First trailer arrives for Minions!

The first trailer has landed for the Despicable Me spin off featuring everyone's favourite walking, talking (sort of) tic-tacs. The trailer focuses on the origins of the Minions and their history on Earth before their expidition to New York in 1968 BG (Before Gru). It's a very promising sign that the trailer is one of the funniest we have seen in a long time which bodes very well for when the film is released in June 2016, which can't come soon enough!

What do you think of the trailer? Have your say below.

Missed Masterpiece #2 - Scott Pilgrim vs the World

Missed Masterpiece #2 – Scott Pilgrim vs the World

It’s still one of the most puzzling situations in cinema as to why Scott Pilgrim vs the World flopped so badly at the box-office.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a HUGE fan of Edgar Wright, and SPVTW is one of my favourite films of 2010. It’s like you hit play before then being gloriously crushed by a retro 80s arcade game, which is a surprisingly joyous feeling. However, whenever the film crops up into conversation people’s response is usually either ‘Scott What vs the Who?’ or ‘Oh yeah, I didn’t really fancy that.’ Why not?

On the face of it, it would appear that it is a sure-fire setup for a modestly successful film:

• Adaptation of a popular graphic novel series? Check.
• Young, trendy, successful stars (Michael Cera, Mary Eilizabeth Winstead, et al) combined with recognisable established actors from Hollywood (Brandon Routh, post Superman Returns and Chris Evans pre Cap’n America days) along with notable names from the Indie circuit in Jason Schwartzman? Check.
• Budding, British director with a string of hugely successful, home-grown comedy films attempting his first whack at a Hollywood? Check.
• Cool soundtrack including trendy bands like The Ting Tings, The Prodigy, Beck and of course The Sex Bob-ombs? Check.
• Respectable Hollywood budget (estimated at a minimum of $60 million)? Check.

All this would lead to the assumption that Scott Pilgrim vs the World would go on to be a critical and commercial success making stars of its leading duo and launch the director into the Hollywood big time.

Tragically, it didn’t.

Whilst it was generally a critical hit, with the majority of critics praising its surreal but nostalgic approach as well as the performances of the leads, it went on to gross a mere $31 million at the cinemas (pushed up to $47 million with DVD sales), and when you compare that with Toy Story 3, the highest grossing film of 2010 (over $1 billion), it is a pitiful amount.

So why did the film perform so badly at the box-office? The audience didn’t get it? People dislike Michael Cera? Bigger films released at the same time (The Expendables, Despicable Me)? Perhaps all of the above had their impact, but for me it is simple. It is too ‘geeky’ for mainstream cinema audiences.

The film is essentially a love letter to 80s/90s video games, and if these weren’t your cuppa, neither will the film. Some of the references are about as subtle as a girl with blue hair wielding a massive sledgehammer, notably the ‘getting a life’ scene, the coins after defeating the evil exes, the Pac-man anecdote and Sex Bob-omb themselves.

But it’s the inconspicuous references too that add a bonus level of geek to the film. The ring collection sound when Scott receives a sudden brainwave – a loving homage to Sonic the Hedgehog, the desert scene is a nudge-nudge, wink-wink to the ending of Final Fantasy VIII and even the one of the stunt doubles used in the fighting scene with Lucas Lee is none other than Reuben Langdon whom I’m sure you all know as the voice of Ken in Street Fighter IV. Duh!

It really is a damn shame that this had to happen to such an original, unique and often hilarious film, and unfortunately those involved have suffered arguably from the films flimsy commercial success. Cera hasn’t had a major leading role since, and we have only had glimpses of Winstead in Hollywood films (possible personal preference). Edgar Wright has returned to Britain with the final instalment of his Cornetto trilogy with The World’s End but there has yet to be any indication of an imminent return to Hollywood anytime soon. He was scheduled to direct the upcoming Marvel film Ant-Man, however he left the project due to creative differences.

It is not all doom and gloom however. Whilst the film performed dreadfully during its initial cinema release, it performed spectacularly in terms of DVD and Bluray sales, becoming the top selling DVD upon its initial release, gaining somewhat of a cult following amongst its fans.

For this film to perform so badly at the box office, it begs the question is there no room left for originality, imagination and creativity left in Hollywood? Or are producers too reliant on the tried and tested methods of releasing a box office blockbuster guaranteed to rake in millions, perhaps even, billions of dollars?

Review: Pride

Pride

Director: Matthew Warchus

Starring: Bill Nighy, Paddy Considine, Imelda Staunton, Andrew Scott, Dominic West, George Mackay, Ben Schnetzer, Joseph Gilgun.

Running Time: 120 mins

Certificate: 15

Is this the feel-good film of the year? I challenge anybody to watch Pride and not leave the cinema without a beaming smile on your face and a sudden urge to be part of the LGBT community and the tale of their unlikely friendship and comradery with the striking Welsh miners in 1984.

The film follows a group of LGBT activist, led by Mark (Schnetzher) and Mike (Joseph Gilgun) fighting for equal rights along with newcomer, Joe (Geroge Mackay), who is also terrified of coming out to his parents. During London’s Gay Pride parade Mark realises that the LGBT community and the striking miners have a great deal in common, and a bond is soon struck between the two oppressed minorities.

Not the sort of material that would suggest a charming, feel-good and often hilarious film and it’s not easy for a film like this, based on real people involving real, against-the-odds stories to drift into sentimentality. This is not the case with Pride, however. Yes, it owes a great deal to the likes of Brassed Off, Billy Elliot and Made in Dagenham, but this is its own film entirely in its own right, backed up with a wonderfully witty and often incredibly moving script from Stephen Beresford.

But it’s the performances that really push this film up to the next level. Imelda Staunton is brilliantly hilarious as Hefina Headon as an inquisitive senior, who will have you practising rolling your Rs for days to come. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Ben Schnetzer, who gives a determined and affectionate performance as the leader of the LGBT group, Mark Ashton, and Geroge Mackay as Joe, who brings a fragility and all too realistic edge to the film. Paddy Considine offers an enormous amount of heart and warmth to the preceding and, along with Staunton, is responsible for some of the scripts best lines.

The supporting cast provide just as many memorable moments, especially Dominic West whose dance to Shame Shame, Shame a particular highlight and the delicate Andrew ‘Moriarty’ Scott. It is also great to see Bill Nighy not being Bill Nighy. He is not here to be the funky dad, with the cool suits and witty one-liners, which is a breath of fresh air in his least Nighy-esque performance since Pirates of the Caribbean.

At times it feels like there are too many characters under developed and unnoticed. Potter fans will recognise Jessie Cave, aka Lanvender Brown, however she (and others) is somewhat pushed to the background occasionally involved in the odd chanting/protest scenes. This is somewhat of a blip on an often great, occasionally brilliant film that will have you rolling in the aisles and drying your eyes at the same time.

Verdict: The feel good film of the year so far. One of the most enjoyable films released this year, guaranteed to make you smile, cry and party 80’s style. BAFTA bait, surely?