Film News & Trailers

This French documentary from director Olivier Meyrou examines the brutal murder of Francois Chenu, after he admitted his homosexuality, by three skinheads.  The film follows the struggle of his parents coming to terms with what happened, the trial, and examines the homophobia and intolerance that led to such a tragedy.  Check out the official site.  The documentary, presented in French with English subtitles, opens in limited release on Friday.

Beyond Hatred (Au-dela de la haine)
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This loooong delayed film, which opened in several countries last fall, finally gets pulled off the shelf and dusted off for a US release.  The film, based on the video game (yeah, that usually works out well) stars Jaime Pressly as superstar of women’s wrestling who enters a secret invitation-only martial arts contest.  Other contestants include Holly Valance, Devon Aoki, and Sarah Carter.  Check out the official site.  The film cat-fights its way into theaters everywhere on Friday.

DOA: Dead or Alive
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A big RF congratulations to director Christian Mungiu and his film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days which took home top honors and was awarded the Palme d’Or (The Golden Palm) at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.  Mingui’s small film (made for less than $700,000) examines the issue of abortion in Romania during Communist rule and how attitudes to this volatile issue are affected by political systems, how a country indoctrinates its citizens, and stereotyping.

4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days (4 luni, 3 saptamini si 2 zile)
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When one of thier own (Elliot Gould) is double-crossed and left for dead Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up the gang to get revenge on the man responsible (Al Pacino).  Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, and Shabo Quin all return (but no Julia Roberts or Catherine Zeta Jones??).  Ellen Barkin also stars.  Here’s a HD trailer if you prefer, and you can check out the official site and the film’s MySpace page.  The film opens on Friday and we’ll have the review!

Ocean’s Thirteen
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Roger Kynard “Roky” Erickson was a rock-and-roll icon.  As the frontman for the 13th Floor Elevators he was one of the early creators of psychadelic music, but an arrest and three year stint in a mental asylum changed everything; his career, family, and life slowly disolved into a downwold spiral, leaving him crazed and forgotten.  The new documentary examines Roky’s past and his life now as his brother returns home after ten years desperate to reach the man he once was.  Check out the official site.  The film opens in a short-run limited release on Friday and will be available on DVD July 10.

Your’re Gonna Miss Me
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