Towards the end of last year, we heard that rising star Jessica Chastain, for whom 2011 was an incredibly impressive year, was set to play Princess Diana as the lead in the film Caught in Flight.

Word now comes via Variety that Naomi Watts has been cast in the role instead, and will be directed by BATFA-nominated director, Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall), produced by the UK production company Ecosse Films, whose credits include Brideshead Revisited, Nowhere Boy, and Andrea Arnold’s recent Wuthering Heights.

“Story focuses on the last two years of the Princess’ life and charts how finding true personal happiness for the first time allowed her to evolve into a major international campaigner and humanitarian.”

Though there’s no mention of why Watts is coming on board now instead of Chastain, it could well be that with production scheduled to begin later this year here in the UK on Caught in Flight, Chastain wouldn’t be able to fit it into her schedule. She currently has Kathryn Bigelow’s untitled bin Laden film on her slate, and since that’s set for a 19^th December release this year, Chastain might not have been able to commit to both.

The Oscar-nominated Watts has most recently been seen in J. Edgar opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, and will be seen alongside Ewan McGregor later this year in The Impossible.

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)

As the title suggests, Rodrigo García’s deeply affecting new drama, Mother and Child, lays bare the life-changing force of motherhood with dynamic bittersweet, harrowing and raw moments from its stellar cast. Annette Bening gives one of her most enigmatic and painfully frank performances yet that cuts direct to the core.

The story follows three women: a 50-year-old called Karen (Bening) who had to give up her daughter at a young age for adoption, over 35 years ago, and wonders and torments herself every day at what happened to her; an ambitious and promiscuous lawyer called Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) who falls pregnant; and a successful, married businesswoman called Lucy (Kerry Washington) who is desperate for a child, but cannot conceive and is looking to adopt.

García’s tour de force is in the casting of the film, with three very different performances from three very strong actresses who have one defiant edge, desperate to find happiness in some form and a reason for ‘living’. It all sounds melodramatic, and it could be dismissed as TV feature theatrics, if it wasn’t for these wonderfully believable performances that cement the three stories. Naturally, their experiences converge, and that is another part of García’s magic in wondering just how the loose ends will tie up? When it happens, it might be deemed a trifle sentimental for some and too neat and tidy. But it is as though García’s characters have suffered enough heartache throughout that such an ending is acceptable – even if one story brings tragedy.

Without a doubt, Bening is the linchpin of the whole affair, proving once more as in the touchingly funny The Kids Are All Right as Nic that she has just the right angst and bittersweet nuances for such a role to never make the character seem superficial, but rounded and deeply layered in thought and action, but without losing the humour in any harrowing situation. As acidic-tongued Karen, we sense a deep-rooted pain and troubled soul; the question is when will it manifest that is part of the poignant journey you make with her.

In an equally defensive stance as Elizabeth, Watts matches Bening’s masterfully tart responses and the link between the pair soon becomes apparent, but is still worth watching being brought to fruition. Each actress expertly carves out emotionally warmer moments that compliment the colder, withdrawn ones, in order to keep an element of energy and empathy alive for both at all times.

The seemingly ‘odd’ injection into the story, but equally relevant, is that of Washington who spends most of the film on another acting plane from the other two who appear to be drifting through life, and is merely as a reminder of all those ‘out there’ desperate to feel motherhood at any cost – like an affecting advert for the trials and tribulations of adoption. Lucy’s journey – as the other two women – points motherhood dominating an adult existence, bringing both pain and happiness and switching between both.

What makes the women’s journey more compelling is the supporting male cast who allow their drama and courage to take centre stage. Samuel L. Jackson as law firm partner Paul who gets involved with Elizabeth is surprisingly tender and submissive from the usual role we get to see him in. It shows the actor’s refreshing variety but his strength of character is still very much felt. Jimmy Smits as Paco gets to bat off inappropriately defensive comments from nurse Karen, like a seasoned tennis pro, keeping his male nurse character virtuous and our judgement fully reserved for Karen. García’s male observations many depict his women as ‘emotionally challenged’ but there is an underlying respect for the female psyche, too, that is very apparent and is gently mirrored in the actions of his male cast.

Mother and Child’s central performances are well established and gripping from the start. Although verging on melodrama at times, the story’s honesty about a topic that is quite a tough one for some women is delicately handled with lighter moments of irony. García’s film is an exploration of the full spectrum of feelings that motherhood – or lack of – brings and is both challenging and entertaining in equal measure.

****~ (4/5)

Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona’s last film, The Orphanage, was very well-received when it was released a few years ago and found a large audience beyondSpain, earning praise from English-speaking critics as well, and taking almost $80m. at the international box office, an impressive feat for a horror film, particularly one in Spanish.

With The Impossible, Bayona makes what looks to be an impressive English-language debut, with the terrific Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts in the leads, and , reuniting with The Orphanage writer Sergio G. Sánchez. We saw the first poster for the film over a year ago at the end of 2010, and we’ve now got the first teaser trailer to share with you, via Collider.

“MARIA (Naomi Watts), HENRY (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation inThailand, looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth. As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her.

Henry grabs the two youngest boys, SIMON and THOMAS, but it’s too late: the wave smashes into him with incredible force and dislodges his grip. Maria is pushed underwater, where she is crushed and battered by debris to the brink of death. She finally surfaces in a raging black sea, which has completely submerged her three-story hotel and the surrounding landscape. Maria gasps for breath while she tries to understand what has just happened, convinced that her family has been obliterated in the blink of an eye. But then, her eldest son, LUCAS (Tom Holland), surfaces a few meters ahead in the wild flood. Face-to-face with something unexpected and incomprehensible, she must fight against all odds for her child’s survival. And her own.”

The film is based on the true story of this family, who were caught in the tsunami and the aftermath that hit Thailandon December 26^th, 2007, and from the scenes we see in this teaser trailer, I can’t imagine what it must have been like to go through. It looks to be a powerful film.

The trailer has been dubbed into Spanish, promoting the film in Bayona’s native country, and Twitch have kindly translated the text we see between the footage:

“On December 26, 2004, a devastating tsunami hit the coast of Southeast Asia.
The lives of thousands of families around the world changed forever.
This is the true story of one of these families.”

The Impossible hasn’t yet got a release date scheduled here or in the US, but hopefully it’s just a matter of time before it gets announced, because this looks like a film to look forward to.

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.

Some excellent casting news today with Screen Australia announcing the funding for an adaptation of Doris Lessing’s The Grandmothers with Naomi Watts and Robin Wright set to star.

THR are reporting that the actresses have signed up to the film and will be directed by Coco Before Chanel director Anne Fontaine. The Grandmothers is one of four short stories collected under in a book of the same name and the official blurb gives us this:

Two women, close friends, fall in love with each other’s teenage sons, and these passions last for years, until the women end them, promising a respectable old age.

while THR are keen to call it an ‘erotic tale of misguided love and a celebration of the enduring nature of female friendship’. Also cast are Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville, presumably as the teenage sons at the centre of the lovestorm.

Christopher Hampton, who recently adapted Atonement for Joe Wright and A Dangerous Method for David Cronenberg as well as winning a BAFTA and Oscar for his work in adapting Dangerous Liaisons, is scripting the film from the Lessing story so it’s fair to say Fontaine will have an excellent foundation to build on.

To celebrate the release of DREAM HOUSE on 25^th November, we’re giving two lucky winners the chance to win a horror DVD bundle including The Exorcist, The Shining and Se7en!

Once upon a time, there were two little girls who lived in a house. DANIEL CRAIG (Cowboys & Aliens, upcoming The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), NAOMI WATTS (The Ring, Fair Game) and Oscar^® winner RACHEL WEISZ (The Constant Gardener, The Lovely Bones) star in Dream House, a suspense thriller about a family that unknowingly moves into a home where grisly murders were committed…only to uncover even darker mysteries within its walls.  Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a high-power job in Manhattan to relocate his wife, Libby (Weisz), and two girls to a quaint New England town.  But as they settle into their new life, they discover their perfect home was the murder scene of a mother and her children.  And the entire city believes it was at the hands of the husband who survived. When Will investigates, he’s not sure if he’s starting to see ghosts or if the tragic story is just hitting too close to home.  His only clues come from Ann Patterson (Watts), a mysterious neighbour who knew those who were lost.  And as Will and Ann piece together the haunting puzzle, they must find out who murdered the family in Will’s dream house before he returns to kill again.

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, all you need to do is answer the following question using the form below:

Who is the lead male actor in Dream House?

1. Pierce Brosnan
2. Daniel Craig
3. Harrison Ford

Dream House is in cinemas November 25^th

For more information on DREAM HOUSE please visit the official website here www.dreamhousemovie.co.uk

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment All Rights Reserved

T&C

• This competition is open to UK residents only
• There is no cash or other alternative to the prize stated and the prize is not transferable and no part or parts of the prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions
• Winners will be picked at random and contacted by the site. The prize will be delivered to the winner within 28 days of confirmation of delivery address
• The Editor’s decision is final and binding on the entrants. No correspondence will be entered into.
• Closing date – Monday 28th November 29:59 GMT
• Prize for 2 winners is DVD bundle containing the following:
• The Exorcist
• Nightmare on Elm Street
• The Shining
• One Missed Call
• Friday the 13^th
• The Rite
• Se7en

Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive), Robin Wright (Unbreakable), James Frecheville (Animal Kingdom) and Xavier Samuel (The Loved Ones) have signed on to star in The Grandmothers.

The Grandmothers, an adaptation of Doris Lessing’s highly acclaimed novella, centers on two childhood friends and neighbours who each fall in love with the other’s son, to the disgust of the boys’ wives.

Anne Fontaine (Coco Before Chanel) is attached to direct from a screenplay by Christopher Hampton (Atonement).

Filming is scheduled to start in February.

Source: Screen Daily

Imagine watching a film from the ‘Elm St’ series and suddenly finding one of Freddy Krueger’s razor-sharp taloned glove tapping you on the back. Or how would you feel if, viewing the scene in The Shining where Jack Nicholson finally loses it completely, his character from that very film shimmied into view, dragging his large axe across the floor as he entered your line of vision?

That was one of the fun conceits the good folks from Sky Movies HD managed to bring to the table for an event we attended last Friday at the RSA Vaults in central London – a horror-themed night which culminated with a silent ‘screaming’ of the 2002 US remake of The Ring.

A visual answer to Silent Disco, we were invited to watch the Naomi Watts-starring tale of haunted videos and a well-dwelling child apparition on individual iPads, whilst said kiddie spirit from the film, Samara, paraded around the place in all her pale-faced, scraggly-haired ghostly glory, often stooping over the audience in a effort to make the viewing experience even more unnerving.

Greeted with plastic syringes offering a Bloody Mary hit upon arrival, The Ring vibe extended to the gloomy decor, which was filled with bank of TV’s showing nothing but static, and walls filled with the demented scribbling of artwork similar to those found in the film.

A fun and genuinely spooky night was had, and even if the Wi-Fi shortcomings sometimes slowed proceedings down a little, it was an interesting experiment in a shared (yet intimate) terror.

We seem to have gone a little Halloween crazy at the moment but we know that so many of you love a good horror film that it’s hard not to! Sky Movies HD have been in touch and have very kindly given us five pairs of tickets to their silent ‘screaming’ of The Ring next Friday, 28th October at the RSA Vaults – with food and drinks from 10.30pm. The screening itself will kick off at midnight and and you’ll be given an iPad to watch the movie on using Sky Go. Transport home will be provided for those in zones 1-4. If you live outside that zone, you’ll need to make alternative arrangements.

Full T&Cs are listed below but to enter for your chance to win, scroll down!

The Ring stars Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox, David Dorfman, Jane Alexander and is directed by Gore Verbinski. If you’ve never seen it, prepare to be scared!

It sounded like just another urban legend-a videotape filled with nightmarish images, leading to a phone call foretelling the viewer’s death in exactly seven days. As a newspaper reporter, Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) was naturally skeptical of the story, until four teenagers all met with mysterious deaths exactly one week after watching just such a tape. Allowing her investigative curiosity to get the better of her, Rachel tracks down the video·and watches it. Now, she must enlist the aid of her friend Noah (Martin Henderson) to save her life and the life of her son (David Dorfman). Together, they have just seven days to unravel the mystery of “The Ring. “

To be in with a chance if winning one of five pairs of tickets to The Ring screening, simply answer the following question using the form below:

Who directed the movie, The Ring?

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

SKY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. This promotion is open to residents of UK, Isle of Man, Channel Island and Republic of Ireland residents, aged 18 years or over. Proof of age may be required.  Employees (or family members of employees) of any British Sky Broadcasting Group company (“Sky”), companies associated with the Promotion and all affiliates of such companies may not enter the Promotion.
2. To take part in the Competition you need to participate in the HeyUGUys competition between Friday 21^st October and Monday 24^th October 2011. British Sky Broadcasting Limited (“Sky”) does not accept responsibility for network, computer hardware or software failures of any kind, which may restrict or delay your entry into the Competition.
3. Only one entry per person and per household is allowed.  Entries must not be sent through agents or third parties.
4. The prize includes:
5. 2 x entrance to the Sky Movies HD Halloween ‘silent-screaming’ of The Ring taking place at MIDNIGHT on Friday 28^th October at the RSA Vaults, 8 John Adam Street
   City of London WC2N 6EZ.
6. Prize includes food and drinks on arrival at 10.30pm-11pm, the provision of an iPad and headphones per person to use for the screening only plus complimentary transport home within TFL Zones 1-4 in Central London following the screening.  The prize
7. There is no cash alternative to the prize and unless agreed otherwise in writing the prize is non-refundable and non transferable.
8. Except in the case of death or personal injury arising from its negligence or in respect of fraud and so far as is permitted by law, the Promoter and its associated companies and agents exclude responsibility and all liabilities arising from any postponement, cancellation, delay or changes to the prize details beyond the Promoter’s control and for any act or default of any third party supplier.
9.  If the winners cannot be contacted within a reasonable time period or are not able or available to accept the prize for any reason which is beyond the Promoter’s reasonable control, then the Promoter reserves the right to award the prize to another entrant.
10. The Promoter’s decision is final and binding in all respects on all entrants.  No correspondence will be entered into. Entries that do not comply in full with these entry terms and conditions will be disqualified.
11. The name, county and photograph of the winners may be used by the Promoter and its associated companies for post-event publicity purposes. The winners agree to allow the Promoter to use their name and likeness for advertising and publicity purposes without additional remuneration.
12. With regards to data protection, in addition to the use specified above, the Promoter will use each winner’s, and each entrant’s, personal details for the purpose of administering this promotion.
13. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions and agreed to be bound by them when entering this Promotion.
14. This Promotion, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law. You irrevocably agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with this Promotion.

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.

We got the first trailer and poster for the upcoming film Dream House back in July, and though the trailer would appear to be somewhat spoiling the plot, it was a great look at the film, and the poster is fantastic.

Now, courtesy of Yahoo, we’ve got our first clip from the film outside of the trailer, showing Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz clearing up after some kids they find squatting in their basement.

The basic premise of the film, spoiler-free, is fairly generic as thriller/horrors go, with a family – Craig, Weisz, and their two daughtes – moving into a new home and finding out that its past inhabitants were brutally murdered. But I must admit that I do quite like the look of the trailer, as free from spoilers as it isn’t, and I’m quite looking forward to seeing the film.

Directed by six-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan (In the Name of the Father), and written by David Loucka (co-writer of the upcoming House at the End of the Street), and also stars Naomi Watts as a neighbour of Craig and Weisz’s. The film is scheduled for a 30th September of release in the States, and though there’s no news yet of a UK release, it will hopefully just be a matter of time before it comes out here. Given that its three lead stars are all British-born, and its director is Irish, and all have made a big name for themselves here, the film should have a fairly decent audience in place here, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed. For now, enjoy the new clip, entitled, Who Is Peter Ward?

Here’s a rather creepy brand new UK trailer and poster for Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz’s new movie, Dream House. It starts off similar to the US one that we saw earlier in the year but then gives us quite a bit of new footage.

Dream House is directed by Jim Sheridan and also stars Naomi Watts. It’s released here in the UK November 25^th. Find out more about the film on their official website.

Once upon a time, there were two little girls who lived in a house. DANIEL CRAIG (Cowboys & Aliens, upcoming The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), NAOMI WATTS (The Ring, Fair Game) and Oscar^® winner RACHEL WEISZ (The Constant Gardener, The Lovely Bones) star in Dream House, a suspense thriller about a family that unknowingly moves into a home where grisly murders were committed…only to uncover even darker mysteries within its walls.  Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a high-power job in Manhattan to relocate his wife, Libby (Weisz), and two girls to a quaint New England town.  But as they settle into their new life, they discover their perfect home was the murder scene of a mother and her children.  And the entire city believes it was at the hands of the husband who survived. When Will investigates, he’s not sure if he’s starting to see ghosts or if the tragic story is just hitting too close to home.  His only clues come from Ann Patterson (Watts), a mysterious neighbour who knew those who were lost.  And as Will and Ann piece together the haunting puzzle, they must find out who murdered the family in Will’s dream house before he returns to kill again.

Joining Craig, Watts and Weisz in the film are MARTON CSOKAS (Alice in Wonderland) as Ann’s ex-husband, Jack; ELIAS KOTEAS (The Fourth Kind) as the mysterious stranger Boyce; and JANE ALEXANDER (The Unborn) as Dr. Greeley. James G. Robinson presents a Morgan Creek production and a Bobker/Kruger Films production: Dream House, starring Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz, Marton Csokas, Elias Koteas, Jane Alexander.  Casting for the film is by Avy Kaufman, CSA.  The film’s music supervisor is Dave Jordan; its music is by John Debney.  Dream House is edited by Glen Scantlebury and Barbara Tulliver, ACE.  The costume designer is Delphine White, and the production designer is Carol Spier.  The suspense thriller’s director of photography is Caleb Deschanel, ASC, and its executive producers are Rick Nicita, Mike Drake.  The film is produced by David Robinson, Daniel Bobker and Ehren Kruger.  It is written by David Loucka and produced by James G. Robinson.  Dream House is directed by Jim Sheridan. The film will be released in select territories by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Click the poster to enlarge.

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

J. Edgar is one of the year’s most highly anticipated films, expected by many to be going to the Oscars early next year with a fair few nominations. After months of waiting with just a few photos from the set, we’ve finally got our first official look at Leonardo DiCaprio in the eponymous role, courtesy of EW.

With its US release date recently announced as 9th November, these first photos definitely give us something to look forward to at the end of the year.

Directed by four-time Oscar winner Clint Eastwood and written by critically acclaimed Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk), J. Edgar is a biopic of J. Edgar Hoover, first director of the FBI in America. He was the man who brought a federal police force to the States, and ushered in the era of forensic evidence and fingerprints to try criminals, but who became an increasingly controversial figure as his career progressed, disregarding the law to use the resources of the FBI for his own ends.

His personal life has also been one of much speculation, with questions over his sexuality being considered but not concluded in this upcoming film. DiCaprio will take on the role of Hoover, using make-up to portray his decades-long career, and it’s a role I’m really looking forward to from him. DiCaprio is far from one to shy away from complex roles, as his credits show, and it will be interesting to see him play a man whose popularity soars and then increasingly spirals downwards in the American public eye.

Armie Hammer (The Social Network) will play the supporting role of Cloyde Tolson, Associate Director of the FBI, with whom people have suggested Hoover was romantically involved. And Naomi Watts will be playing Helen Gandy, Hoover’s secretary, who along with Tolson was one of the only two people Hoover trusted. Dame Judi Dench plays Anna Marie, Hoover’s mother, and Ed Westwick (TV’s Gossip Girl) plays Agent Smith, Hoover’s biographer.

Though no release date has yet been announced for the UK, here’s to hoping that it won’t be long after America gets it in November. More news as we get it. Until then, enjoy this first look at Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer in what is sure to be a truly brilliant film. (Click to enlarge on the first one.) I think the second shot is particularly awesome, showing DiCaprio deep in contemplation in what looks to be an empty courtroom, framed nicely by two American flags behind him. You can imagine the film is going to be one that will have us all thinking too.

Warner Bros. Pictures have announced that Imagine Entertainment’s J. Edgar will hit US cinemas on November 9.

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

Synopsis: Biopic on FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, focusing on his scandalous career and controversial private life as a homosexual and rumoured cross dresser.

Unless revealed as a late entry, J. Edgar is likely to miss out on the highly esteemed festival season, but with such a strong director, screenwriter and cast, it’s sure to gain momentum off its own back.

Source: Variety

Quick word of warning – if you want to see this film then don’t watch the trailer. To even hint at some of the recent films whose influence is all over this one would be giving away too much.

Unless the film is a huge psychological horror spanning generations then this trailer not only gives the entire set up away but also throws in a few huge twists and a pretty obvious nod to the big reveal at the end.

If you have to watch it then stop after about a minute as the first few moments set up a thoroughly generic tale of ‘new home which might be haunted, oh and children are scary aren’t they etc’ which is something Insidious did very well and it’ll take more than a man in the woods and a face appearing at the window with a orchestra shock to creep the skin from me.

There may be something decent here, Jim Sheridan certainly known his way around a story and though some of his recent choices were a little unusual (Get Rich or Die Tryin’ being a bit of a head scratcher) he’s amassed a decent cast in Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts but this promotion is assembled in such a way as to make it look as if someone has chomped happily on the last thirty years of horror films and vommed into a bucket from which the last scrapings came together to make this trailer.

And yes – it is only a trailer. The film may be excellent and I’m still looking forward to being convinced but whoever sanctioned this either has no idea of subtlety or no imagination (or, worse, no faith in the film) but they have done a fine job in pulling together a pretty terrible first look. Just keep telling yourself – It’s only a trailer, it’s only a trailer.

Anyway – here’s the new trailer! Enjoy!

And a poster! Hurrah!

Apple had em both.

• Universal Pictures have released the first teaser poster for Morgan Creek Production’s mystery-thriller Dream House, and it certainly leaves a lot to be desired.

Directed by Jim Sheridan (Brothers), Dream House stars Daniel Craig (Casino Royale), Rachel Weisz (The Fountain), Naomi Watts (Fair Game), Marton Csokas (The Debt), Sarah Gadon (Charlie Bartlett) and Elias Koteas (Shutter Island).

Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a high power job in Manhattan to relocate his wife, Libby (Weisz), and two girls to a quaint New England town. But as they settle into their new life, they discover their perfect home was the murder scene of a mother and her children. And the entire city believes it was at the hands of the husband who survived.

When Will investigates, he’s not sure if he’s starting to see ghosts or if the tragic story is just hitting too close to home. His only clues come from Ann Paterson (Watts), a mysterious neighbour who knew those who were shot. And as Will and Ann piece together the haunting puzzle, they must find out who murdered the family in Will’s dream house before he returns to kill again.

After being plagued by re-shoots and release date switcheroos, Dream House will finally see the light of day when it hits cinema screens on September 30.

Check out the quite dreadful poster below:

Source: Recent Movie Posters

To mark the release of You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger on DVD and Blu-ray Monday 11th July, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have given us 3 copies of the movie to give away on DVD.

Written and directed by Academy-Award® winning Woody Allen (Vicky Christina Barcelona, Whatever Works) and featuring a star-studded cast comes the witty and inventive dramedy you will meet a TALL DARK STRANGER, available on DVD from Warner Home Video on 11 July 2011.

you will meet a TALL DARK STRANGER follows a pair of married couples, Alfie (Acadamy-Award® winning Anthony Hopkins – Silence of the Lambs) and Helena (Gemma Jones – Sense and Sensibility) and their daughter Sally (Academy-Award® nominee Naomi Watts – 21 Grams) and husband Roy (Josh Brolin – Milk), through the trials and tribulations of their romantic relationships.

Woody Allen’s love letter to London features BAFTA nominee Frieda Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Golden Globe nominee Antonio Banderas (The Mask of Zorro, Evita) along with stellar performances from Brits: Lucy Punch, Anna Friel, Philip Glenister, Pauline Collins and Ewen Bremner. Follow the intricate lives of these characters while they try to decipher which road to take in life whilst attempting to resolve their romantic relationships. This sweet and humorous take on fortune telling asks: is it better to believe in reality or to be deluded? After all, as Woody Allen puts it “people who successfully delude themselves seem happier than the people who can’t”. Whatever you believe, you’re sure to be entertained – from alarming temptations, to shock revelations, you will meet a TALL DARK STRANGER on DVD is the perfect night in.

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, simply answer the following question using the form below:

Who write and directed the movie, you will meet a TALL DARK STRANGER?

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

The small print:

• Open to UK residents only
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close 12th July at 23.59 GMT
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received

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

To mark the release of Fair Game on DVD and Blu-ray 11th July, Entertainment One have given us five copies of the movie to give away on DVD.

FAIR GAME follows the experiences of real-life CIA officer Valerie Plame (Watts; The International, Eastern Promises) and her retired ambassador husband Joe Wilson (Penn; Milk, The Assassination of Richard Nixon). Wilson unintentionally puts his wife’s life in danger when he writes a negative newspaper article for the New York Times challenging the basis for the U.S. involvement in the Iraq war, claiming the Bush administration manipulated intelligence about weapons of mass destruction to justify the invasion of Iraq.

As payback for his actions, the White House leaks Plame’s undercover status, leaving her international contacts vulnerable, her career in shambles and her life threatened.

Crackling with sharp dialogue, gripping intrigue and heart pounding suspense action sequences, FAIR GAME is an adventure that is so unbelievable it can only be real. Don’t miss it on DVD and Blu-ray this July.

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, simply answer the following question using the form below:

Who directed the movie, Fair Game?

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

The small print:

• Open to UK residents only
• Only one entry per household will be counted
• The competition will close 12th July at 23.59 GMT
• The winner will be picked at random from entries received

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