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Review: 'True Legend' Is A Solid 80 Minute Actioner That Runs 115

  • By Gabe Toro
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  • May 13, 2011 5:37 AM
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  • 2 Comments
“True Legend” tells the story of Su Qi-Er, a warrior general who retires from battle to marry, have a child, and open a martial arts academy. Complicating matters is the idea that his wife Ying is the sister to his own adopted brother, Yuan Lie. Despite the incestuous nature of this relationship, and the fact that Yuan Lie is impulsive and untrustworthy, Su expects this plan to follow through without a hitch.
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More: Review

Review: 'A Serbian Film' Is Strictly For The Disturbed

  • By Gabe Toro
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  • May 13, 2011 4:27 AM
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  • 13 Comments
There’s not a whole lot that can prepare you for “A Serbian Film.” Much ink has been spilled over the various controversies surrounding the picture, but this Friday, you will have a chance to make up your own mind about a film that has divided even the most depraved of genre fans. Well, for the most part - “A Serbian Film” couldn’t be received on our shores as an NC-17 rated film without a few significant cuts.
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More: Foreign Films, Review, A Serbian Film

Review: 'Brother's Justice' Earns The Title Of Least Convincing Mockumentary Ever Made

  • By Gabe Toro
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  • May 13, 2011 3:27 AM
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  • 1 Comment
There’s a couple of central jokes at the heart of “Brother’s Justice,” a new fake-umentary opening this weekend.
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More: Actors, Review, Dax Shepard, Tom Arnold, Ashton Kutcher

Cannes Review: Brazilian Pic 'Hard Labor' Finds Real Horror In The Job Market

  • By Kevin Jagernauth
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  • May 13, 2011 3:25 AM
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  • 1 Comment
For their first feature, the directing team of Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra certainly made a reach for the brass ring. A horror film (of sorts) structured around an observation of the economic realities and class systems of Brazil, "Hard Labor" is an ambitious blend of genres that unfortunately is so concerned with teasing and eventually unveiling it's big last act twist, that the rest of the film is a tiring waiting game.
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More: Foreign Films, Review, Foreign Directors, Hard Labor, Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra

Cannes Review: 'Habemus Papam' An Unlikely Dramedy About Finding Faith, But Losing Yourself

  • By Kevin Jagernauth
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  • May 13, 2011 2:36 AM
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  • 3 Comments
Early word on Nanni Moretti's "Habemus Papam" was that it was more or less in the vein of "The King's Speech." Well, perhaps in broad strokes, but unlike Tom Hooper's wildly overrated Oscar-winner, Moretti finds more depth, complex emotion and goes for a much braver, uneasy ending for his film. "Habemus Papam" is less about a newly elected Pope overcoming his fears to serve the church, but more about the expectations we put on these figures and in its own quiet way, it questions -- without condemning -- the Vatican's staunch rules that keep much of the higher cardinals and officials out of reach from the everyday world.
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More: Foreign Films, Review, Foreign Directors, Habemus Papam, Nanni Moretti

Review: 'The Big Bang' Starring Antonio Banderas Is More Like A Bad Lay

  • By Gabe Toro
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  • May 13, 2011 1:45 AM
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  • 4 Comments
Why is it that all hard boiled detectives in movies have to have the standard-issue growly deep-voiced monotone? Are there no soprano private investigators? The throat lozenge market would make a killing catering their ads specifically to people like P.I. Ned Cruz, the hero of this Friday’s “The Big Bang,” a silly noir pisstake hitting DVD soon after its theatrical run.
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More: Films, Actors, Review, The Big Bang, Antonio Banderas, Sam Elliott, William Fichtner

Cannes Review: 'Polisse' A Gritty Police Procedural That Can't Avoid Soap Opera Theatrics

  • By Kevin Jagernauth
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  • May 13, 2011 1:30 AM
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  • 0 Comments
On paper, a film investigating the inner workings of the police department seems like an odd choice for the Cannes Film Festival which prides itself on breaking new voices in cinema. Certainly, the film world has never lacked in depictions of a cop's life in all its difficult detail. But "Polisse" brings something slightly different to the equation. Inspired by a documentary the singularly named director Maiwenn saw on television about the Child Protection Unit, she set out to do her own research and based on that she's spun "Polisse." No, this isn't just a two hour episode of "Law & Order: SVU" (though at its worst, it does evoke some of the shriller moments of that show), instead, it's a largely unflinching look at the harrowing crimes this group of undersung officers investigate on a day to day to basis and the repercussions it has on their personal lives.
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More: Foreign Films, Review, Polisse

Cannes Review: Lynne Ramsay's 'We Need To Talk About Kevin' Is Bleak, But Haunting

  • By Kevin Jagernauth
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  • May 12, 2011 12:05 PM
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  • 8 Comments
Guilt, Shame and So Much Blood Pervade Ramsay's Unflinching Drama
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More: Films, Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Review, Lynne Ramsay, John C. Reilly, Tilda Swinton, Radiohead, We Need To Talk About Kevin, Jonny Greenwood

Review: 'Cameraman' Is A Warm Tribute To A Genius Visualist

  • By Christopher Bell
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  • May 12, 2011 6:40 AM
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  • 1 Comment
So you're at a bar, nearly exceeding your alcohol tolerance, when suddenly you find yourself in a conversation with an elder. Chalk it up to liquor-induced time traveling, but however the talk began is of no importance because this charmer is full of exceeding knowledge and incredible stories. Now imagine this intelligent, seen-it-all storyteller was actually the late Jack Cardiff, cinematographer of "War and Peace," "The Red Shoes," "Black Narcissus," and "The African Queen" just to name a few. Quite a night for a film fanatic, huh? While this ever happening is certainly out of the question, Craig McCall's "Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff" is not only as close to the real thing as you'll ever get, but much better, complete with clips and guest interviewees such as Martin Scorsese and Kirk Douglas to enrich the intimate conversation.
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More: Review, Cinematographers, Craig McCall, Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff, Jack Cardiff

Review: Yves Saint Laurent Doc 'L'Amour Fou' Is As Dazzling As a Runway Show (And Just as Hollow)

  • By Drew Taylor
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  • May 12, 2011 5:20 AM
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  • 0 Comments
As a conceptual exercise, Pierre Thoretton’s new documentary “L’Amour Fou” is feathered in a nest of intriguing and luxurious what-ifs. Instead of taking the straight-on biographical approach, as so many others would have, Thoretton instead decides to look at the life of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent through the art collection and antiqued knickknacks he left behind and were sold, en masse, by Christie’s auction house following his death. Interesting questions immediately arise – what can we learn about this man from his possessions? Would his artistic interests outweigh his cultural impact through fashion? And, most importantly, how fucking rich was this guy?
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More: Review, L'Amour Fou

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