So yeah, I said I'd have this weekly thing up before my head hit the pillow yesterday, but that was just impossible. For one thing, my head never actually hit the pillow yesterday as I didn't get home until 2 AM this morning. Then, after finally getting some much-needed sleep, I've been busy trying to organize myself for the next three weeks during which I have to concentrate not only on my continuing long-term job hunt and start my apartment search, but also finish FringeNYC coverage, do another set of Gothamist Interviews, keep trying to write on this blog regularly the things I really mean to write, and now work on this event for which I've been hired part-time to coordinate volunteers and press. When the hell am I going to see any movies?!?!
Thankfully, I've already seen (and loved) The 40 Year-Old Virgin (which should take home the top box office spot; my guess? $29 million) and The Constant Gardner which opens next weekend, but there's still too much to see. Unfortunately, I just don't have time today to go into detail about everything, and besides, by this time on Saturday, who cares and who's going to read it anyway. But I keep doing this preview now for two reasons: To force myself to do something like this regularly (even, I suppose if it's not on time), and second to make sure that I know what the hell is out there. So if you keep reading, here's some briefs about that's up this week. The rep houses, as usual, are chock-full of good offerings, but I may have to finish that in another post tomorrow. (sigh)
Along with Virgin, the other big release this weekend is Wes Craven's Red Eye, which -- mixed reviews aside -- I will be sure to get to if only because of the presence of my new favorite actress Rachel McAdams who just keeps proving she's more than an ingenue or pretty face. The girl's got some acting chops!
Another can't miss new release is Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance from Korean director Park Chan-wook who blew me (and most people) away with Oldboy. Mr. Vengeance is the first film in Park's revenge trilogy -- Oldboy was actually the second, and the finale Sympathy for Lady Vengeance will play at the New York Film Festival next month. Granted, Park's movies aren't for the squeamish, and not everyone loves them, but this is a definite must-see in my book.
Reel Paradise opened this week at the IFC Center. It's a documentary about indie-film producer and mentor John Pierson taking his family to a remote Fijian island to run a movie theater for the locals. Steve James, noted documentarian behind the brilliant Hoop Dreams and Stevie directs.
Since when does Disney release an animated film to absolutely no fanfare. I hadn't even heard of Valiant until a couple days ago, and yet here it is, featuring one of the best collections of vocal talent -- Ewan McGregor, Ricky Gervais, Tim Curry, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, John Cleese, John Hurt -- likely ever assembled for an animated feature. The reviews I've read so far have called this animated tale featuring World War II pigeons just flat-out boring. The 45 score on metacritic even seems high based on the review blurbs listed there. I don't expect Valiant to be so triumphant. Still, watch Disney make a shitload of money on video.
This Divided State: Michael Moore's visit to utah Valley State College on the eve of the 2004 election causes all-out political war in this ultra-conservative mormon community. First-time filmmaker Steven Greenstreet sets-out to document the tale.
King of the Corner marks the directorial debut of talented actor Peter Riegert. Roger Ebert apparently really enjoyed it. Ned Martel in The New York Times? Not so much.
Lustre is director Art Jones's love letter to New York City, shot in Manhattan the year after 9/11, a story of nostalgia and renewal. Playing now at the Two Boots Pioneer.
Now & Forever: Porky's director Bob Clark made this romantic drama more than three years ago, but it's only getting a limited theatrical release now. Take that info for what it's worth.
Mangal Pandey: The Rising: A film about one of the more notable leaders of Indian rebellian again British rule. It's Bollywood which means drama, song, dance, action ... and an at least 150 minute runtime.
Crimen Ferpecto: A dark comedy which has one of the best trailers I've seen in a long time.
Ugh ... running out of time. I can't get to all the rep houses today, but if you're looking for a good midnight movie tonight, make your way over to the IFC Center for what may be Martin Scorsese's most underrated movie, the hysterical and (holy shit! it's 20 years old!) 1985 lost-in-downtown New York classic (to me, at least) After Hours. Also:
Of course there's also the continuing presentation of The Conformist at Film Forum, and you've only got a until Thursday to get there before it must depart. Also at Film Forum is Samurai Rebellion, kicking off their month-long "Summer Samurai" series.
Raoul Walsh's gangster masterpiece White Heat helps close out The Museum of Moving Image's tribute to the great director today and tomorrow at 4:15 PM. See Jimmy Cagney get to the "Top of the world!" Then stay at 6:30 PM each day to see F.W. Murnau's masterpiece The Last Laugh.
And the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center is running a series called "I Love to Singa: Cartoon Musicals". Tomorrow at 1 PM is the classic Fantasia. See it on a big screen -- hopefully not for the first, or last, time.
Maybe back with more tomorrow, otherwise, get out there and see some stuff for me!
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