Monday, January 27, 2020

Citizen Kane Review










Citizen Kane


Release Date: 23rd January 1942 - Australia


Production Companies
RKO Radio Pictures
Mercury Productions


Genre: Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 119 minutes


Budget: $839,727

Box Office Gross: $1,645,177 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
When famous publishing mogul Charles Foster Kane dies, a reporter must investigate the shocking details of his personal life and the meaning of his final word: "Rosebud".


Cast
Joseph Cotten - Jedediah Leland/Screening Room Reporter
Dorothy Comingore - Susan Alexander Kane
Ray Collins - James W. Gettys
George Coulouris - Walter
Parks Thatcher
Agnes Moorehead - Mary Kane
Ruth Warrick - Emily Monroe Norton Kane
Erskine Sanford - Herbert Carter/Screening Room Reporter
Everett Sloane - Mr. Bernstein
William Alland - Jerry Thompson
Paul Stewart - Raymond
Fortunio Bonanova - Matiste
Philip Van Zandt - Mr. Rawlston
Georgia Backus - Miss Anderson
Harry Shannon - Kane's Father
Sonny Bupp - Kane III
Buddy Swan - Kane - Age Eight
Orson Welles - Charles Foster
Kane
Charles Bennett - Entertainer (Uncredited)
Alan Ladd - Pipe Smoking Reporter (Uncredited)
Arthur O'Connell - Reporter (Uncredited)
Gregg Toland - Interviewer in 1935 Newsreel (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Herman J. Mankiewicz - Newspaperman (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Original Screenplay/
Production/Director - Orson
Welles
Original Screenplay - Herman J. Mankiewicz
Contributing Writer/Editorial
Supervisor - John Houseman
(Uncredited)
Contributing Writers - Roger
Q. Denny and Mollie Kent
(Uncredited)
Executive Producer - George
Schaefer (Uncredited)
Production Advisor - Miriam Geiger (Uncredited)
Art Director - Van Nest Polglase
Associate Art Director - Perry
Ferguson
Set Decorator - Darrell Silvera (Uncredited)
Makeup Artist - Maurice Seiderman (Uncredited)
Costumes - Edward Stevenson
Photography - Gregg Toland
Grip - Ralph Hoge (Uncredited)
Special Effects - Vernon L. Walker
Optical Effects - Linwood G. Dunn (Uncredited)
Sound Recordists - Bailey Fesler,
James G. Stewart, Terry Kellum (Uncredited)
and Edward Ullman (Uncredited)
Sound Supervisor - John Aalberg (Uncredited)
Editor - Robert Wise
Assistant Editor - Mark Robson (Uncredited)
Music - Bernard Herrmann


Awards

1942 Academy Awards
Best Writing, Original Screenplay - Orson Welles
and Herman J. Mankiewicz (Won)
————————
Best Picture - Orson Welles (Nominated)
Best Director - Orson Welles (Nominated)
Best Actor - Orson Welles (Nominated)
Best Cinematography - Gregg Toland (Nominated)
Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-
White - Perry Ferguson, Van Nest Polglase,
A. Roland Fields and Darrell Silvera (Nominated)
Best Film Editing - Robert Wise (Nominated)
Best Sound, Recording - John Aalberg (Nominated)
Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture -
Bernard Herrmann (Nominated)


Review
Most film buffs and directors have considered CITIZEN KANE the best film ever. Others believed it was Vertigo that outranked Orson Welles' classic masterpiece. Before I watched the movie, I remember to have seen bits of the picture, such as the twist ending. I never got to watch its entirety when I came across it recently. The history of CITIZEN KANE goes way back to before a new generation of filmmakers and movie buffs like us were even born, as this film first came out in 1941.

Initially, critics loved the film, but it was unrecognised at the box office and pulled from theatres because of the influence of news baron William Randolph Hearst. It's believed that the movie has included unflattering comparisons between him and the main character, Charles Foster Kane, even though it is only loosely based on him. It caused Hearst to detest it and use his connections to get rid of the film before anyone could see it. KANE didn't resurface until the mid-50s after Hearst's death and when television became everyone's favourite pastime. Then, decades later, the movie was vindicated, and the rest is history.

There is so much craftsmanship poured into CITIZEN KANE as it was Orson Welles' magnum opus. The way Welles self-financed and even co-wrote, produced, directed and acted in his movie, he was very proud to accomplish it. He was also genuine in his acting performance as Charles Foster Kane. From a technical standpoint, Gregg Toland's cinematography was magnificent. It paved the way for other cinematographers to use his camera techniques in modern movies. Aside from the cinematography, there is little to talk about except for the narrative, another noteworthy aspect. It is well-written and well-structured as it contains a twist ending that is the granddaddy of all.

I'm dubious about watching this classic again because it didn't meet my expectations. Even though CITIZEN KANE is not one of my favourite films, it's still iconic due to its classic status. The movie should be on streaming for those who wish to watch it.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

Saturday, January 25, 2020

In Memory of Terry Jones (1942-2020)






Terry Jones (1942-2020)

British comedian/writer Terry Jones died on January 21st, 2020, at the age of 77, following the complications of his dementia. He was one of the members of the British comedy troupe Monty Python, which consisted of himself and others like John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Graham Chapman. The group is responsible for its sketch show "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and five of its movies, including "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", "Life of Brian", and "The Meaning of Life", which all have influenced a new generation of comedians.

The group was formed in 1969, as all of the founding members became household names and invented the phrase "Pythonesque" through its absurdist style of humour. Like the rest of his fellow Pythons, Jones performed various characters in several comedies. Such roles include Sir Bedivere the Wise and Prince Herbert in "Holy Grail", Brian's mother in "Life of Brian", who has famously shouted, "He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!" and the morbidly obese Mr. Creosote in "The Meaning of Life". In addition to starring in these movies, Terry Jones was known to have co-directed "Holy Grail" in his debut with Terry Gilliam and is the sole director of "Life of Brian" and "The Meaning of Life". Outside of his fame with Monty Python, Terry even wrote the script of "Labyrinthfor Jim Henson. He even directed movies like "Absolutely Anything", which he reunites with the surviving Python members and features Simon Pegg and Robin Williams in his final role.

In 2015, Jones could no longer speak due to being diagnosed with a rare degenerative form of dementia. My thoughts and prayers are to his family and friends, and we will surely miss him.


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Monday, January 20, 2020

Jumanji: The Next Level Review










Jumanji: The Next Level


Release Date: 26th December 2019 - Australia


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

Distribution
Sony Pictures Australia


Genre: Adventure/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 123 minutes


Budget: $132,000,000

Box Office Gross: $801,693,929 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
When Spencer returns to the video game Jumanji, it's up to his friends. With the help of his grandfather and Milo, they return to the game and find him. As the players return to Jumanji, they find that the game has changed, and they must travel through the sandy dunes and snowy mountains to finish playing the world's most dangerous game.


Cast
Dwayne Johnson - Bravestone
Kevin Hart - Mouse
Jack Black - Shelly
Karen Gillan - Ruby
Nick Jonas - Seaplane
Awkwafina - Ming
Alex Wolff - Spencer
Ser'Darius Blain - Fridge
Madison Iseman - Bethany
Morgan Turner - Martha
Danny DeVito - Eddie
Danny Glover - Milo
Colin Hanks - Alex
Rhys Darby - Nigel
Rory McCann - Jurgen the Brutal
Dania Ramirez - Lady in Red
Derek Russo - Key Master
Vanessa Cater - Red Headed Marauder
Bebe Neuwirth - Nora Shepherd (Cameo)
Massi Furlan - Switchblade
Javier Villamil - Switchblade's Sidekick
Anthony Neves - Jurgen's Patrolman
Jennifer Patino - Bravestone's Mother
Lamorne Morris - Heater Repair Man
Deobia Oparei - Gromm
Marin Hinkle - Janice
Madison Johnson - Little Bethany Vreeke
Michael Beasley - Coach Davis (Uncredited)
Leslie Simms - Cake Lady
John Ross Bowie - Cavendish
Dorothy Steel - Village Elder
Lucy DeVito - Maiden
Nick Gomez - Oasis Drunk
Morgan Brown - Fortress Guard
Deobia Oparei - Elevator Guard

Crew
Writer/Producer/Director - Jake Kasdan
Based on the Book "Jumanji"/Executive
Producer - Chris Van Allsburg
Writers/Executive Producers - Jeff Pinkner
and Scott Rosenberg
Executive Producers - Ted Field, Melvin Mar,
William Teitler and Mike Weber
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
David B. Householter
Producers - Dany & Hiram Garcia,
Dwayne Johnson and Matt Tolmach
Co-Producer - David Manpearl
Production Designer - Bill Brzeski
Concept Artists - Christian Scheurer,
Simon Murton, Ed Natividad and
Manuel Plank-Jorge
Art Directors - Andrew Max Cahn,
Drew Monahan and Brian Stultz
Set Decorator - Danielle Berman
Costume Designer - Louise Mingenbach
Director of Photography - Gyula Pados
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -
Wade Eastwood
Fight Coordinator - Wolfgang Stegemann
Picture Car Coordinator: Glamis Unit -
Dennis McCarthy
Special Effects Supervisor - J.D. Schwalm
Special Effects Coordinator - Eric Cook
Visual Effects Supervisor - Mark Breakspear
Visual Effects Supervisors: Weta Digital -
Mark Gee and Ken McGaugh
Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital -
Simeon Duncombe
Editors - Steve Edwards, Mark Helfrich
and Tara Timpone
Supervising Sound Editor - Joel Shryack
Supervising Sound Editor/Re-Recording Mixer -
Julian Slater
Sound Designers - Chuck Michael and
Ken McGill
Production Sound Mixer - John Pritchett
Re-Recording Mixer - Kevin O'Connell
Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker and
Adam DeCoster
Music - Henry Jackman
Music Supervisors - Manish Raval
and Tom Wolfe
Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson


Review
The game has changed for JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL. It has maintained the same quality as its predecessor in most ways in terms of visual effects, and this movie has elevated the franchise to a new level (no pun intended). While I still haven't revisited the original Jumanji film, I imagined the graphics wouldn't be as good as the new instalments. The humour in the movie is simple but still blends well with the action.

The returning main cast gave quality comedic performances, with Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Kevin Hart as the standouts. The other actors featured added colour to the film, with Danny Devito and Danny Glover's characters (also portrayed by Johnson and Hart, respectively) acting as a running joke. It may look like a difference between THE NEXT LEVEL and Welcome to the JungleIn other words, the action and antics stayed the same, but the performances changed.

THE NEXT LEVEL was a great sequel and enjoyable for audiences who have watched its predecessor. This film may turn out as a tough act to follow. That depends on whether the next instalment will turn out less than we thought. Best of luck, movie viewers!

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Pokémon Detective Pikachu Review












Pokémon: Detective Pikachu


Release Date: 9th May 2019 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Legendary Entertainment (presents)
The Pokémon Company
Toho Company (in association with)
Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit
Nintendo (additional copyright holder)
Creatures (additional copyright holder)
GAME FREAK (additional copyright holder)

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Family/Mystery

Rating: PG

Runtime: 104 minutes


Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $433,230,304 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
When an expert detective named Harry Goodman is missing, it's up to his son Tim to find out about his disappearance. Tim teams up with Harry's former Pokémon partner, a Pikachu (only Tim can communicate), who tags along and helps with the investigation. They set out on a mystery in the sprawling metropolis of Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon peacefully co-exist before they unravel a shocking discovery that could destroy the Pokémon universe.


Cast
Ryan Reynolds - Detective Pikachu
Justice Smith - Tim Goodman
Kathryn Love Newton - Lucy Stevens
Bill Nighy - Howard Clifford
Ken Watanabe - Lieutenant Hide Yoshida
Chris Geere - Roger Clifford
Suki Waterhouse - Ms. Norman
Josette Simon - Grams
Rita Ora - Dr. Ann Laurent
Karan Soni - Jack
Max Fincham - Young Tim Goodman
Ikue Ôtani - Pikachu (Voice)
Rina Hoshino - Mewtwo (Voice)
Kotaro Watanabe - Mewtwo (Voice)

Crew
Screenplay/Director - Rob Letterman
Based on "Pokémon" - Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda
Characters - Atsuko Nishida
Original Story - Tomokazu Ohara and Haruka Utsui
Original Creator: "Detective Pikachu" - Hiroyuki Jinnai
Story/Screenplay - Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit
Story - Nicole Perlman
Screenplay - Derek Connolly
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -
Joseph M. Caraccioli Jr.
Executive Producers - Tsunekazu Ishihara,
Hiro Matsuoka, Ali Mendes, Toshio Miyahara,
Kenji Okubo and Koji Ueda
Producers - Cale Boyter,
Hidenaga Katakimi, Don McGowan
and Mary Parent
Co-Producer/Visual Effects Producer -
Greg Baxter
Co-Producer - Lisa Dennis
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director -
Cliff Lanning
Casting Directors - Sarah Finn and
Jina Jay
Production Designer - Nigel Phelps
Production Designer: Additional Photography -
Shepherd Frankel
Supervising Art Directors - Ben Collins
and David Allday
Art Directors - Andrea Borland,
Guy Bradley, Nick Dent, Shira Hockman,
Rhys Ifan and Nic Pallace
Set Decorator - Lisa Chugg
Costume Designer - Suzie Harman
Makeup and Hair Designer - Frances Hannon
Cinematography - John Mathieson
Aerial Director of Photography - Adam Dale
Production Supervisor - Jessica Derhammer
Unit Production Manager - Sam Breckman
Supervising Location Manager - Chris Moore
Location Managers - Susannah Booker,
Jamie Jones, Mandy Sharpe and
Julia Tomlinson (Uncredited)
Second Unit Director - Stephen Wolfenden
Stunt Coordinator - Mark Henson
Picture Vehicles Supervisor - Alex King
Special Effects Supervisor - Steven Warner
Visual Effects Supervisor - Erik Nordby
Visual Effects Supervisors: MPC - Pete Dionne
and Bryan Litson
Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -
Jonathan Fawkner
Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -
Carlos Monzon
Visual Effects Supervisor: Rodeo FX - Peter Nofz
Visual Effects Producers: Framestore -
Johannes Bresser and Martina Chakarova
Visual Effects Consultant - Page Buckner
Creature Creative Designer - Kristyan Mallett
Animation Supervisor - Ferran Domenech
Compositing Supervisors: Framestore -
Dominique Fiore and Gavin McKenzie
Assets Supervisor: Image Engine -
Barry Poon
Previz Creative Supervisors: The Third Floor,
Inc. - Vincent Aupetit, Nicolas Markel
and Joshua Wassung
Film Editors - Mark Sanger and
James Thomas
Supervising Sound Editors: E2 - Erik Aadahl
and Ethan Van der Ryan
Sound Designers: E2 - John Marquis and
Brandon Jones
Production Sound Mixer - John Midgley
Re-Recording Mixers - Jon Taylor
and Frank A. Montano
Creative Director: End Titles - Jarik Van Sluijs
Music Supervisors - Peter Afterman
and Margaret Yen
Music - Henry Jackman


Review
I remember getting introduced to Pokémon as a kid, and it seems so long ago that I started playing a few of its games. Then I started watching the anime show on Channel 10 on Cheez TV and Cartoon Network. I was excited to hear that a live-action film of the Pokémon franchise was in the works. Unfortunately, I wasn't expecting that there would be a movie based on a specific spin-off video game of the franchise called DETECTIVE PIKACHU. I was sceptical of the film about the titular Pokémon character who talks like a human because it seemed weird. In other words, I had low expectations. Particularly when Ryan Reynolds, who many would know as the actor who played Deadpool, gets cast as the voice of Pikachu. My opinion shifted for the better when I read the film's reviews that showered it with praise.

Unlike the other Pokémon features that received mixed reviews, critics were less caustic towards this one. Most video game movie adaptations didn't have a good track record, with some turning out to be disappointments in the critical and box-office reception. Thankfully, DETECTIVE PIKACHU turned things the right way around and is the best video game movie adaptation I have watched. The humour is very witty and offbeat. It makes the film extremely satisfying to watch. Reynolds' talking Pikachu was the reason why the movie was so funny. Another layer to DETECTIVE PIKACHU was the mystery that contains intrigue and twists to keep moviegoers watching.

Reynolds did a fantastic job voicing the titular character with charm and comic timing. Reynolds was a blast for this movie but also had some heartfelt moments in his performance. Justice Smith was not the best actor in Hollywood, but he was okay in his role as Tim. Bill Nighy is still Bill Nighy, and it was unexpected to see him in a movie based on the Pokémon franchise. I felt the CGI visuals were good and made the Pokémon alive for this film.

I have nothing more to say about DETECTIVE PIKACHU, but it is a must-see movie for all Pokémon fans. Some fans may not like it, but it won't stop them from watching and enjoying the anime series and playing the franchise's video games.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

Monday, January 6, 2020

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Review












Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire


Release Date: 1st December 2005 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Heyday Films

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Fantasy/Family

Rating: M

Runtime: 157 minutes
                166 minutes
                (extended)


Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $897,468,399 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
When Harry Potter's name
suddenly appears in the
Goblet of Fire, he has to
compete in the gruelling
battle for glory among
three wizarding schools -
the Triwizard Tournament.
But if Harry didn't
submit his name for the
Tournament, who did?
Harry has to undergo what
he has to face, including
a deadly dragon, fierce
water demons and an
enchanted maze. Only to
find himself in a cruel
twist of fate when he comes
face-to-face with He Who
Must Not Be Named.


Cast
Daniel Radcliffe - Harry Potter
Emma Watson - Hermione
Granger
Rupert Grint - Ron Weasley
Ralph Fiennes - Lord
Voldemort 
Robbie Coltrane - Ruebus
Hagrid
Gary Oldman - Sirius Black
Michael Gambon - Albus
Dumbledore
Maggie Smith - Minerva
McGonagall
Alan Rickman - Severus
Snape
Brendan Gleeson - Alastor
'Mad Eye' Moody
Tom Felton - Draco Malfoy

Jason Isaacs - Lucius Malfoy
Warwick Davis - Filius Flitwick
David Bradley - Argus Filch
Devon Murray - Seamus
Finnigan
Jamie Waylett - Vincent Crabbe
Joshua Herdman - Gregory
Goyle
Mark Williams - Arthur Weasley

Bonnie Wright - Ginny Weasley
James & Oliver Phelps - Fred
and George Weasley
Robert Hardy - Cornelius Fudge
Roger Lloyd-Pack - Barty
Crouch
Jeff Rowle - Amos Diggory
Robert Pattinson - Cedric
Diggory
Timothy Spall - Wormtail
David Tennant - Barty Crouch Jr.
Shefali Chowdhury - Parvati
Patil
Afshan Azad - Padma Patil
Alfred Enoch - Dean Thomas
William Melling - Nigel
Katie Leung - Cho Chang
Louis Doyle - Ernie MacMillan
Charlotte Skeoch - Hannah
Abbott
Tiana Benjamin - Angelina
Johnson
Henry Lloyd-Hughes - Roger
Davies
Adrian Rawlins - James Potter
Geraldine Somerville - Lily
Potter
Miranda Richardson - Rita
Skeeter
Stanislav Ianevski - Victor Krum
Clémence Poésy - Fleur
Delacour
Angelica Mandy - Gabrielle
Delacour
Eric Sykes - Frank Bryce
Bredrag Bjelac - Igor Karkaroff
Frances de la Tour - Madame Maxime
Shirley Henderson - Moaning Myrtle

Crew
Director - Mike Newell
Based on the Novel "Harry
Potter and the Goblet of Fire" -
J.K. Rowling
Screenplay - Steve Kloves
Associate Producer/First
Assistant Director - Chris Carreras
Executive Producers - David
Barron and Tanya Seghatchian
Producers - David Heyman
and Lorne Orleans (IMAX 
Version)
Co-Producer/Second Unit
Director - Peter MacDonald
Casting Directors - Mary
Selway and Fiona Weir
Animals Supervisor - Gary Gero
Head Animal Trainers - David Sousa and Julie Tottman
Production Designer - Stuart
Craig
Creature Designers - Adam
Brockbank and Paul Catling
Conceptual Artists - Wayne D. Barlowe,
Ben Dennett, Geoffrey Huband, Iain McCaig,
Andrew Williamson and Dermot Power (Uncredited)
Supervising Art Director - Neil Lamont
Senior Art Director - Andrew Ackland-Snow
Art Directors - Mark Bartholomew,
Alastair Bullock, Alan Gilmore,
Gary Tomkins and Alexandra Walker
Standby Art Director - Martin Foley
Construction Manager - Paul J. Hayes
Supervising Modeller - Pierre Bohanna
Set Decorator - Stephenie McMillan
Co-Set Decorator - Lee Sandales
Property Master - Barry Wilkinson
Assistant Property Master - Jamie Wilkinson
Costume Designer - Jany Temime
Costume Supervisors - David Crossman
and Charlotte Finlay
Creature & Makeup Effects Designer -
Nick Dudman
Makeup Designer - Amanda Knight
Key Prosthetic Makeup Artists - Mark Coulier
and Shaune Harrison
Chief Hairdresser & Designer - Eithne Fennel
Director of Photography - Roger Pratt
Director of Photography: Second Unit -
Mike Brewster
"B" Camera Operators - Trevor Coop
and Gary Spratling
Location Manager - Sue Quinn
Unit Location Managers - Michael Harm,
Steve Harvey, Joseph Jayawardena and
Mark Somner
Unit Production Manager - Tim Lewis
First Assistant Director: Second Unit -
Jamie Christopher
Second Assistant Director: Second Unit -
Sallie Hard
Third Assistant Directors - Tom Brewster,
Phillippa Hunt and Michael Michael
Third Assistant Director: Second Unit -
Lyndsay Bullock
Choreographer - Wayne McGregor
Stunt Coordinator - Greg Powell
Aerial Coordinator: Second Unit - Marc Wolff
Diving Coordinator: Second Unit - Dave Shaw
Special Effects Supervisor - John Richardson
Special Effects Coordinator - Rosie Richardson
Supervising Animatronic Designers - Guy Stevens
and Chris Barton
Performance Systems Supervisor - Matthew Denton
Visual Effects Supervisor - Jim Mitchell
Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Tim Alexander
Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore CFC -
Tim Webber
Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Ben Shepherd
Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite - Simon Stanley-Clamp
Additional Visual Effects Supervisors - Tim Burke
and Richard Stammers
Visual Effects Producers - Theresa Corrao and
Emma Norton
Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Jill Brooks
Animation Supervisors: Framestore CFC -
Pablo Grillo and Max Solomon
Animation Supervisor: Dragon, Ship and
World Cup, ILM - Steve Rawlins
Computer Graphics Supervisors: ILM -
Douglas Smythe and Robert Weaver
CG Supervisor: Framestore CFC - David Lomax
CG Supervisor: Cinesite - Ivor Middleton
CGI Modelling Supervisor: ILM - Ken Bryan
Model Unit Supervisor: Cinesite - José Granell
Model Workshop Supervisor: Cinesite -
Nigel Trevessey
Model Director of Photography: ILM -
Pat Sweeney
Supervisors: MPC - Nicolas Aithadi,
Caine Dickinson, Ferran Domenech,
Clwyd Edwards, Charley Henley and
Uel Hormann
CG Sequence Supervisors: Framestore CFC -
Andy Kind, Rob Allman, Justin Martin
and Andrew Rawling
Character Rigging Supervisor: ILM - Eric Wong
Motion Control Supervisor - Chris Shaw
Compositing Supervisor: ILM - Patrick Tubach
Compositing Supervisors: Framestore CFC -
Adrian De Wet, Areito Echevarria,
Christian Manz, Ivan Moran and Pedro Sabrosa
Editor - Mick Audsley
Sound Designer & Supervising Sound Editor -
Randy Thom
Supervising Sound Editor - Dennis Leonard
Sound Effects Editors - Andy Kennedy
and Douglas Murray
Re-Recording Mixers - Tom Johnson
and Mike Prestwood Smith
Foley Artists - Peter Burgis,
Andie Derrick and Nicolas Becker
Music - Patrick Doyle
Composer: "Hedwig's Theme" - John Williams


Awards

2006 Academy Awards
Best Art Direction - Stuart Craig and Stephenie McMillan (Nominated)


Review
The Harry Potter film series continues its magic with THE GOBLET OF FIRE. While The Prisoner of Azkaban was a step up, GOBLET is the darkest movie of the franchise. The series has increased its shift and is only appealing to some ages. The later instalments appealed to younger teens and adults and focused on the characters now facing adult situations. Mike Newell takes Alfonso Cuaron's position as the director, and it's incredible how he pulls off a simple task in this movie. The visuals are significant, and the film has shown no signs of slowing down. But enough said, let's talk about the acting.

I praise Ralph Fiennes for doing an extraordinary job of portraying Lord Voldemort. He knows how to introduce a dark wizard who is already a villain. Brendan Gleeson takes the 'Mad Eye' Moody role by making his character look strange. I came here for this movie because of its supporting actors, David Tennant and Robert Pattinson. Incredibly, Tennant plays a Death Eater rather than a doctor who wanders through time and space in the television series Doctor Who. Also, it is worth mentioning that Pattinson, who plays the ill-fated Cedric Diggory, also plays a vampire in the infamous Twilight movies and Batman in an upcoming titular film. The music by Patrick Doyle is good but has the same notes that John Williams composed in the previous instalments. 

GOBLET OF FIRE remains fresh but is still a gripping chapter of a film series that helps everyone believe in magic. I encourage all fans of J. K. Rowling and the franchise to see it.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

Thursday, January 2, 2020

In Memory of Syd Mead (1933-2019)






Syd Mead (1933-2019)

I do apologise for this late obituary. Syd Mead, a conceptual designer and visual futurist responsible for providing the artwork of films like "Blade Runner", "TRON", and "Aliens", passed away on 30th December 2019 at the age of 86 due to complications of lymphoma. Before his death, he announced his retirement in September and was about to receive the Cameron Menzies Award for his designs in the Art Directors Guild.

Starting in 1979, he began his conceptual art career with "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". He continued his work on "Blade Runner", where he did futuristic designs, including the vehicles and the city of Los Angeles, seen from his unique perspective. Many years later, it was then that Syd got to work with Ridley Scott again on the sequel "Blade Runner 2049". He was among the three conceptual artists who worked on the Disney film "Tron", where he designed the light cycles, the solar sailer, tanks and Sark's carrier. Syd continued illustrating designs for films like "2010", "Aliens", "Short Circuit", and more recently "Elysium" and "Tomorrowland".

Should you wish to view Syd Mead's designs and artwork, visit his official website (www.sydmead.com).