The Flixster Blog

Six Eccentric Film Directors: Sometimes the story of the filmmaker can almost overshadow the films themselves. But with these five directors it's the directors image that gives the films a deeper understanding.

Some stuff is just meant to be. A killer soundtrack and a perfectly matched film can blend so well that we wind up not being able to separate one from the other. When this happens, a mainstream film or artist can give its indie counterpart just the bump it needs to gain some popular attention. Here are 8 examples of pairings where taking a risk on a little-known [[[]]] worked out well for everyone. catapult both to the top A really killer soundtrack can lift a movie out of indie status

With the recent release of Todd Haynes' film I'm Not There lets take a look at Dylan's previous involvement with the cinema.

What's as prevalent as porn torrents? Feature films a couple scenes short of being hidden behind the counter. These days just about anyone can make a Showgirls, a Basic Instinct, hell, even an episode of Californication (if anyone can explain to me how playing an alien conspiracy theorist Federal agent qualifies you to become the Cable Softcore King, I will send you David Duchovny's stash). 

But where is the artistry in Wild Things, I ask you? Two soaking wet hotties making out is not rocket science, it's shooting fish in a barrel. What about those movies that make you say, "I can't believe this is turning me on"? Aye, there's the, uh, rub. Ahem.

With WonderCon coming up this weekend, we got to thinking about our favorite comic book heroine, Wonder Woman. We thought we'd join the chatter about who should play the title role in the upcoming movie, slated for release in 2011.  First there was the hoax that named Megan Fox the new Wonder Woman, and then the declaration from Beyoncé that she should be cast as our beloved brunette. From Kate Beckinsale and Sandra Bullock, the casting of this iconic character has become a Hollywood conundrum. This has us digging deep and wondering just who should play our Amazon Princess. Lynda Carter's red boots won't be easy to fill, but a stretch of our imagination produced these picks for the new Wonder Woman. 

What is it about Naomi Watts that makes filmmakers want to hurt her? In the stupid-even-by-hygiene-ad-standards Tampax commercial she made circa age 17, she's tormented by a zit, an '80s frizz-do, a kid brother, an allegedly plump butt, "and that other [torment] you don't talk about." Her best friend Nicole Kidman's fame must've tortured her until David Lynch made her a famous femme fatale in the ineffably effing sexy Mulholland Drive. "Sometimes I felt like I was being tortured, that he was withholding," she said. In Ellie Parker, the tortured actress played an actress tortured by sex, drugs, Hollywood, and a smeary lipstick job strikingly like her late ex Heath Ledger's in The Dark Knight. As for what Michael Haneke does to her in her underwear in Funny Games, don't even go there.

During the holiday season, we all get a dose of our beloved dysfunctional families. Although your drunk Aunt Jane or perverted Uncle Charlie can make you curse the season, there is something that is stupidly fun about family gatherings. There are presents, great food, and laughs to be had. After all, there are cousins to torture and emotional scars to hand out. Here is our list of the 7 Dysfunctional Families We Want to Spend The Holidays With.

We've all seen the M&Ms, the Reese's Pieces, the stray Coke or Mountain Dew in the shot somewhere, but did you know that there are other sponsorships that aren't so obvious?  I'm not talking about Las Vegas bankrolling What Happens in Vegas, or Grindhouse being sponsored by Starbucks — you know those.  I'm talking about the really subtle ones.

Let me be frank. Sometimes I want to see stuff blow up. That's why I bought the ticket, that's why I'm sitting here in the dark. Sure, sure, it's interesting that Keanu was a failed suicide before becoming the John Constantine. But what I really want to see are some more demons melted by holy water.

I understand we want to cater to the folks walking into the theater late, tripping over feet and spilling their popcorn buckets, by starting things off slowly. Like the opening to The Bourne Identity, fishing an unconscious, bullet-riddled Matt Damon from the sea. Interesting? Yes. Action packed? That's a negative, Ghost Rider.

Let's celebrate those films that put off the plot in those first precious minutes and gave us what we really wanted.

Hollywood is filled with colorful characters and quirky personalities. Then there are those who cross the line and go from being simply eccentric to downright crazy-pants. Here are ten of the most memorable cases of stars who totally lost it.

Motion pictures and automobiles were invented at about the same time. Coincidence? I don't think so. The two are married to each other, till death do they part, and here's the evidence:

Ever wonder what films were key in the history of CGI? There are a lot of them. So many, in fact, that any time someone posts a Top Ten list, each item is hotly debated. This list will make no such promises. Instead, we offer ten key moments in the development of CGI special effects, and a description of the software used to create them.

Movies. Long extinct cartoon series. Commercials. Even fork and spoon sexual affairs. Is nothing sacred on Robot Chicken? Apparently webcomics.

Rather than waste time wondering why, I offer these suggestions:

Sidekicks provide many purposes. They add comic relief, support for the star, and a character the audience can more readily relate to. Unfortunately, all too often they also annoy the living hell out of us. There are many times when we wish the star of the movie would give the sidekick a very literal interpretation of the "kick" part of the name. Here are eight of the absolute worst offenders.

Hollywood loves sequels. If something is successful once, they figure, then why not squeeze as much money out of the idea for as long as possible? Sometimes this is great. If it weren't for Hollywood’s greed, we probably wouldn’t have The Empire Strikes Back or The Dark Knight. But sometimes it is the opposite of great, and that is where our list comes in. Hollywood — there are times when we really don’t need another sequel. Here are ten prime examples.

Actors have always wanted to be musicians (give it a rest, Russell Crowe!), and musicians have always wanted to be actors. However, none have enjoyed a better success rate than rappers. Overconfident, egocentric, and often angry, rappers are perfectly tailored to slip into an acting career. Of course, not every rapper has a critically acclaimed film career. Coolio’s résumé, including Pterodactyl and Dracula 3000, gives evidence of this. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 7 rappers who have succeeded where others have failed: the movies.

Now that Sarah Palin's a big star, you betcha it's only a matter of time before she heads for Hollywood. We'll see what roles she takes on then, doggone it, but for now our rich fantasy life casts her in these classic roles that reflect her improbable path to greatness.

As a nation we love nothing more than children on the silver screen, acting adorable for just long enough to let us forget our troubles. Actually, that’s not true. The one thing we love more is watching those same child stars fade into obscurity or become drug addled criminals. Serves them right for trying to tear down our child labor laws! But not all child actors fade away. In fact, some remain on the path to success. Let’s catch up with some of our favorite child stars and see how they’re doing. As pampered stars they never had to worry about school, so now it’s finally time to get graded.

What is NC-17?

It isn't porn.  Not by a long shot.  But there's nakedness.  Below-the-belt nakedness.  Hot, sweaty, hunka-hunka, doitdoitdoitnow nakedness.  Okay, it's porn.  And maybe some violence.  But when was the last time a movie was rated NC-17 for violence?  Right, never.  Wait, no, The Wild Bunch was, for about a minute, then re-rated R on appeal.  Curious? See why the NC-17 rating for films exists and where it came from here.

Okay, this gets tricky. Greek food and Mamma Mia? Bad idea. Too planned, too contrived. It screams, "Hey, I have no spontaneity! I've already picked out the floral arrangement for our wedding reception!" And who wants to sit through a movie with souvlaki-breath? But go with Swedish food and you're saying, "Hey, I'm sophisticated enough to know where ABBA's from." Likewise, no on Greek food and My My Big, Fat Greek Wedding. (See "What kind of movie to pick?")

According to Webster’s New Medical Dictionary, "passive-aggressive" was coined by US Military doctors in WWII, who encountered soldiers resisting orders through "stubbornness, sullenness, procrastination, and intentional inefficiency" — and probably leaving lots of mean little notes!

When the movies want great stories, they go to the Olympics. There's always an "event" ready-made for the climax, with the possibility of winning big or losing it all in one instant. And there are obstacles — disease, prejudice, bunions, total paralysis, bad food, jealous coaches. It's all a metaphor for life, isn't it? Life is like fencing — you gotta smack somebody with a sharp metal thing to get ahead. Or life is like the 100-meter butterfly — you gotta race through a thick, wet, chlorinated pool of adversity using a stylized and utterly awkward stroke invented during the Hoover administration. Life is like diving backwards off a 30-foot platform — well, you get it.