indieWIRE has launched criticWIRE, a brand new section that is the result of a some considerable efforts from the iW staff, and I have to say I’m quite proud to show it off. Eugene Hernandez gives you the lowdown on how the section works here, but essentially: it’s an extensive database of critics and bloggers, each of whom have graded and/or reviewed hundreds of different films. We average the grades & link to the reviews. The next few weeks should see the section grow exponentially but it’s already hours of endless film geek fun. Here’s just a small list of some films that have been included that you can sift through to familiarize with this lovely new addition to indieWIRE.
Amelia, directed by Mira Nair
Antichrist, directed by Lars von Trier
The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, directed by Werner Herzog
The Box, directed by Richard Kelly
Broken Embraces, directed by Pedro Almodovar
Bronson, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
The Damned United, directed by Tom Hooper
An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig
Fantastic Mr. Fox, directed by Wes Anderson
Gentlemen Broncos, directed by Jared Hess
Good Hair, directed by Jeff Stilson
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam
The Invention of Lying, directed by Ricky Gervais and Matt Robinson
The Maid, directed by Sebastián Silva
Me and Orson Welles, directed by Richard Linklater
The Men Who Stare at Goats, directed by Grant Heslov
The Messenger, directed by Oren Moverman
Police, Adjective, directed by Corneliu Porumboiu
Pirate Radio, directed by Richard Curtis
Precious, directed by Lee Daniels
A Prophet, directed by Jacques Audiard
Red Cliff, directed by John Woo
The Road, directed by John Hillcoat
A Serious Man, directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
A Single Man, directed by Tom Ford
That Evening Sun, directed by Scott Teems
Trash Humpers, directed by Harmony Korine
Trucker, directed by James Mottern
Up In The Air, directed by Jason Reitman
Where The Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze
The White Ribbon, directed by Michael Haneke
Whip It, directed by Drew Barrymore
I know things have been a bit Winona-heavy on here lately, but this is big news: Ms. Ryder has been cast in Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan”, says /Film. “Swan” stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis as Nina and Lily, battling ballet dancers (who at one point have “ecstasy-induced hungry aggressive angry sex,” which I’m sure will be quite the draw).
/Film says of Ryder’s role:
Ryder will play Beth, Nina’s “sorta friend” who has been the school’s running lead in all the productions, but who is nearing the end of her career. All the dancers are aiming to take her place as Odette, the Swan Queen, in the next big ballet: Swan Lake.
While that doesn’t read like a major character, it’s definitely not a “Star Trek” like cameo either. Let the comeback begin!?
And it’s actually very promising. Not that it makes me reconsider my strong feelings against the idea of this even happening. But Kodi Smit-McPhee and Richard Jenkins! That’s pretty inspired. Check out the press release:
Hammer and Overture Announce Primary Cast for “Let Me In”
(Beverly Hills, CA) October 1st, 2009 - Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz and Oscar(R)-nominee Richard Jenkins will headline the cast of Let Me In, Matt Reeves’ adaptation of Let the Right One In, when principal photography begins this fall in New Mexico. The announcement was made today by Hammer Films Co-CEO’s Simon Oakes and Nigel Sinclair, as well as Overture Films CEO Chris McGurk and COO Danny Rosett.
Director Reeves (Cloverfield) has cast Smit-McPhee (The Road) and Moretz ((500) Days of Summer) in the two lead adolescent roles of Owen and Abby for the eagerly awaited horror feature. Jenkins will play the lead adult character known as Hakan in the original film.
Based on the bestselling Swedish novel, Lat den Ratte Komma In, by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let Me In is a contemporary vampire tale about a young boy who befriends a girl new to his neighborhood. The film is a remake of the highly acclaimed Swedish film, Lat den Ratte Komma In, also known as, Let the Right One In.
Hammer acquired the remake rights to Let the Right One In at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival where the film took home the Founders Award(R) for Best Narrative Feature, and has fast-tracked the film for a November 2009 start date. The film is a Hammer Films production with a projected 2010 release in the U.S. by Overture Films. Exclusive Film Distribution is handling worldwide sales and distribution of the film.
Producing the film are Hammer’s Simon Oakes, Guy East and Nigel Sinclair and Oscar(R)-winner Donna Gigliotti. Hammer’s Alex Brunner and Tobin Armbrust will executive produce along with John Ptak, Philip Elway and Fredrik Malmberg. Overture’s Robert Kessel, EVP Production & Acquisitions, will oversee production for the studio. Swedish producers John Nordling and Carl Molinder, who produced the original film, are also involved as producers on this remake.
The Australian-born Smit-McPhee, 13, stars alongside Viggo Mortensen in The Road, a film festival favorite due out in November. He previously earned the AFI Young Actor’s Award(R) in 2007 for his role in Romulus, My Father.
Moretz, 12, will star in the much -talked-about Kick-Ass next spring and previously appeared in (500) Days of Summer and The Amityville Horror. She has been nominated each of the past three years for a Young Artist Award(R).
Jenkins first worked with Overture on The Visitor, for which he earned a Best Actor Oscar(R) nomination last year. His recent work includes Burn After Reading, Step Brothers and television’s “Six Feet Under.” He is due to star in several upcoming projects including the much-anticipated The Cabin in the Woods, Dear John and Eat, Pray, Love.
It was announced last year that Reeves will write and direct Let Me In. In addition to the box office hit Cloverfield, Reeves’ directing credits include the comedy The Pallbearer, starring David Schwimmer and Gwyneth Paltrow, and the hit television show “Felicity,” starring Keri Russell, which he co-created and executive produced along with partner J.J. Abrams.
“Kodi, Chloe, and Richard are my absolute dream cast,” says Reeves. “I couldn’t be more excited to be working with them.”
Let Me In is the first film in a two-picture co-production, financing and distribution agreement between Overture Films and Exclusive Media Group, the parent company of Hammer Films and Spitfi
So it seems this bizarre little movie - Jodie Foster’s first directorial effort in 15 years - featuring Mel Gibson and his beaver puppet - is actually happening. Pics from the set (I assume, or maybe some role research?):
and more after the jump…
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