Film Gecko » the international

New on DVD – Film Gecko recommends Gran Torino

Jane Boursaw — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:02:50 +0000

Clint Eastwood continues to knock me out with his heartfelt performances, this time in "Gran Torino," in which he plays Korean War vet Walt Kowalski. It’s a racially charged story that’s also violent and disturbing, with Eastwood’s classic humor thrown in for good measure.

Read my review of "Gran Torino," and buy the DVD on Film Gecko’s DVD Store on Amazon.

Bonus Features include some of the filmmakers reminiscing about their first cars or dream cars. We also get to see a Detroit rally of classic cars along Woodward Avenue, which is bittersweet considering Detroit’s altered auto scene in recent months.

Also on DVD this week:

Crossing Over (R). Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, Ashley Judd, and Ray Liotta star in this movie about crime, fraud and murder, all revolving around a missing illegal. Buy "Crossing Over."

The International (R). Clive Owen and Naomi Watts star in this crime thriller about an obsessive Interpol agent who spearheads an investigation into a high-profile banking institution. Buy "The International."

Image: Amazon.com

Post from: Film Gecko

Jason Axes Box Office: Feb. 13 – 15, 2009

Jane Boursaw — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:13:36 +0000

Jason Voorhees and his frightening "Friday the 13th" axed the box office this weekend, pulling in numbers far ahead of second place, "He’s Just Not That Into You." Here’s the rundown from IMDB.com:

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

Post from: Film Gecko

Sony Pictures 2009 Film Preview

Jane Boursaw — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:31:27 +0000

Here’s a look at what’s on tap from Sony Pictures for 2009. Some great films!

I’m especially looking forward to "The Pink Panther 2," "The Ugly Truth," "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," and "Angels & Demons." And I’m REALLY curious about "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," because that was one of my kids’ favorite books.

Which of these movies are YOU most looking forward to?

"Not Easily Broken" – Jan. 9, 2009

"Paul Blart: Mall Cop" – Jan. 16, 2009

"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" – Jan. 23, 2009

"The Pink Panther 2" – Feb. 6, 2009

"The International" – Feb. 13, 2009

"Fired Up" – Feb. 20, 2009

More after the jump…

"The Ugly Truth" – April 3, 2009

"Obsessed" – April 24, 2009

"Angels & Demons" – May 15, 2009

"The Taking of Pelham 123" – June 12, 2009

"Year One" – June 19, 2009

"2012" – July 10, 2009

"Julie & Julia" – Aug. 7, 2009

"District 9" – Aug. 14, 2009

"Mardi Gras" – Aug. 28, 2009

"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" – Sept. 18, 2009

"Armored" – Sept. 18, 2009

"Zombieland" – Oct. 9, 2009

"The Stepfather" – Oct. 16, 2009

"Planet 51" – Nov. 20, 2009

Image: The Pink Panther 2, Columbia Pictures, 2009

Post from: Film Gecko

"The International" – Preview & Trailer

Jane Boursaw — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:43:30 +0000

I’m always up for a good twisty-turny thriller, and it looks like "The International" will deliver. Clive Owen stars as Interpol Agent Louis Salinger, who along with Manhattan Assistant D.A. Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) is determined to bring one of the world’s most powerful banks to justice. The pair uncover the bank’s myriad illegal activities, tracking the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. But of course, their lives are in danger as the bank will stop at nothing – including murder – to continue financing war and terror.

I’m sure this will be one of those movies that leaves me wondering if this stuff happens in real life – and do I really want to know the answer? Directed by Tom Tykwer, the film hits theaters Feb. 13, 2009. It’s rated R for some sequences of violence and language. [Official Site]

Watch the trailer after the jump…

Image: The International, Columbia Pictures, 2009

Post from: Film Gecko