Gran Turismo Review

Gran Turismo

Release Date: 3rd August 2023 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures (presents)

PlayStation Productions

2.0 Entertainment

Michael De Luca Productions

Trigger Street Productions

TSG Entertainment (made in association with)

Distribution

Sony Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 134 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $122,101,055 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Through his gaming skills

after winning a series of

Nissan-sponsored video

game competitions, a

Gran Turismo player gets

his chance to become a

professional race car

driver.

Cast

Archie Madekwe - Jann Mardenborough

David Harbour - Jack Salter

Orlando Bloom - Danny Moore

Darren Barnet - Matty Davis

Geri Halliwell - Lesley Mardenborough

Djimon Hounsou - Steve

Mardenborough

Josha Stradowski - Nicholas Capa

Daniel Puig - Cody Mardenborough

Maeve Courtier-Lilley - Audrey

Pepe Barroso - Antonio Cruz

Niall McShea - Frederik Schulin

Nikhil Parmar - Persol

Takehiro Hira - Kazunori Yamauchi

Thomas Kretschmann -

Patrice Capa

Akie Kotabe - Akira Akiba

Sadao Ueda - Skeptical

Nissan Board Member

Wai Wong - Senior Nissan Executive

Jamie Kenna - Jack Man Jones

Royce Cronin - Capa Team Leader

Harki Bhambra - Avi Bhatt

Emelia Hartford - Leah Vega

Lindsay Pattison - Chloe McCormick

Mariano González - Henry Evas

Maximilian Mundt - Klaus Hoffman

Sang Heon Lee - Joo-Hwan Lee

Théo Christine - Marcel Durand

Joanne Heywood - Clothing

Customer

Cavan Jones - Kid Playing

at Gamer Cafe

Lloyd Meredith - Percy

Hannah Hornsby - Audrey's

Friend

Bence Bauer - Bonfire Guy

Ciarán Joyce - Ciaran Cochrane

John Carter - James Wallace

Niki Faulkner - Instructor

Rina Saito - Kaz's Translator

Peter Lundie - Race Coordinator, GT Academy

Andrea Vasiliou - Dubai Racing

Fan

Yoojin Lee - Dubai Racing Fan

Matthew Hirsch - Race Marshall

(Le Mans) (Cameo)

Jacques Jouffret - Race Official

(Le Mans) (Cameo)

Eszter Zavaros - Female Chef

Daijiro Yoshihara - Nissan

Corporate Driver (Japan)

Maya Murofushi - Nissan Desk Clerk

Bianca Bridge - Germany Reporter

Selin Cuhadaroglu - Sarah Eaton

Frédéric North - Helicopter

Pilot, GT Academy (Cameo)

Crew

Director - Neil Blomkamp

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producer - Jason Hall

Story - Alex Tse

Screenplay - Zach Baylin

Executive Producers - Matthew Hirsch, Herman Hulst and Kazunori Yamauchi

Producers - Carter Swan,

Asad Qizilbash, Dana Brunetti

and Doug Belgrad

Co-Producer/Stunt Driver: Archie Madekwe (Uncredited) - Jann Mardenborough

Co-Producer - Darren Cox

Casting Directors - Raylin Sabo

and Mary Vernieu

Production Designer - Martin Whist

Supervising Art Director - Justin O'Neal Miller

Set Decorators - Lauree Martell

and Adam Polgar

Costume Designer - Terry Anderson

Makeup Department Head - Tracey Wells

Director of Photography - Jacques Jouffret

Supervising Location Manager - Naomi Liston

First Assistant Directors - Martin Krauka

and James Bitonti

Stunt Coordinators - Steve Kelso

and Andrew Gill

Stunt Coordinator: HU - Domonkos Pardanyi

Supervising Picture Vehicle Coordinator -

Alex King

Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy

Picture Vehicle Supervisor - Elia Popov

Special Effects Supervisor - Gabor Kiszelly

Visual Effects Supervisor - Viktor Muller

Editors - Austyn Daines and Colby Parker Jr.

Co-Editor - Eric Freidenberg

Supervising Sound Editors - Kami Asgar

and Erin Oakley

Sound Designers - Charles Deenen,

James Evans and Nick Spradlin

Sound Recordists - John P. Fasal,

Bryan Watkins, Travis Prater,

Ed Walker, Watson Wu and Dustin Troyan

Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders

and Kevin O'Connell

Supervising Foley Artist - Gary A. Hecker

Music - Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski

Review

I vividly recall when Gran Turismo (GT) was a video game series for the PlayStation. I'm not sure if I played GT or not. Then again, it might have been only once (unless it's a different racing game) because I didn't have a PlayStation 3 or 4 at the time. While loosely based on the video games, this film retells a true story of how a young gamer transitioned from virtual racing to a professional racing career. Neil Blomkamp is one step ahead of his directorial comeback after taking a downturn with movies such as Elysium and Chappie, as he breaks the mould from his preferred sci-fi genre. He's never directed a video game adaptation, much less his unmade Halo movie.

Although it may seem unconventional to adapt a racing game into a Hollywood feature (unless you count Need for Speed), GRAN TURISMO has a typical underdog story with an engaging setup. Admittedly, the film is not without its flaws, as it suffers from a predictable narrative and slow pacing. Even the dialogue is slightly weak in the first half, with many lines feeling cheesy and unoriginal. The editing could have been tighter if they trimmed down a few scenes and removed that useless romantic subplot. However, things improved as the film progressed, particularly the emotional moments near the end.

The actors delivered first-class performances with Orlando Bloom returning to the limelight as an idealistic motorsport executive who recognises the gaming community's potential. Archie Madekwe, a young and relatively inexperienced actor, shoulders much of the burden in this film, sharing the screen with some of Hollywood's biggest names. His character embodies a carefree, youthful spirit that mirrors Jann Mardenborough's real-life persona. David Harbour delivers a commanding performance as a former racing driver who coaches Jann.

The chemistry between Madekwe and Harbour is strong, capturing the mentor-trainee dynamic. However, Djimon Hounsou's performance as Jann's father emerges as the emotional centrepiece, despite his limited screen time. Also worth noting is that Geri Hariwell, one of the Spice Girls, plays Jann's mum. Interestingly, the real-life Mardenborough did all of his screen counterpart's driving stunts.

The racing sequences in GRAN TURISMO are spectacular, not to mention the stunning drone camerawork and engaging visual style. The latter ranges from the CGI recreation of the game's user interface display to the real-time breakdown of vehicles. It'll make you believe you're playing a video game. The sound design is superb throughout the film, with roaring engines, screeching tyres, and thunderous crashes that create an immersive experience.

GRAN TURISMO is an adrenaline-fueled combination of gaming and real-world motorsports culture. Although it doesn't offer anything new to the sports-drama subgenre, its heart-pounding race sequences and moving performances make it a worthy addition for fans of racing and inspirational stories alike. Anyone who has played the game or is a massive motorsport enthusiast should check it out.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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In Memory of Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026)

Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026)

The actress Catherine O'Hara has died. She was 71. The Emmy Award-winning Canadian-born actress was notable for her roles as Kevin's mother in the first two "Home Alone" movies and Moira Rose in the TV series "Schitt's Creek."

O'Hara began her comedic career in The Second City in Toronto in the 1970s, where she helped create the Canadian sketch show "SCTV" with John Candy, Dave Thomas, and Rick Moranis. After NBC picked up the show for broadcast in the United States, it was renamed "SCTV Network '90." In 1982, O'Hara won her first Emmy for Outstanding Writing on the episode "Moral Majority Show."

She first appeared on the big screen in the 1980s romantic comedy "Nothing Personal," starring alongside Donald Sutherland. In 1985, she appeared in Martin Scorsese's black comedy "After Hours." In 1988, O'Hara played Delia Deetz in Tim Burton's horror-comedy film "Beetlejuice," reprising the role in the 2024 sequel. It was on the set of the original that she met her first husband, production designer Bo Welch. The pair tied the knot in 1992. O'Hara famously played the careless mother of Macaulay Culkin's character in the hugely successful 1990 comedy "Home Alone," before reprising her role in the sequel in 1992.

In 1996, she appeared in Christopher Guest's improvised mockumentary "Waiting for Guffman" alongside the rest of the cast. Among her co-stars in the film were Guest, Eugene Levy, Fred Willard, and Parker Posey. The film received critical acclaim and gained a cult following. Later, she teamed up with Guest and the rest of the cast for several follow-up movies, including "Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "For Your Consideration."

O'Hara has also lent her voice to numerous animated films, including "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Chicken Little," "Over the Hedge," "Monster House," "Frankenweenie," and most recently, "The Wild Robot." She had roles in several TV shows, including "The Larry Sanders Show," "Committed," "Six Feet Under," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Glenn Martin, DDS," "30 Rock," and "Modern Family," on the small screen. O'Hara even starred as the eccentric former TV star Moira Rosa in the sitcom "Schitt's Creek," which premiered in 2015. It lasted for six seasons and secured her a second Emmy in 2020.

She earned an Emmy nomination for her role in "The Last of Us," which was one of her recent television appearances. She also appeared in "A Series of Unfortunate Events." O'Hara had recently starred in the critically acclaimed comedy series "The Studio," alongside Seth Rogen. Her performance earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

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98th Academy Awards

Broadcast Date: 16th March 2026 - Australia

Hello everyone. The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards in 2026 are finally here! Conan O'Brien will host this year's ceremony. Leading up the categories this year is the horror movie Sinners.

Best Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash - Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett

F1 - Ryan Tudhope, Robert Harrington, Nicolas Chevallier and Keith Dawson

Jurassic World Rebirth - David Vickery, Stephen Aplin, Charmaine Cain and Neil Corbould

The Lost Bus - Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen and Brandon K. McLaughlin

Sinners - Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter and Donnie Dean

Best Film Editing

F1 - Stephen Mirrione

Marty Supreme - Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie

One Battle After Another - Andy Jurgensen

Sentimental Value - Olivier Bugge Coutte

Sinners - Michael P. Shawver

Best Costume Design

Avatar: Fire and Ash - Deborah L. Scott

Frankenstein - Kate Hawley

Hamnet - Malgosia Turzanska

Marty Supreme - Miyako Bellizzi

Sinners - Ruth E. Carter

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Frankenstein - Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cilona Furey

Kokuho - Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino and Tadashi Nishimatsu

Sinners - Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine and Shunika Terry

The Smashing Machine - Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin and Bjoern Rehbein

The Ugly Stepsister - Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg

Best Cinematography

Frankenstein - Dan Laustsen

Marty Supreme - Darius Khondji

One Battle After Another - Michael Bauman

Sinners - Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Train Dreams - Adolpho Veloso

Best Production Design

Frankenstein - Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

Hamnet - Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton

Marty Supreme - Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis

One Battle After Another - Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino

Sinners - Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Monique Champagne

Best Sound

F1 - Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary Rizzo and Juan Peralta

Frankenstein - Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke and Brad Zoern

One Battle After Another - Jose Antonio Garcia, Christopher Scarabosio and Tony Villafor

Sinners - Chris Weckler, Benjamin A. Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor and Steve Boeddeker

Sirat - Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas and Yasmina Praderas

Best Original Song

"Dear Me" from Diane Warren: Relentless - Music and Lyrics by Diane Warren

"Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters - Music and Lyrics by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, Teddy, and Ian Eisendrath

"I Lied to You" from Sinners - Music and Lyrics by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson

"Sweet Dreams of Joy" from Viva Verdi! - Music and Lyrics by Nicholas Pike

"Train Dreams" from Train Dreams - Music by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner; Lyrics by Nick Cave

Best Original Score

Bugonia - Jerskin Fendrix

Frankenstein - Alexandre Desplat

Hamnet - Max Richter

One Battle After Another - Jonny Greenwood

Sinners - Ludwig Goransson

Best Casting

Hamnet - Nina Gold

Marty Supreme - Jennifer Venditti

One Battle After Another - Cassandra Kulukundis

The Secret Agent - Gabriel Domignues

Sinners - Francine Maisler  

Best Animated Short Film

Butterfly - Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens

Forevergreen - Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears

The Girl Who Cried Pearls - Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski

Retirement Plan - John Kelly and Andrew Freedman

The Three Sisters - Konstantin Bronzit

Best Live Action Short Film

Butcher's Stain - Meyer Levinson-Blount and Oron Caspi

A Friend of Dorothy - Lee Knight and James Dean

Jane Austen's Period Drama - Julia Aks and Steve Pinder

The Singers - Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt

Two People Exchanging Saliva - Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata

Best Documentary Short Film

All the Empty Rooms - Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud - Craig Renaud and Juan Arredondo

Children No More: "Were and Are Gone" - Hilla Medalia and Shelia Nevins

The Devil Is Busy - Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir

Perfectly a Strangeness - Alison McAlpine

Best Documentary Feature Film

The Alabama Solution - Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman

Come and See Me in the Good Light - Ryan White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro and Stef Willen

Cutting Through Rocks - Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni

Mr Nobody Against Putin - Nominees to be determined

The Perfect Neighbor - Geeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu and Sam Bisbee

Best International Feature Film

The Secret Agent (Brazil) in Portuguese and German - Directed by Kleber Mendonca Filho

It Was Just an Accident (France) in Persian and Azerbaijani - Directed by Jafar Panahi

Sentimental Value (Norway) in Norwegian and English - Directed by Joachim Trier

Sirat (Spain) in Spanish, French and Arabic - Directed by Oliver Laxe

The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia) in Arabic - Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania

Best Animated Feature Film

Arco - Ugo Bienvenu, Felix de Givry, Sophie Mas and Natalie Portman

Elio - Madeline Sharafin, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Mary Alice Drumm

KPop Demon Hunters - Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong

Little Amelie or the Character of Rain - Mailys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han, Nidia Santiago and Henri Magalon

Zootopia 2 - Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Yvett Merino

Best Adapted Screenplay

Bugonia - Will Tracy; based on the film Save the Green Planet! by Jang Joon-hwan

Frankenstein - Guillermo del Toro; based on the novel by Mary Shelley

Hamnet - Chloe Zhao and Maggie O'Farrell; based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell

One Battle After Another - Paul Thomas Anderson; based on the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon

Train Dreams - Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar; based on the novella by Dennis Johnson

Best Original Screenplay

Blue Moon - Robert Kaplow

It Was Just an Accident - Jafar Panahi in collaboration with Shadmehr Rastin, Nader Saivar and Mendu Mahmoudian

Marty Supreme - Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie

Sentimental Value - Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier

Sinners - Ryan Coogler

Best Supporting Actress

Elle Fanning - Sentimental Value as Rachel Kemp

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas - Sentimental Value as Agnes Borg Pettersen

Amy Madigan - Weapons as Gladys

Wunmi Mosaku - Sinners as Annie

Teyana Taylor - One Battle After Another as Perfidia Beverly Hilla

Best Supporting Actor

Benicio del Toro - One Battle After Another as Sensei Sergio St. Carlos

Jacob Elordi - Frankenstein as The Creature

Delroy Sindo - Sinners as Delta Slim

Sean Penn - One Battle After Another as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw

Stellan Skarsgard - Sentimental Value as Gustav Borg

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley - Hamnet as Agnes Shakespeare

Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I'd Kick You as Linda

Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue as Claire Sardina

Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value as Nora Borg

Emma Stone - Bugonia as Michelle Fuller

Best Actor

Timothée Chalamet - Marty Supreme as Marty Mauser

Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another as Bob Ferguson

Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon as Lorenz Hart

Michael B. Jordan - Sinners as Elijah "Smoke" Moore/Elias "Stack" Moore

Wagner Moura - The Secret Agent as Armando Solimoes/Marcelo Alves/Fernando Solimoes

Best Director

Chloe Zhao - Hamnet

Josh Safdie - Marty Supreme

Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another

Joachim Trier - Sentimental Value

Ryan Coogler - Sinners

Best Picture

Bugonia - Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone and Lars Knudsen, producers

F1 - Chad Oman, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner Jeremy Kleiner, Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer, producers

Frankenstein - Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Scott Stuber, producers

Hamnet - Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, producers

Marty Supreme - Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Anthony Katagas and Timothée Chalamet, producers

One Battle After Another - Adam Somner, Sara Murphy and Paul Thomas Anderson, producers

The Secret Agent - Emilie Lesclaux, producer

Sentimental Value - Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, producers

Sinners - Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler, producers

Train Dreams - Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer and Michael Heimler, producers

Honorary Awards

Debbie Allen

Tom Cruise

Wynn Thomas

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Dolly Parton

Make sure you let me know who the winners are.

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The Star Wars Holiday Special Review

The Star Wars Holiday Special

Broadcast Date: 16th March 1979 - Australia

Production Companies

Smith-Hemion Productions

20th Century Fox Television

(in association with)

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 98 minutes

Plot Summary

For Life Day, the most

important holiday in the

galaxy, Han Solo and

Chewbacca will have to

overtake the Empire

and get to the Wookie

homeworld, Kashyyk, to

celebrate the holiday

with Chewie's family.

As they await his return,

Chewie's family pass

the time with various

forms of entertainment.

Cast

Mark Hamill - Luke Skywalker

Harrison Ford - Han Solo

Carrie Fisher - Princess Leia Organa

Peter Mayhew - Chewbacca

Anthony Daniels - C-3PO

Kenny Baker - R2-D2

James Earl Jones - Darth Vader (Voice)

Bea Arthur - Ackmena

Art Carney - Saun Dunn

Diahann Carroll - Mermeia Holographic Wow

Jefferson Starship - Holographic Band

Harvey Korman - Krelman/

Chef Gormaanda/Amorphian

Instructor

Mickey Morton - Malla

Paul Gale - Itchy

Patty Maloney - Lumpy

Jack Rader - Imperial Guard Officer

Stephanie Stromer - The Great Zorback (Holographic Gymnast)

Michael Potter - Imperial Guard Officer

Wazzan Troupe - Holographic Tumblers

Yûichi Sugiyama - The Ringleader

The Mumm Brothers - The Reeko Brothers

Claude Woolman - Imperial

Officer (Widescreen)

Lev Mailer - Imperial

Guard #1

John McLaughlin - Imperial

Stormtrooper #1

Don Francks - Boba Fett

(Voice) (Uncredited)

Crew

Directors - Steve Binder and David Acomba (Uncredited)

Characters - George Lucas

Writers - Rod Warren, Bruce Vilanch, Pat Proft and Leonard Ripps

Writer/Producer - Mitzie Welch

Executive Producers - Dwight Hemion and Gary Smith

Producers - Joe Layton,

Jeff Starsh and Ken Welch

Consultant: Star Wars - Miki Herman

Art Director - Brian Bartholomew

Illustrator - Ralph McQuarrie

Set Decorator - Garrett Lewis

Costume Designer - Bob Mackie

Costume: "Chewbacca" - Stuart Freeborn

Costumes: "Wookie Family" - Ellis Burman Jr.,

Thomas R. Burman and Stan Winston

Cinematography - John B. Field

Choreographer - David Winters

Animation Director - Clive Smith (Uncredited)

Layout Artist - Frank Nissen (Uncredited)

Editors - Jerry Bixman and Vince Humphrey

Sound Effects - Ben Burtt

Star Wars Themes - John Williams

Music - Ian Fraser

Review

Happy holidays, everyone! Star Wars is a beloved franchise. Millions of fans worldwide have been captivated by it. Sure, it has its ups and downs. The original trilogy was the benchmark for the series, although the prequel trilogy was a mixed bag, to say the least. And as for the sequel trilogy, that's another story. One of the most debated topics within the community is which movie is the least favourite of the series. Some say it was The Phantom Menace. Others believe it was Attack of the Clones, The Rise of Skywalker, or The Last Jedi (but I don't think the latter is that bad). However, many fans agree that THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL is the worst, as it casts the prequels and (to a lesser extent) the sequels in a more favourable light by comparison.

In 1978, a year after the film that changed the world of cinema hit the screens, this holiday special appeared, supposedly born out of concern from its creator, George Lucas, that people would lose interest in the Star Wars franchise. It happened while The Empire Strikes Back was in pre-production. Now, of course, these fears have proven unfounded. But bear in mind that this was when Star Wars was still completely new. Nobody expected this to become a huge success, and despite its ludicrous box-office takings, no one knew how long it would last.

I have never done a full-length holiday special, but I'm excited to give it a try. When I first saw The Star Wars Holiday Special in 2021, it felt like I unearthed a lost treasure, but looking back, it's clear why it is hated. Seriously, what was George Lucas thinking? The main issue with the entire concept is that, in the 1970s, variety shows were popular, much like Sonny and Cher. Consequently, all of these awful tropes and nonsense from these shows found their way into Star Wars, resulting in this space mess. This gimmick just isn't suited for the franchise, as this example demonstrates.

Even today, no one is exactly sure who came up with this ridiculous idea, but somehow Lucas hooked up with CBS, and the rest is history. While Lucas had minimal involvement in this special, as he was busy working on other projects, I don't blame him. A series of writers and directors have come and gone during this tumultuous production. The outcome is not so much a space fantasy but more like a space farce. Heck, even Lucas wanted it erased. Since its original broadcast in 1978, the show has not been in any form of media, nor has it ever been released on home video. However, part of it appears on Disney+, specifically the animated segment.

At the same time, I admire Star Wars' approach to world-building, as it frequently produces fascinating settings and creatures, even if it sometimes feels commercial, as in the later films and television series. However, this special gets it all wrong. The plot is virtually nonexistent, nonsensical, and more convoluted. The characters created for this special, like Chewbacca's family, are mostly irritating. The skits are overly long and incomprehensible, and the musical numbers are out of place.

The only saving grace of this special is the animated segment, which, surprisingly, is the closest it gets to being a movie or a TV show. While it isn't bad, it would have been better suited to something more in line with the Star Wars name. However, the good thing about this segment is that it introduced fans to a certain bounty hunter named Boba Fett, who would later appear on the big screen in The Empire Strikes Back. While Bea Arthur gives the only sincere and earnest performance in the special, the other celebrity guests, including Art Carney and Harvey Korman, aren't much better, with the latter trying to be funny.

This holiday special is terrible, and fans have a right to accept that. Trust me, there's no point in defending it. I would not recommend this one to anyone unless you want to watch the abridged version, the cartoon, or the reviewed version, because those are far more enjoyable than watching a raw video of nothing happening if you know what's good for you.

Star rating: (1/10) Worst Movie Ever

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In Memory of Rob Reiner (1947-2025)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rob Reiner (1947-2025)

 

Rob Reiner, a famous director and actor who first gained recognition in "All in the Family" and went on to direct such classic films as "This is Spinal Tap," "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally...," "Misery," and "A Few Good Men," was reportedly found dead alongside his wife in their home. He was 78. Their cause of death was apparent homicide, as they received multiple stab wounds.

Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1947, Reiner is the son of the legendary comic actor Carl Reiner and singer Estelle Rebost. In the 1960s, he began his acting career, taking minor roles in television shows such as "Batman," "That Girl," "The Beverly Hillbillies," and "The Partridge Family." In 1971, Reiner landed his first notable role as the countercultural Michael "Meathead" Stivic in the CBS sitcom "All in the Family," which ran for nine seasons. He received two of the five Emmy nominations for his performance and five further Golden Globe nominations for the same role.

In 1984, Reiner transitioned from television acting to film directing with the renowned mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap," which satirised the excesses of the wildly popular heavy metal scene at the time. He built on his success with a string of hits, including "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally...," "Misery," and "A Few Good Men," the latter of which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Reiner's box-office success began to wane in the late 1990s as the writer-director turned to more topical subject matter, such as "Ghosts of Mississippi," which dealt with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and "LBJ," which covered the presidential career of Lyndon Johnson. More recently, he directed "Shock and Awe," which dealt with the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

He also directed subsequent movies, including "The American President," "The Bucket List," and his final film, the 2025 sequel "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues." Reiner also continued to take on minor roles in films such as "Sleepless in Seattle," in which he played Tom Hanks' friend, as well as in "Postcards from the Edge," "The First Wives Club," "The Wolf of Wall Street," "New Girl," and "The Bear." He often played himself in comedies, such as "30 Rock," "The Simpsons," "Hannah Montana," "The Larry Sanders Show," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Reiner also co-founded the production company Castle Rock Entertainment, which is responsible for hit films and television shows, including "Seinfeld," "City Slickers," "In the Line of Fire," "Malice," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Lone Star," and "Miss Congeniality."

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Beetlejuice Review

Beetlejuice

Release Date: 8th September 1988 - Australia

Production Companies

The Geffen Company (presents)

Genre: Fantasy/Horror/

Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 92 minutes

Budget: $15,000,000

Box Office Gross: $74,842,866 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

After being killed in a car accident, a married couple, Barbara and Adam Maitland, return as ghosts and find themselves stuck in their country house, unable to leave. The Maitlands try in vain to frighten off the unbearable Deetzes and their teenage daughter, Lydia, when

they buy their home. Their

attempts draw the attention

of a boisterous ghost

named Beetlejuice, whose

"help" quickly proves

dangerous to the Maitlands

and innocent Lydia.

Cast

Michael Keaton - Betelgeuse

Geena Davis - Barbara Maitland

Alec Baldwin - Adam Maitland

Winona Ryder - Lydia Deetz

Jeffrey Jones - Charles Deetz

Catherine O'Hara - Delia Deetz

Glenn Shadix - Otho

Sylvia Sidney - Juno

Maree Cheatham - Sarah Dean

Dick Cavett - Bernard 

Rachel Mittelman - Little Jane

Maurice Page - Ernie

Hugo Stranger - Old Bill

Robert Goulet - Maxie Dean

Susan Kellermann - Grace

Annie McEnroe - Jane Butterfield

Patrice Martinez - Receptionist

Adelle Lutz - Beryl

Cindy Daly - 3-Fingered Typist

Douglas Turner - Char Man

Simmy Bow - Janitor

Carmen Filpi - Messenger

J. Jay Saunders - Moving 

Man #1

Mark Ettinger - Moving Man #2

Gary Jochimsen - Dumb Football Player #1

Bob Pettersen - Dumb Football Player #2

Duane Davis - Very Dumb Football Player

Tony Cox - Preacher

Jack Angel - Preacher (Voice)

Crew

Director - Tim Burton

Story/Screenplay - Michael McDowell

Story - Larry Wilson

Screenplay - Warren Skaaren

Producers - Michael Bender,

Richard Hashimoto and

Larry Wilson

Casting Directors - Janet Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins

Production Designer - Bo Welch

Art Director - Tom Duffield

Set Decorator - Catherine Mann

Lead Person - Cheryl Carasik

Property Master - William A.

Petrotta

Costume Designer - Aggie Guerard Rodgers

Makeup Artists - Steve LaPorte and Ve Neill

Creatures and Makeup Effects - Robert Short

Director of Photography - Thomas E. Ackerman

Camera Operator - Douglas Knapp

First Assistant Director - Bill Scott

Second Assistant Directors - K.C. Colwell and Jerry Fleck

Stunt Coordinator/Stunts - Fred Lerner

Special Effects Supervisor - Chuck Gaspar

Visual Effects Supervisor - Alan Munro

Visual Effects Consultant - Rick Heinrichs

Visual Effects: VCE - Peter Kuran

Visual Effects: Sandworm Sequence -

Doug Beswick

Visual Effects: Barbara/Adam

Transportation - Tim Lawrence

Miniature Production - James Belohovek,

Thomas Conti and Rick Kess

Editor - Jane Kurson

Supervising Sound Editor - Richard L. Anderson

Sound Editors - Mark Pappas and

David E. Stone

Re-Recording Mixers - Gregg Landaker,

Steve Maslow and Kevin O'Connell

Music - Danny Elfman

Music Editors - Bob Badami and Nancy Fogarty

Awards

1989 Academy Awards

Best Makeup - Ve Neill, Steve LaPorte and Robert Short (Won)

Review

I took a trip down memory lane to revisit BEETLEJUICE, which I saw three times, then said its name. Growing up, I couldn't watch the film because of its scary content and profanity. I had to wait until I was old enough to watch it, which I did years later. It's the movie that put Tim Burton on the map after the success of his feature-length directorial debut with Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Unlike the movie he previously directed, which centred on an existing comic character created by and starring the late Paul Reubens, BEETLEJUICE is an original story. The film works well with Burton's unique Gothic visual style and twisted sense of humour, and is nothing like the other '80s supernatural comedies, such as Ghostbusters. It's full of ingenious visual gags and outlandish production, costume, and makeup designs. Unfortunately, the story falls short, but its execution makes up for this and adds to the film's appeal.

While Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis deliver fine performances as the sympathetic ghost couple, Michael Keaton steals the show as the titular character. Although his role had only 27 minutes of screentime, he went all out and was a perfect fit for this quirky, zany film. His comedic performance inspired other actors to play supernatural tricksters, such as Robin Williams as the Genie in Aladdin and Jim Carrey as Stanley Ipkiss in The Mask. The rest of the cast was terrific, including Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara, who play the obnoxious Deetz family, and Winona Ryder as Lydia, the goth teenage daughter.

The visual effects were impressive at the time, but many of them have not aged well. Much of it was stop-motion animation. Danny Elfman's circus-like score is integral to the film's identity. It adds to the atmosphere of darkness and playfulness, contributing to the overall mix. The movie's strongest scenes, such as the Maitlands in the underworld and the possessed dinner party, showcase its brilliance even without Beetlejuice.

While the humour is largely still funny, in hindsight, BEETLEJUICE is a fun horror comedy. It boasts all the hallmarks of a typical Tim Burton film, from the distinctive visuals to the dark humour. I thoroughly enjoyed watching BEETLEJUICE and would highly recommend it, just not for the younger audiences.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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In Memory of Diane Ladd (1935-2025)

Diane Ladd (1935-2025)

The legendary actress Diane Ladd has died. She was 89 years old. Her daughter, actress Laura Dern, confirmed her death on Monday, just three months after she lost her husband of 26 years. She appeared in more than 200 films and television programmes, including "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Wild At Heart," and "Rambling Rose." The latter two films featured Ladd's daughter, Dern, in a starring role.

Throughout their careers, the pair frequently collaborated, often playing mother and daughter on screen. Most recently, they appeared together in Mike White's highly acclaimed TV series "Enlightened," which ran for two seasons from 2011 to 2013 and earned a strong cult following.

In the 1950s, Ladd began her acting career on television, appearing in shows such as "Perry Mason," "The Fugitive," "Gunsmoke," and "The Big Valley." In 1974, she starred alongside Jack Nicholson in Roman Polanski's crime drama "Chinatown." That same year, she co-starred with Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese's celebrated comedy-drama "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." Her performance earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She went on to star in its TV spin-off "Alice."

In the eighties, she appeared in "Black Widow" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." A decade later, she received another Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role in "Wild At Heart." Another nomination for her role in "Rambling Rose" arrived the following year. In the 1990s, she appeared in the comedy "Cemetery Club," which reunited her with Ellen Burstyn. She also starred in the political comedy "Primary Colors" opposite John Travolta, and in Alexander Payne's "Citizen Ruth." Over the course of the decade, she also received Emmy nominations for her work on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," "Grace Under Fire," and "Touched by an Angel."

Ladd continued to appear in films, including the comedy-drama "Daddy and Them", David Lynch's "Inland Empire," "28 Days" opposite Sandra Bullock, "The World's Fastest Indian" with Anthony Hopkins, and "Joy" with Jennifer Lawrence. She later appeared in TV shows, such as "Ray Donovan" and "Young Sheldon."

Ladd was married three times. One of her husbands was actor Bruce Dern, with whom she had two daughters, including Laura and another, who tragically drowned in a swimming pool at 18 months old. Their marriage lasted for 9 years. Ladd also happened to be the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams.

 

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