Mass for Cinephile Shut Ins: Part Two

Let us commune over all this vague pre-publicity so as to garner faith and hope for a bright cinematic future. Let us also pass invalid judgment.

This is Part Two.

Mark Walhberg survives the ring

and director David O. Russell.

The Fighter

directed by: David O. Russell

written by: Paul Attanasio, Lewis Colick

starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo

Basically: An Irish boxer tries for the title of world lightweight champion by using his half-brother, a fighter and criminal, to underperform him in matches.

And We Should Care Because: Other than the bountiful possibilities for behind-the-scenes bouts between Bale and O. Russell? Well it's a notable difference in material from O. Russell's last success, I Heart Huckabees, but could find itself more in the vein of his genre-melding Three Kings. While Mark Wahlberg may have struggled with the dramatic punch of The Lovely Bones, hopefully he has no trouble punching the lovely bones of Christian Bale for this drama. The sideline female stars are also worth the attention, as was this project once being attached to director Darren Aronofsky, who would still find his success in the ring with The Wrestler.

Status: Mild Intrigue

Tony Leung for the block.

The Grand Master

directed and written by: Wong Kar Wai

starring: Tony Leung, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Chang, Brigitte Lin

Basically: The life and times of Bruce Lee.

And We Should Care Because: One should never doubt this auteur's potential for arresting output, even after being slightly soured by My Blueberry Nights. Wong Kar Wai also doesn't seem to be a filmmaker who'd be easily swayed by the conventions that the biopic genre so often favors. Instead it leaves plenty of room for the on-the-spot innovation and character play that have served the director's most distinctive works (Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love). Along with many of his favorite collaborators and legends of Chinese cinema (as actors and inspiration), we can hope it has the force of As Tears Go By with the flourish of 2046. If anyone can make ass kicking look sumptuous and sexy, it's Wong Kar Wai and a smokin' (probably chain smokin' ) Tony Leung.

Status: Can't Miss

Ben Stiller flirts with disaster and Greta Gerwig.

Greenberg

directed and written by: Noah Baumbach

starring: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Chris Messina, Rhys Ifans

Basically: Aimless Roger Greenberg housesits for his brother and soon finds inspiration and direction in his brother's assistant.

And We Should Care Because: Noah Baumbach's scaldingly funny scripts often seem an acquired taste, but the attachment of Ben Stiller should bring about a different crowd to his wonderfully acidic wit. Greta Gerwig, who has been charming under-the-radar in films like Baghead and The House of the Devil, stars as Stiller's love interest, and she has the realistic deadpan quality that Baumbach seems to look for. Also on board is the immensely underrated Jennifer Jason Leigh, who resonated remarkably in her husband's last feature, the likewise underrated Margot at the Wedding. See the trailer here.

Status: Curious

Sylvain Chomet has something up his sleeve.

The Illusionist

directed by: Sylvain Chomet

written by: Sylvain Chomet, Jacques Tati

Basically: A traveling illusionist must conjure and come clean about his tricks to a young, adoring fan.

And We Should Care Because: Animated marvel The Triplets of Belleville was Sylvain Chomet's last effort, and should prepare us for the more literal magic this time around. The aim to craft a film of such charm and mesmerizing atmosphere without the aid of dialogue seems to be in keeping with this new project. Look forward to something funny, feeling and unapologetically French.

Status: Can't Miss

Christopher Nolan defies expectation and gravity.

Inception

directed and written by: Christopher Nolan

starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page

Basically: A story of a CEO's blackmail and the architecture of the mind.

And We Should Care Because: Remember Sammy Jankis? Well we should all remember that Christopher Nolan's a champ at creating thrillers with scale that don't forsake character and some sort of emotional crux. The hush hush nature of the script seems justified by the advanced footage, which displays a gravity distorting thriller akin to The Matrix, full of stunts and surreal spectacle. With the scope of The Dark Knight and the mindplay of Memento, Nolan looks to do fanboys proud.

Status: Can't Miss

Pass on the chips. And your seed.

The Kids Are All Right

directed by: Lisa Cholodenko

written by: Stuart Blumberg, Lisa Cholodenko

starring: Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Annette Benning

Basically: Lesbian parents struggle with their biological sperm donor when their child turns 18.

And We Should Care Because: Of course the kids are all right. Who better to be your lesbian moms than Julianne Moore and Annette Bening? Director Lisa Cholodenko (High Art, Laurel Canyon) always give her actresses room to delve (think Patricia Clarkson and Frances McDormand), and she's working with two masters of their craft. Advanced word at Sundance hailed its award-worthy performances and effortless emotional backing. Timing couldn't be better given the family-focused content and its relevance in the marriage equality debate. Also notable that Julianne Moore finally plays a decent mother to her kids after years of avoiding, abandoning and fucking them (Boogie Nights, Far From Heaven, The Hours, Savage Grace, etc.).

Status: Can't Miss

Part One here. Part Three SOON.

Don't Tempt Me... This is Getting Ridiculous

The 20 Most Tempting Titles of 2009

(#6-10)

#11-15 here / #16-20 here

(6) Whatever Works
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Henry Cavill

Woody Allen's return year after year is a bit like Christmas for me -- a funny, philosophical, adulterous Christmas. Last year's Vicky Cristina Barcelona was a stupendously light and lustful surprise, and my favorite film of the year. With Woody's latest we'll be again seeing Patricia Clarkson turn her two minutes of screen time into another resonant stunner, and she's joined by Woody's neurotic match point, Larry David. The plot's Mighty Aphrodite-vibe links Larry to Evan Rachel Wood for a romantic and comic tryst once he decides to abandon his upper-echelon existence for something more bohemian... and blond. Whatever works, Larry.

And permit me to begin my "Don't Tempt Me 2010" list because Woody's already lined up an awe-inspiring cast for his next (untitled) feature that's definitely what's working for me: Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Antonio Banderas and Josh Brolin! Swoon.

Evan Rachel wants nothing to do with Larry's banana. If she's anything like me she's holding out for Henry Cavill's.

(7) This Side of the Truth

Director: Ricky Gervais /Matthew Robinson

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Christopher Guest, Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor

Ricky Gervais is the rare television/film/podcast/standup mastermind whose talents and empire are actually deserving. As a comic genius he's also wise to surround himself with rival comic genius. Christopher Guest! Jason Bateman! Jeffrey Tambor! Tina Fey! No lie, this sounds like comedy heaven. It also acts as a potentially amazing placeholder for the Arrested Development Movie while it's still in development shackles.

In a world where no one ever tells lies, Gervais stars as the first man to exploit dishonesty for financial gain. A boldfaced move on his part that sets off a catastrophic tidal wave of deception and farcical falsehoods. The plot's promising enough on its own, and we already know how Gervais handles playing a socially inept cad. Maybe it's having re-watched The Office and Extras back-to-back, but if God were to come back as a British comic he'd look exactly like this:


Another "Don't Tempt Me 2010" addition: It's actually possible Gervais is working on something even more tempting with The Men at the Pru -- his first feature film collaboration with co-mastermind Stephen Merchant, the man at the side of Ricky's greatest successes. Even our British Comedy Savior needs his man behind the curtain.

(8) Please Give
Director: Nicole Holofcener
Starring: Catherine Keener, Rebecca Hall, Amanda Peet, Kevin Corrigan

Of the female directors working in America, Nicole Holofcener seems one of the most notable and still too unnoticed. Please, someone, give her consistent indie funding, and preferably her own HBO series starring Catherine Keener. If we're ever to believe IMDb, this is the appropriately simple summary to her latest project: In New York City, a husband and wife butt heads with the granddaughters of the elderly woman who lives in apartment the couple owns.

Not so tempting in theory, but with Holofcener's films it's all about those ringing truths and small characteristic tweaks. I should never undersell her either: Friends with Money had Jennifer Aniston smoking weed and stealing vibrators and face cream, plus Frances McDormand refusing to wash her hair. In Holofcener's hands Catherine Keener's also been busted for underage sex with a minor, but as in her tradition of creating relatable scenarios, it was with Jake Gyllenhaal.

Friends with Munchies

Her work on cult faves like Walking and Talking, even episodes for TV classics Six Feet Under and Sex and the City, mark some of the more fully realized female arcs available in modern comedy, and some genuinely whip-smart and funny character pieces in general. Keener continues her collaboration, assuredly sharp as ever. She's joined by Rebecca Hall, who worked some sour/supple magic in Vicky Cristina Barcelona that actually seems in perfect fusion with Holofcener's films.

SO relatable.

(9) Nine
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz, Daniel Day-Lewis, Sophia Loren, Judi Dench

A stunning cast is setting the stage for Rob Marshall's return to the movie musical post-Chicago. One of the best things about that film was Marshall's successfully cinematic showstoppers, which is perfect considering this film revolves around a filmmaker and the many women revolving through his life. So many promising setups and period style, and the perfection that is this cast. Nicole Kidman's returning to movie musical that treated her so well, alongside Oscar-winning follow-up performances by the mesmerizing Daniel Day-Lewis and Penélope Cruz. Some real razzle dazzle!

Somebody's been good to Mama, because Mama's been good to us!

(10) Nailed
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Catherine Keener, Jessica Biel, Paul Reubens, Jon Stewart, Kirstie Alley

I don't know if it's due to the abuses inflicted on his cast and crew, but David O. Russell knows great comedy. And since misery loves company, he also knows how to assemble an awesome ensemble. This time his oddball choice of casting Jessica Biel is softened by the blow of a nail to her character's head -- and it's actually a central plot device that sends her character to Washington D.C., dizzy with a cause and into the arms of a willing senator, played by the ever-nailable Jake Gyllenhaal. As Russell's done with I Heart Huckabees and Flirting with Disaster, there's a troupe of underused comic supporters. Among them there's the pleasant coincidence of Jake actually being reunited with his still Lovely & Amazing co-star Catherine Keener after all that nasty police business and him having hit legal age.

SO, SO relatable.

COMING SOON: The 5 Most Tempting Titles of 2009!

2009 and Beyond the Infinite: Part 1

These are features to look forward to in 2009 and beyond; a few that could very well never see the light of day, but the filmmakers persist to taunt us anyhow. In no particular order, I give you a look into the future...

The Countess
Release: 2009
Director: Julie Delpy

She's given up on walking around foreign cities talking about love and taken up bathing in the blood of virgins. After last year's underrated 2 Days in Paris, Julie Delpy, the truly stunning actress, director and musician, is taking the reins on the historical horror feature The Countess. The film details the true story of Countess Elizabeth Bathory in 16th century Hungary, whose beauty regimen was... shall we say... strict? Use it or lose it, ladies! The (suspiciously) beautiful Delpy will we playing the sinister Countess alongside co-stars William Hurt and Anamaria Marinca, who gave us a stirring turn in last years 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. A very vague teaser trailer here.

"It's the Countess! Quick, pretend you're a slut!"

Broken Embraces
Release: 2009
Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Penelopé Cruz is on a hot streak that looks to continue in her fourth collaboration with the ever-brilliant Pedro Almodóvar. The story concerns an accident on the island of Lanzarote, the filming of a comedy in the vein of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, and presumably some broken embraces. Any more details would ruin the film's guaranteed pleasures. Rossy de Palma, Blanco Portillo and Chus Lampreave also continue their partnerships in what Almodóvar promises to be his most "novel-like" film to date, and one a bit darker in tone than the previous Volver. Is there any way this one could fail? I'll answer for you. No.

Hugging time is over!

Fruitcake
Release: 2009 (?)
Director: John Waters

Not since Dawn Davenport got cheated of her cha-cha heels has Christmas sounded this deliciously warped. John Waters directs his first "children's film," as if that's not enough to make parents already mortified. It's the tale of Fruitcake, a boy who runs away from home during the holidays when his family is caught shoplifting meat in that true Baltimore style. Divine would be so proud... Fruitcake teams up with another young girl, raised by her two gay fathers, who's gone in search of her birth mother. It sounds subversive, potentially scandalous, and with just a dose of Hairspray-like sweetness. Waters last few films have been arguably mixed efforts, but his pairing with the great comedic talents of Parker Posey should prove, umm... fruitful? Oh how I missed you John Waters. Where else can I expect to see a parent call their child an asshole for my amusement?

"I hate you, I hate this house, and I hate Christmas!"

Giallo
Release: 2009
Director: Dario Argento

So while the slightly camp charm of his seventies classics has morphed into camp excess, a new Dario Argento film's always worth a look. For his follow-up to the divisive The Third Mother, he's going back to the basics and referencing the very genre he helped to define in his debut The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. The film's title Giallo comes from the Italian murder-mystery genre and, well, the Italian word for "yellow." It's also the nickname of a murderer with yellowed skin who's knocking off Milan's most beautiful models. As you can probably guess, the police inspector is missing that one crucial clue that could lead him to the killer. Well that yellow-skinned killer has some unnerving cheese potential (that draws upon my painful memories of the dreadful Black Xmas), but if Argento's screenplay is tight enough for him to focus on the visual magic, this concept is right up his alley. Vincent Gallo sadly dropped out because of past ties to the director's daughter, Asia Argento, who has also since left the project. Still on board are Adrien Brody and Emmanuelle Seigner, which seems promising given the criticism usually directed toward performances in his films. But please, Dario, no more CGI. Jaundice and CGI is just too much for this fan to handle.

"No comment?"

Nailed
Release: 2009
Director: David O. Russell

My Gyllenhaal withdrawal will not be sustained by a video game adaptation, no matter how shirtless he is or how many times I angrily view it. Only the notoriously difficult director of Flirting with Disaster and I Heart Huckabees can give me my fix. Taking time off from being strangled by George Clooney and calling Lily Tomlin a cunt, David O. Russell's been struggling to get this film completed due to a bevy of financing disruptions and yet another actor dispute, this time with James Caan over choking on a cookie. The plot concerns a waitress (Jessica Biel) who gets a nail lodged in her forehead, causing her to become a total nymphomaniac. (Where was 7th Heaven with that plot?) The accident leads her to Washington and into the hands of a willing and clueless senator (Jake Gyllenhaal). To top it all off, it's also time for Jake's reunion with the Lovely & Amazing Catherine Keener! He's legal now, Catherine, but you best stand in line. You too, Dustin Hoffman!

He uses that tired Huckabees line: "It'll all come back to you and interconnection."

Untitled Nicole Holofcener Project
Release: 2009 (?)
Director: Nicole Holofcener

Speaking of Lovely & Amazing, am I the only one who absolutely loves the indie charms of Nicole Holofcener? This will be her fourth directorial outing (including Walking and Talking and Friends with Money) and fourth time wisely casting Catherine Keener, whose sly comic wonder melds so perfectly with Holofcener's sharp dialogue. The plot is summed up as "lives and relationships in a New York apartment building," and odds are that's exactly what we'll get. The pleasures come in the form of perceptively nuanced characters and their witty, uncomfortable exchanges I'm sure. Keener's joined by Amanda Peet, Kevin Corrigan and Rebecca Hall, who's especially enticing after her conflicted performance in this year's Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Viva la female auteurs!

Seriously, Keener...

Part 2 coming soon.