Week of
« Prev | Next »
1-20 of 33 articles « Prev | Next »
Films Of The Decade – Alex’s List
18 December 2009 4:15 PM, PST
10 years is bloody ages in film terms. To narrow it down to my ten favourite films of the decade was no easy task. Even now I look at my list and can’t help but think…where the hell is Gladiator? Why didn’t I include any Lord Of The Rings films? What about The Dark Knight? Damn, what about The Lives Of Others, Pan’s Labyrinth, Finding Nemo, Downfall, No Country For Old Men? All of those films are incredible candidates and on another day they might have made it. The truth is no self-respecting film buff will ever be able to narrow down 10 films to fit a list and not have it change every so often.
One day my opinion of the best film of all time will be Seven Samurai the next day it will be Apocalypse Now and the day after that it might be Night Of The Hunter.
…
- Alex Wagner
Permalink | Report a problem
Dan O’Bannon 1946 – 2009
18 December 2009 6:35 AM, PST
American screenwriter and sometime director Dan O’Bannon has passed away in Los Angeles. He was 63. O’Bannon’s contribution to cinema is mainly within the science fiction genre and his screenplay ‘Star Beast’ provided the basis for the landmark classic Alien (1979).
He also provided screenplays for Total Recall and Screamers; based on original works by writer Philip K. Dick. In his early career he worked alongside John Carpenter on Dark Star, even starring as Sgt. Pinback. O’Bannon worked on Star Wars as a special-effects man.
In the 1980s, he directed the fun zombie horror flick Return of the Living Dead. His second (and last) attempt in the director’s chair resulted in The Resurrected, based on H.P. Lovecraft’s The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. His other screenwriting work includes Blue Thunder, Lifeforce, Invaders From Mars and Heavy Metal.
However, he entered into film history with Alien. Written with Ronald Shusset,
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
X-Men: First Class Writer Announced
18 December 2009 5:50 AM, PST
Just yesterday it was announced Bryan Singer was to return to the films that everybody loves him for. He isn’t going to do the world a favour and re-make X-Men 3, but he’s signed up for an X-Men Origins movie centring on the early years of Professor X. Whilst fans rejoiced over the world at this great, great news, a writer has been announced, too.
The Hollywood Reporter have it that Jamie Moss is set to pen Singer’s glorious return to the franchise. He’s not very well known…but this only a) shows he can make a name for himself b) he’s clearly respected by the studio c) he’s not Brett Ratner.
Moss scripted the Keanu Reeves flick Street Kings and he’s currently writing Ghost in the Shell for Dreamworks. He has replaced Oc writer Josh Schwartz. A story centring on Professor X’s
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
Laurence Fishburne Joins Predators
18 December 2009 5:10 AM, PST
Yes, Morpheus himself, well, Laurence Fishburne has signed on the dotted line to join the cast of Anatol Nimrod’s Robert Rodriguez-produced sci-fi bonanza Predators. An already top-rate cast includes Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga and Danny Trejo.
It isn’t the greatest shock in the world, not really. Fishburne worked with Nimrod on the American-Hungarian’s last flick Armoured. So where does Fishburne fit into the story? No quite knows. His character name has been revealed as Roland. No doubt he’ll be playing a significant part before being killed in a terrible way (just guessin’).
Predators will be set on the home planet of the kill-for-sport-and-trophies aliens. So be prepared for lots of laser beams, eviscerations, great acting, special effects and fun! It’s been a steady climb up the Hollywood ladder for Nimrod. Starting out with the excellent Hungarian-language Kontroll before heading back to the
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
Brand New Images From Doctor Who: The End Of Time
17 December 2009 7:53 PM, PST
This Christmas, the first installment of Doctor Who: The End of Time will be screened in the UK. Featuring the well publicized demise of the tenth Doctor, David Tennant and the birth of a new, younger model in Matt Smith, the two-parter is sure to be a ratings winner.
But what do we actually know about Tennant’s swansong? Four knocks will signal his doom, the Ood have also predicted his demise and of course The Master will be making his long awaited comeback also, but still, actual details about the plot remain scarce.
Also bowing out this year is Russel T. Davies as the show’s writer and executive producer, so expect all bets to be off in the first episode, to be screened on Dec 25th. Speaking to Wales Online, Davies was clear that the story would be kept under wraps until the big day, and that
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
Spider-Man 4 Production On Hold Indefinitely?
17 December 2009 6:52 PM, PST
More from the rumour mill today, as news breaks over on IESB that production on Spider-Man 4 has been put on hold – indefinitely. Sony Pictures have denied the rumours, stating that the production is on a planned holiday break and nothing more. However according to their sources, department heads working on the project were notified of the halt last Thursday. The reason? Disagreements between studio and director.
According to their “sources,” director Sam Raimi and studio execs are butting heads over who should be the lead villain in the film, and of course no villain means no finished script. This from IESB:
Spidey and friends have some issues that need to be dealt with before production can move forward once again. Oh, and the film is known as Spider-M4N within the production offices so take note! Who wants to be the first to start the trending topic on Twitter #Spider-M4N?
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
Disney Shoot Down Another Project
17 December 2009 11:40 AM, PST
Another day, another planned sequel. Only this time there’s a great big X slashed through it. Rich Ross, the new Disney boss has put the kybosh on pre-production plans surrounding Wild Hogs 2. It proved an unexpected hit in 2007 and things were revving up nicely for a shoot in 2010. Only, it’s no longer happening. John Travolta, William H. Macy and Martin Lawrence were all negotiating contracts, until…
Variety report the script had been ordered by Disney and it was being re-drafted when Ross terminated the project. No reason has been given, but it could be that Travolta’s latest flick, Old Dogs, tanked last month. Following Hollywood studio executive logic (or lack of) all titles with ‘dog’ in them have been put down.
This is the third film Disney’s head honcho has gotten rid of; joining 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Robin William comedy, Wedding Banned. Is it
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
Top Ten 2-D Animation Films
17 December 2009 7:29 AM, PST
Disney’s The Princess and the Frog (see Alex’s review here ) heralds a return to the 2D hand drawn animation of yesteryear.
To celebrate the revival of an old art form we’re offering ten of the finest traditional animations for your delectation. This list represents our personal favourites so don’t be upset if your own doesn’t appear or go ahead and be upset, just keep it to yourself.
What are you favourite 2-D animations? Leave us a comment, suggestion, etc.
The Emperor’s New Groove (Mark Dindal, 2000)
A spoilt Emperor plans to bulldoze a village and replace it with a water park. He’s then transformed into a llama and gets to spend some time with the subjects he plans to displace in this neglected gem from 2000. Pixar’s success had put a ball and chain around Disney’s early nineties revival and dropped it down a well.
…
- Ed Whitfield
Permalink | Report a problem
Feds Arrest ‘Wolverine’ Thief
17 December 2009 5:09 AM, PST
Don’t mess with 20th Century Fox! They’ll get their man in the end. Variety report a suspect has been arrested in relation to the Wolverine case. The what? Back earlier this year, an unfinished copy of X-Men Origins: Wolverine was uploaded and posted on the world-wide-web for all to see. According to 20th Century Fox’s figures – a total of 15 million people downloaded it. Did it affect the box office takings? Perhaps.
Fox issued a statement, saying:
“We support the FBI’s actions and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement to prosecute individuals who steal our movies.”
Interestingly, it does not clear up the mystery of how the film came to be in the thieving mitts of the alleged villain. Gilberto Sanchez (the accused) has no known links to the film industry and Fox also concur they are mystified too. Is this a case of a mole?
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
Rene Russo Joins Thor
17 December 2009 4:09 AM, PST
By Zeus’ beard, it seems Rene Russo – one of Hollywood’s leading ladies of the 1990s – has joined the cast of Kenneth Branagh’s Thor. Even more interesting is her character name: Frigga. She will be playing Thor’s stepmother and wife to Odin (Anthony Hopkins).
This particular Marvel venture begins shooting next month for a release in May 2011. Nobody ever expected Shakespeare-obsessed Branagh to be making a comic book adaptation. Is this part of the charm? His occasional forays into Hollywood in the past have been either disasterous or middle-brow. Perhaps the studio trust him with the grand theatrics.
Thor sees himself kicked out of Asgard after re-starting an ancient feud and goes to Earth in order to stop his nefarious and scheming brother Loki from taking over our planet. Branagh is an amazing visualist (just see Hamlet) so expect his Hollywood blockbuster to look stunning. Add a Patrick Doyle score,
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
First Look: International Trailer For Remember Me
17 December 2009 12:21 AM, PST
If you’re a Robert Pattinson fan then today is your lucky day! E1 Entertainment have sent us the international trailer for Remember Me, starring Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan and Chris Cooper. Following on from the domestic Us trailer which was released last month, today’s new installment is pretty much the same, buy of course it is another look at R-Patz especially for those of you still on a high after The Twilight Saga: New Moon.
Take a look at the trailer below and don’t forget to leave your thoughts on his latest non-vampire outing!
In the romantic drama Remember Me, Robert Pattinson plays Tyler, a rebellious young man in New York City who has a strained relationship with his father (Pierce Brosnan) ever since tragedy separated their family. Tyler didn’t think anyone could possibly understand what he was going through until the day he
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
Director Bryan Singer Returns To The X-Men Franchise
17 December 2009 12:17 AM, PST
If, like me, you were left feeling a little hard done by with the so-so X-Men: The Last Stand then how about some good news? It seems that the series’ original director and the man arguably responsible for the comic book movie revival, Bryan Singer will be making a return to the series!
It was on the blue carpet for Avatar’s La premiere that Singer dropped the X-bomb, telling reporters he’d signed to direct Fox’s X-Men Origins: First Class. In fact, to quote the man himself:
I’m prepping up to do a movie called Jack the Giant Killer [at] Warner Brothers, and I just yesterday signed a deal to do an X-Men First Class Origins picture, which is kind of cool.
So now you’ve taken in the news, fanboys and girls, what can we actually expect from “First Class?”
Well it’s safe to assume that
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
Damn The Gods! Clash Of The Titans Feature Trailer
16 December 2009 11:29 PM, PST
A new feature trailer has been released for the star-studded epic, Clash of the Titans.
If I’m honest, I’ve had more than my fair share of second thoughts about this film, however the new trailer, which again comes to us courtesy of Apple, looks truly epic. Put simply it’s 2 minutes 16 seconds of crisp special effects, action and of course, Sam Worthington and Liam Neeson – what more could a nerd want? Check out the new trailer in all it’s Godly glory below:
In “Clash of the Titans,” the ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
Feature Trailer: Iron Man 2
16 December 2009 10:56 PM, PST
Yes comic fans, it’s here – the first feature trailer for Iron Man 2!
Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, Iron Man 2 is the explosive follow up to last year’s runaway success, Iron Man. The trailer, which comes to us courtesy of Apple, features some fantastic footage. It’s got Iron Man, it’s got Whiplash (Mickey Rourke), it’s got the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and it’s got a fantastic peek at War Machine (Don Cheadle).
Put simply, this trailer adds to the promise of the sequel, which as you know we’ve been following pretty closely from the off-set. Be sure to pay attention to the opening few seconds also for some of that Stark trademark charm.
Witness the trailer in all of it’s awesomeness below and be humbled people – this is shaping up to be one hell of a movie!
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
Three New Images From Alice In Wonderland
16 December 2009 7:18 PM, PST
Following yesterday’s fantastic trailer, Disney have sent us three new images for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.
The images, which can be seen below, feature director Tim Burton and starlett Mia Wasikowska working through a scene, Tweedledum and Tweedledee (played by Brit comedian Matt Lucas) leading Alice through a mushroom forest and of course the villainous Red Queen, played by Burton’s wife, actress Helena Bonham Carter.
If, like me, you loved yesterday’s trailer then you’ll love these images too, check then out below:
Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice) attempts to work his gothic magic over one of the best loved stories of all time… Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There’, which first told the story of a young girl, who after following a rabbit down a hole, is transported to a strange world. Whilst thedisney
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
Spider-Man Will Not Be A Hobbit
16 December 2009 6:50 AM, PST
Listen up everybody, I’ll spin it for you real quick: Tobey Maguire ain’t gonna be no hobbit…well, he might…but isn’t committed to anything…he hasn’t said no…but he’s not said yes, either…it’s complicated. With rumours whizzing around the internet that Maguire might be heading down under to New Zealand after finishing on Spider-Man 4 (which doesn’t start shooting until March), he has spoken with The Hollywood Reporter to quash any more make believe story-running. However, he leaves it ambiguous and he’s open to the possibility…it’s just not happening, quite yet. Maguire said:
“I have not met with del Toro. We don’t have any near future plans. I don’t know if something got misconstrued or miscommunicated but the source was not accurate at all. I love Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson, and I certainly
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
Inception Poster
16 December 2009 2:26 AM, PST
The secrecy surrounding Christopher Nolan’s latest flick has reached Kubrickian levels. What the heck is it all about? Not many know. Those who do, are sworn to oath not to reveal anything under pain of death (maybe). A poster has surfaced on the net via Your Mind Is The Scene Of The Crime…so yeah, the film publicity department. Nolan is known for his clever premises and this one is tagged as “setting place in the architecture of the mind.” Whilst that is supposed to sound intriguing, it can also sound pretentious.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, plus many more – Nolan’s post-Dark Knight flick could be next year’s megabuster. Filming took place in such far-flung places as Tokyo, Paris, London, Los Angeles and Morocco, but again, nothing much else is known. Is this a great way of building hype or self-importance? What
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
Crazies Director To Take On The Brood?
16 December 2009 1:52 AM, PST
Breck Eisner loves remaking other directors work. He’s finished on George A. Romero’s re-dreaming (come on, it’s re-”something”, these days) of The Crazies and now, according to the L.A. Times, he’s seeking a re-birthing of David Cronenberg’s The Brood.
It has been widely reported Eisner was attached to The Creature From The Black Lagoon (yes, another remake), but now it appears he’s been tempted by a Cronenberg masterpiece. The Brood is a highly disturbing film about a “psychoplasmics” – an imaginary form of psychotherapy (thank God) in which patients of Oliver Reed’s doctor manifest their traumas. This leads Samantha Eggar to produce some telepathic monsters (it’s not a nice film).
It is very hard to imagine how Breck Eisner can adapt a genre of filmmaking so unique to its creator. “Body horror” is so specific to Canadian director David Cronenberg, if another example is made,
…
- Martyn Conterio
Permalink | Report a problem
First Look: Brand New Alice In Wonderland Trailer
16 December 2009 12:02 AM, PST
A brand new trailer has been released for Tim Burton’s Gothic retelling of Alice In Wonderland. The Walt Disney production boasts a plethora of stars including Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway and Mia Wasikowska, the film lands in theatres worldwide next March.
The new trailer, which includes previously unseen footage, can be seen below, check it out for yourselves:
Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice) attempts to work his gothic magic over one of the best loved stories of all time… Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There’, which first told the story of a young girl, who after following a rabbit down a hole, is transported to a strange world. Whilst the disney version of the tale relied on sweetness and light to delight the audience, Burton fans can be sure to look out for the same cartoon
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
Bryce Dallas Howard Talks Up “Epic” Twilight Eclipse Finale
15 December 2009 9:42 PM, PST
If you’re a guy say, aged 18-34 and you were left feeling a little deflated after the action-dodging first two installments of the Twilight franchise, Twilight and The Twilight Saga: New Moon then have no fear – because according to series newcomer, Bryce Dallas Howard, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse will feature an end sequence of epic proportions!
Now, when somebody uses the word “epic” to describe a battle scene, I automatically think of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. So can the third installment in the popular vampire series really compare? According to Howard, who replaces Rachelle Lefevre as vampy vixen Victoria in the third installment, it just might. This from MTV:
Unsurprisingly, and like many of the other “Eclipse” stars, Bryce said her favorite part of filming was the epic showdown at the end of the film between Victoria and her newborn vampire army and the double whammy of Cullens and werewolves.
…
- Craig Sharp
Permalink | Report a problem
1-20 of 33 articles « Prev | Next »
