Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Review

 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Release Date: 25th May 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures

Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Adventure

Rating: M

Runtime: 129 minutes

Budget: $230,000,000

Box Office Gross: $794,878,815 (Worldwide) 

Plot Summary

Thrust into an all-new
adventure, a down-on-his-

luck Captain Jack Sparrow 

feels the winds of ill-

fortune blowing even
more strongly when ghost
sailors led by his old nemesis
the evil Captain Salazar, 

escape from the Devil's 

Triangle. Jack's only hope 

of survival lies in seeking 

out the legendary trident
of Poseidon, but to find it
he must forge an uneasy
alliance with a brilliant and
beautiful astronomer and a
headstrong young man in the
British navy. (Source - Google)

Cast

Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow

Javier Bardem - Captain Salazar

Geoffrey Rush - Captain 

Hector Barbossa

Brenton Thwaites - Henry Turner

Kaya Scodelario - Carina Smyth

Kevin McNally - Joshamee Gibbs

Golshifteh Farahani - Shansa

David Wenham - Scarfield

Stephen Graham - Scrum

Angus Barnett - Mullroy 

Martin Klebba - Marty

Adam Brown - Cremble

Giles New - Murtogg

Orlando Bloom - Will Turner

Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann

Paul McCartney - Uncle Jack

Delroy Atkinson - Pike

Danny Kirrane - Bollard

Juan Carlos Vellido - Lt. Lesaro 

Rodney Afif - Officer Madga

Rupert Raineri - Officer Santos

Stephen Lopez - Officer Moss

Bruce Spence - Mayor Dix

Justin Smith - Mr. Krill

John Leary - Mr. Swift

Anthony De La Torre - Young Jack Sparrow

Finn Ireland - Young Pirate Jeff

James Mackay - Maddox

Bryan Probets - Bowen

Lewis McGowan - Henry Turner (12 Yrs Old)

Alexander Scheer - Young Teague

Richard Piper - Captain Toms

Michael Dorman - First Officer 

Wade 

Rohan Nicol - Officer Cole

Robert Morgan - Grimes
Zoe Ventoura - Mayor's Wife
Jonathan Elsom - Priest

Crew

Directors - Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg 

Based on Characters/Story/
Executive Producer - Terry Rossio

Based on Characters - Ted Elliott, Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert

Story/Screenplay - Jeff 

Nathanson

Executive Producers - Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr., Chad Oman, Mike Stenson and Brigham Taylor

Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer

Production Designer - Nigel Phelps
Supervising Art Director - Ian Gracie

Costume Designer - Penny Rose

Director of Photography - Paul Cameron

Stunt Coordinator - Thomas Robinson Harper

Fight Coordinator/Stunt Double: Javier Bardem - Thomas DuPont 

Special Effects Supervisor - Dan Oliver
Special Effects Coordinator - John Frazier

Visual Effects Supervisors - Gary Brozenich and Kenneth Nelson

Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Patrick Ledda

Film Editors - Roger Barton and Leigh Folsom Boyd
Sound Designer (Uncredited)/Supervising Sound Editor/
Re-Recording Mixer - Christopher Boyes

Music - Geoff Zanelli

Composers: Additional Music - Phil Boucher,
Zak McNeil, Paul Mounsey and Anthony B. Willis

Review 

Shiver me timbers, it's time for 'DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES' to set sail as Disney is trying to keep a waning franchise of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' afloat. It has been a wait of four years and some moviegoers have lost interest in the series because of the extremely divisive 'On Stranger Tides'. The studio and its former partner Jerry Bruckheimer have decided that an another change of direction would best suit the next film and brought in two Norwegian directors. Unfortunately much of it was dogged by a string of production difficulties as its main actor Johnny Depp was injured on-set and facing career-threatening issues. Yet, this feature tries to convince us that there's still hope left in the series as Depp is struggling to regain much of his A-list status from the allegations. The two new lead characters of the film weren't as believable as Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann from the original film's. This film wasn't quite as promising as its narrative, when most of us believe it would replicate the approval from 'The Curse of the Black Pearl'.

Now that Depp has become a shadow of his former self as the role that was once inspired from the exploits of the great matinee idol Errol Flynn is losing his edge. Javier Bardem was splendid in his portrayal of the undead pirate hunter Salazar, who was purely motivated by revenge on Jack Sparrow... I mean Captain Jack Sparrow. He is the film's only other redeeming feature and it was fortunate he had not signed on to a different picture than being in the ensemble cast. We can also thank Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley for being in their special guest appearances as Will and Elizabeth after they were both absent in the previous movie.

'DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES' was not the long-awaited film to rescue the series from its declining quality. It has some moments, but not nearly enough to contain all the balance that was forgotten from the sequels. So viewers be warned, watch at your own risk!

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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In Memory of Roger Moore (1927-2017)

Roger Moore (1927-2017)

Hello movie bloggers, I regret to inform you that British film and television actor Roger Moore, known for being Simon Templar in the television show "The Saint" and his longest-serving portrayal of secret agent James Bond in the film series from 1973 to 1985, has passed away after bravely losing his battle with cancer on May 23rd, 2017, at 89 years old. I have nothing against the late movie star except that he wasn't the best actor to play 007 but was more British, less brutal and memorable than any interpretation conceived by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Moore's early years of acting began in 1945 when he was an extra in the film "Caesar and Cleopatra". Moore had his first televised appearance in 1949 and found work modelling for print advertisements. In 1954, he landed a seven-year contract with MGM and got third billing and supporting roles in "Interrupted Memory", "The King's Thief", and "Diane". The latter film flopped, and the studio released Moore two years later. A few years later, Moore starred in one-hour parts of episodes of numerous TV programs and little-known movies. Moore's involvement with television grew as he featured in lead roles, including "Ivanhoe", "The Alaskans", and "Maverick". Moore starred in the lead role of Simon Templar in the television spy-fi drama "The Saint" by producer Lew Grade. The show aired in 1962 in the UK and America, the latter of which earned widespread attention. Because of its success, Moore obtained international stardom in 1967. The series was in black-and-white before it went to colour in 1967 and ran for six seasons with 118 episodes. In addition to his main acting, Roger Moore also directed several episodes. In 1971, Moore starred in another espionage thriller series opposite Tony Curtis in "The Persuaders". Unlike his previous fame in "The Saint", the series was a success only in the UK and Australia but never in America, where it was pre-sold to ABC and failed.

In 1972, when producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli first contacted the actor following Sean Connery's retirement from the role of 007, Roger accepted their offer to portray that titular character in 1973, starting with "Live and Let Die". After its release, he continued with the character in several films. He was 45 years old in "Live and Let Die" and was 58 in 1985 when he retired from that role, becoming the long-running actor to portray James Bond. During his tenure as Bond, Moore had other movies in mind, such as "Gold", "The Wild Geese", "Escape from Athena", "North Sea Hijack", "The Sea Wolves", and "The Cannonball Run". He appeared in a cameo appearance as Inspector Clouseau on "The Curse of the Pink Panther" under the pseudonym. After retiring from being James Bond, Moore took a career hiatus for five years and would not continue to make more film appearances until 1990 in several movies. He was seen in other movies like "The Quest" with Jean Claude Van Damme and "Spice World" and was among the voice talents of "Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore".

Despite his celebrity status, however. Moore became a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF in 1991. Among other honours, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth as "Sir Roger Moore" for his "services to charity" in 2003. In 2008, he obtained a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Government.

To the family and friends of Roger Moore, we deeply miss him, and we are grateful to have seen his work, including James Bond. May he ever be immortalised?

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Release Date: 6th July 2006 - Australia

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures (presents)

Jerry Bruckheimer Films (in association with)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Adventure/

Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 145 minutes

Budget: $225,000,00

Box Office Gross: $1,066,179,747 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
Captain Jack Sparrow is in debt to Davy Jones, captain of the Flying Dutchman, a ghostly, hellishly crewed ship. Jack has to find the heart of Davy Jones in the "Locker", but he needs the help of the quick-witted Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann to save his life. As if that weren't complicated enough, Will and Elizabeth are on death row, which manages to interrupt their wedding plans unless Will can get Jack's compass for Lord Cutler Beckett. Will joins Jack on another crazy adventure.

Cast

Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow

Bill Nighy - Davy Jones

Orlando Bloom - Will Turner

Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann

Jonathan Pryce - Governor Weatherby Swann

Kevin McNally - Joshamee Gibbs

Stellan Skarsgård - Bootstrap Bill

Lee Arenberg - Pintel

Mackenzie Crook - Ragetti

Tom Hollander - Cutler Beckett

Naomie Harris - Tia Dalma

David Bailie - Cotton

Martin Klebba - Marty

David Schofield - Mercer

Alex Norton - Captain Bellamy

Geoffrey Rush - Hector Barbossa (Cameo)

Dermot Keaney - Maccus

Andy Beckwith - Clanker

Clive Ashborn - Koleniko

Reggie Lee - Hadras

Christopher Adamson - Jimmy

Legs

Jonathan Linsley - Ogilvely

John Boswell - Wyvern

Max Baker - Burser

Steve Speirs - Quartermaster

Lauren Maher - Scarlett

Vanessa Branch - Giselle

Christopher S. Capp - Parrot

Voice (Voice)

Crew

Director - Gore Verbinski

Based on Characters/Writers - Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio

Based on Characters - Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert

Script Supervisor - Sharron Reynolds

Executive Producers - Mike

Stenson, Chad Oman and

Bruce Hendricks

Executive Producer/Unit

Production Manager - Eric McLeod

Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer

Historical Advisor - Peter Twist

Casting Director - Denise Chamian

Casting Director: UK - Priscilla John

Production Designer - Rick Heinrichs

Creature Concepts - Mark 'Crash' McCreery

Conceptual Artists - Derek Gogol, Matt Codd and Tim Flattery

Illustrators - Mauro Borrelli, James Carson, Nathan Schroeder, Wil Rees and Warren Manser

Conceptual Consultant - James Byrkit

Supervising Art Director - John Dexter

Art Directors - William Ladd Skinner, Bruce Crone and John Dexter

Assistant Art Directors - Nick Navarro, Domenic Silvestri, Robert Woodruff, Eric Sundahl, Darrell L. Wright and Gary Diamond

Set Decorator - Cheryl Carasik

Costume Designer - Penny Rose

Associate Costume Designer - John Norster

Costume Supervisor: Location - Kenny Crouch

Property Masters - Jerry Moss and Kris Peck

Makeup Effects Creator/Department Head -

Ve Neill

Makeup Effects Supervisor/Key Makeup

Artist/Prosthetic Makeup Designer - Joel Harlow

Additional Makeup Supervisor/Tattoo Designer -

Ken Diaz

Chief Hair Stylist - Martin Samuel

Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski

Underwater Director of Photography - Peter Zuccarini

Aerial Unit Director of Photography - David B. Nowell

Camera Operator - Martin Schaer

Location Manager: US - Laura Sode-Matteson

Unit Production Manager - Douglas C. Merrifield

Production Supervisor - Thomas Hayslip

First Assistant Director - Peter Kohn

First/Second Assistant Director - David H. Venghaus Jr.

Second Assistant Director - Jeff Okabayashi

Second Unit Director/Visual Effects Supervisor:

Additional Visual Effects - Charles Gibson

Second Unit Director: Dominica/

Stunt Coordinator - George Marshall Ruge

Sword Master/Specialist (Uncredited)/

Stunt Double: Jack Davenport - Thomas DuPont

Aerial Coordinator - David Paris

Marine Coordinator - Daniel F. Malone

Marine Coordinator: Dominica - Ed Nyerick

Animal Coordinator - Boone Narr

Head Trainer - Mark Harden

Picture Boat Coordinator - Will White

Transportation Coordinator - Dave Robling

Special Effects Coordinators - Allen Hall

and Michael Lantieri

Shop Supervisors - Thomas Park and

James Reedy

Gimbal Foreman - Mark Hawker

Visual Effects Supervisor - John Knoll

Visual Effects Supervisor: The Orphanage -

Ryan Tudhope

Visual Effects Supervisor: CIS Hollywood -

Bryan Hirota

Visual Effects Supervisor: Pacific Title and

Art Studio - David Sosalla

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Asylum -

Nathan McGuinness

Additional Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM -

Bill George and Roger Guyett

Visual Effects Producers: ILM - Ned Gorman

and Jill Brooks

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Aaron McBride
Digital Production Supervisor: ILM - David Meny

Compositing Supervisor: ILM - Eddie Pasquarello

Compositing Supervisors: Asylum - John Fragomeni

and Phil Brennan

Animation Supervisor: ILM - Hal T. Hickel

Associate Animation Supervisor: ILM - Marc Chu

CG Supervisor: Asylum - Sean Andrew Faden

TD Supervisor: ILM - Patrick T. Myers

Creature Development Supervisor: ILM - James Tooley

Digital Model Supervisors: ILM - Geoff Campbell,

Bruce Holcomb and Steve Walton

Sequence Supervisors: ILM - Tom Fejes,

Neil Herzinger, Jeff Sutherland, Chad Taylor,

Susumu Yukuhiro, Jason Snell, Jack Mongovan,

Mario Capellari, Ian Christie, Michael Halstead,

Shawn Hillier, Polly Ing, Katrin Klaiber,

François Lambert, Kimberly Lashbrook,

Robert Marinic, Tom Martinek, Tory Mercer,

Greg Salter, Douglas Smythe, Damian Steel

and Jeff Wozniak

Models & Miniatures Unit Supervisors: ILM -

Carl Miller, Pat Sweeney, Mark Anderson,

Geoff Heron and Charles Bailey

Editors - Craig Wood and Stephen Rivkin

Supervising Sound Editor/Designer/

Sound Mixer - Christopher Boyes

Supervising Sound Editor - George Watters II

Sound Effects Editors - Ken Fischer,

Addison Teague, Shannon Mills, Tim Nielsen,

Brent Burge and Melanie Graham

Supervising ADR Editor - Jessica Gallavan

Sound Mixers - Lee Orloff and Paul Massey

Additional Sound Mixer - James Bolt

Music - Hans Zimmer

Composers: Additional Music - Nick Glennie-Smith,

Lorne Balfe, Tom Gire, Henry Jackman,

Trevor Morris, John Sponsler and Geoff Zanelli

Composer: Theme Music - Klaus Badelt

Music Supervisor - Bob Badami

Ambient Music Design - Mel Wesson

Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Awards

2007 Academy Awards

Best Visual Effects - John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel,

Allen Hall and Charles Gibson (Won)

--------------------------

Best Art Direction - Rick Heinrichs and

Cheryl Carasik (Nominated)

Best Sound Mixing - Paul Massey, Christopher Boyes

and Lee Orloff (Nominated)

Best Sound Editing - Christopher Boyes and

George Watters II (Nominated)

Review

While The Curse of the Black Pearl received a standing ovation for being a worthy pirate film, the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels were not as well-known as the original and are a mixed bag among viewers. I barely watched them (except for On Stranger Tides), but now is the time to watch all entries in a canonical order before I go and see Dead Men Tell No Tales in theatres.

DEAD MAN'S CHEST was the middle child of the series and could not surpass the standards of the previous film. The crucial display of balancing action and comedy is nowhere to be found, as the plot becomes too convoluted with some exposition. Director Gore Verbinski and screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio get caught up with the first film's success as Disney wanted DEAD MAN'S CHEST to be bigger and better than the last movie. This sequel got too overproduced to be even better despite all the great lengths that came with the aspects, like lavish scenery, brilliant sword fighting and extravagant visuals. Sadly, these aspects were insufficient to save the second instalment from being a fair movie.

Johnny Depp was almost as funny when continuing his role of Captain Jack Sparrow after he had astonished audiences with the character's big debut in the first film. He was sincere that he was cheeky and unrestrained to amuse himself with his improvised acting. Actor Bill Nighy was in a hideous disguise as the squid-like part crustacean pirate of Davy Jones when he got cast into that antagonist role. It has to be the computer-generated imagery that camouflaged him to look fishy in this transformation. The rousing, adventurous score by Hans Zimmer was incredible in that it included strings, pipes and concussions to create a sound familiar to the original themes by Klaus Badelt.

DEAD MAN'S CHEST was a bit disjointed but a decent addition to the Pirates franchise. Though not the best sequel, it's a mildly entertaining film. I highly recommend it to fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Review

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2


Release Date: 25th April 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Marvel Studios (presents)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 136 minutes


Budget: $200,000,000

Box Office Gross: $863,756,051 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Now hailed as heroes after saving Xandar from Ronan, Peter Quill and his Guardians of the Galaxy get hired by a leader of a powerful alien race called the Sovereign to protect their precious batteries from a monster. After defeating it, Rocket steals these batteries and causes the Sovereign to send their fleet to pursue them. While the guardians try to evade their pursuers, they discover the truth of Peter's unknown heritage.

Cast
Chris Pratt - Peter Quill/
Star-Lord
Zoe Saldana - Gamora
Bradley Cooper - Rocket (Voice)
Dave Bautista - Drax the Destroyer
Vin Diesel - Baby Groot (Voice)
Kurt Russell - Ego
Pom Klementieff - Mantis
Elizabeth Debicki - Ayesha
Michael Rooker - Yondu Udonta
Karen Gillan - Nebula
Chris Sullivan - Taserface
Sean Gunn - Kraglin/On Set Rocket
Krystian Godlewski - On Set Groot
Sylvester Stallone - Stakar Ogord
Laura Haddock - Meredith Quill
Wyatt Oleff - Young Peter Quill
Gregg Henry - Grandpa Quill
Evan Jones - Wrench
Jimmy Urine - Half-Nut
Stephen Blackehart - Brahl
Steve Agee - Gef
Mike Escamilla - Scrote
Joe Fria - Oblo
Terence Rosemore - Narblik
Tommy Flanagan - Tullk
Michael Rosenbaum - Martinex T'Naga (Cameo)
Ving Rhames - Charlie-27 (Cameo)
Michelle Yeoh - Aleta Ogora (Cameo)
Stan Lee - Watcher Informant (Cameo)
Ben Browder - Sovereign

Admiral (Cameo)
Miley Cyrus - Mainframe (Voice)

(Cameo) (Uncredited)
Seth Green - Howard the Duck

(Voice) (Cameo)

Molly C. Quinn - Howard's Date
Jeff Goldblum - Grandmaster
(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Rob Zombie - Unseen Ravager

(Voice) (Cameo)

David Hasselhoff - The Form

of David Hasselhoff (Cameo)

Richard Christy - 'Down There!' (Cameo)

James Gunn Sr. - Weird Old Man (Cameo)

Leota Gunn - Weird Old Man's Mistress (Cameo)

Guillermo Rodriguez - Cop #2 (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Writer/Director - James Gunn
Based on the Marvel Comics - Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Star-Lord/Mantis Creator -

Steve Englehart
Star-Lord Creator - Steve Gan
Gamora and Drax Creator -

Jim Starlin
Groot Creator/Executive Producer - Stan Lee
Groot Creators - Larry Lieber
and Jack Kirby

Rocket Raccoon Creators - Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen
Mantis Creator - Don Heck (Uncredited)
Howard the Duck Creators - Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik

Script Supervisor - Martin Kitrosser

Associate Producer - Simon Hatt
Executive Producers - Victoria Alonso,

Louis D'Esposito and Jonathan Schwartz
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Nikolas Korda
Producer - Kevin Feige
Co-Producer - David J. Grant

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Lars P. Winther
Casting Director - Sarah Finn
Production Designer - Scott Chambliss
Production Designer: Los Angeles Unit/
Supervising Art Director - Ramsey Avery

Visual Development Supervisor - Andy Park

Concept Artists - Jonathan Bach,

John Dickenson, Andrea Dopaso, Tim Flattery,

Sean Hargreaves, George Hull, Scott Lukowski,

Victor Martinez, Sam Michlap, Till Nowak,

Craig Sellars, Dean Sheriff and Hal Tenny

Concept Artist/Visual Development Concept

Illustrator - Tully Summers

Visual Development Concept Illustrators -

Melissa Encinas, Anthony Francisco,

Rodney Fuentebella, Constantine Sekeris,

Justin Sweet and Jackson Sze

Visual Development Concept Artists -

Karla Ortiz, Wesley Burt, Ryan Lang,

Kevin Chen, Ian Joyner, Michael Kutsche

and Jerad Marantz

Art Directors - Vlad Bina, Jana Engel,

Iain McFayden, Harry Otto,

Lauren Polizzi and Thomas Valentine

Set Decorator - Jay Hart

Property Master - Russell Bobbitt

Costume Designer - Judianna Makovsky

Assistant Costume Designers - Michael Crow

and Lisa Tomczeszym

Prosthetic Makeup Department Head:

Legacy Effects - Brian Sipe

Makeup Department Head - John Blake

Hair Department Head - Camille Friend

Hair Department Head: Los Angeles Unit -

Peter Tothpal

Director of Photography - Henry Braham

Aerial Coordinator - David Paris

Unit Production Manager - Thomas Hayslip

Unit Production Manager: Los Angeles Unit -

Leeann Stonebreaker

Stunt Coordinator - Thomas Robinson Harper

Co-Stunt Coordinator - Riley Harper

Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -

Casey O'Neill

Fight Coordinator - James Young
Special Effects Supervisor - Daniel Sudick

Legacy Effects Supervisors - Shane P. Mahan

and Lindsay MacGowan

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Joe Letteri

Visual Effects Supervisor - Christopher Townsend

Visual Effects Supervisors: Weta Digital -

Guy Williams, Kevin Andrew Smith, Charles Tait

and Daniel MacCarin

Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -

Jonathan Fawkner

Visual Effects Co-Supervisor: Framestore -

Patric Roos

Visual Effects Supervisors: Animal Logic -

Paul Butterworth and Kirsty Millar

Visual Effects Supervisor: Method Studios -

Nordin Rahhali

Visual Effects Supervisor: Technicolor VFX -

Doug Spiltaro

Visual Effects Supervisor: Sarofsky -

Matthew Crnich

Additional Visual Effects Supervisor -

Edwin Rivera

Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital -

David Clayton

Senior Animation Supervisor: Method Studios -

Keith Roberts

Animation Supervisors: Method Studios -

Daniel Mizuguchi and Christopher Perkowitz-

Colvard

Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -

Raphael A. Pimentel

Compositing Supervisor: Framestore -

Matthew Twyford

Compositing Supervisor: Lola Visual Effects -

Edson Williams

3D Stereoscopic Supervisor - Evan Jacobs

Film Editors - Fred Raskin and Craig Wood

Additional Editors - Kathryn Himoff

and Andrew S. Eisen
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editors -
Addison Teague and David Acord

Sound Mixer - Lee Orloff

Sound Mixer: Los Angeles Unit - David Husby

Re-Recording Mixers - Christopher Boyes

and Lora Hirschberg

Foley Artists - John Roesch and Shelley Roden
Music - Tyler Bates

Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan

Review

My experience of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie would have never been the same if I had not seen the new chapter in theatres. The thrilling cosmic action, humour and 70s music get reinstated in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. It was a surprising continuation that everyone agrees has the same impact as the original movie. Writer/director James Gunn has masterminded the sequel to continue the wild space adventures of Marvel's sci-fi heroes. The film has a thoughtful storyline and complex characterisation. It boasts an immense visual display and loses none of these aspects that continue to be in the feature that's not as significant as what other viewers say. The film's plot has some similarities to The Empire Strikes Back, and it has more of a bittersweet closing than a downer ending.

The original actors like Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper and others are back as the famed eponymous group of heroes ready to save the galaxy from evil forces again. Even the undisputed Vin Diesel is now voicing the young, cutesy version of Groot. The newer cast member, Kurt Russell, was a legendary and remarkable actor when portraying Star Lord's mysterious and godlike estranged father. His true intentions are yet unknown.

Elizabeth Debecki was capable of sheer brutal menace when acting as the vengeful Ayesha, and she may return to the character in the final instalment shortly. French actress Pom Klementieff portrays the lovable but naive Mantis, the team's newest member. Veteran actor Sylvester Stallone is in a supporting role as Stakar Ogord, even though I've never been a big fan of Stallone and his movies. Whatever the reason, he did do a fascinating job.

Viewers will be jettisoned and embrace the world of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 as they did for its predecessor. It may not have been as fresh as the last movie, but it's a more colourful, action-packed sequel. I hope to see the film again when it comes out on Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes and Netflix.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Release Date: 11th September 2003 - Australia

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures (presents)

Jerry Bruckheimer Films (in association with)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Adventure/

Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 142 minutes

Budget: $140,000,000

Box Office Gross: $654,264,015 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

When Elizabeth Swann, the governor's daughter, gets kidnapped by the feared pirate Captain Barbossa, who has suspected she has the medallion. Her childhood friend, a young blacksmith named Will Turner, joins forces with the eccentric yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow as they set sail to rescue Elizabeth from Barbossa. Little do they know that Barbossa and his crew are under a terrible curse that has doomed them to live for all eternity as the undead unless a blood sacrifice is made that would allow them to become mortal again.

Cast

Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow

Orlando Bloom - Will Turner

Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann

Geoffrey Rush - Hector Barbossa

Jack Davenport - Norrington
Jonathan Pryce - Governor
Weatherby Swann
Kevin McNally - Joshamee Gibbs
Lee Arenberg - Pintel
Mackenzie Crook - Ragetti
Damian O'Hare - Lt. Gillette
Giles New - Murtogg
Angus Barnett - Mullroy
David Bailie - Cotton
Michael Berry Jr. - Twigg
Isaac C. Singleton Jr. - Bo'sun
Zoe Saldana - Anamaria
Martin Klebba - Marty
Treva Etienne - Koehler
Greg Ellis - Officer

Lauren Maher - Scarlett

Brye Cooper - Mallot

Vanessa Branch - Giselle

Trevor Goddard - Grapple
Vince Lozano - Jacoby
Ralph P. Martin - Mr. Brown
Paula J. Newman - Estrella
Dylan Smith - Young Will
Lucinda Drysek - Young Elizabeth
Guy Siner - Harbormaster

Crew

Director - Gore Verbinski
Screen Story/Screenplay - Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio
Screen Story - Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert

Script Supervisor - Sharron Reynolds
Executive Producer/Unit
Production Manager - Paul Deason
Executive Producer/Unit
Production Manager/

Second Unit Director - Bruce Hendricks
Executive Producers - Chad Oman and

Mike Stenson

Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer
Technical Advisor - Peter Twist
Casting Director - Ronna Kress

Lead Animal Trainer - Ursula Brauner

Animal Coordinator - Mark Harden
Production Designer - Brian Morris

Consultant - James Ward Byrkit

Creature Concepts - Mark 'Crash' McCreery

Conceptual Artist - Miles Teves

Supervising Art Director - Derek R. Hill
Art Directors - James E. Tocci and

Donald B. Woodruff

Art Director: Caribbean Unit -

William Ladd Skinner

Construction Coordinator - Robert A. Blackburn

Set Decorators - Larry Dias and

Cristian Bertoco (Uncredited)

Property Master - Charles Stewart

Armourer - Harry Lu

Costume Designer - Penny Rose

Associate Costume Designer - John Norster

Costume Supervisors - Ken Crouch and

Carolyn Dessert

Makeup Effects Creator - Keith VanderLaan

Makeup Effects Supervisor: Captive Audience

Productions - Brian Sipe

Makeup Supervisor - Ve Neill

Makeup Effects Consultant/Special Makeup

Effects Artist - Greg Cannom

Chief Hair Stylist - Martin Samuel
Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski

Director of Photography: Second Unit -

Mitchell Amundsen

Director of Photography: Second Unit/

Second Unit Director - Alexander Witt

Aerial Unit Director of Photography - David B. Nowell

Camera Operator - Martin Schaer

Camera/Steadicam Operators -

David Luckenbach and Chris Haarhoff

Underwater Camera Operator - Peter Zuccarini

Second Assistant Camera: Second Unit -

Robert Settlemire

Unit Production Manager: Caribbean Unit -

Douglas C. Merrifield

Production Supervisor: Caribbean Unit -

Thomas Hayslip

First Assistant Director - Peter Kohn

First Assistant Directors: Second Unit -

Gary Romolo Fiorelli and Darin Rivetti
Stunt Coordinator - George Marshall Ruge

Additional Sword Trainers - Mark Ivie

and Bob Anderson

Helicopter Pilot - David Paris

Assistant Marine Coordinator - Ed Nyerick

Assistant Marine Coordinator: Caribbean Unit -

Daniel F. Malone

Boat Wrangler - Will White

Transportation Coordinator - Dave Robling

Special Effects Coordinator - Terry D. Frazee
Additional Special Effects Coordinator -

Dan Cangemi

Assistant Special Effects Coordinator -

Donald Frazee

Practical FX Supervisor: ILM - Geoff Heron

Visual Effects Supervisor - John Knoll

Visual Effects Supervisor: CSI Hollywood -

Bryan Hirota

Visual Effects Supervisor: Pacific Title -

David Sosalla

Visual Effects Consultant - Charles Gibson

Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Jill Brooks

Visual Effects Producer: Boy Wonder -

Dennis Hoffman

Art Director: ILM - Aaron McBride

Visual Effects Directors of Photography: ILM -

Carl Miller and Pat Sweeney

Digital Effects Supervisor: CIS Hollywood -

Gregory D. Liegey

Animation Supervisor: ILM - Hal T. Hickel

Computer Graphics Supervisor: ILM -

Patrick T. Myers

CG Sequence Supervisors: ILM - Russell Earl

and Neil Herbzinger

3D Matchmove Lead: ILM - Jason H. Snell

Cloth Simulation Supervisor: ILM -

James Tooley
CG Model Supervisor: ILM - Geoff Campbell
Physical Model Supervisor: ILM - Charles Bailey

Lead Model Makers: ILM - Peter Bailey,

Don Bies, Robert Edwards, Jon Foldman,

Dave Murphy and Lauren Vogt

Stage Production Managers: ILM -

Mark Anderson and Monique Gougeon

Digital Matte Supervisor: ILM - Jonathan Harb

Lead CG Viewpainter: ILM - Steve Walton

Editors - Stephen E. Rivkin,
Arthur Schmidt and Craig Wood

Assistant AVID Editors - Christopher S. Capp

and Dana E. Glauberman
Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer
Re-Recording Mixer - Christopher Boyes

Supervising Sound Editor - George Watters II

ADR Supervisor - Jessica Gallavan

Sound Mixer - Lee Orloff

Sound Effects Editors - Ken Fischer,

Tim Nielsen and Addison Teague

Re-Recording Mixers - David E. Campbell

and David Parker

Music - Klaus Badelt

Composers: Additional Music - Ramin Djawadi,
Jim Dooley, Nick Glennie-Smith, Steve Jablonsky,
James McKee Smith and Geoff Zanelli
Composer: Additional Music (Uncredited)/

Technical Music Producer - Trevor Morris
Composer: Additional Music/Orchestrator -

Blake Neely

Music Supervisor - Bob Badami

Score Producer/Music Programmer - Hans Zimmer

Music Arranger and Designer - Mel Wesson

Score Mixers - Alan Meyerson and

Slamm Andrews

Awards

2004 Academy Awards

Best Actor in a Leading Role - Johnny Depp (Nominated)

Best Makeup - Ve Neill and Martin Samuel (Nominated)

Best Sound Mixing - Christopher Boyes,

David Parker, David E. Campbell and

Lee Orloff (Nominated)

Best Sound Editing - Christopher Boyes and

George Watters II (Nominated)

Best Visual Effects - John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel,

Charles Gibson and Terry D. Frazee (Nominated)

Review

Ahoy there, me hearties, it's Rad Dingo here. You may have guessed that I didn't review any Pirates of the Caribbean movies (save for On Stranger Tides). Now I'm looking forward to seeing the new film Dead Men Tell No Tales, which is soon in theatres at the end of May. Before the countdown is over, we are looking at the series' first instalment, THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL.

It's captivating to see a fantasy swashbuckling feature that didn't age a bit, and it never ceases to amaze me. I didn't expect a film based on a theme park ride at Disneyland would soar as one of 2003's top-grossing films. However, the film was a hidden treasure, formed by an intriguing narrative from the same writing team behind Shrek and Aladdin. It's full of action with sword-fight choreography, comedy, and an adventurous feel with supernatural themes to contain the tremendous impact. Director Gore Verbinski could never be thanked enough for bringing such a movie franchise to life. He has also done a terrific job on the pacing, and none of the sequels had the proper timing of the original movie.

The performances were superb, coming from actors like Johnny Depp, who was already perfect for the infamous savvy pirate of Jack Sparrow. He gets away with portraying his character with a hairstyle, a mid-Atlantic cockney accent, etc. He was born to lead his portrayal as it was a big step up to being immortalised in his status as a well-known leading actor from Hollywood. Actor Orlando Bloom was the boy next door as he plays the pirate-in-training swordmaker Will Scarlett in a restraining manner. Keira Knightley was as gorgeous as the lovely Elizabeth Swann. Geoffrey Rush chews the scenery when acting as the bloodthirsty blackguard Hector Barbossa in a charismatic, over-the-top style. On an unexpected note, it was one of the early films for actress Zoe Saldana. As a supporting actor, she is on the verge of her future big break in Star Trek, Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy.

A fun yet majestic high-sea adventure fantasy is enough to push THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL into a well-regarded sanctuary of modern classics in its heyday. It is my favourite movie and is a must-see feature.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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The Avengers (1998) Review

The Avengers

Release Date: 5th November 1998 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

Jerry Weintraub Productions

Distribution 

Roadshow Films

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 89 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $48,585,416 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

British Ministry agent John Steed investigates a diabolical plot by arch-villain Sir August de Wynter to use his weather control machine to rule the world. Steed investigates the beautiful doctor, Mrs Emma Peel, the only suspect, but at the same time, he falls in love with her and joins forces with her to fight against Sir August.

Cast

Ralph Fiennes - John Steed

Uma Thurman - Emma Peel

Sean Connery - Sir August de Wynter

Jim Broadbent - Mother

Eddie Izzard - Bailey

Fiona Shaw - Father

Eileen Atkins - Alice

Keeley Hawes - Tamara

John Wood - Trubshaw

Carmen Ejogo - Brenda

Shaun Ryder - Donovan

Nicholas Woodeson - Dr. Darling

Michael Godley - Butler

Richard Lumsden - Boodle's

Porter

Daniel Crowder - Messenger

Nadim Sawalha - World Council of Ministers

Christopher Godwin - World Council of Ministers

David Webber - World Council of Ministers

Patrick Macnee - Invisible Jones (Voice)

Crew

Director - Jeremiah S. Chechik

Based on the Television Series "The Avengers" - Sydney Newman

Writer - Don MacPherson

Script Supervisor - Anna Worley

Executive Producer - Susan Ekins

Producer - Jerry Weintraub

Casting Director - Susan Figgis

Production Designer - Stuart Craig
Supervising Art Director - Neil Lamont
Art Directors - Andrew Ackland-Snow,

Mark Harris and Michael Lamont

Art Director: Second Unit - Simon Lamont

Set Decorator - Stephenie McMillan

Property Master - Barry Wilkinson

Stand-by Props - Simon & Jamie Wilkinson

and Gary Ixer

Costume Designer - Anthony Powell

Wardrobe Supervisor - Kenny Crouch

Key Makeup Artist - Daniel Parker

Makeup Artist - Jeremy Woodhead

Makeup/Hair: Uma Thurman - Peter Swords King

Director of Photography - Roger Pratt

Camera Operators - Simon Ransley

and Peter Robertson

Location Managers - Keith Hatcher

and Terry Blyther

First Assistant Director - Terry Needham

Second Assistant Director - Adam Somner
Second Unit Directors - Vic Armstrong
and Arthur Wooster

Second Unit Director/Director of Photography -

Harvey Harrison

Stunt Coordinator - Marc Boyle
Stunt Coordinator: Second Unit - Eddie Stacey

Swordfight Arrangements - William Hobbs
Special Effects Supervisor - Joss Williams

Special Effects Coordinators: Second Unit -

Ian Wingrove and Paul Whybrow

Visual Effects Supervisor - Nick Davis
Visual Effects Producers: CFC - Sharon Lark

and Alison O'Brien
Digital Effects Producer: Cinesite - Alex Bicknell

Digital Composite Supervisors: Cinesite -

Sue Rowe and Niki Wakefield

CG Lead Animator: CFC - Dan Glass

Production Supervisor: Model Unit -

José Granell

Camera Operator: Model Unit - John Morgan

FX Animation Designer: Digital Unit - Steven Bebb

Film Editor - Mick Audsley

Supervising Sound Editor - Peter Joly

Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Effects Editor -

Adrian Rhodes

Re-Recording Mixer - Mike Prestwood Smith

Composer: Theme Song - Laurie Johnson

Music - Joel McNeely

Music Supervisor - Marius De Vries

Music Score Recordist - Shawn Murphy

Review

THE AVENGERS came out in 1998 (no, not the film from Joss Whedon) and was considered the worst screen interpretation ever released. Luckily, it wasn't based on the famous Marvel comic book series but adapted from a classic British spy-fi television series. It's a travesty that this movie nearly derailed the careers of those who participated in its production, namely actors like Sean Connery and Uma Thurman. The lack of background extras, plot holes, severe editing and overall politeness of the chemistry dialogue between Thurman and Ralph Fiennes may have contributed to these criticisms.

Shame on the producers for casting Connery, the former 007, as the weather-controlling megalomaniac in a movie that shows no loyalty to the source material. He should be ashamed of his performance in this abnormal movie. This villainous role would have been perfect for Anthony Hopkins if he had been willing to accept that instead of Connery, who did not retire from acting after THE AVENGERS until 2003.

The film adaptation was not ready to renew interest in the classic TV series. It did no justice for the series that this film is terrible. It will discourage you from watching the TV series, which is decent despite this movie, if this is your first introduction to THE AVENGERS.

Star rating: (2/10) Bad Movie

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The Fate of the Furious Review

The Fate of the Furious


Release Date: 12th April 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures (presents)
Original Film 
One Race Films
Perfect World Pictures
China Film Co.

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia 


Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 136 minutes


Budget: $250,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,236,005,118 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Now that Dom and Letty are on their honeymoon and Brian and Mia have retired from the game-and the rest of the crew has been exonerated-the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of crime he can't seem to escape and a betrayal to those closest to him, they will face trials that will test them as never before.

From the shores of Cuba and the streets of New York City to the icy plains off the arctic Barents Sea, our elite force will crisscross the globe to stop an anarchist from unleashed chaos on the world's stage... and to bring home the man who made them a family. (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast

Vin Diesel - Dominic Toretto 
Jason Statham - Deckard Shaw
Dwayne Johnson - Luke Hobbs
Michelle Rodriguez - Leticia
"Letty" Ortiz
Tyrese Gibson - Roman Pearce
Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges - Tej
Parker

Charlize Theron - Cipher

Kurt Russell - Mr. Nobody
Nathalie Emmanuel - Ramsey
Elsa Pataky - Elena
Kristofer Hivju - Rhodes
Scott Eastwood - Little Nobody
Patrick St. Esprit - DS Allan
Janmarco Santiago - Fernando
Luke Hawx - Miller
Tego Calderon - Leo
Don Omar -Santos
Celestino Cornielle - Raldo
Luke Evans - Owen Shaw
Tego Calderon - Leo
Don Omar - Santos
Eden Estrella - Sam
Helen Mirren - Madgalene Shaw (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - F. Gary Gray
Based on Characters - Gary
Scott Thompson
Writer/Producer - Chris Morgan
Executive Producers - Amanda Lewis and Samantha Vincent
Producers - Vin Diesel and 

Neal H. Moritz 

Producer/Unit Production Manager - Michael Fottrell
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Cliff Lanning
Casting Directors - Jeffrey Karantza and John Papsidera 
Production Designer - Bill Brzeski
Supervising Art Director - Desma Murphy
Costume Designer - Sanja Milkovic Hays
Director of Photography - Stephen F. Windon
Action Unit Director - Jonathan Eusebio
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Spiro Razatos

Stunt Coordinators - J.J. Perry and Troy Robinson
Stunt Coordinators: Second Unit - Andy & Jack Gill
Fight Coordinator - Jonathan Eusebio
Picture Car Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy
Special Effects Supervisor - J.D. Schwalm
Special Effects Coordinator - Eric Cook
Visual Effects Supervisors - Kelvin McIlwain,
Jay Burton and Mike Wassel
Film Editors - Paul Rubell and Christian Wagner
Music - Brian Tyler


Review

The eighth instalment of 'The Fast and the Furious' series, 'THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS' was thought it be inferior and would de-accelerate the franchise with the absence of the late actor Paul Walker. The film continues the series need for speed and with two more sequels underway, there's no lessening an impact that started the over-the-top car chases and stunt work. A near adrenaline rush that was not quite facing the articular standards of the predecessors like 'Furious 7'. It has a storyline that was essentially dark albeit still in a cheesy grin as Vin Diesel's hero turns rogue when he is won over by a vindictive femme fatale. Director F. Gary Gray takes over James Wan's duties after the hype from 'Furious 7' died down in two years and keeps the formula intact on this one. The excitement of the movie has never faded and it has seemed to get bolder now and then.

The returning actors like Vin Diesel have always been in touch with the chemistry with the late Paul Walker until his sudden death. He is now one of the lead actors of the film sharing with Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez as he could not fill in Paul's shoes. Also with co-stars Jason Statham and Kurt Russell being the newest additions to the series as both actors return to their characters as the first is no longer their greatest foe but now is an ally to the good guys. Who is Cipher, the deadliest assassin that we have come across yet as Oscar-winner Charlize Theron dabbles her skills as a thespian to play the bad girl. Helen Mirren makes a surprise cameo appearance as her love for the series has brought her attention in a certain role.

'THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS' is a semi-decent action blockbuster that almost derailed the quality of the series. It certainly got over with a new threatening villain and dark tone that it was the series' interesting and recent chapter. I highly recommend this feature for those in their teen and mature audiences as well as fans of the 'Fast and the Furious' series of films.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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