Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Review


 













Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales


Release Date: 25th May 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures
Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Action/Adventure

Rating: M

Runtime: 129 minutes


Budget: $230,000,000

Box Office Gross: $794,878,815 (Worldwide) 


Plot Summary
Thrust into an all-new
adventure, a down-on-his-
luck Captain Jack Sparrow 
feels the winds of ill-
fortune blowing even
more strongly when ghost
sailors led by his old nemesis
the evil Captain Salazar, 
escape from the Devil's 
Triangle. Jack's only hope 
of survival lies in seeking 
out the legendary trident
of Poseidon, but to find it
he must forge an uneasy
alliance with a brilliant and
beautiful astronomer and a
headstrong young man in the
British navy. (Source - Google)


Cast
Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow
Javier Bardem - Captain Salazar
Geoffrey Rush - Captain 
Hector Barbossa
Brenton Thwaites - Henry Turner
Kaya Scodelario - Carina Smyth
Kevin McNally - Joshamee Gibbs
Golshifteh Farahani - Shansa
David Wenham - Scarfield
Stephen Graham - Scrum
Angus Barnett - Mullroy 
Martin Klebba - Marty
Adam Brown - Cremble
Giles New - Murtogg
Orlando Bloom - Will Turner
Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann
Paul McCartney - Uncle Jack
Delroy Atkinson - Pike
Danny Kirrane - Bollard
Juan Carlos Vellido - Lt. Lesaro 
Rodney Afif - Officer Madga
Rupert Raineri - Officer Santos
Stephen Lopez - Officer Moss
Bruce Spence - Mayor Dix
Justin Smith - Mr. Krill
John Leary - Mr. Swift
Anthony De La Torre - Young Jack Sparrow
Finn Ireland - Young Pirate Jeff
James Mackay - Maddox
Bryan Probets - Bowen
Lewis McGowan - Henry Turner (12 Yrs Old)
Alexander Scheer - Young Teague
Richard Piper - Captain Toms
Michael Dorman - First Officer 
Wade 
Rohan Nicol - Officer Cole
Robert Morgan - Grimes
Zoe Ventoura - Mayor's Wife
Jonathan Elsom - Priest

Crew
Directors - Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg 
Based on Characters/Story/
Executive Producer - Terry Rossio
Based on Characters - Ted Elliott, Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert
Story/Screenplay - Jeff 
Nathanson
Executive Producers - Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr., Chad Oman, Mike Stenson and Brigham Taylor
Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer
Production Designer - Nigel Phelps
Supervising Art Director - Ian Gracie
Costume Designer - Penny Rose
Director of Photography - Paul Cameron
Stunt Coordinator - Thomas Robinson Harper
Fight Coordinator/Stunt Double: Javier Bardem - Thomas DuPont 
Special Effects Supervisor - Dan Oliver
Special Effects Coordinator - John Frazier
Visual Effects Supervisors - Gary Brozenich and Kenneth Nelson
Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Patrick Ledda
Film Editors - Roger Barton and Leigh Folsom Boyd
Sound Designer (Uncredited)/Supervising Sound Editor/
Re-Recording Mixer - Christopher Boyes
Music - Geoff Zanelli
Composers: Additional Music - Phil Boucher,
Zak McNeil, Paul Mounsey and Anthony B. Willis


Review 
Shiver me timbers, it's time for 'DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES' to set sail as Disney is trying to keep a waning franchise of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' afloat. It has been a wait of four years and some moviegoers have lost interest in the series because of the extremely divisive 'On Stranger Tides'. The studio and its former partner Jerry Bruckheimer have decided that an another change of direction would best suit the next film and brought in two Norwegian directors. Unfortunately much of it was dogged by a string of production difficulties as its main actor Johnny Depp was injured on-set and facing career-threatening issues. Yet, this feature tries to convince us that there's still hope left in the series as Depp is struggling to regain much of his A-list status from the allegations. The two new lead characters of the film weren't as believable as Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann from the original film's. This film wasn't quite as promising as its narrative, when most of us believe it would replicate the approval from 'The Curse of the Black Pearl'.

Now that Depp has become a shadow of his former self as the role that was once inspired from the exploits of the great matinee idol Errol Flynn is losing his edge. Javier Bardem was splendid in his portrayal of the undead pirate hunter Salazar, who was purely motivated by revenge on Jack Sparrow... I mean Captain Jack Sparrow. He is the film's only other redeeming feature and it was fortunate he had not signed on to a different picture than being in the ensemble cast. We can also thank Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley for being in their special guest appearances as Will and Elizabeth after they were both absent in the previous movie.

'DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES' was not the long-awaited film to rescue the series from its declining quality. It has some moments, but not nearly enough to contain all the balance that was forgotten from the sequels. So viewers be warned, watch at your own risk!

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Thursday, May 25, 2017

In Memory of Roger Moore (1927-2017)









Roger Moore (1927-2017)

Hello movie bloggers, I regret to inform you that British film and television actor Roger Moore, known for being Simon Templar in the television show "The Saint" and his longest-serving portrayal of secret agent James Bond in the film series from 1973 to 1985, has passed away after bravely losing his battle with cancer on May 23rd, 2017, at 89 years old. I have nothing against the late movie star except that he wasn't the best actor to play 007 but was more British, less brutal and memorable than any interpretation conceived by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Moore's early years of acting began in 1945 when he was an extra in the film "Caesar and Cleopatra". Moore had his first televised appearance in 1949 and found work modelling for print advertisements. In 1954, he landed a seven-year contract with MGM and got third billing and supporting roles in "Interrupted Memory", "The King's Thief", and "Diane". The latter film flopped, and the studio released Moore two years later. A few years later, Moore starred in one-hour parts in episodes from numerous TV programs and little-known movies. Moore's involvement with television grew as he featured in lead roles, including "Ivanhoe", "The Alaskans", and "Maverick". Moore starred in the lead role of Simon Templar in the television spy-fi drama "The Saint" by producer Lew Grade. The show aired in 1962 in the UK and America, the latter of which earned widespread attention. Because of its success, Moore obtained international stardom in 1967. The series was in black-and-white before it went to colour in 1967 and ran for six seasons with 118 episodes. In addition to his main acting, Roger Moore also directed several episodes. In 1971, Moore starred in another espionage thriller series opposite Tony Curtis in "The Persuaders". Unlike his previous fame in "The Saint", the series was a success only in the UK and Australia but never in America, where it was pre-sold to ABC and failed.

In 1972, when producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli first contacted the actor following Sean Connery's retirement from the role of 007, Roger accepted their offer to portray that titular character in 1973, starting with "Live and Let Die". After its release, he continued with the character in several films. He was 45 years old in "Live and Let Die" and was 58 in 1985 when he retired from that role and was considered the long-running actor to portray James Bond. During his tenure as Bond, Moore had other movies in mind, such as "Gold", "The Wild Geese", "Escape from Athena", "North Sea Hijack", "The Sea Wolves", and "The Cannonball Run". He appeared in a cameo appearance as Inspector Clouseau on "The Curse of the Pink Panther" under the pseudonym. After retiring from being James Bond, Moore took a career hiatus for five years and would not continue to make more film appearances until 1990 in several movies. He was seen in other movies like "The Quest" with Jean Claude Van Damme and "Spice World" and was among the voice talents of "Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore".

Despite his celebrity status, however. Moore became a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF in 1991. Among other honours, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth as "Sir Roger Moore" for his "services to charity" in 2003. In 2008, he obtained a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Government.

To the family and friends of Roger Moore, we deeply miss him, and we are grateful to have seen his work, including James Bond. May he ever be immortalised?

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Review












Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest


Release Date: 6th July 2006 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
Jerry Bruckheimer Films (in association with)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Action/Adventure/
Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 145 minutes


Budget: $225,000,00

Box Office Gross: $1,066,179,747 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Captain Jack Sparrow is in debt to Davy Jones, captain of the Flying Dutchman, a ghostly, hellishly crewed ship. Jack has to find the heart of Davy Jones in the "Locker", but he needs the help of the quick-witted Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann to save his life. As if that weren't complicated enough, Will and Elizabeth are on death row, which manages to interrupt their wedding plans unless Will can get Jack's compass for Lord Cutler Beckett. Will joins Jack on another crazy adventure.


Cast
Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow
Bill Nighy - Davy Jones
Orlando Bloom - Will Turner
Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann
Jonathan Pryce - Governor Weatherby Swann
Kevin McNally - Joshamee Gibbs
Stellan Skarsgård - Bootstrap Bill
Lee Arenberg - Pintel
Mackenzie Crook - Ragetti
Tom Hollander - Cutler Beckett
Naomie Harris - Tia Dalma
David Bailie - Cotton
Martin Klebba - Marty
David Schofield - Mercer
Alex Norton - Captain Bellamy
Geoffrey Rush - Hector Barbossa (Cameo)
Dermot Keaney - Maccus
Andy Beckwith - Clanker
Clive Ashborn - Koleniko
Reggie Lee - Hadras
Christopher Adamson - Jimmy
Legs
Jonathan Linsley - Ogilvely
John Boswell - Wyvern
Max Baker - Burser
Steve Speirs - Quartermaster
Lauren Maher - Scarlett
Vanessa Branch - Giselle
Christopher S. Capp - Parrot
Voice (Voice)

Crew
Director - Gore Verbinski
Based on Characters/Writers - Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio
Based on Characters - Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert
Script Supervisor - Sharron Reynolds
Executive Producers - Mike
Stenson, Chad Oman and
Bruce Hendricks
Executive Producer/Unit
Production Manager - Eric McLeod
Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer
Historical Advisor - Peter Twist
Casting Director - Denise Chamian
Casting Director: UK - Priscilla John
Production Designer - Rick Heinrichs
Creature Concepts - Mark 'Crash' McCreery
Conceptual Artists - Derek Gogol, Matt Codd and Tim Flattery
Illustrators - Mauro Borrelli, James Carson, Nathan Schroeder, Wil Rees and Warren Manser
Conceptual Consultant - James Byrkit
Supervising Art Director - John Dexter
Art Directors - William Ladd Skinner, Bruce Crone and John Dexter
Assistant Art Directors - Nick Navarro, Domenic Silvestri, Robert Woodruff, Eric Sundahl, Darrell L. Wright and Gary Diamond
Set Decorator - Cheryl Carasik
Costume Designer - Penny Rose
Associate Costume Designer - John Norster
Costume Supervisor: Location - Kenny Crouch
Property Masters - Jerry Moss and Kris Peck
Makeup Effects Creator/Department Head -
Ve Neill
Makeup Effects Supervisor/Key Makeuo
Artist/Prosthetic Makeup Designer - Joel Harlow
Additional Makeup Supervisor/Tattoo Designer -
Ken Diaz
Chief Hair Stylist - Martin Samuel
Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski
Underwater Director of Photography - Peter Zuccarini
Aerial Unit Director of Photography - David B. Nowell
Camera Operator - Martin Schaer
Location Manager: US - Laura Sode-Matteson
Unit Production Manager - Douglas C. Merrifield
Production Supervisor - Thomas Hayslip
First Assistant Director - Peter Kohn
First/Second Assistant Director - David H. Venghaus Jr.
Second Assistant Director - Jeff Okabayashi
Second Unit Director/Visual Effects Supervisor:
Additional Visual Effects - Charles Gibson
Second Unit Director: Dominica/
Stunt Coordinator - George Marshall Ruge
Sword Master/Specialist (Uncredited)/
Stunt Double: Jack Davenport - Thomas DuPont
Aerial Coordinator - David Paris
Marine Coordinator - Daniel F. Malone
Marine Coordinator: Dominica - Ed Nyerick
Animal Coordinator - Boone Narr
Head Trainer - Mark Harden
Picture Boat Coordinator - Will White
Transportation Coordinator - Dave Robling
Special Effects Coordinators - Allen Hall
and Michael Lantieri
Shop Supervisors - Thomas Park and
James Reedy
Gimbal Foreman - Mark Hawker
Visual Effects Supervisor - John Knoll
Visual Effects Supervisor: The Orphanage -
Ryan Tudhope
Visual Effects Supervisor: CIS Hollywood -
Bryan Hirota
Visual Effects Supervisor: Pacific Title and
Art Studio - David Sosalla
Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Asylum -
Nathan McGuinness
Additional Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM -
Bill George and Roger Guyett
Visual Effects Producers: ILM - Ned Gorman
and Jill Brooks
Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Aaron McBride
Digital Production Supervisor: ILM - David Meny
Compositing Supervisor: ILM - Eddie Pasquarello
Compositing Supervisors: Asylum - John Fragomeni
and Phil Brennan
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Hal T. Hickel
Associate Animation Supervisor: ILM - Marc Chu
CG Supervisor: Asylum - Sean Andrew Faden
TD Supervisor: ILM - Patrick T. Myers
Creature Development Supervisor: ILM - James Tooley
Digital Model Supervisors: ILM - Geoff Campbell,
Bruce Holcomb and Steve Walton
Sequence Supervisors: ILM - Tom Fejes,
Neil Herzinger, Jeff Sutherland, Chad Taylor,
Susumu Yukuhiro, Jason Snell, Jack Mongovan,
Mario Capellari, Ian Christie, Michael Halstead,
Shawn Hillier, Polly Ing, Katrin Klaiber,
François Lambert, Kimberly Lashbrook,
Robert Marinic, Tom Martinek, Tory Mercer,
Greg Salter, Douglas Smythe, Damian Steel
and Jeff Wozniak
Models & Miniatures Unit Supervisors: ILM -
Carl Miller, Pat Sweeney, Mark Anderson,
Geoff Heron and Charles Bailey
Editors - Craig Wood and Stephen Rivkin
Supervising Sound Editor/Designer/
Sound Mixer - Christopher Boyes
Supervising Sound Editor - George Watters II
Sound Effects Editors - Ken Fischer,
Addison Teague, Shannon Mills, Tim Nielsen,
Brent Burge and Melanie Graham
Supervising ADR Editor - Jessica Gallavan
Sound Mixers - Lee Orloff and Paul Massey
Additional Sound Mixer - James Bolt
Music - Hans Zimmer
Composers: Additional Music - Nick Glennie-Smith,
Lorne Balfe, Tom Gire, Henry Jackman,
Trevor Morris, John Sponsler and Geoff Zanelli
Composer: Theme Music - Klaus Badelt
Music Supervisor - Bob Badami
Ambient Music Design - Mel Wesson
Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson


Awards

2007 Academy Awards
Best Visual Effects - John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel,
Allen Hall and Charles Gibson (Won)
--------------------------
Best Art Direction - Rick Heinrichs and
Cheryl Carasik (Nominated)
Best Sound Mixing - Paul Massey, Christopher Boyes
and Lee Orloff (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing - Christopher Boyes and
George Watters II (Nominated)


Review
While The Curse of the Black Pearl received a standing ovation for being a worthy pirate film, the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels were not as well-known as the original and are a mixed bag among viewers. I barely watched them (except for On Stranger Tides), but now is the time to watch all entries in a canonical order before I go and see Dead Men Tell No Tales in theatres.

DEAD MAN'S CHEST was the middle child of the series and could not surpass the standards of the previous film. The crucial display of balancing action and comedy is nowhere to be found, as the plot becomes too convoluted with some exposition. Director Gore Verbinski and screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio get caught up with the first film's success as Disney wanted DEAD MAN'S CHEST to be bigger and better than the last movie. This sequel got too overproduced to be even better despite all the great lengths that came with the aspects, like lavish scenery, brilliant sword fighting and extravagant visuals. Sadly, these aspects were insufficient to save the second instalment from being a fair movie.

Johnny Depp was almost as funny when continuing his role of Captain Jack Sparrow after he had astonished audiences with the character's big debut in the first film. He was sincere that he was cheeky and unrestrained to amuse himself with his improvised acting. Actor Bill Nighy was in a hideous disguise as the squid-like part crustacean pirate of Davy Jones when he got cast into that antagonist role. It has to be the computer-generated imagery that camouflaged him to look fishy in this transformation. The rousing, adventurous score by Hans Zimmer was incredible in that it included strings, pipes and concussions to create a sound familiar to the original themes by Klaus Badelt.

DEAD MAN'S CHEST was a bit disjointed but a decent addition to the Pirates franchise. Though not the best sequel, it's a mildly entertaining film. I highly recommend it to fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Review














Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2


Release Date: 25th April 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Marvel Studios (presents)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 136 minutes


Budget: $200,000,000

Box Office Gross: $863,756,051 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Now hailed as heroes after saving Xandar from Ronan, Peter Quill and his Guardians of the Galaxy get hired by a leader of a powerful alien race called the Sovereign to protect their precious batteries from a monster. After defeating it, Rocket steals these batteries and causes the Sovereign to send their fleet to pursue them. While the guardians try to evade their pursuers, they discover the truth of Peter's unknown heritage.


Cast
Chris Pratt - Peter Quill/
Star-Lord
Zoe Saldana - Gamora
Bradley Cooper - Rocket (Voice)
Dave Bautista - Drax the Destroyer
Vin Diesel - Baby Groot (Voice)
Kurt Russell - Ego
Pom Klementieff - Mantis
Elizabeth Debicki - Ayesha
Michael Rooker - Yondu Udonta
Karen Gillan - Nebula
Chris Sullivan - Taserface
Sean Gunn - Kraglin/On Set Rocket
Krystian Godlewski - On Set Groot
Sylvester Stallone - Stakar Ogord
Laura Haddock - Meredith Quill
Wyatt Oleff - Young Peter Quill
Gregg Henry - Grandpa Quill
Evan Jones - Wrench
Jimmy Urine - Half-Nut
Stephen Blackehart - Brahl
Steve Agee - Gef
Mike Escamilla - Scrote
Joe Fria - Oblo
Terence Rosemore - Narblik
Tommy Flanagan - Tullk
Michael Rosenbaum - Martinex T'Naga (Cameo)
Ving Rhames - Charlie-27 (Cameo)
Michelle Yeoh - Aleta Ogora (Cameo)
Stan Lee - Watcher Informant (Cameo)
Ben Browder - Sovereign
Admiral (Cameo)
Miley Cyrus - Mainframe (Voice)
(Cameo) (Uncredited)
Seth Green - Howard the Duck
(Voice) (Cameo)
Molly C. Quinn - Howard's Date
Jeff Goldblum - Grandmaster
(Cameo) (Uncredited)
Rob Zombie - Unseen Ravager
(Voice) (Cameo)
David Hasselhoff - The Form
of David Hasselhoff (Cameo)
Richard Christy - 'Down There!' (Cameo)
James Gunn Sr. - Weird Old Man (Cameo)
Leota Gunn - Weird Old Man's Mistress (Cameo)
Guillermo Rodriguez - Cop #2 (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Writer/Director - James Gunn
Based on the Marvel Comics - Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Star-Lord/Mantis Creator -
Steve Englehart
Star-Lord Creator - Steve Gan
Gamora and Drax Creator -
Jim Starlin
Groot Creator/Executive Producer - Stan Lee
Groot Creators - Larry Lieber
and Jack Kirby
Rocket Raccoon Creators - Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen
Mantis Creator - Don Heck (Uncredited)
Howard the Duck Creators - Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik
Script Supervisor - Martin Kitrosser
Associate Producer - Simon Hatt
Executive Producers - Victoria Alonso,
Louis D'Esposito and Jonathan Schwartz
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Nikolas Korda
Producer - Kevin Feige
Co-Producer - David J. Grant
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Lars P. Winther
Casting Director - Sarah Finn
Production Designer - Scott Chambliss
Production Designer: Los Angeles Unit/
Supervising Art Director - Ramsey Avery
Visual Development Supervisor - Andy Park
Concept Artists - Jonathan Bach,
John Dickenson, Andrea Dopaso, Tim Flattery,
Sean Hargreaves, George Hull, Scott Lukowski,
Victor Martinez, Sam Michlap, Till Nowak,
Craig Sellars, Dean Sheriff and Hal Tenny
Concept Artist/Visual Development Concept
Illustrator - Tully Summers
Visual Development Concept Illustrators -
Melissa Encinas, Anthony Francisco,
Rodney Fuentebella, Constantine Sekeris,
Justin Sweet and Jackson Sze
Visual Development Concept Artists -
Karla Ortiz, Wesley Burt, Ryan Lang,
Kevin Chen, Ian Joyner, Michael Kutsche
and Jerad Marantz
Art Directors - Vlad Bina, Jana Engel,
Iain McFayden, Harry Otto,
Lauren Polizzi and Thomas Valentine
Set Decorator - Jay Hart
Property Master - Russell Bobbitt
Costume Designer - Judianna Makovsky
Assistant Costume Designers - Michael Crow
and Lisa Tomczeszym
Prosthetic Makeup Department Head:
Legacy Effects - Brian Sipe
Makeup Department Head - John Blake
Hair Department Head - Camille Friend
Hair Department Head: Los Angeles Unit -
Peter Tothpal
Director of Photography - Henry Braham
Aerial Coordinator - David Paris
Unit Production Manager - Thomas Hayslip
Unit Production Manager: Los Angeles Unit -
Leeann Stonebreaker
Stunt Coordinator - Thomas Robinson Harper
Co-Stunt Coordinator - Riley Harper
Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -
Casey O'Neill
Fight Coordinator - James Young
Special Effects Supervisor - Daniel Sudick
Legacy Effects Supervisors - Shane P. Mahan
and Lindsay MacGowan
Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -
Joe Letteri
Visual Effects Supervisor - Christopher Townsend
Visual Effects Supervisors: Weta Digital -
Guy Williams, Kevin Andrew Smith, Charles Tait
and Daniel MacCarin
Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -
Jonathan Fawkner
Visual Effects Co-Supervisor: Framestore -
Patric Roos
Visual Effects Supervisors: Animal Logic -
Paul Butterworth and Kirsty Millar
Visual Effects Supervisor: Method Studios -
Nordin Rahhali
Visual Effects Supervisor: Technicolor VFX -
Doug Spiltaro
Visual Effects Supervisor: Sarofsky -
Matthew Crnich
Additional Visual Effects Supervisor -
Edwin Rivera
Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital -
David Clayton
Senior Animation Supervisor: Method Studios -
Keith Roberts
Animation Supervisors: Method Studios -
Daniel Mizuguchi and Christopher Perkowitz-
Colvard
Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -
Raphael A. Pimentel
Compositing Supervisor: Framestore -
Matthew Twyford
Compositing Supervisor: Lola Visual Effects -
Edson Williams
3D Stereoscopic Supervisor - Evan Jacobs
Film Editors - Fred Raskin and Craig Wood
Additional Editors - Kathryn Himoff
and Andrew S. Eisen
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editors -
Addison Teague and David Acord
Sound Mixer - Lee Orloff
Sound Mixer: Los Angeles Unit - David Husby
Re-Recording Mixers - Christopher Boyes
and Lora Hirschberg
Foley Artists - John Roesch and Shelley Roden
Music - Tyler Bates
Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan


Review
My experience of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie would have never been the same if I had not seen the new chapter in theatres. The thrilling cosmic action, humour and 70s music get reinstated in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. It was a surprising continuation that everyone agrees has the same impact as the original movie. Writer/director James Gunn has masterminded the sequel to continue the wild space adventures of Marvel's sci-fi heroes. The film has a thoughtful storyline and complex characterisations. It boasts an immense visual display and loses none of these aspects that continue to be in the feature that is neither as significant as what other viewers say. The film's plot has some similarities to The Empire Strikes Back, and it has more of a bittersweet closing than a downer ending.

The original actors like Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper and others are back as the famed eponymous group of heroes ready to save the galaxy from evil forces again. Even the undisputed Vin Diesel is now voicing the young, cutesy version of Groot. The newer cast member, Kurt Russell, was a legendary and remarkable actor when portraying Star Lord's mysterious and godlike estranged father. His true intentions are yet unknown.

Elizabeth Debecki was capable of sheer brutal menace when acting as the vengeful Ayesha, and she may return to the character in the final instalment shortly. French actress Pom Klementieff portrays the lovable but naive Mantis, the team's newest member. Veteran actor Sylvester Stallone is in a supporting role as Stakar Ogord, even though I've never been a big fan of Stallone and his movies. Whatever the reason, he did do a fascinating job.

Viewers will be jettisoned and embrace the world of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 as they did for its predecessor. It may not have been as fresh as the last movie, but it's a more colourful, action-packed sequel. I hope to see the film again when it comes out on Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes and Netflix.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

Monday, May 15, 2017

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Review













Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl


Release Date: 11th September 2003 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
Jerry Bruckheimer Films (in association with)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Action/Adventure/
Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 142 minutes


Budget: $140,000,000

Box Office Gross: $654,264,015 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
When Elizabeth Swann, the governor's daughter, gets kidnapped by the feared pirate Captain Barbossa, who has suspected she has the medallion. Her childhood friend, a young blacksmith named Will Turner, joins forces with the eccentric yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow as they set sail to rescue Elizabeth from Barbossa. Little do they know that Barbossa and his crew are under a terrible curse that has doomed them to live for all eternity as the undead unless a blood sacrifice is made that would allow them to become mortal again.


Cast
Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow
Orlando Bloom - Will Turner
Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann
Geoffrey Rush - Hector Barbossa
Jack Davenport - Norrington
Jonathan Pryce - Governor
Weatherby Swann
Kevin McNally - Joshamee Gibbs
Lee Arenberg - Pintel
Mackenzie Crook - Ragetti
Damian O'Hare - Lt. Gillette
Giles New - Murtogg
Angus Barnett - Mullroy
David Bailie - Cotton
Michael Berry Jr. - Twigg
Isaac C. Singleton Jr. - Bo'sun
Zoe Saldana - Anamaria
Martin Klebba - Marty
Treva Etienne - Koehler
Greg Ellis - Officer
Lauren Maher - Scarlett
Brye Cooper - Mallot
Vanessa Branch - Giselle
Trevor Goddard - Grapple
Vince Lozano - Jacoby
Ralph P. Martin - Mr. Brown
Paula J. Newman - Estrella
Dylan Smith - Young Will
Lucinda Drysek - Young Elizabeth
Guy Siner - Harbormaster

Crew
Director - Gore Verbinski
Screen Story/Screenplay - Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio
Screen Story - Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert
Script Supervisor - Sharron Reynolds
Executive Producer/Unit
Production Manager - Paul Deason
Executive Producer/Unit
Production Manager/
Second Unit Director - Bruce Hendricks
Executive Producers - Chad Oman and
Mike Stenson
Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer
Technical Advisor - Peter Twist
Casting Director - Ronna Kress
Lead Animal Trainer - Ursula Brauner
Animal Coordinator - Mark Harden
Production Designer - Brian Morris
Consultant - James Ward Byrkit
Creature Concepts - Mark 'Crash' McCreery
Conceptual Artist - Miles Teves
Supervising Art Director - Derek R. Hill
Art Directors - James E. Tocci and
Donald B. Woodruff
Art Director: Caribbean Unit -
William Ladd Skinner
Construction Coordinator - Robert A. Blackburn
Set Decorators - Larry Dias and
Cristian Bertoco (Uncredited)
Property Master - Charles Stewart
Armourer - Harry Lu
Costume Designer - Penny Rose
Associate Costume Designer - John Norster
Costume Supervisors - Ken Crouch and
Carolyn Dessert
Makeup Effects Creator - Keith VanderLaan
Makeup Effects Supervisor: Captive Audience
Productions - Brian Sipe
Makeup Supervisor - Ve Neill
Makeup Effects Consultant/Special Makeup
Effects Artist - Greg Cannom
Chief Hair Stylist - Martin Samuel
Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski
Director of Photography: Second Unit -
Mitchell Amundsen
Director of Photography: Second Unit/
Second Unit Director - Alexander Witt
Aerial Unit Director of Photography - David B. Nowell
Camera Operator - Martin Schaer
Camera/Steadicam Operators -
David Luckenbach and Chris Haarhoff
Underwater Camera Operator - Peter Zuccarini
Second Assistant Camera: Second Unit -
Robert Settlemire
Unit Production Manager: Caribbean Unit -
Douglas C. Merrifield
Production Supervisor: Caribbean Unit -
Thomas Hayslip
First Assistant Director - Peter Kohn
First Assistant Directors: Second Unit -
Gary Romolo Fiorelli and Darin Rivetti
Stunt Coordinator - George Marshall Ruge
Additional Sword Trainers - Mark Ivie
and Bob Anderson
Helicopter Pilot - David Paris
Assistant Marine Coordinator - Ed Nyerick
Assistant Marine Coordinator: Caribbean Unit -
Daniel F. Malone
Boat Wrangler - Will White
Transportation Coordinator - Dave Robling
Special Effects Coordinator - Terry D. Frazee
Additional Special Effects Coordinator -
Dan Cangemi
Assistant Special Effects Coordinator -
Donald Frazee
Practical FX Supervisor: ILM - Geoff Heron
Visual Effects Supervisor - John Knoll
Visual Effects Supervisor: CSI Hollywood -
Bryan Hirota
Visual Effects Supervisor: Pacific Title -
David Sosalla
Visual Effects Consultant - Charles Gibson
Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Jill Brooks
Visual Effects Producer: Boy Wonder -
Dennis Hoffman
Art Director: ILM - Aaron McBride
Visual Effects Directors of Photography: ILM -
Carl Miller and Pat Sweeney
Digital Effects Supervisor: CIS Hollywood -
Gregory D. Liegey
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Hal T. Hickel
Computer Graphics Supervisor: ILM -
Patrick T. Myers
CG Sequence Supervisors: ILM - Russell Earl
and Neil Herbzinger
3D Matchmove Lead: ILM - Jason H. Snell
Cloth Simulation Supervisor: ILM -
James Tooley
CG Model Supervisor: ILM - Geoff Campbell
Physical Model Supervisor: ILM - Charles Bailey
Lead Model Makers: ILM - Peter Bailey,
Don Bies, Robert Edwards, Jon Foldman,
Dave Murphy and Lauren Vogt
Stage Production Managers: ILM -
Mark Anderson and Monique Gougeon
Digital Matte Supervisor: ILM - Jonathan Harb
Lead CG Viewpainter: ILM - Steve Walton
Editors - Stephen E. Rivkin,
Arthur Schmidt and Craig Wood
Assistant AVID Editors - Christopher S. Capp
and Dana E. Glauberman
Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer
Re-Recording Mixer - Christopher Boyes
Supervising Sound Editor - George Watters II
ADR Supervisor - Jessica Gallavan
Sound Mixer - Lee Orloff
Sound Effects Editors - Ken Fischer,
Tim Nielsen and Addison Teague
Re-Recording Mixers - David E. Campbell
and David Parker
Music - Klaus Badelt
Composers: Additional Music - Ramin Djawadi,
Jim Dooley, Nick Glennie-Smith, Steve Jablonsky,
James McKee Smith and Geoff Zanelli
Composer: Additional Music (Uncredited)/
Technical Music Producer - Trevor Morris
Composer: Additional Music/Orchestrator -
Blake Neely
Music Supervisor - Bob Badami
Score Producer/Music Programmer - Hans Zimmer
Music Arranger and Designer - Mel Wesson
Score Mixers - Alan Meyerson and
Slamm Andrews


Awards

2004 Academy Awards
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Johnny Depp (Nominated)
Best Makeup - Ve Neill and Martin Samuel (Nominated)
Best Sound Mixing - Christopher Boyes,
David Parker, David E. Campbell and
Lee Orloff (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing - Christopher Boyes and
George Watters II (Nominated)
Best Visual Effects - John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel,
Charles Gibson and Terry D. Frazee (Nominated)


Review
Ahoy there, me hearties, it's Rad Dingo here. You may have guessed that I didn't review any Pirates of the Caribbean movies (save for On Stranger Tides). Now I'm looking forward to seeing the new film Dead Men Tell No Tales, which is soon in theatres at the end of May. Before the countdown is over, we are looking at the series' first instalment, THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL.

It's captivating to see a fantasy swashbuckling feature that didn't age a bit, and it never ceases to amaze me. I didn't expect a film based on a theme park ride at Disneyland would soar as one of 2003's top-grossing films. However, the film was a hidden treasure, formed by an intriguing narrative from the same writing team behind Shrek and Aladdin. It's full of action with sword-fight choreography, comedy, and an adventurous feel with supernatural themes to contain the tremendous impact. Director Gore Verbinski could never be thanked enough for bringing such a movie franchise to life. He has also done a terrific job on the pacing, and none of the sequels had the proper timing of the original movie.

The performances were superb, coming from actors like Johnny Depp, who was already perfect for the infamous savvy pirate of Jack Sparrow. He gets away with portraying his character with a hairstyle, a mid-Atlantic cockney accent, etc. He was born to lead his portrayal as it was a big step up to being immortalised in his status as a well-known leading actor from Hollywood. Actor Orlando Bloom was the boy next door as he plays the pirate-in-training swordmaker Will Scarlett in a restraining manner. Keira Knightley was as gorgeous as the lovely Elizabeth Swann. Geoffrey Rush chews the scenery when acting as the bloodthirsty blackguard Hector Barbossa in a charismatic, over-the-top style. On an unexpected note, it was one of the early films for actress Zoe Saldana. As a supporting actor, she is on the verge of her future big break in Star Trek, Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy.

A fun yet majestic high-sea adventure fantasy is enough to push THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL into a well-regarded sanctuary of modern classics in its heyday. It is my favourite movie and is a must-see feature.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

Monday, May 8, 2017

The Avengers (1998) Review














The Avengers


Release Date: 5th November 1998 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures
Jerry Weintraub Productions

Distribution 
Roadshow Films


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 89 minutes


Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $48,585,416 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
British Ministry agent John Steed investigates a diabolical plot by arch-villain Sir August de Wynter to use his weather control machine to rule the world. Steed investigates the beautiful doctor, Mrs Emma Peel, the only suspect, but at the same time, he falls in love with her and joins forces with her to fight against Sir August.


Cast
Ralph Fiennes - John Steed
Uma Thurman - Emma Peel
Sean Connery - Sir August de Wynter
Jim Broadbent - Mother
Eddie Izzard - Bailey
Fiona Shaw - Father
Eileen Atkins - Alice
Keeley Hawes - Tamara
John Wood - Trubshaw
Carmen Ejogo - Brenda
Shaun Ryder - Donovan
Nicholas Woodeson - Dr. Darling
Michael Godley - Butler
Richard Lumsden - Boodle's
Porter
Daniel Crowder - Messenger
Nadim Sawalha - World Council of Ministers
Christopher Godwin - World Council of Ministers
David Webber - World Council of Ministers
Patrick Macnee - Invisible Jones (Voice)

Crew
Director - Jeremiah S. Chechik
Based on the Television Series "The Avengers" - Sydney Newman
Writer - Don MacPherson
Script Supervisor - Anna Worley
Executive Producer - Susan Ekins
Producer - Jerry Weintraub
Casting Director - Susan Figgis
Production Designer - Stuart Craig
Supervising Art Director - Neil Lamont
Art Directors - Andrew Ackland-Snow,
Mark Harris and Michael Lamont
Art Director: Second Unit - Simon Lamont
Set Decorator - Stephenie McMillan
Property Master - Barry Wilkinson
Stand-by Props - Simon & Jamie Wilkinson
and Gary Ixer
Costume Designer - Anthony Powell
Wardrobe Supervisor - Kenny Crouch
Key Makeup Artist - Daniel Parker
Makeup Artist - Jeremy Woodhead
Makeup/Hair: Uma Thurman - Peter Swords King
Director of Photography - Roger Pratt
Camera Operators - Simon Ransley
and Peter Robertson
Location Managers - Keith Hatcher
and Terry Blyther
First Assistant Director - Terry Needham
Second Assistant Director - Adam Somner
Second Unit Directors - Vic Armstrong
and Arthur Wooster
Second Unit Director/Director of Photography -
Harvey Harrison
Stunt Coordinator - Marc Boyle
Stunt Coordinator: Second Unit - Eddie Stacey
Swordfight Arrangements - William Hobbs
Special Effects Supervisor - Joss Williams
Special Effects Coordinators: Second Unit -
Ian Wingrove and Paul Whybrow
Visual Effects Supervisor - Nick Davis
Visual Effects Producers: CFC - Sharon Lark
and Alison O'Brien
Digital Effects Producer: Cinesite - Alex Bicknell
Digital Composite Supervisors: Cinesite -
Sue Rowe and Niki Wakefield
CG Lead Animator: CFC - Dan Glass
Production Supervisor: Model Unit -
José Granell
Camera Operator: Model Unit - John Morgan
FX Animation Designer: Digital Unit - Steven Bebb
Film Editor - Mick Audsley
Supervising Sound Editor - Peter Joly
Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Effects Editor -
Adrian Rhodes
Re-Recording Mixer - Mike Prestwood Smith
Composer: Theme Song - Laurie Johnson
Music - Joel McNeely
Music Supervisor - Marius De Vries
Music Score Recordist - Shawn Murphy


Review
THE AVENGERS came out in 1998 (no, not the film from Joss Whedon) and was considered the worst screen interpretation ever released. Luckily, it wasn't based on the famous Marvel comic book series but adapted from a classic British spy-fi television series. It's a travesty that this movie nearly derailed the careers of those who participated in its production, namely actors like Sean Connery and Uma Thurman. The lack of background extras, plot holes, severe editing and overall politeness of the chemistry dialogue between Thurman and Ralph Fiennes may have contributed to these criticisms.

Shame on the producers for casting Connery, the former 007, as the weather-controlling megalomaniac in a movie that shows no loyalty to the source material. He should be ashamed of his performance in this abnormal movie. This villainous role would have been perfect for Anthony Hopkins if he had been willing to accept that instead of Connery, who did not retire from acting after THE AVENGERS until 2003.

The film adaptation was not ready to renew interest in the classic TV series. It did no justice for the series that this film is terrible. It will discourage you from watching the TV series, which is decent despite this movie, if this is your first introduction to THE AVENGERS.

Star rating: (2/10) Bad Movie

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Monday, May 1, 2017

The Fate of the Furious Review














The Fate of the Furious


Release Date: 12th April 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures (presents)
Original Film 
One Race Films
Perfect World Pictures
China Film Co.

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia 


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 136 minutes


Budget: $250,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,236,005,118 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Now that Dom and Letty are on their honeymoon and Brian and Mia have retired from the game-and the rest of the crew has been exonerated-the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of crime he can't seem to escape and a betrayal to those closest to him, they will face trials that will test them as never before.

From the shores of Cuba and the streets of New York City to the icy plains off the arctic Barents Sea, our elite force will crisscross the globe to stop an anarchist from unleashed chaos on the world's stage... and to bring home the man who made them a family. (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Vin Diesel - Dominic Toretto 
Jason Statham - Deckard Shaw
Dwayne Johnson - Luke Hobbs
Michelle Rodriguez - Leticia
"Letty" Ortiz
Tyrese Gibson - Roman Pearce
Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges - Tej
Parker
Charlize Theron - Cipher
Kurt Russell - Mr. Nobody
Nathalie Emmanuel - Ramsey
Elsa Pataky - Elena
Kristofer Hivju - Rhodes
Scott Eastwood - Little Nobody
Patrick St. Esprit - DS Allan
Janmarco Santiago - Fernando
Luke Hawx - Miller
Tego Calderon - Leo
Don Omar -Santos
Celestino Cornielle - Raldo
Luke Evans - Owen Shaw
Tego Calderon - Leo
Don Omar - Santos
Eden Estrella - Sam
Helen Mirren - Madgalene Shaw (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - F. Gary Gray
Based on Characters - Gary
Scott Thompson
Writer/Producer - Chris Morgan
Executive Producers - Amanda Lewis and Samantha Vincent
Producers - Vin Diesel and 
Neal H. Moritz 
Producer/Unit Production Manager - Michael Fottrell
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Cliff Lanning
Casting Directors - Jeffrey Karantza and John Papsidera 
Production Designer - Bill Brzeski
Supervising Art Director - Desma Murphy
Costume Designer - Sanja Milkovic Hays
Director of Photography - Stephen F. Windon
Action Unit Director - Jonathan Eusebio
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Spiro Razatos
Stunt Coordinators - J.J. Perry and Troy Robinson
Stunt Coordinators: Second Unit - Andy & Jack Gill
Fight Coordinator - Jonathan Eusebio
Picture Car Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy
Special Effects Supervisor - J.D. Schwalm
Special Effects Coordinator - Eric Cook
Visual Effects Supervisors - Kelvin McIlwain,
Jay Burton and Mike Wassel
Film Editors - Paul Rubell and Christian Wagner
Music - Brian Tyler


Review
The eighth instalment of 'The Fast and the Furious' series, 'THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS' was thought it be inferior and would de-accelerate the franchise with the absence of the late actor Paul Walker. The film continues the series need for speed and with two more sequels underway, there's no lessening an impact that started the over-the-top car chases and stunt work. A near adrenaline rush that was not quite facing the articular standards of the predecessors like 'Furious 7'. It has a storyline that was essentially dark albeit still in a cheesy grin as Vin Diesel's hero turns rogue when he is won over by a vindictive femme fatale. Director F. Gary Gray takes over James Wan's duties after the hype from 'Furious 7' died down in two years and keeps the formula intact on this one. The excitement of the movie has never faded and it has seemed to get bolder now and then.

The returning actors like Vin Diesel have always been in touch with the chemistry with the late Paul Walker until his sudden death. He is now one of the lead actors of the film sharing with Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez as he could not fill in Paul's shoes. Also with co-stars Jason Statham and Kurt Russell being the newest additions to the series as both actors return to their characters as the first is no longer their greatest foe but now is an ally to the good guys. Who is Cipher, the deadliest assassin that we have come across yet as Oscar-winner Charlize Theron dabbles her skills as a thespian to play the bad girl. Helen Mirren makes a surprise cameo appearance as her love for the series has brought her attention in a certain role.

'THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS' is a semi-decent action blockbuster that almost derailed the quality of the series. It certainly got over with a new threatening villain and dark tone that it was the series' interesting and recent chapter. I highly recommend this feature for those in their teen and mature audiences as well as fans of the 'Fast and the Furious' series of films.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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