Previews: Blade Runner 2049 trailer, Dunkirk, More!

Previews of upcoming attractions include the new Blade Runner 2049 trailer, John Wick: Chapter Two, The White King, and more…

Blade Runner 2049 Trailer

Here is the first Blade Runner 2049 trailer. The film sees the return of Harrison Ford as Dekard. He is joined by Ryan Gosling, who plays a new blade runner. Set thirty years after the events of the original film, Blade Runner 2049 is set for release on 6th October 2017.

John Wick: Chapter Two Trailer

Following the success of 2014’s John Wick, sequel John Wick: Chapter Two is coming next year. Keanu Reeves returns as the title character, and is joined by Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, and Common. John Wick: Chapter Two will be released in UK cinemas on 17th February 2017.

Personal Shopper Trailer

After screening at a number of film festivals this year, Oliver Assayas’ Personal Shopper gets a UK cinema release next year. The film stars Kirsten Stewart as a personal shopper and a spiritual medium who tries to make contact with a deceased relative. Personal Shopper will be released in cinemas on 17th March 2017.

Jackie Poster

Here is the poster for Jackie. The film stars Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy, and focuses on the assassination and aftermath as seen through her eyes. With awards buzz around the central performance, Jackie will be released in UK cinemas on 20th January 2017.

The White King Clip

Based on the novel of the same name, The White King is a dystopian drama set during a fictitious dictatorship. The film stars Jonathan Pryce, Agyness Deyn, and Olivia Williams as this creepy robot. The White King will be released in UK cinemas on 27th January 2017, and on DVD on 30th January.

Dunkirk Trailer

Here is the first proper look at Dunkirk. Director Christopher Nolan has fared well with science fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and comic book movies, and now turns his hand to the war film. The film stars Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Cillian Murphy. Dunkirk will be released in 2017.

Previews: Jurassic World Trailer, Inside Out Clip and more

Plenty in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the latest Jurassic World trailer, a clip from Inside Out, plus Black Mass, Danny Collins and more…

Jurassic World Trailer

Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the next instalment of his dinosaur franchise. This Jurassic World trailer reveals a little more about the plot of the film and its new dinosaurs. Although genetically-modified dinosaurs may raise eyebrows, the casting of Chris Pratt certainly does appeal following his turn in Guardians of the Galaxy. Jurassic World  will hit UK screens on 11th June 2015.

Black Mass

My, doesn’t Johnny Depp look different? Black Mass focuses on Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger and his unlikely alliance with the FBI in the 1970s. The film also stars Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch and Kevin Bacon. Back Mass is set for release on 25th September 2015.

Mad Max: Fury Road Legacy Trailer

This retro Mad Max: Fury Road trailer is smart marketing. It differentiates the film from other remakes, a key factor in this is the return of director George Miller. Starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road steams into UK cinemas on 14th May 2015.

Inside Out Clip

The more I see of Inside Out, the more I am looking forward to it. Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, the film focuses on Riley and her fluctuating emotions growing up. Inside Out is screening at Cannes Film Festival this May, and will be released in 24th July 2015.

Danny Collins Trailer

Danny Collins stars Al Pacino as an ageing rock star who goes on a journey to rediscover his family and himself. Based on a true story, the film also stars Annette Bening, Christopher Plummer and Jennifer Garner. Danny Collins will be released on UK screens on 29th May 2015.

Mr Holmes Trailer

Mr Holmes features an older version of the infamous detective than is usually portrayed on screen. Ian McKellan plays Sherlock Holmes as a returned detective, living in his farmhouse, who turns his attention to an unsolved case. Also starring Laura Linney, Mr Holmes is set for release on 19th June 2015.

Man Up Clip

Man Up is a new romantic comedy starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell. The film is premised on a case of mistaken identity; Pegg’s Jack thinks Bell’s Nancy is his blind date. Also starring Olivia Williams and Rory Kinear, Man Up reaches UK cinemas on 29th May 2015.

Suffragette Trailer

This first trailer for Suffragette offers us a peak at Sarah Gavron’s historical drama. Suffragette is the first feature film to tell the story of British women’s fight for the right to vote at the turn of last century. With an enviable cast that includes Meryl Streep and Carey Mulligan, Suffragette is set for release on 30th October 2015.

Summer Blockbuster Montage

Every year, film journalist Amon Warmann creates a montage of the Summer movie blockbusters. This year’s video features Mad Max: Road Fury, Ant-Man, Tomorrowland – A World Beyond and more. Check out his blog here.

Film Review: Hyde Park on Hudson

Viewers that have seen the trailer for Hyde Park on Hudson will know exactly what to expect. Although the film boasts great costumes, art direction and performances, it lacks anything more substantial than this.

Margaret Suckley is invited to spend time with her distant relative, Franklin D Roosevelt, President of America. As their friendship develops, the President is engaged with the forthcoming visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England, who are due to spend the weekend at Hyde Park on Hudson…

Everything moves along pleasantly in Hyde Park on Hudson, but without any real purpose. There is some humour in Roger Michell’s film, but a lack of strong dramatic moments. This means the narrative plods along rather. The film takes a steady course, with no real change in emotion or tension. There is a distinct lack of peaks in the narrative. The problem with this is that the crux that the final third depends on goes with a whimper rather than a bang.

Hyde Park on Hudson functions as The King’s Speech 2. There is a surprising amount of time given to Bertie and Elizabeth, given that the focus of the film revolves around the relationship between Franklin and Margaret. Franklin D. Roosevelt is such an interesting character, but this film offers a snippet of a brief period in his life rather than a biopic.

Bill Murray, Laura Linney and Olivia Williams all offer great performances. The film has sumptuous visuals and the feel of a polished period piece. The score is entirely in keeping with the style of the film.

The film certainly looks the part, and the performances lead to the expectation of something more. Hyde Park on Hudson is let down by the absence of a gripping narrative.

Hyde Park on Hudson is being screened at the London Film Festival in October 2012.

Film Review: Broken Lines

Broken Lines is a patchy drama that offers a few good performances and some authentic interaction. However, the film ultimately fails to satisfy, despite a promising beginning.

Jake is a property developer returning to the North London borough he grew up in. There he meets B, a waitress in a cafe. Jake strikes up conversation with B, despite being engaged. B, who also has a partner, finds that she shares common ground with Jake, despite their differences…

Broken Lines explores the relationship between two people who have been through recent trauma. Sallie Aprahamian’s film begins well, with Broken Lines at first seeming like a slow-burner. The interactions between Jake and B appear quite natural, with the requisite awkwardness one may expect. However, as the film continues, the dialogue becomes more clichéd, and the narrative could have done with a more robust development.

As the main characters go, B’s life is more interesting than Jake’s. Sufficient time is dedicated to depicting her relationship with Chester; there is a depth to their relationship that is missing from that of Jake and Zoe. There appears to be genuine guilt and struggle for B, but this does not shine through in Jake’s case. It does not help that Zoe is not really developed as a character in her own right.

What Aprahamian has excelled at is producing a depiction of North London that appears realistic. None of the caricatures that feature in so many other London-based films are present. Instead, the characters are all believable in the fact that they appear to be regular people. Moreover, the location is depicted as the mixed area it is; North London is portrayed as being host to a wide range of people rather than the extremes of rich and poor.

As Chester, Paul Bettany delivers a powerful performance that steals the show. Olivia Williams comes across as sincere, but has to contend with an underdeveloped part. Leads Dan Fredenburgh and Doraly Rosa both offer uneven performances, which veer from emotional to overly dramatic.

Broken Lines is not a bad feature debut for Sallie Aprahamian, however with some tweaks to the narrative and script it could have been a much better film.

Broken Lines is out on DVD from 5th December 2011.

Film Review: The Ghost

Based on the best-selling novel by Robert Harris, The Ghost exhibits why Roman Polanski is widely considered one of the greatest directors. From the very beginning the film is captivating, drawing in the viewer until the end credits roll.

The Ghost tells the story of a ghost writer who is commissioned to help finish the memoirs of the former British prime minister, following his predecessor’s unexpected death. Things take a turn for the worse when ex-prime minister Lang is accused of war crimes, and the unwitting ghost writer in drawn into a web of intrigue…

Part of the interest in the film is the obvious parallels between Lang and Tony Blair. Anyone with even a passing interest in British politics cannot help but notice the similarities between the two, in both career incidences and mannerisms. The film is sure to resonate with British audiences with its very topical and believable narrative.

Pierce Brosnan is perfectly cast as Lang, depicting both the charisma and smarminess associated with the former PM. Olivia Williams excels as wife Ruth, giving an engaging performance as the formidable yet frustrated partner. As the ghost writer, Ewan McGregor is a credible protagonist who viewers will side with; much what is discovered occurs from his viewpoint.

Polanski’s film is part political satire and part thriller. The beauty of The Ghost is that it is entirely conceivable; it is not by stretch of the imagination that everything that takes place could really occur. Conspiracy theorists will have a field day with what is ultimately revealed.

The narrative builds at an appropriate pace, gripping the viewer with every new discovery. Furthermore, the setting – a small island off the east coast of the United States – is perfect in providing a location which is both isolating and claustrophobic. The muted palette of the island cinematography adds to this atmosphere of seclusion.

Although Polanski is currently in the press more for his legal issues rather than his filmmaking, this should not detract from this cinematic showpiece. The Ghost is an enthralling thriller, and a welcome return to form for its director.