4-11-16 Movie News

        Hello ladies and gentlemen, here is some movie news with some of my thoughts and opinions (which will be in BOLD print). So without further ado...

(NOTE: All of these stories come from comingsoon.net)

        Straight from the MTV Movie Awards, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie and Cara Delevingne have officially revealed the new Suicide Squad trailer featuring all-new footage from the next DC Comics film. You can check it out in the player below! Suicide Squad stars Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness, Focus) as Deadshot, Joel Kinnaman (RoboCop, Easy Money) as Rick Flagg, Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street) as Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney (Divergent, The Water Diviner) as Captain Boomerang, Cara Delevingne (Anna Karenina, Pan) as Enchantress, Karen Fukuhara as Katana, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc, Jay Hernandez as El DIablo, Adam Beach as Slipknot, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, and Jared Leto as The Joker. There’s also mystery roles for Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, Raymond Olubowale, Alex Meraz, Jim Parrack, and Common. Created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru back in 1959, the Suicide Squad team has included countless DC villains among its ranks, including Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Bane, Killer Frost, Poison Ivy, Count Vertigo, Deathstroke, and Harley Quinn. The CW’s “Arrow” introduced their own version of the team in the most recent season of the series and the recent animated film, Batman: Assault on Arkham, offered another version of the team. Directed by David Ayer, Suicide Squad is scheduled for release on August 5, 2016.


        This was a pretty great trailer. It showed a lot of new fottage that really helped explain what the film is going to be about and it is basically what had been rumored for a long time. I loved the new shots we got of The Joker and we also got a new shot of Ben Affleck's Batman and I think he'll be in the film more than a lot of people realize. There were a lot of great jokes in the film and I think this film is going to be absolutely hilarious and quite possibly the most insane film ever to be on the big screen. 



        Warner Bros. Pictures has released new Fantastic Beasts sneak peek at the MTV Movie Awards. You can check out the sneak peek in the player below! Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Colin Farrell, Jenn Murray, Jon Voight, Carmen Ejogo, Gemma Chan and newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident…were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is being produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the blockbuster Harry Potter features; J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves, who scripted all but one of the Harry Potter films; and Lionel Wigram, who served as an executive producer on the last four installments of the franchise. Rowling herself is supplying the screenplay. Warner Bros. Pictures has the first Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them set for a worldwide release in 3D and IMAX on November 18, 2016.

       

        I really loved this trailer. It really feels separate from the Harry Potter universe in a few ways and it did a nice job of subtly hinting that it is apart of a much bigger universe. Eddie Redmayne looks fantastic (no pun intended) and this could be a great role for him. If I had to complain about one thing ti would be the fact that it is using the same theme music from the Harry Potter franchise and I get why, but they could've come up with something new and fresh. 



        Paramount Pictures has released the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 trailer and poster, which you can both view below! Subtitled “Out of the Shadows,” the David Green-directed sequel opens in theaters on June 3. Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael return to theaters this summer to battle bigger, badder villains, alongside April O’Neil (Megan Fox), Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett), and a newcomer: the hockey-masked vigilante Casey Jones (Stephen Amell). After supervillain Shredder escapes custody, he joins forces with mad scientist Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry) and two dimwitted henchmen, Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (WWE Superstar Stephen “Sheamus” Farrelly), to unleash a diabolical plan to take over the world. As the Turtles prepare to take on Shredder and his new crew, they find themselves facing an even greater evil with similar intentions: the notorious Krang. The original film, directed by Jonathan Liebesman, grossed more than $485 million at the worldwide box office. It also starred Danny Woodburn and Tony Shalhoub.

        

        I honestly don't know what to think about this trailer. On one hand it looks really cheesy and flat out corny, but it does look like some fun and I actually laughed quite a bit. I enjoyed the first film for what it was worth, but this one looks like it could be worse. I love the new additions that we are finally getting to see on the big screen such as Krang, Bebop and Rocksteady and I think that's what might push e over the edge to actually look forward to the film. 



        Deadline brings word that Creed star Tessa Thompson is set to join Thor: Ragnarok as both a female hero in the film and Chris Hemsworth’s love interest. You might be thinking that Thor already has a love interest in the MCU in Natalie Portman’s Dr. Jane Foster, but THR takes it a step further and reveals Portman will not be returning for the film. Ironically, Thompson is set to star in the Alex Garland film Annihilation with Portman before starring in the Marvel film. Thompson is also a series regular on HBO’s upcoming Westworld with the Allfather himself, Anthony Hopkins. It’s unclear which hero Thompson will play in the film, but some potential characters include Valkyrie or perhaps the sometimes-good, sometimes-bad Amora the Enchantress. Thor: Ragnarok, aimed to close out the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Asgardian trilogy, will see the return of Chris Hemsworth as the god of thunder with Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Jamie Alexander as Sif, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin. Cate Blanchett is set to play the film’s villain with Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner/The Hulk also set to appear. The “Phase Three” entry recently brought aboard 2013 “Black List” screenwriter Stephany Folsom to work on the script previously written by Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle. Directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Ragnarok is set to open in theaters on November 3, 2017 in 3D/2D theaters and IMAX.

        I really love this casting. Tessa Thompason was so good in Creed and I think she is a great addition to the MCU. I am going to miss Natalie Portman however, but I think we all saw the writing on the wall when she was upset about Alan Taylor replacing Patty Jenkins as director on Thor: The Dark World and she didn't have any fun making that film. I have no earthly idea who Thompson will be playing, but it will be nice to see an interracial relationship on the big screen in such a big film and I can't wait to see how she does. 



        Universal Pictures has announced that Suicide Squad co-star Scott Eastwood has been added to the upcoming Fast 8 cast! The son of Clint Eastwood will be playing a protégé of Kurt Russell’s Mr. Nobody. F. Gary Gray is directing the April 14, 2017 release, which is planned to launch a new trilogy of films. Fast 8 will be followed by a ninth film to be released April 19, 2019 and a tenth film planned to hit theaters April 2, 2021. Fast and Furious 8, 9 and 10 aren’t the only films new that Universal has planned for the franchise, either. It was recently revealed that plans are underway for both Fast and Furious spinoffs and prequels. The cast is confirmed to include franchise regulars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black reprising their roles as street racers-turned-international criminals-turned-super-secret agents. Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson and Kurt Russell are expected to return as well. Charlize Theron is confirmed to play the villain, with Kristofer Hivju as one of her henchmen. Principal photography for Fast 8 is planned to take place in both New York and Atlanta, Georgia. Recent reports suggest that two other possible locations for the film could be the previously-unexplored Russia and Iceland. Besides his work in this summer’s Suicide Squad, Eastwood has supporting roles in Oliver Stone’s Snowden and Ben Affleck’s Live by Night.


        This is pretty interesting casting. Scott Eastwood is a great actor and everything (besides The Longest Ride) he's been good in and I think he is a perfect fit for this franchise. I like how he is a protege for Kurt Ruseell's character and he could be revealed to be his son. I also think this is sorta the way to replace Paul Walker and Scott Eastwood could become a staple in this franchise for the next two films after this. I think he's perfect for the film and I can't wait to see how he fits in. 

        So there you have it ladies and gentlemen, which of these stories peaked your interest or was there another story that interested you? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                                         Jonah Sparks

Weekend Box Office Review 4-8-16 to 4-10-16/ Weekend Preview

        Here are the weekend domestic box office results for the weekend of 4-8-16 to 4-10-16 as well as my 5 key takeaways, as well as my predictions for the top 5 films at the box office this weekend. So without further ado...

Box Office Totals courtesy of boxofficemojo.com

TW	LW	Film	Studio	Weekend	# of Theaters	Total Domestic Gross	Weeks
1	-	The Boss	Universal Pictures	$23,586,645	3,480	$23,586,645	1
2	1	Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice	Warner Bros.	$23,363,079	4,102	$296,613,621	3
3	2	Zootopia	Walt Disney Pictures	$14,345,422	3,444	$296,004,904	6
4	3	My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2	Universal Pictures	$6,476,200	3,027	$46,809,020	3
5	-	Hardcore Henry	STX	$5,107,604	3,015	$5,107,604	1
6	5	Miracles from Heaven	TriStar	$4,706,681	2,783	$53,713,300	4
7	4	God’s Not Dead 2	Pure Flix	$4,054,185	2,354	$14,024,089	2
8	6	The Divergent Series: Allegiant	Lionsgate	$3,517,977	2,503	$61,747,543	4
9	7	10 Cloverfield Lane	Paramount Pictures	$2,905,190	1,886	$67,880,730	5
10	9	Eye in the Sky	Bleecker Street	$2,896,596	1,089	$10,473,110	5

1. In shocking upset, The Boss took the number 1 spot from Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice despite having terrible reviews.

2. Batman v. Superman is pushing along, but the film may not break even at the box office after a combined $400 million production/marketing budget.

3. Zootopia continues to stay strong in the top 3 for the 6th week in a row.

4. The biggest loser of the weekend was Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice as it made 54.5% less than it did last weekend and there was no biggest winner this weekend. 

5. I went 1 for 5 on my predictions.

Predictions

1. The Jungle Book (2016) $75 Million

2. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice $15 Million
3. The Boss $10 Million

4. Zootopia $7 Million

5. Barbershop: The Next Cut $5 Million

        So ladies and gentlemen what do you think of this weekend's box office totals and what are some of your takeaways? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

My Review of Hardcore Henry

        So I recently watched Hardcore Henry and I'm here to bring you my review. So without further ado...







        A man wakes up in a Moscow laboratory to learn that he's been brought back from the dead as a half-human, half-robotic hybrid. With no memory of his former life, a woman who claims to be his wife tells him that his name is Henry. Before she can activate his voice, armed thugs storm in and kidnap her. As Henry starts to understand his new abilities, he embarks on a bloody rampage through the city to save his spouse from a psychopath (played by Danila Kozlovsky) who plans to destroy the world.

       

        This was an amazingly fun film to watch. Now let me just say that this film isn't for everyone for plethora of different reasons, but the main one is because of the first person POV used throughout the entire film. The POV can possibly make you sick if you aren't use to it and the only way you can get used to is by playing video games. The film is nothing but non-stop action and while all of those scenes were fine, they can get a little exhausting and overwhelming. Also the risk of using POV camera style is the shaky camera and with that, there are a few scenes where it is hard to tell what is going on and those points in the film feel sloppy. You don't get to see Henry at all in the film, but the actors you do get to see on screen are pretty great, especially Sharlto Copley who gives his best performance since District 9. There really ins't a story within in the film and there is no structure to it all and at times i t just feels like a bunch of random action scenes were put together to make the film. Overall this film has a lot of fun moments, but you might leave the film sweating profusely after being on the thrill ride for 96 minutes. I give Hardcore Henry a 6.5 out of 10.

        So ladies and gentlemen what did you think of Hardcore Henry, what would you rate it and what did you think of my review? Let me know in the comments below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

My Review of The Boss

        So I recently watched The Boss and I'm here to bring you my review. So without further ado........







        Wealthy CEO Michelle Darnell (played by Melissa McCarthy) always gets her way, until she's busted for insider trading and sent to federal prison. After leaving jail, Darnell finds herself broke, homeless and hated. Luckily, she tracks down former assistant Claire (played by Kristen Bell), the only person who's willing to help. While staying with Claire and her young daughter, the ex-con devises a new business model for a brownie empire. Unfortunately, some old enemies stand in the way of her return to the top.

       

        This is a disaster of a film. Melissa McCarthy is a great actress and she has been in a lot of good films, however this isn't one of those films. The film like her previous films are so predictable and the story is nothing we haven't seen before. The film itself sorta parallels Troop Beverly Hills in a way and that was a way better film than this. Melissa McCarthy is caught playing the same character she played in both Identity Thief and Tammy in which she is a criminal who does all of these horrible things and acts like she's done nothing wrong. One of the main reasons why this is happening so frequently is becasue of the director Ben Falcone who also just happens to be Melissa McCarthy's husband and while there is nothing wrong with him directing the film, it;'s just he doesn't challenge he enough to give better and more believable performances with these same characters. The jokes in the film are pretty funny compared to her other films not directed by Paul Feig, but the same jokes are also prevalent and it just makes the film feel dull and boring. Overall this is just a really stupid and boring film with nothing new or original and Melissa McCarthy continues to be the most unoriginal comedic actor. I give The Boss a 1 out of 10.

        So ladies and gentlemen what did you think of The Boss, what would you rate it and what did you think of my review? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                          Jonah Sparks 

My Top 10 Favorite Films set in the Future

        Films set in the future have settings that are beyond the year they were released, even if that setting is now in the past, and films with a futuristic setting despite of unspecified date. They also include films that are only partially set in the future, in which case the only years of setting listed are those in the future. With that being said I'm going to bring you my top 10 favorite films set in the future. The list will not include films that don't specifically mention a year so no film from the Mad Max franchise. Hunger Games Franchise or A Clockwork Orange. The list will also include the year the film was released and the year the film was set in. So without further ado...





10. Metropolis     Released: 1927   Set: 2026


        If you want to talk about changing the game, then this is the film did just that and it's still hard to top to this day. The film follows Freder (played by Gustav Fröhlich), the wealthy son of the city's ruler, and Maria (played by Brigitte Helm), to overcome the vast gulf separating the classes of their city. Metropolis has a rating of 99% on rottentomatoes.com.




9. Pacific Rim     Released: 2013   Set: 2025


        If you like King Kong and Godzilla fights, but wish they were robots, then this is the perfect film for you and one of the most under-appreciated films in recent memory. Long ago, legions of monstrous creatures called Kaiju arose from the sea, bringing with them all-consuming war. To fight the Kaiju, mankind developed giant robots called Jaegers, designed to be piloted by two humans locked together in a neural bridge. However, even the Jaegers are not enough to defeat the Kaiju, and humanity is on the verge of defeat. Mankind's last hope now lies with a washed-up ex-pilot (played by Charlie Hunnam), an untested trainee (played by Rinko Kikuchi) and an old, obsolete Jaeger. Pacific Rim has a rating of 72% on rottentomatoes.com.




8. The Fifth Element     Released: 1997   Set: 2263


        This film has an all-star cast and it is just a fun, exciting action sci-fi film. In the movie's prologue, which is set in 1914, scientists gather in Egypt at the site of an event that transpired centuries earlier. Aliens, it seemed, arrived to collect four stones representing the four basic elements (earth, air, fire and water) - warning their human contacts that the objects were no longer safe on Earth. A few hundred years later (in the 23rd century), a huge ball of molten lava and flame is hurtling toward Earth, and scientist-holy man Victor Cornelius (played by Ian Holm) declares that in order to prevent it from destroying the planet, the same four elemental stones must be combined with the fifth element, as embodied by a visitor from another world named Leeloo (played by Milla Jovovich). However, if the force of evil presents itself to the stones instead, the Earth will be destroyed, and an evil being named Zorg (played by Gary Oldman) will trigger the disaster. Despite her remarkable powers, Leeloo needs help with her mission, and she chooses her accomplice, military leader-turned-cab driver Korben Dallas (played by Bruce Willis), when she literally falls through the roof of his taxi. The Fifth Element was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing and it has a rating of 71% on rottentomatoes.com.




7. The Matrix     Released: 1999   Set: 2199


        This film literally re-wrote the book on stunt fighting and visual effects. It depicts a dystopian future in which reality as perceived by most humans is actually a simulated reality called "the Matrix", created by sentient machines to subdue the human population, while their bodies' heat and electrical activity are used as an energy source. Computer programmer Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) learns the truth and is drawn in to a rebellion against machines, which involves other people who have been freed from the "dream world". This film is just a beautiful cinematic masterpiece. The Matrix was nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Film Editing, Sound Effects, Sound Editing and Visual Effects, while winning all 4 and it has a rating of 87% on rottentomatoes.com.





6. Alien     Released: 1979   Set: 2122


        This film is literally a space version of Jaws (and we all know how good Jaws is). The film tells the story of the commercial towing spaceship Nostromo, owned and operated by the Earth mega-corporation Weyland-Yutani, is on a return trip to Earth hauling a refinery and twenty million tons of mineral ore, with a seven-member crew in stasis. After Detecting a transmission of unknown origin from a nearby planet, the crew is sent to investigate, but they find that the ship isn't what it seems to be. This film comes to us from one of the greatest Sci-Fi directors of all-time in Ridley Scott. Alien was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects, while only winning for Best Visual Effects and it has a rating of 97% on rottentomatoes.com.




5. Terminator 2: Judgement Day     Released: 1991   Set: 1995


        This film is one of my favorite sci-fi films of all-time. Terminator 2 follows Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton) and her ten-year old son John (played by Edward Furlong) as they are pursued by a new, more advanced Terminator, the liquid metal, shapeshifting T-1000 (played by Robert Patrick), sent back in time to 1995 to kill John and prevent him from becoming the leader of the human Resistance against the machines. An older , less advanced Terminator (played by Arnold Schwarznegger) is also sent back in time to protect John. The film is absolutely mind-blowing and James Cameron proves that he is one of the best director of all-time. Terminator 2: Judgement Day was nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Cinematography, Make-Up, Sound, Sound Editing, Visual Effects and Film Editing while winning 4 (Best Make-Up, Sound, Sound Editing and Visual Effects), it also has a rating of 92% on rottentomatoes.com.




4. Star Trek     Released: 2009   Set: 2387


        This film is awesome and a great addition to the Star Trek film franchise. The film follows James T. Kirk (played by Chris Pine) and Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) aboard the USS Enterprise as they combat Nero (played by Eric Bana), a Romulan from the future who threatens the United Federation of Planets. The Film takes place in an alternate reality due to time travel by both Nero and the original Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy). This is one of the best films in the franchise and I absolutely loved the alternate reality twist. Star Trek was nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Make-Up and Visual Effects, while winning one (Best Make-Up) and it has a rating of 95% on rottentomatoes.com.




3. 2001: A Space Odyssey      Released: 1968   Set: 2001


        This one of the most visually stunning films that I have ever seen. The story deals with a series of encounters between humans and mysterious black monoliths that are apparently affecting human evolution, and a space voyage to Jupiter tracing a signal emitted by one such monolith found on the moon. This film came to us from one of the greatest directors of all-time in Stanley Kubrick and is most remembered for two things 1. It is considered the greatest film never to be nominated for Best Picture and 2. for its villain in the computer known as HAL9000. 2001: A Space Odyssey  was nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Visual Effects, Art Direction, Director and Original Screenplay, while winning only 1 (Best Visual Effects) and it has a rating of 97% on rottentomatoes.com.




2. Blade Runner     Released: 1982   Set: 2019


        This is one of the most visually stunning movie I have ever seen. The film depicts a dystopian Los Angeles in November 2019 in which genetically engineered organic robots called replicants (visually indistinguishable from adult humans) are manufactured by the powerful Tyrell Corporation as well as by other "mega-corporations" around the world. Their use on Earth is banned and replicants are exclusively used for dangerous, menial or leisure work on off-world colonies. Replicants who defy the ban and return to Earth are hunted down and "retired" by police special operatives known as "Blade Runners". The plot focuses on a brutal and cunning group of recently escaped replicants hiding in Los Angeles and the burnt-out expert Blade Runner, Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford), who reluctantly agrees to take on one more assignment to hunt them down. This film is breathtaking and stunning. Blade Runner was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Visual Effects and Best Art Direction and has a rating of 91% on rottentomatoes.com.




1. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan     Released: 1982   Set: 2285


        I'm a huge Star Trek fan (not as big as a Trekkie) and this film is the reason why I am. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan is not only a sequel to Star Trek: The Motion Picture, it is a actually a sequel to an episode in the Star Trek TV series entitled "Space Seed". The plot feature James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise facing off against he genetically-engineered tyrant Khan Noonien Singh (who was the villain in the episode and is played by Ricardo Montalban in both the episode and movie). When Khan escapes from a 15-year exile to exact revenge on Kirk, the crew of the Enterprise must stop him from acquiring a powerful terraforming device named Genesis. The film begins a story arc that continues with Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock and concludes with Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan has a rating of 91% on rottentomatoes.com.

       

        So ladies and gentlemen what are some of your favorite films set in the future and what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard

                                                                                                                                         Jonah Sparks

My Review of The Invitation

        So I recently watched The Invitation and I'm here to bring you my review. So without further ado...







        While attending a dinner party at his former home, Will (played by Logan Marshall-Green) thinks his ex-wife Eden (played by Tammy Blanchard) and her new husband David (played by Michiel Huisman) have sinister intentions towards their guests.

       

        This is a really intense film. If you like films that are slow burning and that have so much tension that you are sitting on the edge of your seat the entire time, then this is the film for you. Karyn Kusama is able to take a relatively simple plot and turn it in so many different directions, that you don't know which way is what and that keeps you guessing and on your toes throughout the film. As mentioned before the film moves at a really slow pace and if you can just get through those moments the film will just get better and better. The film is full of great performances, but the real standout is Logan Marshall-Green who is just absolutely fantastic and it is one of the more bone-chilling performances of the year. With the film having such a slow pace, there are moments that are pretty boring and they are tough to make it though, but the payoff is worth it. The film feels like a horror film due to the tension that builds, but there are some moments where the film tries to be something it's not. Overall this is a film you have to pay attention to and be prepared to go through a grind to get to the final scene. I give The Invitation a 9 out of 10.

        So ladies and gentlemen what did you think of The Invitation, what would you rate it and what did you think of my review? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                           Jonah Sparks

4-5-16/4-6-16 Movie News

        Hello ladies and gentlemen, Since I didn't get to bring you news from yesterday I figured that I would combine today's and yesterday's news (3 stories from each day). So here is some movie news with some of my thoughts and opinions (which will be in BOLD print). So without further ado...


(NOTE: All of these stories come from comingsoon.net)


(4/5/16)

        Walt Disney Pictures has revealed the new trailer for director Steven Spielberg’s highly-anticipated adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic, The BFG. You can check out The BFG trailer below, The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams. Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows. But Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Says Spielberg, “It’s a story about friendship, it’s a story about loyalty and protecting your friends and it’s a story that shows that even a little girl can help a big giant solve his biggest problems.” Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.

        Directed by three-time Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg (Bridge of Spies, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan) from a screenplay by Melissa Mathison (E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, The Black Stallion) based on the best-selling novel by Roald Dahl, The BFG stars three-time Tony Award and two-time Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance, newcomer Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall and Bill Hader. The film is produced by Spielberg, Frank Marshall (Jurassic World, The Bourne Ultimatum) and Sam Mercer (Snow White and the Huntsman, The Sixth Sense) with Kathleen Kennedy (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Lincoln), John Madden (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Shakespeare in Love), Kristie Macosko Krieger (Bridge of Spies, Lincoln), Michael Siegel (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Rise of the Guardians), Frank Smith and Naia Cucukov serving as executive producers. Roald Dahl’s novel was first published in 1982 and has been enchanting readers of all ages ever since. Dahl’s books, which also include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “Matilda,” are currently available in 58 languages and have sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Originally created as a bedtime story, “The BFG” was Dahl’s own favorite of all his stories. The BFG opens in U.S. theaters on July 1, 2016. 2016 is the year that marks the 100th anniversary of Dahl’s birth.


        This was a pretty decent trailer. It wasn't groundbreaking by any means, but it did enough to really sell you on the story. The visual effects you spectacular and the animation done for The BFG  himself look really good. I don't really know much about the story since I haven't read the book, but I';m really looking forward to seeing Stephen Spielberg take on a Dahl novel and bring it to the big screen.



        Waypoint Entertainment and Linson Entertainment announced today that Oscar winner Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) will star in Martin Zandvliet’s (Land of Mine) action-thriller The Outsider. Waypoint Entertainment will finance with Ken Kao (The Nice Guys, Knight of Cups) producing alongside John Linson (Sons of Anarchy) and Art Linson (Heat, Fight Club) under their Linson Entertainment banner. BLOOM will handle international sales. With a screenplay penned by Andrew Baldwin (Bastille Day), principal photography is currently set to begin this fall. Set in post-WWII Japan, The Outsider tells the story of an imprisoned American soldier (Leto) who is released with the help of his Yakuza cellmate. Now free, he sets out to earn their respect and repay his debt while navigating the dangerous criminal underworld. The Outsider will mark Zandvliet’s English-language debut following the success of Land of Mine, which was lauded at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival and acquired by Sony Pictures as a potential awards film this year. For Leto, this will be just the second film for the selective and transformative actor since his Oscar winning turn in 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club. He will next be seen as The Joker in Suicide Squad, which Warner Bros. will release on August 5.

        I really enjoy this casting a lot. Jared Leto is just a phenomenal actor and the fact that he was able to take a break from acting and then in his first film back from his hiatus he wins an Oscar, which if you ask me is pretty impressive. I love how he is keeping himself busy with a lot of new projects and this sounds really intriguing. I think he is the perfect fit for the film and the role he is playing and I cannot wait to see what he does in the film with the role.



        Sony Pictures is developing a new feature film based on the true story of six middle-aged men who decide to mount an expedition to the North Pole. Deadline has the news, reporting that Will Ferrell is set to headline the untitled project, based on a recent article by Guy Lawson, published last month in the pages of The New York Times Magazine. Titled “An Insurance Salesman and a Doctor Walk Into a Bar, and End Up at the North Pole: The Story of an Accidentally Pioneering Expedition,” the article explores a 1968 expedition led by insurance salesman Ralph Plaisted. He and his team managed to become the first undisputed individuals to make it to the North Pole by surface travel. “His six-man second try, which included a lawyer, a schoolteacher, a doctor and a movie cameraman, relied on four 16-horsepower Bombardier Ski-Doo snowmobiles,” reads The Washington Post’s 2008 obituary for Plaisted. “The 40-year-old adventurer had backing from 50 companies, which donated $132,000, as well as $70,000 worth of equipment, including synthetic outfits based on Eskimo designs.” Although no writer or director is, as of yet, attached to the project, it’s easy to see how the everyman adventure will translate well to the big screen. “Traveling through the twilight of the late arctic winter, the men encountered frozen fiords as well as daunting ice ridges more than 40 feet high,” continues the obituary. “Often they had to shove their 250-pound snowmobiles up and over steep inclines by hand. At times, men and machines fell through the ice. Once, they were confined to their tents for six days, waiting out an arctic storm…. Their biggest challenge, aside from the cold, was crossing gaps in the restless ice, sometimes eight to 10 feet wide over water as deep as two miles. They got across by gunning their snowmobiles and soaring like arctic Evil Knievels.” Will Ferrel is, of course, no stranger to the North Pole having famously played North Pole resident Buddy the Elf in Jon Favreau‘s modern Christmas classic, Elf. Check back for updates on this new project as they become available.

        This is a interesting film to hear about. Will Ferrell hasn't been in too many films like this so I'm glad he is stepping out of his comfort zone for a role in this particular film. Now the question remains whether or not this will be a drama or a comedy, but I think we can expect a little bit of both especially with Ferrell in the lead role. I'm very curious to see who will be the director because that will tell a whole lot about what direction the film is going in.

(4/6/16)

        In the wake of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Warner Bros. Pictures has moved up the release date for their Wonder Woman solo movie from June 23, 2017 to June 2, 2017.  In another move, Warners has pushed back its Andy Serkis-directed Jungle Book: Origins a whole year, from October 6, 2017 to October 19, 2018. That’s a big move, which many would read as a way to further distance it from Disney’s rival Jungle Book, which opens next weekend and is earning rave reviews. Most mysteriously, Warners has dated two untitled DC Cinematic Universe movies for October 5, 2018 and November 1, 2019. There’s no telling what these films could be, whether they are the much-hyped Ben Affleck-directed Batman solo film, a Superman solo adventure, or something else. An untitled WB event film is now also slated for October 6, 2017, taking over the date from Serkis’ Jungle Book. Starring Gal Gadot as the title hero, Wonder Woman also stars Chris Pine (Star Trek), Robin Wright (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Netflix’s “House of Cards”), Danny Huston (Clash of the Titans, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), David Thewlis (the “Harry Potter” films, The Theory of Everything), Ewen Bremner (Exodus: Gods and Kings, Snowpiercer), Saïd Taghmaoui (American Hustle), Elena Anaya (The Skin I Live In)  Connie Nielsen (Gladiator, Nymphomaniac: Vol. I) and Lucy Davis (Shaun of the Dead).  Directed by Patty Jenkins, the film is being produced by Charles Roven, Zack Snyder and Deborah Snyder, with Richard Suckle, Stephen Jones, Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns and Rebecca Roven serving as executive producers. Based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic story, Andy Serkis’ directorial debut Jungle Book: Origins stars Freida Pinto, Matthew Rhys and Rohan Chand in the live-action roles, rather than joining those doing the performance capture for the animals as Serkis himself did in the “Apes” and “Lord of the Rings” movies. Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Jack Reynor and Tom Hollander make up that performance capture cast. The prequel film is written by Callie Kloves with Serkis directing and co-producing with “Harry Potter” screenwriter Steve Kloves.

        There are a few moving pieces to this puzzle so let's take them one at a time. On the Wonder Woman front, I like the move because it shows that the production is moving at a quicker pace and that the film will be done a little bit earlier and it does show that they do have a lot of confidence in the film by moving it up 3 weeks. As for  Jungle Book: Origins, I totally understand the move. I mean It puts you at enough of a distance for you to not come out so soon after The Jungle Book from Disney and you don't have the expectations of a film having to be better than another film so soon and plus it gives Serkis a little more time to work out the fine details and allow him to finish the third Planet of the Apes film. The other 3 news release dates get me pretty excited because I would put money on one of those three being a solo Batman film, Man of Steel 2 and a random project which I'm going to assume is a Lobo film, I understand all of these moves and they make a lot of sense. 



        TheWrap is reporting that longtime Christopher Nolan collaborator Cillian Murphy (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception) will be reuniting with the filmmaker for Warner Bros. Pictures‘ Dunkirk, which Nolan will direct from his own original screenplay. Murphy will be one of the more senior members of the cast against a crop of newcomers who include Fionn Whitehead (ITV’s “Him”), Jack Lowden (’71), Aneurin Barnard (Citadel), and One Direction singer/songwriter Harry Styles.  Recent Oscar winner Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies), Kenneth Branagh (Valkyrie) and Tom Hardy (The Revenant) will be the more experienced members of what is said will be a largely young/unknown ensemble cast. The large scale film will be shot on a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large format film photography for maximum image quality and high impact immersion. Shooting will begin in May using many of the real locations of the true-life events, which form the background for the story. Nolan will also produce the film with his longtime producing partner Emma Thomas. Warner Bros. Pictures is distributing Dunkirk worldwide and has slated the film for a July 21, 2017 release. The film will be released theatrically on IMAX, 70mm, 35mm and all other screens. Murphy will next be seen in amid the ensemble cast of Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire, alongside Brie Larson and Armie Hammer.

        I really love this casting. I'm also not surprised by the casting simply because Christopher Nolan loves working with people he's worked with in the past and he's worked with Cillian Murphy on a lot of films so this was a no-brainer decision for Nolan. He's joining a pretty stacked cast with the exception being Harry Styles which for the life of me, I can't understand why he's in the film. Unless he can give a Logan Lerman in Fury type of performance, then I don't want him in the film. The rest of the cast is solid and this film has a lot of potential and that fact it is coming out in just a little over a year really gets me excited. 


        Although there’s still no confirmation as to whether or not Charlize Theron will playing the main villain, Universal Pictures‘ upcoming Fast 8 has, per The Wrap, added Game of Thrones star Kristofer Hivju as one of said villain’s henchmen. Straight Outta Compton‘s F. Gary Gray is directing the April 14, 2017 release, which is planned to launch a new trilogy of films. Fast 8 will be followed by a ninth film to be released April 19, 2019 and a tenth film planned to hit theaters April 2, 201. Fast and Furious 8, 9 and 10 aren’t the only films new that Universal has planned for the franchise, either. It was recently revealed that plans are underway for both Fast and Furious spinoffs and prequels. Kristofer Hivju joins a cast that is confirmed to include franchise regulars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black reprising their roles as street racers-turned-international criminals-turned-super-secret agents. Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson and Kurt Russell are expected to return as well. Principal photography Fast 8 is planned to take place in both New York and Atlanta, Georgia. Recent reports suggest that two other possible locations for the film could be the previously-unexplored Russia and Iceland. Kristofer Hivju, best known for playing wildling leader Tormund Giantsbane on Game of Thrones, has appeared on the big screen in films like Force Majeure and After Earth.

        This is pretty interesting casting. Now with this casting, it shoots down a lot of people's dream choice of Helen Mirren stepping into the villainous role and being the mother of Luke Evans's character and Jason Staham's character, but I think this guy will do. I don't know a about him considering I've never watched Game of Thrones, but he looks like he could be a guy that could cause a few problems. I'm glad the franchise is coming back after the emotional roller coaster that was Furious 7 and I can't wait to the see what's in store for this film. 

        So there you have it ladies and gentlemen, which of these stories peaked your interest or was there another story that interested you? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                                        Jonah Sparks