Pacific Rim...Man-Machine vs. Beast

With a war between mankind and these monstrous creatures of the sea waging in the mist, a former pilot and his crew suit to save the world from the apocalypse. Using out-of-date special weapons, this crew embarks on a mission to reclaim what is rightfully their own. Director Guillermo del Toro presents a story of survival by any means necessary, even when others have given up in this sci-fi, action thriller.

"Rule #1 - Do Not Touch Me...Rule #2 - Do Not Touch Me!" 

Pacific Rim, brings to the screen how one can bring various raw elements together to create these piloted, giant robotic creatures. There is a simple concept of piloted robots called Jaegers that fight against Kaijus, but the catch is why do they keep coming back? What's unique about these robots is how they function. Without telling to much of the story, these robots require you to share your innermost thoughts, literally, with someone else. Knowing that can be troubling for some and encouraging for others. I will let you be the judge of that. That's an important element to digest, I'm still processing that even after watching the movie. Essentially, this film is more than just about robots fighting monsters, it's about humankind and what will you do to protect it. Even in the midst of all the robots, there is a story to tell.

Now visually this movie is clearly showcasing the robots, but we gotta stop and acknowledge the characters behind the machine. First up is the character Marshall Stacker Pentecost (played by Idris Elba) who truly puts his heart and soul into his character. Now officially he may not be deemed as the films main character, but for me I think he can share the role with Charlie Hunnam. Pentecost brings the fatherly/mentor type role to Pacific Rim, as he must take lead of what robots he has left before the world is taken by the apocalypse. As for Hunnam (who plays Raleigh Becket), he offers the idea of what it means to get a second chance. After a tremendous loss in battle, he gets another opportunity to fight the battle, and eventual war, again. In his role as Becket, he genuinely puts his whole self into fighting for the world, considering he came back to fight willingly. On several occasions, he puts all his cards (emotions) on the table, and manages to still come out on top. When it is all said and done, both characters and their roles are a great match for this graphic novel based movie.

As for the supporting cast, there is a nice mix of femininity, calmness, testosterone, aggressiveness, and pure smarts. The first two features describe the Raleigh's co-pilot Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi), she provides the element of innocence, but at the same time a fighter. Her character allows the audience to see the true human side of the co-pilots who are running these robots. Also her relationship with Pentecost is quite father-daughter like (this is both unique and interesting considering the two different races). And for our comic relief, we have Dr. Newton Geiszler (Charlie Day) and Gottlieb (Burn Gorman), who serve up the audience with brains, wit, and energy to spare. In their own special way they show when you don't listen to the guy with the shot nerves but serious brain power, things can go awry. These two guys are the definition "Nerdom", and I love it!! Now in the case of Ron Perlman (who plays the role of Hannibal Chau...interesting name for a Jewish guy from Brooklyn) he may have had limited time on the screen, but the time that he did have was effective and refreshing. When you watch the film make sure you catch how he got that name, rather interesting. As a whole, each of the characters give a larger than life performance, so much so that no one person dominates the movie, more than they should considering their role in the film. The total package was presented with each character from beginning to end.

Thankfully, Pacific Rim provides a sufficient backstory to the origins of the Kaijus as well as how the Jaegers work, so that you are not just thrown into the movie wondering who, what, when, and where? In addition, there are various themes that can be seen from watching this film to, which include slight reference to issues of immigration, the father-child relationship, gender and race dynamics, human life, sacrifice, and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Here is a movie that will definitely have its own fans, and probably add some new ones. Pacific Rim can simply be defined as an "extraordinary, self-indulged summer blockbuster." If nothing else this movie is pure entertainment. These shiny, eccentric, colorful, and marvelous robots are a sight to behold. Trust me when I say, it does not require you to think much (unless you are just that type of critical person), there is plenty of action, the CGI is clear and in your face, and it even has a pretty good storyline. For me this movie was like watching Transformers on steroids, but in a good way. All in all, Pacific Rim does not disappoint!!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Guess Whose Baaaaack!!!! For All My Luther Fans...

So we got just a little something to wet our palette before the series finale of BBC's Luther...Embedded below is the first trailer:

 

And if you look real close you just might see Alice (she might be back :-)...yay). Just in case you need a little reminder of the show, we got the official synopsis for ya...

Idris Elba  returns in the title role of the acclaimed mini-series which won him a 2012 Golden Globe for “Best Actor” in this four-night television event in September - with two conflicting crimes to investigate and a ruthless ex-cop determined to bring him down. Luther’s life is his job, that is until love crosses his path and offers him a chance of happiness. Sienna Guillory (“Resident Evil,” “Love Actually”) joins the cast as Mary, a woman who works in a vintage clothing shop and meets Luther in a chance encounter. But is Mary ready to accept Luther’s past? And can Luther leave it behind? A self-destructive near-genius, John Luther might just be as dangerous as the depraved criminals he hunts. Luther shines a light into the hearts and minds of psychopaths and killers … and the shadowy spaces of his own soul.

For all my UK folks it returns to BBCOne in July and my fellow US we gotta wait just a little longer till September (September 3rd to be exact!!).

Oh Boy!!! This is going to be good!! Thoughts?!!?!

Sci-Fi Film Explosion

It appears that Sci-fi flicks are becoming very popular these days in the film industry. British star Idris Elba is set play a role in the new fast-paced sci-fi thriller, Pacific Rim. The film is directed by Guillermo del Toro and set in San Francisco.

Pacific Rim a film set in a world where soldiers piloting giant robots battle against giant monsters who have mysteriously risen from beneath the ocean. The film will be an homage to Japanese giant monster films, known as Kaiju worldwide. according to del Toro the film will be "a beautiful poem to giant monsters."

Adding movies such as this one to his resume are reasons why Idris Elba remains an actor that is constantly on the watch list.

Think of this film as Transformers meets Cloverfield...Pacific Rim is set to hit theaters July 12th, 2013. Another potential box-office hit for the summer!!

Idris Elba to Star as an Ancient Egyptian Renaissance Man!!

I must say Mr. Idris Elba is definitely doing his thing in the TV and Film arena. I can remember his breakout tv role as Stringer Bell in HBO series "The Wire" to starring in the BBC series "Luther"; and then making his mark on the movie/film screen with roles in Takers, Legacy, Rock-N-Rolla, and Thor just to name a few. 


Recently Elba has been given the opportunity to have a double-starring role in an adventure television miniseries "Ascension" , which focuses on the history and future of astronomy and mankind’s impulse for the stars. The shows creators, British producer Vivek J. Tiwary and writer Warren Ellis, have pretty much got him lined up to star as both the Ancient Egyptian genius Imhotep in 3000 B.C. as well as an extraordinary astronomer in the near future. 


Now this is a role that I can see him playing very well. In essence, this would be a natural fit for him and his career.


Elba, who recently starred in Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, will also starring in the upcoming sci-fi film Prometheus.


Go ahead Mr. Elba!!

Takers...Well worth the wait!!

Wow!! After waiting for some time, wondering when this film would debut and it finally hits the big screen in a major way!!

Now don't get me wrong I loved The Italian Job, but I think Takers did a better job with the same type of plot and just expanded it even more. The focus was not just on the bank heist, but everything else around it that led to its beginning and fatal end. 

I can appreciate a well-though out plot (although not original), that is elevated and expounded upon so that you can venture into new territory. And actually with this movie it kinda reminded me of a Set It Off with a twist of The Italian Job. This film is a unique take on a classic premise.

The film truly takes a brisk start, which I like versus waiting and building and potentially losing your audience. And once it gets going that is when the true fun begins. Right off the bat you get this cinematography vibe similar to the Bourne series as well as the recent Casino Royale, which might appear shaky yet they are still able to pull it off.

The extreme car chases and shootouts contain a level of energy and suspense that really makes them standout!

One thing the stood out automatically besides the action was the color combination throughout the film. It varied from bright to dark, from cool to calm. By changing up the color direction I think it gave the movie more depth versus the typical monotony of day and night.

All in all, the cast is amazing, each character brings their A-game and the audience is truly greatful for that! Marianna Jean-Baptiste, Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Paul Walker, Matt Dillion & etc all truly fit their roles and gave a show worth watching. Essentially, no one dropped the ball, which could have easily been done, thus each character was believable while showing off their talents.

Now I cannot forget to mention that now only do you get to see growth in Chris Brown and T.I. as actors but both have amazing unforgettable scenes within the movie. In particular, Chris Brown (Jesse) has probably one of, if not , the best sequence in the whole movie, without spoiling it you just gotta go to see it!

This was a type of cast that was definitely appealing for the ladies, and action-packed for the guys. So in the end, everybody gets to enjoy!

"Everyone's after something!"

Grade: 3 out of 4 stars

Idris Elba to play the new 'Alex Cross'

Well check this out, Takers, (which opens on Aug. 27), star Idris Elba  gave us a little inside scoop while doing some promoting. He stated that he's been offered to play 'Alex Cross', the popular forensic psychologist in author James Patterson's best-selling thrillers.

"I have been offered to play Alex Cross and if that happens, I'm really excited about it," said Elba while speaking at the Ritz-Carlton in Boston on Aug. 9.

'Cross' will be the third Patterson novel to be turned into a movie. It's also the 12th of 16 books that Patterson has written on the character.

As you know Oscar winner Morgan Freeman previously played Cross in the two prior films, Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider.

Cross is described as an African-American detective and psychologist living and working in the Southeast quadrant of Washington, D.C. He works in the homicide division of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD), but eventually becomes a Senior Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). After his stint with the FBI, Alex returns to private psychology practice, but continues to consult for the MPD and the FBI as needed, ultimately rejoining the MPD as a special consultant to the Major Case Squad.

He should be pretty familiar with this type of role considering recently he played Detective Chief Inspector John Luther for six episodes in the British psychological crime drama television series 'Luther.'

Elba is truly making his rounds in the movie circuit as we will get to see him in the comic book adaptation of Thor in 2011.

Do your thing Mr. Elba!

Idris Elba to join the "Thor" cast

According to the Hollywood Reporter- Idris Elba has joined the cast of Thor, Marvel Studios' film centering on the Norse god of thunder. Kenneth Branagh is directing the adaptation of the Marvel comic. Chris Hemsworth will star as Thor; Tom Hiddleston will play Loki, and Natalie Portman is the love interest, Jane Foster.

Elba will play Heimdall, who, as the guardian of Asgard, stands on the BiFrost Bridge ready to defend the city from intruders. Thor also stars Jaimie Alexander, Anthony Hopkins, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgård, Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson, and Tadanobu Asano.

His next role he will be appearing in the heist thriller Taken and will have a turn in Dark Castle's DC Comics adaptation The Losers.

Its good to see him getting a variety of roles. Do your thang Mr. Elba!!

Coming Soon!!

Here is a new movie Takers (formerly titled Bone Deep) set to come out February 19, 2010....And for all my lady fans it's filled with plenty of FINE brothas (Michael Ealy, Idris Elba, TIP "TI" Harris and more to be exact...)!! All I can say is wow!!

Takers is about a group of criminals who find their $20 million plan interrupted by a hard-boiled detective. Walker stars as the leader of the bank robbers; Christensen is a newbie detective.

Keep One Eye Open...

The new movie Obsessed with idris Elba and Beyonce Knowles looks like a thriller treat!




And the new Underworld: Rise of the Lycans flick could take a bite out of ya...

Top 30 Sexiest Black Actors and Actresses

According to AOL Black Voices they have compiled a list of the 30 Sexiest Black Actors, now sometime back they also had also complied a list of the Sexiest Black Actresses (see below).

All I know is Denzel betta be on this list...lol...You be the judge...

30. Nick Cannon, 28
29. Don Cheadle, 44
28. Jesse L. Martin, 35
27. Richard T. Jones, 36
26. Phillip Michael Thomas, 59
25. Common, 36
24. Mekhi Phifer, 33
23. Hill Harper, 42
22. Ron O'Neal 67 (at time of death)
21. Taimak, 44
20. Taye Diggs, 36
19. Henry Simmons, 38
18. Leon, 46
17. Terrence Howard, 39
16. Richard Roundtree, 66
15. Blair Underwood, 44
14. Harry Belafonte, 81
13. Tupac Shakur, 25 (at time of death)
12. Boris Kodjoe, 35
11. Jim Kelly, 62
10. Columbus Short, 26
9. Dwayne Johnson, 36
8. Michael Jai White, 41
7. Morris Chestnut, 39
6. Billy Dee Williams, 71
5. Dijmon Hounsou, 44
4. Shemar Moore, 38
3. Denzel Washington, 53
2. Idris Elba, 36
1. Will Smith, 40


Featured Story: http://www.blackvoices.com/entertainment/top-30-sexiest-actors

Hmmmm.... I would have to adjust the Top 3 but nonetheless the list looks pretty good to me. Nice mix of ol school and new school!!


Top 30 Sexiest Black Actresses

30. Thandie Newton
29. Tracy Camilla Jones
28. Vivica A. Fox
27. Robin Givens
26. Paula Patton
25. Nichelle Nichols
24. Eartha Kitt
23. Vanity
22. Lauren London
21. Stacey Dash
20. Tamara Dobson
19. Kerry Washington
18. Lisa Raye
17. Lynn Whitfield
16. Diahann Carroll
15. Zoe Saldana
14. Nia Long
13. Janet Jackson
12. Beyonce'
11. Vanessa L. Williams
10. Sanaa Lathan
9. Gabrielle Union
8. Jada Pinkett-Smith
7. Lela Rochon
6. Angela Bassett
5. Josephine Baker
4. Meagan Good
3. Halle Berry
2. Dorothy Dandridge
1. Pam Grier

Now this list could have been different in many ways some of these young ladies could have been taken off but who am I!

Featured Story: http://www.blackvoices.com/entertainment/top-30-sexiest-actresses

And the Black Bond Search continues....maybe Idris Elba...hmmm

This ought to be interesting. Rumors are flying now that Idris Elba actually may be tapped to be the first black James Bond. (Now that would make a must-go see for me). And sooner than we think. Folks are saying he’s already in talks and he’s a perfect fit with the looks–and the fact that he’s British, as pretty much all James Bonds are.

Now this next part I had to put on here...just too hilarious!!

Check out what my fellow blogger "Remarkable Fashion" (http://remarkablefashion.blogspot.com/) had to say:

Bond,....Diddy Bond
It takes a lot of work to sit on your ass, be held by world class models, and wear fly suits.....Of course, Diddy should be considered for the next bond role. Forget, being able to take direction rather than giving it, have an ability to do most of your own stunts, like say the current Bond Daniel Craig and --god forbid-- be able to ACT!!