Ethan Hawke will be the latest star to have his hand and footprints immortalised in cement on Thursday.
The Boyhood star will be taking part in the ceremony outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at 10am.
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Category Archives: Films
Shaun of the Dead heads to the stage
A new stage show based on Shaun of the Dead will tour the South West later this year.
The show has already had an endorsement from Simon Pegg.
It was put together after Gloucestershire-based Almost Legal Productions secured the stage rights to the 2004 zombie rom-com.
The 110-minute show involves lots of audience participation, audience members are given a ‘goodie bag’ of props so they can take part and are encouraged to dress as zombies or other characters from the movie.
The tour begins in Stroud on April 10.
More sing-along Frozen
The Frozen phenomenon shows no signs of abating.
The Dominion Theatre in London will be hosting a series of sing-along screenings of the Oscar-winning film during half term (February 18 to 28).
Screenings will take place twice daily with three on Saturday.
Tickets are on sale now.
He’s the King of the Swingers
Bill Murray has recorded a new version of The Bear Necessities for the new adaptation of the Jungle Book.
He’s voicing Baloo the Bear in the film which is being directed by Jon Favreau.
Other stars voicing characters in the film include Idris Elba, Lupita N’yongo, Scarlett Johansson and Ben Kingsley.
The film is due to be released in October.
Is The Interview the worst film of the year?
The Interview has been included in the shortlist for Worst Film at the Golden Raspberry – or Razzie – Awards.
Stars James Franco and Seth Rogen are also under consideration for Worst Screen Combination.
Other films on the short list for Worst Film include Sex Tape, A Million Ways to Die in the West and Transcendence.
The nominees for the annual awards will be announced on January 14.
New images from Crimson Peak
Two new images from Guillermo Del Toro’s new film Crimson Pean have been released.
The first is of Tim Hiddleston as the film’s leading man Sir Thomas Sharpe, who takes his new love back home to Crimson Peak where she finds more than she bargained for.
Mia Wasikowska co-stars as Sharpe’s romantic interest with Jessica Chastain as his jealous sister. The cast also includes Charlie Hunnam.
The film is due for release later this year.
2015 preview: Films
There are so many films that I’m already looking forward to in 2015 but I have managed to narrow the list down to just ten.
Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie: you might think ‘oh, good grief!’ But I always enjoy a bit of Charlie Brown and the gang. The trailer looks a lot of fun and the use of computer animation isn’t distracting at all.
The Minions Movie: Minions make me giggle. That’s all.
Jurassic World: I still remember sitting in the cinema watching the opening five minutes of Jurassic Park and thinking ‘oh this is going to be good!’. Unfortunately the two sequels never quite lived up to the first. Can this new film, directed by Colin Treverrow, take us back to the magic and wonder of the first?
Birdman: a but of a cheat this one as I’ve already seen it – but it’s not out in the UK until 2015! Michael Keaton is on top form as the former superhero actor trying to kickstart his career by starring in, and directing, a Broadway play. The supporting cast are also excellent – particularly Emma Stone as is daughter. But my favourite thing about Birdman is the craft that’s gone into making the film – the idea of just a single shot through the whole film, I think it’s incredibly clever!
Whiplash: I’m calling it now, you won’t see a better onscreen villain in 2015 than JK Simmons’ horrific music teacher. He’s brutal! Miles Teller holds his own but it’s Simmons who has the showier role and he absolutely runs with it. An Oscar is surely in the bag. Whilst there are plot points in the film that I could see coming the ending was fantastic. It’s a great movie.
Selma: British actor David Oyelowo stars as Martin Luther King in the drama which focuses on his campaign for civil rights and the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. Oprah Winfrey is among the supporting cast.
Spectre: Bond is back! But no Judi Dench this time. Can director Sam Mendes emulate the phenomenal success of Skyfall? I’ve never been a huge fan of 007 but I am looking forward to the new film. Plus, who’s going to perform the theme song?
Tomorrowland: George Clooney leads the cast of this scifi mystery about a former boy-genius and a gifted teenager who set out on a dangerous mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic location caught between time and space. The cast also includes Hugh Laurie and young actress Britt Robinson. It’s directed by Brad Bird who made the last Mission: Impossible movie as well as Pixar’s The Incredibles so I think it should be in safe hands.
Avengers: Age of Ultron: Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America (and the others) back on screen together. I just can’t wait! Director Joss Whedon’s brought the whole gang back (we might even get to see Tom Hiddlestone’s Loki). Avengers Assemble set the bar so high, can they reach those heights again? Or even top them? We’ll find out in April.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens: did you really think I wouldn’t include this in my list of must-see films? Of course it tops the list! The first film I ever saw at the cinema was Star Wars, it is the franchise that I have loved for over 30 years. And it’s back. And I can not wait until December!!
So that’s my top 10 must-see movies for 2015. Close but no cigar mentions for Love is Strange, Blackhat, Cinderella, Frankenstein, The Lady in the Van and Absolutely Anything.
What are you looking forward to? Tell me in the comments section below!
My top 10 films of 2014
It’s that time of year when everyone starts compiling their best of the year and I’m no exception! This is the list of MY top 10 films of 2014 – so it’s completely subjective and you probably don’t agree with me in any way. What is apparent is that I didn’t see as many films as usual this year (too much ‘proper’ work to do) and so I missed some of the film’s that I suspect are on other critics’ lists. Also, my list is for 2014 so it doesn’t include some of the films I’ve already seen that will be in UK cinemas in early 2015.
10. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
It’s tough for me to only place this at number 10 but I really don’t think it can go any higher. I do believe it’s the weakest of all six Middle-earth films and I was very underwhelmed the first time I saw it. However, on second viewing I enjoyed it much more. And both times I was brought to tears by the final 20 minutes. For that reason it squeaks in.
9. Get On Up
The James Brown biopic was released in the UK the same weekend as the new Hunger Games film and I think it therefore was missed by a lot of film fans. It shouldn’t have been. I hugely enjoyed the film which shows Brown warts and all – it doesn’t shy away from his darker side. Plus I thought Chadwick Boseman in the lead role was absolutely fantastic. It’s a shame he’s not getting more attention during awards season, he deserves it.
8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Not much happens in the film, it’s busy setting everything up for what I imagine is going to be an all-guns-blazing finale, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Jennifer Lawrence once again carries the whole film, she’s really grown into the role of Katniss. And the scene when she sings ‘The Hanging Tree’ gave me goosebumps.
7. Guardians of the Galaxy
I went into Guardians with absolutely no expectations but I came out Hooked On A Feeling (sorry). I knew nothing about the story beforehand but I was completely carried away but the rollicking good story which was jam packed with humour. I’m really looking forward to the sequel. And I want a Baby Groot!
6. Chef
I bet you missed this at the cinema. Well go and find it on DVD! Jon Favreau directs and stars this tale of a man going through a major crisis. It’s a world away from the bombastic Iron Man films and that’s one of the things I loved about it. Plus the fantastic cast (including the cameos). Seriously, if you haven’t seen it please check it out!
5. 12 Years A Slave
It feels a bit strange including the Oscar-winning film but as I said at the start this is a review of films released in 2014. I saw it in October 2013 and it still haunts me now. Chiwetel Ejiofor is superb in the lead role and I thought his was a stronger performance than Best Actor winner Matthew McConaughey, plus Lupita N’yongo was a revelation as Patsy. I’ll be honest, it’s not a film I’ve watched a second time but it’s a film I feel is incredibly important and that’s why I rate it so highly.
4. The Imitation Game
Hands down the best Benedict Cumberbatch performance on film. While we all know the outcome of the main storyline (can they break the Enigma Code?) it’s still a thoroughly compelling story that draws you in. Cumberbatch is supported by an excellent cast, not least Keira Knightley who I think gives one of her best ever performances. It’s a fantastic British film and throughly deserves the recognition it’s been receiving.
3. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
I really wasn’t sure about this from the trailers. The apes are talking? Hmm. But after attending an early footage screening my interest was peaked. And the final film didn’t let me down. Once you get used to Caesar speaking it becomes quite normal and the relationships between the apes are really touching. Toby Kebbell gives Andy Serkis a run for his money in the mo-cap acting making Koba pretty terrifying in places. Is it better than the first film? I’d say yes. And I’d also say it’s time to five mo-cap actors the credit they’re due!
2. Pride
Oh what a joy of a film. I came to the Pride love-in a little late but now I’m thoroughly on board. It’s sweet, touching and laugh out loud funny. Who knew a story about a group of gay activists and Welsh miners could bring so much joy? The ensemble cast emits such a warmth that you just want to gather them all up in one great big hug. I loved it.
1. Paddington
Yes a film about a marmalade loving bear from Peru has topped my list of the best films of 2014. And I don’t care if you disagree because I told you this is MY choice. Paddington is a film that the whole family can enjoy. There’s plenty of slapstick for the little ones, laughs for the adults and a message for everyone. As Paddington says “I will never be like other people but that’s ok”. Well the 21st century Paddington is just like the bear we all grew up with. And you know what, I can’t wait for the sequel!
Happy Christmas from Night at the Museum
New Heart of the Sea trailer
Ron Howard’s delivered an early Christmas present with the release of the new trailer for his sea-faring epic In The Heart of the Sea.
The film stars Chris Hemsworth as the first mate of The Essex, a New England whaling ship that was assaulted by something no-one would believe.
The cast also includes Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson and Ben Whishaw.
It’s released in the UK on March 13.
Here’s the trailer: http://youtu.be/jSGcocTLMlk
