Saturday, August 29, 2020

In Memory of Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020)











Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020)

The African-American actor Chadwick Boseman died at age 43 after losing a four-year battle with colon cancer on August 28, 2020. He is best known for portraying iconic figures like like Jackie Robinson and James Brown and the African superhero Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and for his portrayals of iconic figures.

Chadwick debuted in television in 2003 when he appeared in a "Third Watch" episode. He also appeared in episodes of other series like "Law & Order", "CSI: NY", and "ER". In 2008, the same year Boseman had a recurring role in "Lincoln Heights", he made his feature film debut in "The Express: The Ernie Davis Story". In 2010, Chadwick gained a regular role in a mystery serial drama, "Persons Unknown".

In 2013, Boseman transitioned into leading roles, beginning with the indie film "The Kill Hole" and his role as the baseball player and pioneer Jackie Robinson in "43" with Harrison Ford. In 2014, he appeared opposite Kevin Costner in "Draft Day". Later that same year, he would portray famous musician James Brown in "Get on Up".

His big break came in 2016 after portraying the ancient deity from Egyptian mythology of Thoth in "Gods of Egypt". It was followed by playing the character that would instantly propel him to fame as T'Challa and his alter-ego, Black Panther, in "Captain America: Civil War". It was his first film as part of a five-picture deal with Marvel. In 2018, Chadwick would headline "Black Panther" as a standalone film focused on the main character and his country of Wakanda. It was one of America's highest-grossing films of the year when it opened. Expectations were high. He continued playing the character in both "Avengers: Infinity Warand "Avengers: Endgame", which also grossed even higher at the box office, with "Endgame" being the highest-grossing movie of all time.

His potential brilliant acting career was cut short, but we will remember him for his Black Panther role and what a role model he was for young generations. Everyone will sorely miss him, including colleagues, family and friends.

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Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Ocean's Eleven (2001) Review













Ocean's Eleven


Release Date: 10th January 2002 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures
Village Roadshow Pictures (in association with)
NPV Entertainment (in association with)
Section Eight
WV Films II
St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Commission

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Crime/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 117 minutes


Budget: $85,000,000

Box Office Gross: $450,717,150 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Danny Ocean is a thief/con artist, recently released from prison. In earning his parole, he's assembled a team of eleven accomplices to pull off the biggest, most daring and elaborate heist in the century, which involves three casinos in Las Vegas.


Cast
George Clooney - Danny Ocean
Brad Pitt - Rusty Ryan
Matt Damon - Linus Cadwell
Andy Garcia - Terry Benedict
Julia Roberts - Tess Ocean
Bernie Mac - Frank Catton
Don Cheadle - Basher Tarr
Casey Affleck - Virgil Malloy
Scott Caan - Turk Malloy
Elliot Gould - Reuben Tishkoff
Carl Reiner - Saul Bloom
Eddie Jemison - Livingston Dell
Shaobo Qin - Yen
Joe La Due - Billy Tim Denham
Scott L. Schwartz - Bulldog, the Bruiser
Lennox Lewis - Boxing Opponent (Cameo)
Wladimir Klitschko - Boxing Opponent (Cameo)
Jerry Weintraub - High Roller (Cameo)
Henry Silva - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)
Angie Dickinson - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)
Wayne Newton - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)
Siegfried Fischbacher - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)
Roy Horn - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)
Larry Merchant - Boxing Spectator (Cameo)
Holly Marie Combs - Herself (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Topher Grace - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Joshua Jackson - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Steven Soderbergh - Vault-Bombing Thief
(Cameo) (Uncredited)
Barry Watson - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Shane West - Himself (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Cinematography/Director - Steven Soderbergh
1960 Story - George Clayton Johnson and
Jack Golden Russell
1960 Screenplay - Harry Brown and
Charles Lederer
Screenplay - Ted Griffin
Executive Producers - Bruce Berman,
Susan Ekins and John Hardy
Producer - Jerry Weintraub
Co-Producer - R.J. Louis
Casting Director - Debra Zane
Production Designer - Phillip Messina
Art Director - Keith P. Cunningham
Construction Coordinator - Chris Snyder
Set Decorator - Kristen Toscano Messina
Property Master - Steven B. Melton
Costume Designer - Jeffrey Kurland
First Assistant Camera: "A" Camera - Barry Baz Idoine
Unit Production Manager - Frederic W. Borst
First Assistant Director - Gregory Jacobs
Second Second Assistant Director -
Basti Van Der Woude
Special Effects Coordinator - Kevin Hannigan
Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite -
Thomas J. Smith
CG Supervisor: Cinesite - Serge Sretchinsky
Film Editor - Stephen Mirrione
Lead Sound Editor - David E. Stone
Re-Recording Mixer/Supervising Sound
Editor - Larry Blake
Foley Artists - Dawn Fintor and
Alicia Stevenson
Music - David Holmes


Review
It is where it all started in 2001 with Steven Soderbergh's remake of OCEAN'S ELEVEN, a fun and sophisticated popcorn flick with a superb storyline and an ensemble cast. I have seen this caper a few times, including a drive-in where I watched it for the second time. I never got to see the sequels (except for Ocean's Eight) and the original that featured the "Rat Pack" players like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis Jr. There aren't too many surprises in this movie. The cinematography is acceptable, the humour is witty, and the pace is good.

The all-star cast is terrific, with George Clooney and Brad Pitt being the main leads and joined by a group of supporting players like Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Elliott Gould, Carl Reiner and Casey Affleck. The only problem with the acting in this movie is Don Cheadle, who has adopted a fake English accent for his role and is one of the worst I've ever heard.

While it is considered the granddaddy of all cinematic heist movies, OCEAN'S 11 is a no-brainer. It is thoroughly enjoyable to all audiences. To those seeking a great heist movie, now is the time to watch it.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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