My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - A

I thought I'd take a closer look at My Cinematic Alphabet and pick out a few notably brilliant films for each letter. This is to highlight those films that I couldn't fit in the original post but that are certainly worthy of a mention.

Keep your eyes open for these posts as I'll be posting one a week for each letter. Enjoy!

A

American Gangster

I picked out American Gangster because it has got to be Dezel Washington's most bad-ass character ever. I am a huge fan of Denzel, who manages to remain one of the coolest men in Hollywood, due to his emotional performances and how he captures each role he plays perfectly. I'm surprised he never received much in the way of awards for his performance in this one. He captured the character effortlessly and brought us some downright scary moments of explosive anger that prove his worth as an actor. It contains probably my favourite Russell Crowe performance to boot. I simply cannot fault this one.

American History X

I've seen this one on many lists of this type recently, and for good reason. Again this film contains one of the most bad-ass performances ever by Edward Norton and that's one reason it stands out for me. There really is no comparing Norton's early career with the stuff he does now. The storyline in this one is so moving and the imagery is so shocking at times but it remains entirely captivating throughout. It deals with a gritty and taboo subject brilliantly. They couldn't have done it better.

Apollo 13

For me this is a film from my childhood. I remember being so gripped by what I saw and completely struck by how amazing Tom Hanks' performance was. You just cannot beat his early career which included classics such as The 'burbs and Big because they all seem to transport you to memories of being young. It may not be his greatest film ever but the story remains so moving due to the truth behind the story. This is a proper feel-good film.

American Beauty

 I don't know why it is that three out of four of the films so far begin with the word American. Anyway, here is another classic that does. I think I love films because of the great performances they contain. For me this is Kevin Spacey's best in a career that has not always left me in awe. The film contains some of the most famous scenes in the modern cinema and I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with this powerful story.

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My Cinematic Alphabet

The Other Guys (2010)

Not Too Impressive - 3/5

So I saw this film called The Other Guys with Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell. This film sort of came out of nowhere for me. I don't think it made the cinemas anywhere and so when it went straight to DVD is was bemused as to why I hadn't heard of it before. The concept to me sounded like it would make an enjoyable film and I'm an ever present fan of Ferrell's so I gave it a go. I have to say that whilst watching the film I found it laugh out loud funny and enjoyable but looking back on it I am of the opinion that the cheap jokes clouded my view of what was a pretty poor plot and a relatively mediocre film overall. Hence, it didn't make the cinema.

The film had all the ingredients to be another one of Adam McKay's stereotypical production. Will Ferrell has been present in many of his films including Step Brothers and Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy and so I figured he'd be cast in a pretty similar role yet again. I think his role in The Other Guys began as a more understated one than we are used to seeing in a McKay/Ferrell partnership but the humour

Anthony Mackie Looking At Two New Roles

Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) has been the latest star to look at being involved in Gangster Squad, and has also been linked to a role in World War Z. Variety has reported that an offer has already been made to Mackie from World War Z director Marc Forster to star in the adaptation. They also report that he is being eyed by Gangster Squad director Ruben Fleischer to take a role in the crime-thriller with Warner Bros. The reports at this stage are vague and casting is not 100% for either film. Reports even stated that "Mackie's reps had no comment, nor did Paramount." At this stage Mackie's involvement remains just a rumour.

The news does give encouragement that the World War Z project is moving forward and beginning to cast fairly major actors. The team behind Gangster Squad have been more successful in their casting after

Kung Fu Panda 2 Movie Trailer Official (HD)

'The Dictator' Brings In Ben Kingsley To Join Baron Cohen

Sir Ben Kingsley

Sir Ben Kingsley and Sacha Baron Cohen? Sounds like a pretty strange Thespian match but reportedly they are set to star alongside each other in new comedy film The Dictator! Variety has reported that Kingsley will play a Middle Eastern character in the film.

As yet there has been no casting of a leading lady but three are under consideration in the forms of Kristen Wiig, Anna Faris and Gillian Jacobs.

The film follows a dictator who risks his own life to prevent the spread of democracy throughout his land. It

Jeff Bridges To Join Ryan Reynolds In R.I.P.D?

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges could be in line to replace Zach Galifianakis in a movie adaptation of the comic book R.I.P.D which follows the story of undead police officers who keep everything in the underworld running smoothly, reveals Deadline. Galifiniakis was forced to drop out of the project after a schedule clash and it is rumoured that Bridges will be the one to replace him and join Ryan Reynolds in the supernatural comedy. The film will be directed by Red's director Robert Schwentke and is just waiting for Reynolds to become available due to his heavy schedule which includes his role in The Green Lantern.

With Bridges on board the film will have a greater level of credibility than

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (2011) Official Trailer [HD]

The Illusionist (2010)

Sheer Genius - 5/5

So I saw this film yesterday called The Illusionist and if you'll remember this was one of three films nominated for an 'Academy Award For Best Animated Film' alongside How To Train Your Dragon and Toy Story 3, which sadly was eventually won by Toy Story 3 despite both the other films being better in my opinion. However, I think the Toy Story franchise was deserving of an Oscar at some point, after only previously being nominated, so in some ways I was glad it was triumphant.

The Illusionist was certainly deserving of a nomination and I think against other films it would have succeeded in winning. However, I'm glad the film got recognized for its beauty and genius and the fact it was pretty much a 90 minute silent movie that was at no point boring. That's what fascinated my abut this film. What little words there were were in a different language but through the

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2" Trailer 1

Reviews A-Z

Here is a handy list of all the reviews that I have uploaded so far. Take your time to have a look around. Want to see a film soon? Check to see if there is a review for it. Have a look see:
A

An American Werewolf In London (1981)
A Serious Man (2009)
A Single Man (2009)

B

Barton Fink (1991)
Before Sunset (2004)
Beowulf (2007)
The 'burbs (1989)
Buried (2010)

C

Cemetery Junction (2010)
Chaos (2005)
Clash Of The Titans (2010)
Cyrus (2010)

D

Date Night (2010)
Daybreakers (2009)
Disturbia (2007)
Do The Right Thing (1989)

E

F

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
From Paris With Love (2010)

G

The Ghost Writer (2010)
Groundhog Day (1993)
Grown Ups (2010)

H

The Happening (2008)
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) 
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
The Hurricane (1999)

I

The Illusionist (2010)
The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus (2009)
The Inbetweeners Movie (2011)
The Informant! (2009)
In The Loop (2009)
The Invention Of Lying (2009)

J

K

Kick-Ass (2010)

L

The Last King Of Scotland (2006)
Logan's Run (1976)

M

Machete (2010)
The Matador (2005)
Megamind (2010)

N


The Next Three Days (2010)

O

The Other Guys (2010)

P

Phone Booth (2002)
Planet Of The Apes (1968)
Planet Of The Apes (2001)
Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time (2010)

Q

R

Rambo: First Blood (1982)
Repo Men (2010)
Rescue Dawn (2006)
The Road (2009)
Robin Hood (2010)
Rocky (1976)

S

Shutter Island (2010)
The Social Network (2010)
Star Trek (2009)
Step Brothers (2008)

T

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (2011)

U

V

W

The Way Back (2010)
The Wild (2006)
The Wolfman (2010)

X

Y

Year One (2009)
Youth In Revolt (2009) 

Z

1,2,3...

The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

Immortals (2011) Trailer [HD]

Bill & Ted 3 Update: Script Written

Bill: Alex Winter

Alex Winter has revealed via Twitter that the script for the third installment of the Bill And Ted franchise has been written. Winter played Bill alongside Keanu Reeves in the first two films and has said he has enjoyed reading the third script which both he and Keanu Reeves plan to return in. Alex tweeted on Sunday: "Bill and Ted 3. Just got the script. And now to read...".

Keanu Reeves recently revealed to MTV that the upcoming project would see the pair of slackers go back in time to save the world. He said "I know a little bit. But I don't know - the fellas went off and cooked it up. I don't know what happened when they put the elements together."He continued with "When we last got together, part of it was that Bill and Ted were supposed to have written the song that saved the world, and it hasn't happened. So they've now become kind of possessed by trying to do that. Then there's an element of time and they have to go back."

Whedon Announces 'The Avengers' Begins Filming

Joss Whedon

Joss Whedon, director of upcoming film The Avengers, has announced today that filming has officially begun on the project. He revealed the news via his fansite Whedonesque and said that filming on the Marvel story would begin.

He said: “Tomorrow [Monday 25th] we start shooting (I THINK I'm legally permitted to say that). Day one. That's right. We'll be shooting the pivotal death/betrayal/product placement/setting up the sequel/coming out scene, at the following address:

“[Marvel Lawyers rush in, take Joss's keyboard, blowtorch a picture of his family like in "Stormy Monday", drink his milkshake, leave the seat up, fluff his pillows, violently unfluff his pillows, leave]

"Went too far. My bad. Anyhoo, it should be a fun day, followed by the eighty thousand other fun days it will take to finish this."

The film is being shot in New Mexico and is heading for a May 2012 release.

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Directorial Debut For Russell Crowe?

Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe could make his directorial debut with the 1970s set crime drama 77. The Gladiator and State Of Play actor also plans to star in the film according to Deadline. The film brings us the story of an unsolved murder case of an LAPD officer in 1974. The story will be told via a pair of police officers of different ethnic backgrounds who are caught up in the battle between the Symbionese Liberation Army and the LAPD. 

Russell Crowe has worked with some of the best directors in his time, such as Ridley Scott, and is no stranger to crime dramas such as these. I'm sure he won't feel out f place directing and starring in such a film. Obviously everyone's directorial debut could go on of two ways; it could be dire or not too bad all. I'm keeping my faith in Crowe for this one and I think he'll pull it out of the bag. 

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