Monday, July 27, 2015

Up Review










Up


Release Date: 3rd September 2009 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
Pixar Animation Studios

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Australia


Genre: Animation/Family/
Adventure/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 91 minutes


Budget: $175,000,000

Box Office Gross: $735,099,102 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A retired balloon salesman/widower named Carl Fredricksen has dreamed of going to the lost world of his childhood dreams, but now he sets off for a high-flying adventure by tying thousands of balloons to his home. Luckily, he isn't the only one when an overeager 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell joins him in his experience when he ends up on Carl's front porch.

The world's most unlikely duo is about to end up at new heights and meet new friends, such as Dug, a dog with a collar that allows him to speak, and a rare 13-foot-tall flightless bird named Kevin. While on their journey, Carl will realise that sometimes life's biggest adventures aren't the ones you seek.


Voice Cast
Edward Asner - Carl Fredricksen
Jordan Nagai - Russell
Christopher Plummer - Charles Muntz
Bob Peterson - Dug/Alpha
Pete Docter - Kevin/
Campmaster Strauch
Delroy Lindo - Beta
Jerome Ranft - Gamma
John Ratzenberger - Construction Foreman Tom
Elie Docter - Young Ellie
Jeremy Leary - Young Carl
Donald Fullilove - Nurse George
Jess Harnell - Nurse AJ
Josh Cooley - Omega

Crew
Story/Screenplay/Director - Pete Docter
Story/Screenplay/Co-Director - Bob Peterson
Story - Tom McCarthy
Additional Screenplay Material/Story Supervisor/
Story Artist (Uncredited) - Ronnie Del Carmen
Associate Producer - Denise Ream
Executive Producers - John Lasseter
and Andrew Stanton
Producer - Jonas Rivera
Production Designer - Ricky Nierva
Character Art Directors - Albert Lozano
and Daniel Lopez Muniz
Shading Art Director - Bryn Imagire
Enviroment Art Directors - Nathaniel McLaughlin
and Don Shank
Additional Production Artist - William Cone
Additional Storyboarding/Development
Artist - Jeff Pidgeon
Story Consultant - Julie Lynn
Production Manager - Mark Nielsen
Character Supervisor - Thomas Jordan
Sets Supervisor - John Halstead
Animation and Crowds Supervisor - John Pottebaum
Supervising Animator - Scott Clark
Directing Animators - Shawn Krause,
Dave Mullins and Michael Venturini
Director of Photography: Camera - Patrick Lin
Director of Photography: Lighting - Jean-Claude Kalache
Supervising Technical Director - Steve May
Effects Supervisor - Gary Bruins
Stereoscopic Supervisor - Bob Whitehill
Film Editors - Kevin Nolting and
Katherine Ringgold
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor/
Re-Recording Mixer - Tom Myers
Supervising Sound Editor - Michael Silvers
Sound Effects Editors - Teresa Eckton,
J.R. Grubbs and Al Nelson
Re-Recording Mixer - Michael Semanick
Foley Artists - Jana Vance and
Dennie Thorpe
Foley Mixer - Frank Rinella
Music - Michael Giacchino
Executive Music Producer - Chris Montan
Music Supervisor - Tom MacDougall


Awards

2010 Academy Awards
Best Animated Feature - Pete Docter (Won)
Best Music - Michael Giacchino (Won)
------------------------
Best Picture - Jonas Rivera (Nominated)
Best Writing, Original Screenplay - Bob Peterson,
Pete Docter and Tom McCarthy (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing - Michael Silvers and
Tom Myers (Nominated)


Review
Pixar has consistently shown ongoing stories of heartwarming magic for the young and old over the decades since Toy StoryIt was in 1995 when they first introduced CGI features to the world. Upon its release in 2009, UP became one of the studio's last two critically acclaimed endeavours. However, not all of us have responded positively to this charming, new-age, modern classic. However, it's too similar to the previous animated feature from Pixar, WALL-E. I'm not so much on the plot. Sure, the characterisations are colourful, but there's not much to say about the comedy and drama in this movie, as it was predictable.

The film's highlight is the montage scene where Carl and Ellie are married, and something tragic occurs. Not even Christopher Nolan or Steven Spielberg can replicate this moment of poignancy. I understood its message that this film communicates that life is one big adventure and that you should live life to your fullest potential and follow your wildest dreams. Unfortunately, this can't save UP from its mild imperfections. Still, the voice acting iced the cake. Ed Asner did an outstanding job of voicing Carl Fredricksen. Christopher Plummer even does an impressive antagonist portrayal of Charles Muntz than a few other villainous roles.

That said, UP is a semi-decent animated movie. I can be a harsh critic when there are bad films, as I have viewed and reviewed a few of them. That is if you have had experience with this type of film. It might be more appealing.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

Back to Home

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The African Queen Review










The African Queen


Release Date: 23rd December 1951 - USA


Production Companies
Romulus Films (presents)
Horizon Films


Genre: Adventure

Rating: G

Runtime: 100 minutes


Budget: $1,000,000

Box Office Gross: $10,750,000
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After religious spinster's
missionary brother is killed
in WWI Africa, dissolute
steamer captain offers her
safe passage. She's not
satisfied so she persuades
him to destroy a German
gunboat. The two spend
most of their time fighting
with each other rather than
the Germans. Time alone
on the river leads to love. (Source - Google)


Cast
Humphrey Bogart - Charlie Allnut
Katherine Hepburn - Rose Sayer
Robert Morley - Rev. Samuel Sayer
Peter Bull - Captain of Louisa
Theodore Bikel - First Officer
Walter Gotell - Second Officer
Peter Swanwick - First Officer of Shona
Richard Marner - Second Officer of Shona

Crew
Writer/Director - John Huston
Based on Novel "The African
Queen" - C.S. Forester
Writers - James Agee, John Collier (Uncredited)
and Peter Viertel (Uncredited)
Producers - Sam Spiegel and John Woolf (Uncredited)
Art Director - Wilfred Shingleton
Costume Designer: Miss Hepburn's -
Doris Langley Moore
Director of Photography - Jack Cardiff
Film Editor - Ralph Kempen
Music - Allan Grey


Awards

1952 Academy Awards
Best Actor - Humphrey Bogart (Won)
------------------------
Best Actress - Katherine Hepburn (Nominated)
Best Director - John Huston (Nominated)
Best Writing, Screenplay - James Agee and
John Huston (Nominated)


Review
'THE AFRICAN QUEEN' is a 1951 romantic adventure film which is remembered as one of the defining films of its era. This movie has a terrific screenplay and delivers a heart-warming love story between two indifferent people who embark on an adventure of a lifetime. 'THE AFRICAN QUEEN' is uplifted by the strong chemistry of its two notable actors Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn who portrayed the fictional romantic couple. It was a good directorial decision to cast these two actors by director John Huston as they are very convincing in creating a connection between their characters.

This film has aged well and was appreciated by movie buffs to be a great classic. I am glad to have watched 'THE AFRICAN QUEEN' and felt that even with its age, it is still entertaining to watch.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

Monday, July 20, 2015

Interstellar Review











Interstellar


Release Date: November 6th 2014 - Australia


Production Companies
Paramount Pictures (presents)
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Legendary Pictures (in association with)
Lynda Obst Productions
Syncopy

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 169 minutes


Budget: $165,000,000

Box Office Gross: $731,079,637 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
In the future of Earth,
a global crop blight and
a second Dust Bowl will
slowly render the planet
uninhabitable. Professor
Brand, a brilliant NASA
physicist, is working on
a plan to save the human
race by transporting the
population of the Earth
to a new home through a
wormhole. But first, to find
out which of the three
planets could be humanity's
new home, Brand must
send former NASA pilot
Cooper and a team of
explorers through the
wormhole and across the
galaxy.


Cast
Matthew McConaughey -
Cooper
Anne Hathaway - Dr. Amelia Brand
Mackenzie Foy - Murph (10 years)
Jessica Chastain - Murph
Bill Irwin - TARS (Voice)
Ellen Burstyn - Murph (older)
Michael Caine - Prof. Brand
David Gyasi - Romilly
Wes Bentley - Doyle
Andrew Borba - Smith
William Devane - Williams
Josh Stewart - CASE (Voice)
John Lithgow - Donald
Timothee Chalamet - Tom (15 years)
Casey Affleck - Tom
Leah Cairns - Lois
Liam Dickinson - Coop
Topher Grace - Getty
Matt Damon - Dr. Mann
David Oyelowo - School Principal
Collette Wolf - Ms. Hanley
Francis X. McCarthy - Boots
Flora Nolan - Girl on Truck
Griffin Fraser - Boy on Truck
Jeff Hephner - Doctor
Lena Georgas - Nurse Practitioner
Elyes Gabel - Administrator
Brooke Smith - Nurse
Russ Fega - Crew Chief

Crew
Writer/Producer/Director - Christopher Nolan
Writer - Jonathan Nolan
Script Supervisor - Steve Gehrke
Executive Producers - Jordan Goldberg,
Jake Myers, Kip Thorne and Thomas Tull
Producers - Emma Thomas and Lynda Obst
Casting Director - John Papsidera
IMAX Consultant - David Keighley
Production Designer - Nathan Crowley
Concept Artists - Steve Burg,
Romek Delimata and Nathaniel West
Supervising Art Director - Dean Wolcott
Art Directors - Joshua Lusby and
Eric David Sundahl
Greens Supervisor: Alberta - Dan Ondrejko
Set Decorator - Gary Fettis
Property Master - Ritchie Kremer
Costume Designer - Mary Zophres
Director of Photography - Hoyte van Hoytema
Aerial Director of Photography - Hans Bjerno
Camera Operator - P. Scott Sakamoto
Pilots - Craig Hosking and David Paris
Unit Production Manager - Daniel M. Stillman
Unit Production Manager: Alberta - Casey Grant
First Assistant Director - Nico Otero
Stunt Coordinator - George Cottle
Special Effects Supervisor - Scott R. Fisher
Visual Effects Supervisor - Paul J. Franklin
Visual Effects Supervisor: Double Negative -
Andrew Lockley
Visual Effects Supervisor: New Deal Studios -
Ian Hunter
Visual Effects Producer - Kevin Elam
Visual Effects Director of Photography:
New Deal Studios - Tim Angulo
Compositing Sequence Supervisors: Double
Negative - Graham Page, Isaac Layish,
Raphael Hamm, Sebastian von Overheidt
and Tristan Myles
CG Sequence Supervisors: Double Negative -
Bruno Baron, Chantelle Williams,
Fabio Zangla, Seth Dubieniec and
Tom Bracht
Editor - Lee Smith
Associate Editor - John Lee
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor -
Richard King
Additional Sound Design - Ken J. Johnson
and Aaron Glascock
Production Sound Mixer - Mark Weingarten
Sound Effects Recording Mixers - John P. Fasal
and Eric Potter
Re-Recording Mixers - Gary A. Rizzo
and Gregg Landaker
Additional Re-Recording Mixer - Michael Babcock
Foley Artists - John Roesch and Alyson Dee Moore
Music - Hans Zimmer
Sequence Programmers - Andrew Kawczynski
and Steve Mazzaro
Organ Soloist - Roger Sayer
Supervising Music Editor - Alex Gibson
Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson
Score Recordist - Geoff Foster


Awards

2015 Academy Awards
Best Visual Effects - Paul J. Franklin,
Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott R. Fisher (Won)
-----------------------------
Best Original Score - Hans Zimmer (Nominated)
Best Sound Mixing - Gary Rizzo, Gregg Landaker
and Mark Weingarten (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing - Richard King (Nominated)
Best Production Design - Nathan Crowley and
Gary Fettis (Nominated)


Review
In 2014, I felt anxious when Chris Nolan's latest directional effort, INTERSTELLAR, met its eventual release in cinemas - I had long awaited the moment to come. Unfortunately, I wasn't around to see the film when it was released. So, instead, I waited for it to be available on Blu-Ray and DVD. It was not very reassuring because I didn't get to see it in theatres and, as it turns out, this movie is for the cinema. I assumed this deep space epic was the equivalent of 2001: A Space Odyssey. INTERSTELLAR would follow the same pattern in the director's films like The Dark Knight series, Inception and many others.

After a year of watching the movie, I found INTERSTELLAR excellent in meeting my expectations. It would have been a fatal catastrophic blow to Chris Nolan's filmmaking career if this wasn't the case. Unlike 2001, INTERSTELLAR isn't different from reality in its portrayal of space exploration, whereas the former is full of trippier images. Today's audiences will appreciate its developed plot and operatic drama compared to the more visualised experience of Stanley Kubrick's original sensation. I liked the fascinating plot concept of a wormhole, which is intriguing given the significant scientific themes implanted in INTERSTELLAR.

In specific ways, the acting is of a professional standard, especially Matthew McConaughey, for portraying the character. The other actors, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine and Jessica Chastain, displayed exceptional talent when paired with McConaughey's protagonist. I didn't realise that Matt Damon was in the supporting cast, and he's been in a few roles in sci-fi movies such as Elysium and the animation Titan A.E. Finally, the last feature to compliment the film is Hans Zimmer's music score. He has written brilliant compositions for INTERSTELLAR. Surprisingly, this is his latest best work since Inception.

Nearly surpassing the depth of his previous directional efforts, Nolan is a visionary ahead of his time and has the destiny to be the next Spielberg. Some viewers may consider INTERSTELLAR a divisive movie due to its questionable ending, but this does not change how I feel about it.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Tad the Lost Explorer Review











Tad the Lost Explorer 


Release Date: 10th August 2013 - Australia


Production Companies
El Toro Pictures
Lightbox Entertainment
Ikiru Films
Telecinco Cinema
Telefonica Producciones
Media Networks (in co-
production with)

Distribution
StudioCanal Australia


Genre: Animation/Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 88 minutes


Budget: €500,000,000

Box Office Gross: $51,300,000
(Worldwide)

 
Plot Summary
Tad Jones, a frustrated
construction worker,
dreams of becoming a
dashing archaeologist.
His dream soon becomes
a reality after he pairs
up with a plucky
young woman and fight
unscrupulous treasure-
hunters on the search
for Inca treasure.


Voice Cast (English)
Kerry Shale - Tad/Kopponen
Fiona Glascott - Sara Lavrof
Adam James - Max Mordon
Enriqueta Linares - Melinda
Lewis MacLeod - Freddy
Mac MacDonald - Professor
Lavrof/Humbert
Bruce Mackinnon - The Mummy
Liza Ross - Grandma
Maria Darling - Young Tad

Crew
Director - Enrique Gato
Based on Comic/
Screenplay - Javier Lopez
Barreia and Gorka Magallion
Screenplay - Ignacio del Moral
Screenplay/Producer - Jordi Gasull
Screenplay/Co-Executive
Producer - Neil Landau
Additional Dialogue - Diego San Jose
Additional Writing - Veronica Fernandez
Executive Producers - Gabriel Arias-Salgado, Julio Ariza, Victoria Borris and Javier Ugarte
Co-Executive Producer - Angel Blasco
Producers - Alvaro Augustin,
Ghislain Barrois, Nicolas Matji,
Ezequiel Nieto, Edmon Roch
and Cesar Vargas
Co-Producers - Flavio Balaguer,
Manuel Echanove and Werner Schuler Schutz
Art Director/Character Supervision/
Compositing Supervisor - Juan Jesus Garcia Galocha
Storyboard Supervisor/Animation Director -
Maximino Diaz Gerveno
Character Supervision/Cloth Supervisor/
Technical Animation - Ignacio Santalla
Animation Supervisor - Inigo Berasategui
Lighting Supervisor - Juan Ignacio Garrido
Layout Supervisor - Enrique Gato
Film Editor - Alexander Adams
Music - Zacarias M. de la Riva


Review
A certain foreign movie like this doesn't get the attention it deserves. This is probably why you won't have heard of 'TAD THE LOST EXPLORER'. It's neither a creative nor a visualised animated product; its only credit was to try and parody 'Indiana Jones' just for pre-teens and young adults. Complete with unfunny jokes and clichéd plot, the movie is completely ruined but I am interested in the action scenes. I did praise a few characters like the speech-impaired bird. This bird did sooth the pain of watching this movie a bit. Lacking more of what could have made 'TAD' so special is an interesting story and maybe a few more engaging characters. The absence of a well-known celebrity voice cast didn't help either.

Not the brightest bulb of CGI and certainly a subpar cake of an animated movie. Shame that Pixar or Dreamworks have never made a version of 'TAD THE LOST EXPLORER'. This film is really only for those who would eventually learn of what archaeology is all about and the brilliance of the 'Indiana Jones' trilogy.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average


Monday, July 13, 2015

Minions Review










Minions


Release Date: 18th June 2015 - Australia 


Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Illumination Entertainment 

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Animation/Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 91 minutes


Budget: $74,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,159,435,149
(Worldwide - figure subject to change)


Plot Summary
The story of Universal
Pictures and Illumination
Entertainment's Minions
begins at the dawn of
time. Starting as single-celled
yellow organisms, Minions
evolve through the ages,
perpetually serving the most
despicable of masters.

Continuously unsuccessful
at keeping these masters-
from T. Rex to Napoleon-
the Minions find themselves
without someone to serve
and fall into a deep depression.

But one Minion named Kevin
has a plan, and he alongside
teenage rebel Stuart and
loveable little Bob ventures
out into the world to find a
new evil boss for his
brethren to follow.

The trio embarks upon a
thrilling journey that ultimately
leads them to their next
potential master, Scarlet
Overkill, the world's first
female super-villain. They
travel from frigid Antarctica
to 1960s New York City,
ending in mod London,
where they must face their
biggest challenge to date:
saving all of Minionkind...
from annihilation. (Source -
Metro Cinemas)


Voice Cast
Pierre Coffin - Kevin/Stuart/
Bob/Various Minions
Sandra Bullock - Scarlet Overkill
Jon Hamm - Herb Overkill
Michael Keaton - Walter Nelson
Allison Janney - Madge Nelson
Steve Coogan - Professor Flux/
Tower Guard
Geoffrey Rush - Narrator
Jennifer Saunders - Queen Elizabeth II
Hiroyuki Sanada - Sumo Villain
Steve Carrell - Young Gru

Crew
Directors - Pierre Coffin and
Kyle Balda
Writer -  Bryan Lynch
Executive Producer - Chris Renaud
Producers - Janet Healy and
Christopher Meledandri
Character/Production Designer - Eric Guillon
Art Director - Olivier Adam
Story Supervisor - Dave Rosenbaum 
Animation Directors - Bruno Dequier
and Pierre Leduc
Animation Supervisor - Hichem Arfaoui
Lighting and Composting Supervisor - Nicolas Brack
Layout Department Supervisor - Guy-Laurent Homsy
CG Supervisors - Frank Baradat and
Antonin Seydoux
Film Editor - Claire Dodgson
Music - Heitor Pereira


Review 
Just as you thought when 'Despicable Me' turned out to be a great and wild animated comedy when it first came out to the big screen and spawned only one sequel with the third now upcoming. The Minions were the very significant part of the films instant success as they were the supporting characters and provide nearly all of its slapstick material. To capitalise on their initial iconic status, the producers have made their decision to have these characters star in their very own movie which shows them of how they were employed as "minions" before fate took them to Gru. 'MINIONS' as the film already named for its known aforementioned characters has the ability to generate laughs for everyone, but it's not quite what I had in mind for a prequel to be that slow in some of its parts that I deem unfitting. Maybe this film could have been better and more entertaining with some more humour instead? 

As much as I can't waste on one of its many factors like the voice acting for example, Sandra Bullock really shines her dark side as she voices the notorious femme foe Scarlet Overkill. The name of that villain as I felt it could have been written for a movie that isn't part of the 'Despicable Me' series and instead be used in James Bond.

It's not so much despicable when this turns out to be a typical family-oriented animated feature that somehow falls into the lines of obscurity. I wasn't expecting the structure of the film to be in above fairness, but I simply enjoy watching these yellow-tablet shaped blokes again for the third time.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

Back to Home

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Jurassic World Review









Jurassic World


Release Date: 11th June 2015 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures (present)
Amblin Entertainment (present)
Legendary Pictures (in association with)
Dentsu (presented in association with)
Fuji Television Network (presented in
association with)

Distribution 
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 125 minutes


Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,671,537,444 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Twenty-two years ago, John Hammond had envisioned a theme park where guests could see actual dinosaurs as they could experience them.

Today, a new theme park in Isla Nublar called Jurassic World is open for business. When a team of scientists creates a new kind of dinosaur to increase public interest, not everyone agrees it's a good idea. Owen, who works at the theme park, soon finds out that his scepticisms were right when
all hell breaks loose. Owen
and Claire must set out to
restore order and evacuate
the park as thousands of
visitors get hurt or eaten
in this catastrophe.



Cast
Chris Pratt - Owen
Bryce Dallas Howard - Claire
Ty Simpkins - Gray Mitchell
Nick Robinson - Zach Mitchell
BD Wong - Dr. Henry Wu
Irrfan Khan - Simon Masrani
Vincent D'Onofrio - Vic Hoskins
Jake Johnson - Lowery
Omar Sy - Barry
Lauren Lapkus - Vivian
Brian Tee - Hamada
Katie McGrath - Zara
Judy Greer - Karen Mitchell
Andy Buckley - Scott Mitchell
Eric Edelstein - Nick
Jimmy Fallon - Himself (Cameo)
James DuMont - Hal Osterly
Colin Trevorrow - Mr. DNA (Voice) (Cameo)

Crew
Screenplay/Director - Colin Trevorrow
Based on Characters - Michael Critchon
Story/Screenplay - Rick Jaffa
and Amanda Silver
Screenplay - Derek Connolly
Executive Producers - Jon
Jashni, Steven Spielberg and
Thomas Tull
Producer/Unit Production Manager - Patrick Crowley
Producer - Frank Marshall
Co-Producer - Trevor Waterson
Casting Director - John Papsidera
Palaeontology Consultant - Jack Horner
Production Designer - Ed Verreaux
Visual Consultant - Rick Carter
Concept Illustrators - Dean Sherriff and Jamie Rama
Supervising Art Director - Doug J. Meerdink
Art Director - Christa Munro
Art Director: Hawaii Unit - Caty Maxey
Vehicle Design Coordinator - Ron Mendell
Set Decorator - Ronald R. Reiss
Property Master - Guillaume DeLouche
Costume Designer - Daniel Orlandi
Makeup Department Head - Vivian Baker
Key Hair Stylist - Peter Tothpal
Director of Photography - John Schwartzman
Aerial Directors of Photography - David B. Nowell
and Michael Kelem
Supervising Location Manager - Laura Sode-Matteson
First Assistant Director - Chris Castaldi
Second Unit Director: New Orleans 2nd Unit/
Splinter Unit - David Leitch
Second Unit Director: Hawaii 2nd Unit/
Splinter Unit/Stunt Coordinator - Chris O'Hara
Aerial Pilots - David Paris, Allan Purwin
and Dana Rosendal
Special Dinosaur Effects - Michael Lantieri
Animatronic & Design Supervisor/Puppeteer -
John Rosengrant
Special Effects Supervisor - Michael Meinardus
On Set Special Effects Coordinator - Chris Brenczewski
Visual Effects Supervisor - Tim Alexander
Co-Visual Effects Supervisor - Tony Plett
Visual Effects Supervisor: Stereoscopic -
Katherine Rodtsbrooks
Associate VFX Supervisor: ILM - Jeff Capogreco
Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Erin D. O'Connor
Visual Effects Animation Supervisor -
Glen McIntosh
Co-Animation Supervisor: ILM - Kevin Martel
Animation Supervisor: Image Engine
Design Inc. - Jeremy Mesena
Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Danny McBride
CG Supervisor: ILM - Kevin Sprout
Lighting Supervisors: ILM - Kevin Barnhill,
Gerald Gutschmidt and Celia Jepson
Digital Creature Model Supervisor - Geoff Campbell
Digital Model Supervisor: ILM - Kelvin Lau
Creature Supervisor - Kaori Ogino
Digital Paint & Roto Supervisors: ILM -
Beth D'Amato and Justin Kosnikowski
Asset Supervisor: Image Engine Design Inc. -
Barry Poon
Dinosaur Consultant - Phil Tippett
Film Editor - Kevin Stitt
Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer - Pete Horner
Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer - Al Nelson
Supervising Sound Editor - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
Consulting Sound Designer - Gary Rydstrom
Re-Recording Mixer - Christopher Boyes
Foley Artists - Jana Vance and Dennie Thorpe
Composer: Theme Music - John Williams
Music - Michael Giacchino


Review
I have thoughts about seeing JURASSIC WORLD after it comes out in theatres. I hope this new instalment is better than the last movie, which I'll get on to for some time. Here comes JURASSIC WORLD, and it has never been so terrifying and fun to the people who have seen all three of the features. This new chapter wasn't as subtle and entertaining as others would say. The visuals were more complex than the originals. I was relieved the plot had a new twist similar to the original Jurassic Park. It provided more terror, and this shocked the audience. I liked the direction by Colin Trevorrow after Joe Johnston got booted out of the franchise. Trevorrow gives this film the edginess that Steven Spielberg couldn't do.

I praise the ensemble team of actors, including Chris Pratt. He had been fresh from the success of last year's films, such as providing the voice of Emmet in The LEGO Movie and is Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy. He succeeds on his own, better than the original actors, such as Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum, who failed to show up as either supporting characters or having cameo appearances in this new blockbuster.

While this sequel doesn't regain the acclaim shown in the first instalment, it is a solid popcorn movie that seems to have everyone frenzied by its entertainment. Be sure you watch all the classics before you see this one.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

Back to Home

Monday, July 6, 2015

San Andreas Review















San Andreas


Release Date: 28th May 2015 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures
Village Roadshow Pictures
New Line Cinema
Flynn Picture Company
RatPac-Dune Entertainment

Distribution
Roadshow Distribution


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 108 minutes


Budget: $110,000,000

Box Office Gross: $473,990,832
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A sudden and destructive
magnitude nine earthquake
leaves California in peril
as it tears through the state,
leaving a horrible path of
destruction in its wake.

As it rips apart the West
Coast bit by bit, Ray, a
rescue chopper pilot,
tries to make his way to
his estranged daughter
with his ex-wife before
it's too late. (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Dwayne Johnson - Ray Gaines
Carla Gugino - Emma Gaines
Alexandra Daddario - Blake Gaines
Hugo Johnstone-Burt - Ben Taylor
Art Parkinson - Ollie Taylor
Ioan Gruffudd - Daniel Riddick
Archie Panjabi - Serena Johnson
Paul Giamatti - Dr. Lawrence Hayes
Will Yun Lee - Dr. Kim Park
Alec Utgoff - Alexi
Matt Gerald - Harrison
Todd Williams - Marcus Crawlings
Colton Haynes - Joby O'Leary
Morgan Griffin - Natalie
Kylie Minogue - Susan Riddick
Breanne Hill - Larissa
Laurence Coy - Elgin
Fiona Press - Margie
Dennis Coard - Herb
Ben McIvor - Dylan
Simone Kessell - Kim Swann
Saskia Williscroft - Jenny Swann
Arabella Morton - Mallory

Crew
Director - Brad Peyton
Story - Andre Fabrizio and
Jeremy Passmore
Screenplay - Carlton Cuse
Executive Producers - Bruce
Berman, Richard Brener,
Toby Emmerich and Rob
Cowan
Producer - Beau Flynn
Co-Producer - Hiram Garcia
Casting Directors - Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood
Production Designer - Barry Chusid
Supervising Art Director - Charlie Revai
Art Directors - Michael E. Goldman,
Jacinta Leong, Tom Nursey and Matthew Putland
Set Decorator - Lisa Thompson
Special Makeup Effects - Alec Gillis and
Tom Woodruff Jr.
Costume Designer - Wendy Chuck
Cinematography - Steve Yedlin
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Paul Jennings
Water Unit Director/Effects Supervisor - Matt Kutcher
Stunt Coordinators - Keith Campbell,
Jon Devore and Allan Poppleton
Special Effects Supervisor - Brian Cox
Special Effects Coordinator - Leanne Brooks
Special Effects Coordinator: San Francisco - Geoff Heron
Visual Effects Supervisors - Katherine Rodtsbrooks
and Colin & Greg Strause
Visual Effects Supervisor: Scanline VFX - Bryan Grill
Visual Effects Producers - Crys Forsyth-Smith,
Anna-Louise Gordon, Roopesh Gujar,
Randy Starr, Suneel.Shau and Sarah Swick
Film Editor - Bob Ducsay
Music - Andrew Lockington


Review
It came without a disappointment and I haven't been in theatres to see a disaster film since I first saw Roland Emmerich's '2012' about in 2009. This recent movie mayhem of 'SAN ANDREAS' is much different to this other film as there are both different stories that consistently feature a main character who is divorced/separated and revolved a life-threatening cataclysmic event. In other words, 'SAN ANDREAS' shares some of its elements and though not in the same emphasis of destruction and mind blowing impact. This has never been firm that were a few cracks on the wall that could diminish this picture, I simply cannot tell whether if this is an improvement to '2012' or not. Director Brad Peyton must have captured the reality and boasted the drama and the visual spectacle to make this an Emmerich-styled film. 

Taking that time now all for good in this catastrophic blaze is the star-studded performances by Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino and Paul Giamatti. Dwayne however is a competent and probably the best suitable actor who will do much good for having the movie look as a bold, refreshing and splendid cinematic piece of ongoing tension. 

The things I said about 'SAN ANDREAS' are for the better, the more it was being a semi-decent school holiday feature. I may not know if I can watch it again, but I deem this to be a necessary film for anyone old enough to watch it. 

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

Back to Home

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Few Updates, One Critique Re-Uploaded

I thought you would like to know about this news update. There is not much I improved aside from minor adjustments in some film reviews to re-word the sentences and type in more names for the cast and crew to try and have these tweaked and finished. Fortunately, there is good news for everyone. I brought back Stealth and had it re-uploaded. These are a few of the movies I previously reviewed in the past three years, and it is clear that only three were listed.