Public Enemies - What Did You Think?
Spielberg’s Tintin Will Get Released Internationally First; December 2011 in The US
Posted on Thursday, May 28th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment have finally announced their release plans for Steven Spielberg’s 3D performance capture adaptation of The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. The film will be released internationally in late October and early November, 2011, more than a month before the film is released stateside by Paramount on December 23rd 2011.
The early international release makes sense as the property is a lot more popular overseas. The reception from European audiences and critics will be a nice transition for American audiences who aren’t as familiar with the character.
It’s impossible to talk about Marc Forster’s Quantum of Solace without first reflecting on how far the Bond franchise has come in recent years. When Martin Campbell’s Casino Royale debuted in 2006, it rebooted the franchise and heralded the age of a bold new Bond. The suave secret agent of previous years was replaced by a rough-and-tumble soldier, who relied more on fists, knives, and guns to get things done, rather than outlandish gadgets. The lifestyle of a double-O, which had seemed intensely appealing over the course of the last few decades, was suddenly transformed into one filled with self-sacrifice, self-reflection, and self-loathing. While the card game sequences might have been a bit hokey and some of the dialogue was a bit too Haggis-esque for my tastes (“I have no armor left. You’ve stripped it from me.”), make no mistake: Casino Royale was completely badass, filled with spectacular action set pieces and a brave portrayal of 007 by always-stellar Daniel Craig. Heck, Casino Royale was so good that it almost made us forget the filmic atrocity that was Die Another Day. Almost.
These are the expectations that Quantum of Solace steps into this weekend, even as it’s already well on its way to a critic-proof, record-breaking box office take. But does the movie live up to its promise?
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Quantum of Bonds
The Pitch: “One Bond replaces the other, but it won’t go down without a fight.” Black20 is back, trying to recreate the magic of the popular viral movie trailer mash-up, Battle of the Batmans. Edited using Casino Royal (Daniel Craig’s first Bond film) and all of the Pierce Brosnan Bond films, Quantum of Bonds isn’t quite as good. But give it some time as it really kicks into full gear about 45 seconds in.
Video of the Day is a daily feature of /Film showcasing geekarific video creations. Have a video we should be feature on VOTD? E-Mail us at orfilms@gmail.com.
When it was revealed that Kenneth Branagh was in talks to direct a big screen adaptation of Thor, many people wondered what a Branagh superhero movie would be like. Now we have some idea. IESB is reporting that Marvel actually offered the lead role to Daniel Craig, but the Quantum of Solace star confirmed that he actually turned down the role.
I know this is a bit of “non-news”, but I think it shows the direction that Marvel wants to take their mythical superhero franchise. I don’t know about you guys but I can’t even imagine Craig with long hair and a big hammer, lightning streaking across the sky in the background.
Discuss: But now that Craig is out as a possibility, who do you think Marvel might sign to play the role? Lets avoid the obvious wrestlers and action stars, it looks like Marvel wants a higher class actor in the role.
Early Buzz: Quantum of Solace is No Casino Royale
Posted on Sunday, October 19th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
The first reviews for the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace have begun to hit the interwebs. Critics seem to agree that the film lacks the narrative of Casino Royale. It is shorter, darker, less dialogue, more high-temp confusing action sequences, and some dull expository scenes. Oh, and everyone agrees that Daniel Craig is excellent as Bond (but was there any doubt after the first film?). Bottom line is people liked the film, but it’s no Casino Royale. Check out the excerpts below:
Times Online: “It’s James Bond, licence to bore. Quantum of Solace may be a sequel to Casino Royale but it lacks that movie’s panache and brio.” … “Bond is a boorish oaf who simply rushes from country to country with the manic speed of Jason Bourne, including sequences shot in Panama, Chile, Italy, Mexico and Austria, in a plot about holding a country to ransom over its water supply. Quantum of Solace lacks any wit, ironic or otherwise, which has been a strength of so many 007 films.” … “At around one hour 40 minutes, this Bond is shorter than most. Somehow it felt longer.”
The Guardian: “This didn’t excite me as much as Casino Royale and the villain is especially underpowered.” … “This is a crash-bang Bond, high on action, low on quips, long on location glamour, short on product placement.” … “I was disappointed there was so little dialogue, flirtation and characterization in this Bond: Forster and his writers Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade clearly thought this sort of sissy nonsense has to be cut out in favor of explosions. Well, perhaps that is what Bond fans want (not this Bond fan, though). But I was also baffled that relatively little was made of the deliciously villainous Amalric”.
The Telegraph: “…owes much to the quick-fire editing of the Bourne thrillers.” … “In this much darker film” … ” For half an hour or so after the pre-credits ‘teaser’, the film barely lets up.” … “And then, the pacing becomes more fractured. One wonders if director Marc Forster and screenwriters Paul Haggis and Neal Purvis haven’t tried a little too hard to distance the film from traditional Bond plots. The expository dialogue scenes can be dull, and cram in so many machinations and double-crossings that it’s easy to lose track of who’s duping whom. And yet, several times - just when you’re tempted to consult your watch - the movie suddenly surprises.”
BBC: “It’s a film that feels like the second part of a trilogy, with this being the bleaker second act.” … “The raw nature of the film may put off some who yearn for the days of gizmos, gadgets and Bond quips as he dispenses with faceless opponents.” … “But for the most part the villainy rightly takes a back seat to Bond’s emotional journey.”
Empire: “In an era marked by franchise bloat, it’s entirely admirable that Quantum of Solace is the shortest Bond movie to date – it drops a great many of the long-running series mannerisms (callous quips, expository lectures, travelogue padding, Q and Moneypenny)” … “Everything in this movie is edited as if it were an action sequence, which means that when the set-pieces come they have to go into overdrive to stay ahead of the game, with Bourne veteran Dan Bradley staging more brutal, devastatingly fast fights and chases.” … “we get less to latch onto emotionally since Daniel Craig became the complete 007 over the course of Casino Royale, and here just has to be set loose” … “while it’s exciting, it’s not exactly anyone’s idea of fun. To keep in the game, perhaps the next movie could let the hero enjoy himself a bit more.”
The Shiznit: “But Craig’s emotionless visage is so blank, the script so bereft of character, Quantum Of Solace feels like just another day at the office for 007.” … ” Craig, it must be said, is excellent.” … “High-tempo sequences, like the opening car chase and an extremely Bournian rooftop pursuit, are disorientating in the extreme: too fast, too sloppy and too ruthlessly edited. Often, things change in the blink of an eye – one second Bond is lying on his back, the next he’s jumping out a window, the next he’s swinging from a rope. It’s often impossible to keep up.” … ” Fight scenes often seem practiced and stagey” … “seems a little too far-fetched even for a Bond movie. All we ask is for some consistency – this isn’t Crank, this is Bond.” “Quantum Of Solace is a crushing disappointment. Try as you might, you’ll be unable to invest in any of the characters”
The Daily Mirror: “Quantum of Solace is a leaner, meaner animal, rammed with shoot-outs, a boat chase and even an aerial dogfight. And our hero is an angry, embittered man out for blood. Mostly it doesn’t feel like a Bond film at all. Not once does Craig say: “The name’s Bond. James Bond.” There’s no Q or his gadgets. Heck, we even see Bond in a cardigan. There are no risque quips or arched eyebrows.” … “It doesn’t disappoint - just don’t expect the brilliance of Casino Royale.”
Edward Zwick’s Defiance: New Poster and Movie Trailer
Posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
Paramount has released a new trailer for Edward Zwick’s Defiance, the upcoming Daniel Craig WWII film. The film ahs already been getting early award buzz, and the trailer looks powerful. The poster also premiered today on InContention. You can check that out below as well. As always, leave your comments and tell me what you think?
Official Plot Synopsis: Based on an extraordinary true story, DEFIANCE is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others.
At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others – men and women, young and old – willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment’s freedom. Tuvia (CRAIG) is a reluctant leader and his decisions are challenged by his brother, Zus (SCHREIBER) who worries that Tuvia’s idealistic plans will doom them all. Asael (BELL) is the youngest – caught between his brothers’ fierce rivalry. As a brutal winter descends, they work to create a community, and to keep faith alive when all humanity appeared to be lost.
DEFIANCE is directed by Edward Zwick (BLOOD DIAMOND, GLORY) from a screenplay by Zwick and Clay Frohman, based on Nechama Tec’s non-fiction book of the same name. The producers are Zwick and Pieter Jan Brugge. The team recreating the forest haven includes two-time Oscar®-nominated cinematographer Eduardo Serra (BLOOD DIAMOND, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING), production designer Dan Weil (BLOOD DIAMOND, THE BOURNE IDENTITY) and Oscar®-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (GOSFORD PARK, A ROOM WITH A VIEW).
Defiance hits theaters on December 12th 2008.
Sony has released the new Quantum of Solace movie trailer online. The dead might not care about vengeance but it sure looks like James Bond will get his. Watch the trailer and tell me what you think in the comments below!
Quantum of Solace hits theaters on November 14th 2008. You can watch the new trailer in High Definition on Yahoo.
Our friends at DVD-Forum has sent us a new batch of photos from Quantum of Solace.
More after the jump.
FirstShowing has the brand new poster (right) for the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Not only is it an image that we saw in the recent Bourne-like movie trailer, but it’s also a continuation/sequel of the original teaser poster (left). How cool is that?
Sony has released the teaser trailer for the latest James Bond film, Quantum Of Solace. The teaser will be attached to Hancock, which hits theaters later this week. Filled with flashes of Paul Greengrass/Bourne-style action sequences, fast cars, and hot women, what more could you ask for? It looks totally bad ass. Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Quantum of Solace continues the high octane adventures of James Bond (DANIEL CRAIG) in CASINO ROYALE.
Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M (JUDI DENCH) interrogate Mr White (JESPER CHRISTENSEN) who reveals the organization which blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.
Forensic intelligence links an Mi6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille (OLGA KURYLENKO), a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene (MATHIEU AMALRIC), a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organization.
On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world’s most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano (JOAQUIN COSIO). Using his associates in the organization, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in a Latin American country, giving the General control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land.
In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, to unravel Greene’s sinister plan and stop his organisation.
Watch the trailer in High Definition on Moviefone. Quantum of Solace hits theaters on November 7th 2008.
Quantum of Solace’s Stunt Mishaps Continue, Stuntman Fighting For Life
Posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
An unnamed stunt man working on the 22nd James Bond film and the second starring Daniel Craig, Quantum of Solace, is in critical condition at a hospital in Italy after the vehicle he was driving, an Alfa Romeo 159, crashed during filming. This Is London posted a few scary photos from the aforementioned crash and another recent haywire vehicle stunt with an Aston Martin, the latter of which we’ve included here (click to pop). This marks the third such incident, and most major, on the film thus far, leading some of the Italian production crew to speak of a curse. What’s more, it’s unknown whether the scene with the Alfa Romeo will be reshot or scrapped altogether. Producers are purportedly discussing the situation.
While this isn’t a typical Slashfilm item, there’s no harm in recognizing the risk by industry stunt people that goes into making such complex action movies. More on the stunt driver’s condition as it develops.
USA Today has released a batch of new photos from the next James Bond film Quantum of Solace. The new stills feature a bunch of action and give us our first look at one of the new Bond Girls - Olga Kurylenko who plays a half-Russian, half-Bolivian rogue agent named Camiille, and new nemesis Dominic Greene, played by Mathieu Almaric (Munich), a jet-setting CEO and member of the Quanrum organization (from Casino Royale) who plans to take over the world’s water supply. Check out the new photos below. The USA Today article is worth checking out, here are a few highlights:
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Quantum of Solace picks up where Casino Royale ended, with Bond working his way up the chain of command of the terrorists who blackmailed his lover, Vesper Lynd. Quantum of Solace comes from a short story by 007 author Ian Fleming, and it’s not a spy story but a tale told to Bond about another couple’s tragic romance. The short story has nothing else to do with the movie. Wilson explains: “The title we thought was appropriate for a couple of reasons. The villainous organization is called Quantum, and what Bond is looking for in his life is a measure of comfort, and that’s what a ‘quantum of solace’ is. He’s just trying to find a little bit of comfort because his life is in turmoil.”
“He has the realization that there’s no place for him in the outside world,” Wilson says. “And also he’s tempted by revenge and tempted by becoming a cynic, by losing his humanity. He has to fight all of these things.”
Another curious twist is the hint that there may be less romance this time for the notorious ladies’ man. “We felt Bond could not immediately fall into another relationship. And we needed someone who had her own agenda and probably could not form a relationship either because of her situation,” Wilson says. Kurylenko says her vengeful rogue agent, Camille, is so focused on “what she’s doing, she doesn’t care about meeting a boyfriend or something.” Bond does bed another MI6 agent, played by British actress Gemma Arterton, 22, a relative newcomer. “He has one relationship in this movie, a kind of fling. It’s mutually beneficial,” Craig says. “I think both parties enjoy it.”
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Quantum of Solace will hit theaters on November 7th 2008.
