For me, 3D has pulled its final straw. "Yeeerr outta heeeere"
The Top Gun 3D trailer was released yesterday. Not that you have to watch it for plot points etc, unless you haven't truly lived. (Yep, I said you haven't lived, properly that is, until you have seen Top Gun). It isn't a must, but it is a Tom Cruise movie that has managed to tame the average movie fan for decades.
I have never been a fan of 3D (so this is easy). However I have given certain movies such as Life of Pi the exception. But to further the wallet bill by releasing a movie such as Top Gun is in fact taking the piss! Who needs it? Who asked for it? WHY! The argument here is; if they had of just re-released Top Gun for a week or so, with the 2D concept, I would be more than happy to see it. I don't need 3D to persuade me into believing the flick being re-released is a classic...I know it is. For the soundtrack alone, an maybe the cheesy acting, I would be more than happy to enter a world of nostalgia for 100 minutes.
This unfortunately, is just another step toward a change in filming we don't want to see. Last year they re-released Scarface (2D) for one night. It was one of the best experiences I have had in a cinema. Just to have the opportunity of seeing the rise an fall of Tony Montana on the big screen was exceptional. I did not ask for much more than the basics, and I never will. Obviously Top Gun is on a completely different level to Scarface, but certain movies, depending on how old they are should be simply left alone.
It is like when a director steps up to remake a horror movie...just leave it alone. What ever happened to originality!
So 26 years later, Top Gun is set to be re-released on February 8th. It will be shown in IMAX for one week before it's immediate push to blu-ray. You can Watch the trailer for Top Gun 3D here.
Texas Chainsaw 3D is continuing to out-do the crafty work of both Quentin Tarantino and Peter Jackson.
The box office has released a shocking yet quite predictable outcome in terms of the American audience. Texas Chainsaw 3D is the latest (desperate) attempt at reviving a franchise that is well and truly deceased. The fact director John Luessenhop is calling this a sequel to the 1974 classic is not only laughable, but a clear cut creation that lacks serious initiative. Towering above critically acclaimed movies such as The Hobbit, DjangoUnchained and musical lovers - Les Miserables, Texas Chainsaw has gathered a whopping 23million - Really!
Although Texas Chainsaw has leaped due to its lonesome release in American cinemas, it would be logical for it to fall quickly, unless the audience continue to throw away their money!
I do agree on the positions above as Tom Cruise's latest flick Jack Reacher holds 6th with 9.3million; and rightly so! I am sick to death of seeing the trolls of Tom Cruise claiming this to be so "awesome", really? are we really that gullible? Anyway I am yet to go and see Jack Reacher. Anyone who has please give me an honest review...
My second review also originates from a novel; a huge trend in Hollywood. If inheriting an accomplished book to the big screen reveals a result such as this one, I say keep them rolling.
An Indian boy, a Bengal tiger and a storm to weather helps develop this imaginative story. A writer (Rafe Spall) visits the home of Pi Patel (Irrfan Khan), a man with an apparent "unbelievable" story to tell. Verbally retracing the memories of his childhood, Pi's greatest memory of his father and the zoo he ran is what eventually leads to a tragic incident..
Financial problems hit the family and force Pi's father (Adil Hussain) into gathering the animals and sailing to Canada where he hopes to set up a new zoo. However, a younger Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) seems reluctant to leave India with hopes of returning one day. The movie is visually enhanced when a terrifying storm in the middle of the pacific ocean awaits the death of some, and survival of Pi.
Pi is stunned and some-what hesitant when the boat begins to flood but finds himself on a small boat drifting into the abyss of the ocean. The movie grabs your emotions as the boat as well as the animals on board are swallowed by the sea, as Pi watches is whole life sink beneath him.
The story is then centred on the task at hand as Pi fights for survival against both the ocean and the carnivores in his company. Although the presence of an orangutan and a wild hyena can be dealt with, it is the daunting discovery that his fathers Bengal tiger known as Richard Parker has also survived the wreck. Pi has the extraordinary task of keeping himself alive as well as taming Richard, who to Pi's luck, is getting very hungry.
Ang Lee's novel adaption nit-picks at religion and the portrayal of God depending on your beliefs. Pi represents a teenage boy who prior to his situation, he carries three religions. That is where the beauty of Pi's story is revealed as an incident such as Pi's results in an overly dramatic yet a once in a life times story that people may rightly choose to believe in...but rarely do. Pi continues to express his story in the belief that god helps his survival instincts and that it is he who decides the faith of both himself and Richard Parker.
We see through-out, a desperate attempt at friendship with no love lost as Pi fights for territory of the boat. Suraj Sharma weighs in a fantastic performance as the teenage Pi and will be up for an Oscar although whether Ang Lee's instalment makes it that far is another question (it should). Besides from the centred portrayal from Suraj, the movie is a stepping stone in the visuals department. A rare 3D experience for me and will be for most. From a montage of animals at the intro, right through to the meerkats, wales, the species of the ocean and creatures unknown, Ang Lee has created a plethora of sequences that you will not believe to be CGI. The night time visuals alone make this movie the best and most enjoyable creation I have seen in a few years. Some of the scenes are simply breathtaking.
Life of Pi is getting rave reviews however you will read the odd "troll" talking about the religious perspectives and signs an what the movie truly means. Yes, like I said it supports a rightly so concept of religion but don't think too much of it. For the magical story and enhanced visuals alone will have you lost for words. Maybe afterwards one can nit-pick at the movies true meaning although maybe ones opinion can be pointed more so at the book, by Yann Martel.
There is a climax, a quite unexpected one might I add but an acceptance of brilliance in my view. I have read some critical disappointments in terms of the end but like I said above, if you understand a movie for what it really is and the experience you feel at that moment in time, you won't need to torment your brain too much.
Overall: A fantastic story as expected. Ang Lee brings to life a visual masterpiece and manages to recruit a fine Young actor in Suraj Sharma. Two and a half hours in a 3D cinematic roller coaster, I never wanted it to end!
2011 was a pretty average year for movies. The big screen supplied us with more stinkers than greats! In my last post I listed the top 5 movies of 2011...in my opinion of course...although I was confident most would agree. :)
2012 looks promising. The following is a brief list of 10 exciting movies...and one to AVOID!
Enjoy.
Safe House
Starring: Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds.
Plot: Rookie CIA officer Reynolds is giving the ultimate task when former CIA officer gone fugitive Washington, is captured and taken into a "Safe house". The objective seems more than a simple protection assignment for Reynolds as it seems the law isn't the only group after Washington.
Reason you should see: Denzel Washington has been hiding lately. We all know his talents, particularly as the bad guy. Safe house looks along the lines of Training Day, which isn't such a bad thing. Also it should be good to see Ryan Reynolds play a more serious role...something he couldn't even do in Blade 3. (although it would be unfair to blame the crisis in that movie on one actor alone!)
I do agree in some trailers being awfully deceiving...in this case, I fail to agree.
Released Date: February
Rampart
Starring: Woody Harrelson
Plot: Harrelson plays Dave, a Vietnam vet and current police officer. Dave is as corrupt as they come. Patrolling the streets and dedicating himself to what he believes, is self justice. Dave continues to bend the rules until an incident is caught on camera of him assaulting a bystander.
Why you should see: Woody Harrelson, unfortunately isn't known for appearing in great movies. Sure, the Money train, Kingpin and White men can't jump were fun at the time? But they ain't no classics! Rampart is sure to give Woody the acting credits he deserves. We had "Bad lieutenant" with Nicolas Cage not too long ago but Woody Harrelson as corrupt Dave is going to blow Nicolas cage out of the water, not only for acting, but the overall movie it self.
Release Date: February 10th
The Dark Knight Rises
Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Michael Cain and Gary Oldman
Plot: 8 years have gone by, and Bruce Wayne and Gotham city face bigger problems upon the arrival of one of Batman's most feared enemies... Bane!
Reason you should see: If the trailer isn't a good enough reason for you too see, try sitting down and watching Christopher Nolan's previous work in this fantastic Batman trilogy!
Release Date: July 2012
Project X
Starring: Oliver Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown and Thomas Mann
Plot: 3 high school friends organise an off the hook birthday party to make a name for themselves leading to extraordinary events!
Reason you should see: Well, for the first time, the viewer might actually enjoy a documentary style movie and it is another hilarious comedy from the genius's behind the hangover. A very original looking movie, and once again, to brush off the documentary concept? it's safe to say it's monster free...and ghost if you like.
Release Date:March 2nd 2012
Prometheus
Starring: Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace and Patrick Wilson
Plot: A group of explores find themselves fighting to save the human race...(and themselves of course) after finding an exciting lead into the origins of mankind, leaving them into a terrifying battle across the universe!
Reason you should see: What started out as an "Alien" prequel was quickly squashed. But never the less, Ridley Scott makes this trailer look big....bigger than big! In fact, remember the first "Alien" trailer? of course you do. Prometheus has nostalgic written all over it. Epic.
Release date:June 2012
The Amazing Spiderman
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans
Plot: Peter Parker finds a clue to which he believes can lead him to the disappearance of his parents. His curious path See's him collide with, what could be Spidermans' next arch enemy, Dr. Connors.
Reason you should see: Being a Spiderman fan would a be a pretty darn obvious reason to see this remake, but also, I for one, and I am sure many will cancel plans to see if the spiderman franchise needed to be remade? hmm...one things for sure, the trailer is deliciously convincing.
Release Date: Summer 2012
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
Starring: Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim
Plot: Tim and Eric are two odd balls who receive a hefty loan of a billion dollars to make what they believe is going to be an epic movie. Their plan quickly goes down the drain, leaving both of them promoting a dying shopping mall to pay back the money.
Reason you should see: Because the trailer looks hilarious and very original. The last time I seen something look this ridiculous was Clerks, and Jay and Silent Bob strikes Back. I don't know if I should be aware of the two actors? anyway who cares. It's getting a good build up so far, so fingers crossed, it could be the comedy to see this summer.
Release Date: Summer 2012
Chimpanzee
Starring:.....
Plot: For the first time, cameras capture the life of a Chimpanzee family, focusing on a young chimp in particular, who eventually gets left behind to fend for himself in the Ugandan Rain forest.
Reason you should see: No doubt the documentary to see this summer.
Release Date: Summer 2012
Titanic 3D
Starring: Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet
Plot: A true story covering the tragic events of the Titanic disaster and a love story surrounding it.
Reason you should see: Well one, if you have not seen already, and two to get a chance to see what could be, one of the best attempts at a 3D movie.
Release Date: Summer 2012
The Avengers
Starring: Robert Downy Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johannson etc...
Plot: Finally after the tremendous build up, Nick Fury recruits a group of super humans known as the Avengers, and together they will save the earth. (Very Cartoon dialogue wasn't it?)
Reason you should see: Any fan of Marvel, or if you are just into genuine entertainment? this is for you. This would not be my particular choice of movie, given the fact I sat through "Thor" and "Captain America" last year....but the Hulk and Iron man also star, so hopefully it won't be as cheesey as previous marvel movies. Although I often forget the fact Marvel is now owned by Disney....:(
Release date: USA 4th of May, as for UK and Eire?
And my personal choice on what not to see this year!!!!
