Previews: Blade Runner 2049 trailer, Dunkirk, More!

Previews of upcoming attractions include the new Blade Runner 2049 trailer, John Wick: Chapter Two, The White King, and more…

Blade Runner 2049 Trailer

Here is the first Blade Runner 2049 trailer. The film sees the return of Harrison Ford as Dekard. He is joined by Ryan Gosling, who plays a new blade runner. Set thirty years after the events of the original film, Blade Runner 2049 is set for release on 6th October 2017.

John Wick: Chapter Two Trailer

Following the success of 2014’s John Wick, sequel John Wick: Chapter Two is coming next year. Keanu Reeves returns as the title character, and is joined by Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, and Common. John Wick: Chapter Two will be released in UK cinemas on 17th February 2017.

Personal Shopper Trailer

After screening at a number of film festivals this year, Oliver Assayas’ Personal Shopper gets a UK cinema release next year. The film stars Kirsten Stewart as a personal shopper and a spiritual medium who tries to make contact with a deceased relative. Personal Shopper will be released in cinemas on 17th March 2017.

Jackie Poster

Here is the poster for Jackie. The film stars Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy, and focuses on the assassination and aftermath as seen through her eyes. With awards buzz around the central performance, Jackie will be released in UK cinemas on 20th January 2017.

The White King Clip

Based on the novel of the same name, The White King is a dystopian drama set during a fictitious dictatorship. The film stars Jonathan Pryce, Agyness Deyn, and Olivia Williams as this creepy robot. The White King will be released in UK cinemas on 27th January 2017, and on DVD on 30th January.

Dunkirk Trailer

Here is the first proper look at Dunkirk. Director Christopher Nolan has fared well with science fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and comic book movies, and now turns his hand to the war film. The film stars Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Cillian Murphy. Dunkirk will be released in 2017.

Film Review: Sunset Song

Terence Davies’ Sunset Song is beautifully shot. Yet the film feels overlong, and is not as gratifying as it could be.

In the early 20th Century, Chris Guthrie is growing up. The daughter of a Scottish farmer, Chris reaches maturity at a tumultuous time for her family. As Chris’ life changes, so does the world around her…

Sunset Song tells the story of a changing time in the life of protagonist Chris. A youthful flourish gives way to a more turbulent time as Chris becomes a woman. She sees the troubles of other characters, and certain warnings become poignant later in her life.

The language of the film, from Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s original novel, is beautifully descriptive, and the voiceover has a poetic quality. Nevertheless, despite its beauty, Sunset Song feels like a missed opportunity. The pacing switches from swift to glacial. Important times seem to be covered rather quickly, yet the ending in particular is so leisurely that it adds to an anti-climactic feeling. Part of the issue is that the book is one in a series; but audiences could feel less than satisfied with the conclusion, especially given the film’s running time.

The landscape is a significant part of Sunset Song, and cinematographer Michael McDonough shoots the film marvellously. McDonough captures the beauty of the environment, as well as its severity. Writer-director Davies threads a naturalistic tone through the film, depicting the joys and the hardships that young people faced at the time.

Peter Mullan delivers a commanding performance as Chris’ father. Agyness Deyn does an adequate job as Sunset Song‘s protagonist, although she is not always convincing. It does not help that she is ill cast for the earlier scenes; looking far more mature than her character’s age. Kevin Guthrie shows promise as Ewan, even if his transformation is too harsh.

Sunset Song looks the part of a period drama. Despite its beauty, the film does not captivate as it should.

Trailer Round-Up

There are four trailers from the past week that are worth a look. A little bit of horror, LA crime drama, teen shenanigans and East End violence seem to be the shape of things to come.

The Cabin in the Woods

 I have seen The Cabin in the Woods, but I am sworn to secrecy. The film was co-written and produced by Joss Whedon. Go and see it when it comes out on 13th April 2012.

 Rampart

There is not enough noir in modern cinema. Rampart, released Friday 24th February, appears to go some way to rectifying this. Featuring a screenplay by L.A. Confidential‘s James Ellroy, Rampart focuses on a veteran cop in the LAPD. The film features an all-star cast including Woody Harrelson, Sigourney Weaver and Steve Buscemi.

 Project X

Project X seems to be a teen party movie with a twist. The film is about a seventeenth birthday party which high school students shoot with their digital cameras. Project X is produced by The Hangover‘s Todd Phillips and The Matrix‘s Joel Silver. The film is released in cinemas on 2nd March 2012.

 Pusher

Pusher is a remake of Nicolas Winding Refn’s film of the same name. This version is set in East London and stars Agyness Deyn, Ruchard Coyle and Bronson Webb. The remake has the approval of Winding Refn, who acts as executive producer of the project. Pusher is due for release this year.