Coming here soon from Cannes

Coming here soon from Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival means movies: independent, mainstream,
horror, period, trashy, first-rate -- any kind.

Promotions and press conferences were made to promote films,
which are not even finished yet. Directly from Cannes, The
Jakarta Post offers a preview on what will be coming to our movie
theaters sometime soon and a prediction on how well the movies
will work.

Wolf Creek

Who? From first timer Australian director, Greg McLean, and
starring three as yet unknown but promising Australian actors.

What? A horror film, as everything goes awry as three tourists
got missing in the rural Outback.

They say ... Cassandra Magrath, one of the actresses in an
interview with the Post: "I don't feel scared at all when
watching the film, because I was involved in its making so I know
what's going on. It's nice to be on the other side, not to be
afraid, as I usually am."

Rating: Despite what Cassandra felt, this film from the
festival's Director's Fortnight selection couldn't be any scarier
than it already is. With thrilling moments from the beginning,
lots of satisfying jump-out-of-your-seat scenes, this tale will
scare most audiences here.

A must-see for horror fans, or film fans in general. You'll be
scared.

When? Late 2005

The Myth

Who? Jackie Chan teams up with Tony Leung Ka Fai under
director Stanley Tong (Rumble in the Bronx, Supercop). Bollywood
beauty, Mallika Sherawat costars.

What? Jackie is Jack, an archeologist who goes along with
William, a scientist, for an adventure that leads them to the
greatest discovery in Chinese history.

They say ... Director Stanley Tong says the movie is like
Braveheart, while Jackie confirmed that he did less comedy in
this film, and more drama.

Rating ... At the conference in Cannes, the press was shown a
clip. It looks promising. Jackie Chan dresses in period costume,
there are action scenes all over, with princess-like Korean Kim
Hee-Seon. Jackie Chan meets Braveheart.

When? September 2005

National Lampoon's Pledge This!

Who? Paris Hilton and some B-class actors directed by William
Heins, supposedly famous for making music videos.

What? Paris plays the president of an elitist sorority at
South Beach University who presides over a group of unlikely
freshmen girls trying to gain entrance and acceptance into the
sorority.

They say ... At a press conference in Cannes, Paris said,
"This is a very sexy movie. It's all about hot sorority girls in
college, and everybody's beautiful. It's hot, and there are some
sexy scenes that I'm in."

Rating ... We're buying it, Paris. Who really cares if she can
act or not?

When? 2006

Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction

Who? Sharon Stone without Michael Douglas, with addition of
British David Morrissey, Charlotte Rampling and David Thewlis. No
Paul Verhoeven, either.

What? Stone is back as Catherine, playing mind games with the
ambitious and arrogant Dr. Andrew Glass, a renowned shrink who is
brought in by the police to see if Catherine is fit to stand
trial. She has been charged with the murder of her fiancee, Larry
Houseman. The setting moves to London.

Rating ... In Cannes, Stone commented on Douglas' replacement,
Morrissey: "He's very handsome and if you've seen his work, you
know he's an exquisite actor. I really enjoyed working with him
because he's so funny, talented and sexy."

Rating ... It's not Morrissey we want to see, but Stone back
in the role that shot her to fame. But there's always a risk when
it comes to reprising a popular role. Lack of Verhoeven's
direction may have damaged the film too.

When? 2006