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17Jun

[FILM REVIEW] F9: THE FAST SAGA Review (2021)

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Summary: Cipher enlists the help of Jakob, Dom’s younger brother to take revenge on Dom and his team.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 17th June 2021 (Australia), 15th July 2021 (Thailand), 24th June 2021 (UK), 25th June 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA

Director: Justin Lin

Screenwriter: Daniel Casey, Justin Lin

Cast: Siena Agudong (Young Mia), Vinnie Bennet (Young Dom), Lucas Black (Sean), Jordana Brewster (Mia), Cardi B (Leysa), John Cena (Jakob), Cered (Young Leo), Finn Cole (Young Jakob), Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto), Vincent Sinclair Diesel (Younger Dom), Lex Elle (Sergeant Reyes), Nathalie Emmanuel (Ramsey), Martin Ford (Lieutenant Sue), Tyrese Gibson (Roman), Azia Dinea Hale (Young Letty), Immanuel Holtant (Little Brian), Issac Holtane (Little Brian), Sung Kang (Han), Karson Kern (Young Vince), Mark Krenik (Cash), Ludacris (Tej), Helen Mirren (Queenie), Shad Moss (Twinkie), Don Omar (Santos), Ozuna (Young Santos), JD Pardo (Jack Toretto), Jim Parrack (Kenny Linder), Thur Ersted Rasmussen (Otto), Igby Rigney (Young Jesse), Michelle Rodriguez (Letty), Michael Rooker (Buddy), Kurt Russell (Mr. Nobody), Anna Sawwai (Elle), Charlize Theron (Cipher), Jason Tobin (Earl), Ella Walker (Vanessa), Shea Whigham (Stasiak), Juju Zhang (Young Elle)

Running Time: 145 mins

Classification: M (Australia), 12A (UK), PG-13 (Australia)

OUR F9: THE FAST SAGA REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ F9: The Fast Saga Review:

To call me a Fast & Furious fan is a major under-statement. I fell in love with this franchise when I saw the first film on the day it opened back in 2001. At the time I was almost unaware of Paul Walker (Snow Dogs) or Vin Diesel (XXX) but by the time I left the cinema I was wishing I was them. As I write this review right now just above me on my wall is one of my most valuable possessions – framed signed stills from the cast of

Over the years I have never really hated any of the films, sure there have been some that I have enjoyed more than others but I have even found things to like about 2Fast 2Furious and Tokyo Drift which others have described as weaker films in the franchises. What I found this time is that while F9 may not be my favourite in the series it is certainly up there with the best.

This time around the film open with Dom (Vin Diesel) and Lettie (Michelle Rodriguez – Avatar) are living a quiet country lifestyle with Dom’s son. That quiet life is quickly pushed to the side though when Roman (Tyrese Gibson – Transformers), Tej (Ludacris – Crash) and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel – Game Of Thrones) shows up with an encrypted message from Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell – The Hateful Eight) asking for the group’s help.

After viewing the message himself though Dom soon realises that this isn’t going to be a simple search and rescue mission because he recognises the work of his arch nemesis – the dangerous hacker Cipher (Charlize Theron – Monster) and a ghost from he and Mia’s (Jordana Brewster – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) past – their brother Jakob (John Cena – Bumblebee).

What makes F9 work so well is the same as what has endeared me to this franchise for so long – the film’s have heart and are not just big soulless action flicks. As an audience we have come to know and love Dom, Letty, Mia and their crew and here the screenwriters and director Justin Lin (Fast Five) feed off that.

The fact that this film explores the relationship between Dom and Jakob and even shows the moment that Dom changed from being a teenager into a man in a flash second gives this film a heart and soul that the fans are just going to love. Those flash-backs instantly show the haters that there is still a lot more to explore in this Fast & Furious universe. And the way that they intertwine with the action sequences of the modern day action shows that Lin is a director that knows how to tell a story as well as direct action.

As we have come to expect from this franchise the action sequences here are amazing. Lin once again returns back to more car based action (there is even a joke told about tanks and submarines) with a finale that while out of this world is shot so well that the audience are still able to see it as believable.

My only gripes are that with Jakob and Cipher already in the picture Otto (Thue Ersted Rasmussen – Sunday) almost seems redundant as a villain and that the excuses for Paul Walker’s character of Brian not being around are getting pretty thin, Lines indicating that he is staying at home and looking after his kids while his wife is out battling villains is border-line disrespectful to the character’s memory and you almost wonder whether they would have been better off killing Brian in the franchise after the untimely death of Walker.

All up though F9 is a film that fans of the franchise are going to love, and yes there are a few unexpected surprises thrown in for everyone as well. Casual viewers may find some of the characters confusing given that the screenplay relies on you having seen their character set-ups and storylines in previous films. The action is epic and the heroes are deep and meaningful – once again this franchise has given us all its best.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

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15Jun

[VOD NEWS] OCCUPATION RAINFALL Finds US Success

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Over the past weekend, Australian Indie film ‘Occupation: Rainfall’ enjoyed a top 10 position in North America across VOD and home release platforms. Distributed in America by Saban Films, the dystopian sci-fi is set for global distribution including the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Middle East, Scandinavia, South Korea, Taiwan, Spain and Vietnam.

With VFX done by the same team behind Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Blade Runner 2049, Luke Sparke’s Occupation: Rainfall delivers a thrilling sci-fi epic that is firmly set to impress audiences all over the world. Starring Ken Jeong, Temuera Morrison, Daniel Gillies and Jason Isaacs and directed and written by Luke Sparke, produced by mother and daughter team Carly & Carmel Imrie (Occupation, Red Billabong) and co-executive producer Todd Williams (The Nun, Alex and Me), the action packed film showcases the scenic hills of Australia’s Blue Mountains to the war-torn streets of Sydney.

Leading entertainment review website, Flickering Myth claims, “It’s War of the Worlds meets Terminator: Salvation spliced with Guardians of the Galaxy…..if you want a science fiction action film then this delivers”.

Occupation: Rainfall will have its home release in Australia through Umbrella Entertainment and Monster Pictures on June 16. The film will be available on Blu-Ray (featuring audio commentary tracks and deleted scenes), DVD, Foxtel Store, iTunes, Google Play and more. The UK release in cinemas and on demand is July 9 by Signature Entertainment. The Europe and Asian markets will then follow.

With three years in production, Occupation: Rainfall features over 1,500 special effects, and stars a brilliant multicultural ensemble cast of Australian and international talent. Due to its international success, a sequel, ‘Rainfall: Chapter 2’, is in active development, with the script completed and international casting already commenced.

07Jun

[FILM REVIEW] THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD Review (2021)

Posted in Action, Crime, Drama, Film, Film Genre, Home Page, Thriller | Leave a comment

Summary: A teenage murder witness finds himself pursued by twin assassins in the Montana wilderness with a survival expert tasked with protecting him — and a forest fire threatening to consume them all.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 13th May 2021 (Australia), 13th May 2021 (Thailand), 17th May 2021 (UK), 14th May 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: Canada, USA

Director: Taylor Sheridan

Screenwriter: Michael Koryta, Charles Leavitt, Taylor Sheridan

Cast: Gabe Baca (Officer R. Hermes), Jon Bernthal (Ethan), Ryan Jason Cook (Leo), Mary Fenton (Beth), Howard Ferguson Jnr. (Vic), Aidan Gillen (Jack), Carma Harvey (Deborah Killdeer), Nicholas Hoult (Patrick), Angelina Jolie (Hannah), James Jordan (Ben), Tory Kittles (Ryan), Finn Little (Connor), Lora Martinez-Cunningham (Tina), Matt Medrano (MarshallFranks), Laura Niemi (Maggie), Tyler Perry (Arthur), Medina Senghore (Allison), Boots Southerland (Sheriff), Jake Weber (Owen)

Running Time: 100 mins

Classification: MA15+ (Australia), 15 (UK), R (USA)

OUR THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Those Who Wish Me Dead Review:

Over recent years filmmaker Taylor Sheridan has had a huge impact on Hollywood. His screenplay for the hard-hitting Sicario heralded in a new age of dramatic intensity within a market that many said had gone soft. Then came his work on the under-rated Hell Or High Water and the brilliant Wind River. Sheridan was no longer a light-weight he had awards in his back pocket and actors like Jeremy Renner were lining up to work with him. To show that was no flash in the pan then came one of the most eagerly-anticipated television shows of 2020 – Yellowstone – of which Sheridan was the main creator.

Now Sheridan teams up with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars – Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider) in the edgy action thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead. Jolie plays damaged fire-jumper (fire-fighter) Hannah Faber who has been sent to an outpost fire tower to work as a spotter after she has become an emotional mess after being involved with a forest fire that claimed the lives of children and one of her colleagues.

While believing that her new post will be much more peaceful Hannah soon comes across a young boy Connor Casserly (Finn Little – Angel Of Mine) who is being hunted down by ruthless assassins Jack (Aidan Gillen – Game Of Thrones) and Patrick Blackwell (Nicholas Hoult – Mad Max: Fury Road).

Despite her own demons Hannah realises that only her and the boy’s uncle, local Police Officer Ethan Sawyer (Jon Bernthal – The Walking Dead), can keep him alive. To add to the pressure they also find themselves trapped by a forest fire that was lit by the assassins as a distraction for local authorities.

You soon realise when watching Those Who Wish Me Dead that in contains all the tropes that has made Sheridan one of Hollywood’s most interesting filmmakers at the moment. The film is edgy – it doesn’t stick to the Hollywood rules of trying to keep the film to a low classification. Most of the characters are damaged and they talk and act like they are damaged – they swear when under pressure and they certainly don’t play nice.

While over the years Hollywood has normally tried to shy away from violence towards the vulnerable – as can be expected Sheridan puts the vulnerable at risk. It doesn’t matter that the key target here is a child – Jack and Patrick are blood-thirsty assassins who will not think twice about blowing young Connor away. The result is a realism that is normally never present in an action thriller like this plus a level of intensity and suspense that is normally only reserved for European or Scandinavian cinema.

To add even further to that suspense is the forest fire storyline. There are times during this film when likable characters such as Sawyer’s pregnant partner, Allison (Medina Senghore – Blindspot!) find themselves trapped between the fire and the insatiable killers and that only raises the stakes even more. Sheridan plays on the human condition that we are all terrified by fire and its ferocious nature and he uses it to his advantage.

It is a welcome relief to see Jolie back in an ‘action’ flick as she has spent much of the last decade making family films and doing voice work. She seems to relish being in a role with edge and the scenes that she shares with young Finn Little are natural and memorable. Jon Bernthal’s performance in the film is also a stand-out and his fans will be happy to see that this time he has been given a chance to play a hero rather than a villain.

To be honest Those Who Wish Me Dead is probably closer to a blockbuster than the ‘indie’ feeling films like Hell Or High Water or Wind River that Taylor Sheridan has made in the past. But just like those films this one is full of memorable characters, a hard edge and suspense that is going to make you want to watch it time and time again.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee Griffiths’ Those Who Wish Me Dead Review

Lee’s Score Out Of 5:

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05Jun

[FILM NEWS] FEAR Trailer Released

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Hunt the Hunters. FEAR premieres on DVD and Digital June 15 from New Era Entertainment.

FEAR, directed by Geoff Resiner, is set in the desolate regions of Pacific Northwest where a young family faces a group of bandits who steal the last of their supplies; with time running out, they must form an alliance with the outlaws to protect their children.

Marci Miller (Sinister Savior, Children of the Corn: Runaway) Jason Tobias (Downrange, The Competition, The Unravelling, Ocean’s Rising, Most Likely to Die, David and Goliath),Justin Dray (Boost, Ad Astra), Danny Druiz (Mighty Oak), and Cece Kelly (Big Freaking Rat, Through the Glass Darkly, Nation’s Fire) star in the film.

31May

[VOD REVIEW] ARMY OF THE DEAD Review (2021)

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Summary: Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: TBA

VOD Release Dates: 21st May 2021 (Australia), 21st May 2021 (Thailand), 21st May 2021 (UK), 21st May 2021 (USA)

Country: USA

Director: Zack Snyder

Screenwriter: Zack Snyder, Shay Hatten, Joby Harold

Cast: Nora Arnezeder (Lily The Coyote), Sheila Awasthi (Angela), Sebastian Balchand (Adjit), Dave Bautista (Scott Ward), Michael Cassidy (Sgt. Kelly), Raul Castillo (Mikey Guzman), Richard Cetrone (Zeus), Steve Corona (Mr. Hillman), Wayne Dalglish (Dagleish), Ana de la Reguera (Maria Cruz), Garret Dillahunt (Martin), Chelsea Edmundson (Misty Hillman), Marisilda Garcia (Anita), Jessica Harbeck (Zombie Elvis), Omari Hardwick (Vanderohe), Colin Jones (Damon), Janice LaFlam (Yolanda), Debbie Lay (Debbie Slots), Colby Lemmo (Laura Ward), Antonio Leyba (Carlos), Sarah Minnich (Jessica), Tig Notaro (Marianne Peters), Athena Perample (Alpha Queen), Ella Purnell (Kate Ward), Joe Rashbaum (Elvis Presley Shambler/Zombie Elvis), Gonzalo Robles (Camp Guard Garcia), Hiroyuki Sanada (Bly Tanaka), Huma Qureshi (Geeta), Zach Rose (Corp. Bissel), Theo Rossi (Burt Cummings), Matthias Schweighhofer (Dieter), Ken Thong (Kevin), Albert Valladares (Alpha General), Samantha Win (Chambers)

Running Time: 148 mins

Classification: R18+ (Australia), 18 (UK), R (USA)

OUR ARMY OF THE DEAD REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Army Of The Dead Review:

This year has turned out to be an amazing year for filmmaker Zack Snyder (Watchmen). His cut of the Justice League film became on over-night success when released on streaming platforms right around the world, not bad considering the mocking he received when it was first announced that he was willing to bring his version to the screen for nothing.

Now only a few months later Snyder returns with another action blockbuster – his zombie film Army of The Dead. While this one doesn’t have the dark artistic edge that was present for the Justice League Snyder Cut it is incredibly fun film that will certainly chase away the pandemic blues.

The film follows the events after a zombie attack hits the casino Mecca of Las Vegas. Trusted soldier, Scott Ward (Dave Bautista – Guardians Of The Galaxy), led one of the last rescue missions into the city and while some lives we saved he saw the mission as a disaster.

He lost his wife and several of his unit members and the result was a city lost and his relationship with his daughter Kate (Ella Purnell – Never Let Me Go) destroyed. Flash forwards to a few years later and Scott is flipping burgers in a roadside diner while the Government talks about finally ending everything in Vegas by dropping a nuclear bomb on the now ‘entombed’ city. But then everything changes when businessmen Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada – The Woverine) approaches Scott and promises him one hell of a pay-day if he can go through the zombie horde in Vegas and salvage $200 million from a vault before the bomb goes off.

Scott hastily puts together a team that includes his colleagues Maria Cruz (Ana de la Reguera – Narcos), Vanderohe (Omari Hardwick – Kick-Ass) and helicopter extraordinaire Marianne Peters (Tig Notaro – Instant Family), but then to his surprise Kate asks to go with them for some business of her own.

It would be easy to write off Army Of The Dead as a big, dumb action film, and in a lot of ways it is, but this is also another passion project for Snyder. He wrote this screenplay a decade ago and during that time a number of filmmakers were attached to the project until in the end Snyder decided that he could helm the film himself. Even then the drama didn’t stop with the film starting off as a Warner Bros. film before Netflix ended up jumping on board when it looked like the project may fall to the wayside.

Despite what people may believe going into this film Snyder’s cinematic styling is all over this film. The film looks sleek yet at the same time Snyder does just enough to make this film different to all the other zombie films that have flooded the market since the popularity of The Walking Dead.

Snyder doesn’t make the same mistake that the film Monster Hunter recently made. This isn’t a film full of beefcake soldiers going up against the big ‘evil.’ Instead as a filmmaker Snyder realises the power of the ‘fish out of water phenomenon’ in films like this and it is easy to see that it is characters like Sarah and geeky safe cracker Ludwig Dieter (Matthias Schweighofer – The Most Beautiful Day) that the audience are going to end relating to and barracking for.

Likewise Snyder mixes up the zombie genre but not just including your standard brainless dirt walker and instead brings in a species of intelligent brain eaters who think before they act… and if that isn’t enough to impress even the most hardened horror fan there is also a zombie tiger who is more than willing to take a chunk out of the heroes as well.

In a lot of ways Army Of The Dead tells a simple story by mixing a heist thriller with a zombie horror. It doesn’t exactly re-invent either genre but in the hands of Zack Snyder this film becomes a sleek grindhouse film that certainly never bores its audience. Well worth a look if you want to watch a film just to pass some time.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

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You can read our Army Of The Dead review for The Phuket News here – https://www.thephuketnews.com/zack-snyder-brings-army-of-the-dead-to-life-80146.php

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15May

[FILM REVIEW] LOVE AND MONSTERS Review (2020)

Posted in Action, Adventure, Comedy, Film, Film Genre, Home Page, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, Thriller | Leave a comment

Summary: Seven years after he survived the monster apocalypse, lovably hapless Joel leaves his cozy underground bunker behind on a quest to reunite with his ex.

Year: 2020

Cinema Release Dates: TBA

VOD Release Dates: 14th April 2021 (Australia), 14th April 2021 (UK), 16th October 2020 (USA)

Country: Canada, USA, Australia

Director: Michael Matthews

Screenwriter: Brian Duffield, Matthew Robinson

Cast: Donnie Baxter (Parker), Thomas Campbell (Anderson), Dan Ewing (Carp), Damian Garvey (Bill), Amali Golden (Ava), Ariana Greenblatt (Minnow), Tre Hale (Rocko), Jessica Henwick (Aimee), Ellen Holman (Dana), Helen Howard (Rose), Julia Johnson (Betty), Pacharo Mzembe (Ray), Dylan O’Brien (Joel), Hazel Phillips (Janice), Joel Pierce (Connor), Senie Priti (Karen), Tanseem Roc (Anna Lucia), Michael Rooker (Clyde), Ariu Lang Sio (Roberto), Miriama Smith (Maya), Bruce Spence (Old Pete), Te Kohe Tuhaka (Tim), Melanie Zanetti (Kala/Voice Of Mavis)

Running Time: 109 mins

Classification: PG (Australia), 12 (UK), PG-13 (USA)

OUR LOVE AND MONSTERS REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Love And Monsters Review:

When it comes to the Academy Awards genre flicks rarely get a look in but this year one found itself on the nominations list and it raised eyebrows everywhere. Love And Monsters was the little film that found itself boxing well and truly out of its weight division.

An American/Australian co-production Love And Monsters found itself amongst the heavy hitters when it was nominated in the Best Achievement in Visual Effects category, it didn’t win but it did suddenly have the world asking – “what on earth is that film?” Well to answer that question the film has now been made available on streaming platforms right around the world.

Directed by Michael Matthews (Five Fingers For Marseilles) Love And Monsters is set in a world that was saved by nuclear weapons when a meteorite threatened the Earth’s existence but the resulting fallout caused every cold blooded creature to mutant into gigantic ‘monster’ versions of themselves.

These creatures then killed a majority of the human population and the human’s left, which include the very innocent Joel (Dylan O’Brien – The Maze Runner), are left to live in colonies hiding underground. While he is a nice guy Joel freezes when he comes face-to-face with danger and as a result his colony see him as a liability. While the others go out to hunt he is left to stay behind and cook, and while the rest of the members of his colony have paired of Joel finds himself alone lost in his own thoughts.

However, after making radio contact with the girl, Aimee (Jessica Henwick – Game Of Thrones), that he was in love before the world went to hell he decides that he is going to make the dangerous journey from his colony to hers.

As a film Love And Monters has the feel of Zombieland all over it. You’ve got the ‘weak’ main character, a world that he doesn’t fit in to and for good measure the inclusion of a grumpy allie, Clyde (Michael Rooker – Guardians Of The Galaxy) who actually cares a lot more than he is letting on. Like Zombieland the film also has an injection of humour that isn’t enough to destroy the fantasy element of the film but is just enough to provide you with a laugh here and there.

The key to this film working though are the characters. Joel is a likable guy and the audience soon warm to him and want to see him succeed – due largely to the fact most audiences will realise that Joel is exactly what they would be like in the middle of the apocalypse. Add in a cute dog called Boy and a trusty side-kick, Minnow (Ariana Greenblatt – Avengers: Infinity War), and you soon have a group of characters that nobody wants to see anything bad happen to.

The inclusion of the other-worldly creatures does give the film a Stranger Things vibe throughout the film while the screenwriting team do just enough to create scenes with heart, like Joel bonding with a robot, to go alongside the action sequences. To their credit those action sequences and creature effects look pretty stunning, especially when you realise the film was made for the same sum as some film’s catering budgets. This is a filmmaking team that have a huge future ahead of them.

Just like he did in The Maze Runner franchise of films Dylan O’Brien once again shows Hollywood what he has to offer with his role here. He is brilliant throughout this film and whether it comes to a emotional scene or an action sequence he is the kind of actor that can shine through both.

Love And Monsters is one of the biggest surprises of 2021. It certainly deserved its Oscar nomination and you get the feeling that this film will become a family favourite for the younger generation in the same way films like Never Ending Story and The Labyrinth had for generations in the past.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

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12May

[FILM REVIEW] CLIFF WALKERS Review (2021)

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Summary: In the puppet state of Manchukuo in the 1930s, four Communist party special agents, after returning to China, embark on a secret mission. Sold out by a traitor, the team find themselves surrounded by threats on all sides.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 1st May 2021 (Australia), 30th April 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: China

Director: Yimou Zhang

Screenwriter: Yongxian Quan

Cast: Jiayin Lei, Naiwen Lei, Haocun Liu, Hailu Qin, Yi Sha, Ailei Yu, Hewei Yu, Hanyu Zhang, Yi Zhang, Yawen Zhu

Running Time: 120 mins

Classification: MA15+ (Australia)

OUR CLIFF WALKERS REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Cliff Walkers Review:

As a film lover I have never really been much of a James Bond fan. As a kid I can remember sitting down with my father and watching Bond films with him. Dad was a Bond connoisseur and I remember sitting there wishing I could get as much enjoyment out of them as he seemed to. But I never did, instead all I could ever see was a cheesy character in a world that never seemed real.

As a result when I was growing into a film lover myself I rarely gave much acknowledgment to spy films in general. That as it turned out was a pretty stupid thing to do because as I have found out over the years there are some brilliant spy films out there that don’t feature Bond, what have I also learnt though is that I prefer my spy films to be more on the realistic side of things.

When it comes to realism you can’t go past the brand new Chinese spy thriller Cliff Walkers. Set in Northern China during the 1930s it tells the story of four spies sent behind the Japanese enemy lines to conduct a mission that will allow the world to see the Chinese people’s suffering.

The group led by Zhang Zianchen (Zhang Yi – The Sacrifice) soon finds themselves in a position where they no longer who they can trust. This tightens the bond between Wang Yu (Qin Hailu – Return Ticket), Chu Liang (Zhu Yawen – Red Sorghum) and Xiao Lan (Liu Haocun – One Second) but also makes every move they make dangerous, especially when they find themselves separated and having to try think what they ruthless enemy will do next.

Director Yimou Zhang (House Of Flying Daggers) does an amazing job bringing a naturalistic style to this film. The scenes shot in deep snow look so real as an audience member you find yourself shivering and even the car chases involving historical cars look sensational on the big screen – and while Hollywood directors often go easy on historical cars Zhang does not.

What lifts this film to a whole new level though is the suspensefulness that creeps through this film from start to finish. From the moment the four agents land in Northern China their lives are in danger and it shows on the screen. Watching the film you find yourself trying to guess whether the next person they meet is bad or good, and to the credit of the screenplay the film never gives that away until it absolutely needs to. The result is some wonderful ‘golden-age-of-cinema’ moments when characters suddenly reveal a gun and their true colours.

I was also amazed by some of the acting performances in the film. Yu Hewei (Three Kingdoms) is sensational as the ambiguous Zhou Yi and part of the fun of this film is trying to work out whether he is good or bad. There is also a stand-out performance by Liu Haocan who brilliantly plays the innocent but deadly Xiao Lan – so interesting is her character that you almost wish the film’s producers would do some spin-offs centring around her.

I feel that I do have to warn people that there are some hard to watch scenes in Cliff Walkers. Some of the torture sequences may be hard for some audience members to watch, but if you are an avid fan of thrillers then this is one film that you certainly shouldn’t miss.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

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12May

[FILM NEWS] VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE Trailer Released

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Tom Hardy returns to the big screen as the lethal protector Venom, one of MARVEL’s greatest and most complex characters. Directed by Andy Serkis, the film also stars Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris and Woody Harrelson, in the role of the villain Cletus Kasady/Carnage.

The film is set for release in Australian cinemas on September 16th.

10May

[FILM REVIEW] RUN HIDE FIGHT Review (2020)

Posted in Action, Film, Film Genre, Home Page, Thriller | Leave a comment

Summary: 17-year-old Zoe Hull uses her wits, survival skills, and compassion to fight for her life, and those of her fellow classmates, against a group of live-streaming school shooters.

Year: 2020

Cinema Release Dates: TBA

VOD Release Dates: 5th May 2021 (Australia), 14th January 2021 (USA)

Country: USA

Director: Kyle Rankin

Screenwriter: Kyle Rankin

Cast: Sahara Ale (Dawn), Cyrus Arnold (Kip Quade), Pierce Atchison (Chaz Harding), Nate Boyer (Commander Riggins), Eli Brown (Tristan Voy), Tori Carew (Katie), Demeris Comeger (Keith), Barbara Crampton (Mrs. Crawford), Catherine Davis (Anna Jelick), Braeden De La Garza (Connor Cope), Mary Deese (Mrs. Greene), David Docobo (Will), Desarae A. Dotson (Claire), Linda Eicher (Barbara), Sydney Gilbertson (Grace Evans), Hanna Glen (Jan), Thomas Jane (Todd Hull), Shelley Kaehr (Ms. Voy), Sebastian Konarski (Officer LaBelle), CG Lewis (Roy Moake), Isabel May (Zoe Hull), Shelby Mayes (Cora Brenner), April McCulloch (Lauren Cope), Joe Michaely (Mr. Yates), Radha Mitchell (Jennifer Hull), Britton Sear (Chris Jelick), Olly Sholotan (Lewis Washington), Kenneisha Thompson (Deputy Monique), Jackie Tien (Missy Walsh), Cindy Vela (Ms. Nunez), Treat Williams (Sheriff Tarsy), Tom Williamson (Mr. Coombs)

Running Time: 109 mins

Classification: MA15+ (Australia), 15 (UK)

OUR RUN HIDE FIGHT REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Run Hide Fight Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

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08May

[VOD NEWS] OCCUPATION RAINFALL Home Entertainment Release Announced

Posted in Action, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page, News, Sci-Fi / Fantasy | Leave a comment

Umbrella Entertainment in association with Monster Pictures will release the most ambitious sci-fi film ever produced in Australia, OCCUPATION RAINFALL, to home entertainment on June 16.

Following a major theatrical release earlier this year that saw OCCUPATION RAINFALL play in over 200 cinemas across Australia, Luke Sparke’s highly anticipated follow-up to the 2018 feature OCCUPATION is finally headed home to Blu-ray, DVD & Digital.

A film of such epic scale as OCCUPATION RAINFALL is deserving of the deluxe treatment on home entertainment and Umbrella Entertainment & Monster Pictures answer the call with a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray. Loaded with Special Features, ranging from multiple Audio Commentary tracks to Deleted Scenes to Featurettes that take you behind-the-scenes of the film and much more, this is without a doubt the definitive release of OCCUPATION RAINFALL.

Blu-ray Special Features

• 2 x Audio Commentary Tracks
–with writer/director Luke Sparke
-with writer/director Luke Sparke, producers Carly Imrie & Carmel Imrie, actor Zac Garred and VFX Supervisor Alex Becconsall
• 8 x Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by writer/director Luke Sparke
-Montage/ Wessex & Amelia
-Alien Spy in the Base
-Wessex & Amelia Reunite
-Haye’s Room
-Wessex & Amelia
-To the Lost
-Matt Talks to Alison
-Matt Hears Baby Alison
• Behind-the-Scenes (Featurette)
• Making The Music – Attack on Sydney (Featurette)
• Red Carpet Premiere (Featurette)
• TV Spots
-15 Second Spot
-30 Second Spot
• Theatrical Trailer
• Reversible Sleeve Artwork

Blu-ray Specifications

• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 (16×9)
• Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

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