Filmsy - Movie Reviews Blog

Luc Besson to release new pterodactyl adventure movie

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Luc Besson was, at one time, one of my favorite directors. I was blown away by La Femme Nikita and Leon and fell in love with the cheesy sci-fi stylings of The Fifth Element. I even liked Subway. But lately I have not been very impressed with his ouevre as a director (his writing credits stand up a bit better in the Oughts though).

But his recent project has caught my attention once again. Les Aventures Extraordinaires D’Adele Blanc-Sec is a movie that is as strange as they come. The movie, which will star Louise Bourgoin, is set in 1912 and tells the story of a young reporter, Adele Blanc-Sec, who is like an Indiana Jones archetype who battles with corrupt politicians, crooks, scientists and devil worshippers. In this movie, she battles what may probably be her biggest nemesis, a pterodactyl that sows terror on Paris. Yes, you read it right, a pterodactyl.

I am so watching this movie.

Sgt. Rock revived

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Sgt. Rock, the iconic World War 2 war (super)hero from DC Comics, was one of the more talked about comic book movie adaptations during the height of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s popularity. The Sgt. Rock movie was supposed to be one of Arnie’s next projects and there was a general consensus that he would be perfect for the role. Unfortunately, the project failed to materialize.

Now, more than a decade later, the Sgt. Rock movie has been revived. According to producer Joel Silver, the project has been given new life at Warner Bros. Pictures. Silver revealed that for this planned adaptation, the setting won’t be during World War II. The new plan is for Sgt. Rock to perform his call of duty in a war in the “not too distant future.” Silver further revealed that they want it to be a movie where the direction for the character is “where it’s going” and not “where it’s been.” The whole vision for the movie is for a futuristic war where Sgt. Rock will figure prominently. The scrtip is already finished and director Francis Lawrence is helping in the development of the movie. There is still no go signal from Warner that would officially mean the project is officially in production but hopefully 2010 is the magic year when we will finally see Sgt. Rock being made into a movie.

Zebraman 2 spin-off to pave way for Zebraman sequel

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Takashi Miike’s Zebraman is highly regarded as one of the best cult movies to come out from Asia. It’s one of those movies that polarize people but also a great showcase for the wonderful directorial chops of Miike.

With Zebraman’s popularity, it’s not surprising to know that a sequel is already made, after all, there’s a big clamor from fans of the movie for a continuation of the story presented in the first Zebraman.

What’s unusual is having a spin-off that will serve to “complement” the upcoming sequel. But it’s there and it’s real. The straight to DVD spinoff is directed by Miike’s assistant director Nishiumi Kenichiro. The sequel, with the title “Revenge of teh Zebra Miniskirt Police” will feature three pretty women who will be the members of the police squad. Their role in the sequel are bodyguards to the main character . They will all be wearing Zebra miniskirts, which just brings the weirdness factor up a notch.

Conan lead announced

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Conan is one of the most iconic characters in the world of fantasy. the Cimmerian barbarian turned king is the acknowledged fantasy alpha male and one of the toughest fictional protagonists. Of course, Conan is more familiar to film fans as the character that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star.

The star turning power of Conan is the reason why it is such a coveted role. With talks that a Conan remake is already being developed, actors left and right are being touted as the perfect Conan. You would, of course, expect to see familiar names and established stars vying for the role of Conan. But th announcement of Lionsgate and Millennium Films about the new Conan has caught quite a few people by surprise. The role was announced to have been given to Jason Momoa. Yes, I don’t know who he is either.

The 30 year old Momoa is a virtual unknown. His most prominent work before Conan was in the sci-fi TV show Stargate Atlantis. He’s also set to appear in the new HBO mini series, Game of Thrones. I’m not familiar with Momoa’s work but from his pictures, he does look like he could be perfect for the role. I’ll hold off judgement on the guy’s acting skills because a) I haven’t seen his work and b) Conan is not really going to win anyone an Oscar — if you can grunt and look good doing it then you’ll perfect for the role.

Oh, and speaking of grunts and Oscars, Mickey Rourke has been offered the role of Corin, Conan’s father.

Conan will begin filming this March 15.

Lee Jun-Ik prepares Zatoichi-inspired film

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MoonCloudDirector Lee Jun-Ik’s historical film The King and The Clown was a big commercial hit in Korea when it was released in 2005. Critics also raved over the film. It would go on to break box office records in South Korea and also be included in many critics’ lists for that year. Even though his subsequent work has failed to match his creative and financial success with The King and The Clown, his involvement in that movie has ensured that he remains one of Korea’s most highly watched directors.

Almost five years after The King… Lee Jun-Ik is returning to period movies, this time in a more action oriented fashion. Lee’s new movie, entitled Gureumeul Beoseonan Dalcheoreom or roughly “Like The Moon That Escaped the Cloud,” features Cha Seung Won as a revolutionary and Hwang Jun-Min, who will play a “legendary blind swordsman.”

Say what?

Doesn’t “legendary blind swordsman” describe a very famous character in Japanese legend and film? Based on a promo shot of the blind swordsman, it does look like Lee has taken inspiration from the legendary Zatoichi. I won’t be surprised if Lee’s movie will also borrow some elements and plot points from the Zatoichi story.

I still look forward to the movie though.