The Jungle Book (2016)

Chances are, you are watching this because of Disney's The Jungle Book (1967) rather than Rudyard Kipling's book.

Believe it or not, there are actually three live action adaption of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle book, namely

Jungle Book (1942) (with Sabu)
The Jungle Book (1994) (with Jason Scott Lee, which frustratingly has never been released on DVD or Bluray)
Jungle Book (2016) (dir Jon Favreau)

I watched the latest version and it is closer to Disney's The Jungle Book (1967) feature animation rather than Rudyard Kipling's book.

So, is it any good!

Boy is it ever!!

Shere Khan (by Idris Elba) has never been more menacing!!

Kaa (by Scarlett Johansson) has never been more deliciously serpentine!!

Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and Baloo (Bill Murray), perfect!!

An odd choice was choosing Christopher Walken for King Louie but it worked!!

And credit where credit is due, it is good of Disney to cast Neel Sethi as Mowgli rather than an occidental actor.


Stay for the end credit.

No mini movie, but the film makers took great pains to make the end credit excellent (with all the songs!!)

So, what are you waiting for, ENJOY kiddies!

My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Apr 8 2016, 02:48 AM

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

2 questions.

1) What is 10 Cloverfield Lane?

2) Who the HECK is Dan Trachtenberg (Director)?

First question first, is 10 Cloverfield Lane:

• A mystery film?
• A thriller film?
• A suspense film?
• A sci-fi film (eg anything to do with Cloverfield (2008)??)?

I am NOT answering that. The reason being, I really do NOT want to spoil it for you.

Second question, I don't know and I would be following his movie career from now on, religiously!!!

This guy is MASTERFUL. With a budget of $15,000,000 delivered in spades. Paramount is at least going to made that back 10 folds, not counting the dvd/bluray/bluray 4k sales!!!

As I had stated, I am following this guy's movie career. Alright, I admit it here, I am going to be his film-stalker!!!!

If you are going to watch only two movies this year, It would be this and Jungle Book.

This is how serious I am about this movie.

Thank you J.J. Abrams for introducing Dan Trachtenberg to the world.

Do yourself a favour, go watch this!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Apr 13 2016, 09:28 PM

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Has summer blockbusters begin?

You bet your bottom ringgit.

I will be short and sweet.

Story

Action

Casting

New Spiderman

out of 10, I give this movie a 12.

They under promised, over delivered.

Good job Marvel/Disney

My Two Sen

P.S. There are two end mini movies (one immediately after another after the whole end credits)

You are welcome!!

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Apr 28 2016, 11:41 PM

The Boy (2016)

Okay. This is something different.

Firstly, there is alot of drama in this "horror" movie.

And frankly for a "horror" movie, way TOO much drama!!

Greta Evans (Lauren Cohan) is an American running away from her past . In fact, she ran all the way to England, and became a nanny (A fan of Mary Poppins maybe?? )

She works for a very wealthy family, the Heelshire, taking care of their son, Brahms.

When she was first introduced to Brahms (her first day), she was shock to find that he is a 2.5" porcelain doll!!!

She also met the local grocer, Malcolm (Rupert Evans, last seen by me in Hellboy) on her first day.

I know, it sound a little prozac'ed, and for much of the movie it is.

The ending does redeem itself a little, I just wish more things had happened during the course of the movie.

Granted, I wasn't paying that much attention, was cleaning my apartment whilst watching this (distracted?)... Maybe need to re-watch...

Will keep you posted.

My Two Sen

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

Bryan Singer is back! WoHoo!!

So are James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Evan Peters etc, YEAH!!!

The introduction of the movie, FANTASTIC (put GODS OF EGYPT (2016) to shame really)!!!!

If THAT was the beginning, I cannot imagine what the rest of the movie would be like!!

Definitely higher, definitely more....

No quite...

The rest of the movie, quite frankly, was a little... blah for me...

After watching the movie, and having some time to analyze it, I think the issue lays with


When I left the cinema after X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), I was euphoric...

Here, I just thought it was an okay movie.

This is JUST my personal opinion.

Truth to be told, if you want to watch this movie, you would, no matter what I state here.


Yes, there is a mini movie after the end credits.


As always, this is JUST my two sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: May 21 2016, 10:15 PM

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Have you every had one of those bad days, that just did not start right, and as the days progress, things got bad, to worst, and worst, and worst....

This is the day I had.

And at 4 pm + I got rained on, and I still had an appointment to keep, and in my wallet, a ticket for a 5:45pm movie session, for The Conjuring 2!

I quickly rushed to my appointment, and you know the scene in Zootopia, at the DMV, and all the people in the DMV were sloth.

That again would be me, at my 4pm+ appointment and the time loomed closer and closer to 5:45pm...

Strangle, I managed to finish my appointment and was able to arrive at the cinema at 5:48pm....

Parked my car.

Got into the elevator and from B2 to 5th floor, EVERYONE had to either got on or get off...

At the cinema at 5:55pm

I prayed to the cinema gods that the trailers/adds ran long!....... And they did, managed to catch one trailer and two or three ads and the movie started!

Things can only get better right?

The person sitting next to me started to cough, and than cough and than on and on....

Cinema quite empty, got to a seat several rows behind and then things started to get better.

Enough about me, what about the movie??

Well, when the movie was first suggested, the Amityville storyline crept thru the grapevine.... And it does!!

Wait, is this not about the Enfield Poltergeist?

Yes it is?!?

Two in one?????

You can say that.

Am I being overly cryptic?

Yes I am!!

I just don't want to spoil it for you.

What makes a great sequel?

To me, a great sequel has to stand on it's two feet. Meaning, if the first movie was not made, the second movie would have had stood on it's own and made an obscene amount of money.

And I believe The Conjuring 2 succeeded in that.

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are back as Lorraine & Ed Warren.

Carey Hayes & Chad Hayes + David Leslie Johnson & James Wan did the script.

The main surprise for me is that Enfield Poltergeist is a "famous" ghost story case, and I have not heard anything about it!! (My member at the My Name is Mov_Freak and I am a Shock-a-holic revoked)

And I thought I have every episode of Strange But True? Hm...

Anyway... Moving on...

Spooks a plenty

If you think you have figured out James Wan's formula, this movie proves that he does NOT have a formula, he gets his scripts/beats right.

I do have one complain

With it all said and done, it really does not matter what I say here, it boils down to how curious you are.

So, go watch this.

You know you want to!!

My Two Sen.

That bad?

So I should save my pennies and wait for bluray instead

Finding Dory (2016)

Did I want to see this to beging with?

No.

I wanted to watch Now You See me 2.

And have to add, I heard rumbling of it being bad so...

I watched this instead...

Why did I not want to see this?

Actually Finding Nemo is probably one of my Pixar Favorites.

It was original, and it has alot of heart.

So, why did I not want to see this initially?

Honestly, because of Dory!!!

She is the comedic sidekick!!

Is THAT enough to fill a full length feature film??

The power that be for Disney/Pixar seemed to think so...

Can Pixar do no wrong?

Well...

There are three Pixar movie which I do not go gaga over, namely

Cars (2006)
Cars 2 (2011)
The Good Dinosaur (2015)

Is Finding Dory joining that list?

From a story point of view (which was my main fear), it is actually.... decent.

You do not get invested as much as you would, compared with Finding Nemo.

In that you really feel for Marlin and Nemo.

Here... I have to honestly say I am not as invested in this scatter brain character... Dory.

Lots of heart in Finding Nemo, and here... not so much.

The problem with sequels is, if the predecessor is fantastic, the sequels get scrutinized, and I am not sure this passes scrutiny...

Second, the production feels... off

In Finding Nemo, the sea environment was SO inviting.

It looks super real. Here it looks as if they... skimmed on making it look so really... This shocks me the most.

Honestly, I think this movie will make money in the States, everywhere else... Not so much.

Do not shoot the messenger....

My Two Sen.

P.S. Credit where credit is due, the short at the beginning, Pipers, is really good!!

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jun 16 2016, 09:45 PM

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

People here may know that I like Independence Day (1996) alot.

At 6:40pm today, I was standing in front of the cinema, with tickets and snack.

I entered the cinema and the trailers and ads came on.

I was eager with anticipation.

This is Twentieth Century Fox big gun for the Summer and they plunked down 200 Million into this!!!

The movie started and... I really hate to say this, it is a dud...

Why?

In 1996, America was a likable bully, now... not so much.

The Chinese product placement and actors (Angelababy) to pander to the Chinese audience. Obvious much...

The new characters are so BLAH!!!!

America now has a lady President... Wah, so progressive one...

They forget women through history and now ladies holds the highest office in their respective countries, namely

Hatshepsut Ancient Egypt 1507–1458 BC
Wu Zetian Tang Dynasty
Catherine the Great Russia
Corazon Aquino the Philippines
Angela Merkel German Chancellor
(To name a few)

And when American has a lady President, HOLD THE PRESS!!! (Sigh)

Liam Hemsworth cannot pick a good role, if his life depends on it, PERIOD!!!

They rest of the new cast are going through the motions!

Jeff Goldblum is clueless here.

Why the heck is Judd Hirsch back? It proves that even he has to pay rent...

Brent Spiner is now the comedic relief... Really??

And the only one that actually got through this whole exercise with a little bit of dignity is Bill Pullman...

If you want something like this to work, GOOD STORYTELLING IS KEY!!

If the first and second arch is not BAD enough in the third arc they pulled a
ARRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Bad Fox!!

BAD FOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you think this would open the opportunity for Part 3, you are SOLELY MISTAKEN!!!

This movie CHEAPENS the first one like nobodies business...

My Two Sen...

Actually, I was told that The Godfather II is way better than it's predecessor

Star Wars Empire Strikes Back is almost everyone's favorite

I LOVE Conjuring 2

So it exist, but DEFINITELY NOT this!!!!

Hey, Long time!!

And never the twain shall meet!!

I really despise this movie.

Ruined the first one for me...

The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

Forget Tarzan (2013) (An European attempt at the material), let alone Tarzan (2003) (TV Series) (That I did not know exist), do even get me started on Tarzan and the Lost City (1998) (Shame on you Casper Van Dien), the terrible Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981) (believe it or not was a vehicle for Bo Derek), the kinda popular 60s series Tarzan (1966) (TV Series) and the original Tarzan Tarzan - Johnny Weissmuller who was an Olympic swimmer and his Tarzan always has to dive from a waterfall!!

I kidda like Disney's Tarzan (1999) and until now I've always figurred Christopher Lambert's Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) being the definitive Tarzan movie...

Warner just plunked down USD$180,000,000 on this and how does it fare?

Honestly, when I heard about this movie and when it was announced that Alexander Skarsgård is playing Tarzan, I went, HUH??!!?? A Swedish meatball playing a English aristocrat who grew up in the wilds of Africa??? Can anybody say, miscast??

I am glad to inform you that I WAS WRONG, and it ia actually a match made in Heaven.

Alexander Skarsgård IS Tarzan (well, as far as THIS movie is concern)

Christoph Waltz as Leon Rom!!! Can you say FIEND!!!

Let's go thru our Villainous Persona chacklist shall we?

1) Dress evil √
2) Understand the reason behind your evil motives. √
3) Have tricks up your sleeve. √
4) Have a brilliant yet dangerous mind. √
5) Be sneaky. √
6) Remember that villains do not have friends, they gain followers. √
7) Develop an evil grin and stare. √
8) Define a skill and use it. √

By Jove, it is official!!!! He is a VILLAIN!!!!

Samuel L. Jackson gets the funniest line!!!

Story, good, Cast good, cinematographer EXCELLENT!!

So, in short am I sold the movie??

You bet your bottom dollar!!!

What are you waiting for.

Go watch this.

SHow movie makers you appreciate good stuff, so hopefully they will stop making bad ones.... (Yes Independence Day 2, I am looking at you...)

My Two Sen

P.S. This Tarzan DOES NOT WEAR a butt flap (to borrow a phrase from George of the Jungle (1997))

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jun 30 2016, 07:50 PM

No butt flap, right??

Wow, talk about blast from the past

You dug up a review I did 2 years ago!!

Good for you!!

Glad are enjoying!!

Isn't the baby cart the COOLEST!!!?!



This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 18 2016, 11:24 PM

Ghostbusters (2016)

Hollywood!!!

You have GOT TO STOP THE MADNESS!!!!

You have got to stop treating men like slabs of meat!!!

Let the objectification STOP.

What you made Chris Hemsworth (cast as Kevin) go through in the movie is SHAMEFUL.

And then the "Magic Mike" moment, come on!!!?!

Stop degrading MEN!!!!

Oh, on THAT note...



Stop the photoshop work.

We know that "stuff" ain't real!!!


I gotta stop, while I can still keep a straight face...

Well, this is a dumb, fun summer movie.

Not to be taken seriously.

More of a reboot rather then a sequel.

An MOST (not all) of the original main casts returned for a cameo (Harold Ramis because he is actually dead [would have been fun if he was a ghost...] and Rick Moranis [because he is still taking care of his kids??])

The new leads did an okay job, though I don't think they really "jelled" maybe in the sequel??

As I had stated, a pop a pop corn kinda flick (ran rings around Independence Day 2!!!!?!)

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 18 2016, 11:47 PM

Yes, Ramis had passed on. According to imdb 24 February 2014, Chicago, Illinois, USA (complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis).

Moranis's wife died during the 80s... Moranis quit Hollywood to take care of their kids!! Ain't parenthood grand!!

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

I am still shell shock about Anton Yelchin's passing...

I do not know if they "tweaked" the movie after his passing (I am thinking not), and have to add, the movie started a little melancholy.

Quite apt if you ask me.

Most of u probably heard over the news about Sulu's sexual orientation and that the movie will come acrossed as... I am assuming here, too gay.

It is not.

The situation was handled... matter of fact-ly.

I m also sure some of you (like me) were concern that the movie would be too fast, too furious... It is not.

They really got the chemistry for the three lead (Kirk, Spock and Bones) just right (with a dash of humor).

The hook for the villain's kill move is deadly and is more then a challenge for Enterprise

Overall, a pretty good add on to the Star Trek franchise.

And at the end, it hits you again that Anton is no longer with us (along with Nimoy)

How fragile, life is...

Am curious how ther resolve Chekov's character (now that JJ Abram has said he will not recast) in the future movies (and there will be future movies)

My Two Sen

Lights Out (2016)

Have you heard of the saying, ignorance is bliss?

Well, when it comes to this movie, it sure is.

I knew very little about this movie going in. Just based on word of mouth really and...

I like IT!!!

Warner Brothers is currently definitely the King of horror (Shame on you Paramount).

Having said that with the newly minted Mummy/Dracula/Frankenstein movies Paramount had planned (and produced by Mr Tom Cruise), starting 2017, that may change.

Back to the movie, having no expectations, I enjoyed the movie immensely.

The concept is fresh though not new (if you are an avid Youtuber, you probably seen something very similar).

Some people had mention that this is as good as if not better compared with The Conjuring 2 (2016)...

I personally will not go so far. It is definitely better compared with Demonic (2015) and at best it is at par with Deliver Us from Evil (2014).

Good job, Warners, for now.

My Two Sen.

Suicide Squad (2016)

In 2008, Marvel Studios released Iron Man. One of their B characters (at that point all of Marvel's A characters had been licensed out).

Marvel, Stan Winston Studio and ILM made the impossible, possible (Tony Stark in the Iron Man suit, fly)

When I first watched the trailer, and seeing Iron Man out flying a F18 (I think) I was SOLD!!

At the premier of the movie, the story was right, and Marvel Studio is SET!

Fast forward 8 years and DC Universe....

It is doing a lot of things right.

It basically has a bank (Warner Brothers) behind it.

It attract BIG names to script/direct/act in their projects and yet...

They are having a lot of trouble (with the exception of The Dark Night) making their movies "gel" with the audience.

I think, the success of The Dark Knight success has been a stumbling block for the DC Universe movies (Don't crucify me).

Here is why.

The movies were dark, serious and grounded to reality.

Audiences flocked to the cinemas to watched them. And after that, bought the blurays!!

And everyone at Warners went, oh, so THAT'S selling...

And henceforth that is the "formula" they adhere to...

Case in point Man of Steel. Did it need to be SO "dark". My answer is no....

Then you had Batman vs Superman, which would have been an excellent to elaborate the light and dark aspects of Superman and Batman, and alas, no.... Dark, dark DARK!!

And now, Suicide Squad....

Was never a fan of the comics, and after this movie, still NOT a fan.

To start with, you show us how terrible these "anti-heroes" are, and in the end, we are supposed to like them?...

I really pity Will Smith!

He has SO MANY so-stars and he has the burden of USD $175,000,000 price tag movie all on his shoulders!!!

So did he managed to carry the movie?

No quite...

Okay okay, Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn) did some carrying as well, still it think it still falls short...

Story folks, you have to get the story right

I am sorry to say, they again did not get it right here, again...

Here is a DC fan plea, to other DC fans, please please please go watch this.

Let it make some money.

Do not let Warner abandon the DC Universe.

It has SO MUCH POTENTIAL.

Please...

My Two Sen.

Aw...

You sure?

Maybe you'll like it!!