Food for thought

The Nines was one of my favorites from 2007 (that I didn't actually see until this year), but was almost completely ignored, not only by major theater chains, but independents and even the indie film fan mobs (the most disappointing part of all). Now, over a year and a half since The Nines's first Sundance buzz, writer/director John August has written a post-mortem on his blog, which not only touches on the failures of his film (commercially, because he rightfully stands by its artistic merits), but of the "independent" film market in the US, and Sundance in general. He basically puts into well-written words, from an experienced perspective, what I've been fearing was the case with the American independent film market. He's overall pessimistic, and even ends the article with the question of if anyone should even bother making indie films. This might be the time to start a new film movement; films like Little Miss Sunshine and Juno aren't representative of true independent film, nor are ones like There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men (both of which I loved). There are two schools of so-called indie films; the cuddly, vaguely sarcastic but with a heart family comedies, or the films made by established directors that have a built-in audience. None of those four films are actually independents, having been financed by major studios (although the "independent" wings, whatever that means). Before I start ranting, I just think that a very clever, well-acted, intriguing movie like The Nines should have some sort of audience, but like every other movement, American independent film is being bought out by major studios and theater chains. There's got to be something to be done. (Note: I know this comes dangerously close to the "selling out" debate, which I refuse to participate in, because it's silly, but it's interesting to hear a director with a minor amount of clout spea his mind so freely about such a hot topic.) And thanks to Ode to Azia for the tip that there are storyboards available for Alejandro Jodorowsky's King Shot here. The site's in Italian, but the drawings are amazingly cool -- OtA says the film is supposed to be in the same style as Sin City (score!), with enough sex and violence to garner it an NC-17 rating. Otherwise, I have no idea what the movie's about; this is the synopsis from IMDB at the moment: Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold.. Hrm. But Jodorowsky, Asia Argento (one of my favorites), Udo Kier, Marilyn Manson, and those creepy yet intriguing storyboards? SOLD.

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Sherlock Holmes movie in the works

If you know anything about me, you should know that this news made me inexplicably happy. Written by the guy behind the hilarious-looking Tropic Thunder, check. Judd Apatow producing, check (I guess, although I haven't been impressed with him lately it does mean this movie will get made stat). Sacha Baron Cohen as Sherlock Holmes, check. Will Ferrell as Watson, check. Oh dear. I wish they would start filming this tomorrow.

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Finally!

At last, Fritz Lang's original full-length edit of Metropolis, one of the best films ever made, has been found in Argentina, of all places! According to AICN, this print runs 210 minutes, while the longest print seen so far runs 118 minutes. That's over an hour and a half more footage! Apparently, the extra time really helps the film run a lot smoother and makes everything make that much more sense. I can't wait to see it, as I'm hoping there will be a DVD release or, even better, a theatrical run ASAP!

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A Good Old Fashioned Orgy

In what might be the best titled film of all time, Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, and Leslie Bibb have all signed onto A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, about a 30 year old (Sudeikis) who decides to have one last party at his family's old summer home -- an orgy. Plot sounds hilarious, plus my two favorite current SNL cast members? Sign me up! Unlike one of the ComingSoon commenters, I think this has way more potential to be funny than Zack & Miri Make a Porno. Hopefully we can look for it next winter!

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Breaking: Anthony Minghella, dead at 54

Sad news today: director Anthony Minghella died today, at the age of 54. Apparently, he had tonsil surgery last week, with no apparent ill effects, but had a brain hemmorhage and died this morning. Minghella, who won an Oscar for The English Patient, had just finished work on an adaptation of the Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency which is to run on HBO. Jude Law, who worked with the director on three films, has a touching comment in the Guardian article linked above. A truly talented individual, and a shocking loss for film.

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Two new international Speed Racer trailers

Via AICN comes the news that two new international trailers for what promises to be one of the summer's biggest movies, the Wachowski brothers' Speed Racer have been released. These make me even more excited for the film -- while in plot, it might just be any other family movie, the visuals are so crazy that I get psyched just watching the trailer. I really can't wait for this one!

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RIP Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger dead at 28, from an apparent drug overdose. I've spoken several times about how Ledger, with his performances in Brokeback Mountain, Candy (now I could never watch that movie again), and most recently, I'm Not There, was one of the best actors of this generation. What a waste of talent, what a deep loss for the film community. Rest in peace.

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News on PT Anderson's next project?

Even though this Bloody Disgusting news piece is disappointingly void of specifics, apparently they've learned that PT Anderson is considering making a horror film for his next project. At first glance, this might seem like a total WTF? moment, but at its core, There Will Be Blood was definitely a horror film about the effects of greed on the human soul. I hope this vague rumor is true, because he's already conquered the ensemble drama, the romantic dramedy, and the period piece. This might be a challenge, but one he's certainly up to.

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364 days of posts

Welcome to 2008, readers! One of my resolutions this year is to make this thing bigger and better, and that mainly means posting at least once every single day (except in extenuating circumstances, like being 300 miles from home with an all-day hangover, as yesterday). That means more reviews (another, lesser goal is to watch 365 movies -- we'll see), lists (my best of 2007 is coming this weekend!), rants, news, and lots more. I'm finally going to really figure out this damn film blogging thing. Stick around. To start things off, Sacha Baron Cohen, one of my favorite actors, is apparently set to star as Abbie Hoffman in an upcoming Steven Spielberg movie about the Chicago 7. Cohen is hilarious (and a hottie, hah), but can he do dramatic? And didn't Vincent D'Onofrio already do this? I think it's a good, if risky, move for Cohen from the comedy ghetto to "real" acting.

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Well this made my day

Eli Roth's Trailer Trash to be released August 22! I didn't expect this, since Hostel: Part II tanked and Roth was (rightfully) pissed about piracy ruining his movie's chances - didn't he post something on his Myspace about how you wouldn't see an Eli Roth film in theater for a few years? Thank god he got over that. I think this movie is coming out so quickly because it will take only a few days to film and is really more of a fun project than anything. Can Roth do comedy? The Thanksgiving trailer was basically my favorite thing of this entire year, so I think so. But I'm sort of a fan-girl. Thoughts?

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