The Movie Page

 By Arees Zafar

- 'The Hobbit', the prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' finally has a director; Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy) has signed on to direct 'The Hobbit' and 'The Hobbit: Sequel'. Del Toro said he was moving to New Zealand for four years to work with Peter Jackson, who though won't return this time around to direct the 'Hobbit' films, will be co-producing them. Both films will be shot back-to-back and will also be filmed in New Zealand, like Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' films. 'Lord of the Rings' director Peter Jackson said "del Toro was 'a genuine storyteller' of outstanding ability. A true original, Guillermo is a cinematic magician who has never lost his child-like sense of wonder. He understands that the fantasy must be grounded in the real and that all stories are only ever a reflection of ourselves. We have long admired Guillermo's work and cannot think of a more inspired filmmaker to take the journey back to Middle-earth. We are delighted 'The Hobbit' is in such trustworthy hands." Not all of the characters from Peter Jackson's original 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy feature in 'The Hobbit', because it's set some fifty years before the events of the trilogy series. The main star of it will be Bilbo Baggins. We will indeed see the return of Frodo and friends. Guillermo Del Toro said he would love to bring back Elijah Wood, Sean Astin and so on, for that second film, to reprise their roles from the original trio of films. Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis, though, will be back as Gandalf and Gollum in 'The Hobbit'. The films will be aimed at release in late 2011 and 2012.

Movie to watch out in
May

Iron Man

Based on the long-running Marvel comic book series, 'Iron Man' tells the story of Tony Stark, the enigmatic heir to the Stark Enterprises fortune. A driven inventor who seems to have it all, Tony is haunted by his dark side. Though he commands his empire by day, by night he secretly becomes Iron Man, the living embodiment of decades of defense spending and innovation. Strapping on billions of dollars worth of state-of-the-art armour and weaponry each night to fight crime, terrorism and corporate espionage, Tony begins to crack under the strain of his fractured lifestyle.

Speed Racer

Based on the 60s cartoon series, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch), a skilled young race driver, is blackmailed by the head of the nefarious corporation Royalton Industries to participate in The Crucible -- the annual cross-country rally that claimed his brother's life years ago. Behind the wheel of the Mach 5, his father's greatest invention, Speed goes head to head with his chief rival, the mysterious-yet-familiar Racer X (Matthew Fox). The movie is directed by the Wachowski Brothers, creators of the 'Matrix' series.

SAY your SAY

Would you invite Jack Sparrow or would you invite Willy Wonka to dinner? And here's what some of Us have to say…

Zainab Iqtidar says, 'Hmm… the only thing that makes this choice difficult is the fact that I am an incurable chocoholic! I'd love to invite Willy Wonka over to my place even if he doesn't bring along any candies to spare because I've been fascinated by the character ever since I read the novel 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' in the 5th grade. Willy Wonka was what made my English syllabus interesting! (Although I do believe my mother would scream her throat sore if she sees one of those Oompa Loompa thingies). But! I became a fan of Depp after he became Sparrow. The rum-drunk, dirty, stinky, incorrigibly flirtatious pirate is somehow ever more appealing than the rather weird looking Wonka! So there you go guys, Sparrow wins the round once more! I'd have him to dinner any evening of the week (even if my mum throws a fit after taking a single glance at my dinner guest's messy, unwashed hair and refuses to let him sit on her sofas unless he takes a bath!)