NYFF Diaries: Day 9

.

Hey look I am posting something on the weekend! It's crazy! So it goes when a film festival is going on, and The New York Film Festival is now in session. Our actual reviews are going up at The Film Experience but here at MNPP we've been sharing each day's press screenings. See all the previous stuff here. And now here's what we are seeing this here Saturday...

September 30th

Western (dir. Valeska Grisebach)

Sometimes at film fests you need to pick a couple titles out of thin air and go in entirely blind, and Western is one of those ones. The only thing I know is that Nathaniel at TFE loved the movie. And it is Bulgarian? I don't know the plot, I am not familiar with the people who made it; I'm purposefully avoiding any more anything. So this doesn't make for the most exciting entry then does it? Oh well. If you want to know more click on over to NYFF's website, they'll tell you about it. I can't do everything!

.

James Norton Seven Times

.

Hey look, plaid pants! I wasn't going to bother sharing this photo-shoot from Mr Porter today (thx Mac) because I just shared a different photo-shoot of James on Tuesday of this week, but when I saw the plaid pants the choice was taken out of my hands. Anyway as I asked earlier this week if any of you actually see Flatliners this weekend tell me about it, I want to know if I should bother going, and hit the jump for the remaining six shots...

Total Mental Annihilation

.

I don't know what exactly happened, chemically speaking, to my brain this afternoon, but it has totally and irrevocably shut the fuck down ever since I got out of today's earlier NYFF screening. And I don't think I can lay the blame at Lucrecia Martel and her very good movie itself; I think it's just slamming the door on a busy week a little early, is all. Anyway this is a stab at kick-starting it - typing these words, and sharing this here teaser trailer for Annihilation, the new movie from Ex Machina writer-director Alex Garland, which... well which everybody already watched yesterday. (Chris did a nice write-up at TFE.) I'm behind, okay?

.

.

We've posted about this movie for quite awhile now - I even previously did a little recap of that right here. We still haven't read the book - have you? Anyway we're looking forward to it, and not just because every shot of Oscar Isaac in the trailer has Oscar Isaac seemingly half-naked. Could this be the movie that finally gives us a good full look at his surprisingly chunky bum? Fingers crossed.

Everything You Ever Need To Know About Life...

... you can learn from:

The Neon Demon (2016)

Jesse: I can't sing, I can't dance, I can't write... no real talent. 

But I'm pretty, and I can make money off pretty. 

Happy birthday to the really talented Nicolas Winding Refn!

.

NYFF Diaries: Day 8

.

Just straight up skipping the Richard Linklater film this year - it just ain’t gonna happen with us, you guys

— Jason Adams (@JAMNPP) September 28, 2017

.

The New York Film Festival opened last night with the premiere of Richard Linklater's latest movie about dudes, this time older dudes, called Last Flag Flying - it stars Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne and blah blah blah I am totally never ever ever seeing that movie. But as we've been doing for a little over a week now before I review them for The Film Experience I have been sharing with y'all the movies I have deigned worthy of my ever so precious time and brain-space, and here's today's:

September 29th

Zama (dir. Lucrecia Martel)

When I wrote up my preview of the fest way back in August there were eight movies that I mentioned wanting to see and I have now seen three of those seven - today Zama will mark the fourth. Why did I want to see Zama? Because Martel's last film was The Headless Woman and I adore The Headless Woman, that's why. I have heard less rapturous early word on this one (Nathaniel already wrote it up at TFE and he was bored out of his mind) but I'm keeping hope alive anyway. Everything I have seen seems visually striking, at least. And I was told that reading up on the film's subject helps, and this review might've done the trick. I'm ready! Bring it on, Zama!
.

Good Morning, Gratuitous Travis Van Winkle

.

Did you guys know that Travis Van Winkle (we know him from the Friday the 13th remake) has a gigantic beard right now? And when I say "gigantic beard" I am not fudging my word choice...

... he has got a gigantic fucking beard right now. I am guessing it's for his role on the TV show The Last Ship but never having seen The Last Ship I'll be damned if I know that for certain. Anyway it grabbed my attention when I went looking at his Instagram earlier this week. Well first what grabbed my attention was the naked picture of himself that he posted on his Instagram...

... and from there I was like, BEARD! Anyway there aren't a shit-ton of pictures after the jump (just a couple dozen) but I grabbed some more from his Insta and there's a very very nice shoot he did for the ever-reliable photographer Tony Duran that I missed so hit the jump and see all that...

Hello Bette

.

I have been hoping that her smash Broadway success with Hello Dolly would lead to Bette Midler being back on movie-screens quick-like (since that's the cheaper alternative my cheap ass needed) and here we are! Freak Show is based on the book by club kid James St James (who also wrote the book that Party Monster was based on) and tells the story of a teenager (played by Alex Lawther, who also played "Young Alan Turing" in The Imitation Game!) shipped away from his fabulous mother (played by fabulous Bette) to his decidedly less fabulous father's home in the South. Here's a clip:

.

.

The film (which was directed by Trudie Styler!) doesn't have a release date yet but it's playing at NewFest here in NYC next month (I already told you a little about the Fest's offerings this year here and here but expect these posts to keep coming as the fest draws near) -- and speaking of NewFest they released their own trailer this week. Watch:
.
.

My Name Is Thelma

.

My third review from the New York Film Festival has gone up over at The Film Experience -- click on over to hear my thoughts on Joaquim Trier's art-house horror film (and Norway's submission for this year's Oscars) Thelma, which was weirdly tailored to... well, not my "interests" exactly. More like my essence. Click on over and you'll see what I mean.

.

Everything You Ever Need To Know About Life...

... you can learn from:

It Follows (2014)

Paul: Do you remember that time we found 

all the porno magazines in the alley by Barry's Pizza? 

Jay: Yes. 

Paul: We were such stupid kids. 

Jay: Ridiculous. 

Paul: We're all sitting on Greg's front lawn with a dozen 

dirty magazines sprawled everywhere and we're laughing... 

Jay: We had no idea how terrible it was. 

Paul: And Greg's mom?! Remember her face when she 

came outside and saw us all sitting around reading that shit? 

Jay: She scooped them up so fast. Called my mom too. 

Me and Kelly got a sex ed lecture the next day. 

Paul: I got one too.

This conversation is so precise in how it communicates everything you need to know about the relationship between Jay & Paul before the movie began and what you will see between them as the movie progresses, without ever actually saying much of anything on its surface - the clunkiness with which the teenage boy is trying to get the teenage girl to think about sex, and to make sure she knows that he knows about sex too! This is a terrific movie, you guys. 

Anyway a happy 25 to the always terrific Keir Gilchrist today! Are you guys watching his Netflix series Atypical? I plowed through the whole thing on a long bus-ride several weeks back but I haven't mentioned it here because there's not a lot to say about it - Keir is terrific, and I really like the girl who plays his sister... I mean everybody's good, it's just not the most mind-blowing stuff. I will watch a second season.

.

NYFF Diaries: Day 7

.

We are currently attending press screenings for the New York Film Festival, which officially begins today and runs through October 15th. We've been keeping a log of what we've been watching before we review them for The Film Experience - you can scan back through our previous coverage right here. Today we've got a promising title on the menu...

September 28th

The Square (dir. Ruben Östlund)

I am going into this movie with lower expectations than I probably should for a Palme d’0r winner from a director whose last movie (the snowbound familial breakdown that was Force Majeure) was one of my faves of its year, but people I trust weren't as bowled over by it as a lot of people were. I hope to be proven a fool for trusting these people, I really do! I'd love nothing more than to spit in their snooty faces. Okay okay I took that a little far. Speaking of... I hear this movie takes things a little far. (I saved that there, right?)
.

Charlie Hunnam Seven Times

.

I don't know who shot this photo-shoot of Charlie - I think it's originally off of Buzzfeed but I found it on Tumblr but I ain't got the time to double-check right this minute - but they were wise to focus in on and light well his green eyes, a feature that sometimes gets overlooked in favor of, you know, the other astonishing parts of Charlie Hunnam, like this and like this and especially like this. Anyway this is a very nice collection of eyeball photographs (if you click them they embiggen well) after the jump...

Five Frames From ?

.

What movie is this?
.

Good Morning, World

.

I already shared the international trailer for the Borg / McEnroe movie right here (which includes a great shot of Sverrir Gudnason's full behind in the shower) but now they've released another trailer and it's got these here shots of Sverrir flashing Bjorn Borg's famous underpants so natch we must share. Watch the new trailer right here. By the way can somebody tell me how to pronounce "Sverrir" anyway? Specifically with one's mouth full? That'll really help a brother out if all goes according to plan. Thanks!

Starfucking Incorporated

.

Hey look it’s Noah Baumbach talking about THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES @thenyff #nyff #themeyerowitzstories #noahbaumbach #film

A post shared by Jason Adams (@jasonaadams) on Sep 27, 2017 at 9:03am PDT

.

Today was the first NYFF press conference attached to a press screening that I have attended this year -- since the festival begins tomorrow people are now in town -- with that fellow seen above. I'll have more to say on that fellow's movie and all that jazz eventually, but for now I just wanted to make sure you guys follow me on Instagram in case you want to see more as the fest progresses. I mean... all I am saying is that I see Call Me By Your Name in less than a week and Armie Hammer is going to be sitting right in front of me and you should expect that to be documented. Is all I am saying.

Pics of the Day

.

Bless whoever took this shot of Jake at a #Strongermovie screening pic.twitter.com/qWaMAnsIMO

— Jason Adams (@JAMNPP) September 27, 2017

.

It's been a banner day for Snaps 'o Jake thanks to the ever hearty souls at IHJM - he is really out there and making the rounds for Stronger, and as well he should since the movie's terrific and he is terrific in it. Do you guys think he'll finally get his second Oscar nomination this year?

.

You've Got Your Good Things

.

Have you voted on this week's "Beauty vs Beast" poll yet? Tomorrow is the actual 40th anniversary of Eraserhead, so don't forget to click on over to The Film Experience and do your duty like a patriotic person. The lady in the radiator is watching...

.

Today's Mood

.

Sterling K. Brown Six Times

.

This is our second Sterling K. Brown post in the span of a week - see the previous one here. (Seriously.) It seems the world has a new obsession! And we're just fine with this one. This shoot is for GQ (via) - see more besuited Sterling after the jump...

Five Frames From ?

.

What movie is this?

.

Who Vanish? You Vanish!

.

Hey folks, I'm now back from today's NYFF screenings -- I meant to schedule this to post earlier whilst I was in screenings to Keep You Entertained, but it didn't post for some reason? I'm a flop. A flop! Anyway my second review from the New York Film Festival went up at The Film Experience last night - click here to read my thoughts on the new film from Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who made Pulse and Cure and Tokyo Sonata. It's called Before We Vanish and it's a science-fiction thing. "Thing" being the technical term.

.

NYFF Diaries: Day 6

.

I took yesterday off (which was helpful so I could actually start writing reviews!) but today we're back in the theater for half a day watching back-to-back press screenings for the New York Film Festival. Our reviews are going up at The Film Experience, but before that we're just being show-offy and telling y'all what we're seeing each day. Scan through here for the previous entries. As for today it is another double feature...

September 27th

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)
(dir. Noah Baumbach)

While I'm wary of Adam Sandler starring in anything these days I just have to keep repeating to myself, "Punch-drunk Love, Punch-drunk Love, Punch-drunk Love..." That movie is still my favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie, and so it's possible, it's possible, this will be okay. Noah Baumbach is a very good director, in case you hadn't noticed. (Although I wish he'd make another movie with Greta, to be honest.) (Of course then we might not have Lady Bird coming up, so nevermind!) And it's not like there's not plenty in Meyerowitz's cast otherwise to look forward to -- it also stars Ben Stiller, who just gave one of his best performances in Brad's Status (review here) plus some dude named Dustin Hoffman. (I Heart Huckabees forever.)

Let the Sun Shine In (dir. Claire Denis)

Okay I know you know I am not Claire Denis' biggest fan. But are you looking at that picture of Juliette Binoche there above? I mean are you looking at it? As if I would miss that. I mean come on. I don't even give the slightest amount of shit what this movie is about as long as it contains Juliette Binoche laying around in white t-shirts looking sleepy and flushed. Sold!
.

Good Morning (Technically), World

.

I hope you people are happy - I actually just rolled out of bed tonight, Ambien in full effect, after reading a tweet about this scene of Evan Peters jerking off for Billy Eichner in the latest AHS Cult episode, just so's I could make these gifs for all y'all to have when you get up. I'm the Keebler Elf of cum-shots. Good Morning!

Good Night, Edgar Ramirez

.

I hope that working with Ryan Murphy has made 

Edgar realize - MORE OF THIS. MORE OF THIS.

.

Well Who Hasn't Fucked a Peach

.

I haven't found the entire interview online but Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino was interviewed for Fantastic Man magazine and a few quotes from it have been making the rounds... because they're exactly the sort of quotes I was hoping would come out of this movie's press tour, and they're awesome. So here:

"Fantastic Man: Have you met him (Sufjan Stevens)?

Luca: I wrote to him and invited him over to my house to see the film when it was finished, as he was coming to Italy anyway. So, the doorbell rings, and this stunningly beautiful man is at the door. I mean, I’d seen pictures of him, but in reality he is beyond handsome! Those eyes!

FM: Do you remember that I wrote about my visit to the set of “Call Me By Your Name” and you talked about the peach scene from the book, but when I saw the film I found out that I remembered that storyline all wrong.

Luca: Ah yes, you thought OLIVER has a wank with a ripe peach, but it’s ELIO.

FM: Exactly. It’s such a hot scene.

Luca: I was afraid I was being a prude, so I thought I had to at least tried it for myself. So one day, after lunch, I got a peach, went to the loo, took the pit from the peach, masturbated and… I can tell you, it works very well. André Aciman was right in his book. So I went to Timmy and said: ‘I’ve changed my mind about the peach scene; I think it can work. You should try it for yourself.” And he rolls his eyes, like, “Duh. Of course I tried it, and of course it works”."

It's good to know that everybody involved with CMBYN was peach-fucking - for research! It paints a lovely picture. (Has Armie weighed in though?) Speaking of Armie the rest of the pictures of Armie & Timothee in GQ Style - you know, the one with the dueling covers that we made you choose between - have landed online and you can find Timmy over at this link but I shared one over on the Tumblr yesterday and now I shall share the rest of them after the jump...
.

James Norton Four Times

.

(via) Hey Flatliners is out this weekend, apparently! Do any of you plan on seeing it? You'll have to report back if so - I'm far too entrenched in NYFF duties at this point to make time for a horror remake that only sort of looks sort of adequate. (Here's the trailer in case you missed it.)

.

.

Creep Harder

.

Did you guys see the 2014 horror movie Creep with Mark Duplass? It's probably 90% jump scares but they are mostly pretty good jump scares, and the film understands in its bones a weirdness - a true weirdness; the kind of thing that would make you laugh in normal circumstances but divorced from normal circumstances becomes off-putting and unnerving - that not enough horror films try for. There's one moment near the end that still makes me shudder when I think about it. 

Anyway they promised a sequel at the time, and now we're really actually getting that sequel! Creep 2 comes out on demand on October 24th, just in time for you-know-what (Halloween, I mean Halloween! God!), and they've just dropped the trailer. Watch!

.

.

Today's Fanboy Delusion

Today I'd rather be...

... getting a Rocky Mountain High

with Matthew Daddario. (via)

.