Eleven years ago, with the release of Richard Kelly’s seminal cult classic Donnie Darko, the thought that I might be one day vying to defend this once prolific director to a dismissive general public and disenfranchised fanbase would have been as counter-intuitive as thoughts come.

Following the theatrical release of Kelly’s freshman effort – which introduced the world to not only one, but two Gyllenhaals – it was widely accepted that the director could in fact do no wrong, and that a long and illustrious career lay ahead as he continued to baffle audiences with his trans-dimensional tales of suburban apocalypse.

Since then, however, everything has changed: a divisive director’s cut, and unofficial sequel and a two poorly received releases later, Kelly is no longer held in such high esteem. He has been derided, his storytelling abilities questioned and his imagination mocked. Nonetheless, with the benefit of hindsight, I cannot help but challenge this new opinion of Kelly as a self-indulgent and impenetrable pulp-existentialist.

Donnie Darko: The Director’s Cut

When Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko made its début back in 2001, the cinemagoing public was almost unanimous in its indifference. Well, it would have been if anyone had actually gone to see it. It wasn’t long, however, until overwhelming critical acclaim and persistent word of mouth spread and the film developed a dedicated cult following. With the film’s fans showing an insatiable thirst for more information, eager to make some sense of the film’s most enigmatic complexities, Kelly released a director’s cut in an attempt to maximise his audience’s enjoyment and understanding of the story.

For many, however, the release of the new cut of the movie had the opposite effect, with many viewer’s enjoyment of the film apparently mired by the new and extended scenes. In a somewhat predictable backlash on a film many hadn’t seen coming, stars were hastily deducted and Kelly’s abilities questioned due to a slightly altered pace and an additional 20 minutes of running time. As Kelly delved deeper into his film’s mythology and began to compromise the human element of his story in favour of a greater sense of narrative coherence, the director’s winning streak came to an almost immediate end, and he fell into an underserved disrepute that would haunt his next two features.

But Donnie Darko isn’t a lesser movie simply because Kelly has attempted to elaborate on his initial premise and endeavoured to find a clearer way of telling his story; if anything, it’s gained greater immersive value. The original film was ambitious enough, and while there might be those who miss the margin for interpretation provided by the missing pieces of the puzzle, they underestimate a version of the movie steeped in just as much ambiguity. It’s the same masterpiece, just with a different arrangement.

Southland Tales

The story of Southland Tales‘ troubled production is infamous: lambasted following its début at Cannes, Richard Kelly’s follow-up to cult favourite Donnie Darko re-entered post production for a much needed emergency overhaul – in which the director hacked furiously at a movie rejected by critics as calamitous, self-indulgent and unsalvageable. Even in its heavily edited form, released theatrically eighteen months later, Kelly’s film failed to redeem itself in the eyes of most.

Southland Tales is the sort of movie that features two cars having sex, an unlimited fuel source that can also get you high, and which casts Justin Timberlake only to have him lip-sinc to The Killers’ All These Things That I’ve Done. It is a film of criss-crossing narratives, conflicting genres and one which has an opinion on just about everything. A post-apocalyptic satire with a dream sequence musical interlude, Kelly has constructed a sprawling narrative which encompasses everything from reality television and celebrity culture to terrorism, cyber-censorship and surveillance. Not to mention the important topic of teen horniness.

But while it might flirt with pretension and occasionally border on the obtuse, Southland Tales is better for its eccentricities than it is worse off. Kelly has crafted an intricate and rewarding tale that – while initially confounding – has more and more to give with every viewing. Casting actors otherwise pigeonholed, Kelly has wrung interesting – if hardly naturalistic – performances from Dwayne Johnson and Sarah Michelle Gellar, while finding an unexpected emotional centre with an uncharacteristically toned-down and heartfelt double-performance from professional idiot Seann William Scott.

The Box

Kelly’s most recent offering is a comparably personal tale of familial and philosophical conflict. Starring James Marsden and Cameron Diaz as partial representations of his parents, the film asks what you might do if offered extraordinary riches at the expense of the life of a stranger. With the couple’s decision leading them to discover a society rife with conspiracy and their deal with the devil having unforeseen implications for their only child, the two actors wring almost unbearable tension out of a relatively simple concept.

While the hallmarks of a Kelly production are indeed present and accounted for – from the inexplicable water coffins to the mind-bendingly poignant final reveal – The Box makes a conscious attempt to dial down the crazy in order to appeal to a wider audience. Although decidedly more commercial than Donnie Darko and Southland Tales, however, this is no Hollywood sell-out, the film proving characteristically rife with intrigue and underscored by a welcome intelligence.

With one character’s face blown off and another’s toes missing, this is a movie that spends as much time outside the box as it does within. Packing zombies, aliens and a twist that isn’t so much unpredictable as hauntingly inevitable, Kelly has produced another winning blend of genres that successfully transcends its constituent influences to become more than the sum of its parts. When such parts include an ex X-Man and Cameron “The Holiday” Diaz, that’s all the more surprising.

All in all, then, Richard Kelly isn’t some one-hit-wonder turned laughing stock. To write his movies off simply because they fail to live up to the standards set by his original cut of Donnie Darko would be to do his subsequent works a great disservice. He is an auteur, a filmmaker unwilling to compromise his own vision, however impenetrable and non-commercial it may prove. A Richard Kelly film is one that straddles genres, as well as time and space; one which casts actors against type and juxtaposes music with striking visuals; a movie which strains under the very weight of its filmmaker’s limitless ambition, with a bullet in its eye and a paradox at its heart.

With only three such films to his name, I can only hope that there are many more to come. And so should you.

Rod Lurie’s remake of Straw Dogs is out in UK cinemas today and to rivet you to your seat with astonishment we’ve got a competition to win a Sony Bloggie Camcorder and an exclusive behind the scenes look at the film.

L.A. screenwriter David Sumner (Marsden) relocates with his wife (Bosworth) to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.

We’re giving you the chance to win a Straw Dogs poster (see below) and a Sony ‘Bloggie’ camcorder (find out more about the Sony camcorder here) by answering the question  which follows the exclusive featurette below.

What 2006 superhero film did Straw Dogs actors James Marsden and Kate Bosworth star in together?

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

The small print:

• Open to UK residents only
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close 14th November at 23.59 GMT
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received
• No cash alternative is available

The usual T&Cs can be found here. Good Luck!

Here’s a rather nice behind the scenes collection of footage shot by the guys over at Making Of. The footage doesn’t really show us anything ground-breaking from the movie but shows what it’s like to shoot a movie on set with both the cast and crew doing what they do!

Straw Dogs which is directed by Rod Lurie and stars James Marsden, Rhys Coiro, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård, James Woods and Walton Goggins.

Straw Dogs (2011) is a remake of the 1971 movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Susan George and is set to hit UK cinemas 28th October. If you missed the first trailer for the movie, you can check it out here.

L.A. screenwriter David Sumner (Marsden) relocates with his wife (Bosworth) to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.

Much ink has been spent debating the merits of a Straw Dogs remake and whatever director Rod Lurie pulls out of the bag, this film and the original are likely to continue to court controversy.

Although Lurie continues to hold his cards close to his chest regarding the centre-piece of the film and how it will approach the (to say the least) problematic tone of the original, this clip begins to hint at the slight contempt in which Kate Bosworth holds James Marsden and the violence and aggression that clearly lurk within him, waiting to find a way out, looking for the right degree of provocation.

Given that it is a clip sitting wholly out of context from the rest of the finished film (which we’ll finally get to see on 4th November in the UK), it is hard to be too definitive, but it does seem to have plenty of atmosphere and a brooding sense of peril.

All will be revealed very soon. Thanks to Hollywood.com for the heads-up.

Until we see Rod Lurie’s updating of Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs it is perhps unfair to hurl it towards the Pointless Remake bin and yet it is a brave move with the 1971 film still as powerful and complex ever.

Perhaps sensing the relatively simple and timeless horror of the story Screen Gems are serving up another slice of Straw Dog pie with Kate Bosworth and James Marsden terrorised by Alexander Skarsgård and his (un)merry band of men.

The trailer didn’t surprise, though with this casting I half expect this all to be a front for Bryan Singer’s secret Superman 3 remake with Skarsgård under the control of a pissed off Brandon Routh with darkened Superman costume and five o’clock shadow. That is my hope.

Here’s what Mr. Synopsis says,

L.A. screenwriter David Sumner (Marsden) relocates with his wife (Bosworth) to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.

Straw Dogs will invade or cinemas in the UK on the 28th of October.

Here is the gallery of posters coming to a strategically placed bus stop near you.

Clap your hands say Thanks IMPA.

We’ve had a few bits and bobs for Colombiana already, which looks like a pretty excellent action-lead for the once and future Uhuru (Zoe Saldana), you can read our review here.

We’ve also shared what we know so far of Rod Lurie’s upcoming remake of Sam Peckinpah’s notorious Straw Dogs, which may or may not blur the margins of moral questionability like the original did.

Today, we are delighted to bring you some splendid shots of the female leads of these two films, each sporting some hefty firepower. Saldana undoubtedly has the upper hand, wielding as she is a rocket launcher. Kate Bosworth by contrast, must content herself with a shotgun, though she looks pretty purposeful with it and one cannot escape the feeling that she ought not to be trifled with.

We’re not going to pretend that we expect these two films to be companion pieces to each other, but the pictures are cool, so here you are.

Thank you Rope of Silicon. We are grateful.

The ultimate action-packed bunny adventure arrives on extras-packed Blu-ray and DVD on August 29th and HeyUGuys are giving you the chance to win a copy!

Featuring an all-star cast including the voices of Russell Brand (the voice of E.B.) and Hugh Laurie (the voice of E.B.’s Dad) HOP follows the trials and tribulations of teenage bunny E.B as he attempts to pursue his rockstar ambitions with hilarious consequences.

Not content with working in the family business, E.B heads to Hollywood to pursue his dream of being a famous drummer but when the cheeky chicks plan a takeover E.B has to leap in to save the day.

We have 5 extras packed Blu-ray copies of this laugh out-loud family comedy to give away so to be in with your chance to win one just answer the following question using the form below,

Hugh Laurie stars as which US TV Doctor?

Competiton Now Closed

The small print:

• Open to UK residents only
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close 29th August at 23.59 GMT
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received
• No cash alternative is available
• Prize is non-exchangeable and non-refundable. There is no cash alternative
• The Editor’s decision is final and binding on the entrants. No correspondence will be entered into

The usual T&Cs can be found here. Good Luck!

Screen Gems have released a nice new poster for their new movie, Straw Dogs which is directed by Rod Lurie and stars James Marsden, Rhys Coiro, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård, James Woods and Walton Goggins.

Straw Dogs (2011) is a remake of the 1971 movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Susan George and is set to hit UK cinemas 28th October. If you missed the first trailer for the movie, you can check it out here.

L.A. screenwriter David Sumner (Marsden) relocates with his wife (Bosworth) to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.

The new poster is below and I’ve also placed the 1971 version below too. Love the way they’ve used continuity. Hoping for good things with this one.

Screen Gems have released the first teaser trailer for upcoming thriller Straw Dogs, a remake, a remake of Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 film.

Written and directed by Rod Lurie (The Contender), Straw Dogs stars Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns), James Marsden (The Box), Alexander Skarsgård (Melancholia), Dominic Purcell (The Killer Elite) and James Woods (Casino).

L.A. screenwriter David Sumner (Marsden) relocates with his wife (Bosworth) to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.

Straw Dogs will be released in the UK on October 28th.

Sam Peckinpah’s original Straw Dogs was one of a slew of controversy-baiting films from the late 70′s and early 80′s. Along with A Clockwork Orange, The Hills Have Eyes, Last House On The Left and I Spit On Your Grave, it attracted masses of attention, not all of it positive. Although it is a little simplistic and unfair to distill the film down to one scene, that scene’s portrayal of a woman seeming to grow to enjoy being raped is troubling and disturbing in no uncertain terms.

Given that the current approach to most of the afore-mentioned films seems to be “lots of people were disgusted by it, let’s make it again”, it was wearyingly inevitable that Straw Dogs would find its way back to us and so it has. Rod Lurie, director of decidedly non-controversial fare such as The Contender and The Last Castle, seems an unexpected choice for handling the remake, but perhaps the move is intended to bestow a bit of prestige on what might otherwise be dismissed as another hack-helmed cash-in.

The original played very well to star Dustin Hoffman’s seeming mild-mannered nature, as he is pushed over the edge by the rape of his wife and finds hitherto untapped reservoirs of violence and strength to fend off the attackers during a prolonged assault on their home. This time, James Marsden and Kate Bosworth play husband and wife, with Alexander Skarsgård leading the attackers. Lurie assures that it will not be a “soft movie”, but how he’ll handle the tone of the rape scene (assuming it will remain in the remake) cannot really be anticipated at this stage.

Straw Dogs is due for release on 16th September 2011 in the US and 28th October in the UK. Until we get more news, check out the on set shots below, which come from EW, via The Playlist.

Universal Pictures have released the third and most likely final trailer for their new Easter movie, Hop. It’s produced by the same people who brought us Despicable me and directed by Tim Hill. Hop stars James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria, Elizabeth Perkins, Gary Cole, Chelsea Handler and Hugh Laurie.

Synopsis: Blending state of the art animation with live action, Hop is a comedy about E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), the teenage son of the Easter Bunny. On the eve of taking over the family business, E.B. leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. He encounters Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker with his own lofty goals, who accidentally hits E.B. with his car. Feigning injury, E.B. manipulates Fred into providing him shelter, and Fred finds himself with the world’s worst houseguest.

Hop is released in the UK 1st April, just in time for Easter. Check out the trailer below or click here to view everything else HOP related!

Why not spend a few short moments taking a look at the new international character poster for Tim Hill’s animated film, Hop.

Out on the 1st of April this one has Russell Brand and James Marsden (one voicing a CG Rabbit, the other not) and let’s be clear – the only thing that will differentiate this from the thousand and one other CG/Real Life mash ups currently in production is a decent script with perhaps a hint of subversion.

Synopsis time reading fans,

Blending state of the art animation with live action, Hop is a comedy about E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), the teenage son of the Easter Bunny. On the eve of taking over the family business, E.B. leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. He encounters Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker with his own lofty goals, who accidentally hits E.B. with his car. Feigning injury, E.B. manipulates Fred into providing him shelter, and Fred finds himself with the world’s worst houseguest.

Three posters await you should you cast your eyes downwards and click like crazy to make them big and stuff.

IMPA did it again.

Throwing a CGI character into real life is nothing new, with The Smurfs about to run riot over us all and the sagging paunch of the Garfield movies still fresh in the memory there’s a lot for Hop to overcome.

There’s a new character poster out today to complement the numerous other marketing Universal has thrust our way and if Tim Hill’s film has anything going for it then the character design is decent and it is sure to benefit from Russell Brand, James Marsden and Hank Azaria lending voices and faces to it.

April 1st is the release date, and here’s what to expect,

Synopsis: Blending state of the art animation with live action, Hop is a comedy about E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), the teenage son of the Easter Bunny. On the eve of taking over the family business, E.B. leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. He encounters Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker with his own lofty goals, who accidentally hits E.B. with his car. Feigning injury, E.B. manipulates Fred into providing him shelter, and Fred finds himself with the world’s worst houseguest.

Look down with your eyes,

IMPA did it.

Last night, the full theatrical version of Universal Studios’ Easter Bunny movie, Hop was released on Apple. Hop stars James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria, Elizabeth Perkins, Gary Cole, Chelsea Handler, Hugh Laurie and is directed by Tim Hill.

Not too sure what I think of this trailer if I’m honest. Who’s it supposed to appeal to? Also not too convinced by Russell Brand as the voice. I do like all the egg shaped objects in it though including the Universal Pictures Earth logo!

Synopsis: Blending state of the art animation with live action, Hop is a comedy about E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), the teenage son of the Easter Bunny. On the eve of taking over the family business, E.B. leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. He encounters Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker with his own lofty goals, who accidentally hits E.B. with his car. Feigning injury, E.B. manipulates Fred into providing him shelter, and Fred finds himself with the world’s worst houseguest.

Hop is released in the UK 1st April, just in time for Easter. Check out the trailer below and scroll down to view the images which you can click to enlarge.

Here’s the new poster for kids animated feature Hop, which ties in very nicely to this evening’s Super Bowl.

From the creator’s behind Despicable Me, Hop tell’s the story of the Easter Bunny who is incapacitated when he is accidentally hit by a car, leaving the offending driver to save Easter.

Featuring the vocal talents of Kaley Cuoco, James Marsden, Elizabeth Perkins and Despicable’s mad scientist Russell Brand, the film is due for release in the UK on the 1st April.

Poster courtesy of IMP Awards

Who says you can’t start advertising a movie about Easter a week before Christmas? In a smart move, the folks at Universal found a way to incorporate both major holidays into one cheerful little poster for the upcoming film, HOP.

While it was news to me that the Easter Bunny loves rocking out on the drums, it no longer surprises me now that I know it’s “rockstar” Russell Brand that is voicing him.  Is anybody weirded out that he is voicing the Easter Bunny?  I just never envisioned as a child that the Bunny would have a mildly deep English accent.  Anyway I digress.

Below you’ll find the festive poster for HOP along with a synopsis of the film.  Check it out and let us know your thoughts on it.

The tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Russell Brand) and must take him in as he recovers. As Fred struggles with the world’s worst houseguest, both will learn what it takes to finally grow up.

A second poster for Universal’s Hop has been released via IMPA. Hop is directed by Tim Hill and features a voice cast which includes Russell Brand, James Marsden, Kaley Cuoco, Tiffany Espensen, Elizabeth Perkins, Chelsea Handler.

Synopsis: Blending state-of-the-art animation with live action, HOP tells the comic tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Russell Brand) and must take him in as he recovers.  As Fred struggles with the world’s worst houseguest, both will learn what it takes to finally grow up.

The film is helmed by Tim Hill, director of the blockbuster ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS and produced by Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment (DESPICABLE ME). At its heart, HOP is a classic buddy movie… it’s just that one of the buddies is a talking rabbit!

Hop is in UK & US cinemas April 1st, 2011!

Not twenty four hours after the poster for the Russell Brand starring animated comedy Hop did the rounds there’s a teaser trailer to entice the masses.

Along with Brand the film stars James Marsden, Kaley Cuoco, Elizabeth Perkins and Chelsea Handler and comes from the same team who unleashed Despicable Me to the world.

Synopsis:

Synopsis: Blending state-of-the-art animation with live action, HOP tells the comic tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Russell Brand) and must take him in as he recovers.  As Fred struggles with the world’s worst houseguest, both will learn what it takes to finally grow up.

The film is helmed by Tim Hill, director of the blockbuster ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS and produced by Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment (DESPICABLE ME). At its heart, HOP is a classic buddy movie… it’s just that one of the buddies is a talking rabbit!

Hop is in UK cinemas April 1st, 2011!

The teaser is more of an animation test and benefits from the ubiquitous Song 2 and I can’t help but think of a recent advert for a chocolate bar.

This poster came out last Friday but what with all the Potter shenanigans and visiting Memorabilia this weekend, I never got to post it. Hop comes from the same people who made Despicable Me and is expected to come out April 1st 2011 in the UK and the US.

This new poster was sent to us by Universal Studios. It’s directed by Tim Hill and features a voice cast which includes Russell Brand, James Marsden, Kaley Cuoco, Tiffany Espensen, Elizabeth Perkins, Chelsea Handler.

Synopsis: Blending state-of-the-art animation with live action, HOP tells the comic tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Russell Brand) and must take him in as he recovers.  As Fred struggles with the world’s worst houseguest, both will learn what it takes to finally grow up.

The film is helmed by Tim Hill, director of the blockbuster ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS and produced by Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment (DESPICABLE ME). At its heart, HOP is a classic buddy movie… it’s just that one of the buddies is a talking rabbit!

Hop is in UK cinemas April 1st, 2011!

One of the biggest releases this week comes courtesy of Chris Rock and we took up his invitation to attend a Death At a Funeral and have our review here.

And what better way to celebrate the release of this film than with a giveaway of a Death At a Funeral poster signed by the main man himself, Chris Rock?

So, here’s your chance – just answer the very easy question below and you could be the recipient of the prize.

Please use the form below to submit your answer to the following question:

Who directed the 2007 original Death At a Funeral?

The small print:

• This competition is open to the UK only.
• Only one entry per household will be counted.
• The competition will close Friday 11th June at 23.59 GMT.
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received.

The usual T&Cs can be found here. Good Luck!

Competition now closed