RELEASES! Stoker (2013), The Great Gatsby (2013) | BASIC CLASSICS! Brief Encounter (1945), Saturday night and Sunday morning (1960)

Two great releases are going to be shown on screens in the coming days, the new adaptation of the cult novel The Great Gatsby by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet…) and Stoker, the American debut of a very interesting filmmaker from Korea, Park Chan-wook who has great success the last decade with the ultraviolent film Old Boy. There are two superb British classics in CBA: Brief Encounter and Saturday night and Sunday morning, a must!

RELEASE! Stoker (2013) by Park Chan-wook

Critics are divided analyzing Park Chan-wook’s debut in Hollywood. Korean director has had to soften his extreme style (that use to be very bloody) for American audiences and the result looks like a Hitchcock film. Starring Nicole Kidman and Mia Masikowska (the last Jane Eyre), this is the best option if you like thriller movies.

 Stoker [Stoker, 2013]-Directed by Park Chan-wook

Screenplay: Wentworth Miller

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Mia Masikowska, Matthew Goode, Jackie Weaver

Genre: Thriller

Nationality: USA

Length: 98 min.

Synopsis: After India’s father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

Rolling Stone has written: http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/stoker-20130228

RELEASE! The Great Gatsby (2013) by Baz Luhrmann

At last (this film was announced for 2012) we can enjoy the Baz Luhrmann’s return. There is always controversy with his releases, his personal style can be very excessive and baroque but this is something negative or positive, it depends of the spectator. It is not easy to adapt this American literature classic written in 20s but excessive as it is there are a plenty of fans of his films.

The Great Gatsby [El gran Gatsby, 2013]-Directed by Baz Luhrmann

Screenplay: Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce (Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald)

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Macguire, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher

Genre: Drama | Romance

Nationality: Australia

Length: 143 min.

Synopsis: A Midwestern war veteran finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

The Hollywood Reporter has written: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/great-gatsby/review/451988?utm_source=feedly

BASIC CLASSICS! Brief encounter (1945) by David Lean

David Lean is a safe. This is one of the most important films in his incredible career because he has a great success with this passionate love story. A curiosity: after this release, David Lean could roll the two Dicken’s adaptations of his filmography: Great Expectations (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948). Then came the most popular films as The bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962) or Doctor Zhivago (1965). So excellent a director!

Cine Estudio Círculo de Bellas Artes

Calle Marqués de Riera 2, Metro: Banco de España

Tickets 5,5 € [4 Reduced]

On Thursday 9^th 5.00pm; On Friday 10^th 5.00 pm; On Sunday 12^th 10.00 pm.

Brief encounter [Breve encuentro, 1945]-Directed by David Lean

Screenplay: Noël Coward, David Lean, Anthony Havelock Allan

Cast: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey

Genre: Drama | Romance

Nationality: United Kingdom

Length: 85 min.

Synopsis: Meeting a stranger in a railway station, a woman is tempted to cheat on her husband.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

Top 12 in The Best 100 British Films by Time Out London: http://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-100-best-british-films-2

BASIC CLASSICS! Saturday night and Sunday morning (1960) by Karel Reisz

The other British basic classic of the weekend on CBA screen is this film which it is said that this title is a good example of Free Cinema, one of the mean British Cinema movements in Twenty Century. This films were considered free in the sense that they were made outside the confines of the film industry and so they had a personal style influenced by this condition. All the great titles of this movement (such as If…, This sporting life or A taste of honey) are very important in British culture.

 

Cine Estudio Círculo de Bellas Artes

Calle Marqués de Riera 2, Metro: Banco de España

Tickets 5,5 € [4 Reduced]

On Saturday 11^th 5.00 pm; On Sunday 12^th 7.30 pm.

Saturday night and Sunday morning [Sábado noche, domingo mañana]-Directed by Karel Reisz

Screenplay: Allan Sillitoe (based on his own novel)

Cast: Albert Finney, Shirley Ann Field, Rachel Roberts, Hylda Baker

Genre: Drama | Free Cinema

Nationality: United Kingdom

Length: 89 min.

Synopsis: A rebellious, hard-living factory worker juggles relationships with two women, one of whom is married to another man but pregnant with his child.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

Top 22 in The Best 100 British Films by Time Out London: http://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-100-best-british-films-19#bestOf-22

RELEASES! Great Expectations (2012); To the wonder (2012) | BASIC CLASSICS! The Honey Pot (1967)

The new Dicken’s adaptation is already here. Critics have not been very flattering but it always a nice experience to watch a British adaptation of this immortal writer. The last year we could enjoy of the most beautiful film about Great Expectations filmed by David Lean in 1946 (and distributed in Spain as Cadenas Rotas), in fact, this huge novel has been read by the higher grades but, not be seen before the end of the novel! There is a very important American release this weekend, the new film by Terrence Malick after the controversial The Tree of Life.

RELEASES! Great Expectations (2012)

Mike Newell is not a brilliant director but he is very efficient. All films can not be masterpieces but at least they have to be well made. He is specializes in adaptations of novels as Harry Potter (J. K. Rowling), Love in the time of cholera (Gabriel García Márquez) or The man in the iron mask (Alexandre Dumas). His great success was Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994. Starring Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes, this Great Expectations comeback will be fine because the amazing stories of Pip, the convict Magwitch or the mysterious Miss Havisham are assured.

Great Expectations [Grandes Esperanzas, 2012]-Directed by Mike Newell

Screenplay: David Nicholls (Novel by Charles Dickens)

Cast: Jeremy Irvine, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Flemmyng

Genre: Drama | Romance

Nationality: United Kingdom

Length: 128 min.

Synopsis: A humble orphan suddenly becomes a gentleman with the help of an unknown benefactor.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

The Hollywood Reporter has written: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com//review/toronto-film-festival-great-expectations-review-helena-bonham-carter-369565

RELEASES! To the wonder (2012)

This is an absolute controversial film. It was released in the last Venice Film Festival where it was nominated (as Best Film). Starring Benn Affleck and Olga Kurylenko, this is story narrated as The Tree of Life (with a slow rhythm, poetical scenes, beautiful music…). It could be a Channel spot or a masterpiece filmed by an absolute auteur. A must this weekend!

To the wonder [To the wonder, 2012]-Directed by Terrence Malick

Screenplay: Terrence Malick

Cast: Benn Affleck, Olga Kurylenko, Javier Bardem, Rachel McAdams

Genre: Romance | Drama

Nationality: USA

Length: 112 min.

Synopsis: After visiting Mont Saint-Michel, Marina and Neil come to Oklahoma, where problems arise. Marina meets a priest and fellow exile, who is struggling with his vocation, while Neil renews his ties with a childhood friend, Jane.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

The Guardian has written: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/sep/02/to-the-wonder-review?newsfeed=true

BASIC CLASSICS! The Honey Pot (1967)

It is a pleasure to introduce this masterpiece by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, one of the great American directors ever. You know because he is who filmed basic classics as All about Eve (Eva al desnudo, 1950), Cleopatra (Cleopatra, 1963) or The Bareffot Contess (La condesa descalza, 1954, starring Ava Gardner). All his films are excellent! The honey pot was one of the last productions of this genius, starring Rex Harrison and set in the world of theatre. A delight!

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
On Thursday, 11th.  5:30 pm. Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

The Honey Pot [Mujeres en Venecia, 1967]-Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Screenplay: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Cast: Rex Harrison, Susan Hayward, Maggie Smith, Capucine

Genre: Comedy | Theatre

Nationality: USA

Length: 1967

Synopsis: Inspired by a performance of his favourite play, Volpone, 20th-century millionaire Cecil Fox devises an intricate plan to trick three of his former mistresses into believing he is dying.

Scene from the film (VO):

Roger Ebert has written: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19670525/REVIEWS/705250301/1023

RELEASES! Blue Valentine (2010); Mama (2013) BASIC CLASSICS! Moby Dick (1956); Fastaff (1965)

At last we can enjoy of one of the gems of the American indie cinema, three years afther its release in the rest of the world! However this opportunity must be seized. As it is said in the Peter Bradshaw’s review of this post “Blue Valentine is certainly a serious, intelligent film which deserves to be considered in the same light as Sam Mendes’s Revolutionary Road”. The other interesting release is Mama, a horror film that has become a success in Spain, in fact, there is a Spanish producer (Guillermo del Toro included). And finally, two absolute basic classics in Filmoteca Española, the particular John Huston’s Moby Dick adaption and Falstaff, one of Orson Wells’ works rolled in our country with several Shakespeare’s theatre plays. We must go to the movies!

RELEASE! BLUE VALENTINE (2010)

This interesting film is released with a considerable delay; it could not be an impediment! An intense romance is waiting for us starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, a couple very well chosen, indeed, Michell was nominated in the Oscars.

Blue Valentine [Blue Valentine, 2010]-Directed by Derek Cianfrance

Screenplay: Derek Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne, Joey Curtis

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mikel Vogel, John Doman

Genre: Romance | Drama | Indie Cinema

Nationality: USA

Length: 114 min.

Synopsis: The film centres on a contemporary married couple, charting their evolution over a span of years by cross-cutting between time periods.IMDb

The Guardian has written: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jan/13/blue-valentine-review

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

RELEASE! MAMA (2013)

If you like horror films it could be the best chose this weekend. A Canadian movie produced by Guillermo del Toro starring the actress on fashion, Jessica Chastain who could win the Oscar in the next ceremony. It is difficult to recognize her because she is blonde and she appears brown in the film. There will be chills.

Mama [Mamá, 2013]-Directed by Andrés Muschietti

Screenplay: Andrés Muschietti, Neil Cross, Barbara Muschietti

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Nicolaj Coster-Waldau, Megan Charpentier, Isabelle Nelisse

Genre: Horror | Ghosts

Nationality: Canada

Length: 100 min.

Synopsis: Annabel and Lucas are faced with the challenge of raising his young nieces that were left alone in the forest for 5 years…. but how alone were they?IMDb

Roger Ebert has written: http://www.rogerebert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130116/REVIEWS/130119994/1023

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

BASIC CLASSICS! MOBY DICK (1956)

John Houston’s film has superb action sequences and some well done work filmed in supporting roles, which helps overcome Gregory Peck as Ahab. The script, one of the sacred works of American literature) was adapted by Ray Bradbury, the great science fiction novelist who is well-know from great classics as Fahrenheit 451 or The Martian Chronicles.

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
On Saturday, 23th.  17:30 h. Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

Moby Dick [Moby Dick, 1956]-Directed by John Houston

Screenplay: Ray Bradbury, John Houston (Novel by Herman Melville)

Cast: Gregory Peck, Orson Welles, Richard Basehart, Leo Genn

Genre: Adventures | Drama

Nationality: United Kingdom

Length: 116 min.

Synopsis: The sole survivor of a lost whaling ship relates the tale of his captain’s self-destructive obsession to hunt the white whale, Moby Dick.IMDb

Popmatters has written: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/131267-moby-dick/

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

BASIC CLASSICS! FALSTAFF (1965)

Shakespeare again. Because he never is old fashioned. The master of cinema Orson Wells come to Spain because he could not make films in Hollywood with absolute freedom. This co-production between Spain and Switzerland is very curious because, in the same film, we can enjoy with a mix of four Shakespeare’s plays: Henry IV, Henry V, Richard II and The merry wives of Windsor. How intense!

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
On Sunday, 24th.  19:30 h. Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

Falstaff [Campanadas a medianoche, 1965]-Directed by Orson Welles

Screenplay: Orson Welles, Raphael Holinshed (Theatre plays by William Shakespeare)

Cast: Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau, Fernando Rey, Keith Baxter, John Gielgud

Genre: Drama | Theatre

Nationality: Switzerland-Spain

Length: 115 min.

Synopsis: The career of Shakespeare’s Sir John Falstaff as roistering companion to young Prince Hal, circa 1400-1413.IMDb

 The Independent has written: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/orson-welles-rarely-seen-masterpiece-is-restored-and-rereleased-2313302.html

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

RELEASES! Les Misérables (2012); The Master (2012) | BASSIC CLASSIC! The thief of Bagdad (1940)

Happy New Year! After these special days, we return with great proposals, among themselves to watch a lot of films in English. This firs moth will release several important films of Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino or Dustin Hoffman. To begin I recover two of the most important films released in Christmas and a beautiful British classic in Filmoteca. Enjoy it!

RELEASES! LES MISÉRABLES (2012)

One of the greatest musical of ever has a new cinema version, starring Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman or Helena Bonham Carter, this adaptation is the most important British production of 2012. If you watched the musical you need to compare with this film, it could be curious!

Les Misérables [Los Miserables]-2012 Directed by Tom Hooper

Screenplay: William Nicholson (Novel by Victor Hugo)

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway…

Genre: Drama | Musical

Nationality: United Kingdom

Length: 152 min.

Synopsis: In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever.

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

Time has written: http://entertainment.time.com/2012/12/11/les-miserables-the-youtube-version/

 

RELEASES! THE MASTER (2012)

 Paul Thomas Anderson who directed the acclaimed movie Magnolia (1999) returns with The Master, an essay about loneliness and power. It is inspired in the Scienciology Church’s leader but there are not explicit references in it. This is a very intense film that you will like if you enjoy other works of this director as There will be blood (2007) or Punch-Drunk Love (2002).

The Master [The Master]-2012 Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern…

Genre: Drama | Biopic

Nationality: USA

Length: 137 min.

Synopsis: A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future – until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader.IMBb

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

The Guardian has written: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/sep/01/the-master-review

 

BASIC CLASSICS! THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1940)

There are several The Thief of Bagdad’s versions but this is very special. Filmed with a very good taste this British remake is recommended to people who like classic productions, filmed in theatrical sceneries, with beautiful costumes and a touch of magic. Based in Arabian Nights (Las mil y una noches), to watch this film is an absolute pleasure.

The Thief of Bagdad [El ladrón de Bagdad]-1940 Directed by Michael Power

Screenplay: Lajo Biro and Miles Malleson (Based on Arabian Nights)

Cast: John Justin, Sabu, June Duprez, Conrad Veidt, Miles Malleson…

Genre: Fantastic | Adventures

Nationality: United Kingdom

Length: 109 min.

Synopsis: After being tricked and cast out of Bagdad by the evil Jaffar, King Ahmad joins forces with a thief named Abu to reclaim his throne, the city, and the Princess he loves.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

Time Out London has written: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/79226/the-thief-of-bagdad.html

RELEASES! Life of Pi (2012); Le Capital (2012) | BASIC CLASSICS! Sunset Boulevard (1950)

After a two horrifying weeks (I am talking about releases) the Spanish cinemas present two interesting films because these movies are created by two acclaimed filmmakers, Ang Lee and Constantin Costa-Gavras, curiously, no one of them are British or American. The recommendation of the week is completed with one of my prefer movie ever: Sunset Boulevard. The most perfect film that I have ever seen. Good weekend!

LIFE OF PI (2012) by Ang Lee

Ang Lee is this kind of director who falls well. He has rolled some of the most successful movies of the last years as Crouching Tiger & Hidden Dragon (2000), Sense and Sensibility (1995) or Brokeback Mountain (2005). He can realized blockbusters but with a special touch of sensibility that it could get the difficult harmony between box-office and criticism. In this occasion, Lee presents a nice best seller’s adaptation, Life of Pi, the amazing story of a boy who needs to survive in a boat after a shipwreck with a wild tiger in it. The gossips from Hollywood talk about it as the favourite film in the next Oscars Ceremony.

Life of Pi [Vida de Pi, 2012] Directed by Ang Lee

Screenplay: David Magee (Novel by Yann Martel)

Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Gérard Depardieu, Tabu…

Genre: Drama | Adventures | Survival

Nationality: USA

Length: 127 min.

Synopsis: A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor … a fearsome Bengal tiger.IMDb

Time has written: http://entertainment.time.com/2012/09/28/ang-lees-life-of-pi-the-next-avatar/?iid=ent-main-lede

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

LE CAPITAL (2012) by Constantin Costa-Gavras

He is the man associated with a cinematographic subgenre: Politic Cinema. The veteran Costa-Gavras is again here because he wants to show us her particular vision of this crisis. All his films are about great themes (especially about historic conflicts) as Missing (1982) about the Chilean dictatorship or Hanna K. (1983) about the Middle East conflict. Le Capital is a particular film because it is talked in English and French. This is one of the more attractive releases of the month!

Le Capital [El Capital, 2012] Directed by Constantin Costa-Gavras

Screenplay: Constantin Costa-Gavras, Karim Boukercha, Jean-Claude Grumberg (Novel by Stéphane Osmont)

Cast: Gad Elmaleh, Gabriel Byrne, Jordana DePaula, Hyppolyte Girardot…

Genre: Thriller | Drama | Crisis

Nationality: French

Length: 114min.

Synopsis: The head of a giant European investment bank desperately clings to power when an American hedge fund company tries to buy them out.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VOSI):

The Hollywood Reporter has written: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/capital-le-capital-370572

BASIC CLASSICS! SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) by Billy Wilder

A very inspired Billy Wilder rolled this spectacular film in the Golden Age of American Cinema at 50s. A ironic and corrosive portrait of the Hollywood underworld, with a fantastic rhythm, brilliant dialogues, superb interpretations and a script with any error. Simply perfect!

Sunset Boulevard [El crepúsculo de los dioses, 1950] Directed by Billy Wilder

Screenplay: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, D.M. Marshman Jr.

Cast: Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson…

Genre: Drama | Satire

Nationality: USA

Length: 110min.

Synopsis: A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent-film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.IMDb

The New York Times has written: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/47703/Sunset-Boulevard/overview

Scene from the original film (VOSE):

RELEASES! Trouble with the curve (2012); Chasing Mavericks (2012) | The Bigamist (1953)

After a horrible weekend without interesting releases the next is not looks like better. However, the Ang Lee’s comeback, Life of Pi, is near and I am sure that this will be one of the best American films of the year. At any rate, if we want to watch a release we could chose between these two films with similar theme: sports. Enjoy this!

Trouble with the curve (2012) by Robert Lorenz

The Robert Lorenz’s debut is been released in our country starring Clint Eastwood, indeed, he was his assistant director in the beautiful The Bridges of Madison County (1995)or in the awarded Mystic River (2003). This is a nice story about improvement and sportsmanship. It looks like a film friendly.

Trouble with the curve [Golpe de efecto, 2012] Directed by Robert Lorenz

Screenplay: Randy Brown

Cast: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman…

Genre: Drama | Sports

Nationality: USA

Length: 111 min.

Synopsis: An ailing baseball scout in his twilight years takes his daughter along for one last recruiting trip.

StarTribune has written: http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/170535676.html?refer=y

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

Chasing Mavericks (2012) by Curtis Hanson

Despite the sad Hanson’s trajectory, this filmmaker is the director of one of the masterpieces at 90s: L.A. Confidential. An excellent movie from which there is no trace in his later films. What a pity. If the previous movie is about baseball, this is about surfing so it is not only appropriate to the season in which hits theaters. Anyway, seems very entertaining.

Chasing Mavericks (2012) [Persiguiendo Mavericks, 2012] Directed by Curtis Hanson

Screenplay: Brandon Hooper, Kario Salem

Cast: Gerard Butler, Johnny Weston, Elisabeth Shue, Scott Eastwood

Genre: Drama | Sports

Nationality: USA

Length: 116 min.

Synopsis: When young Jay Moriarty discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson to train him to survive it.IMDb

The New York Times has written: http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/10/26/movies/chasing-mavericks-by-curtis-hanson-and-michael-apted.html

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

The Bigamist (1953) by Ida Lupino

We will always have… the classics! And we must remember that Ida Lupino is been honored in Filmoteca. Ida Lupino’s case is not very common in Hollywood  where directors mostly male in the Golden Age. The Bigamist is a classic drama with Ida Lupino as director and actress, at the same time and with a curious gossip: the story was written by Collier Young, recently divorced from Lupino, only to remarry her co-star – Joan Fontaine!

The Bigamist (1953) [El Bígamo, 1953] Directed by Ida Lupino

Screenplay: Larry Marcus, Lou Schor, Collier Young

Cast: Joan Fontaine, Ida Lupino, Edmund Gwenn, Edmond O’Brien…

Genre: Drama

Nationality: USA

Length: 80 min.

Synopsis: Harry and Eve Graham are trying to adopt a baby. The head of the agency senses Harry is keeping a secret and does some investigating. He soon discovers Harry has done an unusual amount of traveling from his home in San Francisco to Los Angeles. Harry gets tracked down in LA where he has a second wife and a baby. Via flashbacks, Harry tells the adoption agent how he ended up in two marriages.IMDb

Time Out London has written: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/67738/the-bigamist.html

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

RELEASES! The angels’ share (2012) | BASIC CLASSICS! Two for the road /1967); On dangerous method (1951)

There are not a great release this weekend but the next 15^th we could watch a very British movie: Angeles’ share with a curious event organized by Renoir Cinema. I will explain bellow. However we can enjoy two basic classic from Hollywood with Nicholas Ray (in Filmoteca Española) and Stanley Donen (CBA).

RELEASE! Angel’s share (2012)

If you like whiskey you will enjoy with this curious event. The next 15^th Thursday, Renoir allows you to watch the new Ken Loach’s film with a whiskey tasting for only six euros. The men who dress in kilts, are free! It is an activity that seems unusual but very funny. You can buy your tickets in: http://www.pillalas.com/pelicula/2004/

The angels’ share [La parte de los ángeles, 2012] Directed by Ken Loach

Screenplay: Paul Laverty

Cast: Roger Allan, John Henshaw, William Ruane, Daniel Portman…

Genre: Comedy

Nationality: UK

Length: 101 min.

Synopsis: Narrowly avoiding jail, new dad Robbie vows to turn over a new leaf. A visit to a whisky distillery inspires him and his mates to seek a way out of their hopeless lives.IMDb

The Guardian has written: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/may/31/the-angels-share-review

Theatrical Trailer (VOSI):

BASIC CLASSICS! Two for the road (1967)

This beautiful movie, elegant and twilight, starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney, with a immortal soundtrack created by Henri Mancini (Pink Panther, Breakfast at Tifanny’s, Charade, Touch of Evil… ) and directed by Stanley Donen is an absolute classic. A study of marital bliss very refined but sad. A sample of the great pain that can cause us to return to the places where we were happy. Essential!

Two for the road [Dos en la carretera, 1967] Directed by Stanely Donen

Screenplay: Frederic Raphael

Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Albert Finney, Eleanor Bron, Jacqueline Bisset…

Genre: Drama | Romance | Road Movie

Nationality: USA

Length: 111 min.

Synopsis: A couple in the south of France non-sequentially spin down the highways of infidelity in their troubled ten-year marriage.IMDb

Roger Everet has written: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19671002/REVIEWS/100129982

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

BASIC CLASSICS! On dangerous ground (1951)

This picture looks as the typical hidden gem. Directed by Nicholas Ray, this is a sample of the tribute to Ida Lupino, a singular women, actress and not well known director. One of the few relevant female directors during the golden ages of American Cinema. We can watch films directed by her but, in this case, this is a film starring her. Enjoy it!

On dangerous ground [La casa en la sombra, 1951] Directed by Nicholas Ray

Screenplay: A.I. Bezzerides (Novel by Gerald Butler)

Cast: Ida Lupino, Robert Ryan, Charles Kemper, Anthony Ross…

Genre: Thriller | Noir

Nationality: USA

Length: 82 min.

Synopsis: Hard, withdrawn city cop Jim Wilson roughs up one too many suspects and is sent upstate to help investigate the murder of a young girl in the winter countryside. There he meets Mary Malden, whom he finds attractive and independent. However, Mary’s brother is chief suspect in the killing. And Mary herself is blind.IMDb

The New  York Times has written: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/36228/On-Dangerous-Ground/overview

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

 

RELEASES! Skyfall (2012); 360 (2012); Submarine (2010)

Gunfight at the top of the Spanish theaters! Two of the most acclaimed directors release two British productions. One side, Sam Mendes (American beauty, Revolutionary road) takes charge of the famous James Bond, one of the heroes more profitable for British cinema; this new release claims to be more humane, deep and clever than others. On the other hand, Fernando Meirelles (Cidade de Deus, The constant gardener) presents 360, a film with an interesting cast: Rachel Weisz, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins or Ben Foster. I will not recommend a classic this weekend because we have three British releases, something unusual. The other film is Submarine, a release late (this  movie is from 2010) but absolutely British!

RELEASES!  Skyfall (2012) by Sam Mendes.

It was an absolute surprise when it was announced that Sam Mendes was directing the new James Bond’s film. Criticism has been very good because this new adventure shows a different James Bond portrait: more human, more close. This could be the mean reason of this election, Sam Mendes, a filmmaker far away from action films.

Skyfall [Skyfall, 2012] Directed by Sam Mendes

Screenplay: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan

Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney

Genre: Thriller | James Bond

Nationality: UK

Length: 143 min.

Synopsis: Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.IMDb

The Guardian has written:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/oct/13/skyfall-james-bond-first-look-review

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

RELEASES! 360 (2011) by Fernando Meirelles

Generally speaking, criticism has been very cruel with Meirelles’ comeback. This is an adaptation of the great figures of the Austro-Hungarian Empire: Arthur Schnitzler. Despite having a large casting, 360 looks like a film failed. But he deserves a change (even for our English!).

360 [360, 2011] Directed by Fernando Meirelles

Screenplay: Fernando Meirelles (Novel by Arthurz Schnitzler)

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Rachel Weisz, Jude Law, Ben Foster

Genre: Drama | Romance | Erotic

Nationality: UK

Length: 110 min.

Synopsis: A dramatic thriller that weaves together the stories of an array of people from disparate social backgrounds through their intersecting relationships.IMDb

Los Angeles Times has written: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/02/entertainment/la-et-mn-360-movie-review-20120803

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

RELEASES! Submarine (2010) by Richard Ayoade

The famous British comedian Richard Ayoade adapts the Joe Dunthorne’s best seller in the most British film of the week (perhaps, of the month). A comedy made with a peculiar style (between Wes Anderson or Jean Luc Godard) that, it is sure, it will be one of the best election to practise our English.

Submarine [Submarine, 2011] Directed by Richard Ayoade

Screenplay: Richard Ayoade (Novel by Joe Dunthorne)

Cast: Craig Roberts, Yasmine Paige, Sally Hawkins, Paddy Considine…

Genre: Comedy | Romance

Nationality: UK

Length: 97 min.

Synopsis: 15-year-old Oliver Tate has two objectives: To lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to extinguish the flame between his mother and an ex-lover who has resurfaced in her life.

The New York Times has written:

http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/movies/submarine-with-craig-roberts-review.html?ref=movies&_r=0

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

RELEASES! Ruby Sparks (2012); Argo (2012) | BASIC CLASSICS! Miller’s Crossing (1990)

There are not British releases this weekend even if we can watch two interesting new American films on Spanish theaters: Ruby Sparks, a film directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, two directors well known because they are the filmmakers of the famous film Little Miss Sunshine; and Argo, a new Ben Affleck’s sample as director. The classic of the week is Miller’s Crossing, one of the Coen Brothers’ masterpieces. Enjoy it!

•  RELEASES! Ruby Sparks (2012) by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

This movie looks good! A story about a writer that fall in love with his character starring Annette Bening and Antonio Banderas. If you liked Little Miss Sunshine this could be you election this weekend. I will tell us because I will premiere on Thursday. Very interesting!

Ruby Sparks [Ruby Sparks, 2012] Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

Screenplay: Zoe Kazan

Cast: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening,

Genre: Comedy | Romance

Nationality: USA

Length: 104 min.

Synopsis: A novelist struggling with writer’s block finds romance in a most unusual way: by creating a female character he thinks will love him, then willing her into existence.IMDb

The Hollywood Reporter has written: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/ruby-sparks-film-review-338721

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

•  RELEASES! Argo (2012) by Ben Affleck

Nobody knows the Ben Affleck’s filmography as director and this could be a good film to discover his talent making movies. This is not his debut, Affleck had previously filmed two films: Gone baby gone (2007) and The City (2010). Already there are rumors that Argo might be one of the big winners of the Oscars.

Argo [Argo, 2012] Directed by Ben Affleck

Screenplay: Chris Terrio

Cast: Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, Taylor Schilling…

Genre: Thriller | Drama

Nationality: USA

Length: 120 min.

Synopsis: A dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran.IMDb

Variety has written: http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117948149/

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

•  BASIC CLASSICS! Miller’s Crossing (1990) by Coen Brothers

“A handsome film about men in hats” was how Joel and Ethan Coen described their third film, this beautiful gangster classic that takes great pains to resurrect the genre. Inspired by Dashiell Hammett‘s classic novel The Glass Key, Miller’s Crossing contains some fabulous set-pieces and memorable dialogues. Essential!

Miller’s Crossing [Muerte entre las flores, 1990] Directed by Coen Brothers

Screenplay: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (Novel by Dashiell Hammett)

Cast: Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, John Turturro, Steve Buscemi, Frances McDormand…

Genre: Drama | The 20s | Gangsters

Nationality: USA

Length: 115 min.

Synopsis: Tom Regan, an advisor to a Prohibition-era crime boss, tries to keep the peace between warring mobs but gets caught in divided loyalties.IMDb

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
On Friday, 26th.  7.45 pm Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

Time Out London has written: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/73205/millers-crossing.html

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

 

RELEASES! Looper (2012) | BASIC CLASSICS! Bunny Lake is missing (1965)

This is the Fiesta del Cine week! If you buy a cinema ticket this week you will receive a little card witch enables to you to buy tickets to next week (only Monday, Thursday and Wednesday) to 2 euros! The best (V.O) theaters are included (except Verdi Cinema). In spite not having big releases this weekend, I am going to remember us the best films (in English) on theaters:

–A Rome with love (2012) by Woody Allen. {Woody is always funny}

–The Impossible (2012) by Juan Antonio Bayona {The Spanish film about the tsunami}

–Kill them softly (2012) by Andrew Domink {Interesting thriller starring Brad Pitt}

–Savages (2012) by Oliver Stone {From Don Wislow’s novel}

–Bel Ami (2012) by Ormerod and Donellan {One of the few films made in UK in theaters}

–Frankenweenie (2012) de Tim Burton {Ideal to see with children}

–Cosmopolis (2012) de David Cronenberg {Bizarre and extreme fable anti-capitalist}

The promotional video (in Spanish):

 

 RELEASES! Looper (2012) by Rian Johnson

An original American movie about time travels and others CI-FI adventures. Starring Bruce Willis, this is the most remarkable release in a insipid weekend. This film is recommended to people who like movies like Matrix, Inception, Blade Runner or Minority report, this kind of films that are often referred as “Futuristic Thriller”.

Looper [Looper, 2012] Directed by Rian Johnson

Screenplay: Rian Johnson

Cast: Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano…

Genre: Thriller | Sci-Fi | Futuristic Thriller

Nationality: USA

Length: 118 min.

Synopsis: In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30 years into the past, where a hired gun awaits. Someone like Joe, who one day learns the mob wants to ‘close the loop’ by transporting back Joe’s future self.IMDb

USA Today has written:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/story/2012/09/27/circling-action-packed-story-makes-looper-intriguing/57845416/1?csp=34life&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomMovies-TopStories+%28Life+-+Movies+-+Top+Stor

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

 

BASIC CLASSICS! Bunny Lake is missing (1965) by Otto Preminger

We can watch on CBA’s theater this interesting film directed by Otto Premiger. A suffocate thriller adapted from Evelyn Piper’s novel starring Laurence Olivier, one of the great British actors whose presence justifies the film’s vision. A British classic that I have watched and it is very amazing, a dark story about a missing child with an unexpected end. I liked it!

Bunny Lake is missing [El rapto de Bunny Lake, 1986] Directed by Otto Premiger

Screenplay: John and Penelope Mortimer (Novel by Evelyn Piper)

Cast: Laurence Olivier, Keir Dullea, Carol Lynley, Martita Hunt…

Genre: Thriller | Psychological Drama

Nationality: United Kingdom

Length: 107min.

Synopsis: A woman reports that her young daughter is missing, but there seems to be no evidence that she ever existed.IMDb

CBA – Cine Círculo de Bellas Artes

Alcalá 42 (Marqués de Cubas St. Access)

Metro: Sevilla / Banco de España

Sunday 14 October: 4. 45 pm.

VOSE. Tickets: 5’5€, 4€ (Reduced)

New York Times has written:

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/86245/Bunny-Lake-Is-Missing/overview

Honoured Saul Bass title sequence:

 

RELEASES! Bel Ami (2012); The Deep Blue sea (2011) | BASIC CLASSICS! The Dead (1987)

Hello, I am here again because I will continue to carry the film blog. I cut and paste my presentation of the last year (because I am going to do the shame): I am Antonio and from this moment on I am going to recommend the most important releases every week. I will provide a link to the best films in English, especially British and some from Hollywood. They can be movies from other nationalities because there are films shot in English from many other countries (such as Sweden, Canada…).  It will depend on the quality and on how many British movies have that week.
I will also recommend British films shown in the  Filmoteca Española and Círculo de Bellas Artes, two great screens where we can see basic classics. This option has guaranteed success and a very good price.

Thank you for your interest, watching British films is a good way to practise our English understanding skills. And one way to have fun!

BRITISH RELEASE of the Week! Bel Ami (2012)

Everybody says that this is the worst adaptation of Bel Ami, a masterpiece written by French novelist Guy de Maupassant, well-know for his horror tales like Edgar Allan Poe or H.P. Lovecraft. But this is not a horror film, it is a story about love and the most important British release of the week. It looks like a movie designed for Robert Pattison, the young actor on fashion who also features another important release the next weekend, Cosmopolis by David Cronenberg. There is also another remarkable Hollywood adaptation of the 40s starring Angela Lansbury and George Sanders that is better… but this is the film that we can watch on screens these days. Enjoy it!

 

Bel Ami [Bel Ami, historia de un seductor]-2012  Directed by Nick Ormerod and Declan Donnellan

Screenplay: Rachel Bennette (Novel: Guy de Maupassant)

Cast: Robert Pattison, Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas…

Genre: Drama | Romance | Literary adaptation

Length: 103 min.

Synopsis: A chronicle of a young man’s rise to power in Paris via his manipulation of the city’s most influential and wealthy women.IMDb

The New York Time has written:

http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/06/08/movies/bel-ami-from-maupassant-novel-with-robert-pattinson.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

ON THEATER! (SO BRITISH!) The Deep Blue Sea (2011)

This is a particular recommendation because it is not a release. I decided to rescue this film on theatres because it is a good example of the British label on cinema. I had the opportunity to watch this film last year in a festival but the release was delayed until recently. This is not a simple film because it is directed by Terence Davis, one of the British filmmakers acclaimed by critics, a particular artist whose cinema  is closer to art   than it is to entertainment. The cinematographic rhythm is very slow and there is a very theatrical staging but the plot is very easy to follow and Rachel Weisz is fantastic. I loved it!

The Deep Blue Sea [The Deep Blue Sea]-2011  Directed by Terence Davis

Screenplay: Terence Davis (Novel: Terence Rattigan)

Cast: Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston, Simon Russell Beale, Ann Mitchell…

Genre: Melodrama | Romance

Length: 98 min.

Synopsis: The wife of a British Judge is caught in a self-destructive love affair with a Royal Air Force pilot.IMDb

Los Angeles Times has written:

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/23/entertainment/la-et-deep-blue-sea-20120323

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

BASIC CLASSICS! The Dead (1987)

Finally, and as usual past year, I will recommend a film from alternative screens. This weekend we can enjoy an absolute masterpiece in Círculo de Bellas Artes. John Huston filmed this sad story when he was very ill in a wheelchair, in fact, he died soon and this is his last work. This film is an adaption of The Dead, the short story that close Dubliners, the amazing book of James Joyce. This was the John Huston’s testament, a film that celebrates the joy of life and the sadness of the memories. Essential.

 

The Dead [Dublineses (Los Muertos)]-1987  Directed by John Houston

Screenplay: Tony Houston (Story from Jame Joyce’s book Dubliners)

Cast: Anjelica Houston, Donald McCann, Hellena Carroll, Ingrid Craigie…

Genre: Drama | Romance | Literary adaptation

Length: 83 min.

Synopsis: Gabriel Conroy and wife Greta attend a Christmas dinner with friends at the home of his spinster aunts, an evening which results in an epiphany for both of them.IMDb

Cine Círculo de Bellas Artes (CBA)

Alcalá, 42 Metro: Banco de España/Sevilla

VOSE. Price: 5€ (Normal). 3, 40€ (Reduced)

Friday 05 October:  7:30 pm

Saturday 06 October:  10:00 pm

Sunday 07. October: 7:30 pm

The Guardian has written:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2006/dec/02/stage

Famous scene when Gretta (Anjelica Huston) hear the traditional irish song that brings the memory of her boyfriend died in his youth. No dialogues:

RELEASES! Salmon fishing in the Yemen (2011) | The Searchers (1956)

Here come the recommendations of the weekend with two interesting films, a British drama signed by Swedish film director Lasse Hallström starring Ewan McGregor, and one of the best films ever, the canonic western The Searchers, filmed in an American mythic scenario with the ideal hero: John Wayne. An absolute masterwork directed by John Ford.

RELEASES! (So British!) Salmon fishing in the Yemen (2011)

Veteran film director Lasse Hallström returns with a British film with an unusual title: Salmon fishing in The Yemen. It looks like ridiculous but there is a beautiful romance story inside. We need to remember the past successes of this director for trying to confide in him, like: What’s eating Gilbert Grape? (1993) The film that discovered Leonardo Di Caprio starring Johnny Deep; The Cider House Rules (1999) based on a novel by John Irving, with several Oscars, or Chocolat (2000), with Johnny Deep and Juliette Binoche. So, we can imagine what kind of film could be this release.

Salmon fishing in the Yemen [La pesca del salmón en Yemen]-2011 Directed by Lasse Hallström

Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy (Novel: Paul Torday)
Cast: Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rachel Stirling
Genre: Comedy | Romance

Length: 111 min.

Synopsis: A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheik’s vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible.IMDb

Entertainment Weekly has written:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20567637,00.html

Theatrical Trailer (VOSE):

BASIC CLASSICS! The Searchers (1956)

A singular western directed by a genius like John Ford, is waiting for us in Filmoteca Española next sunday. This film is adored by criticism because is made with a suberb talent, with subtexts, an epic history and very iconic images. It is not an easy film… but it will stay in your memory for ever.

The Searchers [Centauros del desierto]-1956 Directed by John Ford

Screenplay: Frank S. Nugent
Cast: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Natalie Wood, Ward Bond, Vera Miles, John Qualen
Genre: Western | Drama

Length: 119 min.

Synopsis: As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.IMDb

ABC has written:

http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s3177961.htm

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

 

NEWS! HITCHCOCK IN HD!

During this month, we can enjoy some of the most remarkable films of  Alfred Hitchcock. Cines Verdi (Bravo Murillo Street, 28) have had this excellent idea and we must support them. The films selected are: The Birds (1963), Psycho (1960), Vertigo (1958) and North by Nortwest (Con la muerte en los talones, 1953). I could not to choose only one!

This is the promotional video:

And the Verdi Cinema Link:

http://www.cines-verdi.com/madrid/noticias.php?id=123

RELEASES! Take shelter (2011) | BASIC CLASSICS! Cat on a hot tin roof (1958); The Ladykillers (1955)

The realeases of the week are not so important that a film that I am not talking about the last week: Take Shelter. An independent production from USA that had been treated with special interesting by cinematographic criticism.

This weekend we can enjoy two fantastic films in Filmoteca Española, the immortal drama by Tennessee Williams, Cat on a hot tin roof, with another actoral lesson by Liz Taylor, and The Ladykillers, an outstanding collection of British black humour in the tribute that pays this month to the Scottish filmmaker Alexander McKendrick. Enjoy it!

RELEASES! Take shelter (2011)

After a collection of films about the end of the world, directed by Lars von Trier (Melancholia)or Abel Ferrara (44:4 Last day on Earth), came an attractive film about a man that is obsessed with the Apocalypse and protecting his family. We do not know if he is crazy, influenced by a mental illness or it is true that the end of the world is starting. We need to watch the movie to know it.

Take shelter [Take shelter]-2011 Directed by Jeff Nichols

Screenplay: Jeff Nichols

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Kathy Baker, Katy Mixon, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham

Genre: Drama | Apocalypse

Length: 123 min.

Synopsis: Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.IMDb

Theatrical trailer (VO):

The New York Times has written:

http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/movies/take-shelter-with-michael-shannon-and-jessica-chastain.html?smid=tw-nytimesmovies&seid=auto

BASIC CLASSICS! Cat on a tin hot roof (1958)

What can we say about this absolute classic? A masterpiece signed by Tennessee Williams that shows an ideal mosaic built with the typical elements of this author: melodramatic style, tortured souls, lies, a hypocritical society, a lot of tears and passion. The cast is also great: Liz Taylor (with a memorable performance) and Paul Newman (with a very sad character). This is one of those films required viewing (but then you do not like).

Curiosity: The Spanish translator decided to delete the word “HOT” from the original title. This had a very explicit sexual connotation.

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
On Saturday, 14th.  19:00 h. Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

Cat on a tin hot roof [La gata sobre el tejado de zinc]-1958  Directed by Richard Brooks

Screenplay: Richard Brooks, James Poe (Theatre play: Tennessee Williams)

Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Brick Pollit, Larry Gates, Burl Ives, Madeleine Sherwood, Judith Anderson

Genre: Drama | Theatre adaptation

Length: 108 min.

Synopsis: Brick, an alcoholic ex-football player, drinks his days away and resists the affections of his wife, Maggie. His reunion with his father, Big Daddy, who is dying of cancer, jogs a host of memories and revelations for both father and son.IMBb

The New York Times has written:

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE6D71430E73BBC4152DFBF668383649EDE

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

BASIC CLASSICS (So British!)! The Ladykillers (1955)

Moreover, we can watch an advisable tribute to Alexander McKendrick, a typical filmmaker form UK that I like to put him the SO BRITISH! Label because with this kinds of films we can understand more than a language, knowing particular elements of British life or the way that they understand the world. The Ladykillers is an ideal black humour comedy that probably you know because there was a remake, a few years ago (2004), directed by Coen Bros. and starring Tom Hanks. Fun is guaranteed!

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
On Sunday, 15th.  21:45 h. Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

The Ladykillers [El quinteto de la muerte]-1955  Directed by Alexander McKendrick

Screenplay: William Rose

Cast: Alec Guiness, Peter Sellers, Kate Johnson, Danny Green, Jack Warner

Genre: Comedy | Black humour

Length: 123 min.

Synopsis: Five diverse oddball criminal types planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.IMDb

BBC has written:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/08/08/the_ladykillers_1955_review.shtml

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

 

RELEASES! Wuthering Heights (2011) | BASIC CLASSICS! Sunrise (1927)

At last, we can enjoy a British vision of  Emily Brönte’s masterpiece. Experimental, sensual, different, controvert, original, boring, bizarre… We can put so many adjectives… But, to do it, we must watch it! Advertisement: This is not a faithful adaptation, it is a possibility of regenerating concepts from the novel, an essay of Wuthering Heights that it will give us a polemic (and interesting) conversation.

Moreover, I dare to recommend a silent movie, one of my favorite movies ever, Sunrise, a visual poem signed by Murnau in Hollywood that it is considered a masterpiece of the silent period, simple and beautiful at the same time, unique…

RELEASES! Wuthering Heights (2011)

What can we say about this immortal story? A volcanic passion written by a solitary woman in a desolate place, one of the superb chapters in British Literature History… What makes this  new adaptation interesting? It is directed by a woman, Andrea Arnold, with not much budget, with a radical and different point of view and (like always) it is British!

Wuthering Heights [Cumbres borrascosas]-2011 Directed by Andrea Arnold

Screenplay: Olivia Hetreed (Novel: Emily Brönte)
Cast: Kaya Scodelario, Nichola Burley, Oliver Milburn
Genre: Romance | Drama

Length: 128 min.

Synopsis: A poor boy of unknown origins is rescued from poverty and taken in by the Earnshaw family where he develops an intense relationship with his young foster sister, Cathy.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoOuB9PAVug

The Guardian has written:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/sep/06/wuthering-heights-review

BASIC CLASSICS! Sunrise (1927)

April starts in Filmoteca Española with a selection of the main films of the history of the Cinema, so we can watch Sunrise this Sunday, a film that represents the degree of stylization that got silent movies before the advent of sound. It is a nice story (not much original) but narrated with the style of a genius, composing planes with a delicious taste, being so interesting and amazing at the same time. If you want to start watching silent movies, this is an ideal election. I love this film!

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
Sala 1. VO. English intertitles-Spanish subtitles. Sunday, 17:30. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

Sunrise [Amanecer]-1927  Directed by Friedrich W. Murnau

Screenplay: Carl Mayer
Cast: George O’Brien, Jane Gaynor, Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingston
Genre: Silent cinema | Romance Drama

Length: 94 min.

Synopsis: A married farmer falls under the spell of a slatternly woman from the city, who tries to convince him to drown his wife.IMDb

Theatrical Trailer (VO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFJtblnLX1s

The Guardian has written (Pamela Hutchinson chooses her favorite movies):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2011/nov/16/my-favourite-film-sunrise

ACTIVITIES! CHARLES DICKENS ON CINEMA

 

The next 15th on March we are going to watch one of the best Dickens’s adaptation: GREAT EXPECTATIONS. A British film directed by David Lean.

Conducing by Antonio Morales (screenwriter), accompanied by Alejandra Frade (producer) and Bruce St. Clair (director):

5.45 p.m.  INTRODUCTION

6.00 p.m.  GREAT EXPECTATIONS (115 min.) Original Version with Subtitles

8.00 p.m.  DISCUSSION:

-Dickens topics

-Great Expectations remakes

-From novel to cinema: the success of the adaptation

Do not miss it!

RELEASES! The ides of March (2011) | BASIC CLASSICS! Gigi (1958)

In regard to releases this is not a glorious weekend. There is only a remarkable release, George Clooney’s comeback like director (and actor). It is not his debut, he was a great success in 2005 with the story about Joseph McCarthy and the CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow, a movie calls Good night, Good luck. Programming of musical films in CBA coming to an end so I recommend the last one, Gigi, a film directed by one of the best directors of musicals: Vicente Minelli (married with Gudy Garld, so he is Liza Minelli’s father) with ¡nine Oscars! (when this prizes had prestige). Enjoy them!

Release! THE IDES OF MARCH (2011)

George Clooney insists again with a story about politicians and what is the way they could sell their soul to the Devil. After her great success in Drive, Ryan Gosling has become one of the fashionable actor. The ides of March is a cinematographic adaptation of the theater play Farragut North written by Beau Willimon.

The ides of March [Los idus de Marzo]-2011  Directed by George Clooney

Screenplay: George Clooney, Grant Heslov (Theater play: Beau Willimon)
Cast: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Max Minghella
Genre: Drama | Political

Length: 101 min.

Synopsis: An idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.IMDb

Official Trailer (VOSE):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7hhGywwpJg

The New York Observer has written:

http://www.observer.com/2011/10/the-ides-of-march-is-manufacturing-ascent/

Basic Classics! GIGI (1958)

Gigi is an American musical with a French touch (Americans have an special attraction to French Culture). Based on Colette’s novel, this film won nine Oscars in 1958, including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Music or Best Adapted Screenplay. This year Gigi faced against Cat on a hot tin roof but the Elizabeth Taylor’s masterpiece lost.

Gigi [Gigi]-1958  Directed by Vicenti Minelli

Screenplay: Alan Jay Lerner (Novel: Colette)
Cast: Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jordan, Eva Gabor, Jacques Bergerac, Hermione Gingold
Genre: Musical | Romance

Length: 115 min.

Synopsis: Weary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship, but it may not stay platonic for long.IMBb.

Classic Trailer (VO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v93js4kgX6A&feature=related

Variety has written:

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117488038?refcatid=31

SOON!: ELIZABETH TAYLOR’S TRIBUTE

This month (and on April) we can see several Liz Taylor’s films on Filmoteca Española’s screen. The beautiful British actress will be honored (after her passed away) with a selection of some of her most remarkable performances (Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The cat on a hot tin roof, Cleopatra, Suddenly last summer, Giant…) An absolute icon of the Seventh Art.

 

Wikipedia: Farragut North is a Washington Metro station in Washington, D.C., on the Red Line. →

RELEASES! Tyrannosaur (2011), Red Lights (2012) | BASIC CLASSICS! A star is born (1954)

A little later than normal (I was waiting for March programmes), I post the recommendation of the weekend. We have two special movies: a British release called Tyrannosaur and the Spanish filmmaker’s comeback Rodrigo Cortés, a Spanish film but is like a Hollywood product because is talked in English starring Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver. I do not know if a film like this could be classified like Spanish. We can practice our English and this is the importante of the film.

BRITISH RELEASE! Tyrannosaur (2011)

A typical British movie like Ken Loach’s films about outsiders and marginal people, starring two great actors, Peter Mullan (Tranispotting, My name is Joe, Braveheart…) and Olivia Colman (Peep Show (tv), The iron lady…). This movie is released in Spain with an important foreign success like the Best Director and Best Film’s prizes in Sundance or The Best Debut Prize in BAFTAs.

Tyrannosaur [Tyrannosaur (Redención)]-2011  Directed by Paddy Considine

Screenplay: Paddy Considine

Cast: Peter Mullan, Olivia Colman, Eddie Marsan, Ned Dennehy, Sally Carman

Genre: Drama

Lenght: 91 min.

Synopsis: Joseph, a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction, earns a chance of redemption that appears in the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop worker.IMDb.

Trailer (VOSE):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2LAybheXIs

Variety has written:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/sundance-review-peter-mullan-packs-94189

 

RELEASE! Red Lights (2012)

Rodrigo Cortés had a great success in 2010 with the film Buried, the story of a man buried alive. Now he returns with a film produced between Spain and USA, with two great claims: Robert de Niro (Taxi Driver, The Godfather, Novecento…) and Sigourney Weaver (Alien, Working girl, Gorillas in the Mist…).

Red Lights [Luces rojas]-2012  Directed by Rodrigo Cortés

Screenplay: Rodrigo Cortés

Cast:Robert De Niro, Cillian Murphy, Elizabeth Olsen, Sigourney Weaver, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Jan Cornet

Genre: Thriller | Supernatural

Lenght: 119 min.

Synopsis: Psychologist Margaret Matheson and her assistant study paranormal activity, which leads them to investigate a world-renowned psychic.IMDb.

Trailer (VOSE):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSBIdo0QtfM

The Guardian has written:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jan/23/sundance-2012-red-lights-review

 

BASIC CLASSICS! A star is born (1954)

As for our weekly appointment with the classics we turn back to the CBA selection with the best American musicals. In this case with a remake of a beautiful film called like the original: A star born (from 1937). One of the most interesting studies about the Success in show business, directed by a perfect actress director as Geroge Cuckor starring lovely Gudy Garland and the great James Mason. This film would be remade in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in a forgettable version.

Rumours! It is announced a new remake directed by Clint Eastwood starring Beyoncé that would be released this year. This smells very bad.

A star is born [Ha nacido una estrella]-1954  Directed by George Cuckor

Screenplay: Moss Hart, Dorothy Parker, Alan Campbell, Robert Carson (Plot: William A. Wellman & Robert Carson)

Cast: Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford, Tommy Noonan, Lucy Marlow, Amanda Blake, Irving Bacon, Hazel Shermet

Genre: Musical | Drama | Remake

Lenght: 175 min.

Synopsis: A movie star helps a young singer/actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral.IMDb.

The New Yorker has written:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/events/revivals/2010/07/05/100705gomo_GOAT_movies_brody

Trailer (VO) Made by a fan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RggbbGg6iEs

RELEASES! Hugo (2011), My week with Marylin (2011) | BASIC CLASSICS! Singin’ in the rain (1952)

The Martin Scorsese’s comeback with a special film that he considered a honest tribute to Cinema. Something is happen to Hollywood because it is very nostalgic with the ancient times. The Artist is a good example. I thought it was a totally French film but the producers are the famous Westein Brothers (they produced the Tarantino’s films, Shakespeare in love, etc…). Hugo is the first familiar film by Scorsese but it seems very recomendable. The other release is British and with another nostalgic touch. Remembering one of the most known cinema icons, My  week with Marilyn is a film about Marilyn Monroe starring Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench. At last, the real classic of the week, an absolute pleasure for the senses: Singin’ in the rain, the perfect musical where all is suberb: songs, music, photography, perfomances, the script, direction… If you do not still seen it you must go to the Círculo de Bellas Artes cinema this weekend. It is pleasant to see so  absolut masterpiece. This film is included in a retrospective about American musicals like Gigi, West Side Story or A star is born.

 

RELEASES! Hugo (2011) by Martin Scorsese

 

Hugo [La invención de Hugo]-2011 Directed by Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: John Logan (Novel: Brian Selznick)

Cast: Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jude Law, Asa Butterfield, Christopher Lee, Helen MacRory, Frances de la Tour…

Genre: Familiar | Adventures | Fantastic

Length: 127 min.

Synopsis: Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

Variety has written:

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117946615?refcatid=31

Trailer (VOSE):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTwOZUTHVfc

BRITISH RELEASES! My week with Marilyn (2011)

My week with Marilyn [Mi semana con Marilyn]-2011 Directed by Simon Curtis {Debut}
Screenplay: Adrian Hodges (Novel: Colin Clark)

Cast: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Dominic Cooper, Emma Watson, Julia Ormond…

Genre: Biographic | Drama | Cinema

Length: 98 min.

Synopsis: In 1956, Marilyn Monroe arrives in England to star with Sir Laurence Olivier in The Prince And The Showgirl. Well-connected 23-year-old Colin Clark gets a job as a production assistant, witnesses the clash of titanic egos and forms a brief intimacy with the emotionally fragile screen goddess.

The New York Post has written:

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/sweet_fated_marilyn_j5UYTncQoKVu6zwiGKNeFM?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=

Trailer (VOSE):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmdzdMAURoY&feature=fvst

 

BASIC CLASSICS! Singin’ in the rain

Cine Círculo de Bellas Artes
Alcalá, 42 Metro Station: Banco de España / Sevilla
VOSE. Price: 5 €. (Normal), 3.40 €. (Reduced)

Friday: 24.02.12 • 22:00h.
Saturday: 25.02.12 • 17:00h.

 

Singin’ in the rain [Cantando bajo la lluvia]-1952  Directed by Stanley Donen

Screenplay: Betty Comden, Adolph Green

Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitche, Cyd Charisse, Rita Moreno, Douglas Fowley, Madge Blake…

Genre: Musical | Comedy | Cinema

Length: 102 min.

Synopsis: A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.IMDb.

The famous rainy scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZYhVpdXbQ

The New York Times has written:

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A01E1D8163AE23BBC4051DFB5668389649EDE

RELEASES!! The woman in Black (2012), Shame (2011) | BASIC CLASSICS! NICHOLAS RAY: Bigger than life (1956)

At last,  we can enjoy two British releases this weekend. One hand, there is a horror film about enchanted houses, with spirits and ghosts, a victorian touch and (this is important) no blood. On the the other hand, the controversial movie “Shame” arrives Spanish cinemas with a big marketing campaign.

RELEASES! THE WOMAN IN BLACK: Daniel Radcliff (yes! Harry Potter) is the main character in this film produced by Hammer Films, the most important British horror producer, the creators of the great gothic horror films on seventies or the extraordinary Christopher Lee’s success performing Dracula. Hammer was a lot of years disappear but they have returned since two years ago.

The woman in black [La mujer de negro]-2012 Directed by James Watkins

Screenplay: Jane Goldman (Novel by Susan Hill)

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet meter, Shaun Dooley and Liz

Genre: Horror | Drama

Length: 95 min.

Synopsis: A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.

Trailer (VOSE):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYrvZDKo2es

Official site:

http://www.womaninblack.com

 

RELEASES! SHAME: It is story about a sex addict, starring Michael Fassbender, that I could see last year in Festival de San Sebastian, and I did not like too much. It is not a bad filming but its screenplay is a little bit stupid, with a musical overdose and a Fassbender saturation. I recommend it because is British and also because everybody is going to talk about it. A controversial film (because is about sex). We are not going to change ever.

 

Shame [Shame]-2011 Directed by Steve McQueen

Screenplay: Steve McQueen & Abi Morgan

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan , James Badge Dale, Nicole Beharie

Genre: Drama | Erotic

Length: 99 min.

Synopsis: In New York City, Brandon’s carefully cultivated private life — which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction — is disrupted when his sister Sissy arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay.

Trailer (VOSE):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0NY0ZFldvo&feature=player_embedded

Variety has wrotten:

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945959/

 

BASIC CLASSICS! Nicholas Ray’s BIGGER THAN LIFE. Ray’s tribute is still on Filmoteca’s screen. This weekend we can see an American way of life attack with a story about drugs  called “Bigger than life”. Starring James Mason and Walter Matthau, it is very bizarre because the drug that produces James Mason’s hallucinations is ¡cortisone! A very common medicine nowadays but not so usual in 50s.

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
On Saturday, 18th.  19:30 h. Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

Bigger than life [Más poderoso que la vida]-1956 Directed by Nicholas Ray

Screenplay: Cyril Hume & Richard Maibaum

Cast: A seriously ill schoolteacher becomes dependent on a “miracle” drug that begins to affect his sanity.

Genre: Drama

Length: 95 min.

Synopsis: A seriously ill schoolteacher becomes dependent on a “miracle” drug that begins to affect his sanity.

Original Trailer (VOSE) with an introduction by James Mason:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NvuvQ6pQIQ

The Newyorker has written:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/events/revivals/2010/03/22/100322gomo_GOAT_movies_brody

100 BEST BRITISH FILMS – Time Out London

100 BRITISH FILMS

A few days ago, I found this list compiled by Time Out. There are a lot of lists in Internet –British love it!-, but I liked it so much because there are an interesting mix between classics and cult movies. I thought that you could been interesting in it and I share in our blog.

Watching movies is a good way to practice our English. Evidently, we must watch them with subtitles.

PS. The list has a good structure like a mosaic.

http://www.timeout.com/london/bestbritishfilms/

RELEASES! War Horse (2011) | BASIC CLASSICS! NICHOLAS RAY: Johnny Guitar (1954), Rebel without a cause (1955)

We do not have British releases but we can enjoy an excellent Nicholas Ray’s tribute on the Filmoteca’s screen, with two masterpieces, and Spielberg’s comeback.

RELEASES! War Horse is directed by Steven Spielberg, who is a great director but, honestly, I do not expect too much of this film because a friend of mine has seen it and told me it is a film for children. However, this story could be recommended to those of you with children or to whoever is fond of animals.

War Horse [War Horse (Caballo de batalla)]-2011 Directed by Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Lee Hall, Richard Curtis (Novel: Michael Morpurgo)

Cast:Benedict Cumberbatch, David Kross, David Thewlis, Emily Watson, Jeremy Irvine, Niels Arestrup, Peter Mullan, Toby Kebbell, Tom Hiddleston

Genre: Drama | War | Animals

Length: 146 min.

Synopsis: Young Albert enlists to service in I World War after his beloved horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry. Albert’s hopeful journey takes him out of England and across Europe as the war rages on.

Official site:

http://www.warhorsemovie.com/

TIME has written:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101344_2101362_2101355,00.html

BASIC CLASSICS! Tribute to Nicholas RAY: Johnny Guitar (1954) | Rebel without a cause (1955)

Nicholas Ray’s birth centenary is commemorated this year. He is a good representative of Hollywood’s Golden Age. A brilliant director who worked on the film studios and could print his personal mark on them. In order to check it we could see two of his most famous works, two absolute masterpieces that have become Seventh Art icon. On the one hand, James Dean becomes a youth icon in Rebel without a cause, a generational film with an extraordinary success. On the other hand, Joan Crawford performs one of the best characters of her notorious career in the unusual western Johnny Guitar. She plays Vienna, a strong woman who runs a saloon and is attacked by the people of the neighbour town because they hate her life style. Before seeing Johnny Guitar, I recommend to go through classic western films because Ray perverts some of its codes.

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €. (2 € reduced)

Johnny Guitar: 12th on Sunday 21:40h. | Rebel without a cause: 10th on Friday 19:30h.

BASIC CLASSICS!: Johnny Guitar [Johnny Guitar]-1954 Directed by Nicholas Ray

Screenplay: Philip Yordan  (Novel: Roy Chanslor)

Cast: Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Scott Brady, Mercedes McCambridge, Ward Bond, Ernest Borgnine, John Carradine, Royal Dano, Ben Cooper

Genre: Western | Romance

Length: 110 min.

Synopsis: Vienna has built a saloon outside of town, and she hopes to build her own town once the railroad is put through, but the townsfolk want her gone. When four men hold up a stagecoach and kill a man the town officials, led by Emma Small, come to the saloon to grab four of Vienna’s friends, the Dancin’ Kid and his men. Vienna stands strong against them, and is aided by the presence of an old acquaintance of hers, Johnny Guitar, who is not what he seems.IMDb.

The beautiful famous scene (VOSEnglish):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk88i4UplVQ

Johnny: How many men have you forgotten?

Vienna: As many women as you’ve remembered.

Johnny: Don’t go away.

Vienna: I haven’t moved.

Johnny: Tell me something nice.

Vienna: Sure. What do you want to hear?

Johnny: Lie to me. Tell me all these years you’ve waited…

Vienna: All these years I’ve waited.

Johnny: Tell me you’d have died if I hadn’t come back.

Vienna: I would have died if you hadn’t come back.

Johnny: Tell me you still love me like I love you.

Vienna: I still love you like you love me.

Johnny: Thanks. Thanks a lot.

Rebel without a cause [Rebelde sin causa]-1955 Directed by Nicholas Ray

Screenplay: Stewart Stern

Cast: James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Jim Backus, Ann Doran, Corey Allen, William Hopper, Edward Platt, Nick Adams, Dennis Hopper

Genre: Drama | Adolescence | Generational film

Length: 111 min.

Synopsis: A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding friends and enemies.IMDb.

Classic Trailer (VO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAlzg0S51GY

BBC has wrotten:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/04/29/rebel_without_a_cause_2005_review.shtml

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PD. The next week we could see on Academia de Cine (Zurbano nº 3, with the PP headquarters) the foreign nominated films for Goyas 2012. All of them are in English language and FREE entrance!! 20:00 h.

JANE EYRE (by Cary Fugunaga) -14 feb Tuesday

MELANCHOLIA (by Lars Von Trier) -15 feb Wednesday

THE ARTIST  (by Michel Hazanavicius) -16 feb Thursday

CARNAGE [A UN DIOS SALVAJE] (by Roman Polanski) -17 feb Friday

http://www.academiadecine.com/agenda/index.php?id_s=4&id_ciclo=77

RELEASES! Moneyball (2011) | BASIC CLASSICS! The Deer Hunter (1978)

RELEASES: We were going to have a British release, a film called Tyranossaur but it has been delayed (on March) so, the most interesting release of the weekend is Moneyball, the  new Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay. He is the creator of the famous tv series The West Wing [El ala oeste de la Casa Blanca] and won a Oscar prize in 2010 for the screenplay of the film The Social Network [La Red Social]. Starring Brad Pitt, it is a film about baseball directed by Bennett Miller who had a great success in 2005 with a biopic about Truman Capote (called like the journalist/writer).  Philip Seymour Hoffman has a role in the film. This movie is nominated for Oscars in important major categories like Best Film or Best Actor in Supporting role (Brad Pitt).

Moneyball [Moneyball: Rompiendo las reglas]-2011 Directed by Bennett Miller
Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian (Novel: Michael Lewis)
Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright Penn, Chris Pratt, Kathryn Morris, Tammy Blanchard, Glenn Morshower, Erin Pickett, Sergio Garcia, Jack McGee
Genre: Drama | Sports | Based on real events
Length: 133 min.
Synopsis: The story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.IMDb.

Trailer (VOSE):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMYjmtO7yzA

Rolling Stone has written:
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/moneyball-20110922

BASIC CLASSICS: There are a lot of important films on the Filmoteca screen this mounth but we could see a beautiful film called The Deer Hunter [El Cazador] in Círculo de Bellas Artes, another interesting and chip screen. This is a good representative sample of the excelent Hollywood filmography on seventies, another golden age where American cinema had been influenced by European masters (Fellini, Godard, Truffaut, Buñuel, Pasolini…) getting a suberb decade plains of masterpieces by Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, William Friedkin, Robert Altman, Francis Ford Coppola… This film is an intense travel around the Vietnam’s nightmare, with a good cast where we could see one of the best perfomances of Robert de Niro and Christopher Walken (and a very young Meryl Streep!). It is long but is good.

The Deer Hunter [El Cazador]-1978 Directed by Michael Cimino
Screenplay: Deric Washburn (Story: Deric Washburne, Michael Cimino)
Cast: Robert De Niro, John Cazale, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, John Savage, John Cazale, Amy Wright
Genre: Drama | War
Length: 182 min.
Synopsis: An in-depth examination of the way that the Vietnam war affects the lives of people in a small industrial town in the USA.IMDb.

Cine Círculo de Bellas Artes
Alcalá, 42 Metro Station: Banco de España / Sevilla
VOSE. Price: 5 €. (Normal), 3.40 €. (Reduced)
Saturday: 04.02.12 • 21:15
Sunday: 05.02.12 • 17:00

Trailer (VO):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gqit3zVmyc&feature=related

Variety has written:
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117790336/

What about the Oscars 2012?

Curiously, I am not a follower of this prizes but this year we have several beautiful films like Midnight in Paris directed by Woody Allen (with Spanish production!), The Descendants (featuring George Clooney) directed by Alexander Payne, he is the main rival of Jean Dujardin starring The Artist, one of the surprises of the season. And everybody say that Maryl Streep will win the Best Actress in Supporting Role with her amazing Margaret Thatcher performance in The iron lady. The Iranian film Nader and Sinim. A separation is also favorite in Best Foreign Language Film (not talked in English).  Our Jean Eyre is logically nominated for its costumes.
There are several special films like The tree of life directed by Terrence Mallick, one of the best directors of Hollywood with a special sensibility that it is far away from great audiences. Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese have returned with two familiar films that I will recommed later War Horse and Hugo.
And I do not want to forget the two Spanish surprises! Chico & Rita directed by Fernando Trueba (who wone this prize with the film Belle Epoque) is nominated in Best Animated Film and the suberb Spanish musician Alberto Iglesias, (who also was nominated for the music of The constant gardener [El jardinero fiel, 2005] and The kite runner [Cometas en el cielo, 2007]) could win the Best Original Score prize for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy [El Topo, 2011].
Beat the best!

The list in full:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jan/24/oscars-nominations-2012-list

 

RELEASES! Albert Nobbs (2011), J. Edgar (2011) BASIC CLASSICS! In the name of the father (1993)

RELEASES: We can enjoy two recommended releases this weekend, both with proper names. There is an interesting British release, Albert Nobbs, the great Glenn Close’s project based on a theatrical play and directed by Rodrigo García (Gabriel García Márquez’s son). On the other hand, Clint Eastwood returns with a biopic about Edgar Hoover, a mysterious and powerful person who was the FBI director. Enjoin them!

Albert Nobbs [Albert Nobbs]-2011 Directed by Rodrigo García
Screenplay: Glenn Close, John Banville (based on the theatrical play “The singular life of Albert Nobbs”).
Cast: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Brendan Gleeson, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Janet McTeer, Brenda Fricker, Pauline Collins, Bronagh Gallagher
Genre: Drama
Length: 108 min.
Synopsis: Glenn Close plays a woman passing as a man in order to work and survive in 19th century Ireland. Some thirty years after donning men’s clothing, she finds herself trapped in a prison of her own making. IMDb.

REVIEWS: The New York Times has written:
http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/12/21/movies/albert-nobbs-movie-review.html
TRAILER (VOSE):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSeulZcn3wo

J. Edgar [J. Edgar]-2011 Directed by Clint Eastwood
Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer, Ed Westwick, Dermot Mulroney, Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Gladis, Stephen Root
Genre: Drama | Biopic | Political
Length: 136 min.
Synopsis: As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.IMDb.

REVIEWS: The Telegraph has written:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9026020/J-Edgar-review.html

OFFICIAL WEB:
http://jedgarmovie.warnerbros.com/index.html

BASIC CLASSIC: I recommend again a film on the Filmoteca Española screen because Carmen reffered to it in class on Monday (and it is also a good movie), the acclaimed Jim Sheridan’s film In the name of the father [En el nombre del padre, 1993].

Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española), Santa Isabel 3 [Metro: Antón Martín]
Saturday 28th. 19:30h. Sala 1. VOSE. Price: 2’5 €.

In the name of the father [En el nombre del padre]-1993 Directed by Jim Sheridan
Screenplay: Terry George & Jim Sheridan (Novel: Gerry Conlon)
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson, Pete Postlethwaite, John Lynch, Beatie Edney, Mark Sheppard, Don Baker, Frank Harper, Saffron Burrows, Tom Wilkinson, Gerard McSorley
Genre: Drama | Political
Length: 125 min.
Synopsis: Man’s coerced confession to an IRA bombing he didn’t do imprisons his father as well; a British lawyer helps fight for their freedom.IMDb.

REVIEWS: Time Out London has written:
http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/76103/in-the-name-of-the-father.html

TRAILER (VO):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ff5KjZ7vM