Del Toro leaves The Hobbit.

Guillermo Del Toro decided to resign as the director of The Hobbit. He said that this was the hardest decision he ever had to make. Reason for him to do is the the fact that MGM has yet to give the green light for the financial part of the project. MGM has been struck with a lot of financial misery recently - postponing the latest James Bond indefinitely for instance - and does not have the money to go ahead with the project.

Del toro moved to New Zealand with his family, especially for this project. He did not feel he could live there for 6 years after the original plan was only meant to be 3 years.

It is sad to see him go, as I was very excited after I heard he would be directing it. However he will still be co-writing it with Peter Jackson and Jackson's wife.

- Seb.

Releases to DVD [24th of May]

Films to look out for this month on DVD and Blu-ray:

Double Oscar winning film, Precious released on the 24th of May depicts the story of a young obese illiterate woman struggling with severe hardships. Raped by her father continuously, abused by her mother on a daily basis and now carrying her second child; she suffers enormously. Due to her second pregnancy by her father she is moved to a different school in the hope her life may go down a different road. Precious uses her imagination to escape her traumatic existence and becomes inspired by her teacher Blu Rain and confides in her social worker Miss Weiss who shows her both compassion and love. The film contains some superb acting and some very traumatic scenes, which does not shy away from the darkness of humanity. Mo'Nique's acting received world wide acclaim for her remarkable performance which won her a Golden Globe, a SAG and an Academy Award.
Precious is ultimately a very grim tale, full of complete desperation which is shockingly raw; yet it is also filled with hope and triumph and ended with an inspiring message.
Rating: 8/10

The Brothers which was released last week on Monday stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire, takes a look into a household dealing with the traumatizing psychological effects of war on a man and the actions taken on his family. The film follows a young marine (Tobey Maguire) who leaves his family to fight the war in Afghanistan, during his time out there his helicopter crashes and he is presumed dead, meanwhile back at home his brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) who was released from prison earlier in the year takes care of the marines wife (Natalie Portman) and daughters. However the marine has actually been imprisoned at a remote encampment and uncovers horrors unimaginable, so when he finally returns home he is left a very broken man convinced that his wife and his brother have been having a passionate affair.

Acting from Tobey Maguire is unexpectedly brilliant, which in turn got him nominated for a Golden Globe. Both performances from Gyllenhaal and Portman are striking and full of intensity. The film mainly focuses on the family drama and relationships of the characters, inter-cut with scenes of Maguire in action and imprisoned/tortured in Afghanistan. The progression of the narrative takes its time to develop, but it feels organic and realistic. While one could see the film as a criticism of war and the negative effects that war has on the family of veterans, the film is more a character-driven drama, and doesn't go into the politics of war. Instead to me The Brothers portrays an engaging, intense story about familial loyalty, redemption, and difficult relationships.

Rating: 6/10

Breathtaking apocalyptic tale The Road was released to DVD and Blu-ray last week, which includes outstanding performances by Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

The story follows a man and his young sun struggling with an unspecified cataclysm which has destroyed civilization. The Road uses little CGI, only some special effects used to remove greenery and tackle sky replacement, adding a more gloomy overlook of the landscape.

To create a world in severe trauma, director John Hillcoat used shots of coalfields, dunes, and run-down areas of Pittsburgh.

The Road is both haunting and heartbreaking, it comes across as a harrowing and powerful film receiving many nominations for its undeniably compelling story. However to me it was detached due to the hard translation from the book to the film and with it lost the warmth of great literature.

Rating: 7/10

'Alice In Wonderland' crosses the $1 Billion mark worldwide

Tim Burton's 'dark' adaptation of Alice in Wonderland crosses the $1 Billion mark in box offices worldwide. What the hell is going on? Tim Burton's piece of crap movie manages to join the ranks of Avatar, Titanic and The Dark Knight. Not saying these films are exactly the most mentally stimulating pieces of work. But I would choose them any day rather than watch Tim Burton ruin a fantastic classic 'children's tale', with some less than average effects and very poor acting. It's also sad that one of Burton's arguably worst films is his highest grossing, wonders like Beetle Juice and Edward Scissorhands; even his beautifully animated film A Nightmare before Christmas deserved more acclaim. Sadly, as I have moaned on about before, this is the way the world of cinema is heading; with the introduction of using these 3D cameras and converting perfectly good 2D films into 3D, we're beginning to lose substance and depth. Films are now going to be judged on whether they should be 3D or not, and of course 3D will win because it brings in larger audiences and therefore makes the industry more money. Boo bloody hoo

-Jen

[Rec] 2

If horror films are your bag, you have to look out for [Rec] 2, which is released next week on the 28th of May. The first film [Rec] is possibly one of my favourite modern horrors. It scared me for weeks. I was a complete mess,I was seeing clips of the film as I brushed my teeth, ate my breakfast and got the tube to university. I was a wreck...ha

But I'm hoping for the same with [Rec] 2, providing audiences with plenty of screams, claustrophobic camera work and really disturbing imagery.

The story picks up from the setting of a last film. A SWAT team with a medical officer go to investigate and control the situation inside a sealed off building after authorities lose contact with the people locked inside; with horrific outcomes. The film is from Spanish filmmaker Jaume Balageuró who seems to have hit the nail on the head when creating terrifying horror films. I found [Rec] a wonderful piece of work, both disturbing and surreal. The fact that it was also in Spanish made me more fixated, the setting became intensified and the shaky camera work actually worked for this movie, unlike many horrors before it.

Let's hope [Rec] 2 can bring something more...

-Jen

Ghanaian Film Posters

I happened upon these posters whilst talking to a graphics student from London, he was doing a project on early horror and told me about these Ghanaian film posters. I am a huge 80's film fan, so this knowledge came as a treat.

When VHS technology hit the world in the 1980's it allowed some countries to be able to show films at impromptu screenings. They would set up their portable cinemas at any venue available, hook their TV's and VCR's up to play any of the movies that had made it to VHS and landed in their hands. Of course printing was expensive, so they would hire local artists to draw and paint film posters to advertise their screenings. Funny thing was most of these artists hadn't even watched the films. But I couldn't help myself thinking they're still bloody remarkable!

Hope you enjoy!

-Jen

Inception

If there is one film you should see this year it should be INCEPTION, acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan's mind boggling creation.

'What's the most resilient parasite? An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules. Which is why I have to steal it'

In this sci-fi thriller Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Dom Cobb, the most skilled thief of his trade who is able to extract secrets from deep within the mind, when his contracted jobs are left in their dream state. However being the best at working with 'subconscious security' means he loses all that is dear to him. So now Cobb leads the life of a fugitive, he believes the only way to redeem himself is to change his plan of action, instead of stealing secrets he is going to implant one instead and by doing so create the perfect crime.

The music in this trailer made my body cover itself with goose pimples. It's got a fantastic cast peppered with Nolan favourites - Leornado DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Ellen Page. The CGI looks groundbreaking, it includes Nolan's passion for architecture and angular designs. There's something quite dark and haunting about this film, it aims to completely confuse your perceptions of reality and the dream world by using surrealist concepts and psychological puzzles on a massive scale. In the scene in which bodies are floating in mid air my mouth dropped open in sheer disbelief, this became the ultimate calling for me to see this film.

Definitely bound to be the most extraordinary and mysterious film of the year. I just cannot wait.

Release date in the UK is the 16th of JULY

-Jen

Dear John

So, I got 'dragged' along to this romantic drama. I saw the trailer for it while I was waiting to see Shutter Island. As soon as that Snow Patrol song kicked in, my eyes started welling up, and I could feel a flood of tears coming on. Yes I am a huge cry baby when it comes to love stories. I knew that if I went any where near it, I would spend the whole day balling my eyes out. But a part of me was secretly desperate to see it. I guess I just crumbled.

From the adaption of Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name (who also wrote The Notebook) comes a story of a young couple who fall in love in a matter of weeks and become separated by war. John played by Channing Tatum who is one of the most boring actors I have encountered falls in love with big eyed Savannah played by Amanda Seyfried.

I couldn't say for the life of me that I immediately fell in love with either of the characters. There was of course nothing special about them or their union. By the end I realised I didn't really particularly liked either of them. There was nothing quirky or original, they were just another good looking couple who had a lot of lust for each other. As the film went on it came to my attention that I was just more concerned with John's autistic father who is played by Richard Jenkins. He played the role brilliantly I may add, and Savannah's understanding of the disability was moving and well acted.

But the plot seemed jumbled and meandered from one thing to the next. There was no real progression just lots of jumping around and I started to wonder what year it was...The Notebook I loved, I enjoyed every minute of it, it was such a beautifully told story with wonderful characters and beautiful sets. Dear John lacked any endearing romance for me, it was full of clichés and had very little honesty and passion.

Dear John's overdose of lachrymose romance came to a very abrupt end, it was as if they had run out of film and couldnt be arsed to put another reel on. If a film leaves you thinking, 'was that it?' It's probably not worth seeing.

-Jen

Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps.

The world premiere is tomorrow and I am so excited. Granted I wont get to see it for at least a little while but I just loved the original and I have got relatively high hopes for the latest one. Shia LaBeouf however... I am not a fan. I doubt he will be anywhere near as good as Charlie Sheen. That role was just so perfect for him. There is no reason to mention Michael Douglas as I know that he will be great.

If this is not going to be great I am going to hunt down whichever corporate jerk was to blame for reviving the concept and cover their desk in elephant droppings. Then I will get naked and fling the shit at them whilst yelling; ''The main thing about money, Bud, is that it makes you do things you don't want to do. ''

- Seb.

MGM fire sale.

MGM is rumoured to be sold in order to try and recoup some of the $3.7bn (£2.2bn) debt it has accumulated over its existence. It would be sad to see the studio that made great films such as Singing in the Rain, Ben Hur and Gone with the Wind go. These classics and the rest of its back catalogue including all the James Bond films may fetch a decent price in order to recoup some of its loss.

It would be sad to see the instantly recognizable lion go but to be frank it has not released any films of its own in a while. Last year it released a mere three films which were all co produced for other studios.

The films were; The Pink Panther 2 and two remakes, Fame and The Taking of Pelham 123. These boring films desperately looking for easy money go against the studios motto that started in the 1920's; ''Ars Gratia Artis''. Perhaps for merely this reason it is a good plan they go down under..

- Seb.

Paper Man.

This trailer caught my eye for two reasons; 1: Jeff Daniels (from the epic Dumb & Dumber) plays the lead role. 2: Ryan Reynolds plays Jeff Daniels imaginary super hero friend. Admittedly, Reynolds usually annoys the hell out of me and even more so when he started going out with Scarlet Johansson, but in this film he seems to actually be quite funny.

The story revolves around Richard (Jeff Daniels), a failed middle aged novelist who meets Abby (Emma Stone), a 17 year old girl whose involvement in a family tragedy a few years earlier has stolen away her youth. The main thing that caught me as being pretty damn awesome was that Richard has an imaginary friend called Captain Excellent (Ryan Reynolds). There are a few funny moments in the trailer where Captain Excellent suggests to Richard certain ways to solve his problems which did make me chuckle.

I am excited to see this film when it comes out. However it was shown at the LA film festival in 2009 and was just released in North America on the 23rd of April of this year. So hopefully us European folk have not long to wait.

- Seb.

The Year of 3D

That is it, I'm at breaking point. News has been released of confirmation that Ridley Scott will be using 3D for his ALIEN prequels. Yes you heard it right two ALIEN prequels

3D is becoming the bane of my life, since Avatar was released last year in December, directors can't seem to handle the idea of directing a movie without it. It's just a way to spruce up your movie, bring audiences in because your films content lacks any original depth. I'm all for 3D in family films, the odd sci-fi film (NOT ALIEN) and maybe even the occasional horror. But it does not, for a fact, need to be included in every major blockbuster.

Maybe I'm coming off a bit strong and maybe I'm overreacting, but the fact is ALIEN is a masterpiece; to return to the original story and uncover the origins of creature itself is to unravel the mystery behind it all, which made ALIEN so haunting and terrifying in the first place. Then to top it off Ridley has decided to direct it all in 3D.

I am a huge fan of the ALIEN series, especially the 1979 film so I was excited and apprehensive at the thought of a prequel but I trusted in Ridley's artistic vision to pull this idea through. But on hearing that he would be using 3D I just can't help but lose all faith. Using 3D will mean that he will probably using no old-school techniques, which means lots of horrible evil CGI, which frankly I am gutted about. Maybe he will use CGI correctly and not over do it and maybe he will use some old-school techniques but I really can't see that happening. However to go back on my words, CGI has improved enormously over the last 30 years so used in the correct way we could be left with some stunning effects, used badly and this could all be too much for my little brain to handle.

The closer it gets to the film being made and released, the more my opinion is likely to change. As soon as I see a screen-shot I know I will be peeing my panties. I just pray he is going to return to his original methods and produce another timeless movie, it doesn't have to top his Oscar winning ALIEN, it just has to do itself justice for all those die hard ALIEN fans out there.

-Jenny.

District 9 sequel. Confirmed?

Sharlto Copley, star from District 9 has confirmed in an interview with Empire that he and Neil Blomkamp (Director of the film) want to do a prequel to District 9. I am quite thrilled about this news as for me District 9 was a positive surprise. Having enjoyed this amazing sci-fi film and it’s avoidance of a clichéd and typical take on the genre made it one of my favourite films of last year. And to hear that the two main reasons for me liking District 9 (Copley and Blomkamp) are keen on making a sequel is very exciting news indeed.

- Seb.

The Expendables

No, just no. What the hell is going on here? Why the hell is Sylvester Stallone still even alive? I was kind of hoping he would inject himself with so many steroids that he would become to look like some kind of circus freak with a multitude of growths but unfortunately, this has not happened – yet-. So in the mean time he co-wrote and directed this new film. Apparently made to pay homage to the action films of the 1980s and ‘90s. Which is quite ironic as that is the age in which Stallone was the most prominent. The film is filled with all kinds of ‘heroes’ from that era and some from the present day. A selection of the names - besides Stallone -include: Arnold Schwarzenegger (That is right, the Governor is making a guest appearance.), Bruce Willis (who from the trailer only seems to have a tiny role), Mickey Rourke and Jet Li. And a more recent action hero: Jason Statham. Well I watched the trailer; I watched it a few times actually as I wanted to make sure that such a film is really being made. And my god is it a taste of things to come. I am looking forward to seeing this actually. To see this old and crippled Stallone try and relive his glory days, to see him upstaged by Statham and to see it do shit at the box office. As that is all that it deserves.

- Seb.

Robin Hood 2010

On the 14th of May in the UK we are set to see the release of another remake, or retelling of the familiar story of Robin Hood. Hollywood has been recycling stories for over half a century and I feel this is one could be something to get excited about.

Ridley Scott, in my eyes is a true master and auteur of our time.

For me the reason for this is Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982) but on hearing about Robin Hood, I was in the least bit bothered, another remake I thought, using Russel Crowe again I sighed. I thought it was one to easily be dismissed this year, but on watching the trailer at the cinema last week, my view has completely changed.

I found out that a lot of people on IMDB where ready to slate this as soon as they heard Russel Crowe was going to be starring alongside an apparently old Cate Blanchett, but I think it would be worth your while giving this movie a chance. Under the direction of Ridley Scott I feel this film could really stand out amongst the crud being released this year. Yes it may be churning out some ideas we've heard before, but isn't everything a copy of a copy. All these famous stories that have been passed down for centuries and all have a different way of being told. We got a lot of 'recycling' ahead of us, the film industries will never stop producing new Batmans, or Draculas and even some classic Greek mythology, these stories will never stop being retold so its probably time to just get used to it.

-Jenny.

New Bond film suspended.

The latest news from MGM is that their financial trouble is far more serious than previously assumed. This was made obvious when announced that the latest Bond film, number 23 in the series, has been suspended, indefinitely.

Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli stated that without a new backer nothing will happen. They go on stating that the production is certainly not dead but merely pushed back.

The big question is what will the impact of this be for the creative aspect of the film. According to the rumours it is unsure if Sam Mendes will stay on as the director for the film and apparently the writer Peter Morgan (The Queen) has already moved on.

This is worrying news for the film industry as a whole.

- Seb.

Kick-Ass

This new film from Matthew Vaugh (LayeCake, Sunshine), based on Mark Miller’s comic book is an exciting idea. Gone is the idea of a gritty hyper-realistic view on the super hero; Batman Begins, The Dark Knight. It's a daring film, continuing in a genre already filled with expensive and famous misfires; Catwoman, Daredevil. But with Matthew Vaughn at the helm and the ideas of Mark Millar combined, it was an idea I got excited about as soon as I saw the first trailer.

The story follows Dave Lizewski who's an average high school teenager dealing with common teenage boy problems; the girls pay no attention to him, he has an obsession with breasts and he cannot stop masturbating. He also has a keen interest in comic books. And from that interest in comic books is where his superhero alter ego comes from. One day he asks himself and his friends why no one has actually tried becoming a super hero. His friends tell him that it is because anyone who tries will get their arse kicked. But later on he goes online, purchases a wetsuit which he modifies and then he becomes Kick-Ass. His first day on “the job” consists of him getting beaten up, stabbed and run over.

The cast consists of quite some familiar faces from the UK, and these next three actors all starred in a film Matthew Vaughn worked on; Mark Strong who plays main bad guy Frank D’Amico (Strong is one of my personal current favourite actors), Jason Flemyng (Snatch, Lock Stock.) and Dexter Fletcher (Snatch, Lock Stock.). Mark Strong did a great job at playing the main baddy and he pulled the American accent off quite well. But nothing as good as Aaron Johnson, I had to remind myself he was from England at times as his accent was just very good. And he plays a likeable lead role.

But the most impressive person in this film is 11 year old Chloe Gormetz as Hit Girl. She does very well for an actress of her age. Even though there's one scene in the film where Hit Girl and Hit Girl’s father, Big Daddy (played by Nicolas Cage) are in a bowling alley celebrating her birthday which made me cringe by the mere terrible acting. This was however quickly forgiven considering the way she performs in the rest of the film.

The film quite surprised me with the amount of gore (even though after seeing a few pages from the comic book I guess I should have expected it), all this gore seemed to entertain the audience, but after I while I found myself becoming quite bored and detached from the film. Obviously this film is going to be an action comedy, and I was expecting this but I found that the film just hid behind the gore, behind the cheap one liners and the lack of any real decent dialogue. It all reminded me a bit of a Tarantino film. Last years Inglorious Basterds left me feeling largely the same way as this film, centering too much on the ‘Oohs’ and ‘Aahs’.

(Mark Strong is aaaaaah-suuuuuuum)

Kick-Ass to me felt like it was lacking a lot of character depth. In the end, after sitting through a film that was too long. (Just under 2 hours I believe). I went into it expecting a film that was going against the grain, against all the comic book films that have come out recently. But instead it went exactly the same way. Kick-Ass gets the girl. The bad guys get wiped out. And it is all merry fun. Sure, Nicolas Cage’s Big Daddy might get burned to death, but that actually had the opposite effect on me, I felt like I wanted him to die the first moment I saw him appear on screen. So in that aspect I was pleased. I am sure it will do well as the marketing campaign looks great and the trailer is pretty damn good. But I am sad to say that as a fan of Matthew Vaughn I felt like his latest film was quite hollow and it didn't have anything I felt worth paying £6 for.

- Seb.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2010

Amongst the many films I’m looking forward to being released up there at the top is Samuel Bayers reimaging of Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare On Elm Street,which is due to be released on the 7th of May in the UK. It stars Jackie Earle Haley as Fred Krueger, the child serial killer who terrorizes and kills teenagers with a bladed glove in their nightmares.

Since watching the originals as a young girl, Wes Craven's original 1984 movie fuelled my passion for horror movies. The distinct tacky prosthetics, over use of fake blood and ridiculous plots I have come to enjoy the slasher genre to its full extent as a young adult.

I'm expecting a lot from this remake, mainly due to Jackie Haley's obvious screen presence. Haley has definitely proved to be one of my most favourite actors in the recent years, It began for me with his character Ronnie who is charged with indecent exposure in Little Children (2005)and with his more famous role last year as Rorschach in Watchmen (2009)

Unlike the remake Friday the 13th, this installment will see ideas coming straight from the first film. Director Samuel Bayer explained that this time round the story goes deeper into Freddy's character, including how he came to be and his disturbing background history.

Already from the trailer I have spotted a clear resemblance to the original. The overall feel and look of the film is most promising and the trailer even had me jumping. My one concern is the talk over the films rating. There have been talks of the film being cut for English audiences so it can be shown with a 15 rating. For one I am getting pretty tired over horror movies being cut and changed to suit younger audiences, in the first place these films should not really be shown to young teenagers and secondly, by cutting these films down to suit younger audiences, die hard fans are missing out on the full film and will have to wait for DVD releases in order to watch this film as it was originally made.

I must admit I was one of the many fans of the series ready to slate this film. I was there reading every IMDB entry on how awful this film was going to be, and I found myself being very skeptical. But the more I watch the trailer, the more I read the positive reviews and the fact I love Jackie Haley to top it all off. I just can't help but be ridiculously excited!

-Jenny.