TIM BURTON IS BACK, WITH A BITE (and Johnny Depp of course)

Tim Burton is back with Dark Shadows something he describes as a "Gothic Soap-Opera", puzzled? Until the official synopsis (below) surfaced online the mind could not fathom what a Tim Burton Gothic soap-opera would look like or entail but fear not, here's the plot: 

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet-or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles.

The trailer makes the film seem like a standard Burton movie, but from his campy 90s gothic heyday of Beetlejuice  Edward Scissor Hand and Mars Attack. With all the major roles filled with good strong actors and the vibe feeling like Burton at his best, this could be what fans have been waiting for, the first good Burton/Depp collaboration since 1999's Sleepy Hollow.

Release: 11/05/2012 

Ridley Scott Returns To The Alien Franchize

Yesterday saw release of the full length trailer for Ridley Scott's Prometheus, the directors return to the Alien series, his first since the original film in 1979. And with Noomi Rapace (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Sweden)) Michael Frassbender (X-men: First Class, Shame) Charlize Theron (Young Adult, Monster) Idris Elba (Thor, Rock n Rolla) and Guy Pearce (The Kings Speech, Hurtlocker) fronting the cast this could easily be a return to form for the series.

Details for the film have been sparse up until now, with not many plot clues given in the official synopsis:
 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.  
Still the question stands how does this link in with the narratives of the other films? Weyland Industries the shadowy corporation from the previous films, check out the cool viral footage of Guy Pearce giving a stiring speech about the initiatives of his character Peter Weyland's company.  The full length trailer which was released on Saturday can be seen below, seems to be lacking any of the classic "facehuggers" and "chestbursters" seen in the previous installments. However the gigantic extra-terrestrial ship seen throughout the trailer is undoubtedly the same one discovered derelict at the out-set of the original film.
So overall the details of the plot to the film still can be anyone's guess with so much left unsaid and unexplored, but one think for sure this looks like Scott is back with a stellar cast and on great, epic, form. 

Dark Knight Rises vs. The Avengers: Part 1 TDKR

This summer see's the release of the two momentous superhero movies. The Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception) directed The Dark Knight Rise's and the Joss Whedon (creator of Firefly and Serenity) headed The Avengers (daftly renamed Avengers Assemble for the U.K).

Both these films have a certain about of hype surrounding them, one for being the climatic film in Nolan's rebooted Batman Trilogy, and the other for being the first ensemble superhero film in history, the sequel to not one but four Marvel movies (The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Iron Man 2 and Captain America.)

Dark Knight Rises takes place eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, with Batman (Christian Bale Dark Knight, The Fighter) taking the blame for Harvey Dents crimes, the Caped Crusader is an outlaw, however since the events of the past film Gotham has seen years of peace, until terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy, Warrior, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) lays the city under siege.Then Batman must become the hero Gotham needs.

With Gary Oldman, Micheal Caine and Morgan Freeman returning as Commissionaire Gordon, Alfred and Lucius Fox, and newcomers Anne Hathaway as the mysterious Selina Kyle aka Catwoman, Joesph Gordon-Levitt as Gotham cop John Blake, Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate a Wayne Enterprises board member and Juno Temple as 'Street smart Gotham girl'. With a cast this strong its safe to say that Nolan's film can easily hold its own against The Avengers.

Having saved Batman from the campness of past movie incarnations Christopher Nolan has taken the approach of grounding his trilogy in the real world. No big green men and Nordic gods here, something which is difficult for superhero films, but something Nolan has captured perfectly, after two trips to his vision Gotham city already and the awe inspiring Inception audiences know they are in good hands.

However one miss giving people seem to be having is; Will Tom Hardy's performance live up to the seminal performance the late Heath Ledger gave as the psychotic Joker. These people obviously haven't seen him in Bronson, where he gives a terrifyingly portrayal of Britians most famous prison inmate. For that role alone he can be seen as the perfect actor for Bane, both physically on screen and emotionally.

The Dark Knight Rises it seems may be this summers more adult superhero film, compared to the flashy colours and slightly cheesy one liners seen in the Avengers trailer, and one that no one should miss.

ReelFilm's Most Anticipated Films of 2012: Part 4

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Wizards, Dragons, Goblins and hairy feet, no your not looking in Daniel Radcliffe's room, your being transported back to Middle Earth. In December Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings Trilogy) goes back to what he does best epic fantasy's based on the works of J.R.R Tolkien.

After years of being in development hell, losing a director (Guillermo del Toro stood down as director), being caught up in tense legal battles with Tolkien's estate and being targeted by the Australian actors union. Bilbo is back, this time a lot younger and being portrayed by Martin Freeman (U.K's The Office, Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy). Reprising their roles from LOTR are Ian Mckellen as Gandalf, Hugo Weaving as Elronde, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Elijah Wood as Frodo, Christopher Lee as Saruman, Andy Serkis as Gollum (he is also taking the role of second unit director), Orlando Bloom as Legolas and Ian Holme as Old Bilbo.

Here's the Official Synopsis for the film:

“The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

With Jackson at the helm this is going to be a cinematic experience that will go down in history.

ReelFilm's Most Anticipated Films of 2012: Part 3

Moonrise Kingdom

Wes Anderson's 7th film (first live action film since 2007's Darjeeling Limited) is shaping up to be his best yet. The trailer (above) hit the web earlier this year giving fan's a sneak peek at what looks like a return to the quirky oddball feel of his earlier classics.

The film is set in the 1960's and about two young lovers (played by new stars Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman) running away from home, igniting the local community into a man hunt for the children, led by the local sheriff and the kids parents.

The story sounds like solid Anderson material and with a cast including his usual collaborators Bill Murray (of course) and Jason Schwartzman (there's a surprise), plus Bruce Willis, Ed Norton, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel and Frances McDormand. With a supporting cast like that, this could have the potential to be his best work to date.

Release Date: 25th May.

ReelFilm's Most Anticipated Films of 2012: Part 2 (Updated)

On The Road

Sal (Riley, left) and Dean (Hedlund, right) on the road.

 On the Road by Jack Kerouac has been almost on the silver screen since just after its publication in the 50s, originally with Marlon Brando playing one of the leads, but sadly each time it began its casting stage the production fell apart, almost every leading man in Hollywood has been slated for a role in the movie adaption, but director Walter Salles (2004's Motorcycle Diaries) has elected for a more unknown cast, with Sam Riley (Control, Brighton Rock) in the role of Sal Paradise. Garrett Hedlund (TRON:Legacy) as Dean Moriarty, the role Kerouac wanted Brando to play. Lord of the Rings star Viggo Mortenesen playing Old Bull Lee (a fictionalized version of writer William S Burroughs) and Twilight heroine Kirsten Stewart as Mary Lou.

The film tells the semi-autobiographical story of  Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty and their search for the elsive 'IT', the meaning and beauty in america, so obviously this involves road trips, girls, jazz, drugs, bordellos, parties and freedom.

The novel is seen to be the seminal piece of writing to come out of the 50s 'Beat Generation', who where the vanguard of 60s counterculture, the book is loved by million and Salles has a hard job of doing this piece of work justice of the big screen.

Release: U.K: Late 2012 Germany: October 4th 2012

ReelFilm's Most Anticipated Films of 2012: Part 1

Seven Psychopaths

Farrell and Rockwell go dog-knapping.

Seven Psychopaths, is the latest project by director Martin Mcdonagh (2008's In Bruges). Reuniting with Colin Farrell as lead man and a supporting cast of what can only be described as heavy weights; Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken, Abbie Cornish  and musical growler Tom Waits in his first role since The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

The Story is that of  struggling screenwriter Marty (Farrell) who's struggling to find inspiration for his script Seven Psychopaths. When he is unwilling dragged into the world of dog thieving by two eccentric friends (Rockwell, Walken). Their plans whoever go astray when Charlie an unpredictable and violent gangster's (Harrelson) dog is taken, he begins killing anyone associated with the theft of his pet.

With Mcdonagh's last two efforts being held at such high esteem, this one is something to look forward to, expect violence, blood, booze and heaps of darkly twisted humour.

Release: TBC