This is the first time his name has been thrown around, especially since all of the projects he’s been attached to has fallen through (Escape from New York remake). The source was clear that other names are being considered, but Eisner’s was the only one mentioned.

Red was a surprise film last year, easily an instant action classic. Thoughts?

“We’re trying to put it together. We just got a script and it’s really good. We’re all just now discussing how to put it all back together again.”

He concluded: “I think the audience would be disappointed if we didn’t bring back the crew, but we’ve got to freshen the crew. We’ll bring in one or two characters that’ll play a really big part — maybe three, but definitely one or two.

You know, Marvin and Frank and Sarah, you want to spend more time with those guys. Sometimes there’s a tendency to want to do too much of a good thing so you don’t really service anything, so we’re really trying to stay focused on our core crew with one or two new additions.”

I for one, thought RED was a kick-ass action flick that needed a little more love. Thoughts?

The Wrap

The film will be directed by RED‘s Richard Schwentke and follows a recently slain cop who joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him. Based on the comic by Peter M. Lenkov.

“Just get me the script,” Mirren said. “You don’t have to do anything. I’m there,” she added. “Absolutely. Wasn’t that fun? I really enjoyed that, I couldn’t believe my good luck,” she said. “It was fabulous. And it was great because when they asked me, I always imagined I was maybe the fourth or fifth person they’d asked. They said, ‘No no NO! The minute we got the script we kind of wrote it for you, you were the only person we ever thought of to play this role,’ it was great.”

Bring it.

The Film:

In a perfect world, we would honor the old-timers, show them respect, listen to their stories. But we’re a fast moving culture. A generation that demand our apps to be fast and our lives faster. We don’t got the time to age. In Hollywood, each actor and actress has an expiration date. Red, based on the DC Comics graphic novel by Warren Ellis, uses this as subtext, that’s shrink-wrapped over its action genre conventions. Red is an action movie that wasn’t allowed to be released in the summer, a great time to simply entertain the popcorn munchers. But like all good things, you can’t put a time table on it, and what Summit Entertainment has on its non-Twilight hands, is an action classic.

It isn’t a homage, but it plays off of the genre-defining high marks like one. It’s a simple “let’s clear our good name” story, mixed with a little political backdrop, but it also has its nose on the concept of age in our culture. The casting is pitch-perfect. Bruce Willis. Helen Mirren. Morgan Freeman. John Malkovich. Ernest Borgnine. Richard Dreyfuss. In a system, that believes younger is better, Red says “f*** you”. It’s tongue-in-cheek and it works. But the casting wasn’t a stunt like in The Expendables, because it was needed as Red stands for “retired: extremely dangerous”. But what ascends this into my bold statement in calling it an action classic – and kids now days throw that term around way too loosely – is the combination of the screenplay by the Hoeber Brothers (Whiteout) and director Richard Schwentke (Flightplan, Time Traveler’s Wife). Huh?

A perfect storm of clever writing, solid direction that has action that isn’t ruined by quick editing, and actors who understand the material and its subtext, makes Red worth every penny. Action can be so monotonous now days, because sometimes we need more than watching bullets fly. We like the characters, plain and simple, which goes a long way. But a film becomes a classic in time and with repeated viewings. Critics don’t make classics, normal people do. Red deserves the spot, I’m just saying. Funny, noisy, clever, Red proves that us 20-somethings still have a lot to learn. Retiring sucks. Old man, my ass.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Summit offers a superb HD presentation. Colors are vibrant, details are sharp, the blacks thick, nary a flaw in this transfer. The DTS track is even better. Loud, crisp, deep, everything you need from an action film in the audio department. I could rave all day on this fine BD disc, but I won’t: it’s just that stellar.

Commentary: Here’s a rather unique track. Foregoing the typical director or actor yaks, Summit allows retired CIA agent Robert Baer to discuss the film from his real-world perspective. He acted as an adviser for the film, offering plenty of real world info that makes watching the film fun. He is often engaging, yet struggles time to time, but you don’t mind.

Access: Red: Here’s your basic behind-the scenes info, with interviews, set footage, and CIA-related info in a picture-in-picture track. It’s a really good PiP track, with a timer, which is great. It lets the viewer know when a new pop-up will occur, aiding their enjoyment of both the film and the extra.

Some ho-hum Deleted Scenes and a VFX featurette (which is an Easter Egg: go to the special features tab on the main menu and press the down arrow key on the remote) round out the extras.

The Film: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My list is fun, a list of 10 films that will be etched into what 2010 was, so let’s get cracking:

10 – A Serbian Film (Full review here)

My friend recently asked me: “Jonny (I hate that nickname, by the way), what would 2010 be for you without talking about A Serbian Film?” True, no other film this year had me analyzing, discussing, agreeing, arguing than this film. Besides the controversial elements and violence, it’s a rare film that has what no other horror film had this year: intensity and balls. While I can’t fully recommend this to all, it’s a vicious ride into Hell, that’s unlike anything else in cinema.

9 – Batman: Under the Red Hood (Full review here)

If Christopher Nolan never signed onto to do The Dark Knight Rises, this animated film would have fit the bill. It’s knee deep in tone, themes, and look of the Nolan films, but it’s also a one-off film that didn’t have the luxury of years of developed story arcs like Mask of the Phantasm did, for which, I’ll go on record saying, this bests that film.

8 – Ong Bak 2 (Full review here)

Too bad Tony Jaa had a falling out with Ong Bak 3 producers (review pending), because watching him develop Muay Thai in the film, which serves as a historical look at the fighting style, just amazes. There’s no one else in film doing the in-camera stuff he does. Hopefully, he tires of being a monk (here), and comes back to film.

7 – Kick-Ass (Full review here)

Sharp, witty, action-packed, the superhero satire has two marvelous performances from Chloe Moretz, who scene stole the year with her Hit-Girl and Nic Cage’s deliciously campy Adam West-ish Big Daddy. Few films deliver their promise, but Kick-Ass is just that: kick-ass.

6 – RED (Full review here)

What a great year for action films. I mean, the old school, all in-camera stunts, action films. This comic adaptation feels like a real 1980s action film and if you need further proof, just watch the office room fight between Bruce Willis and Karl Urban. This film is great for action junkies, yet it also has a good story as its backbone.

5 – When You’re Strange (Full review here)

The Doors are one of music’s best bands. People seem like they can’t get past Light My Fire or Hello, I Love You, but their music was funky, bluesy, and mind-altering, much like this documentary. Morrison and the band have never been so candidly exposed in marvelous rare footage. A prime example as to why Jim Morrison is a rock god.

4 – Inception (Full review here)

Nolan is a mainstream, summer movie version of Kubrick. His films aren’t the be-all-end-all of cinema, but they’re still superb, as is apparent with his dream sci-fi drama. Epic, interesting, we are seeing a film maker in his prime before he even knows he is in his prime.

3 – The Millennium Trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; The Girl Who Played with Fire; The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet’s Nest) (Full review here and here)

Noomi Rapace’s Lisbeth Salander is the definitive female character in the 21st Century’s first decade. Raw, real, captivating, this trilogy is as strong as any. All three films are thrilling in a genre, who’s “thrillers” are anything but.

2 – Let Me In

A remake that’s equal/better than the original? Is that blasphemy? No, I liken these to Howard Hawkes and John Carpenter’s version of The Thing. Same story, different takes and styles. I love this film. Dark, original, and I love how Matt Reeves treated the parents: blurred, always in shadows or off-camera. It’s subtle at times, morbid, dark, you know, the things that’s missing from most modern horror films. Welcome back, Hammer Films.

And before we get to my number one of 2010, here’s a few highly recommended films, my Honorable Mentions of 2010: Machete (here); Frozen (here); How to Train Your Dragon (here); Tron: Legacy (here); and Universal Soldier: Regeneration (here).

1 – Black Swan

Aronofsky’s most allegorical film, is a lot like his film Pi, where’s it’s complex and odd, but nonetheless great and interesting. Did I get all of the symbolism on first viewing? Maybe not, but that’s what repeated viewings are for. So why is this my number one of the other nine? The swirling descent of Nina’s psychosis is riveting, making it must watch cinema. Perverse, morbid, and erotic, sure, but it won’t leave your mind, nor do I wish it too.

That’s my 2010. What are yours? Thoughts? See you all in 2011!

Audio commentary with retired CIA field officer Robert Baer

Deleted and extended scenes

Access: RED – Activate a variety of “scene-specific” features including interviews with cast members, real-life CIA expert commentary, animated documentary shorts on controversial CIA operations and more!

The action film starred Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Karl Urban, and Helen Mirren. You can re-read Killer Film’s review here.

Source: Blu-ray

Bad-ass action heroes are back in 2010. The Expendables. RED. Machete. And add Faster to that list. Ever since Arnold Schwarzenegger passed Dwayne Johnson in a club scene in The Rundown, “The Rock” (I don’t care if he wants to drop that moniker, that’s what he always will be known as) was prepped and sent out in the action world, yet due to his charisma, he’s sort of avoided those films for family films. Well, welcome back. Faster isn’t a pure action film, although he looks like a real-life Hulk, rampaging around seeking vengeance. A one-man wrecking ball.

Faster‘s script is a bit dodgy. It’s too slow to reveal why “Driver” (Johnson) is seeking revenge and it doesn’t offer up the depth it wants to or needed too. It tries, though, with a neat little Clint Mansell score and some slow-motion action, with 70s soul music. The reasons why are a tad hokey, and the set-up for an assassin, played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen, doesn’t add to much. Although his “Killer” is a fine juxtaposition to Johnson’s “Driver”. The old immovable object vs. the unstoppable one.

But on a basic level, we don’t ask much from our revenge films, as long as we get our bloody satisfaction. It’s a pass, but all genres have a few basic things to accomplish, and they’re fine. “Driver” just is a cold rock, ahem, sadly, as a great scene of a past wrong-doer who expresses that maybe people are worthy of a redemption. Exploring “Driver” passed the credits would be interesting and the psychological angle the director probably wanted to take. It doesn’t go there, but for this film, that’s okay. Bullets fly, bad guys die.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Looks good, very similar to the source material and the 1995 Sly Stallone film. This is taken from rehearsals, as the film is gearing up for principle photography. Look for more from Dredd, directed by Pete Travis (Vantage Point) soon.

Source: Cinematical

It isn’t a homage, but it plays off of the genre-defining highmarks like one. It’s a simple “let’s clear our good name” story, mixed with a little political backdrop, but it also has its nose on the concept of age in our culture. The casting is pitch-perfect. Bruce Willis. Helen Mirren. Morgan Freeman. John Malkovich. Ernest Borgnine. Richard Dreyfuss. In a system, that believes younger is better, Red says “f*** you”. It’s tongue-in-cheek and it works. But the casting wasn’t a stunt like in The Expendables, because it was needed as Red stands for “retired: extremely dangerous”. But what ascends this into my bold statement in calling it an action classic – and kids now days throw that term around way too loosely – is the combination of the screenplay by the Hoeber Brothers (Whiteout) and director Richard Schwentke (Flightplan, Time Traveler’s Wife). Huh?

A perfect storm of clever writing, solid direction that has action that isn’t ruined by quick editing, and actors who understand the material and its subtext, makes Red worth every penny. Action can be so monotous now days, because sometimes we need more than watching bullets fly. We like the characters, plain and simple, which goes a long way. But a film becomes a classic in time and with repeated viewings. Critics don’t make classics, normal people do. Red deserves the spot, I’m just saying. Funny, noisy, clever, Red proves that us 20-somethings still have a lot to learn. Retiring sucks. Old man, my ass.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

(October 1st)

The Social Network

The IMDb plot (here): A story about the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.

Jon: Call it the “Facebook movie”, but it looks great. Early word has it pegged as the Fall’s first legitimate Oscar contender and oh, it’s directed by Fight Club, Zodiac, Se7en director, David Fincher. *Like* errr, See it.

Donny: David Fincher hasn’t made a flick that I don’t dig yet, so I’m banking on this one being solid as well. The trailer rocks, and the score is going to kick all sorts of ass as well. See it.

Let Me In

The IMDb plot (here): A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.

Donny: I really dug the original flick, so part of me wants to boycott this flick, but Matt Reeves is really passionate about this flick and he that passion is contagious. See it.

Jon: I’m ready for the return of Hammer Films. Yes, it’s a remake to a film (Let the Right One In) that I really love, but it looks really, really, good and moody. Plus, it has Chloe Moretz! See it.

Hatchet II

The IMDb plot (here): After learning the truth about her family’s connection to the hatchet-wielding madman, Marybeth returns to the Louisiana swamps along with an army of hunters to recover the bodies of her family and exact the bloodiest revenge against the bayou butcher.

Jon: Recent trailers made it seem as if the film is too self-aware at how awesome and gory it’ll be, but I fully convinced this sequel will outdo the original in every aspect. I think this is the film that makes Adam Green huge in a lot of circles, more so than he is now. See it.

Donny: I’m a huge fan of Adam Green’s movies. I think he understands his audience, add to that the stellar cast he has assembled and I think this flick is going to rock harder that Norwegian death metal. See it.

Case 39

The IMDb plot (here): A social worker fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she ever expected.

Donny: I’m not really interested in this flick. I’m gonna let Jon see it and I’m gonna skip it.

Jon: It’s been floating around on the shelves for a while, so I don’t expect much. The director did Pandorum, which was alright, but if you want ghosts, just wait a few weeks. Skip it.

(October 8th)

Secretariat

The IMDb plot (here): The life story of Penny Chenery, owner of the racehorse Secretariat, who won the Triple Crown in 1973.

Jon: I don’t know what it is, but every time I see a TV Spot or trailer, I get excited for this. I’m not big into horse racing, but the cast, the typical Disney-underdog story, and that Donny kept me informed with what was happening on-set, since they filmed it around where he lives, makes me say: See it.

Donny: This flick was shot near my home town and that alone is enough of a reason for me to check it out, and the trailer rocks as well. See it.

My Soul to Take

The IMDb plot (here): A serial killer returns to his hometown to stalk seven children who share the same birthday as the date he was allegedly put to rest.

Donny: The trailer for this looks interesting. I’m not usually a fan of these movies with such a young cast, but I think I’m gonna see it anyway.

Jon: Wes Craven has had a bad wrap over the last few years with studio interference that ultimately hurt the final film, but while this has some Goth ex-CW looking stars, I’m ready for Craven to give us a new killer, something he hasn’t done since Ghostface and Shocker. Just don’t see it in 3D, since it’s that blasted post-conversion crapola! See it.

Stone

The IMDb plot (here): A convicted arsonist looks to manipulate a parole officer into a plan to secure his parole by placing his beautiful wife in the lawman’s path.

Donny: Ed Norton is usually a safe bet. The guy knows how to pick the right roles and owns them. See it.

Jon: Good cast, yet nobody has even seen a TV Spot for it. Hmm. I wanna dig into a suspense thriller, but I don’t know since there’s been nothing out on it, that it’ll be this one. Skip it.

I Spit on Your Grave (2010)

The IMDb plot (here): A writer who is brutalized during her cabin retreat seeks revenge on her attackers, who left her for dead.

Jon: While most horror fans might be seeing this on DVD, since it’s hitting a limited theatrical run here in October, the big question is: why remake it? Well, the original is highly controversial to this day, but it wasn’t made well. It’s not a film that is one that I would cry out for a remake, but the new trailer looks good. It’s kind of hard to fully recommend this to non-horror fans, so to those Skip it, and to those interested, it looks good enough to See it.

Donny: I dug the original, but not enough to dampen my curiosity for the remake. See it.

(October 15th)

Jackass 3D

The IMDb plot (here): Johnny Knoxville and company return for the third installment of their TV show spin-off, where dangerous stunts and explicit public displays rule.

Donny: This one is a rental. While I do enjoy watching these guys get stupid, I don’t enjoy it enough to see it on the big screen. Skip it.

Jon: Donny’s nuts! This should be the zenith of that DIY-Youtube goofs that we all love. Oh, and it’s in 3D which means poop in three dimensions! See it.

Red

The IMDb plot (here): When his idyllic life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive.

Jon: Where the Losers failed as a great, fun action film, I hope this succeeds. It’s a blast seeing Helen Mirren shooting an Uzi off and John Malkovich acting like a goofy smart-ass, so while this is another adaptation of a comic I don’t know anything about, it looks fun and that’s all it needs to be. See it.

Donny: This cast is amazing, the trailer is entertaining, and the premise is pretty interesting. See it.

(October 22nd)

Paranormal Activity 2

The IMDb plot (here): Plot unknown.

Donny: I really like the fact that these filmmakers rocked the box office with a a shot-on-the-cheap independent flick, but it just didn’t hit home for me. So while I respect what they are doing I’m going to skip it.

Jon: I just don’t understand why people want to diss on a film that set out to actually scare people? I thought the first film was intense, shit-yourself scary, and when is the last time you can say that? I want to be terrified to sleep, so See it.

Hereafter

The IMDb plot (here): A supernatural thriller centered on three people — a blue-collar American, a French journalist and a London school boy — who are touched by death in different ways.

Donny: This looks like it could go either way, so I’m gonna go with my gut and skip it.

Jon: What! They had me at a “Clint Eastwood directed supernatural thriller”. On top of that, he’s gathered up another great cast, so you better believe my butt will be glued to the seat for this. See it.

(October 29th)

Saw 3D

The IMDb plot (here): As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw’s brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror.

Jon: It’s hard to imagine we’ve been getting a new Saw film every year for the past seven years. For horror fans, whether they like it or not, its been apart of our movie-going lives. The newly released trailer amps up the fun and the 3D, but I’m mostly curious to see Jigsaw’s end game being set into motion. This should be everything a Saw fan wants-and more. Probably my most anticipated Fall genre release. See it.

Donny: Saw is a great franchise. It’s sure bet that every year we are going to get to see blood hit the screen. While I enjoy some entries into this franchise more than others, I’m still going to be there for this one on opening night. See it.

Monsters

The IMDb plot (here): Six years after Earth has suffered an alien invasion a cynical journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through an infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border.

Donny: I LOVE resourceful filmmakers. Gareth Edwards is a definitely a filmmaker to watch and this flick looks like a blast. See it.

Jon: I’ve heard great things about this film, yet I’m a little sick of quarantined zone films like District 9 or 28 Weeks Later. Skip it.

October Spotlight

The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet’s Nest

The IMDb plot (here): In the final chapter of the Millennium trilogy, Lisbeth is recovering in a hospital and awaiting trial for three murders when she is released. Mikael must prove her innocence. Meanwhile, Lisbeth is plotting her own revenge against the people who put her in this situation.

Jon: The final film in the “Millennium Trilogy” and our final film with Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth. If you’ve seen the prior two, then there’s no doubt that this film will pack a thrilling dramatic punch. This series has been one of the more thrilling sagas in recent memory. See it before the David Fincher remake in a few years.

Donny: I have a soft spot for hot goth girls. I also have a soft spot for well written scripts, and the first entry into this franchise was stellar so I’m positively gonna see it.

The Girl Who Kicked a Hornet’s Nest trailer:

That does it for this busy and exciting month! We will be having news, reviews, and other exciting treats – with no tricks – all month long, only on Killer Film!

Source: First Showing

Source: Summit