trailer trash - Black Swan

This film isn't due for release until December 1st, but it's already garnering accolades from The Venice International and The Telluride Film Festival as potential Oscar bait (along with being compared to a modern day Single White Female.) While Darren Aronofsky and Natalie Portman's talents are undeniable, and Aronofsky didn't have to try to hard to coax a brilliant and haunting performance out of her as witnessed in the trailer (posted below;) I am most excited to see Vincent Cassel (French superstar and the baddie from Oceans 12) let loose on the American public. It will also be interesting to see how manically maternal Barbara Hershey will be and if Mila Kunis can top herself from her greatest role as ever.

"The Wrestler" Review

Though I had been wanting to see "The Wrestler" since Christmas, I saw it on a whim last Wednesday night and am still haunted by the beautiful intensity of this movie. First and foremost I have to applaud Darren Aronofsky for once again helming an cinematic triumph, with gut-wrenching and heart breaking intensity. The man is a genius who with each cinematic endeavor he oversees creates a completely original work of art that leaves an indelible memory forevermore...yes I just wrote forevermore, because Aronofsky is that brilliant- hello, have you seen "Requiem for A Dream" (oh and the site for the film is still up and absolutely nuts.) I used to wonder when - never if - Darren Aronofsky will make a studio picture. All four of the films he's directed have been utterly incredible, evocative, intense and thought provoking, but not commercially viable. Turns out Aronofsky will be directing the new "RoboCop Movie"... um ye all I can say is I hope he makes it cool.

Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood are stellar in the supporting roles, Tomei is actually nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar who plays a stripper with a heart of gold, while Wood plays his estranged daughter. And 30 Rock's Judah Friedlander, even makes a cameo. Now down to the nitty gritty,if Mickey Rourke doesn't win the Oscar for Best Actor he was legitimately robbed. What that man endured to play Randy "The Ram" is mind boggling to me, partly because I'm incredibly sedentary, but where he had to go physically, emotionally and mentally to become this character is unbelievable. This movie is an emotional and physical roller coaster and I highly recommend it, but must let you know it's certainly not like the Wrestlemania you grew up with.

My rating: 9.9/10

2 of the best quotes from the film:

"The only place I get hurt is out there. The world don't give a shit about me."

"I'm an old broken down piece of meat and I deserve to be all alone, I just don't want you to hate me."

Film Festivals- Venice and Toronto

The Venice International Film happened 2 weeks and the Toronto International Film Festival just ended! in my personal opinion the Venice Film Festival is THE most glamorous, because there isn't all the hooplah and insanity that surrounds Cannes, but more than anything it gives you an idea of what's going to be the serious Oscar bait for the fall. the brilliant, amazing and utterly genius Darren Aronofsky, the guy who did "Requiem for a Dream" (but more importantly "The Fountain") won The Golden Lion for Best Film for "The Wrestler." Darren is a huge proponent in why i'm so crazy about the film industry and movies. he always makes very intelligent, exciting and brutally honest films, and i can only imagine that "The Wrestler" is all of those things and much more, it actually just got a US release date.

While at Toronto the glamour is a considerably less, but the in terms of star power it lacks nothing. Anne Hathaway for "Rachel at the Wedding" has gotten rave reviews for her performance at both festivals. I'm just excited for both of these films from an a director I adore and a commercial actress who is actually willing to challenge herself.