Casper Review

Casper

Release Date: 22nd June 1995 - Australia

Production Companies

Universal Pictures (presents)

Amblin Entertainment

The Harvey Entertainment Group (in association with)

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Family/Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 101 minutes

Budget: $55,000,000

Box Office Gross: $287,928,194 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Carrigan Crittenden is angry that her late father left her his grim-looking mansion instead of his millions. She is about to burn it to the ground when 

she discovers a map

showing the treasure

hidden in its interior. But

she is frightened away

by an evil wave of ghosts

when she enters to claim

her right. After trying

everything to get rid of

the apparitions, including

an exorcist and a

professional ghost catcher,

Carrigan decides that the

best way to get rid of these

ghosts is to hire the ghost

therapist, Dr James

Harvey, to exorcise them

from the manor. If the

plan succeeds, she and her

slimy partner, Dibs, will

claim the hidden fortune.

As James and his

daughter, Kat, arrive,

they soon meet Casper,

the ghost of a young boy

who is "the friendliest

ghost you know." But

Casper's uncles, Stretch,

Fatso, and Stinkie, are

not so friendly. They are

determined to drive all

the "fleshies" away.

Helping the spirits cross

over to the other side is

ultimately up to James

and Kat.

Cast

Christina Ricci - Kathleen

'Kat' Harvey

Bill Pullman - Dr. James Harvey

Malachi Pearson - Casper (Voice)

Cathy Moriarty - Carrigan Crittenden

Eric Idle - Paul 'Dibbs' Plutzker

Joe Alaskey - Stinkie (Voice)

Joe Nipote - Stretch (Voice)

Brad Garrett - Fatso (Voice)

Ben Stein - Mr. Rugg

Amy Brenneman - Amelia Harvey

Jessica Wilson - Amber Whitmire

Chauncey Leopardi - Nicky

Garette Ratliff Henson - Vic DePhillipi

Wesley Thompson - Mr. Curtis

Spencer Vrooman - Andreas

Devon Sawa - Human Casper

Terry Murphy - Herself (Cameo)

Clint Eastwood - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Mel Gibson - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Rodney Dangerfield - Himself (Cameo)

John Kassir - The Crypt Keeper (Voice) (Cameo)

Don Novello - Father Guido Sarducci (Cameo)

Dan Aykroyd - Ray Stentz (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Jess Harnell - Arnold (Voice)

Crew

Director - Brad Silberling

Based on the Character "Casper the Friendly

Ghost"/Book - Joseph Oriolo

Based on the Book - Seymour Reit

Writers - Sherri Stoner and Deanna Oliver

Script Supervisors - Annette Haywood-Carter

and Ana Maria Quintana

Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Paul Deason

Executive Producers - Steven Spielberg,

Gerald R. Molen and Jeffrey Montgomery

Producer - Colin Wilson

Co-Producers - Jeffrey Franklin

and Steve Waterman

Production Designer - Leslie Dilley

Art Directors - Daniel Maltese and

Ed Verreaux

Assistant Art Directors - Greg Papalia

and Brad Ricker

Illustrators - David Lowery,

Sherman Labby, Len Morganti, Peter Ramsey,

Jacques Rey and Dan Sweetman

Set Decorator - Rosemary Brandenberg

Property Master - Russell Bobbitt

Director of Photography - Dean Cundey

"B" Camera Operator - Casey Hotchkiss

First Assistant "A" Camera/VistaVision

Technician - Clyde E. Bryan

Production Supervisor - Steven R. Molen

First Assistant Director - Steve E. Andrews

Second Assistant Director - Michele Panelli-Venetis

Stunt Coordinator - Gary Hymes

Choreographer/Animation Ghost Reference -

Adam Shankman

Special Effects Supervisor - Michael Lantieri

Digital Character Supervisor - Dennis Muren

Digital Character Co-Supervisor - Stefen Fangmeier

Digital Effects Producer - Janet Healy

Animation Directors - Eric Armstrong

and Phil Nibblelink

Supervising Character Animators: ILM -

Mark Anthony Austin, Tom Bertino,

Miguel A. Fuertes, Jeffrey B. Light,

Doug Smith and James Tooley

Supervising Digital Effects Artists: ILM -

Kevin Rafferty, Tom L. Hutchinson,

John Andrew Berton, Jr., Henry LaBounta

and Joe Letteri

Digital Character Modeling Supervisors: ILM -

Kyle Odermatt and Wade Howie

Visual Effects Plate Supervisor: ILM - Scott Farrar

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - TyRuben Ellingson

Editor - Michael Kahn

Supervising Sound Editor - Richard Hymns

Sound Design/Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Rydstrom

Assistant Sound Designer - Christopher Boyes

Sound Effects Editors - Teresa Eckston

and Frank E. Eulner

Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Summers

Re-Recording Mixer/Music Recordist

& Mixer - Shawn Murphy

Dialogue Editors - Sara Bolders

and Michael Silvers

Foley Artists - Tom Barwick

and Dennie Thorpe

Foley Recordist - Tony Eckert

Music - James Horner

Music Editor - Joe E. Rand

Review

Another childhood movie I grew up watching, it's hard to see why everyone forgot about CASPER when it was a hidden box office gem. Following the runaway success of The Flintstones, Universal Studios and Steven Spielberg's production company, Amblin Entertainment, took another classic cartoon character to the big screen. This time, it's Casper the Friendly Ghost. Most things have stayed the same since I last saw the film. It's almost as harmless as it could get for young audiences, though it's surprisingly morbid and raunchy for a children's flick. However, the movie is a family-friendly version of Beetlejuice, and it doesn't shy away from its faults that hinder its ability to entertain audiences.

For starters, the narrative has no direction with numerous plot holes (such as Casper not remembering his previous life before he became a ghost) and an unnecessarily dated subplot, occasional coarse language, such as the "B" word, which almost warranted the movie an M rating and the solemn themes about death often dampen the film's comic appeal. The main drawback is the villain, Carrigan, because she's unthreatening and not very menacing (as one reviewer describes her as "a poor woman's Cruella de Vil") when her greed overpowers her judgment, as she plans to get the mansion's supposed treasure, which leads to her defeat.

However, the film certainly has its moments. I won't discuss any as there are spoilers ahead. Most of the visual effects hold up well, especially the CGI of the ghosts, even for the time it was released. What makes it better is that this version of Casper is the first main character to be computer-animated. Christina Ricci is headed for Hollywood stardom, looking as sharp and adorable as Kat. Bill Pullman is surprisingly decent in his performance as the father. The surprise cameos of Don Novello, Dan Aykroyd, Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield, and Mel Gibson are amusing. The sets are dark and Gothic, and James Horner's score is beautiful.

While not a flop, per se, CASPER has its fans and gained a bit of a cult following after a successful release. It spawned two direct-to-video prequels, which are unrelated to the original movie. Then again, it's not my favourite film. I would have preferred if it focused more on the relationship between Kat and the titular ghost and cut out the needless subplot where the bullies try to ruin Kat's Halloween party. Overall, this is an okay film, but it is worth a look, as there was a lot more effort put into it than the other live-action films based on the cartoons.

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Super Mario Bros. Review

Super Mario Bros.

Release Date: 10th June 1993 - Australia

Production Companies

Allied Filmmakers (present)

Cinergi Pictures Entertainment (in association with)

Hollywood Pictures (present)

Lightmotive (co-production)

Nintendo (Uncredited)

Touchwood Pacific Partners I (Uncredited)

Distribution

Umbrella Entertainment

Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 104 minutes

Budget: $48,000,000

Box Office Gross: $38,912,465 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Two Brooklyn plumbers, Mario and Luigi, are about to have the shocking discovery of their lives when they stumble upon a parallel world populated by the intelligent descendants of dinosaurs. The meteor didn't destroy them millions of years ago. It threw them into another dimension. Now, they have plans to take control of our world. It's up to our

improbable heroes to

battle the evil King Koopa

and his goombas, free the

beautiful Princess Daisy

and save humanity in this

life-changing quest.

Cast

Bob Hoskins - Mario Mario

John Leguizamo - Luigi Marko

Dennis Hopper - King Koopa

Samantha Mathis - Daisy

Fisher Stevens - Iggy

Richard Edson - Spike

Fiona Shaw - Lena

Dana Kaminski - Daniella

Mojo Nixon - Toad

Gianni Russo - Scapelli

Francesca P. Roberts - Bertha

Lance Henriksen - King Bowser

Sylvia Harman - Old Lady

Desiree Marie Velez - Angelica

John Fifer - Goomba Toad

Don Lake - Sergeant Simon

Terry Finn - Hatcheck Girl

Rob Priester - Egon

Preston Lane - James

Robert D. Raidford - TV Announcer

Frank Welker - Creature Voices

(Voice)

Dan Castellaneta - Narrator (Voice)

Crew

Directors - Annabel Jankel

and Rocky Morton

Based on the Concept and

Characters: Creators -

Shigeru Miyamoto and

Takashi Tezuka

Writers - Parker Bennett, Terry Runte and Ed Solomon

Producers - Jake Eberts and Roland Joffé

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Fred C. Caruso

Casting - Don & Mali Finn

Production Designer - David L. Snyder

Conceptual Artist/Creature Designer

and Supervisor - Patrick Tatopoulos

Art Director - Walter P. Martishius

Assistant Art Directors - Sarah Knowles

and Simon Murton

Set Decorator - Beth A. Rubino

Costume Designer - Joseph A. Porro

Prosthetics and Cosmetic Skins Supervisor:

Koopa Creature - Rob Burman

Director of Photography/Second Unit

Director - Dean Semler

First Assistant Director - Louis D'Esposito

Choreographer - Barry Lather

Stunt Coordinator - Gary Jensen

Special Effects Coordinator - Paul J. Lombardi

Mechanical Creature Effects Supervisor -

Russell Shinkle

Visual Effects Designer and Supervisor/

Second Unit Director - Chris F. Woods

Lead Digital Animator/Compositor - Peter Webb

Editors - Mark Goldblatt and Caroline Ross

Supervising Sound Editors - Jerry Ross

and Hamilton Sterling

Sound Mixer: Second Unit - Whit Norris

Re-Recording Mixers - Gregg Landaker

and Steve Maslow

Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker and

Dan O'Connell

Music - Alan Silvestri

Music Supervisor - Peter Afterman

Writers and Performers: "Almost Unreal" -

Roxette

Review

Welcome back, viewers. As you all know, I haven't done anything in my blog except grammatically proofread my reviews, news updates, etc. It's been a few months since I last posted a new critique, but with the latest Super Mario Bros. movie in theatres, it's time to refresh my memory on the previous movie adaptation.

As far back as I can remember, SUPER MARIO BROS. is a well-known video game series, with its titular character being the official mascot of Nintendo. Its popularity fell with the advent of Sonic the Hedgehog and modern video games like Halo and Minecraft. Through its iconic status, it spawned three television cartoons and two movies (the latter is a recent animated feature from the studio that brought Despicable Me). There was even a live-action film adaptation that many people would try to forget, but it grew a cult following.

As a young child, I wasn't aware there was a Super Mario Bros. movie until I discovered its packaging on VHS. The film may seem nostalgic as I look back, but it was nothing like the Mario video games I've played. It felt like a wound that never healed, leaving a lasting mark on fans of the series. The failure of this movie may have led Nintendo to prevent any more big-screen adaptations (except for Pokémon). Even the co-creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, felt it tried so hard to replicate the games.

All criticisms have pinpointed the film's poor direction and mishandling of the source material. That's why fans consider it the worst video game movie adaptation. Aside from the film's lack of resemblance to the games, it had a confusing plot and inconsistent tone. However, I appreciate the filmmakers' efforts to try to make this movie different from the games, but they're woefully misguided. I applaud the marvellous set designs (despite being too gritty and industrial for a feature based on the Mario Bros) and the innovative effects that aged beautifully.

I feel bad for the actors who have participated in this film, particularly the late Bob Hoskins, who plays Mario, and John Leguizamo as Luigi, whose experiences in making this movie had soured them. Their performances are good, and they have excellent chemistry. While they did their best to save the adaptation they could, unfortunately, they are mismatched, especially Bob, who is too gruff-looking for the character. The same goes for Dennis Hopper, whose baddie, King Koopa, isn't the character known as Bowser. He is having fun overacting in his role and not taking himself too seriously.

Some people may see SUPER MARIO BROS. as oddly charming in a way that honours the source material, while some don't find the film that bad and find it fun. While disappointing, it certainly has its separate storyline detached from the games and is not the perfect adaptation I would expect. Here's hoping Illumination will do a better job of handling the concept. And Chris Pratt will be a better Mario than Bob Hoskins.

Star rating: (3/10) Disappointing

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Saving Private Ryan Review

Saving Private Ryan

Release Date: 19th November 1998 - Australia

Production Companies

DreamWorks Pictures (presents)

Paramount Pictures (presents)

Amblin Entertainment

Mutual Film Company (in association with)

H2L Media Group

Mark Gordon Productions (uncredited)

Distribution

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: War

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable

for Young Children)

Runtime: 169 minutes

Budget: $70,000,000

Box Office Gross: $482,349,603 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

On June 6th, 1944, the historic D-Day invasion occurred on Normandy Beach during World War II. Captain John Miller and his squad have embarked on a deadly mission to find and retrieve a missing paratrooper named Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have perished in combat. Those men would face impossible odds as all eight would begin to question their orders and risk their lives to bring back only one person behind enemy lines.

Cast

Tom Hanks - Captain Miller

Tom Sizemore - Sergeant

Horvath

Edward Burns - Private Reiben

Barry Pepper - Private Jackson

Adam Goldberg - Private Mellish

Vin Diesel - Private Caparzo

Giovanni Ribisi - T-4 Medic Wade

Jeremy Davies - Corporal Upham

Matt Damon - Private Ryan

Ted Danson - Captain Hamill

Paul Giamatti - Sergeant Hill

Dennis Farina - Lieutenant

Colonel Anderson

Joerg Stadler - Steamboat

Willie

Max Martini - Corporal Henderson

Dylan Bruno - Toynbe

Daniel Cerqueira - Weller

Demetri Goritsas - Parker

Ian Porter - Trask

Gary Sefton - Rice

Julian Spencer - Garrity

Steve Griffin - Wilson

William Marsh - Lyle

Marc Cass - Fallon

Markus Napier - Major Hoess

Ronald Longridge - Coxswain

Adam Shaw - Delancey

Rolf Saxon - Lieutenant Briggs

Corey Johnson - Radioman

Glenn Wrage - Doyle

Raffaello Degruttola - Goldman

John Sharian - Corporal

Nigel Whitmey - Private Boyd

Sam Ellis - Private Hastings

Stephane Cornicord - Jean

Michelle Evans - Jean's Wife

Martin Beaton - Jean's Son

Anna Maguire - Jean's Daughter

Nathan Fillion - Minnesota Ryan

Leland Orser - Lieutenant DeWindt

David Vegh - Paratrooper Oliver

Ryan Hurst - Paratrooper Michaelson

Nick Brooks - Paratrooper Joe

Harve Presnell - General Marshall

Dale Dye - War Department Colonel

Bryan Cranston - War Department Colonel

Amanda Boxer - Mrs. Margaret Ryan

Harrison Young - Ryan as Old Man

Kathleen Bryon - Old Mrs. Ryan

Rob Freeman - Ryan's Son

Thomas Gizbert - Ryan's Grandson

Leo Stransky - German Sniper (Uncredited)

Crew

Producer/Director - Steven Spielberg

Writer - Robert Rodat

Script Supervisor - Ana Maria Quintana

Associate Producer - Kevin de la Noy

Associate Producer/Production Manager -

Mark Huffam

Producers - Ian Bryce, Mark Gordon and

Gary Levinsohn

Co-Producers - Bonnie Curtis and

Allison Lyon Segan

Senior Military Advisor - Dale Dye

Military Advisor - John Barnett

Casting Director - Denise Chaiman

UK Casting Director - Priscilla John

Production Designer - Thomas E. Sanders

Supervising Art Director - Darren T. Dorrance

Art Directors - Tom Brown,

Ricky Eyres, Chris Seagers, Alan Tomkins

and Mark Tanner (Uncredited)

Standby Art Director - Gary Freeman

Assistant Art Director - Kevin Kavanaugh

Construction Coordinator - Terry Apsey

Set Decorator - Lisa Dean

Costume Designer - Joanna Johnston

Armourer - Simon Atherton

Key Makeup Artist - Lois Burwell

Makeup Artist: Mr Hanks - Daniel C. Striepeke

Prosthetics Supervisor - Conor O'Sullivan

Director of Photography - Janusz Kaminski

First Assistant Director - Sergio Mimica-Gezzan

Second Assistant Director - Adam Goodwin

Third Assistant Directors - Martin Krauka

and Andrew Ward

Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Simon Lamonby

Stunt Coordinator - Simon Crane

Special Effects Supervisor - Neil Corbould

Special Effects Coordinator - Carol McAulay

Special Effects Workshop Supervisor - Trevor Wood

Special Corpse and Animal Effects - Neill Gorton

and Steven Painter

Lead Senior Special Effects Technicians -

David Brighton, Kevin Herd, Paul Corbould,

Dave Hunter and John Evans

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Stefen Fangmeier

Visual Effects Co-Supervisor: ILM - Roger Guyett

Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Kim Bromley

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Alexander Laurant

Modelmaking Supervisor - John Schoorand

CG Sequence Supervisor: ILM - Gregor Lakner

Sabre Supervisor: ILM - Pablo Helman

Visual Effects Camera Operator: ILM - Martin Rosenberg

Film Editor - Michael Kahn

Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Rydstrom

Assistant Sound Designer - Shannon Mills

Supervising Sound Editor - Richard Hymns

Effects Editors - Teresa Eckton,

Frank E. Eulner, Larry Oatfield,

Ethan Van der Ryan and Karen G. Wilson

Dialogue Editors - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle,

Sara Bolder and Ewa Satompe

Foley Editors - Sandina Bailo-Lape

and Bruce Lacey

Foley Artists - Dennie Thorpe and Jana Vance

Foley Mixer - Tony Eckert

Sound Mixer - Ron Judkins

Re-Recording Mixers - Andy Nelson

and Gary Summers

Music - John Williams

Music Editor - Kenneth Wannberg

Music Recordist and Mixer - Shawn Murphy

Awards

1998 Academy Awards

Best Director - Steven Spielberg (Won)

Best Cinematography - Janusz Kaminski (Won)

Best Sound - Gary Rydstrom, Gary Summers,

Andy Nelson and Ron Judkins (Won)

Best Film Editing - Michael Kahn (Won)

Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing -

Gary Rydstrom and Richard Hymns (Won)

--------------------

Best Picture - Steven Spielberg, Ian Bryce,

Mark Gordon and Gary Levinsohn (Nominated)

Best Actor in a Leading Role - Tom Hanks (Nominated)

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly

for the Screen - Robert Rodat (Nominated)

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration -

Thomas E. Sanders and Lisa Dean (Nominated)

Best Makeup - Lois Burwell, Conor O'Sullivan

and Daniel C. Striepeke (Nominated)

Best Music, Original Dramatic Score -

John Williams (Nominated)

Review

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is an extraordinary film by Steven Spielberg and is unlike any other movie he has made (except for Schneider's List). It's known for its downbeat tone and realistic approach to war, conveying the harsh realities many soldiers have endured in this turmoil. While the storyline lacks something, Spielberg's direction proves he has the aptitude for pushing certain limits in this picture, paying close attention to detail. Especially when he sinks his teeth into bringing the atmosphere into the hellish, war-torn landscapes in which many soldiers lose their lives during this skirmish. Janusz Kaminski's cinematography is shaky. Still, it is groundbreaking, and the battle sequences are stunning. Even the visual representation of the famous battle on Omaha Beach is impressive.

Tom Hanks delivers a terrific performance, consisting of depth in his character. He could have won an Oscar had it not been for Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful. While a supporting player, Matt Damon has a pivotal role as the titular soldier who gets lost on the battlefield. Most people will be surprised to learn that this was one of Vin Diesel's early movie roles, before he became a famous action star. John Williams' musical score was haunting and beautiful.

A gritty war drama like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN has redefined the genre and is often admired and appreciated as one of Spielberg's greatest films. However, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is considered violent and depressing and is unsuitable for all young audiences. It is even hard for some moviegoers to watch.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Small Soldiers Review

Small Soldiers

Release Date: 17th September 1998 - Australia

Production Companies

DreamWorks Pictures (present)

Universal Pictures (present)

Amblin Entertainment (copyright holder)

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 106 minutes

Budget: $40,000,000

Box Office Gross: $71,743,823 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Alan Abernathy is a teenager whose dad runs the toy store and tries out a new line of action figures called The Commando Elite vs. The Gorgonites. Unfortunately, these were no ordinary toys, and the company that manufactures them installed military microchips into their series of action figures, giving them a mind of their own. Alan gets recruited to help the peace-loving Gorgonites battle against the dangerous Commandos. Can Alan defend his home and family and rescue the girl of his dreams before his whole neighbourhood gets terrorised?

Cast

Gregory Smith - Alan Abernathy

Tommy Lee Jones - Chip
Hazard (Voice)

Frank Langella - Archer (Voice)

Kirsten Dunst - Christy Fimple

Jacob Smith - Timmy Fimple

Wendy Schaal - Marion Fimple

Phil Hartman - Phil Fimple

Jay Mohr - Larry Benson

Kevin Dunn - Stuart Abernathy

Ann Magnuson - Irene Abernathy

Denis Leary - Gil Mars

David Cross - Irwin Wayfair

Dick Miller - Joe

Alexandra Wilson - Ms. Kegel

Jonathan Bouck - Brad

Robert Picardo - Ralph, Clean Room Technician

Ernest Borgnine - Kip Killagin (Voice)

Jim Brown - Butch Meathook (Voice)

Bruce Dern - Link Static (Voice)

George Kennedy - Brick Bazooka (Voice)

Clint Walker - Nick Nitro (Voice)

Christopher Guest - Slamfist/
Scratch-It (Voice)

Michael McKean - Insaniac/
Freakenstein (Voice)

Harry Shearer - Punch-It (Voice)

Sarah Michelle Gellar - Gwendy
Doll (Voice)

Christina Ricci - Gwendy
Doll (Voice)

Marcia Mitzman Gaven -
Globotech Announcer (Voice)

Crew

Director - Joe Dante

Writers - Gavin Scott, Adam Rafkin, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio

Executive Producers - Walter F. Parkes and Steven Spielberg (Uncredited)

Producers - Colin Wilson and Michael Finnell

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Paul Deason

Casting Director - Denise Chaiman

Production Designer - William Sandwell

Supervising Art Director - Mark W. Mansbridge

Art Director - Brad Ricker

Character Designer/Effects Supervisor/

Puppeteer: Stan Winston Studio - John Rosengrant

Character Designers: Stan Winston Studio -

Mark 'Crash' McCreery, Greg Figiel, Jim Charmatz,

Craig Jablonski and Jason Matthews

Set Decorator - Rosemary Brandenburg

Property Master - Jerry Moss

Costume Designer - Carole Brown-James

Effects Supervisor/Key Animatronic Design/

Puppeteer: Stan Winston Studio - J. Alan Scott

Director of Photography - Jamie Anderson

Director of Photography: Second Unit -

Rexford L. Metz

First Assistant Director - Benita Allen

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -
M. James Arnett

Special Effects Coordinator - Ken Pepiot

Action Figures and Animatronics Design -
Stan Winston

Visual Effects Supervisors - Stefen Fangmeier
and Jeff Matakovich

Visual Effects Co-Supervisor - Ellen Poon

Visual Effects Art Director - George Hull

Computer Graphics Supervisors: ILM -
Gerald Gutschmidt, Erik Mattson and
Carl N. Frederick (Uncredited)

Computer Graphics Sequence Supervisors:

ILM - Michael DiComo, David Meny

and Sean Schur

Animation Supervisor - David Andrews

Film Editors - Marshall Harvey and

Michael Thau

Supervising Sound Editor - Eric Lindemann

Co-Supervising Sound Editor - Mark A. Mangini

Sound Designer (Uncredited)/Effects 

Design Editor - John Pospisil

Re-Recording Mixers - Robert Litt,

Elliot Tyson and Michael Herbick

Additional Re-Recording Mixer - Ron Bartlett

Foley Artists - John Roesch and

Hilda Hodges

Music - Jerry Goldsmith

Music Scoring Mixer - Bruce Botnick

Review

As a kid, I saw SMALL SOLDIERS for the first time, and before viewing the movie, I didn't know that the main antagonists were the Commando Elite, not the heroes I thought they would be. This film had a neat and creative concept of toys attacking humanity and each other, which makes Toy Story look kid-friendly and less violent. SMALL SOLDIERS is not a kids' movie as was advertised by DreamWorks. It's intended for teens, which explains the dark scenes in the finished product.

Joe Dante, known for directing cult classics (apart from his only success with Gremlins), has never done something this similar to his hit film. The special effects are impressive, but some didn't age well. The acting performances are first-rate, but they never stood out so well in the movie. I like how Dante hired some surviving Dirty Dozen performers to voice the soldiers while Christopher Guest and his fellow Spinal Tap players portray the friendly Gorgonites. The film even features a heartwarming dedication to the late Phil Hartman, who plays Kirsten Dunst's fictional dimwitted dad.

While clever and funny, SMALL SOLDIERS was almost as good as Gremlins and is worth seeing.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Benny & Joon Review

Benny & Joon

Release Date: 30th September 1993 - Australia

Production Companies

Metro Goldwyn Mayer

Roth-Arnold Productions

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 98 minutes

Box Office Gross: $23,261,580 (USA)

Plot Summary (Retrieved from DVD Cover of Release)

Joon is a little unbalanced.

Sometimes, without warning,

her sweet nature gives way

to odd behaviour – including

a penchant for setting fires!

She lives with her older

brother Benny, who has

spent his life taking care of

her since their parents died.

One night, while playing a

poker game with unusual

stakes, Joon loses her

hand...and wins Sam, a

whimsical misfit who soon

charms his way into Joon's

heart. Now if they can only

find the perfect mate for

her overprotective brother...

Cast

Aidan Quinn - Benny

Mary Stuart Masterson - Joon

Johnny Depp - Sam

Julianne Moore - Ruthie

Oliver Platt - Eric

C.C.H. Pounder - Dr Garvey

Dan Hedaya - Thomas

Joe Grifasi - Mike

William H. Macy - Randy Burch

Liane Curtis - Claudia

Eileen Ryan - Mrs Smail

Don Hamilton - UPS Man

Waldo Larson - Waldo

Amy Alizabeth Sanford - Young Joon

Brian Keevy - Young Benny

Crew

Director - Jeremiah S. Chechik

Story/Screenplay - Barry Berman

Story - Leslie McNeil

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Bill Badalato

Producers - Susan Arnold

and Donna Roth
Casting Directors - Risa Bramon

Garcia and Heidi Levitt

Production Designer - Neil Spisak

Costume Designer - Aggie Guerard Rodgers

Director of Photography - John Schwartzman

Camera Operator - Mitchell Amundsen

First Assistant Director - K.C. Colwell

Choreographer: Physical Comedy - Dan Kamin
Stunt Coordinator - Noon Orsatti

Fire Effects Coordinator - Allen Hall
Special Effects Coordinator - J.D. Streett

Editor - Carol Littleton

Associate Editor - Raul Davalos

Music - Rachel Portman


Review

BENNY & JOON seemed to have a misleading title because I think it should have been Benny, Sam & Joon. Because the film focuses on these three individuals, two of them are very quirky and fall in love. The other is the older brother, who only wants what he thinks is best for his sister and must learn to let go. It underpins the main storyline of the growing connection between Sam and Joon. There is a strength in the director's message that some things considered strange or out of the ordinary aren't necessarily bad, for example, the pancake scene. I like to point out that how Joon acts in this movie reflects a degree of autism in this character. I think Joon had schizophrenia.

Johnny Depp was versatile and whimsical as he lent his physical comedy routines to good use. He mimics the incredible antics of late silent comedians such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to create the character of Sam. Mary Stuart Masterson portrays Joon as a vulnerable, naive character who wants to control her own life despite her disability. Aidan Quinn is fine as Joon's overprotective brother but doesn't get much exposure due to Johnny Depp's scene-stealing performance.

It was a heartwarming film without being bland or sickly sweet.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) Review

The Hunchback of Notre Dame


Release Date: 12th September 1996 - Australia


Production Companies
Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
Walt Disney Feature Animation

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Animation/Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 91 minutes


Budget: $100,000,000

Box Office Gross: $325,338,851 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

In 15th-century Paris, a deformed bellringer named Quasimodo yearns to live outside of the Cathedral bell tower from his cruel caretaker, the Minister of Justice, Judge Claude Frollo, who has hidden him from the outside world while raising him as part of his penance.

Against the wishes of his master to never leave his sanctuary, Quasimodo sneaks out to attend the Festival of Fools and meets the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda, and the soldier Phoebus. Frollo's ruthlessness meant that the three ranged against his oppression and attempts to rid the Court of Miracles, the home of the gypsies. It is up

to Quasimodo to defend

Esmeralda and the Notre

Dame Cathedral from the

man who raised him.

Voice Cast
Tom Hulce - Quasimodo
Demi Moore - Esmeralda
Heidi Mollenhauer - Esmeralda (singing voice)

Tony Jay - Judge Claude Frollo

Jason Alexander - Hugo
Charles Kimbrough - Victor
Mary Wickes - Laverne

Jane Withers - Additional Laverne Dialogue

Paul Kandel - Clopin
Kevin Kline - Captain Phoebus
David Odgen Stiers -

Archdeacon
Corey Burton - Brutish Guard/Additional Voices
Bill Fagerbakke - Oafish Guard
Mary Kay Bergman -

Quasimodo's Mother/
Additional Voices

Frank Welker - Djali/Baby Bird
Jim Cummings - Gypsies/

Guards

Crew
Directors - Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale
Based on the Novel - Victor Hugo
Animation Story/Screenplay - Tab Murphy
Story - Kevin Harkey, Ed Gombert, Brenda Chapman,
Jeff Snow, Jim Capobianco, Denis Rich, Burny Mattinson,

John Sanford, Kelly Wightman, James Fujii, Floyd Norman,

Francis Glebas, Kirk Hanson and Christine Blum
Story/Sequence Directors: Paris - Gaetan &
Paul Brizzi
Story/Character Designers/Visual Development -
Geefwee Boedoe and Sue C. Nichols
Animation Screenplay - Irene Mecchi,
Bob Tzudiker, Noni White and Jonathan Roberts
Additional Screenplay Material/Artistic

Supervisor: Story/Supervising Animator:

"Laverne" - Will Finn

Producer - Don Hahn
Co-Producer - Roy Conli

Casting Director - Ruth Lambert

Art Director - David Goetz

Artistic Coordinator - Randy Fullmer

Character Designer/Visual Development/
Supervising Animator: "Quasimodo" -

James Baxter
Character Designer/Visual Development/
Supervising Animator: "Esmeralda" -

Tony Fucile
Character Designer/Visual Development/
Artistic Supervisor: Background - Lisa Keene
Character Designers/Visual Development -
Geefwee Boedoe, Marek Buchwald,

Peter DeSeve, Thom Enriquez, Vance Gerry,

Darek Gogol, Joe Grant, Rick Maki,

Jean Gillmore, Sue C. Nichols and

Rowland B. Wilson
Character Designer/Visual Development/

Artistic Supervisor: Layout - Ed Ghertner
Character Designer/Visual Development/

Animator: "Esmeralda" - Anne Marie Bardwell
Character Designer/Visual Development/

Animator: "Quasimodo" - Shawn Keller
Character Designer/Visual Development/
Rough Inbetweener - Joseph C. Moshier

Artistic Supervisor: Layout, Paris Unit - Daniel St. Pierre

Production Manager - Patty Hicks

Production Manager: Paris Unit - Jean-Luc Florinda

Supervising Animator: "Frollo" - Kathy Zielinski
Supervising Animator: "Phoebus" - Russ Edmonds
Supervising Animator: "Clopin" - Michael Surrey
Supervising Animator: "Victor" and "Hugo" -
David Pruiksma
Supervising Animator: "Djali" - Ron Husband

Artistic Supervisor: Clean-Up - Vera Pacheco

Artistic Supervisor: Visual Effects - Christopher Jenkins

Additional Visual Effects Unit Supervisors:

Additional Visual Effects Animation -

Dave Bossert, Mauro Maressa and

Dave Tidgwell

Artistic Supervisor: Computer Graphics Imagery -

Kiran Bhakta Joshi
Songs: Music/Original Score/

Songs Producer and Arranger/Score

Producer - Alan Menken
Songs: Lyrics/Songs Producer/Latin Lyrics

Adaptation - Stephen Schwartz
Editor - Ellen Keneshea

Associate Film Editor - John K. Carr

Supervising Sound Editors - Lon Bender

and Larry Kemp

Re-Recording Mixers - Mel Metcalfe,

Terry Porter and Dean A. Zupancic

Foley Artists - John Roesch and

Hilda Hodges

Executive Music Producer - Chris Montan

Vocal Arrangements/Conductor -

David Friedman

Music Recordist and Mixer - Bruce Botnick

Review

Like most people, I was appalled by the news of the near-destruction of Notre Dame's cathedral. It was engulfed in flames and caused by a short circuit. I decided to look back at THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, by which I mean the Disney animated version, in the wake of this devastation. I have been waiting to review a childhood classic I had never seen for a long time. I had never read the book nor watched the other film adaptations that preceded the animated version. It is, therefore, said that HUNCHBACK is one of Disney's darker films churned out. Because the movie contains adult themes such as religion, lust, and genocide, I believe it would be a surprise for anyone watching this Disney film.

HUNCHBACK could have been aimed entirely at adults if it weren't for the gargoyles, particularly the one voiced by Jason Alexander, who provided comic relief. However, implementing characters who are second bananas to the main character in this film is not a good idea for Disney. It is not appropriate because it creates a tonal shift. These secondary characters aren't significant to the plot. What's important is the main character of Quasimodo, who yearns to be accepted by mainstream society and escape his confinement inside the walls of Notre Dame. One main character in the movie I compliment is the main villain, Judge Claude Frollo. Frollo is a particularly frightening villain who seeks to destroy the gypsies. It is up to the hero Quasimodo to stop Frollo from carrying out his plans of damnation. Not since Scar in The Lion King have we seen a villain so menacing and scary.

The animation is beautiful, and the backgrounds depict the scenery of 15th-century Paris, including the entire Notre Dame Cathedral. Most of the songs by Alan Menken, including "Hellfire," "God Help the Outcasts," and "Out There," are good and fit effectively into the score of an animated musical like HUNCHBACK. The voice-overs are equivalent to live acting, with superb performances from Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, and Tony Jay. They all have lent their voices to HUNCHBACK, thus creating a rich and complex set of characters.

Not exactly the best Disney animation, but HUNCHBACK still comes close to The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast by high standards. If younger viewers have questions about the mature content, they should watch it with a parent or guardian. So, exercise viewer discretion, everyone.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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The Fifth Element Review

The Fifth Element

Release Date: 15th May 1997 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures (presents)

Gaumont

Distribution

Madman Entertainment

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 126 minutes

Budget: $90,000,000

Box Office Gross: $263,920,180 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

In the 23rd century, life

has become boringly

repetitive for ex-Marine

Korben Dallas, who drives

a flying taxi and eats

takeaway from the same

Chinese restaurant that

delivers directly to his

window. Unbeknownst

to Korben, a tremendous

alien evil has joined forces

with Zorg and threatens

to destroy the Earth.

Combining the four

earthly elements with

an alien 'fifth' element can

only prevent this event.

Before long, Korben finds

himself a key player in

saving the Earth when a

beautiful alien, Leeloo,

falls through the roof of

his cab, revealing herself

to be the elusive fifth

element. Only Korben

and Leeloo hold the key

to humanity's survival in

the ultimate battle between

good and evil. But time is

running out.

Cast

Bruce Willis - Korben Dallas

Gary Oldman - Zorg

Ian Holm - Cornelius

Milla Jovovich - Leeloo

Chris Tucker - Ruby Rhod

Luke Perry - Billy

Brion James - General Munro

Tommy 'Tiny' Lister - President Lindberg

Lee Evans - Fog

Charlie Creed-Miles - David

Tricky - Right Arm

John Neville - General Staedert

John Bluthal - Professor Pacoli

Matthieu Kassovitz - Mugger

Christopher Fairbank - Mactilburgh

Kim Chan - Thai

Richard Leaf - Neighbour

Julie T. Wallace - Major Iceborg

Clifton Lloyd Bryan - Mangalore Aknot/

Mondoshawan/Airport Guard

Aron Paramour - Mangalore Akanit

Alan Ruscoe - Mangalore Kino

Vladimir McCrary - Human

Aknot

Al Matthews - General Tudor

Maïwenn - Diva Plavalaguna

John Bennett - Priest

Ivan Heng - Left Arm

Sonita Henry - President's Aide

Tim McMullan - Scientist's Aide

George Khan - Head Scientist

John Hughes - Head of Military

Roberto Bryce - Omar

Said Talidi - Aziz

Justin Lee Burrows - Mondoshawan

Richard Ashton - Mondoshawan

Jerome St. John Blake - Mondoshawan

Kevin Molloy - Mondoshawan/Ground Crew

Bill Reimbold - Mactilburgh's Assistant

Colin Brooks - Staedert's Captain

Anthony Chinn - Mactilburgh's Technician

Sam Douglas - Chief NY Cop

Derek Ezenagu - NY Cop

David Kennedy - Flying Cop

David Barrass - Flying Cop

Roger Monk - Flying Cop/Military Technician

Mac McDonald - Flying Cop

Mark Seaton - Flying Cop

Jean-Luc Caron - Flying Cop

Riz Meedin - Flying Cop

Jerry Ezekiel - Flying Cop

Indra Ové - VIP Stewardess

Nicole Merry - VIP Stewardess

Stacey McKenzie - VIP Stewardess

Rachel Willis - Stewardess

Genevieve Maylam - Stewardess

Josie Perez - Stewardess

Natasha Brice - Stewardess

Sophia Goth - Check-In Attendant

Martin McDougall - Warship Captain

Pete Dunwell - Diva's Manager

Paul Priestley - Cop

Jason Salkey - Cop

Stewart Harvey-Wilson - Ruby Rhod Assistant

Dave Fishley - Ruby Rhod Assistant

Gin Clarke - Diva's Assistant

Eve Salvail - Tawdry Girl

Kaleem Janjua - Shuttle Pilot

Tyrone Tyrell - Shuttle Co-Pilot

Kevin Brewerton - Shuttle Mechanic

Vincenzo Pellergino - Ground Crew

Ian Beckett - Baby Ray

Sonny Caldinez - Emperor Kodar Japhet

Zeta Graff - Princess Achen

Eddy Elwood - Roy von Bacon

Yui - Fhloston Hostess

Laura De Palma - Fhloston Hostess

Michael Culkin - Hefty Man

Lenny McLean - Police Chief

Robert Oates - Fhloston Commander

John Sharian - Fhloston Captain

Fred Williams - Hotel Manager

Sibyl Buck - Zorg's Secretary

Sarah Carrington - Scientist

Ali Yassine - Scientist

Sean Buckley - Scientist

Dane Messam - Military Technician

Nathan Hamlett - Military Technician

Cecil Cheng - Military Technician

Scott Woods - Lab Guard

Leon Dekker - Lab Guard

David Garvey - Staedert's Technician

Stanley Kowalski - Staedert's Technician

Omar Williams - Staedert's Technician

Robert Clapperton - Robot Barman

Robert Alexander - Warship Technician

Mia Frye - TV Stewardess

Leo Williams - Power Operator

C. Keith Martin - Power Operator

J.D. Dawodu - Zorg's Man

Patrick Nicholls - Zorg's Man

Shaun Davis - Zorg's Man

Roy Garcia - Zorg's Man

Alex Georgijev - Zorg's Man

Marie Guillard - Burger Assistant

Renee Montemayor - Burger Assistant

Stina Richardson - Burger Assistant

Fitz Hall - Young Boy (Uncredited)

Inva Mila - Diva's Singing Voice (Uncredited)

Crew

Story/Screenplay/Director - Luc Besson

Screenplay - Robert Mark Kamen

Associate Producer/Post-Production

Supervisor - John A. Amicarella

Producer - Patrice Ledoux

Co-Producer - Iain Smith

Casting Director - Lucinda Syson

US Casting Director - Francine Maisler

Production Design 'Moebius' Giraud,

Jean-Claude Mézières, Sylvain Despretz,

Patrice Garcia, Sean Hargreaves, Kanel Tazit,

Hélène Giraud, Jacques Rey, Michel Gibrat,

Humbert Chabuel and Pierre-Alain Chartier

Art Directors - Michael Lamont,

Jim Morohan and Kevin Phipps

Assistant Art Directors - Frederic Evard,

Gary Tomkins and Paul Kirby

Draughtsmen - Su Whitaker,

Peter Francis, Jon Billington, Pat Johnson,

David Wood and Stephen Morohan

Construction Coordinator - Ray Barrett

Set Decorators - Maggie Gray and Anna Pinnock

Property Master - Barry Wilkinson

Costume Designer - Jean-Paul Gaultier

Assistant Costume Designer - Graham Churchyard
Armourer - Simon Atherton

Chief Makeup Artist - Lois Burwell

Makeup Artist: Bruce Willis - Amanda Knight

Hairdressers - Lisa Tomblin

and Sarah Love

Director of Photography - Thierry Arbogast

Steadicam Operator - John Ward

Location Managers - Andrew MacDonald Brown

and Kevin de la Noy

Production Managers - Sarah Bradshaw

and Barrie Melrose

First Assistant Director - Chris Carreras

Key Second Assistant Director - Cliff Lanning

Assistant Director: Second Unit - Jamie Christopher

Second Unit Director - Pascal Chaumeil

Stunt Coordinator - Marc Boyle

Special Effects Supervisors - Nick Allder and Neil Corbould

Special Effects Workshop Supervisor - Trevor Wood

Pyrotechnics Supervisor - Thaine Morris

Creature Design Supervisor - Nick Dudman

Key Animatronic Model Designers -

Monique Brown, Chris Barton and

John Coppinger

Senior Animatronic Model Designers -

Malcolm Evans, Joe Scott, Jim Sandys

and Gary Pollard

Special Visual Effects Supervisor - Mark Stetson

Art Directors: Digital Domain - Ira Gilford

and Ron Gress

Supervising Visual Effects Director of

Photography: Digital Domain - Bill Neil 

Digital Effects Supervisor: Digital Domain -
Karen E. Goulekas

Digital Effects Producer: Digital Domain -

Tamara Watts Kent

Lead Digital Compositing Supervisor: Digital

Domain - Jonathan Egstad

Digital Compositing Supervisor: Digital Domain -

Bryan Grill

Sequence Supervisors: Digital Domain -

Remo Balcells, Sean C. Cunningham,

Sean Dever, Joshua I. Kolden, Christine Lo,

Franklin Londin, Rodney J. McFall,

Christopher Roda and Scott Stokdyk
Miniature Effects Supervisor: Digital Domain -

Niels Nielsen

Director of Photography: Camera, Digital

Domain - Paul Gentry

Editor - Sylvie Landra

Sound Designer and Supervisor - Mark A. Mangini

Sound Design - John Popisal and

John P. Fasal

Supervising ADR Editor - Curt Schulkey

Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Jenkins,

Mark Smith and Ron Bartlett

Foley Artists - Ellen Heuer and

James Moriana

Music/Words and Music: "The Little Light

of Love" - Éric Serra


Awards

1998 Academy Awards
Best Sound Effects Editing - Mark A. Mangini (Nominated)

Review

The concept was first conceived by French filmmaker Luc Besson decades ago when he was 16. THE FIFTH ELEMENT is a colourful and entertaining sci-fi movie made after his groundbreaking 1994 masterpiece, Leon: The Professional, was successful. Some moviegoers claimed it was a dumb and cheesy film, while others thought it was impressive. I believe so myself, and there's nothing wrong with this movie that came out in the same year as the Star Wars special editions and James Cameron's Titanic, except for one defect. It may have prevented THE FIFTH ELEMENT from being accomplished as the best movie of 1997. Immersive visuals, city landscapes, and masterful concepts were designed beautifully with regal splendour as Luc Besson interpreted the future for sci-fi-loving audiences. It may have inspired George Lucas to create more of this city scenery for one of the Star Wars prequels, Attack of the Clones.

The cast is no more than the extraordinary visuals on the left side of a plate. Bruce Willis was a multi-talented actor who ended up in this farce, even though he wasn't my favourite action star. He was convincing as the ex-military turned cab driver who finds himself in a predicament to save the universe, Korben Dallas. Milla Jovovich was pleasant to watch as the actress fits the bill of Korben's love interest and is the key to everything. Gary Oldman enjoys getting villainous roles and doing so without being typecast. Here, he portrays the immorally corrupt businessman Zorg, who speaks with a Southern accent, which differs from Oldman's English accent and is over-the-top rather than serious. All the actors are good. One particular performance I did not like was by Chris Tucker, whose musician Ruby Rhod acts like a prima donna and is very annoying.

Humorous, imaginative, and explosive. Those are the three simple words I use to describe THE FIFTH ELEMENT. It's been good to re-watch this movie again, but I know it's cheesy. Most moviegoers would agree this is a semi-decent feature.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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