Roman Polanski

Christoph Waltz CARNAGE Interview

by Hunter Daniels    Posted: December 16th, 2011 at 11:50 am

Every Auteur has his signature visual fetish. For Alfred Hitchcock it is women in pieces, for Martin Scorsese it is the omnipotent God’s-eye-view of the tracking shot and for Roman Polanski it is the domestic space made wild. So, when development began on an adaptation of Yasmina Reza’s award winning play, God of Carnage, it only made sense for Polanski to take the helm. Carnage, which stars Christoph Waltz, Kate Winselt, Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly, is a brutally funny and subtly disturbing film set entirely within the confines of a slightly bougie New York apartment, detailing the sublimated rage, self-righteousness and self-loathing that come to the surface when two sets of parents who come together to discuss a minor fistfight between their sons.

Recently, I sat down with Oscar Winner Christoph Waltz to discuss his role in the film and his approach to acting. During the interview, Waltz eloquently explained the differences between stage and screen acting, finding truth in his character and the faulty logic of always believing that you are the hero in your own story.  Hit the jump to watch.

New Clip from Roman Polanski’s CARNAGE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 24th, 2011 at 12:42 pm

A new clip from Roman Polanski’s comedy Carnage has been released. Based on the play God of Carnage, the film tells the story of two sets of parents who meet to settle a dispute between their children. The cast is spectacular—Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, and John C. Reilly—and this is Polanski’s first foray into comedy. This clip centers on the parents getting to the crux of their meeting, as they’re hashing out why their children were fighting in the first place. Reilly is great here as he keeps getting sidetracked by bragging about a fight he had when he was a kid, and Foster keeps trying to reign him back in. I’m really looking forward to seeing the interplay between the quartet of actors when the film hits theaters.

Hit the jump to watch the clip. Carnage opens on December 16th.

New Trailer for Roman Polanski’s CARNAGE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 10th, 2011 at 3:54 pm

A new trailer for Roman Polanski’s Carnage has gone online. Based on Yasmina Reza’s play God of Carnage, the story takes place entirely in one house and revolves around two sets of parents who sit down to discuss a dispute between their children. The phenomenal cast is comprised of Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly, Jodie Foster, and Christoph Waltz. This trailer gives us a sense of the slow-building tension that no doubt drives the film. None of the jokes really stand out, and Waltz seems a bit one-note, but I’m assuming it’s hard to get a sense of the comedy from a trailer for a film that plays out in real-time. However, Reilly certainly seems like a stand-out amongst the immensely talented cast. Given the outstanding ensemble and Polanski’s involvement, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the finished film.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. Carnage opens on December 16th

First Clip from Roman Polanski’s CARNAGE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 30th, 2011 at 7:06 am

While Roman Polanski’s Carnage received mixed-to-positive reviews after its premiere in Venice, it’s still a Polanski film that stars Jodie Foster, Christoph Waltz, John C. Reilly, and Kate Winslet, so we’re all going to see it, especially because it’s Polanski doing a comedy.  The story revolves around two sets of parents who come together to discuss a schoolyard fight between their kids.  The first clip from the film has landed online and I don’t see what’s so bad about the movie.  In the scene, Reilly is tremendously proud that his kid is the leader of a gang and then he and Waltz bond over being gang-leaders back in their day while Foster seems bewildered and unimpressed with Reilly’s celebration of his schoolyard victories of yesteryear.  Of course, this is one scene of many and I’m curious to find out how the whole film comes together

Hit the jump to check out the clip.  Carnage will play at this year’s New York Film Festival and hit theaters on December 16th.

CUL-DE-SAC Criterion Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: September 9th, 2011 at 10:08 am

A Cul-de-sac is defined as a road that leads nowhere. And in Roman Polanski’s film of the same name, this is never made literal. It’s easy to imagine the simplified version that would have some visual metaphor for this road, but the title is more indicative of the narrative. Donald Pleasence and Francios Dorleac play a married couple whose home (a castle!) is invaded by a gangster (Lionel Stander). The film combines Polanski’s dark sense of humor with his fascination with claustrophobia, and though it doesn’t reach the heights of his best work, it’s must-see nonetheless. Our review of the Criterion Blu-ray of Cul-de-sac follows after the jump.

First Trailer for Roman Polanski’s CARNAGE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 19th, 2011 at 10:01 am

The first trailer for Roman Polanski’s Carnage has gone online and the movie looks terrific.  Based on Yasmina Reza’s play God of Carnage, the story follows two sets of parents who come together to discuss a fight between their children.  However, what should be a simply discussion over a trivial matter falls to pieces and this trailer does a great job of showing the influence of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? mixed with lots of humor and a little bit of drama.  It’s not the kind of film audiences expect from Polanski and that’s partially what makes it so exciting.  The other part comes from the great cast of Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Christoph Waltz, and Kate Winslet.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  Carnage will play at the Venice Film Festival and the New York Film Festival.  It opens December 16th.

Release Dates for David Cronenberg’s A DANGEROUS METHOD and Roman Polanski’s CARNAGE; MY MOTHER’S CURSE Moves to November 2012

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: August 16th, 2011 at 3:56 pm

We’ve got a couple of release dates for you this evening, per Box Office Mojo. First up, two hotly anticipated films now have prime awards season release dates. David Cronenberg’s A Dangerous Method will open in limited release on November 23^rd, opposite two other Oscar bait limited release films: The Descendants and The Artist. The film stars Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen and Keira Knightley and centers on the relationship between Carl Jung (Fassbender), his mentor Sigmund Freud (Mortenson), and the woman that came between them (Knightley).

Additionally, Roman Polanski’s character drama Carnage has been slated for limited release on December 16^th, going up against the Meryl Streep-starred Margaret Thatcher drama The Iron Lady, also opening in limited release. The stellar Carnage cast includes Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly and centers on two couples who come together to settle a schoolyard fight between their kids. Finally, Paramount has moved My Mother’s Curse from March to November 2^nd, 2012. Starring Seth Rogen and Barbara Streisand, the film centers on an inventor who invites his mother along for a cross-country trip while he attempts to sell his new product and connect with a long lost love.

New Images from Roman Polanski’s CARNAGE and Michael Winterbottom’s TRISHNA

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 11th, 2011 at 12:25 pm

I don’t remember the last time I posted this many image articles in a single day.  This is number five and it’s got new images from Roman Polanski’s Carnage and Michael Winterbottom’s Trishna.  The Carnage images are just stars Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Christoph Waltz, and Kate Winslet doing dramatic stare downs at each other and even at the camera.  Carnage—which only runs 79 minutes since it plays out in real time—focuses on two sets of parents who come together to settle a schoolyard fight between their kids.  As for Trishna, the movie is based on Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles but set against an Indian backdrop.  I’m sure star Freida Pinto will have more to work with than she did in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Hit the jump to check out the images.  Carnage opens this December and will play at the Venice and New York Film Festivals.  Trishna will play at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Roman Polanski’s CARNAGE to Open New York Film Festival, Hits Theaters in December

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 29th, 2011 at 1:40 pm

The summer movie season is coming to an end, which means we’re that much closer to an uber-promising end of the year. Towards the top of a long list of enticing character dramas I’m looking forward to this fall/winter is Roman Polanski’s Carnage, based off the stage play God of Carnage. THR now reports that Carnage is set to open the New York Film Festival this September, and the film will be hitting theaters in December.

The film stars Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, and Christoph Waltz, and centers on two couples who come together to settle a schoolyard fight between their kids. Oh, and the movie plays out in real-time. Lest you worry that this means sitting through an agonizing hour and 45-minute argument, Polanski previously promised that the film maintains the humor and wit of the stage play.

First Look at Roman Polanski’s CARNAGE Starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly, and Christoph Waltz

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 22nd, 2011 at 8:51 am

The first image from Roman Polanski’s new film Carnage (based off the play God of Carnage) has gone online.  The film stars Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, and Christopher Waltz as two sets of parents who come together to talk about a schoolyard fight between their kids.  If that cast combined with this director doesn’t make you want to see this movie, you’re nuts.  And while Polanski is known for the deadly seriousness of his movies, Foster says the movie has some humor:

“It all happens in real-time, so it’s about an hour and 45 minutes of negotiation between two sets of parents and how it all falls apart,” she said. “Kind of like Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?, but a little funnier. There’s a lot of wit.”

So I guess it will be like Revolutionary Road but intentionally funny.  Hit the jump to check out the first image from the film as well as a photo of Polanski on the set.  Carnage is currently in post-production and may hit theaters before the end of the year.

2010 European Film Award Winners Announced; THE GHOST WRITER Wins Six

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 5th, 2010 at 2:00 pm

The 2010 European Film Award Winners were announced this weekend, and the big takeaway is that the European Film Academy really liked The Ghost Writer.  The Roman Polanski-directed feature was warmly received on this side of the Atlantic, but I’d be shocked if it swarms the Oscars with quite the ferocity it did the EFAs. Six awards in total, including best film, director (Polanski), actor (Ewan McGregor), screenwriter (Polanski and Robert Harris), production designer (Albrecht Konrad), and composer (Alexandre Desplat).

The ceremony wasn’t entirely Ghost-written, though: Lourdes, The Illusionist, Carlos, and Lebanon were among the other winners.  Hit the jump for the full list.

John C. Reilly Joins Roman Polanski’s GOD OF CARNAGE

by Jason Barr    Posted: October 19th, 2010 at 10:23 am

John C. Reilly has signed on to star in Roman Polanski’s adaptation of the Tony-winning play, God of Carnage.  Written by Yasmina Reza, the play tells the story of two sets of parents who meet shortly after their sons get into a fight on the playground.  As parents sometimes do, they begin attacking each other’s parenting skills before turning on their spouse’s and exposing their own marital shortcomings.

Reilly joins an already solid cast which includes Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and Matt Dillon.  Per Deadline, he will play Foster’s husband, Michael.  The role was originally turned on-stage by James Gandolfini.  Filming on God of Carnage is set to begin in Paris this January.  Reilly recently finished working on the comedy Cedar Rapids alongside Sigourney Weaver, Ed Helms, Anne Heche, and Rob Corddry.

Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and Matt Dillon Sign on to Roman Polanski’s GOD OF CARNAGE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 23rd, 2010 at 7:32 am

Roman Polanski is lining up a terrific cast for his adaptation of Yasmina Reza’s Tony-winning play God of Carnage.  Deadline reports that Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and Matt Dillon have signed on to star in the drama.  Per Deadline, “God of Carnage tells the story of two sets of parents who meet after their sons are involved in a schoolyard fight. The meeting goes disastrously wrong as each pair attacks the other’s parenting skills before turning on each other about problems in their own marriages.”  Remember kids: if you get into fight in the schoolyard, you’re probably going to break up your parents.

Foster is currently in the unenviable position of defending Mel Gibson as he stars in her first directorial feature in 15 years, The Beaver.  Winslet will next be seen in Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion and the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce.  Waltz is currently shooting on Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers and will next be seen in Michel Gondry’s The Green Hornet and Francis Lawrence’s Water for Elephants.  Dillon most recently co-starred in Takers.

THE GHOST WRITER Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: August 5th, 2010 at 9:10 am

Sometimes it’s easy to ignore the baggage of a celebrity. Robert Downey Jr. is one of those guys that though we know he can be wild, when he’s playing Tony Stark I don’t think people are thinking “he did jail time and was a heroin addict, etc.” But while The Ghost Writer was in post-production and in release, its director Roman Polanski was being held in Switzerland under house arrest. Now that Polanski is no longer coming to America and that situation is – for now – resolved, perhaps The Ghost Writer can receive the recognition it deserves as a solid thriller. Alas, any film directed by Polanski will likely always have baggage, even a smart political thriller like this. The film is about a ghost writer (Ewan McGregor) working for an ex-British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan) on his memoirs, only for the ghost writer to start uncovering things that suggest American manipulation of his reign. Information that could get him killed. My review of The Ghost Writer on Blu-ray after the jump.

6 Movie Clips from Roman Polanski’s GHOST WRITER Starring Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 4th, 2010 at 9:52 am

Summit Entertainment has provided us with 6 clips from Roman Polanski’s Ghost Writer which stars Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Catrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Hutton, & Eli Wallach.  While we usually only post clips before a movie has been released, the film is expanding into more theaters this weekend and I wanted to help promote the film as I thought it was great.  If you’re looking for a smart thriller that’s been well crafted and will keep you guessing, you should definitely check out Ghost Writer this weekend.  The one sentence summary is:

A gifted author (McGregor) hired to ghostwrite the memoirs of a controversial former British Prime Minister (Brosnan) becomes a hunted man when he uncovers explosive secrets about the past.

It’s currently at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes after 84 reviews, proving the critics are in agreement on this one.  Again, one of the best films playing at a theater this weekend.  Check out the clips after the jump – along with the full synopsis:

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