Let’s see, what is playing at my local theater? Sequels are dominating the screen. Another Fast and Furious installment. Oh, joy. I had a good laugh when they produced the first sequel. Now, here we are, what is it, FIVE installments later?! Another movie starring Paul Bettany as goodness knows what, in some sort of Catholic supernatural action mishmash. Then there is the newest movie from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. My personal favorite is Hangover Part II. A movie that I had no interest in the first time around, but hey, it was a huge money maker, so let’s churn out another one! Forget originality, or even a semi-new idea for our talented cast members. Instead, they are churning out a run of the mill, copy of the first that will inevitably make millions of dollars.
But even if we get away from these inane sequels, we find ourselves facing the usual culprits. Superhero flicks for the guys, mindless romantic comedies for the women. Thor is this month’s superhero being wrenched from the comics and thrust into the spotlight. Mind you, I do not have any problem with superhero movies, if (and that is a big “if”), they are done well. Again, Dark Knight comes to mind. Thor may be of substance, I have yet to hear anything from anyone I know about it. However, I decided much earlier, in 2010, to take a break from Natalie Portman, who seems to be in every third movie released in the past year, Thor being the next in her chain. I’m beginning to lose respect for her. She obviously will say yes to almost any project. For the women, Something Borrowed, starring Gennifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson. The only hope for this film lies in its cast. Goodwin, who is quite charming, is being pitted against Kate Hudson, whose character always gets her way and is entirely unlikeable. WOW! Just like the real Kate Hudson! This similarity between Hudson and her character can only bode well for the movie. I almost want to watch it, just to see Kate Hudson go down. She is responsible for some of the absolute worst films of the past five years.
So while I am itching to go to the movies, I refuse to give any of my precious dollar bills to these projects. Then I come across a list of the films premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this year, and it makes me drool with anticipation. When, oh when, will I be blessed with these films? Almost every film I come across contains something I love! Pedro Almodovar, Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, to name a few, amidst dark, beautiful, and unique filmmaking.
Here is a list of the films I am most excited about from Cannes:
1. The Skin I Live In- (Pedro Almodovar) Starring Antonio Banderas. Since it is Almodovar’s latest, I am already invested, but in addition, it is about a plastic surgeon trapping women in his home. Oh, yes
2. Drive- (Nicolas Winding Refn) Starring Ryan Gosling and Carrey Mulligan. If Ryan Gosling is in it, I will watch. The end.
3. This Must Be the Place- (Paolo Sorrentino) Starring Sean Penn as a 50-year-old former rock star, still stying a la Robert Smith. Do I need to say any more? I think not.
4. Sleeping Beauty- (Julia Leigh) Looks like a dark, beautiful, and highly stylized film about high end prostitution. I am intrigued.
5. Melancholia- (Lars Von Trier) Starring Kirsten Dunst. No idea how to sum up this movie, just check out the trailer, you’ll see what I mean. Trailer: http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/mediaPlayer/11003.html
See, now, with all of these fantastic films in one festival, I find myself wondering, what does Hollywood have against quality filmmaking? If all of these films have been made, why can’t there be more? I believe that there is enough talent and inspiration in the world, so let’s see some more good films!
For more information on Cannes 2011, check out: http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/inCompetition.html
