Last week, Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol became the actor’s highest grossing movie. By the end of the week, it had passed the $600m mark worldwide. Released in December, it has now become the sixth highest grossing movie from 2011. This makes it a massive success, and when you think about all that has gone on in the lead up to it, it is pretty astonishing.
Category Archives: Articles
Tom Cruise And Co Have Achieved The Impossible
Posted in Articles, Box Office, News
Tagged 2011, box office, ghost protocol, gross, mission: impossible, mission: impossible 5, news, paramount, success, tom cruise
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D – Review
When the complete star Wars Blu-ray collection was released last year, it created a huge stir. There was fever pitch excitement from some at the chance to see Star Wars in high-def, and outcry from others over the changes the bearded one had made, once again, to the films. The sets sold massively, though, and it was clear there were still Star Wars fans with money left to spend.
Posted in Articles, News, Reviews
Tagged 3D, bad, conversion, darth maul, episode 1, episode I, good, phantom menace, review, star wars, starwars
Would, Or Indeed Should, Harrison Ford Revisit Blade Runner?
Since recapturing his enthusiasm for genre filmmaking during Prometheus, his Alien prequel/non-prequel, Ridley Scott has been talking up a new Blade Runner film. Not much has happened with it so far, but the last week has seen a flurry of news/rumours/speculation regarding Harrison Ford reprising his role as Deckard. The latest word, via EW.com, suggests that the project is still in its infancy, and it is not known yet whether the Deckard character would even be involved. Would Harrison Ford even be interested? Do fans want to see him back in the role?
Tagged blade runner, casting, harrison ford, news, prequel, prometheus, ridley scott, sequel, update
Where Do The Muppets Go From Here?
The Muppets is released in cinemas in the UK this week. Released in the US last November, it is the first theatrical outing for The Muppets since 1999’s Muppets from Space. The movie enjoyed reasonable success in the United States, and we’ll find out this weekend how it fares in the UK. It has not set the world box office alight so far, but has definitely found an audience. The question, then, is how to build on this momentum.
Tagged box office, critical, jason segel, kermit, muppet show, news, sequel, success, the muppets, tv
Drunk? Daniel Radcliffe Should Be Stoned!
Last week, Heat magazine published an interview with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe. In the article, Radcliffe confessed to being an alcoholic during his time filming some of the Harry Potter series, going as far as saying that on occasion he turned up to the set still drunk. A sad story, and if it’s true it raises questions about the ethics of propelling such a young man into superstardom. The timing of the revelation, however, leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Why Was UK Cinema So Successful In 2011?
The BBC is reporting this week that last year, for the first time ever, UK Box Office takings surpassed the £1bn barrier. Considering the economic crisis of the last few years, and the increasing number of people finding themselves out of work, it is perhaps a little surprising. There are several factors at work, however.
Posted in Articles, Box Office, News
Tagged 2011, 2012, bbc, box office, financial, harry potter, inbetweeners, king's speech, record, uk
Jackie Brown Villains Recast For New Elmore Leonard Adaptation

One that did do justice to its source was Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, based on the novel Rum Punch. Tarantino has been a Leonard fan since his teens, and has a similarly great ear for dialogue, so it was no great surprise that Jackie Brown turned out to be one of the best Leonard adaptations. Continue reading
Tagged adaptation, casting, elmore leonard, jackie brown, john hawkes, mos def, news, rum punch, switch
Are The Hangover Stars Drunk On Power?

Tagged Bradley cooper, budget, casting, news, part three, salary, the hangover, warner bros
Is George Lucas Right To Retire From Blockbusters?
The George Lucas produced WWII flick Red Tails is released in the US this weekend. Because of this, he has been doing the press rounds. As you might expect, those who have spoken to him are just as, if not more, keen to ask about the future of Star Wars, Indiana Jones etc. Several bits and pieces have come out of this, but the most significant revelation came in an interview Lucas did for the New York Times. Apparently, after the struggles Lucas has had getting Red Tails made over the past several years, as well as the fan backlash to his recent Star Wars activities, the beardy filmmaker has decided to retire from making blockbusters. Continue reading
Tagged blockbusters, filmmaking, george lucas, news, producer, red tails, retire, sci-fi, star wars
Speaking Up For The Artist Refund Claimants
This week it was reported by The Telegraph here that a handful of customers at an Odeon cinema requested refunds at a screening of The Artist, complaining that they had not been aware that it was a silent movie. The internet, of course, took great joy in deriding these consumers for their ignorance, hailing them as philistines. My first response too, I’ll admit, was a roll of the eyes at the stupidity of the mainstream viewing public. Continue reading
Tagged cinema, film, golden globe, odeon, oscar, refund, silent movie, the artist, walk out
Soderbergh Seeks U.N.C.L.E.
Amongst the soon to be retiring Director’s extensive to-do list, Steven Soderbergh is working on a reboot/adaptation/whatever they are calling it these days of the 60′s spy TV series, The Man From Uncle. Regular Soderbergh sympathiser George Clooney was set to play the lead, Napolean Solo (presumably), but pulled out a few weeks ago for reasons unknown. It may well be that old chestnut, scheduling conflicts, but seeing as the script was apparently finished around the same time, it could be that Clooney didn’t like the role.
Source Code Loops Around Again, As TV Series

Tagged adaptation, cbs, duncan jones, jake gyllenhaal, sci-fi, series, show, source code, time loop, tv
Kevin’s Costly Scheduling Unchains Him From Django
It started out as such an innocuous day, then ended in absolutely bitter disappointment. OK, that may all sound a little bit drastic, but I am a bit upset at the news that Kevin Costner has reportedly had to pull out of Quentin Tarantino’s forthcoming Django Unchained. Slashfilm reported on a Tweet from Variety staffer Justin Kroll here. The reason is apparently scheduling conflicts, and whilst that doesn’t sound likely with regards to Costner of late, he does have a fair bit on his plate right now.
10 Completely Made Up Star Wars Facts

Tagged blu-ray, boba fett, death star, facts, george lucas, han solo, lando, luke skywalker, news, star wars, trivia
Star Wars – 10 Great Prequel Moments, or How I Learnt To Stop Sulking And Love The Prequels
