Thursday, August 28, 2014

Old Dogs Review












Old Dogs


Release Date: 26th December 2009 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
Tapestry Films

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Comedy/Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 85 minutes


Budget: $35,000,000

Box Office Gross: $96,753,696 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
While on the verge of a
business deal, two best
friends turn their lives
upside down when they
unexpectedly find
themselves caring for
seven-year-old twins. Their
efforts to care for them lead
to one debacle to the next,
involving a gorilla and
some pecking penguins -
and perhaps a new
understanding of what's
essential to life.


Cast
Robin Williams - Chuck Reed
John Travolta - Dan Rayburn
Ella Bleu Travolta - Emily Greer
Conner Rayburn - Zach Greer
Kelly Preston - Vicki Greer
Lori Loughlin - Amanda
Seth Green - Craig White
Bernie Mac - Jimmy Lunchbox
Matt Dillon - Troop Leader Barry
Justin Long - Troop Leader Adam (Uncredited)
Dax Shepard - Child Proofer Gary (Uncredited)
Luis Guzmán - Child Proofer Nick (Uncredited)
Ann-Margaret - Martha
Rita Wilson - Jenna
Amy Sedaris - Condo Woman
Residente - Tattoo Artist
Sab Shimono - Yoshiro Nishamura
Kevin Yamada - Riku
Kevin Dean-Hackett - Tijuana Priest
Laura Allen - Kelly
Bradley Steven Perry - Cute Soccer Kid
Dylan Sprayberry - Soccer Kid
Joey Pordan - Soccer Kid
Paulo Costanzo - Zoo Maintenance (Uncredited)
DeRay Davis - Zoo Security Guard (Uncredited)
Paul Thornton - Restaurant Patron (Uncredited)
Sam Travolta - Singing Waiter
Margaret Travolta - Singing Waitress
Noel MacNeal - Muppet
John Kennedy - Muppet
Matt Vogal - Muppet
Josh Cohen - Muppet
Bruce Connelly - Muppet
Joe Kovacs - Muppet
Tom Woodruff Jr. - Gorilla
Sebastian - Lucky the Dog

Crew
Director - Walt Becker
Writers - David Diamond and
David Weeson
Associate Producers - Anson Downes
and Linda Favila
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Garrett Grant
Producers - Peter Abrams,
Robert L. Levy and Andrew Panay
Casting Directors - Kathleen Chopin,
Anne McCarthy and Jay Scully
Production Designer - David Gropman
Art Director - Peter Rogness
Set Decorator - Ellen Christiansen
Property Master - Kevin Ladson
Costume Designer - Joseph G. Alusi
Director of Photography - Jeffrey L. Kimball
First Assistant Director - Vincent Lascoumes
Second Assistant Director - Christopher Le Chanu
Stunt Coordinators - Bobby Brown,
Thomas Robinson Harper and Johnny Martin
Supervising Puppeteer - Alec Gillis
Lead Puppeteer - Yuri Everson
Head Animal Trainer - Dawn Barkan
Special Effects Coordinator - Fred Buchholz
Visual Effects Supervisor: Digital Dream -
Jerry Pooler
Visual Effects Supervisor: Pixel Magic -
Ray McIntyre Jr.
Visual Effects Supervisors: Illusion Arts -
Syd Dutton and Bill Taylor
Editors - Ryan Folsey and Tom Lewis
Supervising Sound Editor - Michael Hilkene
Sound FX Supervisor - Jeff Sawyer
Re-Recording Mixers - Oleg Kulchytskyi,
Daniel J. Leahy, Scott Millan and
Orest Sushko
Music - John Debney
Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan
Score Recordist and Mixer - Shawn Murphy


Review
Several days back, I was trying to decide which Robin Williams feature to watch, either one of his recent films or golden oldies. I decided upon OLD DOGS because I had seen it but not for a long time, and this is the feature where he co-starred with John Travolta, aka Johnny T. I felt that the comedy consisted of fewer bad jokes with toilet and frightening humour. Feeling good in the movie has some fun, especially in each scene where I get a good laugh at Seth Green on what happens to him. Green has never been in a family-oriented comedy with these two legends. Williams and Travolta were great at being the comical duo. Somehow, the movie has no wit and balance in the storyline. 

Firstly, I made things straight by watching the entirety of OLD DOGS. It's not as bad as the one Travolta had produced and starred in, you say, the unholy sci-fi grandeur of Battlefield EarthThis movie is average to fans of the two lead actors who expect a better standard film for their dollar.

Star rating: (5/10) Average

Monday, August 25, 2014

Man of the Year Review









Man of the Year


Release Date: 1st March 2007 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Morgan Creek Productions

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 115 minutes


Budget: $20,000,000

Box Office Gross: $41,237,658
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A comedian who hosts a 
news satire program 
decides to run for president, 
and a computerized voting 
machine malfunction gets 
him elected. (Source - IMDb)


Cast
Robin Williams - Tom Dobbs
Laura Linney - Eleanor Green
Christopher Walken - Jack
Menken
Lewis Black - Eddie Langston
Jeff Goldblum - Stewart
Doug Murray - Mathias
Rick Roberts - Hemmings

Crew
Writer/Director - Barry Levinson
Producer - James G. Robinson
Production Designer - Stefania Calla
Costume Designer - Delphine White
Director of Photography - Dick Pope
Film Editors - Blair Daily and
Steven Weisberg
Music - Graeme Revell


Review
Prior to glimpsing the new Marvel movie 'Guardians of the Galaxy', the shocking news of Robin Williams' death inspired me to review some of the movie masterpieces. I have not had the privilege of viewing many of Robin's films, so I decided to start by watching 'MAN OF THE YEAR'. It is with regret to mention that this film does not pay a tribute to Robin's versatile acting. Not one of Robin's very best features, nor sentimental or the very funniest is highlighted in this film. It is boring to the point where you just want the movie to end so that you can escape the exhaustive two hours of slow moving and dry political comedy. Barry Levinson had not done anything for a long time with Williams since 1992's 'Toys' which failed at the box office. Even the plot of 'MAN OF THE YEAR' devolves into stupidity and pointlessness while trying to be a political satire movie.

On the other hand, we have actors who were not trying their hardest such as Christopher Walken who did not demonstrate his usual sleek, witty and classy style. I didn't see Jeff Goldblum until I found out he was one of the supporting actors, mostly his performance just felt underused.

Movies that I find like 'MAN OF THE YEAR' deserved to be thrashed. It feels so politically correct, not conservatively funny and endearing. The film did not dare to push the boundaries and relive Levinson's golden age which he pulled off with Williams in 'Good Morning Vietnam'. I will be reviewing 'Old Dogs' next and please feel free to leave feedback on the comment tab below.

Star rating: (2/10) Bad Movie

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Monday, August 18, 2014

300th Review!! Guardians of the Galaxy














Guardians of the Galaxy


Release Date: 31st July 2014 - Australia


Production Companies
Marvel Studios (presents)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 121 minutes


Budget: $232,300,000
               (gross)
               $195,900,000 (net)

Box Office Gross: $773,350,147 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Space outlaw Peter Quill is wanted for stealing a rare orb after stumbling across it on a distant planet. A fanatical villain, Ronan the Accuser, plans to retrieve it and use its power to spread his genocide across the universe. It is up to Quill, who gathered a group of misfits as they become the Guardians of the Galaxy, to stop Ronan from
carrying out his evil plan.


Cast
Chris Pratt - Peter Quill/
Star-Lord
Zoe Saldana - Gamora
Bradley Cooper - Rocket (Voice)
Dave Bautista - Drax the Destroyer
Vin Diesel - Groot (Voice)
Lee Pace - Ronan the Accuser
Michael Rooker - Yondu Udonta
Karen Gillan - Nebula
Djimon Hounsou - Korath
John C. Reilly - Corpsman Rhomann Dey
Glenn Close - Nova Prime Irani Rael
Benicio Del Toro - The Collector
Josh Brolin - Thanos (Uncredited)
Alexis Denisof - The Other
Sean Gunn - Kraglin/On Set Rocket
Christopher Fairbank - The Broker
Krystian Godlewski - On Set Groot
Peter Serafinowicz - Denarian Saal
Wyatt Oleff - Young Quill
Laura Haddock - Meredith Quill
Gregg Henry - Grandpa
Tomas Arana - Kree Ambassador
Mikaela Hoover - Nova Prime's Assistant
Melia Krelling - Bereet
Tom Proctor - Horuz
Nick Holmes - Horuz's Mate
Dominic Grant - Angry Guard
Spencer Wilding - Mean Guard
Alexis Rodney - Moloka Dar
Nathan Fillion - Monstrous Inmate (Voice) (Cameo)
Enzo Cilenti - Watchtower Guard
Richard Katz - One Legged Prisoner
Ophelia Lovibond - Carina
Seth Green - Howard the Duck (Voice) (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Fred - Cosmo the Space Dog
Max Wrottesley - Sacrifice Nova Corpsman
Stan Lee - Xandarian Ladies Man (Cameo)
Rob Zombie - Ravager Navigator (Voice) (Cameo)
Stephen Blackehart - Knowhere Dispatcher
James Gunn - Maskless Sakaaran/
Dancing Groot/Sakaarans (Cameo)
Tyler Bates - Ravager Pilot (Cameo)
(Uncredited)

Crew
Writer/Director - James Gunn
Based on the Marvel Comic Book - Dan Abnett
and Andy Lanning
Star-Lord Creators - Steve Englehart and
Steve Gan
Gamora, Thanos and Drax the Destroyer
Creator - Jim Starlin
Characters: Groot, Ronan the Accuser and
Taneleer Tivan/The Collector (Uncredited)/
Executive Producer - Stan Lee
Characters: Groot, Ronan the Accuser and the
Celestials - Jack Kirby (Uncredited)
Character: Groot - Larry Lieber (Uncredited)
Rocket Raccoon Creators - Bill Mantlo and
Keith Giffen
Howard the Duck Creators - Steve Gerber
and Val Mayerik
Writer - Nicole Perlman
Associate Producer/First Assistant Director -
Jamie Christopher
Executive Producers - Victoria Alonso,
Louis D'Esposito, Alan Fine and Jeremy Latcham
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Nikolas Korda
Producer - Kevin Feige
Co-Producers - Jonathan Schwartz and
David J. Grant
Casting Director - Sarah Finn
Production Designer - Charles Wood
Production Designer: Additional Photography -
Shepherd Frankel
Head of Visual Development - Charlie Wen
Co-Head of Visual Development - Ryan Meinerding
Concept Artists - Bob Cheshire,
Paul Catling, Dan Walker. Oliver Pron,
Stephan Martinère, Chris Foss,
Chris Rosewarne, Christopher Caldow
and Fred Gambino (Uncredited)
Visual Development Illustrators - Andy Park,
Justin Sweet, Jackson Sze,
Rodney Fuentebella and Andrew Kim
Visual Development Concept Artists -
Jerad Marantz, Kevin Chen, Iain McCaig
and Anthony Francisco
Supervising Art Director - Ray Chan
Set Decorator - Richard Roberts
Property Master - Barry Gibbs
Weapons Supervisor - Toby Shears
Special Makeup Effects Designer - David White
Makeup & Hair Designer - Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou
Costume Designer - Alexandra Byrne
Assistant Costume Designers - Sharon Long,
Alison Mitchell and Richard Sale
Costume Supervisor - Dan Grace
Costume FX Supervisor - Graham Churchyard
Director of Photography - Ben Davis
Director of Photography: Second Unit - Mike Brewster
Director of Photography: Additional
Photography - Gabriel Beristain
Unit Production Manager - Hermione Ninnim
Studio Unit Manager - Andrew Cooke
Director of Photography: Second Unit/
Second Unit Director - Jonathan Taylor
Second Unit Director - Peter MacDonald
Stunt Coordinator - Steve Dent
Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -
Thomas Robinson Harper
Fight Coordinator: Additional Photography -
James Young
Special Effects Supervisor - Paul Corbould
Special Effects Coordinator - Alicia Davies
Visual Effects Supervisors - Stephane Ceretti
and James D. Fleming (Uncredited)
Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore -
Jonathan Fawkner and Kyle McCulloch
Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Nicolas Aithadi
Visual Effects Supervisor: RISE Visual Effects
Studios - Florian Gellinger
Visual Effects Supervisor: Cantina Creative -
Stephen Lawes
Visual Effects Supervisor: SPI - Peter G. Travers
Visual Effects Producer - Susan Pickett
Visual Effects Producer: Technicolor VFX -
Rachel Faith Hanson
Animation Supervisor: Framestore - Kevin Spruce
Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -
Raphael A. Pimentel
Animation Supervisors: MPC - Greg Fisher
and Gabrielle Zuccheli
Animation Supervisor: Method Studios -
Keith Roberts
Digital Effects Supervisor: MPC - Daniele Bigi
CG Supervisor: MPC - Sheldon Stopsack
Post Visualisation Supervisors - Earl Hibbert
and Theresa Ellis Rygiel
Additional Look Development Supervisor:
Framestore - Andy Kind
Compositing Supervisors: Framestore -
Christian Zeh and Alex Payman
Compositing Supervisors: MPC - Marian Mavrovic
and Richard Little
Compositing Supervisor: Lola Visual Effects -
Edson Williams
Lead Compositors: Framestore - Bjarni Bragason,
Matthew Twyford, Petra Schwane and
Theodor Groeneboom
3D Stereoscopic Supervisor - Evan Jacobs
Editors - Fred Raskin, Hughes Winborne
and Craig Wood
Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer/
Re-Recording Sound Mixer - Christopher Boyes
Sound Designer/Effects Editor - David Acord
Supervising Sound Editor - Matthew Wood
Dialogue/ADR Editors - Cheryl Nardi
and Brad Semenoff
Production Sound Mixer - Simon Hayes
Re-Recording Sound Mixer - Lora Hirschberg
Foley Artists - Dennie Thorpe and Jana Vance
Music - Tyler Bates
Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan


Review
Greetings, it's your favourite film blogger, Film Guru Lad, with my 300th review. Part sci-fi and part comedy, this brand new space oddity, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, shows audiences that Marvel can create something original, unlike any Marvel movie we have seen. There's nothing more exciting than to be entertained by the movie GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. The film crushes the boulders of Marvel's expertise in filming superheroism. It tries something else that has never translated into the big screen. GUARDIANS is humorous and spectacular compared to the Star Wars flicks we've watched.

I can't get enough of the actors that were among the ensemble. Zoe Saldana plays another female alien warrior and gets her skin painted green through makeup without requiring motion capture technology, unlike what she had applied in her previous role in Avatar. Chris Pratt is fast-tracking his path to superstardom and plays the charismatic rogue of Star-Lord. Actress Karen Gillan was originally Amy Pond from Doctor Who and now portrays Nebula, the deadly henchwoman of the antagonist.

In this film, the visual effects have gotten complex. I am impressed with how lifelike the characters of Rocket and Groot are exceptional in CGI, with voice-overs from actors such as Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel. I also liked the feature of its terrific soundtrack with its choice of songs from the late 1960s and 1970s.

Fortunately, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is an incredible surprise with its wit and visual spectacle. It is a movie that is old-school in style and mixes it with a lighthearted sci-fi comedic structure. It is something that you'll enjoy, either be it for yourself or with your friends. Guess what, fans? The sequel isn't due to come out until 2017, and it could crossover with The Avengers universe.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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Thursday, August 14, 2014

In Memory of Robin Williams (1951-2014)








Robin Williams (1951-2014)

I never expected that the laughter
would die down. In all my years,
I had never been a fan of
Robin Williams or his acting
in his many big-screen
movies made with comical
hilarity or heartwarming
drama. He was good at doing
impersonations and stand-up
comedy shtick. I grew up seeing
some of his films.

Recently, he was found dead at age 63 on August 11th. I have reviewed only three of his hit movies (minus "Happy Feet Two"). To see the passing of one of the great comedians, a man with such talent, can make us cry with laughter, sadness and joy with his diverse selection of roles in his movie smash hits. I must tell you that he became a comedian in the early 70s. He immediately moved to television, and his first movie role was when he appeared as himself in 1977's "Can Do It 'Till I Need Glasses". In 1978, writer/producer Garry Marshall cast Williams as the alien Mork in an episode of the hit TV series "Happy Days" after seeing him in NBC's short-run "The Richard Pryor Show". He had improvised with much of his comedy antics, such as dialogue or even physical slapstick, which made his Mork popular with the viewership. Robin would later play his character again on his new show "Mork & Mindy", which would run its airtime on the television screens until 1982. In that same period, from 1978 to the 80s, Williams began doing his professional stand-up comedy and had three compilations of his comedic performances aired on the HBO cable network.

In 1987, he went to a new level in his acting career when he got cast in a movie directed by Barry Levinson called "Good Morning Vietnam". The film became a worldwide success, and Williams received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. It gained him the confidence to go higher up into stardom and would land many of his more complex acting personas like in "Dead Poets Society", "Awakenings", "The Fisher King", and "Hook". The first and third also gained him Oscar nominations. In 1992, Robin gave three voiceovers in two animated movies for Disney and 20th Century Fox. One of those was "Aladdin", and the role he enjoyed the most and showcased his talent was the voice of the Genie. It cemented the known establishment of celebrities cast in voiceovers. The famed comedic persona of Robin continued heavily in 1993 when he landed a role in a comedy by Chris Columbus, "Mrs. Doubtfire". This time, he plays the father, disguising himself as an old nanny. It was also his second major hit after "Aladdin".

In 1996, Robin starred in movies like "Jack" and "The Birdcage", then the following year, he received a part in a drama called "Good Will Hunting". Co-starring and getting along together in the feature is a fresh new actor, Matt Damon, who built friendly chemistry during the entire film. After his movie became a triumph, it was time for Williams to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It was an award he had waited patiently and dreamed of since 1988. Robin eventually made a few dramatic features like "Patch Adams" and "Bicentennial Man", in which his roles are unlike his usual eccentric characters. Throughout the 2000s, Robin was still doing steady work when still being cast in movies such as "One Hour Photo" and "Insomnia". He continued to do more comedic and family-friendly work with "Robots", "RV", "Happy Feet", and "Night at the Museum". Robin had close support and encouragement from his family, including his daughter Zelda, whom he named after the princess from the video game "The Legend of Zelda" (which he had been an enthusiast of interactive gaming).

It is sad to see such a charismatic and cheerful man pass away. We will remember this talented man for the great legacy of work that he left behind. Look at these two career-defining highlights of well-known films Williams appeared in in the early 90s.



Monday, August 11, 2014

Film Guru Lad's Top 6 Movies of 2012

Sorry I've kept all of you disappointed. I was supposed to finish and then publish the top five greatest movies for 2012. For some who might know, 2012 was not as extraordinary as 2011. It, however, showed us some exquisite films, whether or not they are big hits or, to a lesser extent, minor successes, in my opinion. Now I look forward to your comments about your favourite movies for 2012.

(UPDATED 27/11/14) Hi, there, ladies and gents! I like to announce an update to this post you are reading, I only had a list of five top films, but I have amended this to six top films. The reason for this because I have forgotten one movie to rank on the list, which is The Muppets. It's one of those two movies that brought back the characters I knew from childhood, and you must forgive me for the delay. I haven't had time to re-watch it until now.


#6. The Three Stooges

Not exactly the best comedy of 2012, THE THREE STOOGES paid homage to the classic shorts of the 1930s and '40s. Despite its deficits, it could have been better in black and white. It appealed to me because a fan of the amusing trio like myself liked only its non-stop hilarity of the physical and slapstick comedy. Now when did these three ever learn to be idiots? Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!





It's time to play the music. It's time to light the lights. It's time to see the Muppets back on the big screen after 1999 was a flop for them. It's got the same old magic and laughter as in the record. It is re-discovered to appeal to the new generation of those who haven't grown up with Jim Henson's characters, including Kermit, The Swedish Chef, Fozzie and my favourite, The Great Gonzo. It also featured the new and old celebrity guest stars of Jack Black, Jim Parsons and Whoopi Goldberg.




#4. The Dark Knight Rises

The last of Christopher Nolan's rebooted series, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, is not for the character who was soon to be in the new Superman movie with Affleck stepping up to the mantle as Batman. As you know, with Heath Ledger, unfortunately, passed on, the Bat saga instead became a trilogy. It was equally as entertaining as its predecessor and equipped with an extravaganza of complexion and action. I'm surprised the series hasn't gone downhill because of its culmination. It's still a superb addition to the director and the Bat fandom.



#3. Hugo

It's not only a family drama movie about a young orphan wanting to discover a family secret. This film depicts a lovely story about the spirit of finding the legendary cinema pioneer. Director Martin Scorsese delights viewers with his unique interpretation of the family feature genre, unlike some of his work that is not accessible for people too young to watch due to the mature parental ratings. It's a movie that has a name, HUGO!





#2. Skyfall

Now I'm divided on which Bond film is better: Goldfinger or GoldenEye. However, SKYFALL compels viewers to see the more gritty and rough take on James Bond. Daniel Craig continues the saga of his character for the third time after the disappointing fiasco of Quantum of Solace. I think the director tried to go back to the basics in the origins, like adding Q and creating much of the charm owed to the originals. That is why it is the second-best Bond film of all time.



#1. The Avengers

It may seem impossible to create a superhero movie based on a comic book with so many heroes but THE AVENGERS. The rule has been broken, thanks to the direction by Joss Whedon, witty comedy, imploding action and a big ensemble cast of Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth and others. This top-dollar film earns itself as the best movie of 2012, enough for Warner Bros to begin pre-production on the Justice League film. Let's hope the second instalment matches the expectations and standards of the first superhero epic.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Crimson Tide Review









Crimson Tide


Release Date: 8th June 1995 - Australia


Production Companies
Hollywood Pictures
Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer
Films

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Australia


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 111 minutes


Budget: $53,000,000

Box Office Gross: $157,387,195
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
No-nonsense combat veteran
Captain Frank Ramsey and
his newly instated first officer
Ron Hunter are caught in
the middle of a global crisis.
Onboard a nuclear
submarine, they're heading 
for Russia where radical 
nationalists are threatening 
to start World War III. But 
when they receive an 
unverified message to 
launch their missiles, 
Ramsey and Hunter
clash over the validity of
the orders. With nuclear
holocaust close at hand,
mutiny erupts on the sub-
pitting the entire crew against
each other in a showdown
that will decide the fate of
the world.


Cast
Gene Hackman - Captain
Frank Ramsey
Denzel Washington - Lt.
Commander Ron Hunter
Matt Craven - Lt. Roy Zimmer
George Dzundza - Chief of 
the Boat Walters
Viggo Mortensen - Lt. 
Peter "Weps" Ince
James Gandolfini - Lt. Bobby
Dougherty
Rocky Carroll - Lt. Darrik
Westergard
James Gomez - Ood Mahoney
Michael Milhoan - Hunsicker
Scott Burkholder - TSO Billy Linkletter
Danny Nucci - Petty Officer
Danny Rivetti
Steve Zahn - Seaman William Barnes
Rick Schroder - Lt. Paul Hellerman
Ryan Phillippe - Seaman Grattam
Lilo Brancato - Petty Officer
Third Class Russell Vossler
Marcello Thedford - Lawson
R.J. Knoll - Marty Sotille
Tommy Bush - Admiral Williams
Earl Billings - Rick Marichek
Vanessa Bell Calloway - Julia Hunter
Brendan Jefferson - Luke
Ashley Calloway - Robin
Daniel von Bargen - Vladimir Radchenko
Richard Valeriani - Himself
Rad Daly - Lt. Comdr. Nelson
Scott Grimes - Petty Officer Hilare
Ronald Ramessar - Mr. Westergard
Robin Faraday - Mrs. Westergard
Bob Stone - Bob the Magician
Henry Mortensen - Henry Ince

Crew
Director - Tony Scott
Story/Screenplay - Michael Schiffer
Story - Richard P. Henrick
Additional Dialogue - Quentin Taratino (Uncredited)
Executive Producers - Lucas Foster,
Mike Moder and Bill Unger
Producers - Jerry Bruckheimer and
Don Simpson
Technical Advisor - Malcolm S. Wright
Production Designer - Michael White
Art Directors - James J. Murakami,
Dianne Wager and Donald B. Woodruff
Costume Designer - George L. Little
Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski
Stunt Coordinator - Steve Pirceni
Special Effects Coordinator - Al Di Sarro
Visual Effects Supervisor - Hoyt Yeatman
Visual Effects Producer - Cecil Kramer
Digital Effects Supervisor - Dan DeLeeuw
Model Shop Supervisor - David Goldberg
Film Editor - Chris Lebonzon
Music - Hans Zimmer


Awards

1996 Academy Awards
Best Sound - Kevin O'Connell, Rick Kline,
Gregory H. Watkins and William B. Kaplan (Nominated)
Best Film Editing - Chris Lebonzon (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing - George Watters II (Nominated)


Review
This movie is a naval-action thriller and 'CRIMSON TIDE' packs a punch. This is a result of the lively writing which compels viewers with moments of tension and perfectly choreographed underwater action giving the audience an unforgettable experience. Backing this film is a bucket-load of Hollywood talent. Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington have both demonstrated top-notch acting and really convey the tension of the characters conflicts of beliefs. This power struggle occurs between these two characters on the submarine and leads to a mutiny. Joining the cast is future 'LOTR' star to be Viggo Mortensen who was noticeable as one of the supporting leads and land-marked composer Hans Zimmer is doing his handiwork on the music that sounds like a fanfare anthem for the Navy.

I never always agree on 'CRIMSON TIDE' since its labelled within the action genre, but is very entertaining and dramatic, it obtains the adoration of the critics and the audience. The late Tony Scott seemed to liken this movie to his magnum opus or so I thought given that it was one of his successful hits.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Monday, August 4, 2014

The NeverEnding Story Review












The NeverEnding Story


Release Date: 26th December 1984 - Australia


Production Companies
Neue Constantin Film Produktion
GmbH
Producers Sales Organisation
(presents)
WDR

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Family/Fantasy

Rating: G

Runtime: 107 minutes (original)
                 90 minutes
                 (international)


Budget: $27,000,000

Box Office Gross: $100,126,176 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A meek young boy named Bastian finds a mysterious book that takes him into a fantasy world of creatures, giant forests and massive oceans amid the harsh reality of his everyday life. It is there this enchanting world is to be decayed when its existence gets threatened by a force of darkness known as The Nothing!


Cast
Barrett Oliver - Bastian Bux
Noah Hathaway - Atreyu
Tami Stronach - The
Childlike Empress
Alan Opponheimer - Gmork/
Falkor/The Rock Biter/Narrator
(Voices)
Moses Gunn - Cairon
Thomas Hill - Carl Conrad
Coreander
Deep Roy - Teeny Weeny
Tilo Prückner - Nighthob
Sydney Bromley - Engywook
Patricia Hayes - Urgl
Chris Eastman - 1st Bully
Darryl Cooksey - 2nd Bully
Nicholas Gilbert - 3rd Bully
Robert Easton - Morla the Ancient One (Voice) (Uncredited)
Wolfgang Petersen - Man Who Drops Milk (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Bernd Eichinger - Man Next to Man Who Drops Milk (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Screenplay/Director -
Wolfgang Petersen
Based on the Novel "The Neverending Story" - Michael Ende
Screenplay - Herman Weigel
Additional Dialogue/
Dialogue Coach - Robert Easton
Associate Producer - Klaus Kahler
Executive Producers - Mark Damon and John W. Hyde
Co-Producer - Gunter Rohrbach
Producers - Bernd Eichinger, Bernd Schaefers and Dieter Geissler
Production Designer/Set
Decorator - Rolf Zehetbauer
Conceptual Artist/Scenery/
Creature/Costume Designer -
Ul De Rico
Art Directors - Johann Kott,
Herbert Stradel and Götz Weidner
Set Decorator - Rolf Zehetbauer
Costume Designer - Diemut Remy
Special Effects Makeup & Sculpture Supervisor -
Colin Arthur
Director of Photography - Jost Vacano
Production Executive - Anna Gross
Second Unit Director - Hannes Nikel
Stunt Coordinator - Tony Smart
Special Effects Supervisor: Main Unit -
Phil Knowles
Special Effects Engineering Supervisor -
Ron Hone
Director of Special and Visual Effects -
Brian Johnson
Motion Control Unit Supervisor - Dennis Lowe
Matte Painting Supervisor - Michael Pangrazio
Supervising Matte Photography: ILM - Craig Barron
Matte Photography Assistants: ILM -
David Fincher and Deborah Morgan
Optical Supervisor - Bruce Nicholson
Optical Cameraman: Motion Control Unit -
Keith Holland
Film Editor - Jane Seitz
Sound Effects - Mike Le Mare
Music - Giorgio Moroder and
Klaus Doldinger
Lyrics: The NeverEnding Story - Keith Forsey
Singer: The NeverEnding Story - Limahl
Music Editor - Robert Hathaway


Review
It's one of the well-known fantasy movies that made me feel so good. Everything I have watched in my childhood memories is Star Wars and Indiana Jones. And this one can be regarded as absolutely equal in its spirituality with adventure and fantasy. I watched THE NEVERENDING STORY a long time ago. It drew me to think about these lifelike images. It's been years after the film's premiere, and this dark fantasy tale, THE NEVERENDING STORY, still makes the young audience look amazed, haunted and traumatised. Remember, it's from the 80s pop culture, and it may look dated to some, but it never loses its appeal for the newly-obsessed fans.

The film's main factors made it wholesome and aged well today. The performances of the child actors are full of energy and talent. Barrett Oliver and Noah Hathaway were once so young as Bastian and Atreyu that their characters barely interact in each scene. I could think of nothing more scary and lifelike than the fantasy creatures created by pre-digital puppetry and other techniques, which started to freak me out as a child when I had not seen the movie yet and did not know what to expect.

It's too bad the sequels could not sustain the original's standards or the ambiguity. That is why the predecessor holds greater esteem from people who have seen it, even kids and teens. I invite fans to leave their comments and feedback on this review. I would love to hear the public opinions on this fantasy epic.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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