Archive for January, 2011

John Barry dies, aged 77

Monday, January 31st, 2011
John Barry

Composer John Barry has died at the age of 77.

The film score writer – best known for his work on several James Bond movies – passed away after a heart attack, BBC News reports.

After being hired to arrange Monty Norman’s ‘James Bond Theme’ for Dr. No, Barry composed the scores for 11 of the next 14 Bond films from 1963’s From Russia With Love to 1987’s The Living Daylights.

His other famous scores included those for Zulu, The Ipcress File, Midnight Cowboy and Dances with Wolves

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Anthony Hopkins’ ‘The Rite’ tops US box office

Monday, January 31st, 2011
'The Rite' still

Anthony Hopkins’ new supernatural thriller The Rite has topped the US box office in its opening weekend.

The film, which has received overwhelmingly negative critical reviews, took a lukewarm $15 million, beating last week’s box office topper No Strings Attached, which took $13.7 million.

Jason Statham’s latest action film The Mechanic entered in third place, taking $11.5 million, followed by the Seth Rogen superhero comedy The Green Hornet with $11.5 million.

The King’s Speech rides off the success of 12 Academy Award nominations to stay in fifth place, taking $11.1 million.

This week’s US box office top ten in full:
1. (-) The Rite – $15,000,000
2. (1) No Strings Attached – $13,700,000
3. (-) The Mechanic – $11,500,000
4. (2) The Green Hornet – $11,500,000
5. (4) The King’s Speech- $11,100,000
6. (5) True Grit – $7,600,000
7. (3) The Dilemma – $5,470,000
8. (6) Black Swan – $5,100,000
9. (7) The Fighter – $4,055,000
10. (9) Yogi Bear – $3,165,000

The Town: Blu-ray Disc Review Link

Monday, January 31st, 2011
Please click on the cover image to read the full review

Please click on the cover image to read the full review

Henry Cavill chosen to play Superman

Sunday, January 30th, 2011
Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill has been chosen to play Superman in Zack Snyder’s upcoming Man of Steel reboot.

The 27-year-old British actor has previously starred in TV series The Tudors and movies The Count Of Monte Cristo, Stardust and Whatever Works.

Previous actors to have played Superman on screen include George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain and Brandon Routh.

Director Zack Snyder said of Cavill’s casting: “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognised and revered character of all time, and I am honoured to be a part of his return to the big screen.

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Sarandon, Sutherland to present SAG awards

Sunday, January 30th, 2011
Susan Sarandon arriving at the 10th Marrakech International Film Festival held in Morocco

Susan Sarandon, Donald Sutherland and Tina Fey are among a number of celebrities who have been announced as presenters for this year’s 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

They will join the likes of Alec Baldwin, Annette Bening, Colin Firth and Justin Timberlake in honouring their peers during the ceremony.

Among those nominated for awards this year are Jeff Bridges for True Grit, James Franco for 127 Hours and Geoffrey Rush for his much-lauded performance in The King’s Speech.

In addition, former 24 actor Dennis Haysbert will introduce a special tribute segment of the show to honour commercial actors, following the Screen Actors Guild’s tradition of celebrating all areas of the industry.

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Judi Dench confirms ‘Bond 23’ return

Friday, January 28th, 2011
Judi Dench

Judi Dench has confirmed that she will reprise her role as M in the 23rd James Bond movie.

Speaking at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards, Dench revealed that she will portray the secret agent’s boss for the seventh time but declined to give away any details about the latest 007 outing.

“My lips are sealed. I can’t tell you anything at all!” she said.

Dench, who first played the character in Pierce Brosnan’s GoldenEye, added that the latest Bond will mark the first time she has worked with her former theatre director Sam Mendes on a film.

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Pine, Jackman join 3D movie ‘Guardians’

Friday, January 28th, 2011
Chris Pine

Chris Pine and Hugh Jackman have signed to voice lead roles in the upcoming 3D animated film Rise of the Guardians.

Peter Ramsey is directing the movie, based on a forthcoming Guardians of Childhood book series by William Joyce, who will co-helm the project.

Pine will voice Jack Frost and Jackman will play Bunnymaid, also known as the Easter Bunny, says Variety.

The film will further feature Alec Baldwin as North, or Santa Claus, and Isla Fisher as the Tooth, or the Tooth Fairy.

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Ridley Scott’s ‘Prometheus’ to open June 2012

Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Ridley Scott

Twentieth Century Fox has pushed back the release date for Ridley Scott’s Prometheus.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will arrive in US cinemas the summer of 2012 instead of March of that year, as was previously announced.

The movie originally started out as a prequel to Scott’s 1979 classic Alien and has now become an original sci-fi project.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo actress Noomi Rapace stars in Prometheus, co-written by Lost executive producer Damon Lindelof and Jon Spaihts.

Prometheus will open on June 8, 2012.

‘King’s Speech’ leads Oscar nominations

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
A still from the movie 'The King's Speech'

The King’s Speech has picked up recognition in 12 categories to lead the nominations at the 2011 Academy Awards.

The royal drama, which centres on King George VI’s attempts to overcome a crippling stammer as World War II approaches, has scooped nominations for ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Adapted Screenplay’.

The British film also has a strong presence in the acting categories as stars Colin Firth (‘Best Actor’), Geoffrey Rush (‘Supporting Actor’) and Helena Bonham Carter (‘Supporting Actress’) all score Oscar nods.

Joel and Ethan Coen’s remake of True Grit is close behind with 10 nominations in total, while The Social Network and Inception have secured eight nods apiece – including appearances in the ‘Best Picture’ line-up.

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Keanu Reeves rep: ‘No new Matrix movies’

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
Keanu Reeves ont he set of his new film 'Generation Um'

A representative for Keanu Reeves has denied a report claiming that the actor plans to star in more Matrix movies.

Ain’t It Cool News recently posted about Reeves reteaming with the Wachowski brothers to make two further Matrix sequels.

According to the report, the actor spoke of the upcoming films at a Q&A session in London.

However, Reeves’s spokesperson has said that the updates are not happening.

“None of it is true,” the rep told Entertainment Weekly.