ScreenCrave.com » Guy Pearce

Guy Pearce’s Lockout Gets a Trailer

Damon Houx — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:45:16 +0000

Is 2012 the year of Guy Pearce? The star of L.A. Confidential and Memento has been kicking around Hollywood for a while, and has yet to achieve the fame he so rightly deserves. Perhaps he’s about to become the face of science fiction, as he’s got a role in Ridley Scott‘s Prometheus, and is leading up Lockout, a futuristic Sci-fi thriller from the Luc Besson factory. Check out the trailer…

James Mather and Stephen St. Leger wrote and directed the film, which also stars Maggie Grace and Peter Stormare. From the trailer you can get that the filmmakers were deeply influenced by Escape From New York. In fact the film looks like the fan-fiction version of a third film in that series, in that it puts its Snake Plissken-y character (here named Snow) into a maximum security facility (here in space) to take care of a president’s daughter. Hopefully there will be no basketball.

This looks thoroughly ridiculous in the right way, which will know for sure when the film opens on April 20. It’s also nice to see that the effects work look good in the space sequences (the motorcycle stuff is a bit dodgy), because – as an international production – it’s hard to know how much money they had. Still, it gives good Guy Pearce.

Are you down for some Lockout?

Trailer for Ridley Scott’s Prometheus

Damon Houx — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:50:21 +0000

Quick of cut and huge of scale, the trailer for Ridley Scott‘s Prometheus ties the film into his 1979 film Alien in two distinct ways. One is the lettering that comes as we get quick flashes of cast members Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace and Idris Elba. The other is a certain prop that looks mighty familiar to fans of the original. Check out the trailer…

What this film is seems still up for grabs. The characters are humans (“They went looking for our beginning”), I guess, and there seems to be a lot of large scale sets, and great science fiction atmosphere. But what’s going on is completely up for grabs, and it’s hard to know if the film follows the original’s Ten Little Indians structure. The cast listing says “and Charlize Theron” which could mean she’s the first or last to go.

This doesn’t seem to offer much Guy Pearce, but to be fair no one gets any on screen dialogue, and this seems to be more about setting a tone, which is the new trailer goal. That tone is “it’s a little like the first film, but much more fast paced and jump scary.” Supposedly this is the first of two of these films.The film comes out June 8, 2012.

Is that what you wanted out of an Prometheus trailer?

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark: Movie Review

Mali Elfman — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:53:07 +0000

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is an odd title for a film that gives you nothing but good reason to be afraid of the dark, but I guess that’s all part of the fun of it! There is a lot about this film that makes it a cliched horror film, the only difference is that there are some impressive A-list actors, interesting new monsters and a splash of Guillermo del Toro (interview) from time to time. The problem is, that this film asks you to suspend your beliefs in the wrong ways. Believing that monsters exists in basement and are after your teeth — awesome! Buying that human beings act the way they do in this move — failed movie magic. There were a lot of good things about this movie, but it loses its way about halfway in, making it a horror film that will likely not be remember. Find out why…

The Players:

Director: Troy Nixey
Writers: Guillermo del Toro (screenplay), Matthew Robbins (screenplay), and based on Nigel McKeand’s 1973 teleplay
Stars: Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce and Bailee Madison
Producers: Guillermo del Toro and Mark Johnson

Plot:

Caught in the midst of two divorced parents who both seem to only be concerned with their careers, a young girl is sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend. She’s alone, angry and in need of friends, Unfortunately the friends she finds are some creatures that live in her new home, that pull her in with love, but have quite heinous intentions.

The Good:

Playing With Our Real Fears: It’s a broad but mostly true statement to say that no one likes old, dark basements, no one likes the dark when they’ve being chased, no one likes teeth being taken from their head unwillingly — it’s safe to say that straight out of the gate this film plays on some pretty basic fears that many of us can all relate to and therefore be scared of (which is what we all want when we sit down to a horror film!). The start of the film brings your in a plays with your fears in a delightfully evil way. Unfortunately, it’s unable to keep that, but more on that later.
Bailee Madison: Man is this girl an actress to watch out for. In person she’s well spoken and can field the press as well as any seasoned professional. On screen she’s the most believable of the bunch (though even as a child I don’t think I would want to talk to spirits coming from a furnace, but I am old and jaded critic now, so maybe I’ve just forgotten) and she’s a pleasure to watch because she has a creepiness in the film that intrigues you, but enough heart that you always care for her.
The Ending: NO SPOILERS. Don’t worry. There were some issues with the way the film was bit up. A lot of the reason why this film worked for me is because of the strong start and ruthless ending (the middle was a bit muddled). To follow that up, quite literally the last line spoken before the credits role is my favorite part of the film. It was a nice touch by the filmmakers and one that allowed to audience to leave on a fun note.
Katie Holmes: This is probably the most bad-ass we’ve seen her yet. Unexpected, nicely done, and fun to watch.

The Bad:

Monster Premiere: They show the monster too soon and too much, and eventually allows for them to become a bit of a joke which takes away their danger. They’re already a slightly implausible enemy, so it hurt them to have any humor added. I don’t want to give away their weaknesses, but they do have them, and for them to be treated in anyway but seriously, takes away from the power and the suspense that the film needs in the last act. It’s a shame to see because they start so damn strong and then they get under-minded. Also, without giving too much away again, not all of their actions are justified and sometimes their motives don’t really add up making them again, less scary because they’re less believable.
Unrealistic Timing: Once everything goes wrong, and they decide to escape, why oh why does it take 4 hours to pack a suitcase into the car and (again) why or why do you leave the targeted victim by themselves in a room that has attacked her before… and to add to that, AT NIGHT. I’m all for going with a story, but when a film asks us to looks past SO many things like this in a row it begins to take away from “realistic fears” which is what gives the film its impact.
Not Enough Guy Pearce: He’s one of the best transformative actors and yet his character is almost completely one dimensional, his actions are kind of justified in his lines but there needed to be more time to see the results of those lines and he’s given too little screen time which is just a damn shame.

Overall:

I wanted to love this film, there are some many great parts to it but unfortunately it doesn’t add up to the whole that I hoped for. That being said, there are some quality elements to it that if you’re not a crazy cinefile like me, you probably won’t notice them and have a fine time. I have a low threshold for horror but found that I could easily make it through this film. Yes the opening and moments of the film are tense, but for the most part this is a very easy to watch film to watch or bring a date to.

Rating: 5.7/10

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is in theaters August 26th.

Photo Gallery:

Don’t Be Afraid of the Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark Trailer

Damon Houx — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:38:55 +0000

Guillermo Del Toro‘s been up for a number of different projects since 2008′s Hellboy II, but nothing has come together. And though he’s been attached to a number of different projects (and seems to be going forward with Pacific Rim), as a producer he’s kept himself busy. He’s been consulting with DreamWorks on their animated films, and was the co-writer and producer of the Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark remake, which was directed by newcomer Troy Nixley. Now there’s a trailer for the film, which comes out August 26, and features Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce. Check it out..

One of the things that’s most interesting about this project is that it was co-written by Matthew Robbins. Robbins was in the school of Steven Spielberg, wrote The Sugarland Express and directed Corvette Summer and Dragonslayer. He also wrote the film Mimic with Del Toro. The trailer casts a spooky spell, and seems to fall into Del Toro’s wheelhouse of creeped out kids. Chud.com’s Nick Nunziata (a former boss of mine) is one of the associate producers.

The late August release date would be troubling if this was a franchise picture, but a late August release was beneficial to both The Others and Jeepers Creepers. The film was held up for a little bit because of The Weinstein Company’s fiscal difficulties, but everyone must be happy with the film as it will be the closing night feature of the upcoming Los Angeles Film Festival. We should be there, so expect a review shortly thereafter.

What’s the worst thing you’ve found under your bed?

Guy Pearce, Mia Wasikowska, Gary Oldman Join LaBeouf and Hardy in The Wettest Country

Krystal Clark — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:25:16 +0000

There have been some new developments regarding the upcoming drama The Wettest Country. The film will be headlined by Tom Hardy and Shia LeBeouf, and according to THR they’ll get some grade-A support. Both Gary Oldman and Guy Pearce are in talks to join the cast as well as Mia Wasikowska and Jason Clarke. Who’s not in this movie?

Based on the novel The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant, and on his grandfather and two great-uncles, the true gangsters story details of the saga of the Bondurant boys, bootlegging siblings who take the law into their own hands in Prohibition-era Virginia while making a run for the American Dream. Nick Cave wrote the screenplay.

Oldman is set to play a gangster who engages the boys to deliver alcohol, while Pearce will star as an overly violent deputy who comes down hard on the Bondurants. Wasikowska will play LeBeouf’s love interest, a local Mennonite girl and Clarke is playing the brother to LaBeouf and Hardy.

Production on the film is slated to begin this spring.

What do you think of the cast for The Wettest Country? Are you interested in seeing the film?

Guillermo Del Toro’s Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark Teaser Trailer

Krystal Clark — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:56:28 +0000

If you weren’t able to attend this year’s Comic-Con to get your first glimpse of Guillermo del Toro and Troy Nixey’s latest project Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark you’re in luck. The first teaser trailer for the film has been released (via MySpace) and it will scare you sh*tless. Prepare to be terrified from the comfort of your own home…

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark in HD

Trailer Park Movies | MySpace Video

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is based on a 1973 made for TV movie about a girl who moves in with her dad and his girlfriend, only to discover that they’re sharing their home with some “devilish creatures.” The film stars Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, and Bailee Madison (the adorable young actress from Brothers) and will be hitting theaters on January 21, 2011.

This was the same trailer they showed the audience at Comic-Con along with another extended scene from the film. If you want to find out more about the movie and that footage check out our panel coverage that featured del Toro and Nixey. On a side note, if you had any reservations about the remake status of Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, del Toro not only produced the film but he also co-wrote the screenplay with Matthew Robbins.

What do you think of the first teaser trailer for Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark? Are you scared?

New Trailer for Animal Kingdom: A Crime Story

Kara — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:22:24 +0000

The full trailer for the new Australian film, Animal Kingdom: A Crime Story, has been released in its native country and is quickly trickling over. The U.S. trailer should be released sometime in the near future. Until then, this trailer should peak your interest in seeing the film. The film is the directorial debut from, David Michôd, starring James Frencheville, Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton, Luke Ford, and Jacki Weaver.

The trailer looks promising. The music and the overall look is beautiful and something about it was refreshingly different from many of the other films hitting theaters. The plot of the movie isn’t spelled out for you in the trailer, but one still gets a sense of intensity of the film. That coupled with the review we have the film from this year’s Sundance, which stated “Animal Kingdom is a truly great film. Wrenching and tragic, this film takes the crime drama away from the crime itself and into the heart of the dynamics of families,” makes this kind of a must see…

Official synopsis:

Pope Cody (Mendelsohn), an armed robber on the run from a gang of renegade detectives, is in hiding, surrounded by his roughneck friends and family. Soon, Pope’s nephew, Joshua “J” Cody (Frecheville), arrives and moves in with his hitherto-estranged relatives. When tensions between the family and the police reach a bloody peak, “J” finds himself at the center of a cold-blooded revenge plot that turns the family upside down.

Animal Kingdom has yet to receive a release date for the U.S. It will come out in Australia on June 3, 2010.

What do you think of the trailer?

Source: SlashFilm

Sundance 2010: Animal Kingdom Review

Brendan Walsh — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:34:08 +0000

David Michod’s Animal Kingdom starring Ben Mendelsohn, Jacki Weaver, Guy Pearce, James Frecheville had its final screening at the Sundance Film Festival Thursday afternoon, leaving more than a few dozen disappointed wait-listers stuck until this summer to check out this terrific, seething crime drama. Luckily, this tireless minion of ScreenCrave was present and is here to whet your appetites for what’s surely going to be regarded as one of the best films to come out of Australia since John Hillcoat & Nick Cave’s The Proposition. Check out the review after the jump…

Animal Kingdom, Michod’s feature directorial debut, is a story about the intense loyalty, or lack thereof, among a family of professional criminals faced with their own undoing when the police stop playing fair. It is chock full of grossly understated tragedy, slowly bubbling from simmering tension to a roiling boil by the end. The film opens with 17-year-old Josh, helplessly sitting beside his mother as she silently dies of a heroin overdose. He is then taken in by his grandmother, known to her family as Smurf, who lives with her four sons, all partners in crime. Though the crimes for which they are wanted are never actually shown, it is suggested by stills from a bank robbery over the opening credits.

As they divide up their shares from the heist, they hear rumors that the task force assigned to shut down their operation is on the verge of being disbanded for failing to accomplish their goals. All they’ve got to do is lay low, and all their problems will disappear. However, just as he is forming an exit strategy from his life of crime, one of the brothers is gunned down by the police with no more warning than a casually shouted, “He’s got a gun!” Thus begins a back and forth of acts of revenge between the criminals and the police.

Caught in world in which he doesn’t belong, Josh finds himself being used by both sides in ways that could cost him more dearly than he can imagine. With no refuge or respite, Josh must look over both shoulders to protect himself from the police who will stop at nothing to win their war, and his psychotic, desperate uncles who stand to lose everything.

The performances in this film are so subtle, subdued, and engaging that it is easy to get lost in the deep and complex emotions wrought by the events, and every turn of the plot comes as a complete surprise. Each character’s sly machinations come off so naturally that the eventual barbarity of their outcomes is utterly shattering. James Frecheville, as Josh, shuffles through each scene, sullen and somber, with the weight of the world saddled upon him, barely able to conceal his terror. Jackie Weaver’s Grandma Smurf sustains a sweetness and unconditional love for her boys that only gets scarier as the film goes on. Guy Pearce plays the former angle of the good cop/bad cop duo so sublimely that his manipulative intentions practically go unnoticed. The standout performance of the film, however, belongs to Ben Mendelsohn as the eldest brother, Pope. Quiet and calculating, his demented, unhinged rage is barely concealed below his frighteningly blank surface.

Like every other aspect of the film, Adam Arkapaw’s photography is staggeringly inconspicuous. It allows Melbourne to be a unique setting, while maintaining the notion that such brutal actions could take place anywhere in the world. The violence in the film is always unexpected, abrupt and hideous, without any lingering examination or glorification. The film is eliberately paced, the ever-mounting tension prevents the film from dragging or feeling slow at any point. It is more than fair to say that Michael Mann could learn a thing or two from the craftsmanship of this film.

Animal Kingdom is a truly great film. Wrenching and tragic, this film takes the crime drama away from the crime itself and into the heart of the dynamics of families that, depending on your perspective, have too much or not enough love to allow each other to go on the way they have. Perfectly crafted, Animal Kingdom leaves the audience feeling like a frog in a pot of water, who couldn’t notice that the water was boiling until it was already too late.

Rating: 10/10

Helena Bonham Carter Cast in The King’s Speech

Krystal Clark — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:03:21 +0000

The King’s Speech is turning out to be a film of epic proportions in terms of its cast. The movie already had Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush taking on the lead roles, and now according to Variety, a slew of new actors have joined in on the fun. We’re talking Academy award nominees, winners, and a few stage and screen legends.

According to the trade, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Ehle, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall and Michael Gambon have all joined the cast of Tom Hooper‘s film, The King’s Speech.

This period drama follows the young King George VI — the father of the current Queen Elizabeth II — as he reluctantly assumes the throne after his brother, Edward, abdicates. Considered unfit to rule and cursed with a nervous stammer, the unprepared monarch turns to an unorthodox speech therapist, Lionel Logue. The two men form an unlikely friendship as King George finds his voice and leads the country into war against the Nazis.

Colin Firth will play the king in question and Rush will play his therapist. Hooper will direct from a script written by David Seidler. The film recently began shooting in England and upon completion will be distributed by the Weinstein Company in North America.

This movie has prestige written all over it, and hopefully it has a kick ass screenplay to match its gifted cast. One can only hope that this would be the film that places Oscar gold in Firth’s hands. He’s a great actor, so why is it taking so long for him to get his proper recognition?

What do you think of the latest casting for The King’s Speech?

Watch the First 8 Minutes of The Hurt Locker

Mali Elfman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:08:19 +0000

In case you haven’t seen Kathryn Bigelow‘s latest film The Hurt Locker starring Jeremy Renner with Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty, and appearances by Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes, we have a little something to entice you into theaters. Just to wet your appetite they have uploaded the first 8 minutes of the film to Hulu.

Now, this clip is intense, and I personally feel it should be seen with the whole movie. BUT if you’re on the fence as to whether or not you should see this film, I think this clip below should seal the deal.

Watch the first 8 minutes below…

Are you convinced yet?

Guy Pearce Joins Del Toro in the Dark

Krystal Clark — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:48:26 +0000

I was randomly thinking about actor Guy Pearce the other day. I was wondering where he’d been hiding, since I hadn’t seen him or his jagged cheekbones in a while. According to Firstshowing, Pearce may be resurfacing soon in a film directed by one of Guillermo del Toro‘s protege’s, Troy Nixey. The project is entitled Don’t be Afraid of the Dark and it’s remake of a 1970′s made for TV movie.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is based on a 1973 telefilm about a young girl who moves in with her dad and his girlfriend, only to discover that they’re sharing their home with some “devilish creatures.” Pearce will star as the father, while his daughter will be played by Bailee Madison. Katie Holmes will portray his girlfriend who also believes that something eerie’s going on in their home.

The film’s script is written by del Toro, and should start shooting in Melbourne, Australia fairly soon. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark seems to be bringing everyone out of the woodwork. I’ll admit that this is an interesting cast to pull together. There must be something amazing about the script that makes them all want to be a part of it.

What do you think of Pearce teaming up with Holmes in a horror, thriller?

The Hurt Locker: Movie Review

Mali Elfman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:36:35 +0000

Kathryn Bigelow‘s (interview) new film The Hurt Locker starring Jeremy Renner (interview), Anthony Mackie, and Brian Geraghty, with special appearances by Guy Pearce, Ralph Feinnes, David Morse, and Evangeline Lilly is a must see film about men who do one of the most dangerous job’s in the world.

This film has amazing performances, an unbelievable setting, and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. It’s not just another war film, Bigelow has redefined the genre with this film.

Check out the good, the bad and the plot below…

Plot:

An intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat. When a new sergeant, James (Renner), takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn (Mackie) and Eldridge (Geraghty), by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. James behaves as if he’s indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James’ true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.

The Good:

Non-Partisan POV: Bigelow creates a world where you have respect for what our soldiers are doing and why they are doing it, and yet does not support war. In fact, the film doesn’t outwardly say anything about war, but rather what it does to and for the people in it.
The Suspense: Bigelow is a master of suspense. She knows how to take us out of our comfort zone. Nothing plays out like you expect it to, so just like the characters you’re watching, pay attention and along for a ride.
The Acting: From Pearce’s kick ass entrance to Renner’s fast but loose, crazy man performance, the acting in this film was amazing. Mackie was a powerful Sergeant that brought sense to what was happening and could stand up to Renner. Geraghty was the sweet kid who we all know doesn’t belong in a war and yet finds courage to risk his life everyday.
The Location: They shot this film in Jordan, not far from active-war zones in 120 degree weather and you can feel it. From the beautiful long-range shots to the sand that wedges itself into your pores.
No Answers: Without giving anything away, the film proposes questions without answers. In fact even in our interviews with Bigelow and Renner, they weren’t giving away any answers. So it’s up to you to decide how you feel.

The Bad:

Runtime: I’m being very picky by even mentioning this, but I do think you could have cut the run-time just a bit. There were a few moments where the pace could have been slightly picked up to make the film clip along a bit faster.

Overall:

The is a great film that sticks with you. It’s not your typical war film because it’s not about the war, it’s about what’s important, the people in it.

RATING: 7

Check out the film in theaters June 26th.

ScreenCrave.com » Guy Pearce

Guy Pearce’s Lockout Gets a Trailer

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Rating: 5.7/10

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