Okay I swear that tomorrow I won’t post a trailer (probably), but how could I not post the first trailer for the Harry Porter prequel? I had too. So here is our first look at 1920’s magical New York. Not a lot to go on, but it looks like Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) might be in a little trouble with the Magical Congress of the USA for releasing some of the titular Fantastic Beasts. I am all for more Potterverse movies, and this one has Ron Pearlman in it, so I will be there next November!
Okay, Just One More Trailer Today! Star Trek Beyond!
I wasn’t going to post this trailer today because it was a leak, but it looks like the leak has forced Paramount’s hand, and now we get to watch the official one. It looks like things are going to get Fast and Furious (sorry) for Justin Lin’s turn in the directors chair with Star Trek Beyond. The crew once again manages to destroy their ship, and Kirk finds a sexy alien to help him, so at least it is maintaining the status quo. Even though I had issues with Star Trek Into Darkness, I am still super excited for this movie. I hope it turns out well.
So Many Trailers! Independence Day: Resurgence!
Remember the movie that made opening weekend events a thing by implying that the movie was only going to show on one day, Independence Day? Well it is getting a sequel because Hollywood has nothing left in the tank. I am impressed that Independence Day: Resurgence looks as good as it does. Though it helped that the trailer first aired while my Seahawks were pounding the Ravens, so I was in a good mood, but I am still not sure about the Resurgence subtitle. I think I would have gone with Cinco de Mayo or something. Oh well, feast your eyes on all the glorious Goldblum and Bill Pullman’s bountiful beard!
The Holiday Trailer Season Continues With X-Men: Apocalypse!
The third Movie in the X-Men: First Class trilogy X-Men Apocalypse has its first trailer, and it looks amazing. It looks like Bryan Singer is going to close out his X-Men universe with a bang. Between this movie and Captain America: Civil War, May 2016 is going to be crowded month, but it should be one to remember!
The Paladin dug The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
There is something about period spy movies that are just fun… or at least they can be. It a fine line of course. You can go too campy; trying to play on the sensibilities of the period and end up creating a very unreal world or you can also go too dramatic and suck all the life out of history. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. by Guy Ritchie walks the line perfectly – reveling in the colors, styles, and sensibilities of the 60’s. At the same time it is aware of the reality and tension of the time; thus keeping its feet on the ground. For reference The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TMfU) hews closer to the newer James Bond films than the Connery or especially the Rodger Moore films – but it has fun while it does it.
TMfU follows the unlikely paring of the CIA’s Napoleon Solo, played by Henry Cavill, and the KGB’s Illya Kuryakin, played by Armie Hammer as they try to stop a group of Fascists from arming a shadow Nazi regime with a Nuclear Weapon. Dragged into the middle is Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander), a German mechanic who’s father might be helping to build the bomb.
The cast is a lot of fun, Henry Cavill really sells the charming and competent Solo, Hammer exudes barely controlled strength and malice, and Vikander’s Gaby is strong, brave, and intelligent. The “bromance” between Solo and Kuryakin is a lot of fun to see develop, as is the actual romance of the story.
The thing I loved about TMfU was the witty banter and the way it was shot. Ritchie certainly has his own style that infuses a lot of life and energy into his films and for TMfU he adds little touches you’d recognize from films from the 60’s. Layered cuts, long zooms during chases, and just a touch of technicolor give the movie a nostalgic feel and energy that sets it apart from say a Bourne movie or James Bond.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a fun, witty, and energetic and I highly recommend you give it a try.