Previews: Creed II Trailer, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, More!

Some hotly-anticipated films in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the brand new Creed II trailer, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, First Man, and more…

Creed II Trailer

The new Creed II trailer was released today. The sequel to the very successful Creed, the film sees Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson returning. They are joined by Dolph Lundgren, who reprises his role as the iconic Ivan Drago. Steven Caple Jr. takes over director duties from Ryan Coogler, who stays on as an executive producer. Creed II will hit UK cinemas on 30th November 2018.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix Poster

We are finally getting a look at the upcoming X-Men: Dark Phoenix. The film reunites the X-Men: Days of Future Past cast, including Sophie Turner, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, and Jennifer Lawrence. The cast also includes the new addition of Jessica Chastain. The film is the directorial debut of Simon Kinberg, writer of the previous two X-Men films. X-Men: Dark Phoenix will be be released in cinemas next year.

First Man Featurette

Above is a featurette on Damien Chapelle’s latest, First Man. Chazelle reunites with his La La Land lead actor Ryan Gosling in this story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon. The film also stars Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler. Written by Josh Singer, First Man launches on to UK screens on 12th October 2018.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of the Grindelwald Trailer

Above is the final trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of the Grindelwald. The film is a sequel to 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Johnny Depp, and Ezra Miller return, and are joined by Jude Law. Based on a screenplay by J.K. Rowling, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of the Grindelwald will be released in UK cinemas on 16th November 2018.

Previews: Justice League Poster, Paddington 2, More!

Cinematic delights in this week’s preview of coming attractions include the latest Justice League poster, Paddington 2, Newly Single and more…

Justice League Poster

Here is the latest Justice League poster. The film sees Wonder Woman and Batman be joined by three other heroes, as previewed in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, and Ray Fisher. The film sees the team face a newly awakened threat. Justice League hits UK screens on 17th November 2017.

Murder on the Orient Express Featurette

This featurette for Murder on the Orient Express looks behind the scenes at the making of the film. An adaptation on the classic Agatha Christie novel, the film features a star-studded assemble cast. Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, Murder on the Orient Express rolls on to UK screens on 3rd November 2017.

Paddington 2 Poster

Hugh Grant looks wonderfully fun in these new Paddington 2 posters. Grant is the most high profile addition to the case of Paddington 2. The sequel to Paddington sees the return of the lovable bear, and the Brown family, in a new adventure. Paddington 2 is out on UK screens on 10th November 2017.

Newly Single Trailer

Above is the trailer for Newly Single. The comedy is about a film director who finds himself on the Los Angeles dating scene after splitting up with his girlfriend. The film is written and directed by Adam Christian Clark, and stars Jennifer Kim and Molly C. Quinn. Newly Single will debut at the Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia on 27th November 2017; its UK release will follow.

Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas Trailer

Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas just might be the longest film title of the year. The film is an animated comedy about an awkward explorer who must rescue his girlfriend from a millionaire looking for King Midas’ necklace. Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas is set for release in early 2018.

Previews: IT Trailer, Spider-Man: Homecoming, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview of forthcoming attractions, including the new IT trailer, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Ferdinand, and more…

IT Trailer

Here is the brand new IT trailer. The film is an adaption of the Stephen King novel, which was famously made into a television miniseries in 1990. This version tars Bill Skarsgård as the villain Pennywise. IT is set for release in UK cinemas from 8th September 2017.

Spider-Man Homecoming Trailer

Here is the second trailer for the latest Spider-Man movie. Spider-Man: Homecoming sees Tom Hollander’s character return from his adventures in Captain America: Civil War, bringing along with him Tony Stark. The brilliant Michael Keaton plays antagonist Vulture. Spider-Man: Homecoming hits UK screens on 7th July 2017.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Trailer

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is the latest scif-fi adventure from director Luc Besson. The film is set in the distant future, and stars Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen and Rihanna. Valerian is coming to UK cinemas this Summer.

Ferdinand Trailer

Based on the book, Ferdinand is about a bull who is mistaken for a dangerous beast and torn away from his home. The film features the voices of John Cena, Kate McKinnon, and David Tennant. Ferdinand will be released in UK cinemas on 15th December 2017.

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power Trailer

Well this trailer has arrived at a timely juncture. A sequel to the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, the film focuses again on climate change. A crew follows Al Gore as he fights to highlight the perils of climate change. An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power will be released later this year.

Snatched Trailer

Here is the latest trailer for comedy Snatched. The film stars Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer as a mismatched mother and daughter combination. It will be interesting to see if the comedy prowess of both actresses can create something memorable. Snatched is out in UK cinemas on 19th May 2017.

Justice League Trailer

This Justice League trailer oozes the style of director Zack Snyder. The film introduces new characters of the group to the ones who appeared in last year’s Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, and Ezra Miller, Justice League hits the big screen on 17th November 2017.

Film Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an entertaining film, which delivers a fair amount of spectacle. A visually engaging world is let down by poor pacing, however.

Newt Scamander travels to New York with a mysterious suitcase. After a mix up at a bank, Newt finds himself being tracked by New York’s secret community of witches and wizards…

Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them delves back into the world of the successful franchise, albeit with new characters and a different setting. J.K. Rowling also writes the screenplay for this film, based on her earlier book. David Yates, responsible for the later Harry Potter films, takes the helm again.

The narrative begins with suitable level of mystery. Although Newt is not a particularly engaging character, Rowling acknowledges this by giving him a gregarious sidekick in the form of Jacob. This double act injects sufficient comedy into proceedings, aided of course by some magical creatures. The first third of the film is engaging, despite one or two scenes that lack sparkle.

The middle third introduces a certain amount of tension, which works well alongside the fantasy activity. The final third of Fantastic Beasts, however, seems oddly bloated. The climax of the film does not carry the excitement necessary for a film of this genre. Furthermore, when the climactic scene is over, the film continues for a curious length. These loose ends could have been wrapped up much quicker, instead of losing any momentum with scenes that last too long.

The creatures in the film are wonderfully realised. Some of the CGI-effects, particularly in the real-world scenes, appear noticeably artificial. Performances in the film are decent, although it is the supporting actors such as Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, and Dan Fogler who impress. Eddie Redmayne does the awkward Englishman routine rather well.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a fun film, that really is hindered only by a bloated final third. Harry Potter fans should be satisfied by this latest addition to the franchise.

Film Review: We Need To Talk About Kevin

We Need To Talk About Kevin is a harrowing drama that will linger in the mind long after viewing the film. Lynne Ramsay’s film generates a stygian air, but one that is wholly engulfing.

Eva struggles to live a normal life. As she starts a new job, Eva is haunted by the trauma of her past. She looks back on her life, and in particular her son Kevin’s upbringing, as she struggles to understand how and why her son was responsible for a horrific crime…

We Need To Talk About Kevin plummets the audience into the depth of Eva’s despair. The story is told through a series of flashbacks, jumping backwards and forth to different points of Eva’s past. For those unfamiliar with Lionel Shriver’s novel will be intrigued to see exactly how the tragedy plays out. As the film progresses more about the circumstances becomes clear, as well as Eva’s troubled relationship with Kevin. The story plays out from Eva’s point of view, which offers intimacy without aligning the audience with Kevin’s viewpoint.

The tension in We Need To Talk About Kevin is relentless. Ramsay manages to hold the audience in this state for the entire film. The cinematography adds to this unnatural feeling. There is a strong use of colour, a pattern of which is repeated throughout the film.

Tilda Swinton gives one of the best performances in her career to date as Eva. It is such a bleak role; Swinton plays the character with empathy. Ezra Miller is strikingly unsettling as Kevin, while John C. Reilly is solid in a supporting role.

We Need To Talk About Kevin details such an interesting tale. Dealing with such a emotive subject necessitates that the film is a heavy-going watch. Nevertheless, it is a superbly executed film and definitely worth viewing.

We Need To Talk About Kevin is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2011.