James Huth Movies
- 2009
James Huth helms this live-action adaptation of the long-running Belgian comic book series -- first published in the 1940s -- that is equal parts homage to and a parody of the American Wild West. French comedian Jean Dujardin stars as the titular gunslinger, a rootin' tootin' cowboy who brings law and order to Daisy Town with the help of his loyal talking horse, Jolly Jumper. Along the way, Lucky Luke encounters various historical figures, each portrayed by a virtual who's who of contemporary French actors: Jesse James (Melvil Poupaud), Calamity Jane (Sylvie Testud), Belle Starr (Alexandra Lamy), and Billy the Kid (Michael Youn). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Dujardin, Melvil Poupaud, (more)
- 2007
Dead End and Big Nothing writer/director Jean-Baptiste Andrea scripts this comedic horror film about an AC/DC-loving high school skater boy who acquires a most unusual cell phone in a bid to impress the beautiful new transfer student from New York City. Sid is your typical high school rebel: He likes is music loud, he rides his skateboard fast, and he's got a big crush on gorgeous new student Angie. Happening across a mysterious and curiously devilish cell phone at a Chinese bizarre, Sid becomes convinced that Angie will ditch high school playboy Virgile and give him a shot when she catches a glimpse of the cool new gadget. But it wasn't Sid who chose the phone; it was the phone that chose Sid. Now, as the phone that can grant any wish becomes the center of Sid's rapidly shrinking universe, the devoted rebel becomes less interested in romance, and dangerously wrapped up in fantasy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Baptiste Maunier, Jennifer Decker, (more)
A family making their annual Christmas pilgrimage to Grandmother's house finds their journey taking an ominous turn when they attempt to take an unfamiliar shortcut in this low-key chiller from first-time director Jean-Baptiste Andrea. For 20 years, Frank Harrington (Ray Wise) has driven the same, mind-numbingly familiar route to the annual holiday gathering, but the discovery of an unfamiliar shortcut simply proves too enticing for the loving but strained father to resist. As the road grows increasingly dark, the eerie sight of a young woman carrying a small infant sets into motion a horrific series of roadside deaths that finds the family's numbers quickly dwindling. Though there are no other travelers on the long and dark stretch of road, the appearance of a menacing black hearse seems somehow connected to the spectral woman and her child. Could it be that a vengeful entity was the previous victim of a roadside accident, returning to torment any trespasser who happens to wander down her silent stretch of road, or could the answer to the horrific mystery lie deep within the conscience of one of the few remaining family-members? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ray Wise, Alexandra Holden, (more)
- 1998
James Huth co-scripted and made his directorial debut with this French comedy offering inventive and appealing aspects not unlike the memorable innovations that distinguished Delicatessen (1990). Crime fiction editor Claire (Michele Laroque of Ma Vie en Rose) lives in a jazzy, glass-bricked duplex apartment and works for a publisher who displays vintage pulp art on the company's line of thrillers. Attending her dinner party, on the eve of her 35th birthday, are jack-a-dandy Sacha (Antoine Basler), proper physician Charles (Michel Vuillermoz), and cool Hakim (Zinedine Soualem). When Claire surprises the assembled group by announcing that she intends to choose a husband from the trio, the men resent the idea, putting Claire in an edgy frame of mind. The fourth dinner guest, Ruitchi (Gilles Privat), isn't attracted to women, so he's the odd man out. Straight-arrow Cop Cellier (Albert Dupontel), keeps returning to the door while searching for two burglars in the neighborhood. Claire is in the kitchen cooking duck with blood sauce when an accident results in one less potential husband. As the evening wears on, a process of elimination does away with others on her list. The unpredictable story takes place almost totally in the stylish decor of Claire's apartment. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michèle Laroque, Albert Dupontel, (more)
