If you’ve been to the movies lately you may have seen some exciting previews for some great films that support many curriculum areas. Can’t wait to see Life of Pi, Les Mis, The hobbit…
Life of Pi (opens 1 Jan 2013)
Based on one of the best books EVER. Directed in 3D by Ang Lee. Stars Suraj Sharma. “An inspiring and visually stunning tale of faith, hope and discovery” (R. Perez). Previews look awesome….tiger power J
Trailer: http://www.lifeofpimovie.com/#!/watch-trailer
Reviews: http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117948443?refcatid=31
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/28/life-of-pi-reviews-ang-lee_n_1923891.html
Les Miserables (opens 26 Dec 2012)
Directed by Tom Hooper (The King’s speech). Stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the innkeepers. All songs were recorded live on set. Boublil and Schonberg have composed a new song just for Hugh Jackman J
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(2012_film)
http://www.lesmiserablesmovie.com.au/
Clips and info: http://www.movienewz.com/les-miserables/
The hobbit: an unexpected journey (opens 26 Dec 2012)
Directed by Peter Jackson. Now in 3 parts! Is that more…or less…hobbit for your money? Apparently there was a lot of extra material in Tolkien’s appendices. Stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo. Includes Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, Stephen Fry as an unsavoury town leader , Billy Connolly as a dwarf warrior and Dame Edna as the Great Goblin. Or should that be Barry Humphries?
Part 1: An unexpected journey (2012) Pt 2: The desolation of Smaug (Dec 2013) Pt 3: There and back again (mid 2014).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit_(2012_film)
Trailer: http://www.thehobbit.com/index.html#content=trailer-playing&media=trailer_1
The great Gatsby (now due to open mid 2013)
Directed by Baz Luhrmann. Stars Leonardo Di Caprio. Rumour says it will have an ultra-modern soundtrack, a bit of Luhrmann’s signature style – possibilities include Lady Gaga, Prince, Kanye West, Jay-Z…
http://www.news.com.au/national/superstars-go-gaga-for-gatsby/story-fndo4bst-1226497266331
On the road (out now)
Directed by Walter Salles (The motorcycle diaries). Stars Sam Riley and Kristen Stewart. Based on the book by Jack Kerouac (his manuscript was typed on a 120 foot roll of paper). Should be good for senior students of American literature and the postwar Beat Generation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Road_(film)
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9vsE0llyBM
Redfern Now (ABC 1 Nov at 8.30pm; 6 x 60 min.)
Stars Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair (director of The Sapphires), Jimi Bani (Mabo), Leah Purcell. A rich and diverse series of 6 stories about 6 indigenous families living in Redfern, Sydney, whose lives are changed by extraordinary events. Directors include Rachel Perkins, Wayne Blair, Leah Purcell. This is the first drama project developed by the ABC Indigenous Dept, with more programs to come from indigenous writers, filmmakers and actors.
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/redfernnow/about/ http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/seeing-redfern-as-it-really-is/
Better man (SBS 2013)
Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Khoa Do (brother of Anh Do). 4 part mini-series about 25 year Vietnamese-Australian Van Nguyen, who was convicted of drug trafficking and executed in Singapore in 2005 after a 3 year legal battle. The series has been described as compelling, inspiring and thought-provoking.
http://if.com.au/2012/07/26/article/SBS-commissions-new-drama-series-Better-Man/PEBSSTSTMB.html
Ender’s game (end 2013)
Directed by Gavin Hood. Based on the scifi books Ender’s game and Ender’s shadow by Orson Scott Card. Stars Asa Butterfied (from Hugo) Abigail Breslin, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley. An unusually gifted youth is sent to a military space school to prepare for an alien invasion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender’s_Game_(film)
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Directed in 3D by Sam Raimi. Stars James Franco, Michelle Williams and Mila Kunis. Prequel to The Wizard of Oz. A small-time conniving Kansas circus magician gets blown to Oz (yes by a twister), where he meets several witches, gets involved in the problems of Oz and transforms himself into a better man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oz:_The_Great_and_Powerful
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyywumlnhdw
Madam Bovary (2014)
Based on the book by Gustave Flaubert. Directed by Sophie Barthes. Stars Mia Wasikowska. The film, set in the present, will attempt to explore more youthful and contemporary themes as it depicts the life of the doctor’s wife who seeks excitement and status outside the bonds of marriage.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Mia-Wasikowska-Madame-Bovary-30223.html
More superheroes!
Coming up soon: Iron Man 3 (2013), Thor: the dark world (2013), Man of Steel (2013) (a misunderstood Superman), Captain America 2 (2014), 300: rise of an empire (2014) (prequel to 300, Xerxes and Themistocles battle it out; based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller).
Lots to look forward to!