Movie News: 6 MINUTE PREVIEW OF THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

This news has come in 'hot off the press' from the US, but I hope, a) it's true and b) they do it over here as well.  

Basically, there's going to be a six minute preview of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises running before Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol which is released on the 26th December 2011. There's one problem though, it's only going to be on screenings that take place at a 70mm IMAX cinemas. Not digital IMAX or 3D screenings.  This means there are only a small number of theatres you'll be able to see it in.  If you live in London for example, your best bet would be the IMAX cinema next to Waterloo Bridge.

I have to admit I'm tempted, especially as The Dark Knight Rises is one of my 'most anticipated films' of next year.  Having said that, I don't want to ruin the impact of seeing the whole film, so maybe I shouldn't bother.

If it turns out to be true, would you go along to see it? Let me know.

Trailer of the Week: THIS MEANS WAR

I'd heard nothing about this film until recently, but having seen the trailer I have to admit it looks pretty good. Ridiculous? Yes. Over the top? Definitely. However, I just know I'm going to enjoy it. I would never have thought to pair up Tom Hardy (Inception) and Chris Pine (Star Trek) in a film like this, but somehow it works.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Movie News: TWO SEQUELS ANNOUNCED...OFFICIALLY!

In the history of cinema, there are only a few film sequels that have been better than the original. Godfather Part 2, Toy Story 2, X-Men 2 and Empire Strikes Back are the rare success stories.

Well, 20th Century Fox have just announced release dates for two new film sequels, both of which I hope will be added to the exclusive list above, but I fear at least one of them could be a total #fail!

Up first, John McClane is back...again! Bruce Willis returns in A Good Day To Die Hard which is released on Valentine's Day 2013. Interesting choice of date for a 'balls out' action movie. I'm a big Die Hard fan, but none of the three sequels (although good in their own right) ever came close to the original. I enjoyed the last one a lot, I just wish they'd had a better villain. Timothy Olyphant was never given a decent chance to shine and I never felt McClane was ever in real trouble. Also, the scene with him jumping onto a jet fighter was just bloody stupid! Basically, I need to find out who's directing it, who's starring in it and who wrote it! I'll keep you updated.

The second sequel to be announced is Taken 2. When the original was released a few years ago, nobody would thought a Liam Neeson revenge killing movie would be believable, let alone financially successful, but how wrong we all were.  I loved this film! Well paced, scripted, directed and acted, it was violent and unrelenting and I couldn't get enough.  I remember leaving the cinema and thinking they have to make and a sequel...and they have. It will be released in May 2012, so not too long to wait. Hopefully, there'll be a trailer coming sometime soon.

Movie News: RUSSELL CROWE AS JOR-EL!

Zack Snyder's new Superman film Man of Steel is in production and (thanks to the Irish Times) we get our first glimpse of Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Superman's Kryptonian father.  

I know some people think Snyder's films are a bit hit and miss, (300 - hit, Sucker Punch - miss), but I've enjoyed them all in one way or another.  I've got high hopes for Man of Steel, so let's hope he doesn't mess it up!

Checkout the pictures below and feel free to let me know your thoughts on the comments section at the bottom of the posting.

Review: REAL STEEL

THE CAST

Hugh Jackman - Charlie Kenton

Evangeline Lilly - Bailey Tallet

Kevin Durand - Ricky
Dakota Goyo - Max

THE DIRECTOR
Shawn Levy

THE STORY
This film takes place in the not too distant future, where human boxing no longer exists. Instead, giant robots compete in the ring, aiming to become the ultimate champion. Charlie Kenton (Jackman) is an ex-boxer, now promoter who's struggling to make ends meet.  After being reluctantly reunited with his son Max (Goyo), they discover an old robot that could change their lives forever.

THE STRENGTHS

I'm going to try and get through this review without using the terms, "it packed a punch" and "it didn't pull any punches".  The chances are you'll see these phrases being used a lot when critics review this film.

Anyway, this is the classic underdog story, but with a twist.  A twist that shouldn’t really work, because these types of stories rely on the audience connecting with the character on an emotional level (something that’s difficult to do when it’s a robot), but somehow it does.  It has a lot to do with how much Max (Dakota Goyo) emotionally invests in Atom, the robot that saves his life. Not only that, but there are times where the film implies that my Atom has feelings. Of course it doesn’t, but by using some clever directing techniques, the subtle suggestion that he might have, means you actual begin caring what happens to the metal 'man'. The casting is great and a special mention has to go to Goyo for his performance, which manages to be engaging, funny, confident and emotional.  Not bad for a ten year old relative newcomer. Hugh Jackman (Charlie) is in fine form and manages to make, a potentially unlikeable character, likeable from the very start. I left the cinema wanting him to be my dad!  Sad I know, but you'll understand if you go and see the movie. The CGI is on point and doesn’t venture into the realm of the ridiculous like Transformers. In fact, it’s so good, you forget they’re computer generated characters and believe you’re watching real giant robots smashing the hell out of each other.

THE WEAKNESSES

I spent the first half of the film thinking the robot they found was called ‘Adam’. It isn’t, it’s ‘Atom’, but in an American accent it’s impossible to know that until you see it written down. I’m sure it was clever word play by the writer, as Adam was the first man created by God (if you believe in all of that), but it just annoyed me.  I don’t want to ruin the ending for you, but just keep in mind that Zeus, the unbeatable robot that destroys all who dare compete against him, takes a long time to finish the final fight against Atom. Considering we’re told that his artificial intelligence can learn during a fight to calculate its opponent’s weaknesses, you’d expect it to be over pretty quickly. He could rip his head off, pull his arms out, squash his robot heart…or (as he does) just punch him the same way a few hundred times. I get that this is a film, so you have to suspend belief and all that, but come on.  It built up to this final fight with so much hype, I wanted it to be amazing and it wasn’t.

THE SUMMARY

Real Steel is a futuristic merging of Rocky and Karate Kid, so don't expect any big surprises, this is going to play out exactly as you'd expect...sort of.  Children will love it, but you'll probably only like it, as you’ll be annoyed with how easily you fell for the sentimentality of the whole thing.  This is your standard popcorn movie; solidly directed and acted. Don't expect to be blown away, but do expect to thoroughly enjoy yourself.

Real Steel is released in the UK on 14 October 2011.

MICHAEL'S MOVIE MARK    8/10