New Bond Girl ‘Eve’ Skyfall Featurette
With under 7 months until the London Premiere of SKYFALL – the latest in the Bond franchise – we’ve today been treated to a look at Naomie Harris’ gun training, and mighty impressive it is.
Touting herself as more of a ‘female Bond’ Harris shows off her considerable talents with an array of firearms in the short featurette which add to Sam Mendes’ promise of an action-fuelled installment.
You can view the featurette below and make your own mind up as to the direction the movie may take but we here at The Hollywood News are excited by the footage and can’t wait to celebrate 50-years of Bond in October.
See The ‘Avengers Assemble’ In This New Featurette
This summer is shaping up to be the biggest and most anticipated that THN can remember in many a year. Not only do we have the likes of Chris Nolan’s Batman finale THE DARK KNIGHT RISES plus Ridley Scott’s ALIEN return with PROMETHEUS but there is also a certain superhero smash-up to look forward to.
Joss Whedon will unleash THE AVENGERS on the world on the 26th April (AVENGERS ASSEMBLE for those of us in the UK), and this latest featurette shows just how Marvel’s masterplan for a movie team-up of the iconic figures of IRON MAN, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, CAPTAIN AMERICA and THOR, came together.
Source: Marvel
The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists Review
Director: Peter Lord
Cast: Hugh Grant, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant, Martin Freeman, Salma Hayek
Running Time: 87 minutes
Certificate: U
Synopsis: When The Pirate Captain (Grant) sets out to become Pirate of the Year, he and his band of swashbuckling misfits find themselves crossing the seven seas from Blood Island to foggy London town, and getting mixed up with Charles Darwin and an evil Queen Victoria. But will the quest for booty (and ham) sever the bonds of friendship forever?
At the press screening for THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS, Brian Blessed came on to introduce the movie, taking the opportunity to bellow ‘GORDAN’S ALIVE!! I think the highest praise for THE PIRATES is to say the evening only got more enjoyable.
From the wonderfully screwball pre-credits sequence (with a brilliant sight gag about location captioning) to the glorious tones of Desmond Dekker over the end titles, THE PIRATES! is riotous fun throughout. There are more gags per minute than any film in recent memory and no doubt plenty we missed (eagle-eyed viewers may spot a specimen jar in Darwin’s office containing a pickled Facehugger from ALIENS). One of the things that separate a family film from a children’s film is to what extent the adults will like it. And though there were a few wee nippers running around, the audience was 90% grown up, and I’ve not heard laughter at a cinema like that since TEAM AMERICA.
This owes so much to the inspired script by Gideon Defoe, which he adapted from his own novel (also a daffy masterpiece). The supporting cast, including Brendan Gleeson, Ashley Jensen and Jeremy Piven among others, are pitch perfect (although Russell Tovey does over-egg the pudding somewhat). Director Peter Lord does a terrific job marrying the vocal work with the mannerisms and physicality of their onscreen clay equivalents, in particular that of Martin Freeman whose Pirate With A Scarf channels his loveable sidekick persona perfectly. Notable also are David Tennant as Charles Darwin and Imelda Staunton as the villainous Queen Victoria, whose evil antagonist exceeds even her role in ORDER OF THE PHOENIX.
But there are three stars of the show, and only one of them is human. First, the two animals. Polly the dodo-come-ship’s parrot is a sweet and charming creation, whose endearing expressions remind us of what makes Gromit work so well. Polly is the McGuffin of the piece, but unlike the average narrative device, we care about her. As The Albino Pirate says, “She’s like an auntie. With a beak.” The funniest character is probably Mister Bobo who, like Polly, is completely silent, but communicates through a hilariously unending amount of word cards that he keeps on his person, somehow. And then of course there’s our hero. The Pirate Captain. Hugh Grant gives his best performance in years as the swash buckling charmer with a taste for gold and ham.
One of the arching joys of Aardman’s oeuvre is the little details; such as when The Pirate Captain is at his lowest end, he dips a custard cream into his tea, which breaks off and falls into the cup. A tiny moment, but so universal (to a British audience anyway) and was met with howls (actual howls) of appreciative laughter. And for every little moment, there’s a thrilling set piece, such as the-bathtub-down-the-stairs chase (you read that right) that is as inventive and exciting as it is funny. And it is very, very funny. Lord handles the action sequences with an expertise that is all the more mind boggling when you remember it is ENTIRELY stop motion. Unreal. Also, keep an ear out for the tip-top soundtrack. The rousing ‘Swords of a Thousand Men’ over the opening credits sets you up for a rollicking adventure, The Clash’s ‘London Calling’ is juxtaposed comically with the Pirate movie aesthetic and Desmond Dekker’s ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’ over the closing titles leaves you feeling positive and smiling as you leave what is the most feel-good film of the year so far.
Defoe’s dialogue, the superb voice work and practically perfect animation combine to make THE PIRATES the best animated movie since UP. Although it won’t make you cry, you’ll laugh harder than at anything you may find from the CG competition. Its been said that Aardman is the English Pixar. I believe that Pixar is the American Aardman. This is as good as it gets. Also, it’s got Brian Blessed in it.
THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS is in UK cinemas 28th March
Don 2 (2011) CAM 500MB 100% Clear Hall Print
Bruce Greenwood Back For Star Trek 2
He’s a terrific actor who usually gets the ‘him out of that’ response, but Bruce Greenwood looks locked on to return as Admiral Pike in J.J. Abrams STAR TREK sequel due to begin shooting next year. Writer and producer Robert Orci has confirmed Greenwood’s father-like character has been written into the script and even commented:-
We wrote a part for Greenwood. Let us hope he says Yes!
Greenwood has had major starring roles in the likes of DOUBLE JEOPARDY, THE CORE and I, ROBOT. He also appeared in J.J. Abrams ‘Spielberg homage’ SUPER 8, although you would have struggled to see him on screen as his performance was that of extraterrestrial ‘Cooper’ – in motion-capture.
Source: Trekmovie
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Review
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, Joely Richardson
Certificate: 18
Synopsis: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is the first film in Columbia Pictures’ three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s literary blockbuster “The Millennium Trilogy.” Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker.
Billed as the ‘feel bad movie of the holiday season,’ or something along those lines in a trailer that debuted many months ago, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO is based on the first part of the 65 million copy-selling Millennium trilogy of books by the late Scandinavian author Stieg Larsson. This is in fact the second time that THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO has indeed found its way to the big screen following the 2008 Swedish-language version, a film that in its own right, was pretty darned good. Usually an English language version of a very recently released movie would make me shudder with sheer annoyance at its presence, but at the helm of this epic is one David Fincher, director of such gems as SEVEN, FIGHT CLUB and last year’s THE SOCIAL NETWORK.
The story of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO is as follows. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) has fallen foul of a pretty serious libel lawsuit, seeing as a result him losing his life savings and indeed his professional reputation. After taking a sabbatical from the magazine in which his libelous work was printed, Blomkvist takes a hard casghprivate case for rich tycoon Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) who wants him to investigate the death of a women nearly forty years earlier. During his investigation, Blomkvist enlists the help of young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), and together they unearth more they bargained for…
As I said earlier, should David Fincher and indeed SCHINDLER’S LIST screenwriter Steven Zaillian, had not been attached as director to this project, I could have quite happily let this pass by. For me, the Swedish version more than impressed me. That said, thinking about it more, any further version would have to go some to better that movie in my opinion, no matter who the filmmaker at the helm. Even though Fincher and Zaillian more than deliver the goods, this isn’t their movie, and as much as the original ‘Dragon Tattoo’ belonged to Noomi Rapace, Fincher’s two-years-on English language update, belongs to Rooney Mara. It’s that character that makes this franchise, and Mara, despite my early preconceptions is simply outstanding.
As with all of Fincher’s films, the film has a very distinct look, and the tone of the piece, both in terms of story and visual look. Yellow features very prominently in the film, and clearly stands out against the very dull, monotone colours of Fincher’s modern day Sweden. True, Jeff Cronenweth’s cinematography is excellent, and a very different look has been applied to this film than the previous film, which I will add is unfair to compare it to as Fincher has gone right back to the source material, the original novel, rather than rehash the Swedish version.
Be warned, Fincher’s ‘Tattoo’ is much darker than the last effort, and even I (knowing what was coming) found some scenes a little difficult to watch, particularly when we are first introduced to Lisbeth and that scene with her new guardian Nils Bjurmanm takes place around a third of the way in. That scene took me back to Fincher’s work in SEVEN, where the crimes are described after they happen, a lot of which happens here too (in much detail). You have been warned.
Combine Fincher’s wonderful direction, the fantastic, atmospherics, dirty sounds of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and some fine acting from Mara and Craig (who’s wonderful way of wearing his reading glasses when not using them really baffles), plus the support of veterans Christopher Plummer and Stellan Skarsgård and glorified cameos from Joely Richardson, an almost unrecognisable Robin Wright and perfect turns from Steven Berkoff, Goran Visnjic and even Alan Dale, you get possibly one of the best films of 2011, hitting the screen in the final hours of the year.
It’s graphic, it’s violent, it’s got tons of nudity – everything a proper adaptation of the novel should be. Most importantly, it’s another outstanding piece of filmmaking from Fincher, adding another masterpiece to his distinctive cannon of work.
A must see this Boxing Day…
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO is released in the UK on 26th December 2011.ACTRESS KATRINA KAIF IS THE PERSON MOST SEARCHED IN INDIA
Like every year, this year too Google Zeitgeist has announced the results of the Most Searched People, Topics, Movies of the year 2011.
The Google Zeitgeist 2011 for India throws up quite a few interesting results. The person topping the list of Most Searched People is none other than Katrina Kaif who believe it or not has even beaten the likes of Anna Hazare who created a nationwide revolution this year. This indeed shows that India is a Bollywood crazy nation.
While Katrina topped the list, her one time beau Salman Khan was not far behind either and came in at No.3 in the list of Most Searched People. Surprisingly, Salman is the only male actor to feature in the list of Top 10 Most Searched People in India. Despite the whole Ra.One frenzy, SRK doesn’t make it to the list of Top 10 Most Searched People in India for the year 2011.
Starlet Poonam Pandey, who shot to fame for promising to strip for the Indian cricket team, is ranked at No. 4 ahead of actors like Aishwarya Rai (No. 6), Kareena Kapoor (No. 8 ) and Priyanka Chopra (No. 10)
The Google Zeitgeist 2011 for Most Searched Movies in India too reveals some interesting stats. Needless to say, its Salman Khan starrer Bodyguard which tops the list followed by Shah Rukh Khan’s ambitious venture Ra.One.
Among other films, Delhi Belly makes it to No.4 in the list of Most Searched Movies in India beating the likes of Singham (No.5), Ready (No.6) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (No.10).
SONALI RAUT AND RANVEER SINGH HOT PHOTOSHOOT FOR MAXIM MAGAZINE
Sonali Raut and Ranveer Singh Hot Photoshoot For Maxim Magazine
SEQUEL FOR SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER ON THE WAY
There’s no denying that SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER was one of the best films of 2011. Enthused by the tremendous response to the film, Tigmanshu Dhulia is now attempting its sequel, which is titled SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER RETURNS. Now here’s the latest on this film.
Though Randeep Hooda’s character in the first part was shown as dead, the actor will be an integral part of the sequel. Also, besides Jimmy Shergill and Mahie Gill, SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER RETURNS will have an additional lead actor and actress enacting pivotal roles. “We are in the process of finalizing the names,” Tigmanshu says. The scripting of the film is underway and is expected to begin filming in February next year.
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