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Summer Movie Preview:
Hidden gems…
As we’ve all come to anticipate, summer is the usual dumping ground for major studios looking to unleash their high-budget, big-name blockbusters upon us. And, of course, we love every exhilarating, action-packed moment of it. But what happens when the thrills start getting old, or you’ve exhausted every possible film that you’ve wanted to see? Here are some hidden gems in limited release that might create a respectable diversion for film buffs. (Please note: Release dates are subject to change.) ¤ C.Ho.
Rise: Blood Hunter
Blood Hunter: Watch out, Lucy Liu's out for revenge.
Release Date: June 1
Director: Sebastian Gutierrez (Judas Kiss)
Starring: Lucy Liu, Michael Chiklis, Carla Gugino, James D'Arcy
What It's About: Lucy Liu is Sadie Blake, a reporter who wakes up in a morgue, seemingly dead but actually brought back to life by a group of vampires. Coincidentally, it is a group of evil vamps that put her in that predicament in the first place. Now Sadie's out for revenge, but must feed on the blood of the innocent to survive.
Outtakes: This film features a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo by Marilyn Manson.
Why You Should See It: It’s been a while since a good, campy vampire flick has graced the big screen (and no, Blade III does not count), and an even longer time since Lucy Liu’s done anything (and no, reprising her role as Ling Woo on “Ugly Betty” does not count), so a little Blood Hunter is in order. This won’t be anywhere near rocket science, or science, or even remotely educational, but it will lull away a lazy summer afternoon.
Official Website: www.sonypictures.com/movies/rise
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 25%You're Gonna Miss Me
Release Date: June 8
Director: Keven McAlester (debut)
Starring: Roger Kynard “Roky” Erickson, Evelyn Erickson, Sumner Erickson
What It’s About: This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of Roky Erickson, lead singer of 13th Floor Elevators, the pioneers of 1960s psychedelic rock. But fame and fortune were fleeting, and now Roky is a recluse and schizophrenic drug abuser who spends his days living in filth and believing he is an alien. His only companion is his mother, Evelyn, who has also transgressed into a state of denial and is in no shape to help her son. Sumner, Roky’s estranged brother, returns home after ten years to try to help his family.
Outtakes: The film has been nominated for a 2007 Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary.
Why You Should See It: Heartbreakingly shot, this debut effort from documentary filmmaker Keven McAlester is sure to be one of those movies that linger long after the lights have gone up. Family dysfunction is an understatement when it comes to describing this film, but to see a broken family’s ultimate devotion and love (as misguided as it may be) is the silver lining in this tragic tale.
Official Website: www.youregonnamissme.com
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 82%Evening
Release Date: June 15
Director: Lajos Koltai (Fateless)
Starring: Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Patrick Wilson, Hugh Dancy, Natasha Richardson, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close
What It’s About: Constance (Richardson) and Nina (Collette) assemble at their mother’s deathbed while Ann (Redgrave) recounts her life as a young woman (Danes) fifty years prior, and the man (Wilson) she’s always loved.
Outtakes: Hollywood starlets Kate Bosworth, Rachel McAdams, and Kirsten Dunst were all at one point considered for the role of young Ann. Mamie Gummer, who will be playing a young Lila Wittenborn, Ann’s childhood best friend, is Meryl Streep’s daughter.
Why You Should See It: With this all-star cast and script written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham (The Hours), you know you’ll need the Kleenex for this one – and that’s a good thing.
Official Website: www.focusfeatures.com/evening
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 28%Ghosts of Cité Soleil
Release Date: June 27
Director: Asger Leth (debut)
Starring: Winson '2Pac' Jean, Wyclef Jean, James 'Bily' Petit Frère, Éleonore 'Lele' Senlis
What It’s About: In the Haitian slum of Cité Soleil, notorious gangs are martial law. This documentary takes a look into the political and social turmoil of this disparate city – named the most dangerous city by the United Nations – by closely following two rival gang leaders, who are also brothers and aspiring rappers. Their minions, also known as chimeres (or "ghosts"), are said to have been employed former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to bully and silence his opponents. The documentary will take place in the months leading up to President Aristide's overthrow.
Outtakes: Wyclef Jean serves as executive producer on this project, and also scores the film.
Why You Should See It: A harrowing look at the turbulent and volatile climate of Haiti, this film is a much-needed eye-opener – and a reminder that, in this world, there are bigger things than us.
Official Website: www.ghostsofcitesoleil.com
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 80%Interview
Release Date: July 13
Director: Steve Buscemi (Trees Lounge, Lonesome Jim)
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Sienna Miller
What It’s About: After a fallout with his editor, political journalist Pierre Peders (Buscemi) gets the career shaft when he’s sent on assignment to interview Katya (Miller), a famous and flighty soap opera star. Because their ideals are so far apart, the twosome can’t stand each other, but as the interview wears on, they both reveal vulnerable glimpses of themselves to the other.
Outtakes: This is a remake of the 2003 Theo van Gogh film of the same name.
Why You Should See It: An interesting premise (although it’s been done before), Interview could prove to be a chatty but insightful film about the human condition. Steve Buscemi always turns out a great performance (especially when he plays disgruntled, angry, and sardonic), and this could finally be the big break that Sienna Miller needs to live up to the hype.
Official Website: www.sonyclassics.com/interview
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 57%
Goya's Ghosts
Goya's Ghosts: The dingoes did not eat my baby.
Release Date: July 20
Director: Milos Forman (The People vs. Larry Flynt, Man on the Moon)
Starring: Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgård, Randy Quaid
What It’s About: Set in 1792 Spain, at the height of the Spanish Inquisition, Goya’s Ghosts is a story of passion, betrayal, and loneliness. Lorenzo (Bardem) and Francisco Goya (Skarsgård) are friends from different walks of life – the former is one of the priests pushing the Inquisition, while Goya is a revered painter. When Goya’s muse, Inés (Portman), is labeled a heretic and imprisoned, Goya pleads for her release, only to have Lorenzo take no mercy on the young woman. Years later, the painter has lost his hearing and been reduced to a shell of his former self when he happens upon Inés, now freed from her prison. Inés informs Goya that she had a daughter while in captivity (scandalous!), and Goya makes it his mission to reunite mother and daughter. Unfortunately, Lorenzo is back in Spain, and will do anything to keep his skeletons buried in the closet.
Outtakes: Director Forman has previously won two Best Director Academy Awards: in 1984 for Amadeus (another biographical film about a tortured artist), and in 1976 for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Why You Should See It: Love, betrayal, scandal, and anguish – this period piece has got it all. Preliminary screenings for this film aren’t exactly favourable, but with three gifted leads and a proven director, Goya’s Ghosts is worth checking out for yourself.
Official Website: www.goyasghoststhefilm.com
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 30%Talk to Me
Release Date: July 20
Director: Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou, The Caveman's Valentine)
Screenwriter: Michael Genet, Rick Famuyiwa
Starring: Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps, Vondie Curtis Hall, Martin Sheen
What It’s About: Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene (Cheadle) is an ex-con turned radio talk show host turned social activist in the culturally turbulent 1960s.
Outtakes: Based on the real life story of Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, who eventually went on to host his own television show, "Petey Green's Washington.” The show earned him two Emmy Awards.
Why You Should See It: Nothing says compelling like a movie starring Don Cheadle. And with Talk to Me, he’s found another winning role.
Official Website: www.focusfeatures.com/talktome
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 80%Fat Girls
Release Date: July (TBA)
Director: Ash Christian (Secrets Underneath)
Starring: Ash Christian, Ashley Fink, Jonathan Caouette, Robin De Jesus, Deborah Theaker
What It’s About: Billed as an offbeat comedy, best friends Rodney (Christian) and Sabrina (Fink) are social outcasts at their small Texan high school (he’s gay, and she’s overweight). With dreams of making it on Broadway, Rodney decides to take charge his life and confront his fears head on, which includes making friends with the cute new English student and dealing with his fanatically evangelical family.
Outtakes: Director and lead actor Christian directed his first film, Secrets Underneath, at fifteen.
Why You Should See It: Think Napolean Dynamite meets Mean Girls meets a low budget with virtually unknown stars. Even if Fat Girls doesn’t quite turn out to be the gut-busting black comedy it aspires to be, it’s still got a lot of heart. And in a land full of silicone and airbrushing and empty projects, this one’s one to watch.
Official Website: www.fatgirlsmovie.com
Update: The film's release date has been pushed back to October 19, 2007.Smiley Face
Release Date: July 27
Director: Gregg Araki (Mysterious Skin)
Starring: Anna Faris, Adam Brody, John Krasinski, John Cho, Jane Lynch
What It’s About: Jane (Faris), a perpetual slacker and aspiring actress, accidentally ingests her roommate’s “special” brownies and tries to go about her day, with comical results.
Outtakes: At one point, Winona Ryder was attached to star in the film.
Why You Should See It: With a young cast of up-and-coming actors that include the fabulous Anna Faris (who made us chuckle time and time and time again with her countless Scary Movie appearances), the adorable Adam Brody (who was once the quintessential geek protagonist on “The O.C.”), the hilarious John Krasinski (who melts our hearts and tickles our funny bones on “The Office” every week), and the underrated John Cho (of Harold and Kumar fame), this comedy makes for a great afternoon diversion.
Official Website: www.firstlookstudios.com/smiley
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 75%The Signal
Release Date: August 10
Director: David Bruckner (debut), Dan Bush (Gil’s Choice), Jacob Gentry (The Lady from Sockholm)
Starring: A.J. Bowen, Anessa Ramsey, Cheri Christian, Justin Welborn, Scott Poythress, Sahr Ngaujah
What It’s About: A mysterious radio transmission emitting from cell phones, radios, and televisions is turning everyone into deranged killers. Chaos ensues.
Outtakes: Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and has been picked up by Magnolia Pictures.
Why You Should See It: Not only does the film have a wicked website name, but the preliminary reviews give this one a thumbs up. If you like Stephen King’s Cell but don’t want to dredge through its 355 pages, then see The Signal instead.
Official Website: www.doyouhavethecrazy.com
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100% (from 6 reviews)
Penelope
Penelope: There's nothing like a brisk autumn day to start off your independence.
Release Date: August 17
Director: Mark Palansky (The Same)
Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant, Simon Woods, Ronni Ancona, Reese Witherspoon
What It’s About: This modern-day fairy tale follows the adventures of Penelope Wilhern (Ricci), a young woman who is born into a rich, socialite family. Things would be great, except that Penelope is afflicted with a pig snout for a nose – a product of a secret family curse that can only be broken once she falls in love. Locked away in her expansive mansion, Penelope goes through a series of calamities as her parents try to bring potential suitors to her. Finally, tired of living a life picked out for her, Penelope sets out on her own to experience the world.
Outtakes: This film was produced by Type A Films, Reese Witherspoon’s production company.
Why You Should See It: Although slightly predictable, Penelope boasts a great cast and quirky story that would melt the hearts of the most cynical.
Official Website: www.penelopethemovie.com
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 50%The Hottest State
Release Date: August 24
Director: Ethan Hawke (Chelsea Walls)
Starring: Mark Webber, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Laura Linney, Michelle Williams, Ethan Hawke
What It’s About: William (Webber), a young actor, falls in love with Sara (Moreno), an elusive singer/songwriter. The story begins in New York and takes William on a journey to Mexico and Connecticut before ending in Texas, as he pursues Sara and, in the process, finds himself.
Outtakes: She may not be a household name yet, but Catalina Sandino Moreno has already been nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Maria in Maria Full of Grace (2004). This film is based on Hawke's novel of the same name.
Why You Should See It: The caliber of Ethan Hawke’s directing abilities may still be unknown, but if The Hottest State is anything like his Linklater projects, expect lots of interesting dialogue, thought-provoking existentialist allegory, and brilliant performances. This film probably won’t have a conventional happy ending, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t be emotionally satisfying.
Official Website: www.thehotteststatethemovie.com
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 36%La Misma Luna
Release Date: August (TBA)
Director: Patricia Riggen (Family Portrait)
Starring: Kate del Castillo, America Ferrera, Adrian Alonso, Jesse Garcia, Eugenio Derbez, Maya Zapata
What It’s About: When Carlito’s (Alonso) grandmother passes away, the nine-year-old boy decides to journey from Mexico to Los Angeles where his mother, Rosario (Castillo), is an illegal immigrant working to support her family.
Outtakes: Thirteen-year-old Adrian Alonso has already racked up an impressive resume, which includes a substantial role in The Legend of Zorro (2005).
Why You Should See It: Part heartwarming family story, part social commentary on the state of illegal immigration, La Misma Luna is not to be missed. A bonus is that it features it-girl of the moment, “Ugly Betty”’s America Ferrera.
Official Website: www.foxsearchlight.com/underthesamemoon
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A