Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The Castle Review








The Castle


Release Date: 10th April 1997 - Australia


Production Companies
Village Roadshow Pictures (present)
Working Dog Productions (present)

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 82 minutes


Budget: A$750,000

Box Office Gross: $10,326,428 (Australia)


Plot Summary
This oddball family, the
Kerrigans, live in a makeshift
home they proudly and
quaintly constructed just
metres from Melbourne's
bustling Tullamarine
airfield. When a zoning
inspector condemns their
house and reveals that the
government plans to use
their land to expand the
airport, Darryl Kerrigan
and his brood recruit hack
lawyer Dennis Denuto and
prepare for the fight of
their lives in the High
Court of Australia.


Cast
Michael Caton - Darryl
Kerrigan
Anne Tenney - Sal Kerrigan
Stephen Curry - Dale Kerrigan
Sophie Lee - Tracey Kerrigan
Anthony Simcoe - Steve
Kerrigan
Wayne Hope - Wayne
Kerrigan
Tiriel Mora - Dennis Denuto
Eric Bana - Con Petropoulous
Costas Kilias - Farouk
Charles 'Bud' Tingwell - Lawrence Hammill QC
Robyn Newell - Federal Court Judge
Bryan Dawe - Ron Graham
Monty Maizels - Jack
Lynda Gibson - Evonne
John Benton - Mr. Lyle
Laurie Dobson - John Clifton
John Lee - Chairman
Stephanie Daniel - Council Officer
John Flaus - Sgt. Kennedy
Ian Ross - Himself
Larry Emdur - Himself
Tony Martin - Adam Hammill

Crew
Writer/Conceiver/Director - Rob Sitch
Writer and Concievers - Santo Clauro,
Tom Gleisner and Jane Kennedy
Executive Producer - Michael Hirsh
Producer - Debra Choate
Casting Director - Jane Kennedy
Production Designer - Carrie Kennedy
Art Director - Ben Morieson
Costume Designer - Kitty Stuckey
Director of Photography - Miriana Marusic
Special Effects - Aaron Beaucaire
Editor - Wayne Heyett
Sound Supervisor - Ian MacWilliams
Re-Recording Mixers - Michael Barry
and Dominick Tavella
Music - Edmund Choi


Review
Until recently, I had never seen the film THE CASTLE except for clips on YouTube. THE CASTLE is renowned as an iconic satirical comedy in Australia, filmed within a very efficient/cost-effective budget. Some may think of it as lacklustre. The movie shows colourfulness slashed with non-political correctness to create a mock-up story of an average family that loves and stays together. The film's great asset is mostly the jokes and repetitive catchphrases, which I find exceedingly funny. Michael Caton is a good-natured, optimistic, lovable dad and husband. A few known actors, Stephen Curry and future Hollywood man Eric Bana did very well as each family member with one whose name will become synonymous among other acting greats.

THE CASTLE is a great comedy with well-written humour. I classify this movie as a lighthearted comedy with a spirit and a satirical edge. Highly recommendable for working-class Australians, and I wish you mates a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie



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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Elf Review









Elf


Release Date: 27th November 2003 - Australia


Production Companies
New Line Cinema (presents)
Guy Walks into a Bar
Productions

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Family/Comedy/
Fantasy

Rating: G

Runtime: 93 minutes


Budget: $33,000,000

Box Office Gross: $228,497,525 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Growing up in the North Pole with Papa Elf ever since he was an orphan baby when he crawled into Santa's sack of presents, Buddy was different from the other elves and soon realises he doesn't quite fit in. So Buddy is determined to
find a place where he
would belong and searches
for his real dad - in New
York City!

While at the Big Apple, Buddy discovers why his dad is on the naughty list! But most importantly, he sees the world as lacking in Christmas spirit, which causes all kinds of problems for Santa! With the help of a beautiful department store elf, Buddy tries to teach his father and the world the true meaning of Christmas and prove to everyone that Santa does exist!


Cast
Will Ferrell - Buddy Hobbs
James Caan - Walter Hobbs
Bob Newhart - Papa Elf
Edward Asner - Santa Claus
Zooey Deschanel - Jovie
Mary Steenburgen - Emily Hobbs
Daniel Tay - Michael Hobbs
Faizon Love - Gimbel's Manager
Peter Dinklage - Miles Finch
Amy Sedaris - Deb
Michael Lerner - Fulton
Andy Richter - Morris
Kyle Gass - Eugene
Artie Lange - Gimbel's Santa
Leon Redbone - Leon the Snowman (Voice)
Ray Harryhausen - Polar Bear Cub (Voice)
Claire Lautier - News Reporter Charlotte Denon
Ted Friend - NY 1 Anchor
Jon Favreau - Doctor
Lydia Lawson-Baird - Carolyn
Brenda McDonald - Nun
Michael Roberds - Disgruntled Cobbler Elf
Richard Side - Elf Teacher
David Avalon - Pom Pom
Kristian Ayre - Foom Foom
Oscar Gonclaves - Francisco
Robin Mossley - Chuck
Matt Walsh - Himself
Mark Acheson - Mailroom Guy
Jane Bradbury - Susan Welles
Peter Billingsley - Ming Ming (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Jon Favreau
Writer - David Berenbaum
Script Supervisor - Jessica Clothier
Executive Producers - Kent Alterman,
Cale Boyter, Julie Darmody, Toby Emmerich
and Jimmy Miller
Producers - Jon Berg, Todd Komarnicki
and Shauna Robertson
Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager -
David B. Householter
Production Designer - Rusty Smith
Art Director - Kelvin Humenny
Set Decorator - Johanne Hubert
Property Master - Bryan Korenberg
Costume Designer - Laura Jean Shannon
Key Makeup Artist - Victoria Down
Director of Photography - Greg Gardiner
"A" Camera Operator - William Waring
Spacecam Camera Operator: Second Unit -
Hans Bjerno
"B" Camera First Assistant - Doug Lavender
"A" Camera Second Assistant - George Majoros
Location Manager - Ann Goobie
Unit Production Manager - Penny Gibbs
Unit Production Manager: New York - Jonathan Filley
Unit Manager: Second Unit/Second Assistant
Director - Andrew M. Robinson
First Assistant Director - Jim Brebner
Second Second Assistant Director - James Bitonti
Second Assistant Director: New York -
Kristen Bernstein
Second Assistant Director: Second Unit -
Silver Butler
Third Assistant Director - Misha Bukowski
Second Unit Directors - Mickey Gilbert
and Chris Woods
Stunt Coordinator - Scott J. Ateah
Stunt Coordinator: New York - G.A. Aguilar
Special Effects Coordinator - Tony Lazarowich
Special Effects Supervisor: New York - Connie Brink
Visual Effects Supervisor - Joe Bauer
Visual Effects Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -
Bill Westenhofer
Visual Effects Producer - Joseph B. Conmy IV
Animation Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -
Erik De Boer
Stop Motion Animation Producer: Chiodo
Brothers - Edward Chiodo
Stop Motion Animation Supervisor: Chiodo
Brothers - Stephen Chiodo
Stop Motion Animation Character Designer:
Chiodo Brothers - Charles Chiodo
Director of Photography: Chiodo Brothers -
Christopher Warren
Effects Editor: Chiodo Brothers - Christopher Roth
Previsualization Supervisor: Pixel Liberation
Front - Colin Green
Miniature Supervisor: Cinema Production
Services - Michael Joyce
Miniature Producer: Cinema Production
Services - Bob Hurrie
Editor - Dan Lebental
Supervising Sound Editor - John Leveque
Sound Designer - Wade Wilson
Supervising Foley Artist - Lisa Varetakis
Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor -
Kimberly Ellen Love
Sound Mixer - David Husby
Foley Artists - James Moriana and
Jeffrey Wilhoit
Re-Recording Mixers - Brad Sherman
and Jon Taylor
Music - John Debney
Score Recordist and Mixer - Shawn Murphy


Review
Simple and heartwarming for a Christmas comedy, I can assure you it's not a tasteless film. ELF is Will Ferrell's magnum opus, and for all the rest, I am not a big fan of his movies. A bit too worried that he might fill in for Jim Carrey's shoes, and it's a shame he's enlisted to star when the film was in pre-production for its script. Ferrell began showcasing his hilarious, energetic talents by playing a character with many childlike qualities instead. Close to being the top-ranked spot of other jam-packed comedians like Carrey and Adam Sandler. No parts of lowbrow humour are included in the film to offend everyone, just clean and tasteful entertainment from director Jon Favreau's breakthrough for the holiday season.

I never would be ready to praise ELF for its yuletide aptitude since I am most sincerely from another religion. Seeing this in the light of Christmas Eve is good-natured family fun. MERRY CHRISTMAS, BLOG VIEWERS!!

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie Review









Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer: The Movie


Release Date: 16th October 1998 - USA


Production Companies
Goodtimes Entertainment
(presents)
Cayre Brothers (producer)
GT Merchandising and
Licensing (created by)
Golden Books Family Entertainment (producer)
Tundra Productions (produced by)
Rudolph Productions


Genre: Animation/Family/
Fantasy

Rating: G

Runtime: 90 minutes


Budget: US$10,000,000

Box Office Gross: $113,484 (USA)


Plot Summary
Young Rudolph suffers a
childhood accident. As a
result, his nose is no longer
the socially accepted black
but a bright red. Much to
the worry of his parents,
everyone, including his
uncles, the other reindeer
and the elves, all make fun
of him. Even at school,
the bucks and the does
tease him, except for Zoey
(with whom he is in love).
After being disqualified and
banned from the reindeer
Games, he had to leave his
home. There, he met Slyly
and Leonard. But when an
ice witch named Stormella
traps Zoey and summons a
powerful blizzard to put
Santa in his place, it's up to
Rudolph and his newfound
Friends to rescue her and
help Santa save Christmas.


Voice Cast
Kathleen Barr - Older
Rudolph/Twinkle the Sprite
Eric Popisil - Young Rudolph
John Goodman - Santa Claus
Whoopi Goldberg - Stormella
Debbie Reynolds - Mrs. Santa
Claus/Mitzi - Rudolph's
Mother/Mrs. Prancer -
School Teacher
Bob Newhart - Leonard the
Polar Bear
Eric Idle - Slyly the Fox
Richard Simmons - Boone
Alec Willows - Doggie/Prancer
Lee Tockar - Ridley - Stormella's Butler/
Milo the Elf/Vixen
Garry Chalk - Blitzen - Rudolph's Father
Christopher Gray - Young Arrow
Vanessa Morley - Young Zoey
Myriam Sirios - Older Zoey/
Glitter the Sprite/Schoolroom Doe #1
Elizabeth Carol Savenkoff - Zoey's
Mother/Aurora the Sprite/Elf Crowd
Member #3
Cathy Weseluck - Sparkle the Sprite/
Elf Crowd Member #1
Paul Dobson - Dasher/Elf Referee at Games
Colin Murdock - Comet
David Kaye - Cupid
Terry Klassen - Dancer
Tyler Thompson - Schoolroom Buck #1
Jim Byrnes - Elf Crowd Member #2
Matt Hill - Older Arrow/Donner (Uncredited)
Michael Lloyd - Older Rudolph (singing voice)
Debbie Lytton - Older Zoey (singing voice)
Carmen Twillie - Stormella (singing voice)

Crew
Producer/Storyboard Supervisor/
Supervising Editor/Director -
William R. Kowalchuk Jr.
Based on the Story - Robert May
Based on the Song - Johnny Marks
Writer - Michael Aschner
Executive Producers - Eric Ellenbogen
and Andrew Greenberg
Executive/Supervising Producer - Seth Willenson
Co-Producer - Jonathan Flom
Art Directors - Xhang Min-Fang
and Chen Xi-Feng
Character Design - Phil Mendez
Storyboard Supervisor/Rough Storyboard Artist -
Daniel DeSerranno
Storyboard Supervisor - Jean Rogers
Animation Directors - Zhi-Jian Xu and
Sun Zong-Qing
Background Stylist - George Juhasz
Editor - Tom Hok
Supervising Sound Editor - Charlie King
Recording Mixer - Doub Pearce
Songs: Music and Lyrics/Score/Songs
Producer/Music Recording Engineer -
Michael Lloyd
Songs: Music and Lyrics/Score - Al Kasha


Review
Frankly, this isn't the holiday movie that it used to be. It taught me about the 1998 movie RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER, as it seems alright for young kids who only put their faith in Christmas cheer. Interestingly, it is the only theatrical release from Goodtimes Entertainment, the company that was known for its Disney rip-offs. While the animation is serviceable, sadly, it does not look like a Disney-like cinematic quality as it is fit for direct-to-video and television. Even the story is flawed, and some of the film's show-tunes are average or forgettable, save a few. One of the few good songs is "Show Me the Light", which could have been a ballad for a Disney animated musical (if you can get past the vocal dissonance of Rudolph). The latter, "It Could Always Be Worse", is a reminder and maybe homage to the one we remember in a Monty Python comedy. It's a good thing it might be Eric Idle, as he might have brought this catchy idea to the film's songwriters. The festive classical song about Rudolph is also there, as usual.

The voice acting is mostly decent. I'm okay with John Goodman voicing Santa. It's delightful that he plays the mythical figure and a father figure to Rudolph. It seems ironic that he would play Santa again, only this time as an evil mechanical version in an episode of Futurama. Featured in the movie is Python veteran Idle and it's so hard to recognise him doing an American impersonation of his fox character. The other notable star, Whoopi Goldberg, provides the voice for Stormella, the female villainous snow queen.

While it has a nice message, the film isn't much uplifting. I probably do not consider it my favourite and only recommend it as a part-time enjoyable festive movie for some families.

Star rating: (3/5) Average

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

In Memory of Peter O'Toole (1932-2013)







Peter O'Toole (1932-2013)

To those who remember, legendary English thespian Peter O'Toole, known for such roles as T. E. Lawrence in "Lawrence of Arabia", passed away on December 14th, 2013, at age 81, after suffering a long fatal illness. He had been born in Ireland with his real name, Seamus Peter O'Toole. Then he moved to Britain, where he began acting at age 25 as one of the young actors rising on the English stage. Performing in the 1955 play Hamlet at the Bristol Old Vic gained him a tremendous ovation from the applause.

Beginning in his career as a movie star, Peter jump-started as part of the minor cast. He then got selected by British director David Lean to play the historical war figure, T. E. Lawrence, in the film epic "Lawrence of Arabia". Peter received not only outstanding praise but also a Best Actor Oscar nomination. It also got his immediate attention from the Americans for his unknown charms. His other well-known and notable Oscar-nominated roles include "Becket", "The Lion in Winter", "Goodbye, Mr. Chips", "The Ruling Class", "The Stunt Man", "My Favourite Year", and "The Last Emperor" to his more recent performances in "Troy", "Venus", "Ratatouille" and "Stardust". In 2003, Peter earned an Honorary Award for his contributions to movie history. In 2012, he retired from the motion picture industry of the acting class.

Here are a few clips highlighting his screen roles in the two films.


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Four Holidays Review









Four Holidays


Release Date: 4th December 2008 - Australia


Production Companies
New Line Cinema (presents)
Spyglass Entertainment (in association with)
Wild West Picture Show Productions
Type A Films
Ott Meiden

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 88 minutes


Budget: $80,000,000

Box Office Gross: $164,112,721 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Brad and Kate try to escape from their families on Christmas morning as they have planned an exotic vacation. Unable to escape, they pack in four holidays and deal with their relationship challenges.

Brad counts the hours when they can escape their families and enjoy their holiday. They realise that their families aren't so crazy after all.


Cast
Reese Witherspoon - Kate
Vince Vaughn - Bradford
'Brad' McVie
Robert Duvall - Howard McVie
Sissy Spacek - Paula
Jon Voight - Creighton
Mary Steenburgen - Marilyn
Kristin Chenoweth - Courtney
Jon Favreau - Denver McVie
Tim McGraw - Dallas McVie
Katy Mixon - Susan McVie
Dwight Yoakam - Pastor Phil
Patrick Van Horn - Darryl
Carol Kane - Aunt Sarah
Colleen Camp - Aunt Donna
Jeanette Miller - Gram-Gram
Jack Donner - Grandpa
Steve Weibe - Jim
Zak Boggan - Cody McVie
Skyler Gisondo - Connor McVie
Brian Baumgartner - Eric
Cedric Yarbrough - Stan
Haley Hallak - Baby Clementine
True Bella Pinci - Kasi
Peter Billingsley - Ticket Agent (Cameo)

Crew
Director - Seth Gordon
Story/Screenplay - Matt Allen
and Caleb Wilson
Screenplay - Jon Lucas and
Scott Moore
Associate Producer - Mary Rohlich
Executive Producers - Peter Billingsley, Richard Brener, Michael Disco, Toby Emmerich, Mark Kaufman and Guy Riedel
Producers - Gary Barber,
Roger Birnbaum and Jonathan Glickman
Co-Producer - Derek Evans
Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager - Udi Nedivi
Production Designer - Shepherd Frankel
Art Directors - Michael Atwell and
Oana Bogdan Miller
Set Decorator - Jan Pascale
Costume Designer - Sophie De Rakoff
Director of Photography - Jeffrey L. Kimball
Stunt Coordinators - Joe Bucaro III,
Charles Croughwell and Allan Graf
Stunt Coordinator: Second Unit -
Thomas Robinson Harper
Special Effects Coordinator - David Waine
Special Effects - Josh Hakian
Visual Effects: Crazy Horse Effects - Paul &
Christina Graff, Robert Stromberg,
Matt Collorafice, Katharina Koepke,
Sarah Grossmann, Takashi Takeoka,
Brian Sales and Lily Kerrigan
Editors - Mark Helfrich and Melissa Kent
Additional Editor - Julia Wong
Supervising Sound Editor/Re-Recording Mixer -
Elmo Weber
Co-Supervising Sound Editor - Russell Farmarco
Sound Mixer - Jeff Hexley
Re-Recording Mixer - Brad Sherman
Music - Alex Wurman
Additional Music - John O'Brien
Music Supervisor - Bob Bowen
Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson


Review
It's not quite cheerful, yet meant to be a gleeful holiday comedy to make us laugh. One thing about FOUR HOLIDAYS (or Four Christmases) was that it wasn't as funny as it should have been. It is a below-average film and was disrespectful in some ways. There is some trace of comedy left in the movie. One joke I see is a miss, and upsetting is what you call to find the gag you would understand. It had the talent of actors like Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Jon Voight and Robert Duvall with decent performances, but they weren't enough to make it a jolly old good seasonal flick. What hurts the movie is the lack of chemistry between Vaughn and Witherspoon, which unsurprisingly makes sense as they don't get along due to their contrasting personalities.

As for FOUR HOLIDAYS, I might give it a 3 out of 5-point rating. Nothing I have seen in the film sunk low on everyone's Christmas spirit. Do you agree with my opinion about this mild sack of comedy?

Star rating: (3/5) Average

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Monday, December 9, 2013

X-Men Review














X-Men


Release Date: 13th July 2000 - Australia


Production Companies
20th Century Fox (presents)
Marvel Enterprises (in association with)
Donners' Company
Bad Hat Harry Productions
Springwood Productions (Uncredited)
Genetic Productions (Uncredited)

Distribution 
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 104 minutes


Budget: $75,000,000

Box Office Gross: $296,339,528 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
In a world where children
are born with extraordinary
superhuman abilities,
which have an unusual X
factor in their genes,
making them mutants as
they have suffered hate
and discrimination by the
human race, forcing them
to resort to desperate
actions. As a telepathic
mutant, Professor Charles
Xavier strives for a peaceful co-existence between the two species and owns a school that will teach mutants how to use their powers for good. However, his old friend and archenemy, Magneto and his supremacist Brotherhood intend to exterminate the human race.

Only the X-Men, a group of
mutant superheroes brought
together by Xavier, can stop
Magneto and his forces from
achieving their goals. Now,
two mutants emerge and
are recruited in their fight
against Magneto, including
a young girl named Rogue
and Logan, a powerful and
aggressive mutant with no
memory and past.


Cast
Hugh Jackman - Logan/
Wolverine
Patrick Stewart - Charles
Xavier/Professor X
James Marsden - Scott
Summers/Cyclops
Famke Janssen - Dr. Jean Grey
Halle Berry - Ororo Munroe/
Storm
Ian McKellen - Erik
Lehnsherr/Magneto
Anna Paquin - Marie/Rogue
Rebecca Romjin-Stamos -
Mystique
Tyler Mane - Sabertooth
Bruce Davison - Senator
Robert Kelly
Ray Park - Toad
Shawn Ashmore - Bobby
Drake/Iceman
Matthew Sharp - Henry Gyrich
Brett Morris - Young Magneto
Rhona Shekter - Magneto's Mother
Kenneth McGregor - Magneto's Father
Shawn Roberts - Rogue's Boyfriend
Donna Goodhand - Rogue's Mother
John Nelies - Rogue's Father
George Buza - Trucker
Darren McGuire - Contender
Carson Manning - Waterboy #1
Scott Leva - Waterboy #2
Aron Tager - Emcee
Kevin Rushton - Stu
Doug Lennox - Bartender
Sumela Kay - Kitty Pryde/
Shadowcat (Cameo)
Katrina Florece - Jubilation Lee/
Jubilee (Cameo)
Donald MacKinnon - Peter Rasputin/
Colossus (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Alex Burton - John Allerdyce/Pyro
Matt Weinberg - Tommy
Madison Lanc - Tommy's Sister
Stan Lee - Hot Dog Vendor (Cameo)
Amy Leland - Cerebro
Tom DeSanto - Toad Cop (Cameo)
David Hayter - Museum Cop (Cameo)

Crew
Story/Producer/Director - Bryan Singer
Executive Producer/Based on the "X-Men"
Comics - Stan Lee
Based on the "X-Men" Comics - Jack Kirby
Story/Executive Producer - Tom DeSanto
Story - Josh Whedon (Uncredited)
Screenplay - David Hayter
Associate Producers - Kevin Feige,
Scott Nimerfo and Matthew Edelman
Executive Producers - Avi Arad and
Richard Donner
Producers - Lauren Shuler Donner and
Ralph Winter
Co-Producers - Joel Simon and
Bill Todman Jr.
Casting Director - Roger Mussenden
Production Designer - John Myhre
Conceptual Artists - Steve Berg and
Fireball Tim Lawrence
Illustrators - Adam Brockbank,
Bartol Rendulic and Nathan Schroeder
Illustrator/Previsualization Art Director -
Rpin Suwannath
Art Directors - Paul D. Austerberry
and Tamara Deverell
First Assistant Art Directors - Grant Van Der Slagt
and David G. Fremlin
Second Assistant Art Director - Greg Beale
Set Decorator - James Edward Ferrell Jr.
Property Master - Christopher Geggie
Co-Property Master - Deryck Blake
Weapons Handler - John 'Frenchie' Berger
Costume Designer - Louise Mingenbach
Costume Consultant - Bob Ringwood
Special Makeup Designer - Gordon J. Smith
Chief Makeup Artist - Ann Brodie
Special Makeup Keys - Evan Penny,
Jay McClennen, Donna Gliddon, Rick Silver
and Gary Archer,
Key Hair Stylist - Jennifer Bower O'Halloran
Director of Photography - Newton Thomas Siegel
Directors of Photography: Second Unit -
Mike Benson and Paul Sarossy
"B" Camera/Steadicam Operators -
Klemens Becker and Tim Merkel
Spacecam Operator - Hans Bjerno
Location Managers - John Hutchinson and
Byron A. Martin
Unit Production Manager - Ross Fanger
Production Manager - Dara Weintraub
First Assistant Director - Lee Cleary
Key Second Assistant Director - Simon Board
Action/Second Unit Director: Fight
Sequence - Corey Yuen
Second Unit Directors - Conrad E. Palmisano
and Phillip C. Pfeiffer
Stunt Coordinators - Rick Forsayeth and
Gary Jensen
Assistant Fight Coordinators: Second Unit -
Chi Wah Ling and Ke Huy Quan
Special Effects Coordinator - Colin Chilvers
Special Effects Keys - Tony Kenny,
Kaz Kobielski and Tim Lidstone
Visual Effects Supervisor - Michael L. Fink
Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite - Michael J. McAlister
Visual Effects Supervisor: Hammerhead
Productions - Theresa Ellis Rygiel
Visual Effects Supervisor: POP Film -
David Sosalla
Visual Effects Supervisor: Matte World Digital -
Craig Barron
Visual Effects Producer - Denise Davis
Visual Effects Producer: Digital Domain -
Amy Hollywood Wixson
Visual Effects Producer: Cinesite - Kevin Elam
Visual Effects Executive Producer: Digital
Domain - Nancy Bernstein
Digital Effects Supervisor: Cinesite -
Kevin Lingenfelser
Creative Advisor: Kleiser-Walczak - Jeffrey Kleiser
CG Supervisor: Digital Domain - David Prescott
Animation Supervisor: C.O.R.E. Digital
Pictures - John Mariella
Animation Supervisor: Cinesite - John T. Van Vilet
Director of Photography: Miniature
Photography - Derek Vanlint
Visual Effects Director of Photography - David Stump
Digital Compositing Supervisor: Digital Domain -
Jonathan Egstad
Technical Supervisor: Hammerhead
Productions - Thad Beier
Effects Supervisor/Compositor: Asylum -
Nathan McGuinness
Editors - Steven Rosenblum, Kevin Stitt
and John Wright
Additional Editor - Todd Busch
Supervising Sound Editor - John A. Larsen
Sound Designers - Steve Boedeker and
Craig Berkey
Sound Design Consultant - Gary Rydstrom
Sound Effects Editors - Richard Burton,
David C. Hughes, Ethan Van der Ryan and
Jay Wilkinson
Supervising ADR Editor - R.J. Kizer
Sound Mixer - David Lee
Re-Recording Mixers - Anna Behlmer
and Andy Nelson
Additional Re-Recording Mixer - James Bolt
Foley Artists - Alicia Stevenson
and Dawn Fintor
Music - Michael Kamen
Sampling and Programming - James Seymour
Brett and Michael Price
Additional Electronic Percussion - Klaus Badelt


Review
I have watched two known animated series and read a few comics of Marvel's favourite hero team, X-MEN. I have recently watched the film series' first instalment and found the film to be very satisfying and imposing. This film has reached an element of surprise from director Bryan Singer, making it a blueprint for future movies in this genre. One of the film's weaknesses was the cheesiness of a few one-liners, but I was impressed with the casting choices.

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen were suitable for their roles as leaders of both sides of the mutants, Xavier and Magneto. Halle Berry was okay as Storm, and Rebecca Romijn earned her star-making role as Mystique. The best actor stealing the show is Hugh Jackman for portraying Wolverine convincingly. The character is supposed to be true to the comics, and Jackman does so effectively, and it launched his stardom in Hollywood.

X-MEN is the most explosive beginning to the movie franchise and is so good that it's one of those known movies that catapulted the superhero flick genre by its re-invention. I recommend you watch it before the next instalment.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

In Memory of Paul Walker (1973-2013)









Paul Walker (1973-2013)

Several famed young actors are bright, hot and equally talented. They have the best looks and charms. These incredible young actors have destined to become Hollywood's next idols. With great sadness, we announce that Paul Walker, known for starring in the big hit series "The Fast and the Furious", was killed tragically in a vehicle accident on November 30th. Walker was 40 years of age when this happened in Vanieca, State California as a passenger in a Porsche Carrera GT. The automobile's driver lost control and crashed into a tree and pole, claiming two of their lives in a dangerous collision.

He began his talent as a toddler, starring in nappy commercials and was a model at age 2. He moved to television during the middle half of the 80s and to the late 90s. 

Paul debuted in a horror flick, "Monster in the Closet", released only at the Cannes Film Festival. He never made a film appearance until 12 years later, when he landed his role in "Meet the Deedles". Soon after, Paul made more supporting roles in films such as "Pleasantville", "Varsity Blues" and many others. At the height of his career, he entered a breakthrough role in "The Fast and the Furious" as undercover FBI agent Brian O'Connor. It gained him glamorous fame as a leading man and movie actor.

This success with the first movie briefly led him to return in many sequels like "2 Fast 2 Furious", "Fast & Furious", "Fast Five", and "Fast & Furious 6". He also starred in other movies like "Eight Below", "Timeline", "Flags of Our Fathers", "Noel", "Into the Blue", "The Skulls", "Roadkill", and plenty more to keep his status quo as a handsome celebrity well-appreciated by the audience and fans.

He was working on the seventh instalment of "The Fast and the Furious" franchise, which had its production delayed at his death and will be his last partially completed role. Please comment on this page if you need to pay your respects to him.

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Monday, December 2, 2013

In Time Review (With Guest Reviewer)








In Time


Release Date: 27th October 2011 - Australia


Production Companies
20th Century Fox

Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi/Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 109 minutes


Budget: $40,000,000

Box Office Gross: $173,930,596
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
In a future where time is 
literally money and 
aging stops at 25, the 
only way to stay alive 
is to earn, burrow, steal 
or inherit more time. But 
when a poor, working-
class man is falsely 
accused of murder, he 
teams up with a beautiful 
heiress and must figure 
out of a way to bring 
down the corrupt system 
before their dwindling 
clocks run out!


Cast
Justin Timberlake - Will Salas
Amanda Seyfreid - Sylvia Weis 
Cillian Murphy - Raymond Leon
Vincent Kartheiser - Phillippe 
Weis
Olivia Wilde - Rachel Salas
Matt Bomer - Henry Hamilton
Johnny Galecki - Borel
Collins Pennie - Timekeeper 
Jaeger
Toby Hemingway - 
Timekeeper Kors
Brendan Miller - Kolber
Yaya DaCosta - Greta
Alex Pettyfer - Fortis

Crew
Writer/Producer/Director - 
Andrew Niccol
Based On An Original Story - Lee Falk
Producers - Eric Newman 
and Marc Abraham
Co-Producer - Debra James
Production Designer - 
Alex McDowell
Director of Photography - Roger Deakins
Visual Effects Supervisors - John P. Nugent and
Jorge Razon
Visual Effects Producer/Supervisor - Ellen Somers
Film Editor - Zach Staenberg
Visual Effects Consultant - Dan Kaufman
Music Consultant - Dave Jordan
Music - Craig Armstrong


Review (FilmGuruLad)
Sophisticated, yet satisfying is word for this great flick. This picture presents a whole lot of new ways to make a competent sci-fi/action movie. I was shaken when I saw 'IN TIME' for the first time, if anybody would understand the pun of time. The movie in its boundary of the premise sounds a lot more similar to a classic flick of 'Logan's Run' with the aging and the seeming youthful appearances. It contrives to me that with now I mentioned to you to the story, Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried were groundbreaking solid for the roles. I'm not sure when to tell you, I think highly of the actor Cillian Murphy steals the thunder as the sole-bent timekeeping villain.

I am thinking about 'IN TIME' as a good movie with a high re-watch value and although I must say that it succeeded in showcasing a world where time is literally money and those with the time have the power.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie


Review (Guest Reviewer)
When I sat down to watch this film, I have to say, I felt like it would be an effort to get through this movie as there were no big name actors and the film had not been having any positive reviews. I eventually watched this movie and was blown away. The story was so well written, introducing such a uniquely original concept of time as a commodity that presents a true reflection of the power struggles between the elite and poor class people in society. I have to say the actors all portrayed their characters with conviction and in particular I was impressed with Cillian Murphy as the key villain.

I would definitely watch this movie again and recommend that this movie would appeal to people who enjoy action, sci-fi and adventure movies.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

Monday, November 25, 2013

After Earth Review










After Earth


Release Date: 13th June 2013 - Australia


Production Companies
Columbia Pictures
Overbrook Entertainment
Blinding Edge Pictures

Distribution
Sony Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 100 minutes


Budget: $130,000,000

Box Office Gross: $243,611,982 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A crash landing leaves Cypher Raige, a legendary general, and his son Kitai stranded on Earth, now a dangerous planet after 1,000 years of cataclysmic events that forced humanity's escape. With his father wounded by the crash, Kitai must journey
across the hostile terrain to
recover their rescue
beacon.

If they are to survive and have a chance to get back home, they must learn to trust each other and work together.


Cast
Will Smith - Cypher Raige
Jaden Smith - Kitai Raige
Sophie Okonedo - Faia Raige
Zoë Kravitz - Senshi Raige
Glenn Morshower - Commander Velan
Jaden Martin - 9-Year Old Kitai
Sincere L. Bobb - 3-Year Old Kitai
David Denman - Private McQuarrie
Kristofer Hivju - Security Chief
Sacha Dawan - Hesper Pilot
Chris Geere - Hesper Navigator
Diego Klattenhoff - Veteran Ranger
Lincoln Lewis - Running Cadet
Monika Jolly - Female Ranger

Crew

Screenplay/Producer/Director -
M. Night Shyamalan
Story - Will Smith
Screenplay - Gary Whitta
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
E. Bennett Walsh
Producers - James Lassiter,
Jada Pinkett Smith, Caleeb Pinkett and
Will Smith
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - John Rusk
Co-Producer - Ashwin Rajan
Military Advisors - James D. Dever
and Quay Terry
Production Designer - Thomas E. Sanders
Art Directors - Robert W. Joseph,
Naaman Marshall and Dean Wolcott
Set Decorator - Rosemary Brandenberg
Property Master - Andrew Petrotta
Costume Designer - Amy Westcott
Costume Supervisor - Lisa Lovaas
Director of Photography - Peter Suschitzky
"B" Camera Operator - John S. Moyer
Second Assistant Directors - John R. Saunders
and John Nasraway
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -
Chad Stalheski
Stunt Coordinator - R.A. Rondell
Aerial Stunt Coordinator - Tim Rigby
Stunt Coordinator: Second Unit - Brad Martin
E2 Coordinator: Jaden Smith - Darrell Foster
Aerial Helicopter Pilot - Cliff Fleming
Special Effects Supervisor - Tommy Frazier
Special Effects Coordinator: Second Unit -
Richard O. Helmer
Visual Effects Supervisor - Jonathan Rothbart
Digital Pipeline Supervisor - Craig A. Mumma
Visual Effects Supervisors: Tippett Studio -
Blair Clark and Aharon Bourland
Visual Effects Supervisor: DIVE - Mark O. Forker
Visual Effects Producer - Jenny Fulle
Visual Effects Producer: DIVE - David P.I. James
CG Effects Supervisor: Tippett Studio -
Scott Singer
Animation Supervisor: Tippett Studio -
James W. Brown
Digital Environment Supervisor: Tippett Studio -
Craig Barron
Editor - Steven Rosenblum
Assistant Editor - Luke Ciarrocchi
Supervising Sound Editors - Steven Ticknor
and Charles Maynes
Sound Designer - Randy Thom
Sound Mixer - Tod Maitland
Re-Recording Mixers - Paul Massey,
David Giammarco and Deb Abdir
Music - James Newton Howard
Score Recordist and Mixer - Shawn Murphy


Review
What disappointed me was this film promised to be a new sci-fi film with unexplored depth. In reality, AFTER EARTH was a serving of boredom and dullness to earthbound filmgoers. I expected more impact and scenery from the infamous director M. Night Shyamalan. The man is back in the director's chair after his latest feature, The Last Airbenderwhich proved to be a fiasco according to all people, such as critics and audiences. This time, director Shyamalan tries to redeem himself, and too bad he still fails miserably. He couldn't do justice with this motion picture.

The problem lies within the film's acting, including Will Smith. This role doesn't allow him to be the actor we know for the witty sarcasm seen in his previous acting efforts. He has made a lifeless portrayal as one of the main characters, no offence to the lead actor. The other mistake Will Smith made was allowing his son Jaden to be in the lead role. Shyamalan should have stepped up and vetoed Smith's decision. Jaden did not fulfil his talents in the feature. Let's give the excuse that he isn't worthy enough to live up to his father's legacy. Sorry, Jaden, you did your best.

I was surprised at how disappointing this flick was. With no indication of greatness or cinematic originality, AFTER EARTH could have been a worse film, but not as bad as The Last Airbender, which is known for its disloyalty to the source material of the cartoon.

Star rating: (2/5) Bad Movie

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