Flash Gordon Review

Flash Gordon

Release Date: 16th April 1981 - Australia

Production Companies

Starling Films (made by)

Dino De Laurentiis Company (Uncredited)

Famous Films (copyright)

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 114 minutes

Budget: $20,000,000

Box Office Gross: $27,115,571 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)

Plot Summary 

When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, threatening destruction of the Earth, Dr. Hans Zarkov makes a desperate rocket flight with two unwilling passengers - Flash Gordon, a quarterback for the NY Jets and lovely Dale Arden. Their destination is planet Mongo, the source of the strange energy waves. Ruling over Mongo with primeval brutality is Ming the Merciless, who must be destroyed. Only one person can do it. He is Flash Gordon..

Cast

Sam J. Jones - Flash Gordon

Melody Anderson - Dale Arden

Max von Sydow - The Emperor Ming

Topol - Dr. Hans Zarkov

Ornella Muti - Princess Aura

Timothy Dalton - Prince Barin

Brian Blessed - Prince Vultan 

Peter Wyngarde - Klytus

Mariangela Melato - Kala

Richard O’Brien - Fico

John Hallam - Luro

Philip Stone - Zogi, the High Priest

Suzanne Danielle - Serving Girl

William Hootkins - Munson

Bobbie Brown - Hedonia

Ted Carroll - Biro

Adrienne Kronenberg - Vultan’s Daughter

Stanley Lebor - Mongo Doctor
John Morton - Airline Pilot 
Burnell Tucket - Airline Co-Pilot

Robbie Coltrane - Man at Airfield

Oliver MacGreevy - Klytus Observer No. 1

John Hollis - Klytus Observer No. 2

Leon Greene - Colonel of Battle Control Room

George Harris - Prince of Ardentia

Deep Roy - Princess Aura’s Pet

Crew

Director - Mike Hodges

Based on Characters - Alex Raymond

Adaptation - Michael Allin

Screenplay - Lorenzo Semple Jr.

Executive Producer - Bernard Williams

Producer - Dino De Laurentiis 

Production, Set and Costume Designer -
Danoli Donati
Supervising Art Director - John Graysmark

Director of Photography - Gilbert Taylor

Co-ordinator of Action and Movement -
William Hobbs

Special Effects Supervisor - George Gibbs
Special Effects Consultant - Glen Robinson

Supervisor: Special Photographic Effects -
Frank Van Der Veer
Special Effects: Models and Skies - Richard Conway

Film Editor - Malcolm Cooke

Original Score - Howard Blake

Music - Queen

Review

For those of you modern science-fiction fans who were probably too young to remember 'FLASH GORDON' when it was a newspaper comic strip in the mid 1930s, this 1980 version is the one you best recall. It went on to spawn a series of famous movie serials as well as two television shows. George Lucas was a huge fan of the serials and comics that he had envisioned his own take of the titular character. Unfortunately, much of that was changed when Italian film producer Dino De Laurentiis beat him to the rights for the characters. Ironically, Lucas ended up making his own science-fiction franchise of 'Star Wars' by taking some of his inspirations. In the wake of its success, 'FLASH GORDON' didn’t get made until 1980 and flopped overseas (except in U.K. where the film was shot). However, the film was reinforced into cult status after its initial release and since then, many people have warmed up to the campy tone and silliness.

While some parts of the movie haven’t aged well, the writing contributions by Lorenzo Semple Jr. do owe a lot to the humour and the cheesiness. I felt it wasn't the biggest science-fiction movie of all time, but still, stands out for its comic value, remarkable set design and lavish costumes. The cast were genuinely terrific and too good for their respective roles, particularly Max Von Sydow who was impressive as Ming the Merciless. While everyone is following the pantomime, over-the-top direction, he really seemed to be the only actor who relishes his sinister side. The standout feature was the amazing music provided by Queen whom were probably the first rock band to compose a movie soundtrack.

'FLASH GORDON' is worth seeing after all these years, even though it's nearly impossible to find the movie when you may stumble across it on DVD, Blu-ray and YouTube. While the whole movie is far from being a flop, I'd still recommend you watch 'FLASH GORDON' for its fun factor without taking it too seriously.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

Back to Home

In Memory of Gary Kurtz (1940-2018)

Gary Kurtz (1940-2018)

Hi, it's me again! It is a solemn day to announce that Gary Kurtz, the man responsible for producing the first two instalments of the "Star Wars" series and "American Graffiti", has died after losing a battle with cancer on 23rd September 2018. He was 78 years old. His efforts as a producer didn't go unnoticed but got underappreciated. He was instrumental in developing a franchise that was the brainchild of his then-collaborator, George Lucas. It began a monopoly that "Star Wars" was known for and was a pop-culture phenomenon. Kurtz later said in his 2010 interview that the movies had grown too motivated by memorabilia.

He was born in Los Angeles in 1940. In 1965, he began working as an assistant director and then as a production manager on small-budget movies. One of these films he worked on was a low-budgeted western "Ride in the Whirlwind", which featured an unknown actor named Jack Nicholson. Shortly after, Gary left Hollywood in 1966 to join the Marines during the Vietnam War. However, these life-changing experiences would prove an influence on him. His military service ended in 1969. He then returned to Hollywood as an associate producer on "Chandler" and "Two-Lane Blacktop".

Around that time, Gary met a young upstart filmmaker named George Lucas and became partners that would last over a decade. During his early years, Gary studied religion extensively, and his studies would prove vital in bringing the concept of the Force back to life in the "Star Wars" franchise. In 1973, Lucas and Kurtz began collaborating on what was to become their first feature together on "American Graffiti", which was a hit. It allowed Lucas to seize the opportunity to make their second feature, which would become "Star Wars". After multiple drafts that Lucas had been pitching to every studio only to have them rejected, Kurtz closed a deal with 20th Century Fox to produce the science-fiction adventure. He helped Lucas navigate its turbulent production despite a lack of enthusiasm from the studio when they considered it a "B-picture".

However, the film's success astonished everyone and meant that Lucas and Kurtz would have to make a sequel entitled "The Empire Strikes Back". As Lucas eventually stepped out of his reins to become the executive producer, the film fell under the direction of Irvin Kershner. Gary helps out with the second unit and is an assistant director. After the release of "Empire", Gary and Lucas' partnership dissolved when "Return of the Jedi" was about to be made and soon became the first film Lucas made without him as Howard Kazanjian took over his position.

In 1982, after his partnership with Lucas ended, Kurtz collaborated with Muppets creator Jim Henson and Frank Oz in making their ambitious fantasy adventure "The Dark Crystal", which became a cult favourite after its initial release. It doesn't equally measure up to the success that he once had with "Star Wars". The following films that Gary produced for the cinema screen, "Return of Oz" and "Slipstream" (which the latter reunited with Mark Hamill), were not very successful as they drove Kurtz into filing for bankruptcy. In his later life, Kurtz remained in the industry and continued to develop projects until his death. One of his latest films was "5-25-77", directed by Patrick Read Johnson and released independently in 2017.

Back to Home

Christopher Robin Review

Christopher Robin

Release Date: 13th September 2018 - Australia

Production Companies 

Walt Disney Pictures (presents)

2DUX2

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 104 minutes

Budget: $75,000,000

Box Office Gross: $197,744,377 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Christopher Robin was once the young boy who shared adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Roo, Kanga and the others, but now he is an adult with a wife and daughter. He works long hours at the office, where he feels he's lost his way, especially when it's taking a lot of time from his family.

When Winnie-the-Pooh appears out of nowhere, Christopher Robin wonders at first if he's going mad. However, his childhood friends try to help Christopher Robin find his way back to the happy, playful boy he used to be.

Cast

Ewan McGregor - Christopher 

Robin

Hayley Atwell - Evelyn Robin

Bronte Carmichael - Madeline 

Robin

Mark Gatiss - Giles Winslow

Jim Cummings - Pooh/Tigger (Voices)

Nick Mohammed - Piglet (Voice)

Brad Garrett - Eeyore (Voice)

Sophie Okonedo - Kanga (Voice)

Sara Sheen - Roo (Voice)

Peter Capaldi - Rabbit (Voice)

Toby Jones - Owl (Voice)

Oliver Ford Davies - Old Man Winslow

Ronke Adekoluejo - Katherine Dane

Adrian Scarborough - Hal
Gallsworthy 

Roger Ashton-Griffiths - 

Ralph Butterworth

Ken Nwosu - Paul Hastings

John Dagleish - Matthew Leadbetter

Amanda Lawrence - Joan MacMillan

Orton O’Brien - Young Christopher Robin

Katy Carmichael - Christopher's Mother

Tristan Sturrock - Christopher's Father

Paul Chahadi - Cecil Hungerford

Elsa Minell Solak - Madeline (3 Years Old)

Crew

Director - Marc Forster

Based on Characters - A.A. Milne

and Ernest Shepard

Story - Greg Brooker and Mark Steven Johnson

Screenplay - Alex Ross Perry, Tom McCarthy
and Allison Schroeder

Script Supervisor - Jo Beckett
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Jeremy Johns

Executive Producer - Renée Wolfe

Co-Producer - Steve Gaub

Producer - Kristin Burr

Casting Director - Lucy Bevan

Production Designer - Jennifer Williams

Supervising Art Director - Stuart Kearns

Senior Art Director - Nick Dent

Art Directors - Guy Bradley,

Stephen Dobric, Dominic Hyman

and Paul Laugier

Set Decorator - Caroline Smith

Costume Designer - Jenny Beaven

Makeup and Hair Designer - Alessandro Bertolazzi

Director of Photography - Matthias Koeningswieser

Supervising Location Manager - Emma Pill
Second Unit Director/Special Effects Supervisor -
Chris Corbould

Stunt Coordinator - Mark Mottram

Action Vehicles Coordinator - Neil Layton

Special Effects Floor Supervisor - John Van der Pool

Special Effects Buyer/Coordinator - Lynne Corbould

HOD: Creature Effects - Nik Williams

Visual Effects Supervisor - Chris Lawrence

Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore -

Theo Jones, Carlos Monzon and Michael Ralla

Visual Effects Supervisor: Iloura - Glenn Melenhorst
Animation Supervisor - Michael Eames
Animation Supervisor: Iloura - Nicolas Tripodi

Film Editor - Matt Chessé

Supervising Sound Editors: E2 - Ethan Van der Ryan

and Erik Aadahl

Sound Designer: E2 - Malte Bieler

Production Sound Mixer - John Midgley

Re-Recording Mixers - Lora Hirschberg

and Will Files

Additional Mixers - Onnalee Blank,

Joel Dougherty and Jeremy Peirson

Music - Jon Brion and Geoff Zanelli

Songs - Richard M. Sherman

Review

Years ago, I was very young. I fell in love with the Winnie the Pooh series, which features the titular character named after the author's young son. I have seen only two movies and an animated TV show. I was delighted by the characters in the stories that appeal to younger kids in their preschool and early school years. Unfortunately, as I got older, I've outgrown the franchise and spent the past years ignoring the franchise until now. Since 2011, the Disney iteration of the series has been without a film. It is now retracing its footsteps into live-action with the new release of CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. I was sceptical because I believed this movie would not bring anyone's hopes back into the Winnie the Pooh franchise, probably because of Peter Rabbit, another live adaptation of a children's classic. Thankfully, I didn't see Peter Rabbit due to its senselessness.

Marc Forster has been through past accomplishments in the last several years as a filmmaker with the lacklustre Bond movie Quantum of Solace, Monster Ball, Finding Neverland and World War Z. Now, the director has found a new way of devising CHRISTOPHER ROBIN for the old school and brought a new young generation into the Pooh franchise. Warm, funny and melancholy are how the film describes itself when diminishing the cynical portrayal of the main protagonist who meets his long-forgotten friends and rediscovers the bundle of joy from within his childhood memories.

Ewan McGregor is a fine, outstanding English actor who carried on with a terrific impression of an adult Christopher Robin as he is fittingly perfect for the role. Joining McGregor is Mark Gatiss, who plays the unethical boss Winslow. Returning to do the voices for Pooh and Tigger is the great Jim Cummings, who is still warm and energetic. The character visuals are impressive, which creates a realistic look for all the characters from the Hundred Acre Wood previously animated in their 2D form.

It has proved to be a great family movie. I'm sure that many people still remember the Pooh series. They may bring their little tykes and preschoolers to see CHRISTOPHER ROBIN without missing out. I recommend this to all Winnie the Pooh fans.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

Back to Home

Planet of the Apes (1968) Review

Planet of the Apes


Release Date: 3rd April 1968 - USA


Production Companies
20th Century Fox
APJAC Productions

Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 107 minutes


Budget: $5,800,000

Box Office Gross: $32,599,488 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
George Taylor is an astronaut who crashes into an unknown world where apes rule over humanity as they use them for sport and experimentation. Soon, Taylor is in captivity when he discovers he is among the hunted. Taylor meets a chimpanzee scientist whose life is now in her hands. He soon discovers that the planet is not as alien as he thought.


Cast
Charlton Heston - George Taylor
Kim Hunter - Zira
Roddy McDowall - Cornelius
Maurice Evans - Dr. Zaius
James Whitmore - President of the Assembly
James Daly - Honorious
Linda Harrison - Nova
Robert Gunner - Landon
Lou Wagner - Lucius
Woodrow Parfrey - Maximus
Jeff Burton - Dodge
Buck Kartalian - Julius
Wright King - Dr. Galen
Norman Burton - Hunt Leader
Paul Lambert - Minister

Crew
Director - Franklin J. Schaffner
Based on the Novel - Pierre Boulle
Screenplay - Michael Wilson and Rod Serling

Additional Dialogue - John T.
Kelley (Uncredited)
Associate Producer - Mort Abrahams
Producer - Arthur P. Jacobs
Art Directors - William J. Creber and Jack Martin Smith

Set Decorations - Norman Rockett and Walter M. Scott
Costume Designer - Morton Haack

Creative Makeup Designer - John Chambers

Director of Photography - Leon Shamroy

Assistant Camera - Lee Crawford, Thomas Del Ruth and Martin Rohde (Uncredited)
Special Photographic Effects -

L.B. Abbott, Art Cruickshank

and Emil Kosa Jr.

Film Editor - Hugh S. Fowler

Sound - David Dockendorf and

Herman Lewis

Music Supervisor - Lionel Newman (Uncredited)
Music - Jerry Goldsmith


Awards

1969 Academy Awards
Honorary Award - John Chambers (Won)
----------------------
Best Costume Design - Morton Haack (Nominated)
Best Music, Original Score - Jerry Goldsmith (Nominated)


Review

It's been several years since I last watched the original PLANET OF THE APES on DVD. This movie began as a classic franchise referenced in pop culture and was remade countless times, including the recent trilogy. PLANET OF THE APES is an old relic of science fiction, and any viewer should know that this classic is way better than the 2001 remake by Tim Burton. Everything about the movie has stood the test of time, though it surprisingly contains an allegory that addresses a long-standing social conflict between science and religion. The ending adds a massive twist to the storyline. You can guess what it is. Unsurprisingly, this movie draws on an obscure novel by Pierre Boulle, the man who wrote The Bridge on the River Kwai. The writers Michael Wilson and Rod Serling have cleverly devised their structure to make the viewers suspend their disbelief in a world where apes rule over man.

Other vital components made the film worthwhile from the get-go, such as the direction by Franklin J. Schaffner and the terrific cinematography by Leon Shamroy. The makeup design for the apes was extraordinary compared to the motion capture used in the recent trilogy. Actors like Roddy McDowall, Maurice Evans and Kim Hunter were incredible in their roles as Cornelius, Dr. Zaius and Zira. While over-the-top, Charlton Heston's performance as the astronaut George Taylor makes us emphasise him as he faces this "upside-down" world. Jerry Goldsmith's score has an appropriately simian and tribal feel to the movie with its orchestrations.

The science-fiction genre had never looked the same since those early days. This version came out in theatres nationwide, and its popularity has continued over the past 50 years. PLANET OF THE APES is a harrowing experience, but is still worth viewing and highly recommended for all film-buffs, even fans of the classic and newer series.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

Back to Home

In Memory of Burt Reynolds (1936-2018)

Burt Reynolds (1936-2018)

Dearest movie buffs, I regret to inform you that American actor Burt Reynolds died at 82 on 6th September 2018. Burt was one of Hollywood's favourite icons since the 1970s, renowned for his good looks, charm and trademark moustache. He was known for appearing in several blockbuster movies, including "Deliverance", "The Longest Yard", "Smokey and the Bandit", and its sequels and "The Cannonball Run". We will miss his legendary ongoing screen presence as he has gone to a better place among the other late celebrities.

Burt turned to act after his athletic career as a football player was cut short due to a car crash. He started performing on the stage and then doing television roles. Reynolds got his big chance at stardom in the TV series "Riverboat" opposite Darren McGavin. Reynolds' first theatrical role was in a low-budgeted movie, "Angel Baby", where he got the fourth billing. During the 1960s, he appeared in Westerns, including the popular television series "Gunsmoke". In 1972 came the big year when Reynolds starred in "Deliverance", followed by "The Longest Yard" in 1974. The latter was the subject of a 2005 remake by Adam Sandler, in which Reynolds had a supporting role.

His smashing success came about in 1977 when he appeared alongside Sally Field in the thrilling action-comedy "Smokey and the Bandit", which spawned two sequels. In "The Cannonball Run", in which the movie spawned a sequel, he teamed up with Dom DeLuise and other actors in a star-studded cast like Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Farrah Fawcett and Roger Moore. After a string of flops damaged his career, Reynolds returned to television and appeared in a sitcom, "Evening Shade". Much like his previous film role in "The Longest Yard", this sitcom had a role for him in mind as an ex-footy player. Reynolds' career rebounded with a role as a pornographic director in Paul Thomas Anderson's second film, "Boogie Nights". However, Burt, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, was not enthusiastic about the role. Burt continued to have more parts in movies like "Without a Paddle", "Dukes of Hazzard", and "The Last Movie Star". The latter was his final role as an aging movie star.

Burt did voice acting in animated film roles such as the rogue German shepherd Charlie in "All Dogs Go To Heaven" (which reunites him with Dom DeLuise) and a small role as the main character's father in "Delgo". He also did guest voiceovers in animated television shows like "American Dad", "Archer", "King of the Hill", etc. Reynolds' first marriage ended in a divorce. He later married actress Loni Anderson in 1988, and they adopted a son, Quinton. They later divorced in 1993.

Toward the last years of his life, he regretted turning down a few roles that he felt did not suit him. One of these roles is Han Solo in "Star Wars", which went to Harrison Ford. But the biggest regret in his life was not with actress Sally Field, the love of his life. Before his death, Burt joined an ensemble cast in a forthcoming movie from director Quentin Tarantino, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood".

Back to Home

Shrek Review

Shrek


Release Date: 21st June 2001 - Australia


Production Companies
DreamWorks Pictures (presents)

DreamWorks Animation
Pacific Data Images (PDI)

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Animation/Family/

Fantasy/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 90 minutes


Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $488,629,509 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A terrifying ogre named Shrek finds that fairy-tale creatures who were all exiled by the diminutive Lord Farquaad have invaded his swamp. Shrek begins his journey with the wisecracking Donkey to reclaim his swamp from Farquaad, who then cuts up a deal with the ogre to rescue Princess Fiona in exchange for its freedom.


Voice Cast
Mike Myers - Shrek/Blind Mouse
Eddie Murphy - Donkey
Cameron Diaz - Fiona
John Lithgow - Lord Farquaad
Vincent Cassel - Monsieur Hood
Conrad Vernon - Gingerbread Man
Chris Miller - Magic Mirror/

Geppetto
Cody Cameron - Pinocchio/

The Three Little Pigs
Simon J. Smith - Blind Mouse
Christopher Knights - Blind Mouse/Thelonius
Aron Warner - Big Bad Wolf
Jim Cummings - Captain of Guards
Kathleen Freeman - Old Woman
Bobby Block - Baby Bear
Michael Galasso - Peter Pan

Val Bettin - Bishop
Andrew Adamson - Duloc Mascot (Uncredited)

Crew
Writer: Song "Merry Men"/
Director - Andrew Adamson
Director - Vicky Jenson
Based Upon the Book "Shrek" - William Steig
Writers/Co-Producers - Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio
Writers - Joe Stillman and Roger S.H. Schulman
Additional Dialogue/Story

Artists - Cody Cameron, Chris Miller and Conrad Vernon

Associate Producer/Head of Production: PDI - Jane Hartwell
Executive Producers - Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins and Steven Spielberg (Uncredited)

Co-Executive Producer - David Lipman
Producers - Jeffrey Katzenberg,

Aron Warner and John H. Williams

Production Designer - James Hegedus
Art Directors - Guillaume Aretos and
Douglas Rogers
Character Designer - Tom Hester

Character Designer/Supervising Animator -

Raman Hui

CG Visual Development - Wendy Rogers
Costume Designer - Isis Mussenden

Co-Heads of Story - Randy Cartwright

and David Lowery

Directing Animators - Tim Cheung,

Paul Chung, Denis Couchon,

Donnachada Daly and James Straus

Additional Supervising Animator - Rex Grignon
Head of Layout - Simon J. Smith

Layout Production Supervisors -

Denise Nolan Cascino and Laura Lockwood

Animation Software Development Director -

Ken Pearce
Visual Effects Supervisor - Ken Bielenberg

Character Technical Director Co-Supervisors -

Lucia Modesto and Lucas Prasso

Lead Character Technical Directors -

Beth Hofer and Dick Walsh

Sequence Supervisors: Lighting and Effects -

Susan Hayden, Philippe Gluckman,

Apurva Shah, Paul Wang, Janet Rentel and

Mark Wendell

Film Editor - Sim Evan-Jones

Second Editor - Mike Andrews

Supervising Sound Editors - Wylie Stateman

and Lon Bender

Re-Recording Mixers - Andy Nelson

and Anna Behlmer

Foley Artists - James Moriana and

Jeffrey Wilhoit

Music - Harry Gregson-Williams and
John Powell

Music Supervisor - Marylata Elton

Additional Music Mixer - Alan Meyerson


Awards

2002 Academy Awards
Best Animated Feature - Aron Warner (Won)
------------------------
Best Adapted Screenplay - Ted Elliott,

Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman and

Roger S.H. Schulman (Nominated)


Review

A childhood classic of its day, I cannot remember the last time I watched SHREK when attending school. It has been a long time, and the film has not changed. The concept of SHREK had been in its consideration not long before DreamWorks started to imitate the charm of Pixar in their computer-animated features, and it was its game-changer. The studio and its rivals tried to replicate the formula and style in other movies, but none have the anachronism and goofiness of SHREK. The team behind the feature was not afraid to mock Disney and satirise the magical world of fairy tales that had previously been in animation (like Pinocchio, The Three Little Pigs, Snow White, etc.). Along with these Disney references, there are several pop-cultural references to any movie that anyone may recognise. The animation and humour have aged better with innuendos and adult jokes.

The film's best aspects include the witty dialogue and stellar voice acting from a few A-list celebrities like Mike Myers as the titular character of the lovable ogre. The distinguishable veteran comedian/actor Eddie Murphy gets to be in a show-stealing performance as the annoying, wisecracking Donkey. Cameron Diaz portrays Princess Fiona, and John Lithgow plays the main antagonist, Lord Farquaad.

Kids and adults will enjoy SHREK as they did years after its release. It is a cheerful and lighthearted animated movie that is delightfully funny. It started a franchise with three sequels, a spin-off and two television specials in the following years.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

Back to Home