SCI-FI-LONDON to celebrate 10th anniversary at BFI Southbank

Ten years of fantastic film: SCI-FI-LONDON celebrates its tenth anniversary with a bigger festival than ever

The UK’s leading science fiction and fantastic film festival, SCI-FI-LONDON (The London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film), will host film screenings, special events, workshops and celebrations during its 10 day festival across the capital in 2011. For the first time, the BFI Southbank and BFI Imax will host festival events.

The festival runs Saturday 23 April – Monday 2 May, 2011. In the current climate, SCI-FI-LONDON makes no apologies for its defiantly carnival attitude. In addition to the core film programme, highlights include:

• The Royal Wedding all-nighter The night before Will and Kate’s wedding we celebrate the wonder of weddings with Veronica Lake, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. The evening features five black-and-white classics including: BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, BRIDE OF DRACULA and I MARRIED A WITCH. Midnight ‘til 9am... cheaper than a hotel and a stone’s throw from The Mall!
• 20th Anniversary of MANGA UK
  Celebrate with screenings of the classic AKIRA in glorious HD and brand new animé feature, EDEN OF THE EAST.
• 48 Hour Film Challenge
  With Edgar Wright and Gareth Edwards on the jury, our 2011 challenge has a first prize of a feature development deal with Vertigo Films. The challenge takes place 2–4 April, 2011.
• SCI-FI-LONDON LAB
  Our real science thread examines subjects including long distance space travel and synthetic biology. Thinking caps on please.
• Fantasy Easter Parade along the Southbank
  From the BFI to the London Film Museum on Easter Sunday, featuring Stormtroopers, zombies, superheroes and more. All genres, all costumes, all-comers welcome to this free event!

Festival Director, Louis Savy says:
“It is a tribute to our volunteer staff and the support of our sponsors and venues that we are here today. When we started ten years ago it was to challenge preconceptions about science fiction and bring a few independent movies to London.

I never imagined we would become a key fixture in the international film festival calendar, and be a well-known genre event. This year’s festival will certainly be bigger and bolder but, equally, a celebration of those 10 years of fantastic film.”

Full details will be available soon and on www.sci-fi-london.com.

About SCI-FI-LONDON:
SCI-FI-LONDON, now in its 10th year, is the UK's only dedicated sci-fi and fantasy film festival. It screens world and UK film premieres, documentaries and a selection of classic SF titles. SCI-FI-LONDON also has a strong international shorts programme and screens a short film with every feature screening. It also holds a film school and filmmaking competitions to encourage more science fiction films to be made in the UK Images etc at media.sci-fi-london.com

Sucker Punch - new character posters

Way back in, at least, early Dcember Warner Brothers released some character posters. These looked stunning! Now they have released a new set of posters for the film and they look even better. More action that makes the film look even better!  Scroll down past the posters and you can see a new featurette talking about the world the film is set in.

Close your eyes. Open your mind. You will be unprepared.

“Sucker Punch” is an epic action fantasy that takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality. Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, and her incredible adventures blur the lines between what’s real and what is imaginary.

She has been locked away against her will, but Babydoll (Emily Browning) has not lost her will to survive. Determined to fight for her freedom, she urges four other young girls—the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung) and the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish)—to band together and try to escape their terrible fate at the hands of their captors, Blue (Oscar Isaac), Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino) and the High Roller (Jon Hamm).

Led by Babydoll, the girls engage in fantastical warfare against everything from samurais to serpents, with a virtual arsenal at their disposal. Together, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to stay alive. But with the help of a Wise Man (Scott Glenn), their unbelievable journey—if they succeed—will set them free.

Born from the creative vision of filmmaker Zack Snyder (“Watchmen,” “300”), “Sucker Punch” features an ensemble cast of young stars, including Emily Browning (“The Uninvited”), Abbie Cornish (“Bright Star”), Jena Malone (“Into the Wild”), Vanessa Hudgens (the “High School Musical” films) and Jamie Chung (“Sorority Row”). The film’s main cast also includes Oscar Isaac (“Robin Hood”) and Carla Gugino (“Watchmen”), with Jon Hamm (“The Town,” TV’s “Mad Men”) and Scott Glenn (“The Bourne Ultimatum”).

Zack Snyder directed “Sucker Punch” from a screenplay he wrote with Steve Shibuya, based on Snyder’s story. Snyder and Deborah Snyder produced, with Thomas Tull, Wesley Coller, Jon Jashni, Chris deFaria, Jim Rowe and William Fay serving as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Academy Award®-winning production designer Rick Carter (“Avatar”) and “Watchmen” and “300” veterans director of photography Larry Fong, editor William Hoy and costume designer Michael Wilkinson. The music is by Tyler Bates and Marius DeVries.

SUCKER PUNCH hitting UK cinemas April 1, 2011
© 2010 Warner Bros.Ent. 2010

Senna is a go!

This is how it seems to work at the moment. I have a look around the old haunts of the internet and come across some great pieces. This time it's the first set of images for the upcoming documentary about the life and death of Ayrton Senna.

If you are a fan of F1 you have probably already heard about the film and seen the trailer that has been going around the internet for quite a while - just scroll down past the images. The synopsis is quite long but

Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Thierry Boutsen at GP Molson du Canada in Montreal, Canada in 1988.
(Photographer: Angelo Orsi)

Ayrton Senna at GP de Belgique in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium in 1991.
(Photographer: Norio Koike)

Ayrton Senna at the GP do Brasil in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1993.
(Photographer: Norio Koike)

Ayrton Senna at the GP di San Marino in Imola, Italy in 1994.
(Photographer: Karin Sturn)

It was June 1984, a Sunday at the Monaco Grand Prix. As the heavens unleashed a torrential downpour, one of the greatest line-ups in motor racing history took to the track. No fewer than six current or future World Champions vied for the race that day, including recent World Champion Keke Rosberg; a stoic, fearless Englishman called Nigel Mansell; Austrian double World Champion Niki Lauda; the flamboyant double World Champion Nelson Piquet; and the man dubbed ‘The Professor’, Frenchman Alain Prost, who was on the cusp of being regarded by many at the time as the most complete driver ever. In 13th position on the grid meanwhile, attracting little interest in his un-fancied Toleman car, was a wiry, fiery young driver in just his sixth Formula 1 race.

As the engines fired and the drivers tore through the city streets, the man that started in 13th place ripped through the field, demonstrating virtuoso technique and jaw-dropping courage as he passed every car in front of him, taking Prost on line of the 32nd lap. That man was Ayrton Senna, announcing his arrival to the world of F1 with a spectacular drive.

As it transpired, Senna did not win the race; he lost out on a technicality and the first-place passed to Prost. At the time Senna was not bitter, it was still his first podium finish, although what happened that day would set the tone for the young Brazilian’s future career; he would frequently win on the track, but would find himself defeated off the track, struggling against what he perceived as injustices in a highly politicised sport. Still, he overcame obstacles placed in his path, won three World Championships — his years at McLaren forging a fierce rivalry with team member and rival Prost — and achieved superstar status across the globe. With the international press he proved a charming and dashing champion; to his native Brazilian media he was a humble and deeply religious man.

At the peak of his powers however, while tackling the Imola track in San Marino, disaster struck. It was the third race of the 1994 season and during qualifying Senna’s protégé Rubens Barrichello crashed and hurt himself. A day later Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger slammed into a wall at 200mph, dying instantly. Senna was shaken and wondered whether to continue racing. His great friend and F1 doctor Professor Sid Watkins advised Senna not to race on the Sunday. But Senna’s pride, his sense of responsibility to his team and sport, and his absolute need to conquer his fear, propelled him on.

On the Sunday of the race, Senna managed just two laps after the safety car pitted, before crashing on the high-speed Tamburello corner, his car hitting a concrete wall at more than 130mph. In 1987, Nelson Piquet had crashed at the same corner and emerged with a mild concussion; in 1989 Gerhard Berger came off at Tamburello and exploded in a ball of flames. He was hurt but survived. In 1994, when Senna crashed, his car hit the wall at such an angle that part of the suspension flew back and punctured his helmet, causing fatal skull fractures. Medics found an Austrian flag in his car: he had planned to honour Ratzenberger when he finished the race.

Senna’s remarkable story, charting his physical and spiritual achievements on the track and off, his quest for perfection, and the mythical status he has since attained, is the subject of SENNA, a documentary feature that spans the racing legend’s years as an F1 driver, from his opening season in 1984 to his untimely death a decade later. Far more than a film for F1 fans, SENNA unfolds a remarkable story in a remarkable manner, eschewing many standard documentary techniques in favour of a more cinematic approach that makes full use of astounding footage, much of which is drawn from F1 archives and is previously unseen.

Senna hits UK cinemas June 3, 2011
some images Norio Koike © ASE

How Do You Know - poster and bloopers

After Sony releasing images and a trailer for the film as well as the poster, some clips, interviews and a "blooper reel".

The other thing that was released is a synopsis that is more than the 10 words one that all we had before.

Blooper Reel

Cast Interview

Clips

Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd and Jack Nicholson all star in the new comedy written and directed by James L. Brooks, that takes a contemporary and romantic look at the question “How Do You Know?”

Lisa (Witherspoon) is a woman whose athletic ability is the defining passion of her life, having been her focus since early childhood. When she is cut from her team, everything she has ever known is suddenly taken from her. Not knowing what to do she stumbles toward regular life. In this mode, she begins a fling with Matty (Wilson), a major league baseball pitcher, a self-centred ladies man – a narcissist with a code of honour.

George Madison (Rudd) is a straight–arrow businessman whose complicated relationship with his father, Charles (Nicholson), takes a turn when George is accused of a financial crime, even though he’s done nothing wrong. Though he may be headed to jail, George’s honestly, integrity and unceasing optimism may be his only path to keeping his sanity.

Before Lisa’s relationship with Matty takes root, she meets George for a first date on the worst evening of each of their lives: she has just been cut and he had just been served. When everything else seems to be falling apart, they will discover what it means to have something wonderful happen.

How Do You Know hits UK and Irish Cinemas January 28, 2011
© Sony Pictures

Arthur, the remake

I first caught this sometime last week and thought WHY? The original, 1981, version with Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli and John Gielgud. Then it just gets "better" with Russell Brand, Greta Gerwig and Helen Mirren playing the three main characters.

There have been some images released, below, that shows the film is quite similar to the original and hopefully it won't be a travesty of the original.

Hard-drinking partying billionaire Arthur is set to marry a rich woman he doesn't love and continue his irresponsible childish ways, but his life is changed when he falls for a gorgeous tour guide and aspiring children's book author Naomi.

Photo Credit: Barry Wetcher

First look at Sherlock Holmes 2

Shortly after recieving information about Warner Brothers' film, Red Riding Hood, I headed over to their press site to see if there were any more images. There wasn't! On the other hand, I did manage to find an image for the second Sherlock Holmes movie.

NOOMI RAPACE as Sim, ROBERT DOWNEY JR. as Sherlock Holmes and JUDE LAW as Dr. Watson in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Village Roadshow Pictures' action adventure mystery “SHERLOCK HOLMES II,”.

Guy Ritchie helms a new action-packed adventure, following the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.), and his longtime trusted associate, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), as they match wits with their arch-nemesis, the criminal genius Moriarty (Jared Harris).

Sherlock Holmes II sneaks into cinemas December 16, 2011
© 2011 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. - U.S., CANADA, BAHAMAS & BERMUDA (C) 2011 VILLAGE ROADSHOW FILMS (BVI) LIMITED - ALL OTHER TERRITORIES
Photo Credit: Daniel Smith

Sexy Riding Hood?

Warner Brothers has, finally, released some images and a new trailer for the upcoming Red Riding Hood. Watching the trailer the first thing that struck me is the film is "It's another one of the twilight series"

Romantic Fantasy Thriller. Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) is a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Max Irons). Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie's older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Gary Oldman), to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon's arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon, Valerie begins to suspect that the werewolf could be someone she loves. Panic grips the town as Valerie discovers that she has a unique connection to the beast-one that inexorably draws them together, making her both suspect...and bait.

Red Riding Hood is released on 15th April 2011.