Day 12
Splice

Produced by Guillermo del Toro, written and directed by Vincenzo Natali (Cube, Nothing, and the vastly underrated Cypher), Splice has been on my radar for a very long time.  What got me hooked even before I know the players was the fantastic creature design of Dren, the genetic hybrid of animal and human.  Visually, Splice does not disappoint.  It’s a cerebral creature feature that overcomes a few missteps and is now one of my favorite genre films of 2010.

When Splice was released in theaters, it was a prime example of a movie studio not knowing how to market a film.  The trailers made it look like another creature feature horror flick, when it is so much more than a straight horror film.  It’s a film about ambitious and ego-centric scientists who make all the wrong decisions and end up putting their lives, others and careers in jeopardy. 

Splice is the story of two young ambitious geneticists who are on the verge of a medical breakthrough by splicing different species of animals into new organisms.  When their research is threatened by the pharmaceutical company who funds them, Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) secretly breed a new organism using human DNA.  The result is Dren (yes, that’s “nerd” spelled backwards), a beautiful yet lethal humanoid animal who becomes like a strange adopted daughter to Elsa.  While keeping Dren secret, she is also maturing at an exponential rate, bringing into play heightened emotions and physical urges she can’t comprehend.  Clive and Elsa must make a decision to halt their research and terminate Dren, or continue with their illegal research to further science and their personal ambitions.

I absolutely loved this film.  There are some logical missteps with the script and some coincidences that had me rolling my eyes, but ultimately the film works.  It’s great to see a director’s original vision on-screen, and Splice further cements Vincenzo Natali as a unique and important story-teller.

What I loved:

• Creature Design.  Dren’s design especially  is wonderful.  Beautiful, elegant, yet threatening. 
  Well thought out story.  This isn’t a re-hash of other creature features.  It’s an interesting journey and ultimately a satisfying conclusion.
• Strong acting.  Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley are in great form here.  While both character’s are somewhat unlikable, they are still compelling enough that we care for the journey.  They both are flawed, but as an audience we still want to see them make the right choices.
• Perfect pacing, the movie feels the right length and does not overstep its welcome.
• Moody and well shot.  The cinematography is excellent.
• Cyrille Aufort‘s score.  I’m a huge movie score nut and this score enhances the movie in all the right ways.

What I didn’t like (May contain spoilers):

• “Oh, by the way, I have a FARM!” There are some plot points that are extremely coincidental and you just have to roll with it.  The fact that Elsa actually has a farm (it is deserted & was inherited, natch) is hugely convenient since they have to hide a humanoid creature from the world.  But, I rolled with it, no biggie.
• These “smart” scientists make some hugely dumb decisions.  But, it does move the story along, so it’s forgivable.
• **BEGIN SPOILER** Elsa gets over the fact that she catches Clive mid-coitus with Dren far too easily.  I’m sorry, but if my significant other decided to fuck our genetic creation, it would take more than an “Uh…I’m sorry…” to win me back.  There was an opportunity for some really interesting drama to take place, and it didn’t.  Brilliant set up and idea, poor follow through.**END SPOILER**
• The third act delves into classic monster-movie-mode.  It’s not a deal breaker, I was expecting a little more from the last confrontations.

Ultimately, there is A LOT to like about Splice.  I think it’s a brave and well made film, and while I had some gripes they ultimately did not spoil the movie for me.  Splice is an interesting entry into the Science Fiction/Horror realm and a film I’ll be re-visiting in the near future.

Written and Directed by Vincenzo Natali (Cube) and produced by Guillermo del Toro, has been on my radar for quite some time.  Finally some original Science Fiction and hopefully compelling ideas will be in the theaters.  I need a break from sequels and remakes.

View the trailer after the jump:

View in HD at Apple.com

Synopsis

Two young scientists (Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley) achieve fame by splicing human DNA with the DNA of different animals to create a new creature. In the process they ignore their society’s ethical and legal boundaries. The scientists name their creature “Dren”, which is initially a deformed female infant, however it rapidly develops into a beautiful but deadly winged human—chimera.

The Brothers Bloom

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Directed By: Rian Johnson

Starring: Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz, Rinko Kikuchi

Plot:

All their lives, brothers Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom (Adrien Brody) have perfected the fine art of the con.  Now they’re ready for one last spectacular score – luring Penelope (Rachel Weisz), an eccentric heiress, into an elaborate scheme that takes them around the world.

Review:

While “cookie cutter” stories are littering Hollywood and the current box office, many original and memorable movies are being tossed into minimal theatrical releases and horribly thought out DVD/Blu Ray releases.  Case in point: if you want to own the wonderfully original and quirky film The Brothers Bloom, you’ll have to either steal it from a local video rental establishment (not recommended!), or buy it from our Canadian neighbors (I chose the latter).  Or, just wait until January for the U. S. release and rent it numerous times until then.  Either way, The Brothers Bloom is a film that needs to be seen.

Writer/Director, Rian Johnson is on my short list of best up-and-coming directors.  His debut film, Brick was also an under-seen yet brilliant piece of work.  Rian Johnson has a knack for writing characters and stories that stay with you long after the film is over.  Following up Brick with The Brothers Bloom, Rian Johnson has shown us he likes to challenge himself and improve his craft with each film.

The Brothers Bloom is a story about the relationship between brothers.  It comes across to me personally as the most intimate look I’ve seen in film, at the complex relationship brothers can have.  Although, Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo look nothing at all like brothers, what sells it is their interactions throughout the film.  At first I was a bit worried that I’d believe these two to be brothers.  However, early on all that subsided as their characters began to be fleshed out on screen.

Complementing the brothers are Rachel Weisz as an eccentric shut in named Penelope and Rinko Kikuchi in a brilliant role with virtually no dialog as Bang Bang.  Both women are the charm of the movie and were cast perfectly.  I can now say that my favorite Rachel Weisz role ever is Penelope.  She portrays someone who is eccentric, but at the same time very innocent.  She is the backbone for the film and anchors the plot more than even the Brothers.

The Brothers Bloom is nearly a perfect film.  It’s easily one of my favorites of the year.  My only problem with the film were some tonal shifts from absurdist comedy to some dramatic set pieces.  While both tones of the film work on their own right, once the film shifts to more of a drama I think some of the weight isn’t there because of earlier comedic pitches.  However, upon a second viewing the third act shift is less noticeable.

With only two films under his belt, Rian Johnson has earned his place as a writer and director to watch.  He’s wholly original and his films bear a quality not seen in mainstream movies today.  There’s an honesty to both Brick and The Brothers Bloom that I hope will inspire future filmmakers and will hopefully put Rian Johnson on the map as one of this centuries premiere filmmakers.

Rated PG-13 for violence, some sensuality and brief strong language.

Preorder from Amazon (US), buy from Amazon Canada, or rent from Netflix.

I really can’t wait for Vincenzo Natali’s film Splice, starring Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine Chaneac, David Hewlett, and Brandon McGibbon. The film is also produced by creature genious Guillermo del Toro.

No news yet on U.S. Disribution as the Movie Studio has experienced some financial problems.  I hope this film comes out sooner rather than later!

Plot Synopsis:

Splice tells the tale of Elsa and Clive, two young rebellious scientists who defy legal and ethical boundaries and forge ahead with a dangerous experiment: splicing together human and animal DNA to create a new organism. Named Dren, the creature rapidly develops from a deformed female infant into a beautiful but dangerous winged human-chimera, who forges a bond with both of her creators – only to have that bond turn deadly.

I haven’t been excited about The Brothers Bloom until now. After FINALLY seeing a trailer, I see what people are excited about. This looks fun.

Plot Synopsis:

The Brothers Bloom is a globe-trotting comedy about the last great adventure of the world’s best con men.

Welcome to the world of The Brothers Bloom, where deception is an art and nothing is as it seems. The brothers have perfected the art of swindling fortunes through years of fraternal teamwork. Now they’ve decided to take on one last spectacular job—luring a beautiful and eccentric heiress into an elaborate plot that takes them around the world.

For as long as they can remember, the Brothers Bloom have had only each other to depend on. From their childhood in a long series of gloomy foster homes to their highflying lives as international con artists, Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom (Adrien Brody) have shared everything. Stephen brilliantly concocts intricate stories that the brothers live out, but he’s still searching for the perfect con, the one where “everyone gets what they want.” Meanwhile, Bloom yearns for “an unwritten life”—a real adventure, one not dreamed up by his old brother.

Eager to retire, Bloom agrees to take part in one last grand scam. He insinuates himself into the life of Penelope (Rachel Wiesz), a bored, single New Jersey heiress. When a genuine romance begins to blossom between them, he is reluctant to exploit her naiveté, but Penelope has already taken the bait: She impulsively joins Bloom, Stephen and their “associate,” a sexy Japanese explosives expert named Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi), on an ocean liner to Greece. Penelope is convinced she’s happened upon the adventure of a lifetime and offers to bankroll a million dollar deal. As the quartet makes their way from Athens to Prague to Mexico to St. Petersburg, Penelope quickly becomes addicted to the illicit thrills. But as Stephen’s elaborate web of deceit pulls tighter, Bloom begins to wonder if his brother has devised the most dangerous con of his life.

Guillermo del Toro is the man.  Recently I found out he’s producing a really interesting sounding Science Fiction film called Splice .  Kind of an Alien meets Frankenstein type story, but these images turned my head in a huge way.

Directed by Vincenzo Natali (Cube) and starring Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley, Splice is the story of two rogue scientists who decide to take genetic splicing to the next level.  Basically, all hell then breaks loose.

Bloody Disgusting has a first look at the creature in some hi-res pics. Here’s a taste, but you’ll have to click on over to them to check out the rest:

This is looking to be pretty awesome.  I can’t wait to see a trailer for this.  I’ll be following this movie closely, so stay tuned!

source: Geeks of Doom, Film School Rejects, Shock Till  You Drop