Jaws 2 Review

Jaws 2

Release Date: 30th November 1978 - Australia

Production Companies 

Universal Pictures

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Thriller

Rating: M (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 111 minutes

Budget: $30,000,000

Box Office Gross: $187,884,007 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
Four years after a Great White

Shark had left Amity Island

with a fear of shark attacks,

and after having a ferocious

encounter with the predator,

Sheriff Martin Brody is

investigating a disappearance

and boating accident, which

suggests something is amiss.

Brody's fears come true when

there is another Great White,

which has come to terrorise

everyone in the sailing

competition.

Cast

Roy Scheider - Chief Martin Brody

Lorraine Gray - Ellen Brody

Murray Hamilton - Mayor Larry Vaughn

Joseph Mascolo - Peterson

Jeffrey Kramer - Hendricks

Collin Wilcox Paxton - Dr. Elkins

Ann Dusenberry - Tina

Mark Gruner - Mike Brody

Barry Coe - Andrews

Susan French - Old Lady

Gary Springer - Andy

Donna Wilkes - Jackie

Gary Dublin - Ed

John Dukakis - Polo

G. Thomas Dunlop - Timmy

David Elliott - Larry

Marc Gilpin - Sean Brody

Keith Gordon - Doug

Cindy Grover - Lucy

Ben Marley - Patrick

Martha Swatek - Marge

Billy Van Zandt - Bob

Gigi Vorgan - Brooke

April Gilpin - Renee

Coll Red McLean - Red

Allan L. Paddack - Crosby

Kathy Wilson - Mrs. Bryant

Herb Muller - Phil Fogarty

Mary A. Gaffney - Mrs. Silvera

Crew

Director - Jeannot Szwarc

Based Upon Characters - Peter Benchley

Writers - Carl Gottlieb and Howard Sackler

Associate Producer/Production Designer/Second Unit Director - Joe Alves

Producers - Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown

Technical Advisor - Fred Zendar

Art Directors - W. Stewart Campbell and Gene Johnson

Set Decorator - Phil Abramson

Costume Designer - Bill Jobe

Director of Photography -

Michael C. Butler

Live Shark Photography - Ron & Valerie Taylor

Unit Production Manager - Bill Badalato

Production Manager - Tom Joyner

First Assistant Directors - Scott Maitland and Don Zepfel

Second Assistant Directors - Katy Emde and Beau Marks

Stunt Coordinator - Ted Grossman

Special Mechanical Effects - Roy Arbogast and Robert A. Mattey

Film Editors - Steve Potter,

Arthur Schmidt and Neil Travis

Sound - James R. Alexander

Sound Re-Recording - Robert L. Hoyt

Sound Effects Editor - James Troutman

Music - John Williams

Review

When Jaws came out in 1975, visitors to the beach were so terrified by the film that they were afraid to go into the water. It was a career boost for young Steven Spielberg as he would later direct big successes like Close Encounters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Schneider's List, Jurassic Park, and others. Meanwhile, JAWS 2 came into being without Spielberg's involvement in 1978. Due to the first instalment's success, Universal was keen to capitalise on its popularity, and audiences asked for more bite-sized thrills. Looking back at the sequel, it's just your typical shark movie, and there's nothing new and more thrilling than the original. What also disappointed me about the film is that Richard Dreyfuss didn't return (which is why he refused to return without Spielberg).

While a decent director, Jeannot Szwarc, falls far short of Steven Spielberg's standards. He doesn't have as much enthusiasm as Spielberg did when he filmed the first Jaws movie. All things considered, he did a decent job with the material at his disposal. The plot is too similar to that of the original film. Yet, the suspense of the first instalment remains, especially in the second half. The shark appears as good as it did in the first one. However, its behaviour is more akin to that of a serial killer than an enraged beast. Even the teenage characters are rather one-dimensional. You don't get to know many of them well enough to care whether they survive or become shark food.

The ensemble cast is solid, with Roy Scheider's performance as Chief Brody standing out in particular. The only reason Roy agreed to appear in this sequel was that he remained under contract with Universal for multiple films. According to outside sources, JAWS 2 was his way out of that situation, even if it meant clashing with the new director.

The series should have ended when Roy Scheider refused to continue playing the role. While this sequel may appear to be a cash-in on the original film, the poor quality of the following two films proves that this is indeed the case. JAWS 2 was so popular with audiences that it didn't need any more follow-ups.

Although it's not as good as its predecessor, JAWS 2 is undoubtedly the least disappointing of the series and the only watchable sequel. I'd recommend this to fans of the original.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Psycho (1960) Review

Psycho

Release Date: 21st September 1960 - Australia

Production Companies

Shamley Productions

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 109 minutes

Budget: $806,947

Box Office Gross: $50,055,965 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Unhappy with her job as a secretary in a real estate

office in Phoenix, Arizona,

and frustrated with her

romance with a hardware

store manager, Marion

Crane steals $40,000

from her employer and

flees from Phoenix to

start a new life with the

stolen money. After

36 hours of paranoia

and exhaustion, Marion

decides to spend the

night at the dilapidated

Bates Motel. She meets the

polite but high-strung

proprietor Norman Bates,

a young man with a hobby

for taxidermy and a

complicated relationship

with his mother.

Marion's journey ends with

her taking a shower when

she meets her grisly demise

at the hands of an unknown

assailant. First, a private

detective, then Marion's

sister and lover, search for

her. It is then that they

begin to unravel the

identity of her mysterious

killer.

Cast

Anthony Perkins - Norman Bates

Janet Leigh - Marion Crane

Vera Miles - Lila Crane

John Gavin - Sam Loomis

Patricia Hitchcock - Caroline

Martin Balsam - Milton Arbogast

Simon Oakland - Dr Fred Richman

John McIntire - Sheriff Al

Chambers

Frank Albertson - Tom Cassidy

Vaughn Taylor - George Lowery

Lurene Tuttle - Mrs Chambers

John Anderson - California Charlie

Mort Mills - Highway Patrol Officer

Virginia Gregg - Norma Bates (Voice) (Uncredited)

Alfred Hitchcock - Man Outside

Real Estate Office (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Paul Jasmin - Norma Bates (Voice)

(Uncredited)

Jeanette Nolan - Norma Bates (Voice)

(Uncredited)

Ted Knight - Policeman in Hallway

Opening Door (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Producer (Uncredited)/Director -

Alfred Hitchcock

Assistant: Mr Hitchcock - Peggy Robertson

(Uncredited)

Based on the Novel - Robert Bloch

Screenplay - Joseph Stefano

Art Directors - Robert Clatworthy and

Joseph Hurley

Costume Designer/Wardrobe: Women -

Rita Riggs (Uncredited)

Costume Supervisor - Helen Colvig

Makeup Supervisors - Jack Barron

and Robert Dawn

Director of Photography - John L. Russell

Camera Operator - Leonard J. South

(Uncredited)

Assistant Director - Hilton A. Green

Film Editor - George Tomasini

Pictorial Consultant/Titles Designer - Saul Bass

Music - Bernard Herrmann

Awards

1961 Academy Awards

Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Janet Leigh

(Nominated)

Best Director - Alfred Hitchcock (Nominated)

Best Cinematography, Black-and-White -

John L. Russell (Nominated)

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration -

Joseph Hurley, Robert Clatworthy and

George Milo (Nominated)

Review

On a rainy Halloween evening in 2022, I began watching PSYCHO, which is said to have been a breakthrough in modern thrillers and is Alfred Hitchcock's landmark masterpiece. For years, I've never seen it. I thought it would be a great experience since I'm old enough to endure its terrifying psychological themes. What began as a pre-production episode for Alfred Hitchcock Presents has evolved into a groundbreaking feature. It's impressive that a movie on a lower scale could become a milestone.

Almost everything in PSYCHO makes it work, from Hitchcock's artful direction to the groundbreaking camerawork to Bernard Herrmann's identifiable music score. My only complaint about the movie was that the first half was slow, but it picked up once the tense atmosphere kicked in. The film packs a few incredibly shocking plot twists, but I won't spoil them since this is my critique. I loved the iconic shower scene, which has become a staple in pop culture and was spoofed multiple times in numerous TV shows and films. The acting performances were fantastic, especially Anthony Perkins, who did a great job as Norman Bates.

PSYCHO is not just a pinnacle in Hitchcock's career as a director. It is a suspenseful movie with a mystery tied into the storyline. I say this because it is not a horror film, as many would believe. It is a terrific classic despite the slow first half. I'd still recommend PSYCHO to anyone who hasn't seen it or any classic filmgoer.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Contagion Review

Contagion

Release Date: 20th October 2011 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)

Participant (in association with)

Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ (in

association with)

Double Feature Films

Digital Image Associates

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 106 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $136,515,867 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

On her return from a

business trip to Hong Kong,

Beth Emhoff suddenly dies

from what appears to be the

flu or some ailment. Later

that same day, her young

son dies after contracting

the illness that killed her.

Her husband, however,

appears to be immune

to the virus. Soon, many

others began experiencing the same symptoms of the infection, sparking a global pandemic. Many doctors and other medical professionals must identify the type of virus and find a vaccine that will end the outbreak, which should only take several months. As the contagion spreads to millions worldwide, society begins to crumble as people panic.

Cast

Marion Cotillard - Dr. Leonora

Orantes

Matt Damon - Mitch Emhoff

Laurence Fishburne - Dr. Ellis Cheever

Jude Law - Alan Krumwiede

Gwyneth Paltrow - Beth Emhoff

Kate Winslet - Dr. Erin Mears

Bryan Cranston - RADM Lyle Haggerty

Jennifer Ehle - Dr. Ally Hextall

Elliott Gould - Dr. Ian Sussman

Chin Han - Sun Feng

John Hawkes - Roger

Anna Jacoby-Heron - Jory Emhoff

Josie Ho - Li Fai's Sister

Sanaa Lathan - Aubrey Cheever

Demetri Martin - Dr. David Eisenberg

Griffin Kane - Clark Morrow

Armin Rohde - Damian Leopold

Enrico Colantoni - Dennis French

Larry Clarke - Dave

Monique Gabriela Curnen - Lorraine Vasquez

Stef Tovar - Dr. Arrington

Grace Rex - Carrie Anne

Kara Zediker - Elizabeth Nygaard

Dan Aho - Aaron Barnes

Brian J. O'Donnell - Andrew

Annabel Armour - Beth's Mother

Dan Flannery - Hextall's Father

Joshua Seiden - Anthony

Sanjay Gupta - Himself (Cameo)

Crew

Director/Director of Photography - Steven Soderbergh

Writer - Scott Z. Burns

Executive Producers - Jonathan King,

Jeff Skoll and Ricky Strauss

Executive Producer/Unit Production

Manager - Michael Polaire

Producer/First Assistant Director -

Gregory Jacobs

Producers - Michael Shamberg

and Stacey Sher

Senior Technical Advisors - Larry Brilliant,

Laurie Garrett and Ian Lipkin

Technical Advisors - Billy Goldberg,

Natasha K. Griffith, Tracey McNamara,

Michael J. Ryan, Connie Schmaljohn,

Mark Smolinski, Ira Blumen,

Don Weiss and Nathan Wolfe

Production Designer - Howard Cummings

Supervising Art Director - David Lazan

Supervising Art Director: UK and Morocco -

Ricky Eyres

Set Decorator - Cindy Carr

Property Master - Brad Einhorn

Costume Designer - Louise Frogley

Makeup Department Head - Kate Biscoe

Location Manager: UK & Morocco -

David Broder

Production Supervisor - Julie M. Anderson

Production Manager: UK & Morocco -

David Brown

Stunt Coordinator: Chicago - Rick LeFevour

Stunt Coordinator: Hong Kong - R.A. Rondell

Special Effects Coordinator - John D. Milinac

Special Effects Coordinator: San Francisco -

Ron Bolanowski

Visual Effects Supervisor - Thomas J. Smith

Editor - Stephen Mirrione

Re-Recording Mixer/Supervising Sound

Editor - Larry Blake

Additional Sound Effects - John Pospisil

Production Sound Mixers - Dennis Towns

and Mark Weingarten

Foley Artists - Dawn Fintor and

Alicia Stevenson

Music - Cliff Martinez

Review

In a period of self-isolation, back when COVID-19 made us stay in our homes and avoid contact with others. The movie that may have unintentionally predicted it was CONTAGION, which came out nine years before the pandemic. I saw the film on Netflix when it was popular on the streaming service. It's surprisingly accurate how an obscure movie has aged well in times like these, as its hauntingly prophetic themes have become relevant in 2020. There's nothing to joke about in this procedural film, and it makes me think about all the things I endured during the pandemic, such as social distancing. Imbued with a sharp narrative and an ensemble cast, CONTAGION excels as a gripping, realistic drama based on events and medical procedures.

Director and cinematographer Steven Soderbergh, along with writer Scott Z. Burns, have created something inspired by the headlines. It isn't like those other disaster films that often involve natural disasters such as tornadoes and earthquakes. No, this movie is frighteningly realistic and unlike the cardboard theatrics of Wolfgang Petersen's Outbreak with Dustin Hoffman as the saviour of the world. The film is scientifically accurate, indicating that the filmmakers did extensive research involving the struggles of doctors trying to create vaccinations. The acting performances are exceptional, especially Matt Damon, who plays a character determined to protect his daughter from the widespread pandemic.

After watching this movie, CONTAGION feels like it's closer to home. It is a solid and intriguing film. Watching the movie on Netflix again after the pandemic is fascinating, but I still highly recommend it.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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Force of Nature Review

Force of Nature

Release Date: 13th August 2020 - Australia

Production Companies

Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films (EFO Films)

FON Film Production

Capstone Group

Grindstone Entertainment Group

Ingenious

Pimienta

River Bay Films (in association with)

SSS Entertainment (in association with)

Way Down East Entertainment (in association with)

Distribution

Icon Film Distribution

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 91 minutes

Budget: $23,000,000

Box Office Gross: $638,221 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Two police officers are in a dangerous situation fighting greed, nature, and the past. A police officer is trying to recover from a tragedy in New York and goes on evac duty with a new partner when a hurricane approaches Puerto Rico. When they arrive at the apartment complex and try to force everyone, a gang of thieves led by John the Baptist begins blasting bodies to get to a

trove of valuable art. A testy

former cop and his daughter

unwillingly conflict as the

police try to maintain

the high ground in the

building that is now a

concrete death trap.

Cast

Emile Hirsch - Cardillo

Mel Gibson - Ray

David Zayas - John

Kate Bosworth - Troy

Stephanie Cayo - Jess

William Catlett - Griffin

Jorge Luis Ramos - Bergkamp

Joksan Ramos - Cruz

Blas Sien Diaz - Migs

Tyler Jon Olson - Dillon

Julio Ramos Velez - Bennie

Sebastian Vázquez - Pride

Jesy McKinney - Babie

Xavier Reyes - Ernesto

Luillo Ruiz - Super Louie Joe

Jasper Polish - Jasmine

Johanna Rosaly - Mrs. Consuelo

Rey Hernandez - Lt. Cunningham

Jerry D. Medina - Chuy

Leslie Emmett - Mrs. Gradisher

Ani Raman - Aaron

Geoff Reeves - Greg

Swen Temmel - Hodges

Crew

Director - Michael Polish

Writer - Cory M. Miller

Executive Producers - Jonathan Baker,

Lee Broda, Barry Brooker, Alastair Burlingham,

Charlie Dombek, Alexander Eckert,

Ted Fox, Landon Gorman, Walter Josten,

Cyril Megret, Christian Mercuri,

Brandon Powers, Diana Principe,

Gary Raskin, Ceasar Richbow,

Luis A. Riefkohl, Timothy C. Sullivan,

Paul Weinberg and Stan Wertlieb

Executive/Line Producer - Bobby Ranghelov

Co-Executive Producer - Ryan Black

Producers - Randall Emmett,

George Furla, Luillo Ruiz,

Shaun Sanghani and Mark Stewart

Co-Producers - Stephen Bailey,

Elizabeth Primm, Marily Reyes

and Belly Torres

Casting Directors - Sheila Jaffe,

Brian Riley and Zoraida Sanjurjo López

Production Designer - Mailara Santana

Art Director - Fernando Carrión

Set Decorator - Pamela Nicolle Padilla

Costume Designer - Ana C. Ramírez Vélez

Director of Photography - Jayson Crothers

Stunt Coordinators - Raul Alcocer

and Daniel Salinas

Special Effects Coordinator - Rafael Perez

Post Production & Visual Effects Supervisor -

Francisco Cueto

Editors - Paul Buhl and Raul Marchand Sanchez

Sound Supervisor - David Kitchens

Supervising Sound Editor/Re-Recording Mixer -

David Barber

Sound Designers - Roland Thai

and Ben Zarai

Music - Kubilay Uner

Music Supervisor - Mike Burns

Review

Due to COVID-19, there have been fewer new films in cinemas, with old ones in limited sessions and a few that I'm interested in seeing. Tenet is one of the movies I preferred, but instead, I watched FORCE OF NATURE, which is not the action flick I expected. The plot is predictable, with an unrealistic and confusing storyline, and lacks lustre. The movie feels similar to a film I did not see called Hurricane Heist. One reviewer claims that the plot of FORCE OF NATURE is like Die Hard in a hurricane, which explains the scenario. Indie director Michael Polish is someone I'm unfamiliar with, watching his movies. He happens to be married to actress Kate Bosworth, the film's leading lady.

I am pleasantly surprised that Emile Hirsch is still going, and he's in the lead role of a film that barely suits his talents. He's looking so bored playing a troubled character. I've seen Mel Gibson in his better days when his post-Lethal Weapon years are behind him, and his role as a retired cop looks all washed up. Neither Kate Bosworth nor Stephanie Gayo are that good in their performances.

While it's far from a disappointment, it wasn't the action-packed movie I'd been expecting. FORCE OF NATURE remains a relatively quiet experience that has no impact on moviegoers. This film deserves to be forgotten in favour of other action features with much better plots and fight sequences.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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Non-Stop Review

Non-Stop

Release Date: 27th February 2014 - Australia

Production Companies

StudioCanal (presents)

Anton (in association with)

Silver Pictures

TF1 Films Production (in co-production with)

Canal+ (with the participation of)

TF1 (with the participation of)

LOVEFILM International (in association with)

Government of Canada (participation)

Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) (participation)

Province of British Columbia

Production Services Tax Credit (participation)

Distribution

StudioCanal Australia

Genre: Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 106 minutes

Budget: $50,000,000

Box Office Gross: $222,809,600 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Ex-cop turned federal air marshal Bill Marks is coping with the death of his daughter through drinking. He is boarding a plane on an en route flight to London when he receives a series of text messages that he must transfer all $150 million to an offshore account or otherwise, each passenger on this plane will die every 20 minutes. Will he find the terrorist before he can save everyone on this plane?

Cast

Liam Neeson - Bill Marks

Julianne Moore - Jen Summers

Scoot McNairy - Tom Bowen

Michelle Dockery - Nancy

Nate Parker - Zack White

Corey Stoll - Austin Reilly

Lupita Nyong'o - Gwen

Omar Metwally - Dr. Fahim Nasir

Jason Butler Harner - Kyle Rice

Linus Roache - David McMillan

Shea Whigham - Agent Marenick

Anson Mount - Jack Hammond

Quinn McColgan - Becca

Corey Hawkins - Travis Mitchell

Frank Deal - Charles Wheeler

Bar Paly - Iris Marianne

Edoardo Costa - Herve Philbert

Jon Abrahams - David Norton

Amanda Quaid - Emily Norton

Beth Dixon - Older Woman

Cameron Moir - Steward

Lars Gerhard - German Father

Oliver Lehne - German Son

Michael Thomas Walker - Michael Tate

Pat Kiernan - NY1 Anchor

Annika Pergament - NY1 Reporter

Victoria Arbiter - Tilkynna 3 Reporter

Jefrey Pollock - Pundit

Hank Sheinkopf - Pundit

Dani de Waal - Airline Attendant

Adi Hanash - Security Officer

Crew

Director - Jaume Collet-Serra

Story/Screenplay - John W. Richardson

and Christopher Roach

Screenplay - Ryan Engle

Executive Producers - Oliver Courson,

Ron Halpern, Steve Richards and Jeff Wadlow

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Herbert W. Gains

Producers - Alex Heineman,

Andrew Rona and Joel Silver

Co-Producers - Adam Kuhn and

Richard Mirisch

Casting Directors - Amanda Mackey

and Cathy Sandrich Gelfond

Production Designer - Alec Hammond

Art Director - David Swayze

Set Decorator - Regina Graves

Property Master - Jeff Butcher

Costume Designer - Catherine Marie Thomas

Director of Photography - Flavio Martinez Labiano

Director of Photography: Additional Photography

Unit - Jeff Cutter

B Camera/Steadicam Operator: Additional

Photography Unit - John S. Moyer

Location Manager - Robert T. Striem

First Assistant Director: Additional

Photography - Julian Wall

Stunt Co-Coordinator - Jery Hewitt

Stunt Co-Coordinator/Stunt Double:

Liam Neeson - Mark Vanselow

Fight Choreographer - Rafael Kayanan

Special Effects Supervisor - Jeff Brink

Special Effects Coordinator - Shane Gross

Visual Effects Supervisor - Richard Yuricich

Visual Effects Supervisor: Prime Focus

World - Randy Goux

Visual Effects Supervisors: T38 - David Heras

and Joaquin Gutierrez

On-Set Visual Effects Supervisor -

Jim Rider

Editor - Jim May

Supervising Sound Editor/Re-Recording

Mixer - Ron Bochar

Sound Mixer - Danny Michael

Re-Recording Mixer - Steve Maslow

Foley Editors - Steven Visscher and

Jamie Baker

Foley Artist - Marko A. Contanzo

Music - John Ottman

Review

I didn't watch all of NON-STOP before recently watching this aerial thriller on TV. I found it to be riveting. This movie has suspense and edge-of-your-seat thrills with an intriguing premise that will captivate audiences. The storyline, however, is far-fetched but engaging in its tense setup. I'm surprised that a few moviegoers have noticed its Taken resemblance. The cinematography is astounding in the film and makes it claustrophobic.

Liam Neeson, whose role in Taken solidified him as a genuine action star, did an outstanding performance. He is a viable asset to this movie. The supporting cast is also good, with a few players like Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, and Corey Stoll doing well in their roles.

At this point, this is a non-stop thriller, as the title speaks for itself. I recommend this film to action-loving moviegoers and fans of Liam Neeson.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Into the Storm Review

Into the Storm

Release Date: 4th September 2014 - Australia

Production Companies

Broken Road Productions

New Line Cinema

RatPac-Dune Entertainment

Village Roadshow Pictures

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 89 minutes

Budget: $50,000,000

Box Office Gross: $161,515,959 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

An unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes begins to ravage the entire town of Silverton, where a group of storm chasers is busy tracking the storms, and a widowed vice-principal of a high school with two teenage sons is organising the graduation ceremony. These people must get to a safer haven even if they seek shelter or get sucked into the vortex.

Cast

Richard Armitage - Gary

Sarah Wayne Callies - Allison

Matt Walsh - Pete

Max Deacon - Donnie

Nathan Kress - Trey

Alycia Debnam-Carey - Kaitlyn

Arien Escarpeta - Daryl

Jeremy Sumpter - Jacob

Lee Whittaker - Lucas

Kyle Davis - Donk

Jon Reep - Reevis

Scott Lawrence - Principal Thomas Walker

David Drumm - Chester

Brandon Ruiter - Todd White

Jimmy Groce - Studious Male

Linda Gehringer - Linda

Keane Wayne Winterhalt - Grace

Maryann Nagel - Ms. McGee

Crew

Director - Steven Quale

Writer/Co-Producer (Uncredited) - John Swetnam

Executive Producers - Bruce Berman, Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neudstater and Jeremy Stein

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - W. Mark McNair

Producer - Todd Garner

Casting Director - Mindy Marin

Production Designer - David Sandefur

Art Director - Marco Rubeo

Set Decorator - Baren Rosenfeld

Costume Designer - Kimberly Adams-Galligan

Director of Photography - Brian Pearson

"B" Camera Operator/Director of Photography:

Second Unit/Second Unit Director (Uncredited) -

Ronald Hersey

Production Supervisor - Matthew Hirsch

Production Supervisor: Second Unit - Jennifer Conroy

First Assistant Director - Richard Cowan

Second Assistant Director - David Waters

Stunt Coordinators - Bob Brown and Scott Workman

Special Effects - Joe Pancake, Donnie Dean,

Rich E. Cordobes and Steve Austin

Visual Effects Supervisor: Digital Domain -

Jay Barton

Visual Effects Supervisors: MPC -

Guillaume Rocheron and Anders Langlands

Visual Effects Producer - Randy Starr

Digital Effects Supervisor: Digital Domain -

Nikos Kalaitzidis

Visual Effects: Cinesite - Simon Stanley-Clamp,

Carrie Rishel, Jane Ellis, Jamie Wood,

Joel Bodin and Rafal Kaniewski

Editor - Eric A. Sears

Supervising Sound Editor - Per Hallberg

Sound Designers - Christopher Assels

and Jon Title

Supervising Dialogue Editor - Daniel Saxlid

Supervising ADR Editors - Chris Jargo

and Anna MacKenzie

Re-Recording Mixers - Steve Pederson

and Brad Sherman

Music - Brian Tyler

Review

There's a reason why INTO THE STORM is not the best disaster movie of the year. It's very similar to another disaster film, Twister, which came out 18 years before this film. Interestingly, this movie proved different from what we expect from a Hollywood feature.

Most of it is in found footage, which gives the film a natural look, besides using regular and modern cinematography for additional effects. Unfortunately, the movie is much too reliant on its visual aspects rather than the characterisation and writing, which is short on energy. Director Steven Quale, known for directing Final Destination 5, was probably not to blame for helming this feature, but his efforts are nothing special.

One thing that also bothered me in the film is that two of its minor characters are amateur daredevils, given that they chase these storms, as the title suggests. They are misplaced, and they should have been in a different movie. They weren't necessary for INTO THE STORM. The film could have been a Michael Bay movie. For example, these two characters would have worked as comic relief. If those hillbillies could have died by getting sucked into a tornado, they should have stayed dead, given how useless they were in the plot.

There are non-recognisable names in the cast except for Richard Armitage, Sarah Wayne Callies, Nathan Kress, and Matt Walsh, who were the only known actors in the film. Armitage does give in to a subdued performance in this movie rather than any of his co-stars.

Not in the way I expected, but it had its flaws. INTO THE STORM is a decent movie. Its entertainment value will probably suit average moviegoers.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Vertigo Review

Vertigo


Release Date: 23rd January 1959 - Australia


Production Companies

Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions (Uncredited)

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Thriller

Rating: PG

Runtime: 120 minutes


Budget: $2,500,000

Box Office Gross: $7,971,440 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A former police detective

named John 'Scottie'

Ferguson has developed

acrophobia and takes in
one last case to prevent

an old friend's wife from

killing herself. John finds
himself obsessed with her

as he struggles to face his demons.


Cast
James Stewart - John 'Scottie' Ferguson
Kim Novak - Madeleine Elster/Judy Barton
Barbara Bel Geddes - Midge Wood
Tom Helmore - Gavin Elster
Henry Jones - Coroner

Raymond Bailey - Scottie's Doctor

Ellen McCorby - Manager of
McKittrick Hotel

Konstantin Shayne - Pop Leibel

Lee Patrick - Car Owner Mistaken for Madeleine

Fred Graham - Policeman on Rooftop (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Alfred Hitchcock - Man Walking Past Elster's Office (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Producer (Uncredited)/

Director - Alfred Hitchcock

Based on the Novel: "D'Entre Les Morts" - Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac

Screenplay - Alec Coppel and Samuel A. Taylor

Contributing Writer - Maxwell Anderson

(Uncredited)

Script Supervisor - Peggy Robertson

(Uncredited)

Associate Producer/Second Unit Director:

San Francisco (Uncredited) - Herbert Coleman

Producers: 1996 Restoration - Robert A. Harris

and James C. Katz (Uncredited)

Technical Advisor - A. Vincent Gerty

(Uncredited)

Art Directors - Henry Bumstead and

Hal Pereira

Set Decorators - Sam Comer and

Frank R. McKelvy

Costumes - Edith Head

Director of Photography - Robert Burks

Directors of Photography: Second Unit -

Loyal Griggs and Irmin Roberts (Uncredited)

Director of Photography: Back Projection

(Uncredited)/Process Photography -

W. Wallace Kelley

Camera Operators - James Knott,

Val O'Malley and Leonard J. South (Uncredited)

Unit Production Managers - Andrew J. Durkus

and C.O. Erickson (Uncredited)

Special Photographic Effects - John P. Fulton

Film Editor - George Tomasini

Titles Designer - Saul Bass

Motion Control Designer: Title Sequence -

John Whitney Sr. (Uncredited)

Sound - George Dutton (Uncredited)

Music - Bernard Herrmann


1959 Academy Awards
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color -

Hal Pereira, Henry Bumstead, Sam Comer and

Frank R. McLevy (Nominated)
Best Sound - George Dutton (Nominated)


Review
Many people know Alfred Hitchcock as he was one of Hollywood's legendary directors, known as the master of suspense. I have not seen his movies, nor have I seen his classic TV show. I knew his history and saw the references in numerous TV series and others. I remember reading an article about VERTIGO that surpassed Citizen Kane as the best movie. I finally got to see the film on Netflix. I did notice the influences used in other features, like Jaws. It shows that VERTIGO is an influential film.

Hitchcock has done several movies, but this is no exception. The film has a great storyline and several moments that will shock and thrill you. I liked how the movie's cinematography had those dolly-zoom shots in some scenes. This particular camera angle appeared for the first time in this film to an astonishing effect. The performances from James Stewart and Kim Novak were spot-on. Stewart was the director's go-to guy and was one of Hitchcock's favourites alongside Cary Grant.

VERTIGO was a great movie, but not one of my favourites. Still, I would instantly re-watch this cinematic classic and see the others Hitchcock directed.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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The Commuter Review

The Commuter

Release Date: 18th January 2018 - Australia

Production Companies

Ombra Films (in association with)

Lionsgate (presents)
StudioCanal (presents)
The Picture Company

Distribution
StudioCanal Australia

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 105 minutes

Budget: $40,000,000

Box Office Gross: $119,942,387 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Michael, an insurance salesman, has a daily commute home that quickly becomes anything but routine. A mysterious stranger contacts Michael, forcing him to reveal the identity of a hidden passenger on the train before its last stop. While working against the clock to solve the puzzle, he realises a deadly plot is unfolding, and he finds himself unwittingly drawn into a dangerous conspiracy that carries life-and-death stakes for everyone on the train.

Cast

Liam Neeson - Michael MacCauley

Vera Farmiga - Joanna

Patrick Wilson - Alex Murphy

Jonathan Banks - Walt

Sam Neill - Captain Hawthorne

Elizabeth McGovern - Karen MacCauley

Killian Scott - Dylan

Shazad Latif - Vince

Andy Nyman - Tony

Clara Lago - Eva

Ronald Møller - Jackson

Florence Pugh - Gwen

Dean-Charles Chapman - Danny MacCauley

Ella-Rae Smith - Sofia

Nila Aalia - Sherri

Colin McFarlane - Conductor Sam

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith - Oliver

Adam Nagatis - Conductor Jimmy

Kingsley Ben-Adir - Agent Garcia

Damson Idris - Agent Denys

Letitia Wright - Jules Skateboarder

Crew

Executive Producer/Director - Jaume Collet-Serra

Story/Screenplay - Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi

Screenplay - Ryan Engle

Executive Producers - Michael Dreyer, Ron Halpern, Didier Lupfer and Juan Sola

Producers - Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona

Production Designer - Richard Bridgland

Supervising Art Director - Adam O'Neill

Art Directors - John King and Stephen Dobric

Set Decorator - Tina Jones

Costume Designer: Mr. Neeson - Betsy Heimann

Costume Designer - Jill Taylor

Director of Photography - Paul Cameron

Director of Photography: Second Unit - Marc Spicer

"A" Camera Operator - Des Whelan

First Assistant Directors - Alex Oakley and

Richard Whelan

Stunt Coordinator - Mark Vanselow

Assistant Stunt Coordinator - Roy Taylor

Special Effects Supervisor - Stefano Pepin

Special Effects Assistant Supervisor -

Jason McCameron

Special Effects Coordinator - Laura Davidson

Visual Effects Supervisor - Steven Begg
Visual Effects Supervisor: NVIZIBLE -

Adam Rowland

Editor - Nicolas De Toth

Supervising Sound Editor - James Harrison

Sound Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Burdon

and Gilbert Lake

Music - Roque Baños

Review

In 2018, there was nothing else in the cinemas to watch around Australia Day, and I had to choose either Jumanji or the action-packed thriller THE COMMUTER. I picked the latter film. There are similarities between THE COMMUTER and another movie called Non-Stop, which critics have noticed. These two films coincidentally share the same storyline, lead actor, and director. But each has a different setting and thrills and suspense. THE COMMUTER is surprisingly tense for a movie that lasts only one hour. It's just your typical action flick. However, there were a few issues, such as its scattershot plot.

Liam Neeson was superb in this movie, and no other actor can top his immortal status or action-hero bravado.

Despite its minor shortcomings, THE COMMUTER is still worth watching. This film is for Liam Neeson fans or those who enjoy a solid action blockbuster.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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