DAVID DUNN

Rambo is coming back for one last hunt.

Last week, actor-director Sylvester Stallone took to Twitter to make a formal announcement about the upcoming Rambo sequel: the script has been completed and the title is officially called Last Blood.

Stallone has been involved with the series since portraying the Vietnam veteran in his 1972 film debut First Blood. Since evolving from it’s origins as a thriller to a heavy action series, the franchise is notorious for its violence and body count, with its most recent installment clocking in at about 236 kills.

Admittedly, I haven’t seen any of the Rambo films since First Blood, but considering the franchise has earned a total worldwide gross of $727 million, I know at least a few people will be excited at this news.

What about you guys? Are you excited that John Rambo is returning to the big screen, or do you think he should just go back into hiding? Comment below, let me know.

– David Dunn

Source: Empire, Variety

The National Film Registry has added it’s newest selection to it’s ever-growing collection of classic films.

Compiled by the United States Nation Film Preservation Board, the National Film Registry is a selection of films that are stored for preservation in the Library of Congress because they are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Each year, the NFPB is allowed to add 25 films to the constantly growing list, and this year is no different. Here is this year’s selection of films to be included on the National Film Registry:

13 Lakes (2004)
Bert William’s Lime Kiln Field Day (1913)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Down Argentine Way (1940)
The Dragon Painter (1919)
Felicia (1965)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
The Gang’s All Here (1943)
House of Wax (1953)
Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport (2000)
Little Big Man (1970)
Luxo Jr. (1986)
Moon Breath Beat (1980)
Please Don’t Bury Me Alive! (1976)
The Power and the Glory (1933)
Rio Bravo (1959)
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Shoes (1916)
State Fair (1933)
Unmasked (1917)
V-E + 1 (1945)
The Way of Peace (1947)
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

There are some films on this list that you might recognize. There is the Coen Brother’s The Big Lebowski, starring John Goodman as Walter and Jeff Bridges as “The Dude.” There is John Hughes’ comedy classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, starring Matthew Broderick. There is Roman Polanski’s horror classic Rosemary’s Baby, Steven Spielberg’s war epic Saving Private Ryan, and even the childhood visual wonder Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

But what about all of these other films? You probably haven’t heard of most of them. Into the Arms of Strangers is an Academy Award-winning documentary about the Kindertransport, a British rescue operation that saved the lives of over 10,000 Jewish children during the Holocaust. Luxo Jr. is the Academy Award-nominated CGI animated short written and directed by Toy Story filmmaker John Lasseter and officially spring boarding Pixar into prominence. Perhaps the least oblique would be Little Big Man, which stars Dustin Hoffman and tells the story of a white male child being raised by the Cheyenne nation during the 1800’s.

Regardless of how well-known these movies are or aren’t isn’t the point. The National Film Registry is a prestigious institution that honors the most unique in film, and I’m personally looking forward to adding these films to my ‘need to see’ list.

– David Dunn

SOURCE: Library of Congress, TIME

UPDATE 12/21: It looks like after much controversy, Sony is now planning to release The Interview, company attorney David Boises said. When and how it will be distributed has yet to be decided, but Crackle, the streaming service owned by Sony, is one option that the studio is considering.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Looks like things are heating up for the Seth Rogan/James Franco comedy this Holiday season.

After the infamous Sony hack that recently came out with the spilling of multiple private corporate emails, Sony is officially delaying the release of the Judd Apatow comedy The Interview after many theaters started pulling the film’s showing following the release of an ominous threat from the hackers who supposedly hacked Sony’s emails. The message from the cyberterrorists is as follows:

“We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places ‘The Interview’ be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to.
Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made.
The world will be full of fear.
Remember the 11th of September 2001.”

Sony, in response, has decided to pull the movie’s Christmas release entirely.

“We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers,” Sony announced via a press release.

No further plans have been made to release the film in the near future. Check back with updates.

– David Dunn

SOURCE: NBC News, Deadline

Um…………… what?

Yeah, I thought this was a joke at first too. Unfortunately, my fellow moviegoers, it’s anything but a joke: Paramount Pictures is promoting Michael Bay’s Transformers: Age of Extinction for best picture.

I know, I know, it’s awful. From a considerations banner Paramount Pictures recently released, the production company has indicated support not only for producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura as the recipient for best picture: they’ve also had the nerve to put in the phrase “for consideration in all categories.” That means they are also advocating Michael Bay for best director and Ehren Kruger for best adapted screenplay.

Again I say: WHAT?!?!?!

I want to give a knee-jerk reaction to this horrible bit of news, but let’s be level-headed here for a second and think on the level of a producer. If you were producing a multi-million dollar film, and you were thinking of your movie as a product instead of a work of art, what would you want to do with it? That’s right: you would want to MARKET it. You would want to get the word out there, get people talking about it, and get people to keep talking about it, because the more they talk, the more money you get in your pocket. If we look at this “for your considerations” package as a publicity stunt to get people’s attention, then it’s a smart move. Hey: it’s got me talking.

That being said, this putrid pile of movie muck needs to stay so far from the Academy Awards that people will think there’s a restraining order on it. I hated this movie, and I think the people of America are right there with me on it. Critics on Rottentomatoes gave it an 18%, while the users gave it less than 60%. MetaCritic gave it a 32 out of 100, while the users gave it a 4.7 out of 10. iMDB gave it a 5.9.

All of these sites have one thing in common: they all have averaged that Transformers: Age of Extinction is the worst-rated Transformers movie out of the series.

Yeah, it’s the highest grossing movie of the year with about $1,087,000,000 sitting in its pocket. So what? Money has never defined if a movie is good or not. Indeed, how many times has The Fast and Furious and Twilight movies made it into the end of the year’s top ten? For Pete’s sake, even The Smurfs had one of the highest grosses in the year of 2011, and that movie was worse than any of the Transformers films.

What do you guys think? Should the Academy give Transformers: Age of Extinction best picture consideration? Or–

No, uh-uh, I’m not finishing that question. Don’t consider this movie for best picture. Don’t consider this movie for best director. Don’t consider this movie for best screenplay, acting, editing, cinematography, score, makeup, or production design. I don’t even want it nominated for visual effects or sound editing.

Congradulations, Mr. Di Bonaventura. You have people talking about your movie. And guess what? It still sucks.

– David Dunn

SOURCE: Cinemablend, ComicBook.com

Yeah, you read that right.

A few hours ago, Marvel made the official announcement on their site on who will take on the role in Scott Derrickson’s upcoming film Doctor Strange. It will be Sherlock, Khan, Smaug, and Alan Turing himself, Benedict Cumberbatch.

“Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity,” Producer Kevin Feige said. “In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.”

Rumors about the actor taking on the role have been alive since the actor was in talks for the movie since 2013. Now, it is no longer speculation, and Cumberbatchians can rejoice knowing that their favorite British actor is taking on one of Marvel’s most unconventional heroes.

For me, I couldn’t be more excited in hearing that Cumberbatch is taking on the role. I heard early on that he was being considered among other actors including Jared Leto, Tom Hardy, Joaquin Phoenix, Matthew McConaughey, and Ethan Hawke, but it was never for sure if he was going to take on the role or not. After hearing today that it was going to be Cumberbatch, I jumped with glee. He’s proven himself time and time again how talented an actor he can be, and considering how well he has handled past roles including Sherlock, I think he is the perfect choice for Doctor Strange, and I’m glad that Marvel thinks that he is too.

What do you guys think? Is Cumberbatch just perfect for Doctor Strange, or should he be cast out in place of someone else?

Comment below, let me know.

– David Dunn

SOURCE: Marvel.com, Twitter

You have the right to remain excited.

The 24^th film in the James Bond franchise finally has it’s title, a cast list, and an official synopsis. It is titled Spectre, and it’s confirmed cast members include Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, and Christoph Waltz. The official plot description of the film is below:

“A cryptic message from James Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind Spectre.”

For those of you who don’t know, S.P.E.C.T.R.E. was the villainous organization that Bond battled both in some of the original movies and in Ian Fleming’s novelizations. The group, whose initials stand for “Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge, and Extortion” is lead by Enrst Stavro Blofield, an evil genius who has been James Bond’s rival since the Sean Connery days of Bond. To know that the movie’s title is Spectre and that the group is going to be heavily included in the plot is very exciting, especially with Sam Mendes returning to the helm of Bond from Skyfall.

One question on a lot of fan’s minds though: who is Christoph Waltz playing? Early on when he was rumored to be a part of the film, it was speculated that he was going to portray Blofield. Earlier today, however, the Bond twitter account claimed that Waltz was instead going to portray Franz Oberhauser, the son of Hannes Oberhauser, an Austrian mountain climber who formed a close friendship with Bond before mysteriously disappearing.

And Christoph Waltz as Oberhauser! #SPECTRE pic.twitter.com/CPUXDDf0jt

— James Bond (@007) December 4, 2014

So who is he? Is he Blofield, or Oberhauser? Or is he going to do a red herring and might actually be another character in disguise?

All will be revealed when the film releases in 2015.

– David Dunn

Source: IGN, USA Today

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>And Christoph Waltz as

UPDATE 12/17:

Actress Viola Davis has been confirmed in the role of Amanda Waller, the woman who recruited and founded the Suicide Squad.

ORIGINAL STORY: 

A marksman shooter. A madman and his lover. A military ex officer in peak condition. A criminal with a unique weapon. A master sorceress. And the mastermind behind it all.

These are the characters that will be appearing in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, the upcoming anti-hero film releasing and taking place after the events of Zack Snyder’s Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice. With the cast list releasing earlier today, many are hungry to know who are the supervillains in the Suicide Squad and who will be portraying whom. Here are the biggest names attached to star in the film:

Deadshot: Will Smith

Harley Quinn: Margot Robbie

The Joker: Jared Leto

Rick Flagg: Tom Hardy

Boomerang: Jai Courtney

Enchantress: Cara Delevingne

Few things to note on these casting decisions, especially with Jared Leto. Months ago, there was much speculation over whether Leto was going to portray the Joker in Suicide Squad or not, then a few weeks after that he dropped a tease to the role by quoting Tyler Durgan from Fight Club. Now, the speculation is no more: Leto is going to become the Joker.

For me, I’m okay with this decision because Leto has proven himself to be a versatile, daring actor, taking on challenging and intimidating roles many actors wouldn’t have dared to take and succeeding in his portrayal of each of them. He has gone from playing a drug addict in Requiem of a Dream, to a serial killer in Chapter 27, to his Academy award-winning performance as a transvestite AIDS victim in Dallas Buyers Club. He has proven time and time again that he can do diversifying roles, and I’m confident he will prove that again by portraying the Joker in Suicide Squad.

My problem with his casting is only this: why is the Joker even in Suicide Squad? For one thing, the Joker was never a member of the original team in the comics. Secondly, just like the issue with Ben Affleck as Batman, people are going to pull the comparison game. And who are they going to compare Jared Leto’s Joker to? That’s right: Heath Ledger from The Dark Knight.

I’m not saying that the Joker shouldn’t be in the movie, and I’m not saying that Leto shouldn’t try as the Joker. I am saying that having the Joker in this movie at the moment feels misplaced, and unless screenwriter Justin Marks has a solid plan for him in the movie (i.e., either have him as the antagonist or as a supporting character intended to mock the Suicide Squad), I don’t think he should be included. The Joker isn’t necessarily a “team player”, and he usually double-crosses the people he works with, so it’s a matter of how he’s written for the film that matters the most.

The casting for the rest of the film is sound. I’m a big fan of Will Smith, and I’m excited to know that he’ll be playing one of the most prominent members in Deadshot. Margot Robbie has proven her talent as an actor in last year’s Wolf Of Wall Street, and I’m excited to see her let loose and portray a crazy, wild character in Harley Quinn. It is strange to see Tom Hardy in the cast listing, especially in regards to his earlier DC role as The Dark Knight Rises villain Bane. But seeing that he is playing Rick Flagg, an ex-military man who goes mad after the assumed death of his teammates on a mission, I can see him as a natural choice in this role in relation to his past roles in movies such as Lawless, Inception, and Black Hawk Down. He will be a natural fit within the team.

The only roles I’m concerned about are Jai Courtney and Cara Delevingne. First of all, who is Cara? She is a lesser known actress who is set to appear in upcoming films Paper Towns and Pan. I can’t speak on her chops as an actor, but knowing that her character is the only supernatural one out of this list, I know she has a challenge ahead of her in portraying Enchantress.

Courtney just concerns me. He’s only been in a handful of roles recently, most notably as a overly-macho goon in Jack Reacher, as John McClane’s son in the incredibly disappointing A Good Day To Die Hard, and as a Gargoyle warrior in I, Frankenstein. I’ve seen three of his performances in three movies, and all of them have been terrible. I can’t see him performing any differently in this movie, especially when he’s playing a character as ridiculous as Captain Boomerang.

What do you guys think? Are you excited for your Suicide Squad, or should these actors (or characters) be knocked off in exchange for others? Comment below, let me know.

– David Dunn

Source: Moviefone, Deadline

Yes. And no.

Shocking details emerged yesterday about the development of one of Disney/Pixar’s most cherished and well recognized animated icons. Not only was Toy Story 3 not going to be the last film for the critically acclaimed animated trilogy: the fourth entry is well on the way and is due for release in June 2017 with animator John Lasseter directing.

Who on Earth was expecting this? Even though talks and rumors have been going on for years now on the development of a possible Toy Story sequel, nothing was ever confirmed, and indeed, Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich ensured that nothing was going on. All of that is now disproven because of Bob Iger, Walt Disney chief executive officer, who confirmed to multiple news outlets that Toy Story 4 is indeed in production with the original creative team behind the project.

“John created Toy Story and directed the first two films,” Iger said. “It’s great to have him back directing one of our most valuable properties.” 

Lasseter said that the new film will pick up right after where Toy Story 3 left off, and will be a “love story” of certain sorts.

“A lot of people in the industry view us doing sequels as being for the business of it,” Lasseter said. “But for us it’s pure passion. We only make sequels when we have a story that’s as good as or better than the original.” 

Considering Lasseter is the same man who also wrote and directed Cars 2, I’m inclined to disbelieve him on that.

I’m sorry, excuse me that I’m being just a big sourpuss over here. I loved Toy Story 3. I think it’s one of the most definitive animated films ever made, going so far as to name it my favorite film of 2010. And I’m not the only one. Many other bloggers and movie lovers declared the movie as their favorite film from 2010, including Quintin Taratino himself. And one of the best things about the film was that it brought the toy’s journey with Andy to a satisfying, albeit tear-jerking, conclusion. Toy Story ended like childhood itself does, and that’s part of what brought grounded emotional reality to this seemingly innocent children’s flick.

Well, I can’t say that it ended anymore. Lasseter said people see Pixar sequels as being for the business of it. How can anyone see it as anything but? Anything beyond the Toy Story films did not fare better than the former one did. Cars 2 was not better than Cars. Monsters University was not better than Monsters Inc. Finding Dory and Incredibles 2 hasn’t come out yet, but I doubt they’ll be as good as Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. I know for a fact Toy Story 4 will not match the mastery of Toy Story 3. There is no possible way you can. Imagine if after The Dark Knight Rises was released, Christopher Nolan took himself back on his own word and started production on The Dark Knight Resurrected. I hate sequels. I hate em’, I hate em’, I hate em’, and excuse me for not jumping on the bandwagon and enjoying paying my money for an expanded franchise constantly milking the content out of its already used characters.

I know many people will be excited to hear this news, and will hurry with excitement to tell their friends that they’ll get to see Woody, Buzz and everyone else in more of their fun adventures. To which I have to ask where were you during any of their short films (“Hawaiian Vacation”, “Small Fry”, and “Partysaurus Rex”) and any of their television specials (“Toy Story of Terror!” and “Toy Story That Time Forgot”)? I’m so hard on this because a feature-length sequel is so blatantly unnecessary. I’m able to get the same wit, humor, fun, and enjoyment out of the toys by seeing their smaller-scale adventures on the small screen. Why do we need a feature-length sequel for any reason other than for commercial value?

I’m sorry for being so hard on this, but I’m really not happy about this.What do you guys think? Are you excited for the toy’s return to the big screen, or are you like me and wish they kept themselves under the bed?

Comment below, let me know.

– David Dunn

SOURCE: IGN, Variety, Buzzfeed

Batman or Magneto: which would you want to be Steve Jobs?

Oh wait, one of those cards is now off of the table. Variety reported a few hours ago that Christian Bale, the Academy-Award winning actor most known in roles including The Fighter, American Hustle and The Dark Knight trilogy, bailed out on Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs biopic, which is written by Aaron Sorkin and tells the life of the Apple co-founder during three Apple presentation that came to define him and his career. Sources say that Bale dropped because he felt wrong for the part after much thought and deliberation.

Ugh. I’m trying really hard not to be upset about all of this. Bale is one of today’s most versatile and talented actors in the industry. If he needs to lose weight for a role like The Fighter, or gain weight for a role like American Hustle, or build up muscle for a role in The Dark Knight, Bale has proven time and time again how effectively well he can slip into the mind of his character. Seriously, if you haven’t seen how well Bale can act, look at his performance in Steven Spielberg’s 1987 film Empire Of The Sun. He was 12 years old at the time of filming.

My point being if Bale can slip so wonderfully into the roles of so many different characters, there’s no reason he can’t slip into the role of Steve Jobs. But actors can pick and choose their projects, and Bale has certainly earned that right. That doesn’t mean I need to be happy about this though, and I’m not.

So who’s going to pick up the role? Reports from early today indicated that Michael Fassbender (X-men First Class, 12 Years A Slave) is in the running to portray the founder. He certainly has the chops for it, and in many ways is just as versatile an actor as Bale is. If you don’t believe me, watch his performance in Steve McQueen’s 2008 film Hunger. If you were going to replace Christian Bale in an iconic role as Steve Jobs, the perfect pic would have to be Michael Fassbender.

However, let me die your hopes right there and say that Fassbender is in talks to portray the entrepreneur. He has not been confirmed yet, and has not signed on for anything.

What do you guys think? Who would you like to see in the running for Steve Jobs? Comment below, let me know.

– David Dunn

SOURCE: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter

Looks like DC isn’t the only ones churning out their movie plans.

Earlier today, Marvel Studios released it’s lineup of movies that will be set for release after Avengers: Age of Ultron comes out in May. The announcement was originally reported by Variety before treading out into the internet in every which way and under.

The first movie to be released for their lineup is not Payton Reed’s film Ant-Man, despite Kevin Feige’s comments from earlier in the year. Instead, it is Captain America: Civil War, the third film in the star-spangled superhero’s story that pits Steve Rogers against Robert Downey Jr’s own Iron Man to be released on May 6, 2016. The next film to be released later that same year is Scott Derrickson’s Doctor Strange, currently set for release on November 4.

It is important to note that earlier yesterday, it was heavily implied and emphasized that “Sherlock” actor Benedict Cumberbatch was Marvel’s top pick to play the sorcerer supreme. But no confirmed report has come out yet.

On May 5, 2017, James Gunn’s sci-fi fantastic follow-up to his highly successful summer blockbuster Guardians of The Galaxy comes out, having many of the previous actors reprising their roles for the sequel. Then, the third Thor film Ragnarok will be released in July 28. Who the villain is and what the storyline will be has yet to be announced, but considering that a villain named Ragnarok was introduced during the Civil War story arc, I wouldn’t be surprised if Thor found himself going up against a might mechanical clone of himself in the movie. Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman (42, Get On Up), is the last film of the year slated for a Nov. 2018 release.

Then, in May 2018, the big blockbuster arrives: The Avengers: Infinity War Part 1. Yes, it’s part one. The first part will have the Avengers teaming up against the immensely powerful super villain Thanos, first portrayed by Josh Brolin in Guardians of the Galaxy. The second part, due for release in May 2019, will conclude the Avengers’ epic fight with the galactic supervillian, and will most likely feature an appearance of the Guardians of the Galaxy as well.

The last two films to be featured in 2018 before Part II is Captain Marvel and Inhumans, both slated for a July and November release respectively. Captain Marvel is an intergalactic alien superhero who is affiliated with the Kree race, first introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy. The Inhumans is another intergalactic team of superheroes who also fought Thanos on a few occasions.

This is Marvel’s lineup up until 2019, and although it’s a lot of films to take in all at once, it isn’t nearly as much as DC’s ten part film series for release up until 2020. I’m excited for the lineup Marvel has planned for phase three, and if Age of Ultron works out as planned, Marvel will continue to grow and expand it’s universe well beyond it’s limits.

What do you think of Marvel’s new lineup? Comment below, let me know.

– David Dunn

SOURCE: Variety, Moviepilot