My Fifteenth Important Message

Breaking news!

I did re-publish two of the reviews put into draft mode about two weeks ago as they are newly updated; these include Jack and Jill, and Eragon, which are re-written from their old review descriptions and star ratings. It's because my original opinion of these films has since changed. I managed to re-link these two back on the index page. For more comments, be sure to take a look and leave some feedback. Thank you.

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Kong: Skull Island Review

Kong: Skull Island

Release Date: 9th March 2017 - Australia


Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)

Legendary Entertainment
Tencent Pictures (presents)

Distribution

Roadshow Films


Genre: Action/Adventure/

Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 118 minutes


Budget: $185,000,000

Box Office Gross: $566,652,812 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary 

During the 1970s, a ragtag team of explorers travelled deep into an unknown but beautiful remote island called Skull Island in the Indian Ocean.

However, they soon learn that the island holds a treacherous secret - it is the home of a giant, prehistoric ape known as King Kong, who possesses immense strength and semi-human intelligence.

Cast

Tom Hiddleston - James Conrad

Samuel L. Jackson - Preston Packard

John Goodman - Bill Randa

Brie Larson - Mason Weaver

Tian Jing - San

John Ortiz - Victor Nieves

Terry Notary - Kong

John C. Reilly - Hank Marlow

Toby Kebbell - Jack Chapman/Kong
Jason Mitchell - Mills
Shea Whigham - Cole
Thomas Mann - Slivko
Eugene Cordero - Reles
Marc Evan Jackson - Landsat Steve
Will Brittain - Young Marlow/

Marlow's Son
Miyavi - Gunpei Ikari
Richard Jenkins - Senator

Willis
Allyn Rachel - Secretary O'Brien

Corey Hawkins - Houston Brooks

Robert Taylor - Athena Captain

James M. Connor - Gen. Ward (Voice)

Thomas Middleditch - Jerry (Voice)

Brady Novak - Base Guard

Peter Karinen - Chinook Pilot

Brian Sacca - Chinook Co-Pilot

Joshua Funk - Seismic Soldier

Daniel F. Malone - Boat Captain

Glenn 'Kiwi' Hall - Boat Captain

Garreth Hadfield - Crew Chief

Shannon Brimelow - Kamikaze

Pilot

Jon Quested - Dead Pilot

Korey Williams - Sunglasses

Pilot

Dat Phan - Bar Thug

Cynthy Wu - Thug's Girlfriend

Beth Kennedy - Marlow's Wife

Bryan Chojnowski - Chicago

Taxi Driver

Crew

Director - Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Based on the Character - Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace (Uncredited)
Story - John Gatins
Screenplay - Dan Gilroy,

Max Borenstein and Derek

Connolly
Executive Producer - Edward

Cheng

Executive Producer/Unit

Production Manager - Eric McLeod

Producers - Alex Garcia,

Jon Jashni, Mary Parent

and Thomas Tull

Co-Producer/Production

Supervisor - Jennifer Conroy

Co-Producer/Visual Effects Producer - Tom C. Peitzman

Military Technical Advisor - Harry Humphries
Casting Director - Sarah Finn

Production Designer - Stefan Dechant

Conceptual Design - Mark 'Crash' McCreery
Supervising Art Director - Doug J. Meerdink

Art Directors - John Lord Booth III and

Steve Christensen

Art Director: Australian Unit - Bill Booth

Vehicle Design Coordinator - Ron Mendell
Illustrators - Zachary Berger

and Steve Jung

Set Decorator - Cynthia La Jeunesse

Property Master - Steven B. Melton

Property Master: Los Angeles Unit -

Sean Mannion
Costume Designer - Mary E. Vogt

Makeup Department Head - Bill Corso

Key Makeup Artist - Dennis Liddiard
Director of Photography - Larry Fong

Director of Photography: Nature Unit - Ross Reige

Aerial Director of Photography - David B. Nowell

"A" Camera Operator - P. Scott Sakamoto

"B" Camera Operator - Calum McFarlane

Supervising Location Manager - Ilt Jones

Production Supervisors: Second Unit -

Eric Hedayat and Renee Confair

Unit Production Manager: Australia Crew -

Jennifer Cornwell

First Assistant Director - Richard Graves

First Assistant Director: Second Unit - Nick Satriano
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Spiro Razatos
Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor - Stephen Rosenbaum
Stunt Coordinator - George Cuttle

Stunt Coordinator: Australia Crew - Kyle Gardiner

Stunt Coordinator: Second Unit - Andy Gill

Aerial Coordinator/Pilot - David Paris

Marine Coordinator - Daniel F. Malone

Special Effects Supervisor - Michael Meinardus

Special Effects Supervisor: Australia Crew - Bruce Bright

Visual Effects Supervisor - Jeff White
Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM - Robert Weaver

and Jeff Capogreco

Additional Visual Effects Supervisor - John Dykstra

Additional Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM -

Jason Smith and Dan Seddon

Visual Effects Executive Producer: ILM - Jill Brooks
Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Aaron McBride
Animation Supervisor - Scott Benza

Animation Supervisors: ILM - Adrian Millington

and Jance Rubinchik

Compositing Supervisors: ILM - Nelson Sepulveda,

Paolo Acri and Aaron Brown

Creature Supervisors: ILM - Karin Cooper

and Steve Sauers

Creature Model Supervisors: ILM - Lana Lan

and Krishnamurti Costa
Editor - Richard Pearson
Additional Editors - Bob Murawski and

Josh Schaeffer

Second Unit Editor - David Kern

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer -

Al Nelson

Supervising Sound Editor - Steve Slanec

Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer - Pete Horner

Assistant Supervising Sound Editors -

André Fenley and Coya Elliott

Production Sound Mixer: Hawaii Unit - Peter J. Devlin

Dialogue Editor - Brian Chumney

ADR Editors - Bjørn Ole Schroeder

and Cheryl Nardi

Re-Recording Mixers - Tom Myers

and Tom Johnson

Foley Artists - John Roesch and Shelley Roden

Music - Henry Jackman

Additional Music - Halli Cauthery,

Alex Belcher and Stephen Hilton

Music Supervisors - Peter Afterman

and Margaret Yen

Associate Music Supervisor - Alison Litton

Score Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review

It's been over a year since we last saw the original King of Beasts in Peter Jackson's remake of the 1933 classic. It proved divisive for newcomers and old-timers, as some were biased towards the 2005 version. Now, the character is getting a makeover for the latest iteration of KONG: SKULL ISLAND. He is yet to have a crossover with Godzilla from 2014's monster hit (click here) in their shared cinematic universe. I had missed several opportunities to watch the classic and the previous interpretations when someone insisted I see another film instead. SKULL ISLAND is no longer taking the giant ape from a tropical island to the Big Apple in the 1930s and is now a survival-based adventure film set in the last days of the Vietnam War. It's different from the rest of the Kong films as this one has a vibe of Apocalypse Now, yet it is incredibly entertaining with its action and humour.

Tom Hiddleston was remarkable in portraying the Harrison Ford-type figure in the film, as it deviated from his known villainous portrayal of Loki. More prominent players include Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, and John C. Reilly. The latter portrayed a stranded World War II veteran, who was a bit of comic relief. Even Samuel L. Jackson was noted for good publicity when he portrayed a vicious Colonel about to carry a grudge against Kong. For the ape-like titular character, he was nearly as good in motion capture as Andy Serkis had portrayed him in 2005. But he has decided to take another mantle on a similarly ape-themed series of Planet of the Apes.

KONG: SKULL ISLAND is in the thin waters of characterisation and worldbuilding, yet it is a semi-decent film. On a positive note, most people will be thrilled and find this version more enjoyable than Peter Jackson's polarising interpretation. You'd better go straight to the cinema before it finishes screening.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Logan Review

Logan

Release Date: 2nd March 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

20th Century Fox (presents)

Marvel Entertainment (in association with)

Donners' Company

Kinberg Genre

Hutch Parker Entertainment

TSG Entertainment (in association with)

Distribution

20th Century Fox Australia

Genre: Action

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 137 minutes

Budget: $127,000,000

Box Office Gross: $619,179,950 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

In 2029, the mutant race is nearly extinct, with Logan and Professor Charles Xavier being the only survivors. However, Logan is getting old as his incredible self-healing abilities are slowly diminishing, and Xavier has succumbed to dementia, which leaves Logan taking care of him. One day, when working as an incognito limo driver, Logan comes across a female stranger who asks him to transport a young girl named Laura Kinney. But

she is no ordinary girl. She

happens to be a mutant,

cloned from Wolverine's

DNA. The ageing Logan

must get Laura safely, as the

company that made her their

asset has come to retake her.

Cast

Hugh Jackman - Logan/

Wolverine/X-24

Patrick Stewart - Charles Xavier/Professor X

Richard E. Grant - Dr. Rice

Boyd Holbrook - Pierce

Stephen Merchant - Caliban

Dafne Keen - Laura Kinney/

X-23

Elizabeth Rodriguez - Gabriela

Eriq La Salle - Will Munson

Elise Neal - Kathryn Munson

Quincy Fouse - Nate Munson

Al Coronel - Federale Commander

Frank Gallegos - Federale Lieutenant

Anthony Escobar - Federale

Reynaldo Gallegos - Rey

Krzysztof Soszynski - Mohawk
Stephen Dunlevy - Macon
Daniel Bernhardt - Bone Breaker

Ryan Stulz - Pretty Boy

Maureen Brennan - Motel Manager
Jason Genao - Rictor
Hannah Westerfield - Rebecca
Bryant Tardy - Bobby
Ashlyn Casalegno - Charlotte
Alison Fernandez - Delilah
Parker Lovein - Lizard Boy

Jimmy Gonzales - Mexican Staff Member

Dave Davis - Convenience Store Clerk
Lennie Loftin - Jackson

Mark Ashworth - Bartender

James Handy - Old Doctor

Bryce Romero - Prom Teen #1

Phi Vu - Prom Teen #2

Chester Rushing - Prom Teen #3

David Simpson - Prom Teen #4

Lauren Gros - Bridesmaid

John Raymond - Pastor

Vanessa Cloke - Mourning Widow

Doris Morgado - Maria

Katie Anne Mitchell - Infirmary Nurse

Lara Grice - Car Dealer

James Moses Black - Major

Han Soto - Valet

Rissa Kilar - Pine Cone Girl

Salef Celiz - Jonah

Kelton DuMont - Glowing Eyes Boy

Damon Carney - Jackson's Henchman

Cynthia Woods - Screaming Woman

Mali O'Connor - Bumpy Skinned Kid

David Kallaway - Rhodes

Robert Vargas - Border Guard

David Paris - Helicopter Pilot

Josh McLaglen - Cowboy in Limo (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Crew

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producer/

Director - James Mangold

Based on Characters - John Romita Sr.,

Roy Thomas, Len Wein and Herb Trimpe

(Uncredited)

Comic Book: "Old Man Logan" - Mark Millar

and Steven McNiven (Uncredited)

Creators: Character: Laura Kinney/X23 -

Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (Uncredited)

Screenplay - Scott Frank and Michael Green

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr.

Executive Producer - Stan Lee

Executive Producer/First Assistant Director -

Josh McLaglen

Producers - Simon Kinberg,

Hutch Parker and Lauren Shulen Donner

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Dana Robin

Co-Producer - Kurt Williams

Casting Directors - Lisa Beach,

Priscilla John and Sarah Katzman

Production Designer - François Audouy
Supervising Art Director - Chris Farmer
Art Directors - Luke Freeborn and Scott Plauche

Art Director: New Mexico - Jordan Ferrer
Set Decorator - Peter Lando

Property Master - John Paul 'J.P.' Jones

Costume Designer - Daniel Orlandi

Head Makeup Artist/Prosthetics Designer -

Joel Harlow

Director of Photography - John Mathieson

Director of Photography: Additional

Photography - Phedon Papamichael

Supervising Location Manager - Maria T. Bierniak

Production Supervisor - Jessica Derhammer

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Garrett Warren
Stunt Coordinator: Smelting Plant - Gary Hymes

Stunt Coordinator: Re-shoots - Nuo Sun

(Uncredited)

Fight Choreographer (Uncredited)/Assistant
Stunt Coordinator - Steven John Brown

Assistant Stunt Coordinator - Steven John Brown

Special Effects Supervisor - Garry Elmendorf

Visual Effects Supervisor - Chas Jarrett

Visual Effects Supervisors: Soho VFX -

Keith Sellers and Berj Bannayan

Visual Effects Supervisors: Rising Sun Pictures -

Dennis Jones and Anthony Smith

Visual Effects Producers: Soho VFX -

Allan Magled and Kelly McCarthy

Visual Effects Executive Producer: Image

Engine - Shawn Walsh

Digital Supervisors: Image Engine -

Damien Thaller, Dennis Shchulkin,

Jeff Baldemoro, Jeremy Mesena,

Lee Alexander, Marc Jones, Ramiro C. Gomez

and Robert Bourgeault

VFX Assets Supervisor: Image Engine -

Barry Poon

Film Editors - Michael McCusker and
Dirk Westervelt

Sound Designers - Wayne Lemmer

and Hamilton Sterling

Supervising Sound Editor - Donald Sylvester

First Assistant Sound Editor - Skip Longfellow

Supervising Dialogue Editor - Teri E. Dorman

Dialogue Editors - Jim Brookshire and

Anna MacKenzie

Sound Mixer: LA Unit - David Husby

Re-Recording Mixers - David Giammarco

and Paul Massey

Additional Re-Recording Mixer - Craig Henighan

Music - Marco Beltrami

Music Supervisor/Temp and Final Music

Editor - Ted Caplan

Score Producer - Buck Sanders

Recordist and Mixer - John Kurlander

Review

A realistically brutal, tragic, and complex film was the last to feature Wolverine in the X-Men series. It's also Hugh Jackman's swan song as the character, marking a haunting goodbye after 17 years of portrayal in his nine-film appearances. James Mangold has learned from the mistakes he made in his previous instalment. He takes the eponymous hero into a cynical future where he is among the few mutants left to avoid extinction. LOGAN was the ultimate standalone feature, offering a dark, violent, and gritty take on the aging character who has seen better days. It didn't disappoint fans like the first movie did by altering the character's backstory, and the second was a vast improvement. That said, LOGAN has attained the aspects that none of the other spin-offs can have with the same bleak and fierce tone, Western feel, writing, and characterisation assembled in the film.

Hugh Jackman wasn't the only actor taking a bow as Wolverine, aka Logan. Patrick Stewart was in his late 70s when he portrayed Xavier for the last time, as the character was now a senile and forgetful figure, no longer a teacher. Both actors deserved better; it was their send-off to the X-Men movie franchise. Dafne Keen was a new starlet from Hollywood, and her role as Laura was superb. Richard E. Grant and Boyd Holbrook did a fantastic job as the villains.

LOGAN was the long-awaited conclusion for the character, which many fans have come to expect from a superhero movie. It's not recommended for younger fans under 15 years without parental supervision due to the disturbing violence and a lot of cussing in this feature. So be warned.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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The Great Escape Review

The Great Escape

Release Date: 10th December 1963 - Australia (Sydney) (premiere)

Production Companies

The Mirisch Company
Alpha (Uncredited)

Genre: War

Rating: PG

Runtime: 172 minutes


Budget: $3,800,000

Box Office Gross: $11,973,256 (Worldwide) 


Plot Summary 

Angered by the number of escapes by a relatively small number of Allied prisoners, the Nazis relocated them to a high-security "escape-proof" prison camp. However, the prisoners remained undaunted, and this did not stop them from planning one of the most ambitious escape attempts in the history of World War II.


Cast

Steve McQueen - Hilts 'The Cooler King'

James Garner - Hendley 'The Scrounger'

Richard Attenborough - Bartlett 'Big X'

James Donald - Ramsey 'The SBO'

Charles Bronson - Danny
'Tunnel King'

Donald Pleasence - Blythe
'The Forger'

James Coburn - Sedgwick 'Manufacturer'

Hannes Messemer - Von Luger 'The Kommandant'

David McCallum - Ashley-Pitt 'Dispersal'

Gordon Jackson - MacGordon 'Intelligence'

John Leyton - Willie 'Tunnel King'

Angus Lennie - Ives 'The Mole'

Nigel Stock - Cavendish 'The Surveyor'

Robert Graf - Werner 'The Ferret'

Jud Taylor - Goff

Hans Reiser - Herr Kuhn

Harry Riebauer - Strachwitz

William Russell - Sorren

Robert Freitag - Capt. Posen

Ulrich Beiger - Preissen

George Mikell - Lt. Dietrich

Lawrence Montaigne - Haynes ('Diversions')

Robert Desmond - Griffith 'Tailor'

Til Kiwe - Frick

Heinz Weiss - Kramer

Tom Adams - Dai Nimmo ('Diversions')

Karl-Otto Alberty - S.S. Officer Steinach

Crew

Producer/Director - John Sturges

Based on the Novel "The Great Escape" -
Paul Brickhill
Writer/Producer (Uncredited) - James Clavell

Writers - W.R. Burnett and
Walter Newman (Uncredited)
Executive Producer - Walter Mirisch (Uncredited)
Assistant to Producer/Second Unit

Director (Uncredited) - Robert E. Relyea

Technical Advisor - Wally Floody (Uncredited)

Art Director - Fernando Carrere

Set Decorator - Kurt Ripberger
Director of Photography - Daniel L. Fapp

Assistant Directors - Jack N. Reddish

and John Flynn (Uncredited)

Special Effects - A. Paul Pollard
Film Editor - Ferris Webster

Sound Effects Editor - Wayne Fury

Composer - Elmer Bernstein


Awards

1964 Academy Awards
Best Film Editing - Ferris Webster (Nominated)

Review

Following the successful release of The Magnificent Seven in 1960, director John Sturges adapted Paul Brickhill's novel THE GREAT ESCAPE to become one of 1963's top-grossing movies. Based on the author's tragic experience in World War II, he was involved in a massive escape attempt devised by his fellow prisoners-of-war (POWs). Many celebrated it as one of the greatest war movies of all time. I remember seeing it on pay TV when it appeared on the now-defunct Movie Greats channel. It introduced me to Steve McQueen, one of the all-time greatest actors. Its famous motorcycle chase scene is what made me watch the film. I have waited to see this milestone film again, which maintains the old-fashioned, edge-of-the-seat experience with its balance of suspense and tragedy. THE GREAT ESCAPE was shot on location in Germany with elaborate set pieces and contained some historical accuracy.

While the film tackles the grim realities of war head-on, it also showcases moments of humour and solidarity among the prisoners alongside the inherent tension and drama. I liked how it doesn't portray the German characters as one-dimensional villains but depicts them with insight, revealing layers of complexity.

The cast featured actors like McQueen, Richard Attenborough, James Garner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, and Donald Pleasence. Each actor delivers a stellar performance, such as McQueen, who has a daredevil persona and a penchant for taking risks in his acting roles. Coburn, an American actor, surprises Australian film-goers when he can play a character with an Aussie accent. The background music by Elmer Bernstein tremendously combines the film's tragedy and cleverness.

In closing, it is one of my all-time favourite movies, and THE GREAT ESCAPE is comparable to the other films this year. Anyone who wants to view it can purchase it online in DVD format.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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My Fourteenth Important Message

Newsflash, I have taken out my previous reviews of Jack and Jill and Eragon as they are currently under maintenance, and I have yet to rewatch one of these two films. I assure you blog-viewers that when I finish re-writing these critiques, I'll re-post them for about two weeks and re-link them back to the review index page as you look up to the top.

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Spider-Man 3 Review

Spider-Man 3

Release Date: 3rd May 2007 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures (presents)

Marvel Enterprises

Laura Ziskin Productions

Distribution

Sony Pictures Australia

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 133 minutes


Budget: $258,000,000

Box Office Gross: $891,698,064 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Peter Parker has found a way to juggle his relationship with M.J. and his role as a superhero. However, the sudden transformation of his suit into a jet-black version that enhances his powers also transforms Peter. 

Due to the suit's influence,

Peter becomes proud and

overconfident and starts

to neglect the people who

are most important to him.

With both Sandman and

Venom joining forces and

seeking retribution, Peter's

biggest challenge will be

overcoming his inner

demons.


Cast

Tobey Maguire - Peter
Parker/Spider-Man

Kirsten Dunst - Mary Jane
Watson

James Franco - Harry
Osborn/New Goblin

Thomas Haden Church - Flint
Marko/Sandman

Topher Grace - Eddie Brock/
Venom

Bryce Dallas Howard - Gwen
Stacy

J.K. Simmons - J. Jonah
Jameson

James Cromwell - Captain
Stacy

Rosemary Harris - Aunt May
Parker

Theresa Russell - Emma Marko

Dylan Baker - Dr. Curt Connors

Bill Nunn - Joseph 'Robbie'
Robertson

Willem Dafoe - Norman Osborn/The Green Goblin (Cameo)

Cliff Robertson - Ben Parker
(Cameo)
Elya Baskin - Mr. Ditkovich
Mageina Tovah - Ursula
Ted Raimi - Hoffman
Elizabeth Banks - Betty Brant
Perla Haney-Jardine - Penny Marko
Becky Ann Baker - Mrs. Stacy
Lucy Gordon - Jennifer Dugan 
Bruce Campbell - Maitre d'
(Cameo)

Michael Papajohn - Dennis
Carradine/Carjacker
Joe Manganiello - Flash
Thompson (Cameo) 
Stan Lee - Man in Times
Square (Cameo)

Crew

Screen Story/Screenplay/
Director - Sam Raimi

Based on Marvel Comic Book "The Amazing Spider-Man"/Executive Producer - Stan Lee

Based on Marvel Comic Book

"The Amazing Spider-Man" -

Steve Ditko 

Screen Story/Screenplay -

Ivan Raimi

Screenplay - Alvin Sargent

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Joseph M. Caracciolo

Executive Producer - Kevin Fiege

Producers - Laura Ziskin,
Avi Arad and Grant Curtis

Casting Directors - Francine Maisler and Kathy Driscoll

Production Designers - Neil Spisak and
J. Michael Riva

Conceptual Illustrator - E.J. Krisor

Illustrators - James Carson, Kasra Farahani,

James C. Rama, Philippe Saunders and

Robert Woodruff

Storyboard/Animatic Supervisor - Heide Waldbaum 

Storyboard Artists/Second Unit Directors -

David Lowery and Jeffrey Lynch

Art Directors - Christopher Burian-Mohr,
David F. Klassen, Dawn Swiderski and
Suzan Wexler

Set Decorator - Leslie Pope 

Property Master - Doug Harlocker

Property Master: New York Unit - Peter Gelfman 

Costume Designers - James Acheson

and Katina Le Kerr

Assistant Costume Designer - Paul Spadone

Specialty Costumes - Shoween Smith,

Nevada Smith, Mike Philpot, Dyce Lyfe Rivera,

Grossnickle, Joey Orosco, Jason Spencer,

Cory Czekaj, Tim Leach, Jamie Grove,

Fred Cervantes, Thomas Floutz, Seth Hays,

Bob Mano, Corey Smith, Kim Ronstandt

and Chris 

Director of Photography - Bill Pope

Underwater Director of Photography - Pete Romano

First Assistant Camera - Greg Luntzel

Spydercam Coordinator: New York Unit - Tim Drnec

Spydercam/Rigging: New York Unit - Todd Semmes

Spydercam Programmers - Benjamin B. Smith

and Rich Volp

Location Manager: New York Unit - John P. Fedynich

Unit Production Manager - Denis L. Stewart

Unit Production Manager: Second Unit,

New York Unit - Dana Robin 

Production Supervisor - David J. Grant 

First Assistant Director - Eric Heffron

First Assistant Director: Second Unit - Nick Satriano

Second Assistant Director - Michael J. Moore 

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -
Dan Bradley
Stunt Coordinators - Scott Rogers

and Chris O'Hara

Choreographer - Marguerite Pomerhn Derricks 

Special Effects Supervisor - John Frazier
Special Effects Coordinator - Jim Schwalm

Dog Puppet - Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero

Physical Effects Supervisor: New Deal Studios -

Scott Beverly

Visual Effects Supervisors - Scott Stokdyk

and Mark Larranaga (Uncredited)

Visual Effects Supervisor: New Deal Studios -

Ian Hunter

Visual Effects Executive Producer: SPI -

Jenny Fulle

Visual Effects Director of Photography:

New Deal Studios - Tim Angulo

Supervising Visual Effects Editor - Jody Fedele 

Digital Effects Supervisors: SPI - Kee-Suk 'Ken'

Hahn and Peter Nofz

Animation Supervisor: SPI - Spencer Cook

CG Supervisors: SPI - Grant Anderson,

Francisco De Jesus, Albert Hastings,

David Seager and Robert Winter

FX Animation Lead: SPI - Ryan Laney

Sand Effects Supervisor: SPI - Douglas Bloom

Sand Shader Look Development Lead: SPI -

Laurence Treweek

Model Supervisor: New Deal Studios - Forest P. Fischer

Film Editor - Bob Murawski

Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor -

Paul N.J. Ottosson

Supervising Sound Mixers - Kevin O'Connell

and Greg P. Russell

Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker and Michael Broomberg 

Original Music Theme - Danny Elfman

Score - Christopher Young

Review

What should have been a step forward in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy has put a nail in the coffin, leaving Sony with no other choice but to reboot the film franchise as The Amazing Spider-Man, which received a mixed response. It could have been a good film if it weren't for the unnecessary additions to the storyline, like the Emo Peter subplot and the character of Venom. The latter has less screen time and affects a few character arcs, such as Peter, The Sandman, and Harry Osborn. These two elements should have been reserved for potential sequels and spin-offs, rather than being forced into the third instalment.

That is why SPIDER-MAN 3 would have been a good film if it had faithfully integrated the director's vision rather than the studio's, which might explain a lot. The characters and story would have had more depth, such as Gwen Stacy, who was underused and would have had a role if included in more scenes of Peter Parker's conflict and affections between her or MJ.

Topher Grace is an appalling cast decision to play Venom and his bitter alter ego, Eddie Brock, in an overhyped superhero movie like SPIDER-MAN 3. Grace wasn't the only actor whose performance disappointed the fan base. While Tobey Maguire, in my opinion, was still near-perfect in his interpretation of both Peter Parker and Spider-Man. He seemed to collide with a darker version that made him look ridiculous. Thomas Haden Church was the standout actor in the movie, delivering a performance that portrays the arch-foe of Sandman. That character leaves something to be desired by anyone who can relate to his pain after seeing his backstory.

It was inarguably the second least favourite of all Spider-Man movies. You may want to overlook its flaws. It's bad enough that this was the last of Sam Raimi's film adaptations of the character, and it's close to being a big disappointment.

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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In Memory of Bill Paxton (1955-2017)

Bill Paxton (1955-2017)

Those of you may remember his name in each of his films. I'm sad to announce that Bill Paxton, the known frequent collaborator of director James Cameron and star of "Aliens," "Twister," "Apollo 13," "Titanic," and "True Lies" has passed away due to surgical complications at the age of 61 on February 25th, 2017.

Paxton started acting in 1975 and was in minor roles like "Stripes" and "The Terminator." The latter was the first movie he worked on with director James Cameron, portraying a thug. Paxton became better known as an actor in prominent supporting roles. "Weird Science" was one of them, playing a bully sibling of the main character. His breakthrough role as Private Hudson in "Aliens" propelled his stardom. Starring opposite Sigourney Weaver and fellow "Terminator" co-stars Lance Henriksen and Michael Biehn, Paxton improvised some of the character's dialogue, including "Game over, man." Eventually, Paxton continued to do full-time work as an actor in other collaborations with James Cameron, like "True Lies" and "Titanic" and lead and ensemble roles, including "One False Move," "Apollo 13," "Twister," "Mighty Joe Young," "A Simple Plan," "U-571," "Vertical Limit," "Thunderbirds," "Edge of Tomorrow," and much more. He even featured himself and narrated James Cameron's documentary "Ghosts of the Abyss."

In addition to acting, Bill Paxton has directed several movies, including "Frailty" (in which he also starred) and "The Greatest Game Ever Played." He also did television work by making guest appearances in shows like "Miami Vice," "The Hitchhiker," "Tales from the Crypt," and "Frasier" before he went into the lead and recurring roles in "Big Love," "Hatfields and McCoys," and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

When he died, he had finished work on his current television series based on the "Training Day" film and the upcoming movie "The Circle."

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