Michael Review

Michael

Release Date: April 22nd 2026 - Australia

Production Companies

Universal Pictures (presents)

Lionsgate (in association with)

GK Films

Optimum Productions

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Musical/Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 127 minutes

Budget: $200,000,000

Box Office Gross: $614,921,940 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)

Plot Summary

Take a look at the life

and times of pop legend

Michael Jackson. This

film explores his

remarkable talent, from

his early days as the lead

singer of the Jackson 5 to

his transformation into a

trailblazing artist. It

highlights his creative

vision and unwavering

ambition to become the

world's greatest entertainer,

as well as his life off

stage and some of

the most legendary

performances from his

early solo career.

Cast

Jaafar Jackson - Michael Jackson

Juliano Krue Valdi - Young Michael

Colman Domingo - Joe Jackson

Nia Long - Katherine Jackson

Miles Teller - John Branca

Laura Harrier - Suzanne de Passe

KeiLyn Durrel Jones - Bill Bray

Jamal R. Henderson - Jermaine Jackson

Jayden Harville - Young Jermaine

Tre Horton - Marlon Jackson

Jaylen Lyndon Hunter -

Young Marlon

Rhyan Hill - Tito Jackson

Judah Edwards - Young Tito

Joseph David-Jones - Jackie

Jackson

Nathaniel Logan McIntyre - Young Jackie

Jessica Sula - La Toya Jackson

Kendrick Sampson - Quincy Jones

Larenz Tate - Berry Gordy

Liv Symone - Gladys Knight

Kevin Schnick - Dick Clark

Mike Myers - Walter Yetnikoff

Deon Cole - Don King

Asia Fuqua - Ola Ray

Jono Petrie - John Landis

Paul Hipp - Bob Giraldi

Crew

Executive Producer/Director -

Antoine Fuqua

Writer - John Logan

Executive Producer/Unit

Production Manager - David B. Householter

Executive Producers - Jackie,

Jermaine, La Toya Jackson,

Marlon, Prince Michael &

Tito Jackson, Hayley King,

Karen Langford, Jordan Schur

and Lydia Silverman

Producers - John Branca,

Graham King and John McClain

Casting Director - Victoria Thomas

Production Designer - Barbara Ling

Supervising Art Director - Eric

Sundahl

Set Decorator - Amy Wells

Costume Designer - Marci Rodgers

Makeup Designer - Bill Corso

Special Makeup Effects

Artists - Howard Berger,

Kenneth Calhoun, Mark

Garbarino, Bart Mixon,

Ve Neill, Christopher Allen

Nelson and Dominie Till 

Prosthetics Designer -

Christen Tinsley 

Director of Photography -

Dion Beebe

Unit Production Manager -

Mika Saito

First Assistant Directors - Jon Mallard and Liz Tan

Animal Wrangler - Paul 'Sled' Reynolds

Supervising Stunt Coordinator - Chris O'Hara

Choreographers - Anthony & Richmond Talauega

Special Effects Coordinator - Eric Cook

Special Effects Supervisor - J.D. Schwalm

Visual Effects Supervisor - Louis Marin

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Ivan Busquets

Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite - Holger Voss

Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola VFX - Edson Williams

Visual Effects Producer - Greg Baxter

Additional Animation Supervisor: ILM - Steve Nichols

Compositing Supervisor: Proof - Theresa Ellis Rygiel

Editors - Conrad Buff IV, Tom Cross,

John Ottman and Harry Yoon

Additional Editors - John Lee and Matt Friedman

Supervising Sound Editor/Music Supervisor -

John Warhurst

Re-Recording Mixer - David Giammarco

Re-Recording/Music Mixer - Paul Massey

Sound Mixer - Ed Novick

Supervising ADR Editor - Anna MacKenzie

Executive Music Producer - Harvey Mason Jr.

Review

As you know, Michael Jackson is one of the world's greatest entertainers who has ever lived. Known as the "King of Pop," he is a groundbreaking artist who undeniably dominated the music scene in the 1980s and early 90s. Everyone admires him, not just his music, including his best-selling album Thriller, music videos, and concert tours, but also because of his voice and dance moves. Even after his death, his popularity and influence remain undiminished among fans, as his legacy lives on.

For as long as I can remember, I've heard a lot about Michael and how the public viewed him during his fall from grace, but that was before I started watching his music videos and listening to his songs in either 2007 or 2008. However, I learned much more about the singer after his untimely passing in 2009, and came to appreciate him more.

As a diehard Michael Jackson fan, I have waited for this biopic for a long time, ever since the success of Bohemian Rhapsody led Hollywood to flood the market with musical biopics. It's not entirely unexpected when both Bohemian Rhapsody and Michael have the same producer, Graham King. Many critics were unkind to the film, labelling it "sanitised" and for "playing it safe," given that Michael Jackson's family and estate endorsed this biopic and didn't entirely deconstruct his mythos. Fans, however, didn't care; they enjoyed it more than non-fans and critics did.

MICHAEL is a faithful yet honest portrayal of the late pop singer in his early years, celebrating his creative musical genius, bravado, artistry, and showmanship. Unfortunately, it lacked substance and didn't explore the negative aspects of his personal life. It doesn't portray him as a deeply troubled human being, though it does present him as almost entirely perfect, with hints of his eccentricities. Another problem with this movie is its pacing; it should have been longer. The film has some historical inaccuracies, but I won't discuss them in detail. After all, that's a common issue with musical biopics. It glossed over some significant parts of Michael's life, including his relationship with Diana Ross.

Additionally, Janet Jackson is noticeably absent, as she declined to participate in this film, but that's her decision. Also missing are Michael's other siblings, Rebbie and Randy. Aside from Rebbie, Randy, and Janet's absence, the other Jacksons barely register and receive any attention, except for Joe and Katherine. Even the ending is abrupt, further exacerbated by legal complications that led to reshoots. It did, however, cover a few details, such as his complicated relationship with his tyrannical and abusive father and the infamous Pepsi commercial accident. Hopefully, the next part will delve deeper into more of Michael's backstory and address the legal side.

Antoine Fuqua's direction for the film was spectacular. He incorporated some jaw-dropping scenes that pulsate with energy and atmosphere. In a bold casting move, Michael's real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, was cast as the King of Pop. Given that he had never acted in a film before, this was his acting debut. He delivers an often uncanny but spectacular performance, mirroring his late uncle by nailing the voice, mannerisms, and signature dance moves, including the moonwalk, which is electric. He embodies the spirit of his famous relative.

Colman Domingo stands out in a detestable role as Joseph. He envisions his portrayal of Joe Jackson as genuinely monstrous and despicable, who sees his children as a ticket to fame and fortune, and as a way to escape his job at the steel mill. Special mention must go to the makeup department for making Domingo look almost identical to the real man, which is impressive given his imposing presence. Nia Long brings maternal warmth in her role as Michael's supportive mother, Katherine, who is Joe's complete opposite. Juliano Krue Valdi is sensational as young Michael, and he really shines in the scenes. There is a special appearance of Mike Myers, who plays a CBS Records executive similar to his role in Bohemian Rhapsody.  

From a technical standpoint, many aspects are worthy of admiration. The production design, costumes, and sound mixing are clear examples of great care and attention to detail. The musical sequences flourish, as they recreate the iconic moments from Michael's career, from his music videos to his live performances, including "Thriller" and the Motown 25 anniversary special, capturing the larger-than-life energy that made Michael Jackson who he is. The music consists of original recordings by the legendary singer, integrated into this film.

In retrospect, MICHAEL is a fitting tribute to the King of Pop, albeit with a somewhat predictable yet incomplete narrative. While it has its issues, particularly in its limited exploration of Michael Jackson, it is still a worthy addition to the King of Pop's legacy. Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10 because the film stays true to its core theme. However, if you're a Michael Jackson fan, then you'll enjoy this movie on the biggest screen possible. If you're someone who doesn't care about the late King of Pop and haven't gotten over the controversy surrounding his personal life, just beat it!

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Greenland Review

Greenland

Release Date: 18th December 2020 - Australia (Amazon Prime)

Production Companies

STX Films (present)

Anton (present)

Thunder Road Pictures

G-BASE

Riverstone Pictures (in association with)

Elwick Media (produced in association with)

Laura Macara (produced in association with)

Hassik Films (developed in association with) 

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 119 minutes

Budget: $35,000,000

Box Office Gross: $52,300,000 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

As a planet-killing comet

hurtles towards Earth,

one family struggles to

survive. John Garrity and

his family - his estranged

wife, Allison, and his

young son, Nathan -

embark on a dangerous

journey to their only

hope of refuge. The

Garritys experience the

best and worst of humanity

as they battle the growing

panic and lawlessness

around them, amid

chilling reports that the

comet's fragments have

flattened the cities

worldwide. As the clock

ticks down to the world's

doomsday, their incredible

journey concludes with

a desperate, last-minute

flight to a possible

sanctuary.

Cast

Gerard Butler - John Garrity

Morena Baccarin - Allison Garrity

Roger Dale Floyd - Nathan Garrity

Scott Glenn - Dale

Randal Gonzalez - Bobby

Rick Pasqualone - National News Anchor

Nicola Lambo - Morning Show Host

Alan Pietruszewski -

Morning Show Host

Scott Poytress - Kenny Jones

Claire Bronson - Debra Jones

Madison Johnson - Ellie Jones

Gary Weeks - Ed Pruitt

Tracey Bonner - Peggy Pruitt

Merrin Dungey - Major

Breen

Brandon Miller - Security Forces Sergeant 

Mike Senior - Staff Sergeant Ruiz

Hayes Mercure - Young Airman

Esosa Idahosa - Military Escort

Keegan G. Boos - Military Escort

Anissa Matlock - Robins AFB Airman

Andrew Huntoon - Robins AFB

Airman

Jarrett Spencer - Security

Forces Airman

Kurt Yue - C-17 Loadmaster

Kermit Rolson - Man with Gun

Brandon Quinn - Passenger on C-17 

Okea Eme-Akwari - James - Nice Looter

Gabriela DeNardo - Looter

Hope Davis - Judy Vento

David Denman - Ralph Vento

Andrew Bachelor - Colin 

Joshua Mikel - Lucas

James Logan - Micah

Randall Archer - Brian

Jay Amor - Blue-Collar Man 

Thomas Rosales Jr. -

Hispanic Driver

Rose Bianco - Matriarch

Aaron Gillespie - McGhee Tyson Soldier

Cate Jones - McGhee Tyson Soldier

Tanya Ballinger - F.E.M.A. Worker

Kendrick Cross -  F.E.M.A. Worker

Suehyla El-Attar Young -

Rebecca

Leeann Tweeden - Regional

News Anchor 

Al Mitchell - Ben

Marc Gowan - Paul

Carlos Lopez - Xavier

Holt McCallany - Twin Otter Pilot

Adam Cronan - Twin Otter

Co-Pilot

Jamie Andrews - Mother on Plane

Susan Williams - Passenger

Otis Winston - Snow Soldier

Danielle Williams - Bunker Airman 

Crew

Director - Ric Roman Waugh

Writer - Chris Sparling

Executive Producers - Nik Bower,

Brendon Boyea, François Callens, Adam Fogelson,

John Friedberg, Jonathan Fuhrman, Deepak Nayar,

Danielle Robinson, Robert Simonds and John Zois

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Carsten H.W. Lorenz

Producers - Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel,

Basil Iwanyk and Sébastien Raybaud

Co-Producer - Bill Wohlken

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - K.C. Hodenfield

Casting Directors - Mary Vernieu and

Michelle Wade Byrd

Production Designer - Clay A. Griffith

Supervising Art Director - Cathy Maxey

Set Decorator - Frank Galline

Property Master - Curtis Akin

Costume Designer - Kelli Jones

Director of Photography/"A" Camera Operator -

Dana Gonzales

Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Stunt

Coordinator - Brad Martin

Special Effects Coordinator - Joe Pancake

Visual Effects Supervisor - Marc Massicotte

Editor - Gabriel Fleming

Additional Editor - Rowan Maher 

Supervising Sound Designer - Victor Ray Ennis

Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders

and Scott Millan

Music - David Buckley

Music Supervisor - Laura Katz

Review

It's been years since I last saw a good disaster movie, but GREENLAND is a welcome return to form. Originally scheduled for a mid-2020 theatrical release, the film did not proceed as planned due to the global pandemic. Instead, it found a new home on Amazon Prime. Truth be told, I've never reviewed a movie on that streaming service, as I normally watch them on Netflix or Disney+. Before the release of GREENLAND, disaster films were nothing to write home about, as they tended to prioritise spectacle over substance, featuring implausible scenarios, stilted dialogue, and one-dimensional characters. Thankfully, it avoided the stereotypical cliches that plagued other disaster films, such as 2012 and Geostorm, reinventing the genre with its personal storytelling and human drama.

The movie is more grounded than other asteroid-themed disaster flicks, such as Armageddon and Deep Impact. It tells the story of a family's harrowing journey to survive the coming extinction, as circumstances tear them apart amid chaos and destruction. It serves as an apology to the lead actor, Gerard Butler, who previously appeared in the disaster movie Geostorm, which did him no favours. With director Ric Roman Waugh, who has previously collaborated with the Scottish actor on Angel Has Fallen, they brought a movie that's both intriguing and impressive. Whereas other disaster films focus solely on spectacle, Waugh relies heavily on emotional intensity and authenticity to create GREENLAND, shunning the typical traditional approach. It was a bold choice to reveal humanity's darker side, including panic, desperation, and moral dilemmas, but it adds depth and makes the film more compelling.

The cast did a wonderful job, particularly Butler and Morena Baccarin. The former is a crucial component of the film's success, as he delivers a spectacular performance as a desperate father grappling with tough decisions to keep his family safe. Baccarin excels as Allison, the mother, infusing the role with genuine emotion and inner strength. Their chemistry is nothing short of spectacular. Roger Dale Floyd's performance as the deeply traumatised young Nathan Gerrity is captivating, especially during tense family moments. Scott Glenn's brief but impactful appearance late in the film is a highlight. At 81, Glenn's performance proves he still has what it takes.

The comet impacts feel genuinely terrifying thanks to a restrained yet effective use of CGI that does not overshadow the human story. However, those expecting Emmerich-style action will be disappointed that this film doesn't feature much large-scale destruction.

While it conforms purely to all the cliches of a disaster film on first viewing, it is absolutely worth watching. However, there is much more to GREENLAND once it reveals itself to viewers.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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In Memory of James Tolkan (1931-2026)

James Tolkan (1931-2026)

James Tolkan, a character actor renowned for playing stern authority figures, most notably in "Back to the Future" and "Top Gun," passed away. He was 94.

The actor was born on June 20, 1931, in Calumet, Michigan. He joined the United States Navy and fought in the brutal Korean War. Because of a heart condition, Tolkan received a medical discharge from the Navy. He then trained to become an actor and graduated with a BA in Drama from the University of Iowa. According to an obituary on the "Back to the Future" website, Tolkan took a bus to New York with just $75. He found work on the docks and enrolled in classes with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg to study acting. Tolkan launched his acting career in 1960 with an episode of the television series "The Naked City." In 1966, while working as an understudy for Robert Duvall, he replaced Duvall as the villain Harry Roat in the original Broadway production of "Wait Until Dark," opposite Lee Remick.

Tolkan took on a dual role as Napoleon and his doppelgänger in Woody Allen's movie "Love and Death" and also appeared in the original Broadway cast of "Glengarry Glen Ross." In 1983, he left New York to pursue a career in California and Canada, accepting a small role as an FBI agent in "WarGames."

In 1985, Tolkan shot to fame for playing the slacker-hating vice principal Strickland in "Back to the Future" and its 1989 sequel. In addition to playing the character in the first two, Tolkan also played Strickland's grandfather in "Back to the Future Part III." The following year, he played Tom Cruise's commanding officer, Stinger, in the iconic film "Top Gun." Tolkan maintained an active presence in films and on television until 2011.

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In Memory of Chuck Norris (1940-2026)

Chuck Norris (1940-2026)

Martial artist and actor Chuck Norris has died. He was 86. Norris was a legend in action movies and best known for his roles in "Way of the Dragon," "Missing in Action," and "The Delta Force."

Chuck Norris was born in Oklahoma on March 19, 1940. He joined the Air Force in 1958 and then moved to a US air base in South Korea. During his time there, he studied the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. In 1968, Norris left the military and began competing, achieving considerable success. He won several titles, including the World Professional Middleweight Karate Championship in 1968.

In 1964, while attending a demonstration event in California, Norris met future action star and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee. The two men became friends and acquired a celebrity clientele of Hollywood stars eager to learn from them. For his directing debut, "The Way of the Dragon," Lee cast Norris as his on-screen rival, and the film concludes with their 10-minute final fight. Released in 1972, the film was a tremendous success. Following Lee's death in 1973, Norris remained active in the film industry, securing a leading role in the 1977 trucker action comedy, "Trucker! Trucker!" Its financial success paved the way for Norris's subsequent career in low to moderate-budget action movies. While these films did not receive significant critical acclaim, they consistently met expectations and helped to establish a loyal fan base for Norris.

Norris's box-office appeal caught Hollywood's attention after early movies such as the martial-arts-heavy thrillers "A Force of One," "The Octagon," and "An Eye for an Eye." Notably, his 1983 thriller "Lone Wolf McQuade," in which Norris plays a Texas Ranger who takes on an arms dealer, proved pivotal in reaching a broader audience. He also appeared in "Missing in Action" (which spawned a trilogy) and "Invasion USA." In 1985, Norris achieved another milestone with "Code of Silence," winning mostly positive reviews for the first time. A year later, he starred in perhaps his most famous action film: "The Delta Force," opposite Lee Marvin, in which Norris played a special forces operative.

In the 1990s, Norris regularly appeared in action movies, many of which were directed by his brother, Aaron. However, he undoubtedly enjoyed his greatest success with the TV series, "Walker, Texas Ranger," inspired by the film "Lone Wolf McQuade." It premiered in 1993 and ran for 8 years, ending in 2001. It featured Norris as the titular law-enforcement officer, who relied on martial arts more often than not. The popular internet meme "Chuck Norris facts" was inspired by it.

In the 2000s, Norris's film appearances became increasingly sporadic. However, he did share the screen with other action-movie legends, including Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Stallone's "The Expendables 2."

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Winners of the 98th Academy Awards

 

Now, here are the winners of the 98th Academy Awards.

The big winner is One Battle After Another, which took home six Oscars, including Best Picture. I'm surprised it wasn't Marty Supreme that received the award.

In line with predictions, Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix's record-breaking K-Pop Demon Hunters won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. 

Best Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash - Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett

Best Film Editing

One Battle After Another - Andy Jurgensen

Best Costume Design

Frankenstein - Kate Hawley

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Frankenstein - Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cilona Furey

Best Cinematography

Sinners - Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Best Production Design

Frankenstein - Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

Best Sound

F1 - Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary Rizzo and Juan Peralta

Best Original Song

"Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters - Music and Lyrics by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, Teddy, and Ian Eisendrath

Best Original Score

Sinners - Ludwig Goransson

Best Casting

One Battle After Another - Cassandra Kulukundis

Best Animated Short Film

The Girl Who Cried Pearls - Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski

Best Live Action Short Film (Tied)

The Singers - Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt

Two People Exchanging Saliva - Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata

Best Documentary Short Film

All the Empty Rooms - Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

Best Documentary Feature Film

Mr Nobody Against Putin - David Borenstein, Pavel Talankin, Helle Faber and Alžběta Karásková

Best International Feature Film

Sentimental Value (Norway) in Norwegian and English - Directed by Joachim Trier

Best Animated Feature Film

KPop Demon Hunters - Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong

Best Adapted Screenplay

One Battle After Another - Paul Thomas Anderson; based on the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon

Best Original Screenplay

Sinners - Ryan Coogler

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Madigan - Weapons as Gladys

Best Supporting Actor

Sean Penn - One Battle After Another as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley - Hamnet as Agnes Shakespeare

Best Actor

Michael B. Jordan - Sinners as Elijah "Smoke" Moore/Elias "Stack" Moore

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson - One Battle After Another

Best Picture

One Battle After Another - Adam Somner, Sara Murphy and Paul Thomas Anderson, producers

Honorary Awards

Debbie Allen

Tom Cruise

Wynn Thomas

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Dolly Parton

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In Memory of Robert Duvall (1931-2026)

 

Robert Duvall (1931-2026)

The legendary actor Robert Duvall has passed away. He was 95. Robert is best known for his iconic roles in films such as the first two "Godfather" movies, "The Conversation," "Network," "Apocalypse Now," and "The Natural," spanning a seven-decade career. His wife, Luciana, confirmed the news of his death on his Facebook account. In a poignant message, she spoke of him not only as an Oscar-winning actor and director, but also as her "beloved husband" and dearest friend. Duvall died with dignity and grace, surrounded by love and comfort in his final moments, just as he had lived his life.

A native of San Diego, Duvall was raised in Annapolis, Maryland. His acting career began at Principia College and continued at New York's renowned Neighbourhood Playhouse, where he trained with fellow up-and-coming actors Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, and Gene Hackman. During that time, Duvall earned a living by doing odd jobs around New York, sharing a room with Hoffman and Hackman. He performed in several Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and "A View from the Bridge," and guest-starred on several popular TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone."

He burst onto the screen in 1962, playing Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird." His reputation grew with additional small roles in "Bullitt" and "True Grit," and it wasn't until he played the egotistical Frank Burns in "M*A*S*H," a character often mocked by Donald Sutherland's Hawkeye and Elliot Gould's Trapper, that he gained wider recognition. After appearing in Francis Ford Coppola's feminist road movie "The Rain People," Duvall further established his connection with the new wave of Hollywood filmmakers by taking the lead role in George Lucas's 1971 directorial debut, the dystopian science fiction feature "THX 1138." Cinematic immortality beckoned when he played the calmly collected Corleone family attorney Tom Hagen in "The Godfather," landing him his first Oscar nomination. He subsequently returned to the role in Coppola's well-received sequel, "The Godfather: Part II." However, years later, he did not return for the third "Godfather" film because Robert couldn't reach an agreement with Paramount Pictures over his salary.

In 1979, Duvall took on the role initially intended for Gene Hackman as Lt. Col Kilgore, a surly, larger-than-life surfing enthusiast, in Coppola's epic Vietnam War film "Apocalypse Now," immortalising the line, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning," delivered under the brim of a black Stetson cavalry hat. Duvall's career continued to flourish as he appeared in a variety of notable films, including the Second World War thriller "The Eagle Has Landed," the newsroom satire "Network," and the sports drama "The Natural." He established himself as a director in 1983 with the semi-improvised drama "Angelo My Love," which tells the story of a Romany street kid in New York.

In 1984, Robert won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as a former country music singer in the critically acclaimed 1983 film "Tender Mercies." He also played a grizzled Los Angeles Police Department veteran in "Colors" opposite Sean Penn. Duvall maintained a steady workload throughout the 1990s, with high-profile appearances in films such as "Days of Thunder," "The Handmaid's Tale," "The Paper," "Falling Down," "Phenomenon," and "Deep Impact." In 1998, he earned his sixth Oscar nomination for his role as a corporate lawyer opposite John Travolta in the drama "A Civil Action." During the same decade, Duvall also embarked on one of his pet projects: the layered drama "The Apostle," which he directed, wrote, and self-financed for $5 million. His performance as a passionate preacher seeking spiritual redemption in the Louisiana bayous earned him critical acclaim and a third Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

In recent years, Duvall's filmography has grown to include roles as gruff cops, wise mentors, and stoic figures in films such as "Gone in 60 Seconds," "John Q," "Secondhand Lions," "Open Range," "We Own the Night," and "Crazy Heart" with Jeff Bridges. He offered memorable performances as the Confederate general Robert E. Lee in "Gods and Generals," a bearded hermit in the post-Depression drama "Get Low," an ageing family patriarch alongside Robert Downey Jr. in "The Judge," and a bigoted political mastermind in Steve McQueen's "Widows." For his role in "The Judge," Duvall received yet another Oscar nomination. He also directed two more films: "Assassination Tango" and "Wild Horses."

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Gran Turismo Review

Gran Turismo

Release Date: 3rd August 2023 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures (presents)

PlayStation Productions

2.0 Entertainment

Michael De Luca Productions

Trigger Street Productions

TSG Entertainment (made in association with)

Distribution

Sony Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 134 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $122,101,055 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Through his gaming skills

after winning a series of

Nissan-sponsored video

game competitions, a

Gran Turismo player gets

his chance to become a

professional race car

driver.

Cast

Archie Madekwe - Jann Mardenborough

David Harbour - Jack Salter

Orlando Bloom - Danny Moore

Darren Barnet - Matty Davis

Geri Halliwell - Lesley

Mardenborough

Djimon Hounsou - Steve

Mardenborough

Josha Stradowski - Nicholas Capa

Daniel Puig - Cody Mardenborough

Maeve Courtier-Lilley - Audrey

Pepe Barroso - Antonio Cruz

Niall McShea - Frederik Schulin

Nikhil Parmar - Persol

Takehiro Hira - Kazunori

Yamauchi

Thomas Kretschmann -

Patrice Capa

Akie Kotabe - Akira Akiba

Sadao Ueda - Skeptical

Nissan Board Member

Wai Wong - Senior Nissan Executive

Jamie Kenna - Jack Man Jones

Royce Cronin - Capa Team Leader

Harki Bhambra - Avi Bhatt

Emelia Hartford - Leah Vega

Lindsay Pattison - Chloe McCormick

Mariano González - Henry

Evas

Maximilian Mundt - Klaus

Hoffman

Sang Heon Lee - Joo-Hwan Lee

Théo Christine - Marcel Durand

Joanne Heywood - Clothing

Customer

Cavan Jones - Kid Playing

at Gamer Cafe

Lloyd Meredith - Percy

Hannah Hornsby - Audrey's

Friend

Bence Bauer - Bonfire Guy

Ciarán Joyce - Ciaran

Cochrane

John Carter - James Wallace

Niki Faulkner - Instructor

Rina Saito - Kaz's Translator

Peter Lundie - Race Coordinator, GT Academy

Andrea Vasiliou - Dubai

Racing Fan

Yoojin Lee - Dubai Racing Fan

Matthew Hirsch - Race Marshall

(Le Mans) (Cameo)

Jacques Jouffret - Race

Official

(Le Mans) (Cameo)

Eszter Zavaros - Female Chef

Daijiro Yoshihara - Nissan

Corporate Driver (Japan)

Maya Murofushi - Nissan

Desk Clerk

Bianca Bridge - Germany Reporter

Selin Cuhadaroglu - Sarah Eaton

Frédéric North - Helicopter

Pilot, GT Academy (Cameo)

Crew

Director - Neil Blomkamp

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producer - Jason Hall

Story - Alex Tse

Screenplay - Zach Baylin

Executive Producers - Matthew Hirsch, Herman Hulst and Kazunori Yamauchi

Producers - Carter Swan, Asad Qizilbash, Dana Brunetti and Doug Belgrad

Co-Producer/Stunt Driver: Archie Madekwe

(Uncredited) - Jann Mardenborough

Co-Producer - Darren Cox

Casting Directors - Raylin Sabo and Mary Vernieu

Production Designer - Martin Whist

Supervising Art Director - Justin O'Neal Miller

Set Decorators - Lauree Martell

and Adam Polgar

Costume Designer - Terry Anderson

Makeup Department Head - Tracey Wells

Director of Photography - Jacques Jouffret

Supervising Location Manager - Naomi Liston

First Assistant Directors - Martin Krauka

and James Bitonti

Stunt Coordinators - Steve Kelso

and Andrew Gill

Stunt Coordinator: HU - Domonkos Pardanyi

Supervising Picture Vehicle Coordinator -

Alex King

Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy

Picture Vehicle Supervisor - Elia Popov

Special Effects Supervisor - Gabor Kiszelly

Visual Effects Supervisor - Viktor Muller

Editors - Austyn Daines and Colby Parker Jr.

Co-Editor - Eric Freidenberg

Supervising Sound Editors - Kami Asgar

and Erin Oakley

Sound Designers - Charles Deenen,

James Evans and Nick Spradlin

Sound Recordists - John P. Fasal,

Bryan Watkins, Travis Prater,

Ed Walker, Watson Wu and Dustin Troyan

Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders

and Kevin O'Connell

Supervising Foley Artist - Gary A. Hecker

Music - Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski

Review

I vividly recall when Gran Turismo (GT) was a video game series for the PlayStation. I'm not sure if I played GT. Then again, it might have been only once (unless it's a different racing game) because I didn't have a PlayStation 3 or 4 at the time. While loosely based on the GT video games, this film retells the true story of a young gamer who transitioned from virtual racing to a professional racing career. Neil Blomkamp is one step ahead of his directorial comeback after taking a downturn with movies such as Elysium and Chappie, as he breaks the mould from his preferred sci-fi genre. He has never directed a video game film adaptation, though he attempted to make a Halo movie, which never materialised.

Although it may seem unconventional to adapt a racing game into a Hollywood feature (unless you count Need for Speed), GRAN TURISMO has a typical underdog story with an engaging setup. Admittedly, the film is not without its flaws, as it suffers from a predictable narrative and slow pacing. Even the dialogue is slightly weak in the first half, with many lines feeling cheesy and unoriginal. The editing could have been tighter if they trimmed down a few scenes and removed that useless romantic subplot. However, things improved as the film progressed, particularly the emotional moments near the end.

The actors delivered first-class performances with Orlando Bloom returning to the limelight as an idealistic motorsport executive who recognises the gaming community's potential. Archie Madekwe, a relatively inexperienced actor, shoulders much of the burden in this film, sharing the screen with some of Hollywood's biggest names. His character embodies a carefree, youthful spirit that mirrors Jann Mardenborough's real-life persona. David Harbour delivers a commanding performance as a former racing driver who coaches Jann.

The chemistry between Madekwe and Harbour is strong, capturing the mentor-trainee dynamic. However, Djimon Hounsou's performance as Jann's father emerges as the emotional centrepiece, despite his limited screen time. Also worth noting is that Geri Hariwell, one of the Spice Girls, plays Jann's mum. Interestingly, the real-life Mardenborough did all of his screen counterpart's driving stunts.

The racing sequences in GRAN TURISMO are spectacular, not to mention the stunning drone camerawork and engaging visual style. The latter ranges from its CGI recreation of the game's user interface to a real-time breakdown of vehicles. It'll make you believe you're playing a video game. The sound design is superb throughout the film, with roaring engines, screeching tyres, and thunderous crashes that create an immersive experience.

GRAN TURISMO is an adrenaline-fueled combination of gaming and real-world motorsports culture. Although it doesn't offer anything new to the sports-drama subgenre, its heart-pounding race sequences and moving performances make it a worthy addition for fans of racing and inspirational stories alike. Anyone who has played the game or is a massive motorsport enthusiast should check it out.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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