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A destitute, ominous poster for Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman's If a Tree Falls
The film focuses especially on one young man's entrance into the activist organization the Earth Liberation Front, as the group's actions move from environmental activism to environmental terrorism, - depending on the viewer's own determination.
If a Tree Falls is written by co-writer/co-editor Matthew Hamachek (Gideon's Army (2013)) and co-writer/co-producer/co-director/co-editor Marshall Curry (Street Fight (2005, documentary)), who directed it with co-producer/co-director/cinematographer Sam Cullman (Beyond the Spin (2003, video)).
It is a distinction of the film that it doesn't draw conclusions on behalf of its audience, although just to get to know something about these activists of course for most people will mean increasing one's sympathy for them, despite the fact that their actions don't improve the environment to any considerable degree.
The film takes a bit long in the investigation of the activists' radicalization. The most exciting part of the documentary is the final part concerning the trial.
Watch a clip from the film here
Cost: Unknown
Box office: 61k $
= Uncertain but likely a box office disaster (projected return of 0.20 times its cost)
[If a Tree Falls premiered January (Sundance Film Festival) and runs 85 minutes. 10 companies collaborated in the financing and production of the film. Shooting took place in Oregon. The film opened #78 to a 5k $ first weekend in 2 theaters in North America, where it did not achieve a higher position and grossed 61k $. The film was screened at several festivals as well, without recorded gross numbers. If made on a scant 300k $ budget, the film would rank as a box office disaster. The film was nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar, lost to Undefeated. Curry returned with Point and Shoot (2014, documentary); Cullman with Black Cherokee (2012, documentary short) and theatrically with Art and Craft (2014, documentary). If a Tree Falls is fresh at 88 % with a 7.00/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
A still image of co-stars Damien Lewis and Claire Danes is digitally blurred out on this poster for the first season of Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon's Homeland
Homeland - season 1 is created by Alex Gansa (24 (2009-10), co-executive producer) and Howard Gordon (24 (2001-10), co-executive producer). It is inspired by Gideon Raff's (The Killing Floor (2007)) Israeli TV-series Hatufim (2010-12). An Indian and a Russian version have also been made.
The following contains SPOILERS:
CIA operative Carrie
Mathison is a workaholic, recently sent back to the US from Baghdad,
where she has learnt from a doomed local terrorist that an American
soldier has been 'turned' by the al-Qaeda. Soon after US Marine Sergeant
Nicholas Brody gets rescued from captivity in Iraq and brought home
to a hero's welcome. Carrie is alone in suspecting that Brody is the
'turned' American soldier...
She establishes a covert surveillance of him, while learning about the whereabouts of terrorist Abu Nazir through a prostitute that caters to a Saudi prince. While Brody acts increasingly suspiciously, both alone and in front of his family, Matthison attempts to learn more of him by getting close to him at a meeting for veterans.
Carrie's involvement in the case, at her own initiative, is complicated by the fact that she has bipolar disorder, which she has to keep secret from her employers, obtaining medicine through her sister's assistance. Her covert engagement with Brody leads to them starting an affair, which is both helpful to her investigation and driven by sincere attraction. The situation soon becomes complicated, and Brody realizes that she is spying on him. During interrogation he divulges that he beat his military pal to death during capture, became a Muslim and found affection for the terrorist captor Abu Nazir, - but he maintains that he is not the 'turned' Jihadist.
Attention instead turns towards his co-captive Tom Walker, with collateral damage as a result, as the FBI raids a US mosque. A suicide bomb goes off in Washington DC in the hunt for Walker, injuring Carrie. Meanwhile Brody is talked into running for congress by the American Vice President. SPOILER Carrie is hospitalized in a manic episode and forced to reveal her disorder to her former CIA boss and mentor Saul, as Brody is given a suicide vest by a contact at a trip to Gettysburg with his family.
SPOILER At a grand political event in DC with the Vice President, Secretary of Defense and military brass, Brody is one part of a two-sided attack. But his vest malfunctions, and Carrie suffers a breakdown, checking herself into a hospital for electroshock therapy.
Homeland is captivating from the pilot on, fired up by an unusual, engrossing suspense plot and terrific performances: Claire Danes (Stardust (2007)) is outstanding as Carrie; Damian Lewis (Desire (2013, short)) is engrossing as Brody; and Mandy Patinkin (Ali and Nino (2016)) is great as Saul. And the supporting performances are uniformly solid.
Carrie's job is exciting, and the show effectively filters us into the grey zones of 10+ years of War on Terror, carried out by the Western countries following 9/11. It puts us into the calibrations of analysis going through intelligence work concerning fundamentalists, specifically Islamic fundamentalists. It is less action-packed and seems more real and layered than the ways that the similar themes where broached by the same showrunners on the great action-suspense show 24. One disturbing and gripping subplot includes a domestic Saudi-American terrorist couple. The central suspense mystery of the series is the question; Is Brody good or bad?
The narrative is imbued with depth due to Danes' intriguing character and the intricate complications in Brody's family, - his wife's infidelity while he was presumed dead; his own budding affair with Carrie, - and an anxiety-provoking tangent concerning his teenage daughter and her growing suspicions about him.
The photography (by Nelson Cragg (Elementary (2012, TV-series)) is terrific, the writing is crackerjack, and the first season is remarkable in every way. An enormously suspenseful piece of television history.
Best episodes:
1. Pilot - Written by Gansa, Gordon, Raff; directed by Michael Cuesta (L.I.E. (2001))
Carrie is introduced as a strongly independent CIA agent, who suspects that something is very wrong with the liberated American Marine hostage Brody, rescued home after eight years of terrorist captivity. Riveting start with tremendous Danes.
7. The Weekend - Written by Meredith Stiehm (The Bridge (2013-14)); directed by Cuesta
Brody and Carrie engages in their adulterous affair at her family's summerhouse, while Brody's daughter gets hurt under the influence. But truths come out, and Saul returns home from Mexico with an arrestee. Madly thrilling episode.
11. The Vest - Written by Chip Johannessen (Dexter (2010, TV-series)), Stiehm; directed by Clark Johnson (The Purge (2018, TV-series))
Carrie's mental affliction is expanded upon, as Brody's questionable loyalties continue to exert suspense.
12. Marine One - Written by Gansa, Johannessen; directed by Cuesta
The targeted DC event, the season's culmination. Carrie breaks down, unable to meet the demands of her mission.
Cost: Reportedly 3 mil. $ per episode, 36 mil. $ in total
Box office: None - TV-series
= Uncertain
[Homeland - season 1 premiered October (USA (Showtime), Thailand, Turkey) and runs 12 55-minute episodes, totaling approximately 660 minutes. Danes was reportedly paid 110k $ per episode, totaling 1.32 mil. $ for her performance. Shooting took place in North Carolina and Israel. The first season's US ratings varied from 0.94 mil. to 1.71 mil., becoming Showtime's highest-rated drama in 8 years. Its run on British Channel 4 garnered even more viewers, between 3-4 mil. The season won a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy, among other honors. The 2nd season was released in 2012 with returning showrunners and stars. Gansa and Gordon returned first with season 2. Danes first returned in season 2; Lewis in 2011 also acted in Your Highness, Stolen (TV movie) and Will; Patinkin in 2011 also gave voice performances in Jock the Hero Dog and Wonder Pets! (TV-series). Homeland - season 1 is fresh at 100 % at Rotten Tomatoes.]
Tons of candy, bright colors and cute animal characters here attempt to lure kids to demand tickets for Tim Hill's Hop
The Easter bunny's heir is not created for the job and instead of inheriting it he flees to Los Angeles, bringing his dreams of becoming a rock 'n roll drummer with him. Here he meets and teams up with a young (but not that young) human under-achiever.
Hop is written by Brian Lynch (Puss in Boots (2011)), Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul (Despicable Me 2 (2013), both) and directed by Tim Hill (Muppets from Space (1999)).
It is a really handsome and wow-filled animation that's upbeat and humorous all the way through. James Marsden (Westworld (2016-22)) seems a little old as the human slacker character, but he has the right energy, just as Gary Cole (Velma (2013, TV-series)) has as his father. Hank Azaria (The Wizard of Lies (2017, TV movie)) gives hilarious voice to a Mexican Easter chick villain (!).
The precipice between kiddie-appropriate fun and grown-up elements, such as a Playboy bunny ranch and the inclusion of David Hasselhoff (Killing Hasselhoff (2017)) as himself, - is a little steep, and Hop doesn't completely succeed. But the pace is snappy, and Hop is pretty funny and handsome, a good bowl of wacky-forgettable entertainment with fairly broad appeal.
= Box office success (returned 2.92 times its cost)
[Hop premiered 27 March (Universal Studios, Hollywood) and runs 95 minutes. Shooting took place in California, including in Los Angeles. The film opened #1 to a 37.5 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent another weekend at #1 and then another 2 in the top 5 (#3-#4), grossing 108 mil. $ (58.6 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Australia with 12.3 mil. $ (6.7 %) and the UK with 12.2 mil. $ (6.6 %). Hill returned with 3 video and TV credits prior to his theatrical return with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020). Marsden returned in Straw Dogs (2011); Russell Brand (Trolls (2016)) in Arthur (2011). Hop is rotten at 24 % with a 4.30/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
The titular cat and a wealth of other fantastical elements attract on this poster for Chris Miller's Puss in Boots
Puss is a feared, sword-carrying cat who meets a thrilling female cat and reunites with his old friend Humpty Dumpty for an adventure for the magic beans that lead to the golden goose!
Puss in Boots is written by Tom Wheeler (Empire (2005, miniseries)), with William Davies (Flushed Away (2006)) and Brian Lynch (Hop (2011)) contributing story elements, and directed by Chris Miller (Shrek the Third (2007)). It is a spin-off of the Shrek franchise (2001; 2004; 2007; 2010). It has its basis in the same-titled, 16th century European folk fairytale.
The film begins with energy and fun for a time, with cat characters and adult concepts intermingling in a colorful family package (not unlike in the Shrek movies), but later the film runs out of juice, as the Puss/Dumpty relationship that's meant to carry the film, simply isn't strong enough or exciting enough to do so. That leaves one sighing for other characters, - or, even worse, reminiscing about how much fun those first two Shrek movies were.
The animation here is handsome; there's lots of action, but Puss doesn't impress one as a great character in Puss in Boots.
[Puss in Boots premiered 23 October (Austin Film Festival) and runs 90 minutes. Originally envisioned as a video release, the film was elevated to a theatrical release. Production took place in the US and India. It opened #1 to a 34 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent one more weekend at #1 and then 2 more in the top 5 (#3-#5), grossing 149.2 mil. $ (26.9 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Russia with 50.5 mil. $ (9.1 %) and Germany with 34 mil. $ (6.1 %). It was the year's 3rd highest-grossing animated film, behind Kung Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2. The film was nominated for the Best Animation Oscar, lost to Rango. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe, among other honors. The film additionally made in excess of 70.4 mil. $ on the North-American home video market alone. The character returned in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022). Miller has not returned as a director since. Antonio Banderas (The Body (2001)) returned in Day of the Falcon/Black Gold (2011) and also returned to voice Puss in the 2022 sequel. Puss in Boots is certified fresh at 86 % with a 6.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
An investigation-like collage of images and tagline text covers this dark poster for Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
In 1994, three eight-year old boys are found murdered near their home in West Memphis, Arkansas. Weeks later three outcast young men are tried and found guilty of the crime. Many years later their innocence is realized by the judicial system.
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory is directed by Joe Berlinger (The Longest Wave (2019, documentary)) and Bruce Sinofsky (Hollywood High (2003, TV movie)). It is the third and final film in the pair's Paradise Lost trilogy, coming after Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996, documentary) and Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000, TV documentary).
Especially for those unfamiliar with the widely publicized story of the West Memphis Three, this film is a serious round, which is already clear from the visuals of the murdered, naked bodies at the crime scene during the opening titles. The story is a jaw-dropping crime that turns into a legal tragedy, which reaches absolutely horrifying heights, when we are dealt clear indications of the identity of the true child triple killer, - and the law system acts indifferently. This may very well destroy your night's sleep.
The excellent documentary could be critiqued for its religiously loaded title, - and what it precisely refers to is unclear. In the context the thoroughly sympathetic treatment of Damian Echols (one of the imprisoned three), who later moves, of all places, to Salem, Massachusetts, may cause some to wonder. The wrongfully convicted lament an insensitive legal system in the film's end, but the filmmakers' treatment of the crime scene photos in its opening montage is also insensitive.
Watch a trailer for the film here
Cost: Unknown
Box office: Unknown
= Uncertain
[Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory premiered 11 September (Toronto International Film Festival) and runs 121 minutes. Shooting took place in Arkansas. The film was screened at several festivals and seemingly enjoyed a general release in just one market (Brazil of all places) before screening at HBO. It was nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar, lost to Undefeated. It was also nominated for 2 Emmys and won a National Board of Review award, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3.5/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. Berlinger returned with Under African Skies (2012, documentary); Sinofsky with 4 TV credits, starting with Oprah's Master Class: Special Edition (2012, TV movie). Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory is fresh at 100 % with a 7.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
A shade on the wall behind two children asleep provides chill factor on this poster for Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman's Paranormal Activity 3
We go back to the roots ... As a girl Katie's family was also plagued by the supernatural back in 1988.
Paranormal Activity 3 is written by Christopher Landon (Viral (2016)) and directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman (Catfish (2010), both). It is the 3rd film in the Paranormal Activity franchise (2007-).
Chapter three also comes with its own story weaknesses. - For instance, the mentally awake viewer may rightly wonder how this gigantic home is possible with one home-owner apparently spending the days video-taping at home. Also; what happened to the girls' father?
The style of Paranormal is repetitive but also effective: It is creepy to see something homely so obviously assaulted by something unreal. SPOILER A girl in joined forced with evil spirit 'Toby' is frightening, and the witch ending is terrifying but very quickly over, unfortunately.
Paranormal Activity 3, the franchise's highest-earning chapter, is almost at par with the original in terms of quality.
[Paranormal Activity 3 premiered 14 October (Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival) and runs 84 minutes. Shooting took place from April - May 2001 in Los Angeles, California. The film opened #1 to a 52.5 mil. $ weekend in North America, where it spent another 2 weekends in the top 5 (#2-#4), grossing 104 mil. $ (50.2 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 16.9 mil. $ (8.2 %) and Germany with 8 mil. $ (3.9 %). Roger Ebert gave the film a 1/4 star review, translating to 2 notches under this one. Joost and Schulman returned with Metropolis II (2011, short), A Brief History of John Baldessari (2012, short) and theatrically with Paranormal Activity 4 (2012), the next in the franchise, after which another 3 movies have come out. Paranormal Activity 3 is fresh at 66 % with a 6/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
With new stars stepping up alongside franchise cornerstone Johnny Depp, a traditionally adventure-promising poster for Rob Marshall's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Captain Jack Sparrow appears in London, where he helps his first mate Gibbs escape and start on a new adventure, - this time to find the Fountain of Youth!
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (The Lone Ranger (2013), both)), loosely based on the novel On Stranger Tides (1987) by Tim Powers (Powers of Two (2004)), and directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago (2002)). It is the 4th film in the Pirates franchise (2003; 2006; 2007).
Johnny Depp's (Transcendance (2014)) Sparrow act is getting a bit old, and although there is still some fun left in the character, in the film's best lines, On Stranger Tides doesn't add anything considerable new, which makes it feel as if it runs down-hill in neutral gear, figuratively speaking.
Penélope Cruz (Sahara (2005)) is sexy but confused in a story without any semblance of reality to it, while Geoffrey Rush (The Best Offer (2013)) again succeeds in blowing worthwhile life into his character, Captain Barbossa. When the musical theme plays, one might almost forgive that there is no really good story at play here, and sure in glimpses the handsome animation (costly VFX take over large parts of the film) and great hair- and makeup jobs can be appreciated, - but none of these elements can save this heavily loaded and simultaneously light-as-a-fly sequel. Another problem is that the post-climactic scenes feel endless.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a failed attempt at resurrecting the series after the dreadful third film, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007).
= Box office success (returned 2.76 times its cost)
[Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides premiered 7 May (Disneyland Anaheim, California) and runs 137 minutes. Depp was paid 55.5 mil. $ for his performance in the film. Shooting took place from June - November 2010 in Puerto Rico, Hawaii and in London, England. Despite aims at lowering the film's cost from the previous two back-to-back shot films' budgets, 3D-camera shot On Stranger Tides' budget ballooned to the point where it became the costliest film ever made at the time. The cost fell from 410.6 mil. $ due to a 32.1 mil. $ tax rebate in England. The film opened #1 to a 90.1 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent another 3 weekends in the top 5 (#3-#4-#5), grossing 241 mil. $ (23 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Japan with 108.8 mil. $ (10.4 %) and China with 70 mil. $ (6.7 %). It was the 3rd highest-grossing film of the year, behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Roger Ebert gave the film a 2/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. It additionally made in excess of 102 mil. $ on the North-American home video market. The franchise returned with Depp and Rush in the 5th film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), the last Pirates film to date. Marshall returned with Into the Woods (2014). Depp returned in The Rum Diary (2011); Rush in Green Lantern (2011); Cruz in To Rome with Love (2012); and Ian McShane (Hellboy (2019)) in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012). Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is rotten at 33 % with a 5/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides?
Lush mountain scenery and a family situation lurks on this star-centered poster for Daniel Nettheim's The Hunter
A professional huntsman arrives to a remote part of Tasmania, where it is his mission to shoot and bring home with him a tiger that was thought to be extinct. But in the process he falls for a woman in the area, - and for the tiger.
The Hunter is written by Alice Addison (The Silence (2006, TV movie)), with Wain Fimeri (Pozieres (2000, TV movie)) and co-writer/director Daniel Nettheim (Angst (2000)) making contributions. It is an adaptation of the same-titled 1999 novel by Julia Leigh (Disquiet (2008)).
An unusual story and a strong cast, which keeps us guessing, speaks in favor of The Hunter. Frances O'Connor (Best Man Down (2012)) has that special sympathetic quality and is good here, and Finn Woodlock (Neighbours (2013, TV-series)) as her son also brings sensitivity to the part. The Tasmanian nature and animals are also fascinating. These qualities keep The Hunter afloat and exciting for the most part.
But (understandably) we never really care for Willem Dafoe's (The Florida Project (2017)) title character due to his mission and engagement with a mysterious, evil company. He walks around and kills animals throughout the film SPOILER and ends up shooting the beautiful tiger, only to cremate it. An incredibly unsympathetic behavior, - and it changes little that he becomes a stepfather for the boy. SPOILER Throughout The HunterDafoe's character stands as a swaying leaf between the environmentalists and 'tree-huggers' of the story, - and I didn't buy the proposed change in him in the film's ending, which I really hated.
Watch a trailer for the film here
Cost: Unknown, projected 4 mil. $
Box office: 1.6 mil. $
= Uncertain, but likely a mega-flop (projected return of 0.4 times its cost)
[The Hunter premiered 9 September (Toronto International Film Festival) and runs 102 minutes. Shooting took place around October 2010 in Australia. The film opened #68 to a 19k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #57 and in 17 theaters (different weeks), grossing 176k $ (11 % of the total gross). North America was the film's 3rd biggest market. Its biggest were Australia with 947k $ (59.2 %) and the UK with 367k $ (22.9 %). If made on a low 4 mil. $ budget, the film would rank as a mega-flop. Nettheim returned with 22 TV credits but has not returned to theaters since. Dafoe returned with a voice performance in Gauguin: Maker of Myth (2011, video), and theatrically in John Carter (2012). The Hunter is fresh at 72 % with a 6.50/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
A police investigation is underway in a twilight landscape on this atmospheric poster for Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
A police investigator gets called out to the steppes of Anatolia, Turkey, where an arrested man is to point out the place where he killed a local man.
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is written by Ebru Ceylan, Ercan Kesal (Three Monkeys/Üç Maymun (2008), both) and great Turkish filmmaker, co-writer/director/co-editor Nuri Bilge Ceylan (The Small Town/Kasaba (1997)).
It is a long and ruminant, ceaselessly downbeat turn with a killing SPOILER that's a live burial, (which the coroner ironically buries in his report.) This doctor teaches during the course of the film the presumptuous investigator a lesson of great personal weight, and in this and other ways Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is a film especially consisting of meetings between men, of facades and power structures, and of small town politics, - more than about the murder as such.
Ceylan shows much promise here, and there are beautifully shot scenes (cinematography by Gökhan Tiryaki (The Wild Pear Tree/Ahlat Agaci (2018))), among them one of an apple's escape down into a stream, and good acting also. Nevertheless it is unclear what the story is supposed to tell us, and I suspect that Once Upon a Time in Anatolia may be more meaningful for locals/Turks than to outsiders.
= Uncertain but likely a huge flop (projected return of 1 times its cost)
[Once Upon a Time in Anatolia premiered 21 May (Cannes Film Festival, main competition) and runs 157 minutes. The script was reportedly inspired by personal experiences of one of its writers. Shooting took place in Turkey. The film opened #60 to a 10k $ first weekend in 1 theater in North America, where it peaked at #56 and in 6 theaters (different weeks), grossing 152k $ (7.6 % of the total gross). The film's 3 biggest markets were Turkey with 835k $ (41.8 %), where it opened #4 and spent 3 weekends in the top 5, the UK with 424k $ (21.1 %) and Italy with 399k $ (20 %). If made on a 2 mil. $ budget, the film would rank as a huge flop. The film won the Grand Prix in Cannes (tied with The Kid with a Bike), was nominated for 2 European Film awards and many other honors. It was Turkey's nomination for the Oscars but was not chosen for the Best Foreign Film category. Roger Ebert gave the film a 3.5/4 star review, translating to 2 notches over this one. Ceylan returned with Winter Sleep/Kis Uykusu (2014). Muhammet Uzuner (Münferit (2007)), who plays the coroner, returned in Home/Yurt (2011); Yilmaz Erdogan (Vizontele (2001)), who plays the investigator, in Rhino Season/Fasle Kargadan (2012). Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is certified fresh at 93 % with an 8.20/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of Once Upon a Time in Anatolia?
