Gotham looks set to crumble in The Dark Knight Rises

361 days is generally a long time to wait for majority of life’s big days. Your wedding, your birthday, your graduation even. At this stage people wouldn’t tend to ponder over their next big champagne moment. Unless you’re Rupert Murdoch and you’ve survived another year without stepping foot into a prison cell. But for fans of the Caped Crusader, known to some as the multi-millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne, others more familiar with his vigilante crime fighter Batman, The Dark Knight Rises is on many a calendar penned in for 20^th July 2012. The final part of Christopher Nolan’s epic Batman trilogy is by far my most hotly anticipated movie since his last piece of true craftsmanship in the mind bending and mind blowing Inception.  

This week we have all been treated to the first teaser trailer to TDKR and in true Chris Nolan fashion very little is revealed bar a short convo with a bed ridden Gary Oldman (reprising his role as Commissioner Gordon) and Bruce Wayne discussing the current evil rising and of the need for the Batman to return. Wrapping the 95 second promo up are a few sneaky shots of Tom Hardy’s masked brute, Bane facing-off with Christian Bale’s Bat. I couldn’t have expected anymore from the opening trailer to the already fascinating Viral Marketing campaign to next Summer’s big’un which has already seen an image of  the muscular villain, Bane, the film’s official site with the chant “The Fire Rises” playing and the first official poster which looks all the more Inception-y with the towering Gotham falling outlining the Bat symbol.

An official plot is yet to be revealed but one can only speculate that the Batman is pulled out of hiding (when we last saw the Caped Crusader in The Dark Knight, he was fleeing from Gotham PD after taking the blame for the death of DA Harvey Dent/Two-Face) to take on new foe Bane and Anne Hathaway’s Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. It will be fascinating to see how the players tackle their roles particularly the main heroes and villains as in the DC comics the Bat and the Cat, in the end form a partnership and at one stage Bane actually kills off Batman by snapping his back in two so it’ll be a toughie to predict what could occur. But you’d have to be someone with a total lack of brain power to even think of second guessing the great man that is Christopher Nolan. Just look over his lean back catalogue of small independent movies and big budget Summer blockbusters, and I assure you all he is the man for the job. Typically he is keeping a tight lid on set not allowing anything to be exposed or revealed prematurely. Even Tom Hardy was not budging when probed about TDKR and his character during a recent MTV interview where he declared, ""I can't [talk about it], so let's have another question. Have you got time for another question?"

No doubt he will go out with an almighty bang and I will not be surprised if the director keeps everything on lockdown and bring back a certain Liam Neeson to make a shock comeback as Ra’s al Ghul. There have been rumours that the Irishman has been spotted on set in St Johns, London in recent weeks and has a voiceover in the beginning of the trailer. Hmm Nolan does have a talent at deceiving the mind and this would be a definite curveball thrown at audiences and at Christian Bale’s Batman if he were to make a shock return from the dead following his supposed demise in Batman Begins.

Websites, forums and other blogs have been giving their own reaction following the first glimpse of The Dark Knight Rises. When the trailer was shown at screenings of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, fans were going hysterical; clapping, cheering, high fiving. I wouldn’t go to that extent but I’ll still be waiting … 361 days, 8664 hours, 519, 840 minutes and counting.

Do watch this space for further Bat/Bane/Cat/Gordon/Nolan/General TDKR developments to no doubt fill your mind with intrigue and interest.

Follow me on Twitter @michaelcunneen

Written by Michael Cunneen

Martin Scorsese tries his hand in the fantasy world

Right, let’s cut to the chase, Martin Scorsese is not known for making family-friendly pictures over his illustrious career in moviemaking. I mean, which nine-year-old nipper would want to witness Joe Pesci get his head slammed in between a vice as portrayed in the 1995 gangster saga, Casino anyhoo. But come December of this year, the acclaimed filmmaker will, I am sure, have a new line of fans when his adaptation of The Invention of Hugo Cabret is released.

By the sound of the film’s plot, one might expect a Robert Zemeckis or a Chris Columbus to take on the reigns of such a family orientated film. Based on the novel by Brian Selznick, Hugo, as the film is not entitled focuses on a 13-year-old orphan (Asa Butterfield) who lives within the walls of a train station in 1930’s Paris. There, he is embroiled in a mystery involving his father’s (Jude Law) inventions. Alongside Isabelle (Chloe Moretz), who also has a taste for adventure, the pair both set off in search of the truth behind the inventions but also escape the clutches of the evil train inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen).

Today saw the release of the trailer which was kinda unexpected as there has been very little come out of the Hugo camp with the exception of a fluttler of stills. With the red hot anticipation of the first trailer of The Dark Knight Rises expected any day now, this was a welcome surprise from Scorsese and Co. From the insight into what the trailer provides this is something completely different for the Goodfellas director. A robot, a slapstick duo of a guard dog and the former Ali-G set within a fictional magical Paris in 3D is ever so slightly different to the epic battle of mobs and cops seen in the 2006 crime masterpiece, The Departed. Having said that Scorsese has never been a director to pin one genre to. Naturally the Oscar winner has rounded up a brilliant pedigree of actors featuring Shutter Island collaborators Sir Ben Kingsley and Emily Mortimer. Also featuring are Ray Winstone, Christopher Lee and Helen McCrory.

It will be intriguing to see audience’s reaction to the fantasy world of Hugo, particularly loyal fans of the book who already seem skeptical to the world adapted by Scorsese. But I, as a loyal fan of the director have total faith in his next picture. As I am a total newbie to Hugo Cabret I’m already encouraged to the whole mystery side to the film with the two young leads in the forefront of the adventure. It looks the perfect upcoming Christmas film and the 3D element does appear to be justified from what the trailer offers. Expect your December to begin brightly then succumb to total dreariness when David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is released a few weeks later.

Martin Scorsese argues that the emergence of 3D technology allowed him to rethink the art of cinema.  In this regard, the director insists that his decision to make Hugo is the right one. Dare you question the man’s thinking, I wouldn’t dream of it.

Hugo is released 2^nd December 2011

Written by Michael Cunneen

Bond 23 gets the girl and a release date

It appears that the James Bond news trawl has been making tracks of late with the rumour that British actress Naomie Harris will star alongside Daniel Craig in the next Bond adventure. It came to great delight when scouring through this week’s edition of the News of the World that the London-born stunner is being strongly considered for the meaty role. Harris is a fine fine choice for the role and one which I believe she will nail. She will follow in the footsteps of some of the most glamorous and stunning women to appear alongside 007 including the likes of Ursula Andress, Honor Blackman and most recently Olga Kurylenko in Quantum of Solace.

It appears that Bond producers are keeping along the similar trend of not hiring pure A-list totty for such a high-profile role. I’m not implying that Harris is not talented nor is she a looker, because she is on both fronts. She is building up a very stable and diverse list of credentials after taking to the high seas with Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, romping with Jamie Foxx in the, lets face it, awful Miami Vice remake and giving a strong turn opposite Cillian Murphy in Danny Boyle’s apocalyptic horror 28 Days Later. No details of her role have been revealed yet, it all seems For Your Eyes Only at this stage.

Another piece of slightly mehh yet essential news is keep an ear out for the clinking of Vodka Martini flutes on October 26^th of next year when Bond 23 will officially be hitting cinemas. But I would say it will only be a matter of time until we really get into the nitty gritty details such as the title of James Bond’s 23 mission as well of course who will be unveiled as 007’s nemesis. Mr Ralph Fiennes seems the favourite at this stage, something which I would wholeheartedly welcome with open arms. You just have to glance at his track record of villainous and dastardly roles in the likes of In Bruges, the Harry Potter movies, Clash of the Titans, Red Dragon and Schindler’s List to tell he would be perfect to face off against Britain’s deadliest MI6 agent.

Long-term producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli appear to be keeping the British end up with Sam Mendes in the director’s chair, Daniel Craig, once again as Bond and Dame Judi Dench returning as M. As we have now gotten past the whole, let’s revitalise the Bond franchise for the fifteen time, I really do hope they bring back some of the key ingredients that made the old school 60’s Bond movies such as From Russia With Love, Goldfinger and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service into real British gems. Q Branch is at the top of my list to make a comeback. Remember Little Nellie from You Only Live Twice. Remember the jet-pack in Thunderball. Remember, of course, the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger. At times they got a little too far-fetched *cough* the invisible car in Die Another Day *cough*. But you can’t shy away from the fact that the gadgets were such a key component in the earlier Bond movies. Another feature I would like brought back is the good old disfigured, psychopathic henchmen that brought another level of entertainment. Jaws, Oddjob, Red Grant and of course Xenia Onatopp and her thunder thighs that could kill with a little squeeze. A little bit of tradition needs to ideally be brought back to the franchise and I believe Sam Mendes is a superb director to bring all these to the table and bring back some of the essence seen in earlier James Bond adventures.

Oh and a few laughs from the stone-faced Craig perhaps with another return, this time from Miss Moneypenny would be a bonus. Maybe I’m being a little too old school but as a die hard James Bond fan I can only take so much reinvigoration.

Written by Michael Cunneen

Do follow me on Twitter for more movie rambling @michaelcunneen

The Wolfpack will return for more boozy antics

It just shows you that even though a highly anticipated sequel to the highest grossing “R” rated comedy of all time can receive mixed reviews, it can still bring home a very sizeable return. I considered The Hangover: Part II to be, in it’s own right a funny film with some laugh-out-loud moments. But, and this a big but, as a sequel and following the exact the same blueprint of its predecessor with the exception of the location, it was utterly pointless and at times tiresome with fewer gags. The opening scene of Part II (who has part II of a hangover anyway…) was an exact replica of the original, the tone being ominous and dark – Was the director Todd Phillips on roofies himself whilst shooting the Wolfpack’s antics?! There was just a minimal amount of new and fresh material to play with bar the standout scene involving Stu and a ladyboy!

But back to the facts and figures. The film was released in the US on the Thursday before the long Memorial weekend, clever marketing you see as it went on to bring home over $137.3 million. If things carry on and progress, they could easily match or most likely surpass the original’s hefty totals. Surely a solid justification to plan ahead for Part III… yep, you’re spot on. The Road Trip director has said he is keen to continue and possibly end the franchise as a trilogy. Phillips was actually quoted during a press junket, declaring, “The third would very much be a finale and an ending.” So expect more hijinks from crazy Alan, player Phil, dentist Stu and I pray no more singing Mike Tyson, pleaaaaase!

It appears Warner Bros. aren’t messing around as it was reported earlier in the week that Hangover II writer Craig Mazin has been hired to pen the third film in the boozy franchise. So it looks like all parties seem eager beavers for a third round of carnage. But there is potentially one bearded chubby gentlemen who could put a massive spanner in the works and that is Zach Galifianakis. The standout performer in the films was reported as being vocally negative during filming of Part II, there’s always one! Remember when Mel Gibson was hired as the tattoo artist then was dramatically dropped from the role due to certain cast members taking a dislike to the addition, classic Alan. But with both films bringing home a considerable amount of bacon, that shouldn’t deter Galifianakis from a return.

A plot has yet to be revealed nor has a title, something more original and fresh like the second one should have been (!) would be appreciated – The Hangover – Return of the Roofies... But for now, fellow bloggers and film journo’s will be scattering their brains for potential locations and plotlines. Ibiza? London? Benidorm?! Even though I’m not fully backing a “threequel” a trip to Amsterdam or Prague perhaps may well be an encouraging venue. Just picture the Wolfpack taking in the seedy sites of the Red Light District. In an ideal world (if there is such a thing), dope dealing monkeys and animals altogether should be removed from joining in the bant, no psycho ex-heavyweight boxers and perhaps a few more genius cameos after Paul Giamatti’s scene stealing turn as a shady businessman/copper in the sequel. Whatever Todd Phillips decides, it’s fairly safe to say audiences will warm to a third film in the already highly successful franchise.

Written by Michael Cunneen

You can also follow me on Twitter @michaelcunneen

David Fincher's Dragon Tattoo will take Christmas to the dark side

Movie taglines. They are generally considered an essential ingredient to a film’s marketing and give audiences a flavour of what to expect for their forthcoming movie experience. David Fincher has certainly taken that school of thought on board for his upcoming remake of the outstanding Swedish thriller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. This week saw the release of two trailers (a red-band teaser which was subsequently removed when the PG friendly green-band version was released). It’s tagline, smeared across the screen, “The feel bad movie of Christmas” certainly gives us an idea of what to expect. In addition, a moody, black and white poster revealing a half naked Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig (who portray Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist respectively) was released with the tagline, “Evil shall with evil be expelled.” I’m guessing Fincher isn’t much of a Jingle Bells and Santa kinda’ fella with this marketing approach which has really sprung to life like a jack-in-the-box and has whetted a lot of appetites for the hectic Winter season of movies.

But before we go any further into Fincher’s re-do of Dragon Tattoo, lets reflect back to March of last year when the original was released to audiences. Based on the international best selling Millennium Trilogy, the story focuses on the disappearance of a member of the shady Vanger family led by disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist. During the investigation Blomkvist teams up with Goth hacker Lisbeth Salander. As they get deeper into the case they begin to uncover some disturbing home truths and are sucked into world of corruption and murder. The film was hailed as a huge hit and the two sequels (The Girl who Played with Fire and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest – what a mouthful) turned the Millennium trilogy into a hit franchise with cinemagoers worldwide. Swedish actress Noomi Rapace who played Salander was rightly hailed as delivering an iconic role which saw her lose a considerable amount of weight and actually go through several body piercings to really mould herself into the complex character of the computer hacker. She may have considered herself unlucky to not have received more recognition than she actually did after begin snubbed at this year’s Oscars.

In the current and sweltering climate of remakes, prequels and the rest it was no surprise to hear Hollywood and David Fincher specifically, were interested in remaking the Swedish thriller. The Social Network director confirmed his next project shortly after the release of Dragon Tattoo and has had a very hectic schedule over the last 12 months what with the success of his Facebook movie and doing the rounds at various awards ceremonies. Fincher has taken a slightly different approach to his US version. Instead of glossing his project with the stars and stripes, he has in fact shot the film on location in Stockholm. With an impressive cast that includes Daniel Craig as journalist Mikael Blomkvist and relatively unknown actress Rooney Mara (who had a minor role in The Social Network) as Lisbeth Salander, on paper it looks a slightly risqué yet intriguing cast. With support from Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Robin Wright and Max von Sydow this could turn out to be a dark horse in the best films of this year.

Reactions to the footage released this week has been very positive with both trailers showing pretty much the same short, sharp sequences bar a bloody looking Daniel Craig and a topless Rooney Mara in the green-band version. From my point of view it appears Fincher is keeping very true to the original books written by the late Stieg Larsson who sadly passed away before the original trilogy even came to cinemas. So it seems fitting that the Fight Club filmmaker has stayed truthful and looks to have really captured the moody and dark essence of Stockholm and gives very little away with Trent Reznor and Karen O’s blistering version of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant song powering in the foreground.

However, a big topic on people’s minds has been the US-style portrayal of the lead character, Lisbeth Salander. Going for an unknown could end up going in one of two different ways; it could either tank and ruin the film or it could end up being an inspired choice and potentially be a career turning point for Rooney Mara whose other credentials include the shoddy Nightmare on Elm Street re-do and Youth in Revolt. But from the first official poster and shots of her in character released earlier on in the year it appears that the New York-born actress is diving straight in the deep end to give an honest and committed performance as Salander. According to reports, in prep for the role she locked herself in a room for a week to read all three books, and ultimately eat fierce competition from the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Winter’s Bone actress Jennifer Lawrence.

With Fincher’s dogged style of filmmaking, his most recent success about the creation of a social networking site and lets face it, his pristine CV, expectations are sky high for another success in his already sterling career. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo hits cinemas on the 26^th December.

Written by Michael Cunneen

You can also follow me on Twitter @michaelcunneen

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