La Senal a film previously featured here recently opened in Argentina at the box office at number 1, the film appears to be a 50s style noir, and is directed by Ricardo Darin and stars the man himself.  



A full english website can be seen below, along with photos, synopsis, trailer:

http://www.lasenalfilm.com/

Amaking of video is available here:

http://89.17.201.192/videos/1226.wmv

Or a youtube trailer is available here:

Youtube Trailer

Finally another Russian film gets a english subtitled dvd release in Thailand, this time its the espionage thriller Moscow Mission.  

DVD available here: http://www.ethaicd.com/show.php?pid=33626

Trailer is here: http://jonik.rinet.ru/CP/Obratnyy_otschet/cp_obratnyy_otschet_640.mov

Finally the Russian Actioneer Ohota na Piranju gets a DVD release with English subtitles, go seek this out if you fancy the russian take on Rambo meets Hard Target.

http://www.thaicdexpress.com/artist.asp?cdid=DVH0001137

Check out this snazzy looking posters of a new Russian horror film called Trail of Death 2 coming in 2008.




check out the official site here:

http://www.tropasmerti2.ru/

Stella Artois Grand Prix for best film in the Competition at the 11th International Film Festival in Sofia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tztxn7wFFpw

In order to pay for a life-saving operation for his son, a quite normal man signs a pact with the devil and becomes a solitary murderer.
The deed soon starts hounding Mladen: keeping the secret from his wife forces him into a kind of emotional poker, and his conscience also doesn't cooperate very long in this betrayal of his own moral standards. A "Balkan version of 'Crime and Punishment'", as director Srdan Golubovic writes, set against the backdrop of a transition process gone awry: "a modern 'film noir' about post-Milosevic Serbia, where there is no more war, just a moral and existential desert." Golubovic vividly dissects the personality transformations from the perspective of a confession, always showing great respect for his protagonists. With its distinctive language of images, which finds a style of its own between close-ups and the representation of urban architecture, the film reveals an artistic approach to the theme that points beyond empty metaphors at the personal quality of the story - a story whose pull can't be refused.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337930/



GOOD NEWS! - Nicotina a superb crime/gangster film from Mexico was the biggest Mexican movie of 2003 at the box office, is now hitting DVD in the US finally on a collectors edition DVD! ( already out in Spain,Australia with english subtitles )   BAD NEWS - the DVD doesnt hit stores until December.  

The film stars now Hollywood actor Diego Luna as computer nerd hacker who comes into contact with a bunch of gangsters. This was probably my favorite film in the year I saw it, its been a while since I saw it, but its a impressive Crime film with some humourous moments thrown in, oh and the ending is a good one to. 

Check out this English trailer here:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/nicotina.html

Last years Austrian horror film Dead in 3 days is recieving a DVD release, and it comes with English subtitles.

The date is set for June 6th

http://www.dvd-forum.at/bgr/4597/vorschau_detail.htm

Son Osmanli Yandim Ali DVD NEWS





So the Turkish movie Son Osmanlı Yandım Ali is finally recieving a DVD Release in Turkish with English subtitles.

The film was a sucess at the box office in turkey raking in over $5 million and opening at number one.

DVD can be preorder here:
http://www.ideefixe.com/video/tanim.asp?sid=CNPNH6CQUO2OVC8LMPZH

TRAILER HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoNk0t_VK98

The updated Aussie take on Macbeth, which looks to be very Gangster driven set in the Melbourne underworld is hitting DVD in Holland on a 2 Disc Special Edition DVD.  The release is a upgrade on the bare bones Australian DVD which was released only a few months ago.

The film is directed by Geoffrey Rush who did Romper Stomper and stars Sam Worthington, which looks to be a straight up gangster-action film.  The film opened in Australia last year, and didnt do too hot at the box office, but did manage 5 Australian Film Institute nominations.

DVD here:

http://www.mediadis.com/video/detail.asp?id=166216

official site ( with trailer ) : http://macbeththefeaturefilm.com.au/

The most expensive Belgium film ever ( $4.5mill EUROS ), this is Belgiums takes on Top Gun it seems. Windkracht was previously a TV series in Belgium called 'Storm Force 10’. The film debuted at number 1 in Belgium when it opened in Oct 06, and went on to earn around $1.7million. UK Distrubtion company High Point Films is currently handling worldwide distributiom, High Point films have recently taken the film to Cannes.

official site: http://ms.skynet.be/cinema/windkracht10/index.php

trailer http://ms.skynet.be/cinema/windkracht10/index.php?level=player&clip=Trailer

Til doden os skiller ( With your permission ) is a new Tragic comedy from prolific Danish screenwriter and director Anders Thomas Jensen, Anders is just the screenwriter on this project. Anders previously penned such film as Adams Apples, Efter brylluppet ( after the wedding ), I Kina spiser de hunde / In china they eat dogs , Mørke / Murke etc.  The film is currently in post production and opens in Denmark late August of this year.

Anyway the synopsis reads like this:

'Jan and Bente are married, but have almost forgotten why. Jan works all day in a restaurant, located on a ferry, and when he comes home to Bente, he faces arguments all the way to beatings. Jan´s boss convinces Jan to go into therapy and there he meets the two small time criminals Rudy and Alf. They are willing to help Jan get rid of Bente, but when Rudy and Alf meets Bente for the first time they like her so much that suddenly it becomes very difficult to be Jan'

"You touch my girl , I kick your ass!"



Check out these new Marko Zaror Action demo reel and martial art reel ( posted by Marko himself ) posted over a Youtube, some stunning moves in there, the Cobra Kai sure could have used Zaror's skills. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pouc0vAqY1A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrfIb0XDPNo

Marko is currently filming Mirageman I believe after last years hugely success Chilean martials arts movie Kiltro. The DVD of Kiltro was released in Chile last December but contained no English subtitles on the release.   Marko's first film Chinango ( 2002 ) does have a dvd release with english subtitles, check out amazon or any other US retailer.

Marko's official site: http://www.markozaror.com/
Kiltro official site: http://www.kiltromovie.com/
Mirageman official site: http://www.miragemanmovie.com/
Mandrill Films ( makers of Kiltro,Mirageman and more Marko Zaror films ): http://www.mandrillfilms.com/

A film I've been keeping an eye on lately if the New Zealand film Out Of the Blue directed by Robert Sarkies and starring Karl Urban, The film grossed over $1million at the NZ box office, which made it into the top 10 grossing New Zealand films of all time.    

Well the film is being released on DVD in New Zealand in July, a good store who ship overseas is :

http://www.dvdvideoplanet.com/product_info.php?category=1&products_id=

SYNOPSIS

'On November 13th 1990, in the small New Zealand seaside town of Aramoana, local man David Gray took a high-powered automatic weapon and shot dead 13 people.

It remains the worst mass murder in New Zealand's history.

As emergency services scrambled to reach Aramoana, a handful of young, under-armed local policemen risked their lives trying to find the gunman.

Terrified and confused residents were trapped in their homes for 24 hours, not knowing where David Gray was - or if they would become his next victim.

There were great feats of bravery on that terrible day - from ordinary people in the most extraordinary of situations'

OUT OF THE BLUE is a gripping and powerful story of courage and survival.

TRAILER : http://www.flicks.co.nz/trailer.php?movieid=466

Breto Brant created a brilliant film in 2002 with Invasor, O , which was a cult hit amongst film fans, well his 2005 film Crime Delicado finally recieves a English subtitled dvd in Brazil:

DVD PRE ORDER

Below is a Description of the film taken from Festival screening site

'In his follow-up to the devastating thriller The Trespasser (SFIFF 2002), director Beto Brant weaves together a complex trio of characters who collide in a web of passion, control and manipulation. Antonio (Marco Ricca, who also cowrote the script) is a cynical, distant theater critic who “lives life in the third person.” By chance, he meets Inez (Lilian Taublib), a sensual, candid young woman and artist's model with one leg, who intrigues him by demanding that he “say something without thinking,” a thing Antonio is not accustomed to doing. Inez's alarmingly open and honest sexuality changes something in Antonio. He cannot get her out of his mind. Upon discovering that Inez is the muse of painter José Torres Campana (Felipe Ehrenberg), Antonio begins an obsessive transformation, culminating in a desperate and impassioned act that changes his relationship with Inez—and both of their lives—forever. In a collision of art, inspiration and sex, the characters are blindsided by the reality of their mistakes as they struggle to regain control. Delicate Crime explores the motivations and fears rooted in the sometimes ambiguous relationships between male and female, artist and subject, artist and critic. Brant's visionary style illuminates these themes, allowing the audience to eavesdrop on profoundly real moments. Based on a novel by Brazilian writer Sérgio Sant'Anna, Delicate Crime touches on many sensitive issues, blending different artistic expressions—theater, fine art, writing and cinema—to create a compelling film about the destabilizing nature of love.'

RUSSIAN DVD NEWS



Could it be the first DVD release of Wolfhound with English Subtitles? I've just spotted a pre release date for Wolfhound in Brazil, Audio is in Russian and contains both English and Portugese subtitles.  Below is the link:

DVD PRE ORDER

Check out the official Brazilian site for the film as well
www.oultimoguerreiro.com.br

NORWEGIAN DVD NEWS



Another Brazilian exclusive DVD with English Subtitles, this time the Norwegian Gritty Crime movie  'URO' the film stars most of the cast from UNO as well.  The only backdrop to this dvd release I found is there is no Norwegian Audio track, a choice of English or Portugese.

DVD PRE ORDER

NORWEGIAN DVD NEWS



Could it be the English language version of The Norwegian Animation Free Jimmy is making its DVD release in Sweden? The film has been dubbed into english by the likes of Simon Pegg and Woody ( White men can't jump ) Harrelson. The DVD release listed on a Swedish site lists the Audio as ENGLISH, it could be a mistake who knows, but I've found the listing on two sites, so it could be right. Although its probably best to wait until the DVD is actually releaed, so Swedish people can let others knows.

DVD release is here anyway:

http://www.discshop.se/shop/ds_produkt.php?lang=&id=61109&lang=se&subsite=movies&&ref=

http://www.cdon.com/main.phtml?navroot=902&session=1

I've no idea if any people are reading this blog, so any comments are greatly appreciated :D Happy reading!

French Film News



What sounds like Ferris Bueller meets 3 o Clock high meets License 
to Drive, Ok maybe I'm way off with the comparison having not even 
seen the film , but heres come a French film called Zim and Co.

I like the sound of this film about Zim, a kid whos gets in trouble,
is forced to get a job, but needs to have a drivers a license so 
needs help from his friends.

The film opened in August last year in France debuting at number 
15 at the box office, raking in just over $500k.

SYNOPSIS

'When Zim gets in trouble with the police, he is forced to get a decent job within ten days. Zim is an average youngster: a nice fellow with uncertain ambitions, a relaxed view on law and order, great friends and a positive attitude. One day on his scooter in the heavy traffic of downtown Paris, everything turns upside down. Zim is put in custody after a minor traffic incident. When the police trace narcotics in his bloodsample, the judge decides that he has to get a decent job within ten days to avoid incarceration. Zim finally gets employed as a delivery boy; the only obstacle is that the job requires a car and a driver's licence – neither of which he has. Assisted by his loyal friends, Zim starts a race against the clock'

SITE WITH VARIOUS TRAILERS : VARIOUS TRAILERS

RUSSIAN FILM NEWS

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418016/



Today I came across a film made in 2005 which stars Pavel Barshak who was immense in Progulka / The Stroll , but has only appeared in a few films since then.   The cast list is hugely impressive, and kind of reads like this:

Andrei Merzlikin - Bimmer , Okhota na Piranyu , Obratnyy otschet
Andrei Krasko -Odna lyubov na million , Piter Fm , Svolochi , Zhmurki , Turetskiy gambit / Turkish Gambit 
Viktor Sukhorukov - Ostrov / The Island , Zhmurki , Ne hlebom edinym / Not by Bread Alone , Brat 1 , Brat 2 , Antikiller
Vyacheslav Razbegayev - Zhest , Antikiller , Lichnny Nomer
Mariya Shalayeva - Bimmer

The film opened in Russia in early 2005 raking up close to $3million at the Russian box office, the film looks and sounds fun, not much information can be found on it sadly, there are no english reviews to be found.  

A synopsis I found reads like this

'A clerk ends up with blood on his hands, the boss' wife on his lap, and the police drawing closer

A student has found a perfect way to increase both his reading progress and his income. Working as a night time clerk he's planning to spend the night reading and resting. However, the night doesn’t quite proceed as intended, and the clerk ends up with blood on his hands, the boss' wife on his lap, and an investigator at the door, searching for a serial killer.

GRAVEYARD SHIFT is a grotesque comedy where one mistake leads to another. The poor student spins himself into a web he seemingly can’t escape from'

TRAILER: http://img.ctb.ru/films/film00026/divx_01/Trailer.avi
OR: http://www.ctb.ru/movie/video.jsp?gid=11&id=26&

NAS NE DOGONISH is a new Russian movie about it seems two Runaway Prisoners, Nice poster as well. I dont have any more info, as everything I've found is in russian...

The film opens in Russia 31st May.  

OFFICIAL SITE http://www.nedogonish.ru/
YOU TUBE TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUriJExx6Xw
MUSIC VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krnvSAT3mC4 sung by Svetlana Svetikova

RUSSIAN FILM NEWS



A new movie from Russia produced by Boy S Tenyu director 'Alexei Sidorov' is Slushaya tishinu. From google translation I believe the film is a Melodrama about a Girl who when she listens to music hears silence, but travels to Moscow to become a composer

So if anyone knows any more info do let me know

The film opens in Russia June 21st, the same day as Kremen Кремень.

Anyway a trailer is below:


http://files.kinoros.ru/films/film00925/video/tishina_muz1_s.avi

A Arabic film about a Boxer. Sounds good. If anyone knows of anymore info on this or even a trailer let me know!

Abdu (Muhammed Lutfy) is a boxer who lives in a modest neighborhood, but never surrenders to the problems that surround him. He has been nicknamed 'Abdo Mawasem' - 'Abdu of the Seasons' - as he takes what life throws at him and keeps on going. He has been boxing since his childhood and sees it as a seasonal job until a researcher (Ola Ghanem) studying sporting champions decides to make him the subject of her thesis, which helps Abdu become the champion he has always dreamt of being.

AUSTRALIAN FILM NEWS



West, is a new Australian movie boasting a decent looking cast, with Nathan Phillips ( Snakes on a plane , Wolf Creek , Take Away , you and your stupid mate )  and Khan Chittenden ( The Caterpillar Wish, upcoming Clubland ) taking up the lead roles, is due out in Australia 5 Jul 2007.

SYNOPSIS

West is a hard-edged urban drama about two inseparable cousins, Pete (Khan Chittenden) and Jerry (Nathan Phillips), living in Sydney's Western Suburbs with dreams of getting out. Their relationship is tested and their lives change dramatically when they both fall in love with the same Cheryl (Gillian Alexy).

MORE INFO:

http://www.palacefilms.com.au/coming_soon.asp?movieID=205

UK FILM DVD NEWS



A surprise film for me was last years UK movie Love+Hate a Gritty love story between two teenagers set against a backdrop of racism and cultural differences. The film is a debut by director Dominic Savage and stars Tom Hudson who was previously know to UK viewers as 'Baz' in UK Teen School drama 'Grange Hill'.  If you've seen Bullet boy, Kidulthood, this much of the same, gritty realism depicting real life in the UK, and of course with superb acting.    Sadly the film like most UK films deserving of a little success it didnt do too well at the UK box office only recieving a limited run and was recently shown on British TV.

Love+Hate is available on DVD in the UK and soon to be released in Australia on DVD as well.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Hate-Samina-Awan/dp/B000GL17HS/ref=pd_bowtega_1/202-3122567-6843859?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1179017686&sr=1-1

A Synopsis I found read like this:

'Uncompromising and passionate, "Love + Hate" charts the story of two young people from conflicting backgrounds who fall hopelessly in love. Torn between loyalties to friends and family, the young lovers find themselves caught in a devastating crossfire between faith and feeling, tradition and instinct, love and hate.

Adam has been brought up in a home and community that fosters racial hatred. Naseema is a girl from the same town, belonging to a new generation of Asian youth who have taken up the violence offered to them as a way of reclaiming the past. But what Adam and Naseema really share is a secret desire to break free of their small town and its inhibitions, something they discover while working together in a DIY store. At first resistant, they cannot avoid their mutual attraction, and embark on a relationship which threatens to bring down their families as well as themselves'

TRAILER: http://www.myspace.com/loveandhatemovie

French DVD NEWS OVERSEAS RELEASE



Another exclusive DVD release is coming to Australia a release of the French Austin Powers-esque Spy Spoof set in the 1950s. It did so well in France a Sequel is set. Viva la France! Ou est la Toilet?!

Previously there was a bare bones Thai Dvd but The Australia dvd, has some special features:

Special Features:
Alternative and deleted scenes
The reality of 1955
Making Of
The Collection of Howlers
Original French trailer


GO GET IT HERE: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/793033

SYNOPSIS:

Introducing Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath, French special agent OSS 117. After the mysterious death of his colleague Jack Jefferson while on assignment in Egypt, OSS 117 is sent in to find the killers. And monitor the Suez Canal. And the British in Cairo. And the Russians too. In fact, save the entire Middle East. Under cover as a poultry fancier, OSS 117-handsome and irresistibly suave, suitably arrogant but culturally clueless-gives his all for his country, in Cairo, in bed and in the dark.

Set to a hip-shaking score of arabesque cocktail music, from the minute the credits roll OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies is a side-splitting spoof of the screen's greatest spies from James Bond to Inspector Clouseau, Maxwell Smart to Austin
Powers.

WIKIPEDIA ENTRY: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSS_117:_Cairo,_Nest_of_Spies
TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHC7MyXh1iI
OFFICIAL SITE ( very nice site ) : http://www.oss117.fr/oss.htm