Brand new Star Trek Into Darkness images

Brand new Star Trek Into Darkness images

As we gear up for 2013, everyone's starting to look ahead - and one of the big films of the year, is the new Star Trek Into Darkness film.

Empire Online's revealed a couple of new Star Trek Into Darkness images and some exciting cover shots for Star Trek Into Darkness....

Wrapping up what we know so far...

Hot on the heels of the recent teaser trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness and the reveal of who Benedict Cumberbatch is playing in Star Trek Into Darkness, comes something new and exciting

A new Star Trek Into Darkness trailer is here - and a brand new viral campaign for Star Trek Into Darkness has been unveiled too. AreYouthe1701.com has launched - see if you can spot it in the trailer...


See who the villain of Star Trek Into Darkness is here....

The announcement Star Trek Into Darkness trailer has landed....

Watch the Star Trek Into Darkness trailer.



And as if that wasn't exciting enough, the Japanese trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness has 15 seconds more footage - here it is...including a rather worrying homage to Star Trek The Wrath of Khan - is this where we see the demise of Zachary Quinto's Spock???

Star Trek Into Darkness synopsis

In 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness.

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.

With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.

As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Returning again will be NZ’s own Karl Urban, along with a cast that includes Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg and Benedict Cumberbatch.  

Star Trek Into Darkness: releases in NZ on 16 May 2013.

Life of Pi: Movie Review

Life of Pi: Movie Review

Cast: Irrfan Khan, Suraj Sharma, Rafe Spall, Gerard Depardieu
Director: Ang Lee

Fans of Yann Martel's book The Life Of Pi will be happy to see the release of Life Of Pi as the New Year rings out across the world (assuming the Mayans weren't correct and all that).

It's the tale of Pi (Irrfan Khan), whose father owned the animals in a zoo in India. When the family falls foul of a dispute with the government, they decide to pack up the zoo and head to Canada, hitching a ride on a freighter with all the animals.

But tragedy hits and a massive storm sinks the freighter, leaving only Pi, a hyena, a zebra, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger on a boat.

This is the tale of how the 16 year old Pi survived the 227 days he was at sea and the magical adventure which befell him.

And as with all fables, it's rife with interpretation.

Life of Pi certainly hits a visual high note thanks to the work done by director Ang Lee.

Aside from the animation of the tiger, scenes where the 3D really soars are the ones where the visual experience is extended, enhanced and expanded.

A scene where Pi is afloat on the waters at night positively glows with magic as the sea creatures and jellyfish around him come to life - and to light. Awash with greens, blues and yellows, there are definitely echoes of the sprites sequence in the first Avatar. When Pi comes across a floating island inhabited solely by meerkats, there's character aplenty in each critter rather than the soulless mass rendering of the animal. The FX work is truly second to none on a tale which is essentially a boy in a boat with a tiger (though Sharma deserves credit for his acting work to what must have only been a greenscreen)

Likewise, Richard Parker, the tiger is brought wonderfully to life, yet another digital masterpiece, so three dimensional that we feel an instant emotional connection to the beast. And speaking of the animation of this beast, it's utterly incredible and totally flawless, drawing you in through his eyes and pulling at your heartstrings as the journey unfolds. It's utterly impressive how far the technology has come in  the years and how the work has resulted in us occasionally having more of a connection to a virtual world than to the actors on the screen. And much like Tom Hanks had Wilson in Castaway, Pi has Richard Parker.

Which makes it a shame to say that some of the narrative choices serve to only detract from the magical mystical tale (though one suspects that is not director Ang Lee's choices as he's clearly adhering to the structure of the book,)

The decision to keep pulling back to current day with Pi telling his story to Rafe Spall's writer.is disruptive on this journey of the senses. Voiceover would have worked equally well and particularly given these scenes add little narratively other than to show you that the reminiscing is continuing, the structural choice is a jarring one to the overall experience.

Sadly, the spiritual and philosophical tale isn't one which connected at all with me and I think the seed of doubt which is sown by the final moments of the film is detrimental to what's gone beforehand. I left, not knowing what the true story of Pi was but having seen a film which visually enriched my soul - even if some of its ideas failed to even light an ember.

Rating:

A Royal Affair: DVD Review

A Royal Affair: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

Mads Mikkelsen continues his rise to cinematic glory in this sumptuous period piece set in Denmark in 1766.

It's a turbulent time in Denmark, with the masses oppressed and downtrodden by a King who's mad and politically ineffectual, there's scant hope for those who pursue the ideals of the Enlightenment movement.

But when new Queen Caroline Mathilde (an entrancing Vikander) comes to join her husband from England, Mikkelsen's recently appointed royal physician Johann Struensee starts to fall in love with her.

Their dangerous liaison leads to love and the chance for Denmark to change as Struensee begins to exert his Enlightenment beliefs both on the Queen and on a willing King.

However, not everything in this love story ends happily as the consequences of Struensee's actions begin to play out.

A Royal Affair is a slightly over-long look at dramatic events in Denmark which shaped a nation and played a part in the formation of European history.

Gorgeously costumed and stunningly shot, it's an intelligent period piece which screams lounge back in your seat and wallow away but it does take a little while to get going and become engrossing. Mikkelsen and Vikander are perfectly cast as the physician and the royal who're engulfed in the passion of the romance and the burning desire for change for their oppressed nation. Folsgaard is also solid as the mad King who flounces around whoring and being weak and ineffectual (even if he does remind you a little of Hugh Laurie's King from Blackadder).

The drama is powerful in this piece and while it may take a while to grip you as the slow burn kicks in, be aware that the (somewhat abrupt) ending may resonate more with you than you first realise.

Overall, A Royal Affair is a strong piece of historical film making; it offers light into a period many will be unaware of and thanks to strong acting, it's a striking celluloid outing for one of Denmark's most difficult periods.

Extras: Interviews with stars, gallery, family tree, theatrical trailer

Rating:

Merry Christmas to you all

Merry Christmas to you all

It's Christmas time here at Darren's World of Entertainment - and there's only one way to celebrate - with movies.

Have yourselves a great Christmas and back to normal tomorrow.

For now, though, here's the perfect gift.

Best Movies of 2012

Best Movies of 2012

It's the time of year when critics like to dwell on what was great and not so great about 2012 as a cinematic year.

And being too scared to be different from the crowd, that's what I've decided to do as well. It's been a good year for films at times - sure, there have been the stinkers of 2012, but you'll have to wait for that list - for now though let's concentrate on the best of the year. (And as ever, they are in no particular order)

Safety Not Guaranteed - a brilliant little film which made the most of its stars Aubrey Plaza and Mark Duplass. It became a wonderfully poignant character piece and had one of the best endings of the year as a writing team investigated an ad which promised time travel to a prospective employee but could not guarantee their safety.

Looper - talking of time travel, this Rian Johnson flick, starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt with Emily Blunt was a cool mix of premise and substance. It also had one of the best tonal shifts and a story which none of the trailers hinted at. A rare surprise these days in the movies.

The Dark Knight Rises / The Avengers - a tremendous year for superhero films saw the fun in the Marvel team up from Joss Whedon which reinvented the Hulk and gave the series a shot in the arm with The Avengers. The Dark Knight Rises capped off a stellar trilogy for the Batman series and showed dark and broody is seriously entertaining.

Skyfall - Bond was back and while he didn't reach the heights of Casino Royale, he certainly did better than Quantum of Solace. Capping off a jingoistic year for the Brits, this was Bond at its best - though I'm unlikely to beat this comment on the internet to explain how good it was at putting the cool back into cool Britannia... "Skyfall is the best instalment of Home Alone yet."

The Hunt - Mads Mikkelsen's turn as a kindergarten teacher hounded after a wrongful accusation of sexual abuse was a searing entry in the film festival and had a lingering impression long after its powerful denouement. It's due out on general release next year - so don't miss it.

West of Memphis - Talking of film festival, this doco about the West Memphis Three was as powerful a piece of soul searching film that you'll ever see. Uplifting and terrifying in equal measures, the fight ofr justice - and Damien Echols' visit to New Zealand - offered up more hope than anything else released.

Your Sister's Sister - Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and Mark Duplass teamed up for this mumblecore three hander about a one night stand gone wrong. A brilliantly funny and dry relationship piece, this one hits the small screen next year. Make sure you catch it.

Dredd / The Raid - as a long term fan of the Judge Dredd comics, there was much anticipation around this given how Stallone had messed up the franchise. Its biggest thrill was seeing Joe Dredd fanboy and Kiwi Karl Urban take the role and do something incredible with it - as well as a great use of 3D within. Likewise, The Raid, which had a similar premise, offered up much action and ass-kicking from the tower block under seige story.

Argo - Ben Affleck gave good story in front and behind of the camera in this story about the CIA mission to pull out American diplomats from Tehran in the 80s. But it was the side story of a Hollywood fake film which was riotous thanks to Alan Arkin's studio hack.

Brother Number One - the NZ doco looking into the Khmer Rouge through the eyes of Rob Hamill whose brother was caught up within the horror was never anything but emotionally gut wrenching and achingly honest. But it had hope in a place where you wouldn't expect some - and to be honest, it was one of the best docos of the year.

The Cabin in the Woods - Joss Whedon produced this brilliantly meta horror about horrors which was a riotously great time in the cinema as it revelled in the horror cliches but provided commentary on why we watch horror films in the first place.

Ted - who knew that a film about a pot smoking CGI animated teddy bear from Family Guy Seth MacFarlane would be such foul mouthed fun?

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Peter Jackson's first part may be a little padded at the start but for its 48FPS CGI wizardry which redefined the look of the fantasy genre, the Hobbit was a startling cinematic tour de force. And not just for the FX, Martin Freeman made an immediate impression as Bilbo - and I can't wait to see how the final two films pan out.

The Sessions - Humorous, heartfelt, life affirming were just a few of the words which spring to mind for this John Hawkes film which starred Helen Hunt as well as a sex surrogate, out to help Hawkes' disabled by polio Mark O'Brien lose his virginity. An engaging piece, it managed to touch me a little more than The Intouchables did.

Bubbling under the list and just missing a place  - but still worthy of a commendation and your time... The Intouchables, Madagascar 3, The Way, The Hunger Games, The Artist, Amour, Moonrise Kingdom, This Must Be the Place, The Descendants, Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Not seen - but heard great things about - Searching for Sugarman

Have a Merry Christmas to you all - and stand by for the cinematic stinkers which fouled up the auditorium...

Quartet: Movie Review

Quartet: Movie Review

Cast: Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Dame Maggie Smith, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon, Sheridan Smith
Director: Dustin Hoffman

Based on the same titled play by Ronald Harwood, Quartet marks Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut.

Courtenay, Connolly and Collins play a group of retired musicians, (Reg, Wilf and Cissy) who are living out their twilight years at Beecham House, a home for elderly musicians. The group used to be in a quartet and every year, the inhabitants of the house come together for an annual concert to celebrate the birth date of Verdi.

The plans this year though are disrupted by the arrival of Dame Maggie Smith's Jean Horton, a once revered singer, who used to be married to Reg. Jean doesn't sing anymore, and with tensions between her and Reg, it looks like this band ain't gonna get back together....which could be disastrous for the fund raising efforts for Beecham House.

Quartet is a gently charming comedy, which will play well to its target older audience. And, perhaps, fans of Downton Abbey, given that Dame Maggie's playing yet another version of her character from that.

Mind you, that said, the veterans are the stars of this piece and each gets their moment to shine. From Courtenay's bitter feelings towards his ex, Connolly's cheeky cantankerousness, Collins' scatterbrained approach and Dame Maggie's somewhat haughty diva, they all work with what little they have in terms of story and script. Sheridan Smith adds a level of sophistication and a touch of youth as the doctor running the house.

With one liner quips and bon mots throughout, Quartet is a pleasant enough, lightly frothy piece which sags a little toward the end; I do feel a little cheated at the end of the film (spoiler) when you don't see the quartet actually sing. Given how many hints there were that Dame Maggie's character was an extraordinary singer, and such a big thing for the quartet to reform and sing, it's a disappointment that that didn't eventuate. Although, it was probably a big ask and could have led to some terrible lip synching....

Hoffman does a fair job of directing - the camera lingers a little too often in some parts and the direction can occasionally veer towards the heavy handed when a lighter touch would have done. The music and rolling English countryside are wonderfully captured on film as the film plays out.

All in all though, Quartet is a solidly pleasant piece, which hits the right notes for its audience - I hesitate to use the word nice - which will proffer up a point of difference in amongst all the other seasonal fare being released at Christmas.

Rating:

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter: Blu Ray Review

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter: Blu Ray Review

Rating: R16
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

The world of vampires mashed up with one of America's most famous presidents....

How is that even possible? Well, that's the thesis of this new release which posits that, as a youngster, Abe Lincoln's mum was dispatched by a mysterious force so evil that he can't begin to fathom what exactly it was. Thankfully, Dominic Cooper's Henry Sturges helps explain the vampiric ways of the world, opening his eyes to the omnipresent threat around him.

So, when Lincoln becomes president and discovers a threat by vampires to turn the USA into a nation of bloodsuckers, he has no choice but to make it his mission to take them all out.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter is a film which is based on a mash up book and unfortunately takes itself a little too seriously. If it pricked a bit of that pomp and pomposity and infused it with a vein of a bit more self knowing fun, it would be a slightly better film. As it is, it's not a bad night's entertainment, just one of those popcorn films where the overall feel is that you're indifferent when it's over.

The acting's solid from a cast which has a few names here and there - Benjamin Walker gives a good turn as the vengeful president and Rufus Sewell brings a degree of menace to the leader of the bad guys. Sure, there's plotholes aplenty throughout but after a while, your mind starts to forego logic in favour of just watching the film.

And that's really where the benefits of this film lie. From Wanted director Timur Bekmambetov, it's a stylish piece which oozes slow mo shots, things flying out of the screen and a healthy amount of cool horror FX action.

Maybe if it had been a bit more tongue in cheek, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter would have you a bit more fangful for its qualities. As it is, it's a disposable piece of night in entertainment - nothing more, nothing less.

Extras: making of,commentary

Rating: