Weekly Rewind | 30 June 2017

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

On the 26 of June, the Harry Potter series celebrated its 20 years since its original publication. The series, published in 1997 by Bloomsbury Publishers in the UK, would go on to break bookselling records, spawn an 8-part movie series and a hit West End play, and inspire generations of young kids for years to come. To commiserate the celebration, a new edition of Philosopher’s Stone is begin released, featuring four new covers celebrating the four Hogwarts houses.
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If you haven't caught on by now, I adore Harry Potter. Harry and his wondrous world has always been there to welcome me whenever I needed an escape. To think that Harry Potter and band of misfit friends have been around for 20 years is astonishing! Harry and his gang have literally been there my entire life, and he will continue to there for another 20 more (simply because Warner Brothers won't ever let him die). And I know, those new editions are just a ploy to get you buy another copy of the book that you already have 10 copies of... But come on, they are gorgeous! I have to represent my house (Slytherin house that is... Am I'm damn proud of it).  

Armie Hammer Reunites with Ben Wheatley for New Film

After working with director Ben Wheatley in last year's Free Fire, Armie Hammer will reunite the director for his new project, Freakshift. The film, described by The Playlist as a cop versus monsters story, has been pitched by the director as a story "about women with shotguns fighting giant crabs." Hammer joins Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander, who has already been casted in the lead role. Wheatley is a critically acclaimed filmmaker, known for his dark, satirical films like High Rise and Sightseers. Hammer is well-known for his role as the Winklevoss brothers in David Fincher's The Social Network. Vikander won an Oscar for her performance as Gerda Wegener in Tom Hooper's The Danish Girl. Production on Freakshift begins in August. 
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I am a huge fan of Ben Wheatley's films. Still to this day, I am shook from High Rise (I actually have a slight - maybe major - fear of Barbican Estate because of it). I am always excited for a new Wheatley film, but the prospect of Alicia Vikander in a Wheatley film makes me even more bloody excited. 

Related: The (anti)Social Network

James Graham's New Play, Ink, Opens at the Almeida Theatre

James Graham steps into the role of political commentator again with his new play Ink currently playing at the Almeida Theatre in London. The playwright, best known for This House, based on the 1974 hung parliament, turns his attention to the murky world of tabloid journalism. Ink depicts the acquisition of The Sun newspaper by media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The show explores how this event reshaped Britain’s tabloids at the end of the ‘60s. The play is directed by Rupert Goold and stars Bertie Carvel as Murdoch. The show runs until August 5 at the Almeida. 
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James Graham is an absolute visionary when it comes to writing plays. He takes seeming boring subjects, like parliamentary debates, and turns it into the best two hours you’ll ever experience. His plays are smart, quick, and wildly entertaining. I am ecstatic to see what Graham brings to world of journalism and the sly character of Rupert Murdoch. And to add even more greatness to this new play, legendary director Rupert Goold is taking the helm as director. I’m sure the combined work of these two visionaries is something to admire.

Related: This House of Classism and Traditionalism

Andy Serkis' Breathe to Open the London Film Festival

The BFI London Film Festival has announced it's Opening Night Gala. The festival will be opened by Andy Serkis' feature directorial debut, Breathe. The bio-pic follows the true story of Robin Cavendish, a British advocate for the medically disabled. The BFI calls the film a  "heart-warming and and highly emotional celebration of bravery and human possibility, a love story about living every breath as through it's your last." The film stars Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) as Cavendish and Claire Foy (The Crown) as his wife Diana. The film will have it's European premiere on Wednesday 4 October this year.
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On paper, I'm not going to lie, this film doesn't seem that appealing. But the BFI never fails to impress me with its picks for the London festival, so I'm sure this film is stellar. And anyway, I'm a HUGE fan of Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield, and their combined talent on screen is probably brilliant. I'm also excited to see Serkis's directing style. From the promo pictures, it seems pretty promising.

Related: My Favorite Films... Wreckers