Showing posts with label film news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film news. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2012
Liam Neeson: officially harder than a pack of wolves (Now. Here. This)
Posted at 6:00 pm, January 8, 2012 in Arts & Entertainment
It’s been gradually picking up momentum over the past few months, but a series of Stateside screenings have pushed Liam Neeson’s latest, survival thriller ‘The Grey’, to the top of the must-see pile. As anyone who saw ‘Unknown’ can attest, Neeson’s unexpected career swerve into hard-man action roles hasn’t always been entirely successful, but this one looks like a stormer. He plays an oil driller whose journey home from Alaska is interrupted first by a plane crash, then by a pack of ravenous wolves, who stalk Liam and his team through the barren wilderness. It’s directed by Joe Carnahan, whose career path has been rocky at best (‘Smokin’ Aces’, anyone?), but this cracking trailer, which bears a remarkable similarity to 1997’s hugely entertaining Anthony Hopkins vs Grizzlies romp, ‘The Edge’, suggests he may have broken the slump. We’ll be reviewing ‘The Grey’ for its release on January 27.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Daniel Craig: "Dragon Tattoo" film paints Sweden in darkest shades- A - Z ANIMALS
December 14, 2011 By
By Daniel Dickson
STOCKHOLM | Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:36am EST
(Reuters) – Violence, a sexually abused heroine and the forbidding wintry landscape of director David Fincher’s new “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” film may alter any pre-conceived notions of Sweden as a socialist paradise.
Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, who plays the corporate executive of a family firm with a terrible secret, said that although the film explores a very fictional dark side of society its portrayal of feminine strength was particularly Swedish.
“Such a strong female hero as we have in this film and such a soft male hero as we have in this film, I think that is typical Swedish,” he told reporters when he hit the red carpet for the Stockholm premiere of the Hollywood version of Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s best-selling thriller.
Sweden is known for its cradle-to-grave welfare system and IKEA department stores. The film and books paint another picture, more in tune with its bleak and cold winters and a dark side found in a number of Swedish crime novels that have taken the publishing world by storm in the last decade.
Skarsgard said foreigners in general did not know much about the small Scandinavian country and hoped that Sweden would not be too associated with the crime wave genre that has put Swedish Noir at the top of the modern world’s literary map.
“I hope they don’t think that the way Sweden is portrayed in those books and films is the way Sweden is, because it is still a very peaceful and lovely and very nice country to live in,” he said.
The film received solid early reviews [ID:nN1E7BC0JM] and critics especially praised Rooney Mara’s appearance as the fearless sexual abuse survivor and punkish computer hacker Lisbeth Salander. Mara said it was essential that much of the film was made in Sweden.
“Some people questioned why we came to Sweden to make the film and why we did not just make our American version in America but I don’t think you can really tell the story without telling it in Sweden. I think it is a very Swedish story, I think all the characters are very Swedish,” she said.
“HUGE STORY-TELLING TRADITION”
In the story, Salander teams up with journalist Mikael Blomkvist in search of a killer. Blomkvist is played by British actor Daniel Craig, best known for the role of James Bond.
“What it tells about Sweden for me is that there is a huge story-telling tradition here and it is a sort of dark tale, something that we can all relate to in Northern Europe. They have worldwide mass appeal it seems,” Craig said.
“Dragon Tattoo” is the first of the late Larsson’s best-selling Millennium trilogy of books, which has sold more than 60 million copies in 48 countries worldwide.
Helena Lindblad, a film critic at the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter, said the huge success of the books and the films had opened the world market for other Scandinavian authors and actors, for example Noomi Rapace who played Salander in the Swedish adaption of the trilogy for the screen.
“This success of Stieg Larsson’s is definitely the icebreaker. It is quite unreal and has opened doors for Swedish Crime or Swedish Noir or whatever you want to call it and that it has become a term associated with these films and books,” Lindblad, who attended the Swedish premiere late on Tuesday, said.
Lindblad said she really liked the film. And though remakes in general were “not particularly exciting” cinematically, director Fincher, whose credits include “Seven” and “Fight Club,” added qualities, not the least visually.
She also said the interaction between the main characters was stronger in the Hollywood adaption than in the Swedish original. She said Fincher captured Sweden in an excellent way.
Salvador Munoz, a fan who was celebrity spotting at the premiere, said that Fincher could add “more of Stieg Larsson-darkness” to the film. He said Evil was Fincher’s signature.
“It is man’s other side, the dark side of people. He portrays it so well,” Munoz said.
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” opens in the United States on December 20.
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
http://news.doddleme.com/news-room/dragon-tattoo-film-paints-sweden-in-darkest-shades/
By Daniel Dickson
STOCKHOLM | Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:36am EST
Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, who plays the corporate executive of a family firm with a terrible secret, said that although the film explores a very fictional dark side of society its portrayal of feminine strength was particularly Swedish.
“Such a strong female hero as we have in this film and such a soft male hero as we have in this film, I think that is typical Swedish,” he told reporters when he hit the red carpet for the Stockholm premiere of the Hollywood version of Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s best-selling thriller.
Sweden is known for its cradle-to-grave welfare system and IKEA department stores. The film and books paint another picture, more in tune with its bleak and cold winters and a dark side found in a number of Swedish crime novels that have taken the publishing world by storm in the last decade.
Skarsgard said foreigners in general did not know much about the small Scandinavian country and hoped that Sweden would not be too associated with the crime wave genre that has put Swedish Noir at the top of the modern world’s literary map.
“I hope they don’t think that the way Sweden is portrayed in those books and films is the way Sweden is, because it is still a very peaceful and lovely and very nice country to live in,” he said.
The film received solid early reviews [ID:nN1E7BC0JM] and critics especially praised Rooney Mara’s appearance as the fearless sexual abuse survivor and punkish computer hacker Lisbeth Salander. Mara said it was essential that much of the film was made in Sweden.
“Some people questioned why we came to Sweden to make the film and why we did not just make our American version in America but I don’t think you can really tell the story without telling it in Sweden. I think it is a very Swedish story, I think all the characters are very Swedish,” she said.
“HUGE STORY-TELLING TRADITION”
In the story, Salander teams up with journalist Mikael Blomkvist in search of a killer. Blomkvist is played by British actor Daniel Craig, best known for the role of James Bond.
“What it tells about Sweden for me is that there is a huge story-telling tradition here and it is a sort of dark tale, something that we can all relate to in Northern Europe. They have worldwide mass appeal it seems,” Craig said.
“Dragon Tattoo” is the first of the late Larsson’s best-selling Millennium trilogy of books, which has sold more than 60 million copies in 48 countries worldwide.
Helena Lindblad, a film critic at the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter, said the huge success of the books and the films had opened the world market for other Scandinavian authors and actors, for example Noomi Rapace who played Salander in the Swedish adaption of the trilogy for the screen.
“This success of Stieg Larsson’s is definitely the icebreaker. It is quite unreal and has opened doors for Swedish Crime or Swedish Noir or whatever you want to call it and that it has become a term associated with these films and books,” Lindblad, who attended the Swedish premiere late on Tuesday, said.
Lindblad said she really liked the film. And though remakes in general were “not particularly exciting” cinematically, director Fincher, whose credits include “Seven” and “Fight Club,” added qualities, not the least visually.
She also said the interaction between the main characters was stronger in the Hollywood adaption than in the Swedish original. She said Fincher captured Sweden in an excellent way.
Salvador Munoz, a fan who was celebrity spotting at the premiere, said that Fincher could add “more of Stieg Larsson-darkness” to the film. He said Evil was Fincher’s signature.
“It is man’s other side, the dark side of people. He portrays it so well,” Munoz said.
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” opens in the United States on December 20.
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
http://news.doddleme.com/news-room/dragon-tattoo-film-paints-sweden-in-darkest-shades/
Sunday, November 6, 2011
With 'Immortals,' 'Man of Steel,' Cavill is hot
San Francisco Chronicle
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Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/03/PK4I1LOJ04.DTL#ixzz1cwKE6zKQ
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Henry Cavill as Theseus in "Immortals," which opens Friday in the Bay Area.
Henry Cavill looks every inch the superhero. Even in civilian guise, he is armed with steel-blue eyes and stone-hewn physique, adorned with manly stubble and hair dyed Clark-Kent black. No wonder he stars as Theseus in "Immortals" and is currently shooting "Man of Steel" as Superman. It would not shock to see him suddenly grab a sword in this Four Seasons suite and do battle with Titans.
Which makes it all the more piquant when he describes his fallback plan.
"In school I had an interest in ancient history and Egyptology in particular," he says in a mildly rough-shaded outside-of-London accent. "There was a historical fiction writer named Christian Jacq who wrote a series of books, sort of Egyptology-based, and I really enjoyed them. I thought, 'If I'm going to study something, why not make it something I really enjoy?' The idea was to get a degree in ancient history or Egyptology and have the armed forces sponsor me through university. And join the armed forces afterward."
In an alternate universe somewhere there's a popular series of books about a ruggedly handsome Englishman uncovering the secrets of Anubis: "The Amazing Adventures of Henry Cavill." In this one, however, acting has worked out for the 28-year-old native of Jersey, Channel Islands, and he's exploring his interest in the ancient world via his impersonation of one of the most storied of Greek heroes ... sort of.
"As a newcomer to the project, I had to take any story I knew with a pinch of salt and adapt to Tarsem's world, and approach it from the point of view that mythology is storytelling. The point of storytelling is to present an ideal and fantasy and a strong character for the oppressed to look up to, to get through hardship and down times in life," he says, paying much deference to director Tarsem Singh's bold vision. "It all depends on the teller. And Tarsem is the teller of this tale and he's telling his version of the story."
To be sure, this "version" is wildly different from whatever version has come to be accepted at this end of the millennia-long game of telephone that is the handing down of mythology. Theseus in "Immortals" is not the son of human royalty and the god Poseidon, nor founder-king of Athens, confronter of the six entrances of the Underworld or any of that good stuff. Rather, Tarsem (as Singh is known) and screenwriters Charley and Vlas Parlapanides have re-imagined him as an everyman of low birth whose innate goodness and heroism make him Zeus' choice to lead the human side of a war against the Titans.
"Theseus is a peasant," says Cavill. "He's ostracized and his mother called a whore because she was raped. No one knows who the dad is. That was the baseline characteristic of Theseus. He loves his mother dearly and protects those he loves ferociously. So he's a good person at heart but has a very dark coloring because of how he's been treated."
There's quite a bit of flesh mistreated in the film, as a warning to those weak of stomach, and quite a bit on display - not the least of which being Cavill's. To prepare, he ended up spending eight hours a day in training, five days a week.
"Getting into shape was a different experience to anything I've ever done. Very martial arts-based training; a chap called Roger Yuan ('Shanghai Noon,' 'Bulletproof Monk,' 'Black Dynamite') trained me," says the actor.
"The most enjoyable part of the movie was doing all the big fight scenes. It's kind of like going to war but not getting hurt and you get to win. You know you're going to win, so you get to enjoy all the bits in between. It's being a kid again. Playing with a stick in the garden with your brother, thwacking away at each other. But you're wearing armor by a fantastic costume designer; you've got a shield and it looks amazing."
Although Cavill finds the finished product "breathtaking" because of Tarsem's artistry, he admits to difficulty in experiencing it innocently.
"One, I'm being very critical about my own performance, so very focused on that, and Two, I'm feeling what (his character is) feeling, as opposed to seeing the broad picture and feeling what the movie is intending me to feel. And with Tarsem's spectacular visuals and a great score, it just enhances that," he says, "coupled with being hypercritical of myself and disappointed: 'Damn, I should have done this!' or 'That was a good choice; I'm glad that happened.' "
Among other things he's glad happened, he was cast by Zack Snyder to play Superman after a close call on a planned Superman film to be directed by McG some years back. And though "Immortals" is his first big American splash and "Man of Steel" is still shooting, the buzz around him is already building.
"Life hasn't changed that much; I'm just working my socks off. Of course, I'm walking down the street now and then and someone will stop or you'll see the paparazzi or something ... there's a difference there, but it's all part and parcel and it's enormously flattering when people come up to me and want to take a photo."
Despite Tarsem and Snyder both being known primarily for their rich cinematic visuals, Cavill says the experience of working with each is very different.
"While Zack is very stylized; Tarsem is very artistic. Not to say Zack isn't artistic ... OK, watching that HDTV," he says, motioning to a screen in the room, "which is a masterwork in itself and seeing that painting on the wall, which is a masterwork in itself - they are both beautiful, they both affect you, and they are so entirely different. Like Zack is the TV and Tarsem the painting." {sbox}
Immortals (R) opens Friday at Bay Area theaters.
To see a trailer, go to www.immortalsmovie.com.
Which makes it all the more piquant when he describes his fallback plan.
"In school I had an interest in ancient history and Egyptology in particular," he says in a mildly rough-shaded outside-of-London accent. "There was a historical fiction writer named Christian Jacq who wrote a series of books, sort of Egyptology-based, and I really enjoyed them. I thought, 'If I'm going to study something, why not make it something I really enjoy?' The idea was to get a degree in ancient history or Egyptology and have the armed forces sponsor me through university. And join the armed forces afterward."
In an alternate universe somewhere there's a popular series of books about a ruggedly handsome Englishman uncovering the secrets of Anubis: "The Amazing Adventures of Henry Cavill." In this one, however, acting has worked out for the 28-year-old native of Jersey, Channel Islands, and he's exploring his interest in the ancient world via his impersonation of one of the most storied of Greek heroes ... sort of.
"As a newcomer to the project, I had to take any story I knew with a pinch of salt and adapt to Tarsem's world, and approach it from the point of view that mythology is storytelling. The point of storytelling is to present an ideal and fantasy and a strong character for the oppressed to look up to, to get through hardship and down times in life," he says, paying much deference to director Tarsem Singh's bold vision. "It all depends on the teller. And Tarsem is the teller of this tale and he's telling his version of the story."
To be sure, this "version" is wildly different from whatever version has come to be accepted at this end of the millennia-long game of telephone that is the handing down of mythology. Theseus in "Immortals" is not the son of human royalty and the god Poseidon, nor founder-king of Athens, confronter of the six entrances of the Underworld or any of that good stuff. Rather, Tarsem (as Singh is known) and screenwriters Charley and Vlas Parlapanides have re-imagined him as an everyman of low birth whose innate goodness and heroism make him Zeus' choice to lead the human side of a war against the Titans.
"Theseus is a peasant," says Cavill. "He's ostracized and his mother called a whore because she was raped. No one knows who the dad is. That was the baseline characteristic of Theseus. He loves his mother dearly and protects those he loves ferociously. So he's a good person at heart but has a very dark coloring because of how he's been treated."
There's quite a bit of flesh mistreated in the film, as a warning to those weak of stomach, and quite a bit on display - not the least of which being Cavill's. To prepare, he ended up spending eight hours a day in training, five days a week.
"Getting into shape was a different experience to anything I've ever done. Very martial arts-based training; a chap called Roger Yuan ('Shanghai Noon,' 'Bulletproof Monk,' 'Black Dynamite') trained me," says the actor.
"The most enjoyable part of the movie was doing all the big fight scenes. It's kind of like going to war but not getting hurt and you get to win. You know you're going to win, so you get to enjoy all the bits in between. It's being a kid again. Playing with a stick in the garden with your brother, thwacking away at each other. But you're wearing armor by a fantastic costume designer; you've got a shield and it looks amazing."
Although Cavill finds the finished product "breathtaking" because of Tarsem's artistry, he admits to difficulty in experiencing it innocently.
"One, I'm being very critical about my own performance, so very focused on that, and Two, I'm feeling what (his character is) feeling, as opposed to seeing the broad picture and feeling what the movie is intending me to feel. And with Tarsem's spectacular visuals and a great score, it just enhances that," he says, "coupled with being hypercritical of myself and disappointed: 'Damn, I should have done this!' or 'That was a good choice; I'm glad that happened.' "
Among other things he's glad happened, he was cast by Zack Snyder to play Superman after a close call on a planned Superman film to be directed by McG some years back. And though "Immortals" is his first big American splash and "Man of Steel" is still shooting, the buzz around him is already building.
"Life hasn't changed that much; I'm just working my socks off. Of course, I'm walking down the street now and then and someone will stop or you'll see the paparazzi or something ... there's a difference there, but it's all part and parcel and it's enormously flattering when people come up to me and want to take a photo."
Despite Tarsem and Snyder both being known primarily for their rich cinematic visuals, Cavill says the experience of working with each is very different.
"While Zack is very stylized; Tarsem is very artistic. Not to say Zack isn't artistic ... OK, watching that HDTV," he says, motioning to a screen in the room, "which is a masterwork in itself and seeing that painting on the wall, which is a masterwork in itself - they are both beautiful, they both affect you, and they are so entirely different. Like Zack is the TV and Tarsem the painting." {sbox}
Immortals (R) opens Friday at Bay Area theaters.
To see a trailer, go to www.immortalsmovie.com.
Michael Ordoña is a freelance writer. Send comments to pinkletters@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page Q - 19 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/03/PK4I1LOJ04.DTL#ixzz1cwKE6zKQ
Friday, November 4, 2011
Win VIP Tickets to Immortals!
IGN is giving away two tickets to the Immortals World Premiere.
November 3, 2011November 4, 2011November 4, 2011
Have you been dying to see Immortals on the big screen in spectacular 3D? Would you slay a thousand Titans just to catch an early screening? 10,000 for the premiere?
Well, you're in luck because IGN is offering up two VIP tickets to the Immortals World Premiere! What's more, those tickets will grant you access to an exclusive afterparty immediately following the screening! And forget the Titan slaying, what if we told you that all you have to do is hit up your Twitter account for a chance to win? Sounding good? Read on.
Starting today, if you tweet @IGN with the hashtag #IMMORTALS, we'll pick one lucky tweeter at random to receive two VIP exclusive passes to the Immortals World Premiere on Monday, November 7 in Los Angeles, Calif. (FYI: You must be a resident of Los Angeles or be able to get yourself to the premiere, as we are not providing transportation.)
And that's pretty much it! 140 characters or less could mean you're rubbing elbows with Mickey Rourke.* So head on over to @IGN and claim your prize! The winners will be contacted with more info.
And if you don't win, you can always catch a local screening in a theater near you starting Friday, November 11.
* [IGN does NOT guarantee your rubbing elbows, knees or ankles with Mickey Rourke.]
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