a jihad for love Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Spin-ematical: New on DVD for 4/21
Filed under: Action », Animation », Comedy », Drama », Horror », Independent », Noir », New on DVD », Home Entertainment », Cinematical Indie »
The Wrestler
For all its indie cred, adult language, and exposed body parts, Darren Aronofsky's film follows a well-trod path through sports movie cliches. Still, it's anchored by Mickey Rourke's empathetic, "I've been there and I know that" performance as a world-weary wrestler, and Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood provide needed counterbalance as a wary stripper and unforgiving daughter, respectively. Also on Blu-ray. Rent it.
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Frost/Nixon
Peter Morgan's adaptation of his own stage play supplies all the "based on truth" dramatic hay that's needed, while Michael Sheen and Frank Langella sparkle in the title roles. Ron Howard's movie feels very much like a television production; as an actors' showcase, it's fine for what it is, without illuminating deeper truths. Also on Blu-ray. Rent it.
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Caprica
I've watched and watched without being converted into the worshipful fold, but for Battlestar Galactica fans already suffering from withdrawal, you can get your fix with this prequel starring Eric Stolz and Esai Morales. I'm sure it's the best thing ever made, and that you will play it over and over again. Buy it.
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Wolverine and the X-Men: Heroes Return Trilogy
First three episodes of the animated TV series. "With great tragedy in their past and their future, Wolverine must lead Xavier's disillusioned heroes against the forces of fate and destiny. Only together can the X-Men steer the course of history away from catastrophe and save us all." Doesn't that sound cool, kids? Rent it.
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Also out: Into the Blue 2: The Reef (featuring bikinis and beefcake).
After the jump: Indies on DVD, more Blu-ray picks, and Collector's Corner.
Gay Muslim Doc 'Jihad for Love' Nabbed by First Run
Filed under: Documentary », Gay & Lesbian », Independent », Deals », Distribution », Religious », Cinematical Indie »
What a coincidence -- I was just thinking that the world needs a documentary about gay Muslims, and up pops the news from Variety that First Run Features has acquired US theatrical and DVD rights to A Jihad for Love, evidently the first doc on the subject.If I'd been paying attention, I'd have noticed that the film, directed by Parvez Sharma, debuted at TIFF back in September. Reviews so far have commented on the "impressive" bravery of the interview subjects (Dennis Harvey, Variety) and the way that "dignity and despair are woven tightly together" (Jeremy Kay, The Guardian). It took Sharma six years to complete the film; the original inspiration came from his experiences after he moved to the United States in late 2000. As he told The Guardian: "Those forces came together and I felt a tremendous sense of responsibility to start a discussion of Islam that hadn't been heard before ... This was very necessary for my being a Muslim and a gay man." The doc was produced by Sharma and Sandi Dubowski, who directed Trembling Before G-d, a revealing look at the lives of gay Orthodox Jews.
A Jihad for Love will play in the Panorama section at the Berlin film festival next month. First Run plans a theatrical release in May, starting in New York City, and has already booked an engagement with the IFC Center. Variety points out that the company has experience with both gay and religious-themed films, counting For the Bible Tells Me So and Before Stonewall among its releases. A Jihad for Love certainly sounds fascinating, and may raise a few eyebrows when it opens. The film's official site has much more information, including a link to Sharma's blog.
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