Lead Actors in The Raid to Appear in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Header by Virgil Solis
Considering just how much of a mess the Prequel Trilogy was with its overabundant use of CGI (as well as lackluster characters, writing, directing, etc.), it makes a lot of sense for Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams to focus on practical effects with his iteration of the famed franchise. As was seen in the film's first teaser trailer, Abrams and crew are doing everything they can to recapture what made the Original Trilogy so great while utilizing technological advancements in modern cinema to create a sequel worthy of carrying the Star Wars name.
If rumors are true, the embracement of practical effects is going a step further with word that three of the primary actors in The Raid 2 are set to join the sci-fi epic. Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, and Cecep Arif Rahman will be bringing pencak silat to Tatooine, raising the already high bar of expectation for Abrams' Star War. Anybody that has seen The Raid: Redemption or The Raid 2 know Uwais and Ruhian could be the next major crossover martial arts actors, or at the very least can choreograph some exciting scenes for Hollywood action films that lack the excitement they once held.
There are no concrete details regarding the types of roles the trio will take on in The Force Awakens just yet, but the possibilities of having the three play a role in defining Star Wars for a new generation are high enough for even the biggest skeptics hopeful for confirmation.
[via Twitch]
Geoff's Top 10 Trailers of 2014
2014 was one of my favorite years of moviegoing, played in no small part by attending my first Sundance. While I watched less films this year overall than I have in my four years of officially being part of the film community, I still watched more than my fair share of trailers. I know people that live for trailers; I also know people who refuse to watch them. Both groups have very valid reasons, with the former embracing the snippets of story and style to help determine their film choices amidst the world of ever-increasing ticket prices, and the latter wanting to enter the film experience full of surprise and intrigue. Listed over the next few pages are some of my personal favorite trailers of 2014. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I did.