Filmonic

Avatar gets a “black lung” rating

Liam — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:35:34 PST

Avatar has received many reviews and ratings since it’s release just over 3 weeks ago, however it has been given a rather unique rating by a site called SceneSmoking.org. They’ve given it a “black lung”, along with the following review:

In the world of Avatar, everything is modern and technologically forward, but obviously the creators were not thinking forward when they included smoking in several scenes of the movie.

One of their main issues comes from a scene where Dr. Grace Augustine, played by Sigourney Weaver, is seen smoking on-screen after coming out of her mind transporting/fridge/incubator machine. She clearly hadn’t smoked up in a while, and she was craving one like most smokers do. When I watched the scene I acknowledged that she was smoking, and I remember it quite clearly, however I thought it added to her ‘pissed off scientist working for idiots’ character, and it shouldn’t really be an issue.

Thankfully, James Cameron took time out of counting up Avatar’s box office gross to address this issue:

In a statement sent by e-mail over the weekend, Mr. Cameron said he had never intended Ms. Weaver’s character, Grace Augustine, to be “an aspirational role model” for teenagers.
“She’s rude, she swears, she drinks, she smokes,” wrote Mr. Cameron. “Also, from a character perspective, we were showing that Grace doesn’t care about her human body, only her avatar body, which again is a negative comment about people in our real world living too much in their avatars, meaning online and in video games.”
Speaking as an artist, Mr. Cameron said: “I don’t believe in the dogmatic idea that no one in a movie should smoke. Movies should reflect reality. If it’s O.K. for people to lie, cheat, steal and kill in PG-13 movies, why impose an inconsistent morality when it comes to smoking? I do agree that young role-model characters should not smoke in movies, especially in a way which suggests that it makes them cooler or more accepted by their peers.”
Smoking, Mr. Cameron concluded, “is a filthy habit which I don’t support, and neither, I believe, does ‘Avatar.’ ”

Well said Mr. Cameron. I would understand SceneSmoking.org’s frustration if, for example, the main characters from Twilight were seen smoking in a few scenes as lots of young teenage girls watch those movies and they would probably think it was cool. We’d have thousands of young girls sucking on a cigarette like it was Robert Pattinson’s…

District 9 director Neill Blomkamp doesn’t like big budgets

Liam — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:23:35 PST

Last year Neill Blomkamp proved quite a few things with District 9. He threw out the need for A-List actors by hiring unknown actor Sharlto Copley for the lead. He proved that you don’t need major studio backing to get a film made (although having Peter Jackson as producer helps), and he proved that you can make over $200 million from a great sci-fi film with a small budget (around $30 million).

With the success of District 9 Hollywood now have Blomkamp firmly on their radar, however the director recently spoke to Hero Complex and told them that he isn’t interested in directing a big budget movie. In fact he’s turned a few of them down.

“I’ve been offered films – a lot of films, in fact – with seriously high budgets, and I’ve turned them all down. The reason is exactly what you said earlier: Once the budgets get bigger, you can’t do what you want as a director, unless you’re Peter Jackson or James Cameron. And even then, the pressure is still on the filmmaker. Even if the studio isn’t clamping down on you, all the pressure is on the director. And if you screw that up, the jeopardy situation is even worse. The way you don’t get yourself in that jeopardy situation is by making films that aren’t as risky financially. I just want to make films that have enough of a budget to pull off high-level imagery but also have a budget that is low enough that I can do what I want.”
“This next movie will cost more than “District 9? but it will cost much, much less than the big summer films. You can do a lot for less now. It’s all about process, too. If go into it knowing what you want to accomplish, you can save money. If you go into it trying to figure out what you want, it’s going to cost a lot of money. The other aspect is trimming it down. It’s like a diet. Instead of 2,000 effects shots, you can probably do with 1,000. Those kinds of sacrifices are worth it if you get to make something that is not in any way generic.”

I like Blomkamp’s way of thinking. I suppose he could have easily agreed to make a big movie for the paycheck, however he’d must prefer to make a movie his way than have studio interference. A group called Media Rights Capital are financing his next sci-fi project and they are letting him do what he wants. He hasn’t revealed what it involves yet, however we do know that he’s up for a District 9 sequel, so we’ll have to keep an eye on him in the future.

Sam Mendes to direct Bond 23!

Liam — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:04:10 PST

Just yesterday we got quotes from the producers who didn’t really know when filming on Bond 23 would begin (that’s what they said anyway) as MGM were in the process of selling themselves, however now according to Heat Vision they’ve got a director and the film is being fast-tracked!

It’s Mendes. Sam Mendes. The British helmer is in negotiations to direct the 23rd installment of the venerable James Bond franchise.
Production is being fast-tracked and could begin as early as June with an eye toward a 2011 release. Plans for the film are moving forward despite a possible sale of MGM. Sony co-produced and distributed the most recent installment of the 007 series with MGM.

It looks like the producers have gone for another artsy director following Marc Forster with Quantum of Solace. Mendes, who is married to the wonderful Kate Winslet, has directed films such as American Beauty (for which he won an Oscar for Best Director), Jarhead, Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road.

Now they’ve got a director I suppose the next big announcement everyone will be waiting for is the title. Following the news that Mendes was in talks to direct, Twitter came up with a few suggestions:

“Bag. Plastic Bag.”

“The Spy Who Bickered With Me At Length”

“Thunderbawl”

“Revolutionary Rogue”

“Cry Another Day”

“From Russia with Wrong Feelings About My Daughter’s Best Friend”

“The Spy Who Made Me Watch a Discarded Plastic Bag”

“Dr. Know-It-All”

Spider-Man 4 has no start date

Liam — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:37:52 PST

According to Deadline Hollywood, IESB and Variety all is not well in Spideyland. Sony and the team were originally aiming to start filming in February/March, however according to their sources some people are not happy with the script, such as director Sam Raimi, and filming will most likely be pushed back until it can be sorted. Alvin Sargent who worked on the second and third films is the latest writer to work on the script, following David Koepp, James Vanderbilt and Gary Ross.

The problems apparently surround the villain(s). We heard around a month ago that John Malkovitch was in talks to play The Vulture, and Anne Hathaway was negotiating to play The Vulturess (or something like that).

Raimi is insisting that John Malkovich play the villain, so that won’t change. But I do hear that it’s now unlikely Anne Hathaway will be cast. “I’m not so sure we’re going in that direction,” an insider told me recently. Sony had been hot for her until bigwigs realized she’d cost too much and they probably don’t need “such a big star” for the pic, I’m told.

Spider-Man 4’s release date is still May 2011, however the longer it takes to sort out the script and get cameras rolling, the likelihood that the release is pushed back increases.

Sam Raimi knows what mistakes were made regarding the villains in Spider-Man 3, so pushing the films back a few months will be worth it if we get a film better than the last outing, with less overcrowding in the villain department.

Want to write for Filmonic?

Liam — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:00:01 PST

Filmonic is entering it’s third year of existence, so I think it’s about time we shook things up a bit. Over the years there have been a few people writing for the site, with Dave joining last year to write reviews and the occasional news updates, however the site has mainly been updated by myself. I’ve enjoyed it. I wouldn’t have lasted all this time if I didn’t, however I think Filmonic would benefit from some new thoughts and opinions.

I’m thinking about bringing 2-3 new writers onboard who will post news, trailers and reviews. If you don’t write reviews that’s fine, neither do I. If you read movie sites and blogs on a daily basis and are interested in writing for Filmonic then read below!

Filmonic is run on a blogging platform called Wordpress. If you’ve had experience with Wordpress in the past then that’s a plus, however if not it’s quite simple to use. I’ll gladly teach you how to use it if you need help.
Ideally you would be able to write around 5 posts per week, however I value quality rather than quantity. I’d prefer you to write one great post a week, rather than 10 half hearted posts that could barely be considered ‘news’.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you live. As long as you can write a coherent sentence and know your stuff when it comes to films then you’ll be considered.
If you are chosen you will have a month ‘trial period’ where I will check your posts before publishing them. After that period is over you will be able to publish news whenever you like, and you will be paid for each post. It won’t be anything life changing, but it’ll probably pay for you to see Avatar in IMAX 3D again. Possibly even twice!

If you are still interested after reading all the above then send an email entitled ‘Write for Filmonic’ to contactfilmonic[at]gmail.com with the following:

Your name along with a few sentences about yourself. Where you live, your movie interests etc.
If you have past experience writing for a blog or website (include links)
Two original writing samples between 200-500 words long. Pick news topics from the past month or so and pretend you’re are writing them for Filmonic (you’re into movies, pretending should be easy!)
A list of 5 movie sites or blogs you read on a regular basis.

The deadline for applications will be Friday 15th January. Feel free to post any questions or comments below!

Bond 23 timeline “up in the air”

Liam — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:47:24 PST

From what we have heard from various people involved with Bond 23 such as Daniel Craig, Judi Dench and writer Peter Morgan, it seems the plan is to begin pre-production in February with a late 2010/early 2011 filming start. However MGM (the lion studio) didn’t have a very good 2009 money-wise and are in the process of selling themselves, with takeover bids expected over the upcoming weeks. This is obviously impacting the studios future line-up, which includes Bond 23.

Longtime Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli recently gave Total Film an update on the status of the film, and they said they don’t have a solid timeline set for the next Bond instalment.

Asked what the current status of the project is, Wilson said: “Well, our timeline’s a little up in the air what with the situation at MGM, so we have to be flexible. We just don’t know enough about the situation to comment, but we know it’s uncertain.”
“Well… we’ve hired the writers and we’ve been working with them but it’s just too early to say anything,” he said. “You know, often at this stage, I find myself saying, ‘Oh, we’re gonna do this and that’, then six months from now you’ll say, ‘That isn’t in the film at all – you told me it was…’ I think we’re at the stage where a lot of ideas are floating around that sound very good, but whether they make the final cut, who knows?”

Hopefully MGM get a good buyer in the near future so they can start making concrete plans for Bond 23. Their first plan should be to find a director!

Casting call for The Hobbit

Liam — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:23:49 PST

Peter Jackson said a few weeks ago that the only character definitely returning for The Hobbit films would be Gandalf, with the possibility of Elrond (Hugo Weaving) and Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) if the script requires it. This means that Guillermo del Toro and the team are basically looking to cast every character from the book, and now SpoilerTV have got their hands on a pretty extensive casting call for the films that was presumably sent out to casting agencies.

Here’s what they are looking for in Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and Smaug the dragon:

[BILBO] A well-to-do, respectable Hobbit…. Although he doesn’t realize it himself, BILBO has a good deal of courage; he can be practical and resilient. He has a good sense of humour, and is able to appreciate the ridiculous. He is very quick on the uptake and is well read having been encouraged to read widely by his mother. The most distinguishing characteristic about BILBO is his humanity; he is empathetic with a big heart and generous spirit. LEAD. AGE: 25-35. ACCENT – STANDARD R.P.

[THORIN OAKENSHEILD] Heir to the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, Thorin Oakensheild was forced to lead his people far away from their homelands into exile in the Blue Mountains. Powerfully built and a legendary fighter, Thorin has led a tough and dangerous life and it shows on his face. He is sharp eyed and sharp tongued, proud in his bearing and un-trusting of those he does not know. But Thorin is also capable of intense loyalty, immense courage and surprising gentleness and humour. Thorin will be required to wear a wig and beard and some minor prosthetics make-up, like a nose or forehead, is possible. LEAD. AGE: EARLY 40’S to MID 50’S. ACCENT – STANDARD R.P. OR SLIGHTLY ACCENTED REGIONAL ENGLISH ACCENT.

[SMAUG] VOICEOVER ONLY. Two hundred years earlier, the Dragon SMAUG came down from the barren northern reaches and laid waste to the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Sitting upon his pile of gold, he has grown to a truly immense size. Old and yet not old, his voice still carries the sense of a sharp and lethal mind. He is the most deadly creature in all Middle-earth – and he knows it. Sly, quick and ferociously intelligent SMAUG is a dangerous opponent and not one to under-estimate. If he has weakness it is his unbridled greed and his arrogance. His voice is part of what gives him is power – his ability to seduce, persuade and flatter, even to display a degree of charm. But any sense of civility or consideration for others is utterly false. He is merciless and without empathy for any other living creature. He is a killer sptv050769. AGE: 40-70. ACCENT – STANDARD R.P ACCENT

You can read the full casting call with descriptions of 11 other characters by clicking here!

Avatar crosses the $1 billion mark!

Liam — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:17:38 PST

It was only a matter of time! According to Variety James Cameron’s Avatar has made over $1 billion worldwide in just 17 days. It is now the 4th highest grossing film ever (not counting inflation) and has overtaken The Dark Knight, with it’s sights set on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest ($1,066.2) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($1,119.1). From the looks of things James Cameron will have both Titanic and Avatar at the number #1 and #2 spots.

Avatar’s current box office gross in the US stands at $352.1 million after taking in $68.3 million this weekend, and it has made $670.2 million overseas. Looking at the month ahead there doesn’t seem to be any major competition. We have Daybreakers, The Book of Eli, Legion and Mel Gibson’s Edge of Darkness, neither of which pose a major threat, so Avatar could continue to bring in the $$$ well into January.

Introducing Mr. Pricklepants

Liam — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:19:44 PST

A new 1 minute sneak peak for Toy Story 3 made it’s way online today, and in the video we get our first glimpse at a new addition to the toy box. Mr. Pricklepants, who is voiced by former Bond actor Timothy Dalton, is described as a “hedgehog toy with thespian tendencies”, and we have a short preview of those tendencies in the sneak peak.

In the film Andy is now a young adult who is heading off to college, which means his toys are sent to storage, apart from Woody who he wants to keep. However, Buzz and the gang are accidentally thrown away and end up at local day-care center where they are abused by the youngsters. It’s left to Woody to save them and help them escape.

Patrick Stewart is now Sir Patrick Stewart

Liam — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:24:47 PST

Today Patrick Stewart joined the likes of Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Christopher Lee and Sir Ian McKellen after receiving a knighthood by the Queen. The actor, who’s acting career has spanned 5 decades, is best know for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films.

From AP:

Stewart, 69, said: “I am very proud to receive this honour. The theatre is and has always been my great joy.
“In particular the past six years have given me acting opportunities that at one time I could not have imagined possible,” he said. “This is an honour that embraces those actors, directors and creative teams who have in these recent years helped fill my life with inspiration, companionship and sheer fun.”

In honour of Patrick Stewart becoming Sir Patrick Stewart I have embedded a hilarious clip of his appearance on Extras alongside Ricky Gervais.