Cannes 08: I'm off!
by Stevie Wong
In less than 24 hours, I'm going to hit the ground running on the Croisette getting my accreditation, trolling through schedules and making up for the fact that I'm arriving in the middle of the festivals opening day (I'm MISSING the 1st Blindness screening at 10am!!!!)
So hopefully I'll be able to do a daily posting, offering up some personal views of the insanity that is the Cannes Film Festival.
First up, Kung Fu Panda! I'll post pics of the publicity 'stunt' as soon as I get them.
Trailer Alert: The Dark Knight
by Stevie
The gift of The Dark Knight keeps on giving as a brand new trailer was unleashed on the internet today with new scenes involving Harvey Dent (aka Two Face aka Aaron Eckhart) and Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal taking over from Katie Holmes).
Also, the havok that the Joker (Heath Ledger) unleashes onto Gotham City looks like it'll be more than explosions and bank robbery.
It's a packed new trailer, so you'll just have to see it for yourself.
Trailer Alert: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
by Stevie
I'm going to boast just a teensy bit. In less than 2 weeks, I'm going to be part of a small group of people who will get to see the world premiere of the film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at the Cannes Film Festival.
Now with Iron Man, Speed Racer, Sex & The City and Narnia all behind me (yes I've been a busy interviewer), I can focus my internal excitement on this 4th installment of one of my all time favorite franchises.
This new trailer is especially fun to watch since we also get a better idea of Cate Blanchett and Shia Lebeouf's performances (and Cate's accent is a hoot!). TWO WEEKS PEOPLE!!!!
Oh and remember to watch my interviews, live from Cannes, on the next episode of VIP ACCESS!
Trailer Alert: The Happening
by Stevie
With little information on the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan film The Happening, a new trailer leaked online today giving away a bit more of the plot. Starring Mark Wahlberg, this definitely looks like M. Night is going back to his creepy roots (the movie is even rated R meaning he's not holding back this time around!).
June can't come fast enough. I'm excited!
VIP Access: IRON MAN --- Friday May 2 @ 8:30PM HKT / Sunday May 4 @ 8:30PM India
by Stevie
Remember to watch the latest episode of VIP ACCESS this weekend as we kick off the summer with an in-depth look at IRON MAN.
Directed by Jon Favreau (Swingers, Zathura) and starring Robert Downey Jr. as the billionaire turned superhero, Tony Stark, Iron Man has got everyone buzzing (including me) on the films cool suit effects and solid performances (heck, it's one of the best reviewed superhero movies in years!).
Our team has been extremely busy covered this film from all angles. We chatted with both Jon and Robert when they toured through Asia last month, plus I got some 1 on 1 time with everyone last week here in New York City (those interviews will make it online very soon!).
Not only are we excited about IRON MAN, but VIP ACCESS delves deeper into summer mode as we also bring you an exclusive interview with Korean popstar turned actor Rain (cue screaming girls now), who talks to us about his role in the upcoming film SPEED RACER.
It's a jam packed episode so don't you dare miss it!
Remember to catch our VIP ACCESS IRON MAN premiere on Star Movies Taiwan Friday at 8:30pm and Star Movies Asia and India on Sunday at 8:30pm (repeating throughout the week so check your local listings!).
Trailer Alert: The Incredible Hulk
by Stevie
Now we're talking! After a very mediocre 1st trailer for the upcoming film The Incredible Hulk, the folks over at Marvel have just put out a brand new trailer featuring more of a back story between Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) and the people he's running from.
I was wary of the film based on the Entertainment Weekly article talking about the alleged behind the scenes drame between the studio, Ed Norton and the director Louis Leterrier (The Transporter), but this new trailer cut definitely shows a more intriguing story that heavily features Ed Norton and a crazy Tim Roth.
Now, I can't wait!
First Look: The Dark Knight Hong Kong billboard plus new posters and banners
by Stevie Wong (stevievipaccess@yahoo.com)
With two more months before the official release date of The Dark Knight, I got my hands on the brand spanking new outdoor billboard that is premiering in Hong Kong today. Featuring Batman overlooking Hong Kong, I can't wait to see what director Christopher Nolan shot of the city with the IMAX camera (apparently 5 scenes in the film were shot on IMAX, I've already seen one featuring a certain Joker and it was AMAZING!).
Want more? Check out some new posters and banners below that went out this week to further fuel the anticipation that is The Dark Knight (that one with the flaming bat is, ahem...hot!).
Cannes 08: Cannes Film Festival announces lineup
by Stevie Wong (stevievipaccess@yahoo.com)
The 61st Cannes Film Festival announced their full lineup this afternoon. Among the films making it into a more streamlined competition are TWO films by Steven Soderburgh ("The Argentine" and "Guerrilla"), Clint Eastwood's latest drama "The Changeling" (starring Angelina Jolie) and also entries by Cannes favorites Atom Egoyan, The Dardenne Brothers and Wim Wenders.
Also making the competition lineup for the 1st time is Singaporean director Eric Khoo ("My Magic") and the animation film "Waltz With Bashir" by Ari Folman about the 1982 invasion of Lebanon by Isreal (oh yes, it's animated! Could it be this year's Persepolis?).
As rumored, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Kung Fu Panda and the Woody Allen film Vicky Christina Barcelona (starring Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Scarlett Johansson) will all be playng out of competition (but bringing some serious star power to the Croisette!).
If you want to read a full report, check out the article Variety reported today.
Trailer Alert: The Spirit
by Stevie
(please wait for the whole bar to load before watching this HD trailer)
The Spirit (dir: Frank Miller) - Though the film doesn't open until 2009, the teaser for the Frank Miller (Sin City) directed film is enough to get me excited. With it's noir-lit images and simple, yet cool, effects, this comic book adaptation tells the story of a rookie cop (Gabriel Macht) who returns from the dead to fight evil in Central City. Featuring Samuel L Jackson, Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson, this already looks to be one of the more creatively visual movies of 2009!
Now, if you can't wait until 2009 to read up on the film, check out...
Preview 2008: New York Times interviews Robert Downey Jr. aka Iron Man
by Stevie
With Iron Man starting off the summer season this year, anticipation of this potential superhero franchise has been high. Over the past few months, with the trailer being one of the most popular online, much blog talk has been focused on the creative casting of Robert Downey Jr. as the movie's lead.
Robert's colorful past and industry regard as one of the most underappreciated actors around, could all be wiped clean with the release of this film. Will it make him a superstar? Does he care?
Check out this cool profile of the actor that the NY Times did today.