Premium Rush Behind The Scenes Footage
Check out an exclusive behind the scenes look at new action thriller Premium Rush. See how they out together the films daredevil paced bike action and how a stunt gone badly wrong nearly did serious damage to star Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
The new film from director David Koepp is pedal powering it’s way into UK Cinemas on 21st September. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, best know as Batman’s new sidekick and Inception’s gravity defying Arthur, plays a Manhattan a bike messenger charged with delivering a mysterious envelope. Unfortunately it attracts the interest of a dirty cop (Michael Shannon), who pursues the cyclist throughout the dangerous streets of New York Traffic.
Star Trek Sequel Gets Official Title
J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek sequel now has an official title and it’ Star Trek Into Darkness. Rumour has it it’s a fitting title as the second adventure of the rejuvenated crew of the Starship Enterprise is said to be darker in tone than the successful first film in the rebooted franchise.
Captain Kirk himself Chris Pine has been speaking about his next starfleet adventure
“There’s comedy, which I think J.J. does a great job of, but, like the first one, there’s some serious issues being dealt with, and I’d say the threat is even greater in this one.”
Although Director J.J. Abrams is promising to feed anyone who talks about the plot to the Cloverfield monster, Pine did bravely share his unbridled enthusiasm and excitement for the new film.
“The force [the Enterprise crew] are met with is much more frightening. It’s relentlessly action-packed and in terms of character development it goes places you’d never expect. The arc is huge for all the characters. It’s a really big story – I can’t hype it enough!”
Star Trek Into Darknes will boldly go into UK cinemas on 17 May 2013.
The Sweeney Review
The Plot:
The hardened members of the elite police flying squad unit ‘The Sweeney’ do violent battle with crafty criminals on the streets of London; while trying to avoid getting shut down by internal affairs because of their aggressive no holds barred tactics. The film drags the iconic 1970’s TV series into the 21st Century and back onto the big screen with a very loud bang.
The Good:
Ray Winstone channels all his usual swaggering East End gangster charms into veteran copper Jack Regan. He carries the lead role with a typical paunch and presence. He might be a gruff voiced stereotype, but at least he’s never dull to watch. There is a certain silly pleasure to watching him slam a crook to the ground while informing them “You’re nicked you slag!”. If you give the film the benefit of the doubt and assume it’s fully aware of the cliché, then it’s simply having fun with that tough guy ‘Geeza’ image.
Winstone’s character is a borderline unlikeable beast, but at least Hayley Atwell is around to provide a little beauty. In addition to a pretty face, she lends the film a competent performance and a little subplot. The beautiful Captain America star is an awkward and unlikely romantic interest for a 55 year old Ray Winstone, but at least the film pokes a little fun at this. Although, Director Nick Love probably didn’t intend their steamy love scenes to give the film its biggest laughs.
Ben Drew aka Plan B is rapidly establishing himself as a new breed of Renaissance man. Emerging from a successful career in urban music he has transposed that success quickly into acting and directing with debut effort ill Manors. The Sweeney now goes surprisingly far to establishing him as a potential British action star.
Ben Drew plays George Carter the flying squad’s young protégé, a former teenage delinquent turned heavy handed police enforcer. There’s a believable intensity and angry physicality to his performance. Though he might lack the range for period drama, on this evidence he could easily carve out a niche for himself as an action hard man.
Beyond individual performances, The Sweeney has enough exaggerated action to keep a simple plot moving. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but mercifully avoids the kind of awful camp parody that marred the unwatchable big screen re-imagining of Starsky & Hutch.
The Bad:
While the original Sweeney TV Series was a revolution in style and quality for British television, the new film feels too derivative of generic Hollywood action blockbusters.
The Sweeney does boast a glossy production value far beyond the average Brit crime caper. However, there’s still something fundamentally implausible about watching police and thieves doing deadly machine gun battle on the streets of London, or giving frantic car chase down a quiet country lane. The film’s violent mayhem would just feel so much more at home on Hollywood’s gun-crime ridden streets of America.
Perhaps the only thing less believable than Ray Winstone’s passionate affair with Hayley Atwell is watching him sprinting after bad guys or literally punching his way through walls. He commands the screen, but he’s an ill-fitting action hero.
The Sweeney has energetic intentions but fails to deliver more than predictable superficial punches. It’s loud, noisy and uncomplicated. If you’re expecting a clever twist, a change of pace or a flash of emotional subtlety then unfortunately you’ll still be left disappointed as the end credits roll. In truth you need a strong appetite for testosterone fuelled punches and cockney swagger to truly appreciate The Sweeney for the guilty pleasure it is. It’s an acquired taste.
The Ugly Truth:
If you’re a fan of no-nonsense coppers like Gene Hunt from Life On Mars, or Director Nick Love’s past thug themed efforts, then you might enjoy all the loud bangs and macho posturing The Sweeney has to offer. If you’re looking for LA Confidential style clever crime drama then you’ll certainly be considerably less impressed by it’s over the top action antics.
Official Trailer below:
Red Carpet Interviews with Ray Winstone, Ben Drew and Hayley Atwell:
Daniel Craig Confirmed For Two New Bond Films
MGM has officially reached an agreement to have Daniel Craig continue to play British superspy James Bond for at least another two films. The next Bond film Skyfall is out later this year, directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes; co-starring Javier Bardem and the usual cluster of gorgeous Bond girl beauties.
There had been widespread speculation that this third outing could be Craig’s last Bond effort, rounding off the trilogy of film’s that began with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Concerns worsened after the studio’s financial woes significantly delayed production on Skyfall, leading fans to speculate whether Craig would have the enthusiasm or youthful vigour for any further adventures.
Craig has successfully reinvented the iconic character as a ruthless suave killer, saving the long running series after regrettable years of decline under previous Bond Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan’s embarrassing final effort Die Another Day featured a cringe worthy Madonna cameo, invisible cars and a North Korean Bad Guy with a Diamond bedazzled face.
Stripping the character back to basics and ending a reliance on gadgetry and clichés, the most recent Bond efforts won critical praise and fan approval. Skyfall will now restore some of the franchise’s familiar elements, most notably by re-introducing gadget master Q, played by rising young British star Ben Wishaw.
Here’s the official trailer below for Skyfall, fans can now enjoy it safe in the knowledge that James Bond WILL return and the Queen has a parachute buddy for the foreseeable future.
Vin Diesel Will Battle Witches
Lionsgate and Summit are in talks with Fast & The Furious star Vin Diesel to take the lead role in new fantasy adventure The Last Witch Hunter. The project already has a script courtesy of Priest screenwriter Cory Goodman and a slightly bemusing synopsis. Apparently the film will focus on our hero’s efforts to “discourage a group of witches and warlocks from reproducing”.
The Crazies director Breck Eisner is also attached to direct, but it remains to be seen whether the film will turn out to be a CGI action adventure or merely Vin Diesel giving a two hour lecture on family planning, as seems to be implied by Goodman’s initial comments.
If you’re overly keen to see some enthusiastic CGI witch bashing then at least you can satisfy yourself with the long delayed release of Hansel & Gretal Witch Hunters starring Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Remmer. Official Trailer below: