Movie News: One Sheet For Deathly Hallows

If the mind-numbingly brilliant trailer (which you can see here) for the latest, and finale, two-part installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows didn't grab your attention, then this equally as fantastic poster will.

Boasting the inevitable wear on Hogwarts after the climactic battle which has been forcefully built up for almost ten years now, the poster displays an uneasy, but painfully beautiful, image of the school which fell as a refuge for witches and wizards of all ages. It's simple, but damn, it's unarguably effective. "It All Ends Here"; a tagline weighed down with the impending realisation that the phenomenon is almost over.

The two-part finale will see our courageous three-some Harry, Ron and Hermione, battle a cavalcade of foes to thieve the horcruxes that the evil Lord Voldemort has deviously hidden. Alongside their friends, the stampede of young and old witches and wizards head out to defeat Voldemort and his minions, with all intention of destroying him for good.

The first installment will be released November this year, and the second July 2011.

This Week's UK Cinema Releases, 2nd July

-Those with a tendency to duck at the sight of a teeny-bopper may wish to cower in safety in their homes this weekend as the previews for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse are hitting cinemas all over Britain. The third outing sees Bella (Kristen Stewart) dealing with graduation, her feisty vampire enemy Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) and the love she has for charming, incorrigibly broody, vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and hot-tempered werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner)

-Rory and Kieren Culkin team up with Alec Baldwin, Cynthia Nixon and rising star Emma Roberts in the poignant tale about family in Lymelife, dealing with a family's down-spiraling condition after a failing marriage.

-French romcom Heartbreaker has also caused a positive stir with audiences and critics alike. Romain Duris is Alex, a man whose business partnership with his sister leads him to end relationships on strictly work ethics. Problems, however, come in the form of a rich man hiring Alex to break up the wedding belonging to his daughter.

-White Material is a hard-hitting drama, following director Claire Denis as she returns to Africa but focuses more on civil and racial conflicts. Maria (Isabelle Huppert) must decide between safety and protecting her livelihood as the ever-increasing Civil War causes problems on her coffee plantation. Help thankfully arises as a local black man decides to risk his life for the family - something which Maria, her husband and her son appreciate dearly.

-The Jason Isaacs comedy Skeletons is also released. Two real exorcists make a living out of ridding actual skeletons found in people's closets, but find trouble in their latest case when the skeletons decide to hide themselves.

Film Of The Week, July 1st

Hayao Miyazaki. A household name in the world of animation, with various films so downright bewitching they stick out in the film industry like a sore thumb. Retaining his much-deserved success in Japan, Miyazaki broke out Worldwide when the late Miramax decided to release Princess Mononoke back in 1997, catapulting him into the limelight. Once his later feature Spirited Away won an Academy Award, all bets were off that Miyazaki was one of the World's most sought-after animators, with a distinct taste and desire to create such exquisite works of art, all-the-while involving deep, relevant messages which could be conveyed to all ages.

Co-finding the animation studio/production company Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki has released 17 films, all of which have gained international praise and merited themselves a place in the heart of film-goers. An abundance of care, knowledge and appreciation for the art of hand drawn animation is blatantly obvious. All of which couldn't be of more importance in his latest film, and my film of the week, Ponyo - or Ponyo On The Cliff as known otherwise.

An imaginative retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, Ponyo tells the story of a young boy named Sosuke and his discovery of heartwarming love towards his new found friend Ponyo, a seemingly innocent fish found in the local harbor. Ponyo, however, finds herself in trouble with her father, the Wizard Fujimoto, as he wishes for her to remain under water. Escaping, Ponyo transforms herself into a little girl and begins an adventure of epic proportions with Sosuke, despite the gigantic storm caused by her disagreeing father.

The overwhelmingly touching and beautifully uplifting tale of friendship couldn't work more tremendously. Miyazaki's revamped storytelling of the classic fairytale works wonders, with the luscious and wonderfully captivating animation fitting hand-in-hand. Undoubtedly ambitious, the vibrantly aquatic, under water adventure waiting to entice you into a sheer dumbfounded trance is the product of an astonishing creation.

Positive -

Almost everything. The twist on the well-known tale is fantastic, with added elements stirring the story enough to appear original. The animation is angelic; the characters are quirky, enticing and relatable; the subtle message dealing with global warming is fitting. You won't find another animation this year which is so confoundingly full of heart.

Negative -

The English-dubbed talents may grate on your nerves: Miley Cyrus' sister, Noah Cyrus, stars as Ponyo, and mini Jonas Bro. Frankie stars as Sosuke. Together, their high pitched tones and insatiable tendency to squeal and appear in absolute wonderment may p**s elderly viewers off, but i, and i hope many, found the whole ordeal adorable.

Other opinions...

"A weird, wonderful aquatic romp..." - Nick de Semlyen, Empire Magazine

"...another Ghibli charmer that finds story, subject matter and style in freewheeling harmony." - Matthew Leyland, Total Film

"...imaginative, enchanting and exciting..." - Lucy Barrick, Radio Times

Check out some of Miyazaki's other films: My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle.

Check below for a trailer for Ponyo.

Movie News: Teaser For Paranormal Activity 2

What a treat! Paramount promised a teaser for the sequel to Oren Peli's low-budget smash hit Paranormal Activity before this weekend's opening of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, and they actually went through with it. Below you will find the creepy, albeit confusing, teaser for Paranormal Activity 2 which, thankfully, stars it's previous star Katie Featherston as she reprises her role - but for how long?

The synopsis for the sequel has been kept under-wraps -- something which is dreadfully uncommon in Hollywood nowadays. It's blatantly obvious the mystery shrouding the teaser is successful, leading myself to watching it multiple times in hope of cracking some sort of hidden code.

The film is directed by Tod Williams, and has an official US release date of October 22nd, pitting it against 3D sequel Saw VII.

HINT: Look out for the last shot involving the baby absent from his crib, yet is curiously standing in it in the mirror. Have we cracked a possible twist?

Movie News: Deathly Hallows Hits The Web!

The premiere of the brand new theatrical teaser for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I will undoubtedly cause havoc among fans of the phenomenal franchise.

Boasting what is the first half of the finale of the worldwide-smash series, we follow Harry, Ron and Hermione as they gather to collect the rest of the Horcruxes in all hope to destroy Lord Voldemort, the dark Lord whose attempts at killing 'the boy who lived' have been foiled for years. With his control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, little hope remains for the group.

With the uprise in teen fantasies such as Twilight and Percy Jackson, it's hard not to compare the two to Harry Potter - a series which has unarguably sparked many whose attempts at competing with the Potter franchise are painfully apparent. Still, those faithful to either the books or/and the films will be eagerly anticipating this two-part finale - and with a trailer this good, i hardly blame them.

The series has created stars such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, but stars verterans such as Maggie Smith, John Hurt, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Imelda Staunton and countless others.

David Yates has helmed the final two chapters (as well as the previous fifth and sixth entries), and will be presented in both 3D and 2D. The first half has been scheduled for release November '10, and the second July '11.

Check below for the trailer which, sadly, is the beginning of the end of an era.

This Week's DVD/Blu-ray Choice, 28th June

An above-average week for rather poignant dramas, with my choice somewhat undecided between two. I shan't, however, succumb to Peter Jackson's rendition of Alice Sebold's novel The Lovely Bones, therefore sticking with an upsettingly under-publicised film.

My choice this week is Everybody's Fine.

Nanny McPhee director Kirk Jones helms the remake of the Italian original, Stanno tutti bene, with veteran Robert De Niro taking the lead role of the retired and sadly widowed Frank, an estranged father of four whose attempt at reconnecting with his children is foiled by their lack of involvement and enthusiasm to spend time with him. The spontaneous roadtrip leads Frank around the country in all hope to reuinte the family for a classic Christmas. The film was unfortunately criticised by many, but i couldn't help but fall in love with Robert De Niro. Conveying a multitude of varied emotions, an instantly relatable character makes the entire film worthwhile. It remains consistently well-written; witty and incredibly moving, with a perfect ensemble of co-stars ranging from Drew Barrymore to Sam Rockwell. A DVD purchase is fine, just make sure to buy a box of Kleenex on the way back from the store.

This Week's UK Cinema Releases, 25th June

-We begin the week with the wonderful Kristen Bell taking a crack at a romcom in When In Rome. Beth (Bell), an uptight New Yorker, travels to Rome for her sister's wedding and inadvertently begins an adventure of odd proportions when she thieves coins from the fountain of love, attracting the attention of those who threw the coins. This, unfortunately, tempers with her new-found relationship with Nick (Josh Duhamel), a charming ex-football player.

-Jigsaw receives competition by a nondescript foe in the form of The Collector. A man struggling under the weight of unpaid debts resorts to breaking into his rich employer's home, unaware that somebody has already set up camp in the deserted country house. With an array of gruesome traps set up around the house, be prepared for a less-than-settling 100 minutes.

-Francis Ford Coppola returns to the screens with Tetro, centering around a man in search of his distant brother and uncovering his almost-finished play which gives an intriguing insight into the brothers' past.

-Woody Allen also returns with Whatever Works, with Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David. David stars as Boris, a self-proclaimed idealist who tends to project his personal views of religion and relationships on others, particularly Mississippi runaway Melody (Evan Rachel Wood). Producing an unlikely marriage, Melody's parents and family friends are less than impressed with the relationship between the duo.

-The final chapter of the adventures of the lovable ogre, Shrek Forever After, also hits this weekend with special advance screenings. The now-married, now-fathered, Shrek isn't happy with his life. His days are drawn out with satisfying his demanding family and the residents of Far Far Away, therefore missing his solo days when everybody and everything were terrified of him. Signing one of Rumplestiltskin's infamous contracts, his unwillingly signs away the day he was born to relive his glory days, awaking to no children, no friends and Fiona; an unloved warrior princess leading the resistance against Rumple and his band of sour-faced witches. Read my review for the final chapter here.