Watch this blog site for film reviews, whether blockbusters, box office bombs or highly obscure. Our genres will include science fiction, animation, musical, action, fantasy, drama, documentary, thriller, horror, romance, western and comedy.
The deaf actress Kaylee Hottle, whom many will remember for her starring role in two Godzilla movies, has died in a horrific car crash. She was 18. Her father posted a video statement on Facebook in which he confirmed the details of her death using American Sign Language (ASL).
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Kaylee was raised in Austin, Texas, where she studied at the Texas School for the Deaf. She began her acting career at the age of nine. Hottle's first acting role was in a Glide commercial, a video messaging app well-known within the hearing-impaired community. In 2021, Kaylee made her big-screen debut as the young orphan Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong." She reprised her role in the 2024 sequel "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." Other notable roles of hers include Joon in a 2021 episode of "Magnum P.I."
The Irish actress Brenda Fricker, known for playing the homeless bird lady in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," has died. She was 81 years old.
Hailing from Dublin, Fricker launched her acting career in television and stage productions in the 1960s and 1970s, including Ireland's first soap opera, "Tolka Row," and the ITV soap opera "Coronation Street."
She appeared in the first episode of the long-running BBC medical drama "Casualty" in 1986. Fricker remained a regular cast member until 1990 and continued to make guest appearances in subsequent years. In 1990, Fricker won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Daniel Day-Lewis's on-screen mother in "My Left Foot," becoming the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award.
Two years later, Fricker was cast in another memorable role: that of the homeless bird woman who becomes friends with Macaulay Culkin's Kevin in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York." She also appeared in "So I Married an Axe Murderer," "Angels in the Outfield," "A Time to Kill," and "Veronica Guerin."
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for his roles in "Dead Calm," "The Piano," and "Jurassic Park," has died. He was 78 years old. News of his death was announced in a statement published on Neill's Instagram account.
Born in the Northern Irish town of Omagh in 1947, he immigrated to the South Island of New Zealand with his family at age 7 and settled in Christchurch. Neill appeared in several television movies and shorts for New Zealand television in the 1970s before gaining recognition for his lead role in the internationally acclaimed 1977 homegrown action thriller "Sleeping Dogs." He then relocated to Australia, securing another internationally acclaimed role in the 1979 film "My Brilliant Career," opposite Judy Davis. However, he did not arrive on the international cinema scene until 1981, when he played Damien Thorn in the satanic blockbuster "Omen III: The Final Conflict." During the 1980s, Neill appeared in countless Australian movies, including "Attack Force Z" with Mel Gibson, "Evil Angels" with Meryl Streep, and "Dead Calm" with Nicole Kidman.
In 1993, Neill propelled himself into the public eye with his two portrayals of New Zealand settler Alisdair Stewart in Jane Campion's Oscar-winning film "The Piano" and Dr Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's blockbuster "Jurassic Park." He reprised the role of Alan Grant twice: in 2001's "Jurassic Park III" and 2022's "Jurassic World Dominion." Over the next three decades, Neill proved his immense versatility, excelling in both the sci-fi horror of 1997's "Event Horizon" and the dry humour of the 2000 comedy-drama "The Dish."
Among the other films that Neill starred in during his long career are "The Hunt for Red October," "The Jungle Book," "In the Mouth of Madness," "The Horse Whisperer," "Bicentennial Man," "Dirty Deeds," "Daybreakers," "The Hunter," "Hunt for the Wilderpeople," and "Peter Rabbit." Neill has also worked on various TV series and miniseries outside of cinema, including "Merlin," "Peaky Blinders," and "The Tudors." Neill has received numerous honours throughout his lengthy film career. In June 2022, he was knighted and appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
After being diagnosed with a type of blood cancer in 2023, Neill revealed that he had undergone chemotherapy in private for a year. In April 2026, he posted an update saying that he had recently undergone a new form of immunotherapy. He added that subsequent scans indicated that no trace of cancer could be found in his body. Neill's final film appearance is expected to be in "Godzilla x Kong: Supernova," which is currently in post-production and due for release in 2027.
Daveigh Chase, the actress most famous for her role in "The Ring" and for voicing Lilo in "Lilo & Stitch," has died. She was 35. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, set up a GoFundMe page, stating that Chase succumbed to meningitis and several serious blood infections while in the hospital for several weeks. It is tragic to lose a former child actress who could have had the potential to become a talented actress had she lived longer.
The young actress first appeared on TV as an 8-year-old in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." She broke out into film, starring as Jake Gyllenhaal's dancing sister in "Donnie Darko." In 2002, Chase received widespread recognition by voicing Lilo Pelekai, the young Hawaiian protagonist in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch." She won an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting for her role in the animated feature and went on to reprise her role in several spinoffs, including "Stitch! The Movie," "Leroy & Stitch," and the Disney Channel series, "Lilo & Stitch: The Series."
That same year, she played the murderous ghost Samara Morgan in "The Ring," for which her haunting performance earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain. She also voiced the lead character, Chihiro Ogino, in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki's popular anime film "Spirited Away." In 2016, she made her final acting appearance in the video game "Let It Die."
Marcia Lucas, the Oscar-winning film editor of "Star Wars" and the former wife of George Lucas, passed away on May 27th, 2026. She was 80 years old. While George may have created the beloved movie franchise, Marcia, who played a key role in saving Star Wars, is regarded by many as the unsung hero. It is possible that without her editing contributions, the film would have been doomed from the outset, fading into obscurity. She is the true heart of the franchise.
Marcia Lou Griffin was born in Modesto, California, on October 4th, 1945. Before becoming a film editor, she worked as a film librarian apprentice. She met George Lucas, a University of Southern California film student who had been hired as an assistant film editor, while working for Verna Fields, a renowned film editor. The couple tied the knot in 1969. Before serving as assistant editor on her then-husband's first directorial feature film, "THX 1138," Lucas assisted in the same role on Francis Ford Coppola's "The Rain People" and Haskell Wexler's "Medium Cool." Subsequently, she became the film editor on George Lucas's follow-up feature, "American Graffiti." This movie was a box-office success, earning Lucas her Oscar nomination for Best Film Editing. She then collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on three consecutive movies, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Taxi Driver," and "New York, New York," after which George enlisted her to assist with the editing of his 1977 space opera "Star Wars."
Marcia, along with Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch, was brought in by George to rework the film after he expressed dissatisfaction with John Jympson's rough cut. It was her editing that turned the Battle of Yavin/Death Star attack into the iconic scene that Star Wars fans have enjoyed for generations. In a 2021 article, SFGate described Marcia Lucas as the "secret weapon" of "Star Wars." For their work, Lucas, Hirsch, and Chew won an Oscar for Best Film Editing in 1978.
Marcia would later edit the last Star Wars movie, "Return of the Jedi," alongside Sean Barton and Dwayne Dunham. However, her marriage to George was already over behind the scenes. She then left the film industry to spend more time with her family. Nevertheless, she remained involved in the Star Wars universe, particularly her criticism of the prequel and sequel trilogies.
As you know, Michael Jackson is one of the world's greatest entertainers ever. Known as the "King of Pop," he is a groundbreaking artist who undeniably dominated the music scene in the 1980s and early 90s. Everyone admires him, not just his music, including his best-selling album Thriller, music videos, and concert tours, but also because of his voice and dance moves. Even after his death, his popularity and influence remain undiminished among fans, as his legacy lives on.
For as long as I can remember, I've heard a lot about Michael and how the public viewed him during his fall from grace, but that was before I started watching his music videos and listening to his songs in either 2007 or 2008. However, I learned much more about the singer after his untimely passing in 2009 and came to appreciate him much more.
As a diehard Michael Jackson fan, I have waited for this biopic for a long time, ever since the success of Bohemian Rhapsodyled Hollywood to flood the market with musical biopics. It's not entirely unexpected that both Bohemian Rhapsody and Michael have the same producer, Graham King. Many critics were unkind to the film, labelling it "sanitised" and for "playing it safe," given that Michael Jackson's family and estate endorsed this
biopic and didn't entirely deconstruct his mythos. Fans, however, didn't care; they enjoyed it more than non-fans and critics did.
MICHAEL is a faithful yet honest portrayal of the late pop singer in his early
years, celebrating his creative musical genius, bravado, artistry, and
showmanship. Unfortunately, it lacked substance and didn't explore the negative aspects of his personal life. It doesn't portray him as a deeply troubled human being, though it does present him as almost entirely perfect, with hints of his eccentricities. Another problem with this movie is its pacing; it should have been longer. The film has some historical inaccuracies, but I won't discuss them in detail. After all, that's a common issue with musical biopics. It glossed over some significant parts of Michael's life, including his relationship with Diana Ross.
Additionally, Janet Jackson is noticeably absent, as she declined to participate in this film, but that's her decision. Also missing are Michael's other siblings, Rebbie and Randy. Aside from Rebbie, Randy, and Janet's absence, the other Jacksons barely register and receive any attention, except for Joe and Katherine. Even the ending is abrupt, further exacerbated by legal complications that led to reshoots. It did, however, cover a few details, such as his complicated relationship with his tyrannical and abusive father and the infamous Pepsi commercial accident. Hopefully, the next part will delve deeper into more of Michael's backstory and
address the legal side.
Antoine Fuqua's direction for the film was spectacular. He incorporated
some jaw-dropping scenes that pulsate with energy and atmosphere. In a bold casting move, Michael's real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, was cast as the King of Pop. Given that he had never acted in a film before, this was his acting debut. He delivers an often uncanny but spectacular performance, mirroring his late uncle by nailing the voice, mannerisms, and signature dance moves, including the moonwalk, which is electric. He embodies the spirit of his famous relative.
Colman Domingo stands out in a detestable role as Joseph. He envisions his portrayal of Joe Jackson as genuinely monstrous and despicable, seeing his children as a ticket to fame and fortune and a way to escape his job at the steel mill. Special mention must go to the makeup department for making Domingo look almost identical to the real man, which is impressive given his imposing presence. Nia Long brings maternal warmth in her role as Michael's supportive mother, Katherine, who is Joe's complete opposite. Juliano Krue Valdi is sensational as young Michael, and he really shines in the scenes. There is a special appearance by Mike Myers, who plays a CBS Records executive similar to his role in Bohemian Rhapsody.
From a technical standpoint, many aspects are worthy of admiration. The production design, costumes, and sound mixing are clear examples of great care and attention to detail. The
musical sequences flourish as they recreate the iconic moments from
Michael's career, from his music videos to his live performances, including "Thriller" and the Motown 25 anniversary special, capturing the
larger-than-life energy that made Michael Jackson who he is. The music consists of
original recordings by the legendary singer, integrated into
this film.
In retrospect, MICHAEL
is a fitting tribute to the King of Pop, albeit with a somewhat
predictable yet incomplete narrative. While it has its issues, particularly in its limited exploration of Michael
Jackson, it is still a worthy addition to the King of Pop's
legacy. Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10 because the film stays true to
its core theme. However, if you're a Michael Jackson fan, then you'll enjoy this
movie on the biggest screen possible. If you're someone who doesn't care about the late King of Pop and hasn't gotten over the controversy surrounding his personal life, just beat it!
Release Date: 18th December 2020 - Australia (Amazon Prime)
Production Companies
STX Films (present)
Anton (present)
Thunder Road Pictures
G-BASE
Riverstone Pictures (in association with)
Elwick Media (produced in association with)
Laura Macara (produced in association with)
Hassik Films (developed in association with)
Genre: Action/Thriller
Rating: M
Runtime: 119 minutes
Budget: $35,000,000
Box Office Gross: $52,300,000 (Worldwide)
Plot Summary
As a planet-killing comet
hurtles towards Earth,
one family struggles to
survive. John Garrity and
his family - his estranged
wife, Allison, and his
young son, Nathan -
embark on a dangerous
journey to their only
hope of refuge. The
Garritys experience the
best and worst of humanity
as they battle the growing
panic and lawlessness
around them, amid
chilling reports that the
comet's fragments have
flattened the cities
worldwide. As the clock
ticks down to the world's
doomsday, their incredible
journey concludes with
a desperate, last-minute
flight to a possible
sanctuary.
Cast
Gerard Butler - John Garrity
Morena Baccarin - Allison Garrity
Roger Dale Floyd - Nathan Garrity
Scott Glenn - Dale
Randal Gonzalez - Bobby
Rick Pasqualone - National News Anchor
Nicola Lambo - Morning Show Host
Alan Pietruszewski -
Morning Show Host
Scott Poytress - Kenny Jones
Claire Bronson - Debra Jones
Madison Johnson - Ellie Jones
Gary Weeks - Ed Pruitt
Tracey Bonner - Peggy Pruitt
Merrin Dungey - Major
Breen
Brandon Miller - Security Forces Sergeant
Mike Senior - Staff Sergeant Ruiz
Hayes Mercure - Young Airman
Esosa Idahosa - Military Escort
Keegan G. Boos - Military Escort
Anissa Matlock - Robins AFB Airman
Andrew Huntoon - Robins AFB
Airman
Jarrett Spencer - Security
Forces Airman
Kurt Yue - C-17 Loadmaster
Kermit Rolson - Man with Gun
Brandon Quinn - Passenger on C-17
Okea Eme-Akwari - James - Nice Looter
Gabriela DeNardo - Looter
Hope Davis - Judy Vento
David Denman - Ralph Vento
Andrew Bachelor - Colin
Joshua Mikel - Lucas
James Logan - Micah
Randall Archer - Brian
Jay Amor - Blue-Collar Man
Thomas Rosales Jr. -
Hispanic Driver
Rose Bianco - Matriarch
Aaron Gillespie - McGhee Tyson Soldier
Cate Jones - McGhee Tyson Soldier
Tanya Ballinger - F.E.M.A. Worker
Kendrick Cross - F.E.M.A. Worker
Suehyla El-Attar Young -
Rebecca
Leeann Tweeden - Regional
News Anchor
Al Mitchell - Ben
Marc Gowan - Paul
Carlos Lopez - Xavier
Holt McCallany - Twin Otter Pilot
Adam Cronan - Twin Otter
Co-Pilot
Jamie Andrews - Mother on Plane
Susan Williams - Passenger
Otis Winston - Snow Soldier
Danielle Williams - Bunker Airman
Crew
Director - Ric Roman Waugh
Writer - Chris Sparling
Executive Producers - Nik Bower,
Brendon Boyea, François Callens, Adam Fogelson,
John Friedberg, Jonathan Fuhrman, Deepak Nayar,
Danielle Robinson, Robert Simonds and John Zois
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Carsten H.W. Lorenz
Producers - Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel,
Basil Iwanyk and Sébastien Raybaud
Co-Producer - Bill Wohlken
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - K.C. Hodenfield
Casting Directors - Mary Vernieu and
Michelle Wade Byrd
Production Designer - Clay A. Griffith
Supervising Art Director - Cathy Maxey
Set Decorator - Frank Galline
Property Master - Curtis Akin
Costume Designer - Kelli Jones
Director of Photography/"A" Camera Operator -
Dana Gonzales
Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Stunt
Coordinator - Brad Martin
Special Effects Coordinator - Joe Pancake
Visual Effects Supervisor - Marc Massicotte
Editor - Gabriel Fleming
Additional Editor - Rowan Maher
Supervising Sound Designer - Victor Ray Ennis
Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders
and Scott Millan
Music - David Buckley
Music Supervisor - Laura Katz
Review
It's been years since I last saw a good disaster movie, but GREENLAND is a welcome return to form. Originally scheduled for a mid-2020 theatrical release, the film missed its release date due to the global pandemic. Instead, it found a new home on Amazon Prime. Truth be told, I've never reviewed a movie on that streaming service, as I normally watch them on Netflix or Disney+. Before the release of GREENLAND, disaster films were nothing to
write home about, as they tended to prioritise spectacle over substance,
featuring implausible scenarios, stilted dialogue, and one-dimensional
characters. Thankfully, it avoided the stereotypical cliches that plagued other disaster films, such as 2012 and Geostorm, reinventing the genre with its personal storytelling and human drama.
The movie is more grounded than other asteroid-themed disaster flicks, such as Armageddonand Deep Impact. It tells the story of a family's harrowing journey to survive the coming extinction, as circumstances tear them apart amid chaos and destruction. It serves as an apology to the lead actor, Gerard Butler, whopreviously appeared in the disaster movie Geostorm, which did him no favours. With director Ric Roman Waugh, who has previously collaborated with the Scottish actor on Angel Has Fallen, they brought a movie that's both intriguing and impressive. Whereas other disaster films focus solely on spectacle, Waugh relies heavily on emotional intensity and authenticity to create GREENLAND, shunning the typical traditional approach. It was a bold choice to reveal humanity's darker side, including panic, desperation, and moral dilemmas, but it adds depth and makes the film more compelling.
The cast did a wonderful job, particularly Butler and Morena Baccarin. The former is a crucial component of the film's success, as he delivers a spectacular performance as a desperate father grappling with tough decisions to keep his family safe. Baccarin excels as Allison, the mother, infusing the role with genuine emotion and inner strength. Their chemistry is nothing short of spectacular. Roger Dale Floyd's performance as the deeply traumatised young Nathan Gerrity is captivating, especially during tense family moments. Scott Glenn's brief but impactful appearance late in the film is a highlight. At 81, Glenn's performance proves he still has what it takes.
The comet impacts feel genuinely terrifying thanks to a restrained yet effective use of CGI that does not overshadow the human story. However, those expecting Emmerich-style action will be disappointed that this film doesn't feature much large-scale destruction.
While it conforms purely to all the cliches of a disaster film on first viewing, it is absolutely worth watching. However, GREENLAND has much more to offer viewers once it reveals itself.
James Tolkan, a character actor renowned for playing stern authority figures, most notably in "Back to the Future" and "Top Gun,"passed away. He was 94.
The actor was born on June 20, 1931, in Calumet, Michigan. He joined the United States Navy and fought in the brutal Korean War. Because of a heart condition, Tolkan received a medical discharge from the Navy. He then trained to become an actor and graduated with a BA in Drama from the University of Iowa. According to an obituary on the "Back to the Future" website, Tolkan took a bus to New York with just $75. He found work on the docks and enrolled in classes with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg to study acting. Tolkan launched his acting career in 1960 with an episode of the television series "The Naked City." In 1966, while working as an understudy for Robert Duvall, he replaced Duvall as the villain Harry Roat in the original Broadway production of "Wait Until Dark," opposite Lee Remick.
Tolkan took on a dual role as Napoleon and his doppelgänger in Woody Allen's movie "Love and Death" and also appeared in the original Broadway cast of "Glengarry Glen Ross." In 1983, he left New York to pursue a career in California and Canada, accepting a small role as an FBI agent in "WarGames."
In 1985, Tolkan shot to fame for playing the slacker-hating vice principal Strickland in "Back to the Future" and its 1989 sequel. In addition to playing the character in the first two, Tolkan also played Strickland's grandfather in "Back to the Future Part III." The following year, he played Tom Cruise's commanding officer, Stinger, in the iconic film "Top Gun." Tolkan maintained an active presence in films and on television until 2011.
Martial artist and actor Chuck Norris has died. He was 86. Norris was a legend in action movies and best known for his roles in "Way of the Dragon," "Missing in Action,"and "The Delta Force."
Chuck Norris was born in Oklahoma on March 19, 1940. He joined the Air Force in 1958 and then moved to a US air base in South Korea.During his time there, he studied the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. In 1968, Norris left the military and began competing, achieving considerable success. He won several titles, including the World Professional Middleweight Karate Championship in 1968.
In 1964, while attending a demonstration event in California, Norris met future action star and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee. The two men became friends and acquired a celebrity clientele of Hollywood stars eager to learn from them. For his directing debut, "The Way of the Dragon," Lee cast Norris as his on-screen rival, and the film concludes with their 10-minute final fight. Released in 1972, the film was a tremendous success. Following Lee's death in 1973, Norris remained active in the film industry, securing a leading role in the 1977 trucker action comedy, "Trucker! Trucker!" Its financial success paved the way for Norris's subsequent career in low- to moderate-budget action movies. While these films did not receive significant critical acclaim, they consistently met expectations and helped to establish a loyal fan base for Norris.
Norris's box-office appeal caught Hollywood's attention after early movies such as the martial-arts-heavy thrillers "A Force of One," "The Octagon," and "An Eye for an Eye." Notably, his 1983 thriller "Lone Wolf McQuade," in which Norris plays a Texas Ranger who takes on an arms dealer, proved pivotal in helping him to reach a broader audience. He also appeared in "Missing in Action" (which spawned a trilogy)and "Invasion USA." In 1985, Norris achieved another milestone with "Code of Silence," winning mostly positive reviews for the first time. A year later, he starred in perhaps his most famous action film: "The Delta Force," opposite Lee Marvin, in which Norris played a special forces operative.
In the 1990s, Norris regularly appeared in action movies, many of which were directed by his brother, Aaron. However, he undoubtedly enjoyed his greatest success with the TV series, "Walker, Texas Ranger," inspired by the film "Lone Wolf McQuade." It premiered in 1993 and ran for 8 years, ending in 2001. It featured Norris as the titular law-enforcement officer, who relied on martial arts more often than not. The popular internet meme "Chuck Norris facts" was inspired by it.
In the 2000s, Norris's film appearances became increasingly sporadic. However, he did share the screen with other action-movie legends, including Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Stallone's "The Expendables 2."
Now, here are the winners of the 98th Academy Awards.
The big winner is One Battle After Another, which took home six Oscars, including Best Picture. I'm surprised it wasn't Marty Supreme that received the award.
In line with predictions, Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix's record-breaking K-Pop Demon Hunters won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Best Visual Effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash - Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett
Best Film Editing
One Battle After Another - Andy Jurgensen
Best Costume Design
Frankenstein - Kate Hawley
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Frankenstein - Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cilona Furey
Best Cinematography
Sinners - Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Best Production Design
Frankenstein - Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau
Best Sound
F1 - Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary Rizzo and Juan Peralta
Best Original Song
"Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters - Music and Lyrics by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, Teddy, and Ian Eisendrath
Best Original Score
Sinners - Ludwig Goransson
Best Casting
One Battle After Another - Cassandra Kulukundis
Best Animated Short Film
The Girl Who Cried Pearls - Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski
Best Live Action Short Film (Tied)
The Singers - Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt
Two People Exchanging Saliva - Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata
Best Documentary Short Film
All the Empty Rooms - Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones
Best Documentary Feature Film
Mr Nobody Against Putin - David Borenstein, Pavel Talankin, Helle Faber and Alžběta Karásková
Best International Feature Film
Sentimental Value (Norway) in Norwegian and English - Directed by Joachim Trier
Best Animated Feature Film
KPop Demon Hunters - Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong
Best Adapted Screenplay
One Battle After Another - Paul Thomas Anderson; based on the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon
Best Original Screenplay
Sinners - Ryan Coogler
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Madigan - Weaponsas Gladys
Best Supporting Actor
Sean Penn - One Battle After Anotheras Col. Steven J. Lockjaw
Best Actress
Jessie Buckley - Hamnet as Agnes Shakespeare
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan - Sinners as Elijah "Smoke" Moore/Elias "Stack" Moore
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another
Best Picture
One Battle After Another - Adam Somner, Sara Murphy and Paul Thomas Anderson, producers
The legendary actor Robert Duvall has passed away. He was 95. Robert is best known for his iconic roles in films such as the first two "Godfather" movies, "The Conversation," "Network," "Apocalypse Now," and "The Natural," spanning a seven-decade career. His wife, Luciana, confirmed the news of his death on his Facebook account. In a poignant message, she spoke of him not only as an Oscar-winning actor and director, but also as her "beloved husband" and dearest friend. Duvall died with dignity and grace, surrounded by love and comfort in his final moments, just as he had lived his life.
A native of San Diego, Duvall was raised in Annapolis, Maryland. His acting career began at Principia College and continued at New York's renowned Neighbourhood Playhouse, where he trained with fellow up-and-coming actors Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, and Gene Hackman. During that time, Duvall earned a living by doing odd jobs around New York, sharing a room with Hoffman and Hackman. He performed in several Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and "A View from the Bridge," and guest-starred on several popular TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone."
He burst onto the screen in 1962, playing Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird." His reputation grew with additional small roles in "Bullitt" and "True Grit," and it wasn't until he played the egotistical Frank Burns in "M*A*S*H," a character often mocked by Donald Sutherland's Hawkeye and Elliot Gould's Trapper, that he gained wider recognition. After appearing in Francis Ford Coppola's feminist road movie "The Rain People," Duvall further established his connection with the new wave of Hollywood filmmakers by taking the lead role in George Lucas's 1971 directorial debut, the dystopian science fiction feature "THX 1138." Cinematic immortality beckoned when he played the calmly collected Corleone family attorney, Tom Hagen, in "The Godfather," earning him his first Oscar nomination. He subsequently returned to the role in Coppola's well-received sequel, "The Godfather: Part II." However, years later, he did not return for the third "Godfather" film because Robert couldn't reach an agreement with Paramount Pictures over his salary.
In 1979, Duvall took on the role initially intended for Gene Hackman as Lt. Col Kilgore, a surly, larger-than-life surfing enthusiast, in Coppola's epic Vietnam War film "Apocalypse Now," immortalising the line, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning," delivered under the brim of a black Stetson cavalry hat. Duvall's career continued to flourish as he appeared in a variety of notable films, including the Second World War thriller "The Eagle Has Landed," the newsroom satire "Network," and the sports drama "The Natural." He established himself as a director in 1983 with the semi-improvised drama "Angelo My Love," which tells the story of a Romany street kid in New York.
In 1984, Robert won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as a former country music singer in the critically acclaimed 1983 film "Tender Mercies." He also played a grizzled Los Angeles Police Department veteran in "Colors" opposite Sean Penn.Duvall maintained a steady workload throughout the 1990s, with high-profile appearances in films such as "Days of Thunder," "The Handmaid's Tale," "The Paper," "Falling Down," "Phenomenon," and "Deep Impact." In 1998, he earned his sixth Oscar nomination for his role as a corporate lawyer opposite John Travolta in the drama "A Civil Action." During the same decade, Duvall also embarked on one of his pet projects: the layered drama "The Apostle," which he directed, wrote, and self-financed for $5 million. His performance as a passionate preacher seeking spiritual redemption in the Louisiana bayous earned him critical acclaim and a third Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
In recent years, Duvall's filmography has grown to include roles as gruff cops, wise mentors, and stoic figures in films such as "Gone in 60 Seconds," "John Q," "Secondhand Lions," "Open Range," "We Own the Night," and "Crazy Heart"with Jeff Bridges. He offered memorable performances as the Confederate general Robert E. Lee in "Gods and Generals," a bearded hermit in the post-Depression drama "Get Low," an ageing family patriarch alongside Robert Downey Jr. in "The Judge," and a bigoted political mastermind in Steve McQueen's "Widows." For his role in "The Judge," Duvall received yet another Oscar nomination. He also directed two more films: "Assassination Tango"and "Wild Horses."
Executive Producers - Matthew Hirsch, Herman Hulst and Kazunori Yamauchi
Producers - Carter Swan, Asad Qizilbash, Dana Brunetti and Doug Belgrad
Co-Producer/Stunt Driver: Archie Madekwe
(Uncredited) - Jann Mardenborough
Co-Producer - Darren Cox
Casting Directors - Raylin Sabo and Mary Vernieu
Production Designer - Martin Whist
Supervising Art Director - Justin O'Neal Miller
Set Decorators - Lauree Martell
and Adam Polgar
Costume Designer - Terry Anderson
Makeup Department Head - Tracey Wells
Director of Photography - Jacques Jouffret
Supervising Location Manager - Naomi Liston
First Assistant Directors - Martin Krauka
and James Bitonti
Stunt Coordinators - Steve Kelso
and Andrew Gill
Stunt Coordinator: HU - Domonkos Pardanyi
Supervising Picture Vehicle Coordinator -
Alex King
Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy
Picture Vehicle Supervisor - Elia Popov
Special Effects Supervisor - Gabor Kiszelly
Visual Effects Supervisor - Viktor Muller
Editors - Austyn Daines and Colby Parker Jr.
Co-Editor - Eric Freidenberg
Supervising Sound Editors - Kami Asgar
and Erin Oakley
Sound Designers - Charles Deenen,
James Evans and Nick Spradlin
Sound Recordists - John P. Fasal,
Bryan Watkins, Travis Prater,
Ed Walker, Watson Wu and Dustin Troyan
Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders
and Kevin O'Connell
Supervising Foley Artist - Gary A. Hecker
Music - Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski
Review
I vividly recall when Gran Turismo (GT) was a video game series for the PlayStation. I'm not sure if I played GT. Then again, it might have been only once (unless it was a different racing game) because I didn't have a PlayStation at the time. While loosely based on the GT video games, this film retells the true story of a young gamer who transitioned from virtual racing to a professional racing career. Neil Blomkamp is one step ahead in his directorial comeback after taking a downturn with movies such as Elysium and Chappie, as he breaks the mould of his preferred sci-fi genre.He has never directed a video game film adaptation, though he attempted to make a Halo movie, which never materialised.
Although it may seem unconventional to adapt a racing game into a Hollywood feature (unless you count Need for Speed), GRAN TURISMO has a typical underdog story with an engaging setup. Admittedly, the film is not without its flaws, as it suffers from a predictable narrative and slow pacing. Even the dialogue is slightly weak in the first half, with many lines feeling cheesy and unoriginal. The editing could have been tighter if they had trimmed a few scenes and removed the unnecessary romantic subplot. However, things improved as the film progressed, particularly the emotional moments near the end.
The actors delivered first-class performances, with Orlando Bloom returning to the limelight as an idealistic motorsport executive who recognises the gaming community's potential. Archie Madekwe, a relatively inexperienced actor, shoulders much of the burden in this film, sharing the screen with some of Hollywood's biggest names. His character embodies a carefree, youthful spirit that mirrors Jann Mardenborough's real-life persona. David Harbour delivers a commanding performance as a former racing driver who coaches Jann.
The chemistry between Madekwe and Harbour is strong, capturing the mentor-trainee dynamic. However, Djimon Hounsou's performance as Jann's father emerges as the emotional centrepiece, despite his limited screen time. Also worth noting is that Geri Hariwell, one of the Spice Girls, plays Jann's mum. Interestingly, the real-life Mardenborough did all of his screen counterpart's driving stunts.
The racing sequences in GRAN TURISMO are spectacular, not to mention the stunning drone camerawork and engaging visual style. The latterranges
from its CGI recreation of the game's user interface to a real-time breakdown of vehicles. It'll make you believe you're playing a
video game. The sound design is superb throughout the film, with roaring engines, screeching tyres, and thunderous crashes that create an immersive experience.
GRAN TURISMO is an adrenaline-fueled combination of gaming and real-world motorsports culture. Although it doesn't offer anything new to the sports-drama subgenre, its heart-pounding race sequences and moving performances make it a worthy addition for fans of racing and inspirational stories alike. Anyone who has played the game or is a massive motorsport enthusiast should check it out.
