Blog Archives
The Epic Name of (and for) James Bond 24
There is one word to describe the 24th movie in the James Bond franchise.
And here it is:
If the movie is anything nearly as cool and sublime as the Aston Martin DB10, then fans will be in for one hell of a ride.
Spectre already feels like it will be amazing…simply amazing.
21 Years in the Making
(“Jurassic World” by Mark Englert: IGN Online)
Ladies and gentlemen, not only is Jurassic World really happening, but it will once again feature the superstar of dinosaurs in the Velociraptor. Above is the first promotional poster for the fourth installment of the Jurassic Park franchise. Recalling when I saw the first movie 21 years ago, it’s surreal to think it’s a franchise. What’s more is that it seems like this is the right time to make a new film with great actors (Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard) and written with what appears to be a similar tone as the original from 1993. Enough time has passed that this new movie is not simply a sequel, but a story with a purpose and gravitas to stand on its own.
The saying is, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
I agree.
The excitement that’s included in these thousand words is unsustainable…much like the the expectations of controlling dinosaurs in the modern world.
While we will have to wait and see how this story unfolds in 2015, Spielberg and Co. just may have found a way to rejuvenate this story for the 21st century!
Dude is Going to Look Like a Lady Again
Normally, there isn’t so much news about sequels made within the same 2-week period, especially when it concerns follow-ups to beloved ’80s and ’90s classics.
Strangely, the latest scoop of a man dressing up as an old Scottish nanny has the potential to revive Steiner Street to its 1993 golden presence.
It was recently announced that famed scribe and director Chris Columbus put his hands up in the form of an “L” and reverse “L” and joined his thumbs together for a vision of a Mrs. Doubtfire sequel in the joyfully eccentric northern California city of San Francisco.
Oh, and this is happening with the wonderfully crazy, wild and spontaneously hilarious Robin Williams.
It’s impossible to doubt the comedic fire he’ll surely bring to this sequel.
While we’re not experiencing hot flashes at this news, we’re all experiencing flashes of our favorite scenes from this story of a marriage and family of three children broken up by divorce in a funny, yet very real fashion. And the fact that the 1993 original was funny, sweet and painfully real with the tugging of our heart strings throughout was a defining dynamic that perfectly complemented the unforgettable comedic one-liners of Robin Williams and, of course, a stellar cast.
There is no release date, but that shouldn’t stop our cautious optimism of what will eventually be projected on the silver screen for multiple generations to enjoy.
Thankfully, somebody boxed the trailer from Mrs. Doubtfire and then shipped it onto the Internet (that process can get confusing).
“Could you make me a woman [again]?”
“Honey, I’m so happy!”
And Uncle Frank, maybe make an extra mask or two…just in case.
P.S. I’ll never forget when my family and I were at a cafe in Kauaʻi several years ago and my sister and I were ordering food just feet from somebody who looked very familiar…
Yes, he was 007. And yes, he was super nice. But, he was also the hapless Stu Dunmeyer.
Incredibly, I believe he was driving a Mercedes!
Gal Gadot Looks Pretty Wonderful
For fans of Wonder Woman, the news that the 5’9” Israeli actress Gal Gadot will portray the female superhero equivalent of Superman was likely met with long, overdue jubilation. Plus, a dose of ambiguity. Why? Because Wonder Woman fans have long wished to see this lasso waving superhero on the big screen as the central figure and not necessarily as a supporting cast member, potentially.
(Zimbio)
The specifics of her role will remain a mystery for everybody around the world except the very select insiders: writers, producers and director of the “Man of Steel” sequel. Before too much speculation and analysis, there are some positive characteristics Gal Gadot will instantly bring to Wonder Woman, regardless of her ultimate character contribution.
First, she is absolutely gorgeous. Second, she has some film experience (mostly with the “The Fast and the Furious” movies) and, therefore, will bring a fresh face and impression to audience members. In other words, most people will see her as Wonder Woman and not as a character from a past project/series trying to portray Wonder Woman. She will be Wonder Woman. And third, she will inherently receive an elevated standing (at least initially) because of the nature and anticipation of the movie and the sensational credentials of the director, producers and writers of “Man of Steel” and, yes, “The Dark Knight” trilogy.
Interestingly though, has the global box office success of 2012s “The Avengers” (~$1.5 billion) and forth coming sequel put a rush delivery on the DC Comics super get together for The Justice League, despite the global box office success of summer blockbusters with solo superheroes in “Man of Steel” (~$662 million) and “The Dark Knight” trilogy (~$2.74 billion)? Without seeing the “Man of Steel sequel, it’s impossible to judge the decision to inject the DC Universe together so quickly after introducing Superman. Still though, seeing a longer, deeper character and story arc for Superman, Wonder Woman, the new Batman (maybe not so much) and The Flash would be legendary.
But, because of “The Avengers,” is there enough time or patience? Time will tell, but the fans were willing to wait (and excitedly!) during the 7-year, A-movie quality Batman trilogy…
Lassoing back to Wonder Woman, here are 10 questions (for today anyways) surrounding the announcement of her presence in the untitled “Man of Steel” sequel that will hit theaters in 2015, in no particular order:
- Doesn’t Wonder Woman deserve at least a solo movie treatment, given the story and cultural popularity of her character, plus her positive superhero image for girls and women alike?
- Will and how will her character fit into the darker, grittier Zack Snyder/Nolan superhero universe?
- What “world” will she, Superman and Batman exist in? Will there be multiple locations/cities?
- Will her costume have a narrative like Superman’s in “Man of Steel?” (ie- his suit was actually made of steel links) If so, what will it look like and what will the narrative be?
- Will Gal Gadot look like the Wonder Woman people know from the comics and television show or will she be a new, modern adaptation?
- There was no Kryptonite in “Man of Steel.” Will Wonder Woman keep her Lasso of Truth?
- Will Wonder Woman be merely introduced or will she feature in a starring role alongside Batman and Superman?
- Will Wonder Woman battle Batman and/or Superman?
- Will Alan Harper make an appearance somewhere in the movie as a star struck admirer while slinging his own Lasso of Truth?
- Bottom line: Will Gal Gadot define Wonder Woman for a new generation?
The anticipation will be wonderfully mysterious and intriguing.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 