Meeting with Tim Burton

Tim Burton talks

Not to me, for once. But to the Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg.

Directed by David Fincher

The Company You Keep trailer

Directed by Robert Redford. Very 70s; my favourite film era. And what a cast.

Trance trailer

Directed by Danny Boyle. This is the red band one. Prepare for some gore.

Hit By A Bus. Again. And again.

They're called clichés for a reason, as this compilation shows. I was actually present during the filming of one of these moments. Can you guess which?

(via BleedingCool.com)

Frankenweenie: The Visual Companion

Out February 5.

Spring Breakers trailer

I've never really been a fully paid up member of the Harmony Korine fan club, but this certainly looks promising.

Byzantium trailer

Gemma Arterton. Saoirse Ronan. Neil Jordan. Vampires. What's not to like.

Bullet To The Head

There's a new Walter Hill movie out in cinemas today. It's called Bullet To The Head and stars Sylvester Stallone. The reviews have been mixed at best. I've not seen it yet, so can't attest to its artistic merits, but it's directed by the guy who made The Driver and 48 Hrs and Southern Comfort and The Warriors and Streets Of Fire among others, and who also co-wrote and produced Alien. All of which makes Hill a legend in my book. Go see.

Paperman

If you haven't watched this, you really should. And if you have, it's worth another look. Delightful. Sublime storytelling.

Out today in the UK: Zero Dark Thirty

My favourite film of last year. See it.

The Force is strong in this one

According to Deadline Hollywood, JJ Abrams is directing the next Star Wars film. I, for one, think this is a great idea. But until official confirmation arrives, it's still a rumour, albeit a strong one.

The internet has already had a lot to say already, but the one thing that Abrams' hiring will bring is a degree of secrecy that can only be beneficial. I'd like to go into this one knowing as little as possible.

Here's EW's take on the Abrams news.

Top Gun 3D trailer

I'm there.

Upstream Color trailer

I adore Shane Carruth's debut feature Primer, so much so I have been known to get quite evangelical about it in the presence of non-seers. Carruth's follow-up, Upstream Color, has been a long time coming, but audiences at Sundance will finally be witness its unveiling this month. I. Can't. Wait. Although since I'm not at Park City, I'm going to have to...

So last year

Love this.

Evil Dead trailer

I love Sam Raimi's original Evil Dead. I saw it theatrically on its initial release. I saw it on video when the BBFC deemed fit to release it in the UK. And I've seen it on DVD many, many times since. As such I wasn't, I admit, too interested in this remake, despite Raimi's involvement as producer. And yet this trailer has totally changed my mind. It's creepy and gory and has a real 70s vibe. I hope the film matches up.

Last minute amendment

Killing Them Softly was always there are there abouts when doing my top 12. I liked it a lot when I first saw it, but watching it again last night I realised the error of my ways when not including it in my final list. So, it's in. Not sure what would go, so it's now a top 13. And if you've got a problem with that, I'll send Jackie round.

Twelve for 2012

While you'll find me more on twitter these days (@mark_salisbury) than here (a fact I hope to rectify come 2013), it didn't feel right to round off the year without stopping by and formalising a top twelve list. The first two are in numerical order. Thereafter, they're not. There's no Shame, Descendents et al, because they feel so last year to me. The top movie comes out in the UK in January but I've seen it twice and it's the film of the moment, so to speak. Dredd not only nailed the character but made me feel like I was ten again, reading 2000AD. Its box office was so disappointing it's unlikely we'll ever get a sequel. Then again, if you all rush out and buy the DVD/BR that's released in a fortnight...

Zero Dark Thirty 

Dredd

Rust And Bone

Frankenweenie

Argo

Silver Linings Playbook

Beasts Of The Southern Wild

The Imposter

Berberian Sound Studio

The Grey

Lincoln

ParaNorman

I hope you all had a good 2012. Here's hoping for an even better one for 2013. Be safe and have fun. I'll see you next year.

Harris Savides RIP

The man was an artist who truly painted with light. Check out his work with Fincher or Van Sant, on Birth or The Yards.

Dark Shadows: The Visual Companion

Dark Shadows: The Visual Companion will be available from next month in both regular hardback and  a limited signed (by Burton, not me), slipcase edition featuring an exclusive art print.

You can pre-order the regular edition here and here. The limited edition is available exclusively via Titan Books or Forbidden Planet.

Mama trailer

Produced by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Jessica Chastain, this looks darn creepy.

Dredd

For me, it's the best comic book movie of the year. That's not to say I didn't enjoy The Avengers but watching Dredd made me feel ten years old again, reading Joe's stories in the pages of 2000AD. It felt... illicit. There's no origin story. The film sets it stock out from the first frame and never lets up. Karl Urban and screenwriter/producer Alex Garland really get what makes Dredd tick and it shows. Fingers crossed they get to make their proposed sequel/s.

Richard D. Zanuck 1934-2012

I knew Richard Zanuck for 12 years. He was one of cinema's greats and a true gentleman. He was warm, generous, welcoming, smart, and was passionate about movies and life. He was wonderful company and shared the most amazing stories. I first met him on Planet Of The Apes and have fond memories of my time with him. His like will not be seen again.

RIP Dick.

Prometheus: The Art Of The Film

On sale now. Featuring concept art, Ridleygrams, early and unused creature designs and an alternate prologue.

Dark Shadows trailer

I spent a lot of time on the set of this last year and you'll read all about it nearer the film's release. For now, enjoy this...

That's what I'm talking about

Digital dilemma

On the day that Kodak files for bankruptcy, we also get the trailer for Keanu Reeves' fascinating looking documentary Side By Side that examines the future of filmmaking as the move to digital grows apace. When I asked Soderbergh last year about the death of celluloid and whether he'd ever shoot again on film he said, No. More recently, Andrew Stanton told me he shot John Carter on film because he might never get another chance to use good, old-fashioned celluloid. Side By Side is showing at next month's Berlin Film Festival. I have no idea of its release plans beyond that, but this is a must-see in my book.


Side by Side Official Trailer (2012) from Company Films on Vimeo.

The Bark Side

Love this. Love this. Love this.

Festive feast

That Prometheus trailer...



And a Japanese one for John Carter...