Robert Bell's Blog
Posted by Robert Bell
April 25th, 2008 brings moviegoers some great independent selection at the multiplex.
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane- Limited - Amber Heard stars in this teen horror romp as Mandy Lane, a plain girl whose summertime metamorphosis into a hottie gets her invited away for the weekend with the popular kids. Once in the isolated location, the teens start dissapearing one by one.
Romen De Gere - Limited - Dominique Pinon and Fanny Ardant star in this clever French thriller directed by Claude Lelouch.
Standard Operating Procedure - Limited - After winning the Oscar for 2003's The Fog of War, director Errol Morris turns to Abu Ghraib prison for this documentary. Standard Operating Procedure uses two years of research to explore the horror behind the notorious photographs taken at the prison in Iraq and how the torture depicted wasn't an isolated incident.
Then She Found Me - Limited (April 28, 2008) - Helen Hunt writes/directs/stars in this comedy drama about a woman who desperately wants to have a child despite the chaos existing around her.
Posted by Robert Bell
The first quarter of 2008 is coming to an end. With it are a few more independent films making their way to the multiplex.
Irina Palm - Limited - Belgian director Sam Garbarski assembles an international cast for this thought-provoking drama. Iconic singer and actress Marianne Faithfull stars as Maggie, a middle-aged woman whose desire to pay for her sick grandson's operation takes her down a path she never would have imagined.
The Hammer - Limited - Jerry Ferro’s 40th birthday has brought his life into sharp relief and it’s not a pretty picture.
Love Songs - Limited - In the hope of sparking their stalled relationship, Ismael (Louis Farrell of Dans Paris, The Dreamers) and Julie (Ludvine Sagnier of Swimming Pool) enter a playful yet emotionally laced threesome with Alice (Clotilde Hesme of Regular Lovers).
The Grand - Limited - The Grand is in the tradition of improvisational comedies like Best In Show and This Is Spinal Tap. The story is set in the world of professional poker and follows six players who reach the final table of the world’s second most famous high stakes tournament, the Grand Championship of Poker.
Planet B-Boy - Limited - An American dancer in Vegas looks for his big break; a Korean son seeks his father's approval; a twelve-year-old boy in France confronts his family's racism .
Boarding Gate - Limited - Controversial actress Asia Argento teams up with equally divisive director Olivier Assayas for this sexy thriller. Sandra (Argento) has left a life of prostitution behind, but her past haunts her when an old lover (Michael Madsen) returns.
Posted by Robert Bell
Friday March 7th, brings theatre patrons some more independent selection.
Snow Angels - Limited - Featuring Kate Beckinsdale, Sam Rockwell, and Olivia Thirlby, Snow Angels tells two parallel stories; one of a couple who suffer a tragedy while trying to rekindle a damaged relationship, and another of a young man dealing with the shortcomings of his parents relationship, while exploring his own love.
Fighting For Life - Wide - Documentary outlining multiple storylines of military medicine.
My Name is Albert Taylor - Limited - Swedish documentary about the avant-garde saxophone player, Albert Taylor.
Paranoid Park - Limited - A local murder brings the local police force to a high school to investigate students.
Married Life - Limited - Featuring Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, and Patricia Clarkson, Married Life is the story of a man (Chris Cooper), in love with a younger woman (McAdams), who decides to kill his wife (Clarkson) to spare her the pain of his affairs.
Posted by Robert Bell
Those looking for an alternative to big name studio movies this week may have some selection. Some independent films are finding their way to the big screen and need as much support as they can get.
Week of February 29th, 2008
Penelope – Wide Release – Christina Ricci stars as a young woman cursed to bear the face of a pig until she finds true love. Echoing fairy tales like “The Frog Prince” and “Beauty & the Beast”, “Penelope” also stars James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, and Catherine O’Hara.
Chicago 10 – Limited - Animated History lesson building up to the trial of the Chicago 7. This is the third film from director Brett Morgan and debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. Hank Azaria and Dylan Baker star.
City of Men – Limited – Based on the successful Brazilian television series of the same name, “City of Men” tells the story of two 18-year old boys who discover something about their missing fathers past that puts their friendship to the test. Helmed by Paulo Morelli, who is known for collaborating with “City of God” director Fernando Mereilles.
Bonneville – Limited – A woman (Jessica Lange) sets out for adventure on the open road after the death of her husband. Two of her friends (Kathy Bates & Joan Allen) accompany her on her journey.
