Steven Spielberg attracts A-list for Lincoln

Steven Spielberg – Director, Producer, Writer, Triple-Oscar Winner, the list could go on into the night. Another priceless talent “The Beard” owns is that he has a certain knack at assembling one heck of a cast. Over his sparkling career he has worked with the likes of Tom Hanks, Liam Neeson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon and Harrison Ford just to name a few. He can pretty much snap up any big name he wants because he is Steven Spielberg.

The story of one Abraham Lincoln has been a project deep in the heart of Spielberg for over ten years now. Liam Neeson had always been attached to the lead role until a certain Daniel Day-Lewis stepped into the shoes of the Schindler’s List actor to don the top hat of the 16^th President of the United States. This was a match made in heaven – one of the greatest director’s to work alongside an actor who I consider to be one of the strongest and most consistent actors in the history of cinema. I had the great pleasure of meeting Daniel Day-Lewis a few months back, albeit a brief one at that, during a screening of In the Name of the Father in memory of the late Pete Postlethwaite and I could easily envisage him as Lincoln. One thing’s for sure – There will be beard!

Last week I experienced a buzzing sensation when I glazed upon a news article stating Spielberg had recruited a number of stars to accompany Day-Lewis in his cherished Lincoln biopic. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Hal Holbrook and James Spader have all signed on for Lincoln. The Jurassic Park maestro is rounding up a huge cast for what sounds to me like a very personal film about not only a fascinating figure but a fascinating period in American history. Not only that there are several other names queuing round the block for a shot at working with the Oscar-Winning director. Winter’s Bone Oscar nominee John Hawkes, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McGill and Joseph Cross are all in negotiations to join the already sterling cast. Not to mention it was announced last month that Sally Field, of Brothers & Sisters fame was confirmed to star alongside Daniel Day-Lewis as his other half, Mary Todd.

The story will focus on the sixteenth President leading the north to victory during the Civil War. It will also centre on the clashes between the President and the officers within the cabinet. Jones will play a strong ally to Abe Lincoln as Republican leader and Congressman Thaddeus Stevens. Stevens was a staunch supporter of abolishing slavery and was critical to writing the legislation that funded the American Civil War. Gordon-Levitt will play Lincoln’s eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, who, incidentally was the only one to live past his teenage years.

The man behind such iconic and classic movies like Jaws, E.T. and Raiders of the Lost Ark has a jam packed schedule at the moment with post-production of his World War I epic, War Horse set for release early next year. But before that he has another cherished project in post-production, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn starring Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell and Andy Serkis and co-produced by Mr. Peter Jackson, set for release in October.

Lincoln is set to begin filming this Autumn. Two notes for the filofax – Lincoln is set for release in December 2012 and the 85^th Annual Academy Awards, most likely in February 2013 – Cos lets face it, like The King’s Speech, Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln is typical Oscar bait.

Written by Michael Cunneen

Piranha 3DD coming along swimmingly

Ok, like a razor-toothed fishy critter eyeing up some smokin' hot babe as it’s lunch lets cut to the chase, Piranha 3DD is one of the most bonkers movie title’s there has been in some time, well, since Snakes on a Plane (more on that later). It’s not just any movie though, for those who are unfamiliar with last year’s most outrageous gore and boob-fest Piranha, this well-deserved sequel is charging through our water systems later on this year. The remake of Joe Dante’s 1978 original was hailed as a solid it-does-what-it-says-on-the-tin, tongue-in-cheek, OTT trashy Summer hit. With a mish-mash cast that included the likes of Elizabeth Shue, Ving Rhames, Jerry O’Connell, Christopher Lloyd and Kelly Brook (!), the film was set at Lake Victoria during Spring Break (of course it did) and the story revolved around an underwater earthquake unleashing millions of prehistoric piranha upon the boozy and randy community. It was up to a band of unlikely heroes to prevent the newest and hungry party crashers from having one heck of an all-you-can eat buffet!

Directed by Alexandre Aja, it was one of those movies you either loved or loathed, and personally I absolutely loved it. Walking into Piranha, I knew exactly what to expect – nothing more than a brainless 88minute piece of pure entertainment. The Hills Have Eyes director knew exactly what he was making and nailed it. From the naked underwater ballet scene to the trashy CGI and even THAT penis scene, everything worked. Empire hit the nail on the head during it’s verdict declaring, “Remember the film you hoped Snakes On A Plane would be – this is it!”

Upon reflection during the final credits of last years hit, there was no surprise that a sequel would soon be in the works, and like a Piranha to the scent of blood, a sequel is underway. The one thing I was sceptical about was as a new director was brought in (John Gulager) a new fresh batch of meat, I mean actors would also be introduced to the seas. I had good reason to be concerned. Actors like Danielle Panabaker, Matt Bush, Chris Zylka and David Koechner were all confirmed – I know, I was the same, “Who, who are they?!” But I was put at ease last week when none other than Gary Busey was a yes for Piranha 3DD. If the director is wanting to up the ante on the Outrageous meter for this one, he’s succeeded, on a major level. The crazed, mad-eyed actor who starred in such hits as Lethal Weapon and Point Break will surely attract cinematic attention. Busey, who is considered to be a bit of a loose cannon these days will almost certainly put up one hell of a fight against the Piranha – they’ll be scared shitless of the fella, just imagine him in speedos’s chasing after the poor critters - that'll take care of the fish out of water comedy then.

Two more were confirmed this morning in fact and it was even more pleasing to read that Ving Rhames and Christopher Lloyd will be reprising their roles in the sequel. Rhames who played a Deputy was last seen knee deep in guts and entrails battling hordes of piranha with an outboard motor and Lloyd was on hand as Mr Goodman in one of the genius pieces of casting doing his best Doc Brown style that he could muster. They’ll be on hand as well as the fresh-faced cast in Piranha 3DD where this time the story follows those homicidal creatures terrorising the patrons of a new water theme park aptly called “The Big Wet Water Park.” Expect nothing less than what the 2010 effort provided, boobs and gore – lots and lots of it.

Piranha 3DD attacks cinemas from 25^th November

Written by Michael Cunneen