Fast Five, Justin Lin (2011)

Dec. 13, 2010

Official pic of Vin Diesel and the Rock in the latest Fast and the Furious Franchise - FAST FIVE due theaters next year. It's Fast and the Furious in Rio!

Trailer in HD from apple.com:

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/fastfive/

Fast Five trailer in youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bf4oDjHUmkY




Vin Diesel's posts at Facebook confirms new scripts for the 5th and 6th installment of the blockbuster franchise...

Here's a quote from Vin himself in his facebook posting:

If 2009's 'Fast and Furious' was chapter one, what writer Chris Morgan just delivered is Chapter 2 and chapter 3.

I have never been submitted a two story saga from a studio before... it is very exciting, and shows a commitment level that is hard not to respond to.

Excited about the sexy locations the filming of this sag...a would take us... this novel like story, that has twists and unexpected turns that is authentic, truthful and challenging to the characters.

Thor, Kenneth Branagh (2011)

While the incoming super Avengers movie is fast approaching, another hero will be introduced next year for its fans. THOR (Chris Hemsworth) will be out in theaters on MAY 2011 and Marvel Studios is again proud to present in the big screen together with stars like Anthony Hopkins (as Odin) and Natalie Portman (Jane Foster) as Thor's love interest.

Expect Out-of-this-EARTH wild action eye-candy for the greatest Avenger in 3D and 2D in selected theaters!

Official trailer from youtube :




as posted January 13, 2010:

Chris Hemsworth was almost unnoticeable in the latest Star Trek franchise until the role of THOR was given to the guy. Yes he was in A Perfect Getaway with Timothy Olyphant and Milla Jovovich but the film had not so great reviews and probably some TV series that made him to the big screen.

But Kenneth Branagh's latest entry next year is a brave move to present one of Marvel's most anticipated characters to the big screen! Thor will be due 2011... Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, and Samuel L. Jackson co-stars with Hemsworth. Hemsworth also had already signed up for the huge all-star cast AVENGERS movie due 2012.

Principal photography of the movie is already in the works...

Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010)

Chris Nolan's Inception may be his best film to date. Masterful craft of storytelling, the director probably did his most visually stunning, most mind-boggling script ever yet, and near perfectly planting it on film.

The story evolves around master "mind thief" Cobb, Leo di Caprio's character. Instead of pulling out thoughts or ideas from a dream of an individual, for a competitor's advantage, they were assigned to perform an "INCEPTION". A completely opposite heist concept of Cobb's expertise, implanting an idea to a "target" to influence a client's competitor. The premise alone took about an hour for Nolan to present in his film to be able to establish a clear and stable concept of the whole idea for his viewers.

Funny to research on the background of the film, that the earlier stages of the story development was way back in 2001, thus, giving sufficient time for the director to perfect the concepts. It was like Nolan had to go through to all those huge budgeted films like the new and well crafted Batman series, as well as the Prestige and the remake of Insomnia. A pre-requisite to arrive such an "obra-maestra" or his masterpiece.

This is no typical edge-of-your-seat action film from beginning til end since the maestro quilted us the most complex and undeniably the bravest film ever presented. Watching it was like "there was nothing incomparable to the Matrix concept --- until there was INCEPTION! Now that would be a huge challenge for the new filmmakers.

Almost all segments of the film are topics worth a lifetime to discuss: from the recruitment, the concepts of the "premises" for each character (e.g. the Forger, "the Extractor", the Mark", etc.), to the actual mission itself discussing layers of dreams, from Cobb's thoughts and memories, to the different survival solutions of each scenario given..., you would be lingering each and every moment of the film for hours after seeing it.

With Nolan's visuals is Walter Pfister, his ever loyal cinematographer, who worked with him in practically in all his previous films. Basically if Nolan's is the brain then Pfister would be his eyes. Again, shots were stunning and lingers into your brain for some time. This is sheer evidence why visual effects were created and special gadgets were invented to deliver and project such euphoric feeling on film!

In conclusion, an intricate and complex script presented flawlessly and was harmoniously delivered through film as its canvass, Christopher Nolan adds another title to his library of masterworks. In one phrase all I can say for Inception is - it is one feast for the brain.

xXx: The Return of Xander Cage (Rob Cohen, 2011)

Roben Cohen and Vin Diesel's back in XXX, with Samuel L. Jackson's character Agent Augustus Gibbons giving him another tough assignment. Production is on the way with 3D plans for its theatrical viewing.

This will be among Vin Diesel's many sequels/ franchises for the coming years with titles including in his line up: Pitch Black/ Riddick sequel, Fast and Furious franchise,and probably a sequel for Boiler room???

Gordon and Bayani All-Star

Plus: In The Jungle Moymoy Palaboy

The Departed (Martin Scorsese, 2007)

Of all the great Martin Scorsese films i must say, this is the most unoriginal script written (since its a remake; and his second after Cape Fear) and yet became very critically acclaimed due to attaining for the first time his "Best Picture" award in the Oscars.

The film is tightly based from the classic Hong Kong action flick Infernal Affairs where screenwriter William Monahan adapted. Almost all the significant scenes of the Asian version is present. Even to a tiny detail like smashing Leo DiCaprio's cast hand was a mimic from the original film but uniquely portrayed. New twists applied though like the love triangle between Damon-Vermiga-DiCaprio are intelligently injected and definitely improved the flaws of the first one.

What I love about this movie is how Scorsese intelligently presented the film through his own version. Right after viewing the Asian version, I had the chance to view for the "nth" time this remake which is for me a masterpiece by itself. The scenes are not as sequentially the same as Infernal Affairs but Scorsese made a different approach to it, painting the entire Boston community with a dark hue through its gangsters and killings (instead of the typical Hong Kong gangster type of facade). Scorsese also had adapted his film-making style for the new generation moviegoers and still maintained his signature quality style. He even added, as a tribute to the movie Scarface, an X-mark visible in the screen whenever the main characters is about to be killed. The falling of Martin Sheen's body off the building (X found in the steel columns in the background construction), the X-mark on the carpet before Matt Damon's character's death, as well as all of the other main death scenes. All of these just to emphasize the maestro's still in control...

The casts on the other hand, had great performances despite of the seemingly effortless Nicholson, Damon, and DiCaprio. All of them were like born to do each of their respective roles: Frank Costello (Nicholson) being brutal yet sarcastically funny; Collin Sullivan (Damon) deceivingly innocent yet intelligently mischievous; and finally Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) gritty yet charismatic - which in my observation common ironic traits on Scorsese's characters in his films. Ray Winstone also shows-offs his talent here where French, his role, is one of the directors most memorable sidekick characters to date as to Joe Pesci in Goodfellas. Scorsese has been always great in his storytelling about people that his background of his youth is painted all through and through in his films; growing up in the Italian neighborhood in New York where gangsters and wanna-be rich goons became his actual exposure.

The Departed maintained the bloody and gory quality of Scorsese films but blended well with such modern setting and well-crafty presentation. The Irish themed background music also of the film and classic tunes of Mick Jagger flawlessly spread into the scenes where the viewer will be definitely pulled in so much attention to the story. So why not make a review like Raging Bull or Goodfellas where Scorsese was at his best? Simply because a modern Scorsese has been reborn with this film and I want to review this fine work after it has convinced its viewers that this veteran director has still more to offer for us...

Get Him to the Greek (Nicholas Stoller, 2010)

Nicholas Stoller, the director of Saving Sarah Marshall, is back with the funny cast in Get Him To The Greek. Jonah Hill leads the pack with Russel Brand (as the rockstar, of course). The plot is simple: Aaron (Hill) is on a mission: to deliver an out-of-control Rock Star (Brand) from London to LA's Greek Theater for a concert. Expect more hilarious scenes from these two, as these regular sidekicks take a hold of the spotlight this time.


Official Trailer:

Centurion (Neil Marshall, 2010)

                                          (poster from IGN)

Neil Marshall's back in the game with a better entre: Centurion. The film is about a Roman legion in the verge of an ambush and trapped behind enemy lines. Cast includes: Michael Fassbender (of Inglorious Bastards), Dominic West (300, Olga Kurylenko (her latest after Quantum of Solace) and David Morrissey (The Reaping, Basic Instinct 2).

Personally, there will be a lot of Gladiator-like scenes and hopefully a turn around of Neil Marshall's career after his recent flops.

Latest Poster (from Comingsson.net):

Official Centurion Trailer (from IGN/ youtube)

Baryo (John Sayles, 2010)

The very talented John Sayles is currently shooting Baryo, an era film (Fil-Am War setting), which will be released this year. Main casts will be Chris Cooper (Silver City), DJ Squals (Road Trip), and Yul Vasquez. Other veteran Filipino actors will be casted also in the film.

http:

Season of the Witch (Dominic Sena, 2010)

Despite of the recent bad issues, Nic Cage has gone medieval this time with Season of the Witch. Cage is a 14th-century knight who returned with his comrade (Ron Perlman) to transport a suspected witch to a monastery whom they believe could be the source of the Black Plague. Film is set to release March of this year.

Feb 16, 2010:

Latest news update for the film - March 19th date has been moved to a latter date. No definite date yet though has come up... will be keeping an eye on this.


Here's a glimpse of the film:

Wall Street : Money Never Sleeps (Oliver Stone, 2010)

If you haven't seen Wall Street and you'll watch Boiler Room (Ben Younger, 2000) where the actors keep on quoting the movie, you will definitely grab a copy of it be mesmerized of how Oliver Stone can make an instant classic! Well, the director is in his post-prod stage now and has finally set his second installment for us...

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps has a really great trailer to offer us with Shia LeBouf and yes, Mr. Gekko himself, Michael Douglas is back who just got out of prison! Greed is definitely Good!!!

Still fresh from YouTube:

Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks 2012)

Almost 3 years after Charlie Wilson's War, Hanks and Julia Roberts are back in the big screen for Larry Crowne due 2012. Currently setting up locations for this drama-comedy (pre-production stage), the plot is about a man who is forced to reinvent himself and find a new career as he goes through middle age crisis.

This is Tom Hank's second movie after his directorial debut in That Thing You Do way back in 1996. He wrote the script and will also produce through his company, Play-Tone... More updates coming soon!

View its latest trailer (source: youtube.com) :

Spiderman 4 (Marc Webb, 2012)

Sony pictures is officially announcing that they will be moving its sched for Spiderman 4 on a later date. Premise will be that Spidey will be back in high school (is this Marvel's version of DC's Batman Begins and Dark Knight??) taking the franchise into a different direction... Too bad Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire's out of the next three franchise...


Official press release from Sony:

Culver City, CA (January 11, 2010) -- Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012.

Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced today they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises.

The new chapter in the Spider-Man franchise produced by Columbia, Marvel Studios and Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, will have a new cast and filmmaking team. Spider-Man 4 was to have been released in 2011, but had not yet gone into production.

“A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three Spider-Man films that set a new bar for the genre. When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box-office and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise. Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We’re very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter's roots and we look forward to working once again with Marvel Studios, Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin on this new beginning,” said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me. While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job,” said Sam Raimi.

“We have had a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration and friendship with Sam and Tobey and they have given us their best for the better part of the last decade. This is a bittersweet moment for us because while it is hard to imagine Spider-Man in anyone else’s hands, I know that this was a day that was inevitable,” said Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, who has served as the studio’s chief production executive since the beginning of the franchise. “Now everything begins anew, and that’s got us all tremendously excited about what comes next. Under the continuing supervision of Avi and Laura, we have a clear vision for the future of Spider-Man and can’t wait to share this exciting new direction with audiences in 2012.”

"Spider-Man will always be an important franchise for Sony Pictures and a fresh start like this is a responsibility that we all take very seriously," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. "We have always believed that story comes first and story guides the direction of these films and as we move onto the next chapter, we will stay true to that principle and will do so with the highest respect for the source material and the fans and moviegoers who deserve nothing but the best when it comes to bringing these stories and characters to life on the big screen."


Things to look forward to for the film are the casts, the new villains introduced in the new franchise, as well as their new approach in presenting CGI and Special Effects...

As of now John Malkovich is in line for the role of Vulture in the fourth installment which is really something already! Definitely a great character for the veteran actor.

News will be updated further for the pre-production of the film.

January 13, 2010:

Funny while reading an article at Comingsoon.net, Sony's focussing on getting new and young directors for the 4th film. Names that came out for the available position were Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer), Gary Ross (Seabuiscuit), and Michael Bay???

 January 20, 2010:

Marc Webb just confirmed that he's directing the next entry for the popular franchise! The 500 Days of Summer director, has been a Sony bet for the next film and has been exposed to multiple music video gigs. I hope he would be kicking off for more this time!


Next big question will be: who's the next SPIDEY???


March 6, 2010:

Rumor has it that the next Spidey will be 18-year-old Logan Lerman of Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. These rumor was not confirmed but until now no formal announcements of cast has been released.

Here's a trailer from Percy Jackson:

Mel Gibson's gone Viking!

Mel Gibson's current project will be about Vikings and Leo di Caprio's attached to it! From a recent press-con release of his latest project Edge of Darkness, Mel reveals that he'll be very authentic in his next movie and if i may quote he goes: "Whatever the 9th century have to offer. I'm going to give you real!". So let's just expect Norse and Old English dialogues and likewise wild or if I may say barbaric sword fights from this movie...

Let's just have a closer look in the development of the production and I will be posting for more updates soon!

Seven Pounds (Gabriele Muccino 2007)

I've seen this film more than eight times already, yet Seven Pounds never missed to give me that weird feeling at the end of the movie. It was painful to see a guy who successfully kills himself, but also I felt happy for the things he has contributed to those seven chosen people whom at least he thought deserving for his good deed. The movie discusses deep themes of morality, honor, love, and a hundred other sensitive issues, in other words it's a movie of pretty heavy stuff in the emotions. It is presented in a very non-linear form which I've always been a fan of (like most of the Tarantino Films as well as the recent Marc Webb film 500 Days of Summer). Drama in its theme, it captures myself right from the beginning; as Will Smith's character Ben Thomas reports himself of a suicide he's about to commit. I've been intrigued then throughout the movie what the details of the opening sequence is all about. The scenes answers Ben's true character as the film gradually unveils the pain and sufferings of the main character. It was like solving a piece of the puzzle at a time to reveal the entire picture.

Perhaps a lot of the reviews have been discussing on the tiny little details of the flaws of the film, yet for me the film captivates human nature and how feelings are so strong that they tend to bend anything that blocks their way. It is a difficult film about distorting norms to portray honor, love, and nobility. Honor for the victims of the accident -- that Ben felt he's responsible of , helping other people who really deserve a better chance -- motivated by the guilt or pain he's going through, and likewise to love a person unconditionally even by giving away the protagonist's life in the end. The wrongful action in the end through a suicide though is indeed morally wrong, yet through the eyes of Ben Thomas it was totally different. For him it was unfair for the victims of the crash, most especially to the person the he values most in his life. It was like a film on "how to justify a suicide in the most noble way"; which is indeed perfectly ironic. There are other brave movies like Straw Dogs and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that didn't make money in the box office, yet made a success by having their own following like this film.

Gabriele Muccino and Will Smith began working together with The Pursuit of Happyness, and it seems that their relationship as actor-director tandem seem to be perfectly working well. Will Smith probably discovered a different and emotional side of his acting ability working with the Italian-director. Seven Pounds is definitely a character-driven story, as Ben's melancholic face hides a deeper secret to his audience. And he may seem to be over the top for the role, but without Smith's great acting, the movie will be just plain dull and lifeless. The supporting casts had great performances also like Rosario Dawson as the other love interest, and Barry Pepper as the ever-loyal best-friend all contributory to carry out the character of Ben.

Muccino's brave effort to discuss the complexity of story is pretty much well delivered. Despite of a heavy lead actor movie, he didn't go to the main stream which again tries to make a following of its own. A great sample of fantastic filmmaking and highlights memorable scenes. The film is surely not for everyone, but I'm certain enough I'd like to see more of these type of films in the coming decades...

Predators (Nimrod Antal, 2011)

Robert Rodriguez's Predators have began its production since October last year. Nimrod Antal will be the directing, the guy responsible for last year's Armored. Here's one sneak peak with Adrien Brody in a shoot:

source from: Aintitcool.com

Edge of Darkness (Campbell 2010)

What I miss about the old Mel Gibson movies are the gritty, non-stop action, and witty one-liners which were really popular in the 80s and 90s in its genre (Terminator, Die Hard, etc.).

Thanks to Martin Campbell's (Casino Royale) new entry for this year, Edge of Darkness, Gibson's back (with a New Yorker accent?) in this action-thriller event of the year! William Monahan pens the script, while Ray Winstone and Danny Houston supports the cast.

Trailer from YouTube:

The Green Zone (Paul Greengrass 2010)

Greengrass directs, Helgeland pens, with Damon as their lead, what else can you ask for in a war-action flick? Green light will be due March this year.

Trailer from YouTube: