Videos and Trailers
New Clip From Zhang Yimou’s Christian Bale-Starring Drama ‘The Flowers of War’
Jan 18th
This new clip has been released online, via Comingsoon, from Zhang Yimou’s Christian Bale-starring drama ‘The Flowers of War.’ I’ve got exceptionally high hopes for this film, Christian Bale is one my favourite actors and Yimou’s films – which include ‘House Of Flying Daggers,’ ‘Curse of the Golden Flower,’ ‘Hero,’ ‘Not One Less’ and ‘The Story Of Qui Ju’ – are continually mesmerizing and visually stunning. Based on a screenplay by Heng Liu (Assembly, The Story of Qiu Ju) and adapted by Geling Yan’s historical novel, the film is approximately 40% in English and 60% in Mandarin. ‘The Flowers of War’ has been scheduled a January 20th release in the US. FilmNation have said the film is “expected early 2012 in the UK.”
Inspired by true life events, ’The Flowers of War’ tells a genuine story of hope and sacrifice. Set in 1937, Nanking stands at the forefront of a war between China and Japan. As the invading Japanese Imperial Army overruns China’s capital city, desperate civilians seek refuge behind the nominally protective walls of a western cathedral. Here, John Haufman (Bale), an American trapped amidst the chaos of battle and the ensuing occupation takes shelter, joined by a group of innocent schoolgirls and thirteen courtesans, equally determined to escape the horrors taking place outside the church walls. Struggling to survive the violence and persecution wrought by the Japanese army, it is an act of heroism which eventually leads the seemingly disparate group to fight back, risking their lives for the sake of everyone. With nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, fate always has a way of bringing the most unlikely heroes together.
New UK Trailer For ‘Black Gold’ – Starring Tahar Rahim, Antonio Banderas, Mark Strong & Frieda Pinto
Jan 17th
Warner Bros has just sent me over this UK trailer for Jean-Jacques Annaud’s upcoming drama ‘Black Gold.’ Starring Tahar Rahim, Antonio Banderas, Mark Strong, Frieda Pinto, Riz Ahmed, Eriq Ebouaney and Corey Johnson, the film centers on a young Arab prince torn between allegiance to his conservative father and modern, liberal father-in-law as well as the rivalry between two Emirs in Arabia. ‘Black Gold’ will use Hans R. Ruesch’s 1957 novel “South Of The Heart: A Novel Of Modern Arabia” as a launching pad for the story that revolves around the rivalry between Arabian rulers in the 1930s just as oil is being discovered, and the rise of a young, dynamic leader who unites the various tribes of the desert kingdoms. ‘Black Gold’ is set for release Febuary 24th in the UK.
Early 20th Century- Arabia. Under the unforgiving desert sky, two warring leaders come face to face. The bodies of their warriors litter the battlefield. The victorious Nesib, Emir of Hobeika (ANTONIO BANDERAS), lays down his peace terms to his rival Amar, Sultan of Salmaah (MARK STRONG). The two men agree that neither may lay claim to the area of no man’s land between them called The Yellow Belt. In return and according to the tribal customs of the time, Nesib will “adopt”- or take hostage- Amar’s two boys Saleeh (AKIN GAZI) and Auda (TAHAR RAHIM); a guarantee that neither man can invade the other. Years later, Saleeh and Auda have grown into young men. Saleeh, the warrior, itches to escape his gilded cage and return to his father’s land. Auda cares only for books and the pursuit of knowledge. One day, their adopted father Nesib is visited by an American oil man from Texas (COREY JOHNSON). He tells the Emir that his land is blessed with oil and promises him riches beyond his imagination.
New UK Trailer For ‘American Reunion’ – Starring Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott & Eugene Levy
Jan 17th
MSN has unleashed this new UK trailer for ‘American Reunion,’ the fourth theatrical installment in the “American Pie” franchise. Written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), the film stars Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Eugene Levy, Jennifer Coolidge, Shannon Elizabeth and Dania Ramirez. ‘American Reunion’ is scheduled for release April 6th.
In the comedy American Reunion, all the American Pie characters we met a little more than a decade ago are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship.
It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler’s mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.
New Poster & Behind-The-Scenes Look At ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’
Jan 16th
CineHeroes has released this new poster for Timur Bekmambetov’s upcoming film adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith‘s best-selling horror mashup, ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.’ In the vampire-slaying re-imagining of the iconic sixteenth president of the United States, Benjamin Walker stars as the titular Abraham Lincoln, while Anthony Mackie will play the role of Will – Abe’s best friend. Dominic Cooper will play the president’s mentor and teacher in the story, a mythic, ageless figure named Henry Sturgess who turns Lincoln into an axe-throwing expert slayer of vampires. Mary Elizabeth Winstead will play Mary Todd Lincoln – Abe’s wife. ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’ is scheduled for release June 22nd in the US, and August 2nd in the UK. In related news, MTV has debuted a new behind-the-scenes look at the film, the only snag is that you can’t view it if you’re outside of the US. As soon as a worldwide video is made available I’ll update the link.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter explores the secret life of our greatest President, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the blood-thirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead. The screenplay is by Seth Grahame-Smith, based on his novel of the same name.
New TV Spot For ‘John Carter’ – Starring Taylor Kitsch, Mark Strong & Lynn Collins
Jan 14th
Featuring snippets of new footage, Walt Disney Pictures has set loose this TV spot for Andrew Stanton’s (WALL•E, Finding Nemo) upcoming action-adventure epic ‘John Carter.’ ‘John Carter’ chronicles the journey of Civil-War veteran John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who finds himself battling a new and mysterious war amidst a host of strange Martian inhabitants, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). Set for release March 9th, the film also stars the likes of Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Daryl Sabara, Polly Walker, Bryan Cranston, and Thomas Hayden Church. ‘John Carter’ is an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs ‘John Carter of Mars.’
From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands. The cast also includes Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Daryl Sabara, Polly Walker, Bryan Cranston and Thomas Haden Church.
Debut Clip & Poster For ‘Luv’ – Starring Common, Danny Glover & Michael Kenneth Williams
Jan 14th
A first-look clip and poster has emerged online from Sheldon Candis’ fantastic looking crime drama ‘Luv.’ The film stars Common as Uncle Vincent, an ex-con trying to go straight who takes his young nephew (Michael Rainey Jr.) with him on a business trip that inadvertently leads him back down the deadly path he’s been trying to avoid. Director and co-writer Sheldon Candis based the film on his experiences growing up in Baltimore with his uncle who, unbeknownst to Candis at the time, was a notorious drug dealer. The impressive cast also includes Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, and Michael Kenneth Williams – someone familiar to Baltimore based crime sagas after playing Omar in ‘The Wire.’ Head on over to EW for the clip.
An orphaned 11-year-old boy is forced to face the unpleasant truth about his beloved uncle during one harrowing day in the streets of Baltimore. Cast: Common, Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton. Keep an eye out for more news about ‘Luv’ from the Sundance Film Festival, which runs from Jan. 19-29.