Frickin' Eh Movie News 3.10.10: The Anti-3D Edition

Posted by Matthew Motiuk on 03.10.2010

A review of Alice in Wonderland, the new Iron Man 2 trailer, talk about who will play Conan's nemesis, unveil the latest news about a Rome movie, talk Red Riding Hood and much more!

So I went and saw Alice in Wonderland this past weekend. You can read my review later in this piece but what I want to say here is this: after seeing it in 3D, I have decided that 3D is a complete waste of time and money. Maybe not in a horror movie or something that is very well done (I've heard good things about My Bloody Valentine 3D, for example) but I don't think I will ever spend money on seeing a movie in 3D again. As my roommate said, there are only two reasons to have 3D: either to justify having certain scenes, or to add depth. And I don't really care about either. While Alice in Wonderland was a visually stunning movie, getting that extra dimension was completely unnecessary. And I can now officially say this 3D nonsense is completely over-hyped. But now that my rant is done . . .


The Mid-Week Box Office Time Machine

For once I actually got to see the top movie at the box office, as this weekend Alice in Wonderland shot to the top of the charts with a massive $116.1 million opening. Brooklyn's Finest opened in a distant second with $13.4 million. Shutter Island dropped from first to third, making another $13.2 million. Cop Out fell from second to fourth with $9.3 million and Avatar fell one spot to fifth with $8.1 million. The Crazies tripped from third to sixth, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief fell from fifth to seventh, and Valentine's Day fell from sixth to eighth. Crazy Heart rose a spot to ninth, and Dear John rounded out the top ten, falling from seventh and making another $3.3 million.

Opening this weekend we have the equivalent of the next Jason Bourne movie: Green Zone, starring Matt Damon and directed by Paul Greengrass, about the beginning of the Iraq War. Looks very interesting, if a little biased. Then we have Our Family Wedding, starring Forest Whitaker and America Ferrera. Remember Me also opens, starring Robert Pattinson and Pierce Brosnan. This romantic drama looks pretty over-the-top sappy. And finally, She's Out of My League, starring Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve, and being the major comedy of the weekend. So take your pick.


For Those of You Living Under a Rock – The Oscar Results

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented the 82nd Academy Awards on Sunday night and you can view the full list of winners below! The Hurt Locker topped the night with 6 awards, including Best Picture and Kathryn Bigelow as Best Director - the first time a woman has won the award.

Obviously I'm not going to post the entire list here – you can click here to see it if you're interested. And oh, did I call the result of this one. It would have been sheer outrage if the Oscars had chosen an actually popular and successful movie like Avatar, and so the movie is almost entirely shunned at the proceedings, besides some fluff awards. Nothing else is a surprise in any way. Just the same old song and dance.


Seyfried Is Red Riding Hood

Amanda Seyfried confirmed Sunday on the Oscars' red carpet that she will next star in Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke's The Girl With the Red Riding Hood at Warner Bros. Pictures.

Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way is behind the Gothic reimagining of "Little Red Riding Hood." The most-known version of the story was published in the 19th century by the Brothers Grimm. Earlier oral versions of the tale are far darker.

The script was written by David Leslie Johnson.

Now this I like the sounds of. First off, Seyfried should be able to do the role very well. Secondly, a darker imagining of a common tale is always something to check out. As long as Hardwicke can actually craft something darker and not dark like the glittery nonsense of Twilight. We'll hopefully hear more on this one in the near future.


Alien Returning in 3D, Three Times?

With all of the announcements of upcoming movies being planned for 3D over the next few years, one would expect that whether or not an upcoming tentpole movie will be in 3D is going to replace the "PG-13 vs. R" question that most filmmakers tend to get. The latest movie that seems to be going that route is Ridley Scott and 20th Century Fox's planned Alien Prequel.

UK sci-fi site Shadow Locked had a chance to talk with art director Roger Christian who worked on Star Wars andAlien, and they asked him about the direction Scott might take with a prequel, the two of them having worked together on the original movie. Besides dropping the fact that it will be shot in 3D, he hinted at a possible trilogy in the franchise's future.

He told them: "Ridley's doing the next Alien in 3D. Ridley told me some of his ideas when we were here in Toronto. He has a very clear understanding of where this should go. They kind of stopped dead one of the greatest horror franchises there's ever been, and it had legs to go on. So I'm hoping he'll revive another three. The world certainly wants it, and the fans want it - everybody."

Christian met with Scott, but hasn't confirmed that he might be involved with the new prequel, reuniting the duo for the first time in over 30 years.

Read my opening bit if you can't figure out my opinion on this. 3D is being overhyped to the extreme and I just don't care anymore. The news that it may be a trilogy, however, is far more interesting. If Ridley Scott himself is willing to take this through three movies, then I'm on board; if he's going to abandon it to another director and let the movies slide, then I'd rather see him tie things up with one rather than stretch it out again. We'll see where things go from here.


Rome Movie On the Go

Entertainment Weekly has learned that a big-screen sequel to HBO's "Rome" is moving forward.

"Rome" creator/executive Bruno Heller ("The Mentalist") has reportedly finished a script for Morning Light Productions, which financed the development and will produce the film.

The magazine adds that series stars Kevin McKidd (Lucius Vorenus) and Ray Stevenson (Titus Pullo) will likely sign onto the movie, which picks up in Germany four years after the series ended.

The next step for Morning Light is to find a director and a studio, since HBO Films won't be involved.

Never actually watched the series, but I have always had a mild interest in checking it out, what with majoring in History and studying such things. The idea of making a movie after the series only makes sense. Why HBO Films isn't involved I'm not entirely sure. This will be even bigger if the stars return.


Oliver Stone Directing Savages Next

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps director Oliver Stone has signed a deal to direct and produce Savages, an adaptation of Don Winslow's novel that will hit stores on July 13.

Winslow and Stone will collaborate on the script, with the author writing the first draft, says Deadline New York.

In the book, two friends from Laguna Beach share the same girlfriend and a thriving business growing and distributing the best-quality pot on the planet. When they resist being muscled by a Mexican drug cartel, the girl is kidnapped and the ransom is every cent they've made for the last five years. They agree to pay but hatch an alternate plan to get her back, get revenge, and then get lost.

This is a bit of an odd choice for Stone, considering his last couple of epic projects or rehashing old works. Now granted, the story is definitely strange enough, and sounds plenty stupid. Then again, it sounds just crazy enough that it might be worth seeing where they go with it.


Alice in Wonderland Sets Records

Walt Disney Pictures' Alice in Wonderland took over the worldwide box office this weekend, earning $116.3 million domestically and $94 million overseas for three-day total of $210.3 million! The domestic figure from 3,728 theaters marks the sixth-biggest opening weekend of all time and is a new record for a film opening in March, destroying the $70.9 million that 300 made in 2007. It's the biggest opening ever for Tim Burton (his previous top opener was Planet of the Apes' $68.5 million), the biggest non-sequel release of all time, and the biggest 3D release ever, besting the $77 million that Avatar earned in December. "Alice" is also the largest debut ever for a winter release, surpassing The Passion of The Christ ($83.8 million).

Whoo! Definitely worth the records, I think. I imagine a lot of the reason why it was so successful was the added money for 3D and IMAX (although I maintain the 3D was a waste). Impressive stuff, especially topping 300. The ‘non-sequel' record is a bit of a fluff record and not exactly true either, but I'll let that one slide. I'm very happy about this one.


Liam Hemsworth Heading for Arabian Nights

Liam Hemsworth (upcoming The Last Song) has been cast in director Chuck Russell's action-adventure Arabian Nights.

Written by Russell and Barry P. Ambrose, the 3D period epic centers on a young commander (Hemsworth) who, after his king is murdered in a coup, joins forces with Sinbad and Aladdin to rescue Queen Scheherazade.

Inferno Entertainment's Bill Johnson is producing with Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray of Mayhem Pictures. ROAR also is producing.

Filming is targeted for an end-of-summer start.

Liam's brother is Chris Hemsworth, who is now shooting Marvel Studios' Thor.

I knew I had heard the name Hemsworth before, I just couldn't place it until that last line. Oh well. Sounds like the brothers are becoming regular stars. My stunned realization done, this sounds like a pretty epic movie, actually. Sinbad and Aladdin, combined in one movie? Sounds like something to see. Not in 3D, but this will definitely be an epic film to see.


Iron Man 2's New Trailer

Paramount Pictures has provided us with the new trailer for Iron Man 2! You can watch the trailer using the player below.

Opening in conventional theaters and IMAX on May 7, the Jon Favreau-directed sequel stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Garry Shandling, John Slattery, Kate Mara, Clark Gregg and Olivia Munn.

Well, this trailer makes this one look just as good as the last, and hopefully that's true when we get to see the entire thing. My only concern is the number of characters. There are a lot, and I have a feeling it's going to feel like a whole bunch of the characters are cheapened and ignored – similar complaints to the ones directed at the X-Men movies. Sam Rockwell is actually given an explained role and he looks great in it; as for the rest, it's just more new footage, so take a look.


Stephen Lang Is Conan's Enemy

MTV has confirmed a Latino Review scoop that Avatar star Stephen Lang will play the villain Khalar Singh in director Marcus Nispel's Conan.

"I've accepted the role of Khalar Singh," he said. "I have no idea how I'm going to do it. First I'm going to find out how I'm going to sound. I'm going to get back on a Mongolian pony and ride like the wind. I'm going to flash my scimitar. I'm going to cut the nuts off Conan and his father."

A casting breakdown described the character as follows:

Khalar Singh is in his 40s to 50s, Asian or Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Mongol, Turkish, or Persian, open to all ethnicities; commanding in size and manner, a warlord and formidable warrior, brilliant, cruel, weathered and tanned by the many campaigns he has waged and won. He is driven in his quest to find the Queen of Acheron and has been building an empire to do so.

His goal is to find the Queen whose blood will bring life to the demonic minions of Acheron while making himself king of this hellish power. With this power, Khalar will protect his legacy against the onslaught of master sorcerer, Thoth-Amon so that his weak son, Fariq may rule after his death. While riding into a Cimmerian village to recruit his old comrade, Corin, his large collection of mercenaries slaughters them to the last soul when Corin refuses to join them. The village's only survivor was young Conan. When Khalar's search has finally narrowed to the likely discovery of the queen at a monastery of female monks, he also learns Conan is older and hungry for revenge…

Lang is actually a pretty good choice for this one, he'll be able to fit the role very well. This bit also gives us a pretty good idea of what the movie itself is going to be about. Sounds pretty good, to be honest. While Lang doesn't really fit the ethnicity aspect, he'll be able to turn himself into the role, I'm sure. We'll have to see where he takes it.


Rapid-Fire: Alice in Wonderland (2010, starring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter)

Oh yes, that's right. I finally got to see a movie in theatres on its opening day that I actually wanted to see. And here's the review for:

The plot of the movie is a mashup of both Lewis Carroll books and a completely new story. Basically, it's several years later and Alice returns to Wonderland (not remembering her previous adventures there) where the Red Queen has taken over. A prophecy of sorts says Alice is the one meant to end the Red Queen's rule by slaying a dragon called the Jabberwocky. Reluctant to accept her future or even this reality, Alice goes on an adventure through Wonderland to discover what she can do.

Focus here on the adventure and exploration. The movie is visually stunning in every way. I saw it in 3D, although I largely think it was unnecessary; the visuals are amazing regardless. A ridiculous amount of detail was put into absolutely every facet of the film, and it is truly stunning throughout. It's heavy on CG, but it is extremely well done.

The unfortunate part of the focus on the visuals is the fact that the story lacks. It's hard to describe the flaws of the story, but I suppose how I would describe it would be that the story seems to suppose that you know a lot of things, and it feels throughout that you're going to find out more and go into greater depth with all these hinted things, but instead, it just kind of ends. That said, I didn't have any particular problem with the way the story played out; as long as you're willing to go along with it, almost everything important is explained eventually or assumed, and it's really not all that bad.

The advertising for the movie had it built up as a Johnny Depp film, but that's far from the case. In fact, the Mad Hatter has a fairly small role; larger than many of the characters, but not nearly as impressive or stunning as I'd been led to believe. Depp is good in the role, although his character is not as impressive when you realize it's just a recombination and rehashing of his previous roles. The Mad Hatter comes off more angry than mad, but it's an enjoyable role nonetheless, and works with this darker world. Wasikowska is who steals the show, I believe; her portrayal of Alice is excellent and she carries her role very well, right from the beginning. Carter as the Red Queen was another great one; perfectly believable as the odd, evil sister who actually just wants to be loved, there's something hilarious and sinister to her that is thoroughly enjoyable. Anne Hathaway as the White Queen not only has a much smaller role, but also lacks in her role; perhaps she just didn't fit quite right into the role or perhaps Burton had trouble creating a pure character in his twisted world, but something felt wrong. Crispin Glover as Stayne, the Knave of Hearts, was an excellent fit for his role. Perfectly creepy and evil, he was another who was thoroughly enjoyable. All of the voice actors for the CG roles did excellent jobs as well; particularly good mentions go to Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, Alan Rickman as the Blue Caterpillar, and Paul Whitehouse as the March Hare.

The single biggest problem with this movie that I've heard is simply that it isn't the original cartoon – even though anyone saying that will claim they aren't in fact saying that at all. Most of the characters from the cartoon are thrown in as throwbacks to fans and a connection between the two, rather than substantial characters; for someone who barely remembers the original, I personally thought that was a particularly clever and enjoyable way of doing things. My complaint in this field would simply be that they should have went with a different name, rather than passing it off under the same title.

I enjoyed this movie immensely. While there was definitely some sort of undeniable piece missing, some flaw that could never quite be grasped, this didn't stop it from being a really great and enjoyable movie. Oh, and Johnny Depp does a dance at the end of the movie which absolutely ruins the entire ending. I may be exaggerating slightly, but it is excruciatingly stupid to watch. Anyway, definitely worth seeing, if only to take in the spectacle.


Closing Time . . .

The next movie on my radar is Clash of the Titans - not in 3D! Very excited about that one, although I'm a little choked they pushed it back a week, particularly for such a stupid reason as 3D. And yes, I realize this article is very negative toward 3D, but that's how I feel right now. Anyhow . . . for those of you gaming fans, I assume you're already waist-deep in Final Fantasy XIII, but find time to come out of the living room and check out next week's article! Until then . . .


[All news, images, and other stuff from www.comingsoon.net, www.imdb.com, www.rottentomatoes.com and www.youtube.com.]