The Dark Knight Rises trailer - broken down by a fanboy......

 
Before you continue reading, please watch this....



Okay, done?  HELLS YEAH!

I know I'm a fanboy of Batman.  I think he is the greatest character ever created, in any medium be it fiction, comic books, movies or tv shows.  He has no super powers, no ability to fly, be invisible, or turn green with rage.  What he does possess, is an unbreakable desire to protect the citizens of Gotham city.  To make sure that the pain he felt when his parents were so desperately taken from him, will never have to be endured by anyone else.  With an indeterminable wealth, he scoured the globe, allowed the best people to teach him how to fight, how to protect himself, how to make himself appear to be 'more than just a man'.  In the world of comics, there are no two better writers than Grant Morrison and Scott Synder for who Batman is and what he means to the modern world.  I highly recommend you pick up whatever editions are available by these two formidable writers.



But before that, it was Frank Miller and Alan Moore who resurrected the Dark Knight.  Made him 'more than just a costumed superhero'.  The Batman tv series in the 60's, for all it's cheese and poorly written lines, is fondly remembered.  Who can forget the shark repellant spray built into Batman's utility belt?  But it was a joke Batman.  It had no depth, no relatability and was just pure popcorn.  It was Moore and Miller who decided it could be more.

Frank Miller wrote The Dark Knight Returns and Batman Year One, Alan Moore wrote The Killing Joke.  Both were outstanding pieces of fiction, and rejuvenated the comic book industry as much as it did the character of Batman himself.  This led to the character becoming popular again, and with it a movie was born.  Batman (1989) was a good movie.  Not a great one, but it was for a long time, along with Richard Donner's Superman, the defining comic book movie.  Looking back, Jack Nicholson's Joker is the best thing about the movie.  Not Batman, not Bruce Wayne, but The Joker.  The pattern however was set.  The sequels that followed were always about which villain was going to be introduced.  Batman Returns?  Michelle Pfeiffer's sexy Catwoman stole the show.  Batman Forever?  The turn of Jim Carrey's The Riddler.  Batman and Robin?  Well...er...let's just pretend it doesn't exist.

With Batman and Robin killing the franchise for almost 10 years, it was left to a English filmmaker to bring back an American icon.  Who was cast?  A Welsh man.  Slowly but silently, a major cast was assembled.  Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine (Again all British or Irish actors).  The pieces started to fall into place and Christopher Nolan made one of the best decisions he ever did.  He focused on Bruce Wayne, and how he came to be Batman.  Watch the movie again, and you'll see that Batman doesn't appear until almost an hour into the movie.  This was as much about the man as it was the myth.

With Batman Begins proving to be a success (as much on DVD as it was at the Box Office), The Dark Knight was greenlit.  Heath Ledger was announced as The Joker.  Everyone raged.  They thought there was no way he could capture one of the most iconic villains of all time.  'Bring back Jack Nicholson' believe it or not was amongst the cries.  Well, we all know what happened next.  A billion dollar box office and an unfortunately posthumous Oscar later, and suddenly Ledger's Joker was more revered than the great Jack Nicholson's.  But again, watch the movie, and you'll see The Joker is only in it for 30 minutes in total.  It was very much Bruce Wayne / Batman's movie.

Which leads us to The Dark Knight Rises.  The first teaser trailer was launched six months ago, and now we have a proper trailer to analyse.  But this is where Nolan is clever.  I only watch the official trailers like this, and no iPhone recorded footage, because in Nolan we trust.  Go back and watch the trailer for Inception.  I went into the movie pumped, and yet for 30 minutes, I was still unclear what it was about.  The Dark Knight?  There's no footage from the last hour of the movie.  Nolan understands that some of us still like to discover the movie in the theatre as it's playing, and not have every single plot twist and story beat spoon fed to us in the trailer.

And again, he pulls it off.  Here's my own breakdown, though I'm sure I've missed some things.

The trailer begins with the American National Anthem being sung over some other footage.  Very foreboding, and I love the shot of Bane rising from the depths as the personification of innocence, a small boy, sings his heart out.

As the camera pans over the crowd, a few people are holding up signs.  One of them spells out Rogues, the name of the Gotham football team team.  Look at 'R', looks a bit like the Robin symbol.  Reading too much or a cute nod to the comics?  Or a hint we may see the Caped Crusader take on a partner during the movie?

This leads to Alfred talking.  As he does, a figure approaches a silver dish, using a cane to support himself.  Some speculation has Ra's Al Ghul returning (Did we see him die in Batman Begins?), but my guess is it's Bruce Wayne.  Nolan has already stated that Batman is going to get hurt in this movie.  Bad.  Alfred's dialogue about not being able to protect Bruce would certainly support this.  Even as Alfred says this, we see Bruce, and he looks like a defeated man.

Then we hear people talk about how this is a time of peace not war, as Commisioner Gordon takes the stage.  This appears to be taking place outside of Wayne Manor.  Did Bruce pay for this?  Does he want Gordon to step down, knowing what he's sacrificed to get Gotham into a state of peace?

There are pictures of Harvey Dent behind Gordon as he is about to speak.  Did Dent's death galvanize the city in the same way as Bruce's parents deaths did 30 years previously?  Is Bane about to expose the truth of what actually happened to Dent, sparking the mass riots and civil unrest glimpsed further into the trailer?

Which leads to my favourite shot of the trailer.  As the speeches go on down below, it looks like the shadow of Bruce up high on Wayne Manor.  He remains the man in the shadows, never seeking the plaudits or adulation.  But with the overlaying music, it appears that he's solemn.  What has he had to give up in order to help Gotham get to where it is?

Then we have Bruce go into a ballroom, with Hathaway's Selina Kyle talking over the top about how it will all not last.  About how the rich are about to find out that nothing good lasts forever.  Bruce dances with Selina as she talks (a nod to Batman Returns?), and is left appearing broken, almost fearful  that she is right, and that it's only a matter of time.  Does he possess the same desire to step up again?

'A storm coming' - definitely in the form of Bane.  Hardy looks menacing in every shot he is in this trailer.  He walks up to you, you know something bad is going to happen.  The Joker was always going to challenge Batman's mind, but Bane is going to challenge him physically and based on the footage in the trailer, even Batman cannot compete with this monster.

'You and your friends better baton down the hatches' - who is Selina referring to?  Bruce Wayne's allies?  Or Batman's?

We then have rioter's looting the rich.  A nod to our own reality with the London riots?  The shot of the man, fearing for his life, cowering under a set of drawers only to be pulled out by force is a frightening possibilty.  At first, I wondered if it was Alfred!

As Selina walks away, look at Bruce.  Obvious grey streaks have appeared in his hair.  He is less confident.  Nolan has stated this takes place 8 years after The Dark Knight, what has he had to sacrifice in that timeframe?  Hunted by the police, blamed for Dent's death, it all has to take it's toll.

Prisoners then march out of a destroyed gate, Bane awaiting them.  Is this like the Knightfall comic series which ends with Bane breaking Batman's back, leaving him paralysed and his spirit broken?  Is he breaking inmates out of Arkham and forcing Batman to exhaust himself taking them all down?  And will he then pounce on Batman when he is weak and weary?

Bruce then appears to be in some sort of prison and sporting a beard.  Is he undercover?  Has Bruce been arrested for something?  Has Batman been caught and his identity revealed?  Seems like a foreign prison of some kind.

Then our one money shot.  A football player runs with the ball as the ground swallows up all of those who are behind him.  Awe inspiring stuff.  Note that the players name is Ward.  Another hint that Robin could be in this movie? (Burt Ward played Robin in the tv series).

'When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die' - The one line Bane speaks in the trailer.  And he appears to be saying it to Bruce, not Batman.  In the comics, Bane works out Batman's identity and targets Bruce himself.  Does he know?  And also, 'you have my permission to die'.  Does this mean he is going to break Batman, let him watch his city be destroyed, and then kill him?  Cold blooded bastard, and exactly the kind of adversary Batman needs.

Then the trailer settles into a montage of shots.  Marion Coilltard is briefly glimpsed.  The official character list has her as Miranda Tate, a woman who works for Wayne Industries.  But speculation leads to her being Talia Al Ghul.  Bruce leans on a cane as he smiles at her.  How badly has he been beaten?

A man in a suit in freefall.  Must be Bruce, some sort of danger appearing at the party.

Batman holding some sort of ray gun?  He needed his sonar device to track The Joker in The Dark Knight, is this what he needs to challenge Bane?

A massive truck charges through Batmobiles.  But these are not black but camouflaged.  Has Bruce donated the design to the police?  The army?

Men descending down what appears to be the well that Bruce fell down as a child.  Are they going to attack Batman in the Batcave having learned his identity?

A quick shot of Joseph Gordon Levitt, brandishing a shotgun, backing off.  Officially he's playing a cop.  Speculation has it he could become Robin.

A quick money shot as Bane approaches Batman on the steps of Gotham courthouse as a massive riot engulfs them.  The most notable thing about this is that it takes place in broad daylight.  Batman has always been a creature of the shadows.  A spook story.  Does he even really exist or did the media just make him up?  By showing up in broad daylight, he loses the shock factor about his appearance.  Again, are these the lengths he has to go to to challenge Bane?

And then, my second favourite shot of the trailer.  The Batwing?!?  This does not look like anything out of the comics, nor the earlier movies.  This looks state of the art and akin to a flying Batmobile from Nolan's movies.  It appears to be behind a fleet of camouflaged Batmobiles.  This means war, just how extreme has Bane gone?

And then THAT music builds to a crescendo, leading into the line THE LEGEND....ENDS.  Will Nolan do the unthinkable and kill Batman?  Leave his legacy as what Gotham needs to thrive?

Who knows?  I'm sure I've missed plenty, but this is why Nolan is so clever.  He shows you a lot, but nothing at the same time.  If you catch anything else, feel free to comment below.

But one thing is clear, this trailer seems to be one of the most talked about current events of today, in any media or newsform.  If this doesn't tell how big this movie is, nothing will.

Until next time...........

IN NOLAN WE TRUST.

Californication is almost back........

In the space of a day, I find out there's a movie on the way of one of my favourite shows, and then I catch a trailer for the new season of one of my other favourite shows.  Californication is a guilty pleasure.  It has the depth of a puddle and a misogynist asshole as the lead, but he's our misogynist asshole and a damn fine writer, so we let him away with it.  Check out the trailer for the new season, starting the day before my birthday.........



Until next time........

24 movie? The clock is now ticking..............

24 remains one of my favourite TV shows of all time.  In fact, I'm currently watching through the very much underrated 2nd season (just say the words 'Kim' and 'cougars' to know why many a fan doesn't rate this season).

Before I went to LA to study, me and my brother attempted to watch one entire season in real time, choosing season 4.  It remains one of my fondest memories.  We set ourselves the target of a bottle of beer an episode.  The first 5 or 6 episodes seemed to drag as we would finish the beers 10 minutes into them.  By episode 11/12, it was a case of downing the beers in the last few minutes of the episode.  It became a struggle.  But we made it in the end, and my bond with 24 was complete.

Season 5 I was able to enjoy whilst I was living in LA, looking forward to a new episode every monday, live on Fox.  This was when 24 was at it's peak.  There was constant fanboy debates about whether 24 or Lost was the better show.  Kiefer was always doing interviews.  And season 5 ruled the Emmys that year.  It was, without a doubt, my favourite season as it had Charles Logan in it, simultaneously one of the most gutless but interesting characters in all of 24's history.

Season 6 turned out to be a major disappointment for many, but for me, seasons 7 and 8 rank among some of the best of the entire shows run.  This was probably, in part, due to the shows relocation, to Washington and New York, respectively.  The last ten episodes of season 8 were outstanding, Jack finally completing his transformation into the ultimate badass, as he had nothing left to lose in his life.  The return of Logan into these episodes undoubtedly helped, and when Jack Bauer disappeared from that satellite view, to run off into the sunset, it seemed that 24 would ride off into the sunset with him.

There had been murmurings of a movie for a long time, but for me, the best opportunity would have been when 24 was at its zenith in popularity and critical acclaim.  But it looks like we may be getting another fix of the mighty Bauer after all.

20th Century Fox has assigned studio fave Mark Bomback (UNSTOPPABLE, LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD and Len Wiseman's TOTAL RECALL) to map out Jack Bauer's peril-fraught two hours.  I haven't seen Unstoppable but I dug the hell out of Die Hard 4, and good things are being reported about the remake of Total Recall (smartly, they've went in a different direction from Arnie's take on Philip K. Dick's short story).

According to Deadline, Fox expects to have a filmable draft by the end of the year, which will then allow them to cast and crew up in anticipation of an April start. There's no word yet on which of our favorite characters will be reunited/resurrected for this big-screen jaunt. A director has yet to be attached, but it won't be Tony Scott (as was previously rumored).

My choice?  If you can't get an A-list director of Michael Bay standard, then give it to one of the series director's, as 24 always had a big screen look.  As long as Jack's back, it'll be all good.  Oh, and the movie better begin like this, just to remind us who the terrorists will be fucking with...........




Until next time........

Dark Knight Rises set pictures.......

I have to admit I've been very good when it comes to The Dark Knight Rises spoilers.  I like to be surprised when a movie comes out.  I don't like to pre judge it simply based on out of context pictures or videos.  This week, Christopher Nolan and crew have been shooting on the streets of New York and the internet has been bombarded with pictures, eye witness reports and videos.  Videos?  Not for me.  Spoiler on set reports?  Not interested.  A few leaked pictures displaying what looks to be an escalating action sequence in snowy weather?  Hey, I'm only human.  There's nothing spoilery below, but it's enough to continue to get me excited for next years best movie (TM).......

And just in case you've been living under a rock, here's the only trailer released so far, though we're to believe there will be a new one either before Sherlock Holmes (WB angle) or Mission Impossible (IMAX angle).

Until next time......

5 movies to look forward to in the next couple of months....

We're away from the silly Blockbuster season, and the next few months tend to see movies released with one eye on an Oscar nomination.  And while I can't say that those movies are not enjoyable in their own way, I thought it would be better to compile an alternative list that may garner nominations, but I'm thinking MTV rather than Oscar.....

1) A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas 3D

Let's be honest.  You already know if you're going to catch this movie or not.  If you enjoyed the first two movies (which I sure as hell did), then you'll be there on opening night.  Any movie that has Barney Stinson himself, playing a coked up, exaggerated version of NPH, is a movie you know is going to be good.

I also like that a comedy is going to take the piss out of 3D.  Watch the trailer below, you'll see what I mean.....



2) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I usually don't go for remakes.  Let me In?  No thanks.  The Ring?  Please.  But every so often, Hollywood treat the originals with respect and hire some of the most talented people working today.  They did it with Scorsese and The Departed (though I still think Infernal Affairs is the better movie), and now they've got David Finch to tackle Steig Larsson's worldwide bestseller.

I just finished off watching the original trilogy the other day (Hornet's nest was pretty weak I have to admit), so I'm curious to see what Fincher does differently.  I'm loving this trailer too.  Sells the atmosphere, gives very little plot away.



3) 50/50

Cancer movies are always tough sells.  Cancer comedies are even tougher.  And a cancer comedy with usual laugh vacuum Seth Rogen in it?  No thanks.  But the presence of Joseph Gordon Levitt in any movie will always peak my interest.  From Brick to The Lookout to 500 Days of Summer and then Inception, I think he has one of the most enviable and varied careers in Hollywood right now.

Won't surprise me to see some Oscar love thrown this movies way if the early previews are anything to go by.  Looking forward to this.



4) Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Live action debut of the director of The Incredibles.  Need I say more?  Anyone who's read my blog up until know will know I'm a fan of Tom Cruise.  Judging from the trailer, age is not slowing him down.  Is that The Kremlin blowing up?  Yes it is. Is that Tom Cruise climbing the tallest building in the world?  Hell yeah.  In IMAX, this is going to look amazing.  Glad I live close to London now.....

Oh and if the rumours are true, there will be a Dark Knight Rises 6 minute prologue shown before this.  Opening night? Going to London.



5) Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows

What was I saying about Blockbuster season being over?  With Mission Impossible and now this?  Starring Robert Downey Jr, this is a movie series that was a huge risk for Warner Brothers.  Guy Ritchie was coming off the flops of Rock'n'Rolla, Swept Away and Revolver.  Making Holmes a bare knuckle brawler?  Huge risk.  But it worked.  It managed to appeal to a wide range of people and everyone left satisfied.

The only problem I had with it was the fact that the whole whodunnit was a bit convulted.  Now I get that's sort of the point, that no-one is as smart as Holmes, but the fun of these movies is analysing the details yourself and seeing if you can figure out the who and how.

That being said, I'm prepared to switch my brain off and enjoy this.  Plus, there are other rumours that there may be a Dark Knight Rises trailer before this as well.....



There are others of course, but this is just a quick list.

What do you guys think?  Any movies you're looking forward to that I've left out?  Leave your comments below.

Until next time........

Bond 23 becomes real......

Short and snappy.  None of this Quantum of Solace nonsense.  This sounds like a Bond movie.  Daniel Craig is returning for his third stint as Bond and he is joined by a top notch cast including Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Albert Finney.  Plot details are thin on the ground, but Eon did release this short logline -

In SKYFALL, Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.


Best of all, this Bond movie comes from a great director, Sam Mendes.  Anyone who has seen Road to Perdition will know how well he can balance character with action.  The scene alone where Tom Hanks confronts Paul Newman and his men is one of the great action sequences of modern cinema (and a great showcase for Blu Ray).


Next year is looking hotter and hotter with The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers and The Hobbit all set to come out.  It's a great time to be a movie goer.


Until; next time.......

The Social Network - an unbelievably late review for one of the best movies of last year......

It's 11.00am, and I was looking for a movie to watch when I came across The Social Network on Sky Movies.  Having seen it once previously, I settled in.

Go back a few years and the idea of a movie based on Facebook would invoke a lot of negativity.  A movie based on a social networking site?  That sounds as silly as an idea based on a boardgame such as Battleships.  Hold on, they aren't, are they.....?

Then David Fincher came on board.  The Aaron Sorkin was brought on board to write.  Kevin Spacey came on as an executive producer.  Suddenly everyone started taking notice. 

For those who don't know, the movie is based on the book 'The Accidental Billionaires', which details the rise of Mark Zuckerberg, how Facebook was formed and ultimately how it became an integral part of everyday modern life.  Zuckerberg himself has seen the movie, and has said it is a pretty accurate account.  This is surprising given how much of a jerk the character is.  As his girlfriend in the opening scene says, 'You're going to think girls don't want to get with you because you're a computer nerd.  But it's because you're an asshole.'

Zuckerberg is one of thise characters that is immensely unlikable from a personality point of view.  He's selfish, unthoughtful, has no social skills (how ironic) and for lack of a better term, is a total fucking know it all.  However, with Aaron Sorkin's words coming out of his mouth, he is driven, charastmatic, sharp and witty.  He's the kind of asshole you can root for, one that you enjoy watching when he's tearing the priviliged Harvard boys a new one.

A lot of this comes down to Jesse Eissenberg's performance.  If you've ever seen Zombieland, you know he has the whole awkward, intelligent beyond his years character down pat.  He was deservedly nominated for an Oscar, and is definitely one to watch for the future.  I think he'll have a career along the lines of Dustin Hoffman, interesting movies, fast talking, intelligent characters who are a bit quirky.

But this is not a one man show.  Everyone from Andrew Garfield to Justin Timberlake to Arnie Hammer turns in an awesome perfomance.

Aaron Sorkin's script pops, as anyone who has seen The West Wing would expect.  Along with Christian Bale taking home the Best Supporting Actor award, Sorkin winning Best Adapted Screenplay was the most deserved award of the most recent Oscars.

David Fincher continues to knock them out of the park.  Seven, Fight Club, The Social Network and the upcoming Girl with the Dragon Tattoo adaptaion show Fincher to be one of the most consistently interesting and diverse directors working in Hollywood today.

A final mention goes to the score, performed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.  Unsettling, disturbing, but hopeful, it encompasses the movie perfectly.

Suffice to say, I'm a fan.  It perfectly captures on one the defining cultural phenomenon of our times, while at the same time being a well structured, sharp, funny and entertaining movie.

9/10

A few quick reviews......

Right, have to get back into the swing of this whole blog! It's been a bit of a hectic time of late, and I'm getting ready to up sticks and move to Cambridge. So I thought it would be good to get the updates going again and try and get a bit of consistency. The buying of an iPad certainly won't harm the regularity of my posts.....

The Adjustment Bureau

This was a movie I'd really wanted to catch at the cinema but for whatever reason could not make it to. Finally caught it on blu ray the other night and was pleasantly surprised. It's a bit of a slow burner, and anyone expecting another adventure along the lines of the Bourne movies will be sorely disappointed. There are a few chase scenes, and a bit of action, but at it's heart, it is a movie about love and the choices we make. Are we all in control of our destiny? Does the notion of free will exist? Or is it all planned out?

This is a cut above your average summer fare. I read a review somewhere that said this was a romantic Inception, and while it's not quite in that class, it's a definitely recommended.

8/10

Before Sunset

A bit of an oldie but a goodie. Anyone who saw Before Sunrise would be salivating at the thought of a sequel. Taking place 9 years later, this picks up on the story of Jesse and Celine, as Jesse launches a new book in Paris. They meet again, and spend the duration of the film catching up and discussing the pitfalls and the possibilities of modern life.

It's the kind of movie that has a love it or hate vibe to it. The two characters are endlessly likeable and if you get on board with them you'll have a great time. But it's definitely a marmite kind of movie. I loved it and hope they'll do another, possibly 9 years later again.....

8/10

That'll have to do for now, but updates will definitely follow soon........

Final Harry Potter trailer.......

I have to say, there really isn't much more Warner Bros. could have done right with this trailer.  It reminds us of the legacy of Harry Potter, as well as hinting that the best is yet to come.  Finally caught the Deathly Hallows Part 1 the other day and dug the hell out of it.  This is definitely high on the summer wish list.  Enjoy!


Until next time..........

Who's stepping into Marlon Barndo's shoes for the upcoming Man of Steel?

Casting continues apace for Zack Synder's Superman reboot.  With key positions of Clark Kent and Lois Lane already filled, as well as those of Jonathon and Martha Kent, one question remained.  Who would play Jor-El, Superman's father?  That question has apparently been answered and it falls to........

No, not the guy on the left.  Apparently he's busy with some other movie at the moment......

So Russell Crowe is the man with the none too envious responsibilty of filling in for one of the greatest actors of all time.  Personally, I think it's a good sign to see an actor of this calibre step into the world of Superman.  However, with Crowe, I can take him or leave him.  LA Confidential and Gladiator aside, I have never been a fan of his work, and would certainly not go to a movie solely on the pull of him an actor.  But I guess it will probably be a small, but important role, so I won't have to put up with him too much!

Until next time.........

An update on Back to the Future 4.........

Anyone who has read my blog up until now will know that Back to the Future is one of my favourite movies.  It's such a classic mix of comedy, adventure and eccentric scientists.  The question of a sequel comes up frequently, and I really hope it never happens.  It's perfect as a trilogy and should be left well alone.  It's not just Michael J.Fox and Christopher Lloyd who get questioned on the series continuing, but also Thomas F.Wilson, who played Biff, one of the screens great bad guys.  Well, he has this to say.  Enjoy!

The blog is back......

It's been a while, and a lot has gone on in movie land.  I've seen some great films, and sadly some terrible films.  I thought I'd get back on the horse and share my thoughts with the world (or rather the six people who actually read this thing!)

Quick Reviews

This is going to be my new format.  Unless a movie particularly impresses, or indeed disappoints,  I'll keep the reviews short, simple and to the point.  Here's what I've caught at the flicks in the last few months.

Source Code


A movie I'd been looking forward to for a while.  Given Duncan Jones's incredible debut with Moon, I was curious to see how he would handle a big budget.  And for 95% of the running time, this did not disappoint.  It actually reminded me of the kind of flick the great Alfred Hitchcock would have had fun with.  It was intelligent, engaging and a fun ride.  And then came the last five minutes......I would never spoil a movie for anyone by revealing anything, but suffice to say it did not sit well with me.  It was such a tonal shift, and so in opposition to the rest of the movie, that I'm convinced it must have been studio interference.  Hopefully a director's cut will be released on blu ray, and it can bring me back again.

Scream 4


Better than expected but my expectations were low.  Entertaining enough, but probably will never be rewatched, unlike the superior Scream and Scream 2.

The Hangover 2


This is a movie that left me a little confused.  Did they really just remake the first film in a different location?  Yes they did.  Is it still funny?  Yes it is.  I get the feeling this is a series that has to end at 2 movies, as it has lost all the freshness and surprise elements that made the first so much fun.  As I say, still entertaining, but again, I'll probably not be in a rush to see it again.

X-men : First Class


This could be the most divisive movie of the summer thus far.  Some have commended it's measured tone, it's integration of a real world crisis into the X-men timeline, and the performances of James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. Others have lamented the lack of action, the amount of money shots contained in the trailers and how Beast was handled.  I'm somewhere in the middle.  I think it was as good as it was going to get after the Brett Ratner shitfest that was X Men 3.  It reintroduced the characters to the world, and brought a level of gravitas back to the Magneto, Professor X dynamic.  But to me, it was a set up movie. The sequel to it should be fantastic.  The world is established, the factions decided and a great story should follow.  It might be a while before I watch it again, but it was almost worth the entry fee alone for a certain cameo, and the best use of the word 'fuck' in any movie for a long time.

Thor


My pick for movie of the summer so far.  I've been to the cinema to see it twice, once in 3D and also in 2D.  If you haven't caught it yet, I'd go 2D all the way. Aside from Avatar, 3D just is not convincing me so far.  (Though apparently James Cameron has seen Transformers 3 and says it is the best use of 3D since his opus).  Thor was just flat out fun.  It had a bit of weight to it as well due to the fractious family relationships, but for me it was just pure spectacle and great characters.  It was funny as well.  Played just the wrong way, this could have been a modern day Flash Gordon, all camp and wooden.  Instead, great credit has to be given to Kenneth Branagh, who along with Jon Faverau, Joe Johnston and Joss Whedon, was a bit of a left field choice for a superhero film.  But then again so was Christopher Nolan, and look how he singlehandedly got the world to take the superhero movie genre seriously.  Highly recommended for a great night at the movies, plus, you know, Natalie Portman.  Enough said.

Coming Soon


A breakdown of what's coming up.

Captain America


Another Marvel movie to look forward to.  The early trailers have been impressive and I am pumped for this.  One of the best looking movies of the summer for sure.



Green Lantern


This one from DC, and possibly the film I'm looking forward to the most this season.  The early footage was underwhelming, but recent trailers are hinting at something truly epic.  It's a great time to be a comic book geek.



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2


I was initially a hater of Harry Potter, but then I read the books.  Imagine.  Great storytelling that has translated well, if a little awkwardly, to the silver screen at times.  This is the book that has the epic Battle of Hogwarts, and this should be worth the price of admission alone.



Transformers : Dark of the Moon


There's no disguising that after a great start with the first movie, that Transformers 2 fell well short of expectations.  It's not a terrible movie, but it is a mediocre one.  It has great moments, nearly all of which feature Optimus, but it also has Tranformer balls, a horny dog, and a terrible Aussie actress as a transformer / human hybrid.  I have faith Michael Bay can turn it around.  After all, he did make Armageddon.



Cowboys and Aliens


That title + James Bond and Indiana Jones in the same film + the director of Iron Man =  There on opening day.



So there you have it, a quick update and I hope to be back much more frequently. What movies are you looking forward to?  What have I missed?  And more importantly, why is it not July 20th 2012 yet?  To all Batman fans, you know what that date means...........

Until next time........

My Oscar Picks, for better or worse............

It's Oscar time again, which means Sky Movies needs turned on again, popcorn will need to be made, and I can look forward to a night of very little sleep.  Below are my picks for I think will take home the Oscar (and in brackets are who I wish would win).

Best Picture - The Social Network (Inception)

Best Actor - Colin Firth (James Franco)

Best Actress - Natalie Portman (Natalie Portman)

Best Supporting Actor - Christian Bale (Christian Bale)

Best Supporting Actress - Helena Bonham Carter (Amy Adams)

Best Director - David Fincher (Darren Aronofsky)

Best Original Screenplay - Inception (Inception)

Best Adapted Screenplay - The Social Network (Toy Story 3)

Best Animated Picture - Toy Story 3 (Toy Story 3)

Best Foreign Language Picture - Biutiful (Biutiful)

Best Cinematography - True Grit (Inception)

Best Editing - The Kings Speech (127 Hours)

Best Art Direction - The Knigs Speech (Inception)

Best Costume - The Kings Speech (The Kings Speech)

Best Make-up - The Wolfman (The Wolfman)

Best Score - Inception (Inception)

Best Song - Toy Story 3 (Toy Story 3)

Best Sound Mixing - The Kings Speech (Inception)

Best Sound Editing - Inception (Inception)

Best Visual Effects - Inception (Inception)

Best Documentary - Exit Through The Gift Shop (Exit Through The Gift Shop)

Best Animated Short - Day & Night (Day & Night)

So there you go.  What do you guys think?  It'll be interesting to see how many I got right, and how many I wished would win do win!  Until next time............

A couple of movies that won't trouble the Oscar voters..........

Awards season is upon us, and therefore most of the movies hitting theatres are weighty, character driven pieces.  To try and maintain a balance though there are a few action movies on the way.  These two trailers caught my eye today.  Enjoy.

First up is Battle: Los Angeles.  It's not hard to see why Warner Bros have hired the director of this for the sequel to Clash of the Titans.  Alien invasion movies are dime a dozen, but this looks epic.  I've already featured an earlier trailer in my blog, this one is even better.



Second up is Priest.  This has the potential to be the next Blade.  The action looks imaginative and the locations varied.  I think the studio is hoping for a franchise out of this.  Looks good.  Let's hope it is another Blade and not another Blade 3!



Until next time.......

127 hours - The first masterpiece of 2011......

It's been a while since I was at the cinema I'm sad to admit.  The move to full time employment along with Christmas working hours in hospitality, meant that there were very few opportunities for me to indulge in my first love.  In the last week, I was thrilled to learn that the restaurant I work in, will be closing on Tuesdays for the foreseeable future.  Welcome back 'Crazy Tuesdays', I look forward to many good times ahead!

I think that next week, it may be the Paul Haggis directed 'The Next Three Days', and I may also relent and catch either 'Harry Potter' or 'Tron' before they depart the big screen.  But this week, there was only one choice for my triumphant return, and that was Danny Boyle's latest '127 Hours'.

 

I've been looking forward to this for a few months now.  If you've been following my blog, you may even remember that I posted the trailer and called it one to watch.  The true story of Aron Ralston, an American mountaineer, it details a memorable trek through the Utah mountains.  After a brief flirtation with two fellow explorers, he is soon back to his favourite status, that of a loner.  Only one problem with that, if no-one is with you or knows your whereabouts, if anything happens, you're on your own.  And boy does he find that out when a rock gives way, and he falls down a 30ft drop, with said boulder landing square on his right arm.

What follows is the account of the following 127 hours.  Given that Aron survived to tell the tale, you know it is inevitable that he will get out from under the rock.  However, that does not take away from the raw intensity and nerve shredding attempts to free his arm.

If the film was just Aron on his own for the 90 minutes, there's a chance it would have inevitably run out of steam.  After all, how many ways can you show a man struggling to free his arm?  This is where Danny Boyle and his co-writer Simon Beaufoy are clever.  They pepper the running time with visions, memories, dreams, basically showing what thoughts must have been going through his mind.  If you were convinced that your time was running out, what would you be thinking about?

There are flashbacks to a girl he once loved and let go.  Memories of his parents, and how he never appreciated them as much as he should have.  The workmate who he should have told exactly where he was going.  These are just a couple of examples, and Boyle is not afraid to show you that Aron was far from perfect, and in fact was a bit of a prick at times.  But you always sympathise with him, because he is resourceful, witty and above all, human.  James Franco gives an incredible performance, and if another actor had have taken the role, it may not have been half as powerful.  I think they should just give him the Best Actor Oscar now, but in a year where Inception will be largely ignored by the Academy, nothing will surprise me come February.

The film also works well in its presentation of opposites.  It begins in a flurry of high energy, split screen images, showing modern life in all its neon, bustling glory.  It therefore acts as respite when Aron reaches the vast wilderness of Utah.  We feel his relief and almost wish we had the drive to join him.  However, after over an hour in his company, having front row seats to his mental desintegration, the same images are repeated and it's a most welcome sight.

A special mention must also go to the, already, most famous (infamous?) scene.  You probably know by now how Aron manages to get free and it's not for the faint hearted.  A full on, three minute, uncompromising and uncomfortable scene, it is nevertheless one of the tensest you will see in any movie of the last 10/20 years.  And the release you feel at the end of it, it must be close to the real emotion that Aron himself experienced!

Also praiseworthy is the music of the film.  Boyle has once again utilised the services of A.H. Rahman, after the two successfully collaborated on Slumdog Millionaire.  The high energy opening, the quiet, contemplative moments right through to the cathartic joy of the end are all perfectly enhanced by the composition and choice of the music.

This is such a strong start to 2011, and Danny Boyle is quickly becoming as consistent and exciting a director as Christopher Nolan or David Fincher.  I await his next with relish.

Until next time............