Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, The Dancer is an impassioned if formally conservative portrait of Loïe Fuller (née Marie Louise Fuller), a pioneering figure in modern dance from the late 19th century. It resembles La Vie en Rose, another prestige period biopic about an esteemed French artist, for never breaking cinematic ground but proving well-crafted from top to bottom, ably weaving personal turmoil from an artist’s life into their stage legacy.
In the first half-hour of the film, we get a quick rundown of Fuller’s life before she stepped onto Parisian soil to find where she belonged. Born to a French immigrant father near Chicago, Marie Louise (Soko) is a sturdily built girl who has no trouble helping out on a rodeo or traveling cross-country by herself — which she did in the wake of a tragedy and landed in...
In the first half-hour of the film, we get a quick rundown of Fuller’s life before she stepped onto Parisian soil to find where she belonged. Born to a French immigrant father near Chicago, Marie Louise (Soko) is a sturdily built girl who has no trouble helping out on a rodeo or traveling cross-country by herself — which she did in the wake of a tragedy and landed in...
- 5/13/2016
- by Zhuo-Ning Su
- The Film Stage
Martin Scorsese, le maître cinéphile, the exhibition and retrospective, opens tomorrow at the Cinémathèque française in Paris and rolls on through February 14. Helen Lawrence, a hi-tech film noir performance conceived and directed by Stan Douglas and written by Chris Haddock, opens at Bam tomorrow and runs through Saturday. October is Sion Sono month at Videology. More goings on: Nathan Silver in Chicago, Hou Hsiao-hsien and cinematographer Mark Lee Ping Bin in Los Angeles, Marie Louise Alemann in Toronto and the exhibition The Saga of Ingrid Bergman in San Rafael. » - David Hudson...
- 10/13/2015
- Keyframe
Martin Scorsese, le maître cinéphile, the exhibition and retrospective, opens tomorrow at the Cinémathèque française in Paris and rolls on through February 14. Helen Lawrence, a hi-tech film noir performance conceived and directed by Stan Douglas and written by Chris Haddock, opens at Bam tomorrow and runs through Saturday. October is Sion Sono month at Videology. More goings on: Nathan Silver in Chicago, Hou Hsiao-hsien and cinematographer Mark Lee Ping Bin in Los Angeles, Marie Louise Alemann in Toronto and the exhibition The Saga of Ingrid Bergman in San Rafael. » - David Hudson...
- 10/13/2015
- Fandor: Keyframe
Kate Middleton has a pretty great understudy. The pregnant-again royal, 32, had to cancel her first solo royal tour to Malta as she continues to endure severe morning sickness during her second pregnancy. Middleton's husband Prince William stepped in to deliver his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's message to the people of Malta. The father of Prince George had a packed schedule on Saturday, Sept. 20, visiting the Malta's President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca in the morning. William, 32, poked fun at his lack of popularity in comparison to [...]...
- 9/21/2014
- Us Weekly
Prince William may have stepped in for his pregnant wife, Kate, on a visit to Malta, but she was on everyone's mind as he toured the sun-kissed island on Saturday. William, 32, was walking near St. George's Square in the capital of Valletta when one of the hundreds of people who'd turned up to see him asked about his wife, who's expecting the couple's second child and suffering from severe pregnancy sickness. "She's so-so, she's up and down at the moment," he told Sandra Lant, 70, who was visiting the holiday island from Suffolk, England. Some were disappointed that she wasn't there.
- 9/20/2014
- by Simon Perry, @SPerryPeoplemag
- PEOPLE.com
Kate Middleton is gearing up to go it alone—and we have a feeling all will go swimmingly. The itinerary for the Duchess of Cambridge's upcoming visit to Malta, her first official royal visit abroad that she'll be making without Prince William, has been released and, as we could have guessed, she'll have a jam-packed couple of days. And who wants to bet that she'll be treated like a queen?! According to Kensington Palace, Prince George's mum will be flying out Sept. 20 to the island nation, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence. She'll be staying at the San Anton Palace, the official residence of Malta's president, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca....
- 8/23/2014
- E! Online
Princess Kate will be queen for a day. Well, two days - she's stepping into Queen Elizabeth's shoes to represent her on a foreign trip. Kate, 32, will leave baby Prince George at home and head to Malta in September for a two-day visit. "This is a seminal moment for her, when she will be showing herself to be stateswoman in her own right," a palace source tells People. As her husband William, 32, stays home to concentrate on his new job as an air ambulance pilot, the solo trip provides an opportunity for Kate to shine. The Duchess of Cambridge was asked by the Queen,...
- 8/22/2014
- by Simon Perry, @SPerryPeoplemag
- PEOPLE.com
By Lee Pfeiffer
The Shadowplay niche market DVD label has released the obscure British film noir crime thriller Room 43. The 1958 B&W film was directed by Alvin Rakoff and features some intriguing star turns. The real star of the film is Odile Versois, a French actress who is largely unknown in English language films. She plays Marie Louise, a young Parisian waitress who is framed for a petty crime in a human trafficking scheme. Faced with trial and jail, she accepts the help of a British benefactor, Aggie (Brenda de Banzie), a middle aged tourist who invites her to immigrate to London to work as her personal assistant. Once in London, she is housed with many other comely young women in a building run by Aggie. She is also introduced to Nick (Herbert Lom), an assertive but seemingly kindly businessman who pretends to have her best interests at heart.
The Shadowplay niche market DVD label has released the obscure British film noir crime thriller Room 43. The 1958 B&W film was directed by Alvin Rakoff and features some intriguing star turns. The real star of the film is Odile Versois, a French actress who is largely unknown in English language films. She plays Marie Louise, a young Parisian waitress who is framed for a petty crime in a human trafficking scheme. Faced with trial and jail, she accepts the help of a British benefactor, Aggie (Brenda de Banzie), a middle aged tourist who invites her to immigrate to London to work as her personal assistant. Once in London, she is housed with many other comely young women in a building run by Aggie. She is also introduced to Nick (Herbert Lom), an assertive but seemingly kindly businessman who pretends to have her best interests at heart.
- 1/30/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Director of witty French comedy-thrillers
Since the dawn of cinema, France has simultaneously and uninterruptedly produced good mainstream movies and arthouse films. Georges Lautner, who has died aged 87, unabashedly claimed that the almost 50 films he directed from 1958 to 1992 belong to the former category. Lautner's mainly cops-and-robbers movies were among the most popular films ever made in France.
"I didn't want glory or to make masterpieces but popular films that would please the greatest number," he once explained. "International recognition didn't interest me. I was passionate at what I did with my faithful team. We made the films we wanted as quickly as possible. But with time, my commercial films appear almost intellectual."
Lautner's underestimated films were never invited to Cannes until, in 2012, the festival put together a belated "Homage to Georges Lautner". His death prompted President François Hollande to declare that his films had "become part of the cinematic heritage...
Since the dawn of cinema, France has simultaneously and uninterruptedly produced good mainstream movies and arthouse films. Georges Lautner, who has died aged 87, unabashedly claimed that the almost 50 films he directed from 1958 to 1992 belong to the former category. Lautner's mainly cops-and-robbers movies were among the most popular films ever made in France.
"I didn't want glory or to make masterpieces but popular films that would please the greatest number," he once explained. "International recognition didn't interest me. I was passionate at what I did with my faithful team. We made the films we wanted as quickly as possible. But with time, my commercial films appear almost intellectual."
Lautner's underestimated films were never invited to Cannes until, in 2012, the festival put together a belated "Homage to Georges Lautner". His death prompted President François Hollande to declare that his films had "become part of the cinematic heritage...
- 12/2/2013
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
LONDON -- "When the Sky Falls" is based on the events leading up to the 1996 murder of crime journalist Veronica Guerin in Dublin, Ireland. As directed by John MacKenzie (who made the excellent British crime film "The Long Good Friday"), the film is stylish and gritty and features fine central performances. While it should win critical plaudits, "Sky", which at times feels a bit like a movie of the week, isn't likely to attract big audiences.
Screenwriters Michael Sheridan, Ronan Gallagher and Colum McCann have put together an intelligent, well-constructed and moving script. Before her death, Guerin collaborated with Sheridan on an early draft of a screenplay that focused on her crusade against Dublin gangsters and the various attacks against her.
The film tells the story of fictional Sunday Globe journalist Sinead Hamilton (wonderfully played by Joan Allen), whose writings about the Dublin gangs cause an increase in her newspaper's circulation along with the violent attention of the gangsters. Her investigations also bring her into close contact with the Irish Republican Army -- which denounces the gangs' drug dealing -- and the police, who struggle to stop the mobsters.
But her efforts push gang boss Dave Hackett (Gerard Flynn) to take the ultimate step. On her way home from a court appearance, she is shot dead. Ironically, her death finally forces attention to Ireland's criminal laws, so drug dealers can be identified and apprehended and their assets seized.
In this role, Allen is the personification of steely dignity, and she does a good job with a Dublin accent. She achieves a fine balance between crusading journalist and attentive mother.
Her performance is aided by Patrick Bergin's turn as grumpy maverick cop Sgt. Mackey, though he is lumbered with the cliched dim assistant in the form of Jason Barry's Dempsey. Bergin and Allen's scenes together work particularly well. And the ever-excellent Pete Postlethwaite makes a brief but fine appearance as crime boss Martin Shaughnessy, who is knocked off early in the film.
MacKenzie handles action sequences extremely well -- particularly a car chase through the city estates -- and pushes the story with skill and ease. Technical credits are all fine, especially Mark Geraghty's production design, and DP Seamus Deasy gives the film an atmospheric hue.
WHEN THE SKY FALLS
Sky Pictures
In association with Irish Screen, the Irish Film Board and Redeemable Features
Producers: Nigel Warren-Green,
Michael Wearing
Director: John MacKenzie
Executive producers: Kevin Menton,
Peter Newman, Marie Louise Queally
Screenwriters: Michael Sheridan,
Ronan Gallagher, Colum McCann
Director of photography: Seamus Deasy
Production designer: Mark Geraghty
Music: Pol Brennan
Costume designer: Lorna Marie Mugan
Editor: Graham Walker
Color/stereo
Cast:
Sinead Hamilton: Joan Allen
Mackey: Patrick Bergin
Mickey O'Fagan: Jimmy Smallhorne
John "The Runner" Cosgrove: Liam Cunningham
Tom Hamilton: Kevin McNally
Martin Shaughnessy: Pete Postlethwaite
Dempsey: Jason Barry
Jimmy Keaveney: Des McAleer
Dave Hackett: Gerard Flynn
Running time - 107 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Screenwriters Michael Sheridan, Ronan Gallagher and Colum McCann have put together an intelligent, well-constructed and moving script. Before her death, Guerin collaborated with Sheridan on an early draft of a screenplay that focused on her crusade against Dublin gangsters and the various attacks against her.
The film tells the story of fictional Sunday Globe journalist Sinead Hamilton (wonderfully played by Joan Allen), whose writings about the Dublin gangs cause an increase in her newspaper's circulation along with the violent attention of the gangsters. Her investigations also bring her into close contact with the Irish Republican Army -- which denounces the gangs' drug dealing -- and the police, who struggle to stop the mobsters.
But her efforts push gang boss Dave Hackett (Gerard Flynn) to take the ultimate step. On her way home from a court appearance, she is shot dead. Ironically, her death finally forces attention to Ireland's criminal laws, so drug dealers can be identified and apprehended and their assets seized.
In this role, Allen is the personification of steely dignity, and she does a good job with a Dublin accent. She achieves a fine balance between crusading journalist and attentive mother.
Her performance is aided by Patrick Bergin's turn as grumpy maverick cop Sgt. Mackey, though he is lumbered with the cliched dim assistant in the form of Jason Barry's Dempsey. Bergin and Allen's scenes together work particularly well. And the ever-excellent Pete Postlethwaite makes a brief but fine appearance as crime boss Martin Shaughnessy, who is knocked off early in the film.
MacKenzie handles action sequences extremely well -- particularly a car chase through the city estates -- and pushes the story with skill and ease. Technical credits are all fine, especially Mark Geraghty's production design, and DP Seamus Deasy gives the film an atmospheric hue.
WHEN THE SKY FALLS
Sky Pictures
In association with Irish Screen, the Irish Film Board and Redeemable Features
Producers: Nigel Warren-Green,
Michael Wearing
Director: John MacKenzie
Executive producers: Kevin Menton,
Peter Newman, Marie Louise Queally
Screenwriters: Michael Sheridan,
Ronan Gallagher, Colum McCann
Director of photography: Seamus Deasy
Production designer: Mark Geraghty
Music: Pol Brennan
Costume designer: Lorna Marie Mugan
Editor: Graham Walker
Color/stereo
Cast:
Sinead Hamilton: Joan Allen
Mackey: Patrick Bergin
Mickey O'Fagan: Jimmy Smallhorne
John "The Runner" Cosgrove: Liam Cunningham
Tom Hamilton: Kevin McNally
Martin Shaughnessy: Pete Postlethwaite
Dempsey: Jason Barry
Jimmy Keaveney: Des McAleer
Dave Hackett: Gerard Flynn
Running time - 107 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 7/20/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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