Filming Begins for Disney's Live-Action "Cinderella"

Walt Disney Pictures announced recently that principal photography has begun at Pinewood Studios in London, on “Cinderella,” Disney's first-ever live action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale.

Directed by Academy Award-nominee Kenneth Branagh (“Thor”), the film stars Lily James (TV's "Downton Abbey," “Wrath of the Titans”) in the title role, Richard Madden (TV's "Game of Thrones") as the Prince, Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett (“The Aviator”) as the infamous stepmother Lady Tremaine, and Academy Award-nominee Helena Bonham Carter (“Alice in Wonderland”) as the Fairy Godmother. Holliday Grainger (“Anna Karenina”) and Sophie McShera ("Downton Abbey”) play Ella's stepsisters Anastasia and Drisella, respectively. Stellan Skarsgard (“Marvel's The Avengers”) and Nonso Anozie ("Game of Thrones”) play the Arch Grand Duke and the Prince's loyal friend, the Captain. Tony-Award-winner Derek Jacobi portrays the King.

“Cinderella” is produced by Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: First Class”), Allison Shearmur (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”), David Barron (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”), from a screenplay by Chris Weitz (“About a Boy”).

The filmmaking team includes three-time Academy Award-winning production designer Dante Ferretti (“Sweeney Todd”), three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell (“Shakespeare in Love”), director of photography Haris Zambarloukos (“Thor”) and Academy Award-winning editor Martin Walsh (“Chicago”).

The timeless story of "Cinderella" dates back to 1697 when first created by Charles Perrault, although it truly came to life for millions all over the world in 1950 with Walt Disney's celebrated animated feature.

Director Kenneth Branagh says: "It is impossible to think of Cinderella without thinking of Disney and the timeless images we've all grown up watching. And those classic moments are irresistible to a filmmaker. With Lily James we have found our perfect Cinderella. She combines knockout beauty with intelligence, wit, fun and physical grace. Her Prince is being played by Richard Madden, a young actor with incredible power and charisma. He is funny, smart and sexy and a great match for Cinderella."

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella whose merchant father remarries following the tragic death of her mother. Keen to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother Lady Tremaine and her daughters Anastasia and Drisella into the family home. But, when Ella's father suddenly and unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother's dying words and to "have courage and be kind." She will not give in to despair nor despise those who abuse her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an employee at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears as if her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella's hopes of once again encountering the charming "Kit." Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand as a kindly beggar woman steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella's life forever.

Production on “Cinderella” will take place at Pinewood Studios and locations throughout England.

“Cinderella” will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures starting March 13, 2015.

The Lone Ranger Review

I'm curious as to why US moviegoers and critics are panning Gore Verbinski's THE LONE RANGER starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp? Anyway here's my review. 

It's a modern take on a classic character. Hammer plays John Reid, a district attorney turned lawman turned masked outlaw and bandit. He's out for justice against Butch Cavendish (William Fitchner) and joins up with Tonto (Depp). 

The movie was OK in my book. I'm not too crazy about it but it does have some beauty to it. That of course might be a death knell since there are other writers/bloggers (especially in the United States) that detest the picture. I'm not one of them though. Simply put, THE LONE RANGER is your standard Summer Blockbuster flick filled with explosions and what not. Still it does hits and misses along the way. 

I thought the Lone Ranger was a fun movie. A couple of laughs here and there, thanks to Johnny Depp who transforms from Captain Jack Sparrow into Comanche mystery man Tonto. But just like the thick facepaint he has on for the rest of the movie, looks can be very deceiving. Hammer on the other hand falters then saddles right back up all throughout the movie. 

What irks me about Lone Ranger is that there are a couple of loose ends that they seem to have forgotten or neglected altogether. We're supposed to accept that Silver is a spirit horse? Just like that? We never find out how the heck Tonto's survived all those years and more importantly we never find out whether what he's been saying's been the truth all along. Simply put, we just have to accept everything.

Credit where it's due; the set piece/ action sequences for THE LONE RANGER was nice. Well thought of although it's got flaws. That final 'fight' onboard two runaway trains also packed a  punch. It's entertaining as heck. Visuals were nice. I can see great cinematography here blended with dated CG for the movements of Reid's horse which makes it look fake. 

Couple of added comments:

- Other than to follow tradition, why was Helena Bonham Carter added in the film? They could've done without her. Was she really necessary here??
- There's supposed to be a romance element here but I could hardly see any hint or glimmer. By the time we get back to that front, we hardly care anymore. Plus no chemistry between the two. 
- Fichtner was creepy as Butch Cavendish but he was really under utilized throughout the movie. Still, if the guy can do scary bad guy for meta movies such as THE LONE RANGER then at least we can sleep soundly knowing that there's hope for Michael Bay's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles's baddie The Shredder.
- The movie tends to drop the ball in some cases where a decent action scene could've been placed. It's not bad, more like out-of-synch. 

Verdict: Overall, I wouldn't call THE LONE RANGER bad. I'd call it promising (if I were to be positive about it). There were so many rooms, so many gaps that could still be treated to make THE LONE RANGER's star/badge shine a little brighter. At the moment, were currently unsure whether or not we'll see a sequel but maybe when they do so, they get it right. 

The Lone Ranger NOW SHOWING distributed locally by Walt Disney Pictures. 

Meet the Characters in Disney's The Lone Ranger

Essentially, fabled Lone Ranger isn't really alone. In Disney/Bruckheimer Films' “The Lone Ranger” – a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor – our famed masked hero is joined by a gallery of beloved characters portrayed by a talented cast. Let's meet them beginning with...

Tonto (Johnny Depp).

A wandering Comanche, cast out from his tribe, Tonto rides alone in search of the two men responsible for the ruin of his village until his path fatefully crosses with that of the wounded young lawyer John Reid, whom he transforms into the Lone Ranger.

John Reid (Armie Hammer).

When he boards a train home to Colby, Texas, ready to practice law with his East Coast degree, John Reid is a stalwart idealist, firmly opposed to the violent ethics of the frontier, where justice is regularly meted out by gunshot. Little does Reid know that a chance meeting with Comanche warrior Tonto, will set off a series of events that change him into the enigmatic hero, the masked Lone Ranger.

Latham Cole (Tom Wilkinson).

A railroad man through and through, Latham Cole believes that a country’s greatness lies in its ability to expand its borders to the furthest reaches—no matter what the cost.

Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner).

Cavendish is a ruthless outlaw whose terribly scarred face is a perfect reflection of the bottomless pit that passes for his soul.

Captain J. Fuller (Barry Pepper).

Cavalry officer and martinet, Captain Fuller is obsessed with his duty to God and country, which he equates, oddly enough, with hygiene and cleanliness.

Dan Reid (James Badge Dale).

Referred to by Tonto as “Great Warrior,” Dan Reid is a Texas Ranger in a class of his own, something his younger brother John has been painfully aware of all his life.

Rebecca Reid (Ruth Wilson).

Made for finer things yet possessing the grit and independence of any frontiersman, Rebecca is a woman whose spirit is caught between two men, her husband Dan and his more refined younger brother John.

Red Harrington (Helena Bonham Carter).

Red Harrington is the dramatically coiffed, straight-talking, ivory-legged proprietor of a mobile establishment of lavish entertainments.

Silver.



A magnificent white stallion with a sense of humor all its own, Silver is, according to Tonto, the Lone Ranger’s very special “spirit horse.”

Opening across the Philippines on July 17, “The Lone Ranger” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

More Gunslinging and Humor in The Lone Ranger's Main Trailer

Walt Disney Studios is picking up the pace for THE LONE RANGER with an explosive new trailer starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp.

The main trailer of Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming action-adventure “The Lone Ranger” is now online and can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eUbeqckkaw&feature=youtu.be.

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, comes Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “The Lone Ranger,” a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes.

Anne Hathaway Sings in the Les Miserables Teaser Trailer

The beautiful Anne Hathaway sings in this new teaser trailer for "Les Miserables" where she plays the doomed single mom Fatine.

Believe it or not, Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" pretty much sealed the deal for me to become a writer. This was the last heavy drama stuff that I read in high school before graduation. Call it serendipity that this was also started by watching the live-action movie starring Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman and Uma Thurman. Sadly that version did not have any song. Just straight drama.

Before gearing away from the main topic, here's the teaser trailer for Les Miserables with Hathaway singing "I Dreamed a Dream".



From the star power alone this movie looks EPIC. You've got guys like Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, plus Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Plus we don't have to wait much longer since it has a December 2012 release date.

Dark Shadows Movie Review - A Smart and Entertaining Vampire Movie

Special thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines for the invites.

Now before we proceed with this review, I just want to say that you will never go wrong if you go and see a movie directed by Tim Burton together with his wife Helena Bonham Carter and their frequent collaborator Johnny Depp.

The film is an adaptation of the wildly popular TV show of the same title revolving around the Collins household. Think "Munsters" only more British and with a rather higher level of comedy.

Depp stars in the film as Barnabas Collins; one of the earliest Collins who travelled from England all the way to the new world for business. He's funny and a bit arrogant and typical of Johnny Depp movies, a ladykiller.

This new movie for the younger generation delivers a good and fun time in this post-Avengers world we now live in. One of the biggest things that struck me is how surreal and gothic the Collinsport is both during Barnabas Collins' time and even during the 1970s era.I am not a gothic fan per se but I do enjoy looking at all things Gothic once in awhile and this movie just gave me a hankering for some gothic art just about now. I guess we all have to thank Burton for that part.

Johnny Depp Goes Full Vampire in Dark Shadows Poster and Trailer

Check out Johnny Depp has he transforms into the vampire Barnabas Collins for the film "Dark Shadows" directed by Tim Burton.

Synopsis: In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Depp) has the world at his feet—or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.