Releases that I'm waiting on..

I have just been on the discussion topic 'What we are looking forward to..' on Moodle, and since not everyone can see some discussions I thought I'd put my answer up on here..

Paper Heart, PG, Friday 6 November 2009.

Starring Michael Cera, and (for me) introducing Charlyne Yi, this film looks good already. Momentarily alarmed as my iTunes starts to sound weird and have voices that didn't belong to the tune playing, I watched the trailer…Although I suspect its plot might be slightly confusing, it looks great. The stars play themselves as Charlyne's character makes a documentary on love and it's puzzling myths, taking her all over America. A modern, and a much cooler, quicker, quirkyer, fun Broadcast News - Paper Heart grabbed me by it's name (is love real or just a fictional thing – something as substantial as paper?) and now has convinced me to go and watch it from its trailer.

The Magic Hour, Friday 13 November 2009.

Having met the film-makers already at a Q&A at the Edinburgh Film Festival, I have always intended to see this film. I have seen clips of the film but since the link doesn't tell me what the film is about but more about the company, I'm afraid I can't remember what it's about exactly…

However: 'The Magic Hour scheme is a groundbreaking UK-wide short film initiative aimed at disabled filmmakers. We are looking for writers and directors with passion and talent to make bold films which portray disability on the screen in a way that is innovative in both form and content.

Film ideas can be up to 20 minutes in length and any genre: drama, documentary, animation or a mixed medium. The Magic Hour wants edgy, challenging, satirical, funny, surprising ideas that have something fresh to say about disability but are accessible to a wide audience.

A total of four films will be produced each with a budget of £10,000. Applications are open from November 3rd to midnight on January 15th 2010. To download guidance notes and application forms click here.

104 films is the production company behind The Magic Hour scheme. We are the UK’s leading production company specialising in disability and film.'

Great people, great company.

Unmade Beds, 15, Friday 11 December 2009.

A brilliant film - I have seen it already at Edinburgh Film Festival. I throughly enjoyed the plot (if a little mad, and far-fetched, but not so much when you think of all the mad nights out and roll them into one and the types of characters - it certainly echoes some life experiences of my own - EXCLUDING, however, donkey heads and crashing out in extremely odd places…) Anyway, the performances are fascinating and it made me a laugh a lot. The director (Alexis Dos Santos) and Fernando Tielve, who plays Axl, are credibly mad - I listened to them at the Q&A after and I almost cried with laughter just seeing them- hence the film's genius quirkiness and loveability. On IMDB, a user comment says: 'A wonderful little gem which is close to perfection.' I agree - and I think those who liked Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, 500 Days of Summer and Away We Go might agree too. Oh and the polaroids…..

The Lovely Bones, Friday 29 January 2010.

I have waited for this film since I was 11 years old, after having first read the book then. This book is revered and sits a small pile of my best books….has anyone else read this book?! I love this book for several reasons but most of all, for its beautiful writing (this is the best way I can describe it), and so I have high, but anxious, hopes for Peter Jackson's adaptation. An exclusive interview with Jackson in the 20th Anniversary Edition (Guest-edited by Steven Spielberg), however, made me very happy. Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) is cast as Susie, the main character, and from that I know the film has great potential to win a lot of awards. In fact, that's why I've had to wait a few more months for its release because in order to be nominated for awards they had to put it forwards from June this year. Rachel Weiz is Susie's mother and this also leads me to believe I will love this film, as her performance in The Constant Gardener (but Fiennes is astounding), still makes me cry! Prepared for things to be left out: 'Jackson wants to be clear that this is a "personal adaptation of the book" by himself and his Rings writing partners, Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh.' but that's okay because, as the interview finishes, he comments: 'We assumed everyone's inbetween would be personal to them.' I think that is the best approach there could be, so I'll be there ready with a box of tissues, and a notepad to let you know what I think!, on the 29th.