Cloud Atlas (Extended Trailer), starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, a Warner Bros. release
Perhaps the most controversial film that played the Toronto Film Festival this year, where critics’ opinions were widely divided, a 163-minute opus on the human condition from Lana and Andy Wachowski, and Tom Tykwer, according to Variety critic Peter DeBruge …
Cloud Atlas suggests that all human experience is connected in the pursuit of freedom, art and love. A daunting and innovatively-structured adaptation of David Mitchell’s novel, the co-directors adopt a cinematic approach to the interweaving of six seemingly unrelated stories, as the film lays out glimpses of six separate strands of this undeniably entertaining tale, gradually building toward grand movements in which the separate elements merge in paradigm shifting combinations.
Meanwhile, Hitfix’s Drew McWeeny is even more enthusiastic about Cloud Atlas, giving the movie a full A+ grade, as he writes, “Cloud Atlas is a remarkable movie experience, one that cannot be digested easily, and any attempt to dig in fully would rob you of the sense of discovery that washed over me as I sat in the theatre,” as he goes on to write “Cloud Atlas is daring, lush, rich, rewarding, and while it may not be for everyone, it is one of my very favourite films this year. You’ll be able to judge for yourself when it opens on October 26.” That, by the way, is this coming Friday.
A decidedly more audience-friendly film, and a movie that the critics are going absolutely wild over, Daniel Craig is back as James Bond in Skyfall, in what many are calling the best Bond ever.
“The most significant reset of the 23-film series that’s unconnected to a change of the actor playing 007, this long-awaited third outing for Daniel Craig feels more seriously connected to real-world concerns than any previous entry, despite the usual outlandish action scenes, glittering settings and larger-than-life characters,” writes the Hollywood Reporter’s Todd McCarthy. “Dramatically gripping while still brandishing a droll undercurrent of humour, this beautifully made film will certainly be embraced as one of the best Bonds by loyal fans worldwide and leaves you wanting the next one to turn up sooner than four years from now.”
Or how about this review by Kim Newman in Screen Daily …
“Skyfall is distinguished from the Bournes by class and classiness — replete with Tennyson quotes and musings on lost empire — and this manages to be elegiac and celebratory at the same time. Director Sam Mendes is unafraid to let the quieter dramatic moments breathe (a loaded conversation between Bond and Silva — Javier Bardem as the oddest, most lip-lickingly camp villain since the Roger Moore era — drew cheers the film’s preview audience). Ace cinematographer Roger Deakins makes the wildly ambitious action sequences the most beautiful in Bond’s 50-year career. Here’s a film that will be warmly embraced by series fans and general audiences alike.”
Set to open November 9th (just a bit over two weeks from now), here’s betting that Skyfall will be smashing entertainment, and a film that will satisfy the widest possible audience. See you at the movies on Nov 9th!
