Beetlejuice Review

Beetlejuice

Release Date: 8th September 1988 - Australia

Production Companies

The Geffen Company (presents)

Genre: Fantasy/Horror/

Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 92 minutes

Budget: $15,000,000

Box Office Gross: $74,842,866 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

After being killed in a car accident, a married couple, Barbara and Adam Maitland, return as ghosts and find themselves stuck in their country house, unable to leave. The Maitlands try in vain to frighten off the unbearable Deetzes and their teenage daughter, Lydia, after

they buy the house. Their

attempts draw the attention

of a boisterous ghost

named Beetlejuice, whose

"help" quickly proves

dangerous to the Maitlands

and innocent Lydia.

Cast

Michael Keaton - Betelgeuse

Geena Davis - Barbara Maitland

Alec Baldwin - Adam Maitland

Winona Ryder - Lydia Deetz

Jeffrey Jones - Charles Deetz

Catherine O'Hara - Delia Deetz

Glenn Shadix - Otho

Sylvia Sidney - Juno

Maree Cheatham - Sarah Dean

Dick Cavett - Bernard 

Rachel Mittelman - Little Jane

Maurice Page - Ernie

Hugo Stranger - Old Bill

Robert Goulet - Maxie Dean

Susan Kellermann - Grace

Annie McEnroe - Jane Butterfield

Patrice Martinez - Receptionist

Adelle Lutz - Beryl

Cindy Daly - 3-Fingered Typist

Douglas Turner - Char Man

Simmy Bow - Janitor

Carmen Filpi - Messenger

J. Jay Saunders - Moving 

Man #1

Mark Ettinger - Moving Man #2

Gary Jochimsen - Dumb Football Player #1

Bob Pettersen - Dumb Football Player #2

Duane Davis - Very Dumb Football Player

Tony Cox - Preacher

Jack Angel - Preacher (Voice)

Crew

Director - Tim Burton

Story/Screenplay - Michael McDowell

Story - Larry Wilson

Screenplay - Warren Skaaren

Producers - Michael Bender,

Richard Hashimoto and

Larry Wilson

Casting Directors - Janet Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins

Production Designer - Bo Welch

Art Director - Tom Duffield

Set Decorator - Catherine Mann

Lead Person - Cheryl Carasik

Property Master - William A.

Petrotta

Costume Designer - Aggie Guerard Rodgers

Makeup Artists - Steve LaPorte and Ve Neill

Creatures and Makeup Effects - Robert Short

Director of Photography - Thomas E. Ackerman

Camera Operator - Douglas Knapp

First Assistant Director - Bill Scott

Second Assistant Directors - K.C. Colwell and Jerry Fleck

Stunt Coordinator/Stunts - Fred Lerner

Special Effects Supervisor - Chuck Gaspar

Visual Effects Supervisor - Alan Munro

Visual Effects Consultant - Rick Heinrichs

Visual Effects: VCE - Peter Kuran

Visual Effects: Sandworm Sequence -

Doug Beswick

Visual Effects: Barbara/Adam

Transportation - Tim Lawrence

Miniature Production - James Belohovek,

Thomas Conti and Rick Kess

Editor - Jane Kurson

Supervising Sound Editor - Richard L. Anderson

Sound Editors - Mark Pappas and

David E. Stone

Re-Recording Mixers - Gregg Landaker,

Steve Maslow and Kevin O'Connell

Music - Danny Elfman

Music Editors - Bob Badami and Nancy Fogarty

Awards

1989 Academy Awards

Best Makeup - Ve Neill, Steve LaPorte and Robert Short (Won)

Review

I took a trip down memory lane to revisit BEETLEJUICE, which I saw three times, and then said its name. Growing up, I couldn't watch the film because of its scary content and profanity. I had to wait until I was old enough to watch it, which I did years later. It's the movie that put Tim Burton on the map after the success of his feature-length directorial debut with Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Unlike the movie he previously directed, which centred on an existing comic character created by and starring the late Paul Reubens, BEETLEJUICE is an original story. The film works well with Burton's unique Gothic visual style and twisted sense of humour, and is nothing like the other '80s supernatural comedies, such as Ghostbusters. It's full of ingenious visual gags and outlandish production, costume, and makeup designs. Unfortunately, the story falls short, but its execution makes up for it and adds to the film's appeal.

While Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis deliver fine performances as the sympathetic ghost couple, Michael Keaton steals the show as the titular character. Although his role had only 27 minutes of screen time, he went all out and was a perfect fit for this quirky, zany film. His comedic performance inspired other actors to play supernatural tricksters, such as Robin Williams as the Genie in Aladdin and Jim Carrey as Stanley Ipkiss in The Mask. The rest of the cast was terrific, including Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara as the obnoxious Deetz family, and Winona Ryder as Lydia, the goth teenage daughter.

The visual effects were impressive at the time, but many of them have not aged well. Much of it was stop-motion animation. Danny Elfman's circus-like score is integral to the film's identity. It adds darkness and playfulness, contributing to the overall mix. The movie's strongest scenes, such as the Maitlands in the underworld and the possessed dinner party, showcase its brilliance even without Beetlejuice.

While the humour is still largely funny, BEETLEJUICE is, in hindsight, a fun horror comedy. It boasts all the hallmarks of a typical Tim Burton film, from the distinctive visuals to the dark humour. I thoroughly enjoyed watching BEETLEJUICE and would highly recommend it, just not for younger audiences.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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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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The Fog (1980) Review

The Fog

Release Date: 12th June 1980 - Australia

Production Companies

AVCO Embassy Pictures

EDI (presents)

Debra Hill Productions

Distribution

StudioCanal Australia

Genre: Horror

Rating: M (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 90 minutes

Budget: $1,100,000

Box Office Gross: $21,448,830 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

A small, quaint coastal town

in California, Antonio Bay,

has turned 100, and its

peaceful community has

begun preparing to

celebrate its centennial

year, just as supernatural

activity begins to disrupt

the festivities. An

impenetrable, eerie fog

emerges from the shore,

shrouding the village and

leading to mysterious

disappearances and the

spilling of warm, bright

red blood. Amid the

spectral, glowing mist,

ghosts of long-dead

shipwreck victims come

to seek revenge on the

townsfolk for a crime

the town's founders

committed 100 years ago.

Cast

Adrienne Barbeau - Stevie Wayne

Jamie Lee Curtis - Elizabeth Solley

John Houseman - Mr. Machen

Janet Leigh - Kathy Williams

Tom Atkins - Nick Castle

Nancy Kyes - Sandy Fadel

James Canning - Dick Baxter

Charles Cyphers - Dan O'Bannon

Ty Mitchell - Andy Wayne

Hal Holbrook - Father Malone

John F. Goff - Al Williams

George 'Buck' Flower - Tommy Wallace

Regina Waldon - Mrs. Kobritz

Jim Haymie - Dockmaster

Darrow Igus - Mel

John Vick - Sheriff David Simms

Jim Jacobus - Mayor

Fred Franklyn - Ashcroft

Ric Moreno - Ghost

Lee Socks - Ghost

Tommy Lee Wallace - Ghost

Bill Taylor - Bartender

Rob Bottin - Blake

Charles Nicklin - Blake (Voice)

Darwin Joston - Dr. Phibes

Laurie Arent - Child

Lindsay Arent - Child

Shari Jacoby - Child

Christopher Cundey - Child

John Strobel - Grocery Clerk

John Carpenter - Bennett (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Debra Hill - Extra (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Writer/Director/Music - John Carpenter

Writer/Producer - Debra Hill

Script Supervisor - Jeanne Rosenberg

Associate Producers - Barry Bernardi

and Pegi Brotman

Executive Producer - Charles B. Bloch

Production Designer/Editor - Tommy Lee Wallace

Art Director - Craig Stearns

Special Makeup/Effects: Blake - Rob Bottin

Costume Designers - Stephen Loomis

and Bill Whitten

Cinematography/Effects: Blake - Dean Cundey

Camera Operator/Second Unit Camera -

Raymond Stella

Production Manager - Don Behrns

First Assistant Director - Larry Franco

Special Effects: A. & A. Special Effects -

Richard Albain Jr.

Special Photographic Effects - James F. Liles

Editor - Charles Bornstein

Special Sound Effects - Frank Serafine

Supervising Sound Editors - Gregg Barbanell

and Ron Horowitz

Re-Recording Mixers - Bob Minkler,

Richard Tyler and Ray West

Review

John Carpenter is a master of terror, bringing horror movies to life. Following the success of Halloween comes THE FOG, a supernatural, ghostly classic. The film centres on a small town whose residents face an unearthly fog of shipwreck victims coming to claim them for a crime committed 100 years ago. Known for its moody atmosphere, it's so tense it will terrify you, whether you're watching it alone or with someone at midnight. The only issue with THE FOG is its lack of blood and gore. Another is Adrienne Barbeau's role, which doesn't interact with the other characters. However, the creepiness and original premise should make up for it. I like how the movie begins with an old captain telling a ghost story to young children by a campfire, a fitting start to a horror film.

Adrienne Barbeau showcased her talent as a radio announcer, yet surprisingly, she was married to the film's director during production. Jamie Lee Curtis didn't have enough material for a lead role, as she was part of an ensemble cast. However, she shares the screen with her mother and fellow actress Janet Leigh. Dean Cundey's cinematography was brilliant, evoking the film's chilling impact, and some special effects are magnificent.

THE FOG is a visually compelling movie by John Carpenter, despite numerous production issues that caused the director to consider it his least favourite. While I partially disagree, it is a semi-decent, enjoyable film, especially for horror fans, even for those who have seen a similar, more terrifying movie called The Mist.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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It (2017) Review

It


Release Date: 7th September 2017 - Australia


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

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Horror

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 135 minutes


Budget: $35,000,000

Box Office Gross: $719,766,009 (Worldwide)


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


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

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

Hockstetter
Jackson Robert Scott -

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

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

Javier Botet - Hobo

Carter Musselman - Headless

Boy

Roberto Campanella - Organ Player Clown (Cameo)

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

Toby Emmerich, Walter Hamada,

Niija Kuykendall, Dave Neustadter

and Jon Silk
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

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

Choreographer - Roberto Campanella
Production Designer - Claude Pare

Concept Artists - Aaron Sims and

Scott Patton

Art Director - Peter Grundy

Set Decorator - Rosalie Board

Property Master - Christopher Geggie
Costume Designers - Janie Bryant

and Colleen Moore Cook Turner

Special Effects Makeup - Alec Gillis and

Tom Woodruff Jr.

Makeup Effects Designer & Shop Supervisor:

Pennywise and Additional Character Makeup

Effects - Sean Sansom

Makeup Heads of Department -

Sarah Craig McEtheron and Linda Dowds

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

First Assistant Director - Richard Cowan

First Assistant Directors: Second Unit -

Simon Board, Travis McConnell and

Bob Warwick

Second Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Adam Bocknek

Third Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Andrew Pritchard

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

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

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

Editor - Jason Ballantine

Supervising Sound Editor - Victor Ray Ennis

Sound Designer - Paul Hackner

Sound Effects Editors - Jamie Hardt,

Kius Fenske and Ken J. Johnson

Sound Mixers - Glen Gauthier

and Sylvain Arsneault

Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Jenkins

and Michael Keller
Music - Benjamin Wallfisch

Music Supervisor - Dana Sano


Review

I have heard of the classic 1990 miniseries adaptation of IT, though I have never seen it. Nor have I read the Stephen King novel the 2017 film is based on. I planned to see IT and felt it was time to watch more horror movies. The movie is unsettling, creepy, and brutal, as the name suggests. Audiences have dared to see it for its chilling atmosphere. The film aims to startle moviegoers. It has a coming-of-age plot with a darker, nostalgic vibe reminiscent of Stand by Me (another film based on a Stephen King novel). Director Andy Muschietti gives Stephen King's work the cinematic treatment it deserves, with terrific cinematography.

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

Though it is terror-inducing for audiences, IT has been considered a great film. Its author, Stephen King, would be proud of the latest adaptation. I'm looking forward to seeing the next chapter. I recommend this feature to any Stephen King fan or anyone who enjoys being terrified.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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World War Z Review

World War Z

Release Date: 20th June 2013 - Australia

Production Companies
Paramount Pictures (presents)
Skydance Productions (presents)
Hemisphere Media Capital (in association with)
GK Films (in association with)
Plan B Entertainment
2DUX

Distribution 
Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Horror

Rating: M

Runtime: 116 minutes

                123 minutes 

                (unrated edition)


Budget: $269,000,000

Box Office Gross: $540,455,876 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A worldwide pandemic has been unleashed and is toppling governments and threatening to destroy humanity. Former United States investigator Gerry Lane races against time to save his family and the world from a pandemic.

Cast

Brad Pitt - Gerry Lane
Mirellie Enos - Karin Lane
Daniella Kertesz - Segen
James Badge Dale - Captain Speke
Ludi Boeken - Jurgen Warmbrunn
Matthew Fox - Parajumper
Fana Mokoena - Thierry Umutoni
David Morse - Ex-CIA Agent
Peter Capaldi - W.H.O. Doctor #1
Pierfrancesco Favino - W.H.O. Doctor #2
Ruth Negga - W.H.O. Doctor #3
Moritz Bleibtreu - W.H.O. Doctor #4
Elyes Gabel - Andrew Fassbach
Sterling Jerins - Constance Lane
Abigail Hargrove - Rachel Lane
Fabrizio Zacharee Guido - Tomas
Michiel Huisman - Ellis

David Andrews - Naval Commander

John Gordon Sinclair - Navy SEAL Chief

Gregory Fitoussi - C130 Pilot

Crew

Executive Producer/Director -
Marc Forster
Based on the Novel - Max Brooks
Screen Story/Screenplay - Matthew Michael Carnahan
Screen Story - J. Michael Straczynski
Screenplay - Drew Goddard and Damon Lindelof
Executive Producers - Brad Simpson, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Paul Schwake, Graham King and Tim Headington

Producers - Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Ian Bryce
Co-Producers: Cardiff Sequence - Mark Bakshi
and Mark Huffam
Military Advisor - Freddie Joe Farnsworth
Production Designer - Nigel Phelps
Additional Sets Designer/Supervising

Art Director - Jon Billington

Illustrator - Seth Engstrom
Supervising Art Director: Cardiff Sequence -

Chris Lowe

Senior Art Directors - Alan Gilmore

and Julian Ashby

Art Directors - Ben Collins,

James Foster and Matthew Gray

Set Decorator - Jennifer Williams

Costume Designer - Mayes C. Rubeo

Supervising Armorer - Nick Komornicki
Weapons Master - Simon Atherton
Makeup and Hair/Prosthetics Designer: Zombies -
Frances Hannon

Makeup & Hair Supervisor: Second Unit -

Jan Sewell

Prosthetics Designer: Zombies - Mark Coulier

Directors of Photography - Ben Seresin

and Robert Richardson (Uncredited)

Aerial Director of Photography - Adam Dale

Camera/Steadicam Operator - Larry McConkey

"A" Camera Operator: Second Unit - Peter Field

First Assistant Photographers - Gregor Tavenner,

Tim Battersby and Birgit Dierken

Unit Production Managers - Steve Harding

and Debra James

Supervising Location Manager - Mark Somner

Supervising Location Manager: Cardiff

Sequence - James Grant

First Assistant Director - Toby Hefferman

First Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Terry Madden

First Assistant Director: Cardiff Sequence -

Max Keene

Second Assistant Directors: Cardiff Sequence -

Matthew Baker and Paul Bennett
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Simon Crane

Second Unit Director: Cardiff Sequence -

Shaun O'Dell
Stunt Coordinator - Wade Eastwood

Assistant Stunt Coordinator - Rob Inch

Aerial Coordinator/Pilot: Camera - Marc Wolff

Action Vehicle Supervisor - Graham Kelly
Special Effects Supervisors - Neil Corbould
and David Watkins
Special Effects Supervisor: Cardiff Sequence -
Trevor Wood

Special Effects Coordinator - Victoria Cadiou

Visual Effects Supervisor - Scott Farrar

Visual Effects Supervisors: MPC -

Jessica Norman and Adam Valdez

Visual Effects Supervisors: Cinesite -

Matt Johnson and Simon Stanley-Clamp

Visual Effects Executive Producer: ILM -

Wayne Billheimer

Digital Effects Supervisor: Cinesite -

Andy Robinson

Animation Consultant - Andrew R. Jones
Animation Supervisor: MPC - Gabriele Zucchelli

Previsualization and Postvisualization Supervisors:

HALON Entertainment - Brad Alexander

and Michael G. Jackson

Previsualization Supervisor: HALON

Entertainment - Daniel D. Gregoire
Editors - Roger Barton and Matt Cheese

Supervising Sound Editors - Nigel Stone

and Ethan Van der Ryan

Supervising Sound Designers - Erik Aadahl,

John Marquis and Jimmy Boyle

Re-Recording Mixers - Anna Behlmer

and Lora Hirschberg

Additional Re-Recording Mixers - Terry Porter

and Tim Cavagin

Sound Mixer - Stuart Wilson

Music - Marco Beltrami

Additional Music - Matt Bellamy,

Brandon Roberts, Marcus Trumpp

and Buck Sanders

Musicians - Muse

Supervising Music Editor - John Finklea

Music Orchestrator and Conductor - Matt Dunkley

Music Recordist and Mixer - John Kurland

Review

Hollywood may have faced dark turns in cinematic history, such as in 2013. For instance, each highly anticipated film from that year had some drawbacks in its storyline. Take Iron Man 3, for example. It has yet to fully recover, with hit movies appealing enough to attract moviegoers. One of them is WORLD WAR Z, a slick, thrilling, entertaining, and suspenseful film that reinvents the realistic approach of a zombie movie. WORLD WAR Z may have had turmoil during its production, rendering the film incoherent and messy.

Brad Pitt was a good choice and did the character justice. It was great to have such a high-profile actor, and he delivered an extraordinary performance. I would expect nothing less, as Pitt is one of those consistent actors who can create engaging characters. Many viewers who were Whovians were surprised that the British actor Peter Capaldi was in WORLD WAR Z before he went on to play a different kind of doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who.

This movie will appeal to people in the mood for a zombie-themed action feature, including die-hard zombie fans. They will see some flaws in WORLD WAR Z and compare it to other zombie movies that have managed to do it right, such as 28 Days Later and Dawn of the Dead.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Gremlins Review

Gremlins


Release Date: 13th December 1984 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Amblin Entertainment


Genre: Horror/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 102 minutes


Budget: $11,000,000

Box Office Gross: $213,715,350 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Young Billy Peltzer receives a gift from his dad, a cute new pet. He must follow three instructions: never get it wet, keep it away from the bright light, and most importantly, never feed it after midnight, no matter how much it begs and cries. Unfortunately, Billy has broken these rules and

unwittingly unleashed a horde of little monsters that can wreak havoc on his hometown.


Cast
Zach Galligan - Billy Peltzer
Phoebe Cates - Kate Beringer
Hoyt Axton - Randall Peltzer
Polly Holliday - Ruby Deagle
Frances Lee McCain - Lynn Peltzer
Corey Feldman - Pete
Howie Mandel - Gizmo (Voice)
Judge Reinhold - Gerald Hopkins
Edward Andrews - Mr. Roland Corben
Glynn Turman - Mr. Roy Hanson
Harry Carey, Jr. - Mr. Anderson
Keye Luke - Mr. Wing

Dick Miller - Mr. Futterman

Jackie Joseph - Mrs. Futterman
Frank Welker - Stripe/Gremlins (Voice)
John Louie - Chinese Boy
Scott Brady - Sheriff Frank
Belinda Balaski - Mrs. Joe Harris
Frances Lee McCain - Lynn Peltzer
Arnie Moore - Alex
Kenny Davis - Dorry
Jonathan Banks - Deputy Brent
Mushroom - Barney
John C. Becher - Dr. Molinar
Gwen Wilson - Mrs. Molinar
Donald Elson - Man on Street

James MacKrell - Lew Landers (WDHB-TV Reporter) (Cameo)
Don Steele - Rockin' Ricky Rialto (Voice)

Fred Newman - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Mark Dodson - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Michael Winslow - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Peter Cullen - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Bob Bergen - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Michael Sheehan - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Bob Holt - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Brad Kesten - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

(Uncredited)

Mushroom - Barney

Marvin Miller - Robby the Robot (Voice)

(Uncredited)
Chuck Jones - Mr. Jones (Cameo)

Steven Spielberg - Man in Electric

Wheelchair (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Jerry Goldsmith - Man in Telephone

Booth Glancing in Camera (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

William Schallert - Father Bartlett

(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Kenneth Tobey - Smoking Gas

Station Attendant ( Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Joe Dante
Writer - Chris Columbus
Executive Producers - Steven Spielberg,
Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall
Producer - Michael Finnell
Casting Director - Susan Arnold
Production Designer - James H. Spencer

Set Decorators - Jackie Carr

and Sally Ann Jameson (Uncredited)
Director of Photography - John Hora
Stunt Coordinator - Terry Leonard
Special Effects Supervisor - R.A. MacDonald
Creator: Gremlins - Chris Walas
Creature Consultant - Jon Berg

Matte Artist - Rocco Gioffre
Film Editor - Tina Hirsch

Supervising Sound Editors - Richard L. Anderson

and Mark A. Mangini

Sound Editors - Warren Hamilton Jr.

and David E. Stone

Re-Recording Mixers - Steve Maslow,

Kevin O'Connell, Bill Varney and Rick Kline

(Uncredited)

Foley Artists - John Roesch and Joan Rowe

Music - Jerry Goldsmith

Music Recording Mixers - Bruce Botnick

and Robert Fernandez


Review
Writer and future director Chris Columbus, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, and director Joe Dante conceived GREMLINS as a brilliant horror-comedy. It premiered in cinemas on the same day as Ghostbusters. It is one of those movies I haven't reviewed. I remember watching GREMLINS for the first time on digital terrestrial television as a child. It left me with the impression that these devilish creatures could come into existence through unique effects and puppetry. I describe GREMLINS as dark, twisted, and comical, with fright around every corner to startle and amuse audiences. Besides Spielberg, Dante, and Columbus, the ensemble cast included actors I didn't recognise, apart from young Corey Feldman and Judge Reinhold in supporting roles. Each received distinction for their performance.

No movie today could compare to GREMLINS. This film has rewatch value and is one of those stories that stay with you, even if you believe there may be gremlins rampaging through household appliances or causing mayhem.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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The Thing (1982) Review

The Thing

Release Date: 20th August 1982 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Turman-Foster Company

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable

for Young Children)

Runtime: 109 minutes


Budget: $15,000,000

Box Office Gross: $20,880,612 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

In an Antarctic research outpost, twelve men discovered a 100,000-year-old frozen extraterrestrial life form. After the researchers thaw it, the creature shapeshifts and begins terrorising the station.

Cast

Kurt Russell - R.J. MacReady

Wilford Brimley - Dr. Blair

Keith David - Childs
Donald Moffat - Gary
T. K. Carter - Nauls
Richard Masur - Clark
David Clennon - Palmer
Charles Hallahan - Vance Norris
Richard Dysart - Dr. Cooper
Peter Maloney - George Bennings
Joel Polis - Fuchs
Thomas G. Waites - Windows

Norbert Wessier - Norwegian

Larry Franco - Norwegian Passenger with Rifle (Cameo)

Nate Irwin - Helicopter Pilot

William Zeman - Pilot

Adrienne Barbeau - Computer (Voice) (Uncredited)

John Carpenter - Norwegian (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Jed - Dog Thing (Uncredited)

Bill Lancaster - Norwegian (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Dick Warlock - Norwegian (Cameo) (Uncredited) 

Crew

Director - John Carpenter
Based on the Story "Who Goes There?" - John W. Campbell, Jr.

Screenplay - Bill Lancaster
Associate Producer/First Assistant Director - Larry Franco
Executive Producer - Wilbur Stark
Co-Producer - Stuart Cohen

Producers - David Foster and Lawrence Turman

Production Designer - John J. Lloyd

Art Director - Henry Larrecq
Set Decorator - John M. Dwyer
Special Makeup Effects
Creator and Designer - Rob Bottin

Special Makeup Effects Coordinator - Ken Diaz
Additional Makeup Effects - Stan Winston

(Uncredited)

Makeup Artist - Ken Chase
Director of Photography - Dean Cundey

Camera Operator - Raymond Stella

First Assistant Cameraman - Clyde E. Bryan

Production Manager - Robert Latham Brown

Second Assistant Director - Jeffrey Chernov

Stunt Coordinator - Dick Warlock

Animal Trainer - Bob Weatherwax
Special Effects - Roy Arbogast

Special Visual Effects - Albert Whitlock

Matte Photography - Bill Taylor
Visual Effects Designer: Main Title Sequence,

VCE - Peter Kuran
Miniature Supervisor: Main Title Sequence,

VCE - Susan Turner
Dimension Animation Effects Creator: Animation
Effects Sequence - Randall William Cook

Editor - Todd C. Ramsay
Special Sound Effects - Alan Howarth

(Uncredited)

Supervising Sound Editors - Colin C. Mouat

and David Lewis Yewdall

Sound Re-Recordists - Gregg Landaker,

Bill Varney and Steve Maslow

Music - Ennio Morricone

Review

1982 was an excellent year for movies, though some underperformed at the box office due to heavy competition from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Two other landmark science fiction movies opened that same day. The first movie is Blade Runner, which has since gained a cult following and stands as one of director Ridley Scott's best films. The other movie is THE THING, which was unsuccessful at the time and only gained recognition later. I have heard of John Carpenter elsewhere. I've only seen one of the director's features and haven't seen any others, such as THE THING.

For a science-fiction horror movie, it's not bad or great. I can't expect it to be that scary. Still, it should give us shivers with its claustrophobic mood, especially since this film remakes the 1951 sci-fi classic The Thing From Another World, which itself was a direct adaptation of the novel. Carpenter pulls it off with first-rate directorial skill, keeping the film gory yet never boring.

THE THING is renowned for its brilliant makeup imagery, which heightens the gruesomeness and fear and set a benchmark for practical effects at the time. The acting is spellbinding, as Kurt Russell starkly portrays a good character, revealing a cynical edge. This movie helped make him a big star, a status he maintained throughout the 80s and 90s.

Many people consider THE THING one of the greatest horror movies. On the other hand, I have a different opinion on this nightmarish classic. I enjoyed it, but in good taste.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Shaun of the Dead Review

Shaun of the Dead

Release Date: 7th October 2004 - Australia

Production Companies

Universal Pictures (present)

StudioCanal (present)

Working Title Films (present)

WT2

Big Talk Productions (in

association with)
Inside Track 2 (produced in association with)

FilmFour (developed with the assistance of)

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Horror/Comedy

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable

for Young Children)

Runtime: 95 minutes

Budget: $6,000,000

Box Office Gross: $32,557,494 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Life has never been easy for Shaun. He lives with his best friend, Ed, and spends his time at a local pub. However, he doesn't like his stepdad and neglects his girlfriend, Liz. After Liz dumps him, Shaun finally decides to get his life back on track, but not before dealing with a zombie apocalypse. He sets out with Ed to rescue his mother, his ex, his stepdad reluctantly, and her friends, and get them safely to the most secure haven he knows: The Winchester.

Cast
Simon Pegg - Shaun
Nick Frost - Ed
Kate Ashfield - Liz
Dylan Moran - David
Lucy Davis - Dianne
Bill Nighy - Phillip
Penelope Wilton - Barbara
Jessica Hynes - Yvonne
Peter Serafinowicz - Pete
Rafe Spall - Noel
Sonnell Dadral - Danny
Martin Freeman - Declan (Cameo)
Reece Shearsmith - Mark
Tamsin Greig - Maggie
Steve Emerson - John
Phyllis MacMahon - Bernie
Arvind Doshi - Nelson
Julia Deakin - Yvonne's Mum
Matt Lucas - Cousin Tom
Mark Donovan - Hulking Zombie
Jeremy Thompson - Himself
Vernon Kay - Himself
Carol Barnes  - Himself
Rob Butler - Himself
Chris Martin - Himself/Zombie Outside
The Winchester (Cameo)

Jon Buckland - Himself (Cameo)
Edgar Wright - Rabid Monkey Newsreader/
Prat-falling Zombie/Italian Restaurant Voice
(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Rob Brydon - Football Commentator/"Zombies

from Hell" Presenter (Voice) (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Antonia Campbell Hughes - Zombie (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Joe Cornish - Zombie Shot by Soldiers (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Julia Davis - News Reporter (Voice) (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Mark Gatiss - Radio Presenter with 'Spaceship'

Theory/Wildlife Voiceover (Voice) (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Garth Jennings - 'Fun-Dead' Zombie (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Michael Smiley - Zombie (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Paul Putner - Zombie (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Writer/Director - Edgar Wright
Writer - Simon Pegg
Executive Producers - Tim Bevan,
Eric Fellner, Natascha Warton,
James Wilson and Alison Owen
Producer - Nira Park
Production Designer - Marcus Rowland
Art Director - Karen Wakefield
Costume Designer - Annie Hardinge

Supervising Armorer - Joss Skottowe

Hair & Makeup Designer - Jane Walker

Prosthetics Effects Designer - Stuart Conran

Director of Photography - David M. Dunlap

Camera Operator: Additional Photography -

John Palmer

First Assistant Director - Richard Hewitt
Stunt Coordinator - Jeff Hewitt-Davis
Special Effects Supervisor - Paul Dunn
Visual Effects Supervisor: Double Negative -

Jeremy Hattingh

Visual Effects Producers: Double Negative -

Alex Hope and Hal Couzens
Editor - Chris Dickens

Supervising Sound Editor - Julian Slater

Re-Recording Mixer - Nigel Heath

Foley Artists - Peter Burgis and

Andi Derrick
Original Score - Daniel Mudford and
Pete Woodhead

Music Supervisor - Nick Angel

Executive in Charge of Music: Universal

Pictures - Kathy Nelson

Review

There was a period when I was eager to watch a horror movie in which people undoubtedly wanted to see all of the aspects of the genre - brutal, horrifying, and very gory. It was when I first saw SHAUN OF THE DEAD. I've seen a few thrillers, just not horror movies, with plots about slashers, ghouls, zombies, and other horror themes (except Alien). I decided to watch more horror-themed movies. SHAUN is more of a comedic satire than your average scary movie. The film combines blood and gore with comedy and drama. At the same time, it frightens viewers. It is the first film in which director Edgar Wright and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost work together. SHAUN gained recognition, and the three went on to make two more English comedies. This film is perhaps best known as the start of the Cornetto trilogy and has never been more frightful and hilarious, combining satirical, dry humour with horrific themes.

I am still satisfied with the acting duo. I have admired the chemistry between these two likeable characters and the comical friendship they share, as portrayed in later features such as Hot Fuzz, Paul, and The World's End. Bill Nighy takes the reins as one of the film's supporting leads. Later in his career, he rejoined the same creators in the next two films of the Cornetto trilogy, appearing in cameo roles. The song "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen, played during the legendary fight scene, complements the soundtrack. Queen has been a powerful influence on modern cinema, with some of their songs frequently appearing in films such as Wayne's World.

I confess I am now a fan of Hot Fuzz and SHAUN. I adore the film for its parody of classic zombie flicks. I must watch this feature again. It is not for those who are too young and may get traumatised by its scary content, including gore and swearing, like in Hot Fuzz.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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