The Tracey Fragments

Director - Bruce McDonald

Genre - Drama

A kaleidoscope of moving images mapped out in a melange of split screens construct the story of a socially inept teenager. Tracey Berkowitz as played by sensational star of the moment Ellen Page faces a world fraught with resentment and apathy, emotions which are often perpetrated against her. Things come to a head when her younger brother goes missing. Page chalks up another performance which will help her maintain a formidable resume and this film adapted from Maureen Medved's novel of the same name feels like a major breakthrough in the art of movie making. For an indie, that sure is one hell of a coup.

4 STARS!

All about The Tracey Fragments

Once - Original Soundtrack

Music - Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová

Genre - Soundtrack

We don't usually do this but we're just so enamored with this film and its sensational music that we just couldn't not put this review up. We wanted to eat and breathe this soundtrack. Water it and take it to work and play. It has taken over our thoughts for now and made us pine for the times when we don't get to listen to its melodious, incredulously well written treasures. If you're hankering for something to take you away from badly penned works like the Pussycat Dolls' annoying, demeaning to women songs...well, grab this NOW and you'll wish all your CDs were hot like this!

5 STARS!

All about Once (film & soundtrack)

Once

Director - John Carney

Genre - Drama/Music/Romance

Music has been one of the major driving forces in movies since way in the early stages of filmmaking. Chaplin relied much on music to break the silence and to convey hope, dreams and even the indomitable human spirit. Never in our not so young lives have we seen a love story embody a passion for music so strongly as in this small but effecting film. There is just so much fondness for what musicians live and breathe for (in this case - a portfolio of out-of-this-world songs) in the face of disparaging unacknowledgements that it actually uplifts the very core of what makes us go on with our existence.

4.5 STARS!

All about Once

YAM Issue 004

Haven't been really active here since January due to works and busy schedules.... Anyway, here it is again, the YAM (yetanothermagazine) Issue 004 from Amy. Check out how the Asian entertainment industry is invading the world with a storm in this issue! Here's the PDF link.

The Reader

Director - Stephen Daldry

Genre - Drama/Romance

Kate Winslet takes her kit off again. Wow. Anybody surprised at that? We think she actually has a special clause in each of her film contract which stipulates that she must have at least one scene requiring her to be completely free of fabric. It's like if she was in the 'X-Men' that would be her power. To numb people with her nudeness. Anyway, this film which won her a Best Actress Oscar (maybe the Academy felt she gave her all and more) features her as a lonely woman who seduces and beds one of the Jonas Brothers (no, kidding). Kathy Bates would have played a more convincing 'lonely woman', not covergirl material Winslet.

2.5 STARS!

All about The Reader

62nd Festival de Cannes Results

The official Jury of this 62nd Festival de Cannes, presided by Isabelle Huppert, revealed the Prize winners during the Closing Ceremonies on the evening of May 24th.

IN COMPETTION - FEATURE FILMS

Palme d'Or
DAS WEISSE BAND (The White Ribbon) directed by Michael HANEKE

Grand Prix
UN PROPHÈTE (A Prophet) directed by Jacques AUDIARD

Lifetime achievement award for his work and his exceptional contribution to the history of cinema

Alain RESNAIS

Best Director
Brillante MENDOZA for KINATAY

Jury Prize
FISH TANK directed by Andrea ARNOLD

BAK-JWI (Thirst) directed by PARK Chan-Wook

Best Performance for an Actor
Christoph WALTZ in INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS directed by Quentin TARANTINO

Best Performance by an Actress
Charlotte GAINSBOURG in ANTICHRIST directed by Lars von TRIER

Best Screenplay
MEI Feng for CHUN FENG CHEN ZUI DE YE WAN (Spring Fever) directed by LOU Ye

Prix Vulcain: Artist-Technician
Aitor BERENGUER, sound technician of the movie MAP OF THE SOUNDS OF TOKYO directed by Isabel COIXET.

IN COMPETITION - SHORT FILMS

Palme d'Or
ARENA directed by João SALAVIZA

Special Distinction

THE SIX DOLLAR FIFTY MAN directed by Mark ALBISTON, Louis SUTHERLAND

CAMERA D'OR
SAMSON AND DELILAH directed by Warwick THORNTON (presented at Un Certain Regard)

Caméra d'Or – Special Distinction
AJAMI directed by Scandar COPTI, Yaron SHANI (presented at Quinzaine des Réalisateurs)


UN CERTAIN REGARD

Prix Un Certain Regard - Fondation Groupama Gan pour le Cinéma
KYNODONTAS (Dogtooth) by Yorgos LANTHIMOS

Jury Prize

POLITIST, ADJECTIV (Police, Adjective) by Corneliu PORUMBOIU.

Special Prize Un Certain Regard 2009
KASI AZ GORBEHAYE IRANI KHABAR NADAREH (No One Knows About Persian Cats) by Bahman GHOBADI

LE PÈRE DE MES ENFANTS (Father of My Children) by Mia HANSEN-LØVE


CINEFONDATION

First Cinéfondation Prize
BÁBA by Zuzana Kirchnerová-Špidlová (FAMU, République Tchèque)

Second Cinéfondation Prize
GOODBYE by Song Fang (Beijing Film Academy, Chine)

Third Cinéfondation Prize (ex aequo)
DIPLOMA by Yaelle Kayam (The Sam Spiegel Film & TV School, Israël)

NAMMAE UI JIP (Don't Step out of the House) directed by Jo Sung-hee (Korean Academy of Film Arts, Corée du Sud)

Source from Festival de Cannes

Natalie Portman's 'Making Of'

Natalie Portman and friend Christine Aylward have founded a new website the 'Making Of' which features behind the scenes and backstage material of film production and footage with photos, information and videos with interviews and details of current films in production. Get further details at the website's About page and enjoy this Natalie Portman interview video from makingof.com. And yes, we love it!