Disney needs a haircut?

Disney has just released more images and the first trailer for their 50th, and first for 2011, full length animated feature, Tangled.

  With the person who the Mouse House sacked because he wanted to bring in this new idea of using computers not people to do animation in control - Disney may have another "hit" on their hands..Probably not in the same league as another part of their organisation, Pixar, but it should still turn a profit.

Walt Disney Pictures presents “Tangled,” one of the most hilarious, hair-raising tales ever told. When the kingdom’s most wanted—and most charming—bandit Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi) hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn’s curious captor, who’s looking for her ticket out of the tower where she’s been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an over-protective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. In theaters this holiday season in Disney Digital 3D™, “Tangled” is a story of adventure, heart, humor and hair—lots of hair.

In UK Cinemas January 28 in Disney Digital 3D

© Disney

Official Site ~ Facebook Page

Russell Brand HOPs Into Cinemas

From minions to The Easter Bunny is quite a jump but Universal have just released the first poster and teaser trailer for the upcoming Live action/CGI film "HOP". The film stars Russell Brand as the afore mentioned rodent.

I have to wonder how long the rabbit's legs are to be able to play the drums that way!

Blending state-of-the-art animation with live action, HOP tells the comic tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Russell Brand) and must take him in as he recovers. As Fred struggles with the world’s worst houseguest, both will learn what it takes to finally grow up.

The film is helmed by Tim Hill, director of the blockbuster ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS and produced by Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment (DESPICABLE ME). At its heart, HOP is a classic buddy movie… it’s just that one of the buddies is a talking rabbit!

'HOP' IS RELEASED IN UK AND IRISH CINEMAS ON 1 APRIL 2011

Image & trailer © Universal

Another Green Hornet trailer

Sony has just released another trailer for the upcoming Seth Rogen movie Green Hornet so her we go and I give you the new trailer.

If you missed the first trailer then you can catch up with it below.

A classic character of film, television, radio, and comic books returns to the big screen in Columbia Pictures’ feature film The Green Hornet, starring Seth Rogen as the vigilante crime-fighter. The film will be directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) from a screenplay written by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg (Superbad, Pineapple Express), based upon “The Green Hornet” radio series created by George W. Trendle, and produced by Neal H. Moritz (The Fast and the Furious).

The Green Hornet will be released at UK & Irish cinemas on 14th January 2011.
Images & trailer © Sony Pictures

The Eagle trailer and images

  Universal has just released a trailer and images for their upcoming Roman army film, The Eagle - or The Eagle Of The Ninth as it was called.
  This got me thinking - wasn't there a similar sort of film released in early 2010. Yes was the answer, the Warner Bros/ Pathe film, Centurion. This one seems to be a sequel, of sorts, to that film.

A Roman epic adventure, based on the classic novel of the same name, set in the dangerous world of second-century Britain.

In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (played by Channing Tatum of “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and “Dear John”) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Jamie Bell of “Defiance” and “Jumper”), Marcus sets out across Hadrian’s Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia – to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father’s memory, and retrieve the lost legion’s golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

The Eagle is released in cinemas on March 18, 2011.

Images and trailer © Universal

Animal Kingdom, the trailer and other things

Our friends over at Optimum have just released the trailer, poster and other images for the upcoming Guy Pearce film, Animal Kingdom.

Following the death of his mother, seventeen year–old Joshua 'J' Cody (James Frecheville) moves in with his hitherto–estranged family, under the watchful eye of his doting grandmother, Janine 'Smurf' Cody (Jacki Weaver), and her three criminal sons – the Cody boys. Eldest son and armed robber, Andrew 'Pope' Cody (Ben Mendelsohn) is in hiding from a gang of renegade detectives. Middle brother Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) is a successful but volatile drug dealer, whilst the youngest Cody, Darren (Luke Ford), naïvely follows his elder brothers' lead. Just as 'Pope's' business partner and best friend, Barry Brown (Joel Edgerton), decides that he wants out of the game, recognising that their days of old–school banditry are all but over, tensions between the family and the police explode. 'J' finds himself at the centre of a cold–blooded revenge plot that turns his family upside down and which throws him directly into the path of senior homicide detective, Nathan Leckie (Guy Pearce).

Animal Kingdom is released in cinemas on February 25, 2011.

Images and trailer © Optimum Releasing

Brighton Rock trailer and poster

Our friends over at optimum have just released the trailer and a poster for the upcoming remake of the 1947 film based on Graham Greene's iconc novel.

BRIGHTON ROCK charts the headlong fall of Pinkie, a razor-wielding disadvantaged teenager hell bent on clawing his way up through the ranks of organized crime. At the heart of the story is the anti-hero Pinkie’s relationship with Rose - an apparently innocent young waitress who stumbles on evidence linking Pinkie and his gang to a revenge killing that Pinkie commits. After the murder, Pinkie seduces Rose, first in an effort to find out how much she knows and latterly to ensure she will not talk to the police. A love story between a murderer and a witness; can Pinkie trust Rose or should he kill her before she talks to the police? Can Rose trust Pinkie or is she next in line?

Brighton Rock hits UK cinemas on February 4, 2011

Images and trailer © 2010 Optimum Releasing

Russell Crowe and The Next Three Days

lions Gate has released the poster for the upcoming Russell Crowe film, The Next Three Days. so without further ado I give you the new poster:

Life seems perfect for John Brennan until his wife, Lara, is arrested for a gruesome murder she says she didn't commit. Three years into her sentence, John is struggling to hold his family together, raising their son and teaching at college while he pursues every means available to prove her innocence. With the rejection of their final appeal, Lara becomes suicidal and John decides there is only one possible, bearable solution: to break his wife out of prison. Refusing to be deterred by impossible odds or his own inexperience, John devises an elaborate escape plot and plunges into a dangerous and unfamiliar world, ultimately risking everything for the woman he loves.

The film is released nationwide on January 5, 2011

Images and trailer © Lions Gate UK

Make It A Comedy Christmas

There’s no better way to bring the family together over the festive season than with a good dose of belly laughter, and with this handy round-up of the best stand-up comedy titles due for release in the coming weeks, you’re guaranteed to find something to fill everyone’s stocking.

Bill Bailey’s Dandelion Mind
Released: November 22

The irrepressible Bill Bailey is back with his brand new DVD, which follows him being trapped by the ash cloud, hilarious rants on everything from celebrity to creationism, all brought to life by his trademark musical interludes. He sings an internet love song, a lament about punk heroes, Iranian hip-hop and plays a mean folk-bouzouki – is there nothing this grizzly bear can’t do?
Recommended for: anyone who enjoys laughing, ranting and rock and roll…

Simon Amstell’s Do Nothing – Live!
Released: November 22

Following his successful six part BBC sitcom ‘Grandma’s House’, Simon Amstell’s razor sharp wit is back in his debut stand-up DVD, Do Nothing Live. The show reveals an awkward, honest and hilariously candid side to this rising star of comedy, plus the bonus features include a rare interview with Simon by fellow comedian Tim Key…
Recommended for: cool young things, philosophical musers and those that like a bit of thought to go with their laughter

Kevin Bridges – The Story So Far…Live In Glasgow
Released: November 22

At just 24 years old this guy is already becoming a star of the “pee in your pants” comedy scene and you’re simply going to love his unique brand of social commentary, astute observations and sharp one-liners. You’ll know him from BBC One’s ‘Live at the Apollo’ and ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow’ because Bridges has had an extraordinary 12 months, but now it’s time to get better acquainted with the man himself.
Recommended for: wanting to be first on the scene with perhaps comedies hottest talent

Sean Lock’s Lockipedia
Released: November 22

Not content with being team captain of Channel 4’s ‘8 Out Of 10 Cats’ and one of the UK’s most highly acclaimed and original comedians, Sean also wanted to show off his encyclopaedic knowledge of ‘stuff’, so he took his giant Lockipedia brain on a tour of the UK. The result is this laugh-a-minute DVD, which was filmed at the height of Sean’s 100-date, total sell-out 2010 tour.
Recommended for: the perfect treat for a mate who wants to expand their mind with stuff that they never needed to know

Aim Low: The Best Of Dylan Moran
Released: November 29

This grumpy chap has been delighting audiences for years with his razor-sharp wit, cantankerous Irish charm and grumblings about life, religion, children and getting old, so if Christmas starts to feel a little too cheery and sickly sweet, you can just stick on this compilation of all the brilliant highlights from his previous three acclaimed DVDs and have a good old grumble. Simples…
Recommended for: the grumpy old man of the manor

Michael McIntyre’s ‘The Stand Up Collection’
Released: November 15

With two record-breaking DVDs under his belt, from two incredible sell-out tours, Michael McIntyre’s brand of hilarious, astute (and mostly clean) stand-up is essential viewing this Christmas, so it’s nice and handy that they’ve been combined in a boxset with bonus ‘Comedy Roadshow’ material.
Recommended for: Dads with a man drawer, brothers who pee in the sea, pregnant wives (trust us, you’ll soon understand…)

Ross Noble’s Things
Released: November 29

The improviser extraordinaire has kept it nice and general with his new DVD, choosing to discuss the topic of things - big things, little things and entirely irrelevant things, it’s all here. So if you’re a fan of things you’ll probably enjoy this extraordinarily talented comedian at his brilliant best and remember a Ross Noble live show is like no other, so don’t miss your chance to find out why.
Recommended for: err, people who like all kinds of things?

The Mighty Boosh On Tour – Journey Of The Childmen
Released: November 15

Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with the Boosh boys as this on the road documentary takes you deep into the weird and wonderful world of Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding, with a backstage pass to their huge 2009 Future Sailors tour. Be warned though – spending an hour and a half with these guys may well mess with your mind…
Recommended for: the kooky quirky person in your life

Dara O Briain: This Is The Show
Released: November 22

On his way to TV domination as the host of ‘Mock the Week’ and ‘The Apprentice You’re Fired!’, Dara O Briain found time to take his special brand of stand-up on a sell-out tour of the UK this year. This is your chance to see this brilliant comedic thinker sharing hilarious anecdotes and topical story-telling, but hopefully not spilling the beans on who is Lord Sugar’s new recruit…
Recommended for: this is a master at the top of his game – anyone who loves comedy!

Thanks to our friends over at grapevine for supplying the majority of the above post. I will be adding my thoughts about some of the DVDs over the next couple of days.

From Carlos to Punk - The Tron soundtrack

28 years ago a well respected electronic music pioneer was asked to do the original Tron soundtrack.  This is of course Wendy Carlos who is probably better known for the soundtracks of Clockwork Orange and The Shining.  Now fast forward to today, 2010, and a ground-breaking electronic music group is given the chance to write, and perform, the music for the sequel ... I give you Daft Punk and the below music video.

TRON: LEGACY is a high-tech 3D adventure set in a digital world unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Oscar®-winner Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent to the old Flynn’s Arcade – a signal that could only have come from his father – he finds himself pulled into a digital world where his father has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of a fearless warrior, Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe, created by Kevin himself, which has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons and landscapes, and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape

In Cinemas December 17 in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D
Official Site ~ Follow us on Facebook

Images © Disney

Secretariat and other horse racing films

Disney has just released the first trailer for their new horse racing film Secretariat and that got me thinking - wasn't there a similar sort of film released about 10 years ago.  The answer was, sort of, yes - it was actually released in 2003 and called Seabiscuit.

Based on the remarkable true story, "Secretariat" chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father's Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery - with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) - manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.

and from 2003 I give you Seabiscuit

It is a story that inspired a nation…and one that almost didn't happen.
It is the story of a country whose dreams had been shattered…and the people who found a hero in an average horse that could achieve the unthinkable.
It is the story of three lost men-Johnny "Red" Pollard, a young man whose spirit had been broken; Charles, a millionaire who lost everything; and Tom Smith, a cowboy whose world was vanishing-who found each other and discovered hope in an unlikely place.

Secretariat hits UK cinemas December 3, 2010

Images and trailers © Disney

Kung Fu Panda 2

A couple of days ago Paramount released the first teaser trailer for Kung Fu Panda 2.

In “Kung Fu Panda 2”, Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.

“Kung Fu Panda 2” bursts into UK cinemas on June 17, 2011, 

Images & trailer © Dreamworks / Paramount

New teaser trailer for Cars 2 released

About a month ago Disney released some concept art for the film.  Now they have released some real images and a new teaser trailer for the upcoming Disney/Pixar film "Cars 2"

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.

“Cars 2” hits the track on July 22, 2011, 

and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

Images © Disney/Pixar

Battle: Los Angeles - Trailer

Our friends over Sony Pictures Releasing have just released the new, International, trailer for the film.  Can anyone answer me - Why do Aliens ALWAYS land in America, mostly in either L.A., Washington or New York?

For years, there have been documented cases of UFO sightings around the world -- Buenos Aires, Seoul, France, Germany, China. But in 2011, what were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces. As people everywhere watch the world's great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. It's up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they've ever encountered before.

"Battle: Los Angeles" is released in the UK & Ireland on March 25th 2011.
images and trailer © Sony Pictures Releasing

The film is also known, outside UK and Ireland, as ‘World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles’.

Winnie The Pooh

From our friends over at Disney we can proudly show you the first trailer of the film.

Walt Disney Animation Studios returns to the Hundred Acre Wood with “Winnie the Pooh,” the first big-screen Pooh adventure from Disney animation in more than 35 years. With the charm, wit and whimsy of the original featurettes, this all-new movie reunites audiences with the philosophical “bear of very little brain” and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo—and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail. “Well a tail is either there or it isn’t there,” said Pooh. “And yours isn’t… there.” Owl sends the whole gang on a wild quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. It turns out to be a very busy day for a bear who simply set out to find some hunny. Inspired by five stories from A.A. Milne’s books in Disney’s classic, hand-drawn art style

“Winnie the Pooh” opens in UK cinemas from April 15th 2011.
find out more at the official website

images © Disney

Sony releases new trailers

Sony Pictures Releasing has just released trailers for 3 forthcoming films.

Just Go With It
UK Release date: 23 February 2011
Official website

In Just Go With It, a plastic surgeon, romancing a much younger schoolteacher, enlists his loyal assistant to pretend to be his soon to be ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie. When more lies backfire, the assistant's kids become involved, and everyone heads off for a weekend in Hawaii that will change all their lives.

The Zookeeper
UK Release date: 8 July 2011

In Zookeeper, the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo love their kindhearted caretaker, Griffin Keyes (Kevin James). Finding himself more comfortable with a lion than a lady, Griffin decides the only way to get a girl in his life is to leave the zoo and find a more glamorous job.  The animals, in a panic, decide to break their time-honored code of silence and reveal their biggest secret: they can talk!  To keep Griffin from leaving, they decide to teach him the rules of courtship – animal style.  The film also stars Rosario Dawson and Leslie Bibb and features the voices of Cher, Nick Nolte, Adam Sandler, and Sylvester Stallone.

Friends With Benefits
UK Release date: 19 August 2011
official website

The romantic comedy stars Timberlake and Mila Kunis as two good friends whose relationship gets complicated when they decide to become romantic. Directed by Will Gluck.

Evolution of a trailer with Tron Legacy

With just over a month to go to the release of Tron: Legacy. Disney has released the final trailer for the film. With that in mind I thought of going back through the trailers that have been released for the film from the 2009 Comic Con "test footage" to the final trailer.  So after a year of being drip fed trailers to the manic releases of the final two trailers in the last 2 weeks I give you the evolution of the Tron: Legacy trailer.


It all started at Comic Con in 2009 with a short FX test sequence showing the new Light Cycle

Strange things are happening at the "old arcade" - this is the "Teaser trailer"

We now find out what happened to Flynn and his son.

Now the final trailer in the sequence and lots and lots more effect shots

TRON: LEGACY is a high-tech 3D adventure set in a digital world unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Oscar®-winner Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent to the old Flynn’s Arcade – a signal that could only have come from his father – he finds himself pulled into a digital world where his father has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of a fearless warrior, Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe, created by Kevin himself, which has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons and landscapes, and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape

In Cinemas December 17 in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D
Official Site ~ Follow us on Facebook

Images © Disney

Tron Legacy and super heroes

Some strange things have been coming out of Disney recently in regards to Tron: Legacy with Marvel super heroes in the Tron universe

TRON: LEGACY is a high-tech 3D adventure set in a digital world unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Oscar®-winner Jeff Bridges), a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent to the old Flynn’s Arcade – a signal that could only have come from his father – he finds himself pulled into a digital world where his father has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of a fearless warrior, Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe, created by Kevin himself, which has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons and landscapes, and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape

Concept art - slideshow

In Cinemas December 17 in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D
Official Site ~ Follow us on Facebook

Images © Disney

V: The Complete Series - Review

This series is excellent, 4 stars all the way.

Firstly, if you were a fan of the original series, you will be excited to try this and maybe a little worrried too, I know I was. There is nothing disappointing about V: The Complete Series, it is exciting and fast paced and retains the sense of mystery which we all enjoyed so much the first time around. Although it is a remake of the original series (aired in the 80s) it holds it's own very well alongside any of the more recent sci-fi offerings.

The basic premise remains the same; Aliens arrive at Earth, publicly offering peace, but privately with a very different agenda. If anything, in the current climate of heightened awareness of the threat of terrorism, the story carries more impact now than it did originally.

The series follows the stories of the members of the Resistance and how they each deal with the moral dilemmas with which they are presented. Among these; the discovery of 'sleeper cells' of infiltrating Visitors, present on Earth for many years and establishing themselves in prominent positions in the human community, effectively casting suspicion upon everybody. Also dealt with very well are the various Mother and child relationships.

The cast are excellent, as is the acting, Elizabeth Mitchell - Lost (playing Erica Evans) and Morena Baccarin (playing Anna - the Leader of the Vs) are particularly good and fans of the genre will find plenty of familiar faces, Joel Gretch - 4400 (playing Father Jack), Lexa Doig, Alan Tudyck, among others.

Any fans of the original series wil be very happy to see a couple of brilliant (and very direct) homages, seemingly a hats-off to their predecessors and a most welcome addition.

Because it has been so well brought up to date, V: The Complete Series will also make great viewing for any newcomers to the story, in fact, in some ways I envy the voyage of discovery which awaits them.

The visual effects and make-up are at times nothing short of spectacular and bring a new dimension to the story which simply wasn't possible in the 80s.

Special Features

• Deleted Scenes
• The Actor's Journey From Human to V Featurette
• Commentary with Steve Pearlman and Scott Rosenbaum
• Breaking Story, The World of V Featurette
• An Alien in Human Skin: The Makeup of V Featurette
• The Visual Effects of V Featurette

The special features are relatively short, but that is not always a bad thing! Fans of directors commentary may be litttle disappointed that it is available only for one episode, but otherwise they seem fairly comprehensive and informative.

In summary, they have thoroughly done justice to what was always a brilliant story, and this is a must see for sci-fi fans everywhere!

The DVD is out to buy from November 8, 2010.

You can find out more by heading over to the official website
all images are © 2009 Warner Brothers. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED