L 39;orangeraie Pdf Download
L'Orangeraie by Larry Tremblay: A Powerful Novel about War and Choices
L'Orangeraie is a short novel by Larry Tremblay, a Canadian writer, director, actor, and specialist in Kathakali, an Indian dance theater form. Published in 2013, it has won several literary awards and has been translated into many languages. It tells the story of two twin brothers, Amed and Aziz, who live in a peaceful orange grove in an unnamed war-torn country. Their lives are shattered when their grandparents are killed by a bomb, and a terrorist leader named Soulayed convinces their father, Zahed, to sacrifice one of them as a suicide bomber. However, their mother, Tamara, intervenes and persuades Amed to take Aziz's place, saving his brother from certain death. The novel follows their separate destinies as Aziz dies in an explosion, while Amed escapes to Canada, where he becomes an actor. Through theater, he tries to heal his wounds and confront his past.
L'Orangeraie is a powerful novel that explores the themes of war, violence, identity, memory, love, and forgiveness. It challenges the reader to reflect on the moral choices that people face in situations of conflict, oppression, and injustice. It also shows how art can be a source of healing, expression, and resistance. In this article, we will summarize the plot of the novel, analyze its main themes, and provide some personal insights.
l 39;orangeraie pdf download
Summary of the Plot
Part One: The Choice
The first part of the novel introduces us to the main characters and their setting. Amed and Aziz are nine-year-old twins who live with their parents, Zahed and Tamara, in an orange grove near a mountain range. They also have a grandmother, Shahina, who lives nearby with her husband, Mounir. They are happy and carefree children who enjoy playing with their kite and helping their father with his work. They also have a close bond with each other, sharing their thoughts and feelings.
One day, their peaceful life is disrupted by a loud explosion that destroys their grandparents' house. They rush to see what happened and find their grandmother alive but badly injured. Their grandfather is dead. They learn that a bomb was dropped from over the mountains by an enemy army that wants to take over their land. They are devastated by the loss of their loved ones and the destruction of their home.
The next day, a mysterious man named Soulayed arrives at their house. He claims to be a friend of their father and a leader of a resistance group that fights against the enemy. He tells them that he has a plan to avenge their grandparents and protect their land. He says that he needs one of the twins to wear a belt of explosives and go to the enemy camp, where he will meet a young boy who will guide him to the barracks. There, he will detonate the belt and kill many soldiers, becoming a martyr and a hero. He says that this is the only way to stop the enemy from bombing their village again.
Zahed is shocked and reluctant to agree, but Soulayed convinces him that this is his duty as a father and a patriot. He tells him that he has to choose one of his sons to sacrifice for the cause. Zahed is torn between his love for his children and his loyalty to his country. He decides to choose Aziz, the weaker and sicker of the twins, thinking that he will suffer less and that Amed will have a better chance of survival. He tells Tamara about his decision, but she is horrified and angry. She begs him to change his mind, but he refuses. He says that he has to do this for their family and their people.
Tamara then secretly goes to Amed and tells him what his father has decided. She asks him to take Aziz's place and wear the belt of explosives instead. She says that she loves them both equally, but that she knows that Amed is stronger and smarter than Aziz, and that he can find a way to escape from Soulayed's plan. She says that she wants to save Aziz from dying in vain, and that she hopes that Amed will forgive her for asking him to do this. Amed is shocked and scared, but he agrees to do what his mother asks. He loves his brother more than anything, and he trusts his mother more than his father. He swaps clothes with Aziz and puts on the belt of explosives.
Part Two: The Consequences
The second part of the novel follows the consequences of the choice that Zahed and Tamara made for their sons. It shows how their lives are changed forever by the events that follow.
Aziz wakes up in his brother's clothes and realizes what has happened. He sees Amed leaving with Soulayed, wearing the belt of explosives. He tries to stop him, but it is too late. He runs after them, hoping to catch up with them before they reach the enemy camp. He is afraid for his brother's life, and he feels guilty for being spared from death.
Amed follows Soulayed to the enemy camp, pretending to be Aziz. He is terrified and confused, but he remembers his mother's words and hopes to find a way out. He meets the young boy who is supposed to guide him to the barracks, but he does not trust him. He thinks that he is a spy or a traitor who works for Soulayed. He decides to run away from him and look for another exit.
However, as he runs, he sees a group of soldiers playing soccer with some children. He is surprised by this sight, as he expected to see only enemies and monsters. He realizes that they are human beings like him, who have families and friends, who laugh and cry, who love and hate. He feels a sudden compassion for them, and he wonders why they have to fight and kill each other.
He decides to take off the belt of explosives and throw it away. He does not want to be part of Soulayed's plan anymore. He does not want to die or kill anyone else. He wants to live and be free.
However, as he tries to remove the belt, it explodes in his hands. He dies instantly, along with several soldiers and children who were nearby.
Zahed hears the explosion from his house and thinks that it was Aziz who detonated the belt. He is proud of his son for fulfilling his mission and becoming a martyr. He thinks that he has done the right thing for his family and his country.
Tamara hears the explosion from her house and knows that it was Amed who detonated the belt. She is heartbroken and furious. She thinks that she has failed her son and that he died for nothing. She blames Zahed for his choice and Soulayed for his manipulation. She wants to leave him and take Aziz with her.
Aziz survives the explosion and is taken to a hospital by some soldiers. He is wounded and traumatized, but he is alive. He tells them his name and his story, and they are amazed by his courage and honesty. They decide to help him and contact a humanitarian organization that can take him to a safe place.
He is eventually adopted by a Canadian couple, who give him a new name and a new life. He grows up in Montreal, where he attends school and makes friends. He also discovers his passion for theater, which helps him express his emotions and cope with his past.
He never forgets his brother, his mother, or his father. He wonders what happened to them and if they are still alive. He hopes to see them again someday.
Part Three: The Ending
The third part of the novel shows the ending of the story, which is also the beginning of a play. It reveals the message of the author and the purpose of the novel.
Amed, now called Michael, is a successful actor who is about to perform in a play based on his own life. He has written and directed the play himself, as a way of honoring his brother and telling his truth. He plays the role of Amed, while another actor plays the role of Aziz.
The play begins with the scene of the explosion that killed Amed and several others. It then goes back in time and shows the events that led to that moment, from the bombing of their grandparents' house to the swap of the twins. It also shows the aftermath of the explosion, from the reactions of Zahed and Tamara to the new life of Aziz in Canada.
The play ends with the scene of the reunion of Amed and Aziz, which is also a scene of imagination and fantasy. Amed appears on stage as a ghost, wearing the belt of explosives. He meets Aziz, who is now an adult, wearing a suit. They hug each other and talk about their lives, their dreams, their regrets, and their love. They forgive each other and themselves for what they did or did not do. They say goodbye and wish each other peace.
The play ends with a blackout, followed by a standing ovation from the audience. Amed/Michael bows and thanks them for their attention and appreciation. He dedicates the play to his brother, Aziz/Michael, who is watching from the front row. He also dedicates it to all the victims of war and violence in the world. He says that he hopes that his play will inspire people to choose life over death, love over hate, and art over war.
Analysis of the Themes
War and Violence
One of the main themes of L'Orangeraie is war and violence, and how they affect individuals and families. The novel portrays the horrors of war in a realistic and vivid way, showing its physical, psychological, and emotional consequences.
The novel criticizes the use of violence as a means of revenge or justice, as it only leads to more violence and suffering. It exposes the hypocrisy and manipulation of those who justify or glorify war in the name of religion, nationalism, or ideology. It questions the morality and rationality of those who sacrifice innocent lives for a cause that they do not fully understand or agree with.
The novel also explores the ethical dilemmas that people face in situations of conflict, oppression, and injustice. It shows how people have to make difficult choices that have no easy or clear answers. It shows


The images from the upcoming film Agneepath that have been released so far had either a seething Hrithik Roshan or an intimidating Sanjay Dutt. Now, here’s a glimpse of the chemistry between Hrithik and Priyanka Chopra in the movie.
Well, this is not the first film Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra are pairing up for, so the comfort between the two is obvious.
In the newly released still, Hrithik and Priyanka almost come within a whisker of locking lips.
After kissing the likes of Aishwarya Rai, Barbara Mori and Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan has turned out to be a regular at the art of osculation. We won’t be surprised if he’s gone ahead and puckered up with Priyanka Chopra as well.
For that we will have to wait till January end when Agneepath, produced by Karan Johar, will hit the theatres.


Actors and actresses who have come from Bihar to Bollywood have made their own identity, today we will tell you about many such Bihari actors and actresses who will be surprised to know that this is also Bihari ..
1. PriyankaChopra was born on 18 July 1982 in Jamshedpur, Priyanka has made her mark not only in Bollywood but also in Hollywood.
2. PankajTripathi is a resident of Gopalganj, he started his film career in 2004 with Abhishek Bachchan and Bhumika Chawla starrer film Run,
3. #ManojVajpayee is a resident of Narkatiaganj, he started his film career
Done in the year 1994 with Govind Nilhani's film Drokhal
4. #SushantSinghRajput was a resident of Patna, his family shifted to Delhi in early 2000, Sushant was an acting as well as a great dancer, Sushant was first noticed by the casting team of Balaji Telefilmus after which Career started with a serial called Kis Desh Hai Hai Mera Dil in which he played the role of Preet Juneja, Sushant got popularity in his career from TV serial Pritik Rishta, Sushant started his film career, followed by Sushant It did consistently great films, Sushant's film Chichhore was a box office heat, earning well. Sushant's last film Dil Bechara was released on the OTT platform, which was well liked by the people.
5. PrakashJha is a native of West Champaran, Prakash Jha started his career with the documentary Inside Blue. He then produced several documentaries in a long span of eight years.
6. #NehaSharma is a resident of Bhagalpur, Neha Sharma started her career with Telugu film Chirat, after which she appeared in Teri Meri Kahaani and comedy film Kyaa Super Cool Hai Hum.
7. #RMadhavan was born in Jamshedpur on 1 June 1970, his full name is Ranganathan Madhavan in which Ranganathan is his father's name, Madhavan acted in many South films,
8. #TanuShriDutta was born on 19 March 1984 in Jamshedpur. Tanushree is a United States green card holder since 2008,
9. #ShekharSuman Born on 14 August 1954 in Bihar, Shekhar Suman is an Indian actor and TV artist, Shekhar Suman started his career with the television serial Wah Zanab, and started his film career with the film Utsav.
10. #GurmeetChaudhary was born on 22 February 1984 in a Bhumihar Brahmin family in Chandigarh. While Gurmeet belongs to Jairampur Bhagalpur district, Gurmeet's childhood was spent in Jabalpur and Chennai,
11. #ShwetaBasu was born on 11 January 1991 in Jamshedpur, Bihar, although her family shifted to Mumbai a few years later, Shweta Basu Prasad is an Indian film actress who is mainly active in Hindi cinema.
12. AkhilendraMishra is an Indian film and television actor, best known for his role in Doordarshan's fictional television series Chandrakanta in the 1990s.
13. #SanjayMishra was born in Patna. Actor Biswajit, who was famous for giving him blessings on his birth, was also present there.
14. SuhasaniMule was born in Patna on 20 November 1950, Suhasani is an actress working in Bollywood and Marathi cinema, she has also received the National Film Award (Best Supporting Actress Award,
15. #VinayPathak was born on 12 July 1968 in Dhanbad and grew up in Bhojpur,
Were in Bihar Indian actor, television presenter, filmmaker and theater artist, he is known for his comic timing.
16. SandaliSinha was born on 11 January 1973 in Muzaffarpur, she is an Indian film actress who works primarily in Hindi cinema.
17. ShilpaShukla was born on 22 February 1982 in Bihar, Shilpa Shukla started her acting career with MK Raina's theater. He started his career in Hindi cinema in the year 2003 with the film Khamosh Pani.
18. #AlokNath was born in Khagaria on 10 July 1956, Alok Nath started his career with the film Gandhi in the year 1982.
19. SritiJha was born in Begusarai, she made her acting debut in 2006 with a serial Dhoom Machao Dhoom, in which she played the role of Malini Sharma, after that Sriti acted in a lot of serials Filhaal Kumkum Bhagya in Pragya Is playing the character of Mehra.
20. NeetuChandra was born on 20 June 1984 in Patna Bihar. Neetu Chandra used to do part time modeling from her college days, after that she did advertisements for many well-known companies, Neetu Chandra stepped into Hindi cinema with Akshay Kumar starrer Garm-Masala.
21. RichaSoni was born on 8 July 1985 in Muzaffarpur, Richa has worked in Hindi cinema as well as Telugu films, and has also worked in TV serials.
22. RatanSinghRajput was born on 20 April 1990 in Bihar. He started his film career with a serial next Jan Mohe Bitiya Ke Kijo to be aired on GTV.
23. Abhimanyu Singh is also seen in Telugu films along with Hindi films, he was born in Patna Bihar, he started his Hindi cinema career in the year 2001 with Amitabh Bachchan's film Aks.
24. Shatrughan Sinha born: July 15, 1946 in Patna, his film in Shatrudhan


PROJECT: Star Trek Into Darkness 3D
Paramount Home Entertainment
Create a Successful Premium DVD Release with Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital
Copy for the twelfth installment in the Star Trek film franchise and the sequel to 2009's Star Trek and the second in the reboot series. This after a box office total of $228,778,661, which places it as the 11th highest-grossing film for 2013.
‘Star Trek Into Darkness' boldly goes to top of DVD sales chart September 23, 2013. It looks like the newest "Star Trek" movie is living long and prospering. "Star Trek Into Darkness," J.J. Abrams' latest contribution to the venerable franchise, is the bestselling DVD and Blu-ray title and a top rental.


Her songs have been performed in concert by such artists as the Dartmouth Decibelles, the Washington D. At NJ Rep, Ms. Robert Oppenheimer, all in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nevertheless, she shows amazing courage in trusting her entire life and future to Romeo, even refusing to believe the worst reports about him after he gets involved in a fight with her cousin.
She is also co-creator and producer with her husband Osborn Focht of A Day at Dante's a new cartoon that can be viewed at www.
These are referred to as Q1 and Q2. The powerful nature of love can be seen in the way it is described, or, more accurately, the way descriptions of it so consistently fail to capture its entirety.
Al has been a working actor for the past twenty years. The Friar's own role in the play contains this ambiguity. When needed, he's also a pretty good usher.
With fitting ambiguitythe play was placed in the Folio of between the histories and the tragedies, in a category all by itself. None of them survive now. Lastly, this story involves many things such as hate, love, violence, humor, and tragedy, which makes it for a very interesting and wonderful story.
An Apothecary who reluctantly sells Romeo poison. I know that in future class courses I will have to read other plays or books of this type of writing.
Although we most likely won't need to use any of those old-fashioned words in our everyday lives, we may need to know those words as well as the style of writing for other literature written around Shakespeares time.
Draper points out the parallels between the Elizabethan belief in the four humours and the main characters of the play for example, Tybalt as a choleric.
Read an in-depth analysis of Mercutio. The concept of the show was that episodes of the BBC Television Shakespeare would be presented specifically as educational tools.
Often, at the beginning of the third quatrain occurs the volta "turn"where of the poem shifts, and the poet expresses a turn of thought. The main representative was Anthony Quaylewho had been cast as Falstaff for the second season Henry the Fourth episodes.
This method was recommended by Baldassare Castiglione whose works had been translated into English by this time. Jens played the role of Sarah Bernhardt in their critically acclaimed production of Memoir.
That or maybe he just wanted to get rid of everybody. Romeo's masculinity is constantly questioned. Critics such as Charles Dibdin argued that Rosaline had been purposely included in the play to show how reckless the hero was and that this was the reason for his tragic end.
He is a founding company member of NJ Rep and participated in the very first public reading the theater had back in At any event, he began writing not only his great tragedies but a group of plays that are hard to classify in terms of genre. Some highlights of thirty years as director are her Trojan Women, chosen by the Getty Museum in Los Angeles for an international classical scholars and recent productions of The Mousetrap and Fifth of July, acclaimed by the American College Theatre Festival.
Lindy Regan Lindy Regan is pleased to have been a member of NJ Rep since it held nothing but a lot of potential, a couple of chairs and its breath. She's crazy for RK. Believing Romeo to be a vandal, Paris confronts him and, in the ensuing battle, Romeo kills Paris.
She responds by telling him of a former lover who pursued, seduced, and finally abandoned her. Shakespeare uses themes that are still relevant in modern day society.
It teaches us in a way we can understand by showing the answer to us in a story of everyday life. She dies of grief after Romeo is exiled from Verona.
A book was also published with the full transcript of each episode; The Shakespeare Hour: Elizabeathen english is very confusing but i really like figuring out what it means.
Al has performed in a Murder Mystery while cruising down the Nile in Egypt, and in a wide variety of other Murder Mysteries in many exotic - and some not so exotic — locations around the world. Since it is such an obvious subject of the play, several scholars have explored the language and historical context behind the romance of the play.
Visit her website at carlacummings. He also been the lead of several feature films shot in several different countries: Emphasizing fate's control over their destinies, the Prologue tells us these "star-cross'd lovers'" relationship is deathmark'd.
In life, highschool, collage, career, etc. Romeo and Juliet includes violence, humor, and much more.- Romeo and Juliet, the tragic play by William Shakespeare, centers around the love story between Romeo, the young heir of the Montagues, and Juliet, the daughter of the house of Capulet.
This story starts off with two opposing families of royalty, the Montagues and the Capulets. Published: Thu, 14 Dec The classic story line of star-crossed lovers has been replicated time and time again, but possibly the most renowned version is William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet No matter what version is consulted, whether it be the original script or the movie rendition directed by Baz Luhrmann, this familiar plot of the age-old play ultimately ends in the tragic death of the.
Romeo and Juliet study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Jul 26, · William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a slick blast of ”decadence,” the kind of violent swank-trash music video that may make you feel like reaching for.
The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is about two young lovers whose families hate each other.
In an act of reckless passion, Romeo takes his life when he thinks Juliet is dead. When she wakes up to a dead husband, she also kills herself. Romeo, out of his passion for Juliet, rejects his family name and vows, as Juliet asks, to "deny william shakespeare - romeo and juliet.
Uploaded by. Saurabh Agrawal. Romeo Uploaded by. Antania Fieldzah. Romeo n Juliet Summary. Uploaded by. pipinparah Othello. Uploaded by. Droopy Dripple. Romeo and Juliet.Download


All NSU students, faculty, and staff members are invited to audition for a part in The Irish Dracula: A Melodrama in Five Acts, written by James Doan, Ph.D., professor at the NSU Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, and produced by the Irish Theatre of Florida.
Auditions for The Irish Dracula
Parker Building | Room 342
The Irish Dracula is based on Bram Stoker’s 19th-Century novel, but focuses on the Irish-born author’s relationship with Henry Irving, actor and director of the Lyceum Theatre in London, for whom Stoker worked as business manager more than 25 years.
Set in London and County Sligo, Ireland, in 1888, the play examines the colonial Anglo-Irish politics of the era and psychosexual elements implied in the original text. The Irish Dracula also sheds light on the development of the vampire tradition in European and American thought, though presenting a different conception of the figure.
If selected, actors should be prepared to rehearse the play through January, with two dramatic readings to follow in February. Staged performances of The Irish Dracula will take place in Delray Beach during March and in May at the Acting Irish International Theatre Festival.
Work Behind the Scenes
Crewmembers are also needed to help produce the play. Individuals interested in serving as stage managers, set and costume designers, or light and sound technicians should contact James Doan at (954) 262-8207.


London Design Museum
Fashion Film, written and directed by Duncan Bone. Commissioned by Double Decker for the Christian Louboutin Exhibition at the London Design Museum.
Selected and screened at the London Short Film Festival 2013, and the Berlin Fashion Film Festival 2013.
Written & Directed, Art Direction, Edit & Post Production- Duncan Bone
Director of Photography - Sky Sharrock
Composer - Moritz Schmittat
Assistant Director/Producer - Inshra Russell
Model - Veronika
Fashion Editor - Anthony Stephinson
Makeup - Philippe Miletto
Hair - Elvire Roux
Stylist Assistant - Gareth Anderson


The Bryn Mawr Film Institute seeks an instructor for its 2018 Summer Filmmaking Workshop. Over the course of six weeks, the instructor (with the help of an intern) will lead a group of 12 high school students through their collaborative creation of one short film. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will work together to develop a concept, write a script, scout locations, shoot their film (serving as actors, directors, and crew), edit their footage, and create promotional materials. The resulting film will debut on the big screen at BMFI in the winter. The instructor must be knowledgeable about and able to teach a variety of film-related disciplines– writing, acting, directing, filming, and editing. There is also a “camp counselor” component to the job–the instructor must also be able to engage with and guide a dozen precocious teenagers.
The workshop will be held from Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, over six weeks spanning late June to early August. The instructor is required to provide all production equipment to be used in the workshop. BMFI will provide the venue, administration, a modest production budget, and computers and editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro).
To learn more about the workshop and see films from previous sessions, visit the BMFI website here.
– Demonstrated proficiency in all dimensions of the filmmaking process
– Ability to interact with, supervise, and teach high school students
– Experience teaching film production
– Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro - Access to necessary production equipment
– Ability to pass all criminal background checks and a clean driving record
Please submit the following to firstname.lastname@example.org
– A cover letter stating interest and qualifications - A resume or C.V. - Links to film-related work - Two professional references


คลิกดูเลย หนังแอ็กชันมันส์ๆ AN OBEDIENT WIFE. 1 Episode. Russian TV Series. Melodrama. English Subtitles รวมภาพยนตร์แอ็คชั่นน่าดูที่สุดที่นี่ Full HD action movies เต็มเรื่อง ภาพคมชัด สตรีมมิงเร็ว
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AN OBEDIENT WIFE. Melodrama
Format: TV series
Number of episodes: 4
Directors: Igor Moskvitin
Scenario: Anna Olkhovskaya
Operator: Aleksandr Onoprienko
Composer: Yuriy Zdorenko
Producer: Larisa Zhuravska
Cast: Aleksandr Davydov, Alla Maslennikova, Valeria Khodos, Denis Rodnyanskiy, Inga Nagornaya, Nikita Parkhomenko, Olga Sukharyova, Timofey Karataev
Yelena Simbirtseva’s friends and acquaintances see her life to be a fairytale in clover: her husband is the director of a good standing company, a wonderful son is growing up, and even more – Lena is pregnant with her second baby. A terrible accident that happens to the Simbirtsevs splits their life into “before” and “after”. Yelena falls into a coma, her newborn daughter survives, but the forecasts of the doctors are pessimistic. Dmitry refuses the baby whom he perceives as a burden. When Yelena emerges from coma, her husband tells her that their daughter has died…
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AN OBEDIENT WIFE. 1 Episode. Russian TV Series. Melodrama. English Subtitles


Buenos Días Tijuana
Buenos Días Tijuana is a short documentary film that explores the city of Tijuana, through the lens and stories of two young dancers, Mayra and Jorge. As dance and movement define their days, the project dives into the experience of living, loving, and creating as a young artist living on the cusp of the U.S.-Mexico border. The film is introduced by the poetry of poet Karla Cordero.
This short film is in pre-production: filmed between August 13th-August 21st 2019. Poetry by Karla Cordero recorded August 18th. Editing by Cami Thomas and Ajua Media currently in process.
Directed by Cami Thomas, and co-produced by Ajua Media.
The Smoke City project covers life in St. Louis post-Ferguson, as the city still struggles to have the conversations that has led to its repeated explosive moments. In the context of the United States in 2018, she calls out St. Louis’, and society’s, hesitance to come to terms with its troubled past, through the lens of emotional interviews from St. Louis’ most misunderstood residents.
Smoke City Seasons 1&2 have received local and national acclaim from the film community, including from Teen Vogue, NPR, St. Louis Magazine, and more. The third installment of Smoke City, titled Smoke City: Ultimo will be Thomas' first full-length documentary feature.
Smoke City: Seasons 1-2
Let's Work Together
Reach out to Cami and her FTCTV production team to direct and create your documentary content.


I wrote the below toot after watching Panos Cosmatos' trippy sci-fi horror excursion The Viewing:
The thing with this series is that you will get the most out of it if you, like del Toro, are a horror fan. You will get the thrill of realizing how impeccably evocative Cosmatos' story is, how classic and familiar it feels.
Another thing to be conscious of is that I think short film is not a medium equally enjoyed by everyone. If you want a short film to just be essentially a feature film with a shorter run-time, you will find it disappointing and incomplete. Short films, like short stories, run a little more on vibes and mood than their longer counterparts. The mental and emotional payoff is packaged more densely. If you aren't going to be satisfied with a sharp punch of an ending, you're not going to be happy with a short film.
I adore short film as a medium for exactly that reason. So much richness can be put into such a small package and sometimes the “completeness” which a full-length feature film requires would actually dilute the delicious experience.
The Autopsy and The Viewing are both classic sci-fi horror tales (The Autopsy, is an adaptation of a horror short story by the same name; The Viewing is an original screenplay, but evocative of many other tales). Despite sharing this “genre” they are totally different types of stories, each rich and beautiful in its own way.
The Autopsy is cold with vibes of the detective genre. The Viewing is rich, lush, and absolutely psychedelic. This is the charm of what del Toro has gifted us in this series. Shining examples of story styles, lovingly crafted, each unique.
Directed by: David Prior
Teleplay by: David S. Goyer
based on a short story by Michael Shea
– F. Murray Abraham
– Glynn Turman
– Luke Roberts
Run time: 58 minutes
If I ranked del Toro's introductions for these episodes from most to least Rod Serling, the intro for The Autopsy would rank as “second most Rod Serling” right after The Outside.
This episode is the third in the series, and it made me sit up and take notice in a way that its predecessors, charming as they were, did not. It reminded me of my first encounters with horror as a literary genre. The thing is I can't remember specifics. I feel like I remembering reading the Michael Shae short story, but honestly when I try to recall, I go back in my mind instead to being in my grandparents' basement reading Leiningen Versus the Ants. A different thing entirely, but it's something of that feeling for me, my early somewhat unwitting encounters with how terror could build on the written page.
For much of The Autopsy, you are trying to solve the mystery, but when the answer comes, it's easy to forget there ever was a mystery to begin with, because instead you are so absorbed in the horrific thing in front of you and the cold, hopeless feeling that cruelty will inevitably conquer...unless....
And that “unless” keeps you hanging on to the very end.
The visuals, by the way, are disturbing. The body horror, the grotesquery, all there. All as it should be.
Directed by: Panos Cosmatos
Written by: Panos Cosmatos & Aaron Stewart-Ahn
– Peter Weller
– Steve Agee
– Eric Andre
– Sofi Boutrkla
– Charlyne Yi
– Michael Therriault
– Saad Siddiqui
Run time: 56 minutes
In much the way that the protagonists in this tale are offered “the good stuff” by their host, I felt “now this is the good stuff” as I watched. The play of light and color and sound create impeccable vibes here as Cosmatos weaves his tale of the bizarre.
Peter Weller's performance is foundational to this piece. Without his mesmerizing, slightly menacing, yet comforting, presence this story might not captivate, but thanks in large part to this performance, we the viewers find ourselves caught, like the characters, in what appears to be his web: held in place until it is too late.
We should not give credit to only one actor though. A film like this requires its full cast to carry their weight. And they do. On a note of personal taste, I found Michael Therriault's performance as a slightly fussy famed psychic to be especially entertaining.
The soundscape is wonderful, the visual design stunning, the performances entrancing.
This is a blog by Sarah Anne. Find me on Mastodon.


Some of the most iconic films almost didn't end the way they did... Yup, did you know that "Pretty Woman" wasn't supposed to have a happy ending? Or that "The Butterfly Effect" had a completely tragic conclusion?
Here are some of the most shocking alternate endings to famous movies that will toy with your feelings! 1. The Princess Diaries The ending:
Mia (Anne Hathaway) accepts the role of being the Princess of Genovia. She then travels to Genovia, and during her flight, she logs in to her diary her desire to relocate there with her mother. Alternate ending:
Mia agrees to become the Princess of Genovia. That's it. But things changed when director Garry Marshall's granddaughter got sad when he showed it to her, because she wanted to see Mia's princess life. So, Marshall asked Disney to add a sneak peek of Genovia. 2. Seven The ending:
The killer murders Detective Mills' (Brad Pitt) wife. He did this to provoke Mills to shoot him and thus, committing the seventh sin, Wrath. Alternate ending:
Mills' partner detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) shoots the killer instead. When asked why, Somerset's reason would have been, "I'm retiring." 3. Blade Runner The ending:
Deckard (Harrison Ford) and Rachael (Sean Young) get together again, then a voiceover explains that Rachael does not have a four-year lifespan limit afterall. Alternate ending:
"Blade Runner" has various alternate endings. There's one where Deckarad shoots Rachael; and another where Gaff (Edward James Olmos) chases down Deckard and Rachael. 4. Pretty Woman The ending:
Edward (Richard Gere) goes back to Vivian's (Julia Roberts) apartment and they share a kiss! Alternate ending:
Vivian gets her final payment for her services to Edward. No romantic ending whatsoever. Cold, huh? 5. The Lion King The ending:
Villain Scar is attacked and killed by his own servants—the hyenas. Alternate ending:
Scar pushes Simba off Pride Rock. Ecstatic about his win, he doesn't realize that there's fire building behind him, so he gets burned to death! 6. The Shining The ending:
Wendy (Shelley Duval) and Danny (Danny Lloyd) escape, and Jack (Jack Nicholson) is left behind in the snow, and eventually freezes to death. Alternate ending:
Danny and Wendy make it back to the hotel and its manager Stuart Ullman (Barry Nelson) says that the two should seek medical attention. In this ending, it's implied that Ullman is covering up the mystery in the hotel. 7. The Butterfly Effect The ending:
Evan (Ashton Kutcher) travels back to the first time he met with Kayleigh (Amy Smart) and tells her that they should not be friends. Alternate ending:
Evan travels back to the time when he was still a baby inside his mother's womb and kills himself. 8. I Am Legend The ending:
Neville (Will Smith) sacrifices himself, to help two people survive and escape with the cure for the infection. Alternate ending:
Neville negotiates a ceasefire with mutants. He then offers to deliver the cure for the infection to the surviving humans. 9. A Star is Born The ending:
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) commits suicide by hanging himself. Alternate ending:
The original plan was Jackson will commit suicide by swimming and eventually drown. Another option was to have Jackson ride his motorcycle and die in an accident. 10. A Quiet Place The ending:
Evelyn (Emily Blunt) kills the monster. Alternate ending:
Director John Krasinski, who also starred in the film, did not want Evelyn to shoot the monster. He had pictured a more tragic ending for the family instead. He changed his mind after being adviced by one of his producers and after heeding a Steven Spielberg podcast about marrying artistic vision and "popcorn moments" in movies.
Here are some more shocking truths about your favorite films!


Sheila Zhao September 7, 2009Posted by Geoffrey Hiller in China.
A Chinese child extra waiting for filming to start. Yixian, Hebei Province, 2008
Sheila Zhao (b. 1983, China) grew up in the United States and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University in 2005. Immediately following graduation, she relocated to Beijing, China, and began a career in photography in 2007. That same year, Sheila was selected to participate in the Angkor Photo Festival’s workshop for young, emerging Asian photographers. Since then, she has worked on a variety of projects around China, including a three months stint as a stills photographer on a Chinese movie set. Most recently, Sheila just completed a six months photo editing internship with TIME Magazine’s Asia photo department in Hong Kong.
About the Photograph:
“In the summer of 2008, I spent some time photographing on a Chinese movie set. The story line was a period drama that involved love, mystery, and of course, kung-fu. Hundreds of extras old and young were cast during filming and one day, I saw this girl [pictured]. She was part of a group of child extras drafted from a nearby martial arts school. I noticed her right away because of her big, sad eyes, and kept an eye on her for the rest of the afternoon. At one point, while waiting for the rest of the cast and crew to start filming, she picked up the prop assigned to her – a dry gourd shell – and stood in a such a way that I thought accentuated her melancholic demeanor. Fortunately, I was close enough to capture this moment.”


Durham, N.C. – March 11, 2015 – The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival has announced its “Invited Program” and “NEW DOCS” lineup of new feature and short films. Specific screening times and venues will be announced with the release of the full schedule on March 19.
“We are incredibly proud of the talent on display in our 2015 lineup,” said director of programming Sadie Tillery. ”These new films take us places: remote landscapes, hypnotic fairs, and steep climbs. They probe legal cases, unveil artistic processes, and witness turmoil. They bring history to life and encourage us to think deeply about current events. And altogether, they highlight people, the human experience, and allow us to reflect on the world in which we live. It’s a gift that filmmakers share this work with us, and we can’t wait to share it with our audiences in April.”
One of the nation’s premier documentary film festivals, Full Frame celebrates its 18th annual festival this April. Full Frame is a qualifying event for consideration for the nominations for both the Academy Award® for Best Documentary Short Subject and the Producers Guild of America Awards.
The “NEW DOCS” program includes 49 titles, 35 features and 14 shorts, from across the United States and around the world, selected from over 1,300 submissions, including 12 World Premieres, 13 North American Premieres, and two U.S. Premieres. Nearly all of the films are screening in North Carolina for the first time. “NEW DOCS” films are eligible for the Full Frame Audience Award and are shortlisted for a variety of additional juried prizes. Award winners will be announced at the annual Awards Barbecue on Sunday, April 12.
The “Invited Program” features 21 films screening out of competition, including one World Premiere and one U.S. Premiere. Within this list are the festival’s “Center Frame” screenings, which feature moderated panel discussions following the films and take place in Fletcher Hall at the Carolina Theatre. The “Opening Night Film,” “Center Frame” programs, and special free screenings will be announced in the coming week.
The “Bury Me in the Dark” facebook page will provide constant updates about a variety of issues concerning Juan Pablo González’s University of Texas at Austin MFA thesis film. We will be posting interviews, behind the scenes photos from set, events, screenings, and much more. So please click the “like” icon in the upper right part of your screen so you won’t miss a beat!. Miriam and Luis have lived in Texas with Alejandra, their daughter, for almost two decades. After years of hard work they have been able to buy a modest house and save enough money to help Alejandra get through high school and, soon, college. Everything changes when Luis suffers an accident inside his house. Being undocumented, Miriam and Alejandra are forced to deal with this shocking situation without exposing themselves to the authorities and potentially being deported.


Streaming Bollywood Movies Online
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Watch Bollywood Movies Online
Hindi motion pictures online are an extraordinary hit and adored by numerous film addicts. Bollywood follows up Holly wood on the list of the largest film industry worldwide. These films have been well received in the industry, attracting audiences from even non-Hindu speaking races. These movies are well choreographed and full of romance, drama, and action.
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What To Watch Out For
When searching for exciting movie or movie series online, ensure you conduct thorough research to determine if the site you are using posts pirated movies. The movie business has set laws and models thus save some an opportunity to follow the set standards.The most reliable websites to stream your movies include Youtube, Hulu, and Joost. It is vital that you spend some time to familiarize with such websites and the movies you prefer most. It is interesting yet the brief period you spend toward the beginning will spare you additional time when attempting to awe your new date with home-made suppers and an online blockbuster movie.


Bonnie Howland by Mallika Worboys & Jess Baider (Wellington)
This short documentary film introduces Bonnie Howland, a young entrepreneur who is launching her socially conscious make-up company, Indigo and Iris.
Quinn’s Quest by Hunter Williams (Auckland)
Quinn Hautapu was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 7. Through her ambassadorship with The Child Cancer Foundation NZ, she is impacting the lives of thousands of people. This is Quinn’s Quest!
Continuity Error by James Pryor
Jordan believes we are caught in a vicious cycle of ecosystems that vanish through pollution, over population, and resource annihilation. He calls this a Continuity Error, and he’s looking for a way to change it.
Sehar’s Story by Michelle Vergel de Dios (Auckland)
The film explores Sehar’s difficult journey as a young migrant woman and how she managed to overcome those challenges by helping others who are facing the same ordeal.
Plastic Bottle Kayak Expedition by Seung-Woo Hong (Christchurch)
This beautiful film follows 25 young New Zealanders on the adventure of a lifetime – a 100km kayak expedition down Whanganui River on Kayaks they made out of plastic bottles.
Bella by Johanna Hertwich
A short film from first-time filmmaker Johanna Hertwich – only 16 years old from Murchison. The film follows the true story of Bellah who having struggled through tough times is trying to turn her life around.


It is the distant future: 1995. In this 21st installation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the first female-led Marvel movie, Brie Larson plays Vers, a green blue-blooded member of the Kree, a technologically advanced race of aliens who value emotional control. Vers and her mentor, Yon-Rogg (Jude Law) lead a Starfleet Starforce secret mission against the Romulans Skrull, a shapeshifting race that has been at war with the Kree ...Read MoreRead more
Cixin Liu’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy (The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest, and Death’s End) established him to audiences as a writer of Big Idea stories, eliciting comparisons to Arthur C. Clarke. The Wandering Earth (original title: Liu Lang Di Qiu) based on his novella of the same name, cements that reputation with a grand-scale, hard SF story that will appeal to fans of ...Read MoreRead more
For anyone dreading another Michael Bay explosion-fest, don’t worry. Other than a brief opening battle sequence, Bumblebee is mercifully free of the military porn that defined the five previous movies in the Transformers film franchise and, with a PG rating, follows a more family-friendly format. Set in 1987, Bumblebee follows the title character (briefly voiced by Dylan O’Brien) as he’s sent by Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) on a ...Read MoreRead more
With H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith is one of the major writers associated with the original incarnation of Weird Tales magazine. Of the three, Lovecraft has received the lion’s share of critical attention, from the essays regularly published first in Lovecraft Studies and now the Lovecraft Annual, to such book-length studies as Maurice Levy’s Lovecraft: A Study in the Fantastic and Robert Waugh’s The Monster in ...Read MoreRead more
Teenager Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is bitten by a radioactive spider and then develops superhuman abilities. Struggling to control and understand his powers, he returns to the underground site where he was bitten. He stumbles upon Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) and his lackeys hatching a diabolical plan. Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Chris Pine) shows up to stop Kingpin and when he runs into Miles he realizes that Miles is “just like ...Read MoreRead more
Josh: When we reviewed A Quiet Place earlier this year, I said that it reminded me of Josh Malerman’s book Bird Box. What do you think? Fair comparison? There are definite similarities: unexplained monsters come to town; humans have to give themselves a handicap in order to survive; there’s a pregnant woman at the forefront; save the children!
Arley: It’s different, but similar. Even though the filmmakers of Bird ...Read MoreRead more
Yes, I will admit, I would have preferred to see fewer brutal fistfights accompanied by the amplified sound of crunching lettuce and more leisurely attention to the imaginative underwater environments that mostly serve as backdrops for the film’s incessant free-for-falls; and yes, the film would have benefited from some judicious editing to reduce its two-and-a-half hour length to two hours. But overall, Aquaman qualifies as a successful superhero film, persuasively ...Read MoreRead more
Since Mary Poppins Returns was one of those rare films falling within my area of expertise that was of interest to my other family members, I watched it in the company of my wife and granddaughter, and I should report that six-year-old Serena Michelle Kong thoroughly enjoyed the film, explaining that she found it just as delightful as its esteemed precursor Mary Poppins (1964). And perhaps, that is the only ...Read MoreRead more
I must first admit that I enjoyed Christian Rivers’s Mortal Engines far more than I thought I would, and the film’s first hour definitely qualifies as a marvelous piece of entertainment. Unfortunately, this story about motorized, traveling cities starts to sputter and run out of gas as it progresses, at the precise time when the filmmakers evidently believed that they were ratcheting up the excitement to an even greater level. ...Read MoreRead more
We usually start these reviews with a summary, trying to give a sense of what the movie is about without spoiling any important moments. Spoiler: the storyline is too boring to be relayed. The plot is haphazard and unnecessarily convoluted. An honest synopsis would go something like, “random events strung together vaguely trying to look serious just so new magical effects can happen, plus a handful of magical creatures, often ...Read MoreRead more
When reporter Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) investigates rumors that tech bro billionaire Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) is running human experiments with alien symbiotes, Brock is infected by the symbiote named Venom (voiced by Hardy), which [battles him for control of his own body] [gives him a serious case of alien limb syndrome]. Drake’s security chief Treece (Scott Haze) pursues Brock through the streets of San Francisco in an attempt to ...Read MoreRead more
Some people may wonder why a science fiction film reviewer is discussing a completely realistic film about an actual man and his actual accomplishments. But I can offer a simple explanation: I am reviewing, reasonably enough, a remake of the film that won science fiction’s Hugo Award as the “Best Dramatic Presentation” of 1969: namely, “News Coverage of Apollo 11.” (For even though, as I have noted elsewhere, space travel ...Read MoreRead more
Somewhere in the Central American jungle, Army Ranger sniper Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook) encounters a crashed Predator escape pod. He loots it and later mails the alien’s high-tech helmet and wrist gauntlet back to the US.
Scientist Casey Bracket (Olivia Munn) is taken to a secret government facility where the Predator from the crash (Brian Prince) is being held. The Predator breaks free and goes in search of its missing ...Read MoreRead more
Josh: So, about the title of this review. What do you think of, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat,” or is that too easy?
Arley: How about, “We’re gonna need a bigger shark.”
Josh: I was also thinking, “We’re gonna need a bigger beer.”
The Meg stars Jason Statham as Jonas Taylor, a diver whose rescue operation goes wrong due to an encounter with a mysterious creature, which scares him ...Read MoreRead more
If anyone is glancing at this review for advice on which films to see this weekend, my recommendation would be to avoid The Darkest Minds. For while it is competently executed and offers some superficial novelties, it is a film that most people have already seen several times, and since two similar franchises to be discussed have failed to generate expected sequels, it may be that many filmgoers are growing ...Read MoreRead more
In this sequel to 2015’s Ant-Man, convicted felon Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) has only days remaining on his house arrest when he’s abducted by Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and her father Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) because they believe he holds the key to rescuing Hope’s mother Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) from the quantum realm where she disappeared 30 years before.
Josh: Hi! What were your initial impressions ...Read MoreRead more
Before we can talk about Incredibles 2 we have to talk about Bao. This is the first Pixar short film directed by a woman, Chinese Canadian filmmaker Domee Shi. It centers on a Chinese mother with a case of empty nest syndrome. She gets a second chance at motherhood when one of the dumplings she makes comes to life as a baby boy.
Josh: Is that the official description? ...Read MoreRead more
No one goes to a Jurassic Park movie to experience brilliant acting performances or profound explorations of complex human relationships; they want to see dinosaurs, lots of dinosaurs, and in its two hours and eight minutes Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom provides more than enough of them. Further, after a slow-paced and meandering first hour that emphasizes the menace of an erupting volcano more than the menace of ravenous dinosaurs, the ...Read MoreRead more
Deadpool 2 continues the zany adventures of a smart-ass, smart-mouth mutant mercenary (Ryan Reynolds) whose powers are superhuman regeneration, looking melted, and being meta. When a time-traveling soldier from the future (Josh Brolin) attempts to murder the young mutant Firefist (Julian Dennison), Deadpool is set on a path to redemption. Bonus points: he gathers a team of other heroes, including Domino (Zazie Beetz), Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), and Colossus ...Read MoreRead more
Despite all the negative publicity surrounding the film, I think I actually enjoyed Solo: A Star Wars Story more than Disney’s other recent additions to this venerable franchise. For one thing, in contrast to other Star Wars films, the fate of the entire universe does not hinge upon whether this film’s heroes escape from their latest predicament, so there are no portentous auras to dampen the film’s sense of humor; ...Read MoreRead more
Avengers: Infinity War is the first half of the third movie of a subseries (following 2012’s Avengers and 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron) in the (currently) 19-movie Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, and that’s a lot to take in. Thanos, the big purple CGI baddie played by Josh Brolin, sows death and destruction across the galaxy in his quest to acquire all six Infinity Stones, objects of power ...Read MoreRead more
In this post-apocalyptic film, a couple raises their family while being stalked by blind monsters that hunt entirely by sound. Silence is the only defense, and any noise is fatal.
Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) and his wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt) hide out in a farmhouse with their deaf daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and son Marcus (Noah Jupe), surviving by building soundproofed shelters, fishing in a nearby river, and scavenging in ...Read MoreRead more
Wakanda! A land of secrets. This is the homeland of the Black Panther. It sits on the world’s largest deposit of the exotic element vibranium, which enables Wakandans to achieve fantastic technological heights beyond the rest of the world (Flying cars! Healing damaged spinal columns! Fingerprint-sized communication devices with global range! Maglev trains! Oh, and collapsible armor-piercing spears—which fire energy waves!). This technology also allows them to disguise the entire ...Read MoreRead more
Audiences will probably enjoy watching Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, but they won’t necessarily feel proud of themselves for doing so. Rather, they will recognize that they have paid some money to participate in a thrilling, fast-paced, but essentially empty adventure – much like the arcade video games that, in the film, have eventually engendered the immense virtual universe of OASIS.
The film has been faithful to the basic ...Read MoreRead more
If you are delayed by inclement weather while traveling to see Pacific Rim: Uprising, do not be overly dismayed, because the film might actually be more enjoyable if you walk into the theater an hour after it has started. True, you will struggle to understand some aspects of the plot, but when you are watching enormous, human-controlled robots (jaegers) battling against loathsome reptilian monsters (kaiju) in brilliantly choreographed sequences ...Read MoreRead more
When reviewing a film, I’ve always strived to avoid reading anything about it, so I can evaluate the film while untainted by others’ opinions. Today, however, that is no longer possible. In a world where people are starving in Venezuela, and innocent civilians are being slaughtered in Syria, the breaking news each week is the anticipated fortunes of the major films about to be released. So, simply by glancing at ...Read MoreRead more
Jeff VanderMeer’s 2014 novel Annihilation is a magical and mysterious book, and the simplest way to criticize Alex Garland’s film of the novel is to say that it is not a magical and mysterious film. To be sure, director and screenwriter Garland might protest that he did the best he could to convey the essence of VanderMeer’s novel while working within the confines of contemporary Hollywood filmmaking, but the bottom ...Read MoreRead more
Although I haven’t read any reviews of the film, I suspect that Wes Ball’s Maze Runner: The Death Cure (simply entitled The Death Cure in the opening credits) will be praised, or condemned, as a routine action film, with a series of exciting, well-executed sequences pitting likable protagonists against impossible odds, stitched together by quieter scenes to advance its plot and develop the characters. In sum, if you like the ...Read MoreRead more
An introductory disclosure: when I was in graduate school, I became the friend, and occasional roommate, of Jim Taylor’s older brother Doug Taylor, and I met and talked with Jim a few times when he was a student at Pomona College. I particularly remember a final conversation when Jim reported that, after graduating, he had moved to Los Angeles to pursue, so far unsuccessfully, a career as a Hollywood screenwriter. ...Read MoreRead more
Since Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi contains almost all of the elements that have made the franchise so popular – likable heroes, implacable villains, superb special effects, colorful aliens and robots, the requisite number of space battles and lightsaber duels, and a rousing John Williams score – it will undoubtedly prove enormously successful and thoroughly satisfying to diehard fans. However, as time passes, I suspect that those fans ...Read MoreRead more
As has happened before, I face the dilemma of reviewing a film that I have been clearly instructed to like, yet did not actually like. But, one might ask, what is there is dislike about The Shape of Water? It is the work of an author-director, Guillermo del Toro, who has repeatedly demonstrated his knowledge of, and fondness for, science fiction films, as well demonstrated by the excellent Pacific ...Read MoreRead more
Much to my surprise, I actually enjoyed watching Justice League, which can be appreciated as unpretentious fun, featuring likable characters and some moments of genuine humor. To be sure, it is not an ideal film, but the concept of bringing together popular superheroes to battle against common foes is appealing enough to overcome the recurring infelicities that have marred almost all of the recent films in the DC Extended ...Read MoreRead more


Valerie Harper starts work on TV movie
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The UP cable channel said Valerie Harper is filming a TV movie in Canada.
The movie, titled ”The Town that Came A-Courtin’, is based on a novel by Ronda Rich and also stars Lauren Holly, Cameron Bancroft and Lucie Guest.
UP, which described the movie as an uplifting romance, said Wednesday it welcomed the ”inspirational” Harper as part of the project.
In March, the 73-year-old actress said she’s been diagnosed with a rare, incurable brain cancer but that she intended to live each moment fully.
Harper gained fame playing Rhoda Morgenstern on television’s ”The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and ”Rhoda.”
UP’s ”The Town that Came A-Courtin”’ will air in January 2014, the channel said. It’s being shot in Vancouver, British Columbia.


Not really, but since I’m performing In the Heat of the Night at Theatre Charlotte starting Friday (get your tickets now!), and I’m nuts-deep in tech and dress rehearsals this week, I figured I’d at least try to knock out a blog post for y’all.
This show is a bag of awesome, and I’m having a hell of a good time working on it. It’s tough, and there’s one costume change in particular that I barely make each night, leaving me panting a little when I come back onstage, but the acting overall is very, very good, and I’ve enjoyed getting back onstage in a show that makes me stretch a bit.
I don’t act much. It’s not just a time thing, there are a lot of reasons. Not the least of which is that I know I’m not the best actor in my age range in town. I’m pretty good, and I work hard, but I don’t have as much innate talent as some other folks. Which makes auditions a little tougher. Once directors work with me and understand that I work my ass off on a show, I can get cast. But auditioning for a new director is hard. It doesn’t help that I’m overweight and have long hair, both of which tend to narrow my “type.” I shaved for this show, though, which I hope shows a willingness to alter my appearance that people weren’t aware of.
But the fact of the matter is that I’m a very good lighting designer, and I can usually find plenty of work doing that to keep me busy. And it pays, while most folks in Charlotte are acting for free. So lighting gigs take precedence over auditions. But I love acting, and I love getting the chance to stretch myself as an actor, which this show does.So if you’re around Charlotte for the next three weeks, I hope you’ll come out and tell me how I’ve done. And feel free to mock my clean-shaven mug. I do.


|Writer||:||Dean Devlin, Paul Guyot.|
|Producer||:||Dean Devlin, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg.|
|Release||:||October 13, 2017|
|Country||:||United States of America.|
|Production Company||:||Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Electric Entertainment, Warner Bros., Skydance Productions.|
|Genre||:||Action, Science Fiction, Thriller.|
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On the mean streets of East London, only the strong survive. Grippingly and unblinkingly told, Top Boy explores the lives of young people growing up there, in a culture of drugs, gangs and violence, as they fight for something better.
Friends Dushane and Sully rule the drug scene on the Summerhouse housing estate in East London. Their control takes a blow, though, when their stash is stolen. Young Ra’Nell tries to stay out of trouble while his mom’s in the hospital.
While Ra’Nell makes a deal with his mom’s friend Heather, Dushane and Sully are on the hunt for Kamale and their stolen stash. Violence snowballs until Sully makes a fatal mistake.
Ra’Nell’s mother comes home. Gem goes on the run when Sully fingers him as an informant for Kamale’s crew. Dushane and Sully narrow in on their stolen stash by kidnapping Kamale’s cousin.
With Sully out of control, Dushane looks for a way out of the mess they’re in. He’s approached by Ra’Nell, who sees Heather low-balled by her Vietnamese buyers and offers to sell the crop to Dushane. Heather makes a confession to Lisa, who sends Leon to save her son.
Dushane and Joe are waiting on a big shipment of drugs, which can’t come too soon as there’s a shortage. But things get complicated when the police bring in Dushane, Sully and Dris to question them about a murder.
Sully’s offered big money for a hit, but the target turns out to be his cousin. Owing big after the death of his weed crop, Gem finds himself enslaved to Vincent. And young Michael ends up face to face with detectives after a failed shoplifting attempt.
Things reach a breaking point in Sully’s kidnapping plot when Rafe turns up, guns blazing. Dushane gets called in to fix the situation, but he’s already dealing with a new witness in the Kamale murder case.
Lisa looks for retribution after Vincent’s brutal beating of Ra’nell, Dushane uses drastic means to keep Kayla’s mouth shut and Sully finds a way to raid the Albanians’ warehouse.
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Trivia & Facts
Born: August 27, 1887, in Larbert, Falkirk,
Died: October 9, 1953 in Hollywood, California.
Nickmanes: James Finlayson NEVER went by the
nickname "Fin." That has been attributed to him
posthumously, by his fans. To his friends, he was simply
Laurel and Hardy related:
- Jimmy Finlayson can still be seen today in 33 Laurel
& Hardy films (including two of the boys'
Spanish-language films). He also appeared in the
long-missing HATS OFF and in ANY OLD PORT, but his scenes
were deleted from the final film. This brings the total
number of films made with Laurel & Hardy to
- In addition, he appeared in 19 films with Stan Laurel
and numerous films directed and/or written by Stan, prior
to the teaming of Laurel & Hardy. He appeared in 5
films with Oliver "Babe" Hardy prior to the teaming of
Laurel & Hardy.
Our Gang related:
- While working for the Hal Roach Studios, Finlayson
appeared in six Our Gang shorts. He appeared with Oliver
Hardy in one of these films, and with Stan Laurel in
- MUSH & MILK is probably his best known Our Gang
film. Spanky McFarland proves to frustrate Fin as well as
Charley Chase related:
- Finlayson appeared numerous times with Charley Chase.
Curiously, he did not always have his moustache...even
though he had one in other films made around the same
time. This tells us that Finlayson's trademark moustache
was not real.


Foodie: A Short, Dark Comedy Horror Film
Foodie is a short, dark comedy horror film about a food service industry professional who receives an invitation to an exclusive, underground dinner party and finds out there's much more on the menu than he bargained for.
Foodie was filmed in the fall of 2011 in the Triangle region of North Carolina.
This was the movie's official website. Content is from the site's 2012 archived pages.
Foodie is the winner of more than 9 film festival prizes, including Best Produced Screenplay Short at Crimson Screen Horror Film Fest, Best Original Fiction at ConCarolinas Short Film Festival, Best Horror Short at Tucson Terrorfest, Best Horror/Sci-fi at the Mt. Hood Independent Film Festival, Audience Choice Best Long Form Short at the Nevermore Film Festival, Best Picture at the Killuride Film Festival and Best Short Film at MonsterCon.
|Mark Bell - Film Threat
…Foodie is a nightmare scenario for those of us who spend way too much time watching the Food Network. A horror comedy that doesn’t skimp on the gore or the laughs, this is a gruesome delight…”
|Dana Goodyear - Culture Desk - The New Yorker
“Cannibalism - whether unintentional, deliberate (as with the Donner Party, the Uruguayan rugby team, and scores of sailors in extremis) or plain murderous (the recent incident in Florida) - represents the most troubling extreme of our omnivorous condition. Just because we can, will we…
Bourdain - or maybe Tim Curry - is the spirit guide of the short satire, Foodie, which I watched the other day… ”
|Victoria Bouloubasis - The Independent Weekly
“Foodie, a new short film written by Durham resident Eryk Pruitt, bypasses the idea of cannibalism as an uneasy survival tactic. Instead, the 29-minute dark comedy-horror flick explores an obsessive, underground sect of foodies who dine on humans in the most gourmet and trendy of manners…”
|Cliff Bellamy - The Herald Sun
“In Foodie, a short film written by Eryk Pruitt and directed by Christopher G. Moore, Mueller (played by Nick Karner) is invited to an elite food gathering at Kitchen X. To give away much more of the plot would spoil the effect of this hilarious, black-humored horror-satire. The bloggers, chefs and hangers-on at Kitchen X argue the definition of “bacon” vs. “pork bellies,” and use terms like “compelling flavors” and “botanicals” with abandon. Their food obsession is the key to the humor in Foodie…”
|The Bleeding Dead
“…Foodie is a quirky, albeit uneasy film about a food lover's nightmare…”
|Amanda Maclaren - Durham Magazine
“…The movie was filled with plenty of cringe-worthy scenes in which the tagline of the film, “You Are What You Eat,” became all too literal. Yet I wasn't focused so much on the gore as I was on the individual characters, each of them an extreme foodie in one way or another, and the humor that tied it all together, which was writer and producer Eryk Pruitt's main inspiration for the film…”
|They're blogging about Foodie in New York city. Read what Mikaela Flynne of Undergound Eats has to say.
|Byron Woods - Contributing Editor, Live Arts - The Independent Weekly
“It was a great night for regional theater at the local debut of Foodie. Proud of all the (un)usual suspects: Jeff Alguire, David Berberian, Tracey Coppedge, Jenn Evans, Anthony Hughes, John Jimerson, Nick Karner and droll, dry Meredith Sause. Greetings to Gilly Conklin, Alena Koch and Emlee Vassilos. Plus cameo by spider. Lest we forget. Talent? Yeah, we've got that…
Looking forward to Tracey and John's upcoming remake of Adam Ant's “Beat My Guest.” The new “fun couple” of 2012?”
|Foodie's first review by HorrorSociety.com
“…Foodie is cohesively one of the best short films I’ve seen in a while. In just under a half hour this flick was able to pull off what some films can’t pull off in an hour and a half. Great production, great directing, great writing, great acting, great effects…and a couple interesting plot twists I did NOT see coming. Oh, and it did have a couple of funny moments. I mean what more could you ask for? If you have the chance to see Foodie, take it! I promise you… You will eat it all up!…”
“Beware of bad men who live to eat and drink, whereas good men eat and drink to live.”
TOMATOMETER AUDIENCE 39%
A documentary on the fine dining subculture of foodies. The interest in haute cuisine has grown exponentially. Now, we enter the world of one of the most influential people on the food scene - the foodie. A subculture of blogging food critics with a mission to eat at the best restaurants on earth. Through our close study, we get access to the world's most exclusive restaurants and get to know a group of slightly bizarre but charming food maniacs.
**** ½ Ian W
November 22, 2015
Exceedingly interesting documentary on food critics and what they do. Travelling around the world to review food sure sounds like quite the easy life, that's for sure. But there is more to it than that. This documentary contains a high amount of food porn and definitely worth watching if you are looking for a new culinary experience.
** WS W
November 13, 2015
Quite novelty in concept but rather disappointing in execution.
"Foodies" (aka food critic)? For real??
Just stupid & phony.
So is this documentary, unfortunately.
* Ming Siu G
July 21, 2015
Despite the fact that there simply isn't enough actual compelling content to fill out the runtime, it isn't badly-made. The problem is that most of the subjects appear to be privileged, self-absorbed brats, with the insufferable habit of whipping out cameras to shoot their food. With no qualifications to speak of, what gives them the right to criticise? Besides, when hunger is so prevalent all over the world, a film that focuses on people who fly around to eat feels almost criminal. So, yes, I guess my problem is more with what the film stands for, as opposed to what it actually is.
5/10 ***** 14 September 2015
A film best avoided if you're irritated by pretentious people, or not that keen on food.
I quite enjoyed it. It was often amusing - I'm not sure that always was the intent.
It was a pity that the 'foodies' weren't that articulate - but, had they been, they'd probably have not ended up that way.
What was saddest, to me, was how they all seemed, mainly, to eat at these expensive restaurants on their own. One essential component to a good meal is the company, and the discussion - without that, it can be the best place on the planet, but only second rate.
I was amused by one of the chaps who wants, rather as Curnonski did, all those years ago, to establish an eater's hierarchy of taste, not a chef's - but, despite this, he, and the others, accepted the Michelin star rating without question. It'd have been much more interesting if they'd thought that one had been graded to high, or too low.
Sometimes I find that the reviews from critics versus the general audience are pretty close, and then there are those films in which the two different camps diverge wildly. Foodie seems to be one of those films. Well, apparently, according to the film, there are foodies those who are obsessed and wealthy enough to eat exclusively at the haute cuisine level restaurant. But there are also folks like myself who also appreciates good food and considers them self a "foodie". But I'm always looking for good food. It doesn't have to be in the rarified atmosphere of haute cuisine. For instance, I sat down last night with a takeout of burritos from a new food truck that recently has appeared in my San Francisco neighborhood. My three dogs were hanging out on their new beds that had arrived that day from a great store that sold dog beds online I had discovered, Good Night Dog. Love the name. The pooches are chillin' as I open up the containers that come with my order. All of a sudden three heads pop up and my little island of aromatic smells becomes crowded with three additional dogs. Little did I know I have three foodie fuzzies living with me. So I guess what I am saying, the "foodie" tag is in the eye of the beholder. People can be snobs about where they eat, perhaps for bragging rights. People can just celebrate exciting new tastes and flavors where ever they luck out finding a special eatery. I fall into the later, although I know some people who are the former. So take Foodie with a grain of salt and enjoy.
Eryk Pruitt - Writer, Executive Producer
Christopher G. Moore - Director
Ismail Abdelkhalek - Director of Photography
CutshawKane - Composers
And Featuring Music by the Mission Creeps
|Nick Karner as Mueller
|Jeff Alguire as French Milt
|Tracey Coppedge as Beth
|Tony Hughes as Brandon X
|David Berberian as John Lando
|Meredith Sause as Teddy
|John Jimerson as Greg
|Gilly Conklin as Shannon Von Vester
|Jenn Evans as French Milt Groupie # 1
|Alena Koch as Hannah
|Emlee Vassilos as Darla
|Stephanie Reinhart as French Milt Groupie # 2
|Rachel Klem - Casting
|Chris Medico - Lighting and Food Styling
|Stephanie Reinhart - Production Assistant
|Angela Pritchett - Special Effects
|Tom Hauser- Production Sound Recorder
|Zach Honey - Sound and Production Assistant
|Lana Pierce - Catering and Craft Services
|Bobbi Whittemore - Still Set Photography
|Kymberly Daniels - Production Assistant
Sweden 23 May 2014
Denmark 6 November 2014 (CPH:DOX)
Sweden 24 January 2015 (Göteborg Film Festival)
Lithuania 19 March 2015 (International Film Festival Vilnius)
Finland 11 April 2015 (TV premiere)
Australia 10 June 2015 (Sydney Film Festival)
Hungary 18 June 2015
Singapore 16 July 2015
Australia 1 August 2015 (Melbourne International Film Festival)
Iceland 24 September 2015 (Reykjavik International Film Festival)
Australia 20 October 2015 (Adelaide Film Festival)
Japan 25 October 2015 (Tokyo International Film Festival)
Chile 26 October 2015 (TV premiere)
Japan 30 January 2016
Japan 10 September 2016 (Aichi International Women's Film Festival)


New Decade are delighted to announce that their new feature documentary, “I, Dolours” will receive its world premiere in the International Spectrum Strand of the 2018 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival on Saturday 28th April.
“I, Dolours” presents one woman’s story of life and death in the IRA. In 2009, Dolours Price, militant IRA activist, hunger striker and vocal opponent of the peace process gave an interview on condition that it not be broadcast in her lifetime. For the first time her shocking story can be told, entirely in her own words. Dolours was a ruthless terrorist but also a charismatic, loving mother, sister, friend. She was passionate, fragile, dogmatic, tortured.
Apart from the insight into the IRA and the descent into hell of Northern Ireland this film offers a rare glimpse into the pathway to radicalisation of an intelligent young woman — the motivation and excitement leading to violence and ultimately despair. It is a story which is more relevant today than ever.
The documentary is produced by Nuala Cunningham and Ed Moloney for New Decade TV, directed by Maurice Sweeney, and is supported by the Irish Film Board, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, RTÉ and received funding through the Section 481 government tax incentive scheme.
For further information on the origins of the film, click here
For press and sales inquiries, please contact:


Currently Accepting LIMITED New Talent Submissions.
1) WE ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN TALENT LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST. You must be physically located within 500 miles of Atlanta. No exceptions.
2) Currently looking for adults over 50 years old (and who look their age!)
3) Hispanic-looking and Spanish-speaking actors of all ages.
4) Actors who are 18-20 who can still believably play high school age.
5) Kids who are 5-18 and SMALL for their age; must be good readers!
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Best Movies to share with your children
I don't have children. Someday, fingers crossed, but for now the only young'n unfortunate enough to be taken under my wing is the son of my father's girlfriend. I've made a conscious effort to pass my good taste onto him, and my love for cinema is certainly no exception. I recently showed him one of my childhood favorites, which is what inspired this list. Everyone will have a different list, as they should, but here are a handful of films that I believe should never be forgotten.
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
It only makes sense to start this list with the film that kicked off the idea. I was obsessed with Mr. Herman as a child, so much so that I dressed up in a gray suit and red bow tie for Halloween. I was a fan of the show, Pee-Wee's Playhouse, but it was Pee-Wee's Big Adventure that really stuck with me. When most people think of Tim Burton, they think of Beetlejuice or Edwards Scissorhands. I think of this film, Burton's feature-length directorial debut. Now it's 25 years later and not only is it every bit as entertaining, but more so now that I can fully appreciate some the more sophisticated humor. And I wasn't the only one who liked it. My honorary little brother loved it, and audiences liked it enough that it earned almost six times its budget, convincing Warner Bros. to hire Burton to direct Batman.
Harry and the Hendersons
The legend of Bigfoot, as it is now, has been around for over fifty years. The idea of an elusive ape man hiding out in the woods is admittedly a little scary. That is, unless you grew up with Harry and the Hendersons as I did. Then you're well aware that Bigfoot is simply misunderstood; a gentle giant, if you will. He may wreak havoc and destruction, but rarely intentionally. Harry and the Hendersons defines classic family entertainment and it spawned a legion of John Lithgow fans long before 3rd Rock From the Sun.
I'm not a sports guy nor have I ever been. I played here and there as a kid, as all kids do, but I never had any desire to play on any school teams or in any sort of official capacity. I just wasn't a fan. That didn't stop me from instantly falling in love with a film that centers around baseball. Of course, it's about a lot more than that, with childhood dreams, fears, and friendship being a major theme. There's also a menacing dog that resides behind a fence and devours baseballs. Up until the end of the film, when the dog is finally revealed, you can only guess at its size. And since you're a kid, you can only assume that the dog is the size of a house. The dog in the Sandlot is the stuff of legends, as is the movie itself.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
When I was young, I never thought that animation and live action could be combined in such a way as in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It wasn't that I didn't think it could be done, the concept had just never occurred to me. When it happened, it was an absolute treat that hit all the right chords. I loved Roger Rabbit much more so than I ever cared for Bugs Bunny and Bob Hoskins's Eddie Valiant is just a living cartoon, as is Christopher Lloyd's menacing Judge Doom. Throw in the numerous cartoon character cameos and the sultry Jessica Rabbit, who made me think thoughts highly inappropriate for a child, and I was in Heaven.
I thought about rounding this list to five and select them from a working movie website, but I feel that it would be gimmicky and dishonest. These are four childhood favorites that I hold above all else and I didn't want to discredit them by throwing in a runner-up. Truth is, there are plenty more films that I plan to show my kid, but as far as I'm concerned, these are required viewing.
Despicable Me Movie Review
Despicable Me is a very enjoyable computer-animated movie which stars Gru (voiced by Steve Carell - I'm not quite sure what accent he was aiming for, but whatever it was, he missed), criminal mastermind and leader of a fearsome army of minions. Well, kinda cute, harmless, stupid minions... but criminal minions nonetheless. After an upstart criminal mastermind steals the Great Pyramid and replaces it with an inflatable replica, Gru is determined to find a way to outdo even that with the greatest theft of all time - and even his mother might show him a bit of respect and appreciation if he manages that. First though he'll have to convince the bank manager, Mr Perkins (Will Arnett), to lend him some money to build a spaceship...
He also has to contend with new kid on the block Vector (Jason Segal), who seems able to outdo him in every way and captures the Shrink Ray, which is vital to Gru's plans. Though he tries everything, Gru is unable to get past the incredible defences of Vector's fortress... but then three little girls selling cookies manage to get in, and Gru hatches a plan... He decides to adopt the three girls, and so his diabolical plan nears completion. However something unexpected happens (well, not unexpected to any adults and probably not many of the children watching, but unexpected to Gru himself) - he and the girls start forming a family unit, much to the disgust of his accomplish Dr Nefario (voiced by Russel Brand). The plot is fairly predicable, but there are some great moments even though you can see them coming a mile off.
The visuals are top quality, and with Hans Zimmer composing you know the music's going to be great. The voice acting is mostly very good, aside from Carel - I just wasn't quite sure if he was supposed to have an accent, supposed to be putting on an accent in order to fit in with his character's stereotype, or what - and Miranda Cosgrove as Margo, eldest of the adopted girls, sounded much older than her character. The movie was a bit lacklustre to start with - though it was enjoyable enough it all seemed a bit pedestrian for much of the first half. The second half was much better; things moved faster, the humour was better with laughs coming thicker and faster, and the characters developed. There were actually some very touching moments in Despicable Me, particularly when Gru saw the drawing the girls had added to the bottom of his family tree. Some other things to look out for are the Godfather parody when Gru wakes up to find a doll's head in his bed, and Edith uttering the line ": When we got adopted by a bald guy, I was thinking it'd be more like Annie". There could perhaps be more for older members of the audience to enjoy, but there was certainly enough to make Despicable Me worth watching, and the kids in the audience I was in seemed to love it. It's not among the very best computer-animated movies - and for something a little similar that I enjoyed more, see Monsters vs Aliens - but it's good and definitely worth watching.
Movie Review - Robin Hood (2010)
It would be easy to think that Robin Hood's story is one that really doesn't need yet another retelling, but Ridley Scott's movie is nothing like any Robin Hood movie you've seen before. Though most of the characters you'd expect are here - Little John (Kevin Durand), Allan A'Dayle (Alan Doyle), Marian (Cate Blanchett), Prince John (Oscaar Isaac), Will Scarlet (Scott Grimes), King Richard (Danny Huston) etc - they are very different from the characters you thought you knew. This movie's story starts off in France, with Robin Longstride being an archer in King Richard's army. He finds out to his peril that, although Richard realises just how far he has fallen during his efforts to be "holy", the king is not a big enough man to accept the criticism that he asks for. Robin and a few others defect from the army, but along the way they encounter part of a plot to destroy the English throne and claim it for France - though they have no idea at the time what they've really stumbled on. Robin is charged with keeping a promise for a certain Robert Loxley - as those with a smattering of knowledge about the Robin Hood legend may guess from that, Robin ends up assuming his identity - though not for the reason you might have thought.
Ridley Scott may have felt that casting two Australians in the lead role for such a quintessentially English story would invite criticism, but unlike certain others, at least Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett make a real effort to sound like they're from somewhere in the region of Nottinghamshire. While Crowe's accent isn't 100% convincing, he sounds authentic enough to be believable and Blanchett's accent, while not exactly regional, sounds English enough. Both of them give strong performances; Crowe's Robin Hood is a man of integrity though not without flaws, and Blanchett's portrayal of Marian as a feisty, compassionate and frustrated woman fighting against the odds makes her both believable and sympathetic. King John's character in this version is interesting - you never quite know if he's turned a corner from being an evil despot, though you always suspect he's up to something devious whenever he appears to be being nice. Oscar Isaac plays this role well. Walter Loxley, father of Robert, is played by Max von Sydow who gives a great performance as an old man, now blind, stricken with grief but never willing to give up. The slogan "Rise and Rise Again Until Lambs Become Lions", attributed to Robin Longstride's father and embossed onto the sword of Robert Loxley, finds its ultimate embodiment in Walter Loxley, who will fight for what's right against absolutely any odds.
There are plenty of other interesting characters in Robin Hood - interesting for how they're different from our established perception of them, and just interesting in themselves. It's this and the constant changing of pace and mood from traumatic battle sequences with frenetic camerawork to personal introspection to romance to scenes of feudal injustice that make Robin Hood such a fascinating movie from start to finish. With good period detail, great cinematography and plenty of intrigue as well as well-filmed battle sequences, what could have been a stale retelling of a legend becomes a fresh, vibrant, original re-envisaging. The main villain of the piece, Godfrey, is played superbly by Mark Strong. Strong is one of the most menacing Hollywood villains around, and after his slightly disappointing performance in Sherlock Holmes, he's back to his best here. Matthew Macfadyen's Sherriff of Nottingham is reduced to a bit part in this particular version of Robin Hood, while Mark Addy steals every scene he's in as Friar Tuck. William Hurt's performance as Marshal, one of Prince John's advisors, also stands out.
To me the movie has only one major failing, and that's in the development of Robin Hood himself. His transition from a foot archer to horse-riding, sword-wielding general just didn't seem quite right. Perhaps army recruits were by default trained in horsemanship and swordsmanship even if they ended up being in the infantry or archery; maybe being leader of a small band of archers prepared him for greater things, or his impersonating a knight and the respect people gave him contributed to him becoming a great leader of men. However neither idea really came through clearly and watching him charge along the battle lines on horseback, sword in hand, just never really seemed right - it was almost as if he'd accidentally wandered off the filming of Gladiator onto this one. The claims of some that this movie is merely Gladiator in another guise are, in my opinion, way off the mark though.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this 2010 version of Robin Hood; it gives a whole new spin on the popular legend, and to be honest comes across as more likely as probably nearer the truth than the laughing cavalier type character we've seen before. Of course, it helps that he actually sounds English (never mind that he's not, at least he sounds right!). Robin Hood (2010) is rated 12A (UK)/ PG-13 (USA)for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content.
Best Movies that aren't by PIXAR
It's no secret that Pixar is the go-to studio when it comes to quality CGI films. Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Wall-E - these are considered by many to be some of the best films of all time, and that's only a small portion of the studio's work. But while Pixar may be the best in town, it doesn't mean that the competition stinks. And with Dreamkworks's superhero romp Megamind in theaters now, it's a good time to look back on some great CGI films that Pixar had nothing to do with.
This was the first movie that came to mind. While the merit of the sequels can be debated, there's no arguing that the original Shrek was a monumental hit, and deservedly so. It was funny, exciting, and boasted an excellent voicecast. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy have never been better (though fans of Austin Powers may disagree), John Lithgow made a deliciously evil villain, and while I'm far from a fan of Cameron Diaz - she did a wonderful job of bringing Fiona to life. There was - and still is - a lot to love about Shrek.
2) Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, like the food that rains from the movie's sky, was a welcome surprise. While I braced myself to watch Hollywood ruin a beloved book from my childhood, the movie ended up having a big heart and even bigger laughs. And while the voice acting wasn't as memorable as other movies, Bill Hader is a likable guy with a likable voice. And just to ensure that there was something for everyone, they even threw in a monkey!
3) Ice Age
While some CGI films take viewers to extraordinary new worlds, Ice Age kept it close to home, only some 2 million years in the past. Like Shrek, Ice Age gave way to numerous sequels of varying quality, but the first film, released in 2002, seemed to be a hit with audiences and critics. There was something about John Leguizamo as a sloth, Denis Leary as a sabre-toothed tiger, and Ray Romano as a woolly mammoth that just resonated with people. And like Eddie Murphy, John Leguizamo is much more tolerable when he's just a voice.
4) Kung Fu Panda
This list features a startling number of actors that should stick to voicework. The nearly-unbearable Jack Black is next in line. I know he's popular, but his style of humor wears thin with me very quickly. However, even I can't disagree that he was fantastic as Po, an adopted giant panda who spends his days working in his father's noodle restaurant and his nights dreaming of being a kung fu legend. Kung Fu Panda contained heart, soul, and all the stuff that makes a great family film. It also had an impressive cast featuring Angelina Jolie, David Cross, Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, and appropriately, Jackie Chan.
5) How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon is just out of the gate, but already it's an instant classic, with a whopping 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. It tells the story of Hiccup, a young viking desperate to impress his father, but lacking a certain heroic quality. Luckily for him, he makes a friend in a dragon, which is something I think we've all wanted at some time or another. Again, this is another one that boasted a fantastic cast, including late night host Craig Ferguson
As you can see, Pixar doesn't have to be involved for a CGI film to turn out great, though it certainly doesn't hurt!