Neuigkeiten

The easiest way to describe the tone of Satoshi Miki’s realization of an objectively ingenious concept (What happens to the rotting carcass of a defeated kaiju?), is to mention the question to which every journalist demands an answer after a blister filled with the gaseous byproduct of the monster’s decomposition bursts: Does it smell like poo or puke? If that sounds like your idea of a good time for two hours, Daikaijū no Atoshimatsu [What to do with the Dead Kaiju?] is for you. If it doesn’t, however, the film will feel more like a different scene occurring much later, one where a character electronically leaks a classified photo and text file. Rather than an instantaneous transfer, we must literally watch the progress bar slowly fill to completion.

That’s how most films in this vein feel to me, though: the whole lowest common denominator comedic send-up of a usually earnestly dramatic genre piece a la Scary Movie.

The Tree Of Life (12A)

(Terrence Malick, 2011, Us) Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, Sean Penn, Tye Sheridan. 139 mins

Successor to Kubrick's 2001 or extended perfume ad? Either way, Malick's macro/microcosmic take on life, the universe and family life makes most films look unadventurous. Beyond the head-trip "creation of the universe" sequences, it's largely Sean Penn's impressionistic reminiscence of his conflicted childhood, rendered in gorgeous imagery, with introspective voiceovers and a dreamy intensity.

The Princess Of Montpensier (15)

(Bertrand Tavernier, 2010, Fra) Mélanie Thierry, Gaspard Ulliel, Lambert Wilson. 140 mins

There's costumes and courtliness, but this 16th-century saga remains unstuffy. Sought-after Thierry's quest for self-determination is the focus, and the treatment is modern and immediate.

Trust (15)

(David Schwimmer, 2010, Us) Liana Liberato, Clive Owen, Catherine Keener. 106 mins

Those who saw Catfish will know where this teen's online relationship with an apparently nice boy is headed. But what follows is an exercise in parent-worrying technophobia.

Korean actress Bae Doo-Na stars in this film by Japanese director Kore-Eda (Hana, Nobody Knows). Kuuki Ningyo is adapted from a manga by Yoshiie Goda. It also stars Ping Pong‘s Arata in the role of the video clerk. Susumu Terajima, Jo Odagiri and Ryo Iwamatsu also star.

Chris Magee over at JFilm Pow Wow has done his darndest to translate the synopsis over at CinemaTopicsOnline

The kuuki ningyo, or “air doll” of the film’s title is owned by a man named Hideo. One day while he’s at work the doll comes to life and ventures out into the city. On one of her trips she stumbles across a video store and meets Junichi who works there part-time. Suddenly the doll experiences something she’s never felt before… feelings.

As it goes with any site launch for a film there isn’t much to look at yet. And...

Title says it all, really. We’ve been aware for a while now that quirky Korean actress Bae Doo-Na (The Host, Linda Linda Linda) would be teaming up with Japanese director Kore-Eda (Hana, Nobody Knows). What we didn’t know was that the film - adapted from a manga by Yoshiie Goda - would feature Bae as an inflatable sex doll who becomes conscious and strikes up a relationship with her owner, a video store clerk played by Ping Pong‘s Arata. Susumu Terajima, Jo Odagiri and Ryo Iwamatsu also star.

New York -- The seventh annual New York Asian Film Festival opened Thursday with the world premiere of "Then Summer Came" by Ryo Iwamatsu of Japan. The film is the first of 43 features and eight shorts that will run through July 6.

For the second year in a row, Subway Cinema is collaborating with the Japan Society and the IFC Center to present the works of Asian filmmakers.

Iwamatsu will introduce his film, about a complex relationship between father (Yoshio Harada) and son (Joe Odagiri), and take questions after the screening at the IFC.

Another celebrated director set for the festival is Koji Wakamatsu, whose new film "United Red Army" examines the conflicts inside an infamous 1970s Japanese terrorist group.

Barred from entering the U.S. because he was once affiliated with left-wing Japanese militants, Wakamatsu will conduct his interview with attendees via satellite.

Nyaff co-director and programmer Goran Topalovic said audiences might be surprised by Wakamatsu's objectivity.

"He presents both the good and bad aspects of the group," Topalovic said. "He shows how people on top are only concerned with maintaining control and how that can ultimately destroy any good there may have been initially."

This year, the festival has added a Centerpiece Presentation on July 3, screening "Public Enemy Returns," the third installment in Korean director Kang Woo-Suk's series.

Topalovic said that the centerpiece is one way he and fellow directors Daniel Craft, Grady Hendrix, Brian Naas and Marc Walkow can grow the festival.

"We need to develop more distinctions and different categories to give the right placement to all the films," he said.

Another first is the introduction of a jury that this year includes New York Post critic Vincent Musetto, director Benson Lee and author Maitland McDonald. The panel will present an award to their favorite film.

Though not intended as a major market, Topalovic said the festival has been known to contribute to the commercial success of Asian films distributed in the U.S. In 2004, festival directors worked with Miramax to host the New York premiere of Zhang Yimou's "Hero" before its theatrical release.

At least 12 titles that have premiered at the festival have gone on to secure U.S. distribution, including Feng Xiaogang's "The Banquet."...

• Asian cinema fans rejoice, the New York Asian Film Festival is back with a vengeance! Every summer since 2002 Grady Hendrix and the fine folks over at Subway Cinema roll out a collection of some 30 films representing the best Asia has to offer. Now in its 7th year, the Nyaff has established itself as one of the very best Asian film fests going anywhere, with a cross-section of art-house, big budget, and plain weird pictures abound.This year’s fest promises to be the largest in its short history with 43 films screening along with two programs of short films out of South Korea. They’ve also scored some big time guests to present their latest works including Myung-se Lee (M) and Ryo Iwamatsu (Then Summer Came). In a major coup for the fest, legendary (and infamous) film provocateur Koji Wakamatsu will hold a live Q&A via satellite for his latest United Red Army.

...

NEW YORK -- The seventh annual New York Asian Film Festival opened Thursday with the world premiere of "Then Summer Came" by Ryo Iwamatsu of Japan. The film is the first of 43 features and eight shorts that will run through July 6.

For the second year in a row, Subway Cinema is collaborating with the Japan Society and the IFC Center to present the works of Asian filmmakers.

Iwamatsu will introduce his film, about a complex relationship between father (Yoshio Harada) and son (Joe Odagiri), and take questions after the screening at the IFC.

Another celebrated director set for the festival is Koji Wakamatsu, whose new film "United Red Army" examines the conflicts inside an infamous 1970s Japanese terrorist group.

Barred from entering the U.S. because he was once affiliated with left-wing Japanese militants, Wakamatsu will conduct his interview with attendees via satellite.

NYAFF co-director and programmer Goran Topalovic said audiences might be surprised by Wakamatsu's objectivity.

"He presents both the good and bad aspects of the group," Topalovic said.

NEW YORK -- The seventh annual New York Asian Film Festival opened Thursday with the world premiere of "Then Summer Came" by Ryo Iwamatsu of Japan. The film is the first of 43 features and eight shorts that will run through July 6.

For the second year in a row, Subway Cinema is collaborating with the Japan Society and the IFC Center to present the works of Asian filmmakers.

Iwamatsu will introduce his film, about a complex relationship between father (Yoshio Harada) and son (Joe Odagiri), and take questions after the screening at the IFC.

Another celebrated director set for the festival is Koji Wakamatsu, whose new film "United Red Army" examines the conflicts inside an infamous 1970s Japanese terrorist group.

Barred from entering the U.S. because he was once affiliated with left-wing Japanese militants, Wakamatsu will conduct his interview with attendees via satellite.

NYAFF co-director and programmer Goran Topalovic said audiences might be surprised by Wakamatsu's objectivity.

"He presents both the good and bad aspects of the group," Topalovic said.