Analog Jones celebrates the achievement of 100 episodes on episode 101. Listen to Matt and Stephen talk about their man-crush, Indiana Jones, in their Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) VHS Movie Review!


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Quick Facts about Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) film
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Produced by Frank Marshall
Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan
Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman
Production company: Lucasfilm
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date: June 12, 1981 (United States)
Running time: 115 minutes
Budget: $18 million
Box office: $389.9 million

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) VHS Movie Review

Starring in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) film
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones
Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood
Paul Freeman as Dr. René Belloq
Ronald Lacey as Major Arnold Toht
John Rhys-Davies as Sallah
Denholm Elliott as Dr. Marcus Brody

Raiders of the Lost Ark VHS Box Description (1986 Release)
This is it! Harrison Ford and filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas team in the first Indiana Jones movie—and set the whirlwind tone for Indy’s adventures to come. Here, you’ll find archaeologist Jones up to his neck in danger and —snakes alive!—up to his kneecaps in squirming reptiles. Indy hates snakes!! He hates Nazis, too, and he’ll stop at nothing to keep those goose-stepping goons from obtaining the mystical Ark of the Covenant. Hang on—and enjoy!

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) VHS Movie Review | Raiders of the Lost Ark 1986 VHS release
Raiders of the Lost Ark 1986 VHS release

Quotes
“The most incredible series of action and stunt set pieces I’ve ever seen in a movie.”
Roger Ebert’s Movie Home Companion

VHS (1986 Release) Trailers
None

June 1981 Box Office Competition 
Clash of the Titans
For Your Eyes Only (James Bond)
Stripes
Cannonball Run
Dragon Slayer
History of the World: Part 1
Victory
Road Games
The Great Muppet Caper

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Get ready to fly with a middle-aged Peter Pan in our Hook (1991) VHS Movie Review.

 

Hook Quick Facts
Hook is a Fantasy Adventure film that was released into US theaters on December 11, 1991. Hook was produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by TriStar Pictures. Hook had a budget of around $70,000,000 and grossed about $300.9 million in the box office.

Director: Steven Spielberg (E.T., Jaws)
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy (Jurassic Park, Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Frank Marshall (Poltergeist, Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Gerald R. Molen (Schindler’s List)
Screenplay Writers: Jim V. Hart (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Muppet Treasure Island) and Malia Scotch Marmo (Polar Express)
Story Writers: Jim V. Hart and Nick Castle (Escape from New York, The Last Star Fighter)

Hook’s Cast:
Robin Williams as Peter Banning / Peter Pan
Dustin Hoffman as Captain James Hook
Julia Roberts as Tinker Bell
Bob Hoskins as Mr. Smee
Charlie Korsmo (Dick Tracy) as Jack Banning
Amber Scott as Maggie Banning
Maggie Smith (She was 57 at the time) as Wendy Darling
Gwyneth Paltrow as teenage Wendy Darling, at 19 years old
Caroline Goodall as Moira Banning
Dante Basco as Rufio

Hook (1991) VHS Movie Review

Hook Back of the Box Description
A high-flying adventure from the magic of Steven Spielberg, Hook stars Robin Williams as a grown-up Peter Pan and Dustin Hoffman as the infamous Captain Hook.

Joining the fun is Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, Bob Hoskins as the pirate Smee, and Maggie Smith as Granny Wendy Darling, who must convince the middle-aged lawyer Peter Banning that he was once the legendary Peter Pan. And so the adventure begins anew, with Peter off to Neverland to save his two children from Captain Hook. Along the way, he rediscovers the power of imagination, of friendship, and of magic. A classic tale updated for children of all ages, Hook, nominated for 5 1991 Academy Awards including best visual effects is “a 10. A film that will entertain generations, generations from now.” Gary Franklin, KABC-TV

Back of the Box Quotes
“Get ready for adventure. Steven Spielberg has scored another triumph.”
—Gen Shalit, The Today Show

Hook Trivia
-Spielberg had a personal connection to Peter and Jack’s troubled relationship because it echoed his own life.
-Spielberg considered directing it as a musical with Michael Jackson in the lead. Jackson wasn’t interested in the adult version of Peter Pan forgetting his past.
-This movie almost went into production in 1985 with Paramount Pictures.
-Malia Scotch Marmo rewrote Captain Hook’s dialogue, and Carrie Fisher went uncredited writing Tinker Bell’s dialogue.
-The original budget was set at $48 million but ballooned to $70-80 million after the movie ran 40 days over schedule.
-Spielberg’s on-set relationship with Julia Roberts was troubled, and he later revealed in an interview with 60 Minutes, “It was an unfortunate time for us to work together.” In a 1999 Vanity Fair interview, Roberts said that Spielberg’s comments “really hurt my feelings.” She “couldn’t believe this person that I knew and trusted was actually hesitating to come to my defense . . . it was the first time that I felt I had a turncoat in my midst.”
Hook had Action Figures and here’s the commercial.
Hook also came out as a SNES Game and here’s the long play of the game.
-The film was nominated for five categories at the 64th Academy Awards. This included Best Production Design (Norman Garwood, Garrett Lewis) (lost to Bugsy), Best Costume Design (lost to Bugsy), Best Visual Effects (lost to Terminator 2: Judgment Day), Best Makeup (lost to Terminator 2: Judgment Day) and Best Original Song (“When You’re Alone”, lost to Beauty and the Beast).
-Hoffman was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (lost to Williams for The Fisher King).
-John Williams was given a Grammy Award nomination for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.
-Julia Roberts received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Supporting Actress (lost to Sean Young as the dead twin in A Kiss Before Dying).
-In a 2013 interview on Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review Show said this about Hook: “I wanna see Hook again because I so don’t like that movie, and I’m hoping someday I’ll see it again and perhaps like some of it.”

Come back next week when we review another listener submitted film.

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Iconic filmmaker Steven Spielberg generates a stir whenever he announces a new project is in the works. Having helmed classics such as Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, The Indiana Jones franchise and Jaws, just to name a few, it’s easy to understand why his work garners massive amounts of attention. And as a unique visionary within the science fiction genre all throughout his illustrious career, excitement grew to unfathomable proportions when Spielberg announced he’d be directing an adaptation of the bestselling dystopian novel, Ready Player One, which he personally debuted at this year’s SXSW festival.

It’s the year 2045 and people escape the monotony of their overpopulated, everyday lives by logging into the Oasis, a virtual reality world where your wildest imagination takes shape right before your eyes. And when the creator of the Oasis, James Halliday (Mark Rylance), decides to hide an “Easter Egg” within the game, holding a half a trillion dollar prize and full control over the Oasis to whomever finds it, people and corporations flock to this virtual world in hopes of winning the fortune. However, when teenager Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) discovers a breakthrough that puts him atop the leaderboard, he must work with a close-knit group of allies to stop a maniacal CEO, Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn), from locating him in real life and taking control of the Oasis forever.

Spielberg’s latest is a visual masterpiece that combats its occasionally overwhelming CGI with a superbly-paced and completely absorbing story. The futuristic world in which Ready Player One finds itself immersed is an eerily realistic interpretation that feeds into its dystopian tale perfectly. Wade, like the millions of others seeking an escape from a reality that fails to offer them anything of substance, discovers a place where he belongs and holds a purpose. And the character’s unusual bond with his fellow gamers allows the Oasis to evolve into a convincing home-like atmosphere that mesmerizes more and more with every new introduction. Yet, for as lavish and enchanting as the Oasis is, Ready Player One’s most entertaining storyline revolves around the real-life quandary that Wade and Samantha face as they near closer to winning the prize. Tye Sheridan (Mud) and Olivia Cooke (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) have shown a propensity for carrying a film and they continue the trend here. Neither is necessarily asked to do too much, as Spielberg relies heaviest on a visual overdose and gripping adventure story, but Sheridan and Cooke deliver quietly effective turns that complement their director’s overarching vision. Ready Player One by no means breaks the sci-fi mold, however the film entertains with remarkable ease throughout its entire 140-minute duration and Spielberg once again shows why he’s a true legend of Hollywood.

GRADE: 4/5

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The war genre casts a wide net over a devout fan base, many of whom love to get lost in the rapid gunfire and battle for survival that overcomes a brotherhood of soldiers. And for that reason, Nicolai Fuglsig’s heroic true tale, 12 Strong, will appease an extensive collection of moviegoers. However, if you prefer a more character-driven story in the vein of Steve Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, which we all can agree is in a class that’s difficult to reach, then 12 Strong will leave something to be desired.

Immediately following the tragic events of 9/11 the United States government summons a Special Forces unit headed by Captain Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth), who’s never actually spent time in battle, and travel to Afghanistan where they team up with an Afghani Warlord (Navid Negahban) to stop the Taliban from taking control of a major city. But as these dozen soldiers are tasked with overcoming unexpected obstacles and multiple gunfire encounters in a race against mother nature’s fast-approaching harsh wintry conditions, the odds of survival continue to plummet. Yet bravery knows no bounds as the unit risks it all to stop the Taliban from gaining a stranglehold over the entire country.

There’s something to be said for depicting a truly heroic untold story admirably well, and director Nicolai Fuglsig accomplishes just that with 12 Strong. And while his full commitment is evident, and the actions of these brave soldiers justifiably seize various emotions from the viewer, there are too many missed opportunities visible throughout the film. Its dialogue is effective, but a clear disinterest in developing characters and examining their relationships with one another hold the film back from being something special. The overlying facts of the story are astonishing, making 12 Strong a worthwhile tale to tell. However, the bonds between these American soldiers and Afghani militants are merely glossed over. Fuglsig instead trades away opportunities to expand the depth of the story in exchange for irritatingly out-stretched battle scenes that accumulate screen time and accomplish very little else. Yes, the magnitude of these events are crazy to even comprehend, but 12 Strong would be far better off devoting its resources in other areas. For example, the film’s main foe (played by Numan Acar) is given one scene to build his character. Therefore, when a moment of retribution finally arrives, its impact is devoid of significance because the villain hasn’t adequately earned our outright disdain. Nonetheless, the film’s trio of main stars, Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Pena, all deliver stellar performances, as well as co-star Navid Negahban who also shines in a lofty role. With a magnificent true story as its foundation and a valuable collection of acting talent on board, 12 Strong stands represents a mediocre effort that comes with its strengths and weaknesses.

GRADE: 2.5/5

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The name Steven Spielberg has long been synonymous with quality filmmaking, and the reliable trend continues with the auteur’s latest Oscar-bound endeavor, The Post. Tapping into the nation’s current political climate, where the standing presidential administration has emphatically combated contemporary news reporting, Spielberg circles back in U.S. history to an eerily familiar time when Nixon sought to silence the media. And with Hollywood entrenched firmly on the opposite side of our President, some believe The Post could actually steal a Best Picture win at the Academy Awards as a clear statement of their dissatisfaction with his policies and public statements. But only time will tell how tall the The Post truly stands against the greatest cinematic achievements of all-time.

In 1971 a Washington Post reporter receives over 3,000 pages of a classified U.S. study regarding the nation’s complete involvement in the Vietnam War. Fiery editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) tries to convince the Post‘s owner, Kay Graham (Meryl Streep), to publish the documents, which contain information spanning four presidential administrations and detailing their incessant lying to the public and even congress throughout the duration of the war. Yet, as Graham is caught in the middle of trying to sell her newspaper and demands from the United States Attorney General not to publish the classified material, she’s forced to balance her financial well-being and journalistic integrity surrounding an entire war based off of lies and misinformation.

Spielberg’s The Post captures a pivotal moment in U.S. history with sharp vision and an unusual conciseness that leaves you longing for more. As far as iconic films regarding news journalism, such as All the President’s Men and Spotlight, Spielberg’s effort comes close to their grandeur but not quite close enough. His direction is on point, per usual, yet The Post‘s third act cruises by in a stepping-stone sequence intended to briskly conclude the film. This flat finale is also painted with cheap sentiment, illustrated by the courthouse scene where Streep’s character exits through a crowd solely of women appearing absolutely inspired by her courageous decisions, merely serving as a lazily crafted symbol of her female empowerment. However, tacky elements have became a frequent staple in Spielberg’s work, something that sadly puts a blemish on his always superb abilities as a filmmaker and visionary. And as far as performances go, Streep and Hanks, an absolute powerhouse of a pairing, provide exceptional turns that don’t quite stack up to the pinnacles of their careers, but are certainly worthy of the Oscar praises that they’ve garnered. The Post flows naturally and comes and goes with immense ease, once again proving that Spielberg is a timeless filmmaker capable of delivering highly respectable work at every turn.

GRADE: 4/5

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Stephen Spielberg is a filmmaker that needs no introduction. The two-time Oscar-winning director boasts a never-ending list of credentials that extends well beyond his most acclaimed classics like Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jaws. And with today’s release of Spielberg’s massively anticipated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s tale, The BFG, he adds another successful title to his long, storied career.

Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is a young orphan living in London who suffers from a self proclaimed bit of insomnia. One evening, while wandering around the orphanage at all hours of the night, she encounters a lovable giant named BFG (voice of Mark Rylance) dancing along the streets outside her bedroom window. BFG snatches Sophie from her room and introduces the girl to a secret world of other giants and the whimsical source of all our nightly dreams.

bfg1

Based on the source material alone, The BFG is a story that’s truly suitable for audiences of all ages. Couple that with masterful direction through the singular eye of legendary filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, and you’ve got an instant-classic. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb and declare The BFG as Spielberg’s finest film since his 2002 crime comedy, Catch Me If You Can. It’s his majestic perspective that magnifies an already solid tale filled with grand visual effects and a charming adventure. Mark Rylance, who won an Oscar himself at the hands of Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies just last year, provides the voice and soul behind the titular character. Yet, it’s the exceptional turn by youngster Ruby Barnhill that brings the entire film together. Her delivery is organic and fits the role extremely well. With so many shining qualities surrounding The BFG, Spielberg offers another brilliant effort.

bfg2

It’s difficult identifying glaring faults to the film, but I will admit that I was slightly underwhelmed by the children-eating giants who oppose BFG. They serve their purpose, but their inclusions in the film are merely mediocre at best. Furthermore, there are a few sluggish moments spaced far apart in this long but otherwise engaging journey. While The BFG has a few minor blemishes, they pass along fairly unnoticed thanks to an abundance of other amazing attributes.

Steven Spielberg’s The BFG is a wonderful adaptation that’s enjoyable for the entire family. Bursting with humor, heart and energy, there are so many special components that make this film one of 2016’s finest. You won’t find another film in theaters that will top Spielberg’s The BFG, so heed my advice and check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

GRADE: 4/5

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Chris Strompolos is no stranger to Geekscape! The last time he was on the show he was pushing the Kickstarter to complete one of his life’s projects: a shot for shot remake of ‘The Raiders Of The Lost Ark’ that he started with his friend Eric Zala when they were in middle school! Now, Chris and Eric are embarking on another adventure… a huge tour to not only promote the finished remake but also the documentary about the making of it and the companion book! Plus, Chris gives us his thoughts on the young Han Solo casting and how there will never be another Harrison Ford!

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Briefly: It’s tough not to stare in awe at just how gorgeous this just-released theatrical trailer for Disney’s The BFG really is. I mean, wow.

Somehow, I’ve never read the beloved Roald Dahl book that the film is based on, but it’s tough not to get excited for what looks like another mysterious Spielberg family classic.

You can take a look at the new trailer below, and be sure to let us know what you think! The BFG hits theatres on July 1st!

https://youtu.be/GZ0Bey4YUGI

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle.

 

Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams.

 

Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows, but Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.

After years of teasing and empty promises, it looks like Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg will be teaming up once again for a 5th Indiana Jones movie. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, they had this to say:

“Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we can’t wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019,” said Disney chairman Alan Horn. “It’s rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven.”

Series veterans Kathleen and Frank Marshall are set to produce. Not much else is known about the movie other than it’s scheduled to premiere July 19th, 2019. Are you excited about a new Indiana Jones movie? Which of the 4 films is your favorite?

Disney released the teaser trailer for its upcoming live-action adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The BFG’. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film will follow Roald Dahl’s classic novel about Sophie’s adventure with The Big Friendly Giant. This marks the first time Steven Spielberg will direct a feature for the house of mouse.

Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) appears as the Big Friendly Giant, with Bill Hader, Penelope Wilton and Rebecca Hall also appearing in the film.

I personally don’t remember reading the book or watching the 1989 cartoon movie, so I will have to default to my daughter about her anticipation for this film (assuming she would be excited at all).

Being that there is a perfect trifecta with Disney, Spielberg, and Dahl, I’m sure that it will be a great movie. The real question is whether or not today’s crowds will come out to see it?

Hopefully a full trailer can sway me into getting excited into the taking the family to the theaters.

Disney’s The BFG comes to theaters July 1, 2016!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG5MtenlP-A

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg –
finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle.

 

Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams.

 

Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows, but Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.

Whenever the great Steven Spielberg takes a seat in the director’s chair, audiences worldwide watch intently in hopes of another epic masterpiece. That comes with the territory when you’re a two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker. But even though Spielberg has cemented his legacy with classics like Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T., it’s unreasonable to confuse his latest winning effort, Bridge of Spies, with these other exceptional films.

After insurance lawyer, James Donovan (Tom Hanks), is handed the undesirable task of defending a newly arrested Soviet spy (Mark Rylance) during the height of the Cold War, his dedication to The Constitution and his belief that his client deserves a fair trial turn Donovan into a social target. But when an American pilot is shot down and captured by Soviet forces, Donovan must venture to Europe and negotiate an exchange of prisoners between these two enemies. With an entire nation relying on his efforts, Donovan must put his greatest bargaining skills to the test.

There are plenty of highlights surrounding Steven Spielberg’s finest motion picture in over a decade, but perhaps none shine brighter than a terrific collaborative screenplay from Mark Charman and the Coen brothers. Their charming and witty dialogue form the foundation for this Oscar destined feature. And who better to bring these words to life then the greatest living actor, Tom Hanks? The two-time Academy Award winning actor shows he still has the skills to compete with the best as he nails the performance and makes a strong case for contending in the wide-open Best Actor race. But despite the massive amount of screen time devoted to Hanks’ James Donovan character, supporting star Mark Rylance does an outstanding job of standing toe to toe with his highly regarded counterpart. Rylance’s exceptional turn as a detained Soviet spy becomes so memorable that he feels like a safe bet in the Supporting Actor competition. Bridge of Spies also benefits from sound direction at the hands of Steven Spielberg, leaving the film as another all-around solid effort from the legendary director.

Bridge2

Although engaging dialogue and impressive performances sustain Bridge of Spies, the feature also suffers in a few notable areas. The intriguing true story being examined is actually quite simplistic. However, in typical Spielberg fashion, he finds a way to out-stretch the series of events into an unnecessary two hour and twenty minute affair. By the closing moments you’ll be begging for the credits to roll and it’s an unfortunate reality. In addition, after a gripping opening sequence that works perfectly on all levels, the film finds itself completely fixated on Tom Hanks and his character, James Donovan. Consequently, all of the difficult circumstances surrounding the captured U.S. pilot are blatantly overlooked and make it extremely difficult for the audience to forge a connection when these time-sensitive negotiations begin. Clearly these blemishes prevent Bridge of Spies from being an instant classic, yet the film still manages to do a stellar job of entertaining the viewer.

In what has become a recurring theme with 2016’s lackluster collection of releases, Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies culminates as another good, but certainly not great, title. The film is worthy of a viewing for its Oscar-caliber performances from Hanks and Rylance, but just make sure to temper your expectations.

GRADE: 4/5

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Although his name isn’t stained in the fabric of our society like Steven Spielberg or James Cameron, director Robert Zemeckis is a legend of Hollywood in his own right. As an Academy Award winning filmmaker who graced us with one of the most notable cinematic achievements of all-time, Forrest Gump, Zemeckis knows what it takes to captivate an audience. He returns this weekend to movie theaters all across the country with a soaring spectacle unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Alongside his show-stealing lead actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, The Walk unfolds as yet another winning effort from the iconic filmmaker.

As a young child growing up in France, Philippe Petit’s (Gordon-Levitt) interest in magic and juggling culminates into something much more daring, a passion for tightrope walking. And in 1974 after Philippe hones his skill-set under the tutelage of a circus professional named Papa Rudy (Ben Kinglsey), he sets his sights on a higher and more death-defying target, an unharnessed walk between the world’s new tallest buildings in New York City. Petit ventures to the Big Apple and, with his team of accomplices, pulls off the greatest artistic crime the world has ever witnessed.

walk

One of my favorite revelations surrounding Robert Zemeckis’ historical retelling, The Walk, is the surprising tone of the film. Sporting a more playful vibe rather than intense melodrama, the movie peels back layers of famed wire-walker Philippe Petit. And by taking the audience back to his childhood where the central figure’s passion and appreciation for performing began, we’re given a clear understanding of the fearless (and arguably insane) psyche of Petit. Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues to deliver fine performances adding his portrayal of Petit to an already long list of quality work. While Gordon-Levitt is given almost the entirety of the screen time, he makes the most of his opportunity and shines in the role. Sprinkling in a pleasant collection of well-timed humor and an outstanding score from Alan Silvestri (who also composed the music for Forrest Gump), The Walk equates to far more than just a visual masterpiece.

walk2

Despite all of the film’s impressive attributes, there are a few facets in which the movie is mishandled. Throughout Petit’s criminal plot to set up a wire between New York City’s Twin Towers prior to his dangerous tightrope walk (which he always refers to as “le coup”), we’re introduced to the members of his team who help make the event possible. However, such little devotion is given to these side characters that the dramatic moments surrounding them all as the big day approaches end up falling flat. Even the relationship between Petit and his girlfriend throughout the film, Annie (played by Charlotte Le Bon), is widely underdeveloped. Furthermore, the visual returns to Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s narration is oddly placed. It comes and goes throughout the film, but it never feels necessary or even warranted. Although The Walk fails to utilize its side characters appropriately and it relies on a poorly executed narration tactic, Zemeckis and company succeed in countless other areas that help dwarf these miscues by comparison.

I typically avoid any 3D showing of a film when possible. I tend to find the technique distracting and less enjoyable. However, The Walk does such a superb job of incorporating the I-MAX 3D into the film that I believe it actually enhances the experience. All of its breathtaking visuals are absolutely stunning and give the film a truly unique feel. Yet, while I wouldn’t declare The Walk as a “must-see” feature, it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Grade: 3.5/5

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Two years from now, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and Star Wars Episode VIII will hit theaters. Seems fitting that on December 17, 2017 the Steven Spielberg-directed film adaptation of Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One–a love letter to sci-fi, fantasy, and video gameswill join them.

Ready Player One depicts the world in the year 2045– a dystopian future riddled with unemployment and overpopulation where members of society escape into a virtual reality world, known as OASIS, that is full of geeky nostalgia. Not only do people access OASIS to play games, but many go to school and work there as well. The main story follows Wade Watts, a high school aged kid, as he hunts the virtual reality realm (known as OASIS) in search of its recently-deceased James Halliday riches–the creator of OASIS and someone who comes off as a mix between Willy Wonka and Shigeru Miyamoto.  As it turns out, players must search for an Easter egg hidden hidden by Halliday, but to get to it, three keys must be found within the digital realm.

The novel makes references to some of the most iconic movies and video game properties of the 70’s and 80’s, and it will be interesting to see just how much Steven Spielberg will be allowed to include in the film adaptation. A tall order indeed, considering the likes of Star Wars, The Goonies, The Last StarfighterAsteroids, Robotron, Dungeon & Dragons, Golden Axe, and [Geekscape founder Jonathan London will love this] The Beastmaster are all referenced, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Mr. Spielberg.

What sequences of Ready Player One are you most excited about seeing on the big screen? Sound off in the comment section below and let us know!

 

 

 

Briefly: The park is finally almost open.

We’ve got less that one week of waiting until the highly anticipated Jurassic World hits theatres (it’s about time), and Universal has debuted the final trailer for the feature.

It shows off a ton of footage that we haven’t seen yet, and a ton of Indominus Rex, so you may want to stay away from the video if you’re hoping to head in spoiler free. For everyone else, the trailer takes a far more serious tone than we’ve seen thus far, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Jurassic World hits theatres on June 12th! Let us know how excited you are in the comments below.

The new Jurassic World spot is out and it is AWESOME! If you missed it, take a look below, and revel in all its glory.

Jurassic World hits theatres on June 12th. Enjoy the big game!

Ahead of its scheduled Thanksgiving weekend debut, the trailer for the new Jurassic World has been released online! Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and — whoa, BD Wong!

Colin Trevvorow sits in the director’s chair, but the man himself Steven Spielberg is on board serving as executive producer.

From the press release:

Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World.  Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure from a screenplay he wrote with Derek Connolly.  Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.

Jurassic World will be released in 3D by Universal Pictures on June 12, 2015.

Well, I know what I’ll be watching over and over this weekend.

Briefly: I certainly wasn’t expecting this announcement today.

Back in May, Universal announced that the long awaited Jurassic Park IV had been put on hold. Today, the film’s new release date was revealed, and it comes equipped with a new title too.

Jurassic World is the name, and it’s set to hit theatres in 3D on June 12th, 2015.

No other information about the project was revealed, but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as we learn more. What are your thoughts on the new title? What do you hope to see in the film?

jurassicworld

Earlier this morning, Microsoft unveiled its entry into the next generation of gaming consoles. The Xbox One presentation was spearheaded by the console’s capabilities involving games, internet browsing, movies, and television. With the advent of social media and smart phones, the way we view television has undergone a transformation, and with the upcoming release of Xbox One, television will undergo yet another transformation.

The introduction to the Xbox One strayed from announcing a lineup of next generation games and instead showcased its features as a media center. The things you can do on an Xbox One are unlike those you would be able to do on a cable box or dish service. For instance, you cannot vocally command your cable box to boot up along with the TV or command the box to search for a specific title. Granted, most of these features are impaired with the lack of a Kinect device, a backend product for last generation’s Xbox 360. However, every Xbox One will come bundled with a Kinect, eliminating the hassle of buying it separately. There are features on the Xbox One that will allow things like Instant Switching and Snap Mode, two things exclusive to the Xbox One. Instant Switching enables users to switch between all of the features on the Xbox One in what seemed like two seconds. For example, a user can switch between the game they’re playing to live or On Demand television program. This is done by simply saying, “Xbox, switch to TV.” Once the user is watching TV, they can then enter Snap Mode, which will divide the screen to include a small sidebar that will allow the user to make a Skype call or look something up on an Internet web browser. An example shown during the presentation, a user was viewing Star Trek (2009) while simultaneously looking up showtimes and tickets for Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). These two examples alone eliminate the need for multiple devices and allow the user to find what they want on a single device.

With piracy and other TV services entering the television fray, such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, and HBO Go, ratings has had a direct negative effect. This, in turn, has made Live Event TV that much more important to advertisers trying to get a good slot. For programs like The Super Bowl, 30-second spots can reach into the billions, and advertisers buy it because they know we’re watching. Xbox One plans on revamping Event Television by means of Snap Mode. Let’s say you’re watching an NFL game in Week 14. Your Fantasy Football league is about to end and you’re set to win it all. Xbox One’s Snap Mode allows users to view live up-to-the-minute updates on Fantasy Football scores. This is in partnership with ESPN, and will also encompass the NBA and MLB. Users will also be able to view all of ESPN’s channels. While all of the above features still require a cable provider, it does not change the danger advertisers face. There’s no stopping a user from instantly switching from a program on commercial break to a game they have running in the background. As an avid NFL viewer myself, the Xbox One will definitely be changing the way I view the games I seek. This feature will also be compatible with Xbox Smartglass, which is already available on mobile devices running Android or iOS. What’s even bigger news here is that Microsoft and the NFL announced a partnership starting with the above features for the Xbox One as a direct competitor to NFL Sunday Ticket, only NFL Sunday Ticket won’t be able to Skype call your friend who’s a fan of your rival team that just loss.

Lastly, the Xbox One will be the newest platform offering Original Programming that isn’t owned by any current television network. Their first splash into original programming will be a live-action television series based in the world of Halo. Halo is arguably the most popular science fiction first person shooter that has dominated Microsoft consoles since 2001. With the release of Halo 4, fans were treated to a live-action mini-series used as a primer leading into the Halo 4’s story. This was Forward Unto Dawn, and while this mini-series was marketed toward fans, this new live-action Halo series will be open to a much larger audience as it is using Xbox One as a springboard. As if that wasn’t big enough, Steven Spielberg plans to showrun the series and expressed his excitement this morning during the presentation.

The television landscape is changing and will never stop. Advertisers will need to adapt just as viewers will too. The newest and coolest thing in television is no longer constricted in a dish, cable box, tablet, or 15” monitor. This new iteration of next generation gaming is overflowing into new territory that plans to be a part of the change. The Xbox One will be releasing later this year.

We’re now just 14 days away from Jurassic Park‘s triumphant 3D rerelease, and Universal has launched 3 new TV spots to promote it.

 

I couldn’t be more excited for the film, and I really, really wish that there was an IMAX near me so I could experience it on the bigger-big screen. I saw the 3D trailer in theatres a few weeks back, and as soon as the classic music started up I could feel the goosebumps on my skin. Jurassic Park was the first movie that I ever saw in theatres, and I couldn’t be more excited for its return.

 

Watch the new TV spots below, and let us know what you think! Jurassic Park 3D opens on April 5th!

 

 

 

Once rumored to be directing Star Wars: Episode VII for Disney, Safety Not Guaranteed director Colin Trevorrow stated shortly after “To clarify, there is another film we all love that I’m currently trying not to mess up.” Well, it seems that he was actually referring to the fourth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise. Trevorrow will soon start work on the film, with a screenplay was written by Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes scribes Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, and produced by Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley and Steven Spielberg.

 

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The site states that Universal chose the director because “they felt he was a good match for the material, having grown up a huge fan of the trilogy and part of a new generation of directors steeped in all things dinosaur. They felt he would preserve and protect the characters in the story they created.”

 

Jurassic Park 4 is currently set to hit theaters June 13, 2014

 

Source: Deadline

Via the film’s official YouTube channel, Universal today revealed two new TV spots for the upcoming 3D rerelease of Jurassic Park.

 

I am beyond excited for this film; Jurassic Park was the first move that I ever saw in theatres, so it’s set to bring back some memories for sure. I just wish that there was an IMAX near me so I could see the 3D remaster in all of its gigantic glory!

 

Check out the spots below, and let us know what you think!

 

 

 

Are you excited for this one? Jurassic Park 3D opens on April 5th.

Warner Bros. Pictures is currently negotiating with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment to reboot the beloved Gremlins. Apparently, this isn’t the first attempt to reboot the 1984 horror comedy and the numerous attempts in the past have all fallen through.

 

gremlins-original

 

However, sources are claiming that this time around it’s looking good and we may need to be warned again not to give Mogwai’s water after midnight. There’s no further details regarding the project, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated as more is learned about it.

 

Source: Vulture

What.

 

Just days after revealing that Jurassic Park 3D would be hitting IMAX, Universal Pictures has set an official release date for Jurassic Park 4.

 

Steven Spielberg is attached to produce the film, which is being written by Rise of the Planet of the Apes scribes Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Nothing else is currently known about the project.

 

Jurassic Park 4 is scheduled to hit theatres on June 13, 2014. I certainly hope that after the abysmal third film, Spielberg and company can knock it out of the park with this one.

 

Excited? Planning to see Jurassic Park 3D when it hits this April?

 

JP

 

Source: Deadline

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: AmourBeasts 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

Throughout the history of mankind it has become an accepted fact that certain things belong together. Peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, or the thought of Steven Spielberg and his newest baby, Lincoln. Even during War Horse‘s 2011 run to the Oscars, it was the anticipation of Spielberg’s Lincoln that sat in the forefront of everyone’s mind. With Daniel Day-Lewis, who I confidently refer to as “the greatest actor alive”, signed on to portray the semi-controversial historic hero Abraham Lincoln, the possibilities seemed endless. Now, as 2012’s stealth-like conclusion wanders within the eye’s reach, Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln is finally here. And it’s about time.

Set during the closing months of the Civil War in 1865, Lincoln examines the personal and political struggles that our nation’s 16th president endured while working to pass an amendment to the constitution to forever ban slavery. However, the confederate army becomes open to the idea of a peaceful immediate conclusion to the war. But if the confederate states rejoin the union before the house’s vote on abolishing slavery, it would surely put an end to the passing of the amendment. As a result, President Abraham Lincoln (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) faces grave inner turmoil and guilt over allowing a deadly war to continue at the hands of freeing millions of black slaves.

Let me preface by saying that I am by no means a historian, and nor do I pretend to be. When I offer up my opinion on director Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, I am viewing the film in a cinematic context only. Historical debates aside, Lincoln is a deeply effective and fundamentally involved character study. In many ways feeling quite different from his typical style, Spielberg’s biopic is very restrained and genuine. He never allows the movie to get too over-dramatic or flashy, instead giving the reins to two-time Academy Award Winner Daniel Day-Lewis who aptly carries the film for 149 minutes. To say that Day-Lewis is a spitting image of our former president, is to put it all too lightly. The infallible actor completely encompasses the aura of our nation’s historical hero. Scene after scene, Day-Lewis astonishes with hair-raising performances that will surely land him a gaudy-sounding fifth Best Lead Actor nomination from the Academy. Outstanding acting is far from the only glowing aspect of Spielberg’s Lincoln. Strong collaborative efforts from costume & makeup as well as beautiful cinematography join together to make the feature a clear technological achievement. From top to bottom, Lincoln succeeds as a carefully crafted molding of countless notable attributes.

If there is one major downfall to Lincoln, it resides in the enormous running time that can’t help but wear down the audience. Ironically, Spielberg’s film proves to be a massively draining viewing experience for the moviegoer. Much like the feature’s hero who battles to balance a violent war and the passing of a landmark amendment, the audience leaves the theatre feeling as run down and feeble as President Lincoln does. And to a fault, Spielberg force feeds a myriad of characters which helps to keep the runtime bloated. Some more pivotal to the story than others, the result is a culmination of subplots galore that manage to overtake Lincoln and hold the film hostage. Although it has become a recurring theme with the legendary director, Spielberg ends up as his own biggest obstacle. I can only imagine the difficulty for an accomplished director of his talents to constantly re-invent the wheel. However, his visions of perfection have often hindered his finished products of late.

Despite Lincoln‘s prolonged running time and stagnant feel, Steven Spielberg addresses this prominent historical figure with such precision and delicacy. You can tell the director’s passion for the project by the manner in which the film unfolds. He allows for Daniel Day-Lewis to shine and, for once, plays second fiddle. Day-Lewis and a supporting cast that is unquestionably headlined by Tommy Lee Jones help elevate Lincoln to a credible piece of cinematic art. However, this is by no means a ringing endorsement for Spielberg’s latest effort. Instead, take this as a nod of approval for fans of period pieces, biopics and the always great Daniel Day-Lewis.

Grade: 3/5

You can check out other work from MCDave by visiting Movie Reviews By Dave

 

Steven Spielberg’s upcoming adaptation of Daniel H. Wilson’s Robopocalypse is currently in the pre-production and casting process. Recently it was confirmed that Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) is on board for the film and Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers) was in talks for the male lead. There was also talks that Anne Hathaway (The Dark Knight Rises) was in negotiations for the female lead for the film and now the actress has confirmed that she is indeed on board for the film. The actress revealed to Empire:

“If Robopocalypse happens, I will be in it. And I believe it’s quite real, though you never want to hang your hat on anything.” While not giving away any details on her character, she reveals how she got the role. “Whenever I’m taking time off, I always joke to my team that I’m on vacation unless Steven Spielberg calls. And I was on vacation and Spielberg called. So I was like, ‘OK, put my money where my mouth is’.”

Robopocalypse is set to hit theaters April 25th, 2014.

Well, you can take Steven Spielberg’s name off the list of potential directors for Star Wars: Episode VII. It’s kind of funny because a while back Spielberg wanted to shoot a Star Wars film. Back in 2002 the director stated:

“I’ve asked [Lucas]. He won’t let me do one. I wanted to do one 15 years ago, and he didn’t want me to do it. I understand why – Star Wars is George’s baby. It’s his cottage industry and it’s his fingerprints. He knows I’ve got Jurassic Park and Raiders. But George has Star Wars and I don’t think he feels inclined to share any of it with me.”

Well, it seems that Steven has changed his mind on the matter. When asked about the possibility of directing the film Spielberg stated:

“No! No! It’s not my genre. It’s my best friend George’s genre.”

Well, even though he’s one of the three directors to be getting Michael Arndt’s treatment, it definitely looks like we can count Spielberg out of the running for this one.

Source: Access Hollywood

It was only yesterday that we received the first official poster for the upcoming release of Jurassic Park 3D. If that wasn’t exciting enough (for me, it was), Universal today released a trailer for the 3D remaster.

Of course, it’s nothing that we haven’t seen before (time and time again), but the simple fact that Jurassic Park is coming back to theatres is enough to make me giddy. I was just three years old when the film officially released, so I’ve never had the opportunity to see it on the big screen.

Are you excited for this one? Or does that fact that it’s a 3D conversion turn you off of it?

Love it or hate it, 3D is here to stay. It also tends to make a pretty insane amount of money! When it’s good, it tends to be very good (and vice versa of course).

Pixar has had pretty major success in bringing its older titles to the 3rd dimension (CG films tend to mean an easier conversion). James Cameron also did a phenomenal job converting 1997’s Titanic. Now it’s Spielberg’s turn, and in just five months his beloved Jurassic Park will hit theatres once more.

We haven’t heard much about this one (despite the fact that it’s happening), but today the teaser poster was made available online for your viewing pleasure. Look’s like it won’t be long before we see even more, as a trailer is set to be released tomorrow!

I’m looking forward to the rerelease! I thought that Titanic 3D was a stellar experience, and certainly hope that Jurassic Park looks similar! The film will hit theatres on April 5th, 2013.

Ben Whishaw, the young British actor who will be appearing in Cloud Atlas and taking on the role of Q in Skyfall, is currently in talks to join the cast of Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Robopocalypse.

The actor would play character named Lurker, a hacker who becomes involved in the human resistance against the robot uprising. No deal has been made, but the offer is on the table for Whishaw to take. Anne Hathaway and Chris Hemsworth are also in talks to join the cast. Former 20th Century Fox chairman and CEO Tom Rothman will produce the film and Drew Goddard will write the screenplay adaptation.

Robopocalypse is set to hit theaters April 25, 2014.

Source: Variety