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's 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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In Memory of Diane Keaton (1946-2025)

Diane Keaton (1946-2025)

The renowned actress Diane Keaton, famous for her Oscar-winning performance in "Annie Hall" and her iconic roles in "The Godfather" and "The First Wives Club," passed away on 11th October 2025. She was 79. Contrary to the belief, Diane has no relation to actor Michael Keaton or the late silent comedian Buster Keaton.

Born in Los Angeles on 5th January 1946, Diane Hall - better known as Keaton - grew up in Southern California before moving to New York to study acting at the Neighbourhood Playhouse. She began her career on Broadway as an understudy in "Hair" before making her film debut in "Lovers and Other Strangers" in 1970.

Two years later, she made headlines with her breakthrough role as Kay Adams in "The Godfather," a performance that catapulted her into international stardom. Keaton established her reputation through her collaborations with Woody Allen, beginning with "Sleeper" and "Play It Again, Sam." However, it was her performance as the joyous and carefree titular character in "Annie Hall," who falls in love with Allen's bumbling, self-hating comedian, that proved most memorable. This role earned her an Oscar for Best Actress.

Following this, Keaton enjoyed her stardom in such notable films, including 1977's "Looking for Mr Goodbar" and 1981's "Reds," the latter opposite Warren Beatty. The film received multiple Oscar nominations, including another one for Diane Keaton. Keaton starred in another 1980s classic film, 1987's "Baby Boom," playing a hard-working advertising executive who suddenly becomes a guardian of a baby left to her by a deceased long-lost relative.

In the 1990s, Keaton partnered with Hollywood heavyweights Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn on the 1996 smash-hit comedy "The First Wives Club," in which a group of women plot their revenge on their unfaithful husbands. Towards this decade's end, Keaton received her third Oscar nomination for the emotional drama "Marvin's Room," alongside Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio.

In the noughties, Keaton appeared in several more critically acclaimed films, including the 2003 romantic comedy "Something's Gotta Give," in which she starred alongside Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves. For her performance in this film, she received her fourth Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She also appeared in the 2005 film "The Family Stone," a modern-day Christmas classic in which she played a matriarch who unwittingly helps her children find their soulmates. Recent roles include the 2018 film "The Book Club," alongside Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen, as well as its sequel in 2023. Earlier this year, her last movie, Summer Camp, premiered.

Not only was she a talented actress, but she also played a crucial role in the creative side of filmmaking. Her first foray into directing came with the 1987 documentary "Heaven," which explored the concept of an afterlife. She subsequently directed an episode of the second season of "Twin Peaks," the 1995 critically acclaimed drama "Unstrung Heroes," and the 2000 comedy drama "Hanging Up." She also directed several music videos of Belinda Carlisle, highlighting her artistic range.

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Snakes on a Plane Review

Snakes on a Plane

Release Date: 24th August 2006 - Australia

Production Companies

New Line Cinema (presents)

Mutual Film Company

Meradin Zweite Productions (in association with)

Eyetronics

H2L Media Group

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: M (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 101 minutes

Budget: $33,000,000

Box Office Gross:

$62,022,014 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

FBI agent Neville Flynn

takes a plane from Hawaii

to Los Angeles to transport

a witness protected by the

government to a trial, in

the hope that the mob boss

will end up behind bars.

However, as soon as the

aircraft reaches an altitude

of 30,000 feet, several

hundred venomous snakes

burst out of the cargo and

attack everyone in sight,

causing violent mayhem.

With the help of a leading

snake expert from L.A.,

Flynn and a group of

terrified passengers and

crew must work together

to deal with the slithering

threat.

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson - Neville Flynn

Julianna Margulies - Claire Miller

Nathan Phillips - Sean Jones

Rachel Blanchard - Mercedes

Flex Alexander - Three G's

Kenan Thompson - Troy

Keith Dallas - Big Leroy

Lin Shaye - Grace

Bruce James - Ken

Sunny Mabrey - Tiffany

Casey Dubois - Curtis

Daniel Hogarth - Tommy

Gerald Plunkett - Paul

Terry Chen - Chen Leong

Elsa Pataky - Maria

Emily Holmes - Ashley

Tygh Runyan - Tyler

Mark Houghton - John Sanders

David Koechner - Rick

Bobby Cannavale - Hank Harris

Todd Louiso - Dr. Steven Price

Tom Butler - Captain Sam McKeon

Kendall Cross - Driver

Kevin McNulty - Emmett Bradley

Samantha McLeod - Kelly

Taylor Kitsch - Kyle

Ann Warn Pegg - Mrs. Bova

Byron Lawson - Eddie Kim

Darren Moore - Kraitler

Scott Nicholson - Daniel Hayes

Candice Macalino - Flower Girl

Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe - Autograph Girl

Agam Darshi - Dell Girl

Lisa Marie Caruk - Ken's Girlfriend

Jack di Blasio - Kid Fan

Darryl Quon - Man In Suit

David Neale - Navy Dad

Mi-Jung Lee - News Anchor

Kyle Alisharan - Airport Worker

Christopher Bachman - Lei Guy

Drew Wicks - Passenger

Crew

Director - David R. Ellis

Story - David Dalessandro

Story/Screenplay - John Heffernan

Screenplay - Sebastian Gutierrez

Associate Producers -

Jeff Katz and Tawny Ellis

Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager - Heather Meehan

Executive Producers - Stokely Chaffin, Toby Emmerich, Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins and George Waud

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Justis Greene 

Producers - Craig Berenson, Don Granger and Gary Levinsohn

Casting Director - Mindy Maren

Canadian Casting Directors - Coreen Mayrs

and Heike Brandstatter

Production Designer - Jaymes Hinkle

Art Director - John Alvarez

Set Decorators - Erin Boyd and Mary-Lou Storey

Costume Designer - Karen L. Matthews

Prosthetic Makeup Effects Designers &

Creators - Anthony Allen Barlow,

Ken Culver, Greg Johnson, Sarah Pickersgill,

Sam Polin, Brad Proctor, Dan Rebert,

Todd Masters and Jamie Salmon

Director of Photography - Adam Greenberg

Aerial Director of Photography - Hans Bjerno

"A" Camera Operator - Michael Ferris 

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Freddie Hice

Stunt Coordinators - Annie Ellis and Scott Nicholson

Snake Handler & Coordinator - Jules Sylvester

Snake Handlers - Brad McDonald,

Marco Solis Chavez and Marissa Schwierjohn

Special Effects Supervisors - Alex Burdett

and Matt Kutcher

Visual Effects Supervisor - Erik Henry

Visual Effects Supervisor: CafeFX - Scott Gordon

Art Director: CafeFX - Peter Lloyd

Digital Effects Supervisor: CafeFX - Jeff Goldman

Lighting TDs: CafeFX - Mike Fischer,

Manuel H. Guizar, Nic Spier, William H. Ball,

Scott Harper, Kirk Cardette and Luis "Chico" Martinez

Modelling Lead: CafeFX - Steve Arguello

Compositing Supervisor: CafeFX - Edwardo Mendez

3D Matchmovers: CafeFX - Paul Hopkins,

Kevin Hoppe and Ondrej Kubrick

Software Development Supervisor: CafeFX - Robert Tesdahl

Editor - Howard E. Smith

Supervising Sound Editors - Tom Bellfort

and Dave McMoyler

Sound Designers - Harry Cohen and

Tim Walston

Re-Recording Mixers - Rick Ash,

Kevin E. Carpenter and Justin Jose

Production Sound Mixer - Michael McGee

Foley Artists - James Moriana and Jeffrey Wilhoit

Music - Trevor Rabin

Review

SNAKES ON A PLANE is about, well, you know how the title suggests, as it lives up to its name. Admittedly, it wasn't a typical mockbuster movie, as the plot was original. It happened before The Asylum started producing its mockbuster films. However, the film does have the hallmarks of a mockbuster, with its over-the-top story and action sequences.

Before its release, word of SNAKES ON A PLANE spread online, gaining a cult following due to its title and the decision to cast Samuel L. Jackson in the lead role. During production, several changes, including reshoots, led to the film being bumped from a PG-13 to an R rating to appease the online fanbase. The film's title was also briefly changed to Pacific Air Flight 121, but Samuel L. Jackson insisted on changing it back, stating the title was the only reason he accepted the role. Although the film underperformed at the box office at the time, it did turn a profit, and many people still remember it to this day.

Director David R. Ellis had his experience with outlandish stuff, considering he directed Final Destination 2 and, later, The Final Destination, where several people get killed in horrific, gruesome ways. He did a fantastic job of delivering an action movie that plays like a suspense thriller crossed with a comedy, a thrill ride that's a bit silly and even more fun. I'm sure you're well aware that this film had several issues.

While the premise is affectionately cheesy, it is part of its distinctive "B-movie" charm, along with its self-aware ridiculousness. However, by design, the film was clearly intended to be silly. Unfortunately, the plot is thin, the characters are stereotypical, and the CGI is laughably bad. What's worse is that it's clearly trying to copy old disaster movies from the 1970s, such as Airport and Earthquake.

All is not lost, as the acting was terrific. Despite the film's absurdity, nearly all actors and actresses were fully committed to their roles. However, the best actor in this film is certainly Samuel L. Jackson, who plays FBI agent Neville Flynn. L. Jackson did a terrific job with this role, as he knows how to be funny and serious. All in all, I enjoyed his performance, especially when he delivers that iconic line to the surviving passengers. Julianna Margulies is fine as Claire, the calm and collected stewardess who tries to keep the passengers safe.

For a "B-movie," SNAKES ON A PLANE is not as bad as it could have been. Clearly, the filmmakers had no intention of making a film that audiences would take seriously; they just wanted to entertain them, and, all things considered, they succeeded. Yes, they could have done a few things better, but it is a ridiculous yet enjoyable film to watch, as long as you don't take it seriously. Trust me, it's not for those who were terrified of snakes. And certainly not for those to watch it on a flight.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Kangaroo Review

Kangaroo

Release Date: 18th September 2025 - Australia

Production Companies

Cultivator Films

Bunya Productions (in association with)

Brindle Films (in association with)

Screen Australia (presents)

StudioCanal (presents)

Screen Territory (in association with)

Screen NSW (in association with)

Distribution

StudioCanal Australia

Genre: Family/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 107 minutes

Box Office Gross: $3,703,383 (Australia)

Plot Summary

Chris Masterman, a former

TV personality, becomes

stranded in a town in the

Australian Outback near

Alice Springs. There,

he meets a 12-year-old

Indigenous girl named

Charlie. An unlikely bond

forms between the pair as

they work together to save

and rehabilitate orphaned

joeys in a remote yet

spectacular Outback

settlement. This undertaking

proves to be life-changing

for both of them.

Cast

Ryan Corr - Chris Masterman

Rachel House - Jesse

Lily Whiteley - Charlie

Brooke Satchwell - Liz

Deborah Mailman - Rosie

Rarriwuy Hick - Brenda

Rick Donald - Trap

Ryan Clark - Lifeguard Jacko

Wayne Blair - Ralph

Trisha Morton-Thomas - Gwennie

Emily Taheny - Dorinda

Ernie Dingo - Dave

Genevieve Lemon - Bernadette

Salvatore Coco - Phil

Shaun Martindale - Joel

Matt Burton - Trap's Mate #1

Warren H Williams - Warren

Catherine Mazur - Studio Assistant

Lucy McLeod - ABC Reporter

Anthony Ritossa - Host

Steve Kidd - Neil the Butcher

Yalyal Hick - Casper

Phoenix Cunningham - Freddy

Lene Clarsen Walters - Ruby

Luke Follayttar - Silver Gum Kid

Jaimee Morettti - Studio Employee

Charlotte Walters - Grace

Luca Saunders - Lifeguard #1

Zoe Walters - Bowling Lady #2

Sam Follayttar - Silver Gum Kid

Kristina Kidd - Bowling Lady #1

Crew

Director - Kate Woods

Writer - Harry Cripps

Additional Material - Peta-Lee Cole-Mandolis and Danielle Maclean

Additional Writing - Melina Marchetta

Executive Producers - Aaron Ensweiler,

Marcus Gillezeau, Ron Halpern,

Marian Macgowan, Anna Marsh,

Louise Smith and Elizabeth Trotman

Producers - Rachel Clements,

David Jowsey, Angela Littlejohn,

Tristan Morton-Thomas and Greer Simpkin

Casting Director - Anousha Zarkesh

Production Designer - Sam Hobbs

Art Director - Jodie Whetter

Costume Designer - Edie Kurzer

Makeup Supervisor - Helen Magelakis

Hair and Makeup Designer - Sheldon Wade

Director of Photography - Kieran Fowler

First Assistant Director - Danielle Blake

Second Unit Director - Warwick Thornton

Stunt Designer/Coordinator - Dean Gould 

Editor - Chris Plummer

Visual Effects Supervisor - Jonathan Hairman

Supervising Sound Editor - Angus Robertson

Sound Designer and Re-Recording Mixer -

Sam Hayward

Music -  Josie Mann and Matteo Zingales

Review

In 2000, Kate Wood launched her directorial career with the film adaptation of Looking for Alibrandi, which won critical acclaim and box-office receipts. Since then, her work has taken her overseas, directing episodes of television series such as Law & Order, Without a Trace, Person of Interest, and The Lincoln Lawyer. The motion picture that has prompted her return to Australia and the silver screen is KANGAROO, a heartfelt family comedy loosely based on the true story of Chris "Brolga" Barns, a one-time tour guide who established a kangaroo reserve near Alice Springs in 2011.

Although the film's narrative arc is somewhat predictable, it remains captivating. The film navigates the emotional themes of the story with sensitivity, while maintaining the comedic charm and friendly atmosphere of small country towns. Kieran Fowler's cinematography brings KANGAROO to life. His warm, bright approach captures the grandeur of the Northern Territory's spectacular landscapes and conjures up the fictional town of Silver Gum.

Woods has enlisted a talented group of actors to lend weight to their characters. Ryan Corr delivers an outstanding performance as an egotistical weatherman who transforms into a kangaroo conservationist. However, the best cast member in this film was Lily Whiteley, who plays Charlie. Despite her lack of experience, the first-time actress delivers an engaging performance that defies her age. Deborah Mailman brings warmth and sympathy to her role as Rosie, Charlie's grief-stricken and struggling mother.

The other actors also perform well. Wayne Blair, Ernie Dingo, Rachel House, Genevieve Lemon, Trisha Morton-Thomas, and Roy Billings play some of the strange people of Silver Gum. While there are real joeys in the film, many adult marsupials came to life through its minimal yet impressive CGI, demonstrating how far we have come since the release of Kangaroo Jack in 2003.

KANGAROO is one of those family-friendly films with cute animals that local audiences tend to love, similar to Babe, Red Dog, and the classic Storm Boy. I recommend it to those who want to see it, as you will be taking your kids there.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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