Art-House Dramas:
Summary:
Sonny, a young Indian man, advertises his slightly rundown hotel in India to
British retirees, using photos that make it look much nicer than it is in
reality. When the retirees arrive, they are initially upset, but then the hotel
and country’s charms beings to woo them and they find something missing in
their lives. Filmmakers: Director John
Madden is best known for Shakespeare
in Love, a film that he has never quite equaled in his films since (though
this looks to be one of his better, if not best, films). He is working with a
very good group including composer Thomas
Newman (The Help),
cinematographer Ben Davis (Stardust) and production
designer Alan MacDonald (The Queen). Cast: It co-stars Dev Patel, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, Tena Desae, and Ronald Pickup. Expectations: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has a
phenomenal cast (Bill Nighy being one of my personal favorites). It played to
critical praise during its release in the U.K. last year. For those looking for
a lighter drama with great performances, this is well worth your time and a
rental. Trailer: Here.
Summary:
Luli McMullen, a young teenage girl, is abandoned by her father. So, she sets
out for the allure of Las Vegas. However, the road to get there is full of
peril and odd characters. Filmmakers: Writer-director
Derick Martini is back with his second feature film (his first was Lymelife). He is good with
actors, but his material can drift into darker places making his films limited
in terms of broader appeal. He is working again with his Lymelife director of
photography Frank Godwin.
Production designer Roshelle
Berliner (Choke) is new
to the team. Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz stars with
supporting work from Blake Lively,
Eddie Redmayne, Alec Baldwin, Juliette Lewis, Rory Culkin, and Ray McKinnon. Expectations: Hick debuted at last year’s Toronto
International Film Festival to mixed (more on the negative side) reviews. It has
a great cast, and Moretz is one of the best new talents of her generation (and
this is a project she sought out to be a part of). However, audiences get
uncomfortable when films involving young girls move into dark (sexual)
territory, which is why the film played so mixed. While I do not expect this to
be great, I do think it should be dramatically interesting with strong performances.
Trailer: Here.
Summary:
Philippe, a French aristocrat, has suffered a tragedy in his life,
becoming a quadriplegic after a paragliding accident. However, he finds
happiness in his life after he hires a new caretaker, a young man from the
projects. Filmmakers: French
writer-directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano have made a few films
previously, but none are as acclaimed or have seen distribution in the States.
They are working with composer Ludovico
Einaudi (This Is England)
and director of photography Mathieu
Vadepied. Cast: The film stars Francois Cluzet (who is a big
star in France) and Omar Sy,
with Audrey Fleurot in
support. Expectations: The Intouchables
looks like a very good drama about friendship, new beginnings and overcoming
setbacks (and will probably pull at your heartstrings). It was nominated for
just about every 2012 Cesar Award (France’s Oscars) with Omar Sy winning Best
Actor. If it is eligible, it should be on the shortlist for the 2013 Academy
Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film. Trailer:
Here.
Art-House Comedies:
Summary:
Frank is your average American man – normal job, menial life – but when
he finds out that he is terminally ill, he can no longer abide society’s most
annoying and douchiest members. He sets out to rid the world of these people,
finding an unlikely accomplice in a 16-year-old girl, Roxy. Filmmakers: Writer-director Bobcat Goldwait
returns with his fifth feature (he has also directed TV, like Chappelle‘s Show, and many of
us recognize him from Police
Academy 2: Their First Assignment). He is working with indie cinematographer
Bradley Stonesifer and
production designer Natalie
Sanfilippo. Cast: It stars Joel Murray (from Mad Men and Shameless) and Tara Lynne Barr. Expectations: I liked his last film to see wider
distribution World’s Greatest
Dad. It was a funny and very dark film (what is called a black comedy). God
Bless America looks to be in the same vein, playing sort of like a snuff
fantasy for all those people who we all secretly (or publically) are annoyed by
(and maybe even hate). Trailer: Here.
Summary:
Dr. Mortimer Granville has decided to enter into the field of woman’s
medicine in Victorian era London, working for Dr. Robert Dalrymple. While
treating his patients, Dr. Granville with the help of his friend Lord Edmund
St. John-Smythe invents the first vibrator in the name of medical science
(addressing the diagnosis of hysteria). Filmmakers:
Director Tanya Wexler makes her third film with Hysteria, though this is her
first to receive wider distribution. She is working with composers Christian Henson (Black Death) and Gast Waltzing (JCVD), excellent
cinematographer Sean Bobbitt
(Shame)
and production designer Sophie
Becher (Run, Fatboy, Run).
Cast: Hugh Dancy stars with Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jonathan Pryce and Rupert Everett co-starring. Felicity Jones, Ashley Jensen and Sheridan Smith feature in
support. Expectations: Hysteria looks like a
fun period comedy with a very light tone. It has a good cast and was met with
good reviews upon its initial release in England last year. It is probably not
a must for the theater, but definitely a rental for those (like me) who enjoy
British comedy (and/or Victorian period pieces). Trailer:
Here.
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