Bryan Cranston Talks 'Total Recall'

Some (a couple seconds) new making-of footage. Good comments re: Cranston's character and the quality of the script. Like trailers and comments from other actors and the director this makes me think 'Total Recall' may be a cut above.



















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Hard-Sell Extended International TV Spot for 'Total Recall'

I like this. Looks good. Hand-to-hand fighting is a bit cheesy but that's okay -- everything else is bright and shiny.




















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Stilted Clip from 'Total Recall'

Things were looking so good. The director, producers, and stars were all so sincere. I believe the "It's such a special movie" and "I can't wait to see it myself" comments. Featurettes clicked. Loved the trailers. I thought it was a 'cut above'. Then...we get this clip.

So play-acty. Okay, let's just say it. Fake-ass fight choreography and writing that just don't work.

Still, though, I'm holding out. TR might deliver, but not so much on the hand-to-hand stuff. That's okay. I'm okay with that. I'll still buy the Blu-ray and go make fresh popcorn during the mano-a-mano fight scenes. That'll be about 6 cubic feet of popcorn per viewing, but I'm...okay with that.





















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Very Fun Hover-Car Featurette for 'Total Recall'

Yeah, I said that. Believe it or not this featurette is good. Quite good. Quite good fun.

So far, everything I've seen from 'Total Recall' is a cut above.



















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"You Might Want to Give Your Little Girlfriend a Kiss Goodbye" Clip from 'Total Recall'

I love Kate Beckinsale in this.

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'Total Recall' Featurette Plays an Ace

Folks have been a tad guarded about this and I suppose that's just so. However, (I may be dreaming) but there's something about the way Kate Beckinsale, Colin Farrell, and Jessica Biel (and producer Neal Moritz and director Len Wiseman) talk about the movie that speaks of confidence. These guys know it's locked down and are sincere in their descriptions. And, really, you don't see that a lot. Actors try, but you can see through it.

For instance, Farrell at 2:21, "Hugely impressive and really clever." Come on. You can't say that with a straight face unless you mean it. He does, it shows.

Then, there's dialogue. Beckinsale's "I give good wife" breathes, and Farrell's "If I'm not me, then who the hell am I" is the kind of line that gets phoned in when the actor knows the script sucks, but Farrell steps up and delivers as if this were an indie awards flick.

Screenwriting is by Kurt Wimmer who added depth of character to 'Salt', and Mark Bomback who kept the action in 'Live Free or Die Hard' and 'Unstoppable' clicking along nicely.

There's also some very cool cityscape visuals which go a long way to counter the knocks the film has taken re: a generic/derivative look. Not only that, but the new snippets of action are good. Plain ole good. Wiseman found a fresh approach.

From what I've seen 'Total Recall' brings it. This will end up being must-own on Blu-ray.

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New 'Total Recall' Trailer Loaded With Reveals

Double identities, sleeper wives, best friends that turn out to be long-time enemies (maybe) -- too much and more in the new trailer. Does look like fun summer popcorn eye-candy, though.

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Total Eye Candy Trailer for 'Total Recall'

Director Len Wiseman did a good job in his turns with the 'Underworld' series and 'Live Free or Die Hard' had a pretty good look. Writers Kurt Wimmer (Salt) and Mark Bomback (Unstoppable, Live Free or Die Hard) have chops so, on paper (so to speak), this movie should have what it takes.

There's something working against this one, though. Action seems watered down somehow. Visually, it's put together nicely but doesn't spark, doesn't look original or new. Matrix-esque shots are well-cut but we've seen bullet time before. A lot of the other eye candy is a blend of 'Blade Runner' and 'The Fifth Element' with familiar bits from other movies.

I'm not sensing much heat online. Looking like a strong rental at this point.




















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New 'Total Recall' Trailer

Gotta say -- very polished, tight.
















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Still and Animated Posters for 'Total Recall'

With the 'digitized reality' motif the first poster doesn't work. We've seen it, looks cheap.

But, this animated version works great.



Love it. That's got to be the next thing.

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Teaser Trailer for 'Total Recall'

Looking like serious eye candy.

















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Teaser Trailer for Colin Farrell's 'Total Recall'

Watch it quick -- these are being pulled as fast as they go up.




















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Image from 'Total Recall'

I'm liking Colin Farrell's trajectory these days. Had thought maybe he was taking a leave of absence, but he's bringing it these days. 'Fright Night' certainly seems more than I had hoped for. You can see it. The guy's got a handle on things.

The guy on the left, though. With the rifle. Could his elbows be any tighter, shoulders any higher, more tense? His back isn't even straight. He could have used a tad more weapons training. Not, necessarily, indicative of the quality of the film, but not a good thing either.

I nitpick, I know, but would that guy have that posture/bearing in another film?

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