Toby Jones Talks Catching Fire

Toby Jones who plays Hunger Games commentator Claudius Templesmith spoke about the eagerly awaited sequel Catching Fire on the red carpet at the London Critics’ Circle Awards 2013. 

Toby, also well know to Harry Potter fans as Dobby the house elf, spoke about what he feels new director Francis Lawrence has brought to the next big screen adaptation of the immensely popular series. He also shares his understanding of just why the franchise has proved such a global phenomenon.

Toby also talks in particular about recent Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the heroic Katniss Everdeen. Toby, who is also set to star later this year alongside Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in western drama Serena, explains just what he thinks makes her such an extraordinary and unique talent.

Full video Interviews below:

Jack Reynor Talks Transformers 4

Jack Reynor has caught attention with his breakthrough role in independent Irish film What Richard Did, including catching the eye of explosion loving director Michael Bay. As a result, Jack Reynor has landed a leading role in the next Transformers film, alongside Mark Wahlberg and the usual array of giant fighting robots.

Talking on the red carpet at the London Critics’ Circle Awards 2013 the handsome young star shared his excitement for the blockbuster sequel and a few details of what fans can expect. Firstly he confirmed that his character is ‘some kind of race car driver’ and that he’s well underway with all the necessary precision driving training.

There had been much speculation that the next Transformers adventure would see the war between the Autobots and Decepticons move away from earth, perhaps giving the film a more intergalactic setting. Perhaps that’s a little less likely given Reynor’s character’s decidedly earthbound profession. Although he does admit that Michael Bay is still keeping his big ideas for the sequel under wraps, even from his cast.

Reynor confesses that landing the part is a “dream come true” having grown up watching the earlier films and the classic cartoon series. As for the appeal of the franchise he explains

“Who doesn’t like seeing giant robots go around blowing stuff up? And with fast cars and pretty good looking girls… yeah I’m excited to be a part of that!”

While all the familiar elements of the franchise seem to be in place Reynor remains unsure whether the new human cast will also mean changes in the robot cast. But he admits he would certainly like to see Optimus and Bumblebee back in action.

Michael Bay’s return to continue helming the lucrative franchise has divided fan opinions, but the young actor is quick to defend Bay from highbrow critics.

 “They’re all just brilliant guys’ films that are just so much fun to watch. The way Michael Bay can just envision things in his head is just amazing. They’re just the ultimate action films. I’ve wanted to be a part of that since I was 6 years old.”

Watch the full Video Interview Below:

Flight Review

The Plot:

When a passenger plane suffers catastrophic problems at 30,000 feet, its pilot somehow manages to make a miraculous lifesaving landing. However as the authorities and media investigate his heroic actions he struggles to conceal a troubling secret that could destroy everything.

The Good:

Flight is certainly not the first film to depict a plane crash, but it is one of the most convincingly traumatic depictions you’ll ever see.  Despite the fact you enter the cinema fully aware of the impending disaster it’s still memorably exhilarating, particularly on the big screen.

Though the film’s opening thirty minutes is spectacular, the real showpiece is Denzel Washington’s performance throughout the entire film. It’s an earnest reminder that he remains one of the most capable and powerful leading men in Hollywood. It is little surprise that it has earned him the recognition of yet another well-deserved Oscar nod for best actor.

Denzel Washington excels at playing characters which inhabit intriguing moral grey areas. What really makes him such an excellent leading man is his committed willingness to portray characters that are flawed, arrogant and damaged in ways that risk alienating audiences. This latest role as Captain Whip Whitaker is a prime example of such brave choices, offsetting his innate charisma against the dark demons of addiction and unappealing self-pity. Whether or not you’re familiar with the destructive pain of addiction in its various forms, this performance is poignantly accurate and sincere.

Although the film largely deals with sombre subject matter, Director Robert Zemeckis adds a little light in the darkness. John Goodman’s appearance as a jovial drug dealer is a particular welcome respite, literally diffusing the tension of the characters and audience alike.

The Bad:

After such an unashamedly spectacular opening sequence some audiences will find the slow moving anguish that follows a slightly frustrating loss of pace. Robert Zemeckis previously directed Castaway, starring Tom Hanks as a modern day Robinson Crusoe. There are actually considerable parallels between the two films, as both abandon extremely eventful beginnings in favour of prolonged sullen introspection. In truth it will satisfy those seeking thought provoking more than entertainment.

British actress Kelly Reilly delivers an adequate performance in her role as a recovering drug addict and love interest, but her presence does push the film towards melodramatic territory. Without credible romantic chemistry her only function is to give audiences a wider frame of reference for the tragedies of addiction.

The Ugly Truth:

Flight boasts an extraordinary sequence of realistic disaster footage and an Oscar nominated performance from Denzel Washington. The film delivers an unflinching portrait of addiction grounded around Washington’s believable, understated and powerful portrayal.

Red Carpet interviews below with Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly and Director Robert Zemeckis from the film’s London premiere:

London Critics’ Circle Awards Winners 2013

Last night the London Critics’ Circle Awards 2013 took place at the May Fair Hotel in snow covered central London. Stars including Helena Bonham Carer, Emily Blunt, Samantha Barks, Toby Jones and Olivia Coleman walked the red carpet to present and collect awards.

Check out the full list of this year’s Critics’ Circle Award Winners below with horror film Berberian Sound Studio, Life of Pi, The Master and Michael Hanake’s Amour leading the way in a very competitive year.

Film of the year: Amour

Foreign-language film of the year: Rust and Bone

Documentary of the year: The Imposter

British film of the year: Berberian Sound Studio

Actor of the year: Joaquin Phoenix, The Master

Actress of the year: Emmanuelle Riva, Amour

Supporting actor of the year: Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master

Supporting actress of the year: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

British actor of the year: Toby Jones, Berberian Sound Studio

British actress of the year: Andrea Riseborough, Shadow Dancer

Young British performer of the year: Tom Holland, The Impossible

Director of the year: Ang Lee, Life of Pi

Screenwriter of the year: Michael Haneke, Amour

Breakthrough British film-maker: Alice Lowe and Steve Oram, writers, Sightseers

Technical achievement of the year: Life of Pi,Bill Westenhofer (visual effects)

Dilys Powell award for excellence in film: Helena Bonham Carter

Check out our red carpet video interviews below with this years winners:

Empire Awards 2013 Voting Under Way

Film fans across the globe have the opportunity to make their voices heard at the Jameson Empire Awards 2013 . The awards ceremony takes place on Sunday March 24 in London and is expected to attract a host of star names from the film industry.

The Jameson Empire Awards are not voted for by the film industry or critics — they are one of the
biggest awards ceremonies to offer film fans the opportunity to have their voices heard. Hot on the heels
of the Oscars and BAFTAs, the Awards allow film fans and casual cinemagoers alike to vote for their
favourite films and performances of the past year. Voters can choose  in a variety of categories including: Best Male and Female Newcomer, Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy, The Art Of 3D, Best Comedy , Best British Film, Best Actress and the Jameson Best Actor.

2012 was a record breaking year at the UK box office maintaining cinema-going as the nation’s
leading and most passionate pastime. Bond’s return in Skyfall alone made an unprecedented  £100m, Marvel Avengers Assemble became the third biggest movie of all time and The Dark Knight
Rises also helped to drive over one billion people into the cinema.

Each year, the Jameson Empire Awards attract some of the biggest names in Hollywood, with last year’s guests including: Gary Oldman, Danny DeVito, Bérénice Marlohe, James McAvoy, Tom Hiddleston and Michael Fassbender. Previous years’ guests have included: Tim Burton, Russell Crowe, Daniel Radcliffe, Keira Knightley, Christian Bale, Matt Damon, Sigourney Weaver, Emma Watson, Tony Curtis, Quentin Tarantino, Kate Winslet and Dustin Hoffman.

Because the Awards are voted for by the public, they honour an eclectic mix of films, from big-budget blockbusters to independent cinema. Previous winners have included: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows —Part 2, Thor, Kill List, The Inbetweeners Movie, Avatar, Inception, Four Lions and In The Loop.

To see the full list of categories and cast your vote, visit:Empire Awards 2013 Voting . Open
voting continues throughout the ‘awards season’ until Wednesday February 27. The shortlist will be
announced on Friday March 1, with the final nominees shortlist open to a second round of public voting.

Picture Gallery below from last year’s Awards: