features

Who will be the seventh Bond?

Fri, 25 May 2012 20:06:14 +0100

Skyfall is on its way in November, and Daniel Craig shows no signs of leaving the 007 franchise after just 3 films, but when he does, who do you think he should be replaced by? Here are the current favourites:
Michael Fassbender
The Irish star of 'Shame' and 'X-Men: First Class' certainly has the cool factor needed to play Bond, but he has never played an English character in a film before, and it is possible that he might not be able to pull it off.
Tom Hardy
The current fan favourite for the role, the 'Inception' and 'Dark Knight Rises' star would, in my opinion, be absolutely perfect for the role. He showed off his acting chops in 'Bronsan' and his comedy skills in the dreadful 'This Means War', but will it take him single-handidly lighting up the screen in TDKR before the studios are convinced of his ability?
Idris Elba
Many black actors' names have been tossed around for this role, including Will Smith, but 'The Wire' and 'Prometheus' star Elba is the current favourite. Plus, he's British.
Henry Cavill
The new Superman already has a lead role in a major franchise ahead of him, and being given the role of Bond might jumble up his Man of Steel 2 and 3 shooting schedules a bit, so most likely, no.
Sam Worthington
Worthington hasn't made many good films, although he has been the star of two or three of the biggest movies ever. He would be the first Australian 007, but not many fans are calling for him to receive the role.
Christian Bale
Batman as Bond? I don't think so.
John Hamm
Mad Men's Don Draper as Bond? I don't think so.

Vote in the poll and leave a comment down below with your suggestions. Skyfall is released in November

The Ten Best Movie Trailers of Recent Years

Tue, 22 May 2012 12:57:53 +0100

The Avengers www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY9DnBNJFTI
This film turned out to be amazing, but fans' doubt that Joss Whedon would be able to pull it off was destroyed at the release of this superbowl trailer. The line "we're not a team...we're a timebomb" sends a shiver down my spine watching the trailer, but was slightly altered and,in my opinion, ruined in the movie.
The Dark Knight Rises www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yh6SriAjdE
Released between the disappointing teaser and the over-long third trailer, this was a perfect mix of disturbing, quiet moments and loud bangs. I have watched it numerous times, mostly trying to identify Hypable's John Thrasher in the corwd at the football game.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEyq-FWJq8Y
The film was only OK, but this exciting and gripping 90 second thrill ride, featuring a super-cool rendition of 'Immigrant Song' by Karen O and Trent Reznor (coming off an Oscar nomination for 'The Social Network) was by far one of the very best trailers of 2011.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtevtVC4XZg
Released just days after the film's 8-month delay was announced, this beautifully designed teaser got fans really excited for, in my opinion, one of the best 'Potters'
Inception
The Muppets
The Simpsons Movie
Super 8
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The Woman in Black

My 10 favourite Pixar films

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:13:30 +0100

The Incredibles
Ratatouille
Toy Story 3
Wall.E
Up
Finding Nemo
Toy Story
A Bug's Life
Monsters Inc
Toy Story 2

Spider-Man on the big screen: A trip down movie memory lane

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:07:13 +0100

A few weeks ago, I posted an article similar to this one about Batman, exploring the various cinematic incarnations of the character, and telling you which ones to catch up on and which to avoid. This time, I'll be looking at Peter Parker, from his first live-action appearance in 2002 to the reboot of the series in 2012.
Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Spider Man 3 (2007)
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man 2

5 films to see before 'Snow White and the Huntsman'

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:35:10 +0100

I have made a list of the films I think anyone going to see 'Snow White and the Huntsman' when it is released on June 1 should see. This list is comprised of films that show off the acting skills of the film's stars, and films which tell the classic story of Snow White in different fashions.

Thor- Yes, I could have chosen 'The Cabin in the Woods', or even 'The Avengers' as the highlight of Chris Hemsworth's career, but he appears in neither of them half as much as he does in this, his character's origins story. He is on screen for 90% of the film's duration, and this is a screen he really lights up. He is perfect as the Shakespearean-language speaking god of thunder, whose father Odin banishes him from Asgard after he starts a war with the frost giants. Also see: The Avengers
Twilight- Many people, including Twilight fans, will resent the fact that I have chosen this as Kristen Stewart's standout moment, but I honestly think that Catherine Hardwicke's original is a well-made, charming love story. The sequels have all been pretty mediocre and cheesy so far, but Stewart shines in this, as bumbling accident-prone Bella Swan. Also see: Adventureland
Young Adult- Although it was 'Monster' that won her her Oscar, I much prefer Charlize Theron's performance in this comedy-drama directed by Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), where she plays a jealous, bitter, depressed author of books for teenage girls who returns to her home-town to end her high school boyfriend's marriage. Also see: Monster
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves- If you're looking for a traditional (and fairly frightening) version of the classic story, you need look no further than Walt Disney's 1937 classic original. In my opinion, it's not as charming as the film which followed it, Pinnochio, but it's still a great family fairytale adaptation. Also see: Snow White and the Three Stooges
Mirror, Mirror- My inclusion of Tarsem Singh's 2012 version starring Julia Roberts on this list is not me recommending it as a good film. In fact, I found this film to be quite dreadful, but anyone planning to see 'Huntsman' should take a look at this to compare how the same story can be adapted at the same time, but result in two completely different films. A far more child-friendly and colourful approach to the story. Also see: Grimm's Snow White

Feel free to recommend any other films starring these actors, or telling the story of Snow White, in the comments below.

Snow White in the Huntsman is rated PG-13 and is released June 1st.

Batman on Film- A trip down movie memory lane

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:23:07 +0100

In this, the first in a series of features where I will be exploring how some of cinema's most popular characters and brands have developed over the years, I look at the wealthy playboy bachelor Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, and how he has evolved since first appearing on screen in 1966.

Batman: The Movie http://www.altfg.com/Stars/b/batman-west-ward.jpg
No true Batman fan can say that this film version of the classic tv series doesn't entertain them (in a whole different way, mind you) just as much as any of the 90s films. Adam West, who's only recent job has been on Nickelodeon's 'Fairly Odd Parents' stars as Wayne, with Ceaser Romero as the Joker. He's not the only villain lurking around the streets of Gotham, mind you, as Riddler, Catwoman and Penguin all make appearances. Burt Ward is Robin and Neil Hamilton is Commissioner Gordon. Grade: A

Batman http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_gsAnfOpdE/TZy4T2pwbXI/AAAAAAAAFE8/5BExwvGkLIU/s1600/batman_1989.jpg
Jack Nicholson's turn as The Joker in Tim Burton's first Batty film was considered unbeatable until Heath Ledger blew every other Joker out of the deck of cards in 2008's 'The Dark Knight'. Michael Keaton may not have a big jaw, but he manages to hold the character together. In my opinion, this is the darkest Batman film, including TDK. We see The Joker's skin being burnt off in a horrific chemical accident! Beat that Nolan! Grade: A

Batman Returns http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/batman_returns-mp.jpg
Burton's second shot is more memorable than his first, purely based on Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, in my opinion. Apparently, she had to be vacuum sealed into that suit; I don't think Anne Hathaway has gone to such desperate measures to become the cat. Danny DeVito shines as The Penguin, and Michael Keaton is back as Bruce Wayne himself. Grade: A

Batman Forever
Joel Schumacher's first go at directing a Batman film was far more successful than his second, but we'll come to that. Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones, two of my favourite actors, star as The Riddler and Two-Face. Carrey's mad Dr Nygma almost out-crazies The Joker, but Nicole Kidman lets the film down as quite a boring love interest; a double-personality psychologist. How clever! Grade: B+

Batman and Robin
In opinion, this stands beside 'X-Men: The Last Stand' as one of the worst comic-book movies of all time. What were they thinking, making Uma Thurman completely overact, to a laughable degree, as Poison Ivy, and making Arnold Schwarzenegger act (only joking, Arnie, 'The Terminator' is great) at all! I wish they would decide to stop including this in the boxsets, as it makes the previous 3 films look worse. Poor George Clooney, if only his first major film role had been something better. Grade: D-

Batman Begins
After the disaster that was B&R, the series took an 8-year break, until Christopher Nolan, a promising young director with a short but amazing filmography, picked up the franchise reboot. I am one of a small group (also including Joss Whedon) who believe this is better than The Dark Knight. I'm sorry, but I think Cillian Murphy (whom i've met- no bias here) as Scarecrow is a much more intriguing villain than The Joker. "What? What are you saying? The Joker is the most psychologically interesting villain in any movie ever!" Well, I have the right to an opinion, even if it is based on how nice Murphy was. Grade: A+

The Dark Knight http://bit.ly/uBzSQY
Heath Ledger was only the second actor ever to receive an Oscar posthumously for his standout role as The Joker, but i'm sure he would have won it regardless of his untimely death. He lights up the screen, and it's pretty hard to light up a film as dark as this! Even though I expressed my controversial opinion on Scarecrow in the last paragraph, I agree that Ledger brought something to this character that no actor will ever bring to a Batman, Spiderman, Superman or Avengers villain ever again. A masterfully made film. Grade: A+

The Dark Knight Rises http://bit.ly/KPsvsx
...And so we come to the film the world has been waiting for. The final of all finales..the Return of the Bat-King. With an Oscar-winning and nominated cast and crew, this will surely be one of the, if the THE, most critically and financially successful films ever made. Grade: Excited

Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts on the various incarnations of one of the greatest superheroes ever. Look out for similar features on Spider-Man, The Hobbit and more in the coming months.
The Dark Knight Rises is released July 20