Happy Wednesday everyone! Are y’all watching the Olympics? I missed the opening ceremony so I only caught up w/ some clips on Flipboard. I did watch the Men’s 100m backstroke as Minnesotan David Plummer, a swim coach who’s perhaps one of the oldest at 30, won Bronze. Woo hoo!
Well I’m super excited to see Anthropoid tomorrow. I’ve posted the trailer here and yesterday I read this awesome NY Mag article that the film shows how women helped defeat the Nazis.
Ok how about those links!
A couple of Suicide Squad-related posts: Margaret lamented on the lack of Jared Leto’s Joker’s scenes, among others, whilst Jordan actually had some praises for the movie.
Jia posted a Blindspot review on one of my favorite modern noir thrillers, L.A. Confidential
Jay reviewed a movie I missed at the theaters, Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I can’t wait to rent as soon as it’s available.
I hadn’t reviewed Spielberg’s The BFG yet, but it seems Mark liked the movie more than I did, whilst Zöe pretty much agreed with me in regards to Jason Bourne.
I enjoy reading ranking lists! Keith just ranked the Marvel movies from worst to first ( I LOVE his #1 pick!)
This is a movie which trailer intrigued me… Dan reviewed Indignation
Last but not least, Cindy shared some great book recommendations.
…
Ok, we’ve still got a couple of months to wait yet for this upcoming series, but man, everything about this upcoming series looks really good!
A series inspired by the 1973 film of the same title written by Michael Crichton about a futuristic theme park populated by artificial beings.
Now, I’ve never seen the original series with Yul Brynner, but the idea of a western sci-fi instantly intrigues me. Ok now it doesn’t always work, as in the case of Cowboys & Aliens, but we’ve got quite a pedigree in terms of its creator.
I love that it’s a husband/wife team behind this series remake: Jonathan Nolan and fellow screenwriter Lisa Joy Nolan. Oh, and JJ Abrams also serves as executive producer along with the Nolans. Check out the trailer:
Here’s just a sampling of the impressive ensemble cast:
- Anthony Hopkins
- Ed Harris
- Evan Rachel Wood
- James Marsden
- Thandie Newton
- Jeffrey Wright
- Tessa Thompson
- Shannon Woodward
- Ben Barnes
The 10-episode season 1 will premiere on HBO on Sunday, October 2 at 9 p.m. I can hardly wait!
///
As Game of Thrones‘ fans are waiting for season 7 with bated breath, its author George R.R. Martin has long set his sights elsewhere. He just may have another sprawling fantasy world on television, according to Variety.
Universal Cable (same studio behind Mr. Robot that I’m currently watching) has purchased the rights for Martin’s work. The first volume in the book series was published in 1986, with 22 volumes released to date.
Here’s the premise:
“…the shared world of the Wild Cards diverged from our own on September 15, 1946 when an alien virus was released in the skies over Manhattan, and spread across an unsuspecting Earth. Of those infected, 90% died horribly, drawing the black queen, 9% were twisted and deformed into jokers, while a lucky 1% became blessed with extraordinary and unpredictable powers and became aces. The world was never the same.”
I quite like the sound of this, so I’ll keep an eye on this project. Surely plenty of actors are salivating to be cast in this.
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Thank you so much for the inclusion. Once again some really good company.
Thanks for the link to Jay’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople review. Definitely rent it when you can, it’s wonderful!
We are seeing Anthropoid tomorrow as well. I hope it’s as interesting as it sounds!
Yeah I can’t wait to see ‘Wilderpeople’! Hopefully it’ll be available to rent soon. Antropoid certainly sounds intriguing, I’m a sucker for WWII thrillers.
I like the sound of both! With regards to Westworld, Jim’s brother is prop-master for the television show. I was hoping to get an invite to visit the set, but it didn’t happen. The brother claims it’s going to be a good one! I enjoy GOT (on season 4). I haven’t read any George Martin, but I like the looks of his futuristic, fantasy series. Thanks for the sound out, Ruth.
Hi Cindy! Oh wow, that’s so cool about Jim’s brother, too bad you didn’t get to visit the set but he must have some interesting stories. Everything about Westworld sounds intriguing and Wild Cards too, though that one is still a long way off.
oh, if you think I’m lamenting there…..just wait for my Friday post 🙂
Ahah ok, I’ll brace myself 😀
I don’t remember much about the original WestWord but I know the remake has been in development for several years. Back in the 90s, Arnold was set to star in the big budget remake and I think Ridley Scott was going to direct it. But I think when Arnold’s star power started to diminish, the studio didn’t want to risk hundreds of millions of dollars on the film. Even Tom Cruise was attached to star at some point during the pre-production.
I want to see this TV version but I don’t have HBO so I’ll just wait for it to get it on Bluray.
Hi Ted! I think the story of Westworld might work better for TV series or even miniseries. Blech I wouldn’t be all that interested if Arnold was cast. I like that this one is more of an ensemble piece. I don’t have HBO either but I just might be tempted to add HBO Go 😉
I assume the film version with Arnold would be a lot of shootouts and big explosions. Of course Arnold will be playing the villainous cyborg cowboy, so basically he’d played the same character as The Terminator but in a western setting.
Yep, for sure he’d be another android as that seems to be the only thing he’s good at, ahah.
I’m very excited about Westworld as I’m more excited about Evan Rachel Wood getting some solid TV work.
Yeah, she’s very talented. Hope she’s got a lot of screen time here. Nice to see Thandie Newton in a prominent role, too.
I don’t bother with television and I won’t watch either of these unless someone like you particularly recommends it. See what I do? Totally time saving. I just wait for someone else to do the filtering. Yes, I’m a bit behind. Just finished Mr Robot season 1. But I’m okay with that.
Same here Jay! I am watching Mr. Robot too, still on episode 4 of season 1 so I’m always behind on TV series. But this one sounds intriguing enough that I might want to get HBO right away 🙂
I’m looking forward to Westworld, but GRRM needs to focus on his damn books and stop with the side projects.
Ahah well I think GRRM realizes the amount of $$$ he could get from his lucrative tv adaptation 😉
I’m liking how these actors are doing TV series. It should be interesting to hear who gets cast for Wild Cards. I hear HBO is hoping WestWorld will be the next big thing, with Game of Thrones down to it’s last couple of seasons. Are you liking Mr. Robot so far?
Yeah, I’m sure most actors are salivating to be in Wild Cards, for sure that’s pretty high profile. But Westworld looks really promising! I like Mr Robot, but I’m so slow w/ tv show, only got to 5 episodes of season 1 in 2 weeks, ahah.
Thanks for the link love Ruth 🙂 WestWorld looks very very interesting!
You’re welcome Jordan! Yes it is! I just might have to get HBO at the time this one airs.
P.S. Has Anthropoid opens near you? I just finished writing the review for next week, I’d think that’s something right up your alley.
No, its not on any ‘coming soon’ lists. I’ve seen people writing about it and I’m hating that it isn’t gonna play here. It’ll probably be one that I’ll download, who can blame me when they decide to not play the movie at all in my state?
Ah geez that’s too bad, but yeah indie films usually don’t get a decent theatrical release. How about Pete’s Dragon? I just posted my review of that, I really enjoyed it. Filmed in NZ 😃
Nope, no sign of that either, which is odd as NZ movies usually come out here before most other places, like What We Do In The Shadows. That played here waaaaay before everywhere else. I’ll have to do some looking, perhaps its online
Hey Jordan, Pete’s Dragon is a Disney movie (but filmed in NZ) so I’d think it’d have a wide release internationally. Btw my review of Anthropoid is up, definitely recommend it if you like WWII thrillers!
Yep, September we get that one, so not too far away. I’ll have to have a look at your review, I really want to see that movie but I have a feeling I’ll be waiting a few months
Glad to hear! Yes please check out my Anthropoid review, it’s disappointing how so few people talk about it, let alone see it 😦
Just read it, good stuff Ruth. I am a major WWII buff but the man that film is about somehow eluded me during all my reading. A monster of a man indeed. I just wish the bloody movie would play in Australia.
How’s this for a joke, High-Rise opened TODAY in Adelaide. I’m pretty sure the movie is already out on blu-ray!!! I’ll be going to see it for a fourth time though, I love that film and I wanna see it on a big screen 😀
Ach sorry, I must sound like a broken record regarding film releases =/
Man, I’m looking forward to Westworld too! Apologies for being a little quiet (again!); have been loving the Olympics and am in training for a triathlon – no time for blogging!
Yeah, seems HBO knows how to pick ’em! I love the Western/sci-fi mashup, I hope it’ll deliver.
Very cool that you’re training for a triathlon. My hubby is doing a triathlon in the last weekend of August too. Best of luck w/ everything!
Thanks Ruth 🙂
Massively looking forward to the HBO Westworld series, I love the 1973 film and they’ve assembled some great talent for this retake.
Hello Chris! Wow you’ve seen the 1973 film? I thought that was a series? I might check out one episode simply out of curiosity about Yul Brynner as a droid!
Yep, I even have it on blu-ray! They did make a short-lived series (6 episodes) in the early 80s I think but it’s supposedly awful and Yul Brynner is not in it.
My spoiler-free review of the film is here: https://geekbloggeruk.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/have-you-seen-westworld/
Thanks Chris! I was surprised to learn Michael Crichton directed this, I had no idea he’s also a filmmaker on top of being a phenomenal novelist.