David Benjamin, Author at The Playlist

Review: Goodbye Joaquin? ‘Two Lovers’ Is Some Of His Best Work

David Benjamin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:22:00 +0000

If you truly believe Joaquin Phoenix is done acting and not involved in a Casey Affleck filmed, performance art based mockumentary that may as well be titled “Going Full Retard,” then “Two Lovers” plays as a fitting end to a promising career. The third film in what’s become a strange collaboration between Phoenix and director James Gray is nothing like their previous action driven movies – the “The Yards” and “We Own the Night.” Instead, “Two Lovers” is a scaled down, intimate story about finding happiness, devoid of the typical absurd clichés and tired narrative devices that Hollywood mass releases in countless rom-coms this time of year.

Continue reading Review: Goodbye Joaquin? ‘Two Lovers’ Is Some Of His Best Work at The Playlist.

Could Benjamin Button Go 0-13 on Oscar Night?

David Benjamin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:40:00 +0000

Not a chance. But that didn’t stop Defamer from outlining the far-fetched scenario in which the pic with the most nominations puts up a bagel. We’re yet to actually meet anyone that thinks ‘Button’ is as good as the Academy would indicate. But then again their penchant for sappy, over the top, excessively conceptual dramas is well documented.

Success in the technical awards is probably a foregone conclusion, although they argue “The Dark Knight” could do well in those categories behind sympathy for being snubbed elsewhere.

Continue reading Could Benjamin Button Go 0-13 on Oscar Night? at The Playlist.

Bill Hader Writing a Slasher Flick for Judd Apatow?

David Benjamin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:57:00 +0000

In what is definitely one of the most out-there tidbits to emerge from Sundance thus far, Bill Hader tells C.H.U.D he’s teamed with SNL writer Simon Rich for a slasher script that’s being pitched to Judd Apatow, described as “Straw Dogs” meets “Halloween”meets “Home Alone” meets “Monster Squad”.” ‘I don’t know if it’s even going to get made,’ As far as the Apatow interest, ‘Judd met with us and said “I want to do a horror movie with you.

Continue reading Bill Hader Writing a Slasher Flick for Judd Apatow? at The Playlist.

Darren Aronofsky’s Going For A “Hardcore” ‘Robocop’ Remake

David Benjamin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:11:00 +0000

In Los Angeles promoting “The Wrestler”, Darren Aronofsky gave some insight in to his vision for what he calls a “hardcore interpretation” of Paul Verhoeven’s sci-fi/black comedy “Robocop”.

Citing a recent medical procedure as inspiration for the remake, Aronofsky elaborated on what drew him to the project.

“Before you get an MRI, they give you a list of like 38 different things, how you can have metal in your body. From a shutter in your eyelid to a pacemaker, screws and all this stuff you can have in your system.

Continue reading Darren Aronofsky’s Going For A “Hardcore” ‘Robocop’ Remake at The Playlist.

‘Doubt’ Is A Compelling Moral Chess Match

David Benjamin — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:40:00 +0000

“Doubt” is an intricate and engaging film that concerns itself not with guilt or innocence, rather the nature of preconception and power of suspicion.

Set in a Bronx Catholic school during the 60s, the story pits Philip Seymour Hoffman’s vibrant, forward thinking Father Flynn against Meryl Streep’s intransigent, stuck in the past Sister Aloysius, the school’s principal. Rigid and feared by the entire school, Aloysius doesn’t like the progressive Flynn from the beginning.

Continue reading ‘Doubt’ Is A Compelling Moral Chess Match at The Playlist.

Our Second “Frost/Nixon” Review

David Benjamin — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:40:00 +0000

We’ve already covered Ron Howard’s political drama “Frost/Nixon”, but I saw the film and a subsequent Q&A with filmmakers tonight and had a few more thoughts to share. While already in pre-production on “Angels & Demons”, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer saw the eventual Tony Award winning play and moved quickly towards a film adaptation. With a small budget relative to his usual work and a shoot of just 40 days, Howard manages to keep his often-imperious direction out of the way of Peter Morgan’s strong script and solid all around performances.

Continue reading Our Second “Frost/Nixon” Review at The Playlist.

Roman Polanski Return to the US Potentially Imminent?

David Benjamin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:30:00 +0000

It looks like renowned director/fugitive Roman Polanski may be headed back to the United States after his lawyers here filed a complaint to dismiss the statutory rape case filed against him some thirty years ago. They cite judicial and prosecutorial wrongdoing revealed in Marina Zenovich’s documentary, “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired”. Per Hollywood Elsewhere –

“Variety’s Diane Garrett has reported that “the complaint zeroes in on interviews in which then-deputy district attorney David Wells admits discussing the case with Judge Lawrence Rittenband during legal proceedings from the 1970s and further charges the current District Attorney’s Office with misconduct in statements made upon the doc’s June release.

Continue reading Roman Polanski Return to the US Potentially Imminent? at The Playlist.

Sundance Slate Announced: 64 Films in Competition

David Benjamin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:12:00 +0000

Indiewire just announced the Sundance 09’ slate and at first glance, this year’s crop of films look just as underwhelming as 2008’s. Or at least, so far. We mentioned some potential contenders and rumored films last week, some of which are now confirmed.

Lone Scherfig’s 60’s coming of age story “An Education” (written by Nick Hornby who penned “High Fidelity”) with Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina and Emma Thompson made the cut, along with Shana Feste’s “The Greatest”, a family drama starring Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon.

Continue reading Sundance Slate Announced: 64 Films in Competition at The Playlist.

Review: ‘Revolutionary Road’ Does Justice to Classic Novel; Deserves Oscar Contention

David Benjamin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:41:00 +0000

“Revolutionary Road” is derived from a literary standard that has been taught, analyzed and held dear by many. After mixed response to his often monotonous, ultra-specific Gulf War flick “Jarhead”, critics and fans alike called on Sam Mendes to return to what he did best in “American Beauty” – profiling suburban dystopia and the price of pursuing the American dream. Easier said than done. And yet Mendes has done exactly that in adapting Richard Yates’ 1961 classic.

Continue reading Review: ‘Revolutionary Road’ Does Justice to Classic Novel; Deserves Oscar Contention at The Playlist.

Our ‘Revolutionary Road’ Review – Very Soon

David Benjamin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:27:00 +0000

We saw “Revolutionary Road” over the weekend, and with respect to the embargo on reviews, had refrained from sharing thoughts until now. With reviews running in the trades this morning and buzz beginning to build about next month’s release, our first of several reviews will be up as soon as our schedule permits. Aka check back this afternoon…

Continue reading Our ‘Revolutionary Road’ Review – Very Soon at The Playlist.

A.R. Rahman Talks ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Music

David Benjamin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:39:00 +0000

We’ve already raved about “Slumdog Millionaire” and covered one of the year’s best films extensively, but thus far very little information has been made available about the film’s soundtrack. Acclaimed Indian Composer A.R. Rahman recently sat down with NY Magazine to shed some more light on the vibrant, unique sounds of “Slumdog”.

Rahman, considering his enormous popularity in South Asia, is still a largely unknown commodity in the States. He’s reportedly sold over 100 million records in India and is just now breaking in to Hollywood with “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” and now “Slumdog”.

Continue reading A.R. Rahman Talks ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Music at The Playlist.

What’s Michel Gondry Up To? Lots, Plus Recently Completed The ‘Be Kind Rewind Protocol’ Book

David Benjamin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:57:00 +0000

Quite a lot, apparently. In between sweding a mysterious music video outside his Williamsburg home, launching a new website and finishing a debut comic book, “We Lost the War but Not the Battle”, acclaimed eccentric Michel Gondry completed a book, “You’ll Like This Film Because You’re In It: The Be Kind Rewind Protocol ” and is traveling to promote it. About the book –

“Michel Gondry’s debut book is a functional memoir of his quest to put the tools of filmmaking in the hands of as many people as possible.

Continue reading What’s Michel Gondry Up To? Lots, Plus Recently Completed The ‘Be Kind Rewind Protocol’ Book at The Playlist.

The Playlist’s Gives It Up For The Best Horror Films Of All Time

David Benjamin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:53:00 +0000

Speaking on behalf of the The Playlist team, it’s hard not to have disdain for modern horror. It’s devolved into the cheapest of genres: a means to get lowest-common denominator ham n’ eggers into movie seats and generally it works (hell, it keeps companies like Lionsgate totally afloat). But when it’s at its best and firing on all cylinders, true horror is an incredibly visceral experience that penetrates us at our most primal, basic core.

Continue reading The Playlist’s Gives It Up For The Best Horror Films Of All Time at The Playlist.

Amazing: Steven Soderbergh To Shoot 3D Musical ‘Cleo,’ With Guided By Voices Providing The Score

David Benjamin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Steven Soderbergh seems to be picking up projects as frequently as anyone not named David Fincher, and with all the activity comes inevitable rumors. A few months ago there was buzz about Soderbergh working on a Cleopatra script, with Guided by Voices’ Robert Pollard writing music . In the midst of speculation about a Liberace film with Michael Douglas, and even an adaptation of “A Confederacy of Dunces”, Soderbergh completed his 4 hour “Che” epic, went in to production on “The Informant” and finished “The Girlfriend Experience” script.

Continue reading Amazing: Steven Soderbergh To Shoot 3D Musical ‘Cleo,’ With Guided By Voices Providing The Score at The Playlist.

Seth Rogen – No One Knows Anything About The ‘Green Hornet’

David Benjamin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:55:00 +0000

While promoting “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” at MTV, Seth Rogen was asked about his “Green Hornet” project, slated for June 2010. The script, which he compared to “True Lies” in tone, has apparently undergone significant revisions to make it more of an origins story.

Why? “No one gives a shit”, he told MTV. “There was, like, three people [who care about ‘Hornet’]. It [had to be] somewhat of [an origin story then].

Continue reading Seth Rogen – No One Knows Anything About The ‘Green Hornet’ at The Playlist.