Movies

Reminiscing About Memory Loss in Movies

Do you know who you are? When were you born? What year is it? Well, even if you can’t answer these queries, hopefully you can still read, because Player Affinity will now take you through memory loss tropes in film. Memory loss, mistaken identity and amnesia-themed films are a convenient plot device, a crutch even, when filmmakers are looking for a quick way to materialize some danger, progress the zaniness of a rom-com, or craft a psychological thriller.Unknown, starring Liam Neeson, falls within some common trends in the genre as it finds a man who after awakening from a coma tries to piece together the truth of his immediate past while his entire existence is seemingly stolen from around him.

Alice Eve a Late Addition to “Men in Black III”

Alice Eve’s star has been on the rise since her starring
role in She’s Out of My League. She’s been in the running for roles in both Captain
America: The First Avenger and X-Men:
First Class. Now, she’s finally nabbed a tentpole role, albeit a small one, in Men in Black III, which reboots production next month. According to Deadline
Hollywood, she’ll be playing the younger Olivia (Emma Thompson plays her in
present-day) in the storyline centered on time travel. The MIB Agency
hires this character in 1969 as a secretary. Though she’s drop-dead gorgeous
(hence the casting of Eve), she’s actually quite intelligent.

“Spider-Man” reboot and “Sherlock Holmes 2” get names

We can now stop referring to them as “Sherlock Holmes 2” and Marc Webb’s untitled “Spider-Man” reboot. The December 2011 and July 2012 tentpoles, respectively, will be called Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Amazing Spider-Man. Inspired? Bothered? What’s in a name anyway?

Trailer Tracker: X-Men: First Class, Hoodwinked Too! And more

Unless you’ve been living under some sort of Internet-deprived rock, it should come as no surprise our featured trailer this week is X-Men: First Class fromKick-Ass director (in more ways than one mind you) Matt Vaughn. With a fresh cast, can this prequel live up to its mostly admired roots? Also, for you non-mutant lovers, we have the long-delayed sequel for the fairytale satire Hoodwinked!, now graced with the two in-title puns which result in: Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil. Horror fans can also get a taste of Darren Lynne Bousman’s 11-11-11, as can those who fancy drama with Oranges and Sunshine starring Hugo Weaving. Same for those who thirst for trashy exploitation with the interesting (to say the least) clip for Howlin’ For You. Must be a full moon, it’s Trailer Tracker.

“Xerxes” Wants to Capture Guy Ritchie

Only a few days ago it was reported that Guy Ritchie was wanted to direct a remake of Cannonball Run; now he is wanted for the prequel to 300 entitled Xerxes.

Before Frank Miller’s graphic novel has even been published, Legendary Pictures wants to move quickly to adapt it. Xerxes will
be set 10 years before the Battle of Thermopylae and focus on the rise
of King Xerxes, who was sinisterly played by Rodrigo Santoro. The film
promises to focus on a wider conflict, have big pitch battles and have a
longer time frame. The film could focus on the Ionian Revolt in Turkey,
which the Greeks supported, or the Battle of Marathon. It could even make
out that the Persian Empire was not that bad because they did give
their provinces autonomy.

Matthew Vaughn Wants to Make “The Golden Age”

Matthew Vaughn seems to really enjoy comic book adaptation. Kick-Ass was an entertaining film for fanboys all over the world and he is currently editing X-Men: First Class. Now he wants to adapt The Golden Age before it is even published.

The Golden Age is currently being written by Jonathan Ross, a top British television presenter who wrote the miniseries Turf (but whose sales have been falling). Ross is also the husband of Vaughn’s writing partner, Jane Goldman. The Golden Age is set
to tell the story about a group of retired superheroes in a retirement
home who are called into action to help their grandchildren after their
middle-aged offspring screw up the world. Vaughn’s wish list contends
the likes of Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.

DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion (New for 2.15.11)

After last week’s disappointing array of DVD releases there is relief with what the film industry is offer as home entertainment opinions. If you are looking for something new there is an action film, a comedy, a documentary and a period drama to pick from. And with the Academy Awards nearly upon us five of this week’s re-releases are Oscar winners.