Movie Box Review

Courtesy of eOne Films

Dir: Jason Brown (Twilight in Forks: The Saga of the Real Town)
2010 (DVD Release)

Reason to see: Twilight centric doc is an easy yes for me

I'm not surprized to see that Destination Forks: The Real World of Twilight is from the same director as Twilight in Forks: The Saga of the Real Town, both documentaries showcase the town of Forks and the effect that Twilight has had on it and visit various locations of the town. The new doc looks like it was shot late spring/early summer of 2010, and TwiFans will be able to pick out the indicators to easily support that time period. I am a little surprized at the title of this new doc though, as Destination Forks: The Real World of Twilight has three separate sections, only two of which are really Forks related. It starts off with the looking at the location of Forks and the twi-effect on the town, then a great section dedicated to the fandom and culture around the fans and the last section is images from the rain forest of Forks set to a score.

They really are three very distinct sections, which I really wasn't expecting and they feel very different from each other. The first part that centres on Forks as a town and the Twi-effect if pretty interesting, looking at different locations and hot spots of the town - most of which were created after Twilight and have a strong tie-in to the books and films. The tone of this section has a slightly voyeuristic feel to it as you literally tour the town with a Bella-inspired red truck, often seen from a distance. There is a lot of footage from fans that are visiting Forks from afar as well as locals that run Twi-inspired or centric locations. Sometimes I found there was ambiguity to the connection with the Saga, although other times they are clear that they are playing along creating and providing an opportunity for people to feel like they are experiences locations in the film and books. I wish this was a little clearer at times, but I did appreciate the earnestness of all the of the people the talked to.

I absolutely loved the middle section though, which was centred on the TwiHards and has footage of interviews with fans during The Twilight Saga: Eclipse premieres as well as folks from different Twilight communities including Twilight Lexicon, Twilight Series Theories Podcast, Twilight Moms, and Kaleb Nation (aka The Twilight Guy). As someone who co-hosts a Twilight Podcast (Before the Dawn) and this is the section I found the most interesting by far - looking at the culture the books and films have created, how it's brought people together & created communities, what the appeal is, what team people are on, etc. It's fascination to hear how fans, superfans, site-runners and podcasters have to say about the Twi-verse and effect.

Now, the final section of the film is the one that feels a bit out of place here. I understand the idea of exploring the rain forest of Forks and the footage they have is absolutely stunning, but it's not super Twi-ish. Sure, there are shots that are very familiar and of course beautiful, but the fusion of nature documentary with a relaxation tape feel just doesn't quite feel aligned to the fandom.

Although the last section did feel a bit off to me, I definitely got a lot out of the fandom section which I loved and found the section on Forks as a town very interesting. Out of the two Twi-centric ties ins out this week I really anticipated this to be the one I'll be taken in by, but it's Music Videos and Performances from The Twilight Saga Soundtracks: Volume 1 that was the one that really wowed me. For completists though, I'm sure you'll be checking out both.

No DVD Extras

Destination Forks: The Real World of Twilight is available on DVD as of December 4, 2010. Check it out over at amazon.ca and amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I really enjoyed the fandom & Forks-specific sections
I'd watch parts of it again
I'd recommend it to Twilight completists

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2010

Courtesy of eOne Films

Dir: Jason Brown (Twilight in Forks: The Saga of the Real Town)
2010 (DVD Release)

Reason to see: Twilight centric doc is an easy yes for me

I'm not surprized to see that Destination Forks: The Real World of Twilight is from the same director as Twilight in Forks: The Saga of the Real Town, both documentaries showcase the town of Forks and the effect that Twilight has had on it and visit various locations of the town. The new doc looks like it was shot late spring/early summer of 2010, and TwiFans will be able to pick out the indicators to easily support that time period. I am a little surprized at the title of this new doc though, as Destination Forks: The Real World of Twilight has three separate sections, only two of which are really Forks related. It starts off with the looking at the location of Forks and the twi-effect on the town, then a great section dedicated to the fandom and culture around the fans and the last section is images from the rain forest of Forks set to a score.

They really are three very distinct sections, which I really wasn't expecting and they feel very different from each other. The first part that centres on Forks as a town and the Twi-effect if pretty interesting, looking at different locations and hot spots of the town - most of which were created after Twilight and have a strong tie-in to the books and films. The tone of this section has a slightly voyeuristic feel to it as you literally tour the town with a Bella-inspired red truck, often seen from a distance. There is a lot of footage from fans that are visiting Forks from afar as well as locals that run Twi-inspired or centric locations. Sometimes I found there was ambiguity to the connection with the Saga, although other times they are clear that they are playing along creating and providing an opportunity for people to feel like they are experiences locations in the film and books. I wish this was a little clearer at times, but I did appreciate the earnestness of all the of the people the talked to.

I absolutely loved the middle section though, which was centred on the TwiHards and has footage of interviews with fans during The Twilight Saga: Eclipse premieres as well as folks from different Twilight communities including Twilight Lexicon, Twilight Series Theories Podcast, Twilight Moms, and Kaleb Nation (aka The Twilight Guy). As someone who co-hosts a Twilight Podcast (Before the Dawn) and this is the section I found the most interesting by far - looking at the culture the books and films have created, how it's brought people together & created communities, what the appeal is, what team people are on, etc. It's fascination to hear how fans, superfans, site-runners and podcasters have to say about the Twi-verse and effect.

Now, the final section of the film is the one that feels a bit out of place here. I understand the idea of exploring the rain forest of Forks and the footage they have is absolutely stunning, but it's not super Twi-ish. Sure, there are shots that are very familiar and of course beautiful, but the fusion of nature documentary with a relaxation tape feel just doesn't quite feel aligned to the fandom.

Although the last section did feel a bit off to me, I definitely got a lot out of the fandom section which I loved and found the section on Forks as a town very interesting. Out of the two Twi-centric ties ins out this week I really anticipated this to be the one I'll be taken in by, but it's Music Videos and Performances from The Twilight Saga Soundtracks: Volume 1 that was the one that really wowed me. For completists though, I'm sure you'll be checking out both.

No DVD Extras

Destination Forks: The Real World of Twilight is available on DVD as of December 4, 2010. Check it out over at amazon.ca and amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I really enjoyed the fandom & Forks-specific sections
I'd watch parts of it again
I'd recommend it to Twilight completists

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2010

Courtesy of eOne Films

Release Date: December 4, 2010 (DVD Release)

Reason to see: I love the music from The Twilight Saga

I absolutely loved this compilation. Initially I wasn't sure how interesting a video collection would be, but it is fantastic - there were so many songs that I knew extremely well from the Twilight soundtracks, but didn't felt like I "knew" the bands very well, but this gives you a great sense of each and every one of the artist. I particularly enjoyed the Cee-Lo Green, Eastern Conference Champions –and Editors songs and I know I'll be looking for more of their works to enjoy. –It was also really fascinating to see the videos outside the context of the film, and how they could have such a completely different meaning - like Full Moon by The Black Ghosts, it's the first song in Twilight and I so strongly associate it with the opening of the films, and can literally see when the title would come up but the actual video is like the morning after spending all night at the club. Fascinating.

Several of the videos incorporate a visual style of the films, either specific scenes or locations, or in overall tone & style yet oddly very few of the videos have any content from the films even if there is a film-tie-in version of the video in existance (like both the videos for Neutron Star Collision by Muse and Eclipse (All Yours) by Metric on the Eclipse DVD which are the tie-in versions). In fact, the only time I saw any footage from the films was in the Solar Midnite video by Lupe Fiasco - which was one of the few songs I wasn't familiar with.

It's a great collection of videos & performance and I knew I would find it interesting, but it actually ended up flooring me by how good it was - I know I'll watch it again & again.

Here's a listing of the songs with notation if it's a video or performance, as well as the Twi-connection:

1. Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever) by Muse
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

2. Decode by Paramore
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

3. Meet Me On The Equinox by Death Cab For Cutie
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

4. What Part Of Forever by Cee-Lo Green
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

5.Satellite Heart by Anya Marina
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

6. Spotlight by Mutemath
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

7. Solar Midnite by Lupe Fiasco
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: - From the New Moon Soundtrack - iTunes exclusive extra

8. No Sound But The Wind by Editors
Style: Concert Performance
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

9. All I Believe In by The Magic Numbers & Amadou & Mariam
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack - iTunes exclusive extra

10. Tremble For My Beloved by Collective Soul
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

11. A Million Miles An Hour by Eastern Conference Champions
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

12. Eclipse (All Yours) by Metric
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

13. Atlas by Fanfarlo
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

14. Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine
Style: Concert Performance
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

15. My Love by Sia
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

16. Roslyn by Bon Iver & St. Vincent
Style: Concert Performance
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

17. The Violet Hour by Sea Wolf
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

18. Full Moon by The Black Ghosts
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

19. Monsters by Hurricane Bells
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

20. Love Is Worth The Fall by O.A.R.
Style: Concert Performance
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack - Amazon MP3 Exclusive
This one is really great & it sounds like it might have been the first time they performed the song. Very cool.

DVD Extras (2 songs, 8 minutes):

• Includes 2 additional Twilight reference music pieces Clair De Lune - Debussy (5 minutes) with nature imagery and La Traviata - Verdi (3 minutes) which plays with moon imagery.

Courtesy of eOne Films

Release Date: December 4, 2010 (DVD Release)

Reason to see: I love the music from The Twilight Saga

I absolutely loved this compilation. Initially I wasn't sure how interesting a video collection would be, but it is fantastic - there were so many songs that I knew extremely well from the Twilight soundtracks, but didn't felt like I "knew" the bands very well, but this gives you a great sense of each and every one of the artist. I particularly enjoyed the Cee-Lo Green, Eastern Conference Champions –and Editors songs and I know I'll be looking for more of their works to enjoy. –It was also really fascinating to see the videos outside the context of the film, and how they could have such a completely different meaning - like Full Moon by The Black Ghosts, it's the first song in Twilight and I so strongly associate it with the opening of the films, and can literally see when the title would come up but the actual video is like the morning after spending all night at the club. Fascinating.

Several of the videos incorporate a visual style of the films, either specific scenes or locations, or in overall tone & style yet oddly very few of the videos have any content from the films even if there is a film-tie-in version of the video in existance (like both the videos for Neutron Star Collision by Muse and Eclipse (All Yours) by Metric on the Eclipse DVD which are the tie-in versions). In fact, the only time I saw any footage from the films was in the Solar Midnite video by Lupe Fiasco - which was one of the few songs I wasn't familiar with.

It's a great collection of videos & performance and I knew I would find it interesting, but it actually ended up flooring me by how good it was - I know I'll watch it again & again.

Here's a listing of the songs with notation if it's a video or performance, as well as the Twi-connection:

1. Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever) by Muse
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

2. Decode by Paramore
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

3. Meet Me On The Equinox by Death Cab For Cutie
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

4. What Part Of Forever by Cee-Lo Green
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

5.Satellite Heart by Anya Marina
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

6. Spotlight by Mutemath
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

7. Solar Midnite by Lupe Fiasco
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: - From the New Moon Soundtrack - iTunes exclusive extra

8. No Sound But The Wind by Editors
Style: Concert Performance
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

9. All I Believe In by The Magic Numbers & Amadou & Mariam
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack - iTunes exclusive extra

10. Tremble For My Beloved by Collective Soul
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

11. A Million Miles An Hour by Eastern Conference Champions
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

12. Eclipse (All Yours) by Metric
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

13. Atlas by Fanfarlo
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

14. Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine
Style: Concert Performance
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

15. My Love by Sia
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Eclipse Soundtrack

16. Roslyn by Bon Iver & St. Vincent
Style: Concert Performance
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

17. The Violet Hour by Sea Wolf
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

18. Full Moon by The Black Ghosts
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack

19. Monsters by Hurricane Bells
Style: Music Video
Twi-Connection: From the New Moon Soundtrack

20. Love Is Worth The Fall by O.A.R.
Style: Concert Performance
Twi-Connection: From the Twilight Soundtrack - Amazon MP3 Exclusive
This one is really great & it sounds like it might have been the first time they performed the song. Very cool.

DVD Extras (2 songs, 8 minutes):

• Includes 2 additional Twilight reference music pieces Clair De Lune - Debussy (5 minutes) with nature imagery and La Traviata - Verdi (3 minutes) which plays with moon imagery.

courtesy of on.cc

Chapman To, Cecilia Cheung, Louis Koo

courtesy of singtao.com

Cecilia Cheung, Louis Koo

Raymond Wong Pak Ming answered sensitive questions for Cecilia Cheung

Marie Zhuge, Wang Yuanyuan

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2011 (JUI KEUNG HEI SI)'s cast including Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Chapman To Man Jat, Yan Ni and boss Raymond Wong Pak Ming yesterday went to Macau Venetian Hotel for the film finale. In the story Cheung Pak Chi and To Man Jat were about to get married when Koo Tin Lok interrupted the wedding while Hung Doi Lam swore to marry To Man Jat with a gun in her hand.

After a long rest, Pak Chi recently came back and chose Wong Pak Ming's Lunar New Year film as the first film of her return. Pak Chi explained, "After giving birth I want to make a light and happy comedy, to work on it comfortably. After years without making a movie, at first I was a little nervous but I didn't have any pressure." As for disappointing directors who she turned down, Pak Chi said, "Everyone is busy, I have still many good scripts and movies." In a wedding gown Pak Chi said, "Wearing a wedding gown has no special feeling, since I have been married for years." As for rumors of dispute between Pak Chi, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Carina Lau Ka Ling and others, Pak Chi explained that they were just rumors. When asked about Ka Ling's salary being higher than hers, Pak Chi said that she would only answer about film work. Wong Pak Ming stressed that the entire team worked harmoniously.

To Man Jat uploaded photos of Pak Chi and her son's visit on the set, Pak Chi did not mind at all. When she was free she would upload to her microblog. Pak Chi also revealed that three days ago her husband Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and father in law Patrick Tse Yin also came to visit. Pak Chi said, "He doesn't like to talk, he only stayed for 15 minutes and left, but I sensed that he cared."

Koo Tin Lok said that he could tell Pak Chi was much more mature than before. He saw her constantly with her son and was a living and breathing good mother. Speaking of Koo Tin Lok having two films in release at the same time, ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2010 and MR. AND MRS. INCREDIBLE, Goo Jai said, "Two movies against each other of course aren't awkward. Boss Wong is here, I of course said this film is a little better." In the film Hung Doi Lam was arranged to steal the groom and finally become a pair of To Man Jat. Speaking of the director arranging for her and To Man Jat to have a romance of long and short legs, Lynn said, "I am used to most guys being shorter than me when I go out." Lynn in the film pursued the multi-billionaire To Man Jat, would she take the initiative in reality? Lynn said, "I never fought over anyone."

Remus Choi Yat Kit, Juno Mak, Edmond So Chi Wai

courtesy of takungpao.com

Juno Mak Chun Lung and Japanese adult video queen Sora Aoi starred film REVENGE A LOVE STORY (FOOK SAU JEH JI SEI) two nights ago held its premiere, but Sora Aoi cancelled due to illness. Juno could only support the film with the all male team of Chin Siu Ho, Anthony Lau Wing, boss and producer Conroy Chan Chi Chung. Chan Chi Chung represented his wife Josie Ho Chiu Yi who was working on a film in the U.S. presented a card to Juno as encouragement, but when he heard being called the boss he pretended to be mad and said, "Don't call me boss again, I will beat you! Haha!" The host was stunned, later he explained that he had a little to drink.

Two nights ago industry guests included Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu, Endy Chow Kwok Yin and Grasshoppers' Remus Choi Yat Kit and So Chi Wai. Choi Yat Kit was very passionate and chased Juno with a peck on the cheek. Later Juno joked that he did not mind Choi Yat Kit taking advantage of him. He even said that seeing so many friends who came in support, not to mention one kiss, he could take ten kisses. As for Sora Aoi's earlier online comment that she hated Hong Kong, Juno believed that she was not upset at the film company. However the last time she had to do over a dozen interviews daily and she got sick, indeed it was very tough. He guessed that she was just "relieving stress".

courtesy of takungpao.com

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Max Zhang Jin, Ada Choi Siu Fun

courtesy of takungpao.com

Ada Choi Siu Fun and Mainland actor Max Zhang Jin have been married for over two years. Yesterday Zhang Jin attended a press conference and suddenly announced good news that his wife Ada was pregnant.

Zhang Jin, Eric Suen Yiu Wai yesterday attended the gospel film TEAM OF MIRACLE: WE WILL ROCK YOU (LAU LONG HONG SAI GAI BUI) celebration to announce the film winning the Chinese American Film Festival Golden Angel Award. Zhang Jin also announced another piece of good news. His wife Ada was pregnant. Everyone was happy for Zhang Jin as Suen Yiu Wai and others congratulated him. He accepted his good friends' well wishes.

The soon to be father Zhang Jin could not be happier. He said that he just learned from his wife so he was not at liberty to discuss any detail. He also said that he was not afraid the baby being petty because they were Christians and did not believe in such superstition. Ultimately he had something joyous to share with everyone.

When Ada just took a Mainland series role, she still had to work on it in the Mainland. Yet because she did not have to work over these few days so she returned to Hong Kong to rest. As a husband Zhang Jin felt very helpless. Since the job was taken long ago she could not turn it down, otherwise she would have to compensate the production. Zhang Jin said that the series will be completed by the Lunar New Year. Then Ada will be able to return to Hong Kong. Zhang Jin has always spoiled Ada. Before she was pregnant he already hired three to four assistants to help her. Now he would hire several more assistants to take care of his wife's everyday life. Zhang Jin asked Ada to be careful and has been very attentive.

As for changes, Zhang Jin said that Ada's temper has always been lacking. Now with the pregnancy it is even worse. Luckily he understood that pregnant women were emotional. His wife has begun to feel nauseous. Has Ada become the queen at home? Zhang Jin joked, "Actually she also plays a queen in the series. Now she wants me to wait on her all the time, but I am very glad to!" Zhang Jin now has to work hard for milk money. How did he reward his wife? He said, "Normally I constantly give her gifts, so I don't have any special reward." Zhang Jin said that the baby will be born in Hong Kong.

Suen Yiu Wai was interested in investing in a several million dollar religious film. He has already come up with three stories. He hoped that the actors will take a pay cut to perform, a friendship price would be the best. Will he ask girlfriend Macy Chen Mei Si to help? Eric joked that if she did not take a salary he would consider reserving a character for her.

Fan Bingbing is curious about what Ge You is writing.

The BIFA's (British Independent Film Awards) were created in 1998 to "set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public." I love keeping an eye on the nominees and winners of the BIFA's, for the recognition they honour and the great films they support.

14th British Independent Film Awards (2011 Films)
Winners
Nominees

13th British Independent Film Awards (2010 Films)
Winners
Nominees

12th British Independent Film Awards (2010 Films)
Winners

See more about the awards at the BIFA website.

The BIFA's (British Independent Film Awards) were created in 1998 to "set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public." I love keeping an eye on the nominees and winners of the BIFA's, for the recognition they honour and the great films they support.

14th British Independent Film Awards (2011 Films)
Winners
Nominees

13th British Independent Film Awards (2010 Films)
Winners
Nominees

12th British Independent Film Awards (2010 Films)
Winners

See more about the awards at the BIFA website.

Courtesy of eOne Films

Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn (Pusher Trilogy, Bronson)
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson, Gary Lewis, Ewan Stewart, Andrew Flanagan
Denmark/UK, 2010

Reason to see: I'll see anything, ever, by director Nicolas Winding Refn or actor Mads Mikkelsen. Having them work together makes it even more than a must see.

Valhalla Rising is a film that's a bit of a challenge to review because my first instinct is just to say: see it. It's phenomenal and unlike any other film I've see. It transports you. It's on a completely different scale of epic, being all-encompassing, but it's also brutally violent with minimal dialogue. I truly want everyone I know so see it, although I know it isn't everyones cup of tea.

Personally, I enjoyed every single moment of the film. It's bold, imposing and takes no prisoners, including it's audience as the hypnotic tone pushes past regular film watching to creating an experiential setting. I was drawn in that at a point it left me feeling like I was in a trance. I've never had that happen in a film before, never.

It is very much an experience and journey to be taken, one that that can feel out of time and out of place, although upon second viewing and after chatting about it with people I saw more of a narrative in there but not knowing was just as if not more powerful than knowing. I loved being transported away into this world of ominous darkness and restraint. The imagery is spectacular and haunting from the locations that look not of this earth to nightmare-like montages and all complimented by heavy duty music. All this and it's a viking film to boot!

Mads Mikkelsen delivers an astonishing performance in the lead role of One-Eye, with physically presence and intensity that is in a whole other realm. His adeptness, strength and skill in his character feels like a parallel to the perfection of vision and execution by director Nicolas Winding Refn who created this masterpiece. Valhalla Rising was easily the most extraordinary film I saw during TIFF in 2009, and I've been waiting with baited breath since then to see it again and share the love for this brutal beauty.

It's more than a film, a film experience. For that, I will treasure Valhalla Rising, always.

Warnings: harsh violence

DVD Extras:

• The "Making of" Valhalla Rising (22 minutes) combination of interviews with director Nicolas Winding Refn, behind the scenes & on location footage and video diaries from directors assistant Saskia Pomeroy. This is a pretty cool making of, you really get a sense of how freaking far they went 'out there' for the locations, plus there is lots of gorgeous and gruesome footage of the locations, props, and preparation. The interview selections with director Nicolas Winding Refn are fascinating, he's got such a clear vision and artistry that it's always a treat to hear him talk.
  

• Video from the North American Premiere of Valhalla Rising introduction and Q&A with Nicolas Winding Refn and Mads Mikkelsen
• Pictures from the North American Premiere at TIFF 2009
  

Courtesy of eOne Films

Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn (Pusher Trilogy, Bronson)
Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson, Gary Lewis, Ewan Stewart, Andrew Flanagan
Denmark/UK, 2010

Reason to see: I'll see anything, ever, by director Nicolas Winding Refn or actor Mads Mikkelsen. Having them work together makes it even more than a must see.

Valhalla Rising is a film that's a bit of a challenge to review because my first instinct is just to say: see it. It's phenomenal and unlike any other film I've see. It transports you. It's on a completely different scale of epic, being all-encompassing, but it's also brutally violent with minimal dialogue. I truly want everyone I know so see it, although I know it isn't everyones cup of tea.

Personally, I enjoyed every single moment of the film. It's bold, imposing and takes no prisoners, including it's audience as the hypnotic tone pushes past regular film watching to creating an experiential setting. I was drawn in that at a point it left me feeling like I was in a trance. I've never had that happen in a film before, never.

It is very much an experience and journey to be taken, one that that can feel out of time and out of place, although upon second viewing and after chatting about it with people I saw more of a narrative in there but not knowing was just as if not more powerful than knowing. I loved being transported away into this world of ominous darkness and restraint. The imagery is spectacular and haunting from the locations that look not of this earth to nightmare-like montages and all complimented by heavy duty music. All this and it's a viking film to boot!

Mads Mikkelsen delivers an astonishing performance in the lead role of One-Eye, with physically presence and intensity that is in a whole other realm. His adeptness, strength and skill in his character feels like a parallel to the perfection of vision and execution by director Nicolas Winding Refn who created this masterpiece. Valhalla Rising was easily the most extraordinary film I saw during TIFF in 2009, and I've been waiting with baited breath since then to see it again and share the love for this brutal beauty.

It's more than a film, a film experience. For that, I will treasure Valhalla Rising, always.

Warnings: harsh violence

DVD Extras:

• The "Making of" Valhalla Rising (22 minutes) combination of interviews with director Nicolas Winding Refn, behind the scenes & on location footage and video diaries from directors assistant Saskia Pomeroy. This is a pretty cool making of, you really get a sense of how freaking far they went 'out there' for the locations, plus there is lots of gorgeous and gruesome footage of the locations, props, and preparation. The interview selections with director Nicolas Winding Refn are fascinating, he's got such a clear vision and artistry that it's always a treat to hear him talk.
  

• Video from the North American Premiere of Valhalla Rising introduction and Q&A with Nicolas Winding Refn and Mads Mikkelsen
• Pictures from the North American Premiere at TIFF 2009
  

Before we get to todays releases I'm going to look just a bit further into the future and point out the Saturday December 4, 2010 releases this week with the biggie being Twilight Saga: Eclipse along with a couple swiftly aligned choice releases of music video compilation Twilight Saga: Music Videos and Performances from the Soundtracks Volume 1 and documentary Destination Forks: The Real World of Twilight.

Now to our regularly scheduled November 30, 2010 DVD releases! I'm thrilled to see Valhalla Rising hit the shelves this week, it's an epic film experience from director Nicolas Winding Refn (The Pusher Trilogy, Bronson) starring Mads Mikkelsen (After the Wedding / Efter brylluppet) as a one-eyed mute viking and it's brutal, dark and truly magnificent as it feels literally other worldly. A little more pure science fiction we see the release of Cargo on DVD and it's the only scifi film from Switzerland I've seen, and it's also beautiful to behold and has a great female protagonist, plus I'm still amazed at what they did with a very limited budget. More sparkle and bigger budget this week we also have two really fun summer films hitting the shelves with The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Knight & Day.

For the super Twi-completists or Twi-haters (still can't figure out who this one is for) we have Vampires Suck, which honestly the trailer really made me laugh. We also have kid friendly Diary of a Wimpy Kid, rom-com Going the Distance and documentary The Boys: Sherman Brothers Story.

Looking for ideas for presents for the holiday season? Check out the Movie Moxie Gift Giving Guide!

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):


Cargo not currently available at Amazon.com

Before we get to todays releases I'm going to look just a bit further into the future and point out the Saturday December 4, 2010 releases this week with the biggie being Twilight Saga: Eclipse along with a couple swiftly aligned choice releases of music video compilation Twilight Saga: Music Videos and Performances from the Soundtracks Volume 1 and documentary Destination Forks: The Real World of Twilight.

Now to our regularly scheduled November 30, 2010 DVD releases! I'm thrilled to see Valhalla Rising hit the shelves this week, it's an epic film experience from director Nicolas Winding Refn (The Pusher Trilogy, Bronson) starring Mads Mikkelsen (After the Wedding / Efter brylluppet) as a one-eyed mute viking and it's brutal, dark and truly magnificent as it feels literally other worldly. A little more pure science fiction we see the release of Cargo on DVD and it's the only scifi film from Switzerland I've seen, and it's also beautiful to behold and has a great female protagonist, plus I'm still amazed at what they did with a very limited budget. More sparkle and bigger budget this week we also have two really fun summer films hitting the shelves with The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Knight & Day.

For the super Twi-completists or Twi-haters (still can't figure out who this one is for) we have Vampires Suck, which honestly the trailer really made me laugh. We also have kid friendly Diary of a Wimpy Kid, rom-com Going the Distance and documentary The Boys: Sherman Brothers Story.

Looking for ideas for presents for the holiday season? Check out the Movie Moxie Gift Giving Guide!

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):


Cargo not currently available at Amazon.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Sandra Ng, Louis Koo

Louis Koo Tin Lok, Peter Chan Ho Sun, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Michelle Reis (Lee Ka Yun)

courtesy of takungpao.com

The holiday film MR. AND MRS. INCREDIBLES (SUN KEI HUP NUI) leads Louis Koo Tin Lok, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu and producer Peter Chan Ho Sun yesterday held a crystal Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Central's Statue Square.

Goo Jai and Kwan Yu were the Hong Kong Tourism Board's 2010 Hong Kong WinterFest promotional ambassador. They even provided their voices to the WinterFest animation short films and said that they will spend this Christmas in Hong Kong. Kwan Yu even joked, "Tourists will not only see Jackie Chan (Hong Kong travel ambassador) but also me and Goo Jai. (Are

you trying to steal Jackie Chan's job?) It's volunteering, it doesn't pay!" Goo Jai said that he will have a Christmas feast with his family. He has been single for many Christmases already. This year will he ask Kwan Yu to introduce someone to him? Kwan Yu said, "It's me! I am both

girlfriend and wife! (Then what is your husband Chan Ho Sun?) Family!" Kwan Yu also honestly said that she wanted to glittering gift, Chan Ho Sun also said that she knew what to buy.

courtesy of takungpao.com