Previews: Mission: Impossible – Fallout Featurette, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the new Mission: Impossible – Fallout featurette, plus Mortal Engines, Mile 22, and more…

Mission: Impossible – Fallout Featurette

Here is the brand new Mission: Impossible – Fallout featurette. Producer and star Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie discuss the upcoming film, the sixth in the franchise. What is interesting about the series is that rather than starting off strong, and getting progressively weaker, the films have got better generally (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is a particular highlight). Mission: Impossible – Fallout will hit UK screens on 25th July 2018.

Mile 22 Trailer

Here is the latest trailer for Mile 22. The action thriller is about an American intelligence officer who must smuggle an informant out of the country. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Ronda Rousey, John Malkovich, and Iko Uwais. Directed by Peter Berg, Mile 22 is coming soon to UK cinemas.

Black KkKlansman Poster

Above is the latest poster for Spike Lee’s Black KkKlansman. The film is based on the true story of first African-American detective on the Colorado Springs Police Department, who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan. The film stars John David Washington and Adam Driver. Black KkKlansman is out at UK cinemas on 24th August 2018.

The House with a Clock in its Walls Trailer

The House with a Clock in its Walls is a new fantasy adventure from director Eli Roth. The film is about a young boy who goes to live with his mysterious uncle in a peculiar house. The film stars Jack Black and Cate Blanchett. The House with a Clock in its Walls will be released in cinemas on 21st September 2018.

Mortal Engines Featurette

Here is a new look at the upcoming Mortal Engines. The film is directed by Christian Rivers, and co-written and produced by Peter Jackson. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the film is about giant cities that roam the Earth, enveloping smaller towns. Starring Hugo Weaving, Mortal Instruments will hit UK screens on 14th December 2018.

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Previews: The Commuter Trailer, Tomb Raider, More!

Lots to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the brand new The Commuter trailer, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Tomb Raider, and more…

The Commuter Trailer

Here is the brand new The Commuter trailer. The action thriller is about a regular commuter who is forced to find a hidden passenger on his train. The film sees director Jaume Collet-Serra reunite with Liam Neeson following Non-Stop and Unknown. Also starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, and Sam Neill, The Commuter launches onto UK screens on 19th January 2018.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Trailer

Here is the new Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle trailer. The film is a new adventure based in the world of Jumanji. The film is about four teenagers who are sucked into the jungle world, and stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is set for release on 20th December 2017.

Tomb Raider Trailer

This is the trailer for the new Tomb Raider film, a reboot of the game-set series which starred Angelina Jolie in the early 2000s. Alicia Vikander plays Lara Croft, and the film focuses on the character at the beginning of her career. Also starring Dominic West and Walton Goggins, Tomb Raider is scheduled for release in March 2018.

The Glass Castle Clip

Above is a clip from The Glass Castle. The film is based on the memoirs of Jeannette Walls, focussing on her relationship with her unconventional father. Starring Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson, The Glass Castle is out in cinemas on 6th October 2017.

Better Watch Out Trailer

This looks like a lot of fun. Better Watch Out is a Christmas time-set horror comedy about a babysitter who must defend her tween charges from an intruder. The film looks like it has all the ingredients of an entertaining movie, from the trailer above at least. Starring Levi Miller and Olivia DeJonge, Better Watch Out hits UK screens on 8th December 2017.

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie Poster

I was non-plussed about The LEGO NINJAGO Movie but this cat is making it much more appealing. The third LEGO movie, this film is about a group of secret ninja warriors. Featuring the voices of Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, and Justin Theroux, The LEGO NINJAGO Movie is out in UK cinemas on 13th October 2017.

Previews: Logan Lucky Trailer, Stronger, More!

Plenty in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the Logan Lucky trailer, My Little Pony: The Movie, Stronger and more…

Logan Lucky Trailer

Here is the new Logan Lucky trailer. The films sees director Steven Soderbergh teaming up with Channing Tatum once again for this new action comedy. Tatum is joined by an enviable cast that includes Adam Driver, Katie Holmes, and Daniel Craig. Logan Lucky will hit UK cinemas on 25th August 2017.

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle Trailer

Here is the brand new trailer for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. The film is set in the same world as the 1995 film, albeit updated to be a video game rather than a board game. The film stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is scheduled for release in UK cinemas in December 2017.

My Little Pony: The Movie Trailer

Will this new film be as good as 1986’s My Little Pony: The Movie? Only time will tell. After Hasbro re-launched the toy and media franchise in 2010, a new new movie seemed inevitable. This new film features an all-star voice cast, including Emily Blunt, Kristin Chenoworth, Live Schreiber, and Taye Diggs. My Little Pony: The Movie arrives on UK screens on 20th October 2017.

The Greatest Showman Trailer

The Greatest Showman is a new original musical. The film is inspired by P.T. Barnum, and celebrates the birth of show business. Hugh Jackman headlines, and is joined by Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, and Zendaya. The Greatest Showman is set for release in UK cinemas on 1st January 2018.

Annabelle: Creation Poster

Here is the latest poster for Annabelle: Creation, which emphasises the creepiness of the doll. The film is a prequel, and details how the doll was brought to life originally. This latest horror is directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out). Annabelle: Creation hits UK screens on  11th August 2017.

The Dark Tower Featurette

This new featurette for The Dark Tower reveals a bit more about the main character in the film. Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey star in the film, based on Stephen King’s novel. The Dark Tower is out in cinemas on 18th August 2017.

Stronger Trailer

Here is the trailer for drama Stronger. The film is based on the true story of the Boston man  whose iconic photo from the 2013 Boston marathon bombing was broadcast throughout the world. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Masley, and Miranda Richardson. Stronger will be released later this year.

Film Review: Goosebumps

Based on the bestselling series of children’s books, Goosebumps is a very enjoyable adventure. The film features the right blend of comedy, adventure and horror to make it an entertaining watch.

Teenager Zach and his mother relocate from New York to a small town for her new job. Zach is intrigued when he meets next door neighbour Hannah, but her mysterious father is not keen on the friendship. When things take a supernatural turn, Zach and Hannah go about setting things right…

Director Rob Letterman’s Goosebumps should prove to be an entertaining picture for most audiences. The film will best suit older children and young teenagers, although it is entertaining for viewers outside this demographic. Goosebumps functions as an adventure film, with healthy elements of comedy and horror. There is good level of mystery which drives forward the narrative initially.

The film references the book series it is based on in an explicit way. This is not an adaptation of a Goosebumps tale, rather it is a film about the book series. As such, the film works better than an adaptation would have.

Zach is a relatable enough protagonist for the audience to root for him. Comedy is mostly derived from Zach’s sidekick Champ. The structure of the narrative is overtly referenced by Hannah’s father in his musings of what a Goosebumps story should be. The film moves at a good pace, to a climax that is engaging, even if it is predictable. The level of threat in Goosebumps is mitigated to suit the intended audience. Nevertheless, their is sufficient creepiness in antagonists to chill viewers of all ages.

Special effects in the film are great. The film’s setting is perfect for the action that unfolds. Jack Black offers a suitable performance in the kind of role audiences are used to seeing him in. Ryan Lee is well cast as Champ, whilst Dylan Minnette and Odeya Rush have good chemistry as Zach and Hannah.

Goosebumps should prove a hit with older children, and those who like their horror on the family-friendly side.

Film Review: Gulliver’s Travels

Gulliver’s Travels is very much a film for the most ardent Jack Black fans, but even these may be disappointed. As a comedy adventure, there simply is not enough humour to elevate the film out of its mediocrity.

Mail room worker Gulliver attempts to get out of his comfortable rut by trying his luck as a travel writer. After being given an assignment in Bermuda, he gets lost at sea. Gulliver ends up on the island of Luliput, where he is a giant compared to the inhabitants…

Based loosely on Jonathan Swift’s novel, Gulliver’s Travels mixes comedy with fantasy adventure. The film is played for laughs, yet it is not actually that funny. It functions as a vehicle for Jack Black, but his familiar routine adds little comedy value. Some humour is derived from the various references to movies and songs, but the film would never be described as hilarious. Without the comedy, the film has little else going for it.

The introductory segment of the film sets Gulliver up as a bit of a loser; too scared to ask Darcy out and wiling his days away in the mail room. The narrative is as much about Gulliver finding confidence and becoming himself as it is about the events that occur on the island of Liliput. Gulliver’s metaphorical journey is nothing but rudimentary, however. There is nothing imaginative or interesting about it. While Gulliver’s Travels aims to attract to a family audience, there is little appeal for either adults or children.

The only commendable aspect of the film is the production design. Liliput is wonderfully crafted; a medieval-style locale that becomes more contemporary as Gulliver’s influence spreads. The effects are good overall, with most interactions between Gulliver and the Liliput citizens appearing quite natural. The product placement is glaring, however, with Coca-Cola and Apple seeming like sponsors rather than innocuous products in the background.

Jack Black plays himself in Gulliver’s Travels, as he seems to do in pretty much all of his movies. Emily Blunt is poor as Princess Mary, a little disappointing from an actress who has impressed in the past. Jason Segel and Chris O’Dowd are the only ones who seem to be having any fun with the material. Catherine Tate is underused as Queen Isabelle, perhaps she and the other comedians could have brought a few more laughs to the fore.

Gulliver’s Travels may keep young children content (depending on how particular they are), but it is unlikely to do the same for older viewers. Director Rob Letterman’s foray into live action suggests he should have stuck to animation.