Benh Zeitlin Finally Returns with Trailer for Peter Pan Reimagining "Wendy"

Scene from Wendy (2020)

Up until now, director Benh Zeitlin felt like he was doomed to be the one-hit-wonder of his generation. With the Sundance hit Beasts of the Southern Wild, he gained acclaim for a film that took Hurricane Katrina as symbolism and made it into a Best Picture nominee as well as earning him a Best Director nomination and launching the career of Quevenzhane Wallis. The easy question to ask is: where did he go? A success like that should've gotten him every project that he wanted. Well, after seven years there's at least some idea of what he's been up to. He's the latest to take on the mythology of J.M. Barrie's beloved "Peter Pan" and explore the joys of childhood in his own way. Wendy is a reimagining of sorts that fits within his love of children in the wilderness, and the trailer promises to take audiences to the familiar landscape of whimsy that made his first film such a beloved classic to many. 

Review: "Darkest Hour" is a Showcase for Gary Oldman's Acting, Not Much Else

Gary Oldman

In times of struggle, a leader is the most important thing to have. But what makes a good leader? Is it someone who can provide easy answers, or is it someone who takes the tough decisions that could lead to permanent fixes? In director Joe Wright's Darkest Hour, he explores this subject in relation to England in the midst of World War II during a time when the foe was among the most notorious dictators in history and the threat of bombs were constantly over their heads. It's a taught drama, but at the center is a compelling performance by Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, the aging statesman who comes to shape the war's outcome in one definitive decision. Ironically, it's his first and one that will likely make or break his role as Prime Minister. It's a gripping drama, and one that finds that the best answers aren't always the easiest. 

A Quick Rundown of Trailers for Potential Oscar Season Front Runners

Scene from Suburbicon

Once again, I apologize for being a little quieter than normal on this blog. While I have been doing regular coverage, I haven't quite given attention to the plethora of great and promising trailers that came out in the wake of the upcoming Oscar season. This is why I have decided to do a round-up of 14 trailers that, if nothing else, look to have some form of promise whether it be in acting, writing, or any technical field. It's likely that a few of these will be duds, but trying to guess who the surprise victors are always fun. The following trailers show promise and, if nothing else, show just how intriguing the next few months will be.

Rooney Mara Expresses Her Regret Over Whitewashed "Pan" Role

Rooney Mara

Save for Chris Rock's highly anticipated opening monologue, it seems like the Oscars So White debate has finally mellowed out after initial cries from Jada Pinkett Smith boycotting the ceremony to other celebrities saying problematic things. Basically we're at the point where you're either defending the Oscars as not being the problem, or blaming it as the pinnacle of what's wrong with film in 2016. However, there's been one recent viewpoint that's been expressed that seems prescient. Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Carol, Rooney Mara had an interesting year last year for a different reason. She was attacked in playing a Native American in director Joe Wright's box office bomb Pan. When asked recently how she feels about the Oscars So White issue, she spoke the familiar cry of equality while also preaching a certain level of regret. 

Theory Thursday: "Hanna" (2011) is Joe Wright's Best Movie

Saoirse Ronan in Hanna

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

Check Out the List of The Academy's 322 New Members

Tom Hardy in Mad Max: Fury Road

Following the recent announcement of new rules for this year's Academy Awards, The Academy has announced who their new members are. Among the list of 322 names is a mixture of actors, directors, musicians, and behind the scenes workers. As with every year, there's a lot of surprising and welcomed entries. This year sees a list that includes people as diverse as David Oyelowo (Selma) to Kelly Reichardt (Meek's Cutoff) to Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead). If for no other reason, it is an interesting list. The following is the list of names divided into categories as well as various credits that you'll likely recognize them from.

Update: The "Pan" Release Date Gets Moved From Summer to October

Hugh Jackman

The last time that we heard from director Joe Wright's Peter Pan adaptation Pan, it had received a trailer and a promising slot in the middle of summer. However, there has been recent news regarding the film's release date that may either prove to be a bad sign or a great one depending on how you prefer to see things. Instead of coming out at the end of the summer, it is now coming out on October 9. For the optimism that I have previously stated, I am hoping that this is the sign that this big budgeted adventure film is capable of being an Oscar contender. Let's take a look at the facts after the jump.

Birthday Take: Saoirse Ronan in "Atonement" (2007)

Saoirse Ronan

Welcome to The Birthday Take, a column dedicated to celebrating Oscar nominees and winners' birthdays by paying tribute to the work that got them noticed. This isn't meant to be an exhaustive retrospective, but more of a highlight of one nominated work that makes them noteworthy. The column will run whenever there is a birthday and will hopefully give a dense exploration of the finest performances and techniques applied to film. So please join me as we blow out the candles and dig into the delicious substance.

The First "Pan" Trailer is a Beautiful Spectacle Promising Great Adventure

Hugh Jackman

With awards season in our midst, it isn't entirely wise to look forward to next year's potential selections. However, there are few names as reassuring a contender as that of director Joe Wright. Known for making definitive adaptations of some of the best literature with Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, there is reason to celebrate every time he comes around with a new film. After making the divisive Anna Karenina, he has been out of the limelight working on a new adaptation of a Peter Pan origin story known as Pan. The first trailer has dropped and it's time to get excited once again. Wright cannot make an ugly film. That's just fact.