as director: Apocalypto (2006) Passion of the Christ, The (2004) Braveheart (1995) Man Without a Face, The (1993)
as actor (w/director):
Mad Max (1979) George Miller (Australia)
Tim (1979) Michael Pate (Australia) Gallipoli (1981) Peter Weir (Australia) Road Warrior, The (1982) George Miller (Australia) Year of Living Dangerously, The (1982) Peter Weir Bounty, The (1984) Roger Donaldson (UK/USA) Mrs. Soffel (1984) Gillian Armstrong (USA) Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) George Miller & George Oglivie (Autrailia/USA) Lethal Weapon (1987) Richard Donner (USA) Tequila Sunrise (1988) Robert Towne (USA) Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) Richard Donner (USA) Hamlet (1990) Franco Zeffirelli (USA/UK) Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) Richard Donner (USA) Man Without a Face, The (1993) Mel Gibson (USA) Maverick (1994) Richard Donner (USA) Braveheart (1995) Mel Gibson (USA) Pocahontas (voice)(1996) Disney Animation (USA) Ransom (1996) Ron Howard (USA) Conspiracy Theory (1997) Richard Donner (USA) Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) Richard Donner (USA) Payback (1999) Brian Helgeland (USA) Million Dollar Hotel (2000) Wim Wenders (Germany/UK/USA) Chicken Run (voice)(2000) Peter Lord & Nick Park (UK) Patriot, The (2000) Roland Emmerich (USA) What Women Want (2000) Nancy Meyers (USA) We Were Soldiers (2002) Randall Wallace (USA) Signs (2002) M. Night Shyamalan (USA) Singing Detective, The (2003) Keith Gordon (USA)
Appreciation
Sydney Pollack 1934-2008
in the DVD collection:
as director:
This Property is Condemned (1966) Swimmer, The (1968) VHS only They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) Jeremiah Johnson (1972) Way We Were, The (1973) Yakuza, The (1974) Three Days of the Condor (1975) Tootsie (1982) Out of Africa (1985) Firm, The (1993) Interpreter, The (2005) Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005)
notable acting roles:
Tootsie (1982) Player, The (1992) Husbands and Wives (1992) Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Michael Clayton (2007)
Appreciation
Charlton Heston 1924-2008
in the collection:
Julius Caesar (1950) David Bradley Greatest Show on Earth, The (1952) Cecil B. DeMille Ten Commandments, The (1956) Cecil B. DeMille Touch of Evil (1958) Orson Welles Big Country, The (1958) William Wyler Ben-Hur (1959) William Wyler El Cid (1961) Anthony Mann Major Dundee (1965) Sam Peckinpah Agony and the Ecstasy, The (1965) Carol Reed Planet of the Apes (1968) Franklin J. Schaffner Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) Ted Post Omega Man, The (1971) Boris Sagal) Soylent Green (1973) Richard Fleischer Three Musketeers, The (1973) Richard Lester Four Musketeers, The (1974) Richard Lester Midway (1976) Jack Smight Tombstone (1983) George P. Cosmatos True Lies (1984) James Cameron In the Mouth of Madness (1995) John Carpenter Hamlet (1996) Kenneth Branagh Any Given Sunday (1999) Oliver Stone
Fan Club
Daniel Day-Lewis born in London, England April 27th, 1957 in the collection on DVD: There Will Be Blood (2007) Paul Thomas Anderson Ballad of Jack and Rose, The (2005) Rebecca Miller Gangs of New York (2002) Martin Scorsese Boxer, The (1997) Jim Sheridan Crucible, The (1996) Nicholas Hytner In the Name of the Father (1993) Jim Sheridan Age of Innocence, The (1993) Marti Scorsese Last of the Mohicans, The (1992) Michael Mann My Left Foot (1989) Jim Sheridan Unbearable Lightness of Being, The (1988) Philip Kaufman Room With a View, A (1985) James Ivory My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) Stephen Frears Bounty, The (1984) Roger Donaldson
FAN CLUB
Julie Christie born in Chukua, Assam, India, on April 14, 1941
in our collection on DVD
Away from Her (2006) Sarah Polley Secret Lifeof Words, The (2005) Isabel Coixet Finding Neverland (2004) Marc Forster Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) Alfonso Cuarón Troy (2004) Wolfgang Petersen No Such Thing (2001) Hal Hartley Afterglow (1997) Alan Rudolph Hamlet(1996) Kenneth Branagh Dragonheart (1996) Rob Cohen Miss Mary (1986) Maria Luisa Bemberg (VHS only) Heatand Dust (1983) James Ivory Return of the Soldier, The (1982) Alan Bridges Heaven Can Wait (1978) Warren Beatty & Buck Henry Demon Seed (1977) Donald Cammell Shampoo (1975) Hal Ashby Don't Look Now (1973) Nicolas Roeg McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) Robert Altman Go-Between, The (1970) Joseph Losey (VHS only) Petulia (1968) Richard Lester Far from the Madding Crowd (1967) John Schlesinger (VHS only) Fahrenheit 451 (1966) Francois Truffaut Doctor Zhivago (1965) David Lean Darling (1965) John Schlesinger Billy Liar (1963) John Schlesinger
Fan Club
Owen Wilson Born Dallas, Texas 1968
You make us laugh. Keep it up!
In the collection:
Night at the Museum (2006) Cars (voice)(2006) Wedding Crashers (2005) Meet the Fockers (2004) Life Aquatic, The (2004) Starsky & Hutch (2004) Shanghai Knights (2003) Royal Tenenbaums, The (2001) Zoolander (2001) Meet the Parents (2000) Shanghai Noon (2000) Breakfast of Champions (1999) Minus Man, The (1999) Rushmore (1998)(uncredited) Permanent Midnight (1998) Armageddon (1998) vhs Cable Guy, The (1998) vhs Bottle Rocket (1996)
Another Great One...
Michelangelo Antonioni
(1912-2007)
In our collection... (in chronological order)
Il Grido (1957) DVD L'Avventura (1960) DVD La Notte (1961) DVD L'Eclisse (1962) DVD Red Desert (1964) VHS Blow-Up (1966) DVD Zabriskie Point (1970) VHS Passenger, The (1975) DVD Beyond the Clouds (1995) VHS Eros-"The Dangerous Thread of Things" (2005) DVD
Everybody Loves Peter
Peter Boyle (1935-2006) Here are some of his best movies available at the store: Medium Cool (1969) VHS Joe (1970) DVD Candidate, The (1972) VHS Friends of Eddie Coyle, The (1973) VHS Young Frankenstein (1974) DVD Taxi Driver (1976) DVD VHS Brink's Job, The (1978) VHS Hardcore (1979) VHS Where the Buffalo Roam (1980) DVD Hammett (1983) VHS Honeymoon in Vegas (1992) VHS Malcolm X (1993) DVD Monster's Ball (2001) DVD
We'll miss you
Robert Altman born 2/20/25 Kansas City, MO died 11/20/06 Los Angeles, CA
"Filmmaking is a chance to live many lifetimes."
In our collection, listed in chronological order:
Countdown (1968) VHS M*A*S*H (1970) DVD Brewster McCloud (1970) VHS McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) DVD Images (1972) DVD Long Goodbye, The (1973) DVD Thieves Like Us (1974) VHS California Split (1975) DVD Nashville (1975) DVD VHS Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976) DVD 3 Women (1977) DVD Wedding, A (1978) VHS Popeye (1980) DVD Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982) VHS Streamers (1983) VHS Secret Honor (1984) DVD Fool for Love (1985) DVD Beyond Therapy (1987) DVD Aria (segment) (1987) VHS Tanner 88 (1988) DVD Vincent & Theo (1990) DVD Player, The (1992) DVD Short Cuts (1993) DVD Ready to Wear (1994) DVD Kansas City (1996) DVD Gingerbread Man, The (1998) DVD Cookie's Fortune (1999) VHS Dr. T and the Women (2000) DVD Gosford Park (2001) DVD Company, The (2003) DVD Prairie Home Companion, A (2006) DVD
Altman directed more than 35 feature films and was nominated five times for best-director Oscar. He was given a lifetime-achievement Oscar in 2006 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
DEARLY DEPARTED
Shohei Imamura (1926-2006) Japanese director
in our collection
The Pornographers 1966 VHS Ballad of Narayama 1983 VHS Black Rain 1989 VHS The Eel 1997 VHS Dr. Agaki 1998 VHS Warm Water Under a Red Bridge 2001 DVD September 11 (segment) 2002 DVD
SHELLEY WINTERS (1920-2006)
in our collection:
Place in the Sun, A (1951) DVD VHS Executive Suite (1954) VHS I Am a Camera (1955) VHS Night of the Hunter, The (1955) DVD VHS Diary of Anne Frank, The (1959) VHS Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) VHS Lolita (1962) DVD VHS Patch of Blue, A (1965) VHS Harper (1966) VHS Alfie (1966) DVD VHS Wild in the Streets (1968) VHS Poseiden Adventure, The (1972) VHS Blume in Love (1973) VHS Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976) VHS Pete's Dragon (1977) VHS S. O. B. (1981) VHS Heavy (1995) DVD
RICHARD PRYOR (1940-2005)
in our collection:
Wild in the Streets (1968) VHS Lady Sings the Blues (1972) VHS Wattstax (1973) DVD Car Wash (1976) VHS Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars...(1976) VHS Silver Streak (1976) DVD Blue Collar (1978) VHS Wiz, The (1978) VHS Muppet Movie, The (1979) DVD VHS Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979) VHS Stir Crazy (1980) DVD Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982) DVD Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1985) VHS Lost Highway (1997) VHS
EDWARD R. MURROW
With the release of George Clooney's Good Luck, And Good Night, comes a renewed interest in the red-baiting McCarthy era, and Edward R. Murrow's role in bringing him down. Here are a few related titles in our catalog:
The Front (1976) Martin Ritt VHS McCarthy: Death of A Witchhunter (1975) Emile de Antonio VHS Point of Order (1963) Emile de Antonio VHS Edward R. Murrow: The McCarthy Years (1992) VHS Hollywood On Trial (1976) David Helpern Jr. VHS Guilty By Suspicion (1993) Irwin Winkler VHS Witness To An Execution (2004) Ivy Meeropol DVD
RECENTLY DEPARTED:
TERESA WRIGHT (1918-2005)
The Little Foxes (1941) William Wyler VHS Mrs. Miniver (1958) George Abbott VHS Pride of the Yankees (1942) Sam Wood VHS Shadow of a Doubt (1943) Alfred Hitchcock VHS Best Years of Our Lives (1946) William Wyler VHS Pursued (1947) Raoul Walsh VHS
ARTHUR MILLER (1915-2005)
The Crucible (1957) Raymond Rouleu VHS The Crucible (1995) Nicholas Hytner VHS DVD The Misfits (1961) John Huston VHS DVD Death of a Salesman (1985) Volker Schlondorff DVD Focus (2001) Neal Slavin VHS
HUNTER S. THOMPSON (1937-2005)
Where The Buffalo Roam (1980) Art Linson VHS Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Terry Gilliam VHS DVD
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
These are sections in our catalog that we think deserve special attention. We'll be constantly adding to this list. Enjoy.
Pleasant Street Theater Video opened in the fall of 1988 and is owned by Dana Gentes and Richard Pini. Our focus is to bring you the best in foreign, classic and independent flm on DVD and VHS.
Our staff was hand-picked and hired based on their various birthrights and genetic profiles. all are employed for life, and their marriages were arranged as well (by dana).
THE STAFF:
dana smokes pipes and wears velour jackets. he enjoys polo and french cognacs. he has never left his home town.
bill is the mayor of northampton and owns a media conglomerate whose snaky tendrils reach into every part of american life, nay, even into our very bedrooms. nothing is sacred or hidden from the eyes of bill.
gene enjoys turtles, bike rides, coq au vin, and puppets. he is also an academy-award winning tennis player. don't ask him about his second navel.
zeke wrote the national anthem. his royalty checks come in the form of various military hats worn throughout history. he hates graham crackers.
patty loves elvis and teaches children how to invade small countries with flowerpot helmets. her next novel is due out this fall in VHS only.
chris is a bookseller who thinks that movies are actually books with an incredible amount of imagery.
jen is a brilliant mathemetician and a close friend of Stephen Hawkings.
philip's soul is made of evaporated milk.
New Releases July 2008
Band's Visit, The- charmer about an Egyptian band that loses its way in Israel Bank Job, The- Jason Statham excels in this entertaining British heist movie Batman-Gotham Knight-6 stories plus 6 directors equals animation heaven Bonneville- Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Joan Allen go on an unforgettable journey Chop Shop- inspired indie about kids trying to survive in a Queens junkyard Come Drink With Me (1966) Shaw Brothers classic which inspired KILL BILL Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay- more shenanigans from the lovable losers Joe Strummer-The Future is Written- nice tribute to the deceased Clash front man Kiss of the Spider Woman- finally on DVD- William Hurt took home the Oscar Lenny Bruce Performance Film- includes THANK YOU MASK MAN Mad Men- Season 1- nominatated for an Emmy for Best Drama Series Mishima/Patriotism- Paul Schrader looks at Mishima and so does Mishima My Blueberry Nights- Wong Kar-Wai's first English language film stars Norah Jones & Jude Law Penelope - fun, modern-day fairy tale with Christina Ricci Priceless- Audrey Tautou stars in this French comedy hit Robot Chicken- this Star Wars parody will make you laugh Rolling Stones- Shine a Light- Martin Scorsese makes another cool concert film Satantango- Bela Tarr's Hungarian epic is 420 minutes long! Spaced- the cult BBC series starring Simon Pegg & Jessica Hynes finally is here! Shotgun Stories- powerful debut from director Jeff Nichols Stop-Loss- Kimberly Peirce (BOYS DON'T CRY) directs Surfwise- interesting documentary about a counter-cultural family Tierney Gearon-The Mother Project- complex doc about the famous photographer Tracey Fragments, The- Ellen Page stars in another angsty indie 21- story of card-counting MIT students in Vegas Trafic (1971) Jacques Tati never ceases to amaze me 21 Up in South Africa- an update on those kids we last saw at age 14 Year My Parents Went on Vacation, The- poignant story from Brazil Vampyr (1932) Carl Dreyer's classic gets the Criterion treatment
New Releases June 2008
Before the Rain (Criterion) Be Kind Rewind Bucket List, The Californication-Season 1 Caramel Classes Tous Risques (1960)(Criterion) Definitely, Maybe Funny Games USA Furies, The (1950)(Criterion) Honeydripper Hula Girls In Bruges John Adams Onion Movie, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Persepolis Protagonist Radiohead-Best of Video Spiderwick Chronicles, The Under the Same Moon Wayward Cloud, The
New Releases May 2008
Animation Show Vol.3 Autism the Musical Bella Boarding Gate Business of Being Born, The Cassandra's Dream Control Cranford Darfur Now Delirious Delirious Fictions of William Klein Diary of the Dead Diva Grace is Gone Great Debators, The House- Seasons 1-3 I'm Not There Joy Division Machine Girl, The National Treasure 2 P.S. I Love You Semi-Pro SNL- Season 3 Teeth Thief of Bagdad, The 27 Dresses Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show Weeds- Season 3 Women and Spirituality Youth Without Youth
New Releases April 2007
Alvin and the Chipmunks Avida Bamako Battlestar Galactica- Seasons 1-3 Before the Devil Knows You're Dead Blast of Silence Charlie Wilson's War Cloverfield Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Dog Whisperer, The- Season 1 11th Hour, The Friday Night Lights- Season 2 Golden Compass, The Juno King Corn Lars and the Real Girl Lions for Lambs Looking for Cheyenne Manda Bala Meerkat Manor- Season 2 Nanking Orphanage, The Savages, The Sense and Sensibility (2008) Starting Out in the Evening Sweeney Todd (Tim Burton) There Will Be Blood Tongues Untied Trailer Park Boys- The Movie Trans Generation Walk Hard- the Dewey Cox Story War/Dance Water Horse, The
New Releases March 2008
Atonement August Rush Bee Movie Bonnie and Clyde-special edition Crazy Sexy Cancer Dan in Real Life Darkon Devil Came on Horseback, The Enchanted Forbidden Hollywood- Vol.2 I am Legend Into the Wild Jimmy Carter- Man from Plains Kite Runner, The Lake of Fire Lost Highway Mafiaso Mouth to Mouth My Kid Could Paint That Nancy Drew No Country for Old Men Real Dirt on Farmer John, The SNL- Seasons 1 & 2 Southland Tales South Park- Imaginationland State of Play Steep Things We Lost in the Fire Trade Wristcutters: A Love Story Zebraman Zen Noir
New Releases February 2008
Across the Universe Amateurs, The American Gangster Assassination of Jesse James, The Becoming Jane Beowulf Brave One, The Bubble, The Darjeeling Limited, The Day Zero Death at a Funeral Elizabeth: the Golden Age Extras- Series Finale Family Guy: Blue Harvest Feast of Love Gone Baby Gone Goya's Ghosts Great World of Sound In the Shadow of the Moon In the Valley of Elah Jane Austen Book Club, The Lust, Caution Margot at the Wedding Michael Clayton Monastery, The Mr. Warmth- the Don Rickles Project Nines, The No Reservations Pierrot le Fou Redacted Rendition Romance and Cigarettes Tell Me You Love Me Terror's Advocate Two Days in Paris Walker Weirdsville We Own the Night
New Releases January 2008
Curb Your Enthusiasm- Season 6- Larry welcomes a homeless family from New Orleans into his home this season in this hilarious HBO series Damages-Glenn Close stars in this original FX series set in the high-stakes legal world Drunken Angel- Akira Kurosawa's first critical success (1948) is an odd blend of American film noir and Italian neorealism
Eagle vs Shark- quirky deadpan romantic comedy from New Zealand starring Jemaine Clement (FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS) and Loren Horsley
Game Plan, The- a predictable, yet fun, family film starring the charismatic Duane "The Rock" Johnson Golden Door- romantic drama about a Sicilian peasant and a worldly Englishwoman coming to Ellis Island in 1913. Profound with scenes of fantastical magical realism, lively humor, and stunning images King of Kong- A Fistful of Quarters- Seth Gordon's documentary of obsessive classic arcade game players finds high drama and murky intrigue in the competition for the Donkey Kong world record Miss Julie (1950)-Alf Sjoberg's vivid portrait of class barriers, overbearing social mores and the torrid, forbidden love affair that is effected by it Naked Prey, The- Cornel Wilde directs and stars in this 1965 vision of survival at its starkest Rana's Wedding- a poignant drama that offers a look at what it is like to live in occupied PalestineA poignant drama that offers a look at what it is like to live in occupied Palesti Rocket Science- this unusually voluble comedy, set in the world of high school debating, is as eloquent about love, self-realization and adolescent angst as its protagonist is endearingly tongue-tied Shoot 'Em Up- Over the top action flick- put your brain on pause and enjoy! Smiley Face- Anna Faris stars as Jane F- a stoner slacker who is having a really bad day...inspired comedy from director Gregg Araki Sunshine- Danny Boyle's thrilling science fiction adventure about a crew of men and women trying to reignite the dying sun Syndromes and a Century-profoundly mysterious, erotic, funny, gentle, playful, utterly distinctive, it is the work of the Thai director and installation-artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who now has a claim to be approaching the league of Kiarostami and Haneke Ten, The-with its gleeful hash of the sacred and the profane, this comedy that takes liberties with the Bible's Ten Commandments. After the cult success of WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER and THE STATE, David Wain and Ken Marino reteam with a few familiar faces--as well as some new additions--to poke fun at the Old Testament tenets with 10 stories. 3:10 to Yuma- James Mangold's riveting and impressive remake of the 1957 western classic stars Christian Bale and Russell Crowe Yacoubian Building, The-the complex, corrupt, and beautiful stories of the residents of central Cairo who live in the crumbling, once-decadent Yacoubian Building are interwoven in this roman à clef, which paints a merciless and haunting picture of Egypt from director Marwan Hamed Zodiac Director's Cut- David Fincher's thoughtful and involving thriller comes jammed pack with extras in this 2-Disc set
New Releases December 2007
Arctic Tale- a carefully fictionalized narrative using stunning documentary footage shows the plight of polar bears and walruses on an Arctic ice floe Balls of Fury- silly farce about a scruffy ping pong prodigy who is recruited to to infiltrate an ENTER THE DRAGON-style ping pong tournament (to the death) run by an evil triad leader (Christopher Walken) Big Love Season 2- life is never simple for the Henricksons, a Utah fundamentalist Mormon family. The HBO series stars Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Harry Dean Stanton Blade Runner- The Final Cut- a bleaker, more cynical version of an already dark film, which might explain why the studio insisted on a softer, more optimistic ending when it was first released. Bourne Ultimatum, The- a satisfying conclusion to an excellent trilogy, Matt Damon stars in this exciting, intelligent and impeccably directed thriller. Deep Water- the stunning true story of the first solo, non-stop, round-the-world boat race, and the psychological toll it took on its competitors Dynamic: 1- Best of DavidLynch.com- a collection of seven shorts from the celebrated director's website. Lynch's trademark style, which plays with surrealism, dream imagery, and tropes from American genres, is in full evidence. The program also includes a 20-minute feature in which Lynch answers questions asked of him by his website's subscribers Eastern Promises- director David Cronenberg teams up with leading man Viggo Mortensen for the second time (they worked together on to craft an intelligent and provocative crime thriller about the Russian mob in London East Side Story- set in East LA, this charmer is the story of Diego, a young man working at his family's restaurant and having an affair with a secretly gay real estate agent. As the relationship heats up and the Latino neighborhood becomes more and more gentrified, everything changes for Diego and his family Exiled- Johnnie To's riff on Western genre conventions is a flabbergasting spectacle of kaleidoscopic violence that abstractly appraises codes of masculine honor. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- once again, the series has produced a winner: an intriguingly complex, visually dazzling, multilayered fantasy-adventure of the first order. (this is the fifth film adapted from the books of JK Rowlings) High School Musical 2- his Disney Channel original movie musical brings back all the beloved characters from the first film, but it moves the action from the school year to the sizzling summer. Interview- the plot of this indie is devilishly simple: a political journalist (Steve Buscemi) is sent on a clearly beneath-him assignment to meet an attractive B-list soap star celebrity (Sienna Miller). He makes a mess of the interview, but winds up at her Manhattan loft apartment following an unfortunate car accident... Kingdom,The- Jamie Foxx stars in this absurdly gung-ho, but no less enjoyable thriller, providing you don't take the flag-waving politics too seriously. Lady Chatterley- French director Pascale Ferran's lovely, 161-minute adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's 1928 novel moves with its own unique rhythm. Live-in Maid- this Argentinean comedy centers on the tenuous friendship between a woman and her maid. Though the former aristocrat finds her finances dwindling, she holds onto her maid as proof she still belongs to the upper class in Buenos Aires Lost Season 3- more suspense, secrets, and fear are uncovered in these 23 episodes about the most mysterious setting in television history. The puzzle pieces of the Others, the Dharma Project, and how the island seems to know the survivors of the plane crash are all part of what keeps fans glued to their sets Once- a charming and endearing Irish film about two down-and-out individuals who collaborate on a musical project that deeply enriches them both in surprising ways. Pirates of the Caribbean 3-At World's End- director Gore Verbinski continues to deliver the big-budget goods. All hail Jack Sparrow. Prisoner Or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair, The- a follow-up to the acclaimed GUNNER PALACE, this documentary, about one innocent Iraqui's detention and then shipment to Abu Ghraib, exhibits a restrained approach that allows its righteous indignation to grow slowly without resorting to manipulative tactics Rush Hour 3- the division of labor is the same as in the first two films: Jackie Chan kicks ass; Chris Tucker kicks sass. Simpsons Movie, The- the big screen version of the legendary TV series is a fitting tribute and is worth the wait. Stardust- from the imaginations of best-selling author Neil Gaiman and director Matthew Vaughn comes this totally original fantasy epic that is destined to enchant and excite audiences of all ages Superbad- a raunchy teen comedy flick about parties and having sex that really wants to say something about male friendship. TED: The Future We Will Create- The TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference is a gathering of like-minded souls who meet every year to discuss innovations in their respective fields. This film is a document of the 2006 event, and includes extensive clips of panels, interviews with participants, and coverage of the TED Prize. Wire, The- Season 4- nothing short of emotionally devastating, the acclaimed HBO series is back, focusing on education
New Releases November 2007
Amazing Grace- this compelling bi0-pic (directed by Michael Apted) is an overdue tribute to William Wilberforce (1759-1833), the British abolitionist who, for 20 years, tirelessly lobbied Parliament to end England's participation in the slave trade Angel-A- Luc Besson shoots his beloved Paris in gorgeous black and white photography that recalls both WINGS OF DESIRE and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, both of which this beautiful film happily steals from Battle of Okinawa- one of the most violent and costly battles of World War II is recounted in this Japanese feature film from 1971. The Japanese forces mount one last, desperate attempt at defending their territory as the island of Okinawa comes under attack, leading to enormous bloodshed and many casualties. Berlin Alexanderplatz- Rainer Werner Fassbinder directed this masterful 1983 German TV miniseries. An ex-convict, when released into the day's cruel and indifferent society slowly loses his mind. Set in Berlin in the 1920's and based on Alfred Doblin's epic novel. Best of the Colbert Report- starting out as a glib correspondent on THE DAILY SHOW, uber-patriot Stephen Colbert quickly rose up the ranks to land his own satirical show. Modeled after political pundits like Bill O'Reilly, Colbert takes self-aggrandizing to new levels as its smarmy, flag-waving host, often one-upping John Stewart for sheer bravado Blame it on Fidel- a smashing, funny and politically sophisticated French feature debut from Julie (daughter of Costa) Gavras with a wonderful performance from little 9- year-old Nina Kervel. Colma: The Musical- taking place in the suburban town of Colma, where the dead outnumber the living 1500 to 1, this fresh indie takes the music of H.P. Mendoza and weaves it into an original personal look into the ups and downs of early adulthood. Destined to be a cult classic! Flight of the Conchords-Season 1 - hilarious HBO series about two New Zealand musicians who have moved to NYC in search of love and fame Ghosts of Cite Soleil- a daring portrait of a family and a culture torn apart by poverty and violence, this powerful and unsettling documentary takes us inside the lives of the notorious gang leaders who dominate the Haitian slum of Cite Soleil, one of the most desperate communities in the Western hemisphere Hairspray (2007)- an energetic, wholly entertaining musical romp; a fun Summer movie with plenty of heart...and John Travolta in a fat suit! Hot Rod- a fresh, hip take on the Bumbling Idiot genre that made Will Ferrell a superstar- SNL's Andy Samberg throws himself into the role with an amiable mix of birthday-entertainer goofiness and klutzy bravado Killer of Sheep- a film with a depth of feeling seldom scene in commercial cinema, Charles Burnett's 1977 student project of life in LA's Watts neighborhood is a textbook of neo-realism and of the artistic use of the film media stripped to its basics La Vie en Rose- the set design and cinematography are impressive, but the real achievement of this French bio-pic is Marion Cotillard's mesmerizing, wholly convincing performance as Edith Pilaf Live Free or Die Hard- Bruce Willis is back as John McClane! A hugely enjoyable action flick that delivers likeable characters, a decent plot, plenty of wisecracks and more breathtakingly ridiculous stunts than you'll know what to do with Mr. Bean's Holiday- the hopelessly daft but delightful Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) is back in this jovial comedy. This time he wins a trip to the Cannes Film Festival and havoc ensues to such an extent that he may never even get there Namesake, The- like the best-selling novel it's based on, director Mira Nair chronicles two generations of an Indian immigrant family with compelling flow Ocean's Thirteen- the third installment of Steven Soderbergh's slick, star-studded heist series just might be the best, as Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and company pull off another elaborate caper, this time in the name of revenge Paprika- whatever it is you're looking for -- comedy, horror, parades of singing frogs and dancing kitchen appliances -- you'll find it in Satoshi Kon's anime adventure, a jaw-dropping feat of trippy animation Paris Je T'aime- eighteen different directors and a slew of indie actors come together for this omnibus movie, a cinematic homage to the City of Light Project Runway- Season 3- make it work! Ratatouille- Pixar succeeds again with Ratatouille, a stunningly animated film with fast pacing, memorable characters, and overall good humor Rescue Dawn- riveting Vietnam wartime thriller, superbly directed by Werner Herzog and featuring yet another terrific performance by Christian Bale. Ritchie Boys, The- this is a WWII documentary with a story we have not seen before, a story about American troops so unusual it needed a German director to ferret it out... Sawdust and Tinsel- Ingmar Bergman's 1953 masterpiece gets the it's proper Criterion release Shrek the Third- if you liked Shrek and Shrek 2, you will probably enjoy this Sicko- driven by Michael Moore's sincere humanism, this compelling film is a devastating, convincing, and very entertaining documentary about the state of America's health care 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama- a slam-dunk for history classes -- informative and challenging, touching on issues of free speech, modernity, democracy, and globalism This is England- a moving coming-of-age tale that captures the despair among England's working-class youth in the 1980s...from director Shane Meadows Waitress- as a gently fitting requiem for an unspeakable loss, it's perfect. RIP Adrienne Shelly
New Releases October 2007
Casshern- an action-packed sci-fi thriller which blends Japanimation and manga-inspired live action resulting in a new kind of hybrid filmmaking that is both visually stunning and thought-provoking. The human cast propels the action against a backdrop of CGI, special effects, and a wide range of animation techniques, from state of the art to simple stop-motion animation. Chalk- though advertised as mockumentary, this funny indie is actually a warm character piece with many poignant observations about the American school system, depicting the teachers work and lives at a Texas high school with compassion and understanding. Civic Duty- a tense psychological thriller that effectively exploits our fears of terrorism. Peter Krause stars (Nate on SIX FEET UNDER) Commune- a breezy, informal history of a long-running California commune begun in the summer of 1968 and still in existence, offers the fascinating spectacle of observing people then and now. Crazy Love- this fascinating documentary distills every functionally dysfunctional relationship you’ve ever had into one horrific case study. Creature Comforts America- Season 1- U.S. version of the popular animated U.K series about animals who talk about various aspects of everyday life. Day Night Day Night- filmmaker Julia Loktev's taut, harrowing drama chronicles two days and nights of one of our darkest contemporary fears: a young woman who, for reasons never stated, decides to turn herself into a human bomb in NYC Days of Heaven (1978)(Criterion)- Terrence Malick creates a film that has all the rich density of a literary experience but is made irrefutably cinematic in its lavish, uncompromised visual Day Watch- a dazzling mix of state-of-the-art visual effects, amazing action sequences, and nail-biting horror set in contemporary Moscow, this sequel to NIGHT WATCH revolves around the conflict and balance maintained between the forces of light and darkness. Entourage- Season 3 Pt. 2- the boys go to Cannes Fantastic Four- Rise of the Silver Surfer- with a livelier script and stronger production values, this sequel far outdoes the 2004 original. Fantastic Planet (1973)- extraordinary animated feature from French director Rene La Loux Films of Kenneth Anger- Volume 2- includes SCORPIO RISING and LUCIFER RISING 1408- relying on psychological tension rather than overt violence and gore, this Stephen King adaptation is a genuinely creepy thriller with a strong lead performance by John Cusack. Free Spirits-the incredible true story of the Renaissance Community commune, one of the largest, most controversial intentional communities of the 1960s and 70s, and its flamboyant founder, Michael Metelica Rapunzel. Directed by Bruce Geisler Heavy Metal Parking Lot- in 1986 indie filmmakers John Heyn and Jeff Krulik wandered around a Maryland sports arena parking lot with a video camera, seeking to capture footage of Judas Priest fans in their native habitat..enjoy! Hoax, The- fast paced, intriguing and fun from beginning to end with a super cast and nary a lack-luster performance---the years best scam flick so far. Richard Gere and Alfred Molina star, Lasse Hallstrom directs How I Met Your Mother- Season 2- guilty pleasure city- the CBS TV seires Jindabyne- a sobering and serious Australian movie that touches the deep places in us that are haunted and colored by love, loss, community, and grief. Starring Laura Linney and Gabriel Byrne John Waters- This Filthy World- John Waters delivers a lecture, part-memoir, part-stand-up, on his life in movies, and proves himself an oddly winsome anecdotalist. L Word, The- Season 4- finally- Showtime is the new HBO Mala Noche (1985) Shot on a cutrate stock with meager budget ($25,000), Gus Van Sant's debut, about a doomed romance between a liquor store clerk and a Mexican immigrant, shows an iconoclast with nihilistic sensibility and fresh POV on down-and-out characters in America. Man Push Cart- an unforgettable portrait of a Pakistani pushcart vendor trying to keep his soul alive on the congested streets of New York City. Martha Graham: Dance on Film (Criterion) as a dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham was a revolutionary, exchanging the flowing movements of traditional ballet for an approach far more jagged and Cubist. Though her legacy remains controversial, it is undeniable that Graham's impassioned forms helped give birth to the rise of modern dance. This collection of films offers a rare glimpse into Graham's world, both as choreographer and performer Meerkat Manor- Season 1- this nature series from Animal Planet follows the lives of a family of meerkats living in the Kalahari Desert. With complicated relationships and rivalries that would make DYNASTY blush, the show captures these endearing, but often brutal, creatures as they battle over territory, struggle for power, and squabble with their mates. Meet the Robinsons- an eye-popping, madcap adventure with a real heart and great characters well in keeping with the sterling tradition of the Disney classics so many of us grew up on Mighty Heart, A- there's a compelling urgency about this riveting, highly political portrait of a brave and compassionate woman that allows us to feel as though we have partaken of her journey. Angelina Jolie is stunning. Michael Winterbottom directs. My Best Friend- the always-dependable French director Patrice Leconte returns to the subject of friendship with another mordantly funny -- and unexpectedly touching -- odd-couple buddy comedy. No End in Sight- a clear-eyed appraisal and condemnation of Bush administration war policies as seen through the eyes of people in a position to note the disastrous choices that left a country in chaos. O Lucky Man! (1973) rich, densely layered, disturbing, unique and strangely satisfying in a way few films ever have been. Lindsay Anderson directs. Planet Terror- a lunatic go-go stripper romance, zombie plague medley- originally part of GRINDHOUSE...(see Death Proof) Sarah Silverman Show- Season 1- the first six episodes Sopranos, The- Season 6 Pt. 2- the last 9 episodes Spider-Man 3- an extravagant three-ring circus of a movie from director Sam Raimi, but it's not without a struggle. Surf's Up- a laid back, visually stunning animated movie presented in a witty mockumentary format. Penguins and surf unite! Talk To Me- a riveting look at the life of legendary DJ "Petey" Greene, this high-quality film goes beyond the typical biopic with explosive performances from Don Cheadle and Chiwetal Ejiofor. Trials of Daryl Hunt, The- a scathing indictment of a system in disarray and provides a heartfelt portrait of the resilience of the human spirit, struggling in the face of injustice and genuinely overwhelming odds. Academy Award nominated documentary 12:08 East of Bucharest- Romanian filmmaker Corneliu Porumboiu grapples with his country's troubled recent past in this wonderfully droll, Cannes Camera d'Or winner about a local TV station owner who attempts to define the events of December 22, 1989. 28 Weeks Later- while this zombie sequel lacks the humanism that made 28 DAYS LATER a classic, it's made up with fantastic atmosphere and punchy direction. Transformers- it's as juvenile as it exhilarating, as staggeringly-stupid as it is keenly well-crafted. This is one fun summer movie. Totally ridiculous. Big and loud. Senseless. Campy and dumb. But great fun. War, The- a seven-part series directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, tells the story of the Second World War through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four quintessentially American towns You Kill Me- featuring wonderful performances from Ben Kingsley and Tea Leoni, this gangster comedy is a charming, funny take on the familiar inner-lives-of-hit-men premise.
New Releases September 2007
As You Like It- Kenneth Branagh directs this broad adaptation of the Shakespeare comedy, setting it in old Japan with stars Alfred Molina and Bryce Dallas Howard. Away from Her- an accomplished directorial debut by Sarah Polley, this engrossing drama is a touching exploration of the effects of Alzheimer's, with wonderful performances from Julie Christie and Olympia Dukakis Black Book- a furious mix of sex, violence, and moral relativism, this WWII yarn is shamelessly entertaining melodrama from Dutch director Paul Verhoeven Boss of it All- director Lars von Trier ditches the pretensions but keeps his misanthropy in this screwball comedy- a surprisingly sharp and witty film about office life gone haywire. Broken Trail- Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church took home Emmy Awards for their work in this exceptional western directed by Walter Hill Brothers and Sisters- Season 1- ABC drama centered on the lives of the Walkers, a Californian family who seemingly lead idyllic lives--until the death of patriarch William Walker (Tom Skerritt) unearths some unpleasant truths. The aftermath of William’s death resonates throughout the first season, as his wife, Nora (Sally Field), comes to terms with the revelation of her husband’s infidelity. Also starring Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe and Rachel Griffiths. Bug- Ashley Judd stars as a lonely waitress in this study in fear and paranoia from director William Friedkin. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee- fine HBO movie about how American Indians were displaced as the U.S. expanded west. Based on the book by Dee Brown. Cracker: A New Terror- Fitz returns to Manchester after living 10 years in Australia with his wife and youngest son. He is soon drawn into the investigation of a British soldier who may have been traumatized by his years serving in Northern Ireland. Day Without a Mexican, A- an ambitious, hit-and-miss social satire that doesn't score as many direct hits as it should, but it lands enough punches to get its point across. Death Proof- Quentin Tarantino's horror-comic splatterfest set in 2007, but somehow filmed in 1972, is about a posse of women taking revenge on a murderous, misogynist stunt-driver. Election/Triad Election- guided by Johnnie To, these two Hong Kong crime stories put a fresh, intriguing spin on the usual cinematic gangster motifs. Gracie- a familiar underdog story told with unusual sensitivity, Davis Guggenheim's inspirational film depicts the obstacles faced by a young girl who dreams of playing on her high school soccer team. Grey's Anatomy Season 3- find out why Burke and Addison aren't there anymore! Gymnast, The- The stunning Dreya Weber stars as a former top gymnast who discovers love and a new life path when she teams up with a dancer for an ambitious Las Vegas aerial act show. L'Iceberg- a wonderful Belgian slapstick comedy about leaving home and finding the perfect iceberg to chill out on! I Like Killing Flies- a colorful and offbeat documentary about Kenny Shopsin, a cook, entrepreneur, and raconteur in a popular Greenwich Village restaurant. In the Pit- according to Mexican legend, the devil demands one soul be offered up for every bridge built, as a guarantee for the structure's durability. In Juan Carlos Rulfo's internationally-praised documentary, this age-old adage takes on mammoth proportions. Intruder, The- William Shatner plays a young white man who rails against the evils of integrating the races in the early 1960s, when school desegregation was being ordered by the government. Eventually his rallying develops into an out-of-control mob situation. Roger Corman directed from a script by Charles Beaumont, one of the writers of THE TWILIGHT ZONE TV series. Knocked Up- Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogan star in this hilarious and touching comedy as two mismatched people brought together by a one-night-stand that results in an accidental pregnancy Office, The Season 3- more from the gang at Dunder Mifflin Panama Deception, The- Academy Award winning documentary from 1992 which skillfully deconstructs the mass of official lies surrounding the 1989 US invasion of Panama Phantom of the Paradise- Brian De Palma's great, overlooked 1970s glitter-rock comedy-musical spectacle is a memorable combination of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and FAUST Ping Pong- this charming film from Japan uses the sport of table-tennis to explore the friendship between two young men who have different approaches to both life and the game that it revolves around Prime Suspect 7: The Final Act- Helen Mirren returns for the last time as Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison in the concluding chapter of the popular award-winning crime series Red Road- a thoroughly original gritty urban drama set in Glasgow that covers surveillance, urban loneliness, grief, and empathy. An impressive feature debut for Brit writer-helmer Andrea Arnold. Robot Chicken Season 2- more of the Cartoon Network show which uses stop-action animation and a host of dolls and action-figures to perform outrageous send-ups of television, film, and postmodern America. Severance- a motley group of employees from an international weapons company find themselves hilariously at the business end of their own products in Christopher Smith's razor-sharp comedy horror film. Snow Cake- Marc Evans' small-scale drama focuses on the offbeat relationship between a chronically depressed man and an autistic woman, and with a lesser cast it would be insufferable. So, thank you Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman Stephanie Daley- Amber Tamblyn and Tilda Swinton turn in remarkable performances as a young girl accused of murdering her infant and the pregnant forensic psychologist assigned to her case. Ten Canoes- the movie- the first entirely in Australian Aboriginal languages - is a marvel of warm collaboration and shared jokes about husbands and wives, shot both in dreamscape color and pristine black and white. 30 Rock- Season 1- your 2007 Emmy Award winner for best comedy is here! Tekkon Kinkreet- a bold new anime feature based on the manga BLACK AND WHITE by Taiyo Matsumoto Upright Citizen's Brigade- sketch comedy and beyond from Comedy Central Valet, The- this latest French farce from Francis Veber is another deft, daft, totally unbelievable yet somehow totally engaging screwball comedy We Are Marshall- bittersweet football flick less concerned with gridiron feats than with how members of a tight-knit community deal with their grief in the wake of a disaster. Starring Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox Wind That Shakes the Barley, The- Ken Loach directs this plain-spoken film of true grit that tells the dishonorable heartbreak of war and the anger and tensions of early-20th century Ireland Zoo- this poetic documentary, with its idiosyncratic subject matter, may not be the easiest sell in the world, but anyone interested in provocative, challenging, and unexpected fare owes it to themselves to check it out.
New Releases August 2007
Air Guitar Nation- a battle of naked ambition played out on the national and, ultimately, world stage, this droll documentary chronicles the birth of the U.S. Air Guitar Championships as legions of aspiring rock stars live out their dreams on a quest to become the world champion in a strange world where musical ability plays second fiddle to virtual virtuosity. Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theatres- the big-screen version of the demented Cartoon Network hit is often hilarious and always surreal. Blades of Glory- Yes, Will Ferrell is once again playing a macho jerk in dire need to learn some life lessons--in spandex and ice skates, no less. But honestly, can anyone else do it better? Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros- this debut feature by Filipino director Auraeus Solito is a neatly observed take on Manila street life. Newcomer Nathan Lopez delights as the flamboyantly gay Maxi, the youngest son in a family of thieves who falls in love with handsome police officer. Boy Culture- a strong cast, formal visual style and cynical voiceover that propels the action help elevate this Seattle-set gay romp from the ranks of the stereotypical. Broken English- a psychologically rich drama that presents an illuminating anatomy of the anguish of loneliness and the way it often gives a desperate edge to our search for love. Parker Posey stars, Zoe Cassavetes (John's daughter) directs Dexter-Season 1- the first season of this creepy dramedy series, originally aired on Showtime, follows Dexter Morgan (Six Feet Under's Michael C. Hall), a forensics expert who spends his free time as a serial killer, eradicating some of the city's most notorious criminals one by one. Disturbia- a well-acted little teenage thriller that takes borrows a page or two from the Hitchcock classic Rear Window. Shia LeBeouf makes for a likeable, ankle-bracelet-saddled sleuth, while director D.J. Caruso confidently ratchets the suspense. Elvis Presley fest- he died 30 years ago this month. Check out his best on DVD: Jailhouse Rock, King Creole, Viva Las Vegas and a few more... 51 Birch Street- an intensely painful, personal and cathartic documentary of a man coming to accept his parents as people with flaws, problems and regrets. Fracture- though this legal thriller's plot is somewhat implausible, the onscreen face-off between actors Ryan Gosling and Anthony Hopkins overshadows any faults. Friday Night Lights-Season 1- Football is one of the most popular sports in America, but in Texas it is closer to religion. The first season of this award-winning show uses the game as focal point for the structure of each episode, but the gridiron often takes the backseat to the more pressing issues of life in Middle America. The real star of the show is the fictional town of Dillon, a place that represents the struggle of hard-working-yet-flawed human beings getting through another year of life in a small community. God Grew Tired of Us- not just a powerful telling of the journey of exiled Sudanese boys, this low-key documentary is also a poignant account of the determination of the human spirit Heroes Season 1- Superheroes are everywhere in entertainment, from comic books to movies. But few manage to be as intelligent, geeky and well-written as this TV series that explores the repercussions of several "ordinary" people who discover that they have strange -- and sometimes dangerous -- powers. Inland Empire- David Lynch slingshots audiences to the dark side of the moon with a three-hour nightmare of a vision that single-handedly returns him to the forefront of filmmakers Iraq in Fragments- this award-winning film is unusual among Iraq documentaries for its impressionistic, frequently gorgeous cinematography and for its structure: It's split into thirds, one about a Sunni (the boy), one about a Shiite mob, and one about the quiet Kurds up north. Lives of Others, The- a neatly crafted German thriller with first rate acting, directing and writing combined with spy paraphernalia and political intrigue. Won Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 2006 Lookout, The- equal parts psychological drama and heist movie, this film from screenwriter Scott Frank is a smart first feature with a strong cast. Offside- many Iranian girls love soccer as much as their countrymen but they are prevented by law from attending live soccer matches in their country. Inspired by the day when his own daughter was refused entry to a soccer stadium in Iran, Jafar Panahi's winning drama follows a day in the life of a group of Iranian girls attempting to watch their team's World Cup qualifying match in Tehran Outer Limits Season 2 (1964-65)- cool SF stuff unlocked from the vaults Private Fears in Public Places- Nominated for eight César awards in its native France, director Alain Resnais' warm film is an intelligent, adult look at loneliness in the twenty-first century Rome-Season 2- the second season of HBO/BBC series ROME takes place in 44 BC, eight years after the period covered in the first season. The show continues to revolve around the plight of two Roman soldiers who find themselves caught up in a civil war after Caesar is assassinated. TMNT- director and screenwriter Kevin Munroe brings the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the 21st century with this overblown computer generated blast of a film Sacco and Vanzetti- Peter Miller directs this compelling documentary about two Italian immigrant anarchists who were accused of murder in 1920 and executed seven years later Tiger and the Snow, The- this film, one of the worst of 2006, almost has to be seen to be believed -- a comedy about a man (Roberto Benigni) who goes to Iraq, and, amid a string of comic misadventures, tries to save the life of his love, who has been gravely wounded in a bombing- Benigni can't even be bothered to get the chronology or the details of the American occupation right, and his keen visual sense isn't enough to save him: Benigni's artfully composed images are as empty as his political convictions. Vacancy- this riveting thriller features Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale as a couple whose car breaks down, stranding them at a very dangerous hotel... Wild Hogs- a dreadful combination of fish-out-of-water jokes, slapstick, and lazy stereotypes...and the thing about it? It stars John Travolta, Tim Allen, William Macy,and Martin Lawrence Year of the Dog- Molly Shannon's bittersweet portrayal of its lonely canine-loving heroine make for a satisfying and funny, if ironic, comedy written and directed by Mike White, the master of the awkward moment
New Releases July 2007
Ace in the Hole (1951)- Billy Wilder's cynical and uncompromising film of fame-seeking journalists, corrupt politicians, media circus, and the masses' appetite for live tragedy (a man trapped in a cave )was ahead of its time. Kirk Douglas stars. After the Wedding- Talented Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier, armed with an outstanding compositional sense, keeps control over the storms of melodrama that swirl in this rich weepie. Nominated for Foreign Film Academy Award. Astronaut Farmer, The- Billy Bob Thornton stars in this exuberant movie about a dreamer whose passion and zeal lights up his life and unifies his family behind him. A cuddly film for weird outcasts everywhere. Avant Garde 2 (1928-1954) More seminal experimental cinema Avenue Montaigne- Enjoyable, fluffy, French comedy drama with superb dialogue and a charming lead performance from rising star Cecile de France. Blue Planet- David Attenbororough narrates this grounbreaking series about life in the planet's underwater realm. Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash-"oil is the excrement of the devil" says this sobering documentary that forcasts bad times ahead. Extras Season 2- Ricky Gervais is "havin' a laff" and so are we...an absolutely brilliant take on fame and celebrity Factory Girl- Sienna Miller, revealing a depth and presence she's never hinted at before, inhabits Warhol girl Edie Sedgwick with raw exuberance. Five Dedicated to Ozu- Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami goes for a meditative change of pace with this gorgeous work set on the shores of Galicia in Spain. The 74-minute film consists of five pieces, all focusing on the ocean, with no camera movement (save for one brief pan) and only natural sound, except for short musical interludes linking the sections. Harsh Times- Christian Bale proves yet again why he’s one of Britain’s best actors in this nightmarish, nasty but unforgettable thriller. Host, The- Like a delightfully unhinged version of a 1960s Japanese monster movie, this Korean thriller piles on character detail, political comment and comedy asides. Hot Fuzz- Since this cop spoof is from the same guys who brought us Shaun of the Dead, you can expect more of the same attention to detail, heartfelt homages to the genre, elaborate set pieces, flawless comedic timing, and ace acting augmented by top-notch writing. Last Mimzy, The- a wonderful sci-fi tale that proclaims that the emotions, compassion, and wonder of children may hold the key to the survival of future generations. Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman-Season One- two best friends try to navigate the savage world of the entertainment industry in this hilarious, and wincingly accurate, satire on life in Los Angeles. Starring Laura Kightlinger & Nichole Tomm Page Turner, The- there is an undercurrent of tension throughout this riveting tale of revenge, made all the more effective by the subtlety and restraint used by French writer/director Denis Dercourt Perfume: Story of a Murderer- what you'd expect from a Tom Twyker-directed movie glamorizing a serial killer: a kinetic visual feast, with a dark antihero that's impossible to feel sympathy for. A challenging motion picture, and one whose impressions are not easily shaken. Police Beat- a surreal indie about a Sengalese Seattle bike cop who is going through a separation from his girlfriend while witnessing crimes and misdemeanors throughout the city. Renaissance- Set in Paris circa 2054, this animated vision deliberately meshes science fiction and film noir producing a victory of style over substance and technology over art. Reno 911: Miami- the comedy gang from the popular television series takes their highly polished improvised comedic stylings to the big screen for bawdier and more explosive laughs. Secret Life of Words, The- a compelling drama about a traumatized young woman who keeps to herself and finds a way out of silence by sharing her secret with someone who cares. Sarah Polley and Tim Robbins star, Isabel Coixet directs. Starter for 10- a spirited British coming-of-age tale that remains charming and witty even as it veers into darker subjects. Sweet Land- intelligently written, brilliantly cast and thesped story of a German mail order bride in a Norwegian-American community in Minnesota just after WWI never hits a wrong note Taste of Tea, The- director Katsuhito Ishii pays homage to Yasiujiro Ozu with this psychedelic twist on Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander 300- wholesale human slaughter never looked so pretty as in Zack Snyder's heavily stylized rendering of the battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece. Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller Weeds Season 2- the suburbs have never been darker or funnier than in this buzz-worthy series from Showtime Wild Tigers I Have Known- young writer-director Cam Archer uses disjointed imagery, textures and clashing sound to create something seamlessly odd and poignantly pubescent. Zodiac- this adaptation of the Robert Graysmith book masterfully transports viewers to the Bay Area in the 1960s and '70s by drawing on actual case files from the notoriously unsolved Zodiac killer mystery. Director David Fincher manages the pace brilliantly, making the viewer feel as frustrated, paranoid and, most importantly, driven, as the film's characters.
New Releases June 2007
Black Snake Moan- Craig Brewer (Hustle and Flow) directs this stylish tale about the unlikely connections that are forged when a lost soul attempts to cure a young nymphomaniac of her wicked ways. Starring Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. Breach- powered by Chris Cooper's masterful performance, director Billy Ray's film is a tense and engaging portrayal of the FBI's infamous turncoat, Robert Hanssen Bridge, The- Tactlessly morbid or remarkably sensitive? Deeply disturbing or viscerally fascinating? Critics are divided on Eric Steele’s unique documentary on the Golden Gate Bridge, wonder of the modern world and notorious suicide destination Bridge to Terabithia- a faithful adaptation of the beloved children's novel and a powerful portrayal of love, loss, and imagination through children's eyes Cabinet of Dr. Caligari- this unusual remake of Robert Wiene's German Expressionist classic uses digital technology to place speaking actors among the surreal backdrops of the silent original. Directed by David Fisher. Climates- stuck in Istanbul and longing for his lost love, professor Isa (Nuri Bilge Ceylan) decides to leave the city and pursue his former girlfriend through wintery climes in this Cannes award-winning film Days of Glory- Rachid Bouchareb’s WWII film shows the "good war" through the eyes of four North African soldiers fighting for the French army during the German occupation Deadwood Season 3- more grit from HBO Ghost Rider- as comic book movies go, this delivers pretty much everything you could expect from a film about a guy with a flaming skull for a head Ghosts of Abu Ghraib- director Rory Kennedy crafts an affecting documentary with this look at the disturbing events in the Iraqi prison at Abu Ghraib Grbavica: The Land of My Dream- years after the near total destruction of Sarajevo, life in the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina goes on. But for some, like the survivor at the center of Jasmila Zabnic's shattering debut feature, there's no escaping the ghosts of a violent past If... -filmed at the time of the 1968 student uprising in Paris, Lindsay Anderson's weird flick is one of the seminal films of the era of student revolt Maxed Out- author and filmmaker James D. Scurlock takes on the powerful financial industry in an insightful and infuriating documentary about credit card debt in America Maya Deren Experimental Films- several groundbreaking shorts reveal Deren's fascination with movement and ritual-includes "Meshes of an Afternoon"
