Saw this trailer and I was blown away. Any good geek loves a zombie film, but one area that is sadly neglected when it comes to zombies is animation. From the looks of it A.D.intends to put that right.
You have to agree just from the trailer it looks like it could be a lot of fun. I especially like the style they have used, and the actual animation is top notch. Head on over to Zombieinfo where they have an interview with the creators and some additional concept art that looks fantastic.
As of yet I have not found the official site, and IMDB seems to be behind the curve on this one. So keep your eyes peeled and I will put out more info as I find it.
I have also just realised I have hardly talked about zombies on here at all, what a crime against undead nature. I will have to see what I can dig up.
Computer animation must be a very hard field to be in. There is one company that dominates it and everything you do will be held up in comparison and rejected as not being good enough. Not because your work is bad, it is probably amazing. But compared to what Pixar do, it’s worthless.
Out now is “Cloudy with a chance of meatballs”, the latest home release from Dreamworks Sony/Columbia. Their work keeps getting better and better, the last film (Monsters vs Aliens) is probably the best they have done. But there very best just does not compare to the standard set. Gaff-tastic: My fault! I even laughed out loud when they showed the classic Columbia title screen that has brought me so much joy over the years, should have remembered that.
Cloudy is a great film, we all laughed out loud at various bits. The voice acting is top notch, the story is a lot of fun, the animation is excellent. But somehow its missing something… (more…)
Announced this week is Bruce Campbell’s next film “Bruce vs Frankenstein”. This is going to be a follow on to the excellent “My name is Bruce” that came out last year.
All of us here at BGR are big fans of Bruce Campbell, from his early beginnings in “Evil Dead” all the way to his show stealing performances in the Spider-man films, he is always a joy to watch.
“My name is Bruce” really surprised me when I saw it. In many ways it felt a little unpolished and probably could have done with a little more work, but somehow that makes it more endearing. Bruce and the supporting cast are fun to watch. Ultimately Bruce carries the film (he also Directed it), wins the day, gets the girl, and slays the demon in a style only he could do.
I am looking forward to this when it is released some time next year.
If you are looking more Bruce Campbell action check out:
So over Christmas David Tennant stepped down as the doctor, and marked the end of a remarkable period in the Dr Who series. Let me just say that David Tennant is responsible for everyone in my house loving Dr Who. From my wife to my children they all think it is a great show, and it is mostly down to him. Billy Piper and Catherine Tate have been stand out assistants who have has astounded me with their ability to take on the role and make more than just a side kick.
So it is unfortunate that David Tennant’s final show is also the weakest of all the episodes he has done. (more…)
Some time ago I wrote about one of my favourite Sci-Fi TV Series “Day of the Triffids“. Made in 1981, much like “Blakes 7” it is a little known British gem of a show that never really seemed to get the regard it should have got. Over Christmas the BBC have finally shown the new version. With some excellent actors, and a more grown up feel it is an excellent addition to the growing catalogue of remakes of this classic story.
I have to confess I have not read the book, and now I am starting to think I should. Every remake of this story has something new, while the core story still remains as chilling as ever. (more…)
This film can really only be described as a master piece of film making that it seems only a few directors are able to pull off.
Lets not mince words here, Avatar is a brilliant film! There, it is said! This is an epic film in every way, from the grand story to the amazing vistas, right through to the stunning technology they have used to create this marvel. The majority of this film is computer generated but in such a life like and detailed way it is hard to see where the computer generation ends and the real people begin. I was very impressed with the similarity between the real actors and their avatars. It just leant a little more to the life like quality of the animation work.
This is a long film (3 hours) but not only does it not feel that long, there isn’t really any fluff that can be trimmed away. Every scene has something it needs to get across to you and where there was a chance to remove a scene it was taken. As a result the film is long but moves at a good pace all the way through. In fact there were a number of scenes where I wanted it to slow a little so I could take in the stunning backgrounds and the details of the world. This will be a very rewarding film to watch at home, not only will you get to hear James Cameron’s take on it, but you will get to really take in the details. I get the feeling the directors cut (if there is one) will be longer.
A lot has been made about this films eco ethics, to be honest I did not feel it. I can see why people would say it has an eco message to tell you, but I never felt it was rammed down my throat. It was more realistic than that. A planet has a mineral people want, they turn up and want to destroy the planet and its people because they don’t give a toss. Any corporation would do that, especially if that planet is six years into deep space.
Confession
I did not see this film in 3D, I wish I had. Even though it has been out for two weeks the 3D showing was completely full (I have never seen that before). There is a very good chance I will be going back just so I can see it in 3D. There are various parts of the film that will really reward you for it, and there was only one moment where I thought it was gratuitously used but you have to forgive every 3D film at least one cheap shot.
Conclusion
Go and see this film, it is as amazing as you have been lead to believe!
There has always been a tradition of remaking films, and healthy culture with take old films and rework them. But they are never straight out copies, they have to be re-imaginings of the original concept.
Sometimes they produce a true classic in their own right. Airplane for example is basically a remake of a 1957 film called “Zero Hour”. A fairly by-the-numbers air disaster film. But with a new look at it a truly hilarious comedy was created.
Then there are cases where the original is a great concept, but the film just does not do it justice. John Carpenter’s 1982 remake of “The Thing” took another obscure film and turned it into a horror classic (one I still have problems watching some scenes).
Every time something new should be brought. Either a new twist on the idea, or just improving it all around with a better director. But a film should never be remade just for the sake of it, and an all time classic definitely shouldn’t. (more…)
This evening the whole of BGR will be in London to see the renewed version of Ghost in the Shell. This is a very special film for all of us, and we are all hoping the renewed version will only make it much better.
An all time classic brought up to date
I posted a quick look at what is in this new version of the anime classic, and I have to admit I an thoroughly looking forward to seeing it in a cinema. As I said before this is one of the film that sets the standard for not only anime, but for Sci-fi. With such a precious film it is not easy to back to and make the decision to re-do it. But I think they have come up with an excellent idea of keeping the original film and story intact and enhancing the actual animations.
I was fortunate enough to see the original when it had a limited cinema run back in 1995. Both Nikobe and Sideswipe turned down my invitation to see it, it is one of only a handful of times I have been to a cinema on my own. But tonight we are going to correct that mistake, and all get a chance to see “The Major” battle a walking tank once more.
If you want to see it, it is on for a limited run around the country. Take a look at the official site for times.
We will put something up about our thoughts on this new version. But I already have the Blu-Ray on order, so its going to be good.
I started off this article thinking about crime comedy, and the distinct lack of films in that area, I picked the first two films immediately and was thinking about other films I can put in that I love. I started searching and started putting in all manner of films I had not considered at first films like “The Lady Killers”, “One of our Dinosaurs is Missing”, “Hot Millions”, “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” (trust me, though I ping from kids film to adult I am looking at quality and meaning not suitability).
When it occurred to me there are plenty of comedy films in the “Crime” genre, but that is not what I was really going for. I wanted films based around the detectives not the criminals. Alec Guinness alone has some of the best films in “The Lady Killers”, “The Lavender Hill Mob”, and “Kind Hearts and Coronets”.
Then it stuck me, the first two films had come easily. They a films of genius that you may not have heard of (though I hope you will see). The last is a collection of film that screams so obviously that it is in this group, and sets the standard not just of this group of film, but of comedy itself. (more…)
Over the weekend I got the chance to see “District 9” but what I can’t tell you is whether I enjoyed it?
This is technically a very good film, the CG work is outstanding and the plot is good. The film is shot like a documentary at the start, talking about various events like the arrival of the ship 20 years earlier, and how once we eventually got inside they found it filled with aliens. A camp is created, and the aliens are basically left there. Coming back to the present the camp is almost a prison, squalid and over run with crime.
Various groups are exploiting the aliens for their own ends and we are introduced to Wikus, a mostly useless middle manager for the company in charge of looking after the aliens. The style continues as we follow him around the camp doing the dirty work of the corporation.
Thoughts
This is a very good film, I would recommend you go and see it. Did I really enjoy it.. I don’t know, it was not bad. I can see how it could become an important film in this genre. It did manage the most important thing which is to make you think, and discuss what you have seen.
I will see it again, but I don’t feel the need to to go the cinema to do it.
“Ghost in the Shell” is simply one of the most amazing films ever made! I don’t say that lightly, there are a lot of films out there, but very few come close to the depth and insight portrayed in GITS.
As far as Sci-fi or Anime films go, this is the bench mark. There are only a few other films that can match it (Akira, My neighbor Totoro, basically master peices). But for me it is the standard by which all of these types of films are measured.
When I saw “The Matrix” (over 10 years ago now) I was astounded like everyone else. But then you compare it to GITS are you start to see whole sequences where they just stole the concepts. It doesn’t detract from “The Matrix”, but shows just how strong GITS is.
Which is why I am so pleased they have gone back to the oringal 1995 film and “Renewed” it. (more…)
I saw this trailer and I was captivated. There is something about Sam Rockwell that means you just need to pat attention to him. Anyone able to play Zaphod Beeblebrox has to be amazing, its a requirement of the job
On Sideswipes recommendation, and to celebrate nikobe’s birthday we saw G.I. Joe. We all agreed Sideswipe was right, as long as you don’t think too hard its a great action-fest that is definitely worth checking out.
But if there is one thing better than that, its the Ballard of G.I. Joe
The premise for the film is quiet simple. Set in a dystopia future a mystery disease has killed the majority of the population. All looked lost for humanity until “Gene Co” offers a solution, they will replace your organs and save your life… for a fee. But there is no problem if you can’t pay now, you can pay on credit. Through the intro to the film it explains the company forced through new laws that made it possible to repossess the organs if the borrower could no longer pay.
I have to admit the opening to this film made me smile, largely because I can see how it would be entirely feasible for this to happen, big business is in the habit of making laws that are not good for the populous, so why not take back their organs? they don’t own them?
This film had a lot of promise, but staring Paris Hilton can it really work? She is not renowned for her glittering acting skill. (more…)
The official poster for G.I. Joe does the job but I'd have had Baroness and Scarlett much more prominent...
G.I. Joe, or Action Force and then G.I. Joe the Action Force as it was known in the UK back in the day has it’s first film out and it’s suffered a lot of negative press and I have to set the record straight here.
It is an excellent popcorn film
You read that right. This film is not without its faults and I’ll get on to those later but first and foremost, this is a fun film. Well paced action that really deserves to have a sequel (which is cleverly set up at the end). Seriously, that Transformers Revenge of the Fallen is one of the top 10 movies of all time and this has been somewhat a failure is a mystery of the highest level.
The Machine Girl. A film you sould probably see.. but I don't know why
I was lucky enough to be given this film for a birthday present by BGR’s very own Sideswipe. I have just finished watching it, and I feel that I must immediately blog about it.
Now I love B-movies, I can enjoy a good gore film (if it has a purpose), I relish in a totally surreal adventure. But when you read on the front of the box “A film so incredibly outrageous that it couldn’t possibly exist…” I start to get a little worried. I have the distinct feeling there is so little content for the marketing guys to talk about they have to resort to making claims. (more…)
Just out (in the UK at least) is Watchmen on Blu-Ray. It is shameful to admit but I have never read the comic and I missed the film at the cinema (double shame.. I’m sorry) but I have been waiting for the release on Blu-Ray and I can tell you my wait was not in vein.
I’m not going to review the film, there are plenty of other sites out there who have done a great job. They know the story a lot better than me, so I will let them do it. All I will say is this is a great film, subtle and nuanced, that is more to do with the source than it is the quality of the production, but that is not a let down either. All in all a great film, very well done.
I wanted to look at the technical side of the release. What is included and how does the disk stack up in our new HD world. (more…)
Street Fighter: The Legend of Fail, I mean Chun Li
The second official live action film based on the Street Fighter video games is possibly the most mediocre action film I have ever seen.
That said, I will buy it on blu-ray just for the awesomeness of Balrog.
There’s an awful lot wrong with this film from a Street Fighter fan’s point of view but as a stand alone film it’s not bad, just average, from the competant but not great fights to the glory of Balrog and an RPG which really sums up a lot about this film, it shouldn’t really have been called Street Fighter at all really.
Of course there’s also the question, how does it compare to the original live action film?
Due to friends with good contacts and one of the best Transformer websites http://www.transformertoys.co.uk I was privileged to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen at a special FDA screening at the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square on Friday 12th June. I would have reviewed it sooner but this was an invite only screening and there was a blackout on mentioning it in public until today.
The film was more of the same, the stuff that made the first film awesome is all here and the weak points from the first film are all still here. I’m not going to go into much detail here but there will be some mild spoilers but nothing you probably couldn’t have guessed but don’t read on if you really don’t wanna know.
Mini Review
Not a bad film, but not great. John C. Reilly is always funny, but Apatow takes the comedy too far. Would have been much better if they had stoped most jokes one line earlier.
This made me think. Most of my favourite films are either comedy, or have something funny at their core. But while they are playful, and sometimes hilarious they have a seriousness and a substance that I find mostly missing from current films. (more…)
I have been a fan of Luc Besson for a long time now, ever since I first saw “Léon” so many years a go. He is also responsible for the best value I have ever had at the cinema, watching “The Fifth Element” for just £1 can not be beaten in my view (as well as it being one of my favorite Sci-Fi films).
Unfortunately I have managed to miss all three “Transporter” films at the cinema, but I have certainly enjoyed them at home. I was initially sceptical about Jason Statham in this role having only previously seen him in “Lock, Stock, and two smoking barrels”. But how wrong can you be? he has proved himself again and again (especially in “Crank” that I have only just seen, but will be seeing the next one when its released). He combines excellent skill, with humor and fantastic acting. Making him always a joy to watch. So the stage is set. You have some great cast, a great writer/director team, and an established character that is quiet flexible in what can be done. Does he manage to pull it off?
In a strange way I am not at all surprised. I did not have very high hopes for this “series” and in a way they managed to hit the nail exactly where I thought they would. That is not to say there were not things to like.
It is just unfortunate that it fell so flat after so much hype. In case you have not seen it I wrote an article on my expectations for the new show a while back that caused some discussion.
If you intend to see the series please stop reading now. Go and watch it and make up your own mind. There might be spoilers in here, and I would not like you to hear it from me before you have seen it for yourself.
If you don’t know me, I am a huge Dragonball fan, I have an army of Goku toys (stopped keeping a count around the 50 mark) and have watched all of Dragonball/Dragonball Z and even GT numerous times. I am a biased hard-core fan I freely admit it. I went into this movie expecting it to be a terrible adaptation but was hoping it would at least be an entertaining action film. Sadly my low hopes were shattered…
Not so detailed spoiler – It is crap
Now I am going to go into detail so you don’t have to watch it. Don’t read on if you don’t want spoilers but if you go you’re in for the ultimate spoil. Your precious time and money. Really you shouldn’t pay to see this. It’s nonsensical crap.
Street Fighter IV is out and I am loving it. I have no doubt the others will put a great review of it and I am looking forward to what they have to say. But with Street Fighter coming back into my life after a long absence it has made me realise 3 things:
The computer is a cheating git, pulling off moves you have no way of doing yourself. Proof
I was once good at this game, now I am nothing but a noob
Cammy remains the best character
Chun-Li and Ryu get all the attention but for me (and most fans I know) Cammy is always the stand out favorite. Maybe its because I am British, maybe its because she is a complete psycho. But she at least has a back story and some characters traits that make her a little more than the 2 dimensional Chun-li. (more…)
There has always been a tradition of remaking films, and healthy culture with take old films and rework them. But they are never straight out copies, they have to be re-imaginings of the original concept.
Street Fighter IV is out and I am loving it. I have no doubt the others will put a great review of it and I am looking forward to what they have to say. But with Street Fighter coming back into my life after a long absence it has made me realise 3 things: