Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The latest trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has been released.
The seventh and final chapter of the Harry Potter franchise has released it’s first trailer recently for fans.
View the trailer here.
The Last Station
The Last Station starring Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, Paul Giamatti and James McAvoy.
The movie is based on the last months of Leo Tolstoy’s life and inspired by the novel written by Jay Parini. The all star cast is directed by Michael Hoffman and provides an intriguing yet not so academic portrait of Tolstoy’s relationship with his family and the movement that he created in Russia during the time of the Tsar. Leo Tolstoy died at the age of 82 very publicly at Atapovo train station in Southern Russia in 1910, which happened to be the end station on the line. This is the inspiration behind the novel and movie title.
The main issue surrounding Tolstoy’s death is the struggle between his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) and Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti) a disciple of Tolstoy. Both characters are battling for the rights to the money from the book ‘War and Peace’. Whilst Vladimir wants to supposedly use the money from the book rights to advance the cause of the Tolstoy movement and spread the message of universal love and passive resistance to violence. Sofya however is rightfully suspicious of Vladimir’s intentions and wants to keep the money from the book rights within the family. The struggle between these two characters is recorded by Valentin (James McAvoy) Tolstoy’s new secretary. The film is well acted by the all star cast and is worth a look.
Marion Cotillard is to star in Midnight in Paris
New details have been released about Woody Allen’s latest film Midnight in Paris to be filmed this summer
It has just been revealed that Carla Bruni-Sarkozi will take a role in Woody Allen’s latest film ‘Midnight in Paris’. However, she will not be taking the leading role in the film due to her responsibilities as first lady of France and Woody Allen’s concerns that she might have to be taken away on official duties at any time. Obviously this would have a detrimental effect on the filming schedule, something the famed director wishes to avoid.
The leading role will instead be taken by the Oscar winning Marion Cotillard, who was born in Paris and won acclaim for her role in ‘Taxi’ and ‘La Vie En Rose’. The film will also star Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams.It is fascinating to see that Woody Allen has made at least one film every year since 1971 and great to see that he is spending time away from New York. It would be interesting to see if maybe Carla Bruni can persuade the French President Sarkozy to make a cameo, then again, the film would probably lose a lot of its appeal.
The 'Prawn' Mothership in District 9
District 9 movie review of great Sci-Fi epic though using mock-documentary style
The science fiction thriller based in South Africa in 1982 is based on a short film ‘Alive in Joburg’, Directed by Neil Blomkamp and produced by Sharlto Copley. The film touches on a number of themes close to South Africa including apartheid and social segregation with regard to the Aliens who are stranded in South Africa.
District 9 successfully places a new spin on ‘Alien’ genre films. We’ve had ‘Men in Black’, ‘Independence Day’, ‘Alien’ and ‘Independence Day’, but for me these films always lacked a certain element of authenticity and were always too over Hollywoodised. The mock-documentary style really helps give the film an edgier touch which helps it seem all the more realistic.
Peter Jackson and Neil Blomkamp manages to create a new spin by adapting to the current trend of using a faux-documentary style to re-tell the build up to the main event. This is primarily explored by using interviews with people close to the protagonist Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) and documentray footage pieced together in the build to the relocation of the aliens. Sharlto Copley has hinted his desire to make a second film, however, in terms of exploring a potential prequel to the original film. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
Eric Cantona in 'Looking for Eric' beside classic poster
Looking for Eric is one of those special films that perfectly captures modern working life in Manchester and the magic of Manchester United for its fans
Films based around football have never had the best reputation within the world of cinema. However, this is not so much film about football. It is more a film about how football represents an arena of joy, sorrow and comfort for fans.Particularly how Eric Cantona, even though he retired in 1997 still hold a special place in the hearts of Manchester United fans old and new.
‘Looking For Eric‘ revolves around the imaginary relationship between a postman going through a very difficult time in his life and ex-Manchester United player Eric Cantona. The film brought a real smile to my face and contained some great footage of Eric Cantona’s goals and the magic that he helped create on the field
It was indeed very nostalgic to see this film as I could really relate to the magic of Manchester United in the 90’s and the special atmosphere it created for fans. The film also captures the politics involved in Manchester United today and the corporate greed that consumes the club and excludes ‘the working man’. The postman uses Eric Cantona as a source of inspiration to find himself and win back his life that is spiraling out of control.
I won’t spoil how the film finishes for those that have not seen it yet, but I would definitely recommend it. Particularly for those people that don’t watch football as I believe it would help them understand what football means for so many people in Manchester.