Focus Features has premiered the trailer for the latest from one of the most visionary directors working today, Tarsem Singh (The Fall, Immortals).
Self/less stars Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3) as a ridiculously wealthy man who is facing his mortality. When he is approached by a company who can give him longer life through having him take over a younger body, he leaps at the chance.
When he awakes, he’s Ryan Reynolds and at first, things are awesome. Then, the sanctity of aging takes over and all sorts of craziness ensues.
The Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer has premiered, and yes, it is stunning and gives us the chills. But, what are the takeaways… the big reveals?
We found 13 moments that are earthquake-worthy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and count them down, right up to that final shot in the teaser that is utterly glorious.
Watch The Avengers online and one thing that immediately becomes clear in the most current trailer is that this is a much darker film, yet writer-director Joss Whedon’s humor is still intact. I mean, check out these The Avengers quotes and no one brings the funny to fierce films like Whedon!
Click through and see what else we learned from the latest tease from the highly anticipated film that lands May 1 and brings back Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, the Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow and introduces us to a few more (potential) heroes, Scarlet Witch and her brother Quicksilver.
"I was designed to save the world. People looked to the sky and see hope. I’ll take that from them first," Spader says hauntingly in the opening moments of the latest Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer -- as if there was any doubt this guy was an impeccable choice to voice (and take the mo-cap suit for) Ultron. We have a feeling Spader as Ultron will give that Loki guy a serious run for your villain money.
He was trying to “build a suit of armor around the world†and instead he built “something terrible.†Hey, Stark, don’t kill yourself. Your Avengers pals may do that for you before this saga is over. Stark’s peacekeeping robots are doing anything but keeping the peace in the latest Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer.
Everyone always wondered if Black Widow would hook up with Captain America. But, did anyone see this potential romance between Bruce Banner and the Russian assassin coming? And honestly, is it even real? This is a “teaser†trailer after all!
Whedon scored so many points with the first The Avengers for flashing his wicked sense of humor throughout. And even though it appears the world is threatened with extinction in the latest trailer for Whedon’s sequel, those trademark laugh moments still permeate throughout. We love how Natasha (Scarlett Johansson) tells Stark that he has “amazingly failed.†Even Mr. Serious, Captain America, laughed at that one!
If The Avengers was known for just one thing, it was that shot of all the heroes in a circle ready to battle Loki’s army. “The shot†this time around, what is it, you ask? How about Thor, Black Widow, The Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man and Hawkeye all (literally) flying through the air in the forest? That’s the one!
It wouldn’t be an Avengers movie if there wasn’t an iconic moment for Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to deliver a speech. And boy, oh boy, does he get that opportunity when the stakes have never been higher for our heroes.
Quicksilver and his twin sister, Scarlet Witch, are drawn to the dark side that is Ultron. To see Quicksilver (after we first saw the character in X-Men: Days of Future Past) is pure joy. He’s fighting Cap!
Stark says that there is “no way we all get through this.†Considering he started it, he needs to be a bit surer of the potential for saving the day. Cap sees it as he says (with more humor!), “I have no plans tomorrow night.†Could this be another spoke in the wheel that is the rift that is coming in Captain America: Civil War?
We know how powerful (some feel she is the most powerful soul in the entire Marvel world) Scarlet Witch is, and we get that teased when she has some fun with Black Widow’s mind (and eyes!).
Whedon and Marvel have done a marvelous (get it?) job with teasing their villain. With this latest trailer, we at least get to see our villain from the waist up. And yes, the scary factor keeps growing higher.
We finally see the Vision! Paul Bettany doesn’t get to say much, but the former J.A.R.V.I.S. still looks quite robotic. And we think he’s the key to this whole battle!
Pixar and Disney have released the first poster for the upcoming film Inside Out.
The film arrives from the Oscar-winning helmer of Monsters Inc. and Up and takes you inside a place few animated (or live action) films have gone before!
Yup, folks, we’re going inside the mind of a tween… and her parents!
Judging by the Inside Out trailer, the folks at Pixar have done it again. And the brilliance on this one starts with casting.
As Riley moves to San Francisco with her parents, she’s none too happy about it. We get even more real when the emotions inside her head start to voice their commentary on the daily goings on of our lead character.
Amy Poehler voices Joy, Bill Hader is Fear, Lewis Black brings his trademark crankiness to Anger, Phyllis Smith portrays Sadness and Mindy Kaling could not be more perfect to play Disgust.
Inside Out arrives June 19 and check out Pete Docter’s brilliance and watch Up online for the director’s greatest achievement (so far!).
Evans will play Gaston, the pompous village antagonist who so badly wants Belle’s heart. Yet, Belle is not so keen on giving it to the man who is more into his own reflection than sharing in the journey that is love.
After the success of the live action Maleficent (based on Sleeping Beauty) and the initial reactions to the live action Cinderella, we are quite intrigued by this upcoming Disney project.
First of all, Condon knows a thing or two about musicals. He’s the guy who brought Dreamgirls to the big screen and helped score Jennifer Hudson an Oscar. And could Watson be a better Belle? Hardly! You would also be hard-pressed to find someone who could better capture Gaston than Evans.
Now, all that's left is to find our Beast -- who, of course, underneath it all is also quite a beauty.
One of Disney's most underrated movies, The Black Cauldron would bring a magical world of swords and sorcery to life, and with today's special effects, it could be astounding.
Of all of Disney's animated movies, we think that The Little Mermaid could be the easiest to bring to a live action format. The biggest question though is: Who could possibly step into the tail of the iconic Ariel?!
Walt Disney's release of Studio Ghibli's The Secret World of Arrietty was so magical it transcended animation. That is why we think a live action version -- with that Disney magic behind it -- could be just brilliant.
There is something about this story that keeps us coming back over and over. A live action version has been in the works for years, but never seems to take shape. Let's make this happen now!
The story of Aladdin has been told on the big screen, we give you that. But, the Disney version with its larger-than-life genie and love story at its heart... now that's the live action Aladdin movie we want to see.
There is something so beautiful about the musical rendition of the classic story by Disney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame that it would be a brilliant live action adaptation.
Those lush snowy landscapes! That riveting sisterly story! Imagine a live action retelling (give it like 20 years though) with two fantastic actresses who can also sing, and you've got one fantastic live action Frozen.
The Princess and the Frog has essentially been the inspiration for a slew of other live action romance films, why not put a live action version out there and claim the title of classic romance tale all for its own? With the animated film as the blueprint, you couldn't miss!
Well, as luck would have it, a live action Cinderella is already being filmed and we could not be more thrilled. With director Kenneth Branaugh at the helm, this is one of our most anticipated movies that is coming soon.
No, not Snow White and the Huntsman! We want a live action version, note for note, that takes the 1937 classic and brings it to life with modern moviemaking techniques. Think of it... it could be mesmerizing!
The Peanuts gang is back and they’re coming to the big screen with The Peanuts Movie. The holiday movie is set to arrive in theaters November 6.
We’ve got character posters from 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Animation that puts the spotlight on the main four characters from Charles M. Schultz’s world -- Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and of course, Snoopy and Woodstock!
When that first The Peanuts Movie trailer, we could have been more thrilled to see that our favorite character, that lovable and mischievous beagle, was set to battle the Red Baron anew.
But clearly that is just the tip of the iceberg of what to expect when the beloved cartoon characters come to the big screen in a CG animation family flick.
The Peanuts Movie is directed by Steve Martino from a script by Craig Schulz -- keeping it in the family!
Bobby Cannavale told us that he actually gets most of his roles from people he’s known over the years. We caught up with the star of Danny Collins to talk about his work in the Al Pacino film (more on that soon), a legend with whom he has become quite close with since they starred in Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway a few years back. Another gig that came that way was his role in the highly anticipated Ant-Man.
“Ant-Man was (star Paul) Rudd calling me up and saying, ‘Dude, you have to play this part. It’s going to be fun. Marvel’s going to call you tomorrow.’ That’s literally how it happened,” Cannavale told us and laughed.
“He literally said, ‘Marvel is going to call you. McKay and I have been working on the script. It’s going to be awesome. I’m not going to (expletive) you.'”
We suspect we’ll see more of him, but he does have the smallest of moments in that widely talked about Ant-Man teaser trailer that recently debuted. Cannavale plays Paxton, and from what the actor tells us about it, he has to be in front of the ant-sized Rudd on many an occasion. To say it was a challenge to not laugh while witnessing his BFF being a superhero is an understatement.
“He’s supposed to be this big [pinches fingers together]. Then I’m supposed to see him growing in front of me. But what I’m really seeing is Paul off camera standing on an apple box. Then he jumps off the apple box. And I’m supposed to act like he’s growing in front of me into this giant ant and then lands with this really heroic pose. But, he’s jumping off a box with green dots on him,” he said and laughed.
Cannavale also seemed to challenge his director Peyton Reed seeking to possibly go deeper than was required.
“[Paul’s] supposed to have a mask that they CGI in. I never see the mask. Every time I see him to talk, he goes like this [hits a pretend button]. I wasn’t used to that. He’d start to talk and he’d be like, [pretends to push button]. I’d ask ridiculous questions all the time,” Cannavale said.
“Peyton Reed, he just kept saying, ‘Dude, just do it.’ But I’d say, ‘I don’t understand. Is the mask going up this way or this way?’ They got so tired of my questions! ‘I don’t understand. If I was just over there, how did I get over here so quick?’”
His director had to keep reminding him he was in a Marvel film and not executing high art on the Broadway stage with his old friend Pacino!
“Reed would be like, ‘It’s a superhero movie. Just do it!’ But I’d say, ‘Do I have superhuman speed, because I was just three blocks away and now I’m here and I’m not even out of breath. Should I be out of breath?’ He’d be like, ‘Dude, it’s not the Unbearable Lightness of Being. It’s just (expletive) Ant-Man, just say the line.’ Then it just became a joke. I had a blast. We laughed so much on that thing.”
That seems to be the one thing that we get from chatting Ant-Man with Cannavale. In hindsight, it is not surprising. When you have Rudd starring from a script he co-wrote with Adam McKay (the guy responsible for those Anchorman quotes), humor has to be prevalent, on and off the set.
“They weren’t mercurial about the script. They weren’t mercurial about the humor, at all. They let us be in charge of that. We improvised a lot. Judy Greer’s very funny. Paul’s very funny. He’s a great improviser. The re-write of the script that Paul did with McKay lent itself to that. You could see that there’s a funny scene and we could actually riff off of that,” Cannavale said.
“That felt impressive to me in this big huge blockbuster film. It made me feel kind of good, that Marvel was going for something different. It didn’t feel like Thor. It felt more like Guardians of the Galaxy, which I really enjoyed. It brought a certain levity to a superhero movie that I had never seen before. But still, it was a trip because I’ve known Paul for so long since before he was famous like this. It’s just a trip to see one of your best friends in a ridiculous leather suit with dots all over him and you’re not supposed to laugh. We just laughed.”
Clearly the experience of working on Ant-Man has moved the award-winning actor. “It was a trip. I’ve never been in anything like that before. There’s a ton of people on this crew. There’s blue screen everywhere,” Cannavale said.
Those night shoots, combined with those aforementioned blue screens, had a bit of an effect on Cannavale.
“I remember one time, we were shooting at night for three weeks. I hadn’t seen anything behind me that wasn’t a blue screen for three nights in a row. I remember one night at four in the morning, being frustrated and just saying, ‘If it’s going to be blue screen all the time, why can’t you just make it be night? Why do we actually have to be here at night?’ That part of it was baffling to me,” Cannavale said.
“But, the actual work, the scenes with me and Paul Rudd, and Judy Greer and Michael Pena, felt like an indie film. It felt like fun.”
Since we first spoke to Sharlto Copley and Neill Blomkamp years ago, it was clear that when it came to passion projects, Chappie was theirs. Now that it is here for audiences to discover, our Chappie review dives into the latest dystopian world from the man who has never done it better than he did with the Oscar-nominated District 9.
Chappie is not only directed by Blomkamp (who also recently gave us Elysium), but he co-wrote it with Terri Tatchell. As teased in the Chappie trailer, the story follows a not-so-distant Johannesburg, South Africa set world where crime has taken over. To respond, a company headed by Sigourney Weaver, has provided the law enforcement with “Scouts,” robots developed by Dev Patel that will take most of the hits for the police force as they clean up the streets of the African capitol city.
Sharlto voices (and does the motion capture work) for Chappie. He’s a Scout that has taken a few too many hits and is being readied for the trash heap. That is until Patel’s scientist discovers what he thinks is the key to making artificial intelligence work. He saves the robot, installs the software, and Chappie is born.
Meanwhile. Ninja and Yolandi (the South African rappers essentially play themselves) kidnap Patel as he is making a break away from his company after illegally stealing the robot that will become Chappie. They think if they get him to help control those police robots, they can pull off a heist that will not only have them living on easy street, but will get rid of a $20 million mark that is on their heads.
They get one better, their own robot in Chappie. But when Chappie is rebooted, he has the mind of a child. He must be taught right and wrong, and even how to do the simplest of tasks. It is in this realm that Blomkamp’s Chappie truly moves the heart. We expected many outright emotional moments and unfortunately, they are not as heart-piercing as one would expect. It is difficult to see this child-like being suffer as Chappie does, but he quickly learns and goes from infant to teenager to fully thinking adult in the span of the film.
We’d say it’s a side story, but it actually takes up more space than it should and that’s the storyline that involves Hugh Jackman’s character. He is a weapons designer who also works for Weaver’s company. He is convinced that his warrior-like weapon that he's built is much better suited for the tough streets than these robots, who have largely been successful at getting the crime rate down. Jackman is always fantastic, but it’s kind of hard to see how this storyline really is anything more than a distraction within the entity of the movie itself.
There is enough going on with the “raising” of Chappie by Patel and Yolandi. That part is quite touching. What he has to do for his daddy, Ninja, is also quite profound. Are the sins of the father passed on to his “child?” We don’t need this war machine trumpeter (Jackman) to further dilute this tale, unfortunately. Sure, it sets up the climatic showdown, but it -- by that point -- feels hollow and unnecessary. And Weaver is underused but frankly it does not matter because the character is grossly underdeveloped.
For us, the entire Chappie experience is saved by the charming and heartwarming relationship between Patel, Yolandi and Chappie.
The performance of Copley further elevates the mo-cap revolution that Andy Serkis started all those years ago. His Chappie truly has a strong character arc that effectively captures what it is like to be wiped clean of memories and knowledge, and have to grow up and grow up fast. In that vein, the film feels quite timely as our children have access to so much information -- it seems to put a mirror to our own world at this moment.
Blomkamp just has too many balls in the air on this one, overall. Yet, it is hard to argue against the pulsating and powerful heart of Chappie.
Yesterday we revealed that the live action Beauty and the Beast had found its Gaston in Luke Evans. With Emma Watson set to be Belle, the only question that remained for director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) was: Who is going to be cast to play the Beast?
That answer has arrived and the helmer, who is bringing the classic animated Disney film to life, has gone three-for-three in the casting department.
The Guest breakout star -- and former Downton Abbey regular -- Dan Stevens has nailed the role of the dashing prince who suffers a curse and is forced to live life as a horrific beast until he finds someone to love him for who he is, and not simply what he looks like.
Stevens has had quite a run since getting killed off on Downton Abbey. Besides rocking in The Guest, he has appeared opposite Liam Neeson in A Walk Among the Tombstones, Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and will soon be seen opposite Adam Sandler in The Cobbler.
Watch Maleficent online and there’s a classic Disney animated tale brought to life in live action. Cinderella is getting the same treatment from Kenneth Branagh and will be in theaters March 13. Next up is Condon’s Beauty and the Beast and we are more than ready to be their guests.
Look for Beauty and the Beast in theaters sometime in 2016.
One of Disney's most underrated movies, The Black Cauldron would bring a magical world of swords and sorcery to life, and with today's special effects, it could be astounding.
Of all of Disney's animated movies, we think that The Little Mermaid could be the easiest to bring to a live action format. The biggest question though is: Who could possibly step into the tail of the iconic Ariel?!
Walt Disney's release of Studio Ghibli's The Secret World of Arrietty was so magical it transcended animation. That is why we think a live action version -- with that Disney magic behind it -- could be just brilliant.
There is something about this story that keeps us coming back over and over. A live action version has been in the works for years, but never seems to take shape. Let's make this happen now!
The story of Aladdin has been told on the big screen, we give you that. But, the Disney version with its larger-than-life genie and love story at its heart... now that's the live action Aladdin movie we want to see.
There is something so beautiful about the musical rendition of the classic story by Disney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame that it would be a brilliant live action adaptation.
Those lush snowy landscapes! That riveting sisterly story! Imagine a live action retelling (give it like 20 years though) with two fantastic actresses who can also sing, and you've got one fantastic live action Frozen.
The Princess and the Frog has essentially been the inspiration for a slew of other live action romance films, why not put a live action version out there and claim the title of classic romance tale all for its own? With the animated film as the blueprint, you couldn't miss!
Well, as luck would have it, a live action Cinderella is already being filmed and we could not be more thrilled. With director Kenneth Branaugh at the helm, this is one of our most anticipated movies that is coming soon.
No, not Snow White and the Huntsman! We want a live action version, note for note, that takes the 1937 classic and brings it to life with modern moviemaking techniques. Think of it... it could be mesmerizing!
Owen Wilson thinks that he has dragged his family across thousands of miles to Asia for a fresh and exciting new beginning. Little did he know that their paradise vision would be so short-lived.
The No Escape trailer has landed and it finds Wilson as a man who takes his wife (Lake Bell) and their two daughters to Asia for a better job. They are met by his co-worker who convinced Wilson it was a great move, played by Pierce Brosnan.
Soon, this American businessman learns that this Asian country is on the verge of a civil war and one day while out shopping, as seen in the trailer below, a coup erupts.
In fact, that was the first name of this movie… The Coup!
Watch The November Man online and it’s easy to see that Brosnan has been turning a corner of late and we welcome it. The former James Bond still has it in him to be an action movie star and it appears that No Escape will be his next big hit when it lands September 2.
It's nice to see Wilson branching out even more. He's so much more than the guy who can deliver Wedding Crashers quotes. Have you seen him in Behind Enemy Lines?!
Harrison Ford may play a pilot in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but he also enjoys flying in real life. Lucky for him, he also knows how to land a plane in trouble. Ford was flying a small engine plane today and had to do a crash landing on an LA golf course in the Venice area.
The actor survived the crash and it is said that he got a solid gash to his head and was bleeding quite seriously. Given that it’s a golf course, it should be no surprise that there were a few doctors on hand to provide some help to the legendary actor.
Ford was recently in the news for movie reasons as he just signed on to be in Blade Runner 2.
With his accident on the set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we noticed that Ford has had a penchant for injuring himself lately. We hope that Ford keeps things simpler in the future.
More on this story as it develops. Remember, he is not an expert pilot like Han Solo, he simply plays one in the movies! However, the actor is a seasoned pilot and, believe it or not, has walked away from other plane crashes. We sure hope he is doing OK. He is currently getting checked out at an LA hospital.
UPDATE: Ford has been listed in "fair" condition at the hospital. Ford's son tweeted that "Dad is OK. Battered, but OK."
Speaking of that, here's some awesome photos of Ford and the rest of the Star Wars gang having a little fun making a classic.
Harrison Ford (and Mark Hamill) are captured getting ready for filming Star Wars. Ford was reading his Han Solo lines and Hamill was studying up on Luke.
The Wolverine was a welcome slice of awesomeness in 2013 and X-Men: Days of Future Past was one of the top 15 movies of 2014. So, one could see how interest in a third Wolverine solo movie would be off the charts.
Although we know that Hugh Jackman will be back as Wolverine in X-Men: Apocalypse, we had a feeling he would return for a third solo flick, but nothing was written in stone yet.
With one simple tweet, Wolverine'sdirector answered our questions. When asked by a Twitter user when the third Wolverine film will shoot, he answered, “Early next year.”
Well, there you have it. This is fantastic news and as we await the latest Singer take on the X-Men world, let’s watch X-Men: Days of Future Past online and get ready for Wolverine 3 to hit theaters March 3, 2017.
Pixar president Jim Morris has helped us figure out just how you follow up the perfection that is Toy Story 3. You don’t.
Fans of the Toy Story series were probably a little surprised when it was announced that Pixar and Disney were moving forward with a Toy Story 4 with John Lassiter directing.
Why? And what on earth could they still cover after how neatly Toy Story 3 wrapped everything up (and scored a zillion Oscar nominations in the process)?
Well, it seems that Morris was conducting an interview with Disney Latino and said that the franchise would be going in an entirely different direction.
“The third movie ended in a beautiful way and completed a trilogy. I think this movie is not part of this trilogy. It is a separate story, which in turn I do not know if will be continued. Never begin a project with that in mind,” Morris said.
“It will be a love story. It will be a romantic comedy. It will not put much focus on the interaction between the characters and children. I think it will be a very good movie.”
We can totally see this, although which characters will be falling in love? Could both Buzz (Tim Allen) and Woody (Tom Hanks) be getting girlfriends? Who knows?
Although Cars 2 arrived in 2011 and was not the most beloved of the Disney-Pixar movies, it still proved a force at the international box office. To date, Cars 2 has banked $559.9 million.
Monsters Inc. could not have cast better with Billy Crystal as Mike and John Goodman as Sully. That Pixar-Disney effort starts our top ten with its international gross of $562.8 million.
Ratatouille and its story of a Parisian rat who dreams of being a top notch chef cooked up some serious dough at the international box office with a $623.72 million gross.
There's a reason that The Incredibles has had people demanding a sequel since it debuted a decade ago in 2004. $631.4 million in ticket sales tends to leave people wanting more!
Up warmed the soul when it premiered in 2009 and although there was much to love (Squirrel!) about the film, it was its heart and story of timeless love that captured audiences and led to its $731.3 million in international box office gross.
To find out how Sully met Mike, Monsters University went back in time and audiences responded in droves. The fifth highest grossing Disney film of all time internationally has earned $743.6 million.
The Lion King is so darn popular that it even spawned a Broadway show that is still among the highest grossing of all time on the Great White Way. In theaters, the animated classic has wowed with $987 million in global ticket sales.
Toy Story 3 was by far the best of the Toy Story movies and that is saying something, considering that they're all bloody fantastic! The film, which won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, is number two with $1.06 billion... yes with a "B!"
Frozen IS the highest grossing Disney animated movie of all time! And that is saying something about the state of the animation studio that its most recent release is also its highest grossing. Just how much has Frozen taken in cold hard cash? How about $1.28 billion!
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was a surprise $100 million blockbuster when it landed on screens in 2011. And just because a film that was geared at a more mature (and wiser?) set of moviegoers did so well, why wouldn’t it do exactly what every other film does when it hits that financial benchmark? It made a sequel!
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is exactly that. It is second best, but that is still pretty darn fantastic.
One of the charms of the first film was that it gathered some of our favorite British veteran actors in one film. Where else could you see Bill Nighy, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in a comedy that also touched a deeper nerve about getting older, living life for the moment, exploring the world around us and discovering that we are more alike than we are dissimilar?
For The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, director John Madden and screenwriter Ol Parker have upped the ante and added two Americans to the mix. Richard Gere is a man who claims to be a newly divorced soul who is seeking to write a novel. Or, he may be someone completely else who could influence the future of our beloved Indian hotel. The second American actor to join the cast plays quite the important role in a smaller part, David Strathairn.
As teased in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel trailer, Dev Patel’s establishment for retirees who are far from done with contributing to society, has filled out all the rooms. He and his hotel manager, Smith, have headed to America seeking investors (like Strathairn). They seek to make what they’ve done so well with the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and expand it to a second and even move further across India.
That title works on two levels, doesn’t it?!
There is a pretty highly involved plot that is so charming and sweet in this follow-up to the smash hit and it’s not just about Patel trying to expand his hotel. There are love questions about Dench and Nighy and the former is pursued to work in a new field in India by a potential employer who thinks she is just dazzling. Exes rear their heads, new romances are born and there’s that wedding for Patel and his beloved. And yes, there will be Bollywood music and choreographed dancing at the reception (we’re a sucker for that).
Dench, Smith, Nighy and Patel all up their game and each brings something fresh to the role that creates a sense of need that this story should continue. They have grown. So many storytellers forget to do that with their characters in a sequel. It is just taken for granted that we know these cats and are content to sit and watch them do the same thing. That is exactly the opposite of what we have here. Each veteran from the first film (all of them, not just the four leads) has meaty moments throughout and therefore, truly earn the audiences return passage to India.
Gere is a fantastic addition. The potential relationship, teased in this The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel clip, between Gere and Patel’s mother is not a given to flower into something romantic. Also, there’s a mystery to his character that the veteran American actor manages to keep close to his sleeve until the plot dictates its reveal. That is another thing that sequels forget, revealing too much too early.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel avoids many sequel pratfalls and in fact, ups the ante for anyone seeking to explore a popular story for a second visit.
Madden is the perfect man to continue this story and we are actually quite hopeful that the sequel finds an even bigger audience so that we can build a Third Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. We are far from done with these characters, our The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel review can report. When do we check in to the glorious third one?
The Furious 7 gang has delivered one more sneak peek to its die-hard fans all over the world (before its April 3 premiere) in the form of an “extended first look." It aired during the premiere of the USA Network’s new show, Dig.
We get fantastic glimpses at the heart-pounding action that was all over those last two Furious 7 TV spots, but there’s so much more.
In fact, fans should be thrilled that Universal has shown off what appears to be almost the entire scene of something that we promise will make your jaw drop and your heart pound. If anyone wonders how they can top themselves after six films, just watch the below clip!
The extended look also reminds us why we adore this film franchise in the first place -- the cast. Vin Diesel always talks on screen about how the gang is more family than anything else. We see that familial bond in this extended look as filmmakers show off the cast including Diesel, Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Michelle Rodriguez and Lucas Black.
Of course, we also are excited to see the return of Dwayne Johnson and new to the series Djimon Hounsou, Ronda Rousey, Tony Jaa, Kurt Russell and, of course, Jason Statham.
And like a family, they take care of their own. In Furious 7, one Furious member is gunned down in Tokyo and the family is being targeted. They go on the offensive and go after the source, Statham. “The sins of London have followed us home,” Diesel says. Yes, they have.
Gee, how do you think this fight will go between Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham? Well, given that Statham's our bad guy and that this is problably not the final fight, we're guessing he gets out of the beating somehow!
Vince Vaughn has re-teamed with his Delivery Man director Ken Scott for his latest effort at bringing a funny flick, Unfinished Business. Is it one of our top 11 Vince Vaughn comedies? Sadly, it is not and it appears to be another miss from the talented actor who can do both silly and serious. The issue may be that he is trying to make comedies of late that flirt with both at the same time.
Unfinished Business is not simply about a guy trying to save his company and the make-it-or-break-it business trip to Europe and all the pratfalls that befall his workers (played by Dave Franco and game for being outrageously comedically crazy, serious British thespian Tom Wilkinson).
There is also the home life aspect that Vaughn is fighting for and we salute that. But, it dilutes the comedic aspect of Unfinished Business with a couple of storylines that feel cliché and tossed in to capture what is on the evening news. Vaughn’s teenage son is being bullied at school and his young daughter may or may not be a bully herself.
While Vaughn is trying to close this deal that we hear he has been working on for a year, he is simultaneously dealing with these issues from home. Yes, we know these are exactly the types of situations many of us face while trying to take care of business and be the best family man or woman we can be! But in this comedy, it just feels like an afterthought that was inserted into the screenplay to add depth and heart to something that truthfully did not need it.
The film is called Unfinished Business and it should center on the land mines of humor that can be found from the institution that is the business trip. You even have the guy who has never been on one (Franco) and all that that entails. And then there’s Wilkinson’s character that is miserable in his long term marriage and eager to bust out of his shell and relive his youth and truly “love” again. Those are comedic gems waiting to happen that the audience gets pulled away from when the biz-centric comedy has to stop for a Skype call from home with issues that are pulling Vaughn in a million directions.
We get it. He is facing challenges at home and at work. Again, this is a film called Unfinished Business and we think all involved would have been better served to focus more on the magic that is Wilkinson and Franco’s characters and the easily flustered character that Vaughn inhabits. That is comic gold! There's plenty of that in the Unfinished Business red band trailer!
Franco steals the movie. There is no doubt about it. He plays a simpleton who seems like the last guy you want on a do or die business trip. But, in a great lesson of don’t judge a book by its cover, he may be exactly who you need on the front lines hammering out a deal that will save the company. See, that’s where your heart and character challenge could come from! Not necessarily having your lead glued to a tablet, smart phone or laptop taking care of business at home.
There are plenty of laugh out loud moments, but they all arise from Vaughn being Vaughn, Franco pushing the "is he crazy or brilliant" envelope and Wilkinson as a man who has lived so restricted for so long, that this may be his last chance at getting wild.
Unfortunately, our Unfinished Business review finds, we go home too many times on this business trip to make this comedy the next great Vaughn funny-fest.
Perhaps Vaughn should stop finding the heartwarming in films (like in Delivery Man and The Internship) and focus on just being a spoke in the wheel of a funny film that doesn’t apologize for what it is (like The Watch).
After yesterday's Harrison Ford plane crash, the world responded with shock and prayers for one of our favorite movie stars to make a full recovery.
According to sources at the Los Angeles hospital where Ford is recovering from injuries sustained after an impressive crash landing on a Venice golf course, the Star Wars: The Force Awakensstar is doing just fine and is expected to be released soon.
The internet responded in a way that is just perfect, of course now that we know he will be OK.
We've compiled a slideshow of some of the best memes to emerge in the last 18 hours since Ford's plane went down.
They are mostly from Star Wars, but there's a nice Indiana Jones reference in there too.
And there are a few that explore who might have shot down Ford's plane!
In anticipation for the release of the latest Tomorrowland trailer which bows on Monday, Disney has released the first true poster featuring actors! Star George Clooney strikes quite the “look to the future” gaze that is beyond fitting given the premise of the upcoming film.
Clooney plays a former child genius who has grown up a bit cynical.
He finds inspiration anew when he encounters Britt Robertson’s character, who is filled to the brim with scientific optimism that gets a shot in the arm when she discovers a mysterious pin that when held takes her to a different world
Tomorrowland arrives in theaters May 22 and comes to us from Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol helmer Brad Bird (check out his animated work and watch The Incredibles online).
The film also stars Hugh Laurie, Tim McGraw, Judy Greer, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson.
That first Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer was downright earth-shattering. It even made the evening network news! But, that is hardly surprising since expectations could not be higher for any movie in recent (or not-so-recent) memory. Now, fans are wondering: What is next and when can we expect to see the next trailer for J.J. Abrams’ sci-fi epic?
First off, will the big three from the first trilogy appear? We’re thinking yes.
Latino Review, who has had a pretty solid history of predicting such things, claims that they know exactly what will be contained in that second trailer.
We see John Boyega and Daisy Ridley with that lightsaber that they found that we all know belongs to Luke Skywalker and when they turn it on it’s green -- like Return of the Jedi green!
Speaking of Ford, Han Solo shows up getting onto his iconic ship (with Chewie) and turns to say goodbye to Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia.
Then Luke Skywalker finally makes his presence felt and shows up as a shadowy figure in a dark robe as Andy Serkis says in voice over, “Don’t get too sentimental.”
We had a feeling that Luke might be following in his father’s footsteps. But, maybe that “sentimental” comment has some other meaning. It’s all conjecture at this point and we, frankly, are just thrilled to be talking about a new Star Wars movie!
Now, as for when we will see it... We guess and would bet on the fact that it will be revealed at the Anaheim-based Star Wars Celebration that is April 16 through April 19.
Here’s what we took away from that first Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer!
Is John Boyega on Tatooine? We think yes. Is he a Storm Trooper? We think no. We believe that Boyega has been undercover and he has landed on Tatooine looking for Luke Skywalker and, yes, he looks deathly serious. Something wicked this way is coming.
Sure, we don’t get to see R2D2 (or even C3PO). But who is that robot with the circular wheel bottom who is panicked and speeding down the landscape? We don’t know, but we LOVE him (or her).
It’s not good. It’s not good at all. But it appears that the Storm Troopers are back. And where are they dropping into like paratroopers of old? That can’t be good.
We know they’ve gotten quite an upgrade, but simply seeing a pilot in an X-Wing fighter makes us smile profusely. And then, we get to see them flying along the water? Day. Made.
As the Star Wars theme swelled and the title image appeared, not only did we get the chills, but a little misty eyed too. Star Wars is back, people, something I never thought I’d say.
The highest grossing movie of 2014, Mockingjay Part 1, has arrived on DVD and Blu-Ray. The third The Hunger Games movie overtook Guardians of the Galaxy recently as receipts were tallied and now fans of the Suzanne Collins book series can add this fantastic home video package to their collection as Lionsgate has released the phenomenal third chapter.
As we stated in our theatrical Mockingjay Part 1 review, what works so well for this Francis Lawrence-directed film is that he takes into account what happens when you watch Catching Fire online. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence, still awesome) has clearly got to have some serious PTSD.
It shows in the film’s first two acts. She also is less concerned about a brewing revolution that she may have sparked and worries more about her Hunger Games partner/potential love interest Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), who was left behind when rebels swooped in and picked her up at the end of the last film.
This is a fantastic chance for a blockbuster movie to show some real emotion. With an Oscar winner handling the psychological landmines, it only elevates the film’s power.
We also get a (recent) Oscar winner in Julianne Moore as President Coin. Moore is impeccably cast as the leader of the revolution. She seems an open book, but yet she very much keeps all her motivations close to her chest. She may be seeking to depose President Snow (Donald Sutherland, who keeps getting more vicious as this series goes on!). But, what are Coin’s true intentions for the revolution’s aftermath? These are answers we will clearly get when Mockingjay Part 2 lands this November!
It is also bittersweet to see Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is so fantastic in the role of Plutarch Heavensbee, President Snow's advisor turned confidant of President Coin.
What also is a nice surprise is the damaged emotional arc that Hutcherson has to emit with his Peeta in Mockingjay Part 1. Is he brainwashed? Does he have PTSD? And now, we are left wondering where his allegiances lie. It’s all supremely fascinating and has us eagerly awaiting the final chapter this winter. Until then, we always have those Mockingjay Part 1 quotes!
When it comes to bonus features, like the previous The Hunger Games home video releases, no creative stone is left unturned. There is over five hours' worth!
Our favorite has to be The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of Mockingjay Part 1. This featurette showcases interviews with the cast and filmmaking team behind the movie that have never before been seen. Viewers also get on-set footage that truly takes fans inside the making of a page-to-screen masterpiece.
This featurette chronicles this flick from the script adaptation, set construction and design, and even location scouting. Fascinating is too tame of a word to describe the depths with which the Mockingjay Part 1 team went to educate and enlighten audiences on this one!
Given that it is Hoffman’s final role, the inclusion of Straight from the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman is about as perfect of a salute as the late actor’s fans could ask for. Put it this way, audiences will miss him even more -- if that is even possible.
One of the more interesting developments while the movie was being made was the tapping of Lorde as “curator” of the film’s soundtrack. She herself contributed a Golden Globe-nominated theme with Yellow Flicker Beat. But Songs of Rebellion: Lorde on Curating the Soundtrack is a terrific featurette that chronicles the young singer’s effort to put together a score of songs that fit the themes and emotional peaks and valleys of Lawrence’s motion picture.
The first weekend movie preview for the month of March gives us the latest sci-fi vision from District 9 creator Neill Blomkamp, sees the return of Vince Vaughn to raunchy comedy with Unfinished Business and the gang from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is back for the sequel!
Let's break it down...
Chappie: Blomkamp returns to a South African-centric story (like District 9) for his latest -- the story of an AI robot who has the mind of a child and learns to grow through the help of some unlikely maternal and paternal characters. Dev Patel stars and is the heart and soul of the movie truly. Longtime Blomkamp collaborator Sharlto Copley provides the voice of the title character and it's nice to see Hugh Jackman play a villain. Even if it is a villain with a mullet.
Our Chappie review found the movie had too many balls in the air. If it had just focused on the robot, Patel and Jackman, it would have been a much smoother and heartwarming tale.
The Second Best Marigold Hotel: They're back and looking to expand. Patel has his second flick of the weekend and this sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is by far the better of the two Patel films out now. Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy all are back and are given character arcs that are deeply satisfying and rarely found in sequels. Richard Gere joins the cast as a new resident of the hotel and he could not have been better cast and given a better role to sink his talented teeth into.
For more on this complete and utter treat, check out our The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel review. The Bollywood musical score (and dancing) only adds to this flick's awesomeness.
Unfinished Business: Vaughn is back and although this film is raunchy in its comedic delivery, there are too many trying-to-be-heartwarming moments. Is this an R-rated comedy or a family comedy? The problem is it just doesn't know. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, for sure, but every time Vaughn checks back at home with his family, they lose us.
We love a good family comedy, as reported in our Unfinished Business review, but family and raunchy comedy should never be words that are used in the same sentence.
