Monday, March 19, 2018

Black Panther Review












Black Panther


Release Date: 14th February 2018 - Australia


Production Companies
Marvel Studios

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Action/Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 134 minutes


Budget: $210,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,347,597,973 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After his father has died, T'Challa returns home to an advanced kingdom hidden in the continent of Africa known as Wakanda and becomes its new ruler. As both king and alter ego, Black Panther, he gets put to the test when drawn to a conflict that puts his country and the whole world at risk. Can T'Challa defend Wakanda from a challenger who wishes to assume the throne?


Cast
Chadwick Boseman -
T'Challa/Black Panther
Michael B. Jordan - Erik Kilmonger
Lupita Nyong'o - Nakia
Danai Gurira - Okoye
Martin Freeman - Everett K. Ross
Letitia Wright - Shuri
Winston Duke - M'Daku
Sterling K. Brown - N'Jobu
Angela Bassett - Ramona
Forest Whitaker - Zuri
Andy Serkis - Ulysses Klaue
Florence Kasumba - Ayo
John Kani - T'Chaka
David S. Lee - Limbani
Nabiyah Be - Linda
Isaach De Bankolé - River Tribe Elder
Connie Chiume - Mining Tribe Elder
Dorothy Steel - Merchant Tribe Elder
Danny Sapani - Border Tribe Elder
Atandwa Kani - Young T'Chaka
Ashton Tyler - Young T'Challa
Denzel Whitaker - James/
Young Zuri
Francesca Faridany - Museum Director
Seth Carr - Young Killmonger
Stan Lee - Thirsty Gambler (Cameo)
Sebastian Stan - Bucky Barnes (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Writer/Director - Ryan Coogler
Based on the Marvel Comics/Executive Producer - Stan Lee
Based on the Marvel Comics - Jack Kirby
Writer - Joe Robert Cole
Executive Producers -
Victoria Alonso, Jeffrey
Chernov, Louis D'Esposito
and Nate Moore
Producer - Kevin Feige
Co-Producer - David J. Grant
Casting Director - Sarah Finn
Dialect Coach - Beth McGuire
Production Designer - Hannah Beachler
Head of Visual Development - Ryan Meinerding
Visual Development Concept Illustrators - Anthony Francisco, Rodney Fuentebella, Ian Joyner, Vance Kovacs,
Khang Le, Alexander Mandradjiev,
Fausto De Martini, Jerad Marantz,
Josh Nizzi, Andy Park,
Constantine Sekeris, Tully Summers,
Jackson Sze and Henrik Tamm
Supervision Art Director - Alan Hook
Art Directors - Jason T. Clark,
Joseph Hiura, Alex McCarroll,
Jay Pelissier, Jesse Rosenthal and
Dominic Silverstri
Set Decorator - Jay Hart
Property Master - Andrew Petrotta
Costume Designer - Ruth E. Carter
Specialty Costumes Supervisor - Russell Shinkle
Hair Department Head - Camille Friend
Makeup Department Head - Joel Harlow
Director of Photography - Rachel Morrison
Director of Photography: South Korea Unit -
Igor Meglic
Director of Photography: Atlantis Second Unit -
Bruce McCleery
"A" Camera/Steadicam Operator - P. Scott Sakamoto
Camera Operators: South Korea Unit -
Onofrio Pansini, Jacques Hatkin,
Maurice McGuire and Chris Duskin
Second Assistant Camera: South Korea Unit -
Andrew Crankshaw, Chris Burket,
Harry Jamieson, Jimin & Ted Lee and
Michael Luntzel
First Assistant Directors: South Korea Unit -
Marvin Williams and Jigwang 'Jerry' Ko
Second Unit Director - Darrin Prescott
Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Stunt
Coordinator - Andy Gill
Supervising Location Manager - Ilt Jones
Stunt Coordinator - Jonathan Eusebio
Stunt Coordinators: South Korea Unit -
R.A. Rondell, Yoohun Chung, Wonjong Song
and Hank Amos
Supervising Stunt Coordinator: Additional
Photography - George Cottle
Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -
Brycen Counts
Co-Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -
Dan Brown
Fight Choreographer: Additional Photography/
Stunts - Chris Brewster
Picture Car Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy
Special Effects Supervisor - Daniel Sudick
Special Effects Coordinator - Jesse Noel
Visual Effects Supervisor - Geoffrey Baumann
Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Craig Hammack
Visual Effects Supervisor: Cantina Creative -
Stephen Lawes
Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola - Edson Williams
Visual Effects Supervisor: Additional -
Jesse James Chisholm
VFX Supervisor: Scanline VFX - Bryan Grill
Visual Effects Producer - Lisa Beroud
Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Lee Briggs
Visual Effects Producer: RISE Visual Effects
Studios - Florian Gellinger
Visual Effects Consultant: Scanline VFX -
Stephan Trojansky
Visual Effects Art Director: Scanline VFX -
Claas Henke
Lead Visual Effects Editor - Kevin J. Jolly
Animation Supervisors: Method Studios -
Matt Kowaliszyn and Daryl Sawchuk
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Matthew Cowie
Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -
Raphael A. Pimentel
Motion Capture Supervisor - Simon Kay
Visualisation Supervisor - Scott Meadows
Previs Supervisor: The Third Floor - Kyle Robinson
Stereoscopic Supervisor - Evan Jacobs
Editors - Debbie Berman and
Michael P. Shawver
Additional Editor - Claudio Castello
Sound Designer - David C. Hughes
Re-Recording Mixer/Supervising Sound
Editor/Sound Designer (Uncredited) - Steve Boedekker
Supervising Sound Editor - Benjamin A. Burtt
Dialogue/ADR Editors - Cheryl Nardi
and Chris Gridley
Sound Mixer - Peter J. Devlin
Re-Recording Mixer - Brandon Proctor
Foley Artists - Shelley Roden and
John Roesch
Music - Ludwig Göransoon
Original Songs - Kendrick Lamar
Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan


Review
Audiences and fans have quickly rejoiced for the Black Panther. Now he's got a movie of his namesake. Thanks to Marvel in its ongoing cinematic franchise. The Black Panther character makes his screen debut in Captain America: Civil War. Because of this, Marvel planned a spin-off feature cementing Black Panther's transition from the comic-book world to the big screen. Many viewers waited patiently for this movie until it opened in cinemas in 2018. BLACK PANTHER precedes the upcoming film Avengers: Infinity War, which will follow up with the former flick, at least in a few months.

BLACK PANTHER reminds me of The Lion King because it had a few mystical aspects integrated into its futuristic theme. The CGI was an absolute splendour, and the city of Wakanda was incredibly detailed, thanks to the many visual effects. The CGI artists have brought this production element to a new level of creativity. Director Ryan Coogler of Creed fame was involved in making this feature, and it is not the first black superhero movie to receive a circle of widespread attention. Fewer films have tried that (with the semi-exception of Blade). None could even attain the positive response from its intended audience, which Coogler's films have.

Having looked into Civil War, I didn't mention Chadwick Boseman, who plays the eponymous hero, as I first critiqued the previous film. He was terrific in his performance, which made him a household name. He doesn't disappoint in this spin-off. Michael B. Jordan lands in a definitive portrayal as Killmonger, a would-be usurper who has gained empathy from fans and viewers about his troubled backstory. Among the all-star cast was Andy Serkis as the mercenary Ulysses Klaus, which he reprised. In BLACK PANTHER, Serkis' character is supposedly the main villain but got bumped off by Jordan's standout role. Forest Whitaker and Lupita Nyong'o also appeared in this prominent feature.

I enjoyed this movie as I like the style and visuals. I appreciated that BLACK PANTHER didn't go unnoticed by anyone, for it was the worthy middle child of Phase 3 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Before the session times are over, this could be your last chance to see the film in cinemas. It is suited to all Marvel fans who are familiar with the character in reading the comics.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Review












Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle


Release Date: 26th December 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Columbia Pictures (presents)
Matt Tolmach Productions
Radar Pictures
Seven Bucks Productions

Distribution
Sony Pictures Australia


Genre: Adventure/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 111 minutes


Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $962,542,945 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
When four high-school teens discover an old video game console they've never heard of, they are transported into the game's jungle setting and become the adult avatar bodies they chose. With their newfound skills, they'll need to put them to good use as they embark on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, and the only way to get back home is to finish the game or otherwise be stuck in it forever.

They soon discover that you are not just playing JumanjiJumanji plays you.


Cast
Dwayne Johnson - Spencer
Kevin Hart - Fridge
Jack Black - Bethany
Karen Gillan - Martha
Nick Jonas - Alex
Alex Wolff - Young Spencer
Bobby Canavale - Van Pelt
Ser'Darius Blain - Young
Fridge
Madison Iseman - Young
Bethany
Morgan Turner - Young
Martha
Rhys Darby - Nigel
William Tokarsky - Bread
Vendor
Rohan Chand - Boy at
Bazaar
Colin Hanks - Adult Alex
(Uncredited)
Marc Evan Jackson - Principal Bentley
Sean Buxton - Alex's Father/
Jogger
Tim Matheson - Older Alex's
Father/Old Man Vreeke
(Uncredited)
Missi Pyle - Coach Webb
Michael Shacket - Fussfeld
Maribeth Monroe - Teacher
Marin Hinkle - Spencer's Mom
Tracey Bonner - Fridge's Mom
Natasha Charles Parker -
Bethany's Mom
Mason Guccione - Gamer
Jamie Renell - Male Gym Teacher
Marc Evan Jackson - Principal Bentley
Kat Atman - Lucinda
Carlease Burke - Miss Mathers

Crew
Executive Producer/Director - Jake Kasdan
Based on the Book "Jumanji"/
Film "Jumanji" Screen Story - Chris Van Allsburg
Based on the Film "Jumanji" Screen Story/
Screenplay - Greg Taylor and Jim Strain
Based on the Film "Jumanji" Screenplay -
Jonathan Hensleigh
Screen Story/Screenplay - Chris McKenna
Screenplay - Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg
and Jeff Pinkner
Executive Producers - Ted Field, Dany Garcia,
Dwayne Johnson and Mike Weber
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
David B. Householter
Producers - William Teitler and Matt Tolmach
Co-Producers - Hiram Garcia and Melvin Mar
Production Designer - Owen Paterson
Art Director - Steve Cooper
Art Director/Assistant Art Director: Hawaii -
Hugo Santiago
Set Decorators - Ronald R. Reiss
and Ken Chocolate (Uncredited)
Property Master - Josh Roth
Costume Designer - Laura Dean Shannon
Assistant Costume Designer - Carrie Grace
Director of Photography - Gyula Pados
Helicopter Technical Advisor - Doug Scroggins III
(Uncredited)
Location Manager - Laura Sode-Matteson
Unit Production Manager - Basil Grillo
Second Unit Director - Jack Gill
Stunt Coordinators - Gary Hymes
and Oakley Lehman
Motorcycle Coordinator - Justin Kell (Uncredited)
Dance Fight Coordinator - Nito Larioza
Special Effects Supervisor - J.D. Schwalm
Special Effects Coordinators - Eric Cook and
Eric Frazier
Visual Effects Supervisor - Jerome Chen
Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Robert Winter
Editors - Steve Edwards and Mark Helfrich
Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Designer/
Supervising Sound Editor - Julian Slater
Supervising Sound Editor - Joel Shryack
Sound Designer - Jon Title
Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker and
Michael Broomberg
Production Mixer - John Pritchett
Re-Recording Mixer - Kevin O'Connell
Music - Henry Jackman
Music Supervisors - Manish Raval
and Tom Rolfe
Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson


Review
Most people would have seen the original 1995 film adaptation of Jumanji as children and may be understandably biased towards the latest release in the Jumanji story. Having a movie that is a supposed reboot could be distasteful for those who have read the book and grown up with the previous cinematic version. It would be especially so when this reboot has revolved around a video game instead of a board game. What is more, for some Jumanji fans, the leading actor, Dwayne Johnson, might not save the film and live up to the standards of the late Robin Williams. However, I was surprised that this was an actual continuation, not a senseless remake derived from pure egotism. WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is a cleverly updated version that adds a video game/body switch premise. Its lighthearted tone proves to audiences that this sequel is entertaining to even the most nostalgic viewers.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE's comedy is over-the-top but gets outrageously funny at an accelerated pace. The film delivers innuendos not suited for children under the age of six. The cast was terrific, with the four main actors, Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillian, having fun with their performances as teenagers trapped in their avatar bodies. Black portrays a teenage girl in her male avatar, which adds to the outrageous humour. It would not be the only time Johnson had visited the genre when he did Journey 2 years back. His macho persona hasn't prevented Johnson from handling the role better than his ill-fated on-screen part in Baywatch. Karen Gillian looks much brighter compared to her early years in Doctor Who. She is very remarkable in her role. One of the younger Jonas Brothers gets a role as a pilot but is doing it okay, and I liked Kevin Hart as the other source of funny comic relief.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE honours Williams' dying wish and is a literal game-changer. It eventually continues the lost spirit of the classic 1995 movie buried in a pile beneath the family category. I recommend this movie to audiences like you - or wait until it comes out on DVD, Blu-ray, and online streaming.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Winners of the 90th Academy Awards






And The Oscar Goes To... (90th Academy Award Winners)

In the last two weeks, I’ve been busy. I apologise because I haven’t had time to publish any reviews or news updates. Now, without further ado, here are the winners of the 90th Academy Awards.

It was better than last year’s ceremony, where there had been a mix-up with the envelope announcing the winner of Best Picture. Thankfully this didn’t happen again in this ceremony! I was slightly disappointed that Dunkirk didn’t win Best Picture or Best Director. Then again, it would’ve been the proudest moment for Chris Nolan to receive this award instead of coming out empty-handed without a gold trophy.


Best Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049 - John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert and Richard R. Hoover

Best Film Editing
Dunkirk - Lee Smith

Best Costume Design
Phantom Thread - Mark Bridges

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Darkest Hour - Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick

Best Cinematography
Blade Runner 2049 - Roger Deakins

Best Production Design
The Shape of Water - Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin

Best Sound Mixing
Dunkirk - Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker and Gary A. Rizzo

Best Sound Editing
Dunkirk - Richard King and Alex Gibson

Best Original Song
"Remember Me" from Coco - Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez

Best Original Score
The Shape of Water - Alexandre Desplat

Best Animated Short Film
Dear Basketball - Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant

Best Live Action Short Film
The Silent Child - Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton

Best Documentary - Short Subject
Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405 - Frank Stiefel

Best Documentary - Feature
Icarus - Bryan Fogel and Dan Cogan

Best Foreign Language Film
A Fantastic Woman (Chile) in Spanish - Directed by Sebastián Lelio

Best Animated Feature Film
Coco - Lee Unkrich and Darin K. Anderson

Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay
Call Me by Your Name - James Ivory based on the novel by AndrĂ© Aciman

Best Writing - Original Screenplay
Get Out - Written by Jordan Peele

Best Supporting Actress
Allison Janney - I, Tonya as LaVona Golden

Best Supporting Actor
Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri as Officer Jason Dixon

Best Actress
Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri as Mildred Hayes

Best Actor
Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour as Winston Churchill

Best Director
Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water

Best Picture
The Shape of Water - Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale

Academy Honorary Awards
Agnès Varda
Charles Burnett
Donald Sutherland
Owen Roizman

Special Achievement Academy Award
Alejandro González Iñárritu for his virtual reality project Carne y Arena

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