Streets of Fire

Walter Hill's stylish rock & roll fable holds up well despite its dated look or maybe because of it. The film is all about style and attitude, so there's not much of a story or character development. It has all the energy and feel of the 80's with its style and look. What makes the film work is Hill's style and the talented cast with Michael Paré and Diane Lane as the hot and sexy leads, a very creepy and young Willem Dafoe as well as Amy Madigan and Rick Moranis. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD.

Crossing Over

Writer and director Wayne Kramer (The Cooler) takes on the US immigration nightmares that reminds of Paul Haggis' "Crash" in a lot of ways. In the multiple plot lines several legal and illegal immigrants crash with a variety of government officials with mostly tragic consequences except for one amusing one that involves a Jewish musician that stands out like a sore thumb but brings a much needed breather in the otherwise heavy loaded drama. While earnest and noble in its attempt, the film has enough drama for several features that might chase the audience away. Many of the stories told in this ensemble drama sound too real to be made up that will send many shivers down the audiences spines. The excellent cast includes Harrison Ford, Cliff Curtis, Summer Bishil and Ashley Judd amongst others. YRCinema's coverage of upcoming releases.

Bobby

Legendary Bollywood actor, director and producer Raj Kapoor always managed to deliver blockbuster entertainment with social commentary. In this classic film about a forbidden love between a rich boy and a poor girl, Raj Kapoor passed the torch of leading man to his second son Rishi Kapoor that launched his career. While the film feels dated for today's standards, the real star of this musical are the classic and timeless songs by legendary composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal that has not lost one bit of its power. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

La Moustache

Only the French can pull off a film based on a simple premise of shaving a moustache and get away with it. Author Emmanuel Carrère adapts his novel into a mysterious thriller. After a man shaves off his moustache, he finds out that nobody believes he had one in the first place. Writer and director Carrère uses the simple act as a metaphor for relationships between a man and a women and turns it into a potent thriller. Vincent Lindon & Emmanuelle Devos shine as the husband and wife. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

GUILD AWARDS 10: 81st Academy Awards (Oscar)

Best Picture
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Actor
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"
Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn, "Milk"
Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler"

Actress
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Kate Winslet, "The Reader"

Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"
Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road"

Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "Doubt"
Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Viola Davis, "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"

Director
David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"
Gus Van Sant, "Milk"
Stephen Daldry, "The Reader"
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"

Foreign-language film
"The Baader Meinhof Complex," Germany
"The Class," France
"Departures," Japan
"Revanche," Austria
"Waltz With Bashir," Israel

Adapted Screenplay
Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt"
Peter Morgan, "Frost/Nixon"
David Hare, "The Reader"
Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"

Original Screenplay
Courtney Hunt, "Frozen River"
Mike Leigh, "Happy-Go-Lucky"
Martin McDonagh, "In Bruges"
Dustin Lance Black, "Milk"
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E"

Documentary feature
"The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)"
"Encounters at the End of the World"
"The Garden"
"Man on Wire"
"Trouble the Water"

Animated feature film
"Bolt"
"Kung Fu Panda"
"WALL-E"

Film editing
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Cinematography
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Art direction
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Duchess"
"Revolutionary Road"

Costume design
"Australia"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Duchess"
"Milk"
"Revolutionary Road"

Original Score
Alexandre Desplat, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
James Newton Howard, "Defiance"
Danny Elfman, "Milk"
A.R. Rahman, "Slumdog Millionaire"
Thomas Newman, "WALL-E"

Original Song
"Down to Earth" from "WALL-E," Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar
"O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam

Sound mixing
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL-E"
"Wanted"

Sound editing
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL-E"
"Wanted"

24th INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Best Film:
Ballast, Lance Hammer, Nina Parikh
Frozen River, Chip Hourihan, Heather Rae
Rachel Getting Married, Neda Armian, Jonathan Demme
Wendy and Lucy, Larry Fessenden, Neil Kopp, Anish Savjani
The Wrestler, Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin

Female Lead:
Summer Bishil, Towelhead
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Tarra Riggs, Ballast
Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy

Male Lead:
Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Sean Penn, Milk
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Supporting Female:
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married
Rosie Perez, The Take
Misty Upham, Frozen River
Debra Winger, Rachel Getting Married

Supporting Male:
James Franco, Milk
Anthony Mackie, The Hurt Locker
Charlie McDermott, Frozen River
Jim Myron Ross, Ballast
Haaz Sleiman, The Visitor

Director:
Ramin Bahrani, Chop Shop
Jonathan Demme, Rachel Getting Married
Lance Hammer, Ballast
Courtney Hunt, Frozen River
Thomas McCarthy, The Visitor

Screenplay:
Sangre de mi Sangre, Christopher Zalla
Savage Grace, Howard A. Rodman
Sugar, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Synecdoche New York, Charlie Kaufman
Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen

First Screenplay:
Ballast, Lance Hammer
Frozen River, Courtney Hunt
Milk, Dustin Lance Black
Rachel Getting Married, Jenny Lumet
The Wackness, Jonathan Levine

Cinematography:
Ballast, Lol Crawley
Chop Shop, Michael Simmonds
Medicine for Melancholy, James Laxton
Milk, Harris Savides
The Wrestler, Maryse Alberti

First Feature:
Afterschool, Antonio Campos
Medicine for Melancholy, Barry Jenkins
Sangre de mi Sangre, Christopher Zalla
Sleep Dealer, Alex Rivera
Synecdoche, New York, Charlie Kaufman

Foreign Film:
Entre les Murs, Laurent Cantet (France)
Gomorra, Matteo Garrone (Italy)
Hunger, Steve McQueen (UK/Ireland)
La Graine et le Mulet, Abdel Kechiche (France)
Stellet Licht, Carlos Reygadas (Mexico)

Documentary:
The Betrayal-Nerakhoon, Ellen Kuras, Thavisouk Phrasavath
Encounters at the End of the World, Werner Herzog
Man on Wire, James Marsh
The Order of Myths, Margaret Brown
Up the Yangtze, Yung Chang

Dreamgirls

A surprisingly dull and lifeless film given its subject matter and music despite a big name cast. The film based on the musical inspired by the story of Diana Ross and The Supremes has all the elements that you would want in the formula of a hit film. However writer and director Bill Condon rips off Rob Marshall's Chicago which he brilliantly adapted instead of bringing anything new or fresh to the plate. The only shining light is newcomer Jennifer Hudson who steals every scene and gives an outstanding performance. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

GUILD AWARDS 9: British Academy Awards (BAFTA)

BEST FILM
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Ceán Chaffin
FROST/NIXON Tim Bevan / Eric Fellner / Brian Grazer
MILK Dan Jinks / Bruce Cohen
THE READER Anthony Minghella / Donna Gigliotti / Redmond Morris
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Christian Colso

DIRECTOR
CHANGELING Clint Eastwood
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON David Fincher
FROST/NIXON Ron Howard
THE READER Stephen Daldry
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Danny Boyle

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
BURN AFTER READING Joel Coen / Ethan Coen
CHANGELING J. Michael Straczynski
I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG Philippe Claudel
IN BRUGES Martin McDonagh
MILK Dustin Lance Black

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Eric Roth
FROST/NIXON Peter Morgan
THE READER David Hare
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD Justin Haythe
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Simon Beaufoy

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX Uli Edel
GOMORRAH Matteo Garrone
I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG Philippe Claudel
PERSEPOLIS Marjane Satrapi / Vincent Parannaud
WALTZ WITH BASHIR Ari Folman

ANIMATED FILM
PERSEPOLIS Marjane Satrapi / Vincent Parannaud
WALL•E Andrew Stanton
WALTZ WITH BASHIR Ari Folman

LEADING ACTOR
FRANK LANGELLA Frost/Nixon
DEV PATEL Slumdog Millionaire
SEAN PENN Milk
BRAD PITT The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
MICKEY ROURKE The Wrestler

LEADING ACTRESS
ANGELINA JOLIE Changeling
KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS I’ve Loved You So Long
MERYL STREEP Doubt
KATE WINSLET The Reader
KATE WINSLET Revolutionary Road

SUPPORTING ACTOR
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. Tropic Thunder
BRENDAN GLEESON In Bruges
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN Doubt
HEATH LEDGER The Dark Knight
BRAD PITT Burn After Reading

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
AMY ADAMS Doubt
PENÉLOPE CRUZ Vicky Cristina Barcelona
FREIDA PINTO Slumdog Millionaire
TILDA SWINTON Burn After Reading
MARISA TOMEI The Wrestler

SCORE
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Alexandre Desplat
THE DARK KNIGHT Hans Zimmer / James Newton Howard
MAMMA MIA! Benny Andersson / Björn Ulvaeus
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE A. R. Rahman
WALL•E Thomas Newman

CINEMATOGRAPHY
CHANGELING Tom Stern
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Claudio Miranda
THE DARK KNIGHT Wally Pfister
THE READER Chris Menges / Roger Deakins
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Anthony Dod Mantle

EDITING
CHANGELING Joel Cox / Gary D. Roach
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Kirk Baxter / Angus Wall
THE DARK KNIGHT Lee Smith
FROST/NIXON Mike Hill / Dan Hanley
IN BRUGES Jon Gregory
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Chris Dickens

PRODUCTION DESIGN
CHANGELING James J. Murakami / Gary Fettis
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Donald Graham Burt / Victor J. Zolfo
THE DARK KNIGHT Nathan Crowley / Peter Lando
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD Kristi Zea / Debra Schutt
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Mark Digby / Michelle Day

COSTUME DESIGN
CHANGELING Deborah Hopper
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Jacqueline West
THE DARK KNIGHT Lindy Hemming
THE DUCHESS Michael O’Connor
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD Albert Wolsky

SOUND
CHANGELING Walt Martin / Alan Robert Murray / John Reitz / Gregg Rudloff
THE DARK KNIGHT Lora Hirschberg / Richard King / Ed Novick / Gary Rizzo
QUANTUM OF SOLACE Eddy Joseph / Chris Munro / Mike Prestwood Smith / Mark Taylor
SLUMDOG MILLIONARE Glenn Freemantle / Resul Pookutty / Richard Pryke / Tom Sayers / Ian Tapp
WALL•E Ben Burtt / Tom Myers / Michael Semanick / Matthew Wood

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Eric Barba / Craig Barron / Nathan McGuinness / Edson Williams
THE DARK KNIGHT Chris Corbould / Nick Davis / Paul Franklin / Tim Webber
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL Pablo Helman
IRON MAN Shane Patrick Mahan / John Nelson / Ben Snow
QUANTUM OF SOLACE Chris Corbould / Kevin Tod Haug

MAKE UP & HAIR
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Jean Black / Colleen Callaghan
THE DARK KNIGHT Peter Robb-King
THE DUCHESS Daniel Phillips / Jan Archibald
FROST/NIXON Edouard Henriques / Kim Santantonio
MILK Steven E. Anderson / Michael White

GUILD AWARDS 8: Sound Guild (CAS)

Best Sound
The Dark Knight - Ed Novick, Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo
Iron Man - Mark Ulano, Christopher Boyes, Lora Hirschberg
Quantum of Solace - Chris Munro, Mike Prestwood Smith, Mark Taylor
Slumdog Millionaire - Resul Pookutty, Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke
Wall-E - Tom Myers, Michael Semanick

GUILD AWARDS 7: Art Directors Guild (ADG)

PERIOD FILM
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Changeling"
"Doubt"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"


FANTASY FILM
"The Dark Knight"
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
"Iron Man"
"The Spiderwick Chronicles"
"Wall-E."


CONTEMPORARY FILM
"Burn After Reading"
"Gran Torino"
"Quantum of Solace"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"The Wrestler"

GUILD AWARDS 6: Cinematographers' Guild (ASC)

Best Cinematography
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight - Wally Pfister
The Reader - Roger Deakins and Chris Menges
Revolutionary Road - Roger Deakins
Slumdog Millionaire - Anthony Dod Mantle

GUILD AWARDS 5: Producer's Guild (PGA)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARD IN THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Christian Colson

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall
Ceán Chaffin

THE DARK KNIGHT
Christopher Nolan
Charles Roven
Emma Thomas

FROST/NIXON
Brian Grazer
Ron Howard
Eric Fellner

MILK
Dan Jinks
Bruce Cohen

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARD IN DOCUMENTARY

MAN ON WIRE
Simon Chinn

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Julie Bilson Ahlberg
Errol Morris

TROUBLE THE WATER
Carl Deal
Tia Lessin

GUILD AWARDS 4: Editor's Guild (ACE)

FEATURE FILM (DRAMATIC):
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” - Angus Wall & Kirk Baxter
“The Dark Knight” - Lee Smith, A.C.E.
“Frost/Nixon” - Mike Hill, A.C.E. & Dan Hanley, A.C.E.
“Milk” - Elliot Graham
“Slumdog Millionaire” - Chris Dickens

FEATURE FILM (COMEDY OR MUSICAL):
“In Bruges” - Jon Gregory, A.C.E.
“Mamma Mia!” - Leslie Walker
“Tropic Thunder” - Greg Hayden
“Vicky Cristina Barcelona” - Alisa Lepselter
“Wall-E” - Stephen Schaffer

FESTIVAL 4: Berlin, Germany

One of the top three festivals in the World (the others being Cannes and Venice) is more serious and political than the others. However due to its time slot, it doesn't get the big films that Cannes gets. Instead Berlin gets to pick from big Hollywood films that gets released late in the year for Award considerations. It's the only one of the three festivals open to the public.

OFFICIAL COMPETITION:
“Cheri,” Stephen Frears, U.K.
“Darbareye Elly” (About Elly), Asghar Farhadi, Iran Silver Bear Director
“Deutschland 09,” Fatih Akin, Tom Tykwer, Wolfgang Becker, et al., Germany
“Eden Is West,” Constantin Costa-Gavras, France/Greece/Italy
“Gigante,” Adrian Biniez, Uruguay/Germany/Argentina Silver Bear
“Happy Tears,” Mitchell Lichtenstein, U.S.
“In the Electric Mist,” Bertrand Tavernier, France/U.S.
“Katalin Varga,” Peter Strickland, Romania/U.K./Hungary
“La Teta Asustada” (The Milk of Sorrow), Claudia Llosa, Spain/Peru Golden Bear
“Lille Soldat” (Little Soldier), Annette K. Olesen, Denmark
“Notorious,” George Tillman Jr., U.S.
“Ricky,” Francois Ozon, France/Italy
“Storm,” Hans-Christian Schmid, Germany/Denmark
“Tatarak” (Sweet Rush), Andrzej Wajda, Poland
"Alle Anderen" (Everyone Else), Maren Ade, Germany Silver Bear
"London River," Rachid Bouchareb, France/UK
"The Messenger," Oren Moverman, U.S.

FESTIVAL 3: Göteborg , Sweden

Göteborg International Film Festival is working to spread valuable film from all over the world to an audience as broad as possible. The festival also wants to contribute to a creative and extensive discussion about the film as an artistic means of expression.

The Nordic Film Award
The Visitor by Jukka-Pekka Valkeapää (Finland)

The FIPRESCI Award
The Blessing by Heidi Maria Faisst (Denmark)

The Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award
Parque Vía by Enrique Rivero (Mexico)

FESTIVAL 2: Rotterdam, Holland

The International Film Festival Rotterdam offers a quality selection of worldwide independent, innovative and experimental cinema and visual arts. Devoted to actively supporting independent filmmaking from around the globe, IFFR is the essential hub in Holland for discovering film talent, for catching premieres, and for exploring its competitions, main sections of recent feature films, short films and documentaries, visual arts exhibitions, theme sections and debates.

Competition 2009
À l'ouest de Pluton, Myriam Verreault, Canada
Be Calm and Count to Seven, Ramin Lavafipour, Iran VPRO Tiger Awards
Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly, Edwin, Indonesia FIPRESCI Award
Breathless, Yang Ik-June, South Korea VPRO Tiger Awards
The Dark Harbour, Naito Takatsugu, Japan
Dogging: A Love Story, Simon Ellis, United Kingdom
Floating in Memory, Peng Tao, China
The Hungry Ghosts, Michael Imperioli, USA
No puedo vivir sin ti, Leon Dai, Taiwan
Schottentor, Caspar Pfaundler, Austria
Sois sage, Juliette Garcias, France
The Strength of Water, Armagan Ballantyne, New Zealand
Turistas, Alicia Scherson, Chile
Wrong Rosary, Mahmut Fazil Coskun, Turkey VPRO Tiger Awards

12

Nikita Mikhalkov (Burnt by the Sun) masterfully updates Sidney Lumet's classic "12 Angry Men" into another masterpiece that's timely and relevant. At first it seems like a film about 12 old Russian Men but Mikhalkov takes charge with great skill and brilliant pace about the nature crime and punishment that involves extreme prejudice, racism and intolerance. Over the course of the film the 12 jurors reveal themselves and change with every vote. Mikhalkov delivers a profound study that's full of integrity and compassion which is quiet an accomplishment given that the entire cast is made of old men and none of them of star status. The superb ensemble cast includes the writer and director in a supporting role. YRCinema's coverage of upcoming releases.

Definitely, Maybe

A completely winning and refreshing romantic comedy by writer and director Adam Brooks that's also surprisingly mature with revealing performances by Ryan Reynolds and Isla Fisher. A single father tells his 10 year old daughter how he met her mother and other romances. The strong cast includes Abigail Breslin, Rachel Weisz and Kevin Kline amongst others. The beautifully shot film makes New York inviting and desirable as the young and hot cast. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Garden

A powerful documentary about an 14 acre garden in Los Angeles that was at the center of a decade long dispute. A piece of land in South Central that was considered a wasteland by the owner and the city only good for garbage or warehouses was turned into a lush garden by the mostly Latino community. After a dubious deal between the city and the owner, the gardeners are driven out but not without a fight which is at heart of this film by multi-tasking writer and director Scott Hamilton Kennedy. The story as complex and rich as you would expect it in any piece of great literature full with noble characters, shady characters and everything in between. The complex film equally works as a social commentary of culture clashes between the powerful rich and helpless poor, courtroom drama and political thriller. It shows that there's plenty of real drama happening in Hollywood's backyards if only somebody looks for it. YRCinema's coverage of upcoming releases.

Push

A good looking cast, stunning cinematography and exotic locations are wasted in this action thriller about a group of people with psychic powers. There's a great potential in the story that's never explored, instead we get just an empty roller coaster ride that leads to nowhere. The problem lies in the script but also with director Paul McGuigan who steals the visuals from great Hong Kong filmmakers, specially Wong Kar Wai and others but fails to deliver which is a shame. YRCinema's coverage of current releases.

The Hoax

Lasse Hallström makes a solid film out of the outrageous life of Clifford Irving who pulled off one of the greatest hoaxes in the US when he fooled several people and a publishing house that he had an exclusive to write the biography of the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Assuming that Hughes would never come after him, the events around the book became bigger involving even Nixon who apparently committed the Watergate scandal out of fear of the book. A fine cast including Richard Gere as Irving makes the film enjoyable. The only problem is Hallström's ambiguity with Irving's character who's neither entirely likable nor despicable and the film shifts tones accordingly. Since the audience rely on the director for painting a picture of the main character either way, the film feels less accessible specially that the film never finds the right tone. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

GUILD AWARDS 3: Writer's Guild (WGA)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
"Burn After Reading," written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
"Milk," written by Dustin Lance Black
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona," written by Woody Allen
"The Visitor, "written by Tom McCarthy
"The Wrestler," written by Robert Siege

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Screenplay by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
"The Dark Knight," Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
"Doubt," Screenplay by John Patrick Shanley
"Frost/Nixon, "Screenplay by Peter Morgan
"Slumdog Millionaire," Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY
"Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story, "written by Stefan Forbes and Noland Walker
"Chicago 10", written by Brett Morgen
"Fuel", written by Johnny O'Hara
"Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson", Screenplay by Alex Gibney
"Waltz with Bashir, " written by Ari Folman

Love in the Time of Cholera

Director Mike Newell reduces the classic novel by Gabriel García Márquez into a mediocre film which is a shame. A lavish and beautiful film with a talented cast does not make a great film. Several key characters miscast while some talents wasted. The film should serve as a lesson for others for years to come. Biggest problem is clearly the choice of director who fails on almost every level, then to film it in English in a time when the audience more than ever is aware of authenticity. The only thing that stands out is the cinematography by Affonso Beato. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

L'Avventura

Michelangelo Antonioni's masterpiece is the opposite of Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita", both released in the same year. While Fellini's film has been more popular and successful, this film is more intellectual and less accessible. Antonioni has no intention of making it easy for the audience instead he plays mind games by taking the audience on an adventure of a different kind. The lives of the rich and beautiful was always a popular subject in the history of cinema from its beginning till to this day. That's exactly what Antonioni attacks in this film, while the rich are beautiful, they are also shallow and empty. Antonioni's haunting and mysterious images full of silence tease and push the audience that are conditioned to other expectations. The film has not lost one bit of its power and is still daring. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Late Autumn

The affectionate relationship between a beautiful mother and daughter is at the center of this entertaining and cheerful film by Yasujiro Ozu. The master does not miss a beat in this film where three male friends try to get the daughter of their late friend settled with a lot humor and heartfelt affection. Setsuko Hara and Yôko Tsukasa shine as the mother and daughter with other regular Ozu performers in this classic. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Early Spring

In this film Yasujiro Ozu examines the fragility of youth, specially marriage of the first generation post WWII where they stand at the crossroads between the past and the future. Meticulously made by the master as always with regular and new faces. While the setting and faces may seem familiar, the story is as always compelling and relevant. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Tokyo Twilight

Yasujiro Ozu's last film in black and white is also one of his darkest about a family devastated by secrets and lies. A single father worries about his two adult daughters who are unhappy despite his best efforts. As always there's superb performances by his regular actors, specially Setsuko Hara and Chishu Ryu. One thing Ozu knew more than others was that stories about families are timeless as they are universal and will be always relevant. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Man Who Skied Down Everest

"Challenge makes the man" was a driving motto for Japanese freestyle skier and mountaineer Yuichiro Miura who was the first to ski on Mount Everest and later became the oldest to climb at the ages of 70 and 75. This documentary traces him as he prepares for the climb and historic event when he descended nearly 2,400 m in few minutes in 1970. Stunning footage and intimate revelations by Miura makes this film outstanding which also provides great insight to the world's highest mountain that has challenged many to climb it. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

300

Style is king in this stunning adaptation of the graphic novel by Frank Miller but that's all that the film has going for it. The seamless use of visual effects with traditional cinematography and production design open doors in a groundbreaking way. Unfortunately most of the attention went to the style of the film leaving everything else far behind. The story is about the battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. between the Greeks and the Persian. To say the film historically inaccurate would be a tremendous understatement besides being racist and offensive. As the title indicates the film pretends that only 300 Spartans were involved in the battle leaving out the thousands of Thespians, Thebans and others that fought as well. While the Spartans have the bodies of Greek gods and are mostly white, the Persians are portrayed partly as Africans, gays and deformed monsters which shows how current political views have interfered in the artistic vision which is a shame. Many will argue that the film is based on a graphic novel and pure entertainment but that's an cheap excuse. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.