Looking at the first trailer for Logan it’s clear that director James Mangold is trying to achieve something different. The director has gone with a raw, gritty feel that is unique in the genre and according to Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, the film could be a contender at this year’s Oscars.
Talking to Variety, Reynolds discussed the potential for superhero movies to contend at the academy awards and believes that Logan could be the movie to change things.
“‘Logan’ looks like a movie that might break that glass ceiling. I know first-hand that it’s amazing. I’ve seen some of it. It’s mind-blowing. It relies a lot on character.”
While superhero movies aren’t generally given attention at the Oscars, if any upcoming comic book movie could reach those heights it’s Logan. The film is said to be a character driven story that at its core is more of a drama than an action movie.
Set in the future of 2024, Wolverine and Professor Charles Xavier must cope with the loss of the X-Men when a corporation lead by Nathaniel Essex is destroying the world leaving it to destruction, with Logan’s healing abilities slowly fading away and Xavier’s Alzheimer’s forcing him to forget. Logan must defeat Nathaniel Essex with the help of a young girl named Laura Kinney, a female clone of Wolverine.
Hidden Figures is the first ‘must-see’ film of 2017, but not for the usual reasons.
Does it feature powerhouse performances from its lead and supporting casts? Absolutely, yes.
Is it a well-crafted film, solid in terms of storytelling, vision, and execution? Yes — a tad conventional, maybe, but not so much that predictability diminishes enjoyment.
But what makes Hidden Figures ‘must-see’ is that it’s an important story. Drawn from NASA’s legendary “Right Stuff” days, at the height of the “Space Race,” it’s so little known that even members of the cast were unaware of it prior to reading the script.
The real-life people dramatized in Hidden Figures are just as much pioneers as the men they helped rocket to into orbit. The film treats their stories with reverence, but with an eye for realism and detail.
The result is a film worthy of their legacies, and thus certainly worthy of audiences’ attention.
What’s it about?
In 1960, at NASA’s facility in Langley, Virginia, three women — Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) — worked as part of an entirely female group of “computers” – skilled mathematicians crunching numbers vital to the engineering work necessary to put an American into space.
The women of the West Computing Group — all African-American — were all subject to the everyday reality of segregation. They worked and ate their lunches apart from white counterparts, in facilities less modern and comfortable than their white counterparts, all for less pay.
Despite these conditions, Johnson, Vaughn, and Jackson all came to stand out in terms of what they could contribute. Vaughn was already the de facto head of West Computing, a supervisor in all but the title and compensation. Jackson had NASA engineers convinced she could be an engineer herself, the first woman of color to ever hold such a position.
Johnson, a prodigy who had her degree in mathematics by 18, finds herself assigned to NASA’s most critical task. She joins the Space Task Group, the team of engineers and scientists tasked with figuring out how to get an American into space and get him home safely before the Soviets figured it out.
All three women face battles large and small as they work to make NASA’s goals a reality. All three must deal with barriers set against them due to the color of their skin just to do the jobs they love and take care of their families.
And all of them rise to heights of success none imagined possible at the time for men or women of color.
Strong directorial vision
The power of Hidden Figures starts with the vision of director Theodore Melfi. Melfi keeps the narrative frame focused on what it was like for Johnson, Vaughn, and Jackson to live and work in that time and place.
It’s from the details of those experiences that the film derives its power. Melfi makes clear that the achievements of these women would have been remarkable for anyone under any circumstances. Taking into account the particular hurdles they faced, however, makes their story all the more incredible.
That’s not to say that Hidden Figures is all hardship and struggle. The film takes time to dramatize moments of joy, laughter, and gentle romance for the women at its heart. Those moments inject a needed lightness, breaking up what might otherwise have felt like just a well-acted history lesson.
Henson, Spencer lead superb cast
Hidden Figures features an incredible collection of acting talent, both veteran and emerging. Recognizable faces are everywhere here, from Kevin Costner to Jim Parsons to Kirsten Dunst.
Also here is Mahershala Ali, who continues to astound with appearances in both this year’s Golden Globe Best Picture-Drama nominated Moonlight to Netflix’s “Luke Cage.”
But the standouts in this ensemble are easily Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer. Henson’s effort shines brightest in part due to how different it is from her work on TV’s “Empire.” Those who know her just as “Cookie” will likely be the most floored by the range she shows here. Those who remember her stellar work in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Hustle and Flow shouldn’t be as surprised.
Spencer, in comparison, doesn’t get as much screen time as Henson. She makes every moment she gets count, however, projecting dignity and quiet strength as the matriarch among her group. Her scenes with Dunst, who plays a supervisor for the computers, represent, in part, obstacles facing people on both sides of the race divide.
Worth seeing?
Again, Hidden Figures is a ‘must-see’ event. It’s entertaining, enlightening, and uplifting, all qualities that usually lead to a memorable movie experience.
But the film’s value goes beyond just that. In an age when most think of “computers” as keyboards and monitors, it’s important to know the word once meant something else.
At a point when NASA looks to Mars as the next great leap, it’s important to remember those who took part in the first steps.
At a time where those who feel disenfranchised might feel the most disillusioned, it’s important to point to others who could have also given up hope, and didn’t.
Hidden Figures
Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Mahershala Ali, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Kimberly Quinn. Directed by Theodore Melfi.
Running Time: 127 minutes
Rated PG for thematic elements and some language.
Early last week rumors were shot down that Ryan Reynolds had filmed a scene for the upcoming Wolverine movie, Logan. If you are one of the many fans who want to see these two characters on the big screen together, don’t lose hope just yet.
Variety recently published an in-depth look at the career of Reynolds and the Golden Globe nomination for Deadpool. Among other things, the actor reveals that he hopes more than anything to get Deadpool and Wolverine on screen together.
“I would love to play Deadpool for as long as they would let me play Deadpool. We have outlines and stories for a number of different films.” He envisions a standalone movie with Deadpool and Wolverine — although that’s news to Jackman… Reynolds isn’t giving up. “I have no idea if I can change his mind,” he says. “It’s the audience: I would exclusively exploit that relationship to get Hugh back for another one.”
Hugh Jackman has had his heart set on leaving the role behind after Logan, primarily because the role puts such a strain on the actor’s body. Variety also caught up with Jackman who still seems unconvinced but is open to the idea of a shared film between Wolverine and Deadpool.
“I’m hesitating,” says Jackman, who plans on retiring the Wolverine character this year, “because I could totally see how that’s the perfect fit. But the timing may be wrong.”
I think I speak for everyone when I say that this is promising. Hugh Jackman has played the role of Wolverine for 15 years but it’s not every day an opportunity like this comes along. Logan also looks like it will be a unique Wolverine movie with a real focus on the character, so perhaps the success of his next film could push him to return.
It’s exciting to think that we might one day get a movie starring Reynolds and Jackman but for now, the actors have other priorities. Jackman is prepping for the release of Logan, while Reynolds continues to develop and work on a sequel to Deadpool set for release in 2018.
The second international trailer for Wonder Woman has been released via JoBlo Movie Trailers on Youtube. Watch it below.
“Wonder Woman hits movie theaters around the world next summer when Gal Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.”
Directed by Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, and Connie Nielsen.
In a recent interview with Collider, Vincent D’Onofrio talked about when Wilson Fisk will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“He will, eventually. Honestly, I wish I knew ‘cause I could plan my year better. I know he will come back, I just don’t know when. I can’t wait to find out. I’m totally into the Marvel stuff, big time. I want to do Marvel, all the time. I love it so much ‘cause they’re so creative over there. They let you bring this whole new thing to an iconic thing that they invented. It’s just so much fun. I love it to death. I want to see Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. There’s something about those movies. I dig the shit out of them. I’ve been tweeting back and forth with James Gunn, about doing something with him because I love Guardians of the Galaxy so much.“
Although the actor doesn’t even know when the character will return, it’s extremely likely that Fisk will make at least an appearance in The Defenders series on Netflix.
Bringing back old characters in long-gap sequels is all the rage after Rogue One pulled it off – somewhat – convincingly a couple of times. That’s debatable. Now, it seems Blade Runner 2049 is set to bring back one of the original Replicants using CGI technology.
This is a rumor from The Terminator Fans, and there’s some merit behind this rumor according to Scott Wampler over at Birth.Movies.Death:
We can now reveal that a source close to the production of Blade Runner 2049 has informed us that the power of CGI will bring a Replicant character from the cult 1982 film back for the theatrical Blade Runnersequel…
The digital CG Replicant character’s appearance in the movie will be at least 10 shots of film or more, so it won’t be a blink of the eye cameo.
No word yet on who it is, but this will clearly be an age related CGI ploy since all of the major Replicants are, to my knowledge, still alive. They’re just old.
This is apparently going to be all the rage for franchise films, bringing back CGI characters who have either died or gotten too old to fit the story. Let’s hope the tech continues to improve so they look better than You Know Who in Rogue One. That was fine for a split second look, but not an extended cameo like they’re speaking of here.
Blade Runner 2049 stars Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Robin Wright, Dave Bautista, and a CGI version of probably Rutger Hauer, Daryl Hannah, or Sean Young. We’ll see when it opens October 6.
While promoting his biopic I Am Bolt (2016), Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt told MTV that he would love a cameo role in the upcoming The Flash movie by Warner Bros., expected to hit our screens in Spring 2018. The nine-time Olympic gold medal winner and world record crushing sprinter is the fastest man alive. It makes sense then, that he should appear alongside the fastest comic book superhero.
You can check out the interview below:
Despite its reported 2018 release date, The Flash pre-production has not been without drama. The Hollywood Reporter announced that the film’s director, Rick Famuyiwa, had left the project back in October, citing creative differences with Warner Bros. This is news which came after the movie’s writer, Seth Grahame-Smith, also initially lined up to direct, left for similar reasons.
A few months have passed since Famuyiwa parted ways with the project, and with production scheduled to commence soon but no director in place, Usain Bolt may have a larger window than expected in which to negotiate his appearance.
While the studio searches for a new director, Ezra Miller is preparing to reprise the role of Barry Allen/The Flash which he debuted in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. Alongside him, Kiersey Clemons, Billy Crudup and Ray Fisher will appear as Iris West, Henry Allen (Barry’s father) and Victor Stone/Cyborg respectively. Could Usain Bolt join them? The film’s release is slated for March 16th 2018 (subject to change).
How do you think Usain Bolt and his iconic lightning bolt pose could fit into The Flash? Give us your thoughts in the comments.
The 2016 Amateur Podcast Championships has been such a great success, we’ve decided to add another award to the competition: THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Vote for your favorite podcast and share with your friends. Voting ends at 11:59 PM EST on February 4, 2017. The winner will be announced during the Lady Gaga halftime show of Super Bowl LI via Twitter.
Ben Affleck’s The Batman is now preparing for a shoot close to where Warner Bros. is based in California according to LRM, in contrast to other upcoming DC movies shot predominantly overseas.
This is the latest twist in The Batman saga after Ben Affleck cast doubt on his involvement earlier this week. When asked by The Guardian about his reported starring role/direction of the movie, Affleck said:
“That’s the idea. But it’s not a set thing and there’s no script. If it doesn’t come together in a way I think is really great I’m not going to do it.”
This got fans wondering as to the progress of production, particularly after rumors that filming might commence this spring. But even after Affleck’s comments, it seems that Warner Bros. are beginning to prep for the shoot. While The Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Justice League are among future DC films to have been filmed on locations all over the world, a source has reported that the filming of The Batman will be in California.
The suggestion is that the filming is likely to take place on the studio’s lot as one of the primary locations, leading to speculation as to the setting of the caped crusader’s next outing. The filmmakers might be intending to use Los Angeles as Gotham, as Christopher Nolan did in The Dark Knight Rises, or it could be a largely interior shoot. Might we see an Arkham Asylum-based movie?
The Batman’s release is expected in 2018, though that is of course subject to change if no script is confirmed soon. Alongside Affleck who is still expected to direct and star as Batman, Jeremy Irons will reprise his role as Alfred, Joe Mangianello will appear as Deathstroke, with J.K.Simmons as Commissioner Gordon.
What do you think this means for the setting of The Batman? Tell us your theories in the comments!
