The Widow of Saint-Pierre

French writer and director Patrice Leconte delivered another splendid film with this period drama based on a true story. On a remote island, the wife of a military captain takes charge of condemned murderer and rehabilitates him to a good person which has tragic consequences. Leconte masterfully adapted and directed an utterly original film which deals with universal themes of love, trust and redemption amongst others without a false note. Leconte united French stars Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteuil for the first time who deliver terrific performances along with Serbian director Emir Kusturica who made his acting debut. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Jennifer 8

British writer and director Bruce Robinson made his Hollywood debut with this atmospheric but uneven thriller. A former LA detective relocates to a small town where he discovers a serial killer on the loose who's targeting blind women. While there's a great potential in the story, the script fails to deliver despite a talented cast. Andy Garcia and Uma Thurman star along with John Malkovich, Kathy Baker, Lance Henriksen and Graham Beckel. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Rock of Ages

Director Adam Shankman returns with another generic musical adaptation. Based on the popular musical that pays tribute to the Heavy Metal bands of the 80's such as Def Leppard, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and Whitesnake. In the 80's LA, a girl meets a boy and they fall in love before they get separated and finally find each other again. The story is just an excuse for the cast to perform the songs which is the only saving grace in the film cause neither the writing or directing rises to the occasion to deliver something remarkable. Newcomers Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta are decent in the leads. The stellar supporting cast includes Tom Cruise, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Alec Baldwin amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Woman in the Fifth

Polish writer and director Pawel Pawlikowski's fourth feature is an uneven psychological thriller. An American writer moves to Paris to be with his estranged wife and daughter but becomes unhinged after meeting a mysterious British woman. Pawlikowski leaves a lot for the audience to figure which can be frustrating or fascinating but not both. While there are clues here and there, the ambiguity in scene after scene leads from one question to another which hurts the film. Ethan Hawke stars with a solid performance along with the always terrific Kristin Scott Thomas and Joanna Kulig amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

GUILD AWARDS 2: Screen Actors Guild (SAG)

 

















Motion Picture Cast
Argo
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Misérables
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook

Leading Actor
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables 
Denzel Washington, Flight

Leading Actress
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard, Rust & Bone
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Helen Mirren, Hitchcock
Naomi Watts, The Impossible

Supporting Actor
Alan Arkin, Argo
Javier Bardem, Skyfall
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

Supporting Actress
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy
Maggie Smith, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

2012
2011
2010
2009
2008

For more info: www.sagawards.org

Sundance Film Festival

The first important festival of the year is the most important one in the US that has four competitions and almost all world premieres. The festival started to support the independent films and filmmakers but is now an integrated part of Hollywood.

2013 Winners:

U.S. DRAMA FILMS
Grand Jury Prize & Audience Award: FRUITVALE,  Ryan Coogler
Directing Award: Jill Soloway, "Afternoon Delight" 
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: Lake Bell, "In a World…"
Cinematography Award: Bradford Young, "Ain’t Them Bodies Saints" & "Mother of George"



U.S. DOCUMENTARY FILMS
Grand Jury Prize  & Audience Award: BLOOD BROTHER, Steve Hoover
Directing Award: Zachary Heinzerling, "Cutie and the Boxer" 
Editing: Matthew Hamachek, "Gideon’s Army" 
Cinematography Award: Richard Rowley, "Dirty Wars" 

WORLD CINEMA, DRAMA
Grand Jury Prize: JISEUL (South Korea), Muel O.
Audience Award: METRO MANILA (UK/Philippines),  Sean Ellis 
Directing Award: Sebastian Silva, "Crystal Fairy" (Chile)
Screenwriting Award: Barmak Akram, "Wajma (An Afghan Love Story)" 
Cinematography Award: Michal Englert, "Lasting (Nieulotne)" (Poland)

WORLD CINEMA, DOCUMENTARY  
Grand Jury Prize: A RIVER CHANGES COURS (Cambodia/U.S.),  Kalyanee Mam   
Audience Award: THE SQUARE (Egypt/USA), Jehane Noujaim 
Directing Award: Tinatin Gurchiani, "The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear" (Georgia/Germany) 
Editing: Ben Stark, "The Summit" (Ireland)
Cinematography Award: Marc Silver & Pau Esteve Birba, "Who Is Dayani Cristal?" (UK/Mexico)

GUILD AWARDS 1: Producer's Guild (PGA)

Feature Film
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook
Skyfall
Zero Dark Thirty

Animated Film
Brave
Frankenweenie
ParaNorman
Rise of the Guardians
Wreck-It Ralph

Documentary Film
A People Uncounted
The Gatekeepers
The Island President
The Other Dream Team
Searching For Sugar Man

2012
2011
2010
2009
2008

For more info:http://www.producersguild.org/

Stoker

Celebrated Korean director Park Chan-wook made his Hollywood debut with this stylish coming-of-age thriller.  After the sudden death of her father, a young woman and her mother meet her mysterious uncle who's hiding a dark family secret. Chan-wook brings his signature visual flair to an undercooked screenplay which almost saves it due to the heightened visuals that makes for striking looking film. Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode and Nicole Kidman star with solid performances. The weakest link is the script by novice actor turned writer Wentworth Miller that echoes Hitchcock's masterpiece "Shadow of a Doubt." 1001 Films' coverage of the Sundance Film Festival.

2 Days in New York

French actress Julie Delpy turned writer and director delivered a worthy sequel to her breakthrough comedy "2 Days in Paris." The visit of her family from France causes strain on a woman and her boyfriend during two days in New York. Delpy delivered another biting comedy filled with honest self-deprecation that shows the ugly side of the French far from the Parisian chic and sophistication. Delpy stars along with Chris Rock in a surprising turn. The supporting cast features her father, Albert Delpy as well as co-writer Alexia Landeau. Many of the film's charms are best discovered thanks to a talented actress, writer and director. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Ted

Writer and director Seth MacFarlane made his feature debut with this uneven comedy. A man's childhood wish which brought his teddy bear to live haunts his adult life as he struggles with adulthood. The comedy comes from a toy speaking profanities of a young adult which has its moments but fails to sustain an entire film. Mark Wahlberg stars and is game with whatever MacFarlane throws on him while Mila Kunis is just eye candy for the target audience. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Celebrity

Writer and director Woody Allen explored the world of celebrity with this comedy. A journalist finds himself seduced by the various celebrities which has lead him to divorce his long suffering wife who struggles to find her way back to life. Another of Allen's minor works that attracted major talent to be part of it. Swedish ace cinematographer Sven Nykvist gave the film a timeless look with black & white cinematography which gives the film longevity. Kenneth Branagh stars as Allen's alter-ego along with Judy Davis as his wife. The supporting cast includes Winona Ryder, Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron and Joe Mantegna amongst others. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Rendez-vous

French director André Téchiné gave writer Olivier Assayas and actress Juliette Binoche their first major breaks with this ménage à trois drama. A young actress finds herself torn between two men in Paris which leave her with life lessons. Téchiné and co-writer Assayas show a vivid portrait of tormented youth where emotions clash. Binoche shines in her first leading role which lead to an stellar international career as one of the great actresses of her time. The supporting cast includes Jean-Louis Trintignant, Lambert Wilson and Wadeck Stanczak. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

V/H/S

A group of up and coming directors (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, David Bruckner, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez, Glenn McQuaid, Radio Silence, Joe Swanberg, Chad Villella, Ti West and Adam Wingard) united for this horror omnibus which also marks the feature debut of few of them. A group of petty criminals break into a house to steal a VHS tape but find more than they bargained for when they discover a bunch of tapes with terrifying material. The faux-found footage concept is given a new twist that's original and effective. The stories are much scarier in the short film format which works quite well. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Safe House

Swedish director Daniel Espinosa made his Hollywood debut with this surprisingly dull and forgettable action film with an all star cast. A young CIA operative finds himself in crossfire when a former agent turned fugitive appears at the safe house he's in charge with. Poorly written and directed by Espinosa and his team which is a total waste of the talent involved. Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds star which is surprising on what could have draw them to the project in the first place. The supporting cast Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson and Sam Shepard in throwaway roles. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Way

Director Emilio Estevez delivered his best film with this drama set in the "El camino de Santiago." After learning of the death of his estranged son during a pilgrimage in Spain, a father continues to complete the pilgrimage for him which leads him reflect on life while he meets several strangers on the way. Estevez adapted the book by Jack Hitt and appears in a supporting role while his father, Martin Sheen stars with a solid performance. The solid supporting cast includes Yorick van Wageningen, James Nesbitt, Deborah Kara Unger, Tchéky Karyo, Ángela Molina and the various locations on the "El camino de Santiago."1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD. 

The Invisible War

Director Kirby Dick returned with another important documentary about the alarming rate of rape in the military.  Several brave women reveal how they were assaulted and raped while serving in the US military and how the government failed them by protecting the rapists by let them continue or even promoting them to higher ranks. Dick exposes a dark and dirty secret of the military which is disturbing to say the least that shows another crack in the image of the military which has failed again and again by hiding its flaws instead of cleaning the house of murderers and rapists who commit heinous crimes in the name of the country. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Marley

Scottish director Kevin Macdonald returned with another fascinating documentary about the man behind the legend of Bob Marley. The life, music and legacy of Bob Marley is explored from his formative years in Jamaica to his international rise and his untimely death. Macdonald created a meticulous and definitive film to honor one of the greatest musicians of the 20's century with rare archival footage and interviews with family and friends. The timeless music of Bob Marley is full of heart and relevant more than ever with its universal message and cherished around the world. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

The Words

Writing and directing team of Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal made their feature debut with this drama. A struggling writer finds an unpublished novel and uses it as his own which becomes a bestseller but a steep price. There are some interesting aspects to the story within story concept but it can't escape the cliches and its ambition which derails the film. Bradley Cooper stars with a solid performance along with Zoe Saldana and Jeremy Irons. The supporting cast includes Ben Barnes, Dennis Quaid and Olivia Wilde whose performances suffer from the underwritten roles which are the weakest in the film. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

RIP: Nagisa Ôshima 1932 - 2013

The Girl

British director Julian Jarrold returned with another period drama based on the relationship between legendary director Alfred Hitchcock and the actress Tippi Hedren whom he picked from obscurity to star in two of his films. Hitchcock, who had an obsession with his beautiful blondes leading ladies, found in Hedren, the perfect victim with whom he could dare what he wouldn't with the more famous ones. Jarrold shows the dark side of a genius during the making of "The Birds" and "Marnie" as his obsession grows and Hedren found herself trapped by the master who made her a star but also ruined her career. Sienna Miller and Toby Jones star with solid performance along with Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton in the supporting roles. The film is more successful and darker than recent theatrical version. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.