Friday, 24 January 2014

From A World War Two drama, To Sci-Fi Blockbusters, There's Something For Everyone In Utopia Review's Film Preview Of 2014.

So 2013 was an amazing year for film, releasing many outstanding examples such as Mathew McConaughey's phenomenal film "Mud", "Behind The Candelabra" from Stephen Soderbergh and my personal favourite, "The Kings Of Summer". Now that we've finally reached 2014, lets see what's on offer as Scott Gentry previews 13 of 2014's most exciting films...



1) Guardians of the Galaxy (TBC)
Directed by: James Gunn.
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Michael Rooker, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper.

Set in the far reaches of space, an American pilot named Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself in deep trouble, after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan.

Now that Marvel have finally entered phase two, "Guardians Of The Galaxy" is tipped to become just as popular as "The Avengers" and perhaps more ambitious. After all, what could be better than having Bradley Cooper portraying a wisecracking, gun-totting Racoon? Absolutely nothing!


"Guardians Of The Galaxy" is released in UK cinemas on the 1st of August, 2014.







2) "Under The Skin" (TBC)
Directed by: Jonathan Glazer.
Starring: Scarlett Johansson and Paul Brannigan.


"Under The Skin" tells the generally odd and shocking tale of a female alien (Scarlett Johansson), who shortly after arriving on planet earth, begins by seducing unassuming men, using her feminine charms.

It's now been nine years since the release of Jonathan Glazer's film "Birth", and seeing as we've waited ever so patiently, Glazer is now treating us to the enigmatic "Under The Skin". According to critics, "Under The Skin" is a phenomenal piece of film-making, and received five star reviews upon it's releases at both the Venice Film Festival, and the BFI Festival. We just can't wait.







"Under The Skin" is released on the 14th of March, 2014.







3) "The Zero Theorem" (TBC)
Directed by: Terry Gilliam.
Starring: Christoph Waltz, Matt Damon and Tilda Swinton.

Set in the near future, Qohen Leth (Christoph Waltz) is constantly sat at his computer, working. Never able to enjoy his life, Qohen is constantly waiting for a phone call, which he believes, will describe the very purpose of his life. When reassigned to work on 'The Zero Theorem' program at work, he finally begins to realise what life is really about. 


Terry Gilliam ("Life Of Brian" and "The Brothers Grimm") has been directing films since 1968. Often thought of (by me anyway!) as the director who defines, 'cult' films and nicknamed Captain Chaos, Gilliam constantly surprises audiences with ambitious pieces of cinema; which really do entertain. In recent years, Gilliam's works have (arguably) become slightly worse, than his more fresh and original films, such as "Brazil". Thankfully, we can put certain mistakes behind him; as "The Zero Theorem" is a fantastic ride.

For Utopia's review of Terry Gilliam's "The Zero Theorem", click on the link below!

http://utopiareviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/scott-gentry-reviews-zero-theorem.html



"The Zero Theorem" is set to open in UK cinemas, on the 14th of March, 2014.







4) "Her" (15)
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara, Amy Adams and Olivia Wilde.

Set in the near future, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) is an unhappy divorcee, who no longer enjoys life to the extent of when he was married. Now Theodore lives a solitary life, writing letters at a company for people who find it hard to express their feelings; but while bringing joy to others he ultimately feels pessimistic, until the very day he purchases a computer operating system, which speaks to it's user. Living inside Theodore’s computer with built in artificial intelligence, this equivalent of Apple’s “Siri” adopts a female personality and voice (Scarlett Johanssen). Before long his life begins to improve, as the seemingly inseparable pair soon develop a very deep and personal relationship. 

Since it's directed and written by Spike Jonze ("Where The Wild Things Are") and having already received three Golden Globe nominations (winning one for Best Screenplay), five Academy Awards nominations (including Best Picture and Best Writing of an Original Screenplay) "Her" should be nothing short of excellent.




  "Her" is released in UK cinemas, on the 14th of February 2014.








5) "The LEGO Movie" (TBC)
Directed by: Phil Lord & Chris Miller.
Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, Will Arnett and Alison Brie.

From the makers of the 2009 surprise hit, "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs", "The Lego Movie" tells the story of how an ordinary LEGO minifigure named Emmet (Chris Pratt) is mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, and is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant, from gluing their whole universe together. Expect tonnes of bricks. 

Even though we are fairly adult here at Utopia Reviews, we can't honestly wait for "The Lego Movie". Whether you're six or one-hundred and six, you're guaranteed to enjoy "The Lego Movie".





"The Lego Movie" is released in UK cinemas on the 14th of February 2014.








6) "The Monuments Men" 
Directed by: George Clooney.
Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Cate Blanchett.
Rated: 12A for containing, moderate violence, bloody injury detail and scenes of smoking.

Set during World War Two, "The Monuments Men" follows the true story of art historians who after joining a special operation during WW2, are placed in a bid against time to save some of the world's most precious pieces of art from Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. 

From the many trailers previously released, we can expect dry humor, a spectacular Bill Murray and a fair few explosions. My conclusion?  It's "Inglorious Basterds" meets "The Wild Bunch".






"The Monuments Men" is released in the UK on the 21st of February 2014.










7) "Transcendence" (TBC)

Directed by: Wally Pfister.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Kate Mara, Rebecca Hall, Cillian Murphy and Paul Bettany.

From the acclaimed Christopher Nolan collaborator Wally Pfister, comes a new head-scratching sci-fi thriller, with not only an all star cast, but an exciting and intriguing plot line. The film follows the story of Dr Will Caster a scientist of artificial intelligence, who is striving to upload his consciousness into a computer, before his untimely death, at the hands of terrorists. Exciting stuff.



"Transcendence" is released in UK cinemas from the 25th of April 2014.









8) "Foxcatcher" (TBC)
Directed by: Bennett Miller.
Starring: Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum.

Steve Carell plays John Du Pont, an American millionaire who killed his friend Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo), an Olympic wrestler, in the year of 1997. "Foxcatcher" explores the events leading up to the murder and presents Carell as we've never seen him before. Expect Oscar nominations galore...





"Foxcatcher" is released in the UK and US, later this year.










9) "Snowpiercer" (TBC)
Directed by: Joon-ho Bong.
Starring: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton and Ed Harris.  

Set in the future
 In a future where a failed global-warming experiment kills off most life on the planet, a class system evolves aboard the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe via a perpetual-motion engine.

Based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige and adapted by Joon-ho Bong ("The Host"), "Snowpiercer" boasts an excellent cast and possibly one of the most intriguing plot-lines in the last five years. It's going to be exciting, very exciting.





"Snowpiercer" is set to be released in UK cinemas later on, in 2014.









10) "Interstellar" (TBC)
Directed by: Christopher Nolan.
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Casey Affleck, Michael Caine and John Lithgow.
 

"Interstellar" follows the story regarding a group of explorers, who after making use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel, begin to conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

Christopher Nolan + a cast this amazing = equals sheer blockbusting bravura. Nolan set the bar insanely high after releasing his hit film "Inception" back in 2010, and is now working on another mind-bending Sci-Fi film, revolving space travel. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wait ten months to see the outcome, but the trailer has put the film in good stead; and the end result can only be breathtaking. 





"Interstellar" is released in UK cinemas on the 7th of November, 2014.







11) "The Raid 2: Berandal" (TBC)
Directed by: Gareth Evans.
Starring: Iko UwaisYayan RuhianJulie EstelleDonny Alamsyah and Arifin Putra.

Set a short while after the events of "The Raid", this second installment sees Rama (Iko Uwais) leaving his family and going undercover with the thugs of Jakarta whilst planning to bring down the corrupt within his police force.


Back in 2011 "The Raid" made quite an impact not only on American cinema, but British as well, proving that Indonesian cinema was a force to be reckoned with. Nearly three years later, Gareth Evans and his team are back to entertain audiences with far more entertaining set pieces than ever before. It's the "Empire Strikes Back" of all martial arts films and it's going to be phenomenal. 







"The Raid 2" opens in the UK, later this year.







13) "Frank" (TBC)
Directed by: Lenny Abrahamson.
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

"Frank" is an unusual comedy which follows a story about a young musician Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), who discovers that after joining an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender), he might regret it. 

Michael Fassbender in a paper giant papier mache head? Count me in! "Frank" is loosely based upon the life story of the late British comedian Frank Sievey, who infamously wore a gigantic papier mache head cast, whilst performing on stage. Sounds ludicrous? You're not the only one.


"Frank" is due to be released in UK cinemas, on the 4th of May, 2014.




Happy viewing!
- Scott Gentry.









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