775 replies to this topic

[dodge]

I thought this might be of interest to note:

As I continue my straight-through viewing of the complete Prison Break series, I noted this exchange in season 4: ex-prison sado-guard Bellick, cries out after learning that they're all on a suicide mission: "They didn't come to us because we're all cons...they came to us because--we're expendable!"

[dodge]

Just found a "second trailer" that you may find worth a look: this one sells the cast itself, rather than actual footage. We make do with what crumbs the studio's willing to feed us!

http://www.slashfilm...ovie-trailer-2/

[dodge]

Cool poster here. If it's been seen before, correct me, please.

http://www.theexpendablesmovie.net/

[Matt_13]

I wonder why they didn't just use that trailer first. Seems like a rather obvious teaser trailer. Odd choice for a second theatrical..

[Loomis]

Cool poster here. If it's been seen before, correct me, please.

http://www.theexpendablesmovie.net/

That poster is, as I believe you Americans put it, a new one on me. Thanks, dodge.

I note that Willis is prominently named and displayed, whereas Schwarzenegger's nowhere to be seen and his participation isn't mentioned.

Does this mean that Bruce has a larger role than Arnie? I'd been under the impression that both men only had a short cameo in the same scene.

[dinovelvet]

Cool poster here. If it's been seen before, correct me, please.

http://www.theexpendablesmovie.net/

That poster is, as I believe you Americans put it, a new one on me. Thanks, dodge.

I note that Willis is prominently named and displayed, whereas Schwarzengger's nowhere to be seen and his participation isn't mentioned.

Does this mean that Bruce has a larger role than Arnie? I'd been under the impression that both men only had a short cameo in the same scene.

A lot appears to have changed, but in the version I read, Willis' character does have several scenes (but then again Ahnuld was never in this version), and was/is :

Spoiler

the surprise villain/traitor

This is the official site btw :

http://expendablesthemovie.com/

[Loomis]

You know, I do hope THE EXPENDABLES lives up to the hype. Funnily enough, the Stallone film it most reminds me of at this point is COP LAND (1997).

Prior to the release of COP LAND, there was a lot of anticipation and excitement over the fact that Sly was sharing the screen with De Niro, Keitel and Liotta. But while Stallone gave an excellent performance - and more than held his own among those other, more respected, actors - the film itself was something of a damp squib.

I hope that the cast won't turn out to be the most exciting thing about THE EXPENDABLES, or indeed the movie's one and only gimmick. I also hope (but do not expect) that it'll be full of some good old-fashioned explicit violence and copious claret. It doesn't need to be as full-on gory as RAMBO (2008), but it'd be nice to have a film as bloody as DIE HARD or PREDATOR. However, I suspect that an R-rated EXPENDABLES is not on the cards.

Violence aside, I have a hard time believing that we're in for a film as well-made or involving as ROCKY BALBOA or RAMBO, but, hey, time will soon tell.

[dodge]

You know, I do hope THE EXPENDABLES lives up to the hype. Funnily enough, the Stallone film it most reminds me of at this point is COP LAND (1997).

Prior to the release of COP LAND, there was a lot of anticipation and excitement over the fact that Sly was sharing the screen with De Niro, Keitel and Liotta. But while Stallone gave an excellent performance - and more than held his own among those other, more respected, actors - the film itself was something of a damp squib.

I hope that the cast won't turn out to be the most exciting thing about THE EXPENDABLES, or indeed the movie's one and only gimmick. I also hope (but do not expect) that it'll be full of some good old-fashioned explicit violence and copious claret. It doesn't need to be as full-on gory as RAMBO (2008), but it'd be nice to have a film as bloody as DIE HARD or PREDATOR. However, I suspect that an R-rated EXPENDABLES is not on the cards.

Violence aside, I have a hard time believing that we're in for a film as well-made or involving as ROCKY BALBOA or RAMBO, but, hey, time will soon tell.

Relax, the Dodgeometer will serve all well. The film will be smokin' red hot!

Now, then, that said: I have a suggestion for you, dino, or anyone else who shares my passion and would like to help pass the time till opening date:

Which actor(s), apart from Sly, stand to gain the most from a huge hit? And who seems to be prepping most wisely?
My instincts would have told me Eric Roberts. But he seems to have a dozen straight to DVD projects in line. And I'm concerned that, in Hollywood, this will make any bloom on the rose TE gives him begin to smell like cabbage.

I think a huge hit will help Mickey Rourke, but his part is most likely a small one--besides which, he's not exactly hurting for work.

Therefore: Jason Statham? Stone Cold? Help me out here.

[dinovelvet]

Now, then, that said: I have a suggestion for you, dino, or anyone else who shares my passion and would like to help pass the time till opening date:

Which actor(s), apart from Sly, stand to gain the most from a huge hit? And who seems to be prepping most wisely?
My instincts would have told me Eric Roberts. But he seems to have a dozen straight to DVD projects in line. And I'm concerned that, in Hollywood, this will make any bloom on the rose TE gives him begin to smell like cabbage.

I think a huge hit will help Mickey Rourke, but his part is most likely a small one--besides which, he's not exactly hurting for work.

Therefore: Jason Statham? Stone Cold? Help me out here.

Terry Crews- I think The Expendables will get him his own action-comedy starring role. He's the guy in the Old Spice commercials BTW

[Loomis]

Which actor(s), apart from Sly, stand to gain the most from a huge hit?

Statham. Is he a "name" in the States? I don't think so. Or, at least, he's not really a "star", like Stallone. Have any of his films done $100 mil plus at the American box office? Again, I don't think so.

Unless I'm mistaken (and I may well be, because I haven't read the script), Statham actually has the largest role in THE EXPENDABLES, larger even than Sly's. If the film is a massive hit, I'm sure it'll boost Statham considerably.

Roberts? Well, he was in the second biggest film of all time (or maybe it's now the third, now that AVATAR's been released), THE DARK KNIGHT, and I'm not sure it boosted his career all that much. Then again, and with no disrespect to the man intended, he's not exactly a young star on his way up - he's a character actor who specıalıses in supporting roles.

[dinovelvet]

Which actor(s), apart from Sly, stand to gain the most from a huge hit?

Statham. Is he a "name" in the States? I don't think so. Or, at least, he's not really a "star", like Stallone. Have any of his films done $100 mil plus at the American box office? Again, I don't think so.

Unless I'm mistaken (and I may well be, because I haven't read the script), Statham actually has the largest role in THE EXPENDABLES, larger even than Sly's. If the film is a massive hit, I'm sure it'll boost Statham considerably.

Statham has kind of an odd career. It's sort of like early Steven Seagal, where he would headline his own interchangeable, generic action movies that would make modest amounts, but then he leaped into mainstream stardom with (the Oscar-nominated!) Under Siege, starring opposite a legitimate actor, Tommy Lee Jones. Statham hasn't made that Under Siege-like leap though, and goes from one modest, small-profit-turning action movie to another.
He and Stallone have the most screentime in The Expendables; its pretty a two hander buddy movie with some other guys in smaller capacities.

Then there's that Arnold Schwarzenegger fellow, who is about to quit the day job and presumably will be looking for work. If the response to his brief appearance in The Expendables is good, maybe we'll see him suit up properly for EX2 (I'm trying to anticipate the 'cool' acronym marketing) and it'll be a no holds barred Sly and Ahnuld actionfest.

[dinovelvet]

However, I suspect that an R-rated EXPENDABLES is not on the cards.

Suspect no more, Loomis - Expendables to be "crazy hard R" (rated) according to Sly :

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45409

"I got people being torn apart in this" !

[bond 16.05.72]

You know, I do hope THE EXPENDABLES lives up to the hype. Funnily enough, the Stallone film it most reminds me of at this point is COP LAND (1997).

Prior to the release of COP LAND, there was a lot of anticipation and excitement over the fact that Sly was sharing the screen with De Niro, Keitel and Liotta. But while Stallone gave an excellent performance - and more than held his own among those other, more respected, actors - the film itself was something of a damp squib.

I hope that the cast won't turn out to be the most exciting thing about THE EXPENDABLES, or indeed the movie's one and only gimmick. I also hope (but do not expect) that it'll be full of some good old-fashioned explicit violence and copious claret. It doesn't need to be as full-on gory as RAMBO (2008), but it'd be nice to have a film as bloody as DIE HARD or PREDATOR. However, I suspect that an R-rated EXPENDABLES is not on the cards.

Violence aside, I have a hard time believing that we're in for a film as well-made or involving as ROCKY BALBOA or RAMBO, but, hey, time will soon tell.

I really rate Copland and would say it's better than any of the Rambo films bar First Blood as well as the Rocky films bar the first one.

Stallone has confimred on AIC that it is hard R.

[Messervy]

Then there's that Arnold Schwarzenegger fellow, who is about to quit the day job and presumably will be looking for work. If the response to his brief appearance in The Expendables is good, maybe we'll see him suit up properly for EX2 (I'm trying to anticipate the 'cool' acronym marketing) and it'll be a no holds barred Sly and Ahnuld actionfest.

May the gods hear you! That would be so great! Although I'm no big fan of Arnold, I do enjoy some of his stuff, and the mere idea of a Sly/Arnold movie (not a simple cameo like in EX1) just make me breathless with anticipation...

[Loomis]

Here's a short but fascinating new Hollywood Reporter interview with Stallone, in which he discusses movie poster art, praises Paul Greengrass and his favourite filmmakers (including Adrian Lyne, of all people), explains his personal writing process, talks about POE and hints at his future projects.

http://www.hollywood...22dc755891?pn=1

[whiteskwirl]

Here's a short but fascinating new Hollywood Reporter interview with Stallone, in which he discusses movie poster art, praises Paul Greengrass and his favourite filmmakers (including Adrian Lyne, of all people), explains his personal writing process, talks about POE and hints at his future projects.

http://www.hollywood...22dc755891?pn=1

Great find, Loomis. I admire Sylvestor Stallone a lot, not only because I grew up watching his action movies, but also because he's really good at what he does. To look at him you might think he's a meathead, but the guy wrote Rocky. He' a smart guy.

He gave a great interview on Inside the Actor's Studio.

[Loomis]

Stallone is a genius. There's no one like him and there probably never will be. He's a hugely accomplished writer, actor, director and athlete.

Similarly, and while I'm not a fan of Schwarzenegger (not his movies, anyway), I'd have to say that Arnie is a true polymath, having got to the very top in no fewer than three very different fields: bodybuilding, acting and politics.

These guys are often ridiculed, but their achievements are pretty stupendous.

[dodge]

Here's a short but fascinating new Hollywood Reporter interview with Stallone, in which he discusses movie poster art, praises Paul Greengrass and his favourite filmmakers (including Adrian Lyne, of all people), explains his personal writing process, talks about POE and hints at his future projects.

http://www.hollywood...22dc755891?pn=1

You've made my day, Loomis--thanks for sharing this!

[dodge]

Fabulous article here that you'll all want to take a look at:

Wonderful news. The Expendables – the deliriously stupid-looking film about Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham and Jet Li and Eric Roberts and Mickey Rourke and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dolph Lundgren punching things until they explode – will not be toned down to appease the censors. There had been a rumour from the film's producer himself that a more family-friendly edit could be tested with audiences, but that has now been officially dismissed by Lionsgate. It means that, if you go to see The Expendables, you'll basically be subjecting yourself to a constant barrage of bullet-holes and broken bones and pointlessly macho full-volume swearing.

This isn't just good news for anyone with high hopes for The Expendables, it's good news for everyone who makes action films. Hopefully it'll even spark a resurgence of the preposterously violent mainstream action film. You know the sort. A one-man army. A consequence-free bloodbath every couple of minutes. A series of profane non-sequiturs masquerading as dialogue. A title that refuses to make sense no matter how hard you stare at it. Films like The Running Man or Bloodsport or Cobra. If you were a child growing up in the 1980s, these were more than just films. These were rites of passage. In my school, for example, you were a boy until you knew how to convincingly perform a playground mime of the acid death sequence from Robocop from memory. That's the point where you would become a man.

Yes, this sort of action movie does still exist, but it's been marginalised. All the modern-day examples tend to star minor WWE wrestlers, go straight to DVD and appear to have a budget of about 12p. For a film to reach the mainstream it either has to be watered down beyond all recognition (like Die Hard 4.0) or smothered with a protective layer of irony (Crank, most of Robert Rodriguez's work). But with The Expendables, that looks set to change.

We can thank Stallone for this, obviously. The first signs of his renaissance came not with Rocky Balboa – which contained a worrying amount of actual human emotion – but with his 2008 Rambo sequel. After years spent in a wilderness that saw him variously host reality TV shows, hamfistedly remake Michael Caine classics and sell tins of chocolate pudding, it was clear he had a point to prove. The red-band trailer that leaked onto the internet before Rambo's release is still shockingly violent – it's essentially three minutes of Stallone, brimming with fury and human growth hormone, hacking people apart in the most graphic way possible. Branches of Odeon wouldn't even show it. That's how good it was.

And, better still, the comeback looks set to continue. Not only do we have The Expendables to look forward to, but Predators is also coming this summer. Then there's Die Hard 5 on the horizon – and Bruce Willis is apparently eager to make it just as violent and sweary as The Expendables. And then, as the cherry on the blood-soaked cake, there's the possibility of Arnold Schwarzenegger returning to the fold after his stint in office. We could well be witnessing the resurrection of the gloriously moronic action film, and you're right to be excited.

source: http://www.guardian....vester-stallone

[dodge]

Would you like to be Expendable? The link below will tell you how to make your own poster with your own beloved mug on it!

http://www.theexpendablesmovie.net/

[dodge]

Annnnnnnd, here's a new poster (at least one I haven't seen before, to help get Loomis in the zone:

http://www.shockya.c...he-expendables/

[dodge]

So, the rating seems official now:

June 25, 2010

Living up to the expectation that it's a serious homage to the action movies of the 1980s, The Expendables received an R rating for "strong action and bloody violence throughout, and for some language."

Source - boxofficemojo.com

[dodge]

The UK poster, revealed below, is the hottest of all, for my money:

http://www.theexpendablesmovie.net/

[Jackanaples]

My favorite poster remains the teaser with Stallone's back and the tattoo. As a side note, I wish they'd kept Schwarzenegger and Willis' cameos a secret. It would have been so cool to go into the movie the first night and have no idea you had that to look forward to.

[dodge]

My favorite poster remains the teaser with Stallone's back and the tattoo. As a side note, I wish they'd kept Schwarzenegger and Willis' cameos a secret. It would have been so cool to go into the movie the first night and have no idea you had that to look forward to.

I agree, and it will be hard not to be let down by this scene since so much has been made of it. Then again, so much is riding on this film's success, I can understand why they're trying to push all the buttons.

[dodge]

Could we all extend deepest sympathies to our beloved British colleagues who have been targeted by the Scissors Man:

Gory Scene Cut From The Expendables
Movie bosses behind SYLVESTER STALLONE's new blockbuster THE EXPENDABLES have been forced to cut a gory scene to secure the film's U.K. release.

Executives at the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) offered the movie an adults-only 18 certification because of the bloody violence and strong language - meaning only those aged 18 and over would be able to see the action-packed picture.

Producers chose to remove a harrowing shot, which showed "a hero sadistically twisting a knife" into a man's neck, to ensure the film was granted a less severe 15 age rating, according to Bleedingcool.com.

The footage will still be seen by U.S. audiences, where the film has been given an R-rating.

[Matt_13]

This is going to be hysterical.

[Safari Suit]

If Rambo(IV) and Jason Statham and Jet Li films can be realeased as 18s in the UK, why do they have to release an edited The Expendables as a 15? Still, it's just one scene.

[Loomis]

If Rambo(IV) and Jason Statham and Jet Li films can be realeased as 18s in the UK, why do they have to release an edited The Expendables as a 15?

Well, it's a commercial decision. THE EXPENDABLES has more potential to be a big moneymaker in British cinemas than RAMBO ever did. But an 18 certificate would lower its chances.

This sort of thing has happened before. I gather that the British theatrical versions of LETHAL WEAPON 2, LICENCE TO KILL and DIE HARD 2 were trimmed to avoid an 18 certificate (uncut versions subsequently appeared on VHS and DVD with 18 certificates, except in the case of LICENCE TO KILL - under a slightly more liberal regime at the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), its gore now ranks in 15 certificate territory, whereas in 1989 it would have received an 18).

Stallone is no stranger to the limey censors' shears. RAMBO III's opening stick fight in a Bangkok warehouse had to be trimmed before the film could even qualify for an 18 certificate (happily, the uncut version of RAMBO III is now available on DVD and Blu-ray in Britain).

Heck, the BBFC even forced the cutting of a headbutt from ATTACK OF THE CLONES before it could play in British cinemas with the certificate its distributor was seeking.

Still, this is disappointing news for us British Stallone/EXPENDABLES fans, but hardly entirely unexpected. I guess it's a small mercy that THE EXPENDABLES won't be carrying a 12 certificate like QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

[Safari Suit]

Ooh, I know all that but I do wonder how much of the film's audience would fit into the 15-17 audience, I personally would guess not that much. According to the bbfc's website it's only 2 seconds, a far cry from the days when the likes of Cliffhanger had over a minute cut for a 15, so we'll live.

BTW Lethal Weapon 2 was upgraded to an 18 for video has yet to be released completely uncut in the UK, there's only one major cut but it's very jarring and confusing. The significantly edited 15 version of Lethal Weapon 4 is also the only version which has ever been released in the UK.