New Film Pix Season, trailers, and the opening of Frears' The Queen

For those who live in Saint John, NB, the time has come for another season of film pix (this is the third season). The first film of this season is Wah-wah, an autobiographical film directed by Richard Grant which depicts his coming of age in Swaziland during the last days of the Britain's Empire. The film opens on November 7th (tuesday) at 6:30 pm at the empire theatres 10.

However, I am much more interested in film pix's december showing than this particular film. On December 5, film pix is showing The Journals of Knud Rasmussen,the film which opened this year's Toronto International Film Festival. The film is about the cultural conflict between an Inuit Community and the teachings of the Christian missionaries. The entire film is in the Inuktituk language and it is a follow up to Zacharias Kunuk’s first film, ATANARJUAT: the Fast Runner (which I have been desperately trying to see).

Anyway, I hope some individuals can come to either one of these films (If I were to choose, I would pick the latter, december showing).


New Trailers.

Trailer for Notes on a Scandal which stars the always great Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench(not playing a haughty aristocrat), and the likewise excellent Bill Nighy. The film revolves around a a teacher's "scandalous" relationship with one of her students and its effects on the surrounding community.

Notes on a Scandal trailer

On a final note, here is a link to a website which has compiled a list of what they claim are the best 1000 films ever made (If you have the time to glance at it, it is a rather interesting list, even though I disagree with the placement of many films including their choice for the best film of all time).

1000 greatest movies

Finally, wednesday, the website of the empire theatres in Saint John has announced that Stephen Frears' The Queen (what is arguably one of the best reviewed film of the year so far and a prominant Best Picture contender at the Oscars) will be opening this friday. The film revolves around Queen Elizabeth's muted reaction to Princess Diana's death (or lack of) and the public outcry which ensued for a reaction from the Royalty's representatives (and the government now under new Prime Minister Tony Blair). Frears'film will primarily be exploring the public breach of Elizabeth's traditionalist and excessively private lifestyle. If I remember correctly, the film is billed as a drama/comedy (with less emphasis on the latter, I believe).

I'll be going to see the film to review it and I hope others will come.

May have a review of Pan's Labyrinth soon (one of the best fantasy films in the last ten years, well, outside the films of Hayao Miyazaki).