Review: Unleashed (B-)

Unleashed (2005)
Directed by Louis Leterrier
Starring Jet Li, Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: B-

Review by Bobby Nashville

The trailer for Unleashed was so bad that I came into it expecting the worst. Plus, the studio's publicity machine has continuously tried to sell Jet Li as the next big action star in America, and of course, that hasn't happened. Finally, to top it off, I'm not a huge martial arts nut to begin with. So I was pleasantly surprised to find Unleashed to be fairly interesting. And that's a compliment.

In Unleashed, Jet Li stars as Danny, an orphan raised to be killing machine by a ruthless crime organization led by Bart (Bob Hoskins). Bart makes Danny wear a metal collar that supposedly keeps him in check like a pit bull. When the collar comes off, Danny automatically becomes a rabid "dog" that uses martial arts to massacre his opponents.

Okay folks, the whole "human pitbull" concept is a stupid idea. However, if you can get past the dog collar bit, Unleashed is a pretty interesting little action flick. Danny meets up with Sam, a blind piano tuner (played by Morgan Freeman)and his teenage daughter. With the help of his new family, he discovers life's little joys like ice cream, kisses on the cheek and the music.

Morgan Freeman is one of those actors that is good in everything and he helps add some authenticity to Unleashed. The filmmakers wisely limit Jet Li's dialogue, so he actually works in this role. Bob Hoskins is always at his best playing bad guys, so when you examine this trio of characters, they all work off of each nicely.

Unleashed is a somewhat mindless action film, but it is entertaining. Released under the title Danny the Dog, Unleashed is definitely worth a rental.

Review: Grand Sons (B+)

Grand Sons (2004)
Directed by Ilan Duran Cohen
Starring Reine Ferrato, Guillaume Quatravaux, Jean-Phillipe Set
MPAA: UR
Grade: B+

Review by Sebastian Francis Kennedy

Every once in a while an independent film comes along that draws you in and keeps your interest all the way through. Grand Sons is one of those movies. Better than expected, Grand Sons is a fine film that will hopefully pick up a larger audience as word spreads.

Grand Sons tells the story of Guillaume, a young man that has recently lost his mother. His mother actually abandoned him at a young age, and Guillame's grandmother has been taking care of him. However, he has stayed in touch with his mom. Guillaume's grandmother truly loves her grandson. But Guilliame is still coming to grips with the loss of his mother, and he is bitter and a bit confused. He can be a tad mean to his grandmother and he is a soul at unrest.

Guillaume's grandmother treats him as if he is her own son, and although he allows this (and appreciates this) he still is having a tough time dealing with the situation. Guilliame is gay and has a lover that his grandmother accepts and genuinely likes. She truly wants her grandson to be happy, but she sees the emotional pain he is in. The relationships in Grand Sons are real, touching and very compelling.

Grand Sons is an excellent little film that is well acted and directed. The film won the Horizons Award at the Venice International Film Festival and it deserves even more recognition. Highly recommended.

Waiting (The Movie) Prize Pack Winner

Congratulations to Les, winner of the Waiting (the movie) prize pack. He'll receive a Waiting T-Shirt, a cool Waiting bottle opener (man, that comes in handy) and even a sweet Waiting lunch box. Got to love it.

Want to win cool DVDs and movie promo packs? Sign up for the DVD Confidential Monthly Newsletter. It's free, it's fun and you can un-subscribe at any time!

House of Voices DVD Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Leo, winner of the House of Voices DVD Giveaway, courtesy of Universal Pictures, Special Ops Media and DVD Confidential.

Want to win cool DVDs? Sign up for our free Monthly Newsletter. It's free, it's fun and you can un-subscribe at any time!

TV Spots For In The Mix

The anticipation for Usher's new film In The Mix is very high. Obviously Usher is a huge success as a recording artist. But can he successfully make the transition to the silver screen, like Frank Sinatra did? Or will he bomb, like Mariah Carey? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, there are some intriguing new TV spots out for In The Mix. Check them out!

In The Mix TV Spots (Windows Media)

The official background info on In The Mix, starring Usher: "When New York’s hottest nightclub deejay Darrell (Usher) saves a mob boss's life (Chazz Palminteri), he is rewarded for his bravery with the responsibility of watching over the don's beautiful daughter Dolly (Emmanuelle Chriqui). The sparks soon begin to fly between this attractive couple from very different worlds, against her formidable father’s wishes. Meanwhile, the don has other things on his mind—quashing a potential war with an arch-rival and controlling a young, ruthless challenger to his throne. In the end, all's fair in love and gangster warfare."

Review: House Of Voices (D)

House of Voices aka Saint Ange (2004)
Directed by Pascal Laugier
Starring Virginie Ledoye, Lou Doillon, Catriona Maccoll
MPAA: R

Grade: D

Review by Bobby Nashville

Originally titled Saint Ange, House of Voices is a mindless, meandering ghost story that could have used a lot more ghosts. Or a better story. Or chainsaw wielding hookers.

House of Voices stars Virginie Ledoyen as Anna Jurin, a young lady sent to spruce up a recently closed down orphange in the Alps. Anna finds the place to be haunted and she sets out to investigate. The problem is that she is perhaps the slowest sloth ever put on the planet, and it takes her five minutes to walk down a hallway. Of course the head of the orphanage tries to block the investigation, so Anna befriends a gal that has been living in the orphanage for years. The plot beyond that is muddled and pointless.

House of Voices is a visually dull and lyrically flat motion picture. It's also long. Painfully long. Avoid this one at all costs.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance On DVD

“A remarkable masterpiece.”
— Film Comment

“Composed and shot with a diamond-cutter's eye.”
— Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is coming to DVD on November 22nd and DVD Confidential has the background information on this very highly anticipated release:

"From the acclaimed director of Oldboy – which appears on IMDB’s top-100 films of all time – comes Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (originally titled Boksuneun naui geot), on DVD from Tartan Asia Extreme Nov. 22nd.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, which was released theatrically in Los Angeles and New York City, is the second release in Park Chanwook’s “Vengeance Trilogy.” Next up is Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, which is currently wrapping production.

In Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Ryu is unable to find proper care for his sister who is dying from kidney failure and turns to the black market to sell his own organs for cash but ends up cheated of his life savings. To make ends meet, his girlfriend urges him to kidnap the four-year-old daughter of Dong-jin, an industrialist who recently laid off Ryu from his factory.

Ryu agrees, but just as the plan is on the verge of success, a pair of unforeseen tragedies turn an well-intentioned con into a mercenary for revenge. Bound by their personal losses and deep-seated anger, the two men quickly begin down a path of destruction where vengeance knows no sympathy.

Winner of “Best Film” at the 2003 Deauville Asian Film Festival; the “Special Jury Award” at the 2002 Seattle International Film Festival; and “Best Asian Film” at the 2003 Fant-Asia Film Festival.

Korean, with English and Spanish subtitles, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is presented in anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and DTS Surround Sound 5.1. Special DVD features are being finalized and will include an exclusive director’s commentary; behind the scenes documentary; original theatrical trailer; filmographies; and trailers of Tartan Asia Extreme’s upcoming releases.

Hamish McAlpine, founder of Tartan Films – which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year in the U.K. – launched Tartan U.S.A. in 2004 with an eclectic and controversial slate of films from established auteurs and up-and-coming filmmakers. Recent Tartan film releases include Gregg Araki’s critically acclaimed Mysterious Skin and Michael Winterbottom’s highly controversial 9 Songs. Upcoming releases include Takashi Shimuzu’s Marebito and the final film in Park Chanwook’s Vengeance Trilogy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance."

Havoc Comes To DVD

Havoc is coming to DVD on November 29th. DVD Confidential has the background info on this very interesting feature film: "The Princess Diaries star Anne Hathaway takes a gritty turn in award-winning director Barbara Kopple's electrifying new drama Havoc. Two affluent girls (Hathaway and Phillips) from Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades suburb, fascinated with hip-hop culture and bored with their everyday lives, are inspired to imitate the "gang lifestyle." They quickly run into trouble when they befriend an East LA gang, spiraling their lives of luxury into a dark storm of violence and desperation.

Havoc is an edgy look at a group of rich teens who, so bored with their privileged existences, adopt an urban street lifestyle that ultimately results in harrowing tragedy. Written by Academy Award®-winner Stephen Gaghan (Traffic), Havoc features a strong ensemble that includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Mysterious Skin, 10 Things I Hate About You), Bijou Phillips (The Door in the Floor, Bully), Freddy Rodriguez (HBO’s Six Feet Under) and Mike Vogel (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)."

Emmanuel's Gift

DVD Confidential is proud to spread the word about a new documentary called Emmanuel's Gift. Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, the film is the story of a disabled orphan whose father abandoned him, whose village dismissed him and whose country thought him better off dead. This is the story of Emmanuel Ofosun Yeboah, who had nothing but everything, and changed a nation forever. Emmanuel biked across the country and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Africans with disabilities. Emmanuel's Gift recently opened to a small release, but it will expand nationally. You can learn more about the film at the movie's official web site.

Emmanuel's Gift Web Site

G Opens Nationwide Oct 28th

We've heard some good things about the new film G. After a limited release, G is expanding to a national release on the 28th of this month. Here is the background info:

"G is a contemporary African-American romance inspired by the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald story The Great Gatsby. Set amidst the grandeur of the ultra elite Hamptons, G follows self-made millionaire and rap mogul Summer G (Richard T. Jones) on a journey to regain what he desires most – the love of his life (Chenoa Maxwell), now married to a wealthy and philandering Wallstreeter (Blair Underwood). Having built his thriving empire from the ground up, Summer G would relinquish it all for the promise of rekindling a romance with his one true love.

Urban music writer, Tre, (Andre Royo) spends the summer chronicling the lifestyle of this complex rap mogul for an article on the rise of African-American prominence linked to Hip Hop in the Hamptons. Without malice or intent, this writer brings these lovers together while simultaneously pulling their worlds apart.

G is written and directed by Christopher Scott Cherot, who made his directorial debut with the independent film “Hav Plenty.” Charles E. Drew, Jr. is also a writer on the film. Andrew Lauren, son of internationally acclaimed designer Ralph Lauren, produces the film that marks his feature debut."

House of Voices DVD Giveaway

Just in time for Halloween, DVD Confidential is giving away a copy of House of Voices on DVD. House of Voices is the "chilling story of a woman who discovers the frightening secrets of an abandoned orphanage." To enter to win, simply subscribe to our text only Monthly Newsletter. The winner will be notified via e-mail and must claim their prize within 7 days. Good luck!

Review: Batman Begins (A-)

Batman Begins (2005)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Tom Wilkinson, Michael Caine, Rutger Hauer & Morgan Freeman
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish

Dark, brooding and unusually serious, Batman Begins is by far the best of the Batman movies. It may also be director Chris Nolan's (Insomnia, Memento) finest film to date.

Batman Begins is one of those rare Hollywood studio films that gets everything right, especially the casting. Chris Nolan made a perfect choice in casting Christian Bale as Batman. Bale has the looks, the brooding manner and best of all, the strange personality that fits the role to a T. Rutger Hauer and Morgan Freeman are excellent in supporting roles and how can you go wrong with Michael Caine as Alfred?

As most know by now, Batman Begins tells the story of how young millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne came to be Batman. The first half of the story focuses intensely on Bruce's travels and travails to find himself. He is drawn into a mysterious group called the League of Shadows but he soon finds that they are planning to destroy Gotham. With the aid of his butler Alfred and his friend Lucius (Morgan Freeman), Bruce Wayne battles the evil crime boss Carmine Falcone, the Scarecrow and ultimately, Al Ghul, the leader of the League of Shadows.

Batman Begins deals with some familiar Chris Nolan themes, most notably, the feeling of disorientation. The Scarecrow uses a drug laced spray to make people insane with fear. The League of Shadows also try to add a disorienting drug into the city's water supply. The drug makes the citizens terrified, confused and completely panic stricken. This theme of disorientation has been used by Nolan in the Following, as well as his most well known film, Memento. It's a nice touch and Nolan truly puts his own mark on this popular film series.

Well directed, acted and photographed, Batman Begins is a wonderful film that holds up well to repeated viewings. I can't wait to see the next Batman movie, especially if Chris Nolan is again at the helm.

Review: My Summer of Love (B-)

My Summer of Love (2004)
Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Starring Nathalie Press, Emily Blunt, Paddy Considine
MPAA: R
Grade: B-

Review by Sebastian Francis Kennedy

A young lesbian love story set in the countryside. One would think this was a French film, or one of those phoned in "art films" that Sony Classics used to churn out. But My Summer of Love is a little better than expected, a slow simmering romance with fine acting and excellent direction.

Nathalie Press (Mona) and Emily Blunt (Tamsin) star as two girls from different sides of the track - one wealthy, one poor. They form a friendship over the summer and before too long it transforms into a wonderful love affair. Mona's brother is recently released convict that has converted to Christianity. He has turned into a walking pro-Christ robot that cannot stop preaching his gospel to everyone - whether it is appropriate or not.

My Summer Of Love is a simple summer romance film that is a tad bit better than the standard coming of age story. For those looking for a little romance, this is worth a look.

Review: Bomb The System (C-)

Bomb The System (2002)
Directed by Adam Bhala Lough
Starring Mark Webber, Gano Grills and Jade Yorker
MPAA: R
Grade: C-

Review by Bobby Nashville

In Bomb The System, young graffiti writer "Blest" lives to tag up New York buildings and subway cars. His mom wants him to go to college but he is not too interested in that. In fact, he's not really interested in much, except painting graffiti and maybe making it into a gallery someday. His friends are all taggers and they are pretty much aimless as well. They drink 40 ouncers, tag up buildings and steal spray paint. They are harrassed by a cop named Bobby Cox, but for the most part, they have the run of the streets.

Bomb The System is a feature film that is completely engrossed in graffiti culture. The film is similar to the film Wild Style (Directed by Charlie Ahern) in that the characters are dedicated to the art of tagging and hip hop culture. Both films used a mix of professional and amateur actors, with horrible results. The main difference between Wild Style and Bomb The System is the music. Wild Style featured incredible live performances by hip hop legends Double Trouble, Busy Bee, Cold Crush and others. The live performances were absolutely infectious. Bomb The System features a hip hop score by El-P but the music is somewhat cold and detached. Overrall, the soundtrack is disappointing.

Bomb The System's script is also a bit bland and it never establishes a reason that one should care for the characters. The acting is a little flat and despite it's unique setting, the film comes off as a tad on the boring side. If you are a huge graffiti fan you might enjoy this one, but if not, steer clear.

Waiting (The Movie) T-Shirt Giveaway

To celebrate the successful opening of Waiting, the new comedy about working in a restaurant, we're giving away a Waiting (the movie) t-shirt (size x-large) as well as some other cool Waiting prizes. To enter the giveaway, simply Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter. We will pick a winner later this week and notify the winner via e-mail. Winners must respond and claim their prize within 7 days. Good luck!

Devil's Rejects Hits DVD Nov. 8th

DVD Confidential has learned that the highly acclaimed film The Devil's Rejects will be released on DVD November 8th. Here is the background info: "From the visionary mind of acclaimed musician Rob Zombie comes, The Devil's Rejects the gritty, violent follow-up to his smash horror hit, House of 1000 Corpses. Ambushed at their isolated home by Sheriff Wydell and a squad of armed men, the Firefly family wakes up one morning with guns blazing – yet only Otis and his sister, Baby, manage to escape unharmed. Hiding out in a backwater motel, the wanted siblings wait to rendezvous with their errant father, Captain Spaulding, killing whoever happens to stand in their way. But as the body count mounts higher, Sheriff Wydell decides to take the law into his own hands, paving the way for one of the most depraved and terrifying showdowns in cinematic history."

“One of a handful of sequels that both improve on their sources and play perfectly as stand-alones.” – TV Guide’s Movie Guide

“Balls-out, stab-you-in-the-throat horror! This is the ‘Terminator’ of horror films.”- Fangoria

Reception Comes To DVD Nov. 15th

DVD Confidential has learned that "The Reception" is coming to DVD on November 15th. Here is the background ino on this one: "She’s straight, he’s gay and together, they live like your everyday married couple, with all the intimacy, joy and pain that implies – except, of course, they’ve never consummated their relationship, sexually speaking. Tensions, therefore, run high in “The Reception”, an absorbing and uncompromising look at a unique friendship that combines sexuality and race to form “the richest American indie I’ve seen this year,” according to The New York Sun.

Jeannette (Pamela Holden Stewart), a French woman, and Martin (Wayne Lamont Sims), a gay black artist, lead what initially seem to be splendid, idyllic lives, far away from the complexities of modern life. There is obviously great love and affection between the two, who essentially live as husband and wife. Jeannette is the life of the party, burying her sorrows and regrets in alcohol and daily confrontations. Martin, the most frequent casualty of her outbursts, is by contrast quiet and introspective, spending his time painting in his private studio and cleaning up after his partner’s destructive habits. Two people mired in loneliness driven together by the same perceived predators, men and an abiding fear of simply living, they play out their nightly saga of despair with gaiety and quiet fortitude."

Review: New York Doll (A-)

New York Doll (2005)
Directed by Greg Whiteley
Starring Arthur Kane, David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain, Chrisse Hynde, Bob Geldof, Sky Saxon, Morrissey
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish

In a time when documentaries are all the rage and comeback tours are everywhere, a documentary about the reunion of the New York Dolls was inevitable. However, no one could have expected this documentary to be so mesmerizing, sensitive and insightful. This is one of the best rock and roll documentaries I have seen in a while and I hope that this film finds widespread distribution. This film needs to find a wider audience, not just the usual "punk crowd". It's that good.

New York Doll is about the Dolls, of course, but it is really about Arthur "Killer" Kane, the band's bass player. The New York Dolls where a successful punk rock group in the early seventies that broke up just as they were reaching the pinnacle of success. Their music would influence a generation of punk artists from the Clash to Iggy Pop. When the band broke up, most went on to success as solo artists, or with other groups. Arthur Kane become an alcoholic, a loner, and bit of a vagabond until he recently converted to the Mormon religion. Kane retreated into his job as a librarian for the Mormons, far away from his past as a rock star. However, secretly he longed to play with the Dolls just one more time.

As fate would have it, Morrissey organizes a festival and asks the Dolls to play a reunion concert. The build up to this event and the aftermath of the concert is amazing. Kane's life seems to take on new meaning as he can finally return to the stage. New York Doll is a wonderful documentary, not just about rock and roll, but about success, failure, and the steps in between. This is a "killer" documentary and New York Doll is highly recommended.

Dragons: Metal Ages Trailer

DVD Confidential has the inside story on the DVD release of Dragons: Metal Ages. Dragons: Metal Ages is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2004 release of Dragons: Fire and Ice. Based on the popular toy line from Mega Bloks and featuring incredible CGI animation, the film follows a mythical adventure set in a medieval world where mighty armies clash and Dragons rule the sky!

With bonus features including a Dragons Toymation short film, storyboard comparisons and all-new DVD-Rom game, Dragons: Metal Ages will be available on DVD and video on October 25th.

Dragons: Metal Ages Trailer (Windows Media)

Interview With Director Sydney Pollack

Sydney Pollack is one of the most highly regarded directors working today. He recently discussed his new film Interpreter as well as the benefits of widescreen DVDs over "pan and scan." Very interesting stuff from a fascinating director. DVD Confidential has the clips!

Interviews with Director Sydney Pollack:

Sydney Pollack On DVD Commentary Tracks (Quicktime)
Sydney Pollack on Widescreen/Pan and Scan (Quicktime)

Carlitos Way Rise To Power Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to MXM, the winner of our Carlitos Way Rise To Power Giveaway. MXM will receive a free copy of Carlito's Way Rise To Power. Want to win cool movie industry prizes - like DVDs, T-shirts and more? To enter our ongoing contests, simply sign up for our monthly DVD Confidential Monthly Newsletter! Winners will be notified via e-mail and must claim their prize within 7 days.

Saw II TV Spots

DVD Confidential has the new Saw II TV spots. Scary stuff!

Saw II TV Spots (Windows Media)
Saw II Madness
Saw II Game
Saw II Puzzle

Review: In The Realms of the Unreal (A-)

In The Realms of the Unreal (2004)
Directed by Jessica Yu
Narrated by Dakota Fanning
MPAA: UR
Grade: A-

Review by Sebastian Francis Kennedy

In The Realms of the Unreal is a strangely mesmerizing tale of loneliness, creative vision and the artistic power that a single soul contains. Henry Darger was a janitor in Chicago and he was for the most part, a lonely, lonely soul. He rarely spoke to people and lived alone. Upon his death, a wealth of art was discovered in his apartment. Darger spent his hours creating incredible art and yet he kept this art private, hidden from the world.

This incredible documentary chronicles the the life of a lonely man that escapes into his own world. He creates beautiful novels and incredibly detailed paintings that are so wildly creative, they defy description. His mind lives in a world where young children fight off evil warlords that want to enslave them. Strange? Yes. But this documentary is deftly handled, and the film (comprised almost entirely of Henry Darger's art and Dakota Fanning's narration) is one of the most original I have encountered.

In The Realms of the Unreal is wonderful. It is one of the best documentaries to come along in some time. Unique, bold and highly original, In the Realms of the Unreal is a winner.

What We Are Reading: The Other Hollywood

What We Are Reading - Bobby Nashville
The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry
By Legs McNeil and Jennifer Osborne

The world of adult film is a strange one indeed, and to understand what the heck is really going on, you have to understand it's history. From nudist camp films to Russ Meyer teasers, adult film has its roots in American popular entertainment. As the demand for this type of film grew over time, so did the industry.

The Other Side of Hollywood tracks the porn biz from it's early days up to now. The common thread - filmmakers that just want to make money (and meet girls), actors that just want to make money (and party like rock stars) and organized crime that just wants to make money (and steer clear of the feds). It's one of the biggest industries in the world and every body in the biz wants to get their cut. This book does a fantastic job of documenting the stars (from Betty Page to Linda Lovelace, from Seka to Traci Lords and from Ginger Lynn to Jenna Jameson) and their motivations.

It's easy for folks to criticize and dismiss the adult film business as immoral and vacant. But obviously, adult films are here to stay. The public always gets what it wants and there will always be someone there to sell them that product. The history of how the industry got to where it is today is fascinating and well worth reading. All of the elements for a great read are here: lust, money, drugs and crime. The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry is told through the actual transcripts from interviews of the players (actors, fed investigators, producers, etc). They are deftly edited in sequence, and the result is very effective. Highly recommended.

News: Squid & The Whale Web Site

DVD Confidential has discovered an awesome game on “The Squid and the Whale” website called “Are you a Philistine”. The game has a couple clips from the film starring Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney. Click on the E-Card option on the web site.

Squid And The Whale Web Site

The Squid and the Whale comes out in NYC on October 5th.

News: Three Extremes Trailer

DVD Confidential has a sneak peek at the much talked about horror film Three Extremes. This film hits theaters October 28th.

What's it all about? Here's the background: Exploring the outer limits of the macabre, Lions’ Gate Films’Three Extremes is a bracing triptych of horror stories uniting three of East Asia’s most compelling directors – Japanese cult figure Takashi Miike, Hong Kong’s Fruit Chan, and Korea’s award-winning Park Chan-Wook. Check out the spine-tingling trailer for Lions Gate Films’ new release Three Extremes.

Three Extremes Trailer (Windows Media)

News: Tropical Malady Sets DVD Release Date

DVD Confidential has the info on "Tropical Malady" and it's upcoming DVD release. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and an Official Selection of both the New York and Toronto Film Festivals, “Tropical Malady” is the lyrical and mysterious new film by maverick Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, one of the most prominent young directors of the Thai New Wave. “Tropical Malady” is to be released on DVD November 1st. Here is the background on Tropical Malady:

A film truly unlike no other, “Tropical Malady” chronicles the mystical love affair between a young soldier and the country boy he seduces. But just when this tender account of two men falling for each other (including one startlingly erotic moment) is expected to follow a conventional storyline, the movie dramatically changes, launching into the realm of myth and legend, in which human and animal join together in a fantastic union.

Just as the romance begins to get heated, the boy suddenly disappears. Local legend claims he was transformed into a mythic wild beast. The soldier journeys alone into the heart of the Thai jungle, stalking a fearsome tiger that just may be a transmuted version of his missing lover. He encounters a talking baboon and a ghostly cow, among other exotic creatures, in his quest to be reunited with the man he loves. As formally audacious as it is visually stunning, this strikingly original work is also suspenseful and hypnotic, reminding that when we wander the forests of love, we encounter the most unexpected of creatures – even if some of them are unattainable.