May 2010
1 post
Everything Dave Chen Is Occupied With: Lost... →
Chris from Stony Brook writes: Hi /Filmcast, I always look back at The Lost World as an example of a movie where it was enjoyable, but yet it always felt like Steven Spielberg didn’t want to make it. When I watch it, I think of a scene from Boogie Nights where you can see that Jack Horner…
April 2010
1 post
December 2009
1 post
November 2009
8 posts
New AVATAR clip spoils water FX
Haven’t had enough AVATAR? Itching to spoil even more than the most recent trailer? You’re in luck. Comic-Con attendees were shown a portion of the following clip as well as those who were able to grab seats for Avatar Day but with one glorious difference, it was in 3D.
So, basically, what we were shown at Avatar Day of the above scene started a bit before this clip did. Jake...
Magic of the Movies: UP IN THE AIR; B-Roll footage
A boating enthusiast would claim there’s nothing like the open water, the rolling of the world beneath, the crisp sea air and the beautiful reliance on your vessel. Well, being a film enthusiast, I assure you, there’s nothing like an open story, the pacing of the world within it, the sinking in of a tale and a filmmaker’s loving reliance on their craft.
This footage joys...
New NINE trailer/music(al) video
So good, I almost feel like buying a handbag. Not a huge fan of musicals but always a fan of film and not to mention D. Day-Lewis. NINE looks fantastic. Rob Marshall really seems to bring the talent in bucket-fulls here and he’s also confirmed to direct the next PIRATES film. Still have a week until we get to watch NINE in theaters but I’m sure to be in line. Trailer below. Enjoy.
Gag Reel: STAR TREK
No surprise, Abrams’ STAR TREK is one of my favorite’s of this year. There is a lot of good with it and some bad, but very little in comparison. Bluray and DVD for the film just dropped today and if you scan the three glorious hours of bonus footage you will find the always entertaining gag reel. If you haven’t caught the film yet, here’s your chance, you sell back your...
First trailer for LEAVES OF GRASS
MTV has a quick lo-res first look trailer at Tim Blake Nelson’s film starring Ed Norton, Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss and Keri Russel. Film’s been in production for some time but is finally nearing release. I’m not much taken by this trailer as I am perplexed by his hillbilly accent (see/hear also: the non-comedic version of it in DOWN IN THE VALLEY). I honestly didn’t...
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL trailer
Having studied Rwanda a fair bit, I’m quite familiar with the 1993-95 case of the genocide and I always felt this was ripe for the silver screen but I didn’t expect it to take so long. So with Eastwood’s INVICTUS, and although DEVIL was made in 2007, this makes two African films based on true stories. The film is based on UN General Dallaire’s book of the same name which I...
DATE NIGHT trailer
Wait, I’ve seen this one. High-concept, couple in situation of mistaken identity wanted for actions not committed them. High jinks ensue and the audience leaves expecting a MR & MRS SMITH rip-off but getting a casual mix of GET SMART and THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE. So what? Were it not Fey and Carell, I’d pass this off for another WHITE CHICKS. But, this does not excuse it from...
Remake of CLASH OF THE TITANS gets a trailer
Strangely, the trailer looks like a daiquiri of BEOWULF, 300, THE THIRTEENTH WARRIOR and well…GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA. My interest has definitely been tickled but not without hesitation. It’s really difficult for me to appreciate certain films of this caliber and craftsmanship while still cringing the fact that Hollywood is in full force allowing remakes of pinnacle films from its...
October 2009
13 posts
Greengrass's GREEN ZONE trailer
My favorite Greengrass film to date is still BLOODY SUNDAY and I believe it’s the same with many in the film news community as well. ULTIMATUM was the best BOURNE film in my opinion as much as I like the trilogy as a whole. My feelings on this trailer mirror most everyone’s as well. We’re basically hoping this film has more in its briefcase than what’s presented in this...
ABC's new V series; first eight minutes now online
ABC really thinks it’s on a roll. Yes, you’ve got the amazing property of LOST but it was the fact of being Abrams produced and an amazing staff of clever writers that has kept it on top. I have since the third episode, stopped watching FLASHFORWARD, though was willing to give it a chance, but it has disappointed because it’s choosing to go broad and I don’t see it getting...
New/Better trailer for Grant Heslov's THE MEN WHO...
Well, Overture Films releases a feature trailer for THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS and it’s lengths better than the first trailer. Personally, the first trailer didn’t make me laugh and was cut very strangely, very much like a 90’s film, then add in the soundtrack as well and… But the newer trailer is an improved effort and introduces a few new shots and lines.
THE WOLFMAN trailer; el número dos
Ever danced with the Wolfman in full moon light? Didn’t think so. There’s usually more ripping and screaming and biting and bleeding, like the tango. Much different from the first trailer in July, this one goes for the jugular almost like the 300 trailer did with rock music and fast cuts whereas the first trailer’s emphasis was more plot over suspense or intensity which this...
Trailer for Timur Bekmambetov's BLACK LIGHTNING
Full trailer for Mamoru Oshii's ASSAULT GIRLS
We posted the teaser trailer a little over a month ago but now, the full first trailer for GHOST IN THE SHELL and AVALON director, Mamoru Oshii’s ASSAULT GIRLS has been released and it looks, gratifying. Many audiences have been split on his recent works but you can’t deny that he makes them look spectacularly beautiful and this film is no exception. Just caught up with Rian...
Pixar's TOY STORY 3 trailer!
Linklater's ME AND ORSON WELLS trailer
Herzog's new BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW...
THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS; domestic...
WatchLast year saw a similar film released starring Kevin Bacon, TAKING CHANCE. Many bloggers and people I know complain about the recent bunch of Iraq War films released over the last five years. LIONS FOR LAMBS, STOP LOSS. This year has BROTHERS which has a similar premise. But this is no release to be turned off. Bigelow’s THE HURT LOCKER is the best Iraq War film I, and most of the film going...
Scorsese's new SHUTTER ISLAND trailer
I’m sure I’ve mentioned it previously but Filmspotting.net recentlyg did a poll question about whether you would read a book before the film, after the film or never read it at all? I love getting at the story before I see it on film. It’s not so much that I like spoiling it for myself, more rather that I love investing the time in and enjoying a book and then letting the payoff...
New theatrical trailer for Reitman's UP IN THE AIR
I’ll be honest, I don’t believe this film even needed a full length trailer after the romance that was the teaser trailer. But, behold, we’ve received what we’ve needed not, yet we’re thankful, it’s good, just as good. So if the screencap above of Clooney and Farmiga flirting the night away over drinks interests you, check out the trailer below.
September 2009
21 posts
METROPIA trailer
New FANTASTIC MR. FOX trailer
Since RUSHMORE, I’ve looked forward to every upcoming Wes Anderson film. Maybe it’s because he’s trying something a bit different for him but I was expecting failure, to which the first trailer didn’t quite help either, I was fairly underwhelmed by it. But, the second official trailer is out and it’s bounds better than the first trailer and really shows up some...
It's "28 DAYS LATER, in One Minute, in One Take"
From the makers of “KILL BILL in One Minute” and “FORREST GUMP in One Minute” comes their newest production, an adaptation of 28 DAYS LATER. If nothing else, they’re fun, short little snippets of great cinema which don’t take themselves seriously. Enjoy.
Denzel Washington is the Transporter in THE BOOK...
Yes, this film looks like a mash-up of the recent apoca-thrillers (most like Hillcoat’s THE ROAD) with Washington starring as the Transporter, Oldman as a cranky old woman and Kunis as Natalie Portman from LEON THE PROFESSIONAL. But aside from it seeming like it will have little promise, it is directed by MENAC II SOCIETY, DEAD PRESIDENTS and FROM HELL’s Hughes brothers. The trailer...
BAY RONG/ CLASH trailer; So much action, you're...
Two things come to mind when I hear Johnny Tri Nguyen’s name. Faces. And the second is how they will be crushed by his martial arts abilities. The trailer just look like great fun, to be honest. Apparently, the plot revolves around Johnny and Vernica Ngo in a MR AND MRS SMITH-esque adventure, but between you and me, I didn’t get that from the trailer. Shocking, I know. Enjoy the...
Michael Caine is HARRY BROWN; trailer
Cane is Neeson. Caine is Eastwood. Caine is Batman. I was thinking just this a few years back. Remembering the good ‘ol days of THE ITALIAN JOB, SLEUTH and GET CARTER, Caine was near the center of those great films of The Angry Young Men period in the UK. So, he’s back, with a gun, to clean up the streets just like in TAKEN, just like in GRAN TORINO, just like in THE DARK KNIGHT. The...
URS teaser
Yes, it is really nice to find little gems like this. Produced by a German film student as a thesis project, URS tells the story of a son and his aging mother. The ten-minute short is making festival circuits now. Who knows, we may get when the ANIMATION SHOW comes around next year or we may get it online sometime soon. Teaser below for URS.
Watch With Lights On; trailer for PARANORMAL...
Call it low-budget fan-fiction, call it insightful guerilla filmmaking, or simply call it a BLAIR WITCH knock-off. I’d fall somewhere in between. The film takes a similarly known fictional first-hand account of a couple dealing with “paranormal activity” in their own home. The original trailer from many months ago featured bad quality video and showed less then this new trailer...
HBO's BORED TO DEATH, Episode One now online
It’s about a week before the premiere on HBO of Schwartzman’s new comedy program and Amazon and Fancast have the first episode available right now, online. As you are reading this site and are not without sight you can see the show stars Schwartzman, Danson and Galifianakas. Also, there are supposed to be great cameos throughout the run of the first season. Head over to AMAZON pronto...
U.S. trailer, ANTICHRIST
Another reason for me to envy those who are privileged enough to attend Cannes, TIFF and Telluride. I present you with the US trailer for Lars von Trier’s ANTICHRIST starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe.
NEW MOON trailer; just because
Dear reader, last month I subjected you to the teaser trailer for NEW MOON for no other reason than to boost site traffic. Today, with the release of the full trailer for the film, I aim to do the same. Honestly, though the second book was, in my opinion, a mediocre bridging attempt between the first and the third book and the most eventless as well, this trailer really presents itself quite well....
New THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS clip
I posted the trailer several days back which I thought was pretty dismal but still I’m still somewhat interested in the project, of course. A new clip was just made available. Check it out below.
Reitman's UP IN THE AIR teaser
First came film school for Reitman which I imagine was a combination of sitting besides his father, Ivan Reitman, and watching him direct GHOSTBUSTERS and KINDEGARTEN COP and many other as well as school at USC. Then came his adaptation of THANK YOU FOR SMOKING shortly followed after with Diablo Cody’s JUNO. Two years later, his latest adaptation is screening at Telluride and getting buzz,...
Yo sucka, it's the BLACK DYNAMITE trailer !!
Finally, the trailer has arrived. Looks every kind of amazing. Pryor would be proud. Stay tuned for more.
ROBOGEISHA trailer; you read correctly
The only real way that you’ll even remotely be into this is if you’re into anime, perhaps J-horror, but definitely if you’ve seen either MACHINE GIRL or TOKYO GORE POLICE and liked them. Director Iguchi Noboru brings us his lastest film in collaboration with TOKYO GORE POLICE’s Nishimura Yoshihiro. Katanas coming out of armpits. Katanas coming out of hips. Katanas coming...
Martin McDonagh's Oscar winning short SIX SHOOTER
Whatever chance I get to promote Martin McDonagh’s IN BRUGES from 2008, I do it. The film still plays on HBO and Cinemax from time to time and I almost always watch it through to the end, because it’s that good. SIX SHOOTER was written and directed by McDonagh and won the Academy Award for Best Short Film in 2006. I know not many people outside of the know have seen it but it’s a...
Check out the new HALO 3: ODST trailer
Rupert Sanders directed the following commercial for the new Halo 3 game which is making the rounds and garnering praise as it should, because it’s great. Previously known for his XBOX campaign ads, other Halo 3 ads and Monster.com ads. Watch his new one below in all its explosive glory.
New VALHALLA RISING trailer
This seems like such a gem. I remember watching THE THIRTEENTH WARRIOR back when I was younger with Antonio Banderas and this film gives off a similar vibe but much grittier and rough. If you haven’t seen THIRTEENTH WARRIOR, it’s from 1999, I believe, by John McTiernan (post-DIE HARD films) Gotta check out this trailer. Quick synopsis: 1000 AD, for years, One Eye, a mute warrior of...
New ASSASSIN'S CREED II trailer
Whether you’re in the “video games as art” school of thought or not, on can’t deny the cinematic quality of creating a great video game nowadays. On my previous film blog site GreenHouseFilm, I counted down the release of Metal Gear Solid 4 with great trailers, retrospectives of the previous games and in-depth behind-the-scenes videos. Expect great video game content to...
Behind-the-scenes: WHIP IT
August 2009
28 posts
DISNEY buys MARVEL
Just wanted to put out some obscenely shocking news that The Walt Disney Company has bought out Marvel Entertainment Inc. as of this morning for an approximated $4 billion. This just blindsided me while browsing the trades. Read the complete official press release here and share you views. Where do both companies go from here? Marvel brings with it nearly 5,000 character names and their stories....
Joseph and Zooey: A Bank Heist Love Story
THE DESCENT: PART 2 trailer
Personally, I loved THE DESCENT. Nearly pitch perfect for a clausterphobic horror film. I lament the fact that Neil Marshall isn’t helming a sequel to his film but hopefully newcomer Jon Harris can set us back in Marshall’s wonderfully horrific atmosphere. Distraught, confused, and half-wild with fear, Sarah Carter emerges alone from the Appalachian cave system where she encountered...
AGORA trailer
From Alejandro Amenábar, director of THE SEA INSIDE and THE OTHERS, comes his new period film which, to me, looks rather interesting and grandiose. I was reading Russ Fischer’s thoughts on the trailer and how it “nearly put me to sleep” and how it “appears completely enamored of its own weight and depth.” I completely see where he’s coming from but his criticism...
THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS trailer
GOATS is based off of Jon Ronson’s book from 2004 about a journalist who investigates a government project that experimented with developing paranormal powers. Directed by actor Grant Henslov who also wrote LEATHERHEADS. I’ll be honest, I am looking forward to this film but this is an absolutely awful trailer. Voice-over, editing and soundtrack. Just awful. But, it does star McGregor,...