The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012)

The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012)

Batman Begins (2005)

C – 140m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Batman Begins: The Imax Experience, The Intimidation Game, Batman: Intimidation, Batman 5
Characters By: Bob Kane
Story By: David S. Goyer
Screenplay By: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
Dir.: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Sir Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Morgan Freeman, Larry Holden, Sara Stewart, Richard Brake, Matt Miller, John Burke, Spencer Wilding and Mark Rhino Smith.
Cinematography By: Wally Pfister
Music By: James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer

After training with his mentor, Batman begins his fight to free crime–ridden Gotham City, from the corruption that Scarecrow and The League Of Shadows have cast upon it. A tad overlong, with a deliberate slow pace but when action is around it has an adrenaline rush to it. The performances are fine… Hindsight being 20/20 this film struck the right tone for the evolving dystopian society that was morphing into existence after 9/11/2001. See this one! 

Trivia:

Christian Bale hated wearing the Batman costume and used his distain for it to fuel his character’s foul mood. Christian Bale lost his voice three times while filming this movie, after altering his voice for playing Batman. Though Bale performed most of his own stunts, he was not allowed anywhere near the Batmobile. Reportedly a drunk driver crashed into the Batmobile while the production was shooting in Chicago, IL. He was quoted as saying that he crashed into the Batmobile because he believed it was an invading alien spacecraft.

There was no second unite on this film, which forced Christopher Nolan to over see every shot of the film for the entire 129 day shooting schedule. Both Tim Burton and Michael Keaton, from Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), stated that they were, “impressed,” by this film. Heath Ledger was considered for the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman while this film was in development. He was later cast as The Joker in the next entry in the Trilogy, The Dark Knight (2008). David S. Goyer stated that his favorite pre–audition choice for Batman was Jake Gyllenhaal but was swayed into Christian Bale by watching his audition tape. Sir Anthony Hopkins was offered the role of Alfred but declined and Laurence Fishburne was considered for the role of Lucius Fox. Gary Oldman agreed to play James Gordon without reading the script.    

Oscar® nominated for: Best Cinematography – Wally Pfister.
Followed by: The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Action Violence, Disturbing Images & Some Thematic Elements
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Dark Knight (2008)

C – 153m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen / 1.43:1 – Fullscreen (Imax Scenes) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Imax Scenes)
A.K.A.: The Dark Knight: The Imax Experience, Untitled Batman Begins Sequel, Batman: The Dark Knight, Batman Begins 2, Rory’s First Kiss, Winter Green
Characters Created By: Bob Kane
Story By: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
Screenplay By: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
Prod. – Dir.: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Sir Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Eric Roberts, Ritchie Coster, Anthony Michael Hall, William Fichtner, January Stern and Robert Patrick Stern.
Music By: James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer
Sound Editing: Richard King
Film Editing: Lee Smith

A menace known only as The Joker starts terrorizing Gotham City while Harvey Dent seeks appointment to a higher office until he has something happen that scars him for life and a new foe is born, Two–Face. Batman must try to stop the increasing number of bad buys in Gotham before the city meets a dark and twisted end. Some people describe this film as dark and disturbing. They are right! This was the next to darkest Batman film but one that should be admired. Everything works here. Only the length may be a hindrance to some people, though not to this reviewer. There is action and suspense to spare in this nail-biting sequel to: Batman Begins (2005). This reviewer would argue that this is the BEST of the trilogy it is a part of. Haunting performances are given all around, particularly by Heath Ledger who posthumously won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar®. Two–Face’s face is hair–raising to say the least. See it! 

Trivia:

It was Sir Michael Caine’s opinion that Heath Ledger topped Jack Nicholson as The Joker. He felt that Nicholson’s portrayal was just nutty where as Ledger’s was psychotic. In preparation for his role of The Joker, Heath Ledger secluded himself into a motel room for about six weeks and worked on the voice, mannerisms and look of The Joker. This film was dedicated to Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental drug overdose before the film’s release, and Conway Wickliffe, a stuntman who died while doing a car crash stunt for this film. This film featured scenes shot on Imax cameras, hence the ever–changing widescreen aspect ratios during the film. Heath Ledger’s Oscar® win was the first time a comic book film won in a major category at The Oscars®.

Christopher Nolan offered the chance to reprise the role to Katie Holmes, who turned it down. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Isla Fisher, Emily Blunt and Rachel McAdams were all considered as replacements for her before Maggie Gyllenhaal got the role. This was the highest grossing Batman film. Matt Damon was offered the role of Harvey Dent but turned it down to make Invictus (2009) with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. Aaron Eckhart said he based his portrayal of his character in part on Robert F. Kennedy. Bob Hoskins and James Gandolfini auditioned for the role that went to Eric Roberts.

Oscar® winner for: Best Supporting Actor – Heath Ledger and Best Sound Editing – Richard King. Additionally Oscar® nominated for: Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing – Lee Smith, Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. Golden Globe winner for Best Supporting Actor – Heath Ledger.

Sequel to: Batman Begins (2005), and followed by: The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Violence & Some Menace
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

 C – 164m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen / 1.43:1 – Fullscreen (Imax Scenes) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Imax Scenes) / 1.90:1 – Widescreen (Imax Scenes)
A.K.A.: The Dark Knight Rises: The Imax Experience, Magnus Rex, Batman 3, T.D.K.R., Gotham, Arkham
Characters Created By: Bob Kane
Story By: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
Screenplay By: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
Prod. – Dir.: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon–Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Sir Michael Caine, Matthew Modine, William Devane, Joey King, Liam Neeson and Aaron Eckhart (Archive Footage, uncredited).  
Music By: Hans Zimmer
Film Editing By: Lee Smith

Eight years after The Joker’s reign, Batman must help Catwoman and is forced from his exile to save Gotham, which is on the edge of annihilation from Arkham escapee Bane and his followers. Deadening in its level of bleak material. This film is overlong, more than sluggishly slow and the CGI is way more obvious that the previous two entries in the Nolan Batman Trilogy. Acting is the saving grace here and even that leaves this film dangling by a thread. If you were to skip this one, you’d be a wiser film buff than this reviewer. Not that it is a feat worth bragging about. SKIP this one!

Trivia:

Reportedly Christopher Nolan considered using a mix of CGI and deleted scenes from The Dark Knight (2008) to have Heath Ledger’s Joker appear briefly in this film. He reportedly decided it was disrespectful to Ledger to do so, and did not do it, as can be seen in this film. Gary Oldman said that Christopher Nolan told all the actors the end of the film verbally so that there would be less likelihood of it being leaked. According to producers the line, “That’s a lovely, lovely voice,” was improvised by Tom Hardy. Each entry in this trilogy is 12 minutes longer than it’s predecessor: Batman Beings (2005) – 140m, The Dark Knight (2008) – 152m (153m), and this film is 164m. The first draft of the script was reportedly 400 pages.

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Violence And Action, Some Sensuality & Language
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

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

Mission: Impossible (1966–Present)

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Mission: Impossible (1966–Present) 

Mission: Impossible – The Complete Series (1966–1973)

C – 8550m (171 Episodes, 50 Minutes each)
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 – Fullscreen
Creator: Bruce Geller
Writers: Bruce Geller, Allan Balter, William Read Woodfield... to view the complete list, click here.
Dir.s: Reza Badiyi, Barry Crane, Paul Krasny... to view the complete list, click here.
Starring: Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Peter Graves... to view the complete list, click here.

An elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture. Who knew at the time that this show was on the air that it would launch a revival / reboot and a mega successful action film series? This classic show featured quite a stellar cast and scripts that holds the viewer’s interest from start to finish of each episode. The guest stars are fun too. While this has little action compared to the theatrical film series, the performances are such that one doesn’t really think about it. Are there corny lines every now and then? Sure, there is nothing wrong with that. This show is worth watching for two reasons: 1.) The cast is great, and 2.) This is the show that started the television reboot and the hit film series.

Trivia:

Only one hundred twenty missions include the famous warning that the tape will "self-destruct". Five say that the tape will "decompose", one says that it will "destroy itself", twelve instruct Briggs or Phelps to "dispose of" the recording, seven tell them to "destroy" it, and three contain no instructions, but Phelps destroys the recordings anyway. The remaining fifteen missions contain no recorded briefing at all. The reel–to–reel tape was actually in rewind mode when it was shown as “playing” because the tape moved too slowly to be believed when it would actually be playing. This show was not shown in syndication for several years due to the fact that the public became used to Peter Graves as the head of the MIF. When they saw the reruns of the first season of the show with Dan Briggs in the role of the head of the MIF it confused them. Greg Morris and Peter Lupus were the only two actors to stay throughout the course of all the seasons of this show. It should be noted though that Sam Elliot replaced Peter Lupus for about half of the fifth season of the show. 

The faceless figure shown lighting a match on the opening credits was series creator Bruce Geller. It wasn’t until the 1988 revival / reboot of the show that a character was created for it – Jim Phelps would be shown lighting it. Steven Hill left the show after only one season for two reasons: 1.) Because the show’s shooting schedule would have had him, an Orthodox Jew, working on the Sabbath and 2.) His behavior was frequently disruptive and would cause the production to shut down. Martin Landau and his then wife Barbara Bain jointly left the show after the third season due to contract disputes after their demands for a raises in their salaries were not met. Most of the non–lead actors on Star Trek (1966–1969) also appeared on this show. Even some of the leads had guest spots on this show. This was likely because both shows were filmed at Desilu Studios.

This show, when it was cancelled in 1973 was the last of the rash of spy shows from the 1960’s. Some others from that time were: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968), Secret Agent (1964–1967), Get Smart (1965–1970), The Wild Wild West (1965–1969), amongst others. 

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Mission: Impossible – The Complete Series (1988–1990)

C – 1645m (35 episodes, 47 minutes each)
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 – Fullscreen
Creator: Bruce Geller
Scriptwriters: Bruce Geller, Ted Roberts, Jeffrey M. Hayes, Robert Brennan, Michael Fisher, Walter Brough, David Phillips, Frank Abatemarco, Dale Duguid, Roger Dunn, Michael Seims, Allan Balter, Robert Hamner, Laurence Heath, Michael Lynn, Arthur Weiss, James Crown, Chip Hayes, Stephen Kandel, Rick Maier, Billy Marshall Stoneking, John Whelpley, Cliff Green, Dan Roberts and Jan Sardi.
Dir.s: Colin Budds, Arch Nicholson, Don Chaffey, Cliff Bole, Rob Stewart, Michael Vejar, Kim Manners, Rod Hardy, Brian Trenchard–Smith and John Jopson.
Starring: Peter Graves, Thaao Penghlis, Anthony Hamilton... to view complete list, click here.

An elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture. This reboot is actually a continuation of the original series. The returning cast is always a pleasure to see and by the same flip of the coin the stellar cast from the original series is greatly missed. Still there is drama and mild action that will keep viewers alert for the 47 minutes per episode.

Trivia:

This series was originally intended to be a Limited Series with the scripts being remakes of the classic episodes from the first series and the original characters being recast with then current actors. Instead, when Peter Graves returned to play his role again, it was changed to be a continuation of the original series. It should be noted that the first five episodes of this series were remakes of classic episodes due to a writers’ strike. Peter Graves, Greg Morris and Lynda Day George all reprise their roles from the original series. Terry Markwell opted not to renew her contract for the rest of Season One because she was dissatisfied with the amount of screen time she got. Terry Markwell was then replaced by Jane Badler. This was one of the first American commercial network shows to be filmed in Australia. After this series, there was a six–year break in the Mission: Impossible timeline, during which the series made the leap from the television screen to the theatrical screen. 

Primetime Emmy nominee for: Outstanding Sound Mixing – Drama Series (1989) and Outstanding Sound Editing – Series (1990).

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Mission: Impossible (1996)

C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mission Impossible
Television Series Creator And Writer: Bruce Geller
Story By: David Koepp and Steven Zaillian
Screenplay By: David Koepp and Robert Towne
Exec. Prod.: Paul Hitchcock
Prod.s: Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner
Assoc. Prod.: J.C. Calciano
Dir.: Brian De Palma
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Kristin Scott Thomas, Vanessa Redgrave, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Valentina Yakunina, Marek Vasut, Nathan Osgood, Rolf Saxon, Karel Dobry, Andreas Wisniewski, David Shaeffer, Rudolf Pechan, Ricco Ross, Mark Houghton, Annabel Mullion, Garrick Hagon, Sam Douglas, David Schneider, Helen Lindsay, Pat Starr, Richard D. Sharp, Randall Paul, Graydon Gould, Tom Vogel, Michael Rogers, and Laura Brook
Music By: Danny Elfman

An American agent, under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization. A fast–pace action – thriller that will keep viewers in a white–knuckle state for the better part of the film. Director Brian De Palma did a great job at the helm of this film and Cruise and the rest of the cast are in fine form. This was the successful start to the successful film series. Don’t miss it!  

Trivia:

In the filming of the iconic scene where Tom Cruise drops from the ceiling and hangs inches about the ground, Cruise’s head kept hitting the ground until he decided to put coins in his shoes for balance. The trick with the disappearing / reappearing CD that Ethan Hunt does to fool Franz Krieger is actual slight of hand, not a camera trick or any other visual effect. Vanessa Redgrave’s role was originally written for a man. The cinematic train sequence took six weeks to shoot at the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios in London, England. According to Martin Landau, in one of the earlier drafts of the script there was the idea to bring back the original cast from the original show just to kill them all off at the beginning of this film. George Clooney was offered the role of Ethan Hunt but turned it down to work in: One Fine Day (1996). Additionally Bruce Willis, John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Ralph Fiennes, and Mel Gibson were all considered of the role. Brian De Palma originally offered the role of Claire to Juliette Binoche. Al Pacino, Michael Douglas and Robert Redford were all considered for the role of Jim Phelps. Robert Towne rewrote scenes in between takes. Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.      

Followed by: Mission: Impossible II (2000), Mission Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Intense Action Violence
Out Of Print on VHS & Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

C – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: M.I.: Mission Impossible II, M.I. Mission Impossible 2, Mission: Impossible 2, Mission Impossible II, Mission Impossible 2, M:I – 2, M.I. 2, M:I 2
Creator / Writer: Bruce Geller
Story By: Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga
Screenplay By: Robert Towne
Exec. Prod.s: Terence Chang and Paul Hitchcock
Prod.s: Tom Cruise and Paul Wagner
Assoc. Prod.: Michael Doven
Dir.: John Woo
Starring: Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh, John Polson, Brendan Gleeson, Rade Serbedzija, William Mapother, Anthony Hopkins (uncredited), Patrick Marber (uncredited), William Morts (uncredited) and Tory Mussett (uncredited).
Music By: Hans Zimmer

IMF Agent Ethan Hunt is sent to Sydney, to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called "Chimera". This entry in the Mission series is by far the best entry. Action is plentiful and well choreographed. The performances are tops and the CGI is great and the makeup is the best of the series. As with the first one there are many white–knuckle moments – including the opening rock climbing. See it!  

Trivia:

John Woo’s first cut of this film ran 3 hours, 30 minutes. Tom Cruise’s then wife, Nicole Kidman suggested Thandie Newton. Newton was cast before the script was even written. When Ethan Hunt peals off his mask, it was done with a green screen for each actor. Tom Cruise was told to put his hand in a certain place below his chin and make the motion of pulling something off. The two faces were then put together in post–production (editing), making it look like Cruise took off a mask. The movie was initially rated R but was recut to a PG–13 by toning down violence considerably. This was the first film that Metallica agreed to write a song for.

Production was delayed because of Tom Cruise working in Eyes Wide Shut (1999) with Stanley Kubrick for over a year. This was the highest grossing film of 2000. The role of Commander Swanbeck was offered to Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins. Tom Cruise offered the chance to direct the sequel to Brian De Palma, but he turned it down. Oliver Stone was the first director attached to this film but he dropped out reportedly due to scheduling conflicts. This entry in the series had the only appearance of Anthony Hopkins as Mission Commander Swanbeck. Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996). Followed by: Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). 

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Violent Action & Some Sensuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

C – 126m (full film) / 124m (edited)
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mission: Impossible 3, Heyday, M:I: III, M.I. III, M:I III, M:I:3, M:I 3
Television Creator & Writer: Bruce Geller
Screenplay By: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and J.J. Abrams
Exec. Prod.s: Sanping Han, Stratton Leopold and Buting Yang
Sup. Prod.: Bill Borden
Line Prod.: Enzo Sisti
Prod.s: Tom Cruise, Paul Wagner and Haicheng Zhao (as Zhao Haicheng)
Co–Prod.: Arthur Anderson, Tao Jiang and Doming Shi
Assoc. Prod.: Guichun Wang
Dir.: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie Q, Simon Pegg, Eddie Marsan, Laurence Fishburne, Bahar Soomekh, Jeff Chase, Michael Berry, Jr., Carla Gallo, Bellamy Young, Paul Keeley, Jane Daly, Greg Grunberg, Tracy Middendorf, Aaron Paul, Sean O’Bryan, Bruce French, Ellen Bry, James Shaklin, Michelle Arthur, and Barney Cheng

IMF Agent Ethan Hunt comes into conflict with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer who threatens his life and his fiancée in response. This sequel is a tad tired after the last entry but still entertaining. Great cast and action but the rest is negligible. Not a bad start for J.J. Abrams as a director! Worth seeing! 

Trivia:

Curious people would loiter around the main unit of this film in Italy, so a faux second unit working with women dressed as nuns and women in bikinis to lure them away from the main unit so that they could shoot what they needed for the actual film. After the success of: Shaun Of The Dead (2004), Simon Pegg was asked if he was going to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. He jokingly replied, “It’s not like I’m going to be in Mission: Impossible III.” Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.

This was J.J. Abrams directorial debut. Scarlett Johansson was cast early on but pulled out of the film and was replaced by Keri Russell. Maggie Q had to learn how to drive for her role. In the bonus features on Blu–ray and DVD copies of this film it was revealed that Maggie Q’s high heal shoe got stuck on the acceleration peddle causing her to lightly crash into a parked car. Rachel McAdams turned down the role that went to Michelle Monaghan. Katie Holmes, Lindsay Lohan, Elisha Cuthbert and Jessica Alba were all considered for the role of Lindsay Ferris, which is played by Keri Russell here. David Fincher was slated to direct this but backed out to make: The Lords Of Dogtown (2005). When Fincher was slated to direct, Sylvestre Stallone was being courted to play the main villain. There was a false rumor that Brad Pitt was going to replace Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Kelly Brook was at one point slated to appear in this film.

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996) and Mission: Impossible II (2000). Followed by: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Frenetic Violence And Menace, Disturbing Images & Some Sensuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol  (2011)

C – 132m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Aspect Ratio: Mission: Impossible IV – Ghost Protocol, Mission Impossible IV – Ghost Protocol, Mission: Impossible 4 – Ghost Protocol, Mission: Impossible IV, Mission: Impossible 4, Mission Impossible IV, Mission Impossible 4, M:IIVGP, MIIVGP, M:I4GP, MI4GP, M:IGP, MIGP, Aries, M:I4, MIIV. MI4
Television Creator & Writer: Bruce Geller
Characters By: Steven Zaillian and David Koepp
Screenplay By: Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec
Exec. Prod.s: David Ellison and Dana Goldberg
Prod.s: J.J. Abrams, Tom Cruise
Dir.: Brad Bird
Starring: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Michael Nyqvist, Samuli Edelmann, Ivan Shvedoff, Anil Kapoor, Josh Holloway, Michelle Monaghan (uncredited), Ving Rhames (uncredited) and Tom Wilkinson (uncredited).

The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name. This is the WORST entry in the franchise. This reviewer cannot say enough bad things about it. Terrible CGI, acting is over the top or dull and the story is less than nothing in existence. The only two things that can be said FOR this film are that the makeup is passible and there is a nice use of the song: “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” sung by Dean Martin. If at all possible ignore this entry and go for the fifth one when you finish the third entry in the series. If one MUST watch this, they will be doing so at the risk of their own intellectual and entertainment peril! 

Trivia: Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts. This was Brad Bird’s directorial debut. 

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible II (2000) and Mission: Impossible III (2006). Followed by: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Intense Action & Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

C – 131m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mission: Impossible V – Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible 5 – Rogue Nation, Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible V, Mission: Impossible 5, Mission Impossible V, Mission Impossible 5, M:IV – RN, M:I5 – RN, M:I – RN, M:IVRN, MIVRN, M:IRN, M:I V, M:I 5, M:IV, M:I5, MIV, MI5
Television Show Creator & Writer: Bruce Geller
Story By: Christopher McQuarrie and Drew Pearce
Writer – Dir.: Christopher McQuarrie
Prod.s: J.J. Abrams, Tom Cruise, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, Simon McBurney, Tom Hollander, Alec Baldwin, Nigel Barber, William Roberts, Robert Maaser, Eva–Marie Becker, Jamie Buchan (uncredited), Jill Buchanan (uncredited), John Carr (uncredited), Jamie B. Chambers (uncredited), Tom Dab, Alexander Hathaway (uncredited), Helena Holmes (uncredited), Philip Howard, Peter Stanford, Glenn Webster and Belle Williams.

Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet, eradicating the Syndicate - an International rogue organization as highly skilled as they are, committed to destroying the IMF. This was a huge step up from the disaster that was the previous entry in this blockbuster series. The acting, writing, CGI and makeup are back on stable footing. The issue here is that it is a tad too long and slow spots become more pronounced because of it. Still an agreeable film to watch… Recommended.

Trivia:

Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts. Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg performed all their own driving stunts. It took ten days to film a 90–second involving Ethan Hunt, Tom Cruise, suspended on the airplane. When training for the underwater scene, Tom Cruise could hold his breath for six minutes. Paula Patton and Maggie Q were set to reprise their roles from: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Benedict Cumberbatch was the first actor considered to play the villain. In an interview with The Q&A With Jeff Goldsmith, Tom Cruise stated that the gray suit worn during the opening plane sequence was a direct homage to Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) in Alfred Hitchcock’s North By Northwest (1959), who wears a similarly colored suit in the classic plane sequence. Tom Cruise was attached to: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015), but dropped out to make this film. Henry Cavill replaced him. They would go on to be in: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), together.    

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible II (2000), Mission: Impossible III (2006) and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). Followed by: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Action And Violence, & Brief Partial Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

C – 147m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: M:I VI – Mission Impossible, M:I 6 – Mission Impossible, Mission: Impossible VI, Mission: Impossible 6
Characters From The TV Series By: Bruce Geller
Writer – Dir.: Christopher McQuarrie
Prod.s: J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise
Starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Vanessa Kirby, Michelle Monaghan, Wes Bentley, Alec Baldwin, Kristoffer Joner, Wolf Blitzer and Raphael Joner.

Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong. This is simultaneously one of the best entries in the series but is also the worst to try and review. If no analysis is done on this film it stands strong with a three out of four star rating. The minute one tries to say, “this works because…” the film falls apart. For sure: there is good tension built several times throughout the film, the action is high octane, the cinematography is good and CGI and makeup are tops. Unfortunately: These more than capable actors can be found chewing the scenery (over acting) at various points in the film, the story is slightly contrived, the script has a few too many corny lines, and dramatic scenes are on the melodramatic side of things and are unintentionally funny. Still there are some well–planned gags in the film that score bulls eyes. If one doesn’t think about the film, it works. Try to see the film doing just that. Recommended without scrutiny.  

Trivia:

This film had 3,000 setups, thirteen helicopters, six pregnancies, five hiatuses, four–weeks of aerial photography, three continents, two winters and one broken ankle. Tom Cruise trained for and entire year to perform the HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) stunt in this film. While filming a scene in August 2017, Tom Cruise fractured his ankle in a stunt where he leaped from a building. Production was halted for several weeks / 8 weeks (depending on the source), but the July 2018 release date was kept. The footage from that stunt was used both in the trailers for this film and this film itself. At a running length of 147 minutes or 2 hours 27 minutes, this was the longest Mission: Impossible film up to that point. This film was green–lit several days before the release of: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015). Solomon Lane was the first villain to appear in two entries in this series of film.

Jeremy Renner was not in this film due to his obligations to the Marvel universe. Rebecca Ferguson was pregnant while filming this movie. She was about seven months pregnant when filming was completed. Rebecca Ferguson was also the first actress to appear in two leading role parts in two entries in this series. Christopher McQuarrie was the first director from this series to direct more than one film in this series. Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames are the only actors to appear in all the Mission: Impossible films. Simon Pegg started in the series in Mission: Impossible III (2006). Henry Cavill, who is in this film with Tom Cruise, replaced Cruise in: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015). Michelle Monaghan’s appearances in this series were: Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) and this film. Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.

In June 2017, Tom Cruise, Michelle Monaghan and Simon Pegg arrived in New Zealand to begin filming scenes. This marked Tom Cruise’s first time in the country since filming: The Last Samurai (2003). This film was shot in 161 days. The filming took almost an entire year due to having to halt production for a few months due to Tom Cruise’s broken ankle. As usual Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts for this film. This was the first Mission: Impossible film to be released in 3D. Post–Production on this film was completed on July 3, 2018; Tom Cruise was shown the completed film for the first time on July 8, 2018; and this film was finally released in 2D and 3D on July 27, 2018.

Sequel to: Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible II (2000), Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015).  
Rated: [PG–13] – Violence & Intense Scenes Of Action, & Brief Strong Language

Dark Crimes (2016 / 2018)

Dark Crimes (2016 / 2018)

C – 92m / 93m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: True Crimes
Inspired By The Article: “True Crime: A Postmodern Murder Mystery” by David Grann
Screenplay By: Jeremy Brock
Prod.: Brett Ratner
Assoc. Prod.: Jeremy Brock
Dir.: Alexandros Avranas
Starring:  Jim Carrey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Agata Kulesza and Parianna Figurska.

A murder investigation of a slain businessman turns to clues found in an author's book about an eerily similar crime. This abysmal monstrosity of a thriller has only the star powers of Jim Carrey and Charlotte Gainsbourg to recommend it. The aforementioned duo, Carrey and Gainsbourg, were in terrific shape as actors for this film. Otherwise the story is slight, there is never suspense formed at any time during the film, the script is weak and there is an excessive amount of material that could have and SHOULD HAVE been cut from this film. Even at a mere 93 minutes, this film is over–padded. If only Hollywood could bring back the days when films could be an hour in length and still be satisfying! If this had a better script and was 60 minutes instead of 93, the package of this film would have been in better shape. Sadly that is not the case. This fact alone may lead many viewers to either 1.) Skip this film, which is what this reviewer recommends doing, or 2.) Have their finger resting on the fast forward button on their remote, computer or phone. In any event, watch if you dare. Or be wise and see The Mask (1994) or Liar Liar (1997) for the hundredth time instead.    

Trivia:

This film shot for 32 days in Krakow, Poland. Marianna Figurska (Olga in the film) was Agata Kulesza’s real–life daughter. The article that his film is based on, “True Crime: A Postmodern Murder Mystery” by David Grann, told the strange true story of Krystian Bala, a writer who was arrested for the murder of a Polish businessman. A detective called Jacek, from the Wroclaw police department in Poland, investigated the crime unsuccessfully and yet three years later reopened the case because he read a mystery novel that described murders too close in detail to the case for it to have been a coincidence.    

Rated: [R] – Strong And Disturbing Violent / Sexual Content Including Rape, Graphic Nudity, & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy  

Mamma Mia! Series (2008 & 2018)

Mamma Mia! Series (2008 & 2018)

Mamma Mia! was a hit Broadway musical featuring the music of Swedish musical group ABBA. In 2008 a film version of the hit show was released theatrically. It became a Summer box office smash hit over night. A decade later, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! (2018), a sequel to the first hit film, sometimes called: Mamma Mia! 2, was released. Below are the reviews for the two films.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

C – 108m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mamma Mia! The Movie
Dir.: Phyllida Lloyd
Writer (Music Book and Script): Catherine Johnson
Exec. Pro.: Tom Hanks, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Rita Wilson
Music by: Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Dominic Cooper, Heather Emmanuel, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

A bride to be tries to find her real father; featuring the songs of the hit 1970’s group ABBA. Arguably the feel good movie of 2008! The film was a box office smash and it is easy to see why. Streep, Seyfried and the rest of the cast are in fine form and the music is fun. Note: Notice the music swells when Brosnan sings. 

Trivia:

Pierce Brosnan signed onto the film knowing only that Meryl Streep was set to star and that it would be filmed in Greece. The cast members performed their own singing. Streep recorded the vocals for her rendition of, “The Winner Takes It All,” in one take. The, “Slipping Through My Fingers,” song scene features Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried laughing in a short clip. The crew blasted heavy metal music to get that footage. At the start of, ‘Dancing Queen,” the mirror next to Streep’s bed features Seyfried’s professional head shot and at the end of, “Our Last Summer,” Streep is holding a real baby picture of Seyfried. Several scenes such as “I Have A Dream,” were shot during the day but changed to evening or night in post–production. Cher was originally offered the role of Tanya but turned it down. She would go on to be in the sequel film: Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018). And: The Colin Firth line, “I’m Bright, Harry Bright,” is a spoof of the, “Bond, James Bond,” line in the 007 films; hence his delivery of it next to Pierce Brosnan.

Golden Globe nominee for: Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical and Best Actress – Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical – Meryl Streep.

Followed by: Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018).
Rated: [PG–13] – Some Sex Related Comments
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018)

C – 114m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mamma Mia! 2
Idea Originally Conceived By: Judy Craymer
Based On The Music By: Catherine Johnson
Story By: Richard Curtis, Ol Parker and Catherine Johnson
Screenplay By: Ol Parker
Exec. Prod.s: Benny Andersson, Richard Curtis, Tom Hanks and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Dir.: Ol Parker
Starring: Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Dominic Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Cher, Julie Walters, Jeremy Irvine, Andy Garcia, Josh Dylan, Hugh Skinner, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies and Bjorn Ulvaeus.
Music By: Benny Andersson, Anne Dudley and Bjorn Ulvaeus

Sophie learns about her mother’s past while pregnant herself. This was a step down from the mega hit a decade earlier. It is contrived to say the least and it shows in the “story” of the film. However the songs are fun, the cast is fantastic and the visual and audio aesthetics are perfect. So why complain too much. The stronger acting is done by the now seasoned actors: Streep, Seyfried, Brosnan, Skarsgard, Firth, Baranski, Walters, Garcia, Cher and Cooper, but the actors playing the younger versions of Streep, Brosnan, Skarsgard, Baranski, Firth and Walters show great promise. Pierce Brosnan performs a particularly touching scene in the film when he quietly warbles S.O.S. while looking at a picture of the younger Streep character. This may not be the caliber of the first one, and at that may still be of little to no interest of some people, but if given a chance, there is still a spark of warmth to it that a lot of films, released around the time of this one, don’t have. For that reason alone, it is worth watching.

Trivia:

This film was released exactly 10 years after the first one. Meryl Streep (Donna in this film series) filmed all her scenes in one week. Julie Walters was given a day off from the Shepperton Studios filming in November 2017 so she could attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where she was made a Dame Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Cher, who played Meryl Streep’s mother and Amanda Seyfried’s grandmother in this film, was actually only 3 years older than Meryl Streep. ABBA member, Bjorn Ulvaeus, makes a cameo during the number: “When I kissed The Teacher”. ABBA member Benny Andersson appears as a University Chancellor during young Donna’s graduation. Cher was originally offered the role of Tanya in the first film but turned it down. A decade later she took a role in this film. Cher also handpicked Andy Garcia to play Fernando out of a bunch of selected actors. The film choreographer is the same choreographer who worked with the traveling Mamma Mia! North American Farewell Tour. The reveal of Bill Anderson’s twin was referenced in the first film with the line: “You’re not going to tell me you have a twin sister, are you?”

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

Gillian Flynn Films and Show

Gillian Flynn Films And Show

Gone Girl (2014)

C – 149m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Screenplay By: Gillian Flynn
Prod.: Reese Witherspoon
Dir.: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, David Clennon, Lisa Banes, Missi Pyle, Emily Ratajkowski, Casey Wilson, Lola Kirke, Boyd Holbrook, Sela Ward, Lee Norris, Jamie McShane, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Lynn Adrianna, Mark Atteberry, Darin Cooper, Kate Campbell, Brett Leigh, Antonio St. James, Lauren Glazier, Cooper Thornton, Casey Ruggieri, Cyd Strittmatter, Ashley Didion, L.A. Williams, Blake Sheldon, Ricky Wood, Fred Cross, Scott Takeda, Donna Rusch, Mark T. Anderson and Scoot McNairy.

With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it is suspected that he may not be innocent.

Trivia:

Ben Affleck postponed directing: Live By Night (2016), to work on this film. Affleck said of director David Fincher, “He’s the only director I’ve met who can do everybody else’s job better than they could.” One day on set Affleck changed the lens setting on a camera almost an indiscernible amount, betting a crewmember that Fincher wouldn’t notice. Affleck lost since David Fincher brought it up, saying, “Why does the camera look a little dim?” Ben Affleck’s weight fluctuated in the film, seeing him go from average build to muscular, as a result on him being cast as Batman in: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016). Rosamund Pike was cast as Amy because David Fincher felt that she was of ambiguous age in appearance – she could pass for someone older or someone younger.

 Reese Witherspoon obtained the film rights to Gone Girl from author Gillian Flynn and intended to use her production company to make it, with the idea of starring in it. After her meeting with David Fincher she realized she wasn’t right for the part and withdrew from contention for the lead female role. In addition to Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Abbie Cornish, Julianne Hough and Jessica Chastain were all considered for the role of Amy Dunne. For her performance Rosamund Pike drew inspiration from: Nicole Kidman in To Die For (1995), Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct (1992), and Carolyn Bessette–Kennedy. David Fincher had been known to cast actors in his films based on looks they gave in photos of them on the Internet. Fincher cast Ben Affleck in this film because of a certain grin that he had in about a dozen photos that Fincher had seen on the Internet.

Ben Affleck reportedly has quite extensive knowledge of 1980’s songs according to Tyler Perry. Perry played a game throughout the production of this film with Affleck, in which Perry would sing a song at random and see if Affleck knew the musical number. Reportedly this included show tunes, Barbra Streisand songs amongst many other songs. “The Bar” restaurant in this film became a real place right where the scenes there were filmed, in downtown Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Originally, Nick, played by Ben Affleck here, was to wear a New York Yankees cap. Affleck refused to wear it, as he was a die–hard Boston Red Sox fan. The disagreement shut down production for four days. He and director David Fincher finally compromised and Affleck wound up wearing the Mets cap you see in the scene. In the scene where Nick pushes Amy into the wall, Affleck used a tad too much force and almost gave Rosamund Pike a concussion. She was even quoted as saying that she had seen stars somewhere around take 18.

This was the first film in which Ben Affleck did full frontal nudity. He did it because David Fincher said he wanted this film to be like a European film, “warts and all” in terms of nudity. Fincher went on to say that it would be more realistic that way. This film became David Fincher’s highest grossing film at the box office up to the point of this film’s release, passing The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008). The character of Tanner Bolt was written as, “an Alec Baldwin type.” The whole play with the pens of different colors was Gillian Flynn’s visual solution to the translation to screen of Amy’s diary. Rosamund Pike told film critic Peter Travers that when David Fincher would catch her using her cellphone, he’d take a, “stern face,” selfie and send it to her, causing her to instantly stop using her phone and pocket it.

Most of the doors and windows in daytime interior scenes were fitted with green screens and had the background added in later, as it was impossible to expose for interiors without the outdoors blowing out. (This reviewer apologizes if there are too many outs there.) David Fincher cast Emily Ratajkowski on the recommendation of Ben Affleck who told Fincher to look at her performance in Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” Music Video. The character Ellen Abbott was loosely based on television host Nancy Grace. David Fincher shot some 500 hours of footage over the course of the 100–day shooting schedule, averaging five hours a day. This was the feature film debut of Carrie Coon. When Nick and Amy have sex in the library, they talk about Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austin. Rosamund Pike, who played Amy here, played Jane Bennet in: Pride & Prejudice (2005). Neil Patrick Harris’ character in this film is named Mr. Collings, which is very similar to Mr. Collins in Pride & Prejudice.

Ben Affleck and his character in this film, Nick Dunne, were both born on August 15th. Seth Rogan, Ryan Reynolds, Brad Pitt and Jon Hamm were all considered for the role of Nick Dunne at various points of pre–production. Hamm’s commitment on the AMC television show: Mad Men (2007–2015) prevented him from being able to do this film. Ben Affleck, who played Nick Dunne here, previously directed Jon Hamm in: The Town (2010). Coincidentally, Hamm was also considered for the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman in: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016), which also went to Ben Affleck. David Fincher said that when he was casting the title role for this film, he wanted a Faye Dunaway type actress, citing her specifically in the Roman Polanski film: Chinatown (1974). This film features the first script written by Gillian Flynn, author of the blockbuster book from which this is adapted. This was also the first adaption of any of Flynn’s written works. The name Schieber, from the character Sharon Schieber, was author, Gillian Flynn’s middle name. Originally David Fincher was supposed to direct: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Captain Nemo, but due to a complete halt in the production’s development, Fincher dropped out of the project, and quickly joined this one.

Nick Dunne always complained that his cellphone had no signal. A close–up of his phone showed it was T–Mobile, which at the time had questionable indoor signal strength due to the lack of lower operating spectrum. Nick and Margo Dunne, Ben Affleck and Carrie Coon respectively, were supposed to be twins. In real life Affleck and Coon had a 9–year age difference between them. The campground scene was filmed at Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant in southern Illinois, just south of Carbondale. The story of Gone Girl was set in North Carthage, Missouri. It was however filmed in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Casting of extras took place in the Rose Theatre of Southeast Missouri State University, also in Cape Girardeau. The old federal building at 339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was dressed as the North Carthage Police Department building. 

The videogame Nick Dunne played in this film was Battlefield 3 (2011) for PlayStation 3 (PS3). In the book, when Amy met Desi at the casino, a stranger interrupted their conversation to ask if Amy is related to the Enloe. In the acknowledgements Gillian Flynn thanked Detective Enloe of the Overland Park Police for answering her “42,000 e–mails.” In this film the line is still present, but the name was changed from Enloe to Nolan, the surname of Flynn’s spouse, Brett, and their children. An early draft of the screenplay for this film was 177 pages long. Had that been the draft that was used for shooting, the film would have been 2 hours 57 minutes long. The editing software that was used to edit this film was Adobe Premiere Pro CC.

One of Amy’s pink pens has a outline of a stork carrying a baby pouch, likely in reference to the topic Amy is writing about in her diary. After Amy disappeared and Nick and the detective go into Nick’s office to follow up on Amy’s first clue, there are two books of interest on his shelves: Manhood For Amateurs by Michael Chabon – nonfiction essays about being a husband that the mistakes and surprises of being a father, and Freedom by Jonathan Franzen – an American novel concerned with the themes of marriage. Gillian Flynn was originally going to call this film’s book Psycho Bitch, but changed her mind. There are even allusions to that in the book. At the volunteer center, Margo tells Nick, “You look like hammered shit.” This is the exact same line spoken by Drum (Tom Skerritt) in: Steel Magnolias (1989).

Ben Affleck’s character searching for a woman named Amy may bring to mind his role in the Kevin Smith film: Chasing Amy (1997).      

Oscar® nominated for: Best Actress – Rosamund Pike. Golden Globe® nominated for: Best Director – Motion Picture – David Fincher, Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama – Rosamund Pike, Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Gillian Flynn, and Best Original Score – Motion Picture.

Rated: [R] – A Scene Of Bloody Violence, Some Strong Sexual Content / Nudity & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Dark Places (2015)

C. – 113m.
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel Written By: Gillian Flynn
Starring: Charlize Theron, Nick Hoult, Christina Hendricks, Corey Stoll, Drea De Matteo, Chloe Grace Moretz and Sean Bridgers.

Thirty years after a young girl’s family is presumably murdered by a satanic cult, the young girl, now a woman, learns the truths about what really happened. Rarely does this happen to this reviewer, but it does happen occasionally: I don’t know how to review this film. It isn’t good and it isn’t bad, it just exists as a film. All aspects of the filmmaking is fine, I just don’t have a clear feeling on this one. Read the description of the film and judge for yourself.

Trivia:

During the scene where Libby encounters the Kill Club, source novel author Gillian Flynn has a brief cameo as the woman sitting in the chair with an axe across her lap. Amy Adams was originally cast in the lead role while this film was in development. When it came time to shoot the film, Amy Adams wasn’t available and was thus replaced by Charlize Theron. Amy Adams would go on to be cast in the lead of the limited run HBO television series Sharp Objects (2018), which was adapted from another Gillian Flynn novel – bearing the same title as the show. Christina Hendricks was originally cast as Krissi Cates and Samantha Morton was cast as Patty Day. When Morton dropped out just prior to filming, Hendricks took the role of Patty Day and Drea De Matteo took the role of Krissi Cates. Ben Day was seven years older than his sister Libby in the story. In real life, Charlize Theron, who plays Libby here, was a year older than Corey Stoll, who played Ben Day in this film. This film, which was originally slated for a 2014 release, was released on Charlize Theron’s 40th Birthday.   

Rated: [R] – Some Disturbing Violence, Language, Drug Use & Sexual Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Sharp Objects: The Complete Series (2018)

C. – +/- 480m. (8 Episodes, 60 Minutes–ish Each)
Novel Witten By: Gillian Flynn.
Exec. Pro.s: Amy Adams, Gillian Flynn and Jean–Marc Vallee. 
Dir.: Jean–Marc Vallee
Starring: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Matt Craven, Miguel Sandoval, April Brinson, Violet Brinson, Sydney Sweeney, Taylor John Smith, Elizabeth Perkins, Barbara Eve Harris, David Sullivan, Will Chase, Gracie Prewitt, Jessica Treska, Jackson Hurst, Aaron Holliday, Ryan James Nelson, Jennifer Aspen, Guy Boyd, Kaegan Baron, Betsy Baker, Cody Sullivan, Madison Davenport, Sophia Lillis, Randy Oglesby, Lauran September, Jean Villepique, Ericka Kreutz, Dylan Schombing, Lulu Wilson, Beth Broderick, Hilary Ward, D.B. Sweeney, Evan Castelloe and Lauren Dale Williams (uncredited).

A reporter must confront the demons of her past as she stays with her mother when she returns to her hometown to report on a murder. This limited run HBO television series was just as twisted as the novel it was adapted from. At that, the novel was just as twisted as Gillian Flynn’s other writings. To that end, this show may not be for all tastes. However, if one likes slow–burn gothic horror and / or the cast of this show, than this will be of interest. The acting, direction, scripts and cinematography are all solid. The editing is hit or miss however. There is also an uneven sound mix on this show (which appeared to be a fashion statement by Hollywood at the time it was shot and released / aired). This reviewer finds the pace just fine, however others may vary, and some may even think it is deliberately slow paced, not is a positive way. Story wise there are enough twists to keep one engaged.

The casting of Sophia Lillis as Amy Adams’ sister was a stroke of genus, though admittedly a somewhat obvious choice. Just like in: IT (2017), Lillis steals every scene she is in, which is no small feat given the presence of Amy Adams in the show. Adams herself gives yet another stunning performance that is also brilliantly nuanced. Like Gone Girl (2014), and unlike Dark Places (2015), the characters are well developed and stunningly enhanced by the actors. This comes recommended by this reviewer with the reminder and admission that this may not be for all tastes. 

Trivia:

This was the third Gillian Flynn novel to be adapted to the screen, this time a television screen. The other two were films: Gone Girl (2014) and Dark Places (2015). Amy Adams, who played the lead here, was originally cast in the film: Dark Places (2015) but dropped out just prior to filming. This limited run show was partially filmed in Barnesville, GA in the theme of Wind Gap, Missouri. It was also partially filmed in Mendocino and Lake Counties in Northern California. The titles of each of the episodes are the words that Camille carved into her skin. In the novel, the word, “Vanish,” is carved into the back of Camille’s neck, while in this show it is carved into her right forearm.

Rated: [TV–MA]

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

C – 116m / 117m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Susanna Fogel and David Iserson
Dir.: Susanna Fogel
Starring: Justin Theroux, Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon, David Iserson, Sam Heughan, Hasan Minhaj, Peter Schueller, Gillian Anderson, Jane Curtin, Paul Reiser, Hugo Bolton, Fred Melamed, James Fleet, Justine Wachsberger, Tom Stourton, Roderick Hill and Nick Wittman (as Nicholas Wittman).

Audrey and Morgan are best friends who unwittingly become entangled in an international conspiracy when one of the women discovers the boyfriend who dumped her was actually a spy. Well–done Action – Comedy in the vein of Lethal Weapon (1987) for action and the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Road To…Series (194 –1962), but for women. Both the humor and the action fly fast and furious. Admittedly the humor is mostly crude but for astute film buffs there are scenes that a remenciant of the Hope and Crosby Road films, particularly when what is going on around them finally dawns on them. Specifically the scene in the bathroom during the dinner at, “a friend’s house,” with the body in the tub… Said scene also has echoes of the “There Is a beautiful woman in my bed and a dead man in my bathtub,” scene from: The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976). There is nothing wrong with this film that this reviewer could spot, everything works in terms of CGI, action, comedy, acting and yes – pacing too is perfect. See it, without reservation!    

Trivia:

Gillian Anderson was a childhood crush of Kate McKinnon’s. Kate McKinnon and Mila Kunis previously co–starred in the Family Guy episode Peter’s Sister. Sam Heughan played Sir Roger Moore’s son in A Prince For Christmas (2011). Roger Moore played James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), which this film’s title, like the title of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), spoofs. Although there is an actual light gun arcade game series called Point Blank, the in–game footage and title screen of the game that Audrey is playing during her birthday at the beginning of the movie is from the Nintendo DS version, called: Point Blank DS.

Rated: [R] – Violence, Language Throughout, Some Crude Sexual Material & Graphic Nudity
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

I Can Only Imagine (2018)

I Can Only Imagine (2018)

C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Alex Cramer
Screenplay By: Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle
Exec. Prod.s: Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin
Dir.s: Andrew Erwin (as The Erwin Brothers) and Jon Erwin (as The Erwin Brothers)
Starring: J. Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins, Cloris Leachman, Jason Burkey, Mark Furze, Randy McDowell, Cole Marcus, Alexander Dominguez, Kerry McCormick, Lea McCormick, Amy Grant (uncredited), Kristen Melling (uncredited), Sara Moore (uncredited) and Jonnie Parnell (uncredited).
Music By: Brent McCorkle
Film Editing By: Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle

The inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe’s beloved, chart topping song. This film was heavily promoted on Fox News Channel (FNC) as an inspiring true story with a healthy dose of religion. This fact alone will automatically remove this film from an Atheist’s watch list. It may also deter some people for political reasons. This reviewer will argue that if one can put aside their political biases and watch this film as a depiction of a true story (as with any film, “based on a true story,” it is dramatized), or even as a character study (which it also is by the way), there is enough here that works that one can be entertained at the very least. The acting is solid, the direction is almost impeccable, cinematography is adequate and the music is uplifting despite helping to tell an ultimately sad tale. If sad stories are a turn off, take comfort in the fact that this does have a heartwarming ending. The only complaints are: 1.) The sound mix could have been better, 2.) There is one scene that is a tad too heavy handed in melodrama – when J. Michael Finley picks Dennis Quaid off the floor in his shop and helps him over to a bed, and 3.) The pacing is a tad slow. The story keeps moving along but there are a couple of scenes that could have been tighter in editing. Overall though, this is a film worth watching. 

Trivia: The release date of this film was 3/16. John 3:16 is / was one of the most widely quoted verses from The Bible, and has been called the most famous Bible verse. Dennis Quaid’s twins were extras in the dinner scene. His daughter is the one who points towards Quaid’s character during his health incident. Dennis Quaid’s character was a Quarterback (Q.B.) in high school. He also played a Q.B. in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday (1999). This film was shot in Oklahoma. This is the film debut of J. Michael Finley. During the opening scene set in 1985, young Bart rides his bike through town and passes a movie theatre showing Jaws 3–D (1985) and The Goonies (1985). Dennis Quaid, who played Bart’s father, Arthur, here, played the lead role of Mike Brody in Jaws 3–D (1985). 

Rated: [PG] – Thematic Elements Including Some Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Dear Dictator (2017 / 2018)

Dear Dictator (2017 / 2018)

C – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse
Prod.: Lisa Addario
Dir.s: Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse
Starring: Sir Michael Caine, Odeya Rush, Katie Holmes, Seth Green, Jason Biggs, Adrian Voo and Jackson Beard. 

An American teen girl who is a misfit, who wants to be a rebel, corresponds with a dictator from another country who is on the verge of having to flee his country for his life while her mom has relationship issues. When the dictator does flee his country he seeks shelter in America with the teen girl with whom he corresponded. Together they form an unlikely bond and teach each other a bit about life and how to live it. A comedy that sounds like it will be goofy and have few laughs actually has wit and is a decent coming of age story. The cast is a delight, particularly Caine and Rush. There are a few moments of gallows humor that may not sit well with some but this reviewer liked it. Although this film was released NOT RATED, this reviewer would suggest 13 and up for viewers.

Trivia: Michael Caine previously was in Batman Begins (2005) with Katie Holmes, and Austin Powers In Goldmember (2003) with Seth Green. Katie Holmes and Odeya Rush previously starred together in The Giver (2014). Seth Green replaced Jason Biggs as the voice of Leonardo in the 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, after Biggs made some controversial remarks on twitter, which caused him to exit the show towards the end of season 2. “Homeland or Death,” is the literal translation from Spanish: “Patria Or Muerte,” the Cuban national motto under Fidel Castro and his brother. 

Rated: [NOT RATED]
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Male Sexual Abuse Films (1996–2015)

Male Sexual Abuse Films (1996–2015)

Sleepers (1996)

C – 147m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel: Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra
Writer – Prod. – Dir.: Barry Levinson
Co–Prod.: Lorenzo Carcaterra
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Minnie Driver, Dustin Hoffman, Bruno Kirby, Jason Patric, Billy Crudup, John Slattery, Brad Pitt, Jonathan Tucker, Gerry Becker, Ben Hammer, Paul Herman, Lennie Loftin, Danny Mastrogiorgio, Mary B. McCann, Pat McNamara, Peter McRobbie, Mick O’Rourke, James Pickens, Jr., Wendell Pierce and Sean Patrick Reilly.
Music By: John Williams

After a prank goes disastrously wrong, a group of boys are sent to a detention center where they are brutalized. Over ten years later, they get their chance for revenge. Deliberately slowly paced but has great actors turning in great performances. The film is slightly over–long but the cinematography is impressive as are the aforementioned performances and an almost stellar script. There are a few lines that may invoke a, “No duh,” or other wised colored version of that statement from viewers. Period detail is fine and the soundtrack is fun. The indecision on a star rating is the fault of this reviewer. This reviewer can make arguments as to why this should just be a three star film but can also make arguments as to why it is the near perfect three and a half star film rating too. Rather than split hairs, this reviewer will cop to saying: flip a coin on it yourself after you have seen it and see where it lands for you. It does come highly recommended though!  

Trivia: Film Critic Roger Ebert criticized this movie as, “homophobic.” During filming, the two younger actors who play the roles that would become Brad Pitt and Jason Patric, wore contact lenses so they would have the same eye color as Pitt and Patric. This movie was filmed at Fairfield Hills, a former psychiatric hospital in Newtown, Connecticut; right after the state took possession of the property. Billy Crudup and John Slattery, in addition to this film, appeared in Spotlight (2015), which also revolves around similar themes of abuse.

Oscar® nominated for: Best Original Score – John Williams. 
Rated: [R] – Language, Graphic Violence, & Two Scenes Of Strong Sexual Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Mystic River (2003)

C – 138m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Theatrical) / 2.40:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
Novel: Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
Screenplay By: Brian Helgeland
Prod. – Dir.: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney, Kevin Chapman, Tom Guiry (as Thomas Guiry), Emmy Rossum, Spencer Treat Clark, Andrew Mackin, Adam Nelson, Robert Wahlberg, Jenny O’Hara, John Doman, Cameron Bowen, Jason Kelly, Connor Paolo, T. Bruce Page (as Bruce Page), Miles Herter, Cayden Boyd, Joe Stapleton, Tom Kemp, Bill Thorpe, Ken Cheeseman, Duncan B. Putney, Ed O’Keefe, Michael McGovern, Susan Bergeron (uncredited), Kevin Conway (uncredited), Brian Frates (uncredited), Eli Wallach (uncredited), Victor Warren (uncredited), Jillian Wheeler (uncredited), Brian A. White (uncredited) and Kris Williams (uncredited).
Music By: Clint Eastwood

The lives of three men who were childhood friends are shattered when one of them has a family tragedy. Heavy but powerful film focuses on the tight bonds of three guys who grew up in or around Southie, Boston. It adds to the enjoyment of the film if one is familiar with the area. Solid performances abound here and Eastwood masterfully handles the direction chore. The length may not be for all tastes but this reviewer doesn’t mind it. If one can look past the language, violence and thematic element of sexual abuse of a boy, there is a lot to be enjoyed here. The subtext is as rich as the plot and the characters. Good cinematography to boot… Dig the score composed and performed by Clint Eastwood too. A MUST for Boston or Boston area natives!

Trivia: The situation at the opening of this film is based on an incident when, as a child, author Dennis Lehane’s mother castigated him for getting into a car with two men who claimed to be plain–clothes policemen. The studio execs at Warner Brothers wanted Clint Eastwood to shoot this film in Toronto, Canada to save money. Eastwood refused and pushed to have the film shot in Boston where the story takes place. He won. Michael Keaton was originally cast as Sean Devine, played here by Kevin Bacon, and had already done several table reads with the principle cast and was well on his way in his research for the role with the Massachusetts State Police Department, when he got into a huge argument with Clint Eastwood. As a result of the argument, Keaton left the film and was replaced by Kevin Bacon.

This film was shot in 39 days. Forest Whitaker was the original choice for the role of Whitey Powers, played here by Laurence Fishburne, and he almost accepted the role but backed out due to other conflicts. Clint Eastwood narrated the teaser trailer. The liquor store scene was shot in Costello’s, a liquor store on Boylston Street in the Back Bay of Boston, next to Berklee College Of Music. After filming, screen shots from the scene were placed in the front display windows. Costello’s closed in January 2007. In the novel the surname of Jimmy and his family is Marcus but in the film it is Markum. 

Oscar® winner for: Best Actor – Sean Penn and Best Supporting Actor – Tim Robbins. Additionally Oscar® nominated for: Best Picture – Robert Lorenz, Jodie Hoyt and Clint Eastwood, Best Supporting Actress – Marcia Gay Harden, Best Director – Clint Eastwood, and Best Adapted Screenplay – Brian Helgeland. Golden Globe winner for: Best Actor – Motion Picture – Drama – Sean Penn and Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Tim Robbins. Additionally Golden Globe nominated for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Clint Eastwood, and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Brian Helgeland.

Rated: [R] – Language & Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Spotlight (2015)

C – 128m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Writers: Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy
Exec. Prod.s: Jonathan King and Josh Singer
Dir.: Tom McCarthy
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Live Schreiber, John Slattery, Brian d’Arcy James, Stanley Tucci, Elena Wohl, Gene Amoroso, Doug Murray, Sharon McFarlane, Jamey Sheridan, Neal Huff, Billy Crudup, Robert B. Kennedy, Duane Murray, Brian Chamberlain, Michael Cyril Creighton, Paul Guilfoyle, Michael Countryman, Gary Galone, Nancy Villone, Joe Stapleton, Maureen Keiller, Laurie Murdoch, Richard O’Rourke, David Boston (uncredited), Richard Jenkins (voice, uncredited) and Colleen Kelly (uncredited).
Music By: Howard Shore

The true story of how The Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover–up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core. This is a splendid dramatization of the facts around the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal and how The Boston Globe uncovered it. While this may not technically be a thriller there is tension built during the film that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Wonderful acting by a colossal cast and a very impressive set of actors to be sure. The set on which parts of this film was shot is an achievement as well. While the subject matter may be a sore spot for some, or even unappealing or repulsive to others, the depiction of the victims of the abuse and their stories are handled with dignity and there is nothing graphically depicted here. While the purported numbers of abuse cases may be indeed huge, there are likely some minor embellishments, as is the case with most dramatizations. Should this wreck the film for you? Or even keep one from seeing the film? No. It works on too well to be ignored as a film. Watch it! 

Trivia: The Boston Globe offices were all a big set. When Michael Keaton met the man he played in the film, he did an impression of him based on tapes he had watched of the man, etc. It was so good that it unnerved the real person Keaton played in the film. The guy was quoted as saying, “If Michael Keaton robbed a bank they would come and arrest me!”

Oscar® winner for: Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay – Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy. Additionally Oscar® nominated for: Best Supporting Actor – Mark Ruffalo, Best Supporting Actress – Rachel McAdams, Best Director – Tom McCarthy, and Best Editing. Golden Globe nominated for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Tom McCarthy, and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy.

Rated: [R] – Some Language Including Sexual References
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Red Sparrow (2018)

Red Sparrow (2018)

C – 140m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Based On The Novel: Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews
Screenplay By: Justin Haythe
Dir.: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Mary–Louise Parker, Joely Richardson, Bill Camp, Jeremy Irons, Thekla Reuten, Douglas Hodge, Sakina Jaffrey and David Z. Miller.

Ballerina Dominika Egorova, is recruited to “Sparrow School,” a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission, targeting a C.I.A. agent, threatens to unravel he security of both nations. Solid adaption of the best selling first book in the Sparrow trilogy offers a rather graphic approach to the material. The story is brutal and unrelenting but is masterfully told. The casting from A–Z is perfect, particularly Lawrence and Irons. The tension remains from the first jump at the beginning of the film until the last credit has rolled at the end of the film, which is quite a feat. For those who don’t like graphic anything (sex, language, violence, etc.) this film is not for you. For book purists, this film omits a few parts – particularly the Vladimir Putin character and storyline. The spy world hasn’t looked this good since: The Good Shepherd (2006)! As this was an adaption of the first book of a trilogy, as previously stated, the question is inescapable: Will the sequels be made into films? Here’s hoping, from this reviewer, that they are! Don’t miss this one!   

Trivia: The novel this was based on was by retired C.I.A. agent Jason Matthews and is the first book of a trilogy. The other two books in the trilogy were: Palace Of Treason and The Kremlin’s Candidate. The film rights to Red Sparrow were sold for a seven–figure sum before the novel was even completed. To prep for the role Jennifer Lawrence practiced ballet with instructor Kurt Froman for three hours a day for four months. She also practiced her Russian accent for the four–month duration. American ballet dancer Isabella Boylston was Jennifer Laurence’s dance double in the movie. In 2013, the same year the novel was published, Darren Aronofsky was in talks to direct it. He left the project when David Fincher was in talks to direct it with Rooney Mara starring in 2014. By September 2015 Francis Lawrence was set to direct with Jennifer Lawrence set to star.

This is Francis Lawrence’s fourth teaming with Jennifer Lawrence. The others being: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015). The plot and some scenes of Red Sparrow (2018) are similar to the made for Television film Secret Weapons (1985) which starred Linda Hamilton in the Dominika Egorova role and Sally Kellerman as the Matron character. And finally for film nudity buffs (forgive the redundancy): This film contains Jennifer Lawrence’s first fully nude scene.  

Rated: [R] – Strong Violence, Torture, Sexual Content, Language & Some Graphic Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Black Panther (2018)

Black Panther (2018)

C – 134m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Based On The Marvel Comics By: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Screenplay By: Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole
Dir.: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Martin Freeman, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis, Stan Lee, Denzel Whitaker, Timothy Carr and Floyd Anthony Johns Jr.

T’Challa, the king of Wakanda, rises to the throne in the isolated, technology advanced African nation, but his claim is challenged by a vengeful outsider who was a childhood victim of T’Challa’s father’s mistake. Not even, “a spoonful of sugar,” can help this, “medicine go down”… (Disney owns Marvel folks – keep up!) The film is slow paced, especially for an action film and the CGI is hit or miss effect to effect. Saving graces: Stan Lee’s cameo, Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis. The rest can be discarded. This reviewer understands the importance of the film culturally but on technical merits and basic film review points, this one falls flat.

Rated: [PG–13] – Prolonged Sequences Of Action Violence, & A Brief Rude Gesture
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

12 Strong (2018)

12 Strong (2018)

C – 130m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: 12 Strong – The Declassified Story Of The Horse Soldiers, Horse Soldiers
Based On The Book: Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton
Screenplay by: Ted Tally and Peter Craig
Exec. Pro.: Doug Stanton
Pro.: Jerry Bruckheimer
Co–Pro.: Jon Schumacher
Dir.: Nicolai Fuglsig
Starring: Christ Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Pena, Navid Negahban, Trevante Rhodes, Rob Riggle, William Fichtner, Marie Wagenman, Allison King, Madeleine Albright, Osama bin Laden, Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin, Donald Rumsfeld and J. Nathan Simmons.

The story of the First Special Forces team that was deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11/2001. Under the leadership of a new Captain, the team must work with an Afghan warlord to take down the Taliban. Well done film offers a surprising amount of guy humor for a story so serious.

Trivia: Filmed in New Mexico. 
Rated: [R] – War Violence & Language Throughout
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Suburbicon (2017)

Suburbicon (2017)

C – 105m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Writers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, George Clooney and Grant Heslov.
Exec. Prod.s: Ethan Coen, Barbara A. Hall and Joel Silver
Prod. – Dir.: George Clooney
Starring: Julianne Moore, Noah Jupe, Matt Damon, Steven Shaw, Ellen Crawford, Richard Kind, Robert Pierce, Oscar Isaac and Josh Brolin (scenes deleted).

As a 1950’s suburban community self–destructs, a home invasion has sinister consequences for one seemingly normal family. … For those who care the body count is: 7. The period detail is nice and the cast is appealing. Too bad the Coen Brothers couldn’t produce a better script with the aid of George Clooney this outing! The movie moves at a snail’s pace, the humor is sparse and tension is never built in this would be thriller. This has to be a career low point for all involved. Though the memory of Clooney’s live television remake Fail–Safe (2000) leaps to mind as another low for the otherwise brilliant actor / director / activist. Best to skip this one. 

Trivia: Josh Brolin was cast as a baseball coach but his scenes were deleted after test screenings showed that the scenes with Brolin took the tension out of the film. George Clooney said he felt bad about deleting Brolin from the film as he felt those scenes were the funniest. George Clooney previously starred in 4 Coen Brothers films, this time he directed it. This also makes the first film that Clooney directed a film without acting in it. This film had the lowest opening weekend grossing of any Paramount film in over 2,000 theaters. George Clooney screened this film for Norman Lear. After the screening Lear told Clooney, “The is the angriest film I have ever seen.” Woody Harrelson dropped out of this film due to scheduling conflicts. 

Rated: [R] – Violence, Language & Some Sexuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Father Figures (2017)

Father Figures (2017)

C. – 113m.
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Bastards
Starring: Owen Wilson, Christopher Walken, J.K. Simmons, Ed Helms, Ving Rhames, Terry Bradshaw, Katie Aselton, Ryan Cartwright, June Squibb, Katt Williams, Harry Shearer and Rachel Eggleston.

After finding out their mother has been lying to them for years about their dead father, two fraternal twin brothers set out to find him. Talk about a misstep! The only reason this gets any rating at all is that it has some superb actors in it. Sadly this slow moving film only has a handful of laughs and nothing else to recommend it. Skip it!

Rated: [R] – Language & Sexual References Throughout
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Last Movie Star (2017/2018)

The Last Movie Star (2017/2018)

C – 94m
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Dog Years
Writer – Dir.: Adam Rifkin
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Chevy Chase, Macy Whitener, Ariel Winter, Clark Duke and Ellar Coltrane.

An elderly movie star travels to a small film festival to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and goes on a trip down memory lane with the aid of his crass female assistant / driver. Slow paced but entertaining film with a perfect cast headed by Burt Reynolds, Chevy Chase and Ariel Winter. Winter stands out, something that is hard to do opposite Reynolds and Chase, as a troubled young woman who just needs a fresh set of eyes on her problems to tell her that she is capable of making the changes necessary to find happiness. For those familiar with Reynolds’ work prior to this film, this will be a treat. For those who are not, go find earlier Reynolds films to see before this. Particularly: Deliverance (1972), Smokey And The Bandit (1977), Smokey And The Bandit Part II (1980), The Cannonball Run (1981) and Cannonball Run II (1984). Reynolds may be slowed by age in terms of physicality but he is no less impressive to watch here than any of his other films. Great use of old footage and photos by the way! Rifkin hits all the right notes with this one.   

Trivia: Writer – Director Adam Rifkin stated that if Burt Reynolds had turned down the role, he wouldn’t have made the movie as he had written the part specifically for Burt Reynolds. 

Rated: [R] – Some Sexuality / Partial Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Clapper (2016–2018)

The Clapper (2016–2018)

C – 89m
Aspect Ratio:
Based On The Novel: Eddie Krumble Is The Clapper by Dito Montiel
Writer – Prod. – Dir.: Dito Montiel
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Leah Remini, Ed Helms, Alan Thicke, Adam Levine, Tracy Morgan, Mark Cuban and Rob Gronkowski.

15 minutes of fame destroys the life of a man who works as a clapper in television. A one–line joke premise is stretched into 89 minutes of Dramady here. As such the script is uneven and the laughs are in short supply. A sweet if somewhat muddled romance story is present though. Worth a look but nothing special.

Trivia: This was the last film that Alan Thicke starred in before his death on 12/13/2016. Ed Helms and Amanda Seyfried previously worked together in: Love The Coopers (2015).

Rated: [R] – Language & Some Sexual References
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Blockers (2018)

Blockers (2018)

C – 102m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Cherries, The Pact
Prod.s: Chris Fenton, Seth Rogan, Jon Hurwitz and James Weaver
Dir.: Kay Cannon
Starring: Leslie Mann, John Cena, Ramona Young, Kathryn Newton, Miles Robbins, Gary Cole, Graham Phillips and Jill Jane Clements.

Parents accidentally find out a pact that their daughters have to lose their virginity on prom night and set out to stop them. American Pie for girls with meddling parents as the heroes of the film. Nice twist on the Pie storyline. For those who care Kay Cannon, the director of this film, wrote the Pitch Perfect series. This made her a natural choice to direct this (if you will pardon the pun) coming of age story. The film has more to it than meets the eye and ear in the advertisement campaign (television spots and theatrical trailers). The casting is perfect and there is a lot of heart behind the otherwise crude jokes. At that, the jokes start off as cringe worthy but elevate from there after the first little bit of the film. If one can stomach vulgarity, than this is a breeze. If one can’t see past the crudeness, than this film may not be for them. The parents are played as slow, which may appeal to teens, though they ultimately prove to be more on top of things than you may think. The teens are played as highly intelligent and very self–aware. While the accuracy of that may be questioned, it works well for this film to have well–rounded characters. Seldom do these kinds of comedies score high with this reviewer, but this one hits all the right notes. It would be a shame to miss this one!  

Trivia: The title is short for: “Cock Blockers”. Due to censorship on advertising, a silhouette of a rooster (a cock by definition of gender) is shown in front of the word Blockers on the advertisements to suggest the full title.

Rated: [R] – Crude And Sexual Content, And Language Throughout, Drug Content, Teen Partying, & Some Graphic Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Chappaquiddick (2018)

Chappaquiddick (2018)

C – 106m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Last Son
Screenplay By: Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan
Exec. Prod.: Byron Allen and Taylor Allen
Dir.: John Curran
Starring: Jason Clarke, Ed Helms, Jim Gaffigan, Kate Mara, Bruce Dern, John Fiore and Clancy Brown.

A depiction of Ted Kennedy’s involvement in the fatal 1969 car accident that claims the life of young campaign strategist, Mary Jo Kopechne. Certainly a fair portrayal of the events around the accident. The film boasts of fine performances, moderate CGI and great cinematography (sans one shot where the camera pans across a room from a bookshelf to someone at a desk on a phone). It may not be for all tastes and certainly political bias can taint how one receives this film if one is strongly political. But there is enough going for this film mechanics wise that will hold this as a solid if not just under stellar film. Don’t miss it!

Note: This may be snide but, how much of a Bostonian would this film reviewer be if this reviewer didn’t go to see Chappaquiddick (2018)?!

Trivia: Jason Clarke, who plays Ted Kennedy here, was born July 17, 1969, one day before the Chappaquiddick incident on July 18, 1969. Though not mentioned in the movie, there were three other men at the cottage with Ted Kennedy, Joseph Gargan, and Paul F. Markham. They were: Charles Tretter, Raymond La Rosa, and John Crimmins. Part of the film was filmed in Rockport, Massachusetts. When Ted Kennedy is being chastised by his lawyers for his actions, they refer to his actions as: “John Wayne stuff.” Bruce Dern, who plays Joseph Kennedy, Sr. here, was in The Cowboys (1972) with John Wayne. In that film he killed John Wayne’s character, one of John “Duke” Wayne’s few on screen deaths. Chappaquiddick is the name of the island in Massachusetts where the accident occurred that killed Mary Jo Kopechne.

Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Material, Disturbing Images, Some Strong Language, & Historical Smoking
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Tobey Maguire Spider – Man Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

The Tobey Maguire Spider – Man Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

Spider–Man (2002)

C – 121m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man: The Motion Picture, Spiderman
Marvel Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screenplay By: David Koepp
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Joe Manganiello, Gerry Becker, Elizabeth Banks, John Paxton, Jason Padgett, Jim Ward, David Holcomb, Octavia Spencer, Jim Norton and Stan Lee.

A geeky high school outcast gets bitten by a spider and gains superpowers. A very entertaining way to bring the comic book hero to the big screen. A good start to the trilogy.

Trivia: Hugh Jackman was supposed to have a cameo as Wolverine and even showed up to shoot the scene but the idea was scrapped because the production could not get the costume from X–Men (2000). Tobey Maguire’s nose kept filling with water during the upside–down kiss in the rain. The first issued film poster was recalled because it featured The World Trade Center as part of the NYC skyline, 9/11/2001 had just occurred.

Oscar® nominated for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
Rated: [PG–13] – Stylized Violence & Action
Available on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Spider–Man 2 (2004)

C – 127m (Theatrical Cut) / 135m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 2: The IMAX Experience, The Amazing Spider–Man, Spider–Man: No More, Spider–Man 2 Lives, Spider–Man 2.1, Spider–Man 1.5, Spiderman 2
Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screen Story By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Michael Chabon
Screenplay By: Alvin Sargent
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Dylan Baker, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, Elizabeth Banks, Bruce Campbell, Stan Lee, John Paxton and John Landis.

Peter Parker’s personal life is in a tailspin as he battles Dr. Otto Octavius. Smart sequel and by far the best entry in the Raimi – Maguire trilogy. Everything works! The preferred cut is the Extended Cut. 

Trivia: Tobey Maguire was having back problems and almost didn’t make this film. Jake Gyllenhaal was set to replace him but Maguire returned for the film. The, “My back!” joke after Peter Parker falls from the roof, just happened to be in the script before Maguire’s back issues arose. (Anyone else skeptical?) When Peter Parker flips over an oncoming car, Tobey Maguire did the stunt himself. A stuntman also did it but director Sam Raimi liked Maguire’s take and thought it looked more natural, so he used it. 

Oscar® winner for: Best Visual Effects. Additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing.

Rated: [PG–13] – Stylized Action Violence
Available in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Spider–Man 3 (2007)

C – 139m (Theatrical Cut) / 137 (Editor’s Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 3: The IMAX Experience, Spiderman 3, 3
Marvel Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screen Story By: Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi
Screenplay By: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, James Cromwell, Theresa Russell, Dylan Baker, Bruce Campbell, Elizabeth Banks, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, John Paxton, Becky Ann Baker, Stan Lee and Joe Manganiello. 

A dark entity from another world threatens to take over Peter Parker as he battles new villians, causing inner turmoil. Dismal final outing in the Raimi – Maguire trilogy leaves one feeling sorry that the story came to this. Watchable only as part of the series. The preferred cut is the theatrical cut, oddly.

Trivia: All of the screams Kirsten Dunst has in this film are reused from Spider–Man 2 (2004). The film took two years and ten months to make. At one point it was a consideration to split the film into two parts. Many scenes were shot that were never released theatrically as part of the film or on home video as part of the bonus features. Many of them considered too dark for consumption. This was Cliff Robertson’s final film before his death on September 10, 2011 at the age of 88.

Rated: [PG–13] Sequences Of Intense Action Violence
Available in Theatrical Cut and Editor’s Cut on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy