"Drive" with Ryan Gosling

3.5 Potatoes

I just saw the new film "Drive" (2011) by Nicolas Winding Refn. No expectation nor knowledge about it before I went to the screening. Only one thing I knew about this film was that the director won the Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Surprisingly, I really liked it. The movie had a touch of the 80's cheesiness and I also thought the film was somewhat influenced by Claude Lelouch's "Roman de Gare" (2007), especially the driving scenes and the music which goes along with them. But that didn't bother me really. I thought the film was well executed and Ryan Gosling is an actor that truly can act without dialogues.

Highly Recommended.


Synopsis: A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong. (IMDb)




USA: In Theater Everywhere on Friday 09/16/2011

"The Tree of Life" Part 2

3.5 Potatoes

I finally saw the movie "The Tree of Life" (2011) by Terrence Malick yesterday. It is the winner of Palm d'Or at the Cannes 2011.

The cinematography was amazing, very beautiful movie. Though there was a bit of Net Geo-esque touch to it. At the beginning I almost felt like watching "Atlantis" (1991) but after that, the story moves onto remembering the character's childhood that somehow links to your own childhood even though my childhood was nothing like the O'Briens.

I really loved the fact that the movie had minimum dialogue and it was beautifully done.
I took one potato out for the Net Geo being too long at the beginning, that makes my rating for this movie to be 3.5 Potatoes.

Just be patient at the beginning and you would totally appreciate the movie at the end.

Synopsis: The story centers around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence. (IMDb)


USA: Now Playing in Theaters

CANNES 2011 Winners

So here are some of the winners at the Cannes Film Festival 2011.

Palm d'Or: "Tree of Life"

Best Actor: Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"

Best Actress: Kirsten Dunst in "Melancholia"


I have talked about these movies on my Blog this month and I am very happy with the results.
Especially I am happy for Jean Dujardin as the Best Actor. I am not interested in the movie "The Artist", but I highly praise Jean Dujardin as one of the greatest actor of our time.
Bravo for Kirsten Dunst also.

"Tree of Life" on the May 4th Blog

"The Artist" and Jean Dujardin on the May 17 Blog "Silent Movie Now... Why?"

"Melancholia" and Kirsten Dunst on the May 15 Blog "Melancholia"



"Tree of Life" US Release date: May 27, 2011

"Welcome"

4 Potatoes

I was just reading an article about the possible Palm d'Or recipient at the Cannes 2011. They think it could be the film "Le Havre" (2011) by the Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki.
The story is about the people in the port town of Le Havre, France trying to help an immigrant refugee boy from Africa cross the Channel to England.

This film has a very strong similarity to the 2009 film by Philippe Lioret "Welcome" starring Vincent Lindon. It won the Audience Award at the COLCOA 2009. It was very good film.

I remember briefly the line "The boy is trying to cross the Channel to tell the girl how much he loves her, and I can't even do that to the girl in front of me.." (it wasn't exactly that, my memory is very vague) it was very touching.

I am not sure if the new film "Le Havre" will be any better, but the story has been around and already done.

The film "Welcome" (2009) is Highly Recommended.

"Welcome" Synopsis: When authorities forbid young Kurdish refugee Bilal from crossing the English Channel to reunite with his girlfriend in England, the 17-year-old resolves to swim to his love - and finds an unlikely ally in the form of swim instructor Simon. Facing an inevitable divorce from his wife, the middle-aged teacher takes the resolute youth under his wing in this stirring, beautifully acted French drama. (NETFLIX)



"Welcome": DVD/Streaming Available

"Le Havre": US Release Date Unknown

Silent Movie Now... Why?

I just read an article in IndieWIRE that Weinstein Co. just bought the movie "The Artist" (2011) - l'Artiste by Michel Hazanavicius ("OSS 117: Lost in Rio", "OSS 117: Cairo Nest of Spies") at the Cannes Film Market. 


But it is not just a movie, it is a black-and-white silent movie... The main characters played by Jean Dujardin a French actor, and Bérénice Bejo an Argentinian born actress who works in France and some other casts include John Goodman, Penelope Ann Miller (Oh where has she been??) and so on. It is a French distribution film by Warner Bros. Entertainment France but multi-international casts and the story is based on Hollywood (of course).

Clark Gable

Just over all, Jean Dujardin is a great actor, especially he is good at making comical facial expressions which is perfect for a movie without any dialogue. He also has the Clark Gable-ish look too. But I wonder if it is going to sell here.

Well at least they do not need to spend any money on sub-titles...

Synopsis: Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of taking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break. (IMDb)


Currently showing at the Cannes Film Festival 2011


US Theatrical Release Date Unknown

"Melancholia"

Here is another film showing at the Cannes 2011.

"Melancholia" (2011) by Lars von Trier. His last film "Antichrist" (2009) was quite shocking for some people (not for me) and much talked about. Anyway this year's film "Melancholia" has a bit of Sci-Fi touch, and surprising to me Hollywood actors Kirsten Dunst and Kiefer Sutherland are among the main casts... Hmmm

The trailer looks good. Charlotte Gainsbourg is getting better and better as an actress, and Charlotte Rampling is adding the mysterious mood to the movie and is great as always.

I can't wait to see it!

Synopsis: Two sisters find their relationship challenged as a nearby planet threatens to collide into the Earth. (IMDb)


Official Site & Trailer: http://www.melancholiathemovie.com/

US Release Date: November 4, 2011

CANNES REVIEW | 'Midnight in Paris' is Enjoyable, but Another Typical Woody Allen Story - indieWIRE

I knew it....

CANNES REVIEW | 'Midnight in Paris' is Enjoyable, but Another Typical Woody Allen Story - indieWIRE

"The Tree of Life"

"The Tree of Life" (2011) by Terrence Malick is one of the Official Competitions at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The story sets in 1950's, centers around a family with three boys.
The trailer looks superb. I am so looking forward to seeing it.


So far this is the first runner for the Palm d'Or, so I hear. But who knows, some new comer might grab it without any explanation like how it happened last year with "Uncle Boonmee who can Recall His Past Lives" by Apichatpong Weerasethakul.


US Theatrical Release Date: May 27th, 2011

Cannes Film Festival Season!

The official poster from the Cannes Film Festival 2011

Once again, it is the time of the year. Cannes Film Festival will open next week!


This year's official selection is revealed. There are some interesting ones. I just don't get it (sorry) why they chose "Midnight in Paris" (2011) by Woody Allen as the opening film...

Pedro Almodovar's "The Skin that I Live In"

The one that I am most looking forward to see is the latest film of Pedro Almodovar, "The Skin that I Live In" (2011) - La Piel Que Habito. It is based on a novel "Mygale" - Tarantula by Thierry Jonquet and screen adaptation by Pedro Almodovar. And the surprising cast of Antonio Banderas adds the interest to the movie. I am very glad that Antonio Banderas is now back to his root. He was a very talented actor in his Spanish era. And he should stay that way. Please do not waste your time in Hollywood, it is not for you.

"The Skin that I Live In" Teaser

Synopsis: A plastic surgeon, played by Antonio Banderas, in hunt for the men who raped his daughter.


Cannes Film Festival: From May 11 - May 22, 2011


Update: "The Skin that I Live In" will be released in the US, New York and Los Angeles, in November 2011. (5.2.11)


The Official Site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/theskinilivein/