"The Host" disappointed the hell out of me. I didn't quite know what to expect. What I think hurt me the most was the hype. Hype usually ruins movies for me but in this case it REALLY ruined it for me. I had heard things like "The Host brings new and exciting things to the horror genre and makes you jump and scream like you never have before" and "it reinvents the genre". Bullshit. "The Host" is a confused movie. It's part comedy, part drama, part horror flick, part action movie. It was all over the place. It just wasn't what I was expecting and it wasn't the great experience everyone was describing.

A US Army scientist orders his Korean assistant to pour gallons of deadly formaldehyde down the drain and into the Han River. Years later a giant mutant emerges from Seoul's Han River and focuses its attention on attacking people capturing our supposed hero's daughter and sending his family into commotion. At the same time the government declares the mutant contains a deadly virus and that everyone needs to be contaminated.

"The Host" disappointed me with it's main character the most. Played by Kang-ho Song, his character is way too obnoxious to be sympathetic and makes way too many mistakes causing many people's deaths that when we are asked to forgive him, I just couldn't. I wanted him to die so bad. His character annoyed the shit out of me. Yet, we are supposed to laugh and cheer for him. I get that he was supposed to grow over the course of the movie but his character does so many unlikable and dumb things again I just couldn't forgive his ass. He was a bastard and deserved to die. It just didn't work.

I did like how the family stuck together in a rough time. They had good chemistry together which helped me get over our main character. Another thing that upset me was how a lot of the character's have opportunities to do something cool and then are left doing nothing. The character of the girl of the family who has the cross arrow always gets ready to use it and then gets screwed over. When she finally does use it, it wasn't exciting to me anymore. What else was bad? The music felt too out of place and over dramatic. It didn't match what was going on. Too over the top and oddly placed. There are also some great action moments but not enough of them.

Now without getting carried away the movie is not without it's share of good traits. As I said before, the action is great in certain places, very exciting chase sequences and an amazing end scene make up most of them. I thought some of the comedic moments were great as well.

"The Host" is a confused and upsetting chance to do something great, messed up completely. It could have been better if there was more action and it's main character was not so unlikable. Disappointing.

In a land where people have no balls, David Lynch carries the title of the biggest ones. His movie are never ordinary and real cinephiles know that. They know him. With "Inland Empire" his 3 hour epic, he makes many wrong turns but makes a ton of right ones.

Let's talk about what made this movie so anticipated, Lynch's movies always are. He has a hardcore fan base and rightfully so. His movies have defined the term "experimental filmmaking".

"Blue Velvet" is an American staple of great 80's movies. A lot of people like all of Lynch's work. Not me. I'm partial to "Blue Velvet", The "Twin Peaks" series (not the crappy movie), "Lost Highway" and "Muholland Drive". When "Muholland Drive" came out it was one of the best movies Lynch had ever released. It brought audiences back to "Blue Velvet" days and it introduced audiences to how great Lynch was and still is.

So with "Muholland Drive" being Lynch's last film, he had a lot of live up to this time around. So now we have "Inland Empire". It's hard to understand what is going on in most of Lynch's movies but from what I gathered, without spoiling anything, (although it would almost impossible to do so) Laura Dern plays an actress who might have a thing for her co-star Justin Theroux. Her husband might also know this. A woman has warned Dern's character about an upcoming event in her life and shows her this event when she visits her house and freaks her out. Also if you are still following this, a static TV is broadcasting bunnies in suits in a sitcom setting, whose phone keeps going off eliciting laughter from a recorded track. Also adding on one final thing, a French whore is watching all this and crying her eyes out.

Get it? I have my interpretation of the film, will you? That's what I love about Lynch films. He let's you figure it out for yourself. Laura Dern gives a comeback performance that could garner some major attention from critics and awards academies alike. All the different roles she played were incredibly real. I loved the trash talking whore myself. Justin Theroux seems to be having a good time as well. He was fine- but he didn't have the difficult performance. Laura did. David Lynch creates a memorable and terrifying world. He brings you into beautiful settings and then throws you in scary ones. Rooms filled with weird randomly screaming women and cuts to a musical number. It's such a crazy cut in the film, such an out of this world thing to do, it could only be Lynch. I have to say no one makes a movie like Lynch. He is a master filmmaker. While this isn't as good as "Muholland Drive", particularly because it's overlong and a lot more out there. But that's the fun of the movie as well. I can't wait to see it again to prove my version of what he was trying to say.

"Inland Empire" is a beautifully shot, carefully constructed mindfuck. Lynch does it again.

Sad how some people seem so happy as children and then when we see them as adults they are miserable, lonely people. That's just one of the characters in Michael Apted's "49 Up" that's changed drastically over his life span.

If your not familiar with the "UP" series, it's been going on since 1964 when a British Television show called "7 Up" chronicled the lives of a group of British children that were all seven years old, all from different backgrounds. Michael Apted's plan was to film these children every seven years to see how they've matured. A lot of the people have asked not to be interviewed over the years but some agree to be. So every seven years we've had a film. "7 UP", "7 Plus 7", "21 UP", "28 UP", "35 UP", "42 Up" and now "49 UP".

Now at 49, a lot of these people seem a bit fed up with the whole thing. A lot of them have refused to be interviewed anymore and some are still questioning their point of being in the series. The thing that I liked about the film is that Mr. Apted seems to get the best out of these people, no matter how little there might be. There are a lot of funny moments and casually interesting interviews.

During flashbacks to other parts of the "UP" series, It's fun to see how their hairstyles changed and their weight and appearance over the years. I kind of felt like I was “Big Brother” or a voyeur. It was a very weird thing to be so deep into these people's lives. Mr. Apted asks about their marriages, their hopes and dreams, what they are doing with their lives and in each part of the "UP" series something's always changed no matter how big or small. But the problem is now as these people are getting older nothing seems to be happening. While it was fascinating to see these kids grow from 7 to 21 because those are the years when someone grows from child to adult, now at 49 their are stagnant. 42 to 49 doesn't seem like a huge amount of time like 7 to 14 or 14 to 21 did. Some of these people have struggled through their marriages, reconciled and learned to love and some have been getting new jobs and retiring but I can't see how this series will maintain it's interest, especially from 49 to 56. I would be curious to see how some of the people's lives will change, if they are still together, etc. But some of these people just have boring lives and doesn't a movie make.

I loved some of the women Mr. Apted is profiling in the film. They seemed to be much livelier in front of the camera than the men. They all had more aspirations or dreams that they still wanted to take care of.

My biggest problem with the film was Mr. Apted focuses on the character of Neil way too much towards the end of the film. Neil (who is pictured in the poster) is wandering around the highlands now in his life and is very depressed. I didn't find watching this man live a boring and sad life engaging. Let's see if he lives to 56 in the next installment of the "UP" series or commits suicide, something he said he has contemplated before. Cruel as that may seem, it would be compelling to see and that's what the movie should be - compelling or interesting to watch, and only half of the film really is.

Michael Apted is a diverse and brilliant director. But how much longer can he keep this going? "49 Up" is a sporadically entertaining film, if not a slow look at how people have changed from 42 to 49.

Who knew the Queen was such a bitch? That's one of the things I thought leaving the theatre Friday night after seeing "The Queen". I think anyone else playing the role of Queen Elizabeth wouldn't have done it so multi-layered as it was done by Dame Helen Mirren. Sure she acted like a bitch, but Helen gave her an underlying sadness and soft soul inside that harsh tone and dry wit. Brilliant performance. But let's talk about the movie.

Back in 1997 the world was devastated and saddened from the death of Princess Diana. The setting for this fictional account of real events, follows the Royal Family and the British government in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy and the days after. As we are shown the private lives of these people, we get to know the Queen of England (brilliantly portrayed by Dame Helen Mirren) who is tightly contained and tradition-bound and might have some underlying harsh feelings about Diana. She wishes not to address the public on the matter. This clashes with the modernity of the country's newly elected, image-conscious Prime Minister, Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) who feels she should say something. As the days move on and no words are spoken from the Royal party, the people start to turn on The Queen and she is forced to make a decision that could be life changing.

Bravo to Dame Helen for taking this role and doing something I don't think anyone else could have done. Make it so subtle, yet multi-layered. So dry, yet so sad. Words can't begin to describe the way Dame Helen takes the viewer's breath away while watching this film. The rest of the cast is also very good, including James Cromwell who had great chemistry with Dame Helen. I also enjoyed Michael Sheen's performance as Tony Blair, he showed off his vulnerable and scared side and I liked that, especially his fascination with The Queen.

The film moves along at a great pace but then starts to drag a little at the half way point which was the part where my eyes started to get heavy. I NEVER fall asleep in a movie but there was nothing going on in the middle of this thing. At last, towards the end it picks up again and we're treated to a wonderful, entertaining ending to compliment the beginning.

Stephen Frears, who is slowly becoming more and more predominant in the movie world, directs this film with a careful and masterful eye. That scene with the car crash is one of the greatest scenes of the year. It was extreme and pulse-pounding and still very tastefully done.
The script by Peter Morgan supplies the film with some great wit and some brilliantly written characters that the actors in the film fleshed out and make into memorable and fun characters.

"The Queen" has a shaky middle, but no one can doubt the brilliant performance from Dame Helen to push the film along. The result is a brilliant performance by Dame Helen, a fine directorial job from Stephen Frears (whose car crash scene is absolutely unforgettable) and a great script from Peter Morgan.

This year's New York Film Festival has one of the best line up's I’ve seen in years. Last year's festival was exciting featuring movies like "Good Night And Good Luck" and "Manderlay", but this year is even more exciting with premieres from David Lynch and Todd Field.

The following is a complete list of all the movies playing at the festival. The ones in Italic are the ones I want to see. This year EVERYTHING looks good.

44TH NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL
September 29 - October 15th



49 UP
Directed by Michael Apted



August Days (Dies d'agost)
Directed by Marc Recha



Bamako
Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako



Belle Toujours
Directed by Manoel de Oliveira



Climates (Iklimler)
Directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan



Falling
Directed by Barbara Albert



Gardens of Autumn (Jardins en automne)
Directed by Otar Iosseliani



The Go Master (Wu qingyuan)

Directed by Tian Zhuangzhuang



The Host (Gwoemul)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho



Inland Empire
Directed by David Lynch




People are already making fan-made posters like this one in anticipation for Lynch's Inland Empire (His movies always have a cult following and I suspect this one to be no different)


Insiang

Directed by Lino Brocka



The Journal of Knud Rasmussen

Directed by Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn



Little Children

Directed by Todd Field





Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson get Kinky in Little Children
(New Line, October 6th)


Mafioso

Directed by Alberto Lattuada



Marie Antoinette

Directed by Sofia Coppola





A beautiful still from Marie Antoinette (Columbia Pictures, October 20th)


Offside

Directed by Jafar Panahi



Our Daily Bread

Directed by Nikolaus Geyrhalter



Pan’s Labyrinth (El laberinto del fauno) - CLOSING NIGHT FILM

Directed by Guillermo Del Toro





Pan's Labyrinth is said to be amazing. (PictureHouse, December 29th)


Paprika

Directed by Satoshi Kon



Poison Friends (Les amitiés maléfiques)

Directed by Emmanuel Bourdieu



Private Fears in Public Places (Coeurs)

Directed Alain Resnais



The Queen - OPENING NIGHT FILM

Directed by Stephen Frears





Helen Mirren = Acting Goddess, she looks great in The Queen.
(Miramax, October 6th)


Reds

Directed by Warren Beatty



Syndromes and a Century

Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul



These Girls (El-Banate dol )

Directed by Tahani Rached



Triad Election (Hak se wui yi wo wai kwai)

Directed by Johnnie To



Volver - CENTERPIECE PRESENTATION

Directed by Pedro Almodóvar





Penelope Cruz apparently gives an Oscar Worthy performance in Volver

(Sony Pictures Classics, November 3rd)


Woman on the Beach (Haebyonui yoin)

Directed by Hong Sang-soo

There are others I’d like to see but I don't know if time will permit it. That's the problem with festivals like this, there is so many other good things to see.

Look for the NY Film Festival Report in September (Around the time of my reveal)

To read my coverage of another festival (The 2006 Tribeca) click right here.

Somewhere in Any town, USA, a boy (Trevor Morgan) dreams of becoming an artist. There's just one problem, his homophobic and abusive father (Ray Liotta) stands in his way. The boy soon meets his idol (Armin Mueller Stahl) an elderly alcoholic painter who is retired but very famous among artists. The boy, after getting to know the man, goes away with him for the summer despite his parents not wanting him to, to learn how to become a real painter. While away, he meets an older woman (Samantha Mathis) and grows up along the way. Good plot, and wonderful directing make this a worthwhile movie to see.

The directing is beautiful. Someone in the screening said that "Every shot was a painting" and it's true. The film is wonderful to look at. Great landscapes and beautiful cinematography surround you in every shot. I really enjoyed the film but at times it felt a little "After School Special" complete with life lessons about how to become a better father and such. But the acting and the story are so good, and not overly cheesy that it really made me think about it and appreciate it.

When your making a TV Pilot there is bound to be some drama. Drama is only one of the things that happens in this film. There is backstabbing and a lot of cursing as well. It follows the life of Mike (David Duchovny). He is writing a TV pilot that is getting a lot of attention. Problem is A TV pilot goes through a lot of change before going to the airwaves. David's character Mike plays such a poor fellow, it's almost excruciating on how bad you feel for him. The problems Mike has to go through include bad casting, bad directing and a TV executive who is the devil in heels (Sigourney Weaver, who gives an Oscar worthy performance).

The film is fun and floats along very well, if not for that dragging middle. But it was very well written and it has virtually no problems. The acting is good, especially Ms. Weaver who is amazing and yes, deserves an Oscar. She plays her character so well. So evil, yet she is so nice (you'll see what I mean). The writing is very funny and it has great moments. The middle drags a bit but it all comes together in the end. The TV Set is very funny and very witty.

In the downtown area of Tribeca the hype was spreading. Murmurs of a great film were being floated around and everyone was jumping with excitement. All accept yours truly. I had seen the director's previous film "Manito" and was disappointed to say the least. What could he do to make it all better for me and for all the people he disappointed in his first effort? Make a sophomore effort that blows you away. He accomplished only half of that. The movie didn't blow me away per say, it was just good. Set in a world of crime, greed, sex, drugs and murder and racism, sexists and more, this movie is like Crash and Pulp Fiction on Ecstasy. One of the most dangerous cities in the world is Sao Paolo, Brazil. In the city there are a lot of cracked out people. One of them is Brendan Fraser's character Paul. He is the son of a powerful pimp (Scott Glenn) that is going to retire. Paul is going to take over the pimp job and his dad is going to leave town with his young girlfriend (Catalina Sandino Moreno) and his younger son he had with her. That's all well and dandy but first they both need to take care of some business. They need to sell a case full of drugs to make some last cash. One problem. There translator that was going to make the deal to a foreign drug cartel has died having a heart attack while he was with a she-male hooker. In a desperate move they hire the chef of the club the Dad owns (Mos Def) who happens to speak the language they need to make the transaction. Of course shit doesn't go to plan and you got yourself an interesting plot.

The film is photographed in a very interesting way. Gritty and real, it looks like someone with a handheld camera snuck into some of these clubs in Brazil. It looks that real. The violence level seemed to bother some people in the screening. But for me, it was just run of the mill. It wasn't quite "Saw" territory, but it was violent enough to be disturbing.

The directing by Eric Eason is interesting and I especially loved a scene where it seems like her was going for an independent "matrix" like chase scene. The writing is a little unbelievable. But I was able to forget that because it was very compelling in parts.

The acting is very good but I had a little trouble with Brendan Fraser who I didn't believe as the asshole he plays. I think that after "Crash" he's trying to shed his "Good Boy" image, even though he denied this in the Q&A.

So should you see the movie? Yes. It's interesting, photographed well and is compelling if a little unbelievable. Just forget it and enjoy.

With more hype then anything I’ve every really seen at Tribeca, I walked into "Lonely Hearts" with a sense of dread. I read the worst about the movie. "its low budget shows, the acting isn't that good and with a cast like this it still can't get a distributor" were some of the things I heard. I sat down prepared to be under whelmed and walked out feeling completely opposite. The film was a great time and it had an Oscar worthy performance by Salma Hayek in it that challenges her best work which was "Frida". It seems in the late 1940's there were two high profile serial killer named Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez who were notoriously known as "The Lonely Hearts Killers". The gruesome twosome are played by Salma Hayek and Jared Leto. Ray's lethal scam was simple; he would swindle and then viciously murder lovelorn war widows who would answer their personal ads in which Ray would describe himself as a sexy Latin Lover. Ironically, this is funny because Ray first meets Martha through one of these introductions but she sees right through him and they team up together. Soon With Martha posing as Ray's sister, they start to seduce and kill elderly spinsters and widows of their savings and rob them blind. Soon two cops (John Travolta and James Gandolfini) are on the case and are chasing the two murders. But will they get to them before it's too late?

I thought the film was wonderful. John Travolta was actually believable for once as a man trying to connect with his son, Jared Leto was fun and lethal at the same time. James Gandolfini was James Gandolfini (which is not a bad thing) and Salma Hayek gives a wonderful crazed performance of Martha who is so deranged you love it. I really enjoyed the movie and the only reason I could think of the film getting bad press was that it's very violent and it might scare off audiences. I think it would do great and hope it gets released soon. This is what a good summer movie could be if it tried!