James Absolon explains how this Pope-themed film, despite its risky premise, works
Alex Pollard reviews Hollywood's biopic of the controversial Margaret Thatcher
- Just after you thought the casting was complete, Joseph Gordon Levitt (Brick, Inception) has joined Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises as a yet unknown character. Also, the film’s cinematographer Wally Pfister has advised audiences to see the film in IMAX, the format in which they intend to shoot as much of the film as possible.
- This week has seen not one but two Stephen King adaptations announced - both a remake of Pet Cemetery and (more interestingly) an adaptation of The Stand. The latter is King’s longest work at well over a thousand pages and it follows an epic journey across a post-apocalyptic America, and an eventual showdown with antichrist like figure, Randall Flagg.
- John Woo has announced that he is currently producing a remake of his 1989 action classic The Killer, with John H. Lee to direct in 3D. The original was a surprisingly intelligent and emotional film despite the breathtaking action scenes and 149 onscreen deaths, so equalling its quality seems unlikely.
- Zack Snyder has chosen Henry Cavill to star as Superman in his upcoming reboot. He’s an actor that, although largely unrecognisable to audiences, came close to playing the hero last time around and was almost cast as James Bond.
- Talking of Bond, Academy Award nominee Javier Bardem has been offered a role in the next outing of the franchise, a film that the actor claims will “completely change the whole thing.”
Tomorrow on Film4, there is light-hearted comedy Big on at 1pm and acclaimed emotional drama in the evening with Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm at 1:05am. On Monday, there’s a chance to see the original 1969 True Grit before seeing the Coens remake at 4:20pm. More4 features another Ang Lee film in the form of the brilliant Brokeback Mountain, showing both both tonight at 9pm and on Tuesday 11:35pm.
- The Fighter
Nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award, this biopic features a return to form as Mark Wahlberg delivers a powerfully understated performance as boxer Mickey Ward. Ward struggles with his family, whilst attempting to become the truly great fighter that he could be. The film also features a supporting cast including Christian Bale and Marissa Leo, both of whom have won Golden Globes and alongside Amy Adams have garnered Oscar nominations for the film, meaning that it is almost certainly a well-made intelligent drama.
- Rabbit Hole
Nicole Kidman received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for playing Becca Corbett, a woman struggling to contain her grief for her lost son. Apparently, this is an emotional drama that also features an excellent supporting performance by Aaron Eckhart.
- A Little Bit of Heaven
A “disease of the week” movie with added romance. Here, a terminally ill Kate Hudson falls for Gael Garcia Bernal and she subsequently struggles with her emotions. Based on the late press screenings and the few available reviews (that are extremely negative), this is probably as clichéd and tiresome as it sounds.
- Sanctum 3D
As the advertising states in big letters, James Cameron produced this film and provided it with his 3D technology. Many critics have claimed that the 3D makes the film so dark that it is hard to see what going on. It also features a story so clichéd that you’ll know all that will happen a mile off.
- Brighton Rock
This remake of the 1947 British crime classic follows the downfall of violent mobster Pinkie (Sam Riley, Control). With a supporting cast that features Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis and John Hurt this should have been something to look forward to. Yet, apparently, it suffers from some poor decisions in its production, resulting in it only receiving mixed reviews.
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