Results tagged “STEVEN SPIELBERG” from Birmingham Mail - Mega Movies

I WONDER if video store owners will be groaning this weekend that they haven't got enough copies of Outbreak ready to meet a sudden rise in demand.

Originally released in the UK in April, 1995, it would certainly be interesting to see again just how Hollywood deals with a virus.

My one line summary of the film at the time was: Dustin Hoffman battles against a deadly man-made virus that dissolves the victim's insides. Exciting action thriller with sinister overtones.

Could it be that swine fever is a terrorist plot?

Or have I been watching too many movies?

So, breathe easy. And sleep tight.

If Warwick University's experts don't come up with a cure, rest assured... Steven Spielberg, or one of his mates, will.

ADVANCE word from Cannes regarding the new Indiana Jones movie is mixed.

It seems that if you go along expecting a bit of an adventure you'll get one - just don't expect a great movie to go with it.

But we really need to make up our own minds about whether Steven Spielberg was right to bring the character back after 19 years.

The first chance punters will get to see the 12A-rated film in Brum is on Wednesday night just after midnight when both Cineworld Broad Street and AMC Broadway Plaza will be up and running after the chimes.

But, before you get too carried away, remember that The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has been certified at 122 minutes by the BBFC so you might need some all-night matchsticks for your mince pies.

Add on the fact that the actual movie is unlikely to start before 12.30am if Paramount's instructions re ads and trailers are followed to the letter, then you may well find you are not able to return to your car until around 2.45am.

Important message here... remember to cover your car parking fee.

You don't want to go to all that effort only to be 'rewarded' with a ticket splat from a man with a hat.

Happy viewing wherever and whenever you catch up again with Mr Jones. And you know that you want to.

THIS weekend's new cinema releases are a bit of a mixed bag as you'll see by reading my reviews in today's Birmingham Mail.

Smart People is a particular disappointment, given that the cast includes Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church (on sub Sideways form).

After her performances in Hard Candy and Juno, for which she was Oscar nominated as a best actress contender, you could be forgiven for thinking that Ellen Page could be on her way to becoming one of the all-time greats.

But, in Hollywood, you are never more than your next film away from a turkey as everyone from Sean Connery to even Tom Hanks knows full well.

While Smart People isn't quite deserving of a packet of Paxo (why doesn't the stuffing brand capitalise on its turkey market with some bad movie awards?), it should serve as a reminder for Ellen to keep her feet on the ground. No bad thing, considering she's still only 21.

One of her future films is set to be Whip It! which should be Drew Barrymore's directorial debut next year.

Altbough a comedy-drama about a roller derby league doesn't exactly sound like an Oscar contender, you never know till you see 'em!

But back to this week...

All eyes are clearly waiting for the return of Indiana Jones IV at midnight on the night of Wednesday May 21 going into the early hours of Thursday.

Judging by the trailer, which suggests that star Harrison Ford's voice has gone and that it's going to be a movie stuffed full of weak CGI, you'd be rather foolish to expect Steven Spielberg's latest to be brilliant.

Hence the timely showing of the final film of our first Birmingham Mail Film Club season... Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather (18).

Showing at 8.30pm on Tuesday, May 20 and only at Birmingham Cineworld, we'll be giving everyone the rare chance to see it back on the silver screen where it belongs.

And so, if you are looking for guaranteed quality this week, it's a case of Marlon Brando riding to the rescue almost four years after he died aged 80 on July 1, 2004.

For a guy who literally lived it large in life, fancy that in death.

PS. All Birmingham Mail Film Club members will be able to see any film at any time at Cineworld Broad Street for just £4 this summer and, in these economically-challenging times you can't say fairer than that.

If you have any suggestions for films you'd like to see again in the cinema then just let me know and, subject to print availability, I'll see what we can do!

LEGENDARY filmmaker Woody Allen has lost the plot.

Either that or he's really, really lost his touch with new movie Cassandra's Dream.

Even if we were to charitably accept that its plot must have looked good on paper to every star who signed on the dotted line, I discovered at a preview screening today that he's still delivered a whopping turkey seven months early.

Until you see it for yourself, you just couldn't believe how bad this is considering the cast includes Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell and Tom Wilkinson.

See for yourself after the 'thriller' goes on general release on Friday, May 23 when I'll be reviewing it in the Birmingham Mail.

Cassandra's Dream will be opening like a limited edition flea circus compared with the mammoth worldwide release of Steven Spieberg's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The idea there, of course, is to give those who don't want to watch a blockbuster a more arty alternative.

It's art all right. But probably not in the way that the now 72-year-old Woody intended.

TOP American documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock is coming to Brum next week.

The director and star of Super Size Me will be in town to promote his new movie, Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (12A, 90 mins).

And the good news is that you can not only meet him but ask questions, too!

I'll be hosting a Q&A with Morgan straight after the screening of his new film which is set to begin at the flagship Cineworld Broad Street cinema at 6pm on Tuesday, May 6.

The film will be open to any cinemagoer for the standard ticket price of £5.80.

But Birmingham Mail Film Club members will be able to watch Where in the World, take part in the Q&A and stay on for our screening of Steven Spielberg's The Lost World - Jurassic Park (PG) sequel.

And all for the combined sum of... £2.50! Now that's what I call a bargain so Club members do book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

There will be full details about the combined event in this Friday's (May 2) Birmingham Mail so order your copy now to make sure you don't miss out.

And that's not all. In the Birmingham Mail on Friday, May 9, we're set to announce another amazing deal for Club members so check out how to apply on our website.

The link is:

http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/birmingham-mail-film-club/

THIS weekend's explosive new film on satellite TV stars Nicolas Cage in NEXT (Saturday / Sunday, Sky Movies Premiere, 8pm).

Here's a real A-lister who probably hasn't quite fulfilled his own talent.

I still think he's capable of more, but give him time - he's only 44!

Since winning the best actor Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas in 1996, Nic's only sniff of Academy recognition has been for Adaptation in 2003 when he lost out to Adrien Brody (The Pianist).

Still, it's also been good to see such a big name being prepared to try to satisfy the popcorn market so soon and so often after an Oscar win.

But his best efforts in this direction - The Rock, Con Air (my favourite) and Face/Off - were all made a decade ago.

Disappointments since have been Gone in 60 Seconds, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Windtalkers and Matchstick Men.

National Treasure I & II were big hits but they're a bit silly for my taste.

Ghost Rider was ultra-lightweight and The Wicker Man was surely one of the most ill-advised remakes in history.

Today, Cage is as busy as ever though, with future movies including playing a hitman in this autumn's Bangkok Dangerous.

He'll also be starring in Disney's 2009 Jerry Bruckheimer blockbuster G-Force and playing a teacher in Knowing, a film about some accurate predictions that have been found in a time capsule buried at a school.

Carry on reading for my original verdict of Next, from just a year ago then decide whether to sit down for the big premiere.

If you miss it tonight (Saturday), it's back on Sky tomorrow at the same time.

Then let me know. Was I right... or was I wrong?