Previews: Ant-Man Trailer, Irrational Man Trailer and More

Previews of forthcoming attractions this week include the latest Ant-Man trailer, Irrational Man, Steve Jobs…

Ant-Man Trailer

Here is the latest Ant-Man trailer. The film looks like it will have a healthy dose of comedy, and given that the film is about an ant-sized superhero, this will be welcome. Starring Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas, Ant-Man hits the big screen on 17th July 2015.

Irrational Man Trailer

Woody Allen’s latest film Irrational Man stars Joaquin Phoenix as a philosophy professor who  gets caught in a love triangle with two women. Emma Stone returns for her second performance in an Allen film whilst it is the first for Parker Posey and Joaquin Phoenix. Irrational Man opens in UK cinemas on 11th September 2015.

Steve Jobs Trailer

Here is the debut trailer for Steve Jobs. The film comes with quite a pedigree; it is directed by Danny Boyle, written by Aaron Sorkin, and stars Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen. Steve Jobs will be released in UK cinemas on 13th November 2015.

The Walk Poster

The Walk is based on the true story of a man who walked between the two World Trade Centre towers in New York. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Charlotte Le Bon and Ben Kingsley, and is directed by Robert Zebecks. The Walk hits the big screen on 2nd October 2015.

Creed

The Rocky franchise gets another instalment, albeit with a bit of a difference. Michael B. Jordan stars as the son of Apollo Creed, and sees Sylvester Stallone reprise his role as the boxing legend. Creed also reunites Jordan with his Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler. Creed is set for release on 27th November 2015.

The Diary of a Teenage Girl Trailer

The Diary of a Teenage Girl has already won praise at film festivals this year. The film is about a teenage girl growing up in San Francisco in the 1970s. Starring Bel Powley, Kirsten Wiig and Alexander Skarsgård, The Diary of a Teenage Girl will hit the big screen in the UK on 7th August 2015.

Masterminds

New comedy Masterminds tells the true story of a group of idiots who pulled off a $17 million heist. The film stars Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Own Wilson and Jason Sudeikis. Masterminds will hit UK screens on 7th August 2015.

 

 

Stuff To Look At

A profusion of film-related goodness, including clips from Runner Runner and The Counsellor, trailers for Saving Mr Banks and The Monuments Men, and Loki…

Runner Runner

New Batman Ben Affleck shows a dark side in the above clip from upcoming crime thriller Runner Runner. This is why crocodiles are a bad idea generally. Runner Runner hits UK screens on 27th September 2013.

Nebraska

Nebraska is director Alexander Payne’s latest. Starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, Nebraska is a father and son road movie. The film is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October and is on general release from 6th December 2013.

The Railway Man

Here is the trailer for period drama The Railway Man. Starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, the film is based on Eric Lomax’s memoirs. The Railway Man is released in the UK on 3rd January 2013.

We Are What We Are

We Are What We Are is a remake of the 2010 Mexican film of the same name. It has one of those settings that feel disconcerting. We Are What We Are is out in cinemas on 25th October 2013.

The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men reunites George Clooney and Matt Damon as members of a World War II platoon tasked with rescuing masterpieces from Nazi thieves. The film also stars Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett. The Monuments Men is due for release on 9th January 2014.

Thor The Dark World

Loki! Let’s just be honest; he is the real reason everyone wants to see Thor The Dark World. That look on Loki’s face – so determined. Sequel Thor The Dark World is released in UK cinemas on 30th October 2013.

The Counsellor

The hair in the above clip is something else. In fact, Javier Bardem’s whole look is something else. With an all-star cast including Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt, The Counsellor hits UK screens on 15th November 2013.

Ender’s Game

Ender’s Game is based on the best-selling novel of the same name. Starring Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley, the film is set in a dystopian future. Ender’s Game is released on 25th October 2013 and there’s a trip to NASA to be won here.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

The sequel everyone has been waiting for! Above is San Diego’s finest newsman Ron Burgundy delivering the news on the Goodwood revival. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues hits UK screens on 20th December 2013. What a Christmas treat.

Saving Mr Banks

Here is the first trailer for Saving Mr Banks. The film tells the story of how Walt Disney brought Mary Poppins to the big screen. Saving Mr Banks is closing the London Film Festival on 20th October 2013 and is out on general release on 29th November 2013.

RoboCop

Nothing is going to match the perfection of the director’s cut of 1987’s  RoboCop. Nothing. However this new version features Michael Keaton, so it gets plus points for this alone. RoboCop is due for release on 7th February 2014.

Mandela Long Walk To Freedom

Idris Elba and Naomie Harris star in biopic Mandela Long Walk To Freedom. The film is released on 3rd January 2013; ripe for awards season. Let’s see how it fares.

Film Review: Iron Man 3

Lashings of humour make Iron Man 3 an enjoyable ride. This may not be what all viewers expect, but it is the aspect that makes the film so entertaining.

Following the success of the Avengers initiative, Tony Stark is compulsively working to improve his technology. When a new threat hits close to home, Stark realises that he must concentrate on what matters the most and protect America from a deadly threat…

Iron Man 3 does not reinvent the wheel as far as superhero tropes are concerned. Themes of identity, revenge and power reign supreme. Without the humour, Iron Man 3 would have been very standard comic book movie fare. Moreover, there is a lack of genuine tension in Shane Black’s film. Thankfully, the comedy makes up for this.

The Iron Man 3 script is peppered with humour; the film is almost as much a comedy as it is an action blockbuster. Pacing in the film is fine, although it lacks the feeling of building up to a big climax. The narrative is pretty much what viewers will expect this far along in a blockbuster franchise. Iron Man 3 features the requisite twists and ambiguous characters.

The effects in the film are faultless. The finale does play out on a big scale, production-wise, although again it is lacking in the suspense viewers may hope for. The 3D looks fine, but fails to add significantly to the film.

Iron Man 3 sees Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle reprise their roles. Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley are good additions to the film.

Iron Man 3 is a good end to the trilogy, if this is all the Iron Man films there will be in this current series. Ardent fans may be surprised  by the direction taken by Shane Black, but it is a most entertaining movie.

Film Review: Hugo

Martin Scorsese’s Hugo is likely to beguile audiences with its tale of wonderment. The director’s love of the moving image and his gift for filmmaking shine as brightly as ever.

A young boy who lives in the walls for a Paris train station, Hugo spends his days trying to fix the automaton his father found, whilst hiding from the station inspector. When a shopkeeper confiscates his notebook, Hugo is determined to get it back. Enlisting the help of a new found friend, Hugo attempts to find out more about the automaton…

Based on Brian Selznick’s book The Adventures of Hugo Cabret, Scorsese’s film works on multiple levels. At first glance, it is an enchanting family adventure. The comedy in Hugo is also a highlight, giving the film a suitably light touch. Finally, it is Scorsese’s paean to early cinema and its mechanics.

The film offers viewers unfamiliar with early cinema an enchanting journey through cinema. Those more acquainted  should enjoy the various references and allusions to film in the early twentieth century. The message of restoration is laid on a little thick for those aware of the director’s interest and contribution to this field. Nonetheless, it is a message as good as any.

The narrative is weaved to create a sense of mystery. The reveals in Hugo are finely executed. It is ambiguous as to what type of adventure will unfold, and whether any type of fantasy will manifest itself. This sense of uknown works well to retain the viewer’s attention.

Scorsese’s direction is at times sublime. This is particularly true of the camerwork in Hugo‘s opening sequences. The art direction in the film is superb. The Paris train station looks authentic for the its 1930s setting, yet retains a fantastic aura. Howard Shore’s score is also a treat, suiting the tone and the look of the film incredibly well.

Performances in Hugo are good overall. Asa Butterfield does a great job as the title character, bringing a certain charm to the role. Ben Kingsley offers the necessary presence, while Chloe Moretz has good chemistry with Butterfield. Sasha Baron Cohen brings much of the film’s humour as the station inspector, a role seemingly made for the actor.

Hugo is a rare live action film well worth viewing in 3D. Scorsese has proven he is just as adept in the family film genre as he is in his earlier, adult-orientated work.

Film Review: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

For a family-orientated blockbuster in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean, Prince of Persia is an entertaining enough affair. As expected, the special effects and action sequences excel, whilst the plot and dialogue are less impressive.

Adopted as an orphan boy by the Persian King, Dastan grows up in the royal family. After the king is murdered, Dastan must prove his innocence with the help of a mysterious dagger…

The plot is predictable, but that is hardly surprising considering the film is based on a video game. Likewise, the dialogue shifts between cheesy one-liners and overly grandiose sentiment. Nonetheless, these issues do not distract too much from the enjoyment of the film.

Jake Gyllenhaal does a good job as hero Dustan, whilst Gemma Arterton is perfunctory as the beautiful love interest, Princess Tamina. Ben Kingsley is adequate in his now customary role of knowledgeable older character/secret villain. With the film’s Middle Eastern setting, however, it is a shame that more of the actors aren’t from this region. It seems being “browned-up” is still deemed appropriate in 2010 Hollywood.

The special effects and wonderful landscapes make Prince of Persia a film that really should be seen on the big screen. Although the film is directed by Mike Newall, the influence of producer Jerry Bruckheimer are all too evident; the slow motion shots in the battle sequences, for example.

Prince of Persia is enjoyable enough for the type of film it is; it was never going to break new ground. Perhaps the real shame is what it signifies in modern Hollywood: before the numbers even come in a sequel is already guaranteed. Gone are the days, it seems, when a film actually had to do well before a sequel was even considered and green lit.