Movie: The Brothers Bloom * Trailer * 2-minute clip * Official Site	In Theaters: May 29, 2009
Runtime: 113 minutes	Directed by: Rian Johnson
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, some sensuality and brief strong language	Gecko Rating:

“The Brothers Bloom” is a funny little movie, the sort of movie you might watch at an arthouse or indie theater, then walk away going, “Yeah, that was an interesting movie with great acting.”

It stars Mark Ruffalo as Stephen, and Adrien Brody as his younger brother Bloom. These two brothers have been con artists since they were kids, with Stephen orchestrating intricate stories for each swindle and Bloom playing the main character.

They work on their own except for the mysterious and silent Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi), a Japanese woman who showed up one day and has a penchant for blowing things up. She feels that once you’ve used something, you might as well blow it up.

But the brothers are getting older now, and Bloom is in his 30s and wanting to get out of the business. Basically, he’s losing his own identity in all the characters he plays. Stephen talks him into one last con, with the mark being an eccentric, lonely New Jersey heiress, Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz).

Her main pasttime is “borrowing hobbies,” learning to do things just for the sake of doing them and nothing else. A side note is that Weisz actually learned to play the violin, banjo, piano, accordion, break-dance, juggle, do karate, play ping-pong, ride a unicycle, and even skateboard for the role.

But as the con moves along, it’s difficult to know who’s conning whom, and there’s another wildcard: Diamond Dog (Maximilian Schell), the brothers’ former mentor who’s now out for revenge.

“The Brothers Bloom” has a 1940s feel to it, with cartoony chapter markers as the plot moves along and music that’s reminiscent of a vintage nightclub. I found the plot a little complicated, so you have to pay attention to what’s going on.

But to me, the movie is mostly about the characters, each actor lovingly enveloping their character’s quirkiness and eccentricities. And the old-world locations are fabulous, including Montenegro, Serbia, Romania, and the Czech Republic with their massive old buildings with lots of bricks and spires. “The Brothers Bloom” is definitely worth a look if you’re a fan of these types of films.

Photo Credit: Slobodan Pikula, TM and © 2009 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved

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It’s a documentary about a real-life heavy metal band that’s basically been playing and striving their whole lives to get somewhere, but in the meantime working at dead-end jobs and doing measly European tours. It’s a little bit like "This is Spinal Tap," only these guys are the real deal. It’s not a mockumentary.

Directed by Sacha Gervasi, "Anvil!" follows the band from a 1980s stadium tour with Scorpions and Bon Jovi to more recent gigs playing in bars. Parts of it are funny, but it’s also poignant and uplifting, too. It’s picked up several festival awards, and VH1 plans an April 10 release in 18 cities.

More after the jump, including the UK Trailer…

The network will run a full-length trailer like a music video, and also feature on-air appearances by the band, who will also play at seven screenings of the film in various cities.

Anyone see this movie yet? Check it out, if you have the opportunity. It’s pretty cool.

Image: Amazon.com

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The little movie opens in some theaters on March 13, and it looks like a quirky film that even made my list of 2009 movies I’m looking forward to.

Hollyscoop.com caught up with the stars at the premiere of the movie, which also stars Mary Lynn Rajskub, Kevin Pollack, and Christine Jeffs (who also directs). The screenplay was written by Megan Holley.

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Jackson will play a sympathetic cop who offers kindness and comfort to Bello’s character and her daughter (Breslin), following a brutal gang rape. These are the kinds of movies that are often thoughtful and insightful, but that I usually decide to skip, lest I’m depressed for days afterwards!

I lamented a few days ago that maybe Jackson wouldn’t have time to do these sorts of films, since he just signed a nine-movie deal playing Marvel’s Nick Fury. Now I wonder if that deal will free him up to do smaller films like this, that might not have the wide coverage of the big blockbusters.

Adapted from Joyce Carol Oates‘ 2003 book, "Rape: A Love Story" is directed by Harold Becker and scheduled to begin filming in June.

Photo Credit: Pichichi / SDFL / Splash News

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Jones has two movie projects in the works: "The Book of Eli," a futuristic Western from Warner Bros., and "American Tragic," an indie flick written and directed by Ryan Piers Williams.

In "Eli," Jones will play the leader of a group of bikers. Produced by Joel Silver, the movie also stars Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Jennifer Beals and Mila Kunis.

In "Tragic," Jones will play an old friend of James (Ryan O’Nan) a slaughterhouse worker. The cast also includes June Raphael, Melissa Leo ("Frozen River,") and America Ferrera, who is executive producing.

Sounds like a nice couple of films I’ll look forward to seeing. Both are scheduled for a 2010 release.

Image: October Road, ABC

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An American Carol. An anti-American filmmaker who’s out to abolish the July Fourth holiday is visited by three ghosts who try to change his perception of the country. Based loosely on documentarian Michael Moore. [Official Site] [Buy It]

Towelhead. A young Arab-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist, and her strict father during the Gulf War. [Official Site] [Buy It]

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (20th Anniversary Edition). Kirsty is brought to an institution after the death of her family, where the occult-obsessive head resurrects Julia and unleashes the Cenobites once again. [IMDB Page] [Buy It]

Image: Towelhead, Warner Independent Pictures, 2008

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Along with “Arrested Development,” Cera has made a name for himself doing offbeat comedies like “Juno” and “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist,” and this movie looks to follow suit.

Those familiar with “Paper Hearts” describe it as a mix of documentary and scripted comedy about the real-life relationship between Cera and his girlfriend, Charlyne Yi, another member of the Judd Apatow school (she played the pigtailed stoner in “Knocked Up”). Like “Nick and Nora’s,” music is a key theme.

It’s an interesting move, keeping things super-secret. I guess it heightens the expectations for it, and certainly makes me curious to see what the movie’s about. Plus, I’ve always wondered if Cera’s real-life persona mirrors his on-screen persona. Maybe I’ll find out in this film.

Nicholas Jasenovec, a relative unknown who’s worked on other Apatow titles, makes his directing debut with the pic.

Image: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Columbia Pictures, 2008

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The still-untitled project is said to contain an end-of-the-empire tone that doesn’t focus on politics. Say what?! I can’t believe any movie of Moore’s won’t include his left-leaning views. Maybe because there’s a Democrat in the White House now?

Still, Moore (pictured with pal Madonna at the Traverse City Film Festival) has never been particularly optimistic about the United States, so a lot of us are wondering how that’ll play into his filmmaking in this more-hopeful Obama climate.

More after the jump…

“If Moore offers a prescription for how to improve things, he may indeed find an audience that at this moment is eager for change,” said Craig Minassian, an entertainment consultant and former Bill Clinton aide. “But it’s going to be hard for him. What this election shows is what’s right with America, and sometimes what Michael Moore does is highlight what’s wrong with America.”

Plus, the economy is never stagnant. It might turn around by the time Moore’s film is released. Still, insiders say he’s feverishly shooting, with a release date as early as spring 2009 and Paramount Vantage and Overture Films hoping to capitalize on the current climate of political awareness.

Image: Jane Boursaw, 2008; Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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What a cast this movie has! It’s “Gigantic”!

Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, John Goodman, Ed Asner and Jane Alexander star in “Gigantic,” a comedy that’s has just been picked up by First Independent Pictures.

Executive producer Dano plays a mattress salesman who wants to adopt a Chinese baby. Deschanel (pictured, with Mark Wahlberg) plays an off-kilter woman who distracts him during his quest. She’s SO good at the off-kilter women.

The film premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened this weekend at the American Film Market, where the deal was closed.

Anyone seen this film? Is it good?

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