Jurassic Park 4?

Whilst waiting to watch the failure that is 'Movie 43', an advert appeared and there it was, along the bottom of the screen: “Jurassic Park set for a 2014 release."

Obviously, this called for some hard-core research. After scouring the web, I found that, yes, Jurassic Park 4 is on the cards and is currently being planned. 

As usual for Jurassic Park, no director has been associated with the prehistoric franchise. Though one familiar face does return; Steven Spielberg, who is set to produce the upcoming film. It has also been reported that writers, Rick Jaffa and Aanmda Silver have been approached to create a script for what should be an epic adventure of 'man vs. dinosaur!'

With Jurassic Park in mind, further news comes of a delay for Spielberg's latest film; Robopocalypse. It is expected that the film will take a set back of several months, whilst the finer details are ironed out. However, Spielberg may release both films back to back, a technique which has proven a success when Spielberg released Jurassic Park whilst also directing the fantastic  Schindler's List.

Universal have already placed a release date of the 13th June, 2014 on Jurassic Park; therefore pre-production is expected to begin as soon as possible. 

Jurassic Park fans should be sure to check out the original film, when it storms our cinemas on August 30th, 2013, with a 3D makeover.

http://www.planetminecraft.com/project/jurassic-park/

Lone Ranger Poster

Lone Ranger is a widely anticipated Disney film, due for release on the 9th August, 2013.

A bit about this film, it starts with a native American 'Tonto', played by multi-award winner, Johnny Depp; who traces untold stories said to have changed 'John Reid' played by Armie Hammer; once a man of the law, now a man running from the law. The pair must put their differences aside and work together to battle the corruption of the town.

Of course, expect a few surprises and humorous gags between the pair; as it well known that Johnny Depp has become renowned for playing these particular roles. 

Check out the new poster and teaser trailer here.

Disney halt future 3D re-releases.

Following the re-release of Star Wars and The Phantom Menace in 3D, it was announced that there would be a further two re-releases in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith again in 3D.

These however, have been postponed until further notice by Disney and Lucas Film and as of now sit in limbo. The reason for this, is due to the recently reported news that J. J. Abrams will direct the next chapter, as the focus of the film company is now solely on the seventh instalment of the hugely successful franchise.

The plans to re-release these films aren't being thrown away, they will be released in the near future; so the company can get 100% behind the new film to bring the best possible experience the fans expect from this franchise.

This may be relatively good news to all die hard Star Wars fans. The reviews from the re-release of The Phantom Menace didn’t really captivate the huge fan base whom follows the franchise. News that their focus is now on the next instalment, will be music to fans ears. The studio looks to embark on a journey that together will rejuvenate and expand the ever growing Star Wars brand that will appeal to audiences of all ages.

Fans found that in most places of the re-release, the images and backdrops were still flat, therefore adding no dimension to the film whatsoever. Having said this, re-releasing the sixth feature: 'The Return of the Jedi', just before the release of the seventh, will give some added spark as they will follow on very nicely.

There is clearly good intentions with regards to Star Wars 7 (Working title) and the promise of a modern take of the classics with the added dimension and is definitely one not to be missed! 

http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2013/01/disney-postpones-star-wars-3d-re.html

Paranormal Activity 4 Review

www.inspire-magazine-online.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/film-review-paranormal-activity-4.html

Since the beginning of the Paranormal Activity franchise, each of the films have been exploring the unusual, paranormal events leading right up to the original film, jumping around in time. However, finally Paranormal Activity 4 moves the franchise along to the larger picture we have been waiting for. It has been 5 years since Katie murdered her boyfriend, sister and brother-in-law, she has recently moved into a quiet neighbourhood, opposite teenager; Alex and her family. The story focuses on Alex who, typically for a Paranormal Activity film, tries to convince her family of the unusual events going on right under their roof. As she becomes wary of a strange boy across the street; the paranormal events unfold. 

Paranormal Activity 4 is an attempt to make all previous films of the franchise clear; though it actually becomes more confusing as the film is set some two or three years later. This is mainly due to the conventional linking of each Paranormal Activity; it is unclear how the narrative links this time round. 

http://www.sinfulcelluloid.com/2012/10/paranormal-activity-4-raises-few.html

Paranormal Activity 4 provides the audience with some tense moments but nothing incredible, the mood throughout the film, as in most Paranormal Activity films is playful and humorous rather than violent and terrifying. One of the most distracting things about this film is the main camera set up. Of course, Paranormal Activity films are known for the nerve-racking camera set ups, though in the new release, the set up is not as nearly entertaining. Footage is captured mostly through ‘Kinect sequences’ on the living room Xbox, this effect is exciting and a clever gimmick for about a minute, then it becomes quite off putting to watch. If you’re going to watch Paranormal Activity 4, be prepared to spend a lot of time squinting and playing spot the movement. It really took the atmosphere away.

CARLY'S OPINION: Paranormal Activity 4 isn’t a bad film, I would recommend watching it. But be prepared that it’s nothing special, as average as Paranormal 1 and 2. In my opinion, Paranormal Activity 3 remains the best film of them all, until another is released, which undoubtedly it will be

Looper Review

This review is based on one of the most anticipated films of 2012; Rian Johnson’s Looper! Rian Johnson; a fairly new director to the scene began his career in just 2005 with ‘Brick’ which also starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Looper had high expectations but opened bigger than we could have guessed, sailing past the $19M/$20M estimates. I guess people are just loopy for Looper!

The film is set in the year of 2044, as well as 30 years into the future from then, 2074 when time-travel has been invented. It isn’t widely used and is only available to those who are willing to pay for it on the black market. When the Mob wants to eliminate someone, it sends the target into the past where a Looper waits for them to finish the job. However, one day they must close their own loop. The Looper must pull the trigger on their future self as they hold too much information about those who employ them, when that time comes they must eliminate their future self as they would anyone and accept that 30 years from that moment they will disappear.

Looper is an incredibly exciting time-travel thriller with a clever concept behind it all. I have to say there were times within the film where I found myself a little confused as to what was happening due to the fast pace of the film. However, what I like most about Looper is that it isn’t all action; it has an intelligent story behind it. The film doesn’t need constant gun action to keep the audience gripped like a lot of films. Though, when the guns do come out blazing it makes great entertainment with Bruce Willis adopting his former Die Hard role.

Before the release of Looper, one thing I was keen to see was the effort made to transform Joseph Gordon-Levitt into a younger Bruce Willis. Personally, I couldn’t picture how they were going to achieve this. It wasn’t perfect and took a lot of getting use to but in my opinion they pulled it off due to the clear effort from the make-up artists, stylists and Joseph Gordon-Levitt himself who performed as the actor Bruce Willis very well.

CARLY'S OPINION: Looper is a must see for absolutely anyone who loves films, especially you hardcore sci-fiers!

Pacific Rim Trailer

Pacific Rim Trailer

From the distinguished director; Guillermo del Toro, comes a sci-fi epic in 'Pacific Rim'.

An alien attack known as ‘Kaiju’ is descending on earth and with a formidable threat. What they don't know is, the humans have a little trick up their sleeve. Well when I say little, I mean enormousness!

The war continued for years, taking millions of innocent lives as well as human resources; leaving them with nothing but their harvested fuels. There is only one way to bring sanity back to earth and make it the beautiful place it once was. To defeat the Kaiju, a special weapon was built by the humans. These weapons are like no other, they are massive robots called Jaegers. As war breaks out, even the Jaegers are finding it a tough task to take out the ever growing fleet of Kaiju. The hope of all mankind rests in the hands of two people; Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikchui, none of whom, have ever operated a Jaeger.

But do they have what it takes to stop the world from going into apocalypse? 
Find out on the 12th July, 2013; when 'Pacific Rim' will be locking down all cinemas.

Check out the trailer below:

SPOILER ALERT. The Impossible – Review

The Impossible – Review

http://stickyshoereview.com/the-impossible/

'The Impossible' is based on the real life events of a family, swept apart by natures most fierce forces. Maria (Naomi Watts) and Henry (Ewan McGregor) take their three sons on holiday to a remote area on the coastal region of Thailand. As December 26th 2004 arrives, the family go out to play around the pool, but minutes later, all the fun and games come to a complete stand still as they are caught up in one of the worst natural catastrophes to date. A huge, black wall of water sweeps Maria, Henry and family, as well as other holiday goers off their feet and into the abyss. 'The Impossible' follows the sheer madness which arises as the family attempt The Impossible task of finding one another. 

'The Impossible' conjured some very interesting and effective camera shots. There is a particular scene in which the camera focuses on Maria from a wide angle, to establish the type of danger that she is in. Followed by a close up of her struggling face, this together puts emphasis on the size of the catastrophe.  Another effective camera shot again is used on Maria; she is emerging out of the water and there is a somewhat angelic, glow about her. Therefore, suggesting a miracle may have occurred; she is alive. 

The story is straightforward and is told in an absolutely brilliant way, through powerful visuals and an emotive script. Of course, the biggest challenge of the film was making the tsunami look as realistic as possible. Though with the aid of top CGI artists; Antonio Lado (The Expendables 2 and The Others) and his team of FX artists, all came together to create arguably, one of the most realistic and believable natural disasters to ever appear on the cinema screen. The effects make the audience feel completely submerged into the tsunami itself, as though we are actually there; the camera bobs in and out of the water and the rendering of the waves fit nicely within the scene. 

Lucas (Tom Holland) makes his feature film debut in 'The Impossible' and his performance has surprised many people; a very good surprise, that is. Throughout the film we see him mature, from playing with his new toys; showing his child like behaviour, to saving his mother’s life. As he realises the severity of his mother's injuries, he tries to do everything he can in order to make her proud of him within what could be, her final hours.

Overall, this film sends you on an emotional roller-coaster. It is a brilliantly crafted master piece by J.A.Bayona and writer; Sergio G. Sanchez. I was immersed into an event, which thankfully I didn't actually experience, nor would I ever wish to experience. 'The Impossible' showed me as realistically as possible, what it would be like to be involved in such an horrific event, albeit one families experience out of 300,000 people who unfortunately aren't with us any longer. 

ASHLEY'S OPINION: One of the most outstanding pictures of the year! Go and see it people!

Sundance Low-Down

Sundance Low-Down

Miss any of the weekends awards?
Fear not, this thread lists all of the winners. And of course, surprise packages which were shown at the awards.

Here we go!

http://www.logomaker.com/blog/2012/08/24/logo-design-this-week-2-33/sundance-logo/

U. S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic:
FruitVale, Directed by Ryan Coogler

U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary:
Blood Brothers,  directed by Steve Hoover


Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic:
In A World..., written by Lake Bell


Directing Award: U.S. Documentary:
Cutie and the Boxer, directed by Zachary Heinzerling


Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic:
Afternoon Delight, directed by Jill Soloway


Audience: U.S. Documentary:
Blood Brother, directed by Steve Hoover


Audience Award: Dramatic:
Fruitvale, Ryan Coogler


U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award:
American Promise, directed by Joe Brewster and Michéle Stephenson


The U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting:
Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley in The Spectacular Now 


The U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Sound Design:
Upstream Color, Shane Carruth and Johnny Marshall


Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary:
Dirty Wars, cinematography by Richard Rowley


 Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic:
 Ain’t Them Bodies Saints and Mother of George, cinematography by Bradford Young


 Editing Award: U.S. Documentary:
Gideon’s Army, edited by Matthew Hamachek


 Audience Award: Best of NEXT:
This is Martin Bonner, directed by Chad Hartigan


 Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary:
The Square, directed by Jehane Noujaim


 Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic:
Metro Manila, directed by Sean Ellis


 World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award 
Circles, directed by Srdan Golubovic


 Cinematography Award: World Cinema Dramatic:
Lasting, cinematography by Michal Englert


 Screenwriting Award: World Cinema Dramatic 
Wajma (An Afghan Love Story), written by Barmak Akram


  Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic:
Crystal Fairy, directed by Sebastian Silva


 World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic:
Jisuel, directed by Muel O


 World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award:  
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer, directed by Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin


 Cinematography Award: World Cinema Documentary 
Who Is Dayani Cristal?, cinematography by Marc Silver and Pau Esteve Birba


 Editing Award: World Cinema Documentary:
The Summit, edited by Ben Stark


 Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary: 
The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear, directed by Tinatin Gurchiani


  World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary:                                                                        
A River Changes Course, directed by Kalyanee Mam


 lfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize:  
Computer Chess, Andrew Bujalski


Short Films

Short Film Special Jury Award:
Until the Quiet Comes directed by Kahlil Joseph.

Short Film Special Jury Award for Acting:
Joel Nagle for his work in the film Palimpsest.

Short Film Jury Award: Animation:
Irish Folk Furniture directed by Tony Donoghue.

Short Film Jury Award: Non-Fiction
Skinningrove directed by Michael Almereyda.

Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction
The Date directed by Jenni Toiyoniemi.

Short Film Jury Award: US Fiction
Whiplash directed by Damien Chazelle.

Short Film Grand Jury Prize: The Whistle directed by Grzegorz Zariczny.


Feel free to check these films out guys, search for them and get familiar with these names, they are gonna be big directors and writers!