|
JANUARY 2011 FEB 2011 MARCH 2011
Listed Alphabetically
BURLESQUE ***** Think Chicago, add a touch of drama, throw in romance and you have a super-sexy blend of first rate entertainment. Christina Aguilera shines in the role of a small town girl who wants to be a star and perfectly captures the innocence and glamour, with Cher in top form (and great voice) as the feisty owner of The Burlesque Lounge where Aguilera hopes to make her mark. Cam Gigandet is as sexy as ever as the guy who tries to win her heart, Stanley Tucci delivers a nother great performance as the voice of reason, and Alan Cummings is charming as the cunning gender-bending host. The music is great, the choreography sizzles and the visual flair and style of writer-director Steven Antin will blow your mind! When it comes to the vibrant, timeless world of burlesque and its recent pop culture renaissance, Antin had the kind of intimate connection impossible to ignore: his sister and Antin had recognized there was a rich story in the art form, its fans, and its performers. Antin remained true to the spirit of the art form, noting that a popular misconception about burlesque is that it is synonymous with stripping. The risqué elements of Burlesque, though, never venture beyond a cheeky suggestion or a delicious double entendre. "Burlesque is sometimes risqué, always sexy, but never sexual," says Antin "Everything we do in this movie, like with original burlesque, is intended to be something enjoyable. It's a big, friendly, bawdy, fun romp. Burlesque was entertainment for the masses in its original form, and it still is today in Burlesque." Go behind the scenes Read an interview with writer-director Steven Antin See Antin in action
THE CONCERT **** A new film from Radu Mihaileanu, the acclaimed writer/director of "Live and Become," starring Mélanie Laurent ("Inglourious Basterds"), François Berléand; ("Transporter" series), and Alexei Guskov. In this new comedy, Guskov stars as Andrei Filipov, a once celebrated Russian conductor of the Bolshoi who has hit rock bottom and is now working as a depressed custodian who drinks too much. But when he intercepts an invitation meant for this former orchestra to perform in Paris, Andrei masterminds a plan to pose as the leader of the group in order to make a triumphant return to the music scene. With a motley bunch of former musicians at his side, Andrei sets off for Paris to fulfill his destiny and return to his glory as a great conductor. Along the way, he will reunite with a young, beautiful violin virtuoso played by acclaimed actress Mélanie Laurent who holds the key to his past and to his future. With a message of hope and making the most of second chances, "The Concert" promises to be one of the most uplifting and entertaining films of the year. Read interviews with the director, producer, composer and actors
DON CARLO Famed stage director, Nicholas Hytner makes his directorial debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Verdi's most dramatically-complex opera Don Carlos, which will be screened at Cinema Nouveau theatres nationally.Hytner is the artistic director of the National Theatre in London and is celebrated all over Europe for his award-winning and insightful stage directions. He will now lead the Met's tour-de-force cast of singers including Roberto Alagna, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Marina Poplavskaya, Simon Keenlyside, newcomer Anna Smirnova and Eric Halfvarson under Canadian maestro Yannick Nézet- Séguin's baton.For Nicholas Hytner, Verdi's Don Carlo is a sprawling epic of powerful individuals clashing with each other and with destiny in 16th-century Spain, this "ferociously pessimistic drama" is about as dark and somber as Romantic opera gets." This enjoyed a limited release at Cinema Nouveau.
EASY A Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) was a typical American high school girl, until she decided to be, well, A-typical. The student body is all a-twitter, linked-in and face-booked over Olive's supposed indiscretions. While it's not necessarily the kind of notoriety Olive was looking for, becoming the center of attention proves to be tantalizingly addictive, so much so that Olive decides not to deny the rumors. In fact, she embraces them, further playing the part by sporting a sexy new look and biting new attitude. As her story continues to mutate and take on a life of its own, Olive can't help but begin to identify with the notorious plight of the classic literary character Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter. But when Olive begins losing control of the raging rumors, she finds it's not all that easy to put out a wildfire. Unless she's able to clear things up, other people's lives are going to suffer greatly as a consequence. Go behind the scenes
GUN ** Penned by world-class, multiplatinum wrapper and filmmaker Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, it delves into the lives of two friends, played by Jackson and Kilmer. In the face of rising crime rates and gun violence, the Detroit Police launches a full-scale war against gun runners. With the cooperation of the Feds they target a criminal named Rich (Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson) and his arms operation. When a gun exchange goes bad and Rich's old friend Angel (Val Kilmer), steps up big time and saves his life, they form a bond that makes his supplier and lover, Gabriella (AnnaLynne McCord) paranoid. But there is a snitch in the group and Gabriella's biggest deal goes bad only to have an even bigger secret revealed, one that rocks Rich to his core. Go behind the scenes
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS In a modern, 3D family comedy take on the classic tale, Jack Black (star of "Kung Fu Panda" and "School of Rock") is Lemuel Gulliver, a lowly mailroom clerk at a New York newspaper. After Gulliver bluffs his way into an assignment writing about the Bermuda Triangle, he goes there only to be transported to an undiscovered land, Lilliput. In this fantastical new world, Gulliver is, at last, a bigger-than-life figure -- in size and ego - especially after he starts telling tall tales, taking credit for his world's greatest inventions, and placing himself at the center of its most historic events. Gulliver's position is enhanced even further when he leads his new friends in a daring battle against their longtime enemies. But when Gulliver loses it all and puts the Lilliputians in peril, he must find a way to undo the damage. Ultimately, Gulliver becomes a true giant among men only when he learns that it's how big you are on the inside that counts. Go behind the scenes of Gulliver's Travels
HAMLET A ew production of Shakespeare's classic will have its premiere on the big screen. Directed by NT Live artistic director, Nicholas Hytner, this iconic play follows Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, who sees his father's ghost. Tormented with loathing and consumed by grief, he must avenge his father's murder. What he cannot foresee is the destruction that ensues. Following his celebrated performances at the National in Burnt by the Sun, The Revenger's Tragedy, Philistines and The Man of Mode, Rory Kinnear plays Hamlet. with Clare Higgins as Gertrude and Ruth Negga as Ophelia. This enjoyed a limited release at Cinema Nouveau.
HEREAFTER ***** Clint Eastwood's thought provoking and captivating Hereafter is not a razzle dazzle extravaganza of an afterlife, but poignantly depicts how death affects the living and perpetuates life. Peter Morgan's intelligent script probes the loss 3 characters suffer due to the consequence of death, and follows their journey to overcoming the mystery that clouds their lives. At its core, it is a gentle love story, showing how the search for meaning and understanding can possibly lead to fulfillment and happiness. Eastwood keeps the focus sharply on his characters, with Matt Damon delivering a sensitive performance as a revered psychic, well supported by Belgian actress Cécile de France as a popular French anchorwoman and political journalist whose life is forever changed when she experiences the devastating force of a tsunami; and George McLaren as a London schoolboy who is tragically separated from his twin brother. Their lives intersect, forever changed by what they believe might--or must--exist in the hereafter. Go behind the scenes
LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS *** A charming candy floss romance that shows what happens when the perfect couple, a match made in heaven, crosses the devilish threshold of physical pleasures to ponder questions of love and commitment. Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway bare more than their acting talent for pure titillation in the roles of a young couple who decide to keep their clothes on and start talking. Hathaway plays an alluring free spirit who won't let anything, including a formidable personal challenge, tie her down. But she meets her match in a smooth talker whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with women and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales. Their relationship takes them both by surprise, as they find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug: love. Most relationships proceed from love to sex. This one goes the opposite direction and thus makes an unexpected film from an unconventional love story. Go behind the scenes See the cast in action
MADE IN DAGENHAM ***** Oh, what lovely war indeed! The battlefield is the worksplace, and the soldiers ordinary women who were reclassified as unskilled and protested against sexual discrimination and equal pay. This delightful dramatisation of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, features Sally Hawkins in top form as the fast-talking, no nonsense Rita O'Grady, the catalyst for the strike by 187 sewing machinists, whose fiery temper and occasionally hilarious unpredictability proves to be a match for any man. With humour, common sense and courage they take on their corporate paymasters, an increasingly belligerent local community, and finally the government itself. This charming satire was directed by Nigel Cole, who also directed The Calender Girls, , who had actually grown up near Dagenham around the time of the strike "It is an inspiring story and it's so great to feel like you're telling a story that needs to be told." Go behind the scenes
THE NEXT THREE DAYS ***** To suspend disbelief successfully, we have to believe, and writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash) never lets go for a minute, masterfully manipulating the action, drama and his captive audience. Haggis' plotting is intriguing, only allowing the viewers to share the subplot that shows what really happened in the crime that perpetuates the action. This intimate bond that Haggis cleverly establishes between the film and its audience, allows for an emotional connection with the characters. Russell Crowe delivers a powerful performance as a teacher whose idyllic family life is shattered when his wife (Elizabeth Banks), is arrested for a murder she says she didn't commit. Three years into her sentence, John is struggling to hold his family together, raising their son Luke and teaching at community college while he pursues every means available to prove her innocence. With the rejection of their final appeal, Lara becomes suicidal and John decides there is only one possible, bearable solution: to break his wife out of prison. This is one prison break you will never forget and is gauranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you are looking for entertainment that has bite, this is it, Go behind the scenes
SECRETARIAT **** Everyone needed a hero. They got two. One is a massive, chestnut-colored horse, known to his friends and family as Big Red. Everyone else will call him Secretariat. The other, a self-described Denver housewife, is less recognized, but she is as gallant and charismatic as her steed. Her name is Penny Chenery Tweedy, and her faith in this horse will galvanize the nation, revolutionize horse racing and, ultimately, change her life's course entirely. Based on the remarkable true story, it chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father's Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery, with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich), manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time. Go behind the scenes Read Interview with director Randall Wallace
SKYLINE **** In the Sci-Fi Thriller, SKYLINE, strange lights descend on the city of Los Angeles, drawing people outside like moths to a flame where an extraterrestrial force threatens to swallow the entire human population off the face of the earth. SKYLINE is directed and produced by the brothers Strause (Alien vs. Predator: Requiem), whose company Hydraulx has provided visual effects for Avatar, Iron Man 2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and 300. Go behind the scenes
SPLICE **** An absolutely terrifying nightmare that is so vivid that you will stop breathing. Besides the unbelievable effects and co-writer/ director Vincenzo Natali's astounding visual flair, it is a powerful story that resonates with audiences today with its daring probing of issues surrounding cloning. It is equally a hard-hitting story of obsessive love, and how this potent drug can destroy humanity. You will never forget Dren and will see the world differently after this disturbing and sometimes shocking journey into the pit of darkness. Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley deliver powerful performances as the couple drawn into this hellish experience, with Delphine Chanéac an absolute sensation as Dren. The story tells of two superstars of the genetic engineering world who specialize in splicing together DNA from different animals to create fantastical new hybrids. The charismatic couple wants to use human DNA in a new hybrid - something that could yield astronomical medical benefits. The pharmaceutical company that funds their research, however, is more interested in exploiting their earlier triumphs for easier, short-term profit. Clive and Elsa secretly conduct their own experiment. The result is Dren: an amazing creature who exhibits an array of unexpected developments, both physical and intellectual. Dren exceeds their wildest dreams... and, ultimately, their most terrifying nightmare. Go behind the scenes
TANGLED When the kingdom's most wanted (and most charming) bandit is forced to make a deal with the golden-haired, tower-bound teen, the unlikely duo sets off on a hilarious, hair-raising escapade complete with a super-cop horse, an over-protective chameleon, and a gruff gang of pub thugs. The handsome bandit, Prince Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi), has sailed through life by looking good, talking fast and being lucky - but when he picks a mysterious and secluded tower as his hideout, it looks like his luck may have run out. Flynn is knocked out, tied up and taken hostage by the beautiful and feisty Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), whose 70 feet of magical, golden hair, which she can use like powerful tentacles, isn't even the strangest thing about her. Locked-away and lonely, Rapunzel sees this smooth-talking bandit as her ticket out of the tower. One comical kidnapping and a bit of blackmail later, Flynn and his curious captor are off on one of the most tangled tales ever told. Go behind the scenes
THE TOURIST ***** The chemistry between Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp ignite this Hitchcock flavoured romantic spy-thriller. Depp stars as an American tourist whose playful dalliance with a stranger leads to a web of intrigue, romance and danger in The Tourist. During an impromptu trip to Europe to mend a broken heart, Frank (Depp) unexpectedly finds himself in a flirtatious encounter with Elise (Angelina Jolie), an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path. Against the breathtaking backdrop of Paris and Venice, their whirlwind romance quickly evolves as they find themselves unwittingly thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Go behind the scenes
WINTER'S BONE ***** When all hope seems lost and life is unbearable, the passion and willpower of a dirt-poor 17-year-old girl to save her home and family lies at the heart of this powerful and gut wrenching exploration of the human condition. Director Debra Granik gives us a heartfelt glimpse into the lives of a rural community living on the edge of darkness and shows the tremendous impact the kindness of strangers have om broken lives. Winner of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival's Grand Jury Prize and Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, it is directed by Debra Granik (DOWN TO THE BONE) and adapted for the screen by Granik and Anne Rosellini. Based on the best-selling novel by Daniel Woodrell, this tense, naturalistic thriller stars Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Kevin Breznahan, Dale Dickey, Garret Dillahunt, Sheryl Lee and Tate Taylor. Read an interview with Debra Granik
BACK TO LATEST RELEASES
HOME
|
|
