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"This isn't a retirement home. It's a madhouse."
Academy Award–winner Dustin Hoffman (Kramer vs. Kramer, Rain Man) is clearly an actor who has always had a desire to direct. He almost made his debut behind the camera with 1978's Straight Time, but opted instead to just act in the movie. Since then he has directed theater and produced television, and it shouldn't be too surprising that Hoffman is finally making his debut as a movie director with Quartet.
Based on the play of the same name Ronald Harwood (The Dresser, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Quartet stars Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter) and Billy Connolly (Brave) as denizens of a retirement home for musicians, which puts on an annual which is put in question when Jean (Smith) arrives at the home. The movie's first trailer has just arrived online, and reveals a light, comedic tone in what looks like a heartwarming story that is set to open in time for Oscar consideration. Fans of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (which also starred Smith) take note.
the latest in trailers Saturdays 10:00a ET / 7:00a PT
watch the trailer >> Posted 10.30.12 by Ryan -
Watch out, Katniss. It looks like Merida and her archery skills could give you a run for your money.
Every summer brings a new release from Pixar, and only two days after the solstice we get 2012's tale of a young, defiant princess. Though rebellious princesses are standard fare in animated features, Merida, the heroine of Disney/Pixar's Brave, looks like she has more in common with Star Wars' blaster-wielding Princess Leia than she does the voiceless mermaid Ariel.
The newest full-length trailer for the highly anticipated summer flick takes a closer look at Merida, giving a glimpse of her personality, her lot in life, and her family. While previous trailers have focused on the movie's sense of action and adventure or its supernatural plot points, this one shows a Pixar movie with real heart. The bit featuring Billy Connolly's King Fergus proves it will have some belly laughs, as well.
watch the trailer >> Posted 04.24.12 by Mandy -
Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) challenges her family's and country's traditions in the upcoming Brave, proving herself to be anything but a fair maiden in need of protection. The latest clip offers another look at just how determined (and rebellious) Merida is in her quest to make her own path in life — and just how good her archery skills are compared with her prospective husbands'. And, we're happy to note, the clip gives us reason to hope for a Pixar summer blockbuster.
Watch the clip >> Posted 02.23.12 by reelz -
Scottish folk singer, comedian, and actor Billy Connolly's raunchy stand-up routines have inspired drinking games on campuses throughout the US — if you value your liver, do not attempt to drink every time Connolly says the F-word. His portrayal of Il Duce in The Boondock Saints (1999) also helped turn the movie into a cult classic.
Now comes word that he's joined the cast of Peter Jackson's two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Connolly will play Dain Ironfoot, second cousin of Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), the leader of the company of dwarves that hires Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) to burgle for them from the dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).
more about The Hobbit >> Posted 02.09.12 by BrentJS -
With Cars 2 handily winning the weekend's top box office spot, Disney/Pixar is already looking to the future by offering the teaser trailer for their upcoming movie, Brave.
Set in medieval Scotland, Brave (formerly titled The Bear and the Bow) is Pixar's first foray into the genre of fantasy and fairy tales, with the 3-D animated tale utilizing Hollywood's most well-known Scottish actors (outside of Sean Connery and Ewan McGregor), as illustrated in the movie's synopsis.
read the synopsis and watch the trailer >> Posted 06.27.11 by Ryan -
After the record-breaking success of Toy Story 3 and this summer's Cars 2, Pixar is returning to the art of telling original stories with Brave, it's 13th full-length feature film, set to hit theaters June 22, 2012.
EW posted a first look of the Scotland-based adventure, which will be Pixar's first fairy tale story with a female protagonist. According to EW, Brave is set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, where Merida is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Merida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Merida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman (Julie Walters) and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Merida's quest -- and serving as comic relief -- are the kingdom's three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd), the surly Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson), and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane).
Reese Witherspoon was set to voice the lead character but had to pull out because of scheduling conflicts and was replaced by Kelly Macdonald.
Brave was originally going to be directed by Brenda Chapman (The Prince of Egypt), who conceived of the project but she was replaced by Mark Andrews (One Man Band). Disney said the two will be credited as co-directors.
Posted 03.28.11 by reelz -
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is proof positive that even a movie that doesn't make a splash at the box office can earn a sequel if the fans get behind it. The original feature, which debuted in 1999, opened in only five theaters, but has since then become a cult classic.
In Saints Day, the MacManus brothers, fraternal twins played by Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus, are hiding out in Ireland after their bloody vendetta against the mob made it too hot for them in the States. However, when a priest is murdered, the two vigilantes must return to Boston to take care of business. The official movie poster for Saints Day was finally revealed by MTV, which also has a set of stills from the movie.
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day was directed by Troy Duffy and also sees the return of Billy Connolly as the brothers' father, Il Duce.
Posted 10.05.09 by BrentJS -
Sequels seem to be all the rage in Hollywood, but it's especially impressive when a movie that loses money at the box office receives one. The difference is that Boondock Saints didn't flop due to its quality, but rather because of a combination of botched distribution and insufficient marketing. The movie, which starred Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus as two Irish brothers who think they were divinely chosen to rid Boston of evil, developed a huge cult following in the years since its release, resulting in the return of the MacManus brothers — and their father, Il Duce (played by Billy Connolly) — in Troy Duffy's The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.
When All Saints Day was introduced at the San Diego Comic-Con this year, the reaction of the fans was overwhelmingly positive. In a recent interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Flanery said that the crowd made him feel like "Mick Jagger for a day" and that fans of the original will not be disappointed with the sequel.
I have seen cuts in various incarnations. I can tell you this — it stays true to the first film in theme and style and everything. Most sequels are bigger, louder and this film is a perfect sequel to the first one. It explains a lot of things, but it is not big bang just for the sake of big bang, ya know what I mean? I think that everybody is really going to like this film. I really do!
Posted 09.21.09 by BrentJS