FILM REVIEW - The Dark Knight Rises (Spoiler-Free)

Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer (based on the comics by Bob Kane)
Starring: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine
Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama
Certificate: 12A
Release Year: 2012

This film has made such an impact, and it came out so long ago, that it's a miracle we haven't got round to reviewing it yet. But we've finally seen it, and it's brilliant.

The Dark Knight Rises is the final film in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. It takes place 8 years after the events of The Dark Knight and starts with Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) as a recluse. Gotham has entered a crime-free golden age, and it seems the caped crusader is no longer needed. But then a mysterious masked figure known as Bane (Tom Hardy) arrives in Gotham, intent on reeking havoc on the city.

With this being Nolan's final Batman, there was alot of hype, and alot more people skeptical as to whether it could live up to the standards of it's predecessors. But never fear! It more than does, and provides one of the most complex and creative superhero films to date.

Normally I would pick out a particular actor who did particularly well, but in this incredibly talented cast this is nearly impossible. Christian Bale was fantastic as always, and Tom Hardy played a wonderfully unsettling villain, especially considering the standard set in the previous film by the late Heath Ledger. Possibly the biggest surprise was Anne Hathaway. With credits to her name such as The Princess Diaries, she didn't seem the obvious choice to play the seductive Selina Kyle. But her performance was very impressive and fresh. I'm running out of superlatives.

As to be expected from a Nolan film, the plot was complicated enough to keep the audience intrigued and excited, but doesn't overly confuse them. Excellently written, and brilliant cinematography.

Overall, epic. Don't miss it.

10/10

Tom :)

FILM NEWS - "The Dark Knight Rises" Shooting, "Jurassic Park 4" In 2014, and "Man Of Steel" and "Life Of Pi" Trailers

Sorry posting has been a bit on and off next week, and unfortunately it will be even less frequent next week. But after that we will bring you right up to date with eeverything you need to know thats been happening over the last month, with lots of reviews and bonus stuff! Anyways, film news...

The Dark Knight Rises Shooting
You have probably heard about the shooting that took place at a midnight showing of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. 12 people were killed and over 50 injured. Our consolations from Crash Hub go out to the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time. 

Jurassic Park 4 in 2014?
In an interview with collider.com, Frank Marshall (Steven Spielberg's longtime producer buddy) said that Jurassic Park 4 "will be on the screen within two years". This seems to match with the time-frame Spielberg announced at last years Comic-Con, so is it possible that the long-awaited sequel is so close? Do people even want a fourth film in the franchise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
For more on this story, click here.

Man Of Steel Teaser Is Online
The first trailer for the hugely anticipated Superman reboot, Man Of Steel, has finally hit the net. The film, which is directed by 300's Zack Snyder, will star Henry Cavill in the lead role and will be released next year.

Judging by the trailer, Christopher Nolan seems to have injected some of his superhero-realism as the producer. No tell-tale Zack Snyder slow-mo yet, but I'm sure we won't be disappointed when the movie does come round. Also, loving the Hans Zimmer music, as always.
Who's excited about Man Of Steel? Get commenting!

First Trailer For Ang Lee's Life Of Pi
Also in trailer news, the first trailer has also emerged for the upcoming film Life Of Pi, which will be released in December.

 

If you want to see more of Life Of Pi, a preview clip is being played before some films in Odeon cinemas. I have seen it before The Amazing Spider-Man, and it's...odd. But I won't spoil it for you here.

Happy Birthday!
Birthday wishes to Daniel Radcliffe, everyones favourite Harry!

So there we go. Alot of stuff to keep you interested there, let us know your thoughts in the comments. Unfortunately we don't have a Crunch for this week, but we hope to get one to you soon. See you next week...
Tom :) 

FILM GALLERY - "The Dark Knight Rises" Stills

If you didn't know (and why not?!) Christopher Nolan's epic conclusion to his Batman saga, The Dark Knight Rises, is released this weekend. Here's a selection of stills from the movie to celebrate...

Tom Hardy as villain Bane

Bane vs Batman

Bane vs Batman again

A close-up of Bane's mask

The Dark Knight  on his trusty steed

Christian Bale and Michael Caine's response when Warner Bros. suggest another sequel

Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) and Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway)

"You want me to wear that?!"

Director Christopher Nolan on set of TDKR

Nolan again

Levitt tells Oldman that he's actually in a dream within a dream...within a dream...

Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox

Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate

Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman

The Tumbler reeks havoc on the streets of Gotham

On a scale of 1 to my-head's-about-to-explode, how excited are you for TDKR? Let us know in the comments...
Tom :)

FILM NEWS - New Trailers for Les Miserables & The Bourne Legacy, East End Film Festival Programme Revealed and Superhero Updates!

Happy Thursday ladies and gents! Here's the last seven days of all things movie in one post. Enjoy:

First Look At Les Miserables and The Bourne Legacy
Last Thursday we finally got our first look at the film adaptation of the famous musical when Universal Pictures released a teaser trailer. Personally, I'm not sure what to expect from this film, Wolverine isn't exactly a renowned singer after all. But it is directed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), so the film certainly has a lot of potential. AAH! I'm in two minds.

The next day on Friday, Universal Pictures released their first trailer for The Bourne Legacy.

Writer and Director Tony Gilroy continues the Bourne saga in this new film based in the universe of the original Robert Ludlum novels. Jeremey Renner (aka Hawkeye from Avengers Assemble) takes the lead in the new film as CIA agent Aaron Cross, replacing Matt Damon's Jason Bourne. The trailer for the fourth installment in the series was released on Friday.

East End Film Festival 2012 Announces Programme
On Thursday, the East End Film Festival announced it's programme for the event which runs from the 3rd to the 8th of July. The Festival will feature a huge collection of shorts from all genres of movie, and will also include a film of Amy Winehouse made from rarely-seen concert and archive footage.
Tickets for the festival are now on sale.
Click here to visit the festival website.

Warner Bros. Plans Justice League Film
Unsurprisingly, after the success of Avengers Assemble, Warner Bros. have made plans to bring the DC equivalent to the big screen. Justice League will be written by Will Beal (Gangster Squad) and is likely to feature superheroes such as Batman, Superman and Wonderwoman.
As Marvel have proven, a universe has to be built up before the final Justice League film can be made. Does this mean that the Batman franchise has to be rebooted again, as Christopher Nolan has hinted that the Dark Knight saga will have a very final ending when the final installment comes out in a few weeks? Maybe the new Superman film Man of Steel will lay down the foundations for a Justice League world? We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.

Iron Man 3 To Be Co-Produced In China
More superhero news! It was announced yesterday that Iron Man 3 would be co-produced in China. I doubt this makes any difference at all to the film, but I thought I may as well put the news in anyways.

And that's all the film news from the last week. Kieron will be writing it next week. Later today we will also be posting a review of MiB3, written by a friend of ours. See you then.
Tom :)