Previews: Annihilation Trailer, Darkest Hour, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the Annihilation trailer, Darkest Hour, Isle of Dogs and more…

Annihilation Trailer

Above is the new Annihilation trailer. The film is based on the best-selling Southern Reach trilogy, and is directed by Alex Garland. The film features an all-star cast, including Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tessa Thompson. Annihilation is set for release on 23rd February 2018.

Darkest Hour Trailer

Here is the latest trailer for Churchill biopic Darkest Hour. The film focuses on the period just after Winston Churchill becomes prime minister, as Britain is on the cusp of entering World War II. Starring Gary Oldman and directed by Joe Wright (Anna Karenina), Darkest Hour is out in UK cinemas on 12th January 2018.

Father Figures Trailer

Father Figures is a new comedy about two adult brothers who only find out their father is still alive many years after they thought he had died. The film stars Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, Glenn Close, and J.K. Simmons. Father Figures is scheduled for release on 16th February 2018.

Happy Death Day Poster

Happy Death Day is a new thriller about a college student who relives the day of her murder until she finds out the identity of her killer. The film stars Jessica Rothe, and is produced by Blumhouse, the company responsible for Whiplash and Get Out. Happy Death Day will hit UK screens on 20th October 2017.

Isle of Dogs Trailer

Isle of Dogs looks joyful. Wes Anderson’s new film is about a young boy who goes to rescue his dog after all dogs are exiled to a rubbish dump island. The film features a stellar voice cast, including Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, and Tilda Swinton. Isle of Dogs is set for release on 30th March 2018.

Film Review: Vacation

Belated comedy franchise film Vacation has bawdy humour in spades. The film is passably amusing and sufficiently diverting.

With nostalgia for his childhood vacation, grown-up Rusty Griswold tries to recreate the trip with his own family. Rusty takes his wife Debbie and their two sons on a road trip to the Walley World theme park in order to bring the family closer together…

Reference to the National Lampoon series on films is made early on in Vacation, and as Rusty remarks, it is not imperative to have seen the franchise of films to appreciate this latest offering. Vacation is suitably entertaining viewing, functioning appropriately as an independent title.

Writer-directors Jonathan M. Goldstein and John Francis Daley combine a comedy with the road trip format. The majority of the action takes place as the Griswold family embark on their long drive to Walley World. Overlaying comedic aspects of the film is an emphasis on family and the relationships between the main characters in Vacation.

The main themes in Vacation suggest a family adventure feel to the film. Nevertheless, much of the humour is unmistakably adult. Comedy in the film is often crude, and the language frequently colourful. More often than not, jokes hit the spot, even if the film does have viewers cringing.

This juxtaposition of lewd humour and reflective family moments could easily have felt jarring. Nonetheless, in the hands of Goldstein and Daley, Vacation has a amiable tone. The film charms to a certain extent, despite the toilet humour. Pacing in the film works well, and characters are suitably developed given the set up.

Ed Helms is finely cast as nice guy Rusty Griswold. Christina Applegate is amusing as Debbie, whilst Skyler Gisondo is suitably awkward as eldest son James. Chris Hemsworth, Leslie Mann and Charlie Day are decent in supporting roles.

Vacation is not family viewing, but adult viewers are sure to have a laugh. An entertaining distraction.

Previews: Inside Out TV Spot, Maggie Trailer and More

A cornucopia of film-related goodness in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the latest Inside Out TV spot, a Terminator Genisys featurette, Maggie trailer and lots more…

Inside Out TV Spot

Here is the latest Inside Out TV spot. The Disney Pixar film has been doing fantastic business in the US, and looks certain to replicate that in the UK with its summer holiday’s release. With the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, Inside Out hits UK screens on 24th July 2015.

Terminator Genisys Featurette

The cast and crew of upcoming Terminator Genisys talk about protagonist Sarah Connor in this new featurette. The famous action heroine is played by Game of Thrones‘ Emilia Clarke, who indicates that there will be nods to the original film in this latest instalment of the franchise. Terminator Genisys is released on 2nd July 2015.

Ant-Man TV Spot

Marvel’s latest super hero to receive the big-screen treatment is Ant-Man. From the above TV spots and earlier trailers, the film looks to offer a fair amount of humour. Starring Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas, Ant-Man launches its way onto the big screen on 17th July 2015.

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation Poster

Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in the five instalment of the Mission: Impossible film franchise. Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation sees the IMF disbanded, leaving Ethan and his team trying to combat deadly terror attacks. With Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames also returning, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation bursts into cinemas on 30th July 2015.

Maggie Trailer

Arnold Schwarzenegger must once again play the hero in new thriller Maggie. The film is a teenage girl who is infected during a zombie outbreak, and her father’s efforts to protect her. Also starring Abigail Breslin, Maggie is set for release on 24th July 2015.

Ted 2 Trailer

So teddy bears coming to life is something that I dream about. Ted is a little lewd for my tastes, but the first film was enjoyable enough. Ted 2 reunites Mark Wahlberg and Seth McFarlane, and brings on board Amanda Seyfried as Ted’s lawyer. Ted 2 hits the big screen on 8th July 2015 in the UK.

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension Trailer

The trailer for the latest instalment of the Paranormal Activity franchise is here. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension sees a family discover some old VHS tapes which hold a nasty surprise. The conclusion of the horror franchise is scheduled for release on 30th October 2015.

Vacation Poster

Here is the latest poster for upcoming comedy Vacation. The film is the latest in the National Lampoon franchise, and sees a grown-up Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) taking his family on a road-trip vacation. Also starring Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann and Chris Hemsworth, Vacation is release in UK cinemas on 21st August 2015.

The Secret Life of Pets Trailer

I know what pets to all day; the nap and eat and nap some more. That is to say, they live the life. New animated comedy The Secret Life of Pets takes us behind closed doors. Featuring the voices of Louis C.K., Ellie Kemper and Hannibal Buress, The Secret Life of Pets  is set for release on 24th June 2016.

Fantastic Four Photo Shoot

Here are the stars of the new Fantastic Four film looking dapper. Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell star as the superhero quartet in the reboot of the Marvel franchise. Fantastic Four launches its way onto the big screen on 6th August 2015.

Spectre Vlog

Here is the latest blog from the set of new James Bond move Spectre. Director Sam Mendes discusses filming a scene that takes place amidst the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico City. Starring Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz, Spectre will be released on 6th November 2015.

Magic Mike XXL Clip

The marketing for sequel Magic Mike XXL has been wonderful. This latest clip suggests the tongue-in-cheek attitude will continue in the film. Whereas the first film descended into schmaltz, here’s hoping this instalment will keep the tone humorous. The film is, after all, about male entertainers. Magic Mike XXL is released in cinemas on 3rd July 2015.

Previews: Vacation Trailer, Ant-Man Poster and more

This week’s preview of coming attractions features the Vacation trailer, a Jurassic World featurette, plus Absolutely Anything and Ricki and the Flash…

Vacation Trailer

Above is the red band Vacation trailer. The film is part of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series of films, with Ed Helms taking the role of Rusty Griswold. Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprise their roles from the original series, whilst Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann and Chris Hemsworth join the cast. Vacation is set for release on 21st August 2015.

Absolutely Anything Trailer

This trailer had me at talking dog. Absolutely Anything is a British comedy about teacher who is given the power to do anything he wishes. Starring Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, and the voice of the late Robin Williams, Absolutely Anything will be released in UK cinemas on 14th August 2015.

Ant-Man Poster

Here is the latest poster for upcoming superhero movie Ant-Man, which reveals the main cast. Last week it was announced that the character will make his first appearance with the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War, which is due for release next year. Marvel fans get to see the first appearance of the character when Ant-Man is released in cinemas on 17th July 2015.

Ricki and the Flash Trailer

Ricki and the Flash has considerable talent both in front and behind the screen. Meryl Streep stars as rock star returning home to see her grown up children. Also starring Kevin Kline and Streep’s real-life daughter Mamie Gummer, the film is directed by Jonathan Demme and is written by Diablo Cody. Ricki and the Flash is due for release this Summer.

Spy Clip

Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, and Jason Statham, action comedy Spy is about a desk bound agent who volunteers to go uncover on a dangerous mission. The film is directed by Paul Feig, who will be helming the new Ghostbusters movie; it will be interesting to see if he can get action and comedy to work in his latest film. Spy is released in UK cinemas on 5th June 2015.

Jurassic World Featurette

In this nostalgia-filled featurette for Jurassic World, cast and crew of the new movie discuss their memories of seeing Jurassic Park. Expectations are high for the upcoming sequel, in which a dinosaur theme park actually opens. Starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, Jurassic World hits the big screen on 11th June 2015.

Film Review: The Lorax

An animated adaptation of the Dr Seuss story, The Lorax is entertaining family fare with a good message.

Ted, a young boy living in Thneed-Ville, is in love with his neighbour Audrey. When she mentions that she would like a real tree, Ted sets off on a mission to find one in world filled with artificial trees. To find a tree, Ted visits the Once-ler, who lives outside of town. The Once-ler tells Ted what happened to all the trees…

The Lorax does not quite capture the same style and tone as the Dr Seuss book it is based on. Nonetheless, this can be said of the other film adaptations of his work, which have not quite captured the imagination present in these books. Although the film retains the same characters and themes, the narrative is padded out to fit the requirements of a feature-length production.

The humour in The Lorax works fine, although more comedy would have been welcome. The environmental theme is most unambiguous. There is a stark contrast between nature-supporting characters and big-business mentality. Given the audience the film is aimed at, the distinct depictions are not surprising. Some may argue that a big film company such as Universal are in a precarious position with this commentary on the greed of corporations. However, any company that could make a similar impact are likely to be as involved in business as this company.

There are a few songs in The Lorax, none of which are particularly catchy or memorable. The opening sequence is however an effective introduction to the town which the film is set in. The final sequence feels a bit prolonged; making it more succinct would not have distorted the message.

The Lorax offers a visually sumptuous depiction of the forest. The animation is great in these sequences; there seems to be real texture to the trees. Danny DeVito is well cast as the voice of the title character. Ed Helms is entertaining as The Once-ler, while Zac Efron can get away with voicing young Ted.

The Lorax is likely to appeal to young children. Parents will find the values it extols difficult to argue with.

The Lorax Trailer

Everyone loves Dr Seuss, don’t they? Film adaptation of Dr Seuss’ stories have not been too amazing so far, but there’s still hope. The Lorax, which is due for release on 27th July 2012, is produced by Illumination Entertainment. The company were responsible for Hop and Despicable Me, which suggests a good calibre. Animation in the above trailer looks lush, and the film features the voices of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron and Ed Helms.

Film Review: The Hangover Part II

After the enormous and unexpected success of The Hangover, it seemed inevitable that there would be a sequel. Although some sequels rival the original in terms of quality, sadly this is not the case with The Hangover Part II.

Stu, Phil, Alan and Doug travel to Thailand for Stu’s upcoming wedding to Lauren. Stu is not keen on having a bachelor’s party, but the guys convince him to have one drink on the beach. When Stu, Phil and Alan wake up the next morning they cannot remember a thing. Moreover, Lauren’s little brother Teddy is missing…

The Hangover Part II follows the exact same formula as its predecessor. It is practically identical, except for the fact that it is set in Thailand for most of the duration. As such, the film offers no surprises; it is incredibly lazy story telling. It lacks the fresh ideas that made the original film so entertaining.

The only aspect of innovation to be found is the pushing of boundaries. Those who thought the first film was debauched will be even less impressed with this effort. In attempting to go one bigger, director and co-writer Todd Phillips includes material that may be offensive to some.

There are some good humorous moments, but these are not enough to sustain the entire film. In re-treading the same steps as The Hangover, Part II makes the aspects that were funny in the 2009 film appear tired and unoriginal. Moreover, elements that worked well in the first film have been pushed too far in this sequel. Alan was a genuinely funny character; an oddball who stole a lot of the scenes in the 2009 film. In realising the character was a hit, Phillips, Craig Mazin and Scot Armstrong have amplified the character’s more unusual traits. Rather than making Alan more comedic, this has the opposite effect; his childlikeness grows annoying quickly.

Performances in The Hangover Part II are fine. Ed Helms is energetic as Stu; at times the actor seems desperate to make scenes funnier than they actually are. Bradley Cooper is again attractive but of dubious morals as Phil. Zach Galifianakis is a good comedy actor, but is hampered by the writing. Similar to the 2009 film, Justin Bartha has a small role as Doug. It seems a shame to sideline this character; perhaps his inclusion in Bangkok would have added a new and interesting dimension to the fold. Ken Jeong’s over-the-top Mr Chow is hit and miss.

The Hangover Part II will probably be a success because fans of the first film will flock to see it. Many will surely be disappointed however, as the film is more Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2 than The Godfather: Part II.

Film Review: Cedar Rapids

A film about an insurance convention sounds like an unappealing prospect, but Cedar Rapids is a lot more fun that the description suggests.

Tim Lippe is an insurance salesman who is happy coasting at his Wisconsin workplace. When an accident occurs, Tim is sent to present at an insurance conference in Cedar Rapids. Nervous about the responsibility laid on his shoulders, Tim is taken under the wing of three insurance sales veterans…

Cedar Rapids is a comedy that works well for the majority of the time. The film is not relentlessly hilarious, but the often crude humour is amusing. Writer Phil Johnston keeps the humour accessible, with the odd in-joke thrown in for good measure. It is only towards the end that the mood starts to wane.

For the most part, director Miguel Artera maintains a light atmosphere which makes it permissible to laugh at everything. Some of the jokes are not political correct, but this is the fun of Cedar Rapids. In the final third of the film there is a shift to more serious matters, when emotion overrules comedy. This works fine, as the film never becomes too overindulgent. However, it is the comedy that is the real draw.

Narrative-wise, Cedar Rapids is a little formulaic. Tim’s journey ends the way it is supposed to, and all ends are neatly tied. On occasion, the film does not do what is expected of it. This is particularly true in the case of Bree, who seems to have been introduced for a certain purpose, but leads the film somewhere else.

Tim is the type of character that is often featured in comedies. He is set in his ways, but also very naive to the world outside his small bubble. The protagonist is sometimes laughed at, but more often than not will share in the humour. Supporting characters are developed well, and go beyond the caricatures they could have become.

Ed Helms is a great comedy actor, showing more of the same as Tim. The role is not a million miles from Stu in The Hangover, nevertheless it is the type of character Helms plays exceptionally well. John C. Reilly gives a fantastic performance as Dean Ziegler, capturing the larger-than-life nature of the character. Isiah Whitlock Jr. is great as Ronald, bringing humour and intensity to proceedings. Anne Heche seems to have a lot of fun as Joan.

Cedar Rapids is a great comedy for those in the market for something light and fun. The film is unlikely to stay with you, but that surely is the point.