Trailer Park: THE RAID 2, SNOWPIERCER, and POLICE STORY 2013 (This is Action A Go Go, after all)

This week's Trailer Park comes to us via Indonesia, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

First up is The Snowpiercer. Directed by Bong Joon-Ho (The Host, a bizarre yet awesome horror flick), this comic book adaptation is running into some editorial conflict. Apparently The Weinstein Company, the film's English distributor, wants to trim 20 minutes from the film. This wouldn't be that big of an issue if The Snowpiercer hadn't already been released in foreign markets to rave reviews.



Then we have Police Story 2013, Jackie Chan's return to the Supercop franchise (at least that's what it's known as in the US). This time the series goes into uncharacteristically grim territory. I find this interesting because Chan has made it a point throughout his career to not take himself too seriously. As a matter of fact, he's made it clear that his failed attempts to break through in the US were because American filmmakers wanted him to tone down the funny.

We shall see...




And finally, The Raid 2, the follow-up to one of Action A Go Go's top films of 2012. If you don't know about last year's The Raid: Redemption by now then you're doing your self a disservice. For me, this is the most anticipated sequel of 2014 alongside Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

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Disc Two: Speaking of Captain America...How About Some Deleted Scenes from MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS?

Any geek worth his weight in back issues should know that Marvel Studios officially unveiled a jaw-dropping Captain America: The Winter Soldier trailer yesterday. If you haven't seen it, then by all means, check it out.

Not including serials, Winter Soldier marks Cap's fourth theatrical appearance. Following the slightly embarrassing 1990 film, 2011's spirited Captain America: The First Avenger, and, of course, Marvel's The Avengers (2012). Uncharacteristically, the Internet is positively buzzing about this next installment. So much in fact that I figured now is as good a time as any to shine some light on these three deleted bits of awesomeness I've been sitting on from last year's mega-blockbuster starring the man of the hour.

In the past, writer-director Joss Whedon has mentioned that his initial draft of Marvel's The Avengers focused quite a bit on Steve Rogers. During the creative process -- as it usually goes -- quite a few scenes were yanked from the film. Fortunately, some of them were actually filmed.

In the following three clips, Captain America (played pitch perfect by Chris Evans) gets some dating advice from Stan Lee, repeatedly catches the eye of a NYC waitress (Ashley Johnson), and goes on an alien killing spree. Most of this footage is unfinished, so make like a filmmaker and use your imagination.

Clickity-Click...

  




Troy-Jeffrey Allen writes about action/adventure for Action A Go Go. He is a comic book writer whose works include Bamn, The Magic Bullet, and the Harvey Award nominated District Comics. His work has been featured in the City Paper, The Baltimore Sun, Bethesda Magazine, The Examiner, and The Washington Post.

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Trailer Park: CAPTAIN AMERICA THE WINTER SOLDIER and X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

It wasn't my intention to post either of these today. But how could I not?

Now repeat after me: No expectations. No expectations. No expectations. No expectations. No expectations...





Troy-Jeffrey Allen writes about action/adventure for Action A Go Go. He is a comic book writer whose works include Bamn, The Magic Bullet, and the Harvey Award nominated District Comics. His work has been featured in the City Paper, The Baltimore Sun, Bethesda Magazine, The Examiner, and The Washington Post.

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A Cool New Poster for "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

There's a slick new one sheet out featuring Chris Evans in the title role of the upcoming Captain America sequel. I love the look of this poster, how it leans into the American imagery of it's protagonist without feeling hokey or cheesy. Love it.

Captain America: The Winter Solider is being directed by Joe and Anthony Russo (Arrested Development, Community), and is written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (The Chronicles of Narnia). It hits theaters April Fourth, 2014.

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New teaser poster for Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The first teaser poster for Captain America: The Winter Soldier was unveiled at Comic-Con today. As far as teaser posters go, this is probably one of the least revealing. Just a rusty shot of Cap's shield along with the film's official release date. But hey, on the plus side, at least we're getting the first official piece of the film's marketing campaign, though I doubt we should be expecting a trailer any time soon.

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UNDER THE RADAR: SUNSHINE

Welcome to the first installment of Under the Radar, an ongoing series of Action A Go Go that will take a closer look at movies that many may have overlooked. Films that were opening against mega summer blockbusters, were a small indie release, ahead of their time, or maybe just a classic of which a new generation needs to be made aware. If you’re looking for something to throw in the ol’ Bluray player this weekend, look no further. May we recommend….

Sunshine

2007
Directed by Danny Boyle
Starring Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans

Around the time that Bluray players stopped costing the same amount of money as the GDP of Kazakhstan, I picked one up. And then the quest began: What films fall into the “Must Have” category, especially in terms of visuals? Classics such as Blade Runner, Gladiator, The Matrix and Fight Club were easy choices.  

But there was one film that fell into the category for which everyone has reserved a privileged space in their mind. A film that could be labeled as “Why The Hell Did This Film Not Win A Gazillion Oscars And Gross Hundreds Of Millions of Dollars At The Box Office And Who Are The Idiots That Gave It A Middling Review Because It’s Unquestionably The Best Film To Come Out in Years?”

That film for me?

 

Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) and starring Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, The Dark Knight Trilogy) and Chris Evans (Captain America, The Avengers.)

I didn’t see it in the movie theater because any poster that has the tag line “If It Dies, So Do We” just screams out “Wait for the Redbox rental!”

Once finally released on bluray, I checked it out, and realized not seeing it on the giant screen was a monumental error.

From the sci-fi geek perspective, Sunshine is one of the most visually blissful and awe inducing films….well….ever.

But the film is more than eye candy.

 

Superb acting. A musical score that deftly supports the mood of the film at every given moment. Complex moral and ethical dilemmas, presented in rapid succession, that make one think, “Whoa. What the hell would I do in that situation?”

And although the storyline may on the surface seem standard Hollywood fare (humans, traveling into space, to help ensure that humanity survives), I can assure you that ingratiating corporate investors and making the average movie viewer happy was the last thing on Mr. Boyle’s mind. He was more concerned with creative chances than ensuring he could generate enough income to purchase a new yacht.

Although action permeates the film, and the visuals are so intensely beautiful it’s easy to write that it’s the very type of film for which HD televisions and Bluray were invented, it is also a heavy film.

A very heavy film.

You don’t pop it in on a Friday night when friends are over for merriment and Jenga. It’s meant to be viewed alone or with friends that have attention spans and understand the importance of silence while the eyes are fixed on the screen.

It’s not a standard, formulaic film, with crowd pleasing themes and the occasional moment of substance. The entire filmis of substance.



If you enjoy films that break from the mold, characters the run the gamut of human behavior from spineless to honorable, and writing that doesn’t leave you feeling like you’re expected to have an IQ of 92, you will find immense satisfaction with Sunshine. Worth owning and worth viewing again and again.

Here’s a taste.




Stephen Sumner is the science fiction columnist for Action A Go Go. Of course he has the strength and nobility to fly directly to the sun to save humanity. Except he doesn’t do well in confined spaces. Or heat. And he needs a calculator for basic math. But, he’d still go. Aw hell. Who are we kidding? Humanity would be screwed if he were in any way connected with such a task. He’s still a nice guy though.

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