Whereas his last project “Happy Times”, a blend of comedy and tragedy, garnered favorable reviews but to this day remains one of the director's smaller features, Zhang Yimou's next movie, the wuxia drama “Hero” marked a huge success for its director, both critically and commercially. Even today, “Hero” is one of the fan favorites among the many films by Zhang, and together with such features as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” started a renaissance of the genre, to which the Chinese filmmaker has contributed many other stories, albeit with lesser success. In the 2002 film he tells the story of the founding of China's first dynasty, which resulted in the unification of the country after seven warring states had fought for many years to rule it entirely. Apart from being visually stunning, even by today's standards, “Hero” is a timeless story about the passions of men and how they can manipulate...
- 4/6/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
With the 23rd annual Fantasia International Film Festival kicking off in Montreal this July, the first wave of programming has now been revealed, giving horror fans plenty of must-see titles to add to their watch lists this year, including Fangoria's Satanic Panic, the world premiere of Critters Attack!, Come to Daddy, Little Monsters, Phantom of Winnipeg, and many more movies!
Check out Fantasia's full first wave of programming below, visit their website for more information, and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on the festival!
"Montreal, Quebec - 29 May 2019 - The Fantasia International Film Festival will be celebrating its 23rd Anniversary in Montreal this summer, taking place from July 11 - August 1, with its Frontières International Co-Production Market being held July 18 - 21. The festival’s full lineup of over 130 feature films will be announced in early July. In the meantime, Fantasia is excited to reveal a selected first wave of titles,...
Check out Fantasia's full first wave of programming below, visit their website for more information, and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on the festival!
"Montreal, Quebec - 29 May 2019 - The Fantasia International Film Festival will be celebrating its 23rd Anniversary in Montreal this summer, taking place from July 11 - August 1, with its Frontières International Co-Production Market being held July 18 - 21. The festival’s full lineup of over 130 feature films will be announced in early July. In the meantime, Fantasia is excited to reveal a selected first wave of titles,...
- 5/29/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Happy times for Totoro
A Studio Ghibli theme park centred on fan favourite Totoro has been given the go-ahead in Nagoya prefecture. Announced on Thursday by the studio's Toshio Suzuki, it is expected to open in 2020 on the former World Fair site in Aichi, where versions of the houses from the film My Neighbour Totoro, which were made for the Fair, have been preserved ever since.
Although many fans will be holding out hope for a Catbus ride, Suzuki made clear that rides will not be a big feature of the park, which will instead focus on nature, in keeping with the ecological themes of the film. Visitors will also be able to explore locations from films like Spirited Away and Priincess Mononoke. Everything in the locations will offer full hands-on access, so children can investigate like the characters in the films. Parents will doubtless be relieved if they can avoid soot.
A Studio Ghibli theme park centred on fan favourite Totoro has been given the go-ahead in Nagoya prefecture. Announced on Thursday by the studio's Toshio Suzuki, it is expected to open in 2020 on the former World Fair site in Aichi, where versions of the houses from the film My Neighbour Totoro, which were made for the Fair, have been preserved ever since.
Although many fans will be holding out hope for a Catbus ride, Suzuki made clear that rides will not be a big feature of the park, which will instead focus on nature, in keeping with the ecological themes of the film. Visitors will also be able to explore locations from films like Spirited Away and Priincess Mononoke. Everything in the locations will offer full hands-on access, so children can investigate like the characters in the films. Parents will doubtless be relieved if they can avoid soot.
- 6/3/2017
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The woods hold an unmistakable allure, familiar yet unknown, idyllic, yet fraught with peril. They are the heart of Happy Times Will Come, shot in natural light, which often means that viewers are abandoned in darkness to develop our senses. Indeed, the film thrusts us into the stark indigo night where a pair of fugitives scurrying up a steep hill are long heard before they are seen. Once the sun peeks out, dappling everything in its midst to beguiling effect, it’s not difficult to acclimate to the sights–the crooked crags aside a crisp brook or a verdant curtain of trees. Meanwhile, the young men, peculiarly unplaceable in time, forage for mushrooms or tussle in the high grass. Combining personal history and fabricated folklore, Italian director Alessandro Comodin imbues the alpine setting, already easy on the eyes, with a spectral glow and timelessness. The effect extends to a brief interlude of talking head interviews,...
- 3/28/2017
- MUBI
The Summer Is GoneOne of the greater pleasures of New Directors/New Films, the yearly collaboration in New York between the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Museum of Modern Art, is reveling in the mystery of emerging directors. Of course, many and most festivals have offerings from first (and second and third time) directors, but at none is this explicitly the point. When a minimum of information is offered, save for a brief bio, relinquished is the burden of pre-viewing research and any expectations that may arise from it. More prominent titles have been covered by the Notebook already, but here are highlights from around the globe, from directors not-yet-known, though hopefully for not much longer. The Summer Is Gone echoes the ghosts of Edward Yang by locating drama in a particular moment in history, wedding personal histories to political ones. Set in inner Mongolia, the film throws back to the ever-receding 90s,...
- 3/14/2017
- MUBI
One of the best festivals during the first half of the year is The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films, which kicks off its 46th year this March, running from the 15th to the 26th. With last year’s line-up including some of the year’s best films, including Cameraperson, The Fits, Kaili Blues, Neon Bull, Weiner, and more, we can expect many more discoveries this year.
Opening with Patti Cake$ and closing with Person to Person, in between will be one of our favorite films from Sundance as the centerpiece, Beach Rats. Also among the line-up is a handful of other festival favorites, including The Dreamed Path, The Giant, Menashe, and Lady Macbeth.
“Authenticity is an elusive thing these days, and without it we risk ruin. This is particularly true in cinema,” says Rajendra Roy, the Celeste Bartos Chief...
Opening with Patti Cake$ and closing with Person to Person, in between will be one of our favorite films from Sundance as the centerpiece, Beach Rats. Also among the line-up is a handful of other festival favorites, including The Dreamed Path, The Giant, Menashe, and Lady Macbeth.
“Authenticity is an elusive thing these days, and without it we risk ruin. This is particularly true in cinema,” says Rajendra Roy, the Celeste Bartos Chief...
- 2/15/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center has today announces their complete lineup for the 46th annual New Directors/New Films (Nd/Nf), running March 15 – 26. Dedicated to the discovery of new works by emerging and dynamic filmmaking talent, this year’s festival will screen 29 features and nine short films. This year’s lineup boasts nine North American premieres, seven U.S. premieres, and two world premieres, with features and shorts from 32 countries across five continents.
The opening, centerpiece, and closing night selections showcase three exciting new voices in American independent cinema that all recently debuted at Sundance: Geremy Jasper’s “Patti Cake$” is the opening night pick, while Eliza Hittman’s “Beach Rats” is the centerpiece selection and Dustin Guy Defa will close the festival with “Person to Person.” Other standouts include “Menashe,” “My Happy Family,” “Quest” and “The Wound.”
Read More: The Sundance Rebel:...
The opening, centerpiece, and closing night selections showcase three exciting new voices in American independent cinema that all recently debuted at Sundance: Geremy Jasper’s “Patti Cake$” is the opening night pick, while Eliza Hittman’s “Beach Rats” is the centerpiece selection and Dustin Guy Defa will close the festival with “Person to Person.” Other standouts include “Menashe,” “My Happy Family,” “Quest” and “The Wound.”
Read More: The Sundance Rebel:...
- 2/15/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Will Caroline be murdered?
That's one of the more pressing questions as we head in to The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11.
Cade is furious about Matt ringing the bell, so he decides that Damon needs to give him 100 souls, or Caroline will be killed.
How will the rest of the characters feel about that?
Remember you can watch The Vampire Diaries online right here via TV Fanatic. Get caught up now.
Have a look at the official stills from the episode...
1. Cade and Damon - The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11 Cade and Damon really hate each other, but will they fight? 2. Bonnie Fights Stefan - The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11 Bonnie is done with Stefan, but will he really try to kill her? 3. We Need To Kill Him! - The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11 Damon and Caroline will make an alliance to take down Cade, but will they be able...
That's one of the more pressing questions as we head in to The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11.
Cade is furious about Matt ringing the bell, so he decides that Damon needs to give him 100 souls, or Caroline will be killed.
How will the rest of the characters feel about that?
Remember you can watch The Vampire Diaries online right here via TV Fanatic. Get caught up now.
Have a look at the official stills from the episode...
1. Cade and Damon - The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11 Cade and Damon really hate each other, but will they fight? 2. Bonnie Fights Stefan - The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11 Bonnie is done with Stefan, but will he really try to kill her? 3. We Need To Kill Him! - The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11 Damon and Caroline will make an alliance to take down Cade, but will they be able...
- 2/2/2017
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Line-up includes Edinburgh victor Suntan, The Death Of Louis Xiv and César winner Fatima.
Franco-German broadcaster Arte and Paris-based digital film platform Festival Scope have launched the first edition of a new pan-European, online film festival called Artekino.
Arte has been developing the festival for more than a year-and-a-half, working closely with key partner Festival Scope — which has a long history of overseeing online distribution for festivals and cross-border audiences — as well as international sales agents in the region.
“Arte wanted to promote European cinema in a new way beyond what we already do through our channels and co-productions, putting the emphasis on independent, auteur cinema to spotlight new trends, new talents and even emerging territories,” Olivier Père, managing director of Arte France Cinéma, explained to Screen. “It’s the first festival of its kind focused only on European cinema.”
He added the initiative was also in keeping with Arte’s ambition to expand its digital activities...
Franco-German broadcaster Arte and Paris-based digital film platform Festival Scope have launched the first edition of a new pan-European, online film festival called Artekino.
Arte has been developing the festival for more than a year-and-a-half, working closely with key partner Festival Scope — which has a long history of overseeing online distribution for festivals and cross-border audiences — as well as international sales agents in the region.
“Arte wanted to promote European cinema in a new way beyond what we already do through our channels and co-productions, putting the emphasis on independent, auteur cinema to spotlight new trends, new talents and even emerging territories,” Olivier Père, managing director of Arte France Cinéma, explained to Screen. “It’s the first festival of its kind focused only on European cinema.”
He added the initiative was also in keeping with Arte’s ambition to expand its digital activities...
- 9/12/2016
- ScreenDaily
Halfway through the Cannes Film Festival, buzz is hearing about “Jackie”, now in post-production, an account of the days of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the immediate aftermath of John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963, directed by Pablo Larraín whose Directors’ Fortnight contender “Neruda” is receiving raves here. Another hot Directors’ Fortnight film “Mean Dreams” with Bill Paxton is praised by one important film buyer as “Mud” meets “Cold in July” in a tense coming-of-age drama about a 15-year-old boy. And Sony Pictures Classics has snatched U.S. rights to the German Competition comedy, “Toni Erdmann”.
This year in the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Competition Section, there are no first time film directors, only established masters, some praised and some panned. However, Cannes Official Un Certain Regard specifically shows emerging filmmakers who are considered to be the next generation of master auteurs of cinema. Out of its 17 films, seven were first features from Romania, France, Israel, USA, Argentina, Finland and the Netherlands. Three of the seven are by women: Stéphanie Di Giusto’s “La Danseuse” (“The Dancer”) is about Loïe Fuller, the toast of the Folies Bergères at the turn of the 20th century and an inspiration for Toulouse-Lautrec and the Lumière Brothers.
Maha Haj From Israel debuted on the first day with “Personal Affairs”, about an old couple in Nazareth and their son and daughter who live on the other side of the border. Other first films are the much-anticipated “The Red Turtle”, a dialogue-free animated feature from Studio Ghibli but made in France and directed by Dutch-born, London-based animator Michael Dudok de Wit, the Finnish-German-Swedish “The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Mäki” and Bogdan Mirica’s “Dogs”. The debut So. Korean film, “Train to Busan”, showed in the Official Midnight Screening section and featured a zombie-virus breaking out in South Korea, and a couple of passengers struggling to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan – enough to make me want to stop traveling.
“Fool Moon” by France’s Gregoire Leprinr-Foret had a Special Screening within the Official selection and received mixed reviews. In Critics Week, three of ten films selected and judged bycritics as the best films of the year thus far are first features: K. Rajapal’s drama “A Yellow Bird” from Singapore and France about a Singaporean Indian man trying to reconnect with his estranged family after he is released from prison, Mehmet Can Mertoglu’s “Albüm” from Turkey, France and Romania (See the trailer here) and Alessandro Comidin’s “Happy Times Will Come Soon” from Italy. The Acid sidebar of eight very independent features has two first films.
Also noticeable this year is the high number of films co-financed by the Doha Film Institute. Asgaard Farhadi's " The Salesman" will have its world premiere in the Festival’s Official Competition where it competes for the coveted Palme d’Or. “The Salesman” is about a couple who is forced out of their apartment due to dangerous works on a neighboring building. It is one of two Iranian films this year. The other, “Inversion” will play in Un Certain Regard.” Newly established Doha Film Institute lent financial support to two films showing in Un Certain Regard section – “Apprentice” (Singapore, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Qatar) written and directed by Boo Junfeng; and debut feature “Dogs” (Romania, France, Bulgaria, Qatar). Directors’ Fortnight is screens “Divines” (Morocco, France, Qatar) and three Dfi grantee films compete for top honors in the Critics Week: “Mimosas” (Spain, Morocco, France, Qatar) by Oliver Laxe; “Tramontane” (Lebanon, France, UAE, Qatar) by Vatche Boulghourjian; and “Diamond Island” (Cambodia, France, Germany, Qatar) by Davy Chou touted as poetic and beautiful, a part of what might be a Cambodian New Wave. This New Wave from Cambodia is being helped along by the Doha Film Institute whose CEO, Fatma Al Remaihi says:
“At the very core of Dfi’s film funding mandate is to contribute to World Cinema and ensure that great stories continue to be told. These projects will also inspire the young Qatari film professionals to create compelling content that will gain international acclaim.”
Shahrbanoo Sadat’s debut feature “Wolf and Sheep”, in Directors’ Fortnight, is about Sadat herself, who lives in Kabul and Denmark. It takes place in the isolated village in Central Afghanistan where she grew up and where young boys and girls are shepherds. International coproductions are the engine driving the film business today and this one, a Denmark-France-Sweden-Afghanistan coproduction is a prime example. Sadat was spotted previously when her 2011 short “Vice Versa One” screened at Directors’ Fortnight and was invited to develop “Wolf And Sheep” at Cannes Cinefondation Residency in 2010, which mentors emerging talent. Virginie Devesa of the international sales company Alpha Violet picked up the film here in Cannes. Alpha Violet is also selling ”A Yellow Bird” in Critics’ Week and is representing “Luxembourg”, the newest film by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy, whose first film “The Tribe” played in Sundance and other top fests.
This year in the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Competition Section, there are no first time film directors, only established masters, some praised and some panned. However, Cannes Official Un Certain Regard specifically shows emerging filmmakers who are considered to be the next generation of master auteurs of cinema. Out of its 17 films, seven were first features from Romania, France, Israel, USA, Argentina, Finland and the Netherlands. Three of the seven are by women: Stéphanie Di Giusto’s “La Danseuse” (“The Dancer”) is about Loïe Fuller, the toast of the Folies Bergères at the turn of the 20th century and an inspiration for Toulouse-Lautrec and the Lumière Brothers.
Maha Haj From Israel debuted on the first day with “Personal Affairs”, about an old couple in Nazareth and their son and daughter who live on the other side of the border. Other first films are the much-anticipated “The Red Turtle”, a dialogue-free animated feature from Studio Ghibli but made in France and directed by Dutch-born, London-based animator Michael Dudok de Wit, the Finnish-German-Swedish “The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Mäki” and Bogdan Mirica’s “Dogs”. The debut So. Korean film, “Train to Busan”, showed in the Official Midnight Screening section and featured a zombie-virus breaking out in South Korea, and a couple of passengers struggling to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan – enough to make me want to stop traveling.
“Fool Moon” by France’s Gregoire Leprinr-Foret had a Special Screening within the Official selection and received mixed reviews. In Critics Week, three of ten films selected and judged bycritics as the best films of the year thus far are first features: K. Rajapal’s drama “A Yellow Bird” from Singapore and France about a Singaporean Indian man trying to reconnect with his estranged family after he is released from prison, Mehmet Can Mertoglu’s “Albüm” from Turkey, France and Romania (See the trailer here) and Alessandro Comidin’s “Happy Times Will Come Soon” from Italy. The Acid sidebar of eight very independent features has two first films.
Also noticeable this year is the high number of films co-financed by the Doha Film Institute. Asgaard Farhadi's " The Salesman" will have its world premiere in the Festival’s Official Competition where it competes for the coveted Palme d’Or. “The Salesman” is about a couple who is forced out of their apartment due to dangerous works on a neighboring building. It is one of two Iranian films this year. The other, “Inversion” will play in Un Certain Regard.” Newly established Doha Film Institute lent financial support to two films showing in Un Certain Regard section – “Apprentice” (Singapore, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Qatar) written and directed by Boo Junfeng; and debut feature “Dogs” (Romania, France, Bulgaria, Qatar). Directors’ Fortnight is screens “Divines” (Morocco, France, Qatar) and three Dfi grantee films compete for top honors in the Critics Week: “Mimosas” (Spain, Morocco, France, Qatar) by Oliver Laxe; “Tramontane” (Lebanon, France, UAE, Qatar) by Vatche Boulghourjian; and “Diamond Island” (Cambodia, France, Germany, Qatar) by Davy Chou touted as poetic and beautiful, a part of what might be a Cambodian New Wave. This New Wave from Cambodia is being helped along by the Doha Film Institute whose CEO, Fatma Al Remaihi says:
“At the very core of Dfi’s film funding mandate is to contribute to World Cinema and ensure that great stories continue to be told. These projects will also inspire the young Qatari film professionals to create compelling content that will gain international acclaim.”
Shahrbanoo Sadat’s debut feature “Wolf and Sheep”, in Directors’ Fortnight, is about Sadat herself, who lives in Kabul and Denmark. It takes place in the isolated village in Central Afghanistan where she grew up and where young boys and girls are shepherds. International coproductions are the engine driving the film business today and this one, a Denmark-France-Sweden-Afghanistan coproduction is a prime example. Sadat was spotted previously when her 2011 short “Vice Versa One” screened at Directors’ Fortnight and was invited to develop “Wolf And Sheep” at Cannes Cinefondation Residency in 2010, which mentors emerging talent. Virginie Devesa of the international sales company Alpha Violet picked up the film here in Cannes. Alpha Violet is also selling ”A Yellow Bird” in Critics’ Week and is representing “Luxembourg”, the newest film by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy, whose first film “The Tribe” played in Sundance and other top fests.
- 5/27/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Exclusive: UK, Italy, Australia, Spain among a host of key sales on Cannes Competition hit.
The Match Factory has been racking up sales in key territories and around the world for Maren Ade’s critics’ darling and Palme d’Or contender, Toni Erdmann.
The film was picked up by Haut et Court for France and Filmcoopi for Switzerland prior to its Cannes premiere.
After its previously announced sale to North and Latin America (Sony Pictures Classics), the film went to the UK (Soda), Italy (Cinema), Scandinavia (Future), Japan (Bitters End), Spain (Golem), Hong Kong (Edko) Cis (Russian Report), Poland (Gutek), Benelux (September), China (Lemon Tree), Greece (Seven), Portugal (O Som e a Fúria/Alambique), Hungary (Cirko), Taiwan (Swallow Wings), Czech Republic/ Slovakia (Film Europe), Australia (Madman), South Korea (Green Narae) and Turkey (Filmarti).
“The cooperation with Komplizen Film on Toni Erdmann has turned out great in all aspects,” Michael Weber, managing director...
The Match Factory has been racking up sales in key territories and around the world for Maren Ade’s critics’ darling and Palme d’Or contender, Toni Erdmann.
The film was picked up by Haut et Court for France and Filmcoopi for Switzerland prior to its Cannes premiere.
After its previously announced sale to North and Latin America (Sony Pictures Classics), the film went to the UK (Soda), Italy (Cinema), Scandinavia (Future), Japan (Bitters End), Spain (Golem), Hong Kong (Edko) Cis (Russian Report), Poland (Gutek), Benelux (September), China (Lemon Tree), Greece (Seven), Portugal (O Som e a Fúria/Alambique), Hungary (Cirko), Taiwan (Swallow Wings), Czech Republic/ Slovakia (Film Europe), Australia (Madman), South Korea (Green Narae) and Turkey (Filmarti).
“The cooperation with Komplizen Film on Toni Erdmann has turned out great in all aspects,” Michael Weber, managing director...
- 5/19/2016
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: UK, Italy, Australia, Spain among a host of key sales on Cannes Competition hit.
The Match Factory has been racking up sales in key territories and around the world for Maren Ade’s critics’ darling and Palme d’Or contender, Toni Erdmann.
The film was picked up by Haut et Court for France and Filmcoopi for Switzerland prior to its Cannes premiere.
After its previously announced sale to North and Latin America (Sony Pictures Classics), the film went to the UK (Soda), Italy (Cinema), Scandinavia (Future), Japan (Bitters End), Spain (Golem), Hong Kong (Edko) Cis (Russian Report), Poland (Gutek), Benelux (September), China (Lemon Tree), Greece (Seven), Portugal (O Som e a Fúria/Alambique), Hungary (Cirko), Taiwan (Swallow Wings), Czech Republic/ Slovakia (Film Europe), Australia (Madman),South Korea (Green Narae), and Turkey (Filmarti).
“The cooperation with Komplizen Film on Toni Erdmann has turned out great in all aspects,“ Michael Weber, managing director...
The Match Factory has been racking up sales in key territories and around the world for Maren Ade’s critics’ darling and Palme d’Or contender, Toni Erdmann.
The film was picked up by Haut et Court for France and Filmcoopi for Switzerland prior to its Cannes premiere.
After its previously announced sale to North and Latin America (Sony Pictures Classics), the film went to the UK (Soda), Italy (Cinema), Scandinavia (Future), Japan (Bitters End), Spain (Golem), Hong Kong (Edko) Cis (Russian Report), Poland (Gutek), Benelux (September), China (Lemon Tree), Greece (Seven), Portugal (O Som e a Fúria/Alambique), Hungary (Cirko), Taiwan (Swallow Wings), Czech Republic/ Slovakia (Film Europe), Australia (Madman),South Korea (Green Narae), and Turkey (Filmarti).
“The cooperation with Komplizen Film on Toni Erdmann has turned out great in all aspects,“ Michael Weber, managing director...
- 5/19/2016
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Team Experience is at the Tribeca Film Festival. Here's Jason on Holidays.
In the immortal words of Bela Lugosi what music the children of the night make, turning the Midnight section of the Tribeca Film Festival into my favorite playground at the fest. Happy times with horror friends! So it was with some consternation when I saw this year the fest has given us a smaller swing-set upon which to swing - there are only six films showing under the "Midnight" banner (and it's a stretchto label at least two of them as Horror).
But wait! This year's opening film of the Midnight program is Holidays, an anthology consisting of eight short films (each one about a different celebratory day of the calendar) by eight different directing and writing teams, so I suppose that doubles their numbers, in a way. We'll take what we can get.
And with Holidays what we get,...
In the immortal words of Bela Lugosi what music the children of the night make, turning the Midnight section of the Tribeca Film Festival into my favorite playground at the fest. Happy times with horror friends! So it was with some consternation when I saw this year the fest has given us a smaller swing-set upon which to swing - there are only six films showing under the "Midnight" banner (and it's a stretchto label at least two of them as Horror).
But wait! This year's opening film of the Midnight program is Holidays, an anthology consisting of eight short films (each one about a different celebratory day of the calendar) by eight different directing and writing teams, so I suppose that doubles their numbers, in a way. We'll take what we can get.
And with Holidays what we get,...
- 4/18/2016
- by JA
- FilmExperience
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has unveiled its 2015 line-up which includes films representing 54 countries, 23 world premieres and 53 U.S. premieres. The U.S. premiere of Niki Caro’s McFarland USA will close out the 30th fest. Based on the 1987 true story and starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello, the film follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. The unlikely band of runners overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.
The festival runs from January 27-February 7.
Below is the list of World and U.S. Premiere films followed by the list of titles by sidebar categories.
World Premieres
A Better You, USA
Directed by Matt Walsh
Cast: Brian Huskey,...
The festival runs from January 27-February 7.
Below is the list of World and U.S. Premiere films followed by the list of titles by sidebar categories.
World Premieres
A Better You, USA
Directed by Matt Walsh
Cast: Brian Huskey,...
- 1/8/2015
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline
A self-acknowledged "showcase for Academy Award frontrunners," the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is often overlooked for the actual films that earn it festival status. An amalgamation of international discoveries and ’merica’s circuit highlights, the Sbiff curates a week of best-of-the-best to pair with their star-praising. The 2015 edition offers another expansive selection, bookended by two films that aren’t on any radars just yet. Sbiff will open with "Desert Dancer," producer Richard Raymond’s directorial debut. Starring Reece Ritchie and Frieda Pinto, the drama follows a group of friends who wave off the harsh political climate of Iran’s 2009 presidential election in favor of forming a dance team, picking up moves from Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev thanks to the magic of YouTube. The festival will close with "McFarland, USA," starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello. Telling the 1987 true story of a Latino high school’s underdog cross-country team,...
- 1/8/2015
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
Major spoilers ahead. Game of Thrones fans should proceed at your own risk!After three years of mounting schadenfreude, King Joffrey Baratheon, son of Queen Cersei and her brother Jaime Lannister, finally got what he deserved when he was fatally poisoned at his own wedding reception. While Game of Thrones fans cheer Joffrey's gruesome fate, they must also say goodbye to the talented actor who took utter delight in his almost gleeful portrayal of the evil king. Here are five things to know about Jack Gleeson: 1. The 21-year-old is from Cork, Ireland, and began acting when he was 7 years old,...
- 4/14/2014
- by Mary Green and Janine Rayford Rubenstein
- PEOPLE.com
2014 looks set to be a great year for new television drama and comedy in both the UK and Us, but it would be remiss of us not to tip our hats to the huge roster of returning favourites making their way back to our screens in the New Year.
So here's Digital Spy's highlights from the New Year's TV schedules - the 14 best shows coming back in 2014.
Sherlock (BBC One)
At last - at long last - Sherlock is back from the dead. Except a hair-raising reunion between Benedict Cumberbatch's presumed-dead detective and Martin Freeman's John Watson, a mind-blowing explanation as to exactly how Sherlock survived his fall, a malevolent new villain in the form of Lars Mikkelsen's Charles Augustus Magnussen and a ton of fan-baiting scenes just crying out for Tumblr gif-age.
Doctor Who (BBC One)
After 2013's 50th anniversary celebrations and Christmas special, we've got...
So here's Digital Spy's highlights from the New Year's TV schedules - the 14 best shows coming back in 2014.
Sherlock (BBC One)
At last - at long last - Sherlock is back from the dead. Except a hair-raising reunion between Benedict Cumberbatch's presumed-dead detective and Martin Freeman's John Watson, a mind-blowing explanation as to exactly how Sherlock survived his fall, a malevolent new villain in the form of Lars Mikkelsen's Charles Augustus Magnussen and a ton of fan-baiting scenes just crying out for Tumblr gif-age.
Doctor Who (BBC One)
After 2013's 50th anniversary celebrations and Christmas special, we've got...
- 12/31/2013
- Digital Spy
This Mexican actress is already famous in her home country, but was unknown to most Americans until photos emerged this week of her kissing Liam Hemsworth shortly after the Hunger Games actor confirmed that his engagement to Miley Cyrus was off. Here are five fun facts about Eiza Gonzalez.
1. Born January 30, 1990 in Caborca, Sonora, México -- her mother Reyna is a former model and hosted Mexico's version of Next Top Model.
Pics: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth in Happy Times
2. Attended the same performing arts school -- Centro de Educación Artística (Cea) in Mexico City -- as Univision star and former Dancing with the Stars contestant William Levy.
3. Shot to fame in Mexico by appearing on the popular crime drama Mujeres Asesinas (Killer Women). Modern Family star Sofia Vergara is executive producing an English language version of the show that will soon debut in the United States.
5 Things You Don't Know About Liam Hemsworth
4. Also has a music...
1. Born January 30, 1990 in Caborca, Sonora, México -- her mother Reyna is a former model and hosted Mexico's version of Next Top Model.
Pics: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth in Happy Times
2. Attended the same performing arts school -- Centro de Educación Artística (Cea) in Mexico City -- as Univision star and former Dancing with the Stars contestant William Levy.
3. Shot to fame in Mexico by appearing on the popular crime drama Mujeres Asesinas (Killer Women). Modern Family star Sofia Vergara is executive producing an English language version of the show that will soon debut in the United States.
5 Things You Don't Know About Liam Hemsworth
4. Also has a music...
- 9/20/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
After months of split rumors, a rep for Liam Hemsworth confirmed on Monday that his engagement to Miley Cyrus is indeed off. Here are five things you may not know about this Hunger Games hunk!
1. Born January 13, 1990 in Melbourne, Australia -- his mother is an English teacher and his father a social services counselor.
Pics: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth in Happy Times
2. At the start of his career, starred in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portraying a paraplegic.
3. Was considered for the title role in Thor, which ultimately went to his brother Chris.
Video: Liam Hemsworth's Paranoia Becomes Reality
4. In addition to starring alongside Miley in the 2010 movie The Last Song, he also appeared in the music video for her song When I Look at You, which was used to promote the film.
5. Among his favorite actors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Heath Ledger and Paul Newman.
Video: Paranoia: Liam On 'Intimate' Scenes with Amber Heard...
1. Born January 13, 1990 in Melbourne, Australia -- his mother is an English teacher and his father a social services counselor.
Pics: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth in Happy Times
2. At the start of his career, starred in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portraying a paraplegic.
3. Was considered for the title role in Thor, which ultimately went to his brother Chris.
Video: Liam Hemsworth's Paranoia Becomes Reality
4. In addition to starring alongside Miley in the 2010 movie The Last Song, he also appeared in the music video for her song When I Look at You, which was used to promote the film.
5. Among his favorite actors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Heath Ledger and Paul Newman.
Video: Paranoia: Liam On 'Intimate' Scenes with Amber Heard...
- 9/16/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
The international premiere of The Grandmaster by Chinese director and president of this year’s jury, Wong Kar Wai, will open the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival.
The Grandmaster is an epic martial arts drama set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1930’s China and inspired by the life and times of the legendary IP Man (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), mentor to Bruce Lee. The plot encompasses themes of war, family, revenge, desire, love, and memory. The all-star cast headed by Tony Leung Chiu Wai (Days of Being Wild - Berlinale Forum 1991, Chungking Express, Happy Together, In The Mood for Love, 2046, all directed by Wong Kar Wai), also includes Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon, D: Ang Lee), who was a guest at the 2009 Berlinale Competition with Forever Enthralled (D: Chen Kaige), Chang Chen (Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon; Eros, D: Wong Kar Wai), Zhao Benshan (Happy Times, D: Zhang Yimou), Xiao Shengyang (A Woman,...
The Grandmaster is an epic martial arts drama set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1930’s China and inspired by the life and times of the legendary IP Man (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), mentor to Bruce Lee. The plot encompasses themes of war, family, revenge, desire, love, and memory. The all-star cast headed by Tony Leung Chiu Wai (Days of Being Wild - Berlinale Forum 1991, Chungking Express, Happy Together, In The Mood for Love, 2046, all directed by Wong Kar Wai), also includes Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon, D: Ang Lee), who was a guest at the 2009 Berlinale Competition with Forever Enthralled (D: Chen Kaige), Chang Chen (Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon; Eros, D: Wong Kar Wai), Zhao Benshan (Happy Times, D: Zhang Yimou), Xiao Shengyang (A Woman,...
- 12/19/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
With her daughter Lindsay Lohan facing jail time and financial ruin, Dina Lohan sent out a reminder of more simple times on Saturday, tweeting an old holiday photo of Lindsay, her son Michael and herself in front of a Christmas tree.
“It was taken at Dina’s parents' house and yes, that is plastic on the sofa,” father Michael Lohan tells The Huffington Post. “I forget what gifts were given to the kids but I know I bought Dina a Mercury Cougar. Lindsay was about two-and-a-half and Michael Jr. was one. Happy times.”
Now, almost 24 years later, Lindsay finds herself a troubled star. She failed to appear in a Los Angeles court last Wednesday when her probation was revoked and prosecutors now want her to serve 245 days in prison.
“Looking at the picture is heartbreaking,” one family friend tells me. “No one would have imagined that little girl with so...
“It was taken at Dina’s parents' house and yes, that is plastic on the sofa,” father Michael Lohan tells The Huffington Post. “I forget what gifts were given to the kids but I know I bought Dina a Mercury Cougar. Lindsay was about two-and-a-half and Michael Jr. was one. Happy times.”
Now, almost 24 years later, Lindsay finds herself a troubled star. She failed to appear in a Los Angeles court last Wednesday when her probation was revoked and prosecutors now want her to serve 245 days in prison.
“Looking at the picture is heartbreaking,” one family friend tells me. “No one would have imagined that little girl with so...
- 12/17/2012
- by Naughty But Nice Rob
- Huffington Post
Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmasters has been one of the most anticipated films of the year for a few years running now, and it looks like it won’t be seeing the light of day just yet once more.
The film was originally set for release in Hong Kong and China on 18th December, but now it has been pushed back to 8th January, 2013, with reports that the director has decided to go back and shoot more footage.
We were recently treated to a rather immense full-length trailer, and to ease the delay to the release date, four great new character posters have now been released.
“With martial arts getting more popular in the Thirties, more people seek to learn them via the professionals at Foshan in Southern China. Some of the experienced masters like to challenge their counterparts and undergoing battles. To have their whole concentration, it is their...
The film was originally set for release in Hong Kong and China on 18th December, but now it has been pushed back to 8th January, 2013, with reports that the director has decided to go back and shoot more footage.
We were recently treated to a rather immense full-length trailer, and to ease the delay to the release date, four great new character posters have now been released.
“With martial arts getting more popular in the Thirties, more people seek to learn them via the professionals at Foshan in Southern China. Some of the experienced masters like to challenge their counterparts and undergoing battles. To have their whole concentration, it is their...
- 11/27/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Wong Kar-wai’s highly-anticipated and long-awaited The Grandmasters will be arriving in theatres in China and Hong Kong next month, and we were treated to a brilliant first full-length trailer for the film at the start of the week.
The film has been in development for years now, and Craig was treated to some footage at Cannes back in May – you can read his preview report here – and naturally he said that the footage didn’t disappoint.
With its release in China and Hong Kong due out in just over a month, a handful of images have surfaced over at wongkarwai.net.
“With martial arts getting more popular in the Thirties, more people seek to learn them via the professionals at Foshan in Southern China. Some of the experienced masters like to challenge their counterparts and undergoing battles. To have their whole concentration, it is their practice to lock up...
The film has been in development for years now, and Craig was treated to some footage at Cannes back in May – you can read his preview report here – and naturally he said that the footage didn’t disappoint.
With its release in China and Hong Kong due out in just over a month, a handful of images have surfaced over at wongkarwai.net.
“With martial arts getting more popular in the Thirties, more people seek to learn them via the professionals at Foshan in Southern China. Some of the experienced masters like to challenge their counterparts and undergoing battles. To have their whole concentration, it is their practice to lock up...
- 11/9/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Here's a recap of The Vampire Diaries Season 4, Episode 2 ("Memorial")! The episode begins with Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) waking up all cuddly in the forest. Happy times at last! Not too fast, though. There's gotta be a little tussle between Stefan and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) first. Stefan wants to hook Elena on animal blood and get her used to that so she won't crave human blood. Damon - ever the bearer of bad news - says no way that'll work. Stefan says he's got to try or else she may lose her humanity. They spot a deer and take it down. Elena lets it go before it's dead and clearly feels bad about hurting it; Stefan promises her it ///...
- 10/19/2012
- by thetwilightexaminer
- Twilight Examiner
The Expendables are back in cinemas this month – more muscles, more mayhem, moderate self-awareness.
Part of the appeal of the franchise (can we call it that now?) is that it harks back to how we first got to know a lot of these actors – ridiculous, one-man-army plots, explosions, guns, one-liners and frankly, lots of fun.
Since the sort of guff a lot of these guys churned out around the 80′s (Raw Deal, Over the Top, Cobra, The Punisher, Dark Angel, Code of Silence, Lone Wolf McQuade, Kickboxer, Awol, Red Sonja, Black Eagle etc), they have mostly gone on to bigger and better(?) things. But there is a place for celebrating where these guys have come from, especially since they are playing on that background in gathering them together now.
Rather than try to look back at the critical high points of some of the Expendables (that would be a very...
Part of the appeal of the franchise (can we call it that now?) is that it harks back to how we first got to know a lot of these actors – ridiculous, one-man-army plots, explosions, guns, one-liners and frankly, lots of fun.
Since the sort of guff a lot of these guys churned out around the 80′s (Raw Deal, Over the Top, Cobra, The Punisher, Dark Angel, Code of Silence, Lone Wolf McQuade, Kickboxer, Awol, Red Sonja, Black Eagle etc), they have mostly gone on to bigger and better(?) things. But there is a place for celebrating where these guys have come from, especially since they are playing on that background in gathering them together now.
Rather than try to look back at the critical high points of some of the Expendables (that would be a very...
- 8/31/2012
- by Dave Roper
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
A week later and they still haven't changed clothing. In the third installment of "The Voice's" blind auditions, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton take their red-spinning seats in the same attire they've been donning since the Super Bowl. "I like how they try to think us into thinking it's a different day of blind auditions, but they're in the same clothes," Chelsey notes.
And the show opens with the type of contestant we've been waiting for: an androgynous woman. With Season 1's Beverly McClellan and Vicci Martinez, "The Voice" became known for accepting performers of all shapes, sizes and -- most notably different from "American Idol" -- sexual orientations.
Sadly, there is no performance from the judges, but a hell of a lot to choose from with the contestants. So let's get started ...
Pip
Our first favorite of the night was 19-year-old babyface Pip (no,...
And the show opens with the type of contestant we've been waiting for: an androgynous woman. With Season 1's Beverly McClellan and Vicci Martinez, "The Voice" became known for accepting performers of all shapes, sizes and -- most notably different from "American Idol" -- sexual orientations.
Sadly, there is no performance from the judges, but a hell of a lot to choose from with the contestants. So let's get started ...
Pip
Our first favorite of the night was 19-year-old babyface Pip (no,...
- 2/14/2012
- by Jaimie Etkin
- Aol TV.
Red-carpet fashion coverage: Vote on all of Fab's fashion red-carpet love it or hate it polls Red carpet trends: stars shine in sparkly gowns Best dressed: which actress gets your vote? Red-carpet beauty coverage: Double take take a second look at the chic manicures the Emmys How to get the sexiest looks from the show Trend alert: vintage hairstyles at the Emmys Press room quotes, celebrity couples, and more from the Emmy Awards! Simple science: Jim Parsons reveals he thought Steve Carell would win Clean sweep: Modern Family's Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen celebrate their wins backstage Miss congeniality: Melissa McCarthy talks best actress stage stunt Happy times: Margo Martindale is "On cloud nine" Gone to the dogs: Game of Thrones winner Peter Dinklage explains thanking his dog sitter Here's looking at you: red-hot couples on the red carpet And the award goes to: see the entire list of Emmy winners!
- 9/19/2011
- by PopSugar
- Popsugar.com
Sometimes a happy, smiling face can inspire joy and encouragement. Other times, it can instill a murderous rage. The second option is the case in the episode “Judy’s Smile” from Rob Parrish’s Next to Heaven web series. Parrish re-edits video found on Archive.org and composes new, surreal — and usually very funny if you have a dark sense of humor — voice over. “Judy’s Smile” is one of his darkest efforts yet, taking an innocuous film of a brother and sister and layering a disturbing subtext over it.
Episodes of Next to Heaven are hosted by Blip.tv andhe series is very atypical of the mainstream fare hosted on that video sharing site, where one normally finds vlogs, chat shows, comedies, dramas, etc. The site doesn’t even offer ‘experimental,’ ‘avant-garde’ or ‘cult’ categories probably under the correct assumption that those categories would be poorly trafficked. (Parrish lists...
Episodes of Next to Heaven are hosted by Blip.tv andhe series is very atypical of the mainstream fare hosted on that video sharing site, where one normally finds vlogs, chat shows, comedies, dramas, etc. The site doesn’t even offer ‘experimental,’ ‘avant-garde’ or ‘cult’ categories probably under the correct assumption that those categories would be poorly trafficked. (Parrish lists...
- 9/1/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Glee: The 3D Concert Movie
Directed by: Ryan Tancharoen
Cast: Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, Naya Rivera, Kevin McHale
Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Rating: PG
Release Date: August 12, 2011
This is a “Seen It” review. You’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. That means all plot points and spoilers are fair game and will be discussed. The only reason to read this review is if you have already watched the film, or never plan on seeing it, but for some reason, you’d like to know what Tsr thought about it. We walk you through the key moments in the film, adding in our thoughts along the way. You’ve been warned.
Plot: A concert movie for the TV show “Glee,” mixed with real testimonials by people whose lives are changed by the popular series.
Movie: Introduced by the screams and general praise of thousands of adoring fans,...
Directed by: Ryan Tancharoen
Cast: Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, Naya Rivera, Kevin McHale
Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Rating: PG
Release Date: August 12, 2011
This is a “Seen It” review. You’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. That means all plot points and spoilers are fair game and will be discussed. The only reason to read this review is if you have already watched the film, or never plan on seeing it, but for some reason, you’d like to know what Tsr thought about it. We walk you through the key moments in the film, adding in our thoughts along the way. You’ve been warned.
Plot: A concert movie for the TV show “Glee,” mixed with real testimonials by people whose lives are changed by the popular series.
Movie: Introduced by the screams and general praise of thousands of adoring fans,...
- 8/12/2011
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
We have four audio treats in store this week, kicking off with Heartless, a British psychological horror film starring Jim Sturgess. Its soundtrack is composed by David Julyan, who has previously worked on several Christopher Nolan films. The music is brooding and atmospheric but the only tracks that seem to build to anything are ‘Papa B’ and (inevitably) ‘Papa B Returns’, with ‘Run, Jamie, Run!’ adding some sense of momentum and bluster. The rest of the music largely consists of minimalist strings over bassy electronic wobbles, which is okay, but unremarkable.
Following Heartless is Ways to Live Forever, a film about two young boys with leukaemia who long to try all the various life experiences that they won’t live long enough to enjoy. Happy times. Cesar Benito’s score is chirpier than one might expect, but sounds like a Tesco Value Yann Tiersen effort, all quirky strings and plonky piano parts,...
Following Heartless is Ways to Live Forever, a film about two young boys with leukaemia who long to try all the various life experiences that they won’t live long enough to enjoy. Happy times. Cesar Benito’s score is chirpier than one might expect, but sounds like a Tesco Value Yann Tiersen effort, all quirky strings and plonky piano parts,...
- 7/5/2011
- by Jack Kirby
- Nerdly
Jenny McCarthy has figured out the key to a happy relationship with new boyfriend Jason Toohey: honesty - and lots of it. "I have been so open and truthful in this relationship - it is amazing," she tells People at a signing of her new book, Love, Lust & Faking It: The Naked Truth About Sex, Lies and True Romance, Friday at Miami's Epic Hotel. "If he wants Chinese [food] and I don't, I say it," she says. "If he wants to go out and I want to stay in and watch Dancing with the Stars, I tell him so … Sometimes...
- 10/17/2010
- by Linda Marx
- PEOPLE.com
It's Mario's 25th birthday today (okay, technically it was yesterday. Shut up) so Nintendo put together a giant-ass retrospective of his games. Be honest here: How many of these have you guys actually beaten? I did manage to beat Super Mario Bros. once, but not without gaining a heavy amount of loathing for those fucking Piranha Plants. Those leafy little C-u-Next-Tuesdays. (Topless Robot)
Speaking of Mario, someone decided to put together a list of 10 ways to make a good Super Mario Movie. I have one too! Steps #1-10: Fucking Don't. See how easy that was? (IGN)
Did I ever tell you how much I love tumblr pages? I'm not really sure how they work, but I love them. And I also love this one of all the screaming hysterical faces from the last season of Oprah. Did you know that Oprah can raise the dead? You do now.
Speaking of Mario, someone decided to put together a list of 10 ways to make a good Super Mario Movie. I have one too! Steps #1-10: Fucking Don't. See how easy that was? (IGN)
Did I ever tell you how much I love tumblr pages? I'm not really sure how they work, but I love them. And I also love this one of all the screaming hysterical faces from the last season of Oprah. Did you know that Oprah can raise the dead? You do now.
- 9/14/2010
- by Jeremy Feist
Happy times are soon to come on the Zee Tv show ‘Chhoti Bahu’ as the most wanted couples of small screen come together in one serial.
According our source, “Manav (Sushant Singh Rajput) and Archana (Ankita Lokhande) will join hands with Dev (Avinash Sachdev) and Radhika (Rubina Dilaik) as they leave for their honeymoon and thus on this special occasion the beautiful couple of Archana and Manav from the serial ‘Pavitra Rishta’ will grace the sets of ‘Chhoti Bahu’.
When we contacted Rubina, she informs, “It was great experience, having fun and working with.
According our source, “Manav (Sushant Singh Rajput) and Archana (Ankita Lokhande) will join hands with Dev (Avinash Sachdev) and Radhika (Rubina Dilaik) as they leave for their honeymoon and thus on this special occasion the beautiful couple of Archana and Manav from the serial ‘Pavitra Rishta’ will grace the sets of ‘Chhoti Bahu’.
When we contacted Rubina, she informs, “It was great experience, having fun and working with.
- 2/1/2010
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
(Zhang Yimou, above.)
[Another retro interview flashback. My talk with Zhang Yimou occurred in the spring of 2002 and originally appeared in Venice Magazine. Zhang Yimou was promoting his film Happy Times, and had already completed Hero, the martial arts spectacular which was to take his career into an entirely different direction, genre-wise. After Raise the Red Lantern, Happy Times is actually my favorite film of Zhang Yimou, although it is a bit of an anomaly in his canon of work. Much of it is structured like a screwball comedy, including the concept, although unquestionably present in the film is the feeling of melancholy that permeates all of his work. I enjoyed the dichotomy of the comedy and sadness, whereas it is the sadness that dominates many of his earlier films.
This was also the first and only interview where the subject also had his own audio tape rolling. Zhang Yimou had trouble in the past with the Chinese censors and perhaps this was something he did regularly to make sure he was not misquoted. I only speculate.
In person, he was pleasant, although very much felt like a tough general who had been through the wars. A few laughs here and there, but very strong and firm.)
by Terry Keefe
Zhang Yimou is arguably the most acclaimed Chinese filmmaker alive today. For the past decade and a half, his films have been at the vanguard of revolutionizing Chinese cinema. He has proven himself a master of a number of film genres and styles, from period dramas such as Raise the Red Lantern (1991) to his new release Happy Times, a bittersweet comedy. Incredibly prolific, he has made 13 feature films within the last 15 years,...
[Another retro interview flashback. My talk with Zhang Yimou occurred in the spring of 2002 and originally appeared in Venice Magazine. Zhang Yimou was promoting his film Happy Times, and had already completed Hero, the martial arts spectacular which was to take his career into an entirely different direction, genre-wise. After Raise the Red Lantern, Happy Times is actually my favorite film of Zhang Yimou, although it is a bit of an anomaly in his canon of work. Much of it is structured like a screwball comedy, including the concept, although unquestionably present in the film is the feeling of melancholy that permeates all of his work. I enjoyed the dichotomy of the comedy and sadness, whereas it is the sadness that dominates many of his earlier films.
This was also the first and only interview where the subject also had his own audio tape rolling. Zhang Yimou had trouble in the past with the Chinese censors and perhaps this was something he did regularly to make sure he was not misquoted. I only speculate.
In person, he was pleasant, although very much felt like a tough general who had been through the wars. A few laughs here and there, but very strong and firm.)
by Terry Keefe
Zhang Yimou is arguably the most acclaimed Chinese filmmaker alive today. For the past decade and a half, his films have been at the vanguard of revolutionizing Chinese cinema. He has proven himself a master of a number of film genres and styles, from period dramas such as Raise the Red Lantern (1991) to his new release Happy Times, a bittersweet comedy. Incredibly prolific, he has made 13 feature films within the last 15 years,...
- 1/13/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
If a film could win praise based solely on the name Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) would clean up during awards season. The name alone brings a smile to your face and gives you that extra push to get into the theater and check in on your old pals, Simon, Theodore, and Alvin. It has been two years since the first feature film of Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007). When we last left off, Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler), and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) settled in nicely to their new life as international super singing sensations, courtesy of their new owner and songwriter Dave (Jason Lee). In the Squeakquel the boys are back and like always Alvin is ready to stir up trouble, Simon is ready for a new invention and Theodore… well he still has a big appetite for life. During a benefit concert in Paris, Dave suffers...
- 1/9/2010
- by cjoyce@corp.popstar.com (Colleen Joyce)
- ScreenStar
Moving on to 2004. What follows is my original top ten list, based on films released in NYC in 2004. If I have anything new to say that'll be in red after the original text.
Top Ten Runners Up (in descending order): Aviator, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Mean Girls, Maria Full of Grace, The Five Obstructions, Collateral, Goodbye Lenin!, Birth and Closer Yes, I'm absolutely horrified by the rankings now. Nothing about that ranking feels right now. I am most ashamed that Birth was only at number [cough] 19 in its year. In my self-flattering memory I "almost" put it in the top ten despite the then brutal reviews. I was ahead of my time! Oh well... at least I did actually name it the #1 most underappreciated film of the year. At the time I said...
Jonathan Glazer made a significant splash four years ago when his brilliantly acted heist film Sexy Beast...
Top Ten Runners Up (in descending order): Aviator, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Mean Girls, Maria Full of Grace, The Five Obstructions, Collateral, Goodbye Lenin!, Birth and Closer Yes, I'm absolutely horrified by the rankings now. Nothing about that ranking feels right now. I am most ashamed that Birth was only at number [cough] 19 in its year. In my self-flattering memory I "almost" put it in the top ten despite the then brutal reviews. I was ahead of my time! Oh well... at least I did actually name it the #1 most underappreciated film of the year. At the time I said...
Jonathan Glazer made a significant splash four years ago when his brilliantly acted heist film Sexy Beast...
- 12/15/2009
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Every good show must have it's boring episode, and tonight it was 'FlashForward's' turn This review may contain spoilers. Happy times are here again, at least that.s what they want us to believe at the beginning of "Playing Cards With Coyote". Olivia (Sonya Walger) and Mark (Joseph Fiennes) are holed up in a hotel on the ocean, the woman Al (Lee Thompson Young) saved has found fame through his selfless death, and Lloyd (Jack Davenport) is showing off his magic tricks to his son. We.ve learned the future can be changed, thanks to Al, and that.s a reason to celebrate. This can.t last for long though . and it doesn.t. Mark unknowingly gifts Olivia the lingerie that she.s wearing in her flash forward with Lloyd, and Tracy (Genevieve Cortese) is having awful nightmares from the war ...
- 11/15/2009
- GeekNation.com
Yes, I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to remakes in general. Yes, I love Blood Simple, the Coen Brothers' debut feature, so much so that I wrote a long article about the film. Yes, I initially thought the prospect of a Chinese version set in a noodle shop was ridiculous.
On the other hand, we're talking Zhang Yimou, people! He's a world-class filmmaker who has demonstrated his artistry over many years, ranging from the delicate poetry of Raise the Red Lantern to the homespun humanity of Not One Less to the martial arts dramatics of House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower. Do I want to see that guy remake Blood Simple in Chinese? Heck yes!
The new version will indeed be set in a Chinese noodle shop, but rather than Texas, the background will be "a sand dune-specked desert." The premise remains the same -- a...
On the other hand, we're talking Zhang Yimou, people! He's a world-class filmmaker who has demonstrated his artistry over many years, ranging from the delicate poetry of Raise the Red Lantern to the homespun humanity of Not One Less to the martial arts dramatics of House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower. Do I want to see that guy remake Blood Simple in Chinese? Heck yes!
The new version will indeed be set in a Chinese noodle shop, but rather than Texas, the background will be "a sand dune-specked desert." The premise remains the same -- a...
- 7/30/2009
- by Peter Martin
- Cinematical
I was at first very skeptical of the news that there would be a new version of Blood Simple. It's the first movie by the Coen Brothers, a significant film in the history of not only independent film but also the Sundance Film Festival, and it's a great modern film noir movie.
Then I heard it was going to be a Chinese remake, and I warmed up to it a little more, because looking at anything from the perspective of another culture is part of the beauty of all literature. Then it was announced that Zhang Yimou would be directing it and he's one of the best filmmakers who has ever lived, so he gets a big benefit of the doubt.
In addition to last year's unforgettable opening ceremonies spectacle at the Beijing Olympics, Zhang Yimou has directed Hero, Raise the Red Lantern, House of Flying Daggers, and a couple...
Then I heard it was going to be a Chinese remake, and I warmed up to it a little more, because looking at anything from the perspective of another culture is part of the beauty of all literature. Then it was announced that Zhang Yimou would be directing it and he's one of the best filmmakers who has ever lived, so he gets a big benefit of the doubt.
In addition to last year's unforgettable opening ceremonies spectacle at the Beijing Olympics, Zhang Yimou has directed Hero, Raise the Red Lantern, House of Flying Daggers, and a couple...
- 7/29/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Ta forum member uktwifan wants to know what the fans would cut from the New Moon movienbspWhat Would You Cut From New Moon?The debate for what must stay in the New Moon Movie pivotal scenes favorite moments have appeared all over the various fan sites with top ten rundowns but we all know that the Movie is going to have to cut out large chunks of the book to make a commercially successful film so if you were screenwriter what would you cut?I would definitely say New Moon is my favorite of the series it has everything Happy Times Scary Times Bad Times Fun Times Exciting Times Horrifying Times and Dreamy Times. And as a devoted member of Team Edward of course we would want as much of Rob in the film as possible but surely that would just spoil the suspense and longing that builds throughout the...
- 4/8/2009
- twilightersanonymous.com
Ta forum member uktwifan wants to know what the fans would cut from the New Moon movienbspWhat Would You Cut From New Moon?The debate for what must stay in the New Moon Movie pivotal scenes favorite moments have appeared all over the various fan sites with top ten rundowns but we all know that the Movie is going to have to cut out large chunks of the book to make a commercially successful film so if you were screenwriter what would you cut?I would definitely say New Moon is my favorite of the series it has everything Happy Times Scary Times Bad Times Fun Times Exciting Times Horrifying Times and Dreamy Times. And as a devoted member of Team Edward of course we would want as much of Rob in the film as possible but surely that would just spoil the suspense and longing that builds throughout the...
- 4/8/2009
- twilightersanonymous.com
I was one of the allegedly three billion people watching the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on TV, and I think I received the intended message: China is here, big time. The scope, precision and beauty of the production was, you will agree, astonishing. The distinguished director Zhang Yimou was given $300 million and full rein of his imagination, and perhaps some of his background in opera was also useful.
The sheer size of the production was awesome. It said a lot for China, both positively and perhaps negatively. With the exception of the star pianist Lang Lang, a duet between Sarah Brightman and Liu Huan, and some featured dancers, the emphasis was not on individuals, but on masses of performers, meticulously trained and coordinated. What was your reaction to the opening spectacle of 2,008 drummers, creating waves and shapes of lights with their drums? Mine was amazement and pleasure. Also...
The sheer size of the production was awesome. It said a lot for China, both positively and perhaps negatively. With the exception of the star pianist Lang Lang, a duet between Sarah Brightman and Liu Huan, and some featured dancers, the emphasis was not on individuals, but on masses of performers, meticulously trained and coordinated. What was your reaction to the opening spectacle of 2,008 drummers, creating waves and shapes of lights with their drums? Mine was amazement and pleasure. Also...
- 8/11/2008
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
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