Timecrimes Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Cinematical Seven: Great Time Travel Movies
Filed under: Cinematical Seven »
Terminator: Salvation hits theaters today and to commemorate that we're looking at films that veer into the fourth dimension (that's time for us non-technical folk). Time travel is a story device with all kind of possibilities built right in. If I could travel back to 2005 and locate Jennifer Aniston would I be able to convince her that making The Break-Up was a really bad idea? I can dream, can't I? Anyway, here are seven of my favorite time travel movies.
Back to the Future (1985)
Between constant reruns on basic cable and just being a pretty awesome flick is there anyone in this world who hasn't seen Back to the Future? Eccentric scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) while demonstrating his Delorean-mounted time machine sends Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) back to the 1950s. Marty's return to 1985 must be timed to the split second to coincide with a lightning bolt that will power the Delorean's Flux Capacitor, but in the meantime Marty disrupts the event that got his parents together thus threatening his very existence. Before he can return to his own time Marty needs to put his folks back on the path to marriage, put a bully in his place and invent the skateboard all set to the music of Huey Lewis and The News. This movie is just plain fun. The following year Lea Thompson who plays Marty's mom graduated from coming on to her own son to putting the moves on a cranky water fowl in Howard the Duck.
Review: Timecrimes
Filed under: New Releases », Theatrical Reviews »
(We're reposting our review of Timecrimes to coincide with the film's theatrical release)
By: Jette Kernion
By: Jette Kernion
One of the most pleasant surprises of Fantastic Fest this year was Timecrimes (Los Cronocrimenes), which had its world premiere at the Austin fest -- and won the top prize. I went to the second screening at the festival after the audience at the first screening urged the rest of us not to miss it. Not only was the movie itself supposed to be good, but Spanish writer/director Nacho Vigalondo's Q&A was also getting buzz. (The funniest parts are unsuitable for family reading.) The movie lived up to the hype, although the plot was almost too clever for its own good.
As you might guess from the title, Timecrimes does involve time travel, but first and foremost it's a suspense thriller. Hector (Karra Elejalde) and his wife are spending a routine afternoon unpacking furniture at their new house in the country, but things aren't quite perfect. First, Hector receives an odd phone call. Then as he lounges in the backyard with binoculars, he catches a glimpse of a topless woman in the woods behind the yard. He decides to explore the wooded area, perhaps hoping for more salacious peeks, and that's when everything starts to go wrong. A man with a bandaged face seems to be attacking him, and Hector escapes to a very strange scientific facility manned by a lone scientist (Vigalondo). I can't say any more without spoiling the plot ... I hope I haven't revealed too much as it is.
Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Dec. 12
Filed under: Drama », Foreign Language », Gay & Lesbian », Horror », Independent », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », New Releases », Columns », Cinematical Indie », Indie Spotlight »
Not that it's any of my business, but are your halls decked? Is your gay apparel donned? Good! Then you have time to go to the movies, and the Indie Spotlight is here to tell you what's playing beyond the multiplexes!'Tis the season for limited-release pictures that are sort of indie films and sort of studio productions. For example, this weekend there's Doubt (in NY, LA, Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco), The Reader (NY and LA), and Che (NY and LA) -- but you've heard plenty about those films elsewhere. There's also Delgo, which is a truly independent animated film -- but it's opening on 1,800 screens, so you don't need me to tell you about it here.
Our focus is the stuff that might be under the radar, which this week includes: Adam Resurrected, Dark Streets, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Timecrimes, What Doesn't Kill You, Where God Left His Shoes, While She Was Out, and Wendy and Lucy. For the details, read on!
Wendy and Lucy (pictured)
What it is: A quiet drama about a penniless woman (Michelle Williams) whose car breaks down in rural Oregon while she's heading West to find a job. Lucy is the name of her dog and traveling companion. The film is not, as I previously believed, a biopic about the red-haired girl from the fast food place and Linus' older sister.
What they're saying: Cinematical raved about it at Cannes earlier this year, and 89% of the critics at Rotten Tomatoes agree. The consensus is that it's a tender, beautifully shot, emotionally intimate little film.
Where it's playing: New York City (Film Forum), Los Angeles (Laemmle Sunset 5).
More info: The official site has a list of release dates for a few dozen other cities.
Trailer Park: Angels, Hotels and Hogwarts
Filed under: Fandom », Trailer Trash », Movie Marketing », Trailers and Clips »
Another gaggle of fresh previews this week featuring wizards, robots, and French school teachers. Here we go:
Angels and Demons - Tom Hanks returns to the role of Robert Langdon in this prequel to The Da Vinci Code based on the novel by Dan Brown. This time he is on the trail of an ancient secret organization called The Illuminati in an attempt to prevent a terrorist act against The Vatican. This teaser trailer doesn't give much to go on, but I'm sure fans of the books are getting all tingly.
The Class - Francois Begaudeau, who wrote the screenplay and the novel on which this film is based, also stars in this French-language film as a teacher trying to reach a group of mult-ethnic students in a Parisian high school. Comparisons to To Sir With Love seem inevitable, but this looks like it could be worth a look.
The Day the Earth Stood Still - (extended international trailer) - More Keanu, more devastation and more Gort in this extended trailer. I'm torn here by the fact that this remake doesn't seem to get the idea of the 1951 original but still manages to look pretty cool on its own.
The Scary Bits: Pieces, Timecrimes & Conjurers
Filed under: Horror », The Scary Bits »
Mega-sloppy cult mini-classic Pieces hits DVD this week, but my copy hasn't arrived yet, so check out BD's fine review by slasher-lover David Harley.
If you like Leprechaun, Warlock, and comic book adaptations, Shock has some good news for you. And Twitchfilm has a great little interview with the director of Tokyo Gore Police. And MTV talks Medusas and Krakens. Oooh, and Lionsgate is planning a My Bloody Valentine special edition DVD to tie in with their remake.
Anyone remember me (and the other horror nerds) raving about a Canadian horror flick called End of the Line? If so you'll be pleased to note that the DVD is now available in R1 -- but only from Canadian distributors. More info here.
UGO has an exclusive peek at the brand-new trailer for The Grudge 3 right here.
A few weeks back, director Clint Hutchison asked me if I could take a look at his horror flick Conjurer before the DVD went to press. Unfortunately I got busy with other stuff, so I'm a bit late with my comments: This is a rather fine little gothic thriller, in no way related to slasher flicks or "torture" stuff. It's actually a rather cool '70s-style slow-burn horror tale about a young couple, a new house, and a really creepy little cabin. Definitely not a "slam-bang" horror flick, but I thought it was well-shot, well-acted, and pretty engrossing for a fairly familiar story. (The DVD comes out on November 25.)
My pal Irv over at Movies Unlimited has a few recommendations from the new Hammer "Icons" Collection.
Lastly, Nacho Vigalondo's very nifty Timecrimes has a brand-new theatrical trailer that does a fine job of introducing the movie without spoiling any of the surprises. Here it is:
The Rocchi Review -- With io9.com Editor-in-Chief Annalee Newitz!
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy », New Releases », Podcasts », The Rocchi Review: Online Film Community Podcast »
Can J.J. Abrams boldly go where many have gone before to relaunch Star Trek? Why is The Road being pushed back? How will Ridley Scott's planned adaptation of The Forever War be different from any sci-fi film in the history of the genre? And what Spanish film has sci-fi fans waiting with bated breath? Joining James this week to talk about all things sci-fi is Annalee Newitz, Editor-in-chief of the science fiction, fantasy and comics blog io9. Cinematical's podcast is now available through iTunes; you can subscribe at this link. Also, you can listen directly here at Cinematical by clicking below:
As ever, you can download the entire podcast right here -- and those of you with RSS Podcast readers can find all of Cinematical's podcast content at this link.
Set Your Sights on Magnet's Six-Shooter Series!
Filed under: Action », Comedy », Foreign Language », Horror », Independent », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Thrillers », Magnolia », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
I've done reports on the After Dark horror series, the Asylum assembly line, and the monumentally moronic Maneater collection -- so I see nothing all that strange about throwing a little genre love towards Magnet's new Six-Shooter Series. (The only difference this time around is that we're going to be talking about GOOD genre films.)To those who demand to know what the hell phrases like "Magnet Six-Shooter" mean, here's an explanation: Magnolia Films recently kick-started a genre-intensive division (called Magnet Releasing), and the guys are pretty psyched about their next six flicks. There, I've just demystified the phrase "Magnet Six-Shooter." You all owe me three dollars. And here's what's coolest about a six-flick genre series that's run by Magnolia Pictures: You'll actually get something EXOTIC out of the mix.
To use the finest example imaginable, it is Magnet Releasing that was lucky enough to land U.S. distribution rights for the stunningly awesome Let the Right One In, which is dazzling people all over the festival circuit. (And that was a great roll of the dice, as Magnolia grabbed it well before it was earning 5-star reviews across the board.) The film will open in limited release on October 24, but be sure to keep an eye out for the DVD as well. This flick is a keeper for sure.
David Cronenberg Digging the 'Timecrimes' Remake?
Filed under: Foreign Language », Horror », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Sundance », Magnolia », United Artists », Fantastic Fest », Remakes and Sequels »
The last time I saw my awesome amigo Nacho Vigalondo, it was at a Sundance party during which he was A) very thrilled to have his film play the festival, B) mega-elated that writer/producer Steven Zaillian would be involved in the English-language remake of his film (Timecrimes), and C) seriously drunk and hanging out with an overworked karaoke machine. When I pressed him for additional details, he said something to the effect of "I don't know yet, but .... Steve SALE-IAN, man! He wrote Bobby Fischer and Gangs of New York, man..." To which I responded, "Yeah, dude. Damn good writer. Plus Schindler's List, A Civil Action, American Gangster, and the awesome Falcon and the Snowman!"The drunken Spaniard's eyes went absolutely wide: "Steve SALE-IAN is remaking my movieeeee!" He was like a little kid on Christmas morning, I swear. It was an awesomely sweet thing to see. But since we weren't really sure about Mr. Zaillian's specific attachment to the remake, this fresh news is also pretty exciting. Wouldn't it be cool if the Timecrimes remake had a Steve Zaillian screenplay and a director named ... David Cronenberg?? (I've seen Timecrimes more than once, and I think Mr. Cronenberg would be a perrrrrrrrfect fit for this time-travel / serial killer material.)
The United Artists re-do is still in the very early stages, so we could see a lot of personnel changes before the American version of Timecrimes hits the scene -- but given how positive the reaction has been among festival audiences, flick-buyers, and remake makers, we might just see it a little sooner than later. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the original film, which is a favorite among the Magnolia gang, and should be getting a release some time later this year.
Gracias: Shock and Blogdecine
'Children of Men' Screenwriter Takes On 'Timecrimes' Remake
Filed under: Foreign Language », Deals », United Artists », Philadelphia Film Festival »
One of my favorite films at this year's Philadelphia Film Festival, which is wrapping up now, was the Spanish time-travel thriller Timecrimes. (Yes, yes, I know, all of you saw it months ago at Fantastic Fest, or Sundance, or whatsuch. Bully for you.) We've known for a while that an American remake is in the works, courtesy of United Artists, and having seen the film, it's obvious why -- it's a brilliantly conceived, perfectly high-concept crowdpleaser. And now the remake seems to have revved up in earnest: The Hollywood Reporter says that Children of Men screenwriter Timothy J. Sexton has been hired to write the English-language screenplay. The biggest pitfall here, as I see it, is that the original film is so simple, almost personal. That's part of its charm. The time travel is a matter of hours, not eons, and the main crisis implicates two guys, not the entire universe (though there are hints of possible larger implications). I hope that Sexton doesn't try to translate the epic scope of Children of Men -- more epic, as I understand it, than the P.D. James novel on which it was based -- to this very different project.
Sexton is also attached to the beleaguered Logan's Run remake, but who knows what's going on with that one.
AFI Dallas Announces First 15 Titles
Filed under: Documentary », Drama », Independent », Music & Musicals », Thrillers », Noir », Cinematical Indie », AFI Dallas »
The inaugural AFI Dallas International Film Festival got the city excited about movies last year. True, the purist in me felt it wasn't the most adventurous of programs, and I wish there was a wider range of docs and foreign-language titles, but the festival did stretch the boundaries of what normally plays in the multiplexes. Celebrities like David Lynch (Inland Empire), Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz), and Morgan Freeman (10 Items or Less) grabbed the attention of the local media, and it felt like "the thing to do" for people seeking a night out. I've lived here for years, but I was frankly surprised at how many folks turned out for little-known, unheralded pictures -- staying respectfully right to the end -- as well as the star-driven buzz titles.The challenge now is to build on that success. Dallas Observer film critic and blogger Robert Wilonsky at Unfair Park posted the news that the festival has announced the first 15 selections for its second edition, which will be held from March 27-April 6. Two of the films are playing at Sundance: Nacho Vigalando's Timecrimes, a time travel suspense drama I loved when it premiered at Fantastic Fest (Jette liked it too, Kim wrote about the wild Sundance party, and Scott interviewed the irrepressible Nacho), and Alex Gibney's doc Gonzo: The Life & Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson.
Other docs include the US premieres of Scott Hicks' Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts and Michael Albright's Sonic Youth: Sleeping Nights Awake as well as Robyn Bliley's Circus Rosaire, Helen Hood Scheer's Jump! and Robert Patton-Spruill's Public Enemy: Welcome to the Terrordome. Narrative feature highlights include Helen Hunt's Then She Found Me, Stuart Gordon's Stuck (based on a true story that took place in nearby Fort Worth), and the world premiere of Jeffrey Goodman's "noirish thriller" The Last Lullaby. As we did last year, we'll be covering the festival at Cinematical, so stay turned for regular updates.
Peter Jackson Says Spielberg's 'Tintin' is Done Filming, but...
Interracial Harmony: 'Ninja Assassin' vs. 'Blind Side'
Spin-ematical: New on DVD for 11/24_thumbnail.jpg)
Exclusive 'Nine' Poster Premiere!
Exclusive: Title Track for 'The Road' Soundtrack
_thumbnail.jpg)
