The Dark Knight Rises (2012): A rise to the occasion.

I am going to start with saying this: YES, this is better than The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight Rises is a bigger film with better characters and a badass Bane.

The film kicks off on a sour note. With all these new characters, we never see them get a proper introduction. The 8 year difference between the films is also a contribution to the introduction of the new characters. We see Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the movie, trying to steal from a hermit Bruce Wayne. This is our beginning setup, but why? It's not very well explained, except for implication that Bruce is a hermit after making a poor investment in Wayne Enterprises.

Masterpieces Classics: Children of Paradise (1945)

What are Hugh doing, Mr. Jackman?

Marcel Carne's Children of Paradise has been described as France's answer to Gone With the Wind. But,  this sweeping epic/romance what-have-you is greater than Gone With The Wind. It's a more majestic, leaner, and subtle.

What is Marcel Carne's Children of Paradise? It is the telling tale of 4 men and the woman they love. First is Baptiste, a popular mime, and the good-hearted man out of the 4. He's the one that can't find love, except for the theater director's daughter, Nathalie, who can't get the message that Baptiste doesn't love her.

The Master, theatrical trailer.

PT Anderson is back... with a vengeance! Expect a 'Dark Knight Rises' review tomorrow...

Tarantino's Django Unchained has a trailer!

Tarantino's back!

Amour wins the Palme d'Or!

It's finally over. This year's Cannes film festival has been underwhelming, and the main films that left (that pique my interest) are the popular ones: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Amour, and Rust and Bone.

I was honestly surprised that Amour won, since Haneke won so recently with The White Ribbon. It also turns out that I got 0 of my predictions right. Depressing, but that's life.

Complete winners are on this link:

Could'a been a Cannes-tender: My award predictions...

Cannes Film Festival ends in two days, and it's been kind of a disappointment. The Paperboy, Lawless, and many others have been divisive disappointments, and other films have been middling and mediocre. The high points, though, have been Moonrise Kingdom, Love, Rust and Bone, Holy Motors, and maybe On the Road.

What will take home the Palme d'Or, however? I would change my old opinion of Cosmopolis to Love, but Haneke was already awarded two years ago. Cannes is like that, not rewarding the same director twice. I originally thought Moonrise Kingdom would be cute show, but now its an actual contender. I don't see it winning the Gold, but it might win the Jury Prize or even Grand Prix. This makes me want to give it to Rust and Bone. It probably won't go to Rust, but I think the lovely Cotillard might win Best Actress. I mean, it's French film with the main character being paralyzed! Last time a film like that was entered (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), it didn't go empty handed!

The Dark Knight Rises, two new TV spots.

Spot on!

'The Master' Trailer

This trailer is like an Adele music video. Dark, simple, and above average. Check it out.

The Great Gatsby Trailer

Just... Luhrmann meh...

The Weinstein Company invites you to view The Master, and Django Unchained!

Breaking news! Tomorrow night, Cannes and Weinstein Company is proud to present footage from The Master, Django Unchained, and The Silver Linings Playbook. All three films listed are from recent Academy-Award nominees PT Anderson, Tarantino, and David O'Russell.

Indepth at Cigs and Red Vines.