Zach Snyder’s Sucker Punch actually looks quite interesting (by interesting, I mean fun). The plot is a little off the wall; It’s about young girl who is trying to hide from the pain caused by her evil stepfather and a lobotomy. She ends up in mental institution and while there she starts to imagine alternative reality. She plans to escape from that imaginary world but to do that she needs to steal five objects before she is caught by a vile man. The story is set in 1950’s. It stars Emily Browning (Lemony Snicket) and Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical). Here’s the trailer:
Category Archives: Film
Inception Review. Leonardo Dicaprio shines. {Film}
What people do when they are asleep eh? We all know what happens when people talk in their sleep. Some people that I know have had to come up with some insane excuses for explaining what they have said. And if you think that is bad I have even had the pleasure of knowing one young female that would be walking through her favourite high street store doing her shopping of all things. As a young kid I used to love watching my pet moggy sleep – and cackle with laughter I saw her legs kick as if she was chasing a squirrel up a tree.
The sleep state remains a mystery to most of us. It holds the happy times the bad times and even our darkest, deepest secrets. No wonder so many movies have been about it. What would happen if someone could come into your dream – not like the Freddy Krueger variety but a normal average man, a friend perhaps? What if they could steal your secrets? Take your ideas? Or even implant new ones? That is the exciting idea behind Inception.
Leonardo Dicaprio is Dom Cobb, a master dream thief who enters the dreams of others to obtain information that his targets for one reason or another keep hidden. His skills and abilities have cost him everything that is dear to him, but one day he is given a second chance to turn the situation to be turned around by doing one last job. However, it is not going to be easy. Typical of Christopher Nolan’s style of direction there are unforeseen enemies, critical moments where everything matters. In a world where reality and dream are the same this mind bending film not only pushes Cobb and his team of specialists to the limit but the viewer as well.
So how good or bad is the film? Well in my opinion the film is great. Dream films have been around for a while, check Nightmare on Elm Street, The Cell, even Supernatural has done it. But none so well, the dream world is truly expansive. Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures reportedly spent $160 million on this film and trust me – it shows.
Not since the Matrix have you been able to appreciate a virtual world like this.
Being a film by Chris Nolan you have all the tight camera shots and compelling characters that you would expect. The storyline according to some reviewers is that it is too mind boggling – and yes it is to some degree, sometimes it is just a bit too confusing, I would have had better luck trying to explain the offside rule to my girlfriend than trying to explain the film to her after wards, I think she had eyes for Caprio more than the movie itself, but thankfully being a matrix fanatic I found it amazingly easy to grasp.
For me though this is a no brainer, it is one of the must see films of the summer.
Go and watch it.
By Junior Smart.
Beyonce gets animated.
WOW! WOW! WUBBZY! “WUBB IDOL” DVD FEATURING BEYONCÉ KNOWLES AS SHINE IN STORES NATIONWIDE
19 July 2010
Lights! Camera! Wubbzy! WUBB IDOL, the animated preschool movie hit from the Emmy® Award-winning Nick Jr. TV show, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, takes center stage as it comes onto DVD on 19 July from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Multi-award-winning international pop sensation Beyoncé Knowles makes her voiceover debut in WUBB IDOL – her first-ever children’s project – as Shine, the lead singer of the most awesome girl group, The Wubb Girlz! The standout DVD features a new original song composed and performed by Ms. Knowles titled, “Sing-a-Song.”
“Wubb Idol” hit a high note when broadcasted in the US on Nickelodeon when the TV movie capped off a weeklong “Wubb Girlz” spectacular, capturing the imagination of audiences all across America and reaching a combined 6.5 million total viewers. The series can currently be seen on Nick Jr 2 in the UK and is most loved by kid’s aged 4-6 years old.
DVD PRODUCT DETAILS
Title: WOW WOW WUBBZY! WUB IDOL
Release Date: 19 July 2010
Certificate: TBC
Running Time: 1hr 26mins
Format: DVD
Price: £9.99 SRP
Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Genre Kids
Interview with Raindance founder Elliot Grove {The Film Set}
I took a course with Elliot years ago. His knowledge of film, and film-making is vast and impressive. Every actor, writer and director should take a course or go to the awards. Here is the excellent article.
Frost Mag: When did you start Raindance and what was the premise behind it?
Elliot Grove: I started Raindance in 1992 as way to make contacts in the film industry. I started bringing over well known tutors from America. the response was astounding, and within a few months, British filmmakers started making films again. So I thought I’d start a film festival in the heart of London in the week before the now-defunct MIFED market, because I noticed a lot of acquisition execs hanging out at the Meridian Hotel on their way to MIFED in Milan.
I then learned a very painful lesson about British culture. Britains, unlike my native Canadians are very snobbish – and as they couldn’t see a government logo or brand on my poster assumed I was just another tourist. I was pretty much wished bad luck by everyone in the industry.
Fortunately the filmmakers in other countries saw Raindance as a way to launch into Europe and into London. The Festival has grown to the point were we outgrew various venues and are now housed in the largest independent cinema in the West End – the Apollo to be precise.
In 1998 I started the British Independent film Awards for a similar reason: to promote British films and filmmakers. This event has grown to become a keynote in the UK’s film industry calendar.
Of course, none of this wouldn’t have been possible without a few generous benefactors and team of colleagues and collaborators unequaled in passion or ability in London.
Raindance still proudly independent, and without any government support.
Frost Mag: Is this the worst time for Filmmaker’s?
Elliot Grove: This is far from the worst time for filmmakers. In fact, I think it is the very best time for filmmakers. IPTV and online distribution have kicked the old boys distribution model to pieces enabling anyone with good visual storytelling ability and simple and inexpensive camera gear to make a movie and get many many people to see it.
Frost Mag: It seems that every filmmaker comes into Raindance at some point. How does it feel to be the founder of such a creative hub?
Elliot Grove: I can’t take any credit for the hundreds of successful filmmakers I have been fortunate enough to meet at Raindance. Except to say that I, and my hard working colleagues are rewarded daily by meeting or speaking to the most talented people one could ever hope to meet. And that is reward enough for us!
Frost Mag: How important is the internet and how can filmmaker’s make the most of it?
Elliot Grove: There are two types of filmmakers: Those who lo the and fear the internet and social media, and those who embrace it. Any filmmaker or film festival without an online strategy is doomed in my opinion.
Frost Mag: Advice for filmmakers?
Elliot Grove: To make it as a filmmaker, you need to be:
– a great story teller
– be able to get your hands on a bit of money
– develop excellent interpersonal and communication skills
– be firm and be strong enough to draw the line when someone makes unrealistic demands of you
– understand and develop a strong social media presence
– have boundless energy and be able to work 100 hour weeks
– talent helps too, but is the least essential of anything on this list
Frost Mag: Who should we watch out for?
Elliot Grove: I am always asked who to watch out for. I really don’t single out individual filmmakers. we do, however, premiere about 75 features and 150 shorts each year by the most talented filmmakers we have found during the past 12 months.
I returned from Brussels at the end of June and I met some extremely interesting “Roger Corman” type producers there and this was most unusual and most welcome.
Several Belgian films will be playing at the Festival this year.
Andy Serkis to star in 'Rise of the Apes' {Film}
According to this tweet from 20th Century Fox, Any Serkis is donning the motion capture suit to portray some sort of evil super intelligent ape.
He’s been cast as the ringleader of the Apes, Ceaser, filling Roddy McDowell’s shoes (from 1972’s Conquest of the Planet of the Apes). According to the website, the story is set “in present day San Francisco, the film is a reality-based cautionary tale, a science fiction/science fact blend, where man’s own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy.”
Although the premise of the film is set against the scientific community and in particular those researching a cure for Alzheimers, lets take a moment to think about the work they are doing to benefit people who are suffering…and donate.
Gwyneth Paltrow prescribed sunshine {Health}
She might be an A-List celeb and the role model for pale and interesting skin types the world over but actress Gwyneth Paltrow has been told to spend some time in the sun.
She revealed, in her newsletter GOOP, that a bone scan showed she had the begginning stages of Osteopenia and a test revealed her Vitamin D levels to be startlingly low. Some people are blaming her frequent detoxes and preference for vegan food but her blog has lots of yummy recepies, how is she not hungry all the time when writing about food?
Her Doctor, Dr. Frank Lipman, goes on to talk about the benefits of sunshine and Vitamin D.
Frank says “Although irresponsible sunbathing is unquestionably harmful and precautions need to be taken, regular, moderate, unprotected sun exposure is essential for good health. It is free, easy to get and good for you when used intelligently.”
Picture from Iron Man 2 [Product Page]
JC Mac on Acting in L.A. {Interviews}
Frost: What does J.C. stand for?
J.C.: Well ‘Joe Cool’ of course ha ha no ‘just crazy’, no ‘jolly cute’ he he take your pick
Frost: You’re in a new film; L.A. Paranormal, what’s it about? When’s it slated for relase?
J.C.: LA Paranormal is a comedy ghost hunting movie centred around Hollywoods number 1 paranormal investigation team strangely enough called ‘LA Paranormal’. It follows the 4 man team documentary style as they investigate many ghostly happenings all over Los Angeles. Shot in the vain of ‘This is Spinal Tap’ the film was shot completely improv, there was a scene order and through line but no scripted dialogue what so ever.
It was a laugh a minute to work on with a gifted comedy cast, we had the whole crew in stitches at least once every day of filming during a take.
The producers knew exactly what they wanted and spent a long time over the casting process, for the final call back there were 12 guys 3 of each character. We all improved scenes in different groups of four, there was some great talent on display and the producers could have gone with any combination and had a good result in fact was one of the most fun days I have had here.The film was directed by John Gonzales who had a very clear vision of what he wanted, I enjoyed working with him.
So I play John London psychic artist, I’m the sensitive of the group who is actually an English playboy who when is not chasing ghost’s is chasing women, there are some hilarious comedy sexploits within the film, but you’ll have to watch it to find out more. The film also stars Mike Hatton, Tres Dean and Matt Temple. It is currently in post production slated for release early 2011.
Frost: Tell me about the web series you’re currently filming…
J.C.: The web series is called Mac and Moreti and is an all action comedy. I’m not allowed to say to much about it at this stage but I can tell you it’s very very funny. It has elements of sci fi and although different I think fans of Lost will appreciate it not to mention fans of Scooby doo ha ha. Steven Moreti a very talented American actor is my co-star in the project and the producers are just starting to leak information out via their facebook group macandmoreti
The show is going live on the 1st January 1.1.11 and can be viewed at www.macandmoreti.com we are still shooting for another 4 weeks all over the Hollywood area and I believe there are 8 episodes in season one.
Frost: What’s it like being a Brit in L.A. Do the the ex-patriot acting community stick together?
J.C.: I’m very proud to be British and representing in LA. British actors and crews are well respected in Hollywood so we have a great reputation to maintain. The American girls just love the accent and… ha ha only kidding.
It’s a great lifestyle, people are friendly the sun is always shining there’s nothing to dislike really in fact I might just stick around a bit longer ha ha
There’s quite a few Brits here doing well right now so think it’s a good time to be British and in Hollywood. There are a few groups of Brits who organize weekly breakfasts and events as well as offer advice to new arrivals.
Frost: What’s the differences between the industry in America compared to the UK.
J.C.: There’s a lot more opportunity here than in the UK. I love the British film industry but unfortunately it’s badly financed and there are now very few films being made in the UK with decent budgets.
I think it’s a great shame and a loss to world cinema as a whole. It’s tough on UK producers with hardly any tax incentives to shoot in the UK so the rates for actors really are generally poor as a consequence.
Hollywood is a tough nut to crack and I think it’s naive to come here and think you are going to make it overnight. There are a lot more jobs here and the rates are higher but there are also a hell of a lot of actors here from all over the world all looking to make it big so competition is fierce. But that said there are opportunities every day that could change your life should you land one. Fortune has been smiling on me since I got here and I have been lucky enough to work with some very talented directors. I recently completed ‘You Kill Me’ which was directed by an incredible young director called Monica Sender who is definitely one of the brightest upcoming directors here and one to watch for the future. I’m currently shooting 2 separate projects with James Van Alden who’s last film ‘A numbers Game’ is doing very well and stars Steven Bauer of Scarface fame. James is a creative genius with an amazing eye and formerly a world renowned fashion photographer. Another film I recently had a lot of fun working on was ‘Hit the big time’ this just won it’s first award at the Swansea Bay film festival last month. It was shot in London, Hollywood, Las Vegas and Utah and starred the hilarious Jason Hyde. We play the dumbest hit-men in history who never quite manage to kill anyone and after bungling a hit in London flee to Hollywood to sell our life storys and hit the big time with disastrous effect. The film thrives on the differences between the Brits and the Americans and is being well received on the festival circuit.
Production Still of JC Mac in 'You Kill Me', Photo by Fady Hadid
Frost: Do you have any advice for actors in the UK who are aiming to work in the US?
J.C.: Advice hmm look left and right before you cross the road cause the roads are big here and make sure you stop for at lease 3 seconds at the stop signs he he…
No seriously come prepared, come with a strategy and come with money in your pocket because it can take a while to book a job here. I hear from most peoples experience it takes about a year before you start to book and the American actors are very very professional. They all have excellent web sites, reels, headshots (in colour by the way) business cards etc and all follow up every meeting with postcards and thank you notes. Never be without you 10 x 8s (headshots with resume that’s CV to you and me stapled on the back) because you never know who you might bump into. Be nice to everyone (good rule in life anyway) because you just never know who you are talking to in fact nearly every waiter, barman, etc is an actor looking for an opportunity just like you so to compete come prepared.
Frost: What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learnt?
J.C.: The most valuable things I think I have learned is not to take yourself too seriously and to enjoy the journey along the way, It’s not just about the destination. It’s very easy to get so caught up in the business that you can lose track of what’s important. Make time for friends and family and try not to let your sole topic of conversation be you no matter how interesting you think yourself to be! Have fun, live life and take it all in your stride remember yesterday is history tomorrow a mystery but today is a gift from God, that’s why we call it the present so enjoy it!!!
Frost: That’s some sound advice JC, not only for those in the acting industry but for all people who work in a high pressure environment. Surely we can’t be at the end of our interview?! Is there anything else you’d like to add…anything at all?
J.C.: I have been in the US a year now, just before I left [the UK] I did a gangster film called ‘Butterflies and Bullets’ directed by Mark Holland and starring some great up and coming British talent including Tony Fordham, Tony Cooke and Mitch Powel. I believe that’s now nearing the end of the post production process and I’m looking forward to seeing it. I also was in the psychological thriller ’45’ along with my brother Chico, we played a pair of rival boxers and I won’t say who but one of us ended up with a black eye at the end of filming. This film won a couple of awards on the film festival circuit.
Frost: Is there anything you miss in the UK?
J.C.: Friends and family but I keep in contact regularly with internet video chats and social networking. The biggest thing I missed was the birth of Chico and Daniela’s son Zacharia, that was a biggie and also the release of his world cup football song ‘It’s England Time’.
Carrington (1995) [Retro Film Review]
Carrington starring Emma Thompson, Jonathan Pryce, Rufus Sewell and Alex Kingston. 1995.
“I love you….but I can’t sleep with you.” A wonderful film about the artist Dora Carrington (Emma Thompson) and her relationship with the author Lytton Strachey (Jonathan Pryce), this film is humorous, intelligent, thought provoking and one of my faves. Set in the English countryside during World War I the film explores their unlikely friendship, the role (or lack of) of the upper classes during the war and Dora’s numerous unsuccessful love affairs…as their life is unravelled we gain a glimpse of their artistry and the work that made them famous.
Maybe they’re not that famous because I had heard nothing about Dora & Lytton before watching the film and you may not have heard of them either, but that really isn’t necessary to enjoy this. Jonathan Pryce is such a talented actor and he has some really funny lines, Rufus Sewell (Dark City) is present as one of Carrington’s lovers, Alex Kingston (Dr Corday from ER, River Song in Doctor Who) plays the lover of Dora’s lover. The film is 15 years old but seems to be frozen in its own time capsule; Alex Kingston and Emma Thompson look much younger and different to how you have seen them before on screen. They are classic and elegant.
If you watch this film you may think I’m rather naive to rave about how well the film looks in terms of period, costume and set but I’m not so naive as to believe you will like Carrington as much as I do – it has one of the best endings a film could have.
Buy Carrington on DVD [Product Page]
by Wendy Thomson