FILM:
Season of déjà vu

Thankfully, there are some fresh surprises amid Tinseltown’s spate of rehashes and sequels

by MATTHEW HAYS

Were there any doubt that Hollywood is a place where new ideas are shunted aside in favour of the already-tried-and-true, that doubt can be put to rest forever. This summer’s list of blockbuster hopefuls reads like the guest list on an old episode of The Love Boat or Fantasy Island. About two-thirds of the entries, it seems, are either sequels (Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Terminator 3, Bad Boys II, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde) comic-book adaptations (The Hulk) or sequels to video-game-based movies (Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life).

Thankfully, some of the fare actually looks like it could prove fun. And for those who aren’t entirely intent upon shutting their brain down, Montreal’s alternative film fare should be enough to keep finer-tuned grey matter stimulated this summer.

First things first: yes, The Hulk could be ludicrously cheesy. But hey, Ang Lee is directing, the man who won a Best Picture Oscar for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and also directed Sense and Sensibility. Who knew such highfalutin types would want to tackle the jolly green giant? Me, I’m eager to see what Lee (Ang, not Stan) can bring to the mix (Opens June 20). On the more thought provoking side, that same week will see the opening of Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary. This is an entirely unforgettable documentary, in what must set a new record for bare-bones filmmaking: this is simply one feature-length interview with the woman who served as Hitler’s secretary during WWII. Such oddball revelations include Hitler’s love of the family dog (ironically, an animal lover) and the descent into hell as Adolf and his entourage realized the war was over and they were losing. Fascinating and ominous, a truly bizarre perspective on the Third Reich (June 20).

Robots, angels, vampires

Of all the sequels, I am most intrigued to see if Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is any good whatsoever. Lord knows, it should be, what with Arnold Schwarzenegger getting a record $30-million to return as the autistic robot (July 2). Sadly, this summer includes sequels to movies I didn’t care for in the first bloody place. Charlie’s Angels was a waste of a great Aaron Spelling classic series, while Bad Boys was simply a whole lotta noise. Still, Crispin Glover will be returning in Full Throttle and the always-great Joe Pantoliano joins the Boys (June 27 and July 18 respectively). But the ultimate sequel will arrive with the combo platter Freddy vs. Jason, in which the two mega-franchises join forces to bilk adolescents of their moviegoing dollars (Aug. 15).

Again, those looking for more mentally challenging fodder may want to sink their teeth into Dracula: Pages From a Virgin’s Diary, the cinematic rendering of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet show, as captured by that wacky prairie gothic director Guy Maddin. This film recently received raves in New York when it opened; local distributor Domino Films is releasing Dracula here (no set date yet).

In a slightly more depressing vein comes 9/11/01, the hugely controversial anthology film that reflects on that hot day in September when the World Trade Center came a-tumbling down. A broad range of directors chime in, from Brit shitdisturber Ken Loach to American shitdisturber Sean Penn. (And Ernest Borgnine has a lead role in one of the vignettes.) The film drew charges of anti-Americanism when it screened at the Toronto International Film Fest last September (coming this August).

Nicolas Cage plays obsessive compulsive in Matchstick Men, in which he’s a con man partnered with Sam Rockwell. Cage’s woes begin and don’t let up: Rockwell wants to push him into the biggest criminal scam of their lives, just as Cage’s daughter (one he never knew he had) shows up to introduce herself to him. Ridley Scott helms (Aug. 8).

Fest frenzy!

Montreal’s summer fest overload has already begun, with the now-unreeling First Peoples’ Festival, an excellent selection of aboriginal cinema that continues until Sunday, June 22. Claude Chamberlan’s Magnifico event, held in and around Ex-Centris on the Main, gets more and more ambitious every year. Now six years old, the celluloid celebration will feature free outdoor screenings (of various films including Bowling for Columbine) and a number of premieres, including Peter Sollett’s Victor Vargas, Ken Loach’s critical favourite Sweet Sixteen, Jean-Pierre Limosin’s comedy Novo and François Ozon’s eagerly anticipated thriller Swimming Pool. Kitsch and fetish are two major themes at the event this year; look for screenings of films by and about Kenneth Anger, Roger Vadim and Bettie Page. Magnifico runs from June 18 to 22. As per usual, the Cinémathèque québécoise runs its most excellent series of jazz-related films next to our beloved Jazz Fest. This year’s Ciné-Jazz includes The Buena Vista Social Club, John Handy at the Blue Horn, Liberty Street Blues and Ron Mann’s Imagine the Sound. Ciné-Jazz screens June 26–July 6. As part of the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, Comedia will also screen this year. Ringmaster Don Lobel says mum’s the word on exactly what will be screened, but last year’s lineup was impressive and Lobel is promising an even more international masala of laugh-laden features this time around. Comedia takes place from July 10–20.

In the absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder department, Fantasia returns after last summer’s hiatus. Phew, were these film fanatics missed last year! Thankfully, the nutjob crew who put what for my money is the city’s best film festival together are promising lots of surprises and even more twisted, tortured and messed-up movie experiences than ever before. This year will see a shift, though: due to the restoration of Fantasia’s birthplace and former home, the Imperial, the fest will unreel at Concordia’s cinemas in the Hall and Library Buildings. Fantasia runs July 17–Aug. 10. And the World Film Fest’s dates this year are Aug. 27–Sept. 7.

Out of town, but worth the haul: The Lake Placid Film Forum takes place this weekend. It’s a beautiful backdrop for an event that is well put together and a delight for serious film buffs. Over 50 films and panel discussions are planned, including a Cassavetes spotlight, a masterclass in screenwriting with Russell Banks and a masterclass in acting with Patricia Clarkson (Six Feet Under, Far From Heaven). Hey, it’s only a two-hour drive! It takes place June 12–15. Info: www.lakeplacidfilmforum.com.