Rating: TBC UK Release Date: March, 2013
Director: Sam Raimi
Producer: Joe Roth Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff
Disney’s
fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam
Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the
Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus
magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the
vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are
his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila
Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are
not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting.
Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its
inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it
is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion,
ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only
into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.
When
small-time magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) pulls one flimflam too
many, he finds himself hurled into the fantastical Land of Oz where he
must somehow transform himself into the great and powerful Wizard—and
just maybe into a better man as well.
Running Time: 106 mins Directed By: Rupert Wyatt Starring: James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, John Lithgow Screenplay: Amanda Silver, Rick Jaffa UK Release Date: UK - 11th August
Quick Plot: A drug that allows brain repair it's self is a scientific breakthrough for Scientist Will Rodman, but before the drug can be available for human use it must be tested on an orphaned chimpanzee, Caesar. What starts off as a rapid boost in Caesar's brain functionality, and proof that the drug works, the chimp soon begins to realise his place is on earth with humans. After being humiliated and wronged, he meets other chimps and they form a rising.
Review: Taking on a franchise of already successful films is one thing but to create a prequel for it is another. It's either a huge success of a huge flop but from this years X-Men: First Class we have proof a prequel can be done, all it needs is a charismatic cast and a solid and believable story and thankfully for us, Rise of the Planet of the Apes has that.
The cast are pretty impressive, James Franco, Tom Felton, Brian Cox, John Lithgow- they're all great but it's Andy Serkis who is the obvious stand out. The reason Rise of the Planet of the Apes has been so successful (in the US so far anyway) is because of it's time. If it was made 5 years ago, it wouldn't have been able to use the correct technology to make the apes look real enough. That's the beauty of the film, the apes look so lifelike and pure and it's simply down to the technology that enables emotion to be portrayed onto an animal. Of course who better to play a non-human than Andy Serkis! All of his parts are the best of the film because the emotions and feelings you see in the ape are pure and not created using a computer but from a human. He knows how to play an ape well and that is why Caesar can fully take the role of main character. It's the apes of the film who OWN it and definitely deserve all the credit they can get. But let's not forget about the human cast, Franco great as usual (is there anything he can't do?!) as isFreida Pinto.But other impressive acts were definitely Felton's more sinister Dodge, who 'takes care' of the apes in their secure home and Lithgow as Will Rodman's sick Father. Felton playing an evil role again but I found this role more immoral than usual but brilliantly well done even if the accent was a little funny to hear at first. I don't want to go off topic and unprofessional, but I have a small connection with the Alzheimer's storyline (as I know a lot of other people will have too) and I found it very emotional but portrayed in the right way. For Lithgow to play the role of a man with the disease is a great bit of acting and he definitely deserves recognition for his small but important role. It's mainly the real life special effects that had me enchanted by the films real beauty and their connection and study with apes. Of course it's going to be more believable than the 1968 Planet of the Apes because of the technology around- that's a given. But as well with the prequel side of it, the apes are still apes- compared to their later on evolution. Similarly with X-men this year, I found myself not wanting the real ending to occur because as much as you know how it's going to end you don't want it to because you know later on how much destruction and pain will be felt in the future. Yet Rise of the Planet of the Apes does exactly what you hope it would by being beautifully brutal yet undeniably taken in to a great side of the Sci-fi world.
It's a little funny too, I'm not sure whether that was because the cinema was packed or what, but the film has it's funny moments. One of the 'big' moments, of which its aim is not laughs, it very funny indeed because you don't expect it. And for that matter I enjoyed watching it. Like I said with Super 8last week, this Summer is filled with obsessive Summer Blockbusters and Rise of the Planet of the Apes could count as one with action and explosions but it's a lot more accomplished. It's a lot better than most of this Summer's films and almost definitely one of the surprise masterpieces of this year.
From a quick post credits scene we see how the human race will be affected by the main plot of this film seeming to a sequel which Rupert Wyatt has not yet confirmed nor booted away. With the beauty of this I am all for a sequel, especially with the technology now available, but as long as it's delicacy is treated kindly.
Keep an eye out for small nods towards the franchise for example a certain piece of iconography that resembles a key icon from the original films, recycled lines and names of certain apes.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes is emotional, powering and a different type of narrative to what we usually get today and for that reason this film is a gem. It's stunning in the CG technology and it's not one to be missed. Apes will Rise! 4/5
Running Time: 102 mins
Directed By: David Gordon Green
Starring: James Franco, Natalie Portman, Danny McBride, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Theroux
Screenplay: Danny McBride, Ben Best
UK Release Date: 8th April 2011
Quick Plot: Unlike his brother Prince Fabious, Thadeous is not a hero and plays his Prince role for his benefit. But after Fabious's bride to be gets taken away by evil wizard Leezar, Thadeous joins his brother on a magical and epic quest to save her, meeting warrior princess Isabel along the way who helps the brothers.
Review: James icandoprettymucheverything Franco and Natalie Portman have had a pretty good past few years I'd say. Both nominated for Best Actor and Actress at this years Oscars for their lead roles in 127 Hours and Black Swan, Natalie falling in love and becoming pregnant with her first child and James probably discovering the cure for the common cold. I joke on the last bit, but he has done some pretty impressive stuff that will take too long to type it all out. I've taken a shine to James Franco and from my previous reviews of Black Swan and No Strings Attached I have made clear my admiration of Natalie Portman, so it was obvious I needed to see Your Highness. 'From the director of Pineapple Express' additionally got me engrossed because I thought a lot of nice things about Pineapple Express, which starred both Franco and McBride. Since I was a young I enjoyed the odd mediveal and mythical film and Your Highness fits with that genre in the long run, so I enjoyed that factor very much throughout the film. The comedy side is exactly like Pineapple Express's humour, vile sex jokes, sexism against women and weed but still very funny. Personally though, I would say this film isn't for a 'lady' because I wouldn't be surprised at all if some women take offense to some of the jokes. Agreeing with Empire's review: 'only for people who enjoy this type of comedy'. If you have no idea what kind of comedy this is, please proceed to the bottom to watch the trialer, you will understand. For example, the evil wizard is planning on taking the bride's virginity so he plans it with his mother's which is creepy on many levels but I found it laughable but I'm unsure if everyone would agree. However, Your Highness isn't a brilliant or amazing film, I'd say it's watchable but not an iconic comedy film. The cast play their roles greatly and the screenplay is hilarious, probably because Danny McBride created some of it with one of his best pals Ben Best. Natalie Portman was honourable, James Franco commendable but Danny McBride would have to have been my favourite throughout the film and with the humour they complimented each other greatly.
Because of my admiration of Natalie Portman and fondess of James Franco, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't watch this again but it certainly isn't a priority. Equally as you can see I've rated this film 3/5 stars, so it isn't a terrible or let down of a film. The comedy/fantasty works very well and if you are a fan of Pineapple Express, Superbad, Knocked Up and other Judd Apatow films, I think you'd find this film very impressive indeed.
Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Clémence Poésy
Screenplay: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy (Based on the true story "Between A Rock And A Hard Place"- Aron Ralston
UK Release Date: 7th January 2011
James Franco on set of 127 Hours
Quick Plot: Aron Ralston finds his arm stuck between a rock and the Utah Canyonlands National Park after taking an adventure without telling anyone where he's going. With his arm crushed by a boulder, stuck down a 65 ft wall, little water supply and no food, Aron realises he will have to face death- unless he figures something out quick.
Review:
Well, this is slightly embarrassing. My first ever review and I've given it 5 stars! It looks like I'm one of them people who thinks every film is good and always rates them high (which I use to be until I watched more and more films growing up!).
This is the first film I've seen at the cinema in 2011 and it is one I have waited for, for many months now so I already had many high expectations with this film especially because of Danny Boyle and James Franco. I got too excited but was positive the film would be good with great reviews circlating.
One of my favourite scenes of the film
Empire and Total Film both gave 127 Hours 4 Stars which is brilliant because being big film reviewers, they have to be honest which they are. But the only reason 127 Hours got 5 Stars from me is because of the fantastic Soundtrack and Editing. The opening scenes are so fast and quick cut, the scenes were all bright and fast montages that went exactly with the soundtrack behind it was brilliant. It gets you right into the story and you learnt a lot about Aron Ralston I thought in the opening scenes. The story takes you into the plot straight away and before you know it, you're holding your hand over your mouth because a massive boulder has landed on James Franco's right arm.
There's been tons of reports of people having to be taken out of the screen or even fainted while watching because of the 'scene' that I don't think I'll go into detail of. Though it's well known what happens, I don't want to ruin it for anyone when I say, there was a part of me that was covering my eyes at only one point, but I think I was actually meant to cover my ears instead. I was quite happy that I wasn't at all put off by the horror of Aron's decision and if anything, thought the sound and editing on that scene was particularly fascinating.
Director Danny Boyle on the set of 127 Hours
Obviously with the success of Slumdog Millionaire everyone knew Danny Boyle's next film was going to be a masterpiece which is no doubt is. But let's not give Mr Boyle all the credit here, James Franco connected so well to the character of Aron Ralston, maybe because Franco and the real Aron Ralston created a bond over filming, but nonetheless, Franco's performance is definitely Oscar Worthy and seeing as I've only seen two of the films in the Best Actor category, James has got it for me with his dedication to the role.(Sorry Jesse Eisenberg.) The parts of the film in particular I found the best by Franco were the scenes of him starting to loose 'it', realising the state he's in and looking back on his life. Not many people have been in that situation I don't think, so for James Franco to make you actually feel for him, feel that he's genuinely on the brink of death to me was one of the best parts of the film. Another point I should make before I forget are the beautiful scenes of the landscape. On more than one account there are lots of long shots of the Utah Canyonlands National Park and the view is simply stunning.
Right that's enough of my rambling, this is ever so boring and rubbish, but if you've read it- thanks very much!
I'll leave the first trailer below but a link to the second trailer because I don't want to give too much away.
