Alpha (2018)

Alpha (2018)

C – 96m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Untitled Albert Hughes Project, The Solutrean
Story By: Albert Hughes
Screenplay By: Daniele Sebastian Wiedenhaupt
Dir.: Albert Hughes
Starring: Kodi Smit–McPhee, Natassia Malthe, Leonor Varela, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Jens Hulten, Mercedes de la Zerda, Spencer Bogaert, Priya Rajaratnam, Marcin Kowalczyk, Patrick Flanagan, Michael Kruse–Dahl, Kyle Glenn Sutherland (as Thomas Kyle), Louis Lay, Taran Kootenhayoo, Nestor de la Zerda, Blake Point and Nashon Douglas. 

In the prehistoric past, a young man struggles to return home after being separated from his tribe during a buffalo hunt and finds a similarly lost wolf companion to start a friendship that would change humanity (human and dog). This is a fairly well done origin story with okay acting and unfortunately way to obvious CGI. The pacing is slow but several scenes do create extreme tension and suspense. The cinematography is solid leaving out the CGI in many shots. In the interest of full disclosure this was a tough movie to watch for this reviewer due to cruelty to animals. See Trivia for one detail on that point. Another couple of others to note are these: The young man hits the dog / wolf hard a few times too many and he kills a vulture, which bites his lip thinking he is a morsel to feast on. As such, with the specifics pointed out, this reviewer was only able to see small snippets of the film between much of the time averting eyes from the screen. To reiterate: Some may handle the depictions better than others. As a film there is enough good here to make it a worth–while watch but it may be a tough watch for those who love animals, particularly dogs.

Trivia:

The breed of the dog in this film is Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. The theatrical release was delayed for an entire year. It was originally slated for September 2017 release, this film was moved to March 2018. In December 2017, this film was moved once again, this time to September 2018. The trailer was released in July 2017, more than an entire year before the actual film's release, rarity these days. This film could not bear a, "No animals were harmed in the making of this film," tag, as four bison were slaughtered for use on a skinning/hide–removal scene. Staff from Longview Beef Jerky dispatched the bison humanely. This film marked the first feature film directed by Albert Hughes without his brother, Allen Hughes. It also is the first of his films not to carry an [R]–rating. This film was shot near East Coulee, Alberta Canada and at Dinosaur Provincial Park near Patricia Alberta, Canada.

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Intense Peril
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Justice League Films (2017–Present)

Justice League (2017)

C – 120m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Justice League Of America, Justice League Mortal
Exec. Prod.s: Ben Affleck and Christopher Nolan
Producer: Deborah Snyder
Co–Story Writer – Dir.: Zack Snyder
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, J.K. Simmons, Amber Heard, David Thewlis, Jesse Eisenberg and Robin Wright.
Music By: Danny Elfman

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. One cannot do much better than this film for a superhero film. Affleck is, once again, almost miscast as Bruce Wayne / Batman, though he carries it off mildly well. Everyone else is in fine form. This moves along with no real slow / dull periods in the film and the action – humor ratio is satisfactory. Adams, Irons, Lane and Simmons are always welcome!   

Trivia: Zack and Deborah Snyder stepped away from this film after their daughter’s suicide in March 2017. Joss Whedon finished the film. Danny Elfman took over for Junkie XL, who had replaced Hans Zimmer. Laurence Fishburne was asked to reprise his role as Perry White in a cameo. Due to scheduling conflicts he was unavailable to do so on the day that scene was set to film. Ben Affleck was considered to direct this film. This was Zack Snyder’s first film to be shot in the 1.85:1 – Widescreen aspect ratio. 

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Sci–Fi Violence & Action
Available on 3D and 2D Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Spider–Man: Homecoming (2017)

Spider–Man Homecoming (2017)

C – 133m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen – 3D / 2D
A.K.A.: The Summer Of George
Based On Comic Books By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Captain America Character Created By: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Dir.: John Watts
Starring: Tom Holland, Michal Keaton, Robert Downey, Jr., Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Connelly, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Hannibal Buress, Stan Lee and Chris Evans.

Peter Parker comes into his own doing a balancing act between his life as student Peter Parker and crime–fighting Spider–Man. This is the next to worst Spider–Man film made to date. The acting is good, so is the CGI and the first 40 minutes move along well. Sadly the pacing goes awry right at that point and although there are a few good action scenes to go before the end of the film, the pacing is so bad that this reviewer became detached from the film. Somehow this film garnered B–ish ratings from critics. This reviewer suspects something is amiss there. In short, this film is far from the best that Marvel has to offer, much less anything resembling a good Spider–Man film. Skip it!

Trivia: Jennifer Connelly voices Spider-Man’s suit’s voice, Karen. Her husband voiced J.A.R.V.I.S. – the voice in Iron Man’s suit. Connelly was additionally cast because she was in the John Hughes film: Career Opportunities (1991), since this film is a tribute to John Hughes’ high school films. Tom Holland was the youngest actor to play Spider–Man at age 19. Previously the actors who played the part, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, were in their mid–20’s when they played the role. Michael Keaton plays a character called: The Vulture. The appearance of The Vulture is not unlike the design of Birdman in the Best Picture Oscar® winning film: Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) (2014).  

Rated: [PG–13] – Sci–Fi Action Violence, Some Language & Some Suggestive Comments
Available in 3D and 2D on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Peter Jackson’s Tolkien Trilogies (2001–2014)

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001–2003) was released in the early 2000’s and then nine years later The Hobbit Trilogy (2012–2014) was released. Although The Hobbit takes place before The Lord Of The Rings, it is presented in review form here after The Lord Of The Rings because that is the order in which the films were made.

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

C – 178m (Theatrical Cut) / 228m (Full Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring: The Motion Picture
The Fellowship Of The Ring
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Writer – Co–Pro. – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Alan Howard, Sean Astin, Sala Baker, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Sir Ian Holm, Sir Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Sir Ian McKellen, Peter McKenzie, Sarah McLeod, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Peter Jackson and Bret McKenzie.

A fellowship is formed by a wizard consisting of a hobbit and dwarfs to destroy the ring of The Dark Lord Sauron. Masterfully done version of the first book is by far the best way to go with the story. Splendid visuals and enough action to keep one riveted… A MUST WATCH! The preferred cut is the Extended Cut.

Trivia: Sir Christopher Lee would read The Lord Of The Rings trilogy once a year, from the time of it’s publication to the time of his death in 2015. He was also the only cast member to have ever met J.R.R. Tolkien. As such he could often be found visiting the makeup department, giving tips on characters’ appearances. Gandalf’s banging his head against a beam in Bilbo’s hobbit hole was not in the script. Director Peter Jackson thought that Sir Ian McKellen did such a good job acting through the mistake that he left it in.

Viggo Mortensen did his own stunts. Orlando Bloom did most of his own stunts and broke a rib in the process. The reason why the ring stays on the floor when Bilbo dropped it is because the floor was magnetized. The symbolism being: the weight and seriousness of the ring. And finally: The original cut of the film ran 4 hours 30 minutes.

For more information listen to the commentary tracks on the Blu–rays and DVDs and watch the plethora of extras on the Extended Editions of the Blu–rays and DVDs.  

Oscar® winner for: Best Cinematography, Best Makeup, Best Original Musical Score and Best Visual Effects. It was additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Picture, Best Director – Peter Jackson, Best Supporting Actor – Sir Ian McKellen, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song – “May It Be” and Best Sound. The film was also nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Peter Jackson, Best Original Score – Motion Picture, Best Original Song – Motion Picture – “May It Be”.

Rated: [PG–13] – Epic Battle Sequences & Some Scary Images
Available separately in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

C – 179m (Theatrical Cut) / 235m (Full Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Two Towers
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Writer – Co–Pro. – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Bruce Allpress, Sean Astin, John Bach, Sala Baker, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Boom, Billy Boyd, Brad Dourif, Bernard Hill, Bruce Hopkins, Sir Christopher Lee, Sir Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Sean Bean and Peter Jackson.

Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor aided by Gollum, and he rest of The Fellowship make a stand against Sauron’s new ally, Saruman. Long but masterfully done second film in the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy.

Trivia: When Gollum eats a raw fish, it is actually Andy Serkis chewing on a fish shaped lollipop. For more on the plethora of trivia watch the bonus features on the Extended Cut Blu–rays and DVDs.

Oscar® winner for: Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects. It was additionally nominated for the Oscars® for: Best Picture, Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Best Film Editing and Best Sound. The film was also nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director – Motion Picture – Peter Jackson.

Rated: [PG–13] – Epic Battle Sequences & Scary Images
Available separately in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)

C – 201m (Theatrical Cut) / 263m (Full Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Return Of The King
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Writer – Co–Producer – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Ali Astin, Sean Astin, John Bach, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Sir Ian Holm, Bruce Hopkins, Sir Ian McKellen, Bret McKenzie, Sarah McLeod, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Alan Howard, Sala Baker, Brad Dourif, Sir Christopher Lee and Peter Jackson.

Gandalf and Aragorn create a distraction with The World Of Men so that Frodo and Sam can get to Mount Doom to destroy the ring. A masterful ending to the trilogy!

Trivia: A normal movie has about 200 visual effects shots, this film had 1,488 visual effects shots. Peter Jackson had arachnophobia and based the Shelob’s designs on the kind of spiders he is afraid of. And finally the final day of shooting happened over a month after the movie was theatrically released and three weeks after the 2004 Oscars®. Peter Jackson thought it was funny to be shooting a film that already won Oscars®. The final shot is available on the Extended Edition of the film.  

11 Award Oscar® winner for: Best Picture, Best Director – Peter Jackson, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, Best Original Song – “Into The Mix”, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. The film was additionally won for Golden Globes for: Best Director – Motion Picture – Peter Jackson, Best Original Score – Motion Picture, Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Original Song – Motion Picture – “Into The West”.

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Epic Battle Sequences & Frightening Images
Available separately in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

C – 169m (Theatrical Cut) / 182m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen / 2.00:1 – Widescreen (IMAX)
Note: 2D – 24 – 30 Frames Per Second / 3D – 60 – 80 Frames Per Second
A.K.A.: The Hobbit: Part I, The Hobbit: Part 1, The Hobbit Part I, The Hobbit Part 1
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Screenwriters: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro
Co–Pro. – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Ken Stott, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton, Sir Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Sir Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Bret McKenzie, Benedict Cumberbatch and Peter Jackson.

A hobbit gets talked into taking a journey with dwarfs to recover their treasure from a dragon. They start their journey… A long anticipated and delayed first entry in the prequel trilogy to The Lord Of The Rings (2001–2003), is appreciable but a bit of a letdown from what it could have been if given the same quality treatment that Rings received. Still it is superior to the animated version of The Hobbit (1977).

Trivia: Daniel Radcliffe, Shia LaBeouf, James McAvoy, Erryn Arkin and Tobey Maguire were all considered for the role of Bilbo Baggins, though Martin Freeman was always the first choice according to Peter Jackson. As such, Jackson rearranged the shooting schedule to accommodate Freeman, who was also contracted for the television series: Sherlock (2010–2017). According to Peter Jackson: When Jackson issued the invite to this movie’s premier via phone to Christopher Lee, Lee reportedly said, “I’m still in the movie?” This was a snarky remark stemming from a brief falling out that Lee and Jackson had because Jackson cut Lee from the theatrical cut of The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003). For more trivia check out the bonus features on the various editions of this film.

Rated: [PG – 13] – Extended Sequences Of Intense Fantasy Action Violence & Frightening Images
Available in 2D & 3D and in Theatrical Cut & Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug (2013)

C – 161m  (Theatrical Cut) / 186m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen / 2.00:1 – Widescreen (IMAX)
Note: 2D – 24 – 30 Frames Per Second / 3D – 60 – 80 Frames Per Second
A.K.A.: The Hobbit: There And Back Again Part II, The Hobbit: There And Back Again Part 2, There And Back Again Part II, The Hobbit: Part II, The Hobbit: Part 2, The Hobbit Part II, The Hobbit Part 2, Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien                 
Co–Screenwriters: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro
Co–Pro. – Dir.:  Peter Jackson
Starring: Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Stephen Colbert, Peter Jackson and Ed Sheeran.

The company continues their journey to get their land back from Smaug the dragon.  Bilbo has, “the one ring to rule them all.” The best entry in The Hobbit Trilogy boasts of wonder CGI in the creation of Smaug the dragon. Almost everything works here!

Trivia: Orlando Bloom performed all his own stunts. Benedict Cumberbatch suggested writing and reading the Necromancer’s Black Speech backwards and then having the editors reverse it in order to make it sound demonic and unholy. And: Sir Christopher Lee stated that he would have loved to voice Smaug the dragon.

Oscar® nominated for: Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Editing.

Rated: [PG–13] – Extended Sequences Of Intense Fantasy Action Violence & Frightening Images
Available in 2D & 3D and in Theatrical Cut & Extended Cut on 3D on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies (2014)

C – 142m (Theatrical Cut) / 164m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen  / 2.00:1 – Widescreen (IMAX)
Note: 2D – 24 – 30 Frames Per Second / 3D – 60 – 80 Frames Per Second
A.K.A.: The Hobbit: There And Back Again, The Hobbit: Part III, The Hobbit Part III, The Hobbit: Part 3, The Hobbit Part 3
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Screenwriters: Fran Walsh, Pilippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro
Co–Pro. – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Ken Scott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Sir Christopher Lee, Sir Ian Holm, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Billy Connolly, Billy Boyd and Peter Jackson.

Bilbo and company enter battle in order to keep The Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of the rising darkness. A satisfactory conclusion to The Hobbit Trilogy features a deadening battle that lasts most of the film. Pacing is a bit uneven this time around though. Still, it stands stand up well as part of the trilogy. 

Trivia: This was the last film featuring Sir Christopher Lee to be completed and released before his death at age 93 on June 7, 2015. And: Sir Ian Holm and Sir Christopher Lee filmed their scenes in Pinewood Studios in London, England because of a concern about traveling to New Zealand due to health issues. 

Oscar® nominated for Best Sound Editing.

Rated: [PG – 13] – Extended Sequences Of Intense Fantasy Action Violence & Frightening Images (Theatrical Cut)
[R] – Some Violence (Extended Cut)
Available in 2D & 3D and in Theatrical Cut & Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy