From the moment I saw Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation
, it's had my heart. A film as funny as it is sad, it captures the shared listlessness of two very different people as they fall in love while stuck in an unfamiliar place: Tokyo, Japan. Bill Murray has never been better as Bob Harris, a well-known actor in the midst of a midlife crisis, escaping to Japan to do a little commercial work. Scarlett Johansson may very well never be as good as she is here as Charlotte, a young Yale graduate who has no idea what do do with her life. She's married to a husband who pays more attention to his career than to her, and she's basically stuck to figure things out on her own. It's pretty much a given that any film shot in Japan is going to be a favorite of mine. It's a city that is tailor made for the big screen. A combination of big city, beautiful mountainous landscapes, and cultural landmarks. Yet that's just a small part of why this movie is so perfect. The desperation in the two main characters is apparent, but I love the way Coppola keeps their feelings at a distance. The two are friends first, who begin to realize the need for much more just as our desire to see them happy only grows. The film's final scene, a hushed whisper of words full of potential and promise, nearly brings me to tears every single time.
, it's been difficult for me to get into Rock of Ages, his star-studded 1980s jukebox musical based on the Broadway show. I don't have the familiarity with it, which is one thing, but also because it looks like a big campy nightmare of stereotypes. Big hair and hot pink. It might be fun in the end, but right now it looks like junk. One thing I can't deny is the mass of celebrity talent loosening up their vocal chords for this one, and I hope they all fare better than Pierce Brosnan did in Mamma Mia!. My ears are still bleeding. 
...
was that of President Snow, the leader of the Capitol who rules the 12 Districts of Panem with an iron fist and a terrifying smile. And what better actor to walk the balance between frightening and likable than Donald Sutherland. Today Lionsgate has confirmed Sutherland's signing, and now we pretty much know the entire make-up of the film. 
), and written by David Nichols, adapting his own 2009 novel. Check out the new trailer below....
and 
. Noveck was a producer on the straight-to-DVD 
flick. 
) on board as co-writer and producer. Mostly that has to do with the film making the jump from Miramax over to FilmDistrict, but that seems to have been a positive move as it's due to be released here on August 26th. 
but has been making a case for A-list recognition in movies like Thor and 
, 
(like me) would dare ask for it, but Warner Brothers sure as heck did. And so we're getting a sequel whether we like it or not, because the studio has decided to bring back writers Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia to start working on the script. The duo just recently hit it big with the excellent animated feature, 
. 
. The Brazilian actress moved up to bigger films over the last few years, showing up twice last year in 
and 
and most recently in 
. Now 
) or not serious enough(
). But I think writer Will Reiser(the story's loosely based on his life) and director Jonathan Levine(
) have found the right balance of salty and sweet. There's very little emotional manipulation. And do I even have to say that Gordon-Levitt gives yet another flawless performance? I'd love to see him nominated for this. A new trailer has been released for the film, which you can check out below...
inches closer to release, I still wonder what the true blockbuster potential for it is. The Swedish adaptations of Stieg Larsson's crazy popular trilogy were solid but plodding flicks with one extremely charismatic performance by Noomi Rapace. They also kicked all sorts of ass around the globe....except for here where they did ok for a tiny art house venture. Fincher's version promises to have a little more energy and action, which might rub some fans the wrong way. If you need proof of exactly where Fincher is going with it, all you need to do is peep out this leaked red band trailer for the film. It's fucking wild...
for the 2nd best weekend of the year, just behind Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Obviously this was a film that was going to be beyond the reach of critics, as fans were obviously anxious for the follow-up to the highest grossing R-rated film ever. To further show the differences between fan and critical reaction, Cinemascore notes that audiences rated the film an "A-". 
, if you want to see what types of screwed up nonsense these guys can get in to, then this film is for you. It's crazier, more depraved, and nearly as funny as the first, so go ahead and treat yourself to another round courtesy of director Todd Phillips, Bradley Cooper, and the rest of the gang.
