This week has really got something for everyone! J. Edgar, director Clint Eastwood’s biopic of the longtime head of the FBI, Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller, much talked about indie Martha Marcy May Marlene and my person pick of the week, London Boulevard.

Let’s start there, shall we? London Boulevard is a British gangster flick, the idea of which right off the bat we know is gonna make my socks roll up and down. It’s also the directorial debut of screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed) and based on a novel by one of my favorite writers, Ken Bruen.  The best way to describe Bruen is to say he’s the Irish James Ellroy. (If that means nothing to you, chances are Bruen isn’t gonna be your cuppa anyway.) The tagline is “Not every criminal wants to be one.” To further illustrate the point, think of Al Pacino in Godfather III, “Every time I think I’m out…they pull me back in!”

The movie stars Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley and Anna Friel. While I was, at one time, skeptical about the fact that a couple of the characters had been combined and Knightley’s was much younger than she was in the book, I saw the thing and I liked it. A lot.  The supporting cast includes (the always excellent) Ray Winstone, Ben Chaplin, Eddie Marsan, Stephen Graham, Jamie Campbell-Bower and David Thewlis (I still can’t believe he and Friel aren’t together anymore. I guess there won’t be any more collaborations either). The music is by Kasabian’s Sergio Pizzone (he even used “Clubfoot” for what else, a club scene and “Green Fairy” is used as sort of Keira Knightley’s Charlotte’s theme.)

Here’s a look at a behind-the-scenes featurette from the dvd extras (courtesy of MovieWeb), actually it’s the only extra:

J. Edgar was supposed to finally earn Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar. I’m pretty sure that’s why he made this movie. I have no idea what Clint Eastwood’s excuse is. A biopic, in my opinion, should shed some light on its subject, but there was so much of Hoover’s life that is unknowable to us now. Anyone who was there is gone and he left behind virtually nothing in terms of writings or papers that weren’t already a matter of public record. And it seems even that was subject to Hoover’s interpretation. DiCaprio does his best behind layers of prosthetic makeup and it is a valiant performance, but he’s been better. His Howard Hughs in The Aviator was a more gripping portrait of an infamous character and did actually illuminate the myth to a degree. (They both suffer from “It’s all Mommy’s fault” syndrome.) Armie Hammer was good enough as Clyde Tolson and there is a parade of well known actors impersonating well known figures from recent history.

It’s not a bad movie. There’s too much talent involved here for that to be entirely true. It’s worth a look on dvd or VOD…or you could wait for cable.

J. Edgar also stars Naomi Watts, Dame Judi Dench, Dermot Mulroney, Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Donovan, Stephen Root and Josh Lucas.  The Blu-ray/DVD Combo includes instant streaming of the film with UltraViolet Digital Copy

On the Blu-ray:

-Featurette:  “J Edgar: The Most Powerful Man in the World”, about the man and the film behind the man.

On the DVD:

-Featurette:  “J. Edgar- A Complicated Man”, more background of the controversial FBI director.

Martha Marcy May Marlene  is a powerful psychological drama with star-making performance by Elizabeth Olsen (younger sister of the ubiquitous twins) as Martha,  a young woman rapidly unraveling amidst her attempt to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a cult and its charismatic leader (John Hawkes). Seeking help from her estranged older sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and brother-in-law (Hugh Dancy), Martha is unable and unwilling to reveal the truth about her disappearance. When her memories trigger a chilling paranoia that her former cult could still be pursuing her, the line between Martha’s reality and delusion begins to blur.

Martha Marcy May Marlene also stars Brady Corbet, Christopher Abbott and Maria Dizzia. The dvd/blu-ray special features include “Mary Last Seen,” the chilling short film by writer/director Sean Durkin that started it all.

Last but not least is Tower Heist from beleaguered director Brett Ratner and starring Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller and a terrific ensemble cast that includes Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Michael Pena, Gabourey Sidibe, Tea Leoni and Alan Alda.

Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) manages a super-high-tech high-rise in the middle of Manhattan, catering to every need of the tower's residents, including financier Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). When Shaw gets arrested by the FBI, Kovacs realizes that his staff's pensions, which he asked Shaw to invest, are lost, and when it looks like Shaw is going to get away with it, Kovacs pulls together a mismatched team (Broderick, Affleck, Peña, Sidibe, and Murphy) to steal the secret stash of cash that the FBI suspects Shaw must have. Tower Heist successfully tweaks all the character clichés just enough so that they are a smooth blend of the familiar and the unexpected. The plot zips along with purring efficiency, alternating predictable turns with surprising ones just enough to keep the pattern-seeking parts of the viewer's brain hooked. The cast–which also includes Téa Leoni as the lead FBI agent–charms without overdoing it. In essence, director Brett Ratner (X-Men: The Last Stand and the Rush Hour series) has honed all of his sloppier tendencies and crafted a skillful piece of mass entertainment. Afterward, the movie's plot holes and defiance of the laws of physics may irritate, but while it's unfolding, Tower Heist is a smooth ride.

This is also the film this week with the most special features. In fact, it’s loaded:

SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY™ FEATURES: PERFECT HI-DEF PICTURE, PERFECT HI-DEF SOUND

-Two Alternate Endings – not seen in theatres!

-Universal’s Second Screen An interactive viewing experience that lets you control, interact with and explore Tower Heist with your networked tablet or computer.

-Flick View: Interact with the movie; move content from the tablet to the TV screen; and compare storyboards, animatics and other executing content by “Flicking” them from on their tablet to their TV screen, simply by gesturing your fingers.

-Behind the Scenes w/Flick View: Get an all-access look at the making of the film featuring interviews with cast and crew.

-Storyboards w/Flick View: Take a closer look at the storyboards created for some of the amazing sequences in the film.

-The Music of Tower Heist: Songs from the Tower Heist soundtrack are highlighted with the option to add to a playlist and purchase. Hear a song you like? See information about the soundtrack, add songs to your playlist and even purchase them.

-Hilarious Deleted & Alternate Scenes

-Gag Reel

-Plotting Tower Heist — Director Brett Ratner, producer Brian Grazer and the entire cast bring this heist film to a whole new level. Learn how the project started, and meet the screenwriters and cast. This exclusive feature reveals the secrets of the set design, special effects and more, including what it took to create the iconic sequence involving Steve McQueen’s car!

-Feature Commentary with director Brett Ratner, editor Mark Helfrich and co-writers Ted Griffin & Jeff Nathanson

-Tower Heist Video Diary – Director Brett Ratner takes fans through the filmmaking process with these personal video production diaries from the set.

-Digital Copy of Tower Heist for a limited time only (download by 7/27/12)

-Includes UltraViolet (download/redeem by 7/27/2012). Download or stream instantly to tablets, smartphones, and computers.

pocketBLU™: Experience Blu-ray™ in an exciting new way with the pocket BLU™ app for iPad®, iPhone®, iPod® Touch, Android™, smartphones and tablets, PC and Mac®.

-Advanced Virtual Remote and Keyboard: Control Blu-ray™ features and communicate with ease.

-Video Timeline: Instantly access any point in the film.

-Mobile-To-Go: Transfer exclusive bonus features to your device to enjoy anytime, anywhere.

-Browse Titles: Access a library of available titles and previews.

-BD-Live™:  Access bonus content, trailers and more through an internet-connected player.

-U-Control: Watch storyboard comparisons and more while the movie plays.

SPECIAL EDITION DVD BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:

-Two Alternate Endings – not seen in theatres!

-Hilarious Deleted & Alternate Scenes

-Gag Reel

-Plotting Tower Heist — Following the structure of a classic caper movie in three acts, director Brett Ratner, producer Brian Grazer and the entire cast bring this heist film to a whole new level. -Learn how the project started, as well as meet the screenwriters and cast. This exclusive feature reveals the secrets of the set design, special effects and more, including what it took to create the iconic sequence involving Steve McQueen’s car!

-Feature Commentary with director Brett Ratner, editor Mark Helfrich and co-writers Ted Griffin & Jeff Nathanson

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Dreamworks Animation has dropped a trailer for Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. Again starring Ben Stiller (Alex), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria), David Schwimmer (Melman), Chris Rock (Marty), Sacha Baron Cohen (‘King’ Julien), Cedric the Entertainer (Maurice), Andy Richter (Mort) and Sherri Shepherd (Florrie), I’m not sure who was clamoring for a third installment in the Madagascar franchise, but this trailer is showing in front of New Year’s Eve and it’s got some genuinely funny moments (probably more than the film it precedes).  “Chimichanga! These pillows are filled with baby birds!”  One of the penguins yells with anguish after a pillow fight. Funniest part of the trailer: Chris Rock’s Marty singing about his polka-dot circus afro. I could listen to that all day…okay, well at least a few more times. Cracks me the hell up.

I love the James Bond-esque music underneath the beginning of the trailer, indeed Hans Zimmer’s score is pretty good from the little I can glean here. (At least I think it’s Zimmers. I’m seeing differing reports. Zimmer was responsible for the scores of Madagascar 1 and 2, but I’m also seeing Harry Gregson Williams’ name on 3.) The sound track also includes the obligatory covers (the better to sell that Original Soundtrack album) like  

The synopsis is: Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo join a traveling circus in an effort to get back home to New York.

Of course it’s not that simple for this anthropomorphic bunch as they try to travel through Europe without attracting the attention of the police and an obsessive animal control officer on a mission (Frances McDormand in her first animated role. Not sure about vocally, but visually her character is a scream). They're joined by several of their friends, including King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins, but after joining the circus there are encounters with new animals as well, including Stefano, an Italian sea lion, a Russian tiger and Gia, a Latina jaguar.  Andre Benjamin voices Zuba but I’m most curious about Zarragoza the circus tiger. I can’t figure out whose voice that is.  

Once again directed by Eric Darnell, this ‘threequel’ was written by Noah Baumbach (Greenberg, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Margot at the Wedding, The Squid and the Whale). Baumbach is reason enough alone to be curious about this film.

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted escapes to theaters in 3D on June 8 in the US and 19^th October in the UK.

We have new images to share from a lot of films you’ll be hearing more about in the new year, from the just announced Sundance line-up there’s Lay the Favorite with Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta Jones and Rebecca Hall, Celeste and Jesse Forever with Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones and Elijah Wood and Goats with Vera Farmiga, David Duchovny and Ty Burrell.

“An adventurous young woman (Hall) gets involved with a group of geeky older men who have found a way to work the sportsbook system in Las Vegas to their advantage.”

“Celeste and Jesse (Jones and Samberg) met in high school, married young, and at 30, decide to get divorced but remain best friends while pursuing other relationships.”

 “Ellis (Graham Phillips) leaves his unconventional desert home to attend the disciplined and structured Gates Academy. There, he re-connects with his estranged father (Duchovny) and for the first time questions the family dynamics.”

We have first looks at Sam Worthington in Wrath of the Titans, Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller and Jonah Hill in Neighborhood Watch as well as Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner in Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.  That one is definitely on my list for 2012. This one seems more in line with “Grimm” than “Once Upon a Time” if you get my drift. The cast includes Famke Jenssen and Peter Stormare with a script by Dante Harper and Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola making his English language debut.

The film uses the original Brothers Grimm tale as the jumping off point.

“15 years after their traumatic gingerbread-house incident, siblings Hansel and Gretel have become a formidable team of bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world.”  Oh yes. I’m there.

“Perseus (Worthington) embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, who has been targeted for capture by his traitorous son, Ares, and his brother, Hades.”

“Suburban dads form a neighborhood watch group to get time away from their families, only to discover a plot to destroy Earth.”

Enjoy the pics!

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Wrath of the Titans and Neighborhood Watch courtesy of EW.

For awhile now, we’ve been talking about Brett Ratner's new comedy,Tower Heist, starring Ben Stiller. The plot centers around a a group of hard working guys who find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme and then conspire to rob his high-rise residence in order to get their money back. All of that is extremely topical. It will either suffer from "ouch-too-soon-itis" or it could be extremely funny. The film has a great cast, both comedic and otherwise. In addition to Stiller, there's Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Michael Pena, Gabourey Sidibe, Tea Leoni, Judd Hirsch and Alan Alda. You'd think there'd be something there to get those people involved. (Knowing that Brett Ratner directed Tower Heist, which stars Eddie Murphy, and is also set to direct the 2012 Oscar telecast, it kind of explains the selection of Murphy to be the host of said telecast.)

While everyone else has been focusing on the comedic elements of this film, leave it to Architectural Digest to focus on the ‘to-die-for’ penthouse apartment at the center of the film.  AD’s Cathy Whitlock spoke to Tower Heist’s production designer Kristi Zea and set decorator Diane Leberman about creating Arthur Shaw’s (Alan Alda) luxurious detention facility. (His character is on house-arrest.)

“Composed sophistication were the defining buzzwords that inspired our journey toward the creation of Arthur Shaw’s penthouse,” said Lederman.  Zea “found her muse” on the top floor of the Trump Tower International Hotel & Tower on Columbus Circle. “The inspiration was an empty apartment that was half a floor and had a staggering 180-degree view of Manhattan,” says the Oscar-nominated designer, who explains that while the Trump Tower served as a location for exterior shots, the massive apartment was actually a set built on a soundstage in Brooklyn. “We were able to match up the walls of the building, and then what we did on the inside was all up to us.”

Check out the pics of the interior of Shaw’s apartment. When can I move in? Tower Heist hijacks cinemas in the US and the UK on November 4.

Brett Ratner's new comedy, Tower Heist, with its fine cast of comic talents like Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, and Tea Leoni is slowly worming its way into my brain and telling me I want to see it. This could go either way. It could be the turning point in Brett Ratner's career; the point where he stops sucking the life out of every project he undertakes and finally hits one out of the park…or it's just more of the same and he will have squandered all of this potential.  With every clip I see, I am cautiously…very cautiously edging toward the former possibility.

Matthew Broderick's perpetually horrified straight guy really does seem like a good foil for Murphy's usual mania. We'll see. Tower Heist, about a group of disgruntled employees of a luxury high-rise who have been ripped off by one of its residents (Bernie Madoff-style) and vow to get their money back, opens 2 November in the UK and November 4 in the US & Canada.

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