go go tales Tagged Articles at Cinematical

What is it we love so much about big-screen strippers, aside from the obvious? Is it the eyes that reveal a trapped soul? The bruises that reveal a wounded heart? The solitary dances that reveal a lonely spirit? Obviously the stripper makes for a very complex character on screen as she (and he) has appeared in countless films over the years, spanning several different genres. The latest stripper to hit the stage comes in the form of actress Marisa Tomei, who may just nab an Oscar nod for her performance in The Wrestler (in limited release this weekend). And in the past couple of years, we've watched a number of different strippers do their thing -- from the fantastic ensemble cast of Abel Ferrara's Go Go Tales to the somewhat fascinating ensemble cast of Zombie Strippers, our thirst for people who take their clothes off for money has not gone away; it's just become a little more absurd.

Inspired by EW's recent piece on Stars Who Played Strippers, we'd like to know who your favorites are -- and why, exactly, you think the stripper is such a popular character in film. To help you, we've pieced together a gallery full of some of the most popular big-screen strippers. (Note: Bachelor Party's Nick the D*ck was Weinberg's choice -- but, c'mon, watch this clip and tell me he doesn't belong here.)

Warning: Gallery may be NSFW

True, the Montreal World Film Festival wasn't actually pronounced dead two years ago. But the vultures were definitely circling. As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, both local government film financier SODEC and its federal counterpart, Telefilm Canada, withdrew funding in 2005 and prospects for the festival looked bleak. Happily, things have changed for the better. Founder Serge Losique now declares that the festival is in good health with "renewed financial commitment from all levels of government," according to a story in the Montreal Gazette. The upcoming 31st edition of the festival will screen 230 features and 210 shorts from 70 countries.

Twenty films are part of the official competition for the "Grand Prize of the Americas." Monika Bartyzal wrote about the contemporary drama Spinning into Butter a few days ago; it stars Sarah Jessica Parker and is one of two US films in the competition. Matt Bradshaw wrote about the other one, September Dawn, back in January. The US release date for this historical drama starring Jon Voight has now been set for August 24. Other titles competing for the Grand Prize include Abel Ferrara's Go Go Tales and veteran French director Claude Miller's A Secret, which will also serve as the closing night presentation.

New directors have their own section: 21 will be presented in the "First Films World Competition." Ten horror films, including Rob Zombie's Halloween remake, will be screened in the new "Midnight Slam" program. Among the documentaries, Running With Arnold caught my eye because I remember that Cinematical's Jette Kernion had strong words about the film's fairness when she saw it at South by Southwest. But what's a festival without a little controversy? At least this one is alive and well. The Montreal World Film Festival runs from August 23 to September 3; much more information is available at the official site.

Oh Abel Ferrara, you crazy so-and-so. How I've loved your masterful, yet often flawed, visions of the dark side in films like King of New York, The Addiction and, of course, Bad Lieutenant. I even thought your attempt at Sci-Fi with Body Snatchers was, in many ways, superior to the earlier versions. Plus, the film had that super-cute Gabrielle Anwar in it so that didn't hurt either. She's so much more pleasant to look at than Harvey Keitel's junk -- so kudos on that casting decision.

Ferarra's movies have shown me the darker side of life and through his eyes I've gained a deeper appreciation for what makes the world the way it is -- warts and all. After all this exploration of the seedy underbelly, how was I to know that for all these years, what he really wanted to do was get away from all the "darker side of life" crap and make a screwball comedy? That's something I really didn't see coming. But apparently, according to Production Weekly, its true because as of Monday, Ferrara began principal photography on the film Go Go Tales -- which is, you guessed it, a screwball comedy.

The film, which Ferrara also co-wrote with Scott Pardo, tells the story of one night at Ray Ruby's Paradise, a classy go-go club/ cabaret in Manhattan where dreamers come to dream and try to make their mark in society. It's the home of the world's most beautiful and talented strippers, who work at the club honing their skills and waiting for their shot at super-stardom. Joining Ferarra on the project as actors in the film are Willem Dafoe as club owner Ray Ruby, Bob Hoskins, Matthew Modine and the lovely and talented Asia Argento. Man, as much as I like Ferrara and respect his talent, he just doesn't quite fit as the director of a comedy. That said, I like the man's previous films, this story, and the cast -- so put it all together and it might just add up to something. Besides, Abel Ferrara and a bevy of hot strippers should at least pique your curiosity, don't you think?

The film will shoot for a month at Rome's Cinecitta Studios and then will move to New York in January.