| Soho Square (2000) | Celebrating AFI (2000-2003) |
 First-time director Jamie Rafn made his serial killer film SOHO SQUARE on a reported budget of $7,000. In London's Soho district, a disturbed maniac is killing women by setting them on fire. The police inspector assigned to the case still hasn't gotten over the death of his wife. But as the investigation heats up, he meets a woman who reminds him of his late wife, possibly setting himself up for another tragedy. Although the serial killer plot may be a familiar one, Rafn keeps the audience guessing with his untraditional editing and narrative twists. SOHO SQUARE offers a new variation on an old genre, and represents the most resourceful in independent British film.
Price: 8.99 |
 CELEBRATING AFI showcases some of the best short films to come out of the American Film Institute's storied program between 2000 and 2003. Shorts include "Family Attraction" (starring Chris Penn and Martin Sheen), "Chili Con Carne" (starring Mel Gibson and Kristy Swanson), "Shangri-La Cafe," "Bar Time," "The Car Kid," and "Fair Play."
Price: 5.99 |
| In This World (2003) | Mad Dogs (2002) |
 Michael Winterbottom's brilliant drama is a truly harrowing depiction of the refugee experience. An impeccable blend of documentary and fiction, IN THIS WORLD follows two young Afghani cousins, Jamal and Enayat, as they make a dangerous, seemingly impossible trek to freedom. Starting in the northwest province of Peshawar, Pakistan, the pair's parents pay an exorbitant amount of money to a man who promises to transport them safely to London. But this path is fraught with danger. Unfamiliar with the new languages that are continually being thrust upon them, Jamal is forced to communicate in a broken English that he barely understands. After a few stumbling blocks, the pair finally makes it to Istanbul at which point the already exhausted cousins must board a freight container with other immigrants and set out on a pitch-black, torturous journey across the sea to Trieste, Italy. With no end in sight, the cousins endure another refugee camp in Sangatte, France, before the final, dangerous break for the shores of England, clinging to the frame of an 18-wheel truck. Winterbottom, known for his stunning versatility as a director, tackles this brave subject matter with startling humanity. Marcel Zyskind's immediate camerawork and Dario Marianelli's sweeping musical score add even greater emotional impact, resulting in a truly important cinematic achievement.
Price: 6.99 |
 A science-fiction thriller with a message, MAD DOGS is set in a future London where "Mad Dog Disease" is running rampant. Because of this, the government has instituted a canine ban. Enter Rabbie Burns (Iain Fraser), a recently released mental patient who might not be in such good shape after all. Mysterious voices order Rabbie to save the country within 36 hours, forcing him to confront the evil figures responsible for this terrible state of affairs. With the help of his friends Jimmy Joyce (Paul Barber) and Narendra (Indira Varma), Rabbie begins his dangerous quest.
Price: 5.99 |
| The Tesseract (2003) | Starring: Rosa Furr... And Other Queer Tales (2003) |
 In Thailand's Heaven Hotel, a group of four very different people find their lives colliding in tragic ways. Drifter Sean (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) is a runner for a dangerous drug gang. Rosa (Saskia Reeves) is a psychologist who is performing research on the dreams of children. In the room below her is a wounded female assassin who is waiting to intercept the package that Sean is transporting. Finally, Wit is a small, streetwise kid who works as a bellboy and therefore knows far more than the guests know he does. As their time at the Heaven progresses, it becomes clear that they won't all leave alive. Alex Garland's (THE BEACH, 28 DAYS LATER) novel is vividly translated to the screen by Oxide Pang Chun, one half of the Pang Brothers (THE EYE, INFERNAL AFFAIRS).
Price: 9.99 |
 This collection of gay/lesbian themed short films features work directed by Lara Martin and Durand Williams. In addition to the acclaimed short films "Starring: Rosa Furr," "Angel in the Attic," and "D.W.", there are several revealing interviews concerning the emergence of gay and lesbian cinema. In addition to providing a history of this particular genre, featured artists Martin, Williams, and Berenice Reynaud help to establish its importance in the grand scheme of things.
Price: 6.99 |
| Tanner On Tanner (2004) | MacArthur Park (2001) |
 Tanner on Tanner is a follow up to celebrated filmmaker Robert Altman and DOONESBURY cartoonist Gary Trudeau's political satire TANNER '88, a mockumentary following a fictional democratic presidential candidate (Michael Murphy) on his campaign trail. This sequel, TANNER ON TANNER, finds Tanner's daughter, Alex (Cynthia Nixon, SEX AND THE CITY), producing a new documentary about her father's failed presidential bid. Shot partly during the 2004 Democratic National Convention, TANNER ON TANNER boasts many cameos by familiar politicians, political commentators, and celebrities who make appearances or share their views. Featured are Madeleine Albright, Steve Buscemi, Howard Dean, Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Alexandra Kerry, Chris Matthews, and Martin Scorsese.
Price: 8.99 |
 MACARTHUR PARK is the powerful directorial debut of actor Billy Wirth (THE LOST BOYS, WAR PARTY). Wirth's film was initially intended as a documentary on the homeless drug addicts living in Los Angeles' once-elegant, but now crime-infested, MacArthur Park. While interviewing park residents for the documentary, Wirth learned of a script written by a former playwright-turned-crack-addict, Tyrone Atkins, who had lived in the park but was now serving time in prison. Atkins' manuscript was eventually found and filmed by Wirth as a loosely-disguised biographical fiction centered around park resident and former trumpet player Cody (Thomas Jefferson Byrd), who lost both his career and his family to crack cocaine addiction. Byrd leads a large ensemble that cast includes Ellen Cleghorne, Lori Petty, Miguel Nunez, and real-life rappers Bad Azz, B-Real, and Sticky Fingaz as the park's other drug-addled citizens. The vibrant hip-hop soundtrack--composed by Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins and featuring an electrifying cover of "MacArthur Park" by Macy Gray--adds a gritty, authentic vibe to the film's portrayal of drug addiction and broken souls.
Price: 6.99 |
| Eminem - AKA (2004) | Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2004) |
 This documentary on the enigmatic hip hop star Eminem aims to get a glimpse into his hectic life by speaking to a number of people close to him. Eminem shot to fame after a demo tape was picked up by acclaimed rapper and producer Dr Dre. Blown away by what he heard, Dre helped the future-star get a record deal, and produced his debut album. Millions of record sales later, unsavory aspects of the rappers' life began to seep into the public domain. But when his second album took off into the stratosphere, his private life became unconformable public, with lawsuits and bitter recriminations coming at him from all angles. His mother Debbie Mathers, grandmother Betty Kresin, uncle Todd Nelson, and many others all offer insight into Eminem's life here, providing some fascinating tales of his pre and post fame life.
Price: 4.99 |
 Danish director Lone Scherfig presents her second Dogme-style film, following her sweet and subtly brilliant ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS, with this English-language drama set in Glasgow, Scotland. The charmingly dilapidated used bookstore where most of the film takes place creates an atmosphere of comforting humility. However, the plot stands in direct contrast to that, laying a depressing blanket of helplessness over the generally likeable, attractive characters. Wilbur (Jamie Sives) does not really want to kill himself but he keeps his older brother Harbour (Adrian Rawlins) very busy trying to prevent his disingenuous suicide attempts. When Wilbur is rejected by the therapists at the counseling center, Harbour accepts him as a roommate, taking on the responsibility of preserving his brother's life. Wilbur's perpetual foul mood and misanthropy permeate Harbour's otherwise kind and hopeful persona. He even manages to ruin Harbour's wedding to a needy single mother (Shirley Henderson). To the extent that suicidal tendencies carry a certain irony, WILBUR WANTS TO KILL HIMSELF has its funny moments. Even so, its truest strength is its fantastically emotive performances, and Scherfig's ability to make even the simplest gesture have a pronounced and weighty impact.
Price: 7.99 |
 "Rachel" among top Spirit picks (Reuters)
Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:30:09 GMT Four Christmases Outnumbers Twilight at Box Office (E! Online)
Publ.Date : Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:30:10 GMT |
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