Klaus Review

Klaus

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

Production Companies

The SPA Studios

Aniventure

Atresmedia Cine

Netflix Animation

Distribution

Netflix (Worldwide)

Genre: Animation/Family/

Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 97 minutes

Budget: $40,000,000

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

who gives Jesper a sense

of purpose and delivers

toys to those around him.

Voice Cast

Jason Schwartzman - Jesper

J.K. Simmons - Klaus

Rashida Jones - Alva

Joan Cusack - Mrs. Krum

Will Sasso - Mr. Elingboe

Norm MacDonald - Mogens

Neda Margrethe Labba - Márgu

Sergio Pablos - Pumpkin/Olaf

Crew

Original Story/Screenplay/

Producer/Director - Sergio Pablos

Co-Director - Carlos Martinez López

Screenplay - Zach Lewis and Jim Mahoney

Executive Producer - Warren Franklin

Producers - Gustavo Ferrada,

Mercedes Gamero, Jinko Gotoh,

Mikel Lejarza, Marisa Roman

and Matthew Teevan
Creative Consultant/Story

Artist - Olivier Clert
Creative Consultants - Steven

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

Torsten Schrank

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

Head of Story - Edgar Martins

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

Gabriel Gomez

Animation Supervisor: "Krums &

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

Sergio Martins
Animation Supervisor: "Margu" -

Slaven Reese
Animation Supervisor:

"Jesper" - Yoshimichi Tamura

Animation Supervisor:

"Mogens" - Matt Williames

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

Gabriel G. Roy
Film Editor - Pablo Garcia Revert

Supervising Sound Editor/Re-Recording

Mixer/Sound Designer - Gabriel Gutiérrez

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

Awards

2020 Academy Awards

Best Animated Feature - Sergio Pablos,

Jinko Gotoh and Marisa Roman (Nominated)

Review

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

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

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

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

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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The War with Grandpa Review

The War with Grandpa

Release Date: 3rd December 2020 - Australia

Production Companies

Marro Films

Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films

(EPO Films)

TRI G

West Madison Entertainment

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Family/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 98 minutes

Budget: $38,000,000

Box Office Gross: $40,800,804 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Peter is upset that his parents have forced him to give up his bedroom to his grandfather. Thus, an all-out war between the two has just begun. But will

the two realise there is more

to it than taking back one's property?

Cast

Robert De Niro - Ed

Oakes Fegler - Peter

Uma Thurman - Sally

Rob Riggle - Arthur

Laura Marano - Mia

Poppy Gagnon - Jennifer

Cheech Marin - Danny

Christopher Walken - Jerry

Jane Seymour - Diane

Juliocesar Chavez - Billy

Isaac Kragten - Steve

T.J. McGibbon - Emma

Lydia Styslinger - Lisa

Joe Gelchion - Chuck

Colin Ford - Russell

Faizon Love - Store Manager

Rutanya Alda - Lynn Marino

Veronica Alicino - Nurse Alice

James Martin Kelly - Carl

Crew

Director - Tim Hill

Based on the Book "The War with Grandpa" - Robert Kimmel Smith

Screenplay - Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember

Executive Producers - Craig Chapman, Elizabeth Cree, Randall Emmett, Ted Fox, George Furla, Joe Gelchion,

Wayne Marc Godfrey, Robert Jones,

David Lubotta, Myles Nestel,

Christina Papagjika, Tre Peart,

Jane Rosenthal, Matthew Salloway,

Sonny Schwartz, Jimmy Sommers

and Berry Welsh

Co-Executive Producers - John Kennedy

Fitzgerald and Bryant Pike

Producers - Marvin & Rosa Morris Peart

and Phillip Glasser

Co-Producers - Tom Prince and

Mandy Spencer-Phillips

Co-Producer/Second Assistant Director -

Alan Steinman

Production Designer - John Collins

Art Director - Justin O'Neal Miller

Set Decorator - Lynne Mitchell

Costume Designer - Christopher Hargadon

Director of Photography - Greg Gardiner

Stunt Coordinator - Rudolf Weber

Special Effects Coordinator - John S. Baker

Visual Effects Supervisor: Crafty Apes -

Mark Ledoux

Set Supervisor: Crafty Apes - Nicholas Johnson

Editors - Peter S. Elliot and Craig Herring

Supervising Sound Editor - Michael J. Benavente

Co-Supervising Sound Editor - Paul Carden

Sound Design - Luke Gibleon

Re-Recording Mixers - Marc Fishman

and Gabriel J. Serrano

Music - Christopher Lennertz

Music Supervisor - Laurie Marie Mikus

Review

Hello, this is Rad Dingo. It is the anniversary of my blog, FilmGuruLad, which turned ten at the end of this year. I celebrated it by writing a review of a recent movie. THE WAR WITH GRANDPA is not a sequel to Dirty Grandpa, despite having the same actor, Robert De Niro, and is a family-oriented comedy. However, given my low expectations of Dirty Grandpa, it's a miracle that this movie isn't related to the latter. The former is deemed unsuitable for young children under 18. After watching the trailer, I decided to see THE WAR WITH GRANDPA, but trust me... this film is a bit better than Dirty Grandpa. The movie is hilarious and endearing, but its message teaches you to respect your elders, even your grandparents! While disrespectful, it showcases several comical scenes that would leave all moviegoers in stitches!

Considering his age, Robert De Niro had an easy time with this role. It's not like what he's been through in his career, portraying characters in films that were hard-nosed, crazed, and psychotic killers and gangsters. It's not the first time he's played a grandfatherly figure, unless you count Dirty Grandpa. His fellow geriatrics, like Christopher Walken, Jane Seymour, and Cheech Marin, are the supporting players. The same goes for Uma Thurman and Rob Riggle, who played the onscreen parents.

THE WAR WITH GRANDPA is a delightful and semi-decent comedy. It's recommended for all ages and is worth my expectations. You'll have to wait until this movie comes out on Blu-ray, DVD, or your favourite streaming service, and you'll be able to give a cheer.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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In Memory of Jeremy Bulloch (1945-2020)

Jeremy Bulloch (1945-2020)

Dearest moviegoers and fans, we've lost another pivotal actor from the Star Wars series. Jeremy Bulloch, the British actor who portrayed Boba Fett in the original trilogy, passed away on December 17, 2020, at the age of 75. Due to complications with Parkinson's. His death came weeks after the character reappeared in the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian." Which, in recent years, was played by New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison. Boba Fett's role in the movies was relatively minor. He has remained one of the franchise's most fan-favourite characters. He is known to everyone in the Star Wars community, and we will sorely miss him.

He was born in Leicestershire in the English Midlands on February 16, 1945. Jeremy began his acting career in commercials during the late 1950s. At age 17, he starred in the movie "Summer Holiday," opposite Cliff Richard. He appeared in the original Star Wars films, "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," becoming the first actor physically to portray the Mandalorian bounty hunter.

While Jeremy was inside Boba Fett's costume, the late Jason Wingreen voiced the character. Morrison would later dub over Wingreen's voice in the remastered versions to maintain the continuity within the prequels. Aside from playing Fett, Jeremy had a small role as the Imperial Officer Lt. Sheckil in "The Empire Strikes Back." Years later, he made a cameo as the Alderaan pilot Captain Jeremoch Culton in "Revenge of the Sith." Jeremy even proved his love for the franchise by appearing in the Save the Children fan films. In 2004, he even appeared in a cameo in Mark Hamill's "Comic Book: The Movie." It also featured fellow Star Wars cast members David Prowse and Peter Mayhew. Jeremy also appears in three of the Roger Moore-starred James Bond films, "The Spy Who Loved Me," "For Your Eyes Only," and "Octopussy," as well as several TV shows, including "Doctor Who," "The Bill," "Casualty," and "Robin of Sherwood."

Jeremy, wherever you are, you gave us the bounty hunter we all know and love.

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In Memory of David Prowse (1935-2020)

David Prowse (1935-2020)

To the millions of Star Wars fans, it is with sorrow that we report the passing of David Prowse, the man who embodied the iconic villain Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, on November 28, 2020, following a brief illness. He was 85 years old.

While James Earl Jones is known for providing the voice of Vader, Prowse's imposing six-foot-six-inch stature suits him well as the Sith Lord formerly known as Anakin Skywalker.

He began as a bodybuilder and competed at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Great Britain, for which he won the British heavyweight weightlifting championship. After competing in weightlifting for several years, Prowse got his first screen role (albeit uncredited) in the 1967 James Bond spoof "Casino Royale," where he played Frankenstein's Monster. David later reprised the role in two Hammer films in the early 1970s, "Horror of Frankenstein" and "Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell."

Prowse was the centre of attention for an up-and-coming filmmaker, George Lucas, who had seen him in a small role as a bodyguard in Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange." He asked David to audition for either Chewbacca or Darth Vader in his original 1977 sci-fi movie "Star Wars." However, Prowse opted for the latter, while the former went to Peter Mayhew, who did not know he would play a masked character. American actor James Earl Jones famously dubbed the voice of Vader, whose booming voice was deemed more suitable than Prowse's West Country accent.

He returns as Vader in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." He eventually shared the suit with British Olympic fencer Bob Anderson, who performed much of the lightsaber duelling when Prowse failed to do so convincingly. When British actor Sebastian Shaw portrayed Anakin Skywalker at the end of "Return of the Jedi," Vader was unmasked. At one point in 1978, Prowse accidentally blurted out that Darth Vader was Luke's father, which the actor claimed was a lucky guess and had not yet become public knowledge until the release of "The Empire Strikes Back." It strained his relationship with George Lucas and his production company, Lucasfilm. Prowse was a regular at several fan conventions but faced official bans from many Star Wars conventions due to his earlier controversies, until ill health forced him to retire from them in 2016.

Prowse also starred in movies such as "Vampire Circus" and "The People That Time Forgot," as well as TV shows including "The Saint," "Doctor Who," "Space 1999," and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." He also appeared in two Star Wars-related documentaries, "Elstree 1976" and "I Am Your Father." The latter of which details his relationship with working on Star Wars.

All I can say is, Dave, wherever you are, you created one of the most iconic movie villains in history, and you are now one with the Force.

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In Memory of Sean Connery (1930-2020)

Sean Connery (1930-2020)

Regrettably, I must inform you of Sean Connery's passing. The Scottish-born actor, renowned for his iconic portrayal of James Bond, has passed away. He was 90 years old. He had long regarded himself as one of the best actors to have played the famous British secret agent in seven films, instantly skyrocketing him into fame as one of the franchise's enduringly popular international stars. His son, Jason, said he had been ill for some time. This illness led to his death during an overnight sleep in the Bahamas. There, he is surrounded by those he loves. The fans consider Sean to be the best Bond in the series.

Sean was born in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh on August 25th, 1930. He is the son of a Catholic factory worker and a Protestant home cleaner. After leaving school in poverty at age 13, Connery took several odd jobs, including a coffin polisher, milkman, and lifeguard, before enlisting in the Royal Navy. Three years later, his stomach ulcers got him removed from service. After his time in the Navy, he earned a reputation for being a "hard man" when he defended himself from six gang members, who followed him after they tried to steal from his coat. Sean took up bodybuilding and enjoyed football. At one point, he was offered a contract at Manchester United for £25 a week, but he changed his goal to becoming an actor.

In 1953, Connery competed in the Mr Universe competition in London. He started his stage career as a chorus member in the musical "South Pacific." A year later, Connery first appeared as an extra in the film "Lilacs in the Spring" and had some minor television roles. In 1957, Sean landed his first leading role in the BBC's television adaptation of "Blood Money," followed by his first lead role in a B-movie crime drama, "No Road Back." The following year, he would star opposite Lana Turner in "Another Time, Another Place."

He continued to act and perfect his skill. Sean became the focus of attention when producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman approached him. They had acquired the rights to Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and began searching for an actor to play 007. Sean got the part without an audition, and the rest is history. Upon its release, "Dr. No" was an instant success. It propelled him to international stardom. He continued to play the agent in four consecutive films in the series, such as "From Russia with Love," "Goldfinger," "Thunderball," and "You Only Live Twice." In 1967, when "You Only Live Twice" was finished, Connery was tired of Bond and afraid of being typecast. He refused to return in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," with the role later given to Australian actor George Lazenby. In 1971, he returned to play the character in "Diamonds Are Forever" after being offered a record $1.25 million by Broccoli and Saltzman. Though a great deal of money would later tempt him to portray the character in 1983's "Never Say Never Again."

Outside of portraying 007, Connery had a long and distinguished film career, beginning in the mid-1960s and continuing into the early 1970s, with roles in "Marnie," "The Hill," "A Fine Madness," "Shalako," and "The Molly Maguires." In 1974, he appeared in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi fantasy movie "Zardoz," which was a huge misstep. Sean was to earn a supporting role in a film adaptation of Agatha Christie's mystery novel "Murder on the Orient Express." His career continued to flourish in 1975 with films such as "The Wind and the Lion" and "The Man Who Would Be King," in which he starred alongside his friend Michael Caine. In 1976, he starred opposite Audrey Hepburn as the aging Robin Hood in the film "Robin and Marian." But while the movie was not an instant success, it solidified his reputation as a versatile and serious screen actor. In the late 1970s, Sean experienced a series of setbacks, including "A Bridge Too Far," "Cuba," and "Meteor," but he did earn another hit with Terry Gilliam's "Time Bandits." His box-office reputation would improve in films such as "Highlander" (except in the U.S.), "Name of the Rose," and "The Untouchables." The latter of which earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

In 1989, Connery was paired with Harrison Ford when director Steven Spielberg cast him as Indiana Jones's father (despite being 12 years older) in "The Last Crusade." Sean went on to star in notable successes like "The Hunt for Red October," "The Russia House," "Dragonheart," "The Rock," "Entrapment," and "Finding Forrester," as well as failures like "First Knight," "The Avengers," and his very last film, "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."

Connery retired from live acting in 2005. However, he has also done voice work, including as Bond in the video game adaptation of "From Russia with Love." He even voiced the title character in the animated short "Sir Billi the Vet" and later reprised the role in 2010 for "Sir Billi," which he also executive-produced. Queen Elizabeth II knighted Sean in 2000. His first marriage was to Australian actress Diane Cilento in 1962, culminating in the birth of his only son, Jason Connery, and they divorced in 1973.

We'll miss you, Sean, and wherever you are, you will always be my favourite James Bond!

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Scooby-Doo Review

Scooby-Doo


Release Date: 20th June 2002 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Mosaic Media Group
Atlas Entertainment (Uncredited)

Distribution
Roadshow Films


Genre: Family/Comedy

Rating: G

Runtime: 86 minutes


Budget: $84,000,000 

Box Office Gross: $275,678,613 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

After two years apart, Scooby and Shaggy reunite with Fred, Velma, and Daphne as the Mystery Inc. gang receives an invitation to Spooky Island, an amusement park/resort. However, strange things are happening at Spooky Island, seemingly affecting young visitors in unusual ways.

Scooby and the gang will have to work together and resolve their differences to solve this mystery and discover if this island is indeed haunted. Or it could be the work of a sinister individual behind all these occurrences.


Cast
Matthew Lillard - Shaggy
Neil Fanning - Scooby (Voice)
Freddie Prinze Jr. - Fred
Sarah Michelle Gellar - Daphne
Linda Cardellini - Velma
Rowan Atkinson - Mondavarious
Isla Fisher - Mary Jane
Miguel A. Nunez Jr. - Voodoo Maestro
Steven Grives - N' Goo Tuana
Scott Innes - Scrappy (Voice)
J. P. Manoux - Scrappy Rex
Sam Greco - Zarkos
Charlie Cousins - Velma's Friend
Kristian Schmid - Brad
Nicholas Hope - Old Man Smithers
Jess Harnell - Creatures (Voice)
Frank Welker - Creatures (Voice)
Pamela Anderson - Herself (Cameo)
Sugar Ray - Themselves (Cameos)

Crew
Director - Raja Gosnell
Story - Craig Titley
Story/Screenplay - James Gunn
Based on Characters - Joe Ruby and Ken Spears (Uncredited)

Based on Characters/

Executive Producers - William Hanna and Joseph Barbera

Associate Producer - Sheryl Benko

Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager - Stephen Jones

Associate Producer/First Assistant Director -

Philip A. Patterson
Executive Producers - Robert Engelman,

Andrew Mason and Kelley Smith-Wait
Producers - Charles Roven and

Richard Suckle
Co-Producer - Alan Glazer

Casting - Mary Vernieu
Production Designer - Bill Boes

Art Directors - Bill Booth,

Donna Brown, Helen Gabrielle Gliniak

and Christian Wintter

Set Decorators - Jodie Allen,

Suza Maybury, Matthew Putland

and Sandy Wingrove
Costume Designer - Lessa Evans

Hair/Makeup Supervisor - Lesley Vanderwalt
Director of Photography - David Eggby

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Guy Norris
Special Effects Supervisor - Brian Cox

"Scooby Doo" Designer/Cyber-Scan Model

Sculptor: Jim Henson's Creature Shop/

Rhythm + Hues - Brian Wade

Visual Effects Supervisor - Peter Crosman

Visual Effects Supervisor: Rhythm + Hues -

Betsy Paterson

Additional Visual Effects Supervisor -

Neil Krepela

Visual Effects Producer - Kurt Williams

Digital Effects Supervisor: Rhythm + Hues -

Todd Shifflet

Director of Photography: New Deal Studios -

Tim Angulo
Animation Supervisor - Richard Baneham
Animation Supervisors: Rhythm + Hues -

Leon Joosen and Bill Kroyer

Animation Sequence Supervisors: Rhythm +

Hues - Erik De Boer, Keith Roberts and

Lyndon Barrois

Animation Leads: Rhythm + Hues -

Bud Myrick and Danny Speck

Editor - Kent Beyda

Supervising Sound Editor - Michael D. Wilhoit

Sound Designer - Scott Sanders

Production Sound Mixer - Paul 'Salty' Brincat

Re-Recording Mixers - David E. Campbell,

John T. Reitz and Gregg Rudloff
Music - David Newman

Music Supervisor - Laura Ziffren

Music Recordist and Mixer - Bruce Botnick


Review
Initially conceived as a risqué, adult-oriented take on the cartoon franchise, SCOOBY-DOO got toned down by the studio that owns the Hanna-Barbera property into a kids' movie. I grew up with this film and didn't notice how bad it was, though it had a few good aspects. For example, Matthew Lillard was consistent in his role as Shaggy. In future reference, he would inherit the character in later Scooby productions. Unfortunately, there are disappointing things that ruin it for everybody. The attempts at humour (except in a few scenes) and outdated CGI characters didn't age well. Not to mention that the story is poorly executed (concerning a plot twist involving the real villain that comes out of nowhere), and it's written by James Gunn. Yes, that man, James Gunn, who 12 years later would successfully bring Guardians of the Galaxy to the big screen. I didn't even realise that the live-action adaptation was just a rehash of the direct-to-video Scooby-Doo movie Zombie Island.

The acting (save for Matthew Lillard) is far from perfect, including Linda Cardellini, who sounds so bored in her role as Velma. She did a magnificent job with her voice. Freddie Prinze Jr. had no big shoes to fill as Fred. The same goes for Sarah Michelle Gellar when playing Daphne. Rowan Atkinson's character was underused. It should have played a significant part in the movie.

It's "ruh-oh" for Scooby-Doo fans as the movie adaptation fell short of the ongoing mystery in the series. It spawned a sequel, Monsters Unleashed, along with a few others that have shifted to direct-to-video.

I would rather sit through watching the first few direct-to-video animated movies than revisit the lowbrow cinematic interpretation.

Star rating: (4/10) Below Average

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Saving Private Ryan Review

Saving Private Ryan

Release Date: 19th November 1998 - Australia

Production Companies

DreamWorks Pictures (presents)

Paramount Pictures (presents)

Amblin Entertainment

Mutual Film Company (in association with)

H2L Media Group

Mark Gordon Productions (uncredited)

Distribution

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: War

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable

for Young Children)

Runtime: 169 minutes

Budget: $70,000,000

Box Office Gross: $482,349,603 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

On June 6th, 1944, the historic D-Day invasion occurred on Normandy Beach during World War II. Captain John Miller and his squad have embarked on a deadly mission to find and retrieve a missing paratrooper named Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have perished in combat. Those men would face impossible odds as all eight would begin to question their orders and risk their lives to bring back only one person behind enemy lines.

Cast

Tom Hanks - Captain Miller

Tom Sizemore - Sergeant

Horvath

Edward Burns - Private Reiben

Barry Pepper - Private Jackson

Adam Goldberg - Private Mellish

Vin Diesel - Private Caparzo

Giovanni Ribisi - T-4 Medic Wade

Jeremy Davies - Corporal Upham

Matt Damon - Private Ryan

Ted Danson - Captain Hamill

Paul Giamatti - Sergeant Hill

Dennis Farina - Lieutenant

Colonel Anderson

Joerg Stadler - Steamboat

Willie

Max Martini - Corporal Henderson

Dylan Bruno - Toynbe

Daniel Cerqueira - Weller

Demetri Goritsas - Parker

Ian Porter - Trask

Gary Sefton - Rice

Julian Spencer - Garrity

Steve Griffin - Wilson

William Marsh - Lyle

Marc Cass - Fallon

Markus Napier - Major Hoess

Ronald Longridge - Coxswain

Adam Shaw - Delancey

Rolf Saxon - Lieutenant Briggs

Corey Johnson - Radioman

Glenn Wrage - Doyle

Raffaello Degruttola - Goldman

John Sharian - Corporal

Nigel Whitmey - Private Boyd

Sam Ellis - Private Hastings

Stephane Cornicord - Jean

Michelle Evans - Jean's Wife

Martin Beaton - Jean's Son

Anna Maguire - Jean's Daughter

Nathan Fillion - Minnesota Ryan

Leland Orser - Lieutenant DeWindt

David Vegh - Paratrooper Oliver

Ryan Hurst - Paratrooper Michaelson

Nick Brooks - Paratrooper Joe

Harve Presnell - General Marshall

Dale Dye - War Department Colonel

Bryan Cranston - War Department Colonel

Amanda Boxer - Mrs. Margaret Ryan

Harrison Young - Ryan as Old Man

Kathleen Bryon - Old Mrs. Ryan

Rob Freeman - Ryan's Son

Thomas Gizbert - Ryan's Grandson

Leo Stransky - German Sniper (Uncredited)

Crew

Producer/Director - Steven Spielberg

Writer - Robert Rodat

Script Supervisor - Ana Maria Quintana

Associate Producer - Kevin de la Noy

Associate Producer/Production Manager -

Mark Huffam

Producers - Ian Bryce, Mark Gordon and

Gary Levinsohn

Co-Producers - Bonnie Curtis and

Allison Lyon Segan

Senior Military Advisor - Dale Dye

Military Advisor - John Barnett

Casting Director - Denise Chaiman

UK Casting Director - Priscilla John

Production Designer - Thomas E. Sanders

Supervising Art Director - Darren T. Dorrance

Art Directors - Tom Brown,

Ricky Eyres, Chris Seagers, Alan Tomkins

and Mark Tanner (Uncredited)

Standby Art Director - Gary Freeman

Assistant Art Director - Kevin Kavanaugh

Construction Coordinator - Terry Apsey

Set Decorator - Lisa Dean

Costume Designer - Joanna Johnston

Armourer - Simon Atherton

Key Makeup Artist - Lois Burwell

Makeup Artist: Mr Hanks - Daniel C. Striepeke

Prosthetics Supervisor - Conor O'Sullivan

Director of Photography - Janusz Kaminski

First Assistant Director - Sergio Mimica-Gezzan

Second Assistant Director - Adam Goodwin

Third Assistant Directors - Martin Krauka

and Andrew Ward

Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Simon Lamonby

Stunt Coordinator - Simon Crane

Special Effects Supervisor - Neil Corbould

Special Effects Coordinator - Carol McAulay

Special Effects Workshop Supervisor - Trevor Wood

Special Corpse and Animal Effects - Neill Gorton

and Steven Painter

Lead Senior Special Effects Technicians -

David Brighton, Kevin Herd, Paul Corbould,

Dave Hunter and John Evans

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Stefen Fangmeier

Visual Effects Co-Supervisor: ILM - Roger Guyett

Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Kim Bromley

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Alexander Laurant

Modelmaking Supervisor - John Schoorand

CG Sequence Supervisor: ILM - Gregor Lakner

Sabre Supervisor: ILM - Pablo Helman

Visual Effects Camera Operator: ILM - Martin Rosenberg

Film Editor - Michael Kahn

Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Rydstrom

Assistant Sound Designer - Shannon Mills

Supervising Sound Editor - Richard Hymns

Effects Editors - Teresa Eckton,

Frank E. Eulner, Larry Oatfield,

Ethan Van der Ryan and Karen G. Wilson

Dialogue Editors - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle,

Sara Bolder and Ewa Satompe

Foley Editors - Sandina Bailo-Lape

and Bruce Lacey

Foley Artists - Dennie Thorpe and Jana Vance

Foley Mixer - Tony Eckert

Sound Mixer - Ron Judkins

Re-Recording Mixers - Andy Nelson

and Gary Summers

Music - John Williams

Music Editor - Kenneth Wannberg

Music Recordist and Mixer - Shawn Murphy

Awards

1998 Academy Awards

Best Director - Steven Spielberg (Won)

Best Cinematography - Janusz Kaminski (Won)

Best Sound - Gary Rydstrom, Gary Summers,

Andy Nelson and Ron Judkins (Won)

Best Film Editing - Michael Kahn (Won)

Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing -

Gary Rydstrom and Richard Hymns (Won)

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

Best Picture - Steven Spielberg, Ian Bryce,

Mark Gordon and Gary Levinsohn (Nominated)

Best Actor in a Leading Role - Tom Hanks (Nominated)

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly

for the Screen - Robert Rodat (Nominated)

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration -

Thomas E. Sanders and Lisa Dean (Nominated)

Best Makeup - Lois Burwell, Conor O'Sullivan

and Daniel C. Striepeke (Nominated)

Best Music, Original Dramatic Score -

John Williams (Nominated)

Review

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is an extraordinary film by Steven Spielberg and is unlike any other movie he has made (except for Schindler's List). It's known for its downbeat tone and realistic portrayal of war, conveying the harsh realities many soldiers have endured in this turmoil. While the storyline lacks something, Spielberg's direction proves he has the aptitude to push certain limits in this picture by paying close attention to detail. Especially when he sinks his teeth into bringing the atmosphere into the hellish, war-torn landscapes in which many soldiers lose their lives during this skirmish. Janusz Kaminski's cinematography is shaky. Still, it is groundbreaking, and the battle sequences are stunning. Even the visual representation of the famous battle on Omaha Beach is impressive.

Tom Hanks delivers a terrific performance, showing depth in his character. He could have won an Oscar had it not been for Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful. While a supporting player, Matt Damon has a pivotal role as the titular soldier who gets lost on the battlefield. Most people will be surprised to learn that this was one of Vin Diesel's early movie roles, before he became a famous action star. John Williams' musical score was haunting and beautiful.

A gritty war drama like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN has redefined the genre and is often admired and appreciated as one of Spielberg's greatest films. However, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is considered violent and depressing and is unsuitable for all young audiences. It is even hard for some moviegoers to watch.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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