Kansas.com: Movies

Movie Maniac: Coming-of-age tale 'Mister Foe' gets weird, but it's not repulsive

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

"Mister Foe" was originally titled "Hallam Foe" when it premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2007, where it won a jury prize. After that, the film went on to a successful international festival run before having a limited theatrical release in the United States this past summer (it never came to Wichita).

The film is now available on DVD (Magnolia Pictures; rated R for strong sexual content and language), and it's a dark, twisted yet hypnotic coming-of-age tale based on the book by Peter Jinks.

We follow the troubled, mournful, 17-year-old misfit Hallam Foe (the charismatic Jamie Bell, now grown up from his big break in "Billy Elliot"), who lives in the Scottish highlands with his wealthy father (Ciaran Hinds), sister and stepmother (Claire Forlani).

It's been about a year since the seemingly accidental death of his mother. His sister is now leaving home for college, and Hallam feels he's about to get the boot next, in a scheme he thinks is being devised by his manipulative stepmother.

He refuses to leave home. But when his stepmother discovers Hallam's diary -- with drawings and writings that detail his voyeuristic obsession of watching other people's lives and activities -- she threatens to expose him unless he leaves the nest. Instead, he threatens to have her arrested, thoroughly convinced that she, in fact, killed his birth mother.

Review: 'Twilight' captures action, perfectly imperfect teen romance

CARLI CHRISTAIN — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:28 CST

Squeals, claps and giggles burst out from the audience of the Thursday midnight premiere of "Twilight" at the west-side Warren Theatre.

The moment many teenage girls (and assorted moms and boys) had anticipated had arrived: Hearthrob vampire Edward Cullen graced the big screen for the first time.

Based on the New York Times best-seller by Stephenie Meyer, "Twilight" centers on the relationship between Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and vampire-boy-of-her-dreams Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson).

No worries, avid "Twilight" readers: Director Catherine Hardwicke ("Thirteen" and "Lords of Dogtown") stays true to the saga -- except for a few minor parts -- and manages to capture the teen-angst of this love story.

Bella moves from Phoenix to Forks, Wash., to live with her dad, Charlie, the small town's police chief. Despite being quiet and clumsy, Bella attracts the attention of teenage boys at Forks High School. Naturally, she barely shows interest in them, and instead focuses her attention on Edward, whom fate chooses as her biology partner.

'Twilight' time

RICK BENTLEY — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

You could almost feel the anticipation in the air for "Twilight." Fans have devoured the novels by Stephenie Meyer with a bloodlust. They also have burned up the Internet with good and bad comments.

Now the speculation can end. The fans can see what director Catherine Hardwicke has done to their beloved book.

Stop worrying. Hardwicke's is a very loyal big-screen version of the lengthy book. A few minor scenes have been deleted. A couple of sequences got condensed. But overall, the film unfolds the same way the pages turn.

That's not necessarily a great thing. More on that later.

Hardwicke tenderly builds the love story of the emotionally lost Bella (Kristen Stewart) and BVOC (Big Vampire On Campus) Edward (Robert Pattinson). Their relationship develops under cloudy skies. That's not being metaphorical. It seems vampires have blingish skin that sparkles in direct sunlight.

Holocaust film 'Pajamas' moving but manipulative

ROD POCOWATCHIT — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is sad -- really sad.

We're not expecting a feel-good comedy given the subject matter -- the Holocaust -- but still, it's hard to believe this heartwrenching story is based on a children's book (by John Boyne).

The story is told through the eyes of 8-year-old Bruno (the wonderfully expressive Asa Butterfield), who must move from Berlin to the country with his soldier father (David Thewlis), caring mother (Vera Farmiga) and too-impressionable teenage sister.

Bruno doesn't want to move away from his friends, and, once in his new home, he quickly becomes bored. with no one to play with.

Then one day, he peers out of his window and sees a "farm" in the distance, noticing children there, too.

"Twlight" finally hits theaters today, and the vampire teen love story...

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:39 CST

• "Twlight" finally hits theaters today, and the vampire teen love story flick is the hottest thing to come along since, well, the vampire teen love story book. But if you ask me, the vamps are too pretty. How scary is a fashion model?

• "Bolt" is an animated tale (to be shown in digital 3-D in most theaters) starring the voice of John Travolta as a pampered TV pooch who thinks he has superpowers. But when he gets left in the real world, he discovers his talents don't extend off the set. I hate it when that happens.

• Indie alert! "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" has been playing in larger markets since earlier this month, and now opens in Wichita. It's an emotional Holocaust tale told through the eyes of an 8-year-old boy who moves with his family to a new home -- which just happens to be next door to a concentration camp. The boy befriends a Jewish boy being held captive, and soon they both discover the horrors of their situation.

• And three movies open Wednesday:

"Australia," Baz Luhrman's sprawling World War II-era epic that has English aristocrat Nicole Kidman and rugged rancher Hugh Jackman herding 2,000 head of cattle through the rough outback countryside.

Movie Maniac: No mistaking the danger in 'Live and Let Die'

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:05 CST

James Bond used to scare me. Or, rather, the title sequence in "Live and Let Die" scared me. I saw it when I was child way back in 1973.

First of all, I didn't like the song by Paul McCartney and Wings. Still don't.

I hated the way it misleadingly began as a gentle ballad. It sounded innocent, calming, even nurturing.

You know you did, you know you did, you know you did.

But then something goes horribly wrong. The chorus kicks in.

A star is born

ROD POCOWATCHIT — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:05 CST

Don't know who Robert Pattinson is? You will. He plays Edward in the upcoming "Twilight," the movie version of the wildly popular vampire love story that has teenage girls across the country barely able to breathe in anticipation.

The film looks to be a hit. And Hollywood has waited to unveil the movie until the holiday season, when it routinely schedules the release of some of its biggest titles.

But some movies we were waiting for --"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.' s "The Soloist" -- have been pushed into 2009.

Still, there are plenty of big films to see in the coming weeks. Here's a look at releases through the end of the year (dates and are subject to change).

Friday

'Madagascar' draws top crowds

DAVID GERMAIN — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

Families herded into movie theaters for another trek with stranded zoo animals as the animated sequel "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" led the weekend with a $63.5 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The haul for the DreamWorks Animation comedy far surpassed the $47.2 million debut for "Madagascar" over Memorial Day weekend in 2005.

Premiering in second place with $19.3 million was the Universal Pictures comedy "Role Models," starring Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd as immature adults sentenced to community service as mentors for two misfit youths.

The weekend's other new wide release, the Weinstein Co. music comedy "Soul Men," opened weakly with $5.6 million, despite the lure of Samuel L. Jackson and his late co-stars, Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes, who died last summer. Jackson and Mac play an estranged singing team on a reunion road trip to a memorial concert.

Disney's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," which had been No. 1 the previous two weekends, slipped to third place with $9.3 million, raising its total to $75.7 million.

Movie Maniac: Too bad Zack and Miri didn't make a good movie

ROD POCOWATCHIT — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:38 CST

Will writer/director Kevin Smith ever grow up? Or will he just keep making juvenile movies? I thought he was maturing as a filmmaker and individual with "Clerks 2," the sequel to the indie hit that put him on the map.

Sure, the original film was juvenile, potty-mouthed and pushed decency borders to the limit. But it was also really funny. (Dante: "I mean, aside from the cheating, we were a great couple.")

"Clerks 2" found our slacker heroes Dante and Randal 10 years down the road, still working dead-end jobs and rattling on about pop culture and sex.

But that movie was also surprisingly sweet. It wasn't afraid to say bigger-picture things about male friendship, loyalty and growing up. And it was also very funny. (Randal to Dante: "You're my best friend, and I love you... in a totally heterosexual way.")

Now Smith gives us "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. And while the leads are pretty good, and there are some laugh-out-loud moments, the whole thing just made me tired.

New this week

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:43 CST

• The little ones will surely enjoy "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," which has all the pampered zoo animals of the original film now stranded in Africa, after a foiled escape plan to return home. Starring the voices of Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith, Alec Baldwin and David Schwimmer. Penguin power!

• Indie alert! "Rachel Getting Married" stars Anne Hathaway in a knockout performance that's getting major Oscar buzz as Kym, a young woman just out of rehab who returns home for her sister's wedding. But things don't go exactly as planned, as Kym clashes with her sister, estranged mother (Debra Winger) and father. This is easily director Jonathan Demme's best film since "The Silence of the Lambs."

• "Soul Men" stars the late Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson as former members of a legendary soul group who have drifted apart, but after 25 years agree to do a reunion performance at the Apollo Theater to honor their recently deceased band leader. It's nice to see Jackson do a comedy, perhaps where he DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SO INTENSE ALL THE TIME.

• Paul Rudd co-wrote the script and stars in "Role Models" along with Seann William Scott as two energy drink reps whose wild behavior lands them time mentoring troubled kids. Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin from "Superbad") stars as one of the kids.

• And for alternative options, the Palace West's Cult Film Series offering this weekend is the original "Police Academy" and its Timeless Classics offering on Wednesday is "A Shot in the Dark," with Elke Sommer and Peter Sellers as the bumbling, hilarious Inspector Clouseau.

Hathaway's performance drives heartrending 'Rachel'

ROD POCOWATCHIT — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:43 CST

The dysfunctional family drama is almost a genre unto itself. We've seen it from just about every angle imaginable.

But director Jonathan Demme's blistering "Rachel Getting Married" treads new ground with an emotional portrait of a family so broken that it's heartrending.

At the center of it all is a remarkable, revelatory performance from Anne Hathaway, who stomps out her "Princess Diaries" and "Devil Wears Prada" days like they were bugs on a carpet.

Hathaway plays Kym, who is just returning home from a lengthy stint in rehab. She is needy, self-centered, selfish -- and to say she is a loose cannon is like saying broken glass hurts if you swallow it.

The setting is a sprawling estate in Connecticut. The family home is filled with relatives and friends flittering about in preparation for the nuptials of Rachel (the also very good Rosemarie DeWitt of TV's "Mad Men") and Sidney (Tunde Adebimpe).

Movie Maniac: Tallgrass Film Festival draws record crowd in sixth year

ROD POCOWATCHIT — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:41 CDT

Last weekend's Tallgrass Film Festival was a rousing success. Here's a wrap-up:

Biggest yet -- The film festival drew record numbers in its sixth year, with about 7,500 people attending four days of events and screenings, according to Tallgrass officials.

Audience Award winners -- Denny Tedesco's rollicking documentary "The Wrecking Crew," about a group of Los Angeles studio musicians who played on several hit albums during the '60s and '70s, was named the audience favorite, with crowds casting ballots as they left the screenings.

First runner-up was the coming-of-age tale "Alice Upside Down," while the documentary "Call Me Troy" and the Arabic film "Captain Abu Raed" tied for second runner-up. The surreal "Half-Life" was third runner-up.

Party mood -- Friday night's barbecue with Mayor Carl Brewer at WSU Shiftspace was tasty and fun (even though it was a bit chilly outside), while Saturday night's Ad Astra Gala Party buzzed with a festive, friendly vibe at the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (preceded by the Ad Astra Award presentation to Dan Glickman -- I didn't get to attend, but several people commented that the Q&A with Glickman was quite interesting).

New this week

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:39 CDT

• In the most straightforward title of the week, "Zack and Miri Make A Porno" stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks (who's having a very busy year) in writer/director Kevin Smith's ("Clerks") comedy about two lifelong friends looking to solve their respective cash-flow problems by making an adult film together. Because that's what everyone does when they're broke.

• Angelina Jolie is getting early Oscar buzz in director Clint Eastwood's "Changeling" as a 1920s mother whose kidnapped son is returned to her by police -- but she doesn't believe the boy is hers.

• Director/soon-to-be-ex-Mr. Madonna Guy Ritchie returns in his jittery-camera glory with "RocknRolla," another London crime caper that follows a real-estate scam gone wrong, some thugs looking to get rich quick and a rock 'n' roll star who everyone thought was dead. The sprawling cast includes Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton and Jeremy Piven.

• In the second most-straightforward title of the week, "The Haunting of Molly Hartley" follows a girl about to turn 18 who discovers the truth about who she really is and what she is destined to become -- all set in a pretty private school with pretty actors who are no doubt good at screaming.

• Alternative screenings this week include the Palace West's Cult Film Series offering tonight and Saturday night of "The Blair Witch Project," and its Film Classics Series with "Judgment at Nuremberg" on Wednesday.

Tallgrass has best opening yet; events continue today

ROD POCOWATCHIT — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:01 CDT

Tallgrass tidbits: Kicking off with a boom -- In its biggest opening night so far, the Tallgrass Film Festival kicked off its sixth year Thursday at the Warren Old Town Theatre with an enthusiastic and large crowd.

The documentary "What's the Matter With Kansas?," a work-in-progress look at Kansas conservatives, drew such a big crowd that the multiplex's largest auditorium filled up quickly and a second theater was opened. That auditorium filled up, too, so a third screening was scheduled later in the evening.

A fourth screening of the film has now been scheduled for 4 p.m. today at the Warren Old Town.

After Thursday night's screenings, the crowd wandered across the street to Jason Opat's Rock Island Studios for an after-party, and festivalgoers munched on snacks, sipped drinks and mingled.

All in all, a very successful, enjoyable night. Way to go, Wichita!