The Huntsman receives April 2016 release

Just a day after Universal announced Alex Kurtzman would be directing the reboot of The Mummy they promptly turned around and delayed it to June 24, 2016. Taking its place will The Huntsman, the spin-off from the 2012 fairy tale Snow White and the Huntsman.


Universal recently made it known that they had basically fired Kristen Stewart from the franchise after her affair with director Rupert Sanders and were intending on continuing the story primarily with Chris Hemsworth's character, the Huntsman. It seems they weren't kidding as the spin-off now has a release date of April 22, 2016. The film already has Frank Darabont attached to direct and Chris Hemsworth will be returning to reprise the role and, oddly enough, Charlize Theron will also return.

Seeing how bad Snow White and the Huntsman was I don't have much interest in this one. Chris Hemsworth is nice to look at and all but even he couldn't save that movie. The only draw is Charlie Theron's return. She was the only good part about that movie.

Prometheus - Review

Prometheus follows an exploratory space vessel where two explorers lead a crew in hope to find their creators to unravel the origin of the human race.


I have been excited for Prometheus and I just want to say that I always figured it was an Alien prequel despite Ridley Scott and the actors trying to shoot the rumors down. With that said, Prometheus was very good. The acting was fantastic, the cinematography was great, the visuals were great, and Scott's direction was obviously well done. However... this is yet another exciting, visually driven film with a weak script and poor pacing. I feel like the timing and pacing of the plot was rushed and a lot happened in a very short amount of time. And, of course, it left it open for a sequel 100%. There is no question that there will be a sequel to this movie.
Michael Fassbender plays one damn good robot. His character David really creeped me out but I loved it. I also loved Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, and Idris Elba. I think that they all gave a good performance and their characters were pretty good.

Overall I would say Prometheus was good and I enjoyed it a lot, but it was seriously stressful. There were a lot of aspects that rose the suspense up to a ridiculous level. At one point my hands started sweating because I got so anxious about what was happening. But even with that, it had a weak base and poor pacing so I feel like I enjoyed it a lot more while watching it rather than talking about it.



Now I must mention spoilers, but I strongly advise you to not read them if you haven't seen Prometheus. Come back and read this section once you have seen it.

Universal moves forward with Snow White sequel

Seeing that Snow White and the Huntsman has passed $115 million internationally at the box office in less than two weeks I guess it is safe to say it was a hit. With that said, Universal has announced that it will be moving forward with a sequel to the film starring Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, and Chris Hemsworth. I had read before but Deadline's article also mentions the fact that the actors' contracts included sequel options for up to two more movies so this move doesn't surprise me at all, especially with the way Snow White and the Huntsman ended. SPOILER ALERT: The Huntsman's kiss worked when William's didn't and Snow White seemed to know that somehow, so that alone left it open for expansion.

http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/snow-white-and-the-huntsman-sequel-universal/

Whenever this sequel comes out, which I am predicting sometime in late 2013 or early to mid 2014, I will most likely see it. I did enjoy Snow White and the Huntsman (my review is here in case you missed it) although I thought it could have been much better. Hopefully the sequel has a much better script and a villain just as badass as Charlize Theron.
It has also been said that a sequel would focus more on The Huntsman. Whether it would be from his point of view with Snow White as his main interest or if he would just be the main focus with Snow White and William as a background is unknown, but I don't really see any other route they could take with that. All I can really say is leave it to Hollywood to put Kristen Stewart in yet another franchise love triangle. Wasn't 4 years of Twilight enough for that poor girl and for the world?

Snow White and the Huntsman - Review

Snow White and the Huntsman is yet another take on the Snow White tale where an evil queen locks up Snow White and attempts to kill her to be the fairest in the land.


I was pretty excited for Snow White and the Huntsman primarily because it looked better than Mirror Mirror and it had Charlize Theron as Queen Ravenna. Overall I would say that it was good but that doesn't mean it was great. It wasn't bad but it was severely lacking in many ways. The main things...

1. Character development of William (aka, the Prince)
2. I wanted more of the dwarves and a little more development with them
3. The film's pacing was extremely awkward
4. The actors' accents going in and out as they pleased

I felt the most cheated with William. They show him as a child and then all of a sudden he pops up as an amazing archer and storm the castle wanting to kill the queen. I was like, um who is this again? They gave almost no background to him at all and it's a shame seeing that he is technically a main character. 
I also feel like this film was split into acts and that it might have been purposely done. The first act introducing Ravenna and showing how she rose to power was fantastic. The second where The Huntsman finds Snow White in the forest and eventually leads her to sanctuary was where it started to die. The third act, however, should have picked it up and it really didn't do it as much as I would have hoped. When Snow White and her army reaches Ravenna's castle the climax of the film was cut very short. It had a slow build, a very short climax, and an even faster finish... that's what she said.
But seriously, I was the most disappointed with the last chapter of the film.


However, there were things that were great...

1. Charlize Theron
2. Charlize Theron
3. Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron was the best actor and had the best character, by far. What she did with Queen Ravenna was fantastic and it's a shame that this movie isn't good enough to gain some kind of recognition other than MTV Award status. She deserves some recognition for this role. Her very presence on screen gave me goosebumps at times.
Aside from her I would say the visuals were stunning. I definitely didn't walk away thinking they skimped out on the effects. I also loved the dwarves, especially Gus. They were really fun to watch.

And of course, how could I get away with doing this review without mentioning the biggest question of all... the casting of Kristen Stewart as Snow White. I want to start of by saying I have actually grown to like Kristen as an actress and I don't think she is terrible like most people do. She is terrible in the Twilight movies but to be fair everyone else is, too. She was fantastic in Welcome to the Rileys, Speak, and The Runaways. She also was a pleasure in her very small role in Into the Wild. However, her as Snow White just didn't do it for me. It wasn't the typical "she is bland" excuse most people give, but I feel like this type of action/leader role just doesn't suit her. She is best playing emotionally damaged, hostile, and vulnerable. She isn't good at being a leader in body armor and swinging a sword around. I don't think she ruined the movie but she definitely wasn't the best part of it and I feel the title character should be the most captivating.




Anyway, overall I wouldn't say Snow White and the Huntsman was terrible but it wasn't great. It had the potential to be great but just missed it. If the script was better and had a little bit more character development, and maybe had a different actress as Snow White, I think it might have worked a bit more. An easy 5.5-6 out of 10. I didn't see Mirror Mirror but I'm sure this one was better,

Prometheus ad campaign

I just feel the need to say that the ad campaign for Prometheus fucking sucks. The teasers and TV spots and trailers are all so different and I feel like they are giving away too much. Each one boasts about having "new footage" and although they are correct, why is it necessary? You have to leave a little to the viewers' imagination. I was sold with the full trailer I saw back in March. They had me. I have watched some of the viral ads, including the one with Michael Fassbender, and I haven't done anything since. I'm not looking at the new photos or any more of the new teasers. It's too much. I didn't even read the Prometheus spread in this week's Entertainment Weekly in a small attempt to not spoil anything else. They just need to stop. The release date is like 3 weeks away. I can wait.

/random gripe of the day

International trailer for Prometheus

Now that I have seen the newest trailer for The Dark Knight Rises I felt the need to share yet another amazing trailer I saw today. This, boys and girls, is the new international trailer for Prometheus. And it is fucking awesome.

So... who wants to see Prometheus? *raises hand*

New posters for Snow White and the Huntsman

Just to say, this poster featuring Charlize Theron is one of the best I have seen in a long time.

There are also a couple new ones featuring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth.

Snow White and the Huntsman sequel in development

Universal is already developing a sequel to the upcoming film Snow White and the Huntsman starring Kristen Stewart as Snow White and Charlize Theron as the evil Queen Ravenna.The film opens in the US on June 1st.

Personally... I feel like they should have waited to make this announcement until the movie is released. It shows both extreme confidence and arrogance on Universal's part. It's all well and good to think your film is going to do well and have a strong opening, but I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket when there is still more than a month until the first one is even released.
I guess they are also comfortable with the fact that their actors are willing to sign onto yet another possible franchise. Kristen Stewart has Twilight, Chris Hemsworth has the Marvel movies centered around Thor, and Sam Clafin is involved with Pirates of the Caribbean.  I don't mention Charlize Theron because I have a feeling she gets killed in Snow White and the Huntsman but I suppose you never know for sure.

With all that said, however, I am excited for this movie. The more TV spots and trailers I see the more excited I have gotten. I also think the Florence + The Machine song is great.


http://geektyrant.com/news/2012/4/27/universal-developing-a-sequel-to-snow-white-and-the-huntsman.html

Universal president admits to making shitty movies & hopes for new direction

Last year the president & CCO of Universal Pictures, Ron Meyer, admitted to his company making shitty movies. Meyer has now come out and clarified what he meant by shitty movies, after citing movies like Cowboys & Aliens and Land of the Lost:

"we make some good movies and some shitty movies. Nobody ever sets out to make a shitty movie.”

 Along with the clarification, Meyer has also expressed his interest in making a sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman (despite still having two months until it is released) and making more Dr. Seuss movies including a new animated version of The Cat in the Hat. He also is not a fan of 3D so that gives me some hope.

Personally, I would be down for a new version of The Cat in the Hat. The one with Jim Carrey was such a piece of shit. As far as other Dr. Seuss stories go they have already done The Lorax, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (another shitty Carrey flick) and Horton Hears a Who, so I don't know what they might think of after The Cat in the Hat. Maybe an adaptation of Gerald McBoing Boing?


http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/universal-plans-snow-white-and-the-huntsman-sequel-new-animated-version-of-the-cat-in-the-hat-20120408#

Snow White and the Huntsman official trailer surfaces early

Not too early seeing that The Voice is on tonight which makes me happy because now I don't have to watch it. It is available on YouTube and http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/promos/snowwhite?mid=12000245

I am officially excited now. I think this movie looks really great. Very visually satisfying in terms of the way the effects look. I've waited patiently to hear Snow White speak and I am not disappointed or upset at all. I was anticipating being turned off from it the moment Kristen Stewart opened her mouth and I have been proven wrong. Charlize Theron is making a very convincing evil queen and that's just judging from the trailers. I can only imagine what she will be like in the full film.

I think this is going to be good.

Snow White and the Huntsman promo clips begin

Along with the premiere of the full trailer tomorrow (March 19th) during The Voice.

I saw the promo clips via Xfinity, because I have Comcast, and after finally hearing Kristen Stewart's voice in a clip my excitement for this movie has gone up. I truly think it's going to be good if not great. It looks a lot better than Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. I only mention that because it was another warrior-princess type adaptation that, in my opinion, failed miserably. Plus in the Snow White and the Huntsman promos so far they have been capitalizing on the fact that it has the same producers as Alice in Wonderland.

Here is a link to the Xfinity promos - http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/promos/snowwhite?mid=12000241

I must admit that I am quite impressed and that I will most definitely be seeing this movie.

Trailer #2 for Snow White and the Hunstman surfaces

By second trailer I mean practically the same trailer as the first that surfaced with minor changes. These minor changes being like two more snaps of Charlize Theron. I am now awaiting a third trailer that will feature dialogue and more scenes from Snow White, ffs. Hopefully we will get one by March or April.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/Wolvie09/news/?a=53115&t=New_SNOW_WHITE_AND_THE_HUNTSMAN_Sneak_Peek__Features_More_Footage

Young Adult

Well, I have to say that Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman have done it again. Still didn't top Juno but this was a close second.

Charlize Theron's character, Mavis, was one of those that was so painful to watch but you couldn't look away. She is such a terrible person but oddly enough it works for her. She drinks too much, has practically no friends, and is still in love with her high school boyfriend after like 17 years of not being with him. Not to mention Mavis eventually married and then divorced.
I think the introduction to Mavis was one of the best I have ever seen. There is nothing like seeing a "successful" author watching reality shows to fall asleep, chugging Diet Coke first thing in the morning, and playing Wii Fit while her dog barks and is ignored at the back door. Like I said, it is so painful yet you can't look away. I found myself saying, "how depressing and embarrassing" about 20 times throughout the course of the whole film.

The character development left a little to be desired when it came to other characters, specifically Buddy. Buddy being Mavis' ex-boyfriend whom she returns to her hometown to win back despite the fact that he is married with a newborn daughter. I think Buddy was left a little open. He is portrayed as a nice guy who still has minor feelings for Mavis but then says his kindness is fueled only by his wife, Beth. Mavis then revolts against both Buddy and Beth at a ceremony for their daughter in front of the whole party. She reveals Buddy got her pregnant 17 years prior and she miscarried. It makes you feel, as a viewer, that she is just jealous of what Beth has with him because it could have been her.
Mavis also encounters an old classmate, Matt, who was brutally beaten by jocks in high school and was left permanently crippled. He tries to tell Mavis she is doing the wrong thing but she instead uses Matt as a drinking buddy and uses his disability to make herself feel like she is the one who is moving on with life instead of being stuck in the same place hating on people who hurt her. Matt wasn't terribly underdeveloped but they could have given him a little bit more. He was just a typical forgotten high school student who has remained ignored ever since.

Overall I thought the script was the high point. Diablo Cody gave her typical elements of dark humor but it wasn't as sarcastic as its been in the past. That is what I loved. It was a nice change and she is proving why she won an Oscar. Charlize Theron gave a fantastic performance, though. You cannot count her out in this equation. To me, she did a good job of showing how exhausting it is to be such a bitch all the time. You could see it in her physical appearance. She played a delusional woman quite well, too.

The only problem I had and my boyfriend felt the same way... the product placement was ridiculous. We see at exhaustion: Chili's, KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Diet Coke, Mini Cooper, Hampton Inn, Macy's, Blackberry, and Apple. It was ridiculous and I feel like I paid to see one big commercial. I was surprised not to see a Target given the film was set in Minnesota. There is a Target on every corner in that state.




But yeah, I recommend this one. It is a bit sad but it's true because we all know people like Mavis. 8/10