Green Light Cinema

Metropia (2010)

2010-09-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

Director: Tarik Saleh
Writers: Tarik Saleh, Fredrik Edin, Martin Hultman, and Stig Larsson
Country: Denmark, Norway, Sweden (English language)
Running Time: 86 min.
Austin's Rating:

What a fascinating film. I can't get over how interesting it was to look at. It's beautifully neutral scenery, mixed with the bleak, totalitarian "Big Business" just made for an interesting experience. But the plot lacked, I thought. It felt like a hybrid of George Orwell's 1984 with a Katsuhiro Ôtomo anime. I just thought they were going too far with the twists; back and forth, who is right and who is wrong... but I'll get to that in just a bit.

An opening caption reads, "The end of the millennium marked the end of many things. Natural resources dried up, the global financial markets crashed, and the crisis that connected all the people, still left the individual isolated in his ruin." The first problem is that the film never fully explains why or how this happened. It just assumes we will accept it, which I allowed myself to do, but it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. How did this effect the rest of the world? Why are so many people in Europe speaking such perfect English? etc.

The film is set in the year 2024, where a collapsed Europe lies in shambles. We follow Roger (voice by Vincent Gallo), a white-collar peon at the bottom level of an unbearably tedious eight-to-five job. Roger's character lacks a certain... je ne sais quoi. He is a likeable character, but frankly, he's not very relatable which was a let down. Gallo, however, delivers his lines with fluidity and precision. So I loved ever word that fumbled out of his mouth.

Roger begins to accept that he may be schizophrenic when he starts hearing a voice in his head that is not his own. The owner of the voice is Stefan (voice of Alexander Skarsgård), an operator at the Trexx headquarters. What is Trexx you might ask -- other than sounding like a villain's name from Aeon Flux? It is the largest, and only majorly successful, company in all of Europe. This company owns the largest underground railway in the world, simply named The Metro System. They made other forms of transportation illegal so to monopolize the market. The Metro unites all of Europe and the Soviet Union, eliminating the borders to bring peace and unity -- or so that's what they say.

Trexx also owns a shampoo company called Dangst. Once the shampoo is applied to the scalp, it implants organic microchips that burrow into the helpless customers' auditory senses, allowing the headquarters to hear their thoughts and see through their eyes. This is a serious breach of privacy, but what the public doesn't know, won't hurt them, right? I hope you sense my sarcasm. Anyways, once Roger uncovers this information, he focuses on finding the man inside his head.

On his way to work via railway, after his bike was mangled by transportation Nazis, he meets a mysterious woman named Nina (voice of Juliette Lewis), the daughter of Trexx CEO, Ivan Bahn (voice of Udo Kier). Nina wants to destroy her father's business because he is basically becoming the Antichrist (not literally, but theoretically). He even manages to turn the Eiffel Tower into a neon billboard. This is where the story starts to sway a little, for me. The film turns into a slower paced who-should-I-believe mystery, where Roger is trying to choose between the beautiful blonde vixen, or the lonely corporate operator in his head. They both have valuable information, but they're pulling him apart.

Stefan looks nearly identical to Roger, to the point that Roger is often mistaken for him. So seeing the similarity, Nina steals Stefan's Trexx badge and hands it to Roger in the hope that he will take on a mission fit for Ethan Hunt; which involves a Hello Kitty doll, and something called a Flux Compression Generator. You thought of Back to the Future too, right?

First off, when this device is mentioned, it is so non-chalant that I actually laughed out loud. That fact that anyone would mention a Flux anything as if it were a common household item is humorous. Secondly, after Nina explains the plan, Roger replies with, "I wanna do it." This answer does not fit the personality of the Roger that's been developing for the previous hour. He would be nervous, asking questions, wanting to find an alternate solution. But no, he answers with a simple, "I wanna do it."

There is one thing I haven't mentioned because it was kind of pointless, even though I wish director Tarik Saleh would have incorporated it more into the story, but Roger has a girlfriend. Anna is her name and she is a simple young lady. She's not as beautiful as Nina, but not ugly by any means. She has a half sleeve of tattoos on her arm and a child-like round face. She's a character I feel we could have attached to, but she was underused.

Also, I didn't think the film paid off in the end. I guess good prevails and Roger ends up with Anna and they live happily ever after, but we don't know how it affects the world. I mean, if you were to destroy Wal-Mart's corporate headquarters, millions of people would be effected, not just the higher-ups. I would have accepted a caption at the end, or something.

I still recommend the film because of it's visuals and characters. Even though neither one of those elements are utilized to their fullest potential, they're still entertaining nonetheless. There is a character named Wayne Marshall, a big-business owner from Texas that can't read. This guy is hysterical. Every time he comes on the screen I laugh just at the sight of him.

Also, the animation is really unique. From what I've read, it's composed of manipulated photographs. I don't know how much CG was used (if any), or if there were actual models for the city, but it looks truly extraordinary. It won Future Film Festival Digital Award at the Venice Film Festival, and Best Music at the Stockholm Film Festival; the music is beautiful, indeed. Metropia deserved to win even more with it's impressive production value.

Lastly, despite the fact that the plot had some leaks, I still found it interesting. I feel I would be doing it a great injustice if I didn't at least say: behind all of its faults lie something worth witnessing. It has an atmosphere that draws you in, and that is why it is so easy to just accept the feeble explainations they give for why something inconceivable is happening. I know I poked fun at many of them above, but they all contribute to an overall tone. All in all, check out this movie. It's not spectacular, but impressive. I think you'll be able to agree that you've never seen anything like it.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE TRAILER

"I'm Here," she said...

2010-09-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

Coincidentally, I was able to see this film the same day I posted the trailer; and let me start off by saying, I was not disappointed. If you go to the Official Website, you can see the film for free.

I don't generally "review" short films because, typically, they don't have enough material to fully develop, or to write about for that matter. So I'll comment on the personal experience I had watching the film. Many times short films are just showcases of skill; exposing a filmmaker's talents to get bigger and better work. This film is more.

I'm Here opens with Sheldon, a passive, gentle male robot, following his daily routine -- go to work, back home, recharge, repeat. He meets Francesca, a fun, extroverted android girl, who befriends him due to a sort of fateful attraction. The entirety of the film is dedicated to their growing love.

Sheldon is an admirable character, which tends to be rare these days, sadly. He is a symbol of true love. He is selfless, caring, and extremely generous, to a sacrificial degree. His personality reminds me of a British Michael Cera, minus the sarcasm, heavy on the sweetness, and as endearing as WALL-E.

Francesca is kind and outgoing. She pulls Sheldon out of his shell and helps him to experience life. The more she opens him up on the inside, the more he loses on the outside. Through a series of unfortunate events -- downright clumsy acts that lead to dismemberment -- Francesca continually finds herself losing body parts. Being the nice guy he is -- and the fact that they're robots -- Sheldon keeps giving her the parts she loses from his own body. By the end of the film, he is left with little, but has grown a lot.

Their relationship is so endearing. I mean, you kind of get frustrated when she keeps getting hurt. You just want to scream, "BE MORE AWARE! YOU'RE GOING TO KILL HIM!" But when Sheldon looks at her with his droopy eyes and selflessly sacrifices himself to make her whole, you're heart just melts.

This is an ultimate feel good movie. Not in the typical way Hollywood does it, but in a subtle, creative, imaginative, relatable way. And that's what does it, the fact that we can relate to these non-beings. It's rare that we connect with artificial intellegents in movies. Spike Jonze scores again with this thirty-one minute piece of art.

Spike Jonze is known for his imagination -- ie. Being John Malkovitch, Adaptation, Where the Wild Things Are. If you've never seen any of his work, watch this and experience his brilliance first hand. Also, he uses the same technique he did in Where the Wild Things Are by animating their faces with CGI. The special effects team should win an award, because the character's expressions are flawless, conveying just the right emotion to pull at your heartstrings. Remember, this is a simple love story; light on the story, and straight to the point. It moves very quickly and nearly rushes through their relationship, but take it for what it is. It will brighten your day.

TRAILER: I'm Here (2010)

2010-09-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Where the Wild Things Are) is one of the most inventive directors of this generation -- alongside Michel Gondry. He has made a short film called, "I'm Here," and it looks outstanding! It most likely will not be shown in a theater near you, nor will it be added to the Netflix inventory anytime soon, but watch this trailer and see if it doesn't motivate you to search under ever rock in the known world to find it. It looks imaginative and fresh; full of unique characters and visuals. The trailer alone is spellbinding. See if you're not captured by it's endearing, whimsical atmosphere when it's over. Enjoy!

TRAILER: Skyline (2010)

2010-09-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

Aliens...again? District 9 trumps the market on Alien films; right up there with Ridley Scott's Alien (1979), which was the last Sci-fi film that thoroughly impressed me regarding extra terrestrials and space stations. However, the end of this trailer is pretty awesome; thousands of people being sucked up by a tractor beam into a giant space ship. It's freakin' cool.

I think this film has potential, but most of these films just fall to the wayside and wash away into the gutters of film history. I hope it's good, but my expectations are low.

RELEASE DATE: Nov. 12th, 2010

TOP 10 HORROR FILMS SINCE I'VE BEEN ALIVE: PART 1

2010-09-11T13:46:00.001-07:00

1985 - 2009

These are my top ten favorite horror film since I've been alive. Horror has never been my genre of choice because I've never been interested in sifting through all the crap to find those few gems. Well, these are ten diamonds in the cinematic rough that, in the last twenty-five years, have deserved to be found.

(The films below are listed by "Year" -- This list is subject to change)

1. Re-Animator (1985) -- Dir. Stuart Gordon
Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator is a bizarre, shocking, and down-right hysterical horror classic. It is gruesome, gory, and in a strange way, intelligent. Even though it is entirely inconceivable, Gordon tells the H.P. Lovecraft tale with great charisma.

The special effects are very interesting, too. By utilizing the entire frame, Gordon uses the camera to create illusions; a decapitated man carrying his own head; a head talking from a dissection pan (like in the stillshot above); etc. Great film. Check it out.

2. The Fly (1986) -- Dir. David Cronenberg
Wow! This is David Cronenberg (Naked Lunch, A History of Violence) at his finest. This is the 1986 remake of the 1958 black-and-white film of the same name. Kurt Neumann's original classic set the foundation for a more vivid and modern telling of George Langelaan's timeless short story.

I love the full body suit Jeff Goldblum wears. It's pretty obvious, but within the context of the film, and acknowledging the subject matter, you just kind of overlook it. I personally think it adds a certain element that would otherwise be missing.

And if you want gore, look no further. The film develops the story while placing spurts of disgusting imagery you'll dream about for days. For example: Flies throw up on their food to decompose it so they can eat it; the acids in their vomit soften the substance. I'll let your mind wonder with that.

3. Jacob's Ladder (1990) -- Dir. Adrian Lyne
If I had to categorize Jacob's Ladder, I would consider it more of a psychological thriller. However, the film has some horrific elements that are truly unsettling -- plus, I always find it in the horror section, so this counts. Director Adrian Lyne (Unfaithful) dives into the psyche of men mistreated by their government, and haunted by the horrors of war. This film also examines the power of the mind. It makes one question, "Is this real, or just my imagination."

The cast is lead by a strong performance from Tim Robbins (Shawshank Redemption).

4. Dead Alive (aka Braindead) (1992) -- Dir. Peter Jackson
This film is BRILLIANT! This is easily in my "top three" on this list.

Herolded by critics as "the goriest fright film of all time" (New York Daily News), Dead Alive takes us on a trip to zombie land like we've never experienced before. Prior to making the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the fantastic modern remake of King Kong, Peter Jackson made some great B-movies. But don't let that detour you from seeing this film, because this film surpasses the so-bad-it's-good status, and crosses the line into bloody good filmmaking. Dead Alive is more comedy than horror, but it's subject matter fits the genre well. Made in New Zealand on a $3,000,000 budget, Dead Alive shows its audience a plethora of ways to mow through a room full of zombies -- even if one of those zombies is your giant, hideously mutated mother.

5. Audition (1999) -- Dir. Takashi Miike
WHOOOOOOOOA! This film is a wild ride! You can't get more strange, bizarre, disturbing, or shocking than Japanese director Takashi Miike (Sukiyaki Western Django). I believe this film deserves a warning: If you have a problem with sadistic female serial killers, watch this movie anyway because its awesome!

I love that Miike took the story of a widower trying to find love again, so much so that he holds auditions for a new wife, and turns it into one of the most disturbing films on this list.

I will say, it is rather slow in the second act, however, the story is compelling nonetheless. (And for you who have seen it, "Kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri")

READ MORE >>>

TOP 10 HORROR FILMS SINCE I'VE BEEN ALIVE: PART 2

2010-09-11T13:45:00.003-07:00

1985 - 2009

6. The Sixth Sense (1999) -- Dir. M. Night Shyamalan
This film is one of my other "top three" on the list. I know, I know, I'm dipping into the Thriller bucket again, but this movie freaked me out as a young teenager. I think it has just enough "scary" moments to be considered for this list. Also, The Sixth Sense contains incredible acting, a final twist that was great in its time -- but has been ripped off so much since then that it's lost some of its power -- and a final scene between Haley Joel Osment and Toni Collette that captures every inch of my heart. This film is moving, compelling, and masterfully directed by M. Night Shyamalan (before he started making bad movies).

7. The Others (2001) -- Dir. Alejandro Amenábar
This is the last time I'm playing the Thriller card, or at least until I update the list. This film was surprisingly good. It has an M. Night Shyamalan-esque twist, but I felt the movie payed off. The Others -- like some of the other films above -- would have been considered horror film back in the fifties, and that's what this film reminded me of, a 1950s horror film. It had a similar feel to The Haunting (1963), in the sense that you don't see the supernatual villain, you just sense its presence. It doesn't ruin the mood by throwing ghosts or monsters at you, but subtlety is the key ingredient. And this film is overflowing with atmosphere. Director Alejandro Amenábar (Open Your Eyes, The Sea Inside) really knew how to make this picture. The characters were very well developed and there was a reason for all of the horror norms -- darkness for a creepy atmosphere, silence so tension builds, etc. This is one of my favorite movies of 2001, and it is definitely worth seeing.

8. 28 Days Later (2002) -- Dir. Danny Boyle
Here is another great film that, I believe, will last the test of time. From Danny Boyle -- the director that brought you Trainspotting, The Beach, and Slumdog Millionaire -- comes a fresh take on the exhausted genre of the undead. The unique element in this film is that the "zombies" are not dead, but they're infected with the violent, contageous, and rapidly-spreading RAGE virus. Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins, Inception) plays his starring role very well.

The early scenes of an abandoned downtown London are some of the most beautiful scenes you'll see in this genre. Several scenes in the film were shot on a Canon XL1 digital video camera, giving it a gritty, bleak, documentary feel. I really enjoyed this film.

9. The Descent (2005) -- Dir. Neil Marshall
I must correct an earlier comment above. While 28 Days Later is a beautifully shot film, it doesn't hold a candle to the composition of this modern masterpiece. I hesitate in saying that this may be the most beautiful looking horror film I've ever seen. Neil Marshall's The Descent was a surprise. I expected it to be a typical, blood-and-guts horror flop, but it was quite the contrary. The trailers and other promotional material were terribly misleading because this is my favorite horror film of the new millennium, and it fills the last remaining slot of my "top three" on this list.

I don't know how many people I've talked to say they've never seen this film because, "I always thought it was just some dumb horror movie." This goes to show the ultimately bad marketing strategy the creators used. The Descent goes back to the days where the monstrous creatures don't appear until and hour into the movie; where the intensity is not just developed through loud noises, eerie music, and things jumping out at you, but it has genuine emotion. And this film has a story -- albeit absurd at some points in the second act -- a complete story aside from the creatures that lie in the shadows; they're just the icing on the cake.

I'm not going to say anything about this film because I want you, the reader, to see this the same way I saw it -- knowing nothing. It's much more effective and impressive when you don't know what's about to happen. All you need to know is it's about a pack of female dare-devils who plan a spelunking trip for there friend, Sarah, who, a year prior, went through a terrible tragedy, losing her husband and child. Juno, the pack leader, takes them to an unexplored cave -- not telling them about the "unexplored" part -- and intensity ensues.

I will say two things in conclusion. 1) The lighting is perfect because Marshall used the girls' glow sticks and flash lights to illuminate the caverns, adding a sense of realism to the mix. 2) Everyone knows that when a single person gets separated from their party in a horror movie, they're dead meat. In The Descent, this happens, but instead of killing off its protagonist, the story splits into two parts. I can't think of very many movies that do this, and it impressed me greatly. GO SEE THIS FILM!

10. [REC] (2007) -- Dir(s). Jaume Balagueró & Paco Plaza
Let me start by saying this movie is the most intense film on this list! My muscles were stiff by the end from being so tightly clenched. I would occasionally realize how flexed I was and relax, but only moments later I would find myself balled up again. The one major element that makes this film so fantastic is that the actors constantly acknowledged that the man holding the camera was not some faceless cinematographer, but a real, tangable person they could talk to and rely on. It's the same thing Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, and Benoît Poelvoorde did in Man Bites Dog (1992), and it adds a certain reality lacking in most films, across all genres.

SIDE NOTE: I'm cheating slightly by adding this film, but it is the American remake of [REC], and to be honest, it's equally as good. It is called Quarantine (2008), and it is a shot-for-short reproduction of the spanish original. Jennifer Carpenter (The Excorcism of Emily Rose) delivers one of the most convincing and stunning performances I've ever seen in a horror movie; possibly the best of all time. She out acts Manuela Velasco, the original Ángela, even the Manuela does a fine job. Quarantine is a great film, and you should see them both.

-- Honorable Mentions --
I have listed a few films below that every film lover should, at the very least, give a shot. With the exception of one, I couldn't justify putting the films below on a list of the best of their genre, but they deserve to be mentioned. I try to allot five slots to Honorable Mentions, so here they are:

Evil Dead II (1987) -- Dir. Sam Raimi
This film is actually incredible, and deserves to be on the list above, but there were not eleven slots.

Cemetery Man (aka Dellamorte Dellamore) (1994) -- Dir. Michele Soavi
A fantastic zombie film that is funny, but also genuinely good.

Paranormal Activity (2007) -- Dir. Oren Peli
The first film in probably fifteen years that I found truly terrifying.

The Ring (2002) -- Dir. Gore Verbinski
One of the few American remakes better than the original.

Drag Me To Hell (2009) -- Dir. Sam Raimi
Raimi at his best. He goes back to his Evil Dead roots and creates a humorous horror film again. Despite popular belief, this is not a serious horror film, and not satanic exploitation, like William Friedkin's The Exorcist. It's just good, gross fun.

<<< BACK TO PART 1

TRAILER: Biutiful (2010)

2010-09-11T13:45:00.001-07:00

Finally, Alejandro González Iñárritu (21 Grams, Babel) makes his next captivating film. I assume its captivating because all of his previous works have pulled me in, drenching me in atmosphere and bleak melodrama. There is something about Iñárritu style that puts you on the edge of your seat, eyes wide open, watching until the last credit scrolls. Biutiful stars Javier Bardem, among many other talented, but less known stars.

Variety magazine said, "Marked by a powerful performance from Javier Bardem and a steady accretion of harrowing details, 'Biutiful' represents something of a departure for Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, even as it confirms the pervasive bleakness of his worldview. Less invested in themes of fate and convergence than his previous work, this gritty, slow-burning melodrama nonetheless offers a very long descent into a private purgatory, and its scant emotional rewards can't shake off the sense of a prodigiously gifted filmmaker stuck in a grim rut. Even with some critical support, the predominantly Spanish-language film will prove a tough challenge for distribs and auds."

RELEASE DATE: TBA

TRAILER: Catfish (2010)

2010-09-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Catfish is the new film by freshman directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman. This films is labeled as a "Reality Thriller," and is talked about like it's mindblowing.

"In late 2007, filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost sensed a story unfolding as they began to film the life of Ariel's brother, Nev. They had no idea that their project would lead to the most exhilarating and unsettling months of their lives. A reality thriller that is a shocking product of our times, Catfish is a riveting story of love, deception and grace within a labyrinth of online intrigue." -- Universal Pictures

RELEASE DATE: Sept. 17th, 2010

TRAILER: Black Swan (2010)

2010-09-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

This trailer is an obscure snippet of what looks to be like a convergence of the raw, grainy look of The Wrestler (2008), with the complex, tonal story of The Fountain (2006), as well as a pinch of the gloom-and-doom atmosphere of Requiem for a Dream (2000). Director Darren Aronofsky is, in my opinion, one of the most talented directors in modern cinema. His minimalist ways add to the mood, look, and overall emotional connection the viewer has with his films.

Black Swan stars Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, and Vincent Cassel. With such talent, this film should be Aronofsky's tour de force. We'll have to wait an see.

RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1st, 2010

TRAILER: Wild Grass (2010)

2010-09-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Alain Resnais is a vetran French filmmaker who released his first picture (a short film) in 1936. Most well known for his new-wave film Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), the 88-year-old filmmaker delivers a new film called Wild Grass. The always wonderful Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Quantum of Solace) acts alongside André Dussollier, Sabine Azéma, and Emmanuelle Devos to bring Resnais' film to life.

This film was released in select theaters on June 25th, 2010.

TRAILER: Metropia (2010)

2010-09-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Filmmaker Tarik Saleh creates a most unique and bizarre animated feature that is sure to leave an imprint in you're mind. Vincent Gallo and Juliette Lewis are the voices of Roger and Nina, the two leads in the story. I'm curious what you all think. Feel free to comment and let me know.

This film was released in America on May 12th, 2010.

TRAILER: The Town (2010)

2010-09-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, film buffs don't want to like Ben Affleck. He's done very few good movies, and in those films he was never that spectacular -- or at least I didn't think so. I think Affleck has found his niche in cinema, though, and that's behind the camera. His 2007 masterpiece, Gone Baby Gone, was a spectacular crime thriller starring his brother, Casey Affleck, who I think can out act Ben any day. So here is his next full-length picture, and I have to say I am excited to see if he can recreate the tensity, emotion, and entertainment he did with this film's predecessor.

RELEASE DATE: Sept. 17th, 2010

TRAILER: The Tillman Story (2010)

2010-09-11T10:32:00.001-07:00

This is a documentary about the celebrity of Pat Tillman, a college football star who was offered an NFL contract, but chose to enlist in the military to aid the "war against terrorism." This film surrounds the conspiracy behind his death and unlocks, what the interviewee's call, the real story.

TRAILER: Somewhere (2010)

2010-09-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

It's been four years since her last film, Marie Antoinette (2006), but Sofia Coppola releases a promising trailer to a lovely looking film. Stephen Dorff, Michelle Monaghan, and Elle Fanning star in this, what seems to be, heartwarming drama. Also, Benicio Del Toro does not appear in the trailer, but he makes an appearance in the film.

I predict this will be her best work since Lost in Translation (2003). Check out the trailer and let me know what you think.

RELEASE DATE: Dec. 22nd, 2010

TRAILER: Ondine (2009)

2010-09-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

Ondine is the new film by director Neil Jordan (Mona Lisa, The Brave One), starring Colin Farrell and Alicja Bachleda. One of the greatest living cinematographers today, Christopher Doyle (Hero, Lady in the Water), was Director of Photography on this film, and by the look of the trailer it shines beautifully.

The film was released in America on July 10th, 2010. It was only given limited release.

TRAILER: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010)

2010-09-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter is one of the most beloved and recognizable literary characters on the last century. Since 2001, the films have brought this whimsical series to life. And now, we arrive at the last a final adaptation, the Deathly Hallows. Luckily, for we Potter fans, this book is being presented in two parts, so they should have plenty of time to get it right hopefully.

Director David Yates (Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince) finishes out the series. Order of the Phoenix was dark, gloomy, and magical; it's what the Half-blood Prince should have been. The latter was my favorite of al lthe books and the film was just an awful adaptation. However, Half-Blood Prince was extremely beautiful to look at and entertaining nonetheless. My one hope for the Deathly Hallows is he takes his time and focuses on the story the book tells, and not on what he thinks the audience wants to see. This book is the most important of the series and needs to be done justice. Good luck, Mr. Yates.

RELEASE DATE: (Part one) Nov. 19th, 2010 -- (Part two) July 15th, 2011

TRAILER: 127 Hours (2010)

2010-09-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

127 Hours is the new film by acclaimed director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire). It stars James Franco as Aron, a mountaineer who gets trapped under a boulder in the drylands of Moab, Utah.

RELEASE DATE: Nov. 5th, 2010

Randy Rams It Home!

2010-09-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

I'll never forget wrestling with my grandpa in the living room when I was no older than four-years-old. He would always let me win -- or I would throw a tantrum, but who didn't at that age? I used to watch wrestling on TV all the time, too. WWF, WCW, anything to appease my inner beast. I loved the brute nature of it, and I bought into it every time; The terrible acting, soap operatic stories, etc. I'll never forget in second grade when I found out it was "fake." I was heart broken. Hulk Hogan didn't really beat Andre the Giant? The Road Warriors didn't really defeat Demolition?

But I grew out of it when I became a teenager. I turned in my heavy weight title for a drum kit. I didn't really think much about it until I met a friend of mine who was a quiet fan of the independent wrestling circuit. You can only imagine how pumped he was about the new Aronofsky film, The Wrestler. It wasn't playing anywhere in our neck of the woods, so we had to drive an hour to Indianapolis and witness the spectacle at the art theater.

To be honest, I wasn't that impressed after the first viewing. I mean, I really liked it, but my expectations were at an all time high: Darren Aronofsky, the creator of Pi, Requiem for a Dream and The Fountain is making a Wrestling picture?! This is going to be so interesting! But there was something missing, or so I thought. Mickey Rourke was winning award after award and I was thinking to myself, he did really good, and I'm super happy he's getting much deserved recognition for his work, but really?!

It wasn't until tonight, watching it with my lovely wife in the comfort of our own home that I witnessed the experience known in the Glidden household as "The Passion of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson!" I haven't felt so much sympathy sense I saw Lars Von Trier's Dancer in the Dark -- which is a brilliantly raw and grim musical starring Bjork (don't let that scare you away, it's incredible).

Rourke's performance is astounding, and Marisa Tomei's is equally stunning -- and beautifully sexy at the age of 44. The art direction, music, and tone are just so perfect for this film. It plays the audience's heartstrings like a master pianist, and the story evolves flawlessly to deplete any person's emotional gauge to zero. This is a draining but most inspiring story. If you haven't seen it, go rent it; if you have and didn't like it, watch it again; and if you loved it, good for you. It's proof you're a human being.

- Austin

TRAILER: The American (2010)

2010-09-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

Roger Ebert introduces his four-star review of The American by saying, "'The American' allows George Clooney to play a man as starkly defined as a samurai. His fatal flaw, as it must be for any samurai, is love. Other than that, the American is perfect: Sealed, impervious and expert, with a focus so narrow it is defined only by his skills and his master. Here is a gripping film with the focus of a Japanese drama, an impenetrable character to equal Alain Delon's in 'Le Samourai,' by Jean-Pierre Melville.

Jim Emerson wrote, "I thought it was just my audience, but I happened upon a news release saying that CinemaScore, the market research firm, reported the average grade 'The American' received from ticket buyers was a D-, which turns out to be some kind of record. This made me laugh, because I had made a point of listening to what people were saying as they left the theater, and jotted down a few of the things I overheard -- most of which were fairly predictable:

'Well, that wasn't very good. Why is it getting such good reviews?'

'It doesn't answer your questions, does it?'

'Nah, too slow.'

'I know! I'll never trust him again!' (I don't know who that remark was referring to -- a critic or a personal acquaintance of the patrons?)"

I wish people these days had an attention span so more good films could be made with mainstream distribution -- making it easier for people like me, in East-Central Indiana, to see a variety of films, not just shallow love stories and explosions. The comments of the numb minded movie-goers above motivate me even more to see this picture; more so than Ebert's perfect review. I am really excited to see it. Watch the trailer and see what you think.

TRAILER: You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger (2010)

2010-09-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Woody Allen's new film is one of the few this year I'm terribly excited to see. The trailer looks like it may be his best work since Match Point (2004), and before that, Husbands and Wives (1992). Even though I liked Allen's last few films -- for entertainment value only -- I think he has a ways to go before he reaches the level of his great films like Annie Hall (1977), Mahattan (1979), and Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989). This film does, however, seem promising.

TRAILER: Monsters (2010)

2010-09-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

Annon, a member of IMDb.com, wrote, "Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over Central America. Soon after, new life form began to appear and half of Mexico was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE. Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to contain 'the creatures'...... Our story begins when a US journalist agrees to escort a shaken tourist through the infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border."

If that is an accurate synopsis of this film, I'm at least interested. Skeptical, but interested.

TRAILER: I'm Still Here (2010)

2010-09-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

Joaquin Phoenix is apparently still alive and kicking in this new documentary by Casey Affleck about the rise and fall of a man who was once on top, struggling to make it from the bottom.

I'm excited to see this because I've followed Phoenix's story on and off for the past year. His attempts to become a hip hop star, and his anti-social behavoir at film related events, have led people to believe he has "flipped his lid." We've seen celebrities breakdown, and/or go through an unstable point in life -- ie. Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, etc. -- but I don't think we've seen it hit quite as hard as it has for this bearded gentleman. Check out the trailer and see for yourself.

TRAILER: Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

2010-09-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

I've always appreciated Oliver Stone as a filmmaker. Wall Street (1987) never interested me as much as Platoon (1986), JFK (1991), or Nixon (1995). I feel like I'll have to really submerge myself in Stone's techniques to truly appreciate Wall Street 2. I plan to relive the greedy tale of Gordon Gekko before continuing this story, twenty-three years in the making.

I have one minor concern, in particular. Shia Lebeouf is a fantastic actor with a terrible résumé. It's sad when your best work is a television show you were in as a kid (ie. Even Stevens). The trailer lays on the one-liners pretty thick, so I fear this will be just another sequel to an undeserving movie. But I won't know until I see it. Until then, see for yourself.

TRAILER: Let Me In (2010)

2010-09-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

Let Me In, by director Matt Reeves (Cloverfield), is the American remake of Tomas Alfredson's 2008 film, Let the Right One In. I can't tell you how disappointed I am to hear about this remake because the Swedish version was easily the greatest vampire film since Werner Herzog's 1979 remake of Nosferatu. I haven't read anything to argue against my theory that the film is being made so people don't have to read subtitles. It's a sad time when we spend millions of dollars to pointlessly reproduce a film, only to change a language and eliminate the wonderful act of reading.

However, I will say that I am interested in seeing how they attempt this seemingly impossible feat. America doesn't have the best track record for remaking foreign gems. So I will try to give Reeves a fair shot. After seeing several clips (which I have linked below the trailer) I have more faith in Reeves than I did, but can you blame me for being skeptical nonetheless?

I enjoyed a lot of Cloverfield, but thought the acting was unbearable -- borderline laughable -- and the story was highly improbable. However, I did appreciate the giant monster and the way the unbelievable story evolved. I have low expectations seeing that where Reeve's failed in Cloverfield is what makes Let the Right One In so extraordinary. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

For Clips from this film, click the following links:

- Clip 1 - Clip 2 - Clip 3 - Clip 4 - Clip 5 - Clip 6 -

TRAILER: Devil (2010)

2010-09-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is the new film from the director of Quarantine (2008), John Erick Dowdle. I've raved about how intense and thrilling Quarantine was, but this film looks bittersweet. The fact that they are in a small setting is appealing -- seeing as how Quarantine took place in a small, four-story apartment building -- but toward the end of the trailer there is one scene that makes me say, "Really!?" (HINT: look for the face in the mirror, Eh...)

M. Night Shyamalan co-wrote and produced this film, so we'll see if he can write something better than his most recent works. What happened to the M. Night that made The Sixth Sense (1999), Unbreakable (2000), and Signs (2002)?

TRAILER: A Woman, a Gun, and a Noodle Shop (2009)

2010-08-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

French director Jean-Luc Godard said, "All you need to make a movie is a girl and a gun." Well, according to the title, Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) has made a real movie with his latest picture, A Woman, A Gun, and A Noodle Shop. The most interesting thing to me about this film is that it is a Chinese remake of the Coen Brothers 1984 cult-classic, Blood Simple. I'm pumped to see this film!

GLC Contact Information

2009-08-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

If you have questions regarding Green Light Cinema -- such as events, reviews, recommendations, etc. -- contact Austin at the email address below.

Austin Glidden (Administrator)
Email: Glidden.Austin@gmail.com
Twitter: twitter.com/AustinGlidden
Facebook: GLC's Reel Independence

Request A Film...

2009-08-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

If there is a specific film you would like me to review, please comment in the appropriate space below. All I ask is that you:

1) Give me approximately one week to work it into my review schedule. I will reply back if it will take longer.
2) Be nice. Don't just ask me to review a God-awful movie in spite of me. I ask this as a favor.
3) Lastly, check and see if anyone else has already posted the same title. I prefer one request, but I will not get upset if you choose to second their recommendation.

Thank you all for participating.
Take care,
Austin