DistrictB13 Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Fantastic Fest Review: District 13: Ultimatum
Filed under: Action », Thrillers », Magnolia », Theatrical Reviews », Fantastic Fest », Remakes and Sequels »
When it reached American audiences two years after it opened in France, 2006's District 13 (or B13 here) served as a breezy introduction to the art of parkour, not to mention director Pierre Morel's knack for shooting action sequences both energetically and visibly (an underrated quality, that last one). Morel moved on to Taken, though, while parkour began to infiltrate more high-profile Hollywood fare, like Casino Royale and Live Free or Die Hard.
However, writer/producer/all-around action maven Luc Besson stuck around to cash in on the promise of a follow-up, and now we're greeted with District 13: Ultimatum, a competent if flabby rehash of the first film's race-against-time plot and dystopian setting.
'Tell No One' AND 'District B13' Are Being Remade
Filed under: Action », Drama », Foreign Language », Independent », Thrillers », Deals », Mystery & Suspense », Magnolia », RumorMonger », Remakes and Sequels »
Oh, us Americans. Even when we turn out for the movies with the words on the screen, we still can't seem to stand those words on the screen. After all, why else would Variety say that an English-language remake in the works for both last summer's art-house hit Tell No One as well as District B13, which kicks ass in any language?The former was based on a crackling mystery by American author Harlan Coben, albeit one transplanted to a French setting, and was most noteworthy for one sweet foot chase and a fairly loopy denouement. (Here's a thought: have the bi-lingual Kristen Scott Thomas reprise her role here.)
The latter was pretty much one sweet foot chase drawn out to feature length, with some punches and kicks thrown in for good measure, as a cop and a criminal parkour their way through post-apocalyptic Paris. (Don't believe me? After the jump... pun moderately intended.)
You know what? Let's combine the two. A doctor under suspicion for the murder of his wife -- who appears to be very much alive -- goes on the run to clear his name AND deactivate a nuclear weapon. With a plot like that, who needs words?
Exclusive: Clip from 'Taken'
Filed under: Action », Drama », Fandom », Movie Marketing », Trailers and Clips »
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Cinematical has just received this exclusive clip from the film Taken, starring Liam Neeson as a former spy who must use his old skills when his estranged daughter is kidnapped and forced into the slave trade. Taken is director Pierre Morel's follow-up to the fun and exhilarating District B13, and with a script from both Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, you know you're in store for a little action. In fact, advance buzz on this flick is extremely positive -- so much so that some websites are questioning the late January release date. Personally, I think it's fine to release a good film in January or February. Heck, if it's a great flick, does it really matter when it's released? Last I checked, people were still willing to go to the movies in the middle of winter when it's freezing out and there's nothing better to do.
So bring on Taken this January 30th -- I'm officially stoked to see it!
Kicky Clips from the 'District B13' Sequel!
Filed under: Action », Foreign Language », Remakes and Sequels »
Just yesterday I was inspired to write "Everyone should watch District B13" on my Facebook page, and then I watched the dang movie AGAIN! Basically I think it's one of the most entertaining action flicks of the past ten years, so when I came across THIS PIECE during my regular Twitch-surfing, I got very excited indeed. Looks like District B13: Ultimatum will reunite the amazing ass-kickers known as David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli; Luc Besson is on solo screenwriting duty; and the director is a Frenchman namd Patrick Alessandrin.No solid word yet on when D-B13:U will be completed (or even who'll be distributing in this part of the globe, athough Magnolia did a fine job with the first flick), but if you spend a few minutes at Twitch then you'll find four behind-the-scenes clips to flicker through. (The most recent one is the coolest, and it's the one I've embedded below.) And then after the jump, a bonus that just never gets old. (Previous reports on this movie can be found here and here.)
Luc Besson Has Some Sort of Sci-Fi Trilogy in the Works
Filed under: Action », Animation », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Thrillers », RumorMonger », Remakes and Sequels »
Supposedly retired action maverick* Luc Besson, currently making the rounds on behalf of Transporter 3 (which he produced), told Collider that not only was 1997's The Fifth Element supposed to be the first in a trilogy, but that he also has vague plans for another sci-fi trilogy after finishing up the two sequels I must say: more power to the man if he just keeps coming up with ideas and happens to be good at executing them. As flimsy as his promise of retirement has been, if it brings us a sequel to District B13 and the reportedly entertaining Liam Neeson vehicle Taken (which doesn't open in the States until next January), then I can live with watching him keep on keepin' on, as it were.
(Well, except for those Arthur flicks, but perhaps that's a finger of blame better pointed towards the Weinsteins...)
*Us film bloggers are taking this word back, damn it.
Liam Neeson Intimidates Kidnappers in 'Taken' Trailer
Filed under: Action », Thrillers », Trailers and Clips »
I'm not convinced that the Liam Neeson kidnapping thriller Taken, due during this year's annual September movie wasteland, is going to amount to much. I can't get too excited about the concept -- former superspy goes after his kidnapped daughter instead of paying ransom -- and I'm not nearly as enamored with director Pierre Morel's parkour-popularizing debut, District B13, as other folks are. But I'll say this: the speech that's the centerpiece of the film's new trailer, which you can see above, is kind of a tour de force. Casting Neeson was a masterstroke, and the fact that he took the role speaks well of him, I think.
By the way: that's a masterfully cut trailer, don't you think? Quick, exciting; maybe a bit too revealing for my tastes, but still vague enough that it doesn't (seem to) give away the whole thing. I love the way it's driven by the sound of Neeson's voice, using it to build momentum.
The movie was written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, who also collaborated on the Transporter films. Besson, of course, also produced, wrote, and brought to prominence District B13.
Besson Promises a B13 Sequel!
Filed under: Action », Foreign Language », Magnolia », Remakes and Sequels », Cinematical Indie »
While spending some time hawking his Arthur and the Invisibles at a left-coast press junket, French filmmaker Luc Besson dropped a few juicy hints about a sequel to District B13, the truly nifty action flick that earned a limited release from Magnolia Pictures this past June. Chock-full of what's known as "parkour" martial arts, District B13 is a short, slick and very fast-paced action movie that features some dazzling physical histrionics from co-leads Cyril Raffaelli and David Belle.No firm word on when the second District will begin, but the frantic Frenchman (who co-wrote and co-produced the first flick), seems pretty confident that it'll be sooner than later: "B13 I want to do the sequel to, I love the two characters, and there's the room to do another one. I have the idea then I think we're going to make it."
According to ComingSoon.net, Besson (who recently semi-retired from directing) is also thinking about a third Transporter entry in addition to a vague project called Taken, which will star Liam Neeson.
And if you haven't seen District B13 yet, make sure to drop it in your queue. If you dig the action stuff, I bet you'll enjoy it.
Tips for Tuesday: New to DVD on 9/5
Filed under: New on DVD », Home Entertainment »
Recent TheatricalsDead Man's Shoes (Magnolia) -- A fantastic revenge thriller from British director Shane Meadows. (audio commentary, featurette, deleted scene, alternate ending)
District B13 (Magnolia) -- One of the craziest action flicks in years, and a whole lot of fun. (mini-doco, extended fight scene, blooper reel)
Kinky Boots (Miramax) -- Yet another drag queen shoe store musical comedy from the UK. (audio commentary, two deleted scenes, two featurettes)
United 93 (Universal) -- A fine film (with an inevitably harrowing finalé), but not one that screams out for repeat viewings. (director's commentary, featurette, memorial pages)
Unknown White Male (Wellspring) -- The validity of this documentary has been questioned, but either way it's a fascinating look at the horrors of amnesia. (six featurettes)
Catalog Titles
Blade Runner (Warner Bros.) -- Be aware: This is the same DVD as the current BR release, only with a new anamorphic transfer. The mega-swanky Special Editions arrive next year!
Brazil (Criterion) -- A one-disc (and now-anamorphic) version of Criterion's superlative three-disc set. (director's commentary)
Frankenstein Unbound (Fox) -- From director Roger Corman, starring John Hurt, Bridget Fonda, Raul Julia and Jason Patric. Yep, it's a weird one. (no extras)
Gojira (Sony) -- Includes the U.S. version and (for the first time) the original uncut Japanese version of the classic monster movie. (audio commentaries, documentaries, featurettes, etc.)
Seven Samurai (Criterion) -- 'Nuff said. (two audio commentaries, three documentaries, featurettes, etc.)
Direct-to-Video
Broken Trail (Sony) -- Technically this Robert Duvall oater was made for cable, but I think it's one of the best Westerns in years. (featurette)
Dorm Daze 2 (Lionsgate) -- If there's anything better than a National Lampoon "comedy," it's the sequel. (extras tbd)
The Plague (Sony) -- Earth's children fall into a coma, only to awaken years later with unpleasant things on their collective mind. (audio commentary, eight deleted scenes)
Population 436 (Sony) -- How does a town maintain the exact same population for 100 years? (alternate ending)
Peter Jackson Says Spielberg's 'Tintin' is Done Filming, but...
Interracial Harmony: 'Ninja Assassin' vs. 'Blind Side'
Spin-ematical: New on DVD for 11/24_thumbnail.jpg)
Exclusive 'Nine' Poster Premiere!
Exclusive: Title Track for 'The Road' Soundtrack
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