The Lost Tomb
Most people know that Robert Pattinson is a handsome man. However, it wasn’t until his late twenties that the world realized how talented he was. It seems that Pattinson had always had a special gift. Not only does he have a stunningly beautiful face, but he also has an amazing voice. In the mid-2000s, he was signed to a record contract and began working on his debut album. During this time, he also starred in a number of films, many of which were action-adventure films. One of these films was The Lost Tomb, which was released in 2008. Based on the non-fiction book The Man Who Loved Only Coins by Fredrik Colting, the film revolves around the early life of Alfred Pennyworth, who later went on to become the butler to Bruce Wayne (voiced by James McAvoy). In the book, Colting recounts a story about how Alfred was saved by a wealthy industrialist named Hugo Dent (portrayed in the film by Alan Rickman). After hearing of Dent’s philanthropy, Alfred decides to seek out the millionaire and eventually ends up living with him and his family. In the film, Alfred’s story is told from his point of view and the audience gets an inside look at how a humble butler turned into a dedicated bachelor who helped raise the young Master Wayne from an orphaned boy to a man who would go on to become Gotham’s protector. The film also stars Sophie Daws as Vicki, Alfred’s assistant who grew up to be a strong-willed individual who challenges his authority.
Pattinson’s performance as Alfred in The Lost Tomb is one of the best things about the movie. The actor imbued the character with such spirit that it’s hard to imagine anyone else could have played the role. Plus, as a singer, he brings a real flair to the character that makes him unique. The soundtrack to the film also holds up, with several artists and bands contributing songs. The standout track is “Swan Lake,” which was inspired by Tchaikovsky’s iconic masterpiece and features music and lyrics from Anna Prohaska. The song is included on the film’s soundtrack and can be legally downloaded from Prohaska’s website. It was also previously included on her album, The Deep Dark Woods.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Two years after The Lost Tomb was released, New Moon was released. It’s the second of the Twilight Saga films and continues the story of Bella (played by Kristen Stewart), who is now a vampire and has developed an intense relationship with the alluring and mysterious Edward (Pattinson). The two later marry and begin a life together as vampires, which leads to the birth of their daughter, Alice. The film takes the viewers on a breathtaking journey as they follow the unconventional couple on their search for new blood partners. Along the way, they face opposition from other vampires who want to protect their kind and their status in the supernatural community. Edward’s loyalty to Bella and their child is tested as he struggles between his human side and his desire to protect the ones he loves. It’s a story about familial bonds and the delicate balance between human and vampire, making it a fascinating look at the nature of love and commitment. The soundtrack for the film, entitled Eclipse, was released alongside the movie and features music by Franz Ferdinand, Massive Attack, and New Order.
Black Swan
It seems like Hollywood is always on the lookout for the next big thing. Sometimes, this results in a project that isn’t very good but is made up of popular stars. One such project is Black Swan, based on the short story Snow White, Vengeance by Marlys Millichap. In the short story, a young woman named Jenny suffers from a split personality. One day, her psychiatrist suggests that she try out for a part in a play that requires her to wear a mask. This triggers her dominant personality, which is represented by the image of a swan. The play’s protagonist, Raven, is based on Jenny’s idea to put on a play that she calls Swan Lake, about a woman who turns into a bird in order to save her village from the snow. Instead of the snow, the play turns into a tale of rivalry and revenge. The film stars Natalie Portman as Raven and Milichap’s former patient, Jenny, and was directed by Michael Curtiz. It was released in 2011 and went on to become one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time. The soundtrack to the film, entitled The Swan Game, was released alongside the movie and features some of the greatest female singers of the twentieth century, including Marjorie Merriweather Post, Jane Novak, and Helen Forrest.
Only Lovers Left Alive
In 2014, the third installment of the Twilight Saga, the excellent Only Lovers Left Alive, was released. Starring Jennifer Lawrence as the vampire Alice and John MacKenzie as the zombie hunter, Jones, the film continues the story of the adventures of Bella and Edward as they struggle to protect their newborn daughter from being turned into a vampire. For a while, the family lives a happy, peaceful life in the woods, but then Jones returns, along with several other zombies who have made it their mission to kill the little girl. Alice and Jones’ relationship sours as he begins to crave human blood, leading her to realize that she may have to kill him in order to keep their child alive. It’s a gripping story that makes the third installment of the Twilight Saga an incredibly tight bond affair. Perhaps the highlight of the film is the score, which is made up entirely of songs by indie band The Lumineers. Most of the songs on the soundtrack have already become classics, with audiences around the world singing along to the tracks “Ho Hey” and “Weight In Gold.” For more than just the music, the movie is excellent and highlights how far the Twilight series has come since its humble beginnings.
The Lego Movie
When it comes to the movie industry, no franchise is more popular or talked about more than the Lego Film franchise. The first two Lego Films were huge hits, with the first earning $375 million at the box office worldwide. Since then, the Lego Films have become an annual event, with fans eagerly anticipating the next installment. The Lego Movie is the third film in the franchise and was directed by Phil Lord. The movie brings together several famous voices, including Batman, Gandalf, Winston Churchill, and more, for a whimsical journey through a Lego world. It’s a humorous and touching piece that manages to be both fun and educational for kids and adults alike. The film’s soundtrack, also called The Lego Movie, was released in February and features songs from the movie as well as some of the greatest pop music stars of all time, including Katy Perry, Adele, and more.
The Lego Movie is among the most fun and entertaining films of 2016. Not only does it feature some of the most recognizable personalities in the history of film, but it also manages to be both entertaining and educational for kids and adults alike. It may not be entirely predictable, but at the end of the day, who cares as long as it’s fun? The final installment of the Twilight Saga, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, is also one of the greatest of the year. It’s a fitting swan song for the entire franchise and features some of the greatest performances by the main cast. For more on this year’s films, be sure to check out our year-end awards coverage by clicking here.