There’s, to my mind, three ways in which the angriest of us can make an argument, and they’re usually limited to personality type. The first, and most admirable, is violence, which has three subcategories: 1) the promise of threats; 2) a swift uppercut to the opponent’s jaw or unmentionables; and 3) a swift uppercut to the opponent’s mother’s jaw or unmentionables.

The second is the ad hominem, or a frank and honest attack on the opponent’s personal failings, e.g. “Well, I may not be able to take the square root of a negative, but you have the face of an elephant”; and the third, and most reviled, is the obfuscation of language.

Cosmopolis is firmly planted in the third type, so firmly that I’m not even sure if it’s making an argument at all. The characters all have endless monologues laced with ballooned phrases and delivered with no sense of meaning or conviction. For example, early on the protagonist meets up with his wife, who informs him that, “You reek of sexual discharge.”

Even though we might not be huge fans of Robert Patinson’s major works (hey, he was great in Harry Potter though) that doen’t mean we aren’t going to mention when he does something interesting. That’s especially true when he works with one of our favorite directors: David Cronenberg.

That somewhat unusual pairing has resulted in the new film Cosmopolis, which will make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival next month. In the film Pattinson plays Eric Packer, a 28-year old billionaire who likes to mix it up in his personal and profesional life. In short, he’s mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore. Plus, he’s about to have a very interesting day – with a little pharmaceutical help of course.

In the clip we get a glimpse of Pattinson as he trades pointed barbs with his wife at a restaurant just before a protest breaks out featuring lots of dead rats. What does it all mean? We’re not entirely sure as we haven’t read the novel by Don DeLillo on which the film is based.

However, we always find Cronenberg interesting and weird is one of the things he does pretty well so we’re going to give this one the benefit of the doubt. Of course, what we’re really waiting for is a sequel to Eastern Promises.

Until then, this will have to do. Check out the clip after the break.

Director David Cronenberg has had quite the eclectic career. First coming on the scene with films such as The Brood, The Fly and Scanners he’s transitioned to more “mainstream” fare with A History of Violence and Eastern Promises. His latest film is Cosmopolis, based on Don DeLillo’s novel

The film is a a study of capitalism in a slightly futuristic metropolis. It stars Robert Pattinson and Samantha Morton and there’s a new trailer being released today. Naturally, we’ve got it for you right here.

In addition to Pattinson, the film stars Jay Baruchel, Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti, Mathieu Amalric and Sarah Gadon. Check out the trailer after the break.

Look for Cosmopolis to be released in France on May 23 with a wider release to follow.

It looks like two horror icons will be working together on a television adaptation of The Knife Man. The exciting part is the harshly grim nature of the subject matter fits right into what David Cronenberg (Scanners, The Fly) and Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Drag Me To Hell) are both best known for.

The Knife Man follows John Hunter, a man from humble Scottish origins,  who rose to become the most famous anatomist and surgeon of the eighteenth century. In an age when operations were crude, extremely painful and often fatal, Hunter rejected medieval traditions based on ancient Greek Orthodoxy to forge a revolution in surgery founded on pioneering scientific experiments.

Hunter’s scientific genius led him to become a central figure of the Enlightenment, which led him to be revered by fellow scientists and to become friendly with high society. Unfortunately, Hunter’s experiments required human corpses, and most were not donated. His tireless quest for human corpses immersed him deep in the sinister world of body-snatching.

Historical dramas are often hit or miss. Sure, history can be very interesting but it also can, at times, be rather dry and boring. Fortunately, when you combine the talents of actors Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Kiera Knightly and director David Cronenberg, history suddenly becomes a lot more interesting.

Now, as if to prove my point, a new international trailer is for Cronenberg’s upcoming film A Dangerous Method has arrived. As I said, Cronenberg is directing from a screenplay adapted by writer Christopher Hampton from his 2002 stage play The Talking Cure.

The film takes place right before World War I and follows the turbulent relationships between fledgling psychiatrist Carl Jung (Fassbender), his mentor Sigmund Freud (Mortensen), and Sabina Spielrein (Knightly), the troubled but beautiful young woman who comes between them. Of course, drama ensues. But good, edgy drama.

Check out the trailer after the jump. A Dangerous Method hits theaters later this year.

I must say I was delighted with this episode. The first two episodes of the season were somewhat uneven, and I was a bit worried about the direction of the show, but “Polly wants a crack at her” had me on the edge of my seat. I’m excited to see where Happy Town will take us now. A lot of things happened in this episode, and there will be spoilers in this recap. Read at your own risk.

Last week’s episode ended with Henley driving off the side of the road when a large bird flew into her windshield. Henley awakes to see a concerned man peering down at her. He asks her if anything is broken “arms, legs, promises?”, and offers to drive her to a medical clinic he passed by. He’s easy on the eyes, and Henley accepts his offer, insisting that she first grab her bag (which holds that hammer she found in the attic.) He introduces himself as “Aidan” while they are driving to the clinic.

Aidan is embarrassed and Henley is amused to discover that she has been taken to a veterinarian (played by director David Cronenberg, in a cameo.) Aidan stumbles all over himself, but Henley doesn’t seem to mind. The two trot across the street to the “Knotty Woods” hotel (get it? knotty=naughty) and get it on. While Aidan is (sleeping?) Henley checks on the hammer. It’s all safe and sound.

When Aidan drives Henley back to her house, the old ladies watching in the window are stunned, because they recognize the fella.