My Top Five Captain Marvel Choices.

Sadly for me my college term started. This means that due to a lack of time, and stereotypical low student income, I will not be able to visit my local cinema as regularly as this blog demands. However, I will ensure that I see the all the latest films that peak my interest and ensure I review them for you guys.
Therefore, in place of New Release Of The Week, and continuing the theme of alteration, I shall have a new segment called my Top Five Friday, which will replace New Release Of The Week as the regular Friday instalment . Now what better way to kick of this new aspect to The Reel Film Blog by discussing who are my top five choices to play Marvel's most powerful Woman.

My Top Five Potential Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel).

Carol Danvers, first appeared in 1968's Marvel-Super Heroes #13, as a non-super powered colonel of the United states Air force. However, after an explosion involving the Kree superhero Captain Mar-vel, her DNA is combined with the extra terrestrial providing her with super human ability. Initially, Danvers used the title Ms Marvel until 2012 when Marvel revamped the story, causing Danvers to take the title Captain Marvel.

Her powers include that of super strength and flight, as well as being a skilled pilot and trained in hand-to-hand combat. Danvers is also a tremendous personality who is highly anticipated to become the leading lady of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, with speculation over who should play the super-heroine is running rampant. Therefore, here are my top five choices who I think will be good contenders to play the role.     

Number 5: Elizabeth Banks. 



For me, Elizabeth Banks would be a solid choice to dawn the Captain Marvel mantle. Seeing as Danvers is well known for her quick with and comedic timings, Banks would be an ideal choice for the role.
Despite not being considered a younger actress, Banks' Popularity of such projects as the Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect will be able to appeal to a range of demographics. Also, her age will allow audiences to buy into the fact that this is a genuine Air force colonel, as well as bring in a useful diversity to the Avengers that no doubt Danvers will become part.  

Throw Back Thursday: North By Northwest

North by Northwest is truly a cinematic delight, revealing to anyone who hasn't experienced Hitchcock (What?), why the prolific director is considered one of, if not, the greatest Auteurs of all time.
In this wonderful caper, fumbling advertising executive Rodger Thornhill (Carey Grant) is mistaken by foreign assassins for government agent George Kaplin. This leads to a helpless Thornhill being pursued all over America, whilst simultaneously looking for any way to survive.
wThis film, in the simplest terms, is grand. Hitchcock is notorious for his lush set pieces, as well as his terrific narrative ability, and North By Northwest for me is the finest example of 'Hitch' at his utmost best in terms of Hollywood spectacle.
The plot is a joy to behold, and seems to thicken with every seen that progresses, so much so that we find ourselves fully immersed after very few scenes. The screenplay, written by Hitchcock's long term colleague Ernest Lehman, is pitch perfect hitting both humour and tension beautifully, along with enabling enthralling visual  storytelling by 'The Master Of Suspense' himself.As Expected from Hitchcock the plot is jam packed, with twists, turns and the odd McGuffin, and we as the audience feel privileged to be the passenger on this ride.
Carey Grant's portrayal of Thornhill certainly adds a great comedic and hapless element to the out of his depth man searching for his identity. His acting meets every demand the picture throws at him, being cool and utterly lost when he needs to be. Also, filling in as the expected 'Hitchcock Blonde', Eve Marie Saint is charming in her role as the sexy upper class charmer, who acts as romantic bait for Grant.
However, the real V.I.P of this film is certainly Hitchcock. Prior to the creation of North by Northwest Lehman stated that he wanted to create the "Ultimate Hitchcock film", and this movie in almost every aspect provides the director with the tools to excel, and he certainly does just that. This is my favourite Hitchcock film both in terms of narrative and direction. Despite not being as artistically stylised as Vertigo and Psycho, North By Northwest succeeds by embodying a sophisticated atmosphere that propels the picture to a high level of grandeur, so much so that many of the sequences still stand the test of time. Hitchcock's framing, camera movement and visual motifs are placed before the audience with mouth-watering precision, encouraging the audience to go beyond basic appreciation to sheer spellbound enchantment.
It amazing to thing that post 50 years after it's release North By Northwest still manages to capture audiences imagination. The picture is certainly brilliant and in many ways still a great modern film, that will be timeless.

My Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB: 8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Did You Know: Less than eight feet of film was cut from the final release. Eight feet is about 5 seconds.

Trailer Tuesday: The Equalizer

This trailer really caught my attention, and left me thinking that maybe we have a new 'Taken' on our hands. Antoine Fuqua's  (Olympus Has Fallen) The Equalizer, follows a former black-ops commando (Denzil Washington) who, in order to live a peaceful life, faked his own death. But, after meeting a young girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) who is tied up with the wrong people, he is forced to come out of retirement in order to save her life.
Anyone who watched this trailer knows exactly what to look forward too: 2 hours of non stop Denzil Washington action. The direction looks slick and the overall concept, based off the 80's tv show, seems fresh yet familiar. Washington appears to be on top form, and right at home within this role. The character seems well realized, not just the stereotypical two-dimensional action star.
Also, Chloe Grace Moretz seems to be an ideal choice for the role. With her recent films Carrie and If I Stay failing to perform at the box office, this may be the perfect rebound for Moretz. And in the well caring hands of Antonie Fuqua, it seems that Moretz may be able to shine in this femme fetale role.
Scheduled for a 26th of September release The Equalizer certainly is a film to keep a eye on, as I predict it will become one of this months most well received films.

Coming To Cinemas This Week.

September 3rd

Sex Tape: A married couple wake up to discover that the sex tape they made the evening before has gone missing, leading to a frantic search for its whereabouts.

IMDB: 5.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 18%

September 5th

The Hundred-Foot Journey: The Kadam family clashes with Madame Mallory, proprietress of a celebrated French restaurant, after they open their own nearby eatery, until undeniable chemistry causes the Madame to take gifted young chef Hassan under her wing.

IMDB: 7.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 65%

Island Of Lemurs: Madagascar: A documentary that follows Dr. Patricia C. Wright's mission to help lemurs, the highly evolved creatures who arrived on Madagascar millions of years ago as castaways but are now highly endangered.

IMDB: 7.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 77%

They Came Together: When Joel and Molly meet, it's hate at first sight: his big Corporate Candy Company threatens to shut down her quirky indie shop. Plus, Joel is hung up on his sexy ex. But amazingly, they fall in love, until they break up about two thirds of the way through.

IMDB: 5.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 69%

Life Of Crime: Two common criminals get more than they bargained for after kidnapping the wife of a corrupt real-estate developer who shows no interest in paying the $1 million dollar ransom for her safe return.

IMDB: 6.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 61%

Before I Go To Sleep: A woman wakes up every day, remembering nothing as a result of a traumatic accident in her past. One day, new terrifying truths emerge that force her to question everyone around her.

IMDB: N/A

Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

The Guest: A soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence.

IMDB: 7.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

Watermark: A documentary on how water shapes humanity.

IMDB: 6.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 80%

News

Bullet Screen Trails In China.

A system in which viewers post real-time comments on screen via text has became popular in theatres in China. "Bullet Screen", according to Shangaidaily.com, allows users' typed comments to flash across the screen rapidly whilst the film is playing.

The latest trend to literally sweep across cinema, has been met with very much mixed reviews. Although it appeals to the younger customers, many cinema veterans have heralded the invention as a deadly sin that may indicate a sad departure away from traditional cinema.

It is a waiting game to see whether "Bullet Screen" will catch on. In my opinion, I believe the idea to be dreadful. Although enhancing the experience for a certain demographic, on screen comments would only hinder the film for the audience members who actually want to enjoy the feature film. Surly any member of an audience, who pays to sit in a cinema in order to watch a movie, would not benefit from on screen comments as they would be focusing on the film itself. 

Joaquin Phoenix In Final Talks For Dr Strange.

According to numerous sources, Phoenix star of films such as Spike Jones' Her and Gladiator has entered the final stages of negotiation with Marvel Studios to play The Sorcerer Supreme. The actor, aged 39, has long been the centrer of fan speculation and now with a 2016 release date placed on the Dr Strange film, it seems as though things are wrapping up.

Despite numerous other candidates, ranging from Benedict Cumberbatch  to Jack Huston, Phenoix has remained the focal point of of fan discussion and seems to have entered the final stages of negotiation process.  

Directed by Scott Derrickson, the mystical instalment into the growing Cinematic universal, will surly be elevated by Phoenix's A-List talent. So much so, I personally could envisage this as a indication that Marvel aims to proceed without Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark, as his contract runs out at Avengers 3. Could Phoenix be the man to lead the Avengers? And Is he the right choice for Dr Strange? 

Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie Finally Marry In Paris. 

It was confirmed this week that the long term power couple of Hollywood, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, were married in France on Saturday. As confirmed by a spokesman, the iconic couple exchanged vows before departing to Malta, to shoot Beyond The Sea, Jolie's third film as director. 

The pair met in 2005 on the set of Doug Linman's Mr and Mrs Smith and proceeded to have 6 children together. In 2012 the couple announced their engagement, which according to Pitt was the result of pressure from their children. 

The delay from engagement to married life, can be seen as a result of the couple closing to hold back the wedding Until same sex marriage became legal in the United States.

Throw Back Thursday

Greg Recommends: American Psycho

American Psycho follows wealthy investment banker Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a psychopath with trying to hide is murderous alter ego from the world and just fit in. However, as his urges grow to the illogical and gratuitous will his mask of stability slip off.
American Psycho really is a one man show. Christian Bale is terrific in his role, providing expertly delivered coldness as well as surreal black comedy. He simply dances along with expert craftsmanship, slowly allowing the audience to spiral down into the darkness of Bateman's subconscious. Without Bale's commitment to the role, I feel the picture would be lacking tremendously, it is therefore that much of this films brilliance is owed to his performance. 
The narrative can be slow in places, but does show clear understanding of the source material, and is more so a comment on the the overindulgence of society than a burst of exhilaration. Mary Harron's superb direction is thought provoking, which combined with Andrzej Sekula's cinematography, creates a highly metaphorical  and often good looking film. 
Surprisingly, American Psycho is a funny film. The humour is very meta, as we are often laughing at Bateman rather than with him. For me this is essential, as Bale's psychopath is meant to be the amalgamation of societies flaws, and if we were laughing with him, well that would just be sick. 
The ending of the film is a real tough spot for me. On the one hand, it is quite unsatisfying, leaving a lot of issues unresolved. However, after re-watching it does provide a sophisticated level of ambiguity, provoking thought and enticing further viewings. 
I would recommend American Psycho, as something very different to satisfy your film urges. It may not be to everyone's cup of tea, but the social relevance of the picture, and Bale's iconic performance, can't be faulted. Oh, and watch out for any falling chainsaws...

My Score: 7.3/10 
IMDB: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
Did You Know: Christian Bale was warned by many that to take on the lead role in a film like this would be career suicide. However, this just made him more eager to take on the role. Also, prior Bale's casting it was presumed that Leonardo DiCaprio would play Bateman, however he left the project to shoot The Beach. 

Trailer Tuesday: The Hobbit The Battle Of The Five Armies.

With 2014's summer movie season winding to a close, let's cast our views forward to the highly anticipated conclusion to The Hobbit Trilogy, The Battle Of The Five Armies. Scheduled for a 12th of December release, Peter Jackon's (supposedly) final return to Middle Earth see's Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and the dwarves struggling to hold on to Erebor. But with rising aggravation toward the Dwarves, and the small matter of a Dragon, can they hold on to their treasure?

This trailer is everything I could have wanted. The Five Armies trailer encapsulates every defining aspect that made the original Lord Of The Rings trilogy so iconic. Aided by a terrific narration from Bilbo, the atmosphere seems ripped straight from Return Of The King, and I for one was severely impressed. 

After an uneasy initial instalment, this trilogy seems as though it will continue it's upward assent. The plot seems tense, a great departure from the overly childish Unexpected Journey. Smaug, although only briefly revealed, looks tremendous and is certainly a major factor contributing to my excitement. 

Also, if the trailer is anything to go by, the conflict between Thorin (Richard Armitage) and Bard (Luke Evans) will be a major focal point and one which I can't wait to see. 

Therefore, I personally cannot wait for this conclusive chapter, everything seems in place to ensure that The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies will be something special. 

Coming To Cinemas This Week

August 27th

Let's Be Cops: Two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party and become neighbourhood sensations. But when these newly-minted "heroes" get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line.

IMDB: 6.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 15% 

August 29th: 

Million Dollar Arm: A sports agent stages an unconventional recruitment strategy to get talented Indian cricket players to play Major League Baseball.

IMDB: 7.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 61%

If I Stay:Life changes in an instant for young Mia Hall after a car accident puts her in a coma. During an out-of-body experience, she must decide whether to wake up and live a life far different than she had imagined.

IMDB: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 41%

As Above/So Below: When a team of explorers ventures into the catacombs that lie beneath the streets of Paris, they uncover the dark secret that lies within this city of the dead.

IMDB: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

Obvious Child: A twenty-something comedienne's unplanned pregnancy forces her to confront the realities of independent womanhood for the first time.

IMDB: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%

Night Moves: Three radical environmentalists look to execute the protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam.

IMDB: 6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

The Grand Seduction: The small harbour of Tickle Cove is in dire need of a doctor so that the town can land a contract to secure a factory which will save the town from financial ruin. Village resident Murray French (Gleeson) leads the search, and when he finds Dr. Paul Lewis (Kitsch) he employs - along with the whole town - tactics to seduce the doctor to stay permanently.

IMDB: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 61% 

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story Of Aaron Schwatz: The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz, who took his own life at the age of 26.

IMDB: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%

Mystery Road: An indigenous detective returns to the Outback to investigate the murder of a young girl.

IMDB: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%

Throw Back Thrusday: My Top Five Robin Willams Performaces.

After the tragic loss of the beloved Robin Williams last week, I thought it only fitting to do my top five Robin Williams performances. Let's get one thing straight, this wasn't easy. Usually an actor is lucky to have around 3 or four brilliant roles, Williams however, has so many brilliant performances that to narrow it down to just five was certainly difficult. Now lets begin this celebration of a truly spectacular actor.

Number 5:  Mrs Doubtfire.
After a bitter divorce, Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams), an unemployed actor 
disguises himself as a female housekeeper, in order to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife(Sally Field).
Mrs Doubtfire for me, along with Aladdin, was my first exposure to Williams as a comedy tour de force. My farther showed me this film and, truth be told, I could not stop laughing at the satire on display. 
Williams' dynamism bursts through that muddled British accent and countless amounts of prosthetics terrifically. There is a well-balanced blend of physical and dialogue based comedy that Williams delivers without fault. 
However, it is his balancing of light-heartedness and emotional despair, as a father who will do anything for his children, that reveals to us that Williams can register on both a humorous and dramatic scale. 

Trailer Tuesday: Mortdecai

Mortdecai, focuses upon art dealer Charles Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) who searches for a stolen painting, that's reportedly linked to a bank account, that is full of Nazi gold. Starring the aforementioned Johhny Depp, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor and Paul Bettany, Mortdecai is set for a January 2015 release. 

Well, I think this film cements the fact that Depp is stuck in a cinematic rut. With recent flops, such as The Lone Ranger and more recently Transcendence, Depp seems to be verging on desperate in this role. Granted, there were moments that made me laugh (most notably the man servant joke), but what else was on offer seemed to be nothing more than B-level comedy. 

Although Depp has some big releases to look forward to, most notably this years Into The Wood's scheduled for a December releases, it will be interesting to see whether the Actor's loyal fan base will stay loyal to the Pirates Of The Caribbean Star. 

Hopefully I'm wrong, but if this trailer is anything to go by, it looks as if we will be seeing Depp's Inspector Clouseau impression grace cinema screens, not the high calibre performance we know the actor is capable of.