1minutefilmreview

The Tracey Fragments

2009-07-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

Director - Bruce McDonald

Genre - Drama

A kaleidoscope of moving images mapped out in a melange of split screens construct the story of a socially inept teenager. Tracey Berkowitz as played by sensational star of the moment Ellen Page faces a world fraught with resentment and apathy, emotions which are often perpetrated against her. Things come to a head when her younger brother goes missing. Page chalks up another performance which will help her maintain a formidable resume and this film adapted from Maureen Medved's novel of the same name feels like a major breakthrough in the art of movie making. For an indie, that sure is one hell of a coup.

4 STARS!

All about The Tracey Fragments

Once - Original Soundtrack

2009-06-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

Music - Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová

Genre - Soundtrack

We don't usually do this but we're just so enamored with this film and its sensational music that we just couldn't not put this review up. We wanted to eat and breathe this soundtrack. Water it and take it to work and play. It has taken over our thoughts for now and made us pine for the times when we don't get to listen to its melodious, incredulously well written treasures. If you're hankering for something to take you away from badly penned works like the Pussycat Dolls' annoying, demeaning to women songs...well, grab this NOW and you'll wish all your CDs were hot like this!

5 STARS!

All about Once (film & soundtrack)

Once

2009-06-16T07:00:00.001-07:00

Director - John Carney

Genre - Drama/Music/Romance

Music has been one of the major driving forces in movies since way in the early stages of filmmaking. Chaplin relied much on music to break the silence and to convey hope, dreams and even the indomitable human spirit. Never in our not so young lives have we seen a love story embody a passion for music so strongly as in this small but effecting film. There is just so much fondness for what musicians live and breathe for (in this case - a portfolio of out-of-this-world songs) in the face of disparaging unacknowledgements that it actually uplifts the very core of what makes us go on with our existence.

4.5 STARS!

All about Once

YAM Issue 004

2009-06-16T06:29:00.001-07:00

Haven't been really active here since January due to works and busy schedules.... Anyway, here it is again, the YAM (yetanothermagazine) Issue 004 from Amy. Check out how the Asian entertainment industry is invading the world with a storm in this issue! Here's the PDF link.

The Reader

2009-06-04T04:21:00.000-07:00

Director - Stephen Daldry

Genre - Drama/Romance

Kate Winslet takes her kit off again. Wow. Anybody surprised at that? We think she actually has a special clause in each of her film contract which stipulates that she must have at least one scene requiring her to be completely free of fabric. It's like if she was in the 'X-Men' that would be her power. To numb people with her nudeness. Anyway, this film which won her a Best Actress Oscar (maybe the Academy felt she gave her all and more) features her as a lonely woman who seduces and beds one of the Jonas Brothers (no, kidding). Kathy Bates would have played a more convincing 'lonely woman', not covergirl material Winslet.

2.5 STARS!

All about The Reader

62nd Festival de Cannes Results

2009-05-25T06:48:00.001-07:00

The official Jury of this 62nd Festival de Cannes, presided by Isabelle Huppert, revealed the Prize winners during the Closing Ceremonies on the evening of May 24th.

IN COMPETTION - FEATURE FILMS

Palme d'Or
DAS WEISSE BAND (The White Ribbon) directed by Michael HANEKE

Grand Prix
UN PROPHÈTE (A Prophet) directed by Jacques AUDIARD

Lifetime achievement award for his work and his exceptional contribution to the history of cinema

Alain RESNAIS

Best Director
Brillante MENDOZA for KINATAY

Jury Prize
FISH TANK directed by Andrea ARNOLD

BAK-JWI (Thirst) directed by PARK Chan-Wook

Best Performance for an Actor
Christoph WALTZ in INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS directed by Quentin TARANTINO

Best Performance by an Actress
Charlotte GAINSBOURG in ANTICHRIST directed by Lars von TRIER

Best Screenplay
MEI Feng for CHUN FENG CHEN ZUI DE YE WAN (Spring Fever) directed by LOU Ye

Prix Vulcain: Artist-Technician
Aitor BERENGUER, sound technician of the movie MAP OF THE SOUNDS OF TOKYO directed by Isabel COIXET.

IN COMPETITION - SHORT FILMS

Palme d'Or
ARENA directed by João SALAVIZA

Special Distinction

THE SIX DOLLAR FIFTY MAN directed by Mark ALBISTON, Louis SUTHERLAND

CAMERA D'OR
SAMSON AND DELILAH directed by Warwick THORNTON (presented at Un Certain Regard)

Caméra d'Or – Special Distinction
AJAMI directed by Scandar COPTI, Yaron SHANI (presented at Quinzaine des Réalisateurs)

UN CERTAIN REGARD

Prix Un Certain Regard - Fondation Groupama Gan pour le Cinéma
KYNODONTAS (Dogtooth) by Yorgos LANTHIMOS

Jury Prize

POLITIST, ADJECTIV (Police, Adjective) by Corneliu PORUMBOIU.

Special Prize Un Certain Regard 2009
KASI AZ GORBEHAYE IRANI KHABAR NADAREH (No One Knows About Persian Cats) by Bahman GHOBADI

LE PÈRE DE MES ENFANTS (Father of My Children) by Mia HANSEN-LØVE

CINEFONDATION

First Cinéfondation Prize
BÁBA by Zuzana Kirchnerová-Špidlová (FAMU, République Tchèque)

Second Cinéfondation Prize
GOODBYE by Song Fang (Beijing Film Academy, Chine)

Third Cinéfondation Prize (ex aequo)
DIPLOMA by Yaelle Kayam (The Sam Spiegel Film & TV School, Israël)

NAMMAE UI JIP (Don't Step out of the House) directed by Jo Sung-hee (Korean Academy of Film Arts, Corée du Sud)

Source from Festival de Cannes

Natalie Portman's 'Making Of'

2009-05-15T02:54:00.000-07:00

Natalie Portman and friend Christine Aylward have founded a new website the 'Making Of' which features behind the scenes and backstage material of film production and footage with photos, information and videos with interviews and details of current films in production. Get further details at the website's About page and enjoy this Natalie Portman interview video from makingof.com. And yes, we love it!

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

2009-05-15T00:26:00.001-07:00

Director - Woody Allen

Genre - Drama/Romance

A cynical look at love and all the complications it entails. Allen gets us all worked up, hot and bothered over a foursome who have very differing views on coupling. Yet, it is this aspect of the film and of course, Allen's script which had us glued instantaneously. Javier Bardem plays a roving cad who exudes animalistic, musky charm but make no mistake, this film is all Rebecca Hall's. We think she will be a force to reckon with if given more chances in her acting career. She came on like boiling water here. Cold, lukewarm and then whoah mama! A star is born.

4 STARS!

All about Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Before Night Falls

2009-05-05T12:08:00.001-07:00

Director - Julian Schnabel

Genre - Biography/Drama

Eccentric American artist turned filmmaker Julian Schnabel directed this piece of reel art. His sensibility is very European and curiously his films are stripped of anything even remotely resembling the style of an American production. Javier Bardem plays an aspiring writer in Cuba who is dealt a bad hand for being gay in a country which not only frown upon the inclination, it penalizes you severely for being one. Bardem is that rare actor who has an almost superhero-like ability to morph seamlessly into any given role.

5 STARS!

All about Before Night Falls

Lars Von Trier’s 'Antichrist' Trailer

2009-04-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

“A glimpse into the dark world of my imagination, into the nature of my fears, into the nature of Antichrist.” Lars Von Trier. Yes, just click on the play button for the trailer, and it's creepy...... 'Antichrist' premieres in Cannes this year.

Source from Twitch.

62nd Festival de Cannes Lineup

2009-04-23T10:48:00.003-07:00

Opening film
'Up'
Director: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, U.S.

Closing film
'Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky'
Director: Jan Kounen, France

In Competition
'Bright Star'
Director: Jane Campion, Australia-U.K.-France

'Spring Fever'
Director: Lou Ye, China-France

'Antichrist'
Director: Lars Von Trier, Denmark-Sweden-France-Italy

'Enter the Void'
Director: Gaspar Noe, France

'Face'
Director: Tsai Ming-liang, France-Taiwan-Netherlands-Belgium

'Les herbes folles'
Director: Alain Resnais, France-Italy

'In the Beginning'
Director: Xavier Giannoli, France

'A Prophet'
Director: Jacques Audiard, France

'The White Ribbon'
Director: Michael Haneke, Germany-Austria-France

'Vengeance'
Director: Johnnie To, Hong Kong-France-U.S.

'The Time That Remains'
Director: Elia Suleiman, Israel-France-Belgium-Italy

'Vincere'
Director: Marco Bellocchio, Italy-France

'Kinatay'
Director: Brillante Mendoza, Philippines

'Thirst'
Director: Park Chan-wook, South Korea-U.S.

'Broken Embraces'
Director: Pedro Almodovar, Spain

'Map of the Sounds of Tokyo'
Director: Isabel Coixet, Spain

'Fish Tank'
Director: Andrea Arnold, U.K.-Netherlands

'Looking for Eric'
Director: Ken Loach, U.K.-France-Belgium-Italy

'Inglourious Basterds'
Director: Quentin Tarantino, U.S.

'Taking Woodstock'
Director: Ang Lee, U.S.

Out of Competition
'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'
Director: Terry Gilliam, Canada-France

'The Army of Crime'
Director: Robert Guediguian, France

'Agora'
Director: Alejandro Amenabar, Spain

Midnight screenings
'A Town Called Panic'
Director: Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Belgium

'Ne te retourne pas'
Director: Marina de Van, France-Belgium-Luxembourg-Italy

'Drag Me to Hell'
Director: Sam Raimi, U.S.

Special screenings
'Petition'
Director: Zhao Liang, China

'L'epine dans le coeur'
Director: Michel Gondry, France

'Min ye'
Director: Souleyumane Cisse, France-Mali

'Jaffa'
Director: Keren Yedaya, Israel-France-Germany

'Manila'
Director: Adolfo Alix Jr., Raya Martin, Philippines

'My Neighbor, My Killer'
Director: Anne Aghion, U.S

Un certain regard
'Samson & Delilah'
Director: Warwick Thornton Australia

'Adrift'
Director: Heitor Dhalia Brazil

'The Wind Journeys'
Director: Ciro Guerra, Colombia

'Demain des l'aube'
Director: Denis Dercourt, France

'Irene'
Director: Alain Cavalier, France

'Independance'
Director: Raya Martin, Philippines-France-Germany

'Le Pere de mes enfants'
Director: Mia Hansen-Love, France-Germany

'Dogtooth'
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos, Greece

'Nobody Knows About the Persian Cats'
Director: Bahman Ghobadi Iran

'Eyes Wide Open'
Director: Haim Tabakman, Israel

'Mother'
Director: Bong Joon-ho, South Korea

'The Silent Army'
Director: Jean van de Velde, Netherlands

'To Die Like a Man'
Director: Joao Pedro Rodrigues, Portugal

'Police, Adjective'
Director: Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania

'Tales from the Golden Age'
Directors: Hanno Hofer, Razvan Marculescu, Cristian Mungiu, Constantin Popescu, Ioana Uricaru, Romania

'Tale in the Darkness'
Director: Nikolay Khomeriki, Russia

'Tzar'
Director: Pavel Lounguine, Russia-France

'Nymph'
Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Thailand

'Precious'
Lee Daniels, U.S.

Feature film jury
Isabelle Huppert (president), actress, France
Asia Argento, actress, director, screenwriter, Italy
Nuri Bilge Ceylan, director, screenwriter, actor, Turkey
Lee Chang-dong, director, author, screenwriter, South Korea
James Gray, director, screenwriter, U.S.
Hanif Kureishi, author, screenwriter, U.K.
Shu Qi, actress, Taiwan
Robin Wright Penn, actress, U.S.

Cinefondation and short-film jury
John Boorman (president), director, author, producer, U.K.
Bertrand Bonello, director, France
Ferid Boughedir, director, Tunisia
Leonor Silveira, actress, Portugal
Zhang Ziyi, actress, China

Visit Festival de Cannes
Source from Hollywood Reporter

Irréversible

2009-04-20T10:42:00.007-07:00

Director - Gaspar Noé

Genre - Crime/Drama/Mystery/Thriller

Gaspar Noé's twisted movie is both innovative in structure and genre. Watching this, you'll feel that you've turned a wrong corner in a wrong side of town. It's unflinching in its depiction of the evil that humans do and our minds are forever fu*ked from the experience. Monica Bellucci shines in a daring and very difficult role. It is hard to imagine any Hollywood actress fearless enough to take on something like this.

5 STARS!

All about Irréversible

YAM Issue 003

2009-04-11T10:49:00.004-07:00

Here it is, 'YAM' (yetanothermagazine) Issue 003 from Amy Wong! Enjoy, and check out its review of Peruvian film 'The Milk of Sorrow'. Here's the PDF link.

12 Angry Men

2009-04-02T09:17:00.005-07:00

Director - Sidney Lumet

Genre - Drama

A murder had occurred and a jury of twelve men (why weren't there at least one woman? Maybe '12 Angry Citizens' didn't have as nice a ring to it) are called upon to pass judgment. As the day winds down to its last hours, no agreement is in sight and tempers are flared. Trapped in that little space together, all their ugly traits begin to surface. Kinda like a reality show, no? But unlike 'America's Next Top Bitch', this film although fictitious is starkly more real than Tyra Banks's tears.

4 STARS!

All about 12 Angry Men

Pulp Fiction

2009-03-21T08:35:00.003-07:00

Director - Quentin Tarantino

Genre - Crime/Drama

This is the film that propelled Quentin Tarantino from indie auteur into a bonafide iconic director with megastar credentials. With an explosive script filled to the brim with pop culture anecdotes and funny observations on life, it is unmistakably a cinematic tour de force. All the actors in the ensemble cast are terrific, especially Samuel L. Jackson who was magnificiently badass. Factor in all that good stuff with a supercool soundtrack, and you have the perfect combo of indie aesthetics with mainstream appeal.

5 STARS!

All about Pulp Fiction

Trainspotting

2009-03-13T05:07:00.003-07:00

Director - Danny Boyle

Genre - Comedy/Crime/Drama

This movie is Danny Boyle's finest and the one that illuminates his status in the filmmaking world. Harrowing, darkly humorous and swaggeringly cool, it's a film that warrants repeated viewings. The characters played by Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller are memorable and endearing despite being drug fiends who would trade their own mothers for a fix if given a chance. Unbelievably creative use of cinematography and a fantastic soundtrack also gives this exhilirating film a definitive edge.

5 STARS!

All about Trainspotting

Even Dwarfs Started Small

2009-03-04T07:38:00.003-08:00

Director - Werner Herzog

Genre - Comedy/Drama/Horror

On a secluded land, an asylum is taken over by its height-challenged patients. Wreaking and venting away at the confining, suffocating institution which has taken away every last bit of their freedom, these toy-like figures are more destructive than they seem. Werner Herzog's films have always been off kilter, their narrative structures oddly constructed and presented. This film moves like a demented train ride you have boarded in a dream, with the next stop nowhere in sight.

3.5 STARS!

All about Even Dwarfs Started Small

Be Kind Rewind

2009-02-27T06:59:00.004-08:00

Director - Michel Gondry

Genre - Comedy

If this film put to light one thing, it is that Michel Gondry can't do funny. His penchant for the lighter, more carefree side of life as if seen through the eyes of an eternally childlike purveyor of fun and games look practically silly here. Jack Black's overzealous enthusiasm feels annoyingly like unwanted pool water in your ears after a swim and the script by Gondry is trite and slovenly. Most damning of all, the thrift store remakes of pictures like 'Ghostbusters' and 'Robocob' aren't even as hilarious as some people (presumably the same ones who found 'Hot Fuzz' humorous) make them out to be.

1.5 STARS!

All about Be Kind Rewind

Days of Heaven

2009-02-19T06:38:00.003-08:00

Director - Terrence Malick

Genre - Drama/Romance

When a cinematic experience touches your soul, reaches into the innermost human aspect of what makes you breathe and live, it becomes so much more than mere entertainment. Terrence Malick's visceral visualization for this sprawling epic drowns out typical movie narrative structures, favoring a detached, not always explained plot line. Oddly enough, this actually plays to its advantage. As memorably potent as one's first conquest in love, this is a rebellious and unyielding masterstroke from the grandmaster of cinema.

5 STARS!

All about Days of Heaven

YAM Issue 002

2009-02-14T09:59:00.006-08:00

Check out Amy Wong's 'YAM' (yetanothermagazine) Issue 002! Yet another great effort! For those who've missed out 'YAM' Issue 001, here's the link.

Serpico

2009-02-06T03:36:00.006-08:00

Director - Sidney Lumet

Genre - Biography/Crime/Drama

Based on a true story. As a biopic, it probably stands to this day as one of the best, in-depth films on a person's life. Al Pacino takes on the role of an incorruptible cop who battles his own department and eventually the whole force in order to bring down bribery. Pacino not only goes through a wide range of hairdos and fashion changes, his range of emotions here will leave you insanely envious of his talents. In Lumet's safe hands, Pacino is like an acting phoenix, in flight with wings of ready tics and nuances that are blisteringly real.

5 STARS!

All about Serpico

Iron Man

2009-02-02T03:38:00.004-08:00

Director - Jon Favreau

Genre - Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Robert Downey Jr. turns on the charm and everything else in this. He's suave, irreverent and loving every minute of it as a superhero and we're converted as well. Goodbye Spidey. You were alright but Tony Stark is a grown man you understand... Mr. Stark also doesn't waste time moping around like The Dark Knight or The Hulk. He is an attention-grabbin', egocentric genius and we love him for it. A nice diversion from the morose Batman and you have got to adore that suit! It's every man's metallic dream! Jon Favreau enters the big league with this and obliterates the awful memory of 'Zhatura'.

4 STARS!

All about Iron Man

Cloverfield

2009-01-23T09:10:00.003-08:00

Director - Matt Reeves

Genre - Mystery/Sci-Fi

Some have compared this to 'The Blair Witch Project', a misconception of almost blasphemous proportions if we have anything to say about it. 'Blair Witch' was a gimmicky one trick pony which would just falter upon second viewing. This film however, is a smart reinvention of a genre which is done almost to death. Totally unlike others of its ilk, this movie will actually have you caring for its characters in their perilous situations. Taut action and a raw, on the ground feel make this a viewing priority.

4 STARS!

All about Cloverfield

The Happening

2009-01-18T11:13:00.005-08:00

Director - M. Night Shyamalan

Genre - Mystery/Sci-Fi

The movie's title does little to explain the story. It could very well have been called 'The Occurrence' or 'The Incident' and we would still harbor a tinge of hope that M. Night might surprise us yet again. What we got instead was a story so reliant on its own inflated self-importance it just fell apart under the weight of its lofty aspirations. Shyamalan should have relinquished his duty as writer a long time ago and just direct. He peaked as a scribe for his earlier 3 films but now he needs to let go or it will ruin him.

2 STARS!

All about The Happening

Pitfall (Otoshiana)

2009-01-11T07:03:00.003-08:00

Director - Hiroshi Teshigahara

Genre - Crime/Drama/Thriller

In this world whereby most humans subsist mostly on greed and the unending quest to one-up one another, there exists concrete threats to our livelihood and sometimes, even to our lives. Reports of senseless murders in the papers and internet almost every single day bear testament to this hard-hitting truth. Adapted from a novel by Kobo Abe, this thriller explores the darker side of humanity, peeling away layers of superficiality and simulated virtuousness to bring out mankind's most grotesque nature. Master director Hiroshi Teshigahara (The Face of Another & Woman In The Dunes) held nothing back, skillfully depicting what makes us tick, in life and even...out of life.

4 STARS!

All about Pitfall (Otoshiana)