DRIVE

2/1/2012

 
Nicolas Winding Refn (Pusher, Bleeder, Bronson, Valhalla Rising) finally gets to make an American Movie. It pleases me to see James Sallis' novel given the dark Danish treatment. Many Bad Ass Mofo's. Very violent. Ryan Gosling is awesome as usual, but why Carrie Mulligan when you could have cast Eva Mendes. Mmm? Or Salma Hayek, Zoe Saldana, Eva Longoria, Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Ana de la Reguera? C'mon guys!
http://www.drive-movie.com/

SWITCHBACK (1997)

1/24/2012

 
Danny Glover, Jared Leto, Dennis Quaid, even Walt(on) Goggins are oh so young in this dated  yet entertaining, suspenseful saga about a rouge FBI agent's pursuit of a devious serial killer. Trains and Colorado locations used to maximum. R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) seems a bit cliche, but surrender and you'll love him by the end.
 
In search of all things Gosling; go back to 2003 for great performances in an atypical drama.

TABLOID

1/6/2012

 
Errol Morris (The Fog of War) specializes in subject driven documentaries.  A self-absorbed "beauty" becomes obsessed with an average Mormon dude, and a media frenzy ensues. Kinky.
Official Site: http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/tabloid

RAPT

12/30/2011

 
Rich jerk is kidnapped: fascinating fall from grace, and, it's French!
Official Site: http://www.rapt-lefilm.com/

TRACKER

12/3/2011

 
Violent yet beautiful story about a broken old Boer tracking a fugitive seafaring Maori with British troops on their tail. Ray Winstone and Temuera Morrison are perfectly cast in well written roles.
Official Site: http://www.trackerthemovie.com/

BODY HEAT (1981)

11/7/2011

 
After 30 years, this film still rocks. Great acting, characters, tight script and directorial debut of Lawrence Kasdan.

DOPE by Sara Gran

11/5/2011

 
Great short pulp fiction novel set 1950 New York City. Can't wait to see what Todd Haynes and Julianne Moore do with this one!
Official Site: http://www.saragran.com/

FAST FIVE

11/3/2011

 
The last twenty minutes are great: lots of destruction. Vin looks too pumped-up and morose, while Dwayne carries the show. Not much here, but it looks cool...
 
One of the saddest chapters in modern human history, the Rape of Nanking, in black and white. A simultaneously horrible and beautiful testament to the depravity of war.
Official Site: http://www.cityoflifeanddeath.co.uk/