Previews: Creed II Clip, Uglydolls, More!

Lots of film-related goodness in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including a new Creed II clip, Uglydolls, Missing Link, and more…

Creed II Clip

Here is a brand new Creed II clip. A sequel to 2016’s Creed, the film sees the return of Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson. They are joined by a face from the original franchise; Dolph Lundgren reprises his role as Ivan Drago. Directed by Steven Caple Jr., Creed II will hit UK screens on 30th November 2018.

Uglydolls Trailer

Here is the first trailer for animated adventure Uglydolls. Based on the toy brand, the film is about the residents of Uglyville, who confront what it means to be different. The film features original songs by Kelly Clarkson, Janelle Monáe, and Blake Shelton. Uglydolls is set for release on 16th August 2019.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Poster

Above is the latest poster for the upcoming Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. Produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film focuses on a different Spider-Man universe. With an all-star voice cast (including Mahershala Ali, Hailee Steinfeld, and Nicolas Cage), Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is out in UK cinemas on 12th December, with previews on 8th and 9th December 2018.

Missing Link Trailer

Missing Link is the latest film from animation studio Laika. The film is about an explorer who  discovers the world’s most legendary creature. Featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Zach Galifianakis, and Zoe Saldana, Missing Link is set for release on 5th April 2019.

Aquaman Poster

Here is one of the latest posters from the upcoming DC film Aquaman. Nicole Kidman stars as Queen Atlanna in the film. She is joined by Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and Willem Dafoe. Directed by James Wan, Aquaman will hit UK screens on 14th December 2018.

White Boy Rick Trailer

White Boy Rick is based on the true story. Set in 1980s Detroit, during the height of the war on drugs, the film is about a father and his teenage son, who becomes a police informant. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Richie Merritt, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Brian Tyree Henry. White Boy Rick is being released in UK cinemas on 7th December 2018.

Previews: Spectre Vlog, Legend Trailer and more

Plenty to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the latest Spectre vlog, the Legend trailer, plus a first look at Macbeth…

Spectre Vlog

In this latest Spectre vlog, director Sam Mendes and members of the crew discuss a car chase sequence from the upcoming James Bond movie. You can check out the Spectre trailer here, and more Spectre vlogs are available on the James Bond channel. Spectre hits the big screen 6th November 2015.

Legend Trailer 

Legend is not a remake of the 1985 fantasy classic of the same name. This version of Legend is about the notorious Kray twins. Written and directed by Brian Hegeland, the film stars Tom Hardy as both Kray twins. Legend is set for release in the UK on 11th September 2015.

Aloha Clip

Wedding Crashers‘ stars Rachel McAdams and Bradley Cooper reunite in this clip from Aloha. Cameron Crowe directs an all-star cast, which also includes Bill Murray, Emma Stone and Jay Baruchel. Aloha will hit UK screens on 4th September 2015.

Mad Max: Fury Road Trailer

The final trailer for Mad Max: Fury Road arrives two weeks before the film’s release. A combination of new and already-released footage, the trailer suggests that the film will be a crazy ride. Starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult, Mad Max: Fury Road will be released in cinemas on 14th May 2015.

Macbeth First Look

Here is one of the first images released from the new film adaptation of Macbeth. Starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, Macbeth is due to make its world premiere at next month’s Cannes Film Festival. The film is scheduled to open in the UK in October 2015.

Poltergeist Featurette

Sam Raimi discusses his horror remake of Poltergeist in the above featurette. Remakes have been a prominent feature of the horror genre for several years now, so this new version of Poltergeist is no surprise. Starring Sam Rockwell and Jared Harris, Poltergeist will hit UK screens on 22nd May 2015.

Moomins on the Riviera Trailer

The Moomins holiday in style in this film adaptation of the comic strips. The English-language version of Moomins on the Riviera features the voices of Russell Tovey and Tracy Ann Oberman. The animated film will be released in UK cinemas on 22nd May 2015.

Magic Mike XXL Poster

The latest series of posters for Magic Mike sequel Magic Mike XXL makes no secret of how viewers are being enticed. Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello are among those who have returned for the second instalment, alongside newcomers Elizabeth Banks and Amber Heard. Magic Mike XXL will thrust its way on to UK screens on 3rd July 2015.

What Happened, Miss Simone? Trailer

New documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? focuses on legendary singer Nina Simone. The film features previously unheard audio tapes, plus interviews with family members and friends. What Happened, Miss Simone? will make its debut on Netflix on 26th June 2015.

Film Review: Machete Kills

Machete Kills is an enjoyable follow up to Robert Rodriguez’s 2010 hit. The film focuses on the absurd; an aspect that entertains throughout.

Ex-Federale Machete is hired by no less than the American president himself for a critical mission. Machete needs to find arms dealer Mandez before he launches a weapon that could have catastrophic consequences…

Machete Kills continues soon after the first film ends, but swiftly takes a detour in terms of narrative. Whereas Machete had its silly moments, but more serious themes at play, Machete Kills embraces a farcical James Bond-esque plot, pitting Machete as the unlikely saviour.

The film takes on a more absurd edge than its predecessor, but this is what makes the film so entertaining. The plot lurches from silly to absurd, taking the audience along with it for the ride.

Machete Kills taps into the ‘Mexploitation’ vibe more effectively than the original film. There are moments that have a real 1970s feel to them, and the film instils B movie values. The preview at the beginning of the film as an amusing touch, and one that harks back to the Machete character’s origins.

This sequel also features females in prominent roles. Whilst these characters might be fiesty and trigger-happy, their power is negated by the choice of attire. Although this could be seen as replicating the type of film that Machete Kills pastiches, it is a shame that the main female characters are not a little more progressive.

More so than its predecessor, there is stunt casting galore in Machete Kills. This comes in the form of Charlie Sheen as US president, and roles for Mel Gibson and Lady Gaga. Elsewhere, Danny Trejo reprises his role well, while Amber Heard and Demian Bichir seem to be having fun.

Machete Kills should satisfy fans of the first film, as well as appealing to those with a taste for the absurd.

Film Review: The Rum Diary

The Rum Diary boasts some great performances, wonderful locations and fabulous costuming. Unfortunately, the film also suffers from lacklustre direction, making it really rather dull.

American writer Paul Kemp takes a job at a newspaper in Puerto Rico in 1960. His colleagues are jaded, with some more interested in consuming rum above anything else. Paul begins to see the gulf between the local way of life and the wealthy foreigners who frequent the paradise island…

Based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel, The Rum Diary attempts to capture the mood of a certain era and a certain group of individuals. It is partially successful; the film generates an exoticness that will be unfamiliar to many. However, the film lacks a sense of authenticity. The scenes in the film that are meant to be absurd or somewhat wild never really pull the audience in. Perhaps the problem is that The Rum Diary loses its viewers before it gets to this point.

Bruce Robinson’s direction is stilted. The more active sequences do not grab the attention in the way they are supposed to. There is a distinct lack of energy to the whole film. In one sense, the film takes a laid-back style, with the plot slowly being revealed. Nevertheless, without strong direction or purpose, the film quickly becomes dull, and never really recovers.

The narrative can be reduced to a fairly simple good guys versus bad guys structure, with the audience identifying with Kemp’s point of view as the newcomer. Characters are depicted in polemical terms, with the almost caricature wealthy investors and the sidelined locals who get no viewpoint of their own. There is nothing particularly illuminating about the narrative, nor anything that entertaining.

Johnny Depp is good for the most part as Paul Kemp. In a few of the scenes, his mannerisms are over the top, which appear at odds with the character. Aaron Eckhart is solid as Sanderson, while Giovanni Ribisi is excellent as the eccentric Moberg. Amber Heard is appropriately cast as Chenault, a role requiring little else but looking pretty.

Colleen Atwood’s costuming is great, particularly Chenault’s wardrobe. Production values in The Rum Diary are good, though not much about the film stands out, visually-speaking. The film’s very fatal flaw is that it is boring; viewers are unlikely to recommend The Rum Diary to others.