Wow. It seems only yesterday that I was bemoaning having to don the big glasses and watch another film in 3D. It seemed that it was turning into a tired gimmick. It was an extra cost for films that needed an extra push. And then there’s the films converted to 3D after being shot with standard cameras. I couldn’t recall all the 3D movies I’d seen this past year. And then a master shows us how it’s done. Martin Scorsese’s HUGO (based on the children’s book ” The Invention of Hugo Chabret” by Brian Selznick ) truly utilizes the format to its full potential. With most films, I’ve told friends that the 3D wasn’t necessary. With this film I hope people will make the extra effort ( and spend a bit more ) in order to experience it’s eye-popping wonders. A friend was complaining that Scorsese was slumming by stooping to shoot in 3D. I remembered that Alfred Hitchcock shot DIAL M FOR MURDER at the height of the 3D movie craze of the 1950′s ( after the big box office of HOUSE OF WAX and B’WANA DEVIL ). If Hitch could work with the format, why shouldn’t Scorsese get a crack at it? I think movie goers will be glad he did. 

At the film’s start we’re high above Paris. The camera swoops into the train station. The year is 1930. We meet a pre-teen boy named Hugo ( Asa Butterfield ). It’s revealed that Hugo worked alongside his inventor father ( Jude Law ) who was the custodian of a large museum. They both attempt to activate a small robot called an automaton. It appears that it writes with pen and ink. Their work comes to a halt when the father is killed and Hugo must live with his lush of an uncle,Claude ( Ray Winstone ) who is the clock maintenance man at the station. When Claude goes missing after a bender, Hugo assumes his duties at the station. As he scrambles to survive while servicing the clocks, Hugo must keep two steps ahead of the determined station inspector ( Sasha Baron Cohen ) and his Doberman. The inspector believes that Hugo is a thieving child of the streets. In his adventures Hugo works with a sullen toy shop owner ( Ben Kingsley ) and befriends the man’s god-daughter Isabelle ( Chloe Grace Moretz ). As the two kids explore the city they soon discover the mystery surrounding her Papa Georges.

This barely scratches the surface of all the wonders of the film. The Paris of 1930 is almost another character in the film. HUGO makes a nice companion piece to Woody Allan’s film from earlier this year MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. Both films are meticulous in their recreation of the era and both feature real artists of the time, although there’s more historical cameos in the Allen film. HUGO has yet another cinema brother in the soon to be released THE ARTIST. In one scene Hugo sneaks Isabelle into a cinema where she is dazzled by an American silent film ( kudos to Scorsese for the excellent choice ), while THE ARTIST  is a silent film set around the same period in Hollywood. In this film Scorsese is really able to display and share his passion for the history of cinema. While dazzling us with the sumptuous visuals, Scorsese has not neglected the actors. The film rests on the very capable shoulders of young Butterfield, His Hugo is a smart, resourceful, daring young man. Moretz continues to build a great body of film work as Hugo’s sympathetic sidekick ( and perhaps love interest ). Cohen aptly displays his considerable comic skills ( almost a slapstick silent film clown ) as the comic villain . But the inspector’s not all bad. He pines for the train station flower seller ( Emily Mortimer ), but is embarrassed by the brace on his left leg ( a war injury ). Kingsley gives a very moving performance as the toy peddler who is more than he seems, although his interplay with Hugo makes for some great comedy. Bravo  to the producers for populating the station with some great veteran actors like Richard Griffiths and the great Christopher Lee as a kindly book seller. The film may be a tad too long for the very young ( some were getting a bit fidgety at the screening ), but older kids will be thrilled by Hugo’s daring escapes and adventures. With HUGO Scorsese has wrapped up a delightful cinema gift to us this holiday season and proves that any movie format can work when an artist with passion is behind the lens.

Overall Rating: Four and a Half Out of Five Stars

Well, Harold and Kumar have already taken their 3D shot at Christmas, so it’s time for another 3D flick that hopes to become a holiday viewing tradition. Unlike those two ‘buds’, this one is made for all ages. And it’s animated, but ARTHUR CHRISTMAS is a co-production between Sony Animation and those fine folks from across the pond, Aardman Studios ( the Wallace and Grommit folks ), so it’s got some of that dry British humor which will appeal to the grown-ups . This film follows in the tradition of many holiday flick in that it wants to give you the real low-down on how Saint Nick makes his rounds ( this what THE SANTA CLAUSE , SANTA CLAUS THE MOVIE, and FRED CLAUS all purported to reveal ).

The film opens up on the Claus family’s busiest night of the year. We get to see an entire village serviced by Santa and countless elves. They zip in on a spaceship ( the massive S-1 ) and, like a cross between super-secret agents and wily ninjas they enter homes, disable alarms, and distribute the presents, all without getting detected ( they collect the snacks left for Santa and his reindeer and turn them into bio-fuel for the S-1 ). The slighty befuddled Santa ( Jim Broadbent ) wouldn’t get the job done without the high-tech mission control back at the North Pole  run with precision by the next in line to be Santa, oldest son Steve ( Hugh Laurie ). Oh, and in his own tiny office ( decorated with all manner of Santa stuff ) is his younger brother Arthur ( James McAvoy ), who’s in charge of answering all the letters to Santa. The big man in the big spaceship finally returns ro home base : mission accomplished. Everyone is pleased except Arthur! It turns out that a present didn’t make it on to the ship. Santa and Steve shrug it off-they’ll just ship the gift to the little girl and she’ll get it in a few days. Arthur will not stand for this. There’s a few hours before dawn breaks on the girl’s Cornwall village, so Arthur, with the aid of the retired Grandsanta ( Bill Nighy ) and his old sled Evie ( and reindeer ) embarks on a race against the clock to insure that every child has a very merry Christmas.

The film begins with a bang with the history of the Santa line ( the current one is seventeen ) , then quickly cuts to the elves leaving the S-1 I ( in invisible stealth mode ) and zipping down ropes onto the homes. This sequence is like Bond or Mission: Impossible times a hundred! McAvoy is wonderfully innocent and ernest as the son that just wants to make sure that all the kids are happy. In this film Laurie sounds closer to one of his upper-class twits in ” Black Adder” than Dr. Gregory House. Steve is quite full of himself and has his own Santa suit already whipped up ( a great gag ). Broadbent is terrific as the slightly out of it Santa. It’s a good thing Mrs. Claus ( Imelda Staunton ) is there to keep him focused. The best present here is Nighy as the crotchety, surly Grandsanta he really dislikes all these new fangled gizmos.  Some of his lines are true politically incorrect gems. The character designs are very pleasant and creative ( all those elves! ) and the 3D works well with the bright designs and backgrounds. The film tends to sag a bit when Arhtur’s on his journey, but everything leads up to a rousing and sentimental finale.  A warning : the film is preceeded by a music video of Justin Biebers version of a classic holiday tune. Talk about your lump of coal! Ah, back to the main event-ARTHUR CHRISTMAS  is a tasty holiday treat that has a smart funny script that will keep parents amused while the tykes are enthralled.

Overall Rating : Three and a Half Out of Five Stars

Face front, True Believers! According to our calenders, officially  the first day of Summer is June 21, but movie Summer really starts with the first weekend in May ( sorry FAST FIVE ) especially with the release of a big comic book superhero movie. For the last few years this has featured a hero from the fabled House of Ideas-Marvel. With 2008′s IRON MAN the comic company has been producing their film properties through Marvel Studios ( along with Paramount ). After two Iron Man movie adventures the studio is now tackling another Marvel hero. While Tony Stark was thought of as a second tier character, this big guy has been one of their comic superstars since his introduction in 1962′s Journey Into Mystery number 83-the mighty Thor. The Norse god had primarily been adapted in animation. First in the ( very ) limited animation TV series The Marvel Superheroes by Gantry Lawrence in 1966. He later made appearances on Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and most recently on the Superhero Squad and Marvel Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The only live action attempt was in the 1988 made-for TV movie The Incredible Hulk Returns. In that a former student of David Banner, Donald Blake, was able to channel and materialize an ancient warrior through a battle hammer. This Thor was a viking party animal interested in carousing with very little in common with the comic book character. Growing up, reading of his exploits I didn’t think this updated Norse mythology could be translated to a big live action big screen epic. Like Jon Favreau with Iron Man, an actor has stepped behind the camera to guide him to the muti-plexes : Kenneth Branagh. Would he be able to go from Shakespeare to Stan”the man’ Lee and Jack ‘king’ Kirby. After viewing the end result, THOR, I can only say, “Excelsior!”

This Norse mythology saga starts, oddly enough, in the deserts of New Mexico, USA. A van containing researchers Jane Foster ( Natalie Portman ), Darcy Lewis ( Kat Dennings ), and Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard ) races through the night in order to take readings of the strange atmospheric disturbances. Suddenly the dark skies open and a weird light shines on the desert floor. Driving to the spot, they bump against something-a man. The film then goes back many hundreds of years to a primitive Norwegian village suddenly under attack by the fearsome Frost Giants. Soon a bursting bright light sets forth hundreds of viking warriors to the rescue. They are Asgardians lead by their king, Odin ( Anthony Hopkins ). After a brutal battle ( Odin loses his right eye ), Asgard prevails and Odin takes the Frost Giants’ power source the Casket of Ancient Winters. The years pass. Odin and his beautiful wife Frigga ( Rene Russo ) raise two sons: Thor and Loki. Reaching adulthood, Thor ( Chris Hemsworth ) is chosen by Odin to secede him as king/ ruler of Asgard. The ceremony is interrupted by Frost Giants who attempt to retrieve the casket, until they are thwarted by an enchanted walking armored weapon, the Destroyer. Going against his father’s wishes, Thor along with his brother Loki ( Tom Hiddleston ) and friends the Lady Sif ( Jamie Alexander ) and the Warriors Three: Hogun  ( Tadanobu Asano ), Fandral ( Joshua Dallas ), and Volstagg ( Ray Stevenson ) get the Rainbow Bridge’s guardian Heimdall ( Idris Elba ) to open the portal/ wormhole to the Front Giants’ world of Jotunheim. The fight is stopped when Odin and his guards arrive to take the Asgardians back home. After a heated argument Odin strips Thor of his powers and send him to Earth. Casting a spell on his hammer, Odin sends it to Earth as well. And so we’re caught up as Thor is taken to a hospital by the research team. After he’s released the scientists take him in, although Selvig believes him to be delusional. Meanwhile the hammer’s arrival has attracted many locals who attempt to free it from a rock that where it is embedded. But it can only be retrieved and used by someone worthy of the power of Thor. The hammer has also attracted Agent Phil Coulson ( Clark Gregg reprising his role from the Iron Man films ) and the forces of S.H.IE.L.D., who set up operations around it. Back in Asgard, Odin collapses after an altercation with Loki. The aged ruler is taken to the healing room where he enters the Odin-sleep ( an almost comatose state). Loki assumes the throne. Can he make Thor’s banishment permanent? Will Thor be able to retrieve his hammer and regain his powers? And what will happen to his friends back in Asgard? And what of his new friends on Earth- especially the lovely Ms. Foster?

This all makes for a whole lot of fun at the movies. It turns out that Branagh’s an excellent match for this material. The royal family intrigue is very similar to much of Shakespeare’s work. He also handles the many action scenes with skill as we see this magical hammer in action. Bo Welch does an admirable job of emulating Jack Kirby’s spiralling, shining castles and towers in Asgard. While Krypton has been portrayed in the recent Superman films as jutting, icy stalagmite towers, Thor’s home has a warm golden glow. Relative newcomer Hemsworth does a great job of anchoring the film. He makes Thor’s journey from arrogant brawler to humble, compassionate hero very compelling. If Lawrence Oliver could be the Greek god Zeus in the original CLASH OF THE TITANS, then who better to play his Norse counterpart Odin than Hopkins ( now that Sean Connery’s retired ). And a big welcome back to Ms. Russo in her first movie in over five years.You’ve been missed . I look forward to seeing  you fighting side by side with Hopkins in future adventures. Hiddleston’s a great conniving plotter as the duplicitous Loki. Kudos to the rest of Thor’s Asgardian friends particularly Alexander and Dallas who look like they stepped right out of the comics along with Stevenson ( PUNISHER: WAR ZONE ) as ( the not so-voluminous ) Vostagg and Elba as the imposing Heimdall. On Earth, Denning provides great comic relief as Darcy while Skarsgard brings scholarly gravitas and humor to Dr. Selvig. Portman’s believable as the compassionate scientist, but stumbles a bit while almost swooning over the hunky heroin several scenes. As in previous films, Gregg is a treat as the all-business ( but very funny ) government agent. As mentioned on this sight, another Marvel character makes an appearance here.  And of course like the Iron Man films, be sure to stick around through the end credits for a bonus scene that sets the wheels in place for a future film. I’ve only a couple problems with the film. The switch between Earth and Asgard can be abrupt. The scenes of Loki’s treachery sometimes stop the momentum of Thor’s New Mexico saga. Also the ending does evoke the conclusions of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and the first Spider-Man film. And of course there’s the old 3D situation. Thor was not shot in 3D ( there’s not even a shot of the hammer zooming toward the camera ), so the scene set on the Frost Giant world is very dark and murky. I hope to catch it again in good ole 2D. So, how does this stack up against the other Marvel movies? Well, with SPIDER-MAN 2 being the sublime and ELEKTRA on the other end of the spectrum , I’d place this in the top third, right between the first Iron Man and the Ed Norton Incredible Hulk. Just think only a few weeks till we re-visit those X-Men and a few weeks after that we’ll cheer on that  shield slingin’ first Avenger. This bodes well for a great movie Summer. For Asgard!

Overall Rating: Four and a Half Out of Five Stars

Scientists are constantly exploring the wonders of the human brain, particularly the subconscious. One of the discoveries is that in times of extreme trauma the brain can shut down responses to it’s surroundings and can either erase the experience or retreat into an alternate reality. This is one of the main themes of Zack Snyder’s new film SUCKER PUNCH. Unlike his previous movies, this is not a remake ( DAWN OF THE DEAD ) nor an adaptation of a graphic novel ( 300, WATCHMEN ) although much of the imagery here is inspired by other films, TV shows, animation, and comic books. In PUNCH, Synder’s main heroine enters another reality in her mind. And then another reality within that one( similar to the dream levels in INCEPTION ). Once again Snyder uses state of the art effects to create these different worlds.

The film begins after two theatrical curtains lift to reveal a simple bedroom backdrop. Atop the bed, crying, is a young blond woman of 17 or 18 named Baby Doll ( Emily Browning ). A doctor leaves her mother’s bedroom, shaking his head at Baby Doll’s step father. Baby Doll runs to console her kid sister as the sheet is pulled over their mother’s face. Later the step father seethes with anger as he reads the mother’s will. Everything will go to the daughters. Grabbing his bottle of booze, he storms into Baby Doll’s room. Rebuffing his advances, Baby Doll scratches his face, forces him out of her room, and locks the door. Gazing through the keyhole, she sees him lurching toward the locked closet where her kid sister hides. Baby Doll climbs out her bedroom window and scampers across the ledge to the window of the study. Inside she locates the pistol in a desk drawer. Racing down the hallway, she confronts her step father as he kicks in the closet door. She shakily points the gun at him and fires. The bullet whizzes past him and fatally strikes her sister. At the grave site, the stepfather signs the papers committing Baby Doll to a mental institution. After sedating her, they take her into the asylum where the director Blue Jones ( Oscar Isaac ) assures the step father that she will be lobotomized by the visiting doctor who will arrive in five days. Baby Doll is introduced to Dr. Gorski ( Carla Gugino )  who uses the auditorium stage for her therapy sessions. She encourages the inmates to act out their histories. Here Baby Doll’s mind transforms the stage into a nightclub/brothel. The other inmates, Rocket ( Jena Malone ), her sister Sweet Pea ( Abbie Cornish ), Blondie ( Vanessa Hudgins ), and Amber ( Jamie Chung ) are entertainers, Gorski is their choreographer/director/madame and Blue Jones is the club owner/pimp. Jones wants Baby Doll trained and ready for the arrival of the High Roller ( the lobotomist ) in five days. When Gorski instructs her to dance to some music, Baby Doll goes into a trance. Her mind enters a fantasy where she meets the mysterious Wise Man ( Scott Glenn ) . Before using a samurai sword to defeat three hulking shogun warriors, he explains that in order to gain her freedom she will need five things: a map, the key, fire, a knife, and something she will have to discover. She then awakes back on the dance floor. Everyone is astonished at her skills. Later in the dressing room, Baby Doll lays out her plan and tries to unite them as a team. Sweet Pea hesitates, but soon  reluctantly agrees to help. Working together can these ladies gather the items and bust out of the nightclub/bordello before the High Roller arrives? Or should I say- can they escape the hospital before lobotomy day?

The first scenes that set up Baby Doll’s entrance to the mental institution are played out almost as an old silent movie. Snyder uses a dark, greyed down color palette similar to 300. The hospital and the dance hall are both dreary places ( until the gals are entertaining ). The fantasy battle fields are gritty and grimy also. Each time an item is acquired the ladies go into another mission after getting orders from the Wise Man. After Baby Doll’s Asian themed first outing, they are all plunged into a steam punk version of World War I. Later they storm a medieval castle were Orc-like creatures serve a huge fire-breathing dragon and her offspring. Finally they must board a high speed train and stop a pack of faceless androids from detonating a bomb within a futuristic metropolis. These scenarios should be thrilling, but they become terribly repetitive after the first couple. It’s the ladies making impossible leaps while hacking, slashing, and gunning down endless hordes. In the backstage scenes between the mayhem, the woman are saddled with lots of ridiculous, forced dialogue as they alternately argue with and encourage each other.  The characters other than Baby Doll and Sweet Pea are almost interchangeable. Cornish does her best to be the cynical hard case, but her fights with Browning have very little spark. Gugino is saddled with a clunky Polish accent and has little to do besides tapping her cane. Isaac makes Jones a completely hiss-able , irredeemable thug who’s written like a mustache-twirling villain. You may have read that Jon Hamm is in the film. Be warned, Don Draper fans, that his role is almost a cameo. I’ve admired much of Snyder’s work in the past, but the slow motion suddenly becoming fast speed, the wire work, CGI creatures, and swirling, zooming camerawork quickly became tiresome. As the old saying goes, “full of sound and fury signifying nothing”. Still, I’m looking forward to Snyder’s take on the last son of Krypton. We’ll see if he can create characters that are as interesting as his visual imagination. The ending aspires to be a tribute to “girl power”. That deserves to be lauded and explored in something more substantial than this noisy, overdone video game of a movie.

Overall Rating: Three Out of Five Stars

There’s a reason why many classic fairy tales have stood the test of time. From one century to the next, children find comfort in these stories which often include life lessons-don’t stray from the path, listen to your elders,and so on. Since the beginnings of cinema, filmmakers have used these tales for motion pictures. Most were adapted into short films until Walt Disney made his feature length animated film debut in 1937 with SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES. This opened the floodgates for other studios (and Disney himself) to bring these fables to theatres in full-length films. Aside from a 1963 Mexican live action version and a part of the animated HOODWINKED, Red has not gotten the full big budget screen treatment until now. But Red is not ” little ” this time out. The makers of RED RIDING HOOD have decided to explore more fully the sexual subtext of the tale and so the heroine is now a girl in her late teens on the cusp of womanhood. The big question is whether this simple story can be stretched over ninety minutes.

This fable begins many years ago in the village of Daggerhorn, tucked away in a snowy mountain range. The heroine, Valerie, is off to fetch water when she is surprised by her young friend Peter. They romp away into the forest where they find a rabbit that has been caged in their wooden trap. The two then dare each other to be the one to slit the bunny’s throat! Cut to the townspeople tying up a piglet to a tree stump in the town square. It is an offering to the wolf that haunts them during the time of the full moon. The story then picks up many years later when now teenage Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) surprises Peter (Shiloh Fernandez) as he takes a lunch break at his woodcutting  job. It seems that their childhood friendship has blossomed into love. Unfortunately Valerie’s parents (Billy Burke and Virginia Madsen) have promised her to Henry (Max Irons), the son of a wealthy family. Later Valerie discusses this with her grandmother (Julie Christie) at her home away from the village, deep in the forest. Grandmother then gives her a bright crimson, hooded cloak. The next morning after the first full moon the villagers discover the wolf’s human victim: Valerie’s older sister! The young, jittery village priest, Father Auguste (Lukas Haas) announces that he has sent for an expert in destroying beasts. The men of the village will not wait. They will venture into the woods and kill the creature. Entering a dark, deep cave, the men are separated when the wolf appears. The next day at the tavern the men proudly display the wolf’s head on a spear. But their victory has come at a price - Henry’s father was killed by the beast. The celebrations are soon ended by the arrival of the “expert”, Father Solomon (Gary Oldman) along with his soldiers. He explains that the wolf is not the guilty party. A werewolf has been the cause of their troubles. When killed the wolf reverts back to it’s human form. Solomon then shows them the human hand of a werewolf  he killed-his own wife! It turns out that the next few days is a particularly dangerous time. Every thirteen years the planets align to produce a red, or “blood”, moon. During this time anyone bitten will share the werewolf curse. Solomon believes that the werewolf lives among them in the village. The men brush off his claims and decide to have their big celebratory festival in the village square that night. Of course, there’s no way anything terrible will occur during their party!

First I should give a shout out to the positives of this film- the set direction and costuming are first rate. Daggenhorm is a vaguely Bavarian medieval town and the village square and cottages are right out of classic childrens’ book illustrations as are the clothing (which are not helped by the contemporary hairstyles). The rest of the film is a major misfire. Catherine Hardwicke has made some great modern day films (THIRTEEN  and  LORDS OF DOGTOWN), but really has a difficult time in this ancient setting and with the supernatural elements (as she did with TWILIGHT). She relies heavily on the old horror standbys of things jumping out from out of frame and cranked-up sound effects. David Johnson’s (ORPHAN) script clumsily goes from young lovers pulled apart by their folks to a “who’s the werewolf” mystery straight from the old 70′s B-movie THE BEAST MUST DIE. The many good actors involved here can’t save this disaster. Seyfried’s been an engaging screen presence especially in the adult, thriller CHLOE. Here’s she seems to have taken a couple of steps back in teen scream queen territory. Her large expressive eyes are always on full display here. Fernandez and Irons are the required sensitive bad boy and wimpy rich good boy respectively. Madsen is given little to do as the tough matriarch while Burke’s character is the ineffectual, drunken dad. The still radiant Christie is completely wasted in the role of the wise grandmother who knows more about the best than she admits. Oldman is always interesting to watch. Here he’s the only one in the cast affecting a vaguely German accent. Perhaps that was a way to keep himself interested in this project. He gets to flash his sword and bellow instructions to his crew, but his character is so completely evil as to be a parody. It’s a shame that the producers didn’t try to go for a bit more humor. As the film plays, all the humor is unintentional. Almost like one of Ed Wood’s epics. Unfortunately this film is not nearly as entertaining. What should be a fun riff on a classic story becomes a somber, sluggish march into  teen supernatural romance land.

Overall Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Check out the new, sumptuous poster for RED RIDING HOOD via Apple iTunes. I can really appreciate what the graphic artist did here with the hues, shades and tints surrounding Amanda Seyfried – for me, it’s always about the visuals. Plus, it’s a vast improvement over the original poster the studio released last year. Any thoughts on what or who Seyfried is running from?

Have another look at the trailer…will you be seeing the film in March? Or a little too afraid of the big, bad wolf?

Synopsis:

Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) is a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Max Irons). Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie’s older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Gary Oldman), to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon’s arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon, Valerie begins to suspect that the werewolf could be someone she loves. Panic grips the town as Valerie discovers that she has a unique connection to the beast–one that inexorably draws them together, making her both suspect…and bait.

Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Writer: David Leslie Johnson
Producers: Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julie Yorn
Executive Producers: Jim Rowe, Michael Ireland, Catherine Hardwicke

Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Virginia Madsen, Julie Christie

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, an Appian Way production, a Catherine Hardwicke film, RED RIDING HOOD. The film will be released March 11, 2011 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Visit the film’s official site here and on Facebook here.

Prepare to be SUCKER PUNCHed in this new featurette along with the cast of Zack Snyder’s upcoming epic action fantasy.

Synopsis:

Close your eyes. Open your mind. You will be unprepared. “Sucker Punch” is an epic action fantasy that takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality. Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, and her incredible adventures blur the lines between what’s real and what is imaginary. She has been locked away against her will, but Babydoll (Emily Browning) has not lost her will to survive. Determined to fight for her freedom, she urges four other young girls–the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung) and the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish)–to band together and try to escape their terrible fate at the hands of their captors, Blue (Oscar Isaac), Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino) and the High Roller (Jon Hamm). Led by Babydoll, the girls engage in fantastical warfare against everything from samurais to serpents, with a virtual arsenal at their disposal. Together, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to stay alive. But with the help of a Wise Man (Scott Glenn), their unbelievable journey–if they succeed–will set them free

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Zack Snyder (300 and WATCHMEN), SUCKER PUNCH stars Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jamie Chung, Jena Malone, Carla Gugino, Jon Hamm, Oscar Isaac, and Scott Glenn. The film will be in theaters next year on March 25, 2011.

Visit the film’s official site here, like the film on Facebook here and on Twitter here.

From Terrence Malick, the acclaimed director of such classic films as BADLANDS, DAYS OF HEAVEN and THE THIN RED LINE, comes the first trailer for THE TREE OF LIFE, the impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950′s.

What’s everyone think? Another beautiful film from a genius or just more pretentious Malick garbage?

Synopsis:

The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. Through Malick’s signature imagery, we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life.

From Fox Searchlight Pictures, THE TREE OF LIFE will be in theaters on May 27th, 2011.

In 2005, Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures made box office magic with director Andrew Adamson’s feature film adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE. It’s success prompted them to team up again for the next in the series, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA:PRINCE CASPIAN in 2008. With the new film, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA:THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, several changes have happened with the team behind the scenes . Walden has now teamed up with 20th Century Fox while Michael Apted (COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER) has replaced Adamson as the director. Fortunately for the series fans the changes have not affected the quality of this entry in the fantasy film franchise.

At the film’s start we meet up again with the two youngest of the Pevensie children. Lucy and Edmund are staying with relatives in England while World War II rages (Edmund attempts to enlist) as Susan and Peter go to America. The two Britain based kids are in constant conflict with their obnoxious, selfish cousin Eustace. During a big argument, he pulls a painting from the wall of a ship sailing the ocean waves. Suddenly, water gushes from the picture and engulfs the room. The children swim toward the sunlight and pop up out of the sea in front on the massive ship, the Dawn Treader. On board the Pevensie children are reunited with Prince Caspian and the sword-wielding rodent, Reepicheep. The mouse soon catches Eustace stealing rations and gives the boy a fencing lesson. Caspian and his crew are on a quest to find the lost lords of Narnia. Soon the ship stops at the Lone Islands where they encounter slave traders and a mysterious green mist. Continuing, the Treader crew search for the seven swords of the lost lords and have many adventures along the way.

Like the previous two films, the special effects are state of the art. Reepicheep (last voiced by Eddie Izzard now by Simon Pegg) and Aslan interact seamlessly with their human costars. The mer-peoples that glide along the ship and the green mist that forms faces are very impressive. Of course, I have to mention two marvelous monsters: a gigantic sea serpent that almost crushes the Treader and a winged fire-breathing dragon(who is secretly a transformed human). Some fans may be a bit disappointed that Peter and Susan are relegated to brief cameos, but the funny, spirited performance of Will Poulter as bratty cousin Eustace should delight them. The film is playing at select theatres in 3D, but after seeing some early scenes in regular 2D I can say that the extra dimension is not essential to the story. The film’s a bit long at nearly two hours, but there’s enough adventures and creatures to keep the little tykes interested. I had hoped to be a bit more engaged by the main human characters. We get to see Edmund and Lucy maturing(she envies her older sister), but Caspian seems to be a Sindbad type sea hero in the installment. If you are a fan of the first two Narnia films and enjoy the C.S. Lewis books then you should enjoy this new movie visit to that world of fantasy and adventure.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Hard to believe but in the mid 1980′s the animation department at the Disney Studios was in danger of being shut down. The recent documentary WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY shows the  turmoil there after their big release, THE BLACK CAULDRON, tanked at the box office. Luckily the animation division was able to pull itself up by returning to classic fairy tales and hiring the team of Alan Menkin and the late, great Howard Ashman (fresh from their stage truimph “Little Shop of Horrors”) to inject some big show tunes into them. Soon Disney animation was back on top with the hat trick of THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and ALADDIN. Now after having great success with Pixar’s films, Disney is making an attempt to revive  the musical fairy tale with TANGLED. Will it be a return to their former glories or will it croak at the box office like THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG.

TANGLED is an expanded version of the classic Grimm fairy tale of Rapunzel. The story starts near an unnamed kingdom(maybe Italy?) when a piece of the sun breaks off and lands on earth. A magical glowing golden flowers sprouts where the bit landed and is found by the ancient Mother Gothel. When Gothel reaches for the flower her wrinkles magically disappear and her youth is restored. She covers the flower with a hollow bush and returns periodically to use it’s power. Meanwhile back at the castle, the pregnant queen ‘s health is fading quickly. The king orders a search for the legendary healing golden flower. One of the soldiers finds it and brings it back to Gothel’s horror. After drinking a potion made from the flower, the queen is restored to health and gives birth to a beautiful girl with shimmering blond hair they name Rapunzel. Late one night Gothel sneaks into the nursery to find the flower. She soon discovers that Rapunzel’s hair has the same rejuvenating powers, but not when the locks are sheared(they turn brown). Gothel takes the baby and disappears into the forest, never to be found. The heartbroken king and queen launch floating lighted lanterns into the sky on her birthday in hope that the girl will see them and return. But the years pass as Rapunzel grows up in a huge tower hidden deep in the forest. The young girl believes that Gothel is her mother and will not venture out after Mother tells her of the terrors of the outside world. That all changes on the eve of her eighteenth birthday as Flynn Rider discovers her alone in the tower while eluding the king’s men( he and the Stabbington brothers have taken a jeweled crown). After knocking him out, Rapunzel hides the crown. When he awakes, she tells him that he will get the crown back if he takes her to the kingdom so she may witness the lantern launch up close. They embark on a journey with the king’s soldiers, the Stabbington brothers, and Mother Gothel in hot pursuit.

The film has a much different look than other recent Disney features. Here they’re trying to combine the lush, modeled look of CGI with the hand drawn character stylings of earlier fairy tale features. The gorgeous, bright look of the film works thanks to directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard with a big assist from executive producer and master animation artist Glen Keane. The look and movement of many of the characters is reminiscent of Keane’s work on Ariel, the Beast, and Tarzan. Like Ariel, Rapunzel is a bright eyed, plucky young woman that all the young girls in the audience will identifywith.  Mandy Moore is great as her speaking and singing voice. Ryder Flynn is a lovable rascal like Aladdin and is given voice by TV’s Chuck, Zachary Levi. Mother Gothel, voiced by Broadway vet Donna Murphy, is not as strong a villainess as  previous Disney bad girls(particularly Ursula or Maleficent). She’s wicked, but seems to wield control over Rapunzel in a passive aggressive fashion. Great character work is on display with the two mute animals: Pascal the chameleon and Maximus the white stallion. One scenes has our heroes going to a forest eatery and meeting a motley group of thugs who might be related to the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON vikings. Although the artwork is great I had problems with the simple story of Rapunzel be stretched to feature length. The   chases  and the flood seemed like padding. The film’s not helped by some unmemorable songs. Of course Rapunzel must sing of her desire to explore the world, “When Will My Life Begin”, but it’s no “Part of Your World”. Mother Gothel’s wannabe showstopper “Mother Knows Best” quickly becomes tedious. Luckily “I’ve Got a Dream” is livened up by some great animation of the forest thugs. I found it distracting that these medieval folks were using modern phrases like “downer” and “freak-out”. Perhaps I’m nitpicking too much. The wee ones should enjoy the frantic action and animal antics. I just hope Disney doesn’t give up on these old classics. I think there’s another timeless masterpiece to be brought to the big screen using that old magic that Walt began over seventy years ago.

Overall Rating: Four out of Five Stars

Warner Bros. Pictures has released this clip featuring Harry and Ron from HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1. Enjoy or weep for the film will be in theaters two weeks from today.

Don’t forget to check out and enter WAMG’s MOVIE MAGIC FOR MUGGLES: The Contest where ONE lucky winner will win a Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Prize Pack!

Synopsis:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final adventure in the Harry Potter film series, is a much-anticipated motion picture event to be told in two full-length parts. Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality and destruction–the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart. Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort’s Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. But the one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort…alive. Harry’s only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him. But as he searches for clues, he uncovers an old and almost forgotten tale–the legend of the Deathly Hallows. And if the legend turns out to be true, it could give Voldemort the ultimate power he seeks. Little does Harry know that his future has already been decided by his past when, on that fateful day, he became “the Boy Who Lived.” No longer just a boy, Harry Potter is drawing ever closer to the task for which he has been preparing since the day he first stepped into Hogwarts: the ultimate battle with Voldemort.

Look for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 in theaters and IMAX on November 19, 2010 followed by PART 2 next summer July 15, 2011.

Click here to see the film’s official website, become a fan on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.

© 2010 Warner Bros. Ent.
Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K.R.

Harry Potter characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Ent.  All Rights Reserved.

Here’s the 2nd trailer for 20th Century Fox’s big holiday film, GULLIVER’S TRAVELS.

Synopsis:

In a contemporary re–imagining of the classic tale, Jack Black stars as Gulliver, a big–talking mailroom clerk who, after he’s mistakenly assigned a travel piece on the Bermuda Triangle, suddenly finds himself a giant among men when he washes ashore on the hidden island of Lilliput, home to a population of very tiny people. At first enslaved by the diminutive and industrious Liliputians, and later declared their hero, Gulliver comes to learn that it’s how big you are on the inside that counts.

From director Rob Letterman (SHARK TALE, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS) and starring Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Amanda Peet, Jason Segel and Billy Connolly, the film will be in theaters in 3D on December 22, 2010.

Recently this reporter got chance to look at several completed scenes from the upcoming release THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA : THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER. From the looks of the half hour of footage screened, this newest installment in the series promises just as much visual splendor and swashbuckling adventure as the previous two films

The opening sequence following the main titles sets the action in England during World War II. Edmund Pevensie tries unsuccessfully in enlist in the military and is lead from the recruitment center by his sister, Lucy. She is on the verge of womanhood and tries to copy the flirtatious looks of an older girl she observes on their way home. We soon learn that the war has separated them from Peter and Susan(who is shown writing a letter in the states). When they return to their cousin Eustace’s house, the spoiled cousin taunts Edmund. While they argue, Lucy notices a strange movement in a hanging painting of a ship at sea. When Eustace rips the art from the wall, water seeps out of it and quickly fills the room. The children swim toward the daylight and emerge from the ocean yards from the massive ship, The Dawn Treader. After the three are brought on board, Lucy and Edmund are reunited with Prince Caspian and the sword wielding mouse Reepicheep. Eustace is intimidated by the strange surroundings and the burly minotaurs that work alongside the sailors.

In the next scene viewed Eustace is caught stealing from the food supply room by Reepicheep  who then gives the boy a lesson is sword fighting. Up next is a scene after Eustace has been transformed into a dragon because of his greed and he and the mouse talk on a moonlight beach. In the next scene the two join forces to fight a sea serpent that attacks the ship. Later Lucy comes upon a magical book that turns her mirror reflection into the image of her older sister Susan. After this we see the group(along with a now human Eustace) in a huge banquet hall where a beautiful princess invites them to dine while three of the lost lords of Narnia are in an enchanted sleep at one end of the long table. Finally we meet up with Aslan on a beach next to constant flowing wall of water as the group bids an emotional farewell to one of their who decides to enter Aslan’s kingdom.

The footage is most impressive. The camerawork is solid, the colors pop, and the CGI mixes very well with the live actors. We did not get to view the scenes in 3D, so I can’t give any opinions on how it will look in that process. Although there have been several changes with this entry(Michael Apted replaces Andrew Adamson as director and Fox takes over from Disney ) this film promises to be another entertaining all ages fantasy film.

Distributed by 20th Century Fox and starring Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, along with the voices of Liam Neeson (Aslan) and Simon Pegg (Reepicheep), NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER will be in theaters for this holiday season on December 10, 2010.

For all the latest NARNIA news, visit the film’s official site here and on Facebook here.

One month from today marks the bittersweet beginning of the end with the release of HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1. From Warner Bros. Pictures comes a marathon of new tv spots. So fellow muggles, sit back with a cup of pumpkin juice, chocolate frogs and enjoy!

Here’s the first tv spot from September.

Synopsis:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final adventure in the Harry Potter film series, is a much-anticipated motion picture event to be told in two full-length parts. Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality and destruction–the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart. Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort’s Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. But the one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort…alive. Harry’s only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him. But as he searches for clues, he uncovers an old and almost forgotten tale–the legend of the Deathly Hallows. And if the legend turns out to be true, it could give Voldemort the ultimate power he seeks. Little does Harry know that his future has already been decided by his past when, on that fateful day, he became “the Boy Who Lived.” No longer just a boy, Harry Potter is drawing ever closer to the task for which he has been preparing since the day he first stepped into Hogwarts: the ultimate battle with Voldemort.

Click here to see the film’s official website, become a fan on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.

Look for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 in theaters and IMAX on November 19, 2010 followed by PART 2 next summer July 15, 2011.

© 2010 Warner Bros. Ent.
Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K.R.

Harry Potter characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Ent.  All Rights Reserved.

Well kids, it official. Here’s the press release from New Line/Warner Bros.

OSCAR WINNER PETER JACKSON TO DIRECT “THE HOBBIT” IN TWO INSTALLMENTS
Peter Jackson Set to Direct J.R.R Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” In a Two-Part 3D Production of Extraordinary Scope

(Los Angeles, October 15, 2010) The two films based on “The Hobbit” are now greenlit and will begin principal photography in February 2011, under the direction of Peter Jackson, it was jointly announced today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. and Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

“Exploring Tolkien’s Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience” Jackson says, “It’s an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We’re looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo – and our friends at New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and MGM”.

“Peter is a filmmaker of incomparable ability; having him return to Middle-earth to produce and direct is a dream come true. A true original, Peter is a gifted story-teller, visionary director and pioneer in film technology,” said Emmerich. “Reuniting with Peter, Fran and Philippa truly makes it feel like we are going ‘there and back again.’”

“There is no human being on the planet as qualified as Peter Jackson to direct these films,” said Horn. “Peter is incredibly talented and has the creative vision and experience to bring this beloved property to life in a way that no other filmmaker could. And the team of Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens has proven through their work on the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy that no one is more skilled at transforming Tolkien’s written words into a vibrant, living language that makes the audience believe they are not merely visiting Middle-earth, but actually living in it. We couldn’t be more thrilled and look forward to seeing ‘The Hobbit’ take shape under Peter’s stewardship and the team he is putting together.”

“MGM is excited to move forward and add to the successful ‘Lord of the Rings’ franchise,” said Cooper. “Under Peter’s direction, the films will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the original ‘LOTR’ trilogy and also bring the stories to a new generation of fans.”

Jackson, who directed all three “Lord of the Rings” films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of “The Hobbit” in two parts. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable story-telling to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel to the big screen. Both Hobbit movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience. Jackson also co-wrote the screenplays with Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.

“The Hobbit” is being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with Phillipa Boyens as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer.

The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed LOTR trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, “Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

ABOUT NEW LINE CINEMA:

New Line Cinema continues to be one of the most successful independent film companies. For more than 40 years, its mission has been to produce innovative, popular, profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line produced the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which is a landmark in the history of film franchises. New Line Cinema is a division of Warner Bros.

ABOUT PETER JACKSON/WINGNUT FILMS:

Peter Jackson is one of the world’s most successful filmmakers. His monumental achievement co-writing, co-producing and directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with fellow Academy Award winners and frequent collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) earned a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and 17 Academy Awards. Jackson and Walsh received their first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for their acclaimed film Heavenly Creatures. Jackson, through his New Zealand-based Wingnut Films banner, also was responsible for the globally successful 2005 remake of King Kong which earned over $500 million worldwide and 3 Academy Awards. Jackson most recently directed the Academy Award nominated The Lovely Bones; an adaptation of the acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, which to date has earned nearly $100 million worldwide; and produced the global sensation, District 9, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. He is also developing a trilogy of films with Steven Spielberg based on Tintin, the world renowned comic book series by Herge. In 2010 he received a Knighthood for his services to film.

ABOUT METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS INC.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries. For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.

Check out the new international poster and trailer for the third installment of 20th Century Fox’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER.

Wow. From the looks of it, I really think this might just be the best of the series! What do you think fellow Narnia fans?

Synopsis:

Return to the magic and wonder of C.S. Lewis’ beloved world, via the fantastic Narnian ship, the Dawn Treader. In this new installment of the blockbuster ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ motion picture franchise, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their cousin Eustace and their royal friend King Caspian, find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to the Dawn Treader. As they embark on an incredible adventure of destiny and discovery, they confront obstacles beyond imagination.

Distributed by 20th Century Fox, directed by Michael Apted (COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER,) and starring Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, along with the voices of Liam Neeson (Aslan) and Bill Nighy (Reepicheep), NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER will be in theaters for this holiday season on December 10, 2010.

For all the latest NARNIA news, visit the film’s official site here and on Facebook here.

Source: Collider.com

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with sleep.” And so with a release date of December 10th, how apropos that 2010 marks the 400th anniversary of the bard’s final play, with the date of the first performance of the comedy thought to be on November 1, 1611. Check out the trailer for THE TEMPEST courtesy of iTunes.

Conti, Strathairn, Hounsou, Cooper, Cumming and Mirren…what magic hath Taymor wrought! I really like what she’s apparently done with the film. Helen Mirren is no stranger to Shakespearean film adaptations, having starred in many for both film and television, but, thanks to Julie Taymor’s vision, this is the first time Mirren will play a lead character whose gender was changed from the original play, allowing her to define the classic role from a whole new perspective. Being a Shakespeare enthusiast, I can’t wait for this movie!

Synopsis:

In her big-screen adaptation of Shakespeare’s mystical thriller THE TEMPEST, Academy Award-nominated Julie Taymor (ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, FRIDA, TITUS) brings an original dynamic to the story by changing the gender of the sorcerer Prospero into the sorceress Prospera, portrayed by Oscar winner Helen Mirren (THE QUEEN). Prosper’s journey spirals through vengeance to forgiveness as she reigns over a magical island, cares for her young daughter, Miranda, and unleashes her powers against shipwrecked enemies in this exciting, masterly mix of romance, tragicomedy and the supernatural.

From Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films, THE TEMPEST will be in theaters on December 10, 2010.

Visit the film’s official site here, on Facebook here, and on Twitter here.

Here’s the trailer for ninja, indie film THE WARRIOR’S WAY starring Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush, Dong-gun Jang and Danny Huston.

Synopsis:

THE WARRIOR’S WAY, a visually-stunning modern martial arts western starring Korean actor Dong-gun Jang who plays an Asian warrior assassin forced to hide in a small town in the American Badlands. Rounding out the ensemble cast are Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns), Oscar(R)-winner Geoffrey Rush (Shine), Danny Huston (The Kingdom), and Tony Cox (The Hustle).The fantasy action film was written and directed by newcomer Sngmoo Lee, and is being produced by Barrie M. Osborne (Lord of the Rings), Jooick Lee (Seven Swords) and Michael Peyser (Hackers).

From Rogue Pictures and Relativity Media, THE WARRIOR’S WAY will be in theaters on December 3, 2010.

Visit the film’s official site here, on Twitter here and on Facebook here.

“Nowhere is safe” for Harry, Hermione and Ron in these exclusive, new HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PT1 banners from Yahoo! Movies. Those marketing folks over at Warner Bros. are doing a good job at amping up their campaign into high gear. I’m psyched about it! Let us know what you think about the new banners in our comments section below.

Here’s another look at the newest trailer that debuted earlier this month.

Click here to see the film’s official website, become a fan on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.

Look for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 in 3D and 2D in select theaters and IMAX theaters on November 19, 2010 followed by PART 2 next summer July 15, 2011.

From Yahoo! Movies comes the new trailer for DreamWorks Studios’ sci-fi, action film I AM NUMBER FOUR.

Synopsis:

Three are dead. Who is Number Four? D.J. Caruso (EAGLE EYE, DISTURBIA) helms an action-packed thriller about a teen, John Smith (Alex Pettyfer), who is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. Changing his identity, moving from town to town with his guardian Henri (Olyphant), John is always the new kid with no ties to his past. In the small Ohio town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life-changing events-his first love (Agron), powerful new abilities and a connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.

I AM NUMBER FOUR will be in theaters on February 18th, 2011.

Visit the film’s official site here and on Facebook here.