Woody Allen directing a film staring Larry David

It's true. IMDB says so.

Agile Mobile Hostile

It appears someone spent a year filming Andre Williams and the result is the documentary Agile Mobile Hostile.

Here is the trailer:

Have to get this out there

WALL.E is a masterpiece.

The Willow Tree

Last night I had the privilege of watching Majid Majidi's 2005 film The Willow Tree, which was just released here in America on DVD from New Yorker Films. It is unspeakably beautiful. All of you owe it to yourselves to see this film. Majidi is perhaps the most sensitive and religious of all directors, and this is a masterwork. See this film.

"The Darjeeling Limited" Trailer

So Blake told me the other day that Wes Anderson has a new movie coming out next month, and it totally me took by surprise. Here I was thinking that his next movie was going to be an animated version of Roald Dahl's The Fantastic Mr. Fox that wouldn't be out for at least another year. I guess I need to stay more on top of these things, because The Darjeeling Limited will get a limited U.S. release on September 29 (Grant you better make sure Cine gets it!). Written by Anderson, Roman Coppola, and Jason Schwartzman, the movie is about three brothers (played by Scwartzman, Owen Wilson, and Adrien Brody) who haven't spoken in a year, and decide to go on a "spiritual journey" (read: THEY DO DRUGS) in India. Of course they get involved in wacky misadventures, and probably rediscover some sort of touching brotherly bond.

The trailer looks pretty good, in characteristic Wes Anderson style it looks like it will both make you laugh and give you that warm fuzzy feeling. Plus it features a hot jam by the Kinks. Check it out:

"Aaaaaaaaaaah! Thuhhhhh Frencchch chaaaaampaigne....."

BEHOLD THE EXCELLENCE.

Must see film: The Two of Us

It's rental recommendation time.


This week's recommendation:

The Two of Us

I just watched The Two of Us (original French title, The Old Man and the Child) and I must make this post. I had been awaiting the release of this film since I learned of it's existence earlier this year as it's story sounded wonderful and it stars one of my favorite actors, Michel Simon. This is an absolutely beautiful film. I won't waste our time with plot or such nonsense. All I will say is that it is filled with joy, laughter, and humanity. It captures the mischevous companionship and love of a boy and a grandfather, as well as the forgiveness of ignorance in the face of love. Very rarely are we lucky enough to see something this special. So do make sure you see it.

NYT Ozu Article

It was nice to see on the front page of the electronic New York Times today an article relating the new Ozu collection released by Criterion.

This collection includes five of his later films, including Late Autumn. Awesome.

I won't continue when you can just read the article.

DVD Sale Alert or, Don't Do What Blake Don't Does

So I am obliged to tell you all about a DVD sale going on this month at Barnes and Noble, and it is BTGOF. Thats buy two get one free if you wanna be a dick about it. I am also obliged to tell you that you shouldn't do what I did, and that is buy DVDs when you're supposed to be saving for rent (SORRY CHRISTY). The point is, if you're like me and you're usually a netflixer, this is a great chance to own 3 good movies on the cheap. So you know about the BTGOF right? Yes you do. Well you should also know that all DVDs that are 39.99 are 10% off as well. What does this mean? Criterion releases of some of my favorites are finally at reasonable prices! WITNESS MY SAVINGS:

Playtime by Jacques Tati
I was giddy when I saw that Criterion was re-releasing Playtime with a fancy new 2 disc set full of Tati stuffed features, the best of which is obviously Cours du Soir. It is essentially a short film made to make up for the lack of Hulot in Playtime. Wonderful stuff. Too bad its usually really expensive right? SAVINGS.

Tokyo Story by Yasujiro Ozu
What else can be said about Ozu? He is truly one of the masters of the art. He has made some of the most delicate films I've ever seen, and now I can finally own one of my favorites. They are all wonderful, but Tokyo Story in particular has such a deep wish for decency from humanity that it stands as his masterpiece in my opinion. Thank you savings.

The Lower Depths, both the Jean Renoir and Akira Kurosawa versions
Two vastly different films by two of my favorite filmmakers based on the same source material, this is a wonderful release. Renoir's film has one of my favorite Gabin performances and is very lighthearted considering the subject matter, and Kurosawa's film is one of the darkest (and funniest) black comedies ever made. Two fantastic films for the price of less than one thanks to savings.

Now you know about the sale, and I hope you have more sense about spending money than I had. If you do not, you should check back in this coming week as I shall have the first in our series of rental recommendations. Tonight I leave you with a late night snack recommendation: Frito Lay Peanut Butter on Cheese Crackers and Diet Sprite. The verdict: pretty good.