NEW STILL FROM TIM BURTON'S "DARK SHADOWS"

Still from Dark Shadows

Spooky! Tim Burton is almost ready to serve up his next Film Dark Shadows, based on the TV Series of the same name in the mid-'60s. Starring once again his male Muse Johnny Depp, the Supernatural Drama centers around a young Boy named Barnabas and his family who move from England to America. Barnabas grows up to be a wealthy Playboy but breaks the heart of a Witch named Angelique (Eva Green) who buries him alive. 20 years later, he is set free and returns to his former residence, now occupied by strangers with deep, dark secrets of their own.

Some new Stills have surfaced from Dark Shadows including the one above with a menacing Depp, haunting Michelle Pfeiffer, perhaps extending an unwelcome stay.  The Film also stars Chloë Moretz, Jonny Lee Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Alice Cooper and of course the brilliant Mrs. Burton herself, Helena Bonham Carter.

May 11, 2012 is Warner Bros.' slated release date for Dark Shadows.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

ANNE HATHAWAY JOINS HUGH JACKMAN IN "LES MISÉRABLES"

Hugh Jackman in Toronto - July 2011

In what's shaping up to be a stellar Cast for the upcoming Musical Film Adaptation ofLes Misérables, Anne Hathaway has just been confirmed to play the coveted role of Fantine, as reported by Variety.  Hathaway's career just seems to be getting sweeter being set also to appear in upcoming The Dark Knight Rises as Catwoman next July.  Other Actresses in the running for the role of Fantine include Rebecca Hall and Amy Adams.

Set in 19th-Century France, Hugh Jackman will be taking on the Lead Role of Jean Valjean, a Prisoner on Parole for stealing bread, seeking redemption, while also evading the attentions of Inspector Javert. 

Although Russell Crowe (as Javert), Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter also are linked to the Project, there still is no word yet on who will be playing the important roles of  Cosette and Marius (taken-on recently Nick Jonas in London). Director Tom Hooper, known best for The King's Speech will be helming the Musical.

Universal Pictures will be releasing Les Misérables in the U.S., December 2012.


(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 REVIEW

Still from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is the latest installment in J.K. Rowland's massively popular adapted franchise and the third to be directed by David Yates. Although Fantasy isn't particularly a favoured genre of mine, even I was able to enjoy this one.

This first half of this final chapter has longtime Wizard friends Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) out to complete a deceased Dumbledore's mission and defeat the Dark Lord. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) now controls the Ministry of Magic and he is on a mission to kill Harry, who has managed to escape death time and again in previous installments. Overly-zealous Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange (Helen Bonham Carter) however, is both ambitious and evil, wanting to earn the honour of being Harry's slayer all her own.

Harry must locate the Sword of Gryffindor which he has inherited through Dumbledore. He believes it is situated in his hometown of Godric's Hollow, where his Parents died also. The Death Eaters who report to the Ministry of Magic, locate Harry and lead him back to Lord Voldemort.  Will Harry, Ron and Hermione be able to escape a doomed fate? And also, as the three of them journey away together, will unresolved issues in their ongoing Love Triangle prove self-destructive?

The ensemble of Grint, Watson and Radcliffe is wonderful, with Watson particularly attention-grabbing with her expressive eyes even where there is no dialogue.  Bonham Carter is absolutely terrifying in her villainous goodness, putting on what might possibly be a performance stronger than her already excellent work in Oscar contender The King's Speech.  And despite only doing Voice Work here, the impeccable Toby Jones as resourceful Elf Dobby, is wonderfully endearing and quite possibly tear-inducing.  Riveting CGI and an engaging story line make the two-plus hours here go by quickly, serving as a perfect build-up to next summer's ultime Finale.

Warner Bros.' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 has a bit of something for everyone and if you aren't really that big a Harry Potter fan like me, it's still not too late to start.  The Film hits theatres November 19, 2010 and thank God, it's not in 3-D!  Grade: A-

THE KING'S SPEECH REVIEW - TIFF CADILLAC PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

The King's Speech

Although I regret not having had a chance to see The King's Speech in its first two screenings at TIFF, I was thrilled to hear that it was selected as this year's winner of the Cadillac People's Choice Award based on festival-goer votes. And I can see why audiences reacted so passionately to the Tom Hooper (The Damned United) film after having seen it now.

The story begins with Bertie (later known as King George VI) being second-in-line to the throne of an ailing King George V. He suffers from a stuttering problem, preventing him from being an effective political leader. With the help of his wife, later known as Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), he winds up receiving the guidance of an unconventional Speech Therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Bertie however, is reluctant to co-operate and Lionel struggles to get him to open-up.

Bertie's brother Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) winds up succeeding to the throne but his love for a twice-divorced woman Wallis Simpson (Eve Best) stirs up a bit of controversy and being adamant in marrying her, Edward winds up foregoing his title as King and Bertie assumes the role.  He however, lacks the self-belief to tackle the daunting role. From here, we see Bertie's transition as King George VI, guiding England into World War II - but it is far from a cakewalk for him.

REVIEW: TIM BURTON'S ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is a gorgeous visual spectacle. Although fantasy films aren't exactly my favourite genre of film, watching this in 3-D (my very first time) was simply breathtaking.

The film is based on Lewis Carroll's books Alice in Wonderland, in addition to Through The Looking Glass. The story begins in Alice's (newcomer Mia Wasikowska) late teens, where she finds herself at a party in which she is to become engaged to Hamish (Leo Bill). She of course has absolutely no desire to marry him and escapes to Wonderland once again, lost and in danger at the hands of the evil Red Queen, acted to perfection by Helena Bonham-Carter. Along her journey, Alice is reunited with old friends including Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) and Blue Caterpillar (Alan Rickman) whom are all there to protect her in uniting Alice with the good White Queen (Anne Hathaway). There is of course, a sibling rivalry between Red Queen and White Queen and in the end Alice acting as the White Queen's champion, is pitted against the Red Queen's champion, The Jabberwocky.  But does she believe in herself enough to control her own destiny?

Although there are some riveting CGI graphics and very strong performances by the outstanding ensemble cast, all eyes just gravitate to Helena Bonham-Carter as the bulbous-headed Red Queen. Depp is curiously charming as Mad Hatter and Hathaway, whom I absolutely adore, is simply out-acted in this film perhaps confusing the true essence of White Queen in her exaggerated prissiness.  Wasikowska exceeds all expectations as the film's star and certainly has a bright future ahead of her.

Let's be honest though - the narrative is far from perfect. There are many gaps in the back story of sibling rivalry between White Queen and Red Queen. Above this, many of the characters who appear in the story, which carries on Alice's legacy in her late teens already have a history with her which Burton assumes all know, which might be hasty. There are just enough details given in Alice in Wonderland to give the audience the gist of what Lewis Carroll's treasured stories are all about. In the end though, the true message of the story is timeless and important to young people: to live their lives on their own terms and to always make decisions for themselves.