Translated material
Hold on to it
Watch from February 15 on Moscow screens
"Ghost Rider" (USA, 2007, Mark Steven Johnson). A film adaptation of a comic book by Marvel (the same one that gave us the opportunity to enjoy “Spider-Man”, “X-Men” and “The Incredible Hulk”) about a motorcycle racer (Nicolas Cage) who sold his soul to the devil and, according to the terms of the contract, must carry out all sorts of dark assignments under disguise of the Ghost Rider. But, as befits a true hero, the Racer tries his best to break the agreement and use the acquired skills in the name of a very specifically understood good. Director Johnson (Daredevil) is considered one of those few who feels not only the letter, but also the spirit of comics, so there will definitely be something to watch. Also starring Eva Mendes, Wes Bentley, Donald Logue, Sam Eliot and Angry Anderson.“The Painted Veil” (USA--China, 2006, John Curran). A large-scale film based on the novel by Somerset Maugham, but without losing its sensuality. In the 1920s, doctor Walter Fane (Edward Norton) and his cheating wife Kitty (Naomi Watts) travel to China to fight a cholera epidemic and strengthen their fractured relationship along the way. Composer Alexandre Desplat received a Golden Globe for best soundtrack, but all the other components of the film are more than worthy. Also starring Liev Schreiber, Sally Hawkins, Toby Jones, Diana Rigg and Anthony Wong.
“Like Little Children” (USA, 2006, Todd Field). Films that explore the underbelly of the lives of ordinary provincial Americans, living in seemingly peaceful conditions, but in fact harboring demons, echidnas and hydras in their bosoms, should be identified as a separate subgenre. Todd Field's film (In the Bedroom) is just that kind of film. The story of several families that intersect in the local landscapes of a provincial town and influence each other in a seemingly unexpected, but in fact the only possible way. The film is nominated for three Oscars: Best Screenplay, Best Actress (Kate Winslet) and Best Supporting Actor (Jackie Earle Haley). Also starring Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Noah Emmerich, Sadie Goldstein, Ty Simpkins and Raymond J. Barry.
“Sympathy for Lady Vengeance” (Korea, 2005, Chan-Wook Park). The final part of director Park’s trilogy about revenge (before it there were “Oldboy” and “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” coming out next week). 19-year-old Lee (Choi Min-sik) ends up in prison on false charges and spends 13 years there. Upon release, Lee begins to implement a carefully thought-out and truly Jesuitical plan of retribution for the one who put her behind bars, and her former cellmates help her in every possible way. At the Venice Film Festival the film received a small Golden Lion. Also starring Lee Young-ae, Kim Bu-sung, Go Soo-hee, Kim Si-hoo, Oh Dal-soo and Lee Sun-shin.
“How to get married and stay single” (France, 2006, Eric Lartigo). A purely French comedy about a convinced bachelor, Julien (Alain Chabat), whom his mother and five sisters want to marry at all costs. Of course, Julien tries to resist this and seems to figure out how, but in fact he gets into a matrimonial puddle even more. The film is not of the highest standard, but nevertheless received three Cesar Award nominations. Also starring Charlotte Ginzbourg, Bernadette Lafon, Vladimir Jordanoff, Grégoire Ostermann and Véronique Barrault.