The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

It has been years since the man once known as Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård) left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane (Margot Robbie) at his side. Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament, unaware that he is a pawn in a deadly convergence of greed and revenge, masterminded by the Belgian, Captain Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz). But those behind the murderous plot have no idea what they are about to unleash.

‘Legend of Tarzan’ Trailer #2 Shows the Origins of a King

An all-new The Legend of Tarzan trailer has arrived! And it features more of Margot Robbie swinging through the jungle as Jane. She proves to be the real attraction here, though a shirtless Alexander Skarsgard comes in a close second. This latest sneak peek kicks off with an origin story for poor Tarzan, who is stranded in a tree as a baby, orphaned and raised by giant apes to become the King of the Jungle. But once he meets his life mate Jane, things take a turn for the exciting.
From Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures comes the action adventure The Legend of Tarzan, starring Alexander Skarsgard as the legendary character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The film also stars Djimon Hounsou as Chief Mbonga, Samuel L. Jackson as the true-life adventurer George Washington Williams and Casper Crump as Captain Kerchover, along with John Hurt and Simon Russell Beale.

11 Biggest Potential Bombs of 2016

Right off the bat, let's just get this out of the way. We have nothing against any of the films in this list. Especially Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. But it's going to have to throw one heck of a Hail Mary pass to break even at the box office. Movies have always been big business. Budgets have continued to increase since Thomas Edison's Black Maria started churning out films in the late 1800s. As anybody in the industry will tell you, this is generally a business where you have to spend money to make money. And bobs are inevitable.
And that axiom has never been more prescient than it is in today's film world. Movies routinely cost upwards of $100 million dollars. The budgets have been so out of control that in order to reign in costs, very rich actors have lowered their fees only to make more money on the profit end of the films they are in. Heck, it even reached a point where Steven Spielberg himself heard "no" for awhile.

‘Legend of Tarzan’ Trailer Starring Margot Robbie & Alexander Skarsgard

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures comes the action adventure The Legend of Tarzan, starring Alexander Skarsgard as the legendary character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. After the first photos arrived yesterday, giving us our first look at Alexander Skarsgrd as Tarzan and his loving wife Jane, played by Margot Robbie, we got the thrilling first poster this morning, which had Cheetah roaring like a jungle beast alongside his master. Now, we have the very first trailer for The Legend of Tarzan. And it's pretty exciting.
The film also stars Djimon Hounsou as Chief Mbonga, Samuel L. Jackson as the true-life adventurer George Washington Williams and Casper Crump as Captain Kerchover, along with John Hurt and Simon Russell Beale. It has been years since the man once known as Tarzan left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane at his side. Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament, unaware that he is a pawn in a deadly convergence of greed and revenge, masterminded by the Belgian, Captain Leon Rom (Waltz). But those behind the murderous plot have no idea what they are about to unleash.

‘Legend of Tarzan’ Poster: Alexander Skarsgard Is King of the Jungle

Just one day after the first photos debuted from The Legend of Tarzan, Warner Bros. has debuted a new poster. This one-sheet, which arrived via the Legend of Tarzan Twitter account, features Alexander Skarsgård as the King of the Jungle, who is seen surveying his dominion with a massive ape. With the arrival of yesterday's photos and this one-sheet, the first trailer should be arriving very soon, so stay tuned.
The Legend of Tarzan takes a much different approach to this iconic character, who first appeared in Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1912 novel Tarzan of the Apes. While Tarzan is still raised in the jungle in this version, the story picks up years after the man once known as Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård) left the jungles of Africa behind. He now lives a gentrified life as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane (Margot Robbie) at his side.

‘Legend of Tarzan’ First Look at Margot Robbie & Alexander Skarsgard

Margot Robbie and Alexander Skarsgård star in The Legend of Tarzan as Jane and the former King of the Jungle this summer. We have your first look at both actors, courtesy of USA Today, and it's as steamy as you might expect. Though, from just these two images, you'd never guess that this reboot of the long-standing franchise is full of action and adventure. What we get here looks like a shiny bit of erotica that might play as part of Showtime's After Hours line-up. Or perhaps we'd find these two sweaty jungle dwellers on Cinemax.
David Yates, the man behind the lens of the last four Harry Potter movies, is directing The Legend of Tarzan. This next iteration of the series will still be based on the iconic Edgar Rice Burroughs novels, though it plays fast and loose with the original material. Yates sees this action-adventure as the perfect way to return American moviegoers to a wondrous version of Africa that is brimming with romance.

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San Andreas Poster San Andreas (2015)

After the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives, triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter. But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning, and when they think the worst may be over...it’s just getting started.

‘Spy’ Takes the Weekend Box Office with $30 Million

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BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS: Can ‘Spy’ Take Out ‘San Andreas’?

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: ‘San Andreas’ Wins with $53.2M

‘San Andreas’ Review: The Rock Delivers Big, Dumb Disaster Fun

San Andreas is exactly what you expect, a big, schlocky disaster film with a hardscrabble family at the center. It's entirely formulaic with no surprises, but sometimes that's not a bad thing. The beauty of popcorn cinema is checking your brain at the door, strapping on your 3D glasses, and watching hundreds of CGI buildings topple like Legos. The screenplay by Carlton Cuse sticks like glue to the classic ten pages and a bang blueprint. Every time San Andreas gets hokey, something gets epically destroyed to keep your attention. It doesn't nearly reach the glorious action heights of Mad Max: Fury Road, but is gentle enough an experience that an entire family can enjoy...As long as they're not too concerned with story or realism.
Dwayne Johnson stars as Ray, a Los Angeles Fire Department rescue pilot. He's about to take his daughter (Blake), Alexandra Daddario - still smoldering from her stint on True Detective, to college when an earthquake turns the Hoover Dam into rubble. A scientist - Paul Giamatti, studying the tremors at the dam collapse, realizes that this maybe California's long overdue seismic disaster. Meanwhile, Ray's soon to be ex-wife - Carla Gugino, heads to meet the sister of her new boyfriend - Ioan Gruffudd. He's kindly taken over the father duties and is taking Blake to school in San Francisco. As the San Andreas fault begins to shake, Ray races against time and nature to save his family.

Seven ‘San Andreas’ Clips: The Rock Outraces a Tidal Wave!

With Warner Bros.' San Andreas hitting theaters in less than two weeks, on May 29, the studio has released seven new clips, featuring Dwayne Johnson, Archie Panjabi, Paul Giamatti and Carla Gugino. The first clip shows Dwayne Johnson's Ray trying to rescue a young girl from a trapped vehicle, while the second scene teases that the entire San Andreas fault line has been activated, as earthquakes keep spreading along the California coast. We also see Paul Giamatti's character explaining to a TV reporter (Archie Panjabi) that the effects of this quake, which could reach up to 9.5 on the Richter scale, will even be felt on the East Coast. We also get new clips with Carla Gugino as Ray's ex-wife, Alexandra Daddario as Ray's daughter Blake, and Will Yun Lee's Dr. Kim Park.
After the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives, triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter. But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning, and when they think the worst may be over...it's just getting started. The action-adventure also stars Kylie Minogue, Colton Haynes, Ioan Gruffudd and Art Parkinson.

‘San Andreas’ TV Spot: You Can't Hide from an Earthquake

A massive earthquake unlike any ever felt in the U.S. could even impact the East Coast warns a new TV spot for San Andreas. Paul Giamatti reveals that, even though the quake started in California, the entire country will feel it, teasing that there could be massive damage all the way to New York. The footage we've seen so far has only shown how the West Coast has been affected by this disaster, but perhaps we'll see how other areas of the U.S. are handling the earth-shaking occurrence once the movie hits later this month.
Directed by Brad Peyton (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island), San Andreas also stars Ioan Gruffudd, Archie Panjabi, Hugo Johnstone-Burt, Art Parkinson, Kylie Minogue, Will Yun Lee and Colton Haynes. Are you looking forward to this 3D disaster epic? Let us know what you think after checking out the latest TV spot for San Andreas, in theaters May

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt. Star Wars: The Force Awakens releases in U.S. theaters on December 18, 2015.

New Han Solo Footage Revealed in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Deleted Scenes

This teaser opens with the villainous Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) entering the Millennium Falcon. We reported yesterday that this deleted scene takes place after the Falcon crash lands on the massive Starkiller Base. This preview also teases another deleted scene featuring Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Finn (John Boyega), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o) as they try to escape the castle, but are ambushed by Stormtroopers.
Back in January, special effects supervisor Chris Corbould teased details of a deleted scene where Maz Kanata leads Han, Finn and Chewie through underground tunnels of her castle, which is clearly part of the scene we see in this teaser. What we don't see in the video is that Maz actually uses her powers to "collapse the ceiling" on these Stormtroopers, teasing that this diminutive character is actually quite strong with The Force. While we only see brief snippets of other deleted scenes in this video, our report from yesterday reveals plenty of additional details about these scenes.

‘LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Trailer Shows Off Gameplay

Back in February, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games, The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm unveiled the first trailer for LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, marking the triumphant return of the No. 1 LEGO videogame franchise, allowing players to relive the epic action from the blockbuster film in a fun-filled, humorous way that only a LEGO game can offer. With the June 28, 2016 release getting closer and closer, a new gameplay trailer has arrived, which unveils brand new gameplay mechanics to build, battle and fly through the galaxy like never before. The trailer also introduces new story content exploring the time between Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, providing additional insight about the new movie and its characters.
This new video game immerses fans in the new Star Wars adventure like never before. Players can relive the epic action from the blockbuster film in a way that only LEGO can offer, featuring all of the storylines from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, retold through the clever and witty LEGO lens. The game will also feature exclusive playable content that takes players on adventures set in the time leading up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, providing additional insight about the new movie and its characters.

‘Star Wars’: Harrison Ford Teases Possible Return as Han Solo

It's also worth noting that, back in January, a casting report for Star Wars: Episode VIII revealed that Harrison Ford will return as Han Solo in the sequel, but the actor wasn't mentioned as part of the cast when shooting got under way. While it remains to be seen if Harrison Ford's Han Solo will return at some point, fans will get to see an origin story for the character in the spinoff Star Wars Anthology: Han Solo. We reported last week that the casting search is down to just a handful of finalists, including Alden Ehrenreich, Jack Reynor, Taron Egerton, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Emory Cohen, Jack O'Connell and Blake Jenner. Do you think Harrison Ford's Han Solo should return at some point?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released December 18th, 2015.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Deleted Scenes Photos & Details Revealed

The first scene on the Blu-ray is titled Finn and the Villager. It was planned for early in the movie. FN-2187 has not yet gone AWOL, but Finn is not sure about the First Order. As the troops round up the villagers during their raid on Lor San Tekka's village, a conscience-stricken Finn has an intense moment with a woman hiding in the shadows of a small building. He's ordered to kill her. As he raises his weapon, he decided he must take a stand against his oppressors and fight the greater good. You'll have to watch the scene to find out how this moment ends.
Probably the coolest deleted scene coming our way has Maz Kanata, Han, Finn, and Chewie facing off against Stromtroopers in the basement of Maz's Castle. This scene is only availably digitally, but the Blu-ray combo pack comes with a free download, so if you purchase a hardcopy, you'll still be able to get it. Here, we get to see a little bit more of Han Solo's iconic swagger as he tries to talk his way out of trouble. There is a moment that got cut out of the final movie which features Chewbacca ripping the arms off of Unkar Plutt inside Maz's castle when the Jakku junk boss comes to collect Rey. We're not sure if this scene will be included here.

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Point Break Poster Point Break (2015)

In Alcon Entertainment’s fast-paced, high-adrenaline action thriller “Point Break,” a young FBI agent, Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey), infiltrates a cunning team of thrill seeking elite athletes, led by the charismatic Bodhi (Edgar Ramirez). The athletes are suspected of carrying out a string of staggering crimes that kill innocent people and send the world’s economy into a tailspin.
Deep undercover, and with his life in imminent danger, Utah strives to prove they are the callous architects of these inconceivable crimes.
The film is replete with the most daring athleticism ever seen in a motion picture. These action adventure feats are performed by extreme athletes representing the world’s best in class in big-wave surfing, wingsuit flying, sheer-face snowboarding, free rock climbing, and high-speed motorcycling.



high-speed motorcycling.

‘Point Break’ Remake Featurette Shows Off Epic Motocross Stunts

Warner Bros.' Point Break remake, arriving this Christmas, takes the same premise of the original classic, featuring an FBI agent going undercover to infiltrate a highly-trained group of thieves. However, instead of the surfing world, the criminals in this remake are all extreme sports athletes, ranging from snowboarding, rock climbing, big wave surfing and much more. Today, Warner Bros. has released a new preview which examines one of these extreme sports, motocross.
Director Ericson Core explains that the motocross sequences were shot in Swingarm City, Utah, which he describes as "the Holy Grail of American motocross riding." We also hear from star Luke Bracey, who plays Johnny Utah in the remake, and actual motocross racer Steve Haughelstine, who explains that no one had ever ridden these "spines" before, and that the racers were getting dangerously close to the cameras during production. This motocross sequence in the film is part of the Ozaki 8, a series of extreme sports challenges that Bodhi (Edgar Ramirez) and his crew are trying to accomplish.

‘Point Break’ Trailer #2 Takes Action to the Extreme

Following the first trailer from May and an action-packed preview released last week, Warner Bros. has debuted the second full trailer for their Point Break remake, arriving in theaters Christmas Day. Edgar Ramirez stars as the enigmatic Bodhi, who leads a group of thieves that have a far different agenda than most criminals. Luke Bracey plays FBI agent Johnny Utah, who infiltrates Bodhi's group and learns about their path to enlightenment.
You may recall that the first Point Break poster revealed a group of skydivers watching a huge pallet full of money plummet to the ground. We get to see how this scene unfolds in the new footage, which reveals that Bodhi and his crew need to "give more than they take," as he dumps millions of dollars on an unsuspecting village. In addition to the trailer, we also have even more posters which showcase some of the extreme sports in the remake.

‘Point Break’ Remake Poster & Surf Action Featurette

Ever since the Point Break remake was announced, we learned that this new version of Kathryn Bigelow's 1991 classic will still feature Johnny Utah and Bodhi, only this time the story will be set within the world of extreme sports, not just surfing. The first poster released back in May featured a skydiver chasing after a huge pile of money, but today, Warner Bros. released a new one-sheet that brings the remake back to its roots, showcasing the new Utah (Luke Bracey) and Bodhi (Edgar Ramirez) riding a massive wave. The original poster came just one day before the first trailer arrived, so that could mean the second trailer is just around the corner.
In the fast-paced, high-adrenaline Point Break, a young FBI agent, Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey), infiltrates a cunning team of thrill-seeking elite athletes - led by the charismatic Bodhi (Édgar Ramírez). The athletes are suspected of carrying out a spate of crimes in extremely unusual ways. Deep undercover, and with his life in imminent danger, Utah strives to prove they are the architects of this string of inconceivable crimes. The supporting cast includes Teresa Palmer, Ray Winstone, Delroy Lindo and Tobias Santelmann.

‘Point Break’ Remake Featurette Spotlights Extreme Stunts

Just one day after the first Point Break trailer debuted, Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment have released a new extended preview, that takes fans behind-the-scenes with the cast and crew. We get to see a number of the real extreme athletes who helped bring these wingsuit, skateboarding, surfing, rock climbing and free climbing stunts to life, while director Ericson Core reveals this remake expands the scope of the original exponentially. We also hear from Luke Bracey and Edgar Ramirez, who explain that certain elements of the original movie are certainly intact, but the remake cranks things up a notch.
In Alcon Entertainment's fast-paced, high-adrenaline action thriller Point Break, a young FBI agent, Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey), infiltrates a cunning team of thrill seeking elite athletes, led by the charismatic Bodhi (Edgar Ramirez). The athletes are suspected of carrying out a string of staggering crimes that kill innocent people and send the world's economy into a tailspin. Deep undercover, and with his life in imminent danger, Utah strives to prove they are the callous architects of these inconceivable crimes.

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London Has Fallen (2016) – Hollywood Movie

In London for the Prime Minister's funeral, Mike Banning discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders.

Director:

Babak Najafi

Writers:

Creighton Rothenberger (screenplay), Katrin Benedikt (screenplay) | 6 more credits »

Stars:

Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman |

Storyline

After the British Prime Minister has passed away under mysterious circumstances, all leaders of the Western world must attend his funeral. But what starts out as the most protected event on earth, turns into a deadly plot to kill the world's most powerful leaders and unleash a terrifying vision of the future. The President of the United States, his formidable secret

User Reviews

 

Sooo baaad, Sooo juvenile

13 March 2016 | by yourvoicegm – See all my reviews

I feel sorry for Morgan Freeman that he associated himself with such a terrible movie. It was awful on so many levels: The acting and directing were right from a poorly made video game. If our security and intelligence services are really that bad then we are all truly screwed. Character development? How do you develop something that doesn't exist? Script? It would have been better as pantomime. Action sequences? Pllllleeeaaaase. Maybe compared to a 50s science fiction movie? Then, to add insult to injury, the gratuitous and completely non sequitur addition of the corrupt "insider" at the end to explain how it was possible to infiltrate the country with hundreds of well- trained and highly armed fighters, wire the entire city with explosives, take down the entire computer grid, all without anyone noticing. If our security and intelligence services are really that bad then we are all well and truly screwed. There is absolutely nothing at all redeeming about this waste of time and....(I would have said effort, but there obviously wasn't any.

service head and a British MI-6 agent who trusts no one are the only people that have any hope of stopping it.

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Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A group of intergalactic criminals are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking control of the universe.

Director:

James Gunn

Writers:

James Gunn, Nicole Perlman | 2 more credits »

Stars:

Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper

Storyline

After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, Peter Quill from Earth, is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan and his team and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team of space heroes known as the "Guardians of the Galaxy" to save the world.

User Reviews

 

Bold, brave and beautifully weird.

30 July 2014 | by shawneofthedead (http://shawneofthedead.wordpress.com/) – See all my reviews

You might expect a movie studio at the top of its game to play it safe rather than strike out in new, bizarre directions. Certainly, it's hard to imagine any other studio giving the greenlight to Guardians Of The Galaxy - a huge blockbuster movie based on a title unfamiliar to anyone who isn't a comics aficionado, starring a relatively unknown actor playing a character most people have never heard of. And yet, Marvel scores once again with its willingness to head off the beaten track. GUARDIANS is a fun, fizzy delight, even as it mines some surprising depths of emotion from its ragtag group of anti-heroes.

Peter Quill (Pratt) - a human abducted from Earth as a child - has grown up into an intergalactic thief who has no idea what he's getting into when he takes possession of a mysterious Orb. Little does he know that Ronan (Pace) - a genocidal Kree radical - will do just about anything to get his hands on said Orb, including sending alien assassin Gamora (Saldana) after it. Gamora, as it turns out, has an agenda of her own. Trapped in an intergalactic prison (long story), Peter and Gamora are forced into an uneasy alliance with three other misfits: a brainy, sarcastic raccoon-like creature named Rocket (voiced by Cooper), a giant tree by the name of Groot (Diesel), and the vengeance-minded Drax The Destroyer (Bautista).

The truth is that there's almost too much going on in GUARDIANS. Not only do we meet a host of characters we've never met before, on a raft of new planets teeming with brightly coloured life and detail, we're also introduced to several plot lines all stuffed somewhat awkwardly into the film. We have Ronan's planet-destroying aspirations, which are somehow bound up with the evil plans of Thanos - that creepy purple- skinned dude who popped up at the end of The Avengers. Peter's kidnappers turned surrogate 'family' are also on the trail of the Orb, turning up at moments both enormously convenient and inconvenient to the plot. It all makes sense in the end, but until it all clicks into place, it can make for a rushed, unsettling experience.

But, despite its occasionally unwieldy script, GUARDIANS triumphs because of the gang of scruffy losers (a term that will take on a different, more heartfelt meaning during the film) at its heart. Director James Gunn, who co-wrote the script, clearly feels a strong affinity for each one of these outcasts, all of whom are easily outlaws in some (if not all) parts of the solar system, each one battling - at least initially - to save his or her own skin rather than to save the world. It's fascinating to watch the five members of this unlikely group slowly banter, bicker and batter their way into becoming a team.

Most joyfully of all, Gunn never loses sight of the prickly, selfish side of his characters. He gives them plenty of rich, emotional moments

• whether it's Peter and Gamora bonding over the loss of their parents,

or Rocket's ability to read a whole range of meaning into Groot's extremely limited vocabulary ('I am Groot') - but never allows the film to descend into dangerously sentimental territory.

In fact, Gunn pumps up proceedings with a healthy, hearty dose of humour. Films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have always been more tongue-in-cheek than the likes of the considerably more dour Dark Knight franchise, but GUARDIANS is a heady trip of a different order. It practically delights in bursts of odd, subversive comedy, and actually dares to punctuate its most epic face-off with a sly homage to, of all things, Footloose.

Pratt - so winning in TV's Parks And Recreation - holds the emotional core of the film together. He exudes an easy, rakish charm that makes Peter both dashingly arrogant and achingly vulnerable. He's matched very well by Saldana, who is clearly delighting in the opportunity to play the world-weary, no-nonsense Gamora - bred into a killer, born a fighter. The rest of the cast does justice, too, to the film's cheerful swing from drama to comedy and back again: Bautista brings unexpected pathos to Drax's occasionally comical determination to avenge his family against Ronan, while Cooper sounds completely unlike himself - in a very good way - as a creature who hides a world of hurt beneath his mouthy exterior. Even Diesel manages to find a great deal of depth in a CGI character who only communicates via the same languid burst of three words.

If anything, GUARDIANS is let down by a trio of not particularly threatening villains. Pace snarls and spits in heavy make-up, but can't quite rustle up much in the way of nuance or genuine menace. Ronan is a one-note madman, with so little in the way of backstory that he automatically becomes less interesting. Thanos, too, now voiced and performed in motion-capture by Brolin, doesn't get much to do beyond lounge on his space throne. Only Gillan's cyborg Nebula manages a smidgen of complexity; even then, she struggles to be half as fascinating as her conflicted "sister", Gamora.

Before the film was even released in cinemas, Marvel announced that a sequel would be coming in 2017. It's a no-brainer as to why. The film is smart, funny and quite wonderful on its own merits. But, even more crucially, GUARDIANS is a gamble that pays off handsomely for Marvel. It opens up the MCU in, quite literally, all directions. Don't be surprised if you see our more earth-bound heroes heading into space sooner rather than later. The film also adds a new cast of lovable rogues to the MCU's roster of characters: a gang who, one might say, are actually all the more heroic for being people who would ordinarily be running in the opposite direction from any galaxy-guarding duties. Frankly, we can't wait to see what they get up to next.

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London Has Fallen (2016)

In London for the Prime Minister's funeral, Mike Banning discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders.

Director:

Babak Najafi

Writers:

Creighton Rothenberger (screenplay), Katrin Benedikt (screenplay) | 6 more credits »

Stars:

Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman |

Storyline

After the British Prime Minister has passed away under mysterious circumstances, all leaders of the Western world must attend his funeral. But what starts out as the most protected event on earth, turns into a deadly plot to kill the world's most powerful leaders and unleash a terrifying vision of the future. The President of the United States, his formidable secret service head and a British MI-6 agent who trusts no one are the only people that have any hope of stopping it

User Reviews

 

This movie is Pure USA Government Propaganda

11 March 2016 | by articunojackson (London) – See all my reviews

This movie its Pure Genocide corrupted Propaganda to make those dumber those who watches so much TV and movies like this.. D1sgusting political agenda and lies.. London Wont fall but the USA will fall its their FATE. no more corruption and Hitler propaganda like this movie just don't watch or support this mediocre Brainwashing movie. You Can See Now They Are Trying to Plant Fear Into UK Population Just Do Not Support This Propaganda . Don't WATCH IT Don't Pay For IT They Will Use On Bombs TO Destroy Your City With That Money You Spend on Watching This Stuff They Are Promoting Hate and Terror because they cannot do Anything else.P They became Weak satanic Pigs that can Only use Fear in population Don't get Scared of those B4stards of the US govt Tthis Movie Deserve1/10 1Point just for the work in special effects..

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Captain America: Civil War 2016

It’s been four days since the latest Captain America: Civil War trailer was released, but that’s plenty of time for Marvel fans to pore over every detail. There was a lot to take in from this preview, whether it was Steve Rogers’ callback to Captain America: The First Avenger or Spider-Man swinging in at the last minute. Now that the big stuff has been seen repeatedly, some fans are analyzing quicker moments in the trailer, and one of those comes when Iron Man punches Captain America in the face at the 1:42 mark. If you look to the right if the image above, there’s a mysterious body inside what appears to be a stasis tube.

Who could this person be? Those of you who saw the Super Bowl spot will remember that Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. Winter Soldier, was seen in one of these tubes. So, if you’re like me, naturally you thought it was Bucky in there at first. It turns out that’s not the case, as several frames later, the former HYDRA assassin is seen behind the two leading heroes of the conflict. Below is a clearer shot of Bucky on the left side of the fight.



If that person isn’t Bucky, then who is it? It’s hard to say at this point, but let’s remember that despite all the heroes showing up in Captain America: Civil War, this is primarily Steve Rogers’ story. That makes it more likely that it’s someone or something connected to the Captain America mythology rather than another random figure from elsewhere in the MCU being thrown into the insanity. With the options narrowed down, my money is on that figure being the Red Skull, or somehow connected to his return.

The last time we saw Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger, he had touched the Tesseract (a.k.a the Space Stone) and was launched into the portal it created. He’s presumed dead, but many fans believe that he’s still out there. Some speculated that he might show up in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but his scarlet chrome dome was nowhere to be seen. Captain America: Civil War is wrapping up the Star Spangled Avenger’s solo movies for the foreseeable future, so if there was a time to bring back his greatest enemy, this would be the time. Somehow he’s able to return to Earth over 70 years after his disappearance and antagonize Captain America in a new body (making it so Hugo Weaving doesn’t have to reprise the role).



It wouldn’t be unprecedented to give Red Skull a new look. The Red Skull has transferred his mind to other bodies in the comics, whether it was a clone of Steve Rogers or Aleksander Lukin, Winter Soldier’s Russian handler from the comics. In fact, the current Red Skull in the comics isn’t even the real deal, but rather a clone of the original, created in 1942 by Arnim Zola, who has telepathic abilities, but that’s another story. Regardless, whether that figure in the stasis tube is a clone (maybe of Bucky, which explains why he was in another tube) or someone we haven’t met yet, comic book science can easily explain the formless Red Skull somehow reawakening in that body, ready to cause trouble in the 21st century. Some fans believe that the mountain compound where Iron Man, Captain America, and Winter Soldier are fighting each other is Red Skull’s HYDRA castle from World War II, so it’s not an absurd notion.

Still, if the Red Skull is coming back, he can’t do it by himself. Someone must be helping him make his grand return, which is where Daniel Brühl’s Baron Zemo could come in. Aside from several comments that the MCU’s Zemo is different from his comic book counterpart (including the absence of his purple mask), we don’t know anything about his role in Captain America: Civil War, only that he’ll be the movie’s main villain. However, Marvel President Kevin Feige did say that Zemo is a "product" of the MCU, and producer Nate Moore said his appearance will set up a future movie. Being the one responsible for Red Skull’s return certainly fits that description, and also allows for him to appear sometime later in Phase Three or Four depending on how exactly he’s used.

If we assume that Zemo has a hand in manipulating the superhero conflict behind the scenes, then perhaps his endgame is bringing back the Red Skull, someone who he’s either looked up to or has somehow been in direct contact with via unorthodox methods. Getting the superheroes fighting amongst each other plays into his plan, and while they’re fighting, he’s growing/secured a body for Red Skull to call home. Taking it one step further, what if Zemo is in the tube and he’s willingly sacrificing his body so that Red Skull can take it over? That would re-establish Johann Schmidt as a threat to the entire MCU, allowing Daniel Brühl to play a bigger role in future movies. Until we see footage of Brühl’s Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, it’s hard to tell what we can expect from him, but with that mysterious figure on our minds and the chance that Red Skull could return one day, it’s not unreasonable to discount all this as a possibility.

The identity of the person in that stasis tube and other mysteries will be solved when Captain America: Civil War hits theaters on May 6.

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Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Director:

J.J. Abrams

Writers:

Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams | 2 more credits »

Stars:

Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac

Storyline

30 years after the defeat of Darth Vader and the Empire, Rey, a scavenger from the planet Jakku, finds a BB-8 droid that knows the whereabouts of the long lost Luke Skywalker. Rey, as well as a rogue stormtrooper and two smugglers, are thrown into the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the daunting legions of the First Order. Written by Noah White

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

User Reviews

 

Empty

10 January 2016 | by ygervasi – See all my reviews

This film has four layers 1. Beautiful visuals, the outer layer 2. Nostalgia 3. Cheesy jokes and predictable action 4. Emptiness, there's no weight to any of it, no atmosphere

Don't get me wrong I don't think it's a one out of ten but it does not deserve to be ahead of films like the hateful eight and I feel bad for all the money Disney has managed to make for nothing original, I was looking forward to it, but was so disappointed, there are plot holes everywhere that make you escape from the movie because you don't believe any of it, and everything is made overly dramatic without any subtly so it just makes you cringe instead, there are no New ideas and they make the galaxy feel as if it's the size of a small town rather than that feeling of endlessness you get from the originals, the first half was better but the second half is so predictable, I liked Kylo ren and hope snoke is not just emperor 2.0 but the plot was far-fetched and the cheesy jokes felt awkward and cringe worthy like in a marvel movie but those jokes have more place in them

 

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Room (2015)

A kidnapped mother and son make a daring escape, and experience a dramatic homecoming provoking a look into the power of imagination and the unstoppable force of a mother's love.

Director:

Lenny Abrahamson

Writers:

Emma Donoghue (screenplay), Emma Donoghue (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers

Storyline

ROOM tells the extraordinary story of Jack, a spirited 5-year-old who is looked after by his loving and devoted mother. Like any good mother, Ma dedicates herself to keeping Jack happy and safe, nurturing him with warmth and love and doing typical things like playing games and telling stories. Their life, however, is anything but typical--they are trapped--confined to a 10-by-10-foot space that Ma has euphemistically named Room. Ma has created a whole universe for Jack within Room, and she will stop at nothing to ensure that, even in this treacherous environment, Jack is able to live a complete and fulfilling life. But as Jack's curiosity about their situation grows, and Ma's resilience reaches its breaking point, they enact a risky plan to escape, ultimately bringing them face-to-face with what may turn out to be the scariest thing yet: the real world. Written by 

User Reviews

 

A tense and compelling film

8 November 2015 | by Howard Schumann (Vancouver, B.C.) – See all my reviews

Lenny Abrahamson's Room opens in a 10 x 10 room that has no windows, a locked door, and no light other than that provided by an overhead skylight. Jack (Jacob Tremblay), a slight five-year old boy with hair down to his shoulders wakes up each morning as he has all his life, saying hello to his world. He says hello, not to the sun or the grass outside his front door where he can run and laugh and play but only to the objects which is all his world consists of: the lamp, the sink, the plant, the refrigerator. His only friend is a mouse that he feeds with some pleasure.

Not that he lacks for companionship. Ma (Brie Larson) is with him and their endless days consist of cooking, reading, and watching TV where Jack is told that what he sees on the screen is not real, only pretend. All he knows of the world is what he sees in front of his eyes. Old Nick (Sean Bridgers) brings food and other household items but when he comes, Jack has to hide in his wardrobe, out of sight. Ma, we find out, has been kept prisoner and used for sex by the hulking man who comes every night and we know that Jack is a result of his mother's rape. Jack is the focus of the film and we see everything from his point of view, with the help of his sometime narration but we can also get into his mother's mind and feel her pain and live her dreams.

There is never any doubt of his mother's love though the obvious strain of keeping herself from crying out every minute is painfully obvious. To Jack, she is the center of his world and his reason for being. When the second half of the film takes a surprising turn and shifts 180 degrees, Jack and Ma are not prepared for what awaits them. Even when an alternative is suggested as possible, he doesn't want to hear anything about a different world with blue sky and rivers and trees. Room is a tense and compelling film in which Brie Larson more than fulfills the brilliance that she showed in Short Term 12 and should make her an Oscar contender. Tremblay is also superb.

He lives his character and makes him come alive, even though he is only nine years old. Supporting roles by Joan Allen and William H. Macy also contribute to the film's second half but it is always Larson and Tremblay that carry the day. The film is not mawkish or sentimental even though the soaring score by Stephen Rennicks comes close. While there are has some plot implausibilities, the film is a tribute to the resiliency and the dedicated love of a parent for their child. It is also a teaching experience. Like many who are walled off from each other and think the box they are in is all there is, the film can give us the combination to open the locked door, if we take the risk to turn the key.

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Southpaw (2015)

Boxer Billy Hope turns to trainer Tick Wills to help him get his life back on track after losing his wife in a tragic accident and his daughter to child protection services.

Director:

Antoine Fuqua

Writer:

Kurt Sutter

Stars:

Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Oona Laurence

Storyline

As tragedy strikes him in his prime, famed boxer, Billy Hope, begins to fall into a great depression. Once the decision regarding the custody of his daughter is under question, Billy decides to get his life back on track by getting back into the ring.
 

 

User Reviews

 

Hope springs eternal

6 November 2015 | by bkoganbing (Buffalo, New York) – See all my reviews

Jake Gyllenhaal gives his fans his best work since Brokeback Mountain as light heavyweight champion Billy Hope who suffers a horrific personal tragedy beyond any I've ever seen in a boxing film and comes back from it. For what he goes through Sylvester Stallone had it easy. As Brokeback Mountain got him an Oscar nomination maybe Southpaw will do the same.

Billy Hope is a kid raised in an orphanage as a foundling as is his loving and supportive wife Rachel McAdams. They have a daughter played by Oona Laurence who is their whole world. When McAdams is killed in an unspeakable tragedy, Gyllenhaal's world falls apart and he has to make one long comeback.

As a kid who was raised by the social welfare system it's the system that decides what he must do to gain back his child. Gyllenhaal is wonderful as a man who successfully conquers the badder angels of his nature to gain it all back, title, child, and self respect.

McAdams should be singled out for a moving death scene ranking up there with some of the screen's best. Also Forest Whitaker who trains the ex-champ for his comeback should also be singled out.

Watching Gyllenhaal as Billy Hope put me in mind of heavyweight contender Hurricane Jackson when I was a kid. There's no science in Hope's style, he just wades in and brawls. Hope will take two or three punches to get in his shot. As McAdams points out he'll be punch drunk within a few years. Whitaker puts a little science in his boxing persona. Hurricane Jackson was very much like Billy Hope and did in fact end up punch drunk.

This is a fine boxing film and Oscar nominations could come for Gyllenhaal and McAdams.

 

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The Martian (2015)

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers:

Drew Goddard (screenplay), Andy Weir (book)

Stars:

Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig

Storyline

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return. Written by 

User Reviews

 

A welcome return to form for Ridley Scott.

15 October 2015 | by MrDHWong (dhwong89@live.com) (Australia) – See all my reviews

The Martian is a science fiction film starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott. I'm a big fan of Ridley Scott's work as a director, but I feel that most of his recent films have been very hit and miss. However, The Martian serves as a firm reminder as to why I am a fan of him in the first place. Not since Interstellar have I seen a sci-fi movie this thought-provoking or cleverly written.

After an intense sandstorm devastates a manned mission to Mars, the crew are forced to abandon the desolate planet and astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead and left stranded. Unbeknownst to the crew, Watney survived, albeit injured from the storm, and tries to find ways to survive the inhospitable climate of the red planet. Being a botanist, Watney figures out how to grow food for himself out of the crew's leftover vegetable supplies and uses his scientific knowledge to create water using hydrogen crystals and oxygen from the crew's base camp. However, these supplies can only sustain him for a matter of months as a rescue mission from Earth will take 4 years to reach him. Watney must find a way to signal back to Earth that he is alive and is in urgent need of rescuing before he runs out of food and water.

Despite its somewhat bleak tone of survival in a hostile terrain, the film still manages to have its fair share of funny and heartwarming moments, which are seamlessly intertwined into the film's more dramatic scenes. Matt Damon is perfectly cast as the wisecracking, yet intelligent astronaut Mark Watney and his positive attitude toward his survival is what keeps us invested in the story. The rest of the cast are great too, which includes Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Mara, Jessica Chastain, and even Donald Glover from Community. I was also particularly pleased with the film's pacing, there was never a moment that felt rushed or slow and boring. This is a welcome return to form for the legendary director Ridley Scott.

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Hardcore Henry (2015)

A first-person action film from the eyes of Henry, who's resurrected from death with no memory. He must discover his identity and save his wife from a warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.

Director:

Ilya Naishuller

Writers:

Ilya Naishuller (screenwriter), Will Stewart (additional writing by)

Stars:

Haley Bennett, Tim Roth, Sharlto Copley

Storyline

Hardcore Henry is an action film told from a first person perspective: You remember nothing. Mainly because you've just been brought back from the dead by your wife (Haley Bennett). She tells you that your name is Henry. Five minutes later, you are being shot at, your wife has been kidnapped, and you should probably go get her back. Who's got her? His name's Akan; he's a powerful warlord with an army of mercenaries, and a plan for world domination. You're also in an unfamiliar city of Moscow, and everyone wants you dead. Everyone except for a mysterious British fellow called Jimmy. He may be on your side, but you aren't sure. If you can survive the insanity, and solve the mystery, you might just discover your purpose and the truth behind your identity. Good luck, Henry. You're likely going to need it...

User Reviews

 

What an Exciting Premise!!!!

2 March 2016 | by chrisnell (South Africa) – See all my reviews

Sharlto Copley has shown an impressive form of range and versatility in his acting career. He has played a bureaucrat, a kid-friendly robot and even made turns playing villains and tough guy protagonists. His acting abilities cannot simply jar him as a mere character actor. He consistently delivers a magnificent performance.

And then we have Hardcore Henry . . .

What intrigues me is that for a Sci-Fi Actioner that was entirely funded by an Indiegogo campaign, the film by its first glance of the trailer has surely taken on the appearance of a blockbuster film. More so that the entire film will be viewed from a first-person narrative and will simulate the feeling of an actual video game . . . These factors is more than enough for me to sink my teeth into it upon its release.

I understand that after its screening at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival, audience interest ran high and several independent production houses such as Lionsgate immediately lay down bids for purchasing the distribution rights on the very spot!!!!

In any event I am very excited to view this motion picture when it hopefully hits my country's shores this year.

 

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Sicario

An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.

Director:

Denis Villeneuve

Writer:

Taylor Sheridan

Stars:

Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro

Storyline

When drug violence worsens on the USA Mexico border, the FBI sends an idealistic agent, Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) on a mission to eradicate a drug cartel responsible for a bomb that had killed members of her team. Written by

User Reviews

 

In Mexico, Sicario Means Hit-man. In my Mind, Sicario Means Awesome.

28 September 2015 | by kgaillard (United States) – See all my reviews

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Writer: Taylor Sheridan

Starring: Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin

Release Date: September 18, 2015

MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, grisly images, and language

Runtime: 2 hours and 1 minute

Studio: Lionsgate

I have never seen any of director Denis Villeneuve's previous films, so I didn't know what to expect from this at first. However, I then saw the trailer and it was so amazing, that it got me excited. The great early reviews and cast, also helped as well. After seeing Sicario, I can definitely say that it is a masterpiece of a crime thriller. Wow, it was amazing.

The plot of Sicario focuses on an FBI agent named Kate Macer. Kate is enlisted by a government official to aid people from the other side of the law, in their mission to track down a drug lord, who has been responsible for multiple grisly murders.

This sounds like a simple plot, on the surface, however the way it is told is very engaging. There were honestly many moments, that I never saw coming, and made the plot more unpredictable. The film could be a slow burn for some, however I found myself consistently engaged throughout, as those scenes do not drag the film, due to adding so much to the story and the characters. It is also one of those films that is very dark, unsettling, makes you feel dirty, watching it, and is really scary.

Speaking of characters, they're all very well developed, and it's made better by incredible acting. Emily Blunt gives an incredible female lead performance as Kate, who is shown to be a woman who hates violence, but is still brave and very persistent into getting the job done. Benicia del Toro and Josh Brolin play CIA agents and both are great in this film. Especially del Toro, who does an amazing job playing Alejandro Gillick, who may not seem very interesting at first, but as the film progresses, he not only gets more character developments, but this movie also takes many directions with this character. Josh Brolin, is not quite as good as Blunt or del Toro, but he is still really likable as Matt Graver, a character who is focused on his job, despite not caring about other people. The cast shares great chemistry, between each other.

The direction is perfect. Denis Villeneuve creates so much suspense to add to the story's unpredictability, and he gives one of the darkest feels to this film, perfectly capturing the lack of hope in the story. As a result, there are so many suspense scenes throughout, and the action is unbelievably thrilling, fro the incredible opening scene to the last shot of the film. The cinematography is also amazing, so amazing that I actually felt that I was in the film, due to it's realistic look.

Sicario is not only my favorite film of the year so far, but it is one of the best films released this decade that I have seen, so far. It is A film that I could not find a single flaw with. It is amazingly crafted, perfectly directed, and unsettling film, with its amazing, story, performances, characters, action, everything from beginning to end. This isn't a film that I'd recommend, if you don't like really dark stories, or strong violence, but it still an amazing masterpiece of a crime thriller.

 

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The Revenant (2015)

A frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.

Director:

Alejandro González Iñárritu (as Alejandro G. Iñárritu)

Writers:

Mark L. Smith (screenplay), Alejandro González Iñárritu (screenplay) (as Alejandro G. Iñárritu) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter

Storyline

While exploring the uncharted wilderness in 1823, legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass sustains injuries from a brutal bear attack. When his hunting team leaves him for dead, Glass must utilize his survival skills to find a way back home to his beloved family. Grief-stricken and fueled by vengeance, Glass treks through the wintry terrain to track down John Fitzgerald, the former confidant who betrayed and abandoned him. Written by

User Reviews

 

A suspenseful and gorgeous film!

16 January 2016 | by jcruz-42957 – See all my reviews

Shot using all natural light, The Revenant is one of the most gorgeous films you will ever see. Leonardo Dicaprio deserves his first Oscar for his incredibly dedicated performance, easily the best of his career and Tom Hardy gives an Oscar worthy performance for his role as the haunting beast John Fitzgerald. The first act of the film was definitely the most impressive. With stunning visuals and flawlessly crafted intense action scenes, I felt like I was watching real footage from the 1820's! Then the vast snowy wilderness kicked in, the majority of the time it was breathtaking. But at times The Revenant got a little lost in the wilderness and sometimes felt a bit repetitive, it's still an unpredictable and suspenseful adventure with many surprises. It's no doubt one of the years best films.

 

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Star Wars

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Director:

J.J. Abrams

Writers:

Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams | 2 more credits »

Stars:

Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac | See full cast & crew » 

 

 

 

Storyline

30 years after the defeat of Darth Vader and the Empire, Rey, a scavenger from the planet Jakku, finds a BB-8 droid that knows the whereabouts of the long lost Luke Skywalker. Rey, as well as a rogue stormtrooper and two smugglers, are thrown into the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the daunting legions of the First Order. Written by

 

 

movieUser Reviews

 

Another failed attempt to recapture the magic

31 January 2016 | by supah79 (Netherlands) – See all my reviews

In 1999 Star Wars creator George Lucas finally began to give us his view on the events that led to Star Wars IV, V and VI. The first Star Wars trilogy was, as we all know, a milestone in cinema history and it's not easy to top something like that. He didn't succeed to top the original trilogy and although successful commercially, fans weren't all to impressed with the prequels. The story was flat, the characters annoying and the special effects too clean. It could be that this even led to his decision to sell off his Lucasfilm and all the rights to the Star Wars imperium. Disney picked up those rights. Maybe because they thought they could do better. Well, commercially they were right. But better films? Their first installment isn't that impressive. It's worse than The Phantom Menace.

Let's get one thing straight: even though it picks up 30 years after Star Wars VI, this is not a sequel. This is a remake. J.J. Abrams tries to get back to the feel of the original trilogy. But essentially copies the storyline of Star Wars IV A New Hope. Okay, so that's disappointing. But let's see where this goes. Abrams then proceeds to give us some awkward comic relief scenes, deep friendships within two minutes of meeting each other and some wooden dialogue. The new bad guy is a spoiled brat who has a tendency for tantrums (and commands the largest army in the galaxy?) and a Supreme Leader who is a hologram. Too make a long story short: I wasn't all too impressed. It's just another failed attempt to recapture the magic of the much loved first three films from the seventies and eighties.

Was it all bad? No, off course not. Abrams knows how to direct action and impress with fine special effects. The casting of John Boyega is a courageous move and commercially smart. Too bad that his character comes off as more annoying than brave. Same goes for the character Kylo Ren. That I am not a fan off Adam Driver does not help either. Newcomer Ridley does hit the right tone and impresses as the new lead character. The familiar faces of Han Solo, Princess Leia and Chewbakka appear, but does that help? They don't bring anything new or fresh. Except for one pivotal scene near the end, which to be fair, was very well done.

It's the first installment, maybe it needs to gain momentum. But The Fellowship of the Ring and Star Wars IV were first installments too and they impressed the hell out of people. There are two other films coming in the next years. But this first one just is not all it's hyped up to be.

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