http://thor-marvel.com

If you are not aware of this, this is another Marvel Character coming to the big screen but this time in 3D. The link below will take you to the standard 2D version

http://thor-marvel.com but its quite possible the 3D version of the trailer will be showing with Green hornet 3D when released. Enjoy. I saw the 3D version when I went to see Tron Legacy, from what they showed the effect is outstanding and is definitely on my one to watch list. Hopefully I will see the 3D trailer again in a few weeks when the Green Hornet is released over here.

Solomon Kane

Writer Ron E Howard’s creation might not be as well known as Conan or Krull but he is just as memorable character being a Puritan demon hunter on a relentless quest to battle evil. In 2009 I became aware of its existence as a movie directed by Michael J Bassett.

However this film has bypassed cinemas down under and instead is being release on DVD and Blu ray. Being an impatient sole and as knowing it had been released in the UK I obtained the Blu ray edition from Amazon.

This film is essentially an origin tale, taking our Anti hero from his days as a blood thirsty killing machine armed with his trusty pistols and cutlass and rapier. We are introduced to him as played by James Purefoy in the midst of a far eastern battle storming a citadel. This introduction ends with him being confronted by the Devils Reaper who has come for his soul.

He escapes and abandons his blood thirsty ways for a more monastic lifestyle renouncing violence and devoting his life to peace. But when forced to leave the monastery to step once  more into the outside world you know events will lead him to once more take up his weapons and embrace his darker side but this time to battle the evil forces out to corrupt a world he has come to value. James Purefoy takes on this role with relish; his transformation to pacifist back to killing machine is believable. Much about this film reminds me of Brotherhood of the Wolf form the photography and tone so it is no surprise to discover that  many of the background crew came from that  film and that it shares the same producers.

For me the film works, but then I’m a sucker for a swords and horror though it plays more like a fantasy action film the nearest film comparison I could make would be to the old hammer horror film Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter but obviously with a bigger budget and more style. I did feel it needed a more clearly identifiable villain but for what it is and the fact that it introduces a lesser known character to the screen I enjoyed it. Tonally it matched the marvel comic’s rendition that was my introduction to the character. Special effects are top notch and the cast of great British character actors as supporting characters bring quality to the film. Special mention goes to the late great Pete Postlethwaite who played an important role in driving this tale forward.

Sadly I would have liked to have seen this on the big screen, but OZ and NZ join the US as countries denied this opportunity and thinking of some of the dross I have sat through last year I find that a little sad. Still out of this Michael J Bassett has got the task of bring Silent Hill 2 to the screen which I look forward too based his handling of this film.

I recommend this on blu ray, picture is superb and James Purefoy owns the screen sadly this might be the only installment in his adventures but this is down to lack of distributors rather than the quality of the film. Village Roadshow are releasing the film in both Australia and New Zealand and it should be out now.

Star Wars Trilogy coming to Blu ray

Hot of the presses it has been announced at the CES show that the Star Wars complete saga will be coming to Blu ray in September 2011
Twentieth Century Fox Home entertainment will be releasing Star Wars in three distinct sets to meet the needs of Star Wars fans
Star Wars the Complete Saga on Blu Ray (9 disc set which will include all six films
Star Wars the Prequel Blu Ray Trilogy (3 disc set)
Star Wars Orginal Blu Ray Trilogy (3 Disc Set)

The Chronicles of Narnia Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Chronicle of Narnia, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

With this being the last two days of my holiday, and with my two and half year old recovering from a bout of Chicken pox I decided whilst he was asleep to catch up with the last of the big budget Christmas movies that so far I had avoided seeing. This was due to my not having enjoyed the previous instalment Prince Caspian.
Due to Tangled having just been released yesterday, and sharing the 3D screen with Tron, I saw this presentation in 2D. I find at the moment that I am very selective with regards to the 3D films I am prepared to pay extra to see.  My main criteria being if it is made in 3D I will see it, if it is post conversion then unless the reviews are extremely positive I will settle for a presentation which is 2D as in this case.

This film has had a troubled history, Disney having abandoned it resulting in Fox studios taking over the franchise.  Also this film has a new director in Mike Apted and it shows with a return to form. This being a much, lighter and thrilling family friendly instalment to the franchise.  This is everything that the Clash of the Titans remake should have been with good doses of mystery, wonder right down to the climatic sea battle with a sea serpent that had this viewer wishing for the glory days of Harryhausen and his mythical adventures.

Liberties are taken with the story to make it more coherent and exciting and the special effects are top notch.  There are a few noticeable changes from the last instalment Reep a cheep now being voiced by Simon Pegg replacing Prince Caspian’s Eddie Izzard and it works giving the character more gravitas and bring out his humour more.

This isn’t another Lord of the Rings, this is a more kid friendly exercise in fantasy adventure and on that level it worked for this viewer. Unfortunately this might be the swan song in this particular cinematic saga, but its underperformance is undeserved. A big step in the right direction but not an outright classic. I hope time will be kind to this film as it reflects the time in which it was written and it entertains in the right family friendly way you would expect.

My favourite Wellington cinema

Since moving to Wellington back in 2006 to marry my Kiwi partner I have been spoilt by the abundance of wonderful cinema's in the area. This is a city where suburban cinemas have survived by showing a healthy mix of art house and popular fair.
My favorite cinema is the Embassy which was refurbished in time for the Lord of the Rings Premiere. Its interior is a joy to behold and its seats luxurious.

Opposite the cinema is a WETA designed statue that is striking and befitting its location with the Paramount and Reading cinemas literally just a short walk from its location.

Stone St Studios and Mirimar and New cinema development

Yesterday being a bank holiday I decided to take a drive with the family to Mirimar, the home of Weta and Stone St Studio. The main reason for our visit being the Chocolate Frog cafe where I had an excellent cooked breakfast and fantastic black pudding. Here are a few snaps taken on the day.

Being a bank holiday all was relatively quiet. Soon the Hobbit will be full ahead and saw a brief glimpse of a wooden set near to the mocap stage but nothing you could connect to that film. But soon this will be a hive of major activity.

Picture palaces of my youth

Its that time of the year when you say farewell to the Old and hello to the new. I guess its also time for thinking about the past and how you arrived at this point in your life. In my case and in keeping with this blog its a look back at the Picture palaces of my youth.

  My cinema going in Cardiff was based around price and convenience back in the 70's. I grew up on a council estate in Llanederyn , it was a time when suburban cinemas were still in existence. Such as the County cinema in Rumney, The Plaza and my particular local the Globe in Wellfield Rd.
     City centre cinemas were more costly during that time and the Globe was the first cinema on my local bus route. It was popular with students, OAP's and families as it was cheaper than going to the city center and it nearly always showed double bills. It was here that I saw Planet of the Apes and Escape from the Planet of the Apes when the television series boosted their appeal. It was cheap because it always showed films after the city center cinemas, end of run features and also old movies such as Zulu , the Carry on Films and On the Buses. Also it only did evening shows and they usually kicked off at 5.30 in the evening which made it convenient for my father who nearly always took me to the cinema leaving my mother to look after my younger brother.
    Here I saw Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts. As we approached the early eighties it was here that I saw my first X film before I was old enough legitimately to see them. Nearly always in double bills for example
Friday the 13th with a obscure horror the Pack. Alien and the Entity and Poltergiest.
Its interior was tired, it was originally built in 1916 as the Penylan cinema and it closed on 25th May 1985. Ken and Ingrid Wardle were the managers and it is due to them that it lasted as long as it did. Theres a little film the Smallest show on Earth a Peter Sellers, Margaret Rutherford film that makes me fondly think back to this little picture palace. I remember its musty smell, aged and unforgiving seats and its old silver screen, tired but still up to the job.

     In honorable mention the Grandest cinema of my youth was the Cardiff Capitol this was the place I would go to for Saturday morning picture shows, James Bond films the last one being the Spy Who love me and the Herbie films. It had a large grande foyer large enough for them to have a Lotus Esprit on display. Its interior was fantasatic and its Auditorium was really grande. My fondest memory being when my father took me to see At the Earths Core there. What made this special was the fact that a visit here usually ended with a visit to the steak house next door.

Fond memories indeed.