Movie News: Beauty and the Beast Re-Relesased in 3D!

That's right, here's the trailer for the 3D re-release of Disney's Oscar-winning animated masterpiece, Beauty and the Beast.

Not much has to be said revolving around the subject other than how overly ecstatic i, and many fans i'm sure, am to be able to see such a classic on the big-screen once again.

Re-watch one of the greatest love stories ever told as we follow our young ingenue Belle, a vivacious woman whose love for fictitious, adventure-filled fables becomes all too real once her father, Maurice, is imprisoned by the Beast -- a selfish Prince whose blatant disregard for others forced a mysterious witch to place a curse upon him. To release said curse, the Beast must find love.

The 3D film will be released in August in New Zealand, and sometime in 2011 for the States.

Movie News: Sucker Punch Trailer Hits!

With Zach Snyder's family-friendly 3D animation Legend of the Guardians released soon, buzz around his latest epic Sucker Punch has began to surface.

The director whose firm understanding of how to 'wow' an audience with his visually stunning creations has made hits out of most of his films; 300, Watchmen and even the remake of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead.

Emily Browning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Uninvited) stars as Baby Doll, a young girl who sadly ends up in a mental institution. There, she imagines an entirely alternate universe. To escape from said world, she must steal five objects before she is unwillingly stopped by a vile man.

The film also stars a cast of young hopefuls suck as Abbie Cornish (Bright Star), Jamie Chung (Sorority Row), Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical), Jena Malone (Saved!) and veteran Carla Gugino (Watchmen).

The film hasn't received a release date as of yet, but plans to be released in both 3D and 2D, with a scheduled release in IMAX theatres.

DVD Review: The Runaways

Picture this: the 70's; rock 'n' roll; an all girl band. Chaos! Females should never be flaunting their bits on stage whilst singing, and potentially screaming, to loud, ball-busting songs featuring hardcore, explicit lyrics. Well, The Runaways defied all rules and, while it lasted, were successful.

Leaving The Twilight Saga behind for a short time, Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart team to form the two prominent band members of The Runaways, an all girl rock band whose influential presence and catchy tunes spun worldwide success, but sadly only lasted between 1975-1979.

Music video director Floria Sigismondi helms the coming-of-age biopic, but does her lack of direction of feature films weigh the film down? Unfortunately, it shows. Fortunately, the story of The Runaways outweighs the faults which Sigismondo casts. A raw insight into the music industry is given but, much like the porn industry featured in Boogie Nights, isn't as smooth sailing as most would think.

Deceived by their unusual manager Kim Fowley (played exceptionally by Michael Shannon), the typical lies and promises force Joan Jett (Stewart), the hard-edged guitarist, and Cherie Currie (Fanning), a dysfunctional young girl/vocalist, reeling from a multitude of false pretenses, with their success and all-round fame plummeting before they had a chance to fully enjoy the limelight.

The now grown-up child star Dakota Fanning makes an absolutely jaw-dropping turn as Currie, a somewhat isolated individual whose style is a partial reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot. Washing away her innocent presence she's fallen to over the years, the coke-sniffing, drunk, foul-mouthed Fanning is an unarguably refreshing turn which will undeniably do wonders on her resumé, and completely overshadows Stewart. While still performing admirably, Stewart's distinct need to pout and act with her predictably monotonous tone rears it's ugly head. Still, despite her flaws, her acting is genuine and, like Fanning, Jett is a character which is unfamiliar territory. Jett is an almost perfect antidote to the broody, soft Bella that she is mostly known for playing. Both performances are invigorating and surprisingly deep.

Classic tracks such as "Cherrybomb" are re-vamped with lyrics by Fanning and Stewart which are a sheer delight, despite their short screen appearance. Catchy and downright enthusiastic, they stand firm as one of the film's highlights.

Disregarding the film's abrupt ending and partially false conclusion, The Runaways is a perfectly enjoyable biopic, full of zealous performances and a punk-infused storyline that will provide enough nostalgia to all those familiar with the 70's and the peculiar fads it contained.

3/5

The Runaways is now available on DVD/Blu-ray in the US, and receives a general release in the UK on August 27th.

Cinema Review: The Karate Kid (2010)

Harold Zwart directs the remake of the 1984 original of The Karate Kid, with Will Smith's young protégé gracing the screen in his, technically, first full-blown role. Due to the film's Box Office success over in the US, clearly, mini Smith has picked well.

Similar to the original but given a slight modern makeover, Jaden Smith stars as Dre Parker, a twelve-year-old boy who moves to China with his mother (Taraji P. Henson). Continuously hassled by a gang of trained kids, Dre seeks the help of handyman Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) whose knowledge of deep kung-fu helps Dre defend himself and compete in the local fighting competition.

Previously starring in blockbusters such as the abysmal remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, Smith never particularly had enough room to flex his acting chops, let alone breathe. Whilst The Karate Kid limits his acting persona due to Ralph Macchio setting a non-permanent outline for which the character is based, Smith performs with gusto. Enthusiastic and moving sprightly throughout each scene, he fits almost perfectly - much like his father. Even when a blatant love interest is introduced, the subject isn't taken far enough to fall saccharine, but is charming and endearing enough to simply balance out what could potentially be targeted at a purely male-based audience.

Taking over from the late Pat Morita is screen legend Jackie Chan in a role that i, personally, haven't seen him play. Broken due to a past tragedy, Chan plays an isolated man which, in certain scenes, becomes deeply moving. Thankfully, young Dre plays as Mr. Han's silver lining, an almost saviour to a man whose life has continuously down-spiraled. Sincere and downright sweet, Chan and Smith have a chemistry which is honest and relatable.

Each training scene provides enough giggles and impressively choreographed kung-fu (not karate, unbelievably), culminating in an intense showdown between Shao Dre (a name credited by Mr. Han himself) and the lead bully, simultaneously awing and imprinting a trail of chills with the brilliantly quick-paced fighting and somewhat inspiring message of going the lengths of sticking up for yourself.

While some may argue that this modern remake doesn't compete with the original, it's fair to say that, while not perfect, it's not bad enough to have Pat Morita rolling in his grave.

3.5/5

Today's Cinema Viewing

The Rebound

Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Justin Bartha

Zeta-Jones stars as Sandy, a 40-something recently divorced woman whose recent move to New York City with her two lively children sets off an unexpected romance with a young coffee shop worker. Sick of dating, she settles for the charming Aram, a college graduate whose tough parents forceful manner has, up until now, owned his life. Are the two a well-matched couple?

Splice

Starring: Adrien Brody, Sarah Polly, Delphine Chanéac

Two rebellious scientists (Brody and Polly) defy all laws of science when they illegally splice together the DNA of multiple organisms - one of which is human. Growing at a rapid rate, the specimen 'Dren' becomes attached to both of her carers, but will the attachment turn deadly? Vincenzo Natali directs and co-writes this original sci-fi horror.

This Week's DVD/Blu-ray Choice, 26th July

The only two partially worthwhile releases this week just happen to be my joint choice.

My chosen two are:

-Clash of the Titans (2010)

-Remember Me

Despite being critically hated, Clash of the Titans, the remake of the 1981 original, pits Sam Worthington (originally Harry Hamlin) against an enormous amount of befuddlingly fictitious, other-wordly creatures only Greek mythology could configure. Still, despite copious amounts of cheese, the film is extravagantly entertaining if you're into your explosive effects, stunning set pieces and Sam Worthington in a toga. A blu-ray purchase is recommended, purely to see the glorious Medusa scene in high-def.

Secondly, we have Edward, i mean Robert Pattinson, star in Remember Me as a rebellious New Yorker whose run in with a cop forces him to forge an unlikely friendship with his daughter, leading, predictably, to a relationship shrouded in lies. Despite how unoriginal the plot is, the breakout performance from Pattinson proves he actually can act, and the superior ending is jaw-dropping enough to fall instantly memorable.

Movie News: Trailer For Lovely, Still

Love truly has no expiration date.

Martin Landau and Ellen Burstyn prove said statement with their latest holiday drama Lovely, Still. Landau stars as Robert Malone, a man whose lonely life becomes too much. Still, the silver lining comes in the form of Mary (Burstyn). After an unexpected meeting, the unusual attraction between the two blossoms into a fully-fledged relationship as they both truly fall head-over-heels

Judging by the trailer, the film seems to follow in close footsteps to Julie Christie's critically acclaimed drama Away From Her.

An honest, sweet portrayal of love always works best on-screen, therefore expect promising things.

The film has yet to receive a release date, but co-stars Adam Scott, Elizabeth Banks and is written/directed by first timer Nicholas Fackler.