So we're back with film news as well. A few small stories this week, none of the list looks likely to turn into box office gold but they all should be worth a look if they ever get made.
Mike Leigh's JMW Turner biopic
Mike Leigh might be taking a break from modern slices of life and will instead focus on a 19th century artist JMW Turner, whose romatic evocations of steamtrains and oil landscapes was a major precurser to the Impressionistic movement (see below in the 1844 work Rain, Steam and Speed).
Luckily for Leigh there's plenty in Turner's personal life for him to get his teeth into. Turner's mother was committed when he was still an adolescent and later in life he suffered from bouts of depression and was known for being eccentric. With this in mind it could be thematically close to most of Leigh's other work whilst skirting close to the lightness of tone in his other biopic Topsy Turvy.
Indeed the relationship between sanity and art may end up forming the backbone of this film, and it's certainly a subject that would go down well with audiences, critics and (lets face it) the Academy as well.
Read on for clues about the financial meltdown, a schedule filler and an unlikely remake.
Enron
George Clooney has picked up the rights to a film adaptation of Lucy Prebble's West End hit Enron. Showing the end of the financial giant, or as an interesting precurser to the 2008 slump, the play ultimately looks at the decisions made by the key players and the effects of these. It's highly likely that the praised British cast will be excised though which is rather unfortunate.
Nights of Calabria
Another week, another Lee Daniels project. He's changed agency (to CAA no less) which has led to a flurry of publicity for the Precious director. The press release indicates he's on the way to remaking the 1957 Fellini movie Nights of Calabiria about a prostitute looking for love. Might be right up Daniels street, but I doubt it could be as good as the original.
Untitled Kathryn Bigelow Film
Very curious rumour, which seems to defy general film making logic. Kathryn Bigelow (left) has been prepping for Triple Frontier for some time, but now she's cast Tom Hanks she's having to put the film on ice whilst waiting for a gap in Tom's schedule. Oddly she may use that time to rush out a quick movie - very Soderbergh like. Kathryn and her Hurt Locker scribe Mark Boal look set to write, cas and film an entire movie in the next 6 months or so. I hope they have an idea already because I'd hate for them to get bogged down in the planning stage or rush into something.
Casting News
Some interesting little casting titbits with confirmation that Cate Blancett will return as Galadriel in The Hobbit, Charlize Theron is looking at a role in Clint Eastwood's Hoover biopic - now called J. Edgar - alongside Armie Hammer and Gerard Depardieu and Irfan Khan will star in The Life of Pi.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Changing the landscape (Film News - 11/12/10)
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Another Year
2010. Dir: Mie Leigh. Starring: Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, Ruth Sheen, Oliver Maltman and Peter Wight. ●●●○○
Mike Leigh's process is often as fascinating as the final product. His modus operandi involving months of improvisation and character building with the actors before a full structure is agreed upon. This normally results in a slice of life that occurs over a very short time period, maybe a few weeks or months. In Another Year the timescale of the piece is extended so we see the relationships subtly develop through four seasons.
The films opens, naturally in Spring, with an introduction to our central couple within their individual workplaces. Geologist Tom (Broadbent) gets excited about mud and sand in a vast warehouse of samples, Counsellor Gerri (Sheen) attempts to help insomniac Imelda Staunton (in a very brief role). Like Leigh's previous Happy-Go-Lucky the positivity of these characters dovetails nicely with the downbeat nature of most of their friends, indicating this film may also be a lovesong to happiness.
Their closest friend is Lesley Manville's Mary, a ditzy secretary who works with Gerri with borderline alcoholism and a desperate crush on Tom and Gerri's (sorry,I'll try not to do that too often) 30 year old son Joe (Maltman). The film mainly charts the friendship between the central couple and Mary as the year progresses.
The relationship between Gerri and Tom is nicely drawn, as much unspoken as spoken, with the occasional tough word between them fitting naturally with the ease in which they cuddle and gossip at the end of each day. Mary is a grotesque creature which Lesley Manville does well to tame, her performance showing the softness within, the scene where she meets Joe's girlfriend is a masterclass and deserves award consideration on it's own. Although I would argue that the drunk scenes are largely overplayed with almost sit com level wobbling around.
Away from the characterisations though the film falls apart. Why would Gerri and Tom even try to maintain a friendship with the montrous Mary? How come everyone in their universe is either perpetually drunk or cracking open a bottle of wine (I lost count of the drinks for any of the major characters)? Does the happiness of the central coupling mean the peripheral characters must balance karma with their depression and loss?
Worst of all is the heavy handed symbolism of the piece. In each season we return to the allotment of Gerri and Tom, the seasonal themes of planting, growth, harvest and death are mirrored exactly in the action, and even in the production design. There's little chance of missing what Leigh is trying to state in these sections, and yet I was still left at the end wondering what the point of it all was.
Ultimatly I couldn't connect with Mike Leigh's latest slice of miserablism.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Film News (30/01/2010)
Sundance has been hogging all the headlines this week with the first reactions and aquisitions flying everywhere you look. You want uncomfortable violence - you got it! - or teenage lesbians - everywhere you look! - or pot smoking extravoganza's - this is Sundance! Away from Utah there have been some interesting stories, and of course it's time to catch up with the shuffling in UK release schedules.
Selma
Lee Daniels is curently riding high with Precious opening this weekend here and should receive a number of high profile Oscar nods on Tuesday morning. So it's no surprise that his next project is picking up some heavy weight casting. The project, Selma, concerns the civil rights movement during the 1960's and Robert De Niro has signed up to play the infamous Alabama Governor George Wallace - one of the biggest obstacles to ending segregation. It should certainly be an involving experience, although I suspect it will also be a tough ride.
Lee with Precious star Gabby Sidibe.
Click on the jump for deranged killers, masked vigilantes, intergalactic romances (two of them) and other affairs of the heart.
Another Year
But first my number 14 in the top 20 most anticipated films for 2010 was Mike Leigh's untitled project with Imelda Staunton and Jim Broadbent. Well, we may still know nothing about it, but it is, possibly, titled. As Another Year. Make of those crytic words what you will.
Avatar
In case you hadn't heard James Cameron's sci-fi epic has just hit an importnat box office milestone. It's only broken the record for international receipts, passing Titanic on Tuesday. Expect it to pass the US domestic record in the next couple of weeks too. Admittedly it isn't close to the biggest box office draw of all time once you factor in ticket price inflation and the 3D premium, but that's still quite an achievement that will take some years to be broken. Or at least until Cameron turns his attention to Avatar 2.
Dream House
Daniel Craig, and family, will be moving into the house belonging to a psychotic murderer sometime in 2011. Luckily his next door neighbour, the newly cast Naomi Watts, will be on hand to offer sound advice and dire warnings. She was in the Funny Games remake so she probably knows what she's talking about.
Passengers
I'm not sure whether this qualifies as an addition to the intelligent sci-fi boom, but Gabriele Muccino has signed on to direct the next Keanu Reeves project. Set on a autopilotted space ship Reeves is awoken from his cryogenics chamber some 70 years early and faced with the terrifying propect of growing old alone wakes up a beautiful - yet to be cast - woman. (I's go ape if I we her). The idea has some promise so I'll wait to see how the script balances out the potential pitfalls. i.e. being incredibly boring, or having a weird monster.
The Shadow
Sam Raimi hasn't announced what his first non Spider-Man movie will be now he's been ousted from the franchise, but that won't stop the rumours from drifting around the internet. This week he's said to be considered the big screen adaptation of pulp hero The Shadow. There has been a Shadow movie before (with Alec Baldwin!) but luckily no-one will be comparing any work Raimi does with that, although the original radio series was narrated by Orson Welles so perhaps there is a big challenge to face.
Take This Waltz
Essentially a simple love triangle drama with a married woman having an affair with the man across the street the script has still managed a high profile place on 2009's Black List. No surprise then to see it's been picked up, and with Sarah Away From Her Polley at the helm. Two sides of the triangle have been cast - Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams - and a big name announcement for the third is expected soon.
Release Date News
The Lovely Bones - Causing a disappointting mess in my Tuesday trailer continuity was the sudden shift of Peter Jackson's latest epic - presumably to allow the underwhelming US response to be out of our heads when it opens. Take revenge against your killer on 19 February 2010.
Ondine - Colin Farrell takes in the leading (human) role in this drama about a mermaid caught in a fisherman's net. Don't let this be the one that got away on 05 March 2010.
Shutter Island - Moving back for The Lovely Bones is Martin Scorsese's return to pulp B-movies. Leo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo will investiagte the mysterious prisoners in the titular asylum. Don't be patient 67 on 12 March 2010.
Wild Target - It's a comedy. Starring Rupert Grint from Harry Potter as an apprentice hitman with Emily Blunt as his rival. Why am I even vaguely interested? Because Bill Nighy is training him. Inspired. Take a potshot on 09 April 2010.
New York, I Love You - I've waited a long time to see the sequel to Paris, Je T'aime, in fact it was one of the first films I showed a trailer for back in September 2008. I hear it isn't quite as good - but we don't get enough collections of shorts in British Cinemas so I'm right there. Fall in love with your favourite city on 16 April 2009.
Inception - The second schedule change for Leo sees this trippy Christopher Nolan picture move to a mid summer release, probably down to high expectations for it's box office potential. Steal from your dreams on 16 July 2010.
Knight and Day - But it will face competition from the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz action comedy opening on the same day. I wonder which of these will lose their nerve... Have your date go very wrong on 16 July 2010.
Eagle of the Ninth - I know there is probably a great deal of pathos and spectacle to be had in the adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliffe's seminal Roman Legion novel, but it's got Channing Tatum in it so I guess it will be sold on the torso. Find your lost Legion on 10 September 2010.
Thor - Occupying the space left by Spider-Man 4 was an easy decision for Marvel's Norse superhero. Should give it ample opportunity to take an early hold of next year Box Office championship. By Odin's Staff I'll see this on 06 May 2011.
Spider-Man 4 wasn't the only film to disappear from the schedules during the last month. Rod Lurie's original source adaptation of Straw Dogs has also lost it's UK release - that's the third time so it's getting to be so much of a habit I doubt I'll believe the next date.
Some gratuitous shots of Channing Tatum in Eagle of the Ninth.
Monday, 4 January 2010
20 for 2010 - Number 14 (Untitled)
If you thought yesterdays preview was short on substance then you'll hate number 14, the untitled Mike Liegh project.
Leigh has directed some of the most insightful movies of the last 30 years, showing a real reflection of UK society with it's fussy middle classes and downtrodden working class. His last 2 productions (Vera Drake and Happy-go-Lucky) have garnered acclaim and award hauls for thier central performances, even though you could not imagine characters any further apart emotionally.
With this project he's reuniting with some of his most accomplished stars, including Imelda Staunton, Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville.
As yet there are no details available with regards to the plot - Leigh's signature style of developing the characters and story thorugh improvisation and discussion means there probably wasn't a story until the cameras started rolling - but I'm sure we'll hear more as it rolls into cinemas towards the end of the year.
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Jim Broadbent
Happy Birthday to
Jim Broadbent
60 today
The hilarious and versatile thesp Jim Broadbent is hitting a major milestone this year, just in time for him to reach a whole new set of fans with the next Harry Potter film. Personally I'm more stoked about his involvement in Mike Leigh's next project, due out next year.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Film News (02/05/09 - and previous week)
Bumper news report this week, as I wasn't able to catch up last week. There's also box office news and the Cannes line-up. So lets not mess around any more and just dive straight in:
Wall Street 2
The most shocking story of the last couple of weeks must be the resurrection of long-mooted sequel to Wall Street, Oliver Stone's film about the brutal power players of the eponymous financial district. Back in the Reagan Boom years Michael Douglas's Gordon Gekko was cock-of-the-wall, tossing aside the rule books and the needs of the common workers in order to make money. Of course in the end protege Charlie Sheen squeals on his nefarious activities and we can only assume Gekko gets his just deserts. Nearly 25 years later, with the money markets in freefall it will be interesting to see how Gekko moved on. Of course the issue with the original is even though Gekko is clearly a villian he was such a strongly written character the public, especially the traders and wheeler dealers he was parodying, felt inspired by his example.
Just read through the Greed is good speech, and tell me you don't want to clap at the sheer balls of it:
"The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
The End of Eternity
Kevin MacDonald is obviously an ambitious man. State of Play is just out, Eagle of the Ninth is in development and he's also signed on to direct an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's sci-fi classic. The plot concerns a race of beings (Eternity) who exist outside normal rules of time and space. Only one of them falls in love with a human causing their destruction. Sounds cheery, or like an extended episode of Star Trek. We'll see.
Inception
Unsurprisingly Michael Caine has joined Nolan's sci-fi for next year. This marks the 4th film in a row they've worked on together. Also joining the cast is Joseph Gordon-Levitt who continues to build an impressive CV.
The Lone Ranger
More details of the Lone Ranger movie are coming out, based on the wildly popular TV series from the 40s, which was in turn based on the pre-war radio serial. The film, will be an origins story, of sorts. As our hero (rumoured to be George Clooney) is ambushed with his troop of Texas Rangers, rescued and nursed by Native American Tonto (Johnny Depp) they then seek vengence. I'm either way of this adaptation - I'm not sure we need an origin story and whilst I love Depp as much as the next man I'd like to think there are some actors with Native American roots who could do the part just as well. I'll be keeping a close eye on details though.
Passing Strange
PBS have picked up Spike Lee's filmed version of the hit stage musical "Passing Strange". Early indications are that they'll aim to release it in cinemas. Filming stage productions is always a risky business, you act in a different way and static cameras can feel awfully dull. Nevertheless the story of a middle class blak man from the US who goes all "street" when he goes to Europe may be enough to keep the interest.
Red/Scarpa
Bruce Willis is having a hard time selecting his next project. Among the options are the biopic of Mafia mole Gregory Scarpa Sr. (left, looking much like Bruce...) and Red, a graphic novel adapatation about a former black ops (what is that?) soldier who is targetted by an assassin. We all know that in either film Bruce will play Bruce Willis the action star, but that's always good fun.
Straw Dogs
For years it was just a rumour, and then it was a release date, but now it seems the Straw Dogs remake is picking up steam with James Marsden picked up for the lead and a relocation of the action back to the US. This is a good move; over reverentially sticking to the original will have caused unnecessary comparisons, and no-one could honestly compare Marsden to Dustin Hoffman.
Untitled Mike Leigh Film
Focus features have signed a deal funding Mike Leigh's next project with Film4 and the UK Film Council. No plot or title yet, although I very much doubt it has a plot at this early stage knowing how Leigh works. We do know that Jim Broadbent and Imelda Staunton are filling up the cast list.
Jack Cardiff
Our thoughts are with the family of Jack Cardiff, the incredibly talented cinematographer who passed away on 22 April aged 94. His greatest work was with Powell and Pressburger so please spend some time this month to reaquaint yourself with one of his highlights. I'm off to see Black Narcissus right now.
Cannes Film Festival
The main lineup for Cannes has been annouced and includes such films as Antichrist, Bright Star, Broken Embraces, Inglorious Basterds and Taking Woodstock in competition. That's 5 established arthouse favourites (von Trier, Campion, Almodovar, Tarantino and Lee). Now I want to see all these films too, but surely a film festival with as much influence as Cannes should be mixing it up a little. The vast majority of the films in competition are from recognisable auteurs, often with previous invitations to the Croisette. I'll do a more thorough Cannes preview just before it opens on 13 May.
Box Office News
Release Date News
Everlasting Moments - I've already let this particular cat out of the bag with the trailers but Jan Troell's film about a photographer atthe turn of the 20th century has a new release date of 22 May 2009.
Where the Wild Things Are - Over the last month or so the Where the Wild Things are trailer and posters have been whetting my appetite for the film, and now they've moved the release date forward a month, so we only have to wait until 23 October 2009.
Salt - Also moving the release date, this time by only a week, is Anjelina Jolie's spy thriller Salt. I say spy thirller, the set pictures released so far sem mor like a wig catalogue. See it on 20 August 2010.
Morning Glory - Now the cast for Roger Michell's anchors at war comedy is completed it's been given a release of 10 September 2010. (It's OK the US release is in July so it's not looking like their throwing it in the September graveyard already.)
Box Office Report
The top five from March really has no surprises at all. Of course we should never underestimate the British public's love for dogs, hence Marley & Me annihilating the competition at the top. It's followed by two action hits (snark snark) a breakout comedy and a period drama. Perhaps the Young Victoria may appear to be the odd one out, but period always has a following over here and the advertising we pretty thorough. Once again I have only seen one of these, although embarassingly it's the one at the top.
1. Marley & Me
2. Watchmen
3. Knowing
4. Paul Blart: Mall Cop
5. The Young Victoria
A puppy - could be Marley, but honestly who care's it's so cute...
