I have to credit a large part of my nerdiness to my Dad. I remember my sister and I going over on weekends and he’d have comic books all around the house and a movie collection that could rival no other. Of course he gave us a proper education by having us watch the cult action favorites, new releases, and gems from his ever-growing collection of flicks.
I have to credit a large part of my nerdiness to my Dad. I remember my sister and I going over on weekends and he’d have comic books all around the house and a movie collection that could rival no other. Of course he gave us a proper education by having us watch the cult action favorites, new releases, and gems from his ever-growing collection of flicks. I was in elementary school during the time when word had started to circulate that the Star Wars movies were going to get a digital remastering. Mom (the other half of my nerd genes) wanted to make a big event out of it, we were going to go to the Uptown down in Northwest DC to go see it. Dad, upon hearing about this, sat my sister and I down, pulled out the VHS Box set of Episodes 4-6, and we marathoned the three the weekend before seeing it redone at the theater..
Flash forward to today. A brand new trilogy has begun (we don’t talk about the prequels), something I was hoping for as soon as I learned that at some point way back when, George Lucas had laid out a blueprint for 9 episodes in total. The EU in the books has been replaced by primarily the Disney XD Clone Wars and Rebels shows, and J.J. Abrams has rekindled my hope in a franchise that in the end isn’t ever going to fully let me down. Thus, director Gareth Edwards’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story came along as the first example of this new EU moving forward onto the silver screen, early reviews were coming out, cosplay friends got into early screenings and I heard murmurs that the film was on par with The Empire Strikes Back as a favorite. I went and saw it, hell I was going to see it even if the early reviews crucified it.
At face value we don’t have much new as far as the pitch, the story isn’t anything too different from two other movies that came out in 2016. A ragtag group of rebels lead by uncooperative rogue Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and a special operative type Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) unwittingly find out that they have the ability to reveal a purposefully built flaw made into the Death Star in order to blow it up. Mads Mikkelsen plays Jyn’s father Galen who was forced to design the Death Star against his will. I really appreciate how this movie shuts up all the fan boys going “Why would the Death Star have such a critical weakness?? blah-blah-blah?…”. What it boils down to is that classic ‘People on a mission’ Seven Samurai-style plot with flavor in the casting provided by Alan Tudyk and Donnie Yen and a brief appearance by Forest Whitaker.
What primarily drew me to this film was the story of a person in the universe who isn’t a Jedi and has no inkling to be one. The movies have been a long episode of “Keeping up with the Skywalkers” until this moment. When you’ve got people that can shoot lightning from their hands, having a protagonist in Jyn Erso armed with only wit, a blaster and some useful Kali skills, otherwise creates a sense of vulnerability the audience can relate to. Her character naturally draws from what we loved about Han Solo and while that took her character far, either Jones’s portrayal or the script she had to work with didn’t do much create a character that felt believable beyond that. I found myself questioning her motivations when she was giving a big “rally the troops” type speech near the Act 2 to 3 transition.
When you look at it as a standalone film outside of the support of the Star Wars franchise, Rogue One was entertaining, but wasn’t much to rave about. I felt like the writing from the end of the first act until the middle of the second was a bit chunky, and character motivations across the board were murky. We have all these characters joining forces, but aside from getting stuck in a cell with each other for a sequence why are they motivated to go on a suicide mission? When compared to another ‘Men on a Mission’ movie that came out back in August of last year, Suicide Squad, we have Amanda Waller providing the group with clear motivations and stakes to cooperate against their better judgement. In the end the writing trudges along enough to keep our story flowing, and despite the darker nature of this story, moments of comedy pop up between the characters to help bring up the mood. Outside of the writing I had slight nitpicks. There wasn’t the iconic scrawling text opener at the beginning of the movie and they utilized CG to animate the figures of Grand Moff Tarkin (the late Peter Cushing) and a younger Princess Leia. I found that decision rather unsettling (especially now with Carrie Fisher’s recent death) and a bit surprising considering Abrams’s decision to stick to practical effects, film stock, and puppetry for The Force Awakens. We could have had a replacement for Tarkin and a double with creative angles for Leia and I think the audience would have been fine with it. We also have the lack of a John Williams-composed soundtrack which to my understanding has bothered fans across the board, but perhaps we could chalk that up to Mister Williams being busy composing Episode VIII. That’s really the best reason not to have him on Rogue One.
Despite all the flack Vox‘s review got for saying it was “the first Star Wars movie to acknowledge the whole franchise is about war” I’d say they are right. This entire time we’ve followed the Generals, the special ops, droids and masked clones in armor who have blown up, or gotten limbs cut off that instantly cauterized, but we never see much suffering, all sparks and oil, no blood. Until now our heroes can easily block lasers with lightsabers. In Rogue One even the one force-sensitive individual is not able to stop blaster fire. Sure Disney made Gareth Edwards reshoot a large chunk of the film for being too dark to get a PG-13 rating, but I think the one message Rogue One nailed over any of the other movies is that war is an ugly kind of hell. Characters are vulnerable. The action seems more real and visceral than we’ve ever seen before. We see Rebel troops actually look like they’re clearing rooms and move as a unit because they know they have to rely on each other to get home. The stuntwork for Rogue One was phenomenal. The portrayal of the larger action sequence during Act 3 felt more like they were battling on the beaches of Normandy than on a fictional planet. Director of Photography Greig Fisher really inserts us into an alien world that feels all too familiar with his work. He makes us feel in danger when we should and settles the mood visually when the audience needs to take a breath.
Overall the movie is worth a watch. Do I put it up there with The Empire Strikes Back? No, most definitely not, but I believe it was a solid popcorn flick to check out. I knitpick primarily about the writing because I hope that my one tiny voice echoing across the internet can help let Abrams know that he’s taking this franchise in the right direction, but he’s still gotta crank up the craftsmanship a bit and jump away from formula before he can leave his mark on the universe.
Director Adam Wingard‘s newest thriller, The Guest, is set to make its appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday and Sunday – September 13 and 14, respectively – before releasing theatrically in the U.S. on September 17. Having already earned the approval of many observers in the film festival circuit this year, it’s easy to see why it looks so appealing, especially if you’ve seen Wingard‘s previous work on the 2013 horror thriller, You’re Next.
This time around, actor Dan Stevens takes center stage as a soldier on leave who finds himself in the welcome arms of a family of a fallen comrade, only for suspicion and mayhem to arise when the daughter suspects him for the deaths that are occuring in town. And this week, Digital Spy is offering a touch of that anarchy in a newly released bar room brawl clip from the film with Stevens schooling few young troublemakers in the only way he knows best!
Watch the clip below and check your local theater listings!
For what it’s worth, those who have seen director Martin Scorsese’s 1980 Oscar-winning classic, Raging Bull, are about to get an unofficial follow-up from director Martin Guigui titled The Bronx Bull, based on the events of co-author and former boxer Jake LaMotta. The film took a while to come through as producers were forced to dissociate the new film from the first movie with said title upon settling all legal differences in court with MGM, who own the rights to first refusal for a sequel, after the studio filed a detailed lawsuit nearly two years ago to stop the film from happening under its previous title, Raging Bull 2.
There’s no release date planned as of yet, but we do get to see a trailer for the time being. And for stunt aficionados, fans can look forward to what the film offers in its boxing sequences, courtesy of stunt coordinators Larnell Stovall (Undisputed 3) and Arnold Chon (Arena).
*Just so you know, some websites have already posted the trailer with a few being sent cease and desist notices to take it down. It’s been several hours now, so hopefully with the trailer having gone viral, I can leave my article here with a decent embed for your own viewing pleasure. However, if it disappears, you know why.
SYNOPSIS:
Based on the tumultuous real-life experiences of legendary boxing champion Jake LaMotta, “The Bronx Bull” is a dramatic and stylized biopic with an outstanding ensemble cast. Chronicling LaMotta’s violent childhood, to his rise as a world-class boxer, through his life after leaving the ring, “The Bronx Bull” offers an unflinchingly honest look into the heart of a champion. Veteran character actor William Forsythe (“The Rock,” “Boardwalk Empire”) stars as the enigmatic fighter, while Paul Sorvino (“Goodfellas”) plays his father. Also starring Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”), Tom Sizemore (“Saving Private Ryan”), Penelope Ann Miller (“The Artist”), Natasha Henstridge (“Species”), and Ray Wise (“Robocop”).
This one caught me off guard. Really, it was quite a surprise to see action Mario Van Peebles fall into my line of sight again when I’m sifting through webpages for film info, this time in a new trailer for the upcoming suspense thriller, Submerged. Here, we see Peebles starring opposite actor Jonathan Bennett who plays the last hope for a group of teenagers whose limousine sink following an ambush by masked men. It looks very fast paced and should serve as a well-worthy treat for fans who love a good thriller.
We’ll hear more about this eventually. In the meantime, watch the trailer and brace yourselves until it’s release later this year.
Submerged also stars Talulah Riley, Tim Daly, Cody Christian and Rosa Salazar, and is directed by Steven C. Miller.
SYNOPSIS:
A limo ride home from a party turns into a terrifying ordeal for a group of college kids. A young woman and her friends have been targeted by a ring of vengeful kidnappers and must do everything they can to survive after their limo is forced off the road and plunged into a canal.
Pierre Morel is one of my favorite directors, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in that regard. The 2010 thriller From Paris With Love drew some mixed reactions, but Taken was a huge hit in 2008, preceeded by the popular parkour action favorite, Banlieue 13, so I’m more privy to believe that Morel‘s next, The Gunman, will further draw some positive impressions.
To our good fortune, that day will come to North American theatergoers on February 20, 2015, following Open Road Films’ acquisition of the film’s U.S. rights from international sales agent, Studiocanal earlier this month. The film will also release in the U.K. the same day as North America, preceeded by its release in France on February 18, and subsequent release in Australia and New Zealand on the 19, with Germany opening the film on the 26.
Based on the 2002 novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette, Morel directs leading man Sean Penn who plays a special forces soldier suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), whose pursuit of a new life with his childhood sweetheart is stopped short when the organization he works for pulls him back in the field forcing him to trek from London to Barcelona and across Europe in order to clear his name. The Gunman is written by Don MacPherson with a screenplay by Dredd helmer Pete Travis.
Penn is joined by Idris Elba, Ray Winstone and Javier Bardem, with Mark Rylance and actress Jasmine Trinca rounding out the cast.
Stay tuned for more information, including some more poster art and hopeful teaser footage.
H/T: Deadline
From being a ‘Loser’ and a ‘Taker’ to being the gatekeeper of Asgaard and canceling the apocalypse in a Jaeger, actor Idris Elba has served his own good fair share of excitement for filmgoers in several action roles throughout his career in recent years. Point in fact, some fans have even gone so far in the past few years as to generate talk among fans of him hopefully inheriting the role of James Bond in the 007 franchise – rumors he no less dispelled earlier this year.
But that doesn’t mean the action will disappear. Nope, not by a long shot. The Marché du Film in Cannes is in full effect this month, and Elba has made quite a few headlines along the way, starting with the current production of Sin nombre helmer, Cary Fukanaga’s new war drama, Beasts Of No Nation. Fukanaga’s script is based on the inspired work of author Uzodinma Iwela, whose 2005 novel publication (attributed to late Nigerian recording artist, Fela Kuti’s 1989 album of the same name) centers on the story of a young boy forced into servitude as a child soldier in an unnamed West African country. Red Crown Productions is currently putting the film together on-location in Ghana with WME holding North American rights for the film’s expected arrival by next year.
Also on deck is recent announcement of North American pick up for director James Watkins’ latest international suspense thriller, Bastille Day by Focus Features. Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos joins Elba in a script by Andrew Baldwin about a rogue CIA agent who is reluctantly forced to partner with an American con-artist to foil a terrorist plot in France. Vendome Pictures and Anonymous Content are producing the film which is expected to shoot this summer with financing by international sales agent Studiocanal.
In addition, there’s much more ahead for Elba fans and action cinephiles alike, especially for those who have grown fond of Banlieue 13, Taken and From Paris With Love helmer Pierre Morel whose new film, The Gunman, also earned a spot in Cannes this week. Based on the 2002 novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette, Elba joins actors Ray Winstone, Javier Bardem and leading man Sean Penn who plays a special forces soldier suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), whose pursuit of a new life with his childhood sweetheart is stopped short when the organization he works for pulls him back in the field forcing him to trek across Europe in order to clear his name. Open Road Films picked up the North American rights to the film last week prior to unveiling its sales poster, which you can check out below.
Elba is also poised to star with actress Taraji P. Henson in the forthcoming September thriller, No Good Deed, his latest reunion with director Sam Miller since the 2010 UK television crime drama, Luther. As to whether or not he will return to guard the Bifrost once more as Heimdall for the Ragnarok storyline in Thor 3 for Marvel, that remains to be seen as things are still very early.
Stick around.
H/T: Variety, Screendaily, AICN, Cocoa Fab
On the morning of a certain Tuesday, a mysterious “death race” is suddenly announced on television. Viewers are enthralled by the excitement of the competition, with participants getting knocked out of the race one after another in unpredictable ways. Meanwhile, survivors refer to a certain guide book for tips on how to succeed.
Coming off of an exciting year of hit releases like Drug War and The White Storm, actor Louis Koo is starting the year off just right with his latest appearance in the new teaser for director David Lam’s upcoming crime thriller, Z-Storm. The film has been announced for a summer release following this year’s earlier events at the Hong Kong FilMart where it was also presented by producer John Chong on behalf of Pegasus Motion Pictures who is distributing the new film.
Koo takes the lead with Firestorm co-stars, actors Gordon Lam and Lo Hoi-Pang in a riveting story of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and its inquiry with a charity fund embroiled in a government Ponzi Scheme that ultimately turns into an explosive life or death investigation. Actresses Dada Chan and Janelle Sing, and actors Michael Wong and Liu Kai-chi round the principle cast.
Check out the teaser below, and some extra banner art toward the bottom of the page.
H/T: City On Fire
Following a trailer just unveiling last month, filmmaker James Lee unveiled his newest creation in the form of the action packed shortfilm thriller, Second Life. The project is one of several embody the workload highlighting the recent launch of Lee‘s independent film production and entertainment platform, Doghouse 73 Pictures, which already contains an impressive resume of shortfilms and ambitious new works spanning science fiction, romance, horror, and of course, spectactular screenfighting action.
Presenting signature stunt coordination and fight choreography by Low Angle Productions, Second Life is Lee‘s latest foray into action, exploring Western-stylized and conventional martial arts choreography after working on the 2012 action flick, The Collector. Here, the format hosts two parallel scenarios illustrating their own elements of mystery, suspense and danger, featuring initial performances by actress Charlene Meng and actor Michael Chen, with actor Michael Chin leading the way for the second act. And on top of the action, we also see more characters in the mix (including that of the director himself near the end), all of which hint at multiple layers outlining a broader scope for a potentially bigger story than what is seen here.
And so what exactly does all this mean? Well, it could mean a webseries. But that is up to you and how much you will share and support this shortfilm, which you can now check out below.
To read my previous interview with James Lee, CLICK HERE.
Watch the new trailer below and stay tuned for more news ahead!
Best known for his written work until recently, filmmaker Shan Khan has been busy breaking the mold in the past couple of years with his latest assassin thriller, Honour, which confronts the controversial issue of honour killings. Actor Paddy Considine takes the lead in this one, and filmgoers who may be familiar with his work, including the 2004 drama, My Summer Of Love, the 2011 Jason Statham actioner Blitz, and roles Edgar Wright’s last two Cornetto installments to name a few might look forward to what he brings in his latest ‘hit’ role.
Following the death of his wife, Sang-hyeon lives a quiet life with his 15-year-old daughter Su-jin. But one day she is abducted, raped and killed and Sang-hyeon is left by himself, with nothing left to cling on to but his feelings of anger and despair. The investigation into his daughter’s death is progressing slowly, so restless and unable to sit quiet any longer, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Sang-hyeon receives a mysterious call from someone who tells him an address to which he goes and finds evidence incriminating the two killers. He tracks one down and kills him and now that the police are on his tail he is hellbent on finding the second man responsible for his daughter’s death.
News has been waiting in the wings for sometime now involving independent filmmaker James Lee and the plans he has brewing over in Malaysia for his upcoming original channel, Doghouse 73 Pictures. Today, the channel’s conception grows closer to its full realization with the launch of the official website with new projects announced for feature-length and short films, series and theater projects, in addition to other film-related merchandise as well. Of course here, what draws our attention is the action, like Lee‘s previous conceptual fantasy action short, Atlantis Conspiracy with Jourdan Lee Khoo and Sunny Pang.
This month, the first of several projects being actively lined up include the currently-developing full feature horror thriller, The Lives Of The Rabbit Men, and the upcoming short film that caught my eye, Second Life. The latter, another of Lee‘s visions looking to bolster the Malaysian film circuit on a feature-length level, has already been filmed and should be ready by the end of March, centered on actor Michael Chin who the plays a rogue agent who wakes up one day with no memory and finds himself on the run with a mysterious briefcase while being guided by an unknown voice following the unsolved murder of another woman.
Actress Charlene Meng and Michael Chen also star from a script by Lee and fight choreography by indie action stunt crew, Low Angle Productions who have since went public late last year with a training reel to whet our appetites which you can view below.
In other news, fans of Sunny Pang can expect to see more of him in the theatrical Malaysian release of Randy Ang’s new film, Re: Solve. For more information on Doghouse 73 Pictures, visit the official website and stay tuned for more information as it develops.
Moviegoers looking forward to seeing Once Upon A Time In Mexico and Savages co-star Salma Hayek become a Yakuza butt-kicking femme fatale in Knights Of Badassdom director Joe Lynch‘s upcoming contained action thriller, Everly, have something to celebrate this week. Reports from the film’s activity at the European Film Festival in Berlin have concluded that Dimension and RADiUS/TWC have snagged the North American rights to the film, co-written by Yale Hannon, and starring Hayek as a down-on-her-luck woman forced to defend herself against swarms of Yakuza assassins sent to torture and kill her when her crime boss lover finds out she’s an FBI informant.
The news comes three months after Lynch Instateased a few new stills from the film’s production, for which Hayek reportedly received exclusive training in twenty different weapons with special forces in Belgrade, Serbia where the film was shot and completed. “You’ve never seen me like this before,” said Hayek in a previous statement last year. “And I love it. Because you really see a transformation in this character that’s noticeable and shocking. I become a badass.”.
Executive produced by Rizal Risjad, Everly also stars Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Togo Igawa, Caroline Chikezie, Gabriella Wright, Jelena Gavrilovic, Masashi Fujimoto and Hiroyuki Watanabe. The film is produced by Adam Ripp, Rob Paris and Luke Rivett, and is co-produced by Brett Hedblom, with action sequences designed by Akihiro “Yuji” Noguchi (Special Forces, Ninja, Travelers).
In the meantine, you can catch Lynch‘s latest release, Knights Of Badassdom, when it becomes available through VoD and Digital Download this Tuesday.
Stay tuned for further updates.
H/T: Dread Central
The world’s most elite counterterrorism unit has just taken its game to an entirely new level. And not a moment too soon…
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