Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Review

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban


Release Date: 3rd June 2004 - Australia (limited)


Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

1492 Pictures

Heyday Films

P of A Productions

Distribution

Roadshow Films


Genre: Fantasy/Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 142 minutes


Budget: $130,000,000

Box Office Gross: $808,485,409 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Now in their teens, Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts in their third year and must come to terms with the news that an escaped convict, Sirius Black, is now on the loose from the prison of Azkaban and is out to kill the one person which is Harry himself. And to make matters worse, the soul-sucking creatures called Dementors have been sent to guard the school in an attempt to capture Black and can inexplicably happen to have the most horrible effect on him.

Could this murderer really hold the connection to Harry's past, and will Harry and his friends overcome these perils and discover the truth about Sirius and what happened 12 years ago?


Cast

Daniel Radcliffe - Harry Potter

Emma Watson - Hermione
Granger

Rupert Grint - Ron Weasley

Robbie Coltrane - Ruebus
Hagrid
Gary Oldman - Sirius Black

Michael Gambon - Albus
Dumbledore

Maggie Smith - Minerva
McGonnagall

Alan Rickman - Severus Snape
David Thewlis - Professor Lupin
Tom Felton - Draco Malfoy

Richard Griffiths - Vernon Dursley

Fiona Shaw - Petunia Dursley

Harry Melling - Dudley Dursley
Pam Ferris - Aunt Marge
Warwick Davis - Wizard

David Bradley - Argus Filch

Emma Thompson - Professor
Sybil Trelawney

Devon Murray - Seamus
Finnigan

Jamie Waylett - Vincent Crabbe

Joshua Herdman - Gregory

Goyle

Mark Williams - Arthur Weasley

Julie Walters - Molly Weasley

Bonnie Wright - Ginny Weasley

James & Oliver Phelps - Fred and George Weasley

Chris Rankin - Percy Weasley
Lenny Henry - Shrunken Head
Jimmy Gardner - Ernie the Bus Driver
Lee Ingleby - Stan Shunpike
Jim Tavare - Tom the Innkeeper

Robert Hardy - Cornelius Fudge

Timothy Spall - Peter

Pettigrew

Julie Christie - Madame Rosmerta

Sitara Shah - Parvati Patel

Genevieve Guant - Pansy

Parkinson

Jennifer Smith - Lavender Brown

Dawn French - Fat Lady in

Painting

Alfred Enoch - Dean Thomas

Danielle Tabor - Angelina Johnson

Peter Best - The Executioner

Adrian Rawlins - James Potter

Geraldine Somerville - Lily Potter

Crew
Director - Alfonso Cuarón

Based on the Book "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" - J. K. Rowling

Screenplay - Steve Kloves

Associate Producer/First Assistant Director - Chris Carreras
Executive Producers - Michael Barnathan, Callum McDougall and Tanya Seghatchian

Producers - Chris Columbus, David Heyman, Mark Radcliffe and Lorne Orleans (IMAX Version)

Casting Director - Jina Jay

Animal Supervisor - Gary Gero

Head Animal Trainers - Julie Tottman and

Dave Sousa

Animal Trainers - Susan Humphrey,

Antony Bloom and James P. Warren

Production Designer - Stuart Craig

Conceptual Artists - Adam Brockbank,

Dave McKean, Dermot Power, Rob Bliss,

Andrej & Olga Dugin, Andrew Williamson

and Wayne D. Barlowe

Supervising Art Director - Neil Lamont

Senior Art Director - Andrew Ackland-Snow

Art Directors - Alan Gilmore,

Steven Lawrence, Gary Tomkins and

Alexandra Walker

Assistant Art Directors - Mark Bartholomew,

Alastair Bullock, Peter Dorme, Frederic Evard,

Dominic Masters, Martin Foley and Stephen Swain

Head Scenic Artists - Steven Sallybanks

and Marcus Williams

Construction Manager - Paul J. Hayes

Construction Coordinators - Amanda Pettett

and Nicola Short

Supervising Modellers - Pierre Bohanna

and Mark Woollard
Set Decorator - Stephenie McMillan

Assistant Set Decorator - Lee Sandales

Property Master - Barry Wilkinson

Assistant Property Masters - Ethan J. Platt and

Jamie Wilkinson
Costume Designer - Jany Temime

Assistant Costume Designers -

Françoise Fourcade, Vivienne Jones and

Guy Speranza

Costume Supervisor - David Crossman

Creature & Makeup Effects Designer -

Nick Dudman

Makeup Designer - Amanda Knight

Chief Hairdresser & Designer - Eithnee Fennel
Director of Photography - Michael Seresin

Additional Photographers - David Morgan

and Mike Brewster

Director of Photography: Second Unit -

Peter Hannan

Unit Production Manager - Tim Lewis

First Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Jamie Christopher

Second Assistant Directors - Fiona Richards

and Michael Stevenson

Second Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Simon Emanuel

Third Assistant Directors - William Dodds,

Tom Brewster, Philippa Hunt and

Al Morris

Third Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Lyndsay Bullock

Location Managers - Nick Daubeny,

Robin Higgs, Jonathan Hook, Janet Riddoch

and Mark Somner

Second Unit Director - Peter MacDonald

Stunt Coordinator - Greg Powell

Aerial Coordinator/Pilot - Marc Wolff

Diving Coordinator - Dave Shaw
Special Effects Supervisors - John Richardson

and Steve Hamilton

Special Effects Coordinator - Stephanie Leavitt

Special Effects Floor Supervisors - Ian Lowe

and Dominic Tuohy

Supervising Animatronic Model Designers -

Chris Barton and Gary Pollard

Key Animatronic Model Designers -

Val Jones-Mendoza, Mark Coulier,

Paul Spateri, Tracy Kneale and Guy Stevens
Visual Effects Supervisors - Tim Burke

and Roger Guyett

Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore CFC -

Karl Mooney

Visual Effects Supervisors: Double Negative -

Charlie Noble, Mark Michaels and

Richard Clarke

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Bill George
Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite -

Simon Stanley-Clamp

Additional Visual Effects Supervisor - Mark Casey

Visual Effects Producers - Theresa Corrao

and Emma Norton

Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Sandra Scott

Animation Supervisors: MPC - Jason McDonald,

Rob Hemmings and Jeremy Lazare

Animation Supervisor: Framestore CFC -

Mike Eames

Visual Effects Animation Supervisor: ILM -

David Andrews

Lead Animators: ILM - Steve Rawlings and

Paul Kavanagh

CG Supervisors: ILM - Euan K. MacDonald,

Michael DiComo and Kevin Sprout

CG Supervisors: MPC - Simon Clutterbuck

and Peter Muyzers

CG Supervisor: Framestore CFC - David Lomax

CG Sequence Supervisors: ILM - Tom Fejes,

Bruce Powell and Anthony Shafer

CG Effects Supervisor: Framestore CFC -

Rob Allman

Model Unit Supervisor: Cinesite - José Granell

Motion Control Supervisor - Chris Shaw

Compositing Supervisor: ILM - Dorne Huebler

Compositing Supervisors: Framestore CFC -

Areito Echevarria and Adrian De Wet

Compositing Supervisors: MPC - Charley Henley,

Niki Wakefield and Ian Fellows

Compositing Sequence Supervisors: ILM - 

Stella Bogh, Patrick Brennan, Mark Casey,

Jay Cooper and Dean Yurke

Lighting Supervisor: Framestore CFC -

Andy Kind

Editor - Steven Weisberg

Additional Editor - JC Bond

Associate Editors - William Kruzykowski and

Alex Rodríguez

Sound Designer/Co-Supervising Sound Editor -

Richard Beggs

Co-Supervising Sound Editor - David Evans

Sound Effects Editors - Andy Kennedy,

Bjorn Ole Schroeder and Sam Southwick

Production Sound Mixer - John Midgley

Re-Recording Mixers - Matthew Gough,

Mike Prestwood Smith and Michael Semanick

Foley Artists - Andi Derrick and Peter Burgis

Music - John Williams

Music Editors - Peter Myles and

Kenneth Wannberg

Music Scoring Mixer - Shawn Murphy


Awards

2005 Academy Awards

Best Original Score - John Williams (Nominated)

Best Visual Effects - Tim Burke, Roger Guyett,

Bill George and John Richardson (Nominated)


Review
While I had only reviewed the first and last two of the series, I figured it was time to review the films I missed, starting with THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN and ending with The Half-Blood Prince. That is until I go and see the new Fantastic Beasts movie in theatres. The series' third instalment began to take a darker turn and develop its magic, as in The Chamber of Secrets, when it showed maturity. Alfonso Cuarón was a newcomer to the movie franchise and a brilliant director. He took over the reins from Chris Columbus when the former wanted to spend time with his family. Cuarón sought to accomplish what was missing in the previous two films.

THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN has set a standard for all Harry Potter films in its world-building, visuals and firm grip on emotional and profound storytelling. And to this date, it remains the second-best instalment behind Deathly Hallows: Part II was magical and instantly timeless.

One thing that stood out in this movie is Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson's improved acting. It marked the introduction of Michael Gambon as Dumbledore to continue the role from the late Richard Harris. It featured some actors like Gary Oldman, Emma Thompson and David Thewlis, whose characters like Sirius, Trelawney and Remus would go on and return in the following movies. It is John Williams' last film in the series for which he provided the background music, and he did not compose more of the later instalments after AZKABAN.

It's so fortunate to see the feature again after a long wait, and still, it is for viewers who have read the books or even watched the whole film series. EXPECTO PATRONUM!

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Important Site Update

Hi, folks! It's Rad Dingo here! I made a recent update to my blog. I have now included an index page of my current and earlier reviews, which can be found near the movie trivia answers page, as you'll see in the image below.

Also, I re-uploaded my Reign of Fire critique if you look for it. I resumed my other blog about my trip to New Zealand with two posts. I expect to finish it sometime, possibly at the end of this year or next year.

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Diamonds Are Forever Review

Diamonds Are Forever


Release Date: 23rd December 1971 - Australia


Production Companies

Eon Productions (made by)
Danjaq


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 120 minutes 

Budget: $7,200,000

Box Office Gross: $116,001,197 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
There's been a lot of theft of South African diamonds, but the diamonds weren't on the world market for a long time. It is James Bond's mission to discover who has these diamonds. He learns that Ernst Blofeld has constructed a gigantic laser machine orbiting the Earth, which uses diamantine to amplify its energy, causing nuclear warheads, missiles and submarines to detonate. Blofeld plans to hold an international auction, with nuclear domination going to the highest bid.

Proving that diamonds aren't just a girl's best friend, Bond pursues his nemesis to his oil rig base off the coast of California.


Cast
Sean Connery - James Bond
Jill St. John - Tiffany Case
Charles Gray - Ernest Stavro Blofeld
Jimmy Dean - Willard Whyte
Putter Smith - Mr. Kidd
Bruce Glover - Mr. Wint
Joseph Furst - Dr. Metz
Bruce Cabot - Bert Saxby
Norman Burton - Felix Leiter
Bernard Lee - M
Lois Maxwell - Miss Moneypenny
Desmond Llewelyn - Q
Lana Wood - Plenty O'Toole
Trina Parks - Thumper
Lola Larson - Bambi

Joe Robinson - Peter Franks

David de Keyser - Doctor

Laurence Naismith - Sir Donald Munger

David Bauer - Mr. Slumber

Marc Lawrence - Slumber Inc. Attendant

Sid Haig - Slumber Inc. Attendant

Crew
Director - Guy Hamilton

Based on the Novel "Diamonds Are Forever" and Characters "James Bond" - Ian Fleming (Uncredited)

Screenplay - Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz

Continuity - Elaine Schreyeck and Del Ross

Associate Producer - Stanley Sopel

Producers - Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman

Production Designer - Ken Adam

Art Directors - Jack Maxsted and

Bill Kenney

Set Decorators - Peter Lamont and

John Austin

Production Buyer - Ron Quelch

Costumes: Miss St. John's - Donfeld

Director of Photography - Ted Moore

Second Unit Cameraman - Harold E. Wellman

Location Managers - Bernard Hanson

and Eddie Saeta

Assistant Directors - Derek Cracknell

and Jerome M. Siegel

Stunt Arrangers - Bob Simmons

Special Effects - Les Hillman and

Whitey McMahon

Visual Effects - Albert Whitlock

and Wally Veevers

Editors - Bert Bates and John W. Holmes

Dubbing Mixer - Gordon K. McCallum

Sound Recordists - John W. Mitchell

and Al Overton

Main Title Designer - Maurice Binder

Composer: The James Bond Theme -

Monty Norman

Lyricist: Song "Diamonds Are Forever" -

Don Black

Performer: Song "Diamonds Are Forever" -

Shirley Bassey

Awards

1972 Academy Awards

Best Sound - Gordon K. McCallum,

John W. Mitchell and Al Overton (Nominated)

Review

After a year of watching a James Bond movie, I decided to review DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER since this is the final curtain call for Sean Connery's tenure as the title character after six films. Unfortunately, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER reinvents the film franchise with a lighter approach, which is distasteful and not loyal to Bond's usual persona. It wasn't the perfect conclusion for Connery that I hoped for. The story was rushed and elementary, as I feel it should have continued where the previous had left off and explored Bond's personal need for vengeance. There were some enjoyable elements, such as good driving scenes and action. The driving choreography is orchestrated well for its time and doesn't have the same adrenaline impact today as when it first came out.

What draws me to the Bond character is his sense of class and style in the face of grave danger. What I also liked about him is that he always gets the girl. The girl often ends up getting him into trouble. I like Bond's optimism in end-of-world situations where he is always resourced and skilful enough to save the day. What surprises me the most is that in the film, two of the henchwomen that Bond is facing share the same names as the characters from the Disney animated movie (click here).

Now, I don't think DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER is a terrible film. It virtually lacks a plot and is a letdown for the Bond fans. Some people fittingly declared that this wasn't the end for Sean Connery's role of 007 as in the next twelve years, he would return to portray the character one last time in the unofficial Bond movie Never Say, Never Again. It's not the best Bond movie, but it's nowhere near worse than a few others.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks Review

Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks

Release Date: 12th November 2016 - Australia 

(screening for limited time at select cinemas)

Production Companies 

BBC

Sharmill Films

Distribution 

BBC Worldwide 

Genre: Animation

 
Rating: PG

Runtime: 150 minutes


Plot Summary
The Power of the Daleks is
one of the most celebrated
Doctor Who adventures,
and yet no complete film
recordings are known to
have survived. The master
negatives were destroyed in
an archive purge in 1974.
This brand new animation,
being released 50 years after
its only UK broadcast, is
based on the programme's
original audio recordings,
surviving photographs, and
film clips. The six-part
adventure features the
regeneration - or as it was
then called "renewal" - of
First Doctor, William Hartnell,
into Second Doctor, Patrick
Troughton, and follows the
Time Lord and his
companions Polly and Ben
as they do battle with the
Daleks on the planet Vulcan.
(Source - Sharmill Films)

Voice Cast (all archived recordings)

Patrick Troughton - Second Doctor 

Anneke Willis - Polly

Michael Craze - Ben

Bernard Archard - Bragen

Peter Bathurst - Hensell

Robert James - Lesterson

Nicholas Hawtrey - Quinn

Pamela Ann Davy - Janley

Martin King - The Examiner

Edward Kelsey - Resno

Richard Kane - Valmar

Steven Scott - Kebble

Peter Hawkins - Dalek Voices

Crew

Director - Christopher Barry

Creator - Sydney Newman (uncredited)

Daleks Creator - Terry Nation

Writers - David Whitaker and
Dennis Spooner (uncredited)

Story Editor - Gerry Davis

Producer/Showrunner (uncredited) - Innes Lloyd

Production Designer - Derek Dodd
Animation Producer - Charles Norton
Character Designers - Martin Geraghty and
Adrian Salmon

Incidental Music - Tristam Cary

Composer: Title Music - Ron Grainer

Review

For years I have been a longtime 'Doctor Who' fan, since as far back as I can remember. I'm more of a fan of Tom Baker's and David Tennant's incarnations of the character than any of the other actors like Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi. The recent release of 'THE POWER OF THE DALEKS' - like it's never been seen before, in its full reconstructed animated form. It's the long-lost episode that fully introduced Patrick Troughton as the second incarnation of the Doctor, that went missing and only fragments remained for the reconstruction.

The animation is subtle and has a quality similar to the style used in the animated TV series of 'Archer'. Some parts of it were inconsistent and slow which resulted from its tight budget. The soundtrack that was saved from the recordings of the lost original six part serial was a bit off-sync to the animation which also stood out as a minor misstep.

Overall, this serial hasn't been entirely forgotten to the fans who grown up watching the classic 'Doctor Who' and the lost televised episodes. A must see for all of you 'Dr. Who' fans.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Doctor Strange Review

Doctor Strange


Release Date: 27th October 2016 - Australia


Production Companies
Marvel Studios (presents)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Action/Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 115 minutes


Budget: $165,000,000

Box Office Gross: $677,796,076 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Once a brilliant neurosurgeon, the arrogant Doctor Stephen Strange loses the use of his hands in a car accident and is taken under the wing of a sorcerer who teaches him the mystical arts to defend the world against the forces of evil.


Cast
Benedict Cumberbatch - Dr. Stephen Strange
Rachel McAdams - Christine Palmer
Tilda Swinton - The Ancient One
Chiwetel Ejiofor - Mordo
Mads Mikkelsen - Kaecilius
Benjamin Bratt - Jonathan Pangborn
Benedict Wong - Wong
Michael Stuhlbarg - Dr. Nicodemus West
Topo Wresniwiro - Hamir
Umit Ulgen - Sol Rama
Mark Anthony Brighton - Daniel Drumm
Meera Syal - Dr. Patel
Amy Landecker - Dr Bruner
Adam Pelta-Pauls - Nurse Billy
Sarah Malin - Dr. Garrison

Eben Young - Dr. Weiss

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith -

Physical Therapist

Elizabeth Healey - Concerned

Doctor

Guillaume Faure - Reluctant

Surgeon

Daniel Dow - Mugger
Stan Lee - Bus Passenger (Cameo)

Ezra Faroque Khan - Kamar-Taj Librarian

Kimberly Van Luin - Bullet Patient's Wife

Pat Kiernan - Himself

Chris Hemsworth - Thor (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Writer/Director - Scott Derrickson
Based on the Marvel Comics/

Executive Producer - Stan Lee
Based on the Marvel Comics -
Steve Ditko (Uncredited)
Writers - Jon Spaihts and C. Robert Cargill

Script Supervisors - Joanna Beckett

and Anna Worley
Executive Producers - Victoria Alonso,

Stephen Broussard and Louis D'Esposito

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Charles Newirith
Producer - Kevin Feige
Co-Producer - David J. Grant
Casting Director - Sarah Finn

UK Casting - Reg Poerscout-Edgerton
Magic Choreographer - Julian Daniels
Production Designer - Stephen Wood

Marvel Head of Visual Development - Ryan Meinerding

Visual Development Concept Illustrators -

Andy Park, Rodney Fuentebella, Jackson Sze,

Anthony Francisco, Alexander Mandrajiev,

Jerad Marantz and Josh Nizzi

Supervising Art Director - Ray Chan

Supervising Art Director: Los Angeles Unit -

Michael Manson

Art Directors - Julian Ashby,

Jim Barr, Thomas Brown, Jordan Crockett,

Mike Stallion and Mark Swain

Set Decorator - John Bush

Set Decorator: Los Angeles Unit - Lauri Gaffin

Property Master - Barry Gibbs

Costume Designer - Alexandra Byrne

Assistant Costume Designers - Richard Sale

and Laura Smith

Director of Photography - Ben Davis

Director of Photography: Second Unit - Fraser Taggart

"A" Camera Operator: Second Unit -

Peter Field

Production Manager - Tyson Bidner

Unit Production Manager - Chris Brock

Unit Production Manager: New York Unit -

Richard Baratta

First Assistant Director - Michael Lerman

First Assistant Director: Los Angeles Unit -

Lars P. Winther

Floor Second Assistant Director -

Tom Edmondson
Second Unit Director/Stunts (Uncredited) -

Jeff Habberstad
Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Stunt Coordinator:

US - James M. Churchman

Stunt Coordinator: New York Unit - Tim Gallin
Stunt Coordinator: UK - Mark Mottram
Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -
Thomas Robinson Harper
Fight Coordinator - Jonathan Eusebio
Special Effects Supervisor - Paul Corbould

Senior Floor Supervisor - Ian Corbould

Special Effects Workshop Supervisor: Second Unit -

Chris Corbould

Visual Effects Supervisor - Stephane Ceretii

Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM - Richard Bluff

and Mark Bakowski

Visual Effects Supervisor: Second Unit -

Geoffrey Baumann
Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore -

Robert Duncan, Mark Wilson and

Jonathan Fawkner

Visual Effects Supervisors: Method Studios -

Douglas Bloom and Chad Wiebe

Visual Effects Supervisor/Producer: RISE Visual

Effects Studios - Florian Gellinger

Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola VFX -

Trent Claus

Additional Visual Effects Supervisor - Chris Shaw

Visual Effects Producer - Susan Pickett

Visual Effects Producers: ILM - Lee Briggs and
Claudia Lecaros

Visual Effects Producer: Technicolor VFX -

Marie Rheinschild-Jordan

Additional Visual Effects Producer: Framestore -

Annette Wullems

Animation Supervisors: ILM - Mathew Cowie

and Mathieu Vig

Animation Supervisors: Method Studios -

Daniel Mizuguchi and Daryl Sawchuk

Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -

Raphael A. Pimentel

Compositing Supervisors: Framestore -

Alex Payman, Oliver Armstrong and

Matthew Twyford

Compositing Supervisor: Lola Visual Effects -

Edison Williams

3D Stereoscopic Supervisor - Evan Jacobs
Editors - Sabrina Pilsco and Wyatt Smith

Additional Editor - Jeffrey Ford

Supervising Sound Editors - Daniel Laurie

and Shannon Mills

Sound Designers - Nia Hansen

and David C. Hughes

Production Sound Mixer - John Midgley

Re-Recording Mixers - Tom Johnson

and Juan Peralta

Foley Artists - John Roesch and

Shelley Roden

Music - Michael Giacchino

Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan

Score Recordist - Peter Dobbin


Review
It's been a strong year for the Marvel cinematic universe as the series has progressed more with their recent blockbusters like Captain America: Civil War and DOCTOR STRANGE. These are the two most anticipated films of the year, and they continue to win over comic-book fans and audiences who aren't bored of them. The latter DOCTOR STRANGE is currently showing in the cinemas, and I'm pleased to have seen the movie on the big screen as the visual effects were unlike anything I have ever seen. It is a complex film that demands attention to understand what is happening. I haven't had this trippier visual impact since 2001: A Space Odyssey and Inception, which two films have blown me away a few times. In complement to the luscious CGI produced for the feature, this aspect was necessary to benefit the intricacy of the storyline.

Benedict Cumberbatch is amazingly talented in playing the title character in the protagonist role since Sherlock and has joined an assembly of co-stars with Tilda Swinton and Mads Mikkelsen. I can't believe he isn't playing another villain who has done much evil, like the dragon Smaug from The Hobbit and Khan from Star Trek Into Darkness. It amazes me how lucky Benedict Cumberbatch has been with his film opportunities. He has struck gold with this movie, as Marvel movies always make astronomical incomes at the box office. Benedict has been consistent with his films. And over the past five years, he has been garnering hit after hit.

The scoring is ingeniously perfect, thanks to the noted contributions of Michael Giacchino, and he does have the potential to be the next John Williams after composing films like Star Trek and Jurassic World.

DOCTOR STRANGE is a must-see film that is very complex, well-acted and a visual delight of an origin story. This movie is simply perfect and never fails to entertain.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Review

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

Release Date: 20th October 2016 - Australia

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures (presents)

Skydance Productions (presents)
Huahua Media (in association with)

Shanghai Film Group (in assocaition with)
TC Productions

Distribution

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Action

 
Rating: M

Runtime: 118 minutes


Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $162,146,076
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary

Set four years since the events of the first film, when Jack Reacher returns to the headquarters of his old military unit, he finds out he's accused of a homicide that took place 16 years earlier. 

He also finds out that his former Army Major, Susan Turner was arrested for treason. Knowing she is innocent, Jack must break her out of prison and uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy. On the run as fugitives, Jack finds out that it is only a part of something bigger than he thought, as he uncovers a secret from his past that could change his life forever. (Source - Metro Cinemas)

Cast

Tom Cruise - Jack Reacher
Cobie Smulders - Sophie 

Turner

Robert Knepper - Gen. 

Harkness 

Danika Yarosh - Samantha

Patrick Heusinger - The Hunter

Aldis Hodge - Espin

Holt McCallany - Col. Morgan

Madalyn Horcher - Sgt. Leach

Robert Catrini - Col. Moorcroft
Sean Boyd - Decoudreau

Crew

Screenplay/Director - Edward Zwick

Based on Novel "Never Go 

Back" - Lee Child

Screenplay - Richard Wenk and Marshall Herskovitz

Executive Producers - David Ellison, Herb Gains, Dana Goldberg and Paula Wagner 

Producers - Tom Cruise, Don Granger and Christopher McQuarrie

Production Designer - Clay A. Smith

Costume Designer - Lisa Lovaas

Director of Photography - Oliver Wood

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Wade Eastwood

Special Effects Supervisor - Garry Elmendorf

Directors of Visual Effects - Ilya Astrakhan 

and Sean Hooper

Film Editor - Billy Weber

Music - Henry Jackman

Review

Following the four year success of the first 'Jack Reacher' film, Tom Cruise is back in the newest sequel 'NEVER GO BACK' with his old collaborator Edward Zwick succeeding Christopher McQuarrie in the director's chair. Needless to say, it isn't exactly best sequel material and chances of improvement are slim in this dry, action-oriented, commonplace thriller of 2016. On a personal note, I would have seen the original 'Jack Reacher' movie on its showcase, but didn't have the time to do so. Naturally, the sequel is a step back and is taking into bold and unnecessary risks such as a formulaic plot and wooden characterisation.

Tom Cruise is still in good physical condition when even at his middle age, he remains consistent with the role of Jack Reacher being the former major turned vigilante is out to uncover a conspiracy of his past. It doesn't help that he is surrounded by B-grade celebrities that were his fellow cast members (with the exception of Cobie Smulders) who have done nothing to parlay the film of its weaknesses. 

Overall, 'NEVER GO BACK' is a fairly average sequel with amazing action sequences, but is the lesser child of the two movies. Audiences who have seen the first movie will most likely be mildly disappointed by the results of the sequel and it's a worth a try.

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Reign of Fire Sent in Draft Mode

Hi there, movie fanatics! It's been a long time since I last sent a message on my blog, but due to some huge mistakes in one of my reviews. Reign of Fire will be sent back to draft mode and will not be re-uploaded until it gets revamped from having any trace of errors. I can assure you that this will only be temporary for those who have previously read my critique, and you will get in touch with it soon when it is back online.

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What Made Independence Day So Special?

Many years ago, when INDEPENDENCE DAY (ID4) opened in theatres on July 4th, 1996, in America, moviegoers were optimistic about seeing a movie about an alien invasion that threatened humanity with extinction. There's no denying that this great movie pays tribute to the classic B-grade sci-fi invasion films. Though cheesy, fun, patriotic and lacking story-wise, ID4 was the definitive blockbuster that changed the benchmark of a summer blockbuster film. It also relaunched the disaster movie trend, which had been dormant since the early 80s, even though Twister did it first in the same year as ID4.

Upon its release, it received much acclaim for its special effects, making Will Smith a bonafide star. However, it was criticised for its thin plot and character development and brandished with stereotypes for being generally dense. It also established Roland Emmerich's credibility as a director. He became synonymous with big-budget disaster movies and would direct a few more like The Day After Tomorrow and 2012. The revitalised subgenre would soon lead to other films like Dante's Peak, Volcano, Deep Impact, Armageddon, San Andreas, etc.

The timing of this movie analysis coincides with the DVD and Blu-ray release of the lacklustre sequel Independence Day: Resurgence. Allow me to talk about what made ID4 so beloved with four of its ceremonious aspects/moments.

#4. Presidential Speech

The movie can be a little absurd, but there are its moments. The presidential speech is motivational and uplifting; President Whitmore publicly addresses the nation and explains they are now facing a common enemy from obliteration and will band together in a final desperate effort to fight for the freedom of humanity. He inspires hope and faith in his fellow citizens by saying, "we will not go quietly into the night!" and "we will not vanish without a fight!". Along with the patriotic music in the background and Bill Pullman's performance, this scene of the speech makes you feel that there is hope left in humanity and that as long as people work together, it can make a difference.

#3. Music

I have never been an avid listener of David Arnold's music in the entire film catalogue except for this movie. It matches the patriotic theme of the movie and intensifies the mood of the scenes. A soundtrack can supplement a film that you feel when watching a scene. I am happy to say the score in this film was perfect. All moments feel right, create feelings and impact your mood. It aligns with what is happening with the story and the characters.




#2. Special Effects

As you know, the special effects were an opportunity to breathe life into its spectacle. ID4 did it with scenes including the dogfight sequences and the gigantic mothership destroying the White House. These were the very techniques that amplified the film's impact. The destruction of the White House is the main focus of the film's advertising campaigns on posters and still images and is one of the iconic money shots. It was one of the few movies to pour physical effects with a small dose of CGI.




#1. Will Smith

Last but not least, the top highlight of ID4 was Will Smith's acting. Sure, the film had a top-notch cast of Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Randy Quaid, and Judd Hirsch. It is the actor Will Smith who takes a standout role. Without him, there would be no I Am Legend, Men in Black, I. Robot, Ali and Suicide Squad. His performance was quite remarkable and sassy for an African-American actor. Not to mention, he gave us infectious laughs with his snappy one-liners like "Welcome to Earth" after punching the alien in the face and "And what the hell is that smell?!!", which he ad-libbed while suffering from the revolting stench of brine shrimp when this scene got shot in the Lake Salt flats.

Conclusion 

ID4 may not have been perfect for a science-fiction blockbuster, but it doesn't stop this film from becoming a guilty pleasure. You'll see it in its original theatrical form or the special edition if you want the best experience with the film. Like it or not, it proves that ID4 is better than the less iconic sequel. However, this concludes my analysis of the movie that I consider one of my favourites.

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