Based on a graphic novel, The Kitchen refers to the infamous Hell’s Kitchen on the West edge of Midtown in New York City, a perfect setting for an Irish working class mob story taking place during the 70’s.
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss, the cast and the 70s crime drama concept make for high expectations. It was written and directed by Andrea Berloff, who received an Oscar nomination for original screenplay for “Straight Outta Compton”.
Melissa McCarthy, also an Oscar nominee, although best known for her comedic roles, takes on the challenge of transcending her roots in a deep dive into more dramatic fare. Elisabeth Moss, after her success in both “Madmen” and “The Handmaids Tale” brings her resume to bear. Playing housewives who are married to mobster husbands, all languishing behind bars, they choose to take matters, literally, into their own hands in their absence.
Photo / Warner Brothers
The Verdict is…Wrong?
Reviewers have not been kind. The film has received any number of clever criticisms, from cooking metaphors to polyester put downs, most of which all fault the writer / director for not making the most of the cast and concept.
Our take is that this will do better than the reviews would indicate, although the phenomenon is hardly unique, even “The Lion King” was panned by many scribes before going on to break box office records across the globe.
The mob genre with a female twist, though not exactly unheard of, is thoughtfully explored, and the 70s look and feel are not miles off from “Taxi Driver” or “The French Connection” at least in capturing the era with superficial accuracy, if not the caliber of filmmaking.
The trailer above can give enough of a taste of what the film has to offer, for those considering a night out to see it in a theater, or want a preview to stream at a later date, can surely make an informed decision. I’d say yes on this one.
Opening on August 1st and grabbing some attention this weekend, aiming for a $60 million debut, the big-budget action spin off from Fast & Furious has some work ahead…
Starring Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw it’s clear this is popcorn and top level (expensive at $200 million in production costs) Stunts and EFX, with more than a dash of comic relief.
Adding the gravitas of Idris Elba raises the overall quality of the characters, and Johnson and Statham are tried and true masters of the genre, if there is such a thing. Can entertainment be more pure? A badass duo that you can never accuse of taking itself (themselves?) too seriously. Seriously.
Photo / Universal Pictures
No need to worry about the exact plot twists or even the connection to the Fast & Furious franchise, this is pure guilty pleasure summer enjoyment, plain and simple.
Perhaps after all the cute cats we’ve all been seeing lately, a bit of fantasy testosterone might be just the thing, on a hot August night.
Basically, we are saying: check out the trailer above and if it adequately entertains, you’ll probably do no wrong in escalating yourself into a theater to take it all in.
In the case of the Jungle Cat, a boffo box office was always expected, yet, after critics panned it for having a storyline that was identical to the original animated version, perhaps the magnitude of the success was somewhat surprising. Also, with Spider-man: Far From Home being a sequel long down the line, over $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide (so far), also seems like a less than obvious outcome. Cats? well, see for yourself, if you haven’t already, this is a trailer that gives everyone inspiration to sound off –
One Highly Anticipated Tarantino and 2 Lessor Known But Just as Worthy…
It’s not often that we are able to recommend going out to a theater for not just one but up to three films in one weekend. On July 26th, however, three films hit the theaters, and all of them, each in it’s own way, have something that makes them worth checking out. Above we have a short video with descriptions and below, the full original trailers along with links to articles profiling each.
Once more a Disney fan favorite is remade to record smashing box office receipts.
With a record $185M in it’s opening weekend in the US and a total Cume of $531M globally, the digital “faux” live action fantasy remake scores the highest ever domestic debut for a PG flick, and the ninth-biggest first week for any rating.
After being almost universally panned by critics for being, allegedly, to much of an exact copy of the original 1994 animated version, albeit with the technical twist, which was lauded, generally.
With overall box office performance in 2019 trailing the previous year by nine percentage points, going into the King’s inaugural weekend, it was a welcome event for industry insiders, as the feline’s performance lowered that deficit by almost two points, as the weekend tally began to emerge.
The powerful cat attracted female audience attentions by an almost 60% majority, a stat borne out by our own research.
Favreau’s recreation of the “everything the light touches’’ scene is perhaps not significantly different in content, yet is a new form of experience due to the presentation. This is the iconic scene where King Mufasa explains to his son Simba where and how they rule. Even better, James Earl Jones reprises his roll as King Mufasa, and delivers a commandingly enunciated speech once again.
For those who have not yet seen a preview of the box office wonder, the official trailer can be viewed above.
“Serious Journalist”, a phrase that, these days, almost seems like an oxymoron. “Investigative Reporter”, where have those all gone?
According to the New York Post, over 500 daily newspapers went out of business between 1970 and 2016. More recently, between January, 2017 and April 2018, one third of the largest newspapers in the US reported layoffs. Buzzfeed and Huffington Post among other “new media” outlets reported massive layoffs in 2017, 2018 and again in February of this year.
The Huffington Post, as just one example among many, paid most writers “nothing” for years and, although they had ad revenue of tens of millions of dollars in 2018, nevertheless, failed to show a profit.
For any of us in the current generation, all of this seems like old news. Yet, with all that is going on in the world, and facing down a, hopefully, longer future to endure within it, we should look to the past, even what seems like ancient history, to recapture a thread to what may have been lost, and to what a lone individual with “balls and a heart” can do. Mike Wallace was one such individual.
“We are, for the first time in modern history, facing the prospect of how societies would exist without reliable news”
Alan Rusbridger, The Guardian, editor-in-chief
In 2012 we lost a man who virtually defined both “serious journalist” and “investigative reporter” and all of us, in the media and the general public, would do well to look back at who Mike Wallace was, and what he did during his 93 years. Although rightfully revered, Woodward and Bernstein’s famous story of taking on the corrupt Nixon administration during the Watergate scandal was not the only blueprint for investigative storytelling that had the informative power to move the masses.
The truth hurts, as the saying goes. And it hurts more when you are a corrupt politician or a business mogul submersed in your own greed and lust for power.
Today’s world and future generations would be well served to view “Mike Wallace is Here” as a time-capsule showing what freedom of the press and the power of the Fourth Estate can produce in a country to attempts to practice democratic principles.
Could we see a Zuckerberg or a Bezos or a Trump or Trump supporter in Congress holding up well in an interview with Mike Wallace? Is there a modern equivalent of a interviewer or reporter who at once holds the power of his popularity, as a carrot to entice an interviewee to submit to an interview, and yet wields the stick of truth and is not afraid to use it? Or do we at least still comprehend the concept?
Sadly, no, and this points to how the release of this movie should really be seen: as a clarion call to current and future generations, to educate themselves on how it is possible to have the balls to stand up to greed, power and, yes, evil.
Spider-Man? Iron Man? This film should be seen and promoted as a Super Hero movie about the real world. Mike Wallace was not a perfect person. He was known to be a tough, cantankerous workaholic up to the very end. But his more than fifty years of standing up for principles of truth and the positive power of the press the affect change, amount to a legacy of which even Iron Man could be proud.
It was Wallace, who, at his peak, on 60 minutes in the 60s and 70s, could confront a scoundrel in an interview and change waves public perception in an instant, outing the evil and the corrupt.
Clash of Corporate Interests, and One Man Standing Up
The Oscar-winning movie “The Insider” has a sequence showing the last vestiges of this power as Wallace, played by Christopher Plummer in the film, clashes with the corporate heads of CBS who want to block his plan to air an interview with whistle blower Jeffrey Wigand, played by Russell Crowe, who gave an on-air interview where he exposed some of the tobacco industry’s darkest secrets.
Although Wallace said he hated the film, primarily as it depicted him as not standing up enough against the top brass at CBS regarding the story’s airing, it shows his unflinching, abrasive style when the truth was on the line. His career was a master class in taking risks in order to change opinions about injustices perpetrated by evil men and women, and as a result, changing minds and a small part of the world. The Wigand interview finally aired on February 4, 1996, after a protracted battle to prevent it from being shown.
The tobacco industry eventually had to pay for at least some of it’s misconduct, but in retrospect, the media was already losing it’s power to use investigation and information to affect change and expose corruption.
This all seems like ancient history, with Russian fake news hackers electing presidents, people thinking of facebook as a source of “real” information, and the idea of a journalist having the ability to fight evil, using little more than a well timed, provocative live interview, seems like science fiction.
This film “Mike Wallace is Here” may not win an Oscar, but should be seen by anyone wanting to observe a master at work, standing up to anyone and everyone that crossed his path. And how Wallace used nerve and cunning to expose the truth, often at the expense of the truly corrupt and pernicious.
“Mike Wallace is Here” is scheduled for US release on July, 26, 2019.
Summary from IMDB:
For over half a century, “60 Minutes” fearsome newsman Mike Wallace went head-to-head with the world’s most influential figures. Relying exclusively on archival footage, the film interrogates the interrogator, tracking Mike’s storied career and troubled personal life while unpacking how broadcast journalism evolved to today’s precarious tipping point.
The “Cats” Trailer with Tylor Swift and the Gang is getting a lot of attention today. Not sure if it will build into a crescendo of adulation by the December release, but at least we are not ignoring it, and there’s a lot here to be entertained by.
First, there’s the “digital fur”. This makes it look like Simba had a human stuffed into his digital fur (and digital everything) and then, instead of just singing and acting like and animal he starts dancing like he’s on Broadway.
Watch Taylor Swift, James Corden, Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jason Derulo, Rebel Wilson, Ian McKellen and Jennifer Hudson prance through the trailer and display catlike reflexes, replete with digital fur…
– Kat
And, what about the Lion King tie in? Obviously it can’t be an accident that this weekend, of all weekends, is the one that they decide to drop this clip for a movie coming out at Christmas.
So, what, we are supposed to have a subliminal aching to see more digital cat fur once we have seen The Lion King a few times and then, right around the end of the year, suddenly remember, hey let’s go to that Cats movie?!
I have a strange hankering for watching some more digital fur! And hear songs and dance and see cats with hands and hats and some of them wearing clothes.
Oy. Great stars in this one. “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot, has come a long way from ink on paper. Here are the tweets:
Don’t get me wrong, I am down with trips to see the Summer Blockbuster Sequels, Re-makes and Prequels, kids in tow and everyone knowing what to expect.
The Lion King, a film with huge promotion and advertising, and, in spite of the critics complaining about it being a computer generated clone, story wise, will nevertheless kill at the box office, Toy Story 4, an always skillful addition to the long and vaunted story of Toy Story, Spider-man: Far From Home, where nobody knows what number this sequel is, 6(?), by now we just pay and watch.
All of these are perfectly ok, solid summer tent pole fare, and only those living under a proverbial rock could miss seeing them at some point this season.
But an entertainingly ridiculous, and yet dark and even topical film (addressing “toxic masculinity” as a problem and a punch line at the same time), that has no superheroes and no computer generated kitty cats? That, I admit, I did not see coming.
“The Art of Self Defense”, currently in theaters, is the second film by writer / director Riley Sterns and stars Eisenberg who plays Casey Davies, an introverted, passive weakling who, after being attacked by a gang, is inspired to search for self defense methods.
After exploring the possibility of arming himself, he happens across an advertisement for a karate dojo.
This, inevitably, leads to a continuous transformation as the weakling gains not only skills of self defense, but goes on a wild ride into the universe of aggression and toxic masculinity that is at once incredible entertaining, tremendously funny and also, somehow, unsettling. It carries an altered tone in light of the recent explosion of animalistic behavior exposed from the likes of Weinstein, JefferyEpstein, and the guy in the White House.
A SEQUEL TO KARATE KID? Ha Ha, Nope
Alessandro Nivola is spot-on as the charismatic Sensei, while Imogen Poots is the perfect macho-chick foil as Anna, but the film ultimately rests on, and revolves around, it’s identity as the perfect vehicle for Eisenberg’s trademarked awkward, meekness. A meekness that belies a dark, yet thoughtful intensity beneath.
In a world of endless super hero sequels and remakes, I don’t about you, but for this scribe, a dark, intense and absoforkinglutely hilarious indie comedy is a powerfully satisfying and welcome break from all that, and some of the dire realities of our world as well.
Jon Favreau’s new reimagining of the Disney classic “The Lion King”, in spite of a spate of less than stellar reviews, looks to be positioned for a huge opening weekend. Although at CinemaCon, the press were floored by newly released footage from the faux-live-action, photo-realistic movie, the final preview of the completed film in theaters struck many as a hollow, albeit, beautiful. shell.
The expectations appear to have been so high, based on the trailer (above), and the overall powerful impression made by the advanced, computer generated, live action treatment, that an expansion of the impact of the story was highly anticipated.
Instead many reviewers panned the lack of any new pot twists or character revisions, or, at least, any surprises, once the effect of the beauty of the presentation wore off in the full length film.
In spite of any negative impact made by critics, it does seem assured that the momentum of the huge feel-good blockbuster campaign, the vast love for the original movie and the characters and the absolutely unmistakable visual quality will, nevertheless, assure a huge inital turnout.
Favreau’s recreation of the “everything the light touches’’ scene is perhaps not significantly different in content, yet is a new form of experience due to the presentation. This is the iconic scene where King Mufasa explains to his son Simba where and how they rule. Even better, James Earl Jones reprises his roll as King Mufasa, and delivers a commandingly enunciated speech once again.
Similarly, Favreau recently reimagined “The Jungle Book” in pseudo real VFX style. Jungle Book won several awards for its visual effects, including the Academy Award for Visual Effects in 2017. The award winning team returned with Favreau for “The Lion King”.
Classics reimagined
Although Disney has been recreating some of their classic animated movies in hybrid CGI / live action form, technology for a full VFX treatment seems to be catching up with the ideas and nostalgia.
The “re-boot and reimagining” isn’t an uncommon concept in Hollywood. Warner Bros. is reworking a stand-alone Joker origin story prequel, to be released in the fall, for example. But Disney’s new visual interpretations stir excitement and nostalgia all at once. This looks like a fresh and exciting take and I’m looking forward to the full experience.
The Lion King is Opening big in Theaters starting tomorrow
Spider-Man (Sony / Marvel) bested the rest in theaters this weekend with an estimated $45 million take.
In it’s second week in the US, the film took in more than the next three titles combined, including the likes of “Toy Story 4” (Disney-Pixar), “Crawl” (Paramount Pictures) and “Stuber” (Disney). The last two in the top four sport an “R” rating, however.
As our report on the initial Asian release tallies indicated, (see below) the blockbuster sequel should eventually top the $1 billion mark in worldwide box office.
Although “The Lion King“, due to be released state-side on July 18th, will hit a similar demographic, even with the expected loss to the large cat, Spidey should reach that ever more reachable, but still enormous, $1 billion mark.
As a matter of fact, “Far From Home” could eventually top all previous Spider-Man flicks to become the highest grossing entry in the long running franchise.
While “The Lion King” is fully expected to take over the top spot next weekend, if “Far From Home” can hold steady at #2, the future looks bright for the web-slinger’s box office destiny.
In the second biggest initial release totals so far this year, China’s early release of the superhero appears headed skyward. At 46% above “Spider-man: Homecoming” this could be a strong sign for the Stateside release. However, “Homecoming” was released a week after the US, in contrast to “Far From Home’s” advance release in Asia’s largest market.
Spider-Man: Far From Home is the latest installment in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). It will presumably have box-office juice coming hot on the heels of Avengers: End Game (currently, the second highest grossing film of all time, recently surpassing Titanic and only behind James Cameron’s Avatar at 2.8 billion).
Peter Parker takes a little sabbatical from his Queens, NYC Spidey-life and embarks on a European trip with his friends. Somewhere along the way, Nick Fury commissions Spider-Man to uncover mysterious elemental creatures creating havoc across the continent. But, it looks like Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) is on the case!
As an unassuming tourist in Italy. – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Far From Home preview hints at a travelogue format: Europe and the Marvel Universe
Poster showing Venice, Italy – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man fans will also rejoice in the fun little ‘easter eggs’ planted within the film. For example, Parker is seen wearing shades and an upgraded Spidey suit designed by fellow Marvel superhero, Tony Stark.
Stark Designed Stealth-Black Outfit. – Photo / Sony Pictures
New York’s best-known superhero is seen scaling a European wall, in a black makeshift costume. Not quite the black “symbiote” outfit that hatched Venom, but we’ll take it.
In front of the “Brandenburg Gate” in Berlin. – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Far From Home: directed by Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming) and stars Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Jon Favreau reprises his role as Parker’s mentor, Stark’s bodyguard and chauffeur, Harold “Happy” Hogan.
Occasionally we find a video post that we can feature and highly recommend for your viewing. “Between the Lines” is certainly one. This is a cinematic story following the photographic journey of Sacha Specker. It’s an intricate and rewarding relationship between man and the sea that evokes food for thought.
We all stare at the same ocean, however some of us choose to read between the lines.
– Jason Hearn
Produced, directed and shot by Jason Hearn, a highly regarded Director of Photography, born in South Africa, now operating out of London, viewing this short film one has a very strong sense that his heart and soul was put into the ideas, and moreover, the exquisite execution.
We’ve also included his Adventure Sport and Lifestyle Showreel where some of his professional work highlights can be seen.
Poster from Toy Story 3 (2010) Directed by Lee Unkrich
Old Friends meet New Friends
After several writers were replaced and the crew survived a laborious pre-production process, Disney and Pixar are finally back with Toy Story 4. Nearly 25 years old, the original “Toy Story” first hit theaters in 1995.
The first computer generated full length animated film, using the latest and most advanced technology available at that time, it had a budget of “only” $30 million dollars and grossed over $350 million dollars worldwide at the box office.
With all the issues in getting to the screen, Toy Story 4’s releasewas ultimately delayed almost 2 years, originally scheduled to launch in the summer of 2017 but Cars 3 was put in its slot. In 2018, after the aforementioned pre-production and re-writing struggles, a summer release was again pre-empted in favor of Incredibles 2.
“[Toy Story 4] was supposed to come out this year and then they threw out three-quarters of it and rewrote. Usually, it takes – from start to finish – two years. But because they threw most of it in the bin and started over [my time on the project has] been extended a little bit. I’ve done a lot of work on it.”
-Annie Potts (voice of Bo Peep)
Finally and thankfully, this year will be the year. The 4th installment of the storied franchise reunites the whole gang; Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep and Mr. Potato Head.
This time around, Sheriff Woody befriends the newest addition to the cast, a homemade “toy” named “Forky” (although obviously built from a plastic “Spork”). The utensil is Voiced by Tony Hale, best known for his work on television series “Arrested Development” and “Veep”.
Drama ensues as Forky, in an existential crisis, does not want to be a toy, but rather resume life as an eating utensil, as his maker, presumably the spork factory, intended.
Don Rickles, the original voice of Mr. Potato Head, passed away in 2017 but, thanks to the magic of archived audio files, he will still remain the voice behind the beloved character.
Many fans of the first three Toy Story films felt that the third installment had what appeared to be a definite and satisfying conclusion for the “trilogy”, and assumed there would never be a Toy Story 4. Although aware of the skepticism that the fourth installment could extend and conclude in an equally pleasing fashion, the creative team have shown confidence that this is indeed the case. We’ll see in June.
In a side note of interest, there are rumors that numerous Pixar “Easter eggs” are specially and purposefully hidden within the film. Attention to detail, a long standing Pixar speciality, is said to be incredible. Fans of arcane digital minutia will not be disappointed.
Toy Story 4 is directed by Josh Cooley and stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, and Keanu Reeves.
Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4”: in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.
Terminator: Dark Fates reunites Linda Hamilton (Sarah Connor), Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator), and the film’s original director James Cameron in the Producer role. This time, Deadpool director Tim Miller guides the action and the David Goyer (Dark Knight), story.
Photo / Paramount
The story centers around a half-human/half-robot (Mackenzie Davis) who is assigned to protect a young girl from a liquid metal Terminator (Gabriel Luna). The liquid metal terminator isn’t too different from the T-1000 played by Robert Patrick from T2. Hence, Sara Connor (Linda Hamilton) joins the fight. We also see Sara Connor meeting with a T-800/T-850 played by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“It has been nearly 30 years since I last stepped into the shoes of Sarah Connor, a character who definitely changed my life,” she said. “And only a script, a story, a director like this could bring me back into this world — a perfect confluence of events. Once in a lifetime, or maybe twice, an event comes along that you cannot turn away from. And for me, this is that moment.”
The Terminator franchise has had a bumpy go at it. Three films were made without James Cameron’s watchful eye. This is the first film since the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgement Day that will include Cameron’s creative guidance. The three films made between 1991 and now will have no role in Dark Fate’s continuity.
A couple things to note regarding the Terminator timeline: Although the first film was made in 1984, the events in T2 took place in 1995 (it was actually released in 1991), this was the first appearance of future Skynet resistance leader John Connor, as a teenager. (Skynet is the company that somewhat accidentally caused the machines to take over). The timeline can get confusing, and this newest installment will take place in 2022.
Photo / Paramount
Both films consist of a cat and mouse road movie, where a Terminator from the future is sent to “terminate” a human, who is destined one day to hatch the resistance. The first film had Schwarzeneggar as the pro-Skynet Terminator hunting the mother of John Connor (who isn’t concieved yet) . Connor sends a human (from the future) named “Kyle Reese” to protect Sara Connor…and concieve himself. Yeah, I know.
The second film is about Skynet sending another Terminator, this time a liquid metal T-1000 to “terminate” the now conceived, born, and teenage John Connor. But, John Connor sends a reprogrammed T-800 (once again played Schwarzenegger) of his own, to protect himself.
Photo / Paramount
So, with Skynet failing to ‘terminate” it’s targets in the first two movies, we are wondering who the Terminator is going after this time. In the teaser trailer we see a young girl, protected by her own Terminator. A relative of Kyle Reese? I don’t know. See movie for the answer… ;-t
Ali Wong Takes the Leap from Stand-Up To Feature Film Star
Ali Wong and Netflix have produced two successful endeavors together; the hilarious “Hard Knock Wife” and “Baby Cobra“. Both stand-up specials were met with great acclaim. As an artist best known for her behind the scenes work as writer and producer for the TV series ‘Fresh Off The Boat‘, surprisingly, critics immediately lauded her stand-up specials and praised her in the same breath as Sarah Silverman and Chris Rock (who is also Wong’s “Mentor”).
The San Francisco native’s often “blue” and absurd look at the human experience was particularly disarming because the comic was visibly pregnant in both of her specials.
Photo / Netflix
Those specials now bear fruit as the Vietnamese-Chinese American stand-up comic is graduating to feature-film star status in the new Netflix produced Rom-Com “Always Be My Maybe”.
The film tells a story about a man and woman with a “When Harry Met Sally”-feel. The two life long friends haven’t seen each other in years. Sasha (Wong) and Marcus (played by comedian Randall Park) reconnect as adults. Their lives have taken two different routes; Sasha is a successful celeb chef and recovering from a failed engagement, at the same time Marcus is a struggling musician working a day job.
And, just as it seems the long-time friends appear on the verge of a romantic connection – enter Keanu Reeves as Sasha’s new rebound beau (who actually looks hilarious with his iconic “John Wick” character giving us all a mental disconnect). Triangle dram-edy ensues.
Photo / Netflix
“Always Be My Maybe” doesn’t just star Fresh Off The Boat’s Randall Park, but also features Nahnatchka Khan as director. Khan was the creator and served as Executive Producer, and occasional director on the show, which is based on Taiwanese-American restaurateur Eddie Huang’s autobiography.
Ali Wong has also written a compilation of essays entitled Dear Girls—a series of stories about Wong’s wild youth. She is dedicating the book to her young daughters.
“Always Be My Maybe” stars Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Keanu Reeves, and is directed by Nahnatchka Khan.
The film will be available to stream starting May 31st, on Netflix
The world of John Wick is a dark, violent, fast and slippery place. The rapid fire franchise on Wick, a retired hitman seeking vengeance, has resulted in hit after hit at the box office. The movie’s rabid fanbase is fed with a near seamless story, the second movie picks up 4 days after the first, and the third chapter continues right after the second.
Photo / LionsGate
After killing D’Antonio, an Italian Mafia boss, on the grounds of the Continental Hotel known for its neutral, no-kill territory, a contract is placed on Wick. John finds himself fighting for his life (again) with the $14 million dollar bounty for his head. The hit results in the flooding of all the greatest assassins around the world to come for him. Once again, the odds are super stacked against the now “excommunicado” Wick.
Photo / LionsGate
The John Wick movies are known for their bruising, fast paced sequences, gunplay, realistic fight scenes and dark tone. All three films have been directed by Chad Stahelski, who broke into the film business as a stunt coordinator. Stahelski doubled for the late great Brandon Lee after his fatal accident on the set of The Crow.
Brandon Lee was vocal about the lack of realism and craft in fight choreography. This commitment to fantastic realism follows the family line, his father Bruce Lee reinvented the Martial Arts and action film genre. It is also no coincidence that Keanu Reeves studies Martial Arts and performs a lot of his own stunts in the film.
Photo / LionsGate
Keanu Reeves stars as John Wick alongside Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Anjelica Huston, and Ian McShane.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum crashes into theaters May 17th, 2019
Disney’s 1992 animated musical fantasy about a young man trying to win the love of a princess with the help of a genie is back again. The story originated in the 17th century as a collection of Middle-Eastern folktales called “One Thousand And One Nights” also known in English as the “Arabian Nights”. Disney’s latest live action reimagining will make its debut later this month.
Disney’s recent live action reboots have resulted in some fresh and unique films. Disney is using an inventive approach by taking on directors who aren’t previously known for being associated with animation (or even children’s movies). Director/Actor Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Elf, Swingers) re-imagined The Jungle Book to mesmerizing results. Favreau has also been tasked with reworking the soon to be released Lion King, 2019 version.
Photo / Disney
Aladdin’s director Guy Ritchie is best known for his cockney-accented crime comedies Lock Stock And 2 Smoking Barrels, and Snatch. Ritchie was also at the helm for the successful Sherlock Holmes franchise. Ritchie is also known for his sense of character development and narrative.
However, Aladdin is a visual effects driven film, with special effects delivered by the VFX giant Industrial Light And Magic. ILM was founded by George Lucas, and has been responsible for everything from Jurassic Park to Star Wars. This time they were tasked with turning Will Smith into a genie, as well as conjuring his Arabic Golden Age backdrop.
Aladdin initially made its debut at the Grand Rex in Paris on May 8th. Today (May 13th) the film enjoys its first regional premier in Jordan, in the presence of Prince Ali bin Hussein and Princess Rym Ali.
Photo / Disney
Stars, including Will Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott will all be in appearance along with, as mentioned above, Guy Ritchie helming.
Walt Disney studios are scheduled to release Aladdin in 3D, Dolby Cinema, and IMAX on May 24th, 2019*
(*corresponds to the original date of the new Star Wars film “Star Wars IX: The Rise Of Skywalker”)
Scaling a wall near the City of London’s “Gherkin Building” Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Far From Home is the latest installment in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). It will presumably have box-office juice coming hot on the heels of Avengers: End Game (currently, the second highest grossing film of all time, recently surpassing Titanic and only behind James Cameron’s Avatar at 2.8 billion).
Peter Parker takes a little sabbatical from his Queens, NYC Spidey-life and embarks on a European trip with his friends. Somewhere along the way, Nick Fury commissions Spider-Man to uncover mysterious elemental creatures creating havoc across the continent. But, it looks like Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) is already on the case!
As an unassuming tourist in Italy. – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer plays like a travelogue for Europe and the Marvel Universe
Poster showing Venice, Italy – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man fans will rejoice in the fun little ‘easter eggs’ planted within the film. Parker is seen wearing shades and an upgraded Spidey suit designed by fellow Marvel superhero, Tony Stark.
Stark Designed Stealth-Black Outfit. – Photo / Sony Pictures
New York’s most well-known superhero is seen scaling a European wall, in a black makeshift costume. Not quite the black “symbiote” outfit that hatched Venom, but we’ll take it.
In front of the “Brandenburg Gate” in Berlin. – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Far From Home is directed by Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming), and stars Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Jon Favreau reprises his role as Parker’s mentor, Stark’s bodyguard and chauffeur, Harold “Happy” Hogan.
A lot has been made of the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (brought to us by Disney), but, really, the X-Men movies jump-started the Marvel movies. Although these X-Men movies exist outside of the MCU due to 20th Century Fox producing them (Disney recently acquired Fox), the ambitious X-Men movies truly set the stage for the Marvel movie craze to flourish.
It’s rumored that this X-Men movie could be the last Mutant installment (while The New Mutants seem to constantly be postponed, and the Gambit film shelved). So, this could be our last look at a series that has spanned nearly 20 years.
“…the perfect send-off for our X-Men team”
Emma Watts (Vice Chair for Fox), Hollywood Reporter
The X-Men franchise was reinvigorated when “X-Men: First Class” premiered in 2011. It took the key characters in the Mutant canon and relaunched them with an origin story. Older characters Professor Xavier and Magneto that were once played by Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Ian McKellen (Magneto) in X-Men (2000) were then reintroduced, as their youthful selves, by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender.
The wildly successful reboot gave a kick in the pants to Marvel’s Mutant storyline, and it also introduced the world to Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique). Lawrence has remained loyal to the franchise, consistently reprising her star-making role.
Photo / 20th Century Fox
Famke Janssen originally brought the Jean Grey character to life, but this latest and revamped Dark Phoenix story line allows Sophie Turner (of Game Of Thrones) to take the Jean Grey character to the next level.
All the pieces came together when cast members and characters from the first X-men film and the relaunch film fused story lines, and essentially un-did the events of “X-Men: The Last Stand” (a film also centered on the Phoenix storyline).
Dark Phoenix stars Sophie Turner (Jean Grey/Phoenix), James McAvoy (Professor Xavier), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), and Jessica Chastain making her first appearance in the X-Men/Mutant universe.
Dark Phoenix is directed by Simon Kinberg, and rises into theaters June 7th, 2019
Quentin Tarantino’s ode to late-60’s Hollywood is loaded with stars
Quentin Tarantino is on the verge of releasing his ninth movie, “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood”. In a slight departure from his stark early 70s styled crime dramas, this time Tarantino will pay homage to the late- 60’s genre and his love for his hometown, Los Angeles.
The film takes place in 1969 Hollywood, amidst the chaotic events of that year, including the infamous Manson Murders. Much like The Altamont Free Concert, as chronicled in the film Gimme Shelter (with it’s high profile murder during the show), the gruesome, violent Manson murders are often cited as an historical moment marking the end of the free love 60’s and a pivot towards the darker times in the me decade of the 70’s.
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, as an actor on a Western television series alongside Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth, Dalton’s stuntman. The two work and live closely together as they carry out their urban cinematic adventures. The characters and their friendship are said to be based on 70’s icon Burt Reynolds and his stuntman Hal Needham.
Dalton and Booth live next door to Sharon Tate, played by Golden Globe winner Margot Robbie. Other sixties icons help flesh out the milieu of the film including Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, and celebrity hair stylist, Jay Sebring
Tarantino meticulously redressed Hollywood Boulevard, and other LA landmarks to thrust us back into sixties Hollywood. Los Angeles natives visiting the location sets got to experience a blast from the past, witnessing recreated historical exteriors as well as authentic movie posters, displays of old advertisements and vintage logos.
Tarantino recreated vintage storefronts including The Pussycat Theater, Vogue Theater, Peaches Records & Tapes, Larry Edmunds Cinema, and Theatre Bookshop.
Additional Tarantino alums in the cast include; Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern and Kurt Russell. By no accident, in a movie celebrating multiple Hollywood generations, he includes children of past costars, Maya Hawke (Uma Thurman’s daughter) and Rumer Willis (Bruce Willis’ daughter).
Academy Award winning cinematographer Robert Richardson also returns, after working alongside Tarantino in all his films since Kill Bill.
In 2016, Tarantino made news at the Jerusalem Cinematheque when inferred that he was considering retirement stating: “I’m planning on stopping at 10”. The chatty director made this proclamation while presenting a retrospective screening of his second film “Pulp Fiction”. The film that made Samuel L. Jackson a star and revived the career of John Travolta and also won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994, the legendary film festival’s top award.
The film is slated to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Jungle Book director back to recreate the old magic
Disney
Jon Favreau’s new reimagining of the Disney classic “The Lion King” is all the buzz. Recently, at CinemaCon, the press were floored by newly released footage from the faux-live-action, photo-realistic movie.
Favreau’s recreation of the “everything the light touches’’ scene is the most recent reveal. This is the iconic scene where King Mufasa explains to his son Simba where and how they rule. Even better, James Earl Jones reprises his roll as King Mufasa, and delivers the speech once again.
Similarly, Favreau recently reimagined “The Jungle Book” in pseudo real VFX style. Jungle Book won several awards for its visual effects, including the Academy Award for Visual Effects in 2017. The award winning team returned with Favreau for “The Lion King”.
Classics reimagined
Although Disney has been recreating some of their classic animated movies in hybrid CGI / live action form, technology for a full VFX treatment seems to be catching up with the ideas and nostalgia.
The “re-boot and reimagining” isn’t an uncommon concept in Hollywood. Warner Bros. is reworking a stand-alone Joker origin story prequel, to be released in the fall, for example. But Disney’s new visual interpretations stir excitement and nostalgia all at once. This looks like a fresh and exciting take and I’m looking forward to the full experience.
The teaser trailer starts with an aggressively contemporary drone shot of a city. Gotham City? The Batman / Joker origin story trailer propels us into a violent little world of classic cinema references.
And then, the tide turns, and we see gritty, dirty streets and an isolated protagonist writing his thoughts alone; we are in his thoughts, alone. The trailer creeps into Scorsese-like grime with the power of Taxi Driver’s lonely and dramatic tone. The world beats him down.
The music picks up and a version of “Smile” plays (a song that is based on the theme from Modern Times, a Charlie Chaplin movie). Again, we are channeled into another Scorsese movie, the black comedy “The King Of Comedy”. We see comedy clubs, Joker laughs in the audience, a late night host… Was that Robert Deniro? (The star of both Taxi Driver, and The King Of Comedy).
“I used to think my life was a tragedy… but now I realize: It’s a comedy.”
The Joker
Photo / Warner Brothers
The trailer ends with The Joker (Joaquin Phoenix) revealing that he “used to think his life was a tragedy… But now I realize: It’s a comedy.” In Theaters October 4, 2019.
