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.