Tag Archives: movie notes

Paul Rudd is Ant-Man

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On August 18 Marvel initiated principal photography on its next super hero franchise, Ant-Man. Above is the first image of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man. At the start of the movie he is a thief, and by the end he will be transformed into a superhero with the power to drastically decrease in size and increase in strength. Rudd stars alongside Michael Douglas (who plays his mentor Dr. Hank Pym), Evangeline Lilly (who plays Hope Van Dyne, daughter of Hank Pym), Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Abby Ryder Fortson, Judy Greer, David Dastmalchian, Wood Harris, John Slattery, and Gregg Turkington, and T.I. And here’s the latest synopsis:

Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Ant-Man, directed by Peyton Reed (Edgar Wright stepped away from the project), hits theatres July 17, 2015 and will shot on location in San Francisco (see above) and Atlanta, Georgia.

Can comedic actor Paul Rudd suit up and transform into a respectable super hero? If Chris Pratt of Parks and Rec fame can do it (aka Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Star-Lord), I have faith. Skip after the break for a Comic Con-exclusive poster featuring concept art from the upcoming flick.

[Via Marvel 1, 2] Continue reading Paul Rudd is Ant-Man →

First look: The Muppets are back in ‘The Muppets …Again!’

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The Muppets are coming! The Muppets are coming! After a hugely successful return to the silver screen in 2011’s The Muppets, Kermit and the gang are back for more in a followup sequel The Muppets …Again!. James Bobin is back at the helm and again he co-wrote the script with Nicholas Stoller. Also returning is Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame who won a shiny Oscar for Best Original Song “Man or Muppet” which was featured in the first film. What’s this one about? Read on…

Disney’s The Muppets …Again! takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two.

Jason Segal and Amy Adams will not reprise their roles. Instead fresh blood will invigorate the franchise; Tina Fey (30 Rock) plays feisty prison guard Nadya, Ty Burrell (Modern Family) is Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon, and comedian Ricky Gervais is the villain’s sidekick Dominic.

“It’s great to be back working with the Muppets,” said Bobin, “some of them even remember my name occasionally now. As for the movie, it’s a tip of the hat to the old-school crime capers of the ’60s, but featuring a frog, a pig, a bear and a dog—no panthers, even pink ones—along with the usual Muppet-y mix of mayhem, music and laughs.”

The Muppets … Again! will shoot on location in London and in Hollywood, as well as in the famed Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, just outside of London. Save the date: March 21, 2014.

Eye the Muppets in London in the colorful image pasted above (Walter’s back!) and after the break you’ll find Gervais keeping Kermit and Miss Piggy close to his vest. Continue reading First look: The Muppets are back in ‘The Muppets …Again!’ →

Viral marketing campaign begins for Guillermo Del Toro’s monsters vs. robots epic ‘Pacific Rim’

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Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth) is working on a modern monster movie called Pacific Rim. It was unveiled and previewed at this year’s Comic Con to a raging audience. It’s a sci-fi epic to look forward to. Instead of construing words, learn what it’s about directly from the source, helmer Del Toro. In a 2011 interview with Wired he said:

“It’s really, it’s a very, very beautiful poem to giant monsters. Giant monsters versus giant robots. Twenty-five-story-high robots beating the crap out of 25-story-high monsters. We’re trying to create a world in which the characters are real and how it would affect our world politically, how it would affect the landscape if creatures like this really came out of the sea.”

Want more? Here’s the official synopsis:

When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes—a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)—who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.

To promote the film’s summer release, a viral marketing campaign has begun in the form of a shaky-cam clip uploaded to YouTube called “BREAKING NEWS: KAIJU ATTACK.” It’s embedded above and it gives viewers a glimpse of the monstrous creatures Del Toro has imagined for Pacific Rim. It comes off as very Cloverfield, but be mindful that the picture will not be presented in shaky-cam format. Interested in following the viral madness? Bookmark the movie’s official site where you’ll find a gallery of concept art and blueprints for the “Jaeger” robotic machines and more glimpses at the Kaiju.

Pacific Rim, starring Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, Clifton Collins Jr., Max Martini, Rinko Kikuchi, and Robert Kazinsky, is out July 12. The first theatrical trailer is expected to drop December 12.

Movie trailer: Anthony Hopkins is ‘Hitchcock’

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Is Alfred Hitchcock rising from the grave? No, but you might make a double take when you watch this trailer for Hitchcock, a biopic that follows the famed director as he attempts to get one of his most adored films Psycho into theatres. Directed by a Brit Sacha Gervasi, the movie is based on Stephen Rebello’s non-fiction book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho and it stars Anthony Hopkins as a convincing Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Helen Mirren as Hitchcock’s wife Alma Reville and Scarlett Johansson and James D’Arcy as the leads of Psycho, Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. The good-looking cast appears up to the challenge in this premiere trailer, and with a November 23 release date the movie will be up for contention at this year’s Oscars.

With Hitchcock releasing next month, the master of horror is getting the star treatment this year if you also factor in HBO’s upcoming TV film The Girl. This one stars Toby Jones as Hitchcock and it explores his questionable relationship with actress Tippi Hedren, the girl who starred in his films The Birds and Marnie, played by Sienna Miller. The Girl airs Saturday, October 20th at 9PM on HBO. The trailer sits after the break. Continue reading Movie trailer: Anthony Hopkins is ‘Hitchcock’ →

A 5-minute 41-second trailer for ‘Cloud Atlas’, a genre-defying film from The Wachowskis & Tom Tykwer

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Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.

That is the official synopsis out now for the upcoming film Cloud Atlas. Written for the screen and directed by siblings Andy and Lana Wachowski (The Matrix) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run), Cloud Atlas is adapted from a 2004 novel written by David Mitchell. The epic tale tells multiple stories and intricately weaves them all together. It spans across centuries and travels between the past, present, and future. And it cannot be delegated to a single genre; Cloud Atlas is a romance story with elements of action-adventure, fantasy, mystery, and sci-fi. It’s also being described as political and philosophical. “Why keep genres separated?” exclaims Andy Washowski.

It’s got a great cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Zhou Xun , Keith David, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, and Hugh Grant. And get this: The majority of these actors will be playing multiple characters in the film. “We all see this amazing opportunity to use the entire cast in multiple roles,” the filmmakers explain. “We love actors and we saw this chance to not just play different characters, but different ages, different races, different genders. Representing a core concept of the book: an idea of connectedness and karma, each character inheriting the consequences of their lives.”

To spread the word of their upcoming genre-defying epic, the Wachowskis and Twyker released a very long trailer maxing out at 5 minutes and 41 seconds. You’ll really get a sense of the massive scope Cloud Atlas brings to the table, both visually and in its storytelling format. For more, jump after the break to watch the filmmakers discuss how the movie came together and what movie-goers can expect from such a unique work of art.

Cloud Atlas hits theatres October 26. Continue reading A 5-minute 41-second trailer for ‘Cloud Atlas’, a genre-defying film from The Wachowskis & Tom Tykwer →

Movie trailer: ‘Oz: The Great and Powerful’

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Sam Raimi, the director of the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy, is back in Oz The Great and Powerful. In it he tells the fantastical origin story of The Wizard of Oz, a character originally invented by L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story serves as a prequel to the famous 1939 film starring Judy Garland. A synopsis follows:

When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot–fame and fortune are his for the taking–that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity–and even a bit of wizardry–Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

Oz: The Great and Powerful opens March 8, 2013 in 3D.

Movie trailer round-up: ‘Dredd’, ‘Taken 2’, ‘V/H/S’, ‘Monsters University’ & ‘Hotel Transylvania’ [Update: 3 more trailers!]

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Lionsgate is outputting a remake of the critically panned Sylvester Stallone vehicle Judge Dredd. The new one is simply called Dredd and it stars Karl Urban (Star Trek) as the judge, jury, and executioner. He is assigned to rookie Cassandra Anderson (played by Olivia Thirlby) and together they attempt to take down prostitute turned drug lord Ma-Ma (played by Game of Thrones‘ Lena Headey). The film, directed by Pete Travis (Vantage Point) promises to return “the celebrated character to the dark, visceral incarnation from John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s revered comic strip.” Will the remake end up being better than the corny original? You be the judge.

Dredd opens in 3D on September 21.

Jump after the break to view more trailers. Continue reading Movie trailer round-up: ‘Dredd’, ‘Taken 2’, ‘V/H/S’, ‘Monsters University’ & ‘Hotel Transylvania’ [Update: 3 more trailers!] →

Movie trailer round-up: ‘Gangster Squad’, ‘The Watch’ & ‘Total Recall’ [Update: ‘The Campaign’]

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The director behind Zombieland and 30 Minutes or Less is back with a star-studded gangster pic. Ruben Fleischer has rounded up Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone, Nick Nolte, Michael Peña, and Sean Penn to helm Gangster Squad. And here’s what it’s about:

Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and–if he has his way–every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart. “Gangster Squad” is a colorful retelling of events surrounding the LAPD’s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous mafia bosses of all time.

Yeah, from the looks of this trailer Gangster Squad is going to be one entertaining movie that cannot be missed. Unfortunately we have to wait for October 19 to roll around before we can see it. Perhaps these next two summer movies will hold you over until then… jump after the break! Continue reading Movie trailer round-up: ‘Gangster Squad’, ‘The Watch’ & ‘Total Recall’ [Update: ‘The Campaign’] →

Trailer round-up: ‘Hotel Transylvania’ & ‘Brave’ [Update: ‘This Is 40’ & ‘Prometheus’]

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The next movie from Sony Pictures Animation is Hotel Transylvania, and Adam Sandler is Dracula. Here’s a nice and tidy synopsis:

Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of the world’s most famous monsters — Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more — to celebrate his daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem — but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.

The talented voice cast includes Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, David Koechner, Cee Lo Green, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, and David Spade. Genndy Tartakovsky, creator of popular animated TV series like Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, and most recently Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is directing. Hotel Transylvania hits theatres in 3D on September 28.

Now jump after the break for another look at Pixar’s Brave. Continue reading Trailer round-up: ‘Hotel Transylvania’ & ‘Brave’ [Update: ‘This Is 40’ & ‘Prometheus’] →

Teaser trailer: Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Bruce Willis in sci-fi action thriller ‘Looper’

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Fans of time travel, here’s an coming movie to keep on your radar.

In the futuristic action thriller Looper, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past, where a “looper” – a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good… until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination.

Joining Gordon Levitt (Inception) and Willis (Die Hard) are Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels. Looper is written and directed by Rian Johnson (Brick). In theatres September 28. A video after the break features Gordon-Levitt and Johnson explaining the freakishly intriguing premise. Continue reading Teaser trailer: Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Bruce Willis in sci-fi action thriller ‘Looper’ →

Trailer round-up: Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Ted’, Colin Farrell in ‘Total Recall’ remake & ‘Rock of Ages’

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Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane is making his feature film directing debut with the live action mixed with CGI comedy Ted. This clip is one of the funniest, well put together trailers I have ever seen. Yes, I am hyping this up for you because it is that good. (Note that this is a red-band trailer that includes lots of profanity and sexual references.) I do not want to harp too much on what you’re about to see because any kind of spoilery would ruin the viewing experience for you. So I will leave you with this not-so-revealing official synopsis:

In the live action/CG-animated comedy, [Seth MacFarlane] tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish…and has refused to leave his side ever since.

Ted, starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and director/writer/star Seth MacFarlane sounding a lot like Peter Griffin, opens July 13.

Jump after the break to see more trailers. Continue reading Trailer round-up: Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Ted’, Colin Farrell in ‘Total Recall’ remake & ‘Rock of Ages’ →

Trailer: ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’

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Check out this trailer for the upcoming sci-fi comedy Safety Not Guaranteed. It stars Aubrey Plaza from Parks and Rec, Jake M. Johnson from New Girl, Karan Soni (who you might recognize from FOX’s Touch premiere), Kristin Bell, and Mark Duplass. The movie, which comes from the producers of Little Miss Sunshine, tells this story:

When an unusual classified ad inspires three cynical Seattle magazine employees to look for the story behind it, they discover a mysterious eccentric named Kenneth, a likable but paranoid supermarket clerk, who believes he¹s solved the riddle of time travel and intends to depart again soon. Together, they embark on a hilarious, smart, and unexpectedly heartfelt journey that reveals how far believing can take you.

Safety Not Guaranteed was screened at the Sundance Film Festival and SXSW this year and came out with radiant reviews. Watch the trailer for it above, then jump after the break to hear director Colin Trevorrow summarize and expand on what the movie is all about. What would you do if you discovered time travel? This film will tackle that question and simultaneously take you on an exploration of friendship and revelations. It opens June 8. Continue reading Trailer: ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ →