Search the Community

Twenty years ago, French director Luc Besson (Nikita, Leon: The Professional) gave us The Fifth Element, which was actually a good sci-fi film not made in Hollywood. On July 21, 2017, he'll give us Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, a theatrical adaptation of the popular French sci-fi comic book series Valérian and Laureline (which was one of the inspirations for The Fifth Element). The film stars Dane DeHaan (Andrew in Chronicle, Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Carla Delevingne (Enchantress in Suicide Squad), Clive Owen (Dwight in Sin City, Mr. Smith in Shoot 'Em Up), Rihanna (overrated pop singer who helped sink Battleship), Kris Wu (some Chinese singer, as these films must somehow appeal to the Chinese market), John Goodman (Hound in Transformers: Age of Extinction, Fred in The Flintstones), Ethan Hawke (Vincent/Jerome in Gattaca, Jesse in Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight), and Rutger Hauer (Roy Batty in Blade Runner, Cardinal Roark in Sin City). Will it be as good as The Fifth Element, or will it be Jupiter Ascending bad? Only time will tell. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets @ IMDb

Long before the release of The Amazing Spider-Man, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced May 2, 2014 as the release date for the as-yet-untitled sequel. Marc Webb will return to the director's chair and Andrew Garfield has been confirmed to once again wear the mask and web shooters. Emma Stone will also be returning as Gwen Stacy. Other than that, here are some of the rumors and news bits surrounding the sequel: Production James Vanderbilt, who wrote this year's reboot, was contracted to write the sequel. However, Sony has also contracted Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, Transformers) and Jeff Pinkner (Fringe, Lost) to rewrite Vanderbilt's draft. Filming has supposedly begun this month in London. Casting J. K. Simmons has expressed interest in reprising his role as J. Jonah Jameson from the Sam Raimi trilogy. Like there's anyone else who can play that role perfectly. Shailene Woodley (Amy in The Secret Life of an American Teenager, Alexandra in The Descendants) will play Mary Jane Watson, but in a very small role before getting more screen time on the third film. At least it's not Kirsten Dunst anymore. Jamie Foxx (Ray, Django Unchained) has been confirmed to play the villain Max Dillon/Electro. Dane DeHaan (Jesse in In Treatment, Andrew in Chronicle) was confirmed by Webb to play Harry Osborn. No word on Norman Osborn and whether or not Willem Dafoe will reprise his role from the Sam Raimi trilogy. According to Webb, Martin Sheen will reprise his role as Ben Parker - most likely in flashback scenes. Denis Leary had joked in one of the Blu-ray documentaries about making a petition to return in the sequel as Capt. George Stacy. More news to come in the next few months. Links Sony Dates Amazing Spider-Man Sequel Andrew Garfield and Director Marc Webb Return for Amazing Spider-Man Sequel Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci to Re-Write Sequel to Amazing Spider-Man Amazing Spider-Man 2: Should J. K. Simmons Return as J. Jonah Jameson? Shailene Woodley in Talks for Amazing Spider-Man Sequel Exclusive: Spider-Man Villain Jamie Foxx Reveals Major Origin Details Meet Harry Osborn

Based upon a lot of positive word of mouth, I decided to watch the new film Chronicle. If you've heard little about this movie (or have just seen only the trailer), I can say this is easily one of the best "super hero" films I've seen in years. Some basic info about the film can be found in the wiki link below (though don't read the details if you don't want to be spoiled): http://en.wikipedia....icle_(film) I will say just labelling this movie as a "super hero" tale - while descriptive as a sound bite - does the film a terrible diservice. Chronicle is so much more than that: in fact, it's fair to say this film is basically a live action Akira done right...in a way. The story of Chronicle is much more immediate and smaller than the story of Akira, but while the film eschews the broader evolution of humanity, social/political themes and human existence in Akira (for the most part), it does tell a very compelling "chronicle" of three young kids gaining super powers. What results is a very unrealistic premise explored in a very realistic way. The characters all act like real people would in the given circumstances and the performances of all the actors are spot on. The film can be incredibly funny but it also explores some dark stuff. You get a sense how the story will play out from the beginning, but that doesn't make any of the emotional beats any less poignant. I'd like to say more, but I don't want to spoil anything. I will say I was thoroughly entertained and enthralled throughout the film. I don't think I've ever felt this much elation at the idea of super powers as I was while watching the characters discover their abilities in Chroncile. For anyone who has ever had a dream of flying, you owe it to yourself to see this film. An online film commentator said recently in his podcast that all us geeks can rest easy now because a proper Akira live action story has been made. While it's not entirely accurate, there is some truth. If the live action Akira film ever happens and fails, Chronicle will definitely satisfy the same desire for that story on the big screen. Highly recommended.