Neuromancer - Hayden Christensen to play Case.

Yet another peice of depressing news about the Neuromancer film in development. And I was just getting over the fact that Kahn is the director. (I've come to the opinion that people should be giving Kahn a break. He has enough talent to make this film work.)
From 7artspictures.com
"Based on William Gibson’s seminal cyberpunk novel, […]

The Man from Earth

This is the second film, the first being The Fountain, that I've watched recently which tackles the question: "What if you could live forever?" The Man From Earth has an uncomplicated story, though there are a few twists as the film progresses, which doesn't distract from the intellectual debate which is the focal point of the film. It begins by introducing a college professor who is leaving his job after 10 years. His impromptu farewell quickly turns into an emotionally involving debate when he, almost casually, reveals that he is 14000 years old. With characters from varying fields of science (such as a Biologist, Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Christian Literalist, and Psychologist) the discussion covers all the issues about a potential immortal man, from the science of it to the religious implications.

The Golden Compass

The first film to be based on Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. This was produced by New Line Cinema, who also made the Lord Of The Rings films, and they are obviously hoping to repeat that success with these films.

Set in a parallel world, where humans have external souls or 'daemons', usually in the form of animals. A young girl, Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards - great name!), living in an alternative Oxford, embarks on series of adventures which take her to the island of Svalbard in the arctic ocean.

On the way she encounters a Texan airship captain, Sam Elliot, and hires the services of an alcoholic armoured fighting polar bear, voiced by Ian McKellen. Daniel Craig, the latest Bond, plays an Indiana Jones type adventurous scholar and his co-star from Casino Royale, Eva Green, plays the queen of the witches.

Beowulf

Beowulf is a new film version of the Anglo Saxon epic poem, which as every schoolboy knows is the oldest poem in the (Old) English language.

It tells the story of the hero Beowulf in his battles against the monster Grendel, then Grendel's mother, then finally in his old age against a mighty dragon.

This is an animated version, with a lot of clever CGI trickery, though all the actors are quite recognisable. Ray Winstone plays Beowulf, a real hero though given to boasting and lying. Anthony Hopkins is old King Hrothgar, complete with Welsh accent, as indeed all the Danes seem to have funnily enough. And Beowulf speaks cockney - gor blimey! John Malkovich is also on good form as the slimy and devious councillor Unferth.

Hitman Film 'Review'

 
I was hoping to actually type a review of Hitman, but I changed my mind after watching it and instead I've decided to make a list of why the film is so crap:

This film totally fails to capture the essence of the game. If you want to see a Silent Assasin style Hitman, this is […]

Stardust

Stardust is a film is based on the book of the same name by Neil Gaiman. I've been a big fan of Gaiman's work for a few years now, especially the epic "Sandman" graphic novel series, also other works like "American Gods".

Stardust was a nice little book, slightly different from Gaiman's other work. An almost whimsical fairy tale, but with plenty of his usual dry humour. Clearly inspired by Lord Dunsany's "The King Of Elfland's Daughter", it starts off in a quiet English village near a Wall, which separates our world from Beyond, and tells the story of what happens to a mortal who happens to cross the Wall.

The Fountain

I'm not usually enticed into watching artful films, but I made an exception for this after several rave reviews from friends. I loved it. It's truly unique, not just in its story, but it is one of the most beautiful films I have ever watched. Immensely thought-provoking, at times dark and mysterious and with more themes than I can communicate in this article, it is truly a film that will live with me forever.

Dollhouse – Joss Whedon

Joss is back on TV but I’m not exactly thrilled.

Perhaps I am just bitter because Whedon once claimed that he would never work with Fox again (which at the time seemed the primary reason why we would never get anymore Firefly), or maybe it is because I’m not a huge fan of Eliza Dushku. Anyway, Joss’ new show is called Dollhouse and stars, as you may have guessed, Eliza Dushku. It has been given a seven episode commission by Fox, who are looking for a Spring 2008 premiere. I’m not saying that I won’t watch it, I’m just not as optimistic as I expected to be. Then again, it is Joss and the best news is that Tim Minear will be back, so I have faith that they’ll make it into something fantastic.

The Matrix and its Inspirations

Virtually everyone I’ve talked to has seen The Matrix (Andy/Larry Wachowski, 1999) however few of them have read William Gibson’s Neuromancer, which in my opinion is one of the film’s biggest influences. In fact, when you look at the two in comparison to each other, Neuromancer does a lot better in many regards, so much so that it’s a shame the film, due in 2009, is not being given the lavish budget it deserves. Let's look at the two alongside each other.

Joseph Kahn - Music Videos

Here are some selected music videos directed by Joseph Kahn. Hopefully they'll prove that there's at least some hope for the Neuromancer film; feel free to make up your own mind.

The first thing to note is that he has a lot of videos under his belt. Even if his only feature length film is Torque, he's hardly lacking in experience - and whether Torque is bad because of the director, or for other reasons (the concept for one…) I've yet to find out; I'll post a review just as soon as I get round to watching it. Heck, I may even enjoy it, in some bizzare attempt to persuade myself that Neuromancer is going to be the best thing since Serenity. Expect my biased, subjective opinion soon.