Tag: Judy Davis

Watch the Trailer For NITRAM starring Caleb Landry Jones and Anthony LaPaglia – In Theaters/Digital/AMC+ on March 30th

Caleb Landry Jones, Judy Davis, Essie Davis, and Anthony LaPaglia in NITRAM will be In Theaters, on Digital Rental and AMC+MARCH 30

Here’s the trailer:

Directed by Justin Kurzel (TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG, SNOWTOWN MURDERS, MACBETH) and written by Shaun Grant (TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG, BERLIN SYNDROME), NITRAM stars Caleb Landry Jones (THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI, GET OUT, HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT), Essie Davis (THE BABADOOK, TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG), Oscar Nominee Judy Davis (HUSBANDS AND WIVES, BARTON FINK, NAKED LUNCH), and Anthony LaPaglia (EMPIRE RECORDS, WITHOUT A TRACE).

Nitram (Caleb Landry Jones) lives with his mother (Judy Davis) and father (Anthony LaPaglia) in suburban Australia in the Mid 1990s. He lives a life of isolation and frustration at never being able to fit in. That is until he unexpectedly finds a close friend in a reclusive heiress, Helen (Essie Davis). However, when that relationship meets a tragic end, and Nitram’s loneliness and anger grow, he begins a slow descent that leads to disaster.

THE DRESSMAKER – Review

 Cybernatural
Review by Stephen Tronicek
THE DRESSMAKER is about revenge, but it’s not ever focused on a specific person. The town of Dungatar, to which Tilly Demogue (Kate Winslet) returns, is at first just a quiet little town in the outback, but soon becomes something much more perverted and challenging. The same can be said for The Dressmaker. While it’s certainly never a quiet film (that is emotionally speaking and also considering the rich and persistent score) The Dressmaker certainly starts out seeming normal, and then perverts itself, landing on a note that’s hard to take, but captivating to unfold.
The whole narrative framing of the story here is not on any specific character which is the most important thing in the film to remember. It’s actually placed on the collective actions of the entire town, meaning that the logic of that the film follows the overall mood of the setting rather than the individual characters in the story.  That collective mood is based in a way that while the town on the surface has a very quirky yet normal veneer, there’s something rotten about it. As the story starts Dungatar looks like a quaint, if odd town, but soon that quaintness is disrupted through little spatters of dialogue concerning  different types of abuse. Basically, the film wants to be funny by showing the audience what looks like a normal town, and then allowing through ,small details, the messed up nature of the town to come out as punchlines. The effect is biting, but also a little bit deflating. All of it is quite disturbing, but as complexly as it’s constructed it never fails to absorb.
The film somewhat fails in its application of this tone to the overarching story, which does aid in plot and story cohesion, but also just feels deflated. The moments of dialogue, or action that these tragic punchlines are applied to don’t feel out of place in the realm of what seems logical according to the film but when the film applies this to the overall narrative, you get hilarious, out of nowhere twists, that feel like they should have been set up somewhere earlier in the narrative. The film almost seems to go on individual tangents just to allow some shocking revelation to come up, but these revelations, while shocking, don’t really seem to add much to the movie, and only seem to muddle it.
Human drama in THE DRESSMAKER feels a bit perfunctory as it goes on too, and that’s not too much of a surprise. That’s almost unavoidable with the way the narrative is set up, and the actors do a fine job of fighting that. Kate Winslet, playing Tilly Demouge, really is the best in the business at playing a headstrong woman who is ready to steamroll anyone who gets in her way but is vulnerable enough to be empathetic. Judy Davis is magnificent as her mother, taking a character that is scripted all over the map and focussing her, creating the most memorable character of the film. Liam Hemsworth presents a fine romantic lead, but his entire character feels as meaningless as the drama he inhabits, especially since he only serves as a punchline to an entire section of the film. The other masters here: Hugo Weaving and Sarah Snook are on great display as the way the story twists and the required character change keep them on their toes attempting to make their characters cohere. They mostly succeed in this, but only by their great talents.
THE DRESSMAKER isn’t anything close to a good film, but it’s consistently different. As is, it’s component parts don’t really come together in any meaningful way. Try as the cast and the director might, they simply can’t save this oddity, as funny and dramatic
as it sometimes is.
THE DRESSMAKER is currently playing in St. Louis exclusively at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Theater

2 1/2 of 5 Stars

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Kate Winslet Stars In The Delightful New Trailer For THE DRESSMAKER

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Watch the charming new trailer for THE DRESSMAKER starring Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Judy Davis and Hugo Weaving.

A glamorous, worldly dressmaker returns to her small Australian hometown to seek the truth behind her notorious reputation. This dark and quirky comedy stars Academy Award winner Kate Winslet as Tilly Dunnage, who cares for her eccentric mother (Academy Award nominee Judy Davis), schemes with the local sergeant (Hugo Weaving) who has secrets of his own, and falls for local farmer Teddy (Liam Hemsworth).

As she starts to unravel her scandalous past, she transforms the town’s women with her exquisite creations. Armed with only her sewing machine and haute couture style, Tilly shows she is a force to be reckoned with and that revenge never goes out of style.

The film is directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse.

Amazon Studios and Broad Green Pictures will release THE DRESSMAKER in theaters September 23rd.

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Kate Winslet Stars In THE DRESSMAKER – In Theaters September 23rd

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Opening in theaters this fall is director Jocelyn Moorhouse’s THE DRESSMAKER.

A glamorous, worldly dressmaker returns to her small Australian hometown to seek the truth behind her notorious reputation. This dark and quirky comedy stars Academy Award winner Kate Winslet as Tilly Dunnage, who cares for her eccentric mother (Academy Award nominee Judy Davis), schemes with the local sergeant (Hugo Weaving) who has secrets of his own, and falls for local farmer Teddy (Liam Hemsworth). As she starts to unravel her scandalous past, she transforms the town’s women with her exquisite creations. Armed with only her sewing machine and haute couture style, Tilly shows she is a force to be reckoned with and that revenge never goes out of style.

Written by Rosalie Ham (Novel by), P.J. Hogan and Jocelyn Moorhouse (Screenplay by), the film is produced by Sue Maslin and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Amazon Studios and Broad Green Pictures will co-distribute THE DRESSMAKER in theatres September 23, 2016. Additionally, Broad Green will handle the home entertainment windows before the film premieres on Prime.

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River Phoenix’s Last Film DARK BLOOD To Premiere At Miami International Film Festival

Organizers of the 30th edition of Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) announced today the North American premiere of River Phoenix’s final film, DARK BLOOD directed by George Sluizer, co-starring Jonathan Pryce and Judy Davis. 20 years after its making, the film will be shown for the first time in North America at the 30th Anniversary edition of the Miami International Film Festival (March 1-10, 2013).

Jet-set Hollywood couple Harry (Jonathan Pryce) and Buffy (Judy Davis) travel through the desert on a second honeymoon, trying to save their marriage. Their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere leaving them to find shelter in Boy’s (River Phoenix) beaten down shack, unaware they will become his prisoners. Boy’s wife died of leukemia after nuclear tests occurred in the desert leaving him alone and far away from society. Buffy is seduced by Boy’s honesty and vulnerabilities, while Harry represents everything Boy hates about the civilized world and its culture. Buffy decides to sleep with Boy to buy the couple’s freedom, but these circumstances will push Harry to the edge, leading to a terrible tragedy.

DARK BLOOD was 80% complete when River Phoenix passed away in 1993 and the uncompleted film disappeared into a vault. In 1999 Sluizer heard that the footage was going to be burned to make space and with less than 48 hours notice, he saved the film, engineering efforts to get the entire film moved to The Netherlands. The footage then sat for more than ten years until last year when Sluizer set about finishing the film. The film finally premiered overseas to a standing ovation in the fall of 2012 at the Dutch Film Festival.

“Dark Blood is a film of legend, one of Hollywood’s great mysteries,” said MIFF Executive Director Jaie Laplante. “The tragic loss of River Phoenix’s outstanding talent is still profoundly felt 20 years later. We are proud that George Sluizer has honored Miami as the place to finally share his remarkable collaboration with Phoenix and the other great artists involved with Dark Blood.”

TO ROME WITH LOVE – The Review

Review by Barbara Snitzer

Woody Allen’s latest offering charts his European Travel Period down south to Rome, Italy in “To Rome With Love.”

Fortunately, it proves a cure for the hangover I’ve had since the atrocious “Midnight in Paris.” (While I was not able to review that film in a timely manner, know that I HATED it. I realize many people disagree with me; of course they are entitled to their wrong opinion.)

Criminally, I have not set foot on Italian soil, but I’m going to give Woody the benefit of the doubt to say he captured the feeling of Italy since he did indeed capture the chilly, dull tones that of London in “You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger” that I know from living there.

The film opens with a beautiful drive around Rome, the terminus a traffic cop ineptly evoking Marcel Marceau as he directs the non-existent traffic likely the result of the presence of a large movie crew. This welcome, overacted in unintelligible English, is the only appearance from this irrelevant character. Having studied theater, I’m guessing he’s supposed deliver a prologue, akin to a warm-up comedian. Fallire.  Rather, he is an omen of unevenness and failed expectations.  The movie tells several disappointingly unrelated tales, all without a strong narrative, and, again, a cast of mostly annoying rich Americans (not unlike some of the characters in MIP).

So, how could I have any like for this movie?

First of all, Allen is not the main character (although a version of him is, played by Jesse Eisenberg), and he is enfin coupled with an age appropriate spouse (played by Judy Davis)! Carol Alt (who has appeared in many Italian movies) and Ornella Muti are also age appropriate, bravo Woody! They are glamourously inspiring,  unusual for a Woody Allen movie.  Refreshingly he’s more funny than irritating this time, having returned to the kind of screwball comedy of his 1970s movies.  I hope he realizes he is stronger as part of an ensemble.  While his character does become obsessed with another, it’s not whom you would expect.  And the results are hysterical.
Secondly,  Allen generously gives his best lines to Alec Baldwin who steals every scene in which he appears. Baldwin’s character is the least insufferable of the visiting Americans, playing an architect who is forced, by the beauty of Rome, to confront selling out his artistic soul.  He meets up with a younger architect (Eisenberg) to whom he becomes a mentor and voice of conscience.

Thirdly, Rome.  Cities always look better on film, and foreigners tend to see the beauty their citizens take for granted.  The cinematography bathes the city in warm fauve tones that elicit relaxed summer evenings of hours long outside dinners.

Finally, laying eyes on the actor Flavio Parente.  Someone please introduce us. Not entirely kidding.  And Penelope Cruz is excellent.

Unfortunately, there’s more bad than good.

While Jesse Eisenberg is an improvement over Owen Wilson as the young nebbish, he’s still annoying and acts like he’s in an acting class.

Roberto Benigni plays Roberto Benigni suddenly and almost inexplicably cast into life as a Kardashian, i.e. he becomes famous for no reason.  Equally inexplicable, he seems to be the only man in Italy who wears ill-fitting suits.

Ellen Page is completely miscast as Greta Gerwig’s visiting American friend: a neurotic, unstable, amoral, bi-curious only to titillate, pseudo-intellectual, non-working actress from LA.  Ellen Page is articulate, in-control, and while pretty, not sensual or manipulative.  A better choice would have been Paz de la Huerta or even Lindsay Lohan (whose insurance bond probably would have exceeded the movie’s budget).  Was this role really that hard to cast?  In LA, you can’t vomit up your lunch without running into 5 women like this.

Alec Baldwin accompanies Eisenberg’s pursuit of Page, adding commentary and advice. In some scenes Baldwin appears visible to all characters present, in others it seems only Eisenberg can see him.  This confusion is a sad gaffe for such an esteemed director. Had the role been better cast, and this distinction made clear, Alec Baldwin’s withering tirade exposing Page’s facade would have been even more delicious.  In any case, I still want to have it printed on a business card to have at the ready for future cocktail parties.

It’s summertime, go take a trip to Rome.

2 1/2 of 5 Stars

TO ROME WITH LOVE opens in St. Louis today at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Theater

Sycamore Entertainment Group Inc. Acquires US Distribution Rights To THE EYE OF THE STORM, Starring Academy Award Winner Geoffrey Rush

Sycamore Entertainment Group Inc. is pleased to announce it has acquired US rights to the Fred Schepisi film THE EYE OF THE STORM, starring Academy Award-winner® Geoffrey Rush (“The Kings’ Speech,” “Pirates of the Caribbean”), Charlotte Rampling (“The Swimming Pool,” “Melancholia”) and Golden Globe® nominee Judy Davis (“Barton Fink” & Woody Allen’s upcoming “Nero Fiddled“). THE EYE OF THE STORM screened at the 36th Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2011.

The screen play adaptation by Judy Morris is based on the 1973 literary classic by Australia’s only Nobel Prize-winner for Literature, Patrick White. THE EYE OF THE STORM is a savage exploration of the family relationships — and the sharp undercurrents of love and hate, comedy and tragedy — which define them.

CEO Edward Sylvan with the help of the hard working team at Sycamore, started the company to maximize the potential for hybrid Print & Advertising (P&A) and full service distribution deals, which allows the firm to be aggressive and flexible at a time when the industry is showing signs of recovery from the 2008 economic malaise.

Part of the companies’ strategy is to offer institutional investors a high degree of transparency and access to P&A investments, which have the potential of quicker returns with more mitigated risk.

“Working with investment banks and institutional investors, levels the playing field and allows Sycamore to aggressively compete with some of the larger more established film distributors,” says Sylvan, who recently moved the company’s offices to Paramount Picture Studios. See what investors are saying about Sycamore at Investors Hub.

Sylvan negotiated the deal with Robbie Little of The Little Film Company, which handles world sales for the film. Financed by the Australia Broadcasting Corporation, Screen Australia, Film Victoria, Ingenious and Omnilab; Produced by Antony Waddington, Gregory Read and Fred Schepisi; Executive Producers, Jonathan Shteinman, Edward Simpson, Bob Marcs and James Vernon.

“I am delighted to be working with Sycamore to bring this wonderful film, from the hand of maestro director Fred Schepisi, to US audiences,” says Geoffrey Rush.

“We are excited to be working with master filmmaker Fred Schepisi and the sublime Geoffrey Rush on this star-studded drama,” says Sylvan. “It did very well at TIFF where it premiered and the trade reviews raved about the film’s stellar acting performances, which are sure to delight audiences this spring.”

THE EYE OF THE STORM won The Age Critics’ Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Premiere Special Jury Prize at the Rome Film Festival, and dominates the acting categories of the upcoming Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards, for which it received twelve (12) nominations. The winners will be announced on January 31, 2012. Sycamore is scheduled to release THE EYE OF THE STORM April 20th, 2012.

Visit the official website www.theeyeofthestormthemovie.com

TIFF – EYE OF THE STORM Trailer Starring Geoffrey Rush And Judy Davis

In what’s been more than a full year since showing you the first trailer for director Fred Schepisi’s film, check out the new trailer for EYE OF THE STORM starring starring Geoffrey Rush, Charlotte Rampling, Judy Davis, Alexandra Schepisi, Helen Morse, John Gaden and Robyn Nevin.

Looks to be another charming Australian import and as I said last August, I adore Judy Davis. Your eye is drawn to her every nuanced movement throughout the trailer.

Synopsis:

In the Sydney suburb of Centennial Park, two nurses, a housekeeper and a solicitor attend to Elizabeth Hunter as her expatriate son and daughter convene at her deathbed. But in dying, as in living, Mrs. Hunter remains a powerful force on those who surround her. Based on the novel by Nobel Prize winner Patrick White, The Eye of the Storm is a savage exploration of family relationships – and the sharp undercurrents of love and hate, comedy and tragedy, which define them.

Schepisi was recently awarded the Order of Australia for his service to the Australian film industry first as a mentor and then as a director, producer and screenwriter.

EYE OF THE STORM will screen at the 36th Toronto International Film Festival (Sept. 8 to 18) on Sunday, September 11, 2011.

On-Set Photo Of Penelope Cruz From Woody Allen’s BOP DECAMERON

I like fashion and the red carpet as much as anyone, so when this photo appeared in WAMG’s email inbox, I had to post it. Safe to say it’s a first look at Penelope Cruz in Rome on the set of Woody Allen’s new movie BOP DECAMERON and comes courtesy of Dolce&Gabbana. Girl looks fabulous too after having a baby five months ago.

The film and screenplay are from director Woody Allen. The cast includes Ellen Page, Woody Allen, Jesse Eisenberg, Penélope Cruz, Alison Pill, Alec Baldwin, Greta Gerwig, Roberto Benigni, and Judy Davis. After Allen’s success with his his recent & probably biggest hit MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, look for BOP DECAMERON in theaters sometime in 2012.

First Look: THE EYE OF THE STORM with Rush, Davis and Rampling

Twitch has this sublime trailer for director Fred Schepisi’s  THE EYE OF THE STORM . The film stars Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, and Charlotte Rampling…Australian and British goodies all around!

It looks absolutely charming and I adore anything Judy Davis is in.

Synopsis:

When Elizabeth Hunter (Rampling) has a stroke, her son (Rush) and daughter (Davis) fly across the world to be at her bedside, which raises all the family’s old frictions and resentments as they struggle to come to terms with who they are and what they mean to each other and how they can best survive one another. Based on the novel by Nobel Prize–winning author, Patrick White, THE EYE OF THE STORM is a savage exploration of family relationships – and the sharp undercurrents of love and hate, comedy and tragedy, which define them.

According to Dark Horizons, production began in mid April in Melbourne, Australia on Schepsi’s film and was also shot in Queensland and Sydney. THE EYE OF THE STORM was one of 13 productions to receive funding from Screen Australia and Transmission Films will distribute the film in Australia in 2011. I sincerely hopes this gem of a movie make its way to the U.S. next year.