FILM: Despicable Me 2 Teaser Trailer (News)

A film that surprised me with its brilliance when it came out in 2010 was Universal Pictures 3D animated film, DESPICABLE ME, and its story about a criminal mastermind finding himself adopting three girls and discovering that not even evil can defeat the power of love and family.

So I have been eagerly anticipating the sequel, DESPICABLE ME 2, that was announced and was excited to discover the release of the teaser trailer online just recently. And as a treat the teaser focuses on the minions characters that everyone came to love in the first film.


DESPICABLE ME 2 schemes its way into theaters on July 3, 2013.

FILM: The Bourne Legacy Trailer (News)

While sequels have been in vogue lately, sometimes franchises run out of steam and need a change in blood. Usually that means some sort of reboot, but in the case of THE BOURNE LEGACY that is not necessarily the case.

Tony Gilroy (DUPLICITY), writer on all three previous Bourne movies, has stepped up to direct this new chapter in the same universe - almost a parallel story, as events from the original Bourne trilogy are said to affect parts of this next movie.

Gone is Matt Damon's Jason Bourne as the main character. In his place is Jeremy Renner (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL) as Agent Aaron Cross, another character in the mold of Bourne. Surrounding Renner is a stellar cast, including Edward Norton (THE INCREDIBLE HULK), Rachel Weisz (THE LOVELY BONES), and Joan Allen (THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM) reprising her role as Pam Landy.


THE BOURNE LEGACY hits theaters on August 3, 2012.

FILM: Snow White and the Huntsman Teaser Trailer + Poster (News)

Fans of fairytales, be it by Disney or elsewhere, should get ready for a few live-action reimaginings in 2012 surrounding the story of Snow White. First up is Universal's entry, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN.

Directed by Rupert Sanders in his first gig helming a feature film and starring Kristen Stewart (TWILIGHT) as Snow White, Chris Hemsworth (THOR) as the Huntsman, and Charlize Theron (SWEET NOVEMBER) as the Queen.

Synopsis:

In the epic action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White’s beauty and power.

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN finds its way into theaters on June 1, 2012.

FILM: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Trailer (News)

Next in line for movie adaptation from the vast library of Dr. Seuss, following the likes of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, THE CAT IN THE HAT, HORTON HEARS A WHO! is DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX, a cg animated film from Universal coming out in early 2012.

THE LORAX stars Zac Efron (CHARLIE ST. CLOUD) as the voice of Ted, an idealistic young boy living in Theed-ville who the story centers around. Taylor Swift (VALENTINE'S DAY) gives voice to the girl of Ted's dreams, Ed Helms (THE HANGOVER) plays the reclusive Once-ler and Danny Devito (LA CONFIDENTIAL) is the Lorax and the film is being directed by the team of Chris Renaud (DESPICABLE ME) and Kyle Balda.



Synopsis:

The 3D-CGI feature 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.

DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX illuminates theaters on March 2, 2012.

FILMonBLU-RAY: Despicable Me (Review)

Despicable Me
2010 - Universal Studios
Released on Blu-Ray/DVD on December 14, 2010

# of Discs: 3 (Blu-Ray, DVD + Digital Copy)
Runtime: 95 Minutes

Gru has earned the title of the world's no. 1 supervillain but when a new upstart named Vector steals the Pyramid of Giza, Gru falls out of favor with the Bank of Evil that funds his schemes putting his plan to shrink and steal the moon in doubt.

Even with the help of his army of Minions and the elderly Dr. Nefario, it takes the adoption of three young orphan girls to get Gru's plan off the ground. But what starts as a means to further his evil plan, becomes a new life direction for Gru: being a dad.

The entire film is 95 minutes of gorgeous animation but the moments that show it off best would be the discovery of the stolen pyramid from the very beginning of the film where the young boy falls on the inflated disguise and seeing what seemed like a gigantic stone monument deflate like a popped balloon.

Only the scenes surrounding the possession of the crucial shrink ray top the pyramid scene with first Gru and his Minions stealing it from a laboratory only for Vector to steal it from them and shrink their ship with them inside it. That leads to Gru's attempt to get it back which involved cookie robots and a very angry shark. Hysterical entertaining and visually captivating, a repeating theme in the movie.

DESPICABLE ME is packed with tons of special features, including three mini-movies featuring Gru's Minions: Orientation Day, Home Makeover & Banana. There are also a look at the voices from the movie, how the world was created along with the music made. There are also a few small games that are included that are a bit tricky to operate well with a remote but gives several moments of entertainment.

Yes, this might not be an animated film from Disney/Pixar or Dreamworks, but do not let that keep you from giving DESPICABLE ME a look because it is a film that can rival any from those other studios in terms of a quality story and great look and feel to the world it takes place in. There has not been any other animated film to put the parenting element of life into the crux of the story like this, giving a heartwarming feel that might not have been expected at first glance. A must get in my book.

Look to buy the DESPICABLE ME Blu-Ray over at Amazon for $14.99.

FILM: Despicable Me 2 Poster (News)

Film studios more and more seem interested in preparing their customers for not only the next summer releases but also the summer after that. Universal is no different and after the success of their Summer 2010 animated feature film, DESPICABLE ME, it is no surprise that a sequel is in the works but not on the immediate horizon, Summer 2013.

That does not deter from the first poster of DESPICABLE ME 2 to get released, featuring one of the lovable Minions from the first film.

DESPICABLE ME 2 is scheduled for release into theaters on July 3, 2013.

FILM: Snow White and the Huntsman's New Look Princess (News)

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN is an upcoming live-action film set for release next summer and is currently in production in the UK. This interpretation of the fairy tale puts a twist on the story, this time around the Huntsman is ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed but instead winds up being her protector and mentor in the fight against the Evil Queen.

Newcomer director Rupert Sanders is behind the camera for the film and the cast includes Kristen Stewart (TWILIGHT) as Snow White, Chris Hemsworth (THOR) as the Huntsman and Charlize Theron (HANCOCK) as the Evil Queen.

And now set photos have appeared online of the production filming in Wales with Kristen Stewart showing different sides of Snow White in the film, one in armor and another in a dress. The latter possibly being part of a chase or escape scene given the beach-like area and Kristen's wet appearance.

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN arrives in theaters on June 1, 2012.

FILM: 2010 SDCC News Highlights

Welcome to the last post detailing the events of last week where several industries traveled down to San Diego for a series of panels and interviews for fans that unveiled plans for the following year. Here's some of the interesting FILM news to come out of SDCC 2010:

--In conjunction with their panel at SDCC, Universal Pictures released the first official image of Cowboys & Aliens.
--At the Marvel Movie Panel, they assembled the Avengers, unveiled a teaser trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger, footage from Thor and discussions with all of the actors involved.
--Marvel opened the doors behind Odin's throne on the con floor to unveil the classic thor villain, the Destroyer.
--At the Tron: Legacy panel, an eight minute preview of the film was shown involving Sam's introduction to the Tron world and it was revealed that the film was shot in real 3D.
--There was a Green Lantern panel, where the cast talked in detail about next year's upcoming film.
--The trailer for the movie Red debuted, starring Bruce Willis, Karl Urban and Helen Mirren.