James Absolon explains how this Pope-themed film, despite its risky premise, works
Alex Pollard reviews Hollywood's biopic of the controversial Margaret Thatcher
- Diane Lane has signed up to play Martha Kent in the upcoming Superman reboot from Warner Bros. and Zack Snyder. Lane joins Henry Cavill, most recently seen in period drama series The Tudors, who will play Clarke Kent.
- In a strategy which has worked fairly well for Pirates of the Caribbean so far, Disney is planning to transform another theme park ride into a feature film. Reportedly, the film based on ‘Jungle Cruise’ would star Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, last seen together doing voice work for Woody and Buzz respectively in Toy Story 3 (2010).
- In a move that is sure to make sci-fi fans anxious, Alcon Entertainment appears to be eying up the prospect of rebooting Ridley Scott’s beloved classic Blade Runner (1982). Fortunately, Alcon seem to be aware of the gravity of the situation, although time will tell if they manage to make a film or series worthy of Scott’s original.
- David Koepp, who had a hand in the screenplays of several cinematic greats such as Jurassic Park (1993), has been tasked with rewriting the script for the upcoming Men in Black III. Though the film has been plagued by delays, the aim is to resume production on the 28th of March.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie star in the spy comedy Mr and Mrs Smith, which is on Channel 4 at 10pm on Sunday. Starting soon after that is a more serious spy film, The Bourne Identity, showing on ITV2 at 10:30pm. Quirky drama Hallam Foe (2007) is also showing on Sunday - it’s on Film4 at 10:50pm. Also, Sacha Baron Cohen’s controversial comedy Borat (2006) is on Channel 4 at 10pm on Monday and classic crime film Scarface (1983) is on ITV4 at 10pm on Tuesday.
- The Adjustment Bureau
Based on a short story by science fiction legged Philip K Dick, in The Adjustment Bureau a politician (played by Matt Damon) goes on the run with the woman he loves (Emily Blunt) from a strange Illuminati-like organisation that literally controls peoples’ fates. An interesting premise from fascinating source material but one that has only managed mixed reviews.
- Rango
An animated Western following a confused Chameleon (Johnny Depp) directed by Gore (Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3) Verbinski might not sound that interesting. Yet it has garnered some surprisingly positive reviews, looks generally interesting and is the first mainstream animation unspoilt by 3D to be released in a while.
- Unknown
Liam Neeson is a doctor involved in an car crash only to wake up and find that he apparently does not exist. Another intriguing premise but the film is apparently clichéd and predictable and has not achieved any real acclaim critically.
- Ironclad
One of those films very loosely based on actual history, this taking the siege of Rochester castle, which saw the defence of Magna Carta against King John. Though now defended by only seven Templar knights in what is apparently more hack and slash action-adventure than anything else but critically has done respectably, receiving some good reviews.
- The Tempest
Julie Taymor (Titus) brings us Shakespeare’s classic play with one major difference: Prospero is now female and played by Helen Mirren. Knowing Taymor’s work, it will be full of strange visuals but whether it holds very well together is uncertain, particularly considering that Russell Brand is amongst the cast, and that it has done terribly critically.
- Archipelago
An interesting looking British drama that tells of a family’s tensions and problems coming to a head during a holiday in Sicily, something that may sound a little clichéd but apparently director Joanna Hogg has constructed an intelligent and emotional film as it has earned considerable praise.
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