The Hangover Part 3 First Teaser Trailer

Here’s the much anticipated first official look at The Hangover Part III the self-proclaimed epic conclusion to the trilogy of mayhem and bad decisions.  The Wolf Pack is back and apparently reluctantly returning to the scene of their first crimes against sobriety Las Vegas.

The trailer proudly showcases many of the franchises most familiar trademarks; including Heather Graham, Ken Jeong’s psychotically camp Mr Chow and accidental animal cruelty. Although if you want to get technical about it, it doesn’t look like anyone is actually hung-over this time around…

Other than that looks like more of the same from Director Todd Phillips and the eclectic comedic charms of Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis.

Lucas Confirms Original Cast In New Star Wars

Not content to gracefully head off into the Tatooine triple sunset with his billions of Disney dollars George Lucas is still insisting on contributing to the constant media speculation about the new Star Wars saga.

He’s now apparently confirmed in a just published interview that in fact final negotiations had begun with the main stars of the original trilogy to reprise their roles in Episode VII, even before he agreed to sell the franchise to Disney:

 “We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison–or we were pretty much in final stages of negotiation. So I called them to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on.’ ” He pauses. “Maybe I’m not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we were negotiating with them…. I won’t say whether the negotiations were successful or not.”

Let’s just hope those negotiations went better than the ones between the Trade Federation and Queen Amidala of Naboo. Anyone who doesn’t understand that last reference is lucky. It means you’ve either never seen Star Wars Episode I: The Phatom Menace or that you’ve actually managed to entirely suppress your memories of Jar Jar Binks. Well played you. 

Oz The Great And Powerful Review

The Plot:

A selfish circus magician called Oscar Diggs finds himself carried away from the dreary troubles of Kansas and hurled into the vibrant Land of Oz by a violent storm. He’s quickly drawn into an epic struggle between the forces of good and wickedness by the promise of fame and fortune. Battling witches and flying monkeys with only his con-man cunning, he must prove to both the inhabitants of Oz and himself that he truly is a great man, perhaps even a good one.

The Good:

Director Sam Raimi does a commendable job of commanding modern technology to fabricate an impressively lurid fantasy world in three dimensions. Beginning the film in Black & White with a narrowed screen and only switching to colourful widescreen as we escape Kansas and arrive in Oz is a nice nod to The Wizard of Oz and remains an effective cinematic metaphor almost 75 years later.

From the glistening green emerald city to the cheery yellow brick road, the new film borrows much from the iconic visual charms of the 1939 classic. However, it also combines that familiar camp imagery with a healthy injection of intricate CGI wizardry and whimsical weirdness. Given the film’s look and Danny Elfman soundtrack you’d be easily forgiven for mistaking it for one of Tim Burton’s better efforts. Of course, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Leading man James Franco is a natural fit for the questionably heroic magician Oscar. He convincingly treads a fine line between being charming and suspiciously sleazy and despicably selfish. Franco has an undeniable charisma, but it flirts with arrogance in precisely the way it should for a self-important illusionist.

The film also boasts an impressive trio of powerful witches in beautiful leading ladies Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams.  Their combined aesthetic charms ensure the film is always very easy to look at. Williams in particular deserves great credit for being enchanting enough to keep the saccharine sweet Glinda the Good from ever being too unbearably earnest, instead giving her an almost serene grace.

Zach Braff provides a steady stream of light relief as Oscar’s devoted flying monkey sidekick. Hi bumbling antics are more genuinely amusing as an adorable animal. Though arguably the film’s most magical performance comes from young starlet Joey King, who voices a heartbreakingly sweet orphaned China Girl.

The Bad:

Past adaptations of L. Frank Baum’s fantastical world of Oz have varied wildly from the Technicolor musical kitsch of The Wizard of Oz to the surprisingly dark and wonderfully disturbing sequel Return to Oz. Both have their own merits but naturally appeal to wildly different tastes. In many respects this film lies somewhere between those two extremes. It might not be quite dark enough for those who prefer their fairy tales to be more genuinely Grimm, but it also veers well away from child-friendly cheerfulness at times.

The world of Oz is pretty but sometimes obviously a CGI fabrication. It probably won’t distract most people but it might disappoint those who prefer the rough textures and convincing shadows that only the real world can truly deliver. While characters like the Flying Monkeys and China Girl are flawlessly executed special effects creations, ‘blue screen acting’ does sometimes leave the real actors a little disconnected from the garish landscapes around them.

In terms of storytelling, after a strong opening that promises original adventure with flashes of genuine danger, the film gradually evolves into a more obvious prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Evil armies and wicked witches are inevitably conquered by magic bubbles and musical munchkins, partly taming the film’s climax.

The Ugly Truth:

Older fans of the original Judy Garland classic and younger audiences uninitiated in journeys down the yellow brick road should both be left equally satisfied by this vividly colourful fantasy. A well deployed arsenal of special effects and acting talent makes this film a thoroughly enjoyable 3D adventure.

Check out full Press Conference Interviews below with the entire cast and director Sam Raimi:

 

Mark Strong Eager To Play Bond Villain

Talking to Red Carpet News in London at the premiere of new action thriller Welcome To The Punch versatile character actor Mark Strong admitted that whilst he’s played villainous roles in countless Hollywood action efforts like  Stardust, Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood, John Carter and Kick-Ass he’d love to finally get the chance to play a Bond villain.

Strong almost joined the cast of Skyfall until a scheduling conflict prevented his involvement. He’s always been eager to work with his close friend Daniel Craig. The pair previously starred together in iconic British television drama Our Friends In the North.

Mark Strong spoke about what makes Bond villains so special and claims he has what it takes to tackle Craig’s rugged super spy on screen. He’d certainly be a popular choice for the 24th Bond adventure bringing an excellent pedigree in villainy.

Full interview below but skip to 2:44 for the Bond chat:

BAFTA Games Awards 2013 Winners List

Red Carpet News were at the BAFTA Games Awards 2013 last night where the video gaming industry celebrated an incredible past year in gaming innovation.

Journey proved to be the night’s overall winner with four awards in a range of categories, whilst The Walking Dead and The Unfinished Swan also picked up multiple honors. The overall winner of Best Game was however the ironically named Dishonored.

Full list of winners below as well as video interviews with the makers of Journey, Assassin’s Creed III and celebrity guests; talking about the future of gaming and the exciting possibilities of next gen consoles.

Action -  Far Cry 3

Artistic Achievement – Journey

Audio Achievement – Journey

Best Game – Dishonored

British Game – The Room

Debut Game – The Unfinished Swan

Game Design -  Journey

Family – LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

Game Innovation – The Unfinished Swan

Mobile & Handheld -  The Walking Dead

Online – Browser -  SongPop

Online – Multiplayer – Journey

Original Music -  Journey

Performer -  Danny Wallace (The Narrator) – Thomas Was Alone

Sports/Fitness -  New Star Soccer

Story -  The Walking Dead

Strategy -  XCOM: Enemy Unknown

BAFTA Ones to Watch Award –   Starcrossed