Kick Ass Little Girls Rule the Silver Screen!

Las year I went to see  Kickass with a friend and I didn’t know what to expect, as I’m not a hardcore comic based movies, but to my surprise I enjoyed it very much, as did many people on Rotten Tomatoes.

But, what made the movie supercool is that there was a little girl who was awesome!  Played by Chloë Grace Moretz, she was very entertaining to watch, kicking butts left and right.  The film was refreshing and fun, and Chloe added a nice layer to the film.

This year’s Kickass movies is Hanna, which I saw this past weekend and throughly enjoyed as well.  I knew I wanted to see it when I first saw the preview for it and because I like the cast that includes: Saoirse Ronan, who I first saw in Atonement and was very impressed by her performance, and the great Cate Blanchett of course.  Hanna reminded me of what going to the movies was all about, as it had all the winning ingredients: beautiful cinematography and jaw-droping vistas, excellent cast, strong directing, interesting and exhilarating story, full of action and suspense, and simply perfect music by The Chemical Brothers, which added a nice ambiance to the experience.  The movie was not perfect, as it was a bit slow at the beginning while setting up, but that happens with many movies.  But all in all, I give the film a 4 out of 5 stars and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Interestingly enough Hanna also had a very similar rating to Kickass on Rotten Tomatoes, with users having a higher liking on them than critics.

And one last point to note is that both films did very well at the box office during opening weekend, with many fans interested in a similar experience, so the audience for these type of films is out there.  Hanna played in over 2,500 screens in North American Theaters, collecting a relatively impressive $12.4 million and taking the number 2 spot under the Disney film Hop.  Hanna beat the other new releases for last week, which is impressive in itself.  Arthur and Your Highness were playing at more theaters and had a wider appeal because of their budgets, cast and directors.

Hanna was brought to us by Focus Features, who usually focus on smaller artsier films; except for this year with the releases of The Eagle and now Hanna.  Nevertheless, both of their films still managed to keep an independent film flavor and quality to them, which I like.  Hanna was a film that was carried by a little girl, who seems to be getting better and better as an actress as she gets older, and like Chloe, Saoirse is paving the way for many other little girls to rule the world in the silver screen!

Here is Hanna’s trailer for your enjoyment:

The Action on Film Festival Returns to Pasadena – July 23-30

For those film lovers in the Pasadena area searching for something different with a bit more action and substance then big Hollywood summer blockbusters, there is a new film festival I have recently discovered and recommend, called: Action on Film International Film Festival.

This year’s edition will bring nearly 400 low-budget films that promise to be for everyone’s liking, and will attract well-known actors who will be rewarded for their bodies of work, such as: Talia Shire (from the Godfather and Rocky) and Deborah Kara Unger (from White Noise and Silent Hill). I love independent films and going to see them in my city–the crown city–and just hope that the festival is a big success in town, so that the city can attract and host more events like this promoting smaller niche films.  I hope to catch a few worthwhile films at this year’s festival, as Movie Maker Magazine suggests: “It’s one of the top 25 film festivals worth the fees…”

The festival kicks-off Friday, July 23 and will play for a week.

From AOF’s official website:

“The AOF Fest is one of these most progressive film festivals on the scene today. With writers, producers, directors and filmmakers from all over the globe, we are truly an International affair. We have assisted a number of filmmakers in starting their careers; Stan Harrington, Mark Mahon, Justin Owensby, and many others. We have helped people sell their films and projects and helped others gain the recognition and representation they deserved.

Celebrities like Costas Mandylor, Michael Madsen, John Savage, Maria Conchita Alonso, George Takei, Bill Duke, John Saxon, Frances Bay, David Carradine, Steven Williams and many others have found a home at the AOF Festival. And now, people behind the scenes like super producer Karen Kramer, the people from SONY, The Will Rogers Foundation, Independent Distribution Companies, and Industry Insiders etc., now mix and mingle with our independent filmmakers and writers to guide them along the path to success in their careers.

With our move to the beautiful city of Pasadena in 2008, the AOF Festival proved itself to be one of the top events in the world with beautiful theaters, star studded Black Tie Dinner and Award Shows, Writer’s Award Events and hundreds of screenings of the most provocative films, videos, documentaries and works of the written word being showcased today.

The Action on Film Festival is dedicated to filmmakers and to film making. We have developed a program that supports artists and creators and allows them a voice via their work. We have showcased and will continue to showcase, talent, innovation, edge, new voices and YOU.

Action On Film is more than just a film festival, it is a community with members from all over the globe. We extend to you, the filmmaker the opportunity to show your work and to share your dreams with an audience that is ready to stand up and put their hands together, for you.

Don’t forget the Free Events like the Sunday Symposium with Studio Executive Alan Bailey, the new Free Actor’s and Writer’s Symposium and a new event, the Anthony De Longis Making Action Count Seminar which is brought to you by the R.I.O.T. Act and sponsored by In Magazine and the Sheraton Hotel. Order Making Action Count Tickets Here.

Join the Executive Producer of Criminal Minds Ed Bernero when he hosts a very special evening, SWAN, to benefit the Lung Cancer Foundation of America and to honor the work of Andy Swan. Click Here to Learn More“.

For complete scheduling of the movies, visit the website.