Justin Lin Won’t Direct Next Fast & Furious Movie

Having successfully revitalized the failing Fast and Furious franchise, Director Justin Lin has churned out four increasingly successful installments in the past seven years. Fast and Furious 6 is already revving it’s engines to race into cinemas in May, but it looks like this will be last time Lin will take charge of the vehicular misadventures.

Universal is so confident of the success of the sixth film in the series they they simply can’t wait to start production on a seventh effort. Lin is reportedly reluctant to race into production on the inevitable sequel whilst still fine tuning and promoting the current film. The studio is determined not to delay as they look to hit an ambitious 2014 summer release date for Fast & Furious 7.

An announcement about the new director eagerly stepping in to make sure Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and the Rock remain convincingly furious and fast for the foreseeable future is expected in the next few weeks.

Only God Forgives First Trailer

Drive Director Nicolas Winding Refn has reunited with his permanently pouting muse Ryan Gosling to bring us Only God Forgives. Set in Thailand the minimal plot details currently on offer are that it sees Gosling’s brooding and explosively violent hero challenging a Thai gangster to a fight to settle their differences.  Kristen Scott Thomas seemingly plays Gosling’s concerned mother.

Fans of Drive will no doubt be very pleased to see that the new trailer already bears more than a passing resemblance to Refn’s last collaboration with Gosling. Ryan Gosling is back on sullen and psychotic form as he wanders around the murky depths of the criminal underworld, mutely searching for ways to unleash his fists of fury.

Epic Beyoncé Interview

International singing sensation and pop diva Beyoncé talks about her work on Blue Sky’s forthcoming 3D CG Action-Adventure EPIC in a new featurette below.

Craxy In Love pop superstar Beyoncé Knowles is providing he voice of the enchanting Queen Tara in the new animated film about a young girl who discovers a friendly race of tiny woodland warriors after she finds herself inadvertently shrunk to miniature size.

Epic Official Pictures

Check out new official Images from Epic, the CGI animated adventure from 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky. The film boasts an all-star voice cast with Amanda Seyfried & The Hunger Games Josh Hutcherson taking lead roles alongside Colin Farrell, Beyonce Knowles, Jason Sudeikis, Aziz Ansari, Pitbull & Steven Tyler.

Borrowing liberally from FernGully the Last Rainforest the basic plot sees a young girl discovering a friendly race of tiny woodland warriors & their pet talking slugs, after she finds herself inadvertently shrunk to miniature size.

The Winslow Boy Theatre Review

Theatre goers, its a travesty that seats are being left empty for The Winslow Boy at The Old Vic. Having entered the theatre and not knowing what to expect, audiences of all walks of life will find themselves in fits of laughter during the comedic first half and welling up at some of its most poignant moments further in.

The Winslow Boy is the story of an Edwardian British household, who’s head, the father – Arthur Winslow, fights for the justice of his thirteen year old son who is accused of stealing a postal order whilst away at Naval College. Putting the rest of his family at risk in terms or reputation, money and lifestyle, it shows that even in the most trivial of circumstances which could easily be brushed under the carpet, one must fight for what is right and just, even if it means losing everything.

If carried out at the correct pace, and it was demonstrated so excellently here, then The Winslow Boy and indeed other Terrence Rattigan plays can be a delight. This roller coster of emotions plays out excellently here, with every character keeping their ‘stiff upper lip’ whilst fully aware of the consequences they face individually and as a family. Henry Goodman as Arthur Winslow is an excellent leader of this pack. Although riddled with gout and suffering arthritis, his sharp tongue and affectionate charisma towards his family and indeed the audience makes him a loveable central figure we can all relate to.

Naomi Frederick who plays Arthur’s daughter Catherine, demonstrates a strong yet relatable character, reminding us clearly and passionately of the struggles women faced in society at that time – her work with the suffragettes is regarded as pointless and with no sense of hope – she deals with the criticism of her standing with grace and dignity and Frederick manages balance a large array of emotions with effortless ease, making her a character with so many levels that the audience find her a joy to watch.

All the actors in this production provide sterling performances, however, another standout worthy of mention is Charlie Rowe, the Winslow boy himself. It’s clear to see that this young actor has a bright future ahead of him. He treads the boards of the Old Vic with ease and experience beyond his years, with particular examples of excellence being his emotional reaction to Sir Robert Morton’s interrogation where  audience members feel so uncomfortable in their seats that they almost want to leap out of your seat and protect the poor boy.

Terrance Rattigan plays are full of fast paced, easy to listen conversations with subtle comedies about them which allow audiences of different generations to relate to and enjoy. For a cast to deliver this as it should be is no easy task, and this cast in particular should be applauded for their efforts and supported for all their hard work. The Winslow Boy is an infectious play which gets under your skin, and makes you think about the characters and their circumstances long after the curtain has fallen. It has an effect on its audience with its relatable nature and charismatic character charms. Well worth a watch, and worthy of all the rave reviews it’s been receiving.