post

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Gets First Trailer

xmen30f-1-web.jpg
X-Men: Days of Future Past
is not only one of the most anticipated superhero movies in the foreseeable future, it’s also an experiment in what’s to come for world building cinematic universes. Marvel had hopes that The Avengers would soar financially but even they failed to see just how successful their franchise would become. After essentially using their standalone films to promote an eventual team-up movie, interest in seeing separate films eventually come together is a market essentially untapped. Since the one-piece-at-a-time tactic has not been the explicit approach for Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer and Fox Studios are living in a bit of a Petri dish for all to see if their approach to building a cinematic universe on the fly is a box-office success or a flop. If this first trailer, and the internet’s stunned reaction, is any indication, I’d say we’re looking at a winner.

Although this first look is notably light on action set pieces, it properly outlines the very basics of the plot – a time traveling Wolverine must warn 1970s versions of Magneto and Professor X of a coming disaster involving mutant slaying robots. But instead of selling us on the spectacle, it mostly functioning on an emotional, nostalgic level. Stirring our nerdy desire to see the characters from the past six X-Men films share the screen, Days of Future Past looks to fulfill that promise of culmination, or, at the very least, suggest that we have lift off. 

One narrative issue that the trailer suggests is that characters of the future and the past may not share many physical scenes. At least, that appears to be the case for the time being. If that approach is doubled in the film, with each set of characters condoned off into their own “present,” thusly not interacting together as a whole X-Men collective, then the promise of team-ups could come off as deceptive and insincere.

The more likely scenario is that Fox and its constituents are not going to blow that revelatory reunion moment on this first run of a trailer. If anything, it’s a trial run to gauge reaction to the concept. But if the film does end up jumping between narratives of past and present, us audience members might not be getting quite what we want. While keeping the stories largely separate could just work, it does set up a potentially disjointed narrative while also squandering the excitement of having all these actors share the same screen. If Wolverine proves to be the only connective tissue between the two subsets of X-folk, the whole trend towards character acceleration – the propulsion towards more, more, more – may prove to be too little, too late. 

X-Men: Days of Future Past is directed by Bryan Singer and stars Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hoult, Peter Dinklage, Ellen Page, Anna Paquin, Shaun Ashmore, Omar Sy and Evan Peters. It hits theaters on May 23, 2014.

post

Weekly Review 30: MANIAC, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3, THE SHINING

My horror-at-home trend continues as three more join the cult of Weekly Review. While Maniac and Paranormal Activity 2 failed to really excite the terror within me, a massive theatrical viewing of The Shining served as the easy highlight in a week that also involved screenings of The Counselor, Diana, Last Vegas, Blue is the Warmest Color, and 12 Years a Slave.

MANIAC (2013)

maniac_ver5.jpg
After hearing relatively poor things, I decided to give this film a chance because it was on Netflix Instant and had nothing better to do. Although seriously flawed, I certainly found things to like about it and it was an acceptable hour-and-a-half of gory tension. Maniac depends on an uncommon POV conceit that gives the film a bit of unique character but also provides for some of its more embarrassing moments. Moments where Elijah Wood narrates aloud to himself are simply laughable, particularly when he is typing on a “Find Singles Online” type of site and reading aloud to himself like a self-editing elementary-schooler, but the chuckles halt abruptly as scalps start popping off and the blood flows like thick strawberry syrup. As a frothy slasher flick, the gory goods help bandage the less flattering elements, making it watchable, especially for this time of year, in spite of its serious issues.

C-

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 (2011)

film-poster.jpg

While it packs more scares and less predictability than the second installment in the franchise, Paranormal Activity 3 still doesn’t manage to capture the first-time surprise of the original film. This time around though, we’re introduced to some new elements that bump up the intrigue and works in a cliffhanger that actually legitimizes a next chapter but the writing is on the wall. There’s an inescapable sensation of property being wrung for all its worth with this franchise, but that hoodwinking business is kept mostly at bay by a perpetual sensation of unease. I guess I’ll end up watching the fourth.

C+

THE SHINING (1980)

the_shining_poster_by_rustycharles-d4hzyor.png

While Weekly Review typically only covers films that I’ve seen at home, for the first time, my theatrical viewing of The Shining was simply too good not to mention. Viewed at the stunning Cinerama Theater here in Seattle, it was entirely terrifying to hear The Shining‘s haunting, screechy score blast from the surround sound speaker setup, making for an audio assault that completely envelopes the audience with panic and dread. Take that intrusive, stressful score and add it to Stanley Kubrick‘s precisely woozy camerawork and Jack Nicholson‘s eyebrow-dominated face nearly 70-feet wide, grinning like a mad man or dead-eyed and equally terrifying, you better believe it was one of the finest viewing experiences in theaters I can recall. To date, this is still my favorite horror movie as well as one of my favorite films.

A+

What’d you see this week? Leave your own reviews in the comments below!

Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Twitter

post

Sam Raimi Confirmed to Direct ARMY OF DARKNESS 2

Sam_Raimi.jpg
While last week saw Bruce Campbell confirmed to return to his most iconic role as the chainsaw-armed Ash, today sees confirmation that Sam Raimi will step behind the camera and actually direct Army of Darkness 2. Although Raimi’s involvement was a strong possibility, there was no official word as to whether he or 2013’s Evil Dead director Fede Alvarez would helm the project. Now, rest assured that the campy horror maestro is officially directing. News that Raimi will direct comes straight from the horse’s mouth as Alvarez confirmed that he would not be directing and Raimi would via his official Twitter account.

Although Raimi has had a bit of an unpredictable track record of late – and his last film, Oz: The Great and Powerful, was absolutely dreadful The 2013 remake/reinvention of the Evil Dead franchise saw life return to the franchise, life that Army of Darkness 2 looks to capitalize on. Speculation has already started to stir about hopes of “world building” – a tactic that could bring together the events of both the old and new franchise in an Avengers style mash-up.

Whether or not Ash will end up crossing paths with Jane Levy‘s Mia or not, you can rejoice in the fact that Raimi is returning to his bread and butter: campy horror. Raimi build his name around this brand of funny, gory films before stepping in to helm the Spiderman trilogy. 2009’s utterly terrific Drag Me To Hell proved that Raimi can easily jump back onto the saddle and direct horror like the back of his hand. While Army of Darkness 2 won’t see a release date for at least a few years, we can only cross our fingers that it will signal a return to form for the auteur.

Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Twitter

post

Last Trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

The_Hunger_Games_Catching_Fire.jpg
As the November 22 release date marches closer, check out the last slew of promo material for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Sure to be the biggest film of the winter, and one of the biggest films of the year, Catching Fire sees the replacement of director Gary Ross for Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend). Although its financial success is pretty much already in the bag, we’ll see if the director swap will pay off or if a dip in quality will be notable.

Following the events of the first film, Catching Fire returns to the fictional dystopia of Panem where President Snow sends Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawerence) back to the Hunger Game arena for the “Quarter Quell” – a best-of-the-best showdown between former victories from all 12 districts.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is directed by Francis Lawrence and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Jefferey Wright and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It hits theaters on November 22, 2013.

post

New X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Images Promise Lots of Characters

X-Men-Days-of-Future-Past.jpg
New images for Bryan Singer‘s X-Men: Days of Future Past have hit the interwebs in anticipation of the films first trailer, ramping up anticipation from the uproariously popular tease in the Wolverine post-credits. Plot holes be damned, the film will include a time travel story, in order to bring together the bulk of the franchises hero’s, including Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), newcomer Peter Dinklage, who will play villain Bolivar Trask, and many, many more.

Jamming together the old cast of the original X-Men trilogy with the new blood of the critical hit X-Men: First Class, Fox Studios are attempting an Avengers-style scheme of their own. While there’s certainly a lot on the platter, if this gambit works, they stand to make buckets upon buckets of money. While the last three X-Men outings have been a bit of a financial disappointment, it’s easy to say that the future of the franchise rests on the success of Days of Future Past. If it manages to win back old fans while tapping into a new audience, superhero movie popularity could just be starting.

 


Michael Fassbender as Young Magneto


Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique

Patrick Stewart as Old Charles Xavier and director Bryan Singer


Ellen Page as Kitty Pride/Shadowcat and Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman

x-men-days-future-past-picture-7.jpg
James McAvoy as Young Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Young Magneto

x-men-days-future-past-picture-2.jpg
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine

x-men-days-future-past-picture-3.jpg
Peter Dinklage as Boliver Trask

x-men-days-future-past-picture-4.jpg
Michael Fassbender as Young Magneto

x-men-days-future-past-picture-5.jpg
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Michael Fassbender as Young Magneto and James McAvoy as Charles Xavier

X-Men: Days of Future Past is directed by Bryan Singer and stars Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hoult, Peter Dinklage, Ellen Page, Anna Paquin, Shaun Ashmore, Omar Sy and Evan Peters. It hits theaters on May 23, 2014.

post

As Expected, JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT Moves from Crowded Christmas Date

sieu-diep-vien-jack-ryan-tai-xuat-0.jpg
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
s release date has officially been pushed back to January, 17 2014. As speculated, Jack Ryan joins Monuments Men in an all out scramble of recent release date shifts. Here though, nobody was speculating Oscar potential for Kenneth Branagh’s directorial effort, but an extremely promising award season probably has something to do with the delay. The film will likely benefit, by not contending with films like 12 Years a Slave, Nebraska, The Wolf on Wall Street, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and many more that are coming out in the Fall/Christmas season.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit will likely do well in the early 2014 season. Our insatiable hunger for edge-of-your-seat thrillers alongside interest garnered by Tom Clancy’s recent passing should make sure of that. Check it out on its new release date, January 17th, 2013.

Per the synopsis, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit provides an origin story to a known winning franchise:

“Jack Ryan, a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack. Prequel/reboot based on the Tom Clancy character featured in films like The Hunt for Red OctoberPatriot GamesClear and Present Dangers and The Sum of All Fears.”

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is directed by Kenneth Branagh and stars Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner, Nonso Anozie, and David Paymer. It’s currently set up for a Christmas, 2013 release.

Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Twitter

post

Out in Theaters: BAD GRANDPA

“Bad Grandpa”
Directed by Jeff Tremaine
Starring Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Greg Harris, Georgina Cates, Kamber Hejlik, and Spike Jonze.
Comedy
92 Mins
R

badgrandpaposter

Oh Jackass, your combination of filthy jokes, raunchy slapstick, and hidden-camera non-sequiturs are as amusing as they are tasteless. This mixture is the defining factor and key draw for Jackass fans since the days of the TV show that gave the franchise it’s start. Bad Grandpa has this sophomoric concoction in spades, and for those who are willing to suspend their seriousness and not scrutinize the themes to closely, it’s great entertainment. Unlike previous Jackass incarnations though, Bad Grandpa is not a jumbled collection of skits: it has a plot line and defined characters, and dare I say, more depth than any of its predecessors.

 The characters of Bad Grandpa aren’t (completely) unique. Johnny Knoxville reprises his persona as Irving Zissman, foul-tempered and lecherous grandfather who’s penchant for horrible pickup lines, over-the-top geriatric foibles, and deviant public sexuality has proved over and over again to be genuinely disturbing to average bystanders and hilarious to the franchise’s fans. Across from him is Jackson Nicoll who plays Billy, an impressionable youth with tragic prospects and an unchecked mouth, an enfant terrible whose one-liners and crude banter come off as innocent and misguided to anyone not in the joke. With the exception of scattered actors and jackass co-conspirators who help the pair set up their jokes, the true stars are the odd-couple and the confused, sometimes-disgruntled, and always unsuspecting public who get to watch them up close.

The story, although modeled after the sincere and heartbreaking comedy Paper Moon in ’73, starts at first as a vehicle for Zissman and Billy’s raucous stunts and gags. Zissman’s wife Gloria, a frequently raunchy co-conspirator in the other Jackass films played by Spike Jonze, has just died, leaving Zissman finally free to spread his aging oats. Simultaneously Zissman’s daughter, who it is established by Billy in the opening scenes is going to jail for being a crack addict, drops Billy on Zissman in the middle of Gloria’s funeral with instructions to take the boy to his irresponsible father to be taken care of. Although Zissman initially resists, the two eventually form a bond through constant public japery at bystander’s expense and frequent back-and-forths revolving around their unlikely comradely.

badgrandpa5

What distinguishes this from other Jackass films is it’s very conceit of being plot driven. Typically, the lewd pranks Zissman pulls give fans comfortable distance because of their temporary nature: Knoxville does the Zissman bit, the Jackass boys get a good laugh in, and then they cut to a totally unrelated skit. In Bad Grandpa, Knoxville has committed to his role. Zissman, although crude and obtuse, is a character, has a personality, a history, and a future in this film. For all of his vulgarity, he has moments that seem altogether sincere and as his journey with his grandson Billy progresses, you can feel a real connection. It sheaths the normally unconnected jokes in the duo’s inner life and provides a level of depth that, although not enough to constitute character growth or definition, is not nearly as shallow as other Jackass conceits.

The hidden camera jokes in this framework are both the reasons that the film was made and the situational action that moves the internal relationship between Billy and Zissman forward. As such, the real people and their reactions have real impact on the arcs of the scripted characters. These bystanders, comedic “marks”, typically fall into categories: the gullible mark, the disgruntled mark, the apathetic, and the laughing co-conspirator who, although not completely aware of what’s going on, is still in on the joke.  They instigate, they get angry, they play along, and their jaws drop in disbelief, and in many ways they steal the gag. The line between pranker and comic victim becomes blurry in several scenes, and these add a level of enjoyment that suggests the incredible work involved in producing these scenes.

badgrandpa1

All of this – the responsive characters, chemistry, and the wonderful cross-section of American life that Knoxville, Jeff Tremaine and co. were able to film – make for nimble comedy. They have not lost any of their spirit or their awful taste, but the movie feels more mature somehow than the wolf pack that Jackass typically focuses on. The gleeful defiance against the mundane day-to-day that their pranks rely upon feels more refined and the moments of bonding and feeling between Zissman and Billy feel very honest and genuine. From golf courses to junior beauty pageants, the two fail social convention and blunder through any event they find themselves in. Yet, the self-deprecating drama Knoxville and Nicoll embark on seems earnest and heartfelt, and that makes the regular Jackass tropes shine brighter in Bad Grandpa.

Jackass has never pretended seriousness. They consistently play the buffoon and perform painful and self-deprecating stunts to shock bystanders and get belly laughs from audiences. Bad Grandpa is an evolution on the Jackass formula that is quite welcome – almost needed. Knoxville and Nicoll play their roles wonderfully and the gags, the writing, and the concepts didn’t miss a beat. It’s flinch-worthy in plenty of ways, and it has some jokes that don’t fall as well as others. The majority of the jokes are polished and without imperfection, and it feels like Knoxville is coming into a second wind.  What it offers is generously entertaining and an hour well spent, and despite it flaws, it is a fun with something really worthwhile to give.

B+

Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Twitter

 

post

ANCHORMAN 2 Markets By Ice Cream and Trucks

SSS_2.jpg

A new trailer for the much anticipated sequel to the modern comedy classic Anchorman was released today. Perhaps my youthful impressions of the film are clouding my judgement, but this one seems to ramp the stupidity to new heights, which I couldn’t be more excited about.

The trailer shows Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) and friends working for a news station called GNN, in an effort to make the news more fun. Obviously a stab at the state of the sensationalist, entertainment first, state of modern cable news, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues might actually provide a valuable social critique, amongst its many, many, tasteless jokes. It will probably be mostly tasteless jokes though. Anything else would be a colossal disappointment.

Advertising for the film has been bordering on ridiculous, though, possibly threatening to wear out Ron Burgundy’s welcome before the film is even out. Besides the fact that you can’t turn on the TV, without being sold a Dodge Durango by Burgundy, you can now cry over your lost Border Terrier with a carton of Ben and Jerry’s “Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch” flavored ice-cream.

ScotchyScotchScotch_PINT1.jpg

Here’s to hoping a fraction of Anchorman 2’s advertising budget went into the film. If the trailers and talk of copious celebrity cameos are any indication, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues should give its target audience a massive laugh, when it comes out December 20th, 2013.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is directed by Adam McKay and stars Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Harrison Ford and Christina Applegate. It opens on December 20th, 2013

post

First Trailer for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLIDER

captain_america__the_winter_soldier_comparison_by_scorpionsoldier-d5u28bm.jpg

The first trailer for Captain America: The Winter Solider has arrived and, unsurprisingly, it’s looking pretty solid. Following Chris Evan‘s Steve Rogers as he acclimates to living in the 21st century and adjusts to his new position working for S.H.I.E.L.D., the real question is whether this can stand out among the pack if it will just be another solid effort from Marvel. At this point, the studio has a formula for success that’s been working wonders for them. However successful that initial campaign is though, they’ll have to switch gears sooner rather than later if they want to keep proceedings interesting. 

The official synopsis reads:

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

Captain America: The Winter Solider is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and stars Chris Evans, Frank Grillo, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford, Cobie Smoulders, Emily VanCamp, Dominic Cooper, and Toby Jones. It hits theaters on April 4, 2014.

Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Twitter

post

New International Trailer for THE BOOK THIEF

the-book-thief-film-sophie-nelisse

A new international trailer for The Book Thief, a World War II drama adapted by the bestselling novel by Markus Zusak, has been released. This follows 20th Century Fox taking out two whole pages in the New York Times to fill entirely with blank space except for a URL of the film’s website wordsarelife.com in very small print at the bottom of the page. To say that sort of promotional tactic makes an impression is an understatement, and as this international trailer certainly tries to maintain the gravity from the previous trailer. 

With a much less drawn-out introduction than the first released trailer, the inner world of Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nelisse) is given a moment to establish itself alongside the circumstances of her adoption and her recent house guest, but only a moment. Following that, the trailer is all jackboots, burning piles of books, and other horrors of Nazi Germany as Kristallnacht occurs. Liesel is made aware of the devastating consequences not just for her guest, but also for herself if he should be discovered. Bookended nicely by ruminating on Liesel as the Book Thief and what the books mean to her and to her guest, the trailer ends on an even keel that makes you wonder at Liesel’s rebellion and her inner strength.

Directed by Brian Percival (“Downton Abbey”), and co-starring Geoffery Rush, Emily Watson, and Ben Schnetzer, The Book Thief is a clear gambit for the Oscars. The film has Oscars written all over it, although the real test will be to see whether or not it lives up to those clearly-present aspirations. Set to release on November 8th in the USA, it won’t be long before we see if the writing and character development throughout the rest of the film can match the tenor of the notes struck in this trailer.

Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Twitter