Monday Links (22/08)

I have remained pretty consistent with my posts this month despite down in numbers for both films and posts. I have a pile of DVDs to work through, and I haven't even started on the Altman coverage I promised. Honestly, I don't think I can see many more films than I am now. Last week we had six new releases (well seven if you include the unscheduled limited release of The Woman). That's crazy. I had already seen Win Win and felt like I could skip most of them. After hearing some interesting things about The Woman at MIFF I might try and see it. I would also like to see POM Wonderful: The Greatest Story Ever Told if I can make time.

This week I managed to finally see L'illusionniste. It was a delight. I was also lucky enough to catch advanced screenings of Horrible Bosses and Beginners. As for the non-new releases I continued with some Kieslowski, watching and reviewing one of his early Polish films, Camera Buff. I re-watched Inception because I felt like it and re-watched (and loved) Superbad for the same reason. I also decided to give Guillermo Del Toro's Cronos a go because John at John Likes Movies gave it 4 stars and that had me intrigued. I love Del Toro's work (mostly) but I was yet to see his debut, and The Devil's Backbone, which many consider to be his best work.

I have some links for you (after the jump):

Easily the biggest news of the week is the unveiling of Ryan "The Mad Hatter" McNeil's new site, The Matinee. Formerly based at the LAMMY Award Winning Blog, The Dark of the Matinee, Ryan has relocated. As he says...'out with the old and in with the new'. The site looks great, has an extensive review index and separate tabs for his festival coverage. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

Kevin Knox's underrated blog, The Most Beautiful Fraud in the World, has some great material. He is a regular contributor to Anomalous Material and The Cinematheque. This week he reviews 30 Minutes or Less, while his guest writer Alex DeLarge reviews Stanley Kubrick's The Killing.

Danny King @ The King Bulletin really dug Lone Scherfig's new film, One Day.

Steven @ Surrender to the Void this week looks at a few Cronenberg films for the LAMB Director's Chair - among them are Naked Lunch and A History of Violence.

Hatter and Simon concluded their 12-part capsule, The Film Locker, with an analysis of Roman Polanski and Chinatown. Each week they have focused on a new director who they feel has had a significant impact on the world of cinema. Last week they examined Guillermo Del Toro and Pan's Labyrinth.

Simon has also been busy on his site, Screen Insight. He shares his thoughts on The Guard.

Stevee @ Cinematic Paradox as part of her 16 Days of Birthday series, looks at Music in Film.

James @ Cinema Sights writes a great review of The Fly, delving into the use of Freudian thought in the horror film.

Sam @ Duke and the Movies writes a fantastic review of one of my favourite docos, Hoop Dreams.

Last but not least I want to mention And so it begins..., Alex Withrow's excellent film blog. He shares his experience of watching Final Destination 5 and posts a great article titled The Art of Talking Trash - Directors vs. Directors.


Hope everyone has a great week...