The International
However many cobbled streets, piazzas and Mediterranean villas the two visit, this is no Bourne or Bond flick, as much as writer Eric Singer may try to force the resemblance.
Archive for February, 2009
The Unborn
‘The Unborn’ feels like a rehash of every other fright flick from the last 30 years, very nearly including the kitchen sink.
FIA Study on Gender Stereotypes
Gender stereotypes are still prevalent in film, television, theatre and radio in Europe. As a result, women performers continue to struggle for work, particularly as they get older according to a new study, Age, Gender and Performer Employment in Europe. The study is the product of a year–long research project led by the International Federation [...]
Stranger Than Fiction Documentary Festival
The IFI Stranger Than Fiction Documentary Festival will run from 18–21 June and the submission deadlines have just been announced. The programmers are looking for submissions of short documentary films (maximum of 15 minutes) in the following categories for possible inclusion in the festival: Short Irish Films and Short International Films. Submissions should be addressed [...]
Cadillac Records
Musical biopics labour under the weight of their true-life counterparts, making it next to impossible to please fans, family and even the person themselves with a filmic representation. The added difficulty of portraying the lives of many musical artists over an extended period of time means that the chances of making a film people will enjoy drops even lower.
Gran Torino
Place a narrow-eyed cowboy in the middle of Boys in the Hood and you have the setting for Gran Torino.
Written by Nick Schenk, Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial effort is a wry look at gang violence, racism and the long-lasting effects of war. It is also something of a history lesson on the Hmong people, an Asian ethnic group who sought refuge in America following the Korean War.
Push
Push is about people with different kinds of telekinetic abilities: Chris Evans can move things with his mind, Dakota Fanning can draw the future, and both of them are trying to locate a mysterious case, a girl who has escaped from a US government agency, and, in particular, Djimon Hounsou. They’re also being pursued by a gang of Asians who also have psychic abilities, and may or may not be involved with the aforementioned government agency.
JDIFF 2009 Diary
Sheena Sweeney’s day-by-day diary of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival that took place 12–22 February 2009, including interviews with Gráinne Humphreys, Thierry Frémaux, Paolo Sorrentino, John Crowley and Aisling Walsh.
History as Moving Image
A Researcher’s Guide to Archiving Irish Historical Documentary – by Eugene Finn.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Woody Allen, master writer-director of the Jewish New York comedy, throws his faithful fans a witty, yet serious film that asks ‘why is love so hard to define?’ Being known for his artsy, intellectual characters of privileged means and ultra New York-ified scripts, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is typical Woody Allen – but set in Spain…
Still Cinema
Beatrice Ní Bhroin talks to Jonás Cuarón about his unusual debut feature Año Uña, a full-length film constructed entirely out of stills.
access>CINEMA News
Stephen Eustace reports on the 56th San Sebastian International Film Festival (18–27 September 2008).
Straight from the Horse's POV
Vanessa Gildea talks to producer Aisling Ahmed about her latest documentary.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is equal parts extraordinary and so very ordinary. It encompasses the first and last breaths of a man and much of what passes in between, where, aside from his condition, he lives a life of struggle and joy that could characterise any life, fictional or otherwise. The grounds for presenting this tale to a medical journal are that our protagonist is born, with the dimensions of a baby but all the symptoms of an aged octogenarian. With each day, his body grows younger, at one point resembling the Brad Pitt we all know and for the remainder groundbreaking effects and make-up show Pitt’s Benjamin at various stages of enhanced youth while all those around him age.
The Good, the Bad, the Weird
Ji-woon Kim seems to have outdone himself with this outstanding action film. Without a doubt one, it’s of the best around for quite a while and already the winner of Best Director at Catalonian International Film Festival. Eyelids guaranteed not to close throughout the duration of the movie.
Punisher: War Zone
This is the third attempt by Marvel to bring Frank Castle (aka the Punisher) to the big screen. The first starred Dolph Lundgren in a rather tame ’80s affair. Marvel tried again in 2004 with Thomas Jane, keeping more of the comic book elements than the Lundgren offering but ruining it all with a ridiculous dose of redeeming sentimentality.
So third time lucky then? No.
Film Ireland EXTRA Interview: James Franco and Danny McBride on Pineapple Express
Film Ireland’s resident reporter Gordon ‘Gonzo’ Gaffney interviews James Franco and Danny R. McBride about their latest feature Pineapple Express.
Film Ireland Debate
Issue 123 carried an article by Kevin Moriarty intended to stimulate some debate on the reasons why Irish films are generally perceived to underperfom at the Irish box office. We are delighted that a number of people, representing a cross-section of the Irish film community have responded.
Adaptation Adepts
Declan Recks talks to Roddy Doyle, Pat McCabe and Eugene O’Brien about the art of adaptation. Words by Eamonn Gray. Photos by Nicola Bodano.
Young Jury Reviews
Film Ireland EXTRA is proud to host the three top reviews from the Cinemagic Young Juries.
