Superman: Man of Steel - Coming December 2012

Director - Zack Snyder
Lead Actors
Superman/Clark Kent - Henry Cavill
Lois Lane - Amy Adams
Martha Kent - Diane Lane
Jonathan Kent - Kevin Costner

So, since the release date for this movie is still so far in the future, I was unable to get a trailer, for obvious reasons, but couldn't even find an official movie poster for this go 'round of our favourite alien in blue spandex.
Since my boyfriend is big into both the Marvel and DC comic book universes, and Superman is arguably his favourite person in either, I'm always hearing about what's happening with the Superman movie franchise long before the movie hits the silver screen, and this time has been no exception.

Of course, the 6 million dollar question was again, who is going to play the Man of Steel? When I heard that Henry Cavill was chosen,  it was a definite 'yay' vote for me, I mean, have you seen the guy? He is HOT! But I did have to ask the question, 'Have you seen the guy?' Could the Superman franchise be suffering because of the choices that have been made to cast lesser known actors in the lead role? Its no secret that the previous incarnation of Superman starring Brandon Routh in 2006 didn't do nearly as well as expected. I mean we know that comic book lovers like my boyfriend will always line up to support their favourite super heroes, but what about movie goers such as myself, who aren't really into the comic book universe? When it comes to a Superman movie for someone like me, its needs to stand on its own as a great movie.

With names like Kevin Spacy and Kate Bosworth in the 2006 attempt to resurrect this franchise, could it be that the secondary cast members simply outshone Brandon Routh as the lead?

I knew exactly who Henry Cavill was when I heard he had landed the role of mild mannered reporter Clark Kent, but that's because I have a fascination with Tudor era England, and very much enjoyed watching him as Henry XIII's (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) right hand man, and loyal friend Charles Brandon in that series. I've also seen him in a couple of my other favourite movies, Stardust, Tristan & Isolde  and The Count of Monte Cristo. Notice what all of these rolls have in common? I consider them all 'period movies', which just so happens to be my favourite genre. Not however a list of movies that I would suspect that your average comic book aficionado has on their Netflix cue. In fact, I'm the only person I know that has seen all of those movies, along with the Tudors, and owns any of these titles and wants to own the rest.

I know when the Batman franchise was reinvigorated in 2005 with Batman Begins my draw to see that movie was Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne. He was already a well known name in Hollywood, and to me personally, having seen him first in Little Women years ago, but more recently in movies like The Machinist, Reign of Fire  and Equilibrium. Of course, after attending Batman Begins I was only to excited to see The Dark Knight cause lets face it, the story line was great and the action was awesome. Because of this Christopher Nolan, director of the wildly successful Batman movies was brought on to help with the revamp of the Superman series as a creative consultant. But I have to wonder, will it be enough?

Take a look at the other names in this movie. Amy Adams? Diane Lane? Kevin Costner? It was even rumored that Kevin Spacey would be reprising his role as Lex Luthor, although, I can't find any confirmation of that at the moment. Even looking at some of the lists that were circulating of contenders for the role of Lois Lane, many were dismissed out of hand simply because the were too well known to play opposite Henry. Natalie Portman, Jessica Biel, Ellen Page, and Olivia Wilde to name a few. Personally, I would have loved to see Erica Durance have the chance to explore her take no prisoners portrayal of Lois Lane from Smallville to the big screen.

So to sum it up, I guess the question this movie is going to answer for me it this:
Is a great story enough to propel a movie with a rumored 175 million dollar budget to the status of 2012 Blockbuster, or will it fall short without a better known leading man? Henry does have a couple of movies scheduled to come out this year, perhaps they will be successful enough to put him in the spotlight. Maybe by the release of Superman: Man of Steel in late 2012, Henry Cavill will be a household name.

Personally, I'm pulling for Henry. He's a great actor and oh so easy on the eyes. I hope he is the Superman in the movie that brings this franchise new life.

Water for Elephants - Coming April 22, 2011 (US)

Director - Francis Lawrence
Lead Actors
Marlena - Reese Whitherspoon
Jacob - Robert Pattinson
August - Christoph Waltz

When I first saw the trailer for Water for Elephants, I was nothing less than mesmerized, even watching it again in preparation for this blog post gave me a little shiver down my back. Looks like its going to be a tearjerker.

The plot, borrowed from imdb.com is this: A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.

As I sat watching the trailer, I remember thinking to myself, 'Wow!  Robert Pattinson is H.O.T!" You see, I never got into the whole Twilight Saga craziness, its just not my up of tea, so I always wondered to myself, what's the big deal with this Pattinson guy anyways. I mean, the most I'd ever been interested in anything to do with him was when Jimmy Fallon did his impressions of him on Late Night. But, his landing a role in this movie has required me to reconsider. After all, you don't cast just anyone to be the third corner of a love triangle between Academy Award ® Winner Reese Whitherspoon and Academy Award ® Winner Christoph Waltz, so he's obviously got more in him than just a brooding teen vampire.
However, after spending over an hour typing a dozen different searches into Google, I was unable to find any information about who else was considered for the role. Makes me even more curious how Rob landed this role. Certainly you would think that someone else must have been interested in it. I'll keep my eye out for more information, and post once I find it, if I ever find it.

Crazy Stupid Love - Coming July 29, 2011

Directors - Glenn  Ficarra & John Requa
Lead Actors
Cal Weaver - Steve Carell
Jacob Palmer - Ryan Gosling
Hannah - Emma Stone
Emily Weaver - Julianne Moore

This blog post comes courtesy of a tip I got from my friend Becky to look up this trailer.

In Crazy Stupid Love Steve Carell plays a fourty-something man named Cal Weaver, who finds out his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) has cheated on him and wants a divorce.
As his life is unraveling, he meets thirty-something playboy Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) who tries to open his eyes to what is available to him as a single man in the way of women, manly drinks, etc. Jacob seems to be living the life that most thirty-something guys dream of. Or do they?
Enter Hannah (Emma Stone) Its the classic story line that the girl that won't give the playboy the time of day is the girl who he HAS to have.

I've always liked Steve Carell's mastery over hilarious physical, slapstick comedy like in Get Smart, but he's also shown serious acting chops in more serious performances such as Dan in Real Life. I'm looking forward to seeing him in what I'm expecting to be a beautiful melding of his comedic and dramatic abilities in Crazy Stupid Love

Although Ryan Gosling is best known for his moving, often complicated, meaty roles such as in Half Nelson, Stay and of course The Notebook, some of us might remember Gosling's earlier career in the TV show Breaker High or his role in Remember the Titans. I mention these, because since Ryan has given some power house performances in poignant, dramatic roles, maybe some of us have forgotten that he knows how to be funny. In the case of Remember the Titans, he was without a doubt the comic relief in a movie centered around difficult subject matter  and based on a true story.

I can't wait to see him get back into some comedy. I can't help but think that the maturity he's gained in the roles we know him best for, will make him that much better at being a funny man again.

Hanna - Adapt or Die

Director - Joe Wright
Lead Actors
Hanna - Saoirse Ronan
Erik - Eric Bana
Marissa - Cate Blanchett

So, my boyfriend and I had seen a couple of trailers for this movie, and I was more than indifferent, but not wildly interested.
This morning I hear a dj on the radio talking about the movie, and specifically the score by The Chemical Brothers, which by the way was awesome.
If you're a chick and your man wants to see this movie, I'd say go ahead. Sure, it may not be the tearjerker you're really craving, but I think you'll enjoy it.
The story line it quite strong, making this not just another movie where some chick kicks some people's asses, and although you get an inkling of what might be going on, you're well into the movie before they explain exactly what's happening.
An enjoyable surprise I found in this movie is that although the movie is about a fight, there are some great funny parts as well. More than a few times there was a chuckle rolling through the audience in the theater.

With names like Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett, you know the acting will be first class. But the acting by Saoirse Ronan, possibly best known for Atonement and The Lovely Bones, as Hanna is without a doubt the driving force of the movie. In Hanna we have a young woman, strong and vulnerable, independent yet lost, keenly intelligent and endearingly naive.

All in all, a great actions movie with a solid plot, strongly acted. Can't ask for much more than that right?

My Taste In Movies

So, if you're reading my blog, its probably going to be important for you to know what kind of movies I'm into, that way, you'll know from what I say, if you're likely to agree with my taste in movies.

I'm definitely what you would call a hopeless romantic, and my taste in movies reflects that. My favourite movie of all time is Pride and Prejudice, not the Hollywood short version, (sorry Keira Knightly fans) but the true to the book BBC version. For me, when it comes to movies based on literature, especially classic literature, accuracy is a must!

I'll never turn down a good romantic comedy, i.e. Bride Wars or Just Wright and just a romance, The Time Traveler's Wife or Atonement is always on my list of good entertainment.

But, don't get me wrong, I also love a good epic fantasy. Lord of the Rings is among my very favourite movies of all time, and my boyfriend always thanks his lucky stars that he was able to find a woman who was into Star Wars before we started dating. Not that I go dressed up to the conventions or anything, but I've seen all the movies, a few, several, okay I've seen them a lot!

I like a good psychological thriller from time to time. I remember being at the edge of my seat the first time I saw Sphere. That movies still kinda creeps me out.

So there you have a little snap shot of what kind of movie watcher I am. If you'd like to know how I feel about any other movies, post me a message and I'll be sure to let you know!

As a last note, this blog will not be limited to new movies. I plan to post about any movies I happen to see, new and old.