Stuff To Look At

Plenty of trailers this week, with Mortdecai, The Maze Runner, Maps to the Stars and more…

Mortdecai

Here is the first trailer for Mortdecai. The film stars Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor. Depp plays Charlie Mortdecai, an art dealer on a mission to recover a stolen painting. The film will be released in January 2015.

The Maze Runner

Above is an introduction to the characters in upcoming action thriller The Maze Runner. Based on the best-selling novel, The Maze Runner is set in a post-apocalyptic world. The film will hit UK screens on 10th October 2014.

Maps to the Stars

David Cronenberg’s latest Maps to the Stars is about the celebrity-obsessed culture. The film features an enviable cast, including Julianne Moore, John Cusack, Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska. Maps to the Stars will be released in UK cinemas on 26th October 2014.

Love, Rosie

Love Rosie is a new British comedy starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin. The film focuses on best friends Rosie and Alex who decide to attend university together in the US. Love Rosie is scheduled for release on 22nd October 2014.

Planes 2: Fire and Rescue

Planes 2: Fire and Rescue is out in cinemas now. The above video shows how to draw protagonist Dusty. No matter how good the instruction, mine would still turn out looking nothing like that. Although I did draw a good Mrs Potts once.

Horns

Well this looks unsettling. Supernatural thriller Horns stars Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple and Max Minghella. The film hits UK cinemas on 29th October 2014, just in time for Halloween.

Film Review: Thanks for Sharing

 

Stuart Blumberg’s Thanks for Sharing is a drama that does engage viewers, but perhaps not to the extent it hopes to.

Although he seems like a regular guy on the surface, Adam faces a continual battle. Along with other members of his support group, Adam struggles on the road to recovery from sex addiction…

Thanks for Sharing attempts to imbue some humour into the subject of sex addiction, whilst still underscoring the impact of such a condition. The success of the film is that it can switch between drama and comedy in an instant. The story is serious for the most part, with occasional bursts of humour.

The three main characters in Thanks for Sharing work to exhibit various stages of addiction; although some are more interesting than others. The film shows the pitfalls and the triumphs of recovery. The grey area makes the film feel more authentic.

The main issue with Thanks for Sharing is that it lacks catharsis. Perhaps this is intentional; an attempt to mirror the tribulations of recovery. Nonetheless, from a viewer’s standpoint this means that the film is not as satisfying as it could be.

Another problem with the film is that secondary characters are not as engaging as they could be. Although Adam is a likeable protagonist, it is more difficult to empathise or engage with to the same extent characters such as Phoebe or Mike.

Blumberg’s direction is solid. Thanks for Sharing is suitably paced. The soundtrack, however, is a bit hit and miss. Performances are good. Mark Ruffalo is believable throughout, as is Patrick Fugit as Danny and Josh Gad as Neil. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Phoebe is as aggravating as the actress herself.

Thanks for Sharing works well in some aspects, although it is patchy overall. Not must-see cinema, but not a bad watch either.

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.

Stuff To Look At

New trailers for Iron Man 3 and Playing for Keeps and a live stream from the Royal World Premiere of Skyfall are featured here for your viewing pleasure…

Skyall

Above is a live stream from the Royal World Premiere of Skyfall, which begins at 5pm (GMT). All the stars of the film are expected to attend, along with a host of other celebrities. Skyfall is released on 26th October 2012.

Iron Man 3

After the enormous success of Avengers Assemble, next up on the Marvel roster is Iron Man 3. Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow return for the next instalment of the Iron Man series. The film, directed by Shane Black is due for release on 26th April 2013.

Playing for Keeps

Playing for Keeps boasts a stellar cast which includes Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quaid and Catherine Zeta-Jones.  The film looks like a standard romantic comedy, but it may hold some surprises. Playing for Keeps is due for release on 1st January 2013, an ideal release for light, non-committal post-Christmas viewing.

Life of Pi

Ang Lee directs Life of Pi, based on Yann Martel’s bestselling novel. Above is a short clip from the film. Due to be released in 3D, Life of Pi‘s visuals are immediately attractive. The film will be released on 20th December 2012.

Rust and Bone

I am disappointed to have missed Rust and Bone at the BFI London Film Festival this year. Rust and Bone won the Best Film Award this past weekend, and has been receiving good reviews. Above is a brief clip from the film. Rust and Bone will be released on 2nd November 2012.

Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas is an ensemble piece featuring six different stories. The film stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant. Above is a featurette about the film featuring the cast and crew. Cloud Atlas is due for release on 22nd February 2013.