[Trailer] Gravity
http://youtu.be/ufsrgE0BYf0
Alfonso Cuaron is one of those directors who, I feel, hasn't really received the proper dues he should from audiences. Sure, Y Tu Mama Tambien won a handful of awards and nominated for an Oscar, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban pushed the Harry Potter film franchise towards a more mature vision (let alone a decidedly creative turn that sometimes clashed with the previous two films in the series), and Children of Men is arguably one of the most underrated sci-fi films to come out of the past decade. Still, Cuaron isn't as well-known as some of his contemporaries for reasons unexplained.
Hopefully, that will change this October when his next film, Gravity, hits theaters. In the first trailer, which you can watch below, two astronauts played by film favorites George Clooney and Sandra Bullock embark on a mission to space. Ironically, what is Dr. Ryan Stone's (Sandra Bullock) first shuttle mission is intended to be Matt Kowalsky's (George Clooney) last. During a routine spacewalk, their shuttle inexplicably explodes, stranding the two out in space with no means of communication.
Frankly, I'm extremely excited for Gravity. It's shaping out to be a cerebral thriller that is more focused on human survival instincts rather than some supernatural entity, let alone a distinct antagonist/enemy. It'll be interesting to see how general audiences react to the film, especially considering the combination of two Hollywood-friendly faces with Clooney and Bullock with Cuaron's vision. Let the speculation begin!
Jurassic Park 4 production halted
Just when it was thought that the future of the Jurassic Park franchise was safe, we're reminded that nothing's ever really safe in Hollywood. The 3D re-release of Jurassic Park, which has made more than $53m worldwide, was intended to re-integrate the fantastical park that brought dinosaurs back to life into audiences' memories. However, it's been recently confirmed that production for the next proper entry into the franchise, the creatively-titled Jurassic Park 4, has been halted.
Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed) was set to take over the director's chair from Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park) and Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III). No other plot details nor casting decisions were revealed (let alone even made). However, the news isn't completely negative. According to the official statement released by Universal (which you can read below), it seems that the production delay is due to simply wanting to devote more time to the film rather than a lack of faith in Trevorrow. Like all bad news, the initial shock stings, but hopefully it all will be worth it later on. After all, if there's anything Hollywood needs more of, it's dinosaurs.
In coordination with filmmakers, Universal has decided to release Jurassic Park 4 at a later date giving the studio and filmmakers adequate time to bring audiences the best possible version of the fourth installment in Universal’s beloved franchise. We could not be more excited about the vision that Colin Trevorrow has created for this film, and we look forward to watching as he and the producers create another great chapter in this franchise’s storied history.
[via /Film]
[Trailer] The World's End
http://youtu.be/n__1Y-N5tQk
The first trailer for Edgar Wright's (Shaun of the Dead) next film, The World's End, appeared overnight like a Christmas morning present. The trailer for the film, which I listed as one of the Top 10 Summer '13 Movies, sheds some light on the story. Desperate to finish a pub crawl they never had a chance to 20 years prior, Gary (Simon Pegg) reunites with his friends Andy (Nick Frost), Steven (Paddy Considine), Oliver (Martin Freeman), and Peter (Eddie Marsan) to have a pint of beer at the 12 pubs in the fictional Newton Haven. However, they soon discover that things aren't as they seem, as the community is filled with questionable characters.
Watch the trailer below, which is full of beers, ridiculously talented British actors, and Nick Frost punching people with bar stools as boxing gloves. The World's End will be ending worlds in theaters on August 23rd.
[Trailer] Ender's Game
http://youtu.be/vP0cUBi4hwE
2013 is shaping up to be a big year for science-fiction films. The latest to find itself added to this list is the film adaptation of Orson Scott Card's sci-fi novel, Ender's Game. Directed and written by Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Ender's Game involves humanity searching for a new military leader amongst its children following an alien attack. When Ender Wiggin easily passes all of the challenges at the Battle School, he finds himself promoted to the Command School, as well as named to be humanity's new hope against the alien Formics.
The ensemble cast stars Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Harrison Ford (Star Wars), Abigail Breslin (Zombieland), Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), and Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3). You can watch the special effects-heavy trailer below. Ender's Game is scheduled to hit theaters on November 1st.
[Video] Lili K: "Highlight the Moon"
It's been a good week for Chicagoan singer Lili K. In a week where her features on Chance the Rapper's "Acid Rap" received some much-deserved praise from publications such as the LA Times, the very talented singer released the video for her latest single off of her EP, "Metal Petals." Entitled "Highlight the Moon," the video, which was co-directed by Addison Wright and Lili K herself, showcases the ups and downs of the fictional relationship between Lili and Chicago tattoo artist extraordinaire Jason Hoodrich. The use of a Super 8-esque filter adds a soft, nostalgic saturation to the video that perfectly matches the song's reflective theme. It's always the attention to details that can help elevate the level of quality; good choice, guys.
You can download "Metal Petals" on Lili K's website here. If you're in Chicago, be sure to check out Lili K. and Peter CottonTale live TONIGHT at The Shrine (2109 S. Wabash) at 7pm for free!
http://youtu.be/INZkCmaUwvI
[Video] Nick Astro: SUPER 16 Listening Party
Nick Astro is no stranger to Ruby Hornet, especially in recent memory as his last single, "I'm Broke," was featured earlier this week. With the summer fast approaching and the hype continuing to build for his highly-anticipated album, SUPER16, it was only a matter of time before the wheels began rolling towards a set release date. Yesterday, Nick Astro and I decided to face the 80-degree weather to help promote and share details for the official SUPER16 listening party.
Check below for all of the pertinent information.
Nick Astro:
"I and my camera buddy Geoff ran around Chicago promoting my SUPER16 listening event. With having a project themed in filmmaking, I figured it was only necessary to play around with some images crashed against me promoting the project to fans and random strangers in the SouthLoop of Chicago."
http://youtu.be/igvN_V72LcY
NICK ASTRO SUPER16 LISTENING PARTY
Sunday May 12, 2013 3:00pm - 5:00pm
1104 S. Wabash (Conway Center)
RSVP HERE
Listen to the first 12 songs of Netherfriends' 50 Songs 50 States project
It's been awhile since we've had Netherfriends on Ruby Hornet when the Netherfriends X Chandler London X Mig Mora track, "Numero Uno," dropped in time for Valentine's Day. Since then, I can honestly admit I've played the song an unhealthy amount of times since (as well as keeping the accompanying cartoon video on repeat).
Yesterday, he put up the first 12 songs of his 50 Songs 50 States album for streaming on his Bandcamp, with an extra added incentive of making them downloadable with a pre-order of the full album. The ambitious project found Netherfriends touring across the country from April 2010 - April 2011 with the intent of playing in and recording one song in every state, no matter the venue or location of the studio (or sometimes lack thereof). As if the project wasn't already teeming with awesomeness, an interactive map of the United States is used to share background information for every song released. I wholeheartedly recommend checking out the project on Netherfriends' website solely for this reason.
Hopefully by now, you've already gone and pre-ordered 50 Songs 50 States from his Bandcamp. $7 for the initial 12 songs (with the remaining tracks to be released on July 4th) is a steal, especially given how great the songs sound. I'm sure you can hold off that cheeseburger and fries for one day.
[RH Photos] ShowYouSuck and Auggie the 9th Live @ Threadless X CBLDF C2E2 After-Party
This past weekend was C2E2 (Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo) 2013, and I had the pleasure of spending my entire Saturday with some familiar Ruby Hornet figures in Auggie the 9th, ShowYouSuck, and Chandler London. Video footage from the day's shenanigans spent wandering around the show floor admiring various street art, comic books, cosplayers, and general geeky stuff is cooking and will be posted in the near future. Keep your eyes out for them!
However, after our day of being rambunctious ragamuffins at the convention, Auggie and Show performed their own individual sets at the Threadless X CBLDF C2E2 After-Party. Threadless, the Chicago-based, community-driven T-shirt company, and the CBLDF (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund), a non-profit organization that helps protect First Amendment rights for comic artists, writers, retailers, and collectors, teamed up to provide some late night fun for C2E2 attendees where Auggie had all the ladies (and possibly a few guys) twerking in some KEDS, while Show made everybody wish they still had their flip phones.
You can check out the photos below. If you would like to read more about the CBLDF, I encourage you to visit their website.
