Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (4/4)

First we had STAR WARS, which lead to 2 sequels making it a trilogy. Then we had a prequel of trilogies. Then we had a sequel to the series. But this time, it's neither a sequel, nor really a prequel. It's a midquel?

The 8th live action film in the STAR WARS franchise, is a stand-alone sequel to Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005) and a prequel to the original Star Wars film Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) as it ends at the point which that film begins. Rogue One stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, and Forest Whitaker, and follows Jyn Erso as the daughter of the unwilling designer of the Galactic Empire's superweapon, the Death Star, and her journey to find her father and obtain the schematics which show the reactor core vulnerability he left in its design.

***SPOLIERS***

I'm not really going to reveal any spoilers about the film right now. Not until after it's official release. You can comment a questions and I'll answer. I'll update the review after the release, with more details though.

***SPOILERS END***

Even though it's a standalone film, to truly appreciate the film, you need to be familiar with at least original STAR WARS. Better if you've seen both the trilogies though. There are several character references, and some characters themselves, that you won't know, until you know about the other films. Although, you could still watch the movie standalone, as long as you make yourself slightly familiar with the STAR WARS world. Which probably you already are!

Felicity Jones' performance the unconvinced rebel-fighter Jyn Erso is pretty impressive. She has the charm, the depth, the anger and a lot more to offer. Almost reminds you of a young Luke Skywalker. Mads Mikkelsen is Galen Erso is Jyn's distant father who the Rebels intercepted a transmission about the testing of the Death Star. Mads is so good and always a joy to watch. From Marvel Universe to Star Wars universe, he's making a mark Diego Luna as Rebel Alliance Intelligence Officer Cassian Andor is a joy to watch. Although he tends to be lil too serious at times. At times he seems like he'll end up a villain, cuz he's so damn serious. But the moments of joy & laughter come from Alan Tudyk as K-2SO, a Rebel-owned Imperial enforcer droid whose memory is wiped by Andor. He's funny, cool and fun. everywhere.

nother fun character is Chirrut Îmwe, played by Donnie Yen. He's brutal, he's cool, he's awesome and he's blind. He kicks some serious ass in the film. Ben Mendelsohn as Orson Krennic, the Director of Advanced Weapons Research for the Imperial Military, is also really good villain. He seemed like Christoph Waltz, but he's not. Riz Ahmed is Bodhi Rook, a former Imperial pilot who defects to the Rebels. Finally an Indian gets a good place in Star Wars universe, congratulation to Riz on that. He has a good part, which is kind of meek, but also fun, courageous and important. Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera, a veteran of the Clone Wars is really cool too. He's brutal, dangerous and maniac-ish. Forest makes Saw even cooler. And there's Darth Vader too!

The film is also beautifully shot. It's more on the lines of the new Star Wars film. Not a crazy CGI spectacle like the prequel trilogy. The film reminds you of original Star Wars trilogy, but still keeps it modern. There are not as many interesting aliens as you may want, but there are plenty. And the action sequences are very very cool. Lots of references to original Star Wars that the fans will find fun. 

All in all, it's a great movie to watch, and it's going to be BIG for Disney this year.  If you're a STAR WARS fan, you must watch it. If you are not a STAR WARS fan, or you haven't seen STAR WARS films, please go watch them. You have a lot too catchup on the holiday season!

Hope begins with them. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in theaters December 16.

BELIEVE (3/4): a new Holiday-Christmas Classic!

Holiday season is the time to sit cozy at home, and watch the numerous Christmas & Holiday Classics, new & old, with family, or alone. And there is a huge faith-based market, which loves these films even more. You can add another name to that list now, Billy Dickson's BELIEVE.

Billy Dickson ASC, is no newbie to the industry. With over 40 years in the industry, he has played several roles behind the camera, and has been part of several successful projects. He is an established cinematographer, who's member of the esteemed ASC (American Society of Cinematographers. He's also  been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards for the famous TV show "Ally Mcbeal". "Believe" is his first feature film, which he has written and directed. Art Shrian talked to the wonderfully talented Billy Dickson, who's a very kind and intelligent man. Here are the excerpts:

Art Shrian: Congratulations on your first feature film. What inspired you to make 'this' film?

Billy Dickson: I was inspired by my sister, who was dying of cancer. She would say, “Embrace each day”, “be thankful for every moment you are here on this earth”. Her prayers of how to live life became an inspiration to us all.  I wanted to write a story about a little boy that had that undeniable faith, that his belief in God and to answer prayers was as natural to him as breathing. Even though they might not be answered the way he wants, they are always answered. 

AS: How was the writing process for this film? 

BD: I began writing this movie about 20 years ago. I had already written several other unpublished screenplays and pilots. I learned a lot over the years from reading so many scripts from good and bad writers. I took my screenplays around with my agents or managers, and their response was that the content was too soft, not edgy enough. I knew I had a taste for family movies. I felt there had to be others with that same feeling. I wanted to write for those people who wanted movies to have a good clean message, that you could take your children and grandparents to go see. It wasn’t until I met Ryan O'Quinn and his likemindedness to partner up and say - Lets make this movie. Lets see who we can get to finance this. Go! It was also the right timing for this film. I believe that with all this country is going through and with all the division, I could speak into a story that resonated with a lot of people right now.

AS: How did you assemble this wonderful cast? Specially Danielle and the wonderful boy star Issac.

BD: This cast was a blessing. Ryan O'Quinn did a fabulous job as Matthew Peyton. We hired Beverly Holloway as our casting director, and she guided us along with Kevin Sizemore to some faces that were not the “Usual Suspects” in these type of films. I didn’t want this to be the regular cast of Hallmark or Christian films. Each one of these actors embraced the script and brought something unique. Danielle Nicolet was my first choice for Sharon. And thankfully she said yes to our small film. Issac Ryan Brown is a special find. His attitude and abilities were beyond our dreams. When he walked out the door of casting we prayed he wouldn’t go far so we could offer him the role. It was his. He even told his mom and mangers he wanted to do this film and would turn down other things to do it. 

AS: What's your message for up & coming filmmakers & storytellers?

BD: Stay true to yourselves and don’t get distracted by the glamour and fame. Those things don’t make you happy. What makes you happy is hard work and perseverance. Keep your core values intact no matter what. Be successful for who you are and what you have to offer. Work hard and don’t give up.

AS: Final question - What's your most favorite & least favorite thing about New York?

BD: I often romanticize about New York. I have never lived in any major city, but when I come to NY there is a certain charm and air that I say to myself - Maybe if I had a second run at life, I would love to live here. It’s an amazing place with so much energy. My least favorite thing about NY is the fact that its so far away from where I live now. I don’t get a chance to work or visit as much as I would like. 

AS: Congratulations again on the wonderful film, and Good Luck!

From Smith Global Media and Power of 3 Entertainment comes the story of family, loyalty and love in the compelling drama "BELIEVE." The film, written, directed and produced by Billy Dickson, opens in select theatres nationwide Dec. 2, 2016 and is the debut theatrical release under the joint venture.

The upcoming holiday film BELIEVE is releasing in select theatres on December 2nd through Smith Global Media and Power of 3 Entertainment.  Harry Smith, (younger brother of Will), heads Smith Global Media in partnership with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE), with creative and infrastructure support provided by Overbrook Entertainment.  The film was exclusively announced by Variety [in late October here].

Written, directed and produced by Billy Dickson, ASC (“One Tree Hill,” “Ally McBeal”), BELIEVE is filled with powerful performances by an ensemble cast that includes Ryan O’Quinn (“Dad Dudes,” “Alias”),  Shawnee Smith (“Anger Management,” “Grace Unplugged,”), Danielle Nicolet (“Central Intelligence,” “The Flash”), David DeLuise (“Wizards of Waverly Place,” “3rd Rock from the Sun”), Kevin Sizemore (“Fear The Walking Dead: Flight 462,” “Woodlawn”) and Issac Ryan Brown (“Blackish”) who makes his theatrical film debut.  

Ajay Devgn talks about Shivaay & more... Will he do a "Scarface" remake?

Click here to share on Facebook : http://bit.ly/ShivaayOfficialTrailer Shivaay is a Himalayan mountaineer who is an innocent everyman and yet is capable of TRANSFORMING into a mean DESTROYER when he needs to PROTECT his family. In Theatres on 28th October, 2016. Starring : Ajay Devgn, Sayyeshaa, Erika Kaar, Abigail Eames, Vir Das, Girish Karnad, Saurabh Shukla.

Ajay Devgn is not just a popular Indian actor, he's a STAR. With a career spanning over 25 years, in Indian film industry, also known as Bollywood; he has had a very successful run. As an actor, he's primarily famous as a big action star (he's son of famous Indian stunt choreographer Veeru Devgan), but he has known for his very successful dramatic roles and comedies as well. And besides being an actor, he is also a producer and director as well.

Shivaay is an upcoming Indian action thriller film directed and produced by  Ajay Devgn under his banner Ajay Devgn FFilms. It features Ajay Devgn, Sayyeshaa Saigal, and Erika Kaarin lead roles. Mithoon has composed the film's score and soundtrack. British band The Vampsand composer Jasleen Royal are also a part of the music.

We had a chance to catchup with him, in-person, during his promotional tour in NYC. Watch it here:

www.mynewyorkeye.com Indian Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn, in NYC, talking to Brad Balfour & Art Shrian. Promoting his film "Shivaay" (releasing October 28, 2016), talks about being an actor, about balancing action-drama-comedy films, his marriage and other things. Follow @mynewyorkeye on FB and Twitter, and also follow @ArtShrian on Twitter & Instagram for more entertainment news & updates.

Shivaay is scheduled to release on 28 October 2016 on the Diwali weekend. Checkout your local theater listings.

Sebastian Stan aka Bucky aka Winter Soldier, iN "Doctor Strange"? In theaters & IMAX, Nov 4

Follow @myNEwYorkeye on FB & Twitter and @ArtShrian on Twitter & IG, for more! Sebastian Stan, at the special advance footage screening of Marvel's Doctor Strange; introducing his film... just kidding... introducing Benedict Cumberbatch... kidding again... talks about Benedict Cumberbatch, and watches the movie with his and Marvel fans.

It was an unexpected treat for all Marvel fans last night, when Sebastian Stan showed up at the special footage screening of Marvel's "Doctor Strange" in NYC. Although he did not clarify if he's in the movie or not, he did talk about one is favorite actor Benedict Cumberbatch, and how its "strange" that he's part of the Marvel universe now. Watch the video for more.

As for the footage itself, it was very impressive. Benedict Cumberbatch is probably the best man studios could have found to play Doctor Strange (except Art Shrian, maybe? lol). He embodies the character, and gives it a new dimension. All Doctor Strange fans, Marvel fans, Cumberbitches (Benedict Cumberbatch fans) and movie fans alike, will enjoy his performance. It does remind you of Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark and Ironman, but in a good way. Benedict CUmberbacth is truly rocking in and as Doctor Strange!

As for rest of the cast, it's pretty good too. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo seems pretty good, but you don't see enough of him in footage to judge. he's good in action scenes, and ll we see. And the WiFi line, which is quite funny. Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer seems perfect. She's a doctor, and love interest of Strange. But again, not a lot to see in the footage. Benedict Wong as Wong is definitely great. Funny, mean and awesome. It'll be a joy to see him as the hard-ass librarian. Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius is amazing. Now that's a villain, we all want. And Mads has all of that menacing, crazy villain thing. As for Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One, there's bene controversy on her role. She does suit the role, but probably they could have cast more appropriately (racially correct?). But hey, she does a great job as an actor. So, no big deal?

As from the footage, the movie looks visually amazing. The crazy mind bending sequences of Strange's fall and travel through dimensions and universes etc, to Inceptionesque visuals of bending cities etc. It's all very cool. Action looks hot, and the IMAX makes it even more fun.

"You wonder what I see in your future? Possibility." Watch this featurette and learn about the characters in Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch! In theaters November 4.

Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” in theaters November 4th!