Upcoming Sci-fi & fantasy movies

Hi everyone and happy new year!

2012 wasn't a bad year for sci-fi & fantasy movies, however, the next couple of years are already looking to be much better.

For all of us cool geeks out there (I know there are more than the 3 of us here at SoVibrant) there have been a few very interesting film announcements over the last 6 months. I will quickly summarise them below (in no particular order) and then I will do a follow up on each of them as they are released in the cinema. 


Man of Steel (Superman)

Man of Steel is the latest in a saga of Superman movies. This film seems to re-tell the story of Superman from being a child (as in the original Superman movie) up to becoming the Superman we all know and love. As well as the great visual elements, the most exciting thing about this movie is that it is being produced by Christopher Nolan, the guy who brought us the recent and  brilliant Batman trilogy.

Click here for the Man of Steel trailer


Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas deals with how individual lives can impact one another across time. Almost like The Butterfly Effect, the impacts of each person's life has a drastic effect on another, shaping heroes and inspiring revolutions along the way.

Visually this movie looks amazing with fantasy landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, as well as perfect recreations of past locations. This is definitely one I am looking forward to watching.

Click here for the Cloud Atlas trailer


Elysium

This movie is the most puzzling of the line-up. The movie trailer is simply an advertisement for a future corporation. This does give us details on things which may be in the movie but provides no reference of a plot. 

the synopsis states that :

 "In 2159 there are two classes: the very rich who live on a station created by man, Elysium, and others who live on Earth sacked and overcrowded. Secretary Rhodes (Jodie Foster) is a member of the government who would do anything to pass anti-immigration laws and to preserve the luxurious living of the citizens of Elysium. This does not prevent the inhabitants of the earth to try to integrate Elysium by all possible means. One day the unlucky Max (Matt Damon) accepts a mission that could save his life, but also restore the balance between these two worlds."

Only time will tell how the movie turns out.

Click here for the Elysium trailer

After Earth

After Earth is about 2 humans who crash land on Earth which had been evacuated over 1,000 years earlier. The trailer tells of how the planet and its inhabitants have evolved to almost protect itself from the return of the human race.

The movie is visually awe inspiring and with Will and Jaden Smith both in lead roles, it looks to be a great film.

Click here for the After Earth trailer


Pacific Rim

OK sci-fi geeks, take Godzilla and pit him up against an army of Gundam style robots, need I say more!

The trailer is reminiscent of Transformers as giant manned robots fight it out against a huge lizardesque creature. The jury is out on this one as it is a great concept for a movie, but would be so easily ruined if not done correctly.

Click here for the Pacific Rim trailer


Oblivion

Oblivion sets Tom Cruise (in classic Tom Cruise fashion) as the saviour of mankind on a future Earth which has evolved beyond recognition. Element's of his past lead him on a journey of redemption and discovery, like I said, seems like the typical character Tom cruise usually plays, nothing new here. 

The movie, however, is brought to us by the director of Tron Legacy which was a good movie, so fingers crossed.

Click here for the Oblivion trailer


The Prototype

This movie deals with the age old battle of humans vs robots. The film follows a robot escapee which is seemingly harmless until it is hunted down by a fearful human race, sound familiar?
Besides the not too original plot, the trailer actually looks half decent. If done well, the movie could be one of the big hits of 2013.

Click here for the Prototype trailer



As the above movies are released I will be doing a small review of them so look out for those in the near future!

Happy reading everyone


Media Productions
www.sovibrant.co.uk

Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Adaptations

With several big budget movie adaptations of classic works of literature due to arrive in theatres in the not too distant future, I thought it would be a good idea to blog our top 5 most anticipated here at SoVibrant HQ. With some of these titles being in my top ten books list I hope the following films don't disappoint!

1. On The Road

Jack Kerouac's defining work perfectly captures the spirit and ethos of the beat generation of the late 1950's. Largely autobiographical the book focuses on the cross-country hitch hiking of Kerouac and his acquaintances. This book is a work of genius and the film has got a lot to live up to even come close to matching its quality.

Trailer

2. The Great Gatsby

I'm not sure how any film can capture the subtleties and subtext of F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal 1920's novel. Baz Luhman, director of Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet is not someone that you would normally associate with a delicate touch (and the trailer appears to be anything but subtle) so it will be interesting to see how this take on the classic book is relieved by its fans.

Trailer

3. The Hobbit

If this as half as good as the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy then it is definitely not one to miss. Recent news that the story is to be stretched out into a trilogy has concerned some fans though, with many fearing that Peter Jackson or the studio are looking to cash in on the franchise. Only time will tell but my instincts tell me that this will be one of the most successful adaptations in the list.

Trailer

4. Life Of Pi

I touched on this in a recent blog so wont risk the danger of repeating myself here. I'll only say I'm really looking forward to catching both the book and the film soon.

Trailer

5. Cloud Atlas

Having not yet read this book its high on my reading list before the movie comes out. I'm very impressed with the trailer though and spanning hundreds of years the film looks like it's going to be epic.

Trailer

Because I'm feeling especially generous today and to show these potential pretenders how successful a good movie adaptation can be if its handled correctly, I have listed my top 5 movie adaptations to date below:

1. 2001 A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece is probably one of the only films that I've enjoyed more than the original source material. The opening sequence itself is a work of genius. Kubrick was really a master of his craft at this stage in his career. If you have not seen this film yet watch it now. No seriously stop reading this and watch it.....now.

Trailer

2. Goodfellas

Based on 'Wiseguy' the autobiography of Nicholas Pileggi this is THE definitive gangster movie. Scorsese focuses on the street level hoods as opposed the Mafia leadership of the Godfather Trilogy, and the film tracks the rise and fall of the Lucchese crime family spanning across several decades. In my opinion career best performances from Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro. The book is also definitely worth a read.

Trailer

3. Blade Runner

Having loved this film for a number of years I have recently read the Philip K Dick source novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' and was sadly disappointed as it had none of the subtlety or complexity of the film. Hopefully Ridley Scott wont taint this work with his rumoured sequel in the same way he has with Prometheus, but I can forgive him for the fact that he made this amazing film in the first place. Way ahead of its time.

Trailer

4. The Shawshank Redemption

Based on a Stephen King short story, The Shawshank Redemption often tops the greatest movie of all time lists and it’s easy to see why. A brilliant story brilliantly executed.

Trailer

5. The Lord Of The Rings

What can you say about this amazing trilogy other than Peter Jackson has not only managed to film the unfilmable but also created a cinematic masterpiece. Shame the last film has so many endings but this is a small complaint. Let's hope that The Hobbit can maintain the level of quality Jackson achieved with this franchise. The books can be heavy going but I would highly recommend them.

Trailer

Feel free to add your own favourites and recommendations below!

Images and trailers via the web

www.sovibrant.co.uk