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10Jul

[FILM REVIEW] THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Review (2022)

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Summary: Thor enlists the help of Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster to fight Gorr the God Butcher, who intends to make the gods extinct.

Year: 2022

Cinema Release Dates: 6th July 2022 (Australia), 6th July 2022 (Thailand), 7th July 2022 (UK), 8th July 2022 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: Australia, USA

Director: Taika Waititi

Screenwriter: Taika Waititi, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson

Cast: Jaimie Alexander (Sif), Samson Alston (Teenage Thor), Christian Bale (Gorr), Dave Bautista (Drax), Simon Russell Beale (Dionysus), Jonny Brugh (Rapu), Ava Caryofyllis (Young Jane), Cameron Chapek (Baby Thor), Bradley Cooper (Rocket (voice)), Russell Crowe (Zeus), Stephen Curry (King Yakan), Matt Damon (Actor Loki), Vin Diesel (Groot (voice)), Kieron L. Dyer (Axl), Idris Elba (Heimdall), Carmen Foon (Minerva), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Brett Goldstein (Hercules), Chanique Greyling (Young Frigga), Sean Gunn (Kraglin/On-Set Rocket), Bobby Holland Hanton (Habooska The Horrible), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Luke Hemsworth (Actor Thor), Tristan Hemsworth (Kid Thor), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Eliza Matengu (Grace (Axl’s Mother)), Melissa McCarthy (Actor Hela), Sam Neil (Actor Odin), Simon Paparelli (Bao, God Of Dumplings), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster/The Mighty Thor), Daley Pearson (Darryl The Tour Guide), Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord), Carly Rees (Miek), Brooke Satchewell (Indigarrian Woman Glenda), Tessa Thompson (King Valkyrie), Taika Waititi (Korg/Old Kronan God (voice))

Running Time: 119 mins

Classification: M (Australia), u13+ (Thailand), 12-A (UK), PG-13 (USA)

OUR THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Thor: Love And Thunder Review:

So far this year we have seen Marvel Studios go on a huge film rollercoaster. While the execs at the studio are quick to point out that Spider-Man: No Way Home was a box office success, they seem to forget that Morbius and Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness never reached the heights that they should of. But whenever somebody asks if the Marvel bubble has burst the answer nearly always seems to be people want to see films about the original Avengers. Well now the time has come to test that theory because the latest Marvel sees the return of one of the originals – the mighty Thor.

Thor: Love And Thunder begins with Thor (Chris Hemsworth – Spiderhead) getting back in shape and fighting alongside some very well-known Guardians. But when he hears about the rise of Gorr The God Butcher (Christian Bale – The Dark Knight) he decides that this is the right time to return back to the now earthly New Asgard which in his absence has become a tourist attraction.

Upon his arrival though he finds Asgard under attack with Gorr doing what he can do to destroy Asgard and its Gods. Thor instantly takes up arms with Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson – Creed) and soon surprised to realise that there is another hero keeping Gorr at bay – his ex-girlfriend Jane (Natalie Portman – Black Swan) and she is wielding Thor’s very own hammer.

As the trio fight off Gorr he flees taking Asgard’s children with him – this soon results in the trio having to seek out the mighty Zeus (Russell Crowe – Gladiator) for help while Thor has to come to terms with the fact that Jane is in fact the new Thor.

If Marvel are hoping that Thor: Love And Thunder is going to be their next blockbuster success then they may have a nervous wait to see how it goes because the film itself is so up and down it is going to split audiences. Early on director and screenwriter Taika Waititi (JoJo Rabbit) infuses his style of comedy into the film and like it did in Thor: Ragnarok it at times falls flat and feels out of place with the subject matter at hand. But it feels that later on in the movie Waititi lets that fall away and the result is a fairly decent action film with some impressive battle sequences.

It does feel a shame though that Waititi persists with the comedy in the Thor films because the result sees the once powerful God from the first two Thor films reduced to a bumbling fool at times. It is so refreshing to see that we get a glimpse of the once Mighty Thor towards the end of Thor: Love & Thunder… let’s just hope that continues in the future.

There are times throughout the film that works remarkably well. We have already mentioned some of the acting sequences but there is also a great deal of suspense to keep the audience engrossed in the movie as well. The inclusion of Gorr certainly helps with that – this is one time were we get to see the origins of the villain and once it is established just how brutal he is you get a strong feeling that not all of our Marvel heroes are going to make it out of this film alive. While Marvel has struggled with bringing memorable villains to the screen over the years they certainly shrug off that issue as Gorr will certainly stay with most people for a long time after the films ends.

Some of that credit must be paid to Christian Bale who seems to forget that he is in a comic book movie and delivers a near award winning performance. His strong performance seems to life those around him and once he shrugs off the comedic elements Chris Hemsworth seems to raise his acting stakes to match those of Bale.

Natalie Portman is also a refreshing change for the Marvel franchise with the emergence of Jane as the new Thor and Portman seems to grasp her action sequences amazingly well. She is well supported by the often over-looked Tessa Thompson whose performance as Valkyrie here is so good that it leaves the audience wondering whether or not this is the right time for Valkyrie to have her own stand-alone film. Sadly the same can’t be said for Crowe’s performance as Zeus, the usually brilliant actor will leave audience members scratching their heads at what kind of accent he is trying to pull off.

Thor: Love & Thunder is not one of Marvel’s finest hours but it is well worth a look. A must-have soundtrack of rock and metal mixed with one of the Marvel’s best villains to date makes up for the fact that at times the humour at hand seems out of place. Let’s hope in the future we see more of the Mighty Thor and less of the bumbling fool we’ve put up with for awhile now.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee Griffiths’ Thor: Love And Thunder Review:

Lee’s rating Out Of 5

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You can read our review of Thor: Love And Thunder that appeared in The Phuket News here – https://www.thephuketnews.com/for-love-and-thunder-84841.php

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13Jun

[FILM REVIEW] JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION Review (2022)

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

Summary: Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, dinosaurs now live–and hunt–alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures in a new Era.

Year: 2022

Cinema Release Dates: 9th June 2022 (Australia), 8th June 2022 (Thailand), 10th June 2022 (UK), 10th June 2022 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA, Malta

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Screenwriter: Emily Carmichael, Colin Trevorrow

Cast: Ben Ashenden (Tyler), Mamoudou Athie (Ramsay Cole), Teresa Cendon-Garcia (Farmer Perez), Jasmine Chiu (Gemma Zhao), Glynis Davies (Carolyn O’Hara), Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler), Joel Elferink (Jeffrey), Bastian Antonio Fuentes (Ramon Perez), Jeff Goldblum (Ian Malcolm), Scott Haze (Rainn Delacourt), Caleb Hearon (Jeremy Bernier), Bryce Dallas Howard (Claire Dearing), Emilie Jumeaux (Rosa Delgado), Dichen Lachman (Soyona Santos), Manuel Mora (Alicia Perez), Sam Neill (Alan Grant), Alexander Owen (Angus Hetbury), Freya Parker (Denise Roberts), Daniella Pineda (Dr. Zia Rodriguez), Mo Brings Plenty (Shep Wauneka), Kristoffer Polaha (Wyatt Huntley), Chris Pratt (Owen Grady), Campbell Scott (Lewis Dodgson), Isabella Sermon (Masie Lockwood/Young Charlotte Lockwood), Varada Sethu (Shira), Ahir Shah (Sundar Kumar), Aisling Sharkey (Madison), Justice Smith (Franklin Webb), Enzo Squillino Jnr. (Wigi), Omar Sy (Barry Sembene), Elva Trill (Adult Charlotte Lockwood), DeWanda Wise (Kayla Watts), BD Wong (Dr. Henry Wu)

Running Time: 146 mins

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

OUR JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Jurassic World: Dominion Review:

When you ask a lot of serious movie fans when was the moment that they fell in love with cinema they will tell you it was the moment that the T-Rex appeared in Jurassic Park. For a generation of movie fans that iconic moment changed cinema forever. It was the moment that movies stopped being something that you could watch at home and suddenly blockbusters once again had to be seen on the big screen.

Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park film changed everything when it hit screens in 1993. It not only sparked a new generation of film fans but also taught Hollywood a whole new way to do special effects for those fans. Oh and of course like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles it sparked a wave of merchandise with everything from lunch-boxes to collector’s cards.

The Jurassic franchise has just seen the release of its sixth film with Jurassic World: Dominion and while none of the following five films have ever gone anywhere close to capturing the magic of Jurassic Park the Jurassic World half of the franchise has been pretty damn entertaining. Now to try and inject some of that old school magic back into the franchise director Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guranteed) has decided to bring back some of those much loved characters from the first film.

The world we see Jurassic World: Dominion is very different to what has existed previously. The events of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom has now seen dinosaurs lose right around the world and humanity has had to learn to co-exist with them. For Owen Gardy (Chris Pratt – Guardians Of The Galaxy) that has been pretty easy – he has simply traded his job at Jurassic World into now finding and helping dinosaurs in the wild. Likewise his partner, Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard – The Help) has been rescuing dinosaurs that have been mistreated. Meanwhile they also share the responsibility of hiding and protecting their ‘daughter’ Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon – Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) from those who want her for scientific purposes.

This crazy new world also sees people such as Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott – The Amazing Spider-Man) finding a way to profit financially and that is what brings Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern – Wild) back into the picture. She is convinced that Dodgson’s company have created genetically modified locusts that are destroying the world’s crops and she reunites with Alan Grant (Sam Neil – The Piano) to help her investigate.

However, when they arrive at Dodgson’s new ‘Jurassic’ base they discover that an old friend, Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum – The Fly), is now working for him.

With dinosaurs out and about amongst humanity this should have been the most epic film of this franchise – the mind instantly goes to a T-Rex bringing down the Eiffel Tower or a raptor chasing people through Times Square. But instead Trevorrow and fellow screenwriter Emily Carmichael (Pacific Rim: Uprising) let the film take on a more serious tone – it almost feels like they wanted this film to have a social conscious.

Amongst dinosaur attacks and daring rescue missions the film makes a pretty powerful comment on animal welfare and organisations wanting to use a worldwide emergency as a way to make profit. Those are not what holds this film back from becoming a classic though – no that is down by the fact that too many interesting characters, such as Soyona Santos (Dichen Lachman – The 100) are introduced to the audience hastily and then just disappear. Then there is also the fact that the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World casts are kept apart for far too long and when they are brought together it almost feels clunky.

Mind you there is still a lot to like about this film. Dinosaur fans are going to love the re-emergance of Blue and her new baby Beta (who often steals the show) while there are pretty suspenseful moments of characters having to find unique ways to prevent themselves from becoming dino-lunch. Perhaps the most memorable part of this film though will be the dinosaur battles that certainly don’t disappoint.

Cast wise it feels like everybody just turned up and did their job without doing anything special. It is great to see Laura Dern and Sam Neil back together on the screen and they play their parts well while once again Chris Pratt does his action hero shtick remarkably well.

.Jurassic World: Dominion is an okay film but to be honest it not only doesn’t capture the magic of the original film, it also isn’t even the best film in the Jurassic World trilogy. The more serious tone that the film takes on makes it really only a film for those who are complete Jurassic tragics.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee Griffiths’ Jurassic World: Dominion Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

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19Feb

[FILM REVIEW] WEST SIDE STORY Review (2021)

Posted in Film, Film Genre, Home Page, Music / Musicals, Romance | Leave a comment

Summary: An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 26th December 2021 (Australia), 9th December 2021 (Thailand), 10th December 2021 (UK), 10th December 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: 2nd March 2022 (worldwide)

Country: USA

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenwriter: Tony Kushner

Cast: Brianna Abruzzo (Sorella), Yasmin Alers (Lluvia), Kyle Allen (Balkan), David Alvarez (Bernardo), Yesenia Ayala (Clary), Denia Brache (Old Lady Maria), Andrea Burns (Fausta), Annelise Cepero (Provi), Andre Chagas (Jochi), Kyle Coffman (Ice), Harrison Coll (Numbers), Ben Cook (Mouthpiece), Curtiss Cook (Abe), Kevin Csolak (Diesel), Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke), Ariana DeBose (Anita), Jeaneete Delgado (Ili), Kevin Delgado (Manolo), Gaby Diaz (Tati), Kellie Drobnick (Mamie), Yurel Echezarreta (Sebas), Ansel Elgort (Tony), Julian Elia (Tiger), Myles Elrick (Snowboy), Leigh-Ann Esty (Gussie), Sara Esty (Tat), Mike Faist (Riff), Carlos Sanchez Falu (Pipo), John Michael Fiumara (Big Deal), Adriel Flete (Julito), Jennifer Florentino (Montse), Paloma Garcia-Lee (Graziella), Carlos E. Gonzalez (Chucho), David Guzman (Tino), Jacob Guzman (Tino), Jamie Harris (Rory), Garrett Hawe (Skink), Patrick Higgins (Baby John), Ana Isabelle (Rosalia), Mike Iveson (Glad Hand), Sean Harrison Jones (Action), Eloise Kropp (Dot), Lauren Leach (Karen), Jesse LeProtto (A-Rab), Melody Marti (Pili), Ilda Mason (Luz), Skye Mattox (Maxie), Iris Menas (Anybodys), David Aviles Morales (Anibal), Rita Moreno (Valentina), Juliette Feliiciano Oritz (Cuca), Edriz E. Rosa Perez (Jacinta), Adriana Pierce (Natalie), Brittany Pollack (Mack), Josh Andres Rivera (Chino), Maria Alexis Rodriguez (Isa), Savannah Renee Rodriguez (Young Girl Maria), Julius Rubio (Quique), Daniel Patrick Russell (Little Moly), Tali Ryder (Tessa), Jonalyn Saxer (Rhonda), Sebastian Serra (Braulio), Gabriela Soto (Conchi), Corey Stoll (Lietenant Schrank), Halli Toland (Sweden), Ricky Ubeda (Flaco), Tanairi Sade Vazquez (Charita), Jamila Velazquez (Meche), Isabella Ward (Tere), Richard Zayas (Chago), Rachel Zegler (Maria), Maddie Ziegler (Velma)

Running Time: 156 mins

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

OUR WEST SIDE STORY REVIEWS

David and Lee Griffiths’ West Side Story Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee’s rating Out Of 5

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Other Subculture West Side Story Reviews:

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29Jan

[FILM REVIEW] NIGHTMARE ALLEY Review (2022)

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

Summary: An ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is.

Year: 2022

Cinema Release Dates: 20th January 2022 (Australia), 27th January 2022 (Thailand), 21st January 2022 (UK), 17th December 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA, Mexico

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro, Kim Morgan

Cast: Paul Anderson (Geek #1), Dian Bachar (Fee Fee The Birdgirl), Jim Beaver (Sheriff Jebediah Judd), Cate Blanchett (Dr. Lilith Ritter), Lara Jean Chorostecki (Louise Hoatley), Toni Collette (Zeena the Seer), Clifton Collins Jnr. (Funhouse Jack), Bradley Cooper (Stanton Carlisle), Willem Dafoe (Clem Hoatley), David Hewlett (Dr. Elrood), Mike Hill (Dogboy JoJo), Troy James (The Snake Man), Richard Jenkins (Ezra Grindle), Matthew MacCallum (Human Skeleton), Peter MacNeill (Judge Kimball), Rooney Mara (Molly Cahill), Holt McCallany (Anderson), Sarah Mennell (Abigail), Drew Nelson (Humphries), Tim Blake Nelson (Carny Boss), Ron Perlman (Bruno), Linden Porco (Brofo the Small), Mark Povinelli (The Major), Samantha Rodes (Zizi the Pinhead), Mary Steenburgen (Mrs. Kimball), David Strathairn (Pete)

Running Time: 150 mins

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

OUR NIGHTMARE ALLEY REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Nightmare Alley Review:

I am probably committing a sin against cinema by admitting this but I have never really been someone that has fallen for the whole ‘del Toro is one of the greats film directing’ claim. Sure he has made a couple of films that I have enjoyed but I stand by my claim that The Shape Of Water is one of the most over-rated films to ever hit cinemas and I will never really forgive him for making me endure Pacific Rim.

But something sparked inside of me when I saw the trailer for Nightmare Alley. There was something about this film that seemed appealing to my inner film geek. It looked dark, it looked slightly Gothic in theme and it seemed to remind me of one of my favourite TV shows – Carnivale. I was more than willing to take a look at the film off the back of what had teased me and I am so glad that I did.

Nightmare Alley centres around Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper – A Star Is Born) a man who is left homeless and jobless after deciding to run from his past. His journey soon brings him to a carnival run by Bruno (Ron Pearlman – Hellboy), where he lands a job through Odditorium owner Clem Hoatley (Willem Dafoe – Spiderman) who quickly teaches him the secrets of the trade.

But it is the ‘grifting’ work of Zeena the Seer (Toni Collette – Muriel’s Wedding) and her husband Pete (David Strathairn – Godzilla) that captures Stanton’s attention and soon he begins to learn everything he needs to become a ‘psychic’ himself. At the same time Stanton becomes infatuated with the ‘electric woman’, Molly Cahill (Rooney Mara – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), and finds himself drawn into a new game thanks to psychiatrist Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine).

My first thought when watching Nightmare Alley was the feeling of how epic it was. Not epic in the sense of a film like Lord Of The Rings but epic in its scale of storytelling. This is based on a novel from 1946 and you can feel that nostalgia rush through your body as del Toro creates a film that really is only comparable to Scorcese’s Shutter Island. No matter how much you enjoy this film there is something dark and sinister that bubbles along just under the surface the whole time you watch this film.

This is a film that tests your morals. The treatment of the ‘geek’ by Clem is horrendous and the fact that the rest of the carnival staff know about it means there is not really a redeemable one among the lot. Then there is the film’s hero, Stanton Carlisle, a man whom the audience is shown the dark sins of in the opening of the film and a man that you know will screw anyone over to live another day yet somehow del Toro presents him in the film in such a way that you find yourself siding with him. It is quite sick when you think about it but it also shows me that del Toro has learnt so much about good screenwriting over the years that he is now a pro who can easily control his audience like a puppet in a pretty remarkable way.

Del Toro and his cinematographer, Dan Lausten (The Shape Of Water), give this film the dark, foreboding look and feel that it deserves and needs. There is never a moment during the film when the audience gets a chance to relax, like the characters in the film they are kept on their toes as they never know what is around the corner when it comes to the plot or who is going to be played next. If having your emotions heightened during a film is your thing then this is certainly the film for you.

What I also found impressive with this film was the performances. Bradley Cooper is in career best form and he gets to play the anti-hero Stanton and his scenes alongside Cate Blanchett are some of the best ‘theatre’ that you are ever likely to see. The dialogue between the two is like cat and mouse and their scenes together are some of the cinematic highlights of 2022. Dafoe is also at his sinister best while Rooney plays the vulnerable Molly well and is never over-shadowed by the bigger names around her.

I never really thought that I would say this but del Toro has delivered a real masterpiece here. The film takes its audience down a haunted rabbit burrow that they are not likely to forget for a long time. The film is kind of left wanting during a dry middle act but it is bookended by some of the best cinema that you will see in 2022.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee Griffiths’ Nightmare Alley Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

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05Jan

[FILM REVIEW] LUCA Review (2021)

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

Summary: On the Italian Riviera, an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: Straight to VOD

VOD Release Dates: Available in all regions.

Country: USA

Director: Enrico Casarosa

Screenwriter: Jesse Andrews, Mike Jones

Cast: Marco Barricelli (Massimo Marcovaldo (voice)), Emma Berman (Guila Marcovaldo (voice)), Sacha Baron Cohen (Uncle Ugo (voice)), Lorenzo Crisci (Guido (voice)), Francesca Fanti (Maggiore (Cop) (voice)), Elisa Gabrielli (Concetta Aragosta (voice)), Jim Gaffigan (Lorenzo Paguro (voice)), Giacomo Gianniotti (Giacomo – Young Fisherman (voice)), Jack Dylan Grazer (Alberto Scorfano (voice)), Gino La Monica (Tommaso – Old Fisherman (voice)), Sandy Martin (Grandpa Pugaro (voice)), Marina Massironi (Signora Marsiglese (voice)), Mimi Maynard (Pinuccia Aragosta (voice)), Jim Pirri (Mr Branzino (voice)), Saverio Raimondo (Ercole Visconti (voice))), Maya Rudolph (Daniela Paguro (voice)), Peter Sohn (Ciccio (voice)), Jacob Tremblay (Luca Paguro (voice))

Running Time: 95 mins

Classification: G (Australia), U (UK), PG (USA)

OUR LUCA REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ and Lee Griffiths’s Luca Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee’s rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture Rating:

Other Subculture Luca Reviews:

Nil.

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04Jan

[FILM REVIEW] IN THE HEIGHTS Review (2021)

Posted in Drama, Film, Film Genre, Home Page, Music / Musicals, Romance | Leave a comment

Summary: A film version of the Broadway musical in which Usnavi, a sympathetic New York bodega owner, saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 24th June 2021 (Australia), 18th June 2021 (UK), 11th June 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: Available in all regions.

Country: USA

Director: Jon M. Chu

Screenwriter: Quiara Alegria Hudes

Cast: Marc Anthony (Gapo), Melissa Barrera (Vanessa), Stephanie Beatriz (Carla), Ilia Jessica Castro (Jessica From The Salon), Noah Catala (Graffitti Pete), Gregory Diaz IV (Sonny), Analia Gomez (Rosa), Ariana S. Gomez (Young Nina), Mateo Gomez (Alejandro), Leslie Grace (Nina Rosario), Ariana Greenblatt (Young Nina), Corey Hawins (Benny), Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia), James Leyva (Valentina), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Piraguero), Patrick Page (Pike Phillips), Olivia Perez (Iris), Dascha Polanco (Cuca), Susan Pourfar (Hannah Hathaway), Anthony Ramos (Usnavi), Deliila Ramos (Cranky Vieja), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Daniela), Jimmy Smits (Kevin Rosario), Dean Scott Vazquez (Miggy)

Running Time: 143 mins

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

OUR IN THE HIEGHTS REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ and Lee Griffiths’s In The Heights Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee’s rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture Rating:

Other Subculture In The Heights Reviews:

Nil.

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04Jan

[FILM REVIEW] ESCAPE ROOM: TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS Review (2021)

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

Summary: Six people unwillingly find themselves locked in another series of escape rooms, slowly uncovering what they have in common to survive. Joining forces with two of the original survivors, they soon discover they’ve all played the game before.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 1st July 2021 (Australia), 16th July 2021 (UK), 16th July 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: Available in all regions.

Country: USA, South Africa

Director: Adam Robitel

Screenwriter: Will Honley, Maria Melnik, Daniel Tuch, Oren Uziel

Cast: Thomas Cocquerel (Nathan), Nick Dodani (Flashback – Danny Khan), Jay Ellis (Flashback – Jason Walker), James Frain (Henry/Puzzlemaker), Isabelle Fuhrman (Claire), Renee Harbek (Priscilla), Anton David Jeftha (Orrie), Tyler Labine (Flashback – Mike Nolan), Logan Miller (Ben Miller), Indya Moore (Brianna Collier), Carlito Olivero (Theo), Holland Roden (Rachel Ellis), Taylor Russell (Zoey Davis), Corin Silva (Ensler), Derick Siow (Paramedic Jarrod), Tanya van Graan (Sonya), Yorick van Wageningen (Flashback – Games Master WooTan Yu), Deborah Ann Woll (Amanda Harper)

Running Time: 88 mins

Classification: M (Australia), 15 (UK), PG-13 (USA)

OUR ESCAPE ROOM: TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ and Lee Griffiths’s Escape Room: Tournament Of Champions Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee’s rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture Rating:

Other Subculture Escape Room: Tournament Of Champions Reviews:

Nil.

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02Jan

[FILM REVIEW] CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG Review (2021)

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

Summary: A young girl’s love for a tiny puppy named Clifford makes the dog grow to an enormous size.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 30th December 2021 (Australia), 10th November 2021 (UK), 10th November 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: 10th November 2021 (USA)

Country: UK, USA, Canada

Director: Walt Becker

Screenwriter: Blaise Hemingway, David Ronn, Jay Scherick

Cast: Bear Allen-Blaine (Mrs. Jarvis), Adam Aminov (Reno), Willow Grace Becker (Sara), Darby Camp (Emily), Melanie Chandra (Susan), John Cleese (Bridwell), Keith Ewell (Mr. Jarvis), Tovah Feldshuh (Mrs. Crullerman), Barney Fitzpatrick (Freddy), Jacson Frazer (Sid), Karen Lynn Gorney (Mrs. McKinley), David Alan Grier (Packard), Sienna Guillory (Maggie), Tony Hale (Tieran), Neil Hellegers (Steve), Raymond Neil Hernandez (Colin), Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Peta), Yasha Jackson (Meter Maid/Officer Zapatero), Ty Jones (Police Cheif Watkins), Khari McDowell (Austin), Alex Moffat (Albert), Madison Morris (Melinda), Rosie Perez (Lucille), Russell Peters (Malik), Paul Rodriguez (Alonso), Mia Ronn (Florence), Horatio Sanz (Raul), Madison Smith (Isabelle), Kenan Thompson (Vet), Izaac Wang (Owen), Jack Whitehall (Casey), Russell Wong (Mr. Yu), Jessica Keenan Wynn (Colette)

Running Time: 96 mins

Classification: PG (Australia), PG (UK), PG (USA)

OUR CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ and Lee Griffiths’s Clifford The Big Red Dog Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee’s rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture Rating:

Other Subculture Clifford The Big Red Dog Reviews:

Nil.

Trailer:

01Jan

[FILM REVIEW] GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE Review (2022)

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

Summary: When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 1st January 2022 (Australia), 13th January 2022 (Thailand), 18th November 2021 (UK), 19th November 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA, Canada

Director: Jason Reitman

Screenwriter: Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman

Cast: Shohreh Aghdashloo (Gozer (voice)), Paulina Alexis (Bunny), Dan Aykroyd (Ray Stantz), Stella Akyroyd (Deputy Medjuck), Billy Bryk (Zahk), Carrie Coon (Callie), Oliver Cooper (Elton), Sydney Mae Diaz (Swayze), Hannah Duke (Reseda), Josh Gad (Muncher (voice)), McKenna Grace (Phoebe), Bob Gunton (The Ghost Farmer), Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore), Marlon Kazadi (Thick Neck), Logan Kim (Podcast), Bill Murray (Peter Venkman), Artoun Nazareth (Rufus), Celeste O’Connor (Lucky), Emma Portner (Spirit Of Gozer), Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz), Crystal Rosebourgh (Crystal), Paul Rudd (Grooberson), Shawn Seward (Skittles), J.K. Simmons (Ivo Shandor), Sigourney Weaver (Dana Barrett Venkman), Olivia Wilde (Gozer), Finn Wolfhard (Trevor), Bokeem Woodbine (Sheriff Domingo)

Running Time: 124 mins

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

OUR GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ and Lee Griffiths’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Lee’s rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture Rating:

Other Subculture Ghostbusters: Afterlife Reviews:

Nil.

Trailer:

16Dec

[FILM REVIEW] SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Review (2021)

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

Summary:
With Spider-Man’s identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.

Year: 2021

Cinema Release Dates: 16th December 2021 (Australia), 23rd December 2021 (Thailand), 15th December 2021 (UK), 17th December 2021 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA, Iceland

Director: Jon Watts

Screenwriter: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers

Cast: Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds), Frederick A. Brown (Fred The Janitor), Hannibal Buress (Coach Wilson), Thomas Haden Church (Flint Marko/Sandman), Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Willem Dafoe (Norman Osborn/Green Goblin), Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan), Jamie Foxx (Max Dillon/Electro), Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Rhys Ifans (Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard), Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (Jason Ionello), Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Alfred Molina (Dr. Otto Octavius/Doc Ock), Adrian Moayed (Agent Cleary), Tony Revolori (Flash Thompson), Angourie Rice (Betty Brant), J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson), J.B. Smoove (Mr. Dell), Martin Starr (Mr. Harrington), Marisa Tomei (May Parker), Gary Weeks (Agent Foster), Benedict Wong (Wong), Zendaya (MJ)

Running Time: 148 mins

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

OUR SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Spider-Man: No Way Home Review:

Let’s be honest it is always kind of hard to gauge a Marvel movie going on the company’s promises. Every time a new Marvel movie is coming out they promise that it is bigger and better than the last one. Like all repeated promises sometimes they deliver and sometimes they don’t, but believe me you have to believe the hype when it comes to Spider-Man: No Way Home. Not only does the film deliver a new level of being epic, this is one film that is guaranteed to become a fan favourite… perhaps Marvel have finally found the way to create a film that true fans are going to love while still making that elusive cinema buck.

You have probably already heard a lot of internet buzz about things that will or may happen within this movie but don’t worry we will try to write this review in such a way that we don’t mention anything that you haven’t already seen in a trailer or a poster… and we will try to be vague yet informative about things that you haven’t seen yet.

Directed by Jon Watts (Cop Car) the film picks up in the very seconds after the ending of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland – The Impossible) identity has been exposed to the world by Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal – Nightcrawler) and online journalist J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons – Whiplash).

Not only that but Peter Parker finds himself being investigated for the death of Mysterio and it seems like the world is turning against him. He turns to his support network of Aunt May (Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler) and Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau – Chef) for support but when the impact of the investigation affects him, his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya – Dune) and best friend Ned (Jacob Batalan – Spider-Man: Homecoming) in a major way he decides that something needs to be done.

Peter then turns to Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch – The Power Of The Dog) for help but the resulting spell that is cast has catastrophic ramifications. Suddenly Peter and his crew find themselves in a battle as foes from the multi-verse land in New York led by Doc Ock (Alfred Molina – Boogie Nights), Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe – The Card Counter) and Electro (Jamie Foxx – Horrible Bosses).

What Jon Watts has created here is a very special film for comic-book fans. If you are a causal Marvel movie fan then you are going to like this film but if you are a die-hard Spider-Man fan then you are going to LOVE this film because this is something so special that the only one to describe it is that it is a once in a generation film.

There are some very special moments in this film for true Spider-Man fans, we will leave that at that so there are no spoilers, but it is how everything else that comes together in this film that takes it to the next level.

Somehow Watts and screenwriters Chris McKenna (Ant-Man And The Wasp) and Erik Sommers (Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle) manage to pack a lot of things into this film without making it feel crowded or letting it run past its welcome. To their credit they also bring the right blend of things to the film – nostalgia, epic action sequences, characterisation and just the right amount of humour. They have pretty much made the perfect comic-book movie!

The result is a film that makes Spidey fans gasp at times throughout the film – and in the screening we were in there were even rounds of applause and screams during some of the film’s big revelations, and that is something that you rarely see in modern day cinema.

It also feels like the actors here know they are acting in something special. We have known that Tom Holland is something special every since his performance in The Impossible but here he takes his acting to a whole new level. He almost has to as Willem Dafoe comes into the film bringing his A-Game. The scenes between Dafoe and Holland are legendary and it feels through Dafoe’s performance that he forces Holland to take that next step and become a true star that can deliver as well.

There are too many special moments in this film to mention and many of them would be spoilers so the best thing to say is that this is a film that Spider-Man fans are going to truly embrace and adore. This is the one time that Marvel has delivered something very special indeed for comic book fans everywhere.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5