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Paul W.S. Anderson, known for directing the Resident Evil film series and the cult classic sci-fi horror Event Horizon, is stepping into new territory with his latest project, In the Lost Lands. This fantasy-action film is adapted from a 1982 short story by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.

Anderson described the film as an “adult fairy tale,” full of “bone-crunching violence” and “horrific surprises.” He explains that this movie is unlike anything he has done before, especially in terms of its look and tone. “It’s very different to anything I’ve done before,” Anderson says. “I really wanted to embrace the mythic fairy tale quality of it, so it’s an R-rated fairy tale, that’s for sure.”

The film, which will be featured in the latest issue of SFX Magazine, blends fantasy and action in a way Anderson believes will resonate with audiences. “The concept was just fabulous,...

“In The Lost Lamds” is a new ‘epic fantasy’ feature, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, based on a short story by George R. R. Martin, starring Milla Jovovich and Arly Jover, opening March 7, 2025 in theaters:

“…a queen, desperate to find happiness in love, takes a daring step: she sends the powerful and feared witch ‘Gray Alys’ (Jovovich) to the ‘Lost Lands’ to give her the ability to turn into a ‘werewolf’.

“Now with the mysterious hunter ‘Boyce’, who supports her in the fight against dark creatures and merciless enemies…

“…Gray Alys roams an eerie and dangerous world. And only she knows that every wish she grants has unimaginable consequences…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Protagonizada por Milla Jovovich y Dave Bautista. © Diamond Films

Ya está aquí el primer tráiler y póster de la película de acción y aventura fantástica En las tierras perdidas (In The Lost Lands), basada en el relato de George R. R. Martin (Juego de tronos) y dirigida por Paul W.S. Anderson, responsable de la saga Resident Evil.

En las tierras perdidas cuenta la historia de una reina (Amara Okereke), desesperada por encontrar la felicidad en el amor, que envía a la poderosa bruja Gray Alys (Milla Jovovich) a las Tierras Perdidas en busca de un poder mágico que permite a una persona transformarse en un hombre lobo. Con el misterioso cazador Boyce (Dave Bautista), que la apoya en la lucha contra criaturas oscuras y despiadadas, Gray vaga por un mundo inquietante y peligroso. Pero solo ella sabe que cada deseo que se concede tiene consecuencias inimaginables.

La película está protagonizada por Milla Jovovich,...

George R.R. Martin’s short story In the Lost Lands is making its way to the big screen this year, bringing a mix of dark fantasy, action, and adventure. The first trailer, starring Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista, showcases a desolate, post-apocalyptic world where magic and danger collide. The film, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, is set to release on March 7.

In this adaptation, Jovovich plays Gray Alys, a powerful sorceress hired by a queen to venture into the ghostly wilderness of the Lost Lands in search of a magical power. Her mission is to secure the ability to transform into a werewolf, but it’s a perilous task.

To navigate this treacherous realm, she teams up with Boyce, a drifter played by Bautista. Together, they must outwit both human and supernatural threats in a world reshaped by ancient wars.

Originally published in 1982 as part of the Amazons II anthology,...

“In The Lost Lamds” is a new ‘epic fantasy’ feature, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, based on a short story by George R. R. Martin, starring Milla Jovovich and Arly Jover, opening Marchn7, 2025 in theaters:

“…a queen, desperate to find happiness in love, takes a daring step: she sends the powerful and feared witch ‘Gray Alys’ (Jovovich) to the ‘Lost Lands’ to give her the ability to turn into a ‘werewolf’.

“Now with the mysterious hunter ‘Boyce’, who supports her in the fight against dark creatures and merciless enemies…

“…Gray Alys roams an eerie and dangerous world. And only she knows that every wish she grants has unimaginable consequences…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

A new official trailer has been released for In the Lost Lands. In the Lost Lands is an action-fantasy movie about a sorceress who travels to the Lost Lands in order to find a magical power than will allow a human to transformer into a werewolf. The film is based on a short story by Game of Thrones extraordinaire George R. R. Martin, and adapted to the screen by Paul W.S. Anderson and Constantin Werner. Anderson also directed the film, which is set to star Milla Jovovich, Dave Bautista, Arly Jover, and Fraser James.

Now, Vertical has released the trailer for In the Lost Lands. Check it out below:

More to come...

Source: Vertical...

"Her power grows stronger by the day." Vertical has revealed the first official trailer for a new fantasy action adventure movie called In the Lost Lands, a collaboration between filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson (yep he's still making more movies) and writer George R.R. Martin. A queen, desperate to find happiness in love, takes a daring step: she sends the powerful and feared witch Gray Alys to the "Lost Lands" to give her the magical gift of turning into a werewolf. She's joined by the mysterious hunter Boyce, fighting against dark creatures and merciless enemies, roaming an eerie and dangerous world. So it's climate change future but also has fantastical creatures galore? Starring Milla Jovovich as Gray Alys, Dave Bautista as Boyce, with Arly Jover, Amara Okereke, Fraser James, Simon Lööf, and Deirdre Mullins. This is set for a theatrical release this March but it doesn't seem like it will make much of a splash,...

There isn't a dearth of movies that redefined their genres; it's a considerably common phenomenon due to the cyclical nature of popular culture. The same set of tropes goes through the phases of being reclaimed from their past rejection, recontextualized for the current age, overused to exhaustion, and then rejected for the previous set of tropes to make a return. This is how we have movies that reinvigorated dying genres, either by subverting prevalent tropes at the time or by reintroducing tropes previously lost to overuse that feel refreshing at that point in time.

Of course, some movies can't be put into one genre because they're that different, but genre films particularly go through a reinvention every few years with the introduction of a new unique perspective. The switch in perspective can take the form of narrative structure, visual conventions, or even characterization. While the last is a rarer circumstance,...

Wesley Snipes played Blade for many years before Mahershala Ali's MCU debut in 2025. Snipes responded to rumors about a potential return with a cryptic tweet, sparking speculation about his potential comeback. Marvel fans are buzzing with excitement over the possibility of Snipes reprising his role as the vampire hunter.

Wesley Snipes responded to rumors that he is returning as Blade in the MCU, spawning speculation that the actor could reprise his role as the legendary vampire killer. Snipes first played Marvel's famous daywalker in 1998's Blade and returned as the character in 2002's Blade II and in 2004's Blade: Trinity. While Mahershala Ali is planned to debut as the McU's Blade in 2025, there is a possibility that Snipes could reprise the role before Ali's movie comes out, and the actor fueled the flames by responding to these rumors.

On X, Snipes shared a link to an article from Screengeek...

Federation Studios has acquired distribution rights to “The Morning After,” an eight-part comedy series headlined by up-and-coming British actor Amara Okereke (“In the Lost Lands”). It filmed on location in Cape Town in South Africa.

The show is produced by Paris-based company Paradoxal and Cape Town-based outfit Both Worlds, which previously partnered on “Recipes for Love and Murder.” The series is co-produced by Swr, Ard FabFiction and Prime Video Africa.

“The Morning After” will premiere in Sub-Saharan Africa on Prime Video and in Germany on Ard’s SVOD service Mediatek. Okereke stars in the series opposite a young local ensemble including Gaosi Raditholo, Carmen Pretorius, Richard Gau, Tarryn Wyngaard and Danica Jones.

Created by Thierry Cassuto and Karen Jeynes, “The Morning After” tells the story of 25-year-old Birmingham party girl Nina Morgan, who wakes up naked on a beach in Cape Town about 6,000 miles from home. She’s rescued by...

The 2017 Sundance Film Festival is coming to a close with tonight’s awards ceremony. While we’ll have our personal favorites coming early this week, the jury and audience have responded with theirs, topped by Macon Blair‘s I don’t feel at home in this world anymore., which will arrive on Netflix in late February, and the documentary Dina. Check out the full list of winners below see our complete coverage here.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Larry Wilmore to:

Dina / U.S.A. (Directors: Dan Sickles, Antonio Santini) — An eccentric suburban woman and a Walmart door-greeter navigate their evolving relationship in this unconventional love story.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Peter Dinklage to:

I don’t feel at home in this world anymore. / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Macon Blair) — When a depressed woman is burglarized, she...

Playwright, author, screenwriter, and director Helene Hegemann has said (through her publisher) that, “There’s no such thing as originality anyway, just authenticity.” The words were spoken after her debut novel Axolotl Roadkill earned critical praise, a spot as a finalist for a major book award, and multiple, potentially damning plagiarism claims. Hegemann was seventeen when it published and admitted to the cribbing as soon as it was brought to light. She blamed her generation’s penchant for mixing and sampling, for taking what’s bouncing around the æther and making it her own with newfound honesty and meaning. Say what you will, the book sold and kept selling. This German phenom hit upon the zeitgeist with her tale of drug-addled excess and mental instability — in subject matter and process.

Considering she had a play staged at fifteen and a short film released to acclaim, it was only a matter...

Axelotl Overkill Review Axelotl Overkill (2017), Film Review from the 33rd Annual Sundance Film Festival, a movie directed by Helene Hegemann, starring Jasna Fritzi Bauer, Arly Jover, Laura Tonke, Mavie Hörbiger, Hans Löw, and Bernhard Schütz. How is it that a film can be simultaneously provocative yet entirely boring? First-time director Helene Hegemann has mastered the art in this deliberately vague […]...

X-Men spinoff and Trainspotting sequel to play Out of Competition.

A further 13 films have been invited to screen in the Competition and Berlinale Special section at the 67th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival.

The festival has added commercial clout to its Out Of Competition lineup in the shape of Danny Boyle’s T2 Trainspotting and X-Men spinoff Logan.

There are also competition berths for new films by Hong Sangsoo, Thomas Arslan, Volker Schlöndorff, Sabu, Álex de la Iglesia and Josef Hader.

Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha’s latest, Viceroy’s House, will have its world premiere out of competition at the festival. Starring Hugh Bonneville alongside Gillian Anderson, the period drama set in 1947 India depicts Lord Mountbatten, the man charged with handing India back to its people.

Also having its world premiered out of competition will be Álex de la Iglesia’s The Bar, a comedy-thriller about a group of strangers who get...

After an initial line-up that included Aki Kaurismäki‘s The Other Side of Hope, Oren Moverman‘s Richard Gere-led The Dinner, Sally Potter‘s The Party, and Agnieszka Holland‘s Spoor, the Berlin International Film Festival have added more anticipated premieres. Highlights include one of two (maybe three) new Hong Sang-soo films this year, On the Beach at Night Alone, along with Volker Schlöndorff‘s Return to Montauk with Stellan Skarsgård and Nina Hoss, as well as the high-profile world premiere of James Mangold‘s Logan and the international premiere of Danny Boyle‘s T2: Trainspotting.

With Paul Verhoeven serving as jury president for the 67th edition of the festival, check out the new additions below.

Competition

Bamui haebyun-eoseo honja (On the Beach at Night Alone)

South Korea

By Hong Sangsoo (Nobody’s Daughter Haewon, Right Now, Wrong Then)

With Kim Minhee, Seo Younghwa, Jung Jaeyoung, Moon Sungkeun,...

David Fincher’s remake of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (based on the first book by the late Stieg Larsson) is supposed to be delivering a proper trailer sometime this week, but as the saying goes, the best laid plans of mice and men, etc. Anyways, after the Red Band Trailer surfaced over the weekend, here’s a safe for work version. It’s essentially the same trailer, minus the glimpses of nudity and a bit of sex featured in the Red Band. The film stars Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Stellan Skarsgård, Robin Wright, Joely Richardson, Steven Berkoff, Geraldine James, and Arly Jover. The girl and her tattoo shows up in theaters December 21, 2011.

High time to round up the films at this year's Cannes Film Festival that never saw entries of their own and send them on their way. Today: Un Certain Regard.

"Bakur Bakuradze's The Hunter seems like a ficticious version of Raymond Depardon's Modern Life, a trilogy on farming that was screened in Cannes in 2008," finds Moritz Pfeifer, who also interviews the director for the East European Film Bulletin. "With no soundtrack, no professional actors, little dialogue and a minimalist plot, the film depicts the daily life of Ivan (Mikhail Barskovich) as he peacefully runs his pig farm in one of the less populous areas of northwestern Russia…. Clearly, Bakuradze wants to depict an alternative world, and the spirit of his film is more utopian than its hyper-realistic images suggest."

Grumbles the Hollywood Reporter's Kirk Honeycutt: "There is maybe 10 to 15 minutes of actual story located within this 124 minute slog,...

See an exclusive clip from "Little Ashes," starring "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro.     See it now.   What's "Little Ashes" about?   Romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university; 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university's social elite - Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Buñuel. Salvador is absorbed into their decadent group and for a time Salvador, Luis and Federico become a formidable trio, the most ultra-modern group in Madrid.

See an exclusive clip from "Little Ashes," starring "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university; 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university's social elite - Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Buñuel. Salvador is absorbed into their decadent group and for a time Salvador, Luis and Federico become a formidable trio, the most ultra-modern group in Madrid.

See an exclusive clip from "Little Ashes," starring "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university; 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university's social elite - Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Buñuel. Salvador is absorbed into their decadent group and for a time Salvador, Luis and Federico become a formidable trio, the most ultra-modern group in Madrid.

Its Monday and we have a short but sweet set of odds and ends for you today. Weve got some new clips from Robert Pattinsons upcoming movie Little Ashes an air date for Jackson Rathbones appearance on Criminal Minds Miley Cyrus admits that shes just not that into Robert Pattinson and morenbspMiley Cyrus Dishes On Robert PattinsonDisney star tells Teen Vogue that shes just not that into the Twilight heartthrob. To read the full article click here.First Little Ashes tickets on saleLittle Ashes biopic film about the life and times of ubercreative Spanish artist Salvador Dali starring The Twilight Saga New Moon star Robert Pattinson alongside Javier Beltran Matthew McNulty Arly Jover and Marina Gatell amongst others has its first venue already selling tickets more than a month in advance. The film which is set for release in the United States on May 8th is expected to draw in...

Little Ashes, biopic film about the life and times of uber-creative Spanish artist Salvador Dali, starring The Twilight Saga: New Moon star Robert Pattinson alongside Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty, Arly Jover, and Marina Gatell, amongst others, has its first venue already selling tickets more than a month in advance. The film, which is set for release in the United States on May 8th, is expected to draw in many, many eager Rob fans across the globe. Thus,the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas in New York City, New York is taking its cue. It is one of the first few to begin pre-selling tickets online for Little Ashes (to purchase, see here). The film, which is rated R, ...

Check out a first looks at “Little Ashes” by director Paul Morrison (Wondrous Oblivion) and starring Robert Pattinson (Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon), Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty (Messengers 2: The Scarecrow), Arly Jover (Regrets) and Marina Gatell. Synopsis: In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university; 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university’s social elite - Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Bunel. Salvador is absorbed into their [...]...

The trailer is in for "Little Ashes" and we suggest you check out our gallery for the film starring Javier Beltran, Robert Pattinson, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Paul Morrison helms from the writing by Philippa Goslett. The drama sees release March 27th next year and is rated R for sexual content, language and a brief disturbing image. Romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde.

The trailer is in for "Little Ashes" and we suggest you check out our gallery for the film starring Javier Beltran, Robert Pattinson, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Paul Morrison helms from the writing by Philippa Goslett. The drama sees release March 27th next year and is rated R for sexual content, language and a brief disturbing image. Romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde.

The trailer is in for "Little Ashes" and we suggest you check out our gallery for the film starring Javier Beltran, Robert Pattinson, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Paul Morrison helms from the writing by Philippa Goslett. The drama sees release March 27th next year and is rated R for sexual content, language and a brief disturbing image. Romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university; 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university's social elite...

The trailer is in for "Little Ashes" and we suggest you check out our gallery for the film starring Javier Beltran, Robert Pattinson, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Paul Morrison helms from the writing by Philippa Goslett. The drama sees release March 27th next year and is rated R for sexual content, language and a brief disturbing image. Romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde.

Summit Entertainment has their first blockbuster in "Twilight." The Catherine Hardwicke helmed film adapted from the best-selling Stephenie Meyer title posted an estimated $70.5 million debut weekend. Opening in 3,419 theatres, the film averaged a strong $20,636 average per venue. Here are the daily figures for now: Friday: $35,872,000Saturday: $21,019,000Sunday: $13,662,000At the current estimate, the teen girl targeted "Twilight" is the fourth biggest November opener ahead of "The Incredibles" with $70.4 million and last weekend's top spot holding "Quantum of Solace" with $67.5 million. It is however, the highest grossing female directed film ever. The next in the list is Paramount's "Deep Impact" helmed by Mimi Ledger with $41.1 million. Dropping 59% in comparison to its debut weekend, Bond actioner "Quantum of Solace" posted $27.4 million and has accumulated over $418 million dollars in worldwide numbers so far. U.S. figures are responsible for $109.4 million of that total. Disney's family opener "Bolt" featuring the voice talents of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus,...

From Regent Releasing we have new images in from "Little Ashes" which stars "Twilight" lead actor Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Paula Morrison, helmer of the critically acclaimed Delroy Lindo starrer "Wondrous Oblivion," directs from the screenplay by Philippa Goslett, a first-timer at the time. Goslett has now completed work on the Aaron Stanford led comedy "Holy Money." "Little Ashes" is a romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca.

From Regent Releasing we have new images in from "Little Ashes" which stars "Twilight" lead actor Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Paula Morrison, helmer of the critically acclaimed Delroy Lindo starrer "Wondrous Oblivion," directs from the screenplay by Philippa Goslett, a first-timer at the time. Goslett has now completed work on the Aaron Stanford led comedy "Holy Money." "Little Ashes" is a romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca.

From Regent Releasing we have new images in from "Little Ashes" which stars "Twilight" lead actor Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Paula Morrison, helmer of the critically acclaimed Delroy Lindo starrer "Wondrous Oblivion," directs from the screenplay by Philippa Goslett, a first-timer at the time. Goslett has now completed work on the Aaron Stanford led comedy "Holy Money." "Little Ashes" is a romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca.In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university; 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the...

From Regent Releasing we have new images in from "Little Ashes" which stars "Twilight" lead actor Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola, Simón Andreu, Vicky Peña, Sue Flack, Ferran Audí and Bruno Oro. Paula Morrison, helmer of the critically acclaimed Delroy Lindo starrer "Wondrous Oblivion," directs from the screenplay by Philippa Goslett, a first-timer at the time. Goslett has now completed work on the Aaron Stanford led comedy "Holy Money." "Little Ashes" is a romantic story about the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca.

This is not to be confused with the post apocalyptic zombedy of the same name, this is a straight horror film which was announced long before. We had posted info that the crew was scouting locations, and now James has given us permission to announce shooting will begin in November. It will be shot on location in France, but will be done in English. It will star Brad Dourif (we all know him), Arly Jover, Beatrice Rosen (The Dark Knight). Music will be done by award winning composer Klaus Schulze, with special FX being done by Christophe Spadaccini (Immortal, Irreversible, Dante 01, Eden Log). And probably the biggest news of all is that the director of photgraphy will be Laurent Chalet who lensed March of the Penguins. "The movie's about a retired funeral director who turns his vast funeral home into a museum of death where you get to stroll...

Indican Pictures

Hollywood spoiled brats (finally) get to strive for their 87 minutes of fame in "The Young Unknowns". This debut feature from writer/director/co-producer Catherine Jelski actually played the festival circuit in 2000 and is only now getting a limited release.

The title characters consist of four showbiz twentysomethings led by top-billed Devon Gummersall (TV's "My So-Called Life" and "Felicity"). He and his co-stars have roles that are meaty but perhaps more suitable for an acting monologue. It's doubtful that these pampered postpubescents can win over multiplex audiences in any meaningful fashion.

Gummersall plays Charlie, a narcissistic stoner/boozer and overgrown rich kid. Mom and Dad split up a decade earlier, each leaving town for other climes with younger, more beautiful mates. A chauvinist hothead, Charlie is a budding commercial director -- following in Dad's footsteps -- while he mans "the L.A. house" for London-based Pop.

That L.A. house is virtually the whole show here, as the first half of Jelski's film never strays from the home and pool. Because of this, "The Young Unknowns" reveals its stage origins early on. Interestingly, Jelski's inspiration was the 1969 Austrian play "Magic Afternoon" by Wolfgang Bauer of the theater of cruelty school.

The attempt to transfer Bauer's themes to turn-of-the-millennium Hollywood is commendable. The film, unfortunately, is not. Charlie's baby auteur declares that "story is dead; image rules." Watching this talkathon, it's hard to deny the point.

Shot in super 16 mm, the camera setups and directing choices are generally fine, though the sound could be better, as the dialogue is occasionally muffled. The cast (Arly Jover's disgusted foreign girlfriend, Eion Bailey's partying-psycho best buddy and Leslie Bibb's model/cokehead) meshes well. Gummersall and Bibb (lately of "ER") deserve bigger opportunities. Still, the constriction of both story and primary set becomes static, and Charlie's macho-versus-abandoned persona eventually gets tiresome.

"The Young Unknowns" is a curious exercise in the vein of David Rabe's "Hurlyburly" that needed greater dramatic heft than is exhibited by the industry lightweights it depicts.