Tagged: Dolph Lundgren

26Jun

[FILM REVIEW] MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU Review (2022)

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Crime, Family/Kids, Film, Film Genre, Home Page | Leave a comment

Summary:  The untold story of one twelve-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.

Year: 2022

Cinema Release Dates:  16th June 2022 (Australia), 30th June 2022 (Thailand), 1st July 2022 (UK), 1st July 2022 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA

Director: Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson, Jonathan del Val

Screenwriter: Brian Lynch, Matthew Fogel

Cast: Julie Andrews (Marlena Gru (voice)), Alan Arkin (Wild Knuckles (voice)), Russell Brand (Dr. Nefario (voice)), Steve Carell (Gru (voice)), Pierre Coffin (Kevin/Stuart/Bob/Minions (voice)), Taraji P. Henson (Belle Bottom (voice)), Lucy Lawless (Nunchuk (voice)), Dolph Lundgren (Svengeance (voice)), RZA (Biker (voice)), Danny Trejo (Stronghold (voice)), Jean-Claude Van Damme (Jean Clawed (voice)), Michelle Yeoh (Master Chow (voice))

Running Time: 87 mins

Classification: PG (Australia), TBC (Thailand), U (UK), PG (USA)

OUR MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Minions: The Rise Of Gru Review:

Chances are if you are a parent you have heard the Minions – those cute yellow little creatures that rarely  say things that the average human can understandable  – except of course unless that word is “BANANAS!!!”

It is hard to believe that these cute little guys have been in our lives for 12 years now. Of course they first appeared in Despicable Me way back 2010 and since then have appeared in two more Despicable Me films as well as their own spin-off feature film and a number of shorts. The one thing that cinema audiences have always been guaranteed across all of those films is that they would be funny and entertaining for the whole family.

Now the Minions and their criminal over-lord Gru (Steve Carrell – The 40-Year Old Virgin) return in Minions: The Rise Of Gru. This time around directors Kyle Balda (The Lorax), Brad Ableson (Minions: Holiday Special) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life Of Pets 2) take fans of the franchise right back to the beginning to show how Gru and his team of Minions not only first met but how their journey towards world domination started.

The film goes back to a pre-teen Gru that idolises a group of super-villains led by the notorious Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson – Hidden Figures) and hopes to become a villain himself one day. His dreams seem to be coming true when a vacancy opens up within The Vicious 6 and Gru is selected for a job interview with them. However at the interview he learns that the vacancy has been because of the disappearance of his favourite member, Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin – Argo). Not only that but Belle Bottom and the remaining super-villains laugh at him for being a child.

Determined to prove that he is a villain Gru steals a valuable, ancient Chinese artefact while the villains are distracted. His plan is to take it back in a few days to show his worth to Belle Bottom however that plan fails when one of the over-zealous Minions loses the artefact which means once the group hunt down Gru is life is at risk. Soon the Minions find themselves on a journey to not only find the stone but to save Gru’s life.

Just like the other films that have built up the Minions’ world the first thing that hits you with this film is just how much fun it is. The screenwriting team, made up of Brian Lynch (Puss In Boots) and Matthew Fogel (The Lego Movie 2), has made sure that this is the perfect family film as it is the type of film that will appeal to both parents and children alike.

The key to that working is the fact that not only is the film set in the 1970s but it contains the same kind of humour and storyline that generations of animation fans have enjoyed. While many modern day animated films try to be too modern Minions: The Rise Of Gru uses all of the same tropes of old-school cartoons like The Smurfs, The Jetsons and The Flintstones. Just like those cartoons this film uses all the elements of comedy to get a laugh – from witty one liners right through to outrageously funny slapstick.

Likewise it doesn’t do anything too fancy with the plot. This is a genuine old-school good versus evil storyline. The difference being of course that Gru despite being the audience’s hero is also kind of evil. Remarkably even that element of the film works exceptionally well and true fans of the franchise will also notice that so many jigsaw pieces from right across the series fall into place with this film. From Gru first meeting Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand – Arthur) through to Gru first hiring the Minions it is all revealed and explained this time around.

The other thing that makes Minions: The Rise Of Gru so special to watch is that the all the adventures that Gru and the Minions have together in this film are made special by the fact that the characters around them are voiced by an avalanche of stars that include Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michelle Yeoh, Dolph Lundgren, Lucy Lawless, Danny Trejo, RZA and Julie Andrews, in fact keep an ear out for Yeoh’s character because Master Chow absolutely steals the show.

If you are looking for the perfect film for the entire family then go no further than Minions: The Rise Of Gru. This is a very special animated film that will be lapped up by fans of the franchise and is an absolute must see.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Alex First, Jacqui Hammerton and Peter Krausz’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru Review:

Alex’s rating Out Of 5

Jacqui’s rating Out Of 5

Peter’s rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture Rating:

Other Subculture Minions: Rise Of Gru Reviews:

Nil

Trailer:

07Jun

[FILM NEWS] New MINIONS: RISE OF GRU Trailer Released

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page, News | Leave a comment

This June, from the biggest animated franchise in history and global cultural phenomenon, comes the untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain, in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Oscar nominee Steve Carell) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions.

When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar winner Alan Arkin), Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn’t go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Teeming with Illumination’s signature subversive humour, pop-culture sophistication, full-hearted emotion, bold music sensibility, and over-the-top action, Minions: The Rise of Gru features a thrilling new cast of stars, including, as members of the Vicious 6, Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance and Danny Trejo as Stronghold. The film also features Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad Kung Fu skills, and Oscar winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ʼ70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

06Feb

[FILM NEWS] MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU Trailer Released

Posted in Animation, Comedy, Family/Kids, Film, Film Genre, Film News, Home Page, News | Leave a comment

 

This June, from the biggest animated franchise in history and global cultural phenomenon, comes the untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain, in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

 In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Oscar nominee Steve Carell) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions.

When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar winner Alan Arkin), Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn’t go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

 Teeming with Illumination’s signature subversive humour, pop-culture sophistication, full-hearted emotion, bold music sensibility, and over-the-top action, Minions: The Rise of Gru features a thrilling new cast of stars, including, as members of the Vicious 6, Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance and Danny Trejo as Stronghold. The film also features Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad Kung Fu skills, and Oscar winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

 Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ʼ70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

28Dec

[FILM NEWS] AQUAMAN Smashes Boxing Day Box Office

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

 

Warner Bros. Pictures’ first-ever Aquaman standalone feature is makinghuge waves at the box office, coming in at #1 and taking in an incredible $3,795,000 in its opening day in Australia.

The epic action adventure, directed by James Wan and starring Jason Momoa in the title role, opened on approximately 635 screens on Boxing Day. The results marked the highest DC universe opening and the highest opening day for a Warner Bros. Pictures’ film in 2018 in Australia.

Joel Pearlman, Co-CEO of Roadshow Films stated, “The Boxing Day results prove that Aquaman is king of the box office as well as the seven seas. We are thrilled with these extraordinary numbers, and equally excited to see audiences comprised of movie fans, DC aficionados, and families filling the cinemas this holiday season. We anticipate strong word of mouth will carry these terrific results well into the New Year.”

From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes Aquaman, the origin story of half-surface dweller, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry that takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.  The action-packed adventure spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, and stars Jason Momoa in the title role.

The film also stars Amber Heard as Mera, a fierce warrior and Aquaman’s ally throughout his journey; Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (“The Florida Project”) as Vulko, council to the Atlantean throne; Patrick Wilson as Orm, the present King of Atlantis; Dolph Lundgren as Nereus, King of the Atlantean tribe Xebel; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the revenge-seeking Black Manta; and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman (“The Hours”) as Arthur’s mom, Atlanna.  Also featured are Ludi Lin as Captain Murk, an Atlantean Commando, and Temuera Morrison as Arthur’s dad, Tom Curry.

Wan directed from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall, story by Geoff Johns & James Wan and Will Beall, based on characters created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger for DC.  The film was produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns and Walter Hamada serving as executive producers.

Wan’s team behind the scenes included such frequent collaborators as Oscar-nominated director of photography Don Burgess (“Forrest Gump”), Wan’s five-time editor Kirk Morri, production designer Bill Brzeski, and visual effects supervisor Kelvin McIlwain.  They were joined by costume designer Kym Barrett and composer Rupert Gregson-Williams.

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Peter Safran Production, a James Wan Film, Aquaman.  The film is being released in 2D, 3D and IMAX, by Roadshow Films in Australia and New Zealand.

06Oct

[FILM NEWS] WARNER BROS. Gives Us An Extended Look At AQUAMAN

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

With New York Comic-Con currently on we are starting to get a look at some of the big films to come out over the next twelve months. Now Warner Bros. has given us an extended look at Aquaman.

The film is directed by Australian director James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring) and stars Jason Momoa (Justice League, Game Of Thrones), Amber Heard (Machete Kills, Drive Angry), Nicole Kidman (Cold Mountain, The Others), Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier, The Expendables 2) and Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man, The Florida Project).

 

04Jul

The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Ep #136

Posted in Film, Home Page, Podcast | Leave a comment

The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Logo

This week on The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Adam, Dave, Greg and Nick take a look at the big new release film ‘Terminator Genisys.’ This episode also contains interviews with Emilia Clarke, Arnold Schwarznegger, Jai Courtney, Alan Taylor, Kristy Best (Airlock) and Gillian Armstrong (Women He Has Undressed).

Thanks to eOne Entertainment we still have some limited edition posters from Dolph Lundgren’s new film Skin Trade to giveaway. Make sure you listen in for your chance to win.

To listen to the show or can download it for free from our Podcast Channel – Listen/Download here.

27Jun

The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Ep #135

Posted in Film, Home Page, Podcast | Leave a comment

The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Logo

This week on The Good The Bad The Ugly Film Show Adam, Dave, Greg and Nick take a look at new release films ‘Far From A Maddening Crowd,’ ‘Zero Motivation’ ‘Minions,’ ‘Love & Mercy,’ ‘Eden,’ and ‘Ted 2′ . This episode also contains interviews with Carey Mulligan, Sandra Bullock, Seth MacFarlane, Laurence R. Harvey (The Human Centipede III), Suumer Harris (Rites Of Passage) and Daniel De Fillippo (Rites Of Passage).

Plus we launch a great new competition this week. Thanks to eOne Entertainment we have some limited edition posters from Dolph Lundgren’s new film Skin Trade to giveaway. Make sure you listen in for your chance to win.

Also thanks to eOne Entertainment you have a chance to win a copy of Song One starring Anne Hathaway on DVD.

And you also get a chance to win passes to see Love & Mercy, starring Paul Dano and John Cusack, in cinemas on June 25 thanks to Icon.  Five lucky people will also win The Beach Boys’ Greatest Hits album to go with their passes.

Make sure you listen to this week’s show to see how to enter all these competitions.

To listen to the show or can download it for free from our Podcast Channel – Listen/Download here.

18Jun

The Expendables 3 Main Trailer Released

Posted in Film, Film News, News | Leave a comment

The Expendables 3

Roadshow Films has just released The Expendables 3 Main trailer. The film which is directed by Patrick Hughes and has an all-star cast consisting of Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford and Arnold Schwarznegger will be released in Australia on August 14, 2014.

You can view The Expendables 3 Main trailer below.

 

09Dec

The Expendables 2 (2012)

Posted in Action, Adventure, Film, Thriller | Leave a comment

Summary:The Expendables are reunited when Mr. Church enlists them to take on a seemingly simple job. When things go wrong, the Expendables are compelled to seek revenge in hostile territory, where the odds are stacked against them. Hell-bent on payback, the crew cuts a swath of destruction through opposing forces, wreaking havoc and shutting down an unexpected threat in the nick of time – five tons of weapons-grade plutonium, more than enough to change the balance of power in the world. But that s nothing compared to the justice they serve against the villainous adversary they seek revenge from.

Year: 2012

Australian Cinema Release Date: 30th August, 2012

Australian DVD Release Date: 28th December, 2012

Country: United States

Director: Simon West

Screenwriter: David Agosto, Dave Callaham (characters), Ken Kaufman, Sylvester Stallone, Richard Wenk

Cast: Scott Adkins (Hector), Charisma Carpenter (Lacy), Randy Couture (Toll Road), Terry Crews (Hale Caesar), Novak Djokovic (himself), Liam Hemsworth (Bill The Kid), Jet Li (Yin Yang), Wenbo Li (Dr. Zhou), Dolph Lundgren (Gunnar Jensen), Alexander Moskov (Stephan), Chuck Norris (Booker), Amanda Ooms (Pilar), Arnold Schwarznegger (Trench), Sylvester Stallone (Barney Ross), Jason Statham (Lee Christmas), Jean-Claude Van Damme (Vilain), Denis Vasilev (Jarek), Bruce Willis (Church), Nan Yu (Maggie), George Zlatarev (Bojan)

Runtime: 103 mins

Classification:MA15+

Dave Griffiths’s ‘The Expendables 2’ Review:

There are lots of explosions and lots of blood splatter!!! Is there anything else you really need to know before you go to see The Expendables 2. Nobody knows what action fans want as much as Sylvester Stallone (Zookeeper, The Expendables), who not only stars in The Expendables 2 but was one of the co-writers, so there is little wonder that he has created what turns out to be one of the action films of the year.

For those who didn’t see the first film The Expendables are a bunch of mecenries that basically live by the rule ‘no job too hard’. The Expendables 2 sees the old gang of Barney Ross ( Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham – Safe, Killer Elite)), Yin Yang (Jet Li – The Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate, The Sorcerer And The White Snake), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren – Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning, One In The Chamber), Hale Caesar (Terry Crews – TV’S The Newsroom & Are We There Yet?) and Toll Road (Randy Couture – Hijacked, Set Up) all back together and this time they have a new sniper on their team, Bill The Kid (Liam Hemsworth – The Hunger Games, The Last Song).

After recent successes the team are on a high but Barney soon finds himself having to accept a mission in a bid to settle his debt with Government Agent Church (Bruce Willis – Fire With Fire, Moonrise Kingdom) who provides them with a suitable weapon to get the job done, Maggie (Nan Yu – Design Of Death, Yu Shi Shang Tong Ju). But the easy mission turns to tragedy and soon the team find themselves having to take on the evil, Jean Vilain (Jean-Claude Van Damme – 6 Bullets, Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning) in order to get the mission done. And with the likes of Booker (Chuck Norris – The Cutter, Walker Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire) and Trench (Arnold Schwarznegger – The Expendables, Around The World In 80 Days) only too happy to help out there is going to be bloodshed.

It may come as a surprise to many but the storyline of The Expendables 2 actually ain’t that bad, not that surprising when you remember that Sylvester Stallone has won an Oscar for Screenwriting in the past. Of course the screenplay for The Expendables 2 won’t win any Oscars but it is more than enough to keep the audience’s attention and surprisingly there are some actual touching moments.

But of course people aren’t watching The Expendables 2 for the story, so how is the action? Well take any action film that you have seen in the past and multiple the amount of blood splatter and explosions that contained by ten. The action sequences do look good, but it does seem a tad lazy that characters just seem to turn up at the right time to ‘save the day’, and I must admit that the Stallone vs Van Damme epic battle was a little short for my liking.

Still The Expendables 2 does what it sets out to do and that is entertain. If you are an action junkie this is one film you don’t want to miss this year.

Other Subculture Media Reviews of ‘The Expendables 2’: http://www.helium.com/items/2366302-movie-reviews-the-expendables-2-2012.

Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

IMDB Rating: The Expendables 2 (2012) on IMDb