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Avatar helps boost numbers for restaurant chain
6 hours ago
Is there nothing Avatar can’t do? People were yet to be convinced of 3D films, some doubted the relevance or vitality of filmmaker James Cameron and many mocked its blue cat-like aliens and yet the sci-fi blockbuster has had the last laugh. Who cares that it’s the most expensive film ever when it earns so much? And its appeal spreads so far that not only has it united with the likes of Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Mattel for high profile tie-ins, but even those just aren’t formally associated with it have benefited. Such is the case for the Restaurant Group, which has seen profits rise at its Frankie & Benny’s chain thanks to the restaurants being located at leisure parks where nearby cinemas are screening Avatar. Does Na’vi action give you an appetite for pasta and pizza? »
Rock band Mastodon for Jonah Hex soundtrack
7 hours ago
It’s been a busy week for movie soundtracks. Just in the past few days, we’ve had talk about Pharrell Williams (N.E.R.D.) working on Despicable Me, Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) and Mark Hoppus (Blink 182) collaborating together for Alice in Wonderland (a soundtrack that also looks set to feature Avril Lavigne and All Time Low) and Muse revealed they were approached for Clash of the Titans. And now joining the party is American rock band, Mastodon who has confirmed they’re writing the score for upcoming western, Jonah Hex. A western, you query. Yes, a western, albeit one with supernatural armies, an intentionally tongue-in-cheek tone and Megan Fox as a kick-ass prostitute. Look the other way Clint, this probably ain’t gonna be your cup of tea. »
An Education scoops 17 nominations on BAFTAs longlist
8 hours ago
Despite trying to sell itself as the British equivalent of the Oscars, there is an undeniably local whiff to the BAFTAs, with home-grown talent often triumphing despite stacked odds. And it’s once again the case as the longlist for this year’s celebration of cinema has been announced. Leading the pack with a whopping 17 nominations is coming of age drama, An Education, the least surprising of which going to its much acclaimed star, rising talent Carey Mulligan (soon to be seen as Michael Douglas’s daughter in Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps). There are also 15 for Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds and six a piece for Avatar, District 9 and The Hurt Locker, many of which coming in the Make-up and Hair, Costume Design and Music categories – our primary focus here at Boxwish. »
Director Neill Blomkamp says District 9 computer game would be “fascinating”
9 hours ago
Things are looking good for sci-fi smash District 9. The big screen debut of South African director, Neill Blomkamp has been nominated in six categories on the longlist of BAFTAs, adding to its nods for Golden Globes, Satellite Awards, Producers Guild Awards and many other gongs adding critical weight to its impressive $119 million haul at last year’s box office. And when such an unexpected hit arrives, there are often quick calls for some kind of follow-up, something Blomkamp has been addressing in a series of insightful interviews with the Los Angeles Times along with the prospect of a District 9 computer game. »
Clint Eastwood beats George Clooney as America’s preferred co-star
10 hours ago
Here’s a little wish fulfilment fantasy for you on a frosty Friday, Boxwishers. Say you got that call from Hollywood, beckoning you to the bright lights and razzle dazzle of Tinseltown with a film offer on the table; and not only do you get to star in this top movie but you also get to choose its genre and your co-star. That was the rousing riddle posed to over 1,000 American adults in a poll by 60 Minutes and Vanity Fair and coming out on top was grizzled veteran Clint Eastwood in one of his trademark westerns. The choice to play cowboys with Oscar favourite, Clint scored 20 per cent of the vote, beating his nearest rivals George Clooney and Cameron Diaz in a rom-com into second place with 18 per cent. What not Steven Seagal in a direct-to-dvd B-movie? »
Ethan Hawke loses his Daybreakers vampire fangs
12 hours ago
Even those staunchly in Team Jacob can’t help but note the massive vampire invasion going on in film and TV at the moment. As well as The Twilight Saga, there’s been Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, Let the Right One In, True Blood, Being Human, The Vampire Diaries, etc. etc. And the latest to join this bloodsucking craze is futuristic sci-fi/ horror Daybreakers. Out in cinemas from this weekend, the movie sees the world overrun by vamps thanks to a plague with only Ethan Hawke’s plucky researcher, Edward looking to find a cure. And though Edward’s the hero of the flick, he too is a vamp giving the Training Day star a chance to wear some cool fangs. The only problem – he’s now lost them. »
Pete Wentz and Mark Hoppus join forces for Alice in Wonderland soundtrack song
13 hours ago
It might just seem like everything’s Avatar, Avatar, Avatar at the box office at present, and while we’re enjoying the return of James Cameron and this massive new development in 3D, there are other exciting new movies on their way. And one that’s been happily creating quite a buzz at Boxwish HQ is Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. This typically quirky retelling of the Lewis Carroll children’s classic starring Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen, Anne Hathaway as The White Queen amid other top Hollywood talent, has become hot news in fashion circles (see Related Content, right) and now, after last month’s confirmation that All Time Low are set to appear on the movie’s soundtrack, comes further music developments as Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz and Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus are joining forces for »
Film fantasies: We’d love... a Na’vi language dictionary
14 hours ago
When at school, language lessons can be kinda dry. You repeat your teacher’s words (perhaps throwing in a guilty snigger if something sounds rude) and generally end up with a series of stock phrases that help you find your way to the railway station and not much else. Of course, there are some linguistically blessed swots that shame everyone else with their authentic accent and go on to master it effortlessly, but language lessons can just like any other school subject – a trial to endure. However, we reckon we’ve found one language that would certainly get our attention if part of the curriculum – Na’vi. Yes, the language spoken by the likes of Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and her fellow residents of Pandora in James Cameron’s Avatar seems pretty cool, something we’d volunteer to learn and so we kick off our film fantasies series with a dictionary for Na’vi. »
The pretty interiors from Nancy Meyers's films: Love them or loathe them?
7 January 2010 9:20 AM, PST
Tomorrow a new batch of films hit UK cinemas, hoping to knock Avatar from its perch atop the box office, and one such wannabe is rom-com It’s Complicated. The heart-warming tale stars Meryl Streep as divorcee Jane, a woman who embarks upon an affair with her now re-married ex-husband, Jake (Alec Baldwin), while her architect friend, Adam (Steve Martin) also falls for her. Two men, one woman – lucky Meryl! It’s the latest from filmmaker Nancy Meyers, who, with past hits The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give and the Father of the Bride flicks, has carved out a truly female career in the predominantly male movie industry and, along with championing middle-aged romance, has become known for her gorgeous interiors. Something examined in a new article/ interview with The New York Times Magazine. »
Penguin Children’s Books snaps up Iron Man 2 range
7 January 2010 8:18 AM, PST
With the UK still under a blanket of snow (according to top site, Star Wars Weather, Boxwish’s corner of the country is enduring conditions comparable to those on Hoth, the ice planet – “cold, ice, freezing desolation”), summer can seem like a million years away. And yet we can’t help but look forward with great excitement to the big screen blockbusters the sunshine will bring, and one of our most anticipated is Iron Man 2. Robert Downey Jr., currently to be seen as Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s fun crime mystery of the same name, was fantastic as the superhero lead in the 2008 hit smash and the sequel promises to be just as much fun. And now that this comic book franchise is well and truly established, we expect a number of companies to slog it out to sign tie-in deals. And one such lucky brand is Penguin Children’s Books, »
Sex and the City jewellery from Dogeared coming soon
7 January 2010 7:34 AM, PST
Here’s some happy news for all Boxwishers who covet Sex and the City style yet can’t afford the swanky labels flaunted by Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her trio of trendsetting chums as it’s becoming increasingly possible to kit yourself in Satc-inspired goodies without stepping one foot in Manolo Blahnik. There’s a fragrance inspired by Carrie coming soon, cute character-based ballerina pumps courtesy of Redfoot Revolution (see Related Content, right) and plenty of cool slogan tees. And now joining this list of more affordable tie-ins comes a line of jewellery from hip young label, Dogeared, which includes amongst its celeb followers High School Musical starlet Ashley Tisdale and Miley Cyrus. »
Coco Before Chanel helps spark fashion craze for nautical stripes
7 January 2010 6:04 AM, PST
Gloating and showing off are never attractive and yet we’re having to fight the urge right now. Why? Because back when French film, Coco Before Chanel hit cinemas last year, we here at Boxwish knew it would become a sensation in style circles and so it has been proven. After all, how could it not? It’s centred on the life and times of Parisian fashion pioneer, Coco Chanel and stars trendsetting actress, Audrey Tautou, who in an amazing case of cinematic synchronicity is the new spokesmodel for the brand’s famous fragrance, Chanel No 5 replacing Nicole Kidman. And now one of Chanel’s most celebrated looks, that of stripes and specifically the marinière, is the hottest fashion trend thanks to the movie. »
Musical version of Indian crossover hit, Monsoon Wedding to hit Broadway
7 January 2010 4:35 AM, PST
After a few years in Hollywood working on such films as last year’s Amelia and 2004’s Vanity Fair, Indian filmmaker Mira Nair is going back to her roots with a musical version of her breakout hit Monsoon Wedding. The indie rom-com won awards galore back in 2001/ 02, the story following the chaos of a traditional Punjabi wedding attracting an international following that helped it to over $30 million at the box office, not bad for a budget of just 7,000,000 Inr. And now the director is re-visiting this popular favourite with a musical adaptation that is scheduled to hit the Great White Way in a year’s time. Pencil it in your diaries now! »
Computer game insider admits movie tie-ins are flawed
7 January 2010 3:02 AM, PST
For every big movie blockbuster there’s inevitably an accompanying tie-in computer game, and while there have been the odd good one (like The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay), more often than not, these can be disappointing. It seems an odd state of affairs as the game is released to appeal to the film’s fans, only to leave a bad taste in their mouths, almost acting as a stain on the movie’s reputation. And yet the cycle of movie to game disappointments shows little sign of easing with the game for current box office phenomenon, Avatar also receiving a mixed response from fans and critics alike despite utilising the movie’s stereoscopic 3D effects. And now addressing the issue is Bob Jacob, the co-founder of games developer and publisher Cinemaware (best known for their Amiga titles including Defender of the Crown). »
Sigourney Weaver’s Avatar character blasted for being hot and young
7 January 2010 1:28 AM, PST
Tut tut Dr Grace Augustine. The visionary scientist played by Sigourney Weaver in blue alien blockbuster, Avatar (now the second highest-grossing movie of all time, having climbed from fourth to overtake The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest) has again become the source of negative back talk. Just a few days ago, it was her smoking that had upset health experts, prompting director James Cameron to come out and fight her corner (see Related Content, right) and now it’s not her puffing away but her appearance that has come under scrutiny with New York Magazine. »
Muse approached to write soundtrack for Clash of the Titans
6 January 2010 9:34 AM, PST
Their songs have turned up in everything from Seven Pounds to Swordfish and they’ve recently become the unofficial band of The Twilight Saga with tracks contributed to both Twilight and New Moon, yet rock band Muse are yet to write a movie soundtrack. But that could soon all change as the three-piece from Devon have been approached to provide the musical backdrop to action remake, Clash of the Titans starring Avatar hot property Sam Worthington and a supporting cast that boasts Gemma Arterton, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes. Do we think singer Matt Bellamy’s falsetto voice and Hendrix-inspired guitar work suits the sword and sandals blockbuster? »
Take a break from the snow with this cinematic stroll through the seasons
6 January 2010 9:03 AM, PST
Like so much of the UK, here at Team Boxwish we’ve been hit by severe snow showers and as such can’t get much further than our front doors. For many this can make for an unexpected thrill – the day off school/ work, snow ball fights, etc. – and yet for others being cooped up indoors without the option to go out can leave you with cabin fever. Now that’s obviously the last thing we want, so if you don’t fancy cuddling up for a snow-inspired movie marathon (see Related Content, right), please don’t despair as we’ve got a little film clip that shows just how swiftly those pesky seasons change. Click over to watch the video. »
Boxwish’s top three snow movies
6 January 2010 8:04 AM, PST
Waking up this morning, the world outside looked like one gorgeous, glistening winter wonderland, such is the heavy snow that has hit the UK. It’s meant all sorts of crazy disruptions from closed schools to grounded planes, resulting in many school children and workers not able to make it out today. And so with a free day opening up in front of you, how to spend it once you’ve thrown all the snowballs you can make and built the ultimate snowman? By wrapping up warm and settling down with a good movie, and in honour of the wintry weather, we’re in the mood for a little cinematic snow and we don’t mean of the Tony Montana variety… »
Sherlock Holmes costumes and props on display at the London Film Museum
6 January 2010 6:57 AM, PST
Just yesterday we were talking about the London Film Museum and its exciting exhibition celebrating the life and career of comedy god, Charlie Chaplin (see Related Content, right) and it seems we’re heading back to the South Bank again. This time to enjoy a more modern movie marvel, that of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes currently doing well at the box office (albeit in the blue shadow of Avatar). The action-packed re-imagining of the beloved Conan Doyle stories stars Robert Downey Jr. as the eponymous super sleuth and Jude Law as his trusty sidekick, Dr Watson, with Rachel McAdams flying the flag for the ladies as the sparky Irene Adler and Mark Strong as the villainous Lord Blackwood. And costumes as worn by all four of these stars, along with used props are currently on view at this cinematic corner of the capital. »
Bid on red carpet seats at the Screen Actors Guild Awards
6 January 2010 5:07 AM, PST
It’s just over two months until the Academy announces who will get to walk home with Hollywood’s most coveted prizes, the Oscars. However there’s much to enjoy in the frenzied build-up to the big showbiz shindig, with oodles of other top industry prizes also on offer. The latest to announce their nominations is the Producers Guild (with a lot of love shown to sci-fi with Star Trek, District 9 and Avatar all up for the Best Picture Award), but one event that always boasts a starry turn-out is the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. And this year, you can be part of the glamorous night as special red carpet bleacher seats are now up for auction online. »
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