Magicians are rarely portrayed on the big screen these days so it was a refreshing change when Now You See Me burst onto the scene and presented a certifiable entry into a majorly underused focus subject.
Such was the success of the original that a sequel is on the way and the teaser trailer for Now You See Me 2 undoubtedly looks to build upon the strengths of its predecessor and present all-new defying magic tricks.
With the crew of Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Jesse Eisenberg returning, joined this time by Lizzy Caplan, this is a release for next year that is firmly on the radar. There's even added Daniel Radcliffe thrown in for extra measure!
Check out the teaser trailer below.
Now You See Me 2 is released on 10th June 2016.
Middle-aged musings on movies new and old
Showing posts with label Daniel Radcliffe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daniel Radcliffe. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 November 2015
Sunday, 18 October 2015
LFF 2013 - Kill Your Darlings
It almost seems a blessing of sorts that Kill Your Darlings
experienced issues initially with financing. After all, had the
original cast of Jesse Eisenberg, Chris Evans and Ben Whishaw been
banded together, we may have had a completely different film altogether.
Thankfully, things changed along the way, and, spearheaded by Daniel Radcliffe and Dane DeHaan, Kill Your Darlings instead results in an utterly immersive and exceptional debut feature from director John Krokidas.
Based on a true story, the film tracks the early days of famous poet Allen Ginsberg (Radcliffe) as he works his way through freshman year at Colombia in 1944. Plagued by his unstable mother's condition and his father's unwillingness to help her, Allen's life is about to change when he meets the rebellious Lucien Carr (DeHaan), as well as fellow students William Burroughs (Ben Foster) and Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston).
Initially a student more interested in producing his poetry and working continuously on his typewriter, Ginsberg is soon introduced into a world filled with drugs, alcohol and rebellion as the intrigue of Lucien and his friends turns into a whole new outlook on life for Allen. Witnessing the craziness of Lucien's life, Allen partakes in copious drug and alcohol-fuelled days and gradually sees himself being drawn in by the aura of the volatile Lucien.
As he gets more involved with this wild individual, the figure of David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall) makes himself known and adds a whole new dynamic to this blossoming relationship. Lucien cannot rid himself of this man, but there may be one way he possibly could have him out of his life for good...
A sheer joy for so many reasons, Kill Your Darlings is one of those films that is extremely difficult not to like. For a debut director to tackle an era that has so often been imitated in many a film gone by is one thing, but to have big expectations upon him, especially with a superb cast at hand, Krokidas has created a hugely memorable film outing that will certainly have the audience searching up the main protagonists upon exiting the movie.
Why the praise, I hear you say? Well, Krokidas' directing talents are clear for the eye to see in many an instance. Firstly, the use of music in the film is a wonderful device to set the tone and introduce us to the Beat Generation, with toe-tapping tunes and even our characters dancing away to the wonderful music. His use of surroundings is also inspired, whether the interior of the very homes of individuals, the realms of the library, or the party locations, each have their own quirkiness and nail the 1944 feel wonderfully.
Where Krokidas does revel is in his standout scenes, with so many to note and admire. From a scene where the effects of drugs slow down those around Allen and his friends, creating almost an alternate world for them for an instance, to three intermittent scenes all sharing one key similarity, the director cleverly uses his expertise impressively. Such are the nature of the scenes that the actors involved all share a strong connection and that bond is extremely difficult to break throughout the film.
At the core of the film, Dane DeHaan and Daniel Radcliffe both excel in the shells of two great individuals. DeHaan once again proves he is the best young actor around currently, with his unhinged rebel Lucien, while Radcliffe impresses with his American accent and his spawning from timid young man to confident admirer of DeHaan's aura. Their chemistry is at times utterly electric, and the moments in which we witness the two of them gradually acknowledging their growing connection are spellbinding.
As well as DeHaan and Radcliffe, the supporting cast are also on the top of their game. Ben Foster is once again the perfect co-star as the unsettling yet massively interesting William, with Huston's Jack a nice dynamic character thrown in, and the likes of Elizabeth Olsen and David Cross both throwing in tidy less prominent characters into the mix.
A hugely successful first outing for director John Krokidas culminates in Dane DeHaan producing yet another spectacular performance and Daniel Radcliffe showing that he has the acting muscle to remove any previous typecasts with relative ease. Kill Your Darlings is bold, powerful and beautifully presented drama that is simply impossible to ignore. A must-see at all costs.
Based on a true story, the film tracks the early days of famous poet Allen Ginsberg (Radcliffe) as he works his way through freshman year at Colombia in 1944. Plagued by his unstable mother's condition and his father's unwillingness to help her, Allen's life is about to change when he meets the rebellious Lucien Carr (DeHaan), as well as fellow students William Burroughs (Ben Foster) and Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston).
Initially a student more interested in producing his poetry and working continuously on his typewriter, Ginsberg is soon introduced into a world filled with drugs, alcohol and rebellion as the intrigue of Lucien and his friends turns into a whole new outlook on life for Allen. Witnessing the craziness of Lucien's life, Allen partakes in copious drug and alcohol-fuelled days and gradually sees himself being drawn in by the aura of the volatile Lucien.
As he gets more involved with this wild individual, the figure of David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall) makes himself known and adds a whole new dynamic to this blossoming relationship. Lucien cannot rid himself of this man, but there may be one way he possibly could have him out of his life for good...
A sheer joy for so many reasons, Kill Your Darlings is one of those films that is extremely difficult not to like. For a debut director to tackle an era that has so often been imitated in many a film gone by is one thing, but to have big expectations upon him, especially with a superb cast at hand, Krokidas has created a hugely memorable film outing that will certainly have the audience searching up the main protagonists upon exiting the movie.
Why the praise, I hear you say? Well, Krokidas' directing talents are clear for the eye to see in many an instance. Firstly, the use of music in the film is a wonderful device to set the tone and introduce us to the Beat Generation, with toe-tapping tunes and even our characters dancing away to the wonderful music. His use of surroundings is also inspired, whether the interior of the very homes of individuals, the realms of the library, or the party locations, each have their own quirkiness and nail the 1944 feel wonderfully.
Where Krokidas does revel is in his standout scenes, with so many to note and admire. From a scene where the effects of drugs slow down those around Allen and his friends, creating almost an alternate world for them for an instance, to three intermittent scenes all sharing one key similarity, the director cleverly uses his expertise impressively. Such are the nature of the scenes that the actors involved all share a strong connection and that bond is extremely difficult to break throughout the film.
At the core of the film, Dane DeHaan and Daniel Radcliffe both excel in the shells of two great individuals. DeHaan once again proves he is the best young actor around currently, with his unhinged rebel Lucien, while Radcliffe impresses with his American accent and his spawning from timid young man to confident admirer of DeHaan's aura. Their chemistry is at times utterly electric, and the moments in which we witness the two of them gradually acknowledging their growing connection are spellbinding.
As well as DeHaan and Radcliffe, the supporting cast are also on the top of their game. Ben Foster is once again the perfect co-star as the unsettling yet massively interesting William, with Huston's Jack a nice dynamic character thrown in, and the likes of Elizabeth Olsen and David Cross both throwing in tidy less prominent characters into the mix.
A hugely successful first outing for director John Krokidas culminates in Dane DeHaan producing yet another spectacular performance and Daniel Radcliffe showing that he has the acting muscle to remove any previous typecasts with relative ease. Kill Your Darlings is bold, powerful and beautifully presented drama that is simply impossible to ignore. A must-see at all costs.
Monday, 3 September 2012
Blu Ray Review - The Woman In Black
Based on the Susan Hill book and the terror-inducing stage production, The Woman In Black was always set to be an interesting affair in its conversion to film and, with familiar British face Daniel Radcliffe in leading man duties, as well as the legendary Hammer production company taking the reigns, the early signs were positive. Plenty of hype surrounded the film upon its arrival in cinemas and upon calls of Hammer returning to their roots I finally had to get a taste of the action via the blu ray.
Set in the Edwardian era in Britain, Arthur Kipps, a lawyer down on his luck and almost broke, is tasked with heading to the isolated Eel Marsh House for a job that may well just save his career. His job a simple one as it seems; head into the empty secluded house and retrieve all paperwork regarding the house in order to proceed with selling the property.
As with many instances in the horror field, things aren't quite what they seem and Kipps soon finds out that the house has a dark past, the mother who lived there having passed away and her son apparently drowned in the marshland. Couple this with a mysterious woman appearing in black attire all around the premises and Arthur suddenly finds himself in somewhat of a haunted nightmare. With the help of local Samuel Daily (Ciarán Hinds), Kipps must retrieve the paperwork as well as solve the secrets of the house before he falls victim to the woman in black.
A real treat for horror fanatics worldwide, the film is a staggering lesson in the build up of not just a gripping ghost story but also a presentation in thrusting the audience into edge-of-your-seat territory. Such is the atmospheric feeling of The Woman In Black that the audience are in constant fear of a jump moment or some horrific event lying just around the corner that it really brings back the golden age for the genre. Whether it be creaking doors, whispers around the house or short sharp glimpses of the woman herself, it maintains a creepy and unnerving feel throughout.
Despite some familiar scare moments and a rather predictable conclusion, The Woman In Black works like a well oiled machine of horror in providing a remarkably eerie and scary ghost tale. Steering away from unnecessary abundant gore in favour of a compelling classic tale, the film returns to the classic roots of the genre and proves that sometimes the old school way of frightening viewers is the best.
Film rating: 4 out of 5 F's
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Cinema Review - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2 3D
Captivating audiences worldwide for the last ten years, the Harry Potter saga sadly draws to a close with the second part of The Deathly Hallows. A fantastic box office reign has led the Harry Potter films to be amongst the most successful franchises in Hollywood history; 7 books split over 8 films proving J.K. Rowling really does possess a magnificent writing talent. So how does the final chapter fare compared to the previous films?
David Yates’ fourth outing behind the camera begins as Part One ends, with Voldemort in possession of the Elder wand, the most powerful wand a wizard can have. With this wand Voldemort is near invincible and a showdown with Harry Potter is inevitable. As is the destruction of Hogwarts, with Voldemort’s legion of followers and Death Eaters surrounding the once serene school, ready to strike at the teachers and pupils at his command.
Meanwhile, Harry, Ron and Hermione continue their mission to destroy the Horcruxes, the sources of Voldemort’s power. With Harry continuing to experience visions from the Dark Lord’s mind, we delve deeper into the relationship between the boy wizard and the evil lord and there are revelations aplenty. Their quest for the Horcruxes eventually leads them back to Hogwarts and a reunion with close friends and teachers, resulting in a full scale battle between good and evil; a suitably epic spectacle for adults and children alike.
With the powers of good and evil clashing in a battle of mass proportions some previously fringe characters come to the forefront and shine just as bright as our regular heroes Harry, Ron and Hermione. Following a fantastic battle, we come to an epic conclusion that we have been waiting for for some time now, Harry Potter or Lord Voldemort, who will prevail in a fight to the death? Go see it to find out!!
Never has a finale to a film series received such widespread worldwide coverage than J.K. Rowling's final outing for everybody's favourite boy wizard, and what better way to end on a high. David Yates has essentially created an unforgettable ending to a film franchise that will live long in the memory and will be passed down through many generations.
From the beginning spectacular shot of the Death Eaters poised over a waiting Hogwarts to the superb inevitable fight to the death between Harry and Voldermort, this film has classic written all over it. Although the shortest of the Potter films this by no means makes it the least fulfilling, very much the opposite in fact. With all loose ends being tied up and some frankly award-winning visuals and performances it is no wonder people are flocking to view what is clearly a front runner for one of the films of the year 2011.
Radcliffe, Watson and Grint all show they have grown in stature since the series began and the likes of Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes continue their dominant reign as the main evil-doers with such ease. Couple that with a broad array of British talent, from young newcomers to established Brit favourites, and you have the perfect British film at your disposal. It's safe to say that Harry Potter will forever be known as one of the best and most successful film series in history and there is no sweeter way to finish than with easily the best instalment of them all.
Film rating : 5 out of 5 stars
The lowdown: Having grown up with the Harry Potter films through the years this was always set up to be the main event and by all means this has succeeded. Wonderful acting, breathtaking visuals and a ground-breaking conclusion to a fascinating story all make this the film to beat in 2011. Only downside - the 3D is slightly unnecessary but does not deter from a true movie masterpiece.
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