When so many movies are released each weekend and trailers often seem better than the movie itself, what should one do? In this precarious situation, we consult the The CineMagic 8-Ball (TM) to help us see through the nebulous marketing haze. Doing so just might save us all a disheartening trip to the cinema and spare us unnecessarily springing for $7 popcorn. See what the 8-Ball says about this week’s releases… ——————————————————————————————————————————————- FINDING NEMO 3D Life along the Great Barrier Reef is full of dangers when you are a tiny clown fish. And for Marlin, a single parent determined to protect his only son Nemo, there are constant fears and…
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Sweet Teaser…'Stand Up Guys'
It goes without saying that Al Pacino and Christopher Walken are titans of the film industry. Hard edged and gritty actors who earned their stripes (and our respect) decades ago, they really are the stuff of legend. So while admittedly they’ve lost a few steps it’s always good to see their faces especially when getting back to their roots. Walken has taken to having a laugh at himself but sadly Pacino just gets laughed at (roles in Gigli and Jack and Jill don’t help much) although his stage career has flourished. Hopefully this story about these aging criminals, one of whom has been hired to kill his friend, will be a film they…
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Guillermo Del Toro's 'Pacific Rim' Gets 3D Converted
Back in July, GST favorite Guillermo Del Toro talked to Collider about his upcoming kaiju film, Pacific Rim, specifically speaking to his decision to forsake the use of 3D technology. The short version is that employing 3D technology to shoot robots of the size he has in mind could lead to issues with scale and perspective in the finished picture, something that any smart filmmaker and artist wisely wants to avoid. But the integrity of Del Toro’s vision and the passion of his sentiment wasn’t enough to defend his project from Warner Bros’ bean counters, as the studio is aiming to give the film the post-conversion treatment in time for its mid-July…
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The Criterion Files: Homicide
Homicide: Directed by: David Mamet Written by: David Mamet Starring: Joe Mantegna, William H. Macy, Ving Rhames Cinematography: Roger Deakins Music by: Alaric Jans Released: October 9, 1991 David Mamet might today have greater notoriety as a font of controversy and ideological invective than as a filmmaker (and perhaps even as a playwright). Maybe one could argue that that’s merely a symptom of being a conservative convert in an industry dominated by adherents of liberalism, but the more likely cause for his infamy is his own mouth; Mamet’s anti-left wing diatribes could turn even Ann Coulter a bright shade of red. But common wisdom dictates that we can separate the art…
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Sweet (Final) Trailer….'Wreck-It Ralph'
Not since the first Expendables have we been this excited for a film to be released. Let me clarify, that’s anticipation of the film mind you, not satisfaction with the end product. While all signs point to this being a much better outing than Sly’s action opus, it pays to have just a little reserved optimism. But who are we kidding. We can’t freaking wait for this!! And we will probably be giving away advance screening passes so stay tuned for that! So if you weren’t already fully on board, have a look at the final trailer for Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph. How bout that huh?? There’s a lots more fun in this…
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Fantastic Fest Announces Final Wave of Film Programming
Next week, the largest genre film festival in the US will kick off in little old Austin TX. Lots of awesome films have already been announced and recently we’ve been teased with some sweet looking short films. Now Fantastic Fest is thrilled to announce the final installment of programming for Fantastic Fest 2012, including the world premiere screening of The Collection. The Fest will take place September 20-27 in Austin, Texas at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. See below for the final wave of films at this year’s festival. ———————————————————————————————————————————————————– AMERICAN MARY (2011) US Premiere Directors – Jen and Sylvia Soska, 95 mins Disillusioned with her chosen profession and perpetually…
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Sweet Trailer…'Smashed'
While we’re used to seeing Aaron Paul as a character who is that is less than savory, Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives us a head-turning role in Smashed. Here Paul and Winstead play Kate and Charlie, a married couple who share a fondness for music, laughter and getting smashed. Yet as excess leads down a slippery slope of hard-core asocial behavior, Kate’s elementary school job becomes compromised. She learns that change isn’t exactly a cakewalk and sobriety will have her confronting the lies she’s been spinning at work, her troubling relationship with her mother, and the nature of her bond with Charlie. With a magnetic trailer like this (and it being Sundance’s…
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Ohhh, Look…Anatomy of Famous Movie Monsters
Sure, some, if not most, of the best movie monsters are nothing more than latex, foam, animatronics and heaps of prosthetics all of which are made famous by thankless performers sweating it out on movie sets. But what if those feared and memorable cinematic critters were living breathing creatures? Well in a fun series of anatomical illustrations we see how artist Brad McGinty sees these iconic film heavies. Thanks to Geekologie for the tip! So have a look at these awesome 80’s era diagrams…only don’t ask us to translate. Enjoy! Whatcha think? 100% dope are they not? Don’t these seem like the kind of bonus card you’d find in a pack of Garbage Pail Kids trading cards?…
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Teaser Footage From Steven Spielberg's 'Lincoln'
Word on the street is that the first full trailer for Lincoln will hit the Web this Thursday. Until now we’ve only seen a poster and 2 shots of Daniel Day-Lewis as the titular POTUS (that’s President of the United States by the way) to show us what Spielberg has in store for us this Fall. To get us ready, we get this teaser (the first of three which drop today, Tuesday and Wednesday respectively) which quickly reveals DDL as Abe Lincoln. Unfortunately it’s not much to go on, nor is actually Lewis who is uttering the portion from the Gettysburg Address. Anyway, for those of you just jonesing to see Spielberg’s soon…
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Cianfrance's TIFF Hit 'The Place Beyond the Pines' Picked Up For 2013 Release
Hot off the outstanding reviews from the TIFF in Tornoto Canada comes this news about U.S. rights to Derek Cianfrance’s The Place Beyond the Pines. Starring Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Eva Mendes, the film has just been acquired by Focus Features for a 2013 release. Focus CEO James Schamus and president Andrew Karpen made the announcement today at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie is having its world premiere. The Place Beyond the Pines, written by Cianfrance, Ben Coccio, and Darius Marder, is a film that powerfully explores the consequences of motorcycle rider Luke (Ryan Gosling)’s fateful decision to commit a crime to support his…
