KIFF Movie Preview

Mesrine: Killer Instinct – Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Jacques Mesrine may not be a familiar name in America, but in France, he’s a legend. “Mesrine: Killer Instinct” is the first half of a two part, exhilarating biopic on the famous French outlaw of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Vincent Cassel (“Eastern Promises,” “Black Swan”) lights up the screen in his intense performance as Mesrine, who became France’s Public Enemy Number 1 during his lifetime. Those looking for a new gangster picture or crime thriller at the KIFF would do best to start off their festival experience with this adrenaline rush.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest – Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.
The Millennium Trilogy has swept up the entire literary community across Europe the past couple years, and recently became a hit in America as well. Film adaptations soon followed of Swedish journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his entrancing computer hacker partner, Lisbeth Salander’s adventures. In the trilogy’s conclusion, Lisbeth finds herself nearly dead in the hospital and charged with three murders. Mikael sets out to prove her innocence while Lisbeth seeks revenge on those who framed her. This series has had overwhelming success in KC, so it’s only fitting that the final film plays as the festival opener.

Room 36 – Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Old school film noir comes to mind when watching this black and white, moody thriller that looks like a lost Hitchcock movie – except pumped full of pulpy storylines and lots of violence. In a dirty London hotel, a hitman, prostitute and politician all take part in a series of seemingly unrelated events that converge into one night filled with deception, conspiracy and murder. Hailed as “Britain’s answer to Sin City,” “Room 36” wraps sex, violence and intriguing mystery into one sleek little package.

Conviction – Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.
An inspirational true story about devotion to family, “Conviction” tells how one woman (Hilary Swank) spends 18 years earning her law degree and then fighting to overturn the murder conviction that has her brother (Sam Rockwell) spending life in prison. Swank is a two-time Oscar winner and Rockwell is a hugely underrated actor, so expect powerful performances to accompany this touching tale, which could easily earn some Oscar nods in the acting department.

Black Swan – Oct. 5 at 7:45
Director Darren Aronofsky has crafted several of the most intimate and intense character-driven pieces of recent years — “Requiem for a Dream” will change your life — and as a follow up to his powerful “The Wrestler,” he now presents the nightmarish psychological thriller “Black Swan.” Natalie Portman plays Nina, a devoted ballerina and the star of her New York dance company. But when a new dancer (Mila Kunis) threatens her spot as the lead in the company’s production of “Swan Lake,” they develop a friendship-rivalry as Nina deliriously spins out of control and starts losing her grip on reality. Buzz for this movie has been through the roof, and Aronofsky could finally receive his rightful recognition from the Academy. Don’t let the ballerina setting fool you, “Black Swan” will be the craziest, most mesmerizing film at the festival.

127 Hours – Oct. 7 at 7:35 p.m.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle strikes again after dominating both the awards and the box office with “Slumdog Millionaire” two years ago. This time around he’s working from an inspiring, completely true story, one most people will remember because of all the attention it received in the media. Seven years ago mountain climber Aron Ralston (played by James Franco) went canyoneering by himself near Moab, Utah, but got his arm trapped under a huge rock in the middle of a canyon. All alone with no help in sight, he spent 127 hours there before finding a way out. When Aron told this tale on talk shows it was absolutely spellbinding, so under the talented, stylistic hand of Boyle, this will be one tightly engrossing ride, making it the perfect choice to close the festival.