2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2002 |
2001
1-20 of 23 articles from 2009 « Prev | Next »
Best of the Decade #4: Lost in Translation (2003)
24 December 2009 10:16 AM, PST
| FilmJunk
| See recent FilmJunk news
»
After a promising directorial debut with The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola proved it was no fluke when her follow-up film, the 2003 masterpiece Lost in Translation became something of a phenomenon. It opened in just 23 theatres, but it ended up grossing almost $120 million worldwide. Coppola had officially stepped out of her father's shadow and found her own voice, but she also established herself as one of the most exciting and prominent female directors working today.
A lot of disparate things came together to make this movie such a huge success, but there's no question that one of the most important decisions Coppola made was casting Bill Murray as washed-up movie star Bob Harris. The story goes that he was a difficult man to track down, despite the fact that his career had been revived (and somewhat transformed) with Wes Anderson's Rushmore, but Sofia Coppola's persistence paid off (both for
»
- Sean
Permalink | Report a problem
The top 10 films of 2009 you probably won't have seen
21 December 2009 4:35 AM, PST
| The Guardian - Film News
| See recent The Guardian - Film News news
»
A stray Chabrol, the next Juno and more Toni Servillo brilliance are among this year's hidden gems on the festival circuit. Hunt them down now before they're buried for ever
Home festivaling is one of the few perks of losing mobility through a back injury. What better way to cover 300+ screen events across the UK for Empire Online's Festivals & Seasons page than letting them come to you? Much festival fare falls squarely into the three-star category. But, every now and then, a disc arrives in the post containing a gem that leaves you wondering how the distributors missed it. So here's a personal selection of the festival favourites that have either failed to secure a UK release in 2009 or are not currently on the schedule for next year.
10) Let's Dance (dir. Noémie Lvovsky, France)
Festivals are invariably stuffed with quirky ensemble pieces, with Laís Bodanzky's superbly choreographed The Ballroom
»
- David Parkinson
Permalink | Report a problem
The Best of the Decade: The Comic Book Flicks
18 December 2009 5:03 PM, PST
| Cinematical
| See recent Cinematical news
»
Trying to rank the best comic flicks of the decade is a surprisingly tough task. I've approached it with all the enthusiasm Hester Prynne must have shown walking to the scaffold. It's not because I don't love discussing the past ten years of the genre, but because I hate ranking films. It puts me into knots of indecision. If I could, I would rank things in a sort of Venn diagram - Iron Man overlaps Batman Begins which overshadows Spider-Man.
But Venn diagrams are impossible to post, and the end of the decade demands lists. So please, take this as one humble writer's list, and use it to jump-start your own. To keep myself sane, I'm leaving off adaptations such as A History of Violence and Road to Perdition. They were based on graphic novels, and they certainly elevated the art of comic adaptation to a whole new level, but that's precisely the problem.
»
- Elisabeth Rappe
Permalink | Report a problem
Movie Posters of the Decade
12 December 2009 2:05 PM, PST
| The Auteurs
| See recent The Auteurs news
»
Trawling through databases of all the movie posters released in the past ten years and trying to remember my ten favorites, two things stand out: that only a very small percentage qualify as great pieces of design in their own right (there are far fewer contenders for movie poster of the decade than there are for movie of the decade for sure); and that my favorite posters have little bearing on my favorite films. In fact, I haven’t even seen the first two films on the list (Ok, I just started watching the first one on HBO the other day, but I have yet to finish it). I present this list as an eclectic personal selection of posters in which graphic simplicity and typographic elegance count most of all, as well as one poster which has neither but which I love for different reasons.
We welcome your own picks
»
Permalink | Report a problem
[DVD Review] Train
3 December 2009 8:25 PM, PST
| JustPressPlay.net
| See recent JustPressPlay news
»
Of all the possible reactions that one could have to a film (or album, or television show), there’s probably nothing worse than having it make you wonder if something you like was even good in the first place. For a long time, I have defended the Hostel series, arguing that it has a great deal more subtext than most critics give it credit for, and that its tonal inconsistencies are actually quite deliberate pieces of black humor on the part of director Eli Roth. Now I am confronted with Train, a film that is so similar in plot and theme that I can’t really argue that anything said in Hostel isn’t said here. Except that I really like Hostel, and Train totally sucks.
Traveling through Eastern Europe with her college wrestling team, Alex (Thora Birch) goes out one night with her friends after a humiliating defeat at
»
- Anders Nelson
Permalink | Report a problem
Discuss: Performer of the Decade?
25 November 2009 7:02 PM, PST
| Cinematical
| See recent Cinematical news
»
Like many critics I'm working on my list of the best films of the decade. I have been doing lots of shuffling around, swapping some of the films in the top 20 with films in the top ten, just to see how they look. But something occurred to me. A lot of the films had one thing in common: Scarlett Johansson. What does that mean? Does it mean that she's the greatest actor of the decade? Or is she just lucky? I'm not sure what to make of it. I have never interviewed her (I was once all set for a phone interview for Girl with a Pearl Earring that was canceled) so I can't claim to know what she's like in real life. Frankly, she's not the greatest actor in the world; in bad movies she can seem awkward, fumbling with troublesome dialogue. But there's definitely something about her, and it goes beyond her blonde-haired,
»
- Jeffrey M. Anderson
Permalink | Report a problem
Decade in Review: 2001 Top Ten
17 November 2009 8:41 PM, PST
| FilmExperience
| See recent FilmExperience news
»
What follows is my original top ten list of 2001. We'll discuss each year of the decade over the next month or two (we already did 2000). I do this because I am curious about which films "stick" and which fade and why and maybe you are too? Best year of the decade I think. The top five films would all be valid #1 film choices in some years. New comments are in red.
Note: This list references films released in NYC in 2001, not year of production or year in which they first the hit festival circuit or whatnot.
Runners Up (in descending order): Sexy Beast, Ali, Series 7: The Contenders, The Others, Last Resort and Waking Life. I don't remember loving Ali that much... and more than The Others? I don't remember that at all. I mean Nicole Kidman was the shit Twice Over in 2001.
In my round up of the
»
- NATHANIEL R
Permalink | Report a problem
Cast Added For The Hilary Duff Bonnie And Clyde Movie
17 November 2009 1:18 PM, PST
| cinemablend.com
| See recent Cinema Blend news
»
It's been a good couple of months since we heard casting news about The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, the movie that will star Hilary Duff as the historical figure once portrayed by Faye Dunaway, and may ruin cinematic history in the process. In case you were hoping that meant the whole thing was off, no such luck-- Screen Daily is reporting that Thora Birch, Taryn Manning and Cloris Leachman have been added to the cast, and filming will start soon enough in the South.
They're not saying which characters the three ladies will be portraying, but presumably neither of them will start a feud with Dunaway the way Duff did when the project was first announced. Birch, of course, is well-remembered as the teenage daughter in American Beauty and Enid from Ghost World, but hasn't had a major movie role since the early part of this decade. Not sure
»
Permalink | Report a problem
Comic book writer/artist Al Davison on what was wrong with The Dark Knight, Superman Returns and Watchmen
13 November 2009 3:31 PM, PST
| The Geek Files
| See recent The Geek Files news
»
We're seeing more and more comic books and graphic novels being adapted for the big screen and, even with varied results at the box office, the trend shows no sign of stopping.
This is largely because established titles come with a devoted fanbase while newer publications are akin to film storyboards that give studios a clear visual idea of the project.
Only recently I have twice reported on a number of comics that are being picked up by film bosses, and you can see those round-ups here and here.
I talked about the craze to comic book writer and artist Al Davison, who runs The Astral Gypsy graphic novels shop and art studio in the Canal Basin here in Coventry.
Al's been writing and drawing comics for 25 years. He is working on the Doctor Who comic (as seen in the image pictured right), which was launched in July, and recently
»
- David Bentley
Permalink | Report a problem
Comic book writer/artist Al Davison on what was wrong with The Dark Knight, Superman Returns and Watchmen
13 November 2009 3:11 PM, PST
| The Geek Files
| See recent The Geek Files news
»
We're seeing more and more comic books and graphic novels being adapted for the big screen and, even with varied results at the box office, the trend shows no sign of stopping.
This is largely because established titles come with a devoted fanbase while newer publications are akin to film storyboards that give studios a clear visual idea of the project.
Only recently I have twice reported on a number of comics that are being picked up by film bosses, and you can see those round-ups here and here.
I talked about the craze to comic book writer and artist Al Davison, who runs The Astral Gypsy graphic novels shop and art studio in the Canal Basin here in Coventry.
Al's been writing and drawing comics for 25 years. He is working on the Doctor Who comic (as seen in the image pictured right), which was launched in July, and recently
»
- David Bentley
Permalink | Report a problem
Indie Roundup: 'Splinterheads,' 'Ghost World,' 'Devil'
4 November 2009 2:10 PM, PST
| Cinematical
| See recent Cinematical news
»
Clockwise from upper left: Splinterheads, Ghost World, An Education, House of the Devil.
Opening. Amiable and pleasant, Splinterheads revolves around a romance between Justin (Thomas Middleditch), an aimless small town dreamer, and Galaxy (Rachael Taylor), a gorgeous grifter who (literally) bumps into him at a gas station. She's more interested in separating him from his money than getting to know the lunkhead within, while he quickly decides that he's met the love of his life -- or, even better, a reason to leave his upstate New York world behind and start living for himself instead of his mother and grandfather.
Brent Sersen (Blackballed) is a better director than writer; the characters hold few surprises and the plot's trajectory threatens to die of old age before it reaches its pre-ordained conclusion. Still, he takes advantage of a visiting carnival and the grifter's obsession with geocaching, a variation on treasure hunting, to
»
- Peter Martin
Permalink | Report a problem
New DVD Artwork For Hardware! Out September 29th!
3 August 2009 4:08 PM, PDT
| iconsoffright.com
| See recent Icons of Fright news
»
Last month, we got word that Hardware, the 1990 horror/sci-fi epic from director Richard Stanley would finally be hitting the DVD format on September 29th in a 2 disc special edition! Severin Films just sent over the official cover art & specs! Check 'em out below!
Severin To Release ‘Hardware’ 9/29 On Two-disc Limited Edition DVD & Blu-ray. “The Best Sci-Fi/Horror Thriller Since Alien”, Says Fangoria; Film To Be Restored From Director Richard Stanley’s Own Print
Special Features Include:
* Audio Commentary with Director Richard Stanley
* Exclusive Making-Of Documentary Featuring All-New Interviews with Cast and Crew
* 'Incidents In An Expanding Universe' - Early Super 8 Version of Hardware
* 'The Sea of Perdition' - 2006 Richard Stanley Short Film
* 'Rites of Passage' - Early Richard Stanley Short Film
* Richard Stanley on Hardware 2
* Theatrical Trailer
* Deleted, Extended & Behind-the-Scenes Footage
Los Angeles, CA, July 28, 2009 – Severin Films today announced the 9/29 release of the 1990 sci-fi/horror cult classic Hardware,
»
Permalink | Report a problem
Four kick-ass bootleg clips from Kick-ass
3 August 2009 11:43 AM, PDT
| QuietEarth.us
| See recent QuietEarth news
»
We don't cover many super hero movies around here because, well we find them kind of obvious and boring for the most part. Hero's journey, villainous character foil, gadgets, cue explosions.
Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of Mark Millar's comic book "Kick-ass" on the other hand offers a realism and dark comedy that's rarely associated with the genre which these four clips that were shown at Comic Con showcase perfectly.
Synopsis:
Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.
So far, I find the tonal changes between comedy and melancholy in each clip to be extremely interesting. Whether a mustachioed Nic Cage is shooting his ten year old daughter point blank in the chest, or Aaron Johnson's getting his ass kicked by a couple
»
Permalink | Report a problem
Top 7 Book to Film Adaptations
23 July 2009 3:08 PM, PDT
| The Scorecard Review
| See recent Scorecard Review news
»
We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.
With Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opening last week, I thought I’d take a look back at my favorite book to film adaptions. This means I had to have read the book and seen the film, so I can’t weigh in on The Thin Man, though it’s one of my favorite films. I also steered clear of The Prestige because though I’ve read and enjoyed both, they’re so dissimilar it doesn’t really feel like a true adaption. Sorry, no Harry Potter film has made the list. I haven’t felt that any of the films have lived up to the books, even the most recent. But with Julie and Julia and one of my favorite books, The Time Traveler’s Wife coming out next month maybe it will change in the future.
7. Battle Royale
Book by Koushun Takami,
»
- Megan Lehar
Permalink | Report a problem
My Fun One-on-One Interviews with "G-Force" Cast and Crew! Nicolas Cage, Jerry Bruckheimer, Steve Buscemi, Tracy Morgan Reveal Secrets of the 3-D Event
23 July 2009 7:28 AM, PDT
| Manny the Movie Guy
| See recent Manny the Movie Guy news
»
Here you go! Peep into the "G-Force" fun! Take a look at my one-on-one interviews with the cast and crew. (for the "G-Force" movie review, click here)
This fun live-action/animated/3-D hybrid opens tomorrow, July 24th!
Nicolas Cage "G-force" Interview
Nicolas Cage creates a weird but effective voice as Speckles, the mole.
We talked about the film, his involvement, and why he love Palm Springs, my hometown :)
Blaster "G-force" Interview
Blaster, voiced by 30 Rock's Tracy Morgan, steals the show. He's a guinea pig who's a member of the G-Force team. He's a weapons expert! I wonder if he wears Vibram FiveFingers shoes :happy
Jerry Bruckheimer "G-force" Interview
"G-Force" is the first live-action, animated, 3-D film that uber-producer Jerry Bruckheimer has worked on.
We talked about his involvement with the project, why he chose to make 3-D after shooting the film in 2-D, and what does he want kids to get from the movie.
»
- Manny
Permalink | Report a problem
Watch: new music video, film trailer from Bishop Allen
9 July 2009 10:14 AM, PDT
| Hitfix
| See recent Hitfix news
»
"Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" wasn't the end of the road for Bishop Allen's film appearances. Frontman Justin Rice stars as the leading actor in "Harmony & Me," a movie that's been making the rounds at events like the Los Angeles Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Cine-Vegas Film Festival. BA's bassist Keith Poulson also makes an appearance, alongside actors like Kevin Corrigan (Pineapple Express, Superbad, The Departed), and Pat Healy (Rescue Dawn, Ghost World). "Harmony & Me" was directed by Bob Byington, whose only other recent film work includes "Rso (Registered Sex Offender)." He scored an Annenberg Film Fellowship
»
- Katie Hasty
Permalink | Report a problem
Hardware Coming To DVD September 29th!
2 July 2009 9:29 AM, PDT
| iconsoffright.com
| See recent Icons of Fright news
»
Wow, it's been yeeears since I've seen Hardware, the horror/sci-fi epic from director Richard Stanley. But now, Diabolik DVD has a September 29th listing for both a 2 disc DVD and Blu-Ray edition of the film. You can pre-order it on the site Here. Below is the item description, features listing and DVD cover art!
Uncut And Uncensored For The First Time Ever In The Us! It was the movie that stunned audiences, shocked the MPAA and marked the debut of one of the most uncompromising filmmakers in modern horror. Golden Globe® winner Dylan McDermott (The Practice, Dark Blue) stars as a post-apocalyptic scavenger who brings home a battered cyborg skull for his metal-sculptor girlfriend. But this steel scrap contains the brain of the M.A.R.K. 13, the military's most ferocious bio-mechanical combat droid. It is cunning, cruel, and knows how to reassemble itself. Tonight, it is reborn…and no flesh shall be spared.
»
Permalink | Report a problem
DVD Review: Junction
24 June 2009 10:51 AM, PDT
| FilmShaft.com
| See recent FilmShaft.com news
»
It’s not often I’ll review and Indy film, but then it isn’t often I’m contacted by a talented young Actress and Producer from America and air-mailed a copy of one of her own masterpieces.
April Wade (The Thing in The Corner, Creepshow III, Women on Top Productions) stars in and produces Junction, a thriller described as “Donny Darko” meets “Ghost World” and directed by Neal Fradsham.
Junction speaks to the Y-Generation who has survived the single-family phenomenon and the battle with an ever-growing feeling of medicated isolation. Silhouetted against a world of expanding globalization and shrinking personal human interaction, Michaela, searches for self-actualization - and her splintered family. Do you want to face the truth? Or, do you want to destroy it?
The formula for Junction seemed perfect on paper I’m sure, the story is without a doubt original in its subjects – voyeurism, incest and
»
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
April Wade's thriller 'Junction' out now!
19 April 2009 1:22 PM, PDT
| Pretty/Scary
| See recent pretty-scary news
»
April Wade (The Thing in The Corner, Creepshow III, Women on Top Productions) is releasing Junction, a movie she produced and stars in - Donnie Darko meets Ghost World - on DVD tomorrow, April 21st.
Junction speaks to the Y-Generation who has survived the single-family phenomenon and the battle with an ever-growing feeling of medicated isolation. Silhouetted against a world of expanding globalization and shrinking personal human interaction, Michaela, searches for self-actualization - and her splintered family. Do you want to face the truth? Or, do you want to destroy it? Watch the trailer...
read more
»
- Superheidi
Permalink | Report a problem
Woody Allen Still Searching For New Muse
28 March 2009 4:59 AM, PDT
| FilmExperience
| See recent FilmExperience news
»
By now you've heard that Nicole Kidman will appear in Woody Allen's next untitled film (they're always untitled for a good while) due in 2010. It'll be his fourth film set in London and the cast currently includes Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, Freida Pinto, Naomi Watts, and Antonio Banderas.
While the Kidman/Allen match might prove fascinating -- she loves real auteurs / he loves actresses with neurotic edge -- it also might be a big news item signifying nothing. Think of Julia Roberts and Drew Barrymore starring in Everyone Says I Love You back in 1996. What's that, you say? You'd forgotten they were in that one. You're forgiven. See, they were major gets in the mid-90s but they proved to be far from the highlights of that film (Goldie Hawn easily won 'best in show' honors there). The media has a tendency to see every female casting decision made
»
- NATHANIEL R
Permalink | Report a problem
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2002 |
2001
1-20 of 23 articles from 2009 « Prev | Next »
See all NewsDesk partners
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the
above news articles. News articles are published for the entertainment of our
users only. The news items do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we
guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the
site responsible for the article in question to report any concerns you may
have.
