A Fantastic Fear of Everything (2012)

Director: Crispian Mills and Chris Hopewell

Cast: Simone Pegg, Paul Freeman, Clare Higgens

This film was made a year or so ago but is only just being released in cinemas in the US. I love everything Simon Pegg is in. He's awesome.

Here he plays a children's author turned crime novelist whose detailed research into Victorian (UK) serial killers leads him to having an irrational fear of being murdered.

Interstellar (2014)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Wes Bentley, Casey Affleck, Michael Caine

This really is a teaser.

IMDb describes the synopsis as follows: "A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage."

The Time of the Doctor - Dr Who Christmas 2013 Special (TV)

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Director: Doug Liman

Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Lara Pulver, Jeremy Piven

Live. Die. Repeat..... looks interesting

Godzilla (2014)

Director: Gareth Edwards

Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe

I'm not exactly sure why we need another go at Godzilla, but the trailer looks quite good...

Saving Mr Banks (2013)

Director: John Lee Hancock

Cast: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney, who is trying desperately to obtain the screen rights to P.L Travers' (Emma Thompson) Mary Poppins.

Sleepy Skunk's 2013 Film Trailer Mashup

This is awesome. Sleepy Skunk has released it's annual trailer mashup. It's thrilling to watch. Try to name each one....

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)

Director: Justin Chadwick

Cast: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris

Very topical given Nelson Mandela passed away yesterday. This is a chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life. This is also tipped for some Oscar glory.

The Amazing Spiderman 2 (2014)

Director: Marc Webb

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Paul Giamatti, Sally Field

The second film in this round of the Spidey franchise sees Spiderman battle Electro....

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Directed: James Bobin

Cast: Ty Burrel, Tina Fey, Ray Liotta, Ricky Gervais, Tom Hiddleston, Danny Trejo

The muppets find themselves involved in a European jewel-heist caper lead by a villainous Kermit lookalike and his sidekick. This looks like a lot of fun.....

300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

Director: Noam Murro

Cast: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, David Wenham


I quite enjoyed 300 (2006) the story based on the legend (and graphic novel) about King Leonidas and a force of 300 men that fight the Persians at Thermopylae in 480BC. The follow-up film 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) follows the Greek general Themistocles who battles an invading army of persians under the god, Xerxes. I hope this is as good as the first film...

The Raid 2: Berandal (2014)

Directed: Gareth Evans

Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian

Yesterday I watched The Raid: Redemption (2011), an Indonesian action flick which had some of the most amazingly choreographed fight scenes I have seen on the screen. The 2011 film followed a S.W.A.T team that became trapped in a tenement run by a mobster and his army. The 2014 film takes place two hours after the first movie ends. Not for the light hearted or squeamish ....

Maleficent (2014)

Directed: Robert Stromberg

Cast: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley


Disney's next feature Maleficent tells the story of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the evil Maleficent and looks at the events that drove her to curse the young princess Aurora. I love a good fairytale...

Gravity (2013) - bonus short film

This week a bonus film came out for as an extra treat for all those who have seen Gravity.

This was originally going to be in the film and is part of the scene where Sandra Bullock's character makes a distress call to Earth. The extra footage was cut from the film, but this footage was released as a short film and premiered at the Venice Film Festival recently. It is set to be a contender for Best Live Action Short at the Oscars in 2014. Gravity was written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this short film is directed by his son Jonás Cuarón (who also helped write Gravity).

Here is Gravity: The Distress Call....

Carrie (2013)

Director: Kimberly Pierce

Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore

A modern retelling of Stephen King's horror classic Carrie.

Charlie Countryman (2013)

Director: Fredrik Bond

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Evan Rachel Wood, Mads Mikkelsen, Til Schweiger

Just stumbled across this film. I don't know anything about it, besides this trailer, which has got me interested...

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Directors: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garret Hedlund, Justin Timberlake

Here's the next film from the Coen brothers. This film follows a week in the life of a young singer as he navigates his way through the Greenwich Village folk scene during 1961.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Director: Jim Jarmusch

Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Mia Wasikwska, John Hurt and Anton Yelchin


Finally there's a trailer out for Only Lovers Left Alive!

And finally there's a vampire film I actually want to see!

Set in Detroit, the story is about two vampires, Adam and Eve (Hiddleston and Swinton) who have been in love for centuries. Adam, an underground musician disenchanted with the world, and Eve,a blood-junky, find their life disrupted when Eve's younger sister comes to stay.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Favreau, Matthew McConaughey

Martin Scorsese, and his muse, Leornardo DiCaprio's next feature is based on a true story about the rise and fall of a stockbroker. Leonardo plays Jordon Belfort, who ended up serving 20 months in prison for not cooperating in a huge 90s securities fraud case which involved Wall Street corruption, banking corporations and, of course, the Mafia.

Here's a trailer...

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Director: Francis Lawrence

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Phillip Seymour Hoffman

The trailer for the next Hunger Games instalment is out. I still can't quite believe this is a kids film, but anyways, I didn't mind the first film so I'm keen to see where Katniss' next adventure takes her.

Here's the trailer:

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Director: Bryan Singer Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Jennifer Lawrences and lots of other famous people

Before X-Men: First Class I was by no means an X-Men fan. I think James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender had something to do with my excitement over the film. And the same can be said for this instalment.

I'm excited about seeing James and Michael together on screen again. Here 'tis....

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Director: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo

Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson

Here's the first trailer for the next Captain America instalment.

How I Live Now (2013)

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Cast: Saoirise Ronan, George McKay

I love a a good dystopia --- Children of Men is my favourite.

How I live Now, directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), is a tale about an American girl who visits her British cousins and finds herself fighting for survival as World War III breaks out.

Looks good and has had some good reviews...

Breathe In (2013)

Director: Drake Doremus

Cast: Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Amy Ryan

A British exchange student arrives in a small upstate New York town and causes upheaval in her host family dynamic, that alters their lives forever. Promotionally this is under the radar but has already got some great reviews.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Saoirse Ronan, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody

I've been a big fan of Wes Anderson for years.

I love the way he sets up shots, his dollhouse sets and his magnificent casts. I love The Royal Tennenbaums, Rushmore and the Darjeeling Limited.

When Moonrise Kingdom came out I became a bit disenchanted and let down. But then I saw this and I am in love with his films again. I am so looking forward to this...

Doctor Who: The Rise of the Doctors: 50th Anniversary Special

The 23rd of November 2013 is the Day of the Doctor. All across the world selected cinemas will be screening this 76 minute 50th Anniversary Special of Doctor Who. I've got my tickets.

American Hustle (2013)

Director: David O. Russell

Cast: Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper

Con men, con women and the mafia, you get the drift....

Monuments Men (2013)

Director: George Clooney

Cast: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Bill Murray

A World War II platoon need to rescue art masterpieces from the Nazis. Based on a true story. This looks really interesting, the cast is amazing and Clooney is a pretty good director. Should be entertaining...

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2013)

Directed: Kenneth Branagh

Cast: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh

I was a big fan of Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger and I loved Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit an origin story. Jack Ryan, played by Chris Pine, is a young covert CIA analyst who uncovers a plot by some Russians to crash the US economy (little did the Russians know that the US is quite capable of crashing it's own economy!)

The Invisible Woman (2013)

Director: Ralph Fiennes

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Felicity Jones, Kristen Scott Thomas

At the height of his career, Charles Dickens meets a younger woman who becomes his secret mistress until his death.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Trailer #2

Just because.....

Spectacular Now (2013)

Director: James Ponsoldt

Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Kyle Chandler

A coming of age story that people are comparing to a John Hughes flick. A high school senior's view on life changes when he meets a girl called Amy.

In Bob We Trust (2013)

Director: Lynn-Maree Milburn

Cast: Father Bob Maguire

I'm a big fan of Father Bob -- as are many Australians. One of the few Catholic Priests to have a full church on Sundays, Father Bob was forced by church hierarchy to resign. Many believe this to be the case because of Father Bob's more progressive views.

This documentary looks at this David and Goliath struggle.

Mystery Road (2013)

Director: Ivan Sen

Cast: Aaron Pederson, Hugo Weaving, Jack Thompson, Ryan Kwantan, Tasma Walton

This Australian film recently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. It follows an Indigenous detective who returns to the Outback to investigate the murder of a young girl.

Ginger and Rosa (2012)

Director: Sally Potter

Cast: Elle Fanning, Annette Bening, Alice Englert

This film looks at two best friends growing up in 1960s London. I'm a bit confused about why this is such an American cast given this is set in London and there are plenty of awesome British actors out there but anyway...

The Turning (2013)

Director: 17 Australian Directors

Cast: Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Richard Roxburgh, Miranda Otto, Rose Byrne

A collection of short films based on the stories by acclaimed Australia author, Tim Winton.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage

The second in The Hobbit series.....No explanation necessary

Don Jon (2013)

Director: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza

A fun way to explore the unrealistic expectations we have about sex from both porn and films in general. This looks like it will be a laugh. I love the trailer, introduced by Joseph Gordon Levitt...

Dom Hemingway (2013)

Director: Richard Shepard

Cast: Jude Law, Richard E Grant, Emilia Clarke

A notorious safe cracker is released from prison after serving 12 years. He's kept his mouth shut... now he wants to collect what he's owed. This looks like a bit of fun....

The Best Offer (2013)

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donal Sutherland

This film caught my eye because it stars the supremely talented Geoffrey Rush in a tale of intrigue. Rush plays an art auctioneer who becomes obsessed with an agoraphobic art collector. Currently showing in limited release on Australian screens. Check it out...

Le Week-End (2013)

Director: Roger Michell

Cast: Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan, Jeff Goldblum

This trailer caught me by surprise. Looks like a fun tale of a British couple in their senior years who return to Paris in an attempt to rejuvenate their marriage. Love it. Check it out....

Austenland (2013)

Director: Jerusha Hess

Cast: Keri Russell, J. J Field, Jennifer Coolidge, Bret McKenzie

I am so looking forward to this. I wanna see it now!!! Keri Russell plays a young woman obsessed with Pride and Prejudice who travels to a Jane Austen theme park in search for her very own Mr Darcy. I wish there actually was a Jane Austen theme park. This looks like fun....

I can't stop smiling

Paranoia (2013)

Director: Robert Luketic

Cast: Gary Oldman, Harrison Ford, Liam Hemsworth and Amber Heard

And now for something a bit more Hollywood...

Paranoia - like Wall Street, but instead of stockbroking involves high tech corporations where the talented new kid (Liam Hemsworth) gets in over his head. I saw an ad for this thriller in a magazine and felt a bit blasé about it, but being a Gary Oldman fan, I decided to check out the trailer and I think it looks interesting (and Gary actually uses his real accent in this). It MIGHT even see Liam Hemsworth get some film cred. Check it out:

The Selfish Giant (2013)

Director: Clio Barnard

Cast: Connor Chapman, Shaun Thomas

When I first saw this trailer it reminded me of that great film, Kes (1969, Ken Loach). Like Kes this film employs non- professional actors and is a social-realist piece. The Selfish Giant takes it's title from the Oscar Wilde short story (but with a modern day ogre). The Selfish Giant follows the story of two young friends from a post-industrial town; one of the boys has been excluded from school and his friend helps him to go scrapping. This is rumoured to up there with some of my favourite social-realist films: Bicycle Thieves, The Kid With a Bike, The Rat Catcher, Kes and The 400 Blows.

I will probably end up in tears...

About Time (2013)

Director: Richard Curtis

Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

Richard Curtis the director of such Rom-coms as Notting Hill, Love Actually and Bridget Jones' Diary returns with this story of a young man who discovers he has the hereditary ability to time travel.

I love a time travel story and this looks very fun, cute and heartwarming (very Richard Curtis!). You might recognise Domnhall Gleeson who played Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter films and he is also the son of brilliant actor, Brendan Gleeson. Oh and any film with Bill Nighy makes me happy! Enjoy....

Girl Most Likely (2012)

Director: Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini

Cast: Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, Matt Dillon

I'm really starting to become a fan of Kristen Wiig. She seems to be America's comedy 'it' girl at the moment and her next comedy, Girl Most Likely, looks like it will be entertaining.

Kristen plays a struggling playwright who stages a suicide attempt to drum up some attention only to end up back home with her estranged mother, her brother and some other curious characters. This looks like fun...

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Director: Alan Taylor

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Christopher Eccleston

The follow up to the fun and successful Thor (2011) looks like a winner, with much of the brilliant original cast returning. In this sequel Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must embark on another perilous adventure, one that reunites him with the woman he loves, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), and forces him to sacrifice everything to save the world. And Loki returns (Yay!). Looks like another fun ride....

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Director: Steve McQueen

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender,Michael K. Williams, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch

12 Years a Slave brings together Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender once again. A collaboration which has spawned such films as Shame (2011) and Hunger (2008).

The film is based on the true story of a man's fight for survival and freedom. Solomon Northup a free man from New York is abducted and sold into slavery pre- the US Civil War. This film is already being tipped for some Oscar glory...

The Counselor (2013)

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz

I love Ridley Scott's work and I'm really looking forward to The Counselor. What an awesome cast! The plot involves a lawyer who finds himself in too deep when he gets involved in drug trafficking. Check it out...

Gravity (2013)

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris

All I'm going to say is: Space looks really scary, I'm staying on Earth!

Filth (2013)

Director: Jon S. Baird

Cast: James McAvoy, Imogen Poots, Eddie Marsden, Jamie Bell

I read the book Filth by Irvine Welsh a year ago, and boy did it leave an impression singed into my brain. I felt I needed to take a hot shower after reading that book and I loved it for creating such a feeling of revulsion towards it central character. The book is as crusty as pus.

When I heard it was being made into a film I thought: how will that work? Who is going to play vile Bruce Robertson? When I heard that James McAvoy was taking the role, I could not believe it. Lovely James from Atonement, X-men: First Class etc? No!!!

But, yes, and boy does he look awesome in the role. Hang onto your seats, here comes Filth....

Robocop (2014)

Director: Jose Padilha

Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Abbie Cornish, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Samuel L Jackson

Looking better than the recent Total Recall remake is this Robocop remake. Starring my favourite actor of all time, Gary Oldman!!!! The story takes place in 2028 when a good cop is critically injured and a multinational corporation sees a chance to create a kind of super-cop (half man, half robot). I'm looking forward to seeing it at the cinema. Oh,and did I mention Gary Oldman was in it!

The Young and Prodigious T. S. Spivet (2013)

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Robert Maillet, Kyle Catlett

Jean-Pierre Jeaunet's (Amelie) next feature is based on the book by Reif Larsen (I can't wait to get a copy of this book). The tale is about a 12 year old cartographer who runs away from home to travel across the US by freight train to receive an award at the Smithsonian Institute.

I'm looking forward to seeing this as I have been a fan of Jeunet's French films for many years. This is one of his few English language films (Alien: Resurrection being one other).

The trailer looks great, although it has quite a Wes Anderson feel to it (not a complaint, I like Wes) but I half expect Owen Wilson to turn up...

Her (2013)

Director: Spike Jonze

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara

The premise of this film, written and directed by Spike Jones, really intrigues me. It's about a lonely guy who develops a romantic attachment towards an artificially intelligent operating system (like Apple's Suri). Here it is...

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Directed: Ben Stiller

Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Sean Penn, Patton Oswalt

Ben Stiller's next film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty looks really interesting. It's about an office worker who lives inside a fantasy world where he gets up to all manner of adventures. The trailer looks awesome. I hope the film is as good as it looks. Check it out...