Every Friday I'll post the big news you need to know all in one place so you can look like you know what you're talking about:
The winner for most mental film of 2011 will without a doubt go to A Town Called Panic - starring a horse, Indian and Cowboy, and stuff. Seriously, check it out. It's a real film:
Keanu Reeves is all ready to go for Bill and Ted 3 - Excellent!
Duncan Jones - the man who made Moon, is in the running to direct the next Superman film, being mentored by Chris "Actual Superman" Nolan.
Black Widow (from Iron Man) is getting her own movie.
The new Harry Potter trailer was released, it is obviously darker (again) and actually does look pretty good:
And finally...I got my press accreditation for London Film Fest and am currently salivating over the films I will see before any of you! Most Excellent!!!
So, Summer Blockbuster season is over, but there is still heaps to look forward to. Here is my list of the top eight (because nine is silly) films you have to see before I bury you alive. Speaking of which:
1 - Buried - Released 29th Sept
Ryan Reynolds is buried underground (probably for his role in The Proposal) with only a phone and lighter. Guarenteed to give you the heebie-jeebies as the camera never once leaves the confines of his coffin. See it before Reynolds literally hits the stratosphere as Green Lantern next year.
2 - The Social Network - Released 15th Oct
David Fincher does Facebook. Charting the rise and rise of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, this already has killer reviews. Fincher (creator of Se7en, Fight Club & Benjamin Button) is one of the best Directors around. Trailer also features best choice of backing track this year!
Like this.
3 - RED - Released 22nd Oct
Dame Helen Mirren with a machine gun. 'Nuff Said.
4 - Let Me In - Released 5th Nov
The Swedish "Let The Right One In" - about kid vampires - was one of the most affecting and beautifully shot films of last year. The remake is from Matt "Cloverfield" Reeves, which is promising, and stars Chloe "Hit Girl" Moretz, which is promising, but it's probably fair to say I'm more nervous than excited about this one.
5 - 127 Hours - Released 5th Nov
The true story of Aron Ralston who's arm got caught under a boulder while climbing alone in Utah, and who eventually escaped by cutting off his own arm. Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting) is great. James Franco (Pineapple Express, Knocked Up) is great. Concept sounds pretty dull. Let's see which wins out.
6 - The American - Released 26th Nov
Come on, admit it, everyone fancies George Clooney. Playing a retired assassin brought back into the game for one last assignment (yeh, yeh, yeh), the concept may not be original but Georgie boy is always worth the ticket price. Plus it's filmed in Italy which is, y'know, nice.
7 - Black Swan - Released 1st Dec
The buzz from Venice Film Festival about this is huge, so will probably have a look when I'm at London Film Fsetival as an official member of the press (ahem!). There may be an advisory attached for sexual content. I have to say, however, this isn't usually my thing - bit arty and intense for my taste...
8 - Skyline - Released 11th Dec
...which is why Skyline looks right up my street. Apocalyptic news flashes, cities being destroyed, aliens doing funky things with bright blue lights, hundreds of people being swallowed by city sized spaceships. This is real art people.
And then there's also that Harry Potter and the Overlong Farewell if you're interested in that kind of thing.
The Town – 15 Director – Ben Affleck Cast – Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner
Charlestown, Boston, the capital of carjacking, kidnappings and armed robberies, is a neighbourhood built on loyalty to friends and family, where crime is passed down through generations. It is also the town where Ben Affleck grew up, the film riding between a genuine affection for the town of his youth, as well as it’s ability to destroy the lives of those who struggle to escape. The pain of a trapped life is felt in every single mother, drug-addled blue collar worker and disaffected young person on screen. Doug MacRay (Affleck), leader of a successful group of bank robbers, feels this pain more than most, committing reluctantly to the last score that will finally release him from his life on the edge, and bring him out of the shadow of his family’s past.
The Town is Affleck’s second foray into directing (happily, all memories of Daredevil and Gigli far behind him). Fresh off the back of the superb Gone Baby Gone, The Town shows a maturity and respect for his craft usually reserved for those several years, and multiple films, down the line. The grit and brutality of the street is brilliantly brought to life by a cast of “they so hot right now” young things who are given a script that allows them plenty of space to flex their acting muscles. Utilising the considerable talent of cinematographer Robert Elswit (Salt, There Will Be Blood), Affleck is equally at home with action, played out with energy in the confined streets of Boston.
Sure, the idea of one last score to get out of the game is not a new one, but in the hands of Affleck and friends, it becomes an involving and exciting crime caper, with moments of real humanity and emotion.
