Dare I say that, based on this trailer, Melissa McCarthy looks like she could actually be funnier in The Heat than she was in Bridesmaids ? Okay, so I’m one of the minority who didn’t think that the latter film was as hilarious as everyone found it, so I was pleasantly surprised when this international trailer for Paul Feig and McCarthy’s latest collaboration made me laugh out loud a few times. The plus-sized actress plays a “bad-ass” maverick Boston cop who teams up with “tight-assed” FBI agent Sandra Bullock . If you guessed that this is one of those movies where McCarthy’s character shows Bullock’s character how to walk on the wild side, you’d be right, but I’m willing to overlook the formulaic conceit based on the scene in which McCarthy proceeds to look for her captain’s “little girl balls” and the one in which she discovers Bullock is wearing Spanx. (As if!) “They hold everything together,” Bullock tells McCarthy. “Why? What’s going to come fuckin’ popping out?” sputters McCarthy. My thoughts exactly. Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
Proving that a movie shot over a day and a half can premiere at Sundance if it has James Franco’s name attached, Interior. Leather Bar . is an infuriating stunt that misrepresents itself as Franco and co-director Travis Mathews’ reimagining of the 40 minutes William Friedkin claims he was forced to cut from Cruising to get an R rating. Yet it would seem “James Franco’s 40 Minutes” don’t exist either, leaving only this hastily tossed-off companion piece, a partly authentic, partly scripted behind-the-scenes featurette that never quite conveys the star’s “high/curious” interest in all things taboo. After Sundance and Berlin, relative obscurity awaits. On paper, the project echoes Franco’s earlier Memories of Idaho , two experimental films made from scraps that Gus Van Sant discarded during the making of My Own Private Idaho . A notorious embellisher, Friedkin has often said that he brought Cruising to the ratings board 50 times before they relented and gave him an R, despite still-graphic footage and talk of bondage and numerous other fetish acts, nearly all of it unsimulated. In his DVD director’s commentary for Cruising , Friedkin explains how he recruited actual members of Gotham’s leather-bar scene: “Of course, I filmed all these activities in their entirety, but all the other film that I shot has somehow disappeared.” With or without the lost X-rated material, Cruising was an important and controversial film in its time, serving as a time capsule of a pre-AIDS sexual subculture, while conflating its play-acted aggression with a series of ripped-from-the-headlines New York murders. As such, it’s a rich text to reopen, though Mathews (an openly queer director who shook up the LGBT fest circuit with his art-porn feature I Want Your Love ) makes no effort to investigate what went missing or query Friedkin, but instead focuses on Franco as the pic’s more marketable meta-subject. Recognizing how the “is he or isn’t he” debate has dogged nearly all of Franco’s recent art projects (beginning with his blatantly homoerotic NYU student short, The Feast of Stephen ), Mathews attempts to shift the attention onto Franco and his creative process. None of the young actors who agreed to participate in the film, least of all Val Lauren (a longtime Playhouse West cohort and star of Franco’s directorial debut, Sal ), would have enlisted if not for Franco’s involvement. Although Franco appears in the film, his role is mostly that of the man behind the curtain, stirring things up with half-baked opinions, such as his complaint that the MPAA is to blame for his hetero-normative upbringing: “Why don’t they gives us violence in a little more palatable way, and amp up the sex?” Franco really should have agreed to take the pic’s Al Pacino part himself — a Kinsey Zero assigned to go undercover and blend with an extreme queer subculture — but instead delegates it to Lauren, asking the actor to “play” a version of himself. To the extent that this sloppy assembly has a shape, the film constructs an arc in which Lauren constantly questions his participation in the project (different from the controversial tension underlying Cruising , where exposure to leather bars may be turning Pacino’s cop aggressive and/or gay). Lauren is seen debating his choice with the other actors, most of them straight, and improvising calls to a homophobic friend (performed by one of Franco’s producers) and his supportive wife. The Cruising re-creations make up only a small portion of the pic’s running time, shying away from Crisco-covered forearms and the other extreme acts that caused Friedkin so much grief, while trying to portray barroom fellatio and a random, unrelated rough-love scene between three bears as “just right.” This last act pushes the underlying insult to new extremes, cutting between “dirty” closeups and the expressions on Lauren and Franco’s faces as they watch from the sidelines, pretending that witnessing this act of outre lovemaking has somehow broadened their minds. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
The film won a number of prizes including Best Picture. Also in Monday’s round-up of news, seven films made the Academy’s Shortlist of titles competing in the hair and makeup category; Lili Taylor’s latest is set for a Berlin premiere; newcomers in the Specialty Box Office opened weak over the weekend; and film critic Karina Longworth is leaving L.A. Weekly. Silver Linings Playbook Wins 4 Satellite Awards Including Best Picture David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook took five prizes at the 17th annual Satellite Awards Sunday including Best Picture and best director for Russell and best actor prizes for Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, THR reports . 7 Movies On Makeup Short List Seven films remain in competition for the Makeup and Hairstyling category for the 85th Academy Awards. Hitchcock , The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey , Les Misérables , Lincoln , Looper , Men in Black 3 and Snow White and the Huntsman made the short list. Three nominees will lead into the Oscar ceremony. Lili Taylor’s The Cold Lands Set for Berlin Premiere The film by Tom Gilroy will have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in February. Also starring John Ventimiglia, the pic revolves around Atticus who flees from authorities after his mother’s sudden death into the rugged mountains and dense forests of upstate New York. The feature is part of the initial films announced in the Berlinale’s Generation Programme. See the full list of announced titles here . Any Day Now Soft as Holdovers Hyde Park On Hudson and Silver Linings Playbook Stay Solid Any Day Now bowed in 16 theaters a brave story starring Alan Cumming about a gay couple fighting to retain custody of special needs child they reared. Any Day Now is a brave film and story that earned audience prizes at festivals throughout the year. Unfortunately it did not connect fully with paying audiences in its debut but hopefully its audience will build through word-of-mouth. It averaged only $2,563 per location. More specialty results at Deadline. Film Critic Karina Longworth Leaves L.A. Weekly Longworth began at L.A. Weekly replacing Scott Foundas who headed to the Film Society of Lincoln Center. He’s returning to Village Voice Media as its critic. She is writing a book about Meryl Streep for Cahiers du Cinema and will freelance, TOH reports .
Rihanna’s relationship with Chris Brown continues to make headlines thanks to the former’s own activity on social media. “Nobody’s Business” or everyone’s? On Saturday, she shared an Instagram photo of her “lover” lying shirtless in bed. Brown’s many tattoos and Bart Simpson jacket are clearly visible. The two have spent a lot of time together recently, in and out of bed. She boarded a private plane to jet to Berlin, Germany, for Brown’s Thursday concert. “All alone in my big ole jet!!! See u soon lover,” she tweeted en route to the European city, where she spent Thanksgiving with her “lover” and went clubbing. Still, both stars have insisted they’re not back together. Rihanna, who just finished her disastrous 777 Tour , told Andy Cohen that they haven’t rekindled their romance, despite hardcore PDA that suggests otherwise. Chris told Power 106 radio host Big Boy this month that they were “working on [their] friendship,” but echoed the theme of their recent collab, ” Nobody’s Business .” “As far as our personal life, I think people just got to give it a chance – or not even give it a chance, but just shut the hell up,” Brown said. “It’s me.” “At the end of the day, whatever opinion they have ain’t going to change nothing I’m doing.” Profound and eloquent as always, Chris Brown. Eloquent. Chris and Rihanna smushing again: Good idea? YES! They’re a great match! NO! Are you insane??? View Poll »
Rihanna and Breezy partied it up together on Thanksgiving in Berlin during Breezy’s show and the “couple” do not care what you all think… they are back having sloppy sex like we said ! Above, you can see Breezy lighting that Ganja up… but fck all that. After the night was finished, Riri then took to her twitter to flaunt her catch by posting pictures of a shirtless Brown in bed… for Karrueche to enjoy. Koochie actually “liked” the picture. Turn the page and peep…
Rihanna and Breezy partied it up together on Thanksgiving in Berlin during Breezy’s show and the “couple” do not care what you all think… they are back having sloppy sex like we said ! Above, you can see Breezy lighting that Ganja up… but fck all that. After the night was finished, Riri then took to her twitter to flaunt her catch by posting pictures of a shirtless Brown in bed… for Karrueche to enjoy. Koochie actually “liked” the picture. Turn the page and peep…
MTV Style’s embedded reporter takes us behind the scenes as fatigue and lack of access to the pop star fuel unrest on global, seven-day tour. By Maud Deitch Rihanna performs in Berlin during her 777 Tour Photo: Target Presse Agentur Gmbh/ Getty Images
A moving and emotional powerhouse, Canadian director Kim Nguyen’s War Witch packs a punch worthy of the best of conflict thrillers, though more shocking is that the events depicted in the feature, which is Canada’s contender for Best Foreign-language Oscar consideration, are happening every day. The story of a teen girl who is kidnapped by Congo rebels after she is forced to execute her parents left audiences aghast at AFI Fest where it screened this week. Hailing from Canada, Nguyen may seem an unlikely filmmaker to take on some of the most notorious human rights tragedies of modern times, but he became interested in child soldiers after meeting a former youth who became lead a pack of others in a violent uprising in Africa. “There was this kid named Johnny who was a child soldier who was nine years old and smoked cigars everyday. He said he woke up one day thinking he was a reincarnation of God,” Nguyen told ML. “He had a [group] of soldiers that he lead in a rebellion against the government. The sheer madness of it all struck me and it pushed me to pursue this story.” The French-language feature, which won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival, stars non-pro Rachel Mwanza who plays a 14 year-old girl who becomes an important spiritual figure for a brutal leader of a band of violent rebels. The “Great Tiger” as he is known to his followers, believes she is a war witch who is capable of seeing government soldiers in the thick jungle. She is given preferential treatment, but she is also aware that if she fails in her job, she will likely be executed quickly. Another child soldier whom she calls “Magician” looks out for her and convinces her to run away with him. He tells her that three previous “war witches” were gunned down by the “Great Tiger” after they failed to warn him of the presence of government soldiers on previous occasions. The pair flee to one of Magician’s relatives and are “married” though the rebels eventually track them down. “Learning about child soldiers eventually lead me to Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Nguyen. “I learned that there are actually more women child soldiers than men, which was surprising. What’s tragic, of course, is that they’re used as sexual slaves.” Initially, Nguyen thought of casting actual former child soldiers, but decided against it after meeting them because the trauma of what they had been through was too much. “I had this idea of working with ex-child soldiers but they were just so broken. There was this stare and they were just so broken. So I had an idea to work with people who had similar tough backgrounds as many of the child soldiers, but hadn’t actually [faced warfare].” War Witch won Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival last Spring in addition to another Best Actress win for Mwanza. The festival’s distribution wing, Tribeca Film will release the feature in theaters in early 2013 in addition to Video On Demand and other digital platforms.
The Hamptons International Film Festival released its 2012 slate with a lineup of festival circuit notables as well as World, U.S. and East Coast premieres. HIFF released its Opening Films, including Love, Marilyn , Silver Linings Playbook , Argo and Not Fade Away recently. Today’s list includes the festival’s Spotlight Films section including Tim Burton ‘s latest, Frankenweenie and Cannes Palme d’Or winner Amour . And The Girl with Toby Jones , Sienna Miller and Imelda Staunton will have its worldwide debut at the upcoming event. Also in the roster are five films each competing in the Hamptons’ Narrative and Documentary feature competitions. The 20th anniversary edition of the Hamptons International Film Festival takes place October 4 – 8 in East Hampton, NY and other towns in Long Island’s East End. The lineup follows with descriptions provided by HIFF: Spotlight Films Frankenweenie Director: Tim Burton Cast: Martin Landau, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, Charlie Tahan, Frank Welker From Tim Burton, the visionary filmmaker behind Beeteljuice , The Nightmare Before Christmas , and Alice in Wonderland , comes Frankenweenie , a feature-length adaptation of his debut 1984 short film. Budding young scientist Victor Frankenstein loses his beloved dog Sparky in an accident. Soon after, Victor’s science teacher, Mr. Rzykruski (Martin Landau) conducts a class experiment showing the effects of electricity on a dead frog. In a flash of inspiration, Victor vows to bring Sparky back to life––with unexpected, monstrous consequences. Heartwarming and hilarious, this 3D stop-motion animated feature is a ghoulish good time for the whole family. Amour Director: Michael Haneke Cast: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert Legendary French actors Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva deliver career-capping performances as Georges and Anne, octogenarian retired music teachers living in a lovely Paris apartment. When Anne suffers a stroke, her condition rapidly deteriorates as George tries his best to cope and care for his ailing wife, all while his promise to never place her in a nursing home strains his relationship with his daughter (Isabelle Huppert). Director Michael Haneke ( The White Ribbon ) won an unprecedented second Palme d’Or in four years for this uncompromising and masterful drama about the true meaning of growing old together. The Details , East Coast Premiere Director: Jacob Aaron Estes Cast: Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Laura Linney, Ray Liotta, Kerry Washington, Dennis Haysbert Playing against type, Toby Maguire delights as the morally ambiguous Dr. Jeff Lang in this dark comedy with no shortage of laughs and gasps. When he attempts to rid his suburban Seattle backyard of raccoons, quickly earning the ire of his eccentric neighbor (Laura Linney), Jeff sets off a chain of events that leads to domestic rifts, adultery, blackmail, and murder. As his marriage to Nealy (Elizabeth Banks) and his life teeter dangerously on the brink of destruction, he seeks redemption by helping a friend in need, but it may be too late to stop the dominos in Jacob Aaron Estes’ offbeat dramedy. The Girl , World Premiere Director: Julian Jarrold Cast: Toby Jones, Sienna Miller, Imelda Staunton Alfred Hitchcock is not only perhaps the most famous film director of all time, creator of such classics as Vertigo and Psycho , but among the most controversial, plagued for years with accusations about his personal treatment of his frequently blonde leading ladies. The Girl stars Toby Jones as Hitchcock and Sienna Miller as actress Tippi Hedren, delineating their on- and off-set relationship while filming the seminal horror film, The Birds . Director Julian Jarrold stages the filming of many of The Bird ’s most famous sequences with wit and flair, and the central performances of Jones and Miller dig into the lives and personas of two icons of cinema in this penetrating docudrama. A Late Quartet , US Premiere Director: Yaron Zilberman Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mark Ivanir, Imogen Poots, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener As the world renowned Fugue Quartet celebrates its 25th anniversary season, their patriarch Peter (Christopher Walken) discovers he may be forced into retirement by illness. Long held resentments surface, leaving the musicians to contemplate not only their future, but whether the quartet has trumped all other personal relationships. Tempestuous fights, long held rivalries, and adultery are offset by timeless, beautiful classical music in first time fiction director Yaron Zilberman’s engrossing drama, with pitch-perfect performances from Phillip Seymour-Hoffman, Catherine Keener, and Mark Ivanir, and a lovely turn from Imogen Poots. Lay the Favorite , East Coast Premiere Director: Stephen Frears Cast: Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rebecca Hall, Joshua Jackson, Vince Vaughn Beth Waymer, played with humor and radiance by Rebecca Hall, is a dancer who heads to Las Vegas with dreams of becoming a cocktail waitress. When she meets Dink (Bruce Willis), a professional sports gambler, he notices her considerable talent for numbers amidst her bubbly demeanor. Pulling herself up by her wit instead of her bra straps, she discovers the lofty highs and sobering lows of the professional and underground gambling world. Based on a true story, Stephen Frears ( The Grifters , The Queen ) directs a star-studded cast in this smart, fast paced, and entertaining comedy set in Sin City. Rust & Bone , East Coast Premiere Director: Jacques Audiard Cast: Marion Cotillard, Matthias Schoenaerts From the BAFTA Award-winning director of A Prophet , Jacques Audiard’s Rust & Bone is a compelling and gritty drama starring Oscar® and BAFTA winner Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts ( Bullhead ). Stephanie trains orca whales, and Ali is an emotionally broken, unfit single father and aspiring boxer. When Stephanie is crippled after an accident with one of her beloved whales, they begin an intense romance that doubles as an examination of human weakness and strength. Schoenaerts and Cotillard deliver sharp and subtle performances that drive this drama to powerful emotional heights. The Sessions , East Coast Premiere Director: Ben Lewin Cast: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy One of the most surprising and winning films of the year, The Sessions follows the true story of Mark O’Brien, childhood polio survivor paralyzed from the neck down and confined to an iron lung. Far from melancholy, Mark, a poet and journalist by trade, vows to fulfill a lifelong goal: to have sex with a woman. To lose his virginity, Mark contacts a professional sex surrogate (the effervescent Helen Hunt) with the help of his therapist and his priest (William H. Macy). John Hawkes stars as Mark O’Brien in his best performance yet, more than matched by Hunt and Macy. Seven Psychopaths Director: Martin McDonagh Cast: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Tom Waits, Woody Harrelson Martin, a morally conflicted screenwriter played by Colin Farrell, battles writer’s block on his new feature, Seven Psychopaths . Writer’s block is the least of Martin’s worries when his best friend Billy (Sam Rockwell) places ads seeking psychopaths in the paper. Billy’s side job of kidnapping dogs is no less of a nuisance when he and his partner Hans, played by a startlingly on-point Christopher Walken, accidentally snatch an L.A. crime boss’ prized pooch. From director Martin McDonagh ( In Bruges ), Seven Psychopaths subverts the traditional psychopath genre by infusing it with humor, self-awareness, and pitch-perfect performances, while still maintaining an absurd body count. Shadow Dancer , East Coast Premiere Director: James Marsh Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Clive Owen, Gillian Anderson, Domhnall Gleeson Shadow Dancer , directed by BAFTA Award-winner James Marsh, is a brilliant spy thriller set in the politically volatile Northern Ireland of the early ‘90s, is gripping from its intense opening sequences to its shattering climax. A guilt-ridden young Irish woman, Colette (Andrea Riseborough), has devoted her life to the IRA cause since her traumatic childhood. An MI5 agent (Oscar® nominee and BAFTA winner Clive Owen) intercepts a planned bombing attack in London, and Colette is handed a devastating ultimatum: to go to jail as a terrorist and be separated from her small son, or return to her family as a police informer and spy. Smashed , East Coast Premiere Director: James Ponsoldt Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Mary Kay Place Mary Elizabeth Winstead delivers a career-making performance as Hannah, one half of an alcoholic couple with Aaron Paul (TV’s Breaking Bad ). After Hannah hits an all time low—puking in front of her first grade students—her colleague Dave (Nick Offerman, TV’s Parks & Recreation ) encourages her to seek help with his AA group. Making progress, she bonds with Jenny, a fellow alcoholic turned baker played by Academy Award® winner Octavia Spencer ( The Help ). However, her new sobriety places her marriage in peril. A surprisingly funny and honest look at addiction and recovery, director James Ponsoldt breathes new life and poignancy to an oft-told story. Whole Lotta Sole Director: Terry George Cast: Brendan Fraser, Colm Meaney, David O’Hara BAFTA nominee, Oscar®-winner and Hamptons resident Terry George ( Hotel Rwanda ) brings his immense talents to this entertaining comedy of errors set in Belfast. Jimbo Reagan owes local gangster Mad Dog Flynn five thousand dollars, but when he robs a fish market to secure the cash, things go from bad to worse, and he ends up with multiple hostages in a local antique shop currently run by the American cousin (Brendan Fraser) of its proprietor. With amusing turns by Colm Meaney as a cantankerous detective and David O’Hara as Flynn, this delightful comedy is a joy for film fans on both sides of the pond. Golden Starfish Award: Narrative The Almost Man (Mer eller mindre mann), US Premiere Director: Martin Lund Cast: Henrik Rafaelsen, Janne Heltberg, Tore Sagen, Per Kjerstad, Tov Sletta Thirty-five-year old Henrik and his girlfriend Tone still act like teenagers, pulling pranks and having impromptu dance parties in their new apartment, but the responsibilities of adulthood are finally beginning to loom. When Tone becomes serious about a new career, Henrik pulls in the opposite direction by partying with his hard drinking buddies and playing hooky from his job. Preoccupied by that familiar “Peter Pan” longing for perpetual adolescence, Henrik navigates his state of arrested development in increasingly oddball ways in this fresh and charming Norwegian comedy. Dead Man’s Burden , East Coast Premiere Director: Jared Moshé Cast: Barlow Jacobs, Clare Bowen, David Call, Joseph Lyle Taylor, Richard Riehle New Mexico, 1870. A lone rider gallops through the New Mexico terrain and a troubled young woman looks on. She aims her rifle. A shocking scene sets the stage for Jared Moshé’s first feature, a pitch-perfect Western about the bonds of family and the slow, inevitable tide of progress. The young woman, Martha, and her husband find a ticket to a better life in San Francisco when they ready the sale of her family’s land to a mining company. Riding in from the horizon, though, is her oldest brother Wade—whom she had thought killed during the Civil War. The siblings reunite, but tensions, mysteries, and suspicions bubble to the surface. La Demora , US Premiere Director: Rodrigo Plá Cast: Roxana Blanco, Carlos Vallarino, Oscar Pernas Agustín forgets things; he is aging and he knows it. María is never alone: she watches over everyone, sleeps very little, and works too much. She’s increasingly overwhelmed. One day, on impulse, María decides to abandon Agustín. The tightening grip of old age and the guilt of familial responsibility loom over this absorbing drama from rising director Rodrigo Plá. With an exacting gasp of the internal and external struggles María must endure, Plá explores the challenges of a timeless issue and society’s conflicted responses to life’s central questions. Kuma , US Premiere Director: Umut Dag Cast: Nihal Koldas, Begum Akkaya, Vedat Erincin, Murathan Muslu, Alev Irmak From debut director Umut Dag comes the powerful yet quiet family drama KUMA, which explores the relationship between Fatma, a dying woman clinging to old traditions, and her husband’s 19-year-old second wife, Ayse. As their close-knit Turkish family living in Vienna is forced come to terms with this new addition, friendships, jealousy, and hidden passions take unexpected turns. Heightened by strong performances, the film captures the complexities of a closed-circuit world living in a modern society. One of the most acclaimed films out of the Berlin Film Festival, KUMA is the story of different generations and cultures intersecting. Lore , US Premiere Director: Cate Shortland Screenwriters: Robin Mukherjee, Cate Shortland Cast: Saskia Rosendahl, Kai Malina, Nele Trebs, Ursina Lardi, Hans-Jochen Wagner, Mika Seidel In the twilight days of WWII, Lore’s Nazi parents have disappeared into the vortex of Allied retribution, and she must shepherd her younger siblings to safety on the grey edge of the Baltic Sea. In breathtaking images of damaged luminosity, LORE makes us see the dawning realization of WWII’s atrocities as though we had never known them before. It is the story of a tentative coming-of-age set in a maelstrom of brutality; it is a profound meditation on the insidiousness of evil and the transformative power of love; and it is nothing short of extraordinary. Golden Starfish Award: Documentary : Bay of All Saints , New York Premiere Director: Annie Eastman Filmed over six years, Annie Eastman’s debut is a lyrical portrait of three women who live on the palafitas, or shacks built on stilts, in the biggest bay in Bahia, Brazil. As the government threatens to reclaim the land for ecological reasons, generations of families, most of them single mothers, will be displaced. With Narato, the neighborhood refrigerator repairman as our guide, we meet Geni, Jesus, and Dona Maria, women with different mindsets but all compelled––in their own way––to fight for their family’s future and survival amidst the state’s urban development blunders and broken promises. Colombianos , New York Premiere Director: Tora Mårtens With a subtle and captivating storytelling style, Tora Mårtens’ documentary feature meanders gingerly, yet thoughtfully, through the relationship of two brothers, making her debut feel almost like a fable. At his mother’s behest and struggling with substance abuse, Fernando moves from Stockholm to Medellin for six months, hoping the change of scenery and his brother Pablo’s support will help him get clean. Pablo, a college student, tries different tactics to help Fernando but nothing seems to stick. As each brother begins to reassess his own path, they learn when to let go and when to take charge. El Huaso , US Premiere Director: Carlo Guillermo Proto Carlo Guillermo Proto directs this intensely personal documentary, interviewing his father and tracing the bonds and expectations of four generations of his family. Growing up in Chile, Gustavo Proto (director Carlo Proto’s father) always wanted to be a huaso—a rodeo cowboy—but instead he became a businessman and brought his family to Toronto for a better life. Now retired and convinced that he will develop Alzheimer’s like his mother and depression like his father, he plans to live out his dream in Chile before ultimately committing suicide, a decision he announces to his family amidst general protestation. Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet , New York Premiere Director: Jesse Vile Jason Becker was a musical prodigy, picking up the guitar at five years old, performing virtuoso solos at sixth grade talent shows, and signing a record deal at 19. But the following year, about to go on tour with David Lee Roth, Becker started limping and falling during performances. He was eventually diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and was soon no longer able to hold a guitar. He lost the ability to speak and was given three to five years to live. But, as Jesse Vile’s award-winning first film reveals, that was not the last we would hear of Jason Becker. Not Dead Yet is must-see cinema and a testament to a true musician. Rising From Ashes , World Premiere Director: T.C. Johnstone Narrator: Forest Whitaker Recovering from one of the worse genocides in history, the Rwandan people find something to root for in this inspiring and beautifully shot documentary. Transcending the differences that once divided them — and with the help of the first American to ride in the Tour de France — five cyclists come together to form the first Team Rwanda while racing for spots in the 2012 Olympics. Cycling has long been a national pastime in “the land of a thousand hills,” and Rising From Ashes not only gives us a glimpse of this country’s changing landscape, it invites us to share in its epic comeback story.
Speaking of old…. Dax Shepard deployed one of the oldest marketing tricks in the book on the Conan show on Monday when he diverted attention from the lame box-office performance of his movie Hit and Run by poking fun at the aging action stars who kicked his cinematic ass, the cast of The Expendables 2 . Shepard told host Conan O’Brien that the cast of the Sylvester Stallone-directed The Expendables 2 were “all show and no go” when it came to their collective well-muscled appearance. “It looks like the zombie apocalypse is saving the earth,” Shepard said in reference to the veteran ensemble. Alas, Hit and Run might have benefited from scenes of a zombie apocalypse, or something that would have raised moviegoer interest. The picture, which also starred Bradley Cooper and Shepard’s real-life girlfriend Kristen Bell grossed just $5.9 million in its initial five-day opening. The movie ranked 10th for the weekend, well behind The Expendables 2 , which saw a $13.5 million weekend and a 15-day domestic box-office take of $52.3 million. Feeling a little insecure there, Dax? Follow Frank DiGiacomo on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
