SH**. JUST. GOT. REAL.

   

On September 6^th, Cinematic Impact released a list of our most 10 most anticipated films of 2012.   The list included Sam Mendes’ and Quentin Tarantino’s Skyfall and Django Unchained respectively.  But the two films that topped the list are surefire to be audience pleasers and on the top 10 list of major film critics.   The Dark Knight Rises and Prometheus could potentially make 2012 as memorable of an entertainment year as 1939 or 1974. 

The Dark Knight Rises

The best place to follow Batman news (or any Chris Nolan news) is www.nolanfans.com.  Back in February 2011 Nolanfans posted a radio interview of Nolan’s cinematographer Wally Pfister with The Kevin and Josh Movie Show.  During the interview the host as Wally Pfister how is Nolan going to top The Dark Knight.  Pfister responded by saying that “he has…he has done it.  He has written a phenomenal story… and we (the entire production crew) are all scratching our heads on how we are going to film it”.  The 2^nd HD trailer was released today on Apple ITunes.   If possible download the trailer with ITunes or another medium and then HDMI your computer to a HDTV.  The result is stunning, and one can truly appreciate the in-camera effects that Nolan, Chris Corbould, and Wally Pfister have accomplished.  The Batwing looks a bit odd, but moviegoers will greatly appreciate that the fictional aircraft was meticulously constructed just like the tumblers. Consider the scene in the trailer where the Batwing is pursuing Bane’s team of assassins whom have commandeered tumblers that are camouflaged like the vehicle from Batman Begins.  The scene looks seamless without any distracting CGI.  When Nolan is forced to use CGI, it is equally as impressive as his practical effects.  The imploding football field at Heinz stadium looked good but not mind blowing in standard definition.  But in 1080p on a 50 inch Sony Bravia, the detailing looks photorealistic.  The viewer can see that the $250 million dollar budget was used to the max. 

The action is what sells the trailer but the dialogue is also exceptional.  People have criticized the teaser trailer for hammy dialogue, this time the character interaction is anything but hammy.  Anne Hathaway and Michael Caine have well written dialogue with Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne, and give further insight into a man that is still coping with his very existence.  Now that Gotham has Harvey Dent as a martyr, Wayne’s existence as Batman is becoming self-indulgent but necessary to prevent the decay of a city.  Tom Hardy’s Bane has a menacing yet reserved and intelligent demeanor. Hardy will be excellent, yet I suspect that even if Bane is the better villain, Heath Ledger’s performance will still be more revered. 

Prometheus

The last time Ridley Scott filmed a science fiction story was in 1982 for Blade Runner.  Thirty years later the spiritual companion to his 1979 classic Alien will be released into theaters.  The very idea of mankind meeting their creators is already an intriguing concept, but add the space-jockey from Alien into the mix and you have a potential sci-fi classic on your hands.  Today a trailer for the upcoming trailer of Prometheus was released.  Ever single frame of footage was filled with intrigue, mystery, and/or excitement.  The set design is eerily similar to the 1979 film, but has the benefit of having superior materials and a larger yet undisclosed budget.  The crew of Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, and Guy Pearce all seem to be in top form.  The gritty and claustrophobic set will be as much of a challenge for the actors/actresses and moviegoers to endure. 

20^th Century Fox wants to view a PG-13 and R cut of the film.  Here’s to hoping (and I stress hoping) that they go with the latter rating.  Although PG-13 will guarantee more revenue; the R version will be extremely profitable without compromising the gut-wrenching atmosphere.  

Greek Mythology says that Prometheus stole fire from the gods to share with the mortals.  In this story it may be that humankind steals forbidden knowledge from the gigantic Space Jockeys.  The motion capture technology from Avatar is supposedly to be employed to depict these giant humanoids.  Prometheus will undoubtedly be the most original concept of the summer, despite being a possible prequel. 

Update on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 7:25PM by Travlis Hallingquest

NOLAN IS BOSS. 

Batman-news.com and many other entertanment websites have published articles that voiced the concern of Bane's voice in the TDKR Prologue.  Allegedly Warner Bros. is concerned over this issue, and rightfully so.  But considering how understandable Bane's voice was in the Official 2nd trailer, this should not be an issue.  Nolan is too smart to have an issue such as this take away from this film.  Perhaps the mask muffling Bane's voice along with engine noise from two airplanes (one that has lost cabin pressure) justifies why there is an audio issue.  Nolan has given WB Inception and a totally beleivable Batman series, and the studio thinks so highly of the director that he is given full creative control of projects that range from $150 to $250 million dollars in production costs.  Warner Bros.' should not worry about their most reliable director and producer.