What with 2006 already passing by, faster than a speeding bullet, it seems only appropriate to take a quick perusal at some of the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Films that we can look forward to seeing at the multiplexes in the coming months. So, without much further ado, and in no particular order, here are just some of the juicy flicks to look out for (or perhaps avoid) in the coming months.
So let’s start with the immediate, in the shape of MirrorMask, the new film from Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. This movie is getting a limited release, and is a real unconventional treat, from the people who brought us the Sandman graphic novels. Visually rich, highly textured, and hopefully set for some good box-office takings, that will do its creators justice, read the review to find out more.
And speaking of graphic novels, trailers and posters for V for Vendetta have been running in cinemas for some time now, is due for release on March 17. Currently the Hollywood studios are 0 for 2 when it comes to Alan Moore comic-book adaptations – having previously produced the less than perfect, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and From Hell, while Watchmen lingers in development hell. But with big name stars such as Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving, as well as the Wachowski Brothers providing the script (not to mention Moore’s prickly, and prescient, plot covering oppression and terrorism), we’ll soon see how this dystopian vision of Britain transfers to the big screen.
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One thing we can be certain of, is lots of explosions in Mission Impossible 3, with Tom Cruise again putting stuntmen out of business by doing his own work, and there’ll probably be another daft plot to try and wrap your head around. However, with the amazing counter-casting of Philip Seymour Hoffman playing the bad guy, not to mention “Mr Lost” himself; J.J. Abrams writing and directing, this film could actually deserve a little more of your attention than the average popcorn muncher, when it reaches cinemas (as well as providing competition to the latest Bond franchise offering, Casino Royale, when it is released later this year).
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And while we’re on the subject of sequels, how about another anticipated third instalment, this time X-Men, currently subtitled: The Last Stand. All of the usual cast are set to return, but now without original director Bryan Singer (more on him later). Instead Brett Ratner is charged with directing the company of thesps, in their leather and spandex, however, bearing in mind that this is the guy who brought us Red Dragon and Rush Hour, the question is; could the series fall at the final hurdle?
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And speaking of comic book superheroes, the aforementioned Mr Singer will be back again soon, this time directing the highly-anticipated Superman Returns. After reported budget issues, on-set accidents, not to mention an already saturated market for superhero films, the question is; can the public really take another formula film? Kevin Spacey is the most interesting casting here, playing the old enemy Lex Luthor, but chances are that he will still end up playing second fiddle to all of the visual effects, as the geeks try to out-wow Spidey with amazing flying sequences, and Singer does his best to ignore the massive presence of the 1978 Reeve film, not to mention the fact that the Superman character is just a little bit boring! Brace yourself then for bad puns and humorous variations on “is it a bird, is it a plane…” when this one is released!
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In opposition to all of these big hitters, Slither could very well end up as a little surprise hit in amongst the big budgets – thanks, in no small part, to the presence of Nathan “Captain Reynolds” Fillion in the lead role. With a very B-movie plot, involving aliens, zombies AND mutants,
this could end up being a good bit of fun, in the vein of the old sci-fi horrors, and surprise a few people when it comes out.
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We’ve already mentioned A Scanner Darkly here at SFL, mainly due to the fact that its release date keeps getting put back, but we’re assured that it will be out very soon, weirding out audiences with its Philip K Dick story and rotoscoped visuals. Richard Linklater, a man who doesn’t like to be pinned down, having previously made Before Sunrise, School of Rock and Waking Life, directs a certain Mr Reeves in the main role. Being one of PKD’s better books, and as a result totally unfilmable, it remains to be seen whether the team behind the movie can pull it all off. But regardless of this, it is almost certain that this film WILL be the most visually impressive ones of the year.
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More conventional stuff (should that be your taste) will be arriving in the shape of Lady in the Water and Click; the first being the latest M. Night Shyamalan movie, a pseudo fairytale about a watery apparition, and the second being yet another Adam Sandler “comedy”, this time about a magical remote control. Both films could be considered as business as usual for both Mr Shyamalan and Mr Sandler, but the presence of quality actors Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of Ron) in Lady in the Water, could make it a success – just watch out for the twist!
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Never one to miss a blatantly obvious marketing opportunity, we can expect to see Fox’s, The Omen remake, being released on the 6th of June this year – though quite why a remake is needed, apart from this obvious ploy, is beyond me! (Please also apply these same sentiments to the remake of The Wicker Man, also coming soon).
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And then there’s the films that we can expect further in the future; projects either currently filming or awaiting distribution. One of these “classics” will be the film Ultraviolet (not the UK TV series!), the latest generic beautiful-woman-goes-butt-kicking-in-tight-fitting-costumes feature. Milla Jovovich obliges as the clothes horse, while Equilibrium director Kurt Wimmer, tells her were to stand.
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At the opposite end to the spectrum, The Fountain looks set to be one of the most interesting prospects of all the Sci-Fi films due this year. Darren Aronofsky has proven to be a great new director, with features such as Pi and Requiem for a Dream cementing his reputation. Starring Hugh Jackman and Mrs Aronofsky herself, Rachel Weisz, the movie takes place in 1500, 2006 and 2500, and concerns the search for the fountain of youth –
promising some intelligence along with the usual visual effects.
Watch the trailer
Then there’s Tideland, the latest voyage into the always entertaining mind of Terry Gilliam. After The Brothers Grimm didn’t quite live up to critical expectations, here’s hoping that we can see a return to form for Mr Gilliam in this, reportedly quieter, and less overtly fantastical film. (See our review of The Brothers Grimm DVD.)
Then there are the films that we should be seeing later in the year. Sunshine is the latest film to come from Danny Boyle, with a plot about a group of scientists travelling through space to re-start the sun. Boyle has a pretty good pedigree of producing different and interesting Sci-Fi, which include films such as 28 Days Later and the still rarely seen Alien Love Triangle. It is difficult to know what to expect here, but I’m guessing we can hope for some visual weirdness in the mix for good measure (babies crawling across the ceiling anyone?).
And for all those fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind, shout “hurray” at the news that we can expect much more Michel Gondry Gallic strangeness this year when his new film, The Science of Sleep is released. Starring current Mexican heartthrob, Gael García Bernal, as a man trapped inside his own dreams, this film has already gone down a storm at Sundance, where it premiered in January, and for anyone who already knows Gondry’s work, this looks set to continue the obsessions with memory, sleep, reality and dreams, that have already been prevalent in his earlier work – so keep a keen eye out!
And how about this for an advanced warning – a film that may not even come out this year! Remember where you heard about The Prestige first! This is the new project from Memento and Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan, and features a story about two warring magicians in turn-of-the-century London. The to-die-for cast includes, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Andy Serkis and… David Bowie as electrical genius Nikola Tesla! Something to look forward to there!Although the basic idea sounds similar to the Hugo Award-winning novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, it is a different story and is currently under development, but no director or cast has been announced.
While the US is just seeing Night Watch now, the second instalment, Day Watch, has already shown in its native Russia and could be released here later in the year, depending on how long the subtitles take to produce. Night Watch set a new standard on-screen translation, so the sequel will have to follow suit. As soon as we know more we’ll let you know.
And so there you have it! All in all, a lot of things to whet your appetite for the upcoming cinematic year! Oh, and of course, if all of that wasn’t enough, there’s a certain, friendly neighborhood Sci-Fi Festival coming to town in April! And upi definitely won’t want to miss that! Stay tuned.