Tim Roth
Played menacing characters throughout his career that blossomed since featuring in Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs' in 1992. He is an actor that since moving over to the States and featuring in many films portraying an American character; many have mistaken him for this being his nationality. He is in fact British which gives him a good blend of being able to portray a British villain adequately and the same if he was cast as an American villain.
As well as this, he has experience of playing villains in movies such as 'The Incredible Hulk' and 'Planet of the Apes'. This gives him perfect knowledge and expertise that would require him to deliver a great performance and bring life and memorability to the villain that he would be playing. Even in films such as 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Pulp Fiction' he was basically playing characters that weren't per say "villains" but could be considered in their own right, to be versions within Tarantino's grounded films. He brought real depth and general despise to those characters which made them so memorable and beloved still to this very day. Those are the perfect ingredients needed for a Bond villain and it seems that Tim Roth would be an excellent choice to do so in my eyes.
Michael Shannon
Another actor that overwhelms me every time I see him in a performance. More so than Tim Roth, my personal choice of the three would have to Michael Shannon. He has the charisma and sheer flare that are needed to bring life to a Bond villain and something that Javier Bardem did so well in my opinion. I almost see resemblances between the two in the way that they would portray their character within a James Bond film. However, I feel that Michael Shannon could give a much more sinister performance and given the right amount of screen time and depth, could bring a unholy cascade of emotion and deviance to what he has to work with that would make for possibly one of the greatest Bond villains to date.
You only have to look at his performances of characters with depth and layers to them to know how much of a perfect fit he would be. Take 'Take Shelter' for example, there his character makes the wide transition from humble, devoted family man to a psychotic, destroyed human being. In my opinion, he didn't receive the recognition for that role that he well and truly deserved. His nomination for an Academy Award would not have looked out of place had he received one. That isn't even mentioning the countless amount of times that he has in fact played villains over the years. Whether the films have been either memorable or even good, his villainous roles have always delivered. These include work on 'Bad Boys II' and 'Premium Rush' as well as his upcoming role in 'Man of Steel' as General Zod. His menacing look and persona would match what I believe the next director would be looking to replicate from Skyfall and in many other previous Bond films.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
I think that although this would be the most controversial choice being the most unknown of the three, it would definitely come with its advantages. I don't know what it is about foreign Bond villains but something resonates extremely well with me. The simple yet menacing 'Le Chiffre' from Casino Royale is one of my favourites to date. Although it could be argued he was a little underused, Mads Mikkelsen did a phenomenal job of bringing enough tension and life by just the facial expressions he produced let alone his delivery of lines; it made for a truly terrifying villain. This is something that I believe Nikolaj Coster-Waldau would bring to the table. He has a sheer presence whenever I see him on the screen especially in roles such as Jaime Lannister on 'Game of Thrones' and in 'Headhunters' that it just screams future Bond villain for me. He brings many different sides to his characters that make them both adored and hated when giving his 'good' and 'bad' sides.
Some would stress that he isn't a big enough name or that he hasn't put in enough memorable performances to steal the show in a Bond film but I beg to differ. He hasn't received enough credible work in my opinion. Despite the two afore mentioned, none of the other films or programmes he has appeared in have been necessarily well received by both audiences and critics. His performance in 'Mama' however was great yet again. I feel that he was slightly underused in the film and I would have much preferred as well as expected him to feature more than he actually did. The film was undeniably forgettable although which did particularly make his performance stand out more as a result. Nikolaj had a general likability factor about him in that movie and that is something that could be well incorporated into a James Bond villain.
Peter Sarsgaard
Great on screen presence, delivered many solid roles over the years. I do believe that he would be less of a choice over the above three however as his track record isn't the greatest. I feel he's certainly one of these good actors who've made many mistakes and gone down bad routes over the years. His filmography has many poor films including 'Green Lantern' but he always seems to shine a good performance out of whatever he is given and could well do so if given the opportunity with Bond 24.
Tom Hardy
This I feel would be a much more popular choice with audiences and the general public due to his gripping performance in 'The Dark Knight Rises'. Love it or hate it, you can't deny that he brought something oh so special to Nolan's final Batman movie. He could easily draw aspects of his performance from that character and bring them to an unbelievable Bond villain that could test James Bond both physically and mentally. It would certainly be something fresh to have Bond partaking in hand to hand combat and gun fights and being more than outmatched by the raw strength, sheer wit and knowledge that Hardy's character could have.
That isn't even mentioning the many great roles he has carried out over the years including roles in films such as Inception, Lawless, Bronson, Warrior, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Rock N' Rolla and many more! If the wide variety of roles that he has adopted and made his own aren't enough to give him a shot at portraying a villain in Bond 24 then I don't know what is.
Thursday 30 May 2013
Wednesday 29 May 2013
Possible Bond 24 Directors?
As you may have heard, talk of the next James Bond director is very popular at this moment in time and rumours have been circulating around the last couple of weeks. I have read a shortlist of names that are supposedly being considered and to be perfectly honest, they aren't directors I would have considered suitable for the tone and direction that the Bond franchise seems to have taken in Skyfall. Nonetheless, they are interesting choices and I will break each one down with the pro's and con's for each name linked.
Ang Lee
Visually, this man knows exactly what is needed to burst life into his films which can even be said for ones that people didn't particularly care for. From the beautiful scenery and landscapes in Brokeback Mountain to the giant and breathtaking spectacle that Life of Pi brought us. This is something that Ang Lee could masterfully perfect and use to good effect in Bond 24 if he was picked to helm the project. Although I wasn't overly impressed with Skyfall as much as everybody else seems to be, one of the aspects that I did appreciate was the way that it was shot from the locations right down to the cinematography. I believe if Ang Lee was picked to direct, this is something he wouldn't have a problem implicating into the sequel and mirroring the effect it had in Skyfall.
Another credential that Ang Lee could bring to the table and fit in with the franchise perfectly is his craft of shooting action scenes. The only example that you need for this is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon where it is executed so well. I believe that he could more than match these sequences and implement them into a James Bond film perfectly without it looking a shadow out of place. Immediately when thinking of the two combined, images of the infamous crane scene from Casino Royale comes to mind and this is because I could really see Ang Lee re-introducing action sequences such as this. This is vastly appealing to me as it is my favourite James Bond movie to date and one of my favourite action sequences within the last decade.
The main problem that I have with Ang Lee is that he sometimes tries to over compensate substance for style. It was certainly the case in Hulk where the story was overly dull and never really seemed to take off and this is something that I believe Ang Lee knew himself. Maybe he thought he could have gotten away with an uninteresting concept and bland execution and therefore believed including these nicely crafted visuals was enough to get by. This wasn't the case and it remains his worst piece of work to date. It could easily be a replication if he was to work on Bond 24 with the amounted pressure and expectations that would be resting on his shoulders just like he had to deal with when directing Hulk.
Shane Black
This name is probably the most appealing out of all that I have read and maybe even the most fitting. Now hear me out, off the back of that statement some people may believe I'm in over my head. Shane Black has had involvement with some great action films including two of my favourites of all time; Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2. Despite him only being the writer for these films, his involvement was partially the reason why the films worked as well as they did. On top of this he also wrote and directed the impressive action/crime/comedy 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'. Not to mention being the director of Iron Man 3 as well as co-writing the film. This filmography alone should read that he is suitable material to be given a shot at directing Bond 24. He handles action sequences like no other, really giving a clear picture of what is going on as well as being able to intensify and immerse the audience into what is taking place. This would be extremely fitting for a Bond film and I would definitely have faith that he could deliver on all fronts if given the chance.
Downfalls that could of course make him unsuitable for the franchise is that his style of filmmaking and genre mixes many not fit the bill. He likes a blend of both action and comedy within his films and this would be something that I don't think would fit well within a James Bond film personally. Not that I don't mind some comic relief or funny moments in an action film but Bond isn't intended to be executed this way. It works perfectly for the over the top, outrageously fun movies that he creates but as for James Bond, it's never something that I've considered to be needed or fitting, as I'm sure many others will agree.
Nicolas Winding Refn
This is probably the more outrageous possibility that I've heard. When I first read this list and was trying to calculate whether they would work or not, I immediately couldn't connect Refn to Bond as a match. Although, his more gritty and darker tone to his films could be something that I would gladly see. As we've got somewhat of a glimpse of this in the newer films and more so in Skyfall then any, it would definitely relinquish any concerns that fans have of matching Sam Mendes' tone of the previous installment. I think it could be a good way to help pick up from where the last film left off and while he would bring some interesting casting and visual choices with him, the feel of the film would fit perfectly.
I will stick to just the main gripe that I have with Nicolas Winding Refn and that is that his films are just too hit and miss with me. He can either produce something that is perfectly shot, interesting, unique and all round brilliant such as Bronson and Drive or completely bore the audience, providing nothing remotely appealing and just slowly collapsing in on itself like Fear X. In a brief summary, Refn just doesn't fit the bill for me at all. I couldn't see him being a popular choice as he is much more suited as an arthouse style director which his much better films fall into that category. Not to mention that he has never dealt with a project on the scale and monumental capacity as a James Bond film. There is so much expectation, pressure and certain credentials that are expected of him when I just can't see him being able to pull it off while it actually feeling like a new entry into the Bond franchise.
Tom Hooper
Another seemingly interesting choice but yet again, I don't feel matches the direction and approach to his films that can imitate what has been such a success for both Casino Royale and Skyfall and can carry that momentum in continuing the franchise. Now don't get me wrong, Tom Hooper is a great director. The Damned United is an absolutely amazing film and one that I have appreciated for many years now. Handling interactions between characters and situations is something that he deals with exquisitely. This is present in all of Hooper's films from Les Miserables right down to The King's Speech. He certainly knows how to handle a scene with the right amount of emotion and depth so that it flows naturally and is always more interesting than the last. This creates real tension which could be used perfectly in a Bond film and could offer us something unique and creative to a franchise that many could argue is lacking these areas.
Yet again my main problem with this choice though would be that his style of filmmaking does not suit that of what Bond 24 should be looking for. I truly believe it needs to carry on where Sam Mendes left off whether he does reprise his role in the director's chair or not. I would love to see a continuation of the route that Skyfall took in terms of style, direction and tone. I thought it was perfectly executed and is incredibly fitting for how a James Bond should look and feel. This isn't Tom Hooper's genre of film to begin with, so it would be like throwing him in at that deep end before he could even swim. He has no expertise or knowledge in this area of the industry and would thus more than likely crumble if he was at the helm of this project. Sure, he would have the dialogue and conversations solidified which would certainly make for interesting characters arcs, villains etc but they wouldn't be able to take this film to new heights because of the restraints he would carry. We wouldn't be given these immense, wild scale action set pieces they we all love and expect from the franchise as well as truly capturing the spirit of the films because of this.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Ang-Lee-Shane-Black-Nicolas-Winding-Refn-More-Being-Considered-Bond-24-37769.html
Ang Lee
Visually, this man knows exactly what is needed to burst life into his films which can even be said for ones that people didn't particularly care for. From the beautiful scenery and landscapes in Brokeback Mountain to the giant and breathtaking spectacle that Life of Pi brought us. This is something that Ang Lee could masterfully perfect and use to good effect in Bond 24 if he was picked to helm the project. Although I wasn't overly impressed with Skyfall as much as everybody else seems to be, one of the aspects that I did appreciate was the way that it was shot from the locations right down to the cinematography. I believe if Ang Lee was picked to direct, this is something he wouldn't have a problem implicating into the sequel and mirroring the effect it had in Skyfall.
The main problem that I have with Ang Lee is that he sometimes tries to over compensate substance for style. It was certainly the case in Hulk where the story was overly dull and never really seemed to take off and this is something that I believe Ang Lee knew himself. Maybe he thought he could have gotten away with an uninteresting concept and bland execution and therefore believed including these nicely crafted visuals was enough to get by. This wasn't the case and it remains his worst piece of work to date. It could easily be a replication if he was to work on Bond 24 with the amounted pressure and expectations that would be resting on his shoulders just like he had to deal with when directing Hulk.
Shane Black
This name is probably the most appealing out of all that I have read and maybe even the most fitting. Now hear me out, off the back of that statement some people may believe I'm in over my head. Shane Black has had involvement with some great action films including two of my favourites of all time; Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2. Despite him only being the writer for these films, his involvement was partially the reason why the films worked as well as they did. On top of this he also wrote and directed the impressive action/crime/comedy 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'. Not to mention being the director of Iron Man 3 as well as co-writing the film. This filmography alone should read that he is suitable material to be given a shot at directing Bond 24. He handles action sequences like no other, really giving a clear picture of what is going on as well as being able to intensify and immerse the audience into what is taking place. This would be extremely fitting for a Bond film and I would definitely have faith that he could deliver on all fronts if given the chance.
Downfalls that could of course make him unsuitable for the franchise is that his style of filmmaking and genre mixes many not fit the bill. He likes a blend of both action and comedy within his films and this would be something that I don't think would fit well within a James Bond film personally. Not that I don't mind some comic relief or funny moments in an action film but Bond isn't intended to be executed this way. It works perfectly for the over the top, outrageously fun movies that he creates but as for James Bond, it's never something that I've considered to be needed or fitting, as I'm sure many others will agree.
Nicolas Winding Refn
This is probably the more outrageous possibility that I've heard. When I first read this list and was trying to calculate whether they would work or not, I immediately couldn't connect Refn to Bond as a match. Although, his more gritty and darker tone to his films could be something that I would gladly see. As we've got somewhat of a glimpse of this in the newer films and more so in Skyfall then any, it would definitely relinquish any concerns that fans have of matching Sam Mendes' tone of the previous installment. I think it could be a good way to help pick up from where the last film left off and while he would bring some interesting casting and visual choices with him, the feel of the film would fit perfectly.
I will stick to just the main gripe that I have with Nicolas Winding Refn and that is that his films are just too hit and miss with me. He can either produce something that is perfectly shot, interesting, unique and all round brilliant such as Bronson and Drive or completely bore the audience, providing nothing remotely appealing and just slowly collapsing in on itself like Fear X. In a brief summary, Refn just doesn't fit the bill for me at all. I couldn't see him being a popular choice as he is much more suited as an arthouse style director which his much better films fall into that category. Not to mention that he has never dealt with a project on the scale and monumental capacity as a James Bond film. There is so much expectation, pressure and certain credentials that are expected of him when I just can't see him being able to pull it off while it actually feeling like a new entry into the Bond franchise.
Tom Hooper
Another seemingly interesting choice but yet again, I don't feel matches the direction and approach to his films that can imitate what has been such a success for both Casino Royale and Skyfall and can carry that momentum in continuing the franchise. Now don't get me wrong, Tom Hooper is a great director. The Damned United is an absolutely amazing film and one that I have appreciated for many years now. Handling interactions between characters and situations is something that he deals with exquisitely. This is present in all of Hooper's films from Les Miserables right down to The King's Speech. He certainly knows how to handle a scene with the right amount of emotion and depth so that it flows naturally and is always more interesting than the last. This creates real tension which could be used perfectly in a Bond film and could offer us something unique and creative to a franchise that many could argue is lacking these areas.
Yet again my main problem with this choice though would be that his style of filmmaking does not suit that of what Bond 24 should be looking for. I truly believe it needs to carry on where Sam Mendes left off whether he does reprise his role in the director's chair or not. I would love to see a continuation of the route that Skyfall took in terms of style, direction and tone. I thought it was perfectly executed and is incredibly fitting for how a James Bond should look and feel. This isn't Tom Hooper's genre of film to begin with, so it would be like throwing him in at that deep end before he could even swim. He has no expertise or knowledge in this area of the industry and would thus more than likely crumble if he was at the helm of this project. Sure, he would have the dialogue and conversations solidified which would certainly make for interesting characters arcs, villains etc but they wouldn't be able to take this film to new heights because of the restraints he would carry. We wouldn't be given these immense, wild scale action set pieces they we all love and expect from the franchise as well as truly capturing the spirit of the films because of this.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Ang-Lee-Shane-Black-Nicolas-Winding-Refn-More-Being-Considered-Bond-24-37769.html
Tuesday 28 May 2013
Joss Whedon Gives Some Insight Into Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch Characters
This story which was first mentioned around a week to a couple of weeks ago is rapidly becoming one of the most talked about within the industry. When the news first broke, Joss Whedon came right out and said he has planned to include the two characters in the script for the next Avengers film. Now for your average Marvel admirer like myself, who enjoys the films but has no clue whatsoever when it comes to the comics and lesser known characters such as these two; this isn't the biggest news. But for the 'fan boys' this is gigantic news, two characters that they have been waiting to be portrayed on the screen for some time now. With the X-Men Days of Future Past news revealed on the weekend that Evan Peters will be playing the same character but a different incarnation in Bryan Singer's next film, things became extremely strange.
With this little snippet of news, Joss Whedon gives a little more details about the two characters' abilities and hints of the roles they may have in the upcoming Avengers film. This is perfect for someone like myself as I really have never heard of these characters until Whedon came out and revealed his intentions for them. As for the powers that these two have, I don't really know what to make of it as of yet. I don't have a particular problem with it, but I'm not sure whether it will certify a fitting place in an Avengers film. There are plenty of other characters they could have choose to become a part of the team but the distinct choice of these two does seem a little odd.
That is of course my initial reaction but the more I think about it, I am glad that they are looking to spice things up. Whedon is obviously trying to bring new attractions to Avengers 2 by including these two characters and that at least is something I can admire. I believe he will be able to somewhat ground them within this reality he has presented in the other Avengers film and that they will be able to perfectly fit in. I'm sure I was not the only one who was somewhat skeptical when first reading this article though, the powers that certainly Scarlet Witch possesses doesn't come across as a character that would be the particular first choice addition when creating a sequel to the highest grossing super hero film of all time.
The main problem I have with the choice of Quicksilver like many, is that two of them will co-exist in two different realities within two different franchises. This will all become unbelievably confusing when the two films are released and the fact that it won't be the same actor playing both characters will add to this. This is of course all down to legal issues, who owns the character etc which begs the question, why didn't Marvel just decide to use a different character knowing full well that they couldn't use Quicksilver fully because Fox owns the rights to him? For whatever reason, it seems Whedon has had his mind set on this character being included which at this point off the back of the success of The Avengers, the studio is willing to grant him any wish he commands.
http://www.totalfilm.com/news/joss-whedon-talks-quicksilver-scarlet-witch-and-super-powers
With this little snippet of news, Joss Whedon gives a little more details about the two characters' abilities and hints of the roles they may have in the upcoming Avengers film. This is perfect for someone like myself as I really have never heard of these characters until Whedon came out and revealed his intentions for them. As for the powers that these two have, I don't really know what to make of it as of yet. I don't have a particular problem with it, but I'm not sure whether it will certify a fitting place in an Avengers film. There are plenty of other characters they could have choose to become a part of the team but the distinct choice of these two does seem a little odd.
That is of course my initial reaction but the more I think about it, I am glad that they are looking to spice things up. Whedon is obviously trying to bring new attractions to Avengers 2 by including these two characters and that at least is something I can admire. I believe he will be able to somewhat ground them within this reality he has presented in the other Avengers film and that they will be able to perfectly fit in. I'm sure I was not the only one who was somewhat skeptical when first reading this article though, the powers that certainly Scarlet Witch possesses doesn't come across as a character that would be the particular first choice addition when creating a sequel to the highest grossing super hero film of all time.
The main problem I have with the choice of Quicksilver like many, is that two of them will co-exist in two different realities within two different franchises. This will all become unbelievably confusing when the two films are released and the fact that it won't be the same actor playing both characters will add to this. This is of course all down to legal issues, who owns the character etc which begs the question, why didn't Marvel just decide to use a different character knowing full well that they couldn't use Quicksilver fully because Fox owns the rights to him? For whatever reason, it seems Whedon has had his mind set on this character being included which at this point off the back of the success of The Avengers, the studio is willing to grant him any wish he commands.
http://www.totalfilm.com/news/joss-whedon-talks-quicksilver-scarlet-witch-and-super-powers
Monday 27 May 2013
Fast & Furious 6 - Movie Review
"Hobbs has Dom and Brian reassemble their crew in order to take down a mastermind who commands an organization of mercenary drivers across 12 countries. Payment? Full pardons for them all."
I will start things off by saying that by no means am I fan of this franchise, it has just never done anything for me. I have seen the first, second and third films and after those I basically gave up. I came to the conclusion that these films just weren't for me and that I was never going to appreciate them for what they were. That being said, in 2011 Fast Five was released and to my amazement rave reviews were coming in from both film goers and critics alike. Both this and the release of Fast & Furious 6 to a similar reception was my reasoning for going to watch the new installment. After watching it, I can safely say, it was a blast! Now don't get me wrong, if you are expecting top notch stuff in the departments of acting, plot etc then you are missing the point completely. This is a film that is trying to execute action to the highest possible degree and trying to be the definition of a 'summer blockbuster'. The fact that the sub par acting, cheesy lines and unbelievably over the top action scenes work so well, just shows that this film has truly nailed what it was trying to be.
Starting out with the plot, there is just about enough to work with in order to drive the film forward and give reasoning for all of this mayhem ensuing. For what it was worth, I thought it was totally fine and that there was enough of a story that could go somewhere in order to give the action some depth and layers to it. I liked the inclusion of Vin Diesel's ex-girlfriend's arc in which she was in fact working for the villain. Her memory loss seems like it was an intricate part of a previous installment, which is nicely touched upon via a flashback.
This leads me into my next point in that this film is well crafted in the sense that it works for both fans and general audiences. Credit goes to Justin Lin for this as he made sure there was enough content that helped link back to previous films for anybody that hadn't seen them, which helped bring them up to speed with the ongoings in this sequel. That worked perfectly for my self and will for many others who are just about climbing aboard on this particular installment and don't want to have to watch the other five to be able to have an understanding of everything and everyone. A nice 2 minute video while the credits roll in the opening of the film offers the audience all of the necessary requirements about characters and events so that they can more or less sit back and enjoy the film without questioning certain aspects of its plot. This was great touch as it allowed Lin to not only not have to worry about including every minor detail within the film for it to work with both fans and general audiences, but it was presented well and gripped viewers straight from the off.
As well as this, there was plenty of nods, references and inside jokes that worked on both levels. This was a great addition and once again, credit goes to Justin Lin and this time Chris Morgan for making it so easily accessible that anybody could thoroughly enjoy what was going on both via the action and the dialogue between characters.
The aspect that I would say most impressed me as I was reflecting on the movie was the action sequences. Now of course, these are the whole reason that these films are made, as well as the appeal of them to such a wide audience. For the first three films especially, I'm unsure about the other two, but I always felt that because they were racing films, they always held back on the action front. This might have been because of the plots that they were focusing on restricted them to the sequences and events that they could carry out. In Fast & Furious 6 however, they certainly let the cat out of the bag on this front. Every sequence was bigger and crazier than the last and it felt as if they had a real hell of a time making this film. You can just feel the buzz and energy throughout the action, that a lot of heart and hard work went into making these as much of a spectacle as they truly are. Something that was a general shock was the shooting of these sequences. This is both a combination of the solid directing and smooth editing that made these so effective as I've never come across a film like this that had such clear, well crafted action set pieces. Each and every single shot was beautifully lit and clearly presented so that when it all came together, you actually knew what was happening for once. This can be a major downfall of any action film when you get this overly large car chase or shoot out and the camera is shaking that much or the editing is that choppy and overly paced that you can't make out what is happening. This couldn't be more opposite to how Fast & Furious 6 handled the matter, giving a real immersion into what was taking place and gripping the audience throughout each second of it. Both the director and editor deserve a massive amount of praise for this.
Another thing that I felt was handled entirely well was the dialogue between the members of the team. You have actors like Tyrese Gibson who are perfect are providing a substantial amount of banter and great delivery of witty lines that are put in front of him. This was the case for Fast & Furious 6, which again I can't compare to Fast Five but to the first three films I have seen was far superior on this level than all of those combined. Undeniably, the script was cheesy and full of those classic action 'one-liners' but you have to take into account that it is purposefully over the top and for a fun, summer time film it works immaculately. The characters really play off each other well, all bringing something to the table that the other doesn't, making each of them vital for the film's execution.
The overall pacing for the film was accurate for what Justin Lin was trying to do. It almost mirrored that of Star Trek: Into Darkness in which it never seemed to come to a halt. It was just action scene after action scene, and in moments that it felt like it could come up a little short and maybe drag when the tone was a little more serious, something outrageous happened or a character would provide comic relief to break the ice and keep the momentum going. To say this film was exhilarating would be a mere understatement, not giving enough credit to the combination of the director, writer and editor once again.
My main problem that I had with the film was more so about its marketing than the film itself. I'm not sure who entirely produces these trailers for movies like this but they do a mixed job in my opinion. Yes they are overly creative in putting together a trailer that will attract mass amounts of people and bring in a ton of income but why does so much have to be spoilt? Now it's not like major plot points were given away because it is a mindless action film, so there wasn't any concerns over that. It was that just about every single action set piece was given away. They didn't hold back on spoiling even some of the climatic scenes to both the action sequences and the entire film! This was a disappointment because too many times was I left saying things like "I've already seen that part" and "Oh well I remember this part, that happens soon". I want to be left amazed and blown away by these sequences, not sat in my chair feeling like I've seen the major parts of the biggest set piece in the film.
A minor gripe that I should probably mention too was that it was definitely longer than it had to be. This was down to the stretching out of some scenes that could be considered to be unnecessary such as moments were the tone shifted and it tried to come off as slightly more serious than it should be. I didn't have a major problem with this as I was enjoying what I was seeing but there are definitely moments that could have been removed or cut short and this would have in no way hindered the film's effect or my enjoyment of it.
Overall, Fast & Furious 6 is a nice, thoroughly enjoyable action packed summer flick that certainly delivers on the fronts that you would expect it too. It works for both fans of the series as well as people that are unfamiliar to the franchise. The last thing I will say is that it's clear that the films have taken a swift change in direction going from racing films to more general action films and it is the best possible choice that could have been made. Not only does it attract much larger audiences which returns more income, they are much more enjoyable as they aren't restricted to what can and can't be included as well as giving them much more possibilities and directions to take in future installments.
I will start things off by saying that by no means am I fan of this franchise, it has just never done anything for me. I have seen the first, second and third films and after those I basically gave up. I came to the conclusion that these films just weren't for me and that I was never going to appreciate them for what they were. That being said, in 2011 Fast Five was released and to my amazement rave reviews were coming in from both film goers and critics alike. Both this and the release of Fast & Furious 6 to a similar reception was my reasoning for going to watch the new installment. After watching it, I can safely say, it was a blast! Now don't get me wrong, if you are expecting top notch stuff in the departments of acting, plot etc then you are missing the point completely. This is a film that is trying to execute action to the highest possible degree and trying to be the definition of a 'summer blockbuster'. The fact that the sub par acting, cheesy lines and unbelievably over the top action scenes work so well, just shows that this film has truly nailed what it was trying to be.
Starting out with the plot, there is just about enough to work with in order to drive the film forward and give reasoning for all of this mayhem ensuing. For what it was worth, I thought it was totally fine and that there was enough of a story that could go somewhere in order to give the action some depth and layers to it. I liked the inclusion of Vin Diesel's ex-girlfriend's arc in which she was in fact working for the villain. Her memory loss seems like it was an intricate part of a previous installment, which is nicely touched upon via a flashback.
As well as this, there was plenty of nods, references and inside jokes that worked on both levels. This was a great addition and once again, credit goes to Justin Lin and this time Chris Morgan for making it so easily accessible that anybody could thoroughly enjoy what was going on both via the action and the dialogue between characters.
The aspect that I would say most impressed me as I was reflecting on the movie was the action sequences. Now of course, these are the whole reason that these films are made, as well as the appeal of them to such a wide audience. For the first three films especially, I'm unsure about the other two, but I always felt that because they were racing films, they always held back on the action front. This might have been because of the plots that they were focusing on restricted them to the sequences and events that they could carry out. In Fast & Furious 6 however, they certainly let the cat out of the bag on this front. Every sequence was bigger and crazier than the last and it felt as if they had a real hell of a time making this film. You can just feel the buzz and energy throughout the action, that a lot of heart and hard work went into making these as much of a spectacle as they truly are. Something that was a general shock was the shooting of these sequences. This is both a combination of the solid directing and smooth editing that made these so effective as I've never come across a film like this that had such clear, well crafted action set pieces. Each and every single shot was beautifully lit and clearly presented so that when it all came together, you actually knew what was happening for once. This can be a major downfall of any action film when you get this overly large car chase or shoot out and the camera is shaking that much or the editing is that choppy and overly paced that you can't make out what is happening. This couldn't be more opposite to how Fast & Furious 6 handled the matter, giving a real immersion into what was taking place and gripping the audience throughout each second of it. Both the director and editor deserve a massive amount of praise for this.
Another thing that I felt was handled entirely well was the dialogue between the members of the team. You have actors like Tyrese Gibson who are perfect are providing a substantial amount of banter and great delivery of witty lines that are put in front of him. This was the case for Fast & Furious 6, which again I can't compare to Fast Five but to the first three films I have seen was far superior on this level than all of those combined. Undeniably, the script was cheesy and full of those classic action 'one-liners' but you have to take into account that it is purposefully over the top and for a fun, summer time film it works immaculately. The characters really play off each other well, all bringing something to the table that the other doesn't, making each of them vital for the film's execution.
The overall pacing for the film was accurate for what Justin Lin was trying to do. It almost mirrored that of Star Trek: Into Darkness in which it never seemed to come to a halt. It was just action scene after action scene, and in moments that it felt like it could come up a little short and maybe drag when the tone was a little more serious, something outrageous happened or a character would provide comic relief to break the ice and keep the momentum going. To say this film was exhilarating would be a mere understatement, not giving enough credit to the combination of the director, writer and editor once again.
My main problem that I had with the film was more so about its marketing than the film itself. I'm not sure who entirely produces these trailers for movies like this but they do a mixed job in my opinion. Yes they are overly creative in putting together a trailer that will attract mass amounts of people and bring in a ton of income but why does so much have to be spoilt? Now it's not like major plot points were given away because it is a mindless action film, so there wasn't any concerns over that. It was that just about every single action set piece was given away. They didn't hold back on spoiling even some of the climatic scenes to both the action sequences and the entire film! This was a disappointment because too many times was I left saying things like "I've already seen that part" and "Oh well I remember this part, that happens soon". I want to be left amazed and blown away by these sequences, not sat in my chair feeling like I've seen the major parts of the biggest set piece in the film.
A minor gripe that I should probably mention too was that it was definitely longer than it had to be. This was down to the stretching out of some scenes that could be considered to be unnecessary such as moments were the tone shifted and it tried to come off as slightly more serious than it should be. I didn't have a major problem with this as I was enjoying what I was seeing but there are definitely moments that could have been removed or cut short and this would have in no way hindered the film's effect or my enjoyment of it.
Overall, Fast & Furious 6 is a nice, thoroughly enjoyable action packed summer flick that certainly delivers on the fronts that you would expect it too. It works for both fans of the series as well as people that are unfamiliar to the franchise. The last thing I will say is that it's clear that the films have taken a swift change in direction going from racing films to more general action films and it is the best possible choice that could have been made. Not only does it attract much larger audiences which returns more income, they are much more enjoyable as they aren't restricted to what can and can't be included as well as giving them much more possibilities and directions to take in future installments.
Thursday 23 May 2013
This Week's Biggest Film News - 19th May+
Dan Aykroyd reveals 'Ghostbusters III' details
This news is one that comes as a massive disappointment to me, and I'm sure many others too; although it is an expected one. In more recent years, there has been huge speculation about a third Ghostbusters film being made but this news has spanned ever since the second film came out. Now I am a huge fan of the original. I grew up in the early 90's so I missed out by a good 10 years of its release but this didn't stop me from growing up on the films. The second, I didn't despise like many do but I also didn't like it anywhere near as much as its predecessor. It had its ups and downs but I'd say it still remains an enjoyable film.
As for Ghostbusters III, I'm not so keen on the idea. I've had many discussions and debates with friends etc about this topic and personally I've never really been for it. I believe too much time has passed since the second film and it was always going to be a gamble for a studio to take on considering that the second wasn't a box office success. One of the biggest factors that made me think that both this wasn't going to ever be made and that it shouldn't be made was Bill Murray not wanting to be included. If ever there was a piece of evidence for a sequel to not be made, that is it right there. He was a major reason why I loved the first so much and why I still to this day enjoy watching the second. Not having such a pivotal character in a third film just amazes me that this is actually going into production.
Now my thoughts on the plot. I had somewhat of a vibe that this was how they were going to approach this sequel. It sounds like a completely ridiculous and paper thin plot that has been half-heartedly put together to just try and revitialise this significantly faded franchise. Taking this route just seems like such a cop out for something that was so highly regarded just over 20 years ago. Aykroyd is of course pushing this project through as will be Ramis due to their lack of work over the past decade or so. Their anticipation and lust to create a new addition to the franchise, although the script has been in development for many years, could also be their downfall. I think the time has well and truly passed and that another film now will only tarnish the reputation of the others and the franchise as a whole.
Possibly Men In Black III's success has pushed Aykroyd into gear and has finally sped up his writing process to try and push another film out more sooner than planned as not long ago he wasn't anywhere near finishing penning the script. Although I have been very strict with this, it is because these films hold a special place in my heart. I don't want them just adding a new film for the sake of it, especially when there is so much room to expand on and many more directions that they could in fact take which would make for an enjoyable sequel. Overall, I am open to the idea of a sequel and will certainly watch it but I don't hold much hope for it being remotely good, let alone a touch on the original films.
http://www.totalfilm.com/news/dan-aykroyd-reveals-ghostbusters-3-plot-details
Long Walk to Freedom Poster
Seeing this picture was the first segment of news or talk about this film that I have come across, and what I'm seeing/hearing is good news. Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela is certainly an interesting choice, which many can agree on even if they don't necessarily believe he fits the part well. My initial reaction was most likely similar to many which was something along the lines of "WHAT?!". But after carefully comparing Elba from the poster and the younger Nelson Mandela, the choice does become much more apparent. It's undeniable that Idris Elba has some great acting credentials and I believe he will in fact have it in his locker to pull the performance metaphorically out of the bag.
My thoughts on the poster itself, the piece of writing which is a quote from Mandela himself was actually very moving I felt. It's definitely one that gives some insight into the focuses of the film and which aspects of Mandela's life will feature. The quote is very powerful and will more than accurately represent the ideologies and messages that this film will try its utmost best to clearly portray. A great use of colours which give a sense of the tone that the film could be going for and I believe the way it is heading at this moment in time is in a positive manner.
The inclusion of Naomie Harris is also a strong, wise choice from the casting department. She was one of many things that I thoroughly enjoyed in Skyfall and which made it such a great summer film last year. As well as her role in the 007 film, her strongest and most memorable performance for me was in Danny Boyle's '28 Days Later'. Such a solid all round film and her acting only strengthened my passion for that movie. On top of this to make things ever more positive, William Nicholson will be writing the screenplay. He has scripted such films as Gladiator which is an amazing film as well as the more recent 'Les Miserables'. Although I've not seen the film and have heard mixed things about, I've only heard him receive great responses to his work for it. All of this news makes me eagerly anticipating some form of trailer or footage now to give me a well and truly accurate picture of my response to whether I will watch the film or not but at this moment in time, I certainly will be.
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=37598
Jon Vitti to write Angry Birds
Writer of both The Simpsons and The Office is to write the upcoming Angry Birds feature length film which is supposedly hitting screens in 2016. Now when I first heard this news I was extremely against the idea and not that it would necessarily affect me if it was to be made, but it just sounded like such a ridiculous film to be producing. There are certain concepts and ideas that work perfectly well for video games and other outlet mediums but Angry Birds is most definitely one that never struck me as being adapted into a film. These adaptations have never proved successful when there was certainly room for a perfectly good film so the Angry Birds idea has not sat well with me, like it hasn't with others. Not only this, but the fact that Angry Birds is so popular now, doesn't mean that it will be in a few years time. After all of the hype and excitement for the games has died down, its huge fan base will decrease rapidly and the market for this film will be very small and unique I expect.
As for this particular update on the project, it is somewhat reassuring news. Jon Vitti has worked on The Simpsons and The Office which tells me that although a family approach will be taken, it could be going for a Toy Story type of humour where there are inclusions of jokes for different age groups. This is a formula that is bound to be successful if executed properly but I think it is more suited in a film such as Toy Story rather than something that I feel is directly going to be associated and aimed towards children like Angry Birds will be. For the time being, we can only speculate to accumulate but I for one am slightly more positive about the project now knowing that someone with expertise and a good sense of humour is in control of the screenplay.
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=37580
Don Jon - Trailer Review
Don Jon's Addiction is the directorial debut from one of the most popular actors around Hollywood in recent times, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Before any footage, trailers or screenings had been shown for this film, I had a certain minimal interest in it. This was mainly because I wanted to see how Joseph Gordon-Levitt handled both being behind the camera and on screen. The film gained mixed reviews when it screened at Sundance Film Festival and this only increased my anticipation for the first theatrical trailer to be released. Now after watching it, I have some mixed feelings but there are definitely positives I can take from it.
Starting off with the plot. Now it isn't necessarily something innovative that Don Jon will bring to the table but I certainly haven't seen it before. It is a strange one because it is definitely something that you would associate a indie filmmaker to produce rather than someone who is highly regarded within the industry and will be creating it for a much wider audience. It feels like it could be something that would feature within a TV series as I would definitely associate this type of narrative with a situation comedy. I am fairly skeptical about the direction that will be taken by Joseph Gordon-Levitt with what he has to work with as it could slip too deep into the romantic elements of the film.
Which leads me to a slight problem that the trailer made for me, situated around half way through. As soon as Scarlett Johansson's character was introduced, it suddenly disinterested me as it felt like such a generic character arc that Levitt's character was going to take; almost made me spark up a prediction for where the film was going to head. I of course am only speculating but I feel that it will delve deep into romantic aspects which can undoubtedly be handled well if the right approach is taken like in another Levitt film for example, 50/50. Never did the relationships or love interests feel forced in that film because the plot and characters had development and heart to them which made it interesting and somewhat grounded. I have faith however that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will not stray on this factor too much and in the slightly more drawn out scenes between the couple, comedic elements will come into play; making it somewhat bearable and not too romantically based.
The stylistic presentation of the trailer had me hooked from the opening although. It opens with Joseph Gordon-Levitt's voiceover, giving a brief background to his character and setting up the journey that he will experience. It is presented in a gripping manner which uses cuts of different segments of his life, interests that he has and the most important elements that he feels strongly about. It then ends up quick cutting through these once we have seen and heard them a couple of times until they almost become flashes. I think it did a very good job of setting up what to expect from the film, as well as some information and a nice touch of helping to draw you into the trailer itself. Then it stops and focuses on Scarlett Johansson, whom he refers to as 'the girl'. This is where I immediately become somewhat disorientated and less interested that initially. After the more cheesier sequences were included, I felt it picked back up again and carried this momentum all the way to the end once the actual porn factor and Johansson's character catching him came into play. I honestly believe that the trailer will give a basic implication of how the film will play out structurally. The first quatre will be gripping and giving us all the necessary information and development necessary to grab people's attention. The second quatre will be much more panned out, slowing the pacing down and really setting up this relationship between the two. Then the third act will be twisting this 'perfect couple' scenario the two believe they've found and adding this addiction Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character has, probably providing the most entertaining and comedic moments of the film. While the fourth and final quatre will provide all the necessary tie-ups and conclusions to the story and character's experiences that will hopefully end with a satisfying film.
This concern I have with this particular aspect could be due to my lack of interest in romantic comedies but I believe that this is somewhat different to the normal films we are getting within this genre. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt both writing and directing I honestly believe he can produce something that is both smart and funny, giving a little something for everyone to be pleased by this movie.
Something that I can pick up however, loosely based on the final sequence used in the trailer, is that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will do a fine job of handling the balance of both romance and comedy. As well as this, I believe he will be able to implement comedy into more serious, straight up scenes which will certainly make for good viewing. The scene I am referring to is the final sequence in which Marky Mark's - Good Vibrations is playing both over the images and in the car, while Levitt's character listens to it. He is singing along and is immediately met by a couple in a nearby car, staring at him profusely. It seems like a very relatable and cleverly executed moment in which I am expecting we will be greeted with plenty more of those.
Mainly my main problem is that it will fixate on the romance too much but of course it is necessary because it is the driving force for the narrative of the film. I just hope it has enough comic relief and funny moments to have me invested enough to go with the flow and enjoy the film as well as balancing between the two, offering enough for both sets of demographics who will be going to watch the film.
Overall, I am both impressed and disheartened with what I am seeing but I am definitely expecting Joseph Gordon-Levitt to be able to overcome the gripes that I may have and deliver on each and every front. The rest of the cast that are included with such names as Julianne Moore and Tony Danza I have faith that they will be able to deliver good performances and hopefully will have decent sized roles to play in what could be a sleeper hit on the limited release circuit.
Here is the trailer for Don Jon's Addiction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6615kYTpOSU
Starting off with the plot. Now it isn't necessarily something innovative that Don Jon will bring to the table but I certainly haven't seen it before. It is a strange one because it is definitely something that you would associate a indie filmmaker to produce rather than someone who is highly regarded within the industry and will be creating it for a much wider audience. It feels like it could be something that would feature within a TV series as I would definitely associate this type of narrative with a situation comedy. I am fairly skeptical about the direction that will be taken by Joseph Gordon-Levitt with what he has to work with as it could slip too deep into the romantic elements of the film.
Which leads me to a slight problem that the trailer made for me, situated around half way through. As soon as Scarlett Johansson's character was introduced, it suddenly disinterested me as it felt like such a generic character arc that Levitt's character was going to take; almost made me spark up a prediction for where the film was going to head. I of course am only speculating but I feel that it will delve deep into romantic aspects which can undoubtedly be handled well if the right approach is taken like in another Levitt film for example, 50/50. Never did the relationships or love interests feel forced in that film because the plot and characters had development and heart to them which made it interesting and somewhat grounded. I have faith however that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will not stray on this factor too much and in the slightly more drawn out scenes between the couple, comedic elements will come into play; making it somewhat bearable and not too romantically based.
This concern I have with this particular aspect could be due to my lack of interest in romantic comedies but I believe that this is somewhat different to the normal films we are getting within this genre. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt both writing and directing I honestly believe he can produce something that is both smart and funny, giving a little something for everyone to be pleased by this movie.
Something that I can pick up however, loosely based on the final sequence used in the trailer, is that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will do a fine job of handling the balance of both romance and comedy. As well as this, I believe he will be able to implement comedy into more serious, straight up scenes which will certainly make for good viewing. The scene I am referring to is the final sequence in which Marky Mark's - Good Vibrations is playing both over the images and in the car, while Levitt's character listens to it. He is singing along and is immediately met by a couple in a nearby car, staring at him profusely. It seems like a very relatable and cleverly executed moment in which I am expecting we will be greeted with plenty more of those.
Mainly my main problem is that it will fixate on the romance too much but of course it is necessary because it is the driving force for the narrative of the film. I just hope it has enough comic relief and funny moments to have me invested enough to go with the flow and enjoy the film as well as balancing between the two, offering enough for both sets of demographics who will be going to watch the film.
Overall, I am both impressed and disheartened with what I am seeing but I am definitely expecting Joseph Gordon-Levitt to be able to overcome the gripes that I may have and deliver on each and every front. The rest of the cast that are included with such names as Julianne Moore and Tony Danza I have faith that they will be able to deliver good performances and hopefully will have decent sized roles to play in what could be a sleeper hit on the limited release circuit.
Here is the trailer for Don Jon's Addiction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6615kYTpOSU
Saturday 18 May 2013
My Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2013
This is yet again just another fun blog entry that I am going to post about the top 10 films that I am most looking forward to this year. As well as naming them, I will tell you all about why these films have made my list on being the movies I am looking forward to seeing the most.
10) This is the End
Now from what I've seen of this film so far from the trailers and footage that we've been given, I believe it has the potential to be hilarious. It is somewhat of an original concept and can't really be categorized into a generic comedy film in that sense. That is probably one of the biggest factors that makes a comedy film, if it is original then the writers have so much more ground available to be covered and can take the film in all sorts of different directions without being a rehash. This is the case for This is the End and with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg collaborating once again, the key ingredients are right there. Plus, looking at the stars of the film, there is certainly enough in that department to satisfy the audience. Not to mention the amount of cameos that will be featured, in my eyes at this moment in time, it is certainly shaping up to what could be one of the funniest films of the year, if not the funniest.
9) Oldboy
One of the few modern remakes that I well and truly believe can be brilliant. Although yet again, it really does fall into the category that leaves people questioning why is this even being made. The Chan-Wook Park 2003 film more than stands on its own two feet and is deemed one of the best South Korean films ever, deservingly. It is the combination of both director and cast that gets me extremely excited for this film. Of course, Spike Lee is at the helm who I believe will be a perfect fit for the vision that the original film took and which will undoubtedly be implemented into this remake. Action scenes will be crafted well but there will be great character development as well as an emotional character arc that will invest us into caring for the characters involved.
As for the cast, Josh Brolin being the star seems like another fine choice being made for this remake. Brolin is a great actor and can more than carry a film even if it is not entirely good, which this remake certainly has the potential to fall victim to this. Put him alongside Elizabeth Olsen who is an amazing up and coming actress, as well as the ever great Samuel L Jackson and Sharlto Copley who is a phenomenal actor in my opinion; they are all of the credentials for a fine display of acting right there.
8) Monsters University
Although everybody is still eagerly anticipating the confirmation of a sequel to 'The Incredibles', I would say this is the fan favourite to get the sequel treatment, which I would include myself in that group. It is undeniable that Monsters Inc is not only one of Pixar's best films, but just a solid film in general. It had everything I could have wanted for a film and more. The animation was brilliant as usual, there was a unique and creative story pushing the project, the voice over work was incredible as well as great vision and a solid script. Now this year, we will be getting the prequel 'Monsters University'.
Despite having my doubts that this could indeed be a 'Cars 2' scenario, I believe it will not fall at the hands of the mistakes that film made. I was never a fan of the first Cars film in all honesty but I know for a fact I am not on my own when I say that Cars 2 was a massive disappointment. As for Monsters University, there is plenty of directions the film can take. The trailers give a great picture of how the film will play out and I am enjoying every little thing that I see. There are so many potential incorporations and hints to the premise of the first film that they could make and just the general narrative of gaining an insight into the lives of the characters before the events of the first film, is hugely interesting. Especially when we see that they clearly didn't always get along like we were lead to expect from the first film. Put this together with the witty, expanding humor that it seems will be a huge part of this film too and I honestly think that this film could be in my top ten favourites of the year quite easily.
7) Anchorman: The Legend Continues
Anchorman has always been one of my favourite comedies of all time, and has rightfully earned that place. It is almost a cult classic in its own right for the modern generation and back in 2004, set off an entirely brand new style of comedies to films. One that to this very day is imitated and used thoroughly, which Will Ferrell has actually made a career out of and is still continuing to do so! Now for Anchorman: The Legend Continues, my excitement is huge. Although as of yet, it is hard to form any strong opinion on how this film might be. We have not seen any footage from the film, only trailers that have consisted of the characters that we know and love sharing hilarious gags that have no relevance or meaning whatsoever.
The news such as actors returning, new people signing on and cameos confirmed, have all been positive as of yet. Big names such as Harrison Ford and Kristen Wiig as well as all the main gang returning have provided many reassuring elements. Top this with such new stars as James Marsden, Nicole Kidman, Liam Nesson and Jim Carrey and there is certainly enough in that department to put on a good show.
Adam McKay is also returning to direct which is another positive factor that increases my excitement for the film. It generally sounds like a lot of hard work and effort is being put into not only getting this production completed, but while it was only speculation mid last year, to even get it into production. Actors were willing to take pay cuts etc and this really made me believe that they had a general idea of how they wanted it to play out and a strong vision that could make a great film, as opposed to just making a sequel for the sake of it.
6) Europa Report
Now we are getting to the films that I honestly believe can be my most favourite of the year. Europa Report is a project that I have been following for some time and was off the back of my love for Sharlto Copley in District 9. Had it not been for that film, I will probably wouldn't have come across this one. Despite that, I can honestly say that this film looks amazing. Although I had some minor problems with the trailer that could actually lead to much bigger ones, I believe I will be misunderstood and watching the film will resolve these problems.
The general concept that Sebastian Cordero is going for is so simplistic yet intriguing that this is what makes it such a potentially breathtaking film. The visuals and especially the CGI that can be seen from the trailer, looks great as expected. I really got a strong sense that the film will be really good at immersing the audience into the environments being explored and the tension and other emotions the characters will go through will be more than conveyed on screen.
It honestly reminds me of the classic Sci-Fi films such as Alien that the tone and look that the film is going for is trying to match these classics and that is another thing that sparks up excitement for me. I love the simple concepts of just exploring space on a mission with a limited amount of resources, equipment and other life forms on that spacecraft. It has always been something that fascinates me and this could well and truly be the next film to hit the nail on the head in returning to Sci-Fi's roots since Duncan Jones' Moon.
5) Gravity
Now we're in to the top five, and another Sci-Fi film makes my list, this time in the form of Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity. So this will be Cuaron's first feature film since 2006's 'Children of Men'. Now that is one of the strongest reasons I am looking forward to this film as much as I am, Cuaron is a great director and Children of Men is one of my all time favourite films. It was just oozing creativity, passion and originality and I think it is undeniable that he has a knack for directing.
As for Gravity, the teaser trailer we got a couple of weeks ago I believe it was now, was definitely satisfying. I think I am pretty much sold on watching the film if I wasn't enough before. Can I interpret whether I believe it is going to be as brilliant as it could be? No. I didn't really get a strong sense of how this film is going to be play out entirely which is both good and bad in its own right. It isn't really giving much away which is vital for me in trailers but I don't think there was an awful lot to completely sell me and make me believe it will be as good as I think it can be.
Visually, again it looks beautiful and breathtaking just like its Sci-Fi counterpart 'Europa Report'. I'd say this film has much better use of CGI and that is quite apparent from the trailer, but is expected at the same time as Europa Report is an indie project and this film is on a much larger scale. What can be said though, is that I am excited to see George Clooney in a perculiar role for his career anyway. That was one of the more daunting but stronger pull ins that I got from the trailer and I honestly believe he has what it takes to step up to the plate and deliver a great performance in the film. I'm not as sure for Sandra Bullock on the other hand.
4) Man of Steel
It finally seems that we are going to get a satisfying, modern day Superman film. Definitely one of the biggest disappointments of the last 10 years in terms of filmmaking was 2006's Superman Returns. Everything about it was just sloppy and a poor judgment made by Bryan Singer, the approach that was taken did not feel genuine and interesting for me. It was bland and fell into such generic territory that it failed to grip me and have me invested at all. From everything that I've seen for this film, it looks the complete opposite. I get the real sense that Zack Snyder, Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer have worked extremely closely on bringing a grounded and exciting new vibrancy to the character in order to present an interesting and satisfying film.
A more realistic approach to the character is certainly something that doesn't look out of place and if you are going for a much darker, serious tone then who better to bring at the helm than Zack Snyder. I believe he will have the necessary credentials to pull this one out of the bag and have what it takes to be his best film to date. He has been a little hit and miss for me over his years of directing but I think the steering and commanding role Nolan will have had will keep him in the right direction on doing what he does best which is handling the amazing visuals and keeping everything in order; while Goyer tightens up the story and allows a clear, strong narrative to flow throughout.
Not to mention, the sheer array of acting talent that is going to be on show. Henry Cavill seems like he fits the role of Clark Kent perfectly, who alongside Amy Adams will most likely form a significantly strong partnership and on screen chemistry which is of course vital for certain plot points as the franchise will progress. Then you have such actors as Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon (who looks and will probably be amazing), Kevin Costner and Laurence Fishburne to mention a few. All of the potential is right there for Man of Steel to be an amazing film.
3) Pacific Rim
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This film completely says to me "summer blockbuster". This is what summer films should all be about, non-stop, mind-blowing action with extortionate amounts of CGI and monsters. It is monsters fighting robots, honestly what is there not to like about that?
Everything about this film tells me that it is going to be thoroughly enjoyable and that multiple viewing will be in order. Gulliermo Del Toro's largest film to date, and probably his most promising in my eyes. He has a great creative style and outlook for concepts, coming up with some unique ideas and more than executing them well. This seems to follow in the footsteps of his previous films and looks to offer a great cinematic experience.
The footage from the trailers looks exactly what I was expecting from the movie, nothing more or nothing less. This film will be a classic case of "it is what it says on the tin" it is going to be machines vs monsters. That is it. And if this doesn't appeal to you, I don't know what will. Of course there will be some elements of how the monsters came about, what their intentions are etc. But I think this will be explained in the first 10 minutes of the film, to give enough substance and back story to allow the 2 hours of CGI fighting and destruction to be somewhat meaningful.
As for the effects, the designs of both the machines and monsters both look spectacular. As I mentioned before, Del Toro is extremely creative in this department and I don't think we were expecting anything less than him to deliver on this front with his weird but yet wonderful work done with 'Pan's Labyrinth'. The action sequences look on a huge scale and will more than satisfy in IMAX 3D, because honestly, why would you go and see this is any other format?! Really?!
2) The World's End
The concluding film in the widely loved "Cornetto trilogy" from director Edgar Wright and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Both Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz still to this very day remain as not only two of my favourite comedies of all time, but my favourite films. Based on this, and topped off with all of the information, insight and looks at the film we've got, you can only imagine how much I'm looking forward to this film.
I believe it easily has the capability to be even better than its predecessors. Although it will have big shoes to fill, each film seems to have been better than the last. The three are extremely passionate about these projects that they make and can happily acknowledge that these are the films that invigorated successful careers for the three of them. This is why I am so assured that they can deliver with The World's End yet again and come up with a truly remarkable film.
As for the plot this time around, it has clearly taken huge inspiration from 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and implemented this as one of the main themes of the film. It certainly makes for an interesting end to the three films they've made and although it resembles some factors that Shaun of the Dead had, I have no probably if it can be compared in some instances to that film because I absolutely loved it.
1) Elysium
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This has now been my most anticipated for film of 2013 as soon as I found out that it was going to be released in that year all of those years ago. I've followed Elysium ever since I had watched District 9, instantly fell in love with it and came across this film being put into production. I have every sense in my mind that this film will deliver on all fronts and be amazing as expected. It looks like it has taken some core elements that I enjoyed from District 9, incorporating it into a much larger scale film and a more action based one of that. It seems that in this respect, it has only increased on what District 9 did so well so in that sense it could well and truly even be better that Blomkamp's original feature film.
As for the cast that we have, Matt Damon in the lead role seems like a perfect fit from what I've seen. Based on the type of character he will be playing, as well as the story of the film, Damon will put in a great performance I expect. I think with this choice of casting alone without seeing any footage, it tells you right where the film's direction will go which is definitely a great choice indeed. Also, the additions of both Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley are strong ones that only add to my anticipation for the film.
The world that Neill Blomkamp looks to have created is certainly one that is both visually stunning but interesting to say the least. The fact that Earth has become some sort of dumping, waste ground where the more common people are left to live while the richer beings are sent off to a more beautiful, higher class planet where a good standard of living will be provided is definitely something that intrigues me. I got the real sense that this can top Blomkamp's District 9 as it is looking to up the ante and provide much more depth and a larger scale world that will please both fans of his first feature film as well as your more average, cinema audience.
Honorable Mentions:
The Purge
While this film has more than enough evidence that it could indeed fall into the generic horror film category, I think there are definitely elements that say otherwise. The only other horror film I've seen this year is 'Mama' which is similar to this in the sense that both look as if they have elements of originality but unfortunately Mama went down the common route and lost my interest after that. This is what I am judging The Purge on and I feel that it could make the same mistakes that Mama did.
I was completely hooked on the film's trailer before I knew anything about it and then the horror element came into play and I was less interested then. I thought the concept of a one night a year scenario when crime is legal and no rules apply was genius, originality doesn't quite cover that idea. Not to mention that Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey are both starring which is more than enough acting talent to drive the film home and carry it in parts when there isn't much really happening.
American Hustle
Of course both a strong cast and great director are seemingly important of the appeal of a film and I think this one more than tops any I've seen this year. David O' Russell directing who has brought us films such as The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook matched with an ensemble cast featuring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Robert De Niro, Allesandro Nivola and more!
While the story is somewhat of a less appealing factor, I think David O' Russell will have more than enough in his bank to drive it home and really sell the film to me when a trailer is released. The few set photos that we have gotten give a somewhat blurred idea of the film and so far so good in my opinion. The tone that I get so far as well O'Russell's previous work will coincide nicely with the narrative and the costumes which are the main thing we have seen as of yet look great.
Kick-Ass 2
2010's comic book film adaptation 'Kick-Ass' a breath of fresh air and a great surprise for me. I didn't really know what to expect before watching it but it probably one of my favourite films from that year, I thoroughly enjoyed it and still have just as much on repeat viewings. Now 3 years down the line, after much speculation that this was never going to happen, here we are around 2 months off the release of the eagerly anticipated sequel.
From what we have seen thus far, I had mixed feelings about the film. I didn't think the glimpse that we have got looked bad, but it didn't really strike me that much that I am dieing to see this, which is the reason it didn't make my top ten list. I have simply put it as a honorable mention because I loved the first film that much that I think it can follow that formula which worked so well and bring a satisfying sequel.
Baring in mind, this is going to be a lot more difficult this time round now as there is much higher expectations on the back of how good the first film was. As well as this, Matthew Vaughn is not returning and the chair has been given to Jeff Wadlow for the next installment. This was the reason that many felt we were never going to get a sequel as Vaughn was busy with X-Men: First Class and is now working on X-Men: Days of Future Past; seemingly blocking his schedule up and aborting him from directing this film. He has handpicked Jeff Wadlow though, which invigorates confidence that despite not seeing any of Wadlow's films, that he has enough talent and knowledge to produce a good quality sequel.
10) This is the End
9) Oldboy
As for the cast, Josh Brolin being the star seems like another fine choice being made for this remake. Brolin is a great actor and can more than carry a film even if it is not entirely good, which this remake certainly has the potential to fall victim to this. Put him alongside Elizabeth Olsen who is an amazing up and coming actress, as well as the ever great Samuel L Jackson and Sharlto Copley who is a phenomenal actor in my opinion; they are all of the credentials for a fine display of acting right there.
8) Monsters University
Despite having my doubts that this could indeed be a 'Cars 2' scenario, I believe it will not fall at the hands of the mistakes that film made. I was never a fan of the first Cars film in all honesty but I know for a fact I am not on my own when I say that Cars 2 was a massive disappointment. As for Monsters University, there is plenty of directions the film can take. The trailers give a great picture of how the film will play out and I am enjoying every little thing that I see. There are so many potential incorporations and hints to the premise of the first film that they could make and just the general narrative of gaining an insight into the lives of the characters before the events of the first film, is hugely interesting. Especially when we see that they clearly didn't always get along like we were lead to expect from the first film. Put this together with the witty, expanding humor that it seems will be a huge part of this film too and I honestly think that this film could be in my top ten favourites of the year quite easily.
7) Anchorman: The Legend Continues
The news such as actors returning, new people signing on and cameos confirmed, have all been positive as of yet. Big names such as Harrison Ford and Kristen Wiig as well as all the main gang returning have provided many reassuring elements. Top this with such new stars as James Marsden, Nicole Kidman, Liam Nesson and Jim Carrey and there is certainly enough in that department to put on a good show.
Adam McKay is also returning to direct which is another positive factor that increases my excitement for the film. It generally sounds like a lot of hard work and effort is being put into not only getting this production completed, but while it was only speculation mid last year, to even get it into production. Actors were willing to take pay cuts etc and this really made me believe that they had a general idea of how they wanted it to play out and a strong vision that could make a great film, as opposed to just making a sequel for the sake of it.
6) Europa Report
The general concept that Sebastian Cordero is going for is so simplistic yet intriguing that this is what makes it such a potentially breathtaking film. The visuals and especially the CGI that can be seen from the trailer, looks great as expected. I really got a strong sense that the film will be really good at immersing the audience into the environments being explored and the tension and other emotions the characters will go through will be more than conveyed on screen.
It honestly reminds me of the classic Sci-Fi films such as Alien that the tone and look that the film is going for is trying to match these classics and that is another thing that sparks up excitement for me. I love the simple concepts of just exploring space on a mission with a limited amount of resources, equipment and other life forms on that spacecraft. It has always been something that fascinates me and this could well and truly be the next film to hit the nail on the head in returning to Sci-Fi's roots since Duncan Jones' Moon.
5) Gravity
As for Gravity, the teaser trailer we got a couple of weeks ago I believe it was now, was definitely satisfying. I think I am pretty much sold on watching the film if I wasn't enough before. Can I interpret whether I believe it is going to be as brilliant as it could be? No. I didn't really get a strong sense of how this film is going to be play out entirely which is both good and bad in its own right. It isn't really giving much away which is vital for me in trailers but I don't think there was an awful lot to completely sell me and make me believe it will be as good as I think it can be.
Visually, again it looks beautiful and breathtaking just like its Sci-Fi counterpart 'Europa Report'. I'd say this film has much better use of CGI and that is quite apparent from the trailer, but is expected at the same time as Europa Report is an indie project and this film is on a much larger scale. What can be said though, is that I am excited to see George Clooney in a perculiar role for his career anyway. That was one of the more daunting but stronger pull ins that I got from the trailer and I honestly believe he has what it takes to step up to the plate and deliver a great performance in the film. I'm not as sure for Sandra Bullock on the other hand.
4) Man of Steel
A more realistic approach to the character is certainly something that doesn't look out of place and if you are going for a much darker, serious tone then who better to bring at the helm than Zack Snyder. I believe he will have the necessary credentials to pull this one out of the bag and have what it takes to be his best film to date. He has been a little hit and miss for me over his years of directing but I think the steering and commanding role Nolan will have had will keep him in the right direction on doing what he does best which is handling the amazing visuals and keeping everything in order; while Goyer tightens up the story and allows a clear, strong narrative to flow throughout.
Not to mention, the sheer array of acting talent that is going to be on show. Henry Cavill seems like he fits the role of Clark Kent perfectly, who alongside Amy Adams will most likely form a significantly strong partnership and on screen chemistry which is of course vital for certain plot points as the franchise will progress. Then you have such actors as Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon (who looks and will probably be amazing), Kevin Costner and Laurence Fishburne to mention a few. All of the potential is right there for Man of Steel to be an amazing film.
3) Pacific Rim
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Everything about this film tells me that it is going to be thoroughly enjoyable and that multiple viewing will be in order. Gulliermo Del Toro's largest film to date, and probably his most promising in my eyes. He has a great creative style and outlook for concepts, coming up with some unique ideas and more than executing them well. This seems to follow in the footsteps of his previous films and looks to offer a great cinematic experience.
The footage from the trailers looks exactly what I was expecting from the movie, nothing more or nothing less. This film will be a classic case of "it is what it says on the tin" it is going to be machines vs monsters. That is it. And if this doesn't appeal to you, I don't know what will. Of course there will be some elements of how the monsters came about, what their intentions are etc. But I think this will be explained in the first 10 minutes of the film, to give enough substance and back story to allow the 2 hours of CGI fighting and destruction to be somewhat meaningful.
As for the effects, the designs of both the machines and monsters both look spectacular. As I mentioned before, Del Toro is extremely creative in this department and I don't think we were expecting anything less than him to deliver on this front with his weird but yet wonderful work done with 'Pan's Labyrinth'. The action sequences look on a huge scale and will more than satisfy in IMAX 3D, because honestly, why would you go and see this is any other format?! Really?!
2) The World's End
I believe it easily has the capability to be even better than its predecessors. Although it will have big shoes to fill, each film seems to have been better than the last. The three are extremely passionate about these projects that they make and can happily acknowledge that these are the films that invigorated successful careers for the three of them. This is why I am so assured that they can deliver with The World's End yet again and come up with a truly remarkable film.
As for the plot this time around, it has clearly taken huge inspiration from 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and implemented this as one of the main themes of the film. It certainly makes for an interesting end to the three films they've made and although it resembles some factors that Shaun of the Dead had, I have no probably if it can be compared in some instances to that film because I absolutely loved it.
1) Elysium
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As for the cast that we have, Matt Damon in the lead role seems like a perfect fit from what I've seen. Based on the type of character he will be playing, as well as the story of the film, Damon will put in a great performance I expect. I think with this choice of casting alone without seeing any footage, it tells you right where the film's direction will go which is definitely a great choice indeed. Also, the additions of both Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley are strong ones that only add to my anticipation for the film.
The world that Neill Blomkamp looks to have created is certainly one that is both visually stunning but interesting to say the least. The fact that Earth has become some sort of dumping, waste ground where the more common people are left to live while the richer beings are sent off to a more beautiful, higher class planet where a good standard of living will be provided is definitely something that intrigues me. I got the real sense that this can top Blomkamp's District 9 as it is looking to up the ante and provide much more depth and a larger scale world that will please both fans of his first feature film as well as your more average, cinema audience.
Honorable Mentions:
The Purge
I was completely hooked on the film's trailer before I knew anything about it and then the horror element came into play and I was less interested then. I thought the concept of a one night a year scenario when crime is legal and no rules apply was genius, originality doesn't quite cover that idea. Not to mention that Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey are both starring which is more than enough acting talent to drive the film home and carry it in parts when there isn't much really happening.
American Hustle
While the story is somewhat of a less appealing factor, I think David O' Russell will have more than enough in his bank to drive it home and really sell the film to me when a trailer is released. The few set photos that we have gotten give a somewhat blurred idea of the film and so far so good in my opinion. The tone that I get so far as well O'Russell's previous work will coincide nicely with the narrative and the costumes which are the main thing we have seen as of yet look great.
Kick-Ass 2
From what we have seen thus far, I had mixed feelings about the film. I didn't think the glimpse that we have got looked bad, but it didn't really strike me that much that I am dieing to see this, which is the reason it didn't make my top ten list. I have simply put it as a honorable mention because I loved the first film that much that I think it can follow that formula which worked so well and bring a satisfying sequel.
Baring in mind, this is going to be a lot more difficult this time round now as there is much higher expectations on the back of how good the first film was. As well as this, Matthew Vaughn is not returning and the chair has been given to Jeff Wadlow for the next installment. This was the reason that many felt we were never going to get a sequel as Vaughn was busy with X-Men: First Class and is now working on X-Men: Days of Future Past; seemingly blocking his schedule up and aborting him from directing this film. He has handpicked Jeff Wadlow though, which invigorates confidence that despite not seeing any of Wadlow's films, that he has enough talent and knowledge to produce a good quality sequel.
Europa Report - Trailer Review
I'm extremely excited to finally get a look at Europa Report and be able to voice my opinions of the film so far as it is certainly one of my most anticipated films of the year. Now the film centres on a group of astronauts who are sent on a mission to Jupiter's fourth moon for reasons yet unknown. Now it is pretty much a simple plot right there but what increasingly looked me to Europa Report was the fact that it seemed as it was returning to Sci-Fi's original roots. This isn't to say that I don't enjoy many Sci-Fi films nowadays but I think it's a real breath of fresh air if it is returning to the approach that classic films within the genre took.
Starting off with my opinion on the trailer as a whole. Now I definitely didn't hate it but I had some problems with it that stopped me from increasing my anticipation as much as I wanted it to. One of these was that towards the end, it seemed to take a turn and have a horror twist to it. I understand that Sci-Fi films will have some element of this because it is one of the conventions that the characters will cross paths with some sort of disturbance such as aliens etc it may have just been the way that the trailer presented it, but immediately I couldn't shrug off the thought of it going down an Apollo 18 route. I have never seen that film so I am not saying that this is a bad thing, but it is something I am seemingly not interested in seeing. I have believe though that this is probably just the way that the trailer has been put together and it will not take this particular direction.
Another reason was that it felt a little too generic. One of the attractions of this film to me was that not only was it returning to classic Sci-Fi films, but it seemed like it was invigorating new life into the genre. Not to say that it is going to be generic, but that was a feeling I was left with while watching the trailer. I am getting the real sense that this trailer isn't going to do justice for this film whatsoever, because I think it can clearly be said that it is marketing it as something that it most likely isn't going to be. This is to probably sell the film to a wider audience considering that it is an indie picture and has purposely been done to gain more money when it's released. They could have well shot themselves in the foot though because some people could easily be put off with the supposed direction it is taking and this will hinder chances it has to make a fair amount of money.
Something that geared me up and increased my anticipation though was the opening of the trailer. Straight from the off, there was something about the part when the launch of the spacecraft is being reported on the news and one of the spokespeople is speaking over these visuals. It was so simplistic yet done in a way which really evoked memories of those classic Sci-Fi films like Apollo 13, that immediately got me into the mindset that I will enjoy this film without a shadow of a doubt.
The visuals were another element that stood out to me and was something that I was definitely expecting to be great, with the technology that is available as well as the genre that the film was categorized to. The colours that were used were exquisitely bright and were undoubtedly eye-catching; the film really feels as if it is going to be visually stunning and just amazing from that aspect alone if not any others. The effects that can be seen as of yet look great too. Of course, with the resources that are available to date, audiences have come to expect this but just seeing some of the creations brought to life is still satisfying nonetheless.
I am also getting the strong feeling that it is going to offer almost a documentation of these events and the mission being carried out. Certainly in some areas of the film we will get this, but I think parts of the trailer suggest that this could be central to how the whole mission will be presented to us. Various shots of head cam views, what seems to be cameras that have been set up with the space craft as well as handheld shots to try and give a POV perspective are certainly something that I believe will work well. It is helping to add to that grounded vision that is trying to be achieved and what better way to do this to try and present the events that these people are going through on the spacecraft than offering viewers a documentary style to see them unfold.
Arguably the biggest factor that was driving me towards wanting to see the movie was the grounded/realistic take that it was supposedly making. Early reviews have come in and critics are hailing it for the approach that it has taken which offers viewers the experience that this indeed could happen and if it was to, this is how events that are similar would play out. Even from a segment of the plot, the fact that they believe lifeforms could be found under the ice of the moon is similar to a theory that many scientists have. I certainly got that sense from this trailer, only adding my excitement for what I believe is going to be a more than satisfying film.
Overall, this trailer hasn't sold me more to watch the film but I believe on what I already have heard and seen, I was already invested in giving my time to watch the film. I do believe it will be more based on what I have expected before seeing the trailer and not fall to the demise of something that is much more generic and will stop this film from being as good as it possibly can. I don't think this was a terrible trailer by any means, it just didn't seem to accurately portray what I was expecting from the film and hopefully watching the movie will prove me wrong. Don't get me wrong though, there was some elements that have grabbed my attention and added to my excitement and now I just can't wait to finally be able to see it in around 6 weeks time.
Here is the trailer for Europa Report:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhdRYk1Y8VA
Starting off with my opinion on the trailer as a whole. Now I definitely didn't hate it but I had some problems with it that stopped me from increasing my anticipation as much as I wanted it to. One of these was that towards the end, it seemed to take a turn and have a horror twist to it. I understand that Sci-Fi films will have some element of this because it is one of the conventions that the characters will cross paths with some sort of disturbance such as aliens etc it may have just been the way that the trailer presented it, but immediately I couldn't shrug off the thought of it going down an Apollo 18 route. I have never seen that film so I am not saying that this is a bad thing, but it is something I am seemingly not interested in seeing. I have believe though that this is probably just the way that the trailer has been put together and it will not take this particular direction.
Another reason was that it felt a little too generic. One of the attractions of this film to me was that not only was it returning to classic Sci-Fi films, but it seemed like it was invigorating new life into the genre. Not to say that it is going to be generic, but that was a feeling I was left with while watching the trailer. I am getting the real sense that this trailer isn't going to do justice for this film whatsoever, because I think it can clearly be said that it is marketing it as something that it most likely isn't going to be. This is to probably sell the film to a wider audience considering that it is an indie picture and has purposely been done to gain more money when it's released. They could have well shot themselves in the foot though because some people could easily be put off with the supposed direction it is taking and this will hinder chances it has to make a fair amount of money.
The visuals were another element that stood out to me and was something that I was definitely expecting to be great, with the technology that is available as well as the genre that the film was categorized to. The colours that were used were exquisitely bright and were undoubtedly eye-catching; the film really feels as if it is going to be visually stunning and just amazing from that aspect alone if not any others. The effects that can be seen as of yet look great too. Of course, with the resources that are available to date, audiences have come to expect this but just seeing some of the creations brought to life is still satisfying nonetheless.
I am also getting the strong feeling that it is going to offer almost a documentation of these events and the mission being carried out. Certainly in some areas of the film we will get this, but I think parts of the trailer suggest that this could be central to how the whole mission will be presented to us. Various shots of head cam views, what seems to be cameras that have been set up with the space craft as well as handheld shots to try and give a POV perspective are certainly something that I believe will work well. It is helping to add to that grounded vision that is trying to be achieved and what better way to do this to try and present the events that these people are going through on the spacecraft than offering viewers a documentary style to see them unfold.
Arguably the biggest factor that was driving me towards wanting to see the movie was the grounded/realistic take that it was supposedly making. Early reviews have come in and critics are hailing it for the approach that it has taken which offers viewers the experience that this indeed could happen and if it was to, this is how events that are similar would play out. Even from a segment of the plot, the fact that they believe lifeforms could be found under the ice of the moon is similar to a theory that many scientists have. I certainly got that sense from this trailer, only adding my excitement for what I believe is going to be a more than satisfying film.
Overall, this trailer hasn't sold me more to watch the film but I believe on what I already have heard and seen, I was already invested in giving my time to watch the film. I do believe it will be more based on what I have expected before seeing the trailer and not fall to the demise of something that is much more generic and will stop this film from being as good as it possibly can. I don't think this was a terrible trailer by any means, it just didn't seem to accurately portray what I was expecting from the film and hopefully watching the movie will prove me wrong. Don't get me wrong though, there was some elements that have grabbed my attention and added to my excitement and now I just can't wait to finally be able to see it in around 6 weeks time.
Here is the trailer for Europa Report:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhdRYk1Y8VA
Wednesday 15 May 2013
This Week's Biggest Film News - 13th May+
In the first of a weekly blog, I will talk about the biggest news stories of that particular week and give my opinions on what I think about each individual piece of news. Would appreciate some feedback on what people think about me doing this and what people think about the stories themselves too!
Drew Pearce to write Mission Impossible 5
As soon as I read this story, it instantly clicked with me that it could be a very fitting choice for both parties. This is of course only based on the screenplay which Pearce co-wrote alongside Shane Black but the writing was one of the main features which made me love the film so much. He has also co-wrote Pacific Rim which is not yet released, but looks promising from the footage that I have seen. I feel that Pearce's style would suit the direction that the Mission Impossible franchise has gone in more recent years and a good mix of both comedy and action is what Drew Pearce can bring to the table. The franchise is in desperate need of something that can help it to remain as successful and appreciated as it is, and although I thoroughly enjoyed Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, it feels that there is only a limited amount of ways that they can reinvigorate future films. As of yet, it seems like quite a good choice for both parties but I'm sure after seeing Pacific Rim we will get a much clearer sense of whether it is a solid decision or not.
http://screenrant.com/mission-impossible-5-drew-pearce-writer/
Will Smith in talks to star and produce in the remake of The Wild Bunch
Now there has been talk of a remake of this film being made for some time. Years ago, there was mention of Tony Scott directing but of course that is not possible considering he passed away, sadly. I think both pieces of evidence show the vision that they have for this remake. Certainly in the more later years of his career, Scott was known for directing big Hollywood blockbusters; and with the approach of Will Smith to lead the film, it only points to one direction. I am aware of the original 1969 film but am yet to see it so I am not entirely sure whether this is deemed good or bad news in that sense. Although, I have been told countless times that this is one of the 'classics' and that only adds to the galvanizing factor that Hollywood is about to tamper with another highly regarded piece of cinema.
Some daunting factors include that it will be the first time Smith will return to a western if he does indeed accept since the abomination 'Wild Wild West'. Quite frankly, it will leave a lot of people in doubt over this new film but I don't really think it should affect people's judgments on this film at all. Another is that as mentioned in the article below, a draft of a screenplay was previously turned down and now they are looking for a new writer to create a draft with Smith as the anchor of the film. This could be jeopardizing the whole project as I tend to see the problem with many films that Will Smith is in, that too much of the time, it focuses solely on him. Of course, he is a lead actor and must rack up plenty of screen time but it gets to the point that he overshadows the story and this is when the film can suddenly slip away.
At this moment in time, I'd say I am more against the idea than for it. When more news is released, if Smith is indeed cast as the lead, which is only speculation at the minute, I will have a more structured and stronger opinion on the matter.
http://www.totalfilm.com/news/will-smith-lined-up-for-remake-of-the-wild-bunch
Beast and Wolverine in new X-Men: Days of Future Past photo
This is news I can really sink my teeth into. Out of the three stories so far, this is the one I am by far most excited about. Not necessarily this photo, more so the film in general. I am a fan of the X Men series in general, aside from a few slip ups here and there (X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine). The latest addition in the series, X-Men: First Class was a good film. It definitely left me wanting more films after viewing it and there is certainly more directions they can go, characters they can introduce etc. Now the announcement of X-Men: Days of Future Past occurs and gets me instantly excited. More news hits about actors signing on, the plot of the film and I am just becoming more and more satisfied with each bit of news.
It is a relatively simple photo, yet something about it immediately got me pumped and anticipating the release date. The simplicity of it is probably the appeal, similar to the photo released last week of James McAvoy; little snippets of insight and information such as these are all that is required to produce excitement for fans of the films. Of course, from what can be seen in the picture, it looks like a photo taken from a sequence that will connect both this film and the previous trilogy together. I am solely basing this on what can be seen in the background. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems that it is part of the academy which the mutants attend in the previous films, which Professor X runs. This is expected as the whole narrative of the comic book which this story is based off is travelling back in time which is a perfect chance to interconnect all of the films together. Seeing the first evidence of this though gets me and most likely fans of the franchise/comic books watering at the mouth and pondering the next look that we will get from this film.
http://www.totalfilm.com/news/beast-and-wolverine-star-in-new-image-from-x-men-days-of-future-past
Michael Giacchino to compose for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Not an entirely huge news story but certainly one that is pleasing for me anyway. Giacchino is one of my favourite composers operating in today's film industry with scores on such films as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Star Trek, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Up and The Incredibles to name a few. There are still a huge array of films that he has worked on and done a fine job with which is the reason I am so happy with this piece of news. The 2011 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' actually came as a huge surprise for me. I wasn't even planning on seeing the film, let alone expecting to like it as much as I did. It may have been the Tim Burton 'Planet of the Apes' that had previously put me off, but something about them had never really stuck out to me. Having said that, after watching the latest addition, I am definitely on board with this one.
Now I feel that Giacchino can really bring something special to this film and that is exactly what I expect him to do. He really knows how to convey emotions within the audience and his music fits perfectly with each individual frame that is on screen. He has a very mixed sound that he uses also. Never does it seem like you could compare any of the scores he creates to one another (aside from the two Star Trek films). He has a diverse range of sounds and skills that allow him to never replicate what he is producing, making him fit to compose a film in a variety of genres. This seems to be the case as when you look at the movies he has composed for, there are some that could be considered opposite ends of the spectrum. For example, Ratatouille is completely different from 50/50 which certainly expresses the sheer talent the man has. I think he is a resounding choice for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes as he has more than proved he can nail a summer blockbuster through both Abrams Star Trek films and has the raw emotion within his music that is needed in Up and was sure included in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I for one, am certainly pleased with this news that's for sure.
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=37505
Woody, Jessie, Buzz and co return in 30 minute TV short film
Where do I possibly start with Toy Story. Three of my most favourite films of all time, so of course this news is going to be close to my heart. To be honest, this is the best news about returning to the Toy Story franchise I have heard. All of these rumours of a fourth film being made etc have not particularly got me as excited as this does. It maybe because the third film wrapped everything up so nicely, the perfect way to end an amazing trilogy. Rather than making a fourth film and most likely starting up another trilogy, this seems a much more rational plan. By reading the article too, it sounds like it is going to great! All of the formula is right there, and the fact that it is Halloween themed makes me that bit more excited. It is something fresh and interesting that we haven't seen yet, whilst also allowing us to rekindle the connection and revisit these characters that we all love so much. Personally, I can't see a piece of news topping this one, simply because the franchise is extremely important to me.
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=37491
Ewan McGregor 'totally up for' Trainspotting Sequel
It's not necessarily the biggest of weeks for film news but this probably marks the biggest story that will be mentioned this week, in my eyes certainly. For months and months now, maybe even years, there has been plenty of speculation hinting and teasing a possible Trainspotting sequel and finally this is about the last bit of evidence that you need to know it is going to happen. As well all know, Danny Boyle is very keen to create this project and I think it was always going to rest on whether Ewan McGregor was going to return on whether it would happen or not. This is based on the fact that the two had a split not soon after making the first film and during pre production of 'The Beach'. Now NME reports that this is pretty much destined to happen now as McGregor publicly announces he would love to star in a Trainspotting sequel.
Now on the whole is this a good piece of film news? Yes, in my eyes. Trainspotting remains of the greatest British films ever made, let alone Boyle's strongest film in which there are a few to choose out of. Now I haven't read either of the books so I can't comment on how both of them compare to one another but I have heard the second book is not supposed to be very good. This doesn't necessarily mean that the film is destined to go down the same route and with Boyle at the helm, I have full faith that this can indeed be an honourable sequel. Even then, Boyle has stated it is 'loosely based on' the second book 'Porno' which is indeed Irvine's follow up to Trainspotting.
Ewan McGregor returning is of course great news because without him, the sequel with simply not happen. Not only would it not happen, but it undoubtedly would not even get discussed or thought about. It's as simple as that. I still believe that McGregor has it in him to adopt the character that has been so well loved over the years and bring another memorable performance back to the screen. He has made some interesting career choices over the years but his role as Renton is certainly not one that has been questioned.
http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/ewan-mcgregor-im-totally-up-for-danny-boyles-trainspotting/307762?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fanpage-trainspotting
Tuesday 14 May 2013
My Predictions on User Ratings & Metascores For This Year's Biggest Films
Just a little bit of fun here. I'm going to do a blog post which is basically me predicting what I believe the final outcomes of both the user ratings and metascores on IMDb will be. These will be for what I deem will be the most talked about/highest anticipated films of 2013. I will start with films that have not been released anywhere as of yet. If I miss out big ones out then please let me know, or if you'd like me to give my thoughts on a film that hasn't been mentioned, just leave me a comment on this blog post.
1. The Hangover Part III
User Rating: 6.8
Metascore: 54/100
3. Only God Forgives
User Rating: 8.0
Metascore: 72/100
5. This is the End
User Rating: 7.3
Metascore: 58/100
7. World War Z
User Rating: 6.8
Metascore: 51/100
9. White House Down
User Rating: 5.9
Metascore: 46/100
11. The Lone Ranger
User Rating: 7.1
Metascore: 42/100
13. The Conjuring
User Rating: 7.2
Metascore: 56/100
15. Europa Report
User Rating: 7.8
Metascore: 73/100
17. Kick-Ass 2
User Rating: 7.5
Metascore: 54/100
19. Insidious: Chapter 2
User Rating: 6.9
Metascore: 42/100
21. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2
User Rating: 7.1
Metascore: 63/100
23. Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
User Rating: 7.5
Metascore: 64/100
25. Oldboy
User Rating: 7.9
Metascore: 73/100
27. Don Jon's Addiction
User Rating 7.6
Metascore: 73/100
29. Ender's Game
User Rating: 6.8
Metascore: 61/100
31. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
User Rating: 7.2
Metascore: 61/100
33. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
User Rating: 7.4
Metascore: 63/100
1. The Hangover Part III
User Rating: 6.8
Metascore: 54/100
2. Fast & Furious 6
User Rating: 7.0
Metascore: 56/100
3. Only God Forgives
User Rating: 8.0
Metascore: 72/100
4. After Earth
User Rating: 5.3
Metascore: 45/100
5. This is the End
User Rating: 7.3
Metascore: 58/100
6. Man of Steel
User Rating: 7.9
Metascore: 69/100
7. World War Z
User Rating: 6.8
Metascore: 51/100
8. Monsters University
User Rating: 7.7
Metascore: 74/100
9. White House Down
User Rating: 5.9
Metascore: 46/100
10. Despicable Me 2
User Rating: 7.3
Metascore: 60/100
11. The Lone Ranger
User Rating: 7.1
Metascore: 42/100
12. Pacific Rim
User Rating: 7.6
Metascore: 68/100
13. The Conjuring
User Rating: 7.2
Metascore: 56/100
14. The Wolverine
User Rating: 6.9
Metascore: 55/100
15. Europa Report
User Rating: 7.8
Metascore: 73/100
16. Elysium
User Rating: 8.0
Metascore: 78/100
17. Kick-Ass 2
User Rating: 7.5
Metascore: 54/100
18. The World's End
User Rating: 7.8
Metascore: 71/100
19. Insidious: Chapter 2
User Rating: 6.9
Metascore: 42/100
20. Rush
User Rating: 7.6
Metascore: 79/100
21. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2
User Rating: 7.1
Metascore: 63/100
22. Gravity
User Rating: 7.9
Metascore: 76/100
23. Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
User Rating: 7.5
Metascore: 64/100
24. Captain Phillips
User Rating: 7.3
Metascore: 70/100
25. Oldboy
User Rating: 7.9
Metascore: 73/100
26. Carrie
User Rating: 6.1
Metascore: 49/100
27. Don Jon's Addiction
User Rating 7.6
Metascore: 73/100
28. Paranormal Activity 5
User Rating: 5.6
Metascore: 32/100
29. Ender's Game
User Rating: 6.8
Metascore: 61/100
30. Thor: The Dark World
User Rating: 7.3
Metascore: 65/100
31. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
User Rating: 7.2
Metascore: 61/100
32. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
User Rating: 7.9
Metascore: 56/100
33. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
User Rating: 7.4
Metascore: 63/100
Friday 10 May 2013
Gravity - Teaser Trailer Review
As I don't have a great deal to say about this teaser trailer which has been released today, I felt there is certainly enough excitement and elements within the 1 minute 30 second look that we got.
Gravity is an upcoming film directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuaron who previously directed and co-wrote the epic sci-fi film 'Children of Men'. Of course this isn't the only film he is known for, he has worked on other movies including Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Arguably the sole reason that I am writing this review of the teaser trailer that we have been brought is because of the fact that is the next project Cuaron will be working on. I absolutely love Children of Men, undoubtedly one of my favourite sci-fi films of all time which makes the concept and look of Gravity mouth-wateringly appealing to me.
Starting off with the slight indication of plot that we have to work with, it seems fairly simple. Two astronauts travelling deep in the uncharted areas of space are forced to battle to return to Earth after their shuttle is destroyed by oncoming debris. Now the travel and the synopsis we have so far don't really cover anything else apart from that. They give us no signs in the many directions that this film could take but I have reassurance that Cuaron can take this simple storyline, and more than make enough of it to interest and maintain our investment for the film. He will add some spins on to the narrative as it seems to fall into the thriller category which I seemingly expect he will have no problem in delivering on.
The tone of the film is something that grabs my attention also. Alfonso Cuaron is renown for his seemingly dark tone and almost depressive take on concepts that he carries out. This is evident in certainly the few films of his that I have seen and works perfect in harmony with what he is trying to create on screen. What Gravity seems to be trying to achieve from the glimpses of footage we have, is that very effect. It comes across as very unnerving and a huge sigh of claustrophobia was reflected by myself when watching the teaser trailer. I can't help but think that this is going to be significant on whether or not the audience is going to love or hate the film. If he can maintain this atmosphere throughout the film, the suspense will be deathly and it will make for a satisfying thriller if all other levels can be achieved.
Now it is hardly a large cast that he has to work with. It literally is just the two characters who are going through this experience which we will be seeing which is a great idea in my opinion. I don't want to have to cut back and forth between these characters and others who are possibly trying to help or have heard of the ordeal back on Earth etc. I want to be with the two protagonists throughout this journey that they have will have to undergo in order to survive and make it back to Earth safely. This I feel will be able to fully bring out the effect that the film will have, linking back to my mentions of claustrophobia. Being with these characters every second and every minute of the running time will help to provide required development, bringing the connection between the audience and characters full, front and centre, allowing us to have some relatability to them. George Clooney and Sandra Bullock are certainly intriguing choices made for the film and ones that could either enhance or hinder audience response. Personally I don't rate Sandra Bullock as an actress, there are some actors who you can say "Well yeah, she/he has been in bad films, but they're not a bad actor/actress" she is not one. She may have made bad career choices but I don't think that she has had the opportunities to make the right ones. Maybe this could be her chance to prove me wrong and turn the tables on her fading career. As for Clooney, I think he will fit the look and tone that the movie is going for, as well as handling the sci-fi element perfectly as he has somewhat of a diverse pallet of acting ability. It will be interesting to see him in this genre of film anyway, that is for sure.
One thing that sold it for me, not only to write this review of the teaser trailer but for the film in general was the POV sequence preview we received. It seems to be used in the destruction of the space craft which seems like the perfect place to show off the unique visuals that the film will have to offer. Seen as though this will be the full frontal set piece and the main body for the film and its outcome, it seems like a great inclusion on their part. Something about it was so simplistic yet very stylish which credit is definitely due to the director of photography and Cuaron for their choice of camerawork. The effects that were shown at a very minimum amount seemed really good, and something that is necessarily expected with the level of technology available these days.
All in all, I have raised hopes about this film now after seeing what it could look like. I hadn't really come across any information or insight beforehand, but the teaser trailer has helped me look forward to the film as I think it certainly has the potential to be an enjoyable cinema experience at the very least. Even the possibility of being a really good sci-fi film, considering that Alfonso Cuaron is at the helm of the project.
Here is the trailer for Gravity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJuRS5WocWY
Gravity is an upcoming film directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuaron who previously directed and co-wrote the epic sci-fi film 'Children of Men'. Of course this isn't the only film he is known for, he has worked on other movies including Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Arguably the sole reason that I am writing this review of the teaser trailer that we have been brought is because of the fact that is the next project Cuaron will be working on. I absolutely love Children of Men, undoubtedly one of my favourite sci-fi films of all time which makes the concept and look of Gravity mouth-wateringly appealing to me.
Starting off with the slight indication of plot that we have to work with, it seems fairly simple. Two astronauts travelling deep in the uncharted areas of space are forced to battle to return to Earth after their shuttle is destroyed by oncoming debris. Now the travel and the synopsis we have so far don't really cover anything else apart from that. They give us no signs in the many directions that this film could take but I have reassurance that Cuaron can take this simple storyline, and more than make enough of it to interest and maintain our investment for the film. He will add some spins on to the narrative as it seems to fall into the thriller category which I seemingly expect he will have no problem in delivering on.
Now it is hardly a large cast that he has to work with. It literally is just the two characters who are going through this experience which we will be seeing which is a great idea in my opinion. I don't want to have to cut back and forth between these characters and others who are possibly trying to help or have heard of the ordeal back on Earth etc. I want to be with the two protagonists throughout this journey that they have will have to undergo in order to survive and make it back to Earth safely. This I feel will be able to fully bring out the effect that the film will have, linking back to my mentions of claustrophobia. Being with these characters every second and every minute of the running time will help to provide required development, bringing the connection between the audience and characters full, front and centre, allowing us to have some relatability to them. George Clooney and Sandra Bullock are certainly intriguing choices made for the film and ones that could either enhance or hinder audience response. Personally I don't rate Sandra Bullock as an actress, there are some actors who you can say "Well yeah, she/he has been in bad films, but they're not a bad actor/actress" she is not one. She may have made bad career choices but I don't think that she has had the opportunities to make the right ones. Maybe this could be her chance to prove me wrong and turn the tables on her fading career. As for Clooney, I think he will fit the look and tone that the movie is going for, as well as handling the sci-fi element perfectly as he has somewhat of a diverse pallet of acting ability. It will be interesting to see him in this genre of film anyway, that is for sure.
One thing that sold it for me, not only to write this review of the teaser trailer but for the film in general was the POV sequence preview we received. It seems to be used in the destruction of the space craft which seems like the perfect place to show off the unique visuals that the film will have to offer. Seen as though this will be the full frontal set piece and the main body for the film and its outcome, it seems like a great inclusion on their part. Something about it was so simplistic yet very stylish which credit is definitely due to the director of photography and Cuaron for their choice of camerawork. The effects that were shown at a very minimum amount seemed really good, and something that is necessarily expected with the level of technology available these days.
All in all, I have raised hopes about this film now after seeing what it could look like. I hadn't really come across any information or insight beforehand, but the teaser trailer has helped me look forward to the film as I think it certainly has the potential to be an enjoyable cinema experience at the very least. Even the possibility of being a really good sci-fi film, considering that Alfonso Cuaron is at the helm of the project.
Here is the trailer for Gravity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJuRS5WocWY
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