Dinosaurs are coming back to rule the world in the summer of 2015 with the fourth film in the franchise. Jurassic World releases in theaters July 12, 2015. The team behind one of my favorite films of this year, Safety Not Guaranteed, director Colin Trevorrow and writer Derek Connolly
Disney drops one blockbuster in its 'year-that-can-do-no-wrong' by moving the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean to summer 2016. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales was originally due to release in the crowded market of 2015 but as the film is facing script issues, it has been pushed back. The directors of the Oscar-nominated Kon-Tiki are set to captain the ship and Jack Sparrow aka Johnny Depp will also return. No other cast has been announced as yet although I think it's time they brought back Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley).
The Avengers: Age of Ultron will feature Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and rest of the Avengers facing off against James Spader! Yup, that's who's been cast as main villain Ultron in the next saga of the Marvel powerhouse will hit theaters May 1, 2015.
Before watching this film, I was unsure whether I would like it or not. Should I let the Pirates saga be at film three where we left off previous beloved characters of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann? Would I like any of the new blood added to this film? And finally can Jack Sparrow save this film? Well, the answer is yes to the final question and the saving grace of this film. It is totally Johnny Depp's film. I was reminded yet again of why I liked and admired this character the first time around. Jack Sparrow is truly unique.
The film opens another misunderstanding for Jack Sparrow as he is hauled before the current King of England and asked to aid the English Navy (now, headed by ex-pirate Barbossa for some strange reason) to help them find the fabled Fountain of Youth before the Spanish do. Such is the case with the legend of Jack Sparrow, everyone believes he's already been there, (he hasn't) and is planning to put together another crew (he isn't). The rumors are persistent and soon even Jack begins to believe in them.
He finds out that his former flame, Angelica (Penelope Cruz) is planning a trip to the fountain to save her father, the dreaded pirate Blackbeard (Ian Shane). Jack doesn't believe Blackbeard has a heart and tries to warn Angelica about the dangers of dealing with him. Angelica is adamant to do some good for him. I do like Penelope Cruz but I felt she and Depp had very little chemistry together and there were too many closeups for my liking as Cruz was pregnant at the time and you could totally make out there was a body double the whole time. Way to make it obvious guys!
There are certain rituals that have to be performed to get to the Fountain of Youth and it somehow involves mermaids. But this isn't some Disney version of mermaids, these are deceiving sirens who hide a more sinister agenda. An interesting concept which they could have focused on more but it would have the already long movie longer. And oh, yeah, two newbies were introduced this time around to fill the spots made vacant by Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. Sam Claflin as a missionary Philip and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as Syrena the mermaid were supposed to appeal to the youth demographic who wanted pretty things to look at but their story was never developed properly. Stick with Jack, I say!
The movie essentially works as the continuing adventures of Jack Sparrow which I would love to see. Depp has really worked to create a character for the ages. Even when you know he is in the wrong, you'd love to root for him. He's selfish, always drunk, and likes to antagonize people in authority. What's not to like? I would not be opposed to seeing the continuing adventures of Jack yet again especially since he's got the Black Pearl back. Worth a watch only if you are a big Johnny Depp fan or else you'll keep comparing this current installation to the previous films, it's better if we treat it as a standalone.
PS-See if you can spy the Judi Dench cameo! Can we incorporate her in every movie?
Directed by Rob Marshall; Written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie, Jay Wolpert, Tim Powers (novel); Cinematography by Dariusz Wolski; Editing by David Brenner, Michael Kahn, Wyatt Smith; Music by Hans Zimmer
Additional Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Richard Griffiths, Kevin McNally, Stephen Graham, Keith Richards and Jack the monkey!!!
2011, already! Confused about what films are releasing this year? Never fear! I'm putting together a list of movies that I want to watch in this new year and I'm sure some of the titles will match what you would like to see as well. Let's get started, shall we?
JANUARY
Country Strong
Directed by: Shana Feste
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund, Leighton Meester
The Way Back
Directed by: Peter Weir
Starring: Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, Colin Farrell, Mark Strong, Saoirse Ronan
The Company Men
Directed by: John Wells
Starring: Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner, Maria Bello
Based on Sara Gruen's best-selling novel, Water for Elephants tells the story of a young man Jacob (Robert Pattinson) wanting to be a veterinarian instead gets involved in a circus and falls in love with the head trainer's (Christoph Waltz) wife Marlena played by Reese Witherspoon. I liked the tone of this trailer, hope it doesn't end up too fanciful. Twilight fans, are you confused that Edward is playing Jacob? It's only a role.
Up next, is the very delayed film, Tree of Life, due to be out for this awards season but instead will release sometime May 2011. From director Terrence Malick, the film stars Sean Penn, Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain. I have no idea what the story or plot looks like, it seems to be about disappointments and expectations or something like that or else I could be totally wrong. A very dreamlike trailer.
Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp are reunited in this out-there animated flick, Rango, and the only traces of the Pirates series character Jack Sparrow that you'll find is Rango's knack of getting into sticky situations just like Sparrow. This is so different that most animated films in the market that its already eagerly awaiting. The more variety the better for animation, I say. The film also has the voice talents of Abigail Breslin, Timothy Olyphant, Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy, Alfred Molina and Ray Winstone.
AND, finally, we do get to see the Jack Sparrow back in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides where this time the quest is for the lost Fountain of Youth! Or is it? Joining him on this quest is a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), an old frenemy Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and a new captain of the Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) will be missed for sure but I have a sneaky feeling that they are adding some new younger characters in the film for further movies. Let us see. Meanwhile, enjoy the trailer below!
Our first look at Penelope Cruz in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides as a woman from Jack Sparrow's past and in the second photo, well, Jack's up to no good again. I couldn't be happier, as Trouble is his middle name.
Whoa! New Year's Eve got a whole lot of interesting. Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ashton Kutcher, and Hilary Swank are all considering roles in the holiday flick. Empire Online has more deets about it.
Robert De Niro's New Year will also be very special for him because it's been announced that he will be receiving the Cecil B. DeMile Award Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globe Awards on January 15th, 2011. He's ready for his closeup!
Steve Carrell (The Office) will produce and star inImagine where he discovers he's the long lost son of a famous rocker who wants to reconnect. This will be Dan Fogelman's, writer of such animated hits as Cars, Bolt and the upcoming Tangled, directorial debut.
Cameron Crowe's We Bought a Zoo added two new cast members. Patrick Fugit, from Crowe's hit Almost Famous and Elle Fanning, younger sister of Dakota, will be acting alongside Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson.
Disney is in talks with Jon Favreau to make Magic House where the attractions at the theme park come to life. I so don't want to go there.
Twentieth Century Fox has acquired the rights for BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs 3D which will release in 2012. Let the dinosaurs roam the earth, I say.
And finally, the best for last, let's add one more rumor to the Batman rumor mill. Chris Nolan is said to be looking at a short list for an actress opposite Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale). Will it be Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway or Keira Knightley? Or will it be someone else all together?
Tom Hardy has been offered a role in Snow White and the Huntsman, possibly opposite Angelina Jolie. It's amazing how one role can change your life.
You simply can't resist the funnyman Zach G. next possible film role. He might be taking on the Muppets! Talk about your perfect casting.
The highly anticipated Sean Penn and Brad Pitt starrer Tree of Life has been pushed to May 27, 2011 putting it officially out of the running for this year's Oscar race.
I wasn't paying attention to the Tower Heist cast before but I sure am now. Matthew Broderick, who has acted in two movies I love, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Godzilla, joins Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, Gabourey Sidibe and Tea Leoni in the film. This could be either do really well or end badly.
George Lucas might be thinking of adding the Indiana Jones trilogy for a 3D conversion a la Star Wars. Don't do it, Mr. Lucas, please!
And finally, Geoffrey Rush says Richard Griffiths is part of the cast of Pirates of the Caribbean 4 and will be playing King George II. The movie already stars Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley will not be reprising their roles.
Link of the Day: Proof that Disney can be edgy too! The Tron: Legacymusic video debut from Daft Punk.
Tarsem Singh is going to direct a live-action feature on Snow White. I'm really excited about this, his last film, The Fall, was completely underrated. I wish more people had seen it, each frame was an astonishing visual and I was so moved by young Cantinca Untaru's performance in the film. Please see it if you ever get a chance.
Ok, so I was all been that, seen that with the news that Men in Black 3 was announced. But now they might bring on board Alec Baldwin, Sharlto Copley (District 9), Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia) to join Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Emma Thompson and Jermaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) are already in the cast. What am I to do? Fine, I'm in. Please release it around the Fourth of July. Doesn't Will Smith have it in his contract that he must release a movie on the Fourth of July?
From Harry Potter to Spiderman, Rhys Ifans is will play the new villain in the new Spiderman prequel. No official confirmation on the character though many are guessing the Lizard. Whatever happened to Venom? And how about a title? Let's work on that. I can't keep typing Spiderman prequel each time.
Another superhero franchise is also abuzz with casting rumors. Christopher Nolan is re-teaming with Tom Hardy (Eames the Forger from Inception) on the next Batman. No word whatsoever on what role he'll play but that hasn't stopped the Internet from its wild speculations. It's fun, no?
After Brad Bird and Pete Docter, John Lasseter will now use Michael Giacchino (Oscar winner for Best Score for last year's Up) for Cars 2. Giacchino and Newman are both becoming the go-to music directors for Pixar and I wholly approve. Their soundtracks always fits so perfectly and are sublime.
As I had suspected, Warner's Brothers isn't completely abandoning the idea of 3D for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Never fear, it'll be waiting for you when the Blu-Ray discs come out.
Finally, I'm going to end this long post with the link of the day!!! Zach G poses in his swimsuit for Vanity Fair. Warning: You will collapse with laughter and oh yeah, these are not safe for small kids and pets. You have been warned!
Whew, that was exhausting. I might take tomorrow off.
