Bruce Willis Page 10

Imagine a world where any possible crime or vice is legal. In the virtual city resort of VICE, that world is a reality. The resort allows for people to do whatever they, including murder their fellow man. Although this isn't strictly true, as the other people (and targets of abuse) are all robots. So, less 'The Purge', and more 'West World'. After a young woman (or a robot designed to look like a young woman) is killed, her memory is wiped and she is dropped back into VICE to do it all again. But the memories begin to slowly come back to her, leading to her and a patron (who is strangely obsessed with her) turning around and trying to bring down the system.

Watch The Teaser Trailer For 'Vice' Here:

Continue reading: 'Vice' Teaser Trailer Ushers In The New Age Of Action Heroes

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For isn’t out until this coming Thursday, August 21, but promotion has been going on for months. Maybe you’ve noticed that this time around, it’s mostly (if not all) focused on the ladies – from Jessica Alba’s no-longer damsel-in-distress Nancy, to Rosario Dawson’s dominatrix with a deadly attitude Gail, to the Dame herself – Eva Green as Ava Lord. These are no-nonsense, cliché-free female characters. Well, technically they’re all cliché, but that’s the point – it’s all very post-modern and ironic and noir-inspired, etc.

Yes, ok, the women are still strutting around in their underwear. But this time they are empowered, apparently.

Continue reading: "Sin City" Stars Talk A Big Game Of Female Empowerment, But Will The Movie Deliver?

The Hobbit trilogy has been criticised by some viewers for having too little content spread too thinly over the course of too many films. Originally, the idea was to split the 1937 J. R. R. Tolkien story over two films; however, in 2012, director Peter Jackson confirmed his plans for a third film; some six years after the two-film decision had been made.

Director of The Hobbit, Peter Jackson, originally thought the franchise would only spread across two films 

Was this to enhance viewers’ experience of the story or was it because three films make more money than two? Audiences will never know. They will instead have to settle with a narrative with a lot less to say than The Lord of the Rings trilogy over the same number of motion pictures; with the final chapter in the piece, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, released in the UK on 12 December.

Continue reading: Film Franchises That Go On Forever

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, within weeks of becoming engaged, are reportedly expecting a baby! The news, as reported by E!, has yet to be confirmed by the couple's representatives but a source close to the couple spoke exclusively to the entertainment website. Other sources, speaking to various websites, have also chimed in and Kunis has recently been spotted attending a prenatal yoga class in Los Angeles. 

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have been spotted enjoying basketball games in L.A. despite pregnancy rumours.

The couple are reportedly overjoyed at the prospect of becoming parents, as one friend told People, "they are both very, very happy," adding "it's still early." It's also allegedly "not twins" as another source told the magazine. 

Continue reading: Recently Engaged Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher Expecting First Child?

M. Night Shyamalan reteaming with Bruce Willis to shoot one of the very first scripts of his career may sound like a frightening proposition, though Labor of Love appears to be going ahead and will be touted around the Berlin Film Festival in February, according to Mike Fleming Jr at Deadline.com.

M. Night Shyamalan Will Make 'Labor of Love' with Bruce Willis

Shyamalan and Willis made The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable together - probably the two best movies of the director's up-and-down career - and Labor of Love goes back even further. The script was one of the very first screenplays that the Indian-American director sold - to Fox, in 1993. The film was never made after Shyamalan touted himself as director, though Denzel Washington was apparently sniffing around the project a couple of years ago

Continue reading: M. Night Shyamalan Eyes Bruce Willis Reunion For 'Labor Of Love'

Sylvester Stallone is in a nostalgic mood, thinking back to his younger days and, it would appear, lamenting them. He also hinted at a reprising his role as Rocky in the upcoming film, ‘Creed’. The legendary actor bore all when speaking to host Jonathan Ross during an on-stage interview at the London Palladium on Saturday.

Still going - Sylvester Stallone

"I abused power badly. I read some of the interviews I gave now and wish I could go back and punch myself in the face," he continued. Stallone, who stars alongside Robert di Niro in the comedy boxing film, Grudge Match, also spoke of a new project in which he’ll play Rocky once more, but confirmed that it’s not a sequel in any way shape or form.

Continue reading: Sly Stallone Would Like To Give Himself A Retrospective Rocky Punch In The Face

Usually, when one hears about an advert being banned, one’s mind immediately flirts with ideas of profanity or violence, and when Bruce Willis is involved, those flirtations count for double. But the Die Hard star’s Sky advert was banned for being misleading.

Willis' advert was banned

Ironically, the headline ‘Bruce Willis Sky advert banned’ is actually misleading, too, for the aforementioned reasons. So here’s the dull truth: The Advertising Standards Authority said the ad was not sufficiently clear, so decided to pull it off the air. The ASA said as the advert was "clearly not directed at existing Sky customers." (BBC)

Continue reading: Bruce Willis Sky Advert Banned, For Reasons Boring

The big news this week was that Harrison Ford will join the Expendables for their third film adventure. Sylvester Stallone tweeted the announcement, then went on to mention that Bruce Willis won't be around this time, apparently because he asked for too much money. Stallone was also caught on camera poking fun at Arnold Schwarzenegger's "big ego". Before they re-team for the next Expendables movie, they're costarring in the prison-break thriller Escape Plan. Watch Sly talking about Arnie at Comic Con here.

The next big superhero blockbuster will be Thor: The Dark World, and we got a more detailed look at the film in a new trailer this week. Pretty much everyone is back, including Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba and Stellan Skarsgard. The movie looks like a huge-scale action adventure with a sense of humour about it. It opens in October. Watch the trailer for Thor: The Dark World here.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Ford Joins The Expendables, Thor Strikes Back, And Get Ready For The Biopics

$1 Million A Day? Bruce Willis is officially out of The Expendables 3, having been replaced by Harrison Ford. The thing is, there appears to have been an almighty dispute over money, leaving Sylvester Stallone at odds with his former friend. Is Bruce worth $1 million a day? Check out our defense here!

Kramer vs Cancer: Dustin Hoffman has well and truly given cancer the slip after being "surgically cured" from the disease. The legendary Hollywood star is recovering at home with his family, though was given the all-clear recently. Check out the full story here. 

Continue reading: A Week In News: Willis Quits Expendables 3, Hoffman Beats Cancer And Beyonce Chops Hair Off

Three things of note regarding The Expendables 3: Harrison Ford has joined the cast, Bruce Willis has left the cast, and Sylvester Stallone really hates Bruce's work ethic.

The whole thing kicked off late on Tuesday (August 8, 2013) when Sylvester Stallone - who stars in and wrote the screenplay for the third movie - tweeted, "WILLIS OUT. HARRISON FORD IN !!!! GREAT NEWS !!!!! Been waiting years for this!!!!"

Sure, it was a pretty blunt casting announcement, though maybe Willis was busy with another of the Die Hard movies or something? NOPE.

Continue reading: Harrison Ford Joins 'Expendables 3,' As Sly Brands Willis 'Greedy And Lazy'

The stars were out to premiere their movies over this past week. First to face the paparazzi in New York were the voice cast of the animated comedy Turbo, including Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michelle Rodriguez and Ken Jeong. The film opens this week in the US, but British audiences will have to wait until October. We have lots of footage from the event including Blake Lively and her brother, Michelle Rodriguez and Ken Jeong, The Indycar Superstars as well as the animated movie's star Ryan Reynolds.

On Tuesday in New York, Helen Mirren, Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mary Louise Parker signed autographs and posed for photos before the premiere of their new action-comedy sequel RED 2. The film also opens this week in the US, and in two weeks in the UK. Watch the Red 2 premiere footage here.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Big Premieres In New York And London, Plus Oscar-bait Movie Trailers

The stars were out to shine last night in L.A as new movie Red 2 rolled out the red carpet for a premiere party. Catherine Zeta Jones looked particularly glamorous as she strutted her stuff on the carpet on her own, flaunting her exquisite black lace dress.

Catherine Zeta Jones Stunned In Her Lace Gown.

According to The Sun, Helen Mirren and her husband Taylor Hackford engaged in some adorable public displays of affection, looking every inch the loved-up couple with 67 year-old Mirren styled in a particularly trendy fashion in giant Perspex heels under her sleek, green floor-length gown. Bruce Willis and his partner Emma Heming were also feeling the love last night as they snuggled up to one another.

Continue reading: 'Red 2' Premieres As Catherine Zeta-Jones Turn Up The Heat [Photos]

This week's big world premiere was for Guillermo Del Toro's Pacific Rim, which was held in Mexico City on Monday with cast members Charlie Day, Ron Perlman and Rinko Kikuchi. They were joined by British costars Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and new True Blood hunk Robert Kasinsky for the European premiere in London on Thursday. Critics' reviews are embargoed, but Emma Watson and Kanye West both tweeted praise for the film, which opens next week.

The next big blockbuster this summer will be The Wolverine, a stand-alone X-men movie set in World War II Japan. Hugh Jackman returns as the iconic character, and this week appears in a short behind-the-scenes doc with director James Mangold. They reveal several enticing clips from the film, which opens later this month. Watch The Wolverine featurette here.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Pacific Rim Launches, The Wolverine Shows Himself And Gwyneth Deals With Sex-Addiction

Die Hard 6 is on the way, with confirmation that the British scriptwriter Ben Trebilcook is knocking up a version for the next installment of the long-running Bruce Willis-starring action franchise. Trebilcook is currently working on a martial artist starring action film called Knockout but it was here where he met Die Hard 6 consulting producer Larry D. Webster with regards writing some material for the new film.

Total Film reports that details for the film’s plot so far are scarce, though it will begin in London before having the bulk of the action take place in Tokyo. Currently being called Die Hardest, it’ll be interesting to see how Trebilcook’s version works out, though he’s confident it will impress long time fans of the franchise. “It is extremely faithful to the franchise and characters and is a natural progression. It's also a very plausible storyline,” he said, though added that it was far from a done deal that he’d be the final name on the film’s credits.

"Getting Larry's support was great, but there are many hurdles to leap yet and two of those are called Bruce Willis and [producer] Alex Young” he said. “[There's] the possibility producers might go back and find some other source material to base the next one on, like they did with the first and second. Mine though, I feel it could be the Rocky Balboa of the Die Hard franchise." We don't remember Rocky Balboa being particularly good...

Continue reading: Die Hard 6 Is Go! Sort Of... Initial Scriptwriter Confirmed

Taken and its wildly successful sequel have paved the way for revenge thrillers. Fire With Fire is the latest in this trend and with an impressive cast including stars Bruce Willis, Josh Duhamel and Rosario Dawson, one would hope it will prove to be a rip-roaring ride of suspense and intense action.

The story follows Jeremy, a firefighter who, through a stroke of terrible luck, witnesses the murder of a boy and his father in a store committed by an Ayran crime mob boss through apparently racial motives. Jeremy identifies Hagan, the man who committed the murders, in a lineup but Hagan lets Jeremy know that he knows exactly who he is by reciting his name, address and social security number. In the run up to the trial Jeremy needs to change his name and enter a witness protection programme when he begins a romantic relationship with a member of the police force. It all goes belly up though and he ends up saying words very similar to those heard in Taken, "I'm gonna find you, I'm gonna kill you.... to hell with witness protection, you're gonna need protection from me."

Continue reading: Josh Duhamel, Rosario Dawson And Bruce Willis Fight 'Fire With Fire' (Trailer)

Ah, Valentine’s Weekend. That thing that doesn’t actually exist because there’s only actually one day that’s officially attributed to Valentine’s Day but it does exist in the world of the movie box office. It’s the weekend for people who were too stingy to take their partners out of actual Valentine’s Day, because all of the prices are inflated, to schlep over to the local movie theatre, with a rose between their teeth for no good reason and treat their loved one to a terrible, terrible movie.

That’s right. Normally, we like to give our readers a few tips and pointers with regards to the upcoming box office releases for the forthcoming weekend, make a few recommendations, etc etc. Well, this week, can we simply suggest that you stay home? What we appear to have on our hands this week is the biggest collection of cinematic flops since as far back as we can remember. Or at least since last Valentine’s Weekend.

First up, if you’re still interested in learning which films you should not go to see this weekend, is Safe Haven. A woozy adaptation of yet another Nicholas Sparks novel. Yes, we loved The Notebook. Yes, OK, we admit, what we mean is we loved Ryan Gosling in The Notebook. And yes, we suppose that Zac Efron did a pretty good job in The Lucky One. But it takes more than a pretty couple (Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough) to make a successful adaptation of one of Sparks’ ever-popular tear-jerk romance novels.

Continue reading: Hot Tickets! US Movie Releases: 'Safe Haven' And 'A Good Day To Die Hard' Battle It Out For Worst Valentine's Weekend Movie

Could 'A Good Day To Die Hard' be the worst movie to ever top the U.S box office? It will almost certainly be amongst the worst to take over $50 million on its opening weekend, as it is expected to do over the coming days. The fifth instalment in Bruce Willis's action franchise has been derided by critics and currently holds a score of just 14% on the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregating site (down 2% in 24 hours).

20th Century Fox anticipated a softer opening of around $40 million though industry analysts suggest the movie will take at least $10 million more than that. Either way, the competition don't stand a chance this weekend, with 'Safe Haven' likely to finish second with takings of around $25 million. Relativity Media will settle for second place, given romance author Nicholas Sparks' latest film adaptation cost less than one-third as much to make as the fifth Die Hard. Another movie - Beautiful Creatures - could prove to be a potential rival for Safe Haven and should take around $22 million over the long President's Day weekend. Animated 3-D movie 'Escape From Planet Earth' is likely to gross around $19 million during its first four days.

'A Good Day to Die Hard,' was made on a budget of around $92 million and follows Willis' John McClane character as he teams up with his long-estranged CIA agent son in Moscow. The popular movies have pulled in millions at the box-office and new instalments are pretty much guaranteed to be big hits. The highest grossing film in the franchise 'Live Free or Die Hard,' started off with $33.4 million in June 2007 and went on to collect $134.5 million domestically.

Continue reading: Will 'A Good Day To Die Hard' Be The Worst Movie To Top The Box Office?

We were fearful of what the 'A Good Day To Die Hard' reviews would look like, and it looks as though our trepidation has been vindicated. The 5th installment of Bruce Willis' action franchise is a step too far; perhaps even two steps.

A paltry 11% (so far) on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes will make grim reading for Willis et al - but critical success doesn't always correlate with commercial proficiency.  Still, being called "Obnoxious, over the top and often dull," (USA Today) can't be nice. It's difficult to find a shred of positivity while sifting through the sea of negative reviews. Variety come close, saying, "the action elements aren't the problem here. They're certainly loud enough. It's the obligatory intra-family squabbling and preposterous plotting that threaten to derail this nonsensical sequel." Having said that, describing something as: not "the problem", isn't exactly positive, is it? Heyuguys.com reviewer Stefan Pape bemoans the longevity of the franchise: "'I'm going to count to three. There will not be a four,' mutters Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber in the very first Die Hard movie. If only the filmmakers of this renowned action movie franchise had taken note, as after a triumphant trilogy, we now set foot into what is the fifth instalment in the Die Hard series."

It's probably safe to say that everybody wanted A Good Day To Die Hard to be good, but the chances of that were always slim. An action film first, this fifth (but not final) instalment fails to capture the vigour with which John McClain one defeated his enemies. 

Continue reading: A Good Day To Die Hard Reviews - A Good Day To Give Up?

We look at Oscar-nominated animated romp Wreck-it Ralph and Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren in Hitchcock

Awards season continues to crank up with Argo taking the lead in the homestretch. Ben Affleck's true 1970s thriller has won the top prizes at the actors, producers and directors guilds, which makes it the favourite to win Best Picture on Oscar night February 24th, even though Affleck isn't nominated as Best Director. On the other hand, he is up for director, as well as film and actor, in this Sunday's British Academy Film Awards, better known as the Baftas.

This weekend also sees the release of the season's final awards-contending titles in the UK, including Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren in Hitchcock and the Oscar-nominated animated romp Wreck-it Ralph. There are also two acclaimed foreign films: Pablo Larrain's inventive Oscar-nominated political black comedy No, and the gorgeous Japanese drama I Wish.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Wreck-It Ralph, No And Hitchcock Hit Cinemas While A Good Day To Die Hard, Fast & Furious 6 And Iron Man 3 Trailers Hit The Web

An Irreplaceable Super Bowl For Beyonce As She Reaches Her Performing Destiny, Yoda The Movie Anyone? And, The Duchess of Cambridge Debuting Her Baby-Bump

Irreplaceable: Beyonce showed over 100 million television viewers why she's the biggest R&B star on the planet at the Super Bowl on Sunday. Her rip-roaring LIVE set was very much the talking point after the game (won by the Baltimore Ravens, by the way).

Yoda The Movie? Hot on the heels of news that J.J. Abrams will helm Star Wars Episode 7, Disney has announced its intention to make several Star Wars spin-off movies over the coming years. Speculation that Jabba The Hut, Darth Vader and - lord forbid - Jar Jar Binks could helm the films is rife, though good old Yoda is the big favourite for the first movie.

Continue reading: A Week In News: Beyonce Nails Super Bowl, Yoda Set For The Big Screen, Kate Debuts Bump

Bruce Willis has voiced his opinion against the lingering decision to impose tighter laws on gun control in America whilst promoting his new film, A Good Day To Die Hard, adding that he believes there is no connection between violence on screen and off it.

The action star, who will also star in the upcoming sequels G.I. Joe: Retaliation and Red 2, has stated his objection to any proposed altercations to the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the American Constitution, which states that people have the right to keep and bear arms. Speaking to press whilst promoting his latest turn as John McClane, the actor said, "I think that you can't start to pick apart anything out of the Bill of Rights without thinking that it's all going to become undone."

The topic of gun control has become paramount in America of late, largely due to the December shootings at Sandy Hook and at a Colorado cinema earlier in 2012. When further quizzed on his opinions on the pervasive issue, Willis also stated the he believes gun-wielding films like his next action-packed venture hold no relation to similar events. He said, "the real topic is diminished" when this is brought up, and that "no one commits a crime because they saw a film."

Continue reading: Bruce Willis Opposes Proposed Gun Control Legislation, Says There Is No Connection Between Violence Onscreen And Off It

Plenty of people seem excited that much-loved action franchise Die Hard is back for another installment, but few of them seem as enthused as the main man himself – Bruce Willis, who plays everyone’s favorite action hero John McClane.

Willis was on the red carpet with his wife Emma across in Berlin for the German premiere of the fifth edition of the Die Hard series, Die Hard – A Good Day To Die, and evidently couldn’t keep his excitement to himself, amorously kissing his wife as they strolled down the runway in front of the paparazzi. We’d be happy if we were Bruce too, he must be making a mint off these films. Willis and his wife were looking very dapper indeed, with the veteran actor wearing a charcoal-grey suit, pearly grey tie and pale grey shirt, complete with a winter coat. Emma meanwhile was wearing a beaded ivory dress with a fashionable V-neckline. She accessorized with a clutch and metallic looking sandals.

Elsewhere there's been a new extended trailer released with the film's release just round the corner! The latest Die Hard film will see a vulnerable looking McClane has he heads to Russia to try and aid his son Jack (played by Jai Courtney) who has gone missing. It turns out that Jack works for the CIA – of course he does with a father like that – and is trying to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist. This can only mean one thing: some double McClane action as they attempt to stop the robbery taking place.

Continue reading: Bruce Willis' Red Carpet Smooching Steals Show At Die Hard Premiere; Plus, New Trailer!

There’s no messing about on the new A Good Day To Die Hard, and there’s no lack of awareness that this is a much-loved franchise being brought back for another hurrah either, with the triumphant orchestral bombast of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 blasting out over scenes of high paced action. This is the fifth installment of the long running Die Hard series, and it once again features Bruce Willis as John McClane.

This time things are a bit different though, with McClane’s son (played by Jai Courtney) being held in a Russian prison. McClane senior bobs across to the former Soviet powerhouse to get his young ‘un out of jail, but – McClane being who he is – things don’t pan out so smoothly and he becomes embroiled in a terrorist plot. The emphasis on the new trailer is clear big, brash and modern, a clear attempt to try and bring the late 80s action hero up to speed with the technology whizz and bluster of the 21^st century. Adding in a son brings a much needed new element to the story – Willis is getting on a bit let’s be honest, and they realize that he can’t be a one man ass-kicking machine forever (although don’t be fooled – he still puts in plenty of the graft.) The film comes out on February 14, 2013 (perfect Valentine’s Day watching!) in the US. See the trailer below.

Continue reading: John McClane Gets To Grips With The 21st Century On New 'A Good Day To Die Hard' Trailer

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher are finally set to divorce after a long period of separation following Kutcher's alleged infidelity.

In spite of the 'Two and a Half Men' star's antics during their seven year marriage, he has declared that the breakdown of the union was due to 'irreconcilable differences' and no official separation date has been recorded. They broke up in November 2011 and since then Demi has been seen on the arms of several men including Vito Schnabel, 26, who she recently broke up with. Ashton seems to have embarked on a rather serious relationship with his 'That 70s Show' co-star Mila Kunis which may have prompted this eventual divorce filing on Friday (December 21st 2012) at the Los Angeles Superior Court. There had been previous rumours that Demi was trying to drag the proceedings out as she is apparently still deeply heartbroken.

The 'Ghost' actress has previously been married to singer Freddy Moore but the union ended after four years. She has also been married to action star Bruce Willis who she was with for eleven years and had three children: Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. Ashton, on the other hand, had never previously been married before meeting Demi. 

Kind of a disappointing showing this week folks, best hold on for those Christmas heartwarmers, or, if you’re one of the 56 people left on the globe that haven’t seen Skyfall, that’s probably still showing…

Hyde Park On Hudson has been touted by many as Bill Murray’s next stab at Oscar success. However, the movie itself has hardly received glowing reviews. Directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill) and also starring Laura Linney and Olivia Williams, Hyde Park on Hudson tells the story of Franklin D Roosevelt and his love affair with his distant cousin, Margaret Stuckley. The ‘action’ takes place over a weekend in 1939, when the King & Queen of England visited upstate New York.

Murray’s performance has been hailed as a masterpiece and there have been mutterings of Oscar contention, but it seems that Murray is a jewel in a pretty shabby crown, here. He may carry the film, but it’s clear that it’s a deadweight. Bill will have to keep his fingers crossed that the Academy award voters can stay awake through the historical drama long enough to appreciate his performance.

Continue reading: Hot Tickets! This Weekend’s US Movie Releases: Hyde Park On Hudson, Playing For Keeps, Lay The Favorite, Bad Kids Go To Hell

When Angus T. Jones recorded his interview with Christopher Hudson, the leader of the Forerunner Chronicles Christian group, he may well not have expected the reaction that he got. The star of the Two and a Half Men sitcom denounced the show as “filth” and urged viewers to stop watching it. Presumably not quite the marketing plan that the show’s executives had in mind (though as we know, these bouts of ‘technically bad’ publicity have a habit of working in your favour) but Angus was keen to share all that he had learned since turning to religion.

In the interview clip, Angus speaks to Hudson as though he is some form of demi-god and looks thrilled to even be in the same room as him, reaching out to touch him as though he can’t believe he’s real. As he very publicly looked a very generous gift horse in the mouth (He earns a reported $350,000 per episode. Yes, per episode), the world winced and cowered away, sniggering. Within hours of the video clip hitting the internet, it had gone viral and the 19 year-old had quickly become a laughing stock.

What exactly was Jones’ biggest crime though? Dissing his employers? Undermining the very thing that gave him the wealth and privilege that he’s able to enjoy? Or was it all the nutty, slightly alarming religious stuff that he was spouting for the majority of the interview? If he’d just said “Two and a Half Men is cr*p,” would we have cared quite as much? Would the story have run quite as far and quite as wide as it did? If there wasn’t that cringe-worthy explanation of why he went on the hunt for a church with a “black gospel theme,” would this all have mattered so much? If he hadn’t starting aligning light entertainment with the devil, because of his newfound religious beliefs? Of course not.

Continue reading: Hollywood And Religion: Or, How Angus T. Jones Became A Laughing Stock

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s latest movie has achieved the unthinkable. And no, we’re not just talking about the time travel that features in the movie. Looper has received resoundingly positive reviews, across the board. In terms of major movie releases, Looper has hardly received the kind of widespread attention of other major releases this year, such as Dark Knight Rises or Avengers but with such a strong, positive critical response, who knows how well Looper could do at the box office.

Science fiction movies don’t often grab the critics but Looper certainly seems to have managed it. Writing for Los Angeles Times, Kenneth Turan wrote “this is a highflying, super-stylish science-fiction thriller that brings a fresh approach to mind-bending genre material” and his sentiments were echoed by Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, who surmised “However long it takes to get your bearings, Looper is worth it. Bruce Willis expertly blends tough and tender and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is at the top of his game in this rip-roaring mind-bender.”

And of course, the star of the show, former child star Joseph Gordon Levitt, has impressed the critics with his performance, too. The New York Times critic Manohla Dargis was particularly taken with him, writing “Mr. Johnson throws a lot at the screen, blasted corpses included, yet little here is as initially transfixing as Mr. Gordon-Levitt's mug.” With an impressive 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an opening weekend ahead of it, can Looper top this weekend’s box office chart?

Dubbed as the new Matrix, does Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s sci-fi epic movie stand up to the hype? We check out some Looper reviews

In this futuristic thriller, which also stars action stalwart Bruce Willis, time travel has already been invented, but is illegal. And who likes illegal things? Mobs. That’s who. When the mob wants someone hit, they send their target back in time 30 years where a hitman (Gordon-Levitt) will be lying in wait. “This is a highflying, super-stylish science-fiction thriller that brings a fresh approach to mind-bending genre material,” writes Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times, in a wholly positive review. And in fact, the reviews are all great! “Even with its echoes of sci-fi thrillers past, from La Jette to The Terminator, Rian Johnson's mind bender feels fresh - fresh enough to be forgiven for sputtering off the rails in the final act,” said Dallas Morning News reviewer Chris Vognar.

Continue reading: Looper: Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Time Travel Flick A Success?

The Looper reviews are in, and it’s great news for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and director Rian Johnson. The futuristic action thriller is set in a world where time travel is invented, though illegal and only available through the black market. OK, so before you start making Inception comparisons… read on.

Gordon-Levitt – now considered one of Hollywood’s leading men – plays a hired gun who ‘takes care’ of men that the mob send back 30 years-old in time. His character is more than happy making quick-cash, until the mob decide to “close the loop” and send his future-self (played by Willis) back for assassination. Frankly, it’s a hugely intriguing concept and even the harshest critics were blown away by the movie. Roger Ebert said Looper “weaves between past and present in a way that gives Johnson and his actors opportunities to create a surprisingly involving narrative,” while Tom Huddleston of Time Out magazine said, “This is a hugely satisfying, enjoyable and thought-provoking piece of work.”

‘Looper’ currently holds a 94% approval rating on review-aggregating site Rotten Tomatoes (with 97% audience approval). That’s 10% more than Oscar-tipped ‘The Master’ and 7% more than ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Whether its percentage score will decrease as more opinions flood in remains to be seen, though one thing’s for sure: Looper could be the surprise hit of 2012.

As the U.S. Box Office slumbers on into the autumn, the figures needed to top the charts are getting ever smaller. However, whilst that makes it largely a head-in-hands experience for many of the studios behind these movies, for those who enjoy waiting to see what the top five's looking like each Monday it's making for exciting watching as smaller figures mean smaller margins between films. Case in point was this weekend where the winner wasn't announced until today (September 24th), with the unfancied Jake Gyllenhaal-starring End Of Watch beating out the more fancied horror House At The End Of The Street and Clint Eastwood's film Trouble With The Curve.

End Of Watch was a victory for independent film studios too, with Open Road Films beating out Relatively Media and Warner Bros to top spot; they'll not care one jot that they took a meager $13.2 million. The other two films will be a little more concerned that they took only $12.2 million and $12.1 million respectively however.

Reflecting on his film's seemingly surprise victory, Open Road Films' Tom Ortenberg commented "We always knew we were going to outperform expectations, and I believe the film will have long legs."Looper, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis will be hoping to wake up the Box Office from the doldrums this coming weekend.