Moviefone Editorial

Tag: corey-stoll

  • ‘Twilight of the Gods’ Interview: Zack Snyder and Wesley Coller

    (L to R) Kristofer Hivju as Andvari, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Hervor, Peter Stormare as Ulfr, Jamie Clayton as Seid-Kona, Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid and Thea Sofie Loch Naess as Thyra in 'Twilight of the Gods'. Photo: Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Kristofer Hivju as Andvari, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Hervor, Peter Stormare as Ulfr, Jamie Clayton as Seid-Kona, Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid and Thea Sofie Loch Naess as Thyra in ‘Twilight of the Gods’. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

    Premiering on Netflix September 19th is the new animated series from visionary director Zack Snyder (‘Watchmen’ and ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’) entitled ‘Twilight of the Gods’.

    The series is based on Norse mythology and features Sylvia Hoeks (‘Blade Runner 2049’), Stuart Martin (‘Army of Thieves’), Pilou Asbeck (‘Game of Thrones’), John Nobel (‘Fringe’), Peter Stormare (‘Constantine’), Jamie Chung (‘Sucker Punch’), Lauren Cohan (‘The Walking Dead’), Corey Stroll (‘Ant-Man’) and Jessica Henwick (‘The Gray Man’) amongst the voice cast.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with co-creator and executive producer Zack Snyder, as well as executive producer Wesley Coller about their work on ‘Twilight of the Gods’, Snyder’s interest in Norse mythology, reinventing it for a new audience, the freedom of animation, bringing Snyder’s unique filmmaking style to the series, the voice cast, and Hans Zimmer’s score.

    Related Article: Director Zack Snyder Talks ‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’

    Director Zack Snyder at Next on Netflix Animation Preview.
    Director Zack Snyder at Next on Netflix Animation Preview. Photo: Netflix.

    Moviefone: Zack, can you talk about your interest in Norse Mythology and breaking the story for the series?

    Zack Snyder: I’ve long had an interest in Norse mythology. I think it’s easy to be seduced and captivated by the adventures of these gods. Viking gods are interesting to anybody, obviously. When we talked about the show, we had this character of Sigrid and that she was this Warrior Shield maiden. We really wanted to focus on this love affair between she and Leif because I really love the idea of the tenderness and deep connection that these two have with each other, and that through it all, through the landscape of these gods on their whims that can destroy us, but their love the thing that holds the whole universe together for them. We really loved that idea. The great thing about doing a series is that you have time to develop those relationships and really dig into the whys and wherefores of these characters. So yeah, it was super fun and super satisfying to realize.

    MF: Wesley, can you talk about the challenges of adapting Zack’s specific visual style to this animated series?

    Wesley Coller: It was a great experience. We’ve done animation before, so it wasn’t wholly new to us, but doing 2D in a series space is a whole different ask. For me, what I loved about it is I could make no assumptions, which as a producer are my favorite junctures, where nothing’s on autopilot. I must really be open to learning and being a part of a process that is new in this 2D series space. I think in terms of having that work with Zack’s style, it was a natural fit. I think the fact that here’s this beautiful 2D landscape, the designs that Zack and everybody came up with is amazing. I think it’s an amazing foundation to tell this mythical epic story where there’s man and gods and giants and dragons. I think that it created a place for the story to be told at the scale, at the pace, all the things that directorially, Zack the team wanted to do. For me, I think that it was a really just organic fit and process, and watching that take place and being a part of that was really an honor and I’m so thrilled with how it turned out.

    (L to R) Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid and Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Hervor in 'Twilight of the Gods'. Photo: Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid and Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Hervor in ‘Twilight of the Gods’. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

    MF: Zack, you make big movies based on big ideas, is there a certain freedom that comes with animation because you can execute anything that you can imagine?

    ZS: There is. I think that it’s fun to do a scene with something outrageous in it and not have to worry about how we’re going to do it, because that’s a big part of being a filmmaker, is the sort of puzzling out of the production methodology that would be the most effective for rendering these crazy images. I think for me, I draw, so when you draw something crazy and you’re like, “Well, how are we going to film that?” It’s a big deal. Everyone’s like, “Oh, you can’t do that.” We do hear that a lot in live action. But here they’re like, “Yeah, we’ll just make that. Why not?” So, it’s quite liberating in some ways.

    MF: Wesley, can you talk about assembling the voice cast?

    WC: I think just like anytime you’re casting, you go into that process looking for the person, the voice, that presence that’s going to really embody that character. We were talking about at one point that because it’s animation, the ask of time is less. So even our busiest friends and people we’ve worked with before, it was not a huge ask to be able to carve out a little bit of time. Zack really got to say, “You know who’d be great for this?” And we got to just go straight for those people. I’m so thrilled with the casting and I feel like the performances they deliver are just amazing. You put those (voices) in this story, this world with this visual aesthetic and I just think it’s a captivating watch.

    Twilight of the Gods (L to R) Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid and Pilou Asbæk as Thor in 'Twilight of the Gods'. Photo: Netflix © 2024.
    Twilight of the Gods (L to R) Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid and Pilou Asbæk as Thor in ‘Twilight of the Gods’. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

    MF: Zack, can you talk about having the opportunity to reintroduce characters like Thor, Loki and Odin to a new audience that may only know of them from the Marvel movies?

    ZS: I think that for me it was fun to get at their real Norse mythological origins. This is sort of the non-commercial version of the Norse gods and maybe it’s a fun dive to go see how flawed and crazy they really were. I think that’s just incredible. Like our Odin is just off the charts freaky, and I love him.

    MF: Finally, Wesley, can you talk about Hans Zimmer’s score and what it adds to the series?

    WC: Fortunately, we have a relationship with him and when we started talking about what to do for score, reaching out to Hans was something that we just immediately thought that would be amazing. We reached out and he put together the team and they just collectively came back to us with the most amazing score. It was funny because they came to us with the first pass, which was great, but there were some unique, edgy ideas that they had peppered in. We heard it and the note was just more of that. “Just go for it. There should be no restraints on this and have fun with it and get weird with it.” They came back on pass two and had infused so much more of that. I’m so thrilled with that. I feel like it is really part of the DNA of the story.

    TWLZJxQBR7XZx2C1jM5uY

    What is the plot of ‘Twilight of the Gods’?

    In a mythical world of great battles, great deeds and great despair, Leif (Stuart Martin), a mortal King, is saved on the battlefield by Sigrid (Sylvia Hoeks), an iron-willed warrior with whom he falls in love. On their wedding night, Sigrid and Leif survive a wrath of terror from Thor (Pilou Asbæk), which sets them – and a crew of crusaders – on an against all odds and merciless mission for vengeance. This heroic story of love, loss and revenge, is a journey to Hell and beyond… across fantastical lands, battlefields fierce and bloody, and wars waged against Gods and demons.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Twilight of the Gods’?

    • Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid
    • Stuart Martin as Leif
    • Pilou Asbæk as Thor
    • John Noble as Odin
    • Paterson Joseph as Loki
    • Rahul Kohli as Egill
    • Jamie Clayton as The Seid-Kona
    • Kristofer Hivju as Andvari
    • Peter Stormare as Ulfr
    • Jamie Chung as Hel
    • Lauren Cohan as Inge
    • Corey Stoll as Hrafnkel
    • Jessica Henwick as Sandraudiga
    (L to R) Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid and Paterson Joseph as Loki in 'Twilight of the Gods'. Photo: Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid and Paterson Joseph as Loki in ‘Twilight of the Gods’. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

    Movies Directed By Zack Snyder:

    Buy Zack Snyder Movies on Amazon

    JLtIxavL

  • Movie Review: ‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire’

    Sofia Boutella stars as Kora, the reluctant hero from a peaceful colony who is about to find she's her people's last hope, in Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon.'
    Sofia Boutella stars as Kora, the reluctant hero from a peaceful colony who is about to find she’s her people’s last hope, in Zack Snyder’s ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

    In theaters for a limited release on December 15th before premiering on Netflix December 21st, ‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire’ is the latest slab of sci-fi action from genre specialist Zack Snyder, who is following up ‘Army of the Dead’ with another team movie that follows some very familiar concepts and character types.

    It is in no way surprising that this began life as a pitch Snyder presented to Lucasfilm way back in the days before Disney snapped it up. That Kathleen Kennedy passed on his side story set in that galaxy far, far is both good and bad news, and particularly positive if you’re a fan of the director’s distinctive visuals and action sense, as it’s full of both.

    Should you head to ‘Rebel Moon’?

    Sofia Boutella as Kora in 'Rebel Moon.'
    Sofia Boutella as Kora in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

    How you react to the movie might depend on what you’re looking for going in –– if you’re after a sweeping sci-fi epic full of scrappy underdogs looking to battle a powerful empire that is cracking down on any hint of rebellion well… if you’ve also watched ‘Star Wars’ than this might be a solid second choice.

    Perhaps the biggest issue with the movie might be that despite all the unfamiliar names for words and characters, it all feels very… done before. Opening on a giant, lurking space vessel and then panning down to a planet where someone is engaged in farm work feels less like crafting a homage to George Lucas (who, let’s not forget, borrowed liberally to create his own space opera) and more like cribbing from his homework. And not just Lucas –– there are elements that you’ll recognize from the likes of ‘Serenity’, ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Terminator’ and many, many more.

    Yet with its own mythology to build and some compelling sequences, ‘Rebel Moon’ does find the confidence to stand on its own, even if what remains is not as memorable as some of the classics it is referencing.

    ‘Rebel Moon’: Script and Direction

    Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar and Sofia Boutella as Kora on the set of 'Rebel Moon.'
    (L to R) Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar and Sofia Boutella as Kora on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

    Snyder, who has been letting this one cook in the back of his head for years, finally got cracking on it with regular collaborators Shay Hatten (‘Army of the Dead’, ‘Day Shift’, ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’) and Kurt Johnstad, and they’ve whipped up a mostly entertaining romp through the stars. Using the ‘Seven Samurai’ mold of oppressed people looking to secure the services of warriors who will fight an oncoming enemy for them, they’ve built out the story of Kora in such a way that it feels like they were all considering other spin-offs and stories ahead of actually making this one tick over.

    Still, in its defense, ‘Part One’ does at least tell a complete story before the inevitable cliffhanger setting up the next movie and does so in a less outwardly annoying fashion than some recent Marvel and DC entries.

    The characters are decently drawn, even if none of them feel truly original –– a fighter with a troubled past, a rogue with his own agenda, a disgraced royal with some serious animal wrangling skills… they’re all versions of something that has gone before. Ditto the overarching mythology, which tells the story of a kingdom which loses its monarch and sees the power vacuum filled by a grasping, cunning Regent (played, albeit briefly so far, by Fra Fee).

    Snyder as director indulges in every stylised trick for which he’s become known –– if you enjoy his ramped-up, slow-motion, quick-cut action sequences, there is plenty of it on display here, all shot in the cloudy/chome-y sepia-toned way he favors.

    Related Article: Director Zack Snyder Details Plans of Different Cuts for Sci-Fi Adventure ‘Rebel Moon’

    ‘Rebel Moon’: Performances

    Doona Bae as Nemesis, Ray Fisher as Bloodaxe, Staz Nair as Tarak, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, Sofia Boutella as Kora, Charlie Hunnam as Kai, E. Duffy as Milius and Djimon Hounsou as Titus in 'Rebel Moon.'
    (L to R) Doona Bae as Nemesis, Ray Fisher as Bloodaxe, Staz Nair as Tarak, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, Sofia Boutella as Kora, Charlie Hunnam as Kai, E. Duffy as Milius and Djimon Hounsou as Titus in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

    The movie assembles a solid cast but doesn’t always quite give them enough to do beyond basic archetypes. Sofia Boutella’s Kora is the focus in the early going, and she’s more than up to the task of playing this recognizable central figure who has some dark notes in her past.

    As for the rest, they’re a mixed bag: Charlie Hunnam sports a perhaps ill-judged Irish (space-Irish?) accent as the roguish Kai, who initially helps her look for the others who will help fight back when the forces of the Motherworld (read: Empire) threaten the peaceful community she’s trying to make a new start in. Michiel Huisman has some charm as the naïve farmer who is in over his head, while mostly everyone else gets their action-packed introduction or moment to shine later when the baddies led by Ed Skrein’s Admiral finally track them down.

    ‘Rebel Moon’: Final Thoughts

    Jimmy (Performed by Dustin Ceithamer/Voiced by Anthony Hopkins) and Charlotte Maggi as Sam in 'Rebel Moon.'
    (L to R) Jimmy (Performed by Dustin Ceithamer/Voiced by Anthony Hopkins) and Charlotte Maggi as Sam in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Cr. Netflix ©2023.

    For both good and ill, ‘Rebel Moon’ is Zack Snyder on full blast. If this one leaves you craving more, don’t forget that Part Two, subtitled ‘The Scargiver’, will be on Netflix on April 19th.

    While the writer/director is in genre magpie mode, borrowing a little from other (often better) movies and stories, the whole doesn’t completely equal the sum of its parts. It’s at least a visually interesting, rousing sci-fi adventure.

    ‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

    adB7W9xtwGgnzML6UDow85

    What’s the story of ‘Rebel Moon?

    After crash landing on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a stranger with a mysterious past, begins a new life among a peaceful settlement of farmers. But she soon becomes their only hope for survival when the tyrannical Regent Balisarius (Fra Fee) and his cruel emissary, Admiral Noble (Ed Skrein), discover the farmers have unwittingly sold their crops to the Bloodaxes (Cleopatra Coleman and Ray Fisher) — leaders of a fierce group of insurgents hunted by the Motherworld.

    Tasked with finding fighters who would risk their lives to defend the people of Veldt, Kora and Gunnar (Michiel Huisman), a tenderhearted farmer naive in the realities of war, journey to different worlds in search of the Bloodaxes, and assemble a small band of warriors who share a common need for redemption along the way: Kai (Charlie Hunnam), a pilot and gun for hire; General Titus (Djimon Hounsou), a legendary commander; Nemesis (Doona Bae), a master swordswoman; Tarak (Staz Nair), a captive with a regal past; and Milius (E. Duffy), a resistance fighter. Back on Veldt, Jimmy (voiced by Anthony Hopkins), an ancient, mechanized protector hiding in the wings, awakens with a new purpose.

    But the newly formed revolutionaries must learn to trust each other and fight as one before the armies of the Motherworld come to destroy them all…

    Who else is in ‘Rebel Moon’?

    The cast for the movie also includes Corey Stoll, Jena Malone, Cary Elwes and
    Stella Grace Fitzgerald.

    Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder on the set of 'Rebel Moon.'
    Director/writer/producer Zack Snyder on the set of ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

    Other Movies Directed By Zack Snyder:

    Buy Zack Snyder Movies on Amazon

    0E6qm4OA

  • Trailer for ‘Billions’ Season 7

    3KF6neWV

    Yet another big show is headed for the TV sunset. Following six seasons of dodgy dealings, criminal investigations and snark, ‘Billions’ will return for its seventh –– and final –– season and has put a new trailer online, which you can watch above.

    For fans of the show, it’s a look at the big final showdown for the characters.

    Daniel Breaker as Roger “Scooter” Dunbar, Corey Stoll as Mike Prince, Toney Goins as Philip Charyn, Damian Lewis as Bobby "Axe" Axelrod, Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason, David Costabile as Mike ‘Wags’ Wagner, Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades, Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades, Sakina Jaffrey as Daevisha ‘Dave’ Mahar, Dola Rashad as Kate Sacker and Jeffrey DeMunn as Chuck Rhoades, Sr. in 'Billions' Season 7.
    (L to R) Daniel Breaker as Roger “Scooter” Dunbar, Corey Stoll as Mike Prince, Toney Goins as Philip Charyn, Damian Lewis as Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason, David Costabile as Mike ‘Wags’ Wagner, Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades, Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades, Sakina Jaffrey as Daevisha ‘Dave’ Mahar, Dola Rashad as Kate Sacker and Jeffrey DeMunn as Chuck Rhoades, Sr. in ‘Billions’ Season 7. Photo Credit: Mark Seliger/Showtime.

    Damian Lewis is back as Axe

    The biggest surprise for ‘Billions’ fans before the new season began was word that Damian Lewis, who played main character Bobby “Axe” Axelrod.

    Lewis left the show at the end of Season 5, primarily to spend more time with his family in the UK, especially since the death of his wife Helen McCrory from breast cancer in 2021. He maintained a busy schedule shuttling between Britain and New York to film the show.

    He’ll be appearing in six of the final 12 episodes.

    Damian Lewis as Bobby "Axe" Axelrod, David Costabile as Mike ‘Wags’ Wagner, Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason and Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades in 'Billions.'
    (L to R) Damian Lewis as Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, David Costabile as Mike ‘Wags’ Wagner, Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Mason and Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhoades in ‘Billions.’ Photo Credit: Laurence Cendrowicz/Showtime.

    What is ‘Billions’ basic concept?

    Wealth, influence and corruption collide in New York. Shrewd U.S. attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) is embroiled in a high-stakes game of predator vs. prey with Axelrod, an ambitious hedge-fund king. To date, Rhoades has never lost an insider trading case –– he’s 81-0 –– but when criminal evidence turns up against Axelrod, he proceeds cautiously in building the case against Axelrod, who employs Rhoades’ wife, psychiatrist Wendy (Maggie Siff), as a performance coach for his company. Wendy, who has been in her position longer than Chuck has been in his, refuses to give up her career for her husband’s legal crusade against Axelrod. Both men use their intelligence, power and influence to outmaneuver the other in this battle over billions.

    More recently, the story has switched to be between Rhoades and Axe’s ambitious rival, Michael Prince (played by Corey Stoll) who is on the campaign trail as he sets his sights on the White House, with estranged wife Andy (Piper Perabo) in tow.

    Corey Stoll as Michael "Mike" Prince and Piper Perabo as Andy Salter in 'Billions.'
    (L to R) Corey Stoll as Michael “Mike” Prince and Piper Perabo as Andy Salter in ‘Billions.’ Photo Credit: Patrick Harbron/Showtime.

    The future?

    If you’re getting worried about withdrawal symptoms because of the end of the show, rest assured that though ‘Billions’ itself will be going away, plans are afoot for more than one spin-off.

    We know of two with titles so far, ‘Millions’ and ‘Trillions’. The former is said to be a spin-off focusing on young, up-and-coming figures in the world of finance, while the latter is said to adopt more of a soap-like tone, with mega-rich central characters. Two further projects are reportedly in development, with one being set in Miami, with another set in London.

    The seventh and final season of ‘Billions’ will premiere August 11th on Paramount+ with Showtime and will air on Showtime on August 13.

    Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades in 'Billions.'
    Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades in ‘Billions.’ Photo Credit: Patrick Harbron/Showtime.

    Movies Similar to ‘Billions’:

    Buy Damian Lewis Movies on Amazon

  • Movie Review: ‘West Side Story’

    (L to R) Ezra Menas, Ben Cook, Sean Harrison Jones, Mike Faist, Patrick Higgins, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, Julius Anthony Rubio, Ricardo Zayas, Josh Andrés Rivera, Sebastian Serra, and Carlos Sánchez Falú in 'West Side Story'
    (L to R) Ezra Menas, Ben Cook, Sean Harrison Jones, Mike Faist, Patrick Higgins, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, Julius Anthony Rubio, Ricardo Zayas, Josh Andrés Rivera, Sebastian Serra, and Carlos Sánchez Falú in ‘West Side Story’

    Opening in theaters on December 10th is the new musical remake ‘West Side Story,’ which is based on the Broadway play and the original 1961 film of the same name. Directed by Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (‘Schindler’s List) and written by Oscar winner Tony Kushner (‘Lincoln’), the film tells the story of teenagers Tony and Maria, who are both affiliated with rival street gangs in 1950s New York. The movie boasts a strong cast of actors including Ansel Elgort (‘Baby Driver’), Rachel Zegler (‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’), Ariana DeBose (‘The Prom’), David Alvarez, Mike Faist (‘Touched with Fire’), Brian d’Arcy James (‘Spotlight’), Corey Stroll (‘Ant-Man’), and Academy Award winner Rita Moreno (the original ‘West Side Story’). The result is a fairly satisfying and visually stunning remake, with some strong performances, which ultimately does not work because there is nothing really new to separate it from its predecessor.

    In 1950s New York, two gangs of teenagers, the white Jets, and the Puerto Rican Sharks, struggle for control of the Upper West Side, which will be remodeled soon to become Lincoln Center. The Jets are led by Riff (Faist), and the Sharks are led by Bernardo (Alvarez). After a fight between the two gangs, Rif wants to challenge the Sharks to a rumble, and asks his friend, Tony (Elgort) for help. Tony is a founding member of the Jets, but after nearly killing a boy in a fight, just served a year in prison and wants nothing to do with gang-life. With no family of his own, Tony works at the local drugstore and lives there with its owner, Valentina (Moreno). Tony agrees to go to a local dance with Riff, where the Jets will challenge the Sharks to a rumble.

    Meanwhile, Bernardo’s sister, Maria (Zegler), and his girlfriend Anita (DeBose), are getting ready for the dance. Bernardo brings his friend, Chino (Josh Andres Rivera) as Maria’s date, and reluctantly she agrees to go with him. At the dance, Tony and Maria meet, and quickly fall in love. But their time together is short, as Rif challenges Bernardo and the Sharks to a rumble set for the following night. Tony follows Maria home, and eventually they decide to run away together. But before that happens, the rumble takes place and quickly escalates to a tragic degree, leaving Tony and Maria unsure if they can ever actually be together.

    I am not the biggest Steven Spielberg fan, but I do recognize him as one of the greatest film directors of all-time, and I have enjoyed several of his recent films, including ‘The Post,’ ‘Ready Player One,’ and ‘Minority Report.’ So, it surprised me that ‘West Side Story’ is basically a shot-for-shot remake of what is widely considered the greatest movie musical of all-time. Spielberg does not update the story, other than casting culturally appropriate actors, and giving a new role to Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the original movie. Other than that, pretty much everything is exactly the same, and it makes me wonder who is this movie for? And why wouldn’t you just watch the original?

    That being said, it is interesting to watch the “Spielbergian” version, equipped with a very well-polished screenplay by Tony Kushner. Again, he’s just adapting the already brilliant material, loosely based on William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet,’ but the dialogue and tone is excellent nonetheless. The color pallet of the film is extraordinary and definitely has that “Spielberg feel.” Tony Award-winning Broadway choreographer Justin Peck did an excellent job with the dance sequences, although, dancing knife fights didn’t really work on-screen in 1961, and they still don’t work today. Some of the best parts of the movie are the musical numbers, but again, nostalgia plays a big part in those sequences too.

    The cast on a whole is quite good, but let’s begin by addressing the elephant in the room: Ansel Elgort. The actor is way out of his depth in this role, and his biggest challenge is caring the weight of the story with conviction, which at times he is unable to do. Elgort is a charming actor, and I really enjoyed him in ‘Baby Driver,’ but in ‘West Side Story’ there are serious moments where you feel like the actor is just on the verge of a smirk, and doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation his character is in. Elgort’s charm works to make the character likable, but at times he comes off a bit aloof, and you begin to wonder what Maria is making such a big deal about?

    In complete contrast, Rachel Zegler is adorable as Maria, and beautifully captures the character’s hopes and dreams. She is wonderful in the singing and dancing scenes, and I think this film will be a launching pad for a very successful career. Similarly, Mike Faist was really good as Riff, and brought a slick and believable street-smarts to his part. Just like in the original, the character of Anita is the true show-stopper, and Ariana DeBose takes over the role Rita Moreno won her Oscar for with class and grace. The actress has an amazing singing voice, and sparkles in Anita’s signature song, ‘America.’ Supporting actors Brian d’Arcy and Corey Stroll give strong performances as usual and bring a lot of humor to the film.

    In some ways, the film really feels like a love letter to Rita Moreno, who is also a producer on the project. Changing the role of Doc to his widow, Valentina, and casting Moreno is the smartest and only original thing the movie really did. It was also brilliant to have Moreno sing the musical’s signature song, ‘Somewhere,’ instead of Tony and Maria, as it would have been a shame to have Moreno in the movie and not sing. The legendary actress gives a very strong performance, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Academy voters show the icon some love come Oscar time. In the end, Steven Spielberg has delivered a beautiful and visually stunning, but unnecessary remake of an all-time classic without offering anything truly new or exciting to entice the audience.

    ‘West Side Story’ receives 2.5 out of 5 stars.

    LvoSFaT71trXduEiFU4s96
  • Corey Stoll, Brian d’Arcy James Join Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’

    Corey Stoll, Brian d’Arcy James Join Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’

    Marvel Studios

    Two more actors have joined the ensemble for Steven Spielberg‘s upcoming adaptation of classic musical “West Side Story,” filling out two key roles in the flick.

    Corey Stoll and Brian d’Arcy James have been tapped to play law enforcement officials who get caught up in the ongoing rivalry between two street gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. Stoll (“Ant-Man,” “House of Cards”) will portray Lieutenant Schrank, the New York City detective charged with quelling civic unrest in his racially-torn precinct, and dʼArcy James (a Broadway veteran, Tony nominee, and SAG Award winner for “Spotlight”) will take on the role of Sergeant Krupke, the longtime cop whose beat includes the territories of the warring gangs (and who inspires the classic kiss-off song, “Gee, Officer Krupke”).

    The actors join the previously-announced cast of Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler as star-crossed lovers Tony (a former member of the Jets) and Maria (the younger sister of the leader of the Sharks). The rest of the ensemble includes Ariana DeBose (Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo), and Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino).

    Rita Moreno, who originated the role of Anita in the 1961 feature (and won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work), will also appear in this new version. She’s playing Valentina, a shop owner based on the character Doc from the first film.

    Production on “West Side Story” is set to begin this summer. Additional casting announcements are expected soon.

    [via: Deadline]

  • ‘Sopranos’ Prequel Movie Casts Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen

    ‘Sopranos’ Prequel Movie Casts Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen

    Marvel Studios

    It’s been a busy week for the “Sopranos” prequel movie, which has invited two additional stars to join the growing ensemble.

    Variety broke the news that actors Corey Stoll (“Ant-Man,” “First Man”) and Billy Magnussen (the upcoming “Aladdin” remake) are the latest to be cast in the flick, called “The Many Saints of Newark.” As with previous casting announcements, nothing has been revealed about their roles so far. (And once again, studio New Line has not commented on Variety’s report.)

    Just yesterday, Jon Bernthal and Vera Farmiga were also revealed to have joined “The Many Saints of Newark.”  Alessandro Nivola was previously announced to star as  Dickie Moltisanti, the uncle of Tony Soprano (played by James Gandolfini in “The Sopranos,” and set to be portrayed as a young boy in the flick). The film is set among the Newark, New Jersey riots of the 1960s, and focuses on Dickie and the mob’s operations back in that era.

    “Sopranos” creator David Chase is co-writing the script and producing, and according to Variety, he hand-picked Stoll and Magnussen for their parts, as well as Nivola. Chase is clearly passionate about this project, and it’s exciting to see the film finally start to come together.

    Stay tuned for more.

    [via: Variety]

  • Johnny Depp Is Scary as Hell in New ‘Black Mass’ Trailer

    Black MassWho’s worse: a violent, cutthroat gangster — or the law enforcement that lets him get away with murder?

    That’s the set-up of the new trailer for “Black Mass,” the movie about notorious crime boss Whitey Bulger (Johnny Depp). The first teaser was all about Depp — gunning down people, menacing others, and generally being a badass gangster.

    This one gives us more of the plot: Whitey rises to power in South Boston, thanks to friends in the right places — including his brother, Billy (Benedict Cumberbatch), who’s a star politician. His biggest ally is FBI Agent John Connelly (Joel Edgerton), who looks the other way on Whitey’s criminal activities.

    Watch the trailer.

    “How come no one has nailed Whitey Bulger?” wonders Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Wyshak (Corey Stoll). When Connelly brushes him off, asking what Bulger has done, an incredulous Wyshak replies, “Everything!”

    This new trailer shows us more of the other, non-Depp players in “Black Mass,” and they all look good, from Cumberbatch and Stoll to Jesse Plemons and Dakota Johnson. But this is Depp’s movie, and as in the first teaser, he looks incredible. He’s unrecognizable, which is a very good thing. Depp’s become a caricature of himself in recent year, and this could be the performance to bring him back into critical acclaim and awards contention.

    “Black Mass” opens in theaters September 18.

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

    %Slideshow-306174%

  • 5 Things You Need to Know Before You See ‘Ant-Man’

    When “Ant-Man” hits theaters this Friday, Marvel will introduce yet another iconic comic book hero to the big screen. If the company can find box-office success with a movie about a talking raccoon and a walking tree, surely this is a guaranteed money-maker, right?

    Regardless of Marvel’s Hollywood clout, there are plenty of moviegoers who don’t know Ant-Man from Aquaman. So we decided to break down the five things you should know about Marvel’s latest superhero before you head to the theater.

    1. Paul Rudd is Not the First Ant-Man
    Scott Lang (Rudd) may be the star of the film, but he’s not the only hero to call himself Ant-Man.

    This film is the first one in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to explore the concept of a superhero legacy being passed down from one generation to the next. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) is the first hero to call himself Ant-Man. Decades before Iron Man and Hulk smashed their way onto the scene, Pym discovered the particles that bear his name and developed the Ant-Man suit. Several prologue comics have already explored some of Pym’s early exploits in the MCU.

    In the present-day, however, Pym is a forgotten, washed-up inventor who’s lost control of his company and his Ant-Man tech. Hence why no one has called up offering him a membership card for the Avengers.

    That’s where Lang comes in. As in the comics, Lang is a small-time thief who essentially stumbles his way into becoming a superhero. Despite his checkered past, Pym sees something in Lang that makes him worthy of taking up a mantle he himself abandoned years ago.

    2. His Powers Are Kinda Badass
    No radioactive insect bites or Gamma rays here. Instead, Ant-Man relies on a rare substance known as the aforementioned “Pym Particles,” which allow him to shrink his body (and luckily, his costume) to the size of an insect.

    Even better, as Ant-Man’s body shrinks, his physical strength actually increases. Because science. That makes him a pretty tough opponent to beat. He’s too small to see, yet he can easily knock a full-grown man across a room.

    In the comics, Pym Particles also allow the user to also grow in size as well as shrink. It doesn’t appear Ant-Man will be tapping into that power in this film, but who knows what will happen when he joins up with the Avengers in “Captain America: Civil War“?

    Size-changing is only half of what Ant-Man brings to the table. His signature helmet allows him to communicate with insects (generally ants, hence the name). This talent allows him to control his bug armies in battle and summon a flying ant to be his faithful steed.

    3. He Has an Arch-Nemesis, Naturally
    No superhero is worth much without a good villain to test him. That’s true even for Ant-Man, a hero who historically has always been his own worst enemy.

    The big baddie both Pym and Lang face is Darren Cross (Corey Stoll), aka Yellowjacket. Cross is a former protege of Pym’s who has gone on to take over his boss’s company, steal his inventions and militarize the Ant-Man suit. To draw a comparison to the “Iron Man” movies, Cross is basically a hybrid of Obadiah Stane and Justin Hammer.

    Like Stane, Cross isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and play with his new toy. The climax of the film will see Ant-Man square off with Cross in his Yellowjacket suit. The Yellowjacket armor is sleeker and deadlier than the Ant-Man suit, complete with a few extra appendages to take full advantage of that boosted strength. Get ready for the smallest epic superhero slug-fest you’ve ever seen.

    4. It’s a Story About Fathers and Daughters
    If there’s one thing most of the heroes in the MCU have in common, it’s that they’re loners without much in the way of family ties. Well, except for Hawkeye, as “Avengers: Age of Ultron” went out of its way to show us.

    Both Hank Pym and Scott Lang are different, however. These two men are very much defined by their family relationships in this movie. For Pym, he struggles to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly, pictured above.) Hope now works for Darren Cross and doesn’t seem to want to have much to do with her father, which may be tied to the mysterious fate of her mother, Janet. Comic fans will know that Janet Van Dyne is The Wasp, an insect-like heroine who was once married to Pym — and an Avenger!

    As for Scott, he has a teenage daughter named Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson). Lang is devoted to Cassie, and has even turned to a life of crime to provide for her. But as you might expect, it’s that same life of crime that prevents him from seeing her. For Lang, becoming Ant-Man is that last chance at legitimacy and respect and reconnecting with the one person in the world he cares for.

    5. Lang Stands Alone. Ish.
    Minus a brief cameo from a new Avenger, “Ant-Man” bucks the recent trend with Marvel’s movies in that it doesn’t wedge itself into the increasingly complicated web of continuity and characters. In other words, don’t expect Ant-Man to to be fighting Loki or hunting for an Infinity Stone this time.

    Instead, this movie is a standalone adventure that focuses mainly on establishing a new power player in the Marvel Universe.

    There will be some ties to the larger universe. The film will briefly explore Pym’s past as Ant-Man and an active member of S.H.I.E.L.D. during the Cold War. But for the most part, “Ant-Man” is concerned with its own characters and conflicts. That might make it the most approachable Marvel movie since the original “Iron Man.”

    That said, don’t expect Ant-Man to stay out of the Marvel limelight. It’s already been confirmed that the hero will join the fray in next year’s “Civil War.” From there, don’t be surprised if Rudd reprises his role in the next two “Avengers” sequels.

    After all, what super-team is complete without a guy who floats like a butterfly and stings like a superhuman fist to the face?
    %Slideshow-302151%

  • Shrink Down for the New ‘Ant-Man’ Trailer


    As far as Marvel movies go, there hasn’t been a question mark as big as the one attached to their forthcoming action comedy “Ant-Man” since, well, ever. Even “Guardians of the Galaxy,” with its roster of unknown characters and tonally daring mixture of comedy and drama, had the space adventure angle to hook people and a cast of likeable and well-known actors. “Ant-Man,” on the other hand, is full of unquantifiable elements and comes complete with a troubled production history that has potentially soured would-be enthusiasts. But if this new trailer is any indication, hope is not lost. “Ant-Man” could be really, really entertaining.

    The trailer certainly gives us more story than anything previously released: Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), the original Ant-Man, recruits thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) to stop an evil industrialist named Darren Cross (Corey Stoll). In order to get him into fighting shape, he learns from Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), Pym’s daughter. (Her mother is Hope Van Dyne, who fought under the superhero alias Wasp.) Much of the trailer is given over to the training of Scott and various zippy action sequences where Scott shrinks down to the size of an ant and then returns to normal (and back again). It’s a pretty great conceit, at least visually, and ends with a wonderful gag with Ant-Man and Cross, now in his own suit and calling himself Yellowjacket, fighting atop a children’s train set.

    Rudd looks like a perfectly charismatic action star and it’s always good to see Douglas doing something outside of his comfort zone, and while the premise isn’t being sold 100% and its behind-the-scenes headaches still hurt, it’s hard not to be optimistic about something that looks this fun.

    “Ant-Man” opens on July 17th.