Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist Review













Home Alone: The Holiday Heist


Broadcast Date: 25th November 2012 - US  

 
Production Companies
Fox Television Studios
Manitoba Film and Tax Video Production Credit
Original Pictures


Genre: Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 90 minutes


Plot Summary
10-year-old Finn Baxter
thinks his family’s new house
in Maine is haunted – but the
truth might be even scarier! A
trio of thieves is after a
priceless painting hidden in a
secret room by the previous
owner. So when Finn and his
sister find themselves home
alone, Finn rigs up an
elaborate array of techno-
gadgets and booby traps to
protect his pad from the
bumbling criminals trying to
break in. 


Cast
Christian Martyn - Finn Baxter
Jodelle Ferland - Alexis Baxter
Malcolm McDowell - Sinclair
Doug Murray - Curtis Baxter
Ellie Harvie - Catherine Baxter
Debi Mazar - Jessica
Eddie Stephen - Mr. Hughes
Edward Asner - Mr. Carson
Adriana O’Neil - Gabby Marano
Peter DaCunha - Mason
Bill Turnbull - Simon

Crew
Director - Peter Hewitt
Based on Original Characters - John Hughes (Uncredited)
Screenplay - Aaron Ginsburg and Wade McIntrye
Executive Producer - David Madden
Producers - Lisa Demberg and Adrian Pjevc
Co-Producer - Paul D. Goldman
Production Designer - Craig Sandelis
Costume Designer - Patricia J. Henderson
Cinematography - Peter Benson
Film Editor - John Congilo
Composer "Home Alone" Theme - John Williams
Music - David Kitay


Review
The joyous season of the holiday is over, but just before it can happen, I borrowed 'HOME ALONE 5' from a friend so I may review it for Christmas. I was so fortunate to skip ahead to the third and fourth installments but found neither of them are as acceptable as the original and to a lesser extent, the second movie. The first 'Home Alone' feature was by far the best of the series and Macaulay Culkin was probably the best child actor in this classic comedy. It seems nowadays that Culkin is fully grown up from his childhood status and the series’ creator John Hughes was deceased when 'HOME ALONE 5' was made in 2012. 'THE HOLIDAY HEIST' is forgettable, but probably would have been a decent film if the script and booby traps were a little more inventive. This sequel was meant for television as I wasn’t aware that it was shown in America on the ABC Family channel (now known as Freeform). The acting was so-so with the exception of Malcolm McDowell who seems fittingly appropriate as Sinclair, the leader of the art thieves. He isn’t the only gentleman actor who is qualified for his recognisable experience in a family picture.

While this film was a bit of an improvement over 'Home Alone 4', (which made no sense whatsoever!) because it was a pilot for a television series, 'HOME ALONE 5' doesn’t however change the fact that this sequel pales in comparison to the legacy of the original. It’d be best to skip this installment in favour of the first two movies through the next holiday.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

Monday, December 11, 2017

Power Rangers Review











Power Rangers


Release Date: 23rd March 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Lionsgate 
Saban Films
TIK Films
Temple Hill Entertainment
Toei Company (Uncredited)
Videocine 

Distribution 
Roadshow Distribution


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 121 minutes


Budget: $100,000,000

Box Office Gross: $142,337,240 
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Five ordinary teens must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove - and the world - is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it's too late and band together as the Power Rangers. (Source - Telstra TV)


Cast
Dacre Montgomery - Jason
(Red Ranger)
Naomi Scott - Kimberly (Pink
Ranger)
RJ Cyler - Billy (Blue Ranger)
Ludi Lin - Zack (Black Ranger)
Becky G. - Trini (Yellow Ranger)
Elizabeth Banks - Rita Repulsa
Bryan Cranston - Zordon
Bill Hader - Alpha 5 (Voice)
Matt Shively - Damo
Cody Kearsley - Hawkeye
David Denman - Sam Scott
Robert Moloney - Ted Hart
Anjali Jay - Maddy Hart
Sarah Grey - Amanda
Morgan Taylor Campbell -
Harper
Caroline Cave - Beverly
Scott
Kayden Magnuson - Pearl Scott
Lisa Berry - Candace
Cranston
Fiona Fu - Zack’s Mom
Wesley MacInnes - Bully
John Stewart - Detention
Teacher
Patrick Sabongui - Trini's Dad
Erica Carra - Trini's Mom
Fred Tatasciore - Goldar/
Putties (Voice)
Jason David Frank - Cameo
Role #1
Amy Jo Johnson - Cameo
Role #2

Crew
Director - Dean Isarelite 
Creator "Power Rangers"/
Producer - Haim Saban 
Creator "Power Rangers" - 
Shuki Levy (Uncredited)
Story - Matt Sazama, Burk
Sharpless and Michele &
Kieran Mulroney
Screenplay/Executive
Producer - John Gatins
Executive Producers -
Qiuyun Long and Allison Shearmur 
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Brent O’Connor
Producers - Marty Bowen, Brian Casentini and Wyck Godfrey
Co-Producer - Stephen Meinen 
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Aldric La’auli Porter
Production Designer - Andrew Menzies
Set Decorator - Hamish Purdy
Costume Designer - Kelli Jones
Director of Photography - Matthew J. Lloyd
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Paul Jennings
Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/
Visual Effects Supervisor - Sean Andrew Faden
Stunt Coordinator - Larry Lam
Special Effects Supervisors - Andrew Durno,
Steve Hamilton and Dan Sedlacek
Visual Effects Supervisor - Mangesh Kale
Film Editors - Martin Bernfeld and Dody Dorn
Music - Brian Tyler


Review
The 'Power Rangers' series was a highly successful action show for children that it was shown on television around the world (including Japan, where most of the footage was borrowed from a Tokusatsu franchise and was later re-dubbed into its international broadcast). Having only seen some episodes on TV and a few video cassettes since I was very young, I’ve never forgotten how it impacted me on my childhood. Power Rangers began life as a campy kids show and then, many years later, a movie was officially announced. It’s very strange to consider 'Power Rangers' as having the big-screen treatment when there hasn’t been a film spin-off since the 1997 series, although a movie was to be based on 'Time Force' but Disney pulled the plug in its pre-production after their earlier purchase of the franchise. Deciding to skip through the newer adaptation in favour of the 2017 remake of 'Beauty and the Beast', I wasn’t exactly interested in seeing this cinematic re-telling when I was in my hometown. Then I got a chance to rent it and watched it on-demand while I was staying in Holiday Inn at Parramatta. 

'POWER RANGERS' wasn’t as colourful and cheesy as the show had been since its inception. The film was completely modernised by the filmmakers who brought back the nostalgia and added a style that was considered darker and edgier than the TV series’ standards. Fans of this franchise are biased about this new approach along with the redesigns of the Ranger outfits and Zords; being clearly divided into those criticizing it and those enjoying it. Some of the other changes proved to be very useful, had they been first conceived in the original series; including that one character Billy Cranston, who is the classic Blue Ranger (and coincidentally shares the surname of one of the movie’s supporting players) who is now an African-American with high-functioning autism.  

The casting of this movie was quite convincing in that each of these young actors are perfectly suited for the titular characters destined to save the world. They absolutely done it with hint of their inter-personal onscreen chemistry as well as starting future careers in their own. Bryan Cranston did a much simpler job in reprising the benevolence of Zordon who helps to bring the Power Rangers together and teaches them how to fight evil in their destiny. Elizabeth Banks was the only other known star who also did good in her antagonistic role of Rita Repulsa whose motivations are predictable. 

It wasn’t a financial success or a critical hit by any chance. Nothing spectacular or anything original has came up in 'POWER RANGERS' despite it being a decent film of its year. I do believe that it’s a hit-and-miss. Most non-fans like myself  naturally tend to disagree with some of the fans’ opinions of what they enjoyed the film. I’ll have to revisit most of the ongoing series and the first two films before anything new is released.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Monday, November 27, 2017

Justice League Review











Justice League


Release Date: 16th November 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures
RatPac-Dune Entertainment
DC Entertainment
Cruel and Unusual Films
Atlas Entertainment
Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) (with the participation of)
Lensbern Productions (uncredited)
Syncopy (uncredited)

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 121 minutes


Budget: $300,000,000

Box Office Gross: $657,926,987 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After Superman's heroic sacrifice brought back his faith in humanity and inspired him, Bruce Wayne gathers a team of metahumans, including his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to form the Justice League and must confront an enemy more menacing than what they've faced.


Cast
Ben Affleck - Bruce Wayne/
Batman
Henry Cavill - Clark Kent/
Superman
Gal Gadot - Diana Prince/
Wonder Woman
Ezra Miller - Barry Allen/The Flash
Jason Momoa - Arthur Curry/Aquaman
Ray Fisher - Victor Stone/
Cyborg
CiarĂ¡n Hinds - Steppenwolf
Connie Nielsen - Queen Hippolyta
Jeremy Irons - Alfred Pennyworth
J.K. Simmons - Commissioner
Gordon
Amy Adams - Lois Lane
Diane Lane - Martha Kent
Julian Lewis Jones - King Atlan
David Thewlis - Ares (Cameo)
Amber Heard - Mera
Joe Morton - Dr. Silas Stone
Lisa Loven Kongsli - Menalippe
David Thewlis - Ares
Sergio Constance - Zeus
Julian Lewis Jones - Ancient Atlantean King
Richard Clifford - German Archaeologist
Kobina Holdbrook-Smith - Detective Crispus Allen
Francis Magee - Ancient King of Men
Doutzen Kroes - Venezia
Brooke Ence - Penthesilea
Hari James - Trigona
Ann Ogbomo - Philippus
Samantha Win - Euboea
Marc McClure - Officer Ben
Sadowsky
Gary A. Hecker - Creature
Vocals
Joe Manganiello - Mr. Wilson (Uncredited)
Billy Crudup - Henry Allen (Uncredited)
Karen Bryson - Elinore Stone (Uncredited)
Robin Wright - Antiope (Uncredited)
Jesse Eisenberg - Lex Luthor (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Story/Director - Zack Snyder
Superman Creators - Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Justice League Creator - Gardiner Fox  
Batman Creators - Bob Kane
and Bill Finger
Woman Woman Creator - William Moulton Marston
Fourth World Creator - Jack Kirby
Story/Screenplay/Executive Producer - Chris Terrio
Screenplay/Director: Additional Scenes (Uncredited) - Joss Whedon
Executive Producers -
Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas,
Michael E. Uslan, Benjamin Melniker,
Ben Affleck, Wesley Coller, Curt Kanemoto
and Daniel S. Kaminsky
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Jim Rowe
Producers - Geoff Johns, Charles Roven
and Deborah Snyder
Co-Producers/Unit Production Managers -
Marianne Jenkins and Gregor Wilson
Casting Directors - Kristy Carlson,
Lora Kennedy and Kate Ringsell
Horse Master - Daniel Naprous
Production Designer - Patrick Tatopoulos
Concept Artists - Ed Natividad,
Christian Scheurer, Dan Walker,
Victor Martinez, Robert McKinnon and
Alex Caldow
Concept Illustrators - Jerad Marantz,
Ian Joyner, Constantine Sekeris and
Brooke Dibble
Supervising Art Directors - Christian Huband
and Helen Jarvis
Supervising Art Directors: Additional
Photography - David Allday and
Lorin Fleming
Art Directors - Matthew Gray,
Paul Laugier, Samuel Leake, Keith Pain,
Andrew Palmer, Hayley Easton Street,
Helen Xenopoulos and Peter James
Art Director: Additional Photography - Su Whitaker
Set Decorator - Dominic Capon
Property Master - Ben Wilkinson
Supervising Armorer - Joss Skottowe
Costume Designer - Michael Wilkinson
Assistant Costume Designers - Stephanie Porter,
John Norster and Margie Fortune
Costume Supervisor - Ken Crouch
Costume FX Supervisor - Graham Churchyard
HOD Prop/Costume Effects Modeller -
Pierre Bohanna
Makeup Designer - Victoria Down
Makeup Designer: Ben Affleck - Kate Biscoe
Director of Photography - Fabian Wagner
2nd Unit/Additional Director of Photography -
Jean-Philippe Gossart
Aerial Director of Photography - David B. Nowell
Aerial Coordinator - David Paris
Aerial Coordinator (Uncredited)/Helicopter Pilot -
Marc Wolff
First Assistant Director - Misha Bukowski
First Assistant Director: Additional Photography -
Jamie Christopher
Key Second Assistant Director: Additional Photography -
Matthew Sharp
Supervising Location Manager: Additional
Photography - Martin Joy
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -
Damon Caro
Stunt Coordinator - Eunice Huthart
Assistant Stunt Coordinator - Marc Mailley
Fight Coordinator - Mike Lambert
Fight Choreographers - Freddy Bouciegues and
Matthew Rugetti
Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Alex King
Special Effects Supervisor - Mark Holt
Special Effects Coordinator - Carmila Gittens
Special Effects Coordinator: Additional
Photography - Lucy Thompson
Assistant Special Effects  Supervisor -
Michael Dawson
Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -
Joe Letteri
Visual Effects Supervisor - John 'D.J.' Des Jardin
Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Seth Maury
Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -
Keith Miller
Visual Effects Supervisor: DNEG - Thomas Proctor
Visual Effects Supervisor: Scanline VFX -
Bryan Hirota
Visual Effects Supervisor: Method Studios -
Sean Konrad
Visual Effects: Rodeo FX - Peter Nofz,
Sébastien Francoeur, Andréane Dodier-Villenevue,
Mai-Ahn Tran, James Bond and Colin McLean
Visual Effects Producer - Josh R. Jaggars
Visual Effects Co-Producer - Tricia Mulgrew
Visual Effects Art Director: Scanline VFX -
Claas Henke
Animation Supervisor: Scanline VFX -
Eric Petey
Animation Supervisor: Method Studios -
Daryl Sawchuk
Animation Supervisor: MPC - David Crispino
Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital -
Simeon Duncombe
CG & Compositing Supervisors: DNEG -
Alexander Seaman and Julian Gnass
Pre-Visualisation Supervisor - Steve Yamamoto
Editors - David Brenner, Richard Pearson
and Martin Walsh
Sound Designers & Supervisors - Scott Hecker
and Chuck Michaels
Sound Designers - Phil Barrie,
Casey Genton, Robert Kellough and
Eliot Connors
Production Sound Mixer - John Casali
Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Jenkins
and Michael Keller
Supervising Foley Artist - Gary A. Hecker
Music - Danny Elfman
Composers: Additional Music - T.J. Lindgren,
Pinar Toprak and Geoff Zanelli
Score Recordist & Mixer - Peter Cobbin


Review
Because of my experience over the past years, I had high expectations about the new JUSTICE LEAGUE movie that's said to be DC and Warner's answer to The Avengers. I remember reading a few comics of the Justice League and watching the hit animated TV series from Cartoon Network. Marvel and Disney hit the jackpot with the surprise success of their big-budgeted movie. Audiences everywhere, including comic book fanatics, praised the film that was nothing they'd ever seen. It later inspired DC to make their prominent feature to upstage The Avengers. I have waited for the release of this movie for a long time. The DC Extended Universe was controversial among the fans. The latest and fourth entry, Wonder Woman, was the only one heading in the right direction, as it was the first of these films to set a benchmark for the DCEU. We got a follow-up that underwhelms many fans and over-reliant on visual spectacles.

JUSTICE LEAGUE has a rushed and uneven storyline due to a personal behind-the-scenes tragedy that caused its director, Zack Snyder, to leave through its post-production. Joss Whedon, the former writer/director of the Avengers movies, took over his supervision. I like how Whedon contributed to the writing of the humour and the tone being lighter. The geniuses' visions clashed with Snyder's film-making style being in the picture and Whedon's quips with a sense of fun and entertainment. As these attempts to breathe life into JUSTICE LEAGUE, the movie sometimes works but not on its own. They changed the idea of Superman's resurrection as it could have gotten a better explanation to resolve the ending we last saw in Batman v Superman (BvS). I couldn't agree more that Steppenwolf was a weak villain undeveloped by the numbers and fell into the "wanting to destroy humanity" cliche. But enough about the negative aspects: time to move on to the positives.

Ezra Miller was excellent and funny in the role of Flash. I liked how he conveyed the personality of this character as wisecracking. Jason Momoa gets brought into stardom with a decent portrayal of Aquaman, and so does Ray Fisher for Cyborg. Continuing her Wonder Woman role is Gal Gadot, fresh from her last film and making the character look very attractive. Henry Cavill triumphs in playing Superman, who reverts to his old and heroic self more than the lifeless-driven counterpart in Man of Steel and BvS. Danny Elfman was the right composer for the majestic and upbeat score on the picture and re-used a few themes previously heard in DC's classic features (including his own from Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns).

JUSTICE LEAGUE is no longer an anticipated box-office film as audiences have already seen the missteps from the last two entries that Snyder directed. Though it was a mild improvement, this could have gone to Zack Snyder had he not backed out from post-production. A director's cut might contain elements unseen in the theatrical edition. We will wait to see if this version gets released in DVD/Blu-ray format.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

Saturday, November 25, 2017

My New Community Page

I have recently started my community page on Facebook as FilmGuruLad, and I encourage my viewers to go on to Facebook and try to find my page type in filmgurulad in the search bar. Otherwise, if you already have an account on the social network, you'll probably know where it is. On my Facebook page, you'll notice each link to my review. Even obituaries, news updates and articles, including those shared on my account, enjoy.

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Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Space Chimps Review
















Space Chimps

 
Release Date: 25th September 2008 - Australia


Production Companies
Vanguard Animation
Odyssey Entertainment
Starz Animation
Starz!
Studiopolis
The Weinstein Company 
 
Distribution
Roadshow Distribution


Genre: Animation/Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 77 minutes


Budget: $37,000,000

Box Office Gross: $64,834,964
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Ham III, the grandson of the first chimp astronaut, is blasted off into space by an opportunity-seeking senator. Soon, the fun-loving chimp has to get serious about the mission at hand; ridding a far-away planet of their nefarious leader. Fortunately for Ham III, two of his simian peers are along for the ride. (Source - IMDb)


Voice Cast
Andy Samberg - Ham III
Cheryl Hines - Luna
Patrick Warburton - Titan
Jeff Daniels - Zartog
Kristin Chenoweth - Kilowatt
Kenan Thompson - Ringmaster
Zack Shada - Comet/Nava Boy
Carlos Alazraqui - Houston
Omid Abtahi - Dr. Jagu
Patrick Breen - Dr. Bob
Jane Lynch - Dr. Poole
Kath Soucie - Dr. Smothers
Stanley Tucci - Senator
Wally Wingert - Splork/
Various

Crew
Story/Screenplay/Director - Kirk De Micco
Screenplay - Robert Moreland and Joe Piscatella (Uncredited)
Additional Screenplay Material - Jason Mayland
Executive Producers - Eric M. Bennett, Morris Berger, Neil Braun, Steve Brown, Jerry Davis and John W. Hyde
Producers - John H. Williams and Barry Sonnenfield
Co-Producer - Curtis Augspurger
Production Designer - Bo Welch
Additional Production
Designers - Keith Graves
and Deane Taylor
Concept Designer - Tohru Patrick Awa
Character Designer/Storyboard Artist - Sterling Sheehy
Character Designers - Stephanie Choi,
Peter DeSeve, Harald Siepermann and Eddie Yang
Animation Director - Adam Wood
Supervising Animators - Claus Pedersen
and Graham Silva
Background Designer - Jose Martinez
Lighting Director: Vanguard Animation - Erik Mattson
Lighting Supervisor - David Hirst
Cinematography - Jericca Clelamd
Head of Layout/Visual Effects - Steven Elford
Film Editor - Debbie Berman
Supervising Editor - Tom Finan
Music - Chris Bacon
Composers: Additional Music - Blue Man Group
and Gad Emile Zeitune


Review
Vanguard Animation, the studio headed by one of the producers of 'Shrek' has been producing a few animated films in the past decade and each of them were ranked as okay to mediocre. Their third movie 'SPACE CHIMPS' had appalling box office takings it was outranked by its formidable competitor 'WALL-E'. While it wasn't a surprise hit by any chance, the film however did spawn a sequel that was never released in theatres. The original movie however feels like an animated movie that wastes its potential and was literally written by monkeys on typewriters. The animation isn't too great and the story-line is much too bland and not original enough. The over-abundance of ape puns were all over the movie like it's all covered with monkey paw-prints. A few bits of comedy remained funny and most of the other jokes don't quite get the same laugh from its intended audience.

The voice cast is imperfect, particularly Andy Samberg who is not a horrible actor but tries to give his character a daredevil persona which falls flat. Jeff Daniels who was a great actor, from his extraordinary supporting and leading parts in acting, drama and comedy has been miscast in the role as the evil alien Zartog and this may be the reason why he never has been offered any more voices in the animated features. Stanley Tucci had bad luck to voice a certain senator who seems to care about himself more than NASA as well as the opportunity that he craves. Only Patrick Warburton succeeds in following the characterisation of by-the-book chimp Titan and he seems to be more quick to follow an ill-gotten script.

Monkey see, monkey don't, this is the phrase I would use to sum up my review. 'SPACE CHIMPS' is a simple, yet juvenile family animation for young kids.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Thor: Ragnarok Review













Thor: Ragnarok


Release Date: 13th October 2017 - Australia (Gold Coast, Queensland)


Production Companies
Marvel Studios
Marvel Entertainment (presents)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 130 minutes


Budget: $180,000,000

Box Office Gross: $853,979,142 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)


Plot Summary
Building on the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor is imprisoned on the far side of the universe (the planet Sakaar, to be exact) without his mighty hammer. He's forced to engage
in an intense gladiatorial
contest arranged by the
Grandmaster, and to survive, must defeat his competitor - none other than former ally and fellow Avenger, the Incredible Hulk.

With his home world of Asgard under threat of destruction by the powerful and ruthless goddess of death Hela, the stakes for Thor have never been higher. Can he save it from the fierce villain's clutches? (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Chris Hemsworth - Thor
Tom Hiddleston - Loki
Cate Blanchett - Hela
Idris Elba - Hemdall
Jeff Goldblum - Grandmaster
Tessa Thompson - Valkyrie
Karl Urban - Skurge
Mark Ruffalo - Bruce Banner/
The Hulk
Anthony Hopkins - Odin
Benedict Cumberbatch - Doctor Strange
Taika Watiti - Korg (Voice)/
Surtur
Rachel House - Topas
Clancy Brown - Surtur (Voice)
Tadanobu Asano - Hogun
Ray Stevenson - Volstagg
Zachary Levi - Fandral
Steven Oliver - Cousin Carlo
Luke Hemsworth - Actor Thor
(Cameo)
Sam Neill - Actor Odin (Cameo)
Charlotte Nicdao - Actor Sif
(Cameo)
Matt Damon - Actor Loki
(Cameo) (Uncredited)
Stan Lee - Barber (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Taika Watiti
Based on Comic/Executive
Producer - Stan Lee
Based on Comic - Larry Lieber
and Jack Kirby
Writers - Eric Pearson, Craig
Kyle and Christopher Yost
Executive Producers - Victoria Alonso, Louis D'Esposito and Brad Winderbaum
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Thomas M. Hammel
Producer - Kevin Fiege
Co-Producer - David J. Grant
Casting Director - Sarah Finn
Production Designers - Dan
Hennah and Ra Vincent
Senior Concept Designer -
Sean Hargreaves
Set Decorator - Beverley Dunn 
Costume Designer - Mayes
C. Rubeo
Director of Photography -
Javier Aguirresarobe
Second Unit Director/Stunt
Coordinator - Ben Cooker
Stunt Coordinator - Kyle
Gardiner
Fight Coordinator - Jon Valera
Special Effects Supervisors - Brian Cox and 
R. Bruce Steinheimer
Visual Effects Supervisors - Jake Morrison 
and Stuart White
Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Chad Wiebe
Animation Supervisors - Ben Anderson and 
Raphael A. Pimentel
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Steve Nichols
Editors - Zene Baker and Joel Negron
Sound Designers - David Farmer and 
Nia Hansen
Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan
Music - Mark Mothersbaugh


Review
Marvel has taken one of the Avengers through the cosmos into a completely new standalone film as 'THOR: RAGNAROK' becomes a full-scale interstellar action comedy with less balance. This movie doesn't mesh well with sci-fi, considering what has happened to its predecessor 'The Dark World' and the mistake has not entirely been fixed. The sequel has too much humour displaying that playful tone similar to one of Marvel’s previous entries, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and fails to return the omnipresence found in the first instalment. 

'RAGNAROK' has great visual eye-candy to behold the maximum impact and has no romantic subplot involving Jane Foster who was nowhere to be found as this relationship was quickly forgotten after the second film was criticised for putting too much focus on it. The film even featured the addition of everyone’s favourite Avenger, the Incredible Hulk who was once again played by Mark Rufalo. Having not read the original comics and neither Planet Hulk, I believe that this film should have been a continuation for the character who hasn’t been the main lead since 2008’s 'The Incredible Hulk'

Jeff Goldblum makes up for a terrifically entertaining performance as the Grandmaster. Cate Blanchett was the villainess Hela who succeeds at overpowering Thor which is something that Loki could not do and she was a better sequel antagonist than Malekith. Karl Urban convincingly portrays Skurge who unwillingly switches his allegiance to Hela as he becomes her right-hand man. Tessa Thompson was then added to the cast as Thor’s new reluctant ally Valkyrie. Mark Mothersbaugh’s background score fits the movie of its retro-spacey feel and its new colourful integration.

Although 'THOR: RAGNAROK' was newly appreciated by fans and critics who proclaim this to be the cinematic holy grail of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I have to disagree on what they say about the movie. It is a bit of an improvement of 'The Dark World' but it’s a solid addition to the ongoing cinematic franchise of Marvel and therefore, a must-see film for all fans.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Monday, October 23, 2017

Mars Attacks! Review













Mars Attacks!


Release Date: 20th February 1997 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Tim Burton Productions


Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 106 minutes


Budget: $70,000,000

Box Office Gross: $101,371,017 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A Martian fleet encircles the world's major cities as the human race waits to see if the alien visitors have, as they say, "come in peace." The President of the United States, James Dale, is convinced by the professor of science, Donald Kessler, that the mission of the Martians is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total obliteration of the U.S. Congress, the military calls for a massive nuclear strike.


Cast
Jack Nicholson - President
James Dale/Art Land
Glenn Close - First Lady Marsha Dale
Annette Bening - Barbara Land
Pierce Brosnan - Prof. Donald Kessler
Danny DeVito - Rude Gambler
Martin Short - Press Secretary
Jerry Ross
Sarah Jessica Parker -
Nathalie Lake
Michael J. Fox - Jason Stone
Rod Steiger - General Decker
Tom Jones - Himself
Lukas Hass - Richie Norris
Natalie Portman - Taffy Dale
Jim Brown - Byron Williams
Lisa Marie - Martian Girl
Sylvia Sidney - Grandma Florence Jenkins
Paul Winfield - General Casey
Pam Grier - Louise Williams
Jack Black - Billy Glenn Norris
Janice Rivera - Cindy, Bryon's Co-Worker
Ray J - Cedric Williams
Brandon Hammond - Neville Williams
Joe Don Baker - Richie's Dad
O-Lan Jones - Sue Ann Norris
Christina Applegate - Sharona
Brian Haley - Mitch, Secret Service Agent
Jerzy Skolimowski - Dr. Zeigler
Timi Prulheire - Tour Guide
Barbet Schroeder - Maurice,
the French President
Chi Hoang Cai - Mr. Lee
Tommy Bush - Hilbilly
Joseph Maher - White House Decorator
Vinny Argiro - Mr. Brian,
Casino Manager
Willie Garson - Corporate Guy
John Roselius - GNN Boss
Michael Reilly Burke - GNN Reporter
Valerie Wildman - GNN Reporter
Rebecca Broussard - Hooker #2
Steve Valentine - TV Director
Enrique Castillo - Hispanic Colonel
John Finnegan - Speaker of the House
Gregg Daniel - Lab Technician
J. Kenneth Campbell - Doctor
Rance Howard - Texas Investor
Frank Welker - Various Martians (Voices)

Crew
Producer/Director - Tim Burton
Based on the Trading Card Series - Len Brown,
Woody Gelman, Wally Wood, Bob Powell
and Norman Saunders
Screen Story/Screenplay - Jonathan Gems
Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Paul Deason
Associate Producer - Mark S. Miller
Producers - Larry J. Franco and
Laurie Parker (Uncredited)
Casting Directors - Victoria Thomas,
Jeanne McCarthy and Matthew Barry
Production Designer - Wynn Thomas
Supervising Art Director - James Hegedus
Art Director - John Dexter
Assistant Art Directors - Jann K. Engel
and Richard Fernandez
Set Decorator - Nancy Haigh
Set Decorator: Washington D.C. - Kathy Lucas
Property Master - Jerry Moss
Assistant Property Masters - Andrew Petrotta,
Maura Moss and Marty Grimes
Costume Designer - Colleen Atwood
Key Makeup Artist - Valli O'Reilly
Makeup Artist: Mr Nicholson - Ve Neill
Hair Stylist: Mr Nicholson - Joy Zapata
Director of Photography - Peter Suschitzky
First Assistant Camera: VistaVision -
Clyde E. Bryan
Stunt Coordinator - Joe Dunne
Aerial Coordinator - Cliff Fleming
Special Effects Supervisor - Michael Lantieri
Design Supervisors: Mackinnon & Saunders
Ltd. - Ian Mackinnon and Peter Saunders
Visual Effects Supervisors - David Andrews,
Michael L. Fink and Jim Mitchell
Associate Effects Supervisor: ILM - Ellen Poon
Senior Visual Effects Coordinator: ILM - Jill Brooks
Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Mark Moore
Digital Effects Supervisor: Warner Digital
Studios - Guy Williams
Computer Graphics Supervisors: ILM -
Roger Guyett and Andy White
Computer Graphics Sequence Supervisors:
ILM - Joel Aron, David Horsley,
Barbara Townsend and Ben Snow
Lead Character Animators: ILM -
Chris Armstrong, Kyle Balda, Linda Bel,
Lou Dellarosa and Jenn Emberley
CGI Lead: Saucers, Warner Digital Studios -
Chris Waegner
Model Supervisor: ILM - Charles Bailey
Model Makers: ILM - Eben Stromquist,
Chuck Wiley and Steve Gawley
Miniature Director of Photography: ILM -
Pat Sweeney
Model Supervisor: Acme Models - Michael Joyce
Editor - Chris Lebenzon
First Assistant Editor - Joel Negron
Supervising Sound Editor - Richard Hymns
Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer - Randy Thom
Assistant Sound Designer - Steve Boedekker
Sound Effects Editors - Ken Fischer
and Frank E. Eulner
Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor - Michael Silvers
Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Summers
Re-Recording Mixer/Music Recordist and
Mixer - Shawn Murphy
Music - Danny Elfman
Music Editors - Bob Badami and
Ellen Segal


Review
MARS ATTACKS! was not Tim Burton's first choice to adapt this trading card game series to the big screen. He was supposed to direct another adaptation of its sister series Dinosaur Attacks! until the success of Jurassic Park and its forthcoming instalment, The Lost Worldhalted these plans. He switched to produce MARS ATTACKS! However, it was not a commercial success for the director when released in America in the same year as another over-the-top sci-fi flick, Independence Day, outgrossed it. The competition was inevitable, and MARS struggled to attain a few million dollars at the box office, but not quite as hoped by Tim Burton to beat Roland Emmerich for his successful feature when mirrored in terms of success. It remains one of Burton's few overlooked but underrated features. Some people claimed the Destroy All Humans video game series existed because of its minor influence.

Still, the Martians are coming to a black comedy satire that parodies the early alien invasion films like The War of the Worlds. It's noticeable that Burton has been trying to get his comedic touch since Beetlejuice. It isn't the first genre that the director encountered. Elements of classic science-fiction mixed with dark humour created a very imaginative look reminiscent of the B films of the 1950s that deal with these alien apocalypses. These Martians in the movie are undeniably goofy but pose a threat to most of the humans who make poor decisions. The humans were at their utmost selfish and barely redeemed themselves except for some saved at the film's end. It helps that this came after the director's semi-autobiographical movie of Ed Wood and explains a lot of inspiration and detail. He even took some scenic inspiration from Dr. Strangelove from the late Stanley Kubrick, particularly in the war conference room.

Jack Nicholson was the most prominent player as he had a dual role in the feature as the President and as an immoral casino manager. Most noticeable of these other featured actors in supporting roles and cameos include Michael J. Fox (in his last live-screen appearance), Pierce Brosnan, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Sarah Jessica Parker, singer Tom Jones, Martin Short and Glenn Close. Several viewers, including mostly Star Wars fans, may recognise Natalie Portman for her later work other than the divisive prequels and vice versa. They would be surprised that she was among the actors who got a small role in the film, and so is Jack Black when acting as one of the soldiers vaporised by the Martians. The movie's CGI was decent but was certainly out-of-date compared to modern films, and many of its visuals have worked through better quality.

It may not have been the finest hour for Tim Burton and his crew. He can do pictures whenever he wants us to be captivated, which is better than MARS ATTACKS!, even by a long shot. I purposely recommend to all moviegoers that this is a semi-decent film.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Kingsman: The Secret Service/The Golden Circle Review













Kingsman: The Secret Service/The Golden Circle


Release Date: 5th February 2015 - Australia (Secret Service)
21st September 2017 - Australia (Golden Circle)


Production Companies
20th Century Fox
Marv Films
Cloudy Productions
TSG Entertainment (made in association with)

Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: Action

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 129 minutes 
                  (Secret Service)
                141 minutes 
                (Golden Circle)


Budget: $94,000,000 (Secret Service)
$104,000,000 (Golden Circle)

Box Office Gross: $414,351,546 (Worldwide) (Secret Service)
$410,902,662 (Worldwide) (Golden Circle)


Plot Summaries

THE SECRET SERVICE 
Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, whose
late father secretly worked 
for a spy organisation, lives 
in a South London housing 
estate and seems headed 
for a life behind bars. 
However, dapper agent 
Harry Hart recognises 
potential in the youth 
and recruits him to be 
a trainee in the secre
service. Meanwhile, 
villainous Richmond 
Valentine launches a 
diabolical plan to solve 
the problem of climate 
change via a worldwide 
killing spree. (Source - Google)

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE 
Gary “Eggsy” Unwin is 
learning what it takes to 
be a true Kingsman from 
mentor Harry Hart. He 
learns nice clothes, fancy 
cars and cool weapons 
help the Kingsman with their 
ultimate goal: to sacrifice 
anything for the greater good.

But when the Kingsman 
headquarters is destroyed, 
Eggsy and Merlin have 
to figure out who is 
responsible. Their research 
leads them to discover an 
allied American agency 
called Statesman 
comprised of Agent Tequila, 
Agent Whiskey and Agent 
Champagne. The two 
agencies decide to band 
together to try to discover 
this new enemy and save 
the world. (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Talon Egerton - Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin
Colin Firth - Harry Hart/
Galahad
Mark Strong - Merlin
Sophie Cookson - Roxy
Edward Holcroft - Charlie
Samantha Womack - Michelle Unwin
Tobi Bakare - Jamal
Hanna Alström - Princess Tilde

THE SECRET SERVICE
Samuel L. Jackson - Richmond Valentine
Sofia Boutella - Gazelle
Michael Caine - Chester King/Arthur
Mark Hamill - Professor Arnold 
Jack Davenport - Lancelot
Geoff Bell - Dean
Jordan Long - Poodle
Alex Nikolov - Little Eggsy
Fiona Hampton - Amelia
Jack Cutmore-Scott - Rufus Saville
Bjørn Floberg - Scandavian Prime Minister
Lily Travers - Lady Sophie
Richard Brake - The Interrogator
Andrew Bridgmont - Kingsman Tailor
Nicholas Banks - Digby
Tom Prior - Hugo
Jonno Davies - Lee
Theo Barklem-Biggs - Ryan
Morgan Watkins - Rottweiler
Nicholas Agnew - Nathaniel
Rowan Polonski - Piers
Corey Johnson - Church Leader
Anne Wittman - Church Blonde Woman

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE 
Julianne Moore - Poppy
Channing Tatum - Tequila 
Pedro Pascal - Whiskey
Jeff Bridges - Champ
Halle Berry - Ginger
Elton John - Himself
Michael Gambon - Arthur
Keith Allen - Charles
Tom Benedict Knight - Angel
Mark Arnold - General McCoy
Bruce Greenwood - The President
Poppy Delevingne - Clara
Emily Watson - Chief of Staff Fox
Bjorn Granath - The King of Sweden
Lena Endre - The Queen of Sweden
Calvin Demba - Brandon
Thomas Turgoose - Liam
Nicholas Colicos - Very Drunk Redneck
Shannon Bream - FOX News Anchor
James Carroll Jordan - Harvard Professor
Bill Hemmer - FOX News Anchor
Antonio Magro - Confused Guard
Joe Gallina - Poppy's Security Gate Guard
Mingus Johnston - First Burly Guard

Crew
Screenplay/Producer/
Director - Matthew Vaughn
Based on Comic Book 
"Secret Service"/Executive 
Producers - Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons
Screenplay/Co-Producer - Jane Goldman
Executive Producers - Pierre Lagrange, Stephen Marks and Claudia Schiffer
Producers - Adam Bohling and David Reid
Production Designers - Paul Kirby (*)
and Darren Gilford (**)
Supervising Art Directors - Andy Thomson (*)
and Grant Armstrong (**)
Set Decorators - David Morison (*),
Jennifer Williams (*) and Rosemary Brundenberg (**)
Property Masters - David Chessman (*) and Ty Teiger (**)
Costume Designer - Adrianne Phillips
Cinematography - George Richmond
Aerial Director of Photography - Adam Dale 
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -
Bradley James Allan
Second Unit Directors - Kenny Bates (*) and
Moumita Moundal (**)
Stunt Coordinator - Adam Kirley
Additional Stunt Coordinator - James O’Donnell (*)
Fight Arranger/Stunt Double: Taron Egerton (*)/
Stunt Performer - Damien Walters
Fight Coordinator - Guillermo Grispo
Skydiving Supervisor - David Emerson (*)
Special Effects Supervisor - Steven Warner
Special Effects Coordinator - Anna Krawczyk (*)
Special Effects Consultant - Neil Corbould (*)
Visual Effects Supervisors - Steven Begg (*),
Matt Kasmir (*) and Angus Bickerton (**)
Visual Effects Supervisor: SPI - Mark Breakspear (**)
Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -
Chris Lawrence (**)
Visual Effects Supervisor/Lidar and Cyber
Scanning Supervisor - Huseyin Caner (*)
Additional Visual Effects Supervisors -
John Paul Docherty and John Bruno (*)
On Set Visual Effects Supervisor - John Haley (**)
Visual Effects Producers - Stephen Elson (*),
Jessica Norton (*), Barrie Hemsley (**) and
Scott Mitchell (**)
Animation Director - Max Tyrie (**)
CG Supervisors - Fabio Zangla and
Jim 'Big Dog' McLean (**)
Film Editors - Eddie Hamilton and
John Harris (*)
Music - Henry Jackman and
Matthew Margeson


Review
I apologise for taking another break as I had to finish my long-term animated project among other things. While taking a trip down to Sydney, I recently come across the Hoyts cinema in Penrith where I saw the second 'Kingsman' instalment 'THE GOLDEN CIRCLE'. Before that, I had watched 'THE SECRET SERVICE' and it was the fourth time that I’ve watched this film. 

THE SECRET SERVICE
An excessively violent spy-fi movie with stylised action sequences that reminisces the classic spy movies from the 1960s and 1970s like James Bond. 'KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE' is a dapper movie with a great sense of humour and action-packed story-line. Matthew Vaughn has never been formally introduced to the espionage sub-genre for a film that’s based on an original comic. Much like his few other films that were previously adapted from comic-books, this movie also has the director’s penchant for gruesome violence and vulgarity. Trust me, this one is completely different to his superhero flicks that were 'Kick-Ass' and 'X-Men: First Class'. This film has very much of the hardcore fight scenes and explosions and speaking of these two, the church scene and the pub-fight are absolutely two of the best moments and the part of the exploding heads is to die for.

Taron Egerton was warmly welcomed as the new star in a much-deserved role as Eggsy, a young man who desires to do good in his life. Colin Firth was even a suitable British actor when he is fantastic as Harry Hart who trains Eggsy to become a proper English gentleman spy. Hollywood’s living legend Samuel L. Jackson has had a dazzling opportunity to do an over-the-top portrayal as the lisping villainous businessman named Richmond Valentine. Mark Strong was the director’s frequent collaborator and is once again working with him in a supporting role as Merlin. Sofia Boutella was ideally chosen in her debut role as the deadly henchwoman Gazelle.

This movie may be horrifying for some with graphic violent scenes and crude language, and don’t mind the campiness that hasn’t been used before in a recent spy movie. I appreciate the level of enthusiasm that has been brought to 'THE SECRET SERVICE' and is properly envisioned as the year’s ultimate action-packed blockbuster. If you are old enough to see it, just buy it or rent it elsewhere in online and retail.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
It seems that the wait is over as the first 'Kingsman' movie’s helmer Matthew Vaughn is back for its newest chapter to revisit the glamorous but violent style of espionage. Unfortunately for him, he’s forgotten what he had promised us, more genuine class in the sequel. 'THE GOLDEN CIRCLE' was twice as big as the original film but rehashes everything that was done in its predecessor. There are a few grating plot-holes that were noticeable enough to derail the film off its corners. Nevertheless, the new characters were added to the plot like those from the Statesman agency plus the violence and action sequences are still intact but remained as over the top and edgy. 

It was truly unexpected to see Colin Firth return in a screen combination with the main lead actor Taron Egerton. Actress Julianne Moore does a great performance as the smart and cunning villainess who has a secret motivation that doesn’t involve world domination or doomsday cataclysm. Pop musician Elton John was no actor but rather than a cameo, he outplays himself as being in a supporting role. Halle Berry was sweet as the American female counterpart of Merlin. Jeff Bridges was a bit of a dandy as the head of the Statesman agency. Channing Tatum was good but I felt his character Tequila could have had more screen-time, if he was featured in the rest of the movie for more action. 

'THE GOLDEN CIRCLE' is somewhat decent but it was an instantly forgettable continuation and some believed it was being put upon for the sake of the style. There is still much fun going on with just this film to get the 'Kingsman' saga going until the next instalment is unveiled..

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie