Shelter Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Yesterday, I wrote about the upcoming movie Shelter, which will star Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. But did you know that there's almost twenty "Shelter" films listed over on IMDb? Some are foreign, a couple were on television, and the rest all just have the same name. (I guess no one checks their title on that wonderfully handy database.) While one gears up to get bloody, another is going into limited release this April.

I was alerted to this other project by a certain Mr. W, who was reading Cinematical and was so excited to see that I was writing about Shelter. Then he saw that my Shelter wasn't his Shelter. This other movie, all wrapped up and waiting for the big screen, is a romantic sports drama written and directed by Jonah Markowitz, and it's just as worthy of a post.

The story: Although he has dreams of going to art school, a young surfer named Zach works in a crappy job and helps take care of his sister's son. When his best friend's older brother Shaun comes home and the two fall for each other, Zach is caught between his own passions and his family's needs. It looks like a great film, and it's already won a bunch of awards at Gay & Lesbian fests -- from Best Film and Best Cinematography to Favorite Feature. But don't just take my word for it, or the word of all the people behind the films 6 awards, check out the trailer after the jump.

Less than a month ago, I brought you word that Julianne Moore was going to star in a new horror thriller called Shelter -- a project that has been in the works for a good 4 years now. With a star in place, and production to begin late next month in Pittsburgh, Variety reports that she's got a co-star; none other than Henry the VIII himself, Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Now Variety says that the logline (one-sentence film summary) is "being kept under wraps," but as I mentioned last time, this project has been around for ages, and MovieWeb put up a summary back in 2004 (the original THR link is dead). Unless there's been a major rewrite, Michael Cooney's script "follows a female forensic psychiatrist who specializes in debunking multiple personality disorder. When she discovers that her latest patient's various personalities are all murder victims, she struggles to find a logical explanation for the man's delusion."

I think what I like best about Julianne Moore is that she is this reliable actress that never really changes -- in a good way. She's usually in good movies (only some stinkers now and then); she gives great performances; she's comfortable in her own skin (her lips haven't double in size, nor has her skin gotten really taut*); and she's known but not sensationalized. Now she's headed for Shelter.

Variety reports that she will be starring in the upcoming supernatural horror thriller, which is being produced by Nala Films. Film details are being kept under wraps, but the project is coming from a script by Michael Cooney (Identity), and will be directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein (Storm) this March in Pittsburgh -- for a solid $22-$25 million price tag.

Now, while they're trying to keep plot details a secret, the project has been around for years and according to MovieWeb back in 2004: "Shelter follows a female forensic psychiatrist who specializes in debunking multiple personality disorder. When she discovers that her latest patient's various personalities are all murder victims, she struggles to find a logical explanation for the man's delusion." As long as it's better than Hannibal, I'll be happy.

*Typo corrected thanks to Cath.

Defiantly planting themselves on the Los Angeles film calendar in the midst of blockbuster season, Outfest aims to celebrate all types of gay and lesbian films -- and is legendary for fabulous parties, too. Now in its 25th year, the festival began last Thursday; Kim Voynar has already noted some of the anticipated highlights. The festival 's opening gave Ernest Hardy a chance to ruminate on the current state of queer cinema. Writing in the LA Weekly last week, Hardy began: "Watching most contemporary queer movies, particularly the American ones, is to see art reflect the downside of the progress achieved in the culture wars." A great read.

Hardy's an excellent writer; in his blog, he reviews RuPaul's Starrbooty. Fellow LA Weekly writer Chuck Wilson made some general observations about the festival and reviewed several titles, singling out The Bubble (from Israel) and While You Are Here (from Germany). Taking a different approach at indieWIRE, Kim Adelman sang the praises of 15 outstanding shorts in the program, notably Pariah. Ross von Metzke has been filing daily dispatches for GayWired.com, in his latest, he says that Jonah Markowitz's Shelter is so refreshing "that it's the first time a gay American film from a gay American filmmaker has really resonated with me." Just to add a little swank, Mr. Nightlife Hollywood has a photo post from the cocktail reception for the doc For the Bible Tells Me So, which just got distribution. Greg Hernandez says seeing the film was at the top of his list of rich, special Outfest experiences. Andre Soares posted an opinionated overview and has followed up with more daily highlights. The festival continues through Monday, July 23.