Gatchaman 2013

There have been a few live action Gatchaman projects over the years-- I recall one commercial for a cell phone company that was pretty slick for its time, with extra SMAP.

Below is the trailer for the latest and greatest, it's not quite The Avengers, but it sure tries. Maybe it's trying too hard? But hey, dig those costumes.


(My favorite moment? 1:10... Bump of Chicken)

Tai Chi 0

Whoa, did you have me at Tai Chi or did you have me at steampunk? The film's creators have an impressive pedigree in and of themselves, and as part of a planned trilogy we can only hope its ambitions won't outpace the potential of a cool hook on a seasoned genre.

New Lupin III!

Lupin the 3rd has traditionally been one of the hallmarks of anime, consistently great in all of its forms be it series or theatrical (and manga!). There is a lot of joy to be had in this teaser for the new series, The Woman Named Fujiko Mine, the least of which is the prospect of the series itself. For a teaser, this thing is absolutely gorgeous.

The design and execution is fantastic all around, an artful cross between content and after-effects majesty. The absence of fully animated footage is noticed, but not missed. It makes most teasers and trailers for any animated property in the US (and arguably elsewhere) stoically bland, the exact opposite of what such a piece should represent. Kudos, Lupin, for stepping out a bit in a genre that often fearfully treads on eating its own tail.

The Hunger Games

When I first saw The Hunger Games trailer, I thought to myself, "I should probably read those books." So I did.

On second viewing, the trailer comes off as incredibly faithful. The source material is pretty good to start with, and the premise is simple but compelling. As with many adaptations, it's in the execution. The Hunger Games aims to execute well.

While I feel the first book will make for a good movie, the trilogy as a whole would likely make a better episodic series. The books are laced with cliffhanger chapters that rival some of TV's best, ala Lost, Alias, and True Blood. The second and third books especially will be hard-pressed to be condensed into the inevitable feature-film follow-ups. The second book, Catching Fire, is more of an extended conclusion to the first, and takes its sweet time setting up the next equally exciting "event," albeit one wholly worth the wait.

The third book, Mockingjay, poses the bigger issues for an adaptation. It's the contender to continue the recent trend of splitting the last part of a series into two separate movies. In this case it's entirely warranted, as Mockingjay is a huge story that plays out the series' somewhat-epic conclusion. I say 'somewhat' because while the events leading to it are indeed epic, the actual conclusion is not something one gives credit to the typical movie-going audience for accepting. Spoiler alert: It's depressing as fuck.

What strikes me even more is that the source material would make a great videogame. The concept alone lends itself to many gamer-centric features, and gruesome though some may be I can definitely see players clamoring for the chance to prove themselves. In an mash-up of Survivor and The Most Dangerous Game, players can move though generations of Games and their accompanying arenas, each fraught with deadly traps and the ability to form strenuous alliances. The social MMO aspect seems untapped-- actual, virtual Hunger Games could be held on a national and international level. Games can be sponsored, players could be "drawn," prizes could be awarded. And all you have to do is be the last man or woman standing by outlasting, out-witting, or straight-up killing every other opponent. Just sayin'.

The Hunger Games also seems to have spawned a multitude of fan films, many found easily by hopping around YouTube. If you've read the books, this one is particularly good. 

The Hobbit, near but far

Never have I seen-- and enjoyed-- so much footage from a movie so far off. Peter Jackson and crew have certainly been busy, each scene impeccably composed, shot, and colored. The results look as beautiful as ever, it would be hard to expect less from the teams involved in front of the camera and behind.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the trailer, each and eyeful in every way. Holding in the anticipation to see this played out at the unknown effect (to me) of 48fps will be tough!

Catch the whole trailer over at iTunes: The Hobbit Trailer

The Warrior's Way Redux

Well, looky here. A casual check of what's new at Apple Trailers reveals that Rogue Pictures picked up The Warrior's Way and released a new trailer. Actually, this is the first true trailer for the film as the footage from the previous post about this film was actually a promo reel used at film markets. What's important to note here is the apparent change of tone of the film, at least from the marketing standpoint. Let's leave aside the awful rock soundtrack of the trailer and concentrate on the fact that the relationships Jang Dong Gun's character has with the townspeople appears to have changed. The previous promo reel had this viewer believing that Geoffrey Rush's character was the main foil in that plotline, but the trailer sells a more "partner-in-crime" type relationship and it is he who might be narrating the the story throughout. Gone, also, is the slightly romantic connection between Kate Bosworth's character and there seems to be little remaining of the "freak show" of interesting characters that make up the wayward town.

As trailers go, this is trying to sell a rather straightforward action picture, removing much of the Eastern philosophy that was prevalent in the promo reel and turning the main character in to a "hero" where the original promo reel sold a slightly more ambiguous, repentant "anti-hero." It will be fascinating to see if there will be a different edit for the film internationally as well as how the marketing is handled. For now, however, it is good to finally get a clear glimpse of the visuals which remain gorgeous and engaging. With the troubled history of this production, however, what truly needs to be seen is whether or not the story actually works.

The official site can be found here.

True Grit

The Coens are doing it again. Such an excellent teaser to what is sure to be a film that could bring back the Western. I'm certainly all for that. The fact that this is a new adaptation of the Charles Portis novel certainly has not prevented the Coens from reminding us of the iconic imagery from the John Wayne film (above photograph). View the effective teaser at Apple here.

Hereafter

Clint Eastwood brings humanity and depth to the theme of psychics and the paranormal so often misused as a horror genre when it could be much more. Using eerily familiar disasters as lynch pins, this film seems to be delving into the human need to understand tragedy, to touch "the paranormal" as a way of making sense of and deal with our mortality. Outstanding cast and the usual, understated but powerful direction of Eastwood. View the trailer at Apple here.

Rango

Leave it to Gore Verbinski to create a CG animated film that, at least to these eyes, finally rivals what the folks at Pixar are doing. As you watch this trailer, the fact that it is CG immediately fades behind the efficacy of its irreverant mood, skillfully dressed in sub-genre trappings that puts the sharp comedic wit front-and-center. This is not selling the CG. And is barely selling Depp's involvement which is even difficult to gauge with the one clear line delivered. It's selling story... Officially looking forward to this one.

Dark World

Another fine example at some of the impressive genre filmmaking coming out of Russia. There is a unique skill at mixing fantasy elements with contemporary settings on display here that it would not be so much exaggeration to say that at this moment, Russia are the masters of this type of genre film...perhaps carving out a new sub-genre as they progress.

Dark World is centered around a group of college students on an anthropological expedition in Karelia who awaken dark, ancient magic; a few become agents for these mystical powers while others set out to fight against their now possessed colleagues.



Once again, the level of visual style on display is certainly one to rival the biggest of Hollywood's tentpole films. However, there is also that intrinsic "Russian" quality to the art direction that sets this and others previously mentioned apart from their tinsel town rivals. For some reason, the setting, the language, the faces all seem to fit this type of fantasy so perfectly that no matter how "improbable" the situation, it just works. Looking forward to seeing more of Dark World as the release draws closer.

Palme d'Or Winner

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY, TROPICAL MALADY and BLISSFULLY YOURS) is the first Thai film to take home the top prize at Cannes. It is a poignant film whose themes are elevated by it's fantastical concept reinforced by the effectively still, moody direction.

Suffering from acute kidney failure, Uncle Boonmee has chosen to spend his final days surrounded by his loved ones in the countryside. Surprisingly, the ghost of his deceased wife appears to care for him, and his long lost son returns home in a non-human form. Contemplating the reasons for his illness--he feels his illness must be related with his bad karma. He has killed too many communists--Boonmee treks through the jungle with his family to a mysterious hilltop cave, the birthplace of his first life...

Weerasethakul's acceptance speech was no less poignant, "I'd like to send a message home: This prize is for you." Perhaps this milestone victory in Thai cinematic history will bring a bit of unifying pride to a currently fractured populace. A class act and well deserved win for Weerasethakul.

Machete

Happy Cinco de Mayo from Robert Rodriguez, Danny Trejo, and all the fine purveyors and supporters of B-movies! The cast list is quite eye opening if not jaw-dropping, but it is good to see such caliber talent coming along for the fun. Without further ado!

Reign Of Assassins Footage

The sales trailer for the John Woo (Co-)directed feature starring Michelle Yeoh as well as a promo poster. The official title has also been set as Reign of Assassins.



courtesy of MichelleYeoh.info

Tron (1982) Trailer Reboot

Apologies for making March an unintended "Tron" month, but the final entry for the month just had to go to this expertly recut trailer for the original Tron using today's marketing sensibilities ala my previous post. When you watch this and compare it to the trailer for the Tron Legacy, you start getting a very real sense of what the sequel is lacking...at least in terms about what it is about, or what they want us to know about it.

Tron Legacy

There is a new trailer for the film which calls itself Tron Legacy. I say "the film which calls itself Tron Legacy" because if the word "Tron" were not part of the title, one may certainly not think it had anything to do with the classic film from the 80s set in the world within circuitry and microchips. Though the trailer is rather vague about the story, intentionally so as this is just a teaser trailer, the obvious point of the footage shown is to sell the world of Tron. In this regard, all visuals seem to say that the creators have missed the mark. The attempt to deliver a more realistic interpretation of the Tron-verse only betrays the nature of the film itself. Can the audience be transported to a unique world when so much of it is so similar to the one they occupy? The production design is certainly exquisite...for an extrapolated vision of the future, but does not necessarily lend itself to what Tron is (or should) be. Sadly, the trailer gives a glimpse of characters in obviously rubber suits with lighted trimmings; of light cycles kicking up rain rooster tails in the night; of Recognizers that appear to be futuristic construction equipment; of a "Tron car" creating billows of smoke as it performs burn outs; of characters riding up fiberglass-like elevators to the game platform; of a Tron apartment decorated with very familiar looking furniture; of a girl lounging on a sofa with a trendy off-the-shoulder outfit. This is not Tron. They may want you to think it is, but it is not. The film may have Bruce Boxleitner and Jeff Bridges, playing both an old & young (the film's best special effect) Flynn, but it is not Tron.

Tron is a world of light, data, apps, programs, electricity, bytes, bit streams, etc. The audience need not, and should not, connect to the real world. Our physics do not apply there. Our mechanics don't work there. Our textiles and materials do not belong there. Unfortunately, the filmmakers have decided to bring Tron closer to the film-goer's imagination, instead of taking them to a place beyond it, which is what a film like this should be doing. Right?

Bay Rong (Clash)

Bay Rong is the second film by Vietnamese-American director Johnny Nguyen in which he takes the concept similar to Mr. and Mrs. Smith and exploits it as it should have been in the Hollywood version. This is a high energy martial arts crime thriller pitting two ex-cons and would-be lovers against the gangs that had put them in prison. Nguyen's previous film, The Rebel, has also been highly praised and very well received in Vietnam and Bay Rong has built up on that momentum exponentially. Reports suggest that at least domestically, Bay Rong, has been the hands down box-office hit of 2009. Below is a new 2010 trailer, which seems to hint that Nguyen and his film are ready to tackle the international markets after dominating it at home.



Impeccably well shot, the intense and kinetic fight scenes seem to balance nicely with the character work as well as the overall plot line. That final line also suggests a good bit of humor can be found as resting points between the fist-a-cuffs and fireworks. Let's hope this gets picked up internationally soon.

The Karate Kid (remake)

I'll be upfront, despite misgivings, the above trailer sells a solid-looking film. Certainly another film in the long line of remakes that are being manufactured by the Hollywood machine, but one that at least does not repeat the original version's cues verbatim. The transfer of the setting makes sense with regard to making this about Chinese martial arts rather than Japanese, thus necessitating the casting of a familiar face in the mentor's role. I think without Jackie's involvement, this film might turn out less impressive, at least at the sales stage.

That being said, I won't participate in the net controversy over the title. Some points are valid, others not so. They can call it whatever they like, justify the reasons for it, but if the film does not deliver, then what does it matter. However, what I have been struck by is the surprising level of negative comments the original film is taking. Charges of "corniness," "lameness," "eye-rolling," etc. to describe memories of watching the film and justifying anticipation for this remake had me scratching my head after watching the trailer. The charges leveled on the original seem superfluous considering this remake is hitting all the thematic beats of the original. The bullied lead seeks a way to strike back at his tormentors, seeks the advice of a humble man who turns out to be more than he seems, learns from him that martial arts is not about fighting, but is begrudgingly allowed to display what he's learned to his tormentors in a proper venue that will satisfy both characters' curves. Many familiar scenes seemed to have been creatively transposed to China & Chinese philosophy, and all that remains to be seen is how far they will let Jaden Smith's character "fail" or "lose" before the ultimate "feel good" ending.

So, I don't really understand how folks could be excited about this while disparaging the original. At least to my eyes, this remake seems to be successfully adapting the original's themes to a new era and a new location. If you thought it was "corny" then, then you will probably be rolling your eyes to this one as well....

A trailer reboot?

Here is an interesting experiment by a rather industrious individuals in response to the increasing amount of remakes/reboots Hollywood is producing: recut the trailer of the original Clash of the Titans and The Wolf Man using today's marketing aesthetics. As you can see below, it's quite effective and it posits the interesting question: if younger audiences were marketed older films with contemporary sensibilities, would it build an interest in viewing older films? I would certainly be for such an endeavor as an appreciation for older material only builds a more sophisticated and savvy audience.





Then again, that's not what the whole remake/reboot trend is all about, right? If people watched older films and demanded newer ones, studios would actually have to develop original ideas. I think it would be safe to say that that well is certainly almost dry—in terms of the majors anyway.

The Warrior's Way

Here's one of those interesting projects that seems to be flying under the radar, despite what appears to be solid potential behind the scenes. Once called Laundry Warrior, the film now known as The Warrior's Way is an ambitious melding of East and West, literally. The film revolves around "a swordsman from the Far East who flees from his past to the American badlands where he meets the town drunkard, and a circus knife thrower both of whom harbor powerful secrets" that may throw the town into chaos...
It's a simple enough premise, one that lends itself to high concept genre imaginings. However, a premise alone is just the first step. Information has been scarce, but the staff list goes something like this: it is written and directed by NYC Film school teacher Sngmoo Lee, who has partnered with Barrie Osborne of Lord of the Rings to produce the film. "Fight choreography is by SHIMOMURA Yuji, a protoge of Donnie Yen, whose credits include VERSUS and ARAGAMI, while stunts will be overseen by Hollywood veteran Augie Davis (The Water Horse)"*. In front of the camera are the likes of Geoffrey Rush as the Drunkard, Kate Bosworth as the Circus Knife Performer, Tony Cox, and JANG Dong-gun (Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War, The Coast Guard) as the Warrior. With Osborne's involvement, Weta Digital is sure to provide some effects for some of the ambitious set pieces.
And that's where the information stops. A single promotional image (above) floated around the net for a while, but the August 2009 release date set by the film's press release has come and gone sans film. However, back in June of 2009, a promo reel did emerge, most likely out of Cannes, for the film and gives the only glimpse into the film's stylish visuals, setting, and atmosphere.



As one can see, there is some incredible potential in this reel; certainly not something to judge the final film by, but a enticing glimpse into how the estimated $50 million budget is being (or has been) spent. So, what could be the cause of the delay? With a cast and staff that should by all accounts "sell itself" why has the picture not been picked up for distribution? Have there been cost overruns? Production problems? Or is the film just not working as hoped? The lack of information through official channels certainly undermines confidence in the film. Yet, just seeing the footage presented so far is more than enough to strongly hope that this Wuxia-Western will ultimately see the light of day.

(*source: Kung Fu Cinema)

Merantau

Martial arts films have in the last couple of decades been largely dominated by Chinese style martial arts, namely some form of Kung Fu, either in theme, content, or just action choreography. As I have written before, Kung Fu photographs well, especially the very dramatic kicks and aerials that can be performed. It captures the audiences imagination, and delivers easy to comprehend impacts. This is due primarily to the popularity of Hong Kong films, with Bruce Lee at that popularity's vanguard. The problem is that there are as many types of martial arts as cultures. Does anyone remember what the karate film looks like? Can modern audiences even tell the difference any more? Muy Thai style boxing and mixed martial arts have started to become popular and films featuring these fighting styles, Ong Bak for example, are opening up the door for films utilizing something other than Kung Fu for their action.

Enter Merantau, a film produced and shot in Indonesia. In it, the main character, Yuda, is a practitioner of Silat Harimau, the regional martial art. Playing Yuda is Iko Uwais, a true Silat disciple and instructor. He was noticed by director Gareth Evans when making a documentary about Silat. Both agreed to produce a film that would elevate Silat to the world stage. The premise of the story is effectively basic. Yuda leaves his quiet village in the countryside as part of his "Merantau," a century's old rite-of-passage carried out by young men that aims to mature boys into men by setting them out to face challenges away from home. Yuda goes to the capital city of Jakarta where his idyllic sense of righteousness collides head on with the underbelly of the bustling metropolis. During the production, Evans, Uwais, and the stunt crew intentionally conceived of screen friendly fighting techniques and a shooting style that would enhance the onscreen dynamics of Silat apart from its real world application. If the trailer below is anything to go by, they have certainly succeeded:



Merantau has been making the festival rounds to very good reviews; it has been picked up in several territories. Be sure to keep your eyes on your local listings for the debut of a new martial art style to the cinematic vocabulary. You can find a link to the official site at the footer of this website.