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Sundance 2010: Interview with Kevin Asch (Holy Rollers)
I remember sitting in Danny's apartment five years ago hearing him tell this true tale and his desire to make it into a Jewish-type "Goodfellas" and an ecstasy-esque "Blow" but I was immediately struck with the image of a naïve Hassid lost in the bright lights of a nightclub, plus me being Jewish and coming-of-age during the nineties in New York City, I instantly felt a personal connection.
Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2010: Abdellatif Kechiche’s Black Venus
Working with probably his largest budget to date, Kechiche touches upon the immigrant narrative once again, but inside the context of a biographical, historical approach - Baartman is perhaps this year's most unusual choice for a biopic treatment.
Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2010: Sylvain Chomet’s The Illusionist
The notion of an untold Jacques Tati story finally being revealed is enough to put this high up on the list, but then factor in the amazing work in Triplets of Belleville -- easily among the decades' best films up there with the Pixar work and Hayao Miyazaki 2d brilliance. I wouldn't be surprised if Chomet's stylishly told, highly inventive brand pushes The Illusionist to the top of the animated field next year.
Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2010: Wong Kar-Wai’s The Grand Master
We commenced the 00 decade with In the Mood for Love and ended with the Blueberry blemish - an uncharacteristic low point in an otherwise bullet proof filmography. Now the big question and curiosity is what kind of aesthetic and tonal treatment is planning for a film with two WKW firsts: biographical and martial art elements.
Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2010: Cristi Puiu’s Aurora
Puiu's examination of a broken system in Un Certain Regard Award winning The Death of Mr. Lazarescu wasn't economical in design (running over the 150 minute mark) but I'm hoping that Puiu can offer both a sturdy character study and make a social commentary as he did with the fascinating treatment of a man's final hours. Puiu will appear in front of the camera this time.
