stuff
Saw the supernatural action-drama Gabriel today - about an "Arc" angel tasked with singlehanded battling the "Fallen" and restoring the Light to Purgatory (better get used to those nouns, buddy, if you want a chance in hell of following the story) - and was pleasantly surprised, consideringly what little hopes I had for it going in. The film was made locally (that is, in Australia) on an unbelievably tiny budget, but once you got used to the grungy, half-CG landscapes, it started to look a bit like Robert Rodriguez's Sin City (high contrast rain, surreal, slightly exaggerated). The action sequences were pretty well-done, and best of all, they were all in character - each one a step in the development of Gabriel as he goes from newly descended immortal spirit, to a physical being susceptible to emotions like rage, bewilderment, and sorrow.
I wish that they hadn't gone there with Amatiel/Jade (you'll know what I mean if you see it, and it is such a Frank Miller thing to do to your only female lead, too), and the wardrobe/makeup was truly awful at times, as well as unnecessary. I bought the angelic beings with grime on their faces, stained teeth and unwashed hair; they felt real, like Soviet war prisoners, the sadness in their eyes timeless. Next to them, the overdressed Fallen in their goth-gear and bizarre contacts looked out of place.
What I did like was the story, and the quiet scenes (some of them unexpectedly witty) between Gabriel and his wounded and downcast fellow Arcs who came before him and failed. They reminded me, oddly enough, of Jihadists, soldiers far from the "source" who are in place where the environment itself is out to subvert them, make them question themselves, weaken their resolve. The ending is either cleverly ambiguous or just not very well thought through - I haven't decided which yet. As a bonus, there Gabriel/Michael is text in this one. I was also impressed by the lead actor who plays Gabriel, Andy Whitfield. From the opening scene of Gabriel, newly fallen - writhing on a barren plain outside the city, unable to speak or walk, no longer able to feel his wings - he holds our attention and carries the film. Whitfield, who has a Eurasian/Eastern European look to him, is rumoured to be one of the Australian actors being considered by director George Miler for a part in Justice League. [official site] [imdb]
17-year-old Kristen Stewart (In The Land of Women, Panic Room) has signed on to star in Twilight, a supernatural romance based on the novel by Stephanie Meyer. The story is about Isabella "Bella" Swan, a girl who moves to Forks, Washington and finds her life in danger when she falls in love with a vampire named Edward Cullen. Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen) will direct, and Melissa Rosenberg (Dexter) will write the adapted screenplay. [imdb]
Edit: Press release and reaction from author Stephanie Meyer about the casting:
'I'm very excited to have Kristen Stewart play Bella in the upcoming Twilight movie. She's an amazing actress with experience all across the board-action, horror, comedy, romance, and more. Since Twilight has moments that fit into every one of these genres, I'm thrilled to have a Bella who has practice with them all.'
Promotional posters for The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Lena Heady (300) stars as Sarah Connor, Thomas Dekker (Heroes) is John Connor, Summer Glau (Firefly) plays Cameron, and Richard T. Jones (Judging Amy) plays James Ellison. [imdb]
Trailer for dramatic comedy Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, starring Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciarán Hinds, Lee Pace, and Tom Payne. Guinevere Pettigrew (McDormand), a middle-aged London governess, finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job. An attempt to gain new employment catapults her into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Ryan). [imdb]
Teaser poster for spy comedy Get Smart. Steve Carell plays Agent Maxwell Smart, and Anne Hathaway is 99. [imdb]
Trailer for The Other Boleyn Girl, starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana. Based on the best-selling novel by Philippa Gregory. [imdb]
I wish that they hadn't gone there with Amatiel/Jade (you'll know what I mean if you see it, and it is such a Frank Miller thing to do to your only female lead, too), and the wardrobe/makeup was truly awful at times, as well as unnecessary. I bought the angelic beings with grime on their faces, stained teeth and unwashed hair; they felt real, like Soviet war prisoners, the sadness in their eyes timeless. Next to them, the overdressed Fallen in their goth-gear and bizarre contacts looked out of place.
What I did like was the story, and the quiet scenes (some of them unexpectedly witty) between Gabriel and his wounded and downcast fellow Arcs who came before him and failed. They reminded me, oddly enough, of Jihadists, soldiers far from the "source" who are in place where the environment itself is out to subvert them, make them question themselves, weaken their resolve. The ending is either cleverly ambiguous or just not very well thought through - I haven't decided which yet. As a bonus, there Gabriel/Michael is text in this one. I was also impressed by the lead actor who plays Gabriel, Andy Whitfield. From the opening scene of Gabriel, newly fallen - writhing on a barren plain outside the city, unable to speak or walk, no longer able to feel his wings - he holds our attention and carries the film. Whitfield, who has a Eurasian/Eastern European look to him, is rumoured to be one of the Australian actors being considered by director George Miler for a part in Justice League. [official site] [imdb]
17-year-old Kristen Stewart (In The Land of Women, Panic Room) has signed on to star in Twilight, a supernatural romance based on the novel by Stephanie Meyer. The story is about Isabella "Bella" Swan, a girl who moves to Forks, Washington and finds her life in danger when she falls in love with a vampire named Edward Cullen. Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen) will direct, and Melissa Rosenberg (Dexter) will write the adapted screenplay. [imdb]
Edit: Press release and reaction from author Stephanie Meyer about the casting:
'I'm very excited to have Kristen Stewart play Bella in the upcoming Twilight movie. She's an amazing actress with experience all across the board-action, horror, comedy, romance, and more. Since Twilight has moments that fit into every one of these genres, I'm thrilled to have a Bella who has practice with them all.'
Promotional posters for The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Lena Heady (300) stars as Sarah Connor, Thomas Dekker (Heroes) is John Connor, Summer Glau (Firefly) plays Cameron, and Richard T. Jones (Judging Amy) plays James Ellison. [imdb]
Trailer for dramatic comedy Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, starring Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciarán Hinds, Lee Pace, and Tom Payne. Guinevere Pettigrew (McDormand), a middle-aged London governess, finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job. An attempt to gain new employment catapults her into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Ryan). [imdb]
Teaser poster for spy comedy Get Smart. Steve Carell plays Agent Maxwell Smart, and Anne Hathaway is 99. [imdb]
Trailer for The Other Boleyn Girl, starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana. Based on the best-selling novel by Philippa Gregory. [imdb]