Another taut crime thriller by the makers of Infernal Affair (remade as The Departed)

Cops eavesdropping on financial films cross the line! Very timely subject.

The Infernal Affair trilogy explores moral dilemmas in entertaining and suspenseful ways.

Here for the article.

Thorough Analysis of the Climax of Better Luck Tomorrow

The climatic sequence in Better Luck Tomorrow is a high achievement in American independent cinema. Tension, suspense, even a primal feeling of disgust are created masterfully through simple yet effective applications of cinematography, lighting, editing, acting, and directing.

In this clip, a narrator has taken the effort to break down the sequence beat by beat.

The lovely Julia Stiles. Plus interesting murder flic with a "reality" bend

My friend and her fiance have shot 2 awesome projects recently. One, a mock-celebrity short featuring Julia Stiles, a wonderful actor. Second, a dark-comedy feature regarding a different type of CSI.

Vanity Fair and Banana Republic sponsor shorts by diverse filmmakers

http://www.vfagenda.com/bananarepublic/

Best Movie of 2009 (so far) - WATCHMEN

"Best of -" lists normally come out at the end of the year, but why wait? (I'll explain this choice later.)

Caution! Disturbing Images by Jan Svankmajer

I came across Jan Svankmajer in my film theory class at UCLA Extension. In the tradition of Surrealism, his work is bizarre and fantastical. The first clip, titled Meat Love, anthropomorphizes men’s untamed sexual desires.



This second clip, titled Dinner, uses evocative images and events juxtaposed for disturbing effects. Through a behavior that defies logic and reason for most people, Dinner seeks to unleash the “superior reality” of our sub- and unconscious. (I have to warn you; it's Disturbing!)

Popcorn Coupon

Say "No" to expensive popcorn here

Fast and Furious Review

Bottom Line: flashes of brilliant dramatic and action sequences throughout the movie, but I wish director Justin Lin took the combustive relationship between Vin Diesel and Paul Walker to its explosive climatic conclusion. If you like fast cars, hot women, and strong men, this is the movie for you.

More: Paul Walker's portrayal of a policeman as a borderline sociopath is at times scary and brilliant, reminiscent of Andy Lau/Matt Damon's portrayals in Infernal Affair/The Departed.





It will be interesting to see if Justin Lin and Paul Walker decide to take the darker side of Brian O'Connor to the next level.

Vin Diesel gives his one of his best performances ever. Gone are the blank stares that make the audience wonder did he forget his lines and the unintentionally comedic hollering. This time, Diesel lets his eyes and actions speak for him. Keep it up, and the Diesel has the chance to become the best action-hero in current cinema.

Terminator Salvation Producer: Dan Lin

Dan Lin is an up-and-coming Hollywood producer who has a special knack for shepherding blockbuster projects through the studio system.

He helped reboot the Terminator franchise and is working on the finishing touches of the action-oriented Sherlock Holmes. He spoke about these movies and the new Lara Croft prequel at the premier of Terminator here.

After graduating from Harvard Business School, he rose to become a creative executive at Warner Brother's. He later decided to strike out on his own "to be more entrepreneurial." He spent his childhood in Taiwan and Hong Kong before moving to the States, which mirrors my own childhood.

Dan is perhaps the most active and powerful Taiwanese-American producer in Hollywood. He comes across as articulate and intelligent in his interview. Tracking this "pioneer's" career will be interesting from both an artistic and cultural stand point. Along with Ang Lee winning the Oscars and Justin Lin directing the wildly successful Fast and Furious franchise (to name a few other examples), it signals that Chinese and Taiwanese people's passion for cinema is beginning to bear fruits on the American-global stage.

For Variety's profile on Dan Lin here

"Slumdog" makers buy flat for homeless child star

here