Thursday, April 30, 2015

Old Reviews Re-Uploaded/New Star Wars Teaser

Hello there, everyone. It's FilmGuruLad here. I just came to inform you that I have updated some of my original reviews, including the two How to Train Your Dragon films, Kung Fu Panda 2, White House Down and the latest, Gallipoli. There are also two I recently re-uploaded, which include The Bourne Legacy and the 2012 remake of Red Dawn, which I have taken off my blog because I have not yet re-explored them.

In case you're wondering why I have not yet shown you the new Star Wars teaser, it is because of my efforts directed to more issues, such as tributes to Paul Walker and Anzac Day. But here, this will make up to you. I hope you'll enjoy it.

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Monday, April 27, 2015

Gallipoli Review











Gallipoli


Release Date: 13th August 1981 - Australia


Production Companies
The Australian Film Commission
R&R Films

Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: War

Rating: M

Runtime: 111 minutes


Budget: A$1,800,000

Box Office Gross:
A$11,740,000 (Australia)


Plot Summary
In 1915, during the First
World War, two young
sprinters from Western
Australia, the cynical
larrikin Frank and the
idealistic Archy, meet.
Friends and rivals will be
off to battle in Turkey.
Fighting in Gallipoli's
chaotic and bloody trenches,
the two men epitomise the
sacrifice, comradeship and
tragic waste of men whose
undying courage in the face
of overwhelming odds
defines Australia's identity
today.


Cast
Mark Lee - Archy Hamilton
Mel Gibson - Frank Rudd
Bill Kerr - Jack
Harold Hopkins - Les McCann
Charles Lathalu Yunipingu -
Zac
Heath Harris - Stockman
Ron Graham - Wallace Hamilton
Gerda Nicolson - Rose Hamilton
Robert Grubb - Billy
Tim McKenzie - Barney
David Argue - Snowy
Steve Dodd - Billy Snakeskin
Robyn Galwey - Mary
Don Quin - Lionel
Phyllis Burford - Laura
Marjorie Irving - Gran
Bill Hunter - Major Barton
Diane Chamberlain - Mrs Barton
Peter Ford - Lt. Gray
Geoff Parry - Sergeant Sayers
John Morris - Col. Robinson
Stan Green - Sergeant Major
Max Wearing - Colonel White
Graham Dow - General Gardner
Reg Evans - Athletics Official #1
Jack Giddy - Athletics Official #2
David Williamson - Soldier Playing Football
(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Story/Director - Peter Weir
Screenplay - David Williamson
Based on the Novel - Ernest Raymond (Uncredited)
Associate Producers - Martin Cooper
and Ben Gannon
Executive Producers - Francis O'Brien
and Rupert Murdoch (Uncredited)
Producers - Patricia Lovell and 
Robert Stigwood
Military Adviser - Bill Gammage
Sports Adviser - Jack Giddy
Design Coordinator - Wendy Stites
Art Director - Herbert Pinter
Director of Photography - Russell Boyd
Underwater Photography - Ron Taylor
Camera Operator - John Seale
Unit/Location Manager - Phillip Hearnshaw
Production Manager - Su Armstrong
1st Assistant Director - Mark Egerton
2nd Assistant Director - Steve Andrews
Stunt Coordinators - Dennis Hunt
and Vic Wilson
Wrangler - Heath Harris
Special Effects - Chris Murray,
Mont Fieguth, David Hardie, Steve Courtley
and David Henderson
Film Editor - William M. Anderson
Assistant Editors - Jeanine Chiavlo
and Karen Foster
Supervising Sound Editor - Greg Bell
Dubbing Mixer - Peter Fenton
2nd Mixers - Ron Purvis and
Gethin Creach
Additional Music Composer and Conductor -
Brian May


Review
In light of Anzac Day and having immersed in its history, I felt inspired to review GALLIPOLI as a tribute to those brave men who have fallen in that infamous battle that resulted in the birth of the annual holiday in Australia. There was only one movie and two miniseries based on the conflict instead of features set after Gallipoli. Among these features include The Lighthorsemen and Beneath Hill 60 as an example. I know the film may be historically incorrect, but it presents the devastation and how human lives got tragically lost on the battlefield. It didn't stop Peter Weir from directing this Aussie war drama of 1981 that's essentially the portrait of the tragedy and heartbreak in this conflict. The movie exposes the meaning of mateship that bonded the men and helped them deal with the traumatic experiences.

Before he was Hollywood's original sweetheart, Mel Gibson was a superb actor for having portrayed one of the main protagonists when this movie, along with Mad Max 2, had set him into the international borders of film stardom. I'm surprised to find out his co-star Mark Lee never had the chance to attain this celebrity status that Mel developed in the years after GALLIPOLI. He still has the moments of his worthwhile performance, but it didn't land him an opportunity to present himself for movie lead roles.

There is much heartbreak and melancholy left to experience after watching the final half of GALLIPOLI. Nobody could tell that this feature would be a well-known classic even in Australia, where it was more popular and became one of those movies in the New Wave cinema resurgence. It's a less pretentious movie that many will probably get to know as a tribute to the Anzac tradition.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

Monday, April 20, 2015

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) Review










Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles


Release Date: 11th September 2014 - Australia


Production Companies
Paramount Pictures
Nickelodeon Movies
Platinum Dunes
Gama Entertainment
Mednick Productions

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 101 minutes


Budget: $125,000,000

Box Office Gross: $493,333,584 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
With the Shredder and his
evil Foot Clan controlling
everything from the police
to the politicians, darkness
has fallen over New York
City. Things look bleak
until four young genetically
mutated turtle brothers,
Leonardo, Michelangelo,
Donatello and Raphael,
rise above the sewers and
discover their destiny. To
save the city and unravel
Shredder's evil scheme, the
Turtles must team up with
intrepid reporter April
O'Neil and her wisecracking
cameraman, Vern Fenwick!


Cast
Megan Fox - April O'Neil
Will Arnett - Vern Fenwick
William Fichtner - Eric Sacks
Alan Ritchson - Raphael
Noel Fisher - Michelangelo
Pete Ploszek - Leonardo
Johnny Knoxville - Leonardo (Voice)
Jeremy Howard - Donatello
Danny Woodburn - Splinter
Tony Shalhoub - Splinter (Voice)
Tohoru Masamume - Shredder
Whoopi Goldberg -
Bernadette Thompson
Minae Noji - Karai
Abby Elliott - Taylor
Madison Mason - Councilman
Taran Killam - McNaughton
K. Todd Freeman - Dr. Baxter Stockman
Paul Fitzgerald - Dr. O'Neil
Malina Pauli Weissman - Young April O'Neil
Venida Evans - Subway Hostage
Mikal Vega - Sacks Bodyguard
Harley Pasternak - Himself
Braeson Herold - Reporter
Chris Wlyde - Reporter
Chance Kelly - Mr. Rivetti
Rick Chambers - News Anchor
Leyna Nyugen - News Anchor
Derek Mears - Dojo Ninja

Crew
Director - Jonathan Liebesman
Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Characters  - Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Writers - Josh Appelbaum,
André Nemec and Evan Daugherty
Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Basil Grillo
Executive Producers - Eric J. Crown,
Jason Reed and Napoleon Smith III
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Denis L. Stewart
Producers - Michael Bay, Ian Bryce,
Andrew Form, Bradley Fuller,
Scott Mednick and Galen Walker
Casting Directors - Kathleen Chopin and
Debra Zane
Production Designer - Neil Spisak
Art Director - Miguel López-Castillo
Set Decorators - Debra Schutt and Lisa Scoppa
Property Master - Diana Burton
Costume Designer - Sarah Edwards
Costume Supervisor: Los Angeles Unit -
Lisa Lovaas
Makeup Department Head - Mindy Hall
Director of Photography - Lula Carvalho
Director of Photography: Snow Unit -
Mitchell Amundsen
Aerial Director of Photography: New York
Second Unit - David B. Nowell
"B" Camera Operator: New York Second
Unit - David M. Dunlap
Location Manager - Maria T. Biernak
Location Manager: Los Angeles Unit - Jonathan Hook
Unit Production Manager: Los Angeles Unit -
Allegra Clegg
Production Supervisor: Los Angeles Unit -
Daren Hicks
First Assistant Director - Darin Rivetti
First Assistant Director: Snow Unit - Chris Castaldi
Second Unit Director: New York Second Unit/
Visual Effects Supervisor - Pablo Helman
Second Unit Director: New York Second Unit/
Stunt Coordinator - David Leitch
Snow Unit Director - Dan Bradley
Stunt Coordinator: Snow Unit - Scott Rogers
Stunt Co-Coordinator - Hank Amos
Fight Coordinator - Jonathan Eusebio
Fight Coordinator/Stunt Coordinator: Los Angeles
Unit - Garrett Warren
Special Effects Supervisor - Burt Dalton
Special Effects Coordinator: Snow Unit -
J.D. Schwalm
Special Effects Coordinators: Los Angeles Unit -
David Amborm, Eric Frazier and Chris Burton
Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola VFX - Edson Williams
Visual Effects Supervisor: Stereo D - Katherine Rodtsbrooks
Associate Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Robert Weaver
Visual Effects Producers - Susan MacLeod
and Pat Sandston (Uncredited)
Visual Effects Executive Producers: ILM -
Wayne Billheimer and Gretchen Libby
Visual Effects Senior Art Director: ILM -
Aaron McBride
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Tim Harrington
Associate Animation Supervisor: ILM - Kevin Martel
Animation Consultant - Chris McKay
Digital Compositing Supervisor: ILM -
Nelson Sepulveda
Facial CG Supervisors: ILM - Kirani Bhat
and Michael Koperwas
Creature Supervisors: ILM - James Tooley,
Frank Dravatt, Bradford deCaussin and Cyrus Jam
Digital Artist Supervisors: ILM - Ivan Busquets,
Pat Conran, Eric Fernandes, Trevor Hazel,
David Hisanga, Kelvin Lau, Douglas Moore,
Mark Nettleton and Dan Wheaton
Additional Visual Effects: Image Engine -
Jesper Kjölsrud, Rhys Claringbull,
Cara Talluhla Davies, Vera Zivny, Barry Poon,
Yuta Shimizu, Shawn Walsh, Fred Chapman,
Jacob Clark, Martyn 'Moose' Culpitt,
Jeremy Stewart and Daniel Elophe
Additional Visual Effects: Tippett -
Aharon Bourland, Brad Fox, Joseph Hamdorf,
Sabina Fredenburg, Howard Campbell,
Jack Kalkanis Estrada, William Groebe,
Chris Paizas, John Rader, Chris Morley,
Eric Jeffrey and Kent Matheson
Previsualization Supervisor: Unit 11 - Steve Yamamoto
Previsualization Supervisor: The Third Floor -
Nicholas Markel
Editors - Joel Negron and Glen Scantlebury
Additional Editors - Peter Gvozdas
and Jim May
Supervising Sound Editors - Ethan Van der Ryan,
Erik Aadahl and Laurent Kossayan
Sound Designer - Jason W. Jennings
Re-Recording Mixers - Terry Porter
and Anna Behlmer
Foley Artists - Dan O'Connell,
John Cucci, Alicia Stevenson and
Dawn Lunsford
Music - Brian Tyler


Review
As a fellow nostalgic reviewer, I've learned much about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles through a few books and comic issues, plus watching two television series and three movies. I wasn't very excited about seeing the 2014 reboot of the movie when I heard all its negative news when in production. I've seen movies on better days that are extremely good to watch. The recent interpretation of TMNT is juvenile, cheesy and almost unfaithful to the original incarnation due to Michael Bay's involvement and several drawbacks. The CGI character designs of the Turtles are horrendous. They looked nothing more but part reptilian and part human to their mutation. The effects company ILM has been trying to shape these four heroic reptiles to look as organic as possible but made them too creepy. Much to the best intentions of the filmmakers, who wanted to make them different from the old-school puppetry used in the three original films.

With a focus on the acting performances in this big-budgeted remake, Megan Fox is miscast as April O'Neill. She should have dyed her hair red or given away the role to another actress in playing the lead female to more accurately re-convey the traditional appearance of April. Although the other cast isn't perfect other than Megan herself, the best actor who stays in most of the film would be Will Arnett, playing a supporting character, who is almost the exact opposite of April. On a different note, I admire his role in the Arrested Development program.

It isn't the feature I expected, but it still definitely breaks out of its shell with a fireworks display of action and thrills. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES is a shameful example of a film due to a lack of direction and writing. You could only watch it once. COWABUNGA, DUDES!

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Monday, April 13, 2015

Fast & Furious 7 Review















Fast & Furious 7


Release Date: 2nd April 2015 - Australia


Production Companies 
Universal Pictures (presents)
Original Film
One Race Films
Media Rights Capital (in association with)
China Film Co. Ltd (in association with)
Fast 7 Productions
Dentsu (presented in association with)
Fuji Television Network
(presented in association with)

Distribution 
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 137 minutes


Budget: $190,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,515,341,399 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Dominic Toretto and his
crew went their separate
ways and resumed their
more normal lives after
defeating international
terrorist Owen Shaw.
However, Shaw's brother
Deckard is out for revenge,
killing off one of the
crew members. To make
matters worse, a Somalian
terrorist known as Jakande
and a shadowy government
official known as "Mr.
Nobody" compete to steal
a computer terrorism
program known as God's
Eye. This programme can
turn any piece of technology
into a weapon.

Embroiled in a power
struggle between terrorists
and the United States
government, Toretto must
reunite with his team to
stop Shaw and retrieve the
God's Eye programme.


Cast
Vin Diesel - Dominic Toretto
Paul Walker - Brian O'Conner
Dwayne Johnson - Luke Hobbs
Michelle Rodriguez - Leticia
"Letty" Ortiz
Jordana Brewster - Mia Toretto
Tyrese Gibson - Roman Pearce
Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges - Tej Parker
Jason Statham - Deckard Shaw
Kurt Russell - Mr. Nobody
Nathalie Emmanuel - Ramsey
Elsa Pataky - Elena
Tony Jaa - Kiet
Djimon Hounsou - Jakande
Noel Gugliemi - Hector
Ali Fazal - Safar
Ronda Rousey - Kara
Miller & Charlie Kimsey - Jack
Lucas Black - Sean Boswell (Cameo)
Luke Evans - Owen Shaw (Cameo)
Eden Estrella - Samantha Hobbs
Iggy Azalea - Female Racer (Cameo)
T-Pain - DJ
Romeo Santos - Mando (Cameo)
Klement Tinaj - Race Wars Racer (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - James Wan
Based on Characters - Gary
Scott Thompson
Writer/Executive Producer - Chris Morgan
Executive Producers - Amanda Lewis and Samantha Vincent 
Producers - Vin Diesel and
Neal H. Moritz
Producer/Unit Production Manager - Michael Fottrell
Co-Producers - Brandon Birtell and Adam McCarthy
Casting Directors - Anne McCarthy and Kellie Roy
Production Designer - Bill Brzeski
Supervising Art Director - Desma Murphy
Art Directors - Jonathan Carlos, Alan Hook and Jay Pelissier
Set Decorator - Danielle Berman
Property Master - Guillaume DeLouche
Costume Designer - Sanja Milkovic Hays
Directors of Photography - Marc Spicer
and Stephen F. Windon
Directors of Photography: Second Unit -
Igor Meglic and Jacques Hatkin
Camera Operators: Los Angeles Unit -
Christopher Duskin, Martin Schaer,
Mark Moore and Henry Cline
First Assistant Director - Albert Cho
First Assistant Directors: Second Unit -
James LaRocca and Nick Satriano
Second Unit Director/Supervising Stunt
Coordinator/Stunts - Joel Kramer
Second Unit Directors/Stunt Coordinators -
Spiro Razatos and Jack Gill
Stunt Coordinator - Troy Robinson
Stunt Coordinator/Stunt Double:
Paul Walker (Uncredited) - Oakley Lehman
Fight Stunt Coordinator - Jeff Imada
Picture Car Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy
Special Effects Supervisor - Daniel Sudick
Special Effects Supervisor: Weta Workshop
Miniatures - Steve Ingram
Special Effects Coordinator: Weta Workshop
Miniatures - Scott Harens
Special Effects Consultant - Matt Sweeney
Weta Workshop Supervisor - Rob Gillies
Visual Effects Supervisors - Mike Wassel
and Kelvin McIlwain
Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -
Joe Letteri
Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital - Martin Hill
Visual Effects Supervisors: Digital Domain -
Swen Gillberg and Jay Barton
Visual Effects Producer - Karen M. Murphy
Visual Effects Producer: MPC - Laura Schultz
Digital Effects Supervisors: Digital Domain -
Darren Hendler and Nikos Kalaitzidis
Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital - Daniel Barrett
2D Supervisor: MPC - Sean Konrad
Lead CG Supervisor: Weta Digital - Phillip Leonhardt
CG Supervisors: Weta Digital - Jeff Capogreco
and Nick Epstein
CG Supervisor: MPC - Bryan Litson
Postvis Supervisors - Theresa Ellis Rygiel
and Raul Moreno
Miniature Effects Supervisors: Weta Workshop
Miniatures - Richard Taylor and Paul Van Omen
Models Supervisor: Weta Workshop Miniatures -
Alex Faulkner
Director of Photography: Weta Workshop
Miniatures - Alex Funke
Editors - Leigh Bolsom Boyd,
Dylan Highsmith, Kirk M. Morri and
Christian Wagner
Additional Editor - David Kern
First Assistant Editors - Laura Yanovich,
Richard Conkling and Dave Cory
Sound Design and Supervision - Peter Brown
Co-Supervising Sound Editor - Joe Dzuran
Sound Effects Editors - Stephen P. Robinson,
Ann Scibelli, Jay Wilkinson, Dino Dimuro
and Glynna Grimala
Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor - Anna MacKenzie
Production Sound Mixers - Whit Norris
and Mark Weingarten
Re-Recording Mixers - Jon Taylor
and Frank A. Montaño
Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker,
Gary Marullo, Jeffrey Wilhoit and
Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit
Music - Brian Tyler


Review
As you may be aware, there are six Fast and the Furious films, and only two stood out. After Paul Walker's death, it took me a year and a half to revisit the fourth instalment as a tribute. I watched this movie and other F&F films to coincide with FAST & FURIOUS 7. I was glad that the seventh feature was full of surprises and made the audience feel engaged without being disappointed. Key strengths in F&F7 are not just the amazing car stunts and action scenes but also the fact that this feature serves as a parting gift to Paul Walker. It would have been more genuine for his character to have been killed in the film to create an emotional blow to the series. But I am happy with how it ends with a heartwarming message. I won't forget that this is his partially completed film, which, sadly, he never got to finish. I never had a chance to look at his horror flicks, but I admire James Wan's direction as he pulls more wit than Justin Lin and is more capable of stylised action than horror.

My thoughts about the two new members who have joined the cast include Kurt Russell, a commendable choice as an ally to the heroes and English actor Jason Statham. Jason displays some unusual talent and is most capable of portraying the lead antagonist. He not only presents himself as a menacing foe wanting revenge but also as a cold-blooded assassin. It is apparent when the character debuted in Fast & Furious 6. He was a much more formidable opponent, in contrast to the previous antagonist by Luke Evans.

Next to Fast & Furious 5, it is now the second-best F&TF movie. It remains undiluted in its action scenes and does not run out of its traditional formula. I am unconvinced that there will be an eighth Fast & Furious feature, and I fear it's the first without Paul teaming up with Vin Diesel.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

Friday, April 10, 2015

Film Guru Lad's Top Movie Villains: Part 5

Here we are in another post from me as Rad Dingo. It is the last part of the top evildoers shown to have no remorse and could do those monstrously bad things that made us hate them. So these are the final three that will end at the top spot of the list, and if you haven't known any of these film villains, prepare for a shocking surprise of evil treachery.

If you missed the last parts of this list, you can (click here for part one), (part two), (part three), and (part four) check on the other entries.



#3. Scar (The Lion King)

Not all villains are in live-action
movies. Some are even in
animated features. When it
comes to family members
plotting against their relatives,
Scar is at the forefront. This
vain, cunning, deceptive,
and power-hungry lion has
committed many atrocities.
His evil acts include murdering
his brother Mufasa so he can
become king and deceiving his
nephew, etc. Unlike the other
Disney villain, Maleficent, who
has no intentions of obtaining
power through stealing one's
right to rule, Scar does whatever
he can to fulfil these ambitions.
English actor Jeremy Irons did a terrifying, ghastly voice of this ferocious feline, and Scar is just one of the few Disney villains that get away with their plans until they get their deserts.


#2. The Joker (The Dark Knight)

One of Batman's greatest
enemies, The Joker, is an
insane psychopathic
clown who murders people
and plans to plunge Gotham
City into anarchy. Unlike the
comic's origins, this
murderous mastermind
hasn't had his whole skin
bleached by toxic chemicals.
He's shown to be wearing
makeup and having scars
on parts of his mouth to
match the character's twisted grin. He has no redemption, as he has zero empathy. This definitive portrayal of the character was disturbing and dark with the acting of the late Heath Ledger. It is one of the last roles he performed, and what a massive role for him to have as a swan song. Ledger received an Oscar win posthumously, and I might keep this version on the list instead of other interpretations of the Joker.


#1. Darth Vader (Star Wars)

And finally, the best movie
villain of all time, who
is also the best character
in Star Wars..., is Darth
Vader. He is Luke's
estranged father, which
is one of the biggest
twists of all time and
makes him a compelling
villain. This dark lord's
evil deeds included
exterminating the Jedi, like
the younglings, force-choking
minor Imperial officers to death for failure and incompetence, and inflicting torture on Han Solo and others. Vader wears a special suit and helmet that keep him alive and breathing. Because of a fight with his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, causing him to sustain burns from lava on Mustafar, he gets mechanical limbs that turn him more machine than man. Darth Vader is not only the greatest of all the film adversaries but someone you don't want to tick off and doesn't accept any apologies.

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Thursday, April 9, 2015

My Tenth Important Message

Greetings, fellow moviegoers. I'm Rad Dingo, and you may as well discover that the re-review of Inception is no longer available on the blog archive or to use the Navbar in searching it, but why? I deleted it for being similar to a post of the same name on another film review site. Aside from deleting it, here are some reviews I rewrote for the present time.

Unless some viewers have already explored a few and seen through my updates, I will check for more reviews, which are stuck with typos and short descriptions.

  1. Terminator 2: Judgement Day
  2. Inception
  3. Blended
  4. Rio
  5. Hot Fuzz
  6. The Green Hornet
  7. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
  8. Speed
  9. Jumper
  10. The Avengers (2012)
  11. Cowboys & Aliens
  12. The Empire Strikes Back
  13. Return of the Jedi
  14. The Dark Knight
  15. How to Train Your Dragon

Even though I fixed the entire critique description, I am bothered that none of you wished to look at the magic thriller Now You See Me.

Go into Now You See Me or type in (http://filmgurulad.blogspot.com/2013/11/now-you-see-me-review-updated.html) and other ways to get into this review.

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Monday, April 6, 2015

Fast & Furious Review










Fast & Furious 


Release Date: 16th April 2009 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Relativity Media (in association with)
Original Film
One Race Films
Dentsu (in association with)

Distribution 
Universal Pictures Australia 


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 102 minutes


Budget: $85,000,000

Box Office Gross: $360,364,265
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
When a crime brings them
back to L.A, fugitive ex-con
Dom Toretto reignites his
feud with agent Brian
O'Conner. But as they are
forced to confront a shared
enemy, they find the best
way to get revenge: push
the limits of what's possible
behind the wheel!


Cast
Vin Diesel - Dominic Toretto
Paul Walker - Brian O'Conner
Michelle Rodriguez - Leticia
"Letty" Ortiz

Jordana Brewster - Mia Toretto
John Ortiz - Ramon Campos
Gal Gadot - Gisele Yashar
Laz Alonso - Felix Calderon 
Sung Kang - Han Seoul-Oh
Tego Calderón - Leo Tego
Don Omar - Rico Santos
Jack Conley - Penning
Shea Whigham - Agent Stasiak
Liza Lapira - Sophie Trinh
Mirtha Michelle - Cara Mirtha
Greg Cipes - Dwight Mueller
Ron Yuan - David Park
Joe Hursley - Virgil
Neil Brown Jr. - Malik
César García - Juvenal
Wilmer Calderon - Tash
Julian Starks - Baliff

Crew
Director - Justin Lin
Based on Characters - Gary
Scott Thompson
Writer - Chris Morgan
Executive Producers - Amanda Lewis and 
Samantha Vincent
Producers - Vin Diesel, Neal H. Moritz and 
Michael Fottrell
Casting Directors - Sarah Finn & Randi Hiller
Production Designer - Ida Random 
Costume Designer - Sanja Milkovic Hays
Director of Photography - Amir Mokri
Second Unit Directors - Terry Leonard and 
Mic Rodgers Stunt Coordinators - Mike Gunther and 
Freddie Hice
Picture Car Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy
Special Effects Supervisor - Mike Sweeney
Visual Effects Supervisors - Thad Beier,
Kelvin McIlwain, Bob Mercier and
Mike Wassel
Visual Effects/Effects Animation Supervisor: Double Negative - 
Alexander Seaman
Visual Effects Supervisors: Double Negative - Jon Bowen 
and Frazer Churchill
Visual Effects Supervisors/Designers: Hydralux - 
Colin & Greg Strause
Visual Effects Producer - Lori J. Nelson
Film Editors - Christian Wagner 
and Fred Raskin
Music - Brian Tyler


Review
I must admit, prior to watching 'Fast & Furious 5' and reviewing it, I actually saw the fourth movie when I inadvertently purchased it by mistake. 'FAST & FURIOUS 4' was a positive change for the series and it was great to see the whole team of the original cast from the first instalment back together. While on one hand, I would say that the fourth instalment is fast-paced, fuel injected action, I feel the quality is let down by the special effects of some of the scenes. These effects look over-the-top and unrealistic. Everyone should be grateful it didn't cause the franchise to be turned into a mindless money-making propaganda exercise. Brisk-moving pace, vehicle action and Vin Diesel are all the vital elements that are needed for fans to enjoy this movie. As for the action star Vin, he kept his cool and it was refreshing to see Paul and Vin reunited in their characters who portray a brotherly chemistry.

Not quite fast, not quite furious, but it did foreshadow the new movies and was the first step to rejuvenating the 'TF&TF' series. I would definitely watch this film again as it has a well-paced story-line with the moments of nitro induced action.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Hop Re-Review







Hop


Release Date: 7th April 2011 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures (presents)
Relativity Media (in association with)
Illumination Entertainment

Distribution
Universal Studios Australia


Genre: Family/Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 95 minutes


Budget: $63,000,000

Box Office Gross:
$184,367,145 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
E.B. is the son of the Easter Bunny, who wants nothing more than to follow in his father's footsteps and become a drummer instead. He runs away from home and is injured when an unemployed slacker named Fred accidentally runs him over and must take him in as he recovers. But E.B. soon takes advantage of his hospitality and becomes the worst house guest, which is too much for Fred to handle. Both will learn what it takes to grow up.


Live Action Cast
James Marsden - Fred O'Hare
Coleton Ray - Young Fred
Kaley Cuoco - Samantha "Sam" O'Hare
Gary Cole - Henry O'Hare
Elizabeth Perkins - Bonnie O'Hare
Tiffany Espensen - Alex O'Hare
David Hasselhoff - Himself
Chelsea Handler - Mrs. Beck
Russell Brand - Production Assistant (Cameo)

Voice Cast
Russell Brand - E.B.
Django Marsh - Young E.B.
Hugh Laurie - Mr. Bunny
Hank Azaria - Carlos & Phil
Hugh Hefner - Voice at Playboy
Mansion (Cameo)


Crew
Director - Tim Hill
Story/Screenplay - Cinco Paul and
Ken Daurio
Screenplay - Brian Lynch
Executive Producer - John Cohen
Producer - Christopher Meledandri
Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Michele Imperato
Production Designer - Richard Holland
CG Set & Prop Lead Designer - Philip A. Cruden
Illustrators - James Hegedus,
Patrick Von Janice and Carol Police
Art Director - Charlie Daboub
Character Designer - Peter DeSeve
Designer: "Young E.B."/Animation Supervisor -
Chris Bailey
Set Decorator - Don Diers
Property Master - Emily Ferry
Costume Designer - Alexandra Welker
Director of Photography - Peter Lyons Collister
First Assistant Director - Michele Panelli-Venetis
Second Unit Director/Director of
Photography - Thomas E. Ackerman
Stunt Coordinator - John Moio
Special Effects Supervisor - Alan E. Lorimer
Visual Effects Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -
Raymond Chen
Digital Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues - Michael Conelly
Animation Supervisors: Rhythm & Hues -
Ryan O'Donoghue, Kevin Jackson,
Rebecca Ruether, Chad Shattuck, Adam Yaniv
and Matt Shumway
Senior Animation Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -
Andrew Arnett
Crowd Animation Lead - C.J. Sarachene
Animation Layout Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -
Colbert Fennelly
Previsualisation & Layout Supervisor -
Pepe Valencia
Sequence Supervisors: Rhythm & Hues -
Harry Brutsche IV, Walt Jones, Perry Kass,
Yogesh Lakhani, Josh Saeta and Jeff Wells
Editors - Peter S. Elliot and Gregory Perler
First Assistant Editor - Matthew Schmidt
Supervising Sound Editor - Richard L. Anderson
Sound Designer - Ann Scibelli
Sound Editors - Mike Chock and John Dunn
Re-Recording Mixers - Tom Johnson
and Gary A. Rizzo
Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker and
Catherine Ross
Music - Christopher Lennertz
Music Supervisor - Julianne Jordan
Additional Music & Arrangements/
Choir Conductor - Philip White


Review
Happy Easter, everyone! I noticed so few movies made for Easter in re-experiencing the family-oriented sugar rush HOP, which I reviewed in 2012. I just realised HOP wasn't so good after all, but it makes the first Alvin & The Chipmunks movie look shabbier in comparison. It is the first attempt by Illumination to integrate animation into a live-action setting. It wasn't enough when you see James Marsden throughout its running time; you'll be disappointed after watching HOP on the big and flat screens. To my critical beating, the film would have been better if E.B. was the main focus and if the story wasn't ridiculous and not shared with the actor who once played Cyclops (no offence to Mr. Marsden, who performed well in the movie).

This bunny would have become a likeable character to the children's parents. The script could have been more engaging, with an inspiring plot to capture all ages. The film needs to have less childlike humour and moments aimed at 6-to-12-year-olds. There are a few jokes I did get as an adult. I still find the animation very terrific in eye candy.

Only juveniles and families can watch HOP, even though it is below average for older viewers. I should continue my work as you all should wait for the following review.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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