In no order.
127 Hours
I adored Danny Boyle as a filmmaker, his films were completely compelling, fresh and just damn fine. That is until i saw Slumdog Millionaire, which i felt was a massive cop out for a director of such calibre. But ironically, it was the film that everyone decided to recognise, especially the Academy, rewarding him many Oscars, including Best Director and Best Picture. Honestly, most of his other films are more deserving than that one, seriously.
Anyway, with that all in the past, Boyle returns with 127 Hours, based on the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston, whos extreme lifestyle found himself stuck with his arm wedged behind a boulder, only to escape by hacking his arm off with a dull blade amongst things.
I remember this story, and it was quite amazing, but im interested how they will extend it to a whole movie. Judging from the trailer, it looks signature Boyle, so i have faith it will be interesting, and hopefully less Slumdog. And it stars James Franco as Ralston, who is getting better and better each movie.
Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWWcQC0ZxIM
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Tron Legacy
I think 10-15 years ago, the idea of a sequel to Disney’s 1982 computer world adventure Tron would have been laughable. I mean, The Simpsons covered it extremely well in Treehouse Of Horror VI as 3D Homer attempts to explain the third dimension (Uhh…its like…did anyone see the movie Tron?…No…No…No…etc). Sure, the original film is quite entertaining, a unique vision of a computer world, it was a great time, but of course, it slipped away into more of a cult following, and time has not been kind to its at the time, groundbreaking effects, with most of the film completely computerised. However, somehow, due to the efforts of director Joseph Kosinski (maybe with the help of the Tron Guy), a sequel went into the works. It wasn’t until an amazing teaser was released at Comic-Con a few years ago that show us all that this is serious, and it will without a doubt be awesome.
The film picks up 20 or so years after the disappearance of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), and when a mysterious message from his old arcade is recieved, Flynns son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) goes in search, only to find himself transported into the same world of the first, only that over 20 years, the place has been updated to contemporary times (provocative idea imo).
What i find awesome is not only the amazing sequences seen thus far, is that Jeff Bridges not only reprises his role of Flynn at his current older age, he also reprises his digital self Clu, as a very convincingly de-aged version ala Benjamin Button, bringing back a second Bridges from 1982. It is freaking uncanny. TWICE THE DUDE. Now that is awesome.
Want more awesome - Daft Punk Soundtrack. Yes. Awesome. (apparently they also appear as an MP3 program in the film too, awesome).
So i cannot wait, and in 3D, which i actually welcome in this respect.
Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEndyAOpI8A
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Somewhere
Sofia Coppola has pulling the family filmmaking chops for over 10 years now, seeing as father Francis is more into less prominent films, producing as well as drinking wine. In her films, 1999s The Virgin Suicides, 2003s Lost In Translation and 2006s Marie Antionette, Coppola has developed a very strong style, a delicate, intimate, almost dreamy yet ultra youthful approach which is nothing short of brilliant. So much that each film she makes is an event for film purists today. She is one of few female directors who can hold their own at awards time with the boys, which is in itself an achievement.
Her latest Somewhere seems very much her territory, maybe a relative of her much phrased Lost In Translation. Where Translation, in simple terms, followed an aging actor in a midlife crisis, Somewhere follows a different breed of celebrity, a Hollywood badboy Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) living it up at the Chateau Marmont in LA, who one day receives a visit from his 11 year old daughter (Elle Fanning), which ensues challenges in his way of living.
Her films aren’t particularly complex in plot, and one can possibly see where the film will go, but then again, Coppola is not that simple. Her characters are always whole, deep and well explored and beautifully portrayed and from what i can gather, this will prove the same, along with it being beautifully shot with an excellent soundtrack.
This i believe will be a beautiful little treat that will sit beside the rest of her films. I pine to see it.
Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7G_zn73zh0
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The Town
Ben Affleck has grown on me ALOT in the past few years. I mean, his early career i thought was very solid, working with the likes of Richard Linklater, Kevin Smith and Gus Van Sant (for Good Will Hunting, in which he garnered an Oscar for its script with buddy Matt Damon). Then, like many talents, was squandered in Jerry Bruckheimer trash and his relationships seemed to take more spotlight, even in his films (Gigli anyone?).
Then i think, being a smart man took a step back, and reassessed a few things, and what came of it was a very smart career move in 2007, moving to directing an excellent film called Gone Baby Gone, starring his brother Casey Affleck, with Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman.
The Town is Affleck’s second directorial effort and judging from the trailer, it has the building blocks of some entertaining, award winning movie material. It feels like a mix between Michael Mann’s Heat and Martin Scorsese’s The Departed.
Not only does he direct, he headlines an excellent cast as a professional bank robber who falls in love with a bank manager (Rebecca Hall) after a heist. This causes an inner moral struggle, not to mention added stress of avoiding a nosy FBI agent (Jon Hamm).
It looks like a good character piece, with an excellent cast, including the forementioned as well as Jeremy Renner, who i must mention, with some great action and drama. I look forward to it. Shame about the dull title though.
Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXY_JvOK63c
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Machete
How does this not look awesome? Danny Trejo, badass mexican ex-con now film icon as a leading man in an epic mexican action film. Based on Robert Rodriguez’s Grindhouse trailer, a trailer that was so popular it inspired Rodriguez to go back, dig up the script he wrote for it years earlier and make a complete, batshit crazy film.
The film follows Machete, double crossed, left for dead, which causes a bloody revenge rampage, as well as somewhat of a revolution.
Sure, ive seen the film has garnered some mixed reviews but i think that its very much a niche film. Pure glorious ridiculousness, with a colourful cast of people, including Mr Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Jeff Fahey, Don Johnson, Jessica Alba, Lindsey Lohan, Michelle Rodriguez, Steven Seagal and some dude named Robert De Niro.
*Drool*
Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIxcVzwLR1k
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The Black Swan
Ahh. I want to talk about this film, but i can’t because its being released in Australia on 20th January 2011. So ill talk about it then in more depth (likely in review form). BUT. That said, it looks amazing, from the great contemporary director Darren Aronofsky, director of Pi, Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain and The Wrestler. All of which are GREAT films (yes all of you punks out there you can’t appreciate The Fountain, i am talking to you, that film is GREAT).
The Black Swan just released its first trailer and really, just wow. One can tell that this is a film by Aronofsky, maintaining the feel of all his past films. The film seems to follow the vein of The Wrestler, but also mixed with the pure, terrifying paranoia of Requiem For A Dream.
It follows an ambitious New York City ballerina Nina (Natalie Portman) who lives her profession, is called in by artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) calls her in to replace the prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the new season of Swan Lake. All seems good until Nina discovers shes in contest for the role with a new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis) as the Black Swan to her White Swan (as there are two roles). As this rivalry continues, Nina falls into her darker side revealing some, what can be frankly said as - stuff that is fucked up.
Great cast, already rave reviews specifically for Portman and Ryder. I cannot wait for this.
(Wow, i talked about this anyways didn’t i)
Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jaI1XOB-bs
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Never Let Me Go
Mark Romanek has made one other film, (that i know of, IMDB i must visit you) but yes, his last and only film i have seen was 2002s FANTASTIC One Hour Photo, which produced one of Robin Williams’ best serious, nay, best performances of his career as well as making one of the creepiest, saddest figures in cinema (in my humble opinion). So its always been something of interest to see when he will come back and do another film. I know he’s done alot of music videos and such, but as a film director, i wanted more, as i was so impressed with his first effort.
Now, in 2010, he returns with an interesting looking sci-fi drama, which i might add i have no idea what its really about (the sci-fi part at least). But in the end, i’m not fussed at this. The plot goes (according to IMDB) as
“As children, Ruth, Kathy and Tommy, spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. As they grow into young adults, they find that they have to come to terms with the strength of the love they feel for each other, while preparing themselves for the haunting reality that awaits them.”
So that tells me very basically very little, and i know it’s based on a book as well, which i shall not read, until after the film at least, i want to be surprised at what it brings.
It looks wonderfully shot, and incredibly acted from the young british leads in Carey Mulligan (swoon), Keira Knightley (swoon) and Andrew Garfield (no swoon, but he shall swing from buildings as the new Spiderman). And a script from Alex Garland (28 Days Later, The Beach). AWESOME.
I really don’t know what it is, but this one has got me very interested.
Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXiRZhDEo8A
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Awesome.
