Denzel Washington Interview For ‘Safe House’
Feb 6th
Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds co-star in the action-thriller ‘Safe House.’ Washington plays the CIA’s most dangerous traitor, who stuns the intelligence community when he surfaces in South Africa. When the safe house to which he’s remanded is attacked by brutal mercenaries, a rookie (Reynolds) is forced to help him escape. As the masterful manipulator toys with his reluctant protégé, the young operative finds his morality tested and idealism shaken. Now, they must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead. Directed by Daniel Espinosa, ’Safe House’ co-stars Nora Arnezeder, Vera Farmiga, Ruben Blades, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Tim McGraw, Robert Patrick, and Sam Shepard. The film is due to hit cinemas February 10th in the US, and Febuary 24th in the UK. Look out for another interview with Denzel Washington for the films UK release date.
At the beginning, Ryan Reynolds’ character is very much an ideologue. However some of that slowly peals away as the movie moves along. Your character, Tobin Frost, his outlook is completely different…..
Denzel Washington: Yeah. I really enjoy how as the movie moves along, we peel away the layers of who these people are, the mind-games that are going on. I liken it to ‘Silence of the Lambs’ where this guy, this young kid, he’s trying to get in my head, and I’m all getting in his head – to the point where he doesn’t know what he’s thinking about.
Tobin Frost, he’s on his own, he’s a murderer, he’s a liar, he’s a sociopath, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win. All he’s interested in is winning. I think that he’s been so isolated for so long, he doesn’t know how to feel, he doesn’t have feelings, he just knows how to use. He has no family, no relationships, he just uses people…..and drinks good wine (laughs). Making the money is not an important thing for him, I think winning is the important thing. The chance to manipulate this kid is winning, the chance to shove it up the CIA’s behind is winning for him. And he has no remorse about it.
‘The Woman in Black’ Delivers The Highest Hammer Opening Weekend Ever In The US
Feb 6th
Massive congratulations to all the good folks over at Hammer, as their chilling ghost story ‘The Woman in Black’ exceeded box office expectations to open in the no.2 spot in its three day opening weekend (Fri-Sun) in the US, grossing just over $21m. This is more than ‘Paranormal Activity’s’ opening weekend which grossed $19,617,650 in 2009 and ‘The Grudge 2′ which grossed $20,825,300 in 2006. Originally founded in 1934, legendary British film studio Hammer has delivered a hugely successful run of films over the years including ‘Dracula,’ ‘The Mummy,’ ’Frankenstein Created Woman,’ ‘One Million Years B.C.’ and ‘The Vampire Lovers.’
Hammer’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s classic novel, starring Daniel Radcliffe, opened on almost 2855 screens with a per screen average of $7,356. This weekend’s three day gross makes ‘The Woman in Black’ the highest opening ever for a Hammer film in the US. ‘The Woman In Black is set for release this Friday (Febuary 10th) in the UK.
‘The Woman in Black,’ starring Daniel Radcliffe, is the iconic production company’s first ever feature ghost story. It is directed by James Watkins and adapted by Jane Goldman from the book by Susan Hill. The film is a Hammer, Alliance Films, The UK Film Council presentation, in association with Cross Creek Pictures. A Talisman production in association with Exclusive Media. Producers are Richard Jackson, Simon Oakes and Brian Oliver. Executive Producers are Guy East, Nigel Sinclair, Tobin Armbrust, Marc Schipper, Neil Dunn, Xavier Marchand, Roy Lee and Tyler Thompson.
Three TV Spots For ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ – Starring Nicolas Cage & Idris Elba
Feb 6th
Featuring snippets of new footage, Sony Pictures has released these three TV spots for their barmy looking action adventure flick ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.’ It has been several years since making a deal with the Devil and Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage), living in self-imposed isolation, finds himself as the only person who can help save 10-year-old Danny – and ultimately the world – thanks to his unwanted and uncontrollable power – his ability to transform into the hell-on-wheels monster known as The Ghost Rider. Directed by Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine (Crank, Gamer), ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ opens February 17th. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Idris Elba, Johnny Whitworth, Ciarán Hinds, and Violante Placido. Check out my interview with Nicolas Cage and Idris Elba for the film here.
Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze in Columbia Pictures’ and Hyde Park Entertainment’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. In the successor to the worldwide hit Ghost Rider, Johnny – still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter – is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe when he is recruited by a secret sect of the church to save a young boy (Fergus Riordan) from the devil (Ciaran Hinds). At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider, but it is the only way to protect the boy – and possibly rid himself of his curse forever. Directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Screenplay by Scott M. Gimple & Seth Hoffman and David S. Goyer. Story by David S. Goyer. Based on the Marvel Comic. Produced by Steven Paul, Ashok Amritraj, Michael De Luca, Avi Arad, and Ari Arad.
Four ‘Red Lights’ Character Posters – Starring Cillian Murphy, Robert De Niro & Sigourney Weaver
Feb 6th
CINE1 has premiered these new character posters for the eagerly anticipated supernatural thriller ‘Red Lights.’ I’ve got extremely high hopes for this film, it’s director/writer Rodrigo Cortes’ follow-up to ’Buried’ – a film which exuded a seemingly impossible amount of gripping drama out of its claustrophobic premise. ‘Red Lights’ revolves around a pair of skeptical investigators (Sigourney Weaver, Cillian Murphy) on a mission to reveal practitioners of psychic arts (Robert De Niro) as phonies. Toby Jones, Joely Richardson, Elizabeth Olsen, Craig Roberts, Leonardo Sbaraglia and Adriane Lenox co-star. Expect a release date soon.
A film about how the brain does not give a true picture of reality. Sigourney Weaver will play Margaret Matheson in a film that follows a para-psychologist who attempts to debunk a very reputable psychic who has just returned to the limelight after 30 years.
In the film, De Niro stars as Simon Silver, a legendary psychic, perhaps the most famously gifted of all time, who returns after thirty years of mysterious absence to become the world’s greatest challenge to orthodox science and professional skeptics. Meanwhile, paranormal fraud investigator Tom (Murphy) begins to develop a dense obsession Silver, whose magnetism is enhanced dangerously with each new manifestation of inexplicable phenomena.
Super Bowl TV Spot For Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’
Feb 6th
Marvel has unleashed this Super Bowl TV spot for their forthcoming superhero ensemble flick ‘The Avengers’ – further adding to my fervent excitement for the film! Directed by Joss Whedon, ‘The Avengers’ stars Chris Evans (Captain America/Steve Rogers), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye/Clint Barton), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk), Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man/Tony Stark), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), and Tom Hiddleston (Loki). The likes of Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, and Stellen Skarsgard co-star. ‘The Avengers’ opens in cinemas April 27th in the UK, and May 4th in the US. Marvel’s current release slate is ‘The Avengers’ this summer, ‘Iron Man 3′ May 2013, ‘Thor 2′ November 2013, ‘Untitled Marvel 1′ April 2014, and ‘Untitled Marvel 2 May 2014.
Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” and “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the super hero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.
Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, “Marvel’s The Avengers” brings together the mightiest super hero characters as they all assemble together on screen for the first time. The star studded cast of super heroes will be joined by Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother) as Agent Maria Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as Tom Hiddleston (“Wallander”) and Stellan Skarsgård (“Angels & Demons,” “Mamma Mia!”) who will both reprise their respective roles as Loki and Professor Erik Selvig from the upcoming Marvel Studios’ feature “Thor.”
Super Bowl TV Spot For ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ – Starring Danny DeVito, Zac Efron & Ed Helms
Feb 6th
Universal Pictures has unveiled this Super Bowl TV spot for the 3D-CGI feature ’Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.’ Opening in 3D and 2D cinemas on March 2nd in the US and July 27th in the UK, the film features the voices of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, Taylor Swift and Betty White.
‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a boy as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic young boy who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams. Rob Riggle will play financial king O’Hare, and beloved actress Betty White will portray Ted’s wise Grammy Norma.