Category Archives: Movies

Visionaries J.J. Abrams & Joss Whedon spill their guts at Comic Con

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At this year’s Comic Con in San Diego, a panal called “Visionaires” brought my two favorite people together: J.J. Abrams (MI: III, Cloverfield, Star Trek, Lost, Fringe) & Joss Whedon (Serenity, Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse).  The panel, conducted by Entertainment Weekly’s Jeff Jenson, is literally packed with all sorts of intriguing information.  Jenson starts things off with the question, “When did you guys decide you wanted to be storytellers?”  Whedon and Abrams are also asked about their takes on comic books, 3D movies, the current and future states of television (including what it wants and supports, the waning of serialized story format), and the outlook for new media (shooting for the web, web content).  They also delve into their respective past and upcoming projects.  Whedon makes it official that he is directing Marvel’s The Avengers and briefly elaborates on the direction he plans to take the movie; he also talks about his now-on-hold horror flick Cabin in the Woods and what’s up with the impending Dr. Horrible sequel.  Abrams shares an anecdote surrounding his super-secret Super 8 movie (which is set to start production this September) and the collaboration with producer Steven Speilberg.  During the 3D movie discussion, Abrams confirmed that Super 8 will not be shot for 3D; he pans 3D and that it adds an unnecessary barrier between the viewer and film.  Although Joss is “totally into” watching 3D flicks, he hopes that his upcoming Cabin in the Woods doesn’t get the streoscopic treatment.  While going back and forth about the state of the serialized story format for TV, Abrams spilled that his upcoming NBC show Undercovers will be self-contained episodes (meaning you can miss a few episodes and still know what’s going on), but there will be an overall mythology to keep week-to-week viewers satisfied.  Speaking about mythology, Abrams also shares his thoughts on the final episode of Lost (spoiler: he loved it).  Whedon continues the conversation by bringing up the demise of FOX’s Dollhouse.  All in all, it’s a great watch and interesting look into two very successful film and TV artists that shouldn’t be missed.  Head over to EW to access the 5-part stream.  Or click here to watch an abridged interview.

Trailer #2: Tron: Legacy (+ Daft Punk tracks!)

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We’re one teaser and two trailers deep into the expansive world of Tron (catch the others here & here).  This latest one is fresh from its 2010 Comic Con debut.  I really don’t know how they do it, but somehow these Tron sneak peeks get better with every trailer.  I don’t give a damn if you have never heard of Tron or don’t take any interest in the movie/1978 arcade game; you will watch this trailer and like it.  And if you are a Tron fan and are highly anticipating its December 17 release in IMAX 3D like a respectable human being, well then…you’re in for a treat!  Load in HD, turn up your speakers, and let it rip.

Note: You should know that actor Jeff Bridges starred in the original 1982 Tron flick as Kevin Flynn, and that he reprises his role as Papa Flynn in Legacy.  At timestamp 1:08 we are introduced to Clu, a villianous rogue program in the Tron universe, who might look eerily similar to a young Jeff Bridges to you.  Well that’s because it is a young Bridges!  Thanks to advanced CGI technology, a performance-capture suit, and impeccable editing skills, the Tron special FX crew was able to create a Kevin Flynn as he appeared in Tron almost thirty years ago.  Crazy (and a bit creepy), right?!  Moving on…

It was leaked quite some time ago that Daft Punk would compose the score for Tron: Legacy.  And over the course of the last year we were teased with the theme music in the trailers that have been released.  Today that tease disappears!  Online radio station “The End” got their hands on exclusive streams of six tracks from the movie soundtrack, including the epic theme from the trailers.  They’re dark and appropriately cinematic in scope.  Click here to take a listen.  (Bonus note: The electric Daft Punk duo will have cameo roles in the movie–gasp!–sans characteristic helmets!

[Via MTVuk]

Trailer: Saw 3D

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The seventh and final chapter in the highest grossing horror film franchise begins with this first theatrical trailer for Saw 3D.  The tagline?  “This October, the traps come alive.”  After a fantastic start (well II was pretty awful, III was freaking awesome), the Saw movies have steadily drifted downhill in value.  Sure the traps are always fun, but for me it was ultimately the twist endings and the John Kramer mythos that hooked me at the start.  After watching this brief trailer and reading what director Kevin Greutert (Saw VI) has to say about the final Saw, I’m excited to see how it’s all going to end.  “There’s something miraculous about creating a final chapter to the Saw chronology that not only gives the core fans everything they want and deserve, but also serves as a perfect introduction to audiences who are new to the series,” says Gruetart who served a role in every Saw movie.  Thoughts from producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg: “It’s been an amazing ride. As filmmakers it was important to us that Saw was one story in seven chapters rather than just a series of sequels.”  Tobin Bell (Jigsaw), Costas Mandylor (Mark Hoffman), and Betsy Russell (Jill Tuck) will reprise their roles.  Also, Cary Elwes (Dr. Lawrence Gordon), who has not been seen since the original Saw (not including archived/flashback footage), is back for revenge.

Besides the sick traps and inventive twists, if there’s anything I’m going to miss from the Saw franchise it’ll be Charlie Clouser’s fantastic and chilling score.  “Hello Zepp”, the song used in the first movie and recycled in the rest of them, will remain one of my favorite instrumentals of all time.  (FYI, it’s the song featured in the trailer above…and can be downloaded here.)

Saw 3D will duke it out with Paranormal Activity 2 this Halloween.  Look after the break for the movie poster.

[Via IGN] Continue reading Trailer: Saw 3D →

Trailer #3: Machete (red band)

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You’ve seen the “illegal” and first theatrical trailer for Robert Rodriguez’s Machete.  Now it’s time to feast your eyes on the NSFW red band trailer.  (NSFW = Not Stuff For Work = the video contains blood, guts, nudity, and tons of other fun and inappropriate content.)  Due to its NSFW nature, I’ve embedded the trailer after the break, so click through if you dare.

[Via IGN] Continue reading Trailer #3: Machete (red band) →

Hans Zimmer scores big with Despicable Me (+ Pharell Williams) and Inception soundtracks

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German composer and producer Hans Zimmer has played a part in over 100 films, and his latest two ventures do not disappoint. Zimmer teamed up with N.E.R.D. frontman Pharell Williams and Heitor Pereira to compose the score for Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me. I fell for the score last September when the first teaser trailer for the animated flick came out. When it was made known that Pharell would have a hand in the music production, there was little doubt that the soundtrack would attract moviegoers. The movie opens with the slow tempo “Despicable Me” track and it hits the ground running as other Pharell-infused songs add an extra touch to support the gorgeous animations. The soundtrack features four solo cuts from Pharell; he also produced and wrote songs for a number of the characters including “Minion Mambo” (co-written by Lupe Fiasco) and “The Unicorn Song.” Robin Thicke, The Bee Gees, and The Sylvers lend their voices to the soundtrack, too. Preview and purchase the soundtrack at iTunes, or at least get the catchy “Despicable Me” track.

Having worked magic on Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, director Christopher Nolan decided to call up Zimmer’s services a third time to formulate the score for Inception. The soundtrack is, in a word, brilliant. Zimmer was going for “a very electronic score”, and after researching how it would be best to mash together “the playfulness” of math and music he succeeded in making a score that perfectly matches the dizzying and exciting on-screen action. From the chilling “Half Remembered Dream” track that was featured behind the theatrical trailer to the heavy, melancholy “Dream Is Collapsing” and “Dream Within a Dream” tracks to the final track “Time” that is both uplifting yet ominous, Zimmer manages to capture the suspense and thrill of the movie in music. Download the soundtrack at iTunes.

Director Christopher Nolan talks with dream experts in preparation for ‘Inception’

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So I just got back from the midnight screening of Inception and I’ve been trying to come up with the best words to describe it.  It’s a brilliant, well thought out, and visually impressive film that will surely make you think.  It’s better if you go into the film knowing the least amount of plot detail, so I will keep it at that for now.  From all of the trailers released you must know that the movie focuses on dreams and dream states.  Director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) conducted intensive research during the making of the film so as to make the foundational theories behind it believably sound.  The video above is a breif albeit stimulating glimpse into Nolan’s research.  Note: There are no spoilers contained in this video, just talk about dreams, REM sleep, and so on.  The really good mind-bendy stuff comes in at 3:35.  (And no, that is not Sarah Palin contrary to popular belief.)

[Thanks @timmyjoe]

Trailer: The Social Network

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When the first teaser for The Social Network hit the web I said this: “I have to say that this teaser is rather bland; it has not piqued my interest in the least to want to see this movie, and that’s what trailers are supposed to do.”  Another teaser trailer (look after the break) and standard theatrical trailer later, and I’m sold.   The Social Network, from director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin, will chronicle the rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.  Though this trailer contains much of the dialogue we’ve already heard in the two teasers, we finally get to put some faces to the words and everything just seems to work.  I really like the way the studio is marketing the flick as a dark(ish) tale of greed and business opportunity that pushes those involved to their limits.  And that fantastic rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep” is the sweet cherry on top.  The Social Network stars Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Brenda Song, Andrew Garfield, and Rashida Jones and releases on October 1.

[Via TrailerAddict] Continue reading Trailer: The Social Network →

Trailer #2: Machete

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After releasing an “illegal” trailer back in mid-May, director Robert Rodriquez (and backing studio 20th Century Fox) approved this theatrical trailer for his upcoming bloody, over-the-top revenge fest Machete.  Watch as star Danny Trejo cuts his way through enemies with assistence from Cheech Marin, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Jeff Fahey, Don Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Steven Seagal, and Rose McGowan.  Lindsay Lohan, who was included in the first trailer dressed as a nun, is noticably absent here.  Here’s a nice synopsis for you:

Machete is a Mexican ex-Federale with a gift for wielding a blade, who hides out as a day laborer, who is double-crossed by a corrupt state senator. The feature version of the trailer finds Machete (Trejo) a renegade former Mexican Federale, roaming the streets of Texas after a shakedown from drug lord Torrez (Seagal). Reluctantly, Machete takes an offer from spin doctor Benz (Fahey) to assassinate McLaughlin (De Niro) a corrupt Senator. Double crossed and on the run Machete braves the odds with the help of Luz (Rodriguez), a saucy taco slinger, Padre (Marin) his “holy” brother, and April (Lohan) a socialite with a penchant for guns. All while being tracked by Sartana (Alba), a sexy ICE agent with a special interest in the blade slinger.

Machete opens September 3, 2010.

[Via Collider]

This is what Ryan Reynolds will look like as Green Lantern

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The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly (set to hit newsstands July 16) features the very first image of Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern on its cover.  The character looks pretty bad-ass to me.  And after proving he can kick some ass as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I have no doubt Van Wilder will impress as Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern.  Green Lantern, an upcoming sci-fi flick directed by Martin Campbell, is based on the DC Comic of the same name.  Reynolds stars as Hal Jordan, a test pilot who is granted a green ring that gives him awesome superpowers.  As one of many Green Lanterns, he is sworn to keep intergalactic order.  The movie also stars Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, and Tim Robbins.  It’s expected to hit theatres June 17, 2011.

[Via EW-PopWatch; CBR]

‘The Avengers’ will move on without Edward Norton as Hulk

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Hollywood is good at some things and bad at others.  Filling the role of The Hulk falls in the latter category.  Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003) starred Eric Bana as the genetically-enhanced superhero.  People didn’t like that movie so they started from scratch.  Louis Leterrier’s The Incredible Hulk (2008) introduced us to a new Hulk played by Edward Norton.  This reboot was better received by the fans and critics.  After it broke that Joss Whedon would direct the dream team consisting of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Edward Norton, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johannson, fans ’round the world were ready and willing to accept this group as The Avengers.  Then this hit the ‘Net: Edward Norton is out.  Entertainment site HitFlix got the exclusive scoop, and this is the statement they received from Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige:

“We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in the Avengers. Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.”

What I’m getting from this statement is that the production team, including Whedon, did not get along so well with Norton, this led to creative differences, and utlimately to Norton’s exit.  But shortly this statement was released, Norton’s agent Brian Swardstrom of WME retaliated by calling Feige’s statement “offensive” and his comments “unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory.”  Apparently Norton met with Whedon and “several weeks of civil, uncontentious discussions” resulted.  In the end, though, Marvel “had decided to go in another direction with the part.”  Whatever the reason may be the fact remains so–Ed Norton will not play Hulk in The Avengers and Hollywood is back to the drawing board yet again with this apparent impossible to cast character.  The movie is still set for a summer 2012 release.

[Via Hitflix, here & here]