Avengers Assemble London Press Conference Report
Before getting all glammed up for the big European premiere of Avengers Assemble at Westfield London last Thursday 19 April, the cast gathered alongside producer Kevin Feige and executive producer Jeremy Latcham at Claridge’s Hotel to field questions from the press. Here’s what went down:
Edith Bowman (moderator): I wanna direct my question to Kevin and Jeremy Latcham, please first of all. Five hundred Avengers issues over the past 48 years, how and where do you start with this story?
Jeremy Latcham: Well, I mean, part of putting these movies together, especially on this one, was actually taking everything that existed in the movies that we’ve done and having to be faithful to the movies that we’ve already put together. And at the same time having to go back to the comics as well and make sure that we’re faithful to everything in the comics and everything in the movies. So it is a little bit of a challenge trying to find the right source material to kinda be the inspiration, but luckily Joss Whedon, our director and writer extraordinaire, is really, really good at assimilating all that material and he just kinda goes “Oh, just do it like this”. Oh, oh that’s much easier. Read More…
The Avengers cast assemble for European premiere
Westfield Shopping Centre played host to the massive Avengers Assemble European premiere in west London last night; an event that saw the red carpet teeming with the film’s stars. With a sea of fans looking on from all angles, many in fancy dress and some arriving the previousday for the event, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth andLondon’s own Tom Hiddleston soaked up the adoration while greeting the masses.
The Avengers onstage together at the European premiere 19 April
The Avengers assemble a smashing success
With less than two weeks until its UK release, Marvel’s The Avengers (or Avengers Assemble, as it’s needlessly being touted in this land) is just about ready for release. Why just about? Well, last night’s “fan screening” was presented in glorious 2D, so this review won’t be able to offer any insight into how effective the 3D version is or isn’t. Then there’s that extra scene Robert Downey Jr mentioned that was to be shot following the premiere (which Marvel studios producer Kevin Feige sheds a bit of light on here). Still, with 99% off the pieces in place, it’s easy enough to make a call on Joss Whedon’s super super-hero film The Avengers.
The Avengers assembles at UK cinemas 26 April
Bringing together an all-star cast of characters with an all-star cast of actors was never going to be an enviable task, yet writer/director Whedon manages to make it look easy across the 2+ hour run-time. It would certainly behoove the viewer to have seen the films that have led to The Avengers, especially Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America: The First Avenger as little time is spent re-introducing the central figures, as Whedon focuses on continuing their stories and their personal growth. A great example of this is seen in Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) response to the new threat posed in The Avengers by his embittered brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). In the spirit of teamwork, here’s a look at how The Avengers work once they’re assembled.
Read More…
Review: War Horse
Ever wonder what Sam and Frodo’s relationship in The Lord of the Rings would be like if Frodo had been a horse? Steven Spielberg must have and War Horse is his answer. It is also his entry into the 2011 Academy Awards race, in a move that can be charitably described as “misguided”. This epic take on the First World War lacks soul, sensibility and sincerity. If ever a film felt manufactured, Snore Horse is it.
War Horse trots into UK cinemas on 13 January
In the country side of Devon in 1914, a colt, given the name Joey, is born and raised by the son of a war vet with a drink problem. With the fate of their farm in hanging in the balance, young and determined Albert (Jeremy Irvine) trains Joey continuously and the powerful thoroughbred miraculously manages to plough the rocky farmland. Spielberg intends this to be a dramatic, thrilling turn of events, yet unfortunately it remains no more than a horse ploughing a field, regardless of how low the camera angles plunge. Before long, Albert’s father (Peter Mullan) has little choice but to sell Joey to the English cavalry in order to save the penniless farm. Tom Hiddleston’s Captain Nicholls promises to return Joey to Albert when and if that becomes possible. The film then focuses fully on the journey of Joey through the war and his possession by the Germans, eventually jumping ahead four years to 1918 as the end of the war approaches.
You can read the rest of this review at New Empress Magazine, now live!
Review: The Deep Blue Sea
A judge’s lovelorn wife is driven to despair in Terence Davies’ The Deep Blue Sea. Starring Rachel Weisz as the downhearted Hester Collyer and Tom Hiddleston as her war-vet lover Freddie Page, The Deep Blue Sea is a melodramatic affair that questions the true nature of love against that of passion.
Rachel Weisz searches for love in Tom Hiddleston in The Deep Blue Sea
Set in post-war London “around 1950” Hester’s voice reads out a suicide letter before a series of scenes illustrating her suicide attempt fade to black, whilst an emphatic score accompanies the unfolding drama. The opening minutes play out sans any further dialogue as the young married woman lies down beside the running gas fireplace and awaits the end of her life. A series of flashbacks run silently beneath the orchestra until upon meeting Freddie, the hush is broken. The progress of their relationship is displayed; from the first drink together to their naked bodies eloquently entwined. It is at that point that Hester is resuscitated, in thanks to her landlord and a concerned neighbour. She gathers herself and begs them to keep the matter a secret. From there, further flashbacks cast light on her marriage to an older man, William (Simon Russell Beale), a respected judge who, while loving, lacks the passion that Hester craves. A dinner with William’s mother is loaded with snide remarks from the uptight matron (Ann Mitchell, relishing the acrimony) before the evening is capped off by William overhearing a revealing phone call by his wife to Freddie. Deeply hurt, he tells Hester he wants to never see her again as he declares that he will not consent to a divorce. Hester is soon sharing a flat with Freddie, but while he is full of vigour and enthusiasm, he does not return the love that she feels for him.
Read More…
