Watch this blog site for film reviews, whether blockbusters, box office bombs or highly obscure. Our genres will include science fiction, animation, musical, action, fantasy, drama, documentary, thriller, horror, romance, western and comedy.
Clark Griswold yearns to celebrate the perfect family Christmas as the holiday season approaches. He pesters his wife, Ellen, and their two kids to have everything prepared for their seasonal celebration, including the Christmas tree and decorations. However, things don't go as smoothly for the Griswolds, and to make matters worse for Clark, his hick cousin Eddie shows up uninvited and unannounced
with his family and starts
living in their RV on the
Griswold property. Will
Clark keep it together
before the ultimate
Christmas Eve celebration
takes a more disastrous
turn?
Cast
Chevy Chase - Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo - Ellen Griswold
Randy Quaid - Cousin Eddie
Juliette Lewis - Audrey Griswold
Johnny Galecki - Russ Griswold
Diane Ladd - Nora Griswold
John Randolph - Clark Griswold, Sr
E. G. Marshall - Art Smith
Doris Roberts - Frances Smith
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Margo Chester
Miriam Flynn - Cousin Catherine
Cody Burger - Cousin Rocky
Ellen Hamilton Latzen - Cousin Ruby Sue
William Hickey - Uncle Lewis
Mae Questel - Aunt Bethany
Sam McMurray - Bill
Nicholas Guest - Todd Chester
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Margo Chester
Nicolette Scorsese - Mary
Keith MacKechnie - Delivery Boy
Brian Doyle-Murray - Frank Shirley
Natalija Nogulich - Helen Shirley
Tony Epper - Bozo #1
Billy Hank Hooker - Bozo #2
Alexander Folk - Swat Officer
Jeremy Roberts - Cop
Woody Weaver - Cop
Michael Kaufman - Young Executive
Doug Llewelyn - Parade Announcer (Voice)
Devin Bailey - Young Clark Griswold
(Uncredited)
Crew
Director - Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writer/Producer - John Hughes
Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager -
William S. Beasley
Executive Producers - Matty Simmons and Daniel Grodnik (Uncredited)
Producer - Tom Jacobson Casting Directors - Risa Bramon Garcia, Billy Hopkins and Heidi Levitt
Production Designer - Stephen Marsh Art Director - Beala Neel
Set Decorator - Lisa Fischer
Costume Designer - Michael Kaplan
Director of Photography - Thomas Ackerman Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Charlie Picerni Special Effects - Allen Hall and Gary L. Karas
Special Visual Effects - Justin Klarenbeck
and Dave McCullough Animator: Main Title - Bill Kroyer (Uncredited)
Editors - Jerry Greenberg and Michael A. Stevenson
Supervising Sound Editors - Larry Kemp
and Wylie Stateman
Sound Editors - George H. Anderson,
David Baldwin, Neal Burger, Dan Hegeman,
Lou Kleinman, Glenn T. Morgan,
Victoria Rose Sampson and Mark P. Stoeckinger
Re-Recording Mixers - Doug Hemphill,
Chris Jenkins and Mark Smith
Foley Artists - Edward Steidele
and Gary A. Hecker
Music - Angelo Badalamenti
Review
Admittedly, I have never seen any of the Vacation movies, including CHRISTMAS VACATION, which I had the opportunity to view before Christmas Eve. CHRISTMAS VACATION is the last film of the series that John Hughes wrote and produced towards the end of his tenure. It celebrates the holiday spirit while keeping the movie fresh with slapstick comedy and a bit of crudeness to bring on the Yuletide laughter. A few actors from the two previous films return, like Chevy Chase, who once again portrays Clark Griswold - the optimistic father who frequently causes havoc to himself and his family instead of having a good time together. He has co-starred with the not-yet-famous actress Juliette Lewis as his daughter, future Big Bang Theory actor Johnny Galecki and Randy Quaid, who also returns as cousin Eddie.
I could never resist a good laugh when watching this film. CHRISTMAS VACATION is the comedy film of the holiday season, and it'll be good to watch it again by next December. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for those who enjoyed the movie!
Debbie Reynolds, the actress who paired with Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain", passed away from a stroke on 28th December 2016. She was 84, just one day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher. Unfortunately, we have lost both actresses as they were mother and daughter of Hollywood royalty. Debbie's career as an actress began when talent scouts at MGM and Warner Brothers discovered her after winning the 1948 Miss Burbank beauty contest. There, she appeared in a few movie musicals, one of which was to be her breakout role in the film "Three Little Words", starring Fred Astaire and Red Skelton. The other had a top hit song, "Aba Daba Honeymoon", entitled "Two Weeks with Love". By the time, she portrayed the up-and-coming actress Kathy Selden in what would become her highest-profile role in a musical satire "Singin' in the Rain". Debbie's career as an actress grew the more films she appeared in, including "Bundle of Joy" with singer Eddie Fisher (whom she later married). She received her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress in 1964 for "The Unsinkable Molly Brown". Two years later, she signed on for a semi-biographical movie, "The Singing Nun", which was the last of her contract at MGM.
Reynolds broadened her career to include television and voice work in films, most notably for 1973's "Charlotte's Web" and two television animations, "Rugrats" and "Kim Possible". She also did stage work on Broadway, including appearing with her daughter in the musical "Irene" and reprising her role in the stage version of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown". She was notable for being a singer in film musicals, nightclub acts and recording albums.
Wherever you are, Debbie, you'll always be our lucky star. And to be with Carrie Fisher.
It is a time of sorrow with the announcement of the passing of actress Carrie Fisher, who died of a fatal heart attack at 60 years old on December 27, 2016.She was probably best remembered to all Star Wars fans as Princess Leia Organa and was the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds, who had stood beside her on her deathbed.
Born in 1956, Carrie Fisher grew up in showbiz, and when she reached age 15, she appeared on stage with her mother in a musical play on the Broadway stage called "Irene". Her film career began with her debut role in the comedy "Shampoo" with Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, etc. Her big break in 1977 came when she starred opposite Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford (with whom she had a real-life relationship) in an unforgettable epic space adventure from director George Lucas. It would soon become the top-grossing movie franchise entitled "Star Wars" as her iconic role of Princess Leia. Fisher would eventually reprise her role once again in the infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special" as well as two more films, "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi". Thirty-two years later, she would return to the character she portrayed in "The Force Awakens", which came out in 2015. Before her death, she had already finished her work in the upcoming chapter, "Episode VIII", and scheduled its release in December 2017.
Aside from her fame as Leia, Fisher had made other film appearances, mostly cameos and supporting roles. These include "The Blues Brothers", "Hannah and Her Sisters", "The 'Burbs", "When Harry Met Sally...", "Scream 3", "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back", "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle", "Fanboys" and more. She had done work on television outside of film, notably in the animated sitcom "Family Guy" as Peter Griffin's boss and supervisor, Angela. Outside her film and television acting, she has also doctored film scripts. Carrie has even authored semi-autobiography novels and her autobiography.
My condolences go to her family and friends. All I can say is farewell, Carrie Fisher. You gave us a strong female character, and may the force be with you.
The daughter of an Imperial officer, Jyn Erso, has been on her own and now finds herself recruited by the Rebel Alliance to gather information on the Empire's newly constructed weapon, the Death Star.
Jyn, Cassian Andor, Bodhi Rook and their practical droid K-2SO needed to find one squadron to bring the galaxy peace by stealing the Death Star's technical readout. They joined forces with Baze Malbus, an assassin and spiritual partner, Chirrut Imwe. They also meet Clone Wars veteran Saw Gerrara.
With competition, the military director Orson Krennic will not stop until the Death Star gets completed. All the while, the weapon is under the watchful eye of Darth Vader.
Cast
Felicity Jones - Jyn Erso
Diego Luna - Cassian Andor
Alan Tudyk - K-2SO
Donnie Yen - Chirrut Îmwe
Wen Jiang - Baze Malbus
Ben Mendelsohn - Orson Krennic
Guy Henry - Governor Tarkin
Forest Whitaker - Saw Gerrara
Riz Ahmed - Bodhi Rook
Mads Mikkelsen - Galen Erso
Jimmy Smits - Bail Organa
Alistair Petrie - General Draven
Genevieve O'Reilly - Mon Mothma
Ben Daniels - General Merrick
Paul Kasey - Admiral Raddus
Stephen Standon - Admiral
Raddus (Voice)
Ian McElhenny - General Dodonna
Fares Fares - Senator Vaspar
Jonathan Aris - Senator Jebel
Sharon Duncan-Brewster -
Senator Pamlo
Spencer Wilding - Darth Vader
Daniel Naprous - Darth Vader
James Earl Jones - Darth Vader (Voice)
Ingvild Delia - Princess Leia
Anthony Daniels - C-3PO (Cameo)
Valene Kane - Lyra Erso
Beau Gadsdon - Young Lyn
Dolly Gadsdon - Younger Lyn
Duncan Pow - Sergeant Melshi
Jordan Stephens - Corporal Tenc
Babou Ceesay - Lieutenant Sefia
Aidan Cook - Two Tubes
Daniel Mays - Tivik
Andy de la Tour - General Hurst Romodi
Tony Pitts - Captain Pterro
Martin Gordon - Vaneé
Eric MacLennan - Rebel Tech
Robin Pearce - Rebel Tech
Francis Magee - Grizzly Rebel
Bronson Webb - Rebel MP
Tim Beckmann - Captain Antilles
Geraldine James - Blue Three
Ariyon Bakare - Blue Four Simon Farnaby - Blue Five
Susan Towner
Casting Director - Jina Jay
Dialect Coach - Andrew Jack
Production Designers - Doug Chaing and
Neil Lamont
Concept Designer: Lucasfilm - Kevin Jenkins
Lead Concept Artist - Matt Allsopp
Concept Artists - Christian Alzmann,
Chris & Julian Caldow, Kinman Chan,
Ryan Church, Rene Garcia, David Hobbins,
Will Htay, Vincent Jenkins, Dominic Lavery,
Khang Le, Richard Lim, Aaron McBride,
Jon McCoy, John Park, Matt Savage,
Thom Tenery, Erik Tiemens, Jan Urschel
and Andree Wallin
Supervising Art Director - Alastair Bullock
Senior Art Directors - Stuart Rose
and Gary Tomkins
Art Directors - Alex Baily, Robert Cowper,
Jordana Finkel, Lydia Fry, Ashley Lamont,
Steven Lawrence, Oliver Roberts,
Stephen Swain and Helen Xenopoulos
Construction Manager - Paul J. Hayes
Set Decorator - Lee Sandales
Property Master - Jamie Wilkinson
Costume Designers - David Crossman
and Glyn Dillon
Costume Supervisor - Graham Churchyard
Head of Department Modeller - Pierre Bohanna
Makeup Designer - Amanda Knight
Hair Designer - Lisa Tomblin
Director of Photography - Greig Fraser
Director of Photography: Action Unit -
Fraser Taggart
Director of Photography: Second Unit/
Camera Operator - Barry Baz Idoine
Aerial Director of Photography: Second Unit -
Adam Dale
Pilot: Second Unit - Marc Wolff
First Assistant Director - Toby Hefferman
Second Assistant Directors: Second Unit -
Tom Edmondson, David Keadell,
Tom Mulburge and Andrew Young
Supervising Location Manager - Mark Somner
Location Manager: Iceland Unit - Thor Kjartansson
Production Coordinator: Jordan Unit - Nada Atieh
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator:
Reshoots - Simon Crane
Second Unit Director - John Mahaffie
Stunt Coordinator - Rob Inch
Fight Coordinator - C.C. Smiff
Assistant Fight Coordinator - Liang Yang
Creature Movement Choreographer - Paul Kasey
Special Effects Supervisor - Neil Corbould
Special Effects Floor Supervisor - Caimin Bourne
Special Creature Effects - Neal Scanlan
Electronic Design and Development Supervisor -
Matthew Denton
Supervising Animatronic Designers - Gustav Hoegen,
Vanessa Bastyan and Maria Cork
Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM - Nigel Sumner,
Dave Dally and Craig Hammack
Additional Visual Effects: Whiskytree - Joe Ceballos,
Jonathan Harb, Tuan Ho, Paul Hudson,
Michael Kennen, Brian Meanley,
Juan Pablo Monroy, Allison Meyers and
Pierre Nahoum
Additional Visual Effects: Atomic Fiction -
Wayne Brinton, Kevin Couture, Darnie Galloway,
Seth Hill, Woei His Lee, Marc Sadeghi,
Dale Taylor and Ryan Tudhope
Visual Effects Producers - Lucas Tewin
and Erin D. O'Connor
Visual Effects Producers: ILM - TJ Falls,
Sophie Cullen and Ben Lock
Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Yanick Dusseault
Art Department: ILM - Jennifer Coronado
and David Nakabayashi
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Hal T. Hickel
Computer Graphics Supervisor: BLIND LTD -
Andrew Booth
Asset and Environment Supervisors: ILM -
Enrico Damm, Paul Giacoppo, Russell Paul
and Steve Walton
Digital Artist Supervisors: ILM - Beth D'Amato,
Ryan Hopkins, Cyrus Jam, John Levin,
Patrik Marek, David Meny and James Tooley
Compositing Supervisors: ILM - Ivan Busquets,
John J. Galloway, Alex Prichard and
Jeff Sutherland
Editors - John Gilroy, Colin Goudie
and Jabez Olssen
Additional Editor - Stuart Baird
Supervising Sound Editor (Uncredited)/
Sound Designer - David Acord
Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Designer/
Supervising Sound Editor - Christopher Scarabosio
Supervising Sound Editor - Matthew Wood
Foley Supervisor/Artist (Uncredited) -
Frank Rinella
Foley Editors - Ryan J. Frias and
Kimberly Patrick
Foley Artists - Ronni Brown and
Margie O'Malley
Sound Mixer - Stuart Wilson
Re-Recording Mixer - David Parker
Additional Re-Recording Mixers -
Michael Semanick, Luke Dunn-Gielmuda
and Tony Villafor
Original Star Wars Music - John Williams
Music - Michael Giacchino
Supervising Music Editor - John Finklea
Scoring & Mixing Engineers - Peter Cobbin
and Joel Iwataki
Review
A new hope begins for Star Wars with Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm and the spectacular release of 2015's The Force Awakensfrom J.J. Abrams. It relives the adventure, magic, thrills, and excitement the divisive prequel trilogy lacked. This film regained fans' interest and proved that the series could continue without George Lucas' involvement. ROGUE ONE marks the first of standalone spinoffs yet to be released. However, an extensive amount of reshoots were necessary to finish the film. It is said to have a darker and more melancholy tone similar toThe Empire Strikes BackandRevenge of the Sith.
In ROGUE ONE, the characters weren't as strong as those in The Force Awakens, with a few exceptions, like the droid with an alec personality named K-2SO. It's very intriguing for the film to set up the plot for the first Star Wars movie (click here) 39 years ago. It also boasted some impressive action and drama and demonstrated what the Rebels were like before they scored their first victory against the Empire.
Some old characters introduced in A New Hope returned in a cameo or a supporting role. Grand Moff Tarkin is no exception. However, CGI is applied to reconstruct the late Peter Cushing's likeness into the character he portrayed 29 years ago. Also returning is our fan-favourite Sith Lord, Darth Vader, and no longer is he the tragic character of the prequels, but instead shows a brutal side not seen in the originals.
ROGUE ONE is a very organic byproduct of the Star Wars series and the closest thing you'll get from a prequel. It is also a perfect entry for newcomers to the series if a few people are unfamiliar with Star Wars.
THE SANTA CLAUSE was released in 1994 as a star vehicle for comedian Tim Allen after his previous role in the television sitcom Home Improvement. While this isn't the best holiday film, it has some merits, helping to launch Tim Allen's career in the movie business and plenty of fun to attract the family audience while lifting their spirits for Christmas. The movie's storyline is easy to follow and far too predictable. Tim Allen has put the gift wrapping to himself as the average businessman/father who unwittingly becomes the mythological childhood figure of Kris Kringle, a.k.a. Santa Claus.
The film is a Christmas comedy, fun-filled and joyous with cheer and laughter. The sequels are not as good as the original SANTA CLAUSE movie. I recommend this movie to children and their families every Christmas Eve before it has to be over in the morning.
The Muppets tell their version of Charles Dickens's classic tale of an old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge, who receives an unexpected visit from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Each ghost began to show him secrets from his past and present and predict his future, which would change his life forever.
Cast
Michael Caine - Ebenezer Scrooge
Steven Mackintosh - Fred
Meredith Braun - Belle
Robin Weaver - Clara
Jessica Fox - Ghost of
Christmas Past (Voice)
David Shaw Parker - Old Joe (Voice)
Edward & Theo Sanders - Young Scrooge
Kristopher Milnes - Young Scrooge
Russell Martin - Young Scrooge
Raymond Coulthard - Young Scrooge
Muppet Performers
Steve Whitmire - Kermit the
Frog as Bob Cratchit/Rizzo
the Rat/Beaker/Bean Bunny/
Belinda Cratchit/Beetle/
Lips/Pig Gentleman/
Dave Goelz - The Great
Gonzo as Charles Dickens/ Waldorf as Robert Marley/
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew/
Betina Cratchit/Rat/Zoot
Pig Gentleman/Richmond
the Horse
Jerry Nelson - Robin the
Frog as Tiny Tim Cratchit/
Lew Zealand/Statler as
Jacob Marley/Ma Bear as
Ma Fozziwig/Pops/Mouse/
Droop/Frackle/Ghost of
Christmas Present/Mr.
Applegate/Penguin/Pig
Gentleman/Rat Frank Oz - Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit/Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig/Sam Eagle/George the Janitor/Animal/Horse and Carriage Driver/Vegetable Salesman
David Rudman - Peter Cratchit/Old Joe/Beggar/
The Swedish Chef/Wander McMooch
Don Austen - Ghost of Christmas
Present/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come Robert Tygner - Ghost of Christmas
Present/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come/
Turkey/Additional Muppets
Karen Prell - Daughter Mouse/Ghost of
Christmas Past/Additional Muppet Performer
William Todd-Jones - Ghost of Christmas Past
Mike Quinn - Pig Gentleman/Undertaker
Louise Gold - Mrs. Dilber/Spider/
Additional Muppets
Crew
Producer/Director - Brian Henson
Based on the Novel - Charles Dickens
Screenplay/Co-Producer - Jerry Juhl
Executive Producer - Frank Oz
Producer - Martin G. Baker
Line Producer - David Barron
Casting Directors - Suzanne Crowley,
Mike Fenton and Gilly Poole
Production Designer - Val Strazovec
Supervising Art Director - Alan Cassie
Art Director - Dennis Bosher
Set Decorator - Michael Ford
Production Buyer - Ron Quelch
Costume Designer - Polly Smith
Costume Design Consultant - Ann Hollowood
Chief Makeup Artist - Lois Burwell
Director of Photography - John Fenner
Camera Operator - Mike Brewster
First Assistant Director - Crispin Reece
Second Assistant Directors - Callum McDougall
and Richard Whelan
Assistant Director: Second Unit - Bernard Bellew
Second Unit Director - Nick Willing
Choreographer - Pat Garrett
Special Effects Supervisor - David Harris
Special Effects Technicians - Darren May,
Neil Swan, Roger Nichols and Ron Hone
Puppet Coordinators - Mike Quinn,
Karen Prell and Rob Tygner
Muppet Design Consultant - Michael K. Firth
Creative Supervisor: Jim Henson's Creature
Shop - John Stephenson
Visual Effects Supervisor/Director:
Miniatures Unit - Paul Gentry
Visual Effects Consultant - Thomas G. Smith
Miniatures Supervisor: Miniatures Unit -
David B. Sharp
Director of Photography: Miniatures Unit -
Paul Wilson
Film Editor - Michael Jablow
Supervising Sound Editor - Bobby Mackston
Sound Editor - Doug Kent
Sound Recordist/Mixer (Uncredited) -
Chris Munro
Re-Recording Mixers - Gary Gegan
and Matthew Iadarola
Foley Artists - Dan O'Connell
and Gary A. Hecker
Songs - Paul Williams
Original Score/Songs Arranger -
Miles Goodman
Executive Music Producer - Robert Kraft
Music Editors - Robert Hathaway
and Nancy Fogarty
Review Charles Dickens's beloved story is the basis for each iteration. A Christmas Carol is one of these examples of great classic literature adapted into a film. Read a million times more than Oliver Twist and Great Expectations andremains one of Dickens's celebrated works and one of his very best. One of the best movie adaptations of the novel I ever saw was THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL. I haven't reviewed any Muppet movies (excluding the 2011 revival). It's time to rediscover my childhood memories through this retelling of a classic story. Jovial and heartfelt, it's how a Christmas movie should be. This modern version of Dickens's classic tale remains unchanged except for the cast and presentation.
Michael Caine's portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge shows that he can instantly perform as a miserly old businessman who discourages Christmas and later learns the meaning of the holiday spirit and becomes a changed man. It was one of his finest hours of acting, and even his interpretation is unsurpassed by Jim Carrey's and all other actors' versions of the character. It's nice to see all the Muppet characters again, even Kermit the Frog, who plays Bob Cratchit with Miss Piggy as his wife and The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat are the narrators. The set design is flawless, and the songs have a whimsical charm and an atmospheric quality that profoundly measures up to the movie's yuletide magic.
It could have ended the Muppets' future after its creator Jim Henson's unexpected passing. It somehow lives up to many expectations. THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL is the best among the Muppet movies and worth dusting off from your collection. It is for viewers familiar with both Dickens and the characters that inhabit the world of the Muppets.
One of the series of experimental military robots called Number 5 gains human-like intelligence and consciousness after being struck by lightning and escapes. He finds a home with a young woman named Stephanie Speck, who believes him to be an alien but later befriends him. Now, its creator, Newton Crosby and his assistant are on the trail of finding him before the military plans to take him apart and permanently scrap the entire project. Can Number 5 evade the army and convince his creator that he is alive?
Cast
Tim Blaney - Number 5 (Voice)
Ally Sheedy - Stephanie Speck
Steve Guttenberg - Newton Crosby
Fisher Stevens - Ben Jabituya
Austin Pendleton - Howard Marner
G.W. Bailey - Skroeder
Brian McNamara - Frank
Marvin J. McIntyre - Duke
John Garber - Otis
Penny Santon - Mrs. Cepeda
Vernon Weddle - General Washburne
Barbara Tarbuck - Senator Mills
Fred Slyter - Norman
Billy Ray Sharkey - Zack
Jack Thompson - Party Guest
John Badham - Cameraman (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Crew
Director - John Badham
Writers - S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock and Jay Tarses (Uncredited) Associate Producers - Gary Foster and Dana Satler Hankins
Executive Producers - Mark Damon and John Hyde
Supervising Producer/Second Unit
Director - Gregg Champion
Producers - David Foster and Lawrence Turman
Co-Producer - Dennis Jones Casting Directors - Jane Feinberg, Mike Fenton and Judy Taylor
Animal Handlers - Dennis & William Shane Grisco
Art Director - Dianne Wager
Robots Designer/Consultant (Uncredited) -
Syd Mead
Illustrators - Jack Johnson,
Martin A. Kline, Dick Lasely and
Tom Southwell
Set Decorator - Garrett Lewis
Property Master - Gregg H. Bilson
Costumer: Men - Barry Francis Delaney
Costumer: Women - Mary E. Vogt
Director of Photography - Nick McLean
Camera Operators - Stephen E. Bridge
and Michael D. O'Shea
First Assistant Camera - Michael A. Chavez
and Bill Roe
Location Manager - Mark Indig
Unit Production Manager - Steve Perry
First Assistant Director - Jerry Ziesmer
Stunt Coordinator - Walter Scott
Special Effects Supervisor - Chuck Gaspar
Robots Engineer/Robotic Special Effects
Supervisor - Eric Allard
Animatronic Performance Supervisor/Puppeteer
(Uncredited) - Tony Urbano
Special Visual Effects - Chris Casady,
Dennis Dorney, Michael Ferriter,
Rocco Gioffre, Robert Hall, Nina Salerno,
Keith Shartle and Hoyt Yeatman
Visual Effects Consultant - Michael L. Fink
Video and Graphic Displays - Rhonda C. Gunner,
Richard E. Hollander, Gregory L. McMurry
and John C. Wash
Film Editors - Frank Morriss, Jeff Jones
and Dallas Puett
Assistant Film Editor - Kevin Stitt
Robot Voices Synthesizer - Frank Serafine
Supervising Sound Editors - Milton C. Burrow
and William L. Manger
Sound Mixer - Willie D. Burton
Re-Recording Mixers - Wayne Artman,
Tom Beckert and Tom E. Dahl
Music - David Shire
Review
The SHORT CIRCUIT series was a favourite part of my childhood. Unfortunately, I didn't see the first movie when I watched the sequel instead on pay TV. A few years later, it appeared on the Movie Extra channel. In recent years, the robot Number 5 (aka Johnny 5) has inspired another iconic robot character with mannerisms and looks, and his name was WALL-E. SHORT CIRCUIT is a family comedy that keeps the laughter for adults and young children but also pulls your heartstrings, which leads you to believe you're watching a Disney movie. John Badham was an underrated film director who was benevolently clever at helming this picture than he does to his other films like Saturday Night Fever and WarGames. Somehow, he didn't get the credit he deserved for his contribution to the film industry.
Steve Guttenberg was convincing as the scientist responsible for getting the machine operational. The other cast members were believable in their roles and created a fun and heartfelt atmospheric movie. I would give an honourable mention to Fisher Stevens for his outstanding role as an Indian character. The mechanical effects were not groundbreaking or revolutionary. However, they were convincingly believable and showed how to create robots.
SHORT CIRCUIT is not your typical family feature. It's unique and different from what people usually expect. It was the attraction for this movie, as it created a new style, a light-hearted sci-fi comedy that suggests the possibility of a living robot who gains a spark of humanity. If you've seen this movie, you will know it has a touching and uplifting story, and many following films have replicated its concept. SHORT CIRCUIT still stands out as one of the best and most nostalgic films.
Production Companies Warner Bros. Pictures Heyday Films
Distribution Roadshow Films
Genre: Fantasy Rating: M
Runtime: 133 minutes
Budget: $180,000,000
Box Office Gross: $814,044,001 (Worldwide)
Plot Summary In 1926, Newt Scamander returned from a global quest to find and document an extraordinary range of magical creatures. Landing in New York for a short stay, he could have come and gone without incident had it not been for a No-Maj called Jacob, a misplaced magical case and the escape of some of Newt's fantastic beasts, which could mean disaster for both the wizarding and the No-Maj worlds.
Cast Eddie Redmayne - Newt Scamander Colin Farrell - Percival Graves Ezra Miller - Credence Barebone Ron Perlman - Gnarlack Katherine Waterston - Tina Samantha Morton - Mary Lou Jon Voight - Shaw Senior Carmen Ejogo - Seraphina Picquery Dan Fogler - Jacob Kowalski Faith Wood-Blagrove - Modesty Barebone Jenn Murray - Chastity Barebone Kevin Guthrie - Mr. Abernathy Alison Sudol - Queenie Johnny Depp - Gellert Grindelwald Zoe Kravitz - Lestrange Peter Breitmayer - Mr. Bingley Ranon Raftery - Langdon
Shaw Josh Cowdery - Henry Shaw Jr. Ellie Haddington - Mrs. Esposito Martin Oelbermenn - Heinrich Eberstadt Gemma Chan - Madam Ya Zhou Christian Dixon - Momolou Wotorson Wunmi Mosaku - Beryl Sam Redford - Customs Official Scott Goldman - Customs Official (Voice) Tim Betnick - Witness Tristan Tait - Reporter Tom Hodgkins - Barker Dominique Tipper - Auror 1 Guy Paul - Auror 2 Akin Gazi - Auror 3 Rich Hardesty - Auror 4 Andreea Paduraru - Auror 9 Walles Hamonde - Auror 10 Elizabeth Moynihan - Executioner 1 Miquel Brown - Executioner 2 Jane Perry - Female Customer in Bakery
Crew Director - David Yates Based on the Novel "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"/Writer/Producer - J. K. Rowling
Script Supervisor - Anna Worley
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Tim Lewis Executive Producers - Neil Blair and Rick Senat Producers - David Heyman, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager - Michael Sharp
Casting Director - Fiona Weir Production Designer - Stuart Craig Associate Production Designer - James Hambridge
Concept Artists - Robert Bliss,
Paul Catling, Peter Popken, Dermot Power
and Tom Wingrove
Art Directors - David Allday, Leslie Tomkins, Guy Bradley, Toby Britton,
Makeup & Hair Designer - Fae Hammond Director of Photography - Philippe Rousselot
Second Unit Director of Photography -
Jean-Philippe Gossart
"A" Camera Operator - Des Whalen
Supervising Location Manager - Sue Quinn
First Assistant Director - Josh Robertson
Second Assistant Director - Tom Brewster Second Unit Director - Stephen Woolfenden Stunt Coordinator - Eunice Huthart
Choreographer - Wayne McGregor Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Alex King Special Effects Supervisor - David Watkins Special Effects Coordinator - Victoria Cadiou
Visual Effects Supervisors - Tim Burke
and Christian Manz
Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore -
Andy Kind and Stephane Nazé
Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Ferran Domenech
Additional Supervisors: MPC - Daniel Stumpf,
Asregadoo Arundi, Marco Fogila, Tristan Zerafa
and Paul Nelson
Visual Effects Producer - Olly Young
Senior Visual Effects Producers: Framestore -
Nick King and Imke Fehrmann
Visual Effects Consulting Producer - Emma Norton
Animation Supervisors: Framestore -
Kevin Spruce and Laurent Laban
Visual Effects Creature Animation Development/
Senior Animation Supervisor: Framestore -
Pablo Grillo
CG Supervisors: Framestore - Benjamin Loch,
Benjamin Huber, Francois Lord and Matthiey Bertrand Editor - Mark Day
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor -
Glenn Freemantle
Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer -
Niv Adiri
Sound Designers - Tom Sayers and
Ben Barker
Production Sound Mixer - Simon Hayes
Re-Recording Mixers - Ian Tapp
and Andy Nelson
Foley Artists - Pete Burgis and
Jason Swanscott
Foley Mixer - Glen Gathard
Music - James Newton Howard Composer: "Hedwig's Theme" - John Williams
Score Recordist and Mixer - Peter Cobbin
Score Recordist - Shawn Murphy
Score Mixer - Kirsty Whalley
Review
The Harry Potter film series should have concluded when Deathly Hallows: Part 2opened in July 2011 and put the future movies to rest before FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM got officially announced. The prequel spin-off has attracted a large crowd while earning total income at the box office. FANTASTIC BEASTS should be another beginning of a series that will expand the mythological aspects that glorify the series and make it such a phenomenon. J. K. Rowling is a writer who knows every spell of magic and is every step of writing a fantasy book or story to keep it treasured by all Muggles. David Yates returns to direct this feature, but many actors from the original Harry Potter films are absent.
FANTASTIC BEASTS is a large assemblage of extraordinary visuals, bits of colourful laughter and an ensemble cast of Colin Farrell, Katherine Waterson, Dan Fogler and Ezra Miller. Each of them has a part to play in their characters. Noted English acting thespian Eddie Redmayne gets the standout role of Newt Scamander, a misguided wizard who has to retrieve his magical creatures before they can unleash the dangers into both worlds. Redmayne was a generous actor who had just gone through famous roles as Stephen Hawking and a transgender person. He had the misfortune of being in an antagonist role inJupiter Ascending, which is unsuited for the character with awkwardness. Johnny Depp is in a surprise guest appearance as the evil wizard Grindelwald. I hoped to see more of his role in the upcoming sequels.
With the announcement of five more films in the series, the first instalment is a great start and worth watching on its own merits. I look forward to seeing the magic again if it benefits the newborn franchise.
Rating: M
Clark Griswold yearns to celebrate the perfect family Christmas as the holiday season approaches. He pesters his wife, Ellen, and their two kids to have everything prepared for their seasonal celebration, including the Christmas tree and decorations. However, things don't go as smoothly for the Griswolds, and to make matters worse for Clark, his hick cousin Eddie shows up uninvited and unannounced
Chevy Chase - Clark Griswold
Ellen Hamilton Latzen - Cousin Ruby Sue
