Mortal Kombat (1995) Review

Mortal Kombat

Release Date: 26th December 1995 - Australia

Production Companies

New Line Cinema (presents)

Threshold Entertainment

Genre: Action/Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 101 minutes

Budget: $18,000,000

Box Office Gross: $124,741,822 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Federal agent Sonya Blade,

Shaolin monk Liu Kang, and

action movie star Johnny

Cage are chosen by Lord

Raiden as his protégés.

After rigorous training,

Raiden transports the trio

to Outworld for an inter-

dimensional tournament.

The three humans must

battle the demonic forces

of the evil Shang Tsung,

or allow him to take over

the Earth.

Cast

Christopher Lambert - Lord Raiden

Robin Shou - Liu Kang

Linden Ashby - Johnny Cage

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa - Shang Tsung

Bridgette Wilson-Sampras - Sonya Blade

Talisa Soto - Kitana

Chris Casamassa - Scorpion

Francois Petit - Sub-Zero

Keith Cooke - Reptile

Hakim Alston - Fighting Monk

Kenneth Edwards - Art Lean

John Fujioka - Chief Priest

Daniel Haggard - Assistant Director

Sandy Helberg - Director

Steven Ho - Chan

Peter Jason - Master Boyd

Lloyd Cino - Grandfather

Gregory McKinney - Jinx

Kevin Michael Richardson - Goro (Voice)

Ed Boon - Scorpion (Voice)

Crew

Director - Paul W.S. Anderson

Based on Video Games - Ed Boon and John Tobias

Writer - Kevin Droney

Associate Producer - Lauri Apelian

Associate Producer/Visual Effects Supervisor - Alison Savitch

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Robert Engelman

Executive Producer - Danny

Simon

Producer - Lawrence Kasanoff

Casting Directors - Fern

Champion, Kate Kennedy and Mark Paladini

Production Designer - Jonathan A. Carlson

Art Director - Jeremy A. Cassells

Set Decorator - Susan L. Degus

Property Master - Eugene McCarthy

Costume Designer - Ha Nguyen

Director of Photography - John R. Leonetti

Stunt Coordinator/Fight

Choreographer - Pat E. Johnson

Stunt Coordinator: Additional

Fight Sequences, Additional

Crew - Jeff Imada

Fight Choreographer: Additional

Fight Sequences, Additional

Crew - Robin Shou

Mechanical Special Effects Coordinator - Ron Trost

Goro Creature Effects/Lead Puppeteer - Alec Gillis

Goro Creature Effects - Tom Woodruff Jr.

Art Department Supervisors - Yuri Everson and Andy Schoneberg

Visual Effects Supervisor:

BVVE - Peter Montgomery

Animation Design & Supervision:

Available Light Ltd. - John T.

Van Tilet

Visual Effects Supervisor: R/Greenberg Associates West - Stuart Robertson

Visual Effects Supervisor: Fantasy II Film Effects - Gene Warren, Jr.

Additional Special Visual Effects: Illusion Arts - Syd Dutton and Bill Taylor

Visual Effects Executive Producers: R/Greenberg Associates West - Tricia Henry Ashford and Ralph Horan

Visual Effects Director of

Photography - Vincent E. Toto

Visual Effects Production

Supervisor: BVVE - Denise Davis

Head of Digital Post Production: R/Greenberg Associates West - Tara Handy Turner

Digital Effects Supervisor: Pacific Title - David Sosalla

Production Coordinators: R/Greenberg Associates West - Craig Sost and Craig A. Mumma

Special Projects Supervisor: BVVE - Wally Schaab

CG Supervisor: R/Greenberg Associates West - Isa Alsup

CG Supervisors: BVVE - Aaron Campbell

and David Jones

Digital Matte Paintings and Conceptual Art:

R/Greenberg Associates West - Michael Lloyd

Matte Paintings: BVVE - Paul Lasaine

Model Supervisor: Grant McCune Design -

Grant McCune

Editor - Martin Hunter

Additional Editors - Peter Amundson and

Scott Conrad

Supervising Sound Editor/ADR Editor -

Marc Fishman

Sound Designer - David Farmer

Re-Recording Mixers - Ken Teaney and

William Freesh

Special Vocal Effects - Frank Welker

Music - George S. Clinton

Music Supervisor - Sharon Boyle

Review

With the release of the film Mortal Kombat II, I thought I would take a look back at the original 1995 movie that made it all happen. The film began life as a controversial video game that took the gaming world by storm when it first hit the arcades in 1992, forever changing a generation of children. Gamers waited in long lines for their turn at the machine, while parents and politicians condemned the game's over-the-top violence. I remember playing Mortal Kombat on the Nintendo 64 as a teen, but back then I only played the fourth instalment. I didn't watch the film until I was either 19 or 20, when I rented it on Blu-ray at Blockbuster.

Before Detective Pikachu, the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, and even Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the 1995 version of MORTAL KOMBAT was the first good video game movie adaptation and is considered by many as one of the better adaptations of its kind. However, at the time of its release, this film was a marked improvement over the first few failed attempts, such as Super Mario Bros., Double Dragon, and Street Fighter. It proves that some video games can translate well to the big screen if done properly. While the movie grossed well over $124 million worldwide at the box office, it received mixed reviews from critics. However, the audience and fans didn't care, as they enjoyed it anyway. Does the film still stand the test of time? Let's find out!

I liked how the film stayed true to the games while maintaining its core elements, such as its campy tone and dark, otherworldly atmosphere. Unfortunately, it's missing the bloodshed that made the game popular with kids and teens, as the filmmakers toned it down to secure a PG-13 rating, which comes off as a disappointment to many fans. It is a sophomore effort from director Paul W.S. Anderson, who, in later years, has become a bit of a pariah among film fans for his work on the Resident Evil films and Alien vs. Predator. Despite his more recent offerings, his direction in the film is competent nonetheless.

While the movie does expand on the original game a bit, the story is thin, the dialogue is laughable, and the characters are undeveloped, which is a shame because it could have been so much better. However, these drawbacks also add to its charm. It also draws inspiration from Enter the Dragon, albeit with a supernatural spin.

Unfortunately, the cast is a bit of a mixed bag. Robin Shou did a tremendous job as Liu Kang. He brings the sincerity and physicality required for the role. Looking back, his career could have taken off after this film, as he could have been the next Bruce Lee in terms of acting and martial arts. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa delivers a terrific, over-the-top performance as the villainous sorcerer Shang Tsung. You can tell that he's having a blast in this film, so much so that in later years, he reprised his role in the Mortal Kombat Legacy webseries and the game Mortal Kombat 11.

Linden Ashby was likable as Johnny Cage. With his cocky, wisecracking attitude, he fits the role perfectly, capturing the character's essence and delivering some of the movie's best humour. Christopher Lambert was an odd casting choice to play the God of Thunder, Raiden, as the character is supposed to be an Asian deity. However, Lambert delivers a performance with enough charisma to satisfy fans without overacting, suggesting he is having fun.

Despite lacking the brutality of the games, the film makes up for this with its spectacular, well-choreographed fight scenes. It helps that many cast members perform their own stunts, including Shou. However, the movie's Hong Kong-inspired wire techniques were developed before The Matrix, with certain camera angles adding flair. The best of these fights include Johnny Cage vs. Scorpion and Liu Kang vs. Reptile.

I liked how the film's lavish and immersive production design faithfully recreates the game's atmosphere with its beautiful sets, most of which were filmed on location in remote areas of Thailand. While some of the practical effects, such as those involving Goro, are effective, some of the CGI is extremely dated. The soundtrack is amazing, with a solid score by George S. Clinton and an awesome selection of techno and electronic dance songs, especially the iconic main theme "Techno Syndrome." Trust me, you'll hear this tune from the moment you recognise it.

While not quite a flawless victory, MORTAL KOMBAT was a decent video game-to-movie adaptation in its own right. It spawned a sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, which proved to be an absolute trainwreck. The film doesn't take itself seriously, which is why it's enjoyable. Anyway, what we've got is a fun, nostalgic ride with plenty of action and 90s nostalgia. For MK fans, the cinematic experience is like stepping into the game itself.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Greenland Review

Greenland

Release Date: 18th December 2020 - Australia (Amazon Prime)

Production Companies

STX Films (present)

Anton (present)

Thunder Road Pictures

G-BASE

Riverstone Pictures (in association with)

Elwick Media (produced in association with)

Laura Macara (produced in association with)

Hassik Films (developed in association with) 

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 119 minutes

Budget: $35,000,000

Box Office Gross: $52,300,000 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

As a planet-killing comet

hurtles towards Earth,

one family struggles to

survive. John Garrity and

his family - his estranged

wife, Allison, and his

young son, Nathan -

embark on a dangerous

journey to their only

hope of refuge. The

Garritys experience the

best and worst of humanity

as they battle the growing

panic and lawlessness

around them, amid

chilling reports that the

comet's fragments have

flattened the cities

worldwide. As the clock

ticks down to the world's

doomsday, their incredible

journey concludes with

a desperate, last-minute

flight to a possible

sanctuary.

Cast

Gerard Butler - John Garrity

Morena Baccarin - Allison Garrity

Roger Dale Floyd - Nathan Garrity

Scott Glenn - Dale

Randal Gonzalez - Bobby

Rick Pasqualone - National News Anchor

Nicola Lambo - Morning Show Host

Alan Pietruszewski -

Morning Show Host

Scott Poytress - Kenny Jones

Claire Bronson - Debra Jones

Madison Johnson - Ellie Jones

Gary Weeks - Ed Pruitt

Tracey Bonner - Peggy Pruitt

Merrin Dungey - Major

Breen

Brandon Miller - Security Forces Sergeant 

Mike Senior - Staff Sergeant Ruiz

Hayes Mercure - Young Airman

Esosa Idahosa - Military Escort

Keegan G. Boos - Military Escort

Anissa Matlock - Robins AFB Airman

Andrew Huntoon - Robins AFB

Airman

Jarrett Spencer - Security

Forces Airman

Kurt Yue - C-17 Loadmaster

Kermit Rolson - Man with Gun

Brandon Quinn - Passenger on C-17 

Okea Eme-Akwari - James - Nice Looter

Gabriela DeNardo - Looter

Hope Davis - Judy Vento

David Denman - Ralph Vento

Andrew Bachelor - Colin 

Joshua Mikel - Lucas

James Logan - Micah

Randall Archer - Brian

Jay Amor - Blue-Collar Man 

Thomas Rosales Jr. -

Hispanic Driver

Rose Bianco - Matriarch

Aaron Gillespie - McGhee Tyson Soldier

Cate Jones - McGhee Tyson Soldier

Tanya Ballinger - F.E.M.A. Worker

Kendrick Cross -  F.E.M.A. Worker

Suehyla El-Attar Young -

Rebecca

Leeann Tweeden - Regional

News Anchor 

Al Mitchell - Ben

Marc Gowan - Paul

Carlos Lopez - Xavier

Holt McCallany - Twin Otter Pilot

Adam Cronan - Twin Otter

Co-Pilot

Jamie Andrews - Mother on Plane

Susan Williams - Passenger

Otis Winston - Snow Soldier

Danielle Williams - Bunker Airman 

Crew

Director - Ric Roman Waugh

Writer - Chris Sparling

Executive Producers - Nik Bower,

Brendon Boyea, François Callens, Adam Fogelson,

John Friedberg, Jonathan Fuhrman, Deepak Nayar,

Danielle Robinson, Robert Simonds and John Zois

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Carsten H.W. Lorenz

Producers - Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel,

Basil Iwanyk and Sébastien Raybaud

Co-Producer - Bill Wohlken

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - K.C. Hodenfield

Casting Directors - Mary Vernieu and

Michelle Wade Byrd

Production Designer - Clay A. Griffith

Supervising Art Director - Cathy Maxey

Set Decorator - Frank Galline

Property Master - Curtis Akin

Costume Designer - Kelli Jones

Director of Photography/"A" Camera Operator -

Dana Gonzales

Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Stunt

Coordinator - Brad Martin

Special Effects Coordinator - Joe Pancake

Visual Effects Supervisor - Marc Massicotte

Editor - Gabriel Fleming

Additional Editor - Rowan Maher 

Supervising Sound Designer - Victor Ray Ennis

Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders

and Scott Millan

Music - David Buckley

Music Supervisor - Laura Katz

Review

It's been years since I last saw a good disaster movie, but GREENLAND is a welcome return to form. Originally scheduled for a mid-2020 theatrical release, the film missed its release date due to the global pandemic. Instead, it found a new home on Amazon Prime. Truth be told, I've never reviewed a movie on that streaming service, as I normally watch them on Netflix or Disney+. Before the release of GREENLAND, disaster films were nothing to write home about, as they tended to prioritise spectacle over substance, featuring implausible scenarios, stilted dialogue, and one-dimensional characters. Thankfully, it avoided the stereotypical cliches that plagued other disaster films, such as 2012 and Geostorm, reinventing the genre with its personal storytelling and human drama.

The movie is more grounded than other asteroid-themed disaster flicks, such as Armageddon and Deep Impact. It tells the story of a family's harrowing journey to survive the coming extinction, as circumstances tear them apart amid chaos and destruction. It serves as an apology to the lead actor, Gerard Butler, who previously appeared in the disaster movie Geostorm, which did him no favours. With director Ric Roman Waugh, who has previously collaborated with the Scottish actor on Angel Has Fallen, they brought a movie that's both intriguing and impressive. Whereas other disaster films focus solely on spectacle, Waugh relies heavily on emotional intensity and authenticity to create GREENLAND, shunning the typical traditional approach. It was a bold choice to reveal humanity's darker side, including panic, desperation, and moral dilemmas, but it adds depth and makes the film more compelling.

The cast did a wonderful job, particularly Butler and Morena Baccarin. The former is a crucial component of the film's success, as he delivers a spectacular performance as a desperate father grappling with tough decisions to keep his family safe. Baccarin excels as Allison, the mother, infusing the role with genuine emotion and inner strength. Their chemistry is nothing short of spectacular. Roger Dale Floyd's performance as the deeply traumatised young Nathan Gerrity is captivating, especially during tense family moments. Scott Glenn's brief but impactful appearance late in the film is a highlight. At 81, Glenn's performance proves he still has what it takes.

The comet impacts feel genuinely terrifying thanks to a restrained yet effective use of CGI that does not overshadow the human story. However, those expecting Emmerich-style action will be disappointed that this film doesn't feature much large-scale destruction.

While it conforms purely to all the cliches of a disaster film on first viewing, it is absolutely worth watching. However, GREENLAND has much more to offer viewers once it reveals itself.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Gran Turismo Review

Gran Turismo

Release Date: 3rd August 2023 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures (presents)

PlayStation Productions

2.0 Entertainment

Michael De Luca Productions

Trigger Street Productions

TSG Entertainment (made in association with)

Distribution

Sony Pictures Releasing Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 134 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $122,101,055 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

After winning a series of

Nissan-sponsored video

game competitions, a

Gran Turismo player gets

his chance to become a

professional race car

driver.

Cast

Archie Madekwe - Jann Mardenborough

David Harbour - Jack Salter

Orlando Bloom - Danny Moore

Darren Barnet - Matty Davis

Geri Halliwell - Lesley

Mardenborough

Djimon Hounsou - Steve

Mardenborough

Josha Stradowski - Nicholas Capa

Daniel Puig - Cody Mardenborough

Maeve Courtier-Lilley - Audrey

Pepe Barroso - Antonio Cruz

Niall McShea - Frederik Schulin

Nikhil Parmar - Persol

Takehiro Hira - Kazunori

Yamauchi

Thomas Kretschmann -

Patrice Capa

Akie Kotabe - Akira Akiba

Sadao Ueda - Skeptical

Nissan Board Member

Wai Wong - Senior Nissan Executive

Jamie Kenna - Jack Man Jones

Royce Cronin - Capa Team Leader

Harki Bhambra - Avi Bhatt

Emelia Hartford - Leah Vega

Lindsay Pattison - Chloe McCormick

Mariano González - Henry

Evas

Maximilian Mundt - Klaus

Hoffman

Sang Heon Lee - Joo-Hwan Lee

Théo Christine - Marcel Durand

Joanne Heywood - Clothing

Customer

Cavan Jones - Kid Playing

at Gamer Cafe

Lloyd Meredith - Percy

Hannah Hornsby - Audrey's

Friend

Bence Bauer - Bonfire Guy

Ciarán Joyce - Ciaran

Cochrane

John Carter - James Wallace

Niki Faulkner - Instructor

Rina Saito - Kaz's Translator

Peter Lundie - Race Coordinator, GT Academy

Andrea Vasiliou - Dubai

Racing Fan

Yoojin Lee - Dubai Racing Fan

Matthew Hirsch - Race Marshall

(Le Mans) (Cameo)

Jacques Jouffret - Race

Official

(Le Mans) (Cameo)

Eszter Zavaros - Female Chef

Daijiro Yoshihara - Nissan

Corporate Driver (Japan)

Maya Murofushi - Nissan

Desk Clerk

Bianca Bridge - Germany Reporter

Selin Cuhadaroglu - Sarah Eaton

Frédéric North - Helicopter

Pilot, GT Academy (Cameo)

Crew

Director - Neil Blomkamp

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producer - Jason Hall

Story - Alex Tse

Screenplay - Zach Baylin

Executive Producers - Matthew Hirsch, Herman Hulst and Kazunori Yamauchi

Producers - Carter Swan, Asad Qizilbash, Dana Brunetti and Doug Belgrad

Co-Producer/Stunt Driver: Archie Madekwe

(Uncredited) - Jann Mardenborough

Co-Producer - Darren Cox

Casting Directors - Raylin Sabo and Mary Vernieu

Production Designer - Martin Whist

Supervising Art Director - Justin O'Neal Miller

Set Decorators - Lauree Martell

and Adam Polgar

Costume Designer - Terry Anderson

Makeup Department Head - Tracey Wells

Director of Photography - Jacques Jouffret

Supervising Location Manager - Naomi Liston

First Assistant Directors - Martin Krauka

and James Bitonti

Stunt Coordinators - Steve Kelso

and Andrew Gill

Stunt Coordinator: HU - Domonkos Pardanyi

Supervising Picture Vehicle Coordinator -

Alex King

Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy

Picture Vehicle Supervisor - Elia Popov

Special Effects Supervisor - Gabor Kiszelly

Visual Effects Supervisor - Viktor Muller

Editors - Austyn Daines and Colby Parker Jr.

Co-Editor - Eric Freidenberg

Supervising Sound Editors - Kami Asgar

and Erin Oakley

Sound Designers - Charles Deenen,

James Evans and Nick Spradlin

Sound Recordists - John P. Fasal,

Bryan Watkins, Travis Prater,

Ed Walker, Watson Wu and Dustin Troyan

Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders

and Kevin O'Connell

Supervising Foley Artist - Gary A. Hecker

Music - Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski

Review

I vividly recall when Gran Turismo (GT) was a video game series for the PlayStation. I'm not sure if I played GT. Then again, it might have been only once (unless it was a different racing game) because I didn't have a PlayStation at the time. While loosely based on the GT video games, this film retells the true story of a young gamer who transitioned from virtual racing to a professional racing career. Neil Blomkamp is one step ahead in his directorial comeback after taking a downturn with movies such as Elysium and Chappie, as he breaks the mould of his preferred sci-fi genre. He has never directed a video game film adaptation, though he attempted to make a Halo movie, which never materialised.

Although it may seem unconventional to adapt a racing game into a Hollywood feature (unless you count Need for Speed), GRAN TURISMO has a typical underdog story with an engaging setup. Admittedly, the film is not without its flaws, as it suffers from a predictable narrative and slow pacing. Even the dialogue is slightly weak in the first half, with many lines feeling cheesy and unoriginal. The editing could have been tighter if they had trimmed a few scenes and removed the unnecessary romantic subplot. However, things improved as the film progressed, particularly the emotional moments near the end.

The actors delivered first-class performances, with Orlando Bloom returning to the limelight as an idealistic motorsport executive who recognises the gaming community's potential. Archie Madekwe, a relatively inexperienced actor, shoulders much of the burden in this film, sharing the screen with some of Hollywood's biggest names. His character embodies a carefree, youthful spirit that mirrors Jann Mardenborough's real-life persona. David Harbour delivers a commanding performance as a former racing driver who coaches Jann.

The chemistry between Madekwe and Harbour is strong, capturing the mentor-trainee dynamic. However, Djimon Hounsou's performance as Jann's father emerges as the emotional centrepiece, despite his limited screen time. Also worth noting is that Geri Hariwell, one of the Spice Girls, plays Jann's mum. Interestingly, the real-life Mardenborough did all of his screen counterpart's driving stunts.

The racing sequences in GRAN TURISMO are spectacular, not to mention the stunning drone camerawork and engaging visual style. The latter ranges from its CGI recreation of the game's user interface to a real-time breakdown of vehicles. It'll make you believe you're playing a video game. The sound design is superb throughout the film, with roaring engines, screeching tyres, and thunderous crashes that create an immersive experience.

GRAN TURISMO is an adrenaline-fueled combination of gaming and real-world motorsports culture. Although it doesn't offer anything new to the sports-drama subgenre, its heart-pounding race sequences and moving performances make it a worthy addition for fans of racing and inspirational stories alike. Anyone who has played the game or is a massive motorsport enthusiast should check it out.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Snakes on a Plane Review

Snakes on a Plane

Release Date: 24th August 2006 - Australia

Production Companies

New Line Cinema (presents)

Mutual Film Company

Meradin Zweite Productions (in association with)

Eyetronics

H2L Media Group

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: M (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 101 minutes

Budget: $33,000,000

Box Office Gross:

$62,022,014 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

FBI agent Neville Flynn

takes a plane from Hawaii

to Los Angeles to transport

a witness protected by the

government to a trial, in

the hope that the mob boss

will end up behind bars.

However, as soon as the

aircraft reaches an altitude

of 30,000 feet, several

hundred venomous snakes

burst out of the cargo and

attack everyone in sight,

causing violent mayhem.

With the help of a leading

snake expert from L.A.,

Flynn and a group of

terrified passengers and

crew must work together

to deal with the slithering

threat.

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson - Neville Flynn

Julianna Margulies - Claire Miller

Nathan Phillips - Sean Jones

Rachel Blanchard - Mercedes

Flex Alexander - Three G's

Kenan Thompson - Troy

Keith Dallas - Big Leroy

Lin Shaye - Grace

Bruce James - Ken

Sunny Mabrey - Tiffany

Casey Dubois - Curtis

Daniel Hogarth - Tommy

Gerald Plunkett - Paul

Terry Chen - Chen Leong

Elsa Pataky - Maria

Emily Holmes - Ashley

Tygh Runyan - Tyler

Mark Houghton - John Sanders

David Koechner - Rick

Bobby Cannavale - Hank Harris

Todd Louiso - Dr. Steven Price

Tom Butler - Captain Sam McKeon

Kendall Cross - Driver

Kevin McNulty - Emmett Bradley

Samantha McLeod - Kelly

Taylor Kitsch - Kyle

Ann Warn Pegg - Mrs. Bova

Byron Lawson - Eddie Kim

Darren Moore - Kraitler

Scott Nicholson - Daniel Hayes

Candice Macalino - Flower Girl

Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe - Autograph Girl

Agam Darshi - Dell Girl

Lisa Marie Caruk - Ken's Girlfriend

Jack di Blasio - Kid Fan

Darryl Quon - Man In Suit

David Neale - Navy Dad

Mi-Jung Lee - News Anchor

Kyle Alisharan - Airport Worker

Christopher Bachman - Lei Guy

Drew Wicks - Passenger

Crew

Director - David R. Ellis

Story - David Dalessandro

Story/Screenplay - John Heffernan

Screenplay - Sebastian Gutierrez

Associate Producers -

Jeff Katz and Tawny Ellis

Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager - Heather Meehan

Executive Producers - Stokely Chaffin, Toby Emmerich, Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins and George Waud

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Justis Greene 

Producers - Craig Berenson, Don Granger and Gary Levinsohn

Casting Director - Mindy Maren

Canadian Casting Directors - Coreen Mayrs

and Heike Brandstatter

Production Designer - Jaymes Hinkle

Art Director - John Alvarez

Set Decorators - Erin Boyd and Mary-Lou Storey

Costume Designer - Karen L. Matthews

Prosthetic Makeup Effects Designers &

Creators - Anthony Allen Barlow,

Ken Culver, Greg Johnson, Sarah Pickersgill,

Sam Polin, Brad Proctor, Dan Rebert,

Todd Masters and Jamie Salmon

Director of Photography - Adam Greenberg

Aerial Director of Photography - Hans Bjerno

"A" Camera Operator - Michael Ferris 

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Freddie Hice

Stunt Coordinators - Annie Ellis and Scott Nicholson

Snake Handler & Coordinator - Jules Sylvester

Snake Handlers - Brad McDonald,

Marco Solis Chavez and Marissa Schwierjohn

Special Effects Supervisors - Alex Burdett

and Matt Kutcher

Visual Effects Supervisor - Erik Henry

Visual Effects Supervisor: CafeFX - Scott Gordon

Art Director: CafeFX - Peter Lloyd

Digital Effects Supervisor: CafeFX - Jeff Goldman

Lighting TDs: CafeFX - Mike Fischer,

Manuel H. Guizar, Nic Spier, William H. Ball,

Scott Harper, Kirk Cardette and Luis "Chico" Martinez

Modelling Lead: CafeFX - Steve Arguello

Compositing Supervisor: CafeFX - Edwardo Mendez

3D Matchmovers: CafeFX - Paul Hopkins,

Kevin Hoppe and Ondrej Kubrick

Software Development Supervisor: CafeFX - Robert Tesdahl

Editor - Howard E. Smith

Supervising Sound Editors - Tom Bellfort

and Dave McMoyler

Sound Designers - Harry Cohen and

Tim Walston

Re-Recording Mixers - Rick Ash,

Kevin E. Carpenter and Justin Jose

Production Sound Mixer - Michael McGee

Foley Artists - James Moriana and Jeffrey Wilhoit

Music - Trevor Rabin

Review

SNAKES ON A PLANE is about, well, you know how the title suggests, as it lives up to its name. Admittedly, it wasn't a typical mockbuster movie, as the plot was original. It happened before The Asylum started producing its mockbuster films. However, the film does have the hallmarks of a mockbuster, with its over-the-top story and action sequences.

Before its release, word of SNAKES ON A PLANE spread online, gaining a cult following due to its title and the decision to cast Samuel L. Jackson in the lead role. During production, several changes, including reshoots, led to the film being bumped from a PG-13 rating to R to appease the online fanbase. The film's title was also briefly changed to Pacific Air Flight 121, but Samuel L. Jackson insisted on changing it back, stating the title was the only reason he accepted the role. Although the film underperformed at the box office at the time, it generated a profit, and many people remember it today.

Director David R. Ellis had his experience with outlandish stuff, considering he directed Final Destination 2 and, later, The Final Destination, where several people get killed in horrific, gruesome ways. He did a fantastic job of delivering an action movie that plays like a suspense thriller crossed with a comedy, a thrill ride that's a bit silly and even more fun. I'm sure you're well aware that this film had several issues.

While the premise is affectionately cheesy, it is part of its distinctive "B-movie" charm, along with its self-aware ridiculousness. However, by design, the film was clearly intended to be silly. Unfortunately, the plot is thin, the characters are stereotypical, and the CGI is laughably bad. What's worse, it's clearly trying to copy old disaster movies from the 1970s, such as Airport and Earthquake.

All is not lost, as the acting was terrific. Despite the film's absurdity, nearly all actors and actresses were fully committed to their roles. However, the best actor in this film is certainly Samuel L. Jackson, who plays FBI agent Neville Flynn. L. Jackson did a terrific job with this role, as he knows how to be funny and serious. All in all, I enjoyed his performance, especially when he delivers that iconic line to the surviving passengers. Julianna Margulies is fine as Claire, the calm and collected stewardess who tries to keep the passengers safe.

For a "B-movie," SNAKES ON A PLANE is not as bad as it could have been. Clearly, the filmmakers had no intention of making a film that audiences would take seriously; they just wanted to entertain them, and, all things considered, they succeeded. Yes, they could have done a few things better, but it is a ridiculous yet enjoyable film to watch, as long as you don't take it seriously. Trust me, it's not for those who were terrified of snakes. And certainly not for those to watch it on a flight.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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F1 Review

F1

Release Date: 26th June 2025 - Australia

Production Companies

Apple Studios (present)

Warner Bros. Pictures (present)

Monolith Pictures

Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Plan B Entertainment

Dawn Apollo Films

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 156 minutes

Budget: $300,000,000

Box Office Gross: $633,742,436 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Sonny Hayes, often called

"the greatest that never

was", was Formula 1's 

most promising talent of

the 1990s until a near-

fatal accident on the track

threatened to end his

career. Now a freelance

racer-for-hire, he is

approached thirty years

later by his former

teammate, Ruben

Cervantes, who owns

a struggling Formula 1

team on the brink of

collapse. Ruben convinces

Sonny to return to Formula

1 for one final attempt

to save the team and

become the best in the

world. He'll drive alongside

Joshua Pearce, the team's

rookie sensation, who is

determined to set his own

pace. However, as the

engines roar, Sonny's

past dreams come back

to haunt him. He realises

that, in Formula 1, your

teammate is your fiercest

competitor and that you

cannot travel the road to

redemption alone.

Cast

Brad Pitt - Sonny Hayes

Damson Idris - Joshua Pearce

Javier Bardem - Ruben Cervantes

Kerry Condon - Kate McKenna

Tobias Menzies - Peter Banning

Kim Bodnia - Kaspar Smolinski

Sarah Niles - Bernadette Pearce

Will Merrick - Nickleby

Joseph Balderrama - Rico Fazio

Abdul Salis - Dodge Dowda

Callie Cooke - Jodie

Samson Kayo - Cash

Simon Kunz - Don Cavendish

Liz Kingsman - Lisbeth Bampton

Simone Ashley - Herself (Cameo)

Ramona Von Pusch - Liesl

Smolinski

Barney Smith - Kaspar's Son

Poppy Smith - Kaspar's

Daughter

Luciano Bacheta - Luca Cortez

Rosie Dwyer - Pippa Leguin

Martin Brundle - Himself

David Croft - Himself

Leigh Diffey - Daytona Race Broadcaster

Shea Whigham - Chip Hart

Patrick Long - Himself (Cameo)

Will Redmond - Young Engineer

Michael Aaron Milligan - Strategy Director

Kyle Rankin - Cale Kelso

Rachel Walters - Molly,

Sonny's Assistant

Steven Sean Garland - BMW

Driver

Avis-Marie Barnes - Diner

Waitress

Will Buxton - Himself

Rachel Brookes - Herself

Natalie Pinkham - Herself

Maria Thoma - Presenter

Tom Clarkson - Las Vegas Press Conference Presenter

Martin Savage - Las Vegas FIA Race Director

Zoe Oedekerk - Las Vegas

Fun Loving Clubber

Tiësto - Himself

Elena Rivers - Supper Club Hostess

Nancy Carroll - Abu Dhabi

Corporate Executive #1

Ankur Bahl - Abu Dhabi

Corporate Executive #2

Mohammed Alkhoori - Abu Dhabi Trophy Presenter

Salwa Al Hadhrami - Abu

Dhabi Podium Dignitary

Sal Lopez - Baja Old Timer

Darius De La Cruz - Baja

Mechanic's Son

Gabriel Rivas - Baja

Teenage Grandson

Alexander Albion - Himself (Cameo)

Fernando Alonso - Himself

(Cameo)

Oliver Bearman - Himself (Cameo)

Valterri Bottas - Himself (Cameo)

Franco Colapinto - Himself

(Cameo)

Nyck de Vries - Himself

(Cameo)

Jack Doohan - Himself (Cameo)

Pierre Gasly - Himself (Cameo)

Zhou Guanyu - Himself (Cameo)

Lewis Hamilton - Himself (Cameo)

Nico Hülkenberg - Himself (Cameo)

Liam Lawson - Himself

(Cameo)

Charles Leclerc - Himself

(Cameo)

Kevin Magnussen - Himself

(Cameo)

Lando Norris - Himself (Cameo)

Esteban Ocon - Himself (Cameo)

Sergio Pérez - Himself (Cameo)

Oscar Piastri - Himself (Cameo)

Daniel Ricciardo - Himself (Cameo)

George Russell - Himself (Cameo)

Carlos Sainz Jr. - Himself (Cameo)

Logan Sargeant - Himself

(Cameo)

Lance Stroll - Himself (Cameo)

Yuki Tsunoda - Himself (Cameo)

Max Verstappen - Himself (Cameo)

Zak Brown - Himself (Cameo)

Christian Horner - Himself (Cameo)

Guenther Steiner - Himself (Cameo)

Lawrence Stroll - Himself (Cameo)

Frédéric Vasseur - Himself (Cameo)

James Vowles - Himself (Cameo)

Toto Wolff - Himself (Cameo)

Stefano Domenicali - Himself (Cameo)

Roscoe - Himself

Crew

Story/Producer/Director - Joseph Kosinski

Story/Writer - Ehren Kruger

Casting Directors - Lucy Bevan and

Emily Brockmann

Executive Producer/First Assistant Director -

Toby Hefferman

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Daniel Lupi

Executive Producers - Tim Bampton,

Stefano Domenicalli, Ian Holmes

and Toto Wolff

Producers - Dede Gardner, Lewis Hamilton,

Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman and Brad Pitt

Co-Producers - John K. Campbell,

Emily Cheung, Melissa Reid and Penni Thow

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager - Ben Piltz

Consultant - Will Buxton

F1 Consultants - Bernie Collins and Ruth Buscombe

Daytona Racing Consultant & Stunt Driver - Patrick Long

Production Designers - Ben Munro and

Mark Tildesley

Concept Artist - Charlie Cobb

Art Directors - Oliver Benson, Edd Cross

Hugh McClelland and Ketan Waikar

Art Director: U.S. Units - Daytona, Pismo &

Las Vegas - Timothy Moen

Car & Livery Design - Daniel Simon

Set Decorators - Reynan Castro Del Rosario,

Andrew McCarthy and Véronique Melery

Property Master: Pismo & Las Vegas Units -

Chris Call

Costume Designer - Julian Day

Hair & Makeup Designer - Denise Kum

Director of Photography - Claudio Miranda

A Camera Assistant - Dan Ming

Supervising Location Manager - Charlie Hayes

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Adam Kirley

Action Vehicles Supervisor - Graham Kelly

Supervising Stunt Coordinator - Gary Powell

Lead Sequence Choreographer - Luciano Bacheta

Additional Sequence Choreographer - Craig Dolby

Aerial Coordinator/Helicopter Pilot: U.S. Units -

Daytona, Pismo & Las Vegas - Kevin LaRosa II

Special Effects Supervisor - Keith Dawson

Special Effects Supervisor: U.S. Units - Daytona,

Pismo & Las Vegas - Elia P. Popov

Visual Effects On-Set Supervisor - Edward Price

Visual Effects Supervisor - Ryan Tudhope

Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore -

Nicolas Chevallier and Robert Harrington

Supervisor: BLIND Ltd - Andrew Booth

Editors - Stephen Mirrione and Patrick J. Smith

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer - Al Nelson

Supervising Sound Editor - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle

Re-Recording Mixers - Juan Peralta and

Gary A. Rizzo

Production Sound Mixer - Gareth John

Original Score/Score Producer/Synth Programming -

Hans Zimmer

Additional Score/Score Producer - Steve Mazzarro

Music Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review

Hollywood risks losing its audience due to its recent reliance on remakes, reboots, cash-grab sequels, and unsuccessful attempts to build franchises, all of which threaten to undermine its standing. Thankfully, it's all about to change with the blockbuster release of F1, which embraces the classic storytelling conventions that Hollywood has forgotten. As you know, Formula One is the world's most popular motorsport. It has experienced a resurgence during the pandemic, thanks to the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive. However, I was never a fan of this huge racing event, as I only watched the Bathurst 12 Hour and Supercar races at Mount Panorama.

Riding the wave of success from Top Gun: Maverick, Joseph Kosinski returns to deliver another thrilling spectacle in F1. Kosinski expressed interest in directing a racing film after the one about the 1966 Le Mans event, which was to feature Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, fell through due to budget constraints. That movie later became Ford v Ferrari, directed by James Mangold and starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. His regular collaborators from the previous film, including writer Ehren Kruger and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, return to assist him with this latest outing, thus reassembling the dream team. But one question remains. Will this movie offer a cinematic experience similar to Kosinski's 2022 offering? The answer is yes.

While the film is similar to the director's previous movie, it reminds me of Days of Thunder, as both films live up to the description of "Top Gun on wheels." Interestingly, Bruckheimer and legendary composer Hans Zimmer worked on that film before F1. Unfortunately, the biggest issue within F1 is its plot, which relies on familiar narrative beats from other inspirational sports movies, making it formulaic and predictable. However, its complex character moments, depth, and themes of resilience, redemption, the pursuit of greatness, and the power of teamwork make up for it. Lewis Hamilton's involvement as a producer is evident, with his guidance pivotal to ensuring the authenticity of the racing scenes. This commitment to accuracy extended even to subtle details, such as the gear changes made during cornering.

Acting legend Brad Pitt headlines the cast, lending his magnetic charm and effortless charisma as the veteran race driver Sonny Hayes. The two-time Oscar winner's passion for racing is evident in his character, whose enthusiasm for the sport is infectious. Like Tom Cruise before him, he is one of the last movie stars of his generation. Although he was 61, he still kept his rugged good looks for the part. Damson Idris excels as the overconfident young driver, Joshua Pearce, adding depth to the role with his precise facial expressions and an air of confidence that matches Sonny's. The chemistry between him and Pitt is explosive, with a "veteran versus rookie" dynamic that evokes the intensity of a high-speed race.

Javier Bardem shines as struggling team owner and former Formula 1 driver Ruben Cervantes, a role that could have amounted to mere bravado. Kerry Condon steals the show as technical director Kate McKenna, the team's voice of reason. Additionally, the Irish actress shares on-screen romantic chemistry with Pitt. Formula One fans will recognise Hamilton and his peers, such as Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris, in short cameo appearances during the off-track scenes.

The movie stands out for its consistently exhilarating racing scenes, which provide an adrenaline rush for racing fans and propel the narrative forward at top speed. Claudio Miranda's cinematography establishes the film's realistic visual style. Whereas the cockpit camerawork in Top Gun: Maverick is impressive, F1 takes it to the next level, delivering an immersive, highly impactful viewing experience. The editing and sound design are top-notch, enhancing the racing sequences, and the film's striking visuals do as well. Hans Zimmer, who incidentally composed the score for Rush, another Formula One movie, delivers a killer, heart-pounding, electric score featuring songs by Queen, Led Zeppelin, Ed Sheeran, and others.

Arguably, F1 is a full-throttle sensation for audiences, capturing the visceral thrills of the motorsport, and is close to dethroning Ford v Ferrari as the best racing movie. It's an absolute reminder of why I love popcorn movies. Whether you're into cars or not, this is a must-see film.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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