'The Frozen Ground' Seems Solid Enough

Yes, Nicolas Cage does make a lot of flicks and some aren't that substantial, but this one looks good to me. Partly because it's based on a true story about serial killer Robert Hansen, partly because John Cusack is selective of his projects and scripts, and partly because the trailer just has that vibe.

Looking forward.





























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Poster for 'The Frozen Ground'

Opens July in the UK, August here. Probably won't do much at the box office but looks like a cool evening in.




















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Trailer for Cusack/Cage Serial Killer Thriller 'Frozen Ground'

About Robert Hansen, a serial killer who some believe hunted human prey.

Trailer is strangely edited, almost non-professional looking. Could be an effort to keep it verité and avoid Hollywood gloss considering the subject.

Has the potential to be excellent and the best Nicolas Cage flick in a while. It's cool how much John Cusack looks like Hansen.

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Sizzling Trailer for Nicole Kidman's 'The Paperboy'

Yes, this is Nicole Kidman's movie. She's changed and it's most apparent here. This work is less technique-y, more from the gut. Much more free, even capricious, a quality one senses Kidman has gone to great effort to suppress in years past, and the results are compelling. What a raw, vibrant performance.

Everybody looks good here, though. The new Matthew McConaughey -- totally go-to for gritty drama these days (who would have guessed that would come to pass?), John Cusack -- always has been go-to for indie drama, and yes Zac Efron carries his weight.

Directed by Lee Daniels (Precious) who has 'The Butler' coming up with, get this, Liam Neeson, John Cusack, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Alan Rickman, James Marsden, Melissa Leo, Liev Schreiber, Cuba Gooding Jr., Forest Whitaker, Jane Fonda, Lenny Kravitz.

Wha?! Really, how many directors could snag that cast?

Okay, the critical reception for 'The Paperboy' has been mixed but to hell with that. This flick is must-see and these performances are cut like gems. Certainly, Hollywood's best can tell a good director when one comes along and Daniels is that. People are lining up to work with him.

Great trailer, great entertainment.

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First Pics from John Cusack and Nicolas Cage's 'Frozen Ground'

I've had high hopes for this one. Based on the true story of Robert Hansen who is believed to have kidnapped women and released them in remote Alaskan forests to be hunted.

Written and directed by Scott Walker, who is on his first feature. For this kind of movie I think that's a good thing.

Stills look very good, display a command of things.

From Voltage Pictures via Indiewire

Cusack bears a resemblance to Hansen.

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John Cusack talks 'The Raven'

Lots of making-of footage, some finished footage. Probably worth 4 minutes.




















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Nicely Styled Clip from 'The Raven'

'The Raven' may turn out to be the cinephile's guilty pleasure. A cut above, so to speak (sorry). This clip, at least, is finely crafted.






















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New Stills from John Cusack's 'The Raven'

Just got a new clip. Here's some new pictures.

Don't know why the light in this one (below) is so white. Doesn't match the other stills which have the soft red/green hue you'd expect in a period piece. Could it have something to do with the scene? Did the character that set up the pendulum also install modern white lights? Nah. Probably lit cool/white to give it a clinical feel, considering what's just happened -- or -- it's just an uncorrected still.

I like the balance and mix of color temperatures here (below). Outside is very cool, like the moon, and appropriate. Inside, the light from the lantern (of course it's not coming from the lantern) is warm/soft.

Notice how Cusack is lit from his left but Brendon Gleeson (or is this Kevin McNally?) is not backlit. Not sure if there's any explanation, or attempt at same, as to how Poe could be lit this way, but...so it goes.

One question: Why does Brendon Gleeson appear with a mustache in the top image but without in the 3rd image? Wonder why such a plot element would be included. Did he lose a bet?

At least I think both are Gleeson. Could be the actor in the 3rd shot is Kevin McNally. Probably the case. The other possibility doesn't work. They do look alike, though...






























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Clip from 'The Raven'

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Clip from John Cusack's 'The Raven'

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New Trailer and Clip for 'The Raven'

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New TV Spot for John Cusack's 'The Raven'

I guess the closest corollary to 'The Raven' would have to be 'Sherlock Holmes'. However, from the look of trailers they're nothing alike. Raven is far less self-aware, unctuous. On a basic level the visuals are stark but compelling, as opposed to the ornate glitter in Sherlock. Raven seems genuine, and may revive a sense of the macabre. There's suspense -- almost a lost art -- and horror without (much) gore. It's eerie in a psychological way -- very rare these days.

I think weary audiences will respond.

















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New Poster for 'The Raven' has Wings

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Image from 'The Raven'

Gotta love this. The look on John Cusack's face...

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'The Raven' Poster

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Guest DJ Project

John Cusack about the music he likes and some of the tunes he chose for 'War, Inc.'. KCRW Guest DJ Project with Jason Reitman, Conan O'Brien, and others about the bands they like.

Exclusive Trailer

Grace is Gone

1408 Trumps The Almighty Evan

The CGI bloated series of shallow situational set-pieces, 'Evan Almighty', will finish the weekend with an anemic $32 million -- and rightfully so. Even watching the trailer I could see this movie was probably going to be an almighty failure at the box office (as I mentioned here).

'Evan' isn't bad, it's just inappropriately cast. Steve Carell, is not the type of actor who can carry a movie like this. Carell is a very funny guy and is now shoulder-to-shoulder with Will Ferrell as a go-to comedy headliner, but his characters face problems that are based in reality. He excels at portraying the Everyman grappling with something ridiculous (but down to Earth), like being a 40 year old guy trying to lose his virginity.

If Carell's role had been played by someone that delivers the over-the-top energy needed for 'Evan', such as, oh, Eddie Murphy, people would have flocked, two by two, to the nearest theater. If anybody can do situational schtick it's Murphy.

I think Carell can carry big-budget movies but not ones that are based on schtick. Since I'm trashing Mr. Carell's movie with the benefit of hindsight, I'll go on record now as predicting that 'Get Smart' (due 2008) will be a huge hit. Okay, I know what you're thinking -- 'Get Smart' isn't based on schtick? Well, yes but it's character-driven schtick, not concept-driven...okay, that would take too much time -- I'll just move on and agree with the conclusion you've probably already come to -- that I can't be held accountable. (However, I'm not asking anybody to spend $200 million on situation-based schtick using a character-actor in the lead).

Back to this weekend's box office: 'Evan Almighty' couldn't compete with the icy character-driven energy of '1408', which took in a whopping $20 million and looks like it will be a huge success for the belabored Weinsteins. (John Cusack is known for bringing life to character-driven stories -- and finds himself at home in room '1408').

In my mind '1408' took the top spot -- it has an average of $7500 on 2678 screens, while 'Evan' scored $8900 on 3604 screens. Considering one is supposed to be a summer blockbuster and the other is a character-driven creepfest, '1408' wins despite coming in second.

You might not agree with my logic but it's clear 'Evan Almighty' failed (for some reason[s]) while '1408' is a hit (for some reason[s]).

Note to Marketing at Universal: If you're going to put Steve Carell in a comedy, make it character-driven. If you need a guide, see '1408' or 'The 40 Year Old Virgin'. PS -- don't spend $200 million on comedies.