Tag Archives: trailer

Trailer: 47 Ronin (Official)

Posted on by Arleigh

47Ronin

So, we have Keanu Reeves playing against type in Man of Tai Chi now we have another Keanu extravaganza where he returns to the role he continues to be cast in. The role of the reluctant hero who also happens to be the only one who can save everyone.

47 Ronin, I will have to assume, is probably very loosely-based on the 18th-century real-life account of the forty-seven ronin (masterless samurai) who took on the rival lord of their former lord and master. Their legend grew upon the success of their mission when they presented themselves to the Shogun and were given the chance to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) to keep their honor instead of being executed like criminals for the murder of the rival lord.

This story continues to remain a popular one in Japan and for those in the West who know of it. The film looks to take the basic premise but adapt the story in a more fantasy-setting that makes this 47 Ronin look more like a live-action anime than a traditional jidaigeki film like the recent 13 Assassins. This film marks one of the first Western Chushingura (fictional accounts of the forty-seven ronin event).

47 Ronin is directed by Carl Erik Rinsch and is set for a Christmas 2013 release date.

Trailer: Man of Tai Chi (Official)

Posted on by Arleigh

ManofTaiChi

I think Keanu Reeves has always had it in him to play a bad guy. I think playing a villain suits him better than playing a hero. The latter requires charisma and presence and that’s something that Keanu will never be mistaken for having. Now as a villain he can go all-out and channel his inner-Nicolas Cage.

Man of Tai Chi will be the test to see if he can pull off being a film’s heel. It helps that this film also comes as his directorial debut. Looking like a much more polished, but even more kick-ass take on the Bloodsport-theme, Man of Tai Chi is one film later this year that I’ve been highly-anticipating. It speaks to my inner martial-artist and it’s been awhile since we’ve had a film where it looks like the fighting is not all about wire work.

The film stars Keanu Reeves as the villain Donaka Mark with the hero role going to his stuntman friend and owner of a badass name, Tiger Chen.

Man of Tai Chi has already premiered at both the Beijing and Cannes Film Festivals and should make it’s North American premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Here’s to hoping it gets a wide release before the end of 2013.

Trailer: A House Is Not A Home (dir by Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

PCAS

A House Is Not A Home, a film directed by Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray and produced by and starring one of my favorite actors, the great Gerald Webb, is having its world premiere tonight at the Burbank International Film Festival!

Here’s the trailer:

Trailer: Parkland

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

PCAS

This year is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and I have to admit that I’m surprised that there aren’t a few hundred JFK-related films coming out this year.  Seriously, since January, it’s something that those of us in Dallas have had to hear about it on a daily basis.

Then again, it’s because I’m from Texas that I’m somewhat glad that there aren’t a lot of films coming out about that day back in 1963.  Quite frankly, I don’t need to sit through a hundred films featuring a bunch of character actors butchering my state’s native accent.

If you can’t do the accent, don’t accept the damn role.  End of story.

However, just because there aren’t a lot of them, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be films looking to exploit the anniversary.  For example, there’s Parkland.  Judging from the trailer below, Parkland appears to be an ensemble film about “ordinary” people dealing with the assassination of President Kennedy.

A lot of critics have been saying that Parkland might be a dark horse contender for best picture but it looks dreadfully earnest to me.  Add to that, this seems like just the subject matter to bring out the pompousness that always seems to be hiding underneath the surface of producer Tom Hanks.

That said, I know I’ll end up seeing it.

It’s about my hometown, after all.

International Trailer: Blue Is The Warmest Colour

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

PCAS

It’s hard for me to think of any film that I’m as eager to see this year as Blue Is The Warmest Colour.  The film already won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year and it’ll be interesting to see if it duplicates the success that the previous Cannes winner, Amour, achieved in the U.S.