Monthly Archives: February 2012

The Help Bags Three SAGs

The feature-film The Help took top honors at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards Sunday night. The civil rights drama took the awards for best cast, best actress and best supporting actress, making this movie a heavy contender to watch out for as the Oscars night approaches.

The Help, written by Kathryn Stockett, is the story of an aspiring author Skeeter Phelan, played by Emma Stone of Zombieland fame. Taking place in Jackson Mississippi during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Phelan decides to write a book detailing the point of view of two African-American maids. The maids, Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson; played by Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer respectively; tell Phelan about the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.

The book; and in turn the film; has ruffled many feathers due to the content reports Los Angeles CNN Entertainment. Before the movie had even been released there had been calls to boycott it. Some complaints are that the story encompasses the age-old Hollywood image of the “white savior” who helps a group of visible minorities who can’t help themselves. While the positive views see it as a touching and moving portrayal of friendship, integrity and triumph. Director and screenwriter Tate Taylor had this to say about the controversy “What I’ve discovered is that many people who (criticize The Help), usually about 80 percent, have not read the book, which I find a little frustrating,” Taylor, who adapted the novel has been a long time friend to the author and feels Stockett had a right to tell the story.

As a child, Stockett had a maid, Demetrie, who took care of her. Intrigued by the life of Demetrie, Stockett’s story was borne from a woman who had an impact on her life outside of the relationship of caregiver and child. As a nurturing figure in her life, Demetrie made Kathryn the woman she is today.

Taylor understands the criticism and complaints that have arose; due to past works of fiction; and encourages audiences to leave their judgment behind and keep an open mind when watching the film.

Despite the controversy over The Help its stars are in full support of the story and indicate that the main character Skeeter, is not the “great white hope” in the book or in the movie. The maids Aibileen and Minny are the ones in charge of their own lives and they are proactive in bringing change to the community. By allowing Skeeter into their lives they teach her; which in turn teaches Jackson Mississippi.

I’m sure the lesson was briefly learned in the 60’s, reserved for those that took the time to read the book and enjoyed reading. (Again, people have learned nothing. Nothing!) Meanwhile the story was lost on those drinking down at the bar.

Octavia Spencer Takes a Ride on the Snowpiercer

Octavia Spencer, the co-star of the award-winning film, The Help, has joined the cast of the upcoming sci-fi thriller Snowpiercer.

The Snow Piercer which is based on the French graphic novel “Le Transperceneig” is about the only survivors of the human species who are living on a massive train that goes around in an endless loop. This train which breaks the laws of thermodynamics by running forever even after an ice age hits; is massive and is divided in a hierarchical system. The rich go to the front, poor to the end. Contained within this chain are military carts and food supplies. Like any class system, there are always those that aim to misbehave and go about with a revolution.

Published in 1983, the post-apocalyptic future, black and white comic was made by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette. The book has since been translated to Korean where it may have finally made it’s way to director Bong Joon-ho; who co-wrote and directed the comedy-horror classic The Host. Bong Joon-ho bought the rights to the comic in 2005 and will be teaming up with Park Chan-wook (The director of Oldboy! *GLEE!*) and Dooho Choi to produce the movie. The most recent draft for the project was written by American screenwriter, Kelly Masterson, who is best know for writing the screenplay for the film “Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead.”

Spencer will also be joining a star studded cast which includs Chris Evans, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton and star of The Host, Korean actor Song Kang-ho, reports Heat Vision. Currently set to shoot Mandate’s untitled Diablo Cody project, Spencer will then move on to Snow Piercer at the end of April. There she will play a passenger on the super train who joins the revolution to save her son.

Since the comic is available in French, Korean and German, hopefully I can find an English scanlation somewhere out there I can read. My current speculation about the film is that the train is somehow responsible for the ice age as the power source that allows it to run forever is introducing entropy into Earth’s system and screwing around with the second law of thermodynamics; perpetual energy at the cost of the free ambient energy. Shutting it down may fix the long white night.

As a fan of The Host and an absolute fanatic of Oldboy, I have high expectations for the Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook team up, but it sounds an awful lot like the 2008 movie, City of Ember, which of course is also set in a post-apocalyptic world. Instead of being stuck on a train, the inhabitants of Ember are underground and running out of supplies and power.

As I’m currently obsessed with horror movies, I hope the snow thaws and out come the zombies.

The Rise of the Walking Dead Governor

Internet speculation went a little crazy again when talk about where the third season AMC’s The Walking Dead would take. If the show were to take the same progression as the graphic novels that they’re drawn from, it could be potential that we would see the introduction of the Governor; one of the story’s antagonists.

The Walking dead, is a horror themed television show that depicts a world succumb to a zombie apocalypse. What’s left of the world’s population is left to fend for themselves, making choices that will make them question their own moral compass and humanity. With their time left on Earth dwindling and the vacuum that a ravaged society has left, the surviving humans are nothing more than the walking dead.

The current debate is who should be cast and who will be cast for the role on the television series. All this started in a Movieweb interview with Tom Savini of gore movie fame and special effects.

“Listen, I have been campaigning to be the governor on that damn thing with Greg Nicotero for over a year. Everytime I see the graphic novel, and I see a picture of the governor, who looks just like me, I send Greg a picture. I just won’t give up. Last time I talked to him about it, when I was in Los Angeles, he said they were going after a name for that part. I said, “Who?” He said John Hawkes. Well, I never heard of John Hawkes. But then he reminds me that we were in From Dusk Till Dawn together. He is the guy at the beginning in the store that fires on them. Apparently he was up for an Academy Award. He was up for something called Winter’s Bone. That’s whom they are going after for The Governor. But everyone I talk to, the people that read the graphic novels…They’ve all said that I would be the perfect governor. Because he is tough and brutal. And…I look just like the graphic depiction of him!”

So Savini who has a rich history in horror films and special effects kind of started this public debate. As the perceived authority on all things caked in fake blood, I would have believed him if he said a sparkling vampire was to play the Governor; then I would have bit my tongue, spit real blood, then go confirm online or go vitriolic on a forum anonymously.

It has been since announced otherwise by Karen Samfilippo, Hawkes’ publicist that, “John is NOT appearing on The Walking Dead.”

With Savini as a fan favorite to appear as the Governor and Hawkes out of the running, the options for the shows producers seems somewhat slim pickings. Could this be the Hollywood version of The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor novel?

It’s a trick. Get an axe!

Check out the promo for the return of The Walking Dead below

Mia Wasikowska to See Double

 

Mia Wasikowska of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland fame will star opposite Jesse Eisenberg the award-winning star of The Social Network in The Double, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

This film is being directed by Richard Ayoade; from TV comedy shows The IT Crowd and The Mighty Boosh. Ayoade who wrote the script with Avi Korine, draws this story from Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel of the same name. While the Russian novelist is not known for his humor, and more for being one of the greatest and most influential Russian writers of the 19th century; having written the popular classic Crime and Punishment; the film adaptation is being billed as a comedy.
Continue reading →

Taylor Swift Won’t Get One Day More On Les Miserables

Fans of Taylor Swift will be saddened to hear that she won’t be getting the role of Eponine in the upcoming movie adaptation of Les Miserables.  The role which was sought after by such stars such as Scarlet Johansson, Evan Rachel Wood and Lea Michele will instead go to unknown actress Samantha Barks.

Though it was never officially announced, there was much speculation that Taylor Swift had been originally offered the role to

play the memorable street urchin.  The country star has not yet made any remarks about the casting.

The news was announced by the movie’s producer, Cameron Mackintosh on the Les Miserables Twitter account.

“Big news: @SamanthaBarks will be Eponine in the Mis film! Mr Mackintosh knows how to pull off a coup de theatre, eh?”

Officially chosen by Director Tom Hooper, 21 year old Samantha Barks is a British stage actress who has had experiencing playing the role.  Having played in the 2010 London stage production and in the 25th Anniversary concert at London’s 02 Arena alongside Nick Jonas,

Barks is reported to be delighted to have landed the role.

“I can’t believe I’m going to play Eponine, a role so close to my heart, a role I played in the West End.  It’s the happiest moment of my life.” reveals Barks.

Barks also tweeted,

“Words cannot express how much I appreciate all the amazing support I have received from everyone!  I haven’t stopped smiling!”

The movie Les Miserables will be an adaptation on the successful stage musical, which in turn is based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel of the same name.  Set in France in the 19th century against the backdrop of a student revolution, the novel is about a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean who seeks redemption.  Eponine is a beautiful daughter of a corrupt innkeeper couple, who is originally pampered and spoiled by her parents until several years later she ends up a street urchin.  In this new life she participates in her father’s crimes and schemes to obtain money.  The road to redemption for Eponine is to bring her sister Cosette and Marius together, despite being in love with Marius herself.  To ensure that tears are shed over the story; and show how nihilistic writers were back then even before Joss Whedon; Eponine stops a bullet meant for Marius with her body.  Mortally wounded, Eponine’s final request is that she receives a kiss from Marius once she’s dead.  Marius fulfills this request not out of romantic feelings, but out of pity for Eponine and the hard knock life she’s led.

Barks will join the star studded cast members already confirmed for the feature such as Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Eddie Redmayne, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen; itsa nice!

Shooting of the film is scheduled to begin in March and the film is to be in theaters by December 26, 2012.

As clean and polished a movie-musical can be, I don’t believe anything will surpass the real life theatre experience, but after listening to some clips of Barks, I think the movie adaptation will bring it close to home.  Check out some of Samantha Banks as Eponine at the 25th Anniversary concert at O2 Arena in London below.

Exclusive New Trailer For The Hunger Games Disappoints

Yahoo news recently revealed a new exclusive trailer for the upcoming film, The Hunger Games. It sports a few new scenes from the film that weren’t featured in the other trailers, but it also includes several disappointing scenes as well. There two different scenes that are not similar to the novel. If you have read the books then you probably saw them instantly just like myself.
In the trailer, Katniss gives the mocking jay pin to her sister Prim before the reaping as a sign of good luck. Yes thats a sweet moment.
But in the novel, Katniss’s friend Madge gives her the pin before she leaves for the Capitol after the reaping is already over. I don’t like this change because it was a really nice moment in the book when Katniss realizes that maybe she had a friend in Madge all along, even if this self-realization is a bit to late at that point.
Also featured in the trailer, is again the mockingjay pin. In the trailer, you can Cinna secretly putting into Katniss’s clothes. However, in the novel, the Capitol at the last minute allows her to keep the pin on the front of her jumpsuit and everyone can see it while she in the arena.
These are small things, granted. But really, how hard is it to get those two scenes the way they are in the novel? Each scene is only a few sentences long in the book, and I think they are more powerful then the ones portrayed in this new trailer.

Lenny Kravitz Talks The Hunger Games

 

One of the stars of the upcoming adaptation, The Hunger Games recently spoke out about his character. Singer/Actor Lenny Kravitz was recently interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine about his role as Cinna in the highly anticipated film. He spoke about why he loved his character and the story. Continue reading →

Colin Firth Tied to The Devil’s Knot

 

Colin Firth has joined the cast of the theatrical adaptation of The Devil’s Knot, Deadline reports. Firth will star opposite to Reese Witherspoon in this narrative take on the West Memphis Three; A real life crime story about the savage murders of three eight year old children in 1993, the investigation that proceeded it and the subsequent trials. Continue reading →