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!

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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!

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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!

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 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

My Most Anticipated Summer Movies, Part 1 (June 2012)

Good morning, Muses!

Summer is right around the corner and while others rejoice with the return of warm days and hot fun in the sun, this is usually around the time I start getting depressed. Why, you ask? Because I actually HATE the heat. Yes, that's right, I am a fall and winter kind of girl. But I do have a few things that I enjoy in the summer that helps me get by. One is my birthday which is next month (June 27th). I also love going to BBQ's and eating BBQ food. Nothing can beat the taste of grilled food! And my last saving grace just so happens to be...SUMMER MOVIES!

This summer there are going to be some great new movies hitting theaters, big budget blockbusters and independent films alike. I wanted to share with everyone my most anticipated summer movies, starting with June. Below are my top five, in order by release date. Are any of these movies on your list to see?

JUNE 1st

SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron
Directed by: Rupert Sanders
Genre: Action Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance, Drama
Runtime: 2 hrs. 7 mins.
Rated: PG-13
Website: Snow White & the Huntsman

Plot Summary: In the epic action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Charlize Theron) out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White's beauty and power.

JUNE 8th

PROMETHEUS

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Runtime: 2 hrs. 4 mins.
Rated: R
Website: Prometheus

Plot Summary: Ridley Scott, director of Alien and Blade Runner, returns to the genre he helped define. With Prometheus, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

JUNE 15th

ROCK OF AGES

Starring: Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julianne Hough, Paul Giamatti, Alec Baldwin
Directed by: Adam Shankman
Genre: Musical/Drama
Runtime: n/a
Rating: PG-13
Website: Rock of Ages

Plot Summary: A small-town girl and a big-city boy find their fates intersecting on the Sunset Strip, riding a wave of romance through the height of the "hair metal" scene as the off-Broadway musical rocks its way to the big screen courtesy of choreographer-turned-director Adam Shankman (A Walk to Remember, Hairspray). Arriving in Hollywood with stars in her eyes, Sherrie (Julianne Hough) meets Drew (Diego Boneta), and together they plunge headlong into the local rock scene. Meanwhile, as Sherrie struggles to stay afloat in a churning sea of rock 'n' roll excess, she gets swept off her feet by audacious rock star Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise). Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, and Bryan Cranston co-star in a movie featuring music by Journey, Def Leppard, Poison, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Joan Jett, and REO Speedwagon.

JUNE 27th

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

Starring: Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry
Directed by: Benh Zeitlin
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 1 hr. 13 mins.
Rated: PG-13
Website: Beasts of the Southern Wild

Plot Summary: A six year old girl from the southern Delta searches for her long lost mother after her father falls ill and the world spins out of balance in the film that took home the Grand Jury Prize and Best Cinematography award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. A harsh but loving father, Wink swore that his beloved daughter Hushpuppy would be prepared for the day he was no longer able to look after her. Little did Wink realize that day would come sooner than anyone suspected, and when illness strikes him down nature runs amuck. As the soaring temperatures melt ice caps and the sea levels swell, a race of prehistoric beasts named the aurochs emerge to reclaim the planet. Meanwhile, as the apocalypse unfolds, determined Hushpuppy bravely sets out on a mission to reunite with the mother she's never known.

JUNE 29th

MAGIC MIKE

Starring: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Runtime: n/a
Rated: R
Website: Magic Mike

Plot Summary: Set in the world of male strippers, "Magic Mike" is directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars Channing Tatum ("Dear John," "Step Up") in a story inspired by his real life. The film follows Mike (Tatum) as he takes a young dancer called The Kid (Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the fine arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money.