Home Alone: The Holiday Heist Review

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist

Broadcast Date: 25th November 2012 - US  

 
Production Companies

Fox Television Studios

Manitoba Film and Tax Video Production Credit

Original Pictures

Genre: Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 90 minutes

Plot Summary

10-year-old Finn Baxter
thinks his family’s new house
in Maine is haunted – but the
truth might be even scarier! A
trio of thieves is after a
priceless painting hidden in a
secret room by the previous
owner. So when Finn and his
sister find themselves home
alone, Finn rigs up an
elaborate array of techno-
gadgets and booby traps to
protect his pad from the
bumbling criminals trying to
break in. 

Cast

Christian Martyn - Finn Baxter

Jodelle Ferland - Alexis Baxter

Malcolm McDowell - Sinclair

Doug Murray - Curtis Baxter

Ellie Harvie - Catherine Baxter

Debi Mazar - Jessica

Eddie Stephen - Mr. Hughes

Edward Asner - Mr. Carson

Adriana O’Neil - Gabby Marano

Peter DaCunha - Mason

Bill Turnbull - Simon

Crew

Director - Peter Hewitt

Based on Original Characters - John Hughes (Uncredited)

Screenplay - Aaron Ginsburg and Wade McIntrye

Executive Producer - David Madden

Producers - Lisa Demberg and Adrian Pjevc

Co-Producer - Paul D. Goldman

Production Designer - Craig Sandelis

Costume Designer - Patricia J. Henderson

Cinematography - Peter Benson

Film Editor - John Congilo

Composer "Home Alone" Theme - John Williams

Music - David Kitay

Review

The joyous season of the holiday is over, but just before it can happen, I borrowed 'HOME ALONE 5' from a friend so I may review it for Christmas. I was so fortunate to skip ahead to the third and fourth installments but found neither of them are as acceptable as the original and to a lesser extent, the second movie. The first 'Home Alone' feature was by far the best of the series and Macaulay Culkin was probably the best child actor in this classic comedy. It seems nowadays that Culkin is fully grown up from his childhood status and the series’ creator John Hughes was deceased when 'HOME ALONE 5' was made in 2012. 'THE HOLIDAY HEIST' is forgettable, but probably would have been a decent film if the script and booby traps were a little more inventive. This sequel was meant for television as I wasn’t aware that it was shown in America on the ABC Family channel (now known as Freeform). The acting was so-so with the exception of Malcolm McDowell who seems fittingly appropriate as Sinclair, the leader of the art thieves. He isn’t the only gentleman actor who is qualified for his recognisable experience in a family picture.

While this film was a bit of an improvement over 'Home Alone 4', (which made no sense whatsoever!) because it was a pilot for a television series, 'HOME ALONE 5' doesn’t however change the fact that this sequel pales in comparison to the legacy of the original. It’d be best to skip this installment in favour of the first two movies through the next holiday.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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Power Rangers Review

Power Rangers

Release Date: 23rd March 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

Lionsgate 

Saban Films

TIK Films

Temple Hill Entertainment

Toei Company (Uncredited)

Videocine 

Distribution 

Roadshow Distribution

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 121 minutes

Budget: $100,000,000

Box Office Gross: $142,337,240 

(Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Five ordinary teens must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove - and the world - is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it's too late and band together as the Power Rangers. (Source - Telstra TV)

Cast

Dacre Montgomery - Jason
(Red Ranger)

Naomi Scott - Kimberly (Pink
Ranger)

RJ Cyler - Billy (Blue Ranger)

Ludi Lin - Zack (Black Ranger)

Becky G. - Trini (Yellow Ranger)

Elizabeth Banks - Rita Repulsa

Bryan Cranston - Zordon

Bill Hader - Alpha 5 (Voice)

Matt Shively - Damo

Cody Kearsley - Hawkeye

David Denman - Sam Scott

Robert Moloney - Ted Hart

Anjali Jay - Maddy Hart

Sarah Grey - Amanda

Morgan Taylor Campbell -
Harper

Caroline Cave - Beverly
Scott

Kayden Magnuson - Pearl Scott

Lisa Berry - Candace
Cranston

Fiona Fu - Zack’s Mom
Wesley MacInnes - Bully
John Stewart - Detention
Teacher
Patrick Sabongui - Trini's Dad
Erica Carra - Trini's Mom

Fred Tatasciore - Goldar/

Putties (Voice)
Jason David Frank - Cameo
Role #1
Amy Jo Johnson - Cameo
Role #2

Crew

Director - Dean Isarelite 

Creator "Power Rangers"/
Producer - Haim Saban 

Creator "Power Rangers" - 

Shuki Levy (Uncredited)

Story - Matt Sazama, Burk
Sharpless and Michele &
Kieran Mulroney
Screenplay/Executive
Producer - John Gatins

Executive Producers -
Qiuyun Long and Allison Shearmur 

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Brent O’Connor

Producers - Marty Bowen, Brian Casentini and Wyck Godfrey

Co-Producer - Stephen Meinen 

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Aldric La’auli Porter

Production Designer - Andrew Menzies
Set Decorator - Hamish Purdy

Costume Designer - Kelli Jones

Director of Photography - Matthew J. Lloyd
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Paul Jennings
Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/
Visual Effects Supervisor - Sean Andrew Faden
Stunt Coordinator - Larry Lam

Special Effects Supervisors - Andrew Durno,
Steve Hamilton and Dan Sedlacek

Visual Effects Supervisor - Mangesh Kale

Film Editors - Martin Bernfeld and Dody Dorn

Music - Brian Tyler

Review

The 'Power Rangers' series was a highly successful action show for children that it was shown on television around the world (including Japan, where most of the footage was borrowed from a Tokusatsu franchise and was later re-dubbed into its international broadcast). Having only seen some episodes on TV and a few video cassettes since I was very young, I’ve never forgotten how it impacted me on my childhood. Power Rangers began life as a campy kids show and then, many years later, a movie was officially announced. It’s very strange to consider 'Power Rangers' as having the big-screen treatment when there hasn’t been a film spin-off since the 1997 series, although a movie was to be based on 'Time Force' but Disney pulled the plug in its pre-production after their earlier purchase of the franchise. Deciding to skip through the newer adaptation in favour of the 2017 remake of 'Beauty and the Beast', I wasn’t exactly interested in seeing this cinematic re-telling when I was in my hometown. Then I got a chance to rent it and watched it on-demand while I was staying in Holiday Inn at Parramatta. 

'POWER RANGERS' wasn’t as colourful and cheesy as the show had been since its inception. The film was completely modernised by the filmmakers who brought back the nostalgia and added a style that was considered darker and edgier than the TV series’ standards. Fans of this franchise are biased about this new approach along with the redesigns of the Ranger outfits and Zords; being clearly divided into those criticizing it and those enjoying it. Some of the other changes proved to be very useful, had they been first conceived in the original series; including that one character Billy Cranston, who is the classic Blue Ranger (and coincidentally shares the surname of one of the movie’s supporting players) who is now an African-American with high-functioning autism.  

The casting of this movie was quite convincing in that each of these young actors are perfectly suited for the titular characters destined to save the world. They absolutely done it with hint of their inter-personal onscreen chemistry as well as starting future careers in their own. Bryan Cranston did a much simpler job in reprising the benevolence of Zordon who helps to bring the Power Rangers together and teaches them how to fight evil in their destiny. Elizabeth Banks was the only other known star who also did good in her antagonistic role of Rita Repulsa whose motivations are predictable. 

It wasn’t a financial success or a critical hit by any chance. Nothing spectacular or anything original has came up in 'POWER RANGERS' despite it being a decent film of its year. I do believe that it’s a hit-and-miss. Most non-fans like myself  naturally tend to disagree with some of the fans’ opinions of what they enjoyed the film. I’ll have to revisit most of the ongoing series and the first two films before anything new is released.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Justice League Review

Justice League

Release Date: 16th November 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

RatPac-Dune Entertainment

DC Entertainment

Cruel and Unusual Films

Atlas Entertainment

Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) (with the participation of)

Lensbern Productions (uncredited)

Syncopy (uncredited)

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 121 minutes

Budget: $300,000,000

Box Office Gross: $657,926,987 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

After Superman's heroic sacrifice brought back his faith in humanity and inspired him, Bruce Wayne gathers a team of metahumans, including his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to form the Justice League and must confront an enemy more menacing than what they've faced.

Cast

Ben Affleck - Bruce Wayne/
Batman

Henry Cavill - Clark Kent/
Superman

Gal Gadot - Diana Prince/
Wonder Woman

Ezra Miller - Barry Allen/The Flash

Jason Momoa - Arthur Curry/Aquaman

Ray Fisher - Victor Stone/
Cyborg

Ciarán Hinds - Steppenwolf

Connie Nielsen - Queen Hippolyta

Jeremy Irons - Alfred Pennyworth

J.K. Simmons - Commissioner

Gordon

Amy Adams - Lois Lane

Diane Lane - Martha Kent

Julian Lewis Jones - King Atlan
David Thewlis - Ares (Cameo)

Amber Heard - Mera

Joe Morton - Dr. Silas Stone
Lisa Loven Kongsli - Menalippe
David Thewlis - Ares

Sergio Constance - Zeus

Julian Lewis Jones - Ancient Atlantean King

Richard Clifford - German Archaeologist

Kobina Holdbrook-Smith - Detective Crispus Allen

Francis Magee - Ancient King of Men

Doutzen Kroes - Venezia

Brooke Ence - Penthesilea
Hari James - Trigona
Ann Ogbomo - Philippus

Samantha Win - Euboea

Marc McClure - Officer Ben
Sadowsky

Gary A. Hecker - Creature
Vocals
Joe Manganiello - Mr. Wilson (Uncredited)
Billy Crudup - Henry Allen (Uncredited)
Karen Bryson - Elinore Stone (Uncredited)

Robin Wright - Antiope (Uncredited)

Jesse Eisenberg - Lex Luthor (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Story/Director - Zack Snyder

Superman Creators - Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Justice League Creator - Gardiner Fox  

Batman Creators - Bob Kane

and Bill Finger

Woman Woman Creator - William Moulton Marston
Fourth World Creator - Jack Kirby

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producer - Chris Terrio

Screenplay/Director: Additional Scenes (Uncredited) - Joss Whedon

Executive Producers -

Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas,

Michael E. Uslan, Benjamin Melniker,

Ben Affleck, Wesley Coller, Curt Kanemoto

and Daniel S. Kaminsky

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Jim Rowe

Producers - Geoff Johns, Charles Roven

and Deborah Snyder

Co-Producers/Unit Production Managers -

Marianne Jenkins and Gregor Wilson

Casting Directors - Kristy Carlson,

Lora Kennedy and Kate Ringsell

Horse Master - Daniel Naprous

Production Designer - Patrick Tatopoulos

Concept Artists - Ed Natividad,

Christian Scheurer, Dan Walker,

Victor Martinez, Robert McKinnon and

Alex Caldow

Concept Illustrators - Jerad Marantz,

Ian Joyner, Constantine Sekeris and

Brooke Dibble
Supervising Art Directors - Christian Huband

and Helen Jarvis

Supervising Art Directors: Additional

Photography - David Allday and

Lorin Fleming
Art Directors - Matthew Gray,

Paul Laugier, Samuel Leake, Keith Pain,

Andrew Palmer, Hayley Easton Street,

Helen Xenopoulos and Peter James

Art Director: Additional Photography - Su Whitaker
Set Decorator - Dominic Capon

Property Master - Ben Wilkinson

Supervising Armorer - Joss Skottowe

Costume Designer - Michael Wilkinson

Assistant Costume Designers - Stephanie Porter,

John Norster and Margie Fortune

Costume Supervisor - Ken Crouch

Costume FX Supervisor - Graham Churchyard

HOD Prop/Costume Effects Modeller -

Pierre Bohanna

Makeup Designer - Victoria Down

Makeup Designer: Ben Affleck - Kate Biscoe

Director of Photography - Fabian Wagner

2nd Unit/Additional Director of Photography -

Jean-Philippe Gossart

Aerial Director of Photography - David B. Nowell

Aerial Coordinator - David Paris

Aerial Coordinator (Uncredited)/Helicopter Pilot -

Marc Wolff

First Assistant Director - Misha Bukowski

First Assistant Director: Additional Photography -

Jamie Christopher

Key Second Assistant Director: Additional Photography -

Matthew Sharp

Supervising Location Manager: Additional

Photography - Martin Joy

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Damon Caro

Stunt Coordinator - Eunice Huthart

Assistant Stunt Coordinator - Marc Mailley

Fight Coordinator - Mike Lambert

Fight Choreographers - Freddy Bouciegues and

Matthew Rugetti

Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Alex King

Special Effects Supervisor - Mark Holt

Special Effects Coordinator - Carmila Gittens

Special Effects Coordinator: Additional

Photography - Lucy Thompson

Assistant Special Effects  Supervisor -

Michael Dawson

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Joe Letteri

Visual Effects Supervisor - John 'D.J.' Des Jardin

Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Seth Maury

Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Keith Miller

Visual Effects Supervisor: DNEG - Thomas Proctor

Visual Effects Supervisor: Scanline VFX -

Bryan Hirota

Visual Effects Supervisor: Method Studios -

Sean Konrad

Visual Effects: Rodeo FX - Peter Nofz,

Sébastien Francoeur, Andréane Dodier-Villenevue,

Mai-Ahn Tran, James Bond and Colin McLean

Visual Effects Producer - Josh R. Jaggars

Visual Effects Co-Producer - Tricia Mulgrew

Visual Effects Art Director: Scanline VFX -

Claas Henke

Animation Supervisor: Scanline VFX -

Eric Petey

Animation Supervisor: Method Studios -

Daryl Sawchuk

Animation Supervisor: MPC - David Crispino
Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Simeon Duncombe

CG & Compositing Supervisors: DNEG -

Alexander Seaman and Julian Gnass

Pre-Visualisation Supervisor - Steve Yamamoto

Editors - David Brenner, Richard Pearson

and Martin Walsh

Sound Designers & Supervisors - Scott Hecker

and Chuck Michaels

Sound Designers - Phil Barrie,

Casey Genton, Robert Kellough and

Eliot Connors

Production Sound Mixer - John Casali

Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Jenkins

and Michael Keller

Supervising Foley Artist - Gary A. Hecker

Music - Danny Elfman
Composers: Additional Music - T.J. Lindgren,
Pinar Toprak and Geoff Zanelli

Score Recordist & Mixer - Peter Cobbin

Review

Because of my experience over the past years, I had high expectations about the new JUSTICE LEAGUE movie that's said to be DC and Warner's answer to The Avengers. I remember reading a few comics of the Justice League and watching the hit animated TV series on Cartoon Network. Marvel and Disney hit the jackpot with the surprise success of their big-budgeted movie. Audiences everywhere, including comic book fanatics, praised the film that was nothing they'd ever seen. It later inspired DC to make their prominent feature to upstage The Avengers. I have waited for the release of this movie for a long time. The DC Extended Universe was controversial among the fans. The latest and fourth entry, Wonder Woman, was the only one heading in the right direction, as it was the first of these films to set a benchmark for the DCEU. We got a follow-up that underwhelms many fans and over-reliant on visual spectacles.

JUSTICE LEAGUE has a rushed and uneven storyline due to a personal behind-the-scenes tragedy that caused its director, Zack Snyder, to leave through its post-production. Joss Whedon, the former writer/director of the Avengers movies, took over his supervision. I like how Whedon contributed to the writing of the humour and the tone being lighter. The geniuses' visions clashed with Snyder's film-making style being in the picture and Whedon's quips with a sense of fun and entertainment. As these attempts to breathe life into JUSTICE LEAGUE, the movie sometimes works but not on its own. They changed the idea of Superman's resurrection as it could have provided a better explanation to resolve the ending we last saw in Batman v Superman (BvS). I couldn't agree more that Steppenwolf was a weak villain, undeveloped by the numbers and fell into the "wanting to destroy humanity" cliche. But enough about the negative aspects: time to move on to the positives.

Ezra Miller was excellent and funny in the role of Flash. I liked how he conveyed the personality of this character as wisecracking. Jason Momoa gets brought into stardom with a decent portrayal of Aquaman, and so does Ray Fisher for Cyborg. Continuing her Wonder Woman role is Gal Gadot, fresh from her last film and making the character look very attractive. Henry Cavill triumphs in playing Superman, who reverts to his old and heroic self more than the lifeless-driven counterpart in Man of Steel and BvS. Danny Elfman was the right composer for the majestic and upbeat score on the picture and re-used a few themes previously heard in DC's classic features (including his own from Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns).

JUSTICE LEAGUE is no longer an anticipated box-office film as audiences have already seen the missteps from the last two entries that Snyder directed. Though it was a mild improvement, this could have gone to Zack Snyder had he not backed out from post-production. A director's cut might contain elements unseen in the theatrical edition. We will wait to see if this version gets released in DVD/Blu-ray format.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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My New Community Page

I have recently started my community page on Facebook as FilmGuruLad, and I encourage my viewers to go on to Facebook and try to find my page type in filmgurulad in the search bar. Otherwise, if you already have an account on the social network, you'll probably know where it is. On my Facebook page, you'll notice each link to my review. Even obituaries, news updates and articles, including those shared on my account, enjoy.

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Space Chimps Review

Space Chimps

 
Release Date: 25th September 2008 - Australia

Production Companies

Vanguard Animation

Odyssey Entertainment

Starz Animation

Starz!

Studiopolis

The Weinstein Company 
 
Distribution

Roadshow Distribution

Genre: Animation/Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 77 minutes


Budget: $37,000,000

Box Office Gross: $64,834,964
(Worldwide)

Plot Summary
Ham III, the grandson of the first chimp astronaut, is blasted off into space by an opportunity-seeking senator. Soon, the fun-loving chimp has to get serious about the mission at hand; ridding a far-away planet of their nefarious leader. Fortunately for Ham III, two of his simian peers are along for the ride. (Source - IMDb)

Voice Cast

Andy Samberg - Ham III

Cheryl Hines - Luna

Patrick Warburton - Titan

Jeff Daniels - Zartog

Kristin Chenoweth - Kilowatt

Kenan Thompson - Ringmaster

Zack Shada - Comet/Nava Boy

Carlos Alazraqui - Houston

Omid Abtahi - Dr. Jagu

Patrick Breen - Dr. Bob

Jane Lynch - Dr. Poole

Kath Soucie - Dr. Smothers

Stanley Tucci - Senator

Wally Wingert - Splork/
Various

Crew

Story/Screenplay/Director - Kirk De Micco

Screenplay - Robert Moreland and Joe Piscatella (Uncredited)

Additional Screenplay Material - Jason Mayland

Executive Producers - Eric M. Bennett, Morris Berger, Neil Braun, Steve Brown, Jerry Davis and John W. Hyde

Producers - John H. Williams and Barry Sonnenfield

Co-Producer - Curtis Augspurger

Production Designer - Bo Welch

Additional Production
Designers - Keith Graves
and Deane Taylor
Concept Designer - Tohru Patrick Awa

Character Designer/Storyboard Artist - Sterling Sheehy
Character Designers - Stephanie Choi,
Peter DeSeve, Harald Siepermann and Eddie Yang

Animation Director - Adam Wood
Supervising Animators - Claus Pedersen
and Graham Silva
Background Designer - Jose Martinez
Lighting Director: Vanguard Animation - Erik Mattson
Lighting Supervisor - David Hirst

Cinematography - Jericca Clelamd
Head of Layout/Visual Effects - Steven Elford

Film Editor - Debbie Berman

Supervising Editor - Tom Finan

Music - Chris Bacon

Composers: Additional Music - Blue Man Group
and Gad Emile Zeitune

Review

Vanguard Animation, the studio headed by one of the producers of 'Shrek' has been producing a few animated films in the past decade and each of them were ranked as okay to mediocre. Their third movie 'SPACE CHIMPS' had appalling box office takings it was outranked by its formidable competitor 'WALL-E'. While it wasn't a surprise hit by any chance, the film however did spawn a sequel that was never released in theatres. The original movie however feels like an animated movie that wastes its potential and was literally written by monkeys on typewriters. The animation isn't too great and the story-line is much too bland and not original enough. The over-abundance of ape puns were all over the movie like it's all covered with monkey paw-prints. A few bits of comedy remained funny and most of the other jokes don't quite get the same laugh from its intended audience.

The voice cast is imperfect, particularly Andy Samberg who is not a horrible actor but tries to give his character a daredevil persona which falls flat. Jeff Daniels who was a great actor, from his extraordinary supporting and leading parts in acting, drama and comedy has been miscast in the role as the evil alien Zartog and this may be the reason why he never has been offered any more voices in the animated features. Stanley Tucci had bad luck to voice a certain senator who seems to care about himself more than NASA as well as the opportunity that he craves. Only Patrick Warburton succeeds in following the characterisation of by-the-book chimp Titan and he seems to be more quick to follow an ill-gotten script.

Monkey see, monkey don't, this is the phrase I would use to sum up my review. 'SPACE CHIMPS' is a simple, yet juvenile family animation for young kids.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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Thor: Ragnarok Review

Thor: Ragnarok


Release Date: 13th October 2017 - Australia (Gold Coast, Queensland)


Production Companies
Marvel Studios
Marvel Entertainment (presents)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 130 minutes


Budget: $180,000,000

Box Office Gross: $853,979,142 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)


Plot Summary
Building on the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor is imprisoned on the far side of the universe (the planet Sakaar, to be exact) without his mighty hammer. He's forced to engage
in an intense gladiatorial
contest arranged by the
Grandmaster, and to survive, must defeat his competitor - none other than former ally and fellow Avenger, the Incredible Hulk.

With his home world of Asgard under threat of destruction by the powerful and ruthless goddess of death Hela, the stakes for Thor have never been higher. Can he save it from the fierce villain's clutches? (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Chris Hemsworth - Thor
Tom Hiddleston - Loki
Cate Blanchett - Hela
Idris Elba - Hemdall
Jeff Goldblum - Grandmaster
Tessa Thompson - Valkyrie
Karl Urban - Skurge
Mark Ruffalo - Bruce Banner/
The Hulk
Anthony Hopkins - Odin
Benedict Cumberbatch - Doctor Strange
Taika Watiti - Korg (Voice)/
Surtur
Rachel House - Topas
Clancy Brown - Surtur (Voice)
Tadanobu Asano - Hogun
Ray Stevenson - Volstagg
Zachary Levi - Fandral
Steven Oliver - Cousin Carlo
Luke Hemsworth - Actor Thor
(Cameo)
Sam Neill - Actor Odin (Cameo)
Charlotte Nicdao - Actor Sif
(Cameo)
Matt Damon - Actor Loki
(Cameo) (Uncredited)
Stan Lee - Barber (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Taika Watiti
Based on Comic/Executive
Producer - Stan Lee
Based on Comic - Larry Lieber
and Jack Kirby
Writers - Eric Pearson, Craig
Kyle and Christopher Yost
Executive Producers - Victoria Alonso, Louis D'Esposito and Brad Winderbaum

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Thomas M. Hammel
Producer - Kevin Fiege

Co-Producer - David J. Grant
Casting Director - Sarah Finn
Production Designers - Dan
Hennah and Ra Vincent
Senior Concept Designer -
Sean Hargreaves
Set Decorator - Beverley Dunn 
Costume Designer - Mayes
C. Rubeo
Director of Photography -
Javier Aguirresarobe
Second Unit Director/Stunt
Coordinator - Ben Cooker
Stunt Coordinator - Kyle
Gardiner
Fight Coordinator - Jon Valera
Special Effects Supervisors - Brian Cox and 

R. Bruce Steinheimer
Visual Effects Supervisors - Jake Morrison 

and Stuart White
Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Chad Wiebe
Animation Supervisors - Ben Anderson and 

Raphael A. Pimentel
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Steve Nichols
Editors - Zene Baker and Joel Negron
Sound Designers - David Farmer and 

Nia Hansen

Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan
Music - Mark Mothersbaugh


Review

Marvel has taken one of the Avengers through the cosmos into a completely new standalone film as 'THOR: RAGNAROK' becomes a full-scale interstellar action comedy with less balance. This movie doesn't mesh well with sci-fi, considering what has happened to its predecessor 'The Dark World' and the mistake has not entirely been fixed. The sequel has too much humour displaying that playful tone similar to one of Marvel’s previous entries, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and fails to return the omnipresence found in the first instalment. 

'RAGNAROK' has great visual eye-candy to behold the maximum impact and has no romantic subplot involving Jane Foster who was nowhere to be found as this relationship was quickly forgotten after the second film was criticised for putting too much focus on it. The film even featured the addition of everyone’s favourite Avenger, the Incredible Hulk who was once again played by Mark Rufalo. Having not read the original comics and neither Planet Hulk, I believe that this film should have been a continuation for the character who hasn’t been the main lead since 2008’s 'The Incredible Hulk'. 

Jeff Goldblum makes up for a terrifically entertaining performance as the Grandmaster. Cate Blanchett was the villainess Hela who succeeds at overpowering Thor which is something that Loki could not do and she was a better sequel antagonist than Malekith. Karl Urban convincingly portrays Skurge who unwillingly switches his allegiance to Hela as he becomes her right-hand man. Tessa Thompson was then added to the cast as Thor’s new reluctant ally Valkyrie. Mark Mothersbaugh’s background score fits the movie of its retro-spacey feel and its new colourful integration.

Although 'THOR: RAGNAROK' was newly appreciated by fans and critics who proclaim this to be the cinematic holy grail of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I have to disagree on what they say about the movie. It is a bit of an improvement of 'The Dark World' but it’s a solid addition to the ongoing cinematic franchise of Marvel and therefore, a must-see film for all fans.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Mars Attacks! Review

Mars Attacks!

Release Date: 20th February 1997 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)

Tim Burton Productions

Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 106 minutes

Budget: $70,000,000

Box Office Gross: $101,371,017 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

A Martian fleet encircles the world's major cities as the human race waits to see if the alien visitors have, as they say, "come in peace." The President of the United States, James Dale, is convinced by the professor of science, Donald Kessler, that the mission of the Martians is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total obliteration of the U.S. Congress, the military calls for a massive nuclear strike.

Cast

Jack Nicholson - President
James Dale/Art Land

Glenn Close - First Lady Marsha Dale

Annette Bening - Barbara Land

Pierce Brosnan - Prof. Donald Kessler

Danny DeVito - Rude Gambler

Martin Short - Press Secretary
Jerry Ross

Sarah Jessica Parker -

Nathalie Lake

Michael J. Fox - Jason Stone

Rod Steiger - General Decker

Tom Jones - Himself

Lukas Hass - Richie Norris

Natalie Portman - Taffy Dale

Jim Brown - Byron Williams

Lisa Marie - Martian Girl

Sylvia Sidney - Grandma Florence Jenkins

Paul Winfield - General Casey

Pam Grier - Louise Williams

Jack Black - Billy Glenn Norris

Janice Rivera - Cindy, Bryon's Co-Worker

Ray J - Cedric Williams

Brandon Hammond - Neville Williams

Joe Don Baker - Richie's Dad

O-Lan Jones - Sue Ann Norris

Christina Applegate - Sharona

Brian Haley - Mitch, Secret Service Agent

Jerzy Skolimowski - Dr. Zeigler

Timi Prulheire - Tour Guide

Barbet Schroeder - Maurice,
the French President

Chi Hoang Cai - Mr. Lee

Tommy Bush - Hilbilly

Joseph Maher - White House Decorator

Vinny Argiro - Mr. Brian,
Casino Manager

Willie Garson - Corporate Guy

John Roselius - GNN Boss

Michael Reilly Burke - GNN Reporter

Valerie Wildman - GNN Reporter

Rebecca Broussard - Hooker #2

Steve Valentine - TV Director

Enrique Castillo - Hispanic Colonel

John Finnegan - Speaker of the House

Gregg Daniel - Lab Technician

J. Kenneth Campbell - Doctor

Rance Howard - Texas Investor

Frank Welker - Various Martians (Voices)

Crew

Producer/Director - Tim Burton

Based on the Trading Card Series - Len Brown,

Woody Gelman, Wally Wood, Bob Powell

and Norman Saunders

Screen Story/Screenplay - Jonathan Gems

Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Paul Deason

Associate Producer - Mark S. Miller

Producers - Larry J. Franco and

Laurie Parker (Uncredited)

Casting Directors - Victoria Thomas,

Jeanne McCarthy and Matthew Barry

Production Designer - Wynn Thomas

Supervising Art Director - James Hegedus

Art Director - John Dexter

Assistant Art Directors - Jann K. Engel

and Richard Fernandez

Set Decorator - Nancy Haigh

Set Decorator: Washington D.C. - Kathy Lucas

Property Master - Jerry Moss

Assistant Property Masters - Andrew Petrotta,

Maura Moss and Marty Grimes

Costume Designer - Colleen Atwood

Key Makeup Artist - Valli O'Reilly

Makeup Artist: Mr Nicholson - Ve Neill

Hair Stylist: Mr Nicholson - Joy Zapata

Director of Photography - Peter Suschitzky

First Assistant Camera: VistaVision -

Clyde E. Bryan

Stunt Coordinator - Joe Dunne

Aerial Coordinator - Cliff Fleming

Special Effects Supervisor - Michael Lantieri

Design Supervisors: Mackinnon & Saunders

Ltd. - Ian Mackinnon and Peter Saunders

Visual Effects Supervisors - David Andrews,
Michael L. Fink and Jim Mitchell

Associate Effects Supervisor: ILM - Ellen Poon

Senior Visual Effects Coordinator: ILM - Jill Brooks

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Mark Moore

Digital Effects Supervisor: Warner Digital

Studios - Guy Williams

Computer Graphics Supervisors: ILM -

Roger Guyett and Andy White

Computer Graphics Sequence Supervisors:

ILM - Joel Aron, David Horsley,

Barbara Townsend and Ben Snow

Lead Character Animators: ILM -

Chris Armstrong, Kyle Balda, Linda Bel,

Lou Dellarosa and Jenn Emberley

CGI Lead: Saucers, Warner Digital Studios -

Chris Waegner

Model Supervisor: ILM - Charles Bailey

Model Makers: ILM - Eben Stromquist,

Chuck Wiley and Steve Gawley

Miniature Director of Photography: ILM -

Pat Sweeney

Model Supervisor: Acme Models - Michael Joyce

Editor - Chris Lebenzon

First Assistant Editor - Joel Negron

Supervising Sound Editor - Richard Hymns
Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer - Randy Thom

Assistant Sound Designer - Steve Boedekker

Sound Effects Editors - Ken Fischer

and Frank E. Eulner

Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor - Michael Silvers

Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Summers

Re-Recording Mixer/Music Recordist and

Mixer - Shawn Murphy

Music - Danny Elfman

Music Editors - Bob Badami and

Ellen Segal

Review

MARS ATTACKS! was not Tim Burton's first choice to adapt this trading card game series to the big screen. He was supposed to direct another adaptation of its sister series Dinosaur Attacks! until the success of Jurassic Park and its forthcoming instalment, The Lost World, halted these plans. He switched to produce MARS ATTACKS! However, it was not a commercial success for the director when released in America in the same year as another over-the-top sci-fi flick, Independence Day, outgrossed it. The competition was inevitable, and MARS struggled to attain a few million dollars at the box office, but not quite as hoped by Tim Burton to beat Roland Emmerich for his successful feature when mirrored in terms of success. It remains one of Burton's few overlooked but underrated features. Some people claimed the Destroy All Humans video game series existed because of its minor influence.

Still, the Martians are coming to a black comedy satire that parodies the early alien invasion films like The War of the Worlds. It's noticeable that Burton has been trying to get his comedic touch since Beetlejuice. It isn't the first genre that the director encountered. Elements of classic science-fiction mixed with dark humour created a very imaginative look reminiscent of the B films of the 1950s that deal with these alien apocalypses. These Martians in the movie are undeniably goofy but pose a threat to most of the humans who make poor decisions. The humans were at their utmost selfish and barely redeemed themselves except for some saved at the film's end. It helps that this came after the director's semi-autobiographical movie of Ed Wood and explains a lot of inspiration and detail. He even took some scenic inspiration from Dr. Strangelove from the late Stanley Kubrick, particularly in the war conference room.

Jack Nicholson was the most prominent player as he had a dual role in the feature as the President and as an immoral casino manager. Most noticeable of these other featured actors in supporting roles and cameos include Michael J. Fox (in his last live-screen appearance), Pierce Brosnan, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Sarah Jessica Parker, singer Tom Jones, Martin Short and Glenn Close. Several viewers, including mostly Star Wars fans, may recognise Natalie Portman for her later work other than the divisive prequels and vice versa. They would be surprised that she was among the actors who got a small role in the film, and so is Jack Black when acting as one of the soldiers vaporised by the Martians. The movie's CGI was decent but was certainly out-of-date compared to modern films, and many of its visuals have worked through better quality.

It may not have been the finest hour for Tim Burton and his crew. He can do pictures whenever he wants us to be captivated, which is better than MARS ATTACKS!, even by a long shot. I purposely recommend to all moviegoers that this is a semi-decent film.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Kingsman: The Secret Service/The Golden Circle Review

Kingsman: The Secret Service/The Golden Circle

Release Date: 5th February 2015 - Australia (Secret Service)

21st September 2017 - Australia (Golden Circle)

Production Companies

20th Century Fox (presents)

Marv Films (in association with)
Cloudy Productions
TSG Entertainment (made in association with)

Distribution

20th Century Fox Australia

Genre: Action/Comedy

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 129 minutes 

                  (Secret Service)

                141 minutes 

                (Golden Circle)


Budget: $94,000,000 (Secret Service)
$104,000,000 (Golden Circle)

Box Office Gross: $414,351,546 (Worldwide) (Secret Service)
$410,902,662 (Worldwide) (Golden Circle)

Plot Summaries

THE SECRET SERVICE

The son of a late secret agent, Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, is a street kid with potential and is living in South London in a housing estate. For Eggsy, he seems to be headed for life in prison until he gets recruited by Harry Hart to join a spy agency called Kingsman. Hart showed Eggsy an alternative path in life other than being incarcerated. Meanwhile, the evil billionaire Richmond Valentine creates a sinister plot involving a killing spree to solve climate change.

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE 

Under the tutelage of mentor Harry Hart, Gary "Eggsy" Unwin learns what it takes to be a true Kingsman. He discovers that fancy clothes, flashy cars and cool weapons help the Kingsman with their noble intention of sacrificing everything for the greater good.

However, when an attack on the Kingsman headquarters results in its destruction, Eggsy and Merlin must find out who is behind it. Through their research, they uncovered an allied American spy agency called Statesman. The elite secret agents from both ends of the globe unite to take on a formidable foe and save the world in an adventure that will test their strength and

wits - as is becoming a

bit of a routine for Eggsy.

Cast

Talon Egerton - Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin

Colin Firth - Harry Hart/

Galahad

Mark Strong - Merlin
Sophie Cookson - Roxy

Edward Holcroft - Charlie
Samantha Womack - Michelle Unwin

Tobi Bakare - Jamal

Hanna Alström - Princess Tilde

THE SECRET SERVICE

Samuel L. Jackson - Richmond Valentine

Sofia Boutella - Gazelle

Michael Caine - Chester King/Arthur

Mark Hamill - Professor Arnold

Jack Davenport - Lancelot

Geoff Bell - Dean

Jordan Long - Poodle

Alex Nikolov - Little Eggsy

Fiona Hampton - Amelia

Jack Cutmore-Scott - Rufus Saville

Bjørn Floberg - Scandinavian Prime Minister

Lily Travers - Lady Sophie

Richard Brake - The Interrogator

Andrew Bridgmont - Kingsman Tailor

Nicholas Banks - Digby

Tom Prior - Hugo

Jonni Davies - Lee

Theo Barklem-Biggs - Ryan

Morgan Watkins - Rottweiler

Nicholas Agnew - Nathaniel

Rowan Polonski - Piers

Corey Johnson - Church Leader

Anne Wittman - Church Blonde Woman

Adrian Quentin - Terrorist

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE 

Julianne Moore - Poppy

Channing Tatum - Tequila 

Pedro Pascal - Whiskey

Jeff Bridges - Champ

Halle Berry - Ginger
Elton John - Himself

Michael Gambon - Arthur

Keith Allen - Charles

Tom Benedict Knight - Angel

Mark Arnold - General McCoy

Bruce Greenwood - The President
Poppy Delevingne - Clara
Emily Watson - Chief of Staff Fox
Björn Granath - The King of Sweden
Lena Endre - The Queen of Sweden
Calvin Demba - Brandon
Thomas Turgoose - Liam
Nicholas Colicos - Very Drunk Redneck

Jordan Misfúd - Patient One

Kaye Brown - Patient Two

Paul Giddings - Patient Three

Iain McKee - Poppy's Antidote Doctor
Shannon Bream - FOX News Anchor
James Carroll Jordan - Harvard Professor
Bill Hemmer - FOX News Anchor

Stacey Swift - Hospital Doctor

Alessandro De Marco - Cable Car Attendant

Antonio Magro - Confused Guard

Stephen Schreiber - Elderly Patient 1

Count Prince Miller - Elderly Patient 2

Jeff Ricketts - Poppy's Attorney
Joe Gallina - Poppy's Security Gate Guard

Ammara Niwaz - Whiskey's Wife
Mingus Johnston - First Burly Guard 

Crew

Screenplay/Producer/

Director - Matthew Vaughn

Based on the Comic Book 

"Secret Service"/Executive 

Producers - Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons

Screenplay/Co-Producer - Jane Goldman

Executive Producers - Pierre Lagrange, Stephen Marks and Claudia Schiffer

Producer/Unit Production Managers - Adam Bohling and David Reid

Production Designers - Paul Kirby (*)
and Darren Gilford (**)

Supervising Art Director - Andy Thomson (*)
Supervising Art Director: Main Unit - Grant Armstrong (**)

Art Directors - Andrew Ackland-Snow (*),

Steve Carter (*), Joe Howard, Keith Pain (*),

Paul Spriggs (*) and Tom Whitehead (*)

Art Directors: Main Unit - Gary Jopling,

James Morrall, Tarnia Nicol and David Scott (**)
Set Decorators - David Morison (*)
and Jennifer Williams (*)

Key Set Decorator: Main Unit - Rosemary Brundenberg (**)
Property Master - David Chessman (*)

Property Master: Main Unit - Ty Teiger (**) 

Supervising Armourers - Damien Mitchell (*)

and Nick Jeffries (**)

Costume Designer - Adrianne Phillips

Hair and Makeup Designer - Christine Blundell (*)

Hair Designer: Main Unit - Lisa Tomblin (**)

Makeup Designer: Main Unit - Amanda Knight (**)

Prosthetics Supervisor - John Schoonraad (*)

and Waldo Mason (**)

Director of Photography - George Richmond

Camera Operator/Action Consultant - Christopher Clark Cowan (**)
Aerial Director of Photography - Adam Dale

"A" Camera Operators: Second Unit - Peter Field

(*) and John Gamble (**)

"B" Camera Operators - Jonathan 'Chunky' Richmond (*)

and Ossie McLean (**)

Production Manager/Post Production

Supervisor - Iain Mackenzie

First Assistant Director - Jack Ravenscroft (**)

First Assistant Director: Second Unit - Joe Geary
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -
Bradley James Allan

Car Chase Second Unit Director - Kenny Bates (*)

Second Unit Director (**)/Fight Coordinator -

Guillermo Grispo

Second Unit Director - Moumita Mondal (**)

Animal Trainer - Gill Raddings

Stunt Coordinator - Adam Kirley

Additional Stunt Coordinator - James O'Donnell (*)
Fight Arranger/Stunt Double: Taron Egerton (*)/
Stunt Performer - Damien Walters

Aerial Coordinator - Marc Wolff (**)

Skydiving Supervisor - David Emerson (*)

Diving Coordinator - Dave Shaw

Special Effects Supervisor - Steven Warner

Special Effects Supervisor: Second Unit (*)/

Assistant Special Effects Supervisor (**) -

Stephen Hutchinson
Special Effects Coordinator - Anna Krawczyk (*)

Special Effects Consultant - Neil Corbould (*)

Visual Effects Supervisors - Steven Begg (*),
Angus Bickerton (**) and Barrie Hemsley (**)
Visual Effects Supervisor: SPI - Mark Breakspear (**)
Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -
Chris Lawrence (**)

Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Sheldon Stopsack (**)

Additional Visual Effects Supervisors -
John Paul Docherty (*), John Bruno (*) and

Kevin Tod Haug (*)
Visual Effects Producer - Stephen Elson (*)

Producer: Visual Effects Element Unit,

Magic Camera Company - José Granell (**)
Animation Supervisor: SPI - Max Tyrie (**)
CG Supervisors: SPI - Charles G. Abou (**)

and Jim 'Big Dog' McLean (**)

CG Supervisor: Framestore - Fabio Zangla (**)

Computer Graphics Supervisor: Blind - Andrew Booth

Compositing Supervisor: Framestore - Christian Zeh (**)

Editors - Eddie Hamilton and
John Harris (*)

Sound Supervisor and Sound Design/

Re-Recording Mixer - Matthew Collinge

Sound Supervisor - Danny Sheehan

Sound Design and Effects Editors - Martin Cantwell (*),

Wayne Lemmer (*) and Rob Prynne

Production Sound Mixers - Simon Hayes (*) and

John Hayes

Re-Recording Mixer - Mike Prestwood Smith

Additional Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Burdon

and Doug Cooper (*)

Music - Henry Jackman and
Matthew Margeson

Additional Music - Dominic Lewis (*),

Jason Soudah and Alex Belcher

Score Recordist - Nick Wollage

Review

I apologise for taking another break as I had to finish my long-term animated project. While in Sydney, I recently came across the Hoyts cinema in Penrith. There, I saw the second Kingsman instalment, THE GOLDEN CIRCLE. Before that, I had watched THE SECRET SERVICE. It was the fourth time I'd watched this film.

THE SECRET SERVICE

An overly violent spy-fi movie with stylised action sequences reminisced the classic spy movies from the 1960s and 1970s like James Bond. KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE is a dapper movie with great humour and an action-packed storyline. Matthew Vaughn has never experienced the espionage sub-genre for a film based on an original comic. Much like his few other comic book adaptations, this movie also has the director's penchant for gruesome violence and vulgarity. It is distinguishable from his superhero flicks like Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class. This film has very many hardcore fight scenes and explosions. Speaking of these two, the church scene and the pub fight are two of the best moments, and the part about the exploding heads is one you cannot miss.

Taron Egerton makes a warm welcome in a much-deserved role as Eggsy, a young man who desires to do good in his life. Colin Firth was even a suitable British actor when he was fantastic as Harry Hart, who trains Eggsy to become a proper English gentleman spy. Hollywood's living legend Samuel L. Jackson has a dazzling opportunity to do an over-the-top portrayal as the lisping villainous businessman, Richmond Valentine. Mark Strong was the director's frequent collaborator and is in a supporting role as Merlin. In her debut role as the deadly henchwoman Gazelle, Sofia Boutella is an ideal choice.

This movie may be horrifying for some with graphic scenes and crude language, and I don't mind the campiness that hasn't been used before in a recent spy movie. I appreciate the level of enthusiasm that has been brought to THE SECRET SERVICE and envisioned as the year's ultimate action-packed blockbuster. If you are old enough to watch it, buy it or rent it elsewhere online and in retail.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

It seems that the wait is over as the first Kingsman movie's helmer, Matthew Vaughn, is back for its newest chapter to revisit the glamorous but violent style of espionage. Unfortunately, he's forgotten what he had promised us in the sequel, a more genuine class. THE GOLDEN CIRCLE was twice as big as the original film but rehashes everything done in its predecessor. There are a few grating plot holes, which were noticeable enough to derail the film off its corners. Nevertheless, new characters were added to the plot, like those from the Statesman agency, plus the violence and action sequences are still intact but remained over the top and edgy.

It was unexpected to see Colin Firth return in a jumbled mess with the main lead actor, Taron Egerton. Actress Julianne Moore gives a sterling performance as the intelligent and cunning villainess with a secret motivation that doesn't involve world domination or doomsday cataclysm. Pop musician Elton John was no actor, but rather than a cameo, he outplays himself as being in a supporting role. Halle Berry was sweet as the American female counterpart of Merlin. Jeff Bridges was a bit of a dandy as the head of the Statesman agency. Channing Tatum was good, but I felt his character Tequila could have had more screen time if he had been in the rest of the movie for more action. 

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE is somewhat decent, but it was an instantly forgettable continuation as some believed it was contrived for its style.There is still much fun in this film to get the Kingsman saga going until the next instalment arrives.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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