Monday, January 30, 2012

Spirited Away Review








Spirited Away


Release Date: 12th December 2002 - Australia


Production Companies
Studio Ghibli
Nippon Television Network (NTV)
DENTSU Music and Entertainment
Tokuma Shoten
Buena Vista International (English Dub)
Tohokushinsha Film
Mitsubishi Commercial Affairs

Distribution
Madman Entertainment (all-media)


Genre: Animation

Rating: PG

Runtime: 125 minutes


Budget: ¥1,900,000,000

Box Office Gross: $355,467,076 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)


Plot Summary
A ten-year old girl named Chihiro is moving to a new town with her family when they come across a seemingly abandoned amusement park. Despite the warnings of Chihiro about its haunted little town, her parents began eating some strange food which causes them to get turned into pigs and she discovers that the place is inhabited by supernatural beings that she encounters and is ruled by an evil sorceress. However, Chihiro is not alone, she must rely on a mysterious boy named Haku who will help her free herself and her family from the spell of this world that she had stumbled upon.


Voice Cast (English Version)
Daveigh Chase - Chihiro Ogino
Jason Marsden - Haku
Suzanne Pleshette - Yubaba/
Zeniba
David Ogden Stiers - Kamaji
Bob Bergen - No-Face/Frog
Susan Egan - Lin
Tara Strong - Boh
John Ratzenberger - Aniyaku
Michael Chiklis - Akio Ogino
Lauren Holly - Yuko Ogino

Crew
Writer/Director - Hayao Miyazaki
Director (English Version) - Kirk Wise
Adaptation: English Version - Cindy Davis Hewitt & Donald H. Hewitt
Chief Executive Producer - Yasuyoshi Tokuma
Executive Producers - Hironori Aihara, Koji Hoshino, Takeyoshi Matsushita, Yutaka Nurita, Banjiro Uemura, Seiichiro Ujiie & John Lasseter (English Version)
Producers - Toshio Suzuki &
Donald W. Ernst (English Version)
Production Designer - Norobu Yoshida
Art Director - Yoji Takeshige
Color Designer - Michiyo Yasuda
Animation Director - Masashi Ando
Cinematography - Atsushi Okui
Film Editors - Takeshi Seyama &
Rich Mackay (English Version)
Music - Joe Hisaishi


Awards

2003 Academy Awards
Best Animated Feature - Hayao Miyazaki (Won)


Review
'SPIRITED AWAY' is a beautiful and artistically produced anime movie that is brilliant. I positively review the direction by Hayao Miyazaki who made this film into a masterpiece that is so loved and well-acclaimed, as proven in his Academy Award win in 2003. I didn't know that the character of Chihiro sounded like the one out of 'Lilo & Stitch'. This is because the characters of both Chihiro and Lilo were voiced by Daveigh Chase. For those who are interested in anime or loved Miyazaki's work, 'SPIRITED AWAY' is not just the only anime film to win an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, but also the only 2D animated film to receive that award.

I can't say that I loved 'SPIRITED AWAY', but it is a great anime film for anyone who might want to experience it.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Friday, January 27, 2012

84th Academy Awards








84th Academy Awards


Broadcast Date - February 27th 2012 - Australia


Hey, this is Film Guru Lad here. I suppose you
have heard about the Academy Award nominees.
Well, here it is.


Best Picture

The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Best Director

The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants - Alexander Payne
Hugo - Martin Scorsese
Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
The Tree of Life - Terrence Malick

Best Actor

Demian Bichir - A Better Life
George Clooney - The Descendants
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt - Moneyball

Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh - My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Max von Sydow - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Best Actress

Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams - My Week with Marilyn

Best Supporting Actress

Berenice Bejo - The Artist
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer - The Help

Best Animated Film

A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Best Adapted Screenplay

The Descendants - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
Hugo - John Logan
The Idles of March - George Clooney, Grant Heslov & Beau Willimon
Moneyball - Screenplay by Steven Zaillian & Aaron Sorkin, Story by Stan Chervin
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan

Best Original Screenplay

The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
Bridesmaids - Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
Margin Call - J.C. Chandor
Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
A Separation - Asghar Farhadi

Art Direction

The Artist - Production Design: Laurence Bennett, Set Decoration: Robert Gould
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - Production Design: Stuart Craig, Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
Hugo - Production Design: Dante Ferretti, Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
Midnight in Paris - Production Design: Anne Seibel, Set Decoration: Helene Dubreuil
War Horse - Production Design: Rick Carter, Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

Cinematography

The Artist - Guillaume Schiffman
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Jeff Cronenweth
Hugo - Robert Richardson
The Tree of Life - Emmanuel Lebuzki
War Horse - Janusz Kaminski

Costume Design

Anonymous - Lisy Christl
The Artist - Mark Bridges
Hugo - Sandy Powell
Jane Eyre - Michael O'Connor
W.E. - Arianne Phillips

Best Documentary Feature

Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth
Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

Best Documentary Short

The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

Best Film Editing

The Artist - Anne-Sophie Bion & Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants - Kevin Tent
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Kirk Baxter & Angus Wall
Hugo - Thelma Schoonmaker
Moneyball - Christopher Tellefsen

Best Foreign Language Film

Bullhead - Belgium
Footnote - Israel
In Darkness - Poland
Monsieur Lazhar - Canada
A Separation - Iran

Best Make-up

Albert Nobbs - Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston & Matthew W. Mungle
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - Nick Dudman, Amanda Knight & Lisa Tomblin
The Iron Lady - Mark Coulier & J. Roy Helland

Best Original Score

The Adventures of Tintin - John Williams
The Artist - Ludovic Bource
Hugo - Howard Shore
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Alberto Iglesias
War Horse - John Williams

Best Original Song

"Man or Muppet" - The Muppets, Music & Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio" - Rio, Music by Sergio Mendes & Carlinhos Brown & Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Best Animated Short

Dimanche/Sunday - Patrick Doyon
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - William Joyce & Brandon Oldenburg
La Luna - Enrico Casarosa
A Morning Stroll - Grant Orchard & Sue Goffe
Wild Life - Amanda Forbis & Wendy Tilby

Best Live Film

Pentecost - Peter McDonald & Eimear O'Kane
Raju - Max Zahle & Stefan Gieren
The Shore - Terry George & Oorlagh George
Time Freak - Andrew Bowler & Gigi Causey
Tuba Atlantic - Hallvar Witzo

Best Sound Editing

Drive - Lon Bender & Victor Ray Ennis
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Ren Klyce
Hugo - Phillip Stockton & Eugene Gearty
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Ethan Van der Ryan & Erik Aadahl
War Horse - Richard Hymns & Gary Rydstrom

Best Sound Mixing

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce & Bo Persson
Hugo - Tom Fleischman & John Midgley
Moneyball - Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, Dave Giammarco & Ed Novick
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush & Peter J. Devlin
War Horse - Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson & Stuart Wilson

Best Visual Effects

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler & John Richardson
Hugo - Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman & Alex Henning
Real Steel - Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor & Swen Gillberg
Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White & Daniel Barrett
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler & John Fraizer

Academy Honorary Award

James Earl Jones
Dick Smith


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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Review










Journey 2: The Mysterious Island


Release Date: 19th January 2012 - Australia


Production Companies
New Line Cinema (presents)
Contrafilm
Walden Media

Distribution
Roadshow Distribution


Genre: Adventure

Rating: PG


Runtime: 94 minutes


Budget: $79,000,000

Box Office Gross: $335,260,290
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
The new journey begins
when young adventurer
Sean receives a coded
distress signal from a
mysterious island where
no island should exist-a
place of strange life forms,
mountains of gold, deadly
volcanoes and more than
one astonishing secret.
Unable to stop him from
going, Sean's new stepfather
joins the quest. Together
with a helicopter pilot and
his beautiful, strong-willed
daughter, they set out to
find the island, rescue its
lone inhabitant and escape
before seismic shock-waves
force the island under the
sea and bury its treasures
forever. (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Dwayne Johnson - Hank Parsons
Josh Hutcherson - Sean Anderson
Vanessa Hudgens - Kailani
Michael Caine - Alexander Anderson
Luis Guzman - Gabato
Kristin Davis - Elizabeth Anderson
Anna Colwell - Jessica

Crew
Director - Brad Peyton
Based on Novel "The Mysterious Island" -
Jules Verne
Story - Richard Outten
Story/Screenplay - Brian & Mark Gunn
Associate Producer - Hiram Garcia
Executive Producers - Michael Bostick,
Richard Brener, Samuel J. Brown, Michael Disco
& Evan Turner
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Marcus Viscidi
Producers - Beau Flynn, Charlotte Huggins &
Tripp Vinson
Co-Producer - Dwayne Johnson
Casting Directors - Craig & Lisa Mae Fincannon
Production Designer - Bill Boes
Set Decorator - Gary Fettis
Costume Designer - Denise Wingate
Director of Photography - David Tattersall
Second Unit Director/Visual Effects Supervisor -
Boyd Shermis
Stunt Coordinator - Alex Daniels
Special Effects Supervisor - Peter Chesney
Visual Effects Supervisor - Nick Pill
Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Erik Nordby
Visual Effects Supervisor: CIS Vancouver - Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisor: Scanline VFX - Bryan Grill
Film Editor - David Rennie
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor - Al Nelson
Sound Designer - Randy Thom
Music - Andrew Lockington


Review
'JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND' was funny but sort of scary and continues where the last movie left off. Like the original, this feature is based on Jules Verne's Mysterious Island and is unrelated to the book that was adapted into its predecessor. Its such a shame that none of the original cast members including Brendan Fraser and Anita Briem did not return to the sequel, only Josh Hutcherson from the original cast came back. Instead we have Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson who is really a good substitute for Fraser's character, especially when he has a good singing voice. Even the other newly added cast members like Vanessa Hudgens and Michael Caine have their moments.

To be fair, 'JOURNEY 2' was a really good, exciting movie and the 3D aspect is really the icing on the cake. I expect everyone who has read the Jules Verne novels to go and see this movie.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Australia Day


G'day, mates, this is Film Guru Lad here! Today is Australia Day. You might like to check out my reviews made or filmed in Australia, such as Crocodile Dundee, Happy Feet, The Matrix and Kangaroo Jack.

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Battlefield Earth Review










Battlefield Earth


Release Date: 28th September 2000 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Morgan Creek Productions (in association
with)
Franchise Pictures (in association with)
JTP Films
Battlefield Productions

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 117 minutes
                119 minutes (DVD)


Budget: $75,000,000
              (Declared)
             $44,000,000 (Actual)

Box Office Gross:
$29,725,663 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
In the year 3000, Earth is now under the rule of a manipulative alien race known as the Psychlos. They have conquered the planet, enslaved humanity and stripped its precious gold. A human named Tyler gets captured and enslaved after leaving his desolate home high in the Rocky Mountains in search of the truth and
becomes humanity's last
hope of taking back their
planet.


Cast
Barry Pepper - Jonnie Goodboy Tyler
John Travolta - Terl
Forest Whitaker - Ker
Kim Coates - Carlo
Sabine Karsenti - Chrissy
Michael Byrne - Pastor Staffer
Christian Tessier - Mickey
Sylvain Landry - Sammy
Richard Tyson - Robert the Fox
Michael MacRae - District Manager Zete
Shaun Austin-Olsen - Planetship
Tim Post - Assistant Planetship/Psychlo Guard
Earl Pastko - Bartender
Kelly Preston - Chirk
Jason Cavalier - Floyd
Sean Hewitt - Heywood
Andy Bradshaw - Mason
Jim Meskimen - Blythe
Tait Ruppert - Rodman
Marie-Josee Croze - Mara
Noel Burton - Clinko

Crew
Director - Roger Christian
Based on the Novel "Battlefield Earth" -
L. Ron Hubbard
Screenplay - Corey Mandell
and J.D. Shapiro
Associate Producers - Anson Downes
and Linda Favila
Executive Producers - Ashok Amritraj,
Don Carmody and Andrew Stevens
Producers - Jonathan D. Krane,
Elie Samaha and John Travolta
Co-Producers - James Holt and Tracee Stanley
Casting Director - Lynn Stalmaster
Production/Costume/Creature Designer -
Patrick Tatopoulos
Conceptual Artists: Los Angeles Art
Department - Harald Belker and Kevin Ishoika
Supervising Art Director - Claude Paré
Set Decorators - Louis Dandonneau
and Anna Galéa
Project Supervisor: Patrick Tatopoulos
Design, Inc. - Jake Garber
Special Makeup Effects - C.J. Goldman
Director of Photography - Giles Nuttgens
"A" Camera First Assistant - Nicolas Marion
First Assistant Director - Walter Gaspsrovic
Second Unit Director - Richard Martin
Stunt Coordinator/Stunts: Human - Steve Lucescu
Stunt Co-Coordinator - J.P. Romando
Stunt Co-Coordinator/Stunt Double: Teri/
Stunts: Human - Mark Riccardi
Mechanical Special Effects Supervisor - Louis Craig
Visual Effects Supervisor - Erik Henry
Digital Effects Supervisor: ComputerCafe -
David Ebner
Digital Effects Supervisors: Rhythm & Hues -
Bryan Hirota and Nicholas Titmarsh
Digital Supervisor: Digital Firepower -
Charles Darby
Digital Compositing Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -
Edwin Rivera
Miniature Supervisor - Bill Pearson
Model Shop Supervisor - Ronny Gosselin
Miniature Special Effects Supervisor -
Joe Viskocil
Motion Control Miniature Supervisor -
Chris Trice
Digital Animation Supervisor/Producer:
Image Savant - Richard 'Dr.' Baily
Matte Painting Supervisor: Digital Backlot -
Robert Stromberg
Film Editor - Robin Russell
Supervising Sound Editor - Christopher S. Aud
Co-Supervising Sound Editor - Bob Redpath
Sound Designers - John P. Fasal,
James Lebrecht and John Nutt
Re-Recording Mixers - David Campbell,
Dan Hiland, Christian P. Melinker,
Ken S. Polk, John T. Reitz and Gregg Rudloff
Music - Elia Cmiral


Review
BATTLEFIELD EARTH did not meet my expectations as a science-fiction film. Most of the movie's aspects were terrible. One example is the dialogue, which includes corny lines like "While you were still learning how to SPELL YOUR NAME! I was being trained to conquer GALAXIES!" and "Rat-brain," and overused words and phrases such as "leverage" and "piece of cake." John Travolta's overacting is worth mentioning, mostly because he had too much fun with his antagonist role. This film was also his pet project because he was a Scientologist.

One thing that makes BATTLEFIELD EARTH worse is the overuse of Dutch camera angles. The director tilts the camera for about 20 degrees, either the left or right, giving an innovative but bizarre look. This technique is ideal for a sci-fi movie such as this; fewer Dutch camera angles would have helped my dizziness. BATTLEFIELD EARTH is such a case. I was left feeling nauseous and needing a Panadol.

BATTLEFIELD EARTH is disappointing and the least favourite sci-fi film I have ever reviewed. It could be improved if the cast and crew weren't trying hard to make something extraordinary. Instead, what results is an unsuccessful sci-fi/comedy, which fails to bring excitement and humour to the screen. Or in any way entertain viewers. I preferred watching Star Wars or The Matrixwhich had hardcore action. BATTLEFIELD EARTH is probably not Johnny T's best work.

Star rating: (1/5) Not Worth Watching

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Muppets Review








The Muppets


Release Date: 12th January 2012 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
Mandeville Films (uncredited)
The Muppets Studio

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Australia


Genre: Family/Musical

Rating: G

Runtime: 110 minutes


Budget: $45,000,000

Box Office Gross: $158,431,237
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
With the help of three fans,
the Muppets must reunite
in order to save their studio
from a greedy old tycoon.
(Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast

Humans
Jason Segel - Gary
Amy Adams - Mary
Chris Cooper - Tex Richman
Rashida Jones - Veronica Martin
Alan Arkin - Tour Guide
Bill Cobbs - Grandfather
Zach Galifianakis - Hobo Joe
Ken Jeong - 'Punch Teacher' Host
Jim Parsons - Human Walter
Jack Black - Himself (Uncredited)
Kristen Schaal - Moderator

Muppet Performers
Steve Whitmire - Kermit/
Various
Eric Jacobson - Miss Piggy/
Fozzie Bear/Animal/Various
Dave Goelz - Gonzo/Various
Bill Barretta - Swedish Chef/
Various
David Rudman - Scooter/
Various
Matt Vogel - Sgt. Floyd Pepper/Various
Peter Jinz - Walter


Cameo Guest Stars
Emily Blunt - Miss Piggy's
Receptionist
Whoopi Goldberg - Herself
Selena Gomez - Herself
David Grohl - Animool
Neil Patrick Harris - Himself
Judd Hirsch - Himself
Rico Rodriguez - Himself
Mickey Rooney - Smalltown
Resident
Leslie Feist - Smalltown Resident
John Krasinski - Himself
David Bobin - Himself
James Carville - Himself

Crew
Director - James Bobin
Based on Characters - Jim Henson
Writers/Executive Producers - Jason Segel & Nicholas Stoller
Associate Producer/Puppet Captain - Bill Barretta
Executive Producers - Martin G. Baker &
John G. Scotti
Producers - David Hoberman &
Todd Lieberman
Production Designer - Steve Saklad
Costume Designer - Rahel Afiley
Cinematography - Don Burgess
Choreographer - Michael Rooney
Visual Effects Supervisor - Danny S. Kim
Visual Effects Producer & Supervisor -
Janet Muswell
Film Editor - James M. Thomas
Songs & Lyrics - Bret McKenzie
Music - Christophe Beck


Awards

2012 Academy Awards
Best Original Song "Man or Muppet" - Bret
McKenzie (Won)


Review
Thanks to director James Bodin and writer/actor/executive producer Jason Segel, 'THE MUPPETS' has brought back Jim Henson's most famous creations to the big screen since 1999. It was a travesty that 'The Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part 1' came out before 'THE MUPPETS' and beat the film at the box office (but that's coming from someone who is not into lame romances about vampires but back to 'THE MUPPETS'). I found the songs splendid as well as the colourful humour that proudly characterises the Muppets. Jack Black is featured as their guest star but I felt sorry for him given what happened during the third half of the film. 'THE MUPPETS' is decked with cameo appearances from stars including Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris and other new and old celebrities. One last star that is among the celebrities, I haven't even recognised him yet until now. Jim Parsons from 'The Big Bang Theory' is in one of the film's highlighted musical numbers and I for one find that an interesting surprise.

I originally thought that 'Muppets From Space' was my all-time best of the Muppet flicks since it focuses on my favourite muppet Gonzo. That honour now goes to this recent movie mainly because the absence of the Sesame Street characters. I really felt that 'THE MUPPETS' is worth watching, plus it's unforgettable.

For any of you Muppet fans, it's a really bright chance to see all the Muppet characters again such as Kermit, Gonzo, Animal, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and others. This movie is really fantastic or as I call it muppet-tastic!

Star rating: (5/5) Best Movie Ever

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Monday, January 16, 2012

Finding Nemo Review











Finding Nemo


Release Date: 28th August 2003 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
Pixar Animation Studios

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Animation/Family/
Adventure/Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 100 minutes


Budget: $94,000,000

Box Office Gross: $940,352,645 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After his young son Nemo gets snatched by a deep-sea diver and taken to an aquarium of a dentist's office, it's up to his father, a worrisome clownfish named Marlin, to go out on an adventure and find him and is accompanied by a forgetful blue tang fish, Dory.

They encounter vegetarian sharks, jellyfish, surfer turtles and more in the middle of their journey.

Will Marlin be able to find the courage and rescue his son?


Voice Cast
Albert Brooks - Marlin
Ellen DeGeneres - Dory
Alexander Gould - Nemo
Willem Dafoe - Gill
Brad Garrett - Bloat
Allison Janney - Peach
Austin Pendleton - Gurgle
Stephen Root - Bubbles
Vicki Lewis - Deb/Flo
Joe Ranft - Jacques
Geoffrey Rush - Nigel
John Ratzenberger - School of Moonfish
Andrew Stanton - Crush/
Additional Voices
Elizabeth Perkins - Coral
Nicholas Bird - Squirt
Bob Peterson - Mr. Ray/
Additional Voices
Barry Humphries - Bruce
Eric Bana - Anchor
Bruce Spence - Chum
Bill Hunter - Dentist
LuLu Ebeling - Darla
Jordan Ranft - Tad
Erica Beck - Pearl
Erik Per Sullivan - Sheldon
Rove McManus - Additional Voices (Cameo)

Crew
Original Story/Screenplay/
Director - Andrew Stanton
Supervising Editor/Co-Director -
Lee Unkrich
Screenplay - Bob Peterson
and David Reynolds
Associate Producer - Jinko Gotoh
Executive Producer - John Lasseter
Producer - Graham Walters
Production Designer - Ralph Eggleston
Art Director: Characters - Ricky Nierva
Art Director: Shading - Robin Cooper
Art Directors: Environments - Anthony Christov
and Randy Berrett
Character Designer - Dan Lee
Additional Character Designer - Jason Deamer
Story Supervisors - Ronnie Del Carmen,
Dan Jeup and Jason Katz
Production Supervisor - Marcia Jones
Directors of Photography - Sharon Calahan,
Jeremy Lasky and Jerrica Cleland (Uncredited)
Camera Supervisor - Louis Rivera
Production Supervisor - Marcia Gwendolyn Jones
Production Manager - Lindsey Collins
Supervising Animator - Dylan Brown
Directing Animators - Alan Barillaro
and Mark A. Walsh
Supervising Technical Director - Oren Jacob
Technical Development Lead - William Reeves
Computer Graphics Supervisors: Ocean Unit -
Lisa Forssell and Danielle Feinberg
Computer Graphics Supervisor: Reef Unit -
David Eisenmann
Computer Graphics Supervisor: Sharks/
Sydney Unit - Steve May
Film Editor - David Ian Salter
Second Film Editors - Kevin Nolting,
Katherine Ringgold and Stan Webb
First Assistant Editor - Axel Geddes
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor/
Re-Recording Mixer: Skywalker Sound -
Gary Rydstrom
Supervising Sound Editor: Skywalker Sound -
Michael Silvers
Sound Effects Editors: Skywalker Sound -
Teresa Eckton and Shannon Mills
Re-Recording Mixer: Skywalker Sound -
Gary Summers
Foley Editor - Al Nelson
Foley Artists - Dennie Thorpe and Jana Vance
Music - Thomas Newman
Executive Music Producer - Chris Montan
Music Production Supervisor - Tom MacDougall


Awards

2004 Academy Awards
Best Animated Feature - Andrew Stanton (Won)
-------------------------
Best Writing, Original Screenplay -
Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson and
David Reynolds (Nominated)
Best Music, Original Score - Thomas Newman (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing - Gary Rydstrom
and Michael Silvers (Nominated)


Review
Not only does FINDING NEMO have striking humour, but it also has terrific character development and a storyline suited for an underwater family feature. Well-known Australian actors such as Barry Humphries, AKA Dame Edna Everage, Eric Bana, Geoffrey Rush and the late Bill Hunter are providing the voices. Most notably, Ellen DeGeneres gives a hilarious performance as the forgetful blue tang known as Dory.

FINDING NEMO is a near-breathtaking CGI film that is likely Pixar's finest for young children and animation-loving movie-goers.

Did I mention that FINDING NEMO got re-released on 3D? It should be interesting for those who have or have not watched the 2D version of the classic.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Monday, January 9, 2012

Crocodile Dundee Review










Crocodile Dundee


Release Date: 24th April 1986 - Australia


Production Companies
Rimfire Films (presents)

Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: Comedy/Adventure

Rating: M

Runtime: 104 minutes (Australia)


Budget: A$11,500,000 (AUD)

Box Office Gross: A$47,707,045 (Australia)


Plot Summary
An American reporter from New York named Sue travels to Australia to meet and interview a rugged hunter named Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee, who runs a safari and has just survived a crocodile attack. While touring the safari park in a few days, she learns more about the crocodile hunter and gets saved by Mick from
a crocodile. Sue invites the
bushman to come and visit
New York, as Mick has
never been to a city before.
For the first time in his life,
Mick explores the vast
concrete jungles of
Manhattan and finds its
culture and lifestyle much
different from his home. He
soon falls in love with Sue,
and how will she ever resist
his charms?


Cast
Paul Hogan - Michael J.
"Crocodile" Dundee
Linda Kozlowski - Sue Charlton
John Meillon - Walter Reilly
David Gulpilil - Neville Bell
Ritchie Singer - Con
Reginald VelJohnson - Gus
Steve Rackman - Donk
Gerry Skilton - Nugget
Terry Gill - Duffy
Peter Turnbull - Trevor
Christine Totos - Rosita
Graham 'Grace' Walker - Angelo
David Bracks - Burt (Roo Shooter)
Brett Hogan - Peter (Roo Shooter)
Mark Blum - Richard Mason
Michael Lombard - Sam Charlton
Caitlin Clarke - Simone
Irving Metzman - Doorman
Rik Colitti - Danny
John Snyder - Pimp
J.J. Cole - Buzzy
Gwyllum Evans - Wendell Wainwright
Claire Hegue - Dorothy Wainwright
Jan Saint - Wino
Anne Carlisle - Gwendoline
Anne Francine - Fran
Nancy Mette - Karla
Barry Kivel - Coke Snorter
Tony Holmes - Teenage Mugger
Don Lounsbery - Simpson

Crew
Director - Peter Faiman
Original Story/Screenplay/Script Editor:
Australia - Paul Hogan
Screenplay/Script Editor: Australia/
Producer - John Cornell
Screenplay - Ken Shadie
Associate Producer: Australia - Wayne Young
Casting: New York - Paula Herold
Production Designer - Graham 'Grace' Walker
Set Decorator: Australia - Martin O'Neil
Set Decorator: New York - Gretchen Rau
Costume Designer - Norma Moriceau
Director of Photography - Russell Boyd
Camera Operator: Australia - Peter Menzies Jr.
Focus Puller/Panaglide Operator: Australia -
Geoffrey Wharton
Pre-Production Supervisor - Mark Silverman
Production Manager: New York - Kelly Van Horn
Production Manager and Post Production Supervisor:
Australia - Peter Sjoquist
Location & Unit Manager: Australia -
Phillip A. Patterson
Location Manager: New York - David Pomier
First Assistant Director - Mark Turnbull
Second Assistant Director and Location Scout:
Australia - Craig Bolles
Second Assistant Directors: New York -
Jon Kilik and Richard Schlesinger
Third Assistant Director: Australia -
P.J. Voeten
Stunt Coordinator: Australia - Max Aspin
Stunt Coordinator: New York - Jery Hewitt
Special Effects: Australia - David Hardie
and Chris Murray
Editor - David Stiven
Sound Supervisor: Australia - Roger Savage
Dialogue Editors: Australia - Adrian Carr,
Craig Carter and Karin Whittington
Post Sync Effects Mixer: Australia -
Phil Judd
Original Score - Peter Best


Awards

1987 Academy Awards
Best Writing, Original Screenplay - Paul Hogan,
Ken Shadie and John Cornell (Nominated)


Review
CROCODILE DUNDEE is a great comedy film about a crocodile hunter who goes from the Australian outback to the big city of New York. Paul Hogan has done a fabulous job playing the title character, making him look recognisable. Without Hogan, there would be no Crocodile Dundee. The funniest and most noteworthy part of the movie that I liked is the scene where Dundee gets threatened by a mugger with a switchblade and starts saying, "That's not a knife," then pulls out his large knife and finishes his sentence, "That's a knife."

One of Australia's most beloved comedy features I've ever watched, CROCODILE DUNDEE is a must-see classic for those who enjoyed watching Paul Hogan and Aussie movies.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

The Adventures of Tintin Review









The Adventures of Tintin


Release Date: 26th December 2011 - Australia


Production Companies
Columbia Pictures (presents)
Paramount Pictures (presents)
Amblin Entertainment
WingNut Films
The Kennedy/Marshall Company
Hemisphere Media Capital
Nickelodeon Movies

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia


Genre: Animation

Rating: PG

Runtime: 107 minutes


Budget: $130,000,000

Box Office Gross: $347,730,000
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Based on the internationally
beloved and irrepressible
characters created by Herge,
the story follows the
unquenchably curious young
reporter Tintin and his fiercely
loyal dog Snowy as they
discover a model ship
carrying an explosive secret.

Drawn into a centuries-old
mystery, Tintin finds himself
in the sight-lines of Ivan
Ivanovitch Sakharine, a
diabolical villain who believes
Tintin has stolen a priceless
treasure tied to dastardly pirate
named Red Rackham. But
with the help of his 
dog  Snowy, the salty, 
cantankerous Captain 
Haddock and the bumbling 
detectives Thomson and 
Thompson, Tintin will travel 
half the world, outwitting and 
outrunning his enemies in
a breathless chase to find
the final resting place of The
Unicorn, a shipwreck that
may hold the key to vast
fortune... and a ancient curse.


Cast
Jamie Bell - Tintin
Andy Serkis - Captain
Haddock/Sir Francis
Haddock
Daniel Craig - Ivan Ivanovitch
Sakharine/Red Rackham
Nick Frost - Thomson
Simon Pegg - Thompson
Daniel Mays - Allan/Pirate Flunky #1
Gad Elmaleh - Ben Salaad
Toby Jones - Silk
Joe Starr - Barnaby
Enn Reitel - Nestor/Mr. Crabtree
Mackenzie Crook - Tom/Pirate Flunky #2
Tony Curran - Lt. Delcourt
Sonje Fortag - Mrs. Finch
Cary Elwes - Pilot
Kim Stengel - Bianca Castafiore

Crew
Producer/Director - Steven Spielberg
Based on "The Adventures of Tintin" - Herge
Screenplay - Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright
& Joe Cornish
Executive Producers - Ken Kamins,
Nick Rodwell & Stephane Sperry
Producers - Peter Jackson & Kathleen Kennedy
Co-Producers - Carolynne Cunningham &
Jason D. McGatlin
Senior Conceptual Designer: Weta Workshop -
Chris Guise
Design Supervisor: Weta Workshop - Richard Taylor
VFX Costume Designer - Leslie Burkes-Harding
Stunt Coordinator - Garrett Warren
Stunt Coordinator/Choreographer/Motion Capture Performer/
Movement Coach - Terry Notary
Senior Visual Effects Supervisor - Joe Letteri
Visual Effects Supervisors: Weta Digital - Matt
Aitken, Matthias Menz & Keith Miller
Visual Effects Supervisors - Scott E. Anderson
& Lance Wilhoite
Motion Capture Supervisor - Dejan Momcilovic
Animation Supervisors: Weta Digital - Jamie Beard &
Paul Story
Compositing Supervisor - Paul Conway
Head of Layout: Weta Digital - Shawn Dunn 
Virtual Production Technology Consultant - Glenn Derry
Film Editor - Michael Kahn
Sound Consultant - Gary Rydstrom
Music - John Williams


Review
The movie 'THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN' is based on the classic comic book stories of a young journalist and a resourceful dog. This film is fantastic in 3D, but brilliant in motion-capture animation that is done by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson who have collaborated to adapt the series of Tintin into a movie franchise. Andy Serkis did a good job of performing Captain Haddock, but I couldn't tell that the villain was played by Daniel Craig. There are some scenes that might frighten young children and a big fight scene which is not with guns nor with dueling swords, you'll have to watch the movie to see what it really is.

The film is absolutely hilarious and really terrific for anyone who has read the books of Tintin or enjoys a good mystery movie. Either party should watch this feature adaptation by Spielberg and Jackson.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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