First Look at Superman in “Man of Steel” and Selina Kyle in “The Dark Knight Rises”

Yesterday, the first picture of Henry Cavill as Superman in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel was released, and it looks pretty impressive.

He definitely looks a lot darker than Brandon Routh in Superman Returns, plus he looks a lot more jacked. The outfit looks fairly traditional, with a couple of updates to make it appear more modern. While I am hesitant to get my hopes up for this film, I gotta say that I at least like the look so far.

Another photo popped up yesterday as well, this one from another major superhero release next year, The Dark Knight Rises. This is probably one of the most buzzed about movies that I can recall, and Christopher Nolan seems to be taking delight in teasing his fans with mysterious looks at the final installment of his Batman franchise. The photo is a first look at Anne Hathaway playing Selina Kyle:

While the fan boys were all excited about Superman in Man of Steel, the buzz about this photo is very confused. The Dark Knight Rises website did not mention whether this was Selina Kyle in the final Catwoman outfit, and if it is there was a lot of disappointment about it. If it is, I don’t mind it so much. While it is less traditional, I trust that Nolan will make her compelling character, so the outfit is easily overlooked. If it isn’t, it makes me curious what they are going to add and how it will turn out.

What are your thoughts about these photos? Is that a good look for Superman? What about Selina Kyle? Let me know in the comments!

**Trailer Time**: “The Dark Knight Rises” Teaser Trailer, “Contagion”

The Dark Knight Rises

Christopher Nolan has been using the internet to his advantage to spread the mystery about the next and final installment in his Batman trilogy. He’s posted small, yet confusing clips and cryptic pictures of his characters. There are multiple stories about what the plot will be and the teaser trailer before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 did nothing to clear the water. I will let you come to your own conclusions after the trailer, but my opinion is that this film just continues to build anticipation and that if this is anything less than amazing people will be disappointed. I have a lot of faith that Nolan will not let his audience down.

Contagion

The next trailer on our list today is Stephen Soderbergh’s next film, Contagion, starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard and Laurence Fishburne. The film revolves around a strain of virus that spreads and kills the infected within days. The story seems to focus more on the panic and crumbling of structure than the actual fighting of the virus, kind of like a zombie film without the undead roaming around for brains. I think this one looks pretty strong as well and will probably put this on my list of most anticipated films this Fall.

What are your thoughts and comments about these trailers? Good/bad?

Trailer Time: John Carter, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and The Thing

There is a lot we’ve yet to post this week and will be coming to you soon (New to Blu Ray, 2 Take Two’s, and a WFR), we promise.  However, I thought that this took precedent as a lot of new trailers have been released on the internet, one making quite a buzz.  Here’s a look:

John Carter

I’m not too familiar with the series of novels from which this film is derived, but there have been a lot of people petitioning for this film in one way or another for about 8o years.  There seem to be a lot of elements from other films and stories including: The Book of Eli, Prince of Persia, and Avatar.  The director/writer, Andrew Stanton has had a pretty succesful run of animated films for Disney/Pixar so it will be interesting to see if he can translate that success to live action.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 

I’ve been waiting for Guy Ritchie’s follow up to 2009’s Sherlock Holmes since I first saw it in theaters and we finally get a first look here.  In fact, I look forward to anything Guy Ritchie directs.  Though Daniel Day Lewis won’t be appearing as Professor Moriarty as originally rumored, Jared Harris seems suitable as an alternative, and the cast still remains stellar.  One face that is featured prominently in the trailer is Noomi Rapace, who seems to be making her breakout in America with Sherlock Holmes and Prometheus after her turn as Lisbeth Salander in the Sweedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and its 2 sequels (Rooney Mara will play the same role in David Fincher’s American version later this year).

The Thing

The prequel to arguably the greatest horror movie ever made (though I’d argue against it, but not strongly), 2011’s The Thing chronicles the expidition of the Norwegian team that’s heavily referenced in John Carpenter’s 1981 film of the same name.  It appears from the trailer that they stayed true to Carpenter’s version and made sure the details of this film matched the references from his film.  One subtle not I noticed from the trailer, they even made sure to keep the old school flamethrowers that Carpenter featured. Even though it’s sure to be heavier on the blood and gore to appease the new generation, this film looks like it could be a worthy successor to the original.

BONUS:

If you haven’t heard by now, the first teaser for the highly anticipated The Dark Knight Rises will preview prior to screenings of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.  So far only bootlegged versions of the teaser are on the net and the quality of them are poor, so I won’t include it here.  Nothing about the plot of the film is revealed the teaser but it does include brief glimpses of Bane, Selina Kyle, and Commisioner Gordan in the hospital. 

Where Does Hugo Strange Fit in The Dark Knight Rises?

Late last year we kicked off a flurry of The Dark Knight Rises rumors with speculation on who the villain would be for Nolan’s third installment.  We now know for sure that both Bane (Tom Hardy) and Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) will both be involved in the plot, but at the time the popular rumor was that Hugo Strange might make an appearance.  These rumors have since fallen off with the announcement of Bane and Catwoman, as well as additional rumors of Talia Al Ghul, The League of Shadows, and Alberto Falcone.  However, the Hugo Strange rumors ramped back up this past week thanks to My Entertainment World.

An unconfirmed plot synopsis for the next Batman film hit the internet including a plot line for Hugo Strange.  In this synopsis, Dr. Hugo Strange, a villainous psychiatrist, concocts a a plan to destroy Batman and ultimately replace him.  Though Strange will appear as a villain with similar motivations in the upcoming video game Batman: Arkham City, this plot line seems to fit nicely into Nolan’s universe and gives the film a more intellectually formidable villain opposite Batman.  It could also explain Bane’s presence in Gotham as he was created by Hugo in the comics. 

This, however, can never be explained

I’m still not convinced that Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard’s characters are as advertised and I think it’s possible Nolan and Co. could be intentionally leading us astray with some of these announcements and/or rumors.  I’d personally like to see Gordon-Levitt play a villain like Strange as opposed to an “ambitious cop”, as Strange appears to be a character with much more depth and importance.  However, we’ve seen villain over-kill in superhero films before so the inclusion of a third opposition to The Dark Knight must be handled with care.

What do you think, is everything “as advertised” with The Dark Knight Rises or are we purposefully being fed false rumors and announcements?  Would you like to see Hugo Strange in this next Batman film given what we already know about Bane and Catwoman?  The Dark Knight Rises is slated for release July 20, 2012.

Batman Reboot Already in the Works

It seems these days, in the age of the reboot, that a franchises last film isn’t even able to make it to the network television circuit before it is already being rebooted.  Tobey Maguire hasn’t even been able to live down his future “Dancing with the Stars” audition tape in Spiderman 3 before Marvel cast Andrew Garfield to play The Amazing Spiderman in 2012.

Actually he may never live this down

If that wasn’t bad enough, Warner Bros. has announced that they are already interested in going back to Bruce Wayne’s origins and rebooting Batman.  Not only is interest in the caped crusader at an all time high due to the success of The Dark Knight; but Christopher Nolan’s third and final film in the franchise, The Dark Knight Rises, hasn’t even begun shooting.  However, Christopher Nolan and his producing partner/wife Emma Thomas will remain attached to the Batman reboot as producers, suggesting that Warner Bros. is interested in maintaining some continuity with the saga, or at least maintaining the quality that we’ve come to expect from the current Batman franchise.

If it weren’t for Nolan and Thomas’s involvement in the reboot I would find this announcement extremely disrespectful to Nolan and all those involved in the current Batman trilogy, instead I find it just mildly obnoxious.  With the upcoming release of Thor and Captain America, it seems that Warner Bros. is attempting to keep the potential of a Justice League movie in its sights; and with this being the last Batman film for Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, the WB needed to be prepared.  Regardless, it would be appropriate for the company to be more focused on the current Batman film in production than looking past it for a potential reboot.  The Dark Knight Rises is possibly the most anticipated comic book movie of all time, and with fans of the series chomping at the bit for next summer’s release, you’d think Warner Bros would concentrating all Batman efforts on making this the best (fiscally and critically) film possible.

They should just use this film's title and make a double reboot

Executive Jeff Robinov has stated that they are aiming for a 2013 team-up of the Justice League on-screen, and if this were a realistic goal then it would make sense for them to be considering a new Batman at this point.  However, The Green Lantern is just making its debut this summer, and Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot won’t hit theaters until December 2012; additionally, Justice League members The Flash and Wonder Woman have proposed motion pictures but aren’t yet in development.  To go the marketing route of The Avengers, Warner Bros would have to release a motion picture for each of these four superheroes and reboot Batman into a new film before releasing a Justice League movie in 2013, impossible.

As a final thought, here’s a suggestion for following up the current Batman trilogy.  Rather than reboot the franchise with a new Bruce Wayne and a re-telling of the origin story, why not pick up where Nolan leaves off.  With Christian Bale not returning for a fourth film either; you’d have to re-cast Batman, but not necessarily Bruce Wayne.  At two separate instances in the Batman comics Dick Grayson, formerly Robin and Nightwing, has taken up the Batman mantle.  Once after Bruce Wayne’s “death” and once after his back was broken by Bane (a villain in Nolan’s upcoming film).  It might anger a lot of fans of current and past Batman films to see someone other than Bruce Wayne parading as the Caped Crusader, but it would maintain continuity within the franchise and eliminate some of the stigma of a reboot.

What do you think?  Do you find it justifiable that Warner Bros. is already considering a Batman reboot a year before TDKR is released?  Do you want to see a Justice League movie in 2013?  How would you like to see the Batman legacy carried on in film?

Quick Take: Amy Adams to play Lois Lane

On cue coming out of the weekend is our DC Comics/Warner Bros. casting news of the week.  After speculation going into the weekend that Michael Shannon is in consideration for an unidentified villain in Superman: Man of Steel, possibly the most anticipated role (aside from Superman himself) has been officially cast.  Amy Adams (The Fighter) will play famed reporter Lois Lane in Zack Snyder’s adaptation releasing next December.

Amy Adams is an inspired choice for the role and beat out a list of many other high profile actresses that included: Diana Argon (Glee), Malin Ackerman (Watchmen), Kristen Stewart (Twilight), Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers), Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Jessica Biel (The A-Team), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), and Olivia Wilde (House).  Amy Adams will be yet another high powered name added to the picture and will join fellow Oscar nominees Kevin Costner and Diane Lane.  Adams is coming off an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Fighter. 

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/27/amy-adams-lois-lane-superman/

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s role in The Dark Knight Rises announced

Coming off a weekend where box office numbers indicate that no one was really interested in the movies (Limitless finished #1 at 19 million), presumeably because the nation has been consumed with March Madness, we transition into the week with some big news coming from the Nolan camp.

Speculation has been swirling since the announcement of Inception star Joseph Gordon-Levitt to the cast of The Dark Knight Rises as to which role he would play in Nolan’s third and final installment to his Batman trilogy.  Worst Previews (aka Variety) is now reporting that JGL will in fact play Alberto Falcone in next summer’s blockbuster.  This casting does not come as a huge shock to those following the film closely, as it was previously reported that Levitt would be playing a villain.

We Can See the Resemblence

Including Alberto Falcone in the next Batman film creates another link back to Batman Begins and further suggests this film to be the concluding chapter in a trilogy.  Alberto’s father, Carmine Falcone, was an antoginist in the first film and was sent to Arkham at the hands of Batman (before being drugged by Scarecrow).  For fans of the comic, Falcone’s role also suggests the story may incorporate parts of The Long Halloween, which features Alberto Falcone as the Holiday Killer, tells the origins of Two-Face (seen in The Dark Knight), and has an appearance from Selina Kyle.

Also referred to as "the long Halloween"

Surely the plot of The Dark Knight Rises will stay under lock and key, likely until a full-length trailer is released for the film.  However, with the casting fully taking shape, Warner Bros. and Nolan are succeeding flawlessly at keeping this the most anticipated film of 2012.

Top 15 Alien Invasion Movies

To celebrate the release of Battle: Los Angeles releasing in theaters today, we’ve decided to take a look back at some of the best alien invasion movies ever released.  Ranging from horror to action to even comedy, these fifteen films (we couldn’t limit it to just 10) represent the best that hollywood has to offer when it comes to alien invasion.

15. Signs (2002)

Kicking things off on this list is M. Night Shyamalan’s last halfway decent film. Certainly not any great achievement in film, or the alien invasion genre, but it was effective and better than a lot of other efforts. What was different about this film than others on this list, is that it brought a sense of claustrophobia to the alien invasion, making the characters’ world smaller and smaller until it seems like there is no way out. Most invasion flicks try to show devastation on a massive scale, but Shyamalan smartly sticks to making this a very character driven story and pulls it off for the most part.

By character driven, I mean it drove its lead actors to eventually go insane.

14. The Faculty (1998)

Mixing alien invasion with 1990’s teen slasher, The Faculty is a very underrated and often overlooked movie when talking about the teen slasher.  Written by Kevin Williamson (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer) and directed by Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk ’til Dawn, Sin City), The Faculty is a well written and well-directed horror film with a unique and entertaining concept, Despite the genre and the incredibly cliche movie poster.

This film’s story is enhanced by a cast littered with current future stars of its time including: Josh Hartnett, Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Salma Hayek, Famke Jannsen, Christopher McDonald, Usher Raymond, Jon Stewart, and Elijah Wood.  As an added bonus for those of you watching the film as a repeated viewing; see how many Terminator franchise references you can pick up on, there are quite a few.

Pictured: Dr. Edward Furlong

13. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Sci-fi seems to work best when it fights the system. While this film is not very subtle about it, in the 1950’s it took a lot of grit to criticize society. In 1951, The Day the Earth Stood Still brought a new tent pole for the science fiction genre, even if now its special effects look like they would be fodder for Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Subtlety wasn't invented until the 1960s

To me, this was like the Citizen Kane of science fiction, great in its time, changing the genre forever, but it still has its flaws in story and acting. The updated version fails to have the effect that the original did, even with spectacular special effects, because its overt environmental message is no longer considered cool or subversive; all the guts that made the first one so great were removed.

12. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

B-movie entertainment at its best, Killer Klowns… is a 1988 horror film that follows a town as they are being invaded by aliens disguised as clowns.  This film never deviates from its identity and is humorous and entertaining the entire way through.  Killer Klowns from Outer Space has develop a cult following over the past 20+ years and rightfully so.  Despite being a product of the 1980s and having a paltry 2 million dollar budget, the film has more camp in its story than it does in effects, and the costumes are actually quite terrifying, especially if you are afraid of clowns.

Good luck sleeping tonight

11. War of the Worlds (2005)

This version of the classic H.G. Wells story made the list because even if there is almost no depth to it, Stephen Spielberg sure knows how to make an exciting film. Sure, Tom Cruise is not convincing as a guy that works on the docks.

Hey guys, after we are done this back breaking work maybe we could head down to the local bar establishment and get some glasses of beer.

Ok, Dakota Fanning is annoying as hell and I would have been content to watch the aliens eviscerate her into an ashy mist, but man this movie looks cool. While normally excessive use of special effects means that something gets lost in the story, Spielberg still was able to make the story cohesive, even if it wasn’t anything spectacular.

10. Monsters (2010)

The alien invasion in Monsters is more of just a backdrop for the rest of the film.  The aliens are barely seen on-screen and are nothing more than a device that drives the plot.  This film focuses almost solely on its two main characters and their relationship as they travel through an infected zone in Mexico back to the United States.  The success of this film is driven by the two lead actors and the chemistry they have as their on-screen relationship develops.  A disappointment if you are expecting an epic invasion piece or a horror film as the title may suggest; but the cinematography and delivery of this film’s story is incredibly impressive considering the paltry budget that constrained it.

(If you want more on Monsters, check out the Weekend Film Recommendation from March 4, 2011.)

9. War of the Worlds (1953)

War of the Worlds banked a lot of its success off the popular trend of alien films in the 1950’s. What makes it better than the other films in that era is that it really tried to set itself apart from the others by breaking away from the stereotypes (i.e. saucer shaped UFOs and garishly clad aliens) to really bring a sinister new look to the alien invasion film.

Well...sinister for 1953.

The film, for as good as they could in 1953, really developed one of the first epic-scale productions of its time. Writer and Director, Barre Lyndon and Byron Haskin, took some creative liberties with the story, but they made sure they were good ones, which only added to the mystique of this famous story.

8. District 9 (2009)

While there is some debate as to whether this truly is an “alien invasion” film, you can make arguments on either side, but there are enough elements to include it in this list. Completed on a very modest budget, Neill Blomkamp burst onto the cinema industry with a sci-fi masterpiece. His special effects were superb for such a low-budget and gave the film a very real feel. Plus, as mentioned earlier, it used the sci-fi genre as a platform for a subversive message, just subtly enough that it didn’t get in the way of the story. Blomkamp also benefitted from a great performance by Sharlto Copley as the protagonist and all those elements combined to garner a Best Picture nomination in 2010.

7. Mars Attacks (1996)

One of the two pure comedy/satires on this list, taste dictates which of the two is more deserving of the higher ranking.  Less popular and far less acclaimed (51% on Rotten Tomatoes as opposed to 91%), Mars Attacks is the sleeper of the two.  Tim Burton’s most underappreciated work, probably because it doesn’t look at all like a Tim Burton movie, this film is laugh out loud funny all the way through.  Aside from Tim Burton, Mars Attacks features an incredible ensemble cast featuring:  Glenn Close, Annette Benning, Pierce Brosnan, Danny Devito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Tom Jones (yes that Tom Jones), Jim Brown (yes that Jim Brown), Natalie Portman, Pam Grier, Ray J (yes that Ray J), Christina Applegate, Lukas Haas, Jack Black, and Jack Nicholson.

And possibly an uncredited Johnny Depp

6. Men in Black (1997)

Men in Black parodied a lot of the films already mentioned in this list and featured the great comedic chemistry of loudmouth Will Smith and deadpan Tommy Lee Jones. The film was a box office and critical success, spawning a disastrous sequel and another sequel coming soon. What it lacks in suspense, it makes up for with witty one liners and delightful sight gags, and it still manages to pay homage to some of the sci-fi greats. The gadgets and special effects used were pretty cool as well and made for several toys that every kid wanted for Christmas.

5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

The 1978 remake of the 1956 classic, this version updates the classic with more chilling suspense and a stellar cast.  Donald Sutherland is the headliner here but there are plenty of other names and faces you might recognize including Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy, Veronica Cartwright, and Robert Duvall in an uncredited role.  Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a chilling horror film about alien pods invading and taking over the human race creating drones devoid of emotion.  Not only known for its horror and unforgettable closing sequence, …Body Snatchers provides both humor and satire giving the film added depth.

4. Independence Day (1996)

This has become the film that immediately comes to mind when someone thinks of an alien invasion film. Utter devastation, iconic and ominous imagery, cheesy one liners and speeches that will be parodied for years to come.

Bill Pullman, the most inspiring and reckless president of all time.

While by no means a “great” film, it encompasses all the elements people look for when they go to a summer blockbuster. Roland Emerich somehow knew how to make everything work and use static characters in a good way to create a film that is just plain fun.

3. Superman II (1980)

Superman II may seem out-of-place on this list, but it certainly is worthy of ranking #3 among the best alien invasion movies of all time.  The follow-up to Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie, this film follows Clark Kent/Superman as he grapples with his immortality and falling in love for Lois Lane.  Meanwhile, three Kryptonian villains led by General Zod (the alien invaders) escape from the Phantom Zone and come to Earth looking both to rule and to destroy Kal-El.

Featuring Christopher Reeve as Superman, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, and Terence Stamp as General Zod, Superman II is considered by many to be the best superhero movie ever made and the best film Richard Donner never made.  The Richard Lester credited theatrical version is the easiest to find and is a good film, but Superman II really belongs to Richard Donner and Mario Puzo.  If you can track down the Richard Donner cut released to DVD in 2006.

The Superman movie Richard Lester actually directed

2. Predator (1987)

The predator is an alien invader/warrior inhabiting the Central American jungle, that is until Arnold comes along.  Almost 25 years after this movie was released, the predator is now a staple in American pop-culture with the film spawning 4 franchise sequels (Predator 2, Alien vs. Predator, AVP: Requiem, and Predators).  None of those films come close to the original that blends both action/adventure with horror and suspense to create one of the best alien invasion movies ever.  Arnold delivers better in this film than any other mainly because he doesn’t ham it up with one-liners or cheap jokes, and an identifiable supporting cast including Carl Weathers (Rocky) and Jesse Ventura rounds out the action mix.

1. The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter is horror genius and this film is one of his best, and coincidentally tops the list of best alien invasion films. It does not accomplish this through devastating large cities or cool technology, it does it through disturbing make up and sheer cut-the-tension-with-a-knife paranoia. While this was not the original, but a remake, it certainly took the premise and ran with it. He combines the elements of sci-fi and horror so effectively that it leaves the viewer in awe. The ending, which I will not spoil, still leaves the audience left with the feeling of dread hanging over their heads and weighing heavy upon them. If you haven’t seen it is definitely worth a viewing…or two.

More than half of these movies are currently available on Netflix Instant (click on each title to add to your instant queue):

• The Day the Earth Stood Still
• Killer Klowns from Outer Space
• Monsters
• District 9
• Mars Attacks
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers
• Superman II (theatrical version)
• The Thing
• Bonus: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Man of Steel Casting Rumors: Who Will Play General Zod?

The casting rumors for Superman: The Man of Steel seem to be heating up as news of the casting of Ursa, Jonathan Kent, and Kal-El himself have stirred up internet sites routinely.  The most anticipated casting of the entire film (besides maybe Superman) will be for the role of the principal villain, who we now “know” to be General Zod.  After the Ursa rumors hit the mill everyone was clambering to hear the name for the Zod casting.  Aside from Lex Luthor, whose appearance in this film is still unknown, General Zod is the most well-known of all Superman villains.  He appeared on film in the Donner films played by Terrance Stamp, and was most recently portrayed by Callum Blue on the CW’s series Smallville. 

I am General Zod. Your ruler.

Yes, today begins a new order.  Rumors of the casting of General Zod in Zack Snyder’s upcoming adaptation have given the fanboys two names to debate – Viggo Mortensen and Daniel Day-Lewis.  The Hollywood Reporter has identified Mortensen as a person Warner Bros. is heavily interested in for the role opposite Henry Cavill’s Superman.  Mortensen is also in negotiations for a role in Snow White and the Huntsman, and with his involvement in both being unlikely he’ll most certainly have to decide between the two.

this sounds eerily familiar

I’d like him to follow in Kristen Stewart’s footsteps and join her on Snow White, not because I am interested in that film or dislike Mortensen, but because I’d like to see Daniel Day-Lewis play Zod.  This rumor has also been picking up steam, and it certainly is the more exciting of the two.  Daniel Day Lewis’s filmography reads like a timeline of Academy Award winning films and roles and to see him take on the role of Zod would definitely be worth the price of admission.  Unfortunately, until I see the official press release of his casting I’ll remain highly pessimistic.  Like Mortensen, Daniel Day Lewis’s name is also attached to another film – Steven Spielberg’s Abraham Lincoln biopic; and the disappointment still lingers from the falsehood of the rumors that Lewis would play Moriarty in the Sherlock Holmes sequel.

Aww, did I drink your milkshake?

It seems that actors/actresses/directors turning down roles might be this film’s saving grace.  Reportedly Zac Efron, Kristen Stewart, and Ben Affleck have all turned away from this film leading to better personnel decisions being made; will Viggo Mortensen be the next name added to this list?  Warner Bros. is scheduled to release Superman: The Man of Steel on December 17, 2012.

Kevin Costner’s Role in the Man of Steel

With Deadline reporting that there is increasing interest in casting Kevin Costner for an unspecified role in the Superman reboot coming to theaters in 2012, speculation has risen as to what role he might play.  Recent box office performances by Costner have not been stellar as he is no longer the draw he once was.  His most recent film, The Company Men, quietly grossed just over 3 million domestically despite an ensemble of recognizable names.  Fans can’t forget the powerhouse that Costner once was, starring in such films as The Untouchables, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves, Robin Hood, JFK, and The Bodyguard; almost all in succession.  A summer blockbuster like Superman: The Man of Steel could be the picture Costner needs to catapult him back into billing relevance, but the role and the capacity in which he contributes is still unknown.  I’ve listed the potential roles for Costner and taken my best guess at who he may play.

1. Johnathan Kent

This seems the obvious choice for Costner by anyone who has seen Field of Dreams (and that should be everyone).  Costner has shown he can play the simple-man farmer role with great success while providing the wisdom and moral guidance that the elder Kent provides for Clark.  Costner seems like a Hollywood version of John Schneider, the actor who played Johnathan in Smallville.  The problem with Johnathan Kent is that depending on which comic version they draw from, his age can vary greatly.  Costner would surely fit the age demographic for the silver and golden age superman, but the modern age versions have the Kents as a bit older and gray-haired.  However, Johnathan Kent’s role could be very important to the film if they follow the Death of Superman storyline which includes my favorite choice of villain – Doomsday.

2. Perry White

Casting Costner as Perry White would be mean a large change from the Perry White of Superman Returns, Frank Langella.  27 years younger than Langella, Costner’s White could provide a little more fire to the role of the Daily Planet’s editor.  If don’t see Costner in the new media type of role consider this; Christopher Nolan has said that he wants to present Superman in a modern context.  Given the current state of the print media industry, having Costner trying to revive what was once the most respected source of news in Metropolis, during economic decline, doesn’t seem like too far a cry from his most recent work in The Company Men.

3. Jor-El

Since this role has only been played by one man in both the Donner films and Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, Kevin Costner would have the large shoes of Marlon Brando to fill.  Jor-El’s almost god like stature doesn’t seem like the perfect fit for Costner, but the role has mostly been voice intensive in previous film incarnations and Costner could certainly do that.  Though he seems more working class than regal, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Costner play Jor-El.  Just as Nolan said he wanted to bring Superman to a modern context, he has also mentioned the innovation of the Donner films for casting big name actors in non-leading roles.  Nolan has done this for Batman films and Costner certainly is a big enough name for the role of Jor-El.

4. Ron Troupe or Steve Lombard

This would certainly apply to a big name in a non-leading role.  Little to unknown by fans of the films, the two characters listed above are both reporters for the Daily Planet.  Ron Troupe is political columnist and Steve Lombard is a Sports Journalist.  Neither character seems relevant enough (based on their description) to warrant the casting of an actor like Costner, but their role in the plot could make them relevant.  As co-workers of Clark Kent and observers of his daily activity as well as the heroic acts of Superman, either one of them could become suspicious of Clark as Superman’s other identity.  Remember that in some origins Clark was an outstanding football player, something a sports journalist like Steve Lombard would be familiar with.  Casting Costner as either of these characters would require some character alterations though, since Lombard is a bit younger and more athletic than Costner, and Troupe is black.

5. Potential Villain

Even though Christopher Nolan is only producing this film in a Godfather capacity, he surely has a say in the casting.  Leave it to him to shock speculators just as he did in 2008’s The Dark Knight and cast an actor out of left field to play the villain (I’m sure you know who I’m referring to).  We have rarely seen Costner in a devious role (Mr. Brooks) so playing a villain might be the breath of air his career needs.  It is still unclear who the primary adversary for Superman will be in this film and that is a whole new can of worms, but there are some roles that Costner may be a fit for.  He is almost certainly too old to play Lex Luthor in this incarnation, but what about the second-most well-known of Superman’s villains… 

General Zod:   Terrance Stamp was 42 when he portrayed Zod in Superman II, and even though Costner is well into his fifties he doesn’t look much older than Stamp did.  We mentioned earlier this month that Zod’s soldier Ursa would likely appear in this film, so it seems likely that Zod will appear as well.  Zod on Earth would have all the same abilities as Superman, and with the right amount of Kryptonian soldiers by his side, even Costner would seem imposing to the Man of Steel.

Braniac:  It would take a lot of makeup or CGI to bring Braniac to life on-screen the way he appears in the comics, but this is a Zack Snyder film we’re talking about.  If that were the case, the most recognizable aspect of Kevin Costner as Braniac would be his voice; and as we mentioned with Jor-El, this would alleviate any doubt he could fill the physical presence the required for the role.  Braniac (as obvious by his name) is an intellectual foe to Superman and utilizes his vast knowledge and alien abilities to match strengths with Superman. 

Darkseid:  I’m hesitant to mention the words Kevin Costner and apocalypse in the same sentence for fear of bringing up memories of Waterworld but Darkseid is a villain who’s been in Superman lore for over 40 years and doesn’t get much love.  Costner as the alien from Apokolips is unlikely though, Apokolips would require a lot more physical confrontation with Superman than the previously mentioned villains and his physique is a lot more imposing.  However, there’s always CGI and the current incarnation of Darkseid in Smallville doesn’t seem to be staying true to the comic.  However, the very recent portrayal of Darkseid in Smallville also makes his appearance in the next film unlikely.

Doomsday:  Another physically imposing character for Superman to face, Doomsday is my preferred choice for a Superman villain.  Costner as Doomsday would require mostly voice (and possibly motion capture) acting as the alien has little human characteristics, so it is not out of the realm of possibilities.  Costner’s age may not be a concern if he were to play Doomsday either, keep in mind that Tim Roth played a similar role as The Abomination in 2008s The Incredible Hulk and he is only 6 years younger than Costner.  If the Doomsday storyline were to play out on film though, we’d likely see Costner in the role of Johnathan Kent.

At the moment though this is all speculation, one role among many that have yet to be announced for this film.  As we move closer to production for this film more and more of these announcements will come to light and the film’s plot will begin to take shape.  Superman: The Man of Steel is scheduled for release in December 2012.

Top 5 Memory Loss Movies

by Chris Petersen

With Unknown opening this weekend, I decided to reflect back on some of the best films featuring protagonists suffering from memory loss. While the amnesic character seems to be a cliché on soap operas, there are several films that take the idea and create some cinematic magic. Here is Fezzik to jog your memory about the Top 5 Memory Loss Films:

He'll try not to jog you too hard.

5. Mullholland Drive (2001)

David Lynch is known for mind bending films and this is one of his best. While you may be frustrated watching this for the first hour and a half, the last half hour or so will delight you as you try to put the pieces together in the maze that is the lead heroine’s mind. Naomi Watts really shines as the naive Betty Elms, a young actress trying to make her way in Hollywood, who takes in a movie star that is struggling from amnesia due to a car accident. Lynch knows how to create confusion and creates tension through flashes of disturbing images, mirroring William Friedkin’s style in The Exorcist.

Nicolas Cage went uncredited.

While the film did not do well in the box office, it received status as a cult classic after its DVD release.

Trailer:

4. Total Recall (1990)

Total Recall focuses on the journey of Doug Quaid (or is it Hauser?) who tries a virtual reality implant tosimulate a trip to Mars. However, when they try to put it in him, they find he has already had a similar procedure done. This discovery sets off a high pace, futuristic adventure mystery that causes him to question his own reality.

Paul Verhoeven directed this sci-fi masterpiece in his “not yet gone crazy” period, but there were definitely hints of it in this film.

Those hints didn't fully reveal themselves until this.

Verhoeven crafted the adaptation of the Philip K. Dick story into an intricate study of reality versus illusion, while creating what Roger Ebert called, “One of the most visually arresting sci-fi movies in a long time.” It also helps that Schwarzenegger is at his action best as well. There is a remake currently in the works starring Colin Farrell.

Trailer:

3. The Bourne Trilogy (2001 – 2007)

I decided to include all three as one because they would be taking up a lot of this list otherwise. The first film, while not the best, was really where the amnesia comes into play. In the other films it provides a nice backdrop, but isn’t nearly as much of a mystery as the first one. The series centers around Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) who is found floating in the water and can’t remember how he got there. He slowly finds out that he is a government assassin that is pursued by his agency for going rogue.

 The Bourne Trilogy  has reached cultural icon status as a study in the European action film, dizzying hand held camera use, and amnesic protagonists. While these aren’t the deepest films on this list, they are some of the most entertaining, especially the final installment, The Bourne Ultimatum. There are apparently more films to come, but whether they will star Matt Damon and whether they will tarnish the memory of Bourne is yet to be seen.

Trailer:

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

I cite this film as one that really sparked my passion for film. It combined elements of visual innovation and a heart wrenching story. Jim Carrey plays Joel Barrish, a man who undergoes a memory erasure procedure, after he finds out an ex-lover (Kate Winslet) had him erased from his memory as well. While it is easy to predict where this story will lead, it doesn’t take away from its final impact. Charlie Kaufman wrote a brilliant screenplay and Michel Gondry adapted it to the screen with a vigor for visual flair.

A visual flair that all but disappeared in The Green Hornet.

Trailer:

1. Memento (2000)

While Eternal Sunshine is a better overall film, within the genre of memory loss films Memento takes the cake. Christopher Nolan‘s second directorial effort was based off a story by his brother, Jonathan, and it really put him on the map. Lenny (Guy Pearce), suffers from a rare condition that inhibits him from creating new memories. When his wife is murdered, he uses an intricate system of tattoos to remind him of clues to find her killer.

When this film gets brought up, the narrative style is the first thing that sets it apart from any other film…it plays out backwards. I remember when I saw this, I was  trying to explain to people what that meant and they just don’t get it until they see it. Nolan sets up the story brilliantly and, like all great memory loss films, we are presented with an unreliable protagonist that causes us to question everything that we see. Once we reach the end it all adds up to not only the best memory loss film, but arguably the most innovative narrative of all time.

Trailer:

News from the Rumor Mill: Coen Brothers Horror Film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt Villain Speculation, Latest Arrested Development Movie Rumors

by Chris Petersen

This week is rather slow for film news, I think everyone is just depressed about Justin Bieber starring in his 3D biopic, so I will just have to give you what we got….which is a whole lot of speculation.

Coen Brothers Possibly Working on Horror Film

With the Coen Brothers it is always hard to tell whether or not they are just toying with the press, or actually giving a legitimate look at their upcoming films. In a recent interview with Empire, the famed Brothers Coen were asked if they would ever be interested in doing a “full-on horror” film, to which they responded:

“Funny you should ask, yes, we are working on a couple of scripts now, one of which it would be fair to call a full-on horror movie. Frances McDormand is the monster.”

This could mean one of two things. 1) This could actually be happening and that would be awesome, because I think the Coens could create a superb horror film. A lot of their films contain elements of the genre.

How can this not be horror?

If you combine all of those elements together into a full length Coen film, they have potential to make one of the best horror films of all time.

Or..

They were making a sarcastic reference to Frances McDormand's looks. Shane Black

Shane Black

Shane Black in Talks to Direct Iron Man 3

 Jon Favreau made a smart career move by detaching himself from the Iron Man franchise late last year, leaving the seat wide open for someone to bring a fresh perspective to the series. The latest news is that Marvel extended an invite to Shane Black, who worked with Robert Downey Jr. before in the 2005 film Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. I think this would be a really good fit, even though he only has one directorial effort under his belt. He is familiar with the action-comedy, since he also wrote for the Lethal Weapon series, and he also proved that he can work in Downey’s improvisational style of acting, which is part of what makes the Iron Man series so entertaining. This is all up in the air still, because there aren’t even any set negotiations with Marvel, they were simply putting out a feeler for Black’s level of interest.

What Role will Joseph Gordon-Levitt Play in The Dark Knight Rises?

Since there hasn’t been any really solid news coming out this week, fanboys and cinema websites are taking the path of least resistance and stirring up the internet about the possible role that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will play in Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight Rises. CinemaBlend seems to think that it will be Alberto Falcone, son of the mob boss played by Tom Wilkinson in Batman Begins, who would attempt to salvage the underworld that the Joker left behind in the previous film. Meanwhile, Ain’t It Cool News is reporting that there are hints that he will be Hugo Strange, a deranged Batman stalker that attempts to become him.

To me, the second option seems more credible than the first. I am not entirely familiar with the storyline of the comics, but it has been rumored that Hugo Strange would be part of this film for a long time. Again, this is all just speculation, and nothing is set in stone. I like to imagine that if Christopher Nolan reads these rumors that he just laughs and silently moves on with something even more masterful.

Excellent....it's all falling into place

 

The Latest on the Arrested Development Movie

I tack this on here with a huge grain of salt, just like every other Arrested Development  rumor I have posted. This comes straight from the mouth of Mitch Hurwitz, the writer of the tv show, who was talking to Digital Spy about the status of the film. He said this:

“We’ve started that process and it is our sincere hope to shoot it this year and get it out this year?”

Yes, and maybe Gilligan will get off the island this time.

I hate it when you call me that.

I love Arrested Development, but come on. This has gone on long enough. Either don’t talk about it until you put out an official trailer for it, or just tell us that it is never going to happen. I would love to be excited about this news, but I actually debated whether it was even worth mentioning. Since I am such a fan of the show, I did it for old time’s sake.

What are your thoughts about all these rumors? Are the Coen Brothers pulling our leg? Is Shane Black a good fit for Iron Man? Is there any validity to the Arrested Development rumors?

Lindsay Lohan to appear in “The Man of Steel”?

Surely as the man tagged to helm the next film in the Superman franchise Zack Snyder understands the expression “Movie Kryptonite”, so I can’t imagine there is much truth to this rumor.  However, with February picking up where January left off as movie news purgatory, and with The Man of Steel being one of the most anticipated films of 2012, this is currently newsworthy.  Hardly reputable online tabloid TMZ reported that Lindsay Lohan is in talks to be cast in an unspecified role for Warner Bros reboot of the Superman franchise.  It has been confirmed that Lindsay is not up for the part of Lois Lane, but typecasting would suggest she’s one of Lex Luthor’s cell-mates.

Ms. Lohan, what are you in for this time?

While it’s hard for me to believe that Snyder, Nolan, and company would consider casting Lohan in such a high-profile film, especially considering her track record for irresponsible behavior (not to mention poor box office showings), there has already been some controversy surrounding the casting of this project.  There have been conflicting reports regarding Kristen Stewart’s link to the film and why she will not appear as Lois Lane.  The Snyder camp suggests they were interested in Stewart for the role but never offered it to her, while Stewart’s camp claims she was offered the role but turned it down.  Regardless of whether or not Stewart was offered the part or not, consensus seems to be she was considered which, combined with the Lohan rumor, makes that two suspect casting choices in a row. 

Tomorrow's news: The two frontrunners for General Zod

With filming for The Man of Steel to begin this summer, it is likely we will see a lot more news regarding the casting of this film; one role that will need to be cast will be the Kryptonian outlaw Ursa.  This news comes as a surprise not because anyone cares about Ursa, but more so because it seems unlikely the film will have her as a villain without General Zod.  We’ve seen General Zod before in Superman II and with him being one of the more well-known villains in the Superman universe, it has been long speculated that he may appear in this film. 

Ursa - AKA Kryptonian Outlaw #2

Surely we can’t believe every rumor we read on the internet, especially with high-profile films like The Man of Steel, a lot of these reports could exist just to throw fans off and garner free publicity and build anticipation.  However, many of the rumors floating around this project aren’t to the liking of Superman fans (this writer included) so the skepticism is starting to build.  What do you think, can a Superman film succeed if it features Lindsay Lohan?  Does the character Ursa mean we’ll also see General Zod, and are you excited about this?  Superman: The Man of Steel is slated for release at the end of 2012.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Will Join “The Dark Knight Rises”

The Man of Steel and The Dark Knight Rises are going toe-to-toe trying to top each other with casting announcements. First, it was confirmed that Anne Hathaway would play Selina Kyle/Catwoman and that Tom Hardy will play Bane in the upcoming Batman flick. Then, Man of Steel came right back announcing its lead, and now, according to Deadline, The Dark Knight Rises is adding Joseph Gordon-Levitt to its cast list in an unknown role.

The fanboy forums were ablaze last summer/fall with rumors that Gordon-Levitt would play the villain in the new film, but then dropped off the radar after Tom Hardy was announced. Now, he is back in talks, but it is unclear as to who he will play. My guess, is that if they haven’t announced a second villain yet, they probably won’t have one. It would seem to be overkill to have three villains and I don’t think Chris Nolan would want to go down that path right now.

If that wasn’t enough to get you even more excited about this film, how about this quote from Wally Pfister, Nolan’s cinematographer on all of his films since 2000, when he was asked about how this script could top The Dark Knight:

“I asked the same question. I read the script two weeks ago, and he’s done it. Plain and simple — he’s done it. It’s a phenomenal script. He’s still in the process of cutting it back because it’s a very long script right now, but it’s really phenomenal. And he actually had me go back and wanted me to watch, in IMAX, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight again. When I watched those I had read the script for The Dark Knight Rises and was like, ‘dude, it is a perfect trilogy.’ I think that was his intent, to work off those two pictures — and they are very different pictures. And it’s funny, we all had different opinions about which picture we like better.”

Next year is definitely lining up to be a stellar year for comic book cinema. Do you think Nolan can top both of his previous installments in the franchise?

Quick Take: Great Debate – Should Oscar Have Nominated The Coens Over Chris Nolan?

by Chris Petersen

Obviously, this has been the main story coming out of the Oscar Nominations. Christopher Nolan, three time Director’s Guild Award nominee, has never been nominated for an Oscar. He has proved himself on almost every level as a director, yet fails to receive recognition from the Academy. With Inception‘s not only box office, but critical success, as well as a Director’s Guild Nom (usually a sure sign that they will get an Oscar Nom), it seemed like Nolan would finally get his due with at least a nomination. Sadly, he was snubbed again, bringing the internet something new to complain about, and everyone has their opinions.

Amongst all the clutter of debates on the subject, the article I have linked to below has the most well written arguments for both sides of the coin. Does the Academy go with The Coens and  their remake of True Grit? Or do they go against the grain and recognize a director for making a summer blockbuster? If you have  the time, you should give it a look.

Great Debate: Should Oscar Have Nominated The Coens Over Chris Nolan?.

What Happened to Hugo, The Dark Knight Rises to Feature Bane and Catwoman

After months of rumors and speculation regarding the casting and villains of the The Dark Knight Rises, Warner Bros Pictures announced today via press release that Anne Hathaway will be joining the cast alongside Tom Hardy and Christian Bale for the third Batman film under Christopher Nolan’s direction.  This comes as no surprise to many as news regarding Hardy’s casting along with rumors of Anne Hathaway’s have been circulating for months.  The real question many wanted answered was which two villains would be terrorizing Gotham this time around.  Today we got that answer…

BURBANK, CA, January 19, 2011 – Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” She will be starring alongside Christian Bale, who returns in the title role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Christopher Nolan stated, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story.” In addition, Tom Hardy has been set to play Bane. Nolan said, “I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman’s most formidable enemies.” Nolan will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Nolan will also produce the film with his longtime producing partner, Emma Thomas, and Charles Roven. “The Dark Knight Rises” is slated for release on July 20, 2012. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The casting of Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy as Catwoman and Bane comes as a shock to many of us who have been following the rumors and speculation regarding this film.  For Hardy, initial speculation was that he was to be cast as Killer Croc, and more recently Hugo Strange.  As for Hathaway, reportedly there were two female roles needed to be cast, one villain and one love interest.  The villain in question was thought to be Talia Al Ghul as recent as last week, but Catwoman was always an option in the back of everyone’s mind until it came to fruition today.

There is some pretty horrorific stuff back there

While I personally am not excited about either of these characters as they have both been portrayed in earlier Batman films, there was similar resentment following the announcement of Heath Ledger’s casting as the Joker for The Dark Knight and that turned out well, to say the least.  Still, it is a bit of a let-down to know we won’t see any new villains on-screen and adapted into Nolan’s universe; personally I would have loved to see Hugo Strange, Harley Quinn, and Arkham Asylum.

Wish: Granted

What is your reaction to the casting of Anne Hathaway for The Dark Knight Rises?  Are you surprised to hear that Bane and Catwoman are the next villains in the Nolan films, how does this sit with your inner fanboy?

Talia Al Ghul to take on Batman in The Dark Knight Rises

With so much casting “news” floating around about Christopher Nolan’s third installment of the Batman series, The Dark Knight Rises, it is hard to know what to believe.  However, today’s rumor sounds a lot like earlier rumors we heard about the film and may have a little more insight into the film’s production.  Casting listings seem to be circulating listing a group of actresses that could potentially fill two roles for the film.  A few months ago, a similar list was “released” stating that one of the roles would be a potential love interest for Bruce Wayne and the other a villain.  Names on the casting list this time around include familiar faces such as Keira Knightly, Anne Hathaway, and Naomi Watts but also include new names such as: Jessica Biel, Kate Mara, and Charlotte Riley.

Pregnant women need not apply

hat makes this story news-worthy is not that new names are being thrown around for these roles (some more familiar than others) but that the reported villain that is to be cast will be Talia Al Ghul, daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul played by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins.  It makes sense that Talia would be cast in this film, bringing Nolan’s trilogy full circle and adding continuity to the story he’s established.  I was hoping that TDKR picked up where TDK left off and introduced both Hugo Strange and Harley Quinn as the villains, but I trust Nolan’s and Goyer decision to move on with Talia Al Ghul.

The Dark Knight Rises is currently slated for release on July 20, 2012 and based on the previous 2 films we probably won’t know too much until then.  Still, TDKR will certainly be one of the most talked about projects until then as the anticipation builds.  How do you feel about Talia Al Ghul being portrayed in the next Batman film?  Which one of these actresses would you most like to see fill the role?

Pac’s Best/Worst Films of 2010

Yesterday Chris posted his best and worst films of 2010, I decided to give you a day to mull it over, argue amongst friends, leave comments, and/or whatever it is you do.  Today I give you my list of the ten best and ten worst movies of 2010.  Keep in mind, as with Chris’s lists, that these are only the films that I have seen.  We are just fans like you and have to seek out our own means of viewing these films so it was impossible to see every film we would have liked to in 2010 (as well as those we’re forced to or stumble into).  As a bonus though, I’ve included the ten films I wish I would have seen in 2010 both because some of my films overlap Chris’s and I wanted to add something more and because I don’t want anyone saying “how could you have put (blank) over (blank)?” when I didn’t see (blank).

I want to end on a high note so here are my 10 least favorite films from the past year:

10. Let Me In

Right off the bat I’m going with a film that might make most people discredit the rest of my list, it was included in Chris’s 10 best films and it got great reviews, and there are definitely other films I could have put here instead (see honorable mentions) .  Let Me In was saved by great performances from wonderful young actors (and the always enjoyable Richard Jenkins) but the over-the-top cinematography and slow pace ruined any chance of me enjoying this film.  The film was shot way too tight and I spent more time deciphering what I was seeing on-screen and not enough time immersing myself in the film.  I’m a believer that you need to see a film twice to truly gauge its quality (which I haven’t done yet) but for now it remains on my ten least favorite.

9. Alice In Wonderland

Most all Hollywood couples part ways, so why too can’t the “bromances” between actor and director?  Maybe it is time for Tim Burton to move on from Johnny Depp the same way Scorcese moved on from DeNiro to DiCaprio.  I wasn’t able to see this film in 3D (which I heard was disappointing anyway), but none the less the film boasted some great visuals – and nothing else.  Burton’s story of Alice returning to Wonderland lacked substance and character and attempted to disguise it with the awe of visual appeal.  I wasn’t even able to finish this film (meaning it comes in #9 despite me not seeing the infamous dance sequence), and that almost never happens.

8. Leap Year

It is no secret that I am not a fan of the romantic comedy genre (as evidenced here), but I am always willing to give the newest one a shot given the appropriate company.  While most RomComs have ridiculous premises and over-the-top love stories, Leap Year attempted to top them all with its ridiculous premise about a girl who travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Year only to fall in love along the way.  Amy Adams needs to take cues from actresses like Charlize Theron, you have way too much talent to be wasting it on Romantic Comedies.  If I have to see this film once every four years, it’d be too often.

7. Valentine’s Day

When a movie tries to bank off the success of another film in any other method other than a direct sequel (and many times even that doesn’t work), it is almost destined for failure.  Valentine’s Day clearly tried to use the formula of He’s Just Not That Into You, and take it one step further by including a holiday premise sure to draw in couples to the theater.  Unfortunately, they overlooked the one thing about HJNTIY that actually made it an enjoyable film to watch, a good story.  Valentine’s Day just grabbed as many billable actors as possible, cut them their check and let them check out as they filmed this abomination because they knew the names would be enough to turn a profit.  Hopefully when next years sequel, New Year’s Eve comes to theaters we’ll be a little bit wiser (probably not).

6. My Soul to Take

If Chris gives me credit for convincing him to see The Social Network, then I must too take blame for dragging him to this.  While he and most others would rank this higher on their list of least favorite films of 2010, I saw brief glimpses of what makes Wes Craven the premiere name in the horror genre.  The film lacked so many things including: acceptable performances from its young actors, cohesiveness in the story, and any sort of suspense.  However, after some analysis I determined that it wasn’t the story that was lacking but the execution.  Don’t let me forget that this was the worst 3D that I have seen in any film to date.  Maybe this Wes Craven film will be remade in 20 years like all his others, and this one could actually be improved upon.

5. The Killer Inside Me

I first saw the trailer for this film and immediately thought this was going to be the film that makes Casey Affleck a star.  With two very billable leading ladies (Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson) by his side, the director of a Mighty Heart at the reins, and a compelling story based off a well received book, I had such high hopes for this film.  What I got upon viewing was a shock value film disguised as noir with incredibly slow pacing.  Affleck turns out a good performance in this character piece, as does Kate Hudson but they still couldn’t save this film for me.  However, after spending two hours begging for this film to end I was rewarded with a pretty bad-ass ending, or maybe I was just relieved it was over.

4. Salt

I wasn’t expecting much from this film and didn’t see it til recently, so I can’t say that I was disappointed by it.  Still, Salt was easily the worst of a group of espionage films that were released this year.  Competing with the likes of Knight and Day, Killers, and The Tourist, and trying to live up to the quality of the Bourne series, Salt fell short in almost every aspect.  The performances were weak, the story was boring, the reveal was predictable, and the action was cliché.  Angelina Jolie is quickly becoming an actress whose films I try to avoid; and when Tom Cruise backs out for Knight and Day and is replaced by Liv Shreiber, you’re doomed.

Who Cares?

3. Twilight: Eclipse

The only thing that kept this film from landing any higher was that it did at least feature some pretty cool fight sequences as well as the beautiful Eva Green and Anna Kendrick.  Unfortunately, the rest of the film was littered with unbearable performances from its three main stars, a romance that has become so contrite by the third film that I can’t understand how even tweens can bear it anymore, and unneccessary chest bearing for swooning 12 year olds.  It is disappointing that this saga will be remembered in pop-culture as one of the most popular franchises of our generation, hopefully after the fourth installment reaches theaters the vampire craze will subside.

2. Sex and the City 2

I subject my girlfriend to a lot of bad action and horror movies so I only find it fair that sometimes I suck it up and watch a movie like Twilight: Eclipse and Sex and the City 2.  While Twilight: Eclipse at least boasted a cool fight scene, two very attractive supporting actresses, and some resemblance of a plot; Sex and the City 2 had nothing of the sort.  I strongly considered making this the #1 film on this list but decided against it because I hated the next film just a little bit more.  Take four over the hill women who were only mildly attractive in their prime, send them to the middle east to do absolutely nothing, add some obligatory male nudity, and what you get is this garbage.  Screw you HBO, where is my Sopranos movie?

1. The Last Airbender

What can I say about this film that hasn’t already been expressed in numerous blogs, reviews, and hate mail sent to M. Night Shyamalan?  This movie was terrible and I really don’t have anything else to say about it, I didn’t finish it and I have no interest in watching it all the way through because I genuinely don’t care what happens, hell I don’t even know what was happening during the first 2 acts that I did see.  It is a shame that Shyamalan’s name has been drug through the mud so badly after the release of this film because it caused so many people to dismiss Devil, a decent suspense/horror flick.

Honorable Mentions:  The Wolfman, The Losers, R.E.D., Jonah Hex

 

 Here are my favorite films from 2010:

10. The Ghost Writer

Let me hand it to my favorite website and one of the greatest resources on the web for movie news, reviews, and opinions for influencing me to see this movie.  It if it weren’t for a weekend film recommendation on this very site, I may never have seen The Ghost Writer, but I’m sure glad I listen to those guys at Chris Petersen’s Film Blog, they sure are smart.  A political crime thriller from across the pond, The Ghost Writer boasts superior performances from Ewan MacGregor and Pierce Brosnan, a stellar plot that unravels at just the right pace, and one hell of an ending.  You can call Roman Polanski a lot of things, and one of them should be an outstanding director.

9. Kick Ass

Not many films these days can feature Nicolas Cage and still make my top ten, but Kick Ass was able to do just that.  Blending just the right amount of superhero fantasy with the harsh reality of life, this film was a very smart, fun romp through the world of superhero fanboys.  What took this film to the next level though was the excellent cast supported by the aforementioned Cage, Chloe Moretz, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.  But it was the bold decision to cast the little-known Aaron Johnson as Kick Ass that made this movie great.  Could you imagine how much it would have sucked if they went with, oh say…

This Guy

 8.  Unthinkable

Seriously, read this blog every day, these guys know what they are talking about.  Okay, so it was actually me who wrote the weekend film recommendation for Unthinkable this time, but I did it for a reason.  This film gets a bad rap by some because of its controversial subject matter and torture scene, but make no mistake – this is not torture porn.  Everything shown on-screen is deliberate and important to the purpose of the film, the movie is not supposed to gross you out but rather to make you think, and to question your own morality and the morality of the world we live in.  This film is heavy, and it features Samuel L. Jackson in his best performance from at least the past 5 years as well as Michael Sheen in an Oscar worthy performance.  (This film is available instantly on Netflix for those of you interested).

7. The Town

I’ve put my grievances with the ending to rest and have accepted this film for what it is, a very good heist flick.  Ben Affleck continues to show that he knows how to handle a camera and Jeremy Renner is quickly proving to be one of Hollywood’s heavyweights and they both shine in their respective roles in this film.  Some of their talent even rubbed off on the beautiful Blake Lively who did take a cue from Charlize Theron and disguised her beauty to play Affleck’s drugged out ex-girlfriend.  I wish I could have liked this film more than I did but despite its greatness amongst this years class of film, it doesn’t compare to the greats like Heat, Dog Day Afternoon, and Inside Man.

6. Inception

It was very difficult for me not to rank this film higher on my list but when it came down to it, I wasn’t influenced by all the peer pressure and the media touting this movie as the greatest piece of art ever to grace my eyes.  I do however, give this film all the respect it deserves for a great cast (including a breakout performance by Joseph Gordon Levitt), a great story, incredible special effects and cinematography, and a cliff hanger that will live in cinema infamy.  I truly hope this film will do what many speculate it is capable of and bring some big budget originality back to hollywood in the coming years.  Christopher Nolan truly is a master of his craft and one of three directors (including Martin Scorcese and the director of the #2 movie on my list) whose name alone earns the price of admission from my pockets.

5. The Other Guys

Many posts ago, Chris wrote a post compiling a list of movies that he didn’t like until his second viewing, and earlier in this post I wrote that I believe a movie needs to be seen twice to truly gauge its value.  The Other Guys is the poster child for that theory because when I walked out of the theater after seeing this film I actually disliked it.  A second viewing on DVD changed my mind and this film jumped into my top ten about as effortlessly as Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson jumped off that building.  This movie is hilarious from start to finish, mainly because of its satirical premise and its two leading men: Mark Whalberg and Will Ferrell.  The replay value of this movie is very high (I think I’ve seen it 5x now) and its quotability is just as great, it’s the funniest movie to come out this year and I can’t wait to see Whalberg in more comedic roles.

4. I Love You Phillip Morris

When buzz about this movie started making its way around the internet I thought it was a comedy about cigarettes, much like Thank You for Smoking. I didn’t think much of it past the title til I saw the first trailer and laughed a few times, then saw it after having my wisdom teeth pulled ( I was in need of a good laugh ).  This movie was hilarious from start to finish and was (IMO) the best performance of Jim Carrey’s career, even Ewan MacGregor was great in his supporting role as the titular Phillip Morris.  There seems to be some stigma around this movie for its homosexual content; but the film doesn’t exploit the point that the two men are gay, it simply uses it to supplement to outrageous humor.  I would best describe this movie as a gay Catch Me if You Can.

3. Black Swan

If it weren’t for the first act of this film and its camera work I probably would have ranked this movie higher on my list, but if I’m going to chastise Let Me In for its cinematography I have to hold Black Swan accountable as well.  Despite my issue with the way the beginning of the film was shot, this film delivered on many levels, often in ways that Let Me In could not.  The plot that drove the story was incredibly paced with just enough suspense to keep me attentive without driving me as insane as Nina (Natalie Portman) and I sympathised with each of the characters especially Nina and her mother (Barbara Hershey).  The performances by Hershey, Portman, Cassell, Ryder, and even Kunis were top-notch.  Lastly the climax of the film left me both pondering what I just saw as well as begging for more.  Portman deserves an Academy Award for this performance and she has catapulted herself into superstardom (see her upcoming filmography for 2011, she’s busy).

2.  The Social Network

Like I Love You Phillip Morris there was a stigma surrounding The Social Network that watered down some of the anticipation and respect that this film deserved.  However, that stigma was quickly submerged by critical acclaim and box office success after it was released in theaters.  The Social Network is so much more than “The Facebook Movie”, its a courtroom thriller that doesn’t take place in a courtroom, and it’s a character piece on the now infamous creator of one of the most popular websites in the world.  The performances by young stars such as Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and Armie Hammer (who kind of plays both Winklevoss twins) carry this film and it is only supplemented by David Fincher’s outstanding direction and cinematography.  If I had a vote for Best Picture as part of the Academy, I’d vote for this film.

1. Megamind

While I’ve already established that I think The Social Network deserves the Academy Award for best picture, I don’t think it deserves to top my list of favorite movies from 2010.  We go to the movies for many reasons, but the primary reason I go to the theater is be entertained, and Megamind was the most entertaining movie of the year for me – BY FAR.  It may have been a perfect storm that cast this film into the pole position on this list but I loved every second of it.  The movie had a great story (so what if it was mildly similar to Despicable Me), a fun cast with great chemistry (especially between Ferrell and Cross), excellent cinematography (especially for an animated film), and the best 3D that I have seen in any film to date.  So far twice in this post I have written that I believe you need to see a movie a second time to truly gauge its value, well I’ve seen Megamind once and I may purposefully never see it again.  Seeing this movie in 3D in theaters was such an enjoyable experience that I fear subsequent viewings may only diminish the perception I have of this film.  I hope to someday have the capability of recreating the theatrical experience that was Megamind (anyone wanna buy me a 3D TV? and Bose stereo system?).

Honorable Mention: The Crazies, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Easy A

As a small token of my gratitude for reading through this very long post (even if you skimmed it) and making it this far, here is my top ten movies I wish I had seen in 2010, most of which are new or limited releases:

10. Paper Man
9. Winter’s Bone
8. Monsters
7. Toy Story 3
6. Tron: Legacy
5. 127 Hours
4. The King’s Speech
3. True Grit
2. The Fighter
1. Buried

2011 Golden Globe Nominees Announced

Awards season is about to kick into high gear as the second biggest film award nominations were announced earlier this morning. Here is the full list of nominees for the 2011 Golden Globe Awards:

Best Motion Picture: Drama

• Black Swan
• The Fighter
• Inception
• The King’s Speech
• The Social Network

Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy

• Alice in Wonderland
• The Tourist
• The Kids are All Right
• Red
• Burlesque

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture: Drama

• Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network
• Colin Firth for The King’s Speech
• James Franco for 127 Hours
• Ryan Gosling for Blue Valentine
• Mark Wahlberg for The Fighter

Best Performance by and Actress in a Motion Picture: Drama

• Halle Berry for Frankie and Alice
• Nicole Kidman for Rabbit Hole
• Jennifer Lawrence for Winter’s Bone
• Natalie Portman for Black Swan
• Michelle Williams for Blue Valentine

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy

• Johnny Depp for The Tourist
• Johnny Depp for Alice in Wonderland
• Paul Giamatti for Barney’s Version
• Jake Gyllenhall for Love and Other Drugs
• Kevin Spacey for Casino Jack

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy

• Annette Benning for The Kids are All Right
• Anne Hathaway for Love and Other Drugs
• Angelina Jolie for The Tourist
• Julianne Moore for The Kids are All Right
• Emma Stone for Easy A

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

• Christian Bale for The Fighter
• Michael Douglas for Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
• Andrew Garfield for The Social Network
• Jeremy Renner for The Town
• Geoffrey Rush for The King’s Speech

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

• Amy Adams for The Fighter
• Helena Bonham Carter for The King’s Speech
• Mila Kunis for The Black Swan
• Melissa Leo for The Fighter
• Jacki Weaver for Animal Kingdom

Best Director : Motion Picture

• Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan
• David Fincher for The Social Network
• Tom Hooper for The King’s Speech
• Christopher Nolan for Inception
• David O. Russell for The Fighter

Best Screenplay

• 127 Hours- Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
• Inception- Christopher Nolan
• The Kids are All Right- Stuart Blumbert, Lisa Cholodenko
• The King’s Speech- David Seidler
• The Social Network- Aaron Sorkin

Best Original Score: Motion Picture

• 127 Hours- A.R. Rahman
• Alice in Wonderland- Danny Elfman
• Inception- Hans Zimmer
• The King’s Speech- Alexandre Desplat
• The Social Network- Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

Best Original Song: Motion Picture

• Burlesque (“Bound to You”)
• Burlesque (“You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me”)
• Country Strong (“Coming Home”)
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (“There’s a Place for Us”)
• Tangled (“I See the Light”)

Best Animated Film

• Despicable Me
• Toy Story 3
• How to Train Your Dragon
• The Illusionist
• Tangled

Best Foreign Language Film

• Biutiful
• I am Love
• The Concert
• The Edge
• In a Better World

Best Television Series: Drama

• Boardwalk Empire
• Dexter
• The Good Wife
• Mad Men
• The Walking Dead

Best Television Series: Musical or Comedy

• Glee
• Modern Family
• The Big C
• Nurse Jackie
• 30 Rock
• The Big Bang Theory

Best Mini-Series of Motion Picture Made for Television

• Carlos
• The Pacific
• The Pillars of Earth
• Temple Grandin
• You Don’t Know Jack

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

• Idris Elba for Luther
• Ian McShane for The Pillars of the Earth
• Al Pacino for You Don’t Know Jack
• Dennis Quaid for The Special Relationship
• Edgar Ramirez for Carlos

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television:

• Hayley Atwell for The Pillars of the Earth
• Claire Danes for Temple Grandin
• Judi Dench for Return to Cranford
• Romola Garai for Emma
• Jennifer Love Hewitt for The Client List

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy

• Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock
• Steve Carell for The Office
• Thomas Jane for Hung
• Matthew Morrison for Glee
• Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy

• Toni Collette for United States of Tara
• Edie Falco for Nurse Jackie
• Laura Linney for The Big C
• Tina Fey for 30 Rock
• Lea Michele for Glee

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series: Drama

• Steve Buscemi for Boardwalk Empire
• Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad
• Michael C. Hall for Dexter
• Jon Hamm for Mad Men
• Hugh Laurie for House M.D.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series: Drama

• Julianna Margulies for The Good Wife
• Elizabeth Moss for Mad Men
• Piper Perabo for Covert Affairs
• Katey Sagal for Sons of Anarchy
• Kyra Sedgwick for The Closer

Best Performance by an Actor in Supporting Role in Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Scott Caan for Hawaii Five-0
• Chris Colfer for Glee
• Chris Noth for The Good Wife
• Eric Stonestreet for Modern Family
• David Strathairn for Temple Grandin

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Hope Davis for The Special Relationship
• Jane Lynch for Glee
• Kelly Macdonald for Boardwalk Empire
• Julia Stiles for Dexter
• Sofia Vergara for Modern Family

And that’s it! There weren’t too many surprises, except in the Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy category. I can understand Burlesque because it is like the only musical to come out this year, but The Tourist? Granted, I haven’t seen it, but I find it hard to believe that a film that got a 20% from RottenTomatoes.com could end up being nominated for best comedy. And is it a comedy? What about Alice in Wonderland? I thought it was just okay and visually great, but it really fell short as a comedy and it was most definitely not a musical. I also thought the acting nominations in the comedy category tended to stick to known names rather than actually looking for solid comedic performances.

For television, while I am not a fan of the current seasons of the dramas that were nominated (sans Mad Men), they do make sense compared with the competition. I think Mad Men will sweep just about all dramatic categories.

What do you all think? Did they get it right this year or not?

 

AFI Releases Their List of Top Ten Films of 2010

The American Film Institute (AFI) just released their annual list of Top Ten Films and probably to the surprise of weeping teenage girls, who think that AFI, the band, was releasing their top ten films, Twilight:Eclipse was not included. Ok….that was a little low and probably uncalled for, and I am sure they will  make up for their disappointment with the MTV Movie Awards. Here are the AFI’s Top Ten Films of 2010:

• Black Swan
• The Fighter
• Inception
• The Kids Are All Right
• 127 Hours
• The Social Network
• The Town
• Toy Story 3
• True Grit
• Winter’s Bone

Special Awards:

• The King’s Speech
• Waiting for “Superman”

While some of the films I still need to see, I agree with most of them. I would say that the only one that I disagree with right now is Winter’s Bone. I thought that it was a solid film, with a great performance by a young Jennifer Lawrence, but I wouldn’t say that I would place it in the top ten of the year.

But, that is just my opinion. What is yours? What are your top ten for the year? Pac and I will be putting out our yearly awards soon. Look for them to come out in a couple of weeks.