In order to lend Plus Trailers some much needed credibility, every Friday I am going to be writing a little about the week’s film news. I will only be reporting on things that interest me – fans of Twilight will have to go elsewhere. In fact, if you want comprehensive or unbiased news coverage you’re probably looking in the wrong place. But if you can stand my poor grammar, prejudicial "journalism" and nerdish rants about whatever it is that Hollywood is screwing up this week then by all means read on. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The first bit of news I have is that I am a liar. The paragraph you just read is untrue, because what follows is a piece of information about the third Twilight film (titled Eclipse) that I felt compelled to share with you. In possibly the most hilariously inappropriate decision in Hollywood history, the movies director has been announced as David Slade. Slade has directed two feature films in his career: 30 Days of Night (an ultra-bloody vampire film set in Alaska) and Hard Candy (a psychological thriller about a paedophile who is tortured by a potential victim.)
...Robert Pattinson? Have you done something to your hair?I suppose there is a bizarre suitability to this decision: Slade’s previous films have dealt with comparable subject matter to the Twilight series, whether is be vampires or the taboo relationship between a young girl and an older man. But the similarities end there. It’s also kind of a waste; Hard Candy was excellent, and while 30 Days of Night was merely average it did have an interesting aesthetic. So it’s a shame to think Slade’s talents will go to waste on a franchise where the viewers are more interesting in brooding glares and sparkles then they are in directorial skill.
Two awesome posters for upcoming films have been released, although they couldn’t be more different. The first is for Brüno, Sacha Baren Cohen’s follow up to Borat. The second is for Antichrist, the new horror film from Lars von Trier. I am really excited for both films, and have already pimped their respective trailers, which can be found here (Brüno) and here (Antichrist).Oliver Stone is going to make a sequel to his 1987 film Wall Street, which should piss people off. What’s even more likely to piss people off is that Michael Douglas’s Gordon Gekko will this time be joined by a young Wall Street trader played by Shia LaBeouf. Sorry folks.
Also in sequel-esque news, Ridley Scott has expressed an interest in returning to the Alien franchise. Scott, who directed on original 1979 film, has in the past said he would to do a prequel film that explored the species’ origin. I’m not sure how to feel about this; I love the first films, but with the AVP crossovers the franchise has basically gone to hell. One part of me thinks that this could be the shot in the arm that the series (and the entire sci-fi genre) needs…another part of me thinks we should just put Alien to bed.
The first photo from Iron Man 2 has been released, and looks pretty sweet. Notice the different versions of the Iron Man suit in the background. The film is set to be released in 2010The cast of The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan’s new sci-fi action film Inception continues to grow. On top of Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, the film will feature Marion Cotillard (Public Enemies), Ellen Page (Juno), Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Brick) and Michael Caine (Batman Begins). Very little is known about the project, other than it was written by Nolan and has been described as “a contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind.” What this means is anyone’s guess, but seeing as Nolan has brought us Dark Knight & Batman Begins as well as The Prestige and my all time favourite film Memento, I think we can expect something amazing.
In related news, Christian Bale has confirmed that even if Nolan doesn’t return to direct a third Batman film, Bale’s contract stipulates that he has no choice but to return as the caped crusader. I don’t think this is anything to worry about as most people expect that Nolan will return to Gotham after Inception (remember, he took a break between Batman Begins and Dark Knight to film The Prestige)Finally, the director of Terminator Salvation McG has challenged the director of Transformers Michael Bay... to a penis measuring contest. Want to know more?
DVD's
Slumdog Millionaire was released on DVD in Australia today, although the awful boxart renders it almost unrecognisable. Season One of Pushing Daisies was also released; this show about a pie maker who can resurect people from the dead for one minute is terrific, but I recommend holding out on buying the DVD. The series was cancelled midway through season two, so a cheaper 'complete series' boxset is probably on the way. Other DVD's available include the pretty good Frost/Nixon, the pretty bad The Day The Earth Stood Still remake, the critically acclaimed 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days and the critically panned Journey to the Centre of the Earth (only available in 2D...why would you bother?)
Be sure to return tomorrow to see the new trailers for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, G.I. Joe and District 9. I can't guarantee they'll be good, but I can say almost to a certainty that shit will blow up.
Sources: Slashfilm, FirstShowing, Hey U Guys, Stale Popcorn, EzyDvd
