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Darren Aronofsky is one of those directors that (in my mind at least) can do no wrong. THE WRESTLER was an amazing achievement, not just in that it effectively resurrected Mickey Rourke’s acting career, but also took subject matter that easily could have been overly-genre specific and humanized it to a level on which everyone could relate. Even REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, which I’m not a huge fan of only because of its depressing nature, delivers a compelling set of character studies while breaking all the preconceptions we may have had for any of its principal cast. Aronofsky knows how to make compelling cinema, and has a certain retro-sensibility, not unlike the heralded directors of the 1960’s and 70’s. His works are definitely modern, but with a classic flair. His newest film BLACK SWAN stars Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, and Mila Kunis.
Plot summary: BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.
Fox Searchlight is releasing BLACK SWAN in the U.S. on December 1, 2010. Before that it’s making appearances at for the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
