REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN (2019), 02/08/20

REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN (2019)

Trailer         

Synopsis

Adapted from one of 1992’s The Death of Superman arcs, the world mourns the death of the Man of Steel, while seemingly new heroes emerge who lay claim to be the true Kryptonian himself. Their powers are then put to the test as a deadly threat emerges to target the Earth in Superman’s absence.

Cinema

Online Stream

Run Time

One hour, Twenty Seven minutes (1h, 27m)

Movie Rating

93%

Age Rating

12 (Action / Adventure / Animation / Violence / Sci-Fi)

Cast

Superman / Kal-El / Clark Kent / Hank Henshaw (voice modulation?) – Jerry O’Connell
Batman / Bruce Wayne – Jason O’Mara
Wonder Woman / Diana Prince / Princess Diana – Rosario Dawson
Lois Lane – Rebecca Romijn
Lex Luthor – Rainn Wilson
Green Lantern / Hal Jordan – Nathan Fillon
Superboy / Conner Kent / Kon-El – Cameron Monaghan
Flash / Barry Allen – Christopher Gorham
Cyborg / Victor Stone – Shemar Moore
Martian Manhunter / J’onn J’onzz / John Jones / Ron Troupe? – Nyambi Nyambi
Darkseid / Uxas – Tony Todd
Jonathan “Pa” Kent / Cemetery Worker? – Paul Eiding
Martha “Ma” Kent / President Joan Dale / Watchtower Computer – Jennifer Hale
Mayor Booker – Jonathan Adams
Perry White – Rocky Carroll
John Henry Irons / Steel – Cress Williams
Dabney Donovan / G. Gordon Godfrey / Snakey Doyle – Trevor Devall
Hank Henshaw / Cyborg Superman – Patrick Fabian
Bibbo Bibbowski / Kryptonian A.I / Eradicator – Charles Halford
Mercy Graves / Becky? / Sullivan – Erica Luttrell
Jimmy Olsen / Steve Lombard? Eric? – Max Mittelman
Cat Grant – Toks Olagundoye

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: Yes (Sets up sequel)

Before the Review: Coronavirus continues to dominate the news, impacting people’s lifestyles and unfortunately, my local cinema remains closed. Moving on again, pharmaceutical company Moderna was subjected to a cyber attack during “promising” vaccine trials, the UK continues to amend it’s exemption list of countries to quarantine from upon return as Luxembourg was recently removed as Europe is beginning to spark fears of a second wave and a borough has introduced bus lanes for some buses running upwards of every hour, causing longer traffic queues and drivers driving in the bus lane anyway... *facepalm*

Review: Well, there may have been no “Save Martha” moments here, but segments where questioning the need for a Superman definitely felt like they were taken out of Dawn of Justice. Whilst some people cried out for a “black suit” Superman within that movie, they will not be disappointed here. Although, some plot elements for me felt wildly off the mark. Without giving too much away, the story line has been altered to give it a more updated feel. 

Again, as with the previous movie, I have changed the “Age Rating” from “12A” to 12, as there is violence and language for which some people, mainly parents may find unacceptable for their children. This is DC we are talking about, which more or less, aims towards a more mature audience. As many should take note, the movie obviously involves Superman in a big way, so many other characters end up with limited screen time. Is Steel supposed to portray Marvel's Ironman?

I thought it was a decent attempt at changing the story for a better creative standpoint, whilst keeping the source material intact. Some may find the movie deviates from this (I felt some parts were out of place, primarily because DC Comics storytelling has changed quite a lot since 1992). Likewise, a lot of creative talent behind these movies should be utilised on to the big screens, even in advisory capacities as I think they have a lot more to offer. I mean, recent Superman comics still have the Kryptonian wearing red “pants” on the outside?

The Death of Superman (2018), 26/07/20

THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN (2018), 26/07/20

Trailer         

Synopsis

Adapted from 1992’s The Death of Superman, a hulking monster called Doomsday battles Superman and the rest of the Justice League, but it falls to the Man of Steel himself to ultimately save the day as the two titans square off in Metropolis.

Cinema

Online Stream

Run Time

One hour, Twenty One minutes (1h, 21m)

Movie Rating

92%

Age Rating

12A (Action / Adventure / Animation / Sci-Fi / Violence)

Cast

Superman / Kal-El / Clark Kent – Jerry O’Connell
Batman / Bruce Wayne – Jason O’Mara
Wonder Woman / Diana Prince / Princess Diana – Rosario Dawson
Lois Lane – Rebecca Romijn
Lex Luthor – Rainn Wilson
Green Lantern / Hal Jordan – Nathan Fillon
Flash / Barry Allen – Christopher Gorham
Aquaman / Arthur Curry / Orin – Matt Lanter
Cyborg / Victor Stone – Shemar Moore
Martian Manhunter / J’onn J’onzz / John Jones – Nyambi Nyambi
Jonathan “Pa” Kent / Astronaut Jim? – Paul Eiding
Martha “Ma” Kent / Dr Klyburn? / Camper? – Jennifer Hale
Mayor Booker – Jonathan Adams
Silas Stone / Perry White? – Rocky Carroll
John Henry Irons / Officer? – Cress Williams
Bruno Mannheim / Dabney Donovan – Trevor Devall
Hank Henshaw / Cyborg Superman – Patrick Fabian
Bibbo Bibbowski / Kryptonian A.I / Eradicator? – Charles Halford
Mercy Graves – Erica Luttrell
Jimmy Olsen / Steve Lombard – Max Mittelman
Cat Grant – Toks Olagundoye
Dan Turpin – Rick Pasqualone
Maggie Sawyer – Amanda Troop

Movie details

Mid – Credits: Yes

End – Credits: Sort of

Before the Review: Coronavirus continues to dominate the news, impacting people’s lifestyles and unfortunately, my local cinema remains closed. Moving on again, experts are linking obesity with COVID 19 risks, literally as soon as pubs opened they are being urged to close as punters are being asked to isolate as many ignored social distancing measures according to news channels, news is also currently in circulation that has Synairgen recording successful drugs trials relating to COVID 19 and a BMW X5 sped past me through a red light before realising and slowed down but was already cutting off other vehicles, so carried on anyway...

Review: For those of us really put off by Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice’s “Save Martha” sequences, you’ll be pleased to know that there is none of that incorporated into this movie. It is slightly different from 2007’s Superman: Doomsday in that the Justice League is added into the adaptation. This would be to show the audience just how much of a threat Doomsday is that the entire Justice League is involved.

I have added “Violence” under “Age Rating” due to the nature of the movie’s villain. Lots of blood and destruction (definitely not a 12A), with added language which is a staple with DC Animated Movie Universe. Be aware that events vary in the clash with Doomsday. In 1992 and 2007, Superman ends Doomsday by flying him into space and then crashing back down to Earth, which seemingly kills the prehistoric Kryptonian. This movie adapts scenes from Man of Steel and Dawn of Justice in a more “modernised” version (excluding "Save Martha").

Personally, I would have liked to have seen more from my favourite Justice Leaguer, Batman. With his inclusion into the movie, I expected something more from someone who is dubbed The World’s Greatest Detective and always having a plan, like in JLA: Tower of Babel. His influence within DC Comics and Entertainment has somewhat weakened, leaving me to expect the worst for Bruce Wayne. Still, I’m hopeful that the follow up movie, Reign of the Supermen, can restore this status quo. Other than this, definitely a must watch.

THE OLD GUARD, 19/07/20

THE OLD GUARD

Trailer         

Synopsis

Based on an acclaimed graphic novel, a covert group of tight-knit mercenaries, led by a warrior named Andy, have a mysterious inability to die and have fought to protect the mortal world for centuries. But the team suddenly finds themselves exposed when taking on an emergency mission where it is up to Andy, along with Nile, the newest recruit, to help them eliminate the threat of those seeking to replicate and monetise their power, by any means necessary.

Cinema

Netflix

Run Time

One hour, Twenty Five minutes (1h, 25m)

Movie Rating

81%

Age Rating

15 (Action / Mystery / Adventure / Suspense / Science Fiction / Fantasy)

Cast

Andy / Andromache of Scythia – Charlize Theron
Nile Freeman – KiKi Layne
Booker / Sebastian Le Livre – Matthias Schoenaerts
Joe / Yusuf Al-Kaysani – Marwan Kenzari
Nicky / Niccolò di Genova – Luca Marinelli
James Copley – Chiwetel Ejiofor
Steven Merrick – Harry Melling
Quynh – Van Veronica Ngo
Dr, Meta Kozak – Anamaria Marinca
Keane – Joey Ansah

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No (But maybe should have been)

End – Credits: No

Before the Review: Coronavirus continues to dominate the news, impacting people’s lifestyles and unfortunately, my local cinema remains closed. Moving on again, a vaccine for COVID-19 which has become amongst the contenders could offer “double protection” is being developed at Oxford (along with reports of hacking attempts?), some cinemas have started reopening across the UK and reckless (and entitled) drivers still think it is acceptable to cut across three lanes from the wrong side of the road (No indicators) and then demand to be left alone when the incident develops into a road rage? *facepalm*

Review: Not going to lie, I thought this was Skydance / Neflix’s attempt at Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood adaptation into a movie. Well, it is probably the closest we’ll get and they’ll most likely be non-player characters (NPCs). But in this movie, the characters are not clad in white robes and wearing hoods with hidden wrist blades, they are more modernised to the current era of the 21^st century, with advanced technology (Sorry Apple of Eden) where identities are more prone to exposure. The movie has betrayal, humour and pretty decent fight scenes.

The only thing that could have amped up the movie is the introduction of Keanu Reeves character, John Wick. The main draw of the movie for me came in the trailer when Andy (Charlize Theron) offers to take a picture of a group, and deletes one where she is accidentally snapped. The secrecy of the mercenaries becomes tantamount to their missions. The tone is more or less set from there onward. There is a disturbing scene regarding a character within the movie, which I am sure will be explored in a sequel, should there be one.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BLOOD PRISON, 11/07/20

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BLOOD PRISON

Trailer         

Synopsis

Being convicted of a crime he did not commit, Naruto is sent to an inescapable prison. Whilst planning his escape Naruto has to contend with his chakra being locked away by the prison warden.

Cinema

Streaming (Japanese with English Subtitles) / Netflix

Run Time

One hour, Forty Eight minutes (1h, 48m)

Movie Rating

59%

Age Rating

12 (Action / Animation / Adventure / Comedy)

Cast

Naruto Uzumaki – Junko Takeuchi
Sakura Haruno – Chie Nakamura
Yamato – Rikiya Koyama
Kakashi Hatake  – Kazuhiko Inoue
Tsunade – Masako Katsuki
Shikamaru Nara – Showtaro Morikubo
Choji Akimichi – Kentarō Itō
Kiba Inuzuka – Kōsuke Toriumi
Neji Hyūga – Kōichi Tōchika
Tenten – Yukari Tamura
Might Guy – Masashi Ebara
Sai – Satoshi Hino
Rock Lee – Yoichi Masukawa
Gamabunta – Hiroshi Naka
A / Fourth Raikage – Hideaki Tezuka
Killer Bee – Hisao Egawa
Samui – Hikari Yono
Omoi – Kunihiro Kawamoto
Karui – Yuka Komatsu
Mui – Masaki Terasoma
Ryuūuzetsu – Mie Sonozaki
Muku/Satori – Yūichi Nakamura
Muku/Satori (Child) – Kengo Kawanishi
Kazan – Kōsei Hirota
Maori – Takaya Kamikawa

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: Yes (Flashback to an earlier event in the movie)

Before the Review: Coronavirus continues to dominate the news and impacting people’s lifestyles, people are still panic buying and unfortunately, the cinema remains closed. Moving on again, Gilead Sciences (A pharmaceutical company) will charge the United States 25% more than the rest of the world for its Coronavirus drug, Remdesivir, Oxford University has moved ahead to lead the vaccine race for COVID-19 and as lock-down easing measures continues, a large truck with a very restless driver decided to overtake at least four vehicles waiting for a van to reverse into a junction with a mini roundabout a few yards away and almost collided with an oncoming... van. Some really bad road transformations makes some drivers really anxious and frustrated?

Review:  A full cast is back, but playing a more limited role than they did in an earlier movie (Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Inheritors of the Will of Fire). The movie is a bit out there with the supernatural element, much like Naruto Shippuden The Movie: the Lost Tower. It felt very much like an Indiana Jones movie, except there is a prison break involved. A few elements at play but the most shocking of all, was Naruto actually thinking outside the box. The trailer above from 1:21 did not occur in the movie.

I really believe that Naruto actually grew in this movie. Although he is “alone” within the confines of the prison, it was somewhat controversial to see him, a 16 year old, thrown in there with grown-ups who are murderers and thieves. But he is a Jinchuriki for the Nine – Tails within him so it is expected of us, the audience, to believe that he can hold his own. A fight scene actually contained some humour, which is quite rare in Naruto Shippuden, unless he is training. Some climatic scenes made for good viewing.

BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, 28/06/20

BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT

Trailer         

Synopsis

Scouring the dark streets of Gotham City to find the elusive and infamous serial killer, Jack the Ripper, this is a Victorian era re-imagining of Batman using his brute strength, wits and steampunk-style gadgets.

Cinema

Streaming

Run Time

One hour, Eighteen minutes (1h, 18m)

Movie Rating

73%

Age Rating

15 (Action / Animation / Adventure / Fantasy /Crime / Horror / Mystery / Thriller)

Cast

Batman / Bruce Wayne – Bruce Greenwood
Selina Kyle – Jennifer Carpenter
Alfred Pennyworth – Anthony Head
Father Callahan – Chris Cox
Police Chief Bullock – John DiMaggio
Cyrus Gold – David Forseth
Sister Leslie Thompkins, Jason Todd and Selina Kyle (Singing Voice) – Grey Griffin
Mayor Tolliver – Bob Joles
Harvey Dent – Yuri Lowenthal
Dickie Grayson – Lincoln Melcher
James Gordon – Scott Patterson
Hugo Strange – William Salyers
Timmy Drake / Marlene Mahoney – Tara Strong
Arkham Radio Man – Bruce Timm
Barbara Eileen Gordon and Pamela “Ivy” Isley – Kari Wuhrer

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: No

Before the Review: Coronavirus continues to dominate the news and impacting people’s lifestyles, people are still panic buying and unfortunately, the cinema remains closed. Moving on again, the beaches were packed out on 24/06/20 – 25/06/20, sparking fears of a second Coronavirus wave, apparently the UK's “game changing” antibody tests are under scrutiny as they only test if you have had the virus but not if you’ve built up an immunity to it and a pickup truck ran a red light on a motorway exit slip roundabout and was followed by a van who joined at the next entrance without stopping whilst another, older people carrier forced its way onto and exited at its first junction. Crazy drivers...

Review: Well, there is definitely a twist on Jack the Ripper’s big identity reveal here. When you feel like you have figured it out, you are thrown a pretty big curve ball, which I feel was very well handled. The lead up to the big reveal seems a bit sinister, but given the aura of reputation surrounding Jack the Ripper, you probably wouldn’t expect anything less.

The movie does well to capture the setting of the Victorian era, where many may feel, by today's standards anyway, that this was a whole different time and in some aspects, still playing catch up. This is reflected in the movie quite well, the twists and turns making for unpredictable sequences throughout the movie. It feels like London, before you realise it is Gotham City.

Although “the Batman” is already established, the movie simply gets going when Batman is introduced to ensure that audiences know what to expect. As a Batman movie, no supporting cast of other heroes are needed, but with Alfred Pennyworth involved, sometimes you feel that he is balancing Bruce Wayne and Batman, which makes you appreciate the character a little bit more. A sequel is possibly teased as well.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE LOST TOWER, 20/06/20

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE LOST TOWER

Trailer         

Synopsis

Naruto is sent back in time to the city of Rouran, after being caught up in chakra ritual. A chance encounter in the past might send him back to his own timeline and possibly save the future.

Cinema

Streaming (Japanese with English Subtitles) / Netflix

Run Time

One hour, Twenty Five minutes (1h, 25m)

Movie Rating

57%

Age Rating

12 (Action / Animation / Adventure / Fantasy / Moderate Violence)

Cast

Naruto Uzumaki – Junko Takeuchi
Sakura Haruno – Chie Nakamura
Yamato – Rikiya Koyama
Young Kakashi – Mutsumi Tamura
Sai – Satoshi Hino
Minato Namikaze – Toshiyuki Morikawa
Young Guy – Mayuki Makiguchi
Young Asuma – Fujiko Takimoto
Tsunade – Masako Katsuki
Shizune – Keiko Nemoto
Third Hokage / Hiruzen Sarutobi – Hidekatsu Shibata
Jiraiya – Hōchū Ōtsuka
Shibi Aburame – Kenji Hamada
Chōza Akimichi – Nobuaki Fukuda
Sāra – Saori Hayami
Sēramu – Yumi Tōma
Mukade / Anrokuzan – Ryūzaburō Ōtomo
Masako – Yuko Kobayashi
Sarai – Fujiko Takimoto

Movie details

Mid – Credits: Yes (Montage for movie and flashback to the anime series)

End – Credits: No

Before the Review: Coronavirus continues to dominate the news and impacting people’s lifestyles, people are still panic buying, but not to the news worthy levels seen during the beginning of the pandemic and unfortunately, the cinema remains closed. Moving on again, the Coronavirus alert level for the UK has been lowered from four to three (4 à3) and is also considering a downgrade of the two metre gap to a one metre gap, the UK is also using Dexamethasone to treat COVID-19 patients which is being used in the NHS (Exercise caution though, it is not a cure / vaccine), and two joggers appeared to wantonly run across the road which forced the oncoming driver to initiate an emergency stop.

Review: Taking a break from the full cast of the previous movie, a makeshift Team Seven has their hands full. Given an element of the movie concerning some major jutsu’s of certain characters from the anime, I was disappointed to not see them show up in the movie. However, that can be excused due to the surprising maturity of one future Fourth Hokage, a younger Minato Namikaze (Although in Naruto’s timeline, he already occupied the position).

Some characters, although they made the cast, feature pretty much as extras to help push the story forward. It is sort of inspiring to see how one particular character, although a huge part of Naruto (including Shippuden) was more or less shaped by his past, which led to his development throughout the series as someone interesting in the series for audiences to enjoy their presence, even though I was more intrigued with Minato Namikaze’s on screen presence.

As expected, some humour at certain parts of the movie. There did also appear to be a possible plot-hole where Minato Namikaze speaks but it is muted and I guess we’ll have to wait and see whether this is resolved in future movies or not. This takes place during an emotional scene where once again, Minato Namikaze’s maturity but more importantly, his intelligence and skill are brought to light.

BATMAN VS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, 13/06/20

BATMAN VS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

Trailer         

Synopsis

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles team up with Batman and some members of the Bat family to do battle with Shredder, Ra’s Al Ghul and The League of Assassins.

Cinema

Streaming (Japanese with English Subtitles)

Run Time

One hour, Twenty Seven minutes (1h, 27m)

Movie Rating

100%

Age Rating

12 (Action / Animation / Violence)

Cast

Batman / Joker – Troy Baker
Leonardo – Eric Bauza
Raphael – Darren Criss
Donatello – Baron Vaughn
Michelangelo – Kyle Mooney
Damian Wayne / Robin – Ben Giroux
Barbara Gordon / Batgirl – Rachel Bloom
Alfred Pennyworth – Brian George
Commissioner Gordon and Dr. Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow – Jim Meskimen
Shredder / Oroku Saki – Andrew Kishino
Ra’s Al Ghul – Cas Anvar
Harvey Dent / Two – Face and Dr. Baxter Stockman – Keith Ferguson
Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot – Tom Kenny
Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy / Dr. Pamela Isley and Pizza Delivery Girl – Tara Strong
Mr Freeze / Dr. Victor Fries – John DiMaggio
Bane – Carlos Alazraqui

Movie details

Mid – Credits: No

End – Credits: Yes (Possible sequel teaser)

Before the Review: Coronavirus continues to dominate the news and impacting people’s lifestyles, people are still panic buying and unfortunately, the cinema remains closed. Moving on again, with the easing of lock-down, you can now have people in your gardens (not inside your houses / flats / accommodation), single people can now, allegedly, stay the night with loved ones and as some popular restaurants begin to open (Drive – Thru’s only), ill tempered people are still showing how much the pandemic has not changed them for the better, at least not for the camera’s rolling... yet.

Review: So, Batman is teaming up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or is he battling them? The title seems to contradict the synopsis. But anyway, the age rating is rightfully 12 and should not be watched with young children as there is violence involved. Nickelodeon may be attached to the movie, but this is a Batman movie as well, so expect some dark scenes not suitable for young children.

It’s not a dark movie, Michelangelo has seen to that there are lots of comedic moments, including some from Batman himself. I used to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a child and was rather sceptical about them appearing alongside Batman. On paper, it seems like a complete mismatch, as the humorous Michelangelo, scientist Donatello, body builder / always seemingly angry Raphael and leader Leonardo all work in tandem because they are brothers, on a children’s show.

But when you consider Leonardo, Raphael and Donatello are similar to Batman (It’s like watching aspects of Batman being rolled into one, minus Michelangelo for the humour), it does make for good viewing. Should there be a sequel, I believe the end – credits will play a part or maybe in possible future crossovers between Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.