Film News (27/06/09)

Slow week for news, unless you count the annoucement that there will be 10 best picture nominees next year. Yes 10. Will the quality of films overall get better as a result? Probably not. Maybe we'll see some smaller releases get into the big picture race or maybe it'll be a triumph for the MOR pictures, but let's just wait and see.

Dark Shadows



Dark shadows was a pulpy camp horror TV series from the 60's with a soap opera type family beset by demons, zombies and parallel universes. I don't know about you, but this seems a perfect fit for film duo Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, and would you believe it Depp been spilling the gossip to the press during the Public Enemies junkets.

Based on the picture above do you think they had a costume designer, or did they just grab whatever was lying around in the studio?



Fahrenheit 451

Frank Darabont is still trying to remake Truffant's anti-facist film about book burning. In interviews this week he's been saying he's close to signing on a big name in the Oskar Werner role. Can't wait to see how Darabont builds his dystopian futurescape.

Social Network

Yes, I'm interested in a facebook movie. Its' been that slow a week. Of course the reason it's here is the somewhat bizarre news that David Fincher will be directing the Mark Zuckenburg story. For thse of you not in the know Zuckenburg was the founder of Facebook, who has built up this massive world changing empire, whilst battling off a score of legal actions over the rights to the site.

Kevin Spacey is producing, so could that mean a return to exciting roles for him? Could be interesting if he does go for it.



Box Office News

Release Date News

Antichrist - Lars Von Trier incendiary horror film, which we saw the trailer for on Tuesday, is due to be released fully uncut in the UK in less than a month. Better get the letters to the Daily Mail ready to send. It opens on 24 July 2009.

The Informant - I had the trailer for this multi-strand US imigration tome a few weeks ago, only to hear the release date has shunted back a couple of weeks, nothing serious though. Now out on 31 July 2009.

Creek - Horror starring the one that isn't Dominic Purcell from "Prison Break". It's all about Nazi experiments and underground cults, blah blah. Coming on 18 September 2009.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - Heath Ledger's final film, with alternative versions of himself played by Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. Sure to be fascinating, if abstract Gilliam piece. See it from 09 October 2009.

Bright Star - Jane Campion's Keats biopic, focusing on the chaste love affair with next door neighbour Fanny Brawne have a prime autumn release date. Described as a return to form, I'm not sure when Campions films haven't been on top form. Opens on 06 November 2009.

Girlfriend Experience - You can stream it from the internet now, but to truly experience watching Soderbergh's latest with someone you f**k why not visit a cinema on 20 November 2009.

The Informant - Bizarrely moved to the same release date is Soderbergh's other 2009 film about a pharmaceuticals whistle blower. Should make an interesting double at some arty-cinemas. Now out on 20 November 2009.

Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader - I've said it before and I'l say it again, Dawn Treader is by far the best of the Narnia novels, hence my vague excitement at the film. Dragons, sea serpents, hurricane winds, it has it all on 10 December 2010.

Box Office Report

In May the blockbuster season started with relish, and predictably two of the top 5 releases were advertised to within an inch of their lives and the other three are all aimed at the kids and families market. Star Trek is confidently leading the frame with an extra £2m more than the Night at the Museum sequel. I have at least seen one of these this month, but none were recommended as film of the week.

1. Star Trek
2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
3. Angels & Demons
4. Hannah Montana: The Movie
5. Coraline