While Matteo Garrone‘s “Tale Of Tales” made a starry debut on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival last spring, it didn’t seem to bowl over critics. While we called it “engrossing and entertaining,” we also noted it was more of an in-the-moment pleasure. Still, with this cast and what look to be some unforgettable visuals, the picture looks like one that’s still worth tracking down.
Sea monsters, monarchs, ogres, and sorcerers: Salma Hayek and John C. Reilly star in this breathtaking Baroque fantasy from the visionary director of Gomorrah. Based on three spellbinding stories of magic and the macabre by 17th-century folklorist Giambattista Basile, Tale of Tales unleashes a barrage of mind-bogglingly gorgeous and fantastical imagery as it brings to life the (mis)adventures of three kings: in the kingdom of Darkwood, the King (Reilly) and his Queen (Hayek) attempt to conceive a child through very unusual means; meanwhile, in Highhills, the none-too-bright monarch (Toby Jones) marries off his daughter to brutal ogre while developing a strange obsession with breeding a giant flea; and, the sex-obsessed crown of Strongcliff (Vincent Cassel) is in for a shock when the woman he falls in love with is not quite what she seems. Overflowing with surreal, dazzling surprises, this intoxicating cinematic spectacle is a delirious excursion into the dark heart of fairy tales.
“Tale Of Tales” is now available on DirecTV and will open in limited and On Demand on April 22nd. Watch the new U.S. trailer below.
These DirecTV postings followed by in-theater screenings is quite possibly the most numb-skulled business strategy of the 21st Century. Run the damn movie in major US cities for two weeks, then shift it to OnDemand the third weekend. This should have been in theaters in the beginning of the year. All the intrigue and glow of good reviews are burned out. Step on it! The world is moving faster and faster. So should theatrical releases. What bad business – is this a money laundering effort?? Unbelievable.
These DirecTV postings followed by in-theater screenings is quite possibly the most numb-skulled business strategy of the 21st Century. Run the damn movie in major US cities for two weeks, then shift it to OnDemand the third weekend. This should have been in theaters in the beginning of the year. All the intrigue and glow of good reviews are burned out. Step on it! The world is moving faster and faster. So should theatrical releases. What bad business – is this a money laundering effort?? Unbelievable.