Here is the interview we shared with Martin McDonagh for his new film, In Bruge. Movie opens February 9th at the Magnolia, and then wide on the 15th.
Go see it!
I'm not sure who to blame yet, but Variety reports that Mark Romanek, the talented guy behind One Hour Photo and that kick ass Johnny Cash video HURT, has just dropped out of Universal's big budget remake of Wolfman. Sources report a dispute over the budget (which was $100 million) and creative difference.
Benicio Del Toro fans have kept up with this for some time now, because he has been attached forever and was made for this role. Now it's been halted. Womp. Womp. Get it together Hollywood!
PS Don't tell me that photo of Del Toro doesn't scare the hell out of you.
Fun for all ages(quotes?) is one of those terms that is always greeted with a decent amount of skepticism, especially when it comes to movies. Many people scoff as how can a film simple enough to entertain an eight year old really have enough going on to also capture the mind of an old and weary adult. However, every once and a while a film does indeed come along that grandparents all the way down to elementary students can equally enjoy, usually in the form of a movie that has a both a large amount of fun and smarts. Add a large dose of heart to that winning formula and you have the new film Son of Rambow.
Kids will immediately be drawn to Son of Rambow due to fact the two leads are children. Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) is the quiet and artistic son of a widow who belongs to the Plymouth Brethren, a religious group who practices a simpler way of life. Will is not allowed to watch TV, even at school he must wait outside when his class watches educational videos. Will is not too bummed about this, as this time in the halls allows him the opportunity to draw whatever he would like. However, one day Wills doodling in the halls is disturbed when the clever and always scheming Lee Carter (Will Pouter) is set out in the halls for punishment. Despite being very different on the surface, the boys eventually become friends, mostly through Lees craftiness and Wills wholesome gullibility. Soon, a visit to Lees home causes Will to accidentally see a pirated copy of Rambo: First Blood. Would you like to guess who videotaped this illegal copy. Of course, its that lovable little scamp Lee Carter (haha!). This viewing of Rambo triggers Will imagination, which leads Lee and Will to film a sequel to Rambo, called The Son of Rambow.
Both of the two leads were found during opening casting calls at various schools throughout London, which is a decision that pays off well for the filmmakers as the scenes between the two boys never seem forced or as if they two are only acting like friends. You can tell these kids really had a great time together making the film within the film; these young actors joy translates into much fun and laughter for the audience. You cant help but laugh as the goofy Will goes along with whatever dangerous or silly stunt Lee has in mind for him. Theses scenes will most likely cause the audience members to fondly look back at some of their younger years.
Although the film revolves around two children, adults will find plenty to smile about and keep their attention in the Son of Rambow, as director Garth Jennings brings a refreshing sense of imagination and humor to his latest film. Jennings creates several memorable comedic gags and jokes; there is an especially funny moment involving a flying fake dog and a pair of scissors. Jennings also does a great job of making us remember why it was so great to be a kid with an unspoiled imagination by showing various episodes imagined by Will, including the creation of the plot of his and Lees movie.
Son of Rambow might seem like one of those movies that features an idea that would work best as short film or skit but not meant to be stretched into a feature length film. However, the film remains engaging throughout, containing many opportunities for the audience to laugh as they quietly root for the films leads to complete their project despite the many obstacles that come in their way, including Wills religion and the flamboyantly fashionable French exchange student Didier (Jules Sitruk). The filmmakers certainly have a great time harmlessly making fun of the character of Didier, showing just how silly young people can be in their attempts to be cool.
This summer promises many extravagant action sequences and special effects with the release of many big budget studio films, and Im sure many of these films will be very thrilling and exciting. However, the sweet and enjoyable for everybody film Son of Rambow can serve as a nice heartfelt break for anyone who needs a little breather between this years various summer blockbusters.
Rating: 8/10
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Writers: Sylvester Stallone, Art Monterastelli, David Morrell
Studio: Lionsgate
I'm going to make this very brief, because there is only really one main topic you can discuss when it comes to this character.
The final installment of the Rambo series, which was 20 years in the making, finds Rambo being hired by Christian missionaries (lead by the beautiful Julie Benz) to take them by boat to a village in Burma to aid the wounded. Burma is known for being the most dangerous war zones of our time and innocent people are brutally murdered there by the minute. You can already guess what happens next. The group of missionaries get captured and it's up to Rambo to rescue them before it's too late.
In this review, I'm going to discuss simile. I will be comparing RAMBO with TRANSFORMERS. When watching the trailer for RAMBO, you notice he has his arrow steady at his target, and then he begins his speech, "Live for nothing, or die for something!" If you area Rambo fan, you would obviously know this type of film doesn't focus too much on dialogue. The age demographic 40+ will with out a doubt love it though.
So why the TRANSFORMERS comparison? Well, like TRANSFOMERS, you are not going to see RAMBO for some epic dialogue. You went to see TRANSFORMERS to see huge trucks and buses turn into robots and destroy others alike. As for RAMBO you're here to see John Rambo cut heads off, kill people with his bare hands, and "Let the bodies hit the floor" if you payed attention to detail on the trailer.
The one scene that will forever be embedded in my head is when three soldiers throw landmine-like bombs in some muddy trenches, force civilians to run through to the other side as fast as they can, and bet on who will step on the mine first. Sylvester wanted to show the true nature of what's happening daily in Burma, and he did just that. Some might accuse this film as being too brutal, but again, he wants us to know the disgusting things that these Burmese soldiers are doing to the people in surrounding villages.
It is what it is.
Today I got the opportunity to interview Martin McDonagh. Some of you may know him as the guy who won an Oscar for the short film Six Shooter, but for the ones that live in caves, he's the writer/director of the Colin Farrell/Brendan Gleeson/Ralph Fiennes dark comedy flick, In Bruges. He loves pubs and women! He's just like you and me!
The Invasion
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Jeffrey Jones, and Daniel Craig
Directed by: Oliver Hirschbiegel
In yet another needless reworking of Invasion Body of the Snatchers. Alien germs come to earth via a space shuttle and start taking over human bodies. Psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Kidman) realizes what is going on and using her infected son tries to develop a cure for the contaminated people.
The Invasion had a difficult journey to the screen. The film went though two different directors while shooting and several pushed back release dates. Yet, somehow the film still looks unfinished. Both the music and editing are unpolished, and several scenes look like they were just rough cuts never meant be in the final version of the film. Invasion’s stale story is made even less thrilling and moving by the film’s obvious technical flaws. Although the film does feature some of the best Mountain Dew product placement shots ever captured in a feature length film.
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Starring: Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchel
Directed by: Seth Gordon
This is a documentary about the world of competitive arcade gaming. The film centers on Steve Wiebe’s journey to top current champion Billy Mitchel’s high score in the arcade game Donkey Kong.
Whoever knew Donkey Kong could be so cutthroat or entertaining? Arcade games may not be your thing but the film’s eccentric characters make this an enjoyable and engaging documentary.
Also being released: Daddy Day Camp, Trade, Bordertown, and The Comebacks
It's finally here. After many long, and sometimes very frustrating, hours (days... weeks, actually) the new layout and design is up. There are still a few bugs to work out and a few more features that will be added as the days pass. The whole concept of the redesign was to make it easier for you to get around the site and locate what you're looking for. Hopefully (within the next few days), we will be able to accomplish that.
A little bit of a warning: If you are using Internet Explorer you're most likely having problems with the website due to the fact that IE doesn't know how to keep up with web standards.
Anyway, feel free to leave us some comments about the new layout. Email me at [email protected] if you are having problems.
Here is a look back (for old-times sake):
Visually, there is nothing Michel Gondry cannot do with a video camera. He's like the Macguver of movie making. Give him toilet paper and a glass of water and he'll make that into a visual epic. In this new trailer for his upcoming film Be Kind Rewind, he acts/shoots/and edits (swede if you will) everything from the original trailer, which you can watch HERE. I mean, watching Michel successfully reenact both parts of Jack Black and Mos Def is nothing less than brilliance. Enjoy!
There's lots of buzz floating around with director Matt Reeves talking about making a sequel to his 46 million/highest grossing in January movie, Cloverfield.
If you haven't seen the movie, stop reading here.
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