Donald Sutherland

The Red Pill Viral Update: MEN IN BLACK 3, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE DARKEST HOUR and THE HUNGER GAMES

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: December 11th, 2011 at 1:25 pm

As The Dark Knight Rises revved up their viral campaign earlier this week , it overshadowed other movies in the midst of their own marketing. The Dark Knight Rises’ “Operation Early Bird” granted early access to the prologue for people close to specified IMAX theaters and a new trailer is expected to drop on Monday. However, there are other properties that are vying for your attention and your dollars, such as Men in Black 3, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Darkest Hour and The Hunger Games. Hit the jump for an update on each of these unique campaigns.

New Trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 14th, 2011 at 7:32 am

Lionsgate has released a new trailer for The Hunger Games.  For everyone who was confused on the set-up and the premise, this trailer will get you up to speed.  Unfortunately, that’s about all it will do.  While it’s clear that director Gary Ross has not shied away from the garish fashion and make-up of the Capitol’s residents (I imagine some are going to be jarred out of the experience by Elizabeth Banks looking like she’s 80 and speaking with a British accent), there’s still no hint of the violence and brutality of the books.  I can understand why they would leave that out of the trailer, but I’m absolutely baffled as to why there’s almost no footage from the actual Hunger Games.  That’s the meat and potatoes of the set pieces, and I have no idea why they wouldn’t at least throw in some quick flashes of the action scenes. My best guess is that they’re still working on the special effects and didn’t have anything 100% finished to put into the trailer (or they’re saving those scenes for the next one).

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, and Donald Sutherland.  The Hunger Games opens March 23, 2012.

Teaser Trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 28th, 2011 at 8:38 pm

Lionsgate has released the first trailer for the film adaptation of The Hunger Games.  The movie is set in the future in the ruins of what was once North America and is now known as “Panem”.  The story centers on Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a young woman who must survive a televised fight to the death between her and teenagers from other the other districts of Panem. You won’t really get any of that from this teaser trailer.  You won’t get much of anything except Katniss running through the woods, dodging fireballs, shooting an arrow, and a really good look at the logo.  This is not a movie that sells itself and there are plenty of folks thinking “Oh, great.  Another Twilight mixed with second-rate Battle Royale.”  They need to be convinced or at least intrigued.  This teaser plays only to the fans and as someone who enjoyed the book, even I was underwhelmed.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  Directed by Gary Ross (Seabiscuit), the film also stars Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Donald Sutherland star.  The Hunger Games opens on March 23, 2012.

THE EAGLE DVD Review

by Scott Wampler    Posted: August 2nd, 2011 at 10:06 am

When one hears the name “Channing Tatum”, many things come to mind:  rippling abs, an affected homeboy-like cadence, a backwards ballcap, those oft-murmured rumors about Tatum’s former life as a male stripper (not a joke).  Something one doesn’t tend to think upon hearing the name “Channing Tatum” is:  brilliant actor.  Kevin MacDonald’s The Eagle– starring Tatum, in addition to Jamie Bell and Donald Sutherland– is the latest attempt from Camp Tatum to change the way we think of the former Step Up 2: Tha Streets star.  Many of you avoided The Eagle when it hit theaters in February, but now that it’s on DVD, we’re free to discover what– if anything– we missed.  What’d we think?  Find out after the jump, folks…

HORRIBLE BOSSES Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 8th, 2011 at 6:51 am

For an R-rated comedy, the humor doesn’t always have to be about shock value and gross-out gags (although those certainly don’t hurt).  It can be about strong dialogue and fantastic performances and Seth Gordon’s Horrible Bosses manages exactly that.  It’s the fourth major R-rated comedy to hit this summer and it may be the best one so far.  While it lacks the warmth and maturity of Bridesmaids, it’s also a tighter, sharper narrative that keeps a laser-like focus on delivering non-stop jokes and never letting the plot stall.  But more than its pacing, Horrible Bosses thrives because every actor is working at the top of their game.  Leads Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis each maintain their own comic style but find a way to make those styles work in concert with each other.  Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and Colin Farrell relish playing the eponymous bosses with Farrell and especially Aniston getting to show audiences a new side of their acting talents.  The result of the sharp writing, profanity-laden humor, and killer performances make Horrible Bosses one of the year’s most consistent comedies.

Adaptable: THE HUNGER GAMES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 15th, 2011 at 8:30 am

The process of adaptation is a difficult one.  Yes, the story framework is in place and there’s usually a built-in fanbase as well, but screenwriters must wrestle with what they can include, what they can excise, and what they can change.  A popular adaptation can’t alienate the fans but it also can’t exclude those unfamiliar with the source material.

Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy of young adult novels.  Lionsgate hopes they have the next Twilight on their hands even though the plots of the two books couldn’t be more different.  I’ll break down what works in the book, what will succeed in the movie, and where director Gary Ross will have difficulty in his adaptation.

Donald Sutherland Cast as President Snow in THE HUNGER GAMES

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: May 31st, 2011 at 8:53 am

Lionsgate has just announced that Donald Sutherland has been cast as President Snow in The Hunger Games.  According to the press release, “President Snow has been the autocratic ruler of Panem and its contained districts for some 25 years at the outset of the story.  With a snake-like appearance, he is cruel and ruthless in his intimidation and control tactics.”  With over five decades experience in Hollywood, Sutherland can do this role in his sleep.  But for young fans who don’t know his work, rest assured, he’ll be a great President.

Hit the jump for a recap of the other actors cast in The Hunger Games, as well as the press release.

THE MECHANIC Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: May 26th, 2011 at 6:02 am

Action films are weird. What used to be the summer blockbusters of yore are now reduced to a off-season release dates. In the mid 1990’s The Mechanic would have starred Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger, and been a big summer action film. The 2011 version hit theaters in January, and did reasonable business for what it is –around $30 domestic, or less than what Pirates 4 did on its opening day. Though by no means a great film, the Jason Statham-starrer is relatively entertaining, and doesn’t mess around. Statham stars as a hitman who takes on an assistant (Ben Foster), and comes to realize the people he’s working for (headed up by Tony Goldwyn) are not above board. Check out our review of the Blu-ray of The Mechanic after the jump.

Trailer and Poster for HORRIBLE BOSSES Starring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 11th, 2011 at 12:55 pm

The trailer for Horrible Bosses has gone online.  Directed by Seth Gordon (Four Christmases) the movie centers on three hapless employees (played by Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis) who conspire to kill each other’s horrible bosses (played by Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, and Jennifer Aniston).  While I’m eager to see what a red-band trailer might hold, there are plenty of good jokes in this green-band trailer.  As usual, Bateman is terrific (his dry delivery at the end of the trailer is golden), but there doesn’t seem to be a weak link in the cast.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer as well as the teaser poster.  The film also stars Jamie Foxx, Donald Sutherland, and Julie Bowen.  Horrible Bosses opens July 8th.

Director Kevin Macdonald Exclusive Video Interview THE EAGLE; Plus an Update on His Bob Marley Documentary

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: February 8th, 2011 at 8:24 pm

Opening this weekend is director Kevin Macdonald’s (Last King of Scotland, State of Play) The Eagle. The films based on Rosemary Sutcliff’s novel The Eagle of the Ninth and it stars Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, and Donald Sutherland.  Here’s part of the synopsis:

In 2^nd-Century Britain, two men – master and slave – venture beyond the edge of the known world on a dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal, friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism.

The other day I sat down with Macdonald for an extended video interview.  During our conversation, we talked about his very famous grandfather Emeric Pressburger (The Red Shoes), how The Eagle came together, and we also discussed his upcoming Bob Marley documentary.  Hit the jump to watch:

4 Movie Clips from THE EAGLE

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: February 5th, 2011 at 1:44 pm

Opening February 11 is director Kevin Macdonald’s (Last King of Scotland, State of Play) The Eagle which is based on Rosemary Sutcliff’s novel The Eagle of the Ninth and it stars Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland and Tahar Rahim.  Here’s part of the synopsis:

In 2^nd-Century Britain, two men – master and slave – venture beyond the edge of the known world on a dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal, friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism.

While most of you have already watched the trailer, Focus has provided us with four clips and you can check them out after the jump – along with a more detailed synopsis.  Look for interviews with the cast and director Macdonald very soon.

THE MECHANIC Review

by Bill Graham    Posted: January 28th, 2011 at 11:40 am

The Mechanic takes a tired genre and, without breaking new ground, creates a festive and entertaining film fueled by non-stop action and a great role by the ever-reliable Ben Foster. Simon West directs this hitman film based on the original 1972 Charles Bronson actioner of the same name, with Jason Statham filling the role of Bronson while Foster fills the role of Jan-Michael Vincent. Brutal violence and unexpected humor keep the proceedings from feeling too rehashed, and an undercurrent of revenge never bogs down the streamlined plot that propels the movie forward. This is an action film that knows to play within the set boundaries of what an audience wants—and does so unblinkingly within the 92 minute run time. Hit the jump for my full review of The Mechanic.

Red-Band Trailer for THE MECHANIC

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 3rd, 2011 at 4:05 pm

A new red-band trailer for the action-thriller The Mechanic has gone online (here’s the green band).  Directed by Simon West (Con Air), the film stars Jason Statham as a hitman who takes on an apprentice (Ben Foster).  The film also stars Tony Goldwyn and Donald Sutherland.  If you’re a fan of Statham kicking ass and blowing shit up, what are you waiting for.  The Mechanic opens January 28th.

New Posters for THE KING’S SPEECH and THE MECHANIC

by Jason Barr    Posted: December 3rd, 2010 at 6:32 am

New posters for The King’s Speech and The Mechanic have hit the interwebs.  Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech tells of the unlikely crowning of England’s King George VI (Firth) and his subsequent attempt at overcoming a lifelong speech impediment.  As for the poster, it features a minimalistic approach and is a vast improvement over its somewhat boring predecessor.

Moving on to The Mechanic, the film stars Jason Statham, Donald Sutherland, and Ben Foster (The Messenger), and sees Statham making a turn as a vengeful assassin (a stretch, I know).  Unlike The King’s Speech, I feel like The Mechanic‘s latest poster takes a step back from its previous offering by trading in symbolism (a uniquely assembled gun) for an on-the-nose depiction of Statham rappelling while taking aim at some ruffians who, no doubt, had it coming.  To check out the posters for yourself, hit the jump.

Trailer for THE MECHANIC Starring Jason Statham and Ben Foster

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 16th, 2010 at 7:53 am

Yesterday, we showed you the poster for the upcoming action flick The Mechanic.  Today, the trailer for the film has gone online.  The movie, directed by Simon West (Con Air), is a remake of the 1972 Charles Bronson film of the same name and stars Jason Statham as a hitman who takes on an apprentice played by Ben Foster.  While I don’t know if Jason Statham Action Movie is a catchy title, it would certainly work for The Mechanic judging by the trailer.  If you want to see Statham shooting, fighting, and generally Statham-ing it up, then it looks like The Mechanic will have you covered.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The Mechanic opens January 28, 2011.

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