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British actress Glynis Johns died on January 4th, 2024, at 100. She was best known in "Mary Poppins" as the suffragette mother Winifred Banks. Johns appeared in dozens of films during a distinguished career spanning over six decades and was also an accomplished stage actress.
Born on October 5th, 1924, in Pretoria, South Africa, she was the daughter of the Welsh actor Mervyn Johns. From an early age, she performed on stage and was typecast as a stage dancer from her early teens, eventually breaking into the big screen in "South Riding." She burst onto the scene in the 1940s after playing Anna in the war drama "49th Parallel" and starring in "Miranda" (which made her a star in the UK)and "Third Time Lucky." Later, she starred opposite James Stewart in "No Highway in the Sky" and with Alec Guinness in "The Card." In the United States and elsewhere, Johns took on more and more roles, including two live-action Disney swashbucklers, "Rob Roy" and "The Sword and the Rose" with Richard Todd, "The Weak and the Wicked," "Mad About Men," and "The Court Jester." In 1956, she and Hermione Gingold briefly appeared in the all-star vehicle "Around the World in 80 Days" as "sporting ladies" - in other words, prostitutes.
In 1960, Johns received an Oscar nomination for her role in "The Sundowners." While "Mary Poppins" introduced Julie Andrews as a singing English nanny, Ms Jones was a wonderfully eccentric and competent singer in the supporting role of the children's mother, Mrs Banks.
On television, she starred in her sitcom "Glynis" and made numerous appearances on shows like "Batman." Before retiring in the US, she had her last film roles in "While You Were Sleeping" and "Superstar."
British/American actor David Soul passed away on 4th January 2024. He was 80. He was best known as Detective Hutch in the popular 70s television series "Starsky & Hutch."
Starting his career on stage in the 1960s, Soul broke into television, appearing in shows such as "Star Trek," "All in the Family," and "Here Come the Brides," before landing a film role opposite Clint Eastwood in the movie "Magnum Force."
It led to his career-defining role in "Starsky & Hutch" alongside co-star Paul Michael Glaser. He also appeared in "Salem's Lot."
Soul also had a singing career, achieving #1 in 1977 with "Don't Give Up on Us." Throughout the 1980s, he continued to work in American television before moving to London in the 1990s, where he obtained British citizenship and enjoyed a successful stage and screen career. In 2004, he and Glaser made a cameo in the remake "Starsky & Hutch," starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson.
Two-time Oscar-nominated British actor Tom Wilkinson has died. He was 75 years old. The actor was known for roles in "The Full Monty," "Batman Begins," "Michael Clayton," and "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." His family announced his passing.
Born in Leeds, England, Wilkinson began acting at age 18. Before taking the well-trodden path of theatre and television, he studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).His first prominent screen role came in 1986 in the miniseries "First Among Equals" based on Jeffrey Archer's best-selling novel. His stint on the drama series further developed his career and had a lasting impact on his life. The show introduced him to his future wife, actress Diana Hardcastle, and they married in 1988. They went on to have two daughters, Alice and Molly, and also played husband and wife in the 2011 TV miniseries "The Kennedys" and the 2014 film "Good People."
In 1997, Tom earned his most famous role as Gerald, a steelworker who joins a group of men who decide to strip for money in the comedy "The Full Monty," for which he scooped the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. He later reprised his role in the eponymous Disney+ miniseries in 2023. In 2001, he received an Oscar nomination for his role in "The Bedroom," and in 2007, another for "Michael Clayton," in which he co-starred with George Clooney.
His other notable film roles include "Sense and Sensibility," "Shakespeare in Love," "Rush Hour," "Girl with a Pearl Earring," "Batman Begins," "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," "Belle," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and "Selma."
It's Christmas Eve in Whoville, and everyone is excited about what tomorrow will bring. Unfortunately, this didn't stop the Grinch from hating the holiday, because he couldn't bear seeing people as eager for it. By stealing all the presents and other goodies, he is determined to ruin Christmas for the people of Whoville.
Voice Cast
Boris Karloff - Narrator/Grinch
June Foray - Cindy Lou Who (Uncredited)
Dal McKennon - Max (Uncredited)
Crew
Producer/Storyboard Artist (Uncredited)/Director - Chuck Jones
Co-Director/Animator - Ben Washam
Based on the Book/
Producer/Songs: Lyrics - Dr. Seuss
Additional Story - Irv Spector
and Bob Ogle
Production Designer -
Maurice Noble
Animators - Ken Harris,
Lloyd Vaughan, Richard
Thompson, Don Towsley,
Tom Ray and Phil Roman
Layouts - Oscar Dufau and Don Morgan
Backgrounds - Philip DeGuard, Bob Inman and Hal Ashmead
Graphics - Don Foster
Production Manager - Earl Jones
Production Executive - Les Goldman
Editors - Lovell Norman and John Young
Songs: Music - Albert Hague
Performer: "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" -
Thurl Ravenscroft (Uncredited)
Additional Music and Orchestra Conductor -
Eugene Poddany
Review
Happy holidays, everyone. During the season, I've been busy making significant edits to my reviews and one analysis (as you may not have noticed). Speaking of which, I watched a Christmas special, which, believe it or not, is the 1966 animated classic HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! It takes me back to my childhood when I first saw it on Cartoon Network. Yes, it's timeless and unforgettable. No one can deny that this rendition is so superior to the live-action adaptation with Jim Carrey or Illumination's CG version. It was the first time I reviewed a holiday special, but I was still unsure whether it was a movie, given its short 26-minute runtime. I couldn't care less that it isn't full-length, unlike the other versions that expanded the story. It is, however, one of the few good Dr Seuss adaptations that are at least incredibly loyal to the original book.
This piece of animation is sublime. Fortunately, former Looney Tunes director Chuck Jones brought this to life, along with the author, who also wrote the songs. I like how he brings his devilish charm to the character animation, and it's a pity that no one in today's generation could measure up to his talent. The late Boris Karloff did an excellent job narrating and voicing the Grinch. The songs and music are spot-on, especially "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch," which is the best.
This special holds a special place among the other Christmas movies. I recommend it to Dr Seuss fans, and I look forward to seeing it again next Christmas. In the meantime, Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year.
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: $290,277,077 (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
is hidden inside. But
an evil wave of ghosts
frightens her away
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 the best
way to get rid of them
is to hire ghost therapist
Dr James Harvey to
exorcise them. 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.
Ultimately, James and Kat
decide whether to help
the spirits cross over.
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, 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 nearly as harmless as it gets for young audiences, though it's surprisingly morbid and raunchy for a children's flick. Still, the movie is a family-friendly version of Beetlejuice and doesn't shy away from the flaws that keep it from being entertaining.
For starters, the narrative has no direction, with numerous plot holes (such as Casper not remembering his previous life before he became a ghost), 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 (one reviewer describes her as "a poor woman's Cruella de Vil") when her greed overpowers her judgment, leading her to plan to steal the mansion's supposed treasure, which ultimately 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 ghosts, even for their time. 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 delivers a surprisingly decent 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 since its successful release. It spawned two direct-to-video prequels unrelated to the original movie. Then again, it's not my favourite film. I would have preferred more focus on Kat's relationship with the titular ghost, and the filmmakers could have cut the needless subplot about the bullies trying to ruin Kat's Halloween party. Overall, this is an okay film, but it is worth a look because it puts in more effort than other live-action films based on the cartoons.
In the face of an enigmatic, omnipotent foe, Ethan must consider that nothing may be more crucial than the mission, not even the lives of those most dear to him.
Cast
Tom Cruise - Ethan Hunt
Hayley Atwell - Grace
Vanessa Kirby - White Widow
Simon Pegg - Benji Dunn
Rebecca Ferguson - Ilsa Faust
Ving Rhames - Luther Stickell
Esai Morales - Gabriel
Pom Klementieff - Paris
Henry Czermy - Kittridge
Shea Whigham - Briggs
Greg Tarzan Davis - Degas
Frederick Schmidt - Zola
Mariela Garriga - Marie
Cary Elwes - Denlinger
Charles Parnell - NRO
Mark Gatiss - NSA
Indira Varma - DIA
Rob Delaney - JSOC
Crew
Writer/Producer/Director -
Christopher McQuarrie
Based on the Television
Series - Bruce Geller
Writer - Erik Jendresen
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Chris Brock
Executive Producers - David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger
Executive Producer/Post-Production Supervisor - Susan E. Novick
Executive Producer/First Assistant Director - Tommy Gormley
Producer - Tom Cruise
Casting Director - Mindy Marin
Production Designer - Gary Freeman
Supervising Art Director -
Phil Sims
Set Decorator - Raffaella
Giovannetti
Property Master - David
Cheesman
Costume Designer - Jill Taylor
Supervising Armorer - Joss Skottowe
Prosthetics Supervisor - Kristyan Mallett
Director of Photography - Fraser Taggart
Aerial Director of Photography - Phil Arntz
"A" Camera/Steadicam
Operator - Jonathan
'Chunky' Raymond
"C" Camera Operator: Splinter
Unit - David Worley
Camera/Steadicam Operator: Second Unit - Peter Wignall
Production Manager - Ben Piltz
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Wade Eastwood
Skydiving/Base/Speedflying Coordinator - Jon Devore
Base Jump Instructor - Miles Daisher
Special Effects Supervisor - Neil Corbould
Visual Effects Supervisor - Alex Wuttke
Visual Effects Supervisors:
ILM - Simone Coco and Jeff Sutherland
Associate Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM -
Sam Bassett, Dave Dalley, Bill Georgiou
and Matt Middleton
Computer Graphics Supervisor: BLIND LTD -
Andrew Booth
Film Editor - Eddie Hamilton
Supervising Sound Editor - James Mather
Production Sound Mixer - Chris Munro
Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Burdon
and Mark Taylor
Music - Lorne Balfe
Review
Hello, everyone. I've been taking a two-month hiatus from my blog because I've struggled to balance writing new reviews with updating old ones. Fortunately, I finished a critique that had taken me five months to publish and returned to writing the other reviews. Hollywood is in turmoil after the writers and actors went on strike over underpayment and their growing concerns that AI is taking over their jobs. The latter, which proved that people are becoming less involved in the film industry, is a cautionary tale. Thankfully, the writers' strike in Hollywood ended when they agreed to a new deal, and the actors' strike followed a few months later. Ironically, the movie I'm reviewing contains an AI that went rogue, which is eerily prophetic in the storyline. Then again, many viewers didn't care for the AI subplot, regarding it as one of its weaknesses. Once again, actor Tom Cruise outdoes the impossible in the first part of his latest Mission: Impossible movie, DEAD RECKONING. At this point, he may very well be the last movie star on the planet.
The James Bond series is currently in the process of rebooting after culminating with No Time to Die, and other film franchises like Fast & Furious, Transformers, and Indiana Jones have gotten to the point where they reach franchise fatigue, which is an ongoing problem for Hollywood as they either begin to run out of ideas or finally being put to rest, the Mission: Impossible franchise is the only one to avoid it. Its latest entry had undergone several production and release delays due to COVID-19 before it hit theatres. Audiences enjoyed DEAD RECKONING PART ONE, while critics gave it similar acclaim to its predecessor, Fallout, which many (or most) consider the best of the series and has a 97% higher rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it doesn't have the same impact that Tom Cruise's last movie, Top Gun: Maverick, had in saving Hollywood.
This film is a pulse-pounding spy-fi thriller with exhilarating stunt-driven action and marvellous set pieces; it delivers excellently. Christopher McQuarrie has been part of the franchise since 2011. He provided uncredited script revisions for Ghost Protocolbefore directing the later instalments, beginning with Rogue Nation. Here, he returns to outdo himself in perfecting each action sequence to the smallest detail. One issue regarding DEAD RECKONING PART ONE is that it feels complete and doesn't end with an abrupt cliffhanger like in other films, such as Fast X and Across the Spider-Verse.
Cruise is doing much better in the series, even though he was about 61 years old when he still performed his outrageous stunts, as he did in the previous movies, which occasionally required no digital effects or stunt doubles. For example, he drives his motorcycle, jumps off the cliff, and skydives onto a train, which is beyond anything ever accomplished. It harkens back to the pre-credits scene in The Spy Who Loved Me, where Roger Moore performs a similar stunt, a ski jump followed by opening his parachute. Hayley Atwell is a new addition to the cast, playing a pickpocket. She is remarkably talented, even more so since joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Esai Morales is surprisingly capable of bringing chills to our spines in his performance as Gabriel, a villain who works for a benevolent AI and has a connection with Ethan's past.
Rebecca Ferguson returns as the elusive Ilsa Faust, adding an extra layer of conspiracy to the narrative, and her on-screen chemistry with Cruise is undeniable. Simon Pegg reprises his role as Benji Dunn, injecting his trademark wit and charm and providing comic relief amid the thrilling action. Fellow MCU veteran Pom Klementieff plays a henchwoman who is much deadlier than anyone else. A huge surprise in the film is Henry Czerny's return as Kittridge from the first instalment. Fraser Taggart's cinematography is praiseworthy, encapsulating the spirit of the spy genre. Lorne Balfe's thumping score livens up the film, while the sound design is superb.
DEAD RECKONING PART ONE is a splendid film, but it is a close second to its predecessor, Fallout, which remainsthe best of the franchise. Moviegoers and fans will have to sit through its lengthy 164-minute runtime to watch the movie and wait for Dead Reckoning Part Two to hit theatres in 2024, should they choose to accept it.
The British/Irish actor Michael Gambon died peacefully in hospital after battling pneumonia on 27 September 2023. He was 82 years old. A truly gifted actor for six decades, he was best known for portraying the wise headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, in the last six Harry Potter films, taking over from Richard Harris after his death. Admittedly, he had not read any of J.K. Rowling's books, arguing that it was safer to follow the script rather than be too influenced by them. But that hasn't stopped him from channelling the spirit of Dumbledore, the powerful wizard who battled evil for the sake of his students. Although Gambon had previously established himself as one of Britain's leading actors, the Potter role raised his international profile and introduced him to a new generation of fans. We will remember him for the deep, penetrating tones of his voice and for that iconic role, which became practically synonymous with him.
He was born in Ireland on 19 October 1940 and moved to London, where he spent his childhood. He originally trained as an engineer, following in his father's footsteps. Before making his way to the silver screen, Gambon was already a stage actor, having made his theatre debut in a performance of "Othello" in Dublin and his first big break in a minor role in "Hamlet." He did not appear on screen until 1965, when he appeared in the film adaptation of "Othello" with Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, and Maggie Smith. Gambon became famous in Britain for his lead role in the 1986 BBC series "The Singing Detective," which earned him a BAFTA award for Best Actor and was considered a classic in British television drama. The real turning point in his film career happened in 2004 when Gambon ended up accepting what was to be his most widely known role in the Harry Potter series as Albus Dumbledore after his predecessor Richard Harris died suddenly in October 2002, starting with "The Prisoner of Azkaban" and ending it with "Deathly Hallows: Part 2."
His other film roles include "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover," "Toys," "Sleepy Hollow," "Gosford Park," "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," "Layer Cake," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Paddington," "Dad's Army," "Kingsman: The Golden Circle,"and "Judy." He also played King George V in "The King's Speech" and appeared in a Christmas special for "Doctor Who." Gambon received a knighthood for his services to the theatre in 1998.
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