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