Sci-fi films special (2013)
Quick takes on "upcoming" movies
Derwent Living had a popular customer magazine, produced four times a year. To get people to actual read it, some of the articles were crowd-pleasers ("celebrity" interviews of interesting locals, photo-led articles on gardening competitions, crosswords etc.). As a web developer I wasn't meant to be involved, but often it was all hands on deck.
This is one of my last-minute replacement pieces, where someone would cause us to pull an article and they just didn't understand that paper articles had to have a page count divisible by four[1].
I'd throw together some kind of "upcoming films" list, and Steve would generally just use the main text from four or so - either the most important ones, or the ones with the best photos available to illustrate it!
It's kind of interesting to go back and see if I got it right... And for the record: Iron Man 3 is one of the best Marvel movies, come at me.
Cloud Atlas
When’s it out?
22nd February
What’s it about?
From the book by David Mitchell (the writer, not the comedian), it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, won the Richard and Judy Book of the Year award – and was declared “unfilmable”. It consists of six nested stories moving from a remote South Pacific in the nineteenth century to a distant future, which allows the star-studded cast to play a number of roles.
Who made it?
The Wachowskis (who made the Matrix films) and Tom Tykwer.
Who’s in it?
Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Susan Sarandon, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent
How’s it look?
Critical reception has been mixed, from a 10-minute standing ovation at its unveiling at the Toronto Film Festival to complaints about the “lack of skill it displays in terms of writing, directing and acting.” (Kenneth Turan, LA Times). Could go either way.
Where can I see more?
Oblivion
When’s it out?
12th April
What’s it about?
Jak Harper is a drone repairman who has to fight off aliens who lost a war against humanity. However, he keeps having dreams about another life with a beautiful woman, who turns up when he lands on a ruined earth.
Who made it?
Joseph Kosinski, who made Tron Legacy
Who’s in it?
Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman
How’s it look?
Tron Legacy, based on a Disney classic, received a luke-warm reception; but here the director is working from his own 2005 graphic novel.
Where can I see more?
Iron Man 3
When’s it out?
26th April
What’s it about?
When the Mandarin tries to destroy Tony Stark’s world, he has to rely on his ingenuity to protect those closest to him. But as Thor asked in the Avengers – what’s left if you take away the suit?
Who made it?
Shane Black, writer of 80s classics such as Lethal Weapon, appeared in Predator (he’s the weedy one that tells jokes), and recently directed Downey Jr. in the excellent but largely overlooked Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Who’s in it?
Robert Downey Jr., Gweneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, Don Cheadle
How’s it look?
The first film was fun, the second suffered from a lack of coherent plot. However, the Avengers showed us that a good writer/director can get great performance from Downey Jr., and this darker take on the Iron Man story should make for a much better outing.
Where can I see more?
Star Trek Into Darkness
When’s it out?
17th May
What’s it about?
A shocking act of terror committed by one of Star Fleet’s own threatens to tear the galaxy apart. Kirk, with a personal score to settle, defies orders to lead his crew on a manhunt. Described as “an epic chess game of life and death”
Who made it?
J.J. Abrams, director of previous Star Trek film and known for his TV shows such as Lost. In line to also reboot the Star Wars franchise.
Who’s in it?
Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pine, Zachary ‘Sylar’ Quinto, Simon Pegg, Peter ‘Robocop’ Weller, Alice Eve, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban
How’s it look?
Benedict Cumberbatch, the title character in BBC 1’s Sherlock, doesn’t appear to have put a foot wrong yet. Bringing him in to play John Harrison – or is it Khan? – gives the crew of the Enterprise a credible villain to play off, someone who can outwit Kirk, Spock and co. at every turn. And it’s hinted that not all of the crew will make it to the end credits…
Where can I see more?
After Earth
When’s it out?
7th June 2013
What’s it about?
An asteroid storm damages the ship containing a war hero and his young son. With his father dying, the boy must explore the planet humans evacuated a thousand years earlier.
Who made it?
M. Night Shyamalan
Who’s in it?
Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Sophie Okonedo
How’s it look?
A director who started strong (Sixth Sense, Unbreakable) but his recent output has been… well, let’s be charitable and say disappointing (The Last Airbender, The Happening). Similarly, Will Smith is not the big draw he once was – Independence Day, Men in Black and an Oscar-nominated turn in Ali giving way to unnecessary sequels such as MiB3, Bad Boys 3, Hancock 2, and the sappy Pursuit of Happyness (also with son Jaden). At least Night isn’t the writer here… although Smith senior’s character is called “Cypher Raige”. Oh well.
Where can I see more?
Man of Steel
When’s it out?
14th June
What’s it about?
A reboot of the Superman franchise, this version of Kal-El/Clark Kent’s arrival on earth sees him grow up to fight off an alien attack – defending a world which appears to fear and even imprison him.
Who made it?
Directed by Zack Snyder, of 300 and Watchmen fame.
Who’s in it?
Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne
How’s it look?
Snyder has his detractors – possibly the only director to annoy comic book fans by being too faithful to the source material with Watchmen – but his work is undeniably good-looking. With Christopher Nolan (fresh off of re-inventing Batman for the 21st Century) on board as writer/producer along with David S. Goyer (the Batman and Blade trilogies), and a great cast, this should give Superman a real shot at beating the Marvel heroes for top spot at the box office.
Where can I see more?
World War Z
When’s it out?
21st June
What’s it about?
A UN doctor races around the world to stop a pandemic that is toppling governments and threatens to wipe out humanity. The “Z” stands for Zombies, by the way.
Who made it?
Marc Forster (director of Monster’s Ball, which earned Halle Berry an Oscar; Finding Neverland, about the writing of Peter Pan; and Quantum of Solace, the slightly experimental Bond film). From the well-regarded book by Max Brooks.
Who’s in it?
Brad Pitt. There’s some other people in it, but… Brad Pitt.
How’s it look?
Yes, it’s another Zombie movie; there have been so many zombies in movies, TV shows and games that you can be forgiven for being a little jaded at the prospect of another one. But the book is well loved, and… Brad Pitt!
Where can I see more?
Pacific Rim
When’s it out?
12th July
What’s it about?
Massive robots fight giant monsters. Do you really need any more than that?
Who made it?
Guillermo del Toro
Who’s in it?
Idris Elba (Luther, The Wire), Charlie Day, Rinko Kikuchi and Ron Perlman
How’s it look?
Del Torro likes to mix the crowd-pleasers (Blade II, Hellboy) with art films in his native Spanish (Pan’s Labyrinth won 3 Oscars and was nominated for 3 more, including one for his screenplay). He even developed the Hobbit films with Peter Jackson. If anyone can pull off a modern-day monster movie, it’s him.
Where can I see more?
The Wolverine
When’s it out?
26th July
What’s it about?
The X-Man goes to Japan, battling Samurai for the hand of the woman he loves.
Who made it?
James Mangold (nope, me neither – although his 2005 film Walk the Line won an Oscar for Reece Witherspoon portrayal of Johnny Cash’s muse, June Carter)
Who’s in it?
Hugh Jackman of course.
How’s it look?
Anyone remember X-Men: Origins: Wolverine? Chances are if you saw it, you probably forgot almost immediately. This one however is based on a well-loved comic book by Frank Miller (the Sin City series, seminal Batman books The Dark Knight Returns and Year One), with a screenplay part-written by Christopher McQuarrie (Usual Suspects), so at least it has a chance.
Where can I see more?
The World’s End
When’s it out?
14th August
What’s it about?
Five childhood friends meet up for an epic 12-venue pub crawl. And not even the end of the world can stop them.
Who made it?
The guys from Spaced, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz – Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright
Who’s in it?
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike
How’s it look?
The team has a great strike rate (even Wright’s Scott Pilgrim adaptation was a visual treat, even if it didn’t bust any blocks). Another strong cast (how does Martin Freeman have time between his Sherlock and Hobbit duties?) should ensure that this Day of the Triffids-style social science fiction also has plenty of laughs.
Where can I see more?
Elysium
When’s it out?
20th September
What’s it about?
While the poor live on a ruined earth, the wealthy live on a gleaming space station called Elysium – and they’ll stop at nothing to keep it to themselves. Max is an ordinary guy whose life depends on getting in.
Who made it?
Neill Blomkamp
Who’s in it?
Matt Damon, Jodie Foster
How’s it look?
Blomkamp’s first film was the excellent District 9 – nominated for 4 Oscars, it mixed an anti-apartheid message with enough explosions and humour to keep anyone happy (and made seven times its budget back, which definitely keeps the suits happy). With more money and a stronger cast to play with, this could be even better.
Where can I see more?
Ender’s Game
When’s it out?
14th August
What’s it about?
Young children are trained to do battle with a race of invading aliens.
Who made it?
Gavin Hood (Rendition, X-Men Origins: Wolverine)
Who’s in it?
Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Asa Butterfield, Hailee Syeinfeld, Abigail Breslin
How’s it look?
The guy responsible for X-Men Origins: Wolverine is re-writing Orson Scott Card’s beloved 1985 novel, which gives me pause; but Card is apparently happy with the work, and he’s been extremely protective over the rights for almost 30 years.
Where can I see more?