Filth

1 May

James McAvoy has been described as a Scottish Michael J. Fox and if we didn’t know any better, he could be Gerard Butler’s kid brother. Well, these are the kind of comments that have driven him to the edge, opting for darker, more disturbing film roles.

Now he’s getting down-and-dirtier in the aptly titled dark comedy crime drama Filth, in which he plays a bipolar, bigoted junkie cop. Based on Trainspotting writer Irvin Welsh’s 1998 novel, it’s safe to assume this cesspit of filthy fun is not for the faint-hearted – just watch the trailer.

Why watch? McAvoy’s complex performance is worth having to shower, twice.

Godzilla

16 May

If that Puff Daddy song and Matthew Broderick are the only things you remember from the 1998 Godzilla movie, you’ll be pleased to know he’s back. No, not Puff Daddy, but Japan’s favourite monster, Godzilla, and just in time for his 60^th anniversary.

The latest Godzilla has been influenced by films like Cloverfield and Pacific Rim in the handling of its rather large title star. Monsters director, Gareth Edwards, knows a thing or two about atmosphere and has assembled a strong cast of actors, including Bryan Cranston, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Juliette Binoche, to bring this epic disaster film to life.

Why watch? Walter White vs. Godzilla - in 3D.

Under the Skin

23 May

As if it wasn’t already enough that she’s everywhere and in everything, Scarlett Johansson has decided to make it blatantly obvious by starring in a film called Under the Skin. Hollywood’s blonde bombshell with brains has gone for an unusual starring role, playing a cold alien seductress. With a fetish for hitchhikers. In Scotland.

The only thing stopping this from being a full-blown comedy or a one-note erotic thriller like Species is director Jonathan Glazer. The director’s music videos (Radiohead, UNKLE) and previous films, Sexy Beast and Birth, should prepare you for just how dead serious Johansson and this Kubrick-style science-fiction thriller really are.

Why watch? Because you know you would love to be picked-up by Scarlett.    

X-Men: Days of Future Past

23 May

While the debate is ongoing whether they are as cool as The Avengers, the X-Men have clawed, and burnt their way into our hearts and psyches. Just when we thought we would have to endure another Halle Berry superhero film, they unleashed X-Men: First Class.

They’ve gone and supersized the follow-up, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and it really doesn’t get much more epic than meshing the old with the new in a time travel plot to bend the spoon (and your mind) to breaking point. Featuring big names like Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence and big things, like Sentinels… dun, dun, dun.

Why watch? Superheroes, time travel… it’s a no-brainer.

Transcendence

30 May

Christopher Nolan’s trusted cinematographer, Wally Pfister, has emerged from the shadows of The Dark Knight to direct his own film Transcendence, about a terminally ill scientist who uploads his mind to a computer. When you’ve worked with Nolan, it does make getting Johnny Depp to play ‘The Lawnmower Man’ in your directorial debut that much easier.

This exciting science-fiction mystery concept is beautifully filmed and backed by name stars like Morgan Freeman, Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy and Rebecca Hall. We saw Captain America dealing with a similar predicament in The Winter Soldier, but with great internet access, comes great responsibility.

Why watch? You need to know what to look out for, you know, just in case you upload your mind one day.

MOVIE NEWS

Friday the 13^th reboot to boot

When Michael Bay acquired the rights to the Friday the 13^th franchise in 2009, he never would have guessed he’d have to reboot… twice. Instead of a box office blood bath, Jason’s big return was more of a belly flop under Marcus Nispel. Bay is looking to resuscitate the teen slasher franchise once more by going the found footage route with V/H/S’s David Bruckner in talks to direct and a release date in March 2015.

Channing Tatum gambling on Gambit

While he’s played in many action movies, it’s quite surprising that Channing Tatum is yet to commit to a superhero role. The Hollywood star revealed he’s been in talks to play Gambit, an X-Men character, who may be getting his own spin-off if all goes to plan. With the forthcoming X-Men: Apocalypse and a Gambit project in the pipeline, Tatum is dead keen to play the drinking, smoking, ladies man and Cajun anti-hero.