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Bright Star Reviews from Cannes, Seoul, London + Las Vegas

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Gems and the Cannes Film Festival
The Seoul Times, May 30, 2009
By Gautaman Bhaskaran, South Asia Correspondent

Indeed a treat for romantics and poetry lovers, "Bright Star" may well be a joy forever marking Campion's return to Cannes after her 1993 Palm d'Or winner, "The Piano" Tracing the love story between a young Keats and his Hamstead neighbour, Fanny Brawne, Campion never losses sight of period details. Scenes of Brawne with a fine needle and thread, Keats with his pen and paper creating poetic pleasure that much after his death helped the world realise his genius and the passion between the two only restrained by the rigid social mores of the day have been frozen on frame with a classic touch.

Photo: Seoul Times

Biteback: at Cannes
The Sunday Times, May 24, 2009
By Richard Brooks

I admired Bright Star, the story of the love affair between John Keats and Fanny Brawne, but was not smitten. Well acted, well directed and well shot, it lacked a point. I was amused when its producer, Jan Chapman, told me she was determined not to make a costume drama. What? Brawne (Abbie Cornish) parades in about 30 different outfits. I know she was a good seamstress, but she was only 18 and her mum was widowed, with two other youngsters to bring up. How was this not a “frocks” movie?

Dispatch from Cannes
Las Vegas Weekly, Thu, May 28, 2009
By Mike D'Angelo

Heavyweight auteurs mostly fail to thrill at the world’s top film festival, {snip} But in the end, despite its endless parade of auteurs, Cannes 2009 served up only a handful of truly memorable movies, none of them masterpieces. The first few days, in particular, were a long haul, as even the better films tread exceedingly familiar ground. Campion, who hadn’t made a feature since 2003’s critically reviled In the Cut, received respectful notices for Bright Star, her portrait of the doomed relationship between Romantic poet John Keats and his muse, Fanny Brawne, but seeing this once-ferocious filmmaker (even In the Cut has its queasy moments) reduced to a genteel literary biopic only made me sad.

Cannes. "Bright Star"
"The Daily" on IFC.com, 05/15/2009
By David Hudson

"Jane Campion has put herself in line for her second Palme d'Or here at the Cannes film festival with a film which I think could be the best of her career; an affecting and deeply considered study of the last years in the short life of John Keats [Ben Whishaw], and the ecstasy of loss which suffuses his love affair with Fanny Brawne [Abbie Cornish] - a love thwarted not due to illness, but to a pernicious web of money worries, social scruples and irrelevant male loyalties." The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw: "Campion brings to this story an unfashionable, unapologetic reverence for romance and romantic love, and she responds to Keats's life and work with intelligence and grace."

"Refreshingly, ['Bright Star'] is free of the hysterics so often associated with films about writers and deftly avoids the distracting surface tendencies that can plague British period pieces set in the 18th and 19th centuries," writes Time Out London's Dave Calhoun. "It's also remarkable in its lightness of touch: the film barely tries to persuade us that Keats is a valid object of this girl's affection or that he is a fine literary talent; we are left to learn both incidentally. They're wise choices, leaving Campion to concentrate on character and emotion rather than any special pleading about genius and its offshoots."

Cannes 09 ‘Bright Star’ Press Conference with Abbie Cornish
MovieSet.com Cannes coverage, Monday, May 18, 2009
By Phillip Nakov

We sat down for a chat with Abbie Cornish this week at the 62 ^nd annual Cannes Film Festival to chat about her role as Fanny Brawne in Jane Campion’s latest work “Bright Star“. The movie is about the life, love and work of the famous English romantic poet John Keats.

As she draws near the table, she sits down slowly exhales. She is wearing a dainty lace top that looks delicate and light atop a darker black under shirt. I noticed immediately she is back to a lighter hair color as she was dark haired for the movie. She smiles as we start to chat about working with Jane Campion, what it meant to her to accept this role and what she expects on the set of her next movie with Zach Synder which she starts shooting in June.

{snip}

Q: So what’s coming up next for you?

A: My next film is going to be “Sucker Punch.” Directed by Zach Snyder. He did ‘300′ and the ‘Watchmen‘. It’s totally different to anything I‘ve ever done. It’s going to be a little wild and a little crazy.

Q: Have you started already?

A: No, I start in June.

Q: Who will you be playing?

A: I play the character of Sweet Pea. Essentially it’s the story of five girls in the 1950’s who get together and try to escape a psychiatric ward. They are all in this thing and they are all like let’s get out of here. The interesting thing to me is that the films Zach has directed he hasn’t written. They haven’t been his concepts from the beginning. This is the first time he’s ever made a concept film that he wrote. I am interested to see what he does with it. I think he has an incredible talent in regards to contemporary cutting edge cinema. I think he is a bit of the master at the action sequences.

More on MovieSet

Jane Champion’s 'Bright Star' stars Abbie Cornish, Thomas Sangster and Paul Schneider. Not much is know about the movie yet, but you can check out some stuff at the Official Page and in the vidcast "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Bright Star and Cannes Wrap-up - Behind the Scenes #42".

Abbie Cornish Press Conference Photo Credit: MovieSet.com- Actress Abbie Cornish smiles with director Jane Campion at press conference for ‘Bright Star’ - movie about poet John Keats

Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon wins Palme d'Or

Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

The director accepted the award – his third major prize at the festival – from jury president Isabelle Huppert who starred in his 2001 prize winner La Pianiste. The film tells the story of a life in a small German town beset my tragedies and strange occurences as the First World War approaches.

Speaking about the win, Haneke said that he could finally tell his wife: “I can say this is a moment where I am truly happy.” The film is handled by France’s Les Films du Losange for international sales; Sony Pictures Classics has US distribution rights.

SPC also has US rights to Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet, which won the Grand Jury Prize but failed to score any other awards despite lead actor Tahar Rahim having been heavily favored. The top actor honour went to Christoph Waltz for his portrayal of Colonel Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. The stunned Waltz thanked his director saying, “You gave me my vocation back.” In keeping with his character’s linguistic prowess, Waltz mixed French, German and English into his speech.

Violence Reaps Rewards at Cannes Festival

Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Francois Durand/Getty Images

The big winners at Cannes: The director Michael Haneke, left, and the actors Christoph Waltz and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

By MANOHLA DARGIS

CANNES, France — “The White Ribbon,” a meticulous examination of patriarchal domination, won the Palme d’Or at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. Directed by the Austrian-born Michael Haneke and shot in black and white, the much-admired film — a foundation story about National Socialism set in a rural pre-World War I German community — turns on a series of violent events that appear to be the work of some children. In 2001 Mr. Haneke won the Grand Prix (effectively second place) for his harrowing drama “The Piano Teacher,” which starred Isabelle Huppert, president of this year’s competition jury.

The Grand Prix, also announced on Sunday, went to “A Prophet,” a pitch-perfect film from the French director Jacques Audiard about a young inmate who becomes a master criminal during a prison stretch. The film was the critical favorite throughout the festival, and Mr. Audiard received a standing ovation from the audience when he mounted the stage. Far more surprising was the Jury Prize (third place), which was split between “Fish Tank,” a slice of Brit-grit realism from Andrea Arnold, and the neo-exploitation vampire flick “Thirst,” from the South Korean director Park Chan-Wook. Both were booed by the press watching the show via live broadcast.

The director Terry Gilliam, here with the noncompetition film “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” delivered some funny onstage shtick by pretending to accept the directing prize, which he was meant to bestow. (“Terry, you don’t receive, you give,” the host explained, promising that Mr. Gilliam could have something next year if he didn’t create a scandal.) The actual winner of the director award was Brillante Mendoza, from the Philippines, whose grisly, widely loathed shocker, “Kinatay” (“Slaughter”), hinges on a man who doesn’t prevent a murder. The screenwriting award went to Mei Feng for “Spring Fever,” a rather baggy if underappreciated drama about young Chinese malaise.

Ms. Huppert handed the prize for best actress to Charlotte Gainsbourg, who delivers a wild, fearless performance as a grieving mother in “Antichrist,” an English-language film from the Danish director Lars von Trier. It’s easy to imagine that Ms. Huppert and her fellow juror, the actress Asia Argento, both ferocious screen performers, were impressed with the intensity of Ms. Gainsbourg’s performance, which involves a fair amount of nudity and some frantic (and graphic) backwoods masturbation.

The Winners at the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival

Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

And the winners are at the Cannes Film Festival…

Monday, May 25, 2009

Phillip Nakov

May 24, 2009 - Cannes, France

In a short, yet to the point closing ceremony from the Palais des Festivals in Cannes this evening, the jury awarded the top prizes to the films in competition at the close of the 62^nd Annual Cannes Film Festival. All of the awards were delivered in a telecast that ran just about an hour and without commercials. The Oscars could learn a thing or two about keeping award ceremonies brief.

Also unlike the Oscars in the US which states ‘the award goes to…’ instead of the winner is… they still say ‘the winner of the Palme d’Or is…’ I think a win is a win, regardless of how it is cloaked in a feel-good euphemism.

The first prize of the evening was given to a young 21 year old film maker, Joao Salvaviza, for his short film “Arian”. He looked decidedly surprised that he had won and his bow tie was almost completely hanging on its side as he climbed the stage to receive his award. He dedicated the prize to all the youth who are making movies.

The next prize, the Camera d’Or (The Golden Camera) is a special prize given out by the jury for a film at the festival. This prize went to the film Samson and Deliliah by Warwick Thornton. He was moved and could not say much more than, “Vive Cannes and Vive le Cinema.” To which the audience wildly applauded.

The Jury Prize was a tie and was given to: “Fish Tank,” by Andrea Arnold (Britain) and “Thirst,” By Chan-wook Park (South Korea). They both gave short acceptance speeches and were all smiles. She shared the award with South Korean director Chan-wook Park, whose film Thirst is an erotic horror about a priest who becomes a vampire after a botched medical experiment. He too has form at the festival, scooping the Grand Prix in 2003 for Oldboy.

Austrian actor Christoph Waltz - in perhaps the biggest shock of the ceremony. Though many agreed he stole the show as sadistic SS Colonel Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ no one imagined the jury would award a film that many thought was the biggest disappointment.

Though the movie was shut out of the major prizes, ‘Antichrist‘ did not leave empty handed: Dafoe’s co-star Charlotte Gainsbourg won best actress for her role as a grieving mother. The scene in which she performs a clitoridectomy on herself was for many the enduring image of this year’s festival. One wonders if the more outrageous the performance on screen will ultimately just win the actor’s prizes. ‘Antichrist‘ by Lara Van Trier, who was not at the Closing Ceremony, was panned as one of the worst films in the festival.

The full list of winners follows. You can log on to http://festival-cannes.com/en.html to watch the press conference and photo call following the closing ceremony festivities in Cannes.

Palme d’Or (Golden Palm): “The White Ribbon,” by Michael Haneke (Austria)
Grand Prize: “A Prophet,” by Jacques Audiard (France)
Jury Prize: “Fish Tank,” by Andrea Arnold (Britain) and “Thirst,” By Park Chan-wook (South Korea).
Special Prize: Alain Resnais
Best Director: Brillante Mendoza, “Kinatay” (The Philippines)
Best Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds” (United States)
Best Actress: Charlotte Gainsbourg, “Antichrist” (Denmark)
Best Screenplay: Feng Mei, “Spring Fever” (China)
Camera d’Or (first-time director): “Samson and Delilah,” by Warwick Thornton (Australia)
Best short film: “Arena,” by Joao Salaviza (Portugal)

So Michael Haneke takes home the Palme d’Or at the 62nd Cannes film festival for his well-received though not the leading contender, ‘The White Ribbon.’ Though highly acclaimed, there had been a feeling it might fall victim to Haneke’s close relationship with jury president Isabelle Huppert, who has starred in two of his most recent films. It seems that the accusations of favouritism were evidently felt to be less pressing than the need to reward the film’s standout brilliance.

And that wraps it up for us and the whole MovieSet.com crew from here in the south of France. It has been a terrific, fast-paced and exciting two weeks. We’ve seen so many great movies, some not so great and some that we just wondered how they ever got made. There is no other festival like it in the world. We thank the Festival de Cannes press accreditation committee for welcoming MovieSet.com so graciously at this year’s festival. We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the 62^nd Annual Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival) as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. The response has been tremendous from around the world and so till next year, au revoir from the Croisette here in Cannes and I’ll see you in line at the concession stand!

Cannes film festival: Michael Haneke takes the Palme d'Or with The White Ribbon

Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Mark Brown in Cannes
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 24 May 2009 21.26 BST

Austrian auteur wins his first Palme d'Or with his parable of fascism, while Charlotte Gainsbourg takes best actress award for her role in Lars von Trier's Antichrist.

It has no musical score, it's filmed in black-and-white and it's long. But Michael Haneke's German language The White Ribbon gripped audiences in Cannes and tonight took the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or.

For many, it was the head-and-shoulders deserved winner. It tells the story of strange goings-on in a repressed and maliciously nasty northern German village shortly before the first world war. Like many films at this year's festival, it was two and a half hours long. Unlike others, it did not feel like it.

It was the Austrian auteur's first Palme d'Or, though not his first Cannes prize. He is best known in the UK for his English-language remake last year of his 1997 horror movie Funny Games, and two years before he had one of his biggest successes with Hidden, starring Juliette Binoche.

'The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus' Press Conference Video - Terry Gilliam Talks Heath Ledger and 'Don Quixote'

Sat, 23 May 2009 01:01:20 PDT

Listen and watch the press conference as director Terry Gilliam and actors Lily Cole and Verne Troyer talk about the movie and what it was like working on set before and after the death of actor Heath Ledger, who died during production. Terry also talks about his long shelved movie "Don Quixote", but I'm not going to tell you what he says, watch the video!

MovieSet is at the Premiere of Inglorious Basterds

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

The team at MovieSet brings you some wicked footage of some of the top celebrities in the world.

Straight from Cannes is a video of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie being the sensation that they are. Thousands of fans crowd around the Inglorious Basterds Premiere to try to get some footage of the Dazzling couple.

Gilliam silent on Depp's return to Quixote saddle

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Quinn Bender

After nine-years on the shelf, Terry Gilliam's epic misadventure, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, will resume filming again in 2010, but there's no word yet on whether Johnny Depp will once more saddle up in the re-imagined role of Sancho Panza.

Speaking to the press at the Cannes Film Festival Thursday about his latest film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Gilliam would only confirm the resurection of his project.

"Don Quixote rides again," Gilliam said. "We've re-written the script and finally got the script back from the lawyers... and the plan is to begin shooting next springtime."

Heavyweight producer Jeremy Thomas, whose 1986 epic, The Last Emperor, went on to win nine Accademy Awards, is attached to the project, Gilliam said.

"I don't have anything else to say about it, except that we're at that beginning stage: get the money, get the bodies and let's go."

Reporters were blocked from asking any further questions as the moderator then abruptly ended the press conference.

In 2000, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote was the biggest-budgeted feature film to use only European financing. However, for all Gilliam's creativity, the film was plagued with an improbable series of disasters, ranging from scheduling conflicts, budget cuts, studio and location problems, among others, that eventually killed production within one week.

A behind-the-scenes film of Gilliam's failure, Lost in La Mancha, went on to become a rare, theatrical success for a documentary, as the director's struggle and unwavering belief, much like Quixote's, proved only an elaborate delusion against unconquerable odds.

In it's first incarnation, Gilliam's script combined the literary world of Miguel Cervantes with 21st century satire. An advertising executive, previously played by Depp, finds himself unstuck in time, unwittingly traveling between modern day London and 17th century La Mancha. He participates in the adventures of Don Quixote, played in 2000 by Jean Rochefort, who mistakes him for Sancho Panza.

Highlights from Gilliam's 'Dr. Parnasuss' Press Conference from Cannes

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

May 22, 2009- Cannes, France

Highlighs from the Press Conference for Terry Gilliam's 'Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus' and BREAKING NEWS about 'Don Quixote'!

By Phillp Nakov

This morning we were fortunate to nab a coveted spot at the long-anticipated press conference for Terry Gilliam's 'Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus' here on the first of the three final days of the 62^nd Annual Cannes Film Festival.

Perhaps best known as the movie in which Heath Ledger began filming but never finished before his untimely death, Gilliam brought on Johnny Depp, Colin Farrel and Judd Law to fill in the void left for the role of Tony.

The 'Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present-day. Dr. Parnassus with his extraordinary traveling show "The Imaginarium" offers to members of the audience an irresistible opportunity to enter their universe of imaginations and wonders, by passing through a magical mirror. But Dr. Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. An inveterate gambler, thousands of years ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr. Nick, in which he won immortality. Centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr. Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his daughter reached her 16th birthday, she would become the property of Mr. Nick. Now it is time to pay the price... In this captivating, explosive and wonderfully imaginative race against time, Dr. Parnassus must fight to save his daughter and undo the mistakes of his past once and for all!

Attending the press conference today were Terry Gilliam (Director), Lily Cole (Valentina), Verne Troyer (Percy), Andrew Garfield (Anton), Amy Gilliam (producer), Samuel Hadida (producer).

The conference started on a lighter note with Amy Gilliam, Mr. Gilliam's daughter, joking about her relationship with her father, working with him on the picture and how they settled disagreements. She said it was hard to tell her dad no. But he advised her that she knew best... to which she replied, she did. (Laugher)

At which point the next question dealt with the untimely passing of Heath Ledger and how Mr. Gilliam came to decide to cast Judd Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrel to replace him. His initial reaction was to close the production down as he did not see how he could continue without him. Fortunately he was surrounded by really good people who said he could not be a lazy bastard and that he would have to finish the movie for Heath. He discussed for a long time how to replace Heath and finally decided it would be most respectful to not recast him with one actor. Since in the movie there is a magic mirror and Heath's character passes through the mirror three times, he decided it would be three actors that would stand in for Heath. He started calling friends that knew and loved Heath. It had to be the nature. Everyone was determined to finish the film and it was people's love for Heath that propelled the project forward.

The next question dealt with the Ledger family and their participation with Mr. Gilliam's decision to continue the production following Heath's death. His initial meeting was first all tears then switched to laughter. They were completely supportive of his decision and they have yet to see the picture so it will be a surprise for them when they see it.

Mr. Gilliam went on to state that although Heath passed away over a year ago, he was still alive and well on film and has been with Mr. Gilliam in the edit room every day as he saw him on screen as he edited the film for the festival here in Cannes.

There was an overall love fest when it came to discussions of working with Heath Ledger. The cast and Terry were extremely warm, kind and complimentary of his work and his style on set. Heath was described as extremely passionate, brilliant and energetic. He lifted everyone up and enthused everyone on the set.

It was also noted that it was difficult for the three actors who stepped in to fill his shoes... not only because he had such large feet... but because they were all friends of his as well and they were all moved and touched so much by him. But everyone rallied together to support each other and keep the Heath's energy alive and strong on set.

A smart-alecky journalist from Iceland jokingly asked if Mr. Gilliam made a pact with the devil to get a movie made? (This is in reference to Dr. Parnassus in the movie having made a pact with the devil himself.) Laughter ensued from the press-corps and the guests on the dais. To which Mr. Gilliam's wittily replied "I just made a movie with Sammy (Hadida), come on... that's it!" "But we got the movie at the end," added Samuel Hadida wryly with a smile.

Terry Gilliam wrote Verne Troyer's part of Percy with him in mind. Gilliam stated that he was bored seeing Verne in all those comedies and wanted to show that he was a brilliant actor.

The actors spoke about the difficulty of working against a green screen and acting in environments that weren't even there. It was a challenge but thanks to the direction and brilliant imagination of Mr. Gilliam made it so much easier.

None of the cast has yet seen the movie and Mr. Gilliam is excited for them to all see what he ended up making them look like. The premiere is tonight (May 22, 2009) and is screening out of competition.

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the press conference was the confirmation by Terry Gilliam of the restart of 'Don Quixote.' The script has been rewritten and is back from the lawyers. They have rewritten it and Jeremy Thomas is producing and the plan is to begin shooting next spring time. He then stated that he had nothing more to add except that "we are at the beginning stage. Get the money. Get the bodies and let's go."

The press conference was then halted as that was the last question before Gilliam and his team posed for photos and signed autographs for a few minutes before being led out.

You can watch the full press conference and see the gallery of photos we snapped as well by simply clicking here.

"Christmas Carol" Press Conference with Jim Carrey - Exclusive Video Inside The Premiere!

Thu, 21 May 2009 06:55:33 PDT

Christmas has come early to MovieSet! We're is glad to bring you exclusive video of Jim Carrey at his press conference for the movie "Christmas Carol". Its full length so get some popcorn ready and sit tight. The movie was directed by Robert Zemeckis

You can find it above, or check the video out directly.

Charles Dickens' timeless tale of an old miser who must face Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come, as they help to bring kindness to his otherwise cold heart. The Ghosts remind him of the man he used to be, the hard truth of what the world is today, and what will happen if he does not strive to be a better man. Set around Christmas, the most joyous day of the year, Scrooge realizes the sharp contrast of his own personality. Jim Carrey plays four separate roles in this updated version of A Christmas Carol. Carrey portrays Scrooge, as well as the three ghosts (Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come). His dynamic character roles keep the four characters as diverse as being played by four actors. Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future trilogy) has his chance to dabble in telling a story through the windows of time, as he directs the long-awaited remake. In theaters Nov. 6, 2009.

If that's not enough, check out this sneak peak teaser footage of the movie, showing off some of the CGI!

And don't forget to check out our pictures of Jim Carrey at the press conference and of his beatiful wife Jenny McCarthy at Cannes!!

MovieSet brings you to the "Angora" Press Conference

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Rachel Weisz and Director Alejandro Amenabar traveled back to ancient times to tell a modern story about a progressive woman standing against religious dogma and persecution.

As the Roman Empire declines, Hypatia struggles to preserve scientific knowledge amid the clash of zealots in Alexandria, whose rising Christian population grows increasingly militant toward Jews and worshipers of the Egyptian gods.

No stranger to ancient Egypt, having starred in the first two installments of "The Mummy" franchise, Weisz had never heard of Hypatia before reading the script, but she said the woman's story resonates today.

Rachel Weisz Comments:

"...Really, nothing has changed. I mean, we have huge technological advances and medical advances, but in terms of people killing each other in the name of God, fundamentalism still abounds, and in certain cultures, women are still second-class citizens, and they're denied education..."

Check out the Agora Press Conference

The MovieSet Ultimate Review of 'Drag Me to Hell'

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Jeff Otto

Synopsis: Christine Brown (Lohman) is a bank loan officer up for a big promotion from her strict boss (Paymer). To prove she can make the tough decisions, she denies a loan extension to an old lady (Raver) and the woman places a curse on the girl that will have her haunted by a powerful demon intent on dragging Christine Brown into the depths of hell.

Stars: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, Dileep Rao, Adrianna Barraza

Written by: Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Opening on: May 29th, wide

EXPECTATIONS

What I'd Seen - Fun, over-the-top trailers and a day spent on set put my hopes high, although I was thinking this might be more along the lines of Raimi's The Gift rather than the beloved Evil Dead series.

What I'd Heard - This is Sam Raimi's long-awaited return to horror after years away directing blockbuster material. Although, with a PG-13 rating, I wondered whether the talented director would be restrained from delivering the kinds of no-holds-barred material fans loved so much in the Evil Dead trilogy.

What I Wanted - Something to wash the bitter taste of Spider-Man 3 from my mouth once and for all.

EXPERIENCE

What Turned Me On -

When Sam Raimi first told us about his Ghost House production banner, it sounded like a great idea. Fun house horror movies along the lines of classic material by the likes of William Castle and Mario Bava. Unfortunately, what followed were a series of lifeless throwaway horror material like The Grudge and Boogeyman series. 30 Days of Night was good, but still didn't feel true to the spirit of Ghost House's kitschy horror promises.

Drag Me to Hell should serve as the blueprint for what a Ghost House Picture is supposed to be. Near-perfect in execution, Drag Me is a thrilling, gross-out, goosebump-inducing ride through the fun house from start to finish. It is an absolute blast and, believe me, they didn't give away all the best bits in the trailer. Not by a long shot.

What Turned Me Off -

In all honesty, I have almost no complaints about Drag Me to Hell. It's exactly what I wanted. If I had to criticize anything, it would be that this serves as yet another example of the MPAA's consistent inconsistency in their ratings tactics. Personally, I probably wouldn't let my 13-year-old see this and I consider myself pretty lenient.

AFTERMATH

I Left Thinking - That was so much fun that I can't wait to see it again, and I never see anything more than once these days. Raimi may have been away from the horror genre for a long time, but he got back on that horse without so much as a hiccup anywhere in site. He can still turn stomachs and make audiences jump with the best of them.

I Left Saying - Does Raimi really have to go back and do another frickin' Spider-Man movie after this? Does anyone really want that? Sure, the first two movies were good, but been there, done that. Lots of people are doing comic movies. What the fans really want is more films like Drag Me to Hell. The horror genre needs you, Mr. Raimi. Don't make us wait to long before you come back again and show everyone else how it's done.

Expiry Date - Drag Me to Hell should hold up quite well to multiple viewings and a long shelf life on home video. Now let's just hope mainstream America comes out and supports one of summer's few examples of original material.

MovieSet Ultimate Movie Review – Inglourious Basterds

Wed, 20 May 2009 18:07:51 PDT

Reviewed in Cannes (5/20/09)

By Phillip Nakov

Inglourious Basterds

Synopsis: The movie opens in on a farm in German-occupied France, where Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema. Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution. Known to their enemy as "The Basterds," Raine's squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich. Fates converge under a cinema marquee, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own.

Stars: Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, D.J. Novak.

Written and Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Produced by: Lawrence Bender

Distributed by: Universal & The Weinstein Company

Opening: August 21, 2009

EXPECTATIONS

What I'd Seen - A short, pointed yet remarkable introduction to the world of ‘Inglourious Basterds' with Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine giving a small group fo eight Jewish American soldiers about to embark on a mission to hunt down and scalp Nazi solderis in German Occupied France. The tone and outrageous nature of the plot is both darkly comedic and classic Tarantino. I had also seen the poster, giant character banners on the front of the Carlton hotel and a few stills from the production all which promised a richly styled World War II era film with comedy, drama and violence.

What I'd Heard - That this was to be a departure from Tarnatino's previous efforts but how much and in what way was to be discovered. I had read that the script was completed on July 2, 2008 and that once completed they had to immediately move into pre-production as Tarantino intended the movie to be ready for the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. That meant a vastly accelerated 14-week pre-production schedule and shooting in sequence in locations in France and Germany with an international cast.

What I Wanted - The energy, story complexity and character diversity of a true Tarantino masterpiece. I wanted to see a cool, new world reinterpreted by a directorial genius. I was looking forward to seeing Brad Pitt acting alongside a large group of international stars.

EXPERIENCE

What Turned Me On -

So much to recall! The locations, the costumes, the attention to detail, the advertisements and art on the walls, the characters and the way Tarantino seamlessly blends real historic people with fictional ones to create alternate endings to history. It's both vividly amusing and disturbing at the same time. The richness of the Third Reich with its sumptuous use of red and black to mark its territory is both visually inspired and striking.
What Turned Me Off -

Much of the movie is not in English. Yes, it is very realistic to have Germans speaking German and French speaking French, bravo! But for following the story line in a two hour, thirty-two minute movie, it's somewhat distracting and hard to understand all of the plot twists and character nuances. Luckily I speak French fluently so was able to follow a great part of the film without reading, except that there are subtitles running constantly which distracts one from the action on screen. Tarantino seemingly plays with us in the first scene of the movie where an encounter with a French farmer and a German colonel. The Colonel asks if it would be okay if they switched from French and spoke in English. This caused the audience to erupt in laughter. A nod to the audience by the director indeed! Except, moments later the characters are back to French and German!

For this being a war movie there is very little fighting or actual action. Save for a black and white film that was created especially for the movie and features vidily depicted war sequences, this movie does not weigh in heavily as a fighting war movie.

AFTERMATH

I Left Thinking - That ‘Inglorious Basterds' is a pretty well-paced Tarantino pic. It did feel like it dragged in some places especially when groups of German soldiers would assemble together and just talk. It felt as if we were just witnessing a lot of extra plot lines being laid out to be completed later, although not as expertly as I would have hoped. There could have been some additional character development, especially of some of the more secondary characters.

I Left Saying - Most of Tarantino's fans will show up to see this... although some may end up staying away because of the somewhat stunted use of foreign language to drive the story in the film. I wish there was a greater number of pay-offs versus one event that everyone is working towards resolving. I can't imagine too many of the die-hard Tarantino fans either checking this film out more than once. Though it is well-made, repeat business will most likely end up being far less significant than on his previous works.

Expiry Date - This movie will have an expiry date somewhere after the award season. It was made for entry into this year's Cannes film festival. Its US release will be in August, just shy of the obvious start of award season yet close enough to be considered for all categories. Although the DVD should feature a rich selection of behind the scenes footage and making of segments, only the really true Tarantino fan will buy the disc instead of just renting it.

Last thoughts - Overall I did like the movie and felt transported to the world of WWII France. However, the overuse of native languages and subtitles when it would have been so easy have to have the actors all speak in English or at least more than 50% of the time made for some hard work! Though a great work with some amazing performances, ultimately this movie will not reach the sort of mass audiences sees with past Tarantino offerings.

The story covers a lot of ground in its run time but it could still have been tightened up in certain places and we would not have missed a thing.

Carrey's Christmas comes early on the Croisette in Cannes

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Phillip Nakov

Christmas came early on the Croisette in Cannes this year as Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” brought with it a fresh dusting of that wintery white powder to decorate the front of the historic Carlton Hotel. The world’s press descended en masse to capture the arrivals of the horse- drawn carriages as they pulled up in front of the hotel to let off the producers, director and stars of Disney’s upcoming holiday movie.

Director Robert Zemeckis traveled to the south of France with Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn and two of the movie’s producers, Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke.

The outside of the hotel was dressed up to represent a winter- wonderland. Everyone stood in front of the enormous Christmas trees Disney had set up for photos and posed with the fake snow being shot into the air behind them with large blowers. Jim Carrey even collected some of the fake snow and tossed it playfully at the photographers.

After the short 20-minute press call, they filled inside to the mammoth 3D digital cinema Disney had constructed inside the interior courtyard of the hotel. Sparing no expense, Disney magically constructed a long, winding corridor leading to the beautiful, yet temporary, 3D digital theater just for the occasion.

Dick Cook, the chairman of the Walt Disney Studios was on hand to make a short introduction as well as talk about the advent and increase of availability of 3D digital entertainment. He goaded theater owners with the fact that they had built the 3D digital ready theater for the presentation in only three days. He explained that the Robert Zemeckis directed pic is a multi-sensory thrill ride capturing the essence of the classic Dickens tale in this groundbreaking 3D motion capture event.

Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” arrives in theaters November 6, 2009.

Starlets out and about at Cannes Film Festival

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

The MovieSet.com correspondents are at the Cannes Film Festival checking out premieres, interviews, press conferences and well, ... the lovely Starlets.

Here are a few favorites photos. Alas the lovelies are often accompanied by their leading men but we'll let it slide for now ... In the meantime, Which of these lovely lasses makes your heart pitter-patter?

Abbie Cornish at the Bright Star Press Conference

Actress Abbie Cornish smiles with director Jane Campion at press conference for 'Bright Star' - movie about poet John Keats

Penelope Cruz and Pedro Almodovar supporting Broken Embraces

Penolope Cruz and acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodovar enter the Hotel Palaise for a press conference prior to the world premier of Almodovar's latest picture, Broken Embraces. The film is one of the hottest tickets at this year's festival.

Jim Carrey and girlfriend Jenny McCarthy promoting Christmas Carol

Jim Carrey and girlfriend Jenny McCarthy at the Disney's A Christmas Carol photo call at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.

Paula Patton and Mariah Carey at the 'Precious' press conference

Paula Patton and Mariah Carey at the 'Precious' press conference - Cannes Film Festival - May 15, 2009

The TOP Directors share their work at the Cannes Film Festival

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Yesterday, we shared a few shots of the loveliest actresses in attendance at Cannes 2009 ... so today, we move to the other side of the lens to feature a few noteworthy and/or notorious directors. Catch these moviemakers caught up in the fun in Cannes whether they are lunching in cafes, strolling the seashore or deflecting homo-phobic reporters.

Quentin Tarantino ready with Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarantino is seen on the Croisette in Cannes Tuesday, one day before the highly anticipated world premier of his latest film Inglourious Basterds.

Ang Lee, Director of Taking Woodstock

Director Ang Lee is confronted with a reporter from a prior press conference. The Brazilian TV personality pressed Ang to explain his tendency to explore homosexual themes in his movies. Ang brushed him off.

Jim Carrey shares a joke with director Robert Zemeckis

Jim Carrey shares a joke with A Christmas Carol director Robert Zemeckis at photo call at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.

Penelope Cruz and Pedro Almodovar

Here's a repeat of yesterday's shot but who'll complain about another look at Penolope Cruz along with acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodovar as they enter the Hotel Palaise for a press conference prior to the world premier of Almodovar's latest picture, Broken Embraces.

Martin Scorsese honors friend Roger Ebert

Legendary film critic Roger Ebert is joined by friend and director Martin Scorsese in a dedication ceremony to rename the American Pavilion's press room in Cannes The Roger Ebert Conference Center.

Check out More Daily Cannes Posts right here on the blog!

Cannes 09 'Bright Star' Press Conference with Abbie Cornish

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:21:29 PDT

We sat down for a chat with Abbie Cornish this week at the 62 ^nd annual Cannes Film Festival to chat about her role as Fanny Brawne in Jane Campion's latest work "Bright Star". The movie is about the life, love and work of the famous English romantic poet John Keats.

Q: Welcome, so, how is the festival? Having fun?

A: A lot of fun. It's been a lot of really exciting. Showing the film the other night was the best feeling.

Q: Is this your first Cannes?

A: It's my third. The first time in competition. The first time I was back packing throughout Europe. Laughter. I had a film that was being sold here. I got myself a little badge and would sit in the theater and watch three films a day all week. Then I went and travelled through Europe. The second time was for Summersault which was in Un Certain Regard.

Q: How is this different that from the first time when you were a backpacker?

A: Well, I remember being on the Croisette and I remember watching Cate Blanchett walk down the red carpet. (Laughter). So it's a little bit weird that I did that.

Q: Have you heard from your friends and family back home? They must be tremendously supportive?

A: Yeah. The Family is pretty proud.

Q: Did you love any poetry before going into this project and did you already know about John Keats ?

A: Actually I didn't know them about John Keats. I had heard his name. But I didn't know about his poems, I didn't know about his life. After I read the film I remember jumping onto he net and checking it out. And when we made the film it was quite beautiful to be exposed to this incredible poet. I mean he really is amazing.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your approach for selecting a role? What are the elements, whether it's the story or the director or the cast?

A: Well it's important to me it's always the story and the character. And the director. Those are the three most important elements... then the cast and whose producing it also plays a part. You have to want to play that character. You have to want to put that story on screen. And you have to be in safe hands. It's really important.

Q: Can we talk about that scene towards the end of the movie when Fannie breaks down when she hears of Keats's death. Up till then she's been very repressed since she is a 19^th century girl, but that's a very impactful scene. Can you talk a little about that?

A: I think anyone who has ever lost someone that they love in their life understands that and I don't think, I don't feel like I need to explain it.

Q: Was it hard to prepare for or anything?

Then we experience a long, pregnant and quite pause. It's as if she was contemplating how to best respond without being evasive.

A: No. No. It was difficult to do. But now, I didn't prepare for it.

Q: What did you find was most surprising about working with Jane or what did you find most surprising that you didn't expect to learn or have drawn out of you?

A: For me it was the rehearsal process. I was really frightened about how long it was. Three weeks of rehearsals is a lot. I was like how do you rehearse this for three weeks? After week one I was ready to go shoot the film. I think I had thought about the film so much and [processed it already. I didn't want to sit in a room and over talk it and over analyze it. As an actor I like to just go it as long as the research is all there. So I kind of thought, gosh three weeks. During that time we learn a lot of each other. We went through every single scene in the movie. By the time we shot I know all my lines even the whole movie. You knew exactly what Jane wanted and what she was searching for and what she wanted to explore and she wanted to get across on to the screen. You kind of let go then of over analyzing the script or the dialogue. That was a difference experience for me but that is unique to Jane. That is how she likes to work. She likes intensity and focus and concentration.

Q: So what's coming up next for you?

A: My next film is going to be "Sucker Punch." Directed by Zach Snyder. He did ‘300' and the ‘Watchmen'. It's totally different to anything I‘ve ever done. It's going to be a little wild and a little crazy.

Q: Have you started already?

A: No, I start in June.

Q: Who will you be playing?

A: I play the character of Sweet Pea. Essentially it's the story of five girls in the 1950's who get together and try to escape a psychiatric ward. They are all in this thing and they are all like let's get out of here. The interesting thing to me is that the films Zach has directed he hasn't written. They haven't been his concepts from the beginning. This is the first time he's ever made a concept film that he wrote. I am interested to see what he does with it. I think he has an incredible talent in regards to contemporary cutting edge cinema. I think he is a bit of the master at the action sequences.

Q: So that is the secret behind your character? What's your angle?

A: (Laughter) Well, she is actually sane. (More laughter) Even though she is in a psyche ward. She's in with her younger sister. They ran away from home but her younger sister got into trouble and chucked in. So she went in with her to try and look after her and get her out. My character is in there just looking to surviving and looking after her. And so it's kind of cool to have this same girl in this totally wacky world. She is pretty strong. She is like the mother of the gang. Like she is the one who looks out for everyone. She is like the gang leader in a way.

Q: So it comes out next year? Yeah.

A: I think yeah, end of next year. But it's going to be fun and it's different. It's going to be very physical. The film kind of switches in and out between reality and this kind of dream like world. So we have to train for it and learn martial art.

Q: So were those hands embroidering?

A: You know on the close up? Their not my hands. I said to Jane I don't know if I want the pressure. I could have done it but also I didn't want the pressure of having to make the perfect stich. That close up and so we'll just get someone who is an expert to do it.

Q: Was is different to play with dark hair. Did it affect your play?

A: In a weird way, yeah. If I leaned forward what I would see and my peripheral vision was dark. And it makes a difference. It does. Even though hair styles and everything is slicked back. It's not me.

Q: Will you be going to Comic-Con this year? Zach is typically down in San Diego in July.

A: (Laughter) Oh I don't know... right... well we'll probably be down there.

Q: Who are the co-stars?

A: Jenna Malone, Emily Browning, Jamie Chun and Vanessa Hudgens.

Interesting assortment.

Well, we look forward to seeing some behind the seeing some behind the scenes action as soon as it becomes available.

With that our visit with Abbie was over. We wished her all the luck with "Bright Star" at the festival and we look forward to seeing her in her next new film ‘Sucker Punch'. This next project is expected in theaters in 2011.

Check out tons of production stills from Bright Star at the Sitelet, as well as our video coverage of the press event.

The MovieSet Ultimate Review of ‘Precious’ at Cannes

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

‘Precious’ Official Selection - Un Certain Regard - 62^nd Cannes Film Festival

By Phillip Nakov

Synopsis: When Precious, who is sixteen, learns to read and write at an Alternative School, she discovers a new world previously hidden to her. Told as a child growing up that she was dumb and stupid, she never even thought a world different than the abusive one she knew was possible. A world where she can at last express herself in a way she never could before. A world where each girl can become beautiful, strong and independent. Just like Precious. Featuring a powerful cast and based on the awe inspiring novel "Push" by Saphire.

Stars: Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibew, Mo'nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Susan L. Taylor.

Written by: Damien Paul

Directed by: Lee Daniels

Executive Produced by: Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry

Opening: November 2009

EXPECTATIONS

What I'd Seen - A few photos from the production and the movie poster. Nothing prepared me for what I was about to see.

What I'd Heard - That the movie was quite well received at previous festivals and that I would need a drink after the movie. With the names like Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry behind the picture, it had to have some credibility.

What I Wanted - A good break from the usual stories about struggles in the inner-city and something interesting or different.

EXPERIENCE

What Turned Me On - The absolute realness of the way the story unfolded was shocking. At one point I forgot I was even watching a movie and actually thought I was witnessing a documentary depicting the lives of these unfortunate people. The fluidity and ease with which the actors moved though the scenes without making anything look or feel staged was inspired. At times the story becomes so violent and gritty, one sits in a state of shock as the scenes unfold rendering one unable to move or breathe.

What Turned Me Off - There wasn't anything about the movie that turned me off save for the violence and abuse endured by Precious at the hand of her vile and poisonously angry mother made me resent the evil she displayed. There is nothing I could find that I disliked about this heroic effort of a movie.

AFTERMATH

I Left Thinking - How many girl's are living the life today that we saw depicted by Precious on screen and how many of them would be capable of being as strong as she to rise above it? I also question how flawed must our system of support for abused children be that so many of them end up damaged and perpetuating the cycle of violence and despair.

I Left Saying - This movie tells one of the most inspirational and beautifully stories I have seen in a very long time. The level of disrespect and pure evil that was thrown at Precious and the manner with which she was able to rise above it is awe inspiring and brought tears to my eyes several times during the screening.

Expiry Date - This movie transcends all time and will become a classic reference for stories of self-discovery and growth. It is a snap shot of the life of one very brave, strong and precious girl who becomes a woman before our eyes. I expect this movie will not only continue to do well at future festivals but will be a force to reckoned with come award season.

Check out some super fresh Stills from the Premier at Cannes!

This film will Open in November 2009

Check out the rest of the details on our Precious Sitelet

MovieSets Cannes 09 Coverage Continues with "Bright Star"

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Our coverage of Cannes 09 continued today with "Bright Star". The movie stars Abbie Cornish, Thomas Sangster and Paul Schneider. Not much is know about the movie yet, but you can check out some stuff at the Official Page. In lieu of that, take a look at this clip from the press conference in Cannes.

'Taking Woodstock' New Cannes Pictures and Trailer

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Our Cannes coverage continues with some snapshots of the cast of 'Taking Woodstock'.

It's the new film from Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee - and it's a trip! A 1969-set story, based on Elliot Tiber's memoir, about a man, Elliot Tiber, who inadvertently played a role in making the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival into the famed happening it was.

Working as an interior designer in Greenwich Village during culturally and politically exciting times, Mr. Tiber felt empowered by the gay rights movement. But he was also still staked to the family business - a Catskills motel. Upon hearing that a planned concert had lost its permit from the neighboring town of Wallkill, NY, Mr. Tiber called producer Michael Lang (Jonathan Groff) at Woodstock Ventures to offer his family's motel, the El Monaco, to the promoters.

Soon the Woodstock staff was moving into the El Monaco; half a million people were on their way to Mr. Tiber's neighbor's Max Yasgur's (Eugene Levy) farm in White Lake, NY; and Mr. Tiber found himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life, and American culture, forever.

Check out all the pictures at our Cannes Sitelet! You can also see the trailer for 'Taking Woodstock' right here on MovieSet.

Uwe Boll Talks With MovieSet From Cannes About New Movie 'Darfur'

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

MovieSet's Cannes09 coverage continues with an interview with Uwe Boll. He was kind enough to sit down with us at the Cannes International Film Festival and talk about his new movie 'Darfur'.

Set against the genocide in Darfur, six Western journalists visit a small peaceful village and find its people overshadowed by fear. Hearing that the state sponsored Janjaweed militia is heading to the village, the journalists are faced with a difficult decision - leave and report the atrocities to the world, or risk their own lives and stay in the hope of averting a certain slaughter.

Check it out!

Reporter lashes out at Brokeback director Ang Lee

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Quinn Bender

Oscar-winning director for Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee, was tongue-lashed in Cannes Saturday by a Brazilian reporter who decried the homosexual themes in Lee's films.

During a press conference for the director's latest comedy-drama, Taking Woodstock, a story about the legendary music festival which features a closet homosexual in the lead role, the reporter derailed the conference with a minutes-long diatribe of how Brazilians, he said, find the gay-themes repulsive.

The moderator eventually cut him off then offered Lee the chance to respond: "Mr. Lee, the gentleman seems to detect a threat of homosexuality."

The soft-spoken Lee, almost on cue from the laughter of many among the hundreds of journalists, said accepting other people's homosexuality is simply like the era portrayed in his film. "You just have to go with the flow," he said.

"I think we [human beings] are composed with many elements inside. Everybody is very complicated.

"I'm fascinated by great stories -- these just happen to revolve around homosexuality... I hate being categorized as a certain genre of filmmaker. I want to be seen as complicated."

Asked later by Movieset if his remarks were intended to be hostile, the reporter brushed off the incident, saying he was joking with Lee, that his comments were designed simply to amuse his conservative viewers.

Taking Woodstock tells the true story of Elliot Tiber, played by Demetri Martin, a down-on-his-luck interior designer in New York. His homosexuality however is not central to the plot. He lands a deal to hold a small concert next to his parents' property in order to save their farm from foreclosure. Three weeks later, half a million people arrive in White Lake, New York, and Tiber finds himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life, and American culture, forever.

Lee described Taking Woodstock as "a small film around the edges of a big event."

"[Woodstock] is an iconic symbol. It's been romanticized. It was dirty and it was filthy, but you have to give those kids credit. They had three days of peace and music. I don't think you could do that today."

The MovieSet Ultimate Review of ‘Hump Day’

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Screened at the Director’s Fortnight 2009 - Cannes, France

By Phillip Nakov

Synopsis: It’s been a decade since Ben (Duplass) and Andrew (Leonard) were the bad boys of their college campus. Ben has settled down and found a job, wife, and home. Andrew took the alternate route as a vagabond artist, skipping the globe from Chiapas to Cambodia. When Andrew shows up unannounced on Ben’s doorstep, they easily fall back into their old dynamic of macho one-upmanship.

Late into the night at a wild party, the two find themselves locked in a mutual dare: to enter an amateur porn contest together. But what kind of boundary-breaking, envelope pushing porn can two straight dudes make? After the booze and “big talk” run out, only one idea remains-they will have sex together…on camera. It’s not gay; it’s beyond gay. It’s not porn; it’s art. But how exactly will it work? And more importantly, who will tell Anna (Delmore), Ben’s wife?

Stars: Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard, Alycia Delmore

Written and Directed by: Lynn Shelton

Opening: July 2009

Reviewed at the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes 2009

EXPECTATIONS

What I’d Seen - A hilarious poster of out of two out of shape guys, in boxers, against a white background, eyeing each other with less than amorous expressions on their eyes. The poster alone made me wonder what the hell is this about?

What I’d Heard - Absolutely nothing… which is the best way, in my opinion to see certain films. I entered with no preconceived notions, ideas or expectations. I sat down with a blank mind, ready to be entertained.

What I Wanted - A laugh-out-loud movie about two straight guys who aim to make a porn for the sake of art… seriously? The plot line alone seemed too good to be true. A story right out to left field which was at the same time charming as it was somewhat risqué.

EXPERIENCE

What Turned Me On -

The gritty, almost documentary style look and feel of the movie made me feel like I was hanging out with the characters in the movie and experiencing the events with them as they were happening. The movie felt very much like reality-movie with the characters relating to each other and talking like real people talk, not actors. The fact that neither of the lead characters are especially good looking or fall into the stereotypical category of ‘good looking’ lead actors in a film was refreshing and added to the comedy.

What Turned Me Off -

Though the realness and grittiness of the film was appealing, I felt as if some of the scenes were compromised to some degree for lack of a bigger budget. Though both of our leads are interesting and compelling to watch, we never go too far beyond their worlds. I would have loved to have seen more interaction with characters and perhaps have met some additional characters that would have helped broaden their relationship.

AFTERMATH

I Left Thinking - Wow… what a terrific plot… what fun characters… what a great way to start off the day. I saw this at a 9 AM screening and was laughing out loud with the audience. I wished I could start everyday with such a pick me up.

I Left Saying - This movie is going to get people in and will get them laughing. It is not your traditional big-budget comedy with broad situational slapstick. Hump Day is more of a character study featuring some truly amazing people who we get to know and begin to understand but who just happen to be fascinatingly funny.

Expiry Date - Hump Day will certainly please a certain segment of the movie-going audience. It certainly isn’t for everyone since it does deal with some rather serious issues and touches on the subject of gay porn. However, the topics and issues raised will have a shelf life well beyond 2009 and will certainly live on the shelves of many rental houses for years to come. It will be remembered as the straight guys who want to make a porno movie with each other movie. That poster is also unforgettable.

Hump Day opens in theaters nationwide July 17, 2009.

‘Precious’ Press Conference in Cannes featuring Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz

Sat, 16 May 2009 22:59:46 PDT

By Phillip Nakov

A small group of select press was invited to sit down for lunch today at the Vitamin Beach Club here in Cannes. MovieSet was lucky enough to snag a seat and then got to chat with the stars of one of the most explosive and soon to be awarded movies of the year.

The movie, set in Harlem in 1987, tells the story of Claireece ‘Precious" Jones, a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. It's a powerful and moving movie that will impact you like no other movie has in ages.

Joining us today at the press conference was Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), director Lee Daniels and screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher. They all looked amazing and posed for some photos prior to sitting down. (See below) As each of them was announced, the attending press applauded but really quite wildly for both Gabourey and the writer Geoffrey Fletcher. Early word on the street points to a possible golden future for the young lady come awards season.

To get things started, our moderator, asked the first question to explain the whole genesis of the project. Lee Daniels, the film's director, started off talking about the rights to do it, the novel and what he had to do to get it made.

Lee Daniels - "I read this book many years ago and it stayed me. There are very few books that stay with me. Roots stayed with me. The Color Purple stayed with me. And this is sort of that urban edgy sort of thing that was a modern-day version of those books. And I slept with it. I was oh my god, this is harrowing but at the end of the day, there was light at the end of the tunnel. I felt that it had to be brought to screen. I was looking for money for the film. I optioned the rights. She would not give me the rights, Sapphire. There were many famous people and many studios presidents who she'd been courting. She wanted to be safe. She is an auteur. She is one of the most profound writers and poets that I know. She was very particular about who had her baby so she kept passing on it for me and then she said okay. Then came the financing for it. I knew this would not be financed by a studio. So I am knocking on doors and I ran into Jeffrey Fletcher . I came to him as one of many people for financing. In passing I came to find out he was a writer and we had a connection. We made a connection in that room. I looked at his work and was blown away. I wanted him to direct my movie. But he said he also wrote too and he wrote this script and it took my breath away. I told him I think I want to direct this movie and I got the money and here we are."

At this point our attention shifts to Mariah.

Mariah, your performance was stunning. The casting was a really interesting choice. Lee, how did you know you could do this?

Lee Daniels: "Hellen Mirren was originally going to play the role because she had just worked with me. Mariah and I are very good friends. I felt it was very last minute and it just sort of happened. I was surprised to know that she was as in love with the book as I was. She never asked me to be in the movie. She was like, oh, it would be nice... (Laughter from Mariah...) Hint, hint... I never even thought that she would be right... but then I thought that if I was making such a bold movie, how bold would it be to cast Mariah? Why not go all the way there? I asked her if she could dye her hair, put on a wig, take off the makeup and darken under the eyes... I believed then she would begin to give me her soul. And she did. People would ask me what was it like? A complete honor to work with her. I love her. She is my very good friend and it was an honor."

Mariah then speaks up, "And that's exactly how I feel. I knew Lee was doing the movie ‘Push.' (The original title of "Precious" was ‘Push' based on the novel by Saphire. I had read ‘Push' like years ago when a friend of mine gave me the book and it changed my life, literally. I don't know how many of you have actually read Sapphire's book but it's intense and it is life-changing. For me and my friends who had read the book, we were so excited knowing Lee and know that material. When we actually talked about it, we said it was a last minute thing and I said let me just kind of peel layers away of who the world thinks I am and who even I personally think I really am as a performer, as anything."

It should be noted that Mariah completely transforms her look for this movie making herself almost unrecognizable and as far away from the glamour gal she has become known to be. When this movie opens to US audiences, "Glitter" will immediately become wiped from everyone's memories. If ever there was a rebirth or a role of redemption, this is it. This role has already altered Mariah's cred in the film community and she has been getting roles following Sundance where ‘Precious' premiered, just based on her performance.

Mariah continued to explain what she wanted to do with this role "... really truly become this woman who has the large responsibility ... kind of which, in a way, she is the audience. She is that shocked person who hears about what goes on and has to kind of bare her soul because she is hearing something so horrific that she has never heard before. And I think a lot of people feel that way when they see the movie. So, how could I think of to do it? Because I know that there is a creative side of me that needs to do work like this and I trust Lee so much... I am just grateful that we are part of this event and we're here."

Shifting to the other talented singer at the table, the next question was directed at Lenny Kravitz who showed up wearing cool reflective shades and a calm demeanor. He explained that he is on tour in France at the moment and was here in Cannes only for the day to promote the film. Lenny, your character. How did it come to be?

Lenny speaks calmly as he explains, "I met Lee for the first time at a... Julian Schnabel introduced us at Mr. Chow one night. He'd been trying to reach me... but he could never get through to me. We met, we discussed doing a film together. I didn't have time at the time, I was on tour. I was thinking about doing another movie at the time. He was like, I'd like you to come in and do this character, his name is John. It's a small world. I got two days to come in and see how it felt to work together. It was a very interesting. It was very quick. What they wanted to do was to make me disappear. So he started in with you can't walk like that, you can't move like that, your hand can't do that. You can't talk like that, and liletterly in an hour, completely changed my whole vibe. As for somebody who does his own thing, I make my own music, I write my own music, I play all my instruments. I'm known as a control freak, as people like to put it. I just like to do what I do. It was really great to do something first of all that I don't abnormally do, which is acting. Completely give up all control which is what I always have for this character I am grateful to have done it. I am glad to be playing a role which is the only real male character in the movie, that is supporting this young woman in the movie. Who's there for her, but who admits his own problems. I am glad it's my first role."

Smiling and looking especially glamorous, Paula Patton was seated between Lenny and Mariah and she looked radiant and happy. She was always smiling and seemed to be having a terrific time. She replied on the same question about her role.

"I became introduced to the film when my husband and I were at a dinner party with Lee and somehow they started talking and discovered that I he is married to me and he was trying to get me the script and my husband read it and said you have to read it. So I read it and it made me cry. But I was afraid. I was afraid of playing this teacher role. I had seen it before in the movies and I just didn't know. I wanted to play a different spin on it. But I knew I had to do it because my mom had been a teacher for 28 years in the LA Unified school district and I felt it was in honor of her. So, that's what first started it. You know when you start out you never know if you are going to get a job. You go to class. You hope that you might get lucky. To be a part of something so artistic to be challenged the way he did and to know that at the end of every day Lee wasn't going to leave till he got your best performance. And there is so much trust in that. You want to work with director time and time again.

At this point everyone's attention turned to the youngest actress at the table who hadn't said anything yet and had been sitting quietly watching and listening to the discussions. To get her going our moderator we started by asking her where she come from? To which Mariah chimes in, "from the heavens." The room laughs and Gabourey smiles shyly.

So tell us how did you got the role and how you got here?

Gabourey speaks in a light cheerful tone, full of wonder and hesitation at first. You can't help but fall in love with her timid voice and smile.

"Well, I am from New York. I am actually from Harlem. Which is where Precious is from." She laughs. "I wasn't going to be an actress. I was a college student. I was a psych student. I had done a lot of plays in Leeman College in the Bronx. I never really thought of it as a career. I thought it was really hard and quite frankly I am really lazy. I never considered it as an actual career. I did it for fun. I knew the book. I am actually a pretty big fan of the book. My mother was approached to play Mary, this was years before I auditioned. And it broke her heart. She made me do this. So I did it for my mother. It's a tremendous role to take on. She told me I should audition for Precious and I told her ‘you think I can do everything, mom.' So it went out of my head for two to three years. Then a friend of mine told me they were casting for it. Since there weren't that many people that had the physical requirements that Mr. Daniels was looking for, so I went in. It was literally the first week of classes and I really didn't want to go... but I went and I got it two days later. Now I am a movie star." (At this point we all break into applause. Surprisingly, the usually jaded press corps was showing spirit and support for our young new star.)

So tell us, are you enjoying the glamour and sunshine of Cannes?

"Oh, this is all the sunshine I need. I am having the most fun ever. More fun than I could imagine. This is completely glamorous. This is nothing like I thought my life would be. "

We certainly appreciated all the efforts of the filmmakers, Lionsgate and Premiere PR for making this lunch and press conference possible. It was an intimate setting and a everyone really gave it their all.

The movie ‘Precious' continues to wow audiences everywhere it plays. This moving and powerful picture arrives in theaters in the US November 6, 2009.

Be sure to check out the trailer and photos from the movie at the movie's sitelet.

Martin Scorsese honors legendary critic, Roger Ebert

Fri, 15 May 2009 18:41:27 PDT

By Quinn Bender

In a rare appearance the famous film critic, author and journalist Roger Ebert returned to the Cannes Film Festival today for a special dedication ceremony, presided over by director and friend Martin Scorsese. The Oscar-winning filmmaker joined US Consulate delegates and Festival heads outside the American Pavilion in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to rename the press conference room as The Roger Ebert Conference Center.

"I can't think of anyone else who deserves it as much," Scorsese said. "Your name has become synonymous with the love of cinema... which you shared with the world and continue to share.

"Over the years [you provided] very strong support and comradeship, even during difficult times -- and criticism! Which I always found to be very well thought out," he added, drawing laughter from a small gathering of press and curious festival goers.

Ebert was gracious and buoyant throughout the brief ceremony. It's the first time he has attended the festival since 2005 -- in 2006 Ebert suffered post-surgical complications related to thyroid cancer, which required the partial removal of his jaw bone and left him unable to speak.

Typing his words of thanks into a computer voice simulator, Ebert was smiling and animated as the crowd listened on.

"I love this festival. I have spent seven years of my life here, one week at a time. It is the best place in the world to see a movie," he said.

Ebert lauded the American Pavilion's history of attracting top filmmakers for press interviews. He then delivered a special message to the American film students working at the Pavilion, several of whom gathered in the light rain for the dedication ceremony.

"Look around, meet some of these people in [the press] room. In their careers and in their values they represent the hopes of the art of cinema at a time -- above all -- [when] we need more people like them."

Ebert's movie reviews are syndicated to more than 200 newspapers around the world. He has written more than 15 books, and in 1975 was the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize. Ebert is also the first film critic to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On the Red Carpet at Film Festival de Cannes - Your MovieSet guide

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

The Starlets! The Stories! The Champagne! And the Cinema!

Is Cannes the best film festival in the world?

Mais bien sur!

Bonjour MovieSetters! MovieSet is going ALL OUT at the 62nd Cannes International Film Festival from May 13 to the 24th in the south of France.

Follow us in this extraordinary eco-system, an intense dreamscape populated by a medley of money-men, hustlers, hacks and extra-terrestrial stars.

Our festival team will be producing exclusive still photos, videos, interviews, and blog content daily and on the MovieSet Cannes 2009 Sitelet

We'll be keeping an eye on these films - Any others we gotta catch? Leave us a Comment

Inglourious Basterds
Taking Woodstock
Up!
AntiChrist (Lars Von Trier)
Drag Me to Hell
Imaginarium of Dr. Panassus

Behind the Scenes at Cannes

The Festival de Cannes has always been the reflection of its era: a centre for all cultures and hopes, a spring of effervescence and, above all, transmission. Join Shaun and Eric as they lead you behind-the-scenes on the latest at Cannes with a kick off episode of the vidcast featuring UP!, Taking Woodstock and Dr. Parnassus.

Cannes 2009: Bollywood remake for The Italian Job

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Michael Caine's 1969 classic will be remade in Hindi and shot in India. It is not known if the film-makers plan to replace the Minis of the original with Indian-made Ambassadors, or if an actor will deliver a Hindi version of the line: "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"

This is not the first attempt at remaking the British comic caper – in 2003, Paramount made a version starring Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron which was panned by critics.

The Bollywood movie will be directed by brothers Abbas and Mustan Burmawalla and is a joint venture between TIFC-Studio 18 and Viacom, parent company of Paramount.

"...We hope the Indian film version of The Italian Job will continue to excite and entertain international audiences..."

Read the full article here;

Telegraph.co.uk
By Anita Singh

Cannes’09 Diary-Day 2: Spring Fever

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

The screening of Disney-Pixar’s Up kicked off the 62^nd Cannes Film Festival yesterday, preceded by the famed Red Carpet walk by the attending celebrities, including L’Oreal brand ambassador Aishwarya Rai, and now it’s time for serious business.

And serious business: Chinese director Lou Ye whose film Chun Feng Chen Zui De Ye Wan (Spring Fever) is featuring at the festival is “banned” by the Chinese government from filmmaking for five years for his ‘audacity’ to showcase here at Cannes his film Summer Palace in 2006, Lou has cocked a snook at the decision and went ahead to secretly shoot Spring Fever in the eastern city of Nanjing.

Made with financial help from France’s Fonds Sud, the film is a hard look at love between individuals who are more or less drifters in a society in transition. Lou, however, focuses here on homosexual love vis-à-vis heterosexual love, and through his bold picturisation, tackles an issue that is more or less a taboo in Chinese society.

Read the full article here

Dear Cinema
By: Utpal Borpujari

Social drama Fish Tank draws a magnificent performance from newcomer Katie Jarvis

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

British director Andrea Arnold won many admirers at Cannes 2006 for her erotically charged surveillance thriller Red Road. Fish Tank, a social drama at once bucolic and grimy, draws a magnificent performance from newcomer Katie Jarvis, who plays Mia, a fierce-tempered, beer-guzzling teenager.

Shot with a terrific eye for pointillist detail and panorama, Arnold opens up the council estates of Essex, revealing the myriad ways in which they cramp but never entirely extinguish the spirit and imaginations of the people who live there.

Read the full article here

Telegraph.co.uk
By Sukhdev Sandhu

Official Expendables artwork unleashed on The Festival de Cannes

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Although Sylvester Stallone's 'The Expendables' is months away from it's April 2010 release date, buzz for the film is already building as Lionsgate released a slew of poster art for the masses at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Expendables is about a group of mercenaries on a South American mission to overthrow a ruthless dictator. Written, directed and staring Sylvester Stallone, along with Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Steve Austin, Randy Couture, and with an appearance by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

If the long list of celebrity names doesn't get you pumped, then check out some of the poster art for this highly anticipated film.

Pixar's Up, directed by Peter Docter, has become the first animated picture ever to open the Cannes film festival.

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

High-minded cinephiles at Cannes aren't used to donning 3-D glasses to see a film. They tend to associate them with gimmicky adventure flicks and B-movies from the 1950s. With the downgrading of the film screen to the status of a mere goggle box. With the Americanization of cinema; a trend which this festival does its best to retard.

And yet, just before 10am on Wednesday, in readiness for the opening screening of the 62nd festival – Up - that's exactly what they found themselves doing. So unusual was the situation that a Cannes eminence grise took to the stage and started taking photographs of the newly double-glazed audience.

The tenth Pixar movie, the second (after Monsters, Inc) to be directed by Pete Docter, it also has the honour of being the first animated picture ever to open a Cannes festival. Any of the assembled critics who thought the choice was a bit gimmicky or a sop to the Hollywood studios will surely have changed their tune: it's utterly delightful, certain to appeal to audiences young, old and all points in between.

Read the full review here.

Telegraph.co.uk
By: Sukhdev Sandhu

CANNES FILM MARKET HEALTHY

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Jérôme Paillard, who oversees Cannes's Marché du Film, the business end of the Cannes Film Festival, maintained that contrary to distressing reports of studio marketing cutbacks at Cannes and fewer hotel and yacht rentals in town due to the recession, "we haven't really seen any impact here from the crisis." Cannes Market News, the official daily trade publication distributed by the Marché, reported today (Wednesday) that "organizers expect attendance numbers to come out at around the same levels as last year by the close of the Marché." Paillard suggested that the main difference between this year's festival and those preceding it is that a lot more 3D films are being screened. On the other hand, former Daily Variety reporter Rex Weiner writes in today's (Wednesday) online Huffington Post that both trade publications, Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, have significantly cut back on their Cannes coverage with Variety using a skeleton crew in Los Angeles -- instead of one on-site -- to produce its daily Cannes edition. The Reporter has assigned only four reporters to Cannes (plus two reviewers). Weiner concludes: "While the cutback in trade reporting from the field may be yet another symptom of the media's overall malaise, it also marks a tipping point for the Cannes Film Festival itself. The importance of Cannes has diminished in the film world over the years (when was the last time a Palme d'Or winner was also a hit at the US box-office?), and now the lack of serious coverage by industry journalists may prove to be its death knell." As another sign of degeneration, a small group of accredited writers -- who apparently have never had to work in a noisy newsroom -- succeeded in persuading the attendants in a press room at Cannes to mute the monitor showing live coverage of the festival's news conferences -- on the grounds that the audio was distracting.