Gettin Hot and Fuzzy over Hot Fuzz

Finally the teasers for Hot Fuzz have landed. The team behind some of the best british comedy in a long time (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead), Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg team up along with Nick Frost for this little gem of a pic. A film I'm truly besotted with based only on everything they've done together to date.

Thats what I'm talkin about....

Check out the trailers here:

Teaser 1

Teaser 2

Cruise speed, Mr Sulu... Engage!

Its no big news that JJ Abrahm's is tipped to helm the next Star Trek flick, nor is it any biggie that he and Tom Cruise are friendly with one another after the most recent installment of the Mission Impossible franchise. But what would trekkies around the globe think to Mr Cruise being a part of the new trek movie? I guess it will depend on what role he gets. I'm not convinced that he'll ever be considered for the lead role (although I could be wrong), however its been rumoured that Cruise wants to be in the movie, at least with a cameo. Hmmm, you mean he didn't have to be begged?
In a statement from some secret insider to the Canadian TV Guide magazine, we hear that he seemed keen indeed, being an avid fan of the franchise. Some trekkies feel he would be good for the role of Starfleet Academy Instructor. We can only hope that if this is the case, we get a taste of Lee Ermy's Sgt. Hartman and shades of Cruises performance as Frank T.J. Mackey in Magnolia. Now there's a combination of characters that could suit a new approach to the Trekkie enterprise.

Make it so...

Big Nothing / Hellraiser

You might think thats what this blog has been for the past week or so, a big fat nothing... and you'd be right. I've been neglecting the movie news for a while now, but not because of a lack of it. There's been plenty going on in the past week that I'm dying to get off my chest.

First up is Big Nothing, a black comedy about two tech support losers who decide to take their chances to make their fortune sooner rather than later. Starring Simon Pegg and the amazingly uninteresting David Schwimmer. I for one am looking forward to this, as Pegg has a natural ability to make me chuckle, even if he is donning an american accent! Check out the trailer at the Pathe website HERE

Next up, Hellraiser. Yup, PinHead's gonna get a remake... *sigh* what the hell was wrong with the first one?? Look what happened with the Hellraiser sequels... Learn you're lesson!! I was getting myself all ready for a big fat "Meh" on this one, when I found out that in fact, Clive Barker himself was going to be heavily involved in this. Interesting! He won't be directing, but he's penning the screenplay himself and will act as Producer for the flick. OK, so its starting to redeem itself a little on paper. Barker seems pretty chuffed with the whole setup at the moment. Head over to his official website to read more

Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers

The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers are coming to the big screen. Fantastic! I spent much of my youth reading the adventures of these hapless dope-fiends and their efforts to obtain large quantities of Mary Jane, and the ensuing comedy which was always enevitable. You Tube has a pilot test thing up at the moment, and although I'm not sure how long it will stay up for, its worth checking out. It doesn't give much (in fact anything) away about the plot or anything else for that matter, but what it does give us is a glimpse at how well the freakish looking brothers have translated to the realm of 3D.
Looking forward to hearing more on this one, and as I do, I'll fire it up here (pun intended)

Nigel "None More Black" Tuffnel rocks the VW

Christopher Guest has brought Nigel Tuffnel of Spinal Tap back wiht a vengence for the new VW ad campaign. And boy is he rockin harder than ever! After watching the clip, I really did get little pangs of how much I'd utterly love to see Guest bring us a new Spinal Tap installment with the aging rockers... He's done everything else, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration... All we need is the spandex wearing hapless Rock Stars to re-group for a huge comeback... then I could die happy!

Bourne Ultimatum - Someone in a Dead Man's Shoes on his tail??

So as you can probably tell from previous posts , I'm quite looking forward to the concluding part of the Bourne trilogy, The Bourne Ultimatum. With such fantastic casting so far, Damon is excellent as bourne, and Garcia is a gem in everything he's been in so far particularly Gondry's The Science of Sleep, its hard not to be. So you can imagine my surprise when I read over at AICN that Paddy Considine is allegedly attached now too, and perhaps in pursuit of Bourne himself which makes for a tidy little cat and mouse effort. Paddy was outstanding in Dead Man's Shoes, and I have no doubt you'll agree he was amazing as the witless dogsitter in My Wrongs, so I'm certain he's going to make a worthy addition to the Bourne cast, no matter what the role, particularly since we have the comfort of knowing Paul Greengrass is at the helm for this final installment.
Check out the full story HERE
Smoochy.

Gilliam Tideland promo footage

Recently I posted about Gilliam trying to drum up some support for the opening this friday in the US of his latest movie, Tideland
It would seem the publicity stunt staged outside the queue for the Daily Show was filmed, and the film is now on the net. It really is nice to see a director of Gilliam's quality get his hands dirty for the sake of film.

Dark Crystal 2

You might not instantly recognize the name Genndy Tartakovsky, but no doubt, if you live anywhere near geekdom, you'll have seen some of his work. Samurai Jack, Powerpuff girls, Dexter's Laboratory, clone wars... to name but a few.
It may seem odd to some, that he'll be at the helm of Dark Crystal 2, the sequel to Henson's original in 1982, but I'm thinking that this guy could captain it to greatness. Plus, this time, they have technology on their side. All signs point to a real treat for us geeky filmy types!
So recently, some concept designs have been leeked of DC2, and I must say, although early, I can feel the tingles already!
Credit to MTV.com who have a full story HERE

Only gripe I'd have with this, is that they shouldn't make it primarily for children.

Pan's Labyrinth - Voiceover man Trailer

Another glimpse at Del toro's upcoming masterpiece, however this time, it seems that studios might be anticipating not getting the audiences in because its a subbed movie in spanish language, and so opted to show clips in this trailer with no dialogue at all, with the storyline spoonfed to us by Mr Voiceover man.
heh, Imagine their surprise when people realise in the cinema's having paid their money that its subbed :)

Ah my little gleeful smile won't go away now :)

Trailer!

Grindhouse Trailer

The first look at tarantino and Rodriguez's Grindhouse, and it comes soooo damn close to pipping 300 at the post in my most anticipated movies to come...

good lord! I'm kinda speachless!!!

Could someone pass the tissues?

13 Tzameti remake

Now and again you hear one of those rumours you hope is nonsense, but as time goes on you find yourself browsing an article that confirms or at least close to confirms the rumours might actually be true. Today, one such moment occurred to me while perusing the daily gossip over a coffee. "For the love of prickly pete!" I exclaimed with dismay... Not surprisingly, because one of the films I've been most looking forward to this year (thats right, looking forward to, hasn't even come out yet) is already being lined up for a remake.
13 Tzameti, the film still wet behind the ears, and one that shows such outstanding promise has been marked and caught in the sights of hollywood. Its barely out of nappies and they're sticking forks and prodding it.
New York Post reports that the remake has several A-Listers attached to it, including Joaquin Phoenix, Tobey Maguire, Heath Ledger and Leonardo DiCaprio. Meh...
They;ve even been scouting locations around New York apparently.
*sigh*
What are you gonna do...?

Gilliam for Good Omens

Anyone who's ever read Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchet's Good Omens would agree that there's absolutely no director on earth that could pull off the movie as well as Terry Gilliam. (cries of "Here Here!" no doubt)
And indeed, Pratchet and Gaiman belive the very same. Gilliam has been attached to the prospective project for a long time now, but it seems once again, Hollywood is determined to thwart the legendary director in the most effective way it can. Money.
"I was doing this before The Brothers Grimm, before Tideland, but it needs A-list stars to work -- to get the money is what I mean -- and none of the A-list stars are right for the part. That's what's frustrating." Gilliam explains:
"Here's my beef with Hollywood. Before The Brothers Grimm, we went out to Hollywood to get [Good Omens] made. We had raised $45 million from the rest of the world, and we needed $15 [million] out of Hollywood. I had two actors, Johnny Depp and Robin Williams. I couldn't get $15 million out of Hollywood with those two people. They said, 'Johnny, nah, he does those European art movies, Chocolat, The Man Who Cried, and Robin -- his career is finished.' And now there's Pirates of the Caribbean."
I'd make Terry right there and no mistake. In fact even Gaiman and Pratchet have both openly said much the same about how fitting it would be to have their hilariously quirky novel transformed for film by Gilliam -
"Terry Pratchett and I put our heads together," said Gaiman, "and thought; well, we really want Terry Gilliam to make it. We want this to be a Terry Gilliam film. We don't want this to be an anybody-else film. We've said no to lots of people who want to make it into a cool big commercial film. We like the idea of it being a Terry Gilliam film. So we put our heads together and we decided that it should cost him a groat. And I don't believe they've actually made groats, which is an old English coin worth about four pence since about the 1780s. Which means he is going to have to go to EBay."

Anyone got any groats in the closet? cos if thats all it would take, I'll buy him one myself!
Oh, and if someone could lend me $15 million that would be very much appreciated too.

The Robots... Are Comin'

More Transformers gossip.
I know there are a binch of hateful SOB's out there bashing Michael Bay and saying he's crap... well, they might be right, but come on! The robots really are comin!

Producer Tom DeSanto has been chatting about the voicing of Megatron among other things. So, fans can rejoice happily in the knowledge that Frank Welker is still in the running. Class. There was also a couple of questions about the concept designs leaked on the net recently, but he points out quite quickly that "nothing is final!"

Only a few more days of shooting before it goes into post and the editing room. Come July next year, the Robots will have arrived...
Catch the video interview HERE

300 Posters

Go check out some seriously bitch-ass posters for 300 here, curtesy of the good chaps over at MoviesOnline. I kow which one is my fave. Sooo can't wait for this movie. Not long now, USA 9 March 2007 - UK 30 March 2007!

Donner's Superman Comic

Entertainment Weekly had a spot about Richard Donner's new comic (Action comics #844). Man oh man does it look tasty!
Its co-written with Geoff Johns and is about the discovery of Kryptonian boy whom the man of steel vows to protect.
The pages they've teased us with give the bustling atmosphere of the Daily Planet and in some banter between Kent and Perry White, you just can't help reading the lines just how Reeves and Cooper would have delivered them.
'We brought [Superman] into what’s going on in the world today,'' says Donner, hinting at the comic's waft of government skepticism. ''We’re all involved in the world today, and issues that permeate our minds maybe poke their little noses up once in a while.''
Read the article and look at the teasers (in PDF format too) HERE
Donner and Johns are no strangers to one another, having worked together on "Conspiracy Theory". Perhaps not the best movie, but certainly by no means the worst around at the time.
Incidentally, Donner's Directors Cut of Superman II is released on DVD in November, aptly titled: "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut"
I look forward to getting my grubby little mits on the comic as soon as it comes out! Not to mention the DVD when that drops in around November!

Shweeeet!

Unknown

Ok, take the premise of any of the three SAW movies. Take away the gore and horrific methods of death, and you're pretty much left with the plot outline for Unknown.
Ok, that may be a little harsh, but when the story revolves around 5 strangers who all wake up in a room with no memory of how they got there and no memory of who they are, it does reek a little of a more "thriller" version of saw. There's even a phone involved...
The trailer however does suggest there might be more to the plot than initially meets the eye. Seems like a pretty decent cast too.

Check it out HERE

Bourne Ultimatum Set Pics

The third and final installation of the Bourne trilogy began shooting in Tangiers last week. The fine fellows over at real movie news had the first enevitable set photo's. We can see Matt Damon and plenty of Julia Styles (perhaps a larger part for her in the third film than in the previous two?)
No sign of Gael Garcia Bernal as of yet, who's pegged as the Ultimatum villain, although only rumoured as of yet, but its strongly suggested that he'll be signing on in the next few days.
Good call!

Head on over HERE to check out the rest of the set stills

The Departed

Scorsese tops the list of American directors because, even when he fails, he strives passionately to make movies that matter. The Departed, a defiantly uncompromised vision of a society rotting from the inside, is one of his best. Act accordingly.

Although Scorsese denies it, this is a direct remake of the classic Hong Kong movie - Infrenal Affairs. Right down to the shot selection and blocking in the second half of the movie. Its the tale of two police in Boston City. A cop pretending to be a criminal, and the other a criminal pretending to be a cop. The polarity of these two characters throughout the movie often make it impossible to determine who we think is the bad guy until a third of the way through the movie. Scorsese doesn't overdo with the gore and violence, (until the last act where there's plenty) instead leading us on a journey which could go either way for a cop who's undercover and a dirty cop who's trying to find him.

Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio star alongside Jack Nicholson, who's character, Frank Costello, an Irish Mobster, is a cross between an eccentric relative and cold blooded killer. Nicholsons performance is solid, if at times a little overplayed and a little too Ham at times. Matt Damon is surprisingly out-done by DiCaprio here, but the best performance of the night has to go to Wahlberg who's dry sardonic character never fails to draw a smile.

I can't finish without giving a nod to Ray Winstone as Mr French. Fantasticly psychotic Irish violent lunatic who has a stare we've rarely een Winstone don since SCUM.

Go see The Departed, because it's a thrilling take on Infernal Affairs, and come awards time, it'll no doubt scoop plenty of nominations.

Oliver Stone talks Politics and Films

...and 9/11.

A rare glimpse at some straight forward questions and seemingly straight forward answers. Couple of days after the release of the much controversial World Trade Centre.

Harsh Times

Christian Bale and Freddy Rodriguez team up for Harsh Times to show off some muscle and tatts. Bale plays a violent, uncontrollable psychopath desperate to get a job with the Department of Homeland Security, and Rodriguez is playing the part of the "Soldier of the Apocalypse's" best buddy who gets caught up in a lot of violent nonsense.
A BDM make no mistak, but a fine film for brutality and downright grit. Bale is outstanding as usual, and Rodriguez pulls out a remarkable performance after his questionable efforts in Poseidon.

Director Johnson defends GhostRider Trailer

First off, watch THIS

Now tell me that it wasn't utterly disappointing. Can't do it can ya? No.

With such potential within the Ghostrider story, its almost heartbreaking not only to be so bitterly disappointed at the trailer, but also to know we'll have to endure Cage in the lead roll (apparently it was his favourite comic book and he's always wanted to play the flame headed leather-clad dude).
But, director Mark Steven Johnson has come out to defend the trailer citing these main four points that might lead to disappoinment in the trailer -

1. PG-13 rules governing trailers are different in some ways from those governing movies. These rules prevent, among other things, showing people on fire in PG-13 movies. Obviously, restricting people on fire greatly reduced the ability to display the transformation scene. So for those of you worried -- no, that isn't all there is to it. It'll be far more "intense" when it hits theaters.
2. The Voice of the Rider cannot be judged according to how it sounds on an internet trailer. It is a multi-track, multi-layered voice with sound effects of screeching cats and rusty chains and the like which get horribly condensed into a single track for the internet. (Its a shit effect anyway, whether badly compressed here or not)
3. Humor. I don't fully understand this reason, but Johnson explains the film and the character are very "dark and intimidating" to the general public. There is some humor there to counterbalance the intensity, but it is ultimately not a funny movie. (so why bother in the trailer?)
4. Blackheart is going to look far more awesome than you can imagine. He will be "demonic and spikey," which I suppose are very good demon sorts of traits. It'd be more than a bit baffled if he told me Blackheart was going to look anything other than demonic.


Bah... its not saying much for a movie when a director has to offer excuses as to why we might not have enjoyed the trailer

anticipation dissipating...

Lucas Quits Making Films?!

It would seem that George Lucas is about to throw in the towel on the feature film canvas. In a statement from Lucasfilm to Variety (amidst all the jargon which I'll translate) they clearly say that Lucasfilm is no longer interested in making movies, instead, television and games shall be the front running media they'll produce -

"The creator of "Star Wars," which stamped the template for the franchise-tentpole film, says many small films and Web distribution are the future.

And in case anyone doubts he means it, Lucasfilm is getting out of the movie business.

"We don't want to make movies. We're about to get into television. As far as Lucasfilm is concerned, we've moved away from the feature film thing, because it's too expensive and it's too risky."

Translation:
we're all outta ideas after we put the bookend on the star wars saga, and rather than lose lots of money making shit films, we're gonna quit while we're ahead and go into something a bit easier. TV.

Meh, its probably a good thing to be honest. There's nothing worse than a washed up has-been flogging a dead horse and selling it with his name. Fair play on the star wars thing georgie boy, and good luck on the tv thing.

Sadly, on the games front, the only thing that Lucasarts make thats worth playing is the star wars games.

Who's Watching The Watchmen?

I'll tell you who's at least keeping a keen eye on them... Zack Snyder has been attached to the adaptation of Alan Moores acclaimed graphic novel for some time now. The script has been written and re-written numerous times, and its long been sitting just below the radar with plenty of sceptics throwing their tuppence worth in.
A few days ago, Snyder spoke with Empire Online about where the project is at, despite being utterly exhausted from putting the finishing touches to 300 (which I'm hugely looking forward to!).

"I think the script that Alex (Tse) has done for us is the closest to the graphic novel it’s been [since development started], for better or for worse. I feel like Alex has done an awesome job. It’s keeping all the things that are cool about the comic”.

Snyder, however, is not, as many assumed, updating the book's setting from the cold war to modern day. Thank God!

“1985’s a problem for people,” he continues. “The Cold War’s a problem for people. But these are things I’ve been trying to [tell people] would be cool. I like that Richard Nixon is the president in it. I think that’s important. Those kinds of things tell you exactly what kind of movie this is – it’s not Fantastic Four, you know”.
Here Here!

What this film needs to do, is not try to be something it isn't, because what the graphic novel unquestionably is, is the definitive superhero story. It puts its stamp on the genre down with authority, and if the movie falls anywhere short of shaking up the whole film superhero band wagon and making it realise its wearing the genre down to a pulp, then it most certainly won't shake Alan Moore's contempt for anyone adapting one of his works to film. He's a long standing naysayer of any director that lays a finger on one of his works, and rightly so if we're to go by previous nightmarish adaptations (*cough*league of extraordinary gentlemen*cough*).

Another thing we could be thankful for is his complete change of direction in his approach to realizing the settings in Watchmen, departing enourmously from the heavily stylized blue screen-tastic methods he employed for 300.

“There are places like Mars and Antarctica [which will need to be blue screen] and then there are certain places where you need to feel the reality…If you look at Sin City, a blue screen city, that’s kind of wrong for Watchmen…There are so many easter eggs in the frames (of the comic) so you want that level of detail in the movie itself. Even though it’s going to be harder to do…I did Dawn of the Dead and now I’ve done 300 and I feel like it’s a combination of the two. I feel like I know how to do it”.
Confidence. We like! this guy's got some balls, and thats just what the graph to film world needs right now before it descends into an array of *shoulda been straight to tv* excuses for films. *Ahem* Excuse my bluntness, but we can all see it coming, right?

He finally added that although the script is almost ready (penned by Alex Tse) noone has been attached in the casting department. Snyder insisting that its too early, despite a lot of interest from people.
Intrigue...
Fingers crossed for the day shooting starts!

300: Graph to Movie Transition - Has it survived?

If I was geeky enough, and could be bothered, this would be the kinda thing I might do. But, I'm not.

So I'm just glad that someone out there actually is, because having seen this direct frame to frame, graph to film comparison, its not even questionable that Snyder is sticking as close a gnat on an elephants arse to the original graphic novel written by Frank Miller.
300Comparison
Smoochy!
Once again, this does nothing but fuel the firey man-love within me, not at the abundant amount of man-flesh that will enevitably be on display, Nay! ...but at the prospect of this being a piece of cinema to utterly treasure for a very long time.

Alright, that last bit was a bit geeky...

Gilliam: "Will Direct Films for Food!"

Terry Gilliam yesterday embarked solo on his marketing campaign for Tideland's release in the US this week. He made his way to the Daily Show queue donning a rather smart looking belly board (inset).
The affable director took time to talk with people in the queue for the daily show, and as ever, was ever quick to mark his distaste at Hollywood studio's shunning him.
Comedy Central insider had the news and a man on the scene. Read the article HERE

I for one rate Gilliam as one of the most important directors of our day. He's steadfast in his refusal to bow to studio demands and basically makes the films he wants to make. He's a balls to the wall true Director and visionary.
Credit where credit's due!
Nice one tezza... wish I coulda been there.

Official 300 Trailer Online!!!

...and oh my god... need I say anything???

...I think not

Catch it HERE

I think I've pee'd myself a little bit...

Chris Nolan confirms Harvey Dent for Batman sequel

Christopher Nolan spent an evening with an audience at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood recently, to field questions from an excited crew of film press about The Dark Knight Returns (Which is the name of the sequel to Batman Begins in case you hadn't already heard).
When quizzed about the general direction of the film, he first joked about the fact he should be working on it now rather than talking about it, he went on to say -
"I haven't finished the script yet. I'm supposed to be doing it right now," Nolan admitted, sparking laughter from the crowd. "It does, absolutely. It's a pretty direct continuation of where the last film left off, and the last scene of Batman Begins suggests a strong direction we wanted to take the story in. It absolutely carries on with a lot of the thematic concerns and hopefully takes it someplace new."
When we asked if District Attorney Harvey Dent – a.k.a. Batman's future nemesis Two-Face – would indeed be in the film, Nolan replied, "I don't want to go into too many specifics. Yes, he is."
So, no casting attached yet. Hmmm. Any ideas?

He briefly touched on the big screen adaptation of The Prisoner saying -
"The Prisoner is something I've been interested in for quite a long time, and I think I've figured out the take on how we'd approach it," Nolan explained. "The relevance of it today. David and Janet Peoples are terrific, who you know wrote Blade Runner and Twelve Monkeys... all kinds of great movies. They're working on the script right now. I wouldn't want to speak for them. I'm very excited to see what they've come up with."
I was peeved by the prospect and liklihood of ANY director touching this classic series simply ruining it, but I think I'm starting to come round...

WHo is Number 1??

Neil Gaiman's Death and the Cost of High Living

Dream teams. They pop up everywhere. But imagine the most appropriate person to team up with Neil Gaiman on Death, and if you're hitting the nail right on the head, you're probably salivating at the thought of GUILLERMO DEL TORO and GAIMAN teaming up on Death and the Cost of Living, which Gaiman will direct himself. Del Toro will be executive producer.
Oh boy!
Ain't it cool had the news:
"Howdy - I don't know if this qualifies as a scoop (I couldn't find it on the site), but last night Neil Gaiman caught us all up on all his movie news. He was doing a conversation with John Hodgman (AREAS OF MY EXPERTISE and Comedy Central), at F.I.T. and only about 500 people got in.

Stardust — he hasn't seen the first cut yet, he was supposed to see it Tuesday but they weren't ready - he loves Claire Danes and says it is very faithful so far.

Coraline — being done in stop-motion by the team that did Nightmare Before Christmas - but, big news that Neil seemed very upset about - it seems TERI HATCHER is going to voice Coraline's mom. Ugh.

Death the High Cost of Living — the rights are owned by Warner Bros. under the DC comics deal, so they have to do it under one of the Warner houses...New Line had given them a yellow light, but then backed off. Neil has written the script himself, and is insisting on directing it himself ("If anyone is going to screw this up, I want it to be me." He said) - but he was very excited about it moving forward soon because GUILLERMO DEL TORO has signed on to Executive Produce! Heaven to us fans, I think - If Neil needs a perfect wing to be under while he gets this done the way he wants to, Del Toro is it! Very exciting news. Also, Neil says there is a ton more in the script that he had always wanted to do but didn't have room in the comic — Buddhist monks running around, and the like."

Should be awesome!

keep it futile!

The Bourne Ultimatum Begins Shooting

Jason Bourne is coming for his dessert (thanks matt). The Third and final movie in the trilogy has begun shooting in Tangier variety tells us. Stars Matt Damon, Joan Allen and Julia Stiles, as well as director Paul Greengrass, all returning. Joining the cast is Oscar nominee David Strathairn and an offer is out to Gael Garcia Bernal to star as the film's main villian. Tony Gilroy, Tom Stoppard and Paul Attanasio all worked on adapting Robert Ludlam's final BOURNE novel for Universal. In addition to Tangier, the sequel will shoot in Madrid, Paris, New York, London and Riga, the capital of Latvia. Interestingly, another spy movie, CASINO ROYALE, began filming earlier this year without its villian - Le Chiffre - cast. Universal and Greengrass hope to close a deal with Bernal, currently on screen in THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP, as soon as possible.

The Prestige

Here's one I'm really looking forward to.
The story of two rival magicians at the turn of the century, this is Christopher Nolan's pet project. Something he's knocking up between blockbusters (Batman Begins and in 2008 The Dark Knight Returns which will feature The Joker) with a fine cast and a compelling tale. Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlet Johansson... steady on! A mighty cast! Where The Illusionist failed, with its abundance of melodrama and not enough magic, The Prestige will most definately succeed with whats likely to be some visually spectacular magic with all of the tricks of the trade that FX houses can muster to portray the turn of the century magic. To get the blood pumping about this one, head on over to The Prestige's official website where you can find casts, photo gallery, an abundance of short clips from the movie (which I strongly advise you watch all of) and a secret journal, that unlocks an exclusive scene from the movie! Well worth unlocking!
You can also find the trailer for The Prestige HERE

I for one, am whole-heartedly looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into this one.
Bring it on Nolan!
Abrakedabra! *poof*

Superman Returns Hits DVD in China, but wait... there's more...

Is it a bird?? ...Is it a plane??... no, its probably just lies and propaganda.

Ok, this is odd. as I'm reading about the imminent release of the new superman movie: Superman Returns on DVD, I spotted something a little.... strange??
Variety have been explaining how its gonna run to us -

"“Superman Returns” has been officially released on DVD in China, two months before its scheduled Nov. 28 release in North America. The Mandarin-language only release is part of an anti-piracy strategy and will be sold at prices comparable to pirated releases. It also has an encryption process that makes it difficult to make a DVD-quality copy. Fans in North America will have some big choices to make on Nov. 28, as WB will be releasing “Superman Returns” in a number of different editions, ranging from a single-disc offering to a 14-disc ultimate edition that includes all the Christopher Reeve films, the 1940s cartoon shorts and the Richard Donner cut of “Superman II.”

Erm, what was that??? Lemme just recap on the important bit -

"...WB will be releasing “Superman Returns” in a number of different editions, ranging from a single-disc offering to a 14-disc ultimate edition that includes all the Christopher Reeve films, the 1940s cartoon shorts and the Richard Donner cut of “Superman II."

Well shiver me timbers! I was always under the impression that Donner walked out on Superman II - In fact, I've heard it straight from the horses mouth (so to speak). Now, I know he has been rumoured to come back and re-edit the movie as he saw fit originally, rumours incidentally that Donner himself admitted to, but squashed saying he had faith in the fact that Supe Returns will be plenty, but evens so, to release so soon?
I can't help but think this is a load of tripe. There's just no feasible way this could have already happened without someone getting the news??? Is there???
Fingers crossed I'm wrong... here's hoping nonetheless!
That besides, a 14 disc ultimate edition???

mamma...mamma...!

You're welcome Ma'am...

*WOOOSH!*

Bruce Willis set to Die Harder than ever before!

John McClane is back... and this time he's balder than ever!
Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard has been shooting in Baltimore, and it looks like heavy traffic is once again his greatest nemesis!
The Baltimore Sun had the first scoop images of Willis in action on set, check it out here
YippeeKayay mothaf*cka!

Death of a President

Its the year 2010. 3 years on from the assassination of President George W. Bush, and the crime remains unsolved.
A spoof television style documentary on the imaginary death of a US president despised by the majority of the worlds commuinity. It promises to ask difficult questions, and yield no answers. An interesting idea for a movie nonetheless.

It had been said that this film would never see the light of day, let alone get any kind of distribution, yet its now pencilled in for an October limited release.
the poster (inset) however, has been refused to go to print by many publications.
If cinema can't ask questions about what if's, perhaps society should take a long hard look in the mirror, start making some changes and ask someone why?

Check out the trailer HERE

Incidentally, this movie will be shown on More4 next monday for UK viewers.

13 Tzameti

When I saw this trailer, I immediately knew I was in for something special. Disturbingly special to be precise. 13 Tzameti promises to be a gripping and uncomfortable trip into a seedy underworld of gambling and death. Not one for a first date no doubt, but one that's going to be unmissable cinema nontheless -

Synopsis

Twenty-two-year-old Sebastien (Georges Babluani) leads an impoverished life with his immigrant family constantly struggling to support them. While repairing the roof of a neighbor’s house, he overhears a conversation about an expected package which promises to make the household rich. Sensing the opportunity of a lifetime, Sebastien intercepts the package which contains a series of specific instructions. Following the clues, he assumes a false identity and manages to slip through the grasp of the enclosing police as he ventures deeper and deeper into the countryside. The closer he gets to his destination and the more people he meets along the way, the less he understands about what he is looking for. Ultimately, he comes face to face with a ring of clandestine gamblers placing bets on the outcome of a multi-player, high stakes tournament of Russian roulette. Directed by newcomer Gela Babluani, 13 TZAMETI (pronounced: ‘zah-meti’) is a winner-take-all thriller, where an unfortunate young man is transformed into Contestant #13 with no way out save his luck.

There was also a fleeting rumour that Brad Pitt was involved in some sort of remake of this. I'm nearly certain this has been written off as nonsense though.

Dragon Tiger Gate

Big Dumb Movies, or BDM's, hold a special place in my heart. There are occassions when all I want to do is sit back and vegetate on the sofa with a beer and some chips n dips and be entertained wisually without having to think too much.
Well, here's sopmething that looks like its ready to take all necessity for thinking out of the loop and just entertain us visually.
In fact, after clumsily inroducing the main characters, Wilson Yip becomes as bored with the storyline as no doubt we will. He quickly shrugs off the story, and gets on with the action!
Dragon Tiger Gate is loosely based on Tony Wong’s long-running 70’s comic book, and is set to be the next big thing of Hong Kong cinema. The plot is as disposable as a used condom, but its apparent that Yip is aware of this, so doesn't dwell to laboriously on it, instead, quickly rifling through the basics, then letting the action kick off.
Dragon Tiger Gate is a super righteous martial arts school. Top student is Tiger, who arguably proves he is cooler than Jesus! Tiger has an evil brother. The film has gloriously staged sets, just screaming out for untold wire-tastic stunts in fight sequences. Ahhh simplicity!
Tiger and his gang of merry men head over to a restaurant set (as mentioned above, supremely laid out for a big fight). Unfortunately, Dragon shows up at the restaurant to get back a plaque. Fortunately, he turns out to be a righteous guy and he has half of the medallion that Nic Tse’s Tiger has, proving they’re brothers. Unfortunately, he punches Tiger to take back the plaque. Fortunately, he doesn’t hit him too hard because he has a grudging respect for Tiger. Unfortunately, another bad guy in his gang has drugged Tiger’s gang so the fight isn’t fair. Fortunately, Dragon gets angry about this and beats up his own gang. Unfortunately, this winds up upsetting all the other patrons. Fortunately, one of the patrons is Turbo, played by Shawn Yue, who is instantly identifiable as a lead character in this movie because he obviously spends way too much time on his hair. Unfortunately, it turns out the plaque was a gift to Dragon’s boss from a guy named Shibumi. Fortunately, like I said, by this point director Wilson Yip is as tired of the plot as we are and he basically abandons it letting brief, pointless dialogue scenes serve as place-fillers between the action, which is plenteous.
Lots of hair styles, old men playing young men, pointless dialogue, gratuitously staged fights and bucket loads of hefty martial arts. This one is gonna be a riptaqstic BDM. Keep your eyes peeled!

Scorsese's Sesame Streets

We all knew that Grover is a little on the psycho side underneath the soft, fluffy, flappy-head exterior. Big Bird presides over the street we all hold dear in our hearts... But when Ernie sleeps with Bert's wife, anything goes...

A parody that someone knocked up that really gave me the giggles here, with the well loved characters of the Childrens Television Workshop demonstrating their years of pent up aggression, this is a real inside look at the goings on off screen, that the kids should never see.