Not really, but it will be the film this week on Indie Film Night. The show's host Bill Page send information about this film.

Plot Synopsis:

Forty-something Man-Child thinks he and his music has been discovered by a documentary film crew. The truth is, his parents are behind it, who are staging a Life Intervention.

We all need help sometimes. Join Bill & Sarah Jessica Wednesday June 1, 2011 for THE GREAT INTERVENTION. 8 PM EST at IndieFilmNight.com

I think by now everyone has figured out that “The Hangover Part 2” is essentially a remake of the first film. This creates a dilemma; do we dislike this sequel automatically because it brings nothing new to the material and its characters? Or do we just accept it for what it is and just have fun regardless? Most sequels are pale imitations of the movies that somehow justified their existence, and they usually have the actors and filmmakers just going through the motions for an easy paycheck. You can either bitch and moan about it, or just put up with what’s on the screen.

For me “The Hangover Part 2” was actually pretty good for a remake, and it helps that the same director and actors are on board for this one. Granted, the law of diminishing returns does apply to this one as the surprise is no longer there, but I did laugh hard at many scenes and that was enough for me. It also threatens to be even raunchier than the original to where you laugh more in shock than anything else. Seeing what they got away with before, this time it looks like they got away with murder.

This time the Wolfpack are messing things up in Thailand, or Thighland as Alan (Zach Galifianakis) calls it (I made that same mistake once). The occasion is the wedding of Stu (Ed Helms) to the love of his life, someone other than Heather Graham (WHA??!!). Both Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Doug (Justin Bartha) are invited, and Alan comes along even though the guys are seriously uncomfortable in bringing him long after what happened in Las Vegas.

Before the wedding, they have a bonfire on the beach with some bottled Budweiser to celebrate. Next thing they know, the three of them (Doug was smart enough this time to go back to his hotel room) find themselves waking up in some disgusting apartment in Bangkok. Alan finds his head shaved, Stu now has that same tattoo Mike Tyson has, and Phil just wakes up all sweaty because he’s just too sexy to do anything that reckless. There’s one big problem though; the younger brother of Stu’s fiancée who went along with them is now missing. Once again, they need to find the missing member of their party before the wedding commences.

The first thing going through my mind when they end up getting hung over again was how can Budweiser beer get our main characters this messed up? Once they come to see the things they did that they cannot remember, I seriously thought that these guys were the cheapest drunks imaginable. They can’t bother to get any Thailand beer instead? They don’t even have to wait for this stuff to be imported to them! Of course, the real reason they got wasted does come to light later on, and it has nothing to do with Budweiser. Regardless, they are none the wiser than last time.

I really can’t talk too much about “The Hangover Part 2” as I’ll simply be giving away the funniest parts of the film. Many of the events that befall our characters do have some resemblance to the original, and some of them come with a seriously eye opening twist. Just when you thought that movies could not be any more shocking or raunchy, this one shows how far the envelope can be pushed.

Zach Galifianakis once again steals the show as Alan Garner, the man child who means well but is seriously demented in the way he gets people closer to him. His endlessly awkward ways guarantee that this wedding will have serious problems, but his reaction to what goes on around him is constantly priceless. You know he’s gonna do something screwy, and the tension that builds up to those moments had me in hysterics.

Actually, the one actor who almost steals the movie from Zach is Ken Jeong who returns as gangster Leslie Chow. For some bizarre reason, he and Alan became really good friends despite the stuff that went down between them in Vegas. Some may find Jeong’s character of Chow offensive, but he is so off the wall and hard to pin down that labeling him as some sort of caricature feels impossible. Under the circumstances, Ken’s bigger part in this sequel was very well deserved.

It’s also fun to see Ed Helms back as Stu, and that’s even though he’s no longer with Heather Graham’s character. Having conquered and left his annoyingly snobby girlfriend from the first movie, he now has to face down his future father-in-law who compares him to rice porridge in front of the wedding guests. What the hell is it about being a dentist that makes one pummel on them like they have no reason to live? Do these characters even known how hard it is to become a dentist?

Bradley Cooper is fun to watch as well, although I can’t understand how he gets out of these incidents relatively unscathed compared to his friends. I mean, nothing bad happens to him right away, but unlike Alan and Stu, all that happens is he wakes up with a headache and all sweaty, ruining a perfectly good white collar shirt. Even when his character acts like a jerk, Bradley still has us along for the ride.

Director Todd Phillips knows what made the first one work, and he keeps things snappy throughout. There is a bit of a lull in the middle where the laughs start to feel few and far in between, but things do pick up by the ending. Regardless of how well we know the formula now, this film is still entertaining from start to finish.

To say that “The Hangover Part II” is not original is beside the point. It’s a sequel, and it’s coming out at a time where Hollywood doesn’t seem to be all that interested in anything original. All that matters is that everyone involved still put on a good show, and many laughs will be had. I don’t know about you but I can’t really argue with that.

I imagine at some point there will be “The Hangover Part 3.” While I’m happy to give these guys a pass for doing the same thing on this one, they may want to take things in a different direction next time. Perhaps they could form a group helping those with hangovers. You know, save them from making complete asses of themselves, and help them cover up their more embarrassing moments. I can see it now:

“If someone’s hung over in your neighborhood, who you gonna call?”

“HANGOVER-BUSTERS!!!”

* * * out of * * * *

"We Are The Night"
Year: 2011
Director: Dennis Gansel
Stars: Karoline Herfurth,Nina Hoss, Jennifer Ulrich
Studio: IFC Midnight
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 99 Mins

“We Are The Night” is a vampire film that I’ve been looking forward to, since I saw the international trailer. The trailer grabbed my attention. From hot looking girls who are vampire to the fact that this isn’t an American made vampire film. What can go wrong.

Lena (Karoline Herfurth) is a young twenty year old girl, who steals stuff to get by in life. During one of her thefts, she discovers a dark underground club in the heart of Berlin. In there, she meets Louise (Nina Hoss) She’s a 250 year old vampire, who is a stunning vixen that owns the club and leads an all female vampire trio that includes Nora (Anna Fischer), a wild child and Charlotte (Jennifer Ulrich), who used to be a silent actress and is so elegant. Louise begins to fall for Lena and bites her during their first night together. Now bitten, Lena discovers that eternal life is a curse and a blessing, as she enjoys her infinite freedom. But soon she discovers that the endless thirst for blood and the appetites of her new girlfriends comes with a steep price.

It seems like every year there is always a foreign horror film that always grabs my attention to the point that it makes me argue that Foreign horror is better than American horror . Two years ago, a Spanish horror film called “REC” caught my attention in a big way. Last year it was a British vampire film called “Temptation”. Right now, it seems like that distinction this year might be going to “We Are The Night”, as this is a great vampire movie. This is the type of vampire film that the Hollywood studios should be making.

Director Dennis Gansel does a very good job making this film very dark and gothic. I liked how, he keeps that tone through out. Whether the way the scenes looked to the way that the girls are dressed, he takes his time to make sure that it looks either dark or gothic. It grabs your attention to these characters and not make wait around for endless action sequences. That what I like to see in vampire films, as its about the characters and not the action. I also liked, how Gansel directs the performances here. He does a very good job focusing on getting the chemistry from his main actresses, as each of them gelled very well with each other. The characters don’t seem lifeless and they each bring something to their roles. Whether if its the emotions or the way that they are delivering their lines, it makes their characters interesting to the point that you enjoy seeing these characters for who they are.

The film’s screenplay by Jan Berger was very good. One of the things that makes these vampires worth watching, the way that each of these vampires had a little bit of humanity to them. I liked, how Berger makes these vampire not like the bloodsuckers that you’re accustomed to seeing. It helps with the character development of these characters, as it gives you information about them. It also makes you interested in the story. He also does a very good job keeping your interested with his creation of the characters. Each vampire had a distinct personality that makes them interesting. Berger uses that to his advantage, as it makes the characters feel unique from one another. It also allows him to create some very good dramatic moments, which makes this different from other vampire films. The other thing that makes this screenplay work for me, the fact that he doesn’t leave you asking yourself about these vampires. From their mannerisms to why there aren’t any male vampires. Berger does a very good job explaining these things through dialogue and background information that he gives about each character. It makes these characters life like and keeps your interest solely on the film and not wondering about others things that he didn’t put in the film.

This seems to be the year of the Foreign horror film. With films like “Rubber”, “Blood” and this film, this is a great time for foreign horror fans. With very good direction and a entertaining cast, “We Are The Night” is a sexy gothic film that has a lot of bite and isn’t the typical Hollywood vampire film.

“We Are The Night” is available on demand from your cable provider. Contact your local cable provider, for more information.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film’s official website at:http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/we-are-the-night

Review Rating: Five Stars

Daydream Nation
Year: 2011
Director: Michael Goldbach
Stars: Kat Dennings,Josh Lucas, Reece Thompson
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 98 Mins

Film Synopsis:

“Daydream Nation” follows a seventeen year old girl (Kat Dennings), who is recently moved to a tiny town with her father. She comes to realize that she has nothing in common with her follow classmates. The only person that she has something in common with is a handsome teacher (Josh Lucas). They start to see other people to erase any suspicions with the two. In order to hide her affair with the teacher, she starts to date a troubled classmate that actually likes her. Soon she get caught up in a love triangle that could hurt everyone involved.

Film Review:

Going into “Daydream Nation”, I didn’t know what to expect as there were a lot comparisons with this film. From films like “Donnie Darko“, to “American Beauty” meets “Juno”, I knew, that this was going to be one of those weird films. For the most part, this film was weird from a visual standpoint, but nonetheless I enjoyed it.

Writer/ Director Michael Goldbach does a good job delivering a film that stands on it own, from most coming of age dramas. One of the important aspects in this film was the way the film is directed. I liked, how Goldbach takes his time to get the right shots that he needs., as you get some good visuals from it. You need the direction to have visuals, when a story like this calls for it to keep the audience invested. Here the visuals are simple, but there are some scenes where the imagery fits the tone and subject matter quite well. That’s what make a weird film work very well. Another thing that Goldbach does well was the way that he lets the performances stand out. I really liked, Kat Denning’s and Josh Lucas’ performances here. They both do a very good job creating chemistry between each other, while having their characters standout. It doesn’t make you totally rely on the relationship that the characters have. Instead, it makes you rely on the characters and the various crisis that are going with each of the characters.

Goldbach’s screenplay was a very interesting one to say the least. One of the reasons that it was good, the screenplay has an edgy feel to it. He makes this screenplay not feel like your typical run of the mill coming of age dramas. Goldbach does a very good job making some of the characters quirky. It’s done in that way, so it doesn’t get too weird to the point that you lose interest in the love triangle. By doing that, it helps you become interested in the film. This film could have gone a lot of different ways as you had the serial killer subplot, you had the teacher who is going though a midlife crisis and you had this love triangle, which in most movies would have had more tension to it. But none of those really took center stage, as the film stays on its course and focuses on the teenager and how her actions are effecting her and those closest to her. It makes it more of a compelling drama than an after school special.


Disc Review:

Sadly, this blu-ray doesn’t have a lot of useful extras. The only extra besides trailers for upcoming Anchor Bay releases is a six and a half minute behind the scenes featurette called “Behind the Scenes of Daydream Nation”. This is pretty a basic behind the scenes that contains interviews with the cast talking about their characters and the film director briefly talking about how he came with the idea of the film. It could have been nice, if this blu-ray had an audio commentary track that went into the film’s production, because there is none of that in the behind the scenes feature. I know that it’s asking much for an independent film, but there have been other independent film releases on blu-ray that had those various features.

Summary.

“Daydream Nation’ is a entertaining film with good performances and a solid screenplay. I just wished that the blu-ray disc had more bonus content, like a audio commentary and an in depth behind the scenes featurette to get a sense of what the production was like .

Film Rating - Three and a half Stars
DVD Extras - One Star

Welcome to the 289th Edition of my series. I hope everyone has a good Memorial Day weekend. This Tuesday is the premier of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT in which I tried out in front of the judges for the second time. I have no idea one way or another if or when I will be featured. This week I pay tribute to the late Delores Fuller who recently left us. I will now get on with my recommendations for this edition.

Starship Troopers (1997): This is part two of my Neil Patrick Harris series. This is my sci-fi film for the week which was an interesting satire directed by Paul Verhoeven. Casper Van Dien stars as Johnny Rico who is one of many high school students encouraged to join the military when graduating to become a citizen. He then must fight a very extreme battle of Alien insects to save the world. Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, and the great Clancy Brown all co-star in this sci-fi film. This is available on Instant Netflix and followed by two sequels which I have not seen. Verhoeven admits that while reading the book, he stopped after a few chapters feeling bored and depressed adopting the satirical tone in the film. He also directed ROBOCOP and TOTAL RECALL and this adds to some good futuristic satire that he has made.

Manhunter (1986): This is part 29 of The Chain and this chain continues with Joan Allen who was a blind girl in this one. This is the film which introduces us to Hannibal Lector and in this movie is played by Brian Cox. Years later, Hannibal would becomes an icon courtesy of Anthony Hopkins but Cox still makes the most of this film. CSI alum William Peterson stars as Will Graham who is a very troubled detective who comes out of retirement to pursue a serial killer named the Tooth Fairy and must go to the man who wronged him for help in Hannibal Lector. Michael Mann directed this version of the film which is quite atmospheric and disturbing but still a pretty good and underrated entry of the Hannibal series. Next week, The Chain will continue with Joan Allen.

Holocaust (1978): This is one of two mini-series I feature in this entry with this one likely pretty easy to guess the time period this takes place. The story centers around the Weiss family who are a Jewish family trying to survive the horrible times of the Holocaust. James Woods plays Karl Weiss who is an artist and is one of the first who must survive the horrible times after his marriage to Inga, played by a young Meryl Streep. Michael Moriarty co-stars as a family friend of the Weiss family who was very idealistic but after joining the Nazis, at the time for money, we see a downward spiral of him becoming one of the worst ones. This is a very moving mini-series but it is not upbeat by any means and has some very disturbing images which were unfortunately very realistic. Ian Holm co-stars as Himmler. Rosemary Harris co-stars as the matriarch of the Weiss family.

Wild Boar Hunt (1940): This is my short film for the week I found on TCM On-Demand. This is a documentary short focusing on Howard Bill who was billed as "The World's Greatest Archer". He demonstrates his archer skills before going on the big boar hunt. This was a pretty insightful documentary short.

Bride of the Monster (1955): This is my tribute to actress Delores Fuller who recently left us and plays the part of Margie. I now bring you "The Worst Director of All Time" in Edward D. Wood Jr. Bela Legosi stars in his last starring role as Dr. Varnoff who captures many men for an experiment. Loretta King stars as a newspaper journalist who gets a little too close to the action. This is Wood at his best with his great knack for being unintentionally funny but was very passionate about his work but lacked attention to detail which is obvious for the octopus in the movie. This is Wood's only financially successful film. This is for any fan of B-movies and is available on Instant Netflix.

Harry Brown (2009): Michael Caine stars as the title character in this film. He is a retired serviceman and widower in England whose best friend is murdered. He tries to leave it to the police but the police are not able to get the job done so he decides to do his own justice. Yes, Michael Caine as a vigilante, how much better can it get. I suppose this is a DEATH WISH for this generation and really questions how far can one go when they do not feel the justice system is working. Caine is great as Harry Brown who can elicit sympathy no matter how violent he gets. Emily Mortimer co-stars as a British cop who is trying to bring justice but has a hard time. Not much more can be said but this is a very underrated action film.

Seven Chances (1925): This is my silent film for the week which stars Buster Keaton as financial broker Jimmie Shannon who is struggling financially. He then finds that in his Grandfather's will that he will inherit 7 million dollars but must marry by later that evening. He then uses very comical means in trying to find that wife while questioning his morality. There is a great scene where Buster is running down the hill trying to dodge the rocks. It was remade years later as the 1999 film THE BACHELOR but I'm sure it does not match this one. This is available on Instant Netflix.

Metropolis (2001): This is my anime film for the week. This movie takes place in a futuristic society where both humans and robots live but not very well together. The robots are executed if they enter the wrong areas. This movie takes place with a young boy named Kenichi and his private investigator uncle. He then meets a girl named Tima who is a robot and he looks to uncover the truth and protect her hoping to make the world a little more peaceful. The animation in this film is amazing but the story lacked some but still brought you in at certain points. This is available on the Crackle app that I have on my Roku player. This is based on the comic by Osamu Tezuka.

1776 (1972): I watched this one at my dad's house who owns the DVD. This is the musical version of the events that lead up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. William Daniels plays the very stubborn John Adams who has this idea to become free of Britain but many do not share his ideals. Howard Da Silva plays Benjamin Franklin who is kind of a conscience for Adams. Ken Howard co-stars as Thomas Jefferson who is talked into writing this Constitution but shows a lot of tension between him and Adams. Blythe Danner plays Martha Jefferson and was actually five months pregnant with her little baby Gwyneth. This movie has some pretty good musical numbers and a great history lesson with good performances. I know a couple people who have tried to put on this show on stage but it is very hard to cast as it needs 26 men who cannot double in parts.

Elizabeth I (2005): This is my second mini-series for this edition and this one was on HBO. Helen Mirren plays "The Virgin Queen" in the later years of her life which focuses on the relationship she had with the Earl of Leicester, played by Jeremy Irons, in which she could not marry him and never did marry even upon the wishes of the kingdom hoping for an heir. She later sets her sights on the Earl's dangerous stepson, played by Hugh Dancy. This is a two-part mini-series where Mirren really shines as Elizabeth and in the same year she plays Elizabeth II in THE QUEEN.

Well, that is it for this week for the movies. Tell me what you like what what you do not like. Stay tuned for next week which so far includes Winona Ryder, more Neil Patrick Harris, Ingmar Bergman, and many others. Keep reading and I have an honorable mention.

HONORABLE TV MENTION

Dollhouse (2009-2010): This is a short-lived tv series which lasted two seasons on Fox but did not deserve the term "short-lived". Joss Whedon, known for writing shows like BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL, FIREFLY, and the great web-series DR. HORRIBLE'S SING ALONG BLOG, wrote this series. BUFFY alum Eliza Dushku stars in this series. This takes place in an organization where mind-wiped humans, referred to as "dolls", are imprinted with different personalities to do tasks by which the "dollhouse" is hired to do by the clients. When they are not imprinted, they are ignorant, naive, and almost childlike not really knowing the world. All these people have agreed to work for the dollhouse to get a "clean slate" on their lives. Dushku plays the part of Echo which is her code name for the doll and every doll has a code name to the phonetic alphabet. This character really evolves through the show slowly realizing her surroundings of what is really happening and is determined to get out. Olivia Williams stars as Adele who runs the Dollhouse and determined to keep her authority at the Dollhouse. Tahmoh Pinikett plays Agent Ballard who is obsessed with finding Echo and suspects many things that go on but none of his colleagues believe him. There are other well-written characters to stay drawn into the show. The show had 26 episodes and the show really was not formulaic like some shows can be. Each episode was quite different and leaves you wanting more. It also raises a lot of social questions and morality questions on the ethics of what they do. There is an alum from each Joss show I named off in BUFFY and ANGEL alum Eliza Dushku, BUFFY and ANGEL alum Alexis Denisof, ANGEL alum Amy Acker, FIREFLY alum Summer Glau, and DR. HORRIBLE alum Felicia Day. I have decided that next time Joss Whedon puts out a new show that I will make sure I support it from the beginning and hope to be that one person that will keep it from getting an undeserved cancellation. This show is available on Instant Netflix and is worth the watch.

"The Lion King" is will be coming back into theaters. This time in 3D. Starting on September 16, for two weeks only "The Lion King 3D will hit theaters. After it's two week run in theaters, on October 4th the film will be re-released on DVD along with being released on Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray 3D for the very first time.

Press Release:

Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa are back and better than ever this fall when Disney's "The Lion King" roars into theaters and homes in breathtaking 3D. A special two-week theatrical extravaganza kicks off Sept. 16, 2011, showcasing the Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-winning film on the big screen in Disney Digital 3D™ for the first time ever, and its highly anticipated home entertainment debut kicks off October 4, celebrating the Diamond Edition release of the epic movie "The Lion King" in high-definition Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 3D™.

"'The Lion King' is the best-selling home entertainment release of all time—and this is 'The Lion King' like never before," said Bob Chapek, president of distribution, The Walt Disney Studios. "The all-new 3D format immerses viewers in the epic settings and puts them face-to-face with these beloved characters. We're showcasing one of the all-time favorite Disney movies in theaters and making it available in Blu-ray hi-def
and in Blu-ray 3D—it's the must-see, must-own title for everyone."

Nearly a decade since "The Lion King" last appeared on the big screen, the upcoming theatrical release invites new generations into the "Circle of Life." The two-week, 3D-only presentation is a planned wide domestic release—the biggest since the film's 1994 debut—and the film's first-ever 3D release.

The Blu-ray debut marks the first time "The Lion King" has been available in any form since 2004. Featuring pristine high definition picture and sound, the Blu-ray creates an incredible at-home experience with a host of picture and sound enhancements, interactive features and bonus content, including a new set of hilarious animated bloopers.

"The Lion King": Diamond Edition home entertainment release will be available from the Disney Vault for a limited time only beginning October 4 as follows:

4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (for the suggested retail price of $49.99 U.S./ $56.99 Canada)
"The Lion King" = Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray 2D + DVD + Digital Copy™

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (for the suggested retail price of $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada)
"The Lion King" = Blu-ray 2D + DVD

8-Disc Trilogy (for the suggested retail price of $100.00 U.S./ $115.00 Canada)
"The Lion King" = Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray 2D + DVD + Digital Copy
"The Lion King 1 1/2" = Blu-ray 2D + DVD
"The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" = Blu-ray 2D + DVD

And the one-disc DVD Edition will be available on November 15.
"The Lion King," first released in 1994, won the Oscar® for Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer) and Best Original Song (Elton John/Tim Rice "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"), earning Golden Globes® in both categories, as well as for Best Motion Picture—Comedy or Musical.

The film inspired an immensely popular, Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical, which is currently featured on stages worldwide. It became the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history in January 2011.

Werner Herzog brings us yet another fascinating documentary with “Cave Of Forgotten Dreams” in which he and several others get to explore the Chauvet cave located in Southern France. Inside are some of the oldest drawings made by humans which have been amazingly preserved over tens of thousands of years. Seeing this documentary is a treat because this cave has been closed off to the general public to protect it from harm, and we would not have been able to see what’s inside otherwise.

The fact that he got permission to film inside the cave from the French minister of culture is a miracle. Upon entering, Werner narrates the obstacles he and his four men crew have to deal with. They cannot touch the walls, they are confined to a two foot wide metal walkway, the crew could only use battery powered equipment, and they could only use lighting equipment that did not give off excessive heat. Furthermore, due to the near-toxic levels of radon and carbon dioxide, no one could stay inside the cave for more than four hours at a time.

Taking all that into account, you’d think it would be impractical to film in there at all, especially for a perfectionist of a director. But Werner Herzog is not a filmmaker who is easily deterred, and he makes do with what he has to work with. Along with his crew, he takes on some technical duties like handling a boom mike and lighting. Because of the restricted access they had, many shots have the crew members visible as there was no way to shoot certain scenes without them in the way.

You’re with the crew every step of the way, and you feel like a child holding on to your mother’s hand while visiting a shop with shiny fragile items on display. You want to get up close, but your mother is quick to sternly remind you:

“You can look, but you cannot touch!”

The visuals Herzog and company capture are extraordinary. The drawings of bulls, horses, tigers, bears, and other animals are quite vivid in their renderings, and you wonder what the people who drew them were thinking. The fact that we may never really know what was going through their minds never deters Herzog from asking questions that remain on our minds after the lights in the theatre come up.

There are also some incredible images of stalactites formed over thousands of years and which have gained a beauty not easily manufactured. It reminded me of the underwater scenes in another Herzog documentary, “Encounters At The End Of The World,” in what amazing landscapes can be found on planet Earth. Some of these icy landmarks even have a sparkle to them which makes them all the more wondrous. Heck, seeing them brought back memories of when I did a science experiment in the 3rd grade of creating stalactites in class. Suffice to say, mine were never as impressive as the ones that appear here onscreen.

There are numerous interviews with the scientists involved, and it amazed me just how much we can tell of the first humans thanks to advancements in science. For these people, it’s’ a never ending journey as they work to discover more than what can be seen with the naked eye. Their vast experience has allowed them to see the most specific details of the drawings and of how they originated. You can question what they find, but they are more than persuasive in their examinations.

I was hoping, like in “Encounters At The End Of The World,” that Werner would spend more time learning about the personalities of the archaeologists and of their life outside of work. Sure enough, he does get one man to admit he was a clown before he got interested in archeology, and it makes for one of the movie’s most entertaining moments. None of the others however get the same kind of examination. I guess since these particular people were not living in one of the most isolated places on Earth, Herzog didn’t feel the need to question them as heavily since his main focus was on the cave itself.

“Cave Of Forgotten Dreams” was filmed in 3D, but I was only able to see it in 2D. I wondered if that was an advantage or a disadvantage. Granted, I have had a major disdain for 3D recently as it makes the images on the screen darker than they should be. Still, it would have been interesting to check this one out with the extra dimension.

Viewing it in 2D however made me want to reach out and touch the screen. You do feel like you are moving along with the camera at times, and perhaps seeing this documentary in digital format made me feel that the cave walls were literally right in front of me. Regardless of what format you end up seeing this in, it will be quite the experience.

“Cave Of Forgotten Dreams” is not as enveloping a documentary as the brilliant “Grizzly Man” or the previously mentioned “Encounters At The End Of The World.” At times, the music by Ernst Reijseger is a bit overbearing, and there’s a scene in particular where the use of silence would have perfect. Still, there is much to admire about this Werner Herzog documentary, and we should be thankful he got whatever images he was able to get on film. It is highly unlikely we would have seen these early drawings otherwise, and they make for a fascinating portrait of where humans began.

I also have to say that the one drawing of the four horses side by side remind me of the apocalyptic four horsemen, and I don’t mean the song by Metallica.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

Relativity Media recently send us over the official teaser poster and first still for David R. Ellis' (Snakes on a Plane) upcoming film "Shark Night 3D", which hits theaters September 2nd and stars Sara Paxton (Superhero Movie, Last House on the Left), Dustin Milligan (“90210,” Slither), Chris Carmack (“The O.C.”), Joel David Moore (Avatar) and Katharine McPhee (The House Bunny).

Plot Synopsis:

A sexy summer weekend turns into a blood-soaked nightmare for a group of college students trapped on an island surrounded by voracious underwater predators in Shark Night 3D, a terrifying thrill ride from director David Ellis (The Final Destination, Snakes On a Plane), featuring a red-hot young cast including Sara Paxton (Superhero Movie, Last House on the Left), Dustin Milligan (“90210,” Slither), Chris Carmack (“The O.C.”), Joel David Moore (Avatar), Chris Zylka (The Amazing Spider Man) and Katharine McPhee (The House Bunny).

Arriving by boat at her family’s Louisiana lake island cabin, Sara (Sara Paxton) and her friends quickly strip down to their swimsuits for a weekend of fun in the sun. But when star football player Malik (Sinqua Walls) stumbles from the salt-water lake with his arm torn off, the party mood quickly evaporates. Assuming the injury was caused by a freak wake-boarding accident, the group realizes they have to get Malik to a hospital on the other side of the lake, and fast.

But as they set out in a tiny speedboat, the college friends discover the lake has been stocked with hundreds of massive, flesh-eating sharks! As they face one grisly death after another, Sara and the others struggle desperately to fend off the sharks, get help and stay alive long enough to reach the safety of dry land.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.iamrogue.com/sharknight3d

Sony Pictures recently announced that the Sebastian Gutierrez's sexy comedy "Electra Luxx" will be hitting DVD shelves on June 21st.

Press Release:

Carla Gugino (Sucker Punch, Faster) stars as a pregnant ex-porn star on a path to redemption in the sexy ensemble comedy Elektra Luxx, debuting on DVD June 21st from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Written, directed and produced by Sebastian Gutierrez (Snakes on a Plane, Women in Trouble), the film also stars Joseph Gordon Levitt (Inception, (500) Days of Summer), Timothy Olyphant (TV's “Justified,” “Damages”), Malin Akerman (Couples Retreat, 27 Dresses), Adrianne Palicki (TV’s “Friday Night Lights,” upcoming: “Wonder Woman”), and Emmanuelle Chriqui (You Don't Mess with the Zohan, TV’s “Entourage”). Includes deleted scenes. Elektra Luxx will be available on DVD for $24.96 SRP.

What’s a pregnant porn goddess to do? Well, if you’re legendary adult film star Elektra Luxx (Carla Gugino), you decide to quit the industry, take a job as a “sexology” instructor at the community college and look forward to your new life with your baby. Except, that may not happen quite yet – not until she wrestles with a solicitous bride-to-be, an obsessed web streamer, a studly private investigator, a clothing –challenged neighbor, a criminal twin sister and even the Virgin Mary. It’s one hysterical ride with plenty of uninhibited comedy along the way.

Includes:

Deleted Scenes

"Electra Luxx": Official Trailer

Firefly Inc. and Level 22 send us information about their upcoming summer DVD release of the documentry "Make Believe", which is from the creators of "The King of Kong".

Press Release:

In Make Believe, director J. Clay Tweel follows six adolescent outsiders who all share an extraordinary passion: the art of magic. Armed with great skill and a dazzling array of illusions, these teenagers embark from the varied hometowns of Malibu, California; Chicago, Illinois; Capetown, South Africa; Littleton, Colorado; and Kitayama, Japan to attend the annual World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, where they each hope to be named Teen World Champion by master magician Lance Burton.

Executive produced by Ed Cunningham and Seth Gordon (the duo behind 2007’s acclaimed The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters), Make Believe was initially a passion project for its creators, who for four years mulled over the idea of a documentary set in the highly distinctive world of magic. The right story for Make Believe finally presented itself when producer Steven Klein (a former teen magician and current member of Los Angeles’ famous Magic Castle) eyed three teenage boys in a magic shop who could barely make eye contact with anyone...until a deck of cards transformed them into consummate showmen. Klein returned to pitch Cunningham and Gordon on the idea of teen subjects, and the producing team then handed the wand to Tweel, who brought his own coming-of-age vision to the project.

Like the boys in the magic shop, the film’s six subjects are remarkably assured and dedicated entertainers. Offstage, however, they face the diverse obstacles of adolescence: loneliness, high parental expectations, the pressures of impending stardom, abject poverty, and the deep desire to fit in. With great humor, honesty, and heart, Make Believe reveals an enduring world that audiences know little about while it also explores a time of life no one ever forgets.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at:
http://www.makebelievefilm.com

"Make Believe": Official Trailer

Tribeca Film recently send us information that they acquired the US distribution rights to the French box office hit, "Romantics Anonymous, which played at this year's Tribeca Film Festival.

Press Release:

Tribeca Film has acquired all US distribution rights to Romantics Anonymous, a box-office hit in France that had its international premiere at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.

The deal was concluded at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. Jean-Pierre Améris directed and co-wrote the film with Philippe Blasband. The producers are Nathalie Gastaldo and Philippe Godeau. StudioCanal released the film in France, where it has taken in more than $9 million to date at the box office, and also has handled international sales.

The film tells the story of Angélique Delange (Isabelle Carré, Private Fears in Public Places), an unemployed but gifted chocolate-maker with a lifelong case of uncontrollable shyness that prevents her from properly sharing her confectionary talents. Jean-René Van Den Hugde (Benoît Poelvoorde, Coco Before Chanel) suffers from a similar case of terminal abashment and runs a fledgling chocolate company in desperate need of a new direction. When Jean-René hires Angélique as the new sales associate, the two nervous Nellies must face their deepest fears. With the chocolate business hanging in the balance, they are forced to fess up to their hidden sweet affections for each other.

Romantics Anonymous will be released in the coming months by Tribeca Film, a comprehensive distribution label operated by Tribeca Enterprises. Tribeca Film, supported by Founding Partner American Express, brings films to consumers across a range of platforms, including nationwide Video on Demand, theatrical, DVD, pay-TV and digital.

“French films have the rare ability to transcend boundaries and bring audiences together. We’re enormously pleased to have reached a deal in Cannes for this film, which has great comic moments, wonderful characters and extraordinary performances,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative officer, Tribeca Enterprises. “Romantics Anonymous is universal in its appeal and its treatment of love and romance. We look forward to bringing it to a wider audience in the U.S.”

“At Tribeca Film Festival the audience welcomed Romantics Anonymous with such warmth, when we debated after the screenings people were so connected to the humor and emotion of the film, that I am particularly happy to know the film will be distributed in the United States and this conversation with American audiences will carry on,” said Jean-Pierre Améris.

The deal was negotiated by Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions for Tribeca Film, with Anna Marsh negotiating for StudioCanal.

It’s fascinating to see the trajectory George Lucas’ career has taken in the arena of public opinion. Here is a man beloved by seemingly everyone on planet Earth for creating “Star Wars,” a man who succeeded in beating the Hollywood studios at their own game, and one who opened us to a world of tremendous imagination. Then came the “special editions” of the original trilogy which funded the prequels, and the man went from being a demigod to a pariah of the worst kind. Our love for George Lucas turned into a vicious hatred that has us out for blood. Has he really become a greedy CEO, or are we all just a bunch of ungrateful bastards?

Those issues are examined in the highly entertaining documentary directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, “The People vs. George Lucas.” After all these years, we finally get to see the filmmaker get his day in court. Granted, he only appears in past footage of interviews and behind the scenes stuff, but Alexandre does make it seem like he’s giving his side of the story.

This could have been just a one-sided portrait of Mr. Lucas and of the venom he has inadvertently inspired in the most devoted fans this past decade or so. But what’s great about this documentary is that it gives us a multi-faceted view of the man. We see George at his humble beginnings and how he developed a love for film and a deep hatred for the corporations that ended up taking over Hollywood. We feel for him when he talks about how upset he was with the studios re-cutting “THX-1138” and “American Graffiti,” and we find ourselves rooting for him to get his independence from the studio system forever. The fact that he did through getting exclusive merchandise rights was a kick. No studio will ever let another filmmaker get away with that again!

Then we see how George Lucas, by gaining complete independence from studio executives, became the very thing he fought against. There’s a great interview with Francis Ford Coppola in how he talks about the George Lucas that could have been. Francis described how George truly had many great films inside of him, but that the success of “Star Wars” has pretty much enslaved him for life. George has said that with the conclusion of the prequel trilogy, he was going to make the smaller and more experimental films he always wanted to make. Sure enough though, he is now working on 3D versions of all six “Star Wars” movies just as the apathy towards that extra dimension gets worse and worse.

Philippe also presents Lucas to us as a mass of contradictions. On one hand, this is a filmmaker who fought the fight against the colorization of black-and-white movies, yet he will do nothing to save the original versions of the trilogy that started it all. When he did release the versions we grew up on, it was in a basic format that felt like a giant insult to what we collectively came to love.

But many feel like he totally ignored the fans who helped build “Star Wars” into a mighty franchise by giving them “The Phantom Menace” and Jar Jar Binks. Yet George also agreed with them that “The Star Wars Christmas Special” was a BIG mistake. While he would love to smash every copy of it to smithereens, you can still watch it on YouTube.

By presenting all these different sides of George Lucas, we don’t come out hating him or loving him. In the end he’s a human being like the rest of us, prone to making inescapable mistakes. While many of us despise him for what he has done, even with “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” he’s still created an amazing world which we all would love to be a part of.

One of the great things about “The People vs. George Lucas” is watching the fan made films and parodies that “Star Wars” inspired. Granted, they are recreating the original movies so there’s not much originality going on, but there are slight differences in appearance which make them oddly unique. Seeing filmmakers use stop motion animation, anime, and other methods is a lot of fun to take in. Among my favorites were “Troops” which is a spoof of the TV show “Cops” with Storm Troopers. I especially liked the “Misery” parody which has Annie Wilkes making the injured George Lucas rewrite “Episode III” the way she wants to see it. Why she didn’t want him to rewrite “The Phantom Menace” is beyond me.

Like just about everybody else, I am a big fan of the original trilogy even though I got a rough introduction to it. The first “Star Wars” movie I ever saw was “The Empire Strikes Back,” and that Wampa monster seriously freaked me out at the tender age of five years old. I never understood what was going on, and it took me over a decade to recognize it as the best of the bunch.

With the prequels, I enjoyed them for what they were. They were far from perfect, but for me they were better than nothing. Like the original trilogy, it left me with many great memories that I cherish. Being at the premiere of “The Phantom Menace” is something I will never forget as someone dressed as Darth Vader baptized me in the name of the force. When the opening words of “a galaxy far far away” appeared on the screen for “Attack Of The Clones,” I couldn’t help but say out loud:

“I’ve seen this one!”

The laughter that resulted from me making this statement is something I’m very proud of.

Ever since I saw “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier,” I have come to curb my expectations for the movies I look forward to the most. The problem is that our excitement for the films we so want to see, and that moment when we’re in the movie theatre when they are about to begin, are far more exciting than the finished product. It reminds me of what Lewis Black had said:

"There is no better moment than this moment, when we're anticipating the actual moment itself. All of the moments that lead up to the actual moment are truly the best moments. Those are the moments that are filled with good times. Those are the moments in which you are able to think that it is going to be perfect, when the moment actually happens. But, the moment is reality, and reality always kinda sucks!"

The anticipation for “The Phantom Menace” was higher than any other movie before it, and there was no way that it could have been completely satisfied everyone. In retrospect, the excitement of the upcoming prequels was far more enthralling than the finished product could ever hope to be.

What “The People vs. George Lucas” seems to suggest in the end is that we should be thankful he continued the series at all. It also suggests that despite our anger at the prequels, he still gave us a wealth of imagination we can still derive from. In spite of our indifference to Episodes I-III, we have to admit that we would love to see Lucas make more “Star Wars” movies in the future, assuming he would take the time to collaborate with other people on them.

Had this been just a documentary bashing George Lucas to within an inch of his life, it would have become tiresome very quickly. But “The People vs. George Lucas” is great because it give us the different dimensions of the man and shows us how the ways he fought the system ended up working against him in later years. Nevertheless, “Star Wars” remains a powerful narcotic for us all, and regardless of how we feel about the prequels, there is a part of us that yearns for movies from the man (providing he is not the director).

This is a great documentary that will appeal to fanboys and those who are not fans of “Star Wars,” assuming any such people exist on this planet.

* * * * out of * * * *

Today, Lionsgate announced that it's added yet another cast member to "The Hunger Game. Rocker Lenny Kravitz joins the cast, which already includes Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci and Wes Bentley.

Press Release:

Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES are pleased to announce that iconic musician and actor Lenny Kravitz (PRECIOUS) has been cast in the role of Cinna in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel.

Said director Gary Ross of the casting decision, "When I saw Lenny's work in PRECIOUS I was just knocked out. It was quiet and strong and understated and open hearted; all qualities which define this character. I'm really looking forward to this ride.”

About The Role

Cinna is Katniss Everdeen’s assigned fashion stylist for the highly ceremonial lead up to The 74th Annual Hunger Games. Though he’s a mild mannered first time stylist, the designs he creates, such as the “Girl On Fire” costume for the tributes’ live televised debut, are show-stopping. With odds being set, wagers being placed, and wealthy benefactors able to occasionally intervene in the games, a high public profile is tantamount to a huge advantage for any contestant entering the arena. The stunning and unique designs Cinna creates for Katniss define her public identity, and in an all too real way, could also contribute to her very survival.

About The Film

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Lionsgate will release “The Hunger Games” on March 23, 2012.

Yes, notorious filmmaker Uwe Boll is back with another film for your viewing pleasure. It's the third film in his "Bloodrayne" series, as Phase 4 Films will be releasing "Bloodrayne: The Third Reich" in an Unrated Director's Cut July 5th on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Press Release:

Phase 4 Films is pleased to announce the DVD and Blu-ray release of Uwe Boll’s BLOODRAYNE: THE THIRD REICH—UNRATED DIRECTOR’S CUT on July 5, 2011. Infamous director Uwe Boll’s (Postal, Alone in the Dark) latest cult-classic is the third in the notorious Bloodrayne film series, based on the popular video game character. The film stars Natassia Malthe (Elektra, DOA: Dead or Alive), Clint Howard (Frost/Nixon), Michael Paré (The Lincoln Lawyer) and Brendan Fletcher (Freddy vs. Jason). The DVD and Blu-ray are packed with special features including the making of Bloodrayne: The Third Reich, a writer-director commentary, an interview with the writer and more!

Half-vampire, half-human, Rayne (Malthe) hides in the shadows slaughtering vampires and those that get in her way. In 1943 Europe, during World War II, Rayne faces her greatest foe, a growing army of undead Nazi soldiers led by Ekart Brand, a top Nazi official turned day-walker. Rayne must team up with a group of resistance fighters to defeat Brand and his vampire army before they reach Berlin to grant Hitler immortality.

Phase 4 will release BLOODRAYNE: THE THIRD REICH—UNRATED DIRECTOR’S CUT on DVD and Blu-ray, both at $29.99 SRP at all major retailers.

"Bloodrayne: The Third Reich": Official Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/user/Bloodrayne3rdReich?feature=mhee

Bill Page of Indie Film Night recently send us information reguarding their special show tommorow night on Indie Film Night.

Tomorrow Night at 8:00pm EST at www.IndieFilmNight.com, join Bill & Sarah Jessica Night Live for the NYU First Run Film Festival Special Show.

Joining them LIVE will be many of the winners of the 2011 NYU First Run Film Festival

Also LIVE, Academy Award Winner Luke Matheny will be taking questions from our viewers.

That's right, you can ask an Academy Award Winner questions only at www.IndieFilmNight.com

I am happy to say that “Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is a big improvement over the previous entry, “At World’s End.” Whereas that one had an incomprehensible story that I gave up on following, “On Stranger Tides’” plot is a little more straightforward and somewhat easier to follow. Stars Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and director Gore Verbinski have done left the building, and in their place are “Chicago” director Rob Marshall, Ian McShane, and the alluring Penelope Cruz. With some of the deadweight removed and new elements thrown in, this showed promise. And of course we have Johnny Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow, whom without there would be no franchise.

This one has Jack sailing to the Fountain of Youth, and we’re not talking Beverly Hills. Along with him on the voyage is his former lover Angelica (Penelope Cruz) who proves to be every bit as trustworthy as Jack (which is to say not at all). Also onboard is the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane) whose giant sword wields a vicious power with a simple wave of it. And just when you thought he was out of the way, Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) is back as well, leaving Sparrow with the usual number of antagonists working against him, and there’s always plenty to go around.

You’d think that by now this franchise would have bought the farm and that the only reason for it to continue is money. But even now, Johnny Depp still looks to be having a blast as this rock star of a pirate. Never easily upstaged, except by Keith Richards who has one of the movie’s best lines, he finds much to play around with and hasn’t lost a beat since the beginning. It could have been a movie where he could just take the money and run, but if he’s having fun then so are we.

Personally, I’m glad Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are gone as their romance ran its course, and to have them bitching and moaning at each other yet again would have been tiresome from the start. Instead we have Penelope Cruz who remains an actress as fantastic as she is beautiful. She more than holds her own with Depp as Angelica as her character threatens to be even more devious than Jack. Seeing these two play off each other kept me guessing who was the more honest of the two, and if they ever reached a point where they start believing their own lies.

I’m also glad to see Geoffrey Rush back as well and fresh off of the Best Picture winner “The King’s Speech.” His character of Barbossa has had an interesting journey throughout these films as he’s been an antagonist and then a protagonist. By the time you reach him in “On Stranger Tides,” you’re not quite sure what to make of him which is part of the fun. Like Depp, Rush still has a joyous time playing this enigmatic character, and his gleeful delivery of dialogue is highly entertaining.

Ian McShane was an inspired choice to play Blackbeard, but in some ways his performance is a bit of a letdown. He’s very good, but after watching him portray one of the most cold-blooded bad guys ever in “Sexy Beast,” I expected a lot more menace on display for us all to see. That would have made “On Stranger Tides”’ all the more enthralling to watch. Still, he’s a great actor and could have done much worse.

The one character however I could have done without is that stubborn missionary Philip Swift. It’s a bland character who really serves no purposes in a movie that already has many characters to juggle. This is no fault of the actor playing him as Sam Claflin does his best with an underwritten part, but it felt like the screenwriters were making up for the loss of Orlando and Keira, and they so did not need to.

I do have to admit that I really dug the mermaids and their natural beauty as much as I did the filmmakers’ take on them. Whereas they are as lovely as we remember them from stories and fairy tales, these mermaids pack a vicious set of jaws and would sooner devour you than kiss you. There is some nudity here but no breasts (it’s a Disney movie folks), and you will find them. I guess you could say this is Disney’s subtle take on “Fatal Attraction.”

With Rob Marshall taking over directing duties on this one, I really admire how he streamlined this venture. Even though the movie stumbles a bit in the mid-section, Rob keeps things moving at a swift pace and none of it gets overwhelming. “At World’s End” was so over bloated to where I wouldn’t be able to describe to you the plot of it or name the character Chow Yun Fat played. But here you have a good idea of who everyone is, and even if there are things that don’t make complete sense, it won’t matter too much.

In the end, all I really wanted out of “Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”’ was a good time. It’s not a movie I ask too much from, and I liked how Disney learned from the franchise’s previous mistakes. While the wonderfully entertaining “Curse Of The Black Pearl” set the bar high, this one reaches up far enough towards it. Along with another thunderous Hans Zimmer score, I was pleased with this fourth “’Pirates” film, and I am open to seeing a part 5 (and you know there will be one!).

* * * out of * * * *

It is unfair to bash no-budget horror films for production value. They are a time honored tradition and one I fully support. And it is even cooler that the one I am reviewing now was produced, acted, written and directed by twin sisters from Vancouver, but production value isn’t a problem with this film. When it comes to camerawork, make-up FX, sets, even acting, it is close to being on par with higher budget current grindhouse favorites like HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN. So while I would normally give a film like this a pass on production, I don’t have too and that is quite an accomplishment for first time directors the Soska sisters. However because the production value is very high, the flaws that do exist pop out just like the Geek’s eyeball.

DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK has a pretty self explanatory title. In a town, with a serial killer on the loose, two lovely twins after hard night of partying find a dead hooker in the back of their car. Worried that she is involved somehow, the dark impulsive twin convinces her geekier sibling and their two friends to help her get rid of the body instead of calling the police. While in the process of body disposal, they go on an inexplicable drug run. Much mayhem and calamity ensues.

Sure I got what I expected. DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK has tons of outrageous action, but the lack of writing skills is distracting. The script is an absolute mess and is stopping me from giving this film a glowing review. I am not sure exactly where the fault lies. If I was to speculate, I think the Soska sisters were so involved in every aspect of the film that it was hard for them to step back and see that story is still the most important thing, even in grindhouse and horror. You can have broad abstract characters and even have terrible acting and design. But you still have to give your characters things to do that make sense in context to the plot. Here you have individuals that have no idea what to do with themselves and are merely reactive to external stimuli. The lack of character motivation makes the whole piece feel slap dash instead of a romping comedy of errors.

Plot device does not make up for holes in a screenplay, in fact just the opposite. Another reviewer suggested that this film would be a bit tighter if someone else had been a script doctor to it. I tend to agree. This film was one or two drafts away from being really outstanding. I think the Soska sisters should co-write with a third partner. Another set of eyes would have been a tremendous help. When you are working so close with something you often miss the details. That is why even a silly review like this, I always have someone else do my editing. I cannot see my own mistakes and neither can they. But as a film goes, I am excited that women are claiming a genre that is dominated normally by men. There are women out there, like myself, that enjoys this kind of material as much as “one of the guys.” In fact I like this stuff more than my husband. But I cannot quite excuse poor writing. In low budget filmmaking, the script is the one thing you do have complete control over. The gore should be secondary and support the writing not the other way around. If the script is weak then no matter the amount of dead hookers, serial killers and severed limbs there are, the film will merely become an afterthought instead of ground breaking moment in the field. If these lovely Twisted Twins from Canada learn this lesson, then we may have team on par with the Wachowski Brothers. If they can garner this much attention with no budget, I am excited to see their next film AMERICAN MARY, which has a real budget and hopefully a good screenplay. Grade C+

In this edition of Trailer Friday, we focus on three films that played at past Cannes Film Festival and is apart of special promotion that is going on with the video on demand provider Sundance Now. You can watch each of these films on Sundance Now for 99 cents with code that is provided here.



Trailer Courtesy of IFC Films.

November 26, 1956; led by Fidel Castro (Demian Bichir), a band of 80 rebels sails to Cuba. Among these young rebels is Argentine physician, Marxist, soldier, Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Benicio Del Toro). Nation-less, strapped for resources and fueled only by determination, the group engages in swift, bloody battle to free the Cuban people from the corrupt dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Che and his soldiers wrestle the nation's resources and affection from Batista's grasp.

Though considered a hero by some, Che becomes a hugely controversial figure. At the height of his fame and power, he disappears. Entering South America incognito, Che recruits another band of guerilla fighters in the harsh Bolivian jungles. They embark upon a mission to spark revolution throughout Latin America.

Watch CHE on SundanceNOW for 99¢ with the code CHE.





Trailer Courtesy of IFC Films.

The film is a work of astonishing precision co-written by acclaimed Irish playwright Enda Walsh and starring Michael Fassbender (300) in an unflinchingly passionate turn as Bobby Sands, leader of the fateful 1981 hunger strike in Northern Ireland's notorious Maze Prison.

The stunningly assured debut feature from Turner Prize-winning visual artist Steve McQueen was the winner of the 2008 Cannes Camera d'Or and over twenty top international prizes.

Watch HUNGER on SundanceNOW for 99¢ with the code: HUNGER





Trailer Courtesy of IFC Films.

French master Olivier Assays' SUMMER HOURS confronts three 40-ish siblings with the sudden death of their mother, heiress to her uncle's exceptional 19th century art collection. Adrienne (Juliette Binoche), a successful New York designer, Frederic (Charles Berling), a professor in Paris, and Jeremie (Jeremie Renier), a businessman in China, confront the end of childhood, their shared memories, and unique visions of the future.

Watch SUMMER HOURS on SundanceNOW for 99¢ with the code: SUMMER



Don't forgot Sundance Now has a very good selection of contemporary and classic independent films from all over the world with just the click of your mouse. To view their selection of films, you can visit http://www.sundancenow.com/ for more information.

Be sure to visit the official Facebook page for updates about upcoming featured titles: http://www.facebook.com/SundanceNOW?sk=app_110890312312793

Attention Independent Filmmakers: If you want your film's trailer featured on the film arcade youtube page and on an upcoming edition of Trailer Friday, send me an email and your trailer to anthonythurber@filmarcade.net.

IFC Films recently send us over the trailer for their upcoming vampire film, "We Are the Night", which hits theaters in limited release on May 27.

Plot Synopsis:

A sexy, suspenseful and adrenaline pumping vampire film, WE ARE THE NIGHT is an edgy tale of a provocative gang of female vampires living large, making their own rules and leaving a merciless trail of blood. The film centers on a 20-year-old Berlin native LENA (Karoline Herfurth) who gets by as a petty thief. On one of her nightly job runs through an underground club, she meets 250-year-old LOUISE (Nina Hoss). Don't let her age fool you. LOUISE is a glamorous vixen, who is not only the owner of the club, but also the leader of an unusual all-female vampire trio - the other two members being wild child NORA (Anna Fischer) and elegant CHARLOTTE (Jennifer Ulrich). Louise falls head over heels in love with the scruffy Lena and bites her during their first night together. Once bitten, LENA discovers the curse and the blessing of her new, eternal life. She revels in the glamour, parties and infinite freedom. But she quickly discovers that the endless blood thirst and murderous appetite of her new girlfriends come at a steep price. When Berlin police commissioner TOM SERNER (Max Riemelt) begins investigating the women, it is just a matter of time before their day comes and events spiral out of control.

FOr more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/we-are-the-night

Scorpio Film Releasing recently send us information regarding the completion of their black in white horror film "Exhumed". They also provided us with the first stills from the film.

Press Release:

Scorpio Film Releasing has wrapped production on Exhumed, the darkly twisted tale of a socially maligned family who are seemingly unable to leave their own home. This film marks Scorpio Film Releasing’s 10th feature, their others including Nun of That, Atomic Brain Invasion, Disco Exorcist, Beyond the Dunwich Horror and more.

Producer Ted Marr explains that "even though we are early in the process, from looking at the raw footage, I strongly suspect that this will be our best work to date.” Certainly the best technically."

Director Richard Griffin further explains that "Exhumed is a major change of pace for us. Guy Benoit's amazing screenplay is not filled with the typical "Things That Go Bump In The Night" creatures like vampires, zombies or ghosts.... but it's more in the vein of the psychological horrors of Psycho or What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Not only are we examining similar themes as those classics, but we also shot the film in glorious black in white, in the 2.35 aspect ratio on the RED camera, and the footage is breathtaking. With that, and the outstanding performances by Sarah Nicklin, Debbie Rochon, Michael Reed, Michael Thurber, Rich Tretheway, Evalena Marie and Jonathan Thomson, we think that Exhumed is going to really shock and delight the audience.”

Over the next few weeks the film moves into post-production, with a release set for later in the year. Visit http://www.scorpiofilmreleasing.net for more information.

Bill Page of Indie Film Night, recently send us over information that his show is having a contest for the Best Indie Films and Shorts.


Press Release:

Indie Film Night announces our first annual Film Competition. In October-November 2011, 5 Features and 5 shorts selected to be judged by our staff and by YOU the viewing audience will decide who the winners will be. CASH PRIZES for the top 3 in each category will be awarded. For more info, click on this link at https://www.withoutabox.com/login/10663 , for more information.

Our friends over at TLA Cult has send us information on a contest that their running, which involves a to this year's Fantasia International Film Festival.

Press Release:

TLACult.com (http://tlacult.com), a DVD and VOD retailer specializing in unusual Cult, Horror and Exploitation Cinema, announced today the launch of a contest that will send one lucky winner and a guest to 2011’s Fantasia International Film Festival (http://fantasiafestival.com), Since its founding in 1996, the Montreal-based festival has earned a reputation as the most outstanding and largest genre film festival in North America. Fantasia has hosted the world premieres of Repo: The Genetic Opera, Midnight Meat Train, Dread and more. Noted guests at previous installments of the festival have included John Carpenter, Eli Roth, Johnnie To, H.G. Lewis and more. This year’s festival runs from July 14^th-August 7^th, 2011.

TLACult.com, where online shoppers can find everything from sordid homemade horror flicks to mind-blowing psychotronic 1970s cult films to the best (and worst) in grindhouse cinema and beyond, is offering the Grand Prize winner two airline tickets to Montreal, three nights of hotel accomodations and two VIP passes courtesy of Fantasia. In addition to the grand prize, TLACult.com is offering one First Prize winner a $200 TLACult.com shopping spree and five Second Prize winners $50 TLACult.com shopping sprees.

While Fantasia’s finalized line-up is still yet to be revealed, audiences can expect a roster of films and guests that will easily rival past installments of the festival. "Fantasia is ramping up for another boundary-blasting three-week-long showcase of cult and genre film delights, and we've got some amazing surprises in store. As always, there will be a veritable feast of premieres and special guests, with high profile premieres alongside challenging works by emerging directors…. It's going to be a banner year, that's a guarantee!" proclaimed a very enthused Kier-La Janisse, Development Coordinator for the festival and Editor of Fantasia's Spectacular Optical Magazine.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the folks at Fantasia for this contest. Among genre movie fans, their reputation is top-notch. If you look at the incredible guests they’ve lined up in the past and the films they’ve shown or premiered, it ends up looking like the cult & horror Hall of Fame. I think our customers are going to go absolutely nuts for this contest,” noted Dan Reed, Managing Editor of TLACult.com.

To enter the contest, simply make any purchase at TLACult.com between now and June 20^th, 2011 and you’ll automatically be entered to win. This contest can also be entered without purchase by sending a self-addressed postcard to TLA’s corporate office. For complete details, rules and restrictions related to this contest, visit http://TLACult.com/FantasiaFest.

TLA Entertainment offers the very best in home entertainment offering a vast catalog of movies for every type of consumer, from quirky Independent cinema to outstanding Cult & Horror movies to Gay & Lesbian films and the hottest in both Straight and Gay adult entertainment.

IFC Midnight recently released a couple of stills and the official poster for the upcoming German Vampire film "We Are the Night, which hits theaters in limited release on May 20th and VOD on May 25th.

Plot Synopsis:

Dennis Gansel, responsible for the hit The Wave, explores nighttime in Berlin to find a sect of seductive lady vampires that hide out in the city's alternative clubs and enjoy the luxury and pleasures their attained immortality provides them. A stylized vision of female vampirism, closer to films like The Hunger or the TV series True Blood than to Twilight, We Are the Night differs from other films present this year in Sitges because it gives the myth an image of sensuality, charisma and attraction, playing especially on fascination for the night. A fascination that Gansel uses almost paroxysmally to exploit the German capital's nighttime atmospheres.

Is it possible to write a review about “The Beaver” without getting into Mel Gibson’s troubles? The things he’s done recently get more press than his career as a whole. Well I don’t know but I’m going to try.

Jodie Foster’s first directorial effort since “Home For The Holidays” starts off with Gibson as Walter Black laying on an inflatable cushion in his pool, looking lifeless as if any direction he’s had in life has been rendered non-existent. We quickly learn that Walter’s the CEO of a toy company, that he has a beautiful wife and two sons, and that he is severely depressed. We are coming to him at the point where he has been in this state of mental illness for some time, and it’s gotten to where his wife Meredith doesn’t want him living at home any more and his kids just don’t know what to make of him.

After a failed suicide attempt, he is brought back to the living through a hand puppet of a beaver which develops a life of its own after he puts it on his hand. With a Michael Caine cockney-like accent, the beaver tells him he’s going to save Walter life. Sure enough, his life gets better very quickly as the beaver begins doing all the talking for him and takes over his life. But as time goes on, this hand puppet threatens to make Walter Black hit rock bottom with no way of coming back.

“The Beaver” is a black comedy that gets blacker as it rolls along. The trailers have made it look like a light affair, but that is most certainly not the case. It does have its lighter moments, but it is a serious examination of depression. It’s an important issue because it is not something you can just blow over regardless of what others will tell you. Depression can seriously debilitate you and deeply affect those who love you the most, but not many fully understand this. The idea that you have to go through life and take the punches that come with it can only go so far.

As Walter Black, Mel Gibson reminds us what a great actor he can be. Aside from his work as a director which really has been remarkable, it’s easy to forget how great a presence he can be onscreen. Mel captures Walter’s emotional downfall in a way few actors could, and he makes you care about this character even as he heads further downhill emotionally. It’s a brave performance that doesn’t hold anything back, and you have to admire the lengths Gibson goes here.

Jodie remains an excellent actress as always, and she’s an incredibly beautiful one to boot. Seeing her acting alongside good friend Mel is a treat as they were such a kick together in “Maverick.” She makes Meredith Black a strong willed person who holds it together even as Walter’s actions keep testing her sanity. The complexity she gives Meredith makes Foster’s work all the more fascinating to watch, and you sympathize with her plight throughout.

It’s a shame that it took Jodie 16 years to direct another movie. Her past efforts of “Little Man Tate” and “Home For The Holidays” showed a great eye for characters that are isolated from others because of who they are and what they are going through. Her work on “The Beaver” is especially commendable in that it is not an easy script to direct. Finding the balance between the comedy and drama makes this challenging even for the best directors working today. Jodie manages to pull it off like the pro she is, and she shows incredible sensitivity to the subject matter of depression. For me, this is one of the best movies on mental illness which hasn’t been covered as much recently.

The screenplay by Kyle Killen topped the 2008 Blacklist, a ranking of the best unproduced screenplays. I can see why; it features wonderful characters that are exceptionally down to earth, and the dialogue feels fresh and without any abundance of clichés. Many will find the premise of a man working through mental illness with the aid of a hand puppet to be far fetched and unbelievable. But his script really takes some chances and (with the help of Foster as director) makes you believe that something like this seem not all that improbable.

Besides, is it really that far fetched for an adult to play around with puppets or stuffed animals? Look at these names: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Ben Kenber, all these men have become well known for performing with puppets to the joy of many. Yes, I did put my name up there because I still have a love for stuffed animals which I bring to my job regardless of people’s bewilderment to that. People may think it strange, but I like that it sets me apart from the rest of the crowd.

In addition, there are other wonderful performances to be found here. Anton Yelchin, having done memorable work in “Star Trek” and “Terminator Salvation,” is excellent as the Black’s oldest son Porter. Throughout, he is terrified of becoming like his dad and implores his mother to divorce him. Yelchin makes what could have been a major brat into a fascinating person whose endeavors in doing the homework for others have become quite a cash cow for him. His relationship with his father never feels contrived, so when we get to the end of the film, the climax feels truly earned.

I also really liked Jennifer Lawrence as Norah, the popular valedictorian cheerleader who hires Porter to write her graduation speech. Still riding high on the acclaim she received for “Winter’s Bone,” her character is anything but a cliché. She surprises us as much as she does Porter with a strong intelligence and a completely welcome lack of snobbery for a popular high school student. Norah also hides a pain deep inside which defines her character’s state of mind and presents her with something to overcome. Jennifer is great to watch here, and I’m sure she has more great work ahead of her.

Congrats also goes out to young Riley Thomas Stewart who portrays the Black’s youngest son Henry. It’s a remarkable performance for an 8 or 9 year old as he has to convey both the confusion and effect his dad’s depression has on him. The scenes he shares with Foster and especially Gibson are wonderfully realized, and it helps that he has a former child actor directing him who knows how to coax a performance out of a young boy.

Watching “The Beaver” reminded me of one of my favorite movies from a few years ago, “Lars And The Real Girl.” Both films had characters whose pasts damaged them emotionally and who seek release through unorthodox methods. With Gibson it’s a hand puppet, and with Ryan Gosling it’s a sex doll he treats as his new girlfriend. Each takes what seems like a completely implausible story and surprises us by making it more than some average comedy that just dumbs down everything. They have very down to earth characters, and we are deeply affected by what they go through.

I hope people give “The Beaver” a chance. Regardless of how you feel about Mel Gibson, it’s an incredibly well made movie that takes a great script and visualizes it with respect and empathy. With it already been declared a “flop” after its first week in limited release, people are already slamming nails into its coffin. Frankly that annoys me because it sounds like many were prepared not to even give it a chance. Compared to what’s out there right now, it is far more original than most other movies. While it may not be for everyone, those in the mood for unique cinema should find much to admire here.

By the way, I love how Jodie got Teri Gross of “Fresh Air” fame to do a cameo. I always wondered what her studio at WHYY in Philadelphia looked like (assuming that is the same one featured in the movie).

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