Cannes Update

There is some very good news from Cannes. I don't know how things are going for a few of the smaller films that have been screened that are in competition. I haven't seen a lot of things coming out of the festival about them. However, my most anticipated film of the festival (and one of my most anticipated films of the year) has gotten mostly rave reviews. When I read Cormac McCarthy's book I knew that the Coen Brothers were the perfect people to make this film. From what I've read they have done a masterly job of directing the film (and adapting the screenplay). All of the acting - by Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson and Kelly MacDonald - is supposed to be outstanding. And my favorite actor on the planet - Javier Bardem - is supposed to be beyond fantastic. Some say that he is better in this than he was in The Sea Inside and Before Night Falls. I hope that the film wins a prize next week (I think that it has a chance to win something - that is for sure). We have to wait until November to see the film but they say that good things are worth waiting for and this will surely be one of them.

Another film that I am looking forward to is Michael Moore's Sicko (which was screened out of competition). Moore takes on the shitty health care system in the US. And I am happy that he has done that. He has pissed of the government because he took some sick 9/11 rescue workers to Cuba because they couldn't get medical attention here. Good for him. Why can't the rich US provide good health care for all of its citizens? I am sure that Moore explores this and other questions in his film. Sicko opens up at the end of June.

Leonardo Di Caprio debuted his new global warming documentary The Eleventh Hour - picking up where Al Gore left off. I think that this will be a very interesting film.

Also in the controversial documentary department Bill Maher (who is one of my favorite people) and director Larry Charles (Borat) are in Cannes discussing and showing raw footage of Maher's
anti-organized religion film. This one is sure to make many people's blood boil but I am looking forward to seeing it when it comes out. The more people who rock the boat the better.