Top 10 for 2011

This is probably one of the hardest lists to write not only because I've seen so many films this year, but also because there were so many good ones!! I sat down and went through all the films I've seen this year, and I had to IMDB a couple of them to jog my memory (clearly they didn't make the cut) and I've come up with my favourite 10, although there are more that I would happily recommend.

Here they are in no particular order;

WARRIOR
IDES OF MARCH
BLACK SWAN
NEVER LET ME GO
LITTLE WHITE LIES
DRIVE
ANONYMOUS
BARNEY'S VERSION
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
THE HELP

I will note that WARRIOR is still my top film for 2011, and there were some others I watched this year, but they don't release until next year, so I haven't included them in the list for 2011.

MAGIC MIKE - film stills

Hello boys!!

Based on the true story of Channing Tatum's life MAGIC MIKE is about male strippers and they've selected a truly hot cast of which I highly approve! The cast includes Channing (of course), the always shirtless Matthew McConaughy, Joe Manganiello (of TRUE BLOOD fame) and rising star Alex Pettyfer.

Opens July 29 in the States and I'll be keeping an eye out for an Australian release.

Trailer Watch

A couple of notable new trailers from the past few weeks...

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

THE HOBBIT

PROMETHEUS

2012 Golden Globe Nominations

It's that time again...below are the nominations for film categories in the 2012 Golden Globes, with my predictions highlighted in pink. My predictions usually change over the next couple of weeks, but that's how I'm feeling at the moment. I haven't seen all the foreign films on the noms list, but I've taken my best guess on what I have seen and what I've read about the others...

What are your thoughts?

BEST DRAMA
The Descendants
The Help
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
War Horse

BEST COMEDY or MUSICAL
50/50
The Artist
Bridesmaids
Midnight In Paris
My Week With Marilyn

BEST ACTOR - DRAMA
George Clooney - The Descendants
Leonardo DiCaprio - J. Edgar
Michael Fassbender - Shame
Ryan Gosling - The Ides of march
Brad Pitt - Moneyball

BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA
Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo\
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton - We Need To Talk About Kevin

BEST ACTOR - COMEDY or MUSICAL
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Brendan Gleeson - The Guard
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - 50/50
Ryan Gosling - Crazy Stupid Love
Owen Wilson - Midnight In Paris

BEST ACTRESS - COMEDY or MUSICAL
Jodie Foster - Carnage
Charlize Theron - Young Adult
Kristen Wiig - Bridesmaids
Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn
Kate Winslet - Carnage

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn
Albert Brooks, Drive
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Viggo Mortensen - A Dangerous Method
Christopher Plummer - Beginners

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Berenice Bejo - The Artist
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Janet Mc Teer - Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer - The Help
Shailene Woodley - The Descendants

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Rango
The Adventures of Tintin
Puss In Boots
Winnie The Pooh
Arthur Christmas

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Flowers of War
In The Land Of Blood and Honey
The Kids With A Bike
A Separation
The Skin I Live In

BEST DIRECTOR
Woody Allen - Midnight In Paris
George Clooney - The Ides of March
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Alexander Payne - The Descendants
Martin Scorsese - Hugo

BEST SCREENPLAY
Woody Allen - Midnight In Paris
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beua Willimon - The Ides of March
Michel Hazanavicius - THE ARTIST
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxwon, Jim Rash - The Descendants
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin - Moneyball

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Hello Hello - Gnomeo & Juliet
The Keeper - Machine Gun Preacher
Lay Your Head Down - Albert Nobbs
The Living Proof - The Help
Masterpiece - W.E.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Ludovic Bource - The Artist
Abel Korzeniowski - W.E.
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Howard Shore - Hugo
John Williams - War Horse

THE AVENGERS - banners

New AVENGERS banners have been sent out by Disney...I'm assuming that eventually they'll be broken up into individual character banners for the release of the film and I am so claiming the life-size RDJ and Chris Evans banners!!

THE MUPPET SAGA?!?

This is the only way you would ever get me to go near a TWILIGHT film...

84th Academy Miracle

Finally someone has come to their senses and we can now expect an entertaining Oscars ceremony.

This week the awards program lost both its producer and host, and has already replaced both. Whilst I don't care too much about the producer (no offence Brian Grazer), I do care about the host, and it has been confirmed by Variety (and the man himself) that Billy Crystal will be hosting the Oscars for the 9th time.

Below is the full press release regarding the change in host and I can tell you I'm not the only one who's relieved!!

Producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have announced that Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar^® stage,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak. “He’s a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs.”

Commented Grazer: “Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again. It’s very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm.”
Said Mischer: “With Billy, we’re moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars is, in a sense, a celebration.”

This will mark Crystal’s ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.

“Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions,” said Crystal.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center^®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Thank heavens for Billy Crystal. Now I am reconsidering going to the annual industry live screening and Oscars party...but first I'll have to find something to wear...

A FEW BEST MEN - trailer

A FEW BEST MEN stars homegrown hottie Xavier Samuel (THE LOVED ONES, ANONYMOUS, ECLIPSE) along with Olivia Newton-John and comedienne Rebel Wilson. There are also a couple of Brits thrown in the mix including Kris Marshall (EASY VIRTUE, DEATH AT A FUNERAL & LOVE ACTUALLY) and Kevin Bishop (MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND and RUSSIAN DOLLS).

Check out the trailer below;

A FEW BEST MEN hits Australian screens next year and although I can't say too much I will tell you to go and support this great Aussie film!

TIN TIN - Trailer

Opening Boxing Day this year, THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN is based on Herge's comics of the same name.

I watched the animated series when I was a kid and I'm sure there are plenty of other people who were the same, so I am interested to see how it pans out and whether it lives up to my rememberings.

So far I am not convinved on the animation, it looks way to CGI for my liking. Almost like they're trying to make it look as though the cartoon is actually real life or something. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but there's just something not quite right about it in my opinion. The opening title sequence, which I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at a couple of weeks ago, is really good though and has the same feel that I remember from the old series.

As for the rest of the film...well I'm going to a sneaky premiere tomorrow night, so I'll let you know! Until then, here's the trailer;

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN - Trailer

A while ago I posted some promo images for SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN and I was intrigued how this interpretation would pan out. Starring Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen and Chris Hemsworth as The Hunter SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN opens June 2012 (at this stage). The first official trailer aired this week and I'm now even more intrigued!

I'm not sold on the idea of Kristen Stewart based on her other feature roles...she's too annoying and always looks pouty and depressed, but I'm willing to give the film a go based on the rest of the cast alone. With a line up that includes not only Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth, but also Ian McShane, Toby Jones, Nick Frost and Bob Hoskins, how can you go wrong?

Check it out below;

THIS MEANS WAR - Trailer

Starring Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy and Chris Pine this looks like a romantic comedy with a different twist. Check out the trailer and see what you think. I'm looking forward to it partly because of the storyling and partly because of Tom Hardy! THIS MEANS WAR opens Valentine's Day weekend 2012.

Catch Up

Welcome back! I've just spent 3 weeks travelling around Southeast Asia and then a week settling back into life here and then today catching up on what's been going on in the film world. And let me tell you there's a hell of a lot been happening.

I can't possibly blog about every single thing, so I'll pick a few highlights for you...

TRAILERS

THE MUPPETS parody trailer - releasing Jan 2012 (I'm going to a preview in a couple of weeks so I'll let you know if it's as awesome as I'm hoping it is!)

THE AVENGERS - May 2012

AMERICAN PIE REUNION teaser trailer - 2012

A VERY HAROLD AND KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS - I'm only posting this because Neil Patrick Harris is in it!

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS - Dec 2011

NEWS

New Regency has acquired the film rights to FRAGGLE ROCK which was a fave of mine in the late 80's. It's currently unknown whether they will use puppets or CGI for the film and Deadline has reported that the studio is figuring that out at the moment, so I'll keep you posted. New Regency are the folks that put out the recent ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS films, so I'm a little worried about this...There is a lot of potential here, but when you look at what they've done with the ALVIN franchise concerns are definitely justified!

The Cohen brothers have cast their female lead and picked someone for the male lead in their upcoming film INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS. Carey Mulligan has the female lead and the male lead has just been offered to Justin Timberlake. I'm not sure how I feel about JT as an actor and I know that there are plenty of people who wish he would just stick to singing. He has shown some talent in some of his acting roles (THE SOCIAL NETWORK, FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS) and I can only assume that he will jump at the chance to work with the Cohen brothers, but I'll keep you posted on the final decision.

That's probably enough to keep you going for now, and I'll try and get back into regular updates to keep you posted on what's happening in the film world!

THE BFG - news

Alright all you Roald Dahl fans, here's a piece of news that might excite you! According to The Wrap Dreamworks has purchased the rights to Roald Dahl's children's classic THE BFG for Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall to produce.

Kennedy and Marshall have produced THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, and they also have some animation titles under their belt, but there has been no mention of Dreamworks Animation so I'm assuming it's going to be a live action. Melissa Mathison, writer of E.T. and THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD is set to adapt THE BFG for the screen.

Pretty cool right. I loved Dahl's stories as a kid and recently purchased a box set of his works to relive my childhood and to share the joy of Dahl with my nephew and god-children. For those of you who might not remember what happens in THE BFG I found a little synopsis online from the 1989 animated film adaptation on IMDB;

Sophie is snatched from her orphanage early one morning by the BFG (Big Friendly Giant), whom she witnesses engaged in mysterious activities, and whisked away to Giant Country. She is soon put at ease, as she learns that BFG's job is to collect, catalogue and deliver pleasant dreams to children. She joins him that night, but the mean giants follow them, planning to eat the children. Sophie enlists the help of the Queen, by making up a dream for her, and with the backing of the armed forces, they defeat the mean giants.

Anyway that's about all the news on it for now, but I will keep you posted if I hear anything else!

DARK KNIGHT - set photos

Here are some on set pics of Anne Hathaway in her full Catwoman garb. What are your thoughts?

ONE FOR THE MONEY - trailer

Katherine Heigl and Jason O'Mara have anew flick coming up, which will be the first feature of a possible 16 starring Janet Evanovich's character Stephanie Plum. Evanovich has a 16-book best-selling mystery series starring Stephanie Plum, but no word as to whether others from the series will be made. I'd say they're going to go on GBO (gross box office) of the first one before making any decisions.

I'm not a fan of Heigl and I'm not really a fan of the trailer, it looks trashy and a bit ridiculous, but I don't mind the look of Daniel Sunjata the man who "trains" Plum in the ways of being a bad ass recovery agent. Check out the trailer and see what you think.

WARRIOR - Review

When I posted my top 10 films left for 2011 I didn't count WARRIOR in with a chance. Although its got a good cast, I dismissed it as yet another fighting movie where everyone is searching for glory. That coupled with a blood and guts trailer that looked a bit too violent for my liking and the film didn't even cross my mind as a "must see" for the remainder of the year.

I stand corrected. I've seen somewhere around 80 films this year and WARRIOR is by far the best one of the lot. So I'm going to make it the top 11 of 2011 and include WARRIOR in the count.

This film follows the story of estranged brothers Tommy (Tom Hardy) and Brendan (Joel Edgerton) who are both in training for the same mixed martial arts championship with a 5 million dollar purse. Tommy, an ex-marine is fighting for the money so he can help the family of a fallen comrade, and Brendan is about to lose his house and still has to pay off his little girl's medical bills.

Tommy seeks the tutelage of their estranged ex-alcoholic father who he hasn't seen nor spoken to since he and his mother left when he was still a kid. Brendan asks an old friend who is training another fighter for the bout to help him out. Both boys are underdogs of sorts and both boys have a aptitude for beating the crap out of other guys. Tommy is unorthodox, landing one or two heavy blows, then pounding on the opponent to make sure he doesn't get up then he just up and leaves the cage. Brendan knows he's the underdog, takes quite a hammering and when the other guy is tired out and unsuspecting comes out on top by any means possible.

You'll know the outcome of the tournament if you watch the trailer, so that will come as no surprise, and you will also know from the trailer that this is no-holds-barred fighting so it's going to be vicious, but what this film lacks in tact it makes up for in heart.

The last hour of the film is visually nothing more than big sweaty mean beating each other up, but if you can stand the violence (and I highly recommend that you find a way to) you will get to the bottom of a very heartfelt and complicated family drama.


Hardy and Edgerton give magical performances, making you love and hate them, and really hoping that they will find a way to forgive each other and themselves. These boys really show what they are made of in this film and I am looking forward to wha the future holds for the pair of them. Special mention must be give to Nolte as his was a standout performance, which I have no doubt will land him a nomination for supporting actor in the 2012 Academy Awards.

Now the film opened quite softly in the States, but is continuing to draw crowds and I believe it will continue to do so as word spreads on how good it really is. This film is opening next month in Australia and I seriously urge you to go out and pay the $17 to go and see it. It is definitely worth it.

I'm giving WARRIOR 4.5 out of 5.

THE BIG YEAR - trailer

3 comedy greats - Steve Martin, Jack Black, Owen Wilson - plus a cameo from one of TVs fave comedians - Jim Parsons, plus a whole bunch of other big names and a story about spending a year doing all the things you wanted to do, but never did and then turning it into a big competition, what could possibly go wrong right?

Well the first trailer doesn't instill in me a great deal of confidence, but it is highly possible that the film is better than the trailer and I'm sure I'm not the target audience, so maybe it's not meant to appeal to me so much.

anyway, take a look and see what you think. Hits US theatres October 13th with a 2012 release here.

BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE!!

I could be tempted to get a little bit excited about this project...I just found out about it and wasn't completely disgusted so that's a win right there!

David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith and their production company KatzSmith have just signed a two year first-look deal with Warner Bros Studios. Under that deal, one of their first projects is a reboot of BEETLEJUICE. If you haven't seen this Tim Burton pic then you should. It's another cult classic from the 80s (1988 to be exact) and is definitely worth a look. Deadline reports that the deal grew from screenwriting that Grahame-Smith is doing for Burton. Grahame-Smith is contracted to write two scripts under the Warner Bros deal and BEETLEJUICE could be one of them.

Other projects under the first-look deal include:

• Bryantology, “in which a loser on the verge of losing his house exploits a tax loophole, invents a religion and names his home a tax exempt place of worship.  When the religion goes viral, followers show up on his doorstep and the hapless guy is suddenly a cult leader.”  [Note: this sounds very similar to the Family Guy episode "If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin'"]
• Night of the Living, “a stop motion animated film about a town of peaceful monsters must learn how to fight when it is invaded by humans.”  Grahame-Smith might write the script with Tim Burton producing.
• An adaptation of Stuart Kaminsky’s novel series about 40s Hollywood private eye Toby Peters (there have been 24 novels in the series since it was first published in 1977; the most recent one came out in 2004.  Kaminsky died in 2009).
• Fire Teddy, which is about “an underachieving nice guy is hired as a low level employee at a corporate office. Ordered by his Machiavellian boss to fire Teddy, the newcomer can’t do it and becomes fast friends with Teddy through his futile attempts.”  

They might churn out some OK stuff, but what I'm most interested in is a BEETLEJUICE reboot if it comes about. I will keep you posted, but in the mean time if you haven't seen it, do. It's awesome and you won't regret it!

84th Academy Blunder

I had heard rumors that the Academy had approached Eddie Murphy to host the 84th Academy Awards and I was quietly thinking to myself that there was no way the upper echelons at the Academy would allow that to happen.

It appears I was sadly mistaken. Today Deadline has confirmed that Eddie Murphy has agreed to host the 2012 Oscars, which also confirms that there must be a few people within the Academy that have more than a few screws loose! Either that or they're having a competition to see who can come up with the worst ideas ever and make them happen!

2012 might be the first year that I don't bother watching the telecast and just google the results. Firstly Murphy hasn't starred in anything decent since BOWFINGER in 99. He doesn't bother to give quality comic performances anymore and they might as well use a cardboard cut out of him in the trashy "family" comedies he does do. Pretty much the only upside to this bogus decision is that we get to see whether Murphy can still do stand-up in front of a big crowd close on 24 years since he did RAW.

Good work Academy. You might get a record for the lowest viewer rating next year as I know I'm not the only one who's boycotting the telecast!

Top 10 Left for 2011

This is the top 10 films left to keep your eye out for in 2011:

THE EYE OF THE STORM - drama

CRAZY STUPID LOVE - rom-com

THE CUP - true story

OUR IDIOT BROTHER - comedy

IN TIME - sci-fi thriller

THE DEBT - suspense drama

ANONYMOUS - drama

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY - crime thriller

WE BOUGHT A ZOO - true story

THE IRON LADY - true story

and for those of you with little ones;

THE LION KING in 3D (also screening in 2D at select cinemas)

PUSS IN BOOTS

HAPPY FEET TWO

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY - clip

Here's a little clip from the upcoming release TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY which hits Australian cinemas on the 17th of November. This film is screening at the Venice Film Festival this weekend and I'm looking forward to the reviews to se if it's all it's cracked up to be! The film has a killer cast including Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy and John Hurt.

Based on the John le Carre novel of the same name, the international thriller is set at the height og the Cold War where retired espionage specialist George Smiley (Gary Oldman), is rehired in secret to find a double agent working for the Soviets. The clip shows "Control" (John Hurt) instructing agen Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong) in the unt for the mole. He assigns code-names to each of the suspectes - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Poor Man and ten the final suspect George Smiley.

THE AVENGERS - set photos

Here are some set photos of THE AVENGERS crew courtesy of Celebrity Gossip...

Cameron Crowe on a roll!

It's been a good five years since we've seen anything from Crowe and not only does he have one film coming out, he's got three and another one in the works! Talk about on a roll!!

This year he's got WE BOUGHT A ZOO (releasing in Australia Boxing Day), THE UNION and PEARLY JAM TWENTY (both documentaries) coming out, and he's already working on his next film. He says this new film is inspired by the children he saw audition for WE BOUGHT A ZOO and has been working on the script in between working on WE BOUGHT A ZOO and PEARL JAME TWENTY.

Here's a little a quote from the interview in which he revealed this little nugget;

"This woman that I work with, Gail Levin, is a great casting director. She's always finding new faces. The kids she found for WE BOUGHT A ZOO are so exciting. We met with all these actors, and they would leave the room and it was a situation where I would turn to Gail and say 'They're not right for this one, but I want to write something where we can work with that person." That was the genisis for writing a whole new script which I've been working on while we're doing WE BOUGHT A ZOO and finishing this Pearl Jam movie".

Crowe is the man behind one of my favourite films (ALMOST FAMOUS) it's good to see him coming back with a vengance after the more than disappointing ELIZABETHTOWN in 2005. Hopefully all of the films that he's working on are back to his old awesomeness and this huge workload doesn't result in poor productions.

FOOTLOOSE - review

In an earlier rant about the remake of DIRTY DANCING I called this remake a "giant cluster%$#@". Well...I take that back now that I've seen it as cluster$^#@ is probably a little too strong to describe how sucky it is.

I didn't hate it, but I didn't really like it either. It's practically the original script - I was quoting lines before they happened - with a few minor changes to the story. Ren's mother didn't move to Bomont with him, she died and they raced school buses instead of tractors. Everything else was the same down to the soundtrack, costumes and final freeze frame before the end credits! There were a few more contemporary songs used, but the main songs were all the same.

The dance sequences had hip modern moves instead of daggy 80s ones and the film as a whole had more of a country vibe than the original which was a little more rednecky. The performances were pretty average, which was not surprising seeing as the two main characters are dancers by profession not actors. Kenny Wormald has a few screen credits as a "dancer" and Julianne Hough is basically the same although she had a named character in BURLESQUE. Dennis Quaid was ok, he seemed to have a pretty good grasp on his character, but I'm not sure what happened to Andie MacDowell, but the few lines she did have were poorly delivered and she might as well not have been there!

Best performance was Willard who was played by Miles Teller. Willard was my favourite in the original with his quirky lines and the scenes where he learns to dance and it was my favourite in this version. Teller's only film credit was from earlier in the year where he starred in RABBIT HOLE with Nicole Kidman, so he's not an experienced screen actor, but he had the best character portrayal by far!

Whoever was in charge of continuity did a terrible job, so keep an eye out for editing mistakes - some subtle and others not so much. For example Ren speeds off from school in his beetle that doesn't have an engine cover and by the time he gets to point b in the same scene he miraculously has an engine cover!! FAIL!

I think they're hoping that the film is going to bring in a whole new audience rather than the devotees of the original, but I'm not sure that's going to happen seeing as I told someone I'd just come back from a screening for it and they were like "what's that?". I explained it was a remake of the original and the response was "they're remaking that?". I think it's going to be a bit too daggy for the kids - let's face it, it was daggy in the 80s -  and I think most devotees are the same as me: skeptical and feeling like the whole thing is a bit sacrilegious.  

1 out of 5

BLACKBIRD - Charlie Hunnam, Olivia Wilde, Eric Bana

I just got word that Hopscotch Films have picked up Charlie Hunnam's new pic BLACKBIRD which also stars Olivia Wilde and Eric Bana. OMG!! So I've been putting the hard word on them to get a star tour happening for that film mostly for selfish reasons (I want to kidnap Charlie Hunnam), but also because I think it will be a great way to generate some buzz for it as he is still fairly unknown.

Some of you might gasp that I say he's still fairly unknown, but the girls for Hopscotch didn't even really know who he is! Let's face it SOA is a fairly niche market still and having only hit Australian screens a few months ago it hasn't really built a huge following in Australia yet, and most people don't even know that he was in GREEN STREET HOOLIGANS.

Anyway, I don't really are about anyone else, I just want to have him to myself! I've totally bagsed a ticket to the premiere if there is a star tour and then after stalking him just a little and getting a photo with him I could die a happy woman!

There's no trailer for BLACKBIRD as yet and no release date, but I'll definitely be keeping you posted on this one!

JANIE JONES - trailer

Starring Abigail Breslin and Alessandro Nivola this film looks like a cross between SOMEWHERE and CRAZY HEART, but with a not quite as interesting story line.

It looks like it's going to have some good performances though especially from Breslin, so the story might not matter so much. She's definitely on the watch list as a superb A-lister to be! Hopefully she doesn't turn into a rebellious, drunken, drug-addled teenager before she gets there!!

 

In theatres and available on VOD in the States on October 28. 

THE DOUBLE - trailer

Here's an example of everything a trailer shouldn't be. THE DOUBLE starring Richard Gere and Topher Grace.

They've just saved you $17 because the only thing you don't know is what happens to Gere in the end and let's face it I'm pretty sure he dies. The only reason they'd keep him alive (either captured or on the run) is if they thought they could get a sequel out of it.

Way to go kids. You just hurt your bottom line more than any bad performance or terrible crit ever could!

THE WOLVERINE - update

Another update on THE WOLVERINE...apparently screenwriter Mark Bomback is set to re-write the already written script for THE WOLVERINE.

According to Variety, the story still revolves around Wolverine heading to Japan, falling in love and fighting the country's criminal underworld. Word on the street is that the entire cast is set to be Japanese and Japanese-American actors with the exception of "Viper" who is the white secretary for Japan's Minister of Justice. As I previously mentioned the bulk of the filming is still set for Vancouver, but Variety reports that the film will still shoot some scenes in Tokyo and filming is scheduled for next year when Hugh wraps on LES MIS.

For those of you unfamiliar with Bomback's work check out LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, UNSTOPPABLE, GODSEND, DECEPTION and the remake of RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN. Unfortunately that filmography does not inspire great confidence in me for the re-write of this particular film and I'd like to know what's wrong with the original script anyway?? Unfortunately for THE WOLVERINE it's becoming more and more like the recent flop GREEN LANTERN, which changed release dates about 16 times and was rushed at the end because producers wanted it done! If it ever makes it to the screen I'll give it a go, but I don't have high hopes for it unfortunately, especially after the did such a good job with X-MEN FIRST CLASS.

I will keep you posted as there are sure to be more updates on this one along the way.

MARGARET - trailer

Here's the new trailer for Kenneth Lonergan's MARGARET. It's the long awaited follow-up to Lonergan's YOU CAN COUNT ON ME.

Here's the official synopsis;

MARGARET centers on a 17-year-old New York City high school student who feels certain that she inadvertently played a role in a traffic accident that claimed a woman's life. In her attempts to set things right she meets opposition at every step. Torn apart with frustration, she begins emotionally brutalising her family, her friends, her teachers, and most of all, herself. She has been confronted quite unexpectedly with a basic truth: that her youthful ideas are on a collision course against the realities and compromises of the adult world.


Starring Anna Paquin, Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo and Allison Janney, MARGARET hits silver screens in the States on September 30. No Australian release date as yet.

THE AVENGERS - sneak peak

This is not footage from the film, but a one-shot with a hint of what might go on behind the scenes at S.H.I.E.L.D.

For some reason the video uploader won't work right now, so click the link below to check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgUjlH4vywM

CLOUD ATLAS - updates

I told you that the cast of the upcoming CLOUD ATLAS would each be playing multiple characters and in a recent interview with Vulture Ben Whishaw spilled the beans on just how intense it's going to get.

Whishaw told Vulture, "Everyone in the case is playing at least three parts, some big and some small...Everybody's swapping race and gender, so it's very ambitious and quite fun." Whishaw gives a little hint on his parts as well..."Forbisher in the thirties; a female American in the seventies, in the Luisa Rey section; and a smallish role, where I'm basically an extra, in a modern-day nursing home, in the Timothy Cavendish section."

As I said in my last post about CLOUD ATLAS, I've yet to read it, but those who have say it's going to be a tough adaptation, especially taking this multi-character approach. However it turns out, I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the book this weekend, and then seeing the film when it comes out.

PUNCTURE - trailer

Hello Chris Evans...

We recently saw him all buffed up and goody-two-shoes as Captain America and now we get to see him all grunged up as a drug addicted lawyer in the upcoming release PUNCTURE.

Dirty, dirty, dirty.

I was just trawling this morning for good gossip to share with you whilst waiting for some files so I can get to work, when I stumbled across some more news regarding the DIRTY DANCING remake. 

Deadline  is reporting that MONTE CARLO screen writer Maria Maggenti will take control of the script to the remake. As you may well know the original centers around the Baby (a privileged teen spending the summer with her family at a holiday camp) and Johnny (a broody, dance instructor from the wrong side of the tracks) and the love that develops between them when baby helps Johnny with a floor-show. 

I'm not sure what direction Maggenti is going to take with the remake, but after seeing the trailer for MONTE CARLO I'm pretty sure it's not going to be a good one! See for yourself. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYgi3QVmkJ0

THE RUM DIARY - trailer

I don't care what the film is if it has Johnny Depp in it...in fact I saw THE TOURIST twice just because he was in it. But when you couple Johnny Depp with a screenplay based on Hunter. S Thompson's novel you've really got me excited!!

Also starring Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Giovanni Ribisi and Richard Jenkins this trailer certainly has me wanting more!

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN - poster art

First poster art released of the upcoming pic MY WEEK WITH MARILYN starring Michelle Williams as the platinum siren and Kenneth Branagh as Arthur Miller. Also starring Emma Watson, Dominic Cooper, Dame Judi Dench and Eddie Redmayne. I think I like the first one better.

THE WOLVERINE - Hugh Jackman, Ken Watanabe & Naturi Naughton

Here's one film that's really struggling to get off the ground!

Darren Aronofsky signed on to direct with shooting commencing in March this year and then pulled out shortly before shooting was to commence. I was slightly crushed then because a) I love Darren Aronofsky and b) I really want to see this movie! Anyway good old Hugh promised us THE WOLVERINE would be in front of cameras by October and that's only 2 months away. Unfortunately they have hit yet another snag - location. Most of the script takes place in Japan and so most of the filming was set to be done on location in Japan. The giant earthquake and all the issues post-earthquake have really complicated things with Fox looking to pull out of Japan entirely and rely on sets and CGI to make up for the lack of location footage.

On top of all that it's looking less and less likely that filming will begin in October to allow Hugh to film LES MISERABLE. Very sad face indeed. Although I do want to see this version of LES MIS.

All you die-hard X-Men and Wolverine fans needn't worry though! The delay is really not going to have any major effect on whether the project goes ahead! 1) it's already green-lit and 2) X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE grossed nearly $400million US worldwide and Fox really want to cash in on that with a sequel! Filming might not start until early next year.

IN TIME - trailer

American Summer/Blockbuster Season is coming to a close and now is the time that the slightly more obscure, more interesting films come out of the shadows and onto the screen and man am I excited!!

IN TIME looks thrilling and exciting and the sci-fi element is not so weird that it turns me off wanting to watch it. Justin Timberlake is growing on me as an actor although I'm still not 100% convinced, and there are plenty of other familiar faces both well-known and up-and-coming to leave me wanting more.

It's sometime in the future and time has replaced money as currency. No one lives past 25 and working hard buys you more time. Super interesting concept and a little scary to think about. Set to hit screens in Australia on October 27 and I can't wait. Trailer rates 4 out of 5 with me. Hopefully the film lives up to it!

CLOUD ATLAS - Jim Sturgess, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving & more

OMG!! You know how I love a good book adaptation and think that there should be more of these instead of crappy remakes (stupid Kenny Ortega!) and this is promising to be yet another good one!

Already boasting a stand out cast including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Susan Sarandon and Hugo Weaving (go team OZ), one of my fave boys has been confirmed for a role in this adaptaion of David Mitchell's novel CLOUD ATLAS. YES!!!

This adaptation has a modest budget so it's surprising to see so many big names attached, they must seriously believe in this picture which is always a good sign for the viewer! The Wachowski siblings (who brought us THE MATRIX) and German filmmaker Tom Tykwer (RUN LOLA RUN) have co-written and will be co-directing this film set to be shot in Germany's Studio Babelsberg. Word on the street is that each actor will play a variety of characters in each of the six worlds of the story and id that's not excitement enough here's what Jim Sturgess had to say about it to The Playlist:

"[All the actors] play a few characters, it’s very clever what [the directors are] gonna try and do. I’m really really really excited about it. I think it’s going to be bonkers, it’s either going to work or it’s not. I’m really excited to see if we can pull it off, because it’s ambitious what they want to do. And it’s nice, you feel like no one’s ever done that in a film before, it’s like rep theater on a sort of giant movie scale.”

I've not read the book yet, but I will be rushing out tomorrow to grab myself a copy and add it to the pile of books on my bedside table that I have to read before the film comes out (including WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN). The story apparently follows six plot threads across time including a bisexual musician in the 30s, a clone in a futuristic dystopia and a female journalist in a thriller in 1970s California.

I will let you know how I go with the book, but what I've read of the plot so far and the cast that's attached to this project I am very excited!!

COWBOYS AND ALIENS - Review

What an interesting premise. An alien movie set in the past rather than the present or the future, sadly the trailer did not instill in me the excitement that it seemed to in many others. I did give it the benefit of the doubt and take the time to watch it with some friends last night and whilst it wasn't a complete waste of time I could very well have gone my whole life having never watched it and be ok.

A stranger turns up in the desert with some weird thing on his wrist, immediately pisses off the wealthiest man in town (Harrison Ford), gets the attention of the gorgeous girl (Olivia Wilde), turns out to be a wanted criminal and then just as they're about to ship him off to Santa Fe, aliens turn up and he blows them up with his weird wrist gun/blaster/thing. The rest of the movie is pretty much just follows them through the desert to find the aliens and try get their abducted people back. I won't tell you anything else because there is one or two interesting twists involved and you might have an interest in seeing it and I don't want to be the spoiler!

When you hear the title COWBOYS AND ALIENS you might think spoof comedy, however this film is far from a spoof comedy. It's a dark and serious action story with a bit of camaraderie and love thrown in. Daniel Craig does a fairly decent job of pulling off a pair of chaps, but his silent, broody, memory-less character did nothing for me, Olivia Wilde was just in there to put a beautiful woman in the mix and I'm pretty sure the grumpy old man character was not that much of a stretch for Harrison Ford.

The CGI wasn't that good, the big action scene was poorly done, the script was so tacky and full of cliches and the story itself had a lot of promise, but didn't really make it. That being said it wasn't completely unwatchable and whilst we did all think it was a pretty rubbish film none of us walked out. It was an easy film to watch and despite its many flaws was entertaining (even if it was out of sheer ridiculousness, which I'm sure was not the intention).

As far as a graphic novel/comic book adaptation goes COWBOYS AND ALIENS is not the blockbuster that it tries so hard to be. 2 out of 5.

Cinema Lorosa'e Grand Opening

Cinema Lorosa'e opens for its first season in August 2011, providing for portability, affordability, large crowds and is well suite to balmy Timor evenings. Making the most of Timor-Leste's great public spaces, Cinema Lorosa'e will also enable local traders the opportunity to set up their stalls and to share their wares with cinema crowds.

Cinema Lorosa'e opens tomorrow evening for its first show of the season and I wish them the best of luck with this venture!

For more information visit their website or check them out on Facebook.

http://www.cinemalorosae.com/


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cinema-Lorosae/128043403952468

DRIFT - Sam Worthington, Myles Pollard & Xavier Samuel

I love a good surf movie, especially one that is set on our beautiful coast line! Release date is sometime in 2012 and the film has an estimate budget of AUD 10 million which is not bad for an Australian release. WA residents should keep their eyes peeled over the next couple of months as you might catch a glimpse of the boys wandering around during the shooting of this pic.

The film is being shot in the south-west of WA and will be through a couple of home-grown hotties into the action. Sam Worthington, Xavier Samuel (THE LOVED ONES, TWILIGHT ECLIPSE) and Myles Pollard (WOLVERINE, McLEOD'S DAUGHTERS). Worthingon plays a travelling surf photographer and Samuel and Pollard play the Kelly brothers.

The film is inspired by the true story of Australia's legendary surf communities and the rise of global surf brands at the time. It follows the surf-obsessed Kelly brothers who, out of necessity, launch a backyard surf business selling out of their van, which eventually sees the creation of a hit global brand.

DRIFT will be co-directed by Morgan O'Neill (SOLO, upcoming feature THE FACTORY) and Ben Nott in his feature film debut. The film will also star Lesley-Ann Brandt (SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA< CSI: NY) and Robyn Malcolm (OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE).

DRIFT will be distributed in Australia by Hopscotch Films/Entertainment One and is slated for release sometime in 2012. I will definitely be keeping this on the watch list and will let you know more as it becomes available.

Star Gazing

Carey Mulligan

Alright Sydney-siders keep your eyes peeled over the next four months and you might just catch a glimpse of the following stars...

Leonardo Dicaprio

Isla Fisher

Tobey Maguire

Joel Edgerton

These guys will all be in town filming THE GREAT GATSBY with Baz Lurhmann at the helm. Good cast...wonder what the film will be like...Hopefully not a 5 million hour epic like his last "masterpiece"!!

THE GUARD - Review

The OFLC gave this film an MA15+ rating with the following consumer advice "strong coarse language and violence". Well, strong coarse language is a slight understatement...This is not the film for you if you're easily offended by expletives. Also, if you're not good with understanding the Irish then don't bother! Half the film will sound like gibberish to you and you'll be that annoying person that is always asking "what did he say?", or "did you understand that?" and trust me you don't want to be that person! That person nearly got a smack in the head from me just now and there are people who unlike me wouldn't hold back!

THE GUARD stars Brendan Gleeson as Sgt. Gerry Boyle, who for a drug taking, whoring sass-mouthing police officer is actually the least corrupt cop in Western Ireland. Who knew?! He lives quite a happy life and the last thing he wants is an FBI agent investigating a serious drug shipment coming in off the coast of his quiet little town. Unfortunately for him that's exactly what he gets.

Now there's not much to the story (and unlike other reviewers I'm not going to tell you anymore than what I've said above), it's fairly predictable and there was no major twist at the end, although it would have been good to have one. Fortunately for this film it has a cracking cast and even if it didn't Brendan Gleeson's performance would be enough to have me raving about it and demanding you all go and see it when it opens on Thursday.

Gleeson and Cheadle have some excellent chemistry on screen and the hilarity of their banter had the whole audience laughing out loud. One of my favourite lines was "I can't tell if you're really motherfucking dumb or really motherfucking smart". And it's true, some of the things Boyle says are really dumb, but there's something about him that is pretty clued in. Mark Strong is also worth writing home about, he always plays a fantastic villain and doesn't let you down in this one. A dear friend is a Mark Strong lover and I'll be telling her it's definitely worth checking him out even if he is only on screen for a total of around 20 minutes tops.

Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh brother of IN BRUGES writer/director Martin McDonagh and you can definitely tell. If you didn't know any better you'd assume it was by the same guy, but that's not a bad thing...IN BRUGES was fantastic.

If you enjoyed IN BRUGES, SNATCH and the like you should enjoy this. Hitting Australian cinemas Thursday the 25th of August 3.5 out of 5.

HYSTERIA Trailer - Maggie Gyllenhaal, Felicity Jones, Hugh Dancy & Rupert Everett

A hilarious comedy about the invention of the vibrator! It's been touring the festival circuit this year with 2012 expected release dates.

Refund Please!!

Don't like the movie you just saw? Well hopefully you run into the leading actor tell him you don't like it and get your money back...sounds unrealistic I know, but it's a true story!

Tom Hanks was just pumping gas minding his own business when an excited couple stopped to talk to him. The couple mentioned they had recently seen LARRY CROWNE (which Tom co-wrote, directed and starred in) and Tom asked them what they thought...Rookie error Tom. Rookie error.

They let him know they have come to expect more from their favourite star with the husband quoted as saying "it wasn't that good." Ouch. Although I've only seen the trailer and I could have told that couple before they went to see it that it wasn't going to be that good!

Tom was quoted by the National Enquirer as saying "Gee, I'm sorry you were disappointed, how about letting me refund your ticket money?" Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out $25 which wouldn't cover two ticket here, but adequately covers it based on US prices. Apparently the wife wasn't too keen on taking the money, but the hubby sure was! Lucky Tom is one of the top earning actors around at the moment!

Casting Call

So now there's speculation as to who's going to play the leads in the DD remake and I thought I might share with you the names that are being bandied about...

Justin Timberlake is said to be a front runner, with Chris Hemsworth and Zac Efron a close second and third, sadly I don't think any of those candidates has what it takes to fill Patrick Swayze's shoes! The only name on rotation at the moment for the role of Baby is none other than GLEE starlet Lea Michele...surely she's not the only choice?!?!

Star Gazing

One of the best parts of my job is getting to attend red carpet premieres...

I got to say a quick hello to those guys at the HORRIBLE BOSSES premiere on Sunday night. Not a bad way to end the weekend if you ask me!

Opening August 25, and if you enjoyed the original HANGOVER and BRIDESMAIDS get along and check this one out!

From bad to worse...

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse Jennifer Grey (who was the original Baby Houseman) has through her publicist said "I'm so excited about this news and I think there's nobody better than my beloved Kenny Ortega who is as responsible as anyone for the success of the first one. I can't wait to see what he's going to do with it."

Are you for serious Jennifer? I am so upset by this...I thought she would be a voice of reason but no...Well I don't care what you say Jennifer. I'm still not convinced.

DRIVE - Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan & Oscar Isaac

This film won best director at Cannes, and was the closing night film at the Melbourne International Film Festival (which sadly sold out before I could get tickets) and looks to be amazing!

Releasing in Australia October 27.

BACK THE TRUCK UP!!

So I've just been checking online for interesting news and came across the most awful piece of information that is sure to horrify you as much as it did me!

Some genius in the film industry has decided that it would be a great idea to do a remake of the 1987 film DIRTY DANCING bringing in the original choreographer Kenny Ortega to direct. I'm sorry, but WHAT THE F*&% ARE YOU THINKING?!?!?

I have been watching this film since I was 2 years old and it is my absolute favourite. It's the film that I put on when I'm home sick, or spending a rainy day in bed or just being a lazy bum and I don't have anything new to watch. I've gone through 1 beta tape, 3 VHS and am onto my second DVD copy of this film just to give you an indication of how much I actually watch it.

Granted Kenny Ortega remade HAIRSPRAY and did it well, but that film was not particularly well known to mainstream audiences, and the remake certainly opened the eyes of many many people to this story. Then  he was originally set to direct the remake FOOTLOOSE which no one is too pleased about and if you have watched the original film and see the new trailer you'll realise it's just going to be a shitter version of the same film. Thankfully he pulled out of that giant cluster$%*@. Now he's got his filthy mitts all over my childhood obsession film!!! Someone get this guy a new idea!!

I'm going to let you contemplate this juicy piece of information while I go and punch a wall and then have a lie down. 3 words - UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE!!

The information below comes from the Lionsgate publicity department...

SANTA MONICA, CA (August 08, 2011) - LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, is set to produce DIRTY DANCING, based on the classic 1987 film of the same name, it was announced today by Joe Drake, co-COO of Lionsgate and President of the Motion Picture Group. The original film’s choreographer Kenny Ortega (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT), will direct. Debra Martin Chase (THE PRINCESS DIARIES, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS) and Kenny Ortega are producing. The studio is in talks with Eleanor Bergstein, the writer and co-producer of the original film, regarding her involvement in the new film in a producing capacity. Alli Shearmur, President of Motion Picture Development and Production, is overseeing the project on behalf of Lionsgate.

The new film is a celebration of one of the most beloved movies of all time. Paying tribute to the emotional excitement of first love, the thrills and complexity of sexual awakening, the soul stirring power of dance, and the classic tale of teenage Baby’s forbidden romance with Johnny Castle, the remake will incorporate classic songs from the 1960s, hits from the original film and brand new compositions.

“Amazingly it has been almost 25 years since the original film was released, but the fans remain legion, and engaged more than ever with a brand that is special and vital to them. We believe that the timing couldn’t be better to modernize this story on the big screen, and we are proud to have Kenny Ortega at the helm,” said Drake.
Said Ortega of the project, “The opportunity to direct DIRTY DANCING is like returning home for me. Growing up in the 60s on the dance floor helped define me as a person and as an artist. I am looking forward to assembling a great creative team and an exciting cast to bring DIRTY DANCING to the screen for a new generation. Patrick Swayze set the bar for men dancing in the movies as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire did before him. I believe everywhere you look there is evidence that the talent is out there and I can’t wait to begin the process of discovering the next breakout triple-threats.”
He continues, “I want to thank writer/producer Eleanor Bergstein for originally choosing me to choreograph DIRTY DANCING and for her continuous support. I’m thrilled to once again be working with my friend and producing partner Debra Martin Chase. My deep appreciation to Alli Shearmur, Joe Drake, and everyone at Lionsgate for their enthusiasm to make the film and for their confidence in me to helm the project.”

"This remake of DIRTY DANCING presents an exciting opportunity to both celebrate what has made this movie so beloved and refresh and enhance it so that new audiences can claim it as their own,” said producer Chase. “I am thrilled to be working with Kenny Ortega again and with the dynamic creative team at Lionsgate."

Filmmaker deals were negotiated by Senior Exec VP of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group Rob McEntegart, with attorney Steve Warren on behalf of Ortega, and Michael Gendler on behalf of Chase. Ortega is represented by Paradigm and McDonald/Selznick Associates.

And here's the email address to register your shock.... 
Lionsgate – Film Division

Kate Hubin Piliero
khubin@lionsgate.com

ARRIETY - Studio Ghibli

I love me some Studio Ghibli (the Ghibli museum was one of my favourite places to visit when I was living in Tokyo) so I am pretty excited about this new edition! ARRIETY or ARRIETY THE BORROWER is a Japanese version of a beloved childhood book The Borrowers (remember that one?) and has all the charm and gorgeous animation of past Ghibli releases.

2011 release dates for the UK and 2012 release dates for the States. Nothing for us yet sadly, but I am going to get in touch with Madman Studios who look after the Ghibli releases in Australia and see if there's any word on this one.

The voice over for this trailer is pretty annoying, but it's one of the better versions of the trailer out there at the moment.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - Comic Con 2011

What a great entrance to the panel for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN by Andrew Garfield!

SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN - Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart & Sam Claflin

You all know how I love Disney films, but I'm pretty sure this isn't going to be one for the kids! First promo images for this film and I'm thinking Charlize Theron looks the part of the evil Queen! Can't wait for some more info on this one!

THE IDES OF MARCH - George Clooney, Ryan Gosling & Marisa Tomei

Trailer for this looks fantastic and what an amazing cast! Releasing in the States on the 7th of October. No confirmed release date for Australian audiences, but I will definitely keep you up to date on this one!

ONE DAY - Review

Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am. This film doesn't release in Australia until September 1st and I got a sneak peek at it last night and let me just say WOW. If you haven't already fallen for Jim Sturgess you will now!!

A couple of weeks ago I showed you a clip where the David Nicholls himself said lovers of the book would not be disappointed, and you know what he was right. I was not disappointed. In fact I was delighted!

There was only one thing I didn't love and that was Anne Hathaway as Emma, which was something I had predicted. I'm not sure who I would have cast as Emma, but she definitely wasn't it and I wasn't the only one who thought that. I went in with an open mind about her, but it just didn't work and the few moments where her American accent slipped through didn't help her case!

Jim Sturgess on the other hand was a perfect Dexter. He had the arrogance, the selfishness and the brokeness all down, plus not hard to look at which is a bonus! I'm pretty sure he will fulfill everyone's dreams of how Dexter should be, both in character traits and looks!

The film was beautifully shot in segments of the 15th of July, the anniversary of Dexter and Emma's first meeting. Everything else that falls between those days in the book is basically left out, but that did not alter the magic of the story or the development of the characters. I was a little concerned about how they were going to pull off 20 years of stuff in under 2 hours, but they did it! Nicholls' script was great and direction by Lone Scherfig was incredible, which I suppose was to be expected from this acclaimed director. Just look at AN EDUCATION.

This is a good week for films 4 out of 5! Watch the link below for a serious indication of just how good Jim Sturgess is as Dex.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810197449/video/25911716#25761620

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER - Review

As far as the Marvel Avengers franchise goes CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER is probably my second favourite film with IRON MAN coming in at number one.

The story was great, the script well written, the cast beautifully chosen, a great soundtrack and well directed. The only thing that I was a little saddened by was that the special effects - cool as they were - were too unrealistic. Now I've had a few people say "yeah but it's Captain America, it should be like that", but I'm not convinced. I think there's a point where you can go "ok that crazy burning pit of fire looks realistic" and stop there. Although if that's really the only fault I can come up with then hey, not too bad right?

Let me tell you about the incredible casting of this film...Chris Evans as Steve/Captain America was perfect. He really had that character down and made you believe in him. Plus what they did with the CGI to make him look all scrawny and little was pretty freakin' crazy! For those of you who recognise Steve's best friend Bucky like I did, I'll save you the trouble and tell you he plays Carter in Gossip Girl. Finally a big shout out to Australia's own Hugo Weaving who played Johann Schmidt/Red Skull!! That man carried his accent beautifully throughout the film and he just made you hate him!

So really I'm not surprised this film took out leading position over HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2 in the States last week. It was as I hear another cinema goer today say "the shiznits". Now I don't know what shiznits are, but they apparently loved the film and that's a term of endearment!

And for those of you out there desperate to see it but not sure you should take your ladies along, don't worry if they're not into this kind of film, there's plenty of man candy to keep them occupied!

4 out of 5