Showing posts with label 20th Century Fox. Show all posts

The Establishing Shot: Empire Big Screen 20th Century Fox Showcase & Titanic 3D

Empire Big ScreenDashing from the The Secrets Of WETA Presentation. I grabbed a pair of 3D glasses and made my way up the escalator to the Sky Superscreen for the 20th Century Fox Showcase. By now I had missed the bulk of the showcase it and by that I mean -

20th Century Fox Marketing Director, Chris Green introducing the 20th Century Fox Showcase and a short clip of top directors and their thoughts on working with 20th Century Fox.

As well as footage and trailers from :

Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom.

     Video: Rise of the Planet of the Apes | Official Trailer Teaser | 2011  

If you haven’t already seen Rupert Wyatt's outstanding prequel to the classic Planet of The Apes sci-fi series I highly recommend it. It is one of this years most entertaining films.You can read my full review over here!

UK release Date: 11 August, 2011

Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Writers: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
Stars: James Franco, Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto


In Time
In the future people stop aging at 25 and must work to buy themselves more time, but when a young man finds himself with more time than he can imagine he must run from the corrupt police force to save his life.

     Video: In Time | Official Trailer | 2011  

Early on I had some doubts about the very polished In Time, but after watching the very slick trailer a couple of times I was moved from doubt to somewhere near looking forward to it. The premise is very high concept sci fi that hopefully won’t be all style over substance. Given the star power involved things are currently looking good for In Time.

UK release Date: 1 November, 2011

In Time
Director: Andrew Niccol
Writer: Andrew Niccol
Stars: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and Cillian Murphy

The Darkest Hour
In Russia, a group of young adults struggle to survive after an alien invasion.

     Video:The Darkest Hour | Official Trailer HD | 2011  

Have to say The Darkest Hour has me intrigued and it’s on my radar even more so as it is in 3D and looks spectacular. It has a great cast and I loved Timur Bekmambetor' s inventive Night Watch and Day Watch but do find his films a little too focused on making things look great but forsaking the heart of the story. I'm hopeful that The Darkest Hour bridges the two.

UK release Date: 13 January 2012

The Darkest Hour
Director: Chris Gorak
Writers: Jon Spaihts (screenplay), Leslie Bohem (story)
Stars: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby and Max Minghella

I managed to join the session about half way through:

Martha Marcy May Marlene
Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.

     Video: MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE: Official HD  

This was the first I had heard anything of Martha Marcy May Marlene, it was haunting, full of melancholy and shot in a that you can’t help be mesmerized. It seems to be a taut psychological drama. Almost everyone from the outstanding Deadwood TV series is very watchable and indy favourite John Hawkes is no exception. It’s great to see him in larger roles.

UK release Date: 3 February, 2012

Martha Marcy May Marlene
Director: Sean Durkin
Writer: Sean Durkin (screenplay)
Stars: Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson and John Hawkes


Next up was another highlight of BIG SCREEN for me. We were treated to some footage from James Cameron’s re-mastered Titanic 3D.

Titanic 3D
A boy and girl from differing social backgrounds meet during the ill-fated maiden voyage of RMS Titanic.

I was struck by three things while watching the footage from Titanic 3D.

1. Wow! An almost unrecognizable Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio were young when they made Titanic.
2. The footage from Titanic 3D was absolutely phenomenal and I was awe struck along with the rest of the audience while watching the familiar scenes in a whole new way. James Cameron’s notorious attention to detail very clearly in full effect and Titanic 3D looks absolutely magnificent.
3. James Cameron, the richest man in the world is going to double, or triple his fortune with Titanic 3D. As everyone and their mother (including me) is going to be in the queue to see Titanic 3D

Initially when I heard James Cameron was going to release Titanic 3D I thought it was some kind of error and that someone had mistaken Ghosts of the Abyss one of Cameron’s underwater 3D documentaries about the Titanic for Titanic the film. I couldn’t conceive that Titanic, not only one of the most successful films of all time but considered a classic by many a film that relies mainly on performances and atmosphere rather than the visual aspects. And sure James Cameron and his team put a lot of effort into making both the sets and CG elements of the film look authentic but I think we would all agree that the performances and way Jack and Rose’s romance rolls out are the heart of Titanic. So why try turn that into 3D?

Well after watching the 3D footage I was again surprised by the maverick genius of James Cameron as he again takes a story with an ending we already know and make it a whole new experience for us to enjoy.

Titanic 3D is going to be absolutely awesome.

UK release Date: 6 April, 2012 - The day that marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic setting sail.

Titanic 3D
Director: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Billy Zane

After the 20th Century Fox Showcase I decided to take a break and head down to the Live Quarter and see what was happening on Hollywood Boulevard and Studio City.

Empire Big Screen 20th Century Fox Showcase & Titanic 3D

The Establishing Shot: Empire Big Screen Arrival & Industrial Light & Magic Presentation For Star Wars™

Empire Big Screen Day 1Day 1 of Empire’s BIG SCREEN had come to an end. And what an absolutely marvelous day it was. Like all my Christmases rolled into one. Empire promised that this year the event formerly known as Movie-Con was going to be BIG (SCREEN) and it was. Taking all the elements I love about film and housing them under one roof.

     I was unsure of what to expect of BIG SCREEN, in previous years Movie-Con has been held on the fairly familiar territory of the BFI and I had grown quite familiar with its intimate and fun format. The Empire team proving to be just as much of a draw with their accessibility and friendliness as the mega stars that they brought along to interact with Movie-Con / BIG SCREEN audience.

     From what I can gather the above made for some special personal moments and memories for attendees that will stay with them for their rest of their lives. There are so many highlights and everyone’s personal highlights seem to be different, so it would be pointless for me to try distilling them down to a 10 point, slow motion, scored, montage here. Heck I might do that in another post. In fact yes I will do that (in another post).

     When it was announced that Movie-Con was going all BIG SCREEN and heading over to the O2 (the only man made structure visible from space in Greenwich, London) it was a bittersweet moment for me. I felt a little like I did when LOST or The Wonder Years ended or when I saw Star Wars™: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. And I slowly realised a part of my second childhood may be slipping away forever. Immediately concerns that my personal Movie-Con experience made with such seeming bespoke care and attention by the Empire team was to be replaced with a BIG SCREEN soulless corporate version of the event formerly known as Movie-Con.

     Much of this was derived from the fact that Movie-Con was a fairly effortless event for me – I could get from Door to door in about 25 Minutes. And for a £35 entry fee we didn’t mind knowing what was going to happen over the weekend or if there were changes or time frames were completely out of whack. I was just happy to be there and the Empire team smoothed any kinks out with their effortless professionalism and customary courteousness.

Empire Big Screen
Empire Big Screen    
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