13Tzameti Tagged Articles at Cinematical

I think for fans of the psychological thriller, 13 Tzameti, an American remake probably seemed like a bad idea from the get-go -- to be honest, most of them usually are. But with the film's original creator at the helm, and the addition of Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, and Ray Winstone, hopefully it has helped raise our expectations for the update ever so slightly. But the remake won't just be a boys club this time around, because The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Emmanuelle Chriqui (Cadillac Records) has joined the remake of Géla Babluani's Sundance winner.

The original film, released in 2006, centered on a young construction worker who in a desperate attempt to earn money for his family is swept up in a deadly game of Russian Roulette that has been turned into a 'spectator sport'. There aren't many details about the plot for the remake, but Babluani has confirmed that he will not be remaking the film 'shot-for shot', and that some of the story elements will be changed. I don't want to give anything away, but if you have seen the original film, then you probably have a pretty good guess as to what Babluani might have in mind for his re-write.

Chriqui might be best known as Sloan McQuewick on HBO's Entourage, but she has been slowly building her film resume with everything from teen horrors to 'empowering' indies (although it's probably for the best if she leaves Don't Mess with The Zohan off her resume). It shouldn't come as a surprise that in most of her work, her looks have played a large part in the roles she is offered; hookers, porn stars, you name it. I just hope for her sake, Babluani is going to give her something just a little more exciting to do this time around.

Man, kids grow up right quick. The Hollywood Reporter posts that Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love and He's Just Not That Into You) and Nicholas Hoult have joined the Isherwood adaptation A Single Man -- which I wrote about recently when Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, and Matthew Goode signed on. Goodwin will play a suburban mom who doesn't share her husband's dislike of Firth, their gay neighbor, while Hoult plays Kenny -- "a sexually ambiguous grad student who shows an unusual interest in the professor." Now, I didn't mention Hoult's credits yet because i was saving it for last -- this is the kid from About a Boy. Yes, that's his picture to the right. God, he's grown up!

In other news... It's a little hard to write about this 13... After I read Variety's quite-specitic casting piece, I read Christopher Campbell's review, which notes that some oft-mentioned plot points are pretty spoilerish. So here's what I will say: This is an English-language remake by Gela Babluani of his award-winning thriller 13 Tzameti. It's been cooking up since names like DiCaprio, Ledger, Phoenix, and Maguire were circling it. Sam Riley (Ian Curtis in Control) beat them to the gig, and then the likes of 50 Cent, Mickey Rourke, and Jason Statham were added. Now the above V piece says that Ray Winstone and Ray Liotta are entering the mix. If you don't care about possible spoilers, go there to learn the details of each cast member's role and what this twist is. If not: just know that it's oozing with machismo, and should make for one heck of a film.

Awhile back we told you how Géla Babluani was already keen on helming an English-language remake of his film 13 (Tzameti) (released in the States this past summer) using an all-American (as in all of the actors are American, and not just Abercrombie and Fitch models) cast. Since I haven't seen the film yet, all I know is that Kim loved it, Chris hated it and, supposedly, the trailer ruins the film's secretive plot.

That being said, the New York Post reports Joaquin Phoenix, Tobey Maguire, Heath Ledger and Leonardo DiCaprio are all circling the film's lead role, though a clear and distinct front-runner is yet to be seen. Babluani also confirmed that he will indeed helm the film and has already started scouting locations in New York and New Jersey. Based on the plot description (some dude gets caught up in a high-stakes game of Russian roulette), I would say either Phoenix or Maguire would be best here. However, if you've seen the film, feel free to chime in with your opinion too.

The full synopsis of Géla Babluani's 13 (Tzameti) is not quite a secret in the same way as those of a lot of modern thrillers. The end is not a surprise, nor is it a twist, but for me to give it away would certainly ruin one of the film's greatest elements, which is its suspenseful first act. Sadly, the film's trailer, official plot outline and other critics are giving it away, and if you haven't already happened upon the spoilers, it may be difficult to avoid them. Just be aware that going in with knowledge of what the second act entails could make you bored for awhile.

The film opens with 22-year-old Sébastian (played by Géla's brother, Georges Babluani) starting a new roofing job, one which promises a good sum of money to help him support his poor family. After a few days of work, though, he begins to doubt whether he will be receiving his advance, let alone his total amount. Then one day Sébastian overhears his client, Godon (Philippe Passon), discuss a lucrative job he's about to undertake. The assignment, details of which Godon doesn't reveal, is hush-hush enough that its instructions are to be only partially delivered to him via post. When the envelope arrives it contains only a train ticket and a prepaid hotel bill.

Odds and ends for Wednesday:

• For some reason, I love words that feature the letter 'T' followed by the letter 'Z.' Not sure what it is, but don't be surprised if I wake up hungover one Sunday and you see the name Tzerik Davis next to one of these posts. Now that things are a bit awkward, director Géla Babluani announced he will remake his award-winning film 13Tzameti in English. Even after finding a ton of success at Sundance and Venice, Babluani probably realized if Americans are going to watch this film, it will have to come in color, with a side dish of (Insert hot A-List actor here.) Oh, and hold the subtitles.

• Not in a million years had I ever considered placing the words Sarah Jessica Parker and "snuff film" within the same sentence. Wow, that was strange. The Sex in the City star has signed on to topline the thriller Vacancy for Screen Gems. Parker will play one half of a couple who check into a motel unaware that, not only are they being recorded, but they're also about to become participants in a snuff film. Please don't have her star opposite Matthew Broderick. That would be too, um, weird for me.

• Phew! Tea Leoni is still working. And here I was formulating some sort of protest (Save Tea? Free Tea? Tea Who?) to help combat those keeping her off the screen. The actress, along with Ben Kingsley and Luke Wilson, has signed on to star in the mob-ish comedy You Kill Me for Code Entertainment. Pic will revolve around a hitman from Buffalo who is sent west to "dry out" and attend AA meetings. While there, he finds a job in a mortuary and befriends the relative of one of his victims. Also on-board are Dennis Farina and Bill Pullman. If Farina can churn out a Midnight Run-esque performance, then I'm on line for a ticket as we speak.

One of the ways in which a filmmaker can start a good story is to begin the film by either having the key character experience some sort of change in his life, or putting him into some real or perceived peril. Alfred Hitchcock was a master at creating tension in his films from square one, and 13 (Tzameti) writer/director Géla Babluani follows in the traditions of Hitchcock and great film noir by starting his first feature film off with a double whammy. Twenty-two year old Sébastien has been working a job making repairs to a house belonging to Jean-François, an old man with a serious morpine habit.

The man has promised Sébastien the first part of his pay in three days. Sébastien overhears a conversation Jean-François has with another man, talking about an opportunity where he can make a lot of money. He is awaiting the delivery of an envelope with instructions; he seems very nervous about the upcoming job, saying he may not return from it . Mysterious men are watching the house, also awaiting the arrival of the envelope. The envelope arrives, bearing a train ticket and a paid hotel reservation; Jean-François promptly puts it away, and takes a long, hot bath and a morphine overdose. When he later comes back to retrieve his gear, Sébastien unwisely takes the ticket and reservation and decides to go on the trip in Jean-François' place.