Movie Chat – January 21
It’s going to be a big year in cinema during 2012. In my opinion the films to watch out for are The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which I think will be the best of all the Lord of the Rings franchise; The Amazing Spiderman starring Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) looks set to take big box office grosses; and the last instalment in the Batman series The Dark Knight Rises with a great returning cast Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, will be terrific and will blow audiences away. This film will go down as a classic cinematic moment in 2012.
Of course the Bond film Skyfall will be worth the wait and I think this will be one of the best 007 movies ever produced, as the combination of Daniel Craig and director Sam Mendes is a tough one to beat. Bond will be back bigger and better in 2012.
Skyfall and The Dark Knight Rises are for me the two must-see films this year.
On the subject of Skyfall if you want to keep updated with this release go to the website 007.com – it is terrific if you a Bond and movie fan. In the UK the Royal Mail are marketing the 50th Anniversary of James Bond with very special limited edition commerative sheets which will featuring ten iconic Bond movie posters alongside ten first class union flag postage stamps; I’m sure M would give his seal of approval.
I ask the question why? When I see coming to our screens Men in Black III and Scary Movie 5, did they really need to produce these films?
Men in Black III will be surrounded by plenty of hype, but Tommy Lee Jones, what were you thinking other than topping up your bank account; and we all understand that Will Smith will do anything to be in a Cineplex. Mr Smith, please go away and find reality television.
Australian films boomed in 2011 thanks to the likes of Red Dog, The Cup and The Hunter and it looks like we are off to a good start in 2012 with the upcoming release of the comedy Any Questions for Ben made by the producers of The Castle and The Dish. Fingers crossed that this year will be great for our home grown product.
Premiering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival is the suspense thriller Arbitage starring Richard Gere and Brit Marling. The story of a hedge fund magnate who turns to an unlikely source for help.
Kate Beckinsale who is currently starring in Underworld Awakening says she was once intimidated by the sexy, skin tight costume she wears in the films. With the latest instalment doing good business she now says ‘I trust it now; it gives you a little bit of help if anything’.
Martha’s Vineyard will once again be transformed into Amity Island during ‘Jawsfest: The Tribute’ in August 2012. A celebration of the blockbuster Jaws – my all-time favourite film – and a tribute to those who have passed, author Peter Benchley, actors Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and ‘Bruce’ the shark.
Maurice Parker, Entertainment Specialist.
