"Struck By Lightning" (2012) - First Trailer

"You can inspire others to write while writing yourself."

Before today I have never heard about Chris Colfer (I don't watch "Glee"), but it turns out he is a talented young man and his new film is going to be interesting. He wrote the script himself and he is producing it.

"Struck By Lightning" looks like an ordinary high school story, but it isn't. One guy wants to make a newspaper and to achieve this goal he needs a good team. But the problem is everyone is extremely lazy and indifferent in his school. Plus everybody hates him, because of his workaholism and exactingness.

The trailer is smart and funny, so I hope the film will be as unusual and engaging.

Directed by Brian Dannelly, who has worked on different TV series, "Pushing Daisies", "Weeds", "United States of Tara".

"Артист"/"The Artist" (2011) - Рецензия

Была сегодня в кино. И Вам советую сходить на "Артиста". Надеюсь, еще не одну награду возьмет этот замечательный фильм.

Отголоски прошлого

Раньше люди радовались, как дети, даже самым скромным кинофильмам. Со временем они очень полюбили эти черно-белые картинки, где вместо диалогов были титры, ведь они видели эмоции актеров, и этого было достаточно. А потом кинематографистам захотелось пойти дальше. Но никто не подумал о тех, для которых немое кино было делом всей их жизни и они не видели ее продолжения в мире, где экранные персонажи открывают рот и оттуда вылетают настоящие слова.

Французский режиссер Мишель Хазанавичус здорово рисковал, возвращаясь на много десятилетий назад. Оказалось, что не зря. И современному зрителю, разбалованному высокими технологиями и постоянно ожидающему чего-то невероятного и нового, было достаточно для счастья показать драму о любви без цвета и звука. Эта история не нова — например, великий режиссер Билли Уайлдер давно снял один душераздирающий фильм о трагедии забытой актрисы. Но данная кинокартина захватывает с самых первых минут и отправляет нас в шикарный мир Голливуда, где любовь была одним из основных ингредиентов для создания кинофильмов.

Главный герой — звезда большого экрана Джордж Валентин — привык блистать перед камерами и сражать наповал молоденьких поклонниц. И тут на съемочной площадке появляется она. Красавица Пеппи Миллер сразу очаровывает актера, хотя еще больше сама подпадает под его чары. Но их пути быстро расходятся — ее карьера идет вверх к богатству и славе, а он стремительно скатывается в пропасть, ведь никому больше не интересно лишь смотреть на актеров, зрителю хочется слушать. Жан Дюжарден и Беренис Бежо превосходно перевоплотились в актеров из прошлого века. Есть в них что-то такое, что не позволяет оторваться от экрана ни на миг. Без слов, зато с какими чувствами они воплотили своих персонажей.

В ролях более скромных, но все равно важных, сыграли талантливые голливудские актеры Джон Гудмен и Джеймс Кромуэлл. Из первого получился убедительный алчный режиссер, который пойдет на все лишь бы угодить зрителю. Это конечно хорошо, ведь его работа и заключается в этом, но выбрасывать на помойку актера, который много лет делал его фильмы знаменитыми, уж слишком черство и эгоистично. А без верного слуги Клифтона главному герою и вовсе пришлось бы туго, ведь он оставался с мистером Валентином даже тогда, когда тот опустился на самое дно и не смог ему платить. Порадовало и минутное появление на экране Малкольма МакДауэлла в очень смешном эпизоде.

Нельзя не отметить и блестящую игру пса по имени Угги, который уже успел собрать в Европе и Америке множество поклонников. С трудом верится, что он просто выполняет команды. Угги то дурачится, то играет со всей серьезностью, вызывая своим героическим поведением бурю эмоций. Заметно, как сильно успел пес привязаться к Жану Дюжардену, ведь когда они появляются в кадре вместе, то все остальное перестает существовать.

Прекрасно, когда кинематографисты не забывают, откуда все начиналось. Создатели очень постарались над тем, чтобы сделать этот фильм более похожим на те, что выходили в 20х годах. Но все равно это лишь симуляция, далекие отголоски очаровательного прошлого. Тем не менее, спасибо им за возможность вырваться хотя бы на несколько часов из 21го века, но в то же время и остаться в нем. Спасибо также композитору Людовику Бурсе за столь многогранную музыку, постоянно меняющуюся, как и характер происходящих событий. Особенно запоминается и поднимает настроение задорная мелодия в финале.

К сожалению, или к счастью, эра немого кино давно прошла, уступив место звуковому кино. Эти фильмы стали историей, которую уже не вернуть. Но ее никогда не следует забывать, о чем и напоминает данный кинофильм.

Фото - Кинопоиск

Top-5 movies of the week - 17.02 - 23.02

1."Rampart"
Woody Harrelson plays a cop, who hates everyone. He likes his power and beating people. And nobody can stop him, because there will be a huge corruption scandal. Also starring Cynthia Nixon, Sigourney Weaver, Robin Wright, Ben Foster and Steve Buscemi.
Trailer.

2."Thin Ice"
Two men want to earn some money by selling a very valuable violin, which is no use for its present owner. But everything goes wrong, when they end up killing an innocent man. One of these accidental criminals starts blackmailing his associate, who is played by Greg Kinnear. Yes, since that night he is walking on the very thin ice, which can melt very fast under him. Crazy criminal comedy, which has to have an unexpected ending. But I doubt it will be a happy ending.
Trailer.

3."The Secret World of Arrietty"
Tiny people live in one huge house with normal family. They don't want to be discovered, so secretly borrow different things and food. It is dangerous for young girl Arrietty to join her father in such night campaigns, but she is brave. So everything is good, until a boy sees her... and they become good friends. Its creators are the people, who made "Spirited Away" and "Ponyo", it promises many adventures, plus critics love this story.
Trailer.

4."The Vow"
I like Rachel McAdams very much, but I dislike Channing Tatum even more. It was hard to figure out will she save the film, or will he make it bad, and turns out that she wasn't enough. The story is about a newlywed couple, who survives a serious car accident. He is fine, but she lost her memory. She doesn't remember not the whole past, but just him. Low critics rating can frighten the big film-addicts, but the audience says it is ok romantic comedy.
Trailer.

5."Dorothy and the Witches of Oz"
An old fairytale is back thanks to the director Leigh Scott ("Frankenstein Reborn", "King of the Lost World", "Exorcism: The Possession of Gail Bowers"). It is the first not-so-creepy film for him, which kids can actually watch. This time Dorothy is a young writer, who moves to New York. But once she discovers that all her stories aren't a fiction, but memories, she has to go figure out how to fight the evil witch to save the both worlds. It reminds a bit Burton's "Alice In Wonderland". The special effects look good, and the cast includes Christopher Lloyd, Billy Boyd and Sean Astin, who are great actors. So it has to be a nice family film.
Trailer.

Posters - iTunes movie trailers

Why I'm interested in "Lovelace" (2012)

One very risky film hit the theatres in 1972. It was directed by Gerard Damiano, and called "Deep Throat". This film started a revolution in the cinematography. It gained many fans and haters, who did what they could to destroy lives of actors, director and producers. Many puritan politics were pissed off by this "masterpiece". Yes, it was a pornographic flick, but it also was something more, something new and crazy. It was a different kind of art.

Linda Lovelace portrayed the main character. She was just a woman with her big dream, she wanted to love and be loved. There is nothing criminal in it. Linda showed her body to the whole world, but we will never know the truth behind her risky fame and short-termed success. Later she became an activist of the anti-pornography movement, but no one can tell why she wanted to forget her past.

"Lovelace" is a biopic about her. Amanda Seyfried plays Linda and, due to the set pictures and stills, she really resembles this porn star. I hope this film will make clear all dark spots in her biography, showing not only consequences, but also the reasons why she changed so much before that fatal accident. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman are in charge of this story, which is very promising, because they've made before a few unusual and provocative films together.

If you are going to watch "Lovelace", please watch at least a documentary "Inside Deep Throat". You will be shocked of the stories, which the creators of that porn film tell. It is unbelievable how many secrets they kept, how hard it was to screen this film and how little money they made, despite "Deep Throat" profit was very high.

Poster - COLLIDER

BAFTA Awards 2012 - Winners list

Yesterday's night was very exciting, because it was time for British Academy of Film and Television Arts to name its favourite films, directors and performances of 2011. I didn't write my predictions, but I wasn't surprised when discovered the winners of the main nominations. It was the Golden Globe awards all over again, and I don't mind it.

I'm very glad that "The Artist" won over "The Descendants", because I heart the silent films era. It also won in a few leading categories - Michel Hazanavicius and Jean Dujardin accepted awards for Best Director and Best Leading Actor. In total, this film got 7 awards that night. Not bad, huh?

Losing a shoe for Meryl Streep was a lucky moment, because she won again. Christopher Plummer was amazing in "Beginners" and now he is the oldest actor, who ever got a BAFTA award.

"Rango" is the Best Animated Film, and I like it, because two other nominees didn't impress me in a good way. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" isn't all about special effects, but it is a bit weird, how every award keeps ignoring it, though it is one of the best films of the past year.

Now I'm hoping that Oscar ceremony will award the same people and the same films, because they truly deserve it. You can't find my Oscar predictions here.

Also John Hurt and Martin Scorsese were honored for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema and Academy Fellowship. British actor Adam Deacon was named the Rising Star of the year.

Best Film

"The Artist"

Best Director

Michel Hazanavicius ("The Artist")

Outstanding British Film

"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Best Leading Actor

Jean Dujardin ("The Artist")

Best Leading Actress

Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady")

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer ("Beginners")

Best Supporting Actress

Octavia Spencer ("The Help")

Outstanding Debut

Paddy Considine, Diarmid Scrimshaw ("Tyrannosaur")

Best Documentary

"Senna"

Best Film Not in the English Language

"The Skin I Live In" by Pedro Almodóvar

Best Animated Film

"Rango"

Best Original Screenplay

Michel Hazanavicius ("The Artist")

Best Adapted Screenplay

"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Best Original Music

Ludovic Bource ("The Artist")

Best Cinematography

Guillaume Schiffman ("The Artist")

Best Editing

Gregers Sall, Chris King ("Senna")

Best Production Design

"Hugo"

Best Costume Design

Mark Bridges ("The Artist")

Best Sound

"Hugo"

Best Make Up and Hair

Marese Langan ("The Iron Lady")

Best Special Visual Effects

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"

Best Short Animation

"A Morning Stroll" by Grant Orchard

Best Short Film

"Pitch Black Heist" by John Maclean

Pictures - Official BAFTA website

Dear Whitney Houston

I just discovered that one of the greatest singers of our time isn't with us anymore. I can't read why she passed away, because it really hit me hard. And the only thing I can do, when I grieve, is write.

Dear Whitney Houston,

I never knew you as a person and now I never will. But still I'm sitting here, miles away from your home, and thinking about what a talented musician and actress you were. Yes, I always appreciate you as an actress - "The Bodyguard" was my favourite film since I was much younger. I always cry in the end, but now I'll also cry at the beginning.

Your voice was an incredible gift, and all your fans around the world are very happy that you became a singer. I tried to sing your famous "I will always love you", as many of us did, many times and I'm glad no one listened. Nobody can make this song so magical and powerful as you did. And I want to thank you for this.

I hope you were happy and had a good life, despite all problems and troubles, which are present on everyone's way.

I wish I wrote this open letter earlier, when there was a tiny chance for you to find it somewhere on the Internet. Now I can hope you are in Heaven, because you sang "Jesus Loves Me" so beautifully.

The scene goes dark, the limelight flashes and is gone. But you will continue to live in our hearts.

Sincerely,
I will always love you.

Picture - Star Pulse

"Machete Kills" - First poster

Crazy and bloody story about the hard life of Mexican people in USA is not finished. Danny Trejo has to take a weapon in his hands again and kill hard, which is obvious from the title. I knew there will be another film, but it looks like it will become a trilogy. The third film is rumoured to be called "Machete Kills Again... In Space!". Yes, Rodriguez will make it insane.

"Machete" is one of my favourite Robert Rodriguez's films, so I'm definitely waiting for its sequel. I hope the cast includes the actors, with whom he's already worked (Mickey Rourke, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Jessica Alba).

Poster - Den of Geek!

Dear John Williams

I haven't written open letters for a long time, but there is a good reason to do it today.

Dear John Williams,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! I'm very grateful that you were born 80 years ago, because I don't want even imagine what the cinematography would do without you.

I started watching films since I don't remember which age, but even then the melody, which I heard along with the visual part, was important for me. When I was a kid, I watched "Home Alone" every holiday season. Later I saw the first two adaptations of Harry Potter. I memorised both main themes so well that I'm humming them every Christmas for many years.

When I grew up and discovered more serious films, as "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", "Schindler's List", "Empire of the Sun", "Catch Me If You Can", "Memoirs of a Geisha", "Star Wars" trilogies. They opened me the brand new world and I enjoyed them very much. Along with the music. Yes, I want to thank you for writing such exceptional pieces for all those films, and for many others. Thanks to you I started wondering not only who the actors and directors are, and what about the plot is. I always check the line, where the name of the composer is written, hoping that you took part in creating it.

You can make every film better with your music. I watched many from your filmography and without your soundtracks they wouldn't be such great. Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus definitely wouldn't be as popular as they are, if you didn't write the music for their films.

I hope your compositions will become timeless, and many generations will listen to them and wonder how a real person can make such magical tunes. And, of course, I wish you well and write more, because you have an incredible gift.

Have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Sincerely,
an eternal movie and music fan.

Picture via Harry Potter fan zone

"Battleship" (2012) - Official Trailer

"My dad said they'd come. He said we ain't alone. He said one day w'd find them, or they'd find us."

Many of you probably saw this trailer - I personally watched it twice in the cinema - but I included this film into The Most Anticipated Films of 2012 poll, so it's time to tell you why it has many chances to become a blockbuster.

"Battleship" trailer causes some controversial thoughts. First of all, it looks similar to some "Transformers" scenes. There also were some ocean battles. Second of all, its cast is very unpredictable. There are Liam Neeson and Alexander Skarsgård, whom I like, but it is a debut for the world famous pop-singer Rihanna, who has no experience in playing serious parts. Taylor Kitsch also appears in "Battleship", as Brooklyn Decker does. I remember him very briefly in "X-Men Origins - Wolverine", and she played very stupid part in "Just Go with It".

The director is Peter Berg, who is known for filming "Hancock", "The Kingdom", and playing in "Smokin' Aces". If he didn't change, this film will be very average.

Special effects look impressive and beautifully made on the big screen. If it's made in 3D, it might not disappoint. But "Battleship" isn't for people, who have a seasickness.

Not very promising? But if "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" became one the most successful films in the history, so why this one can't?

"Battleship" will be out this summer.

"The Avengers" (2012) - Extended Super Bowl Spot

American football fans are always exited about the annual Super Bowl, but movie fans are not less intrigued. Of course, the latter ones aren't guessing who the winner will be, but what new footage from upcoming films will be shown in the Super Bowl commercials.

"The Avengers" is going to be one of the future blockbusters, and of course it got another promo. Again there are many explosions, terror, huge lightning strike and one unforgettable team of modern superheroes.

"Mr.Stark..."
"Captain?"

The more I see videos from "The Avengers", the more I think that Iron Man (aka Tony Stark) and Captain America will have a hilarious relationship. If I'm right, we'll discover on May 4.

Directed and written by Joss Whedon.
Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner.

More about "The Avengers" (2012)!

If you are waiting for this film for a very long time, vote for it here: The Most Anticipated Films of 2012 (you can choose 5 films).

"I have an army."
"We have a Hulk."



Ready for action! (click to enlarge the pictures)