Old Dogs Review

Old Dogs

Release Date: 26th December 2009 - Australia

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures (presents)

Tapestry Films

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Comedy/Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 85 minutes

Budget: $35,000,000

Box Office Gross: $96,753,696 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

While on the verge of a

business deal, two best

friends turn their lives

upside down when they

unexpectedly find

themselves caring for

seven-year-old twins. Their

efforts to care for them lead

to one debacle to the next,

involving a gorilla and

some pecking penguins -

and perhaps a new

understanding of what's

essential to life.

Cast

Robin Williams - Chuck Reed

John Travolta - Dan Rayburn

Ella Bleu Travolta - Emily Greer

Conner Rayburn - Zach Greer

Kelly Preston - Vicki Greer

Lori Loughlin - Amanda

Seth Green - Craig White

Bernie Mac - Jimmy Lunchbox

Matt Dillon - Troop Leader Barry

Justin Long - Troop Leader Adam (Uncredited)

Dax Shepard - Child Proofer Gary (Uncredited)

Luis Guzmán - Child Proofer Nick (Uncredited)

Ann-Margaret - Martha

Rita Wilson - Jenna

Amy Sedaris - Condo Woman

Residente - Tattoo Artist

Sab Shimono - Yoshiro Nishamura

Kevin Yamada - Riku

Kevin Dean-Hackett - Tijuana Priest

Laura Allen - Kelly

Bradley Steven Perry - Cute Soccer Kid

Dylan Sprayberry - Soccer Kid

Joey Pordan - Soccer Kid

Paulo Costanzo - Zoo Maintenance (Uncredited)

DeRay Davis - Zoo Security Guard (Uncredited)

Paul Thornton - Restaurant Patron (Uncredited)

Sam Travolta - Singing Waiter

Margaret Travolta - Singing Waitress

Noel MacNeal - Muppet

John Kennedy - Muppet

Matt Vogal - Muppet

Josh Cohen - Muppet

Bruce Connelly - Muppet

Joe Kovacs - Muppet

Tom Woodruff Jr. - Gorilla

Sebastian - Lucky the Dog

Crew

Director - Walt Becker

Writers - David Diamond and

David Weeson

Associate Producers - Anson Downes

and Linda Favila

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Garrett Grant

Producers - Peter Abrams,

Robert L. Levy and Andrew Panay

Casting Directors - Kathleen Chopin,

Anne McCarthy and Jay Scully

Production Designer - David Gropman

Art Director - Peter Rogness

Set Decorator - Ellen Christiansen

Property Master - Kevin Ladson

Costume Designer - Joseph G. Alusi

Director of Photography - Jeffrey L. Kimball

First Assistant Director - Vincent Lascoumes

Second Assistant Director - Christopher Le Chanu

Stunt Coordinators - Bobby Brown,

Thomas Robinson Harper and Johnny Martin

Supervising Puppeteer - Alec Gillis

Lead Puppeteer - Yuri Everson

Head Animal Trainer - Dawn Barkan

Special Effects Coordinator - Fred Buchholz

Visual Effects Supervisor: Digital Dream -

Jerry Pooler

Visual Effects Supervisor: Pixel Magic -

Ray McIntyre Jr.

Visual Effects Supervisors: Illusion Arts -

Syd Dutton and Bill Taylor

Editors - Ryan Folsey and Tom Lewis

Supervising Sound Editor - Michael Hilkene

Sound FX Supervisor - Jeff Sawyer

Re-Recording Mixers - Oleg Kulchytskyi,

Daniel J. Leahy, Scott Millan and

Orest Sushko

Music - John Debney

Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan

Score Recordist and Mixer - Shawn Murphy

Review

Several days back, I was trying to decide which Robin Williams feature to watch, either one of his recent films or golden oldies. I decided upon OLD DOGS because I had seen it but not for a long time, and this is the feature where he co-starred with John Travolta, aka Johnny T. I felt that the comedy consisted of fewer bad jokes with toilet and frightening humour. Feeling good in the movie has some fun, especially in each scene where I get a good laugh at Seth Green on what happens to him. Green has never been in a family-oriented comedy with these two legends. Williams and Travolta were great at being the comical duo. Somehow, the movie has no wit and balance in the storyline. 

Firstly, I made things straight by watching the entirety of OLD DOGS. It's not as bad as the one Travolta had produced and starred in, you say, the unholy sci-fi grandeur of Battlefield Earth. This movie is average to fans of the two lead actors who expect a better standard film for their dollar.

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Man of the Year Review

Man of the Year

Release Date: 1st March 2007 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Morgan Creek Productions

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 115 minutes


Budget: $20,000,000

Box Office Gross: $41,237,658
(Worldwide)

Plot Summary

A comedian who hosts a 

news satire program 

decides to run for president, 

and a computerized voting 

machine malfunction gets 

him elected. (Source - IMDb)


Cast
Robin Williams - Tom Dobbs
Laura Linney - Eleanor Green
Christopher Walken - Jack
Menken
Lewis Black - Eddie Langston
Jeff Goldblum - Stewart
Doug Murray - Mathias
Rick Roberts - Hemmings

Crew
Writer/Director - Barry Levinson
Producer - James G. Robinson
Production Designer - Stefania Calla
Costume Designer - Delphine White
Director of Photography - Dick Pope
Film Editors - Blair Daily and
Steven Weisberg
Music - Graeme Revell

Review

Prior to glimpsing the new Marvel movie 'Guardians of the Galaxy', the shocking news of Robin Williams' death inspired me to review some of the movie masterpieces. I have not had the privilege of viewing many of Robin's films, so I decided to start by watching 'MAN OF THE YEAR'. It is with regret to mention that this film does not pay a tribute to Robin's versatile acting. Not one of Robin's very best features, nor sentimental or the very funniest is highlighted in this film. It is boring to the point where you just want the movie to end so that you can escape the exhaustive two hours of slow moving and dry political comedy. Barry Levinson had not done anything for a long time with Williams since 1992's 'Toys' which failed at the box office. Even the plot of 'MAN OF THE YEAR' devolves into stupidity and pointlessness while trying to be a political satire movie.

On the other hand, we have actors who were not trying their hardest such as Christopher Walken who did not demonstrate his usual sleek, witty and classy style. I didn't see Jeff Goldblum until I found out he was one of the supporting actors, mostly his performance just felt underused.

Movies that I find like 'MAN OF THE YEAR' deserved to be thrashed. It feels so politically correct, not conservatively funny and endearing. The film did not dare to push the boundaries and relive Levinson's golden age which he pulled off with Williams in 'Good Morning Vietnam'. I will be reviewing 'Old Dogs' next and please feel free to leave feedback on the comment tab below.

Star rating: (2/10) Bad Movie

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300th Review!! Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Release Date: 31st July 2014 - Australia

Production Companies

Marvel Studios (presents)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 121 minutes


Budget: $232,300,000

               (gross)

               $195,900,000 (net)

Box Office Gross: $773,350,147 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Space outlaw Peter Quill is wanted for stealing a rare orb after stumbling across it on a distant planet. A fanatical villain, Ronan the Accuser, plans to retrieve it and use its power to spread his genocide across the universe. It is up to Quill, who gathered a group of misfits as they become the Guardians of the Galaxy, to stop Ronan from

carrying out his evil plan.

Cast
Chris Pratt - Peter Quill/
Star-Lord
Zoe Saldana - Gamora
Bradley Cooper - Rocket (Voice)
Dave Bautista - Drax the Destroyer
Vin Diesel - Groot (Voice)
Lee Pace - Ronan the Accuser
Michael Rooker - Yondu Udonta
Karen Gillan - Nebula
Djimon Hounsou - Korath
John C. Reilly - Corpsman Rhomann Dey
Glenn Close - Nova Prime Irani Rael
Benicio Del Toro - The Collector
Josh Brolin - Thanos (Uncredited)
Alexis Denisof - The Other
Sean Gunn - Kraglin/On Set Rocket
Christopher Fairbank - The Broker
Krystian Godlewski - On Set Groot
Peter Serafinowicz - Denarian Saal
Wyatt Oleff - Young Quill
Laura Haddock - Meredith Quill
Gregg Henry - Grandpa

Tomas Arana - Kree Ambassador
Mikaela Hoover - Nova Prime's Assistant

Melia Krelling - Bereet
Tom Proctor - Horuz
Nick Holmes - Horuz's Mate

Dominic Grant - Angry Guard

Spencer Wilding - Mean Guard

Alexis Rodney - Moloka Dar

Nathan Fillion - Monstrous Inmate (Voice) (Cameo)
Enzo Cilenti - Watchtower Guard

Richard Katz - One Legged Prisoner

Ophelia Lovibond - Carina

Seth Green - Howard the Duck (Voice) (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Fred - Cosmo the Space Dog
Max Wrottesley - Sacrifice Nova Corpsman
Stan Lee - Xandarian Ladies Man (Cameo)
Rob Zombie - Ravager Navigator (Voice) (Cameo)
Stephen Blackehart - Knowhere Dispatcher
James Gunn - Maskless Sakaaran/
Dancing Groot/Sakaarans (Cameo)
Tyler Bates - Ravager Pilot (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Crew
Writer/Director - James Gunn
Based on the Marvel Comic Book - Dan Abnett

and Andy Lanning

Star-Lord Creators - Steve Englehart and
Steve Gan
Gamora, Thanos and Drax the Destroyer

Creator - Jim Starlin
Characters: Groot, Ronan the Accuser and
Taneleer Tivan/The Collector (Uncredited)/
Executive Producer - Stan Lee
Characters: Groot, Ronan the Accuser and the

Celestials - Jack Kirby (Uncredited)
Character: Groot - Larry Lieber (Uncredited)
Rocket Raccoon Creators - Bill Mantlo and
Keith Giffen
Howard the Duck Creators - Steve Gerber
and Val Mayerik
Writer - Nicole Perlman
Associate Producer/First Assistant Director -
Jamie Christopher
Executive Producers - Victoria Alonso,
Louis D'Esposito, Alan Fine and Jeremy Latcham

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Nikolas Korda
Producer - Kevin Feige
Co-Producers - Jonathan Schwartz and
David J. Grant
Casting Director - Sarah Finn
Production Designer - Charles Wood

Production Designer: Additional Photography -

Shepherd Frankel

Head of Visual Development - Charlie Wen

Co-Head of Visual Development - Ryan Meinerding

Concept Artists - Bob Cheshire,

Paul Catling, Dan Walker. Oliver Pron,

Stephan Martinère, Chris Foss,

Chris Rosewarne, Christopher Caldow

and Fred Gambino (Uncredited)

Visual Development Illustrators - Andy Park,

Justin Sweet, Jackson Sze,

Rodney Fuentebella and Andrew Kim

Visual Development Concept Artists -

Jerad Marantz, Kevin Chen, Iain McCaig

and Anthony Francisco

Supervising Art Director - Ray Chan

Set Decorator - Richard Roberts

Property Master - Barry Gibbs

Weapons Supervisor - Toby Shears
Special Makeup Effects Designer - David White

Makeup & Hair Designer - Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou

Costume Designer - Alexandra Byrne

Assistant Costume Designers - Sharon Long,

Alison Mitchell and Richard Sale

Costume Supervisor - Dan Grace

Costume FX Supervisor - Graham Churchyard

Director of Photography - Ben Davis

Director of Photography: Second Unit - Mike Brewster

Director of Photography: Additional

Photography - Gabriel Beristain

Unit Production Manager - Hermione Ninnim

Studio Unit Manager - Andrew Cooke

Director of Photography: Second Unit/
Second Unit Director - Jonathan Taylor

Second Unit Director - Peter MacDonald

Stunt Coordinator - Steve Dent
Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -

Thomas Robinson Harper

Fight Coordinator: Additional Photography -
James Young

Special Effects Supervisor - Paul Corbould

Special Effects Coordinator - Alicia Davies

Visual Effects Supervisors - Stephane Ceretti
and James D. Fleming (Uncredited)

Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore -
Jonathan Fawkner and Kyle McCulloch

Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Nicolas Aithadi

Visual Effects Supervisor: RISE Visual Effects

Studios - Florian Gellinger

Visual Effects Supervisor: Cantina Creative -

Stephen Lawes

Visual Effects Supervisor: SPI - Peter G. Travers

Visual Effects Producer - Susan Pickett

Visual Effects Producer: Technicolor VFX -

Rachel Faith Hanson

Animation Supervisor: Framestore - Kevin Spruce

Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -

Raphael A. Pimentel

Animation Supervisors: MPC - Greg Fisher

and Gabrielle Zuccheli

Animation Supervisor: Method Studios -

Keith Roberts

Digital Effects Supervisor: MPC - Daniele Bigi

CG Supervisor: MPC - Sheldon Stopsack

Post Visualisation Supervisors - Earl Hibbert

and Theresa Ellis Rygiel

Additional Look Development Supervisor:

Framestore - Andy Kind

Compositing Supervisors: Framestore -

Christian Zeh and Alex Payman

Compositing Supervisors: MPC - Marian Mavrovic

and Richard Little

Compositing Supervisor: Lola Visual Effects -

Edson Williams

Lead Compositors: Framestore - Bjarni Bragason,

Matthew Twyford, Petra Schwane and

Theodor Groeneboom

3D Stereoscopic Supervisor - Evan Jacobs
Editors - Fred Raskin, Hughes Winborne

and Craig Wood
Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer/
Re-Recording Sound Mixer - Christopher Boyes

Sound Designer/Effects Editor - David Acord

Supervising Sound Editor - Matthew Wood

Dialogue/ADR Editors - Cheryl Nardi

and Brad Semenoff

Production Sound Mixer - Simon Hayes

Re-Recording Sound Mixer - Lora Hirschberg

Foley Artists - Dennie Thorpe and Jana Vance
Music - Tyler Bates

Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan

Review

Greetings, it's your favourite film blogger, Film Guru Lad, with my 300th review. Part sci-fi and part comedy, this brand new space oddity, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, shows audiences that Marvel can create something original, unlike any Marvel movie we have seen. There's nothing more exciting than to be entertained by the movie GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. The film crushes the boulders of Marvel's expertise in filming superheroism. It tries something else that has never translated into the big screen. GUARDIANS is humorous and spectacular compared to the Star Wars flicks we've watched.

I can't get enough of the actors that were among the ensemble. Zoe Saldana plays another female alien warrior and gets her skin painted green through makeup without requiring motion capture technology, unlike what she had applied in her previous role in Avatar. Chris Pratt is fast-tracking his path to superstardom and plays the charismatic rogue of Star-Lord. Actress Karen Gillan was originally Amy Pond from Doctor Who and now portrays Nebula, the deadly henchwoman of the antagonist.

In this film, the visual effects have gotten complex. I am impressed with how lifelike the characters of Rocket and Groot are exceptional in CGI, with voice-overs from actors such as Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel. I also liked the feature of its terrific soundtrack with its choice of songs from the late 1960s and 1970s.

Fortunately, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is an incredible surprise with its wit and visual spectacle. It is a movie that is old-school in style and mixes it with a lighthearted sci-fi comedic structure. It is something that you'll enjoy, either by yourself or with your friends. Guess what, fans? The sequel isn't due to come out until 2017, and it could crossover with The Avengers universe.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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In Memory of Robin Williams (1951-2014)

Robin Williams (1951-2014)

I never expected that the laughter
would die down. In all my years,
I had never been a fan of
Robin Williams or his acting
in his many big-screen
movies made with comical
hilarity or heartwarming
drama. He was good at doing

impersonations and stand-up

comedy shtick. I grew up seeing

some of his films.

Recently, he was found dead at age 63 on August 11th. I have reviewed only three of his hit movies (minus "Happy Feet Two"). To see the passing of one of the great comedians, a man with such talent, can make us cry with laughter, sadness and joy with his diverse selection of roles in his movie smash hits. I must tell you that he became a comedian in the early 70s. He immediately moved to television, and his first movie role was when he appeared as himself in 1977's "Can Do It 'Till I Need Glasses". In 1978, writer/producer Garry Marshall cast Williams as the alien Mork in an episode of the hit TV series "Happy Days" after seeing him in NBC's short-run "The Richard Pryor Show". He had improvised with much of his comedy antics, such as dialogue or even physical slapstick, which made his Mork popular with the viewership. Robin would later play his character again on his new show "Mork & Mindy", which would run its airtime on the television screens until 1982. In that same period, from 1978 to the 80s, Williams began doing his professional stand-up comedy and had three compilations of his comedic performances aired on the HBO cable network.

In 1987, he went to a new level in his acting career when he got cast in a movie directed by Barry Levinson called "Good Morning Vietnam". The film became a worldwide success, and Williams received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. It gained him the confidence to go higher up into stardom and would land many of his more complex acting personas like in "Dead Poets Society", "Awakenings", "The Fisher King", and "Hook". The first and third also gained him Oscar nominations. In 1992, Robin gave three voiceovers in two animated movies for Disney and 20th Century Fox. One of those was "Aladdin", and the role he enjoyed the most and showcased his talent was the voice of the Genie. It cemented the known establishment of celebrities cast in voiceovers. The famed comedic persona of Robin continued heavily in 1993 when he landed a role in a comedy by Chris Columbus, "Mrs. Doubtfire". This time, he plays the father, disguising himself as an old nanny. It was also his second major hit after "Aladdin".

In 1996, Robin starred in movies like "Jack" and "The Birdcage", then the following year, he received a part in a drama called "Good Will Hunting". Co-starring and getting along together in the feature is a fresh new actor, Matt Damon, who built friendly chemistry during the entire film. After his movie became a triumph, it was time for Williams to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It was an award he had waited patiently and dreamed of since 1988. Robin eventually made a few dramatic features like "Patch Adams" and "Bicentennial Man", in which his roles are unlike his usual eccentric characters. Throughout the 2000s, Robin was still doing steady work when still being cast in movies such as "One Hour Photo" and "Insomnia". He continued to do more comedic and family-friendly work with "Robots", "RV", "Happy Feet", and "Night at the Museum". Robin had close support and encouragement from his family, including his daughter Zelda, whom he named after the princess from the video game "The Legend of Zelda" (which he had been an enthusiast of interactive gaming).

It is sad to see such a charismatic and cheerful man pass away. We will remember this talented man for the great legacy of work that he left behind. Look at these two career-defining highlights of well-known films Williams appeared in in the early 90s.

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Film Guru Lad's Top 6 Movies of 2012

Sorry I've kept all of you disappointed. I was supposed to finish and then publish the top five greatest movies for 2012. For some who might know, 2012 was not as extraordinary as 2011. It, however, showed us some exquisite films, whether or not they are big hits or, to a lesser extent, minor successes, in my opinion. Now I look forward to your comments about your favourite movies for 2012.

(UPDATED 27/11/14) Hi, there, ladies and gents! I like to announce an update to this post you are reading, I only had a list of five top films, but I have amended this to six top films. The reason for this because I have forgotten one movie to rank on the list, which is The Muppets. It's one of those two movies that brought back the characters I knew from childhood, and you must forgive me for the delay. I haven't had time to re-watch it until now.


#6. The Three Stooges

Not exactly the best comedy of 2012, THE THREE STOOGES paid homage to the classic shorts of the 1930s and '40s. Despite its deficits, it could have been better in black and white. It appealed to me because a fan of the amusing trio like myself liked only its non-stop hilarity of the physical and slapstick comedy. Now when did these three ever learn to be idiots? Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!

#5. The Muppets

It's time to play the music. It's time to light the lights. It's time to see the Muppets back on the big screen after 1999 was a flop for them. It's got the same old magic and laughter as in the record. It is re-discovered to appeal to the new generation of those who haven't grown up with Jim Henson's characters, including Kermit, The Swedish Chef, Fozzie and my favourite, The Great Gonzo. It also featured the new and old celebrity guest stars of Jack Black, Jim Parsons and Whoopi Goldberg.

#4. The Dark Knight Rises

The last of Christopher Nolan's rebooted series, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, is not for the character who was soon to be in the new Superman movie with Affleck stepping up to the mantle as Batman. As you know, with Heath Ledger, unfortunately, passed on, the Bat saga instead became a trilogy. It was equally as entertaining as its predecessor and equipped with an extravaganza of complexion and action. I'm surprised the series hasn't gone downhill because of its culmination. It's still a superb addition to the director and the Bat fandom.

#3. Hugo

It's not only a family drama movie about a young orphan wanting to discover a family secret. This film depicts a lovely story about the spirit of finding the legendary cinema pioneer. Director Martin Scorsese delights viewers with his unique interpretation of the family feature genre, unlike some of his work that is not accessible for people too young to watch due to the mature parental ratings. It's a movie that has a name, HUGO!

#2. Skyfall

Now I'm divided on which Bond film is better: Goldfinger or GoldenEye. However, SKYFALL compels viewers to see the more gritty and rough take on James Bond. Daniel Craig continues the saga of his character for the third time after the disappointing fiasco of Quantum of Solace. I think the director tried to go back to the basics in the origins, like adding Q and creating much of the charm owed to the originals. That is why it is the second-best Bond film of all time.

#1. The Avengers

It may seem impossible to create a superhero movie based on a comic book with so many heroes but THE AVENGERS. The rule has been broken, thanks to the direction by Joss Whedon, witty comedy, imploding action and a big ensemble cast of Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth and others. This top-dollar film earns itself as the best movie of 2012, enough for Warner Bros to begin pre-production on the Justice League film. Let's hope the second instalment matches the expectations and standards of the first superhero epic.

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Crimson Tide Review

Crimson Tide


Release Date: 8th June 1995 - Australia


Production Companies
Hollywood Pictures
Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer
Films

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Australia


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 111 minutes


Budget: $53,000,000

Box Office Gross: $157,387,195
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
No-nonsense combat veteran
Captain Frank Ramsey and
his newly instated first officer
Ron Hunter are caught in
the middle of a global crisis.
Onboard a nuclear

submarine, they're heading 

for Russia where radical 

nationalists are threatening 

to start World War III. But 

when they receive an 

unverified message to 

launch their missiles, 

Ramsey and Hunter
clash over the validity of
the orders. With nuclear
holocaust close at hand,
mutiny erupts on the sub-
pitting the entire crew against
each other in a showdown
that will decide the fate of
the world.


Cast
Gene Hackman - Captain
Frank Ramsey
Denzel Washington - Lt.
Commander Ron Hunter
Matt Craven - Lt. Roy Zimmer
George Dzundza - Chief of 

the Boat Walters
Viggo Mortensen - Lt. 

Peter "Weps" Ince
James Gandolfini - Lt. Bobby
Dougherty
Rocky Carroll - Lt. Darrik
Westergard
James Gomez - Ood Mahoney
Michael Milhoan - Hunsicker
Scott Burkholder - TSO Billy Linkletter
Danny Nucci - Petty Officer
Danny Rivetti
Steve Zahn - Seaman William Barnes
Rick Schroder - Lt. Paul Hellerman
Ryan Phillippe - Seaman Grattam
Lilo Brancato - Petty Officer
Third Class Russell Vossler
Marcello Thedford - Lawson
R.J. Knoll - Marty Sotille
Tommy Bush - Admiral Williams
Earl Billings - Rick Marichek
Vanessa Bell Calloway - Julia Hunter
Brendan Jefferson - Luke
Ashley Calloway - Robin
Daniel von Bargen - Vladimir Radchenko
Richard Valeriani - Himself
Rad Daly - Lt. Comdr. Nelson
Scott Grimes - Petty Officer Hilare
Ronald Ramessar - Mr. Westergard
Robin Faraday - Mrs. Westergard
Bob Stone - Bob the Magician
Henry Mortensen - Henry Ince

Crew
Director - Tony Scott
Story/Screenplay - Michael Schiffer
Story - Richard P. Henrick

Additional Dialogue - Quentin Taratino (Uncredited)
Executive Producers - Lucas Foster,
Mike Moder and Bill Unger
Producers - Jerry Bruckheimer and
Don Simpson
Technical Advisor - Malcolm S. Wright
Production Designer - Michael White
Art Directors - James J. Murakami,
Dianne Wager and Donald B. Woodruff
Costume Designer - George L. Little
Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski
Stunt Coordinator - Steve Pirceni
Special Effects Coordinator - Al Di Sarro
Visual Effects Supervisor - Hoyt Yeatman
Visual Effects Producer - Cecil Kramer
Digital Effects Supervisor - Dan DeLeeuw
Model Shop Supervisor - David Goldberg
Film Editor - Chris Lebonzon
Music - Hans Zimmer


Awards

1996 Academy Awards
Best Sound - Kevin O'Connell, Rick Kline,
Gregory H. Watkins and William B. Kaplan (Nominated)
Best Film Editing - Chris Lebonzon (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing - George Watters II (Nominated)


Review
This movie is a naval-action thriller and 'CRIMSON TIDE' packs a punch. This is a result of the lively writing which compels viewers with moments of tension and perfectly choreographed underwater action giving the audience an unforgettable experience. Backing this film is a bucket-load of Hollywood talent. Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington have both demonstrated top-notch acting and really convey the tension of the characters conflicts of beliefs. This power struggle occurs between these two characters on the submarine and leads to a mutiny. Joining the cast is future 'LOTR' star to be Viggo Mortensen who was noticeable as one of the supporting leads and land-marked composer Hans Zimmer is doing his handiwork on the music that sounds like a fanfare anthem for the Navy.

I never always agree on 'CRIMSON TIDE' since its labelled within the action genre, but is very entertaining and dramatic, it obtains the adoration of the critics and the audience. The late Tony Scott seemed to liken this movie to his magnum opus or so I thought given that it was one of his successful hits.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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The NeverEnding Story Review

The NeverEnding Story

Release Date: 26th December 1984 - Australia

Production Companies

Neue Constantin Film Produktion
GmbH

Producers Sales Organisation

(presents)

WDR

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Family/Fantasy

Rating: G

Runtime: 107 minutes (original)
                 90 minutes
                 (international)


Budget: $27,000,000

Box Office Gross: $100,126,176 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

A meek young boy named Bastian finds a mysterious book that takes him into a fantasy world of creatures, giant forests and massive oceans amid the harsh reality of his everyday life. It is there this enchanting world is to be decayed when its existence gets threatened by a force of darkness known as The Nothing!

Cast

Barrett Oliver - Bastian Bux

Noah Hathaway - Atreyu

Tami Stronach - The

Childlike Empress

Alan Opponheimer - Gmork/

Falkor/The Rock Biter/Narrator

(Voices)

Moses Gunn - Cairon

Thomas Hill - Carl Conrad

Coreander

Deep Roy - Teeny Weeny

Tilo Prückner - Nighthob

Sydney Bromley - Engywook

Patricia Hayes - Urgl

Chris Eastman - 1st Bully

Darryl Cooksey - 2nd Bully

Nicholas Gilbert - 3rd Bully

Robert Easton - Morla the Ancient One (Voice) (Uncredited)

Wolfgang Petersen - Man Who Drops Milk (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Bernd Eichinger - Man Next to Man Who Drops Milk (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Screenplay/Director -
Wolfgang Petersen

Based on the Novel "The Neverending Story" - Michael Ende

Screenplay - Herman Weigel

Additional Dialogue/

Dialogue Coach - Robert Easton

Associate Producer - Klaus Kahler
Executive Producers - Mark Damon and John W. Hyde

Co-Producer - Gunter Rohrbach
Producers - Bernd Eichinger, Bernd Schaefers and Dieter Geissler

Production Designer/Set

Decorator - Rolf Zehetbauer

Conceptual Artist/Scenery/

Creature/Costume Designer -

Ul De Rico

Art Directors - Johann Kott,

Herbert Stradel and Götz Weidner

Set Decorator - Rolf Zehetbauer

Costume Designer - Diemut Remy

Special Effects Makeup & Sculpture Supervisor -

Colin Arthur

Director of Photography - Jost Vacano

Production Executive - Anna Gross

Second Unit Director - Hannes Nikel

Stunt Coordinator - Tony Smart

Special Effects Supervisor: Main Unit -

Phil Knowles

Special Effects Engineering Supervisor -

Ron Hone

Director of Special and Visual Effects -

Brian Johnson

Motion Control Unit Supervisor - Dennis Lowe

Matte Painting Supervisor - Michael Pangrazio

Supervising Matte Photography: ILM - Craig Barron

Matte Photography Assistants: ILM -

David Fincher and Deborah Morgan

Optical Supervisor - Bruce Nicholson

Optical Cameraman: Motion Control Unit -

Keith Holland

Film Editor - Jane Seitz

Sound Effects - Mike Le Mare
Music - Giorgio Moroder and
Klaus Doldinger

Lyrics: The NeverEnding Story - Keith Forsey

Singer: The NeverEnding Story - Limahl

Music Editor - Robert Hathaway

Review

It's one of the well-known fantasy movies that made me feel so good. Everything I have watched in my childhood memories is Star Wars and Indiana Jones. And this one can be regarded as absolutely equal in its spirituality with adventure and fantasy. I watched THE NEVERENDING STORY a long time ago. It drew me to think about these lifelike images. It's been years after the film's premiere, and this dark fantasy tale, THE NEVERENDING STORY, still makes the young audience look amazed, haunted and traumatised. Remember, it's from the 80s pop culture, and it may look dated to some, but it never loses its appeal for the newly-obsessed fans.

The film's main factors made it wholesome and aged well today. The performances of the child actors are full of energy and talent. Barrett Oliver and Noah Hathaway were once so young as Bastian and Atreyu that their characters barely interact in each scene. I could think of nothing more scary and lifelike than the fantasy creatures created by pre-digital puppetry and other techniques, which started to freak me out as a child when I had not seen the movie yet and did not know what to expect.

It's too bad the sequels could not sustain the original's standards or the ambiguity. That is why the predecessor holds greater esteem from people who have seen it, even kids and teens. I invite fans to leave their comments and feedback on this review. I would love to hear the public opinions on this fantasy epic.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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