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Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 by Mudsugar
Here is the jaw-dropping, eye-popping, heart-stopping movie epic we’ve been waiting for all year. It’s gonna be so awesome! —————————- |
Just a reminder, in case you don’t watch tv or read the newspaper, KING KONG is released tonight at 12:01 am. Check out it’s |
Posted on Thursday, December 8, 2005 by Mudsugar
Our Picks for the Week of Friday, December 9 — Thursday, December 15 Please Note: We are only reviewing independent films at this time. This will change in the near future.
This is our Pick of the Weekend. That ends on Tuesday when King Kong hits the screens (see below). Synopsis: From writer/director Stephen Gaghan, winner of the Best Screenplay Academy Award for “Traffic,” comes Syriana, a political thriller that unfolds against the intrigues and corruption of the global oil industry. From the players brokering back-room deals in Washington to the men toiling in the oil fields of the Persian Gulf, the film’s multiple storylines weave together to illuminate the human consequences of the fierce pursuit of wealth and power. (Warner Bros.) Official Site | IMDb | Metacritic Reviews | View the Trailer Starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Amanda Peet, Jeffrey Wright, Tim Blake Nelson, Christopher Plummer, Chris Cooper, William Hurt, and Mazhar Munir. Directed by Stephen Gaghan. Drama, Suspense/Thriller. Rated R.
Synopsis: Set in a mysterious and exotic world which still casts a potent spell today, the story begins in the years before World War II, when a Japanese child is torn from her penniless family to work as a servant in a geisha house. Despite a treacherous rival who nearly breaks her spirit, the girl blossoms into the legendary geisha Saguri. Beautiful and accomplished, Saguri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man beyond her reach. (Sony Pictures) Official Site | IMDb | Metacritic Reviews | View the Trailer Starring Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, K?¥ji Yakusho, Kaori Momoi, Youki Kudoh, Li Gong, and Kenneth Tsang. Directed by Rob Marshall. Drama, Romance. Rated PG-13.
Synopsis: C.S. Lewis’ timeless adventure follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings — Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter — in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of hide-and-seek in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch’s powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis’ icy spell forever. (Walt Disney Pictures / Walden Media) Official Site | IMDb | Metacritic Reviews | View the Trailer Starring Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, and Kiran Shah. Directed by Andrew Adamson. Action, Adventure, Drama, Family/Kids, Fantasy. Rated PG.
Synopsis: In the winter of 1971, a month after the revelations of the My Lai massacre, a public inquiry into war crimes committed by American forces in Vietnam was held at a motel in Detroit. Organized by Vietnam Veterans Against the War with support from Jane Fonda and Mark Lane, more than 125 veterans (including the young John Kerry) spoke of atrocities they had witnessed and committed. Though attended by press and television news crews, almost nothing was reported to the American public. This rarely-seen documentary eerily reminds us that recent tortures and murders of prisoners held in detention by the American military may not be as unprecedented as the government claims. Official Site | View Trailer (Quicktime) | One week only Special Engagement starts this Friday at E Street Cinemas. Produced and Directed by the Winterfilm Collective. Documentary. Rated NR. Synopsis provided by the Winterfilm Collective.
Opening Tuesday night at 12:01am >>  King Kong starts Tuesday at midnight. Photo © Buena Vista
I’m already betting on King Kong to be the best movie of the year. Either way, I’ll be the geek at the front of the line when it opens at 12:01 am Tuesday night (Thursday morning). it’s finally here. Sorry, I’m totally geeking out. This is our Pick of the Week and possibly the year. Synopsis: Director Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) helms the dramatic adventure King Kong, bringing his sweeping cinematic vision to the iconic story of the gigantic ape captured in the wild and brought to civilization where he meets his tragic fate. (Universal Studios) Official Site | IMDb | Metacritic Reviews | View the Trailer Starring Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Andy Serkis, Jamie Bell, Kyle Chandler, Lobo Chan, and Thomas Kretschmann. Directed by Peter Jackson. Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Suspense/Thriller. Rated PG-13.
Still Playing & Recommended: Capote, Darwin’s Nightmare, Good Night & Good Luck, Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire, Jesus is Magic, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Machuca, Paradise Now, Pride & Prejudice, The Squid and the Whale, Walk the Line |
Syriana
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Winter Soldier
King Kong|
Posted on Friday, December 2, 2005 by Mudsugar
Our Picks for the Week of Friday, December 2 ‚Äî Thursday, December 8  Darwin’s Nightmare photo 2004 (c) coop99
Synopsis: When the Nile perch, a voracious predator, was introduced into Africa’s Lake Victoria as a scientific experiment, the new fish extinguished most of the native species, but multiplied so fast its white fillets are today exported around the world. Huge cargo planes come daily to collect the latest catch in exchange for their southbound cargo: Kalashnikovs and ammunitions for the uncounted wars in the dark center of the continent. This booming multinational industry of fish and weapons has created an ungodly globalized alliance among an army of local fishermen, World Bank agents, homeless children, African ministers, EU commissioners, Tanzanian prostitutes and Russian pilots. “I could make the same kind of movie in Sierra Leone, only the fish would be diamonds, in Honduras, bananas, and in Libya, Nigeria or Angola, crude oil.” — Director Hubert Sauper Official Site | Now Playing at E Street Cinemas. Winner of 16 international film awards and our pick of the week. Written & Directed by Hubert Sauper. Documentary. Rated NR. Synopsis provided by Celluloid Dreams.
I really wanted to tell you to go and see this film. I also wanted to tell you that Aeon Flux was amazing and did justice to the its roots as a highly praised animated series on MTV. However, Paramount Pictures never released a screening for critics and, as we all know, that usually means that this will be film will be a real rotten tomato. So, I am not recommending this film, I am actually telling you to see this film at your own risk. As a fan of the original animated series, I’m going to try to forget that this film was ever made. Synopsis: In this futuristic sci-fi thriller set 400 years in the future, Charlize Theron stars as Aeon Flux, the top underground operative at war with the totalitarian regime governing what appears to be a perfect society. But is this perfect life hiding a perfect lie? Aeon is on the front lines of a rebellion that will reveal a world of secrets. Official Site | Metacritic Reviews | View the Trailer Starring Charlize Theron, Marton Csokas, Jonny Lee Miller, Sophie Okonedo, Frances McDormand, Pete Postlethwaite, Amelia Warner, and Caroline Chikezie. Directed by Karyn Kusama. Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-fi, Suspense/Thriller. Rated PG13. Synopsis provided by Paramount Pictures.Still Playing & Recommended: Capote, Good Night & Good Luck, Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Jesus is Magic, Machuca, Paradise Now, Pride & Prejudice, The Squid and the Whale, Walk the Line |
Darwin’s Nightmare
Aeon Flux|
Posted on Saturday, November 26, 2005 by Mudsugar
Our Picks for the Week of Friday, November 25 — Thursday, December 1
It’s Christmas Eve in rainy, icebound Wichita, Kansas, and this year Charlie Arglist (John Cusack) just might have something to celebrate. Charlie, an attorney for the sleazy businesses of Wichita, and his unsavory associate, the steely Vic Cavenaugh (Billy Bob Thornton), have just successfully embezzled $2,147,000 from Kansas City boss Bill Guerrard (Randy Quaid). Even so, the real prize for Charlie would be the stunning Renata (Connie Nielsen), who runs the Sweet Cage strip club. Charlie’s fondest Christmas wish is to slip out of town with Renata. But, as daylight fades and a storm whirls, everyone from Charlie’s drinking buddy Pete Van Heuten (Oliver Platt) to the local police begin to wonder just what exactly is in Charlie’s Christmas stocking. For Charlie, the 12 hours of Christmas Eve are filled with nonstop twists and turns, both on the ice and off. Official Site | Metacritic Reviews | View the Trailer Starring John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen, Randy Quaid, and Oliver Platt. Directed by Harold Ramis. Rated R. Synopsis provided by Focus Features.
Often referred to as one of the scariest films ever made, PULSE tells the story of a group of young friends rocked by the sudden suicide of one of their own, and his subsequent, ghostly reappearance in grainy computer and video images. Is their friend trying to contact them from beyond the grave, or is there something much more sinister afoot? The mysterious floppy disk they find in the dead man’s apartment may provide a clue, but instead launches a program that seems to present odd, ethereal transmissions of people engaged in solitary activities in their apartments. But there is something not quite right in the appearance and behavior of these lonely souls. Soon, there are more strange deaths and disappearances within the group, terrifying rooms sealed in red tape, and the appearance of more ghosts as the city of Tokyo‚Äîand the world‚Äîis slowly drained of life. Predating many of the Japanese horror (J-horror) films that have been re-made for American audiences (including The Grudge, Dark Water), PULSE was originally purchased by Miramax in 2001 to make way for a re-make. Eschewing gore and easy shocks for a harrowing tone unique to his cinema, writer/director Kiyoshi Kurosawa has made a dense and complex film whose metaphysical and psychological resonance will last long after the chills have subsided. Official Site | Metacritic Reviews | View the Trailer Now Playing at E Street Cinemas. Starring Haruhiko Kato, Kumiko Aso, Koyuki, Kurume Arisaka, and Masatoshi Matsuo. Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Horror. Rated NR . Synopsis provided by Magnolia Pictures.Also Opening this Week: In the Mix, Just Friends, Rent, Yours Mine & Ours Still Playing & Recommended: Capote, Good Night & Good Luck, Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Jesus is Magic, Machuca, Paradise Now, Pride & Prejudice, The Squid and the Whale, Walk the Line |
The Ice Harvest
Pulse|
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 by Mudsugar
Friday, November 18 - Thursday, November 24
Walk the Line “Walk the Line” explores the early years of the music legend, an artist who transcended musical boundaries to touch people around the globe. As his music changed the world, Cash‚Äôs own world was rocked by the woman who became the love of his life: June Carter (Reese Witherspoon). [View Trailer] Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Patrick, Ginnifer Goodwin, Larry Bagby. Directed by James Mangold. Rated PG-13. Synopsis provided by 20th Century Fox.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes. Directed by Mike Newell. Rated PG-13.Jesus is Magic Starring Sarah Silverman, La’vin Kiyano, Bob Odenkirk, Brian Posehn, Laura Silverman. Rated NR. Synopsis provided by Cinemasource.MACHUCA at Avalon Theatre Starring Matias Quer, Ariel Mateluna, Manuela Martelli, Ernesto Malbr?°n. Directed by Andr?©s Woods. Rated NR. |
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Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 by Ezzat Obaid
 photo courtesy of Menemsha FilmsMachuca, a common surname in Chile, meaning “One who is beaten but perseveres,” is also the fitting title of the new film by Chilean-born and NYU schooled filmmaker Andr?©s Woods. Andr?©s Wood tells a story of class distinction, rift, and social upheaval in this tale of friendship during Chile’s brief socialist period culminating in the events that took place during the military coup in 1973 Santiago, Chile. Pedro Machuca, played by Ariel Mateluna, is a poor boy who was brought into an upper-class private school in 1973 Santiago, Chile and befriends well-to-do classmate Gonzalo, played by Matias Quer. The characters become immersed in each others lives and view the others personal tragedies and obstacles as well as finding escape through their own friendship. Pedro’s neighbor Silvana, played by Manuella Martelli, both taunts and fondly follows both boys in their young adventures. As all the friendships grow the political climate, as well the events that are taking place in their personal lives, worsen. The bridge between both of their worlds crumbles and the events of the day produce a powerful moral challenge for all three children. Wood explains, in reflection to the perspective of his story that, “Children experience events, but they do not judge. They simply live, and bear witness.” ———————————— Friday, November 18, 8:00 PM: John Dinges, Professor of Journalism at Columbia University and author of The Condor Years: How Pinochet and His Allies Brought Terrorism to Three Continents. Dinges will discuss MACHUCA’s portrayal of the political environment in Chile during the 1970’s. Sunday, November 20, 3:00 PM: Alex Foxley, Economic counselor at Embassy of Chile and graduate of St. George’s College in Chile (1974-1981), will join Reverend Joe Eldridge, chaplain at American University and co-founder of Washington Office of Latin America, to discuss the role of religion in Chile’s social development during Allende’s democratic rule and then under military dictatorship. |
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Posted on Friday, November 11, 2005 by Mudsugar
Friday, November 11 - Thursday, November 17 In the future we will have reviews — for now we’re just letting you know the movies that we think are worth watching.
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Harry Lockhart (ROBERT DOWNEY JR.) is basically a decent guy. Sure, he’s a petty thief who skates through life on a shaky cocktail of dog-eared charm and cockeyed optimism, but he wants to do the right thing. He just doesn’t know how, exactly.|
Posted on Friday, November 4, 2005 by Mudsugar
Friday, November 4 - Thursday, November 10 In the future we will have reviews — for now we’re just letting you know the movies that we think are worth watching.
Capote Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins Jr, Mark Pellegrino, Bruce Greenwood. Directed by Bennet Miller. Rated R.Paradise Now Starring Kais Nashef, Ali Suliman, Lubna Azabal, Hiam Abbass, Amer Hlehel. Directed by Hany Abu-Assad. Rated PG-13.Jarhead Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, Laz Alonso and Matthew Atherton. Directed by Sam Mendes. Rated R. |
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