The Imitation Game (2014) Review

I'll own up to my ignorance and admit that I did not know very much about Alan Turing. I knew what the Turing Test was, but beyond that, I wasn't aware of contributions to the war effort during World War II, nor was I aware of his treatment after that. His efforts to try to crack the German's Enigma Machine, a machine that was a cypher for the German's cryptic messages during the war that reset it's code every 24 hours, was nothing short of amazing. 

Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a 27-year-old mathematics genius, who has the propensity to rub people the wrong way because of his high intelligence and lack of understanding concerning human interaction. When Turing is brought in to help crack the Enigma Machine, he has to work alongside John Cairncross (Allen Leech), Peter Hilton (Matthew Beard), and Hugh Alexander (Matthew Goode), and under the supervision of Commander Dennison (Charles Dance) and MI6 operative Stewart Menzies (Mark Strong). Together, the initial team of four work towards solving the unsolvable Enigma Machine. But while three of them work together, Turing works alone to figure out his own way to solve it. This is until he meets Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley), a woman mathematician every bit as smart as him. And from here the story continues to unfold.

Cumberbatch is flat out amazing as Turing, not so much portraying him as embodying him. He gets little things so right, and makes you understand that Turing's genius is as much a gift as it is a curse to him. For much of the film, Turing is closed off, or does not know how to express what he feels, yet when the layers are finally peeled back, we get a true sense of what motivated the man, and what impact it had on his life. Cumberbatch is so aptly game for this, as he nails every beat. Yes, I know he's made a career out of playing characters smarter than the rest, but this is his best performance to date. 

Equally as good are the supporting cast. I was never a huge fan of Keira Knightley, feeling like she got undue praise, but god damn if 2014 didn't change my opinion. Knightley is wonderful as Joan, Turing's best friend, who is always there for him, yet proves she is willing to prove him wrong when need be. Leech, Beard and, particularly, Goode* are all strong as the team working to solve the Enigma. Charles Dance and Mark Strong are their reliable selves in smaller roles, and Rory Kinnear, who is Britain's go to character actor it seems, does a fine job as a Detective investigating Turing. Also Alex Lawther as young Alan Turing is good as well.

Director Morten Tyldum creates a biopic that never bores you, and constantly keeps you along during the ride. Along with writer Graham Moore, they tell a story about love, loss, secrets and sacrifice that is bolstered by Cumberbatch and company. The score by Alexandre Desplat is just another notch is his belt.

Ultimately, The Imitation Game is among the years best films. It never feels too smart, keeps you hooked and applies pressure at the right times. Normally I don't care for biopics, but this is one of the best in recent years, and will be a big player come Oscar time.

Grade: A

*I know everyone is talking about Idris Elba for the next Bond, but Matthew Goode is the perfect candidate for the next James Bond

The Skeleton Twins (2014) Movie Review

I always enjoy seeing comedic actors take on dramatic roles. Whether it's Jim Carrey in the Truman Show, Bill Murray in Lost in Translation or myself in everything I do, comedians showing their range is generally a treat. Also sometimes when serious actors do comedy. You can't convince me Russell Crowe singing in Les Miserables isn't some of best performed comedy I've seen. Anyways, when it comes to The Skeleton Twins, I'm pleased to say two SNL alums give some of the best performances of the year in a well made film.

Milo (Bill Hader) is a gay actor living in New York. He's not successful, he's depressed, and suicidal. Maggie (Kristen Wiig) is a housewife living with her husband, Lance (Luke Wilson), but is constantly miserable and tired of her life. After a situation that causes Milo to move in with Maggie, who haven't spoken in ten years, they begin to understand why they are how they are, what made them that way. That's honestly the best way to explain the plot. I wish there was more detail. But there isn't. Seriously.

Hader and Wiig are excellent as Milo and Maggie. Both actors, who are close friends in real life, have a natural report on screen that makes them really feel like siblings. Wiig is cold, miserable and, at times, stand-offish, and plays it perfectly, proving that her SNL characters being perfect parodies is due to her clearly understanding how people function. Hader is heartbreaking at times as Milo, who is clearly depressed and lonely, and who seems lost. It's really a strong performance from Hader, who could probably sneak in with a nomination if they campaigned him as Best Supporting. It's honestly a fantastic pair of performances.

Wilson is also good as Lance, Maggie's clueless happy all the time husband. He plays it like most characters he's played before, but really shines near the end of the film. Ty Burrell is also strong as Rich, an old fling of Milo's, who is still in the closet.  Boyd Holbrook, who seems to just be a solid supporting character actor, and Joanna Gleason are also strong in supporting roles.

First time director Craig Johnson, who co-wrote the film with Mark Heyman, has a strong debut giving a character drama that makes the characters feel like real people. And makes the characters comes to their own realizations about themselves, instead of other characters doing it for them. It's a little thing, but goes a long way in terms of believability.

In the end, The Skeleton Twins is carried on the power of two strong dramatic performances from actors who you wouldn't expect them from. While it probably won't win any awards, or make a ton of money, it is a strong directorial debut and a great dramatic coming out party for Kristen Wiig and, especially, Bill Hader.

Grade: B

Begin Again (2014) Movie Review

Pirates of the Caribbean 12

Anyone that knows me knows I love movies about music. It's my musical theatre upbringing. If I can find a reason to be singing after a movie, it's a good thing. Hence why I watch all the Disney movies. And I loved Inside Llewyn Davis. I love music. Can I sing? Yes. Is it good? ..No, it isn't. I'm not a good singer. But whatever. I don't need your judgement. Anyways, it's rare that I watch a movie and have a big stupid grin on my face through most of it. But that's just what Begin Again, the latest effort from writer/director John Carney, does so damn well to me.

Dan (Mark Ruffalo) is an executive working at a popular record label. But the thing is, he hasn't brought in a good act in years, and is kind of a mess of a human. Gretta (Keira Knightley) is a songwriter who has lost the inspiration that made her good, and has reached the end of her rope living in New York. One night Dan hears Gretta at an open mic and loves her songs and knows he can turn it into something special. And so they agree to work together, and start the journey of trying to make a record.

Ruffalo and Knightley are both excellent in the lead roles. Dan is the type of guy who you know cares about the music, but has become tired and jaded. He loves music, but hates what the music industry has become. And it's a testament to Ruffalo's performance that we can sense everything he is feeling, as Dan keeps trying to build himself up again. Knightley, who I have admittedly never been a big fan of, is equally as good. Performing all the songs herself, she brings a natural vulnerability to Gretta that instantly makes you root for her, despite how she may sometimes act. Gretta is someone who believes in herself, but isn't sure anyone else does, and Knightley does a fantastic job bringing out her subtitles

The supporting cast is also very good. James Corden, who I'm pretty sure is my white counterpart, as Gretta's friend Steve brings the right amount of levity to scenes and is the supportive fat friend we all love to have. Adam Levine is also surprisingly quite good as Dave, Gretta's boyfriend, who is a big time musician working on his big follow up album. Then there's Hailee Steinfeld and Catherine Keener as Dan's daughter and wife, who he is currently not living with, but who both clearly need him. Both actresses are their reliable best, especially Steinfeld. And then there's Cee-Lo Green, who I'm pretty sure is my black counterpart, as a rapper named Troublegum, who owes his whole career to Dan. Classic Troublegum.

John Carney, who also wrote and directed the always wonderful Once, gives another movie that feels totally believable. He creates fully formed characters, who have their own traits and lets them live in this world. The fact that he makes you invest in these characters and root for them is something that is totally underrated nowadays. Yes, he probably could have directed a couple of scenes better. The opening scene I didn't find particularly well done, actually. But the film plays out in a way that feels natural and honest, and never tries to trick you or cop out. I think this is due to Carney's work. Also, go see Once on Broadway. I heard the show is really good.

Ultimately, Begin Again is a movie that rewards you for investing in its characters. It's a film that is partially about redemption, but also about finding your place in the world. Because sometimes, what you think of yourself, and what the truth is, are two completely different things. Also, did I mention I love movies with singing? Right. Now let me annoy my roommate with my raspy dungeon troll voice.

Grade: A

Nightcrawler (2014) Movie Review

Wait, this isn't X-Men

Have you ever believed your own philosophy so completely that you were willing to go further than you ever thought possible in order to achieve your self perceived destiny? What if you not only subscribed to that ideal, but also were willing to do whatever you needed to do, whether it was lying, stealing, manipulating or just being a regular ol' motherfucker. That's what you get from Nightcrawler, the directorial debut from Dan Gilroy, a movie so full of ideologies and anarchy that you'll have a hard time believing what is happening.

Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a hard worker. He's the type of guy that spouts lines like "If you want to win the lottery, you have to make the money to buy the ticket". When Lou figures out that he has a knack for being a freelance stringer, (guy who records events at a crime scene right when they happen, then sells it to a news station), he sets himself down a dark road of blood, twisted metal and, potentially, murder. You see, when you're a stringer, blood sells. So with the help of his assistant, a homeless man named Rick (Riz Ahmed), Lou sets out to record as many gruesome things as possible, and perhaps impress Nina (Rene Russo), an executive at the local news station, along the way.

First and foremost, this movie does not function without Jake Gyllenhaal. Looking gaunt and a tad terrifying, Gyllenhaal gives, perhaps, a career best performance. We've seen him play vvulnerable damaged, charming, witty and earnest. But the thing that separates Lou from every character that Gyllenhaal has ever played is that Lou is unhinged. He's a psycho, and he comes across as a ticking time bomb. He's terrifying, unsympathetic and has a stare that will cut right through you. It's a masterful, restrained performance from one of the best actors of his generation, and one that should garner some serious awards buzz.

Also very strong are the supporting cast, made up of, the aforementioned, Riz Ahmed and Russo, as well as Bill Paxton as a rival stringer named Joe. All three are great; Ahmed seems to effortlessly play Rick as a bohemian who gets caught up in Lou's fantasy and feels like he's getting in too deep. Russo is at top form as Nina, who will just as quickly praise your work, as she will call you out on bullshit. And it seems like Paxton is having a mini character actor resurgence. He was great in small roles in Edge of Tomorrow (Or is it Live. Die. Repeat?) and Million Dollar Arm, and he's fantastic here as Gyllenhaal's foil. I don't know what to call his mini-comeback. Paxtonnaisance sounds gross.

Writer/director Dan Gilroy, brother of Tony Gilroy (writer/director of Michael Clayton), crafts an interesting story that often plays on our morals. Is what is happening right? That's what I asked myself a lot of the time. The dialogue is crisp and feels real, and his direction is very good for the most part. At times, it feels like things could have been a bit tighter, though. However, it's a strong debut, and one that I hope he can follow up. 

The film mainly suffers from being a tad overlong, and has a bit of trouble finding it's footing in the first 20-25 minutes. What particularly bothered me was the score, by James Newton Howard, because it simply didn't fit the tone of the movie during that stretch. The score during the final two thirds is great, but the first little while feels like something you'd hear in an episode of Friday Night Lights.

Ultimately, I ended up enjoying the movie. Yeah, it sounds like I had issues with it, but I loved the way the story ended up playing out. And, oh yeah, Gyllenhaal acts so damn well it makes my nuts hurt. It's a story of greed that plays out well thanks to Gyllenhaal's grandstanding performance and my love of self-serving monologues.

Grade: B+

Interstellar (2014) Movie Review

What happens when the world is dying? When the human race is given their doomsday clock, and we have the slimmest chance for survival, does man fight for his existence, or simply walk hand in hand into extinction? The beauty of Interstellar, the latest film from Christopher Nolan, is that it asks you questions, then sets out to answer those questions. And it makes you, not only want, but need to talk about the film after you leave. I found myself thinking about aspects and concepts and ideas late into the night. What Interstellar made me ask myself (and the local Cineplex patron who, then, asked me politely to leave) is “If a big budget blockbuster can be this polarizing and ambitious, why do we settle for anything less?”

Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is a farmer living off his corn production, in a world where the planet seems to slowly be dying. Earth seems to be rejecting our attempts to save it, and our end may indeed be in sight. There is dust everywhere, increasing as the planet becomes less habitable. Thing is, Cooper is also an engineer, capable pilot, and a man of science. He seeks to explain everything logically, trying to instill this nature into his son Tom (Timothee Chalamet) and daughter Murph (Mackenzie Foy). When Cooper and Murph notice something off with the way dust settles in Murph's room, it sets them on a path that sends Cooper into space in search for human survival. It is really hard to talk about the plot of this movie generally, because so much of the plot relies on specifics, and I don't want to spoil anything.

What Christopher Nolan is able to, in terms of pulling you into this world and accepting the questions the characters are asking, and the stakes with which they live, is nothing short of extraordinary. The film is clearly a love letter to films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, and, like that movie, it is truly an experience. There are moments of true beauty that Nolan mines, whether it is a ship passing by a planet, only illuminated by the faint light of the sun, or glimpsing into a wormhole, or simply the embrace of family. I can't remember a movie that gave me such a sense of wonder and phenomenon. It's a blockbuster movie that seeks to stimulate you, and test you, as it never feels like Nolan is pandering, instead feeling like he is asking you to rise to his own level.

The performances in the film are all universally strong. Leading the charge is McConaughey, who gives a wonderfully layered performance. Cooper is a complex man who strives for simplicity, and it is fantastically embodied. One particular scene, in which he catches up on things he's missed will leave a lump in your throat. Equally as good is Jessica Chastain, who has made a career out of playing strong-willed women, as the adult version of Murph. There isn't a lot to say about her performance without ruining key points within the movie, so I'll just say it's quite good. Same goes for Anne Hatheway, playing Brandt, who is another astronaut going along with Cooper. The supporting performances from the likes of Casey Affleck, John Lithgow, Matt Damon, Topher Grace, Wes Bentley, Bill Irwin and Michael Caine are all strong as well. Not really a weak performance in the house, as is generally the deal with a Nolan movie.

Written by his brother Jonathan Nolan, and with the advisory of American theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, this is a beautiful and full realized film about space exploration that also uses accurate scientific (as far as I can tell, still waiting for Neil Degrasse Tyson to call bullshit on something). It totally invokes a sense of wonder, while giving full realized characters and ideas to explore. Also, it's pretty damn hilarious at times. Interstellar is shot wonderfully by Hoyte Van Hoytema, and Hans Zimmer brings the entire thing to life with another excellent score (though, at times, it was incredibly overpowering).

Yes, the movie suffers from problems. It's probably 20 minutes too long for most people. And the last 35 minutes or so could have been handled better. But those did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the film. And for those worried about the close to 3 hour runtime, if you immerse yourself into the movie, you won't notice it. And while I've heard people say it was boring, or too complicated, I would easily watch a movie willing to take risks and explore large ideas on a large scale than another Transformers movie (which we are getting because you fuckers won't stop seeing them).

Ultimately, this is unlike any film Nolan has made before; it's not a cat-and-mouse game like Memento and Insomnia, or a mind-bending thriller like Inception. It's a look into human nature and how we, as a species, will always seek to survive. At it's heart, Interstellar is a love letter to grand filmmakers of the past, seen through the veil of a man's journey to see his daughter again.

Grade: A

*Note: If you do plan on seeing it in theatres, see it in IMAX.

Birdman (2014) Movie Review

I genuinely can't explain to you how batshit insane and wonderful Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is. It's like a hyper stream of thoughts that threatens to overwhelm the sense, but also knows just when to stimulate them. And also, did I mention that Birdman is so batshit insane? I feel like it needs to be mentioned often, because a lot of the time I would just stare at the screen going "What the fuck am I watching?" But in a good way. Like a fat person running a marathon. Or a fighter hugging his family before breaking the face of a man he doesn't know. Or me, running a marathon. Comedy works in rules of three, people.

Riggin Thomson is a former box office titan, been part of the Birdman franchise, a popular comicbook movie trilogy that earned billions. But that was over a decade ago, and now Riggin is, more or less, a washed up actor trying to make his mark in the acting world again, by adapting a Raymond Carver play for Broadway. He also has to worry about the other actors in the play; Laura (Andrea Riseborough), his current girlfriend, Lesley (Naomi Watts), an actress about to achieve her dream of being on broadway, and Mike (Edward Norton), a quasi-method Broadway veteran. There's also Riggin's best friend and agent Jake (Zach Galifanakis), his ex-wife Sylvia (Amy Ryan), and his former drug addict daughter and assistant Sam (Emma Stone).

Alejandro Inarritu is known for generally making some pretty downer films. He's made Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel, and Biutiful, all of which will makes you want to curl into a ball and call your family to tell you it'll be okay. With this movie, I felt like he just said "FUCK IT!" and decided to go balls to the wall and enjoy himself, though this movie can get dark at times. Another connection all his movies share, is that they showcase facets of the actors involved people may not have known they had. He put Gael Garcia Bernal on the map, showed the vulnerability of Benicio Del Toro, showed that Brad Pitt has always been more than abs and a perfect jawline, and that Javier Bardem can get sick too, despite being Spanish Brad Pitt.

Birdman is no different, as it shows that Michael Keaton is fucking force to be reckoned with. I'm not overly familiar with Keaton's filmography, to be honest, but this is the best performance I think he's given. Obviously, it's not hard to see the Birdman/Batman parallel to his life, but Riggin is an insane creation. He's a former A-list movie star that wants to prove he's a legitimate actor. That he's an artist. And Keaton is so wonderful in the role that I think he's certain to get an Oscar nomination for his work here. He perfectly embodies Riggin as someone who clearly knows they are better than what everyone sees, and he leaves it all out on the table. Beetlejuice feels tame compared to Riggin Thomson. BIRDMAN BIRDMAN BIRDMAN!

Similarly excellent is Edward Norton, as Mike, who is the type of actor everyone hates, but loves. He's an asshole, who knows he's brilliant, and is out there for himself. But Norton finds a way to make him utterly memorable, to the point where you can't wait for him to come back on screen. He nearly steals every scene he's in. But the first rule of acting, is you do not talk about acting. The second rule is make sure your cheek make up is in an L shape. Theatre basics.

The rest of the cast is all good. Naomi Watts as Mike's girlfriend is her usual fantastic self, as is Amy Ryan as Riggin's ex-wife, who is actually loving and supportive. Andrea Riseborough is strong, but fairly underused compared to the rest, while Zach Galifanakis plays it mostly straight, and puts in some of his strongest work. However, it's Emma Stone that surprised me, giving a range of emotion I haven't seen from her before. Yes, we all fucking love Emma Stone. She's all of our dream girls. But damn, she can act a storm up when she wants to. She makes Sam a fantastic character to watch, and one that we end up really caring about.

So, in case you hadn't heard, the entire film feels like it is shot in one gigantic take. The way the camera weaves along with the actors, along with seamless editing and beautiful cinematography, it really makes you feel like you're a part of the show along with them. A lot of credit has to go to DP Emmanuel Lubezki , who shoots with a wonderful crispness. Lubezki is pretty much the master of long takes, as he also shot Gravity last year (with it's 14 minute opening), as well as Children of Men (which has some of the best long takes ever put on film). The point is, don't bother looking for the edits. You won't find them. They'll find you. Oh, and gotta give it up to Antonio Sanchez, as well, for an up tempo jazz feel to the score, that keeps you, as well as the film, on your toes. 

Ultimately, the credit has to go to Inarritu, as he seems to blend all the aspects of this film together with such ease and craftsmanship. In the hands of a lesser director, this film could have been a total shit show. Yeah, the film has a couple of problems. Mainly that it can be a tad hard to follow, with so many pieces in play. And that the ending felt like a few false endings (Lord of the Rings syndrome). But otherwise, it's fucking great. I'd highly recommend you watch it with other people. And if they don't like it, shame them for being wrong and dumb and ugly.

Grade: A

Fury (2014) Movie Review

The Justice League

War movies often have the tendency to glorify the brutality of war, or to patrioitize whoever is being depicted. And in most cases, it is justified. I can't imagine the courage that those people had, and still do have, and it makes me admire what they have done for freedom. The thing that Fury did that I admired was that it made me feel these things for these men, while also allowing me to understand them, sympathize with them, and even hate and pity them. 

It is April, 1945 and in a last ditch effort to win the war, Hitler has militarized all men, women and children in Germany, while the Allied forces continue to press deeper into the country. Don "Wardaddy" Collier (Brad Pitt) is the leader of the tank named Fury, and the leader of the operators of that tank. Those men are Boyd "Bible" Swan (Shia LaBeouf), Trini "Gordo" Garcia(Michael Pena), and Grady "Coon-Ass" Travis (Jon Bernthal). When their assistant gunner is killed, they receive Norman Ellis (Logan Lerman), a typist who is assigned to Fury. He is afraid, and does not fit in with these hardened men, and fears constantly for his life as they embark on a mission to take a neighbouring town, and, simply, hold the line.

What writer/director David Ayer crafts with Fury is very much akin to what he did with End of Watch, delivering a powerful character drama with real human moments. The men who sit and operate inside Fury are as close as brothers, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it out alive. What I really enjoyed about it was that it was never about winning the war to these men, it was simply about survival. It shows you the side of these men, where they are busting each others balls, having a meal together, fighting each other, or fighting beside each other. It allows into the minds of each man, and Ayer does a good job fleshing out each character. He makes you feel the bond between these men without ever having to explicitly state it.

He also does well to balance the action once the plot begins to move. The trailers make it seem as though it is non-stop tank action, which is not true. The action comes in waves, with each wave becoming more overpowering than the last, but it is still a film about the characters, and the effect this has on them. It's a character study taking place in World War II. Ayers eye to realism really pays off in this sense.

The entire cast is outstanding. Brad Pitt is his usual outstanding self, playing Wardaddy as a man who has seem some shit. He's angry, bitter and tired about the war, and you see it from the way that Pitt simply looks at another character, or his posture or the way he clenches his  jaw. It's a performance of subtly, but it's something Pitt is used to. He's a man who is functioning on the mantra of kill or be killed, and he refuses to die.

Michael Pena, who was also in End of Watch, plays the driver, and brings the right amount of intensity, passion and drunkenness to the role. He's a character, you can sense, feels lost in the war, but at home in Fury. Jon Bernthal plays a bull of a man, playing Coon-Ass like the classic loose cannon assholes that made DeNiro a star. It's another reliable turn from the actor. And LaBeouf, who seems to be the topic of so much hate, is also excellent as Bible, the operator of the cannon. LaBeouf may get shit about being somewhat crazy, but he can act. And does he. Something about having a southern accent makes his performances all the more believable and genuinely better (see Lawless for proof of this). Also the silly moustache actually works. Don't ask me how.

The performance I most enjoyed, however, was the performance of Logan Lerman. After The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I've been excited to see what he can do, because that was a fucking brilliant performance. And he's aptly game here, often going toe-to-toe with each member of the cast and deliver another very strong performance. You believe Norman goes through a change in the movie, and while it feels a tad fast, you feel the emotion he feels. It's the kind of performance that made Joseph Gordon Levitt an A-list star.

Honestly, I simply enjoyed the hell out of this movie. It's not perfect. Not by a long shot. It suffers from some pretty bad pacing at times (mainly the beginning), and often simply lingers too long. But it's a movie that makes you appreciate the calm before the storm, because the storm is pure hell. It made me genuinely afraid of the situations these men were in. And, while it's no Saving Private Ryan, it will have your stomach in your throat and your balls in a vice (we all have balls in this scenario, I don't write for gender). It also suffers from some lackluster cinematography at times, as it doesn't quite do the tank battles or destruction justice.

Ultimately, Fury is a story about men who want the war to be over, but continue to fight because it's what they have to do. It's not about winning the war for their country, or to kill Hitler. It's about fighting because it's all they can do.

Grade: B+

DC and Warner Brothers Reveal Superhero Line-Up

So in case you haven't heard, DC and Warner Brothers have released their tentative movie line-up until 2020. Now, if you've read this blog before, you know I've speculated a lot on this, and superhero stuff is kind of important to me. I love it, I can't help it. But before I fanboy out, let's take a look at the schedule:

• 2016 — Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

• 2016 — Suicide Squad

• 2017 — Wonder Woman

• 2017 — Justice League Part One

• 2018 — The Flash

• 2018 — Aquaman

• 2019 — Shazam

• 2019 — Justice League Part Two

• 2020 — Cyborg

• 2020 — Green Lantern

Alright, so let's tackle this list chronologically. I'll skip over Dawn of Justice, and go right to Suicide Squad. It was released earlier this week that the rumoured line-up for the Squad would feature Blockbuster, Multiplex, Jaculi, Mindboggler, Captain Boomberang, Vixen, and Deadshot. Deadshot, Boomberang and Vixen expect to take up majority of the story, with no word as to why the fuck Harley Quinn isn't making her movie debut. Whatever line-up they go with will probably be officially confirmed now that writer/director David Ayer (End of Watch, Fury) confirmed today to direct. While I doubt this movie will be much like it, everyone should check out End of Watch.

Alright, next we jump to Wonder Woman, which honestly has no new information, though a producer with Warner Bros did confirm that Wonder Woman would be a half-god, being a descendant of Zeus. Gal Gadot is still attached to star. After that we got the first of two Justice League movies, both of which will be directed by Zack Snyder. So he's the Joss Whedon of the DC world, for those of you that follow Marvel.

After that, we got a solo Flash movie, with the now confirmed Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Perks of Being A Wallflower), in what will be the shortest titled film of his career. I don't know how I feel about Miller being Barry Allen, partially because of Grant Gustin playing a similar aged Barry on CW's The Flash. Also, after that, we have Aquaman, with the now confirmed Jason Mamoa (Game of Thrones) set to play the Atlantean King. 

Yes, I realize how long and useless this post is, but gotta get them clicks. We also have Shazam with The Rock set to play villain/anti-hero Black Adam. No word yet on Shazam, but let's just hurry up and sign Joe Manganiello already. After that, we got the second Justice League movie, then a solo Cyborg movie, starring Ray Fischer, that no one will see, then finally a Green Lantern movie in 2020 because 9 year should be enough time to forget the last one right?

Missing from the list are Man of Steel 2, and the solo Batman movies, as the release dates for both of those has yet to be set in stone. While I'm assuming casting for the Suicide Squad will commence shortly, the main Justice League members still to be cast are Shazam, and Green Lantern. Also, if they use them, there's still Martian Manhunter and Green Arrow. 

So much stuff. So much time. If you read the whole post, congratulate yourself. You did it. Have a Capri Sun.

Gone Girl (2014) Movie Review

I've tried several times to sit down and read Gone Girl, but either never had the time, or just not had the motivation to read a novel. Despite the fact that numerous people, whether they are friends, family or the Chapters girl who told me it's so much better than Horns, have all told me it's fantastic, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I've been close. I actually own a hardcover copy and paperback copy (I thought my hardcover one was lost. Nope, just in a box). So it's been on my mind. I'm glad I hadn't read the novel, however, because what I saw on screen kept me transfixed throughout and has me still wanting to talk about it.

When Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) comes home in the morning after checking in with his sister Margot (Carrie Coon), he comes home to a situation. The coffee table has been smashed, it looks like there was a struggle, and his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), is nowhere to be found. Once the police arrive, and see that there are flecks of blood on the cupboards of the kitchen, the search to find out about Amy takes place. And it leads us down a smart, twisty, incredibly fucked up road.

Honestly, I can't reveal much more about the plot than that, because there are so many things that can be delicately spoiled. The film jumps between the current investigation led by detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens) and officer Jim Gilpin (Patrick Fugit), and Amy's diary entries, which denote when her and Nick met, when they got married, why they had to leave New York and move to Missouri and that their marriage had become a shaky one. 

On the performance level, there needs to be some serious awards love for Rosamund Pike as Amy, who gives a performance unlike anything you've ever seen from her. She's loving, impulsive, conniving and volatile all at once. It's easily the best performance of her career. Opposite her, Affleck gives a fantastic performance as Nick, who slowly begins to figure out what may have happened to Amy, and he gives one of the best performances of his career as well (I'd argue his best performance is in The Town).

The supporting performances are all great too. Kim Dickens and Patrick Fugit are great as the law enforcement trying to figure out what happened to Amy, and if maybe Nick is behind it. Carrie Coons is superb as Nick's twin sister Margot, who is always in her brother's corner. Lisa Banes and David Clennon are also good as Amy's parents. Neil Patrick Harris is equal parts creepy and Barney Stinson (one line in particular really), but is very good nonetheless. And Tyler Perry (!) gives a great performance as Tanner Bolt, a high profile defense attorney who Nick hires to help him. Who knew Tyler Perry is as good at trying to keep Ben Affleck out of prison as he is trying to send Madea back to it? Oh also, Scoot McNairy (who I think everyone knows I love), makes a nice single scene cameo as well.

David Fincher weaves an expertly told tale, along with Gillian Flynn (who wrote the novel and screenplay), that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what the hell is coming next. It's a testament to Fincher's skill as a director and attention to detail, that he is able to keep the audience hooked and, in my theatres case, make the audience react to every twist and turn throughout the films lengthy 2 hours and 25 minute run time. And yes, I am a massive Fincher fanboy. Normally, I'd talk about the way the film is shot and looks, but unfortunately, Pasan and I had the pleasure of watching the film from the second row in an AVX theatre that was sold out hours ahead of time. And if you don't know who Pasan is, listen to the damn podcast. The link is on the right side of every page.

Flynn writes an incredibly dark screenplay that is also incredibly hilarious. No this isn't a dark comedy in any sense, but the moments of humour help to offset the incredibly dark moments so well. The score is typically good from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who seem to have become Fincher mainstays. It's not quite as dark and brooding as their scores for The Social Network or The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, as it allows moments of levity and tranquility, while still underscoring the scenes perfectly. 

Ultimately, Gone Girl is a fucked up movie. Honestly. It had me audibly react to the events on screen numerous times. But it's a movie that will get you talking and leaves you with so many questions and morally dilemmas. Regardless, it's expertly directed, written and acted, and will definitely make my top ten at the end of the year.

Grade: A+

The Grand Seduction (2014) Movie Review

Original casting for Tom Hanks and Wilson

I love movies that are about small towns. Probably because I never lived in a town small enough to know everyone by name, to be honest. There's something so warm and inviting about the idea. And I just love the general notion of people from Newfoundland. Those Newfies just feel like a bunch of kind-hearted-not-sure-if-they're-Irish-people. It's probably what caused me to like The Grand Seduction as much as I did, despite the fact that it has some issues at times.

Murray French (Brendan Gleeson) has been a resident of the town of Tickle Head his entire life. He remembers the good old days of the men of the town being fishermen, going out, providing for their families, then coming home and living happy lives. However, that time is now gone, and because of fishing bans, the residents of Tickle Head live paycheck to paycheck, in hopes that their town can get a factory into their town to create jobs. However, they don't have a town doctor, and without a town doctor, none of that can be improved. That's where Dr. Paul Lewis (Taylor Kitsch), a young doctor needing a break from city life, comes in. Paul is coming to Tickle Head for one month, and the residents are adament to make him fall in love with the town and stay.

The strength of the film really lies in the performances of the actors involved, specifically Gleeson and Kitsch. There's something about Brendan Gleeson's acting style that just lends him perfectly to any role he chooses, and this is no exception as he plays Murray with an instant lovable nature. He's just a guy who loves his home and will do anything to make sure it continues to carry on. Kitsch is equally as good, playing a departure from the characters he's known for, instead playing a naive kind doctor looking to make a change and find where he fits in. It's nice seeing him do this kind of movie, instead of the big budget stuff that seems to follow him post Friday Night Lights.

The supporting cast is all decent, none of them particularly standing out, though I felt, for a movie trying to make you root for its residents and invite you into their lives, I never really knew a whole lot about anyone besides Murray and Paul. That along with some pacing issues as well as musical choices for scenes left me wondering why such a delightfully written and directed film could lose steam in certain scenes as fast as they did. However, they do make the town look like everything you'd expect from a small fishing town of less than 150 people, so kudos for that.

Ultimately, The Grand Seduction probably won't stick with you long after you've seen it. It's a nice, light film with strong performances from the always reliable Brendan Gleeson, and Tim Riggins himself Taylor Kitsch. It's got fun dialogue and clearly a labour of love to make, but falters in scenes where it should be cementing itself. Not quite a seduction, but still pretty damn enchanting.

Grade: B-

Boyhood (2014) Movie Review

Usually when you hear about a movie taking 12 years to get made, it's because they can't get funding, or the lead actor left or they need a new director. You don't ever hear about a movie being filmed over a 12 year span. But that's exactly what Boyhood is. It's a movie about the life of a boy from the age of 6 to 18. It's about his growth and development till he's able to go out on his own. What ends up unfolding in front of you is unlike any movie I've seen this year, and any movie I can think of.

Mason (Ellar Coltrane) lives with his mom, Olivia (Patricia Arquette), and his sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater). His dad, Mason Sr. (Ethan Hawke) has been fairly absent early on in his life, since his parents got a divorce, but he's now trying to fix that and be a better father. But don't let any of this vague plot synopsis fool you, this film is about Mason Jr., and his journey from a 6 year old kid to a high school graduate is something to behold. Not because it is full of excitement and big events, but it reminds you that sometimes life is just the day to day, and before you know it, it's been 12 years.

Ellar Coltrane as Mason is actually a very good choice because he has a natural acting style that never makes it feel as though he's trying to do anything. And that's a good thing. He feels comfortable in the role, showing Mason as a smart, good hearted kid, who sometimes has to go through shitty times, like the rest of us. It helps that Coltrane never seems to be trying to act, instead just being Mason. Lorelei Linklater, daughter of director Richard Linklater, is also good as Samantha. She plays her as loud and obnoxious as a kid, and shy yet confident as she gets older. It's a part that doesn't demand a lot of range, but she is perfectly fine in the role.

Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette are both their reliable selves, making their relationships with the kids and each other feel genuine. Hawke plays the early years with energy and vigour, much like a young Ethan Hawke, before he settles down and becomes more relaxed. It's the type of performance we expect from him. Arquette is fantastic though, as she is given a lot of heavy lifting to do, being that she wants to be as present in her kids lives as possible. Her protectiveness of her kids, hard working attitude and fiery personality instantly reminded me of my mom. Hopefully this brings her into a career resurgence, along with her role on Boardwalk Empire. 

Writer and director Richard Linklater is honestly one of the most underrated directors in Hollywood. Probably the most. He's directed the Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight, Dazed an Confused, School of Rock and Bernie. I truly hope this is the film that gets him that Best Director nomination because it's a film that reminds you what life is really like. The complete honesty that you feel in Boyhood is what makes it one of the best films this year.

I think that's what Boyhood does so well. It reminds you what it was like to grow up. Going to see Harry Potter, or when you went to school after a bad haircut, or the first time you went camping, or your first real girlfriend.  It reminds you that life isn't about waiting for big moments or trying to capture the small ones. Everything we do is a moment. We just have to remember to live in it. 

Grade: A+

The Rover (2014) Movie Review

Bella and Edward

It is ten years after the collapse, and the world seems to have gone to hell. We open up on a barren, desolate Australian terrain with Eric (Guy Pearce), our often silent eyes into this world, as he sits in a car seemingly waiting for time to pass. The Rover offers up another post-apocolyptic setting where each character seems to be looking out for themselves, and scrounging to survive. People will not hesitate to kill each other, as each day looks to be an inevitable countdown towards death.

When Eric's car is stolen by a trio of shady individuals on the run (Scoot McNairy, Tawanda Manyimo and David Field), he makes it his mission to get that car back at any cost. The trio, led by McNairy's Henry, manages him to give him the shake and get away. However, Eric is determined, as the car holds some kind of value to him, perhaps an attachment to his life before the collapse. It seems the car and men are long gone, when Eric happens across Rey (Robert Pattinson), Henry's younger brother who was thought dead in the events they were running from before stealing Eric's car. Yeah, The Rover is bleak, dark, violent and depressing, but wonderfully acted, directed and made.

In the lead role, Pearce does career best work as Eric. He is a no bullshit man, willing to get his hands dirty and seemingly fighting for a single unknown cause. Often known for playing more bookish or suave characters, Pearce really sinks his teeth into the role, bringing an aggression and power that he isn't typically known for. McNairy is also his reliable self in a small supporting role. He makes you think he is menacing, but clearly only is when he has to be and his kill-or-be-killed attitude is visible on his sleeve.

However, the big suprise for me was Pattinson, in a role so unlike what he is known for. Rey has a mental disability, and often has trouble stringing together numerous thoughts at once, but Pattinson makes you believe he has a kind heart, and is clearly in over his head, yet knows enough that he is a survivor. There is a level of performance and honesty that I've never seen from him as an actor, and I hope he gets more roles like this, as opposed to the team heartthrob roles that made him a star.

The film is beautiful made as well. It's directed by David Michod, who made the brilliant Animal Kingdom, and written by him and actor Joel Edgerton, who was in Animal Kingdom. The written never wastes any time, often getting to the point, and letting you get a feel for how the world is now. And the direction is on point as well. The film evokes the feeling of Children of Men and The Last of Us, and gives us a great take on a genre that has been done to death.

In the end, The Rover is a film that was clearly made for film audiences, and not general ones. It can feel slow at times, but constantly keeps you on edge if you invest, and doesn't let you figure how it's going to play out at any point. 

Grade: A

Locke (2014) Movie Review

Tom Hardy in Locke

What happens when one mistake leads to everything you know falling apart? Do you brush it under the rug, deal with it head on, forget about it, or let it catch up to you? That is the dilemma at the center of Locke, a tense character study set entirely in a moving car. A million thoughts swirling around, distracting, engaging and confusing, while we, the audience, make sense of what is happening and begin to weigh how we would handle the situation.

Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) is a simple man. He works for a company that puts down cement, he's the head of his department, and he's damn good at his job. He has a loving family at home, and is considered an all around great guy. Except last year, he had a one night stand with his secretary, leading to her getting pregnant, and him setting out in order to be there for the birth of the child, because he didn't have a father, and Locke will be damned if this kid doesn't have a father either. And so begins one of my favourite movies of 2014 so far, and a truly great character study.

At the center of the film is my man crush, Tom Hardy. An actor normally known for his physicality, Hardy is restrained to the driver seat of his BMW for the entire film. However, the sheer intensity he brings to the way Locke speaks (with a thick Welsh accent), to how he reacts to his ongoing situation, to how he reacts to the traffic around him, Hardy commands the screen at every instance. He is able to express so much simply through the way he moves his eyes, or adjusts how he is sitting, further cementing himself as one of the most talented actors of his generation, and giving a performance that should be a lock (fuck you, I'll use puns) for an Oscar nomination, but will be overlooked.

The supporting cast is all good as well, despite only being heard through the bluetooth in Locke's car. Ruth Wilson is fantastically heartbreaking as Locke's wife, desperately trying to deal with the fact that her husband cheated on her. Olivia Colman is solid as always as Bethan, Locke's former secretary in labour, who is clearly in love him with, despite him blatantly stating he isn't. And Moriarty, err, Andrew Scott is good as Donal, Locke's coworker who is trying to help Locke clean up the mess at work.

The thing that Locke does so well is that it never loses your attention, despite nothing incredibly exciting happening. There are no car crashes, flashbacks or any reason to leave the car. Everything that unfolds simply relies on Locke and his conversations on the phone. Writer and director Steven Knight crafts a beautiful tale of a man at his wits end, desperately clinging to everything that he holds dear and trying not to implode as it all keeps slipping away. He never lets our attention wain as we try to figure out what's going to happen next.

Ultimately, Locke is a great lesson in minimal storytelling. Shot on a short schedule and shoestring budget, it doesn't show, as the level of talent involved shines through. If I had any problem with the movie, it was that there was a character or two that could have been written out, or their dialogue given to another character to deliver. Otherwise, it is a brilliant film with a performance from Tom Hardy that simply proves him as one of the most interesting and talented actors working today.

Grade: A+

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Movie Review

Star Warlords

Let's gear up, this Summer, for the surprise winner of the big budget blockbuster so far in 2014. When the fate of the galaxy is threatened by a warlord hell bent on destruction, to fulfill a prophecy he believes he is meant for, it will be up to Bert Macklin, Avatar Green, Not Brock Lesnar, Silver Linings Playbook and I am Vin to stop him. As you can tell, so far, I fucking loved this movie. This is how comic book movies that aren't Batman should be made.

When Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) decides to steal an artifact from cave, he sets off a chain reaction that leads him on course to becoming a hero. You see, Quill is a thief, except this time, he's stealing without his usual crew, led by Yondu (Michael Rooker), and Yondu don't like that. Little does he know, by stealing this artifact, he's put himself in the sight lines of Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace) and Thanos (Josh Brolin). This lands him in prison, where he meets Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Groot (Vin Diesel). Once all that happens, the fun really begins.

Chris Pratt is fantastic as Quill aka Starlord. He brings the perfect leading man looks and charisma, while also maintaining the right kind of comedic nature (something Robert Downey Jr. has made a career resurgence on). He gives the performance of his career, giving us a great anti-hero. Bautista, Cooper and Diesel are all excellent as well in their roles. Bautista plays Drax with a certain aloof nature that benefits his character, Cooper snarls and yells Rocket's way into our hearts, and Diesel is given a character that suits his acting style. Groot may only be able to say "I am Groot" with Rocket being the only one that understands him, but the vocal inflection helps the audience to get a sense of Groot. Saldana as Gamora is fine, but did nothing to stand out in my opinion. Lee Pace as Ronan is completely menacing and Karen Gillan as Nebula is such a badass.

The thing that this movie, due in large part to writer/director James Gunn, is that it knows how to be properly funny. The humour isn't just joke-punchline, but rather the characters playing off each other, and humour coming from the characters nature, as opposed to the words being said. Bautista in particular has some absolutely hilarious line deliveries that had my whole theatre rolling.

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy is everything I hoped for from a Marvel movie. As most people know, I'm not their biggest fan, but with the last Captain America and now this, they are on an upswing. Full of big laughs, awesome action and a compelling story, this movie will have you happy you spent as much as you did to see it.

Grade: A

Calvary (2014) Movie Review

If someone told you that they were going to kill you in one week because of the sins of someone else? Now what if you might know who that person is? This is the driving force behind Calvary, the latest from John Michael McDonough, the story of Father James Lavelle, a priest told in confession that he will be murdered in a week because of the pedophilia abuse given by another, now dead, priest. The problem is, it's told to him in confession, and he's not entirely sure if he can break that secrecy, or that he knows exactly who it is. And so we begin our journey in this incredibly dark humoured film.

Father James is a good man with darkness in his past, trying to do right by the people of his small Irish town. All around him, there is adultery, greed, and hatred, amongst many other vices. So when he is told that he will be killed in one week, off we go to figure out who it is, even though we're pretty sure he already knows. Add into that his daughter visiting from London, and we've got what should be a hilarious comedy from the makers of The Guard. Instead, we get a dark, introspective look at the evil inside all of us, and what it takes to control it. 

Brendan Gleeson is fantastic has become a commonplace expression, but it, nevertheless, rings wholeheartedly true here. The Irish actor has the look of a man at his wits end, desperately trying to understand his place among sin. His ability to make you believe in his own beliefs, yet harbour a deep sadness in his eyes is the work of a truly extraordinary actor, and one that I hope gets some more love at some point down the road.

The supporting cast is all excellent too. Chris O'Dowd, as a butcher whose wife is openly cheating on him, is great, as he's given some of the funnier dialogue, but also balances it out with a strong dramatic turn that will definitely get him some work down the road. Kelly Reilly is great as Father James' daughter, Fiona, Dylan Moran is great as a wealthy business man and Aiden Gillan is hilarious as a drug addicted local doctor. Domhall Gleeson, son of Brendan, is also great in a couple scenes as an inmate who ate the people he murdered.

What I was most surprised with in this movie was how dark and serious it got as The Guard, McDonaugh's previous film, was full of hilarity. And with his brother, Martin McDonaugh, who has done In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, there's always been an overtly comedic nature. However, the writing and feel of Calvary is somber, reflective and powerful. Ultimately, the film relies on the pairing of John Michael McDonaugh and Brendan Gleeson, who one again prove that they both deserve way more attention than they seem to get, and that their next film is something to definitely look forward to.

Grade: B+

Scoot McNairy Joins the Cast of 'Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice'

Barry Allen?

So colour me excited about this news. One of my favourite actors that damn near no one has heard of has joined a movie everyone has heard of. He's an incredibly talented actor, who is fantastic in pretty much everything he does. In fact, he's racked up some nice roles over the past few years. After breaking out in Gareth Edwards 'Monsters' (a fantastic character driven monster movie), he's gone on to appear in 'Killing Them Softly', 'Argo', 'Promised Land', '12 Years A Slave', 'Non-Stop' and 'The Rover' leading to a starring role in the AMC drama 'Halt and Catch Fire' (which is fucking excellent and everyone should check it out).

Anyways, this report comes courtesy of Deadline, who seem to have quite the source within DC and Warner Brothers, and they report that the role has not been disclosed. But based on the fact shooting has been going on for over a month, McNairy's rising star and his connection with Ben Affleck (who cast him in Argo), over at The Playlist, they are speculating that he might end up being The Flash. And I am really okay with that. I'm sure details will come out shortly, and if not, look no further than San Diego Comic Con for the big Justice League announcement.  

Casting the Remaining Characters in the DC Universe

So with the presumably leaked Comic Con announcement list coming out, we now have a fairly clear picture of what to expect from Warner Brothers and DC in the coming couple of years. While much of the casting seems set, with shooting already taking place, I thought I'd take a look at who should be cast in the remaining major roles. Now, what we currently know is that Ben Affleck will play Batman, Henry Cavill will play Superman, Gal Gadot will play Wonder Woman, Ray Fisher will play Cyborg and Joseph Gordon Levitt will play Sandman. I know that rumours are abound that Jason Mamoa is set to play Aquaman, but I thought I'd cast it anyways, since that isn't totally confirmed. So what we'll look at is casting Shazam, Flash, Aquaman and Green Lantern. Note: For Shazam, I'm not going to cast Billy Batson, because I can't think of a kid to play his current New 52 iteration. Can we just age him up and hire Logan Lerman, already?

The thing to remember with this list, is that I'm not going for the big names if they don't fit. Chris Evans wasn't really all that well known before Captain America (I know he played Johnny Storm, fuck you), and Chris Hemsworth was a complete no-name from Australian TV. So just look at this list with an open mind, and agree with everything I say. Just do it.

SHAZAM

"Captain Marvel, also known as Shazam, is a fictional superhero created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker. Originally published by Fawcett Comics and later by DC Comics, he first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940). Shazam is the alter ego of Billy Batson, who works as a radio news reporter and was chosen to be a champion of good by an ancient wizard (also named Shazam). Whenever Billy speaks the word "Shazam!", he is struck by a magic lightning bolt that transforms him into an adult superhero empowered with the abilities of six archetypal, historical figures."

JOE MANGANIELLO

With rumours going around that the Rock could be involved with the Shazam movie, it makes me think that Rock will take the role of villain Black Adam (a favourite character of his), which means that you need a Shazam that looks like he can beat The Rock. So it should really not come as any surprise that my top pick for Shazam is True Blood werewolf and Magic Mike big dick swinger Joe Manganiello. Manganiello combines a strong charisma with a tough exterior and one arm pull ups. Dude is literally built like a superhero. He also comes across as someone who might actually be able to take The Rock in a fight. Here's another thing. He was the runner up to Henry Cavill to play Superman, which means he already has a pre-existing relationship with Zack Snyder and DC. 

JON HAMM

My runner up is a guy many thought could play Superman, given his perfect jawline and all-American presence, and my personal pick to play Batman (don't worry Affleck, I'm okay with you). Hamm is a supremely talented actor, who is among the best around yet to make a big splash on the big screen. It's fine though, because Hamm has been crushing it for the past seven years as Don Draper on the critically-acclaimed Mad Men, as well as showing up in memorable supporting in the likes of Bridesmaids, The Town, 30 Rock and A Young Doctor's Notebook. He's an actor who is clearly adept at both drama and comedy, which would suit Shazam perfectly. The only thing would be his age, but we can get around that. Also, googling a picture of him alerted me to the fact that people take pictures of his crotch and post online. Cool?

FLASH

"The Flash is a name of a fictional comic book superhero from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 (January 1940). Nicknamed the Scarlet Speedster and the "Crimson Comet" all incarnations of the Flash possess "super-speed", which includes the ability to run and move extremely fast, use superhuman reflexes and seemingly violate certain laws of physics. Thus far, four different characters—each of whom somehow gained the power of "super-speed"—have assumed the identity of the Flash: Jay Garrick (1940–present), Barry Allen (1956–1985, 2008–present), Wally West (1986–2006, 2007–2012), and Bart Allen (2006–2007, 2009–present). Before Wally and Bart's ascension to the mantle of the Flash, they were both Flash protégés under the same name Kid Flash."

AARON PAUL

Like Chris Pine (above), Aaron Paul is an actor on the cusp of A-list leading man status. While many people will always remember Breaking Bad for Bryan Cranston's iconic performance as Walter White, it was Paul's Jesse Pinkman who was the heart and soul of that show. With Breaking Bad now over, and Paul set to break out into feature films, DC would be wise to lock him up. He's an amazingly talented actor who is constantly captivating and not afraid to be let other actors shine in his presence. He's also so god damn good at crying. I know that has nothing to do with The Flash, but damn, he can get a good man tear going. With his first foray into a leading franchise not going well, with the critically panned Need For Speed, Paul could make a nice recovery joining a large ensemble, then getting his own movie. Bitch.

JOEL EDGERTON

Joel Edgerton is most likely the least well known actor on this list, which is a fucking shame, cause this guy can act. For those of you going "Where do I know this guy from?" he played Brendan Conlon in the movie Warrior, opposite Tom Hardy, so you know he can handle the physical preparation needed for a role like this. Edgerton is one of those character actors who constantly gives fantastic performances, getting major notice for his performance in the Australian film Animal Kingdom which had many people talking Oscar for him. It didn't happen because the Academy doesn't know how to recognize talent, but he got the Aussie equivalent to the Oscar, so it worked out.The only thing that would work against him is the fact that, at 39, he might be too old for the part. Regardless of that, he's still my pick as runner up. Heh, runner. Nice.

AQUAMAN

"As part of The New 52, DC's 2011 relaunch of their entire superhero line, Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado served as the initial creative team of the company's new Aquaman series, the first issue of which was released September 28, 2011. The three creators remained on the title for the both first 16 issues. That subsequently lead into the first New 52 continual, Aquaman related 'Mega-Event' (cross-over) in years "Throne of Atlantis". The relaunched series cements Aquaman's status as the half-human son of Tom Curry and Atlanna, and sees him return to Amnesty Bay along with Mera. Greatly distressed by the harsh treatment given to the oceans during his time as ruler of Atlantis, Aquaman decides to abdicate the Atlantean throne and return to full-time heroics. However, he now struggles with his lack of reputation with the greater public, which views him as a lesser metahuman with less impressive powers than those of his peers. Also, in The New 52, Aquaman is once again a founding member of the Justice League and is a main member of the team."

ALEXANDER SKARSGARD

Yes, I realize that Skarsgard is the second True Blood alum I've put in this post. But let's look the fact that both men were fan favourite characters, and Skarsgard's performance as Eric Northman is the best on the show, and through movies such as The East, and Disconnect, he's shown that he has a ton of range. I realize that Jason Mamoa may indeed have this part, and if that's the case, that's fine. But it's insane to me how much Skarsgard resembles Aquaman. Couple that with the fact that he has an inherently tough feeling about him, and the gravitas to not let Aquaman fall to the side, and it's obvious that he's the guy to do it. There's also something kind of off with him, which would help greatly with Aquaman having problems with the Justice League, and especially Superman.

ARMIE HAMMER

Honestly, I think this may be the only character where I don't have a runner up. I think Skarsgard is great, and I think the same of Armie Hammer. While he may have failed to become a big star in Lone Ranger, his performances from The Social Network are ones that I still remember. He's an actor who resembles the part, has the physique, as well as the certain frustrated nature that Aquaman possesses. Anyone that has talked to me about Aquaman knows how I'd love for Hammer to play him, as he's one of the few actors around that I could believe delivering his dialogue. Also, his Social Network connection with Jesse Eisenberg, as well as the fact that he recently shot a movie with Henry Cavill, could clearly aid in his casting.

GREEN LANTERN

"Green Lantern is the name of several superheroes from the fictional DC Universe, all of whom are characterized by a power ring and the ability to create solid constructs with the ring. Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and green lantern that gives the user great control over the physical world as long as the wielder has sufficient willpower and strength to wield it. The ring is one of the most powerful weapons in the universe and can be very dangerous. While the ring of the Golden Age Green Lantern (Alan Scott) is magically powered, the rings worn by all subsequent Lanterns are technological creations of the Guardians of the Universe, who granted such rings to worthy candidates. These individuals made up the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps. Most prominent of these are Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner." 

ZACHARY LEVI

I've been a big fan of Zachary Levi for a long time, ever since I first watched Chuck. He's clearly quite good at being funny, which is something Hal Jordan will need. His performance in Tangled, though purely voice work, showed he can play the cocky-jerky-cool guy who is actually pretty alright. Sound like a certain Lantern? Levi has the right look for the part, and the right chops, with the only problem being that he recently played Fandral in Thor: The Dark World. The thing with that is that Fandral is such a small part, that won't grow, so let the Nerd HQ founder be a part of a comic property that can showcase him better. And that doesn't require a fake British accent.

JAKE GYLLEHAAL

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Jake Gyllenhaal. He's a supremely talented actor who is incredibly likable and has charisma constantly at the ready. He's the most well known actor on this list, because he's earned it. He has a habit of taking serious, weighty, emotionally taxing roles, but being cast as Hal could help him to showcase some more of that quick wit and humour he possesses. Personally, I think he's itching to get into a big mainstream movie and prove himself as a box-office draw, especially after Prince of Persia didn't do as well as they all hoped. The man has range that would make most actors jealous, and he's still young enough to be involved in these films for a while.

Well that's that. With the shooting already started on Batman v Superman, and cameos for these characters expected to show up in that film, we should know casting fairly soon. They probably won't go with any of my picks, but that's because they are dumb. Till next time.