Arnold Schwarzenegger Probably Won't Appear in a New "Predator" Movie.

Recently Boyd Holbrook spoke to We Got This Covered and told that the new Shane Black "Predator" will be something brand new, not a sequel, so it is not likely, that some familiar faces would appear. That is what he told:

“I’m currently working on Predator. It’s not a sequel; Shane Black has made something totally new, somehow keeping within the realm of Predator [while also being] absolutely new in terms of the story that we’re talking about today, and rooted in something real. It’s real fresh. I don’t think you’re going to see [Arnold] Schwarzenegger. It would kind of make it a gimmick. It’s horror, science-fiction and a western.”

He also mentioned about western vibe to a new "Predator", which has never been done before. Predator movies took place everywhere but in the wild west, and this realism Boyd is talking about makes me even more excited and calm about it. Also because Shane Black is doing it. He will succeed, he knows this universe and he is a very talented writer and director, so after this interview, everything became even more obvious that this movie is in good hands.  

I am more interested in seeing new Predator being more real, horrifying and dark. I think this movie wouldn't need a cameo, maybe a mention, if it will still be in the same universe of course. It is possible, that this movie will reboot the franchise, which I think will be a mistake. It won't be right to throw away everything, what have been done in this universe.

The Raid (2011) is going to be Remade by Joe Carnahan and Frank Grillo

Indonesian action series "The Raid" will be remade by Joe Carnahan and Frank Grillo. The Raid (2011) was very successful as it became one of the most underrated action movies of all time, I think it deserves so much more recognition than it had. Then there was a sequel, which came out in 2014 and was different, but great as well, so these two movies are exceptional, look them up, they deserve to be watched.  

Joe Carnahan did assure that he has something really special to start with and no one will be disappointed. They will try to reimagine the same plot and make the movie he is a huge fan of. 

I don't know what exactly they came up with to remake it, but it is obvious that this property is very hot, and this movie would have been made even if the plot is bad. I am a Frank Grillo fan. I think he always did a great job, so I suppose he will be a great star in this new film. 

So who knows, maybe this remake will be huge, but now we have only promises with no evidence that this new "Raid" film will be at least respectful to the original. I love when fans who are also filmmakers are making a movie they are big fans of, and in this case, it gives hope, that we won't be disappointed indeed. 

Mel Gibson Might Direct the Next Suicide Squad Film.

Since Mel Gibson is no longer rogue in Hollywood, he gets an offer after an offer to play or direct something. Of cause it is understandable, he just made Hacksaw Ridge, for which he is nominated for Best Director. He always made almost perfect movies, he is a very talented artist, no matter what person he is. So we might get used to Mel Gibson again because he is a very popular director right now. That is why Warner Brothers consider him for a new Suicide Squad movie. He is popular, and they contacted him, saying that if he wants it, then he would get it. 

This is very funny, though, because Gibson is a great artist, but in this case, he won't be a proper choice to do it. Bringing him on board might also mean that he can be fired like many other great directors, who disagreed with WB's interference into director's business. In that case, if they will step aside this time and let one director do his thing, letting him decide the final cut, then maybe Gibson will fit. But right now, I just can't figure it out, how a person, who said that the last two DC movies were (a quote) "piece of shit" can get a job in this company. 

Variety reports that the studio is also eyeing Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) and Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies). Well, sometimes big studios might add some very popular names into their projects for "in talks to be involved in" them just to promote the movie. I think that the attachment of Mel Gibson is just for this purpose - promoting Suicide Squad sequel.

Moonlight (2016) movie review. The main competitor of La La Land at the Oscars.

Moonlight is a movie about a timeless story of human self-discovery and connection, Moonlight chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami. 

Barry Jenkins, who directed and wore the script did so well, that this movie is not just nominated for an Oscar in Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay categories, but in Best Picture, which is a giant success for a filmmaker. This movie is relevant, important for minorities, but also masterfully made. I know a lot of people, who blindly love it, saying how great the cinematography is or directing. And this movie is an art in every way. It entertains the audience a little bit differently. Not by the action or plot twists, but with beautifully directed sequences. Some parts of this movie were really great.

But for me, as a fan, who loves this types of movies this one somehow didn't work. I love the first act with Mahershala Ali, but the rest of it was too boring, despite great filmmaking. The actor, who played an adult version of Chiron - the main character was great. It was a hard task to connect these three different actors, so the audience wouldn't notice the difference as Chiron was growing up. 

I know that this movie worked for a lot of people. And I completely understand why. But I think that this movie is too artistic. I think that the thought behind it is too complicated to tell in that environment. The scenes were a little longer sometimes than I thought they needed to be and the overall feel after watching wasn't satisfying. It didn't leave me liking it, as an Oscar contender should. One thing I really disliked was that sudden disappearance of Mahershala Ali's character. By the plot, he had to be gone, but I didn't even imagine, that he would not appear at all later. Naomi Harris was great, she did a very good job, she is a top actress, who has a chance of winning, but there is almost no chance.

The message is quite relevant. This movie hit the weak spot so hard, that it includes three or even more nowadays hot issues. This movie is not for everyone, not for me definitely, but it is some exceptional filmmaking, I will not be surprised if it wins the Best Picture. Hopefully, Barry Jenkins will win something out of his nominations. 

New "Team Thor" Short Video.

The second promotional video called "Team Thor" is released, showing more Darell and Thor, and overall life of an Asgardian on Earth. This piece is so funny and original that I think one would have thought of doing something like that. Chris Hemsworth is very funny playing Thor in those videos. 

These videos are a part of marketing campaign for Thor: Ragnarok, which hits theaters in November. Also, they show what Thor was up to during events of Civil War. This second video is a part of a blue ray edition for Doctor Strange. 

Laurence Fishburne Won't Appear as Perry White in Justice League.

Laurence Fishburne, who portrayed Perry White has previously appeared in Snyder’s Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Planet, but now he gave an interview to LA Times, in which he explained why he won't appear in Justice League: 

They asked me to come for a day, but I couldn’t work it out, schedule-wise. And really, what do you need the newspaperman in “Justice League” for? You want to see the Flash. You want to see Aquaman. You want to see Wonder Woman. You want to see the Lantern.

His statement also contains some geeky talk about Marvel and DC:

We’ve been waiting 35 years for these [characters] to show up on the screen. What were they doing over there? Marvel has been kicking their ass. This is the comic-book geek in me, who has a collection of comic books. I’ve been waiting to see these people on-screen forever.

 Despite the controversy, Fishburne doesn't blame Zack Snyder and OK with "Martha" scene:

Look, I love what Zack Snyder does. Jesse Eisenberg, this little nebbishy guy, as Lex Luthor? For me, that’s a genius move. And the whole thing with Martha Kent and Martha Wayne? I don’t know, man, I must be sentimental but that’s some heartwarming [stuff] to me. So I don’t get it.

After all, what can the person who has a contract with DC say about his last movie? He probably was politically incorrect and rough talking about Marvel and DC's competition, but overall he is right, that Marvel is more successful nowadays. DC has no plan, only relying on a strong fanbase and super popular characters, while Marvel built their universe introducing every new character one by one in their standalones. So the difference is clear, and don't be mad at Laurence Fishburne, he also said that Batman vs Superman is a genius movie. 

Actually, my theatrical impression of this movie is much worse than the impression I had, watching it at home in extended edition. After third viewing, now I think of this movie as of good and solid instead of garbage. 

Robert Downey Jr. Teams Up With Richard Linklater to for Podcast Adaptation.

One of the biggest movie stars right now Robert Downey Jr. will star in an untitled feature with "Boyhood" Richard Linklater directing. This new movie will be based on the episode “Man of the People” from Gimlet Media’s Reply All podcast, which aired on January 19, 2017. This podcast episode, which tells the true story of charlatan Dr. John Brinkley who scams his way to fame and fortune using fake medicine, populism, and the newest technology of the time: radio. As Brinkley’s fame grows, he gets the attention of Dr. Morris Fishbein, editor of the AMA who begins a decade-long quest to take him down.

Robert Downey Jr. has been doing side projects like "The Judge" and "Due Date", so this news doesn't surprise, that he is up to a new non-Marvel movie. Some might say that his side projects were disappointing since he joined MCU, except the first Sherlock Holmes, but I think he did great in most of them. He also appeared in Jon Favreau's "Chef" in a smaller role. 

The point is, that Robert Downey Jr. despite the quality of the film is always great in his movies no matter what piece of crap they are. And hearing that he is teaming up with such a great director as Richard Linklater is very promising, that this new movie will be at least good. 

Weekend Box Office Report ( 02/10 - 02/12 2017)

This weekend three new big hits opened in theaters. One big of another they crushed box office each for itself grossing acceptable and even pleasant numbers on their opening weekend. "The LEGO Batman Movie" becomes the biggest hit this weekend grossing $ 55,6M and winning wit ha gap of $ 8,8M over "Fifty Shades Darker" - another hit which is also the biggest bummer of those three. New "Fifty Shades" movie turned out to be worse than anticipated and even made people laugh after pretty serious scenes. There are huge problems with this movie, but it did great at the box office grossing $ 46,8M. It made double in the rest of the world making $ 147M worldwide, which is three times more of its budget. The third spot is taken by "John Wick: Chapter Two" - an R-rated action thriller with $ 30M. These numbers are incredible for all three movies. This weekend in February is the brightest - such a competition. The fourth spot is for "Split" with solid $ 9,3M. And the fifth is taken by "Hidden Figures" with $ 8M.

1."The LEGO Batman Movie" - $ 55,6M ($ 55,6M domestic total; $ 92,6M total)

2."Fifty Shades Darker" - $ 46,8M ($ 46,8M domestic total; $ 147M total)

3."John Wick: Chapter Two" - $ 30M ($ 30M domestic total; $ 40,6 total)

4."Split" - $ 9,3M ($ 112,3 domestic total; $ 169,3 total)

5."Hidden Figures" - $8M ($ 131,5 domestic total; $ 144M total)

The Founder. Movie Review. Ray Kroc's Way to the Top With Persistence.

The movie is about a fifty-year-old businessman-loser who managed to make McDonald's the most popular and profitable restaurant in history. Ray Kroc, played by Michael Keaton, was an ordinary businessman who sold mixers. His life was a failure. He worked hard, but couldn't win. Persistence was always his slogan in life and he was always trying to find his luck. And one day he met McDonald brothers: Dick and Mac, who showed him an incredible system how to make a burger just in thirty seconds. It stroke Ray and he decided to help the McDonald brothers to franchise this idea in many other cities.  

This biopic is a well-made movie having some little pacing issues, but at the same time having this genius Michael Keaton, who does his best, as I suppose he did, playing Ray Kroc. This story is about one man's struggle. He has been a loser all his life, but now he has this opportunity, which he took, and finally won. 

Everyone knows that he is a founder. But only a few knows whom McDonald brothers really were. They were just as hard working as Ray, but they were no businessmen, good managers, maybe, but they had no killer instinct as Ray had, and he played on that. This is history, that Ray Kroc finally bought the company from brothers and made his own empire. So this movie might make Michael Keaton's character a little unsympathising, but he is just a man who did, what everyone would have done in his place - history for himself. That is how a loser became a king. 

The movie itself shows Ray Kroc's way to the top. Bad or good this movie is, it is not really important. The story delivered well, the script is nice after all. I wouldn't call this movie ordinary, but, as a whole, it is above average in quality. It inspires and delivers the story of McDonald's and Ray Kroc well. 

‘The Batman’ Hires ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ Director Matt Reeves

New Batman movie, which has some controversy around it now has the long awaited director, who appeared to be Matt Reeves. The second "Apes" movie was great and a new movie, "War for the Planet of the Apes", is coming out this summer. So "The Batman" is in good hands. That is the best piece of news, which DC had in months, but it doesn't fix the negative side of things, for example, Ben Affleck stepping down from directing. 

It is important to understand if Reeves knows how to direct the Batman movie right. His influence on the script is also will affect the further changes. God forbid if Reeves and Affleck will have some creative differences. In that case, one of them goes away and it would be another scandal.