pray the devil back to hell Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Tribeca Offers a Chance to See the Documentary Oscar Hopefuls
Filed under: Documentary », Independent », New Releases », Oscar Watch », Cinematical Indie »
For a lot of movie geeks, it's unnerving when the Oscar nominations are announced and there are films on the list that we haven't seen. (Except for the short-film categories, because no one's seen those.) This happens most regularly with documentaries, which often play only for a week or two at the local art house, if they play there at all. On Jan. 8-10, Tribeca Cinemas in Manhattan will do its part to help this problem by screening six of the 15 docs that are on the shortlist for the Oscar nomination. The filmmakers, all of whom are alumni of the Tribeca Film Festival, will be on hand to present their work and participate in Q-and-A's. The event is sponsored by the Tribeca Film Institute and Gucci (because when you think of high-quality documentary filmmaking, you think of Gucci).
The films on the schedule are: At the Death House Door (about a prison chaplain who ministers to Death Row inmates), The Garden (about a community garden in South Central L.A.), I.O.U.S.A. (about America's debt problem), Man on Wire (about the crazy French guy who walked a tightrope between the Twin Towers in 1974 -- this will probably win the Oscar), Pray the Devil Back to Hell (about Liberian women bringing peace to their country after years of warlords), and They Killed Sister Dorothy (about the murder of a Catholic nun and social activist in Brazil).
Full details on the screenings are here. If you're in the NYC area, this is a great opportunity not just to see the films (Man on Wire is out on DVD anyway), but to meet the filmmakers. Every now and then, the rest of us get envious of you NYC dwellers. Every now and then.
Indie Spotlight: New Releases for Nov. 7
Filed under: New Releases »
When you think of independent cinema, the first name you think of is undoubtedly Jean-Claude Van Damme. Thank goodness the Indie Spotlight is here to tell you where you can see Mr. V.D. at an arthouse new you! Along with JCVD, this week's new indie releases are The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, House, Repo! The Genetic Opera, The Guitar, Otto; or, Up with Dead People, and Gardens of the Night. Here's the rundown on each of them.
JCVD
What it is: Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself, a washed-up B-movie actor, getting caught in a real-life hostage situation.
What they're saying: Cinematical's James Rocchi, who reviewed it at Toronto, called it a "smart, nicely pitched action-comedy." Eight of the 10 reviews at Rotten Tomatoes are positive, too. (I've seen it, and I concur: it's an entertaining meta-comedy with surprisingly poignant drama.)
Where it's playing: New York City (Angelika Film Center, AMC Empire 25).
More info: The official site has the release dates for other cities, including quite a few next week.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
What it is: A World War II drama about two little boys who become friends from opposite sides of the fence. Those "striped pajamas"? They're what concentration camp prisoners wear.
What they're saying: It has a 71% Fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, with most critics calling it touching and haunting.
Where it's playing: New York City (CC Cinemas), Los Angeles (The Landmark), Chicago (AMC River East), Dallas (Angelika), Seattle (Landmark Harvard), Denver (Landmark Chez Artiste), San Francisco (Century S.F. Centre), Atlanta (UA Tara), Philadelphia (Ritz 5).
More info: Official site.
Exclusive: 'Pray the Devil Back to Hell' Poster Premiere!
Filed under: Documentary », Movie Marketing », Images », Posters »
Click image above to enlarge
Cinematical has just received this exclusive poster for Pray the Devil Back to Hell, which took home the Best Documentary award at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. Directed by Gini Reticker, the buzz-worthy doc tells of a courageous group of Liberian woman who came together and stood up to those holding their country hostage in an attempt to bring peace back to the land.
The synopsis adds, "Thousands of women - ordinary mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters, both Christian and Muslim - came together to pray for peace and then staged a silent protest outside of the Presidential Palace. Armed only with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions, they took on the warlords and nonviolently forced a resolution during the stalled peace talks. A story of sacrifice, unity and transcendence, Pray the Devil Back to Hell honors the strength and perseverance of the women of Liberia. Inspiring, uplifting, and most of all motivating, it is a compelling testimony of how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations."
Pray the Devil Back to Hell opens in theaters (in NYC) on November 7.
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