Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Review

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker

Release Date: 19th December 2019 - Australia

Production Companies

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Bad Robot Productions

British Film Commission (produced with the support of)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 141 minutes

Budget: $300,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,074,149,279 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

The evil Emperor Palpatine is assumed to have been killed in the second Death Star when somehow he survived. It is up to the remaining members of the Resistance to find a trace of his whereabouts, and Finn and Poe lead them in defeating the First Order and stopping their plans for a new Empire. Meanwhile, Rey has to confront Kylo Ren and face him.

Cast

Daisy Ridley - Rey

Adam Driver - Kylo Ren

John Boyega - Finn

Oscar Isaac - Poe Dameron

Kelly Marie Tran - Rose

Mark Hamill - Luke Skywalker/Boolio (Voice)

Carrie Fisher - General Leia Organa (Archive Footage)

Billy Dee Williams - Lando Calrissian

Lupita Nyong'o - Maz Kanata

Anthony Daniels - C-3PO

Jimmy Vee - R2-D2

Brian Herring - BB-8 Performer

Dave Chapman - BB-8 Performer

Joonas Suotamo - Chewbacca

Keri Russell - Zorii Bliss

Naomi Ackie - Jannah

Domhnall Gleeson - General Hux

Richard E. Grant - Allegiant General Pryde

Ian McDiarmid - Palpatine

Greg Grunberg - Snap Wexley
Shirley Henderson - Babu Frink

Dominic Monaghan - Beaumont Kin

Billie Lourd - Lieutenant Connix

Nick Kellington - Klaud

Mandeep Dhillon - Lieutenant Garam

Alison Rose - Lieutenant Draper

Amanda Lawrence - Commander D'Acy

Tanya Moodie - General Parnadee

Simon Paisley Day - General Quinn

Geff Francis - Admiral Griss

Amanda Hale - Officer Kandia

Amir El-Masry - Commander

Trach

Aidan Cook - Boolie

J.J. Abrams - D-O (Voice)
Tom Wilton - Colonel Aftab Ackbar
Chris Terrio - Colonel Aftab Ackbar (Voice)
Kiran Shah - Nambi Ghima
Debra Wilson - Nambi Ghima (Voice)
Josef Atlin - Pilot Vanik
Vinette Robinson - Pilot Tyce

Paul Kasey - C'ai Threnalli
Mike Quinn - Nien Numb
Kipsang Rotich - Nien Numb (Voice)
Ann Firbank - Tatooine Elder
Philicia Saunders - Tabala Zo
Nigel Godrich - FN-2802 (Cameo)
Dhani Harrison - FN-0878 (Cameo)
J.D. Dillard - FN-1226 (Cameo)
Dave Hearn - FN-0606 (Cameo)
Josefine Irrera Jackson - Young Rey

Cailey Fleming - Young Rey (Archive Footage)
Jodie Comer - Rey's Mother (Cameo)
Billy Howle - Rey's Father
Carolyn Hennesy - Demine Lithe
John Williams - Oma Tres (Cameo)

Denis Lawson - Wedge Antilles (Cameo)

Warwick Davis - Wicket W. Warrick (Cameo)

Harrison Davis - Pommet Warrick

Andy Serkis - Supreme Leader Snoke

(Voice) (Cameo)

James Earl Jones - Darth Vader (Voice) (Cameo)

Hayden Christensen - Anakin Skywalker

(Voice) (Cameo)

Ewan McGregor - Obi-Wan Kenobi (Voice)

(Cameo)

Frank Oz - Yoda (Voice) (Cameo)

Liam Neeson - Qui Gon Jinn (Voice) (Cameo)

Samuel L. Jackson - Mace Windu (Voice) (Cameo)

Ashley Eckstein - Ahsoka Tano (Voice) (Cameo)

Freddie Prinze Jr. - Kanan Jarrus (Voice) (Cameo)

Olivia d'Abo - Luminara Unduli (Voice) (Cameo)

Jennifer Hale - Aayla Secura (Voice) (Cameo)

Angelique Perrin - Adi Gallia (Voice) (Cameo)

Harrison Ford - Han Solo (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Ed Sheeran - Stormtrooper (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Karl Urban - Stormtrooper (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Story/Screenplay/Producer/Director - J.J. Abrams

Based on Characters - George Lucas

Story/Screenplay - Chris Terrio

Story - Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow

Executive Producer/First Assistant Director -
Tommy Gormley
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Callum Greene

Executive Producer - Jason D. McGatlin

Producers - Kathleen Kennedy and

Michelle Rejwan

Co-Producers - Pippa Anderson,

Candice Campos and Chris Furia

Casting Directors - Nina Gold, April Webster and

Alyssa Weisberg

Dialect Coach - Jill McCullough

Production Designers - Rick Carter
and Kevin Jenkins

VP & Head of Design: Lucasfilm Art Department -

Doug Chiang

Design Supervisor: Lucasfilm - James Clyne

Concept Artists - Adam Brockbank,

Bob Cheshire, Jon McCoy, Stephen Tappin,

Christian Alzmann, Ryan Church,

Rodolfo Damgio, Yanick Dusseault,

Sean Hargreaves, Phil Saunders,

Erik Tiemens, Adam Baines and André Wallin

Additional Conceptual Designs - Darren Gilford

Supervising Art Director - Paul Inglis

Senior Art Director - Phil Sims

Art Directors - Jim Barr, Claire Fleming,

Liam Georgensen, Patrick Harris,

Ashley Lamont, Mike Stallion and

Matt Wynne

Art Directors: Props - Oliver Roberts, Lydia Fry

and Daniel Nussbaumer

Standby Art Director - Peter James

Assistant Art Directors - Roxana Alexandru,

Petra Balogh, Jake Hall, Charlotte Leatherland,

Hugh McClelland, Kristen Maloney and

Laura Miller

Assistant Art Director: Props - Clara Gomez del Moral

Draughtsperson/Asset and Environment

Supervisor: ILM - Andrew Proctor

Storyboard Artist - David Allcock

Set Decorator - Rosemary Brandenburg

Property & Weapons Master - Jamie Wilkinson

Supervising Standby Props - Sonny Merchant

Workshop Supervisor - Martyn Doust

Costume Designer - Michael Kaplan

Costume Supervisor - David Crossman

HOD Costume Modeller - Pierre Bohanna

Special Creature Effects - Neal Scanlan

Makeup Designer - Amanda Knight

Hair Designer - Lisa Tomblin

Director of Photography - Dan Mindel

Director of Photography: Second Unit -

Andrew Rowlands

Aerial Director of Photography - David B. Nowell

Production Supervisor: Jordan - Diala Al Raie

Production Manager: Foreign Locations/

Supervising Location Manager (Uncredited) - Martin Joy

Production Coordinators: Jordan - Erin Duffy

and Nada Atieh

Unit Production Managers - D.J. Carson and

Kate Hazell

First Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Stewart Hamilton

First Assistant Director: Jordan - Tamir Naber

Supervising Location Manager - Mally Chung

Location Manager: Jordan - Duncan Broadfoot

Second Unit Director - Victoria Mahoney

Stunt Coordinator - Eunice Hathart

Assistant Stunt Coordinator - Marc Mailley

Fight Coordinator - Mike Lambert

Aerial Coordinator & Pilot - Frédéric North

Creature Movement Choreographer/

Creature & Droid Puppeteer - Paul Kasey

Special Effects Supervisor - Dominic Tuohy

Special Effects Production Buyers/

Coordinators - Sophie Hutton and Alicia Davies

CFX Electronic Design and Development

Supervisor/Creature & Droid Puppeteer -

Matthew Denton

CFX Supervising Animatronic Designers -

Vanessa Bastyan, Maria Cork and Gustav Hoegen

CFX Paint Finish Design Supervisor - Henrik Svensson

Visual Effects Supervisor - Roger Guyett

Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM - Patrick Tubach,

Daniele Bigi, Jeff Capogreco, Dan Snape

and Nigel Sumner

Visual Effects Supervisor: Second Unit - Richard Bain

Visual Effects Producers - Janet Lewis,

Stacey Bissell, TJ Falls and Kevin Elam

Visual Effects Art Directors: ILM - Stephen Tappin

and Chris Voy

Animation Supervisors: ILM - Paul Kavanagh,

Stephen Aplin, Eric Leong and Lee McNair

Virtual Production Supervisor - Kaya Jabar

CG Supervisors: ILM - Karin Cooper,

Nihal Friedel, Steve Hardy, Malcolm Humphreys,

Daniel Lobl, Victor Schulz IV and

Anthony Zwartouw

Computer Graphics Supervisor: BLIND LTD -

Andrew Booth

Compositing Supervisors: ILM - Michael J. Allen,

Sam Bassett, John J. Galloway, Charles Lai,

Jan Maroske and Jeff Sutherland

Asset and Environment Supervisors: ILM -

Waldemar Bartkowiak, Jeffrey De Guzman,

Clement Gerard, Bruce Holcomb, Ben Neall,

John Seru, Dan Wheaton and Elvin Siew Xiangyou

Visual Effects Concept Artists: ILM -

Amy Beth Christensen, Adam Ely,

Brett Northcutt, Bianca Scurtu, Shivani Jhaveri

and Jeen Yee

Art Department: ILM - Ashley Bradford,

Jennifer Coronado, Alexander Gustaveson

and David Nakabayashi

Editors - Maryann Brandon and Stefan Grube

Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor -

David Acord

ADR Mixer: Skywalker Sound/Supervising Sound

Editor - Matthew Wood

Additional Sound Design - Robert Stambler

Jedi Vocal Design - Ben Burtt

Foley Supervisor - Frank Rinella

Foley Artists - Ronni Brown and

Margie O'Malley

Dialogue Supervisor - Cheryl Nardi

Production Sound Mixer - Stuart Wilson

Sound Effects Editors - Justin Doyle

and Addison Teague

Re-Recording Mixers - Andy Nelson

and Christopher Scarabosio

Music - John Williams

Scoring Engineer - Shawn Murphy

Review

For over 42 years, the Star Wars movie franchise has reached its culmination of THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. Fans are either worried, excited or indifferent to this new instalment. Some find it hard to forgive everything in The Last Jedi that caused them discomfort. I had high expectations for THE RISE OF SKYWALKER as it was the beginning of an end to a galaxy far, far away, conceived by George Lucas. Unfortunately, it was not the grand finale I hoped it would be. Disney had broken our promises in concluding this saga with a contrived ending.

Director J.J. Abrams is back to restore the light that seems to have vanished in The Last Jedi. However, there's a downside in all things possible as J.J. starts to lose his creative touch when the changes he put in prove unnecessary and contradictory in the series' culmination. It includes the insertion of pure fanservice and retconning the fan-divisive plot points already addressed in the predecessor, such as the truth about Rey's lineage. While there are fans who hated Rian Johnson's unorthodox approach to The Last Jedi, they can thank J.J. for fixing a few of those issues. The plot is a little derivative of Return of the Jedi and is even convoluted. The sluggish pacing, which also hurts the film, doesn't help.

Nothing else got added to THE RISE OF SKYWALKER that's new, like character-driven scenes and plot twists. What I find most disconcerting about the movie is that Emperor Palpatine's return lessens the impact of his supposed defeat in Return of the Jedi. This film didn't explain how he survived. It would have been better if the Emperor returned as a Force ghost or a clone, just like in the Legends series.

The visuals are still spectacular, and the film has some great moments. The acting continues with original players added to return for this movie, like Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian. Ian McDiarmid hams it up in his reprisal as the evil Sith Lord. This instalment was an emotional send-off for Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. It would have been better if she was still alive to complete her character's journey.

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER could have concluded on an emotional note with high intensity. It would have gone differently as Rian Johnson did to The Last Jedi. Some fans may not like THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, but that doesn't mean they are nothing short of their devotion to the Star Wars series. This franchise will live on in all our hearts, as it always has. What we got instead was a movie that was neither good nor bad.

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Finding Santa: A Christmas Adventure Review

Finding Santa: A Christmas Adventure

Release Date: 3rd December 2019 - Australia (Vimeo)

Production Companies

TriCoast Worldwide (in association with)

Copenhagen Bombay (presents)
CB Sverige AB (a co-production with)
Fish Blowing Bubbles (a co-production with)
SKANLOG A/S (with financing from)
Danish Film Institute (with support)
TV2 DANMARK (with support)
Swedish Film Institute (with support)
Nordisk Film & TV Fond (with support)

Distribution
TriCoast Worldwide

Genre: Animation/Family/

Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 80 minutes

Plot Summary

Julius is eight years old, still believes in Santa, and has lived at an orphanage since he was a baby. One day, the other children confront him with the fact that Santa may not be, in fact, real. Disenchanted by this revelation, he seeks comfort from his special Christmas box and is transported to a magical world to help save Christmas.

Voice Cast
Alex Aguirre
Marick Dacanay
Desiree Deseo
Janice Racelis
Jun Villaroman
JM Torres
Zahn Yu
Earl Palma

Crew

Script/Director - Jacob Ley
Script - Anne Munk Jensen
Executive Producer - Sarita Christensen
Producers - Anne Sofie Hansen-Skovmoes
and Fie Ørnsø
Co-Producers - Artur D. Kubiczek,
Linus Stohr Torell and Rodrigo Villalobos
Production Designer - Kristine Maj De Neergaard
Art Director - Gustav Pontoppidan
Animation Director - Kristjan Møller
Editors - Elin Projits and
Per Risager
Sound Designer/Music - Morten Dalsgaard

Re-Recording Mixer - Per Boström

Review
FINDING SANTA was released in Denmark in 2016 as Get Santa and has found its way into digital streaming services. The film has a unique character animation style that I find interesting, looking like it's cut out of paper. It reminded me of a few animated shows with a similar animation form, such as South Park. Unfortunately, the animation is too realistic and could scare young children. The overall character development in this movie would appeal to young audiences. The voiceovers did not match the mouth movements. However, this may have been due to the English dubbing. The music score of the feature starts with poignant Christmas music and then turns festive.

Children of 5 and under should not watch FINDING SANTA on their own as themes include bullying and intense peril that may upset them. Overall, it is a sweet and semi-decent Christmas movie and worth viewing.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Dragon Hunters Review

Dragon Hunters


Release Date: 20th March 2008 - Australia

Production Companies
Futurikon
Luxanimation
Trixter Productions

Mac Guff Ligne


Genre: Animation/Family/

Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 80 minutes

Budget: €12,000,000

Box Office Gross: $12,235,843 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
A young girl named Zoe, an avid reader of fairy tales, decides to help her uncle, Lord Arnold, get dragon hunters. She sets out to find the dragon slayers, unaware of what she will find along the way. Fortunately, she comes across Gwizdo and Lian-Chu, and they agree to help her. Thus, the adventure begins.

Voice Cast
Forest Whitaker - Lian-Chu
Rob Paulsen - Gwizdo/Bats/

Lensflair
Mary Mouser - Zoe
Nick Jameson - Lord Arnold
Jess Harnell - Gildas
Dave Wittenberg - Hector
Frank Welker - The World Gobbler

John DiMaggio - Fat John

Crew

Writer/Storyboard/Director - Arthur Qwak

Director/Production/Background Color

Designer - Guillaume Ivernel

Writer - Frédéric Lenoir
English Adaptation - Rob Conrath

Co-Executive Producer/Music - Klaus Badelt

Co-Executive Producers - Michael Coldewey
and Robyn Klein

Producers - Philippe Delarue and
Tilo Seiffert

Co-Producer - Marcus Schöfer

Character Designer - Valérie Hadida

Background Designer - Max Braslavsky

Animation Directors: Mac Guff - Kyle Balda
and Laurent de la Chapelle

Animation Supervisor - Pierre Leduc
Animation Sequence Supervisor - Fabrice Senia
Visual Effects Supervisor - Marie-Claire Bazart
Visual Effects Supervisor/Title Sequence -
Francois Launet

Film Editor - Soline Guyonneau

Sound Designer/Effects Recordist/

Supervising Sound Editor - Jean-Marc Lentretien

Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Studio Manager/

Supervisor - Bruno Seznec

Composers: Additional Music - Ian Honeyman
and Andrew Raiher

Review

I never knew that DRAGON HUNTERS had spun off from an animated TV series after watching this movie for the first time. It seems incredible, yet it was daring and unreal and had the makings of a great animated feature. Unlike some animated features produced in Hollywood, DRAGON HUNTERS came from France. Around that time, audiences outside of Europe barely knew that the film existed. It is a mind-blowing and underrated CGI flick.

I admire the film for its beautiful floating landscapes. The negatives I found with this movie included that there are no other well-known celebrity actors except for Forest Whitaker in the voice-over role of the film's English dub. Whitaker acted as the gentle giant Lian-Chu, giving little depth to his character.

I am amazed at how this film turned out when it came out in the same year as Kung Fu Panda and WALL-E. While DRAGON HUNTERS didn't come close to these two movies in terms of story and emotion, it does have an extraordinary visual art style. Those who have never seen this lost evocative gem will have to search for it. Whether on DVD or YouTube.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Ford v Ferrari Review

Ford v Ferrari

Release Date: 14th November 2019 - Australia

Production Companies

20th Century Fox (presents)

Chernin Entertainment

TSG Entertainment

Turnpike Films

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 152 minutes

Budget: $97,600,000

Box Office Gross: $225,508,210 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Former race car driver turned automotive designer Carroll Shelby is given the opportunity with an important assignment to build a new Ford vehicle to beat Ferrari. Together with British race car driver Ken Miles at the wheel, they faced corporate interference, laws of physics and their demons. They were determined to compete with Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours in France.

Cast

Matt Damon - Carroll Shelby

Christian Bale - Ken Miles

Jon Bernthal - Lee Lacocca

Caitriona Balfe - Mollie Miles

Ray McKinnon - Phil Remington

Tracy Letts - Henry Ford II

Josh Lucas - Leo Beebe

Noah Jupe - Peter Miles

Remo Girone - Enzo Ferrari

JJ Feild - Roy Lunn

Jack McMullen - Charlie Agapiou

Corrado Invernizzi - Franco Gozzi

Joe Williamson - Don Frey

Ian Harding - Ford Executive - Ian

Christopher Darga - John Holman

Shawn Law - Al 'Gus' Scussel

Darrin Prescott - Bob Bondurant

Alex Gurney - Dan Gurney

Benjamin Rigby - Bruce McLaren

Ben Collins - Denny Hulme

Francesco Bauco - Lorenzo Bandini

Guido Cocomello - Ludo Scarfiotti

Adam Mayfield - Lloyd Ruby

Sean Carrigan - Walt Hangsgen

Lachlan Buchanan - Celebrity MC -

Cloverfield
Giles Matthey - Lance Reventlow
Rudolf Martin - Dieter Voss

Evan Arnold - SCCA Official
Darin Cooper - Reporter - Sam

Elizabeth Dement - Ford Secretary #1
Wallace Langham - Dr. Granger
Jonathan LaPaglia - Pit Engineer - Eddie
Brad Beyer - Wayne (Customer)

Ottavio Taddei - Italian Photographer
Giovanni Cirfiera - Gianni Agnelli

Wyatt Nash - Cool Young Buyer

Drew Rausch - Pilot Private Plane
Ward Horton - Test Driver - Burt
Luiggi Debiasse - Ford Italian Translator -

Gary

Michael Lanahan - Brumos Executive

Tanner Foust - Ronnie Bucknum

Peter Arpesella - Ferrari Pit Chief

Andrew Burlinson - Ford Executive #2

Lou Beatty Jr. - Janitor

Clément Larue - Kid Program Seller

Oliver Bin - Drunk Man Singing

Marc Forget - Le Mans Official #1

Stephanie Fiorenza - Le Mans Official #

Joss Glennie-Smith - Mechanic Ford

Advanced Vehicles

Tim Banning - Reporter - Daytona

Arron Shiver - Charlie Brockman ABC

Paul Fox - British Commentator

Zack Zublena - French Commentator

Aylam Orian - German Commentator

Kirt Kishita - Japanese Commentator

Stefania Spampinato - Ferrari's English

Translator

Gian Franco Tordi - Agnelli Secretary

Cameron Hennings - Autograph Seeker

James Tappan - IRS Employee #1

Ryan O'Dell - IRS Employee #2

Mario Di Donato - Ferrari Lawyer

Bonnie Antonini - Ferrari Secretary

Janelle McKee - Ford Secretary #2
Grace Fae - Ford Secretary - Grace
Jan Munroe - Edwin Turley
Marisa Petroro - Mrs. Henry Ford
Leif Carlgren - Ford Exec Sean Reed

Jon Ueberroth - Production Line Foreman

Camillo Faieta - Ferrari Pit Crew #1

Steven Ziel - Ford Executive #2

Vernon Dew - Ford Executive #4

Angelo Dibello - Ferrari Pit Crew #2
Larsen Deane - Shelby Pit Crew -

Ronnie Larson
Craig Frosty Silva - Shelby Pit Crew - Frosty

Brad McCabe - Shelby Pit Crew

Brent Pontin - Chris Amon
Mark Krenik - Shelby Pit Smokey

Thomas John Rudolph - Shelby Pit Big Mug

Luka Bale - Le Mans Flower Girl

Crew

Producer/Director - James Mangold

Writers - Jez & John-Henry Butterworth
and Jason Keller
Executive Producers - Dani Bernfeld,
Michael Mann, Lucas Foster and Alex Young

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Kevin Halloran
Producers - Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping
Co-Producer/Post-Production Supervisor -
Aaron Downing

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director -

Adam Somner
Casting Director - Ronna Kress
Production Designer - François Audouy

Supervising Art Director - Maya Shimoguchi

Art Directors - Jordan Ferrier,

Robert Andrew Johnson and Gustaf Aspergen
Set Decorator - Peter Lando

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

Costume Designer - Daniel Orlandi

Head Makeup Artist - Jane Galli

Director of Photography - Phedon Papamichael

Director of Photography: California

Second Unit - Igor Meglic

Camera/Steadicam Operator - P. Scott Sakamoto

Second Assistant Camera - Michael Luntzel

First Assistant Director: California Second

Unit - Marvin Williams

Location Manager - Robert Foulkes

Location Manager: Georgia - Maria T. Bierniak
Second Unit Director - Darrin Prescott
Stunt Coordinator - Robert Nagle

Picture Car Coordinator - Rick Collins

Aerial Coordinator - Ryan Hosking

Pilot - Craig Hosking

Special Effects Coordinator - Mark R. Byers
Special Effects Supervisor: France Unit -

Charles-Axel Vollard
Visual Effects Supervisor - Olivier Dumont

Visual Effects Supervisor: Method Studios -

Dave Morley
Film Editors - Andrew Buckland,
Michael McCusker and Dirk Westervelt

Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Designer -

David Giammarco

Sound Designer - Jay Wilkinson

Supervising Sound Editor - Donald Sylvester

Sound Mixer - Steven Morrow

Re-Recording/Music Mixer - Paul Massey

Foley Supervisor - Anna MacKenzie
Music - Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders

Music Supervisor/Editor - Ted Caplan

Review

I have been a big fan of Ford and watched most of the races they won at Mount Panorama yearly. Unfortunately, I didn't watch any other races that Ford had participated in much of Australia and other regions. I was unaware of the historical event of 1966, in which the movie takes place. I also didn't know about the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari and the Ford GT, the fastest vehicle built for this race. What intrigued me was not just my interest in Ford but two actors, Matt Damon and Christian Bale, who consistently give incredible performances.

FORD V FERRARI was a three-hour biopic capturing the big sports event set in the sixties. Damon and Bale's credible talents boosted the film's adrenaline rush. It was interesting to see these two stars portray those historical figures. Their chemistry helped fuel their dynamic in FORD V FERRARI. James Mangold was an interesting director for this movie and has outdone himself in his craftsmanship. I was impressed by the film's racing coordination, which made me feel like a spectator of an actual race.

One of the superb films to come out in 2019, FORD V FERRARI is perfect for any motorsport fan and biopic drama lovers. Nobody should miss this movie. Here's hoping that FORD V FERRARI will land in the race for the Oscars. I'd be disappointed if the film didn't win Best Picture.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Judy Review

Judy

Release Date: 31st October 2019 - Australia

Production Companies
BBC Films
Calamity Films

Confit Productions
Pathé UK
Ingenious Media
Roadside Attractions
LD Entertainment (Uncredited)

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

eOne

Genre: Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 118 minutes

Budget: $10,000,000

Box Office Gross: $45,987,812 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Famed singer and movie

star Judy Garland is nearing

the end of her life when she

starts a series of sold-out

concerts around London.

She also begins her relationship with her soon-to-be fifth husband, Mickey Deans.

Cast

Renée Zellweger - Judy Garland

Jessie Buckley - Rosalyn Wilder

Finn Wittrock - Mickey Deans
Michael Gambon - Bernard Delfont
Rufus Sewell - Sidney Luft
Bella Ramsey - Lorna Luft
Andy Nyman - Dan
Gaia Weiss - Abbie
Darci Shaw - Young Judy
Gemma-Leah Devereux - Liza Minnelli
Phil Dunster - Ben
Royce Pierreson - Burt
Fenella Woolgar - Margaret Hamilton
John Dagleish - Lonnie Donegan
Richard Cordery - Louis B. Mayer
Adrian Lukis - Dr. Hargreaves
Natasha Powell - Ethell Gumm
Gus Barry - Mickey Rooney
Tom Durant Pritchard - Ken Frisch
Lewin Lloyd - Joey Luft
Bentley Kalu - Georgie
Arthur McBain - Askith
David Shields - Bailey
Tim Ahern - Walter Rickerts
David Rubin - Noel
John Mackay - Johnnie Ray
Bradley Banton - James

Crew
Director - Rupert Goold
Based on the Stageplay "End of the Rainbow" -

Peter Quilter

Screenplay - Tom Edge
Executive Producers - Lee Dean,
Charles Diamond, Ellis Goodman,
Aaron Levene, Mickey Liddell,
Cameron McCracken, Laurence Myers,
Andrea Scarso and Pete Shilaimon
Producer - David Livingstone
Co-Producer - Jim Spencer
Casting Directors - Alice Searby and

Fiona Weir
Production Designer - Dave Quinn

Supervising Art Director - James Price

Art Director - Tilly Scandrett

Set Decorator - Stella Fox

Costume Designer - Jany Temime

Hair and Makeup Designer - Jeremy Woodhead
Cinematography - Ole Bratt Birkeland
Special Effects Supervisor - Chris Reynolds
Film Editor - Melanie Oliver

Supervising Sound Editor - Lee Herrick

Re-Recording Mixers - Paul Cotterell

and Jonathan Rush

Music Supervisors - Becky Bentham

and Karen Elliott
Music - Gabriel Yared

Score Recordist - Peter Cobbin

Song Recordist and Mixer - Geoff Foster

Review

Older viewers remember the famous singer and actress Judy Garland in roles like Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. It's no surprise that Judy was a cult figure, especially after her death. She had a large following of fans, including many openly gay people. This title movie is a tragic and heartbreaking look at Judy's life, and it aims to show that her years were up before she finished her tour in London and her untimely death at the age of 47.

I am intrigued by how this feature turned out because it highlighted parts of Judy's personal life that I never knew. It was both authentic and melancholy. It made me emphasise Judy, who had a rough life in showbiz.

Renée Zellweger did a fantastic performance as Judy, and she certainly had the skill and talent, especially with her singing, which almost matches Judy's voice. She deserves an Oscar nomination, and I wish her the best of luck with a win.

JUDY is a great dramatic movie, but not the kind that brightens your mood. Still, the film is worth watching, whether for someone who has followed her career or a new experience for those less well-versed.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Benny & Joon Review

Benny & Joon

Release Date: 30th September 1993 - Australia

Production Companies

Metro Goldwyn Mayer

Roth-Arnold Productions

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 98 minutes

Box Office Gross: $23,261,580 (USA)

Plot Summary (Retrieved from DVD Cover of Release)

Joon is a little unbalanced.

Sometimes, without warning,

her sweet nature gives way

to odd behaviour – including

a penchant for setting fires!

She lives with her older

brother Benny, who has

spent his life taking care of

her since their parents died.

One night, while playing a

poker game with unusual

stakes, Joon loses her

hand...and wins Sam, a

whimsical misfit who soon

charms his way into Joon's

heart. Now if they can only

find the perfect mate for

her overprotective brother...

Cast

Aidan Quinn - Benny

Mary Stuart Masterson - Joon

Johnny Depp - Sam

Julianne Moore - Ruthie

Oliver Platt - Eric

C.C.H. Pounder - Dr Garvey

Dan Hedaya - Thomas

Joe Grifasi - Mike

William H. Macy - Randy Burch

Liane Curtis - Claudia

Eileen Ryan - Mrs Smail

Don Hamilton - UPS Man

Waldo Larson - Waldo

Amy Alizabeth Sanford - Young Joon

Brian Keevy - Young Benny

Crew

Director - Jeremiah S. Chechik

Story/Screenplay - Barry Berman

Story - Leslie McNeil

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Bill Badalato

Producers - Susan Arnold

and Donna Roth
Casting Directors - Risa Bramon

Garcia and Heidi Levitt

Production Designer - Neil Spisak

Costume Designer - Aggie Guerard Rodgers

Director of Photography - John Schwartzman

Camera Operator - Mitchell Amundsen

First Assistant Director - K.C. Colwell

Choreographer: Physical Comedy - Dan Kamin
Stunt Coordinator - Noon Orsatti

Fire Effects Coordinator - Allen Hall
Special Effects Coordinator - J.D. Streett

Editor - Carol Littleton

Associate Editor - Raul Davalos

Music - Rachel Portman


Review

BENNY & JOON seemed to have a misleading title because I think it should have been Benny, Sam & Joon. Because the film focuses on these three individuals, two of them are very quirky and fall in love. The other is the older brother, who only wants what he thinks is best for his sister and must learn to let go. It underpins the main storyline of the growing connection between Sam and Joon. There is a strength in the director's message that some things considered strange or out of the ordinary aren't necessarily bad, for example, the pancake scene. I like to point out that how Joon acts in this movie reflects a degree of autism in this character. I think Joon had schizophrenia.

Johnny Depp was versatile and whimsical as he lent his physical comedy routines to good use. He mimics the incredible antics of late silent comedians such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to create the character of Sam. Mary Stuart Masterson portrays Joon as a vulnerable, naive character who wants to control her own life despite her disability. Aidan Quinn is fine as Joon's overprotective brother but doesn't get much exposure due to Johnny Depp's scene-stealing performance.

It was a heartwarming film without being bland or sickly sweet.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Vertigo Review

Vertigo


Release Date: 23rd January 1959 - Australia


Production Companies

Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions (Uncredited)

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Thriller

Rating: PG

Runtime: 120 minutes


Budget: $2,500,000

Box Office Gross: $7,798,146 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A former police detective

named John 'Scottie'

Ferguson has developed

acrophobia and takes in
one last case to prevent

an old friend's wife from

killing herself. John finds
himself obsessed with her

as he struggles to face his demons.


Cast
James Stewart - John 'Scottie' Ferguson
Kim Novak - Madeleine Elster/Judy Barton
Barbara Bel Geddes - Midge Wood
Tom Helmore - Gavin Elster
Henry Jones - Coroner

Raymond Bailey - Scottie's Doctor

Ellen McCorby - Manager of
McKittrick Hotel

Konstantin Shayne - Pop Leibel

Lee Patrick - Car Owner Mistaken for Madeleine

Fred Graham - Policeman on Rooftop (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Alfred Hitchcock - Man Walking Past Elster's Office (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Producer (Uncredited)/

Director - Alfred Hitchcock

Based on the Novel: "D'Entre Les Morts" - Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac

Screenplay - Alec Coppel and Samuel A. Taylor

Contributing Writer - Maxwell Anderson

(Uncredited)

Script Supervisor - Peggy Robertson

(Uncredited)

Associate Producer/Second Unit Director:

San Francisco (Uncredited) - Herbert Coleman

Producers: 1996 Restoration - Robert A. Harris

and James C. Katz (Uncredited)

Technical Advisor - A. Vincent Gerty

(Uncredited)

Art Directors - Henry Bumstead and

Hal Pereira

Set Decorators - Sam Comer and

Frank R. McKelvy

Costumes - Edith Head

Director of Photography - Robert Burks

Directors of Photography: Second Unit -

Loyal Griggs and Irmin Roberts (Uncredited)

Director of Photography: Back Projection

(Uncredited)/Process Photography -

W. Wallace Kelley

Camera Operators - James Knott,

Val O'Malley and Leonard J. South (Uncredited)

Unit Production Managers - Andrew J. Durkus

and C.O. Erickson (Uncredited)

Special Photographic Effects - John P. Fulton

Film Editor - George Tomasini

Titles Designer - Saul Bass

Motion Control Designer: Title Sequence -

John Whitney Sr. (Uncredited)

Sound - George Dutton (Uncredited)

Music - Bernard Herrmann


1959 Academy Awards
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color -

Hal Pereira, Henry Bumstead, Sam Comer and

Frank R. McLevy (Nominated)
Best Sound - George Dutton (Nominated)


Review
Many people know Alfred Hitchcock as he was one of Hollywood's legendary directors and known for being the master of suspense. I have not seen his movies, nor did I see his classic TV show. I knew his history and saw the references in numerous TV series and others. I remember reading an article about VERTIGO that surpassed Citizen Kane as the best movie. I finally got to see the film on Netflix. I did notice the influences used in other features, like Jaws. It shows that VERTIGO is an influential film.

Hitchcock has done several movies, but this is no exception. The film has a great storyline and several moments that will shock and thrill you. I liked how the movie's cinematography had those dolly-zoom shots in some scenes. This particular camera angle appeared for the first time in this film to an astonishing effect. The performances from James Stewart and Kim Novak were spot-on. Stewart was the director's go-to guy and was one of Hitchcock's favourites alongside Cary Grant.

VERTIGO was a great movie, but not one of my favourites. Still, I would instantly re-watch this cinematic classic and see the others Hitchcock directed.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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It (2017) Review

It


Release Date: 7th September 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
New Line Cinema (presents)
RatPac-Dune Entertainment (in association with)
Vertigo Entertainment
Lin Pictures
KatzSmith Productions

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Horror

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 135 minutes


Budget: $35,000,000

Box Office Gross: $701,842,551 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Every 27 years, an ancient evil shapeshifter emerges from the sewers and preys on a small place in Maine called Derry, where the children go missing. A group of friends must face their fears to rid the town of this vicious clown known as Pennywise.


Cast
Bill Skarsgård - Pennywise
Jaeden Martell - Bill Denbrough
Sophia Lillis - Beverly Marsh
Finn Wolfhard - Richie Tozier

Jeremy Ray Taylor - Ben Hanscom
Chosen Jacobs - Mike Hanlon
Jack Dylan Grazer - Eddie Kaspbrak
Wyatt Oleff - Stanley Uris
Nicholas Hamilton - Henry Bowers
Jake Sim - Belch Huggins
Logan Thompson - Victor Criss
Owen Teague - Patrick

Hockstetter
Jackson Robert Scott -

Georgie Denbrough
Stephen Bogaert - Mr. Marsh
Stuart Hughes - Officer Bowers
Geoffrey Pounsett - Zack Denbrough
Pip Dwyer - Sharon Denbrough
Molly Atkinson - Sonia Kaspbrak
Steven Williams - Leroy Hanlon
Elizabeth Saunders - Mrs.

Starret
Megan Charpentier - Gretta
Joe Bostick - Mr. Keene
Ari Cohen - Rabbi Uris
Tatum Lee - Judith

Javier Botet - Hobo

Carter Musselman - Headless

Boy

Roberto Campanella - Organ Player Clown (Cameo)

Crew
Director - Andy Muschietti
Based on the Novel "It" - Stephen King
Screenplay - Chase Palmer, Cary Joji Fukunaga and Gary Dauberman
Executive Producers - Richard Brener, Doug Davison,

Toby Emmerich, Walter Hamada,

Niija Kuykendall, Dave Neustadter

and Jon Silk
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Marty P. Ewing
Producers - Seth Grahame-Smith,
David Katzenberg, Roy Lee, Dan Lin
and Barbara Muschietti

Choreographer - Roberto Campanella
Production Designer - Claude Pare

Concept Artists - Aaron Sims and

Scott Patton

Art Director - Peter Grundy

Set Decorator - Rosalie Board

Property Master - Christopher Geggie
Costume Designers - Janie Bryant

and Colleen Moore Cook Turner

Special Effects Makeup - Alec Gillis and

Tom Woodruff Jr.

Makeup Effects Designer & Shop Supervisor:

Pennywise and Additional Character

Makeup Effects - Sean Sansom

Makeup Heads of Department -

Sarah Craig McEtheron and Linda Dowds

Hair Head of Department - Stephanie Ingram
Director of Photography - Chung-hoon Chung

First Assistant Director - Richard Cowan

First Assistant Directors: Second Unit -

Simon Board, Travis McConnell and

Bob Warwick

Second Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Adam Bocknek

Third Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Andrew Pritchard

Second Unit Director - William Waring
Pennywise Contortion/Motion Capture -

Ess Hödlmoser (Uncredited)
Stunt Coordinators - Jamie & Kelly Jones
Special Effects Supervisor - Warren Appleby

Special Effects Coordinator - Shuba Dasgupta
Visual Effects Supervisor - Nicholas Brooks

Editor - Jason Ballantine

Supervising Sound Editor - Victor Ray Ennis

Sound Designer - Paul Hackner

Sound Effects Editors - Jamie Hardt,

Kius Fenske and Ken J. Johnson

Sound Mixers - Glen Gauthier

and Sylvain Arsneault

Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Jenkins

and Michael Keller
Music - Benjamin Wallfisch

Music Supervisor - Dana Sano


Review

I have heard of the classic 1990 miniseries adaptation of IT but have never seen it. Nor did I read the book by Stephen King, upon which the 2017 cinematic interpretation based itself in its namesake. I planned to see IT and felt it was time to watch more horror movies. The movie is unsettling, creepy and brutal as it follows its namesake. Audiences have dared to see it for its chilling atmosphere. The movie aims to startle moviegoers. It has a coming-of-age plot with a nostalgic vibe that is darker and reminiscent of Stand by Me (another film based on a Stephen King novel). The director, Andy Muschietti, has managed to bring Stephen King's work into its proper cinematic vision with its terrific cinematography.

The performances are first-rate, such as the young actors cast as the outcast characters who must overcome their fears. Bill Skarsgård is freakishly sinister as the evil clown Pennywise, and not even Tim Curry could perform like that. Skarsgård remains a worthy successor to the original actor, and I am grateful to have seen his performance. The soundtrack by Benjamin Wallfisch is creepy and awesome.

Though terror-inducing to the audiences, IT has been considered a great film. Its author, Stephen King, would be proud of the latest adaptation. I cannot wait to see the next chapter as a continuation. I recommend this feature to anyone who may be a Stephen King fan or likes to be terrified.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Thomas and the Magic Railroad Review

Thomas and the Magic Railroad

Release Date: 8th December 2000 - Australia

Production Companies

Gullane Pictures

Destination Films

Isle of Man Film Commission (in association with)

Britt Allcroft (Thomas) Ltd.

The Magic Railroad Company

Genre: Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 85 minutes

Budget: $19,000,000 (estimated)

Box Office Gross: $19,749,009 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

In the Island of Sodor, where Thomas and his friends reside, things do not look good when an evil diesel engine named Diesel 10 and his two cronies, Splatter and Dodge, arrive and intend to cause trouble. Even Mr. Conductor, the magical being who always travels between Sodor and the human world of Shining Time, is low on his gold dust. It is up to a resourceful young girl named Lily, who is on her way to visit her grandfather before she meets Mr. Conductor, along with Thomas and his friends. They embark on an adventure to find more gold dust and save the Magic Railroad.

Cast

Peter Fonda - Grandpa Burnett

Stone

Mara Wilson - Lily

Cody McMains - Patch

Alec Baldwin - Mr. Conductor

Russell Means - Billy Twofeathers

Didi Conn - Stacy Jones

Michael E. Rodgers - Mr. C.
Junior

Lori Hallier - Lily's Mum

Jared Wall - Young Burnett
(Voice)

Laura Bower - Young Tasha
(Voice)

Edward Glen - Thomas (Voice)

Neil Crone - Diesel 10/Splatter/

Gordon/Tumbleweed (Voices)

Colm Feore - Toby (Voice)

Linda Ballantyne - Percy
(Voice)

Kevin Frank - Dodge/Bertie/
Harold/Henry (Voices)

Susan Roman - James (Voice)

Shelley Elizabeth Skinner -
Annie/Clarabel (Voices)

Britt Allcroft - Lady (Voice)

Philip D. Fehrle - Spectator (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Keith W. Strandberg - Passenger (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Creator/Writer/Producer/
Director - Britt Allcroft

Based on the Railway Series -

Wilbert Awdry

"Shining Time Station" Creator - Rick Siggelkow
Writer - Robin Kingsland

Executive Producers - Brent Baum, John Bertolli, Nancy Chapelle, Charles Falzon, Barry London and Steven Stapler (Uncredited)

Producer - Phillip D. Fehrle

Co-Producer - Mark Jacobson
Creative Consultants - Neil Crone and Kevin Frank

Steam Railroad Consultant - Linn Moedinger

Dog Trainer: Isle of Man - Julie Tottman

Animal Trainers: Toronto - Dawn Barkan and Stacey Basil

Production Designer - Oleg M. Savytski

Art Director - Lucinda Zak

First Assistant Art Directors - Jason Knox-

Johnston and Mark Scruton

Associate Set Designer - Charles Dunlop

Set Decorator: Isle of Man - Cheryl Dorsey

Set Decorator: Toronto - Caroline Gee

Costume Designer - Luis Sequeira

Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist: Pennsylvania -

Pamela Peitzman

Cinematography - Paul Ryan

Location Manager: Isle of Man - James Clearly

Location Manager: Toronto - Rob Gwynne

Unit Production Manager: Pennsylvania Unit - 

Keith W. Strandberg

Special Effects Supervisor: Isle of Man Unit -

Peter Hutchinson

Special Effects Coordinator - Laird McMurray

Special/Visual Effects Supervisor - Bill Neil
Visual Effects Producer - Mike Chambers

Visual Effects Producer: GVFX - Dave Axford

Visual Effects Co-Producer: GVFX - Sasha Jarh

Model Supervisor - Steve Asquith

Creative Consultant: Model Unit - David Mitton

Key Model Builders - Dave Aisling,

David Johnston and Jason Ehl

Director of Photography: Model Unit - Terry Permane

First Assistant Camera: Model Unit - Nigel Permane

Film Editor - Ron Wisman

ADR Editor (Uncredited)/Sound Supervisor/

Supervising Sound Editor (Uncredited) -

Nelson Ferreira

Original "Thomas" Music and Songs -

Junior Campbell and Mike O'Donnell

Lyrics - Don Black and Sue Ennis

Songs/Music - Hummie Mann

Review

I remember watching the Thomas the Tank Engine series at a young age. It was back when I had it on VHS. As I got older, I outgrew it. Even today, small children still watch the show. Some adults enjoy the series but not the later seasons. It may be due to HiT and later Mattel that owned the series. Recently, I started rewatching the original British series. I hate to admit that I have rewatched the episodes of Thomas, so please try not to laugh. I never wanted to review any Thomas movies because they were all preschool-oriented, but I made an exception. I have mixed feelings about seeing this film again. I am doing this to have it as a tribute to Peter Fonda, who has recently passed away and is one of its main actors.

I had not heard many good things about THE MAGIC RAILROAD, not because it spun off from a children's show but because the movie seemed bizarre and inconsistent. I read an article about the film that was changed and truncated by the studio. Test audiences complained about it for several reasons. One was that a few character voices proved too old for the engines. And secondly, one villain was too scary for younger kids. These changes would confirm the perceived "Americanisation" when international critics were unfamiliar with Shining Time Station. This American kids' show existed when Thomas was at the peak of its popularity.

Another problem with MAGIC RAILROAD is that some fans suggested that the feature may have derailed the franchise. It also may have led to Britt Allcroft stepping down as head of Gullane. Allcroft helped co-found this company, which HiT later bought in 2002.

MAGIC RAILROAD is cutesy yet too confusing, and the plot is easily convoluted and meandering. That is why it got re-edited. The mouths of the trains are unable to move. It has been an ongoing problem since the TV series. However, the transition to CGI is not possible until 2008. The acting from the late Peter Fonda is not engaging for a kids' film as the character he portrays is quite similar to his role in Ulee's Gold. Alec Baldwin does his best with Mr. Conductor, but unfortunately, he overacts. Mara Wilson painfully interacts in her performance as Lily. Also, James's voice sounds too feminine and boyish.

I urge you, viewers, to watch the TV series and, for one time, watch the movie and compare it to the kids' show unless the director's cut is released.

Star rating: (3/10) Disappointing

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