It’s rare to see a movie released in January getting some awards consideration. But Joe Carnahan’s “The Grey” is doing an awards re-release to try and bring award consideration to the film. The movie, which stars Liam Neeson, is very good. It’s surprisingly emotional, beautifully shot and features a great performance from Neeson, so it’s nice to see a film like this get some more recognition. Hopefully it avoids the same fate of “In Bruges”, which was also released early in the year in 2008 but was largely left out of the awards season.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Ben Affleck is on quite a streak. “The Town”, in which he both directed and starred, was one of the most critically acclaimed films a couple years ago and did pretty well at the box office. His new film, “Argo”, is getting a lot of Oscar hype. He’s come a long ways from “DareDevil”, which he starred in with Jennifer Garner in 2003. It appears Fox is ready to let the rights to that property revert back to Marvel, despite a Joe Carnahan reboot trying to get off the ground. In an interview with MTV, Affleck said he was approached for a DD reboot, but turned it down.
“They’re rebooting it,” he said. “I got contacted about it, and I was like, ‘That wouldn’t be a reboot [if I was involved],’ but I really hope they do a good job, because that’s a great property and deserves something really, really good.”
Affleck didn’t rule out playing a super hero, though, saying if the right character and right story came along, he would be up for it. He also said rumors that he would direct a “Justice League” film are false. Would you have wanted to see Affleck be DareDevil again? And. if they were willing to offer him a role again, let’s bring back Colin Farrell as Bullseye! Or, as it was originally going to be planned, let Farrell be DareDevil!
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
With “Daredevil” reverting back to Marvel, it’s likely we’ll never see Joe Carnahan’s vision for the film. But, Mark Millar updated fans that Carnahan will direct an adaptation of “Nemesis” which follows a billionaire who sets out to avenge his parents death. Sounds familiar right? But he is a villain and begins taking out the city’s best police officers.
It’s about time the villain gets a shot in the lime light and we get a film that explores the other side of morality concerning masked vigilantes in comic books.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
It wasn’t very long ago that reports surfaced that Marvel was willing to give Fox more time to reboot “Daredevil’ if Fox would let Marvel Studios have the rights to Galactus and Silver Surfer. Looks like that’s not a sure thing and director Joe Carnahan, who was stated as the front runner, tweeted that “Think my idea for a certain retro, red-suited, Serpico-styled superhero went up in smoke today kids. … We shall see. Time is NOT on anyone’s side.”
Makes you wonder if Fox would rather let Daredevil revert to Marvel rather than lose Galactus and Silver Surfer, especially since Fox also plans to reboot “Fantastic Four” as well. The one good thing about if Daredevil did revert back to Marvel is Marvel would have the rights to Kingpin.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Here is some potentially very big (figuratively and literally) Marvel movie news. Since reports that director Joe Carnahan will handle the “Daredevil” reboot, there could be a big deal on the rise. Fox must put a “Daredevil” film into production by October 10 or rights will revert back to Marvel. That’s a tight window for a film just now getting its director. But, Marvel is willing to extend that deadline, if Fox will let Marvel Studios use Silver Surfer and Galactus, last seen in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”. That has further given new life to rumors that Galatctus could be in “Avengers 2”, which we already know will probably have Thanos in some capacity.
I would love to see Galactus, give the Avengers an enemy that is truly larger than life and could make for some great set pieces.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lyukas@gmail.com.
Action star Liam Neeson (Clash of the Titans, Taken) is back and kicking ass in “The Grey”. Is his latest film a success or a major flop?
The Good
Director Joe Carnahan (Smokin’ Aces) has made what is possibly his best film to date. “The Grey” isn’t exactly what you’re probably expecting from this film. It’s been marketed as the next “Taken” just with wolves. But, it’s much more than that. Neeson and the rest of the cast give surprisingly emotional performances. The focus is on man surviving in nature, having more in common with “Into the Wild” than it does “Taken”. None of the character’s stories are ever fully explained. Yet, enough is known that you feel for these characters.
The wolves show up, yes. But, there’s no gigantic action set piece with them. But, there’s genuine moments between the characters that steal the film. This is a character-driven, not an action driven, film.
The Bad
For better or worse, the wolves largely take a back seat in the plot. They rarely show up. But, when they do it’s at least memorable. It is an emotional ride, but, that doesn’t stop the film from being a little predictable. And, the dialogue doesn’t always work.
Though it is emotional, I really didn’t find any of the supporting characters memorable after the film. None of them really stick.
The Final Word
It’s not a classic, but “The Grey” is a very intense, surprisingly spiritual and emotional ride. If you’re looking for the next “Taken” you’ll be disappointed. But, “The Grey” is a good film.
Lukas Eggen 