Sony’s released this picture of Andrew Garfield as Spider Man and we think he looks like he’s been saving marine animals from a BP oil spill.
There’s also a Facebook page for the Spider Man 4 that you can join too.
So what do you guys think?
Category Archives: Film
127 Hours {Film Review}
Danny Boyle is known to experiment in each different genre. He’s tackled thrillers (Shallow Grave), drama (Trainspotting), horror (28 Days Later), science-fiction (Sunshine) and even a bit of romance (Slumdog Millionaire). He’s also known to experiment in film techniques, always making each of his films different compared to the last.
After the critically acclaimed and award winning Slumdog Millionaire, the director has decided to tackle a personal story – one he’s reportedly wanted to make for 4 years – based on the book by “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” by Aron Ralston. It’s like the Long Way Round, only it leads to a frighteningly jarring result.
The film opens up with varied shots of crowds of people at a stadium, subway, etc. This tells us that this could’ve happened to anyone and at any time. Unfortunately, it happened to Aron Ralston.
James Franco plays our main protagonist, and he’s incredibly likable from the start, though you can tell his daredevil antics would be the cost of the soon-to-be unfortunate accident. Speeding on his mountain bike, he ends up crashing – but it doesn’t stop him. He even laughs about it and takes a picture of himself of the aftermath.
The man is full of energy, and can’t help but be admired for it. Even helping two girls find a specific location, and showing them the ‘cool’ way to go in, it’s all to show you a good time -until his arms gets crushed by a boulder and things get weird and unsettling.
He makes every attempt to get the boulder off, and you start to feel for him for trying. He eventually starts to hallucinate, grow tired, slowly run out of food and water (so much so that clips for certain ads for drinks pop up to empathise how thirsty he is). It gets really emotional and powerful as he starts to record himself from his video camera, even going far as interviewing himself. Then the inevitable scene where he decides to cut his arm off, and it’s teeth-grindingly visceral. It doesn’t show much, but when it does, it’s quite cringing and I advise it’s not for the faint of heart! This is a story about survival, even going to extreme lengths to achieving it.
The cinematography is gorgeous. You admire the scenery as Ralston treks along the rocky landscape, and it even makes you claustrophobic when you’re stuck with him. The music by Slumdog composer, A.R. Rahman, makes the music atmospheric and go with Ralston’s emotions. The camera and editing techniques are relatively simple, but effective, to make sure it didn’t feel fake or Hollywoodised.
The breaking of the narrative with flashbacks only gives depth to the character of Ralston, and Franco really does make his career’s best performance. The only small criticism I would make is, I would’ve liked to see more of Ralston’s back-story, what really drove him to being the person he is. Though as it is, it’s still a great film and Danny Boyle gets top credit for his direction.
Overall: A truly inspiring and uplifting film, in a different sense of the word. It’s like an underdog story, only you’re not rooting for an athlete/boxer etc. but a man who wanted to make the most out of life. A great start for 2011 (even though it did come out last year in USA), and I’m looking forward for the many films to come.
4 stars!
A Bug’s Life – Kafka’s ‘Metamorphosis’ set to emerge on big screen
One of the great works of world literature that, surprisingly, has never made it to the big screen is Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, the story of travelling salesman Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed in his bed into a repulsive and verminous insect-like creature of human proportions.
Finally, nearly a century after it was written, Metamorphosis is being brought to cinema screens for the first time by London-based Attractive Features.
The film stars Maureen Lipman as the Mother, Robert Pugh as the Father, Laura Rees as the Sister and Chris New as Gregor Samsa.
Written in a three-week burst at the end of 1912, Kafka’s amazing novella has caught the imagination of generations of readers since its publication in 1915.
What started out as an intensely personal expression of self-doubt, self-disgust, despair, desperation and isolation, touched a universal chord – with Kafka’s private themes seen as symbolising the far wider political and social struggles of minority religions, cultures and movements.
The Freudians, Expressionists, Absurdists, Avant-Gardists, Existentialists, Marxists and Zionists all claimed him as their representative and spokesman.
Yet, apart from the various short films, animated versions and films loosely based on Kafka’s story, there have been only three airings of Metamorphosis on television over the years – a German production in 1975 (Die Verwandlung), a Swedish version in 1976 (Förvandlingen), and the 1987 television version by the BBC of Steven Berkoff’s brilliant theatre adaptation (The Metamorphosis) originally staged in 1969.
Director Chris Swanton said: “My overriding approach was to get the film as close to the original story as I could,” while Attractive Features added: “It is a difficult, even prohibitive undertaking to turn such an iconic and much-loved story into a feature film, but that is not good enough reason to shy away from the challenge.”
Filmed at Halliford Studios in Shepperton, the film is currently in post-production and will be doing the rounds at various film festivals later this year as the company hopes to secure the release deal that their weighty endeavour so richly deserves.
In the meantime, the teaser trailer can be seen on the film’s own website: www.metamorphosisthemovie.com.
Text reproduced and adapted from the Metamorphosis Facebook page and film website by kind permission of director Chris Swanton.
Best Films of 2010. {Entertainment}
Before I start with my list, I will be honest on something; this year was a relatively weak year for films. I’m not saying it was a disappointing or bad year; it just wasn’t as memorable in comparison with 2009 and 2008. Most of the good films (in my opinion) were far and between from each other. I will also mention that I have not yet seen some of the films that were released this year (Precious and Winter’s Bone as examples) and only going by films released in the UK. So Black Swan, The King’s Speech and True Grit are still yet to come (those in the USA, you’re lucky!). So without further delaying, here are my personal favourite films of 2010:
5) The Road: I immediately loved the book as soon I finished reading it. So when hearing director of The Proposition, John Hillcoat and Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall and Guy Pearce would star in Cormac McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic masterpiece; I couldn’t be anymore excited. The result was an astounding film and being truly faithful to the source material. Viggo Mortensen makes one of the best performances of his career. Having to be conflicted on looking after his son, and by telling him to carry the fire (humanity). The film looks beautiful, never have you felt emotion or seen a post-apocalyptic film look anything like this. It shows the world had a history, and now it doesn’t matter anymore (hence the characters are known as the Man, Boy, Woman etc.). It has a brutal honesty that most post-apocalyptic films lack, but it also has heart and it cares about the characters. It’s not interested to explain how it started or tries to bring in an action sequence or two to make it entertaining (if that’s what you’re looking for, then Roland Emmerich has no short supply of that with Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow and 2012). This film is captivating, heartbreaking and brilliant.
4) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: This film was bold and daring to be more than just a simple action flick within a teen movie. It mixes genres more than your mind can handle; it’s a gamer/movie geeks wet dream and it is done the best way possible. The film takes it to ambitious new heights. It is amazingly creative and shows the best of everyone’s talents. The performances from the cast are top-notch, and the music is very well done. This film features drama and comedy that it doesn’t treat us like idiots and actually gives the movie a brain. Edgar Wright cements himself as the King of Geek (although he already had that title since Spaced).
3) Toy Story 3: If you didn’t cry from watching this film, you have no soul! It’s a kid’s film, but also for grown-ups. This features one of the most heart-aching but soulful pieces of writing this year has to offer. It’s a movie that can be viewed by anyone at any age, and it is one of the best trilogies ever made! As the whole trilogy progresses, the true enemy of our protagonist is time itself. As we all have experiences on having to let go of our own toys when growing up. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return to voice our favourite Pixar characters, and do fantastic jobs as they did the previous two films. Thank you Pixar, for cherishing our childhood but also giving us a timeless classic that will be passed on to future generations.
2) Inception: The best science fiction film of the year and among my top favourite sci-fi films (amongst with Blade Runner etc.). The concept of dreams has probably been explored before, but never has it been immensely intriguing and devilishly exciting. Christopher Nolan has crafted another blockbuster that isn’t shy to bring some intelligence (his Batman films proved to be more adult orientated than to adolescent kids). Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a powerful performance, riddled with guilt and regret (which features Edith Piaf’s “Non, je ne regrette rien” as a plot device) and gives depth to the character. This film features an amazing ensemble cast; listing from Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine and even Tom Berenger (last time I saw him was in Born on the Fourth of July and Platoon). The visual effects and stunt-work should be given top credit as they looked seamless and Nolan delivered something we’ve never seen before.
1) The Social Network: When you have David Fincher directing and Aaron Sorkin being the screenwriter, you know they’re going to deliver something that’s going to be more than being ‘Facebook: The Movie’. This movie is a character study and a docu-drama, it is as exciting and interesting to watch as any action movie this year. Jesse Eisenberg delivers an electrifying performance as Mark Zuckerberg, who’s portrayed as being an ironic but yet tragic character. It’s understandable if some people may find it hard to sympathise with him, but how could you not get pulled in about a geek who made a phenomenon and made a stamp in 21st Century culture? The music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross has my vote for Best Original Score, as it is eerie and atmospheric with the use of string instruments and piano notes mixed with synths all part of Zuckerberg’s computer geek persona. This is drama at its best, and I certainly wasn’t expecting this film to succeed on being my number 1 movie of 2010.
By Owun Birkett
Black Swan. {Film review/preview}
Black Swan is a horror film. But a quiet one. You are not sure what is real, what is not. Neither does the protagonist, Nina, played to the hilt by Natalie Portman. It’s the role – and performance- of a lifetime. Portman does not let it down. She trained for 5 hours a day, for 10 months to take the role. She plays the anorexic, self harming, psychologically unravelling ballerina so well, at times, it is hard to watch. Though, a lesbian sex scene (in which Portman actually has sex with herself; a scene that is rumoured to have upset her father) should draw the crowds in.
Like Darren Aronofsky’s previous films, Black Swan is a head fuck. Nina lives with her mother. Her life is controlled by her mother and ballet. She is desperate to be perfect. Barbara Hershey is great as her mother. Vincent Cassel effortlessly brilliant as the cruel, cold artistic director. Winona Ryder is stellar as the retiring, washed up ballerina forced into retirement. Dealing with the winding down of the body clock, replaced by the younger model. It’s uncomfortable to watch, and important to note that there is only 10 years between Portman and Ryder. The truisms that strike with reality are painful. Times has let her down. The industry she has given her life to has tossed her out.
The brutality of pushing your body is heard in the film. The cracking of bones, the splintering toenails. This is a dark, gothic film. It’s not just about ballet. It’s also about an ageist society and an artist trying to lose themselves to the role. It is darkly beautiful, scarily apt and even just that little bit depressing. It’s definitely one to see.
Somewhere. {Film Review}
Somewhere is a film that goes, well, nowhere. This is not an insult. It’s a complement. It’s a beautiful film. It’s not a good or a bad film. It is a film that is entirely depending on taste. It’s a lot like Lost In Translation. Lonely people trying to connect with each other. There is no back story to Dorff’s character. What you know is that he is rich, famous, separated and has an 11 year old daughter. Everywhere he goes there are irate women he has loved and left.
Somewhere is a very European film. The scenes are long and left to play out. There is a lot ( too much) female nudity. The opening of the film is Stephen Dorff driving around a circular track. There is one work said in the first 15 minutes. It’s full of metaphors and melancholy. The ennui of over privilege. A movie actor in an empty existence of sex, parties and alcohol. Saved, intermittently, when his daughter comes to stay.
The tangents of Sofia Coppola’s previous films are here; daddy – daughter relationships, young girl’s trying to find their way, expensive hotels, bored rich people. It is a film of human relationships. A slow burner. The performances of Ellie Fanning and Stephen Dorff are pitch perfect. It’s definitely worth seeing,
Ones to watch: Hannah Rothschild. {Film}
Hannah Rothschild is exceptionally talented. With a skill at getting to subjects that other people wouldn’t, No doubt helped by her famous last name. Though it’s relevant – her documentary on Peter Mandelson, Mandelson:The Real PM? , was no doubt helped by the fact that her brother, Nat, is good friends with Mandelson – like other directors with famous last names, Sofia Coppola etc, Rothschild makes the most of the proverbial foot in the door. She let’s her talent shine through. Her documentary, The Jazz Baroness, is a triumph. It’s a documentary of contrast in race, class, wealth, and of music and love. Pannonica Rothschild was her great aunt.
Pannonica de Koenigswarter fell in love with the geniuses of jazz. She was born in 1913 into the British branch of the immensely wealthy Rothschild family, brought up in a mansion called Waddesdon, and died in 1988 in a small house in Weehawken, New Jersey, surrounded by 306 cats. Her life changed when she heard Thelonious Monk’s “‘Round Midnight.” She became friend and champion to some of the greatest jazz musicians of the twentieth century. Twenty songs were named after her, Her love of jazz took over her entire life, it seems she gave up everything to be near it.
Another documentary was on renowned socialite, bon viveur and ridiculously well connected Nicky Haslam. Titled ‘Hi Society: The wonderful world of Nicky Haslam. In Mandelson: The Real PM? she follows Peter Mandelson around in the run up to the election, at one point Mandelson is heard soothing Gordon Brown, at that time still Prime Minister. Rothschild comes across as fearless, she doesn’t seem to be scared of Mandelson, to ask the hard questions, despite his connection and friendship with her family.
In The Jazz Baroness Rothschild gets interviews with Clint Eastwood, who let’s her use footage from ‘Straight No Chaser.’ which her great aunt featured in, As well as the dowager Duchess of Devonshire, Thelonious Monk’s son, her father Jacob Rothschild and her great-aunt Miriam. The documentary is not just about Rothschild’s great-aunt Pannonica , it’s also about her trying to find a place in her famous family. She confesses about pressures ‘real or imagined’ and she chooses to become an artist. Luckily for her, it seems, she has found her place after all. As she says;
“Real glamour isn’t about Bentleys or fur coats or silver dishes; it’s about being able to walk down Fifty-second Street and hear in one night so many great musicians play tunes dedicated to you.”
I look forward to Hannah Rothschild’s next project.
The Social Network. {Film Review}
It is rare that a movie is looked at as a joke, but destroys all predictions and exceeds all expectations. This movie is by far the most (unexpectedly) damn good movies of this year. Who’d thought a movie about the creator of Facebook would be this interesting?
As you can probably tell from the trailers and the poster artwork, it’s a movie about the creation of Facebook. Though that’s only the plot-device for the narrative, and is instead a character study of Mark Zuckerberg (played brilliantly by Jesse Eisenberg). The character is beautifully ironic, he creates a website for friends all over the globe to connect with each other and yet he struggles to maintain his friendship to others (as little he has). He’s more of an anti-hero, focusing on his ambitions than his personal relationships. It becomes satirical, and one of the terrific things the character has been portrayed. Supporting cast from Andrew Garfield, Armie Hammer Jr. (as identical twins) and Justin Timberlake all deliver terrific performances. Garfield brings much emotional weight to a character that has been deeply trodden on, as he slowly gets involved with deception and betrayal.
The writing for the film is absolutely fantastic. Aaron Sorkin (known for creating The West Wing) writes one of the most exciting screenplays I’ve heard in 2010. It delivers with so much wit and charm, that it’s hard not to find this compelling and absorbing. The delivery from the actors is electric. It can be hard to take all in with such a quick pace, but it adds to the character traits each person has. It also should get enormous recognition to director David Fincher. After the very well made but slightly shallow Benjamin Button, you can tell Fincher is in familiar territory. The way he inter-cuts the court cases with the story of Facebook’s creation, it makes you wanting to know what happens next. It’s something that made Zodiac so exciting and intense to watch, also a film about obsession and achieving success.
Overall; One of the top best films of 2010. A solid piece of filmmaking that drags you in from the very start. A case-study on how to produce drama in an exciting and interesting way. Predicting a strong award contender, even should get nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director. Extremely recommended in the highest order!
5 stars!
By Owun Birkett