THE YOUNG VICTORIA

Screenplay by Julian Fellowes
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee

Emily Blunt
Rupert Friend
Paul Bettany
Miranda Richardson
Jim Broadbent

Premiere date: March 6, 2009
PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking.

"I will be good," Princess Victoria said on discovering she would be Queen. But, as things turned out, it was a touch more complicated. After a stifling childhood, Victoria must find maturity and independence in her early years as a ruler and in her romance with Prince Albert.

MY SUMMER OF LOVE

Based on the novel by Helen Cross
Screenplay by Pawel Pawlikowski and Michael Wynne
Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski

Natalie Press
Emily Blunt
Paddy Considine

Premiere date: August 24, 2004 (Edinburgh Film Festival)
R for sexuality, language and some drug use.

Kindred spirits from different worlds become entagled together one volatile summer in this passionate, psychological thriller. Local girl Mona is naive, reckless and filled with yearning for something more in life. Tamsin is spoiled and bored and trying to escape the confines of her prep-school existence when she draws Mona into her fantasy world. But what started as a magical friendship soon becomes laced with deception and danger.

Edinburgh Film Festival
Best New British Feature

SUNSHINE CLEANING

Screenplay by Megan Holley
Directed by Christine Jeffs

Amy Adams
Emily Blunt
Alan Arkin

Premiere date: January 18, 2008 (Sundance Film Festival)
R for language, disturbing images, some sexuality and drug use.

Desperate to get her son into a better school, single mom Rose Lorkowski persuades her slacker sister Norah to join her in the crime scene cleanup business to make some quick cash. With the help of their ill-fated salesman father, they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, finding themselves up to their elbows in murders, suicides, and...specialized situations. But underneath the dust and grime they also come to discover a true respect for one another, and create a brighter future for the entire Lorkowski family.

Sundance Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize Nominee

The Wolfman Is Coming

Another trailer has hit the web this morning. This one is for The Wolfman, a remake of the 1941 original that starred Lon Chaney, Jr. This time around Benicio del Toro is the wolfman, a man bitten by a werewolf who survives and catches the curse himself in 19th century London. The rest of the cast is impressive too, with Hugo Weaving, Emily Blunt, and Anthony Hopkins all in major roles.

The trailer looks pretty good, but I do have a few concerns, the first being director Joe Johnston, who is probably most famous for Jurassic Park III, a film I hated. Second is the remake factor. Even the good ones stir up some indignation in me, as I just plain don't think advanced technology and potential box office success are good enough reasons for a remake. Or a sequel, for that matter.

Third and finally there is the trouble The Wolfman had finding and keeping a release date. The release has been rescheduled countless times, with the most recent move being from this November to next February. I hate to be a cynic but a move from awards season to a lighter month like February isn't often a good sign.

But I digress, the trailer is here, and looks to be some scary fun. Enjoy.