*This article contains spoilers. Like, tons of them.*
I get why reviews of Deadpool and Wolverine are divided. Half the critics mostly found the countless cameos and fourth wall breaking quips a tad excessive. The other half essentially reveled in these very mainstays.
Both are right. If you found Deadpool movies seasoned with inside jokes, it's safe to say that the third instalment practically triples it to the point where characters barely stop to catch a breath between them. Yet if anything, that's Deadpool DNA; manifesting in yellow speech bubbles per panel long before they were spoken gags in cinemas.
Whilst everyone is busy googling Full Cast/Every Easter Egg/All Marvel References the minute they leave theatres (What? Rob McElhenney? Matthew McConaughey??), the film itself felt very much like a full circle moment.
Apart from Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman being obvious BFFs IRL, the pairing's significance runs deeper than what it seems. The longstanding history between the two Marvel favourites goes from as rudimentary as Wade Wilson's origin story AKA Wolvie genes, to how they've been cinematically intertwined over the years. Deadpool 2 literally opens with "F— Wolverine".
Wolverine's very first spinoff movie was also where the merc with the mouth was first introduced to live-action audiences ...albeit in the worst possible way. (A wrong which its actor has since been on an unending mission to right, leading us to where we are today. Now look what you made him do.)
If this be the true swan song of Hugh Jackman's adamantium mutant, it's only apt that it culminates in a Deadpool threequel. It also gives double meaning to the movie posters. Would it be too far-fetched to speculate that not only is it a visual nod to X-Men ties, but the roman numeral marking as the 10th time the Australian heavyweight appears as Wolverine on screen?
Damn near choked up seconds before their big heroic move when Deadpool tells Wolverine he waited a long time for this team up.
Atop being the studio's only theatrical release of 2024, the movie is the franchise's MCU debut (as it never fails to repeatedly point out). This provided a much bigger pool of references to draw from, and boy did they. Still, the most meaningful were the many Wolverine variants. Anatomically accurate short king, Patch, James Howlett...
...this iconic cover.
Even the blink-and-you'll-miss-it feature of Bruce Banner's alter ego is a callback to Wolverine's launch—in an issue of The Incredible Hulk.
And of course, the moment he put the cowl on. C'mon.
Grown men were pretty much sobbing on set at the sight of the actor in classic costume during camera test, according to Executive Producer Wendy Jacobsen in a HeyUGuys article. The audible awe in theatres echoed the same sentiment.
Honestly, initial reactions to Wolverine's return in the early trailers included a mental prep for potential disappointment due to the cash grab (or in Reynold's words: big, fat Marvel paycheck) nature of it. But witnessing the 55-year-old once again pour his emotions into the beloved tortured soul came as a stark reminder of his irreplaceability.
To crouch and growl animalistically without being overtly cringey is one thing; to carry the same magnetism in his vulnerability as in his action sequences is not something we're 100 percent sure the Cavillrine can pull off, aesthetically fitting as the fancast was.
It's admittedly heavy on the nostalgia. Especially amidst the bevy of forgotten characters (a Pyro VS Human Torch standoff? God bless us all). Plus that post-credit montage. Even the shirtless scene—brilliantly set up with the divorce jab—akin to X-Men: The Last Stand's everything-goes-except-the-pants finale.
Sidenote: Is it really accidental that what he dons after is a TVA jacket?
If you think about how long these actors have played these characters (nearly quarter of a century for Mr Jackman), and in tandem, how long viewers have watched them since, it's understandable for the movie to have the same effect as chancing upon a song you heard in your youth.
And if you've ever watched one of those behind-the-scenes documentaries about how much goes into making a movie, you'd know the superhero suit probably took multiple rounds in costume department finding the right hue (had to physically restrain myself from a pun there) of yellow that correctly matches the comics while simultaneously not translate as tacky on screen.
Not to mention studio complications and immense pressure on writers and all relevant teams. Surely these efforts count for some credit. As Kevin Feige acknowledges about character resurrection: It can be done—if great care is taken.
In the context of a bigger picture that is cultural zeitgeist, we'd argue that what Deadpool and Wolverine did was not pandering, but a love letter to the entities and universes that hold a special place in our hearts (yeah felt just as geeky writing it, but let this corner of the internet have it).
So no, this is not a movie review. It's an appreciation post of an appreciation post.
Deadpool and Wolverine is out in theatres
You know those people who keep saying how boring Singapore is? Shun them. Thumb your nose at these Negative Nancies (apologies to the regular Nancies) or point them towards this post. So what are you waiting for? Sit down, relax, and sip some wine from your cute 'grandma-aesthetic looking' mug (apologies to wine connoisseurs but it's a cool TikTok trend I promise) whilst I take you through this recommendation of fun shit to do this weekend.
With fond memories attached, we return to the place where we celebrated Esquire's Anniversary. Kicking this list off with an evening of Indie dance and melodic techno soundscapes starring two international heavyweights—Darlin Epsilon and Geminis.
Often hailed as a pioneer of Melodic House & Techno and Progressive House, Darin Epsilon will be taking the stage on level 61. Nominated for 'Best Progressive House Artist' in the annual Beatport Awards, Eplison is sure to deliver an unforgettable set.
Meanwhile, on level 62, you can catch the Geminis, an electronic music duo from Germany known for their strong techno grooves. With debut tracks 'Angel' and 'Shmetterling' reaching the Beatport Top 100 and number 11 on the Beatport Hype Chart, the Geminis have played in clubs worldwide.
To entice you even further, the first 100 guests arriving before midnight will receive a complimentary welcome drink.
When: 27 July 2024, 10PM-4AM
Where: HighHouse, 1 Raffles Place
Get your tickets here.
35A Market is back for round two, and this time it features its biggest line-up yet. Shop from independent creatives in the art, fashion, and design scenes. Treat yourself to clothes from @shrub.0128, while sipping wine from @glugglug.sg and finish it off by strutting the dance floor where Matty Judah and Sunat will be jamming out some tunes.
When: 28 July 2024, 1PM-9PM
Where: 35A Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169366
Alright, I hear you. Not in the mood to doomzi doomzi (a Singaporean slang to say partying) this weekend? How about a movie instead? Check out "Deadpool & Wolverine", starring Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
Promise there aren't any spoilers: "Deadpool & Wolverine" takes place set six years after the events of 2018's "Deadpool 2" and follows a retired Deadpool, now living a normal life as Wade Wilson. Until the Time Variance Authority, responsible for maintaining all timelines, pulls him into a new mission.
When: 26 July 2024
Where: All theatres near you
Here's another booth and tune you won't to want miss out on. Two highly anticipated Singapore-based techno collectives—Degenerave and Ministry of Hard Techno, are making their return, along with local partners setting up booths to explore and support.
Don't worry, there's something for everyone in this exciting booth lineup: tattoo artists @oh.rainy.day and @eightball.ttt, tarot readings by @tarotxavenue, vintage fashion from @shutdown_store, and leather goods by @kultbespoke
When: 27 July 2024, 8PM-4AM
Where: 269 South Bridge Road 04-01, Singapore 058818
The iconic nightlife venue is launching a new happy hour offering and revamped music programming starting this month—GOOD TIMES. Every Wednesdays, you can enjoy a mix of drinks, bar bites, and groovy music featuring a mix of hip-hop and R&B by resident DJ FLAVA.
Additionally, Potato Head has introduced a new Friday night series-CANNED HEAT, showcasing afrobeats, baile funk and dancehall by resident DJs LI.A and Dee. Saturdays dedicated to NIGHT MOVES, with house and disco beats spun by Kevin Sy, Jamie Hall, and more.
When: Every Wednesday, Friday, and Weekend in July
Where: 36 Keong Saik Road
Experience Vacheron Constantin "From Geometry to Artistry" exhibition, featuring the latest novelties from Watches & Wonders 2024 alongside a stunning artistic installation in collaboration with Lanzavecchia + Wai.
Discover the Maison's newest innovations, demonstrating their dedication to excellence. This exhibition reveals the creation process, from initial sketches to the finishing touches, inspired by geometrical shapes and brought to life through the theme "From Geometry to Artistry".
When: 22-28 July 2024, 2PM-9PM
Where: 48 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore, 089859
Book your sessions here.
Starting off strong with some killer tunes, coming all the way to Pasir Panjang Power Station this Saturday, Boiler Room is back for another banger. With a lineup of international, regional and local talent—A/K/A, Natasha Hassan, Aya, Tashasan and Xiaolin.
When: 20th July 2024
Where: Boiler Room
Get your tickets here.
Rather than displaying Birkins, Kellys and Haut à Courroies bags, Hermès emphasises the art of craftsmanship in both fashion and beyond. For this outing, the French House opens the merging of cinema and performance art to the public, called On the Wing of Hermès it was the the most captivating thing that brought a smile to our ever-stoic EIC's face.
Belgian director Jaco Van Dormael and choreographer Michèle Anna De May, in collaboration with the Astragales dance company, crafted a unique art performance accompanied by a 35-minute film screening that the live performance is based on.
Where they blended dance, object theatre, cinema, and music to tell the story of the mythical winged horse Pegasus and his seven foals. Each feature has its own backdrop of Hermès objects and figurines with live dances performing choreography. And all were captured in real-time by image and lighting technicians, then projected onto a giant screen.
When: 19-28 July 2024
Where: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre Level B2, 10 Bayfront Avenue
Book your sessions here.
Familiar with the house music scene hit '(It Goes Like) Nanana'? This Friday, Berlin-based South Korean DJ and record producer Peggy Gou will spin her popular and catchy tunes at Marquee Singapore
Gou has performed at renowned events worldwide, including the iconic Coachella music festival. Besides being a musical sensation, she's also celebrated as a "fashion icon", known for her exquisite taste in clothing and her enviable handbag collection.
Don't miss the chance to hear her latest album, I Hear You live. The album includes popular tracks like "I Go" and "(It Goes Like) Nanana", both of which have garnered millions of streams. Be sure to be there.
When: 19 July 2024
Where: Marquee Singapore
If you're in the mood for something more relaxed and laid-back, head to your nearest movie theatre and check out the new action film, Twisters. Featuring an exciting cast including Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Kiernan Shipka, it's sure to be a great watch.
Gist of the movie? Kate Cooper, played by Jones, is haunted by a past encounter with a tornado. Her friend Javi persuades her to return to the plains to test a new tracking system. There, she meets Tyler Owens, portrayed by Powell, a daring social media star known for his storm-chasing exploits. As storm season peaks, Kate, Tyler, and their rival teams must battle for survival as multiple systems converge over central Oklahoma.
When: Released on 17 July 2024
Where: All theatres near you
In addition to the Hermès exhibition, Dior is also in the spotlight, showcasing one of their most cherished bags. Dedicated to their iconic bag—the Lady Dior, they will be having a show titled Lady Dior House. A travelling exhibition featuring the past Dior Lady Art project, an initiative launched by the maison in 2016. Inviting artists from various backgrounds and disciplines to reinterpret the Lady Dior bags.
When: 18 July-11 August 2024
Where: 5 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169425
Book your sessions here.
An unnerving horror that is upset by its own marketing.
Agent Lee Harker (played by Maika Monroe) is tasked to solve a series of murders from the 1990s where the patriarch, without any provocation, kills his own family and then himself. Aside from the MO, the only thing that ties all these cases are the cryptic letters left behind, and the name that signs them off: Longlegs.
The best sort of horror films are the ones that still stick around after the credits roll. In the company of Hereditary and The Silence of the Lambs, Longlegs cling to you like cigarette smoke. It's palpable; the atmosphere that director Osgood "Oz" Perkins conjures up. He withholds information—scenes are played out in areas where light struggles to take root; bits and pieces of Longlegs (Nicolas Cage) are hinted at or glimpsed in most of the movie. You're kept on tenterhooks before the inevitable tug.
Monroe, who found her sure footing in It Follows, plays the mousey agent Lee Harker. The detective seldom makes eye contact and is a bit of an odd duck but her anxiety is evident, especially whenever she deals with her religious mother played by the captivating Alicia Witt.
You won't get all your questions answered in Longlegs. That might be frustrating to have a lack of closure on certain issues but that's the appeal of the movie. That violent acts sometimes occur without rhyme or reason. In the movie, the Satanic Panic is given weight as the devil (or some paranormal simulacrum of Old Nick) is the entity pulling the strings. Or is it just a convenient bogeyman to point a finger at? We'd never know but, again, it's this sort of uncertainty that lingers.
Longlegs also features a well-trod theme: how children survive their parents. Whether how parents raise their kids is intentional or well-meaning, we bear the marks (or scars) of our upbringing. Real life seem to have spilled over into Longlegs: Perkins is the son of Antony Perkins and his father's homosexuality being kept a secret inspired the film. Cage based his Longlegs performance on his mom, who was a schizophrenic and severe depressive. The hair, the white face, the incoherent utterances, Cage's performance is unforgettable. But on the other side of that same coin...
...Cage's performance may not ellicit the proper reaction from moviegoers.
During my screening, a few patrons started giggling when Longlegs appeared on the screen. Is it from how over-the-top Cage's acting is? Or from nervousness? We don't know but it took the rest of us out of the movie. Then, again Cage's portrayal was egged on my Perkins' directions so maybe the director knows something that we don't.
In what is seen as the ballsiest marketing move ever, Longlegs' production house and distributor, NEON, ran a campaign that did better than "show-not-tell"—they didn't show Longlegs. Instead, they ran clips to set the tone. One such marketing stunt involved Monroe's heartbeat that spiked when she first met Cage in his Longlegs persona. While it created buzz, it also set the bar for how scary the film is unrealistically high. I enjoyed Longlegs and think the movie is in a league of its own but when it is set against NEON's marketing highfalutin claims, I was a tad disappointed.
In short, don't buy into the hype.
Kiernan Shipka, who was in Perkins' The Blackcoat's Daughter (another atmospheric horror), returns here as the only known survivor of Longlegs' crimes.
Longlegs requires multiple viewings to fully pick up on the bits of easter eggs and clues. Like the "cuckoo" that Longlegs utters. There's a theory that "cuckoo" refers to the real-life behaviour of the cuckoos, who lay their own eggs in other bird's nests and trick the host into raising the cuckoo's young. Whether that's the reason for Longleg's "cuckoo", it just adds another layer of lore to the movie.
Also, there's little information about the film's composer, Zigli. He's an almost-unknown to the music scene and all that is known about him is, according to Milan Records, that the composer described himself as a “humanoid vessel for the delivery of sounds and songs.”
Longlegs is now out in theatres.
It’s taken exactly twice as long as real-life Emperor Commodus’ reign to get another Gladiator movie. But finally, 24 years since Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and the dog that played Well’ard in Eastenders taught us there’s no place like Rome, it’s here. Almost.
The swelteringly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s sword-and-sandle epic hits cinemas this autumn. The original, about an all-conquering general betrayed and sold into slavery by a jealous new emperor, proved box office magic in 2000. It not only raked in USD 460 million worldwide, but won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
So big sandals to fill.
Beyond what we can glean from the trailer, the plot of the film is as closely guarded as an imperial bedchamber. Pretty much all we know is who’s in it – Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen. And, of course, Scott is again in the folding chair. We also know that it picks up the same story some 20 years later, following the (familiar-sounding) trajectory of Lucius (Mescal) – the cherubic boy in the first film, now with stubble and muscles – as he transforms into a ruthless gladiator.
As for the plot, here's what we know: Lucius, now an adult, has traded life at the top table (along with his mother) for one in the fields of Numidia, northern Africa. Now with a wife and child, he finally appears to have found inner peace. But then the armies of co-emperors Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn) invade Numidia, led by general Marcus Acacius (Pascal). Lucius is captured and finds himself in the shackles of the very empire he was once meant to rule.
Washington’s character is completely new – a former slave turned wealthy merchant called Mercius with his own grudge against the emperors. Cut from a similar cloth as the late-Oliver Reed's Proximo, most certainly.
So what can we expect? A lot more of the same, probably, and more. It’s being touted as the blockbuster of 2024. But how close to historical truth does it tread, and who were the real-life Romans who inspired this epic?
Played in the movie by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn, these brothers gave off strong Cain and Abel energy throughout their lives, the former now recognised as one of the most bloodthirsty tyrants in Roman history.
Upon his deathbed in AD211, their father Septimius Severus, made them co-emperors – surely one of the greatest errors in judgment of the Roman era, in a crowded market. Trouble was, Severus didn’t set out a division of rule for the brothers, who engaged in a bitter tug-of-war for the best parts of the empire.
For two years they ruled miserably together, the time in which Gladiator II is set. But in the end, their fragile egos could no longer contain their jealousies, and Caracalla had Geta murdered by his own guardsmen. Geta is said to have died in their mother’s arms. Caracalla then went full-Stalin on Geta’s memory, having his image removed from every painting in sight, and ordering the wholesale deaths of his supporters.
Caracalla was also known for a face as ugly as his soul. He earned the nickname Tarautas, after one of the most famous gladiators of the time, who also had a reputation for being offensively ugly and violent.
He did some good things, like grant Roman citizenship to all free men throughout the Roman Empire, and build the great public Baths of Caracalla in Rome. But most of that was overshadowed by the trail of death and destruction he left in his wake. Once, after a satirical play mocked him in Alexandria, Egypt, he ordered the indiscriminate massacre of thousands of Alexandrian citizens as payback. He had senators murdered, slaughtered entire populations of cities he conquered, and ultimately left the empire’s economy in tatters.
He was said to have studied Greek and could quote long passages from the Greek playwright Euripides but also that he strongly despised education and educated people.
In some way Caracalla died as he lived – urinating on whatever he saw before him. While travelling through southern Turkey to visit a temple, he stopped for a toilet break by the side of the road. There, as he relieved himself in the mud, a disgruntled soldier named Justin Martialis, ran over and stabbed him to death. He was 29 years old.
You’ll remember Lucilla from the first film – the beautiful emperor’s daughter caught in an uncomfortable love triangle between her brother (Commodus) and former lover (Maximus).
First minor discrepancy between fact and fiction: Lucilla died six years before Caracalla was born. But still, details.
Born into the purple of imperial Rome, Lucilla was no stranger to power and privilege. As the daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, she was groomed for a life of political significance. At the age of (ahem) about 11, she was married off to her father's co-emperor, 29-year-old Lucius Verus. It was a union designed to cement their alliance. As empress, she enjoyed the trappings of her position, but fate had a cruel twist in store.
Verus' untimely death left Lucilla a widow, her power and influence diminished. Yet, her lineage made her a valuable pawn in the game of empires. A hasty remarriage to a senator followed, but she yearned for the power she once held.
When her brother Commodus ascended the throne, Lucilla watched in dismay as his erratic rule threatened to unravel their father's legacy. Driven by ambition and a desire to protect Rome, she became entangled in a daring plot to assassinate the emperor. However, the conspiracy was foiled, and Lucilla faced the wrath of her brother.
Exiled to the picturesque island of Capri, Lucilla's fate was sealed. Isolated and disgraced, she met her end at the hands of an assassin sent by Commodus.
Probably the biggest creative liberty, this, given that the real Lucius died before Commodus even became emperor. His full name was Lucius Verus II, the son of Lucilla and Lucius Verus (Marcus Aurelius' co-ruler). He had two sisters: Aurelia Lucilla and Lucilla Plautia and a little brother named Pompeianus from his mother's second marriage.
Lucius and his two sisters all died in childhood, most likely of illness, which was common for children of the time. Pompeianus, however, did survive childhood to become a soldier and, later, a senator. He was five when his mother was executed, and in his early 30s when he was murdered by bandits on the orders of emperor Caracalla.
While the plot for Gladiator II is shrouded in secrecy, the historical backdrop of Emperor Caracalla's reign offers a glimpse into the potential brutality and political intrigue that could unfold on screen. Caracalla's reputation for violence and ruthlessness, coupled with the power struggles and betrayals that characterised his rule, provides fertile ground for a compelling and action-packed sequel.
Whether the film delves into the darker aspects of Caracalla's reign, such as his penchant for massacres and purges, remains to be seen. However, the historical context suggests that the gladiatorial arena could be a fitting stage for a tale of vengeance, survival, and the struggle for power in a corrupt and decadent empire.
Originally published on Esquire UK
If you thinks that Krumpus is the worst kind of monster to see during the Christmas season, buddy, you are about to meet the nosferatu. Sorry, Nosferatu with a capital "N". And we are talking about the version by Robert Eggers, he of The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman.
Some context: not willing to spare coin to adapt Bram Stoker's Dracula for film, Prana Film produced an unauthorised version of it. The film was called Nosferatu, which is an archaic Romanian word "a suggested etymology of 'Nesuferitu', meaning 'the offensive one' or 'the insufferable one'. Many details from the book were changed (Dracula is now Count Orlok; the setting was shifted to Berlin; Van Helsing was renamed as Professor Bulwer) but it wasn't enough to deter the Stoker Estate from suing. Alas, Prana Film declared bankruptcy but Nosferatu was hailed by film scholars that has set the standard for the horror genre.
Even though Nosferatu entered the public domain in 2019, it didn't stop unofficial remakes from being produced even earlier. With a tenuous connection to the original via its title, Werner Herzog's Nosferatu the Vampyre starred Klaus Kinski as Count Dracula, not Count Orlok. There was even a remake by David Lee Fisher on Kickstarter starring Doug Jones. Robert Eggers' version is the only official remake to date.
It was announced that Bill Skarsgård (who's in, apparently, his goth phase) was cast as Count Orlok in Eggers' remake (very apt). Then it was followed by the news that Willem Dafoe was cast as well. There's a sort of poetry of Dafoe being in Nosferatu—Dafoe previously starred in Shadow of the Vampire, a fictionalised account of the filming Nosferatu, where Dafoe portrays Max Shreck (the actor who played Count Orlok) as an actual vampire.
For this overture, Dafoe will play Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz, whose name was changed from Professor Bulwer (who was based on Van Helsing in Stoker's Dracula).
At least, we saw a reason to create this.
Robert Eggers' Nosferatu also stars Nicholas Hoult; Lily-Rose Depp; Aaron Taylor-Johnson; Emma Corrin and Ralph Ineson. While the trailer doesn't show Count Orlok in all his horrifying glory, the feel of the teaser and the silhouette at the end conveyed all that's needed to tide us over for the full reveal.
Nosferatu will be released this Christmas.
Although I do not believe that 2023 will go down as a stellar year for anyone – I asked six friends and they all agreed – there is something I cannot stop thinking about: Cannes 2023. We got The Zone of Interest, Anatomy of a Fall, May December, How to Have Sex, Perfect Days. There was Killers of the Flower Moon. There was that gay Western with Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal. And best of all – and yes, I really mean best – we got our first peak at The Idol, The Weeknd’s HBO critical darling (ha, ha) gone too soon. If the Oxford English Dictionary ever need to update their definition of “halcyon” – is that something they do? – they could just use two words: Cannes 2023.
Which leads us to the 2024 festival, its 77th edition, which takes place in a few weeks. This year’s jury is headed up by Greta Gerwig, former indie darling who last year managed to turn a toy franchise into an Oscar-nominated film (though missed actual gold: shame!). It’s probably not going to be quite as starry as last year’s affair – though, as evidenced by my introduction, what chance did it have? – but there are a few promising projects.
You can read the full list of in-competition and out-of-competition films here, but we have picked some highlights.
All eyes are on Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, about an architect who rebuilds New York following a disaster. The film, which Coppola has been working on since the early Eighties, stars Adam Driver, Nathalie Emanuel and Aubrey Plaza.
Barry Keoghan dropped out of Gladiator II (led by Esquire cover star Paul Mescal) to star in Bird, directed by Andrea Arnold (American Honey, Fish Tank) alongside the recent star of gay open relationship drama Passages, Franz Rogowski. And his Saltburn co-star and erstwhile Elvis, Jacob Elordi, will star in Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada, which is based on 2021 novel Foregone. It’s about a an American leftie who heads to Canada to avoid being drafted for the Vietnam War.
Yorgos Lanthimos, fresh from a victory run with Poor Things, is back with Kinds of Kindness, an anthology film starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, possible tortured poet Joe Alwyn and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it turn from Hunter Schafer. Tortured politician Donald Trump is the subject of The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abbasi, which follows the businessman turned politician’s early years. The dubious honour of playing the former president goes to Sebastian Stan and Succession’s Jeremy Strong co-stars.
Sean Baker, the American director behind the heart-stealing The Florida Project, returns with Anora, a New York rom-com about… well, who knows actually? Details are under wrap apart from the cast which includes Mikey Madison (Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood). Elsewhere Italian director Paolo Sorrentino returns with Parthenope, starring Gary Oldman. We don’t know much about that one either though the film’s title takes its name from a siren in Greek mythology (could be helpful to know for a pub quiz?).
David Cronenberg is premiering The Shrouds, a horror film with Vincent Cassel, Guy Pearce and Diane Kruger. Cassel plays a widower who invents a machine to connect with the dead. If movies have taught us anything, that will surely have zero consequences. Another horror, Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, sounds interesting thanks to its cast alone: Demi Moore, Dennis Quaid and Margaret Qualley.
The biggie premiering out of competition is George Miller’s Fury Road prequel, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Anya Taylor-Joy takes on the lead role while Thor’s younger brother, Liam Hemsworth, joins in on the desert fun. Will Kevin Costner’s western, Horizon: An American Saga, be as fun? Who knows but its cast, which includes Costner, Sienna Miller and Luke Wilson, will surely give it a go.
And what will follow up Molly Manning Walker’s How To Have Sex in the Un Certain Regard category? By title alone, I am excited by On Becoming a Guinea Fowl from Zambian-Welsh director Rungano Nyoni. It is a family comedy-drama set in Africa and has already been picked up by A24 for international sales.
Originally published on Esquire UK
After 36 years, the long awaited Beetlejuice sequel is finally here. Having been in the works for many years now, it's finally set to release after several failed attempts. The majority of the original cast will reprise their roles. That includes Michael Keaton as the titular Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, and Catherine O'Hara as Delia Deetz. Goth gen Z princess, Jenna Ortega—previously as the lead in Netflix's Wednesday—joins the cast as Astrid (Lydia’s daughter). This makes this the second time the actress has worked with Tim Burton. Other new names to the film—Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux—are also part of the sequel's cast.
Titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the sequel centres around the rebellious Astrid’s summoning of Betelgeuse and turning her mother’s life upside down. Harry Belafonte's “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)," plays in the background, evoking memories of one of the most memorable moments from the first movie. The trailer follows Astrid around as she cycles through town and across the infamous red bridge. We follow her into the attic, where she uncovers the scale model of Winter River in Connecticut. And, of course, unknowingly summon Betelgeuse.
Directed by Burton, the sequel will embrace his handmade aesthetic with practical effects and no CGI. Burton and Keaton had originally declared that if a sequel were to be made, it would have to stay true to the spirit of the first movie and carried out using the same techniques. Burton had adopted the use of puppets, strings, wire and make-up without any digital effects, reminiscent of how many of his other older films were made.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is scheduled for theatres on 6 September 2024.
Following nearly 16 years of development hell, The Crow is finally ready to seek vengeance once again. Based on James O'Barr's 1989 comic book series of the same name, the upcoming film was first announced in 2008. Various actors were in talks to lead over the years, including Bradley Cooper, Jason Momoa, Tom Hiddleston, and Luke Evans. Now, Rupert Sanders (Ghost in the Shell) will direct the film, which will star Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs.
Skarsgård will play Eric Draven, a murdered man who seeks to avenge the deaths of himself and his fiancėe (FKA Twigs). "A crow carries their soul to the land of the dead," the narrator says in the first trailer for the film. "But sometimes something so bad happens, that the soul cannot rest until you put the wrong things right." The trailer also shows the grittier and bloodier direction for The Crow. Danny Huston (Succession) plays the main villain. The Crow premieres in theatres on 7 June, 2024.
The original The Crow (1994) film was famously mired with tragedy. A prop gun disaster fatally wounded star Brandon Lee, the son of legendary action star Bruce Lee. Though Lee had already filmed most of his scenes, the rest of the movie was recut and edited with stunt doubles and digital effects. The Crow later went on to become a cult classic. It grossed USD94 million at the box office on a USD23-million budget. Three more The Crow films were subsequently released, including two direct-to-video sequels.
Though the upcoming reimagining of The Crow is technically the fifth film in the franchise, it marks the first time that the story of Eric Draven will be retold for a new audience. "I was a huge fan of the original film growing up as a kid and was so honored to take on the role of Eric Draven," Skarsgård said in the official press release for the new trailer. "But really what drew me to it was what Rupert Sanders wanted to do with it. He wanted to completely reimagine the story and the character and tailor it towards a modern audience... I felt a responsibility to Eric’s story and endeavored to stay true to the spirit of the source material."
Sanders hopes that the new film pays homage to Lee's iconic role. That and forging a new direction for the influential series. "What drew me to this was the opportunity to make a dark romance, something that dealt with loss, grief, and the ethereal veil between life and death and reaching through that," the director told Vanity Fair. "I grew up listening to Joy Division and The Cure, and this movie is a bit like a Cure song—the beauty of melancholy."
Originally published on Esquire US
(Editor's Note: This was originally posted last year but we've re-up this write-up due to Oppenheimer's Oscar sweep.)
Get sucked in by the drama and Cillian Murphy's stare.
Now this is a story all about how / the world got flipped turned upside down / with a bomb from the Manhattan Project cadre / here's the life of Oppenheimer (and his thousand-yard stare).
Christopher Nolan isn't making films, he's creating an experience. For his latest trick, he presents the biopic of the father of the atomic bomb, J Robert Oppenheimer. Adapted from American Prometheus written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin, the film chronicle the famed theoretical physicist's life, from student life at Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge to being the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory to getting his security clearance revoked due to tenuous communist ties.
It seemed strange for Nolan to take up a profile like Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy). Especially, when it's shot in Nolan's preference for the IMAX experience. There are no action scenes, nothing that befits the movie being shot on large format film stock—IMAX 65mm and Panavision 65mm film—(there was an estimated 17.7km worth of finished film stock) but Nolan sees it apt to highlight Oppenheimer on such a scale.
It's quite amazing how it all came together. There's nary a dull moment throughout the film's three-hour running time thanks to Nolan's deft direction, stellar ensemble and immaculate sound engineering. Not content with a linear re-telling of Oppenheimer's life, the film jumps back and forth to key moments and not only that it switches between the perspectives between Oppenheimer and Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr), a senior member of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC); one in colour and the other in stark black-and-white, respectively.
The sound and music for Oppenheimer is something to behold. Faithful to the physics, the sound follows after we see the explosion. This is also true during a storm, where we see the flash of lightning, followed by the boom of thunder. When the first nuclear weapon test started, the expected sounds of the explosion were sidelined by Oppenheimer's breathing as he saw the conflagration of fire and billowing smoke. In the theatre, we sat transfixed by the near-silence of the explosion before the sound kicked in.
In his second time working with Nolan, Ludwig Göransson took Nolan's advice in using the violin as Oppenheimer's central theme. Göransson said that the stringed instrument could go from "the most romantic, beautiful tone in a split second to neurotic and heart-wrenching, horror sounds".
The best example is the nuclear explosion at Trinity (the codename of the site where it took place). We were at the edge of our seats in the lead-up to the experiment. Which is weird because all the historical accounts said that the experiment went off without a hitch. But how it was edited and soundtracked, you hope the experiment will be successful.
Cillian Murphy, who is well-known for his tenure in the TV series, Peaky Blinders, puts on a defining performance as Oppenheimer. Demonstrating the complexity of Oppenheimer with nuance would hobble a lesser actor but not in Murphy's hands. With Murphy, Oppenheimer comes across as a sympathetic Frankenstein (the doctor not as most erroneously would assume, the monster), a man who witnessed the mysteries of the atoms with awe and, later in the film, as a nuclear shade who is now the self-appointed martyr for ushering in the Atomic Age.
Furthering adding to fleshing out Oppenheimer, Murphy went on an intense transformation by reading up on the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu religious text that Oppenheimer would quote from and going on a diet that reduced him to his character’s stick-thin frame.
Downey Jr gives one of the better performances of his career as the embittered Strauss, who has a fractious relationship with Oppenheimer. Driven by ambition, Downey Jr displays a man who is an imposing figure in America’s nuclear program but dwarfed by his pettiness against a slight from Oppenheimer. Emily Blunt plays Oppenheimer's wife, Kitty, and she holds her own in this movie. Her deathstare towards her husband's ex-colleague or her bemused reaction during an interrogation, Blunt conveys the hidden pillar of strength in Oppenheimer's marriage.
I'm just glad that Murphy is back to playing the lead for a major film. To my limited memory, the last movies that he headlined were Sunshine and 28 Days Later.
Because there's something mesmerising about the way he stares at you; as though vacant but yet arresting at the same time. I'm pretty sure if there was a short film of just the camera pushing in slowly into Murphy's haunted mien, people would pay money to see it.
I mean, look at him. Now imagine if this was in colour, you will DIE IN THOSE POOLS OF BLUE.
Seven words: NOT SEEING CILLIAN MURPHY'S DONG ON IMAX.
I'm joking. Mostly. I'll explain.
This is Nolan's first R-rated movie and it includes Oppenheimer's love life with Jean Tatlock (played by Florence Pugh). Nolan felt that the intimacy between Oppenheimer and Tatlock were necessary to showcase the couple's connection. There were rumours that this might show full frontal nudity from both actors but, alas, nothing from Murphy. Not even a bare buttock. (We are all about having male actors go the full monty on the big screen. CHILL IT WITH THE DOUBLE-STANDARD, HOLLYWOOD.)
I get that Nolan doesn't want to shy from Oppenheimer's intimate moments but it felt gratuitous. Instead of the sex scenes, maybe it would be nice to have more insight into Tatlock's life and motivations. The character does not seem fully fleshed out and even Emily Blunt's Kitty barely escaped this bare-bones characterisation.
The number of established actors that are part of this cast. Aside from the marquee names like Matt Damon as Lieutenant General Leslie Groves and Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, there are other notable faces to spot. Personalities like Jason Clarke as Roger Robb; Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence; Dane DeHaan as Kenneth Nichols; Benny Safdie as Edward Teller; James Urbaniak as Kurt Gödel; Jack Quaid as Richard Feynman; Olivia Thirlby as Lilli Hornig; Casey Affleck as Boris Pash; Kenneth Branagh as Niels Bohr; Gary Oldman as President Harry S Truman and so on.
The only notable person not in the cast is Sir Michael Caine. Having appeared in all of Nolan's production since Batman Begins in 2005, this is the only film that doesn't feature him.
Also, don't forget the end-credit scene that sets up the Oppenheimer sequel. JK.
Oppenheimer was out in theatres and now lives rent-free in our collective heads.
Leave it to the Internet to turn the biggest movie of the year into a meme factory. Over the past few days, the world wide web has been ablaze with any and all wisecracks pertaining to little film called Dune: Part Two. The much-anticipated sequel stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, a warrior who unites with Chani (Zendaya), the (literal) woman of his dreams, to defend the Fremen and defeat the evil House Harkonnen. The sequel also features newcomers that include Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha; Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan and Christopher Walken as the Emperor Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, the 81st representative of House Corrino. The film premiered in theatres and has amassed a kingly sum to the tune of USD97 million at the global box office.
The full synopsis is far more complicated (we highly suggest that you simply start reading Frank Herbert's Dune novels), but I’ll spare you the details. That isn't what you came here for. If you want to learn more about Dune, you can read up on it here. Also, here for those fashion-savvy readers. If you’re interested in what the Internet has to say about director Denis Villeneuve’s latest feat, then stick around. Because there's no better way than to keep your finger on the beating pulse of pop culture than to see what others have meme-fied.
Below, Esquire has rounded up the best Dune: Part Two memes so far. Below, you'll everything from red carpet jokes to sandworm shuffles—and, yes, the viral Duneussy. (Don't ask, OK?) You'll also see an individual riding a makeshift sandworm through an AMC theatre. Take from that information what you will.
Before we part, beware: there are some spoilers ahead. If you haven’t seen Dune: Part Two, scroll at your own risk. We'll see you on the other side.
Not joking when I say that this meme fundamentally changed the way I hear/process the DUNE score forever to the point that I ONLY think it is Kurt Hummel from GLEE singing it. Fully prepared to laugh when I hear while watching DUNE 2 todaypic.twitter.com/YfuQv4FTYX
— Emmy Potter (@emmylanepotter) March 1, 2024
me when the Dune desert mouse made his return in Part Two pic.twitter.com/FIr8NG0SmN
— paul (@paulswhtn) March 4, 2024
Value Alert: if you don't have a cat cone the lid to the Dune Popcorn Bucket is a great substitute pic.twitter.com/8gN7yDoHxe
— gaz (@gazpachomachine) March 2, 2024
Someone made a full Fremen suit & rideable sandworm to go to the theater in to watch ‘DUNE 2’. pic.twitter.com/58omtu4oZL
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 4, 2024
lady jessica in the first movie: i will do anything to keep paul safe
— twltter user (@up2anth) March 4, 2024
lady jessica in dune 2: pic.twitter.com/WE7Scz9v3J
this is kinda what sand walking looks like in dune ngl pic.twitter.com/wI44c4BJ5l
— hunter harris (@hunteryharris) March 2, 2024
This how you walk on the sand so you don’t alert the worms pic.twitter.com/83TQ5J27ni
— Russell (@RussellFalcon) March 1, 2024
Timothee called ahead this time and asked her what she’s wearing 😭 https://t.co/oisVcRXEJS
— Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) February 21, 2024
#DunePart2 without context pic.twitter.com/1T4RtfWFgM
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) March 1, 2024
Me talking about Dune 2 all weekend pic.twitter.com/jKfOhXLeRn
— RICKY (@Rickyismsss) March 1, 2024
I will love you as long as I breathe…then proceeds to ask for another woman’s hand in marriage #Dune2 pic.twitter.com/W2zkEv08My
— Amanda (@amandaalives) March 3, 2024
real footage of me leaving the cinema after watching dune part 2 pic.twitter.com/XLLoAWNRcm
— babs (@illicitsffairs) March 4, 2024
Me in the theater every time lady Jessica used the voice #DunePart2pic.twitter.com/2nVdRfjtKH
— em 🪐🍋🪻 (@_EMMinem) March 3, 2024
Yeah I’m interested in Dune 2… Dune 2 others as I would have others do unto me
— caitie delaney (@caitiedelaney) March 3, 2024
Originally published on Esquire US
With the release of Dune: Part Two right around the corner, the cast has been on a press tour the world over. There's no denying that they're taking the fashion seriously too. From red carpet premieres to photocalls, Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler—portraying Paul Atreides and newly introduced Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, respectively—have been showcasing a diverse array of looks. Each outfit chosen had been statements in their own right, and are deserving of as much hype as the movie itself.
At CinemaCon 2023, Chalamet was decked out in a grungy look as he wore an edgy leather vest by Helmut Lang over a white T-shirt and skinny leather motorcycle trousers with built-in knee pads. To finish off the biker aesthetic, a pair of pointed black leather boots was the footwear of choice.
At the casts’ appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Chalamet's edgy outfit consisted of a sleeveless black sweatshirt with grommet detailing by Junya Watanabe x Stüssy, leather trousers from Alexander McQueen and black boots. However, he switched things up with a cozy knit from Hermès during the taping.
Butler arrived in a black unbuttoned shirt, wearing a matching black pinstriped suit over, and boots. He also had on a thin silver chain necklace, proving that it's what one needs to complete any suit look.
Chalamet wore a sleeveless calf hair top from Hermès' yet-to-be-released Autumn/Winter 2024 menswear collection, matched with trousers and chunky leather boots. Butler, on the other hand, opted for something a little more relaxed with a simple white T-shirt under a grey unbuttoned three-piece by Givenchy.
The duo kept it smart in Mexico City. Chalamet wore a custom Prada suit and a black poplin v-neck shirt with what is decidedly his more experimental look thus far. The blazer was tucked in and accessorised with a double tour Prada belt.
Butler rocked a striking pinstripe suit from Saint Laurent’s Spring/Summer 2024 ready-to-wear collection with cutting shoulders. Completing the look, he opted for a gold-buckled belt—not too excessive but also not too modest.
In Paris, the Dune lead stayed rather safe with a black turtleneck and sleek leather pants (notably a recurring trend with the actor) from Bottega Veneta's Spring/Summer 2023 collection. Cartier jewellery and a pair of Oliver Peoples sunglasses completed the easy look.
Butler exuded effortless style in a monochromatic Fear of God ensemble, featuring loose-fit clothing with relaxed shoulders—a departure from his usual tailored suits. He completed the look with understated David Yurman jewellery.
Chalamet wore a custom shiny metal breastplate from Givenchy with a graphic turtleneck. He had also worn a black wool jacket featuring a notch lapel with matching wool trousers. Cartier accessories such as a platinum Cintrée timepieces from the Rééditions collection and a sizeable silver ring.
Butler dressed smart in yet another Louis Vuitton ensemble, which consisted of a sharply tailored black jacket over a crisp white dress shirt, and a striking pair of flared pants reminiscent of the '70s. He kept it easy with a pair of black dress shoes, and a ring for a little hint of jewellery.
Chalamet's fish scale wool sweater was from Bottega Veneta’s women’s collection, reiterating that clothing has no gender. And if his legs looked longer than usual, that's all thanks to the chocolate brown leather pants matched with a set of Ripley Boots by Bottega Veneta as well.
Butler was wearing a custom three-piece double-breasted suit by Louis Vuitton in an offbeat shade of grey. The unusually wide-lapel blazer and waistcoat, once again, blends a sense of timelessness with a contemporary twist that Butler tends to favour.
Chalamet reunited with designer Haider Ackermann, donning on metallic trousers that were difficult to not miss, and paired with an oversized black shirt. For accessories, he wore a custom Cartier necklace featuring invert-set diamonds in orange, yellow, brown, and white hues, designed to mimic the desert landscape in Dune.
Butler's penchant for tailoring saw him taking on a black Sabato de Sarno for Gucci overcoat paired with a white vest. It's perhaps simple in execution but sleek and dramatic all the same.
Chalamet was seen sporting powdery blue overalls from South Korean designer Juun.J's Spring/Summer 2024 collection, in a deliberate move to twin with fellow lead Zendaya. He finished off the look with simple silver necklaces and a pair of Chelsea boots in the same exact shade, sticking true to the runway look.
Butler was also dressed in blue, opting for a Valentino suit with a silk shirt of a lighter shade. But instead of keeping to the monochromatic tones of the clothes, the footwear of choice was a black pair of dress shoes. A silver necklace completed the entire look.
For Seoul's premiere, Chalamet chose a sleek white suit paired with black leather boots, both courtesy of Gucci. Continuing his partnership with Cartier, he wore a single Cartier diamond necklace for a touch of elegance—just one of his many moments with the luxury brand throughout the press tour.
Butler kept it classic with a black pinstriped double-breasted suit layered over a white dress shirt, matching the entire ensemble with a black tie and black dress shoes.
Dune: Part Two will show in cinemas on 29 February 2024.
Everything about Megalopolis, as the name of Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming movie suggests, is suitably mega. Dubbed “Julius Caesar meets Blade Runner” by Mike Figgis, the director who is filming a behind-the-scenes doc on the project). From the cast (Adam Driver! Dustin Hoffman! Laurence Fishburne! Aubrey Plaza!) to the estimated USD120 million cost (self-funded by Coppola himself), there's a lot riding on the Coppola 23rd feature film.
It's apparently been in development since the ‘80s, but we're nearing showtime. Here’s everything about the production, and what to expect from one of the year’s biggest film releases.
Pretty soon, as revealed by the director himself. In an Indie Wire article, Coppola said: “It’s only going to be a few months and it’ll be out.” He adds: “All I can say is I love the actors in it. It’s unusual, and it’s never boring. Other than that, wait and see.” Update: we’re still waiting and seeing.
The film, which finished shooting back in March 2023, has a cast list of stellar A-listers. This includes Adam Driver (playing Caesar), Forest Whitaker (Frank Cicero), Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza and Shia LaBeouf. On top of that, there’s Chloe Fineman, Kathryn Hunter, DB Sweeney, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, Bailey Ives, Grace Vanderwaal, James Remar, and Giancarlo Esposito.
Ex-Hollyoaks actor Nathalie Emmanuel, who appeared in in Game Of Thrones and will play Megalopolis's lead, Julia Cicero.
It’s a pretty big deal for Driver, too, who poured praise upon the legendary director in an interview with Collider. “It has been one of the best—without hyperbole—best shooting experiences of my life," he said. "Watching him work that crew, that design team, he has such a command over cinematic language and an archive in his mind of shots that are so beautiful. And doing something so ambitious, and on his own terms, that you would think that it would be dictatorial or really controlled, but he is the most warm, open, thoughtful, director who is just…
“He really—and this all sounds like being very general, but he really embodies this thing of like, 'We're making this experiment and we're not interested in how it comes out. We're interested in the process of making it.' And inevitably because of that, the thing that you make, there's no film reference for. I think what he's made is so unique and interesting. I couldn't be more proud to be a part of it.”
As the official synopsis of the sci-fi movie has it: “In New York, a woman, Julia Cicero, is divided between loyalties to her father, Frank, who has a classical view of society, and her architect lover, Caesar, who is more progressive and ready for the future. He wants to rebuild New York City as a utopia following a devastating disaster.”
So, yes, it’s kind of a sci-fi modern retelling of the Caesar story, but Coppola told Deadline that he saw it as more of a love story. “I am grateful to be in the position to be able to make a film that haunts me and that I feel will be wonderful, that will shed light on the subject of what the future might be like and what human beings are really like. I am as happy as I could be.”
Coppola also shrugged off the rumours about unrest on set, following claims by The Hollywood Reporter that there was “chaos” on the production; that it was vastly over-budget and losing key creative talent, including the production designer and supervising art director, in addition to the entire visual effects team departing.
“Well, Apocalypse Now was out there being edited for months and months and months. And because it had been made in the Philippines, it was sort of mysterious. [With Megalopolis] it was much the same thing. A rumour starts out; there was a report about chaos. But the source was no source. From my point of view, I was on schedule, which, on a big, difficult movie, is hard to do,” Coppola said.
“I love my actors, and there is not one of them I would change. The movie has a style that went beyond my expectations. That’s sincerely how I feel. The most important thing is the life the film might have when eventually it cuts together and blossoms.”
Not yet, but keep checking back and we’ll drop it as soon as it happens.
