tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24276794782408259682024-03-18T03:01:45.438+00:00The Movie MoustacheMovie/TV News & ReviewsSimon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.comBlogger435125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-22413006134954478702024-02-20T19:38:00.001+00:002024-02-20T19:38:36.662+00:00Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning | Average Guy Movie Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLxiQzqpdAXvDyHC0xKUKQEwq_MeD0HAs7Wq3J5eV5AcuPUSauelaxtvD5rp6o06lP895YITbmbycsXWRPXIGWQseXT4tUK05odCGUBBKcOScqxrhyphenhyphenZz1bTZvCn3YwUJn4I1RisbCIiVCd5uRz4buO61fKLEVHNoxmnCECptNe0ddy8zgBrflX0wnPJZT/s3840/DR1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLxiQzqpdAXvDyHC0xKUKQEwq_MeD0HAs7Wq3J5eV5AcuPUSauelaxtvD5rp6o06lP895YITbmbycsXWRPXIGWQseXT4tUK05odCGUBBKcOScqxrhyphenhyphenZz1bTZvCn3YwUJn4I1RisbCIiVCd5uRz4buO61fKLEVHNoxmnCECptNe0ddy8zgBrflX0wnPJZT/w640-h360/DR1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Once again, Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must criss-cross the globe in order to stave off Armageddon. This time in search of a very special key. The problem is; no one seems to know what it unlocks, but every one is interested in acquiring it, including governments, arms dealers and a very powerful - but rogue - artificial intelligence known as 'The Entity'. But will the IMF's propensity for pulling off the absolutely insane be enough to outsmart them all and keep whatever the key unlocks out of their grasp?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1X-DKsYi_id_xyut26yPrbV3kk5oHVkrxvCKy1kUVbalhRh08pP2mEBPacLhIvIwbyeYlVUUGn7YJJ1wgHuDOM5xOJQj3vdAJZw3sfc5Puuq6sk65Wts9LLT-DCOkiEJPOgeu51RAbARS2LTLguOlEY_b3vDEEOP34Yo-IwF7ZxIOrluC8vzv_mfTHBK/s2406/DR2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="2406" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1X-DKsYi_id_xyut26yPrbV3kk5oHVkrxvCKy1kUVbalhRh08pP2mEBPacLhIvIwbyeYlVUUGn7YJJ1wgHuDOM5xOJQj3vdAJZw3sfc5Puuq6sk65Wts9LLT-DCOkiEJPOgeu51RAbARS2LTLguOlEY_b3vDEEOP34Yo-IwF7ZxIOrluC8vzv_mfTHBK/w640-h320/DR2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christopher McQuarrie delivers yet another high-octane instalment in the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> franchise. Only this time he faces the very real dilemma of outdoing his own creation. Yes, you could argue he has done that before - <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dead Reckoning</i> being his third <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission</i> movie - but this time it's a little different, given that <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fallout</i> is widely considered to be the best movie of the franchise, and by some margin. So how do you outdo something like that? Well, you go bigger, naturally. And that's exactly what McQuarrie and his running mate, Mr Cruise, have done.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHTeHJauFQt91g14fsKlJk7TuIRlpXah_e0rY-oCotkzFPgaSYqnuCqwQ-tszhyphenhyphenCLUlmBX_KvRgs_perwcHtZX8fsz0MrTyUAXz9vfMR9Q0Z2bTZ-QrKmMUC8hgU_x1f3NCKcJqyEo-3quFkH3YgRQagFpmypDw9eV7qrD7IRx5mg17J2qsDR20O8vqLL/s1500/DR6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1500" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHTeHJauFQt91g14fsKlJk7TuIRlpXah_e0rY-oCotkzFPgaSYqnuCqwQ-tszhyphenhyphenCLUlmBX_KvRgs_perwcHtZX8fsz0MrTyUAXz9vfMR9Q0Z2bTZ-QrKmMUC8hgU_x1f3NCKcJqyEo-3quFkH3YgRQagFpmypDw9eV7qrD7IRx5mg17J2qsDR20O8vqLL/w640-h274/DR6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the one hand, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dead Reckoning</i> is everything you want from <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i>; high stakes, high intensity storytelling, beautiful locations, a lot of action around some very real stunts, and a few laughs along the way. However, what sets <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dead Reckoning</i> apart from its predecessors is the greater</span> sense of urgency to the story. Something hinted at in the far from joyous, but never-the-less fun reunion of Ethan and a certain Mr Kittridge (Henry Czerny still plays that slimy arsehole perfectly). At times that urgency is almost palpable, not to mention something that really adds to that 'edge of your seat' factor. Which is probably why t<span style="font-family: inherit;">he near three hour runtime really doesn't feel that long. In fact, it almost flies by as Ethan (Tom Cruise), Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg) and - to a certain extent - Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson) work to acquire the two halves of this mysterious cruciform key and keep them out of the hands of pretty much everyone. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRHZuOqDtSkwv7WuT9vbN5R8PW7JiMzYC8M3ylV9euhi9u5fFQn125cISXdQe53reZLzB-KS_7ammQhimGIzVais9B5SHoNrZ9HoQ3J_EOTgKEuvqJhLBYSDuq80Zlr-zUHCaYo3isU5-D66EDQfs3BKXUvgeV33a9rcQI7XM_JbOHLzvrfpT9qogDaYi/s990/DR4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="990" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRHZuOqDtSkwv7WuT9vbN5R8PW7JiMzYC8M3ylV9euhi9u5fFQn125cISXdQe53reZLzB-KS_7ammQhimGIzVais9B5SHoNrZ9HoQ3J_EOTgKEuvqJhLBYSDuq80Zlr-zUHCaYo3isU5-D66EDQfs3BKXUvgeV33a9rcQI7XM_JbOHLzvrfpT9qogDaYi/w640-h360/DR4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">All of the returning cast slip back into their roles brilliantly. So much so that it's like being reunited with old friends. I particularly like that Luther and Benji continue to be like bickering siblings for Ethan to take care of. While Shea Whigham and Greg Tarzan Davis are welcome additions as the US agents pursuing our IMF friends. However, I was surprised how little screen time Rebecca Ferguson was given, especially given the connection between Ethan and Ilsa. I don't know if it has anything to do with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dune</i>, but Ilsa is hardly in the movie and given almost nothing to do. Leaving her role feeling painfully predictable, and more importantly robbing her of any real impact. In fact, there are times throughout the movie when it almost feels like she has been replaced.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6K7jU4N_noZbmF-7RP-3G81KrztRuJURQCIIJtvL6IgG4hrzsF2CaszwI22ll-aDsLp7QZj8SKxfNQdwaKbYa30DcYYYqh87D4l8tNd_IJAvtXCpMg__Ut6lYJSZPapJPAxSk2DPqTmFKSm5G61Ms4cURMASyNPaLp3tzF2LSM5pk3-BXKo6Rv3nXOmu/s1581/DR3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1581" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6K7jU4N_noZbmF-7RP-3G81KrztRuJURQCIIJtvL6IgG4hrzsF2CaszwI22ll-aDsLp7QZj8SKxfNQdwaKbYa30DcYYYqh87D4l8tNd_IJAvtXCpMg__Ut6lYJSZPapJPAxSk2DPqTmFKSm5G61Ms4cURMASyNPaLp3tzF2LSM5pk3-BXKo6Rv3nXOmu/w640-h426/DR3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Of course, this greater sense of urgency is reflected in the action as the team and all of their adversaries move from one tense play to the next. The mission inside the Abu Dhabi airport terminal is particularly exciting, as our heroes attempt to pursue their target whilst simultaneously evading the government agents hunting them - somewhere between a dance and a game of cat and mouse. It's also a perfect introduction for Hayley Atwell's character (Grace), who from the off shares some electrifying chemistry with Cruise, whilst also proving to be an unpredictable thorn in just about everybody's side. This bleeds into the delightfully chaotic chase through Rome, featuring a door-less BMW, a bright yellow Fiat 500 and Pom Klementieff as the sinister 'Paris' chasing Ethan and Grace in an armoured truck. Klementieff's hilarious facial expressions adding a whole new level of expression and excitement to the whole thing. Definitely the better of the two car chases through Rome to hit cinemas in 2023!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9SgED8gTL9dfVbVRGyUuCZtixYBL4wS8-cNXGIS9jLH8itVQrKhM7AIah2AItZtmAeo4rJnTtfqcUsk1r2wpYBx_FCt4EeiaU0huQhokZ4Gtww6Cvivc3FGQJw7AfmAqYJlEdCDdfAa_o7tZAVxx90unXxcuRJfKqK7ZpuxodfB3B-WTgsWKQjay5vib/s1440/DR7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9SgED8gTL9dfVbVRGyUuCZtixYBL4wS8-cNXGIS9jLH8itVQrKhM7AIah2AItZtmAeo4rJnTtfqcUsk1r2wpYBx_FCt4EeiaU0huQhokZ4Gtww6Cvivc3FGQJw7AfmAqYJlEdCDdfAa_o7tZAVxx90unXxcuRJfKqK7ZpuxodfB3B-WTgsWKQjay5vib/w640-h360/DR7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Unfortunately where this movie falls down is with the villain. As much as it is becoming more and more relevant here in the real world, a rogue A.I. and its human servant/representative - in this case, anyway - don't make for a compelling antagonist. The combination of the Entity's blinking lights and Esai Morales' snotty, pontificating terrorist/bad man is like an insufferable take on the Skynet/T-800 dynamic. Although he is good at hiding knives! Not that I put the blame for this on Morales, either he wasn't given enough to work with or we just don't know enough about his character - the perils of a two-part story, perhaps. Thankfully this doesn't prevent him from ramping things up in the train-based finale. They may have revealed a little too much of Cruise's motorcycle BASE jump, but it still manages to be the perfect opening to a phenomenal finale involving all the fun trains and gravity can muster.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxQnAvairQVYMYNRrwxoaPNrl-FKc6nBrRfRIDfOFQow0N3s3WHpUGvBHLi8VIzr_Aohogkek7xZAbHy8FPV050_lXqR4C6lmPpfv7yrsHUWynrW8POe-Vr6seG4ZYPKWQDYlr-kgu7kI8y-YEE3EsOQb-EjEp9vOSkAeNVtKCbeNgTpoZjBtBo1MYaqQ/s1280/DR8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxQnAvairQVYMYNRrwxoaPNrl-FKc6nBrRfRIDfOFQow0N3s3WHpUGvBHLi8VIzr_Aohogkek7xZAbHy8FPV050_lXqR4C6lmPpfv7yrsHUWynrW8POe-Vr6seG4ZYPKWQDYlr-kgu7kI8y-YEE3EsOQb-EjEp9vOSkAeNVtKCbeNgTpoZjBtBo1MYaqQ/w640-h360/DR8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Another exciting instalment in the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> franchise. But with its rather faceless, more annoying than intimidating villain, and an almost side-lined Rebecca Ferguson, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dead Reckoning</i> doesn't come close to knocking <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fallout</i> off the top spot.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7.5/10</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFckvvOqixlrJ-3QF15AL-xDX71cZa0o2gqKcTCRSQJ47siU5FyZRe83g2tMas8hwoSsSJUQI0PpVNxT0-3NC1wKr6DQQJPvMNnvbpoVIpLyulEgHaJ1k9tAItL3UW_KRTotqbrfOR8QMfvoGAqZf5hNFaoGXkjKauqi4LWQb_ZgJlqiNvhRQWE88mu1ZO/s1500/DR5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1500" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFckvvOqixlrJ-3QF15AL-xDX71cZa0o2gqKcTCRSQJ47siU5FyZRe83g2tMas8hwoSsSJUQI0PpVNxT0-3NC1wKr6DQQJPvMNnvbpoVIpLyulEgHaJ1k9tAItL3UW_KRTotqbrfOR8QMfvoGAqZf5hNFaoGXkjKauqi4LWQb_ZgJlqiNvhRQWE88mu1ZO/w640-h360/DR5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <b><i>Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1</i></b>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="http://facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></p>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-23909864785001335892023-12-15T17:27:00.001+00:002024-01-04T03:46:50.170+00:00Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | Average Guy Movie Review<div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiDLhOsD-19trfWSvcF9UxMinULzZKisXyFQKJNV6fRg2hE20D4-g93wtvhSz_X6chIcZZf945gvjBAKVGSKxS4SBema7mfEE9KfN_BB9DAQPxr5Bdu6xSpI3YPY8nCzN3JTXI4xuM8Vr2qr5A9X_-r5fWxkaladKb7Wte_31jzhj9qYXOPP_ynnyQkJb/s1524/DoD1A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1524" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiDLhOsD-19trfWSvcF9UxMinULzZKisXyFQKJNV6fRg2hE20D4-g93wtvhSz_X6chIcZZf945gvjBAKVGSKxS4SBema7mfEE9KfN_BB9DAQPxr5Bdu6xSpI3YPY8nCzN3JTXI4xuM8Vr2qr5A9X_-r5fWxkaladKb7Wte_31jzhj9qYXOPP_ynnyQkJb/w640-h360/DoD1A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's 1969, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is about to retire, when out of the blue his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) shows up with questions about an ancient artifact known as the Antikythera. But she's not the only person looking for it. Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen) - a Nazi scientist - is also on the trail, and he intends to use the Antikythera to correct what he sees as the mistakes of the past. Making it a race against time for Indy and his new found friend to make sure the past stays the way it is.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VfpTipGXG33QPvn-ceUjpaRlIJj05FxbdoRftY8I6tt058xgFd3meoXBbCaELkgws9F9WcKH6Pnth6z9WSiXu2bousmJ7T9vV_xtO-Oj-yWiQCAj3cjlMzTg5lDU38gkwv5R_ShbemPPeKoTpm4RMlvfWnRNVAEs6UFPvKhmLSP-7NpKlLzTfBiG-F8l/s1000/DoD4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VfpTipGXG33QPvn-ceUjpaRlIJj05FxbdoRftY8I6tt058xgFd3meoXBbCaELkgws9F9WcKH6Pnth6z9WSiXu2bousmJ7T9vV_xtO-Oj-yWiQCAj3cjlMzTg5lDU38gkwv5R_ShbemPPeKoTpm4RMlvfWnRNVAEs6UFPvKhmLSP-7NpKlLzTfBiG-F8l/w640-h360/DoD4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny</i> - awful title, I know - explodes on to screen with a de-aged Indy and his friend Baz (Toby Jones) causing the retreating German army trouble in 1944. It's the perfect way to kick off what is meant to be Ford's final movie with the fedora and whip - with a lunatic escapade to recover a piece of history, reminiscent of the crusading archaeologist's classic adventures. The technology used to de-age Hollywood's gruffest action hero brings impressive results, even though it can be quite noticeable, especially when he moves. Although there's no dodgy old man movements in a supposedly young man's body to be found here - he says in a not so subtle reference to <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Irishman</i>. And the use of this clever little piece of new-found movie magic does at least allow for this little foray into Indy's past, which helps to set the tone for the rest of the movie, injecting it with that classic sense of adventure he's known for.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoNn1Ba_41yx7pkyLGiImmzRHFwUI9_J53wzyknKJyADaqKOlfKINOjeWUkAKQ3JTwiUOdYziroNEiVDFSuZY5E9Sd7SGZoDYOh3pJGDMtdO3CnGWWVPWFMpwOZQdEdh0RU12P_bTkx32ojNTVG_F9WvUYxztq5ZvR23-B4qd18rNsM2yYH7kNoDxds-N/s1024/DoD8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoNn1Ba_41yx7pkyLGiImmzRHFwUI9_J53wzyknKJyADaqKOlfKINOjeWUkAKQ3JTwiUOdYziroNEiVDFSuZY5E9Sd7SGZoDYOh3pJGDMtdO3CnGWWVPWFMpwOZQdEdh0RU12P_bTkx32ojNTVG_F9WvUYxztq5ZvR23-B4qd18rNsM2yYH7kNoDxds-N/w640-h360/DoD8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>From there we're brought forward to 1969. A time when the United States is celebrating the success of Apollo 11, and Professor Jones is feeling depressed about his imminent retirement. Strangely, this part of the story </span>strays a little close to that of Han Solo in the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Star Wars</i> sequel trilogy. Although one particular shot did remind me of Stinky Pete's conversation with Woody in <b><i>Toy Story 2 </i></b>about "space toys". If anything, they overplayed Indy's down and out feelings a little too much. Something that seems like a trend in Hollywood right now - showing our heroes to be ‘washed up’ and ‘down on their luck’. Is that really something we need to keep seeing? Anyway, they could have simply had Indy yearning for another adventure, much like Sallah does throughout. Instead we find a passion-less Indy watching his life circle the drain. Something which adds very little to the plot - beyond setting up a touching moment between Ford and Karen Allen. Oh and speaking of Sallah, it's great to see John Rhys-Davies return as Indy's good friend, even though he doesn't get a big enough role.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BKhF8rtxB4owNqlFuxqcKHggB-SkE7rKebqlYqkKDNp31-sxRFo3qfwG9DDfLl0d_VZ3kiwh4hHWP6llZWV0MoOeQuEtHnC8dx4zdQs01aZY6gzb0nyQoPtDR7S-cwW1UZK-IDe2PleI9DoIAv-TpyWfYlcvi5PBjbSWJlS8nKwyXeQpJKSST_Tc48yk/s1200/DoD9.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BKhF8rtxB4owNqlFuxqcKHggB-SkE7rKebqlYqkKDNp31-sxRFo3qfwG9DDfLl0d_VZ3kiwh4hHWP6llZWV0MoOeQuEtHnC8dx4zdQs01aZY6gzb0nyQoPtDR7S-cwW1UZK-IDe2PleI9DoIAv-TpyWfYlcvi5PBjbSWJlS8nKwyXeQpJKSST_Tc48yk/w640-h360/DoD9.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully the adventure soon comes a calling, and the whole 'down on his luck' bit is mostly left behind. Although there's still time for the odd 'old man' joke. Even with Indy being on the cusp of retirement the movie is still able to get the adrenaline pumping with heart-pounding chases through New York and Tangiers, as well as the chance to explore some more beautifully recreated historical sites with our favourite archaeologist. All of which gives the movie a sense of the familiar, because at its heart <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dial of Destiny</i> does feel like an <i style="font-weight: bold;">Indiana Jones</i> movie. There's even some old Nazis to help with that. Mads Mikkelsen is excellent as Doctor Voller, the Nazi scientist looking for a way to change history. Evil to the right degree but highly intelligent, maybe even brilliant. Something Mikkelsen carries very well. But I like how he feels a little out of his depth with the physical stuff. He is after all, a scientist, not a soldier. On the other hand, Boyd Holbrook is given a very one-note role as Voller's right-hand man. He unfortunately doesn't get to play like he did in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Logan</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQgxAEUa5vafudX3z3GNp6TT5pXmsQ8fzLSUEDjVOYsmdv_WvhGx6YCDO9vlnWRSDvBlc8WOUCO3HQY1NsIzY5JxIf_ZmidXCbo2dItjnff6BNHVkECdIDSgpvQbq6njzr64QUnzaIXCBWoAvZX3b-khGYGnkNJYOqyyD1amjvcbod1LlueSZFHMbFBum/s1560/DoD2.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1560" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQgxAEUa5vafudX3z3GNp6TT5pXmsQ8fzLSUEDjVOYsmdv_WvhGx6YCDO9vlnWRSDvBlc8WOUCO3HQY1NsIzY5JxIf_ZmidXCbo2dItjnff6BNHVkECdIDSgpvQbq6njzr64QUnzaIXCBWoAvZX3b-khGYGnkNJYOqyyD1amjvcbod1LlueSZFHMbFBum/w640-h426/DoD2.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Of course this wouldn't be an <i style="font-weight: bold;">Indiana Jones</i> movie if our hero didn't have some friends to help him, and this time it falls to his goddaughter Helena and her young pal Teddy. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is great as Helena, who's in this for different reasons, and they aren't exactly noble. She </span>presents a new challenge for Indy, and their complicated alliance is the source of some good humour. Whereas with Teddy they've tried to recreate the 'Short Round' relationship from <i style="font-weight: bold;">Temple of Doom</i>, but it simply doesn't work. Ethan Isidore delivers a good performance, however the character just feels unnecessary, and the major part he has to play in all this is probably the most ridiculous part of the movie - which also happens to be a key part of the rather controversial final act. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2Qjno7jeW36tqrAuHjupOCeu8Xupvg7bNJtHInY5mXnrDK9MEDrUMigslqXet_0XOWK8BbIF3QJHRcTJskCoSPupOnrZKPATf36C2YQAzwJtSF-UmZHvgruxewbuK06PO9Q_arxGkM066aDnf5ygBwOl18mTIG3ROldxIyrt0OpImxE-w2ByGUklKrF_/s2500/DoD7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="2500" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2Qjno7jeW36tqrAuHjupOCeu8Xupvg7bNJtHInY5mXnrDK9MEDrUMigslqXet_0XOWK8BbIF3QJHRcTJskCoSPupOnrZKPATf36C2YQAzwJtSF-UmZHvgruxewbuK06PO9Q_arxGkM066aDnf5ygBwOl18mTIG3ROldxIyrt0OpImxE-w2ByGUklKrF_/w640-h268/DoD7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As with all the <b><i>Indy </i></b>movies <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dial of Destiny</i> takes us to some exotic locations, but things get a little weird towards the end, and this could prove a tad divisive. The question is; 'is it weird in a world that's seen a 700 year old knight, aliens from another dimension and a box that steals the souls of anyone who looks inside it?' Yeah, it probably is. Is it weird enough to take you out of the movie? Maybe a little. Despite all this it still feels in keeping with the rest of the movie and to a degree the franchise as a whole. Even Indy's actions - which may seem strange - are understandable, given who he is and what he's been through. So yes, it might make you sit up and go 'huh!' But you've probably been wondering the whole time if this is where the movie is headed, and for the most part it works.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_j8qdOM4wnYFtXF4OELJ_nT0OOIIJdpi2CS9E3-mN66y2chK28frvGZdMMQp1CUOzzqPhpsrOJv0EgCoXFA2U3WnBLxuX9Oop2W55GlU9DHDTSAG5zbPH7SdcC0t1LDNQUgT_TfGA0OMNmkqu0Z7jm9Y-FbMlrIeC9iXNvtiK1uQCq2yofOaNYJB1K0s/s1568/DoD3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1568" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_j8qdOM4wnYFtXF4OELJ_nT0OOIIJdpi2CS9E3-mN66y2chK28frvGZdMMQp1CUOzzqPhpsrOJv0EgCoXFA2U3WnBLxuX9Oop2W55GlU9DHDTSAG5zbPH7SdcC0t1LDNQUgT_TfGA0OMNmkqu0Z7jm9Y-FbMlrIeC9iXNvtiK1uQCq2yofOaNYJB1K0s/w640-h360/DoD3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">After the train-wreck that was <i style="font-weight: bold;">Kingdom of the Crystal Skull</i> I was conflicted over whether we needed another <b><i>Indy </i></b>movie. Plus things were all wrapped up nicely with <b><i>The </i></b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Last Crusade</i>. It may not really bring anything new, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dial of Destiny</i> was definitely a step in the right direction. A course correction of sorts. And a better way for Indy to bow out. Moreover, as we travel to all these exotic locations on the trail of history, one thing does become abundantly clear (if it wasn't already); Harrison Ford still knows this character inside and out, and once again plays him perfectly. No one will ever be able to play this character like he does. Even as an older gentleman he still looks good in the fedora!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2owMIVVEGMJaRtusATmR7ctpitTsHb5pI19HQlHf9yrC6RF9iPZywzyxO9J_lKEbqwg0a4BA4sCh0NyX9mGjTRLWGt_pV0D5DEKVasJJLwq807wKksj0Cmz-0Rl5tYNX9KrkGwfHXYFn-8SqwGGiixHIw9_sYZ3vbShauD2pOPvgUu7yyPCeEZK2lgsYh/s3000/DoD10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1634" data-original-width="3000" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2owMIVVEGMJaRtusATmR7ctpitTsHb5pI19HQlHf9yrC6RF9iPZywzyxO9J_lKEbqwg0a4BA4sCh0NyX9mGjTRLWGt_pV0D5DEKVasJJLwq807wKksj0Cmz-0Rl5tYNX9KrkGwfHXYFn-8SqwGGiixHIw9_sYZ3vbShauD2pOPvgUu7yyPCeEZK2lgsYh/w640-h348/DoD10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>While not as good as the original trilogy, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dial of Destiny</i> is a fun-filled adventure with our favourite crusading archaeologist. Yet another last hoorah - o</span>ne that does at least come close to the excitement and adventure of Indy’s earlier escapades -<span> in which </span>Harrison Ford demonstrates that when it comes to playing Indiana Jones, he is the only man for the job. However, it will undoubtedly prove to be rather divisive - especially when it comes to the movie's climax. But on the bright side, it's a much better way for Indy to bow out than <i style="font-weight: bold;">Kingdom of the Crystal Skull</i>!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7/10</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PKh2nHIuxoqAIZRIqO6k53ufPLOYS2Z9eGWvCLHMvWihfrS5LIcOY-b_aHGR8hgtkyXP9bMiOYAyqHBWpMqL9p2JMoK1FrirVJsQBTfuVeshkLEkFy_bQUheysJ2TR5m6wYlFUQHkfTF5dFVCIeOU3ZssmeThbu_7T22yVY5nuxe8ec3jM2wowEk35Hw/s3000/DoD6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="3000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PKh2nHIuxoqAIZRIqO6k53ufPLOYS2Z9eGWvCLHMvWihfrS5LIcOY-b_aHGR8hgtkyXP9bMiOYAyqHBWpMqL9p2JMoK1FrirVJsQBTfuVeshkLEkFy_bQUheysJ2TR5m6wYlFUQHkfTF5dFVCIeOU3ZssmeThbu_7T22yVY5nuxe8ec3jM2wowEk35Hw/w640-h268/DoD6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="http://acebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> (X), <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-80292313130653276702023-12-03T05:53:00.003+00:002024-01-04T03:47:08.297+00:00FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA | Moustache Trailer Reaction<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYyDx7PTnOugUhMa4Q9bz42RHP0Z-vA-OyqXfbcxvzevoqpJTCOUnlnxNxbunXyTtisleTu9WPVfy2XJ8lnzVTW9B_Y-syQNQnkV0lMlvm7Fu8hwd4WRyZjYnD6BaXl3YUbTE58vx-xpDfv_9WGumi2p0ES7RLzUEBW45di6Mg3ujkNRU48U475sapYvB/s1280/F11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYyDx7PTnOugUhMa4Q9bz42RHP0Z-vA-OyqXfbcxvzevoqpJTCOUnlnxNxbunXyTtisleTu9WPVfy2XJ8lnzVTW9B_Y-syQNQnkV0lMlvm7Fu8hwd4WRyZjYnD6BaXl3YUbTE58vx-xpDfv_9WGumi2p0ES7RLzUEBW45di6Mg3ujkNRU48U475sapYvB/w640-h360/F11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After proving to be a popular part of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mad Max: Fury Road</i>, Furiosa finally has her own movie. One in which we will learn how she became Imperator for Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Check out the trailer for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga</i> below.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/XJMuhwVlca4?si=csCNtlYkiHlyR7kn" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Now you could argue that Furiosa already has her own movie because despite being a <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mad Max</i> movie, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fury Road</i> was really about her struggle to get home, while Max (Tom Hardy) was very much a bystander. But that is often the case with these movies. With the exception of the first movie, Max always seems to be stumbling into other peoples' troubles in his unending search for supplies and solitude. He even turned down the chance of a new home when he fled the Citadel just as Furiosa was anointed as it's new leader. Now, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking on the role, we get to see how she became the woman played so perfectly by Charlize Theron. Taylor-Joy seems like an excellent choice to play a young Furiosa. She brings a tough exterior to the character, and a youthful wildness you can see in her eyes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmD-fL8i257FysL6fiu7aZ38sTHSTTy-DVuADeg4ashxxtQIvrGhCJ1Bm7KFCsU84fc-xsbUFY_Rtot3Tetky4uQpztML0DR8UGoiPRAa2qyDykbJWKwYWtscczSKwlWfQRLlYu1MMywuFpe8mA1tO2NN_KCp2uhyphenhyphenk2q_2RQkaPePN5DnaS2HdIaCmfRq/s1581/F5.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1581" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmD-fL8i257FysL6fiu7aZ38sTHSTTy-DVuADeg4ashxxtQIvrGhCJ1Bm7KFCsU84fc-xsbUFY_Rtot3Tetky4uQpztML0DR8UGoiPRAa2qyDykbJWKwYWtscczSKwlWfQRLlYu1MMywuFpe8mA1tO2NN_KCp2uhyphenhyphenk2q_2RQkaPePN5DnaS2HdIaCmfRq/w640-h426/F5.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Furiosa isn't the only returning character either. In the trailer we get a fleeting glimpse of Immortan Joe, who hasn't quite grown into his creepy mask yet. Hopefully we'll learn a thing or two about the creepy cult leader along the way. And was that city sitting on what may or may not have been a lake, Gas Town? I may have even spotted the Bullet Farm - with a certain villain clinging on for dear life as he's pelted with a wave of bullets that appear to be pouring from a machine rather than a gun. There's also a glimpse of an oddly shiny War Rig with some interesting decor - what would a movie set in George Miller's post-apocalyptic wasteland be without a big truck tearing down a road with lots of nasty people in colourful vehicles chasing it? Unsurprisingly there appears to be plenty of vehicular mayhem to look forward to, as well as some very outlandish vehicles. I especially like Dementus (Chris Hemsworth)'s chariot of motorcycles, although I think he may regret not installing a seat for the longer journeys.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjETB_djjv-fGBnDZSzgNjQU5aj-mFErrxPNZBhBEWj8ezKFS1fPK5ifXtPNl0ugoOUN6UNz3-In9Qozo_6peDGBwlUp9MEOpXSrxYJj0GrZocC1Uj1kgvjjN_tCkCBsxNNGPMG8ZlK0IujYn2ov5EMSl_9wiCmF_ZzOpZonjkQInjPQFg8x6eheHf1DG/s1200/F3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1200" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjETB_djjv-fGBnDZSzgNjQU5aj-mFErrxPNZBhBEWj8ezKFS1fPK5ifXtPNl0ugoOUN6UNz3-In9Qozo_6peDGBwlUp9MEOpXSrxYJj0GrZocC1Uj1kgvjjN_tCkCBsxNNGPMG8ZlK0IujYn2ov5EMSl_9wiCmF_ZzOpZonjkQInjPQFg8x6eheHf1DG/w640-h404/F3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Speaking of Dementus; why is Furiosa so pissed at him? Did he sell her into slavery? Could that child with the muzzle seen standing behind him be a much younger Furiosa, stolen from 'the Green Place' and the 'Many Mothers'? Or is she one of Immortan Joe's future wives? And who is the person wearing the skull mask? Are they helping or stealing that kid? Either way kidnap and slavery is not a new concept for the wasteland, and Max has certainly encountered a few people who would stoop to any level to secure their own position and wealth. Cue the quirkiest of quirky characters to ever bless this crazy world. I love the fact that Dementus kinda looks (and sounds) like a douchey Thor with Roman stylings; the lovely cape, the seatbelt corset and the aforementioned motorcycle-chariot. But most of all I love the nose! Sporting that fake nose, Hemsworth is quite a sight. It changes his appearance just enough for it to be weird, which is a key point of any <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mad Max</i> movie; in the 45 years since the collapse (something the trailer confirms) things have got weird. That nose however, it's going to take on an internet life all of its own.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLapbf_vd-9lcAI9TznpR5sObTXJ2QscY9PbGrNUENIzsGFphyphenhypheniizd4-RO-q1YV_mzBHLNs4GuJCvDTPcMeDo1dIan0lLNmOvAH4rG2d7vhOnvCmNCtyIgRcduUjU3d5p-b8IJQQlR155tnIhmdxLY5kcaBq0vPmL85w1K99r1a6DGUr99TlwrQyeqSgc-/s800/F4.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLapbf_vd-9lcAI9TznpR5sObTXJ2QscY9PbGrNUENIzsGFphyphenhypheniizd4-RO-q1YV_mzBHLNs4GuJCvDTPcMeDo1dIan0lLNmOvAH4rG2d7vhOnvCmNCtyIgRcduUjU3d5p-b8IJQQlR155tnIhmdxLY5kcaBq0vPmL85w1K99r1a6DGUr99TlwrQyeqSgc-/w640-h320/F4.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This may be the first movie in the franchise that's not about Max, but it still feels grounded in his nightmarish world. The trailer is very reminiscent of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fury Road</i> with all the big action, cool cars, and the sand (a certain Jedi would not be pleased!), which is awesome because that movie is insane, delivering everything that it promises. If this trailer is anything to go by, <b><i>Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga</i></b> will do the same. The whole thing looks incredible! But it's great to see some shots in there that share stylings with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior</i>; like Furiosa wandering a lonely road through the outback. The final line in the trailer is spoken by Dementus as he looks up at Furiosa - sporting her signature haircut and artificial hand - and he says to her; "the question is; do you have it in you to make it epic?" Personally, I think she does.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hhlZFICakxiQGWENl0DpUzx3k0bY-HzF8p8BhfX02MchkV83-yx5WfHicOxC7Y3sIXBIYyHi2hCtixI-Y66nMchTyQZ_8xN5qS77Uwdzdhz4Ic3ynJbtjrwp6aVuTJ5iyYteeG2W9M_DaTMFlttSTAoNnCtbXtnPQ-wuKoimErkZSGMuDFDWFQmj1TM3/s1200/F6.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hhlZFICakxiQGWENl0DpUzx3k0bY-HzF8p8BhfX02MchkV83-yx5WfHicOxC7Y3sIXBIYyHi2hCtixI-Y66nMchTyQZ_8xN5qS77Uwdzdhz4Ic3ynJbtjrwp6aVuTJ5iyYteeG2W9M_DaTMFlttSTAoNnCtbXtnPQ-wuKoimErkZSGMuDFDWFQmj1TM3/w640-h360/F6.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Furiosa's origin story looks to be a grim but action-packed affair, delivering everything that the world George Miller created with Mel Gibson back in 1979 is known for. Big action, cool cars, crazy characters, and now for the first time ever… a rather odd looking nose. However this is just the start of her story, and we know this chapter is unlikely to end well - do they ever? Still, I can’t wait to see how she gets there. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFZJmIAb8uZXDvi_GWY05YgHTvEAlltvqaCUgDInCEM8TmLdoK0i_nZlJysXOS45F1mtWX5VOS6Ih8OIUEIYKKRges4FoEozI7xQM3AqApzaSGpG1DuYi1ucEFNi8TaJoxVrXYwkFa0N-IxAzS1V0GRDX7UGiD0YhlvMcg1wL5hEQ-VIBtqJuDXuK5GD/s1363/F!.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1363" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFZJmIAb8uZXDvi_GWY05YgHTvEAlltvqaCUgDInCEM8TmLdoK0i_nZlJysXOS45F1mtWX5VOS6Ih8OIUEIYKKRges4FoEozI7xQM3AqApzaSGpG1DuYi1ucEFNi8TaJoxVrXYwkFa0N-IxAzS1V0GRDX7UGiD0YhlvMcg1wL5hEQ-VIBtqJuDXuK5GD/w640-h370/F!.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of the trailer for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="http://acebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> (X), <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-61622551084813050442023-12-01T11:31:00.002+00:002024-03-01T11:45:51.889+00:00Oppenheimer | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw1sLvsm-F4or-eGrGpWPbwQuc0epB5H9k93gLZVm6340mE4e5tQ9et-sHFaJy1HalFOFTavNz85AK3AKxBAXhxmoW9Bybfi3oBaJRSb474_sGiuhcuOFS5AbdNuQjScMWY7MlJfVHY51t0Reho9HAOYDbpEu2SHm_U_3Wr9ulOoEIxSIsc1RJS4RB6pE/s1200/O5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw1sLvsm-F4or-eGrGpWPbwQuc0epB5H9k93gLZVm6340mE4e5tQ9et-sHFaJy1HalFOFTavNz85AK3AKxBAXhxmoW9Bybfi3oBaJRSb474_sGiuhcuOFS5AbdNuQjScMWY7MlJfVHY51t0Reho9HAOYDbpEu2SHm_U_3Wr9ulOoEIxSIsc1RJS4RB6pE/w640-h360/O5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christopher Nolan's epic biopic proves to be a beautifully chaotic examination of a brilliant but complicated man. Warts and all, so to speak. Based on the book <i style="font-weight: bold;">American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer</i>, the story telling jumps back and forth through several periods in history in ways that feel random to show us how Oppenheimer became the "father of the Atomic Bomb", as well as the effect his work at Los Alamos had on him and his eventual fall from grace. And yet somehow it all pieces together perfectly. The movie should feel jumbled, but it unravels the man's story smoothly. It simply flows in a way that makes it as gripping as it is fascinating.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiQSf-M0TqznPTWSad1K6CKFO-9vc1o0CSdB1eEnDUgrwbBZTbLw7taBMb_RWsU26mtFPTkTaYRQaB5DVE4xe2MmkQGmjexdcpk8r43yer80jP6pzG_tA3mzdIlO1yp_kFwyC3Y8vaTZnKIlJwDgEAMRGPttT5_p9p6bBTx_H0P8iQ-puI9b__oHLZ3ka/s1020/O4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="1020" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiQSf-M0TqznPTWSad1K6CKFO-9vc1o0CSdB1eEnDUgrwbBZTbLw7taBMb_RWsU26mtFPTkTaYRQaB5DVE4xe2MmkQGmjexdcpk8r43yer80jP6pzG_tA3mzdIlO1yp_kFwyC3Y8vaTZnKIlJwDgEAMRGPttT5_p9p6bBTx_H0P8iQ-puI9b__oHLZ3ka/w640-h360/O4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But it would be nothing - well, nearly nothing - without the incredible cast that brings this story to life. So much so that t</span>he passions of all those involved at Los Alamos - however misguided - are almost palpable. It<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is a mammoth cast, filled with famous names and great talent, it's any director's dream. Every member is on top of their game and then some. This is especially so of Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., who deliver possibly the best performances of their careers. Although Matt Damon delivers my favourite performance of the movie, as General Leslie Groves, a very matter of fact soldier and engineer stuck with a rather unenviable task, one akin to herding some highly intelligent and (very) opinionated cats.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFLFUv58ICHCM4M0QAE3lxAXN204oNZ1dkGbzBE8RFBwW0BqlvW_Oir7b4eVcPntEnXiED0bvWnyzkPSBNwYagmtbJNJEu1mOJwv5HIAl0kCRfzFWTf-lKoXiVD7U4o1NJ9NCzd-JYcOlIEIg9rLW9TSnvDGtx45RZbQfqX8IuSagTlqDcDYTjlRdxKmy/s1600/O7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFLFUv58ICHCM4M0QAE3lxAXN204oNZ1dkGbzBE8RFBwW0BqlvW_Oir7b4eVcPntEnXiED0bvWnyzkPSBNwYagmtbJNJEu1mOJwv5HIAl0kCRfzFWTf-lKoXiVD7U4o1NJ9NCzd-JYcOlIEIg9rLW9TSnvDGtx45RZbQfqX8IuSagTlqDcDYTjlRdxKmy/w640-h360/O7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks to Hoyte Van Hoytema, the movie truly is a feast for the eyes! Everything from the locations, to the visions that plagued the man, and the result of his work - the famous trinity test - are, quite simply, awe-inspiring. Nolan is well known for his ability to weave grandiose but intricate narratives, and u</span></span>nsurprisingly, his visual style lends itself very well to Oppenheimer's story. By focusing on the man rather than the development of the atomic bomb itself, h<span style="font-family: inherit;">e is able to convey the gravity of the man’s work and what it meant for the world, as well as his hopes for what such destructive force could bring about and the global tumult that its creation was born out of. And the way everything comes together so perfectly, set to Ludwig Göransson's incredible score,</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> it's captivating.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh905c0YjtEzQ4jXFjtVhCstQtED06qzrGEoSiTvLuBx5S3U58WH9nKo-rdjlXQz83-oEMFbee7R9SIuGSU-eqOos2h_k0FqvHwM0Y6SBdCMTjjJE27TQQAa2F_UJIH6kImhDOIvBNfHxwfBUq-DtTlOsblfuaTGGi2OWff0bCdMcQw2FJHrzH8IdvmjwU-/s3000/O2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1686" data-original-width="3000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh905c0YjtEzQ4jXFjtVhCstQtED06qzrGEoSiTvLuBx5S3U58WH9nKo-rdjlXQz83-oEMFbee7R9SIuGSU-eqOos2h_k0FqvHwM0Y6SBdCMTjjJE27TQQAa2F_UJIH6kImhDOIvBNfHxwfBUq-DtTlOsblfuaTGGi2OWff0bCdMcQw2FJHrzH8IdvmjwU-/w640-h360/O2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer is brought to life in this beautifully chaotic biopic. </span></span>Another epic vision from Christopher Nolan.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10/10</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh924QvObz6vVsa8F2jsmZnjZSOKOG0j4jMBN8e_7OWMVb7RyJ9g_Vfvjl60ylw3c9y9Qi93cRpuUaQnAdfdgBrNPCI_Ps_PDCHfpVzdDekdw2xeitiLrzfoXIp731ruSaDExHpH2Y7R7I5FSIT5HSfKd3pJs7SBadpKP12Ietc9O97ZFrNhj_RueZG3jj1/s720/O6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh924QvObz6vVsa8F2jsmZnjZSOKOG0j4jMBN8e_7OWMVb7RyJ9g_Vfvjl60ylw3c9y9Qi93cRpuUaQnAdfdgBrNPCI_Ps_PDCHfpVzdDekdw2xeitiLrzfoXIp731ruSaDExHpH2Y7R7I5FSIT5HSfKd3pJs7SBadpKP12Ietc9O97ZFrNhj_RueZG3jj1/w640-h360/O6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Oppenheimer</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> (X), <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-40351966204201460642023-11-25T00:49:00.006+00:002024-01-04T03:47:51.349+00:00Sound of Addiction | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJt8OrseGdHqENVS20tXB7-6sMvQlm8w41yguUOs5yGdUaUzlGlKG60qrXPo32aKTMFIePwPWpUSn6ezF7sfLu4iAiLsD605I4yTt7CBExDFWrFIpZ-kpr_DAxKbb6D9MQw03h5ObYzaZh2Tk_eFFhil0DvOzCkkfYMkXBL9KSV4myGuY39bWTJHvNR9w/s768/SOA%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="768" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJt8OrseGdHqENVS20tXB7-6sMvQlm8w41yguUOs5yGdUaUzlGlKG60qrXPo32aKTMFIePwPWpUSn6ezF7sfLu4iAiLsD605I4yTt7CBExDFWrFIpZ-kpr_DAxKbb6D9MQw03h5ObYzaZh2Tk_eFFhil0DvOzCkkfYMkXBL9KSV4myGuY39bWTJHvNR9w/w640-h336/SOA%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A mercenary team - known as the 'Vipers' - is tasked with extracting a young girl named Maria (Tetta Sanders) from a secluded country home, and the cult that resides there. The only problem; the cult have taken their experimentation with recreational drugs a bit far, and the resultant effects have a certain undead quality. </span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6USUWafD7eHBGKc1xC0pOsi5synMnR0P8cOFdpJrLpbkEoVQclCCIdbeh42ZCz1Pkgk2ntazPEXGkpcGFNEf6_fCzr5WkWQNKw0HjXMV6zyAs1YO6GEjn7JJ2hZEVxqu4TV_RRIxv5TpiNX-HZ1ab1An7mYcYMxmFDa9yv961em3BVUEYOQUD-hBnfp_/s403/SOA%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6USUWafD7eHBGKc1xC0pOsi5synMnR0P8cOFdpJrLpbkEoVQclCCIdbeh42ZCz1Pkgk2ntazPEXGkpcGFNEf6_fCzr5WkWQNKw0HjXMV6zyAs1YO6GEjn7JJ2hZEVxqu4TV_RRIxv5TpiNX-HZ1ab1An7mYcYMxmFDa9yv961em3BVUEYOQUD-hBnfp_/w305-h400/SOA%205.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Sound of Addiction</i> <i style="font-weight: bold;">(SOA)</i> - which you can watch below - was inspired by the rise of Fentanyl in the USA and the zombie-like effect it has on its users. It's a horror short with an action twist. From the moment the boys (Jamie Clark, John Mortimore, Aaron Mackenzie, Sam Seeley, Will Bowden) leave the van to begin their approach to the target building there is a sense of eerie foreboding that descends over the film, leaving our heroes feeling oddly exposed. The tension rises slowly. All of which the tight, up close and personal filming style only compliments, with the directors putting the viewer right alongside them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY7XRX62EMzI9K6pM9cnIwY4KnNYNawkC9IwZBAQ730sYIJSWn8iWM0GCPoRH5LFlglm_kIUQzOEJPkFlfgvdbXBU4y_e2OwhkU30Sev6xZSf8Y_qUanQfOcasOxxrFHjy-OQ5Jns9bdpETFejGjqDMYVitgx6HUMa36MzQe0eqoClBfNhGZ5BuDTUYdf/s403/SOA%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY7XRX62EMzI9K6pM9cnIwY4KnNYNawkC9IwZBAQ730sYIJSWn8iWM0GCPoRH5LFlglm_kIUQzOEJPkFlfgvdbXBU4y_e2OwhkU30Sev6xZSf8Y_qUanQfOcasOxxrFHjy-OQ5Jns9bdpETFejGjqDMYVitgx6HUMa36MzQe0eqoClBfNhGZ5BuDTUYdf/w305-h400/SOA%204.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />On top of its creepy, horror vibes, <i style="font-weight: bold;">SOA</i> also happens to be a pretty good showcase for the tactics involved in an armed search of a building, not to mention the realities - i.e. the difficulties - of it. If the whole 'Hollywood vs. Reality' discussion interests you, this is definitely something you should check out. Several of the team members are played by former military and police firearms officers who bring a high degree of authenticity, to the banter as much as the tactics. In other words they look, sound and move like a real team. Again, something the tight shooting style compliments. As they work their way through the house it can feel almost claustrophobic, even in the more open areas. Watch out for a beautiful shot of the boys, lit from behind, as they work their way down a dark corridor, clearing rooms as they go.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JaQmTLvVfnUq9Agfv3NW6Ug3s76T7uFRQRay0PrnRySQJ7A07S6XZn6AS_-fUZ8HLHCmzx6dSy08I4t390deIIdPeMf3BeqTal2d51LHWC8XLHjFR1B8XGKdchGz675Ng5AZBwyVijIeRQZc0hnVcJwW5wAaxvw7cK_88elVJ2TDAhBN4COO9EZ-R2Na/s403/SOA%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JaQmTLvVfnUq9Agfv3NW6Ug3s76T7uFRQRay0PrnRySQJ7A07S6XZn6AS_-fUZ8HLHCmzx6dSy08I4t390deIIdPeMf3BeqTal2d51LHWC8XLHjFR1B8XGKdchGz675Ng5AZBwyVijIeRQZc0hnVcJwW5wAaxvw7cK_88elVJ2TDAhBN4COO9EZ-R2Na/w305-h400/SOA%201.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But this is a zombie flick, so it's not long before the Vipers awaken the cult and things descend into brilliantly choreographed chaos. Almost in an instant tension switches to terror as we come face to face with the residents of this charming country home. </span>Some excellent make-up effects certainly help with the aforementioned terror.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The result of a</span> disease that mutated from addicts biting each other to get that extra hit off of someone else's blood to a hunger for human flesh, t<span style="font-family: inherit;">he cult members explode into action like a nest full of angry (and very hungry) flesh-eating wasps, swarming the team with terrifying fury. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's almost overwhelming. There are times when it feels like there are cult members coming out of the walls, and yet you can't help but be drawn into this nightmare as the team try to fight their way out. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSim8wn7oLVWCVLh0Uaa6QXjq1YD3vQ0m3aYgbogE_I-7Z3FHbMvwW5uSrilIKG4G_gJvp6hP9iE_FKQKR53CkEzx11FYUGfLQAnctfCiq5k2GQFGCGkrjwQL2TyQozSFiHcZcHtjSKMDvJtu21bYMAgoPxVgsOJmK2Kir-pxTylQTJitcuIP5Mri8r-78/s403/SOA%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSim8wn7oLVWCVLh0Uaa6QXjq1YD3vQ0m3aYgbogE_I-7Z3FHbMvwW5uSrilIKG4G_gJvp6hP9iE_FKQKR53CkEzx11FYUGfLQAnctfCiq5k2GQFGCGkrjwQL2TyQozSFiHcZcHtjSKMDvJtu21bYMAgoPxVgsOJmK2Kir-pxTylQTJitcuIP5Mri8r-78/w305-h400/SOA%203.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Sound of Addiction</i> proves to be a fun little action/zombie short. It's action-packed, creepy, intense, and the directors put you right in the middle of the nightmare. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8/10</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You can check out <i style="font-weight: bold;">Sound of Addiction</i> below or on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2GxejsN26g&t=5s">YouTube</a>. And don't forget to watch the behind the scenes clips during the end credits.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o2GxejsN26g" width="320" youtube-src-id="o2GxejsN26g"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Sound of Addiction</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> (X), <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-57712529458235273052023-11-22T15:24:00.001+00:002024-01-04T03:48:10.518+00:00The Last Rifleman | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqc1kOWoJziQCKBSLshS3-nxuWWBURQFcbXFFqrNxjiO-TDcC4jnNpHuceUvr7BGQhSLtVao1Y8khLk9vKCafYCithuHCfuizF-EUJwwyUAFU_L9nTt0JCJtw8fttOu4WzzX_GKqkhQuHIlBit3az0NZLnKaU7mNTJ_cY0mawE438PMSrsX-v_99qgwQn/s1920/Last%201.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqc1kOWoJziQCKBSLshS3-nxuWWBURQFcbXFFqrNxjiO-TDcC4jnNpHuceUvr7BGQhSLtVao1Y8khLk9vKCafYCithuHCfuizF-EUJwwyUAFU_L9nTt0JCJtw8fttOu4WzzX_GKqkhQuHIlBit3az0NZLnKaU7mNTJ_cY0mawE438PMSrsX-v_99qgwQn/w640-h360/Last%201.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Artie Crawford (Pierce Brosnan) is a 91 year old veteran who served in Normandy as part of Operation Overlord. When his wife of many years passes away, he escapes from his retirement home in Ireland in an attempt to make it back to France for the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, in order to lay the past to rest.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmqi0I515IZi4m-H8oHNRRsegh6BfCksCyOtGc-VFRER5Rso-VUddXuz-4WJT-y4BaKmeX32zGkVUcsv5Qn6zYUmS_bWGUZiOdYsfaq1eouIBwqHtCJjy3y4s9PWx9PloOothZKdH3LKuqp3XLbpoQqV5iJzOeR2of5UgpSP2K7q8JyBzpm9L77UxJf4I/s1200/Last%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmqi0I515IZi4m-H8oHNRRsegh6BfCksCyOtGc-VFRER5Rso-VUddXuz-4WJT-y4BaKmeX32zGkVUcsv5Qn6zYUmS_bWGUZiOdYsfaq1eouIBwqHtCJjy3y4s9PWx9PloOothZKdH3LKuqp3XLbpoQqV5iJzOeR2of5UgpSP2K7q8JyBzpm9L77UxJf4I/w640-h360/Last%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On occasion Hollywood seems to take it upon itself to deliver a movie battle of epic proportions, in which two incredibly similar movies are released in the same year, and we the people must decide which one is better. 1997 it was <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dante's Peak</i> vs. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Volcano</i>. 1998 saw <b style="font-style: italic;">Deep Impact </b><span>vs.</span><b style="font-style: italic;"> Armageddon </b>and<b style="font-style: italic;"> Antz </b>vs.<b style="font-style: italic;"> A Bug's Life</b>. 2013 we had <i style="font-weight: bold;">Olympus Has Fallen</i> vs. <i style="font-weight: bold;">White House Down</i>. And in 2023 we've had <i style="font-weight: bold;">Guy Ritchie's The Covenant</i> vs. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Kandahar</i> and - continuing on the military theme - <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Great Escaper</i> vs. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Rifleman</i>. That last one includes two movies that are based on the tale of Bernard Jordan, the man who at 89 years of age famously disappeared from his retirement home in the south of England only to show up in Normandy for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. And while <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Great Escaper</i> is more directly based on Jordan's story, <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Rifleman</i> takes a more loosely based approach, but does at least capture something of the spirit of the man's journey.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6RMxkG6tGIfSBwamQjldV_gjU96VT6BKycLQrzfaaMSwqr14aUKCdpXOV9GfMuVkDY1dbN-iYX56GyPON7HsjkEnZD_rmvVfz3oCKd519dfsADFeD6Td1F7s98oZy3TP2RVOsp1QyXdTcb1vT2T80c6Hg-BYEh7LsHnR6ggP06K2SxmMc7nvBbGqRjDD/s960/Last%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6RMxkG6tGIfSBwamQjldV_gjU96VT6BKycLQrzfaaMSwqr14aUKCdpXOV9GfMuVkDY1dbN-iYX56GyPON7HsjkEnZD_rmvVfz3oCKd519dfsADFeD6Td1F7s98oZy3TP2RVOsp1QyXdTcb1vT2T80c6Hg-BYEh7LsHnR6ggP06K2SxmMc7nvBbGqRjDD/w640-h426/Last%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Pierce Brosnan leads this heart-warming tale with a charming performance, as Artie battles a series of obstacles - including his own ill-health - to return to France to honour his fallen comrades and maybe even find a little peace for himself. Along the way he encounters a series of random strangers including Clemence Poésy's French tourist, American and German veterans played by John Amos and Jürgen Prochnow, and an Irish journalist following Artie's story played by Desmond Eastwood. All of whom share some touching moments with Artie, and although some can feel a little fleeting, they are all satisfyingly impactful as they help Artie on his journey - both spiritual and literal.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9LvSJGOYbvwhFKpNpcs5kLFww9NZ3gpkJqBa5dra6GGMaeQGeBPBNC3KTLGIa4gv8a71TUSDVqZPb7Ed88VTYUjJEbRXSlGE98aUh9iqdmn785lGCo_3nf81t_59LQd7ik_UltvTg8H9wAHMk6k9eHBcfNeQGQS2poF9j3u-9NMkG4tOQKLdwFszwkfo/s960/Last%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9LvSJGOYbvwhFKpNpcs5kLFww9NZ3gpkJqBa5dra6GGMaeQGeBPBNC3KTLGIa4gv8a71TUSDVqZPb7Ed88VTYUjJEbRXSlGE98aUh9iqdmn785lGCo_3nf81t_59LQd7ik_UltvTg8H9wAHMk6k9eHBcfNeQGQS2poF9j3u-9NMkG4tOQKLdwFszwkfo/w640-h426/Last%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Inevitably, such a journey - despite being fictional - can be quite the emotional ringer. In his portrayal of Artie, Brosnan genuinely looks like a man living with ghosts. And yet, director Terry Loane still manages to add a light-hearted - at times, even jovial - feel to <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Rifleman</i>. It is after all, a road trip movie. One last adventure for an old soldier, which i</span>s exactly what the movie feels like; an adventure, as he smuggles himself into post-Brexit Europe.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Somehow 'hitchhiking' doesn't quite cover it. Not that that stops Artie from trying! But it does beg the question; 'what's the penalty for smuggling an OAP across borders?' Loane brings out the comedy in these antics without taking anything from the meaning behind the journey. In some way then, it's a shame to think that with its loose take on Bernard Jordan's story and a straight to home media release, </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">The Last Rifleman</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> will always live in the shadow of </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">The Great Escaper</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, which at the very least is the more memorable of the two.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXVB4k-wWH52zF-qVqko-zBJyOB6CPlnhgr2HungzoFkndpDAeeIs_lgoZ5T1n2Fnq4C4-gmzWKMATcf0omrYOTMBrYnefQTunTiWBcilq57LHdtnxQiRFhzurqykGmJzYx9bm9ol6TGM6cFaoTb2C_Vc76UO-ALOm5d8KQAgp_oye0OeUfAQYYfbd_lk/s980/Last%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXVB4k-wWH52zF-qVqko-zBJyOB6CPlnhgr2HungzoFkndpDAeeIs_lgoZ5T1n2Fnq4C4-gmzWKMATcf0omrYOTMBrYnefQTunTiWBcilq57LHdtnxQiRFhzurqykGmJzYx9bm9ol6TGM6cFaoTb2C_Vc76UO-ALOm5d8KQAgp_oye0OeUfAQYYfbd_lk/w640-h426/Last%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Pierce Brosnan delivers a charming performance in this fun but emotional tale that does justice to story that inspired it, even though it's doomed to live in the shadow of Sir Michael Caine's final film.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7/10</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Rifleman</i> is available to watch on <b><i>Sky Cinema</i></b> and <b><i>Now TV</i></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjh__AwHRqz1UAGCYtMjYPiBNBylrEE87WBvwUgeUDbkyy-IlvxtN8GgTmHhkJtMD8VQGa_XgRG2DYkX6spL4YdM3PvtspKJD4TjHqpQRXCpc1KTisYqTLHDT3EIXiLbK1aVwTNZ5zOf1NTEfezDzPKMl3E3PXeIdD3hJbpFzcuz0IhPboS8Z8GjAps0l/s1280/Last%202.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1280" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjh__AwHRqz1UAGCYtMjYPiBNBylrEE87WBvwUgeUDbkyy-IlvxtN8GgTmHhkJtMD8VQGa_XgRG2DYkX6spL4YdM3PvtspKJD4TjHqpQRXCpc1KTisYqTLHDT3EIXiLbK1aVwTNZ5zOf1NTEfezDzPKMl3E3PXeIdD3hJbpFzcuz0IhPboS8Z8GjAps0l/w640-h384/Last%202.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Last Rifleman</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> (X), <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-71492805972182765442023-11-09T22:03:00.000+00:002023-11-09T22:03:15.320+00:00REACHER Season 2 | Moustache Trailer Reaction<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWoQ3kdhPZG6ejrZt8KktnsyAsjg7PETom4JzqRVRqB6Xk7Ul6hbkz3Ha1nRynBCeJ07YS77UF3Hgd3jk3SpQfmeiswOsa4cTYzHFsDpwiZom4nf-YU0lcxDc-DhEmzXSo1deu9u42u8iI8n5-PnVvWq-llWWfuos3eEwimUPrqYfqDT12l3fuFBa5G-j/s2560/R1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWoQ3kdhPZG6ejrZt8KktnsyAsjg7PETom4JzqRVRqB6Xk7Ul6hbkz3Ha1nRynBCeJ07YS77UF3Hgd3jk3SpQfmeiswOsa4cTYzHFsDpwiZom4nf-YU0lcxDc-DhEmzXSo1deu9u42u8iI8n5-PnVvWq-llWWfuos3eEwimUPrqYfqDT12l3fuFBa5G-j/w640-h480/R1.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once again Lee Child's literary character leaps from the page to the screen in the trailer for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Reacher </i>season 2. Check it out below.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/tC-rRhQcnlI?si=WboYv7hhX--ss9Ko" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After introducing a new take on Jack Reacher - one much closer to Lee Child's vision - with a clever adaptation of the first novel <i style="font-weight: bold;">Killing Floor</i>, Alan Ritchson is back as the drifter/ex-military cop. It's a role he handles very well - both in performance and stature - and if the trailer is anything to go by Reacher's more unstoppable than ever! Watching him take care of a car jacker with extreme efficiency is not only incredibly enjoyable, it perfectly captures what fans love about this character.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The second season is based on one of my favourite of the Reacher novels; <i style="font-weight: bold;">Bad Luck and Trouble</i>. Once again they've chosen a book in which Reacher has a personal stake in the situation, something that goes way beyond his everyday hatred of bad people - like the aforementioned car jacker. When members of his old team start showing up dead, Reacher and Frances Neagley (Maria Sten) assemble the surviving members of the 110th MP Special Investigators - Karla Dixon (Serinda Swan) and David O'Donnell (Shaun Sipos) - to track down the killers and dispense some of their own justice. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vM7fCJyAYGUCbVPalM-68BZSTrFwrTBZ_0VnwZ0jthlKATR1JMF7f5YX65wkOb6ubwAK2gW-5ixcn3uSbVt5wiDcwE-HnQTBWqhCBxFu1WBTFyBK_SHYhiHJrUyDkXZ7Zkux31vUuFOrVvx1gwJ8FjBK9O7Lq0quyo6aafB-zjY0XrFwso6hbS3z5sEc/s2500/R4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="2500" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vM7fCJyAYGUCbVPalM-68BZSTrFwrTBZ_0VnwZ0jthlKATR1JMF7f5YX65wkOb6ubwAK2gW-5ixcn3uSbVt5wiDcwE-HnQTBWqhCBxFu1WBTFyBK_SHYhiHJrUyDkXZ7Zkux31vUuFOrVvx1gwJ8FjBK9O7Lq0quyo6aafB-zjY0XrFwso6hbS3z5sEc/w640-h336/R4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recognisable moments from the book are certainly present, like a certain helicopter and a smash and grab raid on an office building. But it would appear that the showrunners have also tried to put a fresh spin on the story - something that certainly worked out well with the first season. What really stands out however, is the team dynamic. They look and sound like team mates. Already there's a hint that they're comfortable with each other, their characters slipping back into old roles. And the banter is a lot of fun, too. Seeing Reacher with them is clearly going to be a highlight.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I personally can't wait for this. I didn't need to see a trailer to be excited, but now I have (several times) and I have very high hopes for season 2. It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun, not to mention fast paced and action-packed - possibly more so than season 1 (we'll see). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The first three episodes will debut on <i style="font-weight: bold;">Amazon Prime</i> on 15th December, and the remaining five will air one a week every Friday.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nTJHryx8svdsqPlBHqExuxCmjRhb4P4tzY3oV_79KLFg-0SiQZ7m2js5mASXv3ElGYOm72XQgoccDq4Tbru39h8zPkMBg2xGndU_oworM74IEDVilRualjY3q9hjsiXyl9A9c-PbV_RHKP2AKMSjd2EAWvVrP8TvSDFg4AEX7eqbWBJAPNjVQvVtYuFH/s1200/R6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nTJHryx8svdsqPlBHqExuxCmjRhb4P4tzY3oV_79KLFg-0SiQZ7m2js5mASXv3ElGYOm72XQgoccDq4Tbru39h8zPkMBg2xGndU_oworM74IEDVilRualjY3q9hjsiXyl9A9c-PbV_RHKP2AKMSjd2EAWvVrP8TvSDFg4AEX7eqbWBJAPNjVQvVtYuFH/w640-h426/R6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of the trailer for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Reacher</i> season 2? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter (X)</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-35147286928887255802023-11-09T05:09:00.000+00:002023-11-09T05:09:40.968+00:00GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE | Moustache Teaser Reaction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH1d0RW7Ec3DSjKRLb5wkyP3BXB-TSA_uUJZxpVI-oB_FN5vHgdAbEG6Ti44A8iPxsGXRoNpavE-ZgdDtij_Vlu_XWjOgdG7EGwbfd6YQh5u5NVEayJ9h30TA17fBKSdzqEcZO5R0mGzUAcToYcGn51vq6J5Ew2HUYX0MNA7zbdvxXWeriHcd-1gHXvR0/s1920/FE1.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH1d0RW7Ec3DSjKRLb5wkyP3BXB-TSA_uUJZxpVI-oB_FN5vHgdAbEG6Ti44A8iPxsGXRoNpavE-ZgdDtij_Vlu_XWjOgdG7EGwbfd6YQh5u5NVEayJ9h30TA17fBKSdzqEcZO5R0mGzUAcToYcGn51vq6J5Ew2HUYX0MNA7zbdvxXWeriHcd-1gHXvR0/w640-h360/FE1.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If I didn't know any better I'd say Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan have been working on a sequel to <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Day After Tomorrow</i>. Thankfully however, it's a follow up to their 2021 hit <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghostbusters: Afterlife</i>. One that sees the OG Ghostbusters back in New York, along with the Spengler family and the rest of the new team, where they are once again called upon to save the world. If you haven't seen it or you simply want to watch it again, check out the teaser for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire</i> below.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/k_6CbpF2FSk?si=uKshUAqiPH08wjDv" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Naturally this little glimpse is only supposed to whet our collective appetite, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">Frozen Empire</i> already looks fantastic! </span>Once again Reitman and Kenan appear to have nailed that perfect blend of creepy and fun that Ivan Reitman and co. coined with the first two movies. <span style="font-family: inherit;">It's good to see that all of the Ghostbusters will be facing - what appears to be - an entirely new threat. I'm pretty certain that Ray, Pete, Winston and Egon never faced off against anything quite so tall. Said being, that is briefly seen attaching their own horns - weird! - looks to be a real charmer too. Although anyone who turns summer into winter is hardly going to be popular, especially if it involves a lot of very sharp icicles that can lift cars. On the bright side it does mean our heroes get to try out some cool new winter attire. Half the teaser is taken up with the chilling effect the big bad has on NYC, but seeing the ice reach Ghostbusters HQ and hearing that signature piano riff is enough to get me excited - that and the sound of a proton pack firing up, or a beautifully restored ECTO-1 tearing around the Big Apple.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygIaEaXlupIxg7a1_zKWGUh_GmNXCeEy7t_eUH2k6nq5PpB9ttMj8ptEehM5mI0yFjRd8ZTPPjE6o1uYpTkLz5_stsey0IBdxkIQ6xZJhMRdgsgiHD3OM1-k9OEzHG5quJsY3DIP7GmuDjx39nwr1vSLIo-3iOrPAenYuXTP2JdwHKtbeFqUGAgcY1yYp/s1024/FE2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="1024" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygIaEaXlupIxg7a1_zKWGUh_GmNXCeEy7t_eUH2k6nq5PpB9ttMj8ptEehM5mI0yFjRd8ZTPPjE6o1uYpTkLz5_stsey0IBdxkIQ6xZJhMRdgsgiHD3OM1-k9OEzHG5quJsY3DIP7GmuDjx39nwr1vSLIo-3iOrPAenYuXTP2JdwHKtbeFqUGAgcY1yYp/w640-h268/FE2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">According to the official synopsis all the hubbub is caused when an ancient artifact is uncovered. But who's responsible for turning it on? Could it be the Ghostbusters themselves? That would definitely please Walter Peck (William Atherton), who is said to be returning. Unsurprisingly, Ray (Dan Aykroyd) seems to know a lot about it; "The Death Chill - the power to kill by fear itself." Which certainly explains why the lions at the New York Public Library can be seen acting up. Ray goes on to describe the effect this Death Chill has on its victims, and in appropriately chilling fashion, I might add; "Your veins turn to rivers of ice, your bones crack, and the last thing you see is your own tear ducts freezing up." Sounds delightful! Lets just hope it's reversible, given that it appears to be a fate that befalls poor old Lucky (Celeste O'Connor). But at least Paul Rudd's Gary Grooberson is as excited as us fans about another paranormal adventure, and this time he isn't alone, because Patton Oswalt is the new hilariously excited person on the Ghostbusters' block.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzOwfgI8a5mI5BUQ1o-ldHDQMTCUwortNGwvItI1tHBW7hiHWfm-lKaIB55xHoZmB-2KiBwcwbNMkfBbhwwMvZ6ClWI6iNdOplChTq314szPM_YJW0A1APMxOS3pEEEOK51ftfLJz8GA22isQSkZpYR8vCWaiDAR6-qP_Zv5oFD_MRDqvWPuDjvoASijv/s1800/FE3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzOwfgI8a5mI5BUQ1o-ldHDQMTCUwortNGwvItI1tHBW7hiHWfm-lKaIB55xHoZmB-2KiBwcwbNMkfBbhwwMvZ6ClWI6iNdOplChTq314szPM_YJW0A1APMxOS3pEEEOK51ftfLJz8GA22isQSkZpYR8vCWaiDAR6-qP_Zv5oFD_MRDqvWPuDjvoASijv/w640-h360/FE3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As it was with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Afterlife</i>, I like that there is legacy both in front and behind the camera with <b><i>Frozen Empire</i></b>. It brings a sense of familiarity and connection to these movies. Instead of it simply being a franchise that has been reinvented or reinvigorated by a new group of filmmakers, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghostbusters</i> feels like it has been kept in the family, where it belongs. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Afterlife</i> was the passing of the torch from father to son, and now with Ivan Reitman sadly gone it would appear that Jason Reitman - along with his collaborative partner, Gil Kenan - is the right person to carry on his father's work. I like to think I'm as excited as Mr Grooberson about <b><i>Frozen Empire</i></b>, because it looks to be the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghostbusters</i> we know and love with a deliciously sinister - you might even say; 'chilling' - new threat to face. In fact, I can't wait to see them save the world from this frozen nightmare in their usual professional, entirely serious manner. I just hope that the original cast - including Annie Potts - get to play more of a role this time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire</i> arrives in UK cinemas on 29th March 2024.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNp7QttCls8M5qtt_7dGuMV7HCM7lPk9QLYlfdrM4QuWUvMmLacm83Q-vJVD1JG-WQWmyive25bjQX3A1-aPWGpPvbVFB9ATnjLu61OHM9Qpvpbk9bk_cf4CVj0VIvQ-el_gV3zxZv8p-J53y3i5LETstIU1Hq2tcisxYuCqtAVRmjdiyluIXwawCSRv2/s1500/FE7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1500" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNp7QttCls8M5qtt_7dGuMV7HCM7lPk9QLYlfdrM4QuWUvMmLacm83Q-vJVD1JG-WQWmyive25bjQX3A1-aPWGpPvbVFB9ATnjLu61OHM9Qpvpbk9bk_cf4CVj0VIvQ-el_gV3zxZv8p-J53y3i5LETstIU1Hq2tcisxYuCqtAVRmjdiyluIXwawCSRv2/w640-h314/FE7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What are your thoughts on the teaser for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter (X)</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-36732074094119541712023-10-30T15:17:00.000+00:002023-10-30T15:17:24.773+00:00Dave's DVD Dungeon | Part 4<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKSVXEGkDSSb7IjazRZdopZ94wJHyStGgiN1bqufjlrx8HZxvdkFh87VM0TItE44AVL-B158WJ4STvi_67pcW4PpL5ZDagRgQQv_b8VhGuySxsovfxEOtxdW2KwTNoQTSBl9GsQB01-ZZ3FYoE8mYexlf7at5o4uEzph9eNcn7M9oZyKOcZuGfhR-9LKQ/s1200/B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKSVXEGkDSSb7IjazRZdopZ94wJHyStGgiN1bqufjlrx8HZxvdkFh87VM0TItE44AVL-B158WJ4STvi_67pcW4PpL5ZDagRgQQv_b8VhGuySxsovfxEOtxdW2KwTNoQTSBl9GsQB01-ZZ3FYoE8mYexlf7at5o4uEzph9eNcn7M9oZyKOcZuGfhR-9LKQ/w640-h360/B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After the Conquest comes the battle... apparently.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Battle for the Planet of the Apes</i> is exactly what you expect to happen when a movie franchise isn't allowed to come to an end with dignity, grace, and at the right time. The proverbial horse has been flogged, left to rot, picked at by vultures, lost to the sands of time, and now archaeologists have uncovered what's left of its fossilised remains. Not only is it a terrible movie, it's a horrible way for such a ground-breaking franchise to end. Granted there has been a gradual decline since the first movie, but it really feels like we fell off a cliff with this one. Although the opposite has to be said about the make-up effects, which were brilliant to begin with and have only gotten better with each subsequent movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SQbDu7fYkoO30KylqeVhtdTxT0k6a8uXL3ahI2XK0iHG0Nq_-ZCwwnzsQnZgt9HNjX8G2SmpftdX7EFFwJ7Hdp5ehV8e-DGzLQyYl8CyxUVaJVFHFdxabHqco7CmoqO7FLOzbrpfoXA-QIGS3wcg4UeZO2gxCV87o9yjcDd9jG9q5mvIzhsK6tQ2XTSw/s1280/B3.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SQbDu7fYkoO30KylqeVhtdTxT0k6a8uXL3ahI2XK0iHG0Nq_-ZCwwnzsQnZgt9HNjX8G2SmpftdX7EFFwJ7Hdp5ehV8e-DGzLQyYl8CyxUVaJVFHFdxabHqco7CmoqO7FLOzbrpfoXA-QIGS3wcg4UeZO2gxCV87o9yjcDd9jG9q5mvIzhsK6tQ2XTSw/w640-h360/B3.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Unsurprisingly, Roddy McDowall continues to be the shining light of the franchise - more so than ever in this rather sub-par entry. His performance as Caesar is excellent. Seeing the son of Zira and Cornelius struggle to protect his people - from each other as much as anyone else - whilst also fighting for equality between apes and humans is quite admirable. Not to mention relevant. Even today we could learn a thing or two from him. It's just a shame that this struggle within his own camp - which is better explored in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dawn of the Planet of the Apes</i> - is a mere subplot to the inevitable battle between the apes and the humans from the ruined city. Who, I might add, are already starting to dress like the bomb worshipping mutants from <i style="font-weight: bold;">Beneath</i> - well, their hats look similar, anyway. Maybe the high levels of radiation have caused all the hats to degrade in the same way. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKZf6cY24ozaYN_-ddEmP93sUWKwzf4XiJUVEX3a9tWyG2X2-Al4r8y12BrBE51YBjQzoN97zpKQx4R5us9peb76h5QXjKhDxxzgH6hSnKSS3U8B5Y6BSJi5S6t62nx14V_1io2nkzmRO9EoVQd4_RH5XeWhyphenhyphenAcMM47zzyu1Vbmm9_Lst7Lwc0NzL3AVa/s1280/B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKZf6cY24ozaYN_-ddEmP93sUWKwzf4XiJUVEX3a9tWyG2X2-Al4r8y12BrBE51YBjQzoN97zpKQx4R5us9peb76h5QXjKhDxxzgH6hSnKSS3U8B5Y6BSJi5S6t62nx14V_1io2nkzmRO9EoVQd4_RH5XeWhyphenhyphenAcMM47zzyu1Vbmm9_Lst7Lwc0NzL3AVa/w640-h360/B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of tailoring, how is it that after only 20 years the apes are already dressing like their descendants that Taylor encounters thousands of years in the future? Undoubtedly this was a decision based more on budget than anything else. And lets not forget that all of the apes can (inexplicably) now speak fluent English, and have segregated into the societal roles seen in earlier movies. On that note; is it just me, or does someone involved in making this franchise have a problem with gorillas? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA41mRuKijuDT51xosu-x5-V9GDiMumk1YTjH7P_ciOyszPbj8eCWvpW2gHl6df0XOwVQE3qQ2BRcs1uKl9TCF-WWaSn5daflDv5890BOTaMl9xd46MmZZVHHHw4Vg8kZwb3PmFCD7cQtLimEFdj2h_db4J8rLgefWNNhn0Lp9gk0le4sfwsmX122pS1ZF/s947/B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="947" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA41mRuKijuDT51xosu-x5-V9GDiMumk1YTjH7P_ciOyszPbj8eCWvpW2gHl6df0XOwVQE3qQ2BRcs1uKl9TCF-WWaSn5daflDv5890BOTaMl9xd46MmZZVHHHw4Vg8kZwb3PmFCD7cQtLimEFdj2h_db4J8rLgefWNNhn0Lp9gk0le4sfwsmX122pS1ZF/w640-h272/B4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I will say that the look of the city ruins is pretty good, which helps to make Caesar's infiltration of the city quite intriguing. Especially when it comes to the anticipation of what he and his friends might find there. Obviously this is what causes the "Battle", which unfortunately looks rather cheap and ridiculous. Put it this way, I'm not sure how keen I'd be to drive a car - not an armoured military vehicle, a regular car - towards a bunch of people with guns, especially if they're shooting at me. However, I would be more than happy to drive in the opposite direction. There is a little twist that follows the humans' advance on Ape City, but you can see it coming a mile off. I could get past the ridiculousness if it was fun and exciting, but it's actually fairly dull. And all it really does is get in the way of the more interesting story of the in-fighting within Caesar's camp. Definitely not the end I wanted for such an incredible franchise!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKUxZdBS0DF-7FNQ5s1QbnTXcmnBrqLQGuaVL8L6HsQ9YIiY_4IlnksMJya1TSkfxr-Vpuend8uG76RTg07qZmcjULj-B_xyCBJ9pmZ_D8qn6C4C0CW0Ms9zehrdDualxPGs-YpxZ1vG2kBRfvqoMNe2D7BX0NG-jCUpXQu_aOvdy6mcgqbyf2qB_tVvs/s1278/B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1278" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKUxZdBS0DF-7FNQ5s1QbnTXcmnBrqLQGuaVL8L6HsQ9YIiY_4IlnksMJya1TSkfxr-Vpuend8uG76RTg07qZmcjULj-B_xyCBJ9pmZ_D8qn6C4C0CW0Ms9zehrdDualxPGs-YpxZ1vG2kBRfvqoMNe2D7BX0NG-jCUpXQu_aOvdy6mcgqbyf2qB_tVvs/w640-h272/B6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Battle for the Planet of the Apes</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter (X)</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.threads.net/@movie_moustache">Threads</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-38772682368720413012023-09-30T05:40:00.001+01:002023-09-30T13:26:12.714+01:00Dave's DVD Dungeon | Part 3<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rrkYjojwzR_FK9sMeuDbgyCHBA3bhevvDnQnRobAuSkoT-DowehAevBvgai7tvLpOEGZuG3da9uYms5D2p0PbCcSPBlOhk3KkqO4LDHhEr9uFdyci9qeLBwDI4er5iKZOqPTUkwxd9MfEQf9-nS-7Yy3oWIBc_LRp_3r8OxYABkKZCZhSRUt0z0YbED_/s1200/C1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rrkYjojwzR_FK9sMeuDbgyCHBA3bhevvDnQnRobAuSkoT-DowehAevBvgai7tvLpOEGZuG3da9uYms5D2p0PbCcSPBlOhk3KkqO4LDHhEr9uFdyci9qeLBwDI4er5iKZOqPTUkwxd9MfEQf9-nS-7Yy3oWIBc_LRp_3r8OxYABkKZCZhSRUt0z0YbED_/w640-h360/C1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So we escaped from the Planet of the Apes, and now all the dogs and cats are dead.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyone remember that scene in </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Back to the Future Part 2</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> where Doc Brown talks about the timeline skewing into a tangent? Yeah, that sprung to mind a lot while watching </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Conquest of the Planet of the Apes</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. This is definitely the start of an alternate timeline, and the point where the franchise begins to take a swan dive. Believe me, those two things are not mutually exclusive. But 1991 looks very different in this timeline. I mean, some highly evolved chimpanzees show up in a spacecraft NASA launched a while back and all of a sudden you've got "a galaxy far, far away" on Earth. Maybe the dogs and cats have distracted us so much over the centuries they've hindered our advancement. Without them we could enjoy a life that includes energy shield doors, fancy interrogation methods, extreme yet uniformed tailoring, and ape servants. Of course we'd also have to live in a Nazi-like police state, because the extinction of cats and dogs is exactly what the extreme right needs to take power. But just imagine the Death Star-esque control rooms we could have to run it all. Not to mention all the Imperial </span>décor<span style="font-family: inherit;">! Yes, it would appear our four-legged friends have a lot to answer for!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtHuhKgzooexNw_wPKh_FddXEtLlhCpe0-ne4QQUJwHu-cFE7lVrcw4w2iLx3XX4i2I0Msm5K1oi_nUBVIVMGBoggElRVh4ihEJAMTUH_HohHn7SB_GTWPABKZCduWx04rzR6MZXTzWaapbxrMQyvM01jBtHJJPv7p2ObvNAXmVksf8QKuZnTZ1tl-WGs/s3240/C3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="3240" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtHuhKgzooexNw_wPKh_FddXEtLlhCpe0-ne4QQUJwHu-cFE7lVrcw4w2iLx3XX4i2I0Msm5K1oi_nUBVIVMGBoggElRVh4ihEJAMTUH_HohHn7SB_GTWPABKZCduWx04rzR6MZXTzWaapbxrMQyvM01jBtHJJPv7p2ObvNAXmVksf8QKuZnTZ1tl-WGs/w640-h276/C3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, so it's possible </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Conquest</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> is a little on the silly side. Maybe even a lot on the silly side, but it does have its good points. Roddy McDowall for one. This time he's playing the son of his original character, Cornelius. Hidden away with the circus before his parents' untimely demise. Remember that unnerving animatronic chimp at the end of <b><i>Escape</i></b>? Some dramatic advances in the make-up/prosthetics department mean McDowall looks like a totally different ape. He does a great job of differentiating between the two characters, but you can still see traits that Caesar (as he is now known) shares with his parents, such as their intellect and sense of reason. I also enjoyed the relationship Caesar shares with Armando (Ricardo Montalbán). Despite only sharing a few scenes, the two actors work really well together, making the effect Armando has on Caesar's ark all the more genuine. In fact, it's hardly surprising when he goes from a happy, inquisitive, almost care-free chimpanzee to the leader of the ape resistance. And McDowall masterfully turns up the intensity.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeYvLXB14kyDaYBaHSew5paaGNYaFrj_BZCcNIYgjx3R4YMJW_HnpZjFBQ8BWJeQAGwCFc5JDCcdBNzKQXNPcNbnDcPva43oxiJi0BszmSmkgrU_7wTZGAmiA0TqpWE5vf8AhUeLo7c_eW1tldhv9A-ShznlYnFl7mhRwxBaXqVHUjRtaPD9Z8XQdbkIL/s1400/C2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1400" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeYvLXB14kyDaYBaHSew5paaGNYaFrj_BZCcNIYgjx3R4YMJW_HnpZjFBQ8BWJeQAGwCFc5JDCcdBNzKQXNPcNbnDcPva43oxiJi0BszmSmkgrU_7wTZGAmiA0TqpWE5vf8AhUeLo7c_eW1tldhv9A-ShznlYnFl7mhRwxBaXqVHUjRtaPD9Z8XQdbkIL/w640-h378/C2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A running theme with this franchise is the cruelty of man, and <i style="font-weight: bold;">Conquest </i>is no different. It's not exactly a commentary on slavery and the Civil Rights movement, but these are certainly points of reference for the plot. Thanks to some rather over-the-top acting we humans are made to look rather villainous, making the ape uprising not only inevitable, but welcomed. Unfortunately, much like it was for the Death Star, those fancy control rooms and extreme tailoring won't save us. Watching the apes fight for their freedom, you get a a real sense of the chaos that comes from such an event. Director J. Lee Thompson puts you right in the middle of it all, capturing the insanity and terror. There's even a little irony in seeing a Nazi-like state crumble under a blitzkrieg-style attack. Unsurprisingly, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Conquest</i> shares similarities with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rise of the Planet of the Apes</i>, especially in the second half. The violence, the chaos, the dawn of a new era. And while <i style="font-weight: bold;">Conquest</i> did it very well, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rise</i> did it better. It's more grounded, with perspective on both sides - or at least more on the human side - and there's a real sense of tragedy that comes with it.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB2uui1LUwQxP3qzLyI3C6hjOdWam0BgOx2oO1P4GJkNMQ3ZPiR0_Sk5gx11H30GPMSf84XclxEAw6S0ociU4liOZwJqXuyXl2ik9bQtiFCURtcWlHUAUUNpeAoE-IhAcJwIfXSNnCKZnGk4wUNENZM-lrGbQ1povQjFwb5KDpIA8MvoQlocF5TyzBaP7/s1280/C5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1280" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB2uui1LUwQxP3qzLyI3C6hjOdWam0BgOx2oO1P4GJkNMQ3ZPiR0_Sk5gx11H30GPMSf84XclxEAw6S0ociU4liOZwJqXuyXl2ik9bQtiFCURtcWlHUAUUNpeAoE-IhAcJwIfXSNnCKZnGk4wUNENZM-lrGbQ1povQjFwb5KDpIA8MvoQlocF5TyzBaP7/w640-h272/C5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Conquest</i> can be more than a tad silly at times, with its intriguing vision of a 1991 without dogs and cats. But it's worth watching for the relationship between Caesar and Armando, and the ape uprising. However, I'm still not sure how the extinction of our favourite four-legged friends led to the birth of the Galactic Empire in a galaxy not so far, far away.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Conquest of the Planet of the Apes</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-28698982974766289302023-09-27T07:03:00.001+01:002023-09-27T07:10:45.131+01:00Dave's DVD Dungeon | Part 2<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV9JBB2rhG8sNMltLclhufQ4Sj8Mkqgr6qBhcRFws6_0guLRhPsHYQAGTCC_f1rHQjnN7rK4XkJw7dFZEs60IXAt0VVpjPgglgv9kGu7qhilZAwK9sYccC5-TwXsEBbCG2f3djD8Owgo18FcZQAK91bMHSItX3PkNRjGq5TGO9TdSeT1dS8wIIwQzEgCq/s1200/Escape%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV9JBB2rhG8sNMltLclhufQ4Sj8Mkqgr6qBhcRFws6_0guLRhPsHYQAGTCC_f1rHQjnN7rK4XkJw7dFZEs60IXAt0VVpjPgglgv9kGu7qhilZAwK9sYccC5-TwXsEBbCG2f3djD8Owgo18FcZQAK91bMHSItX3PkNRjGq5TGO9TdSeT1dS8wIIwQzEgCq/w640-h360/Escape%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We've returned to the Planet of the Apes, only to escape it.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After the rather disappointing <i style="font-weight: bold;">Beneath the Planet of the Apes</i> things take a considerable step up with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Escape from the Planet of the Apes</i>! Which is odd given that from here on out the franchise takes on a more 'made for TV movie' aesthetic. The fact that by this point the filmmakers were operating on a much lower budget is apparent, and yet, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Escape</i> is the best of the sequels, by far. Not only is it very entertaining, it's also thought-provoking. We are presented with an entirely new scenario. One that allows for a much deeper examination of humanity's flaws, as well as its strengths.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24Q86F4HrCmVimYrLRrGAB9Faoheip1e_31lSbA-oGDWJkqDFZ0Is8dq-CoKGWoCPridqvukuQZ63qwVr19a4TR_6IP8TAKaXDVXYgTd1u5kt6JgTa0lNdIkG0minKRIbahlJXa0YBK8a_rFjFrZVc49naZjlQJaMv3jzOIwKfMKr6iaAuEnBZkxZ61bn/s1428/Escape%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1428" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24Q86F4HrCmVimYrLRrGAB9Faoheip1e_31lSbA-oGDWJkqDFZ0Is8dq-CoKGWoCPridqvukuQZ63qwVr19a4TR_6IP8TAKaXDVXYgTd1u5kt6JgTa0lNdIkG0minKRIbahlJXa0YBK8a_rFjFrZVc49naZjlQJaMv3jzOIwKfMKr6iaAuEnBZkxZ61bn/w640-h360/Escape%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Escape</i> is very much a movie of two halves. After the opening scene the first half can be quite light-hearted. Even silly, at times. Everything from the zoo to the hotel, the shopping trip and the prize fight. Not to mention the Top Secret CIA base that's not disguised in any way and is clearly a government installation. It's also loaded with plot conveniences, like Taylor's spacecraft. How did Doctor Milo (Sal Mineo) manage to find and retrieve it? Let alone study it, fix it and fly it. There wasn't that much time between Taylor's arrival and the detonation of the bomb. And what made him - along with Zira (Kim Hunter) and Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) - flee the planet? They couldn't have known about the nuke, so why not simply leave the ape colony?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3frrFWiKPE5s_aBfIhNErV_dwBw9wZQy5gkckVLP--KN99WAucqCGSjC79peKw0hPHcEckS3w7Y2bEiLjgZWi8mHKCi4OaZ1oHJnD-M00l_pzFGZpNBaQFTwyQU7GdnIU3FKnQ261RussF6404RyDhROIlquuoM3znSR826TShJsBoy-y5JXOpwQoioaF/s1200/Escape%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3frrFWiKPE5s_aBfIhNErV_dwBw9wZQy5gkckVLP--KN99WAucqCGSjC79peKw0hPHcEckS3w7Y2bEiLjgZWi8mHKCi4OaZ1oHJnD-M00l_pzFGZpNBaQFTwyQU7GdnIU3FKnQ261RussF6404RyDhROIlquuoM3znSR826TShJsBoy-y5JXOpwQoioaF/w640-h320/Escape%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The thing is, if you can get past all of these somewhat ridiculous conveniences and laugh at the silliness, there is an incredibly dark and sinister tale that awaits you in the second half. I think <i style="font-weight: bold;">Escape</i> hits very close to the mark as to how we would react if beings from another time/world/dimension showed up. Fear, hatred, even violence. The likelihood is it would be much worse now than back when they made the film. Imagine this scenario in the social media age. Not that we ever needed social media to spread hatred and vitriol, as is evidenced here by Doctor Otto Hasslein (Eric Braeden) and those on the committee. The thing that makes it all the more tragic, however, is the heart-warming relationship between Zira and Cornelius. Hunter and McDowall are magnificent together, which adds a real sense of impending doom as we follow them on their search for some semblance of peace.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P17rcmbcIzkhQyVAfTqGIFqRRPZRZBEk63jQv74yqtqvIJy8eYz76Sr7HttL6PEpGPQg4S6wIeWhxk8ak6-itYSwXFRH3dOn33HyDFs-jwWm4ogDbKneFWbnqpLsKyS1eFav2BHtRVe3Uq-ACdwZlukvWVtAzwm9QUKzbYroV0SIJi-fhE3hft7XUcFg/s1355/Escape%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="1355" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P17rcmbcIzkhQyVAfTqGIFqRRPZRZBEk63jQv74yqtqvIJy8eYz76Sr7HttL6PEpGPQg4S6wIeWhxk8ak6-itYSwXFRH3dOn33HyDFs-jwWm4ogDbKneFWbnqpLsKyS1eFav2BHtRVe3Uq-ACdwZlukvWVtAzwm9QUKzbYroV0SIJi-fhE3hft7XUcFg/w640-h268/Escape%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I remember watching <i style="font-weight: bold;">Escape</i> on afternoon TV when I was a kid. Being almost traumatised by that ending - certain shots have definitely stuck with me over the years. Even now I'm surprised it was shown before the watershed. But it is as brilliant as it is tragic. Not only is it horrifying to watch, it perfectly reflects our worst attributes, and how they can only lead us to tragedy. Interesting message there! Despite all that, there is still one beautiful moment in that ending, as crazy as it sounds. One beautiful and horrifying moment set against that almost traumatising finale. The strange thing is it's not the most horrifying part of the movie. No, that is reserved for the final moments, in which the most unnerving animatronic I have ever seen takes to the screen. Little baby Milo - that's the animatronic, not the character - is the stuff of nightmares!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRzoccDO4PYNTqp6oFkeqng0v0Nj9KU_9lPwMlvkapM0WMvy_39GQHuabm-moQgLGlm1CWWbtI-LAPP1UQFjP5FEcYkDR9GO7se4xOw8kIo9WCIkd9wc65jR3q6sbHKTBjdwf6Jn8LtTzh2nOcUqLw__pyiGQ64Q3MsHekYkir34Jc-p5pwFRYAWuQWxz/s1920/Escape%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1920" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRzoccDO4PYNTqp6oFkeqng0v0Nj9KU_9lPwMlvkapM0WMvy_39GQHuabm-moQgLGlm1CWWbtI-LAPP1UQFjP5FEcYkDR9GO7se4xOw8kIo9WCIkd9wc65jR3q6sbHKTBjdwf6Jn8LtTzh2nOcUqLw__pyiGQ64Q3MsHekYkir34Jc-p5pwFRYAWuQWxz/w640-h270/Escape%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Escape from the Planet of the Apes</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-7228751601480155812023-09-20T20:43:00.001+01:002023-09-20T20:43:58.945+01:00Dave's DVD Dungeon | Part 1<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UqJUCDqykVZqL1-kGO0-pHRyn524c8sq4sqjQknS3uq9C7AomjRBMySrLh30sPfJ5iBGQe7ntBUVRJEiMcObVJJcYfnTLLxYGO6z_wmVbmD6Q8NSRE0GQ5b3uva8_jXytVGBOuSzKicF2lxdSC8Bm7hlTl2Duc5EJmC5fcgUuTRZrniqA7G2rYJSsvM1/s3508/Dave%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UqJUCDqykVZqL1-kGO0-pHRyn524c8sq4sqjQknS3uq9C7AomjRBMySrLh30sPfJ5iBGQe7ntBUVRJEiMcObVJJcYfnTLLxYGO6z_wmVbmD6Q8NSRE0GQ5b3uva8_jXytVGBOuSzKicF2lxdSC8Bm7hlTl2Duc5EJmC5fcgUuTRZrniqA7G2rYJSsvM1/w640-h453/Dave%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Return to the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Planet of the Apes</i>... movies.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Recently a buddy of mine - his name is Dave, which may or may not become apparent - began talking about rewatching the classic <i style="font-weight: bold;">Planet of the Apes</i> movies. Naturally I was interested, not only because I hadn't seen them all, but also because I can't turn down the opportunity for a movie marathon. Quite the revelation (that last one), I know. Anyway, that's how <i style="font-weight: bold;">Dave's DVD Dungeon</i> came to be, and no movie is safe.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Dave and I decided to kick things off with a double feature - not one <i style="font-weight: bold;">Planet of the Apes</i> movie, but two. Two movies from the same place, yet wildly different.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI61a0hAgeG3lVP4VniUtU3u0kTDv-p_RYp10MJD8oEMwrDdbvrhy_dKczmkKi4R6qav5LCe-ixQPX9Qxn2E69dXkkgovpsllYlRPuSh94L_qgj24k671ZPtIg41uXAZWGUVSfQL_unvI6CZpvmmlrJXY4rDB964nBzNQ2_BtoyA2RFUpuXI5ZVl7LBxV_/s1280/P1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI61a0hAgeG3lVP4VniUtU3u0kTDv-p_RYp10MJD8oEMwrDdbvrhy_dKczmkKi4R6qav5LCe-ixQPX9Qxn2E69dXkkgovpsllYlRPuSh94L_qgj24k671ZPtIg41uXAZWGUVSfQL_unvI6CZpvmmlrJXY4rDB964nBzNQ2_BtoyA2RFUpuXI5ZVl7LBxV_/w640-h360/P1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Even by today's standards <i style="font-weight: bold;">Planet of the Apes</i> is groundbreaking - somehow forward thinking and very much of its time, all at once - and like many groundbreaking movies it spawned a litany of sequels. Some better than others. Thankfully however, this doesn't take anything away from the genius of the original.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hilariously it all begins with a decidedly 60's sci-fi/spaceship setting, and Charlton Heston's Taylor doing his take on the 'Captain's Log'. Not only is it a chance for our hero to get all philosophical about space travel and the passage of time, it allows him to update us - in the vaguest of terms - as to what he and his crew are doing in space. And if the idea of being stuck in a small spacecraft with three other people - who you don't necessarily get along with - on a trip so long that even if you make it home, everyone you know and love will be long dead, doesn't sound like a nightmare, crash-landing on a strange planet where humans are unevolved and enslaved just might. All of which does raise some interesting questions, like 'who the hell would volunteer for such a mission?' 'Why would you carry out a mission like this?' Cui bono? These types of questions continue to arise throughout the movie, as Taylor's new existence becomes ever more hellish.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjwKYV33EmCCCit1RYa0LIQtfXxjJg5PR573j0Ujst9IrT8YJVGdfv9lZorqH1VEBDSNw_GTKtY4RBurLzfi92MxJFcACMeHnW_Y_QOsvr4APmUIvnFVOoeUK2yv3VcKCYT0I_oupl-3gSiJx_vGsMeHyr_iMZ9t1FtNlRdkqn51kICRlKZL3sCigr901/s1267/P2.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjwKYV33EmCCCit1RYa0LIQtfXxjJg5PR573j0Ujst9IrT8YJVGdfv9lZorqH1VEBDSNw_GTKtY4RBurLzfi92MxJFcACMeHnW_Y_QOsvr4APmUIvnFVOoeUK2yv3VcKCYT0I_oupl-3gSiJx_vGsMeHyr_iMZ9t1FtNlRdkqn51kICRlKZL3sCigr901/w640-h320/P2.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The whole thing, unsurprisingly, is a bit weird. All of which is emphasised by some very dramatic acting. Although it's the next movie in which things start to get really weird! And the incredibly slow drip-feed of information only adds to the very real sense of disorientation. We're very quickly immersed in this new world, this nightmare. Held in a constant state of suspense, because where this is all going is such a mystery. Even with the title being this big hint as to what's going on, the movie is still able to keep you guessing. All the way from the crew's arrival on the planet, their march through the desert, and Taylor's constant bating of Landon (Robert Gunner) - who said the hero couldn't be a dick? Even those creepy scarecrows are meant to mystify us. And then we run into the human hunt. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_o7iD0GJ6ImyWCVHhXn5joPPA4YV9YpprDo5qBHWtp9mP9GbbpMjWqFVXPf7yAahtOJNJj02PwBxQ4lbM7QicBrrjbOKXAx5rpczRUibDsXcTMGVz31SWkFA5X1-C0rf0gB5GC3-pKDkd8bRo9pj3y1AxQo5HmKeqXjGXMsKKiTuTYLD2RFuOHlNH5E3/s1600/P5.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_o7iD0GJ6ImyWCVHhXn5joPPA4YV9YpprDo5qBHWtp9mP9GbbpMjWqFVXPf7yAahtOJNJj02PwBxQ4lbM7QicBrrjbOKXAx5rpczRUibDsXcTMGVz31SWkFA5X1-C0rf0gB5GC3-pKDkd8bRo9pj3y1AxQo5HmKeqXjGXMsKKiTuTYLD2RFuOHlNH5E3/w640-h466/P5.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This feels like the perfect time to mention John Chambers' incredible make-up effects. Without which <i style="font-weight: bold;">Planet of the Apes</i> wouldn't be the cultural phenomenon it is. Even today the apes look incredibly real! Your brain doesn't seem to register that you're looking at a human made up to look like an ape, you just see a talking Chimpanzee, Orangutan or Gorilla. Despite Chamber's genius, however, I don't envy the actors who had to wear all those prosthetics. I'm sure they were quite jealous of the actors playing humans - none of whom, I'm sure, needed a valium to get into costume. That said, did anyone else notice that Linda Harrison looked considerably less unevolved than her fellow humans? Funny that, huh?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPIJML9obTi3Eb71fEMS1LUeD_hgtWzFNKtYVXjnObECkWoCUu5ylpykRMiWUSWjvHWxKy1z2YVjpEYIfTENlRlcWsvXFojJsU0CeocgGfZ0qcvd-i80rZcRAefMXnqgc_yr1cGHJ0JpyeLtVCja1ONm7XVcdHbqDC9I4pEcJWyxc15Y7VVOzI6FJbIpe/s1200/P4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="1200" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPIJML9obTi3Eb71fEMS1LUeD_hgtWzFNKtYVXjnObECkWoCUu5ylpykRMiWUSWjvHWxKy1z2YVjpEYIfTENlRlcWsvXFojJsU0CeocgGfZ0qcvd-i80rZcRAefMXnqgc_yr1cGHJ0JpyeLtVCja1ONm7XVcdHbqDC9I4pEcJWyxc15Y7VVOzI6FJbIpe/w640-h270/P4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In an interesting - and possibly poetic - role reversal the apes' treatment of humans is not only shocking, it's barbaric. They hunt us, enslave us, experiment on us. But the more you watch, the more you understand their position. Making the movie a clever and challenging look at our own inhumanity. We certainly can't judge them, not from our high and mighty position. That said, for obvious reasons I still see them - in the context of the movie - as the bad guys. But what do you do if you're Taylor? Why go on? What are you fighting for? These are the questions I wish they'd never tried to answer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWggdq0H4ShOBDsObtqUXpBhgiLPxoNClS8ueWGPlGVLa_oD2Fo6S4Es5IGDvPUGyGfq8z9_Ajnnq8Au33zAtxs3DF559wl52CFugMxdHxXIo7-YhGFxnO9l3Vby183Sx5oPA_b69FxaCzAp0sGiL-Y4C-eJEliDyAEvg8ePEI8bN3G0I9jWisxL8Od3p/s1905/P3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1905" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWggdq0H4ShOBDsObtqUXpBhgiLPxoNClS8ueWGPlGVLa_oD2Fo6S4Es5IGDvPUGyGfq8z9_Ajnnq8Au33zAtxs3DF559wl52CFugMxdHxXIo7-YhGFxnO9l3Vby183Sx5oPA_b69FxaCzAp0sGiL-Y4C-eJEliDyAEvg8ePEI8bN3G0I9jWisxL8Od3p/w640-h272/P3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The reason I wish they'd never tried to answer that question is because that twist ending is so perfect. After following Taylor and his gang on their journey across this strange planet we come to Cornelius' dig site. The place where he has tried to investigate the history of humans and apes. Unfortunately it proves to be rather anticlimactic, especially after such a long wait, and a shootout. But as it turns out, the movie is simply setting you up for Taylor's final discovery. Even when you know it's coming, it's a brilliant ending. A perfect cliffhanger - superbly parodied by Mel Brooks in <b><i>Spaceballs</i></b>. Which brings us back to the question of what Taylor does now. Whatever it is, I like that we left him on that beach to figure it out.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5npTlj4q-tF9zrQxYpd7AJgarwpzRkGQruHfXp2AgkcfaHmZZRt5zWoTBN6wo1gatsMl4k74tM2VIh2AcVJ3NZvPl9WCL_SUPQ992ZNj6l18XCb1Icb8VmTR40UmhxcyM4Vy-eo3pKsLphvUEsxN5TcWdt6sloA6bBCLXWn3KQ2ResLXZ-P7ZB0uC3AJ/s1600/P6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5npTlj4q-tF9zrQxYpd7AJgarwpzRkGQruHfXp2AgkcfaHmZZRt5zWoTBN6wo1gatsMl4k74tM2VIh2AcVJ3NZvPl9WCL_SUPQ992ZNj6l18XCb1Icb8VmTR40UmhxcyM4Vy-eo3pKsLphvUEsxN5TcWdt6sloA6bBCLXWn3KQ2ResLXZ-P7ZB0uC3AJ/w640-h360/P6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately however, they did try to answer that question. And given that we're into our second movie about talking apes, it's rather strange to think that only now are things starting to get really weird. Oddly enough, however... it's not the talking apes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The first half of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Beneath the Planet of the Apes</i> is pretty much the same as the first movie, only it brings nothing new. It's essentially the same story. After Taylor disappears in rather odd circumstances, Nova (Linda Harrison) begins searching only to discover another crashed spacecraft and its sole surviving astronaut, Brent (James Franciscus). Turns out he's part of a rescue mission, sent to search for Taylor and his crew. But given Taylor's description of his mission at the beginning of the first movie, it seems strange that a rescue mission would even be considered. Anyway, we then see Brent have a similar but much shorter exposure to this new world order, in which apes are now the dominant species, including a visit to the home of Zira and Cornelius. Impressively, the make-up effects have greatly improved since the first movie, if only for the key players.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iKn7W5_moXRgAxujwbznMdTSTjZPmNAp3G0cIRqONbg1y1WSMQTYOcRW2gvfRefIICzUEMukaalfYrplP8ifllLDvDLvPeKmlu0NF9LjoSRz-FU5alJkyj2kNseiGmbO1vLzHiPTBla4Dy2i61u8GM9U9W5iG6xDEGauRnBtkpwFE2zmg-O0ytqudPPo/s1920/P10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iKn7W5_moXRgAxujwbznMdTSTjZPmNAp3G0cIRqONbg1y1WSMQTYOcRW2gvfRefIICzUEMukaalfYrplP8ifllLDvDLvPeKmlu0NF9LjoSRz-FU5alJkyj2kNseiGmbO1vLzHiPTBla4Dy2i61u8GM9U9W5iG6xDEGauRnBtkpwFE2zmg-O0ytqudPPo/w640-h360/P10.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Needless to say, things don't really get interesting until the second half. Which also happens to be the point at which the whole thing starts to come off the rails. Although once you start watching this crazy trip, it's kind of hard to stop. But rather than being compelling in any way, it's merely a case of mild curiosity regarding where this is all going that keeps you watching. </span>Taylor's disappearance is a little intriguing, even if it suggests that Charlton Heston had little interest in returning. Then there's the sets depicting the ruins of New York, which are quite impressive. It's just too bad we have to meet the ruined city's mutant inhabitants, who thanks to fallout have incredible powers and masks that would make the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible </i><span>crew a </span><span>tad jealous</span>. Like I said before... this is the movie in which things get very weird.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1DBH1LpDaPCp2W3vsEhA3vSHZ6QIQ1o7LeQHcLFDIFY12SsJk8YGmKeJHjtZ67hX_38e7zlABJp082s1NRfwCHf7RFPObsDQuYNKRVj7_8cg7acgMFDwKcXkZwElE9lhZlVvl-PkcYdwecpxkaAhIVAmc1-2W3KJn-KBiyhbOU9Lgbse_F43zF-9o50T/s1024/P7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1DBH1LpDaPCp2W3vsEhA3vSHZ6QIQ1o7LeQHcLFDIFY12SsJk8YGmKeJHjtZ67hX_38e7zlABJp082s1NRfwCHf7RFPObsDQuYNKRVj7_8cg7acgMFDwKcXkZwElE9lhZlVvl-PkcYdwecpxkaAhIVAmc1-2W3KJn-KBiyhbOU9Lgbse_F43zF-9o50T/w640-h266/P7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">All of which makes the ending a blessing. It's satisfying, but not in the way it should be. This is not what I had in mind for Taylor, after seeing him on that beach, struggling with the realisation that he is stranded on a future Earth. No, the blessing is simply seeing the movie come to an end, and the satisfaction comes from knowing that there is no coming back from this. It is over. Done. Finito. At least for this storyline, anyway. Obviously there is more to come, but after this things head off in a very different direction.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Scso4p7BwRjpZGd23XtNvVAJfdYyutl3JwBBxd_xQ3qQsnUNk2FHC7Z98Mqq3y5n0tKm-xg0V_-w759Z-VfRmq8u61RizFOdOSfY5MO012paXZz7ATHSAa6KXRzqnHdZb7kTW1Q5VBOMU0zt6YbKxQWCWxNQyB7pOii2SQLmOrJU_8OjANtCcWtqQgjL/s1200/P12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Scso4p7BwRjpZGd23XtNvVAJfdYyutl3JwBBxd_xQ3qQsnUNk2FHC7Z98Mqq3y5n0tKm-xg0V_-w759Z-VfRmq8u61RizFOdOSfY5MO012paXZz7ATHSAa6KXRzqnHdZb7kTW1Q5VBOMU0zt6YbKxQWCWxNQyB7pOii2SQLmOrJU_8OjANtCcWtqQgjL/w640-h360/P12.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What are your thoughts on <i style="font-weight: bold;">Planet of the Apes </i>and<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Beneath the Planet of the Apes</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter (X)</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at movie <a href="mailto:moustache@gmail.com">moustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-25269435986578248202023-09-06T05:04:00.004+01:002023-09-07T02:06:41.512+01:00Look Into The Fire | Average Guy Movie Review<div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5XD_sT-7C5OHRbawZOhLcll3LnH-N11bvY5AhUa-89GZhl1c_DwaQugtXAiM3TTMrtdBXJ4JTmuhTRt1cSfgiPV6wzpF7j3bHbC-iY5nVMKYnq-I7Fjczweo6HQ0g8D6EPvO4pfL7ic301vt6LEA87IBYpgXn91_f3hw7v847Or6RzcKhxmsLguyVJMg/s1920/Fire%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5XD_sT-7C5OHRbawZOhLcll3LnH-N11bvY5AhUa-89GZhl1c_DwaQugtXAiM3TTMrtdBXJ4JTmuhTRt1cSfgiPV6wzpF7j3bHbC-iY5nVMKYnq-I7Fjczweo6HQ0g8D6EPvO4pfL7ic301vt6LEA87IBYpgXn91_f3hw7v847Or6RzcKhxmsLguyVJMg/w640-h480/Fire%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What begins as an experiment involving induced memory quickly turns into a nightmare when the grad students responsible </span>inadvertently<span style="font-family: inherit;"> unlock repressed memories for their test subject. After undergoing the procedure, Adam (Artie Shase) - who also happens to be one of the grad students running this study - begins having flashes of a gruesome event. Raising questions to which some would prefer he didn't find the answers.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_H_fibIG4ODYZDh1Qjdb7hDJRFiBR6rQv0_p9ok4clnSkzNru44nN-QJcldW42KI-Va1_EPl0wanuMzTPw8wyvqNA2sV_lM4YuxfALtx-3n_b6pUMPdbINfedA4POowFyAiuo_nBVh5BDzv6zQto5zxcdS5R9bPjEOfLFTTBtXwBaOuLnvjJy6Yqa-iE/s1024/Fire%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_H_fibIG4ODYZDh1Qjdb7hDJRFiBR6rQv0_p9ok4clnSkzNru44nN-QJcldW42KI-Va1_EPl0wanuMzTPw8wyvqNA2sV_lM4YuxfALtx-3n_b6pUMPdbINfedA4POowFyAiuo_nBVh5BDzv6zQto5zxcdS5R9bPjEOfLFTTBtXwBaOuLnvjJy6Yqa-iE/w640-h266/Fire%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To say that </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Look Into The Fire</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> is a psychological/sci-fi/horror wouldn't exactly be accurate. What it does do is drift/jump between each of these genres in the telling of this increasingly </span>bizarre<span style="font-family: inherit;"> tale. At first it feels like this movie wants to be <i style="font-weight: bold;">Flatliners</i> - a bunch of grad students messing with a rather dangerous but ambiguous experimental procedure - but then everything shifts and it begins to resemble something else entirely. This continues to happen throughout the movie, making the whole thing feel like a mish-mash of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Flatliners</i>, <b><i>Inception</i></b>, <b><i>Misery</i></b>, <b><i>Shutter Island</i></b>, and maybe even a little <b><i>Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind</i></b>. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCJxXNS2e3ipDbcDm4E7MXEkGkgLX7tb9Hyow8o1zHfDjm46Q3SiM20bwN1EFfw40OI9fO5PIbq1hX30MmRCwKONIXYcJs4tcyLoL3qzpjX6vZGSe-KTn1KG0thfW4vp04ubDdUXNrMDRgspByQAPvr4ARou5_mO8f06Soz1Lf4A7vJ9iNe6SqfGaPa07/s840/Fire%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="840" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCJxXNS2e3ipDbcDm4E7MXEkGkgLX7tb9Hyow8o1zHfDjm46Q3SiM20bwN1EFfw40OI9fO5PIbq1hX30MmRCwKONIXYcJs4tcyLoL3qzpjX6vZGSe-KTn1KG0thfW4vp04ubDdUXNrMDRgspByQAPvr4ARou5_mO8f06Soz1Lf4A7vJ9iNe6SqfGaPa07/w640-h286/Fire%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know at this point you're probably thinking that it all sounds a little confused, and you'd be right. There are times when <i style="font-weight: bold;">Look Into The Fire</i> doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But it turns out that this really is one of the movie's greatest assets, because even though it takes a while to really get interesting, the fact that you never really know what is going on - and I mean right up to the very end - does draw you in. You are almost compelled to dig deeper, or at least watch Adam and his friends do it. And it certainly helps that you really can't trust anything you see or hear.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn2y07xs_rSv516dx0ha2e7mfACBqfEv_iX09OW8aGJ7mOQg1zZYolxtD_seO0muJpJHwLqxc0QEZItHTq7ehEFc1uqyhMP6-kiQJu5XE4EXk-pxFejbyrpNO8UBpz8VVPdLPq_ldBdbcn9RLqunVJ23tMvG48UkvAJ2J5f-NJc6JN4pOeosdB6zAV0fQ/s1600/Fire%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn2y07xs_rSv516dx0ha2e7mfACBqfEv_iX09OW8aGJ7mOQg1zZYolxtD_seO0muJpJHwLqxc0QEZItHTq7ehEFc1uqyhMP6-kiQJu5XE4EXk-pxFejbyrpNO8UBpz8VVPdLPq_ldBdbcn9RLqunVJ23tMvG48UkvAJ2J5f-NJc6JN4pOeosdB6zAV0fQ/w640-h318/Fire%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Along with all the genre-hopping, writer/director Tim Morrell's feature debut does include many of the </span>clichés<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of both a thriller and a horror. For instance, there are more than a few unlikeable characters - pretty much all of them, in fact, at one point or another. All of whom make some really dumb decisions - like how to deal with someone who has suffered a head injury without phoning for an ambulance, or what to do when asked to deal with someone who has suffered a head injury, without phoning for an ambulance. But there are also times when <i style="font-weight: bold;">Look Into The Fire</i> is able to surprise you with what it doesn't do, as much as what it does. Things you expect to happen, never do.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G0stTN1FvJMukxnzxKnNA30gJduYO7Vsi8klBqtqYWan9yQHyKZa47b9vZQDzVNtYvsrNtF6MXwXgBGO-N72LG14GrcC0yK_S-CojvjzXAoSxQ679BZe3caqdRimFzJ7m0txgnIAs1-a0BJk4C01omODkxLELeZY9N9ct2iuDDcY2mZOoY6v_2quQCpE/s1024/Fire%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G0stTN1FvJMukxnzxKnNA30gJduYO7Vsi8klBqtqYWan9yQHyKZa47b9vZQDzVNtYvsrNtF6MXwXgBGO-N72LG14GrcC0yK_S-CojvjzXAoSxQ679BZe3caqdRimFzJ7m0txgnIAs1-a0BJk4C01omODkxLELeZY9N9ct2iuDDcY2mZOoY6v_2quQCpE/w640-h266/Fire%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not that any of this prevents the movie from being infuriating. In fact, where would a movie such as this be without that most sacred of horror tropes? </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It helps that the performances are pretty good, albeit a little robotic at times, but they do capture the general lack of common sense we humans are increasingly known for. If there is a particular standout, it's Nina E. Jordan as Adam's possessive stepsister, Janet. Her arrival marks a major shift for the movie, and Jordan's decidedly creepy performance not only reflects that, it brings an unpredictability to both the character and the movie. All of which does make for a surprisingly compelling mystery. Morrill is able to draw you deeper and deeper into this rather odd world, even if he does try to go a step too far with one final surprise leap... I mean, twist.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdssRP9sl_N52U0V7zrjlihCcA1KOCWhKxyQp1hbRnnyfNgd7QRDIVQYDYVFl9Bio_7sOW4X6t--5hqySqk9YK3wmc2nRfs_vPCELT7zaHgxz1bNCZENargUIVAHipbxuGhTLeYmpXozNFZal6U7l7VyUeax_A8VVuaWYiKPZpM4SvOFnrqZgY-n-EC0a/s700/Fire%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="700" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdssRP9sl_N52U0V7zrjlihCcA1KOCWhKxyQp1hbRnnyfNgd7QRDIVQYDYVFl9Bio_7sOW4X6t--5hqySqk9YK3wmc2nRfs_vPCELT7zaHgxz1bNCZENargUIVAHipbxuGhTLeYmpXozNFZal6U7l7VyUeax_A8VVuaWYiKPZpM4SvOFnrqZgY-n-EC0a/w640-h360/Fire%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not all wood burns and not all movies necessarily make a whole lot of sense. But apparently they're not always meant to. That is certainly the case here! <i style="font-weight: bold;">Look Into The Fire</i> may jump between genres quite a bit, but its ability to draw you in by being completely untrustworthy and never telegraphing where it's headed, is impressive, even if it does try to go a twist too far.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.5/10</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuH21nSN-2nRZdDkIu1whU8hEqOVrQEuzeDO65K7RH4jQEwLCGaWtmTU_WR3eMOvzSutntImtm9WBNv_fvNRnlbu7TmkSSEuOWDBlLyaqLI9EWiwH1avgX7pzMA4aSn6ENj2-f3zGz520rsYPPSCZK7eTrj8NMUpsu4dpu9cEgVjy3LdAdgZadwv3_Aev/s1024/Fire%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuH21nSN-2nRZdDkIu1whU8hEqOVrQEuzeDO65K7RH4jQEwLCGaWtmTU_WR3eMOvzSutntImtm9WBNv_fvNRnlbu7TmkSSEuOWDBlLyaqLI9EWiwH1avgX7pzMA4aSn6ENj2-f3zGz520rsYPPSCZK7eTrj8NMUpsu4dpu9cEgVjy3LdAdgZadwv3_Aev/w640-h266/Fire%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Look Into The Fire</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-13271984634328221602023-08-31T21:49:00.000+01:002023-08-31T21:49:26.665+01:00Rewriting Mallory | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa8JEuO9nG-esasEI9JZGI6OQtCPMj0VvfFLHP7_Gr83aUdVCNfY0_HLosBrCXWdcVHzC3WjPevbERXFzgKzer1uT0xT3wOsOaFATbGrIqw2eo6UbDxT_cp8HdhxEM2ZzP5_n2tNRQifO6u4YeRwyygJPvN1cf0Hktvp7lkbuAr3UEKT5PN49aHm2qusX/s1167/RM5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1167" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa8JEuO9nG-esasEI9JZGI6OQtCPMj0VvfFLHP7_Gr83aUdVCNfY0_HLosBrCXWdcVHzC3WjPevbERXFzgKzer1uT0xT3wOsOaFATbGrIqw2eo6UbDxT_cp8HdhxEM2ZzP5_n2tNRQifO6u4YeRwyygJPvN1cf0Hktvp7lkbuAr3UEKT5PN49aHm2qusX/w400-h299/RM5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Have you ever wondered how much control we have over our own lives? That question is the central theme of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rewriting Mallory</i>, as we follow two people struggling to deal with lives marred by tragedy.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdsVJT9GYJ1JC171aI6LSwG9QAO5ZZqr_N6xgJzrSLZylTHWVTmp_mR6VaokIXefbyfAxMLxfggywQv-pcRYHj9npBmomloccwtSBrEAXoR--nQz96sIAc9gS4ZO1wqfl01Tu-RB8RJVBx3YU0fpJi_oAGuiIGCMzhvr61Yp2LxmVDgxpf98Nq1sEraH4/s1170/RM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="1170" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdsVJT9GYJ1JC171aI6LSwG9QAO5ZZqr_N6xgJzrSLZylTHWVTmp_mR6VaokIXefbyfAxMLxfggywQv-pcRYHj9npBmomloccwtSBrEAXoR--nQz96sIAc9gS4ZO1wqfl01Tu-RB8RJVBx3YU0fpJi_oAGuiIGCMzhvr61Yp2LxmVDgxpf98Nq1sEraH4/w640-h272/RM2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drifting between Joshua's attempts to deal with the loss of his sister through writing and Mallory having what could be the worst day of her life, this curious short film offers an interesting perspective on their two lives. One reminiscent of Morpheus' words to Neo in </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">The Matrix</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> about Dorothy; "tumbling down the rabbit hole". Yes, Director Emerson Adams certainly conjures some colourful imagery with this one! Strangely, for a film that handles themes such as grief and trauma in such a grounded and sensitive way, it also pulls off one hell of a magic trick. </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Rewriting Mallory</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> starts off as one thing, essentially lulling you into a false sense of security, before </span>jack-knifing your entire <span style="font-family: inherit;">understanding of what's going on. A move that somehow adds to the intrigue without compromising the sensitivity of the piece.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BFSGxrwQKnLQ_h1JZxWVlim4YyCDIe8-ITfTYaP13DzOjbPNkFKySTtS4LJ-G1pFBzSDkMws9lbdlb7ETLQ8wnwztR5xgsBZCYiWnohdU1XTROMWHAQYPKs74wviTQsKSaKfl5eAibzPtPO-dmdLZaXFnsdc7Kx72-FCgZe9ZP0o3qHOxVmZPTClSoA2/s1170/RM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="1170" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BFSGxrwQKnLQ_h1JZxWVlim4YyCDIe8-ITfTYaP13DzOjbPNkFKySTtS4LJ-G1pFBzSDkMws9lbdlb7ETLQ8wnwztR5xgsBZCYiWnohdU1XTROMWHAQYPKs74wviTQsKSaKfl5eAibzPtPO-dmdLZaXFnsdc7Kx72-FCgZe9ZP0o3qHOxVmZPTClSoA2/w640-h272/RM3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jonathan Erwin and Tammy Sanow are very engaging in the lead roles. Another stand-out is Timothy J. Cox as Mallory's boss, even if he isn't doing anything for the prestigiousness of the moustache. Remember Tim; "with great moustache, comes great responsibility"! Anyway, through very genuine performances the two leads draw you into their individual nightmares - both of which (for the most part) fall scarily within the realms of possibility. It's these performances that set you up so perfectly for the aforementioned jack-knife, when the movie lifts the curtain to reveal a whole new kind of nightmare. At which point <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rewriting Mallory</i> takes that question of control over our own lives to a whole new level. Imagine <b style="font-style: italic;">Stranger than Fiction</b><i> meets </i><b style="font-style: italic;">The Matrix</b>. Only it's some version of The Matrix (the actual construct the human race is plugged into, not the movie) we haven't seen before - one where the machines aren't in control. This, of course, raises more questions, which the movie rather sensibly avoids answering, leaving the viewer to decide what the hell is going on.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu79boriIFQLLYuEleLhiILSHLtcirkuviVeLYuQFdMERCoYyCqGKjpxEfGfw2_qxk7uhw37xNcK8DU9IGdxm6tH3hn3-m4IYuMbGRTNN6y9I4prYOf3dObzs4vv2IHpWavSmBcw3d81SwEnn39nHztPqKP8Dpl8pfPyB6v_eHJhRM3maASCCbdcetiyA/s1170/RM4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="1170" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu79boriIFQLLYuEleLhiILSHLtcirkuviVeLYuQFdMERCoYyCqGKjpxEfGfw2_qxk7uhw37xNcK8DU9IGdxm6tH3hn3-m4IYuMbGRTNN6y9I4prYOf3dObzs4vv2IHpWavSmBcw3d81SwEnn39nHztPqKP8Dpl8pfPyB6v_eHJhRM3maASCCbdcetiyA/w640-h272/RM4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is it a dream? Is it a nightmare? Or, to quote the late, great comedian and amateur philosopher Bill Hicks; is it the realisation "that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively"? Told you this one conjures some colourful imagery! Either way, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rewriting Mallory</i> manages to be both oddly soothing and rather disconcerting, whilst presenting the viewer with one hell of a mystery to puzzle over.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8/10</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rewriting Mallory</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-16081350234440144042023-08-28T08:37:00.000+01:002023-08-28T08:37:14.223+01:00Live Health | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY-KqiAmqba-ffvHTZ1PHnF2RQhTDWBt8KzcZU3UvrQe9e8IUTcCAcUDe-ZQKsj_3vzEtSEITfyHQUQ1lnhf0p8GyWcmdgOFUroSR5K61dIXfyaeYEpZKk18-ml76XwwTknxTpXFRbEAhE9-z-ixK9SgL-0s4P_Aftl3GuN5QI-o-dGocqrEI0M4Wn1bM/s1166/LH8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1166" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY-KqiAmqba-ffvHTZ1PHnF2RQhTDWBt8KzcZU3UvrQe9e8IUTcCAcUDe-ZQKsj_3vzEtSEITfyHQUQ1lnhf0p8GyWcmdgOFUroSR5K61dIXfyaeYEpZKk18-ml76XwwTknxTpXFRbEAhE9-z-ixK9SgL-0s4P_Aftl3GuN5QI-o-dGocqrEI0M4Wn1bM/w640-h496/LH8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">During the pandemic therapist Doctor Peter Marcus (Timothy J. Cox) continues to treat his patients through video calls. But in a world in which many are struggling, who helps the helper?</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC13EGrdTjsk0YMSBEBxhXvQ0lHqS6uh1Dvc2Hlkq5Uq1bEBT96qDL8yYYBpV_svDZHlKdEix8YbpubCZ_OSa88AR2GOrDPF7v9mVIzR344vR8NYhK_lbs-EdMFN7KXK-PhTuDL6QaCN1_q5UhQBmvFs-OBiSDauVoH8Jj0BdvmPliMG5vk_LSQfYPanhT/s1000/LH4.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1000" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC13EGrdTjsk0YMSBEBxhXvQ0lHqS6uh1Dvc2Hlkq5Uq1bEBT96qDL8yYYBpV_svDZHlKdEix8YbpubCZ_OSa88AR2GOrDPF7v9mVIzR344vR8NYhK_lbs-EdMFN7KXK-PhTuDL6QaCN1_q5UhQBmvFs-OBiSDauVoH8Jj0BdvmPliMG5vk_LSQfYPanhT/w640-h436/LH4.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The first thing that strikes you when watching <i style="font-weight: bold;">Live Health</i> is a sense of familiarity. We all lived with lockdown for two years, on and off. And there were times when it felt like it may never end. This sense of confinement and uncertainty is captured perfectly by the directing team of star Timothy J. Cox and his wife Jamie. Then there's the loneliness. The good doctor may be meeting with several patients through the course of his day, but seeing it all happen through a series of video calls - and all from the doc's perspective - really rams home the fact that talking to someone through a screen is no substitute for real human interaction.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl01j4hLbk133Be-mhoT7a480KDrSUw0Kkq8yc2kY9Z8kNjcD5EIUx41clVAsw-bwA_z58plzuBu0YwdLgAB3J5-RH5GY-2VyTw2rhLs8OyaQh90OjdJ7FsDhGSdp6qYxxNlcr35SqfLOMjOEK6EashaXldvKzIeBlM6HIlqSM43H7u5d8u09WeMWK756/s1170/LH3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl01j4hLbk133Be-mhoT7a480KDrSUw0Kkq8yc2kY9Z8kNjcD5EIUx41clVAsw-bwA_z58plzuBu0YwdLgAB3J5-RH5GY-2VyTw2rhLs8OyaQh90OjdJ7FsDhGSdp6qYxxNlcr35SqfLOMjOEK6EashaXldvKzIeBlM6HIlqSM43H7u5d8u09WeMWK756/w640-h640/LH3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The second thing that strikes you is how difficult it must be, helping people with their issues when you're struggling with your own. Now you could argue that that's the nature of the business, but at the end of the day, we are all human. In that light, Cox delivers a brilliantly emotive performance as the troubled doctor - complimented by a very good supporting cast. It's a role with very little dialogue (he could give Keanu Reeves and his <i style="font-weight: bold;">JW4</i> record a run for their money), and yet Cox is able to convey just how troubled Dr Marcus really is. Not to mention his isolated existence and the 'grin and bear it' way he tries to at least hide what he's going through. All of which proves to be, unsurprisingly, rather relatable.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPxHJPghpFk83oFss1bCJc7fU-hKyQ41ybYJjMeg6-xna906oy_w5GVcwaLKkfgWqvnA6n7fGe5gB4nCg7_WimEFcJCBwrNwoeDgSb6rvFNZBIe-ZPOzmmF_16c9mGo5sRAQVkrevWJwZznyhHvF-kzuSMoO7vxiM2hRLF8bNRHu1w8hwBUGSWNFbZG74/s3520/LH5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPxHJPghpFk83oFss1bCJc7fU-hKyQ41ybYJjMeg6-xna906oy_w5GVcwaLKkfgWqvnA6n7fGe5gB4nCg7_WimEFcJCBwrNwoeDgSb6rvFNZBIe-ZPOzmmF_16c9mGo5sRAQVkrevWJwZznyhHvF-kzuSMoO7vxiM2hRLF8bNRHu1w8hwBUGSWNFbZG74/w640-h360/LH5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With <i style="font-weight: bold;">Live Health</i> Timothy J. Cox and Jamie Cox capture an all too real look at the loneliness and isolation of life during the pandemic. One spearheaded by a brilliantly emotive performance.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8/10</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Live Health</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-50632186937093499112023-08-22T00:01:00.000+01:002023-08-22T00:01:32.678+01:00After | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbWCBTzg3rQNNy_2rJ2bEExWmQLtt8qBsvUN9Px1lzoeVveM1zlbGys82drxn7gPxOjJwRw_Hz7ENN-n44PFpLrGyQlW4T0UOxFiZMhpp6nqhkny4BMELfwelBBiqqd6LpCCZCD6zcmaQb1PIPVyjyRXdMoMw93DJR-mt6uwqrtN4S8w0wo0TrW8A1lpp/s1586/A6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1586" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbWCBTzg3rQNNy_2rJ2bEExWmQLtt8qBsvUN9Px1lzoeVveM1zlbGys82drxn7gPxOjJwRw_Hz7ENN-n44PFpLrGyQlW4T0UOxFiZMhpp6nqhkny4BMELfwelBBiqqd6LpCCZCD6zcmaQb1PIPVyjyRXdMoMw93DJR-mt6uwqrtN4S8w0wo0TrW8A1lpp/w640-h522/A6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After his son is killed in the line of duty, a veteran police detective struggles with thoughts of vengeance. Does he trust the system and his fellow colleagues to bring the killer to justice? Or should he take the law into his own hands?</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9madSf5ohhP88O-7qmIbu9xrRTIe3np7rUtMMiv_0dqsJwi-EjPY4MSfGF4Pri4CayN_eeMtvXKxHJcuY2zzZqbmNkMD85mEtFaNRrn6FSdX8k_oTGgmaLr7NsFiMMS29wPgs6D8zzsDOrqIWWYjX0lMV6CvLXv01sJLPc0Ec0nyXgpczOyKz_nOjzC_7/s1163/A2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1163" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9madSf5ohhP88O-7qmIbu9xrRTIe3np7rUtMMiv_0dqsJwi-EjPY4MSfGF4Pri4CayN_eeMtvXKxHJcuY2zzZqbmNkMD85mEtFaNRrn6FSdX8k_oTGgmaLr7NsFiMMS29wPgs6D8zzsDOrqIWWYjX0lMV6CvLXv01sJLPc0Ec0nyXgpczOyKz_nOjzC_7/w640-h374/A2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Rather than being any kind of police drama, <i style="font-weight: bold;">After</i> is a gripping exploration of grief, and the toxic effect it can have on us. Told through a conversation between father and daughter, there is an expanse forming between them, caused by their individual feelings of loss. A void that - thanks to two magnificent performances, and a subtle shooting style - is right there on the screen for us to see. Their pain, almost palpable.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfwMy4QGjPcgrJOrmWVghoX33CbnpxT1EQ-U-o8-fkyBVotNbYdtBUST6SpAi5KXGe0cEv6ZO6UcdoTYKJd0hOA6Q9JnX0M-XMWLLKYgLo11G9xFUegoayGY_WGUf3Bvp3DMDlXdDmZQsww9mp9lCEl0yc4f7o6A_VrcqQ66luxfB8FxNEabKksioiW-f/s1471/A3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1471" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfwMy4QGjPcgrJOrmWVghoX33CbnpxT1EQ-U-o8-fkyBVotNbYdtBUST6SpAi5KXGe0cEv6ZO6UcdoTYKJd0hOA6Q9JnX0M-XMWLLKYgLo11G9xFUegoayGY_WGUf3Bvp3DMDlXdDmZQsww9mp9lCEl0yc4f7o6A_VrcqQ66luxfB8FxNEabKksioiW-f/w640-h360/A3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This isn't your typical angry Hollywood cop either. Burned by grief and out for revenge. No, this is about a father contemplating the unthinkable, and the daughter trying to pull him back from the brink. Beth Metcalf and Timothy J. Cox have a very genuine bond on screen. Together they bring Annie and Michael Darcy to life in quite a striking way. Seeing them talking to each other, it's like their doing it through glass. And even though we don't know them, it can be painful to watch, because you can see their bond straining under the weight of their pain and a need for justice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSKPNAdy5a1prwe-gejLLbvIG-sQBjd6u3J84Q1drZnIdzkRjs3G42-uyTOMuB_aB7sIw8rkRPC3EEJIZ2K_ivbZsxLB_1JP6J8r9-tIaw2zpG-J_kVQT1Fhatzlgo9lLh0XLk5CdIHkdkAguGxXVPmp7XnUo3bMcV721pq6oMfhOO9HebDp6DRGUHECk/s742/A5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="714" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSKPNAdy5a1prwe-gejLLbvIG-sQBjd6u3J84Q1drZnIdzkRjs3G42-uyTOMuB_aB7sIw8rkRPC3EEJIZ2K_ivbZsxLB_1JP6J8r9-tIaw2zpG-J_kVQT1Fhatzlgo9lLh0XLk5CdIHkdkAguGxXVPmp7XnUo3bMcV721pq6oMfhOO9HebDp6DRGUHECk/w385-h400/A5.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The whole thing leaves you with a sense of what it must be like to console someone who has suffered a loss. How useless it can make you feel. Because watching this short film, as in reality, we are powerless to help Annie and Michael. All we can do is watch them try to process their grief... and hope that Michael doesn't do something stupid.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQi7ksTvEvMQain-5mWq7wCG_GL2iZ2vX5TA-_aMmMsk2Cx-pe8XJynC-3HiStVe-OOMCqiQ4bC1Dsz32b3n8uKlBKaZyUxqmSxJqfus9l879NChYzT3yx2fdTaXsExFAuV7DCNCOSdqhdZcG11G6DW7Wa1dPtXIx0ufNMUGn4wGXE5TYZEJw4lvfvDPm/s1058/A4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1058" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQi7ksTvEvMQain-5mWq7wCG_GL2iZ2vX5TA-_aMmMsk2Cx-pe8XJynC-3HiStVe-OOMCqiQ4bC1Dsz32b3n8uKlBKaZyUxqmSxJqfus9l879NChYzT3yx2fdTaXsExFAuV7DCNCOSdqhdZcG11G6DW7Wa1dPtXIx0ufNMUGn4wGXE5TYZEJw4lvfvDPm/w640-h501/A4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A powerful exploration of grief built around two magnificent performances. While it begs questions about what you would do if you found yourself standing in Annie and Michael's shoes, it also conveys a sense of hopelessness that comes with the pain of loss.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">9/10</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">After</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-36992498344830088762023-08-20T01:38:00.000+01:002023-08-20T01:38:23.374+01:00The Beech Boys Season 3 | Average Guy TV Review<div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkPjAGNVEeQ0dsptDqQ2ENrNH68EWywD4s3poODUW2x-mEqaWhTpGlCmskEE1kqBq98cDDp8yLn_I_9lUFCXBbffJn5g7-PzqvoJl9wH8sFjmt77-9DOR9UhSnXIM4e4uHKFoT2RIHW8hcyCRj9ku7H7dFFBdpYWa09kjAdkr5LFDjQRCS0Nrnd9hR8kX/s1467/B14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1411" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkPjAGNVEeQ0dsptDqQ2ENrNH68EWywD4s3poODUW2x-mEqaWhTpGlCmskEE1kqBq98cDDp8yLn_I_9lUFCXBbffJn5g7-PzqvoJl9wH8sFjmt77-9DOR9UhSnXIM4e4uHKFoT2RIHW8hcyCRj9ku7H7dFFBdpYWa09kjAdkr5LFDjQRCS0Nrnd9hR8kX/w385-h400/B14.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Beechwood Estates are in chaos! Dottie (Becky Brown) is dead, Cedric (Matt Tory) is on the run, and the HOA </span>election<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is still up for grabs, meaning Trey (J.J. Carroll) and Ethan (Zach Castle)'s jobs as the neighbourhood pool cleaners are still in jeopardy. That's right, it's time for one last ride along with <b><i>The Beech Boys</i></b>, and with the FBI circling, it's about way more than just pool cleaning!</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1aP_Rrms1M6iZoJtI7_NApV0Xzz1FkphRRMvHdqJuId9KV-HTSx0TCCFud132ih7oJLQ8Cx2MfOK3QHPUyW_aar7XyU1WJCDwq_5s32WnLYMiKnAHpkRsjveS9CvOuiK6r_463RU0dfz_T1DtXst2-BPk0c4lgocYaYgFdL8No6lfznq8E9da-dgwVsl/s1829/B6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1829" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1aP_Rrms1M6iZoJtI7_NApV0Xzz1FkphRRMvHdqJuId9KV-HTSx0TCCFud132ih7oJLQ8Cx2MfOK3QHPUyW_aar7XyU1WJCDwq_5s32WnLYMiKnAHpkRsjveS9CvOuiK6r_463RU0dfz_T1DtXst2-BPk0c4lgocYaYgFdL8No6lfznq8E9da-dgwVsl/w640-h360/B6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It would appear that when creators Matt Tory and J.J. Carroll got together to plan one last season of their riotous comedy series, they decided to take <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Beech Boys</i> out with a bang. Season 3 is bigger, longer and more adventurous than previous seasons. Taking the neighbourhood - and everyone in it - to places you'd never expect. It's more insane than a live action remake of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Cars 2</i>! Even Todd (Joshua James) is way more unhinged than normal - if that's possible. And who can blame him when there's a criminal conspiracy tearing its way through the heart of the community? I mean it must be bad if the FBI are willing to rely on Trey and Ethan for intel. But imagine how great the podcast will be!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cxHdOWVSIpaYz_nDFzv-a6hcLZ1t-o_12pu8frRAv2ZZplK2LzHxy2m9cwYLNSDh0DxCFC_M8Tf_n8qQ1Qv6HWTvEWa0DvmK01ISv6U_u_IMdvB0-3aCCiPasmhaxNZeY_k7rCVUllHR5hh7p8YPQHfBa6tOPZy8GYY4CgQoN4Gm5-l2S_PRf1b-9KzB/s1393/B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1393" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cxHdOWVSIpaYz_nDFzv-a6hcLZ1t-o_12pu8frRAv2ZZplK2LzHxy2m9cwYLNSDh0DxCFC_M8Tf_n8qQ1Qv6HWTvEWa0DvmK01ISv6U_u_IMdvB0-3aCCiPasmhaxNZeY_k7rCVUllHR5hh7p8YPQHfBa6tOPZy8GYY4CgQoN4Gm5-l2S_PRf1b-9KzB/w640-h360/B3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once again, Tory and Carroll dig into their love of popular culture to put a unique and crazy spin on every episode. Each one a hysterical parody. Nothing is safe from these two - including themselves, their friends and every medium of entertainment known to humankind. If you were horrified by <i style="font-weight: bold;">127 Hours</i>, imagine what that would look like... poolside! How about a discussion on time travel more complicated than the one Tony Stark and his pals had in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Avengers: Endgame</i>... poolside? Of course, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Home Improvement</i> still isn't safe. For that matter, it probably never will be. But will Todd finally get the reboot he's been fighting for? Which just so happens to be one of many big questions tackled in this third and final season. Have you ever wondered what the world's wildest bachelor party would look like? Or how cute a moustachioed, stop-motion snowman with the voice a Morgan Freeman impersonator must be? And most important of all; will Trey actually learn something this season?</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTcbqmQmvpO5feEamWSR5BDkq5wsinu6E8EIytPPoCI_DGD3mZt4hXowumlIdTmWyuKcXvB7WwmOchqDJfmLgajxCdQic_9Ydxhvo3hkjF26zM0ETD7X3yeOkv0M4PVd8S-jauZ_4P2Mw65RO53HUIHIkD4CIS8Mbs9r2-QIYlikphVMOO1aM_jJrUk7R/s1495/B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1495" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTcbqmQmvpO5feEamWSR5BDkq5wsinu6E8EIytPPoCI_DGD3mZt4hXowumlIdTmWyuKcXvB7WwmOchqDJfmLgajxCdQic_9Ydxhvo3hkjF26zM0ETD7X3yeOkv0M4PVd8S-jauZ_4P2Mw65RO53HUIHIkD4CIS8Mbs9r2-QIYlikphVMOO1aM_jJrUk7R/w640-h360/B4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even with all the farcical antics, musical numbers, and delightful stop-motion tales of obscure holidays, Tory and Carroll still find time for the odd emotional moment - more so than ever before - some of which are actually rather relatable. This brings a surprising amount of depth to our heroes and their quest. They are shown to be more than simply the egomaniacal arse, the tool, and their slightly unhinged, Tim Allen obsessed friend. Although, seriously. Should we be worried about the whole Tim Allen obsession? Either way, just when you think things are getting all too heavy and emotional, the show smacks you back into reality. By which I mean it hits you with yet more hysterical lunacy. And that's the beauty of this show; you never really know where it's going to go. Every episode is its own madcap adventure. Which makes it all the more amazing that Tory and Carroll are able to wrangle this madness they have created, and bring it to such a satisfying - and hilarious - conclusion. They really have brought <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Beech Boys</i> full circle, and in a way no one would have ever thought possible.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22uBrXudvrMMu05w6uaJPHR6FXk0fUGz5ovw2FEaw6eMb9XEG-p-nw7jq3ebp7OXhx7ehoDW58adCqjR66n53WLdv_1uCJ0_8KfaNX0o-neZUsJYrYMps0r0l-sujnmLniWgEPegXoSRPnvg9qw4F5YMublDKeOFJnSRd9UNmRA6hqv4L789kn9EAA2ly/s1842/B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1842" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22uBrXudvrMMu05w6uaJPHR6FXk0fUGz5ovw2FEaw6eMb9XEG-p-nw7jq3ebp7OXhx7ehoDW58adCqjR66n53WLdv_1uCJ0_8KfaNX0o-neZUsJYrYMps0r0l-sujnmLniWgEPegXoSRPnvg9qw4F5YMublDKeOFJnSRd9UNmRA6hqv4L789kn9EAA2ly/w640-h360/B5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In their third and final season <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Beech Boys</i> go out with a bang. Creators Matt Tory and J.J. Carroll have taken the show on a rollercoaster ride of laughs and emotions in search of the perfect ending, and boy did they find it. More importantly, it serves as an important reminder to always treat your pool cleaners nicely... because you never know what they'll do if you don't!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9/10</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can find all three seasons of <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Beech Boys</i> on <a href="https://tubitv.com/series/300007441/the-beech-boys">Tubi</a>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCjZgkI9H-rpuCPgvsEbTrCuRfihUfOe3OuNBtEdhRD8Ukk_J3jnxoarm2V2xyan_pz--GsNfLHhCEcfDSXYOIVal9af5nCRPvVBILfN_DtU3E_dzS93Yd0Q96-KMuJ5UTHJDLz9D05LoMVeu-jBW-8wLmw4itmfITp-2bF8bQaNrsm-9jOvIaEDU92XI/s1826/B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1826" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCjZgkI9H-rpuCPgvsEbTrCuRfihUfOe3OuNBtEdhRD8Ukk_J3jnxoarm2V2xyan_pz--GsNfLHhCEcfDSXYOIVal9af5nCRPvVBILfN_DtU3E_dzS93Yd0Q96-KMuJ5UTHJDLz9D05LoMVeu-jBW-8wLmw4itmfITp-2bF8bQaNrsm-9jOvIaEDU92XI/w640-h360/B7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Beech Boys</i> Season 3? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-80482253043805636202023-07-21T05:28:00.024+01:002024-02-29T22:18:07.550+00:00Mission: Rewatch<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZVXQ2yFdbsZ74QceYsEutzXURB6ttf-VCxo5SsTpik_7bWyJ7vWG2nXeHPWGWi1g1O6Q4kIywwH7s6GD2pxzzdaoUWruaHt1_gE_20QqUby1Vo5Qv_Gq56drIQ3UpUBP3cQbMKtQ5rhk-PuSd3Ca4jyjALILVIpW1k-7gFWw6LsCWaIfYwCzTyWH1Qt_/s1200/Posters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZVXQ2yFdbsZ74QceYsEutzXURB6ttf-VCxo5SsTpik_7bWyJ7vWG2nXeHPWGWi1g1O6Q4kIywwH7s6GD2pxzzdaoUWruaHt1_gE_20QqUby1Vo5Qv_Gq56drIQ3UpUBP3cQbMKtQ5rhk-PuSd3Ca4jyjALILVIpW1k-7gFWw6LsCWaIfYwCzTyWH1Qt_/w640-h334/Posters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Once again, Tom Cruise and the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> franchise are taking the world by storm, with a little help from legendary writer/director Christopher McQuarrie. Naturally this felt like a perfect opportunity for another <i style="font-weight: bold;">Moustache: Rewatch</i>... or should that be <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Rewatch</i>? Either way, I haven't watched any of these movies in years - probably <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fallout</i> back when it was in cinemas - so revisiting them proved to be an exciting prospect.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It's weird to think that this all started in 1996 - the movies, that is - and with Tom Cruise sporting a fake moustache, no less! Maybe it has something to do with how far the franchise has come since then, how much it has evolved - for better or worse - with every new instalment.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49uPHDf_-dAwIbZb7_ky8H4Wz3PNJMEdy-14-PQ1jpV8m_g5N-zsWLSD3Wiym13BaL_8trYjIeZWE7Ee0I5jpTvEquaKLx068oAUccFxMJ1zdgb4wdQl_rS_yaePMGelWekMaJk4Gr0xxtDitRWt2dSCNSxFiI8j5f83zfv2CXj3PvbOoeaZcRXrvTSUQ/s1200/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1200" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49uPHDf_-dAwIbZb7_ky8H4Wz3PNJMEdy-14-PQ1jpV8m_g5N-zsWLSD3Wiym13BaL_8trYjIeZWE7Ee0I5jpTvEquaKLx068oAUccFxMJ1zdgb4wdQl_rS_yaePMGelWekMaJk4Gr0xxtDitRWt2dSCNSxFiI8j5f83zfv2CXj3PvbOoeaZcRXrvTSUQ/w640-h402/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Back in 1996 an up and coming IMF agent found himself on the wrong side of a mole hunt, forcing him to go rogue and attempt to uncover the real traitor. Of course this is all preceded by the operation in Prague, which really sets the tone for the whole movie. Seeing what happens to Ethan Hunt's team is particularly gut-wrenching thanks to the fabulous cast (which includes Kristin Scott Thomas and Emilio Estevez). They really nail the relationships and the banter, so they look and feel like a team that have worked together for a long time. All of which means you really feel Ethan's loss.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Probably the most low key of the franchise, Brian de Palma delivers what is arguably the closest <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission</i> movie to your traditional espionage thriller. In fact, it's almost strange how little spectacle there is to be found here, especially compared to every one of the sequels. This includes most of the big set pieces, all of which are loaded with tension. Like the magnificent vault scene in which Cruise hangs from a ceiling vent. It's all about getting in and out undetected - although I did feel sorry for the rat. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Granted it's a little convoluted when it comes to the story, but I like the way that it constantly keeps you guessing. Double-crosses wrapped in enigmas! A particular standout scene sees Ethan talking to Jon Voight's Jim Phelps over a cup of coffee at London's Liverpool Street station. Two veteran spies talking like old friends reunited, when they're really trying to outwit each other with a delightfully veiled conversation. The whole thing is a constant sleight of hand. Which makes every subsequent viewing more fun. </span>And despite being a little dated, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> still manages to hold its own with the rest of the franchise.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXqsf4rVLQnX8QH-bdFB-ANF_l9s5IJaVDy4GhysHdLqVSQVWXDOWsoTT1_R5GIYhI3b0vQncYyAsyH7POMabJMpByewoOsXobDoLkqz2LRp7zpDIXEWJ3uS1wbAM_SrDW1LICV7utUGbKRJrIw6SvpBZmbRqn4mQwteuyYCxbvWbOf_7_YboWM4-1OMy/s1500/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXqsf4rVLQnX8QH-bdFB-ANF_l9s5IJaVDy4GhysHdLqVSQVWXDOWsoTT1_R5GIYhI3b0vQncYyAsyH7POMabJMpByewoOsXobDoLkqz2LRp7zpDIXEWJ3uS1wbAM_SrDW1LICV7utUGbKRJrIw6SvpBZmbRqn4mQwteuyYCxbvWbOf_7_YboWM4-1OMy/w640-h426/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">After this comes what is arguably the black sheep of the franchise. If you're looking for a hyper-stylised action movie you might be on to something. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible 2</i> may be very much of its time, but it's about as far from <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> as you can get. Or as my fellow movie fan, Lee Morgan, so eloquently put it:</span></div><div><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">Ah, the feature length L'Oréal commercial. Two hours of Tom Cruise flicking his hair in slow motion... and some stunts.</span></blockquote><p> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And there in lies the movie's problem; it's too slick, too stylish, and not a whole lot of substance. The Biocyte lab, for instance, looks like Michael Bay's idea of what a laboratory might look like. Also there's only so much slow motion, tense walking I can put up with. Especially when the guy doing it is on a super stealthy mission that would require some degree of speed. Contrary to popular belief, a guy walking slowly does not add tension to your movie. Then, of course, there's the love triangle at the heart of this sorry tale. Put simply, it felt rather forced. As well as a tad over-dramatic. The creepy obsession Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) has for Nyah (Thandiwe Newton) works. It's actually pretty believable, whereas the rest of the movie is not. So instead of a triangle, it's more dotted line plus lone dot; a former couple and the other guy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hilariously, for a movie that's rather dumb, it raises many questions. For instance; if this mission is so important, why didn't the helicopter team pick up Ethan rather than leaving him on the top of a mountain? That way they could have given him his mission briefing glasses, rather than utilising the frankly problematic and incredibly dangerous delivery system. Why did Ethan base his team in the middle of nowhere when the bad guys are in Sydney? What the hell were they doing for the majority of the 20 hours Nyah was infected? And why the hell didn't Ethan simply get in the helicopter after stealing the virus and the antidote? Which he could have done after taking out the few guards outside the building and before Ambrose's men had a chance to exit said building. I know some of these issues are a convenient way of getting to the action, whereas others were undoubtedly created by a butcher grade editing process, but maybe they should have employed a scalpel rather than a hammer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Now it may seem like I'm picking on this 20 year old movie quite a bit, but really I'm just trying to tell you why I haven't watched it in many years. That said, <i style="font-weight: bold;">M:I-2</i> does have a few good points. The Australian setting, for instance. The relationship between Ethan and Luther (Ving Rhames) continues to be a lot of fun, and I like the addition of John Polson as Billy Baird - it's too bad he didn't get to reprise his role in future movies, like he did with several video games. On that note, it's a pretty decent cast all around. Newton is fantastic as Nyah, even if the highly capable thief is reduced to a stereotypical damsel in the second half. Scott delivers a perfectly creepy performance as a villain who's far from interesting. In fact, I'd say Richard Roxburgh's Hugh actually pips him in terms of creepiness. Although I did enjoy Ambrose's roasting of Ethan's operating methods when planning the attack on Biocyte.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">All in all, I was surprised how much love <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible 2</i> received when I posted on social media about watching it. It’s not the worst movie I’ve ever seen, but I certainly won’t be revisiting it any time soon. And the less said about Limp Bizkit, the better!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21J91HuSMyyBxCJ2w9suodiNMqG-fQK8n_5jL_6DEj3226csMmkBgzhS1kC5No9JtNpw4ubwB9Blcl1zXhVrJIYk55xYCr4FbPTNbuHAL1ocNu5dGGBtO_ZG6S5eHFY04XH4EhLofO_f8-A7R-ZBD0lIzIKqNeTKMSHyHz-F8PBV6L3MfrE7ffOfgiWU6/s1200/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21J91HuSMyyBxCJ2w9suodiNMqG-fQK8n_5jL_6DEj3226csMmkBgzhS1kC5No9JtNpw4ubwB9Blcl1zXhVrJIYk55xYCr4FbPTNbuHAL1ocNu5dGGBtO_ZG6S5eHFY04XH4EhLofO_f8-A7R-ZBD0lIzIKqNeTKMSHyHz-F8PBV6L3MfrE7ffOfgiWU6/w640-h426/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Moving swiftly on. Now it's time for J.J. Abrams to make his mark on the franchise, and it feels like he tried to find a happy medium between <i style="font-weight: bold;">Missions 1 & 2</i>. He did at least bring things back in the right direction, but for me the franchise still hasn't found its groove. I know Cruise wants each instalment to feel different, and I get that. But it leaves the first half of the franchise feeling very disjointed. You've got the one that kicks things off - set the bar, so to speak. Then the example of how not to do a <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> movie, and now this; the inbetweener, which can at times appear more concerned with looking cool than smart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Without a doubt, <i style="font-weight: bold;">M:I-III</i>'s biggest selling point is Philip Seymour Hoffman. His performance as Owen Davian is disturbingly cold. I'm not sure I'd be that cool if someone dangled me out of a plane! It is a masterful performance, one in which he turns being an arsehole into an art form. A fact made all the more poignant in the movie's best scene - the Vatican operation. This is where the movie comes alive because this is what a <b><i>Mission: </i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Impossible</i> movie is supposed to look like. Seeing Hoffman play Ethan Hunt posing as Davian is a thing of beauty. Especially in the moment when he's talking to Luther. It is a shame then that Hoffman's other great scene - his interrogation of Ethan - is robbed somewhat by curious editing choices. There's no denying that its position at the start gives the movie an intense opening, but I would argue that the intensity would increase dramatically had it exploded on to the scene in a more chronological fashion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Davian's life makes for an interesting contrast to the happy, quiet life Ethan has managed to carve out for himself - away from the action, but with a toe still in the world he's trying to escape. As much as we're in this for the action and excitement, it's kinda tragic to see Ethan's new found happiness crumble around him as he's dragged back into his old life. At least it gives Luther a chance or two to bestow his friend with some wisdom, usually during some impossible mission, and it's great to see that Cruise and Rhames haven't lost that excellent chemistry. Speaking of missions, the rescue mission at the start is a lot of fun, albeit a little loud for a covert operation. Then there's Davian's escape. An exciting and chaotic scene, definitely. But I always find myself taken out of the movie by a litany of plot conveniences that suggest the writers had to go out of their way - in other words, come up with a load of bullshit - to make the escape plausible. Things do get a little better after that, however. I particularly enjoy the sense of desperation that's added to proceedings upon reaching Shanghai - but seriously, what is it with Hollywood and purveying myths about CPR and defibrillators?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Overall I do like <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible III</i>. It's fun, the villain is awesome, and the overly dramatic, slow-mo intensity of <i style="font-weight: bold;">M:I-2</i> is thankfully gone. But a lot of the time it feels more generic action movie than <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i>, and for me the franchise simply hasn't found its groove yet.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiM40kmopjUQ7MHM0FxE2kzYe-euCnFiQFm1vYe8nfZTMZs-NOPpjk9cqRMxYj8jLmx8R0qfrWEDm-vpu05BYSpN0YzWuyZHy76B70OcL7XUI2LbF20x1vVf09RT-c3EIA88oUhvbaaGngcGrfc-twlnTAAIN4Yp3A8VCgZ5Ky4HVZnjqyMrQpT4bokUHu/s1200/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1200" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiM40kmopjUQ7MHM0FxE2kzYe-euCnFiQFm1vYe8nfZTMZs-NOPpjk9cqRMxYj8jLmx8R0qfrWEDm-vpu05BYSpN0YzWuyZHy76B70OcL7XUI2LbF20x1vVf09RT-c3EIA88oUhvbaaGngcGrfc-twlnTAAIN4Yp3A8VCgZ5Ky4HVZnjqyMrQpT4bokUHu/w640-h364/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Which brings us to my favourite of the franchise... <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghost Protocol</i>. In a genius move Brad Bird essentially tosses the entire IMF into the bin, leaving the last remaining team with little more than a hope and a prayer to stave off nuclear Armageddon. It is unrelenting, with the stakes feeling higher than any other mission. The fact that most of their kit breaks at inopportune moments adds a real sense of tension and humour to the movie. But I do have one question; did the IMF acquire Apple, or did Apple decide to get in on the intelligence/espionage game?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We all knew that if there was ever to be a fourth <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i>, it would have to address Ethan riding off into the sunset with Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Either that or the writers would just have to hope that fans forgot about it. But thankfully they did the former, because it weaves perfectly into this latest mission, and the opening with Ethan inexplicably in a Russian prison adds a nice degree of intrigue. I particularly like that Ethan is a little cold and stand-off-ish, disoriented even, when he's first broken out of prison. Reflective of the fact he's both a man freed from the confines of a cell and a deep-cover agent pulled out of a long-term operation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Despite his initial coldness towards them, the new team is fantastic. It's just one of many choices that made <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghost Protocol</i> the movie in which the franchise found its groove. That said, it is a shame Luther only makes a brief appearance. But it's great to see Benji (Simon Pegg) bumped up to a field agent role after his brief but hilarious stint in <i style="font-weight: bold;">M:I-III</i>. I for one am very glad that Pegg took over the role from Ricky Gervais, because I think Pegg is the reason Benji became more than just a bit part. Jane Carter (Paula Patton) and William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) also make welcome additions, both of them bringing their own issues and secrets for us to pick at. All of that combined with the small issue of being disavowed, out there alone with no backup, means Ethan has to work really hard to keep the team together and motivated. This is something we haven't really seen before with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i>, and it adds a degree of realism to their situation. And they need all the help they can get, considering who their opponent is. ‘Cobalt’, played by the brilliant Michael Nyqvist, is a fanatic - another first for the franchise - one who in a rather messed up way is fighting for humanity. He's a lot like Thanos in that way. You can see where he's coming from, and he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty - unlike certain other villains in this franchise.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Naturally, this being a <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> movie, it isn't without its spectacle. The main set piece involving Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa tower is both jaw-dropping and pure nightmare fuel for anyone with a slight fear of heights. Good thing no one happened to look out their window while Ethan was climbing, or rapidly descending for that matter. It's a tribute to Bird and his team that the movie can shift from Ethan's climb to the interception of the nuclear codes, and then on to the chase through the sandstorm without skipping a beat. The tension ratcheting up the more the team are forced to blag their way through. And its only flaw being the twist involving Wistrom (Samuli Edelmann), which didn't really make a whole lot of sense. But the best scene by far sees Ethan, his team, and a magnificent fake moustache infiltrating the Kremlin. The pairing of Cruise, Pegg and an iPad powered screen being the highlight. Also, the fact that it all goes pear-shaped adds a fun little twist, and the opportunity for a challenging but inventive escape by Ethan.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It may not be the best that the franchise has to offer, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghost Protocol </i>continues to hold top spot for me because it's easily the most fun, features the most interesting villain, and there's a pretty decent fake moustache in there somewhere too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kz7qJhJ_jAGkIE8m2hdGNqNweYc1aA7mEM2WY3gg6XQ4itVtQ2r6fHaWWF66tfxYSIVwQq3G3cttvGByTaSTmX-2VJJM2j6JN3pMhW4UPNhjgXSTGnf0htXjFN67EtFgeFxPeHiaFwEKUFnx_to3s7PwnpbzS9Qs4tuFeeBY_tO9PA3kjYpgaD0tOLci/s3841/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3841" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kz7qJhJ_jAGkIE8m2hdGNqNweYc1aA7mEM2WY3gg6XQ4itVtQ2r6fHaWWF66tfxYSIVwQq3G3cttvGByTaSTmX-2VJJM2j6JN3pMhW4UPNhjgXSTGnf0htXjFN67EtFgeFxPeHiaFwEKUFnx_to3s7PwnpbzS9Qs4tuFeeBY_tO9PA3kjYpgaD0tOLci/w640-h360/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">From here on out the franchise feels much more connected as we follow a very different IMF and their continuing efforts to keep the world safe. I don't know why, but the first time I saw <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rogue Nation</i> I didn't like it very much. Thankfully that is something that has changed with subsequent viewings because there is a lot to like here. Starting with that incredible cold open featuring Tom Cruise clinging to the side of an Airbus A400M on take off. Clearly the man is nuts, but it does mean he makes some very exciting movies.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What sets <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rogue Nation </i>apart from the other movies is the state of the IMF. After being shut down thanks to Ethan's infiltration of the Kremlin going to rat shit, the agency is in a kind of flux. Not fully reactivated, the vultures are circling, and Ethan's antics aren't helping. Although it is funny watching poor old Brandt deal with a douchey Alec Baldwin, who's playing high and mighty on the CIA's behalf - hey, every now and then it's nice that they get to try and take the moral high ground. Baldwin is another welcome addition to the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> universe, as is Rebecca Ferguson as the mysterious Ilsa Faust. She and Cruise have this great chemistry, which is evident pretty much from the moment she enters the frame. The way Ethan is drawn to Ilsa feels very genuine. He sees something in her that no one else does, despite some of her choices. They're equals, carved from the same stone. Making their relationship a source of great intrigue.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Naturally this isn't just about two spies meeting in the torture chamber. This is <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i>, which means big, insane action, starting with Ethan's escape from the aforementioned torture chamber. Ferguson gets to show off her skills in fight choreography, and Cruise performs a neat trick to escape his restraints. The opera scene is brilliantly shot, not to mention great fun, especially when it comes to Benji's involvement. Pegg is once again on top form. I like that on more than one occasion the movie addresses the issue of appropriate footwear. And the events in Morocco are insane, including the epic chase featuring both cars and motorcycles (a definite step up from <i style="font-weight: bold;">M:I-2</i>). I'm sure they didn't need to do it that way, but watching Cruise hold his breath for so long brings a lot of tension to the infiltration of the data vault - despite knowing that Cruise wasn't hurt during filming.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My big issue with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rogue Nation</i> is the villain. Solomon Lane is made out to be a rather sinister threat, when in reality he's snivelling and annoying, and not much else. He certainly never comes across as Ethan's equal. The way he's depicted in the movie - a sit there and send someone else to do it kind of villain - reminds me of how Faceman (Bradley Cooper) described Lynch (Patrick Wilson) in <i style="font-weight: bold;">The A-Team</i>; "he's a guy who needs anonymity, but he loves theatricality. He's an administrator, he's not an operator." Now his plan, on the other hand, is rather sinister, and actually quite clever. Recruiting intelligence officers from around the world, all thought dead, to bring down the very systems that created them. And yet, I find it strange that someone who clearly enjoys the luxuries of our current way of life would want to tear it all down.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Rogue Nation</i></b> may have a weak villain, but it's rather enjoyable watching Ethan and his team screw with Lane’s plans. Fair to say this movie has definitely grown on me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdAWRPCFeFZhVQkxsNpVZMzA2Mvcv7hLD5YFoVxghVIA_czGe5XFeCxj0gQRX8dFAQDVpJ3WaHQq-NyD5tsXIgSNIzxBwdoGzSnIIZL7-7lAz0lU12wfba5rKt7jpnRnCVgxVxEf4Lz9t8dSVtIL_-F1Zwf_kV5Ftb9IB_euGr3AdWP14Oytm-bdgh9R2/s960/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdAWRPCFeFZhVQkxsNpVZMzA2Mvcv7hLD5YFoVxghVIA_czGe5XFeCxj0gQRX8dFAQDVpJ3WaHQq-NyD5tsXIgSNIzxBwdoGzSnIIZL7-7lAz0lU12wfba5rKt7jpnRnCVgxVxEf4Lz9t8dSVtIL_-F1Zwf_kV5Ftb9IB_euGr3AdWP14Oytm-bdgh9R2/w640-h360/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One more mission to go, and it's possible that it's the best one yet. It also happens to feature Hollywood's most controversial moustache. Thankfully Henry Cavill can pull it off... so to speak. I remember seeing the trailer for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fallout</i> a lot in the build-up to its release, thanks in part to my many cinema visits. It became almost torturous. I'd try and zone it out, but of course it never worked. Then the day came when, mercifully, the movie arrived in cinemas. And somehow, after enduring the trailer many times, it didn't disappoint.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Christopher McQuarrie returns to direct the perfect combination of plot and action insanity. But what makes Fallout really interesting - as the title would suggest - is Ethan having to deal with the consequences of his choices; sacrificing mission success to save a teammate, as well as other more personal choices. Unsurprisingly, this puts pressure on the IMF, with the CIA breathing down their necks once again. Angela Bassett's line about scalpels and hammers is perfect. She's such a badass - especially for a character that rarely gets out of the office - and Cavill more than fulfils the role of the hammer. But more interestingly, Ethan's choices have an effect on his relationship with Ilsa, who re-enters his life at a point that's troublesome for both of them. Thanks to the electric chemistry that the actors share, the unspoken bond between their characters seems stronger than ever, as well as continuing to be a source of great intrigue. Star-crossed spies if you will.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Somebody has to be willing to HALO jump over Paris to catch terrorists, I guess. And it's a good thing too because that sequence is outstanding! Then there's that epic bathroom fight, which is almost as exhausting as it is fun to watch. And the insanity doesn't stop there because Fallout is filled with incredible chases, involving everything from the power of the human legs, to bikes, cars and helicopters. It is a literal thrill ride! I bet Mr Cruise's determination to do as many insane things as possible puts the other actors under immense pressure to do as many of their own stunts as possible, and the movie is definitely better for it. Every moment is gripping. Tension and excitement run rife all throughout thanks to the many awesome set pieces and McQuarrie's uncanny ability to keep us guessing. That moment in the 'hospital' is pure <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i>, and the scene in London in which everyone seems to have one last trick up their sleeve is just incredible. The only parts that don't work for me, in fact, are the dream sequences. I'm also not sure about Benji's bow ties. They're unnecessary, not to mention a tad coincidental - the dream sequences, I mean, not the bow ties. But I do like the way that Ethan's relationship with Julia has been handled - in that it was actually addressed, rather than simply swept under the rug and forgotten about, as it would have been in so many other franchises. There's a real sense of closure, one befitting both characters.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible - Fallout</i> is easily the best of the franchise. It borders on perfect. McQuarrie really nailed the blend of action, story, laughs, and impossibly high stakes. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghost Protocol</i> remains my favourite, but this is a close second.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mFGj02x1W-28An8EosH5ecTMP1HVu_Gehf3x1LUge1dHZYcT261z3vwebmnMx4Fj2JrqewKmCWGkFWyk90-vXJcBEc6UHJRLRrMbjywQURpFg3wcOMQHih3NsMuDCoRjKLgPwxYDjLXUHKarijkvkEgX8mSNI1ceA4xrklsFvfuAyKCSsYEMGkWgBIwN/s1440/Rogue%20Nation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1440" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mFGj02x1W-28An8EosH5ecTMP1HVu_Gehf3x1LUge1dHZYcT261z3vwebmnMx4Fj2JrqewKmCWGkFWyk90-vXJcBEc6UHJRLRrMbjywQURpFg3wcOMQHih3NsMuDCoRjKLgPwxYDjLXUHKarijkvkEgX8mSNI1ceA4xrklsFvfuAyKCSsYEMGkWgBIwN/w640-h428/Rogue%20Nation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There we have it; a rewatch that began with a fake moustache and ended with the most controversial moustache in Hollywood history. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> really is a fantastic series of movies. Each one brings something different to the franchise, including some hair-raising stunts and more than a few surprises. And now that I've watched them all again here's my official ranking:</span></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Ghost Protocol</i></b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fallout</i></b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Mission: Impossible</i></b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Rogue Nation</i></b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>M:I-III</i></b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>M:I-2</i></b></span></li></ol><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmOTXAYAsV0pFRB2nBGAf5I-scnX-x7FtaMiTPRXsVYB02sG4kzZK0kMFjUxlpOqRmpytUrcAY7ZzQo6Pn61bQ1gg8RMWX66GE_D0aw49r9iRE_xV1LKYvs37oT0cOpAK4U4p1w11CPY7K9yCD2OZYDpUA_Gtj9OcE5WN6-cLaCMI1GhWOJxNAhSEkbcU/s720/Mission%20Impossible.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmOTXAYAsV0pFRB2nBGAf5I-scnX-x7FtaMiTPRXsVYB02sG4kzZK0kMFjUxlpOqRmpytUrcAY7ZzQo6Pn61bQ1gg8RMWX66GE_D0aw49r9iRE_xV1LKYvs37oT0cOpAK4U4p1w11CPY7K9yCD2OZYDpUA_Gtj9OcE5WN6-cLaCMI1GhWOJxNAhSEkbcU/w640-h360/Mission%20Impossible.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>What are your thoughts on the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Mission: Impossible</i> franchise? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span><p></p><p></p></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-9099035221699035032023-07-02T18:21:00.003+01:002023-07-02T18:41:02.658+01:00The Write Place | Average Guy Movie Review<div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68LtV5pwsSrnwiscPebhVeH8I4fyMcpV7IGImksTmWtE7fjs6N8tmTzjyXtN_45G6SPgWRm2EQ-B5BRvj8hg57Bq3oiKKAh4UuCja2FRvYA_QWXsPvXiEFd_TyDSNunvo0Z2bmWA63C4yPCvBl_V1mI6T-SWl5g1nzStW8aHd45_QgZNHF9621eHjt_Ma/s1453/The%20Write.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1269" data-original-width="1453" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68LtV5pwsSrnwiscPebhVeH8I4fyMcpV7IGImksTmWtE7fjs6N8tmTzjyXtN_45G6SPgWRm2EQ-B5BRvj8hg57Bq3oiKKAh4UuCja2FRvYA_QWXsPvXiEFd_TyDSNunvo0Z2bmWA63C4yPCvBl_V1mI6T-SWl5g1nzStW8aHd45_QgZNHF9621eHjt_Ma/w640-h558/The%20Write.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Write Place</i> is the story of a father and daughter running a small stationary store. But it quickly becomes apparent that Maggie (Erin Taylor) isn't quite as passionate about the family business as Walt (Peter Gantenbein).</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What do you do if your child doesn't share your interest? Well, the sensible answer would be to encourage them to follow their own dream or passion. But when it comes to a beloved (by some) family business - like in this case - it can be difficult to think that it may not carry on in the family. That is the challenge at the heart of this charming and relatable short.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Gantenbein and Taylor share a wonderful chemistry as a father and daughter who have reached a certain turning point in life. The pair really capture the awkwardness of a parent/child relationship in which the parent's authoritative position is waning because the child is on the cusp of adulthood.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Directed by Benjamin McClain and Job Gailey, there is an honesty to <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Write Place</i> - certainly when it comes to the joy of dealing with customers. It feels like something many of us will go through in some form or another. In 12 minutes it manages to tackle some pretty complicated themes, like legacy, adapting to our ever changing world, and learning to let go. Ultimately though, it simply reminds to focus on what's really important. Sure, it can feel a little saccharine in places, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Write Place</i> earns it with an almost brutally honest take on life, parenting and business - as well as their incredible ability to get in the way of each other.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Also, I could listen to Grandpa talk about tablets - and I don't mean his medication - all day long!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thanks to some wonderful performances and a very real approach to just about everything, <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Write Place</i> is a charming and relatable short about life, parenting and business. Not to mention the ongoing quest to find fireproof paper.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8/10</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Write Place</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-20142324046957469372023-06-25T07:02:00.000+01:002023-06-25T07:02:58.716+01:00Leon's Fantasy Cut | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOGF-77uX0Z4CBAsNfacd5P4L-6HudpX5VGWSMG7FmvynN-blEKfTnsWKTiNK4TIKt61dQ26Ql_v3yMLaK9sCHaWN0dwqt_U8MPcqjvx_4lBf-5Qxb6sDF0UtT7O66lpllunQ1zqOSMBk40ZvgD5SNVYqxxK7HYZq2CqMEenOXQkg_VA8kzeEmnIlwFeI/s872/L1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="872" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOGF-77uX0Z4CBAsNfacd5P4L-6HudpX5VGWSMG7FmvynN-blEKfTnsWKTiNK4TIKt61dQ26Ql_v3yMLaK9sCHaWN0dwqt_U8MPcqjvx_4lBf-5Qxb6sDF0UtT7O66lpllunQ1zqOSMBk40ZvgD5SNVYqxxK7HYZq2CqMEenOXQkg_VA8kzeEmnIlwFeI/w640-h388/L1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Two first generation Ukrainian-American brothers chase the American Dream. One hopes to go into business for himself, but is stuck working in a cell phone store. The other is a small-time pot dealer looking to get into the music business as manager to a promising young rapper. They share a studio apartment in Brooklyn and bicker constantly. But all this is temporary... right? After all, this is America.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMlX93OX6bxGuXwB9xcFV9EXWanZIXH-mIA12giCUSvxG11h7urSHBs4B0hP-4c639NShiSCWnkcIFFyUgR_hpa0thJvlQjRsnUapJQ4IhNf2uA74QcrM_CTiWWT8fnvXpbqX1TGBuREghcV2P41pbq1XNWZh6j1MnHuT60-Q_DjxwyoyH-Gvt4lLL4E8/s790/L2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="790" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMlX93OX6bxGuXwB9xcFV9EXWanZIXH-mIA12giCUSvxG11h7urSHBs4B0hP-4c639NShiSCWnkcIFFyUgR_hpa0thJvlQjRsnUapJQ4IhNf2uA74QcrM_CTiWWT8fnvXpbqX1TGBuREghcV2P41pbq1XNWZh6j1MnHuT60-Q_DjxwyoyH-Gvt4lLL4E8/w640-h268/L2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Josh Caras and Jon Valde deliver a strikingly relatable tale in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Leon's Fantasy Cut</i>. Many of us will understand the place in which George (Caras) and Iggy (Valde) find themselves because we've either been there, or we are still. This is a movie that isn't afraid to broach the fact that the American Dream isn't out there for everyone - no matter how badly we want it. Moreover, the frustration, disappointment and even anger that such a realisation can bring is palpable throughout. Increasingly so, as we draw closer to a rather tense finale. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty-9AdIu6fEuxXdnYaBOldpuuyoDK7iuDxNRGSA-Jl3b0g0gPnD3AvNROomGOlLuadV8lygAd8kvbl0YO6mqF6NuX6mUPUmGjRt_MJfMtO7lRzZCY2aQ-BQT95KzXQbbDNWZl5sx5KsBAMpJWKFlms5W2Nfi97aFro2E-d7LrjPrbJHiwJn3punDN-VVb/s790/L3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="790" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty-9AdIu6fEuxXdnYaBOldpuuyoDK7iuDxNRGSA-Jl3b0g0gPnD3AvNROomGOlLuadV8lygAd8kvbl0YO6mqF6NuX6mUPUmGjRt_MJfMtO7lRzZCY2aQ-BQT95KzXQbbDNWZl5sx5KsBAMpJWKFlms5W2Nfi97aFro2E-d7LrjPrbJHiwJn3punDN-VVb/w640-h264/L3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Beyond the torment of the American Dream, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Leon's Fantasy Cut</i> also happens to be an interesting look at the human condition. The fact that we humans appear incapable of agreeing with each other is something that's explored in great detail, utilising the microcosm that is Brooklyn. And yet there can also be moments of great levity - for instance the scenes set in the barbershop for which this movie is named are especially fun, with Leon himself showing his funny side. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFL__ZADvzR8HSfW6psGiUJlQZMT_dSRTRGZB3PYaUqCpCzaB1KWEH4VgaSQqXSs3bTlno9g9GJjmm8WWUM_047vl3rie1klueMGIjgzhOPngXE5DWMQa7O8bDV36SMyKKbcn-um6dQcsDFcQ9rBKP8Yzen0mPIYfj0lkRiynFA-NhUPwWcxpimqMeDI8/s790/L5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="790" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFL__ZADvzR8HSfW6psGiUJlQZMT_dSRTRGZB3PYaUqCpCzaB1KWEH4VgaSQqXSs3bTlno9g9GJjmm8WWUM_047vl3rie1klueMGIjgzhOPngXE5DWMQa7O8bDV36SMyKKbcn-um6dQcsDFcQ9rBKP8Yzen0mPIYfj0lkRiynFA-NhUPwWcxpimqMeDI8/w640-h266/L5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All the while, Caras and Valde come off like genuine brothers. Arguing in that way only brothers can. And </span>Ella Rae Peck's 'Ella' proves to be the perfect foil to both George the cynic and Iggy the blind optimist.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Through some excellent performances we see how the baggage we carry with us through life can affect our relationships. Everything from upbringing and heritage, to religion and past experiences. More importantly, it examines how we can fail to take into account the points of view of others. One particularly relatable scene - which also happens to be my favourite - touches on</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> art and how it can be magnificent to one person, and pretentious crap to another.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_772hGYK1ziPjl4_DdyyhuI-fZ9d0-LM7wWo1ILcY4-7oI-QQXTu_gZ2BejkKjxe_wxdKBRGr4RP8fZVb6FP31h7gmQFCvaF1cEkDBfppmDstYH-8F6ZMT-28d0JZjLouoWgNIZkwg1mZs_71oYJvU1jTpwPo5sqPX8nvD4a5FVLWiD9H36cPsN59tJ/s790/L4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="790" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_772hGYK1ziPjl4_DdyyhuI-fZ9d0-LM7wWo1ILcY4-7oI-QQXTu_gZ2BejkKjxe_wxdKBRGr4RP8fZVb6FP31h7gmQFCvaF1cEkDBfppmDstYH-8F6ZMT-28d0JZjLouoWgNIZkwg1mZs_71oYJvU1jTpwPo5sqPX8nvD4a5FVLWiD9H36cPsN59tJ/w640-h274/L4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Despite dealing with some extremes, the genuine authenticity actually gives <i style="font-weight: bold;">Leon's Fantasy Cut</i> a real melancholy feel. Surprising as it may seem, however, this actually works in the movie's favour, because you really begin to empathise with the brothers. You're not simply waiting for them to achieve their dreams, as with most movies. Rather, you're almost down there in the trenches with them. It shows that Caras and Valde - in some way - understand what it means to have dreams and aspirations go unrealised, and they have channelled that blend of passion and pain into their movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_WgnxwAFDE3Us-YOKNF98HsWq2opTaMdh5OqEi5FgmjljXn3sDpjqqf3pBr_BRte8HKe7i0bDu-CYSQ9aod9z5g3WfoS7sCvdFi4tmpCzY6aGXP7V1gR6IBadIBy12Gz2WVRbwJldya-jBvUhrVC8OGrHdpRefT0aug-jP-6u1dIPtcL4M9Ayqsvje8n/s768/L6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="768" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_WgnxwAFDE3Us-YOKNF98HsWq2opTaMdh5OqEi5FgmjljXn3sDpjqqf3pBr_BRte8HKe7i0bDu-CYSQ9aod9z5g3WfoS7sCvdFi4tmpCzY6aGXP7V1gR6IBadIBy12Gz2WVRbwJldya-jBvUhrVC8OGrHdpRefT0aug-jP-6u1dIPtcL4M9Ayqsvje8n/w640-h268/L6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A strikingly relatable take on the hunt for the American Dream moulded into an intriguing drama about the not so glamorous side of living in New York.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">9/10</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Leon's Fantasy Cut</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-43125187472802452522023-06-23T11:44:00.000+01:002023-06-23T11:44:20.063+01:00Extraction 2 | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zFcq8bnqoxL6DeUVnKyNLm_XcE_oqSVLWcdhLhZacfPmawQOJtSG_YHiFBQ-4CBHpoYWueKn4LrJDgHUotUhxrC6reberKdi4dMjKxrvK1mQb7VBXS2ASaDn4kyUw1WN0_z_lTcxWKEmBKGVSXhqWusYnOjpFoc2Rd8dNFtMoIrZUFmXoig949kVkbm1/s1400/Extraction%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zFcq8bnqoxL6DeUVnKyNLm_XcE_oqSVLWcdhLhZacfPmawQOJtSG_YHiFBQ-4CBHpoYWueKn4LrJDgHUotUhxrC6reberKdi4dMjKxrvK1mQb7VBXS2ASaDn4kyUw1WN0_z_lTcxWKEmBKGVSXhqWusYnOjpFoc2Rd8dNFtMoIrZUFmXoig949kVkbm1/w640-h320/Extraction%202.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After barely surviving Dhaka, Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth) is presented with yet another insane mission, one that falls a hell of a lot closer to home. Rake and his team must extract a woman and her children from a Georgian prison. Preferably without alerting her husband, who happens to be a high ranking member of a particularly nasty local gang.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KR0EcpKs67UxLUXSiBU5QroUBm1MusB06cQunYtGyIbP8k6XTbgyXa2KfkOxQTFgh9SpQbrffmQAUuXfpUcjts9jPED5SPEftLI4d5himhzjlH9dyzvxx5Z8_i_2jJsUresVEU8v-_0fLMUzYg-4F4eC3pi0EIKl9ZtqNNEm7IesQXgc7ZVR-hnGwCC8/s1600/E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KR0EcpKs67UxLUXSiBU5QroUBm1MusB06cQunYtGyIbP8k6XTbgyXa2KfkOxQTFgh9SpQbrffmQAUuXfpUcjts9jPED5SPEftLI4d5himhzjlH9dyzvxx5Z8_i_2jJsUresVEU8v-_0fLMUzYg-4F4eC3pi0EIKl9ZtqNNEm7IesQXgc7ZVR-hnGwCC8/w640-h360/E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A few years back, a plucky little action movie - the directorial debut of a veteran stuntman - landed on <b><i>Netflix</i></b>. Shot with an interesting guerrilla style that favoured long takes, it was raw and brutal. Making it a no holds barred, uncomplicated action movie - just like mamma used to make. Now stuntman turned director Sam Hargrave and Chris Hemsworth are back with the next chapter in the Tyler Rake story, and it's bigger, bolder and more intense than his first outing. Making it rather refreshing, because <i style="font-weight: bold;">Extraction 2</i> is an action sequel that isn't simply a rehash of the first movie with a bigger budget. Sure there are some familiarities, like Hargrave's love of long, seamless action takes - let's face it, who doesn't love those? - but <i style="font-weight: bold;">Extraction 2</i> is very much its own animal. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B7grNYtc2wH2Fea0jqQGc_4mZtZvL-RRUF08Vu34tzgIlJ0OmdT_glwvDRVer4DtYlc0NarfEFPZUz8p7-XrWvovV8SU4Bc-f5pmgGvr8hSNsayMU2iIM13Eoavq7HPWDf-tuCgUG817B5ktCyyCelG5KvcyW1eP8RdU2bogqrpRvFNSBPvVUtnTStXi/s1045/E7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="1045" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B7grNYtc2wH2Fea0jqQGc_4mZtZvL-RRUF08Vu34tzgIlJ0OmdT_glwvDRVer4DtYlc0NarfEFPZUz8p7-XrWvovV8SU4Bc-f5pmgGvr8hSNsayMU2iIM13Eoavq7HPWDf-tuCgUG817B5ktCyyCelG5KvcyW1eP8RdU2bogqrpRvFNSBPvVUtnTStXi/w640-h266/E7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hargrave and his team clearly know what they're doing, and more importantly they know exactly what kind of movie they're making. Which is exactly what they deliver. Pretty much non-stop excitement throughout, with the occasional let-up - probably more to allow audiences to catch their breath than anything else. The action is over the top insanity, done right, and it just keeps on coming. Those deliciously long takes keep us right in the middle of the chaos as Rake and his team shoot, kick and explode their way out of every situation. The prison break scene is a particular highlight, with the camera mostly locked on Hemsworth as he fights his way through a riot. It all looks exhausting, for him, that is. Whereas for us it's tremendously fun to watch!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif1Vb5MR3UmCN0wyWM1AZchm_qE0UtMEF77z-KDvHwsDRXXQQMtRZ_Qc4Y3pvdkD94hZCWHQ7JqKqGxUIj8wtvp22WS70r4L5DXqFSqzprssgOu06ODAurcy3smkwGKMhI_59uR9e08oBrf4ekD4DcHK4kwY0hx-6G1uTYO6AD5XGzTh-Hq7NeqPbJirR/s1200/E4.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif1Vb5MR3UmCN0wyWM1AZchm_qE0UtMEF77z-KDvHwsDRXXQQMtRZ_Qc4Y3pvdkD94hZCWHQ7JqKqGxUIj8wtvp22WS70r4L5DXqFSqzprssgOu06ODAurcy3smkwGKMhI_59uR9e08oBrf4ekD4DcHK4kwY0hx-6G1uTYO6AD5XGzTh-Hq7NeqPbJirR/w640-h360/E4.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Incredibly, within the confines of the action movie format, and yes it is rather packed, Hemsworth once again manages to bring a little substance to Rake. He may be your typical Hollywood badass - a gun for hire with a troubled past - but thanks to Hemsworth's performance Rake isn't this two-dimensional cardboard cut-out of a man. Growth may be the wrong word, but there has definitely been some attempt to develop the character. In fact, there are several genuine moments with Rake, like seeing him apprehensive about meeting certain characters after fighting his way out of hell without so much as blinking. The same can be said of the villain; Zurato Radiani (Tornike Gogrichiani). For the most part he is simply the big bad of the movie, but there are moments that explore - or at least scratch at - why he is who he is, and it's good to see Gogrichiani leaning into that. At the same time it's also great fun to watch the two of them knock seven bells out of each other - including a cheeky little <i style="font-weight: bold;">Thor</i> reference.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislN0hWGPMbXwPllr4TnBLvnySygwyQ6JSlie_xlZenRfw0ZfEjYSD6XrJZiTRuk-Vb9qnu0lJ9YjORXpcxsU-qODGIEA-ixTLMHinctW-RuTcbvIfoqLS_qQcVEyvTrObxGCrLJOuqMg3CMjlH-1x5Q5ffEvmf_lr1yfQnmdpcLWV5-zPPOHzJpwI36i2/s1086/E3.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1086" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislN0hWGPMbXwPllr4TnBLvnySygwyQ6JSlie_xlZenRfw0ZfEjYSD6XrJZiTRuk-Vb9qnu0lJ9YjORXpcxsU-qODGIEA-ixTLMHinctW-RuTcbvIfoqLS_qQcVEyvTrObxGCrLJOuqMg3CMjlH-1x5Q5ffEvmf_lr1yfQnmdpcLWV5-zPPOHzJpwI36i2/w640-h512/E3.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Overall, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Extraction 2</i> is actually better than its predecessor. Bigger, more ridiculous action, and plenty of it. But it hasn't lost that raw and brutal feel that made <i style="font-weight: bold;">Extraction</i> work so well. Hemsworth once again looks unstoppable in the lead role. It's also great to see Golshifteh Farahani and Adam Bessa's Nik and Yaz Khan getting more stuck in this time around. There also happens to be a fun cameo in there too! Hargrave has clearly learned a few things and built on what he did with the first movie. Sure it's guilty of more than a few movie clichés, and can be quite predictable because of it. But it simply doesn't matter, because <i style="font-weight: bold;">Extraction 2</i> - much like it's predecessor - delivers exactly what it promises; two hours of over the top, big thrills action. Nothing more, nothing less.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kWNTwOPGe-agwJ8k8y-a4_ilS3OBZX8APjh0pGxLgz8xOJmt7m9mXlWLHnrt8huMoNqpUMZ1U9WHNeFSX5WPnnN7qJVvqIwCxfk9GqH_ZOQWhBCFf3R4v5Rx6PKmX_6ATyxp6C9wopgxcBTm8pRmcJRYQf5vnYgiP58SHXGZkAVZnhgWkhfL9I6OEvE7/s3000/E5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="3000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kWNTwOPGe-agwJ8k8y-a4_ilS3OBZX8APjh0pGxLgz8xOJmt7m9mXlWLHnrt8huMoNqpUMZ1U9WHNeFSX5WPnnN7qJVvqIwCxfk9GqH_ZOQWhBCFf3R4v5Rx6PKmX_6ATyxp6C9wopgxcBTm8pRmcJRYQf5vnYgiP58SHXGZkAVZnhgWkhfL9I6OEvE7/w640-h360/E5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A good old fashioned, no holds barred action movie. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Extraction 2</i> does exactly what it says on the tin, and somehow manages to bigger, bolder and more of a thrill ride than the first movie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8/10</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hs_6eA1g1NVIyB1llj4HNqUvL1oTe0N6_yN2qJmddICSQ-BalPCh7DKMfMfuhdCw7tTKU1pzsx2QBVeQS47Snc0QgHTA7kHevcUaSX4CSNA2Rnjn82j35gdPsKu20PvFk6pB5XfyoOy5CdwnCeFfKqN9qPMsNMnJRP-SqoQ6cKuHESJo4RSp6W8Ixthr/s1440/E8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hs_6eA1g1NVIyB1llj4HNqUvL1oTe0N6_yN2qJmddICSQ-BalPCh7DKMfMfuhdCw7tTKU1pzsx2QBVeQS47Snc0QgHTA7kHevcUaSX4CSNA2Rnjn82j35gdPsKu20PvFk6pB5XfyoOy5CdwnCeFfKqN9qPMsNMnJRP-SqoQ6cKuHESJo4RSp6W8Ixthr/w640-h360/E8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <b><i>Extraction 2</i></b>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-60630111601966322992023-06-06T12:42:00.001+01:002023-09-06T03:51:33.346+01:00The Black Demon | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsAx6aboz-ITjk-TyWGBDHTk7vNd8BA_RkBhjlH_XWFXJuP9E9iJqKTrDtEBXettOnpTExx6zjbdZInaFHwioWf94r0ij4sJvLVvxYh9dEDLocpd1Bi1XcVN5nj9DqMDsGk2_0FM5ztKzTi2wBNPUy7-ZUWR-5ihE1xysdgLQfzyQD6KgD0HCeOZ31w/s1600/BD1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsAx6aboz-ITjk-TyWGBDHTk7vNd8BA_RkBhjlH_XWFXJuP9E9iJqKTrDtEBXettOnpTExx6zjbdZInaFHwioWf94r0ij4sJvLVvxYh9dEDLocpd1Bi1XcVN5nj9DqMDsGk2_0FM5ztKzTi2wBNPUy7-ZUWR-5ihE1xysdgLQfzyQD6KgD0HCeOZ31w/w640-h360/BD1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In an attempt to make a vacation out of a business trip, oil rig safety inspector Paul Sturges (Josh Lucas) brings his family along on an inspection visit to Baja, Mexico. But when a confrontation with locals forces the family to join Paul on the rig, they find it to be badly damaged and almost completely abandoned. And the only thing preventing them from leaving this slowly sinking nightmare is a creature of local legend; a megalodon known as "El Demonio Negro" - the Black Demon.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-FEbwmVPcXgvqMI7DetpyykgNdgDrlQpddVGf6yQCYDlZ0v4puq1YlLbosYvFdMNsnA-Xx_gr5MBWI9gJBE7a-InbKh5Xu99pMCEgB72Hq6kJVID5J4Q5vEGk15Ikt_s1vC1ea8aBhO60-2i1igNORHogsbqTx4KQ810xE1SkiCRdW-yXz65K_VDkQ/s740/BD3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-FEbwmVPcXgvqMI7DetpyykgNdgDrlQpddVGf6yQCYDlZ0v4puq1YlLbosYvFdMNsnA-Xx_gr5MBWI9gJBE7a-InbKh5Xu99pMCEgB72Hq6kJVID5J4Q5vEGk15Ikt_s1vC1ea8aBhO60-2i1igNORHogsbqTx4KQ810xE1SkiCRdW-yXz65K_VDkQ/w640-h400/BD3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It is well known that ever since <i style="font-weight: bold;">Jaws</i> took the world by storm back in 1975, Hollywood has tried to recapture that magic - or at least that high degree of hype - with a great many killer shark movies. None of which have come close, especially the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Jaws </i>sequels. But the success of 2018's <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Meg</i> has certainly excited things in recent years. Which brings us to <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Black Demon</i>, the story of a monstrous megalodon sent by the gods to punish us for our mistreatment of the Earth. Yes that's right, the director of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rambo: Last Blood</i> has delivered a killer shark movie with a message about climate change, and a rather forced one at that! In fact, the movie stops dead about half way through to give audiences a lecture (with visuals) on the damage we have caused.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpvC7vmx4R51ANpYf2rRY3KDIHrmp9d82qtuzXzX7swvoojWLnXw40YiEYiCSlJ7-4TYbtID0o_0GpC1qqpcVwsGesVL1rmvNcz9YWP0VbuAVw-tUw2VvgmzWHdzmr7uzQ5JgBUC58CV-DxKSrXK4FIu42DyBCd_Dr5uI4qobUmKphiDF9DhaKL7l5A/s1500/BD2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpvC7vmx4R51ANpYf2rRY3KDIHrmp9d82qtuzXzX7swvoojWLnXw40YiEYiCSlJ7-4TYbtID0o_0GpC1qqpcVwsGesVL1rmvNcz9YWP0VbuAVw-tUw2VvgmzWHdzmr7uzQ5JgBUC58CV-DxKSrXK4FIu42DyBCd_Dr5uI4qobUmKphiDF9DhaKL7l5A/w640-h426/BD2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This might be an easier pill to swallow if the movie was in any way engaging, but </span>apart from a few scenes <i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">The Black Demon</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> just fails to grab you. It certainly doesn't earn the right to lecture. As a killer shark movie it's pretty weak. The genre is pretty well stocked, meaning - fish puns aside - each new entry must try to find a hook. In this case the great big shark has the ability to torture its victims with terrifying visions - because being stuck in the water with a giant set of teeth chasing after you isn't terrifying enough! Either way, this curious ability is used a tad inconsistently and doesn't do much for the movie or the shark itself. The fact that we only catch mere glimpses of the titular megalodon does at least mean we don't have to dwell on the poor CGI, and it also grants the shark a mildly haunting presence. However, the movie could never be called scary. Even the beast's occasional attacks on the rig fail to conjure an unnerving sense of peril.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD3-NG9VBRORDiu3s8CTu9Rq-7QrAZEmIMxLPmcZXpUczYqq5fmgONBrim5mLn7D_Vvy_0Fwt4afQP4nI1ki3uFmVf7TnG2zDZWZ0k1jYMu05jZJAJBaLbumcPBeU0dfZS7d_9t7b-rE-02T8uqkfDqhrZPF0BS8RkUS2cRKymjNhUgUm2xO-IOneqQ/s4096/BD4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="4096" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD3-NG9VBRORDiu3s8CTu9Rq-7QrAZEmIMxLPmcZXpUczYqq5fmgONBrim5mLn7D_Vvy_0Fwt4afQP4nI1ki3uFmVf7TnG2zDZWZ0k1jYMu05jZJAJBaLbumcPBeU0dfZS7d_9t7b-rE-02T8uqkfDqhrZPF0BS8RkUS2cRKymjNhUgUm2xO-IOneqQ/w640-h360/BD4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The one thing the movie does do well is in creating a high pressure environment on the rig, with the very thing keeping the family and their new found friends alive also being the source of their doom. Between some excellent set design and some good - but occasionally hammy - performances, there is a growing sense of tension and even </span>claustrophobia<span style="font-family: inherit;"> as they try to find a way to get safely back to shore. Julio Cesar Cedillo and Josh Lucas have some good arguments and /or slugging matches, but is there more to it than their perilous situation and one's refusal to accept what is happening right in front of his eyes? </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz-FKAyR_yBadJak9wPSRDtasI2F6bTEPbSds8kpoWBdswX2sM1Qojq1yGyQSpB7EOgxQtX-X-RdR15sT94-RVXLynLDhN4eTVFhHpLlENm-QJgUd7LEufzYgRUCkusJyQb9Eqf5muatpmhKeCXIKrGKOac7NNwXlPJ9ft4Acnckrg2p3MyXqSAk5Mw/s1280/BD6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz-FKAyR_yBadJak9wPSRDtasI2F6bTEPbSds8kpoWBdswX2sM1Qojq1yGyQSpB7EOgxQtX-X-RdR15sT94-RVXLynLDhN4eTVFhHpLlENm-QJgUd7LEufzYgRUCkusJyQb9Eqf5muatpmhKeCXIKrGKOac7NNwXlPJ9ft4Acnckrg2p3MyXqSAk5Mw/w640-h360/BD6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some good performances and excellent set design. However, the tense environment on the rig and a mostly absent El Demonio Negro aren't really enough to keep this killer shark movie afloat.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/10</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm30sGFCEQeHEYZECB2Rtz1Q8FJZTU_WY-GbIF14YCnGes9Io_EQNJ35bkYziksf-Co46e-xu_sgZdkju9jP9OkreJ867ryftUDdBFlV4FhbW3KJyUiS5Zce9YZw1Z7rzss1sukLqyXwksY7AXkjkHnlpyI3CufQeSv3EqryjsSO1DCnwZkm-F7m2ybA/s6000/BD5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm30sGFCEQeHEYZECB2Rtz1Q8FJZTU_WY-GbIF14YCnGes9Io_EQNJ35bkYziksf-Co46e-xu_sgZdkju9jP9OkreJ867ryftUDdBFlV4FhbW3KJyUiS5Zce9YZw1Z7rzss1sukLqyXwksY7AXkjkHnlpyI3CufQeSv3EqryjsSO1DCnwZkm-F7m2ybA/w640-h360/BD5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Black Demon</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-26082650765797063302023-06-02T05:13:00.004+01:002023-06-02T05:17:18.002+01:00John Wick: Chapter 4 | Average Guy Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ws_DwWsKUgfae7zofSrTp-pH3oCWkq4xTcP1k4pTu9eS4-3AyfwOFyC_4sqEIgqZOuGrUYrQaKq3cKRkmPTovOyZcTgwWvjwmQjpJ1qlJrnY2hJTQ92hHPddNO_-_Yups_wMmmgd4uQPFm0HNhAa8tlskxaca_Gr3NgvXaZsTZf2LRADqPDB-eV9dw/s1280/JW1.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ws_DwWsKUgfae7zofSrTp-pH3oCWkq4xTcP1k4pTu9eS4-3AyfwOFyC_4sqEIgqZOuGrUYrQaKq3cKRkmPTovOyZcTgwWvjwmQjpJ1qlJrnY2hJTQ92hHPddNO_-_Yups_wMmmgd4uQPFm0HNhAa8tlskxaca_Gr3NgvXaZsTZf2LRADqPDB-eV9dw/w640-h320/JW1.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chad Stahelski leads us on another deliciously colourful foray into this gilded underworld of death, and I loved every minute of it!</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Both Keanu Reeves and John Wick are relentless - one in his ongoing fight to keep on living, and the other in his desire to see this loveable assassin lay waste to yet more of the High Table's minions. And that's the thing about John Wick; he is loveable. For a man of very few words, he's an engaging protagonist. One who is easy to root for, and has been since the very beginning.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Chapter 4</i></b> is the longest <i style="font-weight: bold;">John Wick</i> movie yet, and it is filled to the brim with extreme action, all of which is on an epic scale. How Stahelski and his incredible team keep coming up with new ways for John to shoot, hit, stab and drive his way through armies of killers, I don't know. But once again, they have delivered. Everything about this movie - from the characters (including some rather complicated relationships), to the sets and locations, the cars, and even the weapons - is stunning! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHFOWS0ShlKusFxuqrpr4b0DGeBdr5a0FbkWXnW_BjyVrRm1y4lmEt0fmeMoA15SJOyH6OZBFNMBeeFlyIyHaFooPO4cptj7RI5TuOFxKyULO0tiOWqGsjDDoT2k7MH7vP7hexfYaYGgUQFc7LKkC2BbEZ-dklsZFHEwZ5BzvVFpu1jciINqWPrticw/s1200/JW2.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHFOWS0ShlKusFxuqrpr4b0DGeBdr5a0FbkWXnW_BjyVrRm1y4lmEt0fmeMoA15SJOyH6OZBFNMBeeFlyIyHaFooPO4cptj7RI5TuOFxKyULO0tiOWqGsjDDoT2k7MH7vP7hexfYaYGgUQFc7LKkC2BbEZ-dklsZFHEwZ5BzvVFpu1jciINqWPrticw/w640-h334/JW2.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, it's the fight scenes - of which there are plenty - that really sell it. They are </span>exhilarating<span style="font-family: inherit;">, not to mention incredibly imaginative in both the choreography and the shooting style. </span>Needless to say; the stunt team deserves tea, medals, and a lot of high praise! <span style="font-family: inherit;">I particularly liked the moment in which the great Baba Yaga stripped his own gun, mid-fight, and used the components to dispatch yet more enemies. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But the greatest moment for me comes after John decimates a room full of assassins; he takes out the final man and then unceremoniously collapses to the floor. </span>Naturally he gets back up and continues his rampage. However, that very human moment shows how both the character and the actor have to quite literally give their all to get the job done. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not sure if it was scripted, or just happened and they decided to keep it in, but it really adds something to the movie... for me, anyway.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpPHy-OM8NaKFeqUgMnpffF5FhsJvpgdRbQK5mvU7CADtteHsCpjQ3aUvC1-XZRLOng3nFhjsFqaz-nTTo1emnlBMCzXt-vboKbjHxGPPmIWkUFHOTvO0IwtBmIg1tiXQwoKPzZ9aC7Dw2bTmvEE5brlFlGose5aTuV_Xl3LgAD9cA1ihQZndccdb8Q/s1375/JW4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1375" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpPHy-OM8NaKFeqUgMnpffF5FhsJvpgdRbQK5mvU7CADtteHsCpjQ3aUvC1-XZRLOng3nFhjsFqaz-nTTo1emnlBMCzXt-vboKbjHxGPPmIWkUFHOTvO0IwtBmIg1tiXQwoKPzZ9aC7Dw2bTmvEE5brlFlGose5aTuV_Xl3LgAD9cA1ihQZndccdb8Q/w640-h360/JW4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Once again, John Wick wipes out a legion or two of the underworld's assassins in his attempts to keep on living, and it's as exciting as it is beautiful!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">9/10</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">John Wick: Chapter 4</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-31505950845984926582023-05-26T05:32:00.001+01:002023-09-07T14:01:23.390+01:00Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | Average Guy Movie Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EMOrXfNUiQbJm31_zVSAY9xcmYHgnF_zEGXoHiH2UIiB0Ug910qVGYcmOny8Ri8CWISJ3tOYAcKwrGu8LnDdRAnoxdBdcdc4gP-s4QoaWs86x13o970vFKeI7IC8N-wnSte-ZNrnIggqt64N6xatXVRVZMd2hydriobk-jJZgun_rGUdV_cZDm14DQ/s1920/Guardians%20Vol.%203%20Poster.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EMOrXfNUiQbJm31_zVSAY9xcmYHgnF_zEGXoHiH2UIiB0Ug910qVGYcmOny8Ri8CWISJ3tOYAcKwrGu8LnDdRAnoxdBdcdc4gP-s4QoaWs86x13o970vFKeI7IC8N-wnSte-ZNrnIggqt64N6xatXVRVZMd2hydriobk-jJZgun_rGUdV_cZDm14DQ/w640-h360/Guardians%20Vol.%203%20Poster.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A lot has changed for the Guardians since the blip brought back all those that Thanos snapped away. They have taken over Nowhere, turned it into a haven for refugees and lost souls, and in the process become de facto governors of this potentially smelly colony. They've even got a cool new ship - the 'Bowie' - and discovered the spirit of Christmas. Not that any of this has helped Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who is still struggling with the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana). But when Rocket (Bradley Cooper) is badly wounded in an attack, the gang head off in search of the technology that could save their friend, and in so doing draw the attention of someone from Rocket's past; the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1krw6vdTJUGfSxeNKO9Y1Q4hbMD6ysVI8UWZkvh3Qaq_MKdcsPMUlRbwDcUmnvSbsfpGjrEDOrUO1nwmK4MPeNTruSwUtnaKgTdV2JO1OMSfIvgNGJ71oOSEcX7egacvZdj7UGGXhDOtfgb9dJwyEIOMbjagmAhY1XQPE0ZKCkNmEYgk2CcvV0U-WA/s1800/Guardians%203.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1krw6vdTJUGfSxeNKO9Y1Q4hbMD6ysVI8UWZkvh3Qaq_MKdcsPMUlRbwDcUmnvSbsfpGjrEDOrUO1nwmK4MPeNTruSwUtnaKgTdV2JO1OMSfIvgNGJ71oOSEcX7egacvZdj7UGGXhDOtfgb9dJwyEIOMbjagmAhY1XQPE0ZKCkNmEYgk2CcvV0U-WA/w640-h426/Guardians%203.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It would seem that James Gunn's parting gift to <b><i>Marvel</i></b> before going on to head up <b><i>DC Studios</i></b> was to give them their mojo back. Put simply, <b><i>Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3</i></b> is a return to form for the <b><i>MCU</i></b>. The last couple of movies have been a tad under par for the studio, having received mixed reviews. A</span>lthough <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania </i><span>was</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><span>certainly</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><span>a step in the right direction. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The same goes for their TV outings on </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Disney+</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, which have left some fans unhappy, although I've certainly enjoyed them. But despite being another galaxy spanning adventure, </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Vol. 3</i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> also brings the </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">MCU</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> back to basics; a colourful band of (sometimes) heroes tidying up the mess they've made. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E42FCRR_K3G6jtiFSGQidAVmnmzQ6D-aZgeeX_bzueV8eRD-XNC-4FvfKiKVV7tYPm5Di3LP4cgQxtIMZFJGXDzVRnmEPl_wLBLp4gOmFi2aCgZ1-inidK3b5464KehGH6bOt4TbSpb2ZhFDIeudvheXNqzau3Wn2bGF-xN83FkXbsPvh90Sm2ubWw/s1200/Guardians%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E42FCRR_K3G6jtiFSGQidAVmnmzQ6D-aZgeeX_bzueV8eRD-XNC-4FvfKiKVV7tYPm5Di3LP4cgQxtIMZFJGXDzVRnmEPl_wLBLp4gOmFi2aCgZ1-inidK3b5464KehGH6bOt4TbSpb2ZhFDIeudvheXNqzau3Wn2bGF-xN83FkXbsPvh90Sm2ubWw/w640-h426/Guardians%2010.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over several movies and phases we have watched this rag-tag bunch of reprobates come together as a team and grow into the family they all needed. Now they have to fight for it, because </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Vol. 3</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> isn't so much about saving the galaxy as it is about the Guardians saving each other. Which does make it another rip-roaring adventure across the galaxy we all want, but one with real heart... not to mention plenty of hilarious bickering, unorthodox action - including a very cool corridor fight (the <i style="font-weight: bold;">MCU</i>'s specialty), and a whole lot of 'WTF?' moments. All of which is set, unsurprisingly, to another epic soundtrack. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpTAgwrB-_PNqbcuLxe4D24wwNcPLz93ob6lRBYeh5yTqgFYDbVu7yfIlJnNoCjXaSiuwTmsnG46u9bW1Q7OO48hy1mAC_Ncy7SGRmm6Lc486YxDpVep4ARcFaQ-PFvHcBu3YhhtqqEw-VLAUjxuRBr68QiTsJMClmhiGW-h3HcAMOMMgT36cWpKzCg/s1049/Guardians%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1049" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpTAgwrB-_PNqbcuLxe4D24wwNcPLz93ob6lRBYeh5yTqgFYDbVu7yfIlJnNoCjXaSiuwTmsnG46u9bW1Q7OO48hy1mAC_Ncy7SGRmm6Lc486YxDpVep4ARcFaQ-PFvHcBu3YhhtqqEw-VLAUjxuRBr68QiTsJMClmhiGW-h3HcAMOMMgT36cWpKzCg/w640-h360/Guardians%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There's no denying that every one of the Guardians is troubled in some way, damaged even. Over their many adventures we have come to learn just how damaged they are, and why. But one of them has always hidden his troubles behind a rather prickly personality and an arsehole's approach to pretty much everything. The poor little trash panda doesn't even know he's a raccoon, for crying out loud. In many ways <i style="font-weight: bold;">Vol. 3</i> is Rocket (Bradley Cooper)'s story, in that as much as it is about saving him, it's also about where he comes from and how that made him who he is. Although it is a shame he's out of action for such a large chunk of the main story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0-IBT40D4m5dAQhT4E2aSPmkDHv8_t6bNQR7HQ7s4G6EdEbNpNibdxidA-JU_ESr1aU3NMLId6QZb62vk7ViOLG4mneRoYArNIQc48yQQ7Lsgx8aNHHyBguLVU8T_VcN4Y6GX2tWNJ_dgU-L4YhXnKPR42p2TL7bl_UFXx553-gwSDWcKOfQJEUACw/s1200/Guardians%2011.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0-IBT40D4m5dAQhT4E2aSPmkDHv8_t6bNQR7HQ7s4G6EdEbNpNibdxidA-JU_ESr1aU3NMLId6QZb62vk7ViOLG4mneRoYArNIQc48yQQ7Lsgx8aNHHyBguLVU8T_VcN4Y6GX2tWNJ_dgU-L4YhXnKPR42p2TL7bl_UFXx553-gwSDWcKOfQJEUACw/w640-h360/Guardians%2011.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Which is what sets this movie apart from the Guardians other adventures; whereas before the team have endured, encountered and witnessed some pretty messed up stuff, this latest outing truly is the stuff of nightmares. Totally unfiltered Gunn, if you will. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Even Nebula (Karen Gillan) admits that Rocket has been through a lot worse than even she. <b><i>Vol. 3</i></b> will actually change how you see Rocket, and all of the Guardians to a degree. And yet it is still an exciting, hilarious, ridiculous, heart-warming tale. One that only James Gunn and the Guardians of the Galaxy could conjure. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seriously though, this is the first </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">MCU</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> movie that I would advise parents to check out before letting their kids see it. And I am in no way talking about the controversial first F-Bomb, which actually felt rather appropriate in that moment. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lYZ_5-dZiowr3gYCdZkl1Sd-WxA9tBL4OIcOJB52CWgPV1R5ovru0-1kOfkawSV2E8d9GE0VnBT41HCd0-FOMkIhbhQM1AHmsVpbc8F7seHufri66O3RiWvSPNaFeexT7NjfUjKcZJgFLYKrgDoYXk22QCHBvSc-jyDngo0gz7rE1PxNqDvsoogAxQ/s1200/Guardians%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lYZ_5-dZiowr3gYCdZkl1Sd-WxA9tBL4OIcOJB52CWgPV1R5ovru0-1kOfkawSV2E8d9GE0VnBT41HCd0-FOMkIhbhQM1AHmsVpbc8F7seHufri66O3RiWvSPNaFeexT7NjfUjKcZJgFLYKrgDoYXk22QCHBvSc-jyDngo0gz7rE1PxNqDvsoogAxQ/w640-h360/Guardians%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The man we have to thank for all this nightmare fuel, however, is the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a giant douche of galactic proportions with the most epic of god complexes - all of which Iwuji plays brilliantly, scarily so at times. He seeks to create the perfect species, and it would appear that he still needs Rocket to complete his work, putting him on a collision course with the Guardians. But the High Evolutionary isn't the only new player in the game. As well as a series of fun cameos, Will Poulter enters the galaxy as Adam Warlock; the Sovereign's weapon of revenge against the Guardians. He is not what I expected - apart from being rather powerful - and his ability to create havoc is both surprising and very entertaining. Needless to say, you never really know what he's going to do next, and Poulter proves to be the perfect choice for the role.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWQYwy4ikrVifoOFpOb648GUPQlCH-kvLKO12w8Pe6TvQMVjfC-Bcd-OrbTt6L47eMSTZ0MRdnk0vR5ZccWEhQUnX9t1ke9X7VLFR673Lm2EfPoZXXz-YZvABFez7-ZvJTpOl7-9JIWE2MePyd-HLe8eDKLb6TwguPVDyO0lkuCYrdeGSGk8nEkpb5g/s1400/Guardians%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWQYwy4ikrVifoOFpOb648GUPQlCH-kvLKO12w8Pe6TvQMVjfC-Bcd-OrbTt6L47eMSTZ0MRdnk0vR5ZccWEhQUnX9t1ke9X7VLFR673Lm2EfPoZXXz-YZvABFez7-ZvJTpOl7-9JIWE2MePyd-HLe8eDKLb6TwguPVDyO0lkuCYrdeGSGk8nEkpb5g/w640-h480/Guardians%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is definitely a sense of coming full circle to <i style="font-weight: bold;">Vol. 3</i>, and somehow it feels like just another chapter, at least for some of the Guardians. Nothing is wrapped up in a tidy bow, as you might expect. Like the Quill/Gamora relationship. Can you imagine trying to get your head around such a paradox? Let alone resolving it over the course of one movie. So in a rather clever move, Gunn simply plays with their relationship, showing us in hilarious fashion how it feels for both of them as they are forced together once more. All this gives the movie a natural feel, a sense of normalcy - as much as you can for a story about a band of space pirates living in the decapitated head of a long dead celestial being, anyway. However, there's definitely a hint that their story will continue in the <i style="font-weight: bold;">MCU</i>. Who knows what that would look like without James Gunn in the mix? But for now, he's definitely given the <i style="font-weight: bold;">MCU</i> its mojo back.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxDLIWDvuTFi4Dsg1ZonmyH3U1iHr22uaPHHFYqPMC2TaO_nJAHcHcpfV4olXv0UkOjWvAC-fx2jiXMWG9GCoSBqmQkjACqPX2h-YVMKvjAm0hP63uSVARmPUzYkSZNGkEDbQZp7vMhl38R3YznVfsTxi6HIyOfhbLD-Izq_2K0bUs2cPRy13T3TrbA/s1920/Guardians%205.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxDLIWDvuTFi4Dsg1ZonmyH3U1iHr22uaPHHFYqPMC2TaO_nJAHcHcpfV4olXv0UkOjWvAC-fx2jiXMWG9GCoSBqmQkjACqPX2h-YVMKvjAm0hP63uSVARmPUzYkSZNGkEDbQZp7vMhl38R3YznVfsTxi6HIyOfhbLD-Izq_2K0bUs2cPRy13T3TrbA/w640-h360/Guardians%205.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For both <b><i>Marvel</i></b> and the <i><b>Guardians of the Galaxy</b></i>, James Gunn has gone out with a bang. <b style="font-style: italic;">Vol. 3</b> is exactly the kind of insane, galaxy spanning adventure we want from our favourite band of space pirates/sometimes heroes. Only more emotional and horrifying than before. It marks both the end of an era and the potential start of something new. The only question is; what would a <b><i>Guardians</i></b> movie look like without James Gunn?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">9.5/10</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KYQAcO1GAI0gwjttHH4jxOgMVsGd3XHvSywloGqNBTOe8B-FKUDRSA9wkxD-t41T0LH6vWSJL6LRpE8Fmad-DpQPHUy5nGu-zfYXOhL0PifTvsvKkFzg4-1f1TLZjMXZQ1Kuh6tzNVGc87pH11VomjXCBmTPBGe_64OiUHYqB3p5t07XUH3tvXjQ3A/s1248/Guardians%201.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1248" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KYQAcO1GAI0gwjttHH4jxOgMVsGd3XHvSywloGqNBTOe8B-FKUDRSA9wkxD-t41T0LH6vWSJL6LRpE8Fmad-DpQPHUy5nGu-zfYXOhL0PifTvsvKkFzg4-1f1TLZjMXZQ1Kuh6tzNVGc87pH11VomjXCBmTPBGe_64OiUHYqB3p5t07XUH3tvXjQ3A/w640-h360/Guardians%201.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at moviemoustache@gmail.com.</span></p>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2427679478240825968.post-2847824045366089772023-05-24T00:36:00.000+01:002023-05-24T00:36:55.195+01:00Black Adam | Average Guy Movie Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJfMiu_x-EVvHysep17JMaybkEU6xAPYZaC6sGB91F_a_ZqUEpVPExS25lRgtBSvEH0s1ZRzZPyqyjliDB-G5EO8zYIv5IK5eUl7hk32Mz2Sf22LKgWUMxMYlh2tmDSwXDdEYNvYtxB2eeeL-WWKY0ckUMRo7zoqKqt6OMoxnlBXz3SZe8Uo6XEizfw/s1280/Adam%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJfMiu_x-EVvHysep17JMaybkEU6xAPYZaC6sGB91F_a_ZqUEpVPExS25lRgtBSvEH0s1ZRzZPyqyjliDB-G5EO8zYIv5IK5eUl7hk32Mz2Sf22LKgWUMxMYlh2tmDSwXDdEYNvYtxB2eeeL-WWKY0ckUMRo7zoqKqt6OMoxnlBXz3SZe8Uo6XEizfw/w640-h360/Adam%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After 5000 years imprisonment, Teth Adam (Dwayne Johnson), a slave bestowed with the powers of the Egyptian gods is awoken to find his home country of Kahndaq overrun by mercenaries. The ensuing chaos draws the attention of Amanda Waller, who tasks the Justice Society with capturing Teth Adam before his reign of destruction gets out of hand.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHIFjW5BWuth7kGywemiVWWr4Ecw5rRN7OlC1h5ywR3FbcjZxSWrRyB9yvw3WdvnPQEN1EDWTIMIG-ZREst66eAdVBLAT4MFpySaiHrWOTsXNAs99yi5Ig1iAMFBqcVtLYXKcU1r-lZknXNSlc78JkGfli6gJrlL22CxiDmedoAHH72qAAuG83_yIrg/s2438/Adam%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2438" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHIFjW5BWuth7kGywemiVWWr4Ecw5rRN7OlC1h5ywR3FbcjZxSWrRyB9yvw3WdvnPQEN1EDWTIMIG-ZREst66eAdVBLAT4MFpySaiHrWOTsXNAs99yi5Ig1iAMFBqcVtLYXKcU1r-lZknXNSlc78JkGfli6gJrlL22CxiDmedoAHH72qAAuG83_yIrg/w640-h316/Adam%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Watching <i style="font-weight: bold;">Black Adam</i>, the first thing that strikes me - and I know I'm late to the party on this - is that it was never going to save the <i style="font-weight: bold;">DCEU</i> (in its current form). The story is weak. Every twist can be spotted a mile off. The characters aren't exactly compelling. Especially the villain! There's a lot of obvious green screen/CGI, all of which has a nasty habit of taking you out of the movie. And it all builds to a rather uninteresting finale that includes a whole lot more bad CGI.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQcMyk5_Xz4yYA5LHgnDoFNFirQxMgZKGpSdNtYFTQBVW06KKRkvSiUfDkAbWvNBv2jKdZSIPZgsJABQyvRmbJoOHApidEZp9pKxoLyaItUd4RFEN1SePXxq7B9KP5en8tVnrBGWMMcLaMlvad5ytrw624qa1GHjeBLcl-yQ0qenGfIeG5PJAh545Eg/s1400/Adam%208.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1400" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQcMyk5_Xz4yYA5LHgnDoFNFirQxMgZKGpSdNtYFTQBVW06KKRkvSiUfDkAbWvNBv2jKdZSIPZgsJABQyvRmbJoOHApidEZp9pKxoLyaItUd4RFEN1SePXxq7B9KP5en8tVnrBGWMMcLaMlvad5ytrw624qa1GHjeBLcl-yQ0qenGfIeG5PJAh545Eg/w640-h360/Adam%208.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The movie's biggest selling point, by far, is seeing Dwayne Johnson playing this dark and brooding, badass comic book role - one that he happens to be rather passionate about. It feels like <i style="font-weight: bold;">DC</i> bet big on the star power of The Rock, but even his shoulders weren't broad enough to carry this one. Sure, you feel sorry for this ant-hero who is awoken after 5000 years to find that everything he once knew is gone, which serves as a horrible reminder of all that he has lost, and Johnson does a good enough job of portraying the pain and emptiness that such a trauma would cause. There's also plenty of action for Adam to show off his immense powers. Although I was surprised to see a reference to <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Good, the Bad and the Ugly </i>in there. But even seeing a superpowered being take out his colossal anger on anyone and anything that gets in his way can get a little tedious after a while.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIz3OofOI3dyE7R_EOnPoc94Ahox0FtUcUWD8XTy3jXQDTzkbV72K0LrOfjIlCpscHaxuM3LK33K_6NLCR9FnGj7_HrMQBJwEp-hR-WkcfhN2jgHYvznosQZbwPDCa7G4t4Hx6lhOSWSBVE5THGoY67SUfnNrqftmmCXGIoB7myNiGhhQ_tsuOWGtHg/s1200/Adam%205.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="1200" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIz3OofOI3dyE7R_EOnPoc94Ahox0FtUcUWD8XTy3jXQDTzkbV72K0LrOfjIlCpscHaxuM3LK33K_6NLCR9FnGj7_HrMQBJwEp-hR-WkcfhN2jgHYvznosQZbwPDCa7G4t4Hx6lhOSWSBVE5THGoY67SUfnNrqftmmCXGIoB7myNiGhhQ_tsuOWGtHg/w640-h268/Adam%205.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The problem is; this is a major part of the plot - Black Adam shows up and punches stuff. Making the two hour runtime a bit of a slog, which is something I did not expect. In fact, it's probably the most surprising thing about this movie. Even the Justice Society's appearance doesn't help, given that their only plan is to hit Adam repeatedly. Undoubtedly this is some sort of reference to western governments' meddling in the Middle East, just not a very good one. The four members are reduced to two-</span>dimensional/cardboard cut-out characters that generate pretty much zero interest. One of whom is clearly wearing a <i style="font-weight: bold;">Deadpool</i> mask. That said, Pierce Brosnan does at least manage to bring some gravitas to Doctor Fate. And I did enjoy the relationship between the good doctor and Aldis Hodge as Hawkman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34qEAEfb2AgTgjQswboiqy7iNOzDW5RgWZtDi6Zz1Zbz_PI-efnIXQiZbAxLNWwOmXNBO3G-vqAUoO5GYM1GElLUEv8JA1OotoaQsihBSUQ7u4sysPfFjq637pNwuBUXDTGKIAZE1jxyiLLj87vQ5nBCPKIbLmYxCBo87BilBQ8aIzkkFtiLkUFrFQg/s1024/Adam%204.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="1024" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34qEAEfb2AgTgjQswboiqy7iNOzDW5RgWZtDi6Zz1Zbz_PI-efnIXQiZbAxLNWwOmXNBO3G-vqAUoO5GYM1GElLUEv8JA1OotoaQsihBSUQ7u4sysPfFjq637pNwuBUXDTGKIAZE1jxyiLLj87vQ5nBCPKIbLmYxCBo87BilBQ8aIzkkFtiLkUFrFQg/w640-h286/Adam%204.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It might help if the supporting characters brought something to the table, but this two hour slug-fest barely has time for Adam to have any development or mystery surrounding him. Sarah Shahi seems to be there merely to worry about her teenage son (Bodhi Sabongui), who naturally can't stop getting into trouble. The villain - who is the subject of several of those obvious twists - feels like an after thought, and a rather bland one at that. A lone tick box among many tick boxes on a very crowded checklist. I guess they had to have someone who could make Black Adam look slightly good. Someone also had to provide the army of punchbags for Adam to decimate. Speaking of punchbags; I thought Intergang died with <i style="font-weight: bold;">Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman</i>!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjUmW2ZdAtPzh9ANrJXDba9sh0tPAZ79XxBbFeAyYMERB5CqUKdgTK3KFj342-aN1J43JSU-9zqc3lYvGcjidjfgZSZphOc_sXb4iQ1_huVht-BhbS5bcffgmReFyfMXFhNxRa0h61_BJoekgub57wfmIoMWhZrcE925vZhbTOmd4EEIJrcqSV0CAUA/s1280/Adam%209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjUmW2ZdAtPzh9ANrJXDba9sh0tPAZ79XxBbFeAyYMERB5CqUKdgTK3KFj342-aN1J43JSU-9zqc3lYvGcjidjfgZSZphOc_sXb4iQ1_huVht-BhbS5bcffgmReFyfMXFhNxRa0h61_BJoekgub57wfmIoMWhZrcE925vZhbTOmd4EEIJrcqSV0CAUA/w640-h360/Adam%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">All in all it's a two hour punch fest with very little in the way of plot. Dwayne Johnson looks good as the titular anti-hero, but not enough to keep you invested, or at times even interested. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">3/10</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW_1VcC4Gwdz83_gozBvVBmvd-h9fp8quayjYi4pQagpM6hy_Ek8YhBqA6qPcBdHRc6EtKDl9sFB8HFKWZgSfRJMrle499zEtQ6eCL08JcW1KDLAxDSyoXNQ77vlyiGvsWbR2f8gp6Qe9nfds79p7hCKHVy6-d_ckGuasEtTLpuaS374jkQHLNr-IAA/s4297/Adam%202.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4297" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW_1VcC4Gwdz83_gozBvVBmvd-h9fp8quayjYi4pQagpM6hy_Ek8YhBqA6qPcBdHRc6EtKDl9sFB8HFKWZgSfRJMrle499zEtQ6eCL08JcW1KDLAxDSyoXNQ77vlyiGvsWbR2f8gp6Qe9nfds79p7hCKHVy6-d_ckGuasEtTLpuaS374jkQHLNr-IAA/w640-h268/Adam%202.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What did you think of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Black Adam</i>? Leave a comment below or find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moviemoustache2.0">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Movie_Moustache">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/movie_moustache/">Instagram</a>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:moviemoustache@gmail.com">moviemoustache@gmail.com</a>.</span></div>Simon Appletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14308913174840325684noreply@blogger.com0