Uncharted movie pushes ahead

With the box office successes of the Tomb Raider movies (which if you weren't aware, were based on a video game franchise of the same name - and not at all based on the initials of this blog), it's not surprising that a film adaptation for the equally adventurous, action-packed video game series, Uncharted, would be in the works somewhere.

However, there have been many attempts at it so far that have failed to gain momentum. It looked for a while like David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle) would direct with Mark Wahlberg (A good friend of ours over here at TOMB) starring as Drake, but Russell had issues with the script and that fell through. Since then there has been an online movement to get Nathan Fillion (Firefly) to star as Drake.

But now, it looks as if things are going ahead, with the announcement that Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses) would direct, and Gordon himself hoping that production would get underway "very early next year". This means that within a couple of years, we may get to finally see a film adaptation of the series. Though there is no news on the cast as of yet.

The potential problems with this will depend on the treatment of the material and how much it will relate to the video game. The Tomb Raider films weren't exactly critically acclaimed and many believe that adapting video games into movies generally doesn't work. We'd like to hear what you guys think about this. Are you worried that they will ruin the Uncharted series? Do you think better films could be made from some of the more cinematic, story-driven games such as Heavy Rain (which itself has a film in the works)? Or would you prefer that Hollywood adapt video games that you don't care about so that you don't have to worry if they screw it up? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Empire

Monsters University

I was 10 when Monsters, Inc. came out. Twelve years later, I'm studying at university and this movie comes out. It's great how life comes full circle. I should note that I was the oldest person in the theatre watching this (who didn't get dragged along by a child at least).

The story tells of how James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) became best friends at university years before they were the best scare team at Monsters, Inc. Their introduction to each wasn't smooth sailing, however. Whilst they are both in a scare class, they get thrown out of the program by Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) for having a fight. Together they figure out that they can back into the course by competing in the Scare Games, a group of challenges for fraternities and sororities.

I feel as though this isn't really a kids movie, as the majority of the jokes are aimed at a mature audience but at the same time aren't crass. Charlie Day's (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) character, Art, is an obvious stoner type and the film also lampoons the hazing process that takes place in fraternities (there's a great documentary by Todd Philips if you want to know more about that, Frat House). At one stage during the film, the kid behind me started crying.

John Goodman and Billy Crystal were okay in their roles, but since this film takes place earlier than the original film, I thought maybe some younger voices wouldn't have hurt, but since it's only voice acting I don't think anyone would really care.

The other voice cameos are quite a surprise. Apart from the aforementioned Helen Mirren, there is Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Alfred Molina (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Dave Foley (The Kids in the Hall). And of course I get excited when Charlie Day is in anything.

The ending of the film was a bit of let down to me as well. Both Mike and Sully's career within the Monsters, Inc. corporation is crammed into two or three minutes at the end of the film. They could have just left that out all together.

It does kind of bug me that Pixar has so much potential from their roots as innovators for originality, but now I feel as though they're doing the same things over and over (the soon to be released Planes is a perfect example).

Verdict: A decently funny prequel that could have been stronger in terms of story, but will suffice for kids and adults alike.

Also, a bonus if you live in either the UK or Australia (these are the only two countries I know of at present). Prior to the movie actually starting, there is a screening of The Blue Umbrella, a charming love story of two umbrellas that will tug at the heartstrings.