Saturday 28 February 2015

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie Review by Carleton Rutter



Synopsis:
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the expansionist dream of Sonny, and it's making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina. Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy-posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy and Lavinia.

Evelyn and Douglas have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel, the keeper of everyone's secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.

Review By Carleton Rutter



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Thursday 26 February 2015

Home - New poster, stills and film clip



When Oh (Jim Parsons), a loveable misfit from another planet, lands on Earth and finds himself on the run from his own people, he forms an unlikely friendship with an adventurous girl named Tip (Rihanna) who is on a quest of her own. Through a series of comic adventures with Tip, Oh comes to understand that being different and making mistakes is all part of being human. And while he changes her planet and she changes his world, they discover the true meaning of the word HOME.

Based upon the novel The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, HOME features an all-star voice cast including Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez. Directed by Tim Johnson (Over the Hedge; Antz), HOME will be released in cinemas across the UK on Friday 20th March 2015.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DreamworksHomeUK
Twitter: www.twitter.com/20CenturyFoxUK
#DreamWorksHOME







DreamWorks HOME | 'Can I Come In To the Out' Clip

Cymbeline Trailer 1 (2015) - Starring Penn Badgley, Dakota Johnson & Ethan Hawke


A gritty story of a take-no-prisoners war between dirty cops and an outlaw biker gang. A drug kingpin is driven to desperate measures.

Cast
Ethan Hawke as Iachimo
Ed Harris as Cymbeline
Milla Jovovich as Queen
John Leguizamo as Pisanio
Penn Badgley as Posthumus
Dakota Johnson as Imogen
Anton Yelchin as Cloten
Peter Gerety
Kevin Corrigan
Vondie Curtis-Hall
James Ransone
Bill Pullman as Sicilius Leonatus
Delroy Lindo
Spencer Treat Clark as Guiderius
Harley Ware as Arviragus

The Gunman - Official Trailer #2



Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Director: Pierre Morel
Writers: Don MacPherson, Jean-Patrick Manchette (novel)
Stars: Idris Elba, Sean Penn, Javier Bardem

An adaptation of Jean-Patrick Manchette's "The Prone Gunman." Sean Penn stars as Jim Terrier, an international operative who is betrayed by the organization he worked for, and must go on the run in a relentless game of cat and mouse across Europe.


The Lazarus Effect - Ultimate Undead Trailer


Medical researcher Frank (Mark Duplass), his fiancee Zoe (Olivia Wilde) and their team have achieved the impossible: they have found a way to revive the dead. After a successful, but unsanctioned, experiment on a lifeless animal, they are ready to make their work public. However, when their dean learns what they've done, he shuts them down. Zoe is killed during an attempt to recreate the experiment, leading Frank to test the process on her. Zoe is revived -- but something evil is within her.

Initial release: February 26, 2015

The Best of Donnie Yen

The Best of Donnie Yen



Following the announcement that Kung Fu legend Donnie Yen was taking his latest film, KUNG FU KILLER, to last year’s London Film Festival, martial arts fans are keenly anticipating the wider release of the martial arts saga which land at cinemas on February 20th and home entertainment platforms on February 23rd. This feature takes a look at Donnie’s best performances to date, and will go some way to showing why he is one of the most revered martial artists in the world.

KUNG FU KILLER (2015)

In KUNG FU KILLER, Yen stars as Hahou, a former martial arts instructor imprisoned after accidentally killing an opponent. When a vicious killer (Wang Baoqiang, A Touch Of Sin) starts targeting martial arts masters, though, Hahou offers to help the police capture him in return for his freedom. Also starring Michelle Bai and Charlie Young, KUNG FU KILLER is directed by Teddy Chan (star of Infernal Affairs 2) but notably also features key action scenes directed by the legendary Yen - a real draw to martial arts fans and a contributing element to one of the kung fu blockbusters of the year.



Ip Man (2008)

Ip Man is a Hong Kong based semi biographical martial arts film based on the life of Yip Man, the man considered to be the Grandmaster of Wing Chun Kung Fu and the teacher of Bruce Lee. Ip, played by Yen, has an amazing wife, plenty of money, the most beautiful house in town, and a blossoming martial arts academy. But when the Japanese occupy his hometown of Foshan during the Sino-Japan war (1937), Ip is forced into hard labor and brutal sparring matches for the enemy's amusement. Ip decides to take matters into his own hands, challenging the Japanese general to a grueling public fight. This is arguably the most impressive performance of Yen’s career.




Flash Point (2007)

Flash Point, the second of Yen’s many collaborations with director Wilson Yip, is a raucous thriller about a loose-cannon cop on the trail of three drug-dealing brothers. Archer (Lui Leung Wai), Tony (Collin Chou), and Tiger (Xing Yu) are three drug dealers who supply the product for much of the local drug trade, and Jun (Yen) is determined to take them down at all costs, using his undercover partner Wilson (Louis Koo), a seasoned veteran capable of infiltrating the gang and gaining their trust.




Special ID (2013)

In Special ID, Yen plays Zilong "Dragon" Chen, an undercover cop deep inside China's most ruthless crime syndicate. The boss, Xiong (Collin Chou) swears to find and kill every government infiltrator without mercy. Fearing he will be the next to be weeded out and desperate to protect his family, Chen risks everything to take down the organisation and reclaim his identity.




Blade II (2002)

Four years after scoring a box-office gold with Blade (1998), Wesley Snipes returned to portray the Marvel Comics character again in this sequel that teamed him with Mexican horror director Guillermo del Toro. A half-vampire, half-human hybrid, Blade (Snipes) is a merciless vampire hunter bent on destroying the bloodsuckers that feed on humanity. Donnie Yen features as ‘Snowman’, the quiet swords specialist of the Bloodpack, alongside co-stars Ron Perlman, Leonor Varela and Matt Schulze.




Shanghai Knights (2003)

East and West team up to take on bad guys in the British Empire in this sequel to the action comedy hit Shanghai Noon. Chon Wang (Jackie Chan), once an Imperial Guard in China, is now the Sheriff of Carson City, Nevada, while his onetime cohort, former train robber Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), scrapes together a living writing dime novels based on his adventures and waiting tables in New York City. However, when Wang learns that his father was killed by bandits who broke into the Emperor's palace and stole the Imperial Seal, he's determined to bring the criminals to justice. Donnie Yen plays Wu Chan, the bastard son of the Chinese Emperor's father, who needs the Imperial Seal as part of his plan to win control of the nation.


Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (2010)

Martial arts power-duo Yip and Yen combine yet again when Ip Man returned to the big screen in 2010. International star Donnie Yen reprised his iconic role as the real-life kung fu grandmaster Ip Man in this martial arts spectacular. After escaping the Japanese occupation of his hometown of Foshan in China, Ip Man and his family have arrived in Hong Kong, which is under the iron fist of British colonial rule. Ip wants to support his family by opening up a martial arts academy to teach his unique Wing Chun style. But a corrupt cabal of Hong Kong martial arts masters, led by Hung Chun-nam (Sammo Hung), refuses to allow Ip to teach until he proves himself - and prove himself he does. In an intense series of fights against the masters a dazzling variety of martial arts styles are displayed, culminating in a final battle between Ip and Hung atop a rickety table.


***

KUNG FU KILLER comes to cinemas from February 20th, 2015 and arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and digital platforms on February 23rd, 2015, courtesy of Signature Entertainment


A Look at some Top Martial Arts films


Martial arts films are quite often films that people watch with sheer amazement and wonder. The actors usually in the leading roles have spent most of their lives in intense training, and martial arts really is a driving force within their lives, and is seen as nothing more than a form of artistic expression as opposed to violent acts. Actors including Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan are known as international superstars, and quite often as a martial artist first, and a movie star second. 

KUNG FU KILLER is released at cinemas on 20 February and on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Platforms from 23 February, and this feature will take a look at the top martial arts films of recent times.


KUNG FU KILLER (2015)
Donnie Yen stars as Hahou, a former martial arts instructor imprisoned after accidentally killing an opponent. When a vicious killer played by Wang Baoqiang starts targeting martial arts masters though, Hahou offers to help the police capture him in return for his freedom. Donnie Yen displays his incredible ability once again in this all-action feature.


THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (2008)
The Forbidden Kingdom is a 2008 Chinese-American martial arts film written by John Fusco, and directed by Rob Minkoff, and starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The film is loosely based on the novel Journey to the West, it is the first film to star together two of the best known names in the martial arts film genre. The action sequences were choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping.


IP MAN (2008)
This 2008 semi-biographical martial arts film is loosely based on the life of Yip Man, a martial arts grandmaster, founder of the martial art Wing Chun and master of Bruce Lee. It centres on the events in Ip’s life during the Sino-Japanese war. Donnie Yen stars as Yip Man, once again bringing his martial arts expertise to the big screen. Sammo Hung and Tony Leung Siu-hung designed the martial arts choreography for the film.


POLICE STORY (1985)
Police Story is a 1985 Hong Kong action film written and directed by Jackie Chan, who also starred in the lead role. It is the first of the Police Story series featuring Chan as a Hong Kong police detective named "Kevin" Chan Ka-Kui.

Police Story was a huge success in East Asia. It won the Best Film award at the 1986 Hong Kong Film Awards. According to Chan's autobiography he considers Police Story his best action film.


ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA (1991)
Jet Li stars in Once Upon a Time in China- a film that alerted the world to the incredible talents of the unknown, but extremely gifted martial artist and actor. It follows his character Wong Fei-Hung and sees the locals being concerned with the growing influence and presence of Westerners and foreigners in Foshan. General Liu Yong Fu of the Black Flag Army approaches Wong Fei-hung and requests that he helps him gather and train a militia to assist in defending the town. Directed by Tsui Hark, the film is a dazzling and colourful spectacle. This film was one of the first (post Bruce Lee era) to cross over into western pop-culture and is a firm favourite of martial arts fans around the world.


CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (2000)
This is film that is already viewed as a classic, and has won many accolades, including the 2000 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The film tells the story of Master Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) an expert swordsman and martial artist and his warrior friend Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) on their search for a stolen sword. It is a kung-fu movie woven together by a love story. Director Ang Lee brought on the Matrix’s choreographer, Yuen Woo-ping to orchestrate the film’s incredibly complex fight scenes.


ENTER THE DRAGON (1973)
A blockbuster hit when released, Enter the Dragon, is rightfully considered as one of the best martial arts films of all time and was Bruce Lee’s final film before his death. The film was the first Chinese martial arts film to be produced by a Hollywood Studio (Warner Brothers) and the story follows a n master martial artist who agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord by entering a martial arts tournament as a cover. It is an exotic and extravagant spectacle and Lee is a unique and humble star who exudes emotion and unsurpassable martial arts prowess.


HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (2004)
Set during the Tang dynasty in China, this film follows two police captains (Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro) on their search for the leader of the counterinsurgency group, the flying Daggers. Jin (Kaneshiro) poses as an average citizen and busts Mei (Zhang Ziyi,) out of jail because they believe her to be a secret member of the Daggers, but it turns out that nothing is quite what it seems. Directed by Zhang Yimou, this film contains fantastic fight choreography, dancing, traditional Chinese music, and of course: martial arts.


A TOUCH OF ZEN (1971)
A Touch of Zen made cinematic history when it became the first Chinese film to win an award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1971. It stars Feng Hsu as Ku, an artist who meets the beautiful Yang and discovers that she is being perused by agents of an Imperial noble who have murdered her family. He becomes caught up in her struggle to survive, and many fierce battles are fought before there is any resolve. The story effortlessly combines elements of comedy and romance along with its drama and action.


KILL BILL VOL. 1 and 2 (2003 & 2004)
Written and directed by Quentin Tarantio and starring Uma Thurman, Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 follow the story of The Bride, as she seeks revenge on an assassination squad led by Bill (David Carradine) due to his assassination attempt on her and her unborn child. The film received critical and commercial success. It is extremely unique in the martial arts genre as it stars an American female rather than an Asian male. It also co-stars Daryl Hannah and Lucy Lui proving that women can be deadly too!


IRON MONKEY (1993)
Like Once Upon a Time in China, Iron Monkey also centres on the life of Wong Fei-hung, but focuses on an event in his childhood where he and his father, Wong Kei-ying, encounter the “Iron Monkey.” The film stars Donnie Yen and Sze-Man Tsang and was directed by Woo-ping Yuen, who also worked on Kill Bill Volume 2 and Jackie Chan’s Drunken Master.


HERO (2002)
Another Jet Li film, Hero is a wuxia film that is based on the story of Jing Ke’s assassination attempt on the King of Qin in 227 B.C. When the film was released it became the highest grossing motion picture in Chinese film history. The film was nominated for both the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Li stars as Nameless, a master swordsman and the primary conspirator in the assassination attempt. He brings his usual style and energy, while the film also stars Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung and Chen Daoming.


ONG-BAK (2003)
In Ong-Bak, Tony Jaa stars as a young martial artist living in rural Thailand who goes to the big city to retrieve the head of his village’s sacred statue: Ong-Bak. The film used no special effects or stunt doubles, but you wouldn’t believe it when you watch Jaa’s speed and execution of his martial arts moves. The film was directed and written by Prachya Pinkaew and features stunt choreography by Panna Rittikrai. The fights are staged excellently as Jaa takes down every enemy that gets in his way. It was so successful that it also inspired two prequels: Ong-Bak 2 and Ong-Bak 3.


KUNG FU KILLER IS RELEASED AT CINEMAS ON 20 FEBRUARY AND ON BLU-RAY, DVD, AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS FROM 23 FEBRUARY

Wednesday 25 February 2015

San Andreas: New 15" Instavideo, Synopsis and Trailer



Synopsis
After the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives, triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter.

But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning.  And when they think the worst may be over…it’s just getting started.

The action thriller “San Andreas,” from New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures, reunites Dwayne Johnson with director Brad Peyton and producer Beau Flynn, following their collaboration on the global hit “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.”  

SAN ANDREAS is in cinemas May 29th 2015

Instavideo


Trailer:

Tuesday 24 February 2015

John Wick - Brand New UK Poster and Trailer - In Cinemas April 10‏



Synopsis
When a retired hit man is forced back into action by a brutal Russian mobster, he hunts down his adversaries with the ruthlessness that made him a crime underworld legend in John Wick; a stylish tale of revenge and redemption.

After the sudden death of his beloved wife, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) receives one last gift from her, a beagle puppy named Daisy, and a note imploring him not to forget how to love. But John’s mourning is interrupted when his 1969 Boss Mustang catches the eye of sadistic thug Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) who breaks into his house and steals it, beating John unconscious and leaving Daisy dead. Unwittingly, they have just reawakened one of the most brutal assassins the underworld has ever seen.

John’s search for his stolen vehicle takes him to a side of New York City that tourists never see, a hyper-real, super-secret criminal community, where John Wick was once the baddest guy of all.

JOHN WICK opens nationwide across the UK on 10th April 2015


Monday 23 February 2015

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Trailer - At Cinemas April 17


#BlartRidesAgain

After six years of keeping our malls safe, Paul Blart has earned a well-deserved vacation. He heads to Vegas with his teenage daughter before she heads off to college. But safety never takes a holiday and when duty calls, Blart answers.


Chappie - New Clips - At Cinemas March 6



#ChappieMovie

Every child comes into the world full of promise, and none more so than Chappie: he is gifted, special, a prodigy. Like any child, Chappie will come under the influence of his surroundings – some good, some bad – and he will rely on his heart and soul to find his way in the world and become his own man. But there's one thing that makes Chappie different from anyone else: he is a robot. The first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. His life, his story, will change the way the world looks at robots and humans forever.

Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Written by: Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell
Produced by: Neill Blomkamp & Simon Kinberg
Executive Producer: Ben Waisbren

Cast:
Sharlto Copley
Dev Patel
Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er
Jose Pablo Cantillo
with Sigourney Weaver
and Hugh Jackman




The Tale of The Princess Kaguya‏ - New Poster and Trailer



From Oscar-winning animation house Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, The Wind Rises) and directed by Ghibli co-founder the legendary Isao Takahata (Grave of The Fireflies), comes the spellbinding and visionary tour de force The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. Nominated for an Academy Award (Best Animated Feature), this exquisitely drawn and spellbinding story is based on the classic folk tale ‘The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter’.

STUDIOCANAL are releasing both English language and Japanese versions, the dubbed release features an all-star cast with Darren Criss, Lucy Lui and Chloë Grace Moretz (as Princess Kaguya).

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya will be released in UK cinemas March 20th, Republic of Ireland March 27th.


Competition Win Dying of The Light on DVD

To celebrate the release of Dying of The Light on DVD on March 2nd, we have got a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away on DVD

Synopsis:
From legendary director Paul Schrader (Raging Bull, Taxi Driver) and producer Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Only God Forgives) comes the refreshingly original thriller, Dying of the Light. Nicolas Cage (Tokarev, Frozen Ground) delivers a blistering, unforgettable performance as Evan Lake, a desk-bound Langley CIA agent forced into retirement by signs of early onset dementia.

At the same time he discovers that his former tormentor, Jihadist Muhhamed Banir (Alexander Karim Zero Dark Thirty), is not dead as assumed for two decades but is alive and receiving experimental medical treatment. Banir's exact location is unknown but with the help of a disgraced young agent (Anton Yelchin Odd Thomas, Star Trek), Evan sets out to track down and confront him before it is too late for both of them.

Win This
Dying of The Light [DVD]
(Amazon Link)

Competition Closed

Sunday 22 February 2015

Cake Movie Review By Carleton Rutter


Synopsis
Claire Bennett (Jennifer Aniston) is in pain. Her physical pain is evident in the scars that line her body and the way she carries herself, wincing with each tentative step. She’s no good at hiding her emotional pain either. Blunt to the point of searing insult, Claire’s anger seethes out of her with nearly every interaction. She has driven away her husband, her friends— even her chronic-pain support group has kicked her out.

The only one left in Claire’s otherwise solitary existence is her housekeeper- cum-caretaker, Silvana (Academy Award nominee Adriana Barraza), who barely tolerates her boss’ need for liquor and prescription pills. But the suicide of Nina (Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick), one of Claire’s fellow chronic-pain group members, prompts another fixation. In pursuing questions about the death of a woman she barely knew, Claire explores the boundaries between life and death, abandonment and heartbreak, danger and salvation. As she inserts herself into the lives of Nina’s husband (Sam Worthington) and the son Nina left behind, Claire just might find salvation.


Cake Movie Review By Carleton Rutter


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Friday 20 February 2015

Far From The Madding Crowd - New Trailer and Synopsis

In UK cinemas May 1 2015
Starring Carey Mulligan, Tom Sturridge, Michael Sheen and Matthias Schoenaerts

Synopsis:
Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD is the story of independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer, captivated by her fetching wilfulness; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor.

This timeless story of Bathsheba’s choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love – as well as the human ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance.


Project Almanac Movie Review By Carleton Rutter


Synopsis:
David Raskin (Jonny Weston) is a high-school science nerd who dreams of going to MIT. When he and his friends (Sam Lerner, Allen Evangelista) find his late father's plans for a "temporal displacement device," David can't wait to start tinkering. When they finally get the device to work, the teenagers jump at the opportunity to manipulate time in their favor -- but their joy is short-lived when they begin to discover the consequences of their actions.


Review By Carleton Rutter

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Thursday 19 February 2015

The Best of Donnie Yen



Following the announcement that Kung Fu legend Donnie Yen was taking his latest film, KUNG FU KILLER, to last year’s London Film Festival, martial arts fans are keenly anticipating the wider release of the martial arts saga which land at cinemas on February 20th and home entertainment platforms on February 23rd. This feature takes a look at Donnie’s best performances to date, and will go some way to showing why he is one of the most revered martial artists in the world.

KUNG FU KILLER (2015)

In KUNG FU KILLER, Yen stars as Hahou, a former martial arts instructor imprisoned after accidentally killing an opponent. When a vicious killer (Wang Baoqiang, A Touch Of Sin) starts targeting martial arts masters, though, Hahou offers to help the police capture him in return for his freedom. Also starring Michelle Bai and Charlie Young, KUNG FU KILLER is directed by Teddy Chan (star of Infernal Affairs 2) but notably also features key action scenes directed by the legendary Yen - a real draw to martial arts fans and a contributing element to one of the kung fu blockbusters of the year.

Ip Man (2008)
Ip Man is a Hong Kong based semi biographical martial arts film based on the life of Yip Man, the man considered to be the Grandmaster of Wing Chun Kung Fu and the teacher of Bruce Lee. Ip, played by Yen, has an amazing wife, plenty of money, the most beautiful house in town, and a blossoming martial arts academy. But when the Japanese occupy his hometown of Foshan during the Sino-Japan war (1937), Ip is forced into hard labor and brutal sparring matches for the enemy's amusement. Ip decides to take matters into his own hands, challenging the Japanese general to a grueling public fight. This is arguably the most impressive performance of Yen’s career.

Flash Point (2007)
Flash Point, the second of Yen’s many collaborations with director Wilson Yip, is a raucous thriller about a loose-cannon cop on the trail of three drug-dealing brothers. Archer (Lui Leung Wai), Tony (Collin Chou), and Tiger (Xing Yu) are three drug dealers who supply the product for much of the local drug trade, and Jun (Yen) is determined to take them down at all costs, using his undercover partner Wilson (Louis Koo), a seasoned veteran capable of infiltrating the gang and gaining their trust.

Special ID (2013)
In Special ID, Yen plays Zilong "Dragon" Chen, an undercover cop deep inside China's most ruthless crime syndicate. The boss, Xiong (Collin Chou) swears to find and kill every government infiltrator without mercy. Fearing he will be the next to be weeded out and desperate to protect his family, Chen risks everything to take down the organisation and reclaim his identity.

Blade II (2002)
Four years after scoring a box-office gold with Blade (1998), Wesley Snipes returned to portray the Marvel Comics character again in this sequel that teamed him with Mexican horror director Guillermo del Toro. A half-vampire, half-human hybrid, Blade (Snipes) is a merciless vampire hunter bent on destroying the bloodsuckers that feed on humanity. Donnie Yen features as ‘Snowman’, the quiet swords specialist of the Bloodpack, alongside co-stars Ron Perlman, Leonor Varela and Matt Schulze.

Shanghai Knights (2003)
East and West team up to take on bad guys in the British Empire in this sequel to the action comedy hit Shanghai Noon. Chon Wang (Jackie Chan), once an Imperial Guard in China, is now the Sheriff of Carson City, Nevada, while his onetime cohort, former train robber Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), scrapes together a living writing dime novels based on his adventures and waiting tables in New York City. However, when Wang learns that his father was killed by bandits who broke into the Emperor's palace and stole the Imperial Seal, he's determined to bring the criminals to justice. Donnie Yen plays Wu Chan, the bastard son of the Chinese Emperor's father, who needs the Imperial Seal as part of his plan to win control of the nation.

Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (2010)
Martial arts power-duo Yip and Yen combine yet again when Ip Man returned to the big screen in 2010. International star Donnie Yen reprised his iconic role as the real-life kung fu grandmaster Ip Man in this martial arts spectacular. After escaping the Japanese occupation of his hometown of Foshan in China, Ip Man and his family have arrived in Hong Kong, which is under the iron fist of British colonial rule. Ip wants to support his family by opening up a martial arts academy to teach his unique Wing Chun style. But a corrupt cabal of Hong Kong martial arts masters, led by Hung Chun-nam (Sammo Hung), refuses to allow Ip to teach until he proves himself - and prove himself he does. In an intense series of fights against the masters a dazzling variety of martial arts styles are displayed, culminating in a final battle between Ip and Hung atop a rickety table.

***

KUNG FU KILLER comes to cinemas from February 20th, 2015 and arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and digital platforms on February 23rd, 2015, courtesy of Signature Entertainment


The Best of Nicolas Cage


Cult favourite Nicolas Cage has carved out an eclectic and brilliant career spanning the decades and across genres, with forays into action, drama and comic book adaptations to name but a few. To celebrate the release of his latest film, Dying of the Light, out on Blu-ray and DVD from the 2nd March 2015 courtesy of Signature Entertainment, we take a look back at some of his greatest roles.

Dying of the Light (2015)
This brilliant thriller, directed by Paul Schrader and executive produced by cinematic wunderkind Nicolas Winding Refn, stars Cage as Evan Lake, a desk-bound Langley CIA agent, forced into retirement by signs of early onset dementia. At the same time he discovers that his former nemesis, Jihadist Muhhamed Banir (Alexander KarimZero Dark Thirty, TV’s Tyrant), is not dead as has been assumed for the last two decades, but alive and receiving experimental medical treatment. Banir's exact location is unknown but with the help of a disgraced young agent (Anton Yelchin), Evan sets out to track down and confront him before it is too late for both of them…

Moonstruck (1987)
This classic romantic comedy won Oscars for Cher, Olympia Dukakis, and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley, but Cage’s turn as the main romantic interest cannot be overlooked. Moonstruck tells the story of widowed bookkeeper Loretta Castorini (Cher) who has agreed to marry Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello). When Johnny leaves for a trip to visit family, Loretta is tasked with attempting to mend relations between Johnny and his volatile brother, bakery operator Ronny (Cage). However, complications arise when Loretta and Ronny find themselves utterly and irresistibly attracted to one another...

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Cage won a Leading Actor Oscar for this film, in which he plays Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who arrives in Las Vegas to drink himself to death. On arrival, he forms a bizarre friendship with prostitute Sera (Elizabeth Shue) after nearly running her over, and they eventually move in together... but their self destructive patterns of behaviour threaten to drive them apart. Cage famously admitted to being genuinely drunk while filming some scenes, in order to add authenticity to the character.

Con Air (1997)
Cage stars alongside John Cusack and John Malkovich in this action thriller, and plays Cameron Poe, a US Army Ranger, imprisoned for involuntary manslaughter for seven years. When he becomes eligible for parole he is forced to share an airplane with some of the country's most dangerous criminals, including notorious serial killer Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom (Malkovich). When the criminals hijack the plane, Cameron has to find a way to stop them, all the while maintaining his facade as ‘one of them’.

Face/Off (1997)
This cult favourite is often cited as one of the greatest action films of the nineties- and with good reason. Cage stars as Castor Troy, a criminal genius responsible for the death of the son of FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta). Troy has planted a time bomb that could wipe out Los Angeles - and refuses to reveal its location. Troy's brother, Pollux (Alessandro Nivola) is also aware of the location of the bomb- so FBI scientists hatch an ingenious plot: using experimental surgery, they graft Troy's face temporarily onto Archer's head to allow him to question Pollux without suspicion. But once Archer has taken Troy's face, Troy regains consciousness and forces the doctors to give him Archer's face. Now Troy has practically the entire FBI fooled, and Archer is stuck with virtually nowhere to turn...

Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000)
This remake of the 1974 action thriller of the same name was a major hit on release- and stars Cage alongside Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi and Timothy Olyphant. Cage plays Memphis Raines, a brilliant car thief who has his retirement plans delayed when his younger brother Kip (Ribisi) runs afoul of a vicious crime boss. Raines agrees to steal 50 luxury cars in one night, with the help of other car thieves, including Sara "Sway" Wayland (Jolie), in order to get his brother out of harms way. But first, he’ll have to outwit a rival group of thieves, as well as evade Castlebeck (Delroy Lindo) and Drycoff (Olyphant)- the two detectives who are on his trail...

Adaptation (2002)
Cage was nominated for multiple awards, including an Oscar and a BAFTA, for his role in this Spike Jonze- directed dramedy, in which he plays screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," a non-fiction book about a fanatical orchid breeder, John Laroche (Chris Cooper). Also starring Tilda Swinton and Meryl Streep, the film was based on Kaufman’s real-life struggle to adapt the book, and when writing the screenplay, he honestly believed the film would end his career... instead it won countless awards, including several for his brilliant, innovative screenplay.

Lord of War (2005)
This film charts the rise and fall of arms dealer Yuri Orlov (Cage), starting in the 1980s in Little Odessa, selling guns to local mobsters, all the way through to the early 90s, where he formed a partnership with an African warlord and his psychotic son. Co-starring Bridget Moynahan and Jared Leto, the characted of Orlov is said to have been modelled on real life arms dealer Viktor Bout, who became one of the world’s biggest arms dealers after working as a Russian lieutenant, and was finally arrested in 2008.

Bad Lieutenant (2009)
This remake of Abel Ferrara's crime drama was directed by Werner Herzog, and although it took inspiration from the original, it placed brand new characters centre stage. Cage plays the drug/gambling addicted police officer Terence McDonagh, alongside Eva Mendes and Val Kilmer. The action takes place in a post- Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, and focuses on McDonagh’s investigation into the murder of a Senegalese family.

Kick-Ass (2010)
This wildly successful adaptation of Mark Millar and John Romita Jnr’s comic book featured an all-star cast including Aaron Taylor Johnson as the titular reluctant superhero, alongside Chloe Grace Moretz as the irrepressible Hit-Girl. The action-packed comedy follows the exploits of Dave Lizewski (Taylor-Johnson), an introverted student and comic book fan who decides to become a super-hero, even though he has absolutely no powers or real incentive to do so. Cage provides wonderfully off-the-wall support as superhero veteran- and Hit-Girls father- Damon Macready, AKA Big Daddy.


Dying of the Light is available on Blu-ray and DVD from the 2nd March 2015, courtesy of Signature Entertainment.

Selma Movie Review By Carleton Rutter


Synopsis:
The story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s (David Oyelowo) historic struggle to secure voting rights for all people – a dangerous and terrifying campaign that culminated with the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and led to President Lyndon B. Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Review By Carleton Rutter


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Wednesday 18 February 2015

Aloha - official teaser trailer now available‏


The director of Jerry Maguire, Cameron Crowe, brings us the story of a down-on-his-luck military contractor (Bradley Cooper) who is given the opportunity to return to the site of his greatest career triumphs in Hawaii. While he goes in hope of professional redemption, he also seeks closure with a long-ago love (Rachel McAdams) and must deal with unexpected feelings for his partner on the project, a promising young Air Force pilot (Emma Stone).


Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends - Trailer - Official Warner Bros. UK


To stop Makoto Shishio who aims to conquer Japan, Kenshin arrives in Kyoto and tries to face off against Shishio’s troops. However, his enemy has begun its course to start invading Tokyo with the steel-reinforced battleship. To save captured Kaoru who is thrown into the sea by Shishio’s men, Kenshin also dives in after her but is washed ashore alone, unconscious.

Kenshin recovers with the help of Seijuro Hiko, the master of Kenshin who happens to find him on the shore. He realizes he is no match for Shishio unless he learns the ultimate technique of his sword style, and begs the master to teach him.

In the meantime, Shishio finds that Kenshin is still alive, and puts pressure on the government to find Kenshin and execute him in public for his sins during his days as the “Battosai the Killer”. As Kenshin faces his biggest challenge, can Kenshin really defeat his fiercest enemy Shishio, and be reunited with Kaoru?!

CAKE *starring Jennifer Aniston* | OUT THIS FRIDAY‏


Synopsis
Claire Bennett (Jennifer Aniston) is in pain. Her physical pain is evident in the scars that line her body and the way she carries herself, wincing with each tentative step. She’s no good at hiding her emotional pain either. Blunt to the point of searing insult, Claire’s anger seethes out of her with nearly every interaction. She has driven away her husband, her friends— even her chronic-pain support group has kicked her out.

The only one left in Claire’s otherwise solitary existence is her housekeeper- cum-caretaker, Silvana (Academy Award nominee Adriana Barraza), who barely tolerates her boss’ need for liquor and prescription pills. But the suicide of Nina (Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick), one of Claire’s fellow chronic-pain group members, prompts another fixation. In pursuing questions about the death of a woman she barely knew, Claire explores the boundaries between life and death, abandonment and heartbreak, danger and salvation. As she inserts herself into the lives of Nina’s husband (Sam Worthington) and the son Nina left behind, Claire just might find salvation.

Tuesday 17 February 2015

Focus Movie Review by Carleton Rutter


Synopsis:
Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop…and the consummate con man off his game.

Focus Movie Review by Carleton Rutter

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The Gunman - World Premiere photographs‏ and Trailer


A gripping action-thriller from the director of Taken and the producer of The Matrix and Non-Stop, The Gunman stars Oscar-winner Sean Penn as a former military operative dragged into a deadly cat and mouse game. With Penn in his first action role, and a top-notch cast including Javier Bardem, Idris Elba, Ray Winstone and Mark Rylance, The Gunman is a high-octane must-see.

THE GUNMAN is out in cinemas on 20th March.






Credit for all photographs: Copyright Jon Furniss.