It seems the majority of Star Wars fans around the world shuddered and cried out "whatttt?" when this news broke last night. Yes, LucasFilms have sold the Star Wars franchise to Disney - who are now planning a episode SEVEN film in 2015, along with the possibility of episodes 8 and 9 two to three years after that. Really?
I'm a little astonished that they want to do this. I didn't believe it at first then I red it properly; surely the six films they have are more than enough for the franchise? Don't get me wrong, I love Star Wars but there's a time when enough is enough with certain things and I feel this is one of them. How much else can improve the already excellent franchise? Is it mainly for money? Probably. I mean Disney already have some part of the Star Wars franchise, with the "Star Tours" ride in their theme parks. Epic ride by the way!
No it isn't. I think the current number of Star Wars films has finished the franchise off nicely, all rounding off the story line nicely together and that is that. It'll certainly be a challenge for the script writers to tie it all in with the old films and still keep the old scripts in tact; it'll just confuse people if they put in some irrelevant story line. That is my main concern - what story do they do to fit in with the others? I feel as if George Lucas has just signed his life anyway... Let me put this way. No George Lucas creating Star Wars movies anymore? It doesn't sound right.
And the old films are better. Sorry but it's true - I really dislike Hayden Christensen for one. He was good in the first film he did but after, it went downhill; I didn't think he was a good Anakin at all. So who else would be casted? Who will direct it? There's so much questions that needed answering and tying together and I just think maybe it's not right. It doesn't feel right that yet another lot of Star Wars films are being made... There is just something not right about it.
It'll definitely be interesting for sure, don't get me wrong - I'll be very interested and love to go see it being a Star Wars fan. Only the Force (or time) will tell whether this is a good move or not for Lucas and Disney.
Now this is one film I really don't know what to think of. A spin on a classic fairy tale - yes the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel are now supposedly 'witch hunters' with this new film out early next year starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton.
Wanna see the trailer? Here is the new red band version, so a word of warning among the splatter of blood.
The plot is basically after their traumatic experience as children at the hands of a witch Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Artherton), decided to hunt witches in revenge. The mayor of Augsbury recruits to get rid of evil sorceress Muriel (Famke Janssen), who is planning to sacrifice local children at a witch gathering of some sort.
No idea what to think? Don't worry your not the only one - I feel the exact same.
I think it is a good idea in some respects; a modern twist on a classic fairy tale, where Gretel and her brother Hansel hunt witches instead of killing just the one witch, they kill multiple. It's a fresh idea, one that hasn't been used at all really in the film industry. But for that reason, will it be a hit or miss? I really don't know.
With this new trailer, the gruesomeness of the film is shown. I had heard stories before this that the film was going to be almost Quentin Tarantino type blood and guts, so this film will obviously not be for the faint hearted. This film is clearly not going to be rated PG, and the gore is all a little OTT, with not much seriousness. It really is a little bit daft - the story line doesn't sound too great and has chunks in numerous places, and I didn't think much of the action either; that may change by the time the film actually comes around but at the moment, it all seems a little bit... well I don't really know how to put it!
I thought with the first viewing of the first trailer that it'll be a miss, and it'll be a shame if that is the case. It has got a pretty good cast - Jeremy Renner in my opinion is one of the best actors around at the moment and Gemma Artherton is an all-round good actress. To be honest, I think Jeremy Renner and his charisma shown so far in these trailers may just boost the film up a tad. I just get a sense that this film won't be popular - it seemed almost daft at times the trailer with the plot and the whole story line of hunting witches. I know it's an old fairy tale, but does it need extending?
But it could be just what the film industry needs - a daft yet gruesomeish film to spice things up a little bit. Who knows? It may be popular, it may draw in the crowds. But I just have a feeling that this is one film that won't last in the memories of many film goers.
What do you think? As always, comment below for your views!
Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters is set for release on the 25th of January 2013.
The National Football League touched down this weekend in London for an epic show of American Football, food and just generally American-ness, and I had the pleasure of going along! But will American Football ever really take off in the UK?
I'll admit before I start writing - I used to not like American Football. The amount of times it started and stopped just bored me. And I used to hate the fact my beloved Wembley turf would get shredded with these Yanks coming over and destroying the pitch with a game other than Football (soccer as it's called over in the US). Yep, I did not like American Football.
However my opinion changed when I got to university - last year during my Fresher year, one of my flat-mates (and my house-mate this year too) was very into the NFL; still is. So I got used to the idea of American Football, learning about it from sitting in his room whilst he'd be playing Madden and then explaining how the game worked. Seriously, if you want to get into American Football, that is the best thing to do - sit down with someone who already knows the game and watch a game. So low and behold, I started to like NFL and now, I'm a big fan. I love America, so I've embraced their national game; I'm a Panthers fan and yes I know, we haven't done well so far this season...
So a group of us, all transformed into American Football fans in the space of a year, were in attendance at Wembley on Sunday - I LOVED IT. It was truly an epic experience - from the tailgate party outside to the actual game, and seeing Tom Brady and his New England Patriots thrash St Louis Rams. It was something I never thought I'd go watch but it was amazing - just the atmosphere the stadium seemed to have was awesome. I particularly loved all of the American type enthusiasm - always good! I also loved the pre-game show done by one of my favourite bands Train - they sounded fantastic. But will it ever take off here in the UK?
Well already it has done. With the start of the International Series in London in 2007, the game has continued to grow and grow here in Great Britain, with the prestigious Wembley Stadium playing host. This first game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants sold out the first 40,000 tickets within 90 minutes of going on sell; this weekend's fixture was a sell out, with 84,004 fans attending. So it's clear NFL is growing here, with each year more and more fans are attending - again this is proved with the fact that two games will be held in London next year, giving us Brits more chances to see the stars of the NFL in action. Coverage on Sky Sports surely must have helped numbers, with often various teams trending on Twitter even in the United Kingdom. It may not be pulling in as many numbers as the now dreadful X Factor, but it is certainly growing. There are even times propping up all over the country, from my university's team right to television presenter Vernon Kay's team London Warriors.
But I don't think it'll ever be totally accepted here. You still get people saying it's a silly sport, that they wear all of this protection whereas people playing other sports such as Rugby don't. You get people (like I was) complaining about the fact that Wembleys' pitch is being ruined in the process for what is in their opinion, a worthless game. Others ask why should we have the American's national game over here? Not everyone is going to accept this game but to be honest, does it really matter if everyone does or not? As long as the demand is here, and there are enough fans wanting to go to games and watching it on TV, then it doesn't matter.
I for one will certainly be hoping to attend the games at Wembley again next year, and I hope many more of us Brits will be there too! It is a great sport to get into, a lot of fun so if this all sounds interesting to you, take a look around on the web and find out more about America's national game. Again, I'd love to hear your opinions on this!
Next year's games at Wembley Stadium are Pittsburgh Steelers v Minnesota Vikings on the 29th of September 2013 and then San Francisco 49ers v Jacksonville Jaguars on the 27th of October 2013.
The third outing of Daniel Craig as British MI6 operative James Bond has just been released in the UK, soon to be worldwide. Everyone is asking it so... is Daniel Craig the best Bond ever?
There's been plenty of debate on this topic ever since Craig's first outing in the wonderful Casino Royale, and this has been reinforced with the quite frankly brilliant Skyfall, with a stellar performance worthy of all the awards. And even though Quantum of Solace was a disappointment, Craig did attempt to salvage the poor script with a good performance. But is he really potentially the best Bond there has ever been?
Potentially and if he carries on as he has been doing, yes. I watched Skyfall last night and I thought it was brilliant (read my review of it here:http://glipho.com/camchappers/skyfall-verdict). So what is good about Daniel Craig? Firstly his grittiness - let's be honest, as good as past Bonds have been, some have been a little unrealistic. Yet Craig makes his Bond seem very realistic indeed, making the role his own Bond with his grit and no-nonsense attitude in his role. It's like he was born an Action Man - he's made to be Bond. What I also like he is versatile; he is able to make his Bond gritty and stuck in the action, yet he can portray the emotive side very well indeed, as seen in this latest installment and in Casino Royale. Despite this attitude he has adapted for his Bond, he does have wit and humor, particularly in Skyfall. It's just typical British humor that all know and love, and he does that brilliantly. And come on ladies, he's pretty easy on the eyes...
But then are some downsides to what would be this God. He drew a lot of criticism when he was first cast as the new 007, as he was the first 'blond' Bond. Die-hard fans threatened to boycott his films, hate websites were created... because of the colour of his hair?! (I know right...) But I guess in a way, I see what all of these fans meant. The creator of 007, Ian Fleming, created a dark-haired, handsome and tall James Bond - the criteria which other actors before Craig had filled. Craig on the other hand was blond-haired and only 5'10 in height (certainly not lacking in the looks department though). Then you have the public's opinion; many see Sean Connery as the best, and I agree to sum degree of that. Connery was the first original Bond and as such, set the tone for how Bond should be; all of the 'swagger' Bond should have when killing villains, or seducing pretty woman or even drinking a Martini shaken or stirred. He also was in some of the best Bond films to date, such as Goldfinger and From Russia With Love - many people believe he is the best Bond.
Yet, public opinion is changing. I recently did an audio piece for my course about the song for Skyfall by ADELE - also named Skyfall - and me and my colleagues also asked the public what their favourite Bond was. Low and behold, the two top names were Daniel Craig and Sean Connery. But then you have other former Bond actors such as Roger Moore labelling Craig as the "best Bond ever". One woman I interviewed even said she didn't think much of Connery as a person so she preferred Pierce Bronson as Bond. Hmm.
So in conclusion, is Daniel Craig the best Bond? Potentially, yes; but Craig's Bond is very much different to Sean Connery's, they have made their Bonds their own and just as spectacular as one other. If Daniel Craig carries on putting in the wonderful performances he has done in his first three Bond films, then I have no doubt he will eclipse Connery to be the best Bond.
Would love to hear your opinions - so please, feel free to discuss!
Go see Skyfall now in UK cinemas and out in US cinemas from 9th of November.
This evening was the opening night in the UK of the new installment of the James Bond franchise "Skyfall", so naturally I had to go see it. And boy, was it worth the £6 ticket.
For those who need a reminder, here's the trailer for the highly anticipated return of 007.
CAUTION - POSSIBLE SPOILERS AFTER THE TRAILER, DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM!
I had been waiting for this film to come out for FOUR years, ever since it had been announced. I stuck by and waited during the financial trouble and whatnot with the production company but at last, it was here. I think everyone else in the cinema felt the same as me - when the adverts finally finished and the opening appeared, there was literally a buzz around the place. Some critics had labelled this the "best Bond ever" - I tell you what, it was certainly that!
Firstly the leading man Daniel Craig (swoon). We all know he received a lot of criticism when he first got the role, but he has turned out to be a fantastic Bond. His performance in this film was outstanding, particularly at the beginning of the film. We see a Bond bored, almost fed up of life as a MI6 operative yet he is there. He portrays as almost deluded by being a spy, acting a little rusty at the start but then comes along the grittiness and the stellar action, and it truly is wonderful acting. It's as if he was made for this role almost, he really was that good. He also injected a lot of wit and humor into the role, just typical British 'banter'. Look out for his relationship with the new "Q" (Ben Whishaw) and also remarks about a rather distasteful Bulldog ornament. But Craig also shows an emotive and more personal side of Bond, particularly in the latter part of the film and that really stole the part for me - wonderful acted and if I say so myself, he can easily be the best Bond actor, not far of Sean Connery.
Then there's the villain - Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem). He is a fantastic villain; one with humor yet all of the ruthlessness you'd expect from a Bond villain. It's not all blowing up buildings and shooting people with this villain however; it's more to do with cyber terrorism and I liked that. But what really fascinated me was the relationship between Silva and Bond's boss "M" - played by the wonderful Judi Dench. Dench's character was brash in this film, more so than others - particularly when barking at Bond and her operatives. What I liked about this relationship which made it pretty much the core of the film - it wasn't so much Bond chasing the villain. It was more the villain chasing M, and it was a very interesting twist and different to other Bond films. The film becomes quite personal - with this developing relationship between the antagonist and one of the main characters, but also with the ending. We find out more about Bond's past and also what Skyfall really is. How important M's relationship with 007 is also shown, mostly towards the end of the film and I loved the little exchanges between Dench and Craig. The ending I found was incredible, and really is not expected; it'll have you gasping your seat! Fantastic acting all round!
What really did impress me though was how cleverly written the plot is - Quantum of Solace severely lacked in this in my opinion, with the writer's strike at the time of filming. This time however, they got it right and it really struck me (and I think the majority of the audience) how everything is tied together at the end of the film and truly how wonderful it is written. Even the new agent introduced "Eve" (Naomie Harris) is cleverly resolved by the end of the film, leaving everyone who knows past Bonds to go "ahhhh right!" Absolutely brilliant script and very well directed by British Sam Mendes; why he hasn't directed a Bond movie, I shall never know. It brings out the grittiness of a Bond movie and all the action you'd expect, yet it has the emotive and personal side; I think that is what makes the film, along with being just so British. Together with the wonderful performances from all of the cast, it really is a cracking film.
Is it the best Bond film ever? In my opinion, yes. It's certainly the best outing from Daniel Craig yet, just shaving Casino Royale and I think it really is a fantastic film, one of the best this year. Go now... yes NOW to your local cinema and see it! I know I'll be seeing it again for sure.
Keep a look out for my follow up blog - where I'll be answering the question on everyone's lips; is Daniel Craig potentially the best Bond ever?
So the new trailer for Iron Man 3 is out, yippee! I can honestly say this is one movie I have been looking forward to since... well Avengers Assemble came out in cinemas.
What's Cam's verdict I hear you cry? Well erm I'm sure your not but you get what I mean...? Ok this is awkward.
Personally, I think it looks pretty fantastic. The first film of this franchise Iron Man was a hit, a brilliant film by Marvel with box-office figures proving the same. So naturally the follow up, Iron Man 2, was eagerly anticipated and had potential of being as equally as awesome as the first. Sadly not. I was a little disappointed with Iron Man 2 - it was good don't get me wrong, but it wasn't on the same par as the first. By a long shot.
But I get the feeling Iron Man 3 is going to be different than the second. You just get that feeling that this is going to be one epic superhero movie. We see Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr), the "genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist" actually toned down - we see a more serious side, trying to protect his love Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) whilst battling his own personal demons and the villains of the film - the Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley). As much as I like the loud Tony Stark, it's a good idea from the writers and the director Shane Black to show a different side to Stark; one which shows him possibly trying to control his own suit.
Whoever cast Robert Downey Jr in the first place as Tony Stark is a bloody genius. He just makes Tony Stark Tony Stark - it just suits Downey Jr so well. He may have had trouble in his past but this has to be one of his best roles he's performed. The fact he also worked with Shane Black on the film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang will bode well I feel for the film - for an actor to work with a accomplished director already will help the film.
The trailer itself has all of the things you'd expect it to have - dramatic music followed by explosions and battle scenes. I'm a little disappointed that the trailer just has to include some form of small dub step (vile music...) but it does go well with it I suppose. So points to the creators of this trailer at Marvel. I already the direction where the film is coming from, showing a different side to Stark and it was shown well in this trailer. The dialogue coupled with the dramatic moments worked well - superhero movies are made to be dramatic and you get the feel this is the case.
I get the feeling that this film is going be one of the films of 2013 - I certainly hope I'm proved right!
Iron Man 3 is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on the 26th of April 2013 and the 3rd of May in the United States.
Lance Armstrong. He was considered one of the sporting greats, a hero to many. He won the prestigious Tour de France seven times, one of the most gruelling sporting events in the world - an extraordinary feat for a man who has also fought cancer. Yet now his legacy is slowly being erased.
Since the findings from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) into Lance Armstong, the UCI decided to follow these findings and strip the Texan of all 7 titles, therefore erasing his most historic wins. He has been banned from the sport of Cycling for life, and USADA has branded Armstong a 'serial cheat', who ran the "most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme the sport has ever seen."
Now the question is: should he deserved to be forgotten?
For USADA and the UCI to get these findings, there must be sufficient evidence - those from Armstrong's team-mates in the US Postal Service Team and other members. In my opinion, there is no denying it - Armstrong cheated the system. I was bitterly disappointed when I first heard of the story; like many, I had seen Armstrong as a hero, someone to inspire to with his courage and sporting talent. To me now, that has gone.
Cycling is full of doping and cheats - every year, stories come out of the Tour de France and other races due to doping. It's common - it's a brutal sport where cheating is seen to help and give you an advantage over your opponents. Back when Armstrong was conducting this programme, doping was at its' peak - everyone did it apparently. Yet, why wasn't more done to stop this? How did Armstrong get away with this?
Don't get me wrong, I still have some degree of respect for Lance Armstrong - how he battled Cancer and then set up the Livestrong foundation and how many lives have been helped by that is incredible. I'll take my hat to him for that. But in sporting terms? Any respect is gone. His fall from grace is sharp and doesn't look like slowing anytime soon - Nike, Oakley and Trek have all ended their sponsorship deals with Armstrong, and his reputation as one of the sporting greats has been tarnished and now erased. People will want to remember him for his Livestrong work but can that really happen, when this is such a big programme that lasted so many years? Many people now will just see the cheat and not the cancer survivor - even himself has resigned as chairman of his fountain, his charity work also being affected.
So should Lance Armstrong be forgotten? In the cycling world, maybe. They are cheats all of the time, some forgiven, some not. But just the magnitude of his successes just all wiped away - maybe one day in the future, he will be forgotten. But in terms of what he has done for his foundation, then no. The two shouldn't be mixed, as what he has done for that has been fantastic. He may have lost my respect in sport but not for his charity work.
A song is always needed for every James Bond film. With the release of Daniel Craig's third film as the MI6 spy and 23rd installment of the franchise 'Skyfall', who and what would it be?
It first leaked on the internet before being officially released. She tweeted the world a picture of the score, after months of speculation. But here it is - the new Bond theme song "Skyfall" by none other than ADELE.
It has taken the world by storm - everyone seems to be talking about this one song (this and Gangnam Style). But the question that needs answering - is this a Bond classic?
Earlier this week, I conducted an audio vox bop in the streets of Southampton, asking the members of the public what their opinion was on this song. The majority was mainly positive - this coupled with how it rocked to the top of the charts whether hours of officially releasing suggested just as much. Adele is also seen as the country's sweetheart - one passerby even said that Adele could do "no wrong in her eyes." A popular choice it seems for the artist. And for the song?
Well it's typically Bond. If you ignore the dire "Another Way to Die" by American musicians Alicia Keys and Jack White, you get a sense that the song really goes back to how Bond used to be. The powerful instrumental just reminds of the old classic Bond song that used to be produced; I believe this has particularly captured the minds of the British public. We haven't really had a Bond song like this for a while - past Bond songs such as "You Know My Name" by Chris Cornell did work with Casino Royale with the rock edge in his voice with guitars. Then you have "Die Another Day" by Madonna - a typically modern song which didn't quite feel like a James Bond song.
Then you have Adele. Wonderful Adele. She is loved throughout the world, and we are proud to say she is British - who else better to have for a Bond song? Her distinctive yet strong voice goes well with the instrumental, really providing a strong song. You get a sense the lyrics (as always with Adele) portray the meaning of the song so well. It's different to her other songs in a way but it's good - it's a great combination.
Whether it's a classic or not? Only time will tell I believe. It has potential - I think it depends on the success of the actual film itself too. If it's an excellent Bond film and one people will remember then I think the song will stick; it definitely can become a classic over time. It's too early now to say if it'll be on the same par as "Goldfinger" or "Live and Let Die", but maybe one day. It is definitely a very good James Bond song, and if the film as good as the song, then boy, we are in for a treat!
'Skyfall' starring Daniel Craig is out in UK cinemas from the 26th of October and US cinemas from the 9th of November.
