Film Junk

Open Forum Friday: Is Shaky Cam Good or Bad for Action Movies?

Sean — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:26:33 +0000

With so many recent action movies striving for a sense of realism and intensity, we are seeing more and more directors attempting to use handheld and erratic camera movement as a way to inject energy into their scenes. When used skillfully and/or sparingly this can be very effective, but the downside is that it has been known to induce nausea and motion sickness in some viewers (Cloverfield). It is also sometimes used as a crutch when a director wants to hide poor special effects or a lack of fight choreography. While this current trend is probably a direct result of the success of The Bourne Trilogy, the idea of replicating a documentary feel within fictional films is not particularly new. What is somewhat new, however, is the sudden wave of criticism coming from moviegoers who now automatically assume that all handheld camera work is a sign of bad filmmaking. Surely there are certain situations where it is appropriate, and certain directors who are adept enough to utilize it properly? What do you think... is shaky camera work always a bad thing? Does handheld camera movement add to the action or is it simply too chaotic to appreciate? Which movies have used it well, and which ones have used it poorly? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.

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Tim Minear Heading Up Alien Nation Remake

Sean — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:15:14 +0000

In what appears to be a direct response to Neill Blomkamp's District 9 and ABC's upcoming V remake, Sci Fi Channel (who are officially changing their name to SyFy as of next week) have unveiled plans for a remake of another Kenneth Johnson TV series: Alien Nation. Based on the 1988 movie starring James Caan and Terrence Stamp, the show ran for just one season on Fox, but was continued a few years later with five made-for-TV movies. The new take on Alien Nation is expected to be set in the Pacific Northwest, and will pick up 20 years after a number of of alien ships have crash landed on Earth. The aliens, dubbed "newcomers", have since attempted to integrate with human society and their population now numbers in the millions. The show, much like its precursor, will address issues such as racism, terrorism and immigration, but will also apparently maintain the buddy cop angle. So who will be the man in charge of this new show? None other than frequent Joss Whedon collaborator Tim Minear (Firefly, Angel, Wonderfalls). Consider me interested. I'm not quite sure it has the potential to become the next Battlestar Galactica, but I'll definitely give it a chance. Let's just hope this has more a little more success than some of Minear's previous work. The guy really deserves a hit right about now.

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Carriers Trailer Starring Chris Pine

Sean — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:55:55 +0000

I hadn't really heard much about Carriers up until Star Trek hit theatres, but now that Chris Pine is starting to get so much attention for his role as Captain James T. Kirk, this project is also gaining momentum proportionately. The story seems like one we've seen a few too many times before: a group of survivors struggles to stay alive in the wake of a viral outbreak. That said, I have to admit, the trailer still captured my interest enough that I could see myself checking it out. One thing I like is the fact that the Z-word is never mentioned anywhere in the trailer, although it certainly seems to hint towards there being a clear zombie element. The similarity to Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later is unmistakable, but I guess I'm just hoping there will be a new twist somewhere in there. Directors Alex and David Pastor are the latest Spanish filmmakers to get their big break in North America, although indie distributor Paramount Vantage has apparently been sitting on the film for a few years now. Carriers will hit theatres on September 4th; check out the trailer after the jump and see what you think.

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View-Master: The Movie?

Sean — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:31:01 +0000

I have to admit, this next news story reeks of a prank, especially when it's coming one day after the announcement of an Asteroids movie. Then again, I guess that should make this even more believable. According to Coming Soon, Fringe writer Brad Caleb Kane will be penning the script for a feature film based on another popular retro toy: the View-Master. He announced the project via his Twitter account back on Tuesday of this week. According to Kane, the movie is being set up at Dreamworks and produced by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. He also says it will be "like the old 80's Amblin movies: Goonies, Young Sherlock... In that vein." For those who don't remember, the View-Master is a toy that uses paper disks to view stereoscopic 3-D images. Apparently it's been around since 1939, but I clearly remember having one when I was a kid in the '80s. So, how exactly will this serve as the inspiration for a family adventure film? Your guess is as good as mine. When it comes to movies based on board games or toys, Jumanji is the only thing that comes to mind. Either way, Kane's going to have a lot of freedom to do whatever he wants with it. What do you think... is this idea just kinda stupid or completely idiotic?

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New To Theatres This Weekend: Ice Age 3, Public Enemies, I Hate Valentine’s Day

Sean — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:00:40 +0000

Only two major releases are hitting theatres over this holiday long weekend, the first being Michael Mann's Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp, and the other being Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Both will probably make a boatload of cash, but will either of them be able to match Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen? The only limited release this weekend is the second film starring Nia Vardalos this summer, I Hate Valentine's Day. She wrote and directed this one herself, and reteams with My Big Fat Greek Wedding co-star John Corbett. What will you be checking out?

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Public Enemies Review

Sean — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:39:41 +0000

Public Enemies Directed by: Michael Mann Written by: Ronan Bennett, Michael Mann, Ann Biderman (screenplay), Bryan Burrough (book) Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Stephen Dorff, Channing Tatum, Billy Crudup, Leelee Sobieski, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Graham The prospect of Johnny Depp playing a 1930's gangster is probably all that was required to sell most people on Public Enemies, but with director Michael Mann (Heat, The Insider) at the helm, no one really knew whether to expect a summer action movie or a character-driven art piece. What's more, with the number of great gangster flicks that have been made over the years, Mann had his work cut out for him if he was hoping to create something that could measure up to some of the classics. His last film, Miami Vice, was a bit of a disappointment both critically and commercially despite having the star power of Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. Could Public Enemies help him reconnect with audiences, or -- better yet -- put him back in the realm of Oscar contention? When it comes to gangsters, John Dillinger may not be as well-known as Al Capone, and hasn't been portrayed on the big screen nearly as often, but he is arguably a more compelling figure. Known as a modern-day Robin Hood of sorts, Dillinger and his gang knocked off nearly two dozen banks between 1933 and 1934, while always being careful to take good care of their hostages (if such a thing is possible). Since the general public had a distrust for banks during the Depression, Dillinger came to be seen as a folk hero. Meanwhile, the FBI was growing in size and strength during this time period, and they were ultimately determined to take him down one way or another. Based on the book Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34 by Bryan Burrough, Public Enemies offers a surprisingly accurate historical account of Dillinger's crime spree and some of the changes that were happening in America at the time. Although the movie has a deep supporting cast and initially seemed like it was being marketed as an ensemble piece, the truth is, John Dillinger is far and away the focus of the film. Other criminals like Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson and Homer Van Meter are present and accounted for, but rarely given much screen time. I suppose this is all understandable when you've got Johnny Depp in the lead role, who for the most part, does a great job presenting us with an anti-hero who is both cool and charming, but deep down knows that his days are numbered. Admittedly, he is almost a little too charming at points, since he never really feels all that dangerous or ruthless. Michael Mann does a good job of glossing over the fact that he is a cold-blooded killer, allowing us to easily accept his relationship with Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard). It may be a tad manipulative, although to be fair, it is also Marion Cotillard's endearing performance that ultimately helps sell their ill-fated romance. On the flip side, the FBI also plays a prominent role in the film, led by a still somewhat inexperienced J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup). It is Special Agent Melvin Purvis who heads up the manhunt for Dillinger and his associates, played by a grim yet subdued Christian Bale. Thankfully Bale doesn't give another testosterone-fueled performance along the lines of Batman or John Connor here. Although his character is relatively underdeveloped, he still manages to avoid letting it slip into a cliche and offers enough presence to provide a worthy adversary for Dillinger. What will ultimately make or break the movie for most viewers is the visual style that Michael Mann brings to the table. If you've seen any of his work over the past 15 years, you'll know that he loves to shoot handheld, and has been doing it since long before the Bourne movies went and made it an action movie requirement. What's more, Public Enemies is shot entirely on digital video rather than film, and the results are noticeable to even the casual moviegoer. It is definitely harder to see things in the shadows, with the image being a bit murkier and not as well defined in dark areas. However, it's a trade off for some of the creative camera work and the added intensity during action scenes. No one does a gunfight quite like Michael Mann, and between the sound, muzzle flash and handheld camera, most of these shootouts and prison breaks are thrilling and unforgettable. I can understand why some people are getting tired of the so-called "shaky cam", and I know that there are certain expectations for a '30s gangster flick to look classy and slick. Regardless, I think the visual chaos fits here, and I was quite happy to see Mann give the genre a slightly different aesthetic for once. Public Enemies is relatively long at 2 hours and 20 minutes, but that's certainly nothing new for Michael Mann either. The important thing is that it doesn't ever really lose focus, and Depp and Cotillard keep you invested in their characters throughout the dramatic scenes. It's certainly not a full-on action movie, but there is more than enough gunplay and suspense interspersed throughout to keep you on your toes. No, it's not a perfect film, but I think there are a lot of interesting elements within Public Enemies, from the public fascination with criminals to the development of the FBI to the ethics of various police tactics. Michael Mann injects a modern style into an old-fashioned story, but I think the best reason to see it is probably just the cast and their performances. While Public Enemies will probably not end up being counted among the best gangster films of all time, overall I had a great time with it, and I do think there's a chance it may be remembered come Oscar season. At any rate, it's certainly one of your better options for a night's entertainment this summer. -- Sean

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Behind the Lens: Duncan Jones, Director of Moon

Sean — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:46:25 +0000

Behind the Lens is a feature where we pose a series of short, offbeat questions to inspiring filmmakers, actors and artists in order to get to know them a little better. Moon, the debut feature film from Duncan Jones, has been getting a lot of great buzz ever since it premiered at Sundance earlier this year. With a cerebral plot and an impressive solo performance by Sam Rockwell, not to mention amazing special effects on a shoestring budget, many critics have hailed it as the return of science-fiction for the thinking man on the big screen. The film is currently playing in select theatres in the U.S., and it will premiere in Canada starting this Friday. For more info on where you can see Moon, visit the film's official website, or follow Duncan on Twitter. Now, after the jump, check out our Q&A with writer-director Duncan Jones! What are your current addictions? Cupcakes and twitter. I now its weird, sad, I don't know what. But for me right now, cupcakes are a big deal. I don't know if its the chocolate, or the sugar rush, but they are just this little treat that puts a smile on my face when everything else seems so serious and important. As for twitter, its part job, part fun, all addiction. I dont know how Im going to break the habit, but Im going to have to at some point, cause I am on there WAY too much. Recommend a movie that more people need to see and why. You need to see Robert Altman's Mash, and the reason you need to see it, is that it is the progenitor for all bro-mance movies. It has the ultimate friendship in it, and some of the most real, beautifully rounded relationships ever put on film. Not to mention its just damn funny! What is your most prized possession? The torc around my neck. Its Celtic, older than Britain itself and was given to me by my dad at a time in my life when I really felt no sense of home. Im no spiritualist, but psychologically, my torc has given me a tether to a time and place, and makes me feel connected to something and at home, wherever I am. Name someone, living or dead, that you would most like to work with. Oliver Reed. Talk about raw charisma! Ever since I first saw that magnificent beast of an actor, I have cursed his death, and the fact that he was not born 30 years later so i could have worked with him in his prime. He was and always will be to me, the definitive British Alpha Male, and no one else even gets close. its unfair there's no one even on the horizon like him. What upcoming projects can we look forward to from you? That is a question! Possibly the question. As it stands, there are two possibilities, though a third has recently popped up. Either a sci-fi companion piece to Moon called Mute, that is a thriller based in a future Berlin, or a WW2 submarine story called Escape from the Deep that is based on an utterly amazing true story of a handful of American submariners who escaped their submarine at the height of the Pacific war while being depth charged by the enemy.

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Pauly Shore Might Sue Bruno for Stealing his Baby Adoption Joke

Sean — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:23:51 +0000

It should probably come as no surprise that Sacha Baron Cohen may have yet another lawsuit on his hands as a result of the upcoming film Bruno. What is a little bit unexpected, however, is the fact that the person contemplating legal action is not one of Bruno's on-screen victims... but rather comedian Pauly Shore! According to the New York Daily News, Shore is seeking retribution for Bruno's baby adoption gag, which figures prominently in the trailer. He seems to think it may have been stolen from his own movie Adopted (tagline: "First there was Angelina, then Madonna, and now Pauly!"). When I wrote about the first trailer for Bruno back in April, I did joke about the similarities between the two films, although I certainly didn't expect him to actually call up his lawyer. Clearly it's going to be hard to prove any sort of plagiarism here, especially since very few people have even seen Pauly Shore's new film. Still, I suppose if he can get some free publicity out of the deal, it will probably still be worthwhile for him. What do you think... does he actually have a case? Which movie looks funnier?

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Resident Evil 4 Gets a Title and Release Date

Sean — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:06:37 +0000

Well it looks like we've finally got something more to report on the next installment in Paul W.S. Anderson's Resident Evil movie franchise. Although this is still not entirely official, Shock Till You Drop has it on good authority that Resident Evil 4 is a go and will be aiming for a release date of September 17, 2010. The new movie is apparently being called Resident Evil: Afterlife. As expected, the fourth chapter will have nothing to do with Resident Evil 4 the video game, and instead will pick up where the last movie, Resident Evil: Extinction, left off. That will probably mean a shift in setting to the Umbrella Headquarters in Tokyo. No word yet on whether or not Milla Jovovich will return, but I really can't see them doing it without her. The only RE movie I've seen is Extinction, which never really lived up to its potential. Unless they come up with a cool new idea to revitalize the franchise, I'll probably count myself out of the next one. Will you pay to see another Resident Evil flick?

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Vote on Night of the Creeps DVD Artwork

Sean — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:06:27 +0000

I've been waiting a long time for a DVD release of Fred Dekker's cult classic Night of the Creeps... in fact, it's one of the few movies I still actually own on VHS. When The Monster Squad was finally released back in 2007, it looked like NOTC would follow soon after, but it's taken another two years for Sony to get their act together. At long last, a release date of October 10th has been set, and it's now currently up for pre-order on Amazon. Ever cooler is the fact that in addition to pre-ordering, you can also vote for your favourite DVD cover. Unfortunately, the three choices that they have available aren't all that fantastic. I know that they're going for an old school horror look, but these just look like bargain bin titles to me. At any rate, if you're a fan of Night of the Creeps, you might want to check out Episode #11 of The Movie Club Podcast, where we talk about the movie in great detail. Full DVD specs courtesy of Ain't It Cool News, after the jump!

"Birth of Creeps" Featurette: Dekker talks about the origins of the project
"Cast of the Creeps" Featurette with Jason Lively, Tom Atkins, Steve Marshall and Jill Whitlow
"Creating The Creeps" Featurette: interviews with SFX creators David B. Miller and Robert Kurtzman
"Tom Atkins: Man of Action" Featurette
"Escape of the Creeps" Featurette: a detailed look at the post-production
Deleted scenes
Fred Dekker Audio Commentary
Cast Audio Commentary featuring Atkins, Whitlow, Marshall and Lively
Original theatrical ending
Footage from Cast and Crew Reunion Screening at the Alamo Drafthouse

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Universal to Adapt Classic Atari Game Asteroids as a Movie

Sean — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:14:09 +0000

Yet another head-scratcher coming from Universal Pictures this week as they have apparently picked up the film rights to the classic Atari and arcade game Asteroids. Yes, that's right Asteroids... the game with a little triangular ship shooting giant rocks in space. I mean, we all know that big screen adaptations of video games are usually doomed from the start, but when you're dealing with a game as simplistic as Asteroids, well, I really don't know what to say. This is the same studio that has movies based on Monopoly, Battleship, Candyland, Stretch Armstrong, and Major Matt Mason in development. Clearly they're primarily interested in selling nostalgia, although somehow I think they might be taking the idea a little too far. The thing that kills me is that apparently there was a four-way bidding war for Asteroids. Are you kidding?! Matthew Lopez (Bedtime Stories, Race to Witch Mountain) is the man who has been hired to invent a story out of thin air. What other Atari games should Universal pick up the rights to?

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Nimrod Antal Confirmed as Director of Predators

Sean — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:21:36 +0000

Bad news Neil Marshall fans: it looks like he didn't get the directing gig for Predators after all. Harry over at Ain't It Cool News has been able to confirm the director for the upcoming reboot/sequel on behalf of his good buddy Robert Rodriguez, and it is Hungarian filmmaker Nimrod Antal. Latino Review first reported that Antal was a possibility just a couple of weeks ago. Nimrod Antal's filmography includes the subway thriller Kontroll, the Luke Wilson slasher flick Vacancy, and the upcoming heist movie Armored, which apparently helped sell Rodriguez the most. He had this to say about Antal:

"I always loved Kontroll, where he proved himself to be a very resourceful and original filmmaker. When I saw Armored, I could tell he's also great with action and has a keen eye for casting. He reminded me of Quentin with how he was able to work with a group of very strong, singular actor talents and make it look effortless. I know he'll be able to get the most out of what we want to be an outstanding cast. We really want to go with a character driven action movie, because that's what we all remember about the original Predator, and we want to take it even further with this."

Predators will start shooting in the fall in Austin, Texas at Troublemaker Studios. Rodriguez promises that he will have a "more upfront role as a producer than would normally be the case in Hollywood". Also, the story will involve a group of people stranded on the Predator planet. What do you think about the choice of director? Is this movie shaping up to be something great?

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