SAD NEWS our favorite Vulcan SPOCK aka: LEONARD NIMOY has died aged 83
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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) – Movie Review ★★★★
“Apes Together Strong !”
Director: Matt Reeves – Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, and Kodi Smit-McPhee – Synopsis: After a global disaster wipes out a huge chunk of the population a group of genetically evolving apes led by Caesar and a pocket of human survivors in San Francisco battle for supremacy and out & out survival – Verdict: Being a huge fan of the original franchise back in the 60’s and thoroughly enjoying Rupert Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes back in 2011, I was excited to see if Matt Reeves (director of Cloverfield) could continue where Wyatt left off and produce something memorable and Reeves did not disappoint – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a well balanced action flick that’s not all about the incredible motion capture and mind blowing effects, it’s a film with an emotional spine, a storyline that’s dark and gripping and one that is powerfully played out by it’s great cast including Lord of the Ring’s Andy Serkis as Caesar, Zero Dark Thirty’s Jason Clarke as Malcolm and the veteran Gary Oldman who like a good wine gets better with age playing Dreyfus the leader of the human colony – but one of the standout characters in the film is Koba the bitter and terrifying Ape that resents the humans and goes against Caesar to start a war, his character is brutal but you can sympathize with his plight as he’s been tortured for years by the humans and his character has become entangled with rage and hate – Koba is played motion capture by Toby Kebbell – Matt Reeves handles all the action scenes with aplomb whilst giving several nods to the classic Ape movies of yesteryear in the process – two of my favorite scenes in the film has to be the tower raid by the apes on horseback with guns OMG and the fantastic, breathtaking and moving showdown between Caesar’s & Koba towards the movies climax – Overall: please revisit Rise of the Planet of the Apes and then treat yourself to it’s sequel Dawn of the Apes an exhilarating, cinematic triumph that’s every bit as good as the first and a fabulous addition to the Apes growing franchise….
Here’s the latest movie posters from the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES remake that stars Megan Fox and William Fichtner – the film looks darker than previous efforts and with Michael Bay’s involvement you can also expect a Transformers vibe too – also we have a banner from Steven Quale‘s disaster flick INTO THE STORM that stars Richard Armitage & Sarah Wayne Callies
Here’s some rather colorful character posters from James Gunn’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY the latest Marvel big screen bonanza that will hit our screens later this summer – Gunn the guy who brought us the fabulous Slither and comedy superhero movie Super has assembled an exciting cast that includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista and Vin Diesel – here’s them posters…. Enjoy!
Snowpiercer (2014) – Movie Review ★★★★½
Director: Joon-ho Bong – Cast: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, John Hurt, Ed Harris, Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, Ah-sung Ko, Kang-ho Song & Alison Pill – Synopsis: This is the first English-language film from the exciting South Korean director Joon-ho Bong (Mother & The Host) – Based on a French graphic novel and set in the future where the only survivors of a failed global-warming experiment try to exist on-board a speeding train known as the Snowpiercer – Verdict: If your one of these people (and there are many) that watch a movie and shout disbelief at the screen till the end credits then don’t watch Snowpiercer, the movie is based on a graphic novel and like all comic book adaptions there are many moments during this film that scream WTF at you – leave your negativity at the door, relax and enjoy the smart creative vision that this film has in abundance and then praise the undoubted genius that is filmmaker Joon-ho Bong on a picture that from start to finish is a visual feast of apocalyptic delight with enough colorful characters and dark content that could have filled a trilogy of movies let alone this one – the exciting, stylish design of the train caught my eye, from it’s dark, gloomy carriages at the back of the train where the lowest on the social ladder would reside to the school, night club and brilliance of the fish tank aquariums that one would find in carriages further up the train – Joon-ho Bong also filled the picture with superb character actors from Jamie Bell’s rebellious second in command, John Hurt’s old, wise mentor, Chris Evans rugged & somewhat reluctant leader and Tilda Swinton’s hilarious turn as one of the movies villains, the whole cast are tremendous in bringing a somewhat realism to the story – overall just like the Snowpiercer this movie runs at 200mph, it’s visually out of this world, action packed with some incredible fight scenes and a scifi flick that will stand the test of time – for me the films only negative is that it had to end….
OMG! THIS DRUG MULE is going to kick your ass!! not many movie trailers have had me gushing with excitement and re-watching instantly – LUCY the latest sci-fi flick by filmmaker Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) that stars the Black Widow aka: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman and Choi Min-sik looks delicious in every way possible – at times Besson’s career behind the camera has flattered to deceive but with cult movies such as Leon, Fifth Element and the underrated La Femme Nikita under his belt we should never loose hope in his French magic returning – Take a peek at Johansson and co in this mind warping, action packed trailer…. Enjoy!
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – Movie Review ★★★★
Director: Anthony & Joe Russo – Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Robert Redford, Frank Grillo & Jenny Agutter – Synopsis: This story takes place 2 years after the events in New York with The Avengers – Steve Rogers aka: Captain America (Chris Evans) is now living in Washington D.C. attempting to adjust to the modern world and his new surroundings. But that new and quiet life is about to turn upside down when Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) gets attacked by a group of Hydra operatives and a deadly assassin known as The Winter Soldier starts targeting S.H.I.E.L.D. members – entangled in a web of corruption S.H.I.E.L.D. has now become compromised and it’s left to Captain America, his new friend The Falcon and fellow Avenger The Black Widow to uncover the truth, track down this new enemy and eliminate the threat – Verdict: Recently watched The Winter Soldier as part of a 3D Captain America marathon that included Joe Johnson’s 2011 original and Whedon’s Avengers Assemble and although the film fell short of it’s original, the Russo brothers have delivered an exciting, action & effects driven big screen event that fits snugly within the layers of the Marvel Universe and the continuing story of Steve Rogers and S.H.I.E.L.D. – the fight scenes are well orchestrated, especially the ones that feature Scarlett Johansson‘s Black Widow and Chris Evan’s Cap who uses his shield to great effect – my favorite scene in the movie (there’s quite a few) was possibly the Nick Fury assassination attempt with rogue cops surrounding his car and raining holy hell down with all manner of weaponry – it made for delicious big screen viewing and like most Superhero movies The Winter Soldier is a visual feast of quickly paced action, lots of explosions and car chases all that need to be seen on the biggest screen possible – we also get a small taster of new characters that I am sure we will be seeing more of in the future, the likes of Emily VanCamp‘s Agent 13 and Frank Grillo’s Crossbones who were both excellent if not slightly underused – Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury had more screen time which in my opinion only enhances the movie and Anthony Mackie a newbie to the Marvel Universe did a fine job spreading his wings playing The Falcon – Robert Redford’s character was my only negative, it was not meaty or fleshed out enough and was a missed opportunity – overall: the movie gets the big thumbs up here – it’s an exciting action packed superhero outing that lays the foundations for what’s to follow – roll on the next chapter – Whedon’s Avengers: Age of Ultron that lands next summer….
Here’s a new movie poster, the latest trailer and some stills for THE MAZE RUNNER a post-apocalyptic adventure that is based around the 2009 novel by James Dashner – It’s the latest in the craze of possible young adults film franchises similar to those that have come before: The Mortal Instruments, The Hunger Games and this years Divergent and it’s full of familiar faces too: Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf), Will Poulter (We’re the Millers), Thomas Brodie Sangster (Game of Thrones) and Ki Hong Lee (The Nine Lives of Chole King) – judging by this early teaser the film’s got lot’s of promise, it has an interesting almost Cube like premise played out within a dark and futuristic setting – take a peek and then mark your calendar…. Enjoy!
The Maze Runner – US 19th September) – UK (24th October) – Australia (18th September)
Here’s two pretty Badass movie posters from upcoming action flicks that I’m excited to watch on the big screen – after it’s horrible 1998 version it’s down to British filmmaker Gareth Edwards (Monsters) to send GODZILLA back to it’s rightful place amongst the “King of all Monsters” – then we have the first of many movie posters (I’m sure) from Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY directed by James Gunn – the film pitts Peter Quill and his band of merry outlaws against the evil and villainous Ronan – take a peek…. Enjoy!
Each year it gets more difficult to name the Top Movies of the year and this year has been the toughest I can remember – having seen hundreds of films in 2013 to finally narrow it down to just 13 was a mammoth task – below I have posted absolutebadasses Top 13 Movies of 2013…. Enjoy!
No. 13 and strangely enough it was also released on Friday 13th is INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2 one of the best Horror Sequels in recent years from Horror Maestro James Wan
No. 12 is the Science Fiction Blockbuster ELYSIUM a popcorn munching, thrill ride from one hell of a director and a cast that includes Damon, Foster, Copley and Fichtner
No. 11 is the visually beautiful THE GREAT GATSBY that is given the Baz Luhrmann treatment, with a sparkling cast that is complimented with one of the best Movie Soundtracks of the year
No. 10 is Jeff Nichols’ underrated beauty MUD a film full of majestic cinematography, a wonderful story and an incredible gutsy performance from Texan Matthew McConaughey
No. 9 is Chan-wook Park’s creepy English movie debut STOKER that was written for the screen by Prison Break’s Wentworth Miller and stars Mia Wasikowska & Nicole Kidman
No. 8 is Ben Stiller’s movie remake of THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY the movie is simply the most touching & inspiring film of the year that will make you cry with laughter and leave you bouncing inside
No. 7 is the breathtaking GRAVITY that has to be seen in 3D and on the big screen, the film is directed by Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón and stars Sandra Bullock & George Clooney
No. 6 is Marc Forster’s Zombie flick WORLD WAR Z it’s a hard hitting, fast paced action horror that delivers big time with it’s scares and overall execution – these Zombies makes those from The Walking Dead look like pussies
No. 5 is ONLY GOD FORGIVES an unbelievably atmospheric thriller, with sumptuous use of color, a haunting soundtrack & it’s directed by that Danish mind twister Nicolas Winding Refn
No. 4 is the tense, edge of the seat thriller PRISONERS that left me exhausted and needing a manicure – the film stars Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal
No. 3 is one of Ron Howard’s finest movies to date RUSH you can almost smell the burning rubber of Hunt’s Mclaren in this incredible cinematic experience based on the formula one rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda
No. 2 returns us to Middle Earth in the second part of Peter Jackson’s majestic Hobbit trilogy in THE HOBBIT : THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG the movie is visually stunning and with it’s 3D element you’re drawn into the world of Tolkien like never before
No. 1 and the Best Movie of 2013 is Guillermo del Toro‘s PACIFIC RIM – it’s one of the most exhilarating, jaw dropping and immensely fun movies for many a year – hats off to Guillermo, I was expecting another Transformers rip-off movie instead I was just blown away – you get so immersed in the action of this scifi flick that it feels like your operating one of those monstrous Jaegers yourself – huge thumbs up and can’t wait for Guillermo to helm a sequel….
Set in a future Chicago where people are divided into five factions based on their personalities. “Tris” (Woodley) discovers that she is DIVERGENT meaning that she does not fit into any one faction, she’s soon on the run and alerted to a plot brewing that involves extermination of her kind – Based on the book of the same name by American author Veronica Roth – the movie is directed by Neil Burger (Limitless) and stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Zoë Kravitz, Maggie Q and Kate Winslet – here’s the trailer…. enjoy!
THE LAST DAYS ON MARS (2013) – Movie Review ★★★½
Cast – Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Olivia Williams & Romola Garai – a research team on Mars have nineteen hours before rendezvousing with their lander to take them home when a crew member’s discovery leads to an infection that turns it’s host into some sort of zombie like killing machine – VERDICT like most films that are based around an isolated scenario, it’s the character development that allows you to connect and get sucked into that particular environment, BUT in Ruairi Robinson’s feature debut there’s no real time allowed for character building, when this alien infection starts picking off the crew members one by one you find yourself not really caring who lives or dies – in my opinion the film could have done with another 30mins run time, fleshing out some of the characters and building the movie’s tension before that inevitable final killing spree – the illusion of Mars is captured perfectly by shooting on location in Jordan and that alongside the delightful camerawork are some real positives – THE LAST DAYS ON MARS is an enjoyable scifi yarn that draws obvious inspiration from the likes of Alien and 2001: A Space Odyssey but due to the movies mediocre script and it’s short running time your left with the nagging feeling of what could have been….