Billy Bob Thorton acts like a tool

Everyone's posting it, so I might as well do so. Watch Billy Bob's asshattery:

Briefly revisiting 'Hotel Rwanda' 15 years after the Rwandan genocide

Every time April comes, the world marks a grim and heartbreaking milestone. The genocide in Rwanda began in April 1994 and over 800,00 Tutsis and Hutu moderates were killed in less than 100 days. I remember being 8 years old living in Nigeria hearing horrifying stories out of Rwanda. Stories bad enough to never write them down.

There have been a few films about Rwanda that have come out in the years following the genocide: Shooting Dogs, Sometimes in April, and Hotel Rwanda. I don't want to post long intellectual thoughts about an unimaginable event that I could never even begin to fathom. But Rwanda's story is not only one of pain. Since the genocide, Rwanda became the first nation in the world's history to elect a national legislature in which a majority of its members are women.

I'll leave a clip from the film Hotel Rwanda. Go see it if you haven't, and see it again if you have. Nimuhore:

Hollywood to adapt 'Full Metal Panic!' without an Asian lead?

Mandalay Pictures has acquired the rights to adapt Full Metal Panic!, a manga, light novel, and anime series about Sousuke Sagara, an anti-terrorist mercenary who must protect high school girl Kaname Chidori. I've never read or seen Full Metal Panic!, but upon reading that Zac Efron is attached to the project, I decided to just seek out the original work and ignore the Hollywood version entirely.


It seems that once again, annoyingly, Hollywood will be casting Caucasian actors instead of Asian actors for the lead roles. I'm sure that they will cast Asian actors in the weakly written, measly supporting roles, but they certainly will not have the decency or good sense to cast an Asian actor as the leading man or leading lady. Perhaps they think we're blind or stupid, or hope that we won't notice that Zac Efron cannot convincingly play someone named Sousuke Sagara. Or maybe they will change his name to Sam Smith.



Of course, this is nothing new. They pulled this with Speed Racer (hey, thanks for giving us two seconds of Rain), the upcoming Dragonball Evolution, and the upcoming adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Katherine Bai from Hardboiled sums up this trend nicely:

Clearly, Hollywood doesn’t feel that the American public is ready to see Asian Americans cast in serious lead roles outside of the typical slapstick and stereotype-heavy, action films. One very important difference to note is that the television show [Avatar: The Last Air Bender] features animated Asian characters, while the film would be the first live-action portrayal of the show. Basically the public can handle cartoon Asians, but not real ones?

The movie producers must realize that it is not considered progress to make a film adaptation of an Asian show if they are only going to recast all the characters as Caucasian...

I don't think people in Hollywood know how maddening and absurd it is. To put it bluntly, this is just an insidious form of yellowface. Yes, I know that the Caucasian actors in these films do not actually have to wear makeup to appear Asian (though everyone from Marlon Brando to Peter Ustinov to Eddie Murphy has pulled that stunt), but wiping out the fact that these characters are in fact, originally Asian, is barely any better. In fact, in some cases it's simply worse. Hollywood will do everything in it's power to put an Asian face on an offensive stereotype, but complex, well loved characters created by Asian artists? No way. We have Zac Efron, Justin Chatwick, and Emile Hirsch (yes, I'm even looking at YOU Emile) to do that. I have a suggestion Hollywood: call Aaron Yoo. He's available. Or maybe find an unknown Asian actor. Just surprise me for a change.

'Cherrybomb' trailer

Basic premise: teenagers take drugs, teenagers have sex, teenagers steal shit. I get a Thirteen-ish vibe from this, only this being a more male heavy version with British accents. Rupert Grint from the Harry Potter movies stars, and it's good to see him try something different:



Via Awards Daily

'Easy Virtue' trailer

How did I miss this? I ignored the publicity for the film that started on IMDB earlier this year, mostly because Jessica Biel annoys me. She was good in The Illusionist, but other than that, her performances are awful. But, the trailer for Easy Virtue looks like fun, and Kristin Scott Thomas is a goddess.

Easy Virtue is a social comedy in which a glamorous American widow, Larita, impetuously marries a young Englishman, John, in the South of France. When they return to England to meet his parents; his mother, Mrs Whittaker, takes a strong dislike to their new daughter-in-law, while his father, Jim, finds something of a kindred spirit. Family tensions escalate until finally Larita is forced to take firm action. [Wikipedia]

The film opens in the US in limited release on May 22.

'Where the Wild Things Are' poster

FirstShowing shares the brand new Where the Wild Things Are poster from Yahoo. It's even more magical than the first poster:

Today is Heath Ledger's birthday

Nathaniel over at Film Experience reminds us that today would have been Heath Ledger's 30th birthday. I first saw him in 10 Things I Hate About You, which must have seen nearly ten years ago, now that I think of it, and I've seen every single one of his films.

The image I usually have of him is singing Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You to Julia Stiles, slightly off key, but so full of life. I will miss him.

The best French language films - part 5: 'Jean de Florette' and 'Manon des Sources'

Be sure to check out part 1, part 2, and part 3, and part 4 of the series.



I would rather discuss these films without giving away too much, because part of the beauty of the films, particularly Manon des Sources, are the plot's twists and revealed secrets. I'm revisiting these French language films mostly as an introduction, though I don't mind a discussion in the comments section with spoilers.

I think it's impossible to watch Jean de Florette without immediately watching its sequel Manon des Sources (Manon of the Spring). In many ways I don't consider the storyline to be made up of two different films – rather, I see the events as part of an extended film with a brief intermission. Both were filmed over a duration of approximately 30 weeks, and were released within a few months of each other in 1986, much like another adaptation of Marcel Pagnol's work. Directed by Claude Berri, (who passed away in January) both films are based on famed French writer, Marcel Pagnol's two novels, which combined, are entitled L'Eau des Collines (The Water of the Hills). The historical dramas are set in Pagnol's beloved Provence, during the 1920s. Both films are painful and tragic, yet while Jean de Florette will break your heart, Manon des Sources - though no less heartbreaking, leaves the audience with an ending that is far more satisfying.



The first film, Jean de Florette, presents the audience with the story of César Soubeyran (Yves Montand) often referred to as 'Le Papet', or 'grandfather' among the locals. César, played brilliantly by Montand in one of his last roles, is a greedy and affluent farm owner of the French countryside. His nephew Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil), a repulsive, dim-witted young man, is César's only remaining family member. Despite Ugolin's flaws, César guides him and attempts to steer Ugolin towards wealth, status, and a family in order to preserve the fading Soubeyran line. Ugolin presents a plan to his uncle to grow carnations, and César, realizing how lucrative the venture will be is satisfied with his nephew's plan. Unfortunately, carnations cannot grow in the dry climate of Provence. But, ever the schemer, César knows of a neighboring spring that can put an end to their troubles. To ensure that the owner of the spring will voluntarily sell the land, César and Ugolin obstruct the spring to render the land utterly useless. The new owner, a hunchback named Jean Cadoret (Gérard Depardieu), is the son of Florette (one of César's old lovers) who, along with his wife (Elisabeth Depardieu) and daughter Manon (Ernestine Mazurowna) wants to keep his inherited property and live off the land. In order to convince Jean to sell his land, Ugolin becomes his friend, but complying with his uncle César's wishes, never reveals the spring that could keep Jean's futile dream alive. What unfolds after these events is almost unbearable, with Jean desperately trying to find water to keep his farm alive during a drought. The betrayal is almost unimaginable.

Despite the dark subject matter, Jean de Florette is a rather cheerful, almost hopeful film. This is largely due to Jean – portrayed magnificently by an exuberant Depardieu – who believes that his goal will ultimately be fulfilled. It is his waning confidence during the drought that drives the story.


Manon des Sources begins some ten years later with Jean's beautiful daughter, Manon (Emmanuelle Béart ) living in near isolation as a shepherdess outside of town. Ugolin is till unwed, much to his uncle's disappointment, but soon, by chance, Ugolin falls in love with Manon. Disgusted, she refuses his advances and finds herself falling in love with Bernard Olivier (Hippolyte Girardot) who has just arrived in town. It's hard to discuss the rest of the plot in great detail without spoiling most of the ending, but the film's payoff is both shocking, and heartbreaking – it all plays out like a Greek tragedy.


Both films, Jean de Florette in particular, are near perfect films. This is mostly due to the cast's and Berri's ability to make each character – even the most villainous – into a human being. Even the most innocent character, Manon, does something cruel.

For anyone who is not used to foreign films and subtitles, the four hour run of these films will seem daunting. I first watched both films in my early teens, and I've always felt that my patience was worthwhile. You will never regret taking the time to see them. Both Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources are available on DVD, either separately or together in a box set.

Sex and the City sequel set for May 2010

Sex and the City 2 will open on May 28, 2010 - the same date that it opened in 2008. Of course there are good reasons to not see this film - the show was good enough and they should leave well enough along, Big is an asshole and Carrie should leave him, blah, blah, blah, and blah.

I'm one of the few people who will openly admit to liking the movie and I'll be watching its sequel because I love seeing Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte together again, and because damn it, I love their pretty clothes. And also because I want to piss off every sexist critic who slammed the film because it was a cast of hot women who weren't 19 years old. I welcome the release of the movie mostly because I have a sadistic wish of seeing every hetero, sexist, ageist asshole run for the hills.

Keira Knightley stars in ad against domestic violence

To warn you, the commercial is very brutal and difficult to watch. Keira Knightley stars in a new ad campaign about domestic violence for charity organization Women's Aid. Her Atonement director, Joe Wright directed the two minute commercial. Both Knightley and Wright made the commercial for free. It will premier on April 6 in cinemas and on TV across the UK.

I wasn't going to post this, but a comment at Awards Daily made me do it. I suppose because I've seen domestic violence first hand, I'm more inclined to do everything to ignore it. It brings back a lot of bad memories, but Joe Wright is a saint and Keira Knightley is an angel for doing this.

Casting news: the 'Jonah Hex', 'Inception', and 'The Losers' edition

Will Arnett and Michael Shannon have been cast in the adaptation of Jonah Hex. Arnett will play a Union soldier in a non-comedic role. It seems like a strange choice for a comedian like Arnett - though I wouldn't categorize the majority of his films as actually being comedic. Sure the intent of his films are to make people laugh, but the films he makes are painfully unfunny. Though, I'm still working on a reason for why I am desperately in love with the man. Casting Michael Shannon as Doc Cross Williams isn't nearly as much of a departure. I look forward to his eccentric take on things. The casting though, seems very all over the place. I can't tell if this is the greatest casting I've seen in a long time, or the most bizarre cast of characters ever put on screen. Both actors join a cast that includes John Malkovich and Megan Fox. Filming is set to begin later this month in Louisiana. [Empire]


Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, and Ellen Page are in negotiations to join Leonardo DiCaprio in Christopher Nolan's Inception. Production will start this summer and the film is set to open July 16, 2010. Almost everyone involved with this film has either been nominated for an Oscar or won the thing. Except for poor Cillian Murphy, who was robbed for Breakfast on Pluto. Someone please nominate the guy already. [Variety via Nolan Fans]



Idris Elba and Zoe Saldana are in talks to star in the film version of Vertigo/DC comic, The Losers. Both actors will play members of a Special Forces team, with Elba playing mercenary Roque while Saldana will play Aisha. I will probably watch anything if Idris Elba is in it. The past two episodes of him guest starring on The Office have been pure bliss. [Empire]

Nine queens who deserve biopics

It seems as if every year there's a (usually British) period piece about some bright young queen (or duchess). This year, so far, we have The Young Victoria and The Tudors, which is finally returning to television this Sunday for its final season. Some of these royals have been done to death (no pun intended to Queen Anne Boleyn) and frankly, if I see one more Queen Elizabeth I, I think I'm going to scream. Bette Davis did it brilliantly enough in 1939; why do it again, and again, and again? I'm looking at YOU Elizabeth: The Golden Age. With all these period pieces, I've often wondered why some monarchs get more attention than others. I figured I'd list some of the queens whose lives are worthy of Hollywood's attention. I would love to do a more expansive international list of monarchs, but I figured some aren't known well enough outside of their countries for Hollywood to pay attention. Here's the list:

Isabella I of Castile
Years: 1451 - 1504
The facts: Along with her husband King Ferdinand II of Aragon, she began the process of uniting Spain. Isabella completed the Reconquista, established the cruel Spanish Inquisition, and was a patron of Christopher Columbus in 1492. She was also Catherine of Aragon's mother.
Previous representations: She was portrayed by Sigourney Weaver in Ridley Scott's 1492: Conquest of Paradise, which focused on Isabella's relationship with Christopher Columbus. I've never seen it, but by all accounts it was pretty fucking terrible. She has also been portrayed by Rachel Weisz in Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain. The film was one of my favorites of 2006, but it was a largely fictionalized representation of Isabella I.
Period to portray: If they were to make a film about her life, I'd cut out the life arch entirely. The most important parts of Isabella's reign took place in 1492, with the Reconquista, the Inquisition, and Columbus stumbling upon the New World.
Actress to portray Isabella: Kirstin Scott Thomas. She is seven years older than Isabella was in 1492, but she's an elegant, beautiful actress who could pull it off.



Queen Mary I of England
Years: 1516-17 – 1558
The facts: Mary I reigned as the fourth Tudor on the English throne after her half brother King Edward VI. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. She restored England to Catholicism and earned the name “Bloody Mary” when she had Protestants burned at the stake. She was succeeded by her half sister Queen Elizabeth I.
Period to portray: I'd love to see a film present the few years she spent on the throne, with flashbacks to her life as a young princess. I wouldn't focus too much on her younger years though, since The Tudors did a little of that in its second season.
Actress to portray Mary: Emily Watson. She was offered the title role in 1998's Elizabeth, but it ultimately went to Cate Blanchett. I can't imagine anything better than seeing Emily Watson play a British queen. This time it would be all her own and not yet another interpretation of an over explored monarch.



Catherine de' Medici
Years: 1519 - 1589
The facts: Catherine married Henry II of France. She was the mother of three French kings – Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III. She served as a regent of France and guided her sons during the civil religious war in France. Her reign is often referred to as the age of Catherine de' Medici. She also helped raise Mary, Queen of Scots.
Period to portray: The only worthwhile movie about Catherine should take place while she guided three of her sons through the French civil wars. Her first son, Francis II was crowned when she was 40 and Catherine died at the age of 69. The near thirty year span is not only the most interesting part of her life, but one of the most interesting and least recognized periods of French history.
Actress to portray Catherine: Helena Bonham Carter. It seems an odd choice. But I firmly believe that Helena Bonham Carter can play anyone, and frankly she can do whatever the hell she wants. I love her and want her in every movie ever. Since I can't get that, I'll just dream of her playing the most impressive queen in history.



Lady Jane Gray
Years: 1536-37 - 1554
The facts: Known as The Nine Days' Queen, Jane Gray reigned as queen of England for just over a week. She was executed by her cousin Mary I.
Previous representation: Helena Bonham Carter played Lady Jane in the 1986 film Lady Jane. That's been long enough to warrant an excuse to revisit the young, doomed monarch.
Period to portray: Jane's entire life. It was short enough to create a biopic that doesn't last three agonizing hours, and long enough to fill said biopic with an interesting story.
Actress to portray Jane: I'm torn between Saoirse Ronan and Emily Browning. Saoirse could bring a great deal of strength to a character often regarded as weak and pitiable. If Emily Browning played her, then we'd have an entirely different Jane. I think it would be a lot like Sofia Coppola's stylized Marie Antoinette.



Mary, Queen of Scots
Years: 1542-1587
The facts: Mary was made queen of Scotland a mere six days after her birth and became Catherine de' Medici's daughter-in-law. She was forced to abdicate the Scottish throne at the age of 25 and was later arrested and executed by her cousin Elizabeth I.
Previous representations: Mary has been played by Great Kate (Hepburn, that is) and Vanessa Redgrave. Word is, Scarlett Johansson was lined up to play her in Mary, Queen of Scots. Look, I know that I now have to eat my words after hyping this girl to death circa 2003, but wasn't The Spirit punishment enough?
Period to portray: Like many people, I've found Mary's downfall a lot more interesting than her years as reigning queen of Scotland. The near twenty years with abdications, trials, arrests, and beheading seem more interesting to me than the royal politics of her reign. 2007 historical novel The Other Queen focuses a lot on her life, but since Hollywood has butchered Phillipa Gregory's work before (curse you again Scarlett), I would approach that novel with extreme caution.
Actress to portray Mary: Welsh actress Eve Myles. She isn't very well known outside of Britain, but she is marvelous on British sci-fi show Torchwood, and she has an unusual, but regal beauty. And she's great at kicking the crap out of things, and then crying on cue.



Nell Gywn
Years: 1650-1687
The facts: I realize that Nell was an actress, and never a queen. But she was a mistress to King Charles II of England and had two of his sons. Besides, I make rules so I can break them.
Period to portray: Nell's life in its entirety would be the only way to go. She has become an integral part of English history because she was that rare sort of mistress – she grew up in the slums, worked as an actress, and was speculated to have even worked as a child prostitute. Most mistresses were aristocratic (like Nell's rival Louise de Kérouaille), which makes Nell's story a Cinderella-like story to many history buffs.
Actress to portray Nell: Anna Paquin. Sure, she spends most of her time falling for the one hot vampire that isn't Edward Cullen, but Anna has proven herself to be a fine actress.



Mary II of England
Years: 1662-1694
The facts: Mary was crowned after the Glorious Revolution that overthrew her Catholic father James II. James II was the last Catholic monarch of England. She ruled with her husband and cousin, William III of England. Their unprecedented joint rule was called “William and Mary”. She was succeeded by her sister Anne I.
Period to portray: Mary's five year reign with her husband William. Their joint rule is the reason why Mary, an otherwise reserved woman, is so well remembered.
Actress to portray Mary: Kate Winslet. We already know she can do anything, so I'm dying to see Kate play a queen. And since I can't imagine a Mary without an Anne I would love to see Kate's doppelgänger Sophia Myles play Anne. Sophia played Madam de Pompadour on Doctor Who, and she was great in the role.



Catherine the Great
Years: 1729-1796
The facts: Catherine became the Russian empress after her husband Peter III was overthrown. She was accused of assassinating him some months later.
Period to portray: The most interesting aspect of Catherine's life was how she managed to overthrow her husband without being imprisoned, or executed. The period between her marriage to Peter and her brilliant takeover of the Russian throne would make a pretty intriguing movie.
Actress to portray Catherine: Kate Beckinsale. This is mostly because I don't think she often gets roles that are good enough. She impressed me as Ava Gardner in The Aviator. If she can pull off a performance without getting entirely upstaged by Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn, then there is something magical about this woman that isn't recognized enough.



Empress Josephine
Years: 1763-1814
The facts: Josephine is most famous for being Emperor Napoléon's first wife.
Period to portray: The only period worth telling is the one involving her relationship with Napoléon. It was passionate, contentious, and heartbreaking.
Actress to portray Josephine: Marion Cotillard. I'm only familiar with a few of her movies (La Vie en Rose, Love me if you Dare, A Very Long Engagement) but since I have confidence in her talent, I'd like nothing more than to see Marion in a period drama.