Casting rumors for the fourth 'Bourne' film

I know I have already talked about this before, but a fourth 'Bourne' movie without Matt Damon is very real.  There's a long list of rumored actors (about 8-10).  But three names keep coming up across the internet-sphere.  /slashfilm mentions three big names in the running.  Let's look at them now:

Jake Gyllenhaal:

Hmm, I'm conflicted.  I don't like his acting whatsoever, I've pretty much hated him in everything I've seen, except Prince of Persia.  That's why I'm conflicted.  The 'Bourne' films need a good dramatic actor ala Matt Damon.  We need to see his confusion, his desperation.  BUT, Bourne may not even be the main character.  The sequel has only promised to be in the same world as Jason Bourne.  So maybe Gyllenhaal could pull it off?

Tobey Maguire:

He could totally be Gyllenhaal's twin

My absolute favorite of the trio here.  I feel like he needs to do something to shed that goody goody Peter Parker persona.  This film/franchise could do just the trick!  He has the dramatic chops, we've seen it.  He has the action background of the Spider-Man franchise, he is a real talent.  His body may not fit the world the way Damon's did, but he could make it work.





Garrett Hedlund:

Why?  Why am I even writing about this guy?  He totally stunk up the screen in Tron: Legacy and I hated every aspect of his acting in that film.  Why would I want to see him replace one of the greatest actors of my generation (Damon) in one of the most critically acclaimed action trilogies in history?  The answer is I don't want to see him get the role, period.

It's my opinion, you're on my blog so you obviously care, or you're just curious.  Feel free to drink some Haterade in the comments.  Who of these three should get the role?  Or maybe it's not any of these three, what do you think?

Click the jump for a little extra. (SOILER ALERT TO BOURNE ULTIMATUM)

You know who they should bring back, Édgar Ramírez!  His character of Paz in The Bourne Ultimatum was incredible!  He demanded our attention on the screen and held is own against Damon.  SPOILER ALERT:  Jason Bourne doesn't kill Paz in the film, he spares his life.  So why not continue the franchise with a revenge-filled Paz seeking to clear his name and start a new life?  The producers can leave the door open for Damon to return to the franchise, and fulfill their wish of staying within the confines of the 'Bourne' world.  What do you think?

Love & Other Drugs review... I want 2 hours of my life back!

When your married, or in a committed relationship for that matter, your significant other makes you go see films you otherwise wouldn't be caught dead watching.  This was one of those films.  Jake Gyllenhaal is a womanizing prescription drug salesman.  He's shallow and sleeps around.  Anne Hathaway is a young woman with a rare case of Parkinsons disease.  She wants to keep it casual and so does Gyllenhaal's character... at first.  This is going to be a short review because if the actors and filmmakers weren't going to try their best, neither am I.

What I liked about the film:
Oliver Platt and Hank Azaria
It's a pretty good indicator what a movie is going to be like when the best thing about it is the screen time of two supporting actors.  Oliver Platt is Gyllenhaal's mentor at Pfizer drugs.  Hand Azaria is a doctor who Gyllenhaal tries to sell his prescription drugs to.  Platt is hilarious and is the same character he always plays, but I like it.  Azaria is so diverse I bought he was a womanizing doctor who really cared for his patients.  Great job.


What I didn't like about the film:
Its Stars
Everyone on here knows I dislike Anne Hathaway very much!  Jake Gyllenhaal is not very much behind in my book.  They both phoned in their performances.  Ho, hum, the movie was dumb.

The Writing
Typical "chick flick" fashion.  Predictable, even though they attempted the unpredictable.  So stupid.  Hathaway doesn't want to get involved with anyone because she's worried she'll get attached.  At first Gyllenhaal is in it just for the sex, but later wants more.  As his career improves, his personal life goes down the tank.  Who cares? 

The Director
Edward Zwick should just chalk this one up to a loss.  He's too good a damn director to be involved in crap like this.  He's made such classics as Defiance, Blood Diamon, The Last Samurai, The Seige, and Legends of the Fall.  Wow, that's an amazing resume and hopefully this film can be shrugged off. 

The verdict:
Horrible
There was not a memorable moment in the film.  I left the theater wondering how on Earth I got conned into watching it.  I didn't have an interest in the film whatsoever.  We never covered it on the blog, and rightfully so.  ARRG!  I'm so mad I wasted my time watching this instead of Black Swan!  The timing was just too late for Black Swan and a man's got work in the morning.  Speaking of which, goodnight!

Tony: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time review

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was awesome! We have all hesitated when hearing about a video game turned movie is announced, but this is an exception. As recently as standing in line for the movie, I Twittered to the world that I wasn't all that excited about the film. My wife and I were out and about yesterday and decided to see it anyway, and we both loved it. Let me dive right into the likes and dislikes.

What I liked about the movie:
The Action
Money obviously attracted Disney to this project, but there's more to it. The action portrayed in the video games made for a very interesting concept on screen. Director Mike Newell does a magnificent job with the action. The chase scenes, the Parkour (wall-jumping), the knife fights, etc. All of the above are shot incredibly well. The pacing of the movie is great; there isn't a dull moment in the film, it's always progressing. Thumbs up to Newell on this.

The Actors
At first I thought to myself, "Jake Gyllenhaal with an English accent is just not going to work". Well I stand corrected, and Gyllenhaal is awesome in the lead role. He's physically insane in the movie and demands the spotlight. Gemma Arterton does well in the lead female role, and the chemistry between her and Gyllenhaal is great. They have a tough love thing going that works considering Arterton's role in the film. Alfred Molina gives some amazing comic relief in the movie. Not every joke, but for the most part his role is well played. Then there is Sir Ben Kingsley. At this point in his career, his name says it all. He does well considering he is surrounded by a cast half his age. Just great casting all around in this movie.

The Usually Forgotten
The scenery is grand, the sand dunes spectacular and the sets are terrific. The soundtrack is very fitting of a summer blockbuster. As were the costumes and extras. I know I'm gushing about this movie, but really, everything was well done. It has an epic feel to it, until you see the swashbuckling action, it kind of puts it back in perspective. But it has a large scale feel to it.


What I didn't like about the movie:
The Story
I know it's a Disney film aimed at families, but the story is a bit weak. It was too much of the same thing in different settings (albeit beautiful settings). The trailers pretty much give it away. "The dagger is important, follow the dagger." Problem is, and I hate when movies do this, "he has the dagger, no she has the dagger. No wait, he has the dagger. Wait wait, now that guy over there has the dagger." Enough!

Overall, very satisfied and would be willing to see it again if someone were to ask me. Be weary that it is aimed at kids and families and then you wont be disappointed. The action, the direction, acting and set pieces are all worth your 12 bucks. After you see it, let me know what you think.

Quickie: Prince of Persia trailer

Looks good... see what you guys think.

Quickie: "Prince of Persia" posters!

The official posters of "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" have been released by Empire, and they look great.

I remember Tony being excited for this movie ever since the first pictures were released of Jake Gyllenhaal in costume. I myself rushed out and got my hands on a copy of the best-selling PS2 game to play before the movie comes out.

The film is being directed by Mike Newell ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"), so there should be a decent amount of story. It's being produced by action movie producer guru Jerry Bruckheimer, so I'm guessing that this movie will most likely feature cool looking acrobatic moves over the story. The movie, after all, is based on the Ubisoft video game series, which itself is based on a classic side-scrolling game. I hope these posters will prove me a bit wrong...

The movie will co-star Sir Ben Kingsley Alfred Molina, and Gemma Arterton as the Princess.

Let's hope the film's look and feel match the artsy feeling of these posters.
Awesome work from Disney here.

Prince of Persia footage!!!

Everyone remember the video game Prince of Persia? Well it was pretty ground breaking at the time, with it's gravity defying movies and flash forward action. The game is being adapted into a big budget movie by none other than Jerry Bruckheimer. The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal (who got freakin' ripped for this movie) and is directed by Mike Newell, who directed one of the Harry Potter movies and DONNIE BRASCO! Check out the short clip.