Hollywood, Calif. – Hailed as “fun, action-packed and exciting”, director Travis Knight’s thrilling new film Bumblebee lands on Digital March 19, 2019 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD April 2 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.
Boasting an impressive 93% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Bumblebee is filled with “personality, wit [and] imagination”. The Digital*, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray releases are packed with over an hour of exciting special features, including an all-new Bumblebee motion comic following the beloved Autobot on his next adventure. Plus, check out deleted and extended scenes you didn’t see in theaters, including the original opening of the movie, enjoy hilarious outtakes, and see G1 (Generation 1) Transformers robots on Cybertron through the eyes of Bumblebee with exciting Bee Vision.
The perfect gift this Easter, Bumblebee on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack or Blu-ray Combo Pack also includes an exclusive printed version of the new motion comic featuring Bumblebee...
Boasting an impressive 93% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Bumblebee is filled with “personality, wit [and] imagination”. The Digital*, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray releases are packed with over an hour of exciting special features, including an all-new Bumblebee motion comic following the beloved Autobot on his next adventure. Plus, check out deleted and extended scenes you didn’t see in theaters, including the original opening of the movie, enjoy hilarious outtakes, and see G1 (Generation 1) Transformers robots on Cybertron through the eyes of Bumblebee with exciting Bee Vision.
The perfect gift this Easter, Bumblebee on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack or Blu-ray Combo Pack also includes an exclusive printed version of the new motion comic featuring Bumblebee...
- 2/16/2019
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
'The Insider' movie: Al Pacino and Russell Crowe 'The Insider' movie: 1999 exposé of CBS news show barks, but doesn't bite Michael Mann's 1999 movie The Insider quote exchange: "It's old news. ... We'll be ok," says Don Hewitt (Philip Baker Hall), the creator of the CBS news show 60 Minutes. "These things have a half-life of 15 minutes." "No, that's fame," replies 60 Minutes anchor Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer). "Fame has a 15-minute half-life. Infamy lasts a little longer." The infamous "things" referred to by Hewitt and Wallace are the series of scandals that erupted in early 1996, when it was revealed that CBS had refused to air an interview with a tobacco company whistleblower because the network feared the (financial) consequences. What Freedom of the Press? Based on Marie Brenner's Vanity Fair article about the events that led up to that embarrassing – and disturbing – incident, The Insider tells the story of scientist Jeffrey Wigand...
- 5/14/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Wamg has your passes to see Universal Pictures’ Seventh Son early!
In a time of enchantments when legends and magic collide, the sole remaining warrior of a mystical order (Oscar winner Jeff Bridges) travels to find a prophesized hero born with incredible powers, the last Seventh Son (Ben Barnes). Torn from his quiet life as a farmhand, the unlikely young hero embarks on a daring adventure with his battle-hardened mentor to vanquish a dark queen (Julianne Moore) and the army of supernatural assassins she has dispatched against their kingdom.
Academy Award nominee Sergei Bodrov (Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan, Nomad: The Warrior) directs Seventh Son from a screenplay by Charles Leavitt (upcoming In the Heart of the Sea, upcoming Warcraft) and Steven Knight (The Hundred-Foot Journey, Closed Circuit) and a screen story by Matt Greenberg (Reign of Fire).
Joining director Bodrov behind the screen is a stellar crew led...
In a time of enchantments when legends and magic collide, the sole remaining warrior of a mystical order (Oscar winner Jeff Bridges) travels to find a prophesized hero born with incredible powers, the last Seventh Son (Ben Barnes). Torn from his quiet life as a farmhand, the unlikely young hero embarks on a daring adventure with his battle-hardened mentor to vanquish a dark queen (Julianne Moore) and the army of supernatural assassins she has dispatched against their kingdom.
Academy Award nominee Sergei Bodrov (Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan, Nomad: The Warrior) directs Seventh Son from a screenplay by Charles Leavitt (upcoming In the Heart of the Sea, upcoming Warcraft) and Steven Knight (The Hundred-Foot Journey, Closed Circuit) and a screen story by Matt Greenberg (Reign of Fire).
Joining director Bodrov behind the screen is a stellar crew led...
- 1/28/2015
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Principal photography has commenced on the highly anticipated motion picture The 5th Wave, Columbia Pictures’ adaptation of the bestselling young adult novel. The action-adventure film is directed by J Blakeson, with a screenplay by Susannah Grant, based on the book by Rick Yancey. The producers are Tobey Maguire, Graham King, Lynn Harris, and Matthew Plouffe. Denis O’Sullivan and Richard Middleton are the executive producers.
Slated for domestic release on January 29, 2016, The 5th Wave stars Chloe Grace Moretz as Cassie, Nick Robinson as Ben Parishaka “Zombie,” Ron Livingston as Dad/Oliver, Maggie Siff as Mom/Lisa, Alex Roe as Evan Walker, Maika Monroe as Ringer, Zackary Arthur as Sam, and Liev Schreiber as Vosch.
In The 5th Wave, set in the present day, four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, 16-year-old Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother.
Slated for domestic release on January 29, 2016, The 5th Wave stars Chloe Grace Moretz as Cassie, Nick Robinson as Ben Parishaka “Zombie,” Ron Livingston as Dad/Oliver, Maggie Siff as Mom/Lisa, Alex Roe as Evan Walker, Maika Monroe as Ringer, Zackary Arthur as Sam, and Liev Schreiber as Vosch.
In The 5th Wave, set in the present day, four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, 16-year-old Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother.
- 10/24/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Transformers: Age of Extinction Review
Another installment of Michael Bay‘s critic-proof Transformers franchise comes to town, and this one is both more and less than some of its predecessors, but in new and quasi-interesting ways. Possibly the most notable feature of the film that clocks in at a whooping 165 minutes is that there is so much that is good in it, all of it wasted or destroyed by Bay. On the other hand, the most notable feature is probably that somehow it still just isn’t that bad. It’s bad, and irritating, but it’s not that bad.
Transformers: Age of Extinction kicks off with an overlong, laughably serious, establishment introduction, which is practically a separate movie unto itself. We get far more than we need about Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), his plight, his daughter, and his overly cliche, and simplistic “dreamer who doesn’t work well with real world issues.
Another installment of Michael Bay‘s critic-proof Transformers franchise comes to town, and this one is both more and less than some of its predecessors, but in new and quasi-interesting ways. Possibly the most notable feature of the film that clocks in at a whooping 165 minutes is that there is so much that is good in it, all of it wasted or destroyed by Bay. On the other hand, the most notable feature is probably that somehow it still just isn’t that bad. It’s bad, and irritating, but it’s not that bad.
Transformers: Age of Extinction kicks off with an overlong, laughably serious, establishment introduction, which is practically a separate movie unto itself. We get far more than we need about Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), his plight, his daughter, and his overly cliche, and simplistic “dreamer who doesn’t work well with real world issues.
- 7/1/2014
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Opening January 17th, here’s the first trailer for Seventh Son starring Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes, Olivia Williams, Djimon Hounsou and Julianne Moore. Based on the book series The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney, get ready for all sorts of creatures, witches and beasties.
In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), centuries ago.
But she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers of every incarnation, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her terrible wrath on an unsuspecting world. Only one thing stands in her way: Master Gregory.
In a deadly reunion, Gregory comes face to face with the evil he always feared would someday return. He has only until the...
In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), centuries ago.
But she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers of every incarnation, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her terrible wrath on an unsuspecting world. Only one thing stands in her way: Master Gregory.
In a deadly reunion, Gregory comes face to face with the evil he always feared would someday return. He has only until the...
- 7/10/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
An exhilarating campaign to save mankind unfolds on the high seas, in the skies and on land when Battleship . the entertaining, action-adventure made with unprecedented support of the Us Navy . comes to Blu-ray. Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand August 28th, 2012, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Also available through Digital Download. Against all odds, a daring young naval officer and his heroic crew launch an all-out military showdown against a superior alien force in this enthralling, thrill-ride that will have viewers holding their breath through the final gripping face-off. Blu-ray.s high-definition picture and perfect hi-def 5.1 surround sound provide the ultimate showcase to experience the film.s awe-inspiring special effects, non-stop action and ingenious weaponry. Almost two hours of exclusive bonus features including all-new featurettes, behind-the-scenes footage, filmmaker commentary and an exciting pre-visualization of an alternate ending make this a must-own disc for every movie fan.
The Blu-rayTM Combo Pack...
The Blu-rayTM Combo Pack...
- 7/12/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Last spring, we reported Jeff Bridges’ casting in Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ big-screen adaptation of Joseph Delaney’s young adult series The Last Apprentice (aka The Wardstone Chronicles in the UK). Now, we have official news from Warner Bros. Pictures that production has begun on this project, titled The Seventh Son, which also stars Julianne Moore and Ben Barnes and have a first look at concept art for the film.
Check out the official press release and concept art below!
[Click Image To Blow Sh!t Up]
This concept art gives us an idea of the scale of what they’re going for in this adaptation. It is indeed a good sign for an epic battle against good and evil!
Production Begins on “Seventh Son” for Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures
Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore and Ben Barnes Lead the International Cast
Burbank, Calif.– Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy action adventure “Seventh Son.
Check out the official press release and concept art below!
[Click Image To Blow Sh!t Up]
This concept art gives us an idea of the scale of what they’re going for in this adaptation. It is indeed a good sign for an epic battle against good and evil!
Production Begins on “Seventh Son” for Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures
Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore and Ben Barnes Lead the International Cast
Burbank, Calif.– Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy action adventure “Seventh Son.
- 3/28/2012
- by Lillian 'zenbitch' Standefer
- ScifiMafia
Well, okay, not really, but it is hard to not get that kind of vibe after seeing the latest sliver of concept art for Legendary and Warner Brothers' upcoming adaptation of The Spook's Apprentice known as The Seventh Son.
From the Press Release
Principal photography is under way on Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy action adventure Seventh Son. Shooting began on March 19th under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Sergei Bodrov, director of the Oscar®-nominated foreign language films Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan and Prisoner of the Mountains. Seventh Son stars Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, Iron Man), Oscar® nominee Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven, The Hours), and Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia films).
The film’s international cast also includes Alicia Vikander (The Crown Jewels), Antje Traue (Pandorum, upcoming Man of Steel), Olivia Williams (Hanna) and Kit Harington (HBO’s “Game of Thrones...
From the Press Release
Principal photography is under way on Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy action adventure Seventh Son. Shooting began on March 19th under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Sergei Bodrov, director of the Oscar®-nominated foreign language films Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan and Prisoner of the Mountains. Seventh Son stars Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, Iron Man), Oscar® nominee Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven, The Hours), and Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia films).
The film’s international cast also includes Alicia Vikander (The Crown Jewels), Antje Traue (Pandorum, upcoming Man of Steel), Olivia Williams (Hanna) and Kit Harington (HBO’s “Game of Thrones...
- 3/28/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Well it's finally official. Filming of Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' The Seventh Son has commenced, and we have the latest for you right here. Read on for the official synopsis and more!
From the Press Release
Principal photography is under way on Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy action adventure Seventh Son. Shooting began on March 19th under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Sergei Bodrov, director of the Oscar®-nominated foreign language films Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan and Prisoner of the Mountains. Seventh Son stars Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, Iron Man), Oscar® nominee Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven, The Hours), and Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia films).
The film’s international cast also includes Alicia Vikander (The Crown Jewels), Antje Traue (Pandorum, upcoming Man of Steel), Olivia Williams (Hanna) and Kit Harington (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”).
Bodrov is directing the...
From the Press Release
Principal photography is under way on Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy action adventure Seventh Son. Shooting began on March 19th under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Sergei Bodrov, director of the Oscar®-nominated foreign language films Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan and Prisoner of the Mountains. Seventh Son stars Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, Iron Man), Oscar® nominee Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven, The Hours), and Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia films).
The film’s international cast also includes Alicia Vikander (The Crown Jewels), Antje Traue (Pandorum, upcoming Man of Steel), Olivia Williams (Hanna) and Kit Harington (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”).
Bodrov is directing the...
- 3/26/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy action adventure “Seventh Son.” Shooting began on March 19, under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Sergei Bodrov, director of the Oscar®-nominated foreign language films “Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan” and “Prisoner of the Mountains.” “Seventh Son” stars Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges (“Crazy Heart,” “Iron Man”), Oscar® nominee Julianne Moore (“Far From Heaven,” “The Hours”), and Ben Barnes (“The Chronicles of Narnia” films).
In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), centuries ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers of every incarnation, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her terrible wrath on an unsuspecting world.
In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), centuries ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers of every incarnation, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her terrible wrath on an unsuspecting world.
- 3/26/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Check out the new photos of Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, and director Joss Whedon from Marvel’S The Avengers (Courtesy of EW). Next summer, the superheroes will team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security. EW’s Avengers issue is on news stands now.
At the 1:45 mark, you can catch a quick glimpse of the cast in a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Avengers on the promo for Captain America: The First Avenger out on DVD/Blu-ray on October 25th.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures Marvel’S The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon (Serenity) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film’s principal photography has taken place in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) returns...
At the 1:45 mark, you can catch a quick glimpse of the cast in a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Avengers on the promo for Captain America: The First Avenger out on DVD/Blu-ray on October 25th.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures Marvel’S The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon (Serenity) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film’s principal photography has taken place in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) returns...
- 10/2/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
We held a poll for new DVD write-ups and you chose this one. It's your fault! ;)
You're familiar with the ol' term "edited with a chainsaw", yes? Thist post will surely be written by one. Edited with a chainsaw is an odd phrase since it scapegoats the editor when messy jumbled narrative choices and general incoherence are just as often the fault of screenwriters and directors. Not that editing can't make things worse. Quick, explain what happened in that final battle on the rainbow bridge in Thor because I still don't know. If I ever meet Paul Rubell I will definitely ask him. I don't mean to single Mr Rubell out among editors but my mind lept to Thor because The Other Woman -- our topic du jour -- also stars Her Lady of Ubiquity Natalie Portman. But, really, Thor isn't particularly egregious as incoherent actioners go. Continuity and visual...
You're familiar with the ol' term "edited with a chainsaw", yes? Thist post will surely be written by one. Edited with a chainsaw is an odd phrase since it scapegoats the editor when messy jumbled narrative choices and general incoherence are just as often the fault of screenwriters and directors. Not that editing can't make things worse. Quick, explain what happened in that final battle on the rainbow bridge in Thor because I still don't know. If I ever meet Paul Rubell I will definitely ask him. I don't mean to single Mr Rubell out among editors but my mind lept to Thor because The Other Woman -- our topic du jour -- also stars Her Lady of Ubiquity Natalie Portman. But, really, Thor isn't particularly egregious as incoherent actioners go. Continuity and visual...
- 6/8/2011
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Marvel's mightiest heroes are now assembling under the supervision of Joss Whedon.
It's been announced that production has started in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on team-up adventure The Avengers. It's directed by Whedon, who is also the screenwriter on this hotly-anticipated project.
Filming will then continue in Cleveland, Ohio, and New York City, says the Marvel Studios statement.
A teaser image was also unveiled as the first set picture from the movie and you can see that above. It's an amusingly tantalising hint at the gathering of heroes we will see on the big screen next summer (although I doubt the Hulk would fit in that chair or that it would withstand his weight!)
The official announcement from Marvel confirms who exactly will be joining forces, including familiar faces and new additions.
Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) returns as Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth as Thor,...
It's been announced that production has started in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on team-up adventure The Avengers. It's directed by Whedon, who is also the screenwriter on this hotly-anticipated project.
Filming will then continue in Cleveland, Ohio, and New York City, says the Marvel Studios statement.
A teaser image was also unveiled as the first set picture from the movie and you can see that above. It's an amusingly tantalising hint at the gathering of heroes we will see on the big screen next summer (although I doubt the Hulk would fit in that chair or that it would withstand his weight!)
The official announcement from Marvel confirms who exactly will be joining forces, including familiar faces and new additions.
Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) returns as Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth as Thor,...
- 4/28/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
As we told you yesterday, thanks to director Joss Whedon‘s plea for good luck from fans, that production was underway on Marvel Studios forthcoming, superhero team up, The Avengers. Now comes word directly from the studio about the start of production in Albuquerque, New Mexico, along with a picture from the set and the official press release. Check it out below!
Marvel Studios Begins Production Of Epic Feature
“Marvel’S The Avengers”
Marvel Super Heroes Assemble To Commence Principal Photography
In Preparation for May 4, 2012 Film Release
Burbank, Calif. (April 26, 2011) — Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor,...
Marvel Studios Begins Production Of Epic Feature
“Marvel’S The Avengers”
Marvel Super Heroes Assemble To Commence Principal Photography
In Preparation for May 4, 2012 Film Release
Burbank, Calif. (April 26, 2011) — Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor,...
- 4/27/2011
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
Over the weekend, Obsessed With Film was sent an email from an anonymous source claiming to have come into possession of a 08/04/2011 shooting draft script titled “Group Hug”. This is well known to be the secret production title of The Avengers, Marvel/Disney’s ensemble superhero movie that began filming on Easter Monday. The e-mail claimed the 129 page script bore the Marvel Studios letterhead and all the pages were watermarked with the name of the actor who the leaked script belongs too.
I was then asked to contact the source to ‘negotiate terms’.
Out of mild curiosity I asked for visual clarification that the script was real in the form of some photo’s (I was never going to make a serious offer, I just wanted to see which actor will get in trouble for letting his script go loose) and what returned was two images which clearly show the...
I was then asked to contact the source to ‘negotiate terms’.
Out of mild curiosity I asked for visual clarification that the script was real in the form of some photo’s (I was never going to make a serious offer, I just wanted to see which actor will get in trouble for letting his script go loose) and what returned was two images which clearly show the...
- 4/27/2011
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
I’ve been debating over the last few hours whether or not to release this… We received some photos that are being claimed as pages straight from the script of The Avengers. While the pages mentioned don’t give too many details, it is a pretty cool look into what we can expect from next summer’s superhero flick which pulls in the Marvel comic book characters Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Hawkeye, Hulk and Nick Fury.
Now, I can’t confirm these photos are from the actual script, but from the “official” look these pages have, I gotta say they are legit. Anyway, hit the jump to see the leaked script pages for The Avengers.
As you can see from these photos, the film is shooting under the covert name of “Group Hug.” Check out the official press release sent out by Marvel yesterday.
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque,...
Now, I can’t confirm these photos are from the actual script, but from the “official” look these pages have, I gotta say they are legit. Anyway, hit the jump to see the leaked script pages for The Avengers.
As you can see from these photos, the film is shooting under the covert name of “Group Hug.” Check out the official press release sent out by Marvel yesterday.
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque,...
- 4/27/2011
- by Ryan Laster
- If It's Movies
Burbank, Calif. (April 26, 2011) — Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor, Chris Evans (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) as Captain America, Jeremy Renner (“Thor,” “The Hurt Locker”) as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo (“The Kids Are Alright”) as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson (“Iron Man 2”) as Black Widow, Clark Gregg (“Iron Man,” “Thor”) as Agent Phil Coulson, and Samuel L. Jackson (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) as Nick Fury. Set for release in the Us on May 4, 2012, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the first feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel...
- 4/27/2011
- by foxallaccess
- Fox All Access
Joss Whedon and The Avengers are all set to go. Filming for the project began on Monday, and now we have our first photo from the set of the film as well as an official press release from Marvel Studios. Next summer, we will see Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow and Nick Fury team up to battle forces plotting to destroy the world. I know you can’t wait any longer, so hit the jump to see the first image from the set, as well as the official press release which contains more production information as well as a “synopsis” of the film.
Here is the first set image, which you can click to see a slightly bigger version.
And here is the official press release.
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by...
Here is the first set image, which you can click to see a slightly bigger version.
And here is the official press release.
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by...
- 4/26/2011
- by Ryan Laster
- If It's Movies
And so the long road to The Avengers begins… Yes, as the first day of shooting gets underway, Marvel Studios have released the first image from the set and despite it being a mere tease for fans, it’s a sure sign of the long road of teaser images and snippets of information we’re sure to receive on the way to the finished movie.
To accompany the images, Marvel have also released a press release announcing the start of production:
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor, Chris Evans (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) as Captain America,...
To accompany the images, Marvel have also released a press release announcing the start of production:
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor, Chris Evans (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) as Captain America,...
- 4/26/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
While Joss Whedon revealed the news on the weekend, Marvel Studios has now issued released a press release confirming the start of production for Marvel's "The Avengers". To make sure it makes headlines, they've also included the first photo from the set which you can see below.
Here's a copy of the official press release:
"Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios' highly anticipated movie "Marvel's The Avengers," directed by Joss Whedon ("Serenity") from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2") returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") as Thor, Chris Evans ("Captain America: The First Avenger") as Captain America, Jeremy Renner ("Thor," "The Hurt Locker") as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo ("The Kids Are Alright") as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson ("Iron Man 2") as Black Widow,...
Here's a copy of the official press release:
"Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios' highly anticipated movie "Marvel's The Avengers," directed by Joss Whedon ("Serenity") from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2") returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") as Thor, Chris Evans ("Captain America: The First Avenger") as Captain America, Jeremy Renner ("Thor," "The Hurt Locker") as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo ("The Kids Are Alright") as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson ("Iron Man 2") as Black Widow,...
- 4/26/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2″) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor, Chris Evans (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) as Captain America, Jeremy Renner (“Thor,” “The Hurt Locker”) as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo (“The Kids Are Alright”) as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson (“Iron Man 2″) as Black Widow, Clark Gregg (“Iron Man,” “Thor”) as Agent Phil Coulson, and Samuel L. Jackson (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2″) as Nick Fury. Set for release in the Us on May 4, 2012, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the first feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.
Continuing the...
Continuing the...
- 4/26/2011
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
Looks like the team has assembled in this first photo from the set of director Joss Whedon’s The Avengers. Yesterday we brought you word from Whedon himself that shooting had commenced. Today comes the official press release along with full cast info, synopsis and this still above.
Official Press Release from Marvel:
Marvel Studios Begins Production Of Epic Feature
.Marvel.S The Avengers. Marvel Super Heroes Assemble To Commence Principal Photography
In Preparation for May 4, 2012 Film Release
Burbank, Calif. (April 26, 2011)
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios. highly anticipated movie .Marvel.s The Avengers,. directed by Joss Whedon (.Serenity.) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (.Iron Man,. .Iron Man 2.) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (.Thor.) as Thor, Chris Evans (.Captain America: The First Avenger.) as Captain America,...
Official Press Release from Marvel:
Marvel Studios Begins Production Of Epic Feature
.Marvel.S The Avengers. Marvel Super Heroes Assemble To Commence Principal Photography
In Preparation for May 4, 2012 Film Release
Burbank, Calif. (April 26, 2011)
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios. highly anticipated movie .Marvel.s The Avengers,. directed by Joss Whedon (.Serenity.) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (.Iron Man,. .Iron Man 2.) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (.Thor.) as Thor, Chris Evans (.Captain America: The First Avenger.) as Captain America,...
- 4/26/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Source: FilmShaft - First Set Photo & Press Release From The Avengers
Over the weekend Joss Whedon announced via his own blog that filming would begin this week on Marvel's The Avengers. Well now we have the first set image and a press release making it all properly official like.
The press release doesn't reveal much in the way of plot but there is a general gist to the situation which will present itself to Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, Captain America, Nick Fury and Hawkeye. There's also plenty of information on the creative team involved, shooting locations and such.
Press release:
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2...
Over the weekend Joss Whedon announced via his own blog that filming would begin this week on Marvel's The Avengers. Well now we have the first set image and a press release making it all properly official like.
The press release doesn't reveal much in the way of plot but there is a general gist to the situation which will present itself to Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, Captain America, Nick Fury and Hawkeye. There's also plenty of information on the creative team involved, shooting locations and such.
Press release:
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2...
- 4/26/2011
- by Martyn Conterio
- FilmShaft.com
Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Hawkeye and Black Widow have finally assembled. As we already knew [1], Joss Whedon has officially begun production on Marvel and Disney's mega superhero team up The Avengers, aimed at a May 4, 2012 release. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Marvel has released a very teaserific image from the set as well as an official press release that once again confirms characters from Thor, played by Tom Hiddleston and Stellan Skarsgård, are indeed in the film [2]. It also reveals the names of the rest of Whedon's creative team. Read the press release, which also contains your first "official" plot description and check out the photo after the jump. We'll start you off with the full, official image. [3] And here's the press release. Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon.
- 4/26/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Marvel have started what is sure to be an ongoing mixture of tease and inconsequential nonsense by posting this picture of the set of The Avengers.
It’s a nicely done picture, which simply states to fans – It is happening. There’s a nice S.H.I.E.L.D logo on the wall and the main players director Joss Whedon has to contain all have their chairs, which is good because comfort is all important when you’re saving the world.
With Kenneth Branagh’s Thor doing very well in cinemas and Captain America spitting out decent trailers what we need is a look at Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner and Hulk to complete the picture but I’m sure they’ll save that for the trailer.
Here’s that picture,
And now the entire press release copied out in neat for your eyes,
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque,...
It’s a nicely done picture, which simply states to fans – It is happening. There’s a nice S.H.I.E.L.D logo on the wall and the main players director Joss Whedon has to contain all have their chairs, which is good because comfort is all important when you’re saving the world.
With Kenneth Branagh’s Thor doing very well in cinemas and Captain America spitting out decent trailers what we need is a look at Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner and Hulk to complete the picture but I’m sure they’ll save that for the trailer.
Here’s that picture,
And now the entire press release copied out in neat for your eyes,
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque,...
- 4/26/2011
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
I'm extremely excited for this movie, and for those of you who are also looking forward to The Avengers here's the first image from the set of Joss Whedon's The Avengers which started shooting yesterday. Marvel Studios released the photo with a press release announcing the official start of production for for the highly anticipated movie. I can't wait to see what's in store for us!
Here's the full press release:
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios' highly anticipated movie "Marvel's The Avengers," directed by Joss Whedon ("Serenity") from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2") returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") as Thor, Chris Evans ("Captain America: The First Avenger") as Captain America, Jeremy Renner ("Thor," "The Hurt Locker") as Hawkeye,...
Here's the full press release:
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios' highly anticipated movie "Marvel's The Avengers," directed by Joss Whedon ("Serenity") from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2") returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") as Thor, Chris Evans ("Captain America: The First Avenger") as Captain America, Jeremy Renner ("Thor," "The Hurt Locker") as Hawkeye,...
- 4/26/2011
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Here's the first Image and press releases for Marvels superhero team up 'The Avengers,' that has Joss Whedon at the helm:
Joss Whedon's statement:
Hi Pumpkins, joss here. Tomorrow we start shooting (I Think I'm legally permitted to say that). Day one. That's right. We'll be shooting the pivotal death/betrayal/product placement/setting up the sequel/coming out scene, at the following address:[Marvel Lawyers rush in, take Joss's keyboard, blowtorch a picture of his family like in "Stormy Monday", drink his milkshake, leave the seat up, fluff his pillows, violently unfluff his pillows, leave] Went too far. My bad. Anyhoo, it should be a fun day, followed by the eighty thousand other fun days it will take to finish this. I'll be checking in from time to time, if there's news or I crave attention (i.e. am awake) . None of it will be Avengers news -- I have some very denty pillows to remind of that -- but I may have tidbits. (They're not about Firefly. I should say that up front, if only to protect Sis Mo from the Hatorz.
Joss Whedon's statement:
Hi Pumpkins, joss here. Tomorrow we start shooting (I Think I'm legally permitted to say that). Day one. That's right. We'll be shooting the pivotal death/betrayal/product placement/setting up the sequel/coming out scene, at the following address:[Marvel Lawyers rush in, take Joss's keyboard, blowtorch a picture of his family like in "Stormy Monday", drink his milkshake, leave the seat up, fluff his pillows, violently unfluff his pillows, leave] Went too far. My bad. Anyhoo, it should be a fun day, followed by the eighty thousand other fun days it will take to finish this. I'll be checking in from time to time, if there's news or I crave attention (i.e. am awake) . None of it will be Avengers news -- I have some very denty pillows to remind of that -- but I may have tidbits. (They're not about Firefly. I should say that up front, if only to protect Sis Mo from the Hatorz.
- 4/25/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Flicks News)
- FlicksNews.net
Opens: Wednesday, July 2 (Columbia)
Will Smith's powers are even more extraordinary than those of a caped crusader who can leap way beyond the tallest buildings in a single bound. Smith has salvaged many vehicles more threadbare than "Hancock", and though his latest venture is decidedly uneven, he seems poised to score yet another supervictory at the boxoffice. The movie is a good showcase for him -- and for co-stars Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman. Imagine the heights they all could have scaled if the picture had been really good.
Article Templatehttp://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1119669402http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=769341148 var config = new Array();config["videoId"] = 1487044577;config["lineupId"] = null;config["videoRef"] = null;config["playerTag"] = null;config["autoStart"] = false;config["preloadBackColor"] = "#FFFFFF";config["width"] = 286; config["height"] = 277; config["playerId"] = 1119669402; createExperience(config, 8);One suspects that the movie's problems stem from the multitude of cooks who toiled on the project during the several years it took to reach the screen. Although the script is credited to Vy Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan, several others worked on it, including producers Akiva Goldsman and Michael Mann. Jonathan Mostow and Gabriele Muccino were among the directors attached to the project before Peter Berg signed on. Somewhere along the way, a sharp black comedy lost its bite.
The movie's sly premise is established in its opening scenes, which reflect the tart sensibility of Gilligan, the creator of AMC's bracingly cynical series "Breaking Bad". Hancock is a crime-fighter going through what appears to be a midlife crisis. He's a foulmouthed drunk who springs into action when Los Angeles is in trouble, but he behaves with such wanton disregard for people and property that he often alienates the citizens whose lives he saves.
When Hancock rescues an idealistic PR man (now there's an oxymoron), the grateful Ray Bateman) embarks on a campaign to burnish Hancock's bad-boy image. The benevolent publicist -- the antithesis of Tony Curtis' sleazy Sidney Falco in "Sweet Smell of Success" -- is another choice comic character. The movie introduces a third when Hancock meets Ray's wife, Mary (Theron). There are immediate sparks between the loutish superhero and the pert suburban housewife, and it's clear that Mary has some connection to Hancock's mysterious past. But this is where the movie starts to unravel. It veers from comedy to romantic tragedy and introduces an elaborate backstory that never makes much sense.
The best comic book movies develop a rigorous and logical mythology. As "Hancock" races toward its spectacular but muddled finale, it keeps rewriting its own rules in an effort to pander to the audience. The storytelling lapses are not helped by Berg's frenetic direction. As he showed in his most recent film, "The Kingdom", Berg is addicted to intense close-ups and kinetic hand-held camera movement. He seems to be worshiping at the altar of Michael Bay.
Berg's strength lies in his appreciation for actors and keen eye for casting. Bateman has brightened many recent movies, including "Juno" and "The Promotion", but No One has given him such a juicy part in years. The actor rips into it lustily. British actor Eddie Marsan (a member of Mike Leigh's stock company) also makes a strong impression as a genuinely creepy villain.
Special effects supervised by veteran John Dykstra are at once witty and eye-popping. In keeping with the concept of the surly superhero, Hancock makes his entrances and exits spewing mounds of concrete in his hazardous wake. The visual effects are stellar, but the true star is Smith, who again demonstrates acting chops as well as effortless charisma in a vehicle that's only occasionally worthy of his superhuman skills.
Production: Relativity Media, Blue Light, Weed Road Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment. Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan, Gregg Daniel. Director: Peter Berg. Screenwriters: Vy Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan. Producers: Akiva Goldsman, Michael Mann, Will Smith, James Lassiter. Executive producers: Ian Bryce, Jonathan Mostow, Richard Saperstein. Director of photography: Tobias Schliessler. Production designer: Neil Spisak. Music: John Powell. Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach. Editors: Paul Rubell, Colby Parker Jr.
Rated PG-13, 92 minutes.
Will Smith's powers are even more extraordinary than those of a caped crusader who can leap way beyond the tallest buildings in a single bound. Smith has salvaged many vehicles more threadbare than "Hancock", and though his latest venture is decidedly uneven, he seems poised to score yet another supervictory at the boxoffice. The movie is a good showcase for him -- and for co-stars Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman. Imagine the heights they all could have scaled if the picture had been really good.
Article Templatehttp://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1119669402http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=769341148 var config = new Array();config["videoId"] = 1487044577;config["lineupId"] = null;config["videoRef"] = null;config["playerTag"] = null;config["autoStart"] = false;config["preloadBackColor"] = "#FFFFFF";config["width"] = 286; config["height"] = 277; config["playerId"] = 1119669402; createExperience(config, 8);One suspects that the movie's problems stem from the multitude of cooks who toiled on the project during the several years it took to reach the screen. Although the script is credited to Vy Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan, several others worked on it, including producers Akiva Goldsman and Michael Mann. Jonathan Mostow and Gabriele Muccino were among the directors attached to the project before Peter Berg signed on. Somewhere along the way, a sharp black comedy lost its bite.
The movie's sly premise is established in its opening scenes, which reflect the tart sensibility of Gilligan, the creator of AMC's bracingly cynical series "Breaking Bad". Hancock is a crime-fighter going through what appears to be a midlife crisis. He's a foulmouthed drunk who springs into action when Los Angeles is in trouble, but he behaves with such wanton disregard for people and property that he often alienates the citizens whose lives he saves.
When Hancock rescues an idealistic PR man (now there's an oxymoron), the grateful Ray Bateman) embarks on a campaign to burnish Hancock's bad-boy image. The benevolent publicist -- the antithesis of Tony Curtis' sleazy Sidney Falco in "Sweet Smell of Success" -- is another choice comic character. The movie introduces a third when Hancock meets Ray's wife, Mary (Theron). There are immediate sparks between the loutish superhero and the pert suburban housewife, and it's clear that Mary has some connection to Hancock's mysterious past. But this is where the movie starts to unravel. It veers from comedy to romantic tragedy and introduces an elaborate backstory that never makes much sense.
The best comic book movies develop a rigorous and logical mythology. As "Hancock" races toward its spectacular but muddled finale, it keeps rewriting its own rules in an effort to pander to the audience. The storytelling lapses are not helped by Berg's frenetic direction. As he showed in his most recent film, "The Kingdom", Berg is addicted to intense close-ups and kinetic hand-held camera movement. He seems to be worshiping at the altar of Michael Bay.
Berg's strength lies in his appreciation for actors and keen eye for casting. Bateman has brightened many recent movies, including "Juno" and "The Promotion", but No One has given him such a juicy part in years. The actor rips into it lustily. British actor Eddie Marsan (a member of Mike Leigh's stock company) also makes a strong impression as a genuinely creepy villain.
Special effects supervised by veteran John Dykstra are at once witty and eye-popping. In keeping with the concept of the surly superhero, Hancock makes his entrances and exits spewing mounds of concrete in his hazardous wake. The visual effects are stellar, but the true star is Smith, who again demonstrates acting chops as well as effortless charisma in a vehicle that's only occasionally worthy of his superhuman skills.
Production: Relativity Media, Blue Light, Weed Road Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment. Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan, Gregg Daniel. Director: Peter Berg. Screenwriters: Vy Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan. Producers: Akiva Goldsman, Michael Mann, Will Smith, James Lassiter. Executive producers: Ian Bryce, Jonathan Mostow, Richard Saperstein. Director of photography: Tobias Schliessler. Production designer: Neil Spisak. Music: John Powell. Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach. Editors: Paul Rubell, Colby Parker Jr.
Rated PG-13, 92 minutes.
- 6/24/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This review was written for the theatrical release of "Transformers"."Transformers" is a wet dream for fanboys, with vehicles that whiz and whir into alien robots, spectacular sci-fi stunt chases, glistening military hardware, overheated computer software and brainy, hot girls who love Popular Mechanics. It's a Michael Bay movie based on a Hasbro line of toys that perfectly captures adolescent fascination with mechanical things you can take apart and put back together.
The movie is noisy fun, with characters and plot lines kept simple and flashes of comedy that hit home more often than not. Most importantly, the filmmakers have shrewdly selected their young cast. Shia LaBeouf is one of the hottest young actors on the planet at the moment, with the surprise hit thriller "Disturbia" and excellent lead vocal performance in the animated comedy "Surf's Up" already behind him this year. Megan Fox and Rachael Taylor add terrific sex appeal in roles designed to emphasize female capability and intelligence. And singer-actor Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel are the smart-looking military dudes who take on the aliens at street level.
The movie's appeal definitely will expand beyond fanboys and sci-fi addicts to include older "kids" who grew up with the Transformers toys and comic books. DreamWorks and Paramount should be well-rewarded for their deep-pocketed faith in this potential franchise with a global hit.
This is not the first cinematic outing for the mechanical warriors. A 1986 animated movie was based on the original "Transformers"
television show, which was based, of course, on the popular multiform robot toy line. It didn't go over well at the boxoffice. (That tooner, incidentally, was set in 2005.) But now Bay and an army of visual designers have successfully re-imagined a photorealistic world in which these Titans can believably clash.
The best thing in the script by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (from a story by Orci, Kurtzman and John Rogers) is how a teen plot line gets tied into the fate of the world. Young Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf), who's nerdy but funny and sort of cool, gets a mysterious car from his dad, a banged-up '76 Chevy Camaro that he only later discovers is an alien robot. Now that's a way to get a girl's attention!
That girl, with the arresting name of Mikaela (Fox), has been in school with him for years but never really noticed him. One day she accepts a ride from him and finds herself caught up in a war of the worlds. Seems an ancestor of Sam made a discovery in the Arctic Circle that prompts the bad guys -- sorry, robots -- to target Sam, who unknowingly holds the key to mankind's survival -- if he hasn't already sold it on eBay.
Two robotic races -- the evil Decepticons and the heroic Autobots -- hide out on Earth as cars, trucks, 18-wheeler tractors, Hummers, jets or even a boom box before grinding and expanding into their robotic essence. These are CGI-errific moments, courtesy of Industrial Light + Magic, that will have fanboys leaping from their seats. All these techno creatures have feelings and emotions, you understand, which leads to the film's most amusing moment, when Sam's Camaro performs wheelies after his girlfriend "insults" the car. Its radio also plays tunes that fit the mood.
The filmmakers create three other sets of characters: A group of computer hackers headed by Taylor and Anthony Anderson, who no less than the U.S. Secretary of Defense (Jon Voight) desperately appoints as his "advisers"; surviving military members of an alien attack on a U.S. base in the Middle East, led by Duhamel and Gibson, who somehow wind up duking it out with the aliens in downtown Los Angeles; and shadowy anti-alien agents led by John Turturro.
The snarl of action and story lines is sometimes awkward, but at least the audience can identify with characters wherever the robots choose to rumble. No faceless multitudes screaming and fleeing here as in the Godzilla movies of old.
Clearly, none of this would work if Bay had not adroitly coordinated the stunts, animation and characters, both real and mechanical. Thanks goes to a team of editors, who have made good sense of all the action. On the debit side, sound levels are all too high, and the score pushes harder than necessary.
While he has long been a master of mayhem, on this occasion Bay weds his visual dazzle to material that carries the action smoothly. This is an extravaganza rather than overwrought excess. As one young boy exclaims upon seeing his first robot, "This is 10 times cooler than 'Armageddon'!"
TRANSFORMERS
Paramount Pictures
DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present in association with Hasbro a di Bonaventura Pictures production of a Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy production
Credits:
Director: Michael Bay
Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Story: John Rogers, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Based on: Hasbro's Transformers action figures
Producers: Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Ian Bryce
Executive producers: Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay
Director of photography: Mitchell Amundsen
Production designer: Jeff Mann
Music: Steve Jablonsky
Co-producers: Allegra Clegg, Ken Bates
Costume designer: Deborah L. Scott
Editors: Paul Rubell, Glen Scantlebury, Thomas A. Muldoon
Cast:
Sam Witwicky: Shia LaBeouf
Mikaela Banes: Megan Fox
Sgt. Lennox: Josh Duhamel
Sgt. Epps: Tyrese Gibson
Maggie: Rachael Taylor
Glen: Anthony Anderson
Defense Secretary John Keller: Jon Voight
Agent Simmons: John Turturro
Running time -- 140 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
The movie is noisy fun, with characters and plot lines kept simple and flashes of comedy that hit home more often than not. Most importantly, the filmmakers have shrewdly selected their young cast. Shia LaBeouf is one of the hottest young actors on the planet at the moment, with the surprise hit thriller "Disturbia" and excellent lead vocal performance in the animated comedy "Surf's Up" already behind him this year. Megan Fox and Rachael Taylor add terrific sex appeal in roles designed to emphasize female capability and intelligence. And singer-actor Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel are the smart-looking military dudes who take on the aliens at street level.
The movie's appeal definitely will expand beyond fanboys and sci-fi addicts to include older "kids" who grew up with the Transformers toys and comic books. DreamWorks and Paramount should be well-rewarded for their deep-pocketed faith in this potential franchise with a global hit.
This is not the first cinematic outing for the mechanical warriors. A 1986 animated movie was based on the original "Transformers"
television show, which was based, of course, on the popular multiform robot toy line. It didn't go over well at the boxoffice. (That tooner, incidentally, was set in 2005.) But now Bay and an army of visual designers have successfully re-imagined a photorealistic world in which these Titans can believably clash.
The best thing in the script by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (from a story by Orci, Kurtzman and John Rogers) is how a teen plot line gets tied into the fate of the world. Young Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf), who's nerdy but funny and sort of cool, gets a mysterious car from his dad, a banged-up '76 Chevy Camaro that he only later discovers is an alien robot. Now that's a way to get a girl's attention!
That girl, with the arresting name of Mikaela (Fox), has been in school with him for years but never really noticed him. One day she accepts a ride from him and finds herself caught up in a war of the worlds. Seems an ancestor of Sam made a discovery in the Arctic Circle that prompts the bad guys -- sorry, robots -- to target Sam, who unknowingly holds the key to mankind's survival -- if he hasn't already sold it on eBay.
Two robotic races -- the evil Decepticons and the heroic Autobots -- hide out on Earth as cars, trucks, 18-wheeler tractors, Hummers, jets or even a boom box before grinding and expanding into their robotic essence. These are CGI-errific moments, courtesy of Industrial Light + Magic, that will have fanboys leaping from their seats. All these techno creatures have feelings and emotions, you understand, which leads to the film's most amusing moment, when Sam's Camaro performs wheelies after his girlfriend "insults" the car. Its radio also plays tunes that fit the mood.
The filmmakers create three other sets of characters: A group of computer hackers headed by Taylor and Anthony Anderson, who no less than the U.S. Secretary of Defense (Jon Voight) desperately appoints as his "advisers"; surviving military members of an alien attack on a U.S. base in the Middle East, led by Duhamel and Gibson, who somehow wind up duking it out with the aliens in downtown Los Angeles; and shadowy anti-alien agents led by John Turturro.
The snarl of action and story lines is sometimes awkward, but at least the audience can identify with characters wherever the robots choose to rumble. No faceless multitudes screaming and fleeing here as in the Godzilla movies of old.
Clearly, none of this would work if Bay had not adroitly coordinated the stunts, animation and characters, both real and mechanical. Thanks goes to a team of editors, who have made good sense of all the action. On the debit side, sound levels are all too high, and the score pushes harder than necessary.
While he has long been a master of mayhem, on this occasion Bay weds his visual dazzle to material that carries the action smoothly. This is an extravaganza rather than overwrought excess. As one young boy exclaims upon seeing his first robot, "This is 10 times cooler than 'Armageddon'!"
TRANSFORMERS
Paramount Pictures
DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present in association with Hasbro a di Bonaventura Pictures production of a Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy production
Credits:
Director: Michael Bay
Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Story: John Rogers, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Based on: Hasbro's Transformers action figures
Producers: Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Ian Bryce
Executive producers: Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay
Director of photography: Mitchell Amundsen
Production designer: Jeff Mann
Music: Steve Jablonsky
Co-producers: Allegra Clegg, Ken Bates
Costume designer: Deborah L. Scott
Editors: Paul Rubell, Glen Scantlebury, Thomas A. Muldoon
Cast:
Sam Witwicky: Shia LaBeouf
Mikaela Banes: Megan Fox
Sgt. Lennox: Josh Duhamel
Sgt. Epps: Tyrese Gibson
Maggie: Rachael Taylor
Glen: Anthony Anderson
Defense Secretary John Keller: Jon Voight
Agent Simmons: John Turturro
Running time -- 140 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 6/29/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Transformers is a wet dream for fanboys with vehicles that whiz and whir into alien robots, spectacular sci-fi stunt chases, glistening military hardware, overheated computer software and brainy, hot girls who love Popular Mechanics. It's a Michael Bay movie based on a Hasbro line of toys that perfectly captures adolescent fascination with mechanical things you can take apart and put back together.
The movie is noisy fun with characters and plot lines kept simple and flashes of comedy that hit home more often than not. Most importantly, the filmmakers have shrewdly selected their young cast. Shia LaBeouf is one of the hottest young actors on the planet at the moment with the surprise hit thriller Disturbia and excellent lead vocal performance in the animated comedy "Surf's Up" already behind him in 2007. Megan Fox and Rachael Taylor add terrific sex appeal in roles designed to emphasis female capability and intelligence. And singer-actor Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel are the smart looking military dudes who take on the aliens at street level.
The movie's appeal will definitely expand beyond fan boys and sci-fi addicts to include older "kids" who grew up with the Transformer toys and comic books. DreamWorks and Paramount should be well-rewarded for their deep-pocketed faith in this potential franchise with a global hit.
This is not the first cinematic outing for the mechanical warriors. A 1986 animated movie was based on a Transformers television show, which was based, of course, on the popular multiform robot toy line. It didn't go over very well at the boxoffice. (That tooner, incidently, was set in 2005.) But now Michael Bay and an army of visual designers have successfully re-imagined a photorealistic world in which these Titans can believably clash.
The best thing in the script by Roberto Orci annd Alex Kurtzman (from a story by John Rogers Orci and Kurtzman) is how a teen plotline gets tied into the fate of the world. Young Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf), who's nerdy but funny and sort of cool, gets a mysterious car from his dad, a banged-up '76 Chevy Camaro that he only later discovers is an alien robot. Now that's an intriguing way to get a girl's attention!
That girl, with the arresting name of Mikaela (Fox), has been in school with him for years but never really noticed him. One day she accepts a ride from him and finds herself caught up in a war of the worlds. Seems an ancestor of Sam made a discovery in the Arctic Circle that prompts the bad guys, sorry robots, to target Sam, who unknowingly holds the key to mankind's survival -- if he hasn't already sold it on eBay.
Two robotic races -- the evil Decepticons and the heroic Autobots -- hide out on Earth as cars, trucks, 18-wheeler tractors, Hummers, jets or even a boom box before grinding and expanding into their rotobic essence. These are CGI-errific moments, courtesy of Industrial Light & Magic, that have the fan boys leaping from their seats. All these techno creatures have feelings and emotions, you understand, which leads to the film's most amusing moment when Sam's Camaro performs wheelies after his girlfriend "insults" the car. Its radio also plays tunes that fit the mood!
The filmmakers create three other sets of characters: A group of computer hackers headed by Taylor and Glen Whitmann, who no less than the U.S. Secretary of Defense (Jon Voight) desperately appoints as his "advisors"; surviving military members of an alien attack on a U.S. base in the Middle East, lead by Duhamel and Gibson, who somehow wind up duking it out with the aliens in downtown L.A.; and shadowy anti-alien agents lead by John Turturro.
The snarl of action and storylines is sometimes awkward, but at least an audience can identify with characters wherever the robots choose to rumble. No faceless multitudes screaming and fleeing here as in the Godzilla movies of old.
Clearly, none of this would work if Bay had not adroitly coordinated the stunts, animation and characters, both real and mechanical. Thanks goes to a team of editors, who have made good sense of all the action. On the debit side, sound levels are all too high and the score pushes harder than necessary.
While he has long been a master of mayhem, on this occasion Bay weds his visual dazzle to material that carries the action smoothly. This is an extravaganza rather than overwrought excess. As one young boy exclaims upon seeing his first robot, "This is 10 time cooler than 'Armageddon!'"
TRANSFORMERS
Paramount Pictures
DreeamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present in association with Hasbro a di Bonaventura Pictures production of a Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy production
Credits:
Director: Michael Bay
Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Story by: John Rogers, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Based on: Hasbro's Transformers action figures
Producers: Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Ian Bryce
Executive producers: Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay
Director of photography: Mitchell Amundsen
Production designer: Jeff Mann
Music: Steve Jablonsky
Co-producers: Allegra Clegg, Ken Bates
Costume designer: Deborah L. Scott
Editors: Paul Rubell, Glen Scantlebury, Thomas A. Muldoon
Cast:
Sam Witwicky: Shia LaBeouf
Mikaela Banes: Megan Fox
Sgt. Lennox: Josh Duhamel
Sgt. Epps: Tyrese Gibson
Maggie: Rachel Taylor
Glen: Anthony Anderson
Defense Secretary John Keller: Jon Voight
Agent Simmons: John Turturro
Running time -- 140 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
The movie is noisy fun with characters and plot lines kept simple and flashes of comedy that hit home more often than not. Most importantly, the filmmakers have shrewdly selected their young cast. Shia LaBeouf is one of the hottest young actors on the planet at the moment with the surprise hit thriller Disturbia and excellent lead vocal performance in the animated comedy "Surf's Up" already behind him in 2007. Megan Fox and Rachael Taylor add terrific sex appeal in roles designed to emphasis female capability and intelligence. And singer-actor Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel are the smart looking military dudes who take on the aliens at street level.
The movie's appeal will definitely expand beyond fan boys and sci-fi addicts to include older "kids" who grew up with the Transformer toys and comic books. DreamWorks and Paramount should be well-rewarded for their deep-pocketed faith in this potential franchise with a global hit.
This is not the first cinematic outing for the mechanical warriors. A 1986 animated movie was based on a Transformers television show, which was based, of course, on the popular multiform robot toy line. It didn't go over very well at the boxoffice. (That tooner, incidently, was set in 2005.) But now Michael Bay and an army of visual designers have successfully re-imagined a photorealistic world in which these Titans can believably clash.
The best thing in the script by Roberto Orci annd Alex Kurtzman (from a story by John Rogers Orci and Kurtzman) is how a teen plotline gets tied into the fate of the world. Young Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf), who's nerdy but funny and sort of cool, gets a mysterious car from his dad, a banged-up '76 Chevy Camaro that he only later discovers is an alien robot. Now that's an intriguing way to get a girl's attention!
That girl, with the arresting name of Mikaela (Fox), has been in school with him for years but never really noticed him. One day she accepts a ride from him and finds herself caught up in a war of the worlds. Seems an ancestor of Sam made a discovery in the Arctic Circle that prompts the bad guys, sorry robots, to target Sam, who unknowingly holds the key to mankind's survival -- if he hasn't already sold it on eBay.
Two robotic races -- the evil Decepticons and the heroic Autobots -- hide out on Earth as cars, trucks, 18-wheeler tractors, Hummers, jets or even a boom box before grinding and expanding into their rotobic essence. These are CGI-errific moments, courtesy of Industrial Light & Magic, that have the fan boys leaping from their seats. All these techno creatures have feelings and emotions, you understand, which leads to the film's most amusing moment when Sam's Camaro performs wheelies after his girlfriend "insults" the car. Its radio also plays tunes that fit the mood!
The filmmakers create three other sets of characters: A group of computer hackers headed by Taylor and Glen Whitmann, who no less than the U.S. Secretary of Defense (Jon Voight) desperately appoints as his "advisors"; surviving military members of an alien attack on a U.S. base in the Middle East, lead by Duhamel and Gibson, who somehow wind up duking it out with the aliens in downtown L.A.; and shadowy anti-alien agents lead by John Turturro.
The snarl of action and storylines is sometimes awkward, but at least an audience can identify with characters wherever the robots choose to rumble. No faceless multitudes screaming and fleeing here as in the Godzilla movies of old.
Clearly, none of this would work if Bay had not adroitly coordinated the stunts, animation and characters, both real and mechanical. Thanks goes to a team of editors, who have made good sense of all the action. On the debit side, sound levels are all too high and the score pushes harder than necessary.
While he has long been a master of mayhem, on this occasion Bay weds his visual dazzle to material that carries the action smoothly. This is an extravaganza rather than overwrought excess. As one young boy exclaims upon seeing his first robot, "This is 10 time cooler than 'Armageddon!'"
TRANSFORMERS
Paramount Pictures
DreeamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present in association with Hasbro a di Bonaventura Pictures production of a Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy production
Credits:
Director: Michael Bay
Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Story by: John Rogers, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Based on: Hasbro's Transformers action figures
Producers: Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Ian Bryce
Executive producers: Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay
Director of photography: Mitchell Amundsen
Production designer: Jeff Mann
Music: Steve Jablonsky
Co-producers: Allegra Clegg, Ken Bates
Costume designer: Deborah L. Scott
Editors: Paul Rubell, Glen Scantlebury, Thomas A. Muldoon
Cast:
Sam Witwicky: Shia LaBeouf
Mikaela Banes: Megan Fox
Sgt. Lennox: Josh Duhamel
Sgt. Epps: Tyrese Gibson
Maggie: Rachel Taylor
Glen: Anthony Anderson
Defense Secretary John Keller: Jon Voight
Agent Simmons: John Turturro
Running time -- 140 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 6/29/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"The Island" starts off an aggressively derivative sci-fi thriller, then morphs into an above-average chase melodrama.
With a pair of classy actors, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson, aboard for the ride and director Michael Bay injecting high-octane fuel into the story's engine, the movie kicks into gear through a series of implausible though fun sequences of pursuit that utilize nearly all the movie action toys from digital effects to daunting stunts to massive sets and locations.
While entering the marketplace with less noise than "War of the Worlds" and "Fantastic Four", "The Island" should soak up much boxoffice coin in the coming weeks, both domestically and internationally.
For a while, the dystopian story about human cloning by Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci seems more likely to inspire viewer games of Spot the Movie Clone as the filmmakers shuffle through any number of old science-fiction movies for plot points and design ideas. These range from "Coma" to "Logan's Run". Since human cloning itself has become such a hot-button topic, the film feels contemporary. Even Kazuo Ishiguro's recently published novel, "Never Let Me Go", deals with a similar story minus, of course, the chases.
What's troubling from a political point of view is that these filmmakers have, perhaps unwittingly, delivered a film certain to give succor to the religious right. In this ethical horror story, scientists experimenting with human genetics to advance medicine and cure illness are cast as Dr. Frankenstein villains. The chief villain, Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean), mouths platitudes about curing leukemia but clearly has greed in his heart.
The early going sets up a humdrum, meticulously controlled environment where white-clad inhabitants lead aimless lives while supposedly being sheltered from worldwide contamination resulting from an ecological disaster. From the first moment, we know this is all a ruse. An omnipotent police force monitors every bodily function, obsesses over the "proximity" of males to females in the quasi-segregated population and refers to inhabitants behind their backs as "products."
Only when the curious and restless Lincoln Six Echo stumbles onto the truth about the facility, which 95% of the audience will already have guessed, and grabs his pal Jordan Two-Delta (Johansson) for his comrade-in-escape does the film take off. Fleeing the fake environment for the real world, the pair stumble into the Arizona desert with a private army led by ex-Special Forces commander Albert Laurent (Djimon Hounsou) in hot pursuit.
Their ace in the hole is a cynical but accepting worker at the facility, McCord (Steve Buscemi), who in the past has sneaked booze and other contraband to Lincoln. They track McCord to a desert bar and, feeling guilty about his involvement in the cloning enterprise, he agrees to help them.
There is an unfailing law of filmmaking that once Buscemi gets cast in a movie, all the best lines and comic business automatically gravitate to him. Here again he almost single-handedly jump-starts the movie. When he abruptly exits the picture, his presence is truly missed.
Two striking things animate the remainder of the picture. One is highly creative chases on freeways and airways of the future. In one, wheels on a big rig turn into lethal weapons. In another, a futuristic two-man flying machine slams into a glass skyscraper and ends up dangling out the other side, entangled in a sign.
The other gimmick has McGregor playing both the original Lincoln and his clone, one with a Scottish accent and the other American. In an amazing fight scene, using motion control cameras and careful physical movements, McGregor actually wrestles with himself.
McGregor and Johansson's characters comprise an impossible combination of innate smarts and born-yesterday naivete. Yet the young though veteran actors pull these conflicting conceits off with a fair amount of conviction and credibility.
Bay's team hits on all cylinders as designer Nigel Phelps captures the extremes of an ominous future, Steve Jablonsky's surging music urges the action on and Mauro Fiore's energetic cinematography blends nicely with the many digital effects.
The Island
DreamWorks Pictures
DreamWorks and Warner Bros. Pictures present a Parkes/MacDonald production
Credits: Director: Michael Bay; Writers: Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci; Story by: Caspian Tredwell-Owen; Producers: Walter Parkes, Michael Bay, Ian Bryce; Executive producer: Laurie MacDonald; Director of photography: Mauro Fiore; Production designer: Nigel Phelps; Music: Steve Jablonsky; Costumes: Deborah L. Scott; Editors: Paul Rubell, Christian Wagner. Cast: Lincoln Six Echo/Tom Lincoln: Ewan McGregor; Jordan Two Delta/Sarah Jordan: Scarlett Johansson; Albert Laurent: Djimon Hounsou; Dr. Merrick: Sean Bean; McCord: Steve Buscemi; Starkweather: Michael Clarke Duncan.
MPAA rating PG-13, running time 133 minutes.
With a pair of classy actors, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson, aboard for the ride and director Michael Bay injecting high-octane fuel into the story's engine, the movie kicks into gear through a series of implausible though fun sequences of pursuit that utilize nearly all the movie action toys from digital effects to daunting stunts to massive sets and locations.
While entering the marketplace with less noise than "War of the Worlds" and "Fantastic Four", "The Island" should soak up much boxoffice coin in the coming weeks, both domestically and internationally.
For a while, the dystopian story about human cloning by Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci seems more likely to inspire viewer games of Spot the Movie Clone as the filmmakers shuffle through any number of old science-fiction movies for plot points and design ideas. These range from "Coma" to "Logan's Run". Since human cloning itself has become such a hot-button topic, the film feels contemporary. Even Kazuo Ishiguro's recently published novel, "Never Let Me Go", deals with a similar story minus, of course, the chases.
What's troubling from a political point of view is that these filmmakers have, perhaps unwittingly, delivered a film certain to give succor to the religious right. In this ethical horror story, scientists experimenting with human genetics to advance medicine and cure illness are cast as Dr. Frankenstein villains. The chief villain, Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean), mouths platitudes about curing leukemia but clearly has greed in his heart.
The early going sets up a humdrum, meticulously controlled environment where white-clad inhabitants lead aimless lives while supposedly being sheltered from worldwide contamination resulting from an ecological disaster. From the first moment, we know this is all a ruse. An omnipotent police force monitors every bodily function, obsesses over the "proximity" of males to females in the quasi-segregated population and refers to inhabitants behind their backs as "products."
Only when the curious and restless Lincoln Six Echo stumbles onto the truth about the facility, which 95% of the audience will already have guessed, and grabs his pal Jordan Two-Delta (Johansson) for his comrade-in-escape does the film take off. Fleeing the fake environment for the real world, the pair stumble into the Arizona desert with a private army led by ex-Special Forces commander Albert Laurent (Djimon Hounsou) in hot pursuit.
Their ace in the hole is a cynical but accepting worker at the facility, McCord (Steve Buscemi), who in the past has sneaked booze and other contraband to Lincoln. They track McCord to a desert bar and, feeling guilty about his involvement in the cloning enterprise, he agrees to help them.
There is an unfailing law of filmmaking that once Buscemi gets cast in a movie, all the best lines and comic business automatically gravitate to him. Here again he almost single-handedly jump-starts the movie. When he abruptly exits the picture, his presence is truly missed.
Two striking things animate the remainder of the picture. One is highly creative chases on freeways and airways of the future. In one, wheels on a big rig turn into lethal weapons. In another, a futuristic two-man flying machine slams into a glass skyscraper and ends up dangling out the other side, entangled in a sign.
The other gimmick has McGregor playing both the original Lincoln and his clone, one with a Scottish accent and the other American. In an amazing fight scene, using motion control cameras and careful physical movements, McGregor actually wrestles with himself.
McGregor and Johansson's characters comprise an impossible combination of innate smarts and born-yesterday naivete. Yet the young though veteran actors pull these conflicting conceits off with a fair amount of conviction and credibility.
Bay's team hits on all cylinders as designer Nigel Phelps captures the extremes of an ominous future, Steve Jablonsky's surging music urges the action on and Mauro Fiore's energetic cinematography blends nicely with the many digital effects.
The Island
DreamWorks Pictures
DreamWorks and Warner Bros. Pictures present a Parkes/MacDonald production
Credits: Director: Michael Bay; Writers: Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci; Story by: Caspian Tredwell-Owen; Producers: Walter Parkes, Michael Bay, Ian Bryce; Executive producer: Laurie MacDonald; Director of photography: Mauro Fiore; Production designer: Nigel Phelps; Music: Steve Jablonsky; Costumes: Deborah L. Scott; Editors: Paul Rubell, Christian Wagner. Cast: Lincoln Six Echo/Tom Lincoln: Ewan McGregor; Jordan Two Delta/Sarah Jordan: Scarlett Johansson; Albert Laurent: Djimon Hounsou; Dr. Merrick: Sean Bean; McCord: Steve Buscemi; Starkweather: Michael Clarke Duncan.
MPAA rating PG-13, running time 133 minutes.
Oscar-nominated editors assembled to reveal a few tricks of the trade at the American Cinema Editors' fifth annual panel, titled "Invisible Art, Visible Artists." The Aviator's Thelma Schoonmaker, Collateral's Jim Miller and Paul Rubell, Finding Neverland's Matt Chesse, Million Dollar Baby's Joel Cox and Ray's Paul Hirsch discussed the art of editing on a panel moderated by ACE president Alan Heim on Saturday morning at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The standing-room crowd watched the editors' favorite scenes from each of the Oscar-nominated films before the panelists explained such creative choices as pacing, camera angles and trimming, as well as revealing bits of edit-bay drama. Heim asked the editors to describe how they got their start.
- 2/27/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michael Mann's "Collateral" rides its urban surfaces hard, pressing the accelerator steadily to the floor, building tension and upping the ante at every turn. The movie never really gets below that surface. It sticks to the mean streets of Los Angeles without much introspection or analysis. But those surfaces are slick and beguiling. Where director Martin Scorsese and writer Paul Schrader once made a movie about a taxi driver that portrayed what they saw as America's descent into social madness and random violence, this taxi tale from Mann and writer Stuart Beattie is a high-concept thriller with no other agenda. Nevertheless, it is quite a ride.
Starring Tom Cruise as a ruthless, methodical hit man and Jamie Foxx as the unfortunate cabbie forced to drive him around Los Angeles for a night's worth of whackings, "Collateral" is fueled with pure adrenaline. The plot is an audience grabber, and Cruise's name means a big opening weekend. Audiences may skew male, but females will certainly be drawn to this taut, well-told tale.
The film cuts to the chase quickly enough -- in fact, the movie never really cuts away from the chase -- but it does open with separate quiet interludes. Cruise's contract killer, Vincent, gets his instructions at LAX and, more interestingly, Foxx's Max, a cab driver for 12 years who still thinks of the job as "temporary," picks up his first ride of the night. Federal prosecuting attorney Annie Farrell Jada Pinkett Smith) has little interest in Max until a debate about the best route to downtown leads to a friendly wager. Which brings about a connection between the high-powered professional and blue-collar guy that prompts Annie to give her card to Max without quite knowing why.
His next ride is Vincent.
Nattily dressed in an impeccably tailored gray suit with close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and a four-day beard, Cruise is Mr. Cool. Oozing confidence and a bright determination to finish off five human beings in a night, Vincent not only won't take no for an answer, he doesn't even know what "no" means. This is a silky smooth performance from Cruise without much nuance or emotional dimension yet crackling with intensity.
Foxx, meanwhile, runs a gamut of emotions brilliantly. Beginning his shift with bored indifference, he experiences blood-chilling fear, fumbling attempts to escape his predicament, a burning desire to outsmart this wise guy and finally a need to dig deep inside himself to assume roles he never imagined himself playing in life.
Initially, Vincent pays Max $600 to hire him to run errands. When the first errand makes the nature of Vincent's business clear to Max -- indeed the victim's body winds up in his trunk -- he becomes Vincent's captive.
Narcotics detective Fanning (an almost unrecognizable Mark Ruffalo) happens onto the first crime scene and immediately senses something is up. This puts blood hounds on Vincent's trail long before either he or Max is aware of it.
The film then divides into parallel stories -- the intimate interaction in the cab between two desperate men, the psychological gamesmanship of probing for the other's weak spot, and the cops and, later, the FBI sorting out the implication of the bodies piling up at the morgue and racing to prevent the last two hits.
All of which allows Mann to return to the feverish L.A. streets he prowled in "Heat". Utilizing two cinematographers, Dion Beebe and Paul Cameron, and shooting 80% of the film digitally, Mann turns these nearly empty streets into a hell in half-tones. They glow dreamlike in the red, yellow and green of half-shadows and phosphorescent and neon lights. Roaming the streets are scenesters, clubbing at night spots run by gangsters, and sullen predators including three coyotes who cross in front of Max's taxi. Mann's cityscape exists in a spiritual void, where anything can happen and few truly care.
Beattie could have supplied sharper dialogue for Vincent and Max. Their bickering over the morality of Vincent's job and the insignificance of Max's merely kills time. Not that Beattie needed to turn the hostage crisis into existential drama, but he could have explored the characters in greater depth than trifling insults and moral indignation.
The third act moves the plot beyond the boundaries of credibility. People generally don't walk away from gunshot wounds and car crashes quite so easily. Attorneys do not work in their offices at 3 a.m., nor, for that matter, does the subway operate then.
Technical credits couldn't be better as the cinematography, James Newton Howard's music and Jim Miller and Paul Rubell's editing coalesce to produce a captivating portrait of the underbelly of a blissfully unaware society. Incidentally, Javier Bardem has an effective cameo appearance as a drug baron.
COLLATERAL
DreamWorks Pictures
DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present a Parkes/MacDonald and Edge City production
Credits:
Director: Michael Mann
Screenwriter: Stuart Beattie
Producers: Michael Mann, Julie Richardson
Executive producers: Frank Darabont, Rob Fried, Chuck Russell, Peter Guiliano
Directors of photography: Don Beebe, Paul Cameron
Production designer: David Wasco
Music: James Newton Howard
Co-producer: Michael Waxman
Costume designer: Jeffrey Kurland
Editors: Jim Miller, Paul Rubell
Cast:
Vincent: Tom Cruise
Max: Jamie Foxx
Annie: Jada Pinkett Smith
Fanning: Mark Ruffalo
Richard Weldner: Peter Berg
Pedrosa: Bruce McGill
Ida: Irma P. Hall
Daniel: Barry Shabaka Henley
MPAA rating: R
Running time -- 120 minutes...
Starring Tom Cruise as a ruthless, methodical hit man and Jamie Foxx as the unfortunate cabbie forced to drive him around Los Angeles for a night's worth of whackings, "Collateral" is fueled with pure adrenaline. The plot is an audience grabber, and Cruise's name means a big opening weekend. Audiences may skew male, but females will certainly be drawn to this taut, well-told tale.
The film cuts to the chase quickly enough -- in fact, the movie never really cuts away from the chase -- but it does open with separate quiet interludes. Cruise's contract killer, Vincent, gets his instructions at LAX and, more interestingly, Foxx's Max, a cab driver for 12 years who still thinks of the job as "temporary," picks up his first ride of the night. Federal prosecuting attorney Annie Farrell Jada Pinkett Smith) has little interest in Max until a debate about the best route to downtown leads to a friendly wager. Which brings about a connection between the high-powered professional and blue-collar guy that prompts Annie to give her card to Max without quite knowing why.
His next ride is Vincent.
Nattily dressed in an impeccably tailored gray suit with close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and a four-day beard, Cruise is Mr. Cool. Oozing confidence and a bright determination to finish off five human beings in a night, Vincent not only won't take no for an answer, he doesn't even know what "no" means. This is a silky smooth performance from Cruise without much nuance or emotional dimension yet crackling with intensity.
Foxx, meanwhile, runs a gamut of emotions brilliantly. Beginning his shift with bored indifference, he experiences blood-chilling fear, fumbling attempts to escape his predicament, a burning desire to outsmart this wise guy and finally a need to dig deep inside himself to assume roles he never imagined himself playing in life.
Initially, Vincent pays Max $600 to hire him to run errands. When the first errand makes the nature of Vincent's business clear to Max -- indeed the victim's body winds up in his trunk -- he becomes Vincent's captive.
Narcotics detective Fanning (an almost unrecognizable Mark Ruffalo) happens onto the first crime scene and immediately senses something is up. This puts blood hounds on Vincent's trail long before either he or Max is aware of it.
The film then divides into parallel stories -- the intimate interaction in the cab between two desperate men, the psychological gamesmanship of probing for the other's weak spot, and the cops and, later, the FBI sorting out the implication of the bodies piling up at the morgue and racing to prevent the last two hits.
All of which allows Mann to return to the feverish L.A. streets he prowled in "Heat". Utilizing two cinematographers, Dion Beebe and Paul Cameron, and shooting 80% of the film digitally, Mann turns these nearly empty streets into a hell in half-tones. They glow dreamlike in the red, yellow and green of half-shadows and phosphorescent and neon lights. Roaming the streets are scenesters, clubbing at night spots run by gangsters, and sullen predators including three coyotes who cross in front of Max's taxi. Mann's cityscape exists in a spiritual void, where anything can happen and few truly care.
Beattie could have supplied sharper dialogue for Vincent and Max. Their bickering over the morality of Vincent's job and the insignificance of Max's merely kills time. Not that Beattie needed to turn the hostage crisis into existential drama, but he could have explored the characters in greater depth than trifling insults and moral indignation.
The third act moves the plot beyond the boundaries of credibility. People generally don't walk away from gunshot wounds and car crashes quite so easily. Attorneys do not work in their offices at 3 a.m., nor, for that matter, does the subway operate then.
Technical credits couldn't be better as the cinematography, James Newton Howard's music and Jim Miller and Paul Rubell's editing coalesce to produce a captivating portrait of the underbelly of a blissfully unaware society. Incidentally, Javier Bardem has an effective cameo appearance as a drug baron.
COLLATERAL
DreamWorks Pictures
DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present a Parkes/MacDonald and Edge City production
Credits:
Director: Michael Mann
Screenwriter: Stuart Beattie
Producers: Michael Mann, Julie Richardson
Executive producers: Frank Darabont, Rob Fried, Chuck Russell, Peter Guiliano
Directors of photography: Don Beebe, Paul Cameron
Production designer: David Wasco
Music: James Newton Howard
Co-producer: Michael Waxman
Costume designer: Jeffrey Kurland
Editors: Jim Miller, Paul Rubell
Cast:
Vincent: Tom Cruise
Max: Jamie Foxx
Annie: Jada Pinkett Smith
Fanning: Mark Ruffalo
Richard Weldner: Peter Berg
Pedrosa: Bruce McGill
Ida: Irma P. Hall
Daniel: Barry Shabaka Henley
MPAA rating: R
Running time -- 120 minutes...
In "YYY" -- oops, that's "$$$" -- the lead's early rally-around-the-rebel-flag yell sets the tone: "I live for this shit!" Played as a punk superman by Vin Diesel, the "Everyman" protagonist of director Rob Cohen's brawny spy film endures many hardships and performs preposterous feats of derring-do, and he tries very hard to be bad.
OK, the Columbia Pictures release is called "XXX" (pronounced "Triple X"), and it's definitely not to be confused with an old-fashioned skin flick. Or anything square like James Bond. Expanding on the multicultural milieu of streetwise tattooed guys with boss cars, hot girls and prison records, Cohen, Diesel and producer Neal H. Moritz -- all of whom scored with "The Fast and the Furious" -- should ignite a late-summer boxoffice inferno that will burn brightly in theaters and in ancillary markets.
Off to a shaky start with an obviously out-of-place National Security Agency agent getting blown away at a music club by psycho Russians in Prague, "XXX" is pitifully written, with flagrant disregard for reality in the fashion of a spoof. For starters, why is the NSA taking on a powerful anarchist group? And who would wear a tux anywhere near a Rammstein gig?
Not only the antithesis of subtle -- with semi-avian Americans (nihilist rogues or otherwise) pretty much having a lock on daredevil coolness and vehicular prowess -- the movie, if it were a sentient entity, would be blissfully unaware of how dumb it comes off about the real world of espionage and counterintelligence. It's really the Diesel Express and the special effects department that keep the X's rolling. An expensive B movie with nuts, "XXX" rarely gets bogged down but still proves less than mind-scorchingly memorable.
The introduction of head-shaven Xander Cage (Diesel) is certainly a rush as he steals the convertible Corvette of a California state senator and then films himself crashing it off a bridge, including his leaping out of the falling car and using a parachute to scoot away unharmed and free to strike again. A legend in the extreme sports world, but no one's fool or an automatically patriotic warrior, Cage is snatched by NSA honcho Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), who is desperate to find a smart but ruthless jock to go back to Prague and finish the job.
After a couple of "tests," which include Cage being drugged and then dropped into a Colombian coca plantation and having to survive an attack by rocket-launching helicopters by doing monumental jumps on a motocross bike, the angry-but-twice-convicted-loser goes to the Czech Republic. Sticking out in a shaggy coat, Cage barges in on Yorgi (Marton Csokas) and Yelena (Asia Argento), two diabolical Russians bent on causing worldwide turmoil. Posing as himself and purchasing a fistful of hot-rodder cars, Cage gets close enough to provide Gibbons with info, as well as see what a formidable female Yelena is. But there's more on Gibbons' agenda, and Cage goes to another techno-rave event at the bad guy's place and is accommodated by an anonymous willing babe waiting in his room. Eventually, Cage brings about the end of Yorgi and his plot by many means, including causing an avalanche and racing in a hopped-up 1967 GTO to stop Ahab, a hydrofoil/submarine loaded with deadly rockets.
Diesel is the man, no doubt about it, but Argento -- who has made many more films and played some very demanding roles -- is quite a woman in her big introduction to English-speaking moviegoers. The chromosomal dynamics of "XXX" are in balance when she trades attitudinal glances and body language with the lead. The supporting performances are unexceptional but acceptable given the lack of importance placed on characterizations. Both of the scarred dudes played by Csokas and Jackson are easily summed up in short sentences.
Featuring superior work by cinematographer Dean Semler, production designer Gavin Bocquet and the demolition crews, with some stunts filmed by a dozen cameras or more, "XXX" has the wheels, weapons and women -- and a surefire best-selling soundtrack -- to bond with hotblooded thrill seekers, or at least guys on a date looking for a role model. Lesson No. 1: Have a neck thick enough to fit a tattoo on.
XXX
Sony Pictures Releasing
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios presents a Neal H. Moritz production
Credits:
Director: Rob Cohen
Screenwriter: Rich Wilkes
Producer: Neal H. Moritz
Executive producers: Arne L. Schmidt, Todd Garner, Vin Diesel, George Zakk
Director of photography: Dean Semler
Production designer: Gavin Bocquet
Editors: Chris Lebenzon, Paul Rubell, Joel Negron
Costume designer: Sanja Milkovic Hays
Music: Randy Edelman
Casting: Ronna Kress, Kate Dowd
Cast:
Xander Cage: Vin Diesel
Yelena: Asia Argento
Yorgi: Marton Csokas
Agent Augustus Gibbons: Samuel L. Jackson
Toby Lee Shavers: Michael Roof
Milan Sova: Richy Muller
Kirill: Werner Daehn
Virg: Joe Bucaro III
Running time -- 124 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
OK, the Columbia Pictures release is called "XXX" (pronounced "Triple X"), and it's definitely not to be confused with an old-fashioned skin flick. Or anything square like James Bond. Expanding on the multicultural milieu of streetwise tattooed guys with boss cars, hot girls and prison records, Cohen, Diesel and producer Neal H. Moritz -- all of whom scored with "The Fast and the Furious" -- should ignite a late-summer boxoffice inferno that will burn brightly in theaters and in ancillary markets.
Off to a shaky start with an obviously out-of-place National Security Agency agent getting blown away at a music club by psycho Russians in Prague, "XXX" is pitifully written, with flagrant disregard for reality in the fashion of a spoof. For starters, why is the NSA taking on a powerful anarchist group? And who would wear a tux anywhere near a Rammstein gig?
Not only the antithesis of subtle -- with semi-avian Americans (nihilist rogues or otherwise) pretty much having a lock on daredevil coolness and vehicular prowess -- the movie, if it were a sentient entity, would be blissfully unaware of how dumb it comes off about the real world of espionage and counterintelligence. It's really the Diesel Express and the special effects department that keep the X's rolling. An expensive B movie with nuts, "XXX" rarely gets bogged down but still proves less than mind-scorchingly memorable.
The introduction of head-shaven Xander Cage (Diesel) is certainly a rush as he steals the convertible Corvette of a California state senator and then films himself crashing it off a bridge, including his leaping out of the falling car and using a parachute to scoot away unharmed and free to strike again. A legend in the extreme sports world, but no one's fool or an automatically patriotic warrior, Cage is snatched by NSA honcho Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), who is desperate to find a smart but ruthless jock to go back to Prague and finish the job.
After a couple of "tests," which include Cage being drugged and then dropped into a Colombian coca plantation and having to survive an attack by rocket-launching helicopters by doing monumental jumps on a motocross bike, the angry-but-twice-convicted-loser goes to the Czech Republic. Sticking out in a shaggy coat, Cage barges in on Yorgi (Marton Csokas) and Yelena (Asia Argento), two diabolical Russians bent on causing worldwide turmoil. Posing as himself and purchasing a fistful of hot-rodder cars, Cage gets close enough to provide Gibbons with info, as well as see what a formidable female Yelena is. But there's more on Gibbons' agenda, and Cage goes to another techno-rave event at the bad guy's place and is accommodated by an anonymous willing babe waiting in his room. Eventually, Cage brings about the end of Yorgi and his plot by many means, including causing an avalanche and racing in a hopped-up 1967 GTO to stop Ahab, a hydrofoil/submarine loaded with deadly rockets.
Diesel is the man, no doubt about it, but Argento -- who has made many more films and played some very demanding roles -- is quite a woman in her big introduction to English-speaking moviegoers. The chromosomal dynamics of "XXX" are in balance when she trades attitudinal glances and body language with the lead. The supporting performances are unexceptional but acceptable given the lack of importance placed on characterizations. Both of the scarred dudes played by Csokas and Jackson are easily summed up in short sentences.
Featuring superior work by cinematographer Dean Semler, production designer Gavin Bocquet and the demolition crews, with some stunts filmed by a dozen cameras or more, "XXX" has the wheels, weapons and women -- and a surefire best-selling soundtrack -- to bond with hotblooded thrill seekers, or at least guys on a date looking for a role model. Lesson No. 1: Have a neck thick enough to fit a tattoo on.
XXX
Sony Pictures Releasing
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios presents a Neal H. Moritz production
Credits:
Director: Rob Cohen
Screenwriter: Rich Wilkes
Producer: Neal H. Moritz
Executive producers: Arne L. Schmidt, Todd Garner, Vin Diesel, George Zakk
Director of photography: Dean Semler
Production designer: Gavin Bocquet
Editors: Chris Lebenzon, Paul Rubell, Joel Negron
Costume designer: Sanja Milkovic Hays
Music: Randy Edelman
Casting: Ronna Kress, Kate Dowd
Cast:
Xander Cage: Vin Diesel
Yelena: Asia Argento
Yorgi: Marton Csokas
Agent Augustus Gibbons: Samuel L. Jackson
Toby Lee Shavers: Michael Roof
Milan Sova: Richy Muller
Kirill: Werner Daehn
Virg: Joe Bucaro III
Running time -- 124 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
You know from the pair of costume designer credits that "The Cell", starring Jennifer Lopez as an unconventional child psychologist who makes transcendental house calls to the unconscious minds of her problematic patients, isn't going to be about the script.
But that still doesn't prepare you for the ludicrous lengths that this ponderously arty mess of grotesque imagery and mind-numbing claptrap will go to in order to make a statement.
Thanks to Tarsem Singh, a video and commercial director who prefers to be known by his first name alone, this trippy take on "The Silence of the Lambs" does manage initially to catch the eye, but unlike a four-minute video or 30-second commercial, it all gets just a little pretentious by the half-hour mark.
An hour beyond that, medication begins to sound like an attractive option.
Still, if anyone can open this kind of stuff, it's New Line, but it remains to be seen if Lopez, who interrupted her promising acting career for a shot at pop stardom, will again be embraced by movie audiences -- particularly in something that could be mistaken for a collection of outtakes from her music videos.
As dedicated psychologist Catherine Dean, Lopez has all the personality of a synapse as she bravely enters the demented minds of the severely damaged, like serial killer Carl Stargher (Vincent D'Onofrio), a particularly sick puppy who's fond of videotaping his blond victims as they slowly drown in water-filled glass cages.
Dean is hoping to discover the whereabouts of Stargher's latest victim before it's too late by tapping into the cerebral cortex of the killer's inner child, courtesy of a nifty Neurological Cartography and Synaptic Transfer System.
When things get just a little too crazy over in Stargher's noggin, Dean receives a little psychotropic backup from FBI agent Peter Novak (an equally comatose Vince Vaughn), and ultimately the pair manage to save the proverbial day.
Director Tarsem, who was responsible for R.E.M.'s memorable "Losing My Religion" clip, adopts a similar visual approach here, evoking the surreal kitsch of a vintage Kenneth Anger short. But the darker it gets, the sillier it gets, and the oh-so-somber script by Mark Protosevich (a former reader for Scott Rudin) certainly doesn't help matters.
Neither do the leads' bland, lifeless performances. At least D'Onofrio, an actor who has never met a bizarro role he hasn't liked, manages to be effectively creepy without feeling the need to chew on the scenery, not that all the other world overload couldn't have stood more than a little trimming.
THE CELL
New Line
New Line Cinema presents
a Caro-McLeod/Radical Media production
Director: Tarsem Singh
Screenwriter: Mark Protosevich
Producers: Julio Caro, Eric McLeod
Executive producers: Donna Langley, Carolyn Manetti
Director of photography: Paul Laufer
Production designer: Tom Foden
Editors: Paul Rubell, Robert Duffy
Costume designers: Eiko Ishioka, April Napier
Visual effects supervisor: Kevin Tod Haug
Music: Howard Shore
Color/stereo
Cast:
Catherine Deane: Jennifer Lopez
FBI agent Peter Novak: Vince Vaughn
Carl Stargher: Vincent D'Onofrio
Dr. Miriam Kent: Marianne Jean-Baptiste
FBI agent Gordon Ramsey: Jake Weber
Henry West: Dylan Baker
Young Carl Stargher: Jake Thomas
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
But that still doesn't prepare you for the ludicrous lengths that this ponderously arty mess of grotesque imagery and mind-numbing claptrap will go to in order to make a statement.
Thanks to Tarsem Singh, a video and commercial director who prefers to be known by his first name alone, this trippy take on "The Silence of the Lambs" does manage initially to catch the eye, but unlike a four-minute video or 30-second commercial, it all gets just a little pretentious by the half-hour mark.
An hour beyond that, medication begins to sound like an attractive option.
Still, if anyone can open this kind of stuff, it's New Line, but it remains to be seen if Lopez, who interrupted her promising acting career for a shot at pop stardom, will again be embraced by movie audiences -- particularly in something that could be mistaken for a collection of outtakes from her music videos.
As dedicated psychologist Catherine Dean, Lopez has all the personality of a synapse as she bravely enters the demented minds of the severely damaged, like serial killer Carl Stargher (Vincent D'Onofrio), a particularly sick puppy who's fond of videotaping his blond victims as they slowly drown in water-filled glass cages.
Dean is hoping to discover the whereabouts of Stargher's latest victim before it's too late by tapping into the cerebral cortex of the killer's inner child, courtesy of a nifty Neurological Cartography and Synaptic Transfer System.
When things get just a little too crazy over in Stargher's noggin, Dean receives a little psychotropic backup from FBI agent Peter Novak (an equally comatose Vince Vaughn), and ultimately the pair manage to save the proverbial day.
Director Tarsem, who was responsible for R.E.M.'s memorable "Losing My Religion" clip, adopts a similar visual approach here, evoking the surreal kitsch of a vintage Kenneth Anger short. But the darker it gets, the sillier it gets, and the oh-so-somber script by Mark Protosevich (a former reader for Scott Rudin) certainly doesn't help matters.
Neither do the leads' bland, lifeless performances. At least D'Onofrio, an actor who has never met a bizarro role he hasn't liked, manages to be effectively creepy without feeling the need to chew on the scenery, not that all the other world overload couldn't have stood more than a little trimming.
THE CELL
New Line
New Line Cinema presents
a Caro-McLeod/Radical Media production
Director: Tarsem Singh
Screenwriter: Mark Protosevich
Producers: Julio Caro, Eric McLeod
Executive producers: Donna Langley, Carolyn Manetti
Director of photography: Paul Laufer
Production designer: Tom Foden
Editors: Paul Rubell, Robert Duffy
Costume designers: Eiko Ishioka, April Napier
Visual effects supervisor: Kevin Tod Haug
Music: Howard Shore
Color/stereo
Cast:
Catherine Deane: Jennifer Lopez
FBI agent Peter Novak: Vince Vaughn
Carl Stargher: Vincent D'Onofrio
Dr. Miriam Kent: Marianne Jean-Baptiste
FBI agent Gordon Ramsey: Jake Weber
Henry West: Dylan Baker
Young Carl Stargher: Jake Thomas
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 8/14/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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