Even though we’re already neck deep in the summer movie season, there’s always the time and often the desire to take a break from superheroes and blockbusters, and this weekend, Pauline Chan’s “33 Postcards” could be that source of relief.
The film stars newcomer Zhu Lin as Mei Mei, a Chinese orphan who’s been sponsored by an Australian man (Guy Pearce) for years. When Mei Mei finally gets the opportunity to travel to Australia she’s determined to meet him, dreaming that he might make her part of his family, but is shocked to discover that he isn’t really the man he wrote about in his postcards.
A script from the Tribeca Film Institute’s All Access program, the second ever China-Australia co-production, and a lead actress who didn’t speak a lick of English when she was cast; “33 Postcards” is an exceptional production for a variety of reasons. In honor of the film’s May 17th limited theatrical release, Chan took the time to run through all her feats from finding and working with Lin to securing financing, ensuring “33 Postcards” is a standout film, and more.
Check out all the details in the interview below and catch “33 Postcards” on VOD now or in theaters this weekend.
Click here to read the interview.
After all these years and all these film, the Marvel Universe is starting to feel very real and that’s vital to “Iron Man 3’s” success because without that acquired ability to re-tap into this realm where Iron Man, Thor, and more are the norm, the details of this installment of the franchise might have been too unsupported to let you enjoy the charm of Tony Stark, the excitement of seeing dozens of Iron Men assemble, watching Pepper Potts get a hefty dose of action and more well earned highlights.
There are enough loose ends in life; who needs more via cinema? While few enjoy being jerked around by a convoluted plot there are also the films that don’t merely let you sit back, relax and enjoy the show; you’ve got to work for your entertainment. However, in Prometheus’ case, director Ridley Scott offers up the best of both worlds. You could put yourself on cruise control and enjoy an alien action movie, but it’s highly recommended to watch this one with a keen eye as the details are a stimulant, heightening that action and making Prometheus a notably enthralling experience regardless of some loose ends.
How could you have a plot about a guy saving the president’s daughter from an outer space prison riot and not pour every resource into making that scenario as wildly enjoyable as possible? If you’re going high concept, the only way to make it work is if you go high concept to the max. However, the guys behind Lockout only take it about halfway there, as far too much of their energy, attention and budget is stolen by lame story frills.
You know when you misplace something and someone tells you, “It couldn’t have just walked off on its own?” Well, thanks to Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, you’ve got a culprit to point a finger at; they may claim they just want to be your friends, but this movie’s little monsters also have their eyes on your razors, clothing and your children.
Haunted house films are back in full force. In April we got the beautifully modest and wildly enjoyable Insidious from James Wan and now Guillermo del Toro and Co. are giving the subgenre a go with Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. While the two are rooted in entirely different core concepts, they do have quite a bit in common, namely child stars vs. evil entities, eerily warm yet threatening tones, fantastic visuals and the fact that they’re both incredibly frightening, exhilarating and entertaining all in one. Haunted house films are officially two for two in 2011.
At just 9-years-old, actress Bailee Madison went head-to-head with what many kids consider their worst nightmare, things that go bump in the night. Clearly Madison had no trouble separating fact from fiction because now, at 11-years-old, she’s hitting the press circuit for Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark and well, she might be one of the most poised and professional actresses out there, regardless of her age.
Having grown up watching horror films far beyond my years, it’s tough to imagine an 11-year-old actually being in one. But actress Bailee Madison was just 9 years old when she stepped in front of the lens for director Troy Nixey in his big screen remake of the 1973 made-for-TV film Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. Even at such a young age she says she had no trouble separating fact from fiction, a good thing since this film is one that can keep you up and checking under the bed at night.
I can’t believe it, but this is officially it; my coverage of San Diego Comic Con 2011 has come to a close. For five incredibly long days, the experience went by in a flash. The action was non-stop from the moment I touched down in San Diego and while it was extremely exhausting and probably one of the most trying working experiences I’ve ever gone through, it was beyond worth it.
And that’s a wrap on my first full busy day at San Diego Comic Con. I kicked things off at the press conference for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, which featured Elizabeth Reaser, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Julia Jones and Booboo Stewart after which Bill Condon, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner took the stage. Before wrapping up things with Summit Entertainment, I spoke with the writer of one of the studio’s next book-to-film adaptations, Warm Bodies author Isaac Marion. Keep an eye out for that interview later this week.