Category: Film

  • Spider-Man Reboot

    Sony plans on rebooting Spider-Man, which I consider a good thing since the prior films never really captured Spider-Man’s personality. They insisted that they want to distance the new film from the trilogy and focus on Peter Parker during his high school years. Again, I consider this a good thing.

    So why are they bringing in a screenwriter from the former films? Scriptwriter Alvin Sargent has been hired to polish the screenplay written by Jamie Vanderbilt. Does this means all of Spidey’s witty quips will be practically nonexistent and replaced with drama? Spider-Man does have his drama, but without his sarcasm, comic fans won’t be nearly as happy with the reboot.

    If Sony is smart, they would look at the recent success of Iron Man 2 and realize that a gritty drama is unnecessary. Fit the mood of the source material. If it worked for readers, it’ll work for viewers. Also, cast Logan Lerman as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. He’s right for the part and you know it.

    Source: (Heat Vision Blog)

  • Ewan McGregor Casted in Terry Gilliam Film

    Replacing Johnny Depp in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote will be Ewan McGregor, director Terry Gilliam revealed to Empire Online. He will be playing a modern day advertising executive who travels back to 17th century Spain. The titled character, Don Quixote, will be portrayed by Robert Duvall. The budget is set around $20 million.

    Gilliam was set to direct the film back in 2000, but after a series of unfortunate mishaps; ruined audio, a flash flood that destroyed equipment and changed the appearance of the landscape, and the original actor playing Don Quixote, Jean Rochefort sustaining injuries — production was effectively canceled. It was the epitome of bad luck for the project.

    It’ll be exciting to see Terry Gilliam and Ewan McGregor working together. And Gilliam is no stranger to small budgets; he knows how to wisely use the resources he has. Hopefully there won’t be any complications with the production this time. It deserves this second chance.

  • Judge Dredd Makes a Return

    Comic book character created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, Judge Dredd, will be making a return; DNA Films spent over two years negotiating for it.

    Garland, Macdonald, and Allon Reich are set to produce; with Pete Travis directing, and the script by Alex Garland. The budget for the film is $45 million and will be filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    I was a fan of Sylvester Stallone’s version of Judge Dredd despite it being campy, but this current project looks to stick close to the source material; with Wagner as a creative consultant, and the owners of the publishing company Rebellion/2000AD, Jason and Chris Kingsley as co-producers.

    Judge Dredd already seems to be shaping up to be a proper adaption for the comic book; with another co-producer in Michael S. Murphey, who had a hand in District 9. A smaller budget might work just fine, considering the people involved who are no strangers to it.

    Source: (Hollywood Reporter)

  • Michael Bay Ditches the Twins from “Transformers 2”

    Director Michael Bay posted on his forum, “The Twins are not back in T3.” Maybe all the ridicule on the blatant racism of the characterizations of Skids and Mudflap finally convinced him what a bad idea they were. Well, that or he’s making room for Asian stereotyped transformers.

    Source: (Superhero Hype)

  • “Super 8” Produced by Steven Spielberg and Directed by J.J. Abrams

    Supposedly Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams had a conversation about their youth playing with Super 8 cameras which realized their current film project together. Produced by Spielberg, J.J. Abrams penned the screenplay that pays homage to Spielberg’s 70s films, which he will also direct.

    Reportedly, the budget for Super 8 is roughly $50 million, but it’s confirmed that it will be shot traditionally instead of hand-held like Cloverfield.

    J.J. Abrams is notorious for keeping things hushed, and this project is no different. The only concrete thing known about the plot is the line in the teaser: “In 1979, the U.S. Air Force closed a section of Area 51”. Anything else at this point is speculation.

    Like J.J. Abrams’ Lost and Cloverfield, Super 8 has viral marketing, which is already underway. According to the website discovered by fans, something will be revealed on May 15h. The site can be found here.

    Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams collaborating together on a film is very exciting, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with. I just hope George Lucas stays away from this movie. I mean . . . what?

    Sources: (Vulture) (Variety)

  • Jerome Bixby’s “The Man from Earth”

    The Man from Earth was the last work of the late writer Jerome Bixby, directed by Richard Schenkman, and stars David Lee Smith as Professor John Oldman.

    The film begins with John Oldman packing all his things into his truck when colleagues suddenly come over against his wishes. They confront him for leaving so abruptly, and ask his reasons for moving away. Barely addressing their questions, he acts skittish while continuing to pack before they convince him to elaborate on his reasons.

    Inviting them in his home, he offers them conversation for the modest farewell party. John asks them,”What if a man from the Upper Paleolithic had survived until the present day?” which piques the interest of his friends. John nonchalantly mentions that he’s the caveman that he was implying. He then starts sharing stories throughout his life which raises more questions from his colleagues. The debate gradually becomes more heated; his friends using their expertise in each of their respective fields to try to disprove John.

    The production for this film is more along the lines of a theatre rather than a traditional movie; it takes place entirely on one location. A lot of the focus are on John’s monologues on his past life and interactions with his colleagues instead of flashback scenes. The acting and the strong writing really shows, immersing the viewer into each of John’s stories.

    There’s absolutely no reliance on special effects or action. There’s the emotionally and intellectually charged debate between friends that completely engrosses the viewers, and it works beautifully. Any fan of science fiction and theatre should watch this endearing film.

    (Movie on Amazon)

  • “Iron Man 2” Easter Eggs

    Iron Man 2 came out only days ago, and someone has already put together all the easter eggs in the movie. Do not click the link if you don’t want to be spoiled on Marvel’s movie projects.

    Easter Egg Spoilers

  • Vin Diesel’s “Riddick” Continues

    Vin Diesel is bringing the Chronicles of Riddick back on the big screen with the help of writer/director David Twohy.

    Here’s the official synopsis:

    Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick (Diesel) fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction.

    In the director’s cut the ending of the Chronicles of Riddick, he killed the antagonist and became the new leader of the Necromonger army due to their, “You keep what you kill,” adage. In the theatrical cut after defeating the antagonist, the Necromonger fleet leaves the planet Helium Prime, sparing it.

    So by ‘betrayed by his own kind’, does the synopsis imply the Furyan survivors, or the Necromonger army that he now commands in the director’s cut?

    I always found the Riddick films ridiculous, and this looks to be the same — but nevertheless, they’re highly entertaining. I entirely look forward to the next installment.

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