Preview, the making of - UP (2009)

This is an interesting video about the creating process of the animated movie UP, as part of Pixar's promotion to get people familiar with the characters and the story.

Source: IGN via FirstShowing

Preview - on the set of "Centurion" (2009)

Here is the first video from the set of Centurion, directed by unstable director Neil Marshall. And by unstable I mean, that he can direct a very bad movie or a very good one, but it's too early to judge. One thing for sure, Olga Kurylenko, as wild warrior from barbaric tribe, is looking gooooooood.

Short synopsis of the film:

The movie, set during the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 117, details the story of Quintus Dias, sole survivor of a Pictish raid on a Roman frontier fort, who marches north with General Virilus’ legendary Ninth Legion, under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the earth and destroy their leader Gorlacon.


Source: Rotten Tomatoes

First brought to International attention in segment The Vampire, from very decent collection of shorts Paris, je t'aime, Olga Kurylenko managed to skyrocket her career with Hitman, Max Payne and as a Bond girl in Quantum Of Solace. Now, when she is famous enough to get leading roles, she is more relaxed, the acting is getting better and she is not annoying anymore. Besides, she has no problem to pose topless for the cameras and I don't know who can have any problem with that.

Trailer - Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

Prepare to hear a lot about this project. Right now it gathers huge positive buzz all over the place and it's just a beginning.

Based on the children's book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, the movie is directed by one mad and eccentric genius - Spike Jonze, which was responsible before for brilliant Being John Malkovich, even more weird but less interesting Adaptation, and for great amount of unique music videos for famous music icons. Not to mention his big involvement in production of outrageous Jackass , and even active participation in number of their pranks.

Needless to say, that his behavior and outstanding abilities as an artist, helped him to acquire many fans and much appreciation. One thing for sure, the film will be very strange and weird. I predict many happy fans and some Oscar nominations.



The last photo is of Spike Jonze himself on the set.

Trailer - Game (2009)

Completely crazy trailer for the next project of Crank's creators, Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor starring Gerard Butler, is available. Right now it's just an Italian trailer for their Game, but I expect more material will appear soon.
The movie is scheduled to be released in September.

Interesting Pictures

First picture is of steaming hot Megan Fox on the cover of the new Empire magazine. Looking forward for the inside pictures of her.


The second pic looks like the first poster for the highly anticipated film 13, a remake of cult French movie 13 Tzameti, and directed by the same director, Géla Babluani.
The original film was fantastic, top notch thriller, and the expectations from the remake are very high.

Trailer - Psalm 21 (2009)

New horror movie from Sweden, that I found via awesome Quiet Earth, that posted the trailer and short synopsis with it:

Psalm 21 is a thriller about Henrik, a modern young priest living in Stockholm. He has nightmares about his dead mother. One day, he recieves word from the coronary in a remote village, deep in the dark woods of Nothern Sweden: his father, a priest himself, has drowned. The circumstances of the drowning are unexplained.

Henrik drives through the endless forests of Northern Sweden up to the desolate village of his father to investigate the circumstances of his demise. As he learns more about the drowning - and about his father - the door to the unknown cracks open. Shadows from the past emerge from the void. They return to our world with one specific purpose.

Revenge.


Trailer Source: Official Website

Trailer (new) - Astro Boy (2009)

After having some economical problems and almost shutting down because of it, the animation studio IMAGI got new sponsor and started to work again to complete their projects.

One of these projects, that almost got abandoned half ready, is animated feature film Astro Boy, based on highly popular TV animated series, which started in '60s, and had additional versions in '80s and 2003. Now, when film's future is secure (lets hope so), a new poster and new trailer for the movie are out.



To see the first teaser and images visit official website.

Movies - Last Seen

Quantum of Solace, USA/UK (2008)

After renewing the Bond franchise with new actor and very decent Casino Royale, that introduced very refreshing approach toward the famous secret agent, the latest 007 film is a two steps back. If only because the story is stupid and painfully unoriginal, using every possible trick available in "clichepedia". Evil and ruthless Generals should already know that when you rape and kill someone's entire family, make sure you killed everyone, because the only child, usually a girl, that you left alive will grow up and will seek revenge. Most secret organizations should learn by now, that discussing plans face to face is much safer than on the phone (or whatever this gadget was) and if you are a main villain in the movie, you better have an evil plan that is actually evil in any way.

The movie is one big mishmash of images and scenes, connected by very bad editing, and it's all sliding very fast on the surface with absolutely no substance to grasp. The result makes a little sense, if any at all, and the movie is simply boring, disappointing and extremely shallow in every aspect. It can hold as simple entertainment, a nice waste of time, but there is really nothing special in it.

6/10


Coffy, USA (1973)

Very cool example of cult Blaxploitation, and also the movie that made Pam Grier a big star.
She really shines in this film with powerful presence and great acting, varying her behavior, facial expressions and display of emotions in remarkable way. She is simply controlling the screen, delivering great lines and showing off her impressive physique with occasional frontal nudity.

The rest of the acting ensemble is also doing good job, with weird characters and grotesque faces. The movie is well made, mixing violence with sex, and adding some political and social elements as well.

There are of course some problems too, like not always coherent narrative and the lack of something so outstanding that will prevent from this movie to age. But it's not there and the film ends up as just outdated classic, like a car that you keep for emotional reasons but it will never drive again.

A must see for everyone who like 70's exploitation genres.

7+/10


Absurdistan, Germany (2008)

Amusing and funny fairytale on the edge of surreal. German director filmed this film in Azerbaijan, with Russian as speaking language, and the result is an allegorical fable with positive message, suitable for any culture or tradition.

The inspirations for Absurdistan are clearly films of Fellini and Kusturica, with the same feeling of magical realism. And although this piece is not in the same league, it is still very pleasant and interesting to watch. Surprisingly good and sweet film that lifts the spirit.

8/10


Martyrs, France (2008)

Easily one of most disturbing movies I ever saw.
The movie is mixing number of familiar horror genre elements, including gore and torture, but there is a big difference between this movie and others with similar elements.
As opposed to Hostel, for example, in which the purpose of torture and sadism is pure nihilism, a torture for the sake of torture, a murder just for excitement and fun, Martyrs has completely different reason.

Behind most brutal sadism and conscious will to hurt and humiliate, behind cold and meticulously systematic infliction of inhumane suffering, behind disturbing disregard and lack of any compassion, lies direct, clear and very selfish purpose. A purpose so vicious and stunning in its deliberate cruelty, that the whole movie seems in completely different light once you realize it.
Great acting is absolutely convincing, the unbelievable situation is shocking and makes you cringe, the ending is brilliant. The watching experience of this film is very powerful, this movie goes to places you never thought it can go, showing pain and fear like you never seen it before.

The film is done very well, very professional. Taking very good decisions, director skilfully manipulates with viewer's emotions, depressing images of violence are delivered by him with certain alienation, sometimes even with cold distance, creating emotional void and apathy, which is mixed with viewer's emotional involvement and automatic reactions to what he sees. But director never uses cheap manipulations, never forcing to take certain point of view. This is usually happens when director trying to force specific moral judgment on the viewer, but not in this film.

Martyrs is very memorable and stays in the mind for a long time. People that easily offended, people that don't like to see any kind of pain on the screen or people that just don't like violence, should not see it. It's better not to see it, than see it and miss the whole point.
Together with The Descent, REC and another French horror À l'intérieur (Inside), this film is a perfect example of how European horror is far more superior than American in last years. And while Hollywood studios still releasing stupid and ridiculous slashers with bunch of half naked girls running from the killer with a knife or from some ghost, this is what we get from Europe - smart and intelligent horror that has no limits in it's cruelty, exploring the very nature of what makes us human and creating strong and unforgettable impact. Well done.

10/10

Uncensored Preview - Crank 2: High Voltage

A lot of cursing and some nudity in this one.




Here is the Red Band trailer, also uncensored.




Watch two behind the scenes clips: First, and Second

Short Animation - La Trilogie Du Chevalet (2008)

Excellent short animated film, using paintings of Renoir, Seurat and Magritte in very original way.