A feel-good family film, Secretariat is a true story about an inspirational race horse and the lives he touches. Out on Blu-ray this week, this underdog-overcomes-all-odds tale is a fuzzy drama that will leave you feeling all warm inside.
New trailers for the upcoming Gnomeo and Juliet were released this week by Touchstone Pictures, and it looks to be either a work of genius, or a train wreck in the making. Not only will this 3-D animated comedy/adventure feature your garden-variety gnomes, but it’s taking on Shakespeare!
Based (I’m sure roughly) on the classic play about star-crossed lovers, Gnomeo and Juliet will feature two darling gnomes, young lovers caught in a feud between their respective lawns. This concept seems precariously balanced between clever and contrived. Plus, at least for me, garden gnomes seem obnoxious and a little creepy. I’m sure, considering the ample resources and budget behind this release, the gnomes will all be adorable, the songs catchy, and the visuals impressive.
An epic tale of survival, The Way Back is a film audiences can applaud. Based on “real events“, this film follows a small band of escapees as they search for freedom, even if they have to cross 4,000 miles on foot to do it. In theatres now, The Way Back has something for everyone; breathtaking visuals, an inspirational story, and touching scenes of friendship and courage.
Set against war-torn Europe in the late 1930s, the film begins with a young man (Jim Sturgess) being interrogated by a Soviet officer. He’s Polish, and caught between two armies; the Nazis have invaded from the west, and the Soviets from the east. Despite Janusz’s declarations of innocence, the officer accuses him of disloyalty to the Communist Party and he is sent off to a Siberian gulag.
An enjoyable low-budget horror flick, Vanishing on 7th Street has all the thrills and chills you could hope for. Starring Hayden Christensen (of Star Wars: Episode II-III fame) and John Leguizamo, this film deals with an apocalyptic black-out that ushers in a deadly darkness.
Most people are afraid of the dark because of what’s hiding in it, but this indie horror film introduces audiences to a more horrific idea; darkness itself is deadly. After a city-wide blackout, almost everyone suddenly disappears. One minute they’re standing there, the next they‘re a heap of empty clothes. A few survivors quickly learn that the darkness itself is killing people, or taking them, or something…and only light can keep the darkness away. But the days are growing shorter, and batteries are running down with eerie rapidity, and the darkness has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Released today was the trailer for the upcoming movie from HBO Films, The Sunset Limited. Starring Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones, the film takes place all in one room. Jones took on the directing role here and worked off a Cormac McCarthy (No Country For Old Men) screenplay.
I think this one has potential. The whole 'one room' idea is pretty interesting and there is definitely some nice talent involved with the film. The trailer itself looks good enough and I'll probably check this one out when it comes out on February 12th.
It's been a long time since we've heard or seen anything that has to do with The Matrix films. For better or for worse, most people assumed that Neo and company were gone, for good. Well, according to Keanu Reeves, who played Neo in the films, The Matrix isn't done yet. In fact, fans can expect two more films in the series. While promoting his new film, Henry's Crime, Reeves revealed that he has met with the Wachowskis and that they talked about doing two more Matrix films. Whether this is a good idea or not is up in the air. The first Matrix film was revolutionary and is still one of the best action films of all time. The next two, well, they didn't quite reach that same level. Many fans were ultimately let down when the trilogy came to an end.
Anthony Hopkins is currently in talks to play the legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock in the upcoming film Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. The film, based on the book of the same name by author Stephen Rebello, could end up being directed by Anvil! The Story of Anvil director Sacha Gervasi. Hitchcock was previously attached to the project a while back, when Ryan Murphy was going to direct. As of now, neither Gervasi or Hopkins are confirmed but both are in talks and apparently very close to signing deals.
If anyone could play Hitchcock it would be Hopkins. Hopkins is a fantastic actor whose taken on some truly great roles. I'm all for seeing him in the role and I really hope this goes through.
News broke today of Clint Eastwood signing on to direct and produce a remake of the classic film A Star Is Born, starring Beyonce. Judy Garland starred in the original 1954 version and although the script for the remake has been kicking around Hollywood for some time now, Beyonce is the only star attached. This will be the 4th version of the film and personally, I'm a bit surprised Eastwood has signed onto this one. Doesn't seem like a project he'd be interested in. No male lead has been cast yet but names like Will Smith and Eddie Murphy have been hovering around this film for a while.
Eastwood may be the right man for this film, despite it sounding like an odd project for him. After all, he is quite interested in music, he was behind the scores for Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby and Changeling.
