I don't feel the need to write too much about why I chose the films that for me define 2010, instead (where possible) I have linked to my review. Each one of these films has been important to my year, and I would recommend catching up with all of them if you haven't done so already.
I don't however pretend to be anything more than a casual film watcher with my own set of biases and as open to media influence as the next man. Indeed it could be argued that I'm just following a trend with my top pick. If you disagree with any of these choices, please feel free to tell me in the comments and if you think I've missed anything particularly special then tell me and I'll look into it.
The Film of the Year:
1. The Social Network Directed by David Fincher. Read my review here.
And the rest:
2. Up in the Air Directed by Jason Reitman. Read my review here.
3. Precious: Basd on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire Directed by Lee Daniels. An extraordinary telling of a bleak novel which in spite of it's Dickensian journey of the protagonists maintains haelthy optimism for her future. No review.
4. Shutter Island Directed by Martin Scorsese. Read my review here.
5. Tetro Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Read my review here.
6. The Way Back Directed by Peter Weir. Read my review here.
7. Inception Directed by Christopher Nolan. Read my review here.
8. Brothers Directed by Jim Sheridan. Read my review here.
9. The Ghost Directed by Roman Polanski. Read my review here.
10. The Last Station Directed by Michael Hoffman. A delightful period film with solid performances and easily digestible morals. A lot better than it's reputation would have you think. No review.
Friday, 7 January 2011
2010 in Review: Best Film
Monday, 3 January 2011
2010 in Review - Best Supporting Actress
Of the categories this will, I expect, bring the most comments. Last year when I excluded a particular performance (because it hadn't come out yet) I got a number of comments asking me why. This year I have seen that performance and she wasn't my favourite - can't wait to hear what you have to say.
1. Vera Farmiga as Alex Goran in Up in the Air. Vera walks a tightrope in Jason Reitman's corporate satire, projecting an yearning behind the held together exterior and her final scene on the telephone shows an awareness of the characters strengths and weaknesses few others have matched.
2. Olivia Williams as Ruth Lang in The Ghost. There's a cat-like intensity to the role as portrayed by Olivia Williams, alternately preening over her husband an purring to induce sympathy from Ewan MacGregor's hapless ghost writer. When the final act reveal comes about you can see the tension in every movement. 
3. Mo'Nique as Mary in Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire. She's the villain of the year, certainly, a performance that over powers the film with dread and menace as well as a knock out monologue explaining her own private fears at the end. 
4. Julianne Moore as Charley in A Single Man. It's wildly over the top, but I think that's what makes Moore's Charley so likeable, a prototype fag-hag unable to break away from her reliance on Colin Firth's George and gripped by an unbreakable desire to win him back.
5. Marion Cotillard as Mal in Inception. It's hard to imagine a year when Marion fails to achieve a nod from me for her performances. Given she's purely a construct of Leonardo DiCaprio's fevered mind she manages to give the most consistent performance in the film, always deadly. I really want to see her as a proper femme fatale.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Inception
2010. Dir: Christopher Nolan. Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy and Ken Watanabe. ●●●●○
To misquote Zhuangzi (4th Century BC Chinese Philosopher) "Last night I dreamed I was a butterfly and now I'm now sure if that was Inception". Although given the nature of the films climax that pithy (and not terribly original) start veers awfully close to spoiler territory. Chris Nolan's 7th and most expensive movie to date is all about the nature of our existence and our understanding of how dreams interface with reality.
Or is it?
Nolan has created a universe where accessing and manipulating dreams is a commonplace business, which is both tolerated by the establishment whilst being technically illegal. The main purpose of the procedure is to steal ideas and concepts from within the brain of the subject - it would appear to be generally industrial secrets - although it was strangely originally developed to allow soldiers to practise beating the crap out of each other in their unconscious.
After Leonardo DiCaprio and his right hand man Joseph Gordon-Levitt botch a robbery from the id of Ken Watanabe's Saito, Ken hires them (partly to protect them) to go to the next level and implant an idea into Cillian Murphy's brain. This theoretical implanting process (it's never been done thoroughly successfully) is named Inception. Like in all heist movies we then go through the process of getting a team together with the architect (Page), forger (Hardy) and untitled chemist Dileep Rao joined our band of mercenaries.
During this process the movie goes through the most interesting set pieces, including the folding Parisian street we saw in the trailer and exploding cafe scenes, as this serves as training for Ellen Page the exposition fits nicely into the scenes without feeling too talky. We also get introduced to Marion Cotillard as DiCaprio's deceased wife who's place within his tortured mind may just lead to his downfall.
The majority of the film then takes place in Murphy's dreams (yes that's dreams within dreams within dreams) as the team delve further into the recesses of his mind to place the macguffin of an idea.
As a heist movie Inception works very well. The team compliment and re-inforce each other strengths. The fuzzy action sequences are, at least, an improvement on The Dark Knight and nicely paced even if the stakes never seem as high as they ought to be - if you get killed you go to limbo where your brain works at an incredible rate possibly atrophying the faculties before your physical form wakes up... or something. In fact the film as a whole nips along at a fantastic pace ebbing and flowing in a way that seems both natural and easily carries you along with it.
The cast do good jobs with little to work with. I especially liked Ellen Page for her straightforward delivery of some of the more unlikely lines of dialogue and Tom Hardy for his slightly fey Britishness. Leo is unfortunately coasting on his far more complex performance in Shutter Island where the character had much of the same issues on his mind. Cotillard is icily beautiful as always and I couldn't help wondering what she'd be like as a pure femme fatale in a modern noir that really exploited her passion and poise. The fringe of the movie also holds some nice cameos for Michael Caine, Pete Postlethwaite and Tom Berenger.
The production design is crisp and precise, the way you would expect within the dream world, all tailored suits and new furnishings. The stand-out technical performance goes to Hans Zimmer for his delicious action score, it pounds it's way through the movie as both heart and soul and is an album I have no reticence in recommending.
I am slightly disappointed by the film as it introduces some interesting concepts but then drops them. We are in a world where people become addicted to dreams but this is barely touched upon as is the inevitable psychological effect of spending so much time hopping from dream to dream. There is also a strange lack of surrealism in these dreams, apart from a misplaced train and the ultra-cool hotel fight (which is horrifically justified as being natural consequence of dreams on another layer as opposed to being part of the way dreams are) there is little that doesn't take place in any major blockbuster. The act of Inception itself - snow covered bunker, hospital bed, safe contents - is a nice touch but it's not enough. It hardly seems fair to say that the subconscious of the victim will fight off attacks from a group like this but only allow them guys with guns as a means of defence.
There has also been plenty of Internet chat about whether the final scene is still within a dream and indeed whether the entire film takes place within DiCaprios head. In answer to that whilst the final shot is pleasingly ambiguous and the Mombasa chase sequence seemingly unlikely in reality (tapered alleyways and fortuitous arrivals et al) I find myself caring less and less about the issue as time passes. After all if Nolan doesn't really care about the effect of dreaming on his characters (see my comments above) then why should I?
Overall I would say Inception is a roaring heist movie that will keep you entertained and gripped throughout it's run time, but don't be fooled by the early reviews or solid marketing strategy this is not as clever as it thinks it is.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Maybe it's not in your head (Out this week - 16/07/10)
The title of this new release summary isn't just a reference to the dreamscapes of our film of the week but it's also a line from "Baby Jesus Freak" - I may have already mentioned that I'm performing at the Lass O'Gowrie, Charles Street, Manchester all this weekend. I know some of you can't make it due to geographical constraints but if you don't have that opportunity the next best thing would be this weeks MVP Inception.
Bluebeard
Block buster shy francophiles have a bumper week with three big releases on the arthouse/foreign film circuit. The more lightweight of them is this adaptation of the classic tale of serial killing husbands and naive wives, jumping between two sisters reading the story for the first time and the events themselves this should keep the kids entertained.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Le Concert
The second French entry may be a comedy but it's central conceit of a disgraced former Russian conductor intercepting an invitation for the Bolshoi and getting together his old orchestra pals for one last concert. Melanie (Inglorious Basterds) stars as the solo violinist.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Inception
I suspect like me you've had the heady throb of the trailer music consistently in your head for the last few weeks. The wait is now over and Chris Nolan's Dark Knight follow-up is here. Have you got your tickets yet?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○
Mega Piranha
One blob movie alert - only the third time this year. For some reason the internet clamour for Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus was so great here in the UK that not only did that testament to trash get a cinematic release but so has it's suitably ridiculous follow-up. Now starring 80's pop sensation Tiffany.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●○○○○○○○○○
Mel Karade Rabba
Two Bollywood entries this week, too. This ones a university romance with a "cool dude" trying to impress the most eligible girl in college. From the poster I'm guessing they're mature students.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Rapt
Interesting looking French thriller about the political and financial dealings that follow the kidnap of a major industrialist with government links - no, I don't think it's meant to be L'Oreal. Yvan Attal, in a change of pace from his jealous husband in last weeks Leaving, plays the chief negotiator.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Tere Bin Laden
Prepare to be amazed what subjects are dealt with in Bollywood - an ambitious Pakistani reporter fakes a video from Osama Bin Laden in order to get the "scoop" and then a US work visa. Hilarity ensues.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Tuesday Trailers - Inception
Today is the first of June, so we move gently into the realm of July trailers. Oh, and it's a doozy to start with, a twisty turny assault on our senses, a trailer that makes us doubt the truth and logic of every frame, it's also a nice follow on to the last couple of birthdays. However it comes at a price. I really want to see Inception, but it is worth noting that there is nothing else I want to see at cinemas throughout July; this may change, I'm always double checking release dates, but at the moment Inception stands as a shining beacon of qulity cinema in amongst the utter dreck that will be cluttering the multiplex. I mean, do you expect me to go to The Karate Kid, Predators, Shrek Forever After or Twilight: Eclipse? So Tuesday trailers is going into hibernation until this unfortunate drought has disipated. Do let me know if there's a trailer you'd like though...
Inception is released on July 16 2010.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Tom Berenger
Happy Birthday to
Tom Berenger
61 today
In spite of the sterling work that Tom has done both prior to and since Platoon it's very hard to imagine him in any other role than his tyranical Sgt. Barnes, battling with Willem Dafoe over Charlie Sheen's soul. Saying that next up is Christopher Nolan's Inception which certainly looks like it'll be worth the wait.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Michael Caine
Happy Birthday to
Michael Caine
77 today
Sublime British actor who's treaded the fine line between art and commerce (and just as often failed as succeeded). Has a love for acting that few in his profession admit to, and we could all probably listen to his words of wisdom on the techniques of film acting. Although semi-retired he will be appearing in a glorified cameo in this years Inception, and expect Alfred to still be gliding around Gotham in the next batman film.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
20 for 2010 - Inception
No countdown for 2010 could be complete without my number 5 choice Inception.
Christopher Nolan's twisty looking sci-fi thriller is primed to be a major contender in the '10 summer market. Not linked to a comic book franchise, save that of the auteurial connection to the Dark Knight, it's rumoured to have a budget north of $250m. This will make profitability extremely hard to achieve, although the fan boy anticipation is pretty high, and James Cameron's proved just this month that you don't need a tentpole title to make some cash.
The story, which is being kept very guarded, involves hacking into peoples dreams and stealing intellectual property. This metaphysical angle to the heist movie at least explains the gravity defying action, and folding cities we've been witnessing in the trailers. Nolan has also hinted in interviews that the themes of madness and lost love, as well as the thriller elements are indicative of how persoanl the project is. This is his small movie between Batman films - only it's not small. In fact he's proud to admit it's his biggest challenge to date.
Nolan has assembled a top notch cast with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page leading the pack. This is also a good hint that either this script is fantastic, or there's enough goodwill towards Nolan based on his previous projects that Hollywood elite will sign up to anything with his name on it. Let's face it, whether this turns out to be masterpiece or a very expensive turkey, it's got must-see written all over it.
Don't forget to join in the competition to win chocolates with my countdown. Click on the Minstrels in the top right.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Leonardo DiCaprio
Happy Birthday to
Leonardo DiCaprio
35 today
As a man and as I actor Leo just keeps on getting better. In 2010 he has 2 films coming out which should both be massive box office releases. I'll be queueing up to see both Shutter Island and Inception.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Ken Watanabe
Happy Birthday to
Ken Watanabe
50 today
Ken is one of the few non-native English speaking actors who can comfortably move between his homeland cinema of Japan and Hollywood. The world is a better place because of it. Next up is a supporting, but pivotal role in Christopher Nolan's Inception.
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Film News (09/05/09)
Interesting week without much in the way of news, unless you happen to be Ben Stiller's agent - but more on that later.
Used Guys
Or Ben Stiller news part 1. The Used Guys concept has been around for a while with Jim Carrey attached with Ben as two pleasure clones at the end of their career. Imagine Jude Law in AI just less sexy. Reese Witherspoon has already been added to the cast, although questions remain over Carrey's availability. Little Miss Sunshine directors Jonathan Drayton and Valerie Faris are in talks to take the helm.
Disconnect
Slight story details released for Disconnect. It's a sci-fi about how the technology that is designed to bring people together forces them apart. This could be fascinating, or could be utterly dull. Could be about man over dependence on technology, or it could be about catching the wrong bus.
Help me Spread Goodness
The second piece of Ben Stiller news is the Nigerian e-mail scam movie he's signedon to direct for Participant Media. Apparently as well as being potential comic gold (Chicago banker falls for scam) will also bring into focus the plight of the people who are working these scams.
Inception
More cast for Nolan's Inception. Joining DiCaprio, Page, Gordon-Levitt, Caine, Murphy and Cottilard are Batman alumni Ken Watanabe and Tom Hardy (Bronson). This has now got to be the most interesting and exciting cast for 2010.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit 2
Call me sceptical as not only do I not think this story will run, but I also think it wouldn't be any good, however Robert Zemeckis has blabbed to MTV how he's interested in revisiting the 1988 comedy, using his motion capture technology.
Oh, and to remind you how great the original is here's Jessica Rabbit:
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...
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Film News (04/04/09)
Quite a slow news week - the biggest story throughout was the Wolverive leak, but I'm not covering that - as it's hardly an interesting story of film development. We also had Aprils fools which led to a number of false rumours starting on the web. Hopefully none of what I report here is one of those. If it is then I apologise - it seems I'm the April fool.
Eastern Promises 2
David Cronenberg has exclusively revealed to MTV that he and Viggo Mortensen are considered a sequel to 2007s Eastern Promises. This will mark the first time Cronenberg has considered a sequel to any of his films, even though many have had the story continued by other directors. I think this may work, at the end of the film we understood what Viggo was doing, but not how he was planning to proceed and a sequel would be able to carry on the story of Nikolai. I don't know which other characters will continue - I suspect Vincent Cassel will retrun as the unstable and untrustworthy Kirill however I can't see a continuation of the Naomi Watts storyline - it was the least satisfying part of the first film and it wouldn't make sense to bring her back into the criminal world she really has nothing to do with.
Eagle of the Ninth
Does anyone fancy watching Jamie Bell and Channing Tatum for 2 hours in togas and centurion outfits, worrying and chasing after a lost legion of Roman soldiers in the wilds of Scotland? Me too. This is an adaptation of the best selling novel by Rosemary Sutcliffe. I hope they get a chance to talk about the merits of snails and oysters.
Inception
The cast for Christopher Nolan's next not bat film is coming together nicely. Joing Leonardo DiCaprio will be Ellen Page, Marion Cotilard and Cillian Murphy, all of which bring stong acting chops to the piece. It's said to be a contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind which sounds like a barrel of laughs for next summer.
Prisoners
All very much at the rumour stage Bryan Singer is circling Prisoners with Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg as the leads. It's a crime thriller with a father of 2 kidnapped children taking the law into his own hands. Could be riveting. Could be another Taken. We'll have to see who works on the script with Aaron Guzikowski who specced the project.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Film News (07/03/09)
It's been a pretty odd week for news, nothing on Monday or Tuesday. Loads on Wednesday then 2 more days of nothing. What's going on? Have all the Hollywood PR chaps on parttime hours to help the studios during the credit crunch. Anyhoo here we go:
Downsizing
Now this is strange, but hopefully in a good way, Alexander Payne (Election, About Schmidt, Sideways) has settled on Downsizing as his next film and will be working with his stars from two of those: Paul Giamatti and Reese Witherspoon. The weird this about this is the somewhat unusual plot - Giamatti, in a bout of depression regarding his debt, decides to shrink himself. Now Payne's films have in the passed looked at extreme characters in a Universe we understand, so this sort of wacky premise may just be fascinating, or it may just flop.
In the Heart of the Sea
Ed Zwick is following Defiance with this historically accurate story of a whaling ship that gets stalked by a sperm whale, apparenly the basis of Moby Dick. Who's betting there will be a scene where the whale appears through the fog?
Inception
The 2010 summer tent pole (sci-fi genre bender from Christopher Nolan) has gained Leonardo DiCaprio, alledgedly, and (and this really is just a random rumour) Ellen Page. Great cast, great director, will flop I expect.
Ultima, Bless Me
This film (which involves a growing pains of a boy growing in a New Mexico during the sceond world war) is only really interesting because it's being bankrolled by Walmart, the massive supermarket chain in America. This is an odd one because I hate everything Walmart stands for (locking their staff in at night, making staff work in all departments to put off the fatties) however the central relationshiop in the film is between the boy and an Elderly Medicine woman - so that's got to be worth seeing, right?
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Film News (14/02/09)
February must be a good time for butering up studio execs, or at least making the press teams work overtime as there's been another 7 stories worth mentioning this week.
The Matarese Circle
Robert Ludlum was a reasonably successful writer during his lifetime, but in the a5 years since his death his books have really taken off cinematically. The Bourne trilogy is as obvious example. This week two of his books have been the subject of news. The Parsifal Mosiac, which has been optioned by Universal, and The Matarese Circle which is going into production later this year. The film will star the incredible pairing of Denzel Washington and Tom Crise as enemy spies who have to join forces, and if that wasn't enough to get me going David Cronenberg is set to direct. Now I don't know much about action thriller franchises, but starting with the director of Scanners and Crash is certainly going to be fascinating.
Gemini Man
The script of Gemini Man has been drifting around Hollywood for over ten years and it looks like it's finally going to start production soon under the guidance of L.A. Confidential director Curtis Hanson. I like Curtis, his direction is usually assured, but he's an unusual choice for this clone assassin starts trailing his "father". His only action film to date, The River Wild, is hardly a great barometer of his suitability.
Inception
Christopher Nolan has annouced his next pic is the self-penned contemporary adult sci-fi Inception. Nolan will have a lot to prove after The Dark Knights massive success, so let's hope this isn't a Fountain.
Leap Year
I feel a bit bad about my anti-Amy tirade in the Doubt review. I actually love Miss Adams to bits - her performance in Enchanted was divine - so any chance I get to see her in a romantic comedy I will jump at. In Leap Year she will enlist the help of newly cast Matthew Goode to cross Ireland in order to propose to her beau. Somehow I think they'll fall in love on the way. Ahhh.
Nottingham
Apparenly Cate Blanchett has signed up to play Maid Marian in Scott's revisionist tale of men in green. No, I can't see that casting work either.
Untitled James Mangold picture
Another month another rumour about James Mangold. His next film is now based on a true stroy where a pair lawyers from New Orleans faced off against a Multinational Petrolium Giant in order to get compensation for families who lost their loved ones overseas. As with all James Mangold stories including my recent story of Juliet, I will wait until the camera starts rolling before I believe it.
Untitled Woody Allen Picture
I already slipped in the news on Josh Brolin's birthday buit just to reiterate Brolin and Anthony Hopkins have signed up to star in Woody's next UK based film which will shot later this year. Could be brilliant, could be pants - you never really know with Woody. (By the way picture is proof you can never have too much Brolin)
