I’ve been in a bit of a crime drama mood, so I figured it would be fitting that I watch a film that inspired both Quentin Tarantino and the Beastie Boys, and also will be horribly remade by Tony Scott, Denzel Washington and John Travoltae next year. I think everyone can agree that they would rather watch Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw instead, that is why next week I will be watching The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.

Even though their a re a ton of new DVD releases that are worth owning that will be released this upcoming Tuesday, my selection was a fairly easy one. Though, to be fair, I have not yet watched Up the Yangtze, which I have heard from numerous people to be a fantastic film. And even though I loved WALL-E and Tropic Thunder, and even with an under seen Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S Thompson, and even my latest copy of Wholphin being shipped my choice was an easy one. Werner Herzog’s Encounters at the End of the World is simply one of the best films I have seen this year, and and it continues his recent string of outstanding films that he has made the past few years. I will be adding it to my collection, and hopefully you will add it to yours.

As for theatrical releases, that was yet another easy choice. While I have mild interest in the latest Bond film, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas might be interesting, my choice is a film I recommended several weeks ago, as it is finally getting released here in Minneapolis. Fears of the Dark is now playing at the Lagoon Cinema, and most likely only for a one week run, so please get out and see this film while you have the chance.

As always trailers are after the break!

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Who knew trying to rack down a simple trailer for a Kate Hudson film would be so difficult? Sure, this is pre-Almost Famous Kate Hudson, but I’m fairly confident this was still Goldie Hawn/Bill Hudson post-coitus Kate Hudson. And besides Kate Hudson, about a billion other recognizable actors were in this movie as well. Namely James Marsden, Lena Headey, Norman Reedus, Eric Bogosian, Edward James Olmos, Joshua Jackson, and Mif.

Mif?

Who the hell is Mif?

Well to find out, you will just have to watch next week’s film, Gossip.

Gossip Trailer

P.S. - Interesting bit of meta for those of you into that sort of thing; Poe (the singer not the writer) also appears in the film. She just so happens to be the sister of Mark Z. Danielewski (the writer not the singer) who wrote Christian’s favorite book House of Leaves. You might have heard him mention it once or twice.

P.P.S. - This site is layered like an ogre, yo!

Finally a week in which I have plenty of options to choose from! The last several have left me grasping at straws in order to supply even a halfway decent recommendation, both DVD releases and theatrical releases are giving me a few options to pass on.

In theaters this week is the latest work of genius from Charlie Kaufman, Synecdoche, New York, which I’m sure will leave everyone scratching their heads while simultaneously praising it. So you know, a typical Charlie Kaufman film, only this time on a far grander scale.

As for DVD releases I had a bit more of a struggle in trying to choose which film to recommend. As you can probably imagine Hellboy II: The Golden Army was calling to me, but while I loved Hellboy II, I have instead decided to go in another direction and select a film I haven’t seen yet, and no one else has either. This particular film has taken seven years to make, and is just beginning to make a run as a midnight movie here in the US, and for those of you living in the Minneapolis metro area, you will be able to see it at The Uptown Theatre on November 22nd. It should be a great midnight show, so hopefully you will be in attendance. But for those of you who can’t wait, The Flaming Lips: Christmas on Mars will be released on DVD this Tuesday.

As always trailers are after the break!

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Every so often I run across a film that is garnering very little buzz, but looks like it has enormous potential. So, in an effort to help bring these smaller, obscure films a bit more buzz I plan on posting the occasional plug for the film. My inaugural pick is an upcoming animated horror film that looks absolutely amazing. Animated entirely in gorgeous black and white, the film is actually six animated shorts from the likes of Blutch, Charles Burns, Marie Caillou, Pierre Di Sciullo, Lorenzo Mattotti, and Richard Maguire. I’d say more but I think the trailer speaks for itself.

Fears of the Dark opens at the Landmark Lagoon Cinema on November 14.

Fears of the Dark Official Site.

I am facing a bit of a crossroads at this moment. None of the new films being released today look like they are worth my time, yet one stars Eugene Hutz and features the music of his band, and one of my favorites, Gogol Bordello. Most will probably recognize Eugen from his scene stealing role in Everything is Illuminated, but Gogol Bordello is where his true genius is laid bare for everyone to hear. The problem is Filth and Wisdom is the directorial debut of Madonna, and the thought of watching her movie makes me want to dry heave. So my recommendation is to not go see Filth and Wisdom, but please watch Everything is Illuminated and track down a Gogol Bordello CD. I promise that you will not be disappointed by either.

Then on Tuesday the fantastic documentary Billy the Kid is finally released on DVD. It follows the adventures of a young boy named Billy, as he attempts to find love in his small town. It had a short run at the Parkway Theater here in Minneapolis, and now hopefully with this release it will garner a bit larger audience. It really is a great film, and easily one of the better films released last year.

As always trailers are after the break!

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