Strasbourg International Film Festival 2010 Films:
9000 Needles; Frankenstein Unlimited; On A Carousel of Sound, We Go Round; Dark Souls; EM; Murder By Proxy [FILMMAKER ATTENDING!]; Eye of The Sandman; Beating the Bomb; Four Roses; Failing Better Now; Time Being; Cup Cake; Trip. (For more info, click here!)
STORY: "THE EXTRA MAN is a sophisticated and moving comedy from filmmakers Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini."
"THE EXTRA MAN follows Louis Ives (Paul Dano), a lonely dreamer who fancies himself the hero of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. When a deeply embarrassing incident forces him to leave his job at an exclusive Princeton prep school, Louis heads to New York City to make a fresh start. He quickly finds a 9 to 5 job at an environmental magazine, where he encounters an entrancing, green-obsessed co-worker Mary (Katie Holmes)."
"But, what really sparks Louis’ imagination is his new home life. He rents a room in the ramshackle apartment of Henry Harrison (Kevin Kline), a penniless, wildly eccentric and brilliant playwright. When Henry’s not dancing alone to obscure music or singing operettas, he’s performing – with great panache -- the duties of an “extra man,” a social escort for the wealthy widows of Manhattan high society. The two men develop a volatile mentorship, which leads to a series of urban adventures -- encountering everything from a leaping lion to a wildly jealous hirsute neighbor to drunken nonagenarians to a shady Swiss hunchback."
"Along his exploration into the heart of New York City, Henry and Louis have unexpected influences on each other and form a memorable bond that bridges their differences." - Written by "" on IMDB.com on 9/03/2010.
STARRING: Katie Holmes, John C. Reilly, Paul Dano, Kevin Kline and others.
REVIEW: Title: "Quirky, funny and filled with brilliant performances" [10/10 stars]
"Way too much will be given away if I attempt to describe the storyline. Suffice it to say that even a total lack or overabundance of plot wouldn't detract from its fascination quotient if you enjoy edginess and the unexpected; a side of NYC life never before portrayed on screen. How 'real' does it feel? Totally besides the point with direction and acting of the highest caliber. Some of the best tales are stories you don't believe until after you've seen them played out; reality isn't what it's cracked up to be where thoughtful playfulness takes precedence. Despite the tag-line, there is indeed erotica at work on screen, but sexuality is never depicted for its own sake. More emotional than carnal knowledge gets exhibited here. Wonderfully diverse soundtrack ranging from classical/opera to T-Rex and Velvet Underground. Totally haunting film experience that's not a blockbuster, but needs to be seen by people who can appreciate 'quirk.' This film should become a cult classic at the very least and a long-running topic of conversation at cocktail parties. A 'sleeper' in the best sense of the term. If you see it and 'get it,' you will enjoy bonding with others of like minds." - Written by "rroberto18" on IMDB.com on 9/03/2010.
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE (2009) (Rated R) (Original Title: "Flickan som lekte med elden") (The sequel to "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and Part 2 of the "Millennium" trilogy)
STORY: "Mikael Blomkvist, publisher of Millennium magazine, has made his living exposing the crooked and corrupt practices of establishment Swedish figures. So when a young journalist approaches him with a meticulously researched thesis about sex trafficking in Sweden and those in high office who abuse underage girls, Blomkvist immediately throws himself into the investigation." - As posted on RottenTomatoes.com on 7/09/2010.
STARRING: Noomi Rapace (as Lisbeth Salander), Michael Nyqvist (as Mikael Blomkvist), Lena Endre (as Erika Berger) and others.
"I've read Stieg Larsson's whole trilogy and loved it. The first movie based on the books, Men Who Hate Women (or Girl With a Dragon Tattoo), was excellent, and this one, 'The Girl Who Played With Fire,' is even better. It's a fast-paced, tough, smart and exciting movie and its living, breathing soul is the enticing character of Lisbeth Salander, played by the amazing Noomi Rapace."
"The movie picks up right where the last movie left off, so in order to understand and enjoy it fully, you either need to have read [the first book] or seen the previous movie. This is one of the best thrillers I've seen in a long while, so it's definitely worth a watch..."
"Also, Michael Nyqvist, the actor who plays Mikael Blomkvist, is perfect for his part. Even though he and Lisbeth have very few scenes together, the chemistry that was created between them in the previous film has carried over beautifully into this. Do read the books and watch the movies, you won't regret it!" - Written by "Cissy" on IMDB.com
REVIEW #2: Title: "I'm surprised once again..." [10/10 stars]
"...This is a great movie in every aspect. Granted, I have never read the books, but I will as soon as the last movie comes out, as I don't want to spoil the ending for myself now."
"...This is, in every way, one of the best Swedish movies ever made and, as a movie, it is way better than the first part... The cast are all great actors and actresses, there's a dark, raw, sometimes gritty tone... Every scene, twist and turn has me sitting as if I sat on nails. I loved every second and I can't wait for the last part..." - Written by "DaSeAl" on IMDB.com
REVIEW #3: Title: "A fine sequel" [9/10 stars]
"...I personally thought this movie was riveting, but for different reasons than the first. Firstly, there is a lot of action in this film; I feel it was done well and it kept the film exciting. Secondly, the depths into Lisbeth's past were also revealed very well. If you didn't learn that Lisbeth is untimately very sensitive behind her 'cold' exterior, you learn it from this film."
"...I feel this is, again, a must-see and a very good bridge to the conclusion of this millennium trilogy." - Written by "MusicaEternal" on IMDB.com
STORY: "I AM LOVE tells the story of the wealthy Recchi family, whose lives are undergoing sweeping changes. Eduardo Sr., the family patriarch, has decided to name a successor to the reigns of his massive industrial company, surprising everyone by splitting power between his son Tancredi, and grandson Edo. But Edo dreams of opening a restaurant with his friend Antonio, a handsome and talented chef. At the heart of the family is Tancredi's wife Emma (Tilda Swinton), a Russian immigrant who has adopted the culture of Milan. An adoring and attentive mother, her existence is shocked to the core when she falls quickly and deeply in love with Edo's friend and partner Antonio, and embarks on a passionate love affair that will change her family forever." - From IAmLoveMovie.com on 7/30/2010.
STARRING: Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini and others.
REVIEW #1: "Movies don’t look much more romantic than this beautifully shot drama." - Marshall Fine, Star
REVIEW #2: "ATTENTION ALL MOVIE BUFFS: GET READY TO HAVE YOUR MINDS BLOWN. A bold and thrilling masterpiece – the introduction of a major talent to the world's stage. The film gets better as it goes along, culminating in a rapturous ending that exhilarates the viewer in a manner I've never felt in a movie." - Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
REVIEW #3: "IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE ADDICTED TO A MOVIE? I've watched 'I Am Love' three times, and I can feel an urge coming on for a fourth fix. A rapturously beautiful film." - Erica Abeel, Huffington Post
STORY: "Paris 1913. Coco Chanel is infatuated with the rich and handsome Boy Capel, but she is also compelled by her work. Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is about to be performed. The revolutionary dissonances of Igor's work parallel Coco's radical ideas. She wants to democratize women's fashion; he wants to redefine musical taste. Coco attends the scandalous first performance of The Rite in a chic white dress. The music and ballet are criticized as too modern, too foreign. Coco is moved but Igor is inconsolable. Paris 1920, Coco is newly wealthy and successful but grief-stricken after Boy's death in a car crash. Igor, following the Russian Revolution is now a penniless refugee living in exile in Paris. Coco is introduced to Igor by Diaghilev, impresario of the Ballets Russes. The attraction between them is instant and electric. Coco invites Igor along with his wife - now sick with consumption - together with his four children and a menagerie of birds to stay at her new villa, Bel Respiro, in Garches." - Written by "Chris Greenhalgh" on IMDB.com on 7/13/2010.
STARRING: Anna Mouglalis (as Coco Chanel), Mads Mikkelsen, Yelena Morozova and others.
"...[This is] a film that is breathtaking to look at, as well as to listen to (some of Stravinsky's music graces the soundtrack, including the original 1913 arrangement of his now celebrated 'Rite,' as well as the 1947 revised version [and] snippets of some of Stravinsky's other music)." - Written by "DaSeAl" on IMDB.com
STORY: "Avid movie-watcher and video store clerk Bazil has had his life all but ruined by weapons of war. His father was killed by a landmine in Morocco and one fateful night a stray bullet from a nearby shootout embeds itself in his skull, leaving him on the verge of instantaneous death. Losing his job and his home, Bazil wanders the streets until he meets Slammer, a pardoned convict who introduces him to a band of eccentric junkyard dealers including Calculator, a math expert and statistician, Buster, a record-holder in human cannonball feats, Tiny Pete, an artistic craftsman of automatons, and Elastic Girl, a sassy contortionist. When chance reveals to Bazil the two weapons manufacturers responsible for building the instruments of his destruction, he constructs a complex scheme for revenge that his newfound family is all too happy to help set in motion." - Written by "The Massie Twins" on IMDB.com on 8/06/10.
STARRING: Dany Boon, André Dussollier, Nicolas Marié and others.
"Jean-Paul Jeunet, director of 'Amélie' and 'A Very Long Engagement' returns with 'Micmacs,' the story of a lonely misfit named Bazil (Dany Boon) who, after being accidentally injured in a shoot-out, is adopted by a band of other misfits. Together, they take on a band of arms-manufacturers whose products... injured Bazil and killed Bazil's father..."
"As with previous films, Jeunet has produced a world of slightly-distorted reality; much like a dream. Although it does begin somewhat slowly, this is hardly a flaw, and the eventual escalation of the tension between the two forces of evil is truly winning. The ending, which I won't elaborate upon, is also delightfully funny."
"...'Micmacs' is a great near-perfect little film and I can recommend it wholeheartedly." - Written by "Foux_du_Fafa" on IMDB.com
MORE INFORMATION:IMDB Listing | RUNTIME: 105 mins. | LANGUAGE: French (with English subtitles) | COLOR: Color | MOVIE WEBSITE(S):Sonyclassics.com/Micmacs