Satoshi Kon is considered one of the giants of anime. His previous films, like Perfect Blue, Millenium Actress and Tokyo Godfathers, have made big splashes not just among the otaku of America but also the critical community. His latest, Paprika, played the New York Film Festival last year and has now been given a stateside … Continue reading
I really like interviewing Shia LaBeouf, and not just because he named CHUD.com one of his top five websites in a People Magazine interview. There’s an attitude that LeBeouf has that I really like; some journalists I’ve spoken to say it feels coached to them, but I counter that what they’re sensing is the guy’s … Continue reading
Bug is an extremely unpleasant movie. Not necessarily gross, although there’s some stuff in there that made me wince. What makes Bug so unpleasant is the grimy immediacy of its environments, the inexorable downward trajectory of its story and the shocking emotional intimacy it creates with its deranged characters. What makes Bug so special is … Continue reading
I’ve had it with anime. I’ve had it with sitting through modestly well-animated movies that make no sense, that feature juvenile stories and characters and that I’m supposed to judge on a different level than I would judge any other film from any nation. It isn’t like live action Japanese films are regularly baffling in … Continue reading
Angel-A is one of the most gorgeous movies I have ever despised. Luc Besson’s black and white photography makes love to Paris, highlighting not just the beautiful architecture and geography of the city, but also the very soul of it. Angel-A does for Paris what Woody Allen’s Manhattan did for that city. But all of … Continue reading
There’s been a lot of talk these last few days about the 30th anniversary of Star Wars – a perfect storm of the modern obsession with nostalgia and George Lucas’ self-perpetuating hype machine. Many of the people going on and on about the Star Wars anniversary have been talking the film up as the opening … Continue reading
BUY IT AT AMAZON: CLICK HERESTUDIO: Anchor BayMSRP: $49.98RATED: Not ratedRUNNING TIME: Three full length movies and then some.SPECIAL FEATURES: El Topo Extras• Original Trailer• Commentary track• Jodorowsky interview short• Photo galleryThe Holy Mountain Extras• Original theatrical trailer• Commentary track• Deleted scenes short with Jodorowsky commentary• The Restoration short• The Tarot short with Jodorowsky commentary• … Continue reading
The announcement that Fox is going to make a feature film – presumably live action – based on The Sims video game is just the latest example of what the real purpose of optioning properties is (ABC picking up the Cavemen sitcom is another example): it’s all about name recognition. Rod Humble, head of the … Continue reading
Why is Matt Damon one of my favorite working actors? It has a lot to do with the choices he makes, and not just which films he should be in but also which he should skip. Like a fourth Bourne movie. While in Cannes promoting Ocean’s Thirteen (consensus from Cannes seems to be “It was … Continue reading
This could contain major spoilers for Indiana Jones IV.Earlier this week I brought you big news about Indiana Jones IV (still titled Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods, but that could change at a moment’s notice). I got more info than I shared with you, but I held it back for the simple … Continue reading