With the big budget spectacle that has been a staple in the past decade of Marvel films, it’s easy to take shots at how these projects has squeezed out the competition at one’s local theater. That being said, comic book driven material, if done well, only furthers the artistry of cinema, and thanks to first rate storytelling the Marvel Universe is simply at the top of their game.
Though the idea of Thanos (Josh Brolin) obliterating Earth is at the forefront of Avengers: Infinity War, the respective journeys of each of the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Spider-Man will also receive its share of attention. War Machine (Don Cheadle), who was seriously injured in Captain America: Civil War by Vision (Paul Bettany) also comes in to play in “an important way” with Avengers: Infinity War. Click on the media bar to hear Cheadle talk about War Machine’s journey in Avengers: Infinity War:
Photo Credit: MetroGoldwyn Mayer Pictures / Pantelion Films
Eva Longoria, who was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has had a successful and diverse career in both cinema and television. Best known for her long running role in the iconic TV series Desperate Housewives, Longoria has also branched out as a producer (Devious Maids, Telenovela) and director (the documentary Latinos Living the American Dream). Now she’s co-starring with longtime friend Mel Rodriguez (they met on the 2002 feature Deuces Wild) in Overboard, a remake of the Kurt Russell/Goldie Hawn feature of the same name. Eugenio Derbez and Anna Faris topline the feature.
“This is a general market movie that has universal themes,” said Longoria. “So everybody’s going to relate to it. Everybody’s going to understand it. Everybody’s going to identify with it. Taking on a remake of one of the most iconic films from the 80s seemed daunting but once we read the script and heard the gender switch and the cultural infusion it was so different and stood on its own while at the same time paying homage to the original, we just knew it was going to be a home run.”
Click on the media bar to hear Longoria talk about the diversity behind Overboard (Rodriguez is also heard in the clip):
The initial teaser trailer for Venom, while showing Tom Hardy feelings of some transformation gone wrong, did not reveal one of Marvel’s most popular anti-heroes, the new trailer features the titular character during the closing moments.
The storyline centers on Eddie Brock (Hardy), a journalist who is investigating the corrupt operation headed by Dr. Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) in which humans are being experimented with a life form known as symbiotes. After being exposed to symbiotes, Brock turns into a much more powerful (and potentially evil) being. Topher Grace previously played Brock in the 2007 flick Spider-Man 3. Ruben Fleischer, who directed the hit 2009 feature Zombieland and the Los Angeles film noir Gangster Squad, directs.
With the success of Spider-Man: Homecoming, the anticipation level for Venom is definitely high. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think!!
Venom, co-starring Michelle Williams, opens October 5.
Denzel Washington’s successful collaboration with director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Magnificent Seven, The Equalizer) continues with The Equalizer 2. Though he’s carved out one of cinema’s most successful careers, The Equalizer 2 is actually Washington’s first sequel, as we witness Frank McCall exacting vengeance on the cutthroats who killed his friend (Melissa Leo).
Wizened and still physically agile at 63, Washington shows that he can still pull off an action driven film with the best of them. Released in 2014, The Equalizer made over $101 million domestically, and the sequel is a sure bet to at least “equal” that impressive figure. The only complaint is that Leo, who delivered wonderful work last year in Novitiate, will probably be gone by the first act. Still, it’s great to see Washington, years after his towering and intimidating work in Training Day, continue to work within Fuqua’s genre driven universe. Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think!
Rachel McAdams (left) stars as Esti Kuperman and Rachel Weisz (right) stars as Ronit Krushkain Sebastián Lelio’s DISOBEDIENCE, a Bleecker Street release.Credit: Bleecker Street
Rachel Weisz stars and produces Disobedience, the story of a woman named Ronit (Weisz) who returns home after her father’s passing. Along with processing her grief, Ronit reawakens her passion for childhood friend Esti (Rachel McAdams).
For Weisz, shooting the narrative’s love scene was a standout experience. “In a way, the scene was much more important than it’s ever been than in any film I’ve made before. Sex scenes can often feel gratuitous and you think, ‘Could the story do without this?’ Yeah it probably could. In this case, absolutely not,” said Weiss. It was kind of the center and the heart of the movie. Everything was leading up to this explosion of freedom, particularly from Esti. So it was essential storytelling. It was very emotional. It was very vulnerable. I had never done a sex scene that was (so) emotional. It just wasn’t just about sex and passion (it was also about) tenderness and emotion and release and it had a huge symbolic meaning I think in the film.”
Click on the media bar to hear Weisz explain why she was attracted to the “contemporary” setting of Disobedience:
Krystalcenters on a wide-eyed 18-year-old (Love Simon’s Nick Robinson) who falls in love with an ex-prostitute (Rosario Dawson) and is determined to make her his own. William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman, married for over 20 years, collaborate once again on this labor of love project (Macy, who also directs the flick, had this project in mind even before directing Rudderless and The Layover).
“Bill and I started working together when I was 22 I think,” said Huffman. “So we have a long history. We have a long shorthand. We’ve fallen into a lot of the pitfalls. We’ve made mistakes with each other. We’ve had fights. And now we’re at a place where it’s very easy. It’s very comfortable. It’s joyous.”
Click on the media bar to hear Huffman talk about the film’s stellar cast (she mentions Rosario Dawson, Grant Gustin and Nick Robinson in the clip):
