Q's Back!: in the form of Ben Whishaw

Expect a full update on Skyfall (yes, i know! we'll talk about it later), but for now here's a quick update that's rather important.

After being left out of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, everyone's favourite gadget expert is back! This time, however, Q is coming in a bit of a younger form, with Ben Whishaw up for playing the role.

I only know this guy as Sidney in Layer Cake, but tv lovers may know him better as Freddie Lyon in the Hour or maybe Ariel in the Tempest. He's also played numerous film roles (as well as that one in Layer Cake), including the lead in Jane Campion's Bright Star and supporting roles in I'm Not There and the International.



At 31, and still with that youthful face, we can expect a more down-with-all-the-tech kinda of Q, in contrast to the much older one seen before. Another revamp of a character then. How will it come off? It will not be until  October 26th 2012 that we will probably find out, but until than, as always, we can speculate.

He's younger which means a fresh take, sure, but necessarily a good one? I am not entirely convinced. Change for a younger age bracket may have something more got to do with money than artistic taste (if artistic taste is involved in any Bond film). But its not only me to decide, what are your thoughts? Glad that good-young Q is back? Liking the new image? Share your views below...

Man of Steel

Man of Steel. The new Superman reboot.

Much like the Dark Knight Rises, this is another important update on one of the big blockbusters coming up. This new Superman tail is not out until June 2013, but thought I'd get the excitement going early on this one. I mean it is Superman! We really should be getting excited

Despite the long wait,  there's still a lot to catch up on. We got the (only) official pic released so far of Henry Cavil as our new Superman, while also some unofficial, sneaky pics, for those who want to push the boundaries a bit. Included in these beauties is a closer look of our new Superman as well as first look of Russell Crowe as supes dad, Jor-El(!).

With the brains of Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer, and the directing (talent?) of Zack Snyder, this will definately be a reboot more along the lines of Bond and, of course, Batman. Can it live up to its hype though? With the likes of Amy Adams (another one we love at the moment. See: the Fighter) as Lois Lane and Russell Crowe as father Jor-El, it definitely has some strong cast members to help it. It may need that help with Snyder directing though.

There was much, much anticapation of who was going to direct, with Nolan himself a rumour at one point, but when it came down to it Zack Snyder was to be the one that was given the reins to the reboot of the most beloved superhero. Not sure this was the best choice. It just doesn't create good impressions getting Snyder to oversee this kind of reboot. Isn't it like getting Michael Bay to do X-Men? An acclaimed director at least would give this revamp huge credibility, but Znyder's name on the front definately shouts commercial rather than credible.

Nevertheless, in Nolan we trust. Nolan has the idea I'm sure and Znyder's take will definately be very...different. Good or bad in the end, we will see.

Anyway, enough of me ranting. Take a look at the facts, figures and pics below and see how you think this new Supe is shaping up....

Director: Zack Snyder

Screenplay: David S. Goyer

Story: David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan

Cast: Henry Cavill (Clark Kent/Superman), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Michael Shannon ( General Zod), Russel Crowe (Jor-El), Kevin Costner (Jonathan Kent), Diane Lane (Martha Kent), Laurence Fishburne (Perry White)

Official Pic:

Sets the mood for a more brooding, more action based Supes. First look at the new suit as well. This suit has had many incarnations (see below) but this looks like a good modern take. What differences can we see? Obviously there are the pants which have being abandoned for a Spider-ma-style blue continuity. Then we have the maroon red and darker blue to add to the mood. The extension of the cape is a nice addition too - adds to that epic feel. Good start then. Just enough homage to the original with nice modern touches. Impressed, and veeery excited!

Unofficial, on-set pics:



Got a bit more of a pouch there superman...



Cavill all buffed up.



The new 'Kent farm'.



Action sequence (one of many we're guessing). Note: no cape on Cavill in this one(?).



True to Snyder form, a bit of green screen. Not sure how this scene will fit in though....

Getting a sense of the action increase in these ones then. As only Snyder does there's the usual green screen but much of these shots show more on set stuff than Snyder's work in the past. Nolan's influence? Let's hope so, I mean no-one mixes action with character study better than our Nolan. And with this load of action, its definitely going to need the balance to make the film more than just another Snyder blockbuster.



Cavill, on a bike! First look at young Kent. Not sure how young he's suppose to be here, but he may need some tips from Benjamin Button for this transformation.



First look at Jor-El! What do you think? Reservations may begin to seek in at this point. Jor-El is looking more like an enemy from star trek than Superman's biological father in this one. Not to be too harsh, though....

The incarnations of Superman (if you wanted to compare Superman's, this is what the comparison website would toss-up):



How does the new Superman compare then? By the looks of these comparison photos Cavill and co. seem to be shaping our new Superman pritty well. Indeed, all in all, I don't think we could be more excited. Unless we were jumping up and swiveling in our seats screaming, but hey some of us may already be at that point. Hopefully there'll be a teaser before that becomes widespread, though. Here's for hoping....


Man of Steel is out June 2013, check out the Director's Cut for any future news.

Brave: Pixar's new one

Critical dip for Pixar with Cars 2 (though obviously a commercial smash hit) means something to make up again for the leading animation company. Thus, we have a more theme centred piece: women ridding of the barriers that prevent them from their rightful freedom. Good theme then, and the film looks to be back to Pixar's high standards too. Check out some more family fun below...

Brave Trailer

The Pirates!: from the creators of Wallace and Gromit/Chicken Run...

good fun for all the family. looks good.

The Pirates!: Band of Misfits - Trailer

Shame.

The new film from Steve McQueen has proved his artistic ability. Indeed, the subject of Shame (Fassbender plays a sex addict which is hinted as a product of his past) demands a strong artistic vision to make it credible. McQeen does not disappoint, delivering one of the best scenes of the year. Mulligan (acting as the sister) merely sings classic New York, New York in the well-to-do restaurant while the director focuses only on brother and sister. No words. Just song for 3 minutes. Heart wrenching.

His ability with framing shots can't be missed either. The lingering shots (Kubrick) and on the edge placement of characters (Michelangelo Antonioni), are reflective of some of the best filmmakers of cinema history. McQueen's directing is stunning and fluid.While his inspiration is great, the material couldn't quite live up to his technique. This is not to say the script was bad, but lacked the depth of McQueen's directing.

Have these little thoughts sparked your interest? Take a look at the new trailer below. This is provocative cinema at its best. Compelling stuff.

Shame Trailer 2



The three forces of nature behind shame (from left to right: Director, Steve McQueen; Lead Actor, Michael Fassbender; Supporting Actor, Casey Mulligan)

Soderberg: he's not doing U.N.C.L.E.

Since he couldn't nail down even Channing Tatum as the lead then it was a no go for Soderberg. We think he got off lightly. After George Clooney left the project it has being plagued since.

Here's hoping for a new project with a bit more meat in it than his recent one's....

WANTED:

Director for $60 million blockbuster to be shot this summer. Script waiting but no cast. Director needed urgently.

Think someone will pick this ad up? Don't think it will take long for a replacement to come in somehow....

the Oscars 2012: Update

Billy Crystal is hosting the Oscars! Yay!



Check out how he announced it on twitter:

"Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show."

Brilliant choice.

the Oscars: 2012

Just a couple of months ago he got the job, now Brett Ratner is no longer directing the next Oscars. That has also meant a sad departure of Eddie Murphy. Since working together on Tower Heist recently, it was Rartner holding Murphy in to host. Now he's gone too the Oscar elite will now be looking for that new team to host the 2012 Oscars.

What did he do that was so bad?

"Rehearsals is for fags." Nice little blunder there to show what a pleasant person he is. This coupled with him telling the world about his sexual exploits with Linsey Lohan (accidently since he thought the radio has sound off, oops) meant he was always going to go.

Who will replace him? Will have to wait and find out...

Mirror Mirror Trailer: here's the competition...

We've seen Universal's new take, now its Relatively Media's turn to show us how it has reinvented the classic tale.



Quite a phenomenon this. Two films on the exact same subject, in the same year. Its this kind of phenomenon that brings to the fore front Hollywood's chinks in the armour.

Does this show the lack of imagination in Hollywood at the moment? Is it just about getting franchises that will bring in the bag load of cash?

There's little doubt about the latter, the former is a sad new development if true, though.

Anyway, take a look at the new new take on Snow White, and see which apple your going to take next year.

Mirror Mirror Trailer

PS there isn't a competition. Even the name of this one is lacking.

Soderberg: Update

I wasn't a fan of Contagion, but even this is a step down. At least a more obvious step down. While Contagion was attempting to have some serious credibility Soderberg's latest, Haywire, cannot be described as more than a Bourne-Taken-Knight-and-Day mix.

Trained assassin. check. Revenge. check. American blockbuster with 'trailer guy' voice over to prove it. check.



After the (justified) success of Traffic (critically and award-ly), I automatically assume Soderberg to be one the best directors working at the moment. Indeed, Out of Sight and Erin Brockovich help things too. But this new revenge film has giving me the most disappointing enlightenment, moment. He's not...that...good.

I know(!). I'm scared to say it too. But while he's done Traffic (and this is not to take away from that film, which remains phenomenal) and a couple of other less good, but still amazing films (maybe Solaris and the Informant as well...maybe), he's also done Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen, Contagion and now this! Surely Ocean's Twelve is one of the worst films of the decade, while the others are flimsy at best.

He's up-coming ones have to be on top form then, if he is going to remain the credible director we all know and love. Unfortunately, that isn't looking too lightly.

Soderberg has too films in development - both with Channing Tatum (Step up, G.I. Joe, the Eagle) attached. So not a great start.

He has a reason to be hiring Tatum for one, though, since it is based on Tatum's own experience as a stripper. Magic Mike follows new male stripper Mike into his new career, as he is taken under the wings of other male strippers in the business for a bit longer. So yeh. Soderberg appears to want to reminis about Channing Tatum as a stripper. Intersting choice.

Next up is the new adaptation of 1960s t.v. show The Man from U.N.C.L.E. This follows that of a male duo (originally Robert Vaughn and David McCallum) fluttering abroad to fight international crime. After George Clooney and Bradley Cooper have dropped out from playing the part of Vaughn's Napoleon Solo, Tatum is now connected to this too.

The script for Haywire is done by  Lemm-the Score-Dobbs, and by the sounds of these plots, and the direction Soderberg's taken with his recent films, the script for these two will fair little better. And that's just by passing by why after Haywire, Soderberg wants to work with Tatum (as ok as he may be) on another two films. No disrespect to Tatum, but he's no Matt Damon.

Are we witnessing the fall of Soderberg? Maybe I'm exaggerating. Check out the trailer to his new film and post your comments below...

Haywire Trailer

Being Flynn

Not many good titles under this directors belt (About a Boy being his best, Little Fockers being his latest) but Paul Weitz has got a stellar cast for his new one. Robert De Niro looks especially good. Definitely nice to see him electrifying the screen again. Not a return to the old days, but at least he's spreading some more of his acting wings. Even a little bit of his magic is good to see nowadays (really don't know what the point of Fockers and Machete roles are!).

Either way, check the trailer out below and see what your thoughts are...

Being Flynn Trailer

PS wish they kept the original title of Nick Flynn's memoirs: Another Bullshit Night in Suck City. That would have being amazing!

Snow White and the Hunstman: ever wondered what a Kirsten Stewart Snow White would be like?

Speaking of Kirsten Stewart (below) reminded me of this nice new trailer. Why do i like this? Lets face it, its probably just because its got Kirsten Stewart in it. So if you fancy seeing what a Kirsten Stewart Snow White looks like check this out...

Snow White and the Huntsman trailer

On. the. Rooooaadd!

Yes, just read Jack Kerouac's stunning novel that defined a generation and set the next one off trecking across the US. Yes! Yes, man! Dean Moriarty, yes! So while I'm excited about this book I new I had to link it to films. And so I have, with the news that Walter Salles' next film entry is indeed a take on Kerouac's already classic road novel.

With the likes of the Motorcycle Diaries behind him, you can see why producer Francis Ford Coppola (yeh, thats right man! yes! yes!) wanted Salles at the helm. Indeed, if he puts his pacing to Motorcycle Diaries to good use, this adaptation good end up to be a cracka.



It has a lot to live up to, though. Kerouac's semi-autobiographical tale has influenced the likes of Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison, while defining the Beat Generation. Indeed, since it was published in 1957 it has being hailed as one of the best books of the 20th century. So no pressure.

The story itself follows that of writer Salvator 'Sal' Paradise, who takes to the road on numerous, spontaneous trips around America with the free-spirited maverick that is, Dean Moriarty.

Why has it taken over fifty years for such a classic to get to the big screen? It's being tried before but has being one of those films everyone has struggled to get off the ground. It's only when Coppola got the rights after Gus Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting) failed, that things have started to get moving.

Luckily, though, those worries are behind us and the film is now well on its way (yes! yes!).

The film boasts a stunning cast including new(ish)comers Sam Riley and Garrett Hudland (another newcomer on fire at the moment - though not yet sure why. Will he be Kenda in Hollywoods new take on Akira?), as well as Kirsten Stewart (yes man! yes, I love her! You know that!? I love her! yes man!), Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensan and Amy Adams.

(Just take in how those last three names were used in passing for one film. Like Kirsten Stewart wasn't enough on her own.)

So, yeh. That's it. If you're not excited/don't understand what all the 'yes man's' are about, then go now, go now, and read it! Then you will more than understand.

It should be out 2012; so I think of Dean Moriarty...

the Dark Knight Rises! - with Christopher Nolan, thank god

With teasers coming out left right and centre for the most anticipated film of next year, no post for the past couple of months is inexcusable.  So to put that criticism to rest, here we have an update of everything Dark Knight Rises. Check it out and get up to date on Nolan's final in the Dark Knight Trilogy...

Director: Christopher Nolan

Screenplay: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan

Story: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer

Cast: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Cillian Murphy, Liam Neeson and Josh Pence

Plot: unknown. but includes Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle (i.e. Catwoman), and Tom Hardy as Bane. Liam Neeson will also feature as his previous character Ra's Al Ghul, while Josh Pence plays a younger version. Presumably a flash back then, but with Nolan at the helm it's anyone's guess.

Meanwhile, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is on as a police officer on a special task force to hunt the bat, and the beautiful Marion Cotillard is apparently flying in as a new addition to Wayne's business. Where the romance will come from (which we will assume will be an element) we don;t know, though. NOTE: Nolan always wanted to finish the trilogy altogether, with no chance of sequels. With a new reboot for Batman (as DC plan an Avengers challenger in the form of....) this is more than likely. So, the key question in all of this intrigue is: how will Nolan finish the biggest trilogy since LOTR!? Will he be able to kill Batman off!? Or will it be something more subtle?...

Teaser Trailer: Didn't get anything much from this myself, but check out and see if you get the bat bug...

the Dark Knight Rises Teaser Trailer

Pictures: Last but not least, the officially released pics (theres tonnes out there, so I've narrowed it to the ones officially released)



Odd but ok...



First look at Bane. Again, not got much from this one (compare it to the hard hitting teaser pic of heath ledger's joker!). But yeh, ok...



This is where Nolan lost me. Yes, I'm afraid at this point my heart officially sunk. She looks terrible! What is with those goggles!? Whats the blue LED light at the corners? That's literally my first reaction. Not good considering Catwoman is driving Batmans bike!

So, that's the update. How do we feel after that? I want to go on with optimism but that dam picture above is plaguing me. While everything would be absolutely fine had I being blown away by/liked the other official teaser stuff, this has left me disillusioned. I am in turmoil. The characters, the trailer, the pics...nothings striking me this time around. It's made worse when you compare it to the Dark Knight. It teased us here and there with beautiful pics and trailers. I mean even the name of that one was a revolution. But this one... Nevertheless, we must not let a constant shroud cover the exciting prospect that is the Dark Knigth Rises. After all, Christopher Nolan is returning for the last in his Batman trilogy(!). As long as that fact is there, we have much cause for the much held excitement. In Nolan we trust then...I guess.

Coriolanus

Like the look of this one...






Coriolanus Trailer

Malick: he's pulling a Woody Allen!

After waiting twenty years for the Thine Red Line, then seven for the New World, you wouldn't be out of line to suggest that after his Tree of Life success, we cud be waiting at least half a decade if not a full one for his next outing. Fortunately (/unfortunately, depending on your thinking), Malick has stepped up his game. Apparently he doesn't do things in half either. So, instead of one film (on average) a decade, Malick has three films all at once. He's pulling a Woody Allen on us!

First up is his, as yet unnamed, romance pic staring Ben Affleck (another busy bee at the moment) and Rachel McAdams. Then we have two almost back to back.

Lawless will star the likes of Ryan Gosling (yaay!), Cate Blanchett, Haley Bennett, Rooney Mara (again! she should give Fincher a very big kiss, she is being boosted into stardom now!) and Christian Bale.

He's added a final one, Knight of Cups, into the mix too. Bale and Blanchett will return for this one(!). What does Knight of Cups mean? Anyone's guess. Saying that, Malick (in usual Malick style) is keeping all these new projects close to his chest.

Now while I was very(!) skeptical before about Malick's 'gift' post-the Thin Red Line disappointment, I have decided to hold fire on these ones. Indeed, one can expect the Tree of Life will show up in my stocking this Christmas (yes, I know!). This just proves that I've grown up. Gone are the days wherewe make pre-concieved ideas of films based on past disappointment. Hello, mature days where we critically analyse films only when I have seen them. Of course some films are deemed exceptions (the Land of Blood and Honey) but it doesn't apply to Malick, and I am still trying.

Either way, it'll be interesting to see what Malick has up his sleeves.

So while no dates are set yet, for better or worse, we can expect to see a lot of Malick in the next couple of years...