Movie Review - 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE, 8.6 Stars, Spoiler Free

I went into the movie not expecting as much as what was delivered in the original Zach Snyder 300, but was pleasantly surprised! Noam Murro hit the nail on the head with it - though I don't know the extent in which Snyder has his hand involved (he co-wrote the screenplay from Frank Miller's original graphic novel and also produced).

Speaking of Miller's graphic novel - it was entitled XERXES and quite frankly his role was minimal so I'm thinking that they are holding him back for the second sequel which I'm sure is going to happen now with the stellar box office RISE OF AN EMPIRE is enjoying - $45 million and $88 million overseas for a total opening frame of $133 million.

3D screenings accounted for a very strong 63% of earnings which is a huge victory for the format. 3D clearly is the way to see this movie and audiences agree. If you are going to check this movie out - and I do recommend it if you saw the original and enjoyed it, definitely go 3D.

Make no mistake, this is a rated R movie. Blood and gore abound but it is needed in this period piece of a very bloody era, however fictional it is. I was impressed with Eva Green's performance; she showed me a side that I didn't know was there.

The standout aspect of this movie for me is the visual effects which dominated the screen in just about every shot if you think about how much green screen was used here and the cinematography / directing which had to integrate everything together. Again, if you saw the original, you would expect this level of VFX wizardry.

Click to enlarge

The score and sound effects were brilliant too. A great package.

Last but certainly not least, the 3D delivered the goods. I thought the "floatees" were a bit overdone (sparks and dust particles were omnipresent), but I enjoyed them nevertheless. 3D was amplified were needed - long courtyards, etc and was reduced for more intimate scenes allowing your eyes to rest. Well done. Not perfect, but well done. Keep in mind that the vast majority of environments and effects were digital so 3D can be rendered natively which helps a great deal.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel Xerxes, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster “300,” this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield—on the sea—as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. “300: Rise of an Empire” pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes, and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy.

Overall a must see in my books and deserving of 8.6 stars! Go see it. 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE is now playing.

Three New AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 Clips Narrated By Stan Lee !!

Stan the man! He's back in action narrating three clips of his beloved Spider-man. There is some new footage appearing, but let's face it - hearing Stan Lee and the pride in his voice is easily worth your valuable time. You won't get this during the movie so - ENJOY.

Note that Disney didn't fail to take advantage of putting their touch on Times Square in the screencap in this post (left side) :-)

Here's the storyline for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2:
We've always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.
It’s great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield). For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 opens on May 2.







Source: Blackfilm | via Collider

MUST WATCH: GSP Emerges! Massive First Clip From CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER !!

Yes! Georges St-Pierre (GSP) of mixed martial arts fame is reveling in his villainy in this new 4 minute marketing piece highlighting the first clip from CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER.

You can watch Cap and Black Widow infiltrate an ocean liner taken over by Batroc (GSP) in a special extended clip.

Definitely worth your time to watch this, but as always with movie clips beware of spoilers. Technically the entire clip is a spoiler as it is actual footage so watch it with that in mind!

Here's the storyline for the movie:
After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” finds Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER opens on April 4.

Watch: New Trailer For TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

Here's the new full trailer for TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION from Michael Bay.

I'm looking forward to seeing a more human focused story this time around - but as always, the effects look jaw dropping. What else can you expect from a Bay production? Wahlberg brings a much more believable and likeable presence to the series.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
"As humanity picks up the pieces, following the conclusion of 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon', Autobots and Decepticons have all but vanished from the face of the planet."

"However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control - all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs. The epic adventure and battle between good and evil, freedom and enslavement ensues."

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION opens on June 27 in RealD 3D, IMAX 3D and flat.

New Poster For CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

Have a look at the most recent poster for Marvel's CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER. Obviously the Helicarrier is in a heap of trouble with the obligatory sparks and smoke rising in the background.

I'll be reviewing my new Sideshow Collectable Captain America Rescue Version figure soon as well, so look for that in the coming weeks.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” finds Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER opens on April 4 in 3D.

Hey North America: STALINGRAD Is In IMAX 3D Starting Tomorrow!

Here's your only opportunity to see the highest grossing Russian movie of all time on big screen and what better way then IMAX 3D!

I'm definitely going to check this thing out as I have only had a few scenes graciously made available to me while I was entertained at 3ality Technica's headquarters last year (they provided their 3D rigs, expertise and Steve Schlair is 3D Producer on the project). The trailer and visual fx look amazing! What I saw was just enough for me to be thrilled to hear that we're getting it in IMAX. I'm very interested in WWII's European Theater as well.

Whether you're a veteran, WWII historian or just someone who enjoys solid action, especially based in fact, then you'll love STALINGRAD.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Written by Ilya Tilkin and Sergey Snezhkin and directed by Fedor Bondarchuk, STALINGRAD is set in 1942, when invading German troops were in control of the Volga River. A group of Soviet soldiers finds a young woman trapped behind enemy lines and works to protect her. Thomas Kretschmann and Yanina Studilina star.

So check the movie out! It's your one opportunity in North America. See you there!

STALINGRAD opens tomorrow in IMAX 3D.

Must Watch: New GODZILLA Trailer !

Wow - looking VERY good! Love the shot of Godzilla's head as the doors are being closed. Just what kind of creatures is Godzilla fighting? The premise of the Pacific nuclear tests actually being attacks against creatures is very interesting - great way to bring in suspension of disbelief.

It's a full trailer and I'm LOVIN' it! Have a look...

Here's the movie's storyline:
An epic rebirth to Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, pits the world's most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

Gareth Edwards directs "Godzilla," which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson ("Kick-Ass"), Oscar® nominee Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai," "Inception"), Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene"), Oscar® winner Juliette Binoche ("The English Patient," "Cosmopolis"), and Sally Hawkins ("Blue Jasmine"), with Oscar® nominee David Strathairn ("Good Night, and Good Luck.," "The Bourne Legacy") and Bryan Cranston ("Argo," TV's "Breaking Bad").

GODZILLA in 3D opens on May 16.