Today's News: 2015, first catch

Happy New Year everybody! Let's just pick off where we left off, I'd say. So here's the first few bits of news for 2015.

http://www.moviescene.nl/p/158505/blomkamp_onthult_concept_art_alien_film

This is some mouthwatering concept art. Clearly the product of someone who harbours great love for the Alien movies, especially the first (and finest) few installments. However, it's obvious this is more of a fanboy having a ball for his own pleasure than a workable first attempt at another Xenomorph infested film. It clearly has designs to directly follow Aliens, considering the presence of Michael Biehn (who ingloriously died in the first few minutes of its successor, Alien 3). The fact that the mythos has since been watered down by two more sequels, a prequel and two spin-offs, plus taking into account the age of both Biehn and Sigourney Weaver (not to mention the likely possibility both actors would not really be interested in doing another one), doesn't make for good chances of making a movie out of these doodles, no matter their fabulous look. A graphic novel of course is not an impossible option, so who knows what the future holds? Probably nothing in this regard, as Blomkamp has stated he did this mostly for fun and has since moved on working on real projects. Too bad, but maybe it's for the good. Let's face(hug) it: this imagery mostly hearkens back to the success of the first two films by applying iconic imagery and actors from those films. But applying them to what? No story is presented, nor even a medium in which it might otherwise be told. These images are completely empty of context, except for the love Blomkamp and us Alien fans bring to it ourselves. The first teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens comes to mind, which uses an all too similar tactic without delivering the necessary context of a narrative. At least in this Alien case, we'll never have to lament the fact that such great artistry was used for such a disappointing final product, which I continue to consider a very likely scenario for that upcoming Star Wars flick. Yet still, if there's ever gonna be another Alien movie (and I mean an Alien movie proper, not the upcoming Prometheus 2), Blomkamp would be my first choice for the directing chair.

http://www.moviescene.nl/p/158499/stallone_onthult_aankomende_films

As for directing, Sly Stallone is doing that in 2015. And acting. And writing and producing too. He sure is keeping himself busy. Too bad there's so little original projects involved, it's mostly him building on his past glories of Rocky and Rambo. At least with Creed, he's acknowledging his age by playing a mentor figure rather than an actual price fighter. Not so with the fifth Rambo movie, which is basically Stallone blowing off steam on camera and making money at the same time. To show he's keeping things up to date, this time he'll singlehandedly wipe out a whole Mexican drug cartel. If only that sort of thing would happen in the real world. The only one out of these three projects currently in the works that gets me the least bit excited is the one that seems to be most original. Then again, there's ample biopics about mobster bosses already, so it's hardly a unique concept. I doubt Scarpa could ever turn out as memorable as the likes of The Untouchables, Scarface or American Gangster. Doesn't really matter if it doesn't though. You just do your thing, Sly.

http://www.moviescene.nl/p/158507/cast_foto_serie_powers_onthuld

Also not a wholly original concept is a team of detectives investigating crimes that involve superpowered individuals. Remember The 4400 for example? Heck, even Agents of S.H.IE.L.D. often dabbles in that particular premise. Of course, the notion of setting it in a world where superhumans are a fairly everyday occurrence is more innovative, as is introducing an ex-superhuman as a cop character. That does make for some interesting novel story possibilites, and I hope Powers will utilize them to maximum effect. The cast sure helps, too. Casting Sharlto Copley is like striking gold, and I'm also happy to see Noah Taylor again. However, it's Michelle Forbes in a silly, sexy superheroine outfit that gets me most excited (in dual fashion, I must admit). The new TV division of the PlayStation Network seems to have a solid first show on their hands. Hopefully they didn't opt for this project simply because it's based on a comic book series about superpeople and those are currently hot. That sort of thinking is currently killing their mother company Sony's Spider-Man franchise, because they don't know how to proceed handling the character but because of his strong brand name they exploit him all the same. You need something more than just a popular character to win the audience over, preferably including a good story that keeps spectators hungry for more. Powers could have that in spades, and might very well deliver proof that there is still talent to be found amongst Sony's ranks where comic book adaptations and superhumans are involved. Or so we can only hope at this point.