I Review Too by Simon Bland.

Meet Ken

2010-04-09T05:44:00.000-07:00

Check out this teaser scene from Disney Pixar's upcoming Toy Story 3. As Andy leaves his childhood behind to head off for college, Woody and the rest of his toys are sent to a daycare centre where they meet a whole host of new play things. Pretty soon they hatch a plan to return to Andy who's also beginning to regret parting with his childhood toys.

The new sequence gives us a good idea of what we can expect from the threequel, which so far looks great. Ken, voiced by Michael Keaton looks to be the stand out character from the film, just check out the Wayne's World influenced 'Dream Weaver' sequence. Watch it below!

Also, why not check out the trailer, this was released a few months ago and sheds a bit more light onto the much anticipated follow up, just click here. Timothy Dalton, Whoopie Goldberg and Flight Of The Conchords' Kristen Schaal join the voice cast this time around, all of whom can be seen when Toy Story 3 is released in the UK on July 23rd 2010.

Review: Kick Ass

2010-03-31T13:02:00.000-07:00

The opening frames of Matthew Vaughn’s Kick Ass – a homemade hero’s ill-fated leap of faith from a huge building, only to crash hard onto a parked car tells us straight up that this isn’t your average comic book movie. And thank god. The credo of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr’s big screen adaptation “with no power comes no responsibility” is apt, Kick Ass will literally kick your ass, and make no mistake, you’ll love every second of it.

Dave Lizewski is average, super average in fact. He’s no Peter Parker or Clark Kent, he’s not destined for greatness and he’s sick of it. Inspired by his love of comics and perplexed at why no one has tried it before, he suits up and hits the streets, one brawl in front of a camera phone wielding crowd later and he’s an overnight sensation.

Pretty soon he attracts the attention of the lethal father/daughter vigilantes Big Daddy and Hit Girl. Bordering on the psychotic and bent on taking down mob boss Frank D’Amico, these guys are the real deal. As reality begins to hit home so do the consequences of his actions and before long he finds he’s in over his head.

A return to form for Nicholas Cage playing two sides of the same coin, the dweeby Damon Macready and the take-no-crap Big Daddy. From the Adam West inflection in Big Daddy’s voice to his sweet yet anarchic relationship with his daughter Mindy, the film picks up pace whenever the two hit the screen. Meanwhile Mark Strong provides a real villain, a Tony Soprano type who’s determined to send a message to any other potential caped crusaders, aided by his son Chris who’s desperate to prove his worth.

Unlike stars of the Marvel or DC universe, it’s not always happy endings for Mark Millar’s costumed heroes, the fact that Kick Ass could bite the big one at any moment creates a unique tension within the film. But where Kick Ass really lives up to the hype is during its high voltage fight sequences. Limbs are lost, bullets fly, blood squirts – all set against kicking tracks like Prodigy’s Omen and The Hit Girl’s Bad Reputation just to name a few – creating an awesomeness the likes of which you’ve never seen before.

It’s multiple references to comics; from Wolverine to Scott Pilgrim reinforce its real world twist, a nice change from the done-to-death textbook superhero movies we’ve come to expect. Kick Ass sports memorable turns from supporting cast Clarke Duke and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and seals Chloe Moretz status as one to watch - as the deadly, foul mouthed Hit Girl, she owns the film. Kick-Ass could be the Watchmen for a new age but definitely is 2010’s best film so far.

Kick Ass is in cinemas now.

Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour

2010-03-26T03:11:00.000-07:00

After months of patiently waiting, yesterday the first trailer for Scott Pilgrim Vs The World hit the internet. So stop what your doing and check it out below.

Verdict? I think we can all stop worrying about whether Edgar Wright would do Bryan Lee O'Malley's explosive graphic novels justice, he totally nails it. It looks like no other comic book film, but more importantly, it just looks right. As mentioned in a previous blog test screenings have been very positive, even from people unfamiliar with the books, confirming suspicions that Scott Pilgrim Vs The World will be something special. But what do you think?

Also, check out the recently released cover art for the story's final chapter, Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour which will be hitting shelves on July 20th 2010. If you still haven't started reading O'Malley's mini-epic by now, then you really have no excuse.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is released on 6th August 2010.

Scott Pilgrim and the Epic Epicness.

2010-03-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

Check out the first official movie poster for Scott Pilgrim Vs The World which is released on August 6th.

The recently release poster is the first to feature Michael Cera as Scott, the films plucky hero, in a nice homage to the graphic novels. You may remember a few months back, Scott Pilgrim mastermind Bryan Lee O'Malley created an awesome teaser poster, check it out below!

The comic book adaptation which is directed by Edgar Wright, has had outstanding reviews following a couple of rough-cut advance screenings and is definitely one to keep an eye out for.

Corey Haim: 1971-2010

2010-03-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

It was announced today that once teen heartthrob and 80's movie megastar Corey Haim passed away from a drug overdose. Best known as being one half of The Two Coreys, along with his long time best friend Corey Feldman the couple took cinema by storm with a string of hits from the mid-eighties to early nineties.

The double act starred in movies such as Dream a Little Dream, Licence to Drive and most notably The Lost Boys before the pressures of teen stardom took their toll. While both Corey's were plagued with drug addictions, Feldman eventually managed to get back on his feet, Haim on the other hand seemed to be struggling.

After publicly going off the rails, he attempted to start anew. Placing an advert in Hollywood magazine Variety which stated "I'm clean, I'm ready to work" Haim focused his efforts on the reality TV show The Two Coreys and starred in the direct to DVD sequel to The Lost Boys. However, ghosts of old vices soon caught up with him and his clean streak was shortlived.

Whatever your opinion of Haim, today is surely a sad day for any fan of 80's escapism movies. With their big hair and beat up Nike's - the Corey's defined an era of cinema which evokes feelings of nostalgia for anyone now in their mid twenties.

It's a shame that Haim died so young without experiencing redemption in the eyes of his fans and the public. Both on screen and off, he'll forever be remembered as the original lost boy.

Documentary: The Cove

2010-02-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

Not one for the faint hearted, The Cove is a documentary that must be seen to be believed as director Louie Psihoyos uncovers the truth surrounding a subject that has somehow been kept under wraps.

Ex-dolphin trainer turned activist Ric O'Barry is our guide into the world of dolphin mutilation. In the sixties, O'Barry worked on the iconic television show Flipper training the dolphins to perform the various stunts needed for the program.

Developing a strong bond with the animals and coming to appreciate their intelligence, it was here where he discovered that a dolphins smiling face is natures biggest con. After the death of one of his beloved animals, O'Barry vowed never again to allow them to be kept in captivity.

In the small coastal town of Taiji, trainers from around the world come to hand pick wild dolphins to take back to their various amusement parks. Using fear to herd the animals into a secluded cove, those not chosen are brutally killed for their meat rather than being released back into the ocean. As dolphin meat contains dangerously high levels of mercury which can result in birth defects, there seems to be no advantage to human consumption.

Security around this gruesome trade is tight and it soon becomes clear that O'Barry and Psihoyos won't out this secret in any conventional way. By going back to the drawing board they devise an Oceans 11 style heist to plant camouflage high-definition cameras in the infamous cove to capture damning footage and put an end to this unnecessary and brutal business.

It's clear that O'Barry's years in show business have paid off - in a scene that could almost be taken from a Hollywood heist movie, Taiji's top detectives question him about why a group of American's with suspicious looking luggage have accompanied him to their town. O'Barry utilizes his best acting abilities to humorous effect, dodging questions to continue the operation.

The documentary paints a clear picture of who the villain of this story is. In a vicious cycle that supports a bloodthirsty regime, in a round about way, it all comes down to money.

There's a bittersweet satisfaction in seeing the defenders of the cove come face to face with justice. In particular, one confrontational Japanese guard nicknamed after the only two English words he knows, Private Space.

While it may not be the most uplifting subject matter, The Cove is a tense, brave and provocative documentary that deserves to be seen if only to enlighten yourselves to this hidden horror. Like the documentary itself says; if you know the truth you'd want to put a stop to it and witnessing the footage these filmmakers uncovered is more than enough to convince anyone.

(500) Days Of Summer - Reviewed

2010-02-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

With (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb perfectly captures the intricacies of relationships and love, but make no mistake this is no love story. By going down this anti-rom-com route, there's a good chance some viewers may be put off, perhaps due to being spoon fed a few too many mainstream 'happily ever afters' . That being said, fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Annie Hall will find a lot of enjoyment in this bittersweet indie film.

Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a strong believer in true love and believes that Summer (Zooey Deschanel) is 'the one'. Sadly, the new found girl of his dreams is sceptical about the concept of love. Nevertheless, after meeting at Tom's workplace, a greeting card company, they soon become romantically involved.

Scenes of their 500-day relationship are shown in a non linear format. Juxtaposing moments of utter bliss with soul-destroying anguish, it's during these highs and lows that we see each of their perceptions of the L word change and evolve.

Zooey Deschanel perfectly embodies the complex girl who got away - unsure of what she wants and afraid of commitment. She's the spanner in Tom's plans for a perfect relationship but also the cog that makes it all work.

Gordon-Levitt meanwhile proves that he can play a rom-com lead just as easily as playing an art-house hero, even if it isn't quite your average rom-com frontman role. Funny and likable throughout, it's through Tom that the films uplifting message is transferred.

With a kick-ass soundtrack to boot, (500) Days of Summer is an impressive first feature from Webb. Romance, comedy and drama, mixed with some crazy sequences thrown in to catch you off guard just when you think you've got it clocked. It's the feel good film which reflects modern relationships, reminding us all that love, fate and chance may come and go like Summer, but they do still exist.

(500) Days of Summer is available on DVD now.

I Love you Phillip Morris

2010-02-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Emotions fly high in the latest comedic offering from Jim Carrey. Based on real life events, I Love You Phillip Morris follows the unusual story of Steven Russell, a family man who after surviving a car crash has an epiphany and realises he's gay.

After undergoing his sexual revelation, Steven decides to live life on the edge. Scamming money at every opportunity, he becomes a con-man but soon finds himself behind bars.

Whilst in prison he meets the vulnerable Phillip Morris and falls in love, from then on he vows never to be away from his new found soul mate. When Phillip is released from jail early, Steven stops at nothing to be reunited with him, making several daring escape attempts.

Combining comedy with a heartfelt punch of emotion, I Love You Phillip Morris looks to be this year's tear jerker in disguise. Don't be fooled by Carrey's usual slapstick routine, his relationship with Ewan McGregor's Phillip Morris is the heart of this black comedy.

Written and directed by the duo behind 2003's Bad Santa; Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, the film promises to have more substance to it than most comedies.

Premiering at this years Sundance Film Festival, early reviews have all been positive for this comedy/drama/romance, or dram-rom-com? (that will never catch on).

I Love You Phillip Morris is released on March 17th 2010

Nice working with you, Dr Venkman

2010-02-09T06:48:00.000-08:00

Right, I don’t usually do this, but I feel I should take some time out from my busy schedule . . . well my schedule, and write an open letter to Bill Murray.

First of all I want to make it clear that I write this as a film lover and a fan who’s been pushed too far. I love movies, and where most people cringe at the sight of a second instalment, I find it hard to hide my enthusiasm. Why would we not want to see the return of some beloved characters? Isn’t that what all fans want?

That’s why when I heard the latest confirmed rumour surrounding Ghostbusters 3, I was left feeling sort of jaded.

We knew Murray would be involved with the three-quel, but it wasn’t exactly clear to what extent. After Sigourney Weaver let slip that Venkman may appear as a ghost, most fans, myself included, sort of laughed it off - a simple joke to humour the hundreds of journalists who always ask her about her involvement in the franchise. Nothing more, nothing less, right?

However, on Monday 8th February 2010, the penny dropped and it was announced that Pete Venkman had died, or is going to die at least. Speaking to The Daily Mail no less, Murray put an end to the rumours surrounding his involvement, “I said to them, 'I'll do it if you kill me off in the first reel” stated the star, adding “So now they are going to have me as a ghost in the film."

Wait, what?

It seems like such a shame for fans and for the franchise itself to kill off such a classic character. So Venkman dies - the plucky, wise cracking, lovable face of the group dosen't walk off into the sunset or get the girl, he bites the dust and becomes an ectoplasmic afterthought? Really?

It’s taken a lot of time and effort to get this sequel fast-tracked and for it to go in this direction seems like such a waste.

All the original cast had signed on, Rick Moranis even said he’d come out of retirement for it, and fans had just about come to terms with the inevitable fact that younger-busters will be introduced. Murray was always the hold out, but fans endured holding on to the thought that one day they’ll see the foursome busting some ghosts one last time.

All that has been dashed away. So with nothing left to lose, I’ll stop biting my tongue and just say how a Ghostbusters 3 should go down. I’ll even provide a working title, ready for it?.

'Old Ghostbusters’ – simple as that. It’s a no brainer.

Imagine the humor that would come with the guys out of shape and out of touch, strapping on the equipment, grappling ghouls, saving the world one last time and covering New York in slime in the process.

The focus should be on the characters; after all they’re the reason fans will come back. Where have they been for the last 21 years? What’s new? The possibilities and potential story lines are endless – but alas, that’s not happening.

The silver lining? Our best bet? Venkeman gets killed off within the first 10 minutes (sigh. . .) but remains in the film in ghost form helping the guys out and hopefully not becoming an extended cameo ala Zombieland.

I realize that this ‘open letter’ quickly became a rant, but I feel it’s a point that needed to be raised, if only to vent my own frustration.

We’ve got a Ghostbusters 3, but at what cost?

That's just my opinion, thoughts?

I recommend too: Welcome to Smodcast. . .

2010-01-22T04:33:00.000-08:00

Kevin Smith, like him or loath him there's no denying the guy has had an impact on filmmaking as sizable as the gut he's always quick to draw attention to. From Clerks to the up-coming Cop Out, the indie director has had a career of varied success. Over the years, he may have lost favor with some critics, but despite all his up's and down's he has managed to hold on to a diehard troupe of fans who are all eager for anything Smith-related.

Flocking to his numerous Evening With performances and snapping up as many signed View Askew products as they can get their hands on, the fans have become his rock. Never one to shy away from publicity or the opportunities presented by the internet, when Kevin Smith announced that he was to start producing a podcast with producer and long time friend Scott Mosier, he took one more step forward in interacting with his fans.

Released weekly, (with a few exceptions) Smodcast, a mish-mash of Smith, Mosier and . . . well you're not that stupid, began in February 2007 and is still going strong today. Discussing everything from his personal life to his experiences with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, Smodcast does something interesting and unique.

It breaks down the barrier between fan and director, giving you a glimpse behind the scenes of not only his day-to-day life but the movie industry of which he is a part of. The processes, the decisions from big business suits - Smith's frank explanations of the various situations he's found himself in over the years are delivered in the foul mouthed conversational style which fans of his movies have come to love.

Smith has never been the type to shy away from talking about himself, and at times Smodcast feels like Smith's weekly therapy session, however Scott Mosier forms the perfect co-host grounding the director with his low key witticisms. Mosier is the brains of Smodcast - the cultured traveler to Smith's self-confessed New Jersey-ite. Just don't ask them anything about Helen Keller.

As with any Smith production there's a fair amount of crude jokes and detailed descriptions of all manner of hypothetical scenarios that always tend to lean towards the sexually explicit and are always hilarious. Nothing is sacred and Smith rarely holds back.

It has inspired Smod-art - hilarious paintings based on various episodes and is one of the top rated free podcasts currently available. Whether you're a fan of Kevin Smith's work or not, Smodcast is an interesting look at the man and the business he's in. With equally hilarious co-hosts making the occasional visit and with it being free, you really have no excuse. So go shoot the shit with Scott and Mosier.

Subscribe to Smodcast here: www.smodcast.com

Or listen to Scott and Kevin read live exerts from the Smodcast book, reciting each others lines talking about an unusual form of heroism.

Documentary: The Devil and Daniel Johnston.

2010-01-21T15:13:00.000-08:00

Many of you may already be familiar with the bittersweet documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston, but if you're yet to experience it, now is as good a time as any.

Released in 2006 and filmed by indie documentary filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig, it's the story of haunted genius. Growing up, the California born Daniel Johnston was full of artistic talent but plagued by a series of mental health problems.

From the brief highs of his professional career to the profound lows of his personal life, we see Johnston as a tortured soul. Musician and artist, in his prime he was revered by bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam and yet oblivious. Fuelled by an unrequited love, when he released his creative energy he in turn cleansed his demons and the young man full of promise could be glimpsed once more. However the calm was not always long lasting.

By combining home movie footage (of which there was plenty) with candid interviews of friends and family, Feuerzeig chronicles Johnston's unusual life.

The result is a tale of a man at war with himself and his own mind, touching, heartbreaking and at times funny, it's guaranteed to stay with you.

Thankfully, since the documentaries release in 2006, Daniel's mental health has improved and he continues to play music and tour. In fact he'll be in the UK later this year.

Up In The Air - Reviewed

2010-01-11T06:34:00.000-08:00

Ryan Bingham lives in the air. Travelling from company to company, hired to let employees of other companies know they're fired, he has no home or time for commitments. Ryan is married to his job and in case you were wondering, Ryan Bingham loves his life.

Jason Reitman's follow up to 2007's Juno sees the director aim slightly higher than teenage indie comedy. With Up In The Air he proves he can handle adults just as well as sassy knocked up teens whilst keeping his alternative rom-com charm.

George Clooney may have been no stranger to the big screen in 2009, starring in no less than three films during late November and early December, but no performance is as intimate or compelling as Ryan Bingham.

Makes you wonder if Clooney, a self confessed ladies man with no intention of settling down anytime soon can see the comparison, but maybe that's what makes him so interesting to watch.

Giving self help talks on the dangers of life commitments, Ryan asks audiences to pack their lives into a backpack; their possessions, even their relationships - all to re-enforce his simple life philosophy. As he eloquently puts it "the slower we move the faster we die" and as such Ryan has an inability to stay in one place for too long.

When Natalie, a young professional with her eyes on the prize but her heart on her sleeve suggests firing people via webcam, thus making travelling unnecessary Ryan's cushy existence is thrown, well, up in the air.

Battling his corner, he attempts to prove to Natalie that the face-to-face approach is crucial by inviting her on a firing spree. All the while aiming for ten million frequent flyer miles, an achievement only seven other people have accomplished. These are the things that Ryan finds important, and he's confident that he knows what he wants.

At least he thinks he does. Along the journey, it becomes clear that Ryan is more confused than he lets on. Achieving his goals only to question whether they're what he really wanted, and with young Natalie fighting the corner of love and companionship, soon he beings questioning his philosophy on life.

At its core, Up In The Air is a study of relationships, how they define you, how they consume you and how they can save your life, even if they do tend to ground you in one place.

Reitman proves once again that he's one of today's best indie filmmakers, Jason Bateman puts on a serious face and you can no doubt expect to see more of Anna Kendrick in the future. Famous faces including Zack Galifianakis, J.K. Simmons and Danny McBride appear briefly, cleverly mixed with what appear to be real life testimonials from recently unemployed members of the public, however they all carry the same message: everybody needs a co-pilot.

Up In The Air is at cinemas 15th January.

2010

2009-12-18T04:18:00.000-08:00

All of this years big releases may have already hit cinemas, with Jim Cameron's Avatar living up to all the hype and Sherlock Holmes cracking the case of the Christmas opening day, so it's time to see what we can expect from 2010.

Archers Bows and Rabbit Holes gave you a taster of two films on offer in the coming year and here are two more. Both are sure to be huge hits but one may be more flashy than the other...

Iron Man 2

Ireviewtoo provided the lowdown on shellheads return to the big screen back in June (whip it up) but the first official trailer which was released yesterday sheds more light on the explosive sequel.

Whiplash whips, Tony Stark smooches and Pepper Potts pouts - mix these with Sam Jackson's Nick Fury, the newly recast Don Cheadle as War Machine, Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer and Scarlett Johansson in a leather jump suit and what's not to like?

Check it out below.

Iron Man 2 jets into cinemas May 7th 2010.

Hot Tub Time Machine.

Yeah, it may be pretty much self explanatory, but this could be the comedy film of 2010. When four friends find themselves in a bit of a rut, they decide to return to the ski resort which was once their party pad.

After a night of heavy drinking they find themselves transported back to 1986 via their time traveling hot tub. It's just random enough to be funny.

John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry and the awesome Clark Duke (if you haven't discovered Clark and Michael yet, what are you doing? Go get discovering!) are the foursome from the future, they'll be joined by comedy legend Chevy Chase in an extended cameo and Crispin Glover AKA George McFly.

There's a red band trailer floating about for those who enjoy swear words, but the green band trailer is funnier. Check it out below!

Hop in the Hot Tub Time Machine on 19th March 2010.

Archers bows and rabbit holes.

2009-12-16T04:35:00.000-08:00

The art of movie trailers. Even if the final product turns out to be worse than Pearl Harbor, you can guarantee that the two minute, perfectly edited trailer will get you raring to go. Showing you just enough to leave you wanting more, in some cases the trailers end up being more satisfying than the actual film.

The same might be true for these two up coming movies, only time will tell, but for now enjoy their newly released trailers. After all, they may be the best bit.

Alice in Wonderland.

News regarding Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland has made a couple of appearances on Ireviewtoo (Follow the White Rabbit for more information) so i wont go into too much detail plot wise.

Released today, the new trailer gives us a glimpse of Alice on the verge of marriage and in need of an escape. Alice runs into the past to avoid her future and returns to a world she thought she had forgotten. Check it out below.

Alice in Wonderland is released on 5th March 2010.

Robin Hood.

Ridley Scott once again teams up with hot headed Aussie Russell Crowe to bring us Robin Hood, the man behind the myth.

Scott's take on the outlaw's familiar tale is grounded very much in reality, and historically accurate, so if you were expecting green tights, sorry to disappoint. The action-packed trailer conjures up images of Gladiator, suggesting that this could be similar tale of one mans struggles against higher powers.

Co starring Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian, William Hurt as Sir William Marshall (he actually existed in Robin Hood-y times don't ya know) and the soon to be nemesis of Sherlock Holmes Mark Strong as Sir Godfrey, Robin Hood will no doubt be stealing box office gold come May 14th 2010.

The Deathly Hallows.

2009-12-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

Some cool footage from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 has found its way onto the internet. Appearing on copies of The Half Blood Prince DVD's, it will no doubt form the teaser trailer for the first of the two part finale.

Showing Harry interrogating Ollivander about the Deathly Hallows, our first look at Griphook and some shots of the trio on the run in London; sets the tone well. UPDATE - The footage has now been officially released, check it out below!

For those unfamiliar with the novel, flying solo this time around, Harry, Ron and Hermione must locate the remaining horecruxs and destroy them. At the same time they must learn as much as they can about the deathly hallows - three magical objects that when combined make the owner master of death. Oh, and Voldermort and his evil cronies are after them non stop.

Expect all the back catalogue of British talent to return, along with Rhys Ifans as Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna's father, New Moon star Jamie Campbell Bower as a young Grindlewald - Dumbledore's friend turned foe and Bill Nighy as the ruthless minister for magic Rufus Scrimgeour (totally called it).

Expect a better quality version soon, but in the mean time check out the clip and a pic that will no doubt be familiar to fans of the book!

(It's Harry, Ron and Hermione in disguise about to break into Gringotts)

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 is released on the 19th November 2010.

Fantastic Mr Fox - Reviewed

2009-12-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

Say what you want about floppy haired filmmaker Wes Anderson. Whether you think he's obsessed with his own in jokes, or he's an amazing auteur, there's no denying the guy has talent.

With his latest release Fantastic Mr Fox, Anderson takes his obsessive-compulsive brand of movie making into the painstaking realm of stop motion animation.

Stepping into territory usually reserved for the likes of Tim Burton or Henry Selick, it's a risky transition for any director to make, and for the most part he pulls it off.

An adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl tale, it's a cussing adult film wrapped in the colourful trappings of a kid's film, complete with all the fractured personalities you will have come to expect from the director.

Mr Fox wants what's best for his family - a better, safer home, but by acquiring it he puts his entire furry community at risk from three ruthless and bitter farmers, Boggins, Bunce and Bean.

Of course Anderson inflects his own spin on the story. This results in a frayed relationship between Mr Fox and his young son Ash coupled with some competitive rivalry from fox cousin Kristofferson.

All the Anderson regulars are present; Jason Schwartzman is perfect as Mr Fox' s moody son, Bill Murray goes wild as Badger, the unlikely demolitions expert and Michael Gambon provides a suitably evil foe as farmer Bean. However, a little more of Owen Wilson's Coach Skip wouldn't have gone amiss.

New comers George Clooney as a Fox going through a mid life crisis and Meryl Streep as his wife and pillar of support gel seamlessly with the directors style, let's hope they become familiar faces in the Anderson universe.

One of the biggest criticisms of Fantastic Mr Fox has been that it's too quirky, as if critics want to tone Wes Anderson down or make him more mainstream.

Thankfully, Fantastic Mr Fox isn't your run of the mill animation, it's different, and in the words of Mrs Fox, "there's something kind of fantastic about being different."

Moon - Reviewed

2009-11-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

It's ironic that the first feature film from the son of "The man who fell to earth" heads back up towards the stars. Duncan Jones or Zowie Bowie (son of David) as he was previously known, provides not only a strong film making debut, but an impressive homage to all the low-key sci-fi films of the 70's and 80's.

Moon's gripping story is matched only by its aesthetically pleasing set pieces, full of retro space suits and sterile white space stations.

Borrowing from films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and THX1388, Moon references the paranoia fiction that came before it. The final product is an authentic feeling genre pick and mix that avoids feeling like a cheap rip off or copy.

For the past three years company man Sam Bell has been living on a lunar base mining Helium-3, an energy source which the earth has become dependent on. His only contact with home is through pre-recorded video messages and his sole companion is the ship's computer GERTY superbly voiced by Kevin Spacey.

He's down to the final two weeks of his gruelling shift and...well you wouldn't be reading this if he got home without a hitch. After making a chilling discovery, he's forced to question his sanity and humanity, all the while desperately longing to return home to his wife and young daughter.

Of course, the make or break aspect of Moon is Sam Rockwell's performance which reminds us all of his severely underrated talent.

Bouncing off the walls of his claustrophobic ship, Rockwell is great. Whether you're watching him talk to his plants or emotionally breaking down, there's not one moment where you feel the film would benefit from the presence of another actor.

Having said that, Kevin Spacey's vocal contribution is equally exceptional. Displaying emotions via various smiley faces; does GERTY actually have Sam's best interests in his digital mind? You're never quite sure.

By going back to basics, Duncan Jones has fired himself onto the list of directors worth paying attention to. Proving that less is definitely more, Moon is the most compelling sci-fi film of recent years.

Christmas In Disguise.

2009-11-24T05:39:00.000-08:00

Well, it's that time of year again. The presents have all been opened, the family's full of turkey and you've plonked yourself in front of the TV in an attempt to sift through all the cheesy holiday specials and re-runs of E.T for something worthwhile to watch.

Sometimes you can be overloaded by the warm fuzzy feeling Christmas movies like It's a Wonderful Life or The Muppet Christmas Carol provide. Sometimes all you need is a little of that dark Scrooge sentiment to counter balance the abundance of good will.

You know what they say, the best things can be found in the most unlikely of places. Here are five seasonal spectaculars that have a little more to them than a fat bearded man and some dodgy child acting.

Gremlins - Joe Dante - 1984

Most people remember this Joe Dante B-movie for its little green monsters - and that's fine, but it's also important to remember it as a silly seasonal scare.

Billy Peltzer has a Christmas-crisis on his hands after receiving an unusual present from his father. We all know the rules: don't get them wet, don't feed them after midnight, no direct sunlight, but we didn't tune in to see a yawn inducing Yule-tide movie.

Pretty soon Billy finds his small town overrun with mini mischief makers. Smoking, drinking, terrorising residents - a silent night, it's not.

A Christmas film with bite. Perfect for all those who enjoy dark comedies or just want to scare the kids.

Die Hard - John Mctiernan - 1988

Who said exchanging presents and terrorism can't be mutually exclusive? One of the best action films ever made is also one of the most unlikely Christmas films.

When you think of memorable quotes from Die Hard you probably think of "Yippie Kay Ay mother-fucker" but what about the gem "Now I have a machine gun, ho ho ho"?

That's right, surrounding this gun-totting blockbuster are all the trimmings of a holiday special.

Officer John McClane must saves hostages from Hans Gruber, the slick German thief who's intent on ruining Christmas for all inhabitants of the Nakatomi Plaza Building.

So don't settle for the usual quiet BOxing Day watching Wallace and Gromit, lock and load with Bruce Willis instead.

Batman Returns - Tim Burton - 1992

With Batman Returns, macabre director Tim Burton chose the season of good will to accompany Bruce Wayne back onto the screen. There's something special about Burton's representation of Christmas; his expressive use of black and white contrasted against the garish candy colours creates a spectacular experience.

As Christopher Walken's hardnosed mogul Max Shreck prepares to switch on the holiday lights, Gotham gets one Christmas present it could do without - a reject circus act terrorising the city, courtesy of The Penguin. Cue the Dark Knight.

With so many outlandish characters and extravagant set pieces, it's easy to forget the Christmassy qualities of Batman Returns, but make no mistake, it's a holiday must.

Trading Places - John Landis - 1983

When thinking of Trading Places in the Christmas category, most people will only remember Jamie Lee Curtis exposing her baubles, but think a little harder and the image of a disheveled gun wielding Santa should spring to mind too.

This often overlooked seasonal tale sees Dan Aykroyd as a snob and Eddie Murphy as a petty criminal forced to swap roles due to a bet between two wealthy businessmen.

There's no better way to show the full extent of Louis Winthorpe III's fall from grace than seeing his deprived, dirty Santa Claus desperately trying to regain the life he once had.

Although Christmas is not integral to the plot, its presence in background adds weight to this rags to riches story starring two comedy greats in their prime.

The Star Wars Holiday Special - Steve Binder/David Acomba - 1978

Okay, so there's no hiding the fact that this is a holiday special - it's in the title after all - but it's also one installment the Star Wars franchise could do without.

George Lucas used everything short of The Force to pull all copies of The Star Wars Holiday Special from the shelves due to its cringe-worthy poor quality.

Based around Lifeday, a Wookie holiday suspiciously simulating Jesus' birthday, Han Solo has the job of accompanying Chewbacca home to the planet of Kashyyyk so he can celebrate with his hairy family.

Surprisingly the entire cast make an appearance, alongside some bizarre segments including dodgy musical numbers, bad comedy skits and even circus acts.

It may not be in disguise, but you can guarantee cast and crew wish it was.

Up In The Air

2009-11-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

From voicing a fantastic fox to staring at goats, cinema has had a brief Clooney overload, however he may have saved the best for last with Up In The Air.

Ryan Bingham's job is to tell other people they're out of a job. Travelling from company to company, building up his frequent flyer miles and occasionally giving self help speeches about how to simplify your life - he's happy.

However, behind the fast paced lifestyle lies a hollow man with no real connection to anyone.

When Ryan's cushy existence is threatened by Alex, (Vera Farminga) a career-driven rookie who suggests that the travelling aspect of his job could be cut out, he is forced to take her on the road and prove to her that it's necessary.

With a impressive supporting cast consisting of Jason Bateman, Danny McBride, Zack Galifianakis and J.K Simmons, Juno director Jason Reitman once again proves to be a film maker worth paying attention to.

Up In The Air is released on 15th January 2010.

Kick-Ass

2009-11-12T04:36:00.000-08:00

Watchmen may have beaten them to the punch, but that's not going to stop this group of angst ridden youngsters suiting up and serving out some homemade justice.

Kick-Ass directed by Matthew Vaughn (Stardust) is adapted from the Mark Millar/John Romita Jr Marvel comic book of the same name.

Enthusiastic teenager Dave Lizewski takes his love for comic books to the next level by becoming a superhero. Designing a costume and elegantly naming himself Kick-Ass, he begins patrolling the streets - despite having no super powers at all.

Attracting some violent criminals and starting a trend in the process, he soon encounters other heroes including the father daughter vigilantes, Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz) and Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage), who are trying to bring down a New York drug lord.

Also starring Superbad's Christopher Mintz-Plasse, it's shaping up to be a pretty fun action comedy, plus you can laugh at Nic Cage because he's in tights as appose to his acting this time around.

Buzz can often boost the status of a film considerably, and so far the buzz surrounding Kick-Ass is pretty impressive. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Kick-Ass is released 16th April 2010.

Twi-shite.

2009-11-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

So for the UCLAN local culture magazine PR1, i had to write an anti Edward Cullen rant to go up against a Pro Twilight rant from a Stephenie Meyer lover who'll be defending Ed's corner.

It wont actually be in print until later this week but i thought i would put it up here early. I don't really feel all that strongly on the subject, although saying that, this was kinda fun to write and i was able do it way quicker than most other things. Anyways, check it out below!

So what happened? Since when did returning from the grave make you resemble some boy band pin up? Somewhere between life and death things took a turn for the lame.

Don't get me wrong, Twilight did the impossible; it created a geeky movie franchise just for girls. Thanks to Stephenie Meyer, common household geekery is no longer solely assosiated with guys who can recite The Empire Strikes Back verbatim and spend perhaps a few too many days playing Warcraft.

Now we have hoards of so called Twi-Hards - Team Edward and such - who would literally rape Robert Pattinson's face if they were given half a chance.

A girly, geeky franchise is cool, but did it really have to come at the expense of one of Hollywood's coolest characters - the Vampire?

I don't think things will ever be the same. Earlier this year pretty boy Edward Cullen topped cinema advertiser Pearle and Dean's 'Most Popular Movie Vampire' list. Wait; let's think about that for a second.

Did people confuse stony glares and a fancy hairdo for un-dead badassery? What happened to the Lestat de Lioncourts? There's nothing cooler than Tom Cruise's rotting body playing the piano in Interview with the Vampire while he mutters "Claudia, you've been a very naughty little girl".

Or what about The Lost Boy's David with his gang of bloodsucking bikers? Sure, they have mullets and hang out around a greased up sax player, but they guzzle blood and hunt teens like there's no tomorrow.

These are fine examples of neck chomping nasties that aren't afraid to show some teeth or bite some wrists. Has Edward "I only kill animals" Cullen usurped their throne? He doesn't even have his own spooky castle; even Count Duckula had one of those.

Vampires don't glisten when exposed to sunlight; they burst into a horrific orgy of flames and screams, that's just what happens. It's simple Vampire science. Vampires don't watch you sleep; they kill you in your sleep. Never has a walking corpse had such a hard on for girls since Hugh Hefner.

It makes you ask yourself, if these guys were real, how long would this Twilight poster boy survive? Not long i bet. Putting all your supernatural, otherworldly abilities to work by playing a family game of baseball instead of kicking arse are we Cullen? I think Blade wants a word.

Roger Rabbit Returns?

2009-11-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

Waiting 21 years for a sequel isn't too long right? This week director Robert Zemeckis confirmed to MTV that the long awaited sequel for 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is finally moving forward.

Whilst on the publicity trail for his latest film A Christmas Carol which opens this Friday, the film maker revealed that the guys who penned the original Peter Seaman and Jeffrey Price are currently churning out a sequel screenplay.

Zemeckis, a director known for his love of motion capture technology was quick to reassure devoted fans that this new craze wont interfere with the follow up.

The director explained to MTV News that "The 2D characters from the original movie will remain 2D. They will not be dimensionalized. Not to say there wont be 3D". Adding that performance capture may be used for characters to interact with the 2D toons, "It would be really fun" Zemeckis enthused.

Despite Bob Hoskins claiming he's too old to return as Toon-hating alcoholic Eddie Valiant, Zemeckis tells a differnt story: "He loves Eddie Valiant and he would love to do it" he added to MTV.

This is not the first time talk of a Roger Rabbit sequel has made the rounds. In the early nineties work began on Roger Rabbit: The Toon Platoon a war film set in 1941 involving Roger searching for his mother, encountering cartoons of the Golden Age of animation and his future wife along the way.

A similar treatment resurfaced in 1997 under the title Who Discovered Roger Rabbit? chronicling the bunny's rise to stardom. However both direct-to-video ideas were eventually shelved after some shaky CGI footage and producer Steven Spielberg lost interest.
Should we expect these story lines to crop up in the new film?

MTV claim claim to have more information on the topic and will unveil it bit by bit throughout the week. Watch this space.

In the mean time check out the Roger Rabbit short "Roller Coaster Rabbit"

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

2009-11-03T05:10:00.001-08:00

The first trailer for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time hit the internet today, check it out below!

The computer game adaptation directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), see's Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan, a rogue who is trying desperately to protect The Sands of Time - a mysterious dagger which has the ability to reverse the flow of time.

The Jerry Bruckheimer produced blockbuster also stars Gemma Arterton as Princess Tamina, a reluctant love interest for Dastan and Ben Kingsley as Nizam the evil nobleman who is also chasing the time altering McGuffin.

The trailer suggests that Newell has remained pretty faithful to the source video games - there's plenty of aerobatic manoeuvres and swordplay. Gyllenhaal certainly looks the part, however is it me or can you sense the powers that be attemptnig to recapture some of that Pirates of the Caribbean magic?

It could go either way - really good or really bad. Guess we'll just have to wait for May 28th 2010 to find out.

This is It

2009-10-29T05:42:00.001-07:00

Well it's finally arrived. A final bow for the diehard fans. The ones who burst into fits of uncontrollable tears whenever the King of Pop shows his uniquely chiselled face.

If you count yourself amongst that group, perhaps to a lesser extent, then chances are you'll find This is It right up your alley.

Straight off the bat, it should be noted that this is no eulogy, in fact there is no mention of the megastar's untimely death. Instead director Kenny Ortega presents a documentary showing simply what could have been.

It's safe to say that had the shows gone ahead, calling them huge would have been an understatement. Populated by Americas Got Talent-esque youngsters, the show would have involved fireworks, 3D sequences, a Jackson 5 reunion and of course the man himself and all his hits.

Despite saving his voice for the tour, the rehearsal footage proves that Jackson still had what it takes.

However, you get the feeling he occasionally needed to prove himself as the undisputed King of Pop infront of the hoards of younger emerging talent.

In one of the documentaries finest scenes; an impromptu duet betweet Jackson and a young female singer, MJ is forced to remind her who's boss when she verges on out-singing him, done in his own soft spoken way of course. "It's all for love" he keeps reminding us.

There's no denying the tour would have been something special. And for just under two hours you'll forget the negative social baggage and see the talented and focused performer underneath.

You'll be entertained by a great entertainer, which when all is said and done, is what Jackson will forever be remembered for.

This is It is at cinemas now.

Foreign Frights!

2009-10-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

Bored of the same old Hollywood horrors? Well here are 5 international gore-fests which offer more than cheap scares and bad acting. So without further ado. . .

If you haven't seen Tomas Alfredson's Let the Right One In, the Swedish vampire film with a twist - then take this Halloween as an opportunity to drop what you're doing and find a copy. Based on a novel of the same name, it follows the unlikely friendship formed between a 12-year-old boy and the young blood sucker who moves into his apartment building. In time they help each other over come their personal problems and form a heart warming relationship - well, as heart warming as any relationship between a child and the un-dead can be. Boasting stellar performances, one kick ass scene towards its climax and no shortage of blood spurting gore, Let the Right One In is the perfect Halloween date movie.

With an abundance of modern horror choice, it's important not to forget the origins of the movie scare. So if you're feeling exceptionally cultured, why not check out the 1922 classic Nosferatu this October 31st. Thomas Hutter gets a bit more than he bargained for when he's sent to Transylvania to meet with Count Orlok. The creepy count, played by the otherwordly Max Schreck, sends chills to this day despite minimal make up effects. The climactic scene of Orlok closing in on his sleeping prey, only to be thwarted by sunrise has become an iconic image of horror cinema.

However, if you're looking for something that packs a bit more punch, then why not check out the unforgiving French film Martyrs, certainly not one for the faint of heart. Making Saw or Hostel look like kids films, director Pascal Languir's tale of a troubled girl seeking revenge quickly shifts gear into something more sinister. Imprisoned and routinely beaten, our antihero Anna is kidnapped by a group who'll stop at nothing to discover what lies beyond death. Stripping away her will to live - and her skin - Anna achieves transcendence, becoming the world's first witness to the afterlife. If you're after a challenging horror film, look no further.

Staying within the vein of horror movies that make you not want to look, yet unable to look away, Austrian director Michael Haneke's Funny Games is definitely worth a mention. Inviting two seemingly polite strangers into their home, George, Anna and son Schorschi soon discover that they want to do more than borrow some eggs. What follows is a series of sadistic games pitting the helpless family against the deranged duo. As the brutality increases, the family's chance of survival decreases, resulting in a pretty bleak outcome. A tough watch, but an interesting exploration of the horror genre's limits.

Quickly given the Hollywood remake treatment, the Spanish thriller [Rec] offers more originality and suspense than its American counterpart Quarantine. As reporter Angela begins coverage of a normal night with the local firemen; things take a turn for the abnormal. Responding to a apartment building disturbance, on arrival they discover an elderly woman infected with a bloodthirsty virus, and several panicky residents. Soon the inhabitants of the building are quarantined and must find a new exit without falling victim to their zombie-like flat mates. Watch in the dark, with the sound up!

Up - Reviewed

2009-10-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

There's a reason why every Pixar film is great: their investment in storytelling is second to none. Strip away all the state of the art animation and celebrity voice-overs and you'd still be left with an instant classic. Thankfully, the studios ninth feature Up is no exception.

The beautifully presented opening introduces us to Carl Fredricksen, a budding explorer who falls head over heels for the high spirited Ellie.

After a heartbreaking sequence of love, life and loss we find Carl widowed and alone. Together with his late wife, he had promised to set out on a South American adventure, which regrettably never came to pass.

When the authorities try to boot him into a retirement home, Carl decides to take matters into his own hands. By attaching hundreds of multi-coloured balloons to his humble home, he floats towards adventure.

Joined by an accidental stowaway: Russel, the 8-year-old wilderness explorer, the odd couple set out in search of Paradise Falls. Pretty soon they befriend a talking dog and assist in the rescuing of a rare bird from a deranged explorer.

Pixar have once again mastered the art of balancing a heavily weighted heartfelt story with comedy suitable for the entire family, without alienating anyone.

As always, the animation is a cut above the competition, with every facial tick and line delivery bursting with an uncanny accuracy.

It's also one of the studio's funniest offerings. Knowing when to tickle your funny bone almost as well as it knows how to tug on your heartstrings, Up is the family film of 2009.

Up is now showing in cinemas.

Toy Story 3

2009-10-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

Check out the recently released theatrical trailer for 2010's Toy Story 3.

The third installment of the Pixar film that started it all will see Andy all grown up and about to depart to college, leaving Woody, Buzz and all his childhood toy's behind.

Banding together, the now owner-less toys go in search of a place where they will always be played with. However, they get more than they bargained for when they arrive at a day-care centre filled with young children and decide to break out.

Based on the trailer, Toy Story 3 looks to be filled with great jokes and an emotional depth that only Pixar is able to achieve. Michael Keaton will join the plastic cast as Ken, Barbie's bf with self esteem issues from not being as popular as his leggy blonde counterpart.

What do you think?

Zombieland

2009-10-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Zombieland! The flesh eating film with a pulse. First time director Ruben Fleischer provides an interesting spin on the walking dead franchise, creating a film that plays out like a modern teen rom-com if the un-dead had overrun the set.

Adventureland's Jessie Eisenberg once again gives Michael Cera a run for his money playing Columbus, a self confessed geek searching the blood strewn States for companionship. Accompanied by his trusty rulebook - a catalogue of survival do's and don'ts that will no doubt be familiar to any Romero fan, he manages to stay alive. It's all about cardio and wearing seat belts.

Pretty soon he runs into the hard-boiled Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a loner naming people after their home states as to not get too attached. This tough guy with a tragic past comes complete with a talent for Zombie extermination and a bizarre fondness for Twinkies.

Together they go in search of a new home joining forces with Wichita (Superbad's Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Little Miss Sunshine herself Abigale Breslin), two sibling con women who specialize in taking advantage of Zombie apocalypse survivors.

What Zombieland lacks in story it more than makes up for in blood spurting action and R-rated humour. With rulebook excerpts appearing and interacting on screen and a 'Zombie kill of the Week' award up for grabs, at times the film feels more like a computer game.

Combine these features with a celebrity cameo so good it just has to be seen, (attempting to explain wouldn't do it justice) Zombieland is the most enjoyable twist on the genre since Shaun of the Dead.

I love it when a blog comes together.

2009-10-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Check out these images of the brand new A-Team courtesy of comingsoon.net. Click for a better look!

Currently filming in Canada, this 2010 adaptation of The A-Team will be lead by Liam Neeson as Col. John 'Hannibal' Smith. He'll be joined by District 9's Sharlto Copely as Capt. 'Howling Mad' Murdock, The Hangover's Bradley Cooper as Lt Templeton 'Faceman' Peck and fighter turned actor Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson filling the big boots of Sgt. B.A Baracus.

Also making an appearance will be Patrick Wilson as a CIA Operative and Jessica Biel as an Army general chasing the team. Biel will also provide a feminine touch to what was often labeled a testosterone heavy show. The foursome all look the part - keep an eye out for more details appearing in the coming months.

Directed by Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces), The A-Team will be released on the 11th June 2010.

One, two Freddies new and improved . . .

2009-09-28T03:05:00.000-07:00

Ready for another horror movie reboot? Today the first trailer for the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street arrived on the internet. This time around it falls to Jackie Earle Haley, (aka Watchmen's Rorschach) to don the iconic fedora and stripey jumper -no easy task considering the cult status of their previous owner. With horror movie vet Robert Englund the face of this franchise for so many years, will audiences accept a new Freddy Krueger?

Acceptance aside, the trailer looks to be a potential cut above the rest of most recent horror retreads. We glimpse a post-burnt Krueger hunted by angry parents; a fleshed out backstory perhaps? However, when it comes to the inevitable nods to iconic scenes from the original, lets hope they don't rely on them too much. Some fancy new death scenes would be nice.

Could this reboot the franchise for a new generation of teens? Check out the teaser below.

A Nightmare on Elm Street is released on 30th April 2010.

Animals wearing clothes.

2009-09-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

Check out these recently released character posters for the upcoming Fantastic Mr Fox, the latest Roald Dahl story to be given a big screen make over. More information about Wes Anderson's latest foray into the world of stop motion can be found here .

The colourful posters seem to convey the whole tone of the adaptation. Mixing the original source and Anderson's unique style looking to give us one of this years most interesting films. Click to embiggen!

Fantastic Mr Fox is released on the 23rd of October 2009.

Olds and News

2009-09-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

When a nugget o' movie news hits the web its new - its news. I try to post whatever i deem to be cool news asap while it's relevant. However as mentioned in my previous post I've been busy lately so inevitably some stuff slipped through the net. So here's a double-bill, some news that just hit the net earlier today, and some old news, some 'Olds' if you will, that people may already be aware of, but keep getting wrong.

The Buzz is. . .

You can't go five minutes without a studio deciding to give some dusty 80's gem a 2009 re-polish or churn out some unnecessary sequel. When word of this news hits more often than not you should be afraid, very afraid. . .

But maybe not this time. Earlier today Aint it cool news ran the story that a remake of the 1986 classic The Fly is in the works - no surprise there. However what may come as a surprise is that director of the original film David Cronenberg may return to write and potentially direct.

Although Cronenberg maintained an interest in the property post 86' he's since been quoted saying that he didn't want to be associated with a remake. Risky Buisness Blog reports that despite these previous statements he is indeed in talks with Fox to return.

There's no denying that it would be interesting to see how he would handle the gruesome transformation with today's technology, but is a remake really necessary?

Rambo V: The Savage Hunt

Before beginning the publicity trail for his latest testosterone fueled outing The Expendables, Sly Stallone decided to address rumours regarding the return of arguably his most iconic character, John Rambo.

An early draft of Rambo V took a interesting path. Shying away from the blood spurting action of the previous entries it focused on the Vietnam vet searching for his father. This soon changed however and Rambo V:The Savage Hunt is now being fast tracked and promises not to disappoint gore fans.

We find Rambo in the Pacific Northwest where he's been sent to clean up a government experiment gone awry. The program in question was attempting to create an elite solder without compassion and motivated by savage rage which soon got out of control.

Que Rambo hunting and shooting and just generally killing things.

Although, Sly's quick to point out that this isn't to be confused with Universal Soldier as he explains to AICN "It's not me fighting some super soldier, it's actually a feral beast, it's a thing. It's this amalgamation of fury and intelligence and pure unadulterated rage, it's before men became human".

A mock poster was released at this years Toronto film festival, check it out above. Expect to hear more about these films in the coming months.

Star Wars: Attack of the clooneys?

2009-09-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

This trailer has been around for a while now, unfortunately due to a lack of time and my impressive laziness i haven't had time to post this blog. But better late than never.

Based on the book by Guardian columnist Jon Ronson The Men Who Stare at Goats explores the bizarre and highly secretive world of military psychic training. Mind reading, passing through solid walls and erm . . . killing goats - you'd be crazy not to think this was the stuff of fiction, but it's actually based on real events. Google it.

Ewan McGregor plays Bob Wilton, a journalist following up this unusual lead hoping for his next big story. He soon stumbles upon Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) ex psychic soldier and member of this secret team who claims to have been 're-activated' after 9/11.

Together they set off to track down Bill Django (Jeff Bridges), the missing founder of the mind control team who's job it is to end all war. Their trail leads them to the military training ground which has now been taken over by disillusioned clairvoyant Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey).

You wouldn't classify Clooney as a comedian as such, but there's no denying he has a certain knack for the job. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Welcome to Collinwood and most recently Burn After Reading all harness his unique comedic wit. The Men Who Stare At Goats looks to be no exception, proving that Clooney can be winning awards one minute and killing farmyard animals for laughs the next.

Check out the trailer after the jump.

The Men Who Stare at Goats is released on the 4th December 2009.

A Christmas Carrey.

2009-09-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

Still looking for the Christmas movie to top The Muppet's Christmas Carol? Well don't give up your search just yet, but in the mean time check out the recently released trailer for this November's A Christmas Carol.

Jim Carrey stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge, the old geezer spooked into rethinking his life. He'll also play all three of his ghostly visitors alongside a supporting cast consisting of Gary Oldman, Bob Hoskins and Colin Firth. Through performance capture; the art of translating real life movement into a digital performance, director Robert Zemeckis hopes to breathe new life into this familiar story.

An avid supporter of performance capture technology, Zemeckis has given us The Polar Express, Monster House and Beowulf with a recently announced remake of Yellow Submarine in the pipeline. And with rumours of a Roger Rabbit sequel utilizing the same technology, love it or hate it, it seems motion capture animation is here to stay. Check out the trailer after the jump.

@ Yahoo! Video

A Christmas Carol is released on the 6th November 2009.

Jacks Back

2009-09-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

If it weren't for internet geeks we'd have to wait ages for any decent movie news. One particularly interesting piece hit the web tonight, suggesting the return of one of cinema's coolest characters.

As Johnny Depp strolled on stage to the usual insane applause at this years Disney's D23 Expo he had more than Mad Hatters and Cheshire Cats on his mind. The mega star appeared on stage as Captain Jack Sparrow, revealing the official title of the heavily anticipated fourth installment of the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise.

Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has been given a ETA of summer 2011. As of yet, there is no official word on plot, with Depp simply adding that the script looks good and hopefully most familiar faces will return.

Will we see Captain Jack go searching for the fountain of youth? After all that's where he was heading when we last saw him. Or will we see captain and crew go on some new adventure to strange and distant shores? Hopefully they'll steer clear of the pitfalls that tainted the previous installment. No unnecessarily complex plot thanks, just show us Jack Sparrow drinking rum and sword fighting. A sea monster would be nice too.

Check out the official teaser poster below.

Expect to hear more about Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in the coming months.

Development Arrested?

2009-09-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

If too much of a good thing is bad for you, then that certainly can't be said for 2004's Arrested Development. Its brief run gave us a glimpse at greatness, sadly only lasting two lengthy seasons and a rushed third consisting of only 13 episodes. So what went wrong? How did one of the funniest and most original shows of recent years get cut short? And more importantly, will we ever see the Bluth family again?

Multiple award wins, an exceptional cast and packed with more comedy nutrition than a Bluth frozen banana, Arrested Development was the show that no one saw. Due to poor scheduling decisions by Fox the show failed to find it's audience and was subsequently axed. But it wasn't dead yet. With such heavily layered comedy, the show rewards repeated viewings; you hear something new each time, and so as time passed people began to take notice. And as DVD sales rocketed pretty soon floods of fans were left wanting more.

Talk of an Arrested Development movie began as a series climax joke, but these days any news of a big screen outing is serious business. With cast and crew eager, rumours that Superbad star Michael Cera was reluctant to return rubbished and with mega-director and series narrator Ron Howard dropping the occasional hint, the movie appeared to be fast tracked.

But like the Bluth family who are all talk and little progress, development seems, for now at least, temporarily arrested. Whilst promoting his new film Extract Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth) let us know how things currently stand "The script's being written and when Mitch (Hurwitz, creator) is done with it we can go to the scheduling part . . . Once he writes it then, just like any other movie, then it becomes something a bit more real . . . it's got the same life that any other project would have".

So from on saying to another: good things come to those who wait, it may take a while to arrive but a movie is definitely happening, which is great news for fans. If like me you're still impatiently waiting for more, why not enjoy some of the shows finest quotes after the jump.

Michael Bluth: We're not here to talk nonsense to Bob Loblaw.

Tobias Funke: Who the f*$@ stole my hard boiled eggs!

Michael Bluth: Are you bleeding?
GOB Bluth: No . . . well . . . my socks are wet.

Buster, holding Franklin over his nub: “I don't want no part of your tight ass country club, ya freak bitch!”

Tobias Funke: I just blue myself.

Michael Bluth after seeing his family's chicken impressions: Has anyone in this family even seen a chicken?

These are just a few, if I've missed out your favorite add it in the talk back!

Funny People.

2009-09-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

The ringleader of the 'Frat Pack' has made it. With his fingers in so many comedy pies in recent years, he's sculpted a new breed of humour. So it's no surprise that when Judd Apatow decides to head up a film personally it's considered a big deal, and Funny People, his latest, is no exception.

George Simmons, (Sandler) a megastar who's not above making low rate comedies for high rate pay checks is living proof that money can't buy happiness. When informed that he may only have months to live, he decides to reassess his life and make amends with an old flame.

Funny People lives up to it's name, as it's filled with them. A flab-free Seth Rogen leads the supporting cast as comedy PA to Simmons, with a toned down performance proving that he's more than just a walking pot joke. As struggling stand up Ira, he's in constant competition with friends Leo and Mark (Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman). Both are very funny but are overshadowed by a hilarious turn from Aussie Eric Bana, playing the husband to Simmons' 'One who got away' Laura (Leslie Mann).

But just when you think you've got Funny People clocked, it pulls a fast one on you. Rom-com? Hardly - in depth character study more like. Adam Sandler as an egocentric character forced to question his life is a great change from the flawed nice guys he often plays. Over time the increasingly unpleasant George learns the price of happiness, eventually finding it down an unlikely path.

So many spontaneous one-liners make it into the final cut of Apatow's films that their run times do tend to be quite long. Sure Funny People could be shorter, but the clue's in the title, we're looking at people not plot. In the two hour plus run time we learn what makes these characters tick, and in that sense every scene is justified.

It may not be everybody's cup of tea and it may not be Apatow's funniest, but in an age saturated with churned out formula comedies polluting cinema, Funny People is a smart, refreshing change, and change is good.

Funny People is in cinemas now.

What is Inception?

2009-08-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

Little is known about Inception, Chris Nolan's cryptic follow up to The Dark Knight. Both cast and crew are keeping lips tightly sealed regarding plot details, leaving a rabble of internet Fanboys to concoct their own interpretations.

So what exactly do we know about Nolan's follow up to the biggest film of 2008? Inception stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a company man leading a small team on a mysterious mission into the 'architecture of the mind'. Brick's Joseph Gordon-Levitt will star as his associate, with Nolan regulars Michael Caine and Cillian Murphy also making an appearance.

Billed as a sci-fi thriller where your mind is the scene of the crime, the film will also boast Matrix-style fight sequences. Sounds interesting.

Written and directed by Nolan, Inception looks to be his 'quiet before the storm' movie, with rumours suggesting the director will return to Gotham for his next project.

If you were hoping the teaser trailer would shed some much needed light then guess again. Opening up a whole new world of questions, it does what a trailer is suppose to do: make you want to see the movie.

Inception has a 16th July 2010 release date.

In The Loop.

2009-08-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

Crass, intelligent and very funny, if you missed In The Loop during it's brief theatrical run then your in luck as it was released on DVD this week.

Armando Iannucci, the brains behind The Thick Of It and I'm Alan Partridge (among others) shows us behind the scenes of the cut throat world of politics, where inept MP Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) accidentally backs a decision to go to war.

Sparking the attention of the media and the venom spitting Communications Chief Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi), soon MP Foster is embroiled in a political pickle made no easier by US involvement.

In The Loop has some great one liners, superb comedic performances and is one of the funniest films to come out of the UK in years. For fans of Iannucci and great British comedy In The Loop is a must watch.

More Moore.

2009-08-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

Based on this trailer I can totally see how audiences either love Michael Moore or hate him. Deep down I'm sure he has honest intentions; wanting only the truth for the country that he so obviously loves. Although clearly it's apparent he's not above whoring his infamous celebrity status in order to obtain said truth.

Capitalism: A love story, a no holds barred look at the US economy and recent financial crisis is sure to be an interesting if slightly tongue in cheek piece of work. Guaranteed to keep his supporters supporting him and his oppressors fighting him.

Capitalism: A love story premiers at next month's Toronto International Film Festival, UK release date TBC.

Watch this space.

2009-08-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

Last night two interesting trailers finally arrived onto the internet, one of which debuted at this year's Comic-con. The trailers in question are Joe Johnston's The Wolf Man and the highly anticipated Avatar, marking James Cameron's return to the big screen after a ten year absence.

The Wolf Man, a remake of the 1941 Universal monster movie of the same name will see Dr Gonzo himself Benicio Del Toro snarl, drool and howl at the moon. He'll also turn into a Werewolf.

Avatar has been heavily hyped, heralded as the movie that will change the way you watch movies, sporting revolutionary motion capture and CG special effects. Paraplegic war vet Jake (Sam Worthington) has his mind placed into a Na'vi, an 8-foot blue alien and virtual avatar; he is sent to help establish a human settlement on the planet Pandora becoming entangled in a war in the process.

Based on the trailers i think The Wolf Man has the potential to be really cool, just as long as it doesn't turn into a repeat of 2004's Van Helsing. Avatar depicts a vibrant war torn new world; hopefully the story has enough substance and coherency to support its state of the art effects.

Catch both trailers after the jump!

Avatar is released on 18th December 2009, The Wolf Man will hit cinemas on the 12th of February 2010.

In case you missed it . . .

2009-08-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have already seen the feel good Swedish Vampire flick Let The Right One In, but if you haven't then let this blog serve as a quick reminder to drop what you're doing and find a copy.

Based on the John Ajvide book, it follows the unlikely friendship between a 12-year-old boy and a young vampire who moves into his apartment building. Over time the pair help each other overcome their personal problems and form a heart warming relationship.

The film boasts stellar performances and one kick ass scene towards it's climax (I wont say which one, rest assured you'll know it when you see it). Production has already begun on the unnecessary but seemingly inevitable American remake, Let Me In will place Cloverfield director Matt Reeves at the helm. So take this opportunity to check out the original in all it's glory before Hollywood gets it's grubby fingers on it.

Oh my Holy Crap, Gentleman Broncos

2009-08-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

It took almost a year for 2004's Napoleon Dynamite to find it's audience and for everyone to jump on the bandwagon of a film that had already been around for some time. That said, if you watch this trailer for Gentleman Broncos now, when people decide to jump on it's indie-gem bandwagon a month or two down the line, you'll be able to say something like "Oh my god, i totally knew about that film before it was huge" and what Facebook loving youth doesn't enjoy doing that?

The fourth film from writer/director Jared Hess looks like a return to the low-key oddball comedy that made Napoleon Dynamite such a cult fave. Gentleman Broncos is the story of Benjamin, a home-schooled misfit with a passion for fantasty writing who has his first story 'Bronco' ripped off by his idol, the legendary fantasy novelist Ronald Chevalier. Played by Flight of the Conchord's Jemaine Clement, the desperate Chevalier changes a few details and the story becomes a best seller, forcing Benjamin to seek revenge.

We'll get a glimpse of the story in question in the form of fantasy sequences of the book throughout the film. Sam Rockwell, fresh from the Moon, will star as the transvestite lead character in both Benjamin and his rival Chevalier's version of the story.

By the looks of the trailer Gentleman Broncos looks filled with weird characters, which is a good thing. Both Clement and Rockwell look like they've sculpted characters that everyone will be quoting this time next year. After the disappointing Jack Black vehicle Nacho Libre, going back to the oddball comedic style that gave Napoleon Dynamite its charm is a wise choice.

Plus any film with surveillance doe's in it is an automatic hit in my book.

Gentleman Broncos is released on 30th of October in America, UK release date TBC.

Once upon a time in Nazi occupied France. . .

2009-08-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

There are two things you can count on seeing in a Quentin Tarantino movie: cool scenes of dialog, and of course, cool scenes of excessive gore. Both feature in his latest, the absurdly spelled Inglorious Basterds, but they’re accompanied by so much more.

The ballsy title is like the film itself, Basterds is a bold film to make from a director confident he can get away with anything. A multi lingual World War 2 fantasy that remains Tarantino-esque, yet still he pushes his audience for more. Don’t be fooled by the gung ho trailers, for the most part you’ll be reading subtitles and with many long scenes where attention to detail is crucial, you’re almost in art house territory.

Divided into five chapters, each providing a segment of the back-story, which together form the big picture. A plot is formed to assassinate Hitler and his cronies whilst at a film premier, the Basterds are sent in to make sure it all goes to plan and to do what they do best.

And yet Tarantino’s trigger happy team, a group of Jewish American soldiers who specialize in collecting Nazi scalps, lead by the cigar chomping Lt Aldo Raine, appear only briefly in the films 153 minute run time.

Instead we get intense dialog driven scenes; an interrogation of a father accused of harboring a Jewish family faced with a horrible choice, a bar game turned sinister Mexican stand off, two of the films finest sequences. Perhaps ‘Once upon a time in Nazi occupied France’ the films original title may have been more fitting.

After it’s tense opening the film almost goes off track, a brief lull that is saved when the Basterds reappear. The cast is great, Pitt (who looks like he’s channeling Brando with the drawl of Jack Daniels) is entertaining, especially when forced to impersonate an Italian director. And in Christopher Waltz, the smug German ‘Jew Hunter’ who always knows more than he lets on, Tarantino creates one of his best villains. The director even found time for his trademark cameos, keep an eye and an ear out for the obvious - Mike Myers and the not so obvious Harvey Keitel.

With its westerns references, dark humour and comic book style on screen graphics, Inglorious Basterds is not what you may have expected, but in a good way. Think of Tarantino what you will, someone carrying the torch of film making or simply recycling old genres, the fact is he’s making the films he wants to make and having fun doing it. Which makes you wonder if the films final line "In fact, I think this may be my masterpiece" belongs to Aldo or Quentin.

Inglorious Basterds goes on general release August 21st.

Welcome to the Imaginarium.

2009-08-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week the first full trailer for Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus made it's way online, and you can check it out after the jump.

Imaginarium almost never saw the light of day due to the untimely death of heath Ledger half way through the films shoot. However, thanks to its fantastical themes, the films director and Monty Python alum Terry Gilliam was able to tinker with the story to ensure the films completion.

And so each time Ledger's character Tony, a mysterious outsider passes through a magical mirror he takes on a new form. Enter Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law.

Most of the movies plot is mentioned in the trailer so I wont go into too much detail. Dr Parnassus made a deal with the devil to become immortal, now the devil wants to collect his daughter's soul and its up to Tony to try and save her.

The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year to mixed reviews. Has Gilliam crafted an appropriate swan song for Ledger? Not everyone though so. Despite this, the trailer suggests that there will be no shortage of eye candy in the Imaginarium and it will no doubt be interesting to see how Depp, Farrell and Law rework the same character. Ultimately this film will be famous for being Ledgers final on screen appearance, and after his whirlwind stint as the Joker, who wouldn’t want to see that?

Whilst on the subject, here is a taster of Ledger as Tony, a clip that cropped up on the net a few months ago. Looks pretty cool!

The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus is released on the 16th of October.

John Hughes, 1959 - 2009

2009-08-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

Surely the greatest achievement a filmmaker can hope for is to be remembered, to speak to your audience directly so that even if the filmmaker fades away into obscurity, his or her films endure. It would be fair to say that writer and director John Hughes, who sadly passed away this week aged 59, did just that.

It’s hard to tell if our generation fully appreciates the effect Hughes had on shaping aspects of today’s cinema and the output of its directors. By casting real teenagers as appose to young adults, his movies gave a generation a voice and an image they could relate to. Hughes tapped into the minds of teenagers, their insecurities, loves, hopes and the pressures of growing up in the eight films he directed, whilst shaping the careers of his young stars in the process.

It was seemingly the job he was sent to do and in an interview just after the release of Home Alone he said, “When I’ve lost my voice, I’ll know when to go. I’ll disappear in a Puff” and that's exactly what he did. It was time for Hughes to buy the farm – literally - and at just 45 he settled down with his wife in his 600-acre rural retreat. Although he continued to write, often under the pseudonym Edmond Dantès (from The Count Of Monte Cristo), he never experienced the same success, but he had effected an entire generation in his wake and unwittingly passed the torch.

It’s hard to think where the teen film would be if John Hughes had stayed working as an advertising copywriter. Needless to say we wouldn’t have people like Judd Apatow making the films he’s making today, as he explains, “It’s pretty ridiculous to hear people talk about the movies we’ve been doing, with outrageous humour and sweetness all combined, as if they were an original idea. I mean, it was all there first in John Hughes films. Whether it’s Freaks and Geeks or Superbad, the whole idea of having outsiders as the lead characters, that all started with Hughes”. An opinion echoed by a filmmaker and fan that regularly references John Hughes in his work, Kevin Smith, “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I do. Basically my stuff is just John Hughes films with four letter words”

‘Don’t you forget about me’ a nod to the music that was as big a part of his films as his young stars, acts as a subtle reminder that while Hughes may be gone, the spirit of his work lives on.

Fantastic trailer.

2009-07-31T05:52:00.000-07:00

More cool news today, the trailer for Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox has made it's way online. I posted some info on this film recently so i wont go into too much detail but i have to say I really like the trailer, it's not what i was expecting.

The low key stop motion style looks great and from what the trailer shows it feels exactly like a Wes Anderson film. The deadpan humour, the familiar characters, even the camera movements that are distinctive of Anderson's work seem present. To hear his regular cast talking as animals is pretty funny too. Check it out.

Alien: the early years?

2009-07-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

Some cool news hit the internet this morning, the confirmation of a rumor that has been floating around for some time now. Today Variety confirmed that director Ridley Scott will return to space to direct the prequel to his 1979 classic Alien, arguably the best of the series.

According to the report, Fox has hired writer Jon Spaihts who has two space adventures already under his belt, "Shadow 19" and "Passengers". Spaihts is to pen a script which is said to focus around the empty ship and space jockey featured in the original film. This would support comments Scott had made previously regarding his interest in returning to the franchise, wanting to return "to where the alien creatures were first found and explain how they were created"

Each director who has tackled the Alien franchise has brought something different and interesting to the table. What Ridley Scott excels at is his ability to fully immerse his audience in other worlds, be it the neon dystopian future of Blade Runner or the Roman Colleseum in Gladiator. The franchise has taken a few turns for the worst in recent years (AVP films?) so if they absolutely have to tamper with it some more then having Scott return to the helm is the best news audiences could have hoped for.

Expect to hear more information soon.

Funny is funny.

2009-07-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

Lets face it; hasn’t exactly been the scorching hot summer promised to us by global warming has it? Now that the two weeks of good weather we’re likely to get have long gone, you may find yourself caged indoors taking shelter from the rainy skies and like myself, avoiding the weird looking people who constitute the general public.

But it’s not all bad; there’s plenty of funny to be found to wind away the time trapped indoors if you know where to look. I’m firmly under the impression that many of the funniest TV shows around today get completely missed by a large percentage of people. So here are three such TV treasures funny enough to relish a reason to stay inside this summer.

Eastbound and Down.

Riding the wave of a successful pitching career Kenny Powers had it all, fame, money and his own range of self help tapes entitled “you’re fucking out, I’m fucking in”. That was until it all went to his head; he lost his famous swing and was forced to move in with his brother back in small town USA. Stuck firmly in the mindset of the glory days Kenny gets a job as a substitute P E teacher at the local elementary school and picks up where he left off trying to wow his high school sweetheart April.

If Alan Partridge were a redneck, this is probably what is would look like. Danny McBride, best known for his characters Red in Pineapple Express and Rico in the underrated Hot Rod uses Eastbound and Down as a canvas to display his unique comic talents.

King of the hicks, McBride’s Kenny Powers is crude, jaded by fame and not above taking his anger out on the kids he’s suppose to be teaching. Despite all this McBride creates a loveable character that deep down, like Partridge or David Brent, just wants someone to listen to him.

Coming straight from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay the guys behind Funnyordie.com, the series plays out much like a film divided into six parts with episodes picking up straight where they left off. With cameos from Craig Robinson and an interesting looking Will Ferrell, you’ll be wishing there was more than just six episodes. Luckily for fans the series will be returning next year

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

The premise is simple enough: three guys and a girl own a bar in Philly, sounds like your average comedy right? But straight off the bat episode titles ranging from ‘The Gang Gets Racist” to “The Gang Exploit a Miracle” to my personal favourite, “The Gang Finds a Dumpster Baby” indicate right away that your watching something special.

Mac, Charlie, Dennis and Dee; four lowlifes who rob, exploit people and do basically what the rest of us would want to do if we weren’t burdened with a conscience. As the basic premise of the show is fairly 2D it relies heavily on character and most of the fun of watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia comes from watching these character riff of one another. The principle cast all have their moments but the stand out character is Charley, with a running gag that he’s illiterate and addicted to huffing glue; just a sample of what makes this character so funny.

Picked up by FX after friends Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day shot their own pilot for next to no budget; the show has gone from strength to strength. With Danny DeVito joining the gang in their second season as Frank, father to Dennis and Dee the show gained more publicity.

The real humour in this show lies in just how low the characters are willing to go, nothing is sacred with storylines involving everything from mother humping to glory holes. Whats more, last April the gang performed the season 4 finale live onstage, pretty cool.

If you’re already a fan then you will be pleased to hear that the show will return for a fifth season in September and will continue for at least two more seasons.

30 Rock

Set behind the scenes of a popular live TV show TGS, 30 Rock bares many similarities to the show Saturday Night Live. And its not surprising as the shows creator and star Tina Fey made a name for herself on the weekly live variety show, becoming the first female head writer in the shows history.

Liz Lemon (Fey) has the job of controlling her group of writers and stars and she’s doing a good job until big shot executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) takes over. Under new management and forced to keep everyone happy things are made no easier when Jack adds wild and weird superstar Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan who real life counterpart is just as crazy).

Juggling her life around her eccentric co-workers isn’t easy, taking many of her experiences from her years on SNL 30 Rock is one of today’s most successful sitcoms, having been nominated for 22 Emmy Awards earlier this month.

Season two presented a show with more confidence and more guest stars. Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Aniston, Will Arnett and Steve Buscemi are just a handful of the big names that make an appearance, all as memorable characters.

But lets not forget the ensemble cast, who each make tuning in worthwhile, the highlight being Alec Baldwin. Proving that he really is the only Baldwin brother worth paying attention too, Baldwin is surprisingly hilarious as the ‘Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming’ rivalled only by wildcard Tracy Morgan who really is as crazy in real life, can’t stress that enough.

So get hold of these shows anyway you can you wont be disappointed., buy them, rent them, use the internet somehow. . . Of course I’m not stupid enough to condone illegal online downloading. THE consequences of that could be quite harsh. Yep, you’d have to be a PIRATE to succeed in that and keep the authorities at BAY.

A Serious Post.

2009-07-30T03:58:00.000-07:00

Earlier today the trailer for the latest Coen Brothers film entitled A Serious Man found its way onto these here internets. I for one love the work of the Coen Brothers, it still impresses me how they manage to move seamlessly in and out of the mainstream. By the looks of this trailer and its cast you would never have guessed that their last film boasted Hollywood's biggest names.

Set in 1967 A Serious Man is the story of Larry Gopnik a university physics professor who has just been told that his wife is leaving him for a fellow colleague. What follows is the collapse of his life, burdened by his unemployable brother, unruly son and daughter and an anonymous letter writer who is trying to sabotage his job, Larry needs help. He seeks the advice of three rabbis to help him become a righteous person, a serious man.

The Coen's seem to be back on familiar territory with a low-key indie film, a place where they more often than not produce their best work. And don't think a lesser-known cast means a less interesting film, on the contrary, after watching this trailer all you'll want to do is discover more about A Serious Man.

A Serious Man is released on 20th November 2009.

LebowskiTron.

2009-07-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

Behold: Comic-con. Each year all manner of Wolverine wannabe’s, young padawan apprentices and people who are old enough to know better flock to the San Diego convention centre for the three day event. Clutching their first editions, fans get the chance to meet the creators of their favourite graphic novels, attend panels and seminars with the leading professionals and basically geek out until their mum’s pick them up at 8.

Comic-con has also became the place to be to catch the unveiling of exclusive movie news. Perhaps the biggest event at this year’s expo involved announcements regarding the upcoming sequel to Tron, the film released in 1982 that was so ahead of its time.

Tron 2? TR2N? Kingdom of the Crystal Tron? Many working titles have been cluttering imdb since the film was initially announced last year, so first things first, clearing up any confusion the film now has the title of Tron Legacy.

Set around 25 years after the original we find Sean Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) in search of his father Kevin (Jeff Bridges). The hunt takes him through the back of a arcade machine into a technologically advanced world of computers where he discovers brutal battles, some familiar light cycle races and his estranged father.

Lips are tightly sealed on further plot information, however we do know that original Tron director Steven Lisberger is returning as producer, Bruce Boxleitner will reprise his role of Alan Bradley/Tron and the film will star the likes of John Hurt and Michael Sheen. Also it was announced this week that electronic duo Daft Punk have recorded 24 new tracks for the film, which may result in a few Daft Punk-Tron themed shows in the future.

A viral campaign has already begun with faux websites claiming to be run by devoted searchers of Kevin Flynn; Flynnlives.com and homeoftron.com are sure to be dribbling information over the next few months.

Tron was one of the most technologically advanced films of its time and was one of the first major films to use CGI, which was then thought of as a risky decision. As CGI has became commonplace in today’s movie theatres and computers so predominant in society, it’s obvious why Tron has been given a second life.

Tron Legacy is directed by Joseph Kosinski and will be released in 2010.

In the meantime check out the recently released teaser trailer below. Light Cycles with CGI facelifts and two versions of the Dude.

Wonderland teaser.

2009-07-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

Today the first glimpse of Time Burton's Alice in Wonderland leaked on to the internet a day earlier than expected.

This resulted in many websites pulling the teaser trailer, but with a bit of searching i managed to find it.

White Rabbits, Cheshire cats and Mad Hatters - See all of them below, a day earlier than your suppose to. What do you think?

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

2009-07-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

An awkward glance, building up the courage to break the ice and secure a date . . . And so begins The Half Blood Prince, Harry Potters sixth year at Hogwarts. Where spells, curses and jinxes aren’t the only things flying around - you have to watch out for teenage emotions too.

This year Harry must secure a memory from the newly recruited potions master Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), armed with a potions book once owned by the mysterious half blood prince. With Dumbledore at his side, Harry learns the dark past of Tom Riddle: the boy who would be Voldemort.

But gone has the magical glow and charm of Hogwarts past; in its place thanks to cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel is a gloomy, colour-drained world where Death Eaters run amok. It’s not all doom and gloom however; love is in the air at Hogwarts.

In fact much of the films humour comes from these bumbling awkward scenes. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson spend most of the film oblivious to the others true feelings. Meanwhile Harry spends as much time grappling his feelings for Ron’s sister as he does in securing the important Slughorn memory.

Screenwriter Steve Kloves brings J K’s novel to the screen, which is no easy task. A few inevitable differences aside the overall feel remains the same, albeit with one unnecessary attack on the Weasley household.

Horcruxes? A half blood prince? there is a lot to take in here, and it may prove too much for those not so familiar with the novel.

That aside its great to see some series regulars get something to sink their teeth into. Michael Gambon gives his most accurate Dumbledore yet whilst Alan Rickman steals scenes, as the not to be trusted Severus Snape.

Tom Felton shows he’s more than a snooty face as he feels the pressure of Voldemort breathing down his neck and with the help of a luck potion Daniel Radcliffe is actually pretty funny. All in all, it sets things up nicely for the two-part Deathly Hallows finale, sure to be pretty epic.

Fantastic Mr Fox

2009-07-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Do you marvel at the art and detail of a stop motion film? Do you enjoy the work of Wes Anderson? Do you really like foxes?

If you answered yes to these three questions then the recently released images of the upcoming Fantastic Mr Fox courtesy of French website Filmsactu.com are sure to tickle your fancy.

The film based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, follows the story of Mr Fox who by night steals food from three local wealthy farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Soon enough the farmers cotton on to the scam and make it their goal to put a stop to him. Forcing the furry family further underground, they meet a number of other hole dwelling friends whilst the fantastic Mr Fox devises a new plan to survive.

Marking the first adaptation for Anderson, the plan was to co-direct with master of stop-motion Henry Selick, known for his painstaking work on films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas. The two first joined forces to create the Jaguar Shark for The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, however Selick was forced to drop out of Mr Fox to focus his efforts on his latest film Coraline.

George Clooney provides the voice of Mr Fox, accompanied by the usual Anderson Gang. Bill Murray will voice Badger starring alongside Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Angelica Huston, Willem Dafoe and Adrian Brody. Meanwhile Anderson newcomer Meryl Streep also stars as Mrs Fox.

The focus on the aesthetic has always been a thing of great importance in Wes Anderson’s work. The jump to animation – in particular stop motion animation should produce something really special.

Even the pre-production hasn’t been without Anderson's quirky style: he decided not to record dialog in studios . Actors were taken to numerous places to record vocals, imcluding forests, attics, stables and even underground. Pretty cool.

Fantastic Mr Fox is scheduled for release on 23rd October 2009 in the UK.

Bill Nighy apparates into Potter cast.

2009-07-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

News hit the internet earlier this week that the always entertaining Bill Nighy has landed a role in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows two-parter.

The Harry Potter films always sport the best British acting talent going, so the choice to include Nighy in the film at this late stage seems natural. After all he's one of the best actors the UK has to offer.

The decision to keep the cast this side of the pond was a rule enforced by J K Rowling when talk of adapting the books began. With the Potter universe so firmy rooted in the UK it was a crucial decision. Could you imagine Haley Joel Osmond in as the boy who lived? Scary thought, but it almost happened.

As of yet he hasn't confirmed exactly which character he will be playing. As Nighy explains to The Independent "I don’t think I’m allowed to say it but I’m going to be in the next Harry Potter film . . . I won’t say which character, but he’s a goodie"

To take an educated guess, word is he will be playing Rufus Scrimgeour, Cornelius Fudge's replacement for Minister of Magic. Scrimgeour is a hard faced character who often butts-heads with Potter and co and while he's not the goodest of goodies, he's certainly not on Voldermorts side.

All this is yet to be confirmed of course, so take it with a pinch of salt. Whatever the role Nighy takes it looks like he has some reading to catch up on, when asked if he has read the series he explains "Not yet, but I will! It’s rather like being in a Shakespeare that way, you know?"

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is shooting now, with the first part due to be released on 19th November 2010. Check out the teaser poster below.

Meanwhile Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince hits cinemas on 15th July.

Things keep happening.

2009-07-01T11:16:00.001-07:00

Those of you biting your graphic novels in anticipation of Edgar Wright's upcoming big screen version of the Scott Pilgrim chronicles can chomp down just that little bit harder with this cool new image.

It's our first brief glimpse of the Vegan Police. First appearing in Scott 3 : Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness the vegan police are vegan right down to the last detail (imagine hands used as guns). They show up to apprehend all those who break vegan rules or just pretend to be Vegan in order to get girls i.e Evil Ex#3 - Todd Ingram.

Wrights blog picture a day is proving to be a cool marketing technique, slowly providing us with images of Scott Pilgrims universe as it unfolds on the screen.

Roll on 2010.

A Vampire movie that wont suck?

2009-07-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

Horror films will always be relevant. Monsters, Zombies, Vampires-people will always love the rush of a good no consequence movie scare. The hard part for the moviemakers is coming up with original hooks for a genre that has a track record of being quite hit and miss.

Daybreakers, directed by the German born Spierig brothers appear to have found such a hook. Set in the not too distant future a virus has turned the majority of the world’s population into Vampires.

The few people who remain are hunted down and harvested for their blood. Soon enough, with humans on the endangered species list, the blood the Vampires need to survive begins to run out.

The neck biting world of tomorrow are left with a choice: create a synthetic blood substitute or save the human race.

Ethan Hawke and Sam Neill star as the Vamps-in-control, with Willem Dafoe and Transformers star Isabel Lucas heading up the human resistance desperately trying to rebuild the human race.

Sounds cool right? And the teaser poster and first trailer that were released last Friday back up said coolness.

Having completed filming in 2007 the film’s release has been long delayed. However directors Peter and Michael Spierig want you to know that it does not mean the film is in trouble, “It’s simply because the 08’ slate is full . . .To put it simply, the studio loves the movie and wants to see it released correctly”

They also hint that the footage in the trailer is only a snippet of what the film is really about. This all suggests that Daybreakers could be the film to breathe new life into the Vampire genre instead of sucking it dry (bad pun, I couldn’t resist).

Daybreakers will hit cinemas on 8th January 2010.

Brand new Brandnew and a cover too.

2009-06-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

Among the many amazing acts and performances at this year's Glastonbury Festival were New Yorks own Brand New. They played a short but interesting set on the Other stage on Saturday, performing a new song and an impressive cover of Neutral Milk Hotel's 'Oh Comely"

Above are two badly recorded excerpts of the new track entitled 'Gasoline' and the aforementioned cover as performed at the festival.

Apologies for the poor quality and briefness of the clips, better quality ones can be found on youtube, however they do give a brief taster of the interesting direction band is going. Not just your average emo band it would seem.

The new yet to be titled fourth studio album is scheduled for release in October of this year.

Down the rabbit hole . . . .

2009-06-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

Today the first production still of Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter from Tim Burton’s upcoming Alice in Wonderland hit the web.

Courtesy of USA today, this scoop confirms that the image floating around the Internet last November (first reported by AICN) of Depp in Mad Hatter costume was indeed real.

The on screen marriage of Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll seems a no-brainer, throw Johnny Depp into the mix and you can almost hear the cinema tickets selling.

This will mark Depp’s seventh collaboration with Burton, a couple who by now are use to each other’s style and comfortable enough to take interesting and unpredictable chances with character.

And what better character for Depp to experiment with than the Mad Hatter himself.

First impression? Burton’s Wonderland looks like a colourful nightmare; this being the case Depp’s Hatter looks right at home. Vibrant, dramatic colours mixed with macabre clothing, he doesn’t look entirely sane. Surely Depp’s performance will be one to look forward to.

Burton's Alice will differ slightly from the original. We will find a 17 year old Alice about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of party guests, que the white rabbit and one run a way soon-to-be bride entering a land she may have visited before. . .

After 40 days of live action shooting the film is now in the process of adding the CG animated characters. The film Co-stars the likes of Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar, Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen and Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat. Interesting stuff.

Head over to http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-06-22-wonderland-art_N.htm for an interactive look around Wonderland.

Then be anoyed at the fact that we will have to wait until March 5th 2010 to see the finished product.

The Wrestler whips into action . . .

2009-06-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

It won’t hit our screens until next May but the first image of Iron Man’s new nemesis Whiplash hit the net today.

The image, courtesy of USA Today shows Mickey Rourke as the tattooed villain who will go up against Robert Downey Jr’s iron headed hero.

Whiplash, AKA Russian Ivan Vanko, has created his own version of Stark's suit, complete with a pair of arm whips, which are powered from the suits chest piece, a glimpse of which can be seen in the picture below.

First impressions? Steering away from the almost gimp like image often displayed in the comic books is a positive. Going for less armour and a look that focuses more on brawn and technical wizardry without covering up Rourke’s face is cool also.

After riding high on the success of The Wrestler, it’s good to see Mickey Rourke back on our screens. Expect to see interesting things from him in the future. Ones to watch? Iron Man 2 and the Gela Babluani remake 13.

The sequel will also pit socialite Tony Stark against Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer, a rival industrialist who will trade in his British accent for an American one on his way from the comic book to the screen.

And last but by no means least, Scarlett Johansson will play Russian spy Natasha Romanoff AKA Black widow. Johansson was cast after actress Emily Blunt pulled out last minute.

More information is sure to be released during the coming weeks; Iron Man 2 is released on 7th May 2010.

Live fast. . .

2009-06-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

Veteran star of the screen David Carradine,probably best known for his roles as Kwai Chang Caine in the popular 70’s television series Kung Fu and the eponymous Bill in Tarrantino’s Kill Bill two part-er passed away this week aged 72.

Suicide? Accidental death? Murder? All these rumours surround Carradine’s passing. As of yet the true cause of death is not known, what is though is that another movie icon is gone.

If Hollywood has shown us anything, it’s that rarely does a star die peacefully at home after a long accomplished life. Carradine was fortunate enough to leave a long and varied legacy; here is a list of five who were not so fortunate.

1. River Phoenix – August 20th 1970 – October 31st 1993

The 80’s were full of bouffant haired heartthrobs but perhaps the most intriguing teen sensation was River Phoenix.

Stand By Me released in 1986 proved that he was more than your average child actor. Handling difficult emotional scenes with the maturity of a much older actor; Phoenix seemed destined for great things.

A keen animal rights and political activist, roles not often associated with his contemporaries, his career rocketed.

This made it all the more shocking when he died on the morning of 31 October 1993 outside The Viper Room, then owned by Johnny Depp.

Phoenix went to the bathroom where he took a mixture of heroin and cocaine, otherwise known as a Speedball and began feeling ill.

Once outside he collapsed and began convulsing. After many attempts at resuscitation, ranging from mouth to mouth to inserting a pacemaker he was pronounced dead at 1.51 am.

Out of respect, the club closed its doors for the following week, with Depp continuing to close every Halloween until he parted ownership in 2004.

Adding insult to injury, a member of the paparazzi broke into the funeral and took a picture of his body, which was later sold for a large amount.

River was scheduled to star as Lestat in Interview With The Vampire but was replaced by Tom Cruise.

2. John Belushi – January 24th 1949 – March 5th 1982

John Belushi hit the scene in 1975 making people laugh on a new show Saturday Night Live. With characters such as the Samurai Deli and one half of the Blues Brothers, Joliet Jake, it wasn’t long until he decided to leave SNL and focus on film

For anyone that knew Belushi, it was not secret that he liked to party. Whilst shooting The Blues Brothers in 1980 he drunkenly knocked on a stranger’s house in the middle of the night, invited himself in, made a sandwich then fell asleep on the couch.

Put it this way: his role of Bluto in Animal House must not have been too much of a stretch.

Lighting the candle at both ends took its toll and also Belushi’s life. He was just 33 when he died of a drug overdose whilst at famed celeb getaway Château Marmont in LA.

Belushi had been partying with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. Shortly before his death he was left with, among others, singer and drug dealer Cathy Smith. It was Smith who injected the fatal Speedball into Belushi and left him unconscious, she was later charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Besides acting, John Belushi was an accomplished singer and was set to star beside long time comic partner Dan Aykroyd as Pete Venkman in Ghostbusters.

3. Heath Ledger - 4th April 1979 – 22 January 2008

With any actor there is always one role that tips you over the edge. Almost overnight it will take you from a somewhat known actor to a mega star.

Unfortunately for Australian born Heath ledger, that was to be his last fully completed role.

What Ledger did with The Joker was to take an already dysfunctional character and inject him with just the right amount of dark comedy and fear. As a viewer, you really had no idea where he was going to go next, a crucial quality in portraying the Joker.

After completing the Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There and The Dark Knight, Ledger began to have trouble sleeping, as he explained to a New York Times journalist “Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night. ... I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going”

Two months after this quote was taken, Ledger was found unconscious in his Soho apartment by his housekeeper and masseuse and pronounced dead shortly after. After much speculation, it was decided that the official cause of death was an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

If he was around today, there is no doubt that he would be one of the cinema's biggest star’s, and one of the most interesting to watch. He will briefly grace our screens one final time in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, which he was filming at the time of his death.

4. Chris Farley – February 15th 1964 – December 18th 1997

Comedian Chris Farley bares many similarities to John Belushi; both battled weight and drug problems, both appeared on SNL and both died of a drug overdose aged 33.

Often coupled with scrawny David Spade, Farley was a whirlwind comedy force. Creating classic SNL character such as Matt Foley the motivational speaker and his own personal take on a Chippendale’s dancer, he also made many scene stealing appearances in many comedy films of the early nineties.

But behind the laughter Farley was battling alcohol and drug abuse and his increasing weight problems. On 18th of December 1997 Farley was found dead in his apartment in Chicago as the result of a speedball overdose.

On the night of his death he was reportedly with a prostitute who left early in the morning. Before she left, Farley complained about not being able to breath properly and asked her not to leave, following her to the door and collapsing. A photo of Farley’s dead body can be found floating around the Internet.

He was found the following day by his younger brother John and buried five days later in his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin.

At the time of his death Farley seemed one step away from becoming a huge star. He had begun recording vocals for the title role in Shrek and was planning on embarking on some serious roles in a biopic of heavyset comedian Fatty Arbuckle.

5. John Candy – October 31st 1950 – March 4th 1994

John Candy was one of the biggest comedic stars in more ways than one. In his career, which began in the late seventies, he stared in many successful movies including Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Spaceballs.

During the early nineties he began to branch out more taking directorial roles, creating a Saturday morning TV show Camp Candy and becoming a co owner of the Toronto Argonauts.

After having a resurgence in his film career with the success of Cool Runnings Candy began a 70-day shoot for Wagons East! A western-comedy co staring Richard Lewis. Just two weeks prior to completion John Candy died of a massive heart attack in his sleep, he was just 44.

Shooting in Durango Mexico, the intense heat was said not to be a contributing factor to Candy’s death, his role was not a very active one. Heart disease ran in his family his father died at age 34, but sadly Candy’s recent decisions to stop smoking and eat healthier were to no avail.

Wagons East! Was eventually completed using a body double and some digital editing. Among the roles that never came to fruition where Lewis Tully of Ghostbusters (role eventually went to Rick Moranis) and some voice work for a TV film The Magic 7 alongside other stars. The latter was shelved due to animation difficulties and has never had an official release.

For Humans Only.

2009-05-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

All those astute internet dwellers out there who spend more time clicking ‘Stumble’ than engaging in human interaction may have came across a rather interesting viral video that would lead you to believe that aliens are living among us.

Well not really, but that’s exactly what the marketing team behind the Peter Jackson produced District 9 (or D-9 as it is often referred) want you to believe.

Based on his own short film ‘Alive in Joburg’ director Neill Blomkamp brings his story of alien discrimination to the big screen. The plot? Aliens crashed landed on earth some 20 years ago in Johannesburg and have since been living as second-class citizens in South Africa’s slums. Friction with the locals results in the aliens being moved into camps and things coming to a head.

As of yet, Blomkamp is keeping his cards pretty close to his chest but the South African born director gives us an insight of what we should expect “I was a science-fiction nut when I was growing up in Johannesburg. I just wanted to see that kind of imagery in a third world setting with the complex political history of South Africa”.

Backed by Middle-Earth’s own Peter Jackson, 30-year-old Blomkamp was originally planning to tackle the big screen adaptation of Halo but as that fell through the duo decided to focus on D-9 instead.

And by the sounds of it the ‘less is more’ marketing technique has got Jackson excited “It's fun watching people trying to compare this to other films. Is it like 28 Days Later? No, it's not. Is it like Cloverfield? No.”

Whatever the case District 9 looks to be more than your average science fiction film. Bringing in the subject of social class to a pseudo-documentary alien film sounds like an interesting concept. Expect to hear more from this film in the coming months.

Check out the most recent trailer below. There are actually two versions of this and although shot for shot they are the same, their messages are very different. Head over to www.D-9.com for more info.

District 9 is released on 4th September 2009.

Trailer 1

Trailer 2

Star Trek: For a new Generation.

2009-05-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

More partial to Vader than Vulcans? Prefer being a trendy to being a Trekkie? Well all that doesn’t matter any more, Star Trek has been re-born.

From the opening time-splicing frames, screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman cleverly breathe new life into a series that lets face it had been considered lifeless. Transporting the familiar characters into an alternate universe full of potential, make no mistake, boldly going where no man has gone before is cool again.

An origin story of sorts; director JJ Abrams shows us how the crew of the Enterprise are thrown together, forcing them to fight through their first real mission. Hell hath no fury like a Romulan scorned, and Nero (Eric Bana) is that Romulan.

Feeling betrayed by Spock; blaming him for the destruction of his home planet, he and his surviving crew of tattoo faced foes search time and space for revenge.

Meanwhile the crew are meeting and greeting . . .sort of.

Luckily for us all members of the cast have time to shine. Be it Sulu’s (John Cho) samurai sword fight atop a huge planetary drill, Checkov’s (Anton Yelchin) clumsy accent translations or Scotty’s (Simon Pegg, proving that not all movie Scottish accents are bad) comic relief, the new crew of the Enterprise is one to marvel at.

As with all ensemble casts there are always stand out performances, Kirk (Chris Pine) is heroic when he needs to be heroic and cocky when he needs to be cocky without over playing either and becoming a caricature of a character.

Although Kirk carries us through the movie, this is Spock’s story; played with perfect restraint, Spock (Zachary Quinto) perfectly displays a fragmented mind; a constant internal battle between logic and emotion, human and Vulcan.

And finally Dr Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy (Karl Urban) is instantly likable and very funny as the ships medical officer and voice of reason to the irrational Kirk.

There’s no denying Abrams had a job on his hands when he decided to make this picture. He had to please fans, attract non fans, and basically make a film friendly to all those who see Trek as strictly geek territory, needless to say he succeeded.

Funny, smart, action packed and above all cool, Star Trek ticks all the boxes, maybe there is no limit to the mans talent. Expect an even better sequel.

Read Me.

2009-04-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

This may be a little late in the month to mention this, but some of my work can be seen in this month's issue of Total Film Magazine, that's issue 154.

During my time at Total Film towers i was lucky enough to write a few features and reviews, having a Buzz feature regarding the upcoming 13 Tzameti rehash printed in issue 153.

This time around i was able to write a shortlist. A top ten movie moments, or sequences or pretty much anything really, i was allowed free range.

I finally settled on a Top Ten celebrity meltdown moments, which can be read on page 26.

So if you have a copy check it out, or if your like me and just go into W H Smith read the magazines then leave, then that's cool too.

Either way, let me know what you think!

Not on the box.

2009-04-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

England. Grey, depressing England. In many ways it’s a bit like America’s younger brother, doing handstands, shouting for attention; constantly running to keep up.

England makes the best of its situation, and when it really tries you can’t beat British humour: The Office, Partridge, Peep Show all great displays of top limey talent, all sadly overshadowed by the U S of A.

Leaving us inundated with imports, which is good actually. The Yanks do it better; from movies to TV their originality, higher budgets and Hollywood appeal helps take our mind off the depressing nine to five.

But on a closer inspection it seems they keep the really good stuff to themselves, so without further word type-age, here are four shows that you will have a hard time finding this side of the pond.

1. Saturday Night Live.

Started by a then lowly NBC employee Lorne Michaels in 1975, Saturday Night Live is one of the longest running and consistently popular TV shows ever, so naturally not many people here in the UK are aware of it.

A breeding ground for up and coming talent, SNL’s improvisational format helped forge the careers of many of today’s big names. Bill Murray, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Mike Myers to name but a few, all cut their teeth at 30 Rockefeller Centre.

Why didn’t it take off over here? Maybe it relies too heavily on predominantly American topical humour and cultural events that may fly clear over the heads of us Brits. Or perhaps it’s because the live format would go out of the window with the time difference.

One thing transcends the cultural divide however: comedy is universal, funny is funny, and maybe that is reason enough to see it in some form on our screens.

Although somehow “Live from Stoke it’s Saturday night” just doesn’t have the same ring to it . . .

2. The Late Show with David Letterman.

The longest running talk show host after Johnny Carson (who? I hear England cry) David Letterman paved the way for a new breed of talk show, combining interviewing guests from various fields with edgy humour and sometimes bizarre comic segments.

The result puts Jonathan Ross to shame. Letterman’s dry comedic wit gets him both in and out of awkward interview situations, guaranteeing hilarious results.

Top moments over the years? Andy Kaufman’s scuffle with a wrestler, Crispin Glover’s erratic appearance in 1987, Drew Barrymore flashing her chesticles, or more recently Joaquin Phoenix crashing and burning. The Late show has had no shortage of interesting and unusual moments.

You may be able to find Letterman on our shores. Simply search the graveyard slot of some obscure Sky channel and you might be in luck, but it will most likely be a rerun. Although better than nothing, it’s a far cry from the primetime play it so deserves.

3. Late night with Conan O’Brien.

Taking what Letterman had achieved and running with it, former Simpsons writer Conan O’Brien took the talk show format to new exciting places.

Star interviews and silly sketches, Conan’s unusual, wacky style entertained millions during its years on air, producing some hilarious comedy creations.

After all, how many shows do you know with colourful characters such as Triumph the insult dog, a cigar chomping ruthlessly honest talking pooch and The Masturbating Bear, a . . . well you get the picture.

The show came to a close on February 20th of this year, marking the end of a sixteen-year run. Not an episode of which graced our screens.

4. Arrested Development.

Ok so this one may have been cancelled back in 2006 but interestingly enough suffered the same fate here as it did back in it’s homeland.

Arrested Development followed the problems of the wealthy yet dysfunctional Bluth family lead by Michael (Jason Bateman). Lasting three seasons the real charm in this show came from its cast, all of who were on top form.

Accompanying the aforementioned Bateman were, among others, Will Arnett, David Cross and Michael Cera as Michael Bluth’s uncomfortably entertaining son George-Michael.

The show hit a dead end in 2006 after a string of scheduling problems, resulting in its cancellation. Not at all a reflection of the show itself, just an example of the difficulty to gain ratings for a show that its audience can’t find.

If you were watching late night BBC 2 during 2008 you might have caught some episodes of this gem. Although without sufficient advertising of its location, Arrested Development sadly faded away.

Moon.

2009-04-15T16:17:00.001-07:00

The work of Sam Rockwell has always been interesting. Even when part of an ensemble cast he always manages to steal the show.

From weedy comic relief Guy in Galaxy Quest to a crazed murderer in The Green Mile, his choice of role has always been something worth paying attention too.

And his latest, Moon, looks to be no exception.

Having spent three years mining the moon for a cure to the earth's energy crisis, Sam is nearing the end of his service. But before he finally gets to go home he makes a chilling discovery. As the years of isolation and solitude begin to catch up to him he begins to suspect things are not all as they seem.

Co-starring the voice of Kevin Spacey as the ships robot, and directed by newcomer Duncan Jones this looks to be one of 2009's most interesting films.

Moon is released on the 12th of June 2009 in America, but as of yet does not have a UK release date.

Check out the trailer below.

Ghostbusters 3 a reality? We're ready to believe you.

2009-04-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

When I was younger I wanted to be a Ghostbuster, it was my ideal job. Still is today.

For most of our generation Ghostbusters was a film we grew up on. So when rumours fired up again about a third ectoplasmic adventure they were met with mixed emotions.

The child in me, complete with toy proton pack, clutching a plastic ghost trap jumped up and down with glee. Whereas the young-adult having witnessed the brutal treatment of another childhood hero (Indiana Jones) began to have trouble breathing.

So what will a third Ghostbusters film mean for the fans, and just why has it taken so long to arrive?

After years in development hell the thanks for a third GB movie should be paid to the gaming industry. The original treatment, written by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd (Egon and Ray) would have seen the foursome take on hell.

Well . . . a hell that has become overcrowded, spilling onto the streets of New York. But almost from the get go there were problems. Bill Murray shaped problems.

Murray was unwilling to sign on, sighting the fact that he didn’t want a poor third outing to ruin the reputation of the series. And so the script lay dormant.

Rumours surfaced now and again. A third outing without the original cast, a CGI animated feature without Dr Venkman, but the fire almost died out with Aykroyd at one point ruling out the movie for good.

Real progress was made when test footage for a spookily familiar video game sparked excitement, enough excitement to rouse the elusive Murray.

Pretty soon after the cast signed on to provide voice talent. By making use of Ramis and Aykroyd’s unused script, Ghostbusters 3: Hellbent became Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. With Murray’s renewed interest in the property, the wheels began turning once more towards a third feature film. In his own words: “its promising, its never looked promising before”.

By early 2009 it was official; the Internet swarmed and Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis couldn’t do an interview without it getting a mention. But what news is legitimate?

It’s comforting to know that Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, two writers from the Emmy Award winning American Office are penning a script. Stupnitsky having been trained by Ramis should have the humour covered and the ability to breathe new life into the script.

Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray will all reprise their roles, this time appearing as mentor figures to a younger group of Ghoul grapplers.

And it’s hard to not feel warm and fuzzy inside at the news that Rick Moranis, the original nerd, will come out of retirement to play Louis Tully. A character that a third film just wouldn’t be complete without.

As for Sigourney Weaver, having declined to be apart of the video game there is still no word yet on whether she will return as Dana Barrett. Just the vow of a determined Aykroyd, “hopefully, Sigourney will be in it. I know we’ll make that happen." Having come this far it would be a shame to see her absent from GB3.

With Judd Apatow squashing rumours that his clan will be taking the reins, as yet there is no word on whether series vet Ivan Reitman will return to direct. However with new information surfacing each week, anything is possible.

Sadly we will have to wait until at least 2011 to see any footage but it seems strapping on the proton packs one more time might not be such a scary though after all.

In the mean time check out the trailer for Ghostbusters: The Video Game to wet your appetite, released 19th June 2009.

And marvel at the fact that I went this whole blog without using the phrase “Who you gonna call?” once.

Except for just then.

Holy shit, Religulous.

2009-04-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

Santa Claus delivers presents to every household in the world on flying reindeer every December 25. Ask any adult whether any of this is true and you’ll be met with ridicule. It’s simply a nice story, a tall tale.

Ask some people about the credibility of a talking snake on the other hand, and you'll find that’s part of a major religion.

This is just one of the comparisons made in Religulous, a take no prisoners look at religion and all its hypocrisies.

US comedian Bill Maher (pictured above with JC) is our guide through this unusual world. For many this is a touchy subject; Maher, aware of this goes in armed.

Its obvious he’s done his homework. Loaded with knowledgeable comebacks to any question that may be fired at him, after all he’s not here to poke fun, simply to highlight the absurdities of some beliefs.

Ranging from Christianity to Scientology, Maher leaves no sacred stone unturned. Meeting with everyone from a Puerto-Rican Jesus re-incarnate to the leader of a cannabis church, all with hilarious results.

The finished product is one of the funniest documentaries released this year. Larry Charles, having perfected the faux-documentary style with Borat and Curb Your Enthusiasm carries over many familiar traits, leaving his subjects to dig their own graves and talk themselves into corners.

Splicing in movie stock footage wherever necessary, this is a tongue in cheek look at a very serious subject. Although this may seem contradictory, it proves to be the best way to tackle beliefs that are held in such high regard and yet seem so absurd.

There is of course one major difference between this and Larry Charles previous work: there isn’t an actor in sight, which is a scary fact.

As the message begins to hit home, the realization slowly dawns on the viewer of the serious implications and effects religion can have on the world. The thought of which is guaranteed to linger in your mind long after the documentaries chilling climax.

Scott Pilgrim first video diary!!

2009-04-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

Edgar Wright has posted the first video diary form the set of Scott Pilgrim Vs The World.

It's cool seeing the whole cast together, Wright seems to have the casting down, and by the looks of it, it's a pretty hands on shoot with the focus mainly on the action.

There are many aspects that makeup Pilgrims universe, here's hoping that the same effort is going into the look and humour as well!

Apparently there will be weekly video updates so we might be able to find the answer to this question pretty soon.

More info can be found on the movies official site www.scottpilgrimthemovie.com

Check out the video diary below:

The Machines Rise Again.

2009-03-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

The story of the Terminator franchise is kind of ironic. At the end of T2, the best installment of the trilogy, Judgment day was narrowly avoided. Sarah, John and the T-101 saved the future of the human race, well temporarily.

Skip forward to the climax of T3 and we discover that judgment day was only postponed; it cannot be stopped.

And in many ways the same can be said of the Terminator Franchise. No matter how they attempt to save us from a new feature length installment; Jim Cameron wiping his hands of the series, or Arnie’s lack of involvement it seems you cannot stop another sequel being made. Like judgment day itself, it’s inevitable.

So if we absolutely have to delve once again into the dystopian world of man Vs machine, without any familiar faces to boot, then we need a new take on a story that is so treasured by its fans. It needs to be respectful of the originals yet take us to new places and prove to us that a new Terminator movie really is necessary.

Well judging by the trailers for this year’s Terminator Salvation, I’d say that there on the right track. So without further ado here are 5 reasons why we will all be back to catch this new take on the Terminator chronicles.

1. Cut to the chase.

Terminator Salvation is a reinvention, no expense spared, and probably the best decision they could have made was to set the film in the future.

It’s the drive of the original trilogy, heavily mentioned, briefly envisioned, but never fully realised. This time around we are dropped right into the action. The year 2018, post judgment day. The bombs have fallen, the resistance has risen and we finally get a decent look at the world at war against the machines.

And from what we’ve seen so far it’s a sun-bleached wasteland, sprouting jagged metal with hidden industrial human colonies. Littered with destruction, and over run with machines the future looks unforgiving, taking the glimpses of Cameron’s dark future and fleshing out its metal endoskeleton.

2. Bale out.

Ok so the film has enough ties to the Batman franchise, with Jonathan Nolan co-writing Salvation's script fresh off The Dark Knight, but for the film to be a success it needed a strong lead. And who better than Christian Bale to play the hard-boiled leader we learn so much about from previous installments. There’s no doubting his dedication to the role (The Bale rant anyone?)

Many actors have embodied John Connor over the years, most notably Edward Furlong as the teen rebel Connor and Nick Stahl as the off-the-radar young adult. It only seems fitting that the leader of the resistance this time around is different to all previous Connor depictions.

Despite all its faults T3 had one defining moment: John Connor realising that Judgment day is inevitable finally accepts his fate as mankind’s only hope answering a distress call in a presidential bomb shelter. In that moment his character changes and he reluctantly becomes the leader he was born to be, the leader we will see in Bale’s performance.

3. Action Sequences.

Although there has been no official blessing from James Cameron regarding Salvation, that’s not to say director McG is going hold anything back in bringing his vision to our screens.

T2 is often considered one of the best action movies ever made, probably because it is, so lets be realistic. McG isn’t going to top T2 for innovative action sequences, but by the look of the third Salvation trailer, that hasn’t stopped him trying.

Giant machines plucking humans from the ground, motorbike chases, helicopter attacks, just try to watch that trailer and not get excited about what the finished film will be like. All this and I haven’t even touched upon the Terminator/human fight scenes.

For a Terminator fan, sure, this isn’t the usual style of action we’ve grown accustom to, but that’s a good thing. If the trailers aren’t just an action tease and actually live up to expectations, this could be the action movie of the year and might even make Cameron raise an eyebrow.

4. The small yet necessary changes.

Compare T1 Sarah Connor to the Sarah Connor of T2, any similarities? Nope. Does it work? Yes. Even the Terminator changes roles drastically from the first film to the second, again with positive results.

The Franchise needs to change in order to stay fresh and relevant, the failure to do so was T3’s downfall. That’s why we shouldn’t be against the latest changes made to the mythology in the latest installment.

The most obvious change taking the form of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a soldier with a hazy past who is unaware that he is part machine. Other potential new plots that may arise: Worthington has something to do with the death of Kyle Reece (John’s father), machines taking humans captive; using them for terminator parts (skin, hair) and also was it me or is it subtly hinted in the trailer that Connor’s wife Kate (Bryce Dallas Howard) might be pregnant?

5. More Robots.

Of course the backbone to the whole franchise is the machines, with the new surroundings allowing McG to go wild regarding what terminator models he wants to show.

So what should we be expecting? A terminator army of all shapes and sizes by the looks of it.

Harvesters’ sixty feet tall capturing humans for experimentation, small scout robots, under water Hydrobots, right down to the prototypes which eventually lead to Arnie’s T-101. Eight feet tall rubber skinned T-600’s and the smaller not quite humanly perfect T-700’s.

So if this top five still doesn’t wet your appetite for machine apocalypse movies, then just watch the trailer below, see if that sways your opinion.

Terminator Salvation is released on June 5th.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The Movies.

2009-03-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

Scott Pilgrim has a pretty awesome life. He’s in a band; he’s dating the girl of his dreams and he’s about to embark on his very first live action adventure.

The latest comic book film to hit our screens doesn’t involve radioactive spiders, bats or tights but does include ninjas, rock music and vegans with psychic powers. So what exactly is a Scott Pilgrim?

Adapted from Bryan Lee O’Malley’s series of graphic novels Scott Pilgrim Vs The World follows our hero’s quest for a steady relationship and all around happiness. But there’s one catch: to obtain this he must first defeat his girlfriend’s evil ex boyfriends. All seven of them.

That’s the jist. Shaun of the Fuzz director Edgar Wright makes his overseas directorial debut helming the flick, which is a good start. Having perfected the ‘reality with a twist’ look with Spaced, there’s no question he’ll be well suited to tackle Scott’s precious little universe.

Also his photo-a-day blog is a constant source of intrigue. A brief glimpse of an evil ex here, the shooting of a fight scene there and of course the teaser photo’s of the cast. Faces covered with O’Malley artwork, they are enough to leave any Pilgrim-ite hungry for more.

So what information is out there? Well it’s no secret that Superbad star Michael Cera will take the lead as the happy go lucky hero, presumably attempting to break free of his trademark ‘deer in the headlights’ persona for something more quirky. He’ll star alongside Mary Elizabeth Winestead as Ramona Flowers, the girl worth fighting for.

They are the dynamic duo, now for the competition. So far announced: Chris Evans as Lucas Lee the pro skater turned movie star (cough . . . Jason Lee) and Brandon Routh as super-vegan Todd Ingham, That’s right Scott will fight Superman.

And finally strongly rumoured yet not officially announced, Jason Schwartzman will play final evil ex Gideon Gordon Graves.

Big name nemeses aside, the supporting cast are all interesting choices. Names include Arrested Development’s Mae Whitman as Ninja-ex Roxy Richter, Kieran Culkin as Scott’s gay room mate Wallace Wells and Ellen Wong as Knives Chau (17 years old).

Although so far only 5 of the scheduled 6 Pilgrim novels have been released, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World will conclude the story, covering the yet to be released final instalment.

So far so cool, and with Brandon Routh recently letting slip that the film will be animated in parts, this is shaping up to be one interesting and faithful adaptation. As O’Malley explains “Edgar and I have been on the same page about everything, which is pretty amazing!”

Aint that cool.

2009-03-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning and saw that my review for The Boat That Rocked has been posted on Aintitcool.com the biggest movie site on the web! go check it out while it's still around:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40493

Yeah, i know the accompanying picture is shit. Click it for a better look, or just check out the link.

The Boat That Rocked, kind of.

2009-03-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday night i was lucky enough to attend a preview screening of the new Richard Curtis film The Boat That Rocked. Stars Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead/Spaced/Hot Fuzz), Chris O'Dowd (IT Crowd) and relative new comer Jim Sturridge were in attendance. They briefly introduced the film, Frost and O'Dowd cracked a couple of jokes but they left pretty soon after.

The film dosen't open until April 1st, so i thought id write a quick review giving my thoughts on it before its released. Check it out below.

It’s England. It’s the sixties. Sideburns are cool, clothes are too brightly coloured and rock and roll is considered a taboo.

Richard Curtis’ second film is pretty much what you might expect from the guy who wrote Love Actually, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral; a who’s who of British comedy talent with an American twist thrown in, although this time minus all the love-y stuff.

But behind the impressive cast and cool soundtrack The Boat That Rocked fails to be much more than a brief lesson in rock music’s journey to mainstream radio.

Set on a floating pirate radio station the movie centres around a crew of disc jockeys who provide around the clock rock relief for an uptight Britain. So uptight in fact that the government, lead by Kenneth Branagh, have nothing better to do but place all their efforts into pulling the plug on them.

And its here where the problems start to arise as that’s basically the whole plot.

Sure things happen in between: the return of a legendary DJ played by a Liam Gallagher-esque Rhys Ifans, a misinterpreted marriage, but the film takes its time to reach a conclusion that you’ve probably already predicted yourself half way through.

Clocking in at around 130 minutes, the movie does go on for too long. Although it boasts a talented ensemble cast, unfortunately none of them are given adequate time to shine. It feels like your always waiting for Rhys Darby or Bill Nighy to have their moment, but sadly it never quite arrives.

That’s not to say there’s nothing here to like. The character Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke) raised a few laughs, albeit being a little too similar to Baldrick from the Curtis penned Blackadder series. Pirates of the Caribbean star Jack Davenport brought the laughs, purely from his characters name: Mr Twatt, and Nick Frost does have his moments.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the only American DJ on board brings some cool to the ship, but feels severely under used, the same can be said for most of the cast really many of them never really finding their purpose.

But this could all be nit picking. With almost each scene scored with a cool song, it’ll take your mind off the negative aspects, temporarily.

Who watches the Watchmen? I did. Last week.

2009-03-09T16:48:00.001-07:00

Sex, violence, a radioactive blue penis, Watchmen has it all. And having it all is what was important. When Zack Snyder declared he was to attempt to film the often-labelled un-filmable graphic novel, fan boys around the world rejoiced and groaned in unison. But after almost not being released due to money problems, Watchmen finally hit our screens last Friday. Was it worth the wait?

In short yes. Snyder’s commitment to the source material is unprecedented. You can almost feel his unwillingness to disappoint fans with every minute reference and sly nod to the graphic novel in almost every frame.

In a stylish montage to Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are A’ Changing’ Snyder summarises the alternate world we are about to enter. This one segment alone may be the best-shot scene of the film; the rise of the minutemen; their subsequent fall and the birth of America’s secret weapon who is no longer American: Dr Manhattan.

Like the rest of the film this scene is what fans were waiting for, but the commitment to the story works against Watchmen. While satisfying for it’s fans, it may prove to be an information overload for all those not so familiar with Nite Owl et all.

This minor problem, plus one awkwardly scored sex scene aside, there is much to marvel at. Jackie Earle Hayley was apparently born to play Rorschach, effortlessly embodying the badass pseudo-detective through whom we begin to unravel the stories mystery.

In fact all the cast are inspired choices, if not completely resembling their characters visually (Veidt, I’m looking at you) they have their personalities down to a tee. And if anyone still isn’t happy, look at the past cast lists for the film and consider yourself lucky those versions never made it to fruition (Schwarzenegger as Dr Manhattan? no thanks.)

But make no mistake, this is Watchmen the movie not the graphic novel, things may be different but the spirit of Alan Moore’s story is there. What’s more it’s a Zack Snyder movie, so no shortage of slow motion and impressive fight sequences.

Also it’s refreshing to see a comic book movie that’s not afraid to pull any punches, this is an R-rated movie all the way, “no compromise” as Rorschach would say, and what a relief.

Beards are funny.

2009-03-06T15:51:00.000-08:00

Facial hair is too often overlooked in movies and on TV but it’s crucially important in defining a character. Would the fellowship have really followed Gandalf all the way to certain death if he didn’t have a face rug?

Imagine a baby-faced Chuck Norris, who as we all know doesn’t have a chin under his beard, just another fist.

This month my flatmate Ste grew a beard. I thought this was hilarious and seen as facial hair seems to be quite a regular topic of conversation in our flat (I have no idea why) I thought I would do a quick rundown of the most impressive facial hair ever to grace the screen, all of which make myself, Alex, Jonny and Ste’s chins all look like underachievers.

The Beard: Joaquin Phoenix (Circa Feb 09)

Why it’s impressive: Who knows what is going on with Joaquin Phoenix of late, but lets get down to the real area of interest here, his chin pubes.

Joaquin filmed his soon to be released Two Lovers, went away and retuned looking like a Hobo. You have to hand it to him, he did get that beard pretty fast, and if he is in fact going for the hobo look, then I’d say he succeeded.
Judging by his train-wreck interview on The Late Show id go as far as to say that it’s the beard that is causing the problems with this already troubled actor turned rapper.

Like Homer’s possessed hair piece in The Simpson’s, loose the beard and we’ll recover the twice Oscar nominated star.

Flat mate most likely to be able to pull it off: It seems like Phoenix grew this beard quite effortlessly, i.e. he probably just didn’t do anything all day for a while. So that would have to be Ste.

The beard: Hagrid (Harry Potter movies 1-6 2001-present)

Why it’s impressive: Where would giants be without their beards? Hagrid is a half giant, half human with a beard somewhere in between. It adds to the size of his face, I mean at what point does the hair on his head stop and the beard begin.

It’s the type of beard you could smuggle a small child into a foreign country with, or huge saw into a prison.

A multi-purpose beard if you will. It’s the king-Kong of beards.

Flatmate most likely to be able to pull it off: Now this one would take someone with serious beard growing chops, Jonny should be able to fit the bill. Although we would all look hilarious with one of these on our faces.

The Beard: Indiana Jones (The Indiana Jones Trilogy 1981-2008)

Why it’s impressive: This beard is actually used as a filmmaking tool. Although not a full beard as such, if you see Indy with stubble then you know he’s about to get shot at, be chased by something or just generally do something cool.

There’s just no room for the half stubble-mini beard in the classroom. That stuffs strictly for the fieldwork.

Flatmate most likely to be able to pull it off: Ok . . .Ok I agree I am probably the flatmate most like Indiana Jones. I can’t help it.

Joking of course. Although, “Simon Jones and the Search for my Other Thumb” does have a nice ring to it and I do grow stubble better than the other guys.

The Beard: Hans Gruber (Die Hard 1988)

Why it’s impressive: There were a lot of gun totting action films in the eighties. Each had their own muscle ridden star, a girl with huge eighties hair and (more often than not) a foreign foe. Possibly the most memorable being Hans Gruber, the German terrorist ringleader with the tiny beard.

Where the beard lacked in size it made up in style. Adding a certain charisma to what would ordinarily be a stock movie villain.

Gruber admires businessman Takagi’s suit before offing him, it actually made you believe he had a fondness for style as well as killing.

The only other beard in the film is owned by Ellis a sleazy coke head who when pitted against Gruber’s stylish chin bristles meets a grizzly end.

Flatmate most likely to pull it off: I actually think Gruber is a personal hero of Jonnies as he’s often seen sporting the strictly round the mouth fuzz. Except his is ginger for some reason. Try tackling John McClain with a ginger beard. Not happening.

The Beard: The dude (The Big Lebowski 1998)

Why it’s impressive: The Dude’s beard is a statement; it says “I don’t really care” which is an impressive declaration to project from your face.

With no particular style, form or structure the beard fits the man. Free wheeling and easy, I doubt its ever been trimmed, or that the Dude even realises he has a beard.

He probably uses it to soak up the excess White Russian from his glass on his shaggy top lip, the slowly sucks it out whenever he’s not near a bowling alley bar to keep his buzz going. That’s gross.

Flatmate most likely to pull it off: Alex would be pretty good at perfecting this one, or any of us for that matter; it doesn’t involve much effort or maintenance, all you have to do is basically forget to shave. Which is something were all good at.

A little dated top 7.

2009-03-02T05:12:00.000-08:00

The news story that this is based upon is actually a little old, i wrote this list a week ago and i have only just got round to putting it online, but read about it, its real. Anyway here is the first of hopefully many movie lists.

This week it was revealed by a new census that around 235 species of the same tiny marine creatures exist at the bottom of both the North and South poles despite being over 12,000Km apart. So FYI, you only have to bother visiting the bottom of one icy ocean, don’t do both; apparently they’re pretty much the same.

This naturally raised questions about underwater beasts. Naturally. So here is a brief rundown of 7 underwater movie scenes involving the worst the deep has to offer.

1.
The Film: Jaws (1975)

The Creature:Decomposing body.

The scene: Your reading a feature about underwater horrors and you didn't expect this one to show up? Albeit maybe not the creature you were expecting, Spielberg's Jaws set the bar for underwater scares.

This scene in particular, whilst marine biologist Matt Hooper (Dreyfuss) is snooping about the depths, who should pop out of the sunken vessel but a dead guy with a worm in his eye. That’s right a worm is in his eyeball, and we thought the shark was bad enough.

Guaranteed to make the audience jump every time, and probably resulting in Hooper needing to change his scuba suit.

2.
The Film: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. (1999)

The Creature: More like creatures, the underwater giants of Naboo.

The Scene: After Qui-Gon rescues the floppy-eared Gungan simpleton (sigh) Jar Jar Binks, the couple joined by Obi-Wan leave the giant frogs rather damp hometown and head towards Theed, Naboo's capital to rescue Queen Amidala and basically waste time until Vader pops up.

On the way however a giant fish, an Opee Sea Killer to be precise, pursues them only to be rescued by an even bigger underwater heavyweight a Sando Aqua Monster. As Qui-Gon says "There's always a bigger fish", whereas in reality we say, "There's definitely better movies".

3.
The Film: Deep Blue Sea (1999)

The Creature: Maco Shark

The Scene: "Now we've seen how bad thing's can get, and how quick they can get that way, well they can get a whole lot worse. But we're not going to fight anymore! We're going to pull together and we're going to find away to get out of here!" "Yeah!" thinks the crew and audience "Yeah, I think we're going to survive this invasion of super intelligent hybrid sharks, yeah!"

Oh . . . no wait, Samuel L Jackson's just been nailed by a giant shark whilst on land. Gutted.

Out of water, yes, but technically they’re at the bottom of the ocean on a huge underwater lab so it still counts. Sharks so bad they can get you even when you’re out of the water, Jaws eat your heart out.

4.

The Film: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. (2004)

The Creature: The Jaguar Shark

The Scene: After searching the sea's, fighting pirates, and loosing a possible son in a helicopter crash, a tiny blip on the radar shows what could finally be the film's maguffin, the mythical Jaguar Shark.

After delving to the depth's Steve (Murray) and co find what they were searching for at last. The beautifully animated colossal Shark, golden complete with black Jaguar spots.

As emotion outweighs resentment, Zissou is moved to tears by his encounter with the beast from the deep and decides not to kill it. He was out of dynamite anyway.

5.
The Film: Alien Resurrection (1997)

The Creature: Xenomorph (Alien)

The Scene: In space no one can hear you scream, this we know, but under water no one can hear you do a sort of water-muffled bubble scream. . . that list of non-scream-able places keeps growing. Yes, just when you had overcame your fear of sharks and thought it was safe to return to the water, now you have Aliens to worry about, well if Alien Resurrection has anything to say about it anyway.

As our cast lead by the new and improved Ripley make their way to safety they encounter a flooded area of the Auriga (the alien infested ship) and must cross to safety. Little do they know that the Xenomorph is a pretty nifty swimmer.

One very tense scene later, with the crew displaying some pretty impressive breath holding abilities, they submerge on the other side. Minus one member but plus one more reason to fear the Alien.

6.
The Film: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

The Creature: The Kraken

The Scene: Well there are a few scenes actually, but the most notable one is probably the scene at the climax of Dead Mans Chest where the Kraken tears apart the Black Pearl along with Captain Jack.

So big you never really see it fully, apart from a brief glimpse of it beached and dead in Pirates 3, this colossal squid complete with huge tentacles, slimy tooth ridden mouth and flesh tearing suction-cups strikes fear into the heats of all bad ass pirates.

Plus its Davey Jones’ pet, they must have been all out of gerbils when he popped into the pet store during his last outing on land.

7.
The Film: Finding Nemo (2003)

The Creature: Anglerfish.

The Scene: Whilst in pursuit of a crucial clue to whereabouts of his son, Marlin and Dory find themselves at the murky bottom of the ocean only to be greeted by a very tooth-ey torch headed Angler Fish. Queue a Tom and Jerry style chase.

We’ve had aliens, hybrids and mythical sea creatures but perhaps what’s most frightening about this entry is the fact that it actually exists down there in the dark.

Imagine seeing that in your paddling pool. You’d shit yourself.

First review post.

2009-03-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

The first review to be posted, albeit its quite long winded and a bit overly structured (it was written for Total Film) but after taking about a year I've finally posted something. More will come, and hopefully more people will see this page, anyway did you see Milk? I think Mickey Rourke deserved to win the Oscar, Sean Penn was really good, but overall i think The Wrestler was a better role . . . anyway I'm getting sidetracked. Read the review and post things!

Gus Van Sant: art house director turned mainstream director turned well . . . somewhere in between really. Never one to shy away from bringing controversial issues, in particular homosexuality, to the forefront of his films, Van Sant has made a career of his ability to flit seamlessly from avant-garde to mainstream filmmaking, and Milk his latest, is a mix of both.

“My name is Harvey Milk and I’m here to recruit you!” The first openly gay polotitician to be elected into public office and gay rights activist, Milk follows said politicians rise to office, fight against proposition 6 and eventual murder by disgruntled fellow supervisor Dan White. The more publicity Harvey gains the more death threats he receives and pretty soon the cost of equality begins to hit home.

Attempting to show both Harvey the activist and Harvey the man, Van Sant presents for the former, an individual with a thirst for change and a life with purpose (exchanging a ponytail and tie dye for short hair and suits) but sadly the latter feels rather cut short. Harvey’s personal life is reduced to two relationships, presenting the man infamously interested in younger men, into a relatively monogamous bloke.

Sean Penn, known for his deep investment in roles dons a fake nose, denchers and a recreated hairline to aid his portrayal of Harvey Milk, but beyond the makeup manages to capture the qualities of both flamboyance and leadership necessary. Josh Brolin gives a strong and at times humorous performance, as Harvey’s conflicted fellow supervisor turned killer Dan White, in what is proving to be a successful resurgence for the actor. James Franco also stars as Scott Smith Harvey’s first lover, torn apart by the pressures of the campaign trail. Craftily mixing stock news footage with detailed recreations, Van Sant crafts a story about love and death, the best and worst of humanity but most importantly about hope.

****
Final Verdict.
Its cons are easily outweighed by its pros. A strong cast coupled with stellar directing, Milk serves as a compelling memoir of the man and the movement.

A brief Intro.

2008-03-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

I Review Too . . .

Ok im new to this whole interweb thing, but after a suggestion from a friend that I check it out I felt that it was pretty interesting idea. This page is basically for reviews. To get straight to the point I enjoy watching films, old, new, good, bad and this site is basically a place for me to post any reviews I may write. A sort of online portfolio if you will, or just a space for me to say what I want and to explain why I like or dislike certain films or TV shows.

Because I know you’re all dying to hear my opinion . . .

I will try to review at least one film a week, a sort of ‘recommended’ film that I think you should check out or is worth a look. Also if I see a particularly bad film I will review that as well. I feel that you have to see why a bad film is bad to truly appreciate why a good film is good. As well as this I will try (whenever I have some spare time) to do Top Ten film lists, i.e. the Top Ten: horror, comedies, sequels that are better than the originals, anything really. Any reviews I have had published I will also post on to this page, and if anyone out there needs some reviews for a independent magazine or website just let me know and I would be more than happy to lend a hand.

Finally, if you agree or disagree with anything I say, let me know. I will try to include a feedback column for people to argue amongst themselves about their differing opinions on films. If anything, I would prefer you to talk back because when it comes down to it, film reviews are just personal opinion. Different films mean different things to different people. The reviews I post here are just my opinion that doesn’t make them right or wrong. So if you agree that’s great and if you disagree that’s fine also, just let me know how exactly you will defend the film in question.

Hopefully this is just the beginning and as time goes on the site will have chance to develop. For a while updates will be slow, but I hope you will stick with it, and check it out whenever you have a spare second, or you just cant decide on a good film to watch.

Thanks,

Simon.