Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of

 Ga’Hoole

I remember when I was granted the pleasure of watching the trailer for this. I was sat in awe at its visuals and brilliant looking ‘owls.’  I had to see it, from the trailer alone I could tell I’d become attached to these characters and no doubt shed a tear.  This is something many animated films have on me, if done well they can reduce me to tears with ease. 

After somewhat forgetting about this I come across the fact that it’s Directed by Zack Snyder.  I literally had to do a double take, I thought surely not! The trailer doesn’t showcase this fact at all, obviously because its primarily a family film and Snyders resume is not really family friendly. 

Enough back story to this viewing.  I watched this in Imax 3D which I would certainly recommend viewing this in, just as I would Avatar but unlike Avatar this is not dependent on viewing it in 3D.  This film would equally appeal to me in 2D, which is what I’ll be viewing it in when I buy it on Blu Ray. 

I know a lot of people who have negative assumptions of this film before they see it.  Perhaps they don’t think owls are cool?  This will change that.  Just like everything else Snyder touches, he adds the cool factor to it.  He may not be the best film maker of our generation.  But he’s always willing to try something new and perhaps on orthodox.  In this case, it’s meant to be a family film though it does have some really dark undertones.  It really does feel quite violent at disturbing for children, though they wont see it like that.  So it works for children as well as it works for the Adults taking them.  I’m not going to go into details, about it making you laugh and cry – But it does!

Thanks to the films interesting ‘owls’ you can’t help but get involved and get excited!  Obviously the overall theme has been done before though thankfully in this case its done shockingly well.  It does what Avatar tries and falls to do.  As far as I’m concerned this is going to be shocking favourite for many, It’s up their with my favourite animated films.  Don’t get me wrong this is by no means as amazing as Wall-E or Coraline.  I speak so highly of this in an attempt to get more people to give it a try and enjoy it, which is what will happen.

Can we have more Adventures from Ga’Hoole please?

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Sott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

As you know I was in two minds about this.  Originally hearing about the project excited me, and I ain’t even a reader of the comics.  So I can’t even begin to imagine how ecstatic fans of the franchise were.  Though what begun to annoy me, perhaps elitist of me to say but it was the people who suddenly jump on the band wagon.  Suddenly, everyones a Scott Pilgrim fan and everyones read the comics.  Hell prior the announcement of this I’d barely heard of the thing, yet everyones Brian Lee O’Malley’s biggest fan!  But what excited me about the project, was who was involved.  I love Edgar wright, he’s great at what he does and never fails to impress.  The cast seemed great, people complain about Cera alledgedly playing himself in every movie he’s in.  I really don’t care, I like him and I like his voice, so already he was a good choice for Scott Pilgrim (Who I knew nothing about.)  Though credit where credits due, the overall premise excited me.  Did it deliver?

Short answer is yes.  I enjoyed it, though I am by no means going to rush out and suddenly become a Scott Pilgrim fanboy.  I’m going to leave it as a movie I enjoyed and had a good laugh.  It ticked my humour boxes with thick black ink!

The main reasons I enjoyed it though was its visual flare.  I felt this same way about Speed Racer when I first watched it.  It is an orgasm on the eyes, well shot and a fantastic use of effects.  It was exciting, something I always merit is when a story no matter how zaney and out of this world.  It draws you in, it has you believing!  Perhaps this is mainly due to the writing and direction as it made the transition to film brilliantly!  Something that is extremely hard to do with comics.  But Wright did it and he did it well!

Though beyond this golden ocean, beyond the sparkles there was one little problem.  There was a point in the film where it lost momentum.  I suddenly felt something wrong in its pacing, I’m not sure why?!  Nor can I really pin point which moment it was, but it was during some of the final scenes.  But thats just nit picking, though it was a big nit pick, it was a shame to see this gorgeous film become ever so flacid at one moment.

I think there will be two kinds of reactions from this.  One, someone who really clicks into the movie and gets a good viewing experience from it because of the geeky humour and nice little odes to other mediums.  And two, the person who watches this and can’t make any sense of what and why, not that I’m saying they are stupid.  Just it wont click for everyone.  But thats the way it goes.  I can really see me getting this on DVD or BluRay as its great easy watching, with a kick ass soundtrack and visual bliss!

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It’s almost released here in the UK.  Most people have already seen it.  I was looking forward to see this even though never reading the comics.  Though now I think it’s lost its charm on me.  I really don’t know what it is, perhaps everyone around me reading the comics and me refusing to jump on the comic band wagon.

All that aside, I still think this has the correct ingredients with what appears to be the right ingredients and certainly the right Chef (Edgar Wright)  But will it transend itself well to the big screen?  I can only hope this has the Speed Racer effect on me and I instantly fall in live with this while watching. 

Will people love this for the sake of loving?  Will they love this and refuse to hate because they said it would be so good?  Obviously fanboys are going to love regardless!

The main reason I posted this was the fact I was long overdue for a post and this is one of the few things thats on my mind right now.  Perhaps I’ll start doing the weeks news in bits and my thoughts.  for example, Karl Urban as Judge Dredd, sounds pretty beast!

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HOT off the press!

Warner Brothers HAVE confirmed a Nolan Sequel! with the same cast (Bale, Oldman, Caine & no doubt Morgan Freeman) and writers (Goyer and J. Nolan.)  Yes, it’s official.

What can we expect?  Riddler? Will is live up to The Dark Knight, which has a stern hold as one of my favourite films of all time!

This is brilliant news for fans.  Let the Speculation, rumours and no doubt some hate for the Dark Knight begin! 

IRON MAN 2 (2010)

It’s here!  After what feels like a bit of a long wait since the first in
the franchise, two years on and Jon Favreau blesses
us with a sequel.  It had a lot to live up to in comparison to how great
Iron Man turned out to be.  That film broke all expectations and secured
itself as one of the best comic book movies of all time, at far as I’m
concerned.  

One thing I believe would always stand in the way of the movies
success was Iron Man’s roster of nasties from the comics; there is no one that
stands out extremely well.  They have always been dwarfed by other
villains from other movies.  Personally that is far from a complaint for
me, because I believe what makes Iron Man great is the human side to Tony
Stark, the man in the Iron Mask so to speak.  That’s what makes Iron Man
my favourite comic book hero.  But that aside, I believe it to are the
masses that demand and more so expect great villains. 

This new movie delves into Stark’s dark times, not as thoroughly as
one could want but it does it enough and keeps the movie fun enough. 
Which when it all boils down to it all, that is what this is all about! 
Fun is what made the first movie so great, watching the great exploits and
comedic moments of Tony Stark.  Who once again is portrayed by no one more
capable and suitable for the role, Robert Downey Jr. He
did everything right in the first, and he has kept it up once again in this,
mind you that is thanks to the hilariously written script by Justin Theroux.  The script it brilliant, it
literally feels like a laugh a minute, it’s paced so well and feels so solid.

One thing I found better than the first was the action scenes, I was kind of
worried with this one as I expected all the fight scenes (which is not many)
with Scarlett Johansson to be clumsy and clunky. 
They weren’t which was such a relief for me, though one thing to note, she is
bloody gorgeous from the moment she shows her face/body till the credits roll,
even then I’m wanting more screen time of her.  But that aside, the action
seems a lot more exciting and once again fun!  I have heard people
complain about the action in the movie, but if they were to go and read the
comics, there is not a great deal of amazing action in those (with exceptions
of course.)

One thing they hit right on is visuals.  I love seeing the Iron Man suit on
screen, it looks brilliant.  Then it moves, and it moves exactly how you
would expect to, it may sound weird, but after reading the comics.  The
way it moves and maneuvers it’s perfect! 

Many of you must be thinking, but which is better? IM1 or IM2?  I like to
think them as more of a single story or a series.  In other words, thats
me thinking of excuses as to why I can’t decide which I prefer.  Both do
the comic great justice and both are as fun as the next! 

If you like the comics or want a good laugh.  Or perhaps want to see what
RDJ does best?  Then this is for you!  If you love the first, you
will love this!

I just can’t wait to see more of the cross over movies marvel have planned,
such as the Avengers story arcs and hopefully, fingers crossed Civil War!

I think Marvel has seriously found their footing with their movies now, and I
just hope they can keep it up!

Friday 13th: Part 2 has been sent the morgue, thank god!  This news has had as big an impact on me as I would to find out the Halo movie was going into production.  I have reason for this hate, simply last years reboot of this franchise was one of cinemas biggest attrocities.  Seriously, knowing this is music to my ears sang to me by no other than Braid Fuller, who said…

“It is dead.  Not happening.  Right now there is no movement.”

Hopefully it never gets so much as the slightest stir to inspire any further development.  Unless someone worthy of the franchise walks along and fancies a knock at it!

After further reading, I am actually quite surprised the production company didn’t push it out as they made $40 million in its opening weekend for last years piece of crap!  Though I was one of those fools to go and see it that weekend.

On a side note,  Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones have signed on for Men in Black 3… I am indifferent about this, for me it will just be a passing summers breeze, let’s hope it passes quickly and quietly.  For those that care, its going to be in filmed in 3D. 

Iron Man 2 Trailer (OFFICIAL)

‘Robin Hood’ Trailer HD

Iron Man 2
Being a huge fan of the comics, when the first film was announced I could not wait especially when Robert Downey Jr. was revealed to be playing Tony Stark.  It almost felt like a match made in heaven and thankfully the movie turned out pretty good.  Certainly one of the better comic book films of recent years and it goes to show Marvel do have potential in their entrusted movie franchises.

The problem with the sequel is it has some pretty big boots to try and fill, the main charm from the original was the character development of Tony Stark, though that is all done and dusted.  So it appears now to be boiling down to an action flick, one can only hope it focuses on the downward spiral in Starks life rather than CGI visuals as entertaining as they maybe, at times lack substance.

Though Justin Theroux is now at the helm of the script, so one can only hope it turns out for the best.  Although I have my doubts and worries about this film, It has to be one of my most anticipated movies of 2010.

Robin Hood
One can only hope this is another Gladiator.  I’m still slightly skeptical about this, though it seems to have a great cast and obviously Ridley Scott directing it.  It has a recipe for greatness, but at the same time it could be a huge let down.  Though is Scott’s prior work is anything to go off no better man could have had this job bestowed upon him. 

This could potentially be one of those masterpieces that are forever remembered and forever loved by everyone, or it could be Kingdom of Heaven.

Will May these two films make 2010 a golden year for cinema?  Probably not.

So although It’s Four months deep into 2010 I believe its time to say what im waiting for! 

I’ll do one month at a time. so April.  Easy month for me, as there is one film that interests me…

The Losers

The Losers : 2010 : Movie Trailer

Based on the comic book by Andy Diggle, hes done some other comics including Swamp Thing, Hellblazer and Adam Strange.  Hes probably best known for this though.  Regardless, the films looks badass.  I just hope the characters are cool and keep me laughing.  If they don’t in my eyes the film fails and falls right into some weak sauce action film cliche.
Though judging from the cast and what I’ve seen in the trailer, this certainly has potential to be great.  Hopefully in the same way I find Crank to be great.  I must try and get the comic read before seeing the film so I can see if it lives up to it.

Unfortunately thats it for April, which is pretty piss poor if im honest, Let’s hope something else comes out and grabs my attention.  This film opens in the UK on April 9th.  Expect a review then or soon after.

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so please check out my latest article on there.  Top 10 Films of the Decade.

Also do a friend a favor and check out his Blog.

Directed by the master himself Akira Kurosawa.  The film follows a cop whose had his firearm stolen and what problems arrise because of this. 

The film starts off rather slow and to some degree felt slightly meaningless.  I felt I was investing my time into this plot that I didn’t really care about the outcome to any of the characters.  I felt this for about half way through the film until suddenly I was gagging to see the finale.  The finale is fantastic the last 20-30 minutes of the film are pure Kurosawa gold!  With great performances from Kurosawas regualr roll call, Mifune and Shimura. 

When looking slightly deeper into the film it is clear that it signifies the post war depression of Japan.  This is done very discreetly yet powerfully through the means of a drought which in turn leads to heavy rain, which I can only assume is symbolic of washing away the problems and heartache of the nation.

Fantastic film a must see for serious film viewers though perhaps not for more casual viewers.

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