But later there was the screning of an animated feature called "The Croods" which I've really been witing for. It was shown outside the main competition, but neverthless, the viewing room was filled, because we could hear the voices of Ryan Reynolds (who didn't come), Emma Stone and Nicolas Cage (who both came to Berlin). Everyone was really thrilled, you could feel it in the air, because it's Nicolas Cage we're talking about! Of course, the guy had it's ups and downs, his latest movies were more of a sad grotesque, but people still trust him somehow and buy those tickets! Most of his movies are legendary, like my favorites: "Moonstruck," "Raising Arizona," "Wild at Heart," "Peggy Sue Got Married," "Leaving Las Vegas," "City of Angels," "The Rock," "Con Air," "Snake Eyes," "8 mm," "Adaptation," ... well you get the idea, there are many more, of course. True, he has lost the impetus recently, but at least he seems to be finally happy with his private life so he doesn't need to be on top with acting, I guess. So Cage and Stone came, we had a laugh, the film is really funny and cute, so go on - gets those tickets! Actually, here the 3D effect really makes a lot of sense and the imagination of the creators seems to be just bottomless.
After the screening there was a press conference, most of the questions were of course directed at Cage who charmingly responded, and I pitied Emma Stone a little, because she really is a good actress, and looks just great.
After it finished, I rushed to yet another cinema to see Catherine "the Great" Deneuve and her latest "Elle S'En Va" ("On My Way") directed by Emmanuelle Bercot. Another successful attempt of a movie, but again I think it is more of a movie for the cinema and mass audiences, not specifically for the main competition. I'm sure it'll do just fine, I had fun, I thought Deneuve made a wonderful appearance, a brave one, too. She can play anything and the audiences worldwide are sure to get to those cinemas. "On My Way" touches upon yet another leitmotif of Berlinale - aging and the life of women in their prime, or rather - ripe age. This is really a mark that something might be changing. Too bad Hollywood only hires Meryl Streep, Deneuve and Helen Mirren sometimes to play such roles.
The last film of the festival that was in the competition was the movie that had its festival premiere a few days ago. "Promised Land" directed by Gus Van Sant, with Matt Damon and John Krasinsky, who also wrote the script and Frances McDormand in the lead. The three men came to Berlin to promote the controversial movie, which didn't make much profit, apart from the huge expectations. "Promised Land" was a really "ok" film. It was perfect, but it wasn't dull either. Perhaps this is one of the reasons it didn't make profit. It didn't oppose shell gas, it's wasn't in favor of it, you just don't know much about it anyway. But I enjoyed the speed of the plot, the pace was just right and you know, Damon knows how to write stories. Besides, he was charming at a conference - he's just a guy who loves making movies and supports Ben Affleck very much, although questions to Damon about Affleck getting or not getting an Oscar were rather missed (what could Damon say about it anyways, Affleck did end up with an Oscar and the greatest success of his life - and all this without Damon). "Promised Land" - not spectacular, but a decent movie to watch. Definitely not a disappointment.
Full report here.
Rating:
30. Nobody's Daughter Haewon"
31. "The Croods"
Rating: ****1/2
More.
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32. "On My Way"
Rating: ****
33. "Promised Land"
Rating: ****
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Hong Sang-Soo in the middle and the actors of "Nobody's Daughter Haewon"
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Emma Stone and Nicolas Cage in the middle discuss "The Croods"
The cast of "On My Way" with Catherine Deneuve in the middle
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