“Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta, is released June 12 by Columbia.

Playing an Ordinary Man

Denzel Washington says that he was attracted to the role by finding a most unusual character at the center of the action-thriller.  “He’s not a cop, he is a civil servant,” the actor explains. “When he’s confronted with Ryder’s demands, he’s like, ‘Look, where’s the hostage negotiator? This is not what I do.’ Walter Garber is not a superhero. He’s scared.”

“Moon,” starring Sam Rockwell, world-premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival to great acclaim.  Sony Classics will release the film in late June.

I have always been a fan of science fiction films. In my mind, the golden age of SF cinema was the 1970s, early 1980s, when films like Silent Running, Alien, Blade Runner and Outland told human stories in future environments. I've always wanted to make a film that felt like it could fit into that canon.

If my reading is right, “The Hangover” the clever, hilariously funny comedy directed by Todd Phillips, should be a smash hit with viewers.

Director Todd Phillips acknowledges that they pushed the envelope on “The Hangover” for the sake of comedy, but remains convinced that there are real bachelor party stories out there that could make any one of these elements pale by comparison. With that in mind, he offers this sage advice to potential grooms or brides embarking on their own boys' or girls' night out. “Use the buddy system. Everyone in the party is responsible for one other person. Use name tags if you have to.”

At age 70, multi-Oscar winner Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather” film series) says his career is at a place where he always wanted to be, making small-budget, independent, personal film without interference from financiers and producers.

Coppola is regular presence at Cannes: “You're a Big Boy Now” was shown in Competition back in 1967, and he won two Palme d'Or awards for “The Conversation” in 1974 and for “Apocalypse, Now” in 1979. This year, “Tetro” serves as the opening night of the alternative sidebar, Directors Fortnight. Coppola explains: “They had a lot of movies this year, and they had their hands full juggling all the important directors–Almodovar, Tarantino. But they only have 20 slots in competition. They kindly offered me the same kind of gala as the one for “Apocalypse Redux” in 2001. But I felt this is such a persal independent film, that I wanted to be considered as a personal filmmaker who's made a new film. When they couldn't offer me that, I said I'd rather not go. Four days later, I got a letter from the Fortnight asking to see my picture, after which they were enthusiastic and asked if it could open the sidebar.

Brad Pitt was the first actor to join the ensemble cast as Lieutenant Aldo Raine.  Tarantino flew to France during pre-production to meet with the actor.  Say Tarantino: “He’s wonderful.  We’ve wanted to work together for a long time and this was just the right one, completely.  I really didn’t consider anyone else.”