In Memory of R. Lee Ermey (1944-2018)

R. Lee Ermey (1944-2018)

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've done a news update on my blog. I've got sad news to tell you about the former U.S. Marine and actor R. Lee Emery, best known for his iconic performance of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in "Full Metal Jacket" and his distinctive, commanding voice as the leader of the Plastic Army Men Sarge in the "Toy Story" series, died from complications of pneumonia at age 74 on April 15th, 2018.

He was born Ronald Lee Ermey in Kansas and served eleven years in the Marine Corps before spending fourteen months in Vietnam and then in Okinawa, Japan, where he got promoted to staff sergeant. Ermey's first appearance in a film was in "The Boys in Company C." The following year, he was in an uncredited role of a helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola's war epic "Apocalypse Now," while working as a technical advisor on set. Ermey was originally a technical consultant on "Full Metal Jacket," where he convinced Stanley Kubrick to cast him as the profane, sadistic drill instructor through an instructional tape, even allowing him to ad-lib 50% of his dialogue in the film. It resulted in his performance being worthy and acclaimed in the film, earning Ermey a Golden Globe nomination as Best Supporting Actor.

Typecast as an authority figure, Emery appeared in such films as "Mississippi Burning," "Se7en," "On Deadly Ground," "Toy Soldiers," "Prefontaine," "Fletch Lives," and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." Emery even lent his voice talents as Sarge in the animated feature "Toy Story" as well as two sequels and his television appearances in "The Simpsons," "Family Guy," "SpongeBob Squarepants," "Miami Vice," "Kim Possible," "Scrubs," "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy," etc. In addition to that, he also hosted two documentary series on the History Channel and a reality show on the Outdoor Channel in America.

Thank you for your service, R. Lee Emery, and may you rest in peace, sir!

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Tomb Raider Review

Tomb Raider

Release Date: 15th March 2018 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures
Metro Goldwyn Mayer

SquareEnix
GK Films

Distribution

Roadshow Distribution

Genre: Action/Adventure

Rating: M

Runtime: 118 minutes

Budget: $90,000,000

Box Office Gross: $274,650,803 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

When the fiercely independent Lara Croft finds herself on the island where her adventurer father disappeared, she must push herself beyond her limits. (Source - Metro Cinemas)

Cast

Alicia Vikander - Lara Croft

Dominic West - Lord Richard
Croft

Walton Goggins - Mathias
Vogel

Daniel Wu - Lu Ren

Kristin Scott Thomas - Ana
Miller
Derek Jacobi - Mr. Yaffe
Alexandre Willaume -
Lieutenant
Hannah John-Kamen -
Sophie

Josef Atlin - Bruce the Boss

Billy Postlethwaite - Bill

Roger Jean Nsengiyumva -
Rog

Jaime Winstone - Pamela

Michael Obiora - Baxter
Nick Frost - Pawnbroker Alan
(Uncredited)

Shekhar Varma - Mr. Ahuja 

Rekha John-Cheriyan - Mrs.
Ahuja
Antonio Aakeel - Nitin
Maisy De Freitas - Young
Lara (7 years old)
Emily Carey - Young Lara
(14 years old)

Duncan Airlie James - Terry
the Trainer

Annabel Elizabeth Wood -
Rose

Crew
Director - Roar Uthaug
Story - Evan Daugherty
Story/Screenplay - Geneva Robertson-Dworet
Screenplay - Alastair Siddons
Executive Producers - Noah Hughes, Patrick McCormick and Denis O'Sullivan
Producer - Graham King
Production Designer - Gary Freeman

Supervising Art Director: UK - Simon Lamont
Costume Designer - Colleen Atwood
Co-Costume Designer - Timothy A. Wonsik
Cinematography - George Richmond
Stunt Coordinator - Mark Henson
Special Effects Supervisors - Max Poolman and
Ivan Janse Van Rensburg

Special Effects Supervisor: UK - Richard Van Den Burgh

Special Effects Coordinator - Lise-Marie Bothma

Visual Effects Supervisor - Hubert Maston
Film Editors - Stuart Baird, Tom Harrison-Read
and Michael Tronick
Music - Junkie XL

Review

I’m so sorry for putting this blog into a three-week hiatus, I haven’t had time to think as I was too busy dealing with other projects as well as a portfolio and interview preparations. Remember when the early 'Tomb Raider' movies were adapted into the big screen from its notable video game franchise and the first instalment was a smash hit and a career-defining moment for one of Hollywood’s contemporary leading actresses, Angelina Jolie. Now there’s a new cinematic interpretation that is said to have been inspired by the video games’ rebooted origin stories and takes a new spin into the iconic female character Lara Croft, into her new setting and personality. I’ve never played any of these games elsewhere but this new movie was much grittier and realistic and a bit of an improvement to its predecessors which were both subpar to everyone’s opinion. 

Most moviegoers have anticipated this picture and I just didn’t care how much has changed in the revised film adaption of 'TOMB RAIDER'. I’m sure this new movie will go far and succeed as one of the few good movies to be based on a video game unlike each one that turns out to be lacklustre and has brought nothing new and exciting to the official game template. The adventurous feel is still there in 'TOMB RAIDER' but the storyline feels like a cut-and-paste translation of other origin stories. I feel that it’s the filmmaker’s doing of trying to convene a gritty look in the picture. The action scenes are terrific and more interesting is how the film contains some decent effects as well as a splendid pace.

Angelina Jolie was the original actress that portrayed Lara Croft, she has now retired from playing the character and will be deeply missed. Alicia Vikander is nearly as terrific and seems to be enjoying her performance despite her own take of the female adventurer/archeologist being passable. It’s not hard to see and understand why she was chosen for that imperfect role since she was younger than her predecessor.

I believe the filmmakers have actually got some of the right aspects, even though it’s close to being the best video game movie adaptation. 'TOMB RAIDER' is currently awaiting for its release in stores and online-streaming. I wish you all the best, if you give the movie a try.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Black Panther Review

Black Panther

Release Date: 14th February 2018 - Australia

Production Companies

Marvel Studios

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 134 minutes

Budget: $210,000,000

Box Office Gross: $1,347,597,973 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

After his father's death, T'Challa returns home to the advanced kingdom of Wakanda, hidden on the African continent, and becomes its new ruler. As both king and alter ego, Black Panther, he is put to the test when drawn into a conflict that threatens his country and the whole world. Can T'Challa defend Wakanda from a challenger who wishes to assume the throne?

Cast

Chadwick Boseman -

T'Challa/Black Panther

Michael B. Jordan - Erik Killmonger

Lupita Nyong'o - Nakia

Danai Gurira - Okoye

Martin Freeman - Everett K. Ross

Letitia Wright - Shuri

Winston Duke - M'Daku

Sterling K. Brown - N'Jobu

Angela Bassett - Ramona

Forest Whitaker - Zuri

Andy Serkis - Ulysses Klaue

Florence Kasumba - Ayo

John Kani - T'Chaka

David S. Lee - Limbani

Nabiyah Be - Linda

Isaach De Bankolé - River Tribe Elder

Connie Chiume - Mining Tribe Elder

Dorothy Steel - Merchant Tribe Elder

Danny Sapani - Border Tribe Elder

Atandwa Kani - Young T'Chaka

Ashton Tyler - Young T'Challa

Denzel Whitaker - James/

Young Zuri

Francesca Faridany - Museum Director

Seth Carr - Young Killmonger

Stan Lee - Thirsty Gambler (Cameo)

Sebastian Stan - Bucky Barnes (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Writer/Director - Ryan Coogler

Based on the Marvel Comics/Executive Producer - Stan Lee

Based on the Marvel Comics - Jack Kirby

Writer - Joe Robert Cole

Executive Producers -

Victoria Alonso, Jeffrey

Chernov, Louis D'Esposito

and Nate Moore

Producer - Kevin Feige

Co-Producer - David J. Grant

Casting Director - Sarah Finn

Dialect Coach - Beth McGuire

Production Designer - Hannah Beachler

Head of Visual Development - Ryan Meinerding

Visual Development Concept Illustrators - Anthony Francisco, Rodney Fuentebella, Ian Joyner, Vance Kovacs,

Khang Le, Alexander Mandradjiev,

Fausto De Martini, Jerad Marantz,

Josh Nizzi, Andy Park,

Constantine Sekeris, Tully Summers,

Jackson Sze and Henrik Tamm

Supervision Art Director - Alan Hook

Art Directors - Jason T. Clark,

Joseph Hiura, Alex McCarroll,

Jay Pelissier, Jesse Rosenthal and

Dominic Silverstri

Set Decorator - Jay Hart

Property Master - Andrew Petrotta

Costume Designer - Ruth E. Carter

Specialty Costumes Supervisor - Russell Shinkle

Hair Department Head - Camille Friend

Makeup Department Head - Joel Harlow

Director of Photography - Rachel Morrison

Director of Photography: South Korea Unit -

Igor Meglic

Director of Photography: Atlantis Second Unit -

Bruce McCleery

"A" Camera/Steadicam Operator - P. Scott Sakamoto

Camera Operators: South Korea Unit -

Onofrio Pansini, Jacques Hatkin,

Maurice McGuire and Chris Duskin

Second Assistant Camera: South Korea Unit -

Andrew Crankshaw, Chris Burket,

Harry Jamieson, Jimin & Ted Lee and

Michael Luntzel

First Assistant Directors: South Korea Unit -

Marvin Williams and Jigwang 'Jerry' Ko

Second Unit Director - Darrin Prescott

Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Stunt

Coordinator - Andy Gill

Supervising Location Manager - Ilt Jones

Stunt Coordinator - Jonathan Eusebio

Stunt Coordinators: South Korea Unit -

R.A. Rondell, Yoohun Chung, Wonjong Song

and Hank Amos

Supervising Stunt Coordinator: Additional

Photography - George Cottle

Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -

Brycen Counts

Co-Stunt Coordinator: Additional Photography -

Dan Brown

Fight Choreographer: Additional Photography/

Stunts - Chris Brewster

Picture Car Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy

Special Effects Supervisor - Daniel Sudick

Special Effects Coordinator - Jesse Noel

Visual Effects Supervisor - Geoffrey Baumann

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Craig Hammack

Visual Effects Supervisor: Cantina Creative -

Stephen Lawes

Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola - Edson Williams

Visual Effects Supervisor: Additional -

Jesse James Chisholm

VFX Supervisor: Scanline VFX - Bryan Grill

Visual Effects Producer - Lisa Beroud

Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Lee Briggs

Visual Effects Producer: RISE Visual Effects

Studios - Florian Gellinger

Visual Effects Consultant: Scanline VFX -

Stephan Trojansky

Visual Effects Art Director: Scanline VFX -

Claas Henke

Lead Visual Effects Editor - Kevin J. Jolly

Animation Supervisors: Method Studios -

Matt Kowaliszyn and Daryl Sawchuk

Animation Supervisor: ILM - Matthew Cowie

Animation Supervisor: Luma Pictures -

Raphael A. Pimentel

Motion Capture Supervisor - Simon Kay

Visualisation Supervisor - Scott Meadows

Previs Supervisor: The Third Floor - Kyle Robinson

Stereoscopic Supervisor - Evan Jacobs

Editors - Debbie Berman and

Michael P. Shawver

Additional Editor - Claudio Castello

Sound Designer - David C. Hughes

Re-Recording Mixer/Supervising Sound

Editor/Sound Designer (Uncredited) - Steve Boedekker

Supervising Sound Editor - Benjamin A. Burtt

Dialogue/ADR Editors - Cheryl Nardi

and Chris Gridley

Sound Mixer - Peter J. Devlin

Re-Recording Mixer - Brandon Proctor

Foley Artists - Shelley Roden and

John Roesch

Music - Ludwig Göransson

Original Songs - Kendrick Lamar

Music Supervisor - Dave Jordan

Review

Audiences and fans have quickly rejoiced for the Black Panther. Now he's got a movie named after him. Thanks to Marvel for its ongoing cinematic franchise. The Black Panther character makes his screen debut in Captain America: Civil War. Because of this, Marvel planned a spin-off feature, cementing Black Panther's transition from the comic-book world to the big screen. Many viewers waited patiently for this movie until it opened in cinemas in 2018. BLACK PANTHER precedes the upcoming film Avengers: Infinity War, which will follow up on the former flick, at least in a few months.

BLACK PANTHER reminds me of The Lion King because it incorporates mystical elements into its futuristic theme. The CGI was an absolute work of art, and the city of Wakanda was incredibly detailed, thanks to the many visual effects. The CGI artists have brought this production element to a new level of creativity. Director Ryan Coogler of Creed was involved in making this feature, and it is not the first black superhero movie to receive widespread attention. Fewer films have tried that (with the semi-exception of Blade). None could even come close to achieving the positive response from its intended audience, which Coogler's films have.

Having looked into Civil War, I didn't mention Chadwick Boseman, who plays the eponymous hero, as I did when I first critiqued the previous film. He was terrific in his performance, which made him a household name. He doesn't disappoint in this spin-off. Michael B. Jordan delivers a definitive portrayal as Killmonger, a would-be usurper whose troubled backstory has earned him empathy from fans and viewers. Among the all-star cast was Andy Serkis as the mercenary Ulysses Klaus, whom he reprised. In BLACK PANTHER, Serkis' character is supposedly the main villain, only to be bumped off by Jordan's standout role. Forest Whitaker and Lupita Nyong'o also appeared in this prominent feature.

I enjoyed this movie for its style and visuals. I appreciated that BLACK PANTHER didn't go unnoticed, for it was the worthy middle child of Phase 3 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Before the session times are over, this could be your last chance to see the film in cinemas. It is suited to all Marvel fans familiar with the character from the comics.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Review

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Release Date: 26th December 2017 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures (presents)

Matt Tolmach Productions

Radar Pictures

Seven Bucks Productions

Distribution

Sony Pictures Releasing Australia

Genre: Adventure/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 111 minutes

Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $962,544,585 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

When four high school teens discover an old video game console they've never seen before, they are transported into the game's jungle setting and assume the adult avatars they chose. With their newfound skills, they'll have to put them to good use as they embark on the most dangerous adventure of their lives. The only way to get back home is to finish the game or be stuck in it forever.

They soon discover that you are not just playing Jumanji–Jumanji plays you.

Cast

Dwayne Johnson - Spencer

Kevin Hart - Fridge

Jack Black - Bethany

Karen Gillan - Martha

Nick Jonas - Alex

Alex Wolff - Young Spencer

Bobby Canavale - Van Pelt

Ser'Darius Blain - Young
Fridge

Madison Iseman - Young
Bethany

Morgan Turner - Young
Martha

Rhys Darby - Nigel

William Tokarsky - Bread
Vendor

Rohan Chand - Boy at
Bazaar

Colin Hanks - Adult Alex
(Uncredited)

Marc Evan Jackson - Principal Bentley

Sean Buxton - Alex's Father/
Jogger

Tim Matheson - Older Alex's
Father/Old Man Vreeke
(Uncredited)

Missi Pyle - Coach Webb

Michael Shacket - Fussfeld

Maribeth Monroe - Teacher
Marin Hinkle - Spencer's Mom
Tracey Bonner - Fridge's Mom
Natasha Charles Parker -
Bethany's Mom

Mason Guccione - Gamer

Jamie Renell - Male Gym Teacher

Marc Evan Jackson - Principal Bentley

Kat Atman - Lucinda

Carlease Burke - Miss Mathers

Crew

Executive Producer/Director - Jake Kasdan

Based on the Book "Jumanji"/
Film "Jumanji" Screen Story - Chris Van Allsburg

Based on the Film "Jumanji" Screen Story/
Screenplay - Greg Taylor and Jim Strain

Based on the Film "Jumanji" Screenplay -

Jonathan Hensleigh

Screen Story/Screenplay - Chris McKenna

Screenplay - Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg
and Jeff Pinkner

Executive Producers - Ted Field, Dany Garcia,
Dwayne Johnson and Mike Weber

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

David B. Householter

Producers - William Teitler and Matt Tolmach

Co-Producers - Hiram Garcia and Melvin Mar

Production Designer - Owen Paterson
Art Director - Steve Cooper
Art Director/Assistant Art Director: Hawaii -

Hugo Santiago

Set Decorators - Ronald R. Reiss

and Ken Chocolate (Uncredited)

Property Master - Josh Roth

Costume Designer - Laura Dean Shannon

Assistant Costume Designer - Carrie Grace

Director of Photography - Gyula Pados

Helicopter Technical Advisor - Doug Scroggins III

(Uncredited)

Location Manager - Laura Sode-Matteson

Unit Production Manager - Basil Grillo
Second Unit Director - Jack Gill

Stunt Coordinators - Gary Hymes
and Oakley Lehman

Motorcycle Coordinator - Justin Kell (Uncredited)

Dance Fight Coordinator - Nito Larioza

Special Effects Supervisor - J.D. Schwalm
Special Effects Coordinators - Eric Cook and
Eric Frazier

Visual Effects Supervisor - Jerome Chen

Visual Effects Supervisor: MPC - Robert Winter

Editors - Steve Edwards and Mark Helfrich

Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Designer/

Supervising Sound Editor - Julian Slater

Supervising Sound Editor - Joel Shryack

Sound Designer - Jon Title

Foley Artists - Gary A. Hecker and

Michael Broomberg

Production Mixer - John Pritchett

Re-Recording Mixer - Kevin O'Connell

Music - Henry Jackman

Music Supervisors - Manish Raval

and Tom Rolfe

Score Recordist and Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review

Most people would have seen the original 1995 film adaptation of Jumanji as children and may be understandably biased towards the latest release in the Jumanji story. A supposed reboot of a movie could be distasteful for those who have read the book and grown up with the previous cinematic version. It would be especially so when this reboot has revolved around a video game rather than a board game. Moreover, for some Jumanji fans, the film's leading actor, Dwayne Johnson, would not save it or live up to the standards set by the late Robin Williams. However, I was surprised that this was an actual continuation rather than a senseless remake born out of pure egotism. WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is a cleverly updated version that adds a video game/body switch premise. Its lighthearted tone proves to audiences that this sequel is entertaining for even the most nostalgic viewers.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE's comedy is over-the-top but gets outrageously funny at an accelerated pace. The film delivers innuendos unsuitable for children under 6. The cast was terrific, with the four lead actors, including Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, having fun with their performances as teenagers trapped in their avatar bodies. Black portrays a teenage girl in her male avatar, which adds to the outrageous humour. It would not be the only time Johnson had visited the genre, as he had done before with Journey 2 several years ago. His macho persona hasn't prevented Johnson from handling the role better than he did in his ill-fated on-screen role in Baywatch. Karen Gillan looks much brighter compared to her early years in Doctor Who. She is very remarkable in her role. One of the younger Jonas Brothers gets a role as a pilot and does okay, and I liked Kevin Hart as the other source of funny comic relief.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE honours Williams' dying wish and is a literal game-changer. It eventually continues the classic 1995 movie's lost spirit, buried beneath the family category. I recommend this movie to audiences like you - or wait until it comes out on DVD, Blu-ray, and online streaming.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Winners of the 90th Academy Awards

And The Oscar Goes To... (90th Academy Award Winners)

In the last two weeks, I’ve been busy. I apologise because I haven’t had time to publish any reviews or news updates. Now, without further ado, here are the winners of the 90th Academy Awards.

It was better than last year’s ceremony, where there had been a mix-up with the envelope announcing the winner of Best Picture. Thankfully this didn’t happen again in this ceremony! I was slightly disappointed that Dunkirk didn’t win Best Picture or Best Director. Then again, it would’ve been the proudest moment for Chris Nolan to receive this award instead of coming out empty-handed without a gold trophy.

Best Visual Effects
Blade Runner 2049 - John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert and Richard R. Hoover

Best Film Editing

Dunkirk - Lee Smith

Best Costume Design

Phantom Thread - Mark Bridges

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Darkest Hour - Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick

Best Cinematography
Blade Runner 2049 - Roger Deakins

Best Production Design

The Shape of Water - Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin

Best Sound Mixing

Dunkirk - Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker and Gary A. Rizzo

Best Sound Editing

Dunkirk - Richard King and Alex Gibson

Best Original Song

"Remember Me" from Coco - Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez

Best Original Score

The Shape of Water - Alexandre Desplat

Best Animated Short Film
Dear Basketball - Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant

Best Live Action Short Film

The Silent Child - Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton

Best Documentary - Short Subject

Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405 - Frank Stiefel

Best Documentary - Feature

Icarus - Bryan Fogel and Dan Cogan

Best Foreign Language Film
A Fantastic Woman (Chile) in Spanish - Directed by Sebastián Lelio

Best Animated Feature Film

Coco - Lee Unkrich and Darin K. Anderson

Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay
Call Me by Your Name - James Ivory based on the novel by André Aciman

Best Writing - Original Screenplay

Get Out - Written by Jordan Peele

Best Supporting Actress

Allison Janney - I, Tonya as LaVona Golden

Best Supporting Actor

Sam Rockwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri as Officer Jason Dixon

Best Actress

Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri as Mildred Hayes

Best Actor

Gary Oldman - Darkest Hour as Winston Churchill

Best Director

Guillermo del Toro - The Shape of Water

Best Picture

The Shape of Water - Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale

Academy Honorary Awards
Agnès Varda

Charles Burnett

Donald Sutherland

Owen Roizman

Special Achievement Academy Award

Alejandro González Iñárritu for his virtual reality project Carne y Arena

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Shane Review

Shane

Release Date: 2nd October 1953 - Australia

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Western

Rating: G

Runtime: 118 minutes

Budget: $3,100,000

Box Office Gross: $20,000,000 (USA)

Plot Summary

A mysterious gunslinger
named Shane enters a small

Wyoming town, hoping to

settle down as a farmhand

by taking a job on
homesteader Joe Starrett's
farm. Meanwhile, Shane is
drawn into a conflict between
the townsfolk and ruthless
cattle baron Rufus Ryker.
His growing interest in
Starrett's wife, Marian, and
his affection for her son,
Joey, who idolises Shane,
lead Shane to realise he
must thwart Ryker's plan.

Cast

Alan Ladd - Shane

Jean Arthur - Marian Starrett

Van Heflin - Joe Starrett

Brandon deWilde - Joey
Starrett

Emile Meyer - Rufus Ryker

Jack Palance - Jack Wilson

Ben Johnson - Chris
Calloway

Edgar Buchanan - Fred
Lewis

Elisha Cook Jr. - Stonewall
Torrey

Douglas Spencer - Axel
'Swede' Shipstead

John Dierkes - Morgan Ryker

Ellen Corby - Mrs. Liz Torrey

Paul McVey - Sam Grafton

John Miller - Will Atkey -
Bartender

Edith Evanson - Mrs. Shipstead

Leonard Strong - Ernie Wright

Ray Spiker - Axel Johnson -
Homesteader

Janice Carroll - Susan Lewis

Martin Mason - Ed Howells

Helen Brown - Martha Lewis

Nancy Kulp - Mrs. Howells

Alana Ladd - Little Girl (Uncredited)

David Ladd - Little Boy (Uncredited)

Crew

Producer/Director - George Stevens

Based on the Novel - Jack Schaefer 

Screenplay - A.B. Guthrie Jr.

Additional Dialogue - Jack Sher

Associate Producer - Ivan Moffat

Art Directors - Hal Pereria and Walter H. Tyler

Set Decorator - Emile Kuri

Costumes - Edith Head

Makeup Supervisor - Wally Westmore

Director of Photography - Loyal Griggs

Production Assistant - George Stevens Jr. (Uncredited)

Special Photographic Effects - Gordon Jennings

Editors - William Hornbeck and Tom McAdoo

Sound Recordists - Gene Garvin

and Harry Lindgren

Music Score - Victor Young

Awards

1953 Academy Awards

Best Cinematography, Color - Loyal Griggs (Won)

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

Best Picture - George Stevens (Nominated)

Best Supporting Actor - Brandon deWilde (Nominated)

Best Supporting Actor - Jack Palance (Nominated)

Best Director - George Stevens (Nominated)

Best Screenplay - A.B. Guthrie Jr. (Nominated)

Review

One of the great Western classics of the 20th century, SHANE, was the product of old-fashioned Hollywood. The cast and crew, including director George Stevens, put in a commendable effort. He worked tirelessly to produce a film that showcases the American frontier. Most importantly, it influenced later movies, such as the non-Western flick Logan, and is referenced numerous times in pop culture. SHANE's ending is ambiguous but could rival any scene in other classic westerns, many of which don't evoke the same closing mood as SHANE did.

Alan Ladd gave a well-deserved performance as the strong titular protagonist. Jean Arthur was lovely in her last role as the gorgeous Marian. Jack Palance displays menace and arrogance in his star-making role as the notorious hitman Jack Wilson. Brandon DeWilde was a child star when he delivered an outstanding performance as the hero-worshipping young son who wishes to be a heroic gunslinger like Shane when he grows up. Although DeWilde had a dozen mostly minor film roles after SHANE, his career was cut short by his untimely death in a fatal car crash at age 30.

I have nothing more to say about the other qualities that made SHANE great. I consider this film a timeless classic that audiences of all ages enjoy. Even modern viewers unfamiliar with this feature will appreciate it, as their parents and grandparents saw the movie and fondly remember it from their youth.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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500th Review!! Pitch Perfect 3

Pitch Perfect 3


Release Date: 1st January 2018 - Australia

Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Perfect World Pictures (in association with)
Gold Circle Films

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 93 minutes


Budget: $45,000,000

Box Office Gross: $185,380,677 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren't job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this awesome group of nerds will come together to make some music -  and some questionable decisions - one last time. (Source - Metro Cinemas)


Cast
Anna Kendrick - Beca
Rebel Wilson - Fat Amy
Hailee Steinfeld - Emily
Brittany Snow - Chloe
Anna Camp - Aubrey
Hana Mae Lee - Lily
Ester Dean - Cynthia Rose
Alexis Knapp - Stacie
Chrissie Fit - Flo
Kelley Jakle - Jessica
Shelley Regner - Ashley
Ruby Rose - Calamity
Andy Allo - Serenity
Venzella Joy - Charity
Hannah Fairlight - Veracity
John Lithgow - Fergus
Matt Lanter - Chicago
John Michael Higgins - John
Guy Burnet - Theo
Elizabeth Banks - Gail
DJ Khaled - Himself
Troy Ian Hall - Zeke
Jessica Chaffin - Evan
Moises Arias - Pimp-Lo
Derek Mehn - Sunburst
Kismet Collaco - Little Fat Amy
Michael Rose - Aubrey's Father
Trinidad James - Young Sparrow
D.J. Looney - DJ Dragon Nutz
Niko Nedyalkov - Mikhael

Crew
Director - Trish Sie
Based on Book - Mickey Rapkin
Story/Screenplay/Co-Producer - Kay Cannon
Screenplay - Mike White
Executive Producers - Jason Moore,
David Nicksay and Scott Niemeyer
Producers - Elizabeth Banks, Paul Brooks
and Max Handelman
Production Designer - Tony Corbett
Costume Designer - Salvador Perez Jr.
Director of Photography - Matthew Clark
Film Editors - Craig Alpert and Colin Patton
Score - Christopher Lennertz


Review

This is it, everyone! This is the 500th review for my blog! Be sure to write any comments when you’re done looking at this milestone review. Meanwhile, I didn’t really care much for the 'Pitch Perfect' series so have not seen the first two installments about an all-female group of singers competing in musical conventions. This setting reminded me of a chorus group where my mum was one of the members and they all participate in acapella singing. There’s an equivalent of the fictional Barden Bellas convention in Australia where they compete to sing in America. Its called Sweet Adelines International. Though not quite revolutionary, 'PITCH PERFECT 3' did however convince me there are some surprises added to this sequel as rare bonuses. The humour is productive and funny and there is some unexpected action involved near end of the storyline.

The actors and actresses are doing great in keeping the plot of the sequel intact, especially because the old cast from the previous 'Pitch Perfect' movies are back in the spotlight. There is also terrific singing by the actresses in their cover songs. In fact,  I considered one of these covers to be the best and was instantly better than the original when it was performed in the film's climax.

Good but not great, 'PITCH PERFECT 3' is at least an entertaining film that was meant for the huge crowd. I could at least expect some more of the sequels of this kind when I re-watch it on home video. Happy 500!!

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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