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Entries in War (3)

Wednesday

04Feb2009

Barry Levinson set to direct 'Babi Yar' adaptation

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 10:47AM | By

Franck Tabouring

Barry Levinson is set to direct a big-screen adaptation of Anatoly Kuznetsov's WWII classic "Babi Yar."

Here's how Variety describes the project:

"Novel is the author's harrowing account of witnessing mass executions of Jews, gypsies, Poles and prisoners of war during the German occupation of Kiev. The title refers to a ravine called Babi Yar where the atrocities took place."

"Yar" will be produced on a $35 million budget, and shooting is expected to start in Ukraine and Romania in April.

Levinson's credits unclude "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Rain Man," and more recently "Man of the Year." He last helmed "What Just Happened."

The most recent WWII films to open in theaters include "Defiance," "Valkyrie," "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" and "The Counterfeiters."

'The Hurt Locker' premieres at Venice

Friday, September 5, 2008 at 10:11PM | By

Franck Tabouring

After a six-year absence from the big screen, Kathryn Bigelow returns with "The Hurt Locker," a drama about the dangerous work of an elite Army bomb squad in Iraq. Starring Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce, Sam Reford and Jeremy Renner, the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival this week. Here's what the press is saying about the film:

• Shane Danielsen at Times Online: "Like the men it depicts, 'The Hurt Locker' never rises above its own limitations."

• Deborah Young at The Hollywood Reporter: "For a film purporting to be about soldiers' psychology, 'The Hurt Locker' makes little in-depth analysis of its characters."

• Variety's Derek Elley: "The major problem with the script by journalist Mark Boal, who was embedded with a bomb squad in Baghdad four years ago, is that it's unclear where the drama in 'Locker' really lies."

• Richard Corliss at Time: "The appearances by some familiar faces — Fiennes, Guy Pearce, David Morse — are all too brief."

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Friday

08Aug2008

Brad Pitt officially joins ‘Inglorious Bastards’

Friday, August 8, 2008 at 9:08AM | By

Franck Tabouring

Over the past week we’ve heard and read quite a lot about the casting of Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming WWII drama “Inglorious Bastards,” and now things slowly seem to be coming together. Well, it’s about time.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brad Pitt has now officially joined the project. That’s right, Mr. Jolie has signed on to play Lt. Aldo Raine, leader of the Jewish resistance.

Also in negotiations to star in the violent drama is Simon Pegg, who would star as a British lieutenant. Additionally, Tarantino is in talks with Nastassja Kinski for the role of a German actress.

Just a few days ago, “Hostel” director Eli Roth also jumped on board. He will play one of the gang of Nazi hunters.

I’m glad the pre-production on Tarantino’s flick is moving ahead at a quick pace. If he really wants to have the film ready for the 2009 edition of the Cannes Film Festival, it’s about time to hit the sets and start shooting, literally.

Update on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 10:59AM by

Franck Tabouring

Something i forgot to mention. B.J. Novak is also in talks to star in Tarantino's flick. Read about it here.