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Review: 'Nancy Please'
6 hours ago
We've all known people like Nancy. The title character of Andrew Semans' "Nancy, Please" is a real pill, dark eyes, slumped shoulders, and an eternal pout. There's always drama in Nancy's life, and she's always expressing it physically. She's always impetuous, always difficult, and frequently nasty, as if lashing out not against a single person but the world at large. In spite of it all, her punk sneer and angular sensuality is also sharp like a knife, tight like a fist. And for young potential PhD Paul, she is an out-and-out boogeyman. Working as a graduate student at Yale, Paul has just emerged from the dark tunnel of being Nancy's roommate. We're led to believe they didn't interact much, and when they did, it was slightly more than the standard tension that occurs when two young people with nothing in common share space. The more stringently academic Paul, now »
- Gabe Toro
Cannes Review: Masterful ‘Blue Is The Warmest Color’ Is The Sublime Story Of A Transformative Relationship
10 hours ago
Why do we watch movies? No, really, why is it? As close an answer as we’ve ever come to for our own, fairly evident obsession with what we consider the greatest storytelling medium humankind has ever developed, is well, that life is short. Bear with us a second on this: basically to submerge yourself in a story well-told is a way to live out other lives within your own, and through those complex and magical processes of identification, to breathe and dream and feel things that your own short span might otherwise never afford you. Of course for many movies that experience, of killing a mutant robot or whatever, may have evaporated before you’ve picked the last of the popcorn husks from between your teeth. But occasionally, very rarely, we experience the cinema not of escape but of exploration in which the discoveries you make stay with you »
- Jessica Kiang
Review: 'Before Midnight'
10 hours ago
What happened at the cliffhanger ending of 2004's "Before Sunset"? Did Jesse (Ethan Hawke) manage to catch his flight back to the United States or did he and Celine (Julie Delpy) finally re-consummate their nine-year-after-the-fact romance? These questions are answered in Richard Linklater's trilogy-concluding "Before Midnight," a charming and funny, but much more emotionally difficult and pained picture than one might have imagined. Those expecting another swooningly romantic movie are going to be in for a rude awakening. While "Before Midnight" certainly has its appealing moments of allure and levity, it's ultimately more "This Is 40"-style pain with much more honesty and real bite than Judd Apatow would likely ever go for, and when "Before Midnight" bares its fangs and becomes uncomfortable there are few moments of comedic relief or a new jaunty scene to cut to. Like the gap between "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset," the third »
- Rodrigo Perez
Watch: Cannes Clips Including 'Zulu' With Orlando Bloom & Forest Whitaker, Claire Denis' 'Bastards,' Jia Zhangke's 'A Touch of Sin' & More
11 hours ago
To the outsider, the Cannes Film Festival can be a nebulous thing. Even if you know the filmmaker or the cast, sometimes you need more context than a review to give you a sort of firmer grasp of the shape, texture and tone of a movie. Clips from the festival are landing left and right, so we thought we'd grab a smattering and ground you a little deeper than some of the reviews and pictures your may or may not have seen. So here we go. The first clip is a featurette from "Zulu," the official Closing Film of Cannes this year, that brings together some interesting talent for what seems to be a hard-boiled crime tale. Directed by Jérôme Salle ("Largo Winch" and "Anthony Zimmer," which was later remade as "The Tourist" with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie) "Zulu" stars Orlando Bloom and Forest Whitaker as a couple of »
- Edward Davis
Watch: 55-Minute Oral History Of Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining'
11 hours ago
Just how enduring has the legacy of Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" been? More than thirty years after it was made, we're still talking about, and it's not just because of Rodney Ascher's excellent documentary "Room 237." In the past while, we've seen: a prequel start developing at Warner Bros.; another conspiracy theory doc "The Shining Code 2.0" make the rounds; that helicopter shadow get explained and the lost, original ending surfacing. And so, do you want more? Well, here you go. Put together by eight students in the Film and Television program in the School of Creative Arts at the University of Hertfordshire as a project to help them earn live work experience as part of their undergraduate degree, comes a generous 55-minute oral history of "The Shining" entitled "(Extended) Staircases To Nowhere: Making Stanley Kubrick's The Shining." (Um, awesome school assignment). The history of the film is done »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Watch: J.J. Abrams Counters Alice Eve Underwear Moment In 'Star Trek 2' With Deleted Benedict Cumberbatch Shower Scene
11 hours ago
Following the release of "Star Trek Into Darkness," its male creators came under fire for a sequence where Alice Eve, playing a brilliant scientist who in the original continuity is responsible for a godlike device that can create life on barren planets, strips down to her underwear for no discernible reason. Kirk (and by extension, the camera) chooses to leer. It's a pretty unnecessary sequence and no matter how adorable Eve is (and, truly, her physique could be described as godlike), it had no real business being in the movie. While co-writer/producer Damon Lindelof has issued a public apology, director J.J. Abrams has taken a different approach. One that involves footage of Benedict Cumberbatch in the shower. That'll certainly even the scales…Over the weekend Lindelof began an email conversation with MTV News' Josh Horowitz. When the conversation turned to the question of why Eve was in her underwear, »
- Drew Taylor
Cannes: Alexander Payne May Do His Sci-Fi Film Soon; Bruce Dern Calls Him One Of 6 Directing Geniuses
12 hours ago
This morning, Alexander Payne's black and white, father/son roadtrip film, "Nebraska," debuted in Cannes. Starring the unlikely trio of Bruce Dern, comedian Will Forte and Stacy Keach, “Nebraska” centers on a poor old man (Dern) living in Montana who repeatedly escapes from his house to try to go to Nebraska to collect a sweepstakes prize he thinks he has won. Frustrated by his increasing dementia, his family debates putting him into a nursing home -- until one of his two sons (Forte) finally offers to take his father by car, even as he realizes the futility of it all. It’s a comedy, and while our reviewer didn’t necessarily love it, she called it a “small-scale quixotic adventure about the importance of dreams,” and coming from Alexander Payne it's probably worth giving a shot, even if it didn't surprise us as much as we’d like.In »
- Rodrigo Perez
Watch: Latest 'Monsters University' Trailer Featuring New Music From Swedish House Mafia Members
13 hours ago
A new trailer has just debuted for next month's Pixar prequel "Monsters University," which revolves around the story of how Mike (Billy Crystal) met Sulley (John Goodman) in the monster-fied version of higher education, going from bitter rivals to the best of friends. The trailer is typically energetic, made even more so by the music – a brand new dance track created by Swedish House Mafia collaborators Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso called "Roar," a song that sounds like it wouldn't be out of place at the next frat party. The trailer mostly features clips that we've seen in other trailers for the movie, but the shortness of the clip and the throbbing music that is backing it gives the footage an even more freewheeling feeling. It's clear from these early promotional materials that the breakout monster seems like it's going to be Art, a purple, Slinky-like weirdo voiced by Charlie Day »
- Drew Taylor
Sorry 'The Avengers 2,' 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' Will Get Quicksilver On The Big Screen First
13 hours ago
So, is "X-Men: Days Of Future Past" gonna be the "Where's Waldo" of comic book movies? Because this is now beyond ridiculous, moving into the surreal. Just to refresh your memory: Charles Xavier, Professor X, Young Magneto, Old Magneto, Beast, Storm, Mystique, Wolverine, Rogue, Shadowcat, Iceman, Colossus, and Blink are all set to appear, along with other roles slated to be played by Peter Dinklage, Omar Sy, Booboo Stewart, Fan Bingbing and Adan Canto. And now, Bryan Singer is throwing another nerd log on the fire, with yet another comic character set to spent five seconds on screen. Here's a little mud in your eye "The Avengers 2" -- Evan Peters is going to play Quicksilver in 'Future Past.' Why? Because we're sure it's integral to the story and has nothing to do with Fox wanting to lay claim to the character since it was confirmed he appears in »
- Kevin Jagernauth
The 5 Best Episodes Of 'Arrested Development' From The First 3 Seasons
14 hours ago
"Arrested Development," as the opening credits inform us, is the story "of one wealthy family, who lost everything and the son who had no choice but to keep them all together." This synopsis, about the Bluth family and their continued struggles, makes it sound like something out of the Chuck Lorre factory of middlebrow mediocrity. But "Arrested Development," created by cracked genius Mitchell Hurwitz, would go on to become one of the most beloved (and short-lived) comedy series in the history of television, one whose fan-base was so outspoken that this weekend the series will be resurrected with a collection of episodes airing exclusively on Netflix's streaming service. The unthinkable has happened: The Bluths are back from the dead. In honor of this glorious return, which is far more impressive than Jesus showing up, we decided to run down the five best episodes from the first three seasons of this twisted series. »
- The Playlist Staff
Steven Soderbergh To Direct 10-Episode Cinemax Series 'The Knick' Starring Clive Owen
14 hours ago
....and hiatus over. It's safe to say that Steven Soderbergh has pretty much done it all in the cinema world (except make a western, which he has said is not a genre he's a particular enthusiast for) and has grown a bit weary of storytelling in that format. He's been there, done that, won a Palme d'Or and an Oscar, so now it's time to conquer a new medium, so how about television? Okay, he went down that road a bit with the short lived "K Street" in 2003, but the industry has changed massively in the ensuing decade. Now, Soderbergh is getting back behind the camera. He'll be taking on "The Knick" over at Cinemax, a ten-episode series (which he'll helm every episode of -- take that David Fincher!) set to star Clive Owen. Sweet fancy moses. Sounding like an old-timey "E.R.," the show is set in 1900s New »
- Kevin Jagernauth
New Look At Naomi Watts As Princess 'Diana,' Film Slated For Oscar Season Release
15 hours ago
Could best friends Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts end up duking it out Best Actress, with both women taking on biopics of famous faces? It looks to be that way as Kidman's "Grace Of Monaco" will now test its elegance against Watts' "Diana." The Olivier Hirschbiegel film, penned by Steven Jeffreys ("The Libertine"), will focus on Princess Diana's affair with Dr. Hasnat Kahn (played by "Lost" star Naveen Andrews) that lasted from 1995 until a few months before her death in 1997. It was a tumultuous time for the royal, who was increasingly trying to find ways to avoid the press who dogged her every move, which became a factor in the relationship eventually ending. It's a meaty role, taking on a particularly interesting moment in Diana's life and Entertainment One have snapped up the North American rights, and are planning an Oscar season release. So, could it be Kidman, Watts »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Watch: Jon Favreau Directed Ad For Videogame ‘Destiny’
16 hours ago
The two sides of Jon Favreau can't be better exemplified than by two recent projects. The writer/director/producer/actor is currently gearing up his little "indie" flick "Chef" (starring A-list types Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara and more) but has found some space between "Iron Man 3" and his next feature effort, to shoot a little commercial for a videogame company. Dude knows how to multitask and keep his toes in the commercial and not-so-commercial worlds. Bungie and Activision are lauching "Destiny" this fall, a brand new buttonmasher that kind of looks like "Halo," but then again the last videogame I played was on the PlayStation 2. Anyway, he ropes in the always excellent Giancarlo Esposito (whom he directed in the pilot episode of "Revolution"), in a spot that someone links "The Jungle Book" with taking a last stand in the last city on Earth. It's live action intercut with gameplay scenes, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Watch: 1-Hour Ridley Scott Documentary 'Eye Of The Storm'
16 hours ago
Still (im)patiently awaiting Ridley Scott's, Cormac McCarthy penned crime tale "The Counselor" coming later this year? Yeah, so are we. But until then, here's a nice little treat to tide you over -- a one-hour documentary on the career of the filmmaker from the British series "Omnibus." Titled "Eye Of The Storm," the 1992 documentary was made circa "1492: Conquest Of Paradise" and covers Scott's career from his early days at school right up until the present time of the doc. An array of collaborators are brought into for their input with Tony Scott, H.R. Giger, Sigourney Weaver, Michael Douglas, Callie Khouri and more participating. It's pretty decent vintage trip down memory lane, and it's always fascinating to get perspective on a filmmaker's career during different points in their life, so give this one a spin below. »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Watch: New Trailer For Ron Howard's 'Rush' Has The Will To Win
16 hours ago
Ron Howard hasn't just been sitting around narrating the upcoming episodes of "Arrested Development." The director has putting the details on his next feature effort, the true story racing saga "Rush," and while a movie about gears and waving flags might seem like a drag on paper, he's chose a helluva tale to spin on the big screen. And a new trailer is here to give the dudes from "Fast & Furious" a serious run for their nitro. With smoke and wheels churning and crashes galore, this amped up 90 second spot is aimed square at the bros in the audience, and offers up some adrenalized action. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl and Olivia "British Accent" Wilde, the movie chronicles the rivalry between English racer James Hunt and Austrian Niki Lauda, as they carried their thirst for competition through the European circuit, resulting in some pretty hairy and scary moments. It's really »
- Kevin Jagernauth
5 Things You Can Expect From Nicolas Winding Refn's Polarizing, Moody & Brutal 'Only God Forgives'
17 hours ago
As you may have heard by now, the reception for Nicolas Winding Refn's latest "Only God Forgives" was mixed at the Cannes Film Festival, with a smattering of boos mixed in with applause during the press screening on Wednesday morning. Our review by Jessica Kiang didn't find much substance beyond the gorgeous stylization, but I would beg to differ that there is much more going on than just a twisted, Oedipal, coming-of-age story (of sorts). I would wager that beneath the slick surface is a story about breaking a cycle of violence...and that's all I can really write about it, without spoiling things further. But needless to say, for anyone who is a Refn or Ryan Gosling fan, the pair truly commit themselves to a unique vision on their second collaboration, and "Only God Forgives" is definitely worth tracking down to see what the chatter is all about. »
- Kevin Jagernauth
New Photos of 'Blood Ties'; Guillaume Canet Reveals Mark Wahlberg Was Supposed To Be One Of The Main Brothers
17 hours ago
Granted, "Blood Ties" is a bit of mess (and you can read why in our review from Cannes), but there is much to like about it too. Particularly the performances, with Clive Owen giving the best turn he's delivered in a quite a while, matched by Billy Crudup as his emotionally wounded brother and James Caan as their father who comes between the pair, eager to keep the family together. A sprawling two-and-a-half-hour saga set in the mid-1970s, the story chronicles ex-con Chris, recently out of another stint in the joint, who spirals back into a life of crime, while is brother Frank is torn between the affection he has for his brother and his duty to bring him to justice. It's a lot to tackle -- with an extended cast that features Mila Kunis, Matthias Schoenaerts, Zoe Saldana, Marion Cotillard, Noah Emmerich and Lili Taylor too -- and »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Soundtrack Details For Explosions In The Sky & David Wingo's Score For David Gordon Green's 'Prince Avalanche'
18 hours ago
Emerging from nowhere to become a Sundance hit, as well as a step forward from the director's left-of-center mainstream work, David Gordon Green's comedy “Prince Avalanche” also finds him in league with past musical collaborators. The talents of Explosions In The Sky and “Take Shelter” composer David Wingo were announced last June, and as the film gears up for release this summer, you can take a look at what the soundtrack has in store. Though Green previously used the music of Explosions In The Sky in “All The Real Girls” and “Snow Angels,” while Wingo scored both of those films in addition to “George Washington” and “The Sitter,” “Prince Avalanche” marks the first time both have collaborated on a project. The film stars Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch as two workers confined to fixing a desolate Texas road, and while we were great fans of the film in general at Sundance, »
- Charlie Schmidlin
Watch: 2 Clips & Red Band TV Spot For 'This Is The End'
18 hours ago
Upon viewing the abundance of “This is the End” clips and trailers that are available online, one thing is for certain: these guys had a lot of fun making this movie. You’ve got James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, etc. all getting to play fictionalized versions of themselves in an apocalyptic comedy co-directed by Rogen (alongside Evan Goldberg). Sounds like a grand old time. But will us average movie-going folk enjoy it half as much as they will? That’s the question. The clips released so far have been a bit hit and miss, and today we have a new red band TV spot as well as two new clips from the film that pretty much indicate the same thing. The red band spot is mostly an abridged version of the red band trailer, but the clips give us some new footage. The »
- Ken Guidry
Watch: First 2 Clips From Steamy 3-Hour Cannes Entry 'Blue Is The Warmest Color' Starring Lea Seydoux
19 hours ago
If you have a thing for Lea Seydoux, this was a good year to be at the Cannes Film Festival. The French actress spends most of "Grand Central" (read our review here) either naked or strutting around noticeably bra-less in a jean shorts and a one piece body suit. And then there's "Blue Is The Warmest Color," an epic three hour lesbian love story with love scenes that are already creating chatter, with Jeffrey Wells noting that one sequence in particular earned applause during the movie. Damn. Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche -- the filmmaker behind the awesome, under-seen foreign film, "The Secret of The Grain" which won several key Cesar Awards in 2008 and also took the Jury Prize in Venice the year before -- and based on the graphic novel by Julie Maroh, the picture tracks the up and down of a fledgling, same-sex relationship. Here's the official synopsis: At »
- Kevin Jagernauth
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