J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode VII” may just now be filming, but some big news has come out about “Episode VIII”. Rian Johnson (“Looper”) will direct the installment!
Johnson joins Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla”) and Josh Trank (“Chronicle”) as the other directors joining the universe.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt star in this sci-fi blockbuster. Will you want to see Cruise’s latest or is this a misfire.
The Good: This summer has been an overall positive one for action films. And “Edge of Tomorrow” is another pleasant surprise. Director Doug Liman takes a more light hearted approach to this film, and it was a definite smart move. Contrary to the tone of the trailers, there’s quite a lot of humor in it, and it all works.
Cruise gives a strong performance. Sure, he may not be on his “Collateral” level, but he shows he’s still capable of leading a summer tent pole. Blunt is also strong, along with a surprisingly fun performance from Bill Paxton and the cast has a lot of chemistry together on screen.
But just because it’s more light hearted than films like “Looper” and “Source Code”, doesn’t mean it’s without its share of thrills. The beach scene teased in the trailers is truly a spectacle to behold.
Seeing Cruise relive the same day may not seem exciting, but it is as he tries his best to prevent the chaos that is happening all around him.
The Bad: There’s a lot to like in “Edge of Tomorrow”. But it’s not without faults. Most notably is the ending, mainly because it feels a little like a cop out. Some of the supporting cast doesn’t get nearly enough screen time to get the emotional reaction they’re going for in a key sequence.
The Final Word: A fun, entraining thrill ride, “Edge of Tomorrow” is a blast. Thanks to some strong visuals and an impressive set piece, this is summer sci fi popcorn entertainment at its best. It may not be as serious as previous time traveling films, but it’s a fun romp.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Channing Tatum (“Magic Mike”) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Looper”) have worked together on “G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra” and “Stop-Loss”. You can add a third movie to that list, though this one will be far different. The two are set to star in a remake of “Guys & Dolls”, which is based on a Pulitzer Prize winning stage play. From Firstshowing.net: The story follows Nathan Detroit (Tatum) who bets his friend Sky Masterson (Gordon-Levitt) that he can’t get a wholesome female missionary to go to Havana with him. But what he doesn’t tell him is that the winnings from this bet would fund a floating craps game in a town full of gamblers during the 20s.
No word on a director or writer.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
This should come as no surprise. A sequel to “Dredd 3D” is off the table at this point. The film bombed badly last year and despite being a pretty enjoyable film starring Karl Urban, let’s face it, not many people were clamoring for more Dredd before that film came out. But producer Adi Shankar should give fans a little hope. Similar to Thomas Jane’s Punisher short, “Dirty Laundry”, we could be seeing more of the judge. Here’s what he said during his Reddit session:
“Thank you. If DREDD becomes a cult hit it will be awesome. Last September was a terrible month … DREDD bombed and then LOOPER became a massive hit a week later!
Nothing against LOOPER! I think Rian Johnson is a genius and I think Joseph Gordon Levitt will become his generation’s Matt Damon. Ram Bergman, the movie’s real producer, is one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. I would tell you how I really felt about the movie’s financier James D. Stern but I think I’d get into trouble … However, most importantly I loved watching Looper.
“I saw it in theaters because I heard it was gritty and violent.” I wish more movie goers said that.
I agree with you on the deserving a trilogy part … well at least I’m working on a Dredd short…it’s because the movie totally bombed and R-rated movies are a tough sell to begin with. The problem is a sci-fi project is intrinsically more expensive than a walking and talking movie…Veronica Mars only raised $2 mil…which is a lot of money but not nearly enough to make a good sci-fi movie.”
I find it funny that he trashed “Looper” like that. I do think the film was overrated, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt was great in it and I did like it more than “Dredd” if I’m being honest.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Paul Dano certainly has had a varied few years, acting in “There Will Be Blood” and more recently “Looper”, “Being Flynn” and “Ruby Sparks” in 2012. Now he is set to play Brian Wilson, leader of the Beach Boys in a biopic, directed by Bill Poland. The film is said to take an unconventional look at his life, his musical genius and struggles with mental illness. This certainly is a choice I didn’t see coming, but Dano is a solid actor. Guess we’ll have to see about his singing.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
“Prisoners” already has Hugh Jackman, Melissa Leo and Jake Gyllenhaal starring in the film. Now, another rising talent is joining. Paul Dano, best known for his work in “There Will Be Blood” and fresh off his role in “Looper” has signed on. Dano seems to be making some pretty solid career choices here. And “Prisoners” is looking like it’s shaping up to be a heck of a film.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Sony has to be very happy right now. “Hotel Transylvania”, featuring the voices of Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, David Spade, Steven Buscemi, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon, Adam Sandler and more opened with a whopping $43 million, setting a September record, previously held by “Sweet Home Alabama”.
Sony also had a hit with “Looper” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis with $21.2 million. “Won’t Back Down” tanked very badly, earning just $2.7 million.
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
September closes as two Sony pictures vie for the top spot along with a teacher’s drama.
This week will come down to three very different films. “Hotel Transylvania” will likely take the top spot. The only recent offering for families this month has been “Finding Nemo 3D”, so this is the first new family film in a while. This film has an all-star voice cast with singers Selena Gomez and Cee Lo Green, comedians Andy Samberg, Kevin James, David Spade, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon and Adam Sandler. But, with Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” coming out next week, one has to wonder if families will simply wait for that one.
Opening weekend: $24-26 million
Total box office gross: $80-85 million
The film’s main competition will come from the sci fi film “Looper” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. The film has been getting solid reviews and has two pretty big actors. So, it would seem like a slam dunk right? Except, JGL’s last film, “Premium Rush” tanked and Willis’ last sci fi film was…”Surrogates”. This will draw the young male crowd, but I doubt it will be able to expand its audience much past that. It too may have trouble holding up next week as “Taken 2” will hit theaters.
Opening weekend: $17-19 million
Total box office gross: $50-55 million
The final new film getting a wide release is “Won’t Back Down” starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. The film will resonate with some, especially with the Chicago teacher’s strike recently ending. But, this film will struggle to find an audience. The lack of advance showings to try and build up buzz is worrisome. And, “Freedom Writers”, a similar film tanked way back in 2007.
Opening weekend: $7-9 million
Total box office gross: $20-25 million
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
The bad news is “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” director Rupert Wyatt won’t be back for “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”. The good news is if these reports are true, there’s some very talented directors on its short list to replace him.
“Cloverfield” director Matt Reeves has left “The Twilight Zone” film and is apparently up for directing the sequel. In addition to Reeves, Guillermo Del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”, “Pacific Rim”), Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (“28 Weeks Later”), Jeff Nichols, “The Impossible” director Juan Antonio Bayona, “Looper” helmer Rain Johnson and J. Blakeson.
Who would you like to see?
Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.
Lukas Eggen 