeterSarsgaardRyan ReynoldsRyanReynoldsSenator HammondSenatorHammondThe Green LanternTheGreenLanternTim RobbinsTimRobbinsWarner BrosWarnerBrosElisabeth RappeTue, 09 Feb 2010 09:45:00 EST'Terminator' Rights Sell, But Not To A Studiohttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/terminator-rights-sell-but-not-to-a-studio/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/terminator-rights-sell-but-not-to-a-studio/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/09/terminator-rights-sell-but-not-to-a-studio/#commentsEveryone has been mildly interested to see who would win the Terminator franchise rights after Halcyon Holding Corp. went into bankruptcy. (Come on, we all wanted Joss Whedon to get it.) Last we knew, Lionsgate was the leading contender to win the rights to making more chronicles of John Connor. But according to Deadline Hollywood Daily, the bidding has ended, and the winner? Pacificor, the Santa Barbara hedge fund that had loaned Halcyon the money to buy Terminator in the first place. Halcyon failed in their loan payments, forcing Pacificor to come after them, which they tried to head off by filing their own lawsuit. But now the slate has apparently been wiped clean to the tune of $29 million dollars.

Sony and Lionsgate did place bids, and even united to bid together once the first round was over. But both dropped out at $29.5 million when it became clear that Pacificor was willing to pay any amount necessary to win the Terminator rights. Reportedly, Sony's Peter Schlessel was "furious" at how the auction went down and stormed out of the building. Was that because he really, really wanted Sony to have Terminator? Was he just mad that he wasted his evening? Or is everyone as weirded out by the shadowy business practices as we on the outside are?

The sale must be approved by bankruptcy court, so there could still be another chapter to the sad saga. What Pacificor plans to do with the franchise is anyone's guess, but I suspect that Terminator will be something so tied up in legal red tape and rights that we won't see another film for a long, long time.

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>halcyonHalcyon CompanyHalcyonCompanyjoss whedonJossWhedonLionsgatePacificorPeter SchlesselPeterSchlesselSony PicturesSonyPicturesSummit EntertainmentSummitEntertainmentterminatorTerminator legal woesterminator salvationTerminatorLegalWoesTerminatorSalvationElisabeth RappeTue, 09 Feb 2010 09:03:00 ESTMy Movie Crush: Michael Treanor in '3 Ninjas'http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/my-movie-crush-michael-treanor-in-3-ninjas/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/my-movie-crush-michael-treanor-in-3-ninjas/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/my-movie-crush-michael-treanor-in-3-ninjas/#comments

This is the first entry in a new column reminiscing on my adolescent movie crushes, in which I explore my memories of the objects of my obsession. Join me.

Sometime in the early '90s, my young adolescent existence went from nerdy and tomboyish to boy-crazy, nerdy and tomboyish. Once it happened, I started noticing cute boys everywhere and I found that my girl friends did, too. We would have sleepovers and hang outs and talk for hours about the objects of our obsessions, pick which ones were our favorites (making sure to choose diplomatically, in case two girls picked the Justins and nobody picked the Lances), and replay particularly swoon-worthy scenes in our heads (i.e. "Remember that time Jonathan pretended to be a girl to get on the soccer team!?"). Only these boys weren't the cootie-carrying classmates we went to school with; they were the dreamy, pretty, charismatic nice boys the likes of which could only be found in fantasy land. These were our movie crushes.

To kick-off this new column celebrating our collective childhood movie crushes, I'm taking it back to the first onscreen boy that ever made my heart beat with (innocent!) romantic palpitations. (Check out Jessica Barnes' Michael Biehn post for a much more respectably nerdy first crush.) The year was 1992, his name was Michael Treanor, and he was one of the young stars of a major motion picture that had girls the world over swooning while simultaneously asking their parents to sign up for karate lessons: 3 Ninjas.

Filed under: , ,

Continue reading My Movie Crush: Michael Treanor in '3 Ninjas'

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>19923 Ninjas3 Ninjas High Noon at Mega Mountain3 Ninjas Kick Back3 Ninjas Knuckle Up3NinjasKickBackChad PowerChadPowerColtJon TurteltaubJonTurteltaubKate SargeantKateSargeantMax Elliott SladeMaxElliottSladeMichael TreanorMy Movie CrushMyMovieCrushRockyTum-TumVictor WongVictorWongJen YamatoMon, 08 Feb 2010 22:15:00 ESTInterview: Pierce Brosnan on Polanski, Percy, and R-Patzhttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/pierce-brosnan-on-polanski-percy-and-r-patz/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/pierce-brosnan-on-polanski-percy-and-r-patz/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/pierce-brosnan-on-polanski-percy-and-r-patz/#comments

February is about to get really interesting for Pierce Brosnan. A mere week after his debut as a self-proclaimed "horse's ass" (aka Chiron) in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief on February 12, a much smaller and much more controversial thriller he's in will be hitting art house screens in New York and Los Angeles. Brosnan is one of the heavy-hitting stars in Roman Polanski's The Ghost Writer, the movie Polanski was doing post-production on when he was arrested in Switzerland on an outstanding warrant from 1978, when he fled the US before being sentenced for having sex with a minor. (Polanski finished the film while under house arrest.) Pierce Brosnan, who plays ex-Prime Minister Adam Lang, is part of an impressive ensemble; Olivia Williams is Lang's intensely intelligent wife Ruth, while Ewan McGregor is the titular writer who reluctantly signs on to help Lang with his memoirs after the first writer turns up dead.

Brosnan spoke to Cinematical about working with the legendary figure on The Ghost Writer, as well as Percy Jackson, dealing with Robert Pattinson's screaming fans on the set of Remember Me, and much more.

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Continue reading Interview: Pierce Brosnan on Polanski, Percy, and R-Patz

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>carey mulliganCareyMulliganEwan McGregorEwanMcgregorolivia williamsOliviaWilliamspercy jackson and the olympians: the lightning thiefPercyJacksonAndTheOlympians:TheLightningThiefpierce brosnanPierceBrosnanremember meRememberMerobert pattinsonRobertPattinsonroman polanskiRomanPolanskiSummit EntertainmentSummitEntertainmentsusan sarandonSusanSarandonthe ghostthe ghost writerthe greatestTheGhostTheGhostWriterTheGreatestJenni MillerMon, 08 Feb 2010 21:32:00 ESTGirls on Film: Romance is a Dirty Wordhttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/girls-on-film-romance-is-a-dirty-word/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/girls-on-film-romance-is-a-dirty-word/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/girls-on-film-romance-is-a-dirty-word/#comments

Beware the arrows this week; we're just six sleeps away from Valentine's Day, that time of year when Cupid's bow sprays the populace with love bug-laced arrows. Or, more accurately, that time of year when jeweler's make you feel like a stingy fool if you don't spend your life savings on diamonds, when rose prices skyrocket, and every business preys on those who itch for a little of that dirty word called "romance."

Some may lead you to believe that it is the practice of romance that is a dirty, woman-centric desire on the big screen, but let's face it, folks -- we all love a little love. Boys, girls, men, and women. It's in almost all of our films, and is the basis of most of our favorite stories, from straight-forward romantic comedy and drama to action, sci-fi, and every other genre out there.

The menace seems to be in the word. Merely uttering romance breeds slights like "chick flick" and "crap," and inspires many a moviegoer to place one foot outside the door. But it's the 21st century, and it's time for a little evolution.

Filed under: ,

Continue reading Girls on Film: Romance is a Dirty Word

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>avatarchick flicksChickFlicksCinematicalGirls on FilmGirlsOnFilmguy flicksGuyFlicksromanceromance on filmRomanceOnFilmWhat is romanceWhatIsRomanceMonika BartyzelMon, 08 Feb 2010 20:45:00 ESTHappy Belated Birthday, James Spaderhttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/happy-belated-birthday-james-spader/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/happy-belated-birthday-james-spader/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/happy-belated-birthday-james-spader/#commentsWhile all thoughts were swarming towards Superbowl showdowns and commercials, the lovely and venerable James Spader celebrated his 50th birthday. I'll let that sink in for a moment. 50 years... Half a century. To the younger folks that might not seem like such a shocker, Spader being nothing more than that overly talky, whisky-drinking dude from Boston Legal, who got particularly kinky with Maggie Gyllenhaal not too long ago. But to those whose first forays into cinema included the likes of Pretty in Pink, Mannequin, Less Than Zero, Wall Street, and Sex, Lies, and Videotape, it's a pretty big thing to wrap your head around.

What might be most impressive or surprising, more so than Spader's age, is that he is such an absolute and quintessential part of '80s Hollywood for only a very small handful of films. There are many men and women who graced the screen over and over during that decade, but it took exactly one role to make him famous: Steff in Pretty in Pink -- rich, suit-wearing, and holding enough charming sleaze to fill a football stadium. He ruled the high-school-jerk legions, and even if you weren't a fan of John Hughes' Molly Ringwald world, you knew about Spader's sleazy slick nature.

Filed under: ,

Continue reading Happy Belated Birthday, James Spader

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>birthdayCinematicalJames SpaderJamesSpaderMonika BartyzelMon, 08 Feb 2010 20:02:00 ESTPitch of the Day: 'My Way: Killer Karaoke'http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/pitch-of-the-day-my-way-killer-karaoke/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/pitch-of-the-day-my-way-killer-karaoke/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/pitch-of-the-day-my-way-killer-karaoke/#commentsI know some people who are crazy for karaoke, but I can't imagine any of them going homicidal over the pastime. Not like the half-dozen or more people in the Philippines who've murdered fellow singers as part of a decade-long crime trend dubbed the "My Way Killings." A popular New York Times article reports on the killings, which are based around the controversy of a single song, Paul Anka/Frank Sinatra's "My Way," and now I'd love to be exposed more to this world of machismo-based karaoke. So moviemakers, get to work on...

My Way: Killer Karaoke

The title/subtitle combo fits best with a documentary, and really the story would best be told in the non-fiction format. I guess I wouldn't mind a minimal, realist Filipino drama, particularly one directed by Brillante Mendoza (Serbis; Kinatay). Yet for the full details, including the history of the crimes and responses from all kinds of Filipinos, from police to men who fight over karaoke to outsider perspectives, I think a doc is the best method.

Filed under: ,

Continue reading Pitch of the Day: 'My Way: Killer Karaoke'

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brillante mendozaBrillanteMendozacoldplayfilipino cinemaFilipinoCinemafrank sinatraFrankSinatrajohn denverJohnDenverkaraokephilippinespitch of the dayPitchOfTheDayChristopher CampbellMon, 08 Feb 2010 19:15:00 ESTFree Flick of the Day: Thunderbolt and Lightfoothttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/free-flick-of-the-day-thunderbolt-and-lightfoot/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/free-flick-of-the-day-thunderbolt-and-lightfoot/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/free-flick-of-the-day-thunderbolt-and-lightfoot/#commentsIn honor of Jeff Bridges' Oscar nomination for Crazy Heart, I was going to write up a favorite scene from one of his first nominations, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. But thanks to SlashControl, I've got something even better -- the entire movie! Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is currently available, and I'm thrilled for us all.

Don't let Michael Cimino's name fool you. Thunderbolt is one of the funniest slices of 1970s cinema you will ever come across. It really doesn't get any better (or sexier) than Bridges and Clint Eastwood in one movie, but throw George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis into the mix and you have a classic that needs to be dusted off and rediscovered. It's best enjoyed cold, but if I promise you unlucky redheads, awkward sex, bromance, leather pants, crossdressing, car chases, rabbits, nudity, and a young Gary Busey, can you resist? Not if you're a film fan.

The DVD is currently out of print in the U.S. (you can get it in the UK for some odd reason), so this is the easiest and cheapest way to watch it unless you have a local theater that regularly airs out this classic. I keep hoping that enough online clamor will cause it to be re-released properly. Until then, you can watch it right here. It'll make your week. I promise.

Filed under: , , ,

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>clint eastwoodClintEastwoodFree Flick of the DayFreeFlickOfTheDayGeoffrey LewisGeoffreyLewisgeorge kennedyGeorgeKennedyJeff BridgesJeffBridgesmichael ciminoMichaelCiminoslashcontrolthunderbolt and lightfootThunderboltAndLightfootElisabeth RappeMon, 08 Feb 2010 18:45:00 ESTFirst Look at Megan Fox and Mickey Rourke in 'Passion Play'http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/first-look-at-megan-fox-and-mickey-rourke-in-passion-play/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/first-look-at-megan-fox-and-mickey-rourke-in-passion-play/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/first-look-at-megan-fox-and-mickey-rourke-in-passion-play/#comments

It's either this year's The Wrestler, or the film equivalent of that nasty drunk at the bar who's just slowly making the biggest ass of himself with each passing minute. In the works for 10 years now, Mitch Glazer's Passion Play has just wrapped production and star Mickey Rourke sat down for a brief chat with Entertainment Weekly in which, among other things, he calls Megan Fox "probably the best young actress I've ever worked with" and at the same time bashes one or both of his Wrestler co-stars by saying "there wasn't much chemistry there." Oh Mickey, what will you say next?

In Passion Play, Rourke plays a down-and-out trumpet player who looks to a young winged angel for redemption in 1950s Los Angeles. On Fox's character, Rourke notes, "She has wings, so she was sort of an oddity trapped in a carnival act. She's been a prisoner her whole life, and she has no understanding of trust. She's very vulnerable and delicate." It's not hard to see similarities with Rourke's character in The Wrestler, but he tries to distance himself from that film and its story (in an odd way) by criticizing the lack of chemistry on set and then noting: "As far as the redemption is concerned, it's almost fate. It's not so much that my character is seeking redemption, it's almost like it falls in my lap by accident. And I try and hold on to it as much as I can."

Check out the rest over at EW. Passion Play will most likely debut at some point in 2010.

Filed under: , , ,

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>cinematicalmegan foxMeganFoxmickey rourkeMickeyRourkepassion playpassion play movie photosPassionPlayPassionPlayMoviePhotosErik DavisMon, 08 Feb 2010 18:15:00 EST'Days of Thunder' Isn't Being Remadehttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/days-of-thunder-isnt-being-remade/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/days-of-thunder-isnt-being-remade/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/days-of-thunder-isnt-being-remade/#commentsIt wasn't a huge hit. It didn't receive good reviews. And it's not really considered a classic by any measure. But Days of Thunder has its fans, and those people would be really pissed if Paramount decided to remake their beloved NASCAR movie. That's why it's surprising that the studio is not following with the traditional Hollywood procedure of redoing, rebooting or otherwise diminishing the original. Instead, according to Variety, Paramount is celebrating Days of Thunder on its 20th anniversary.

No, it's not getting a special theatrical re-release nor is it likely that Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman will be reunited for a big occasion. Simply, the studio has made a number of licensing deals related to the film's anniversary. Kohls will be selling men's t-shirts with the tagline "You Can't Outrun the Thunder" and Robert Duvall's signature line, "Rubbin' is Racin.'" Also, there's reportedly a downloadable videogame on the way this summer!

It may not sound like much, but there's something to be said for Paramount's idea to spotlight a 20-year-old property. Are they interested in giving back to the small, loyal fanbase? Or, do they hope to acquire new fans -- a new generation of racing fans, for instance -- by promoting the heck out of an archive title with a continued niche audience? The reasoning from the studio is officially thus: "Days of Thunder is a timeless racing film that has maintained a strong following 20 years after its theatrical release."

Filed under: , , , , ,

Continue reading 'Days of Thunder' Isn't Being Remade

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>days of thunderDaysOfThundermerchandisingnascarnicole kidmanNicoleKidmanrobert duvallRobertDuvalltom cruiseTomCruisetotal recallTotalRecallChristopher CampbellMon, 08 Feb 2010 17:45:00 ESTDo People Actually Like Sam Worthington?http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/do-people-actually-like-sam-worthington/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/do-people-actually-like-sam-worthington/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/do-people-actually-like-sam-worthington/#commentsFollowing rumors from last November, The Hollywood Reporter posts that Sam Worthington will star in The Fields (previously called The Texas Killing Fields). Ami Canaan Mann -- daughter of Michael -- will direct Don Ferrarone's script, which is based on a true story. Worthington will play a "Texas homicide detective who joins with a New York detective to investigate unsolved murders in the Texas bayous." Pre-production has begun on the project, but the Manhattan law is yet to be cast.

With this latest confirmation, it's clear that all of those Worthington rumors aren't just blank, rumor-mill hype whipped up because of Avatar. His name has been batted about for Mad Max 4, he's said to be attached to American Crime, there have been questions about playing savior of the universe Flash Gordon, and maybe even Dracula.

The man is definitely a hot commodity, and with all due respect (I swear!) I ask: why? He's got the looks and the build to play the tough guy, that's for certain. He's an okay actor too (although we should look for more than okay), but he's lacking that OMG Next Big Thing! charisma. Or the I really like this guy! charisma. Or the He's so damn cool! charisma. Even fluffy action movies (could Flash Gordon be anything but?) need that winning presence to pull you in and fuel a franchise. Imagine Han Solo and Indiana Jones without Harrison Ford's charm... Or more applicably, the old-school Mel Gibson who led Mad Max and Lethal Weapon. The classics we love are iconic because of that magnetic, irresistible pull the stars possess.

Filed under: ,

Continue reading Do People Actually Like Sam Worthington?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Ami Canaan MannAmiCanaanMannCinematicalfeaturedSam WorthingtonSamWorthingtonThe FieldsThe Texas Killing FieldsTheFieldsTheTexasKillingFieldsMonika BartyzelMon, 08 Feb 2010 17:02:00 ESTWriter Says 'Saw VII' Will Mark the End of the Franchisehttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/writer-says-saw-vii-will-mark-the-end-of-the-franchise/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/writer-says-saw-vii-will-mark-the-end-of-the-franchise/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/writer-says-saw-vii-will-mark-the-end-of-the-franchise/#comments

Just when we started to get used to what could become a really fun Halloween box office to-the-death match-up between the Saw franchise and the up-and-coming Paranormal Activity franchise comes word that in all probability Saw VII will mark the final installment in the franchise. Speaking to a UK radio show, Saw IV, V, VI and VII co-writer Patrick Melton revealed that while the plan was to continue making Saw films until at least part eight, the lackluster box office showing for Saw VI has pretty much put the nail in this franchise's coffin.

Melton says (via Latino Review), "I think it's going to end with Saw VII. I have a very strong feeling its going to end with Saw VII. That's something we're debating now. You saw in previous interviews or discussions where we thought Saw VIII would be the last one where we had the first trilogy and the second trilogy and then sort of a grand finale wrapped up in two films. But frankly because Saw VI hasn't performed as well as we anticipated, the idea is well why make two movies when we can make one really excellent movie that wraps up as best we can? And it's going to be in 3-D which sort of adds to the spectacle. So if you had to ask me, I don't own the franchise, nor do I run the studio, but I have a feeling, a strong feeling that it's going to be Saw VII which will be also known as Endgame. And nothing's official yet, but that's where we're hoping things will go."

Filed under: , ,

Continue reading Writer Says 'Saw VII' Will Mark the End of the Franchise

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>cinematicalfeaturedparanormal activityParanormalActivitypatrick meltonPatrickMeltonsawsaw viiSawViiErik DavisMon, 08 Feb 2010 16:15:00 ESTMonday Morning Quote-A-Back: Feb. 8, 2010http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/monday-morning-quote-a-back-feb-8-2010/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/monday-morning-quote-a-back-feb-8-2010/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/monday-morning-quote-a-back-feb-8-2010/#comments

The movies of the past couple of weeks have not exactly been lighting up the critics. The Tooth Fairy, When In Rome and Legion have come within the similar crosshairs with scores of 15%, 17% and 18%, respectively, over at Rotten Tomatoes. Those are the critics though. Not the junketeers, who as usual have gone rogue as the champions of said movies.

The Tooth Fairy
"Dwayne Johnson is the champ of family movies! - Greg Russell, The Movie Show Plus, WNYB-TV/Detroit
"A great family comedy! - Eli Ferradas, WSVN-TV/Miami

Legion
"An intense and wild ride!" - Chris Bollini, CBS 5
"Thrilling!" - Shawn Edwards

When In Rome
"Entertaining and full of laughs." - Pete Hammond
"Wild and fun! - Jim Ferguson
"Flat-out hilarious! You'll fall in love with When In Rome!" - Bryan Erdy

Pretty impressive of Bollini and Edwards to get quoted opening weekend on Legion considering the film was withheld from screening for critics. Especially since that's usually Earl Dittman's territory. We move on, though, to this weekend's box office success story (Dear John) and box office disappointment (From Paris With Love). On the positive side, they doubled up the critical favor on The Tooth Fairy and When In Rome grabbing 30% and 34% of non-negative reviews.

Filed under:

Continue reading Monday Morning Quote-A-Back: Feb. 8, 2010

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Bryan ErdyBryanErdyCarrie KeaganCarrieKeaganDear JohnDearJohnEdge of DarknessEdgeOfDarknessFrom Paris With LoveFromParisWithLoveGreg RussellGregRussellJeanne WolfJeanneWolfJeff CraigJeffCraigJeffrey LyonsJeffreyLyonsJim FergusonJimFergusonLegionMark S. AllenMarkS.AllenNights in RodantheNightsInRodanthePete HammondPeteHammondScott MantzScottMantzShawn EdwardsShawnEdwardsShelli SonsteinShelliSonsteinThe NotebookThe Time Travelers WifeThe Tooth FairyTheNotebookTheTimeTravelersWifeTheToothFairyTony ToscanoTonyToscanovalentines dayValentinesDayWhen In RomeWhenInRomeErik ChildressMon, 08 Feb 2010 15:45:00 ESTScenes We Love: To Live and Die in L.A.http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/scenes-we-love-to-live-and-die-in-l-a/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/scenes-we-love-to-live-and-die-in-l-a/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/scenes-we-love-to-live-and-die-in-l-a/#comments

William Friedkin's To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) debuts on Blu-Ray this week, and I hope more people start give it a chance. It really deserves to be ranked as an American classic, alongside Friedkin's The French Connection and The Exorcist. Friedkin is one of my favorite directors, though a deeper appreciation of his work comes when you hear him speak, either in person or on his DVD commentary tracks. He's deeply intelligent and an incredible storyteller. He's also a survivor of early success in a time of great creative output in Hollywood. He has lived life and knows a little something about it. He began as a documentary filmmaker and on television, and he's a meticulous researcher. The main attribute to all his films is the abundance of rich details. But one thing Friedkin knows -- and it's perhaps the main reason he switched from non-fiction to feature films -- is that, no matter how much research one does, nothing is ever known for sure.

And so it follows, perhaps ironically, that he has directed three of the finest car chase sequences in the history of film. He understands that the muscle of a car chase is in the details, in establishing the place and time, and elements like space and atmosphere. But he also understands that the heart of a chase is in the unknowable factors; how on earth is something this screwy going to turn out? In The French Connection (1971), the bad guy tries to escape in an elevated train, while the cops chase him in their car below. In Jade (1995), the hero goes on a car chase that unfortunately detours into San Francisco's Chinatown, which is a crowded street on any normal day, but on this day there is also a parade.

Filed under:

Continue reading Scenes We Love: To Live and Die in L.A.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>to live and die in l.a.william friedkinWilliam Petersenwilliam petersonJeffrey M. AndersonMon, 08 Feb 2010 15:02:00 ESTSXSW Exclusive: 'Red, White & Blue' Teaser Trailerhttp://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/red-white-and-blue-teaser-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/red-white-and-blue-teaser-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2010/02/08/red-white-and-blue-teaser-trailer/#comments"In Austin Texas, the lives of three young people "Erica, Franki and Nate" intertwine in a fateful, tragic way and head down a rocky and violent road to heart-rending oblivion."

Going off the above description from the official SXSW program guide, Red, White & Blue reads like it could be a number of different films, but two names attached to the production hint at what kind of "heart-rending oblivion" it'll be. First off, this is the latest film from The Living and the Dead director Simon Rumley, so we can begin to rule RW&B out as, say, a Havoc-type melodrama about teenagers dipping their toes into life on the other side of the tracks and winding up in over their heads. Second, its roster of producers includes Tim League, which should give anyone familiar with the cinematic tastes of both Fantastic Fest and the Alamo Drafthouse (League is a co-founder of both) an idea of what kind of genre brew will be coming to SXSW in a few weeks time.

But even with those two nuggets, nothing gives as good an idea of what's in store than seeing the beast in motion. And with that, Cinematical is proud to offer you the premiere of Red, White & Blue's first teaser trailer, starring Noah Tyler, Amanda Fuller and Marc Senter.

Be warned, the below teaser is most definitely Not Safe For Work. Nudity and sexual explicitness abound, so keep that in mind before you click on.

Filed under: , , , ,

Continue reading SXSW Exclusive: 'Red, White & Blue' Teaser Trailer

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Amanda FullerAmandaFullerfeaturedMarc SenterMarcSenterNoah TylerNoahTylerNSFWRed White and BlueRedWhiteAndBlueSimon RumleySimonRumleySXSWsxsw10SXSW2010Peter HallMon, 08 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST