Movie Minutiae - Warner Independent Preview - Fall/Winter 2006
Contact Johnny
Below is a list of upcoming releases through December for Warner Independent. The synopses come straight from the
studio - you know I'd never use such flowery language to describe these films. My expectations and insights are
included. Release dates are subject to change. My opinions are subject to be highly accurate.
SCIENCE OF SLEEP - October 6 (Memphis)
Synopsis: The Science of Sleep is a playful romantic fantasy set inside the
topsy-turvy brain of Stephane Miroux (Gael Garcia Bernal) an eccentric young man whose dreams constantly invade
his waking life.
While slumbering, he is the charismatic host of Stephane TV, expounding on "The Science of Sleep" in
front of cardboard cameras. In "real life," he has a boring job at a Parisian calendar publisher and pines for
Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg), the girl in the apartment across the hall. While Stephanie is initially
charmed by Stephane, she is confused by his childishness and shaky connection to reality. Stephane's co-worker,
Guy (Alain Chabat) a vulgar but practical man, offers advice on the opposite sex, but Stephane is too far in the
clouds to listen. Unable to find the secret to Stephanies heart while awake, Stephane searches for the answer in
his dreams.
Johnny's Take: Sounds like a rip-off of
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (which makes
sense considering it's by the same director).
I liked ESOTSM, but this just looks like it's trying to be weird for the sake of being weird. Doesn't smell like
my cup of mocha.
scienceofsleep.com
|
INFAMOUS - October 13
Synopsis: Infamous follows the dangerous quest for artistic greatness chosen
by Truman Capote (Toby Jones), accompanied by lifelong friend and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Nelle Harper
Lee (Sandra Bullock), as he travels to Kansas to investigate the brutal murder of the Clutter family.
Throughout this six year journey, the eccentric, hilarious and cunning Truman Capote is definitively revealed:
to satisfy his insatiable ambition, Truman consorted with his "Swans," the glamorous ladies who ruled the
upper strata of New York society, just as easily as he regaled wide-eyed Kansans with tales of Bogart and
Brando.
Infamous is a compelling study of the complex and tortured relationship that resulted between Truman
Capote and convicted murderer Perry Smith (Daniel Craig), a bond formed in a prison cell that brought the
destruction of Capote’s career, as well as his soul.
Johnny's Take: What in the world? Is this a remake of
Capote? Seriously, who on earth thought the world needed two movies about Truman Capote in a two year time
period? Give me a break.
If it weren't for Sandra Bullock I wouldn't even bother watching the trailer. But allow me to be dutiful
and do that now...
Oh sheesh. Were the filmmakers instructed to take Capote and make it even gayer? The guy playing
Capote annoyed me senseless, and that was in just two minutes! I have no idea how I'd handle his
faux effeminate voice for two hours.
At least Sandra was given the opportunity to brush off the ol' Hope Floats accent and put it to
work.
infamousmovie.com
|
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION - November 17
Synopsis: Christopher Guest turns the camera on Hollywood for his next film,
For Your Consideration. The film focuses on the making of an independent movie and its cast who become
victims of the dreaded awards buzz. Like Guest's previous films, Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show
and A Mighty Wind, this latest project will feature performances from his regular ensemble, including
co-writer Eugene Levy.
Johnny's Take: I know a couple of my readers are looking
forward to this, but I'm gonna have to see a trailer before it has the chance to capture my interest. Admittedly,
I have yet to see a Christopher Guest movie, but I have seen a movie or two with Eugene Levy, and I find him to
be highly annoying. Somebody needs to take a razor to those ridiculous eyebrows.
And if you try to argue with me about him being a comedic genius then I'll just direct you to Exhibit
A - The Man. Case closed.
|
THE PAINTED VEIL - December 15
Synopsis: Based on the classic novel by W. Somerset Maugham, The Painted Veil
is a love story set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young English couple, Walter, a middle class doctor
and Kitty, an upper-class woman, who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to Shanghai, where she falls
in love with someone else. When he uncovers her infidelity, in an act of vengeance, he accepts a job in a remote
village in China ravaged by a deadly epidemic, and takes her along. Their journey brings meaning to their
relationship and gives them purpose in one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth.
The film stars Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber and Toby Jones (who stars as Capote in "Infamous")
and is directed by John Curran.
Johnny's Take: Hmm, this pretty much sounds like the most
painfully boring type of romance movie that no self-respecting male would agree to sit through.
If you suggest that I read the book first before making such a judgment then I'll just laugh and pat you
condescendingly on the head.
|
|
