Recent Review: Tron Legacy (Released 17 December 2010)

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Survive."

I love how art can change the way you see the world, if even for just a few moments.

Trailer Time - 'Source Code' (To Be Released: 15 April 2011)

The new film by Duncan Jones looks even more interesting and exciting than his acclaimed debut in 2009, 'Moon'. 'Source Code' reminds me of 'Tweleve Monkeys', 'Minority Report' and all sorts of other classic Sci-Fi Action films. Looking forward to this indeed.

(UK Release 11 March 2011)

A Hero Survives - The Choice of John Cena

Last night at the 24th 'Survivor Series', John Cena was faced with the toughest choice of his career.

Trailer Time - Cowboys and Aliens (To Be Released: 29 July 2011)

The first trailer for John Favreau's 'Cowboys and Aliens' looks surprisingly good and certainly features some promising components. Daniel Craig leads a strong cast including Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Paul Dano and Sam Rockwell. The only thing that concerns me is the script. Credited to four people, two of them attract me and two utterly repel me. On the side of good are Damon Lindlof, one of the key creators of 'Lost' and Ron Howard. However the film is also credited to 'Transformers' 1 & 2 screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. 'Transformers' 2 was the worst film I have ever paid to see, and I paid to see AVP 2. I can (and do) blame Michael Bay for that film, but I feel the script itself was abysmally poor. So much so, I will remain cautious about this film until it hits theatres.

(UK Release: Unknown, looks like August 2011)

Game Review - 'Batman: Arkham Asylum' (Released August 25 2009, PS3/360/PC)

There is something wonderful about walking through the cells of 'Arkham Asylum', trying to figure out who they belonged to before you scan them and find out for sure. You can find references inside Arkham to a huge variety of characters from the Batman mythos, many seen for the first time by players unfamiliar with the comic books. Their inclusion seems to be an assurance from the creators to the fans who appreciate the cameos - “Hey, we've read a lot of Batman too!” - they seem to say. As with the casting of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill from 'Batman: The Animated Series', it is a way of saying that the creators of the game are also fans. They have a knowledge and a reverence for the material they follow. This is good for marketing, after all - why would anyone want a Batman game made by people who don't know who Batman is? As it stands though, this assurance is just an empty promise. All these winks and nods only demonstrate why the creators of 'Arkham Asylum' should be better at their jobs than than they are.

“For all the stern and the baterangs, you're just a little boy in a play-suit...” 

The Dark Knights - Batman & I

It's funny to think that one of my first living memories is of Tim Burton's 'Batman' from 1989. I was around 18 months old at the time, and wouldn't even see the film until it appeared on television a few years later. However during my literal infancy, my parents owned an arts and crafts store and in the summer of “Bat-mania” they too displayed numerous items of merchandise. Die-cast Joker vans, Air-fix Batmobiles, posters, stationary – all sorts. Of course not all of these sold and my Dad was wise enough to put some away, on the chance they may one day be worth something. He also gave me a few pieces, most precious being my die-cast Batmobile toy. Remember this was around 1990, so must certainly have been my introduction to the character of Batman.

Recent Review - 'Batman: Mask of the Phantasm' (Released 25 December 1993)

"Your 'Angel of Death' awaits..."

Trailer Time - The Green Hornet (To Be Released 14th January 2011)

I entirely forgot I actually saw this trailer ages ago. I post it now to go with the poster, but watching it again has lowered my expectations considerably. When you have to steal gags from 'Johnny English', you have reached a plateau of low. Also I forgot how much I can't stand Seth Rogan. Prove me wrong Gondry. Prove me wrong.

(UK Release Unknown)

Poster Post - The Green Hornet (To Be Released 14th January 2011)

Sony have released a sleek teaser poster for Michel Gondry's first "Major Motion Picture", an adaptation of 'The Green Hornet' staring Seth Rogan and Cameron Diaz. I am concerned by it's occupancy of "The Spirit Slot", ie "the alternative comic book film released in the first 2 weeks of the year that might be promising, but like all films released in January actually sucks". However I am simply too interested in what one of my favourite directors will do with the material within tighter constraint of his executives. 'Eternal Sunshine' this will not be, but it very well could become a cult classic.

(UK Release Unknown)

Trailer Time - Rabbit Hole (To Be Released 17th December 2010)

The new film by John Cameron Mitchell, the director of 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch', has been pleasing critics on the festival circuit and based on this trailer I think it's easy to see why.

(UK Release Unknown)

2009 in Film

Recent Review - 'The Illusionist' (Released 16 June 2010)

Recent Review: Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (Released 13th August 2010)

"The only thing separating me from her is the two minutes it's gonna take to kick your ass."

1995 in Film

1997 in Film

Trailer Time: Black Swan (To Be Released: 1st December 2010)

Finally we get a trailer for Aronofsky's first film of the decade, 'Black Swan', which may provide Natalie Portman with an award-winning role as a veteran ballet dancer threatened by a new rival. The trailer is full of ideas but I'm glad they don't seem to spoil the film which I hope will be as mysterious and thrilling as the classic supernatural ballet film - Dario Argento's 1977 masterpiece 'Suspiria'...

(UK Release Unknown)

1999 in Film

Recent Review: The Sixth Sense (Released: August 6th 1999)

"Do you know why you're afraid when you're alone? I do. I do."

1989 in Film

1986 in Film

Recent Review: Once Upon a Time in America (Released: 1st June 1984)

"You can always tell the winners at the starting gate. You can always tell the winners, and you can tell the losers."

1984 in Film

1998 in Film

Recent Review: Pleasantville (Released: 23rd October 1998)

"I'm getting a little concerned about what I'm seeing on some of these reruns."

1996 in Film

Recent Review: The Stupids (Released: 30th August 1996)

"Okay... Camouflage lesson No. 1... To look like a bush you have to think like a bush... Okay, here I am, just being a bush. Just growing and hanging out. Oh yes, this is the life for me! Sure is a lot of soil around here; a lot of sunshine too... As a bush I notice these things. Wait a minute. What's this? I have arms? I am a bush with arms! And legs! I am the first bush in history with legs! I can walk! Oh, gaze ye unbelievers upon this miracle! This walking bush! Half-man, half-plant; he dwells in two worlds, but is the master of both! OH MAN-BUSH! YOU ARE NATURE'S GREATEST WONDER!" - Stanley Stupid 

1993 in Film

Trailer Time: Somewhere (To Be Released: 22nd December 2010)

Well as I reviewed 'Lost in Translation' today, I thought I'd post the trailer for Sofia Coppola's new film 'Somewhere', which wont be out in the UK until next year but is due in the US this December.

(UK Release: 4th March 2011)

2003 in Film

Recent Review: Lost in Translation (Released: 3rd October 2003)

"Let's never come here again, because it will never be as much fun."

2005 in Film

Recent Review: The Proposition (Released: 6th October 2005)

"I wish to present you with a proposition."

2006 in Film

1982 in Film

(Might as well start here as anywhere. I will add these pages as I add new reviews, with the ultimate goal being to give yearly summaries and awards. I will add links to my reviews as I do them, as well as links in the sidebar as I post these pages. I only rank films I own on DVD, as although I may see something I don't always remember it well enough to compare it.)

Recent Review: Tron (Released: 9th July 1982)

"Do you really think the Users are still there?" 

Poster Post: The Kids Are All Right (Released: 9th July 2010)

'The Kids Are All Right' will hopefully be in the UK soon, as it boasts an impressive cast including two of the best american actresses today. This is a nice, colourful one-sheet for what looks like a well-writen family comedy about the teenage children of lesbian mothers who search for their genetic "father". (UK Release: Unknown)

Recent Review: The Girl who Leapt Through Time (Released: 15th July 2006)

"Time waits for no one."

Trailer Time: Tron Legacy (To Be Released: 17th December 2010)

This has been around for a while, but I needed an excuse to write about 'Tron Legacy'. The long-awaited sequel to one of the all-time under-rated films ('Tron', 1982, obviously...), I continue to be impressed by the images and news from Disney. From the announcement that "Academy Award Winner Jeff Bridges" is returning after 28 years; to the fact that Daft Punk are writing the score, every new piece of information has succeeded in raising anticipation. I think they've designed a stunning fantasy world which I'll proclaim right now will set trends in modern production design akin to the effect of 'The Matrix' in 1999...

(UK Release: 26th December 2010)

EDIT:
... Oh, and then there is this. This made me laugh so much I have no choices but to post it here.

Trailer Time: The Illusionist (To Be Released: 25th December 2010)

While 'The Triplets of Belleville' was indeed beautiful, I found myself let down by it's dull story and thin script. However, Sylvain Chomet's next film, 'The Illusionist', is made from an unproduced screenplay by the legendary Jacques Tati ('Playtime', 1967). From this trailer we can acertain Chomet still makes gourgeous movies, but we'll have to wait and see if he can tell a good story. I certainly hope so.

(UK Release: Unknown)

Poster Post: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (To Be Released: 13th August 2010)

While I'm back on the Blog-Wagon I'd better post this poster for my most anticipated film left this year, Edgar Wright's first Pegg-less effort: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. I love this poster, and cannot wait to move somewhere I can buy it and frame it and hang it over a desk or bed. Let's hope the film is as bold and brilliant as this is!

(UK Release: 25th August 2010)

Trailer Time: The Social Network (To Be Released: 1st October 2010)

Alright fine. I might as well post this trailer today as well, even if my worries concerning the seriousness continue. The effective, haunting use of Vega Choir's rendition of Radiohead's 'Creep' is enough to put the film amongst my most anticipated...

(UK Release: 15th October 2010)

Poster Post: The Social Network (To Be Released: 1st October 2010)

Here is the memorable poster for David Fincher's adaptation of Ben Mezrich's 'The Accidental Billionaires'. At the moment 'The Social Network' looks like it may be being made a bit before it's time. While this may give the film great staying power, I for one will find it hard to swallow a serious drama about Facebook so soon since the events the film portrays. That said, I do love the tag-line and everything about Jesse Eisenberg.
(UK Release: 15th October 2010)

Recent Review: Toy Story 3 (Released 18th June 2010)

“How long will it last, Woody? Do you really think Andy is going to take you to college? Or on his honeymoon? Andy's growing up, and there's nothing you can do about it.” - The Prospector, Toy Story 2

Recent Review: Inception (Released 16 July 2010)

It is no over-statement to say Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' will one day be talked about in the same way as Ridley Scott's 'Blade Runner'.

Review of the 00's: Pop Music in Film

I’ve finally started my review of the decade in film, so I thought I’d begin with a section low on writing but big on impact - pop music in film. Unlike film scores composed for a feature, these needle-drops and covers display a different kind of creative skill and can create some of the most enduring movie moments. I’ve chosen what I think is the best use of a popular track from one film each year. Note this is not the best track just on its own (although in some cases this applies), but rather my opinion on the best marriage of one piece of art with another. I wont write anything alongside, you’ve either seen the films or you haven’t, and music is very subjective. Beware I will be using clips in-film where I can find them, so SPOILER WARNING!