David O. Russell‘s vivacious new film, Silver Linings Playbook, is perhaps his best yet. While being full of charm and humor, it also has something to say about how fragile the mind is and what this world can do to someone on the brink. Bolstered by a barrier-breaking performance by Jennifer Lawrence and a surprisingly great turn by Bradley Cooper, the film will both shock and bewitch you. A lot of what Russell displays on the screen, however, is drawn from the novel of the same name by writer Matthew Quick, who was gracious enough to recently sit down with me to discuss the mixed emotions of watching his book on screen, his thoughts on…
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The Criterion Files: Brazil
Brazil: Directed by: Terry Gilliam Written by: Terry Gilliam, Tom Stoppard, Charles McKeown Starring: Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Kim Greist, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Katherine Helmond Cinematography by: Roger Pratt Music by: Michael Kamen Released: December 18th, 1985 Terry Gilliam may possess a degree of prescience, not full-blown clairvoyance but respectable foreknowledge. Then again, studios might just be that predictable. When Gilliam made Brazil, his magnum opus, in 1985, he had in his hands a significant and excellent sociopolitical/cultural satire rife with relevance, a film that skewers the haughty foibles of upper crust society and shines a harsh light on the constricting, stymieing grip of bureaucratic foolishness.…
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Sweet Trailer…Jesse Eisenberg's Ensemble Heist Flick 'Now You See Me'
Yesterday The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 opened across the nation and one of the surprises (beyond the 15 minute melee in the finale), which funny enough had nothing to do with Twilight, came in the form of a trailer. The trailer in question was for the upcoming Jesse Eisenberg vehicle Now You See Me. What looks equal parts intriguing, comical and roller coaster-type fun, Summit Entertainment will unveil the illusionist heist flick Now You See Me next year and I bet it’ll be one helluva Summer popcorn film. This didn’t sound too impressive when it was announced some months ago but this stellar trailer (and cast!) has me singing a different…
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Ohhh, Look…Ang Lee Talks Technical Marvels In 'Life of Pi'
The year is quickly wrapping up and one of the many anticipated films gracing theaters this Fall/Winter is Ang Lee’s Life of Pi. At one time the film, an adaptation of Yann Maretel‘s novel of the same name, was thought to be unfilmmable. Well it just goes to show that when an experienced and visionary director gets their hands on a projects (and this time with lots of help from an equally talented effects team) nothing is impossible. Basically, you can lock in your Oscar picks now. Life of Pi is going home with a boatload of golden statues next February…well, as long Lincoln and Argo don’t sweep the awards…
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G-S-T Review…The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
Brace yourselves Twilight fans, it all comes down to this. No more brooding, no more long awkward affectionate stares or lip-biting. This final installment gives fans the climactic showdown between the Cullens and Volturi they’ve been patiently waiting for (well, kind of). Suffice to say nothing in the series has been more thrilling or satisfying than this. This final installment also finds Bella, with baby in tow, joining the Cullen clan in the way she believed herself born to live, as a full on vampire. There’s less focus on Bella’s former life (sorry fans no Anna Kendrick and co here) as the story moved with long strides to meet, head on, the Volturi…
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G-S-T Review…Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is considered by historians to be one of the best, if not the best, President of the United States of America. It is only fitting that one of the best directors of our time takes the helm on Lincoln. Most audience members that wander into Lincoln will already be aware of the events that transpire throughout the course of the film. We know what the outcome of the movie will be, because it is history. However, the joy is in the journey as you are thrust back into an explosive time rife with turmoil and change. Lincoln is ripped from the pages of history, meticulously reenacted and then…
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“The CineMagic 8-Ball” – In Theaters 11/16/12
When so many movies are released each weekend and trailers often seem better than the movie itself, what should one do? In this precarious situation, we consult the The CineMagic 8-Ball (TM) to help us see through the nebulous marketing haze. Doing so just might save us all a disheartening trip to the cinema and spare us unnecessarily springing for $7 popcorn. See what the 8-Ball says about this week’s releases… ——————————————————————————————————————————————- LINCOLN In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to…
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Michael Fassbender Drives Formula 1 Documentary '1' For Spitfire Pictures
Long time Formula 1 enthusiast and Golden Globe nominated actor, Michael Fassbender, has signed on to narrate Exclusive Media’s Spitfire Pictures’ new documentary film “1”, it was announced today by the film’s producer and Exclusive Media co-chairman Nigel Sinclair and fellow producer Michael Shevloff together with director Paul Crowder. “1” is an action documentary that brings the glamour, speed, danger, and excitement of Formula One Grand Prix racing to the big screen. “We are honored that Michael has agreed to lend his voice to our film. He is one of the most talented actors in the world today as well as being a Formula 1 fan. His charismatic and daring approach…
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Ohhh, Look…More 007 Visual Candy; 'Skyfall' Intro and Bond Doc
Gotta love this Internet. The latest James Bond film, Skyfall, opened in US theaters less than a week ago. A massive hit already (deemed by some to be the best Bond yet) but now you can behold the marvelous opening title sequence without even setting foot in a cineplex! Though to the credit of Sam Mendes and Daniel Kleinman you should totally see this on the BIG screen. To those who know Bond, the films always feature a rather beautiful kaleidoscopic opening credits sequence. A combination of guns, girls, and a mix of foreshadowed plot and film footage, this wondrously dark sequence is perfectly complimented by Adele’s theme song which just…
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'Thor 2' Set Images Toe the Camp Line
…and I love ’em. Courtesy of an article published yesterday on Bleeding Cool, we now have our first glimpse of the dark elves of Thor: The Dark World, along with an individual figure who is 99% likely to be Chris Eccleston suited up in his role as Malekith the Accursed, the film’s heavy. (More accurately: one of the film’s numerous heavies. Tom Hiddleston isn’t done with Loki yet.) While I wasn’t particularly fond of the first Thor film (despite Chris Hemsworth’s abundant charisma), I do think that the characters boasts an enormous amount of stand-out potential in a world of cinematic superheroes who can identify their point of origin as…
