Mortensen as Nikolai in "Eastern Promises" (2007)

David Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen are re teaming for a return to London’s Russian mob with a currently untitled sequel to “Eastern Promises.”

The Daily Helping is often suspect and wary of sequels.  This is a huge exception.  This site considered “Eastern Promises” a candidate for best film of the past decade, and so with all the principals on board, it’s hard not to be a bit excited. Little is known about the project at this point, but the original writer,  Steve Knight has provided the sequel. That’s another good sign.  The film is already set up at Focus Features and intend to go into production next winter. Apparently the film has actually been in the works since the 2009.  There’s no mention of bring back Naomi Watts, so it will be interesting to see where the story will pick up.

The film will mark the fourth straight film collaboration between Cronenberg and Mortensen ; obviously relishing their working relationship.

If you’ve taken the time to put together a list of your own, please feel free to let us know via the comments page.

5)  Alfonso Cuarón’s film, “Children of Men” (2006).  This has been an excellent decade for Clive Owen.  There are more than a few of his movies that could be on this list.  (“The Inside Man”,  “Gosford Park“) Clive is a resistance fighter protecting what may very well be the last pregnant woman on Earth. It’s  edgy science fiction  that drew an audience primarily by word of mouth. It’s likely to be a timeless film. (Look for the wonderful cameo by the great Michael Cain).

4)” The Departed” (2006). Martin Scorsese can put together any cast he wants to and he started with Jack Nicholson to headline his American version of a twisty Hong Kong mob film called, “Infernal Affairs”.  Scorsese called on his muse,  Leonardo DiCaprio to play a deep under cover cop and the always remarkable,  Matt Damon as a spy for the mob, placed highly with the Boston mob task force. Cat and mouse doesn’t do the tension justice. This was a fantasic movie and the best Scorsese picture since” Goodfellas”.

3) “The Dark Knight”, (2008) arrived with great expectations before the untimely death of it’s co-star, Heath Ledger.  Re-tooled over the past ten years and helmed by the very gifted, Christopher Nolan (“Momento”, “Batman Begins”, “The Prestige”), “The Dark Knight” set a new standard for comic book blockbusters. The energy and special effects didn’t hide the story.  Nolan showed that a big budget summer picture can also have depth, character development and a story that refuses to let go from the opening scene.  Christian Bale wears the gear well, and will for as long as he wants to.

The movie will forever be known for Heath Ledger’s remarkable turn as the Joker.  He  joins Norman Bates and Hannibal Lecter as  one of the most most memorable film villains of all time.

2) “A History of Violence” (2005) and “Eastern Promises” (2007) paired versatile actor, Viggo Mortensen with David Cronenberg, a director known for his independent spirit and taste for the grotesque.  Because these films are equally compelling and razor sharp in their construction; it’s hard to separate the two.

1) “No Country For Old Men” was a 2007 screen adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s tight little novel of bounty hunters, unrelenting killers, a lot of drug money and a few good people fighting for their lives.  The affection that the Daily Helping has for The Brothers Coen is well documented here on this site.  As gifted as Joel and Ethan happen to be, it was this film that took them to the next level in both box office and critical appeal.  The film was honored with numerous awards, garnering three British Academy of Film awareds, two Golden Globes, and four Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director (Joel and Ethan Coen), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem, in a truly memorable Moe-like hairstyle).

With this said, it’s with some wariness that the Daily Helping clues you in on three upcoming movies that at first blush seem like terrible ideas. It’s the details surrounding these features that are actually quite intriguing.

According to Variety, Universal studios and toy giant, Mattel have moved forward with plans to create a feature film around “Barbie”.  In what clearly is a situation where the merchandise precludes the feature, the movie will capitalize on it’s worldwide brand appeal with young girls and women who had a few Malibu Barbies and Kens of their own. Apparently there’s already been live stage shows, live symphonies and other non-traditional forms of entertainment involving everyone’s favorite doll.

According to Mattel, the 50-year old (Cougar?) Barbie has 99% worldwide brand awareness, is the number one girls property in the toy industry, the top doll property in the U.S. and the number one worldwide property in the traditional toy industry.

It’s also worth mentioning that Ridley Scott seems intent on filming a live action version of the board game, “Monopoly”.  Peter Berg (The Kingdom, Hancock) is on board with “Battleship”.

One can only assume that someone is in touch with Anna Faris by now.  Laurence Mark (Julie & Julia) has been picked to produce the “Barbie” feature.  Mark said he felt “fortunate to get the job and said there is no shortage of plot possibilities, since Barbie has held more than 120 jobs over the years”.

Another film that seems ill-conceived but embraced by A-list talent is the film dramatization of the creation of Web Social monster, Facebook.  Attached to this project is no less than Daily Helping favorites, David Fincher (Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), and Aaron Sorkin(West Wing, A Few Good Men) who has been talking about his script for the past year. Now the cast is coming together.

Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, Squid and The Whale) will play Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerber; song and dance man Justin Timberlake will play Facebook’s founding president (and Napster co-founder) Sean Parker.

One thing is certain, this is a movie that has a built-in “friend” base.

The third movie is perhaps the most confusing of the three.  Too often a classic movie will be re-worked and released with the anticipation that there is a hunger for a re-make or the industry is bereft of original ideas.  It’s still unclear as to the motivation behind the upcoming remake of David Cronenberg’s brilliantly creepy,” The Fly” , starring Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis. Who can forget the metamorphosis of Brudlefly?

Whose the culprit on this pillaging of a contemporary horror classic? David Cronenberg himself. Apparently he’s going to not only write the movie but direct and produce the film as well.

Does this mean there were elements to the story that he wishes he thought of sooner? Do we see Viggo Mortensen climbing the walls spitting acid? It’s hard to say… and also hard to take issue when Cronenberg is involved.

Here’s hoping that we’re all pleasantly surprised by Barbie, Facebook and the Fly.

The Daily Helping would like to be of some assistance, but don’t bother looking for these among the New Releases and be forewarned, all of these films pack a wallop.

“The Machinist“, starring Christian Bale. Most know of this movie because much was made of how Bale allowed himself to lose a tremendous amount of weight for the role.  To that end; his body is indeed quite disturbing and no amount of make up or special effects would feel as real.

This is a very well made movie that reminded me of some of Cronenberg’s work. The plot is effectively played out with the right amount of paranoia that one tends to feel after weeks without sleep.  This is not a date movie and it’s an uneasy but brilliant ride.

Pitch Black, starring Vin Diesel in what would become the first of a series of films called cumulatively, The Riddick Chronicles.  This is science fiction-horror film came out about nine years ago. It was directed by David Twohy, who also directed the truly terrible sequal.  (A third film and video game are not far behind).

Take this film as a stand alone effort and enjoy it for what it is, a B-movie thrill ride that’s smart and fun.  Movies like Saw and Friday the 13th tend to feel gratuitous and predictable, where Pitch Black feels like a deep space adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This could be a date movie that will prompt you to leave the lights on.

Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino were paired recently for a movie called “Righteous Kill“.  The press tour lasted longer than the film did in theatres. The chemistry between the two actors/characters had seemed smarmy and contrived.  In 1995 they were paired for the first time in “Heat” and it proved to be just as compelling as one would expect.  (Granted they only had a small number of scenes together).

Heat is a heist movie where the cops are just as interesting as the robbers, and everyone is very good at what they do.  Director Michael Mann has a recognizable style and provides the right touch when orchestrating complicated gun play and robbery scenes. Again, this is something that may pop up late at night on a cable station but you need to see the uncut version without commercials.

Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises

David Cronenberg is a big favorite of Daily Helping. He figures prominently on the short list of those directors that can  put butts in the seats  regardless of what the project may be.  Such success can be fleeting (just ask M Night Shyamalan).

He cut his teeth on campy horror and will soon be working with Cruise and Denzel on a big budget spy movie. Getting to the A-list took about 40 years and his movies are always memorable experiences, positive or not.

Cronenberg is known for his often grotesque visuals and unhealthy obsession with the human body.  It’s also worth noting that as horrific or violent as his work may sometimes be, the list of actors who work with him sing his praises in a way that confirms he will be around for a very long time.

Here are a few of his movies you really should see:

Videodrome may feel a bit dated, but the eerie conspiracy to infect viewers of an obscure cable network with a mind controlling tumor is hard to resist. Deborah Harry created quite a stir by her work in this picture. James Woods is suitably sleazy, paranoid and heroic.

The Dead Zone may quite possibly be the best film adaptation of any Stephen King novel. The television series seems to be fairly popular but this is a movie you absolutely need to see. Fans of Christopher Walken probably own this movie.

The Fly is perhaps one of his most popular movies. The performances by Jeff Goldblum and Gena Davis sell what is on the surface an pretty ridiculous concept. The scientist who turns into a big fly gets pretty graphic as pieces of Goldblum begin to fall away, replaced by bug parts. (This past year Cronenberg wrote an operatic version of his film and it met with great critical reactions both in LA and London) Interestingly enough, The Fly wasn’t a project that Cronenberg initiated.  It was brought to him as a writing project by none other than Mel Brooks.  An interesting choice following his production of The Elephant Man with David Lynch.

Crash is not for everyone. It’s an homage to those who possess a variety of unhealthy fetishes…all primarily dealing with the damaged body.  Starring James Spader and Holly Hunter, the movie is based on the controversial novel by JG Ballard.  It’s about a sub-culture devoted to intentional and accidental car crashes. There’s a sexual undercurrent associated not only with the medical apparatus that’s used to straighten and repair, but also the very scars and burns that remain forever.

A History of Violence and Eastern Promises are fantastic. They team Cronenberg with the very talented Viggo Mortensen in a pair of riveting and violent tales.  The performances are pitch perfect.

If you see any of the movies mentioned above, make sure you see Eastern Promises.   In fact, it’s news about Cronenberg and Eastern Promises that prompted this piece in the first place. Word has it that there will be a sequel. This is one of those very rare times when news of a sequel is enthusiastically welcome.

There are plenty of cynical fans of cinema who complain that “Hollywood” doesn’t have any creativity left and that the same old formulas are being regurgitated and repackaged and the fans will still come.  How much of a risk is it to fund an exact copy of a movie that grossed 70 Million dollars ten years ago. With the way marketing has become more sophisticated and effective, it’s a safe bet that something like “Friday the Thirteenth” can mine that franchise without having to worry about a new plot or characters.

There’s a flood of remakes off the horizon and it’s my duty to let you know what lay ahead. It’s also good to know that there are a few remakes that can sometimes outshine the originals. These can prove to be viable Netflix rentals.

What’s Coming?

Conan the Barbarian. Don’t expect the Governor of California to reprise his classic comic book warrior role.  The guys who wrote the uninspired Sahara are at work on the script.

Death Wish. This was the movie that was synonymous with Charles Bronson. (I believe Jeff Goldblum was one of the uncredited rapists). Sylvester Stallone is going to take this one on and make it his own. He’s going to star, write the script and direct.

Tron. There’s already been some viral buzz about this project and it involves some of the original cast. This was all about a game developer getting sucked into the program and he must compete with the Master Controller in the “game grid”. The special effects for the time were what made this “The Matrix” before we had any sense of what computer gaming can do.  Are we going to see someone propelled into Grand Theft Auto 2?

The Birds.  Gus Van Zandt re-made Hitchcock’s Psycho and critics and fans were united in their asking: why? There are some movies that resonate because of their age. The original movie is just perfect for it’s use of live birds and the simplicity of it’s Bodega Bay locale.   I can’t help but feel this is a big mistake.

The Warriors.  I loved the original, though it’s not as edgy as it was thirty years ago. Back then, when the movie first came out there were gang fights breaking out in the theaters which only helped promote the movie at the time.  My sense is that with an updating of this movie there may be some glamorization of the various gangs…like in the first film.  Let’s just say more harm than good can come from this little project.

Meatballs. An 80’s camp comedy that had Bill Murray to it’s benefit.  Sounds like something that will have a non-rated version already lined up for it’s DVD release.

The Dirty Dozen.  This is a concept that’s recycled over and over. The only thing that separates the Dirty Dozen from Finding Private Ryan are a few criminal records.  This could be fun, depending on the cast.  Then again, it could turn out just like Tropic Thunder.

The Taking of Pelham 123. This was an edgy crime drama from the 70’s. It starred Walter Matthau. (It’s said that Tarantino drew inspiration for Reservoir Dogs from this picture).  The new version stars John Travolta, Denzel Washington and James Gandolfini as the mayor of New York.

Also look for: Dune, Fahrenheit 451,  Westworld, Porky’s (with Howard Stern), Logan’s Run and The Thing.

Hearing that The Thing is going to be re-made again is disappointing. I thought the remake by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell qualified as a horror classic. The special effects and fantastic supporting cast make this an excellent rental.

Another Horror remake that I think improved on the original is The Fly, by David Cronenberg. (Another director I consider at the top of his game).  This is a typically gruesome movie for Cronenberg but the decaying humanity that changed Jeff Goldblum to the monster made this movie very special.

Other remakes I enjoyed over the originals: Cape Fear, Vanilla Sky (which was originally called, “Open Your Eyes”, Payback (probably my favorite Mel Gibson movie, an excellent rental), and The Departed.