Archive for the ‘Movies’ Category

Earlier today over at The Hollywood Reporter it was reported that Channing Tatum has been added to the growing list of actors being considered to play Steve Rogers in the Captain America Movie. As of now now he has only been approached and has yet to see a script.

It is also rumored that Keira Knightley has been approached to play Captain America’s love interest, Betsy Ross. However she isn’t the only actress being considered for the role.

UPDATE: Swank here.  I just want to say that I’m not exactly keen on either of these choices and I don’t really think anyone is.  These are just more names that are being thrown out.  And so many are being thrown out there so quickly, I’ve decided not to worry at all until an actual announcement is made.  Though I’ve heard from Jerk-Bot, a source on deep background, that the reason they’re having so many actors read for the part is because no one likes the script and the pay and commitment isn’t that worth it.

So, we’ll see what’s up.

UPDATE 2: Jerk Bot informs me that the Hollywood Reporter failed to mention that Twilight’s Kellan Lutz tested for the part as well.

UPDATE 3: HitFix is reporting that Ryan Phillipe is up for the part now, too.  I think we should revise this method of reporting news and only report when someone ISN’T up for the part.

There are some actors who appeared in the Star Wars movies that were simply in them for too brief a time and haven’t been a whole lot else for us to see them in.

One actor from the prequels I’ve been dying to see more of in film is Temuera Morrison, the Maori actor who played Jango Fett.  He was incredibly talented, and even the most ardent of prequel haters will cop to him being a highlight.

It was reported yesterday in The Hollywood Reporter that Morrison has been cast as Abin Sur, the ill-fated Green Lantern who crash landed on Earth to his death and in his dying breaths gave Hal Jordan the power ring that would transform him into a Green Lantern.

This bodes well for the film and I’m excited to see his part in it.

According to the Reporter, the film starts shooting today.

Alright- this isn’t really so much a trailer as it is a sneak peek… the “trailer” itself is mostly behind the scenes… but the footage that they DO show will make your mouth water-

Enjoy the Sneak Peek over at Trailer Addict before you read on…

I have quite of few cinematic heroes- for quite a few various reasons, but Robert Rodriguez is right at the top of that list… The man makes movies the way that I would like to make movies, fast, cheap all while leaving an impact you think about for days to come… Think about the first time you saw Sin City and how you walked away hoping it spawned a whole new style of film making… which it did.

Now think of the guy that brought you the Mariachi universe- hell, even think on the originality of From Dusk til Dawn- then put his influence on the Nimrod Artal directed film Predators. from what I’ve gathered- and from what I’ve seen- Robert Rodriguez approaches every single one his films in a way that makes the next year of production and post-production seem like the greatest, most fun job in the industry- and that laid back- “helluva time” attitude on set, most certainly translates into every one of his films…

Now, I’m not gonna lie to you and say I had ANY idea Rodriguez was even working on a new Predator movie, so when I was sent this link late last night I about wet myself at the title… then I saw Robert Rodriguez talking to the camera about how HE was working on it… and… welll… at that point I had to change my knickers!

I’m sitting and watching, somewhat disappointed at the fact that it isn’t an actual trailer (still excited nonetheless) when I recognize a nose- wait is that Adrien- YES it IS Adrien Brody! And Laurence Fishburne!? Get right outta town!

Look, I’m not saying that the actors are gonna make the movie good, I’m not saying that the Producer/Director team, although seemingly perfect (and in this humble bot’s opinion, the only time a sequel should have been made), I’m not saying this dynamic is gonna make the movie good, I’m not even saying that I’m getting an extremely strong “Alen”/”Aliens” vibe… (in the sense that I can see Predators being Predator’s “Alien”.

The last thing I want you to pay attention to is when Rodriguez says: “the idea of the film was to not make it feel like the 5th or 6th film in a series- but the first.”  I love that he says this, because that’s what a good sequel tends to have, the feeling that there is history and a back story- but the film itself lives and breathes as its own movie… one that teenagers should be sneaking out to see on the big screen then playing Predators in their backyards with their make shift tree branch machine guns and their pine cone hand grenades…

This movie is gonna be one bad-ass joy ride of action and Sci-fi awesomery…ness!!  two words: Predator Hounds

That is the LEAST I expect from a Rodriguez version of Predator. I am positive it’ll be so so very much more- anyway a friend of mine just walked into the coffee shop with his copy of the new Starcraft Beta- I’m about to get very distracted (and maybe you can expect a write up on that…maybe…)

ALSO! if you’re interested in finding out as much as humanly possible about the upcoming film- The Hollywood Reporter has an in depth run down of the “Predators” event that took place at SXSW recently- you can read here… and a follow up article here with even more info here.

I’m about to talk to you about three trailers- two of which I’m intensely interested in seeing the films, one of which I’m still debating on even watching the trailer… I’ll decide if I’m going to watch the trailer for Twilight by the time I’m done writing this post… either way you’ll still get the link- Let’s get started:

Harry Brown looks to be the story of an aging widower who takes it upon himself to investigate his best friend’s murder… It’s kind of like Alfred took Mr. Wayne’s example to the next step and goes on a vigilante rampage… it looks amazing!

Here you can find the International Teaser and here is the Red Band Trailer… its not as good a quality, but the trailer is much more in depth into what the movie will be like…

The international Teaser doesn’t really give anything away and somewhat gives the impression that this is just another generic revenge movie with an aging actor, I love Michael Caine but when I saw this trailer I was a bit disappointed, but was going to see the movie either way.

But, what I gleened from the Red-Band is that Harry is that the film makers take the revenge flick to a slightly more subtle level, make it a bit more personal than most, Harry Brown looks like a ‘conflicted’ vigilante- he’s not just hell bent on revenge and trying desperately to kill anyone and everything that is evil- but more of a man that keeps putting himself into situations where he’s driven to kill… given a reason so he can justify it to himself, but… eventually (by what I can tell) becomes the thing he is fighting against the most… (still somewhat generic sounding sure, but watch the trailer and you can see the subtlety of the films approach shining through)

At least that is one way I can see it going- the other way I can see it going is a straight-forward, powerhouse shooter where Harry Brown is relentless, doesn’t have ulterior motives and just cleans up the streets. Michael Caine is brilliant… just amazing… and to see him step into this role takes me back to a simpler time of 70’s revenge flicks, and this is why I can see it going either way…

Next, a film I’m so ridiculously excited for you might have to commit me:

If you refer to my earlier write up on the Teaser for Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood (its at the bottom of the page) you’ll catch just a small sample of how excited I WAS for this film… this new trailer has driven me to the brink of sheer pants poopery! (and may I suggest taking the download time to watch it in HD)

I don’t think I can even begin to explain the vast storyscape it looks like Scott has created for this film- or the detailed story and scenery- or the deep and layered characterizations- or the heart and soul put into every frame.

I won’t even touch upon how brilliant, kick ass and powerful Cate Blanchett is shaping up to be as my dream version of Marian, or how Mark Strong is one of the best villains of our time and can’t wait to see him as whoever he is playing in this film (because as far as I can see- he isn’t the Sheriff… maybe he’s Gisborne- if Gisborne is in this version)

I don’t think I’m gonna even talk about how it looks like the battle at the Dover cliffs will be one of the most epic in cinematic history… (hello beach landing again!)  And just forget the fact that I’ve watched this trailer for the sixth time in a row now…

I hold strong to my prediction that Robin Hood, or Marian is going to die at the end of the film… and I predict that this film is going to show us why Robin Hood is a true legend and not just some bedtime story.

Okay- and finally… Last and extremely least…

After the Robin Hood trailer I decided that I wasn’t going to ruin my day by watching this trailer- I’ve actually survived this whole mess without seeing either of the other movie’s OR their trailers… what I will do is post the link for the just released Twilight: Eclipse full trailer for you to watch and decide on your own… (thanks to joblo.com for stomaching it enough to put on their servers)

I still am going to make some predictions on the film- for my own amusement:

1. Its gonna have sparkly skin.
2. There will be a lot of crying over a break up with a fake vampire… I say the word fake because real vampires… don’t sparkle.
3. Robert Pattinson is going to remain a heartthrob amongst pre-pubescent teenage girls… I mean… with those pronounced anorexic cheek bones, how couldn’t he!?
4. Someone is going to talk with a bad accent. Maybe they’re trying for a subtle “Brooklynsilvania”: you know… Al Capone meets Dracula…
5. I’m never, ever, never, ever going to see this movie… what the rest of you do behind closed doors is entirely up to you- just don’t wave it in my face…
6. A lot of people are going to hate me for this last bit of the post…

Enjoy the trailers- then go out and watch a movie!

Let me start by saying I’m a fan of Christopher Nolan… even Insomnia (which according to a few, isn’t his best) is a film I can get behind.

As far as storytelling goes- I believe he really knows what he’s doing… but as far as storytellers go- he really doesn’t like telling ’stories’! When it comes to leaks, sneaks and spoilers- Nolan and his crews are notorious for not giving ANYthing away. When we as fans want our whistles whetted- we usually have to wait for the movie to come out. So when Swank sent me the link to this article I was unduly excited to find out what I might find out about his up and coming projects!

Turns out- when I read the recent LA Times article interviewing Christopher Nolan himself, it was the same old story- nothing new- but somehow it still instilled me with a deep seeded excitement for ALL THREE of Nolan’s up and coming projects: Inception, Superman and DK3

If you’ve read any of my movie trailer articles you know that I do not like reading up on or researching any films… and try to keep myself implicitly separated from the stories that I’m most excited about- this is done in order to keep me pleasantly surprised… Anyway- Its a rare thing for me to read articles like this and all I can say is that I’m glad this was the one I chose to do so… Nothing was given away! For example, this single paragraph about Inception:

Leonardo DiCaprio is a dream thief of sorts in what may be Hollywood’s first metaphysical heist film. The movie is the most complicated undertaking of Nolan’s career — it was shot in six countries and tells a tale that flips between reality and three levels of dream-time —

I mean- that’s all I’ve heard about this movie besides the few trailers I’ve seen and now I’ll most definitely be in mid row at the theatre scarfing popcorn at midnight opening day- if they allow it. As for the next Batman… its when the article talks about how Nolan and his brother would approach the new Superman that got me stoked for both pieces…it is also the only thing in the entire post that could be considered new information:

“A lot of people have approached Superman in a lot of different ways. I only know the way that has worked for us that’s what I know how to do,” Nolan said, emphasizing the idea that Batman exists in a world where he is the only superhero and a similar approach to the Man of Steel would assure the integrity needed for the film. “Each serves to the internal logic of the story. They have nothing to do with each other.”

So- if you are looking for some actual new information or some kind of leaked tidbit of spoilerage- than you’re completely out of luck… this has nothing. But as far as diving a little (very little) deeper into the thought process of Christopher Nolan, I think it offers some interesting insight- if you feel like interpreting and having a guess at what it all means.

As the post says, Nolan…

…sees no value in revealing all of his tricks before the curtain goes up.

If anything- this has made my brain start stewing on a Christopher Nolan Batman/Superman movie… could you imagine!? Read the article and tell me if any of you gleened anything I might have missed…

Nolan is genius.

Finally they’ve got this beast on the interpipes!

Sit back, try to relax, kick off your size 10’s, slip into your sheepskin nerd-boots and prepare to be transported through time and space… the time: 1982, the space: Disney’s vision of the internet in… 1982…

Watch the official trailer here! (thanks to movie-list for putting it in a handy place for us) Or if you’re feeling adventurous- go to the official site and sift through all the flash for it: Alright, now that you’ve indulged in this eclair like visual feast let me give you a run down of my thoughts…

I was sitting in the dimly lit, pre-pubescent filled movie theater waiting for Alice in Wonderland: 3D to start, thinking to myself “How in the world did so many parents let their kids out on a school night for a midnight showing of this film? Where have we come? In my day…” because I’m so old, you see, “…my parents would have laughed in my face at the mere mention of going to a movie at the witching hour…” come to think of it, they’d laugh in my face now, even though I’m a big boy and make grown up decisions.

Anyway, I was sitting there thinking all of this to myself when the lights went out, the crowd audibly buzzed, then cheered! Then- …a 3D Friskies commercial played… the night’s movie going experience was off to an amazing start- as I watched a bunch of playful kittens romping through a cartoon world of leaves and other fantastical things, I felt my voice begin to crack- was I already transforming back into a child like innocence? was I going through the inglorious “backwards puberty” due to a 3D Friskies commercial!? The answer? No. But the mood in the room and that certain special atmosphere created by the excitement of ANYthing 3D, definitely got the ball rolling.

Now, I could bore you with the details of all the thoughts that flashed through my brain during all the trailers I watched that night, but I’m not going to. You see- I’m here to write about one trailer… and frankly you’re probably here to read about one trailer and are utterly confused as to why I haven’t written about it yet… me too.

As the trailer for Tron: Legacy began I didn’t know what I was watching, all I did know is that the music  and the cinematography and the editing of the trailer put flashbacks of The Dark Knight into my head… I was hooked. I mean- knowing nothing about the film, I was almost certain that it was shot by Wally Pfister- (but upon looking it up, I was wrong)… At about the point I was really intrigued- The shot of his motorcycle approaching the arcade popped up and I noticed the dilapidated “Tron” video game sign, just for a split second… I’m not sure anyone else noticed at first- but that was the point that I was no longer a baritone, I was 10 year old me, eagerly anticipating the arrival of what seemed like Christmas…

It was a downward progression of excited yelps and enthusiastic clapping from then on- I vividly remember two shots from the trailer that just lept out and punched me in the throat as “deal clenchers”: the first- “Brunette on a Couch”; I was at the movie with three of my friends, one girl, my room mate and a friend who’d never even heard of Tron before (no worries, I chastised him thoroughly)- but, as this shot laid itself across the silver of the screen and the actress gave that seducing look over her shoulder, all four of us, yes, including the girl, gave an audible “OH EM GEE” gasp… apparently, we were all running on instinct by that point of the trailer, and I mean- you’d have to be made of stone to not think that that girl was FLY!

The next shot was the: “Blond guy from every 80’s movie about the future strumming an air guitar” shot; This shot basically summed up my thoughts about EVERY. SINGLE. 80’s Fantasy film- first I thought “BOWIE!”; then I thought- “RUNNING MAN!”; then I thought- “BLAde Runner…?”; then I thought- “Hey- those are Jeff Bridges eyes they’re showing! its about time!” …you see, by that point the trailer was ending…

It was also by this point that I was looking at my friends who knew what they were watching and they were all all looking at me and the kid who didn’t know was shouting “What the hell is Tron!?” yet we were all giddy as to the coolness of what we’d just witnessed… Needless to say- it put me into the exact mood I needed to be in to watch Alice… and I didn’t even like the original Tron as much as this is making it sound!

Anyway- to sum this film up and to give a prediction or two on story- Obviously its about Bridge’s character’s son joining the world of Tron… but as for why? My guess- an even worse virus than before… and only his son’s understanding of modern day programming can help save… Tron…

Either way- it is going to be epic. I think that Tron is one of those underground, cult phenoms with so much nostalgic potential that no matter what, people are going to watch it. Even those who don’t know what it is. I know I will be there- Right along side Iron Man 2…

I know, I know… its been quite some time since I’ve posted- its been a busy time in my life… But what truly matters is that I’m posting now, and more importantly- what I’m posting about!

Two trailers I’ve seen in the past three days have brought tears to my eyes from the sheer, unadulterated, childhood glee with which they did instill me with. The first being Tron: Legacy… the only problem is this trailer is not yet available online, but rest assured that once it is, I’ll be all over it!

The second trailer was of course the newly released visual barrage from Iron Man 2. Go ahead and read/watch Swank’s post so you can understand what I’m about to lay upon you!

If the originally released trailer didn’t get your blood pumping, your pores sweating and your nerdgasms gasming- then you are most probably a hippie zombie: no pulse and still waiting for the “Dawn of the Age of Aquarius” to hit theaters…  but EVEN IF you are a soulless, flesh eating believer in free love and intolerant to comic books- this new trailer should have you running to the local home depot and have you fashioning next year’s Halloween costume out of rain gutters, duct tape and plumbing supplies!

Three reasons this movie is going to be better than most movies:

1. Sam Rockwell. Remember how I don’t ever read up on a movie before I see it, because I don’t want to know if my deductions from watching a trailer are correct until I see said movie? Ya, well it wasn’t until just this very second that I found out that my favorite actor is in this movie as none other than Justin Hammer. I can’t personally think of a better Yin to Downey’s Yang (not what she said) I honestly became school girl giddy and got a little choked up at the thought when I saw his face…

2. The Wrestler vs. Paul Rusesabagina vs. (insert the REST of the seemingly perfectly cast movie here) I think everyone can, except for a few Scarlett naysayers, agree that this flick’s cast looks somewhat… pardon my redundancy… perfect.

3. Suitcase Armor and Warmachine. Ya. Rock out with your geek out. I don’t care that these were more than 3 reasons… I’m seeing this movie- and I’m probably seeing it more than once.

• Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
• Animated Feature Film: Up
• Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart
• Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Walz in Inglourious Basterds
• Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock in The Blindside
• Actress in a Supporting Role: Mo’nique in Precious
• Art Direction: Avatar
• Cinematography: Avatar
• Costume Design: The Young Victoria
• Directing: Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
• Documentary Feature: The Cove
• Documentary Short: Music by Prudence
• Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
• Foreign Language Film: The Secret in Their Eyes (Argentina)
• Make-up: Star Trek
• Musical Score: Up
• Original Song: Crazy Heart
• Animated Short Film: Logorama
• Live-Action Short Film: The New Tenants
• Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker
• Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker
• Visual Effects: Avatar
• Original Screenplay: The Hurt Locker
• Adapted Screenplay: Precious

All in all this wasn’t a terribly surprising year in just about any category.  Though I know Dr. Cyborg is livid by the awarding of Best Director to a woman.  (He remarked, “I don’t know whether I should send hate mail or my dirty laundry.)  I thought Tarantino would have been able to take it, but I think the Academy is going to continue their long history of snubbing him.

And I knew I needed to see the Hurt Locker before, but now I REALLY need to see it.

You can watch all of the acceptance speeches by going over to the Oscars website.

The BBC is reporting that Harrison Ford has said the he, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg have agreed on a “germ of an idea” for the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones saga.

“The process works like this,” he said. “We come to some basic agreement and then George goes away for a long time and works on it.

“Then Steven and I get it in some form, some embryonic form.

“Then if we like it we start working with George on it and at some point down the line it’s ready and we do it.”

For those of us who thoroughly enjoyed the fourth film, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, this is extremely good news. Ford will be pushing 70 soon and I would love to see everyone’s favorite archeologist back in action.

Since Indiana Jones films haven’t always been released in the order in which they occur (Temple of Doom happens before Raiders of the Lost Ark), I’d like to see them try to get Sean Connery out of retirement and reprise his role as Henry Jones, Sr. again.

And I want to see Sallah one more time.

In any case, I’m excited. Excited for more details. You know…personally…

First and foremost, I’ll say this review will have “spoilers”. If you’ve read the comic, you have some surprises in store for you. But, for the most part it is a very loyal rendition of the comic.

I’m going to assume those of you reading this review, are familiar with Kick-Ass. Average teenage kid decided he’d rather not be so average, dawns a wet suit and tries to fight crime. Doesn’t work out so well, but he inspired a few others to rock their own super hero alter egos. Because of this he gets thrown in the middle of a mafia shit-storm.

Enough recap. You’re all here to see how it holds up to the book, some side by side comparison, right? First, I think it’s worth noting how perfect the casting for this movie was. And yes, Nick Cage is awesome and Big Daddy. Similar to Christian Bale growling when he’s Batman, Cage makes a transformation of his own when he’s Big Daddy. Although its a little more Adam West than growly Bale. McLovin’ was an awesome choice for Red Mist. And the rest being no-names worked out in the movies favor.

Kick-Ass the movie had a lot more back story on the Red Mist and his mafia father, as well as Big Daddy and Hit Girl. John Romita Jr. even helped create an animated comic book origin for Big Daddy and Hit Girl. Which, in my opinion, was a great addition. I feel like this will help the general audience not familiar with the comic to really enjoy the film. As a matter of fact, I think all of the changes will help this movie be enjoyed by a wider audience.

Most of the changes from the comic to the film are in the last act of the movie. The confrontation between Big Daddy, Kick-Ass and the mafia. How Big Daddy bites the big one. As well as the climax with mafia boss Frank D’Amico. Certain additions to the final fight I will leave as a surprise for you. They had me literally laughing out loud at the awesomeness on screen.

Some of the other movie patrons scoffed at the “unrealistic” new ending. Because they felt the comic was completely based in reality. I would call bull shit on this criticism. As much as I love the comic, no eleven-year-old girl could be turned into a mercenary like Hit Girl (Who gets an laugh out loud first person shooter sequence. No joke, and it’s totally awesome.).

To wrap this all up, hands down this is one of my favorite super hero movies. It would make the top five with no problem. I also feel that the movie rendition was better than the comic. It had better pacing and I think that my concerns about a wider audience enjoying the film were put to rest. Word of mouth will hopefully make this a box office hit.

Also stay tuned for some exclusive interviews with Mark Millar and John Romita Jr!