Old Reviews Re-Uploaded/New Star Wars Teaser

Hello there, everyone. It's FilmGuruLad here. I just wanted to inform you that I have updated some of my original reviews, including the two How to Train Your Dragon films, Kung Fu Panda 2, White House Down and the latest, Gallipoli. There are also two I recently re-uploaded, which include The Bourne Legacy and the 2012 remake of Red Dawn, which I have taken off my blog because I didn't get around to re-watching them.

In case you're wondering why I have not yet shown you the new Star Wars teaser, it is because of my efforts directed to more issues, such as tributes to Paul Walker and Anzac Day. But here, this will be made up to you. I hope you'll enjoy it.

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Gallipoli Review

Gallipoli

Release Date: 13th August 1981 - Australia

Production Companies

The Australian Film Commission

R&R Films

Distribution

20th Century Fox Australia

Genre: War

Rating: M

Runtime: 111 minutes


Budget: A$1,800,000

Box Office Gross:

A$11,740,000 (Australia)


Plot Summary
In 1915, during the First
World War, two young
sprinters from Western
Australia, the cynical
larrikin Frank and the
idealistic Archy, meet.
Friends and rivals will be
off to battle in Turkey.
Fighting in Gallipoli's
chaotic and bloody trenches,
the two men epitomise the
sacrifice, comradeship and
tragic waste of men whose
undying courage in the face
of overwhelming odds
defines Australia's identity
today.

Cast

Mark Lee - Archy Hamilton

Mel Gibson - Frank Rudd

Bill Kerr - Jack

Harold Hopkins - Les McCann

Charles Lathalu Yunipingu -
Zac

Heath Harris - Stockman
Ron Graham - Wallace Hamilton
Gerda Nicolson - Rose Hamilton

Robert Grubb - Billy
Tim McKenzie - Barney

David Argue - Snowy

Steve Dodd - Billy Snakeskin

Robyn Galwey - Mary

Don Quin - Lionel

Phyllis Burford - Laura

Marjorie Irving - Gran

Bill Hunter - Major Barton

Diane Chamberlain - Mrs Barton

Peter Ford - Lt. Gray

Geoff Parry - Sergeant Sayers

John Morris - Col. Robinson

Stan Green - Sergeant Major

Max Wearing - Colonel White

Graham Dow - General Gardner

Reg Evans - Athletics Official #1

Jack Giddy - Athletics Official #2

David Williamson - Soldier Playing Football

(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Story/Director - Peter Weir

Screenplay - David Williamson

Based on the Novel - Ernest Raymond (Uncredited)

Associate Producers - Martin Cooper

and Ben Gannon

Executive Producers - Francis O'Brien

and Rupert Murdoch (Uncredited)

Producers - Patricia Lovell and 

Robert Stigwood
Military Adviser - Bill Gammage

Sports Adviser - Jack Giddy

Design Coordinator - Wendy Stites
Art Director - Herbert Pinter
Director of Photography - Russell Boyd

Underwater Photography - Ron Taylor

Camera Operator - John Seale

Unit/Location Manager - Phillip Hearnshaw

Production Manager - Su Armstrong

1st Assistant Director - Mark Egerton

2nd Assistant Director - Steve Andrews

Stunt Coordinators - Dennis Hunt

and Vic Wilson

Wrangler - Heath Harris

Special Effects - Chris Murray,

Mont Fieguth, David Hardie, Steve Courtley

and David Henderson

Film Editor - William M. Anderson

Assistant Editors - Jeanine Chiavlo

and Karen Foster

Supervising Sound Editor - Greg Bell

Dubbing Mixer - Peter Fenton

2nd Mixers - Ron Purvis and

Gethin Creach

Additional Music Composer and Conductor -

Brian May

Review

In light of Anzac Day and having immersed in its history, I felt inspired to review GALLIPOLI as a tribute to those brave men who have fallen in that infamous battle that resulted in the birth of the annual holiday in Australia. There was only one movie and two miniseries based on the conflict instead of features set after Gallipoli. Examples of these features include The Lighthorsemen and Beneath Hill 60. I know the film may be historically incorrect, but it presents the devastation and how human lives got tragically lost on the battlefield. It didn't stop Peter Weir from directing this 1981 Aussie war drama, essentially the portrait of the tragedy and heartbreak in this conflict. The movie exposes the meaning of mateship, which bonded the men and helped them deal with traumatic experiences.

Before he was Hollywood's original sweetheart, Mel Gibson was a superb actor for having portrayed one of the main protagonists when this movie, along with Mad Max 2, had set him into the international borders of film stardom. I'm surprised to find out his co-star, Mark Lee, never had the chance to attain the celebrity status that Mel developed in the years after GALLIPOLI. He still has the moments of his worthwhile performance, but it didn't land him an opportunity to present himself for movie lead roles.

There is much heartbreak and melancholy left to experience after watching the final half of GALLIPOLI. Nobody could tell that this feature would be a well-known classic even in Australia, where it was more popular and became one of those movies in the New Wave cinema resurgence. It's a less pretentious movie that many will probably get to know as a tribute to the Anzac tradition.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Release Date: 11th September 2014 - Australia

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures

Nickelodeon Movies

Platinum Dunes

Gama Entertainment

Mednick Productions

Distribution

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 101 minutes


Budget: $125,000,000

Box Office Gross: $493,333,584 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

With the Shredder and his

evil Foot Clan controlling

everything from the police

to the politicians, darkness

has fallen over New York

City. Things look bleak

until four young genetically

mutated turtle brothers,

Leonardo, Michelangelo,

Donatello and Raphael,

rise above the sewers and

discover their destiny. To

save the city and unravel

Shredder's evil scheme, the

Turtles must team up with

intrepid reporter April

O'Neil and her wisecracking

cameraman, Vern Fenwick!

Cast

Megan Fox - April O'Neil

Will Arnett - Vern Fenwick

William Fichtner - Eric Sacks
Alan Ritchson - Raphael
Noel Fisher - Michelangelo
Pete Ploszek - Leonardo
Johnny Knoxville - Leonardo (Voice)
Jeremy Howard - Donatello
Danny Woodburn - Splinter
Tony Shalhoub - Splinter (Voice)
Tohoru Masamume - Shredder
Whoopi Goldberg -

Bernadette Thompson
Minae Noji - Karai
Abby Elliott - Taylor

Madison Mason - Councilman
Taran Killam - McNaughton
K. Todd Freeman - Dr. Baxter Stockman
Paul Fitzgerald - Dr. O'Neil

Malina Pauli Weissman - Young April O'Neil

Venida Evans - Subway Hostage

Mikal Vega - Sacks Bodyguard

Harley Pasternak - Himself

Braeson Herold - Reporter

Chris Wlyde - Reporter

Chance Kelly - Mr. Rivetti

Rick Chambers - News Anchor

Leyna Nyugen - News Anchor
Derek Mears - Dojo Ninja

Crew

Director - Jonathan Liebesman

Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Characters  - Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

Writers - Josh Appelbaum,
André Nemec and Evan Daugherty
Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Basil Grillo

Executive Producers - Eric J. Crown,
Jason Reed and Napoleon Smith III
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Denis L. Stewart

Producers - Michael Bay, Ian Bryce,

Andrew Form, Bradley Fuller,

Scott Mednick and Galen Walker

Casting Directors - Kathleen Chopin and

Debra Zane
Production Designer - Neil Spisak

Art Director - Miguel López-Castillo

Set Decorators - Debra Schutt and Lisa Scoppa

Property Master - Diana Burton
Costume Designer - Sarah Edwards

Costume Supervisor: Los Angeles Unit -

Lisa Lovaas

Makeup Department Head - Mindy Hall
Director of Photography - Lula Carvalho

Director of Photography: Snow Unit -

Mitchell Amundsen

Aerial Director of Photography: New York

Second Unit - David B. Nowell

"B" Camera Operator: New York Second

Unit - David M. Dunlap

Location Manager - Maria T. Biernak

Location Manager: Los Angeles Unit - Jonathan Hook

Unit Production Manager: Los Angeles Unit -

Allegra Clegg

Production Supervisor: Los Angeles Unit -

Daren Hicks

First Assistant Director - Darin Rivetti

First Assistant Director: Snow Unit - Chris Castaldi
Second Unit Director: New York Second Unit/

Visual Effects Supervisor - Pablo Helman
Second Unit Director: New York Second Unit/

Stunt Coordinator - David Leitch

Snow Unit Director - Dan Bradley

Stunt Coordinator: Snow Unit - Scott Rogers
Stunt Co-Coordinator - Hank Amos
Fight Coordinator - Jonathan Eusebio
Fight Coordinator/Stunt Coordinator: Los Angeles
Unit - Garrett Warren
Special Effects Supervisor - Burt Dalton

Special Effects Coordinator: Snow Unit -
J.D. Schwalm

Special Effects Coordinators: Los Angeles Unit -
David Amborm, Eric Frazier and Chris Burton

Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola VFX - Edson Williams

Visual Effects Supervisor: Stereo D - Katherine Rodtsbrooks

Associate Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Robert Weaver

Visual Effects Producers - Susan MacLeod

and Pat Sandston (Uncredited)

Visual Effects Executive Producers: ILM -

Wayne Billheimer and Gretchen Libby

Visual Effects Senior Art Director: ILM -

Aaron McBride
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Tim Harrington
Associate Animation Supervisor: ILM - Kevin Martel

Animation Consultant - Chris McKay

Digital Compositing Supervisor: ILM -

Nelson Sepulveda

Facial CG Supervisors: ILM - Kirani Bhat

and Michael Koperwas

Creature Supervisors: ILM - James Tooley,

Frank Dravatt, Bradford deCaussin and Cyrus Jam

Digital Artist Supervisors: ILM - Ivan Busquets,

Pat Conran, Eric Fernandes, Trevor Hazel,

David Hisanga, Kelvin Lau, Douglas Moore,

Mark Nettleton and Dan Wheaton

Additional Visual Effects: Image Engine -

Jesper Kjölsrud, Rhys Claringbull,

Cara Talluhla Davies, Vera Zivny, Barry Poon,

Yuta Shimizu, Shawn Walsh, Fred Chapman,

Jacob Clark, Martyn 'Moose' Culpitt,

Jeremy Stewart and Daniel Elophe

Additional Visual Effects: Tippett -

Aharon Bourland, Brad Fox, Joseph Hamdorf,

Sabina Fredenburg, Howard Campbell,

Jack Kalkanis Estrada, William Groebe,

Chris Paizas, John Rader, Chris Morley,

Eric Jeffrey and Kent Matheson

Previsualization Supervisor: Unit 11 - Steve Yamamoto

Previsualization Supervisor: The Third Floor -

Nicholas Markel
Editors - Joel Negron and Glen Scantlebury

Additional Editors - Peter Gvozdas

and Jim May

Supervising Sound Editors - Ethan Van der Ryan,

Erik Aadahl and Laurent Kossayan

Sound Designer - Jason W. Jennings

Re-Recording Mixers - Terry Porter

and Anna Behlmer

Foley Artists - Dan O'Connell,

John Cucci, Alicia Stevenson and

Dawn Lunsford
Music - Brian Tyler

Review

As a fellow nostalgic reviewer, I've learned much about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles through a few books and comic issues, plus watching two television series and three movies. I wasn't very excited about seeing the 2014 reboot of the movie when I heard all its negative news when in production. I've seen films on better days that are extremely good to watch. The recent interpretation of TMNT is juvenile, cheesy and almost unfaithful to the original incarnation due to Michael Bay's involvement and several drawbacks. The CGI character designs of the Turtles are horrendous. They looked nothing more but part reptilian and part human to their mutation. The effects company ILM has been trying to shape these four heroic reptiles to look as organic as possible but made them too creepy. Much to the best intentions of the filmmakers, who wanted to make them different from the old-school puppetry used in the three original films.

With a focus on the acting performances in this big-budgeted remake, Megan Fox is miscast as April O'Neill. She should have dyed her hair red or given away the role to another actress in playing the lead female to more accurately re-convey the traditional appearance of April. Although the other cast isn't perfect other than Megan herself, the best actor who stays in most of the film would be Will Arnett, playing a supporting character, who is almost the exact opposite of April. On a different note, I admire his role in the Arrested Development program.

It isn't the feature I expected, but it still definitely breaks out of its shell with a fireworks display of action and thrills. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES is a shameful example of a film due to a lack of direction and writing. You could only watch it once. COWABUNGA, DUDES!

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Fast & Furious 7 Review

Fast & Furious 7

Release Date: 2nd April 2015 - Australia

Production Companies 

Universal Pictures (presents)

Original Film

One Race Films

Media Rights Capital (in association with)

China Film Co. Ltd (in association with)

Fast 7 Productions

Dentsu (presented in association with)

Fuji Television Network

(presented in association with)

Distribution 

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 137 minutes


Budget: $190,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,515,341,399 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
Dominic Toretto and his
crew went their separate

ways and resumed their
more normal lives after

defeating international
terrorist Owen Shaw.
However, Shaw's brother
Deckard is out for revenge,
killing off one of the
crew members. To make

matters worse, a Somalian

terrorist known as Jakande
and a shadowy government
official known as "Mr.

Nobody" compete to steal
a computer terrorism

program known as God's
Eye. This program can

turn any piece of technology
into a weapon.

Embroiled in a power
struggle between terrorists
and the United States
government, Toretto must
reunite with his team to
stop Shaw and retrieve the
God's Eye program.

Cast

Vin Diesel - Dominic Toretto

Paul Walker - Brian O'Conner

Dwayne Johnson - Luke Hobbs

Michelle Rodriguez - Leticia

"Letty" Ortiz

Jordana Brewster - Mia Toretto

Tyrese Gibson - Roman Pearce

Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges - Tej Parker

Jason Statham - Deckard Shaw

Kurt Russell - Mr. Nobody

Nathalie Emmanuel - Ramsey

Elsa Pataky - Elena

Tony Jaa - Kiet

Djimon Hounsou - Jakande

Noel Gugliemi - Hector

Ali Fazal - Safar

Ronda Rousey - Kara

Miller & Charlie Kimsey - Jack

Lucas Black - Sean Boswell (Cameo)

Luke Evans - Owen Shaw (Cameo)

Eden Estrella - Samantha Hobbs

Iggy Azalea - Female Racer (Cameo)

T-Pain - DJ

Romeo Santos - Mando (Cameo)

Klement Tinaj - Race Wars Racer (Uncredited)

Crew

Director - James Wan

Based on Characters - Gary
Scott Thompson

Writer/Executive Producer - Chris Morgan
Executive Producers - Amanda Lewis and Samantha Vincent 

Producers - Vin Diesel and
Neal H. Moritz

Producer/Unit Production Manager - Michael Fottrell

Co-Producers - Brandon Birtell and Adam McCarthy

Casting Directors - Anne McCarthy and Kellie Roy
Production Designer - Bill Brzeski

Supervising Art Director - Desma Murphy

Art Directors - Jonathan Carlos, Alan Hook and Jay Pelissier

Set Decorator - Danielle Berman

Property Master - Guillaume DeLouche
Costume Designer - Sanja Milkovic Hays
Directors of Photography - Marc Spicer

and Stephen F. Windon

Directors of Photography: Second Unit -

Igor Meglic and Jacques Hatkin

Camera Operators: Los Angeles Unit -

Christopher Duskin, Martin Schaer,

Mark Moore and Henry Cline

First Assistant Director - Albert Cho

First Assistant Directors: Second Unit -

James LaRocca and Nick Satriano
Second Unit Director/Supervising Stunt

Coordinator/Stunts - Joel Kramer
Second Unit Directors/Stunt Coordinators -

Spiro Razatos and Jack Gill

Stunt Coordinator - Troy Robinson
Stunt Coordinator/Stunt Double:
Paul Walker (Uncredited) - Oakley Lehman

Fight Stunt Coordinator - Jeff Imada

Picture Car Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy
Special Effects Supervisor - Daniel Sudick

Special Effects Supervisor: Weta Workshop

Miniatures - Steve Ingram

Special Effects Coordinator: Weta Workshop

Miniatures - Scott Harens

Special Effects Consultant - Matt Sweeney

Weta Workshop Supervisor - Rob Gillies

Visual Effects Supervisors - Mike Wassel
and Kelvin McIlwain

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Joe Letteri
Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital - Martin Hill
Visual Effects Supervisors: Digital Domain -

Swen Gillberg and Jay Barton
Visual Effects Producer - Karen M. Murphy
Visual Effects Producer: MPC - Laura Schultz

Digital Effects Supervisors: Digital Domain -

Darren Hendler and Nikos Kalaitzidis
Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital - Daniel Barrett

2D Supervisor: MPC - Sean Konrad

Lead CG Supervisor: Weta Digital - Phillip Leonhardt

CG Supervisors: Weta Digital - Jeff Capogreco

and Nick Epstein

CG Supervisor: MPC - Bryan Litson

Postvis Supervisors - Theresa Ellis Rygiel

and Raul Moreno

Miniature Effects Supervisors: Weta Workshop

Miniatures - Richard Taylor and Paul Van Omen

Models Supervisor: Weta Workshop Miniatures -

Alex Faulkner

Director of Photography: Weta Workshop

Miniatures - Alex Funke

Editors - Leigh Bolsom Boyd,
Dylan Highsmith, Kirk M. Morri and
Christian Wagner

Additional Editor - David Kern

First Assistant Editors - Laura Yanovich,

Richard Conkling and Dave Cory

Sound Design and Supervision - Peter Brown

Co-Supervising Sound Editor - Joe Dzuran

Sound Effects Editors - Stephen P. Robinson,

Ann Scibelli, Jay Wilkinson, Dino Dimuro

and Glynna Grimala

Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor - Anna MacKenzie

Production Sound Mixers - Whit Norris

and Mark Weingarten

Re-Recording Mixers - Jon Taylor

and Frank A. Montaño

Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker,

Gary Marullo, Jeffrey Wilhoit and

Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit
Music - Brian Tyler

Review

As you may be aware, there are six Fast and the Furious films, and only two stood out. After Paul Walker's death, it took me a year and a half to revisit the fourth instalment as a tribute. I watched this movie and other F&F films to coincide with FAST & FURIOUS 7. I was glad that the seventh feature was full of surprises and made the audience feel engaged without being disappointed. Key strengths in F&F7 are not just the amazing car stunts and action scenes but also the fact that this feature serves as a parting gift to Paul Walker. It would have been more genuine for his character to have been killed in the film to create an emotional blow to the series. But I am happy with how it ends with a heartwarming message. I won't forget that this is his partially completed film, which, sadly, he never got to finish. I never had a chance to look at his horror flicks, but I admire James Wan's direction, as he pulls more wit than Justin Lin and is more capable of stylised action than horror.

My thoughts about the two new members who have joined the cast include Kurt Russell, a commendable choice as an ally to the heroes and English actor Jason Statham. Jason displays some unusual talent and is most capable of portraying the lead antagonist. He not only presents himself as a menacing foe wanting revenge but also as a cold-blooded assassin. It is apparent when the character debuted in Fast & Furious 6. He was a much more formidable opponent, in contrast to the previous antagonist by Luke Evans.

Next to Fast & Furious 5, it is now the second-best F&TF movie. It remains undiluted in its action scenes and does not run out of its traditional formula. I am unconvinced that there will be an eighth Fast & Furious feature, and I fear it's the first without Paul teaming up with Vin Diesel.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Film Guru Lad's Top Movie Villains: Part 5

Here we are in another post from me as Rad Dingo. It is the last part of the top evildoers shown to have no remorse and could do those monstrously bad things that made us hate them. So these are the final three that will end at the top spot of the list, and if you haven't known any of these film villains, prepare for a shocking surprise of evil treachery.

If you missed the last parts of this list, you can (click here for part one), (part two), (part three), and (part four) check on the other entries.

#3. Scar (The Lion King)

Not all villains are in live-action
movies. Some are even in

animated features. When it
comes to family members
plotting against their relatives,
Scar is at the forefront. This
vain, cunning, deceptive,

and power-hungry lion has
committed many atrocities.

His evil acts include murdering

his brother Mufasa so he can

become king and deceiving his

nephew, etc. Unlike the other

Disney villain, Maleficent, who

has no intentions of obtaining

power through stealing one's

right to rule, Scar does whatever

he can to fulfil these ambitions.

English actor Jeremy Irons gave a terrifying, ghastly voice to this ferocious feline, and Scar is just one of the few Disney villains that get away with their plans until they get their deserts.

#2. The Joker (The Dark Knight)

One of Batman's greatest

enemies, The Joker, is an

insane psychopathic

clown who murders people

and plans to plunge Gotham

City into anarchy. Unlike the
comic's origins, this
murderous mastermind
hasn't had his whole skin
bleached by toxic chemicals.
He's shown to be wearing
makeup and having scars

on parts of his mouth to

match the character's twisted grin. He has no redemption, as he has zero empathy. This definitive portrayal of the character was disturbing and dark, with the acting of the late Heath Ledger. It is one of the last roles he performed, and what a massive role for him to have as a swan song. Ledger received an Oscar win posthumously, and I might keep this version on the list instead of other interpretations of the Joker.

#1. Darth Vader (Star Wars)

And finally, the best movie
villain of all time, who
is also the best character
in Star Wars..., is Darth

Vader. He is Luke's

estranged father, which

is one of the biggest

twists of all time and

makes him a compelling

villain. This dark lord's

evil deeds included

exterminating the Jedi, like

the younglings, force-choking

minor Imperial officers to death for failure and incompetence, and inflicting torture on Han Solo and others. Vader wears a special suit and helmet that keep him alive and breathing. Because of a fight with his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, causing him to sustain burns from lava on Mustafar, he gets mechanical limbs that turn him more machine than man. Darth Vader is not only the greatest of all the film adversaries but someone you don't want to tick off and doesn't accept any apologies.

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My Tenth Important Message

Greetings, fellow moviegoers. I'm Rad Dingo, and you may as well discover that the re-review of Inception is no longer available on the blog archive or to use the Navbar in searching it, but why? I deleted it for being similar to a post of the same name on another film review site. Aside from deleting it, here are some reviews I rewrote for the present time.

Unless some viewers have already explored a few and seen through my updates, I will check for more reviews, which are stuck with typos and short descriptions.

1. Terminator 2: Judgement Day
2. Inception
3. Blended
4. Rio
5. Hot Fuzz
6. The Green Hornet
7. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
8. Speed
9. Jumper
10. The Avengers (2012)
11. Cowboys & Aliens
12. The Empire Strikes Back
13. Return of the Jedi
14. The Dark Knight
15. How to Train Your Dragon

Even though I fixed the entire critique description, I am bothered that none of you wished to look at the magic thriller Now You See Me.

Go into Now You See Me or type in (http://filmgurulad.blogspot.com/2013/11/now-you-see-me-review-updated.html) and other ways to get into this review.

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Fast & Furious Review

Fast & Furious 

Release Date: 16th April 2009 - Australia

Production Companies

Universal Pictures

Relativity Media (in association with)

Original Film
One Race Films
Dentsu (in association with)

Distribution 

Universal Pictures Australia 

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 102 minutes


Budget: $85,000,000

Box Office Gross: $360,364,265
(Worldwide)

Plot Summary
When a crime brings them
back to L.A, fugitive ex-con
Dom Toretto reignites his
feud with agent Brian
O'Conner. But as they are
forced to confront a shared
enemy, they find the best
way to get revenge: push
the limits of what's possible
behind the wheel!

Cast

Vin Diesel - Dominic Toretto
Paul Walker - Brian O'Conner
Michelle Rodriguez - Leticia
"Letty" Ortiz

Jordana Brewster - Mia Toretto

John Ortiz - Ramon Campos

Gal Gadot - Gisele Yashar

Laz Alonso - Felix Calderon 

Sung Kang - Han Seoul-Oh

Tego Calderón - Leo Tego

Don Omar - Rico Santos
Jack Conley - Penning
Shea Whigham - Agent Stasiak
Liza Lapira - Sophie Trinh
Mirtha Michelle - Cara Mirtha

Greg Cipes - Dwight Mueller
Ron Yuan - David Park

Joe Hursley - Virgil

Neil Brown Jr. - Malik

César García - Juvenal

Wilmer Calderon - Tash

Julian Starks - Baliff

Crew

Director - Justin Lin
Based on Characters - Gary
Scott Thompson
Writer - Chris Morgan

Executive Producers - Amanda Lewis and 

Samantha Vincent

Producers - Vin Diesel, Neal H. Moritz and 

Michael Fottrell
Casting Directors - Sarah Finn & Randi Hiller
Production Designer - Ida Random 
Costume Designer - Sanja Milkovic Hays
Director of Photography - Amir Mokri

Second Unit Directors - Terry Leonard and 

Mic Rodgers Stunt Coordinators - Mike Gunther and 

Freddie Hice
Picture Car Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy
Special Effects Supervisor - Mike Sweeney
Visual Effects Supervisors - Thad Beier,
Kelvin McIlwain, Bob Mercier and
Mike Wassel

Visual Effects/Effects Animation Supervisor: Double Negative - 

Alexander Seaman

Visual Effects Supervisors: Double Negative - Jon Bowen 

and Frazer Churchill

Visual Effects Supervisors/Designers: Hydralux - 

Colin & Greg Strause

Visual Effects Producer - Lori J. Nelson
Film Editors - Christian Wagner 
and Fred Raskin
Music - Brian Tyler

Review

I must admit, prior to watching 'Fast & Furious 5' and reviewing it, I actually saw the fourth movie when I inadvertently purchased it by mistake. 'FAST & FURIOUS 4' was a positive change for the series and it was great to see the whole team of the original cast from the first instalment back together. While on one hand, I would say that the fourth instalment is fast-paced, fuel injected action, I feel the quality is let down by the special effects of some of the scenes. These effects look over-the-top and unrealistic. Everyone should be grateful it didn't cause the franchise to be turned into a mindless money-making propaganda exercise. Brisk-moving pace, vehicle action and Vin Diesel are all the vital elements that are needed for fans to enjoy this movie. As for the action star Vin, he kept his cool and it was refreshing to see Paul and Vin reunited in their characters who portray a brotherly chemistry.

Not quite fast, not quite furious, but it did foreshadow the new movies and was the first step to rejuvenating the 'TF&TF' series. I would definitely watch this film again as it has a well-paced story-line with the moments of nitro induced action.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Hop Re-Review

Hop


Release Date: 7th April 2011 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures (presents)
Relativity Media (in association with)
Illumination Entertainment

Distribution
Universal Studios Australia


Genre: Family/Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 95 minutes


Budget: $63,000,000

Box Office Gross:

$184,367,145 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
E.B. is the son of the Easter Bunny, who wants nothing more than to follow in his father's footsteps and become a drummer instead. He runs away from home and is injured when an unemployed slacker named Fred accidentally runs him over and must take him in as he recovers. But E.B. soon takes advantage of his hospitality and becomes the worst house guest, which is too much for Fred to handle. Both will learn what it takes to grow up.


Live Action Cast
James Marsden - Fred O'Hare
Coleton Ray - Young Fred
Kaley Cuoco - Samantha "Sam" O'Hare
Gary Cole - Henry O'Hare
Elizabeth Perkins - Bonnie O'Hare
Tiffany Espensen - Alex O'Hare
David Hasselhoff - Himself
Chelsea Handler - Mrs. Beck
Russell Brand - Production Assistant (Cameo)

Voice Cast
Russell Brand - E.B.
Django Marsh - Young E.B.
Hugh Laurie - Mr. Bunny
Hank Azaria - Carlos & Phil
Hugh Hefner - Voice at Playboy
Mansion (Cameo)


Crew

Director - Tim Hill
Story/Screenplay - Cinco Paul and

Ken Daurio
Screenplay - Brian Lynch
Executive Producer - John Cohen
Producer - Christopher Meledandri

Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Michele Imperato

Production Designer - Richard Holland

CG Set & Prop Lead Designer - Philip A. Cruden

Illustrators - James Hegedus,

Patrick Von Janice and Carol Police

Art Director - Charlie Daboub
Character Designer - Peter DeSeve

Designer: "Young E.B."/Animation Supervisor -

Chris Bailey

Set Decorator - Don Diers

Property Master - Emily Ferry

Costume Designer - Alexandra Welker
Director of Photography - Peter Lyons Collister

First Assistant Director - Michele Panelli-Venetis

Second Unit Director/Director of

Photography - Thomas E. Ackerman

Stunt Coordinator - John Moio
Special Effects Supervisor - Alan E. Lorimer
Visual Effects Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -
Raymond Chen

Digital Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues - Michael Conelly

Animation Supervisors: Rhythm & Hues -
Ryan O'Donoghue, Kevin Jackson,

Rebecca Ruether, Chad Shattuck, Adam Yaniv
and Matt Shumway

Senior Animation Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -

Andrew Arnett

Crowd Animation Lead - C.J. Sarachene

Animation Layout Supervisor: Rhythm & Hues -

Colbert Fennelly
Previsualisation & Layout Supervisor -

Pepe Valencia

Sequence Supervisors: Rhythm & Hues -

Harry Brutsche IV, Walt Jones, Perry Kass,

Yogesh Lakhani, Josh Saeta and Jeff Wells

Editors - Peter S. Elliot and Gregory Perler

First Assistant Editor - Matthew Schmidt

Supervising Sound Editor - Richard L. Anderson

Sound Designer - Ann Scibelli

Sound Editors - Mike Chock and John Dunn

Re-Recording Mixers - Tom Johnson

and Gary A. Rizzo

Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker and

Catherine Ross

Music - Christopher Lennertz

Music Supervisor - Julianne Jordan

Additional Music & Arrangements/

Choir Conductor - Philip White

Review
Happy Easter, everyone! I noticed so few movies made for Easter in re-experiencing the family-oriented sugar rush HOP, which I reviewed in 2012. I just realised HOP wasn't so good after all, but it makes the first Alvin & The Chipmunks movie look shabbier in comparison. It is the first attempt by Illumination to integrate animation into a live-action setting. It wasn't enough when you see James Marsden throughout its running time; you'll be disappointed after watching HOP on the big and flat screens. To my critical beating, the film would have been better if E.B. was the main focus and if the story wasn't ridiculous and not shared with the actor who once played Cyclops (no offence to Mr. Marsden, who performed well in the movie).

This bunny would have become a likeable character to the children's parents. The script could have been more engaging, with an inspiring plot to capture all ages. The film needs to have less childlike humour and moments aimed at 6-to-12-year-olds. There are a few jokes I did get as an adult. I still find the animation terrific in eye candy.

Only juveniles and families can watch HOP, even though it is below average for older viewers. I should continue my work as you all should wait for the following review.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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