Tag: terrence stamp

Trailer Introduces THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

Here’s the first trailer for THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU, the new dramatic, sci-fi thriller written and directed by George Nolfi () based on the Philip K. Dick story “Adjustment Team”. This is Nolfi’s first outing as a director, but has written screenplays for OCEAN’S TWELVE, THE SENTINEL and THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM. The film stars Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, with Terrence Stamp in a mysterious, semi-villainous role.

The affair between a politician (Matt Damon) and a ballerina (Emily Blunt) is affected by mysterious forces keeping the lovers apart.

The trailer as it is presented, boasts an intriguing philosophical/sci-fi concept revolving greatly around the idea of free will, but the overall tone of the trailer felt slightly too familiar. Hopefully, there’s an edge to the film that we’ll see in theater that simply doesn’t come through in the trailer. THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU is due out in theaters on September 17, 2010.

Criterion brings on ‘The Hit’ (Stephen Frears, 1984)

I am something of a Criterion junkie! Anything I’ve seen and enjoyed that Criterion releases I simply MUST own! With that said, I find that I’m frequently introduced to films I’ had never seen, or in some cases never even heard of, that look pleasing to the palette. I agree, there have been a few “questionable” releases from Criterion (i.e. Armageddon) but, for the most part, they’ve been dead on the money with picking films.

Before you go and start getting all holier than thou, I will address the issue some are likely thinking… Why haven’t they released anything from Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, etc? My best guestimate is related to rights. So, let’s try and not go there… again! What I do appreciate about Criterion is that they tend to focus on movies that are worthy but are not readily available to the public, movies that are out of print or movies that are deserving of a larger audience.

One of the many movies in the works for release in 2009 is a gangster movie from director Stephen Frears called ‘The Hit’ (1984). Now, this got my attention because I not only haven’t seen it, but I haven’t even heard of it. It’s currently not available on Region 1 DVD and never has been (as best as I could find). Frears has a nice touch for telling stories about social outcasts and the less desirable parts of town, a la ‘The Grifters’ or ‘Dirty Pretty Things’. The movie touts an awesome cast with Terrence Stamp, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Laura del Sol and Jim Broadbent.

Terence Stamp is Willie, a gangster’s henchman turned “supergrass† (informer) trying to live in peaceful hiding in a remote Spanish village. Sun-dappled bliss turns to nerve-racking suspense, however, when two hit men—played by a soulless John Hurt and a youthful, loose-cannon Tim Roth—come a-calling to bring Willie back for execution. This stylish early gem from Stephen Frears boasts terrific performances from a roster of England’s best hard-boiled actors and ravishing photography of its desolate Spanish locations—a splendid backdrop for a rather sordid story. — Criterion

DVD Features Scheduled for this release:

  • New, restored high-definition digital transfer, approved by director of photography Mike Molloy.
  • Commentary featuring director Stephen Frears and actors John Hurt and Tim Roth.
  • Parkinson One-to-One: “Terence Stamp,† a 1988 television interview with the actor.
  • Original theatrical trailer.
  • PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by film critic Graham Fuller.

The Criterion edition DVD of ‘The Hit’ (1984) is scheduled to hit store shelves on April 29, 2009 with a Suggested Retail Price of $29.95 and the Criterion Store Price will be $23.96

[source: Criterion]

Review: ‘Yes Man’

Jeremy:

Jim Carrey is back doing the comedy that he does best. Â  He has taken his pilgrimage to the land of Drama, and he has reaped the great accolades that are to be had there. Â  Now, he’s gone back to what brought him to the dance, the great physical comedy that we really haven’t seen from Mr. Carrey in over a decade. Â  ‘Yes Man’ is a hilarious film from start to finish. Â  Most of this is due to the great performance by Carrey, but it is such a broader comedy than to just fall on his singular shoulders. Â  On top of being an uproarious comedy, ‘Yes Man’ is pure and simple a good movie.

Carrey plays Carl Allen, a junior loan officer who has made it a habit of saying “no” to people and generally avoiding casual interaction altogether. Â  After an encounter with an old friend, played the highly underused John Michael Higgins, Carl decides to visit a sort of self-help seminar. Â  Run by Terrency Bundley, played by Terrence Stamp, the seminar teaches one how to avoid letting opportunity pass them by by essentially saying “yes” to everything. Â  Carl takes this to heart, and begins doing just that. Â  He begins turning down absolutely nothing, accepting every invitation and saying “yes” to every act of charity someone brings to him.

First and foremost, the story in ‘Yes Man’ is deftly crafted. Â  Written by a trio of screenwriters (Nicholas Stoller, Jarrad Paul, and Andrew Mogel) and based on the book by Danny Wallace, the story is wound pretty tight for a physical comedy. Â  Much of what Carl says “yes” to comes back later on in the film to help him in some way or another. Â  You always have this idea that everything he does will come back to him in the back of your head, but it’s never predictably foreshadowing. Â  Like a gifted stand-up comedian, the story calls back to previous events without letting you know for a second where it is going.

Director Peyton Reed’s last comedy was 2006’s ‘The Break-Up’, a film whose comedy was marred by two people essentially screaming at one another for two hours. Â  With ‘Yes Man’, he has put together a comedy where just about everyone in the film is likable.

Carrey is backed up by an incredible supporting cast. Â  I can’t think of a cuter actress working today than Zooey Deschanel. Â  But, let’s not kid ourselves. Â  This is a Jim Carrey comedy, and all eyes are on him. Â  Going into this film, I was concerned that it was going to be two hours of Jim Carrey acting like Jim Carrey in an effort at making a Jim Carrey comedy. Â  Imagine my surprise to find Carrey basically playing the straight man to all the off-the-wall people around him.

Rhys Darby plays Norman, the manager of the bank Carl works at. Â  He’s goofy and abnormal. Â  He’s the kind of guy who throws a “Dress as your favorite Harry Potter character” party, but he’s so likable that the party has a dozen people show up to it. Â  Darby plays the part with absolute gusto, never looking back or appearing to doubt his character legitimacy.

Stamp has this way of playing an eccentric Brit better than anyone on the face of the planet, and he does just that here. Â  I only wish there were more of him in the film. Â  You will never laugh harder at a man sprinting towards another man just to talk to him.

Carrey is funny, but that is to be expected. Â  He also plays the sweet and somewhat dramatic card here, too, and he hasn’t balanced all of this this well in over a decade. Â  This is by far his best comedic performance since ‘Liar, Liar’ and possibly ever. Â  What is great also is that when he is being funny, it’s not just a matter of Jim Carrey acting goofy for goofy’s sake. Â  He’s always reacting to something that is happening to him. Â  This is no more evident than in the scenes where Carl is either ossified drunk or hopped up on Red Bull energy drink. Â  Trust me, that scene is so much funnier than the trailer leads it on to be.

‘Yes Man’ is one of the funniest movies of the year. Â  A lot has been said in recent reviews for comedies about how many have come this year. Â  2008 has been a banner year for the comedy, and not just in quantity, either. Â  Some of the funniest movies in recent memory have come out this year, and to say that ‘Yes Man’ is one of the funniest is really saying something. Â  It’s a comedy with a heart, but it never allows itself to be too sweet or muddled in heavy-handed messages. Â  That message is there, but it’s subtly presented, never thrown into your face.

With Jim Carrey leading the way, ‘Yes Man’ is an extremely humorous gift just in time for Christmas. Â  If this is to be Carrey’s first in another long line of comedies, they will be gladly accepted.

[Overall: 4.5 stars out of 5]

Travis:

Did I enjoy this movie? Yes! Should you enjoy this movie? Yes! Should I stop asking myself questions? Yes!

Jim Carrey’s newest comedy vehicle is better than I expected and well worth buying a ticket for, if your in the mood to go see a comedy. Much like Carrey’s ‘Liar, Liar’ this film is funny but not over-the-top. I actually think ‘Yes Man’ is even more successful than ‘Liar, Liar’ in that it does an even better job of highlighting Carrey’s finer comedic qualities and nuances while leaving most of the unnecessary double-jointed silliness aside. However, the physically adept comedy of Carrey is put to use sparingly in appropriate moments.

‘Yes Man’ is about Carl (Carrey), a guy whose wife divorced him and now he spends every waking moment alone and apathetic, making excuses and saying “no” to every opportunity he gets to do anything but stay up late in his apartment watching stacks of DVD rentals. Carl has a bad attitude, zero people skills and is stuck in a dead end job. That is, until he happens to bump into a former employee who drags him to a self-help seminar run by an eccentric old guru, played by the legendary Terrence Stamp.

Carl is encouraged to take on a covenant with himself to always to “Yes!” to every offer, every opportunity, everything that comes along… no mater what it is. The theory is that by saying “no” he’s not living his life and opportunity passes him by. So, with a rocky start, Carl begins to slowly embrace this new ideology and things really begin happening in his life. Most notably, he meets Allison (Zooey Deschanel), a quirky spontaneous woman who does what she wants and enjoys life.

Carrey and Deschanel work fairly well together, but I have to admit… I’d watch Deschanel do just about anything. I can’t really explain it, but she is an actress I simply enjoy watching. Not just in this film, but even in ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ she somehow conveys this aura of being someone who lives life fully and openly. A free spirit, so to speak. Her look, her voice and her demeanor are charming.

‘Yes man’ has many great scenes, but perhaps my favorite is when Carl’s friends get him stupid plastered drunk and he ends up getting into a fight with a guy twice his size over a girl. This does end up being probably the silliest Carrey moment in the film, but it works well. The love story the movie centers on is a good one and has some nice touches, but the story does get a little far-fetched when Carl is arrested in the airport as a suspected terrorist. Don’t worry, I’m not REALLY giving anything away and the reasoning behind this does make sense, but the whole scene sort of has the feeling of being forced into the story just to act as a catalyst to shift the romance story.

Jim Carrey fans will love this movie, Zooey Deschanel fans (are there more of these than just me?) will love this movie and I am happy to say that ‘Yes Man’ does not disappoint. Ask anyone there with me, I laughed through most of the movie.

[Overall: 3.75 stars out of 5]

Michelle:

I can attest to Travis’s laughter….I was sitting right in front of him and he was howling – and rightly so. ‘Yes Man’ is certainly a welcome return to form  by Jim Carrey  at what he does best – comedy. This lighthearted film is a work of fiction inspired by British author Danny Wallace’s memoir. I thought there was much to Carrey’s Carl to cheer for and about. His various goofy expressions and  humorous physical motions  make ‘Yes Man’ more that just a one-note idea. Deschanel and Carrey are a funny romantic pairing – beckons back to Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in ‘Bringing Up Baby’. I thought they made  for an enjoyable  couple. The  amusing, karmic message of “what goes around comes around”  produces a  feel-good movie during the dreary days of winter.

[Overall: 4 stars out of 5] [Travis’s laughter: 4.5 chuckles out of 5]

Terrence Stamp eager for ‘Wanted 2’

The movie that came out in June is making a come back, a sequel comeback. After the success of the first film  the screenwriters Derek Haas and Michael Brandt  were asked to write the script back in September. The second movie will focus on Terence Stamp. He plays a rogue agent in the first film, operating outside of the fraternity. It’s a small, enigmatic role, but Stamp’s gone on record that “it’s something that’s written for a sequel†. So I know I’m personally looking forward to this new movie because I loved the first one.

Check out MovieMoron.com for more information…

‘Wanted’ Sequel Already in Development?

Wait a minute, how the hell is this movie already set for a sequel? I mean I know the is going to kick major butt though I just can’t believe it! Well they better have the next Batman movie in development or else I’m going to be angry. Ram Man, let everybody know how passionate I am about the The Dark Knight!

“Wanted” writers, Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, revealed that one of their upcoming projects is a “Wanted” sequel. “We’ve been hired to write the sequel to ‘Wanted’ by the same studio,” said Haas, who has also provided the screenplay for “3:10 to Yuma.”

Now, MTV News caught up with Terrence Stamp(Get Smart, Valkyrie), who confirmed that the filmmakers are already talking sequel. “I play a character who’s called Pekwarsky,” Stamp explained. “He’s an enigmatic character who doesn’t feature a lot in the first one, but it’s something that’s written for a sequel.”

“Wanted” is scheduled to appear in theaters on June 27th.