Wonder Woman (2017) Review

Wonder Woman

Release Date: 1st June 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

Atlas Entertainment

DC Entertainment

Rat-Pac Dune Entertainment (in association with)

Cruel & Unusual Films

Tencent Pictures

Wanda Pictures

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 141 minutes


Budget: $149,000,000

Box Office Gross: $823,970,682 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

All her life, Diana grew up on the island of Themyscira as the Princess of the Amazons, surrounded by women, cut off from men and the rest of humanity, and trained as a warrior. When an American pilot named Steve Trevor crashes his plane offshore and reveals a war in the outside world, Diana decides to step in and assist.

Discovering her full

powers and embracing

her destiny as Wonder

Woman, she leaves home

to fight alongside men

in the war to end all wars.

Cast

Gal Gadot - Diana Prince/
Wonder Woman

Chris Pine - Steve Trevor

Robin Wright - Antiope

Connie Nielsen - Hippolyta

David Thewlis - Sir Patrick

Danny Huston - Ludendorff

Lucy Davis - Etta

Saïd Taghmaoui - Sameer

Ewen Bremmer - Charlie

Eugene Brave Rock - The Chief

Elena Anaya - Dr Maru

Lilly Aspell - Young Diana (8
Years Old)

Lisa Loven Kongsli - Menalippe

Ann Wolfe - Artemis

Ann Ogbomo - Phillippus

Emily Carey - Diana (12 Years Old)

James Cosmo - Field Marshall Haig

Martin Bishop - Kaiser
Wilhelm II

Doutzen Kroes - Venezia

Brooke Ence - Penthesilea
Hari James - Trigona
Ann Ogbomo - Philippus

Samantha Jo - Euboea

Crew

Director - Patty Jenkins
Creator: Wonder Woman -
William Moulton Marston

Story/Producer - Zack Snyder
Story/Screenplay - Allan
Heinberg
Story - Jason Fuchs
Executive Producers - Jon Berg, Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns, Stephen Jones, Rebecca Steel Roven and Steven Mnuchin
Producers - Charles Roven,
Deborah Snyder and Richard
Suckle

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Tommy Gormley
Co-Producer - Curt Kanemoto

Casting Directors - Kristy Carlson, Lora Kennedy and Lucinda Syson

Military Advisors - Paul Hornsby and Andrew Robertshaw

Horse Master - Daniel Naprous

Production Designer - Aline
Bonetto
Supervising Art Directors -
Dominic Hyman and Peter
Russell

Art Directors - Steve Carter, James Collins, Phil Harvey, Stuart Kearns, Dominic Masters, Arwel Evans and Remo Tozzi

Art Director: Italy Unit - Domenico Sica

Action Vehicles Supervisor -

Alex King

Set Decorator - Anna
Lynch-Robinson

Costume Designer - Lindy
Hemming

Costume Armourer Supervisor - Patrick Whitaker

Makeup & Hair Designer - Christine Blundell

Supervising Armourer - Ben Rothwell

Armourers - Jon Baker,

Lee Garside, Liam McCartney,

Mick O'Toole and David Bayliss
Director of Photography - Matthew Jensen

Supervising Location Manager - Charlie Somers

Second Second Assistant Directors:

Second Unit - Paul Cathie and Tom Browne

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Damon Caro
Stunt Coordinators - Tim Rigby,

Wayne Dalglish and Marcus Shakesheff
Stunt/Fight Coordinators (Uncredited) - Allen Jo

and Ryan Watson

Fight Choreographer - Guillermo Grispo

(Uncredited)
Special Effects Supervisor - Mark Holt
Special Effects Coordinator - Carmila Gittens
Visual Effects Supervisor - Bill Westenhofer

Visual Effects Supervisor: Double Negative -

Alex Wuttke

Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Jessica Norman

Visual Effects Supervisor: UPP - Viktor Muller

Visual Effects: Weta Digital - René Borst,

Jong Jin Choi, Simeon Duncombe, Steve McGillen,

Keith Miller and Lena Scanlan

Additional Visual Effects Supervisor - Frazer Churchill
Visual Effects Consultant - Jim Bergstrom
Visual Effects Producer - Amber Kirsch

Visual Effects Consulting Producer - Emma Norton

Visual Effects Producer: MPC - Laurence Berkani

Animation Supervisors: Double Negative -

Ben Wiggs and Nicholas Symons

Compositing Supervisors: Double Negative -

Brian Connor and Daniel Rauchwerger
Editor - Martin Walsh

Associate Editor - Matthew Tucker

Supervising Sound Editor - James M. Mather

Production Sound Mixer - Chris Munro

Re-Recording Mixers - Chris Burdon

and Gilbert Lake

Foley Artists - Peter Burgis,

Jason Swanscott and Zoe Freed
Music - Rupert Gregson-Williams
Composers: Additional Music - David Buckley,
Tom Howe, Andrew Kawczynski and
Paul Mounsey

Score Mixers - Alan Meyerson and

Forest Christenson

Review

When WONDER WOMAN came out in cinemas recently, I was relieved that the rumours about the movie wouldn't live up to its huge expectations were put to rest. The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) finally attained its mojo when (in my opinion) it all started with Suicide Squad. It wasn't the first time I'd seen Wonder Woman in a standalone film. I'd seen the 2009 direct-to-video animated version on pay TV. It is a privilege that this female character has her cinematic spotlight, especially when other female-led superhero movies that came before, such as Supergirl, Catwoman, and Elektra, struggled to dominate the box office charts, particularly when competing against other male-centred films of the genre. Unlike the few previous entries from DCEU, which were mediocre at best, this one does not, by any means, disappoint DC fanatics.

However, the action sequences were perfectly timed and flowed well with the editing and detailed storyline. I have no problems with the movie whatsoever. Zack Snyder's involvement is limited: he helped co-envision the plot and served as a producer. WONDER WOMAN has rightfully earned its place as an uplifting, intense, but pro-feminist-focused film that portrays women as resourceful, skilful, and powerful. Traditionally, in superhero films, you often see females as damsels in distress or as supporting heroes (not lead characters). But this can be a very anti-feminist perspective.

Continuing the Wonder Woman mantle is Gal Gadot, who once again delivers an astonishing performance as the superheroine, now transformed into a god-like figure, much like Superman. Co-starring with the lead actress is Chris Pine, who magnificently portrays Steve Trevor, her soon-to-be ill-fated love interest. They both provide sensational chemistry as they profess their on-screen love and successfully convince the audience of their unbreakable romance.

I can't think of anything negative to say about this movie. It is a worthy addition to the ranks of the all-time greats. I would be surprised if this film does not spawn a sequel. I hope it leaves as big an impression on me as this terrific movie did.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Release Date: 25th May 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures (present)

Jerry Bruckheimer Films (present)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Adventure/

Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 129 minutes

Budget: $320,000,000

Box Office Gross: $795,922,298 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Captain Jack Sparrow's

luck is about to change

for the worse, as ghostly

sailors led by his old enemy,

the evil Captain Salazar,

escape from the Devil's 

Triangle. Jack's search for

the legendary trident of

Poseidon, involving an
unlikely partnership with

a brilliant and beautiful

astronomer and a
headstrong naval officer,

is his only hope for survival.

Cast

Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow

Javier Bardem - Captain Salazar

Geoffrey Rush - Captain

Hector Barbossa

Brenton Thwaites - Henry Turner

Kaya Scodelario - Carina

Smyth

Kevin McNally - Joshamee

Gibbs

Golshifteh Farahani - Shansa

David Wenham - Scarfield

Stephen Graham - Scrum

Angus Barnett - Mullroy

Martin Klebba - Marty

Adam Brown - Cremble

Giles New - Murtogg

Orlando Bloom - Will Turner

Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann

Paul McCartney - Uncle Jack (Cameo)

Delroy Atkinson - Pike

Danny Kirrane - Bollard

Juan Carlos Vellido - Lt. Lesaro

Rodney Afif - Officer Madga

Rupert Raineri - Officer Santos

Stephen Lopez - Officer Moss

Bruce Spence - Mayor Dix

Justin Smith - Mr. Krill

John Leary - Mr. Swift

Anthony De La Torre - Young Jack Sparrow

Finn Ireland - Young Pirate Jeff

James Mackay - Maddox

Bryan Probets - Bowen

Lewis McGowan - Henry Turner (12 Yrs Old)

Alexander Scheer - Young Teague

Richard Piper - Captain Toms

Michael Dorman - First Officer

Wade

Rohan Nicol - Officer Cole

Robert Morgan - Grimes

Zoe Ventoura - Mayor's Wife

Jonathan Elsom - Priest

Crew

Directors - Joachim Rønning

and Espen Sandberg

Based on Characters/Story/
Executive Producer - Terry Rossio

Based on Characters - Ted Elliott, Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert

Story/Screenplay - Jeff

Nathanson

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr.

Executive Producers - Chad Oman, Mike Stenson and Brigham Taylor

Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer

Casting Directors - Ronna

Kress, Susie Figgis and Nikki

Barrett

Historical Advisor/Technical

Advisor: Additional Photography,

Vancouver - Peter Twist 

Production Designer - Nigel Phelps
Supervising Art Director - Ian Gracie

Art Directors - John Dexter, Jacinta Leong, Tom Nursey and Michael Turner

Illustrators -  Simon Murton,

Seth Engstrom, Jeremy Love

and Rowan Cassidy

Set Decorator - Beverley Dunn

Property Master - Richie Dehne

Costume Designer - Penny Rose

Associate Costume Designer - John Norster

Makeup & Hair Designer - Peter Swords King

Head of Makeup, Hair & Prosthetics - Rick Findlater

Prosthetic Makeup Supervisor - Adam Johansen

Director of Photography - Paul Cameron

Director of Photography: Second Unit - Brad Shield

Underwater Director of Photography - Simon Christidis

Aerial Directors of Photography - David B. Nowell,

Hans Bjerno and Steve Koster

'A' Camera Operator - Martin Schaer 

Production Supervisor - Jessica Derhammer

Unit Production Manager: UK - Chris Brock

First Assistant Director - Chris Castaldi

Second Assistant Director - Deborah Antoniou

Supervising Stunt Coordinator - R.A. Rondell

Stunt Coordinator: US - Thomas Robinson Harper

Stunt Coordinator: Australia - Kyle Gardiner

Stunt Coordinator: Canada - Owen Walstrom

Stunt Rigging Coordinators - Shawn Kautz,

David Huggins and Keir Beck

Fight Coordinator/Captain Salazar Stunt Double -

Thomas DuPont

Horse Master - Graham Ware Jr.

Aerial Pilot - David Paris

Special Effects Supervisor - Dan Oliver
Production Consultant Special Effects - John Frazier

Special Effects Coordinators: Vancouver -

Cameron Waldbauer and P. David Benediktson

Visual Effects Supervisor - Gary Brozenich

Visual Effects Supervisors: MPC - Sheldon Stopsack

and Patrick Ledda

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Atomic Fiction -

Ryan Tudhope

Visual Effects Supervisors: Lola VFX - Trent Claus

and Cliff Welsh

Visual Effects Producer - Tamara Watts Kent

Compositing Supervisor: Lola VFX - Edson Williams

Previs Supervisors - Nicolas Markel and

Chris 'Willie' Williams

Film Editors - Roger Barton and Leigh Folsom Boyd
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor/
Re-Recording Mixer - Christopher Boyes

Supervising Sound Editor - Jack Whittaker

Sound Effects Editors - Baard Haugan

Ingebretsen, Tormond Ringnes, Justin Doyle,

Scott Guitteau, David C. Hughes and

David Chrastka

Dialogue Editors - Cheryl Nardi,

Marshall Winn and Jacob Riehle

Re-Recording Mixer - Paul Massey

Additional Re-Recording Mixers - Nathan Vance

and Tony Villaflor

Music - Geoff Zanelli

Composers: Additional Music - Phil Boucher,
Zak McNeil, Paul Mounsey and Anthony B. Willis

Score Wrangler - Bob Badami

Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review 

Shiver me, timbers! It's time for DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES to set sail as Disney is trying to keep a waning franchise of Pirates of the Caribbean afloat. Some moviegoers have lost interest in the series because of the divisive On Stranger Tides. The studio and its former partner, Jerry Bruckheimer, decided that a change of direction would be best for the next film, so they brought in two Norwegian directors.

Unfortunately, much of it fell victim to a string of production difficulties as its actor, Johnny Depp, got injured on-set and faced career-threatening issues. Yet, this feature attempts to convince us that there's still hope for the series as Depp struggles to regain much of his A-list status following the allegations. The two new lead characters in the film weren't as believable as Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann from the original films. This film wasn't quite as promising as its narrative, as most of us believed it would replicate the approval from The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Now that Depp is a shadow of his former self, the role inspired by the exploits of the great matinee idol Errol Flynn is losing its edge. Javier Bardem was splendid as the undead pirate hunter Salazar, who was purely motivated by revenge on Captain Jack Sparrow. He is the film's only other redeeming feature. Fortunately, he had not signed on to a different picture than being in the ensemble cast. We can also thank Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley for their special guest appearances as Will and Elizabeth after they were both absent in the previous movie.

DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES was not the long-awaited film to rescue the series from its declining quality. It has some moments, but not nearly enough to offset the sequels' lack of balance. So viewers are warned. Watch at your own risk!

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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In Memory of Roger Moore (1927-2017)

Roger Moore (1927-2017)

Hello movie bloggers, I regret to inform you that British film and television actor Roger Moore, known for being Simon Templar in the television show "The Saint" and his longest-serving portrayal of secret agent James Bond in the film series from 1973 to 1985, has passed away after bravely losing his battle with cancer at 89 years old. I have nothing against the late movie star except that he wasn't the best actor to play 007. His take was more British, less brutal, and more memorable than any interpretation conceived by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.

Moore began his acting career in 1945, landing an extra role in the film "Caesar and Cleopatra." Moore had his first televised appearance in 1949 and found work modelling for print advertisements. In 1954, he landed a seven-year contract with MGM and got third billing and supporting roles in "Interrupted Memory," "The King's Thief," and "Diane." The latter film flopped, and the studio released Moore two years later. A few years later, Moore starred in one-hour segments on numerous TV programs and in little-known movies. Moore's involvement with television grew as he featured in lead roles, including "Ivanhoe," "The Alaskans," and "Maverick." Moore starred as Simon Templar in the television spy-fi drama "The Saint," produced by Lew Grade. The show aired in 1962 in the UK and the US, with the latter earning widespread attention. Due to its success, Moore obtained international stardom in 1967. The series was in black and white until 1967, when it switched to colour, and ran for six seasons, comprising 118 episodes. In addition to his main acting, Roger Moore also directed several episodes. In 1971, Moore starred in another espionage thriller series opposite Tony Curtis in "The Persuaders." Unlike his previous fame in "The Saint," the series was a success only in the UK and Australia, not in the US, where it was pre-sold to ABC and failed to make an impact.

In 1972, when producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli first approached the actor after Sean Connery retired from the role of 007, Roger accepted their offer to portray the titular character, starting with "Live and Let Die." After its release, he continued with the character in several films. He was 45 years old in "Live and Let Die" and 58 when he retired from that role in 1985, becoming the longest-running actor to portray James Bond. During his tenure as Bond, Moore had other movies in mind, such as "Gold," "The Wild Geese," "Escape from Athena," "North Sea Hijack," "The Sea Wolves," and "The Cannonball Run." He appeared as Inspector Clouseau on "The Curse of the Pink Panther" under the pseudonym. After retiring from being James Bond, Moore took a career hiatus for five years and would not continue to make film appearances until 1990 in several movies. He was seen in other movies, such as "The Quest" with Jean-Claude Van Damme and "Spice World," and was among the voice talents of "Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore."

Despite his celebrity status, Moore became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth knighted him as "Sir Roger Moore" for his "services to charity." In 2008, the French Government appointed him as Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

To Roger Moore's family and friends, we deeply miss him. We are grateful to have witnessed his work, including the James Bond films. May he ever be immortalised?

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Release Date: 6th July 2006 - Australia

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures (presents)

Jerry Bruckheimer Films (in association with)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Adventure/

Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 145 minutes

Budget: $225,000,00

Box Office Gross: $1,066,179,747 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
Captain Jack Sparrow is in debt to Davy Jones, captain of the Flying Dutchman, a ghostly, hellishly crewed ship. Jack must find Davy Jones' heart in the "Locker," but he needs the help of the quick-witted Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann to save himself. As if that weren't complicated enough, Will and Elizabeth are on death row, which interrupted their wedding plans unless Will can get Jack's compass for Lord Cutler Beckett. Will joins Jack on another crazy adventure.

Cast

Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow

Bill Nighy - Davy Jones

Orlando Bloom - Will Turner

Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann

Jonathan Pryce - Governor Weatherby Swann

Kevin McNally - Joshamee Gibbs

Stellan Skarsgård - Bootstrap Bill

Lee Arenberg - Pintel

Mackenzie Crook - Ragetti

Tom Hollander - Cutler Beckett

Naomie Harris - Tia Dalma

David Bailie - Cotton

Martin Klebba - Marty

David Schofield - Mercer

Alex Norton - Captain Bellamy

Geoffrey Rush - Hector Barbossa (Cameo)

Dermot Keaney - Maccus

Andy Beckwith - Clanker

Clive Ashborn - Koleniko

Reggie Lee - Hadras

Christopher Adamson - Jimmy

Legs

Jonathan Linsley - Ogilvely

John Boswell - Wyvern

Max Baker - Burser

Steve Speirs - Quartermaster

Lauren Maher - Scarlett

Vanessa Branch - Giselle

Christopher S. Capp - Parrot

Voice (Voice)

Crew

Director - Gore Verbinski

Based on Characters/Writers - Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio

Based on Characters - Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert

Script Supervisor - Sharron Reynolds

Executive Producers - Mike

Stenson, Chad Oman and

Bruce Hendricks

Executive Producer/Unit

Production Manager - Eric McLeod

Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer

Historical Advisor - Peter Twist

Casting Director - Denise Chamian

Casting Director: UK - Priscilla John

Production Designer - Rick Heinrichs

Creature Concepts - Mark 'Crash' McCreery

Conceptual Artists - Derek Gogol, Matt Codd and Tim Flattery

Illustrators - Mauro Borrelli, James Carson, Nathan Schroeder, Wil Rees and Warren Manser

Conceptual Consultant - James Byrkit

Supervising Art Director - John Dexter

Art Directors - William Ladd Skinner, Bruce Crone and John Dexter

Assistant Art Directors - Nick Navarro, Domenic Silvestri, Robert Woodruff, Eric Sundahl, Darrell L. Wright and Gary Diamond

Set Decorator - Cheryl Carasik

Costume Designer - Penny Rose

Associate Costume Designer - John Norster

Costume Supervisor: Location - Kenny Crouch

Property Masters - Jerry Moss and Kris Peck

Makeup Effects Creator/Department Head -

Ve Neill

Makeup Effects Supervisor/Key Makeup

Artist/Prosthetic Makeup Designer - Joel Harlow

Additional Makeup Supervisor/Tattoo Designer -

Ken Diaz

Chief Hair Stylist - Martin Samuel

Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski

Underwater Director of Photography - Peter Zuccarini

Aerial Unit Director of Photography - David B. Nowell

Camera Operator - Martin Schaer

Location Manager: US - Laura Sode-Matteson

Unit Production Manager - Douglas C. Merrifield

Production Supervisor - Thomas Hayslip

First Assistant Director - Peter Kohn

First/Second Assistant Director - David H. Venghaus Jr.

Second Assistant Director - Jeff Okabayashi

Second Unit Director/Visual Effects Supervisor:

Additional Visual Effects - Charles Gibson

Second Unit Director: Dominica/

Stunt Coordinator - George Marshall Ruge

Sword Master/Specialist (Uncredited)/

Stunt Double: Jack Davenport - Thomas DuPont

Aerial Coordinator - David Paris

Marine Coordinator - Daniel F. Malone

Marine Coordinator: Dominica - Ed Nyerick

Animal Coordinator - Boone Narr

Head Trainer - Mark Harden

Picture Boat Coordinator - Will White

Transportation Coordinator - Dave Robling

Special Effects Coordinators - Allen Hall

and Michael Lantieri

Shop Supervisors - Thomas Park and

James Reedy

Gimbal Foreman - Mark Hawker

Visual Effects Supervisor - John Knoll

Visual Effects Supervisor: The Orphanage -

Ryan Tudhope

Visual Effects Supervisor: CIS Hollywood -

Bryan Hirota

Visual Effects Supervisor: Pacific Title and

Art Studio - David Sosalla

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Asylum -

Nathan McGuinness

Additional Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM -

Bill George and Roger Guyett

Visual Effects Producers: ILM - Ned Gorman

and Jill Brooks

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Aaron McBride
Digital Production Supervisor: ILM - David Meny

Compositing Supervisor: ILM - Eddie Pasquarello

Compositing Supervisors: Asylum - John Fragomeni

and Phil Brennan

Animation Supervisor: ILM - Hal T. Hickel

Associate Animation Supervisor: ILM - Marc Chu

CG Supervisor: Asylum - Sean Andrew Faden

TD Supervisor: ILM - Patrick T. Myers

Creature Development Supervisor: ILM - James Tooley

Digital Model Supervisors: ILM - Geoff Campbell,

Bruce Holcomb and Steve Walton

Sequence Supervisors: ILM - Tom Fejes,

Neil Herzinger, Jeff Sutherland, Chad Taylor,

Susumu Yukuhiro, Jason Snell, Jack Mongovan,

Mario Capellari, Ian Christie, Michael Halstead,

Shawn Hillier, Polly Ing, Katrin Klaiber,

François Lambert, Kimberly Lashbrook,

Robert Marinic, Tom Martinek, Tory Mercer,

Greg Salter, Douglas Smythe, Damian Steel

and Jeff Wozniak

Models & Miniatures Unit Supervisors: ILM -

Carl Miller, Pat Sweeney, Mark Anderson,

Geoff Heron and Charles Bailey

Editors - Craig Wood and Stephen Rivkin

Supervising Sound Editor/Designer/

Sound Mixer - Christopher Boyes

Supervising Sound Editor - George Watters II

Sound Effects Editors - Ken Fischer,

Addison Teague, Shannon Mills, Tim Nielsen,

Brent Burge and Melanie Graham

Supervising ADR Editor - Jessica Gallavan

Sound Mixers - Lee Orloff and Paul Massey

Additional Sound Mixer - James Bolt

Music - Hans Zimmer

Composers: Additional Music - Nick Glennie-Smith,

Lorne Balfe, Tom Gire, Henry Jackman,

Trevor Morris, John Sponsler and Geoff Zanelli

Composer: Theme Music - Klaus Badelt

Music Supervisor - Bob Badami

Ambient Music Design - Mel Wesson

Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Awards

2007 Academy Awards

Best Visual Effects - John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel,

Allen Hall and Charles Gibson (Won)

--------------------------

Best Art Direction - Rick Heinrichs and

Cheryl Carasik (Nominated)

Best Sound Mixing - Paul Massey, Christopher Boyes

and Lee Orloff (Nominated)

Best Sound Editing - Christopher Boyes and

George Watters II (Nominated)

Review

While The Curse of the Black Pearl received a standing ovation as a worthy pirate film, the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels are less well known than the original and are a mixed bag among viewers. I barely watched them (except for On Stranger Tides), but now is the time to watch all entries in a canonical order before I go and see Dead Men Tell No Tales in theatres.

DEAD MAN'S CHEST was the middle child of the series and failed to surpass the standards of the previous film. The crucial balance between action and comedy is missing, as the plot becomes convoluted and bogged down in exposition. Director Gore Verbinski and screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio were riding high on the success of the first film, as Disney wanted DEAD MAN'S CHEST to be bigger and better than the last movie. This sequel tried too hard to be even better, despite all the great lengths gone to for aspects like lavish scenery, brilliant sword fighting, and extravagant visuals. Sadly, these aspects were insufficient to make the second instalment a great movie.

Johnny Depp was almost as funny when he continued in the role of Captain Jack Sparrow after he had astonished audiences with the character's big debut in the first film. He was sincere in admitting that he was cheeky and unrestrained when it came to amusing himself in his improvised acting. Actor Bill Nighy became unrecognisable in a hideous disguise as the squid-like part-crustacean pirate of Davy Jones when he took on the role of the antagonist. It has to be the computer-generated imagery that camouflaged him, making him look fishy in this transformation. The rousing, adventurous score by Hans Zimmer was incredible, incorporating strings, pipes, and percussion to evoke Klaus Badelt's original themes.

DEAD MAN'S CHEST was a bit disjointed, but a decent addition to the Pirates franchise. Though not the best sequel, it's a mildly entertaining film. I highly recommend it to fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Review

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2


Release Date: 25th April 2017 - Australia


Production Companies
Marvel Studios (presents)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 136 minutes


Budget: $200,000,000

Box Office Gross: $863,756,051 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Now hailed as heroes after saving Xandar from Ronan, Peter Quill and his Guardians of the Galaxy are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from a monster. After defeating it, Rocket steals these batteries, prompting the Sovereign to send its fleet to pursue them. While the guardians evade their pursuers, they uncover the truth about Peter's unknown heritage.

Cast
Chris Pratt - Peter Quill/
Star-Lord
Zoe Saldana - Gamora
Bradley Cooper - Rocket (Voice)
Dave Bautista - Drax the Destroyer
Vin Diesel - Baby Groot (Voice)
Kurt Russell - Ego
Pom Klementieff - Mantis
Elizabeth Debicki - Ayesha
Michael Rooker - Yondu Udonta
Karen Gillan - Nebula
Chris Sullivan - Taserface
Sean Gunn - Kraglin/On Set Rocket
Krystian Godlewski - On Set Groot
Sylvester Stallone - Stakar Ogord
Laura Haddock - Meredith Quill
Wyatt Oleff - Young Peter Quill
Gregg Henry - Grandpa Quill
Evan Jones - Wrench
Jimmy Urine - Half-Nut
Stephen Blackehart - Brahl
Steve Agee - Gef
Mike Escamilla - Scrote
Joe Fria - Oblo
Terence Rosemore - Narblik
Tommy Flanagan - Tullk
Michael Rosenbaum - Martinex T'Naga (Cameo)
Ving Rhames - Charlie-27 (Cameo)
Michelle Yeoh - Aleta Ogora (Cameo)
Stan Lee - Watcher Informant (Cameo)
Ben Browder - Sovereign

Admiral (Cameo)
Miley Cyrus - Mainframe (Voice)

(Cameo) (Uncredited)
Seth Green - Howard the Duck

(Voice) (Cameo)

Molly C. Quinn - Howard's Date
Jeff Goldblum - Grandmaster
(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Rob Zombie - Unseen Ravager

(Voice) (Cameo)

David Hasselhoff - The Form

of David Hasselhoff (Cameo)

Richard Christy - 'Down There!' (Cameo)

James Gunn Sr. - Weird Old Man (Cameo)

Leota Gunn - Weird Old Man's Mistress (Cameo)

Guillermo Rodriguez - Cop #2 (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew
Writer/Director - James Gunn
Based on the Marvel Comics - Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Star-Lord/Mantis Creator -

Steve Englehart
Star-Lord Creator - Steve Gan
Gamora and Drax Creator -

Jim Starlin
Groot Creator/Executive Producer - Stan Lee
Groot Creators - Larry Lieber
and Jack Kirby

Rocket Raccoon Creators - Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen
Mantis Creator - Don Heck (Uncredited)
Howard the Duck Creators - Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik

Script Supervisor - Martin Kitrosser

Associate Producer - Simon Hatt
Executive Producers - Victoria Alonso,

Louis D'Esposito and Jonathan Schwartz
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Nikolas Korda
Producer - Kevin Feige
Co-Producer - David J. Grant

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - Lars P. Winther
Casting Director - Sarah Finn
Production Designer - Scott Chambliss
Production Designer: Los Angeles Unit/
Supervising Art Director - Ramsey Avery

Visual Development Supervisor - Andy Park

Concept Artists - Jonathan Bach,

John Dickenson, Andrea Dopaso, Tim Flattery,

Sean Hargreaves, George Hull, Scott Lukowski,

Victor Martinez, Sam Michlap, Till Nowak,

Craig Sellars, Dean Sheriff and Hal Tenny

Concept Artist/Visual Development Concept

Illustrator - Tully Summers

Visual Development Concept Illustrators -

Melissa Encinas, Anthony Francisco,

Rodney Fuentebella, Constantine Sekeris,

Justin Sweet and Jackson Sze

Visual Development Concept Artists -

Karla Ortiz, Wesley Burt, Ryan Lang,

Kevin Chen, Ian Joyner, Michael Kutsche

and Jerad Marantz

Art Directors - Vlad Bina, Jana Engel,

Iain McFayden, Harry Otto,

Lauren Polizzi and Thomas Valentine

Set Decorator - Jay Hart

Property Master - Russell Bobbitt

Costume Designer - Judianna Makovsky

Assistant Costume Designers - Michael Crow

and Lisa Tomczeszyn

Prosthetic Makeup Department Head:

Legacy Effects - Brian Sipe

Makeup Department Head - John Blake

Hair Department Head - Camille Friend

Hair Department Head: Los Angeles Unit -

Peter Tothpal

Director of Photography - Henry Braham

Aerial Coordinator - David Paris

Unit Production Manager - Thomas Hayslip

Unit Production Manager: Los Angeles Unit -

Leeann Stonebreaker

Stunt Coordinator - Thomas Robinson Harper

Co-Stunt Coordinator - Riley Harper

Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -

Casey O'Neill

Fight Coordinator - James Young
Special Effects Supervisor - Daniel Sudick

Legacy Effects Supervisors - Shane P. Mahan

and Lindsay MacGowan

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta Digital -

Joe Letteri

Visual Effects Supervisor - Christopher Townsend

Visual Effects Supervisors: Weta Digital -

Guy Williams, Kevin Andrew Smith, Charles Tait

and Daniel MacCarin

Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -

Jonathan Fawkner

Visual Effects Co-Supervisor: Framestore -

Patric Roos

Visual Effects Supervisors: Animal Logic -

Paul Butterworth and Kirsty Millar

Visual Effects Supervisor: Method Studios -

Nordin Rahhali

Visual Effects Supervisor: Technicolor VFX -

Doug Spiltaro

Visual Effects Supervisor: Sarofsky -

Matthew Crnich

Additional Visual Effects Supervisor -

Edwin Rivera

Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital -

David Clayton

Senior Animation Supervisor: Method Studios -

Keith Roberts

Animation Supervisors: Method Studios -

Daniel Mizuguchi and Christopher Perkowitz-

Colvard

Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -

Raphael A. Pimentel

Compositing Supervisor: Framestore -

Matthew Twyford

Compositing Supervisor: Lola Visual Effects -

Edson Williams

3D Stereoscopic Supervisor - Evan Jacobs

Film Editors - Fred Raskin and Craig Wood

Additional Editors - Kathryn Himoff

and Andrew S. Eisen
Sound Designers/Supervising Sound Editors -
Addison Teague and David Acord

Sound Mixer - Lee Orloff

Sound Mixer: Los Angeles Unit - David Husby

Re-Recording Mixers - Christopher Boyes

and Lora Hirschberg

Foley Artists - John Roesch and Shelley Roden
Music - Tyler Bates

Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan

Review

My experience of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie would have been different if I had not seen the new chapter in theatres. The thrilling cosmic action, humour, and 70s music are reinstated in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. It was a surprising continuation that everyone agrees has the same impact as the original movie. Writer/director James Gunn has masterminded the sequel, continuing the wild space adventures of Marvel's sci-fi heroes. The film has a thoughtful storyline, family themes, and intricate character development. It boasts an immense visual display and retains these elements, though they matter less than other viewers say. It even has emotional moments, which make it all the more compelling. The film's plot and themes resemble those of The Empire Strikes Back, and it ends more bittersweet than downbeat.

The original actors, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, and others, return as the famed eponymous group of heroes, ready to save the galaxy from evil forces again. Even the undisputed Vin Diesel is now voicing the young, cutesy version of Groot. The cast's chemistry remains strong, both individually and as a group. The newer cast member, Kurt Russell, was a legendary and remarkable actor when portraying Star-Lord's mysterious and godlike estranged father. His true intentions are yet unknown.

Elizabeth Debicki delivered sheer, brutal menace as the vengeful Ayesha, and she may return to the role in the final instalment soon. French actress Pom Klementieff portrays the lovable but naive Mantis, the team's newest member. Veteran actor Sylvester Stallone plays Stakar Ogord in a supporting role, although I've never been a big fan. Whatever the reason, he did do a fascinating job.

Viewers will be jettisoned and embrace the world of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 as they did for its predecessor. It may not have been as fresh as the last movie, but it's a more colourful, action-packed, and entertaining sequel. I hope to see the film again whenever it comes out on Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes, and Netflix.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Release Date: 11th September 2003 - Australia

Production Companies

Walt Disney Pictures (presents)

Jerry Bruckheimer Films (in association with)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Adventure/

Fantasy

Rating: M

Runtime: 142 minutes

Budget: $140,000,000

Box Office Gross: $654,264,546 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

When Elizabeth Swann, the governor's daughter, gets kidnapped by the feared pirate Captain Barbossa, who suspects she has the medallion. Her childhood friend, a young blacksmith named Will Turner, joins forces with the eccentric yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow to set sail and rescue Elizabeth from Barbossa. Little do they know that Barbossa and his crew are under a terrible curse that has doomed them to live for all eternity as the undead unless a blood sacrifice is made that would allow them to become mortal again.

Cast

Johnny Depp - Captain Jack Sparrow

Orlando Bloom - Will Turner

Keira Knightley - Elizabeth Swann

Geoffrey Rush - Hector Barbossa

Jack Davenport - Norrington
Jonathan Pryce - Governor
Weatherby Swann
Kevin McNally - Joshamee Gibbs
Lee Arenberg - Pintel
Mackenzie Crook - Ragetti
Damian O'Hare - Lt. Gillette
Giles New - Murtogg
Angus Barnett - Mullroy
David Bailie - Cotton
Michael Berry Jr. - Twigg
Isaac C. Singleton Jr. - Bo'sun
Zoe Saldana - Anamaria
Martin Klebba - Marty
Treva Etienne - Koehler
Greg Ellis - Officer

Lauren Maher - Scarlett

Brye Cooper - Mallot

Vanessa Branch - Giselle

Trevor Goddard - Grapple
Vince Lozano - Jacoby
Ralph P. Martin - Mr. Brown
Paula J. Newman - Estrella
Dylan Smith - Young Will
Lucinda Drysek - Young Elizabeth
Guy Siner - Harbormaster

Crew

Director - Gore Verbinski
Screen Story/Screenplay - Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio
Screen Story - Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert

Script Supervisor - Sharron Reynolds
Executive Producer/Unit
Production Manager - Paul Deason
Executive Producer/Unit
Production Manager/

Second Unit Director - Bruce Hendricks
Executive Producers - Chad Oman and

Mike Stenson

Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer
Technical Advisor - Peter Twist
Casting Director - Ronna Kress

Lead Animal Trainer - Ursula Brauner

Animal Coordinator - Mark Harden
Production Designer - Brian Morris

Consultant - James Ward Byrkit

Creature Concepts - Mark 'Crash' McCreery

Conceptual Artist - Miles Teves

Supervising Art Director - Derek R. Hill
Art Directors - James E. Tocci and

Donald B. Woodruff

Art Director: Caribbean Unit -

William Ladd Skinner

Construction Coordinator - Robert A. Blackburn

Set Decorators - Larry Dias and

Cristian Bertoco (Uncredited)

Property Master - Charles Stewart

Armourer - Harry Lu

Costume Designer - Penny Rose

Associate Costume Designer - John Norster

Costume Supervisors - Ken Crouch and

Carolyn Dessert

Makeup Effects Creator - Keith VanderLaan

Makeup Effects Supervisor: Captive Audience

Productions - Brian Sipe

Makeup Supervisor - Ve Neill

Makeup Effects Consultant/Special Makeup

Effects Artist - Greg Cannom

Chief Hair Stylist - Martin Samuel
Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski

Director of Photography: Second Unit -

Mitchell Amundsen

Director of Photography: Second Unit/

Second Unit Director - Alexander Witt

Aerial Unit Director of Photography - David B. Nowell

Camera Operator - Martin Schaer

Camera/Steadicam Operators -

David Luckenbach and Chris Haarhoff

Underwater Camera Operator - Peter Zuccarini

Second Assistant Camera: Second Unit -

Robert Settlemire

Unit Production Manager: Caribbean Unit -

Douglas C. Merrifield

Production Supervisor: Caribbean Unit -

Thomas Hayslip

First Assistant Director - Peter Kohn

First Assistant Directors: Second Unit -

Gary Romolo Fiorelli and Darin Rivetti
Stunt Coordinator - George Marshall Ruge

Additional Sword Trainers - Mark Ivie

and Bob Anderson

Helicopter Pilot - David Paris

Assistant Marine Coordinator - Ed Nyerick

Assistant Marine Coordinator: Caribbean Unit -

Daniel F. Malone

Boat Wrangler - Will White

Transportation Coordinator - Dave Robling

Special Effects Coordinator - Terry D. Frazee
Additional Special Effects Coordinator -

Dan Cangemi

Assistant Special Effects Coordinator -

Donald Frazee

Practical FX Supervisor: ILM - Geoff Heron

Visual Effects Supervisor - John Knoll

Visual Effects Supervisor: CSI Hollywood -

Bryan Hirota

Visual Effects Supervisor: Pacific Title -

David Sosalla

Visual Effects Consultant - Charles Gibson

Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Jill Brooks

Visual Effects Producer: Boy Wonder -

Dennis Hoffman

Art Director: ILM - Aaron McBride

Visual Effects Directors of Photography: ILM -

Carl Miller and Pat Sweeney

Digital Effects Supervisor: CIS Hollywood -

Gregory D. Liegey

Animation Supervisor: ILM - Hal T. Hickel

Computer Graphics Supervisor: ILM -

Patrick T. Myers

CG Sequence Supervisors: ILM - Russell Earl

and Neil Herbzinger

3D Matchmove Lead: ILM - Jason H. Snell

Cloth Simulation Supervisor: ILM -

James Tooley
CG Model Supervisor: ILM - Geoff Campbell
Physical Model Supervisor: ILM - Charles Bailey

Lead Model Makers: ILM - Peter Bailey,

Don Bies, Robert Edwards, Jon Foldman,

Dave Murphy and Lauren Vogt

Stage Production Managers: ILM -

Mark Anderson and Monique Gougeon

Digital Matte Supervisor: ILM - Jonathan Harb

Lead CG Viewpainter: ILM - Steve Walton

Editors - Stephen E. Rivkin,
Arthur Schmidt and Craig Wood

Assistant AVID Editors - Christopher S. Capp

and Dana E. Glauberman
Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer
Re-Recording Mixer - Christopher Boyes

Supervising Sound Editor - George Watters II

ADR Supervisor - Jessica Gallavan

Sound Mixer - Lee Orloff

Sound Effects Editors - Ken Fischer,

Tim Nielsen and Addison Teague

Re-Recording Mixers - David E. Campbell

and David Parker

Music - Klaus Badelt

Composers: Additional Music - Ramin Djawadi,
Jim Dooley, Nick Glennie-Smith, Steve Jablonsky,
James McKee Smith and Geoff Zanelli
Composer: Additional Music (Uncredited)/

Technical Music Producer - Trevor Morris
Composer: Additional Music/Orchestrator -

Blake Neely

Music Supervisor - Bob Badami

Score Producer/Music Programmer - Hans Zimmer

Music Arranger and Designer - Mel Wesson

Score Mixers - Alan Meyerson and

Slamm Andrews

Awards

2004 Academy Awards

Best Actor in a Leading Role - Johnny Depp (Nominated)

Best Makeup - Ve Neill and Martin Samuel (Nominated)

Best Sound Mixing - Christopher Boyes,

David Parker, David E. Campbell and

Lee Orloff (Nominated)

Best Sound Editing - Christopher Boyes and

George Watters II (Nominated)

Best Visual Effects - John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel,

Charles Gibson and Terry D. Frazee (Nominated)

Review

Ahoy there, me hearties, it's Rad Dingo here. You may have guessed that I didn't review any Pirates of the Caribbean movies (except On Stranger Tides). Now I'm looking forward to seeing the new film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, in theatres at the end of May. Before the countdown is over, we are looking at the series' first instalment, THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL.

It's captivating to see an incredible swashbuckling feature that didn't age a bit, and it never ceases to amaze me. I didn't expect a film based on a Disneyland theme park ride to soar as one of 2003's top-grossing films. It brought back the pirate movie genre, which had been dormant since the mid-1990s. However, the film was a hidden treasure, boasting an intriguing narrative from the same writing team behind Shrek and Aladdin.

It's full of action, including sword-fight choreography, comedy, and an adventurous feel, with fantastical and supernatural themes and iconic characters that contribute to its tremendous impact. Director Gore Verbinski deserves endless credit for bringing the franchise to life. He also did a terrific job with the pacing, and none of the sequels matched the original movie's timing.

The performances were superb, including Johnny Depp, who was already perfect as the infamous pirate, Jack Sparrow. He portrays his character with a distinctive hairstyle and a mid-Atlantic Cockney accent. He was born to lead, and his portrayal was a major step toward immortalising him as a well-known Hollywood leading man. Orlando Bloom played the pirate-in-training swordmaker, Will Scarlett. Keira Knightley was as gorgeous as the lovely Elizabeth Swann. However, the chemistry between Bloom and Knightley is palpable and significantly enhances the narrative.

Geoffrey Rush chews the scenery as the bloodthirsty blackguard Hector Barbossa, delivering a charismatic, over-the-top performance. On an unexpected note, it was one of the early films for actress Zoe Saldana. As a supporting actor, she is on the verge of a breakthrough in films such as Star Trek, Avatar, and Guardians of the Galaxy. The stunning visuals reveal the shocking curse that affected those aboard the Black Pearl.

A fun yet majestic high-seas adventure fantasy is enough to push THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL into a well-regarded sanctuary of modern classics in its heyday. It is my favourite movie and a must-see.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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