It: Chapter Two Review

It: Chapter Two

Release Date: 5th September 2019 - 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: 169 minutes

Budget: $79,000,000

Box Office Gross: $473,122,525 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Six members of the "Losers" club are all grown up and reunited after being called back to Derry for something they should have done 27 years ago, when people started disappearing all over town. Now, the Club must confront their deepest fears and make one final stand to defeat the evil clown Pennywise once and for all.

Cast

James McAvoy - Bill Denbrough

Jessica Chastain - Beverly Marsh

Bill Hader - Richie Tozier

Isaiah Mustafa - Mike Hanlon

Jay Ryan - Ben Hanscom

James Ransone - Eddie Kaspbrak

Andy Bean - Stanley Uris

Bill Skarsgård - Pennywise

Jaeden Martell - Young Bill Denbrough
Sophia Lillis - Young Beverly Marsh
Finn Wolfhard - Young Richie Tozier
Chosen Jacobs - Young Mike Hanlon

Jeremy Ray Taylor - Young Ben Hanscom
Jack Dylan Grazer - Young Eddie Kaspbrak
Wyatt Oleff - Young Stanley Uris
Nicholas Hamilton - Young

Henry Bowers

Tristian Levi and Torian

Matthew Cox - 4-Year-Old

Mike Hanlon

Joan Gregson - Mrs. Kersh 

Teach Grant - Henry Bowers

Jackson Robert Scott - Georgie 
Denbrough

Javier Botet - Hobo/The Witch

Xavier Dolan - Adrian Mellon

Taylor Frey - Don Hagarty

Stephen Bogaert - Alvin Marsh

Molly Atkinson - Myra/Sonia Kaspbrak

Luke Roessler - Dean

Stephen King - Shopkeeper (Cameo)

Peter Bogdanovich - Peter - Director (Cameo)

Will Beinbrink - Tom

Jess Weixler - Audra Phillips

Martha Girvin - Patty

Ryan Kiera Armstrong - Victoria
Fuller

Jake Weary - Webby

Katie Lunman - Chris Unwin

Kelly Van der Burg - Victoria's Mom

Jason Fuchs - Richie's Manager

Joe Bostick - Mr. Keene

Megan Charpentier - Young Gretta

Juno Rinaldo - Gretta

Neil Crone - Chief Borton 

Jake Sim - Belch Huggins
Logan Thompson - Victor Criss
Owen Teague - Patrick Hockstetter

Ry Prior - Connor

Ari Cohen - Stanley's Dad

Kate Corbett - Dean's Mom

Shawn Storer - Dean's Dad

Janet Porter - Richie's Mom

Crew

Director - Andy Muschietti 

Based on the Novel "It" - Stephen King

Screenplay/Executive 
Producer - Gary Dauberman

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Marty P. Ewing

Executive Producers - Richard Brenner, 
Seth Grahame-Smith, David Katzenberg 
and Dave Neustadter

Producers - Roy Lee, 
Dan Lin and Barbara Muschietti

Co-Producer - Victoria Palmeri

Co-Producer/Script Revisionist (Uncredited) -

Jason Fuchs

Choreographer - Roberto Campanella

Production Designer - Paul D. Austenberry

Original Set Design - Claude Paré

Concept Artists - Vicki Pui, Aaron Sims,

Michael Pecchia, Carlos Haunte and

Vincent Proce

Art Director - Nigel Churcher

Set Decorator - Shane Vieau

Property Master - Christopher Geggie

Costume Designer - Luis Sequeira

Makeup Designers and Creators: Pennywise -

Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff Jr.

Shop Supervisor - François Dagenais

Prosthetics Supervisor/Department Head -

Sean Sansom

Hair Designer - Stephanie Ingram

Director of Photography - Checco Varese

First Assistant Director - Michael Lerman

First Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Travis McConnell

Second Assistant Directors: Second Unit -

Adam Bocknek and Lauren Cowley

Third Assistant Directors: Second Unit -

Andrew Pritchard and Abel Erazo-Ibarra

Second Unit Director - William Waring

Stunt Coordinator - Jamie Jones

Special Effects Supervisor - Christy Hollidge

Special Effects Coordinator - Warren Appleby

Visual Effects Supervisor - Nicholas Brooks

Visual Effects Producers - Randy Starr

and Jimmy Uddo

Editor - Jason Ballantine

Additional Editor - Peter S. Elliott

Sound Designers - Erick Ocampo and

Randy Torres

Supervising Sound Editors - Bill R. Dean

and Nancy Nugent

Re-Recording Mixers - Michael Keller

and Tim LeBlanc

Music - Benjamin Wallfisch

Review

IT: CHAPTER TWO is the awaited conclusion of Stephen King's original story and is much bigger and more ambitious than the first movie (click here). While its predecessor exceeded expectations among readers of the novel, this film comes close in its own right. It doesn't come as much of a shock for audiences who opted for the second part of IT to be superior to the miniseries version. The pacing is, at times, slow, the running time is nearly three hours, and there are many weaker scares than in the previous film. Still, I appreciated the movie for its themes and its loyalty to the source material, not to mention the terrifying moments, like the infamous Hall of Mirrors scene, which haunt you and give you shivers.

James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, and Bill Hader deliver terrific performances in the sequel, which nearly captures the original's fright and suspense. Bill Skarsgård is still as terrifying as Pennywise. Keep an eye out for the author. He has a cameo as the shopkeeper in the film.

Not quite as scary or as compelling as the first movie, IT: CHAPTER TWO remains a solid conclusion with a surprise for moviegoers and is a solid choice for everyone who has seen the previous instalment.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Contagion Review

Contagion

Release Date: 20th October 2011 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)

Participant (in association with)

Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ (in

association with)

Double Feature Films

Digital Image Associates

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 106 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $136,515,897 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

On her return from a

business trip to Hong Kong,

Beth Emhoff suddenly dies

from what appears to be the

flu or some ailment. Later

that same day, her young

son dies after contracting

the illness that killed her.

Her husband, however,

appears to be immune

to the virus. Soon, many

others began experiencing the same symptoms, sparking a global pandemic. Doctors and other medical professionals must identify the exact virus and develop a vaccine to end the outbreak, a feat that should take only several months. As the contagion spreads to millions worldwide, society begins to crumble as people panic.

Cast

Marion Cotillard - Dr. Leonora

Orantes

Matt Damon - Mitch Emhoff

Laurence Fishburne - Dr. Ellis Cheever

Jude Law - Alan Krumwiede

Gwyneth Paltrow - Beth Emhoff

Kate Winslet - Dr. Erin Mears

Bryan Cranston - RADM Lyle Haggerty

Jennifer Ehle - Dr. Ally Hextall

Elliott Gould - Dr. Ian Sussman

Chin Han - Sun Feng

John Hawkes - Roger

Anna Jacoby-Heron - Jory Emhoff

Josie Ho - Li Fai's Sister

Sanaa Lathan - Aubrey Cheever

Demetri Martin - Dr. David Eisenberg

Griffin Kane - Clark Morrow

Armin Rohde - Damian Leopold

Enrico Colantoni - Dennis French

Larry Clarke - Dave

Monique Gabriela Curnen - Lorraine Vasquez

Stef Tovar - Dr. Arrington

Grace Rex - Carrie Anne

Kara Zediker - Elizabeth Nygaard

Dan Aho - Aaron Barnes

Brian J. O'Donnell - Andrew

Annabel Armour - Beth's Mother

Dan Flannery - Hextall's Father

Joshua Seiden - Anthony

Sanjay Gupta - Himself (Cameo)

Crew

Director/Director of Photography - Steven Soderbergh

Writer - Scott Z. Burns

Executive Producers - Jonathan King,

Jeff Skoll and Ricky Strauss

Executive Producer/Unit Production

Manager - Michael Polaire

Producer/First Assistant Director -

Gregory Jacobs

Producers - Michael Shamberg

and Stacey Sher

Senior Technical Advisors - Larry Brilliant,

Laurie Garrett and Ian Lipkin

Technical Advisors - Billy Goldberg,

Natasha K. Griffith, Tracey McNamara,

Michael J. Ryan, Connie Schmaljohn,

Mark Smolinski, Ira Blumen,

Don Weiss and Nathan Wolfe

Production Designer - Howard Cummings

Supervising Art Director - David Lazan

Supervising Art Director: UK and Morocco -

Ricky Eyres

Set Decorator - Cindy Carr

Property Master - Brad Einhorn

Costume Designer - Louise Frogley

Makeup Department Head - Kate Biscoe

Location Manager: UK & Morocco -

David Broder

Production Supervisor - Julie M. Anderson

Production Manager: UK & Morocco -

David Brown

Stunt Coordinator: Chicago - Rick LeFevour

Stunt Coordinator: Hong Kong - R.A. Rondell

Special Effects Coordinator - John D. Milinac

Special Effects Coordinator: San Francisco -

Ron Bolanowski

Visual Effects Supervisor - Thomas J. Smith

Editor - Stephen Mirrione

Re-Recording Mixer/Supervising Sound

Editor - Larry Blake

Additional Sound Effects - John Pospisil

Production Sound Mixers - Dennis Towns

and Mark Weingarten

Foley Artists - Dawn Fintor and

Alicia Stevenson

Music - Cliff Martinez

Review

In a period of self-isolation, back when COVID-19 made us stay in our homes and avoid contact with others. The movie that may have unintentionally predicted it was CONTAGION, which came out nine years before the pandemic. I watched the film on Netflix when it was popular. It's surprisingly accurate how an obscure movie has aged well, with hauntingly prophetic themes that became relevant in 2020. There's nothing to joke about in this procedural film, and it makes me think of what I endured during the pandemic, like social distancing. Imbued with a sharp narrative and an ensemble cast, CONTAGION excels as a gripping, realistic drama grounded in real events and medical procedures.

Director and cinematographer Steven Soderbergh, along with writer Scott Z. Burns, has created something inspired by the headlines. It isn't like other disaster films, which often revolve around natural disasters like tornadoes and earthquakes. Actually, this movie is frighteningly realistic, unlike the cardboard theatrics of Wolfgang Petersen's Outbreak, with Dustin Hoffman as the world's saviour. The film is scientifically accurate, suggesting the filmmakers conducted extensive research into the struggles doctors face in developing vaccines. The acting performances are exceptional, especially Matt Damon, who plays a character determined to protect his daughter from the widespread pandemic.

After watching this movie, CONTAGION feels closer to home. It is a solid and intriguing film. Watching the movie again on Netflix after the pandemic is fascinating, and I still highly recommend it.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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Next Gen Review

Next Gen

Release Date: 7th September 2018 - Australia (Netflix)

Production Companies

Netflix

Baozou Manhua
Tangent Animation (in association with)
Alibaba Pictures

Distribution

Netflix (Worldwide)

Genre: Animation/Family/

Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 104 minutes

Budget: ¥150,000,000

Plot Summary

A rebellious young girl named Mai discovers a top-secret robot, and their friendship begins. At the same time, they must contend with an evil madman unleashing terror through his plan for technological domination.

Voice Cast

John Krasinski - 7723

Charlyne Yi - Mai

Jason Sudeikis - Justin Pin/Ares

Michael Peña - Momo

David Cross - Dr Tanner Rice/Q-Bots

Constance Wu - Molly
Kiana Lede - Greenwood
Anna Akana - Ani
Isaac Ryan Brown - Ric

Reba Borr - Diagnostic Computer

Amber Friendly - Mailbox Drone
Jet Jurgensmeyer - Junior
Joe Ksander - Ramen Cup

Shaye Ogbonna - Fan Boy

Jon Oswald - Toothbrush/

Door

Betsy Sodaro - Toilet/Gate/

Hairbrush

Fred Tatasciore - Police

Robots/Robot Podium/

Announcer

Kitana Turnbull - RJ

Charlotte Alexis White - Fan Girl

Crew
Story/Screenplay/Directors - Kevin R. Adams

and Joe Ksander

Creative Director/Storyboard Artist -

Ricardo Curtis
Based on the Comic "7723"/Story/Screenplay -

Wang Nima

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producers -

Olivia Hao and Ricky Rem

Story/Screenplay - Napkin Su and Sasa Zhau

Screenplay - The Baozou Family
Additional Screenplay Material - Ryan W. Smith

Script Translator - Angelina Wang
Executive Producers - Luluyan Fan,

Ounan Hong, Michael Yu, Teger Sheng,

Alfred Jin, Ronbjiang Ye, Jerry Li, Face Hu

and Phyllis Laing

Executive Producer/Artist - Wei Zhang

Producers - Javier Zhang, Jeff Bells,

Patty Hicks, Charlene Logan Kelly,

Yangbin Lu, John Morch and Ken Zorniak

Pre-Production Studio Supervisor/Designer -

Ken Duncan

Production Designer - Craig Sellars

Art Director/Additional Visual Development

Artist/Character Designer/Printing/Main Titles

Art Direction - Richard Chen

Character Designers - Tohru Patrick Awa

and Marceline Gagnon-Tanguay
Character Designer/Animator - Charlie Bonifacio

Additional Visual Development Artist/CG

Supervisor - Conrad Dueck

Additional Visual Development Artist/Surfacing

Supervisor - Shane Jackson

Additional Visual Development Artist/

Modelling/Character Effects Supervisor/

Visual Effects Set Dressing Artist - Andy Carney

Additional Visual Development Artist/

Lighting Supervisor - Alex Carney

Story Supervisor - Joe Giampapa
Storyboard Producer - Wes Lui

Animation Supervisors - Adam Beck

and Wesley Rodricks

CG Supervisor - Brian Foster

Character Effects Technical/Rigging Supervisor -

David Hearn
Director of Photography: Camera - Paul Kohut
Director of Photography: Lighting - Paul Stoldony

Editor - Matt Ahrens
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor/

Re-Recording Mixer - David Acord

Supervising Sound Editor - Steve Slanec

Re-Recording Mixer - Tom Myers

Foley Supervisor - Frank Rinella

Foley Artists - Ronni Brown and Margie O'Malley

Music - Samuel Jones and Alexis Marsh

Executive in Charge of Music - Robyn Klein

Music Supervisor - Justine Von Winterfeldt

Review

The streaming service Netflix offered access to many movies, including original productions. I had seen some that were watchable, and I was curious about the animated feature NEXT GEN. Because I looked at the trailer and thought it was similar to Big Hero 6. Big Hero 6 was an action-packed movie with a lot of heart and humour, while NEXT GEN was surprisingly edgier and more of a cautionary tale about the dangers of technology. A significant difference exists between the two main characters: one focuses on a rebellious teen who finds companionship with a robot. The other revolves around a troubled teen who deeply resents anything robotic but learns to accept her newfound relationship with the robot.

This animated feature reminds me of I, Robot with Will Smith, which used to stream on Netflix. Both movies featured similar human protagonists who disliked robots. However, they later bond and face an uprising against humanity. The only thing that bothers me is the film's target audience, which includes bleeped-out profanity (courtesy of the foul-mouthed dog), cartoon violence, and mature themes.

In examining the characterisation of NEXT GEN, the young female protagonist is too bratty, unlikable, and ungrateful. It is hard to understand her struggles with the new age of technology and some personal issues. However, this angry adolescent is abandoned by her father, bullied by her peers, and neglected by her mother. The main robot, however, is a wise and likeable character. The people who made this movie are trying so hard not to copy Baymax's design and personality for this character.

Overall, the story is good, but the execution is poor. The film boasted strong messages, remarkable animation (thanks to the animators for using Blender), and incredible voice acting from John Krasinski, Charlyne Yi, David Cross, and Jason Sudeikis.

Being a Netflix animated movie, it is on par with those shown in cinemas. While it's not a product of animation giants Disney, Pixar, Blue Sky, Illumination, and DreamWorks, it is still a decent movie.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Review

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Release Date: 10th August 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

EuropaCorp

TF1 Films Production (Co-Production)

OCS (with the participation of)

TF1 (with the participation of)

Fundamental Films (in association with)

BNP Paribas (in association with)

Orange Studio (in association with)

Universum Film (UFA) (in
association with)

Novo Pictures (in association
with)

River Road Entertainment (in association with)

Belgium Film Fund (in association with)

Distribution

eOne Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 137 minutes

Budget: €197,000,000

              (gross)

              $205,000,000 (net)

Box Office Gross: $225,973,340 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
In the 28th century, two operatives from the United Human Federation, Valerian and Laureline, must track down the last converter, a rare species considered extinct.

After completing their mission, they head back to space station Alpha, only to discover the mysterious humanoids have abducted the commander. The two heroes must rescue him without letting the converter fall into the wrong hands.

Cast

Dane DeHaan - Major Valerian

Cara Delevingne - Sergeant

Laureline

Clive Owen - Commander
Arun Filitt

Rihanna - Bubble

Ethan Hawke - Jolly the Pimp

Herbie Hancock - Defense Minister

Kris Wu - Sergeant Neza

Sam Spruell - General Okto-Bar

Alain Chabat - Bob the Pirate

Rutger Hauer - President of the World State Federation

Peter Hudson - Captain Crawford

Xavier Giannoli - Captain Norton

Sasha Luss - Princess Lïhio-Minaa/Creature 'Candy Dress'

Aymeline Valade - Emperor Haban Limaï

Elizabeth Debicki - Emperor Haban Limaï (Voice)

Pauline Hoarau - Empress Aloï/Creature 'Swing Angel'

Barbara Scaff - Empress Aloï

(Voice)

Ola Rapace - Major Gibson

Stefan Konarske - Captain Zito

Gavin Drea - Sergeant Cooper

Eric Lampaert - Guide Thaziit

Laurent Ferraro - Igon Siruss/

Dothan-Dagui

John Goodman - Igon Siruss (Voice)

Alexandre Willaume - Captain Kris

Tristan Robin - Roper

Réginal Kudiwu - Major Samk

Louis Leterrier - Captain Welcoming Mercurys (Cameo)

Olivier Megaton - Captain

Welcoming KCO2 (Cameo)

Crew

Screenplay/Director - Luc Besson

Based on the Comic Book Series "Valerian and

Laureline" - Pierre Christin

Based on the Comic Book Series "Valerian and

Laureline"/Additional Concept Design: Development Phase - Jean-Claude Mézières

Executive Producers - Jc Cheng, Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon

Producer - Virginia Besson-Silla

Production Designer - Hughes Tissander

Concept Designers - Ben Mauro,

Alain Brion, Sylvain Despretz,

Patrice Garcia, Marc Simonetti

and Feng Zhu

Art Directors - Gilles Boillot,

Stéphane Robuchon, Etienne Rohde,

Patrick Tandiang, Christian Vallat and

Thierry Zemmour

Art Director: Drawings - Dominique Moisan

Set Decorator - Evelyne Tissandier

Costume Designer - Olivier Bériot

Valerian's Space Suits - Claudine Lachaud,

Laurent Couline, Anthony Sgard and

Laurent Dozot

Director of Photography - Thierry Arbogast

Stunt Supervisor/Fight Choreographer

(Uncredited) - Laurent Demianoff

Special Effects Supervisor - Philippe Hubin

Special Effects Coordinator - Jean-Christophe Magnaud

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Joe Letteri

Visual Effects Supervisor - Scott Stokdyk

Visual Effects Supervisors: Weta Digital -

Wayne Stables, R. Christopher White,

Martin Hill and Ken McGaugh

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Philippe Rebours

Visual Effects Supervisor: Rodeo FX - François Dumoulin

Visual Effects Supervisor: Digital Factory -

Jérôme Lionard

Associate Visual Effects Supervisor: Rodeo FX -

Peter Nofz

Visual Effects Producer - Sophie Leclerc

Visual Effects Producer: Weta Digital - Ben Pickering

Visual Effects Art Directors: ILM - Bianca Draghici

and Christian Alzmann

Art Director: Rodeo FX - Olivier Martin

Previs Supervisor: HALON - Brad Alexander

Animation Supervisors: Weta Digital - Paul Story

and Eric Reynolds

Motion Capture Supervisors: Weta Digital -

Dejan Momcilovic and Ben Murray

On Set Layout Supervisor: ILM - Duncan Blackman

Editor - Julien Rey

Supervising Sound Editors - Shannon Mills

and Guillaume Bouchateau

Sound Designers - David Farmer, Josh Gold

and Nia Hansen

Additional Sound Designers - Gurwal Coïc-Gallas

and Alexis Place

Sound Editor - Aymeric Devoldère

Production Sound Mixer - Stephane Bucher

Re-Recording Mixers - Tom Johnson,

Didier Lozahic and Juan Peralta

Original Score - Alexandre Desplat

Recordists and Music Mixers - Peter Cobbin

and Kirsty Whalley

Review

A misguided effort by filmmaker Luc Besson, VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS rivals the Star Wars prequel trilogy in its overproduced visuals, scope, and deficiencies. The film adapted a French sci-fi comic series that some speculate George Lucas borrowed ideas from for his Star Wars series, but it was just a coincidence. After seeing the images, not the storyline, Besson revisited ideas he had previously integrated into his other space opera, The Fifth Element. He replicated the state-of-the-art visuals James Cameron used to create Pandora in Avatar. While the visuals are stunning, they tend to overdo it.

I'm fascinated by the incredible world-building and its concepts. Unfortunately, the film failed to overcome its shortcomings. It includes an uninspired, convoluted plot. The movie opens with its best moment, accompanied by David Bowie's "Space Oddity" playing in the background.

Dane DeHaan is miscast as the titular protagonist. He looks too boyish and creepy, and he tries to imitate Keanu Reeves' acting style. Cara Delevingne is wooden as Laureline, and her role would have benefited from a different, more experienced actress. The romance between the two characters feels flat, possibly due to a lack of chemistry. Rihanna, however, does a fantastic job as the shape-shifting alien Bubble.

VALERIAN is a feasible space adventure, but it's nothing new. It fell short of my expectations and was forgettable almost immediately. I recommend that viewers see this film just once. They are curious about something that has potential.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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G.I. Joe: Retaliation Review

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Release Date: 28th March 2013 - Australia

Production Companies
Paramount Pictures (presents)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (presents)
Skydance Media (presents)
Hasbro (in association with)
Di Bonaventura Pictures
Saints LA
Spyglass Entertainment

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 110 minutes

                112 minutes

                (extended)

Budget: $93,600,000

Box Office Gross: $375,740,705 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

The G.I. Joe team is branded as traitors by their nemesis, Cobra, after successfully infiltrating the government. With Zartan masquerading as the president and the Cobra Commander having all the world leaders under his control, they plan to launch advanced nuclear warheads upon innocent countries as part

of their evil scheme. After

escaping a deadly attack, the

remaining Joes have no

recourse but to turn to their

original leader, General

Cotton, to help them uncover

Cobra's plot and save the

world from destruction.

Cast

Dwayne Johnson - Roadblock

Bruce Willis - Gen. Joe Cotton

Ray Park - Snake Eyes
Channing Tatum - Duke
Jonathan Pryce - President
Luke Bracey - Cobra Commander
Elodie Yung - Jinx
Ray Stevenson - Firefly
D.J. Cotrona - Flint
Adrianne Palicki - Jane
Walton Goggins - Warden Nigel James
Arnold Vosloo - Zartan
Joseph Mazzello - Mouse
Byung-hun Lee - Storm Shadow
RZA - Blind Master

Joe Chrest - Chief of Staff

Nathan Takashige - Young Storm Shadow

Jim Palmer - Clutch

Nick Erickson - President Picture Double

Crew
Director - Jon M. Chu
Writers - Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
Executive Producers - Gary Barber,

Roger Birnbaum, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg,

Erik Howsam, Paul Schwake and

Stephen Sommers

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Herbert W. Gains

Producers - Lorenzo di Bonaventura
and Brian Goldner

Casting Director - Ronna Kress

Military Technical Advisor - Harry Humphries
Production Designer - Andrew Menzies

Supervising Art Director - Tom Reta

Art Directors - Luke Freeborn,
Alan Hook, Scott Plauche and
Sebastian Schroeder

Set Decorator - Cynthia La Jeunesse

Costume Designer - Louise Mingenbach

Special Makeup Effects Artists - Martin Astles,

Bart J. Mixon and Lauren Thomas
Director of Photography - Stephen F. Windon

Aerial Director of Photography: British

Columbia Unit - David B. Nowell

Production Supervisors - Sara Flamm

and Daren Hicks

First Assistant Director - Philip A. Patterson

First Assistant Director: Second Unit - David Sardi

Second Unit Director - George Marshall Ruge

Helicopter Pilots - Frédéric North

and Cliff Fleming
Stunt Coordinator - Steven Ritzi

Fight Coordinator - Thomas DuPont
Special Effects Coordinator - Michael Meinardus

Visual Effects Supervisors - James Madigan

and Gregory L. McMurry

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Bill George

Visual Effects Supervisor: Digital Domain - Thad Beier

Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola Visual Effects -

Edson Williams

Visual Effects Producer - Paul V. Molles

On-Set Visual Effects Producer: Digital Domain -

Jeff Olson

Visual Effects Executive Producer: ILM -

Janet Lewin

Visual Effects Executive Producer: Digital Domain -

Daniel Brimer

Visual Effects Art Director: Digital Domain -

Claas Henke

Digital Effects Supervisor: Digital Domain -

Lou Pecora

Animation Supervisor: ILM - Paul Kavanagh

Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -

Raphael A. Pimentel

CG Supervisor: ILM - Craig Hammack

CG Supervisor: ILM Singapore - Patric Roos

CG Supervisors: Digital Domain - Erik Gamache

and Paul George Paloo

Additional Supervisors: Digital Domain -

Simon Carr, Tushar Kewlani, Mark Michaels,

David Mucci and Abhinav Sah

Concept Artist: ILM - John Bell
Editors - Roger Barton and Jim May

Additional Editor - Calvin Wimmer

Supervising Sound Editors/Sound Designers -

Ethan Van Der Ryan, John Marquis and

Erik Aadahl

Re-Recording Mixers - Scott Millan

and Greg P. Russell
Music - Henry Jackman

Additional Music - Dominic Lewis,

Matthew Margeson and Junkie XL

Additional Music Arrangements - Stephen Hilton

and Andrew Kawczynski

Music Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review

After The Rise of Cobra made good box-office earnings despite the first G.I. Joe film being a lacklustre feature. Director Stephen Sommers steps down from the helm because of his rocky start with Cobra. However, the duties were handed to Jon M. Chu, best known for directing the concert feature, Never Say Never, featuring pop sensation Justin Bieber. I'm satisfied that RETALIATION is a mild improvement over its predecessor, with its heavy action, incredible visuals, and a few notable actors, including Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis.

The most striking aspect about RETALIATION is that it's supposed to be true to the G.I. Joe mythology, which, fortunately, only mildly succeeds. We finally see Cobra Commander in his full costume, no longer a mere shadow of his former self. I'm disappointed that Channing Tatum's character got killed off at the start. He didn't survive or develop in the sequel. I'm so surprised that Johnson and Willis consistently gave solid performances in what is almost a lacklustre film.

RETALIATION could have put the series on ice had it not been as successful. This sequel was flawed, but I enjoyed it more than Cobra.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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A Dog's Purpose Review

A Dog's Purpose

Release Date: 4th May 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

Walden Media

Amblin Entertainment

Reliance Entertainment

Pariah Entertainment Group

Amblin Partners

DreamWorks (Copyright Holder)

Distribution

eOne Australia

Genre: Family/Fantasy/

Comedy/Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 99 minutes

Budget: $22,000,000

Box Office Gross: $205,035,819 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
A dog discovers the meaning of life as he is reincarnated several times, in different breeds and with different owners, before reuniting with his true master.

Cast

Josh Gad - Bailey/Ellie/Tino/

Buddy (Voice)

Dennis Quaid - Adult Ethan

Peggy Lipton - Adult Hannah

Bryce Gheisar - Ethan - 8 Years Old

K.J. Apa - Teen Ethan

Juliet Rylance - Ethan's Mom

Luke Kirby - Ethan's Dad

Gabrielle Rose - Grandma Fran

Michael Bofshever - Grandpa Bill

Britt Robertson - Teen Hannah

Logan Miller - Todd

Kirby Howell-Baptiste - Maya

Pooch Hall - Al

John Ortiz - Carlos

Nicole LaPlaca - Wendi

Primo Allan - Victor

Peter Kelamis - Dad's Boss

Caroline Cabe - Boss's Wife

Jane McGregor - Rachel

Michael Patric - Sam

Brooke Warrington - Bree -

7 Years Old

Kenyan Alexander Walcott -

Ty - 5 Years Old

Treyton Augustus Walcott - Richie - 4 Years Old

Alicia Johnston - Hysterical Mother

Chris Webb - Kidnapper

Naomi Frenette - Kidnapped Girl

Crew

Director - Lasse Hallström

Based on the Novel/

Screenplay - W. Bruce Cameron

Screenplay - Cathryn Michon,

Audrey Wells, Maya Forbes and

Wallace Wolodarsky

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Alan C. Blomquist

Executive Producers - Lauren Pfeiffer

and Mark Sourian

Producer - Gavin Polone

Co-Producers - Holly Bario and Kim Todd

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Lesley Oswald

Casting Director - John Papsidera

Animal Trainers - Raymond W. Beal,

Tammy Blackburn, Mathilde Decagny,

Yuka Fukushima, Larry Madrid,

Doree Sitterly, David Sousa and Brian Turi

Production Designer - Michael Carlin

Supervising Art Director - Réjean Labrie

Art Director - Larry Spittle

Set Decorator - Craig Sandells

Costume Designer - Shay Cunliffe

Director of Photography - Terry Stacey

Additional Photography - Robby Baumgartner

Stunt Coordinator - Marny Eng

Special Effects Coordinator - Tim Freestone

Visual Effects Supervisor - Jon Campfens

Editor - Robert Leighton

Supervising Sound Editor - Eliza Paley

Sound Designer - Mariusz Glabinski

Re-Recording Mixers - Skip Lievsay

and Lawrence Zipf

Music - Rachel Portman

Music Supervisor - Liza Richardson

Score Conductor/Orchestrator - Jeff Atmajian

Review

Before watching A DOG'S JOURNEY, I decided to watch A DOG'S PURPOSE before its sequel. Deep, poignant, and thought-provoking, this film will make dog lovers cry, even if it reminds them of the pets they once owned. Frankly, I haven't seen a movie about a dog that was so sad since I watched Red Dog. However, critics were unkind to A DOG'S PURPOSE as allegations of animal abuse spread when a video from the movie's set, supposedly showing it (which proved misleading), went viral on TMZ, hurting its reputation before its release.

I liked the movie's concept of a dog going through multiple lives and showing its unique perspective. The film is somewhat comparable to the other dog movies that Lasse Hallström has directed. I have not seen any of them. It will be fun to explore these films, even if they're sad. I am surprised Josh Gad has done such a terrific job voicing the dog's inner thoughts. The casting is impeccable, with Dennis Quaid as the older Ethan, who delivers his heartfelt role with conviction.

It's a sentimental movie that is doggone wild and tugs at your heartstrings. A DOG'S PURPOSE is a must-see film recommended for all ages.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Klaus Review

Klaus

Release Date: 15th November 2019 - Australia (Netflix)

Production Companies

The SPA Studios

Aniventure

Atresmedia Cine

Netflix Animation

Distribution

Netflix (Worldwide)

Genre: Animation/Family/

Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 97 minutes

Budget: $40,000,000

Plot Summary
A story tells the origins of Christmas. Jesper, a disgraced student of the Postal Academy, gets sent to a desolate, frozen island where no one sends any letters. He is stuck in a hostile environment, but finds redemption upon meeting a lonely carpenter named Klaus,

who gives Jesper a sense

of purpose and delivers

toys to those around him.

Voice Cast

Jason Schwartzman - Jesper

J.K. Simmons - Klaus

Rashida Jones - Alva

Joan Cusack - Mrs. Krum

Will Sasso - Mr. Elingboe

Norm MacDonald - Mogens

Neda Margrethe Labba - Márgu

Sergio Pablos - Pumpkin/Olaf

Crew

Original Story/Screenplay/

Producer/Director - Sergio Pablos

Co-Director - Carlos Martinez López

Screenplay - Zach Lewis and Jim Mahoney

Executive Producer - Warren Franklin

Producers - Gustavo Ferrada,

Mercedes Gamero, Jinko Gotoh,

Mikel Lejarza, Marisa Roman

and Matthew Teevan
Creative Consultant/Story

Artist - Olivier Clert
Creative Consultants - Steven

Pierre Gordon and Alex Orrelle
Production Designers - Szymon Biernacki and Marcin Jakubowski
Lead Character Designer -

Torsten Schrank

Additional Character Design - Marta Andreeva, Jorge A. Capote, Daniel Fernandez Casas and Fernando Moro

Head of Story - Edgar Martins

Layout Supervisors - Armen Melkinian and Jean-Luc Serrano
Background Supervisor -

Gabriel Gomez

Animation Supervisor: "Krums &

Ellingboes" - Charlie Bonifacio
Animation Supervisor: "Klaus" - Victor Ens
Animation Supervisor: "Alva" -

Sergio Martins
Animation Supervisor: "Margu" -

Slaven Reese
Animation Supervisor:

"Jesper" - Yoshimichi Tamura

Animation Supervisor:

"Mogens" - Matt Williames

3D Animation Supervisor - David Lamas
CG Supervisors - Fernando Jareigo and

Gabriel G. Roy
Film Editor - Pablo Garcia Revert

Supervising Sound Editor/Re-Recording

Mixer/Sound Designer - Gabriel Gutiérrez

Re-Recording Mixer - Nicolas de Poulpiquet
Music - Alfonso G. Aguilar

Awards

2020 Academy Awards

Best Animated Feature - Sergio Pablos,

Jinko Gotoh and Marisa Roman (Nominated)

Review

Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas, everyone! You probably didn't watch KLAUS, as the movie was released earlier in 2019, before the holidays and is only available on Netflix. The film recaptures the glory days of 2D animation, honouring the likes of Disney. The minimalist animation format (as opposed to excessive CGI) has not graced the silver screen since the era of computer-animated movies. KLAUS is genuinely hilarious and heartfelt, and there's no denying this movie is becoming a holiday classic.

It marks the directorial debut of animator Sergio Pablos, who formerly worked at Disney and is one of the creative minds behind the Despicable Me series. Pablos and his studio create a movie that breathes new life into a timeless myth by giving it a distinguished look. The animation is well-drawn and beautiful, using lighting and texture to create a sense of depth, making it look like a proper 3D-animated feature. It's similar to how Sony made Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which did the opposite.

Jason Schwartzman was convincing as the selfish postman who helps bring joy in a hostile environment in the North. J.K. Simmons is notable for playing gruff, detestable characters, yet he goes against that type when he voices a lonely woodcutter who would come to be known as Santa Claus. Rashida Jones was terrific as the schoolteacher. Norm MacDonald plays the ferryman Mogens, a witty and sarcastic character.

KLAUS is reminiscent of past Christmas movies and is a magical holiday movie that anyone will never forget. I hope more animated films follow KLAUS's same pattern to bring back the same old-fashioned animation style.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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