Pop Movie Comment - by Craig Hill

Film Australia - Pop Movie Comment

Smart People contest

April 4th 2008 02:31

Professor Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid) might be imperiously brilliant, monumentally self-possessed and an intellectual giant – but when it comes to solving the conundrums of love and family, he’s as downright flummoxed as the next guy.

His teenaged daughter (Ellen Page) is an acid-tongued overachiever who follows all too closely in dad’s misery-loving footsteps, and his adopted, preposterously ne’er-do-well brother (Thomas Haden Church) has perfected the art of freeloading.

A widower who can’t seem to find passion in anything anymore, not even the Victorian Literature in which he’s an expert, it seems Lawrence is sleepwalking through a very stunted middle age.

When his brother shows up unexpectedly for an extended stay at just about the same time as he accidentally encounters his former student Janet (Sarah Jessica Parker), the circumstances cause him to stir from his deep, deep freeze, with often comical, sometimes heartbreaking, consequences for himself and everyone around him.

'Smart People' opens wide across the USA April 11th and April 24th in Australia.

Interested in a sountrack of the movie? We have limited number to give away. Drop us a note and answer the question below in comments and I will be back to you.

Answer this question: Who was originally cast opposite Dennis Quaid in this film, but was replaced with Sarah Jessica Parker?

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Posted By: Scott Rosenberg - Category: Film, Australia, UK, USA

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Aussie 'Bra Boys' to Surf Onto USA Silver Screens

March 25th 2008 02:30

The highest grossing Australian documentary and winner of the 2008 X-Dance Film Festival, ‘Bra Boys,’ will soon be released in select US theaters on April 11, 2008, directly following it’s April 7th LA premiere at the DGA.

World-class surfing and archival footage, along with an against-all-odds story, ‘Bra Boys’ depicts the history of surfers from inner-Sydney suburb Maroubra Beach and the extreme hardship they endure from childhood.

Directed by Sunny Abberton (also one of the stars of the film) and narrated by Academy Award Winner® Russell Crowe, ‘Bra Boys’ became an instant smash hit breaking a 17-year-old record for the most successful Australian, non-IMAX documentary-style film after its release in Australia in March 2007.

‘Bra Boys’ quickly got the attention of Brian Grazer who will produce a fact-based drama based on the documentary. Crowe will make his directorial debut with the film scheduled for late 2008 release as well.

This full-length film shows the Bra Boys’ success in professional big wave surfing, explores their international reputation for hard partying and rough justice, touches on their running battle with authorities and shows their absolute reliance on one another to fit into a society in which they are displaced and, at times, disinterested.

Central to the story is the true-life struggle of the Abberton brothers – Sunny, Koby, and Jai. It is a story of contrast involving against-the-odds success and predictable failures and, ultimately, a story exploring the legacy and hopes of the next generation of Bra Boys members.

“This film is proof of what brotherhood really means,” says Sunny Abberton. His brother, and star of the film, Koby Abberton adds, “You really are only as good as the guy next to you.” The film has sold out all their festival screenings including the Sundance Film Festival, The Louis Vuitton Film Festival in Hawaii and The Alpinist Festival in Wyoming.

“’Bra Boys’ is a movie that has touched so many different people in Australia. It’s a rough story with a lot of love and devotion. Yet at the same time the film uncovers some of the most political and social issues that you never thought a beautiful beach community would have,” says Jason Bergh of Berkela Films. “Russell Crowe lends his distinct voice to a story of brotherhood and survival as powerful as the ocean itself. We are proud to share the tale that ignited a firestorm of controversy in its native Australia while simultaneously breaking box office records. Now it's America's turn to meet the Bra Boys,” adds Sal Masakela of Berkela Films. “VAS is so pleased to be supporting talented film studios like Berkela Films. Their passion and talent inspire us everyday," adds Michael Lythcott of VAS Entertainment.

The full-length film will be released in New York, California and select theaters in Oahu on April 11, 2008.

About Berkela Films

Berkela Films is a full-service boutique distribution and production studio focused on action sports, music and pop culture owned and operated by Sal Masekela and Jason Bergh under the mantra ‘action sports films that matter.’ Berkela’s mission is to bring stories on the action sports lifestyle to light, focusing on its characters and history.

Through executive production, creation and customized marketing Berkela and VAS Entertainment distribute films to niche and mainstream audiences. The most recent release, Disposable Hero - The Brian Deegan Story was awarded Best Biography at X-Dance in 2007 and appeared on Spike TV later that year.

About Vas Entertainment

VAS Entertainment is a market leader in the distribution of action sports films, with content in 42 separate categories ranging from surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding and rock climbing to fitness, football, golf and soccer. Established in 1988, the company distributes hundreds of current titles and works with more than two hundred filmakers.

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Posted By: Scott Rosenberg - Category: Film, Australia

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