Tag: Bradley Cooper

Geekscape Movie Reviews: A Star Is Born

by MCDave

People Magazine named him the Sexiest Man alive in 2011, but since then Bradley Cooper has proven to be far more than just a handsome face. The gifted performer’s emergence as an awards season fixture, thanks to a trio of fairly recent Oscar nominations (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and American Sniper), has helped transform Cooper into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Yet, an artist is never content. Craving more responsibility and a yearning for the highest admiration possible, it’s no surprise to see Cooper transition into the director’s role for his critically-adored directorial debut, A Star Is Born. The story is one that’s often been told, as Cooper’s rendition will be the film’s fourth time in production. However, megastar Lady Gaga’s first crack at a major dramatic role and a sober Cooper’s familiarity with his alcoholic character’s struggles lend an innate chemistry that allows the film to soar.

Rock star Jackson Maine (Cooper) finds himself liquored up, as usual, after another successful concert and stuck in between his travels. Unsurprisingly, he forces his trusty driver pull over at the first bar he sees and it’s there where the rock star crosses paths with the angelic voice of Ally (Lady Gaga). Jack immediately becomes transfixed by her talents and the two share a lovely evening together, one that evolves into a loving relationship. But after Jack introduces Ally to the listening world as a backup singer on his tour, her solo career eventually takes off and this leaves Jack alone once again with nothing to do but return to his old drinking ways. Can their love thrive through the distance and separation between these two touring stars, or is devastation inevitable?

A Star Is Born reaches for the sky, bravely tackling a myriad of themes and subplots underneath its often heartbreaking love story. Aspiring singers and musicians will marvel over the film’s early depiction of Ally’s dream-like climb to fame, while others will recognize the story’s somber reflection on real-life issues like addiction and mental health. And that’s what makes A Star Is Born so impactful, the film’s daring authenticity mirrors all of our lives in some way or another. But if that wasn’t enough, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper deliver two of the year’s most notable turns, and ones that will be fast-tracked to January’s Oscar Nominations. The pair’s comfort in their characters’ shoes enables a natural fluidity to the film. You fall in love with Jack and Ally because you genuinely believe these performances, which helps raise the emotional stakes when times get turbulent for the couple. Throughout the film you often here Jack mumble on about having “something to say” and using your voice, it’s even a blueprint to the fabric of Cooper’s recycled tale. Ironically, Cooper uses this theme, along with many others, to tell us quite a lot about love, loss, and what it is to be alive. And after a wonderful debut feature such as this, we can only hope that Bradley Cooper continues to find something worth saying for many years to come.

GRADE: 4/5

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Kurt Russel Joins ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2’, First Image Released!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Guardians of the Galaxy is still my favourite Marvel Studios film, and as such I could not be more excited to start seeing stills and footage from the now-in-production feature.

Marvel has just revealed that the film is officially in production, revealed the first behind-the-scenes photo for the film, and confirmed the film’s returning cast, and a big new addition: Kurt Russell.

What’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 about? Well, we don’t exactly know yet, but Marvel notes “Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.”

We’re in. That’s all the synopsis that we need.

Take a look at the image below, and keep scrolling for the full announcement from Marvel. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theatres on May 5th, 2017!

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Marvel Studios has begun principal photography at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” which is slated to hit U.S. theaters on May 5, 2017. The production will shoot at Atlanta’s Pinewood Studios.

 

PRODUCTION BEGINS ON MARVEL’S ‘GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2’

 

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is written and directed by James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Slither”). The film marks the return of the original Guardians, including Chris Pratt (“Jurassic World,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Peter Quill/Star-Lord; Zoe Saldana (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Star Trek Into Darkness”) as Gamora; Dave Bautista (“Spectre,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Drax; Vin Diesel (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Furious 7”) as the voice of Groot; Bradley Cooper (“Joy,” “American Sniper”) as the voice of Rocket; Michael Rooker (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Jumper”) as Yondu; Karen Gillan (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Big Short”) as Nebula; and Sean Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Gilmore Girls”) as Kraglin. New cast members include Pom Klementieff (“Oldboy”), Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsby,” “Everest”), Chris Sullivan (“The Knick,” “The Drop”) and Kurt Russell (“The Hateful Eight,” “Furious 7”).

 

Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.

 

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is produced by Marvel Studios’ president, Kevin Feige, with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Nik Korda and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.

 

Director James Gunn’s creative team also includes director of photography Henry Braham (“The Legend of Tarzan,” “The Golden Compass”); production designer Scott Chambliss (“Star Trek,” “Tomorrowland”); editors Fred Raskin (“The Hateful Eight,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) and Craig Wood (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”); three time Oscar®-nominated costume designer Judianna Makovsky (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”); Oscar®-nominated visual effects supervisor Chris Townsend (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Iron Man 3”); stunt coordinator Tommy Harper (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” ); co-producer / first assistant director Lars Winther (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”); and six-time Oscar® nominee, special effects supervisor Dan Sudick (“Captain America: Civil War,” “The Avengers”).

 

The original “Guardians of the Galaxy” was a hit with critics and audiences alike, earning over $770 million at the worldwide box-office, and holds the record as the most successful debut film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition, the film’s soundtrack went platinum and was nominated for a Grammy®.

 

Based on the Marvel comic characters first published in 1969, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ” continues the lineage of epic big-screen adventures chronicled in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Ant-Man,” and the upcoming release schedule, which includes “Captain America: Civil War” on May 6, 2016; “Doctor Strange,” November 4, 2016; “Spider-Man,” July 7, 2017; and “Thor: Ragnarok” on November 3, 2017.

 

Marvel Studios continued its unprecedented success in 2015 with the release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” At the time of release, the film recorded the second biggest opening weekend of all time with a $191.3 million box office. It has also been the #1 release in every country where it has opened and has grossed over $1.4 billion in global box office. The studio also successfully launched another franchise with “Ant-Man,” starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly. The film opened #1 at the box office on July 17 and went on to gross more than $519 million at the worldwide box office. The film propelled the Marvel brands’ #1 domestic box-office opening streak to a record-breaking 12 consecutive films.

CBS’ ‘Limitless’ Gets A Lengthy New Featurette!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Remember that clever (but semi-uninspired) 2011 film Limitless, based on the novel The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn?

The series is set to premiere on September 22nd, and the star of the original film, Bradley Cooper is even set to have a recurring role in the drama as Edward Morra, who is now a senator and will as a mentor to our new lead. He’s also an executive producer on the drama, and based on the trailer for the series and all of the buzz its garnering, I’m really looking forward to checking it out.

Today, a new featurette for the anticipated series debuted online. It clocks in at nearly four minutes, and includes interviews with Cooper, our new lead Jake McDorman, Jennifer Carpenter, as well as other cast and producers. They all sound genuinely excited for the show, and reveal some cool details about the production and what we can expect from this first season.

Limitless is a fast-paced drama about Brian Finch (McDorman), who discovers the brain-boosting power of the mysterious drug NZT and is coerced by the FBI into using his extraordinary cognitive abilities to solve complex cases for them. Working closely with Brian in the major case squad in New York City is Special Agent Rebecca Harris (Jennifer Carpenter), a formidable investigator with a dark past, and Special Agent Boyle (Hill Harper), a former military officer and Rebecca’s confidante.

Take a look at the new featurette below, and let us know if you’ll be tuning in to the Limitless premiere on September 22nd!

Here’s The First Poster For CBS’ ‘Limitless’!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Remember that clever (but semi-uninspired) 2011 film Limitless, based on the novel The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn?

Did you know that it was getting a sequel in the form of a Bradley Cooper produced television series? Cooper is even set to have a recurring role in the drama, as his character, Edward Morra, is now a senator, and serves as a mentor to our new lead.

Limitless is a fast-paced drama about Brian Finch (McDorman), who discovers the brain-boosting power of the mysterious drug NZT and is coerced by the FBI into using his extraordinary cognitive abilities to solve complex cases for them. Working closely with Brian in the major case squad in New York City is Special Agent Rebecca Harris (Jennifer Carpenter), a formidable investigator with a dark past, and Special Agent Boyle (Hill Harper), a former military officer and Rebecca’s confidante.

IGN today debuted the key art for the upcoming series, which I’m actually really looking forward to. The image definitely echoes the one-sheets for the film, which featured Cooper’s character amidst an out of focus city.

Take a look at the poster below, and let us know if you’re looking forward to the series!

Limitless

Geekscape Movie Reviews: American Sniper

by MCDave

Every year a few prestigious titles hold off their general release until the last possible moment. Although most viewers won’t be seeing Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper until 2015 (me included), a late-December limited release in the Los Angeles and New York City markets only qualified the film for the upcoming Academy Awards in February. The reason for this is simple, many people believe there’s a strategic advantage to being the freshest movie in a voting member’s mind. And while no one will really know the impact until Oscar Nominations are handed out on Thursday, January 15th, the fact remains that American Sniper is a well-earned return to form for Eastwood.

Bradley Cooper stars as the war hero and patriot, Chris Kyle. After a stagnant life in the Texas rodeo prompted the 30 year old to join the Navy Seals and defend his country, Chris Kyle was deployed to Iraq where he collected more than 150 recorded sniper kills. But rather than the enormous number of Iraqi insurgents he murdered with pinpoint accuracy in order to protect his fellow officers, Chris was most haunted by all the American casualties he failed to save.

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It’s an undeniable truth, war desensitizes you. But what can prepare someone for pinning the Navy Seal emblem on their chest and becoming a trained assassin in an endless war? Bradley Cooper gives his most valiant attempt at understanding such a person as he lives, breathes and transforms himself into Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in American history. Cooper’s immensely dedicated performance is both cold and selfless all at the same time. I watched an interesting interview where Chris Kyle described the barrier between the typical American lifestyle and the battlefield. Much like Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men, Chris spoke about the every-day civilian’s inability to process what goes on in a war zone. We could never really understand unless we experienced it, and perhaps that’s what makes Cooper’s performance so golden. He peels the layers of a character devoted to his country and guilt ridden while state-side in between tours, but aware of the war’s crippling impact on his family life. This multi-dimensional story is brilliantly captured by Clint Eastwood, a director I’ve openly criticized after a lengthy decline in his quality of work. But much like a tough-love superior officer, I only offered my negative remarks towards Eastwood because of his illustrious history as a filmmaker. After the disappointing adapted musical, Jersey Boys, it was fair to say that Eastwood was capable of better. And with the upcoming general release of American Sniper, we’re given a refreshing taste of his prior greatness.

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Although American Sniper is a successful and tense action-drama, the feature suffers from a few detractors. Like many other recently adapted films, the source material is so expansive that it becomes impossible to transfer every aspect of the book to the big screen. Eastwood places the main focus on Chris Kyle’s time in Iraq and, as a result, cuts a great deal of the Navy Seal’s home life out of the script. Personally, I’m a fan of substance and story, so I would have gladly traded a majority of the constant gun fire and battlefield footage for a deeper insight into his personal life. Furthermore, some of the war-time scenes feel slightly unrealistic. Although a service member friend of mine assured me of more accuracy than I’d expect, witnessing Chris Kyle’s personal phone calls to home while out on important assignments seemed both irresponsible and highly fabricated. However, an Oscar-worthy performance from Bradley Cooper and detailed direction from Clint Eastwood clearly overshadow the film’s weaknesses.

With American Sniper you should expect a long-winded and slow-burning affair, regular staples in any Eastwood film. The repetitious cat-and-mouse struggle between Chris Kyle and a lethal Syrian sniper definitely over-extends itself as well. Yet, long after the credits roll,  Bradley Cooper’s towering portrayal of a complex national hero will not be forgotten. The same goes for Chris Kyle’s unselfish service to our country.

GRADE: 4/5

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Geekscape Movie Reviews: Guardians of the Galaxy

by MCDave

Prepare to hold onto your seats for one of 2014’s finest summer blockbusters. As Marvel continues to expand its universe and bring these stories to the big screen, its latest adaptation, Guardian’s of the Galaxy, is funnier than 22 Jump Street and more action-packed than Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. For many moviegoers, Guardians will represent the quintessential blockbuster experience. Yet, even for the non action-lovers like myself, the film is one hell of a good time.

After losing his mother to cancer and being abducted by a space ship full of outlaws as a boy, a much older Peter Quill (played by Chris Pratt) ventures throughout the galaxy listening to an old mix tape on a walk-man and stealing anything he can get his hands on. Yet, when he stumbles across a powerful orb on an abandoned planet, Peter (aka “Star-Lord”) becomes the target of an evil villain named Ronan. And once Ronan gains possession of the orb and intends to use its powers to destroy the entire galaxy, Peter must band together with a group of misfits to save everyone from annihilation.

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As someone who laughed-off the trailers and buzz surrounding James Gunn’s latest effort, Guardians of the Galaxy, I’m here to admit that I was wrong. Gunn delivers a triumphant feature that surpasses even the overly-adored 2012 cash-cow, Marvel’s The Avengers. Leading star Chris Pratt has always been a comical genius and someone I’ve admired for quite some time. Stealing the spotlight in past works such as Delivery Man and 10 Years afforded Pratt the opportunity to seize a money-printing franchise such as this, and he does so with ease. The humor is legitimate and Pratt isn’t the only one cracking jokes. Bradley Cooper, who offers his voice for the cunning raccoon, Rocket, does a fantastic job of infusing comedy into the film as well. But in addition to a multitude of laugh-out-scenes, Guardians of the Galaxy conjures up a cohesive and entertaining story that isn’t bogged down by an action-overdose. Unlike other recent over-the-top blockbusters such as Man of Steel and Iron Man 3, who attempted to replace substance with artificial action, the chase scenes and special effects are very tasteful and properly placed, making Guardians of the Galaxy a fine summer blockbuster for all types of audiences.

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Although I give James Gunn’s superhero flick a validated endorsement, it fails to begin and end without the occasional hiccup. Zoe Saldana’s character, Gamora, is clearly the weakest link. Yet, she becomes a necessary evil that we’ll gladly take in order to enjoy the rest of the experience. Furthermore, Guardians of the Galaxy constantly employs an unforgivable trait in movies, Gunn and the rest of his writers make up the rules as they go along. Without any prior explanation or understanding of the characters and their situations, important plot elements are sprung onto the audience in order to provide a smooth transition to the next scene. This is a sign of lazy writing and development that’s hard to overlook. Therefore, Guardians is a winning effort that definitely has its flaws.

If you’re still seeking out a successful summer blockbuster, look no further than James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. As the Marvel universe continues its expansion, I become more and more impressed with what they have to offer. A commitment to an engaging story through the use of comedy and appropriately measured amounts of action feel like a recipe for success, and one that’s clearly evident with Guardians of the Galaxy.

GRADE: 4/5

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Tour Star Lord’s Spaceship With Chris Pratt!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Guardians of the Galaxy is awesome. A ton of you saw the movie this past weekend, and a lot of you probably saw it more than once (I’m definitely in that camp, and I’ll probably see it again before it leaves theatres).

Did you know that Star Lord’s ship, the Milano, is largely physical and doesn’t actually utilize a lot of CGI? At least on the inside, that is. In a very Cribs-esque video, Guardians star Chris Pratt shows us around the surprisingly detailed environment.

Take a look at the short video below, and let us know what you think! What was your favourite part of the film?

Miss our shenanigans from the red carpet? Check them out below!

GeekscapeTV: Our Shenanigans From The ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ World Premiere!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Two days ago we debuted a brand new Geekscape episode in which Jonathan, Shane O’Hare, our new friend Stanley Wong and I talk about our experiences at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. For Jonathan and me, however, our geek spring break began one day earlier when we attended the world premiere of Marvel’s latest, Guardians of the Galaxy.

You can listen to the episode (in which I don’t really understand how a microphone works and am entirely too quiet throughout) for our full thoughts on the film, but you can also check out the video below to see just how much fun we had.

Jonathan is no stranger to selfies (my Facebook feed is constantly flooded with them), and he decided to go for some video selfies with the Guardians stars as well as some of the other celebrities walking down the red carpet. The results are pretty hilarious (especially the reaction from Elizabeth Henstridge).

Take a look at the video below, and be sure to subscribe and share if you enjoy it! We’ve got plenty more coming down the pipeline, so stay tuned!

Looking forward to Guardians of the Galaxy? Sound out below!

New ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ TV Spot Features New Footage!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Marvel has just debuted a new 1+ minute TV spot for next August’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

The video changes up the film’s music selection (Cherry Bomb instead of Hooked on a Feeling), and also delves into why Peter is so keen on saving the galaxy. We also see more combat, and a few more humorous clips of those a-holes arguing.

Guardians of the Galaxy looks like a blast, and we cannot wait to see the full feature. Take a look at the new spot below, and let us know what you think! Guardians hits theatres on August 1st.

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchise of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team–the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits -Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

The Latest ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Trailer Is Chock-Full Of Awesome New Footage!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Marvel has just released a brand new trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy, and it’s definitely the best one yet.

The new trailer takes us far deeper into the characters (and what they’re about to face) than we’ve seen so far. We get a look at Star Lord’s past, Rocket gets a few more lines, and Groot… well, says “I am Groot” in another location. It’s awesome.

It’s also pretty much all new footage, so there’s that. If you’re trying to avoid spoiling much in the film, stay away from this one. In any case, August can’t come soon enough. Take a look at the new trailer below, and let us know what you think!

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchise of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team–the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits -Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

I Am Groot: Watch The New Trailer For ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: They’ve been teasing it all week, and now it’s finally here: the newest trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy.

The new preview shows off a ton of new action, and also lets us hear Bradley Cooper’s Rocket and Vin Diesel’s Groot for the first time. It doesn’t dig too deep into the film’s plot, but its pretty clear that the universe views the group as a band of criminals (and A-holes), and that they’re going to fight something sinister.

You can take a look at the new trailer below, and be sure to let us know what you hope to see when Guardians of the Galaxy hits theatres on August 1st!

http://youtu.be/6lVH3ogPE0w

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchise of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team–the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits -Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

Here Are Three New Stills From ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Following those behind-the-scenes images from a few weeks back, Marvel has just debuted three new stills from this Summer’s Guardians of the Galaxy. We get (another) couple of shots of Chris Pratt’s Star Lord, and our best look yet at Karen Gillan’s Nebula.

Take a look at the stills below, rewatch that awesome first trailer, and let us know just how excited you are for the film! Guardians of the Galaxy hits theatres on August 1st!

Nebula

StarLord2

StarLord1

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchise of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team–the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits -Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Gets Three Behind-The-Scenes Stills!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Following the film’s first clip from just a few days back, Marvel has debuted three behind-the-scenes stills from this Summer’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Take a look at the stills below, rewatch that awesome first trailer, and let us know just how excited you are for the film! Guardians of the Galaxy hits theatres on August 1st!

Guardians1

Guardians2

Guardians3

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchise of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team–the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits -Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

Watch The First Clip From Marvel’s ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: We’re still a few months away from the film hitting theatres, but MTV has just debuted the first clip from James Gunn’s highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy.

The clip revolves around the orb that we saw in the film’s first trailer, and… well, take a look at the clip and see how things play out. Guardians of the Galaxy hits theatres on August 1st!

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchise of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team–the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits -Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

Meet The ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ In Five New Teasers, Plus A New Poster!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: It was just two nights ago that we got our fantastic first look at Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (rewatch the trailer here), and today Marvel debuted a small teaser for each of the film’s main characters, as well as the movie’s first poster!

You can take a look at everything below, and be sure to let us know what you think of Rocket Raccoon’s first lines! Guardians of the Galaxy hits theatres on August 1st!

It’s too bad we didn’t hear Groot speak today, but I guess that Marvel has to save something for another day. Take a look at the film’s first poster below, and let us know how awesome you think the film looks!

GuardiansPoster

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchise of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team–the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits -Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand–with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

Geekscape Second Opinion: ‘American Hustle’

by jake108

American Hustle is yet another entry into what is beginning to shape up as the Golden Era of David O. Russell’s career as a filmmaker. Following last year’s hit Silver Linings Playbook, Russell stacks his cast with many of the same faces. The film is set around two con artists and one FBI agent. The film begins by setting up the two con artists, using conventions and techniques usually found in the gangster genre. Think Casino. The first 20 or so minutes have inner monologues, tracking shots, and long takes that all take character over plot. However, as long as we’re talking about David O. Russell here, character over plot isn’t a bad thing.

American Hustle is very much a character driven film, as it should be. Christian Bale knocks this role out of the park. And Jeremy Renner? It almost made me completely forget about how static Hawkeye was in The Avengers. Moving on. Both Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence are definitely deserving of best acting nominations. As the film went on, I couldn’t help but think that the two were playing themselves in some scenes. This thought was solidified upon further reading that there was more than a few scenes where the actors would improv. Bradley Cooper delivers what seems to be his greatest performance yet and has great chemistry with both Adams and Bale. Regardless, an ensemble cast that works this well together should not be so quickly overlooked. American Hustle deserves audiences for this feat alone.

As hinted at earlier, Russell’s directorial style is hitting a smooth stride; a stride so flawless, so self-reflexive, you can tell he’s having fun with it. It’s a film made with the same love and care that Silver Linings came from. The director trademarks are there, such as close ups of handholding, and the various musical montages are a blast. All this while the production and costume design will have you invested in the film’s setting and story.

Aside from a few ADR and editing quips, American Hustle delivers a powerful experience, one that with themes and questions that’ll have you thinking while you’re walking out of the theater. In American Hustle, everyone hustles to survive. Do you?

American Hustle is currently in limited release and goes wide on December 20, 2013.

I’d love to talk more about the film as you all see it, so don’t be afraid to comment below!

Be sure to read MCDave’s review of the film here!

Geekscape Movie Reviews: American Hustle

by MCDave

To steal a quote from Woody Harrelson in the 1992 comedy White Men Can’t Jump, filmmaker David O. Russell is “in the zone”. Russell finds himself in the midst of an unbelievable directorial stretch that will surely bring him his third consecutive Best Picture Nomination when they’re officially announced early next year. In his latest masterpiece, American Hustle, the writer/director puts a clever fictionalized spin on the FBI’s ABSCAM operation which took place in the late 1970s. So clever, in fact, that we may have found our next Academy Awards Best Picture winner.

After con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his seductive mistress, Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), are arrested for loan fraud by up-and-coming FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), they have two options: either face some serious jail time, or help DiMaso bring down four other high profile criminals. Needless to say Irving and Sydney choose the latter, assisting DiMaso in a sting operation that couples New Jersey politician Camine Polito (Jeremy Renner), countless political officials and dangerous members of the mafia. The only wild card in the matter is Irving’s wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), whose instability could put the whole operation in jeopardy.

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With David O. Russell’s American Hustle, you can expect a big-time splash that will leave a ripple effect on just about every major Oscar race out there. The filmmaker has coached his two previous casts to 7 … let that sink in for a minute … 7 Oscar nominations with their work in both Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter. Current cast members Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence understand the greatness of Russell as he helped lead both of them to their only Academy Awards victories. As expected, American Hustle delivers no shortage of fine performances. From top to bottom the cast is excellent. It all starts with leading man Christian Bale who packs on the pounds and shaves the center of his head to truly capture the art of the comb-over. Not only does Bale display onscreen excellence yet again, he continues to remind us of his dedication to the craft. There may not be a more committed actor on the entire planet. But he is far from the only shining star, perhaps Bradley Cooper is most impressive with a towering turn as Richie DiMaso, a young FBI agent who becomes more and more obsessed with making the biggest bust in U.S. history. And let’s not forget Jennifer Lawrence. While the young actress moseys along and embraces all of the onscreen recognition and public love she’s been receiving, her performance actually feels like one of the least convincing roles in the film, although still fantastic. American Hustle‘s ensemble is spectacular and, without question, the finest of the year.

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You’ll need to search for flaws in David O. Russell’s American Hustle, but one irritating aspect is the director’s fixation on the time period. There’s no subtlety to it whatsoever. Russell continually throws the 1970 vibe right in your face by purposely calling attention to it throughout the entire film. In some ways it feels as though he sacrifices substance for style and it’s a shame. Furthermore, American Hustle does tend to drag on in its latter stages. You can sense where the movie’s headed, but Russell takes his merry old time getting there. Thankfully, the writer/director has mastered the art of story-telling and uses a sharp comedic tone to help balance his out-stretched tale of power, greed and pushing the limits. By the time American Hustle is all said and done, it’s obvious that Russell has a winning effort on his hands, one that’s assured to garner plenty of attention on its road to the Oscars.

With the clock winding down and the cinematic year coming to a screeching halt, 2013 finally has a film that stands out above the rest. American Hustle is an energetic and hilarious adventure. And despite the fact that its dramatics aren’t overly “touching” or “moving”, nor should they be, American Hustle is a fun and engaging ride that you won’t want to miss.

GRADE: 4.5/5

Check out lots of other reviews and fun movie lists at Movie Reviews By Dave.

It’s Official! Bradley Cooper Is ‘Rocket Raccoon’ In ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Just last week, it was rumoured (and then confirmed) that Bradley Cooper was in talks to voice Rocket Raccoon in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Today, it was revealed that the actor has officially signed on for the role.

The first footage of the character was shown at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, and again at D23. The footage, of course, came without a voiceover as nobody had been confirmed for the role. Sadly, I still haven’t seen the clip.

Cooper joins Karen Gillan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt, Lee Pace, Benicio Del Toro, John C. Reilly, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Glenn Close, Djimon Hounsou, and probably Vin Diesel too (as well as plenty of others)! Let us know your thoughts on the casting below! Guardians of the Galaxy hits theatres on August 1st, 2014!

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Bradley Cooper In Talks To Voice Rocket Raccoon In ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Late last night, Latino-Review posted an interesting rumour that Marvel and director James Gunn are in talks with Bradley Cooper to voice Rocket Raccoon in Gunn’s highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy.

THR has just confirmed the rumour with their own sources, stating that Marvel has indeed entered early talks with Bradley Cooper for the role. They also note that last week’s rumour of Elizabeth Olsen being up for Scarlet Witch in Avengers 2: Age of Ultron is also true.

Guardians of the Galaxy is really shaping up nicely. Composer Tyler Bates was confirmed for the project just yesterday, Vin Diesel is currently in talks for Groot, and Karen Gillan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt, Lee Pace, Benicio Del Toro, John C. Reilly, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Glenn Close, Djimon Hounsou, and plenty of others have already joined the project!

Both of these stars would make pretty phenomenal additions to there respective films, don’t you think? Sound out below, and be sure to let us know your thoughts on the cast so far!

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Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Hangover Part III

by MCDave

2009 seems like such a short time ago. Yet, almost four years have passed since Todd Phillips’ The Hangover helped set the bar for modern day comedies. Then, like clockwork, Phillips and the people at Warner Bros. decided to milk this cash cow for all it’s worth. With dollar signs in their eyes, they began a four year plan releasing The Hangover Part II in 2011 and the third installment this weekend. While many may feel that the franchise has run its course, especially after the disappointment of “Part II”, the newest inclusion is definitely a step up over its immediate predecessor.

Freshly off his meds, Alan (Galifianakis) has reclaimed his impulsive ways and becomes too much for his friends and family to handle. After agreeing to check into a facility, the Wolfpack ventures to Arizona to help Alan receive the treatment that he needs. However, the trip is quickly derailed when a drug lord named Marshall (played by John Goodman) takes Doug hostage and threatens to kill him in three days unless they bring him Leslie Chow (played by Ken Jeong), who has robbed the kingpin of millions of dollars.

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Breaking from the tiresome and formulaic structure of the franchise’s first two installments, The Hangover Part III is a fluctuating adventure filled with an abundance of hysterical moments alongside a downtrodden dose of Mr. Chow’s character. Clearly an improvement over Phillips’ previous visit to the Wolfpack universe, the film dishes out a healthy portion of outrageously hilarious scenes. It’s also moderately gratifying to watch the franchise come full circle. Taking a Seinfeld finale approach, The Hangover Part III marks the return for many of the original’s memorable characters (thankfully, there’s no Mike Tyson). Phillips gives a valiant attempt at wrapping everything up with a nice little bow. However, the post credit clip reminds us that when it comes to a brand that’s grossed north of $500 million dollars in box office revenue, the door must be left open for a return. Representing another unfitting and unjustifiable decision from the director.

Although The Hangover Part III has no shortage of laughs, there is plenty to dislike about the Wolfpack’s alleged final adventure. It became apparent during the less-than-acceptable sequel that Mr. Chow is a leech, sucking the blood and life out of the entire franchise. Therefore, his inexcusably grand role in this third chapter ultimately deflates the film. Chow receives far more onscreen attention than every other character except Alan. Moreover, much to its detriment, these two oddballs have managed to attract an increasing level of absurdity throughout the course of the trilogy. The beauty behind the original was the collaborative comedic efforts from its trio of stars. Yet, Cooper and Helms, along with an under-utilized cameo by the always phenomenal John Goodman, take a back seat to the shenanigans of Alan and Chow, merely making them props to the story. Consequently, it does the film a huge disservice, leaving plenty to be desired with The Hangover Part III.

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If you’ve poured enough of your hard earned dollars into the first two inclusions of the franchise, then there’s nothing lost by avoiding The Hangover Part III in theatres. Despite being a step up from the second installment, the newest effort is still a huge drop off from the timeless magic captured in the original. Hardcore fans will inevitably enjoy the full-circle approach taken by director Todd Phillips, yet there’s no valid argument against waiting to catch The Hangover Part III on DVD.

Grade: 2.5/5

Check out other work from MCDave at Movie Reviews By Dave

Brand New Trailer Debuts For ‘The Hangover Part III’

by Shawn Madden

We’ve seen a teaser trailer and posters for the film and now Warner Bros. has debuted a new full length trailer for The Hangover Part III. The trailer gives us an idea what is going to happen when it all ends for The Wolfpack this Memorial Day. Check it out below.

“The Hangover Part III” is the third and final film in director Todd Phillips’ record-shattering comedy franchise. This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off.

It all ends when The Hangover III hits theaters May 24, 2013

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Place Beyond The Pines

by MCDave

Derek Cianfrance is an artist. The writer/director imposes a rare ambition that enables his lifelong passions to make it to the big screen. Cianfrance’s sophomore effort (but first real major motion picture release), Blue Valentine, was a project 12 years in the making. However, the director used the film as a platform to make his mark as a visionary filmmaker set on exploring the deepest, and sometimes darkest, depths of humanity. And as we saw with Blue Valentine, Cianfrance is no sucker for a happy ending. Instead, when making an impressive feature such as his latest release, The Place Beyond the Pines, the director demonstrates immense loyalty to the most important people around him, his characters. For example, when Cianfrance was looking for a financier and pitching his film, he was told to trim down his lofty 158 page script to 120. How did he respond? Cianfrance widened the margins and shrunk the text, never deleting a single word. Loyalty.

The Place Beyond the Pines is a three-chapter story following a multitude of characters. First, there’s the danger-seeking stunt motorcyclist named Luke Glanton (played by Ryan Gosling). Traveling from city to city as an entertainer, Glanton returns to Schenectady, NY for the first time in over a year only to discover that a one-night stand has turned him into an absentee father. Desperate to offer support and remain in his child’s life, Luke uses his unique set of skills to execute a few bank robberies in an attempt to provide for his son. Next up is the ambitious and youthful newbie police officer, Avery Cross (played by Bradley Cooper), whose world changes after he thwarts one of Glanton’s robberies. However, these men’s decisions have long-lasting effects on their children and loved ones, proving that life is never as black and white as it seems.

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Embodied by the impressive prolonged and uncut scene which begins the movie, The Place Beyond the Pines is a lengthy, but engrossing, effort from mastermind Derek Cianfrance. The writer/director delivers a grand story filled with harrowing subplots and sincere themes. And although the film fails to unravel with the smoothest of rides, The Place Beyond the Pines becomes a shining example of an entire feature being greater than the sum of its parts. Broken down and dissected on a microscopic level, Cianfrance’s latest work is faulty and imperfect. On the other hand, The Place Beyond the Pines measures up as a carefully-calculated piece of filmmaking that survives on sheer sincerity and realism. Like each and every one of us, Cianfrance’s characters are flawed human beings who face difficult choices in life. But no matter their intent, the consequences live on and effect everyone around them. The Place Beyond the Pines explores generational burdens with a brutal honesty and integrity that Cianfrance has clearly mastered in his brief career.

Despite the film’s grand intent, The Place Beyond the Pines is far from unblemished. Operating as a slow-churning three chapter story, each progressing chapter manages to be weaker than the last. Therefore, the feature begins with a solid hook revolving around Gosling’s affable character, but then it undoubtedly loses its flare as the running time begins to stockpile. Yet, to its benefit, Cianfrance generates a suspenseful conclusion that can end in only one of two ways. Perhaps the beauty of The Place Beyond the Pines is the fact that either ending would make for a fitting resolve to the story (although they’d be completely different in mood and purpose).

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Derek Cianfrance has made his mark as a risk taker, all of which have paid off extremely well. Unfortunately, over the years, Hollywood has begun to rid itself of such filmmakers. Living in fear of financial repercussions and a lack of an artistic-appreciative audience that flocks to movie theatres nowadays, directors like Cianfrance are finding it difficult to make purposeful films. The Place Beyond the Pines is a challenging movie that’s wonderfully shot and wonderfully acted. Despite all of its shortcomings, it deserves to be lauded for its underlying themes of cause and effect as well as forgiveness. Far from the watered-down and superficial fluff that finds its way across screens all over America, The Place Beyond the Pines is a welcoming return to the art-form of storytelling.

GRADE: 4/5

For more work from MCDave visit his site at Movie Reviews By Dave

‘The Place Beyond The Pines’ Gets A New Poster, 12 New Images

by Derek Kraneveldt

Focus Features today released a new poster and 12 new images for Derek Cianfrance’s upcoming drama, The Place Beyond the Pines. If you haven’t seen Derek’s previous film, 2010’s Blue Valentine, I implore you to do so, as the feature was one of the most heart wrenching, well written dramas that I’ve seen in years.

 

The Place Beyond the Pines hits theatres this Friday, March 29th, and stars Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Olga Meredez, and more! Check out the plethora of new images below, and let us know what you think! Haven’t seen the trailer? We’ve got you covered!

 

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Luke (Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling) is a high-wire motorcycle stunt performer who travels with the carnival from town to town. While passing through Schenectady in upstate New York, he tries to reconnect with a former lover, Romina (Eva Mendes), only to learn that she has given birth to their son Jason in his absence. Luke decides to give up life on the road to try and provide for his newfound family by taking a job as a car mechanic. Noticing Luke’s ambition and talents, his employer Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) proposes to partner with Luke in a string of spectacular bank robberies – which will place Luke on the radar of ambitious rookie cop Avery Cross (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper).

 

Avery, who has to navigate a local police department ruled by the menacing and corrupt detective Deluca (Ray Liotta), is also struggling to balance his professional life with his family life, which includes his wife Jennifer (Rose Byrne) and their infant son AJ. The consequences of Avery’s confrontation with Luke will reverberate into the next generation. It is then that the two sons, Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen), must face their fateful, shared legacy.

‘The Place Beyond The Pines’ Gets 10 New Images!

by Derek Kraneveldt

The last time Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling got together, the end result was an absolutely heartbreaking drama about falling in love, and then falling apart. Blue Valentine (trailer here) was impressive as hell, but I can’t stress enough just how depressing it is: after initial viewing it stayed in my head for days, and I still think of it from time to time. It will break your freaking heart.

 

Cianfrance has a new film releasing next month (March 29th to be exact). Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper play characters who both seem to be good men, with one (of course) being on the wrong side of the law.

 

Focus Features today released 10 new images from the upcoming drama. The movie looks great, but seeing as my heart is still in need of mending after Blue Valentine, I’m not sure if I’m ready for another Cianfrance experience…

 

Who am I kidding, I’ll be seeing it as soon as I possible can. Check out the images (and trailer) below, and let us know what you think!

 

 

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Luke (Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling) is a high-wire motorcycle stunt performer who travels with the carnival from town to town. While passing through Schenectady in upstate New York, he tries to reconnect with a former lover, Romina (Eva Mendes), only to learn that she has given birth to their son Jason in his absence. Luke decides to give up life on the road to try and provide for his newfound family by taking a job as a car mechanic. Noticing Luke’s ambition and talents, his employer Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) proposes to partner with Luke in a string of spectacular bank robberies – which will place Luke on the radar of ambitious rookie cop Avery Cross (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper).

 

Avery, who has to navigate a local police department ruled by the menacing and corrupt detective Deluca (Ray Liotta), is also struggling to balance his professional life with his family life, which includes his wife Jennifer (Rose Byrne) and their infant son AJ. The consequences of Avery’s confrontation with Luke will reverberate into the next generation. It is then that the two sons, Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen), must face their fateful, shared legacy.

 

MCDave’s 2012 Movie Awards

by MCDave

In honor of the Academy Award Nominations which will be announced on Thursday January 10th, I give you my personal 2012 year-end movie awards. 2012 proved to be an extraordinary year in cinema (view my top ten films of 2012), one that will certainly leave its mark in history. Having seen nearly 100 new releases over this past calendar year, here’s my top 5 picks for each of the 6 major races:

Notable films I missed in 2012: Amour, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Skyfall and Rust and Bone

 

Best Supporting Actress

#5 Sally Field – Lincoln

#4 Amy Adams – The Master

#3 Helen Hunt – The Sessions

#2 Pauline Collins – Quartet

and the winner is …

#1 Anne Hathaway – Les Miserables

 Much like the Academy is sure to do in late February, I reward Anne Hathaway with the Best Supporting Actress role of 2012. For all of the focus on Jean Valjean’s character in Tom Hooper’s Les Miserables, it’s Anne Hathaway who serves as the film’s heart and soul. Her emotionally-crushed rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” will live on as a Hollywood highlight reel forever, making her the clear cut winner here.

Best Supporting Actor

#5 Benicio Del Toro – Savages

#4 Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master

#3 Sam Rockwell – Seven Psychopaths

#2 Ezra Miller – The Perks of Being a Wallflower

and the winner is …

#1 Christoph Waltz – Django Unchained

Quentin Tarantino’s Spaghetti Western Django Unchained stood out as one of the year’s funnest movie experiences. The film’s most lovable character was Dr. King Schultz, played by Academy Award Winner Christoph Waltz. While I am starting to feel as though Waltz will be the odd man out in the Best Supporting Actor category when Oscar nominations are announced on Thursday (read about my 2013 Oscar Nomination Predictions), it would be a shame for the Academy to omit his transcending performance.

Best Actress

#5 Helen Mirren – Hitchcock

#4 Naomi Watts – The Impossible

#3 Zoe Kazan – Ruby Sparks

#2 Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

and the winner is …

#1 Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty

After storming onto the scene in 2011 with a handful of unforgettable roles, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that Jessica Chastain was a star in the making. Taking home my 2011 Best Supporting Actress Award for Take Shelter, Chastin raises the bar again with her phenomenal portrayal in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty. Chastain’s character transforms throughout the feature and her development becomes a valuable aspect of the narrative. Although she finds worthy Oscar competition from my runner-up, Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook), Chastain gives the most decisive female performance of the year.

Best Actor

#5 Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook

#4 Denzel Washington – Flight

#3 Joaquin Phoenix – The Master

#2 John Hawkes – The Sessions

and the winner is …

#1 Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln

This race feels like the biggest “no-brainer” to me. For as many brilliant lead actor performances as there were this year (and believe me there were a TON), none of them were even in the same stratosphere as Daniel-Day Lewis’ once in a life time portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. Every chance I get to watch Day-Lewis deliver groundbreaking role after groundbreaking role, it becomes more apparent that I’m experiencing greatness. Steven Spielberg’s Best Picture contender, Lincoln, survives solely on the shoulders of the actor’s performance. There’s no question who deserves this win.

Best Director

#5 David O. Russell – Silver Linings Playbook

#4 J.A. Bayona – The Impossible

#3 Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

#2 Kathryn Bigelow – Zero Dark Thirty

and the winner is …

#1 Ben Affleck – Argo

The Best Director race was the most difficult for me to decide. The Kathryn Bigelow/Ben Affleck debate becomes very difficult to dissect. The direction’s outstanding in both Zero Dark Thirty and Argo, but the difference-maker was Affleck’s ability to conjure up a multi-dimensional movie experience. Bigelow’s feature is more of a character based journey, while Affleck focuses on bringing a remarkable true story to life. Distinct opposites in approach, both films are premier examples of modern day filmmaking. However, I just happened to enjoy Argo slightly more than Bigelow’s gripping manhunt tale.

Best Picture

#5 Perfect Sense

#4 The Sessions

#3 Zero Dark Thirty

#2 The Impossible

and the winner is …

#1 Argo

No one can question the abundance of top tier films released in 2012. It was a difficult decision and very close, but I’m going with Argo as the Best Picture of 2012. A roller coaster ride of emotions, Ben Affleck’s Argo interweaves between espionage thriller and comedy. The pacing and tone is perfect, making Argo the most enjoyable film of the year. Its Oscar hopes are still very much alive, despite a major December-long onslaught of competitive releases. Affleck continues to solidify himself as a bonafide filmmaker and gives us Argo, 2012’s Best Picture.

*** Where am I right and where am I wrong? Leave a comment and spark a debate. You can view other work by MCDave at Movie Reviews By Dave

It’s Almost Turkey Time! The Geekscapepod For November 21st, 2012!

by Jonathan

Longtime friend of the show Tyson Breuer joins in on a brand new Geekscape to talk about film festivals, his history with Geekscape… and Geekdrome before it… and the WiiU! We talk about Tyson’s addiction to Yoshi’s Fruit Cart, the hell that is the Octopus Dance and whether or not Nintendoland is just a collection of iOS games! And what about New Super Mario Bros. U? Jonathan shares his thoughts. Also… how does Zombie U break away from the zombie games that came before it? PLUS! We watched ‘The Silverlining Playbook’ and weigh in on whether or not its an Oscar contender!

Subscribe to the show on iTunes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:53 — 17.2MB)

Geekscape Movie Reviews: Silver Linings Playbook

by MCDave

This year’s Philadelphia Film Festival couldn’t have lined up a better Opening Night Film. David O. Russell’s latest work, Silver Linings Playbook, truly embodies the City of Brotherly Love. Everything about the film looks, sounds and feels like Philadelphia. From the carefully selected suburban neighborhoods that appear throughout the movie to our beloved football team, the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s clear that David O. Russell “gets” this often misunderstood city. The director creates a strong and unbreakable kind of bond that’s sure to last a lifetime … especially around here.

Bradley Cooper stars as Pat Solitano, a former high school teacher doing a stint in a mental facility after coming home to his wife having an affair and then severely beating her lover. It’s safe to say that Pat has some issues with anger management and certain “triggers”, like his tainted wedding song that’s guaranteed to set him off on a rampage. On the other hand there’s Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence), a recent widow whose self loathing and erratic antics help support the fact that she’s clearly off her rocker too. But when the pair of crazies decide to help one another out with some sizable favors, they soon discover the best way to help make sense of this screwed up world.

David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook is a surprisingly upbeat and off-the-wall examination of mental health disorders. Way funnier than I anticipated it to be, the director chooses to approach this serious issue with a delicate sense of humor. What could have easily been sold as a dark comedy with a completely different tone, Silver Linings Playbook stays light and refreshing throughout its two hour running time. Perhaps most impressive about David O. Russell’s latest work is the script’s ability to generate a fluent tempo. The character development and plot are frequently progressing, giving Silver Linings Playbook a perfectly suited pace. Never lethargic or lifeless, the film has a pair of tremendously talented stars to thank for such an excellent result. Bradley Cooper continues to elevate his work and a performance such as this one should clearly put him on the Oscar’s radar. But for as phenomenal as Cooper is throughout the film, his counterpart, Jennifer Lawrence, still tends to overshadow his efforts. Lawrence, who has already landed a Best Actress Nomination for her work in the indie hit Winter’s Bone, uses this role to stamp her claim as one of Hollywood’s fastest rising female stars. There’s no limit to what the future has in store for her. Although the two leads steal the film, the quality of the cast doesn’t stop there. Robert De Niro’s name is already floating around the Best Supporting Actor race for his portrayal of Pat’s football crazed father, Pat Sr. Even though I can agree with the praise being thrown De Niro’s way, I was almost equally impressed by Chris Tucker’s character. Completely outside of his normal loud-mouthed range, Tucker demonstrates a more mature style of acting which shouldn’t be ignored. Once again, writer/director David O. Russell assembles a fantastic collection of talent and uses their glowing performances to constantly elevate his work.

Despite all of its commendable aspects, there are a few fair complaints with Silver Linings Playbook. Most notable is an uncomfortable and awkward feel surrounding the character Jake Solitano (played by Boardwalk Empire‘s Shea Whigham). As Pat’s older brother, Jake never finds his niche in the story and it results in plenty of stumbling scenes. Knowing that Silver Linings Playbook is based on Matthew Quick’s novel of the same name, maybe Jake’s character serves a more purposeful role in that platform. Yet, here he does nothing but detract from the otherwise smooth flowing pace of the film. Another small blemish with the feature is some inconsistencies revolving around the final scenes. The audience, like Pat, is force fed a dose of reality that his ex-wife is no longer interested in talking to him. As if her restraining order against him isn’t proof enough. Therefore, when she comes back into the story at the movie’s conclusion, it feels like a bloated Hollywood-esque move on behalf of the writer and director David O. Russell. While none of its faults are detrimental to the success of the film, Silver Linings Playbook easily moves past these flaws and remains one of the year’s best pictures.

With an early head of steam in the race to the Oscar’s, David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook is a serious contender. Finding a large amount of solace in its surprisingly original comedic tone, this Oscar hopeful is in a league of its own. Because of a dazzling ensemble and a lovable pair of crazed characters, Silver Linings Playbook clearly stands out among its Oscar competitors. Due out around Thanksgiving, Silver Linings Playbook is the type of fun and energetic film you make it a point to see. Heed my advice and mark your calendars.

Grade: 4/5

Feel free to check out other work by MCDave at Movie Reviews By Dave

 

Mark Millar Pursuing Bradley Cooper To Play Johnny Bolt In ‘Supercrooks’!

by Shawn Madden

A few months back Mark Millar, the man behind Supercrooks, revealed that Ryan Reynolds or Bradley Cooper would be his ideal choice for the role of Johnny Bolt in Nacho Vigalondo’s upcoming big screen adaptation. Earlier this evening on the Millarworld Forums Mark Millar confirmed that production on the film is moving ahead as well as that Millar would be contacting Cooper’s people tomorrow in order to begin talks. Even though this doesn’t mean that the actor will accept this does mean that this project IS indeed moving forward. Can we just go ahead and say “Hell yeah!” right now?

“We’ve got a great director, a great screenplay and as of Christmas we’ll have time to start prepping this sucker. Who we gonna call? Bradley Cooper. I am literally calling up his guys tomorrow and want to secure him as Johnny Bolt. It’s about TIME he did a super-movie and having him as a likeable super-villain in a super-heist flick sounds about perfect. He’s our ideal choice and we’re going to pursue this tomorrow.”

Millar also confirmed that there is another Millarworld film that will be going into production in the spring and we should expect an announcement in the next few weeks.