FilmJerk Favorites

A group of unique directors and the essential works that you've got to see.

||| Norman Jewison |||
Norman Jewison

Yes, he directed “Moonstruck” and two unforgettable musicals, but Jewison is also responsible for a trilogy of films focusing on racial-injustice, a whacky Cold War comedy and a signature film of Steve McQueen’s showing that he is one of the most versatile directors since Robert Wise.

This blueprint for good investigation dramas tells the story of a black Philadelphia detective investigating a murder in Mississippi who matches wits with a redneck sheriff. Groundbreaking for it’s time, this Oscar winning film is still relevant today and offers a gripping mystery with terrific dramatic performances by a complete cast of fully realized characters.

This is an amazingly funny and entertaining irreverent "Cold War" comedy about a Russian submarine stranded outside an isolated New England town, which throws the locals into a panic. Jewison does a delightful job of utilizing his all-star cast to their fullest, deftly mixing Capra-esq characters with Mel Brooks’s type situations (and vise-versa).

A bored millionaire (Steve McQueen in his prime) masterminds a flawless bank job as Faye Dunaway (an insurance investigator out to get him) identifies him as the mastermind and falls in love along the way. This is the original and the best, with all the arch stylized movie techniques of the ‘60s (including split-screen and fuzzy shallow focus) and the most erotic chess game ever captured on screen.

Recommended by CarrieSpecht

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Carrey and Diaz to play a "Little Game Without Consequence"

By EdwardHavens

September 1st, 2006

A few months ago, news broke about Italian director Gabriele Muccino, who is making his English-language debut with the upcoming Will Smith drama "The Pursuit of Happyness," doing an American studio remake of a 2004 French movie called "A Little Game Without Consequence." FilmJerk.com has learned that the new film will reteam "The Mask" co-stars Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz for the first time in twelve years.

Carrey and Diaz to play a

Based on a French play by Jean Dell and Gérald Sibleyras, "Consequence" follows Brad (Carrey) and Claire (Diaz), a seemingly perfect couple who pretend to break up shortly after their fifth anniversary, only to discover most of their friends and family didn't really like them as a couple in the first place. The film appears to feel similiar in tone to Muccino's "L'Ultimo Bacio" (itself being remade in America asa the Zach Braff dramedy "The Last Kiss"), equal parts comedy and drama, as Brad and Claire find the path to true love is much rockier than either of them anticipated. Will Claire stay in Los Angeles with movie producer Stuart, an old childhood friend of Brad's, or will she return to New York CIty and be with her soulmate, who is now living with his ex-girlfriend Holly?

Filming begins in New York City on October 23. Focus Features has yet to set a release date, but based on the production start date, we can expect to see the film in theatres in late 2007.


The Scorecard
Little Game Without Consequence
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Writer: Allan Loeb, based on the 2004 film "Un Petit Jeu Sans Conséquence" written by Bernard Rapp and the play by Jean Dell and Gérald Sibleyras
Producers: Alain Chabat, Stephanie Danan, Domenico Procacci
: Production Start Date: October 23, 2006
: Production Location: New York City
: Distributor: Focus Features