Scooby-Doo Review

Scooby-Doo


Release Date: 20th June 2002 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Mosaic Media Group
Atlas Entertainment (Uncredited)

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Family/Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 86 minutes


Budget: $84,000,000 

Box Office Gross: $275,678,613 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

After two years of splitting up, Scooby and Shaggy reunite with Fred, Velma, and Daphne as the Mystery Inc. gang is brought back together in an invitation to an amusement park/resort, Spooky Island. However, strange things are happening at Spooky Island, seemingly affecting young visitors in unusual ways.

Scooby and the gang will have to work together and resolve their differences to solve this mystery and discover if this is indeed a haunted island. Or it could be the work of a sinister individual behind all these occurrences.


Cast
Matthew Lillard - Shaggy
Neil Fanning - Scooby (Voice)
Freddie Prinze Jr. - Fred
Sarah Michelle Gellar - Daphne
Linda Cardellini - Velma
Rowan Atkinson - Mondavarious
Isla Fisher - Mary Jane
Miguel A. Nunez Jr. - Voodoo Maestro
Steven Grives - N' Goo Tuana
Scott Innes - Scrappy (Voice)
J. P. Manoux - Scrappy Rex
Sam Greco - Zarkos
Charlie Cousins - Velma's Friend
Kristian Schmid - Brad
Nicholas Hope - Old Man Smithers
Jess Harnell - Creatures (Voice)
Frank Welker - Creatures (Voice)
Pamela Anderson - Herself (Cameo)
Sugar Ray - Themselves (Cameos)

Crew
Director - Raja Gosnell
Story - Craig Titley
Story/Screenplay - James Gunn
Based on Characters - Joe Ruby and Ken Spears (Uncredited)

Based on Characters/

Executive Producers - William Hanna and Joseph Barbera

Associate Producer - Sheryl Benko

Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager - Stephen Jones

Associate Producer/First Assistant Director -

Philip A. Patterson
Executive Producers - Robert Engelman,

Andrew Mason and Kelley Smith-Wait
Producers - Charles Roven and

Richard Suckle
Co-Producer - Alan Glazer

Casting - Mary Vernieu
Production Designer - Bill Boes

Art Directors - Bill Booth,

Donna Brown, Helen Gabrielle Gliniak

and Christian Wintter

Set Decorators - Jodie Allen,

Suza Maybury, Matthew Putland

and Sandy Wingrove
Costume Designer - Lessa Evans

Hair/Makeup Supervisor - Lesley Vanderwalt
Director of Photography - David Eggby

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Guy Norris
Special Effects Supervisor - Brian Cox

"Scooby Doo" Designer/Cyber-Scan Model

Sculptor: Jim Henson's Creature Shop/

Rhythm + Hues - Brian Wade

Visual Effects Supervisor - Peter Crosman

Visual Effects Supervisor: Rhythm + Hues -

Betsy Paterson

Additional Visual Effects Supervisor -

Neil Krepela

Visual Effects Producer - Kurt Williams

Digital Effects Supervisor: Rhythm + Hues -

Todd Shifflet

Director of Photography: New Deal Studios -

Tim Angulo
Animation Supervisor - Richard Baneham
Animation Supervisors: Rhythm + Hues -

Leon Joosen and Bill Kroyer

Animation Sequence Supervisors: Rhythm +

Hues - Erik De Boer, Keith Roberts and

Lyndon Barrois

Animation Leads: Rhythm + Hues -

Bud Myrick and Danny Speck

Editor - Kent Beyda

Supervising Sound Editor - Michael D. Wilhoit

Sound Designer - Scott Sanders

Production Sound Mixer - Paul 'Salty' Brincat

Re-Recording Mixers - David E. Campbell,

John T. Reitz and Gregg Rudloff
Music - David Newman

Music Supervisor - Laura Ziffren

Music Recordist and Mixer - Bruce Botnick


Review
Originally made as a risqué, adult-oriented take on the cartoon franchise, SCOOBY-DOO got toned down to be a kids' movie by the studio that owns the property from Hanna-Barbera. I grew up with this film and didn't care how bad it was when it had a few good aspects. For example, Matthew Lillard was consistent with his role as Shaggy. In future reference, he would inherit the character in later Scooby productions. Unfortunately, there are disappointing parts that ruin it for everybody. The attempts at humour (except in a few scenes) and outdated CGI characters didn't age well. Not to mention that the story is poorly executed (concerning a plot twist involving the real villain that comes out of nowhere), and it happens to be written by James Gunn. Yes, that man, James Gunn, who 12 years later would successfully bring Guardians of the Galaxy to the big screen. I didn't even realise that the live-action adaptation was just a rehash of one of the direct-to-video Scooby-Doo movies called Zombie Island.

The acting (save for Matthew Lillard) is far from perfect, including Linda Cardellini, who sounds so bored in her role as Velma. She did a magnificent job with her voice. Freddie Prinze Jr. had no big shoes to fill as Fred. The same goes for Sarah Michelle Gellar when playing Daphne. Rowan Atkinson's character was underused. It should have played a significant part in the movie.

It's "ruh-oh" for Scooby-Doo fans as the movie adaptation fell short of the ongoing mystery in the series. It spawned a sequel that's considered a slight improvement of the original Monsters Unleashed and a few others that have shifted to direct-to-video.

I would rather sit through watching the first few direct-to-video animated movies than revisit the lowbrow cinematic interpretation.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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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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Mulan (2020) Review

 

 

 

 

Mulan

Release Date: 4th September 2020 - Australia (Disney+)

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures

Jason T. Reed Productions

Good Fear Content

China Film Group Corporation (CFGC)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 115 minutes

Budget: $200,000,000

Box Office Gross: $69,965,374 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

To save her ailing father from the horrors of war, a young Chinese maiden named Mulan disguises herself as a male soldier named Hau Jun and takes his place in the Imperial Army. After rigorous training, the courageous Mulan sets out to prove herself a warrior when China is in great danger from the Northern Invaders led by Bori Khan.

Cast

Yifei Liu - Mulan

Donnie Yen - Commander Tung

Gong Li - Xianniang

Jet Li - Emperor

Jason Scott Lee - Bori Khan

Yoson An - Honghui

Tzi Ma - Zhou

Rosalind Chao - Li

Pei-Pei Cheng - Matchmaker

Xana Tang - Xiu

Ron Yuan - Sergeant Qiang

Jun Yu - Cricket

Chen Tang - Yao

Doua Moua - Po

Jimmy Wong - Ling

Crystal Rao - Young Mulan

Elena Askin - Young Xiu

Vincent Feng - Longwei

Ming-Na Wen - Esteemed Guest (Cameo)

Crew

Director - Niki Caro

Screenplay - Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hynek

Executive Producers - Tim Coddington, Mario Iscovich, William Kong and Barrie M. Osborne

Producers - Chris Bender,

Jason Reed and Jake Weiner

Co-Producer/Visual Effects Producer - Diana Giorgiutti

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Liz Tan

Casting Director - Debra Zane

Production Designer - Grant Major

Supervising Art Director - Ian Gracie

Art Directors - Damien Drew, Mark Robins

and Jill Cormack

Art Director: US/Supervising Art Director:

Additional Photography - Thomas P. Wilkins

Art Director: US Jason T. Clark

Art Director: China - Calvin Tsoi

Standby Art Director - George Hamilton

Set Decorators - Amber Richards and

Anne Kuljian

Property Master: Additional Photography -

Kris Peck

Creative Supervisor: Weta Workshop -

Richard Taylor

Head of Manufacture: Weta Workshop -

Rob Gillies

Weapons Master - Joe Dunckley

Costume Designer - Bina Daigeler

Hair, Makeup & Prosthetics Designer - Denise Kum

Hair & Makeup Department Supervisor -

Rick Findlater

Director of Photography - Mandy Walker

Second Unit Director - John Mahaffie

Stunt Coordinator - Benjamin Cooke

Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -

Scott Rogers

Fight Coordinator - Nuo Sun

Stunt Fight Coordinators: Additional Photography -

Heidi Moneymaker and Shane Yan

Special Effects Supervisor - Steve Ingram

Special Effects Off-Set Coordinator - Karl Chisholm

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Joe Letteri

Visual Effects Supervisor - Sean Andrew Faden

Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Anders Langlands

Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -

Hubert Maston

Visual Effects Executive Producer: Image

Engine - Shawn Walsh

Previsualization Supervisor - Rpin Suwannath

Film Editor - David Coulson

Additional Editors - Paul Rubell

and Lisa Lassek

Supervising Sound Editor - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer -

Kyrsten Mate

Sound Re-Recording Mixers - Anna Behlmer

and Terry Porter

Foley Artists - John Roesch and

Shelley Roden

Music - Harry Gregson-Williams

Score Recordist & Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review

The remake of MULAN has been delayed indefinitely many times due to the COVID-19 scare. Thankfully, it made its way into the streaming service of Disney+ and some international theatres that have shown it on the big screen. After watching the film, I wasn't aware of the negative comments about the remake. Chinese moviegoers weren't happy with this film. I don't mind the songs and the dragon character, Mushu, which were excluded from the new interpretation, as it opted for a realistic and darker tone. Although a phoenix character took over Mushu's stead as Mulan's guardian, it didn't do much. Gone is the empowering message, and a few scenes from the original film are nowhere in the remake. What is also missing is Shang, the eponymous heroine's love interest.

The cultural elements of the movie have been poorly handled, especially with the word "chi," which is not a magical power. I was also disappointed by some aspects, such as the bland characterisation, poorly choreographed action, redundant fantasy elements, and overproduced visuals, which lessened its impact. Some acting is wooden, with actors like Yifei Liu not taking their roles seriously. However, there are good performances from a few other actors, like Gong Li and Jet Li. The scenery and landscapes are impressive in the movie. These locations shot in MULAN are partially from New Zealand. It so happens that the film's director, Niko Caro, was born in that country. Unfortunately, these saving graces are not enough to keep MULAN from dishonour.

It isn't the first Disney live-action remake that has tried to disappoint me. I'm glad this isn't a carbon copy of the original movie, which thankfully isn't like The Lion King. At least MULAN manages to retell the same plot. I'd always hoped this film would be like 2009's Rise of a Warrior, in realism and respect for its cultural heritage. I was wrong. It was, at best, a lacklustre remake that failed to impress me or even fans of the original.

Star rating: (5/10) 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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In Memory of Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020)

Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020)

The African-American actor Chadwick Boseman died at age 43 after losing a four-year battle with colon cancer on August 28, 2020. He is best known for his performances as iconic figures like Jackie Robinson and James Brown, along with the African superhero Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Chadwick debuted on television in 2003, appearing in a "Third Watch" episode. He also appeared in episodes of other series like "Law & Order," "CSI: NY," and "ER." In 2008, the same year he had a recurring role in "Lincoln Heights," Boseman also appeared in his feature film debut, "The Express: The Ernie Davis Story." In 2010, Chadwick gained a regular role in a mystery serial drama, "Persons Unknown."

In 2013, Boseman transitioned into leading roles, beginning with the indie film "The Kill Hole" and his role as the baseball player and pioneer Jackie Robinson in "43" with Harrison Ford. In 2014, he appeared opposite Kevin Costner in "Draft Day." Later that same year, he would portray famous musician James Brown in "Get on Up."

His big break came in 2016 after portraying the ancient deity from Egyptian mythology of Thoth in "Gods of Egypt." It was followed by playing the character that would instantly propel him to fame as T'Challa and his alter-ego, Black Panther, in "Captain America: Civil War." It was his first film as part of a five-picture deal with Marvel. In 2018, Chadwick would headline "Black Panther" as a standalone film focused on the main character and his country of Wakanda. It was one of America's highest-grossing films of the year when it opened. Expectations were high. He continued playing the character in both "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame," which also grossed even higher at the box office, with "Endgame" being the highest-grossing movie of all time.

His potential brilliant acting career was cut short, but we will remember him for his Black Panther role and what a role model he was for the young generations. Everyone will sorely miss him, including colleagues, family and friends.

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Ocean's Eleven (2001) Review

Ocean's Eleven


Release Date: 10th January 2002 - Australia

Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures
Village Roadshow Pictures (in association with)
NPV Entertainment (in association with)
Section Eight
WV Films II
St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Crime/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 117 minutes


Budget: $85,000,000

Box Office Gross: $450,717,150 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

Danny Ocean is a thief/con artist, recently released from prison. In earning his parole, he's assembled a team of eleven accomplices to pull off the biggest, most daring, and elaborate heist in the century, which involves three casinos in Las Vegas.

Cast
George Clooney - Danny Ocean
Brad Pitt - Rusty Ryan
Matt Damon - Linus Caldwell
Andy Garcia - Terry Benedict
Julia Roberts - Tess Ocean

Bernie Mac - Frank Catton

Don Cheadle - Basher Tarr

Casey Affleck - Virgil Malloy
Scott Caan - Turk Malloy

Elliot Gould - Reuben Tishkoff

Carl Reiner - Saul Bloom
Eddie Jemison - Livingston Dell
Shaobo Qin - Yen
Joe La Due - Billy Tim Denham
Scott L. Schwartz - Bulldog, the Bruiser

Lennox Lewis - Boxing Opponent (Cameo)

Wladimir Klitschko - Boxing Opponent (Cameo)

Jerry Weintraub - High Roller (Cameo)

Henry Silva - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)

Angie Dickinson - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)

Wayne Newton - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)

Siegfried Fischbacher - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)

Roy Horn - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)

Larry Merchant - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)

Holly Marie Combs - Herself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Topher Grace - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Joshua Jackson - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Steven Soderbergh - Vault-Bombing Thief

(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Barry Watson - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Shane West - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Director of Photography/Director - Steven Soderbergh
1960 Story - George Clayton Johnson and

Jack Golden Russell
1960 Screenplay - Harry Brown and

Charles Lederer
Screenplay - Ted Griffin
Executive Producers - Bruce Berman,

Susan Ekins and John Hardy
Producer - Jerry Weintraub
Co-Producer - R.J. Louis

Casting Director - Debra Zane

Production Designer - Phillip Messina

Art Director - Keith P. Cunningham

Construction Coordinator - Chris Snyder

Set Decorator - Kristen Toscano Messina

Property Master - Steven B. Melton

Costume Designer - Jeffrey Kurland

First Assistant Camera: "A" Camera - Barry Baz Idoine

Unit Production Manager - Frederic W. Borst

First Assistant Director - Gregory Jacobs

Second Second Assistant Director -

Basti Van Der Woude

Special Effects Coordinator - Kevin Hannigan

Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite -

Thomas J. Smith

CG Supervisor: Cinesite - Serge Sretchinsky

Film Editor - Stephen Mirrione

Lead Sound Editor - David E. Stone

Re-Recording Mixer/Supervising Sound

Editor - Larry Blake

Foley Artists - Dawn Fintor and

Alicia Stevenson

Music - David Holmes


Review

It is where it all started in 2001 with Steven Soderbergh's remake of OCEAN'S ELEVEN, a fun and sophisticated popcorn flick with a superb storyline and an ensemble cast. I have seen this caper a few times, including a drive-in where I watched it for the second time. I never got to see the sequels (except for Ocean's Eight) and the original that featured the "Rat Pack" players, such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis Jr. There aren't too many surprises in this movie. The cinematography is acceptable, the humour is witty, and the pace is good.

The all-star cast is terrific, with George Clooney and Brad Pitt headlining alongside supporting players like Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Elliott Gould, Carl Reiner, and Casey Affleck. The only problem with the acting in this movie is Don Cheadle. He adopted a fake English accent for his role, which is one of the worst I've ever heard.

While it is considered the granddaddy of all cinematic heist movies, OCEAN'S 11 is a no-brainer. It is thoroughly enjoyable to all audiences. To those seeking a great heist movie, now is the time to watch it.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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In Memory of Olivia de Havilland (1916-2020)

Olivia de Havilland (1916-2020)

Considered the last surviving actress of Hollywood's Golden Age, Olivia de Havilland passed away at age 104 on July 26, 2020. Most famously, she is best known for her role as Melanie Hamilton Wilkes in "Gone with the Wind," the biggest box-office hit of all time when adjusted for inflation.

De Havilland's film career began in 1935 when director Max Reinhardt saw her perform in a stage production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in California before casting her in his 1935 film interpretation. Later, she entered a seven-year contract with Warner Bros and became Errol Flynn's on-screen romantic partner. Together they starred in films like "Captain Blood," "The Charge of the Light Brigade," and "The Adventures of Robin Hood," among others. In 1939, Olivia was borrowed from Warner Bros. to play the sympathetic sister-in-law to the selfish main heroine in "Gone with the Wind," for which Olivia received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, but lost to her co-star Hattie McDaniel. McDaniel was the first African-American actress to win the award. In the late 1940s, she became one of the top actresses to grace the silver screen. In 1943, Olivia sued Warner Bros for trying to extend her seven-year contract, which had already expired. During that time, actors faced the threat of unpaid suspension from their contracts with the major studios if they turned down roles that didn't suit them.

Her victory at the court proved that celebrities have more influence than any major studios when that power gets shifted to them. To this day, it is known as the Havilland Law. Olivia won two Oscars for Best Actress, the first for "To Each His Own" in 1946 and the second for "The Heiress" in 1949. Her other roles include "The Snake Pit," "My Cousin Rachel," "Light in the Piazza," and "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte," in which she starred alongside Bette Davis.

De Havilland retired from acting in the late 1980s but continued to make public appearances and receive honours for her long-term career, like the National Medal of Arts in 2008 and France's Legion of Honour in 2010.

She was the sister of another famous actress, Joan Fontaine, and the two actresses had a rivalry regarding their achievements.

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