The Screening Log - blogging film

Seen on: October 21, 2009

The players: Directors: Tony Jaa, Panna Rittikrai, Writers: Tony Jaa, Panna Rittikrai, Cast: Tony Jaa, Santisuk Promsiri, Sarunyoo Wongkrachang

Facts of interest: Prequel to "Ong Bak."

The plot: After Tien sees his parents get murdered, he's picked up by a group of warriors who teach him martial arts.

Our thoughts: Tony Jaa returns to kicking major ass in “Ong Bak 2,” a film that boasts an impressive photography but eventually suffers from many overlong scenes and monotonous action. As expected, a story is pretty much nonexistent, and while the film is not entirely boring, it still failed to win me over.

Print Article tagged

Ong Bak 2,

Tony Jaa in

Theatrical

Thursday

30Jul2009

Will Ridley Scott direct the 'Alien' prequel?

Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 10:54PM | By

At this stage, I'll give you a 'possibly' on this one. But yeah, Variety reports Ridley Scott is indeed attached to direct the "Alien" prequel.

Scott directed the first "Alien" in 1979, and the film quickly mutated into a huge success that provoked three sequels. Now 20th Century Fox is bringing the franchise back to life.

Jon Spaihts will write the script, but plot details have not been announced yet. His upcoming projects include "The Darkest Hour" and "Children of Mars."

Scott is currently filming "Robin Hood" with Russell Crowe. He previously helmed "Body of Lies" and "American Gangster."

Print Article tagged

20th Century Fox,

Alien,

Ridley Scott in

News,

Studios

Friday

23Jan2009

Review: “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”

Friday, January 23, 2009 at 6:32PM | By

Seen on: January 23, 2009

The players: Director: Patrick Tatopoulos, Writers: Howard McCain, Dirk Blackman, Danny McBride, Cast: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Shane Brolly, Kevin Grevioux

Facts of interest: Patrick Tatopoulos did the creature design in all three films.

The plot: The film explores the origins of the battle between the Lycans and Death Dealers.

Our thoughts: It’s about time to close the gates to this underworld for good. Patrick Tatopoulos’s prequel “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is not exactly a monstrosity, but the third installment in the series that kicked off with “Underworld” in 2003 fails to offer us anything we haven’t already seen in the predecessors.

Print Article tagged

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans in

Theatrical

Friday

23Jan2009

'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans' web reviews

Friday, January 23, 2009 at 4:35PM | By

The Death Dealers and Lycans return to the big screen in Patrick Tatopoulos' "Underworld" prequel "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," starring Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Shane Brolly and Kevin Grevioux. Here's what some Web critics have to say about the film:

• Ron Henriques at LatinoReview: "There's entertainment to be found in the picture and it does have its moments, because you don't come to see these movies for a dramatic story."

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "It isn't an absolute travesty, but you are getting nothing new and the repetitive nature of it all only equates to about 30 minutes of seemingly original storytelling -- if that."

• Brian Orndorf at Collider: "Downplaying the murky Vampire/Lycan mythology that grew to suffocate the previous films, "Rise of the Lycans" is a 90-minute-long horror passion play that benefits from brevity."

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,

Print Article tagged

Web in

Other

Tuesday

16Dec2008

New 'Rise of the Lycans' poster hits

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 11:54AM | By

Even though the release date of "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" is getting closer with every day that passes, I still can't get excited about the flick.

Maybe it's because I really enjoyed Len Wiseman's first "Underworld" but hated the sequel. Maybe it's the abscence of Kate Beckinsale that sort of killed my interest in the franchise. Oh whatever...

UGO debuted a brand-new one-sheet for the prequel, which focuses on the beginning of the feud between the Death Dealers and Lycans.

Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy and Craig Parker star. Check out a big version of the poster after the jump. "Rise of the Lycans" opens Jan. 23, 2009. Patrick Tatopoulos directs.

3 Comments |

Print Article tagged

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans in

Posters

Friday

24Oct2008

Trailer radar: 'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans'

Friday, October 24, 2008 at 6:35AM | By

There's a lot going on on our trailer radar today, and the first one we picked up is for Patrick Tatopoulos' upcoming "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," a prequel to the previous "Underworld" flicks.

Director Len Wiseman, Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman are all gone, but Bill Nighy returns as badass vampire leader and Rhona Mitra joins the cast in the lead role.

The story itself hasn't changed much: a vampire chick falls for a Lycan, and before you know it, vampires and lycans are killing each other off.

Final word: Check out the trailer after the jump! I enjoyed the first film but hated the second, and it looks like we're not exactly going to see anything particularly new in this third installment. (Release: Jan. 23, 2009)

Print Article tagged

Horror,

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans in

Trailers

Tuesday

19Aug2008

Vin Diesel directs 'Fast and Furious' prequel

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 3:04PM | By

The folks over at ComingSoon.net learned Tuesday that Vin Diesel is directing a 20-minute prequel to his upcoming action flick "Fast and Furious." Trust me, I was surprised too when I first read it.

Although not much is known about the short, Diesel he would star alongside Michelle Rodriguez and Sung Kang. Rodriguez starred in the first film of the series and will reprise her role in the fourth installment, which opens June 5, 2009. Kang starred in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokio Drift."

Diesel didn't comment on how and when the prequel would premiere once it's ready.

In the upcoming big-screen sequel, Diesel and Paul Walker team up to take down a common enemy. Justin Lin si directing. Diesel will next star in Mathieu Kassovitz's action flick "Babylon A.D."

Did you know? This is not the first time Diesel moves behind the camera, and it also won't be the last. In 1997, he directed "Strays," and next year, he's expected to helm "Hannibal the Conqueror." I wonder if we ever get to see him direct himself in another "xXx" sequel...

1 Comment |

Print Article tagged

Fast and Furious,

Sequel,

Vin Diesel in

News

Monday

28Jul2008

Francis Lawrence confirms ‘I Am Legend’ prequel

Monday, July 28, 2008 at 1:25PM | By

Although Francis Lawrence attended this year’s San Diego Comic-Con to present NBC’s new series “Kings,” the director had plenty of other things to chat about. One of them was a prequel to “I Am Legend.”

According to ShockTillYouDrop.com, Lawrence is already working on ideas for a prequel to the recent big-screen adaptation of Richard Matheson’s famous novel. “We're trying to figure out some ideas for it, but yes, it would be a prequel,” he said.

In the article you can read here, Lawrence also briefly talked about what it’s like to shoot in New York City and how different the approach to designing the environment would be in a prequel.

“I Am Legend” took home about $256.3 million domestically, which is why this is no surprising news to me. I didn’t really enjoy the flick and don’t think the world needs a sequel or a prequel, but at least I’m glad Lawrence said Will Smith would be interested to reprise his role as Dr. Neville.

What do you guys think? Do you want to find out more about what happened before the beginning of “I Am Legend”? Or couldn’t you care less? Share your thoughts below.

5 Comments |

Print Article tagged

Francis Lawrence,

I Am Legend,