Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood, 16/08/19

ONCE UPON A TIME IN ... HOLLYWOOD

Trailer

*The movie was released this week, but was released last week elsewhere*

Synopsis

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood first visits Los Angeles in 1969, where TV star Rick Dalton and his stunt double, Cliff Booth make their way around an industry they hardly recognise anymore as everything seems to be changing. Includes multiple story-lines and a large ensemble cast in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s Golden Age

Cinema

ODEON

Run Time

Two hours, 41 minutes (2h 41m)

Current Rating

85%

Cast

Rick Dalton – Leonardo DiCaprio
Cliff Booth – Brad Pitt
Sharon Tate – Margot Robbie
Jay Sebring – Emile Hirsch
Pussycat – Margaret Qualley
James Stacy – Timothy Olyphant
Trudi Fraser – Julia Butters
Charles “Tex” Watson – Austin Butler
Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme – Dakota Fanning
George Spahn – Bruce Dern
Bruce Lee – Mike Moh
Steve McQueen – Damien Lewis
Marvin Schwarz – Al Pacino
Mary Alice Schwarz – Brenda Vaccaro
Roman Polanski – Rafal Zawierucha
Francesca Capucci – Lorenza Izzo

Movie details

Mid – Credits: Yes

End – Credits: No

Review: Well, there was a large cast, but really I was there for Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. It never ceases to amaze me how effortlessly these two manage to draw me in with their performances. They stop becoming actors and become the characters they are portraying, and they are in a movie, together. I was impressed through.

But moving on, the movie is set against the backdrop of a changing Hollywood. A lot of tributes can be spotted, with the main standout being to Adam West’s 1960s Batman TV series to basically highlight the era setting, with quite a bit of humour involved, considering it is a Quentin Tarantino movie. I can’t really comment on Bruce Lee’s portrayal in the movie as this the setting is more or less fifty years ago.

*Spoiler Alert* However, the movie heavily depicts some of the “Manson Family” members. Events have been changed for the movie, but there is some historical depictions involved. The changes are intended to make the movie more exciting, and for me, it more or less pays off in Quentin Tarantino style.Certain parts of the movie were quite suspenseful, but ended up becoming quite satisfying.

Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw, 02/08/19

FAST AND FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS AND SHAW

Trailer

Synopsis

Ever since Hobbs, a loyal agent of America’s DSS (Diplomatic Security Service) and lawless outcast Shaw, former British military elite operative first clashed in Furious 7 (2015), they have tried to take each other down via smack talk and body blows. But a cyber genetically enhanced anarchist, Brixton, attempts to gain control of a bio threat that could alter humanity (He also manages to get the upper hand against a fearless rogue MI6 agent who also happens to be Shaw’s sister), the duo then become unlikely partners to bring down someone more intimidating than themselves

Run Time

Two hours, sixteen minutes (2h 16m)

Current Rating

71%

Cast

Luke Hobbs – Dwayne Johnson
Decker Shaw – Jason Statham
Brixton – Idris Elba
Hattie Shaw – Vanessa Kirby
Jonah – Cliff Curtis
Queenie – Helen Mirren
Madam M – Eiza Gonzalez
Professor Andreiko – Eddie Marsan

Movie details

Mid – Credits: Yes, contains two scenes

End – Credits: Yes

Review: It was definitely fast and it was definitely furious. The movie is packed with action and after being concerned that all the hype of the movie was all contained within the trailers (Like some previous movies I have seen previously), I can say that much more was included in the movie to keep audiences interested as the movie developed. It was packed with Hobbs and Shaw smack talking to each other, back and forth, which was quite entertaining to watch.

As for the humour (aside from the smack talk between Hobbs and Shaw), there was quite a bit involved. We had multiple cameo appearances from someone stepping out of costume from another movie franchise into a uniform who, then went on to talk about another television series that many people may be familiar with. Hattie, Shaw’s sister also ends up with a catchphrase which she uses throughout the movie.

The main focus in the movie (aside from the bio threat) is around technology, and how people use it. The movie touches on technology being in the wrong hands and the dangers involved from being too heavily reliant on such. It was definitely not something I expected. There were moments in the movie in which I thought that certain scenes paid homage to the Dark Knight, Batman.

However, the movie does more or less end on a cliff hanger and leaves it wide open for a possible sequel opportunity. Whether they end up being recurring villains / characters from the main franchise, or going in a different direction entirely, remains to be seen but either way, for me, the current direction looks positive.

THE LION KING

Mid-Credits: No

End-Credits: No

Review: The original movie from 1994 gave me many life lessons, some of which have stayed with me to this day. The remake is a slight retelling, slightly modernised. It has humour, tradegy, original songs / soundtracks and is visually stunning, as the original was. I felt it was ground breaking, and enjoyed the movie.

Upcoming review for The Lion King, 19/07/19

Upcoming review for The Lion King


Trailer below:

Movie synopsis: Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa and carves a path of his own royal destiny on the plains of Africa. However, not everyone celebrates the cubs arrival as Scar, King Mufasa's brother, and the now former heir to the throne, plots in the background. The pride lands is soon rocked with betrayal, tragedy and drama, leading to Simba's exile. After befriending a curious pair, Simba must now figure out how to grow up and back what is his, by right.

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

Mid-Credits: Yes

End-Credits: Yes

Review: Well, trust the MCU to make a story to close out Phase 3 that was quite fun to watch. It had action, emotion, humour, homages and a shocking revelation during the Mid-Credits. Also, the End-Credits tease a possible direction for the MCU for Phase 4.

Upcoming review for Spider-Man: Far From Home, 03/06/19

Upcoming review for Spider-Man: Far From Home


Trailer below:

Official Synopsis: Following on from the events of Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man must step to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.


This movie continues on straight after Avengers: Endgame, and is expected to close out Phase 3 of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).

BRIGHTBURN

Mid-Credits: Yes, Continues story, but does not tease sequel

End-Credits: No

Review: Well, this was the one horror movie I was waiting for, and I usually don't wait to watch horror movies. It is more or less an Ultraman (Superman from Earth 3) origin story, sort of. It also has the potential for a shared universe (Crime Syndicate of America or Injustice), depending on copyright issues.