Just a couple of days ago, we got the first official image of Daniel Craig reprising his role as the iconic James Bond in the upcoming Skyfall, previously known as Bond 23, apparently superseding what we’d thought was the first official image that surfaced last month.

We’ve now got some excellent new photos of Craig on the set of the film, via ComingSoon.net and SpoilerTV. Skyfall is currently filming here in the UK in London, and we can look forward to its release later this year in October. Over at 007.com, you can see the time countdown to the day of release – as time of writing, it stands at 265 days, 04 hours, 38 minutes, and 56 seconds.

“In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

Along with Craig, the film has a tremendous supporting cast that includes Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris, Helen McCrory, and Ola Rapace.

Sam Mendes, who won an Academy Award with his feature debut for American Beauty, will be behind the camera for this, with the script coming from long-time Bond writing duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, as well as one of my favourite screenwriters of all time, John Logan (Gladiator, The Last Samurai).

Skyfall will be with us here in the UK on 26^th October, so just another eight and a half months to go until we get to see Craig return in one of the roles that made him famous. As usual, he looks awesome in these new photos from the set, which you can click to enlarge. And for all things Skyfall-related, just click right here.

A few weeks ago, we put up what we said was the first official image from James Bond 23 aka Skyfall. Well, turns out that wasn’t the first official image as this morning, via 007.com, Sony Pictures have released this first look image of Daniel Craig playing James Bond in the latest movie.

The last image shows Daniel Craig sitting by the pool at the Four Seasons hotel in London (and was a bit naff) and this image is rather a lot better and now I want to see more!! Check it out below and click it to enlarge.

Skyfall is directed by Sam Mendes and as well as Daniel Craig, stars Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Albert Finney. It’ll be with us October 26th later this year.

The ever-prolific Clint Eastwood (this is his eleventh directorial feature since 2000) returns with the absorbing, if flawed, (mildly) revisionist take on the personal life of an equally revered and feared historical US figure.

Tracing J. Edgar Hoover’s meteoric rise through the Justice Department and the Bureau of Investigation, to his leading role in establishing America’s world-famous law enforcement agency, the FBI, the film draws on the key figures who shaped his life, in particular, his resourceful, devoted secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts) and more importantly, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer) an associate director of the bureau who is alleged to have been Hoover’s closeted lover throughout much of his adult life. Using the familiar flashback/forward framing device for much of the film (an elderly Hoover dictates his memoirs to an employee) there are also elements of the unreliable narrative here (he was a figure who definitely subscribed to the ‘print the legend’ theory) but Eastwood and Milk scriptwriter Dustin Lance Black are much more interested in exploring his upbringing and personal life, and how that manifested itself in his work (there are some fascinating glimpses into the historical leaps and bounds he made, which stemmed from his sometimes flamboyant ideas).

The film unfolds in a pleasingly leisurely way, and aided by a nice feel for the period and yet another powerhouse turn by DiCaprio, it turns out to be a surprisingly watchable affair. The actor truly absorbs into the character in a way he hasn’t done previously, shedding any signs of his own attractive persona. He’s been criticised in the past for his boyish looks, but they really work in his favour here, as there is something of a lost little boy quality to Hoover, who is still very much in the thralls of his mother (Judi Dench – quietly domineering as ever) in later adulthood and many years after her death.

DiCaprio also manages to make that jump from young buck to elderly statesman remarkably well through the use of make-up and a good grasp of the physicality required. Unfortunately, this is where things go sadly awry for the film too. While the work from DiCaprio proves enough for cinemagoers to make that leap in time for his character, the illusion falls short for Armie Hammer who looks like a 25-year-old in Jackass-style aged make-up. It’s incredibly hard to suspend disbelief when the otherwise talented actor is a frail old man, and every time he appears alongside his life partner, this cosmetic oversight runs the risk of constantly taking the audience out of the film.

Another actor to get short-changed is Naomi Watts. Her character feels incredibly underwritten, and Eastwood seems to have mistaken inactivity for stoicism, as she’s a little too subdued throughout and never really has any moments which allow her character (and the actress herself) to shine. She’s meant to be an emotional rock for the sometimes embattled Hoover, but this never comes across in a satisfying way.

Surprisingly for the director like Eastwood, it’s the moments which focus on the unrequited love between the two men which really resonates on an emotional level, particularly towards the end of the film where mortality factors heavily in their lives. There’s a touch of that sadness which pervaded Brokeback Mountain as the two figures shuffle around their chintzy residence together like an old married couple. Unfortunately, these nicely-judged scenes have to battle against the aforementioned make-up shortcomings, but it’s to the director’s credit that it all still manages to work.

In the end, J. Edgar is reminiscent of those hyped-up, stately  Hollywood biopics which are wheeled out during awards season, but ultimately fail to live up to expectations. Both Eastwood and Black’s attempts to cut through the ambiguity of such a famous, yet mysterious character should still be applauded though, and if this isn’t quite an awards-worthy feature, it’s far from a crushing disappointment. Largely aided by a fabulous turn from an A-list star at the top of this professional game, there’s still much to admire here.

***½~ (3.5/5)

OK, I lied about the speedos but he is by a swimming pool! This has to be the most boring first image ever released by anyone ever! It is the first look at James Bond aka Daniel Craig in Bond 23 which has the title Skyfall. This photo was taken at the Four Seasons Hotel in London recently.

Skyfall is directed by Sam Mendes and as well as Daniel Craig, stars Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Albert Finney.

I don’t know what else to say about this image really other than Sony, please can we have some better ones in future? Thanks!

The movie is currently filming here in the UK and we snapped some set pics a week or so ago.

Source: Empire

Of the many films that we have to look forward to this year, the upcoming Skyfall, until recently known as Bond 23, is one of the biggest titles coming to us in 2012, and we’ve recently been getting a small flurry of news from the project since the official press conference back in November, all of which you can catch up on right here.

Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty), the film has a fantastic cast with Daniel Craig of course reprising his role as James Bond, supported by the likes of Javier Bardem in the villain’s role, Dame Judi Dench as M, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Ola Rapace, Helen McCrory, and Albert Finney.

“In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

The film’s official website, 007.com, has launched, with a countdown to the film’s release date and a short introductory video from long-time Bond co-producer Michael G. Wilson, whose credits include Moonraker, Licence to Kill, Goldeneye, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace, to name but a few.

One of the things that excites me most about the project is that John Logan is heading up the credits for the screenplay. Logan is the man who brought us the brilliant Gladiator and The Last Samurai, and he’s returning to work with Fiennes after scripting the actor’s directorial debut, Coriolanus, which is due out here on 20^th January this month.

Fiennes has been speaking to the Sunday Mail about his love of Bond and Ian Fleming’s original novels, and though he’s expectedly being kept to secrecy about his role, he did have this little piece of information to say:

“I’m allowed to say that I’m a government agent.”

Skyfall is released here in the UK on 26^th October – the countdown clock on the official site looks to be counting down (if I can count right) to our release date, rather than America’s two weeks later – and if all goes well, it will no doubt be a huge box office and critically acclaimed success. Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale both took more than half a billion dollars at the international box office, and though the former wasn’t received quite so well, Casino Royale was received by most people really well, and I think we can expect the same from Skyfall. At the time of writing, we have 297 days, 9 hours, 18 minutes, and a handful of seconds to go. Be sure to check back in for more on Skyfall as we get it in the coming months.

Thanks to ComingSoon.net for the heads up.

We got our first full look at Clint Eastwood’s return behind the camera with J. Edgar when the incredibly powerful first trailer debuted back in September, and if anyone wasn’t sure this film was going to be an Oscar contender by then, it settled the question.

With Eastwood behind the camera and Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead, the film was destined to be impressive, and judging from everything we’ve seen so far, it’s really going to be.

“Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. As the face of law enforcement in Americafor almost fifty years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.”

We’ve now got a brilliant new featurette to share with you, courtesy of The Race over at THR. It brings together a question and answer panel with Eastwood, DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, and writer Dustin Lance Black, alongside clips from the film and behind-the-scenes footage filmed on the set.

The film spans a long period of American history, dating from the 1920s up to the 1970s, and I can’t wait to see how the dramatic changes thatAmericawent through through those decades is made real on screen.

Americahave already been lucky enough to have seen J. Edgar released back in November, but we’ve got a little longer to wait with its release date coming on 20^th January next month. That does mean that we’ll have just enough time to see it before the year’s Oscar nominations are announced on 24^th January, ahead of the Academy Awards ceremony itself on 26^th February.

In the past month or so, we’ve been treated to a flurry of news surrounding the upcoming next Bond film, until recently known simply as Bond 23, which has now been officially titled Skyfall.

In case you’ve missed all our coverage, you can catch up on it right here. To give you a quick run-down, Daniel Craig will of course be reprising his role as Bond, with Javier Bardem cast opposite him as Skyfall’s lead villain. Dame Judi Dench will return as M, and the film also has a brilliant supporting cast with Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Ola Rapace, Helen McCrory, and Albert Finney all attached too.

We’ve even been lucky enough to see the plot begin to surface with a short official synopsis:

“In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

We’ve now got some more photos from the set to share with you, courtesy of the Daily Mail, giving us a look at what appears to be an exchange taking place between Craig and Harris, with Craig giving Harris – who will play a field agent by the name of Eve – a conspicuous black box.

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) is taking the helm for what is already one of next year’s most highly anticipated films, with a current release date scheduled for 26^th October. Without further ado, here are the photos from the set to feast your eyes on (one of which is of Harris wrapped in a duvet for warmth between takes). As usual, click to enlarge.

It’s gems like filmmaker Colin Clark’s memoir of his personal experience with an icon that make the best screen stories, the ones that delve deeper into the celebrity’s persona to prove, disprove or enlighten our knowledge further and make for a more honest and intimate affair. My Week With Marilyn, the name of said memoir and debut feature-film director Simon Curtis’ new film, is one such example that much like the Marilyn Monroe it portrays, is an instant heart warmer that you can’t help but be charmed by.

In the summer of 1956, Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe (played by Michelle Williams) arrived on British soil to produce and star in The Prince and the Showgirl, co-starring and directed by acting legend and British acting royalty Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh). On that same shoot was then-23-year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), an Oxford graduate from a well-established family who was desperate to make it as a filmmaker, and as third assistant director on the film, found himself in the most intimate situation with the screen siren, who confided in him during one magical week.

Curtis’ quintessentially British affair captures the imagination from the word go as it’s not just the promise of someone bringing Marilyn to life, but also the stuff of dreams: We have all thought at one point, what if you found yourself in the company of your idol for one week and got to know them like no other? His film, while brazenly pining for the romance of the ‘good old days’, is also stylish, quirky and natty, like the glamorous yesteryear Pinewood productions it strives to recreate, and has an enthusiastic, cheeky and addictive energy, as well as a truly wonderful cast to deliver this.

Williams is sure to get her second Oscar nomination for her Marilyn portrayal. She summons just the right countenance, pose and effervescence of the screen idol, while giving a respectable and credible insight into the darker recesses of her tortured mind and soul. This childlike innocence and fragility is beautifully captured when Marilyn is in awe of a dolls house in one scene, that we fall that little bit more for her and her crushing vulnerability at the hands of fame. That said the Jekyll and Hyde emotions suggest a far less naïve side at the end, very much a woman in control of her own destiny and brand, and Williams subtly and expertly relays this, but still retains Marilyn’s treasured enigma to marvel at. Curtis fuels the love affair with some highly impressive renditions from multi-talented Williams who actually performs Marilyn’s songs, “When Love Goes Wrong/Heat Wave” and “That Old Black Magic”.

Another standout performance comes from Branagh as the acidic-tongued theatrical stalwart Olivier, brilliantly allowing the sarcasm at the tardy Hollywood star’s irresponsibility and drama to drip off the tongue while absolutely nailing Olivier’s clipped and polished pronunciation with thrilling results. Like a scolding mentor, Olivier is the unwilling villain of the piece, who also reveals an intriguing vulnerability at becoming yesterday’s news. It is such insecurities we can all relate to, not just actors but anyone at the height of their career.

Redmayne gives a career-defining performance as Colin, a mixture of cocky youthful arrogance and personable honesty, as much a pawn as Marilyn in the film game – hence she adopts him as her temporary friend. Redmayne commendably plays the doting and mesmerised, lovesick aide who falls for the Marilyn magic, and his moments opposite Williams are truly tender and unique as unconventional ‘love affairs’ go.

There are also some divine supporting moments to enjoy from Judi Dench as actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, the dry-witted and patient surrogate mother to the fragile on-set Marilyn; a virtually unrecognisable Zoë Wanamaker as Marilyn’s drab and domineering Method coach and shoulder-to-cry-on Paula Strasberg; and Dominic Cooper as Milton Greene, Marilyn’s estranged co-producer who fell for the Marilyn charms years earlier and has to deal with his jealousy at Colin’s closeness with the star. Julia Ormond is captivating as screen legend and Olivier’s wife, Vivien Leigh, who is also tackling the ‘has-been’ demons that come with age. Emma Watson briefly appears as costume hand and Colin’s fling, Emma, an apt transition into the adult acting arena for the Harry Potter star. There is a real sense from all involved that this was a labour of love to do the utmost justice to the memoir and provide a bigger picture of the highs and lows of that time, as well as a lot of fun in parts.

As a first feature, Curtis has made a significant mark and shown a real gift for character narration, delivering a powerhouse of individual and ensemble acting prowess that encapsulates this glamorous era of filmmaking history, even if it is guilty of being a little pious at times.

****~ (4/5)

My Week with Marilyn hits UK cinemas this Friday, 25th November and I can’t wait to chat with people about it. I was lucky enough to see a very early screening of it to interview Eddie Redmayne (which will go live either today or tomorrow) who plays Colin Clark in the movie. It’s been such a long time now and I’ve been longing for my friends to be able to go and see it because I really enjoyed it.

Today we have this brand new exclusive image courtesy of The Weinstein Company for the movie which shows two of the leads, Eddie Redmayne (Colin Clark) and Michelle Williams (Marilyn Monroe) in bed together. My Week with Marilyn is directed by Simon Curtis and also stars Toby Jones, Emma Watson​, Dominic Cooper​, Kenneth Branagh​, Julia Ormond​, Judi Dench​, Dougray Scott, Zoë Wanamaker and Derek Jacobi​.

In the early summer of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), just down from Oxford and determined to make his way in the film business, worked as a lowly assistant on the set of ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’. The film that famously united Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams), who was also on honeymoon with her new husband, the playwright Aurthur Miller (Dougray Scott). Nearly 40 years on, his diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was published, but one week was missing and this was published some years later as My Week with Marilyn – this is the story of that week. When Arthur Miller leaves England, the coast is clear for Colin to introduce Marilyn to some of the pleasures of British life; an idyllic week in which he escorted a Monroe desperate to get away from her retinue of Hollywood hangers-on and the pressures of work.

Click the image below to enlarge.

We’re just a few days away from finally getting to see the brilliant twice Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams take up the role of the iconic Marilyn Monroe, and Friday really can’t come fast enough.

Everything we’ve seen from Simon Curtis’ My Week With Marilyn (all of which you can catch up on here) has been terrific, and without wanting to jinx anything, it’s all certainly pointing towards at least another nomination for Williams in the Best Actress category at the Oscars early next year. The awards race is close to being in full swing, and all expectations are for this to be a contender.

We’ve now got another terrific clip to share with you, courtesy of Yahoo Movies, entitled ‘Can You Spell That?’, and it gives us a look at the charm that Williams emanates in the role, dazzling a roomful of British reporters throwing questions her way.

“Colin Clark met Marilyn Monroe while working as a young assistant on Laurence Olivier’s “The Prince and the Showgirl.” When Marilyn experienced emotional difficulties during shooting, the 23-year-old third assistant director came to her aid and romance developed. But one week of honesty and fun was not enough to save the doomed star from self-destruction.”

Along with Williams, My Week With Marilyn has a terrific cast that includes Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Watson, and Dame Judi Dench. It will be out in cinemas on 25th November – this Friday – and I really can’t wait to see it. I think Williams is going to be brilliant in the role, and this clip is just a small demonstration of her wonderful acting talents. Without further ado, here it is for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

To celebrate the highly anticipated release of MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, in cinemas November 25th, we have teamed up with Entertainment Film to offer you the chance to win tickets to the Premiere in London on Sunday 20th November. We’ve seen this film and loved it and we know you will too!

The highly anticipated MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (in cinemas November 25^th) has critics and audiences buzzing. Starring an award-winning all-star cast and based on the diaries of Colin Clark, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN is the true story of a star-struck boy who falls in love with the biggest celebrity in the world, Marilyn Monroe.

In the summer of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), broke into the film business with his first job as a set assistant on The Prince and The Showgirl – the film that was set to be the smash hit of the year famously uniting the biggest stars of the day, Marilyn Monroe (Academy Award® nominee Michelle Williams) and Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh).

On honeymoon in Britain with her new husband, Arthur Miller (Dougray Scott), Marilyn is excited about the project but quickly becomes desperate to run away from her Hollywood entourage, the pressures of work and the press who hound her.  For Marilyn, Colin is a welcome antidote and he offers her everything she craves when, together, they escape the film set to get closer in an idyllic Britain.

The all star cast also includes Emma Watson, Dominic Cooper and Judi Dench and the movie is directed by Simon Curtis.

To be in with a chance of wining this rather fabulous competition, simply answer the following question using the form below:

Who plays Marilyn Monroe in the movie, My Week with Marilyn?

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

For other offer and great ways to save money, keep an eye open for the latest London Deals

Terms and Conditions

• Closing date is Wednesday 16th November at midday.
• This competition is not open to employees of HeyUGuys, Entertainment Film Distributors, their agents or anyone else associated with this promotion.
• The competition is open to UK residents aged 15 years and over, however, if the winner is under 18 years of age they must take a parent or guardian as their guest.
• The first prize is 2 tickets (1 pair) to the Premiere of My Week With Marilyn in London on Sunday 20^th November 2011.
• Travel and any accommodation is the responsibility of the winner.
• The first prize winner will be notified by phone on Wednesday 16th November to check their availability and if they cannot attend or be reached within 24 hours another name will be drawn. We will make all reasonable efforts to notify the winner. If the winner cannot be contacted within this time we reserve the right to draw an alternative winner.
• The promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize for one of greater or equal value. The decision of the promoter in all matters is final and binding.
• The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence shall be entered into. Entertainment Film Distributors (EFD) cannot be held responsible if the event is cancelled or details changed due to unforeseen circumstances which are beyond their control. In this event the winner will receive tickets to another EFD premiere happening in 2011/12 which will be specified by EFD.
• Tickets are non-transferable.
• All prizes are subject to availability.
• Details are accurate at time of print.

© 2011 The Weinstein Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Without a doubt, one of the most highly anticipated films of 2012, Skyfall – until now, known by the name Bond 23 – has been progressing excellently over the past few days, officially announcing its name, logo, cast, and synopsis.

Filming has commenced as of yesterday, with the first official image from the set tweeted courtesy of the official 007 Twitter page. The very same page has also now tweeted that Skyfall has added two more members to its cast, in the form of Helen McCrory and Ola Rapace.

“In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

The film will see the return of Daniel Craig in the Bond role – my personal favourite Bond actor to date – and of course Dame Judi Dench will be returning as M, with the rest of the cast including the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem as the villain, Albert Finney, Bérénice Marlohe, Naomi Harris (who will be playing a field agent called Eve, not Moneypenny, as previously thought), and Ben Wishaw. And now we can add to that McCrory, best known for her role as Draco Malfoy’s mother in the Harry Potter films, and Rapace, Swedish actor married but separated to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’s Noomi Rapace.

Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are producing the film, and Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes will be taking the helm on this, which I couldn’t be happier about, having gone from strength to strength every step of the way since his feature debut with the classic American Beauty back in 1999.

Skyfall is scheduled for release on 26^th October next year, which means we have less than twelve months to go until we get to see the return of Bond to the big screens for the first time since 2008’s Quantum of Solace.

Okay, limber up that scrolling finger, you have a bit of work ahead of you. Collider have struck upon more on-set snaps of J Edgar than you can shake a stick at. Even it was quite a big stick and you shook it for a little while.

We get to see Leo being all moody and sullen, all tender and stuff by Dame Judi Dench’s bedside, all bloated and old and scowly and Armie Hammer (of Winklevi fame from The Social Network) aging similarly. Clint Eastwood looks for his part remarkably well at ease, considering the scope of the film he is undertaking.

It seems to be one of those films with “prestige project” plastered all over it, though that is by no means a criticism. Clint Eastwood is a director of impeccable credentials and there is every reason to believe that he can and will deliver a fascinating and epic story of the life of one of America’s most infamous sons. Since you have a fair few pictures to scroll down through and enjoy, I’ll leave it there.

Source: Collider.

Back at the end of the summer, we saw the fantastic first poster for Simon Curtis’ directorial feature debut, My Week With Marilyn, the Marilyn Monroe biopic that stars Michelle Williams as the actress, model, and singer renowned the world over.

Earlier this month, this was then followed up with a trailer and two images, and then a few days later with some more lovely pictures from the film, treating us to a look at some of the film’s supporting cast, which includes Emma Watson, Eddie Redmayne, Dame Judi Dench, and Kenneth Branagh.

An absolutely beautiful second poster for the film has now surfaced over at IMP Awards, in stunning black and white, with just Williams’ eyes coloured in a perfectly deep shade of blue. They literally look like gemstones.

For a long time, Williams was a lesser-known actress best known for her work on Dawson’s Creek, but in recent years, she’s been making a real name for herself, and has earned herself two Oscar nominations in the past five years for Brokeback Mountain and Blue Valentine. Though it’s a little too soon to call, I think a lot of people would be surprised if she doesn’t at least earn her third nomination for My Week With Marilyn when the Academy announces the nominees early next year.

“Colin Clark met Marilyn Monroe while working as a young assistant on Laurence Olivier’s “The Prince and the Showgirl.” When Marilyn experienced emotional difficulties during shooting, the 23-year-old third assistant director came to her aid and romance developed. But one week of honesty and fun was not enough to save the doomed star from self-destruction.”

The film will be out in cinemas on 18th November here in the UK, which gives us less than a month to wait to see it on the big screen. Everything we’ve seen for it so far looks very impressive, and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out next month. Without further ado, here’s the lovely second poster; Williams’ visual transformation into Monroe is utterly convincing. As usual, click to enlarge.

Another step on the long road to Bond 23, which may or may not be called Skyfall, has been taken today with the long rumoured role for Javier Bardem confirmed by the man himself.

It’s not a particularly detailed conversation but it’s the first time that Bardem has spoken publically about his role, which will see him face off against Britain’s finest secret agent in the form of Daniel Craig. He’ll be joined by Naomi Harris, Ralph Fiennes and Dame Judi Dench and the whole shebang will be under the hand of Sam Mendes which points to a fine return for Bond.

Here’s the short clip, from MI6-HQ (via ComingSoon)

Two days ago we were treated to a couple of images and a trailer for Simon Curtis’ film My Week with Marilyn and two things were immediately clear.

Firstly that the period detail is spot on and secondly that Michelle Williams is certainly up to the challenge of embodying one of the most beautiful and alluring actresses cinema has ever seen.

The new images show off some of the impeccable cast with Williams looking perfect as Monroe and Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier along with Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark (Olivier’s assistant) and Emma Watson. Dominic Cooper, Julia Ormond, Toby Jones, Judi Dench, Dougray Scott, Zoë Wanamaker and Derek Jacobi round off the cast do you know there’ll be something impressive up on screen.

Here is the UK we have a release date of the 18th of October and while the casting looks spot on, and these pictures compound the belief that the film will look the business, the success of the film necessarily rests on the performance of Michelle Williams and so far it’s looking very promising.

Here’s the gallery, click to make small things big.

Moviefone had these, The Playlist showed us the way.

Can you feel the Oscar buzz?

We got the fantastic first look at Leonardo DiCaprio in Clint Eastwood’s upcoming biopic, J. Edgar, back in the summer. This was then followed up a few weeks ago with the film’s utterly awesome first trailer, coupled with a teaser poster, which really cemented the likelihood that it will at least be getting nominated at next year’s Academy Awards.

Two more excellent new posters for Eastwood’s next directorial effort have now been released online, courtesy of ComingSoon.net, and they really are so well done. The signature font that the advertising is now going with for the film’s title is perfect, and I cannot wait for this to come to our cinemas next year.

“Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. As the face of law enforcement in America for almost fifty years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.”

With a supporting cast that includes Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Dame Judi Dench, Ed Westwick, and Josh Lucas, and a script from Oscar-winning writer Dustin Lance Black (Milk), this really is going to be something special. America is lucky enough to be getting J. Edgar next month, making it eligible for the Oscars early next year, but we’ll have to wait until 20th January to see it here.

It certainly looks like it will be well worth the wait though, and these trailers are another piece in what has already been a terrific advertising campaign so far. Without further ado, here they are to feast your eyes on. As usual, click to enlarge.

My week with Marilyn is one of two biopics being told about Marilyn Monroe. In this version, Michelle Williams takes up the leading role alongside a stellar cast which includes Emma Watson, Dominic Cooper, Kenneth Branagh, Julia Ormond, Toby Jones, Judi Dench, Dougray Scott, Zoë Wanamaker and Derek Jacobi. The film is directed by Simon Curtis and it’s set for release in the UK 18th November.

This new trailer comes from Yahoo and the images below from The Daily Mail. It was shot at Pinewood Studios here in London and now after watching the movie, It’s completely different to the sort of film that was expecting. Have a watch of it below and let me know what you think in the comments section.

Colin Clark met Marilyn Monroe while working as a young assistant on Laurence Olivier’s “The Prince and the Showgirl.” When Marilyn experienced emotional difficulties during shooting, the 23-year-old third assistant director came to her aid and romance developed. But one week of honesty and fun was not enough to save the doomed star from self-destruction.

Warner Bros. Pictures have released the first official trailer and teaser poster for biographical drama J. Edgar.

Directed by Clint Eastwood (The Changeling), J. Edgar stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Judi Dench, Naomi Watts, Damon Herriman, Jeffrey Donovan, Ed Westwick, Josh Lucas, Stephen Root, Ken Howard and Lea Thompson.

As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio) was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.

J. Edgar will be released in the U.K. early next year.

Check out the official trailer and teaser poster embedded below:

Source: Apple

To celebrate the September 9th release of Jane Eyre in cinemas nationwide, we have an exclusive Jane Eyre writing set to giveaway to a lucky reader, and 4 copies of the book to competition runners-up.

In a bold new feature version of Jane Eyre, director Cary Joji Fukunaga (Sin Nombre) and screenwriter Moira Buffini (Tamara Drewe) infuse a contemporary immediacy into Charlotte Brontë’s timeless, classic story. Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) and Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds) star in the iconic lead roles of the romantic drama, the heroine of which continues to inspire new generations of devoted readers and viewers.

For over 160 years, Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre has been one of the world’s most popular books. A mainstay of school reading lists, it has been translated into virtually every language. A story with a protagonist whom Brontë saw as “a heroine as plain and small as myself,” it continues to inspire generations and to influence storytellers.

A Focus Features presentation in association with BBC Films of a Ruby Films production. Jane Eyre stars Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, and Judi Dench and is released in cinemas across the UK September 9th.

To find out more about the film visit the Jane Eyre UK Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/janeeyreuk

To be in with a chance of winning the limited edition writing set and a copy of the book answer the following question.

Who is the author of Jane Eyre?
•    Charlotte Brontë
•    Emily Brontë
•    Anne Brontë

The small print:

• Open to UK residents only
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close 22nd September 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!