PODCAST: Film Focus Episode 7 – Anticipation vs Payoff in Film

Howdy people of the internet, as some of you may have seen, not too long ago I started a film podcast entitled Film Focus! This week’s episode is a good few days late for a various reasons, but let’s just say I wanted to wait til Friday when I was meant to go to the cinema, but then I had to go to the hospital, so I’m only getting my stuff uploaded today. 😛

Anyway here’s the seventh episode:

As you can see from the title, this week’s top of conversation is on the anticipation of films versus the payoff, and I get into the pros and cons of each and also give my own accounts of experiencing both. This was a subject matter that I’ve wanted to talk about for a while and while it is a little subjective, I hope that it at least gets people thinking and talking about it.

As I said before in each episode I’ll cover a different topic and since I don’t have much in the way of listeners or promotion, I’m here to spread the word about my podcast. 🙂

You can find my main site on Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/film_focus

Or if you’re on iTunes subscribe and rate me on there: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/film-focus/id1114233892?mt=2

So if you have some spare time on your hands and would like to listen to the ramblings of a passionate/strange man then please check it out, and share it with your friends if you can. Also you have any feedback or if you’d be interested in joining on future episodes be sure to let me know, until next time, laters! 😀

 

My Top 10 Films of 2015

Howdy people of the internet, the year is pretty much over and I think it’s about time that I give you my top 10 list of my favourite films of 2015. Before I get into this list I have to explain a few things:

1. As per-usual I DO NOT include 2015 films that got released in 2015 here in the UK, so films like Big Hero 6 and some others that were originally released in 2014 for me they don’t count. I only list films that are new and were released between the start and end of this year.
2. The following films aren’t the best critically received films, the reason I’ve listed them is because of my personal enjoyment, the quality and the re-watch value.
3. This list was constantly shifting over the last month and in the end at least the first four films are solid, but other than that everything is sort of up in the air.
4. Oh and there were some great films that didn’t make the list like the lovely Cinderella, the thrilling Sicario and the fun and imaginative Inside Out.

With all that in mind let’s begin shall we?

10. Ant-Man

This was the Marvel film of 2015 that I thought I’d end up just liking, however in the end I liked it way more than Avengers: Age of Ultron and I never thought I’d feel that way earlier in the year. But this Peyton Reed-lead film was incredibly funny, action-packed, refreshing and reminded me of why I appreciate the solo adventures in the MCU over the connected stories. Paul Rudd owned in the lead role, and Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Pena were some of the other highlights in the cast. And while the MCU villain issue reminds and the way Hope was handled could have been better, in the end this was another solid entry in this film universe and I can’t wait to see the sequel in a few years time.

9. The Martian

I thought The Martian would be good, and I hoped it would be good, but damn it was a lot better than I expected it to be. Thankfully Ridley Scott found his way back to greatness with this sci-fi adventure very much focused on this one man’s survival on the planet Mars after being left by his team. This film could have easily been very boring and conventional, but luckily it was very engaging, dramatic and surprisingly funny. The central performance from Matt Damon was awesome and I also appreciated the focus on the characters on Earth as well too.

8. Black Mass

Black Mass was an intense, dramatic and engaging film about power and how its use had major ramifications for everyone involved. The film dealt with manipulation, influence, corruption, and the moral and ethical issues that could be used for good or bad when it came to law enforcers and the criminals. I liked the non-linear style applied to the story and seeing certain characters recall their interactions with Jimmy and the use of different time periods detailing the rise and fall of Jimmy’s power. This was return to form that I’ve always wanted from Johnny Depp as he was incredible, but on top of that Joel Edgerton was brilliant and I also really liked appearances from Jesse Plemons, Benedict Cumberbatch and Adam Scott too.

7. Mad Max Fury Road

Now this is where the controversy will probably kick in. For a lot of people, this was one of their favourite film of the year because of its unique style, insanity and use of practical effects. For me the fourth entry in this franchise was really impressive and had so many characters and moments of badassery, and some of those action sequences were just amazing. That being said, the film was overhyped before I saw it and I don’t believe it met the high expectations that many people had thrown out online, plus there were elements from Road Warrior that missed too. But make no mistake I still enjoyed this film a great deal and I thank George Miller for coming back to this series after so long.

6. Amy

I only saw this film a little while ago, however, it was certainly one of 2015’s most impactful films in my opinion. Just like Senna, director Asif Kapadia crafted a documentary that was incredibly insightful, dramatic, in-depth and heartbreaking. While I’m not the biggest fan of Amy Winehouse or her music, but I did like some of her material and because I was so familiar with her success and talent as a musician it made the rise and fall all the more tragic and painful especially when I saw her creative process and the way she was treated by certain individuals close to her.

5. Straight Outta Compton

This was not a film I was expecting to like as much as I did, I’ve seen a few music biographies in the past, but only a few of them capture the spirit and drama of the real events, but luckily everyone was on-point and crafted a really compelling and fun film. Now obviously certain elements were left out or dramatised for the film, but at the end of the day the film was effect in display the highs and lows of NWA during the formation, success and disbandment with awesome performances from O’Shea Jackson, Jr., Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell.

4. Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation

This is the fifth entry in Mission Impossible franchise and most films by this point would have sucked terribly, however Rogue Nation is to some the best entry in the series and for good reason. The stunts and action sequences were of the highest quality and were shot really well, we got to see Ethan Hunt in his most difficult position yet physically and mentally, but we also got more from the returning characters Benji and Brandt, but also got some interesting new characters in the form of the sexy/badass Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) and Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin). This new entry definitely improved on a few of the elements from the last entry, but I feel like there’s a sense of fun and style missing from Ghost Protocol, but besides that I really enjoyed this film.

3. Ex Machina

In a way this may still be my favourite film of the year. Back in January I expected this film to be a good watch, but I had no idea that I’d enjoy Ex Machina as much as I did. I love a good thriller and with the sci-fi elements incorporated it was just so compelling to watch. The themes, tone and style of this film made every scene feel relevant, interesting, tense and not boring at all. I adore the main performances Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac as each of their characters were engaging and different.

2. Kingsman the Secret Service

I had a lot of hope for this film considering that it was another comic book adapted film from Matthew Vaughn, but it ended up being far better than I had hoped. Kingsman was the most exciting, humourous and violent material I’ve seen in the spy genre for a while. This film felt classically infused with the best codes and conventions of the spy/action genre paying homage and referencing films that have come before. From the snappy dialogue to the crazy violent action sequences, this film has everything, and I loved the performances from Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong and Sofia Boutella.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

It feels like a cheat to have The Force Awakens as my number one considering it’s issues and similarities to A New Hope, but fuck it, no other film has made me feel a sense of delight quite like this new Star Wars film. Of all the films year, none have given me that feeling of joy and magic that this one had. Part of that was the nostalgia factor that this film provides so well with the return of classic characters, music and use of practical effects, but in addition to that J.J. Abrams has brought a new sense energy with the pacing, humour, visual style and cinematography. All of the new characters, Rey, Finn, Poe, BB-8 and Kylo Ren had interesting new personalities, motivations and chemistry, and there were also great returns for Han Solo, Leia and few others. The best aspects of the film for me was the new lightsaber duels, the drama between certain characters and the sense of magic and connections to the Original Trilogy.

Conclusion

In the end 2015 was a pretty good year for films, sure there was plenty of disappoints films, but there was also a great deal of surprises and certain films that delivered their promise of awesomeness. With 2016 around the corner we’ve got the likes of Batman V Superman, Captain America: Civil War, Star Wars: Rogue One, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, The Jungle Book and Suicide Squad being some of the heavy hitters, it’ll be fun to see how next year pans out.

So how do you feel about my list and are any of your favourites on here? Also do you feel like some of these entries are wrong? And in general what were you favourite films of 2015? Whatever your thoughts are be sure to leave them below and I’ll see ya on the next blog post, laters! 😀

 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review (Spoiler-Free!)

So the day of reckoning has arrived (at least for us in the UK), Star Wars The Force Awakens has finally been released and I saw it in IMAX yesterday, and excuse the profanity, but it was some good shit. The wait for this film has felt like an eternity but I’ve seen in this new Star Wars film, and while a spoiler-free review seems impossible. I’m going to attempt it anyway. 😀

The plot can be described as the following:

“30 years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat rises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of Heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.”

First thing I can say about this story is that it was really good. At first I thought this film would be just a retread of A New Hope, and throughout the film there’s certainly some call backs to that particular film, however as the story progresses it quickly evolves into its own tale with new characters, mythology and set up for even grander adventures in the future. What I loved about this film was its ability to connect with The Original Trilogy, but also feel totally fresh, exciting and unexpected. This film is full of humour, drama, mystery and intrigue, but at the center of it all it has heart. And for all the spectacle and larger-than-life elements, this was a very intimate and personal adventure for several of the characters involved and you could feel the emotion for sure. There’s also a lot of great references to the previous Star Wars films, and while you don’t have to have seen the previous films to understand TFA, you really can’t appreciate all of the subtle references or the dramatic moments involving the older returning cast members.

I have to hand it to J.J. Abrams and his team of writers for being able to pull this film off. This film really felt like Star Wars from a nostalgic standpoint, but it didn’t rely to heavily on it and created a lot of new material especially when it came to some of the humour and dialogue. Some of this material felt odd to be a in a Star Wars film, but it also helped the film feel relatable to modern film audiences. Also this film gets a little dark, sure it’s not the first time in this series, but certain moments were definitely violent and aggressive. Now this film isn’t perfect (although its pretty close), certain characters aren’t utilized to their full potential and certain plot points and mysteries you may be able to predict if you’re hardcore fan who has read the Expanded Universe/Legacy material or have speculated a lot online. But make no mistake, this film feels like the Star Wars you remember and it felt like a satisfactory follow-up to Return of the Jedi.

Oh and the cast, they were great. A lot of these characters come from different backgrounds and this film did a good job of weaving them all together in coherent manner that felt natural. Firstly let me talk about Daisy Ridley and John Boyega as Rey and Finn, man I adore these two. Rey was this smart, cunning and interesting scavenger, while Finn was a defected stormtrooper from the First Order who was brave, extremely funny and emotionally scarred. Both of these characters have great chemistry together, but their separate adventures were also very personal and badass. Adam Driver as Kylo Ren was very badass, this character could have easily been a one-note villain, but there were layers to him, and discovering more about his personality and history as the film progressed was exciting and engaging. Oscar Isaac was great as Poe Dameron, just the definition of cool with a great deal of charisma, humour and confidence, and I have to give a shout out to BB-8 as he was one of the most adorable and humourous aspects of this film.

And then there’s Harrison Ford as Han Solo, I loved him SO much. Ford, while certainly older, he felt like he hadn’t lost a step as Solo. This character was still just as charming, daring and hilarious as ever, however, he’d also aged and his perspective on certain things has changed a great deal, and while he was certainly used as a means to guide the new characters into this franchise, at the same time he had a key role to play and it was handled nicely. Carrie Fisher’s return as General Leia Organa was very nice too, Leia, while similar to the woman were known from the previous films, she’s changed too, she has a lot more responsibilities and it was cool to see a different side to her. Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata was another great new addition as she had such wonderful moments with some of the heroes, and Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke was quite fascinating, he was imposing, powerful and yet strange and mysterious too. The rest of the cast was either not given enough screen time or weren’t developed enough especially when it came to Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Max von Sydow as Lor San Tekka and Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma.

When it comes to the presentation, dear god I could nearly explode from the feeling of happiness this film gave me. Visually the film was beyond awesome. Everything from the gorgeous, pulsating space battles to the dirty/aggressive lightsaber duels to the lovely practical effects for the aliens and robots was stunning. What was great about this film was that it looked and sounded just like the previous films, but now with a swifter pace, a different style of cinematography, better use of practical effects and the CGI was clean, sharp and flawlessly executed. Oh and the music by John Williams, it was pretty damn cool. Now I will admit there weren’t any new themes that stuck out to me (like “Duel of the Fates” in the prequels), however the music is a mixture of new and old, but it has the Williams touch, that sense of magic and wonder, fear, intensity and joy that comes from a Star Wars film and it was a joy to hear it.

In conclusion Star Wars: The Force Awakens, to put it simply, the film just made me feel good. There’s a sense of satisfaction that I got after this film ended that I haven’t felt since The Avengers, all I needed this film to be was good and it exceeded my expectations in ways I never thought would happen. With an engaging new story, brilliant performances from the main cast members and stunning production values, Star Wars in back for fans new and old. Now the film does have issues and some fans will not be entirely happy with everything that goes down, but hell I really enjoyed myself with this film and I will probably see it several more times into the new year.

Critic Rating: 8.5/10

Fan Rating: 9/10

So are you going to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens and if so are you hyped or worried? And if you’ve seen the film were you pleased or disappointed? Please be sure to comment below and I’ll see ya on the next review, laters! 😀

 

QUICK REVIEW: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer #3

Yo people of the internet, time for the trailer review I’ve been waiting an eternity to watch; the official trailer for Star Wars The Force Awakens. I waited all of yesterday for this trailer but didn’t know when it was specifically coming out, so when it did get released it was like 3am over here in the UK, but it was worth the wait because I loved the trailer and I’m gonna attempt to tell you why in this review.

Check out the trailer below:

I think this may be the best trailer I’ve seen to any film this year. I know that’s an incredibly biased statement but screw it, it’s frigging Star Wars and because of this final trailer I have no doubt in my mind that this film will be awesome. I liked the first teaser, really digged the second, but this trailer just blows the previous two out of the water.

I am honestly a little lost for words, this trailer blew me away. I had hopes and they were met and exceeded. Would I like to have seen more like possibly some footage of my man Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker? Of course I would! And am I still curious to know where Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis and Lupita Nyong’o are also? Totally! But the brilliance of this trailer is in the fact that it gives you so much and yet holds back the finer details. You still don’t know what the story is and there’s still a lot of room for speculation.

There is so much awesomeness in this trailer that’s it’s hard to find a place to start. I’ve seen the trailer around 3 times and yet I feel like even after that talking about this trailer won’t be enough because there is so much to cover. Firstly I will say that the presentation is simply amazing. The dog fights have this new level of energy and intensity not yet seen in the series, X-Wings and Tie Fighters fly, shoot, crash and explode with clarity, beauty and speed, and the classic Millennium Falcon is the thick of it getting chased too. And seeing these different locations like space or that snowy planet or the jungle/water-based planet as the arenas for these crazy battles looks so good. Those visual effects people are really taking Star Wars into the modern era with the cinematography used for these battle sequences.

There are loads of little things to mention like:

• Rey is special: This lady feels very similar to Luke Skywalker because of where she begins; she’s in a desert, looking out to the stars and because of a specific event it will trigger her adventure. She seems tenacious, strong and it looks she’ll be the central focus of this film.
• Finn, where does his alliance lie?: Finn looks like he grew up believing what he was doing, but has defected and starts a new path in this film. I also love how he goes from being a Stormtrooper to joining Rey to then attempting to fight Klyo in the forest (that scene alone look frigging epic), he’s gonna have one hell of a story arc.
• Klyo Ren, the dedicated badass: Klyo is definitely a Darth Vader fanatic, he’s on a mission to complete something that Vader didn’t finish (at least that’s what his dialogue suggests), he’s got a badass posse with his Knights of Ren with him in the rain, he’s someone you don’t want to encounter as demonstrated with his force abilities being used on Poe in a torture scene.
• Poe Dameron, more that meets the eye: Besides being a good pilot, he looks like he’ll be pretty important as he has some interaction with Klyo Ren (as mentioned above) but also with Finn which makes me wonder if there’s some history between them whether it is prior to this film or during with Finn converting from the Order to join Poe (that shoulder tap and Finn’s reaction suggests that there may be some allegiance there).
• Han Solo is a believer: Out of the original trio, Han shows up the most and seems like he’ll be the guide for Rey and Finn into this world we’ve known for a while now. When Rey asked him about the events of the past and he says that “It’s true, all of it.” It feels like he’ll be giving them the history on what took place in the Original Trilogy. Also when he says “The dark side, the Jedi, they’re real.” That’s a big statement as he was a non-believer many moons back but has definitely changed his opinion on those things. Also I liked seeing him and Chewbacca lowering their hands from their heads, but what was even more interesting was seeing him and Leia hug, I wonder if they’re still together or that the events of this film bring them back into each others lives?
  
• The Millennium Falcon’s warp speed: I know it’s a minor detail, but in the original films we never saw the Falcon while it was in warp. It would always boot up and then blast away into the distance, but here we see the full extent of the speed much like the starship Enterprise in Star Trek (2009).

Oh and that music, bloody hell, hearing those classic themes reworked into this trailer (“Han Solo and the Princess”) being all loud and dramatic over this footage was beautiful. It gave me goosebumps and felt suitably nostalgic. I loved it and I wonder if that’s just cut for the trailer or if it’ll be part of John Williams’ new soundtrack for The Force Awakens? I really hope the new film can sound similar to this because I’ll lose my mind.

I have to hand it to J.J. Abrams for his ability to keep this film secret for so long and continuing his trend of not revealing key details for his films in the marketing process especially when it comes to this trailer. And speaking of Abrams this film definitely has his style over it in terms of the camera work and swifter pace, and it looks like he’s gonna breathe new life into this franchise the same way he did with 2009’s Star Trek (and I loved that film so I can only imagine how good TFA will be).

In conclusion Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I’m beyond excited for this film, I know I’ve probably missed out tons of details but I’m only offering quick thoughts. This is all I’ve wanted out of the films of 2015 and if it is nearly as good as this trailer suggests then it will be the best December film experience I’ve had in a long time. I just want this film now, give it to me! MY BODY IS READY!

So have you seen the trailer for The Force Awakens and if so are you hyped or underwhelmed? Please be sure to comment below and I’ll see ya on the next review, laters! 😀

 

My Top 6 Highlights From San Diego Comic-Con

Howdy ladies and gents, time for some frigging news and recaps! So over the past weekend San Diego Comic-Con went down and it was a pretty crazy session with a good number of stories that dropped online. There was so much news not only for films, but also for TV and comics and I wasn’t able to see it all because I was at work. 😦 This was the first year for a while when I was working during the actual event so a lot of stories dropped while I was at work and I didn’t find out about it until I got out at 2am UK time which SUCKED! So rather than trying to talk about everything I’m just going to talk about my highlights from the convention. Oh by the way I will be talking about the leaked trailer for certain films but I won’t be showing the trailers because I don’t want my blog posts being shut down. 😛

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Trailer

It was kind of given that this would be the first topic of conversation and probably the biggest highlight, but it’s hard not to be hyped for this film now. I will say that I’m not going gaga over this trailer, some fans have been losing the frigging minds over this, but that’s not me. I do like this trailer a lot, but some of my concerns about the film still stand but I’ll get into that later.

I’m going to do a mini review of the trailer and keep my thoughts brief. All in all, the more I see from this film, the more hyped I get. This film is looking better with each new reveal, I love how they’ve tied BvS into Man of Steel by putting Bruce Wayne right in the thick of the chaos that went down when Superman fought Zod, and having been a witness to the destruction and death that happened, Bruce now has a reason not only to hate Superman but also to resurface as the Batman. I also like how Superman is being handled, the world is split on him, some love him and some hate him, and he’s also being held accountable for the damage he caused and is being brought to court (where’s Matt Murdock when you need him :P). Everything about this film is looking pretty cool, the story is looking good, I’m liking the character motivations and dilemmas, the action looks kick ass and very Snyder-like (super stylish and crazy) and there’s a lot of cool quotes being thrown around too. That being said I did think the trailer felt a little crowded especially with the appearances of Wonder Woman (still wondering how she fits into this film), also I’m not over the moon about Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor (though that red capes line is hilarious) or Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman (notice how there was no dialogue for her), I’m still waiting to be wowed. Otherwise all you need to know is that my general consensus is that I’m really looking forward to this film and I want it now.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Panel & Behind-The-Scenes Footage

While I’m not the biggest Star Wars nerd ever, my love for the films and the franchise as a whole is undeniable and I’m so hyped for The Force Awakens and the panel just gave me more confidence in the cast and crew behind hit. Hearing the answers from JJ Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Kathleen Kennedy given by fans and the host made me feel so at ease and just reconfirmed my hopes for the film. It also helped that the cast both new and old are so charming, down to earth and excited for the film to be released.

But then that behind-the-scenes video was the part that really got me giddy. Take a look:

There is just too much to mention. Hardcore SW fans must be having a field day picking apart the footage for me I just loved seeing these on-set locations whether they were exterior or interior, I loved the concept art and the practical animatronics and the lighting used for the darker scenes during filming. I like the stormtroopers, I love the explosions, the sets look incredibly detailed and big, and seeing the cast’s enthusiasm for the film is infectious especially from Simon Pegg. I think Mark Hamill said it best, “Everything’s changed but nothing’s changed, that’s the way you want it to be really.” It truly seemed like the filmmakers want to bring fans back to the beginning of the series but modernize it and I’m hyped.

Deadpool Trailer

It feels like this film has been in development for AGES, for the longest time it was all just talk and hoping that a Deadpool film would happen, but it’s actually happening and it’s still kind of surreal. But seeing the trailer in action just put things in perspective and I know now that Deadpool, so far, looking awesome and I want it now! Now I will say that I watched the leaked trailer online, but hey if you’re not at Comic-Con and its online, you have to watch it right? So I took a peek and it looks just as mad as I had hoped. There are jokes galore, breaking the fourth wall, references to other superhero films, violence and action and at the center of it there’s just this wonderful sense of madness and fun. I loved the use of DMX in the trailer, Ryan Reynolds is on top form with this role and I like TJ Miller too. I’m totally down for this film.

Suicide Squad Trailer

I was actually really hyped up when this leaked online. I know it’s not good to hope for exclusive film footage to drop online, but when you’re not an attendee of fancy events like these it is great to get to see something cool ( even if it is a bit blurry and out of frame. What I will say about the Suicide Squad trailer is that it felt right, it felt so right. I know only the tiniest bit of info about them from the source material, but from what I know about them they seem correct. I love the tone, it’s serious, but not too dark, I love the look of the film, the use of colour, lighting and action looks nice too, plus the cast look pretty badass especially Amanda Waller, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Killer Croc and the Joker too. I also liked the references to Man of Steel creating a sense of continuity and this film feels like the starting point of expanding the DC cinematic universe in a really good way.

UPDATE: Here’s the official trailer:

X-Men: Apocalypse Trailer

This was the last leaked trailer that I saw because it was a little more recent and again I was glad it found its way online because it looks awesome! I’ve heard people talk about this trailer online, but you can only imagine how they feel when you haven’t seen the footage yourself, but after seeing this trailer I can understand the hype. X-Men: Apocalypse looks like it could well be the best X-Men film yet, the sense of disaster, dread and end of the world kind of tone can be felt all over this trailer. I’m really liking how in this film, it seems like the film is progressing when it comes to the looks of the characters when it comes to the costumes, hair and make-up. Characters like Storm, Nightcrawler and Professor X look really great, but Apocalypse was the real surprise, Oscar Isaac was shown right there in full make-up and costume and he looked SO beastly and unrecognisable. I just like some of the stuff they’ve carried over from First Class and Days of Future Past into this one, I’m just in a proper good mood to see this film.

Game of Thrones Panel

And finally we have the Game of Thrones panel, while nothing too significant got revealed, I just found it entertaining to watch as 2015 has found me at the peak of my GoT hype and since I’ve never watched a panel on this show I found it really fun, interesting and surprising too. I’ve not really seen many of the cast for the show outside of their characters besides Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner and Gwendoline Christie, so it was firstly just fascinating to see them all talk in their normal accents and interact in a more relaxed and playful manner. i liked hearing about the cast’s experience doing season 5 and answering some of the questions that fans gave. Though I thought Conleth Hill was the highlight of the panel and stole the show, his normal speaking voice was so much more manly than expected, but beyond that the guy is just hilarious, he cracked so many jokes and said a lot of humourous things, Hill just seems like the best kind of guy ever to hang out with in real life. I want him as a best friend.

So that’s me done, do let me know about your highlights from this year’s SDCC and what your thought of my mine in the comments section below and I’ll see ya on the next blog post, laters! 😀

 

QUICK REVIEW: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Teaser #2

Howdy people of the internet and welcome to a new trailer review! I was going to review the Terminator Genisys trailer at some point soon since the new trailer dropped, but since the second teaser trailer for the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens. dropped online today I just had to talk about that instead.

Here’s the trailer:

So my thoughts after seeing this trailer? It sounds something like this: “Why is December so far away? I want this film now!”

With all the big films coming up this summer like Avengers 2, Jurassic World, Terminator 5, Mission: Impossible 5, Ant-Man and Fantastic Four just to name a few, it is easy to forget that a little old franchise by the name of Star Wars is getting the 7th entry in that film series since the last film in 2005. The hype for the first teaser nearly broke the internet back in December and that was only 90 seconds, but here we get more, we get more scenes of characters, action and spectacle and it looks GORGEOUS! I know that it is just a preview of what is coming up and the film could still be bad, however, with footage like this it is hard for me to feel anything but joy. It looks like J.J. Abrams and the people behind this film has everything under control.

Since there’s so much going on in this teaser trailer, like the last review I’m just going to talk about the main things I took away from this trailer. No bare in mind I’m no Star Wars boffin so there will be things that go over my head or I won’t be able to discuss in nerdy fashion, so don’t kill me.

Fallen Star Destroyer

Having this as the opening scene is perfect. For fans of the Original Trilogy this is a scene that is nostalgia as I believe we’re on that sandy planet that looks like Tatooine again (it is apparently called Jakku) and we see a speeder driving by in the background, and as the camera pans to the right we see the remains of a HUGE old star destroyer. Just that moment put me in a state of awe. That ship was insanely big and it really establishes the scale and scope of this new film in contrast to the original films and to some degree even the prequels. I just like how the remains from the old films still exist here in an old, decayed, but visually distinctive manner, and the fact that the old Star Wars music is playing in background with it, that just hits home in such a lovely way.

That Old Vader Helmet

Bloody hell, this was another really chilling and nostalgic element. Seeing that helmet of Darth Vader was both cool and super creepy. I love Vader and I was gutted when he died in Return of the Jedi, but the man did die a hero and was burnt in fire. But seeing is old, deformed/melted helmet, it was so creepy and horror-like to me. I can’t look at it too much, it just creeps me out. I assume that it is look possibly looking at the helmet, unless it is someone else, if so who?

New Kids In Danger

We get to see a few new looks at John Boyega and Daisy Ridley individually at different points, but this trailer establishes that they are not only in the same location but how they also have to work together too. And this shot is awesome, seeing them running for their lives from the destruction behind them. And this shot is even better before BB8 is along for the ride too.

Action, Spectacle & Chaos!

The Star Wars films have always been known for their incredible attention to detail when it came to visual effects, cinematography and action sequences, and looks like this film will take what we’ve come to expect and improve upon that foundation tenfold with the use of improved CGI and modern styles of cinematography. The action in this film looks off the hook, the amount of madness going on whether it is X-Wings flying above water on a Earth-looking planet or Tie Fighters chasing down the Millennium Falcon through the remains of huge ship or some crazy battle in a hangar bay with a Tie Fighter shooting at Stormtroopers, it all looks SO clean, detailed and shiny and I want a piece of it!

Stormtroopers & Crazy Cool Sith Man

Firstly I’m really liking the new look of Stormtroopers, they look new, but familiar. I like how there are still a good number of them lurking around after all these years and I can’t wait to see them in action/ They look cool standing around and getting blown away, but I want to see more from them and understand just how John Boyega fits into his role as one of them. Oh and that dude in the dark hood from the first trailer, we can see his face! Well, sort of. I know the guy has a name but I forget what it is. Anyways, he wears a cool-looking mask and looks like he’s going to be throwing down in this film swinging his lightsabers and using the force too, I just want to know how much of a force he’ll be and who he’ll run into over the course of the film.

Chewie & Han!

And after that incredible short chase sequence with the Millennium Falcon, the icing on the cake was clearly last scene, seeing Harrison Ford back as Han Solo alongside Chewbacca with him saying “Chewie, we’re home.” That was just perfect and sort works both as return for the characters in the film but also for us fans that have been waiting to see them in this universe again after so many years. On and I just want to highlight how good Ford looks, sure he’s old for sure, but the make up and costume people have done well to make him look like a more seasoned version of Solo, I just hope he can still move a fair amount though.

In conclusion the second teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens is frigging amazing. It feels like the perfect blend of old and new, again it is only a teaser, there isn’t much information on the story or characters, but what we do see is hella cool and exciting. It is only the second trailer and I’m already feeling like this film will be the amazing experience I hope it will be. There is so much to like and again, I can’t wait for December to come, MY BODY IS READY! 😀

So how do you feel about the second teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Are you hyped more or less than before or were you unimpressed? I would love to hear your thoughts, please be sure to drop them in the comments below and I’ll see ya on the next review, laters! 😀

 

My Top 11 Most Anticipated Films of 2015

Yo yo people of the internet, time for the penultimate blog post in this series based on upcoming films in 2015 with my top 11 most anticipated films of the year.  If you haven’t already, check out PART 1, 2 & 3 of my 2015 film preview. It does seem a little late now considering that we’re just over two weeks into January, but I feel like I had to be done after the film preview and I guess it’s better late than never right? With all that in mind let’s begin from number 11 to 1.

11. Jurassic World

At one point I wasn’t going to put this on this list. The first trailer didn’t wow me, however, in the end, it’s another Jurassic Park film, I need to see it. after all these years of talk, rumours and speculation, we’re finally getting another Jurassic Park film. One that ties back to the first film, it has a great cast including Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and Vincent D’Onofrio among others, and it introduces a story that mixes in elements new and old. That being said, the concept of genetically modified dinosaurs sounds questionable, pet velociraptors and re-hashing “humans getting eaten by dinosaurs” doesn’t give me much hope. I PRAY that future trailers get me more hyped up and that the whole film is great.

10. Ant-Man

Ant-Man is another film that I’ve been interested in seeing, but also had a lacklustre teaser trailer. Now this is a character I’ve never been th biggest fan of, however, I’ve warmed to him in recent years and since Marvel Studios have come to the point where they can make anything look cool in a live-action film, I have to believe they’ll do the same with this. They have a great cast, an original and unconventional hero and a different kind of superhero story. Even though Edgar Wright is gone and some of us just haven’t gotten over it, I do have faith that Peyton Reed, Kevin Feige and everyone behind the film will give us something worth watching… Unless it fails completely, which will be a first for Marvel.

9. The Peanuts Movie

Out of all of the animated films coming out in 2015, this is the one I’m looking forward to the most. The Peanuts Movie is very important, because like a few other films on this list, the characters are part of history and the source material is very reach and nostalgic for many generations of people. After so many years with no Peanuts material, we have a new film, in 3D CGI, but with the right look and sounds of the old TV show. Now this good be beautiful or it could fail terribly and turn out like The Smurfs or Garfield, but I hope for that it turns out great.

8. Mission: Impossible 5

So now we have Mission: Impossible 5. After the badassery that was Ghost Protocol, I knew I had to see more Ethan Hunt adventures and in the latter part of 2015 we’ll get to see this crazy man start all over again. Now I feel like this film will not be as good as the previous one, but if it can be at least half as fun and action-packed as the last film then I’ll be happy for sure.

7. Tomorrowland

I’m super curious about this film, there hasn’t been that much information provided about it beyond a few images and a really intriguing teaser trailer. But to be honest that’s all I need. That and the fact that Brad Bird is directing it makes me so hyped to see what he’ll do with this.

6. In the Heart of the Sea

This is a film I have a lot of hope for. After Rush in 2013, I knew I had to see whatever Ron Howard was up to next and this film looks incredible. The trailer I saw was amazing and gives us a look at a film which is dark, mysterious, large in scope and epic in action. Plus the cast for this film looks really good and the story seems like it’ll be a one of hardships and tragedy. I can’t wait.

5. Furious 7

Now we have the 7th film in the Fast & Furious series, it is really weird to think that this series has been going on for this long, that being said after Fast 5, I think everyone was ready for more F&F action. That first trailer was awesome, it was like a mini preview of the film and while I don’t like to see too much of a film in the trailers, I feel like the teaser for Furious 7 was enough to get me hyped.

4. Mad Max: Fury Road

I have been watching this film from afar, but it wasn’t until the last trailer came out that this film got on my radar. I’ve not seen any of the previous Mad Max films, however, I’m not that bothered, if this film is half as good as the trailers are letting on then it’ll be a hell of a good time. I love Tom Hardy and the action sequences look mental, I want it in my system now! XD

3. Spectre

After 3 years we have the next James Bond film in the form of Spectre. There is no official images or a trailer, but my anticipation of this film is very high, I really liked Skyfall and since most of the cast and crew are back for the next adventure makes me smile. I’m not sure what to expect, but with Sam Mendes at the helm I’m hopeful that he’ll do us Bond fans proud once again.

2. The Avengers: Age of Ultron

I am surprised this ended up being at number 2, because to be honest it is my most anticipated film. I am I’m a comic book nerd and these superhero films are my crack. Marvel Studios have been giving me the good stuff for the last 7 years and now we’re heading towards the second Avengers film which promises to give fans everything they liked about the first film and more with darkness, drama and a badass villain.  That first trailer blew me away and the second trailer gets my hype juices flowing and so now we’re around 4 months away (3 for us UK people) and the wait, ah man, it is killing me, I just need it now.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Ah man, it was a very close call between this and Avengers, but in the end the top choice had to be this film. I mean it’s frigging STAR WARS! Now I know this film could go one of two ways; it could either be great or a terribly disappointing, however it doesn’t matter, Star Wars is one of the biggest parts my childhood and is part of cinematic history regardless of whether you like it or not. For a lot of people this is their major film event of 2015, after the prequels most fans have been waiting for a proper SW film with the original cast and they are finally getting their wish. The short teaser trailer was FRIGGING AWESOME! And now loads of people are hoping that J.J. Abrams doesn’t mess this film up.

So that’s it, my top 11 list done, hope you enjoyed my choices. Now I shift my focus to you, the readers, what is your most anticipated films of 2015 and are any of your entires on my list? Whatever your thoughts are be sure to drop them in the comments below and I’ll see you on the next review yo. 😀

 

Films To Look Out For In 2015 Part 3

Howdy people of the interweb and welcome to the third part of my special series of blog posts dedicated to the films that you should be looking out for this year entitled: Films to look out for in 2015! It’s a preview to this year’s selection of films in the cinema and I’m basically going to highlight why I believe they’re worth paying attention to. Before checking this out be sure to read PART 1 and PART 2 first.

Now before we begin I have two main things I need yo point out:

1. Obviously a lot films come out, so if they’re not only my list it’s either because I don’t know about them or I don’t care…
2. 2014 films getting their UK releases this year don’t count! So there.😛

Okay then, let’s start 😀

The Fantastic Four

Release Date: August 7th (USA), August 6th (UK)

So now we have the Fantastic Four reboot, the film which directed by Josh Trank of Chronicle, written and produced by Simon Kinberg of X-Men Days of Future Past and it stars some of the most talented young actors working today in the form of Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell and Toby Kebbell. So what’s the problem? Well for a lot of fans, the information provided about this film doesn’t sound that intriguing. The origin’s been changed, the actors for the characters are super young, Johnny Storm is White, Dr. Doom is apparently some internet hacker or something. Add on top of that there’s no images or footage of this film to be found and it’s 8 months away! I want to believe in the talent behind the film and want to be entertained, but so far nothing has gotten me excited for this film. I hope to be proven wrong.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Release Date: August 15th (USA & UK)

So now we have a film I’ve heard a lot of talk about from certain film sites and I know that this is the next big film for Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer, but beyond that my knowledge about this film is next to nothing. From what I’ve read this film is based on a 1960’s TV show, it’s a spy comedy and its directed by Guy Ritchie. I like Guy Ritchie’s as a director and cast seem solid. Now again I have no idea of what this film entails, however a lot of film sites say it is one to look out for so I’m keeping my eyes peeled.

Criminal

Release Date: August 21st (USA)

This is another film which doesn’t have a trailer or any images released for it, however when I saw it listed in the set of 2015 films I thought it my be worth watching. There are a few reasons to check it out like: 1) The premise sounds pretty interesting, “The memories & skills of a deceased CIA agent are implanted into an unpredictable and dangerous convict.” 2) Ariel Vromen, the director for this film was also the man behind The Iceman and I really liked that film. And 3) There’s the cast I do love Gary Oldman and Tommy Lee Jones, Ryan Reynolds is a good actor, Kevin Costner is cool, Alice Eve is pretty and even Gal Gadot is in this too (which will be interesting to see if she’s improved as an actress since Fast 6).

Hitman: Agent 47

Release Date: August 28th (USA & UK)

Now from what I understand the first Hitman film back in 2007 wasn’t that well-received. I never saw the film so I can’t comment on whether it was good or not and since I’ve never played the games I can’t compare or say what I would like to see in the sequel. That being said, I have done some research into the game series, learnt a lot of stuff from reviews and my best uni friend and I expect a solid action thriller with suspense, style, stealth and drama, IF the filmmakers can pull it off. The cast seems decent as well with Zachary Quinto, Thomas Kretschmann and Rupert Friend as the main character, let’s hope this film is a good one.

Jane Got a Gun

Release Date: September 4th (USA), September 25th (UK)

Again we have another film with no trailer or any promotional images, just another one I’m interested in based on word of mouth from film sites and the description of the film. I’m not usually into western films, but if the story and cast are interesting enough then I’ll give it a try. This film sounds interesting, sounds like a good old tale of revenge and murder and I like that regardless of what genre it takes place in. I really like the cast though, I LOVE Ewan McGregor, Joel Edgerton is good actor too, but it is Natalie Portman who interests me the most. I haven’t seen her in a leading role since Black Swan and I know she’s a good actress, but I want to see if she can be tough again. If she can pull off this film then I’ll be happy.

Triple Nine

Release Date: September 11th (USA & UK)

This is another unknown film that just has an intriguing premise and great cast. Apparently it’s a crime-drama heist film involving corrupt police officers, blackmail and murder, sounds nice. Plus the cast has Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet, Aaron Paul, Norman Reedus, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Gal Gadot, Teresa Palmer and Michael Peña. That is a good deal of talent especially when it comes to the Harrelson, Winslet, Ejiofor and Affleck. Plus my boys Paul, Mackie and Reedus are in check.

Black Mass

Release Date: September 18th (USA)

This is another film I’m interested in from the sound of the story and cast involved. It’s apparently based on a true story (like most films these days), but what excites me is the cast. Johnny Depp’s in the film and since it is a crime drama the man will be in a serious role and I love that, plus my man Benedict Cumberbatch will be in the film as well as Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemons and Sienna Miller. I just want to see them interact in one film.

Everest

Release Date: September 18th (USA), October 2nd (UK)

There’s no trailer for this film but the premise sounds good: “A climbing expedition on Mt. Everest is devastated by a severe snow storm.” Sounds like things could get messy and I like films where people battle against the elements and try to survive impossibly tough situations. Add on top of that a good cast involving Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley, Josh Brolin, Jason Clarke and a few others and we could be on to a winner.

The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials

Release Date: September 18th (USA & UK)

A lot of people hated on The Maze Runner when it was released last year, but I really liked it, sure some of the plot was generic, the pay-off at the end wasn’t that good and the sequel bait for the film was far too obvious. Overall I still thought it was fun and interesting. Now we have the sequel and I just want to know what these kids are going to be doing and what kind of trials they’ll have to endure that could be worse than the maze beforehand.

Victor Frankenstein

Release Date: October 2nd (USA & UK)

With this film, I’ve head a lot of talk about this film since around the summer of 2013. Apparently from what I’ve read it’s like an origin story about the character of Frankenstein from the perspective of Igor, the assistant. I’m not sure what to expect from it, however, it has James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe in it, so that is my main reason for checking out.

Crimson Peak

Release Date: October 16th (USA & UK)

So now we have Crimson Peak, the next film from Guillermo del Toro. I’ve I do like Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam, but I’m more interested in Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain as they are two of my favourite people in film these days. It is horror, a genre I’m not too interested in, however it is del Toro as the director so I’ll give it a go.

St. James Place

Release Date: October 16th (USA), October 9th (UK)

This is a film I knew nothing about until I read about it online. My main reasons for watching it are: 1) It’s a spy film. 2) The film’s directed by Steven Spielberg. 3) It has Tom Hanks in the lead role. The film has me on those three aspects alone, I can’t wait.

The Last Witch Hunter

Release Date: October 23rd (USA), November 6th (UK)

This is a film I’ve been curious about for a while now. It is next big Vin Diesel film (that isn’t part of the Fast & Furious series), and I’m a big fan of his and even when the first few images were released, I was intrigued. I like the premise of the film, plus with other talent like Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood and Michael Caine, this makes me very happy. I hope this film is good, it’s a supernatural action film and that’s right up my street.

Spectre

Release Date: November 6th (USA), October 23rd (UK)

So now we have the next Bond film… And I want it now. Nuff said. But if I had to elaborate, Skyfall was one of my favourite films of 2012 and the fact that Sam Mendes is back at the helm along with the talented cast and crew just makes me giddy. Since the main announcement about the cast, film title and new car, my mind’s been freaking out just thinking about it. I can’t wait to see what Christoph Waltz, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Léa Seydoux and Monica Bellucci add to this new Bond adventure.

The Peanuts Movie

Release Date: November 6th (USA), December 21st (UK)

Now we have a film I’m eagerly anticipating, it is of course the return of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the group in The Peanuts Movie. The first teaser hit my nostalgia levels just right and since then I’ve been hyped for this film. Even though I never read the comics or wasn’t alive when the Peanuts were at the hype of their popularity, I’ve seen a lot of the old TV show and specials and I love it. It seems like the people behind this film care a lot about the project and if they can get it right, this will be a very special animated film in 2015.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

Release Date: November 20th (USA & UK)

Despite what a lot of people said I liked Mockingjay – Part 1 and I am very curious to see how this whole thing ends. While I’m not stupidly hyped for this like I was when the final Harry Potter film was out in 2011, I have become a little invested in these films and I’m curious to see how Katniss ends the crazy journey she started back in the first film.

The Good Dinosaur

Release Date: November 25th (USA), November 27th (UK)

Now I may have read this wrong, but I believe we are getting TWO Pixar films this year which is unprecedented as far as I know. I guess they’re making up for not releasing anything last year haha. But anyways I’ve been hearing a lot about this film for a while now, I heard the initial footage was good, then the film got pushed back and then the film’s original vision got scrapped and got re-done, so there’s a lot of development that’s been going into this film. I just hope that it is worth it.

The Martian

Release Date: November 25th (USA), November 27th (UK)

Now we have the next film from Ridley Scott which I am curious about, however, at the same time very I am wary of. Scott hasn’t made a very compelling film that I’ve seen in recent years. All of them have been decent to average to dull, especially his last entry Exodus: Gods and Kings. The premise sounds good and I like the cast, I just hope Scott can produce a good film that’s worth watching this year.

Midnight Special

Release Date: November 25th (USA)

Another film I found online and have seen has an interesting premise (A father and son go on the run after the dad learns his child possesses special powers) and a cool cast (Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver and Joel Edgerton). I also like the director, Jeff Nichols, so I hope that it’s a good one, plus I hope it gets a UK release this year.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Release Date: December 18th (USA & UK)

Okay, now we have pretty much the most important film on this list. It doesn’t matter if you respect the series or not, this is a major cinematic event that some people have been waiting a long time to see. For me, I knew The Force Awakens was going to be worth my time but after that teaser trailer, I went from excited to absurd excitement. This film could either be the best thing ever or could suck badly and have a lot of SW fans ready to take out J.J. Abrams, but I have faith that it’ll be good. I can’t wait to see the old cast back together with all the new members, plus ANDY SERKIS, YAY!

Mission: Impossible 5

Release Date: December 25th (USA), December 26th (UK)

And we have the fifth entry in the Mission: Impossible series. Now I didn’t think we’d get to this point, but honestly after what Brad Bird did with Ghost Protocol, I wanted more of Tom Cruise and this crazy action stuff. Now I don’t think this next film will be as good as the last because the last film pretty much gave life back to this series and was a mixture of fun and action in ways the previous films had not done before, plus it had Brad Bird’s style all over it. I do hope that this next adventure continues to build on the material that the last film did.

Alrighty then, with part 3 over, that’s my big ol’ 2015 film preview done. Thank you so much for reading especially if you made it through all three parts. Are any of the films listed on your personal list of films to watch? whatever your thoughts are be sure to drop them below and I’ll see you for the final blog post in this series with my TOP 10 MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2015! Laters 😀

 

The Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer: I LOVE IT!

Good day to you people of the internet and welcome to a very special blog post, today is one of the most important days for me in recent times as a fan of film, as it is, on this day, that we finally get to see the first trailer for the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Now two other teaser trailers dropped this week, the interesting but underwhelming Jurassic World and the bizarre and unpleasant Pan, both haven’t really gotten me that hyped. So with Star Wars: Episode VII dropping at the end of the working week, I wanted to be impressed, and luckily, I was not left disappointed, AT ALL.

Here’s the trailer:

After watching this trailer, all I can say is, “I’m sold. Give me.”

It is hard to describe the crazy emotions that are flying around in my heart and soul at this point in time. For so long I have wanted to see just a glimpse of this film in action and damn, I was not expecting to see what I saw. Sure, none of the classic characters were around and the people that were shown wasn’t shown to a great deal, we didn’t get any idea of what the story was about and it was like a short collection of clips put together into a short montage, but hell, it was one hell of a montage!

We got creepy-sounding narration, storm troopers, some Sith-looking dude carrying a crazy light saber, there are X-Wings and TIE fighters and the frigging Millennium Falcon! REJOICE! It is hard to describe but this teaser, for a use of cruder words, is making me so wet for this film right now. Haha. I told you it was crude!

But seriously this trailer literally left me in a state of awe, happiness and mystery.

So now I’m going to talk about the top 6 things I took away from this trailer.

1. John Boyega… As a Stormtrooper?

This is a striking moment in this trailer and it does make you question a few things like: is this a disguise? Is he really a stormtrooper and if so when did they become black? Is he on the run or in hiding and if so, who is he trying to escape? Loads of questions, and so many possibilities for speculation!

2. The Presentation

One thing that the Star Wars series has never skipped on was the presentation especially on the visual side of things and this film looks to possibly outdo every film that has come out before it. What I really appreciated about the film was its use of locations, practical-looking effects (I can not be sure on some of those things at the moment) and this sort of film filter and grittiness that felt like it was straight out of the Original Trilogy but with a new coat of paint. I’m not sure if it was just me, but the way certain things looked like the cockpit of the X-Wing, that weird rolling droid, the girl on the speeder, it looked like the old films but done with today’s style of cinematography when it comes to speed, lighting and camera shots. From only a few seconds of footage I can already feel like this film has found that right blend between today’s visual effects and paying homage to the older films.

3. That Lightsaber, Man!

Even though that mysterious figure with the cloak in the woods is definitely worth talking about, I’m more interested in the weapon in his hands. I have seen a great number of lightsabers in my life, but this, this just takes this to a whole new level of interesting. Like what the hell? Just when you think you’ve seen in all, something new and unexpected comes out of the woodwork and you’re like “Damn.” But it is in a good way. I like the design of this laser sword and from its colour we can all assume is owned by a Sith right? I mean who else could it be?

4. Other Cool Tidbits

That voice over used in this trailer, so cool, sinister and badass, and it comes from none other than the beautiful Andy Serkis, well at least that’s what Superhero Feed’s tweet says. Some people reckon its Benedict Cumberbatch, but heck until its confirmed, its just assumptions at this point. Then there’s all this desert, is all Tatooine ir are there other sandy locations which we’ll be travelling to? Also that quick shots of Oscar Issac in the cockpit of the X-Wing and the side shot of the X-Wings flying above water with the mountains in the background, so nice! Also what’s the deal with that droid? It has the head of R2-D2, but its body is super round and rolls along at quite a speed.

5. The Millennium Falcon!

And then there’s the final scene in the trailer, the moment that pretty much stopped my heart. That final tracking shot with the Millennium Falcon flying through the air just before engaging TIE fighters in battle, is FRIGGING AWESOME! It is just the way this ship flies in this incredible tracking shot with such velocity and force, it looks and feels kick ass and I love it. And if it is Han still driving that thing, that frigging hell that old man still has skills!

6. It Teased & Left You Wanting More

I feel like this trailer will get a lot of hate from certain fanboys for not giving any story details, not showing off classic characters like Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie, Yoda, etc. And probably showcasing a teaser trailer that is incredibly short when compared to some of the previous ones we’ve gotten over the last month or so. I think some people will not even like the new lightsaber design. I feel like this trailer did just about enough to give you an idea of what to expect, but still be very illusive and coy about the material to come and it was executed wonderfully, similar to what happened with J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek, that teaser was baring anything, however it teased and gave you a rough idea of what expect.

Conclusion

In the end the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens is awesome, period. It gives you a rush of nostalgia and new things to come in just under 90 seconds and leaves you wanting more, but in a good way and that is hard to pull off. I was already hyped fort his film, now I’m off the hype radar, I’m on another level of hype. I want this film now. Now messing around J.J., Lucasfilm and the people at Disney, give it to me now. I’m frigging ready!

So how do you feel about the teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Does it get you hyped up for the next saga in the Star wars franchise or were you underwhelmed? Also as a fan of the series how did you feel during and after the trailer? Was your nostalgia radar on a high, were you fearing you’d experienced another flash of the prequel films? I’d love to hear your thoughts, please be sure to drop them in the comments below, thanks! 😀

 

Star Wars: Episode VII Officially Titled Star Wars: The Force Awakens!

Howdy ladies and gentlemen, time for a mini news update that just hit the web within the last few hours. So Star Wars: Episode VII, we all know it’s happening, it even finished production recently and now we have a new title for the film and I thought I would just give my quick thoughts on it.

Check out the official image below:

So the next episode in the Star Wars saga will be known as Star Wars: The Force Awakens? I’m down with that. There are worse titles that this film could have adopted, this name is simple and only allows fans to go mad with speculation as to what the film will entail.

I really like the name and I can only assume it has something to do with the rise in Jedi and the Sith coming back into play after Return of the Jedi where everything was pretty much concluded. That’s all I have in terms of speculation, I don’t want to think too much about it though, I want to be surprised when the film eventually comes around.

So what do you think of the new title for Star Wars: Episode VII? Does it make feel happy, disgusted or indifferent? And what do you think it means for the not only the new film but also the sequels? Whatever your thoughts are, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know. Until the next time, laters! 😀