Friday, 13 August 2010
127 Hours to close LFF
“Having closed the festival with Slumdog Millionaire in 2008, it is unprecedented for us to choose a Closing Night film from the same director only two years later," said LFF Festival’s Artistic Director Sandra Hebron. "But 127 Hours was the obvious choice for us — with filmmaking as bold and adventurous as its subject matter, it confirms Danny Boyle as one of the world's finest and most visionary directors, and will be a very fitting close to the festival.”
"I am honoured and delighted that 127 Hours has been selected to close the BFI London Film Festival," said Boyle. LFF played a vital role in the journey of Slumdog Millionaire in 2008 and it's great to be bringing new work here and renewing a happy partnership. I can't wait to unveil the new film and I hope it provides a worthy climax to what will hopefully be two weeks of great movies for our city."
The full list of this year's films will be announced on September 8.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Back back back
Sorry for the two-week absence, I was on my summer hols, enjoying a near internet-free existence in sunnier and warmer climes than I normally inhabit.
And as to rub further salt into the post-holiday blues wound, it's pouring with rain as I write this in London. Boo-hoo.
And as to rub further salt into the post-holiday blues wound, it's pouring with rain as I write this in London. Boo-hoo.
Anyways, here's some stuff I missed while I was gone, beginning with two trailers of films that have guilty pleasure writ large all over them: Sucker Punch and Unstoppable.
I was also thrilled to learn that Never Let Me Go has been announced as the opening film of the 54th London Film Festival on October 13. It's a no-brainer really. And an astonishing film.
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Friday, 23 July 2010
Sucker Punch ladies
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Venice opener: Black Swan
Venice has been good to Darren Aronofsky. The Fountain premiered there in 2006, while The Wrestler picked up the Golden Lion two years later. And now it's been announced that Aronofsky's latest, Black Swan, will open the 67th Venice Film Festival on September 1.
USA Today has debuted a series of photos from the film which it describes thus: "The dark tale with psychological twists stars Natalie Portman as Nina, a technically brilliant ballerina whose life takes some strange turns after being picked as the lead in a [NYC] production of Swan Lake. Pressures mount as her overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey) pushes her to succeed and her manipulative dance master commands her to be more seductive and loose in her performance. Complicating that is the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis), a sultry dancer who exhibits all the innate ease and sexuality that Nina lacks. Nina begins to fixate on the newcomer as the two forge an unusual relationship."
Some have described it as a supernatural thriller; others have, I seem to recall, pegged it as a horror film. Either way, I can't wait. Although I'm going to have to, since I won't be in Venice in time to see it.
USA Today has debuted a series of photos from the film which it describes thus: "The dark tale with psychological twists stars Natalie Portman as Nina, a technically brilliant ballerina whose life takes some strange turns after being picked as the lead in a [NYC] production of Swan Lake. Pressures mount as her overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey) pushes her to succeed and her manipulative dance master commands her to be more seductive and loose in her performance. Complicating that is the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis), a sultry dancer who exhibits all the innate ease and sexuality that Nina lacks. Nina begins to fixate on the newcomer as the two forge an unusual relationship."Some have described it as a supernatural thriller; others have, I seem to recall, pegged it as a horror film. Either way, I can't wait. Although I'm going to have to, since I won't be in Venice in time to see it.
Dredd rumour
Growing up, 2000AD was one of my favourite comics. I bought it religiously from issue one (or rather my dad bought it for me) and, inevitably, Judge Dredd has remained up there with my favourite comic characters.
As such, I can't begin to tell you how wrong and lumpen-headed I felt the Danny Cannon-directed, Stallone-starring Judge Dredd movie was. I remember being on set, interviewing those making it, and yet, all the while, a voice in my head was screaming at me: "No. No. No. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong."
The movie was released and died the death it deserved, although it also put pay to the idea of any other 2000AD characters being adapted for the cinema for a long, long time.
I am very optimistic for the Judge Dredd reboot that Alex Garland for many, many reasons. Garland loves and respects the material and the movie is being put together from that place.
The Stallone movie cocked up Dredd in so many ways, not least by showing Dredd (ie Stallone's) face. The new film won't be making that mistake, and so I was always intrigued by who would they get to play the title character bearing that in mind. If the casting rumours are to be believed, and Karl Urban is in negotiations to play Dredd, that's a great choice.
Urban can definitely act and has done good work in films as diverse as The Bourne Supremacy, Lord Of The Rings and as Bones in JJ Abrams' Star Trek. And he's certainly got the jaw.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Poster: Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark
First spied at Chud. Along with a Del Toro and Troy Nixey interview.More food for thought
I told you this Inception debate would run and run. Here's a very measured and reasonable explanation from Dileep Rao, Inception's concoctor of sedatives and potions. According to Dileep, it's not all a dream...
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Teaser: The Goon
I always thought David Fincher was directing as well as producing Blur Studios' adaptation of Eric Powell's comic book series. Either way, this pre-Comic-Con teaser is our first look at what they're up to.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Inception thoughts
Result
If you haven't read Lee Child's Jack Reacher series you're missing out. The Reacher books are hopelessly addictive and would make for a brilliant movie franchise. They've picked the right book, One Shot, to begin with, and the news that Chris McQuarrie has signed on to write the script and possibly direct the movie should thrill anyone who, like, me was a massive fan of McQuarrie's much underrated but utterly brilliant debut feature, The Way Of The Gun. If you've not seen it, then might I suggest you stop reading right now, and rectify that situation immediately. Then, head to your local bookstore, pick up any Reacher novel and prepare to partake of the next day or two of your life...
Trailer: The Town
I was a big fan of Ben Affleck's directorial debut Gone Baby Gone which made number 11 on my top films of 2008, and this looks very promising indeed. Love the cast, too.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Stocking filler
If I didn't already own numerous versions of these films on assorted home viewing formats I might be more excited about the release of this Alien Anthology. That said, the Blu-rays are due out on October 25 in the UK and a day later in the US, so it might make a rather nice Christmas present. Apparently they include around 60 hours of extras which makes my head hurt just thinking about it.
A full list of the extras can be found after the jump.
A full list of the extras can be found after the jump.
Tributes to Ray
Back on June 26, BAFTA/BFI hosted a 90th birthday tribute to Ray Harryhausen. The event, along with a host of video tributes, is now online. You can check it out by clicking here.
Comic cons
Comic-Con 2010 is almost upon us and the drip-drip feed of photos and footage has begun in earnest. The LA Times has a peak at Thor, while EW has Ryan Reynolds' Green Lantern as its latest cover star.
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