— Japanese superstar Takeshi Kitano has spent much of the decade experimenting, away from the gangster genre in which he made his name, with the likes of “Hana-bi” and “Sonatine” – excellent ninja movie “Zatoichi” was his most accessible departure, but aside from that, he’s drifted to make more delicate, personal films. Now, however, the writer/director/star/all round polymath is set to return to the underworld for the first time since 2000’s “Brother,” with “Outrage”. Kitano will write, direct, and star as a low level boss who becomes embroiled in power struggles among Tokyo gangsters. The cast also includes Tomokazu Miura, Kippei Shiina, Ryo Kase and Jun Kunimura, and it’ll be released in Japan next year, and hopefully abroad not long after.
— Another of the “Prince of Persia” posters that look like cologne adverts has emerged over at Planeta Disney, and, um, yeah, it’s got Jake Gyllenhaal’s face, and the word ‘Courage.’ You can now go on with the rest of your day.
— The London Film Critics’ Circle are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, and to celebrate have conducted a poll of the top films of the past 30 years. “Apocalypse Now” (released 1st December 1979 in the UK, so just sneaking under the wire…) tops the list, followed by “Schindler’s List,” and “The Lives of Others.” “Unforgiven,” “Brokeback Mountain,” “Cinema Paradiso,” “LA Confidential,” “Fargo,” “Distant Voices, Still Lives” and “The King of Comedy” round out the top ten. Obviously, not everyone will agree with every list, but this does seem a particularly middlebrow one, although we’re glad to see the love for “LA Confidential,” and for Terence Davies’ masterpiece.
— Further details have emerged on Tom Twyker’s new film “Drei” (or “Three”), which stars Sophie Rois, Devid Striesow, and Sebastian Schipper, and wrapped filming last week. Producer Stefan Arndt told Screen Daily that the film, a love story, focuses on “three characters in their mid-40s and the appearance of obsessions one had never imagined existed.” Tykwer’s English language entries, particularly the disappointing “Perfume” and the dull, anonymous “The International,” haven’t been great, so hopefully returning to Germany will fire up his mojo before he tackles the Dave Eggers and David Mitchell adaptations he’s been talking about.
— Justin Timberlake was tagged in the album “The Social Network”: The first look at the pop star as Napster/Facebook co-founder Sean Parker in David Fincher’s movie has appeared, courtesy of Slash Film, and an awful British newspaper that we won’t name, because even speaking its title aloud shortens your lifespan, and makes you a little bit more racist. A lot of people are skeptical about Timberlake’s presence in the movie, but we’re pretty sure he’s going to surprise a lot of people – the role’s not a huge stretch for him, but he should nail it.