Monday, December 29, 2014

The Big Year Review









The Big Year


Release Date: 1st March 2012 - Australia


Production Companies
Fox 2000 Pictures (presents)
Red Hour Films
Deuce Three
Sunswept Entertainment
Dune Entertainment (made in association
with)
Ingenious Media (made in
association with)


Distribution 
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 95 minutes


Budget: $41,000,000

Box Office Gross: $7,448,385
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Looking to shake up their 
routine lives, three amateur 
watchers compete to 
become the ultimate "birder" 
by spotting the greatest 
number of species within 
a single calendar year. But 
the friendly rivalry soon turns 
into a hilariously complicated 
cross-country adventure as 
each man begins to realise 
that the quest for success 
comes at a price - and that's 
not chicken feed!


Cast
Jack Black - Brad Harris
Steve Martin - Stu Preissler
Owen Wilson - Kenny Bostick
Rosamund Pike - Jessica Bostick
Rashida Jones - Ellie
Anjelica Huston - Annie Auklet
Jim Parsons - Crane
JoBeth Williams - Edith Preissler
Brian Dennehy - Raymond Harris
Dianne Wiest - Brenda Harris
Anthony Anderson - Bill Clemens 
Tim Blake Nelson - Phil
Joel McHale - Barry Loomis
Kevin Pollak - Jim Gittelson
Calum Worthy - Colin Debs
Stacey Scowley - Vicki
John Cleese - Historical 
Montage Narrator (Cameo)

Crew
Director - David Frankel
Inspired on Novel "The Big 
Year: A Tale of Man, Nature
and Fowl Obsession" - Mark
Obmascik
Screenplay - Howard Franklin
Producers - Karen Rosenfelt,
Stuart Cornfield and Curtis Hanson
Co-Producer - Brad Van Arragon
Production Designer - Brent Thomas
Costume Designer - Monique Prudhomme
Director of Photography - Lawrence Sher
Film Editor - Mark Livolsi
Music Supervisor - Julia Michels
Music - Theodore Shapiro


Review
I must say, it felt somewhat of a task to have to sit through the two hour entirety of 'THE BIG YEAR'; its stars which included Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin were unable to recover this movie from being a corny second rate comedy bomb. Honestly, there is nothing very special about this movie, although there is the occasional laugh present in some scenes of worth-watching. This tolerable comedy's setting is mainly about bird-watching and I'm not interested in this old-fashioned hobby, having to make fun of the concept is an extremely difficult challenge.

The three actors Jack, Steve and Owen whom I've already mentioned, are a dream team of comedians, but it was disappointing that they have to sit through a film that is partially a comedy. Few of the other actors like Jim Parsons of 'Big Bang Theory' did a good job on the supporting roles but I should wish his character would be given more of a presence, instead of him being under the radar.

I do certainly enjoy the occasional comedy film, but it should be more of a drama and 'THE BIG YEAR' simply does not cut the mustard or the cheddar!

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Thursday, December 25, 2014

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Review










How the Grinch Stole Christmas


Release Date: 30th November 2000 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures (presents)
Imagine Entertainment (presents)
LUNI Productions GmbH and 
Company KG

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Family/Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 104 minutes


Budget: $123,000,000

Box Office Gross: $346,524,444 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Existing from inside a
snowflake is the magical land
of Whoville, which is home
to the Whos, an almost
mutated kind of munchkin-
like people. All the Whos
love Christmas, except for
the Grinch, a reclusive and
nasty creature who lives
outside of Whoville, does not
and decides to ruin it from 
the Whos, whom he also
loathes. With his reluctantly
hapless dog Max in tow, the
Grinch arrives from his
mountaintop home and slinks
into town to steal everything
holiday-related from the
Whos. Unfortunately, for the
grumpy curmudgeon, there is
a snag in his plans when he
comes across the lovely Cindy
Lou Who.


Cast
Jim Carrey - The Grinch
Taylor Momsen - Cindy Lou
Who
Kelley - Max the Dog
Frank Welker - Max the Dog (Voice)
Jeffrey Tambor - Mayor
Augustus May Who
Bill Irwin - Lou Lou Who
Molly Shannon - Betty Lou
Who
Clint Howard - Whobris
Josh Ryan Evans - 8-Year-Old
Grinch
Anthony Hopkins - Narrator (Voice)
Christine Baranski - Martha
May Whovier 
Mindy Sterling - Clarenella 
Rachel Winfree - Rose
Rance Howard - Elderly Timekeeper
Jeremy Howard - Drew Lou Who
T.J. Thyme - Stu Lou Who
Lacey Kohl - Christina Whoterberry
Nadja Pionilla - Junie
Jim Meskimen - Officer Wholinan
Michael Dahlen - Customer
David Costabile - Biker Who
Mary Stein - Miss Rue Who
James Ritz - Crazy Mose
Deep Roy - Post Office Clerk
Jessica Sara - Sophie
Mason Lucero - Who Boy
Ben Bookender - 8-Year-Old
Augustus May Who
Landry Albright - 8-Year-Old
Martha May Whovier
Reid Kirchenbauer - 8-Year-Old
Whobris/Kid
Rebecca Chace - Shopper
Suzanne Krull - Shopper
Steve Kehela - Shopper
Lillas White - Shopper
Rain Pryor - Shopper
John Alexander - Shopper
Kevin Isola - Tree Trimmer
Gavin Grazer - Yodeler
Walter Franks - Clerk
Verne Troyer - Band Member
Clayton Martinez - Cook
Q'orianka Klicher - Little Choir Member
Caroline Williams - Tiny Who Woman
John Short - Tiny Who Man
Grainger Esch - Near Miss Who
Eva Burkley - Pudding Chef
Bryce Dallas Howard - Surprised Who (Cameo)
Charles Croughwell - Balloon Who
Ron Howard - Surprised Townsperson (Cameo)
(Uncredited)

Crew
Producer/Director - Ron Howard
Based on the Book "How the
Grinch Stole Christmas" - Dr. Seuss
Screenplay - Jeffrey Price and 
Peter S. Seaman
Associate Producers - Linda Fields Hill
and Louisa Velis
Associate Producer/First Assistant Director -
Aldric La'auli Porter
Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager -
David Womark 
Executive Producer/Second Unit Director -
Todd Hallowell 
Producer - Brian Grazer
Casting Directors - Janet Hirshenson
and Jane Jenkins 
Production Designer - Michael Corenblith 
Supervising Art Director - Dan Webster
Art Director - Lauren E. Polizzi
Set Decorator - Merideth Boswell
Property Master - Emily Ferry
Costume Designer - Rita Ryack
Associate Costume Designer - Daniel Orlandi
Special Makeup Effects/Puppeteer - Rick Baker
Makeup Artist: Jim Carrey/Sculpture/Design:
Cinovation Studios - Kazu Hiro
Director of Photography - Don Peterman
2nd Unit Director of Photography - Keith Peterman
Production Supervisor/Location Manager -
Michael J. Malone
Stunt Coordinator - Charles Croughwell
Special Effects Coordinator - Allen Hall
Special Effects Supervisor - Joe Montenegro 
Visual Effects Supervisor - Kevin Scott Mack
Additional Visual Effects Supervisor/
Visual Effects Producer - Kurt Williams 
Visual Effects Producer: Digital Domain -
Julian Levi
Visual Effects Producer: Rhythm & Hues -
Joyce Cox
Visual Effects Executive Producer: Digital Domain -
Nancy Bernstein
Visual Effects Executive Producer: Rhythm & Hues -
Lee Berger
Computer Graphics Supervisor: Digital Domain -
Matthew E. Butler
Compositing Supervisor: Digital Domain -
Bryan Grill
Character Animation Supervisor: Digital Domain -
Randall J. Rosa
Digital Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues - Edwin Rivera
Editors - Daniel P. Hanley and Mike Hill
First Assistant Editor - Robert Komatsu
Supervising Sound Editor - Scott Hecker
Production Sound Mixer - David Macmillan
Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Jenkins,
Frank A. Montano and Michael Barry
Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker and Matt Dettman
Music - James Horner
Music Supervisor - Bonnie Greenberg
Music Editors - Joe E. Rand,
Jim Henrikson and John LaSalandra


Awards

2001 Academy Awards
Best Makeup - Rick Baker and Gail Rowell-Ryan (Won)
-------------------------
Best Costume Design - Rita Ryack (Nominated)
Best Art Direction - Michael Corenblith and
Merideth Boswell (Nominated)


Review
Seasons greetings. It's the date that says above Christmas Day. Many have read some books by Dr. Seuss as children and watched all of the movies and animated specials adapted from his famous works like HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. As I recall, it is one of the nostalgic, reminiscent moments I enjoyed in my childhood. This feature interpretation resembles a Tim Burton film through his trademark designs and sheer weirdness. I'm glad it isn't because the director Ron Howard is not Burton, though he tries to imitate his style. This live-action remake of the animated special was nearly as bad as the next film that is based on another Dr. Seuss classic (i.e. The Cat and the Hat, which I've heard didn't get any positive reviews). It nearly destroys what makes the Chuck Jones animation How the Grinch Stole Christmas so outstanding. Further entrenching this film into a pit of shame is the strange makeup and obnoxious portrayal of the Whos and set design unsuited to the live-action setting.

Even more disappointing, to say the least, the scriptwriters had tried to humanise the Grinch character as performed by Jim Carrey by giving him a backstory on how he came to despise Christmas as a child when he already was in his infancy. I don't blame Carrey for being over-the-top in his portrayal. I do admire his work on noted comedies such as Dumb & DumberJim is one of these actors who can turn a bad movie into a good one through his well-seasoned comedic acting abilities, but his performance isn't enough to redeem this film.

While I don't expect the GRINCH movie to be a bizarre holiday humbug, I should wait for the upcoming animated movie in CGI, set for 2018. This version is silly and incapable of carrying the holiday spirit. It brings nothing new to the original story and is a poor update that was two sizes, two small. It deserves to be largely ignored by everyone else who has come searching for a decent Christmas feature. I suggest you read the book and watch the animated special.

Star rating: (3/10) Disappointing

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Monday, December 22, 2014

The Nightmare Before Christmas Review










The Nightmare Before Christmas


Release Date: 10th November 1994 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures (3D version)
Touchstone Pictures (original
release) (presents)
Skellington Productions Inc.
Tim Burton Productions (uncredited)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Australia


Genre: Animation/Family/
Fantasy

Rating: G

Runtime: 73 minutes


Budget: $24,000,000

Box Office Gross: $101,684,438 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Jack Skellington, Halloween Town's beloved Pumpkin King, is bored with the same
scare-and-scream routine he
pulls in every Halloween and
has wanted something more. He accidentally stumbles upon the threshold of Christmas Town and plans to spread the magic of Christmas around Halloween Town. But Jack's yuletide plan goes astray when it puts Santa in jeopardy, and his attempt to fill his boots turns into a nightmare for all good little boys and girls.


Voice Cast
Chris Sarandon - Jack
Skellington
Danny Elfman - Jack
Skellington (singing voice)/
Barrel/Clown with the
Tear Away Face
Catherine O'Hara - Sally/Shock
William Hickey - Doctor Finklestein
Ken Page - Oogie Boogie
Glenn Shadix - Mayor
Paul Reubens - Lock
Edward Ivory - Santa Claus
Susan McBride - Big Witch/W.W.D.
Debi Durst - Corpse Kid/Corpse Mom/
Small Witch
Greg Proops - Harlequin Demon/
Devil/Sax Player
Kerry Katz - Man Under Stairs/
Vampire/Corpse Dad
Randy Crenshaw - Mr. Hyde/
Behemoth/Vampire
Sherwood Ball - Mummy/Vampire
Carmen Twillie - Undersea Gal/
Man Under the Stairs
Glenn Walters - Wolfman

Crew
Director - Henry Selick
Based on a Story and Characters/
Producer - Tim Burton
Adaptation - Michael McDowell
Screenplay - Caroline Thompson
Associate Producer/Music and Lyrics/
Original Score - Danny Elfman
Producers - Denise Di Novi and
Don Hahn (2006 3D Version)
Co-Producer - Kathleen Gavin
Art Director - Deane Taylor
Assistant Art Directors - Kendal Cronkhite
and Kelly Asbury
Assistant Art Director/Model Maker -
Bill Boes
Artistic Coordinator - Allison Abbate
Character Designer - Bud Luckey
Additional Character Designers - David Cutler,
Barry E. Jackson and Chris Ure (Uncredited)
Additional Character Designer/
Storyboard Artist - Jorgen Klubien
Visual Consultant - Rick Heinrichs
Storyboard Supervisor - Joe Ranft
Set Designer & Dressing Supervisor - Gregg Olsson
Set Construction Supervisor - Lee Bo Henry
Animation Supervisor/Animator - Eric Leighton
Additional Animator/Track Reader - Daniel Mason
Character Fabrication Supervisor - Bonita R. DeCarlo
Armature Supervisor - Tom St. Amand
Snow Animation: Walt Disney Feature
Animation - Dave Bossert
Director of Photography/Visual Effects
Supervisor - Pete Kozachik
Camera Operators - Jim Aupperle, Jo Carson,
Selwyn Eddy, Ray Gilberti, David Hanks,
Richard Lehrmann, Pat Sweeney and Eric Swenson
Assistant Camera - Mike Bienstock, Mark Kohr,
Sara Mast, Jimmy Matlosz, Carl Miller,
Cameron Noble, Chris Peterson, Brian Van't Hul
and Matthew White
Assistant Production Coordinator - Kat Alioshin
Digital Effects Supervisor: Walt Disney
Feature Animation - Ariel Velasco-Shaw
Stereoscopic Supervisor - Phil 'Captain 3D'
McNally (2006 3D Version)
Editor - Stan Webb
Consulting Editor - Chris Lebenzon
Additional Editor - Michael Kelly
Associate Editor - Edie Ichioka
Supervising Sound Editor - Richard L. Anderson
Special Sound Effects - John Pospisil
Re-Recording Mixers - Terry Porter
and Greg P. Russell
Re-Recording/Songs & Music Mixer -
Shawn Murphy
Vocal and Song Arrangements/
Orchestrations - Steve Bartek
Music Editor - Bob Badami


Awards

1994 Academy Awards
Best Visual Effects - Peter Kozachik,
Eric Leighton, Ariel Velasco-Shaw and
Gordon Baker (Nominated)


Review
A delightful, ageless movie, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is considered one of master director Tim Burton's cinematic treasures. But even though he didn't direct it, he did come up with the idea and the characters. This movie comes gift-wrapped with loads of macabre-filled fun and entertainment for families, not to mention there are frightening scenes to scare young viewers with its ghoulish aspects. This animated feature doesn't fail to fulfil its promises intended for Burton lovers seeking its iconic status, visual style and fast pace.

The pairing of Tim Burton's designs and classic stop-motion animation, as seen in specials such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, combined well. Not only was it Burton's first full-length animated feature, but it was also the first for its director, Henry Selick. It opened their eyes to stop-motion animation, which led them to create other movies applying the same animation technique, such as James and the Giant Peach, Corpse Bride, Coraline and Frankenweenie.

This sensationally animated musical is not without the liveliness and catchiness of Danny Elfman's music. I had no idea that Elfman is thrice the composer, singer and songwriter as his reputation. The movie's rhythmical flair reflects this talent. One could imagine that he could have gotten an Oscar nomination for one of the film's best songs, such as "This Is Halloween", "Sally's Song", "Jack's Lament", "What's This?" and "Oogie Boogie's Song". The actors are equally fantastic with their character voices from unparalleled and notable names, including Catherine O'Hara, Chris Sarandon and Ken Page.

I can't give enough thanks to Tim Burton for creating THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. It is an unusual holiday classic that's dark, funny, spooky and fearfully cheerful. I have to watch this movie again with others by the legendary director. Or I like to revisit one of his old favourites like Edward Scissorhands? I recommend to enthusiasts of Burton and animation that this excellent work is for you to watch, and to do so will put a smile on your face!

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

Monday, December 15, 2014

Jingle All the Way Review (With Guest Reviewer)









Jingle All the Way


Release Date: 21st November 1996 - Australia


Production Companies
20th Century Fox (presents)
1492 Pictures

Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 86 minutes


Budget: $75,000,000 

Box Office Gross: $129,832,389 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After being hard at work
taking last-minute orders
from customers to whom
he can't say no, Howard
Langston, a high-powered
businessman, must get his
son a Turbo Man action
figure, the hottest toy
in the season! But there
is one BIG problem for
Howard. It's Christmas Eve,
and everyone has bought
all Turbo Man action
figures since Thanksgiving!

What began as Howard's
quest to find Turbo Man
has quickly turned into an
odyssey wilder than he
could have ever imagined.
During his seemingly
endless Yuletide
misadventures, he runs
into crazed mailman Myron,
another father on the same
quest. Langston's moral
code gets tested as the
clock starts ticking before
he learns Christmas's real
meaning.


Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger -
Howard Langston
Jake Lloyd - Jamie Langston
Sinbad - Myron Larabee
Rita Wilson - Liz Langston
Robert Conrad - Office Hummell
Martin Mull - D.J.
Phil Hartman - Ted Maltin
Jim Belushi - Mall Santa
E.J. De La Pena - Johnny
Laraine Newman - First Lady
Justin Chapman - Billy
Harvey Korman - President
Richard Moll - Dementor
Daniel Riordan - Turbo Man
Jeff L. Deist - T.V. Booster/Puppeteer
Nada Despotovich - Margaret
Ruth Afton Hjelmgren - Single Mother Judy
Caroline Kaiser - Single Mother Mary
Chris Parnell - Toy Store Sales Clerk
Kate McGregor Stewart - Toy Store Customer
Danny Woodburn - Tony the Elf
Bruce Bohne - Santa at Warehouse Door
Paul Wight - Huge Santa
Nick LaTour - Counterman
Peter Breitmayer - Sparky
Phil Morris - Gale Force
Amy Pietz - Liza Tisch
Curtis Armstrong - Chain Smoking Booster
Spencer Klein - Kid in Turbo Man Commercial
Danny Pritchett - Kid in Turbo Man Commercial
Verne Troyer - Mini Santa (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Brian Levant
Writer - Randy Kornfield
Associate Producers - Paula DuPré Pesmen
and Warren Zide
Executive Producer - Richard Vane
Producers - Chris Columbus,
Mark Radcliffe and Michael Barnathan
Co-Producers - Jennifer Blum and James Mulay
Casting - Judy Taylor
Production Designer - Leslie McDonald
Supervising Art Director - Tony Fanning
Art Director - Thomas Fichter
Set Decorators - John H. Anderson
and Ronald R. Reiss
Property Master - Russell Bobbitt
Costume Designer - Jay Hurley
Supervisors: Turbo Man Suit - Howard Berger,
Robert Kurtzman and Greg Nicotero
Special Makeup Artist: Cannom Creations
Inc. - Greg Cannom
Key Makeup Artist - Jeff Dawn
Makeup Artist: Second Unit - Michael Key
Makeup Effects Producer: Cannom
Creations Inc. - Keith VanderLaan
Hair Stylist - Beatrice De Alba
Key Hair Stylist - Peter Tothpal
Director of Photography - Victor J. Kemper
Camera Operator: Second Unit - Michael Ferris
First Assistant Director - George Parra
Second Assistant Directors - John G. Scotti
and Robin Solo (Uncredited)
Second Unit Director/Director of
Photography - Steve Boyum
Stunt Coordinator - Joel Kramer
Special Effects Coordinator - Jon G. Belyeu
Visual Effects Supervisors - Gregory L. McMurry
and Glenn Neufeld
Visual Effects Producers: VIFX - Josh R. Jaggars
and Scott Peterson
Digital Effects Supervisor: VIFX - Derek Spears
Effects Supervisor: Optical Illusions, Inc. -
Jeff Matakovich
Digital Producer: VisionArt Design and
Animation Inc. - Joshua D. Rose
Digital Compositing Supervisor: VIFX -
Edwin Rivera
Film Editors - Kent Beyda,
Wilt Henderson and Adam Weiss
First Assistant Editor - Mary Morrisey
Sound Effects Design - John P. Fasal
Supervising Sound Editor - John A. Larsen
Sound Effects Editors - Craig Berkeley,
Paul Urmson and David Lewis Yewdall
Re-Recording Mixers - Bob Beemer,
Bill W. Benton and Chris W. Carpenter
Foley Artists - John Roesch and
Hilda Hodges
Music - David Newman


Review (Film Guru Lad)
Now, if you're thinking about which Christmas-themed movie I will review to celebrate this festive time of the year, I have decided to review JINGLE ALL THE WAY, starring the one and only Arnie Schwarzenegger. I had seen and critiqued his previous action-oriented film roles of tough guys and killer machines. It is a downturn of what will become Arnie's second-greatest mistake, and I feel so sorry for my favourite actor. Arnie got cast alongside Sinbad in a movie that is nothing good compared to his over-the-top performance in next year's Batman & Robin. JINGLE ALL THE WAY has a comedy display in the holiday tradition with a crazy story and exceptional humour. It was a tough break for Arnold because he was an action hero and made a few films that belonged to the comedy genre. It is unable to break the mould of his preferred genre.

Arnie was miscast in this movie. I would have preferred to see Robin Williams or Steve Martin take the reins in this comedy. Also featured in this film is another notable actor who is a child by the name of Jake Lloyd. This young-talented chap would later play 9-year-old Darth Vader in The Phantom MenaceHis lacklustre acting can't save the movie from a few of its lacklustre choices.

I am displeased to be the one to criticise this film for its flaws, being that I am an Arnie fan, but I endeavour to be unbiased and honest. In closing, JINGLE ALL THE WAY was merely an average seasonal gift, and it could have been better if a comedian like Steve Martin or the late Robin Williams had put to work in this movie.

Star rating: (5/10) Average


Review (Guest Reviewer)
But if you are looking for a family-orientated and well-written funny movie that celebrates the Christmas spirit in a comedic fashion. It would be a good movie for you. I have watched this feature several times, and it seems funnier each time. The actors are well-cast. Arnold accurately portrays an overworked, stressed father who wants his son and wife to think the world of him. Sinbad, Jim Belushi and Phil Hartman fit the bill perfectly for their roles and work well together in this movie.

The scenes that stuck with me in this film are when Arnold becomes jealous that his next-door neighbour is baking cookies with his wife and yells to his neighbour, "Put that cookie down, NOW!" Also, the scene when Sinbad and Arnold have a fight and chase scene to see who will be the first to claim the infamous Turbo Man toy from the radio free giveaway offer. There are no dull moments. It flows at a pace and, at any point, never gets boring. It appeals to all ages and offers a well-written comedy with a Christmas theme unparalleled by any other movie I have seen.

This movie has an excellent re-watch value, and I recommend it to anyone who has not seen it. Also, it is nice to see Arnie cast in a different kind of role outside of his usual action-hero work. He demonstrated his versatility as a multi-skilled actor. Thanks for listening, and please feel free to leave feedback. : )

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

My Sixth Important Message

Hey there, everyone. It's your favourite movie critic FilmGuruLad, and I am just writing to inform you I have placed some new changes to several of my reviews. Some changes include changing some of the wording, changing some of the images, correcting some typing errors and deleting repeated sentences. I discovered these errors; somehow, these critiques were not receiving many page views. Therefore, I decided to revisit them and check for errors. It was lucky I did this when I discovered the mistakes.

Here is a list of changes that I've finalised, and you can click on the names of the movies below if you want to.

  1. Australia (2008) 
  2. The Castle (1997)
  3. Super 8 (2011)
  4. X-Men 2 (2003)
  5. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) 
  6. Race (2007) 
  7. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) 
  8. Legend (1985) 
  9. X-Men: First Class (2011)  
  10. Faeries (1999) 
  11. Die Hard (1988) 
  12. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
  13. The Road to El Dorado (2000)
  14. Batman & Robin (1997)
  15. Grown Ups 2 (2013)
  16. Green Lantern (2011) 
  17. Now You See Me (2013) 
  18. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
  19. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

None of you has ever visited the post about the three best movies of 2013 (click here). I've entirely fixed it, and for those who haven't discovered the updates I've mentioned in that post, feel free to check it!

Also, I would like to add when anyone reads my reviews and notice any errors or mistakes. I would be grateful if you to leave feedback in the comment tab. Thanks, and happy film-watching!

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Monday, December 8, 2014

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Review













Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No 
Good, Very Bad Day


Release Date: 28th November 2014 - Australia

Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures
21 Laps Entertainment
The Jim Henson Company

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Australia


Genre: Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 82 minutes


Budget: $28,000,000

Box Office Gross: $101,379,287
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Follows the exploits of 11-
year-old Alexander as he
experiences the most terrible
and horrible day of his young
life-a day that begins with
gum stuck in his hair,
followed by one calamity 
after another.

But when Alexander tells 

his upbeat family about 
the misadventures of his
disastrous day, he finds little
sympathy and begins to
wonder if bad things only
happen to him. He soon
learns that he's not alone 
when his brother, sister, 
mom and dad all find 
themselves living through 
their own terrible, horrible, 
no good, very bad day.
Anyone who says there is no 
such thing as a bad day just 
hasn't had one. (Source -
Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Ed Oxenbould - Alexander Cooper
Steve Carell - Ben Cooper
Jennifer Garner - Kelly Cooper
Dylan Minnette - Anthony Cooper
Kerris Dorsey - Emily Cooper
Bella Thorne - Celia Rodriguez
Elise & Zoey Vargas - Trevor
Cooper
Sidney Fullmer - Becky Gibson
Mekai Curtis - Paul
Donald Glover - Greg
Dick Van Dyke - Himself
Jennifer Coolidge - Ms. Suggs
Mekai Curtis - Paul

Crew
Director - Miguel Arteta
Based on Book "Alexander 
and the Terrible, Horrible, 
No Good, Very Bad Day" - Judith Viorst
Screen Story and 
Screenplay - Rob Lieber
Producers - Lisa Henson,
Daniel S. Levine and Shawn Levy
Cinematography - Terry Stacey
Film Editor - Pamela Martin
Music - Christophe Beck


Review
I have recently had the pleasure of watching 'ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY' on the big screen, after watching this film, my afterthoughts are that it had a meaningful and funny plot that conveys a message that there are sometimes good days that can turn into the worst day ever and that getting through these days can draw a family together in working together to turn a bad situation into a good one. I am impressed with the slapstick comedy which at moments I found myself in fits of hysterical laughter because of the hilarious misfortunes of the family.

The actors had worked well together and appeared to have a fun experience which really compliments the quality of the movie. I was quite surprised to see old-school legend Dick Van Dyke in being featured on a hilarious guest appearance, Dick is well known for his association with Disney in 'Mary Poppins'The filmmakers used the song of INXS "Need You Tonight" on the film's closing scene and it suits well considering that the movie takes pride in referencing some of the Australian cultural aspects.

There are those who are to accept that despite having a lot of adult-oriented jokes, this is not a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad movie! It certainly is entertaining and sure to appeal to certain diverse age groups who may not yet have read the book that this movie is based upon..

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Monday, December 1, 2014

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Review









Star Trek: The Motion Picture


Release Date: 21st December 1979 - Australia


Production Companies
Paramount Pictures (presents)
Century Associates
Robert Wise Productions

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 132 minutes
                 136 minutes
                 (director's cut)


Budget: $46,000,000

Box Office Gross: $139,000,000
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
An alien phenomenon of
unprecedented size and
power is approaching
Earth, destroying everything
in its path. The only starship
in range is the U.S.S.
Enterprise--still in drydock
after a major overhaul. As
Captain Decker readies his
ship and his crew to face
this menace, the legendary
Admiral James T. Kirk
arrives with orders to take
command of the Enterprise
and intercept the intruder.

But it has been three years
since Kirk last commanded
the Enterprise on its historic
five year mission...is he up
to the task of saving the
Earth? (Source - IMDb)


Cast
William Shatner - Admiral 
James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy - Commander 
Spock 
DeForest Kelley - Dr, Leonard
"Bones" McCoy
James Doohan - Scotty
Walter Koenig - Chekov
George Takei - Sulu
Nichelle Nichols - Uhura
Persis Khambatta - Ilia
Stephen Collins - Willard
Decker
Majel Barrett - Dr. Christine Chapel
Grace Lee Whitney - Janice Rand
Mark Lenard - Klingon Captain
David Gautreaux - Commander Branch
Marcy Lafferty - Chief DiFalco
Jon Rashad Kamal - Lt. Commander Sonak
Terence O'Connor - Chief Ross
Michael Rougas - Lt. Cleary

Crew
Director - Robert Wise
Based on Series "Star Trek"/Producer -
Gene Roddenberry
Story - Alan Dean Foster
Screenplay - Harold Livingston
Associate Producer - Jon Povill
Producer (2001 director's edition) - David C. Fein
Special Science Consultant - Isaac Asimov
Casting Director - Marvin Paige
Production Designer - Harold Michelson
Production Illustrators: Apogee, Inc. - Jack Johnson,
Martin A. Kline, Syd Mead and John R. Shourt
Art Directors - Leon Harris,
Joseph R. Jennings and John Vallone
Set Decorator - Linda DeScenna
Costume Designer - Robert Fletcher
Director of Photography - Richard H. Kline
Second Unit (Uncredited)/Special Photographic
Effects Director - Douglas Trumbull
Special Photographic Effects Supervisor -
John Dykstra
Special Photographic Effects: Director of
Photography/Producer - Richard Yuririch
Film Editor - Todd C. Ramsay
Sound Effects Creators - Dirk Dalton,
Joel Goldsmith, Alan Howarth,
Francesco Lupica and Frank Serafine
Composer: Theme "Star Trek" -
Alexander Courage
Music - Jerry Goldsmith


Awards

1980 Academy Awards
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration - Harold Michelson,
Joseph R. Jennings, Leon Harris and Linda DeScenna (Nominated)
Best Visual Effects - Douglas Trumbull, John Dykstra,
Richard Yuririch, Robert Swarthe, David K. Stewart and
Grant McCune (Nominated)
Best Music, Original Score - Jerry Goldsmith (Nominated)


Review
When I first saw the first and original movie of 'Star Trek' on TV, as I recall it felt very slow-paced and boring. Years later, as I'm after having watched nearly all the later 'Trek' originals and the J.J. Abrams reboots. I said it before and I will say it again, I am not a die-hard Trekkie. At first, in revisiting the old and first 'Star Trek' only in the director's cut edition, it doesn't contain the action scenes that many fans were promised before its release. The plot-line is very similar and identical to Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' which I can now see the differences in both movies of the science-fiction category. It didn't surprise me that some of the effects team responsible for the vfx on Kubrick's masterpiece were needed once again for 'STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE'

Although the director Robert Wise is an interesting candidate to helm the 'Trek' saga for the first instalment, the quality of the movie is lessened as a result of the main cast wearing bad outfits and slow moving pace. The film's musical score by Jerry Goldsmith complimented the moments of percussion in the film and I find it to be a better 'Trek' film score than the others.

The Trekkies have been moping about the results of this product since its release in 1979, it only has the exploration and mystery in a greater sense. It may not be the 'Trek' we knew in many years, but it's a lengthened cinematic experience for non-Trek fans.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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