TREE OF LIFE REVIEWS

One of the most anticipated films at Cannes THE TREE OF LIFE was screened this past weekend. It stars Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain. The reviews have been mixed with people either hating it or loving it. The Cannes critics are a tough crowd and not afraid to express their feelings. Sasha Stone reported that there were a handful of boos at the end followed by a silence and an applause. From the reviews I have read from the movie is that is in line with the Sopranos finale. Some loved it and some hated it, but everyone was speculating about what the ending meant. THE TREE OF LIFE will do the same. The movie does star Sean Penn, but apparently he only has a few lines in the film. It will be interesting to see how a broader audience reacts when it is released May 27th. 

THE TREE OF LIFE TRAILER

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

It is shaping up to be a good year for movies if you go by what is coming out of Cannes. So far the biggest movie has been WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN.  It stars Tilda Swinton as a mom who's son goes on a shooting rampage at the age of 16 and John C. Reilly as the father.  The movie goes into the mind of the mother and asks the question, is it possible for a mother to hate her own child?

It is shaping for a Best Picture nomination as well as a Best Actress nom for Swinton and Supporting Actor for Reilly.

There is not an official trailer yet, but here is a link to a teaser...

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN TEASER

WEEKEND RELEASES

Google Blogger has been down on and off for the last few days, so I have not been able to update. Some good things are coming out of Cannes that I will write about later, but first here are this weekends openings:

BRIDESMAIDS-(Awards Potential: none) It is getting good reviews. Look for a Bridesmaids 2.

PRIEST-(Awards Potential: none) More vampires, bad reviews.



THOR will probably win the weekend again due to good word of mouth. BRIDESMAIDS is predicted to come in second place.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Woody Allen's MIDNIGHT IN PARIS was shown for the first time last night at Cannes. The reviews I read coming out of the screening were all very positive. This could be Allen's return to the Oscars. Best Picture nomination was being thrown around, but the competition this year is going to be tough. Owen Wilson apparently steals the film and could be a Best Actor contender. Obviously it is waaaay early and only the first film screened at the festival. The trailer doesn't do much for me, but I think what Wilson's character does that we don't see yet is the heart of the movie.  Here is a link to check it out yourself.


MIDNIGHT IN PARIS TRAILER LINK

CANNES

The Cannes Film Festival opens tomorrow in of all places Cannes, France. This is where filmmakers show their work and hope to get distribution. The distributors use this festival to hear reviews, opinions and buzz on movies open for distribution. It can make or break a movie. Woody Allen opens the festival with a screening of MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. THE TREE OF LIFE will also get its first big screening for critics this week. It also gives us an idea of what movies could show up at Oscar time. Many of the critics who attend say that the schedule is brutal watching movies from 8am to 2am everyday, must be tough. I will keep you updated on the winners and losers to come out of Cannes.