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Star Donnie Yen stands tall and carries a huge stick in the midst of devastation on this grim poster for Wilson Yip's Ip Man
Ip Man is a grandmaster of the Wing Chun style of martial arts in Foshan, China in the end of the 1930s, as the Japanese occupy the country. Man and his family lose their wealth, and he is forced into a battle with the Japanese.
Ip Man is written by Tai-Lee Chan (Mak dau sin sang (2004)) and Edmond Wong (Bounty Hunters/Shang jin lie ren (2016)) and directed by Wilson Yip (Yeh boon 1 dim chung (1995)). It is based loosely on the life of the actual Ip Man (1873-1972).
Historically this is full of falsities, but as a (Chinese) nationalistic action-drama Ip Man is highly effective, nearly registering as propaganda.
Donnie Yen (John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)) is excellent with an internal force and calm about him in the title lead, and the fight scenes are phenomenal, (Sammo Hung (Firestorm/Fung bou (2013)) was among the film's fight coordinators). The dialog is at times trite, and the plot is simplistic, but the film is otherwise well-made, and the story is highly compelling.
[Ip Man was released 12 December (China) and runs 108 minutes. Shooting took place from March - August 2008 in China, including in Shanghai. The title was changed to Ip Man prior to release, deleting 'the great master' from the title due to a dispute with Wong Kar-Wai, who was preparing his own Ip Man movie at the time, eventually released as The Grandmaster (2013). The film spent 4 weeks at #2 in China, where it grossed 13.7 mil. $ (62 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Hong Kong with 3.3 mil. $ (14.9 %) and Singapore with 2 mil. $ (9 %). It was not released in North America and most European markets. The film spun a franchise with 3 sequels, all by Yip and starring Yen, the first being Ip Man 2 (2010). Yip returned with Ip Man 2. Yen first returned in a cameo in Ga yau hei si 2009 (2009) and in a real part in The Founding of a Republic/Jian guo da ye (2009). Ip Man is fresh at 86 % with a 6.70/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
Beloved characters, some new ones and a wealth of exciting situations and elements are teased on this classical poster for Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Archeological doctor Jones is in trouble with the vexatious Russians in the 1950s, when he gets a whiff of an ancient crystal skull in South America, SPOILER which turns out to stem from an alien.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is written by David Koepp (Inferno (2016)), with George Lucas (Radioland Murders (1994)) and Jeff Nathanson (Rush Hour 2 (2001)) contributing story elements, and directed by Ohioan master filmmaker Steven Spielberg (Firelight (1964)), whose 25th feature it is. It is the 4th film in the Indiana Jones franchise (1981-).
As a boyhood fan of the Indiana Jones movies, I so wanted to see one last great Indiana Jones film that the production of the 4th film made me genuinely excited. And so it was with great sorrow that I had to face the fact that my dream would not come to fruition. Crystal Skull should have never been made. Despite inordinate testaments to the opposite (promotional interviews stressing the live stunt work and old-time honoring crafts involved in the production), the adventure here obviously now mostly takes place in front of green screens with more or less fantastical animations later conjured up as backgrounds. The feelings of wonder and awe at the physical sets, props, special effects and stunts of the original three films here vanish along with any sense of cinema magic.
With what remains, it is hard not to think that Harrison Ford (Firewall (2006)) has aged too much, although he tries tenaciously to appear sprightly, along with his recommissioned love bird Karen Allen (Bad Hurt (2015)), - and that Shia LaBeouf (Bobby (2006)), despite sometimes looking quite cute with his 1950s duck rump hairdo, doesn't really liven up his big adventure scenes. Cate Blanchett (Borderlands (2024)) embellishes her Ukrainian, power-mad Communist villain. But however way you turn things, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull should have remained an idea game between old friends, or a script in a dusty drawer somewhere.
[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull premiered 18 May (Cannes Film Festival, out of competition) and runs 122 minutes. Lucas' ideas and wishes for a 4th film were brushed off by Spielberg and Ford for many years, allegedly until Spielberg's children demanded another Indy movie, when development began more seriously. Shooting took place from June - October 2007 in New Mexico, California, including in Los Angeles, Connecticut, Hawaii, Brazil and Argentina. The film was shrouded in heavily guarded secrecy, and a 37 year-old who was found to be in possession of stolen photos and budget papers from the production was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months prison time for the offense. Paramount reportedly spent 150 mil. $ promoting the film. Ford, Spielberg and Lucas forewent salaries in favor of a profit participation payment, reportedly beginning their payment once the film crossed 400 mil. $. - Ford eventually had made 65 mil. $ from the film. It opened #1 to a 100.1 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent another 3 weekends in the top 5 (#2-#3-#5), grossing 317.1 mil. $ (40.3 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Japan with 53 mil. $ (6.7 %) and the UK with 50.7 mil. $ (6.4 %). It was the year's 2nd highest-grossing over-all, behind The Dark Knight, and the 3rd highest-grossing in North America, behind The Dark Knight and Iron Man. The film was nominated for a BAFTA and a Grammy, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3.5/4 star review, translating to 3 notches over this one. The film made in excess of 117.2 mil. $ on its home video releases in North America. LaBeouf stopped defending the film at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and was criticized publicly by Ford for it. He later said he regretted this, but probably only made things worse when he elaborated about Spielberg; "He told me there's a time to be a human being and have an opinion, and
there's a time to sell cars. It brought me freedom, but it also killed
my spirits because this was a dude I looked up to like a sensei." Ford returned as Jones in James Mangold's massive flop Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). Spielberg returned with A Timeless Call (2008, short) and theatrically with The Adventures of Tintin (2011). Ford first returned in Crossing Over (2009). Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is certified fresh at 77 % with a 6.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?
Star Gabriel Byrne looks professional and somewhat apprehensive on this poster for Rodrigo Garcia's In Treatment - season 1, which also teases his five weakly session patients
Paul Weston is a middle-aged psychologist, who sees patients in his home practice in Baltimore: Laura is a young woman with a bewildered romantic and sexual life, who becomes erotically fixated on Paul. Alex is a navy pilot, who is in a state of denial following his involvement in a deadly bombing attack in Iraq with a high number of children casualties. Sophie is a young, obstinate patient who seeks a mental validation but actually harbors suicidal thoughts that revolve around her affair with her gym coach. Amy and Jake go in for couples' therapy, presenting their deeply unhappy marriage, seeking to get Paul to decide if they should chose an abortion. On Fridays Paul visits his own former therapist and professional sparring partner Gina, opening up about career frustrations and getting analyzed by her in ways that often antagonize him and provoke rude responses.
While Paul's own marriage also deteriorates, he fights against Gina's insistence that he should confront and end his sessions with Laura, whom he - in her opinion - cannot help due to her erotic transference. Several of the patients don't seem to improve: Laura attaches herself to Alex for sex, which helps neither of them; Jake and Amy struggle with renewed agony when the pregnancy is lost; and Sophie is revealed to have attempted suicide and even attempts again in Paul's home.
Paul also falls for Laura and is heavily attacked for it by both Gina and his cheating wife Kate, who accompanies him to some sessions with Gina. Jake and Amy's marriage falls apart, partly due to her adultery, in a parallel to Paul and Kate's marriage, which also hits the rocks. SPOILER Paul's inability to save his patients comes to an extreme end with Alex, who perishes in a flight accident, whereas Sophie does develop and improve slowly during the season's 9 weeks of sessions, confronting her previously absent father in her last episode. Paul moves to express his romantic feelings to Laura in the final episode, which provokes a panic attack, and he suddenly sees clearly and is past the relation, but asks Gina at his session, troubled; "What is left for me?" To which she gives a typical true shrink answer, "We'll have to talk about that."
In Treatment - season 1 is developed and co-written by Rodrigo García (Blue (2012-14)), based on the Israeli TV-series BeTipul (2005-08)) by Hagai Levi, Ori Sivan and Nir Bergman.
It is an intense and at times exhausting watch, with some episodes and the general, oppressive tone sometimes in danger of coming across as agonizing. It is consistently heavy and at times very tiring, (especially the marriage counseling.) At first the exercise of watching therapeutic sessions, even fictional ones, feels voyeuristic and transgressive. And one may get the thought that therapy may be rich peoples' most awful luxury. But for the psychologically interested, In Treatment - season 1 is very worthwhile.
This is especially due to the unflinching and highly focused concept and the magnificent performances: Everyone in the cast are good: Behind Gabriel Byrne's (Miller's Crossing (1990)) tough, doubtful, unhappy Weston, - a man you may well become quite frustrated with here, - are patient performances that throw you backwards with their intensity and veracity: Mia Wasikowska (Blackbird (2019)) is a revelation and deeply moving as the provocative, sometimes mendacious Sophie, probably the season's most moving character. Blair Underwood (Origin (2023)) is terrific as the doomed Alex. Dianne Wiest (The Mule (2018)) is strong as the at times overbearing Gina.
Best episodes:
2: Alex, Week 1 - Written by García, Levi; directed by García
Alex has bombed 16 children in Iraq and deals with a personal experience with death as well, passive aggressive and in denial.
13: Sophie, Week 3 - Written by Sarah Treem (House of Cards, TV-series (2013)), Levi, García; directed by Christopher Misiano (Emergence, TV-series (2019))
We finally arrive at Sophie's secret relationship with her coach Cy and its disastrous consequences. Wasikowska is amazing.
18: Sophie, Week 4 - Written by Treem, García, Levi; directed by García
Shocking episode of the aftermath of Sophie's breaking the silence
27: Alex, Week 6 - Written by Bryan Goluboff (George & Tammy, TV-series (2022)), García, Levi; directed by Melanie Mayron (Dynasty (2018-21))
Paul apologizes for an outburst the previous week, and Alex shares stories from his childhood and ruminations as to his military future and his sexuality.
32: Alex, Week 7 - Written by Goluboff, García, Levi; directed by Paris Barclay (The Watcher, TV-series (2022))
Alex is returning to the military, re-examining his relationships to his wife, father and son, and pressuring Paul to green-light his pursuit, already in uniform.
38: Sophie, Week 8 - Written by Treem, García, Levi; directed by Barclay
Sophie shows real progress in connection to her broken down family and connection to her alienated father, attempting to forgive herself.
[In Treatment - season 1 debuted 28 January - 28 March (HBO) and runs 43 episodes of an average 25 minutes each, coming to approximately 1,075 minutes. Shooting took place in Los Angeles, California. The viewer ratings are regrettably not public information. The season was nominated for 4 Emmys, winning 2 and 5 Golden Globes, winning one, and an AFI award, among other honors. The creators and Byrne returned for season 2 in 2009. Also in 2008, Byrne acted in Still Birth Chicken (2008, short), Live from Lincoln Center (2008, TV-series) and 2:22 (2008, uncredited). In Treatment - season 1 is certified fresh at 78 % with a 6.10/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
Carefully calculated stars and action elements inhabit this poster for Jon Favreau's Iron Man
Super weapons dealer Tony Stark is taken captive in Afghanistan and uses his engineering abilities there to create a deadly metal suit. Once he makes it back to California, he has to fight to retain control of his giant company!
Iron Man is written by Mark Fergus (First Snow (2006)), Matt Holloway (Uncharted (2022)), Art Marcum (Shadow of Fear (2004)) and Hawk Ostby (Childred of Men (2006)), based on the Marvel Comics character first presented in 1962, and directed by great New-Yorker filmmaker Jon Favreau (Made (2001)), who also plays a small part in the film. It is the first film in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as well as in the Iron Man franchise.
It is undeniably insensitive and in very poor taste to launch a new superhero franchise by setting it amid a real, active war (the US-led War on Terror in Afghanistan), as is done in Iron Man, which ages fast, - and poorly. Less than 10 years after its release, it already looked like an uninspired, jingoistic assortment, - at any rate to everyone who has passed their teenage level of maturity life period. The eternally servile Pepper Potts character, played by Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love (1998)), is a backwards-leaning, weak female component in the film. Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow (2005)) is neither funny nor very good as Stark's US Air Force liaison and friend. And the action scenes are well set up but mostly consists of one CGI tin man pitted against another.
Jeff Bridges (The Fisher King (1991)) is like a totally different man than we normally know him as the corporate villain here, while Robert Downey Jr. (Due Date (2010)), - in his career's full throttle career comeback role, - is in his ace. The two make this weak franchise opener a bearable if not really worthwhile affair.
[Iron Man premiered 14 April (Sydney, Australia) and runs 126 minutes. Development had been ongoing since 1990. The film changed hands from Universal Pictures to Fox to New Line Cinema to Marvel Studios over the course of the following years, with talents Stuart Gordon, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Quentin Tarantino, Joss Whedon, David Goyer, Nick Cassavetes and others being involved at different times. Downey Jr. was paid anywhere between 500k to 5 mil. $ for his performance (different sources; the 5 mil. $ may well have been a final sales-based compensation whereas the 500k $ was the guaranteed base pay); Howard got 3.5 mil. $. Shooting took place from March - June 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada, California, including in Los Angeles, and in India. The film opened #1 to a 98.6 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it remained at #1 for another weekend and then spent another 3 in the top 5, grossing 318.6 mil. $ (54.4 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 34.2 mil. $ (5.8 %) and South Korea with 25.1 mil. $ (4.3 %). The film was nominated for 2 Oscars: Best Sound Editing, lost to The Dark Knight, and Visual Effects, lost to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was also nominated for a BAFTA and a Grammy and won an AFI award, among many other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 4/4 star review, translating to 4 notches over this one. Favreau returned with Iron Man 2 (2010), the next in the Iron Man franchise, with returning stars, minus Howard who was replaced over a pay dispute. Downey Jr. returned with an uncredited cameo in The Incredible Hulk (2008) and with an actual performance in Tropic Thunder (2008). Iron Man is certified fresh at 94 % with a 7.70/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
A sensual sculptural reproduction of a woman's face makes up this star-studded poster for Gregor Jordan's The Informers
We follow a wealth of Los Angeles characters in the 1980s: A young group of friends following the death of one from their circle in a traffic accident. And issues of abuse, sex, infidelity, lies and superficiality.
The Informers is written by Nicholas Jarecki (The Outsider (2005)) and Bret Easton Ellis (The Arrangement (2019, short)), adapting Ellis' same-titled 1994 short story collection, and directed by Gregor Jordan (Two Hands (1999)).
We are in what is, - for the initiated, - familiar Ellis territory here, though what unifies these characters remains hazy. SPOILER The final beach-set, AIDS-themed scene doesn't really register according to plan, because the characters remain somewhat anonymous and one-sided.
The performances are good, with Chris Isaak (A Dirty Shame (2004)) and Kim Basinger (Cool World (1992)) worth highlighting. Ellis' panache and affection for the 80s also help make The Informers enjoyable.
Watch a trailer for the film here
Cost: 17-18 mil. $ (different reports)
Box office: 384k $
= Box office disaster (returned 0.02 times its cost)
[The Informers premiered in October (Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival) and runs 98 minutes. Jarecki was set to direct, but the producers replaced him and had extreme violence and vampire elements taken out of the script. Shooting took place from October - December 2007 in California, including in Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Argentina and in Uruguay. 25 year-old co-star Brad Renfro (The Jacket (2005)) died of an overdose before the film's release. The film opened #21 to a 300k $ (78.1 % of the total gross) first and only weekend in North America in 482 theaters. It was pulled after just 3 days and only saw tiny releases in 3 other markets, each netting just shy of 30k $: Portugal, the UK and Russia. Senator's US distribution company went bankrupt as a result of the film's failure. Ellis distanced himself from the film, saying that it didn't work but that it was not his fault. Roger Ebert gave it a 2.5/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. Jordan returned with Unthinkable (2010). Billy Bob Thornton (Fargo (2014-17)) returned in The Smell of Success (2009); Basinger in Charlie St. Cloud (2010). The Informers is rotten at 12 % with a 3.80/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
Three tough-looking men in dark suits contrastingly placed in picturesque Bruges, Belgium make up this amusing poster for Martin McDonagh's In Bruges
Two hit men from London are sent into exile in Bruges, Belgium, following one of them performing the fatal mistake of shooting a child. Their boss' wish to rid himself of the culprit becomes a matter of principle.
In Bruges is written and directed by great English filmmaker, debuting Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)).
Shot almost entirely in Bruges, the film is very preoccupied with its location, - and the city, it must be admitted, is very beautiful. But it is primarily McDonagh's own, original script and strong characters coupled with enthusiastic performances from Colin Farrell (Miami Vice (2006)), Brendan Gleeson (The Village (2004)) and Ralph Fiennes (No Time to Die (2021)) which make this film funny and estimable.
[In Bruges premiered 17 January (Sundance Film Festival) and runs 107 minutes. Shooting took place from February - March 2007 in Belgium. The film opened #25 to a 459k $ first weekend in 28 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #21 and in 232 theaters, grossing 7.8 mil. $ (22.6 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 6 mil. $ (17.4 %) and France with 3.5 mil. $ (10.1 %). The film was nominated for the Best Screenplay Oscar, lost to Dustin Lance Black for Milk. It won 1/4 BAFTA nominations, 1/3 Golden Globe nominations and a National Board of Review award, among many other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 4/4 star review, translating to 2 notches over this one. The film had video sales of estimated 4.9 mil. $ in North America alone. McDonagh returned with The Beauty Queen of Leenane (2010, TV movie), The Pillowman (2011, short) and theatrically with Seven Psychopaths (2012). Farrell returned in Pride and Glory (2008); Gleeson with a voice performance in The Secret of Kells (2009), Into the Storm (2009, TV movie) and theatrically in Perrier's Bounty (2009); and Fiennes in The Duchess (2008). In Bruges is certified fresh at 85 % with a 7.40/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
A seemingly shameful co-star Edward Norton stands in the shadow of his incensed monstrous alter ego on this very dark poster for Louis Leterrier's The Incredible Hulk
Bruce Banner has isolated himself in Brazil, where he is nevertheless discovered by the US military, who are eager to use his gamma-induced mutation for weapons purposes. Banner's attempts to squelch his green fury fails, and he instead finds that he has to fight the Russian-born madman Blonsky.
The Incredible Hulk is written by Zak Penn (Elektra (2005)), based on the Marvel Comics character created in 1962, and directed by Louis Leterrier (The Transporter (2002)). It is a kind of reboot of the character, following Ang Lee's Hulk (2003).
On the back of the unfair reception of Lee's fantastic film, it must be said that Leterrier's fanboy appeasement version here is not a gamma ray better.
There's great action, good-looking effects and some neat cast choices: William Hurt (The Village (2004)) as the cynical general is on-point; Liv Tyler (Ad Astra (2019)) is dishy, - but lacks the depth Jennifer Connelly supplied in Lee's film, - and Edward Norton (Primal Fear (1996)) and Tim Roth (The Misfits (2021)) as his enemy are good.
The Incredible Hulk is very cheesy and has thin spots, (as when Hulk towards the end quells a helicopter fire with a clap), and the monster battle climax lacks dramatic air. But it is an entertaining spectacle.
[The Incredible Hulk was released 6 June (Colombia) and runs 112 minutes. Norton, who was not Leterrier's first choice for Banner, was very active in the making of the film, writing his own script, disagreeing with the actual film's ending and runtime, and eventually got denied credit for this writing. Shooting took place from June - October 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, California, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, British Columbia and in Ontario, including in Toronto. The film opened #1 to a 55.4 mil. $ first weekend in North America where it spent another 2 weekends in the top 5 (#2-#5), grossing 134.8 mil. $ (50.9 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 15.1 mil. $ (5.7 %) and Mexico with 12.6 mil. $ (4.8 %). The film also reportedly made at least 80.3 mil. $ on the North-American home video market alone. Roger Ebert gave the film a 2.5/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. The Banner/Hulk character was subsequently laid to rest until The Avengers (2012) and its sequels, then portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, but has not had a character-focused feature since The Incredible Hulk. Leterrier returned with Clash of the Titans (2010). Norton returned in Pride and Glory (2008); Tyler in Super (2010); and Roth in Skellig: The Owl Man (2009, TV movie), Sea Wolf (2009, miniseries) and theatrically in King Conqueror (2009). The Incredible Hulk is fresh at 67 % with a 6.20/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
