Posted on Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 by Angie Han
Reality stars are a dime a dozen these days, but HBO Films’ Cinema Verite takes us back to a time when that wasn’t the case. The film dramatizes the behind-the-scenes action surrounding PBS’ 1973 documentary series An American Family, which HBO’s marketing team is referring to the first reality show. The series followed a Santa Barbara family called the Louds as parents Pat and Bill filed for divorce.
Cinema Verite stars Diane Lane and Tim Robbins as Pat and Bill, Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) as son Lance, and James Gandolfini as producer Craig Gilbert. It was directed by husband and wife team Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (American Splendor, Wanderlust), and written by David Seltzer (1976′s The Omen). Pretty good pedigree, right? Watch the trailer and read the official synopsis after the jump. Read More »
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Warner Bros has released the full movie trailer for Martin Campbell‘s big screen adaptation of DC Comics’ Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, and Tim Robbins.
I like how they save the sci-f/DC Comics logo reveal to half way through the trailer, trying to sell audiences on the story of a test pilot. I’m not sure how effective that is however since the second half of the trailer bombards viewers with aliens planets, alien creatures, superhero powers, and a lot of questionable computer generated imagery.
Let’s hope they didn’t skimp on the budget when it comes to the effects. Shooting in New Orleans was definitely a cost cutting measure and it seems like they are very ambitious in what they want to achieve in visual scope. The effects shots look far from finished, which is more than likely since the film isn’t due in theaters until next Summer. I’m definitely not sold on the all-CG suit and the tone seems a bit more comic-laced and geared towards children than I was expecting. The dialogue and deliver seems hokey, cheesy and stilted.
That said, having seen how this all fits in the big picture (having visited the set and viewed much of the concept art) I’m still excited to see more. There is a lot we aren’t being shown here. The fact that this movie was even made and that they were able to stay faithful to the comics is amazing. I hope to see much more from the other alien members of the Green Lantern Corps, the planet Oa, and the gigantic space opera this project promises to be.
Hit the jump to watch the trailer now. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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Update: Two more images have been added to this post bringing the total up to six photos. New images include Hector Hammond before his alien encounter and Hector in a bunker with the corpse of alien Abin Sur.
Earlier today we had the first look at Ryan Reynolds in costume as Green Lantern, thanks to the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Now some pics from the mag’s coverage have been scanned, and while there isn’t another big image of the character in costume, we see Reynolds, Blake Lively, Tim Robbins and Angela Bassett as they’ll appear in the film. In addition, one shot has a sideways look at Peter Sarsgaard, which seems to confirm the makeup from spy shots we saw months ago.
Finally, a better scan of the cover reveals more detail about the wonky-looking Green Lantern mask. In this shot at least, the thing is indeed painted on, as many realized when looking at the first image. Let’s hope that’s just for this photo, because while I can accept that a test pilot might gain possession of a willpower-channeling ring from space, with which he creates and maintains his own costume, the idea that he’d paint on a harlequin mask as an afterthought just seems absurd. (Looking at the close-up, blurring around the mask edges suggests this is a photoshop job.)
Hit the break for the pics. Click the mask close-up to enlarge. Read More »
What is it with HBO and dramatic recreations of classic documentaries? Last year there was Grey Gardens, and now the network is lining up Cinema Verite, which will be a dramatized behind the scenes take on the 1973 PBS doc An American Family. The original series was a big deal; it frankly portrayed family troubles for the first time on television, and one of the family sons was the first openly gay character/personality on American television.
Cinema Verite is written by David Seltzer, with Tim Robbins and Diane Lane set to play parents Bill and Pat Loud; James Gandolfini will play An American Family producer Craig Gilbert. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (American Splendor) are directing, which automatically makes the endeavor a bit more interesting. [THR]
After the break, Toni Collette will work again with her Muriel’s Wedding director, and Horrible Bosses gets some good talent. Read More »
Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River, The Player) has been cast in Martin Campbell‘s big screen adaptation of the DC Comics superhero Green Lantern.
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Robert Downey Jr has been making the press rounds as of late, and has been sharing some teaserish details for Iron Man 2. The actor tells Splash that the infamous fan-favorite, critically acclaimed, yet ultimately less marketable “Demon in a Bottle” storyline is not explored in the sequel. The controversial character arc involved Tony Stark battling alcoholism, while trying to balance his superhero responsibilities.
“I think [Demon in a Bottle is] probably best saved, because it’s such its own storyline,” Downey told MTV. “We’re going for the interim space [between the origin and Demon], which is more a look behind the mask of someone who says he’s Iron Man and what it really is to become a superhero.”
Downey Jr told ET that the sequel “is almost entirely about character,” yet packs “twice as much action” compared to the first film.
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Well it looks like Terrance Howard isn’t that only Iron Man actor getting the shaft in the Marvel Studios sequel. Latino Review reports a rumor that Gerard Sanders, who played Tony Stark’s father Howard in a montage will not return for Iron Man 2. Instead, Howard Stark will be played by Tim Robbins. Apparently there is a pretty important flashback sequence that among other things, helps set up The Avengers and Captain America films, and director Jon Favreau needed an actor who could pull off the scene.
While not 100% confirmed, this makes perfect sense. Screenwriter Mark Fergus told MTV in September that Tony’s “relationship with his father and this person you only heard about in the first movie is going to be much more fully explored” in the sequel and “in other Marvel movies”. It certainly makes sense to involve Howard Stark in the Super Soldier program.
El Mayimbe also reports that both Hawkeye and Black Widow are part of the story. I’m not sure what to think about the inclusion of other superheroes, but I understand that Marvel needs to transition from a slightly believable premise of Iron Man into a world full of superheroes in The Avengers. Even Robert Downey Jr. made a comment about this recently. I’m guessing that the transition might be a tough one.
The latest fantasy novel adaption from Fox Walden is City of Ember. Based on the 2003 novel by Jeanne Duprau, Ember follows two kids, Lina and Doon, who live in the City of Ember, where the sky is always dark. As Ember’s power source begins to fail and the lamps start to flicker, they search for clues that will unlock ancient mysteries about the city and save the people of Ember. The film stars Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Toby Jones, Martin Landau, Mackenzie Crook, Mary Kay Place, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
I’ve been waiting for a really long time for a good children’s fantasy film like the stuff from my childhood (Henson’s Labyrinth anyone?). My theory is that most of the recent films, Narnia and the recent Potter films included, have forgotten the ingredient that makes these type of stories worth watching – that being the fun. But the whole point of being in a fantasy world is to enjoy some of it’s magic and wonder. And while story is very important, too much story can lead to too few of these fun and wondrous moments I’m talking about. And while this teaser trailer is only a minute and a half in length, not nearly enough to give a full indication of the film, I can see that the almost steam-punkish production design could easily lend itself to the fun and wonder that I was previously referring to. But tell me what you think in the comments after watching the trailer below.
[flv:http://bitcast-a.bitgravity.com/slashfilm/trailers/cityofemberteaser.flv 470 270]
City of Ember hits theaters on October 10th 2008.
Discuss: What do you think of the City of Ember movie trailer?
