In just over 2 weeks Iron Man 2 hits cinema screens. Oh yeah! Marvel have released some new pics, and you can see the entire gallery right here. Below are a few of the new pics, including Nick Fury, Justin Hammer and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and of course Robert Downey Jr. doing his thing.
Thankfully, the George Miller-helmed JLA film to be filmed here in Australia is no more. Casting a bunch of unknown twenty somethings perhaps looked good on paper, but the chosen models and former TV stars didn’t display the kind of power that DC’s oldest superheroes demanded for their first big screen adventure. Plus, wouldn’t Warner Bros. ideally want an American behind the lens? I mean, with the news that Buffy and Serenity creator Joss Whedon is polishing Captain America’s screenplay, and directing The Avengers film, instead of Frenchman Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans) it makes sense that America gets somewhat patriotic and protective of their superhero teams.
Well, model/actress Megan Gale (now appearing in Aussie film I Love You Too) talks about her brief experience in the Wonder Woman role from a couple of years ago, in Perth’s The Sunday Times mag, STE. This is what she had to say:
“I was cast in a George Miller film to play Wonder Woman and that was potentially going to be a great stepping stone. Playing an iconic character in a Warner Bros. film with George Miller directing, you go maybe not straight to the top of the class, but a fair way up. And then when the project got shelved it was like, ahem, back to the bottom rung.”
When asked on any updates on the JLA film, Gale said, “It’s hibernating at the moment. There were so many reasons that film didn’t get made, but who knows, it may come to life again.” I usually don’t put film news on this blog, as there are so many other sites that do, but I figured this little tidbit in a weekend magazine in the world’s most isolated city may go unnoticed, so there.
I have been broadening my musical horizons lately, and this Canadian Jewish muso looks interesting. Dubbed Socalled, Josh Dolgin has released 4 albums and seems quite the talented individual. There’s not much more to say, but if the trailer below intrigues you (as it should) check out his site here. Yes, he looks like an accountant and loves music from before he was born, but seems to have the whole geek chic thing going for him. Oh, and the second clip is a great music video in which he takes off his face to reveal the robotics inside. So there you go.
Meet Socalled. He’s unstoppable. A pianist, singer, arranger, rapper, producer and composer (and also a magician, filmmaker and visual artist), he’s blasting through the boundaries that separate music from different cultures, eras, and generations.
Socalled is a musical alchemist, always looking for the next old thing to make new again. The “Socalled” Movie shows him introducing funk trombone legend Fred Wesley (of James Brown fame) to klezmer music, while wowing Wesley with his knowledge of funk. When Dolgin comes across LPs from the 1950s by lounge pianist Irving Fields, he looks up 94-year-old Fields and inspires him to pen a new hit song.
Shot in Socalled’s Montreal neighbourhood where Hasidic Jews and hipsters crowd the sidewalks, and in New York, France and the Ukraine, The “Socalled” Movie is a cinematic multi-faceted depiction of inspiration, collaboration and transformation.
Socalled defies category and refuses limitation. The “Socalled” Movie examines his energy from all angles and transmits the urgent creative spark to everyone watching: now’s your chance – go out there and make something!
From Parisian company One More Production comes this little gem; a 2:34 film called Pixels. Fitting, as that’s exactly what attacks and transforms New York. See it to believe it.
Premiering on April 14 is this interesting film, based on the works of famed French writer/artist Jaques Tardi. Les aventures extraordinaires d’Adele Blanc-Sec, to use its original name, debuted in 1972. The titular heroine explores the occult and the supernatural. Think a female Indiana Jones, I guess, but a decade earlier. The trailer’s in French, which makes it seem even more attractive and offbeat. It’s written and directed by Luc Besson, who has a generally good track record (Transporter, District B13) so hopefully us non-French speakers will get a chance to see it too.
Before there was New Zealand’s greatest ad for tourism in the form of the epic LOTR trilogy, animator Ralph Bakshi tackled Tolkien’s novels, albeit with much more freedom, in 1978. I vaguely remember the dramatic poster and realistic animated movements, thanks to its rotoscoping technique. It may be time for a revisit. Official details, and pics of some familiar characters form the film, below.
This original animated classic from acclaimed director Ralph Bakshi and Academy Award Winning producer Saul Zaentz has been remastered with pristine New Dolby 5.1 audio and picture quality and will be distributed as a single disc DVD and Blu-ray combo which features a Blu-ray, DVD and bonus digital copy. The film will also be available for Digital Download. This film is rated PG.
The deluxe edition features a never-before-seen, 30-minute in-depth interview with legendary director Ralph Bakshi entitled “Forging Through The Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi Vision for The Lord Of The Rings.” This special feature explores his concept for creating an illustrated film, his pioneering rotoscoping process, and inspirations for his visual storytelling.
The Box. A return to form for writer/director Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko) after the misguided project that was Southland Tales. The Box stars James Marsden and Cameron Diaz (both of whom have appeared in comics films – X-Men and The Mask respectively) as a couple in 1970s suburbia who receive a simple box from the mysterious Mr. Steward. They push the button in the box and get $1 000,000. Oh, but an unknown person dies too. Let the morality debate begin! It’s a well-made drama, especially in the first half, but as questions receive answers (involving lightning, water portals and NASA conspiracies with an alien life form) it becomes less engaging. The acting is top notch and Kelly crafts the film with restraint. Props must go to him to managing to make a good (mostly) film from a short story by Richard Matheson (I Am Legend). With elements of a creepy thriller and an emotional core centred in Diaz and Marsden, it does have its high points. Don’t expect a feel good film though.
Anvil. A real life Spinal Tap is the obvious description but this film about two Canadian best friends who are desperate for success in their hard rock band is an engrossing film about dedication and holding onto dreams throughout life’s dramas. There’s also rockers attempting tele-marketing and getting paid in soup at the end of a gig. Yes, it’s often humorous and sad.
The Invention of Lying. Ricky Gervais knows he can only play one part, and does so in everything. This could’ve been a great film. The concept of a world in which no-one has ever lied, and Gervais is the man to discover the concept of not telling the truth is a grand place to start. It seems like a Monty Python sketch that was never filmed. However, right off the bat it becomes obvious that in this world people not only don’t lie, they also constantly speak their inner thoughts. Those are two different things, but there is some comedy to be found. It’s just a shame it morphs into flat drama and God bashing mid-way through. There’s also far too many scenes in which songs play throughout montages with no dialogue. It just seems like filling in time. As is the case with all of Gervais’ films, the bloopers are always worth a watch though.
Jennifer’s Body. Like the film above, this seems like a vanity project based on a writer’s previous success, whereas it should’ve had more studio guidance. Diablo Cody did a stellar job with her first screenplay in Juno, but here she tries too hard to make every line of dialogue a new catchphrase. Basically rockers sacrifice “virgin” Megan Fox, but she returns to life as a man-eater, literally. It’s not really funny, or gory, and the lesbian make out scene and constant Fox pouting just screams of desperation.
This is the kind of trailer that makes you high five the person next to you. Sylvester Stallone’s next film (as actor/writer/director) has him showcasing the manly manliness and ’80s excess of old school and current tough guys shooting and blowing stuff up. Look at that cast! It’s such an impressive line-up that the poster will just be a collection of surnames. Stallone. Lundgren. Rourke. Statham. Li. Willis. Schwarzenegger. And the character names are even better: Lee Christmas, Yin Yang, Hale Caesar, Paine and more. The Expendables unleashes its unapologetic over the top action in August.
Oh yeah. This film, along with next month’s Kick Ass will again show the world the awesome diversity inherent in my beloved medium of comics. Directed by Brit Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) and starring everyone’s favourite downtrodden gent Michael Cera as the titular hero who must defeat 7 evil ex-boyfriends to win the woman of his dreams, the long awaited trailer shows much promise. With slacker humour, video game design and all conquering charm it looks as good as I (and countless other fans of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s series from Oni Press) hoped. Behold the splendour and then wait for the film until August 13.
Based on the Andy Diggle and Jock Vertigo series, The Losers opens April 23. Iron Man 2 opens May 7. Below are new posters for both films, and it appears as though Black Widow has a S.H.I.E.L.D logo on her arm, indicating a beefier presence for the shadowy organisation in the sequel. Good news.
Inspired Mag has a post where you can watch 5 of this year’s Oscar nominated short films, including the excellent French experiment, Logorama, which must be seen. Really though, they’re all great looking films, including the latest Wallace & Gromit adventure, A Matter of Loaf and Death. Check them all out right here.
I actually heard AC/DC during their sound check at my office a few weeks ago. It was…loud. Anyway, the Aussie rockers are hooking up with Ol’ Shellhead’s cinematic adventures once more for May 7’s sequel, Iron Man 2. If you’re a fan of the band or Tony Stark check out the official soundtrack Twitter page or become a friend on Facebook. There’s also a great competition running in which you can get your mits on some sweet goodies. Go here to fill out a quick form and register for the comp, and you may just win some of the goodies shown below!
The first prize in the competition is the full AC/DC back catalogue, a working Backtracks amplifier box set and the Iron Man 2 collector’s edition as well as tickets to an Iron Man 2 screening.
AC/DC Backtracks – The Ultimate AC/DC Box Set
Contents: Five discs of rare AC/DC in one brand new, never-before-released collection:
1CD of Studio rarities
2 CDs of Live rarities
2DVDs: Family Jewels Disc 3 + bonus videos & Live at Circus Krone in Munich,
180g LP of Studio rarities
164 page 12”x12” hard-back scrapbook-style book
Loads of collector’s items
and all contained in a working guitar amp !
AC/DC Iron Man 2: Collector’s Edition
Contents: CD/DVD inc 15 classic AC/DC songs plus over an hour of videos including the brand new video for ‘Shoot to Thrill’. Also includes an exclusive, limited edition Iron Man comic book reprint with a custom, variant cover by Adi Granov, AC/DC stickers, poster and 32 page booklet.
The original Predator film was the first “horror” I saw as a kid and I was rather taken aback by its brutality and machismo. The sequel, and bland AvP films never stacked up to that 1987 beauty. Now Robert Rodriguez (Sin City) is producing Predators, with a diverse cast and brutal action reminiscent of the film that kicked off the franchise. The new trailer is below, and although you don’t see much of the titular ugly aliens, you can see plenty of concept art here. It’s directed by Nimrod Antal (Vacancy, Armored) and drops on to cinema screens on July 9.
I watched the 1981 Clash of the Titans recently and really – it’s a fairly average film compared to the other films that rocked the early 80s, such as Blade Runner, The Empire Strikes Back – and the underrated fantasy, Krull. However, I do recall the Medusa scene from my youth and nostalgia often makes details hazy, but the film is surprisingly dull. There’s long periods of silence, the characters are uninspiring and most of the time Ray Harryhausen’s stop motion special effects are unnecessary. It’s also a lot raunchier than what I remember. However it’s also filled with grand concepts and great potential. There are so many trivial remakes these days, but Clash of the Titans deserves one as today’s effects and audiences are ready for a tale of this epic nature. Now, below is a press release regarding the original’s release on iTunes, as well as the awesome The Neverending Story, as well as the latest action packed trailer for the remake.
See an exclusive behind the scenes sneak peek of the new Clash Of The Titans now when you buy the original film on iTunes. Coupled with the original Clash Of The Titans film from creative genius Ray Harryhausen, the sneak peek offers an insider’s look at the making of the new movie with interviews of the cast and director.
To the delight of fantasy films lovers The NeverEnding Story and Clash of the Titans are now available on iTunes and for download at Amazon Video On Demand, PlayStation 3, XBOX and more.
Clash of the Titans is an exciting, epic fantasy, filled with drama, passion and colorful stop motion animated creatures that will look more eye-popping than ever. The last feature film from creative genius and special effects wizard, Ray Harryhausen, Clash of the Titans is the original motion picture adaptation of the myth of Perseus and his struggles to save the Princess Andromeda. This edition is also releasing on Blu-ray just before the new Clash of the Titans due in theaters April 2, 2010, which stars Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Sam Worthington (Avatar and Terminator Salvation), to be directed by Incredible Hulk’s Louis Leterrier.
Relive the flight of pure fantasy that’s The NeverEnding Story now on iTunes and for download at Amazon Video On Demand, PlayStation 3, XBOX and more. Based on the best-selling novel by Michael Ende and directed by Wolfgang Peterson (Troy, The Perfect Storm), The NeverEnding Storyis as enjoyable for adults as it is for children with its tale of a young daydreamer who, drawn into a timeless and wondrous world of fantastic beings through the pages of a mysterious book, discovers how his imagination and belief can save it from destruction. Director Wolfgang Peterson’s first English language film, Roger Ebert called The NeverEnding Story “a real delight!”
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