Well, the premiere film festival Cannes has announced its lineup and the true-blue film geeks are abuzz. This week columns looks at some of the exciting films playing at the French movie fest, as well as some interesting trailers from the last two weeks and an major oversight on my most anticipated films of the summer list.
Oversight Correction
A major oversight was made on my 30 Most Anticipated Summer Films list last week. The site I used for the summer release schedule was missing one film that I forgot was sliding into theaters on August 14th. Any new Hayao Miyazaki film is worth celebrating. PONYO tells the story of a 5-year-old boy and his relationship with a goldfish princess that wants to become human. Check out the Japanese trailer to get a visual treat.
10 To Watch Out For
10) Kobe Doin’ Work (May 16)
Trailer
TV doc from Spike Lee looks at an average day at work for Kobe Bryant.
9) In the Loop (July 24)
Trailer
Looks like a fun British satire on American war machine.
8) Outrage (May 8)
Trailer
Doc looks at the irony in how anti-gay advocates turn up in torrid gay love affairs.
7) P-Star Rising (April 24)
Trailer
A once rising 80s rapper tries to help his talented daughter make it in the music biz.
6) Downloading Nancy (June 5)
Trailer
This thriller stars Mario Bello, Jason Patric and Rufus Sewell. Looks like an interesting look at how modern communications can screw with people's lives.
5) Julia (May 8)
Trailer
Tilda Swinton looks awesome in his drama about an addicted woman who gets tangled up in a kidnap plot that gets out of control.
4) Paper Heart (August 14)
Trailer
This pseudo doc charmed audiences at Sundance. Charlyne Yi narrates this look at why love doesn't exist and during the process falls in love with real life boyfriend Michael Cera of SUPERBAD and JUNO fame.
3) The Countess (2009)
Trailer
A fact-based drama on the notorious Hungarian countess Erzebet Bathory. Julie Delpy plays the woman who believes virgin blood will make her skin remain young. Also stars William Hurt.
2) 9 (September 9)
Clip
Shane Acker's animated adventure looks awesome. This two-minute clip confirms it. I read it described as like THE SECRET OF NIHM and that description is perfect. Just received a PG-13 rating.
1) The Brothers Bloom (May 29)
First 7 Minutes
The opening sequence to this summer flick just hit the Net and I just want to see it even more. This con tale looks cool as hell. Ricky Jay rocks.
Cannes Can
Out of Competition, But Not Outta Mind
* “Air Doll,” directed by Hirokazu Kore-Eda (based on a manga about a blow-up doll)
* “Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky,” directed by Jan Kounen (Fest closer)
* “Drag Me To Hell,” directed by Sam Raimi (Raimi back to horror)
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” directed by Terry Gilliam (Last Ledger performance)
* “L’Epine Dans Le Coeur,” directed by Michel Gondry (Where did this come from?)
* “Up,” directed by Peter Docter (Opens in States before it opens the fest)
10 In Competition to Look Out For
* “Antichrist,” directed by Lars Von Trier
Looks down right creepy. Just watch the trailer. Willem Dafoe is intense. Love Von Trier's BREAKING THE WAVES, really enjoyed THE IDIOTS. Von Trier is always provocative.
* “Bright Star,” directed by Jane Campion
Campion is also a provocative filmmaker. Tells the romance between John Keats and Fanny Brawne. Stars Abbie Cornish (CANDY) as Brawne, Ben Whishaw (PERFUME) as Keats, and Paul Schneider (ALL THE REAL GIRLS) as Charles Armitage Brown.
* “Enter The Void,” directed by Gasper Noe
Gasper Noe's IRREVERSIBLE forced me to rethink screen violence. This trippy looking drama about a brother and sister moving to Tokyo where his spirit remains in the world after his death seems like a new direction for the controversial filmmaker.
* “Inglorious Basterds,” directed by Quentin Tarantino
Tarantino does war flick. Nuff said. Watch the trailer.
* “Looking For Eric,” directed by Ken Loach
Ken Loach's THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY won Cannes. In his new film, a futbol-obsessed postman gets some life advice from soccer star Eric Cantona.
* “Map of the Sounds of Tokyo,” directed by Isabel Coixet
Isabel Coixet sequence in PARIS, JE T’AIME was one of the more touching segments. Now she takes on the tale of a fish market worker who has a double life as an assassin.
* “Taking Woodstock,” directed by Ang Lee
Ang Lee is an eclectic filmmaker for sure. This film follows the Woodstock experience from the point of view of the townspeople. Liev Schreiber in drag is far out man. Check out the trailer for sure.
* “Thirst,” directed by directed by Park Chan Wook
OLD BOY, SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGENCE, LADY VENGENCE — I love Park Chan Wook's work. Now he takes on vampires. Please bring us an English trailer… but the Korean one will do.
* “Vengeance,” directed by Johnny To
Director Johnnie To is a Hong Kong legend. Now he puts French icon Johnny Hallyday (MAN ON THE TRAIN) in an English language feature where an assassin turned cook comes out of retirement to seek revenge in Hong Kong. Trailer looks badass.
*“The White Ribbon,” directed by Michael Haneke
I loved Michael Haneke's CACHE and his original FUNNY GAMES is provocative. Now he takes on another mystery set in 1913 at a German rural school where ritual punishments seem to be taking place.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
