Video of the Week: The Lion King Rises

Video of the Week: The Lion King Rises

I’m a big fan of recut and mashed-up trailers, this one is no exception. Brad Hansen of Craveonline.com has taken the Dark Knight Rises trailer and mixed it with the Lion King to create, “The Lion King Rises.”

Happy Monday!

 

Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Editor’s Note: The review is mostly spoiler free, however, as always with movies like this, we recommend you see the film prior to reading this review.

The Dark Knight Rises is director Christopher Nolan’s third visit to the characters and universe of Batman and Bruce Wayne, and according to the director, his last. Christian Bale and the rest of the original cast returns, in a film that is certainly the epic conclusion promised by the films marketing campaign. The villain this time, is the almost superhuman Bane, played by Tom Hardy.

We meet Bane as the film opens, a scary looking fellow with a breathing apparatus that covers most of his face. In a stunning action, they hijack a plane mid flight, and kidnap a captive of the CIA. In a world where the seams of most stunts are quite apparent thanks to poor CG, this particular stunt definitely leads the audience to ask, how did they do that?

Eight years following the death of Harvey Dent, and the fall of the Joker – Batman hasn’t been seen, and Bruce Wayne has hid in seclusion. With the Organized Crime completely eradicated thanks to the Dent act, Gotham is safe.

During a fundraiser held at his house, one of the help is asked by Alfred to bring a meal up to the wing where Bruce Wayne has been living in seclusion. The help turns out to be Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), a cat burglar, who breaks into Wayne’s safe, and steals his Mother’s pearls.

The plot thickens, as we learn that John Daggett, a business rival of Bruce Wayne’s, has sought the help of the likes of Bane and Selina Kyle, to enact a plan to take over Wayne Enterprises. However, Bane’s plan is far more sinister, and goes down a path that sends Gotham spiraling into a darkness that is completely unprecedented.

As a series, I don’t feel like the last film, The Dark Knight, called back much to the first film, Batman Begins. However, this movie is tied closely to Batman Begins, and I definitely recommend rewatching Nolan’s first entry into the franchise. While, I enjoyed Batman Begins, and it is certainly an excellent origin film, this is a much stronger movie, with a villain that is like nothing we’ve seen so far in Nolan’s Batman Universe. Bane’s booming, frightening voice reverberates the theater, and is matched by his strength, providing a perfect rival for Batman.

Much like the unfounded criticism that was initially received from the internet when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker, Anne Hathaway also fell victim to this same sort of assumptions. She was excellent as Catwoman (important to note, she is not once referred to as that), and filled her shoes [edit: stilettos] well. The always excellent Joseph Gordon-Levvitt was great as Blake, an orphan that was inspired at a young age for good by Batman.

The sweeping aerial shots shot on 70MM IMAX film were dizzying and gratifying. If you haven’t seen this film in true IMAX, make it a point to go again, I’d take IMAX over 3D any day of the week. If Nolan were to release a feature of all the IMAX B-roll he acquired shooting this movie, I’d be there. Hans Zimmer’s score is the perfect underline on every scene in the film, it tells us exactly what we should feel and when..

The film is long, clocking in at around 2 hours and 45 minutes, however I didn’t feel like any of it dragged. I found the pacing of the film perfect, and it was as long as it should have been.

The film’s title The Dark Knight Rises is a perfect summary of what happens in this movie. Nolan’s conclusion shows a Gotham in despair, and the rise of the hero and symbol that many longed to return. I really enjoyed the film, and I’m completely satisfied with its end. Part of me does wish that Nolan would rethink his thoughts about the series, however, another part of me is happy that he ends his time with it on this high note. We’ve seen what the series can become under certain hands, and I hope that the series stays where Nolan has left it, but only time will tell.

 

PSA: See The Dark Knight Rises in True IMAX

As a public service announcement, I wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of all the true IMAX theaters in the United States. The Dark Knight Rises has an hour of footage shot in true 70mm IMAX, and the list below are the only theaters in North America that will be screening it in this format. Don’t fall for the “IMAX Experience,” trick that many chains try to pull (I’m looking at you AMC Boston Common!) – while the IMAX Experience screens are decent projections, the only way to see this film the way it was intended is by buying tickets at one of the below locations. I was fortunate enough to grab tickets ahead of time at my local IMAX theater, if you haven’t already, tickets for this weekend may be hard to come by, but avoid spoilers (and review), and hold out for IMAX!

North American Dark Knight Rises IMAX Film Theaters

United States

Alabama
  • McWane Science Center Imax, Birmingham
  • U.S. Space & Rocket Center Imax, Huntsville
Arizona
  • Harkins Arizona Mills Imax, Tempe (Phoenix)
California
  • AMC Universal Citywalk Imax, Universal City
  • Rave Imax, Westchester (Los Angeles)
  • Edwards Irvine Spectrum Imax, Irvine
  • Edwards Ontario Palace Imax, Ontario
  • Desert Imax, Cathedral City (Palm Springs)
  • AMC Metreon Imax, San Francisco
  • Regal Hacienda Crossings Imax, Dublin (San Francisco)
  • Tech Museum Hackworth Imax, San Jose
  • Esquire Imax, Sacramento
  • Edwards Fresno Imax, Fresno
Colorado
  • UA Colorado Center Imax, Denver
  • Cinemark Carefree Circle Imax, Colorado Springs
Connecticut
  • Rave Buckland Hills Imax, Manchester (New Haven)
Florida
  • Autonation Imax, Ft Lauderdale
  • Regal Pointe Orlando Imax, Orlando
  • Museum of Science & Industry Imax, Tampa
Georgia
  • Regal Mall of Georgia Imax, Buford (Atlanta)
Idaho
  • Edwards Boise Imax, Boise
Illinois
  • Navy Pier Imax, Chicago
  • Cinemark @ Seven Bridges Imax, Woodridge (Chicago)
  • Regal Lincolnshire Stadium Imax, Lincolnshire (Chicago)
Indiana
  • Indiana State Museum Imax, Indianapolis
Iowa
  • Blank Imax, Des Moines
Massachusetts
  • Comcast Imax, Reading (Boston)
  • Comcast Imax, Natick (Boston)
Michigan
  • Henry Ford Imax, Dearborn
  • Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North IMAX, Grand Rapids
Minnesota
  • Great Clips Imax, Apple Valley (Minneapolis)
Missouri
  • St Louis Science Center Imax, St Louis
  • Discovery Imax, Branson
  • Wehrenberg Ronnies Imax, St Louis
Nebraska
  • AMC Star Cinema Imax, Council Bluffs (Omaha)
Nevada
  • Brenden Palms Imax, Las Vegas
New Jersey
  • Liberty Science Center Imax, Jersey City
  • Tropicana Imax, Atlantic City
New York
  • AMC Loews Lincoln Square Imax, New York
  • Palisades Imax, West Nyack
  • Regal New Roc Imax, New Rochelle
  • Cinemark Tinseltown USA Imax, Rochester
North Carolina
  • Discovery Place Imax, Charlotte
Ohio
  • IMAX Theater at Patriot Park, Columbus
Oklahoma
  • Cinemark Imax, Tulsa
Pennsylvania
  • Tuttleman Imax, Philadelphia
  • UA King of Prussia Imax, King of Prussia
  • Carnegie Science Center Rangos Omnimax, Pittsburgh
  • Cinemark Pittsburgh Mills Imax, Tarentum (Pittsburgh)
  • Whitaker Center Imax, Harrisburg
Rhode Island
  • Providence Place Imax, Providence
Tennessee
  • Regal Opry Mills Imax, Nashville
Texas
  • Cinemark Imax, Dallas
  • Omni Imax, Ft Worth
  • Edwards Houston Marq*e Imax, Houston
  • Santikos Silverado Imax, Tomball (Houston)
  • Bob Bullock Imax, Austin
  • Rivercenter Imax, San Antonio
  • Santikos Palladium Imax, San Antonio
Virginia
  • Udvar Hazy Imax, Chantilly
  • Virginia Marine Science Museum Imax, Virginia Beach
Washington
  • Boeing Science Center Imax, Seattle
Washington DC
  • Samuel C. Johnson Imax, Washington DC
  • Lockheed Martin Imax, Washington DC
Wisconsin
  • AMC Star Imax, Fitchburg (Madison)

CANADA

Alberta
  • Scotiabank Chinook Imax, Calgary
  • Scotiabank Imax, Edmonton
British Columbia
  • Colossus Langley Imax, Langley (Vancouver)
  • SilverCity Riverport Imax, Richmond (Vancouver)
Manitoba
  • Portage Place Imax, Winnipeg
Nova Scotia
  • Empire Theatres at Bayers Lake Imax, Halifax
Ontario
  • Scotiabank Imax, Toronto
  • Coliseum Mississauga Imax, Mississauga (Toronto)
  • Colossus Vaughan Imax, Woodbridge-Vaughan (Toronto)
  • SilverCity Gloucester Imax, Gloucester (Ottawa)
  • Canadian Museum Imax, Hull (Ottawa)
Quebec
  • Cinema Banque Scotia Imax, Montreal
  • Imax Theatre, Quebec City
Saskatchewan
  • Kramer Imax Regina
The Dark Knight Rises TRAILER

The Dark Knight Rises TRAILER

The Dark Knight Rises Trailer is released. I can go on record as saying I’m a huge fanboy of Nolan’s take on the series, and this does NOT look like it will disappoint.

UPDATE: Looks like the trailer was pulled! I will update later if I can find a copy again.


DKR TT by TexPorneau23

Editorial: Rebooting Batman? Again?!

Editorial: Rebooting Batman? Again?!

Well, Hollywood has once again excelled in making me scratch my head in confusion.  Just when I thought they couldn’t get anymore redundant in filmmaking, they go ahead and remake Spider-Man after only 4 years since the last one.  Well, that is idiotic enough, but now the plan is to remake Batman, and the last one hasn’t even come out yet!!

Yep, it’s true.  Christopher Nolan has stated many times that “The Dark Knight Rises” (AWFUL title) is not only going to be the final Batman film he makes, but also the final Batman film in his trilogy; wrapping up the story, so to speak.  I’m guessing that something monumental will happen to Batman to make him hang up his cape for good at the end of this one, thus negating any possible sequels that the greedy fat-cats of Hollywood would want to spew out.  I’m all for ending stories on trilogies, and even though I find the new Batman movies a tad overrated, I still think they’re solid stories and I’m happy that its not overkill.  Ending it as a trilogy is a great idea.

But of course, that would mean no more billion dollar Batman franchise.  So what’s is a Warners miser to do??  Reboot seems the only option.  But unlike the old days, when you would wait…oh let’s say from 1989 till 2005 to reboot a franchise, we now already have plans to re-create the saga before the final puzzle piece of the
trilogy is in place.  Insanity.  Why not remake the Harry Potter series while you’re at it.  Or Pirates of the Caribbean too?  Those were both cash cows.  OR….and bear with me for a second, Hollywood, because I am going to blow your fucking mind apart right now…..how about you come up with a NEW story?  Bold, daring, crazy…I know…but it doesn’t even have to be all that original.  I mean, all you have to do is create new characters, and put them in the same exact situations as other movies!  It’s perfect!  It would require zero thought and minimal effort on your part and you’ll make millions! Low risk, high reward…isn’t that motto dipped in bronze and hung high to the left of the Hollywood sign?

Simply put…movies have taken a turn for the worst right now.  I refuse to believe that they can;t find one good script in that mythical vault of original scripts that Hollywood has deep in its bowels.  Come on, guys…there are many wonderful stories from wonderful writers just dying to be told.  Leave Batman alone for another 15 years at least…he needs a break.

Bale Talks Batman

Bale Talks Batman

In an interview with Total Film, Christian Bale apparently has said that ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ will be the last time he dons the batsuit.

“I believe, unless Chris [Nolan] says different, this will be the last time I’m playing Batman.”
He also tells the site that he knows as little as possible about his third outing as the caped crusader, and that Nolan will let him know when he needs to, giving him plenty of time to prepare.
“He’s a pretty damn good filmmaker. I trust that he’s going to come up with something wonderful.”
Damn right Bale. Damn right. So absolutely no information, other then it probably will be his last. Sad to hear, but, at the same time, probably for the best.

Inception Trailer Circa 1949

It’s amazing how much the style of trailers have changed since the early days of motion pictures. Even looking at trailers from the 80s, things have a completely different look and feel. So these clever fellows have cut together a fan trailer of Inception, using sound clips from Rear Window, Vertigo, and Spellbound, the result, a cool concept to what things might have looked like if Inception came out in in the late 40s early 50s.

Second Teaser Trailer for ‘Inception’

Second Teaser Trailer for ‘Inception’

Christopher Nolan is one of the few new directors whose work almost always gets me excited. ‘Inception,’ Nolan’s first film since ‘Dark Knight’ has had me excited since I first heard about it. Nolan is a tremendous talent, and something tells me there is a lot more coming from this director.

Check out the second teaser for ‘Inception,’ which gives you a little more detail into the new film starring Leonardo DiCaprio & Ellen Paige.

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“Inception” Trailer Released

If you go see “Sherlock Holmes,” this weekend, you’ll see this trailer, but consider this an early gift.  Here’s the trailer for Christopher Nolan’s latest movie.  “Inception,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and comes out this summer.  Oh, because it hasn’t been released officially yet, it’s in French.  But you get the gist of it.

“Batman” Rumors Fly

Ain’t It Cool News has an interesting rumor about the much talked-about third Christopher Nolan Batman movie.  The article says that Nolan wants to shoot the third Batman fully in IMAX.  They say this is a rumor for several reasons.  One main reason being that, well, it could prove incredibly difficult.  In fact, Ain’t It Cool goes as far to say that Nolan might be making next summer’s “Inception” as a way to buy a little more time to get a camera made to his specifications.

Now, is this true?  I don’t know.  Is it believable?  Well, sure.

Frankly, I’m more excited that Nolan is talking and thinking about a third Batman movie, than learning how he wants to possibly shoot it.  (That excitement will come later.)

Also, the report that Megan Fox is playing Catwoman?  That’s a lie.  Ain’t gonna happen.  You’re welcome.