Review: "The Eagle" Soars on the Performances of its Leads

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 64 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Eagle (2011)
Running time: 114 minutes (1 hour, 54 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for battle sequences and some disturbing images
DIRECTOR: Kevin Macdonald
WRITER: Jeremy Brock Rosemary Sutcliff (based on the novel, The Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliff)
PRODUCER: Duncan Kenworthy
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Anthony Dod Mantle
EDITOR: Justine Wright

HISTORICAL/DRAMA/ACTION

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Tahar Rahimm Ned Dennehy, Thomas Henry, and Denis O’Hare

The Eagle is a 2011 historical film from Kevin Macdonald, who directed The Last King of Scotland (2006). The Eagle is based upon The Eagle of the Ninth, a 1954 historical adventure novel written by Rosemary Sutcliff. The Eagle follows a young Roman officer’s journey to find a lost Roman eagle standard in the wild north of Great Britain, which the Roman Empire does not control.

In the year 140 AD, 20 years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Caledonia (Scotland), Marcus Flavius Aquila (Channing Tatum), a young Roman centurion, arrives in Britain to serve as a garrison commander. Marcus also hopes to redeem his family’s honor and to restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth.

Accompanied only by his British slave, Esca (Jamie Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian’s Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia, beyond the frontier of the Roman Empire. There, he will not only confront the mystery of his father’s disappearance, but also the savage tribes of the north, in particular, the Seal People. Along the way, Marcus will learn the truth about Esca, the fate of the Ninth Legion, and the whereabouts of the legion’s golden standard, the Eagle of the Ninth.

The Eagle belongs to a sub-genre of the adventure and historical film genres that some critics, reviewers, and fans call “sword and sandal” (or “sword and shield” as Roger Ebert calls them). Troy, 300, and Gladiator (the best picture Oscar winner back in 2000) are recent examples of sword and sandal flicks. Like those films, The Eagle is about men of war and about the honor they seek to gain, regain, or retain.

However, this film offers something more. Marcus Aquila is clearly the hero, and his quest to recover the eagle standard is a heroic one. However, the society to which he belongs, the Roman Empire, is not heroic. The film contrasts Marcus’ behavior as a warrior with Rome’s behavior towards the people the empire conquers. The film views the quest for honor from two sides – Rome and Rome’s opponents – is personified by Marcus’ slave, Esca, played by Jamie Bell, who gives this film’s best performance.

What appeals to me about this film is that it is a rousing, manly adventure that is open to different points of view – including those of the antagonists. The Eagle reminds us that while war, even battle, may seem simple, it is complex, indeed, even messy.

The Eagle is not perfect. Marcus’ time at the garrison, the battles, and the chases through the forest are superb cinema, while the character moments are somewhat dull. I for one liked Channing Tatum’s pugnacious performance. It is the movie star sweet to this movie’s determination not to be straight-forward rah-rah about war. The Eagle is a film I’ll come back to many times.

7 of 10
B+

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings Documentary Screens in August

SPECIAL NEW PEOPLE FILM SCREENING OF TWICE BOMBED, TWICE SURVIVED REMEMBERS THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI

Emotional Documentary Recalls One Man’s Incredible Experience Having Survived Bombings Of Both Japanese Cities

San Francisco, CA, July 26, 2011 – NEW PEOPLE, the nation’s only entertainment complex dedicated to Japanese popular culture, commemorates the 66th Anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a very special screening of Twice Bombed, Twice Survived, a thought provoking documentary about Tsutomu Yamaguchi, the only person to have been officially recognized by the Japanese government for surviving both explosions. Tickets, a trailer and more information are available here.

Twice Bombed, Twice Survived plays at NEW PEOPLE’s cinema on Saturday, August 6th at 2:00pm. Tickets are $10.00 each. A portion of sales will be donated directly to the Friends of Hibakusha, a San Francisco organization dedicated to supporting U.S. citizens and Japanese-American survivors of radiation exposure from the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The U.S. government does not currently subsidize any medical treatment programs for atomic bomb survivors. Several survivors from the Friends of Hibakusha will speak in a Q&A immediately following the screening.

In August 1945, two atomic bombs were dropped over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. More than 210,000 people were killed and many more victims were affected by both of the bombings. Tsutomu Yamaguchi is one person who was bombed twice, and survived twice. His hope towards the abolition of nuclear weapons brought 90-year-old Yamaguchi to appear in this incredible film. Along with Yamaguchi, seven other twice-bombed twice-survived people also recount their experiences in the film.


About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (http://www.newpeopleworld.com/) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (http://www.newpeopleent.com/), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites for July 27 2010

Here's a rundown of stuff I found interesting and/or thought you'd find interesting, dear reader.  Don't know how long these links will work:

Entertainment Weekly gives a rundown of the films showing at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival (Sept. 8th) with a synopsis of each film.

                                    

This year (2011, of course) is the 25th anniversary of the Academy Award-winning film, Aliens (1986), which was directed by James Cameron.  The film's star, the lovely Sigourney Weaver, gives an interview to the Moviefone Blog.

Among other things, Weaver talks about 20th Century Fox's reluctance to make another Alien film with her as the star - because of her age, she believes.  She even drops a tidbit about Carrie Hehn, the young actress who played Newt in Aliens.

                                 

No, I did not know that Mad Max, the 1979 George Miller film that shot Mel Gibson to international stardom, was being remade.  Found out in this HitFix chat with Inception actor, Tom Hardy, who will be in the remake and also The Dark Knight Rises.

                              

Cinema Blend covered Guillermo del Toro at this past weekend's 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International.  The Hellboy director talked about his mysterious, much-talked about alien invasion movie, Pacific Rim.  Del Toro said that the film will have big monsters versus big robots (but added some F-bombs).

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Collider is reporting that Ron Howard will not direct the third book in the Robert Langdon series, The Lost Symbol.  Howard directed the movies based on the other two books in the series, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons.

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Frank Darabont is stepping down as the showrunner on the AMC series, "The Walking Dead."  It's a shocker for some, but I can't say that I care, although the series is good.

2011 Toronto International Film Festival Lineup Announced

The 2011 Toronto International Film Festival begins September 8th and runs 11 days.  Here is the lineup of films scheduled to screen:

Albert Nobbs - Rodrigo Garcia, World Premiere
Butter - Jim Field Smith, World Premiere
A Dangerous Method - David Cronenberg, North American Premiere
A Happy Event - Rémi Bezancon, World Premiere
The Ides of March - George Clooney, North American Premiere
The Lady - Luc Besson, World Premiere
Moneyball - Bennett Miller, World Premiere
Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding - Bruce Beresford, World Premiere
Take this Waltz - Sarah Polley, World Premiere
W.E. - Madonna, North American Premiere

Special Presentations
11 Flowers - Wang Xiaoshuai, World Premiere
50/50 - Jonathan Levine, World Premiere
360 - Fernando Meirelles, World Premiere
The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius, Toronto Premiere
Americano - Mathieu Demy, World Premiere
Anonymous - Roland Emmerich, World Premiere
A Better Life - Cédric Kahn, World Premiere
Burning Man - Jonathan Teplitzky, World Premiere
Chicken with Plums - Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, North American Premiere
Coriolanus - Ralph Fiennes, North American Premiere
Countdown - Huh Jong-ho, World Premiere
Dark Horse - Todd Solondz, North American Premiere
The Deep Blue - Sea Terence Davies, World Premiere
The Descendants - Alexander Payne, World Premiere
Drive - Nicolas Winding Refn, Canadian Premiere
Elles - Malgoska Szumowska, World Premiere
The Eye of the Storm Fred Schepisi, International Premiere
Friends With Kids - Jennifer Westfeldt, World Premiere
Habemus Papam - Nanni Moretti, North American Premiere
Headhunters - Morten Tyldum, North American Premiere
Hick - Derick Martini, World Premiere
The Hunter - Daniel Nettheim, World Premiere
Jeff, Who Lives at Home - Jay and Mark Duplass, World Premiere
Killer Joe - William Friedkin, North American Premiere
Like Crazy - Drake Doremus, International Premiere
Machine Gun Preacher - Marc Forster, World Premiere
Martha Marcy May Marlene - Sean Durkin, Canadian Premiere
Melancholia - Lars von Trier, North American Premiere
The Oranges - Julian Farino, World Premiere
Pearl Jam Twenty - Cameron Crowe, World Premiere
Rampart - Oren Moverman, World Premiere
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - Lasse Hallstrom, World Premiere
Shame - Steve McQueen, North American Premiere
A Simple Life - Ann Hui, Hong Kong, North American Premiere
The Skin I Live In - Pedro Almodóvar, North American Premiere
Take Shelter - Jeff Nichols, Canadian Premiere
Ten Year - Jamie Linden, World Premiere
Trishna - Michael Winterbottom, World Premiere
Twixt - Francis Ford Coppola, World Premiere
Tyrannosaur - Paddy Considine, Canadian Premiere
We Need to Talk About Kevin - Lynne Ramsay, North American Premiere
Where Do We Go Now? - Nadine Labaki, International Premiere
Woman in the Fifth - Pawel Pawlikowski, World Premiere

Review: "Underworld: Unrated Extended Cut" is For Hardcore Fans (Happy B'day, Kate Beckinsale)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 17 (of 2005) by Leroy Douresseaux

Underworld (2003)
2 Disc Unrated Extended Cut – May 25, 2004
Running time: 134 minutes (2 hours,14 minutes)
DIRECTOR: Len Wiseman
WRITERS: Danny McBride; from a story by Kevin Grevioux and Danny McBride Len Wiseman
PRODUCERS: Tom Rosenburg, Gary Lucchesi, and Richard Wright
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Tony Pierce-Roberts, BSC
EDITOR: Martin Hunter

ACTION/DRAMA/FANTASY/HORROR/THRILLER

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, Bill Nighy, Erwin Leder, Sophia Myles, Robby Gee, Wentworth Miller, and Kevin Grevioux

In the 2003 film, Underworld, there has been a war between the Vampire and Lycan (Werewolf) clans for about 1000 years. The film focuses on Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a young vampire warrior known as a Death Dealer. The Death Dealers are the ones who hunt, track, and kill Lycans. During a hunt at the beginning of the film, she discovers two Lycans following a young American medical intern, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman). Michael is the key to the Lycan leader, Lucian’s (Michael Sheen), plot to unite the two warring species, but Selene discovers that Michael is also advertently a link to a centuries-old conspiracy between Lucian and the Vampire’s current leader, Kraven (Shane Brolly). As the web of conspiracy broadens, Selene must use her resourcefulness and martial skills to save her clan and Michael.

Underworld (2 Disc Unrated Extended Cut) contains 12 minutes of extra footage, which amounts to more backstory on Michael Corvin and the Lycans, a new battle scene at the end, and a subplot involving the sexy and catty, Erika (Sophia Myles). There is also 11 minutes of recut or “replacement footage.” According to Wiseman’s commentary, this is not a “director’s cut,” because he cut the 12 minutes in the original film for pacing, and as he says, you’ll hardly notice the difference, as I didn’t.

I liked the film the first time I saw it and I like it even more the second time. The movie is a blend of Blade, The Crow, and The Matrix. Conceptually, it borrows from the Blade franchise, but visually, it’s takes from The Crow and absolutely leans on and loots The Matrix. However, it is a superbly made bit of fluff that is divinely tasty eye candy. Although the concept and script are full of holes, it’s kind of like a gorgeous looking high-concept music video with much more story than music video normally have. By the way, “unrated” doesn’t mean we get to see skin from Ms. Beckinsale. This is a must-have for hardcore fans of the film, even if it means dumping the first DVD edition.

7 of 10
A-

NOTES:
DVD includes a 48-page Underworld comic book and a 16-page production sketch booklet, which contains several storyboard-to-screen comparisons. Disc 1 contains the extended cut of the film with (1) director and cast (Ms. Beckinsale and Speedman) commentaries; (2) outtakes; (3) the American Movie Classic (AMC) television special “Fang vs. Fiction”; (4) two TV spots; (4) and previews of four (then) upcoming movies distributed by Sony Pictures. Disc 2 has several features including a music video by the band Finch (“Worms of the Earth”) and several looks at designing the look and sounds of the film.

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Critic Not Sure Why He Likes "I Am Number Four"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 63 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux


I Am Number Four (2011)
Running time: 110 minutes (1 hour, 50 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for language
DIRECTOR: D.J. Caruso
WRITERS: Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and Marti Noxon (based on the novel by Jobie Hughes and James Frey writing as Pittacus Lore)
PRODUCER: Michael Bay
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Guillermo Navarro
EDITORS: Vince Filippone and Jim Page
COMPOSER: Trevor Rabin

SCI-FI/FANTASY/ACTION/DRAMA with elements of romance

Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Argon, Callan McAuliffe, Kevin Durand, Jake Abel, and Jeff Hochendoner

I Am Number Four is a science fiction teen drama released earlier this year, distributed by Walt Disney Pictures and produced by DreamWorks. The film is based upon the bestselling novel of the same name and follows an alien teenager living on Earth and hiding from another alien race bent on killing him and others like him.

I Am Number Four is a movie meant to appeal to the young audiences that love the Twilight movies. I Am Number Four is not as good as any of the Twilight films, but it is a better than average action fantasy that has familiar, but likeable characters.

Early in the film, we meet an extraordinary teen going by the name Daniel Jones. He was born on the planet, Lorien, and like eight other children from this planet, he has special powers and is part of a group known as the Garde. He and the other eight children had to leave Lorien in order to escape an invading race, the Mogadorians. Daniel lives in hiding on Earth with a Warrior/Guardian named Henri (Timothy Olyphant).

Circumstances force Henri to take his young charge to a new home in Paradise, Ohio. Once there, Henri changes Daniel’s name to John Smith (Alex Pettyfer). Although he is supposed to stay quiet and not get noticed, John falls for amateur photographer and fellow high school student, Sarah Hart (Dianna Argon), and he befriends a UFO conspiracy theorist, Sam Goode (Callan McAuliffe). John also draws the ire of local football stud, Mark James (Jack Abel), who once dated Sarah and bullies Sam.

John’s high school drama becomes complicated when he begins to make connections with people who share his destiny and when the Mogadorians get closer to finding him. The Mogadorians must kill members of the Garde in a particular sequence, and they’ve already killed the first three. John Smith is Number Four.

Hackneyed plot, clunky pacing, clichéd characters, and an overall story that seems familiar: that is how I can describe I Am Number Four. Still, I liked it. For the comparisons it may draw to Twilight, I Am Number Four belongs more to the boy-savior genre and is closer to the Harry Potter franchise. I also found the movie to be longer than it needed to be. Not only are the characters clichés, but the actors act as if they are determined to deliver clichéd characters.

Still, for some reason, however, I liked this movie. Perhaps, it is the action movie pyrotechnics, which make alien characters here seem like quasi- superheroes and super villains. Maybe, it is the screen charisma and natural charm that Alex Pettyfer exudes. I liked I Am Number Four, and can’t really tell you, dear reader, why. My enjoyment is why I give this mediocre to sometimes barely above-average film this particular grade.

6 of 10
B

Friday, July 22, 2011

1990s Animated "Conan the Adventurer" Series Now on DVD

Animated Adventures For The Whole Family!

CONAN THE ADVENTURER: SEASON ONE

Featuring Over Five Hours of Content in a 2-DVD Set

IN STORES NATIONWIDE FROM SHOUT! FACTORY ON JULY 26, 2011

By Crom! Let the acolytes of Conan rejoice as the fiercest Barbarian to ever roam the Earth arrives in this complete Season One DVD release! Join in the fray as Conan and his fellow adventurers — Jezmine, Snagg, Needle, Greywolf and Zula — quest to rescue Conan’s family from an evil spell cast by the Serpent Man wizard Wrath-Amon. Armed with a powerful sword forged from Star Metal and faith in his god Crom, Conan will not stop until his family is safe and the evil wizard is reimprisoned in the mystical Abyss!

On July 26, 2011, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc., will unleash Conan The Adventurer: Season One in a 2-DVD set, featuring all 13 action-packed episodes. Featuring the legendary warrior well-known from books, comics and movies, Conan The Adventurer: Season One is a must-have. This DVD set promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with exciting exploits and is priced to own at $19.93 SRP.

Produced by Sunbow, the 1980s animation giant behind Hasbro’s Transformers and G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero, Conan The Adventurer originally aired in Saturday morning syndication beginning in 1992 transitioning to a daily airing throughout 1993 in the second season.

Season One Episode List:

Disc 1
The Night Of Fiery Tears
Blood Brother
Star Of Shadizar
Conan The Gladiator
The Heart Of Rakkir
Men Of Stone
The Terrible Torrinon

Disc 2
Greywolf Of Xanthus
Shadow Walkers
The Claw Of Heaven
The Serpent Riders Of Set
Windfang’s Eyrie
Seven Against Stygia


About HASBRO
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

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