Friday Musings: New Movie Trailers and a... "Black" Doctor Who?

 So...life intervened this week which caused me to get a bit behind on my review schedule. I plan to do a double review next week to catch up. In the meantime, because I feel bad that I only posted on Monday, I figured to share what's been on my mind recently in film. Yup, because if books aren't on my mind, you can bet I'm thinking about movies or tv shows. Remember, my 2nd job is a cashier at a movie store!

 _____________________________________________________________________

Out of the Furnace

Directed by: Scott Cooper
Starring: Christian Bale, Casey Affleck
Hitting Theaters: November 2013 (Limited), December 2013 (Worldwide)
Synopsis: From Scott Cooper, the critically-acclaimed writer and director of Crazy Heart, comes a gripping and gritty drama about family, fate, circumstance, and justice. Russell Baze (Christian Bale) has a rough life: he works a dead-end blue collar job at the local steel mill by day, and cares for his terminally ill father by night. When Russell's brother Rodney (Casey Affleck) returns home from serving time in Iraq, he gets lured into one of the most ruthless crime rings in the Northeast and mysteriously disappears. The police fail to crack the case, so - with nothing left to lose - Russell takes matters into his own hands, putting his life on the line to seek justice for his brother. The impressive cast of Christian Bale and Casey Affleck are rounded out by Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard and Willem Dafoe.

Trailer

My Thoughts: I'm a huge Christian Bale fan and we haven't seen him in anything since the epic The Dark Knight Rises last summer. What I love about Bale is the fact that he is so grounded as an actor. One minute he is in a huge blockbuster film, the next we see him in something more low budget and down-to-earth, although no one should expect a less powerful performance. Add in Willem Dafoe, Forrest Whitaker, and Woody Harrelson and I can barely suppress my excitement!

______________________________________________________________________

12 Years a Slave

Directed by: Steve McQueen
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender
Hitting Theaters: October 2013 (Limited)
Synopsis:  Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Solomon Northup, the New York State citizen who was kidnapped and made to work on a plantation in New Orleans in the 1800s. Steve McQueen (Hunger) directs from a script he co-wrote with John Ridley, based in part by Northup's memoir. Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, and Paul Giamatti co-star.

Trailer

My Thoughts: I've been waiting quite awhile for a trailer to be released for this movie and now that it's here....wow. It literally gave me goosebumps. I originally was interested in 12 Years a Slave because Michael Fassbender was attached to it on top of the fact that I enjoy Steve McQueen's films. But I was almost brought to tears by Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance in one of the scenes-- if a 2 minute trailer can evoke that kind of emotion, I can only imagine what it will be like to sit through the whole movie. Oscar buzz begins!

______________________________________________________________________

 Idris Elba...the new Doctor Who?

I don't know what it is about Idris Elba. The man is an amazing actor, has commanding stage presence, and oozes sex appeal. He's one of those actors that can have the smallest part in a movie but somehow has the ability to steal the scene away from the main headliner(s) (such as his parts in Thor, Prometheus, and Pacific Rim).

Recently it has been announced that Matt Smith is retiring from his role as Doctor Who. The internet has been abuzz with who should take on the iconic role. Amidst the rumors, Idris Elba's name was mentioned and I couldn't help but grin like a fool. While I was doing a little research to see how other fans were reacting to this idea, I noticed Elba is also being linked to the Bond franchise. The man just has the "it" factor. While I love watching him take supporting roles since he never fails to light up the screen, he is destined for bigger things. I can actually see him as the next Bond or Doctor Who.

While feedback has been mostly positive so far, there are those that are outraged at the idea of a "black" Doctor Who (and Bond). Does it matter that he is a British actor? Maybe, maybe not. It's sad we live in a society where we still can't get past the color of someone's skin.

In a recent interview, Elba, while flattered with the Bond and Doctor Who rumors, seemed to be more focused on pleasing his loyal Luther fans (hit BBC series) by seeing that his character makes it to the big screen. While I am personally not a Bond or Who fan, I think I would give both a shot if Elba was somehow involved..I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Luther- BBC Series Trailer

Movie Review: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, a Review by Frank Venuto

Title: The Dark Knight Rises

Director: Christopher Nolan

Actor(s): Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Runtime: 2 hr. 45 min.

Release Date: 20 July 2012 (Theaters)

Synopsis: It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act. But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane...

Frank's Rating: 

Frank's Review: Well it's finally time for my review of The Dark Knight Rises.... Why did I wait a couple weeks? Two reasons. One, I needed to process what I saw by seeing it twice. Secondly, I wanted to give people enough time to see the movie and make up their own minds....so let's get to it!!!

I will start by saying Christopher Nolan is one of a couple directors whose name immediately causes me to want to see a movie and he has never disappointed me. He has unequivocally delivered again!!! The scope of this movie is grand. Nolan decided to set his goals high, he leaped and grasped those goals fully. This  movie for those who don't know (you must live under a rock) is the capstone of Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy. We have followed the character of Bruce Wayne from his childhood to who we now know is a man willing to give everything to protect his beloved Gotham City. 

The movie has 3 distinct acts. The first one might complain feels a bit jumbled. I would argue it is not jumbled but you must be an intelligent watcher. The story reintroduces the storyline where The Dark Knight left off and also deftly introduces several new, important characters to this growing encyclopedia of people we have grown to love.  

The second act finds Bruce confronting what he cannot conquer without fully understanding who and what he is. Nolan, again, gives us rich character development that after two other movies I have to admit I didn't think there was much more to Bruce. Man was I wrong!!! Bruce Wayne is an amazing character study. When you juxtapose him to the villains he is fighting throughout the story lines, you literally could write volumes of psychological debates on who is the good guy and who is the bad. 

The third act, and in my opinion the best act out of all 3 movies, is epic in scale. It at times reminded me of other great movies such as Braveheart. The battle between the police and the rebels in the streets of Gotham is what I like to refer to as organized chaos. You felt as though you were a boy in blue, fighting alongside those brave men beating back the oppression of the terrorists.

I want to stay away from spoilers as much as possible but having said that, Nolan does not disappoint when it comes to jaw dropping moments. The beginning airplane takeover scene is amazing. It truly captures something on film that I'm not sure I have ever seen before. Without giving away anymore of the spectacular moments, let me just say I found myself on at least 3 occasions reminding myself to close my mouth because it was agape in awe as to what I was seeing on the screen.

When it comes to the acting, all are pretty much spot on. Christian Bale delivers another great performance. The rest of the usual cast of characters such as Caine and Freeman deliver on their end as usual. Freeman serves up his witty banter and Caine when on the screen gives a depth to Alfred and his relationship with Bruce that makes us all wish we had our own Alfred around all the time. Anne Hathaway does a great job playfully flirting her way through the movie as Catwoman. I have had a few debates as to her needing to be in the film. I say Catwoman was done PURRFECTLY!!! Where we see her and Batman end up helps the character arc of Bruce come to fruition. Nice Job Anne! 

Now onto BANE!!! Of course at the outset of this movie I knew I, as well as everybody, would compare Tom Hardy's Bane to Heath Leadger's Joker. I feel that does a disservice to both actors but admittedly understand why it would happen. Heath was amazing and deserved every accolade he received. I stand here today calling for an Oscar for Tom Hardy as well.  If I could, I would have rewound every scene he was in to watch over and over again which I have done several times on the Internet. His ability to convey emotions in the way he did without the benefit of the audience being able to see most of his face was stunning. Some complained about his voice being hard to understand. I felt his interpretation was spot on. The way he walked, talked, and brutally destroyed those in his path were chilling. To watch him methodically break down the Batman was scary. 

I could write about this movie for hours and hours. I saw it on IMAX as well as normal digital projection. This movie played well on both as I am sure it will when I purchase the blu-ray the first day it comes out and put it on my 47 inch LCD TV.  The movie, in my opinion, is meant to be seen on IMAX at least once to see the directors true vision. 

A storm did come in the form of the Batman Trilogy. I am sad to see it over but I could not have asked for more. Mr. Nolan, Thank You for these movies.

P.S.  Please make another one!!!!

P.S.S. Thanks for reading my review. Leave a comment!!!!

Like Frank's review? Want to know more about him or have a question for him? Check out his Guest Blogger Introduction HERE! Also, check out his review for Oliver Stone's SAVAGES HERE!