Search
Search results
Gareth von Kallenbach (971 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
Guy Ritchie’s live action remake really was a hit for me. Not much of the story has changed which is fine. I went into this film excited but with a few weary doubts. I was for sure that nothing could compare to the 1992 two dimensional Genie I grew to adore. I then however convinced myself to treat the film as its own entity and not as a comparison. I mean come on, nothing can compare to a cartoon version of anything. You can animate just about anything but trying to flip the story to live-action and expecting the same results can be risky. In the remake it worked out well for the most part. Anytime Genie was his big blue self that’s when the CG that was used was extremely noticeable. I just have never been a fan of CG use on actors, it used to freak me out as a kid. I know it sounds strange but I quickly got over it and was able to really enjoy the film.
When the film was being discussed and or planned the stipulation at least for the two leads (Mena Massaud and Naomi Scott) was, they of course had to be of Indian or Middle Eastern descent, they had to be able to sing and dance and they had to be newcomers. I thought they were perfectly cast and had great chemistry. They also were both able to stand their ground and their performances certainly didn’t get lost playing along side Will Smith. Though he is incomparable to Robin Williams he did do an outstanding job at Genie and I think Williams would be proud of his rendition.
One of my favorite things Disney films have always delivered in any of their films has been the atmosphere and sets. The colors of Agraba are vibrant and inviting. You can almost smell the spices and feel the warm breeze flowing through the city. I am also pleased that Alan Mankin has returned to compose the music for the film. All songs have been kept the same with the addition of a few new songs so be sure to at least sing along with them.
In my honest opinion this live-action remake of Disney’s Aladdin has been my favorite of the live-action Disney remade films so far. It is a two hour nostalgic film filled wth laughs, action, lots of parkour and good life lessons. Money or power can’t always buy happiness.
When the film was being discussed and or planned the stipulation at least for the two leads (Mena Massaud and Naomi Scott) was, they of course had to be of Indian or Middle Eastern descent, they had to be able to sing and dance and they had to be newcomers. I thought they were perfectly cast and had great chemistry. They also were both able to stand their ground and their performances certainly didn’t get lost playing along side Will Smith. Though he is incomparable to Robin Williams he did do an outstanding job at Genie and I think Williams would be proud of his rendition.
One of my favorite things Disney films have always delivered in any of their films has been the atmosphere and sets. The colors of Agraba are vibrant and inviting. You can almost smell the spices and feel the warm breeze flowing through the city. I am also pleased that Alan Mankin has returned to compose the music for the film. All songs have been kept the same with the addition of a few new songs so be sure to at least sing along with them.
In my honest opinion this live-action remake of Disney’s Aladdin has been my favorite of the live-action Disney remade films so far. It is a two hour nostalgic film filled wth laughs, action, lots of parkour and good life lessons. Money or power can’t always buy happiness.
David McK (3236 KP) rated The Mask (1994) in Movies
Sep 23, 2020
"S.. S... Smokin'!"
Mid 90s mix of CGI and live action, that is perfectly suited to it's main star (Jim Carrey, then just coming off his success in Ace Ventura) rubber faced antics, and that also had an acting credit 'introducing Cameron Diaz' in what was her breakout role as Tina Carlyle, the club singer who bored bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey) falls for at roughly the same time he discovers the Mask, that transforms him into - basically - a 'real life' Tex Avery cartoon character!
Mid 90s mix of CGI and live action, that is perfectly suited to it's main star (Jim Carrey, then just coming off his success in Ace Ventura) rubber faced antics, and that also had an acting credit 'introducing Cameron Diaz' in what was her breakout role as Tina Carlyle, the club singer who bored bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey) falls for at roughly the same time he discovers the Mask, that transforms him into - basically - a 'real life' Tex Avery cartoon character!
Dean (6925 KP) rated Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) in Movies
Feb 10, 2018
I really do not understand the criticism of this film. Yes it's long, has a slowish build up and no Megan Fox. The new girl appears out of no where? However once the action does start it, doesn't stop and it doesn't feel as long as it is. The SFX have gone up a notch again and the level of detail in the slo-mo shots mid action are amazing! All this with live performers in the mix too. This film is a pure blast, fun, entertaining and a work of technical excellence. It's better than the 2nd and on par with the first. If you want to be entertained and have your eyes dazzled see this. What the critics thought they were going to see I don't know?
Anne (15117 KP) rated Mulan (2020) in Movies
Dec 29, 2020
Rating between 6 & 7 - Not quite what I expected
Thanks to Smashbomb for letting me watch and review this movie. I was looking forward to seeing this movie and what they did with it, but it wasn't as great as I expected or hoped it would be.
The thing is this was supposed to be a remake of Mulan - a live-action version instead of the animated one, but a remake nonetheless and this movie was not Mulan. It was like they took the very basic storyline from the animated Mulan and then completely redid the movie into something totally different.
This movie was like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon crossed with the basic idea of Mulan. What my husband said and I agreed with him is that this movie is okay on its own by itself, but looking at it as a live-action remake of the animated Mulan it's not so great.
I liked the general idea of the movie, the special effects, and the different background for Mulan with some of the changes in the movie, but it just wasn't Mulan. I still prefer the animated version myself.
The thing is this was supposed to be a remake of Mulan - a live-action version instead of the animated one, but a remake nonetheless and this movie was not Mulan. It was like they took the very basic storyline from the animated Mulan and then completely redid the movie into something totally different.
This movie was like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon crossed with the basic idea of Mulan. What my husband said and I agreed with him is that this movie is okay on its own by itself, but looking at it as a live-action remake of the animated Mulan it's not so great.
I liked the general idea of the movie, the special effects, and the different background for Mulan with some of the changes in the movie, but it just wasn't Mulan. I still prefer the animated version myself.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Uncharted (2022) in Movies
Aug 2, 2022
Uncharted, because no one knows where their going..
Uncharted is a live action take on the extremely popular video-game franchise of the same name.
Featuring a bunch of top Hollywood names both past and present, the first installment focuses on the fourth installment of the games and changes a lot of the original plot making for some very interesting possible sequels.
A lot of great action scenes and sequences and some light humour (although more humour was needed) and a straight forward plot made this a very enjoyable action adventure.
The duo of Mark whalberg as Victor sully and Tom Holland as Nathan drake is a very odd but fitting piece that seems to work naturally.
Did you know?
Mark whalberg was originally set to play Nathan drake before being bumped to play Victor sully so Tom Holland could play Nathan drake.
Nathan fillion was also poised to play Nathan drake as fans wanted it, although it didn't happen, fillion did make a short film where he played uncharted's protagonist.
(it's on YouTube).
-maybe we'll see MW play Nathan drake one day.
Featuring a bunch of top Hollywood names both past and present, the first installment focuses on the fourth installment of the games and changes a lot of the original plot making for some very interesting possible sequels.
A lot of great action scenes and sequences and some light humour (although more humour was needed) and a straight forward plot made this a very enjoyable action adventure.
The duo of Mark whalberg as Victor sully and Tom Holland as Nathan drake is a very odd but fitting piece that seems to work naturally.
Did you know?
Mark whalberg was originally set to play Nathan drake before being bumped to play Victor sully so Tom Holland could play Nathan drake.
Nathan fillion was also poised to play Nathan drake as fans wanted it, although it didn't happen, fillion did make a short film where he played uncharted's protagonist.
(it's on YouTube).
-maybe we'll see MW play Nathan drake one day.
The Craggus (360 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies
May 25, 2019
A fool off his guard could fall and fall hard for Disney’s surprisingly beguiling Aladdin (2019)
In terms of what you might be expecting, Disney’s live-action adaptation of their own animated take on Aladdin is much more than a diamond in the rough. Against the odds, and certainly expectations, Guy Ritchie and his likeable and talented cast have managed to deliver a cave of wonders which honours the original classic and yet still manages to find enough new angles to make the story feel new again...
FULL REVIEW: bit.ly/CraggusAladdin2019
FULL REVIEW: bit.ly/CraggusAladdin2019
Ross (3282 KP) rated BASEketball (1998) in Movies
Jan 17, 2018
Hilarious film about a made-up sport, free from all the corporate nonsense associated with the other major sports, and one where less athletic people could play.
From the early days of the sport's creation to the tension starting to tell in the creators (one wants to keep the sport true to its roots, the other wants to capitalise on the commercial success), this hilarious film shows Trey Parker and Matt Stone in real life for once, and is their funniest live action appearances since Cannibal: The Musical.
From the early days of the sport's creation to the tension starting to tell in the creators (one wants to keep the sport true to its roots, the other wants to capitalise on the commercial success), this hilarious film shows Trey Parker and Matt Stone in real life for once, and is their funniest live action appearances since Cannibal: The Musical.
David McK (3236 KP) rated Beauty and the Beast (2017) in Movies
Dec 31, 2019
Live-action remake of the 1994 Disney film which (from what I remember) sticks almost exactly to that source material, with Emma Watson's Belle perhaps given a bit more independence than before.
Mostly the same songs as before (although I'm not sure about Hermione - sorry, sorry, Emma Watson - vocals), with maybe one or two new additions, with those songs serving more as time fillers than for moving the plot along (compare these to those in Aladdin and you'll see what I mean) - that's not a criticism, as such, just an observation!
Mostly the same songs as before (although I'm not sure about Hermione - sorry, sorry, Emma Watson - vocals), with maybe one or two new additions, with those songs serving more as time fillers than for moving the plot along (compare these to those in Aladdin and you'll see what I mean) - that's not a criticism, as such, just an observation!
Andrew Solomon recommended Random Family in Books (curated)
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Cinderella (2015) in Movies
Oct 5, 2020
Cast (2 more)
Acting
Special effects
You shall go to the reviewed list.
Wasn't sure I'd actually seen it but was roped into watching it and turns out I had...
A live action adaptation of another disney classic that seemingly went unnoticed probably due to lack of advertising.
Unlike more recently released L.I.A's, 2015's Cinderella was kept closer to the original story and was both fun & rather well grounded with with it's emotional input.
Although there have been many other versions of the Disney tale, this is personally the best to date.
A live action adaptation of another disney classic that seemingly went unnoticed probably due to lack of advertising.
Unlike more recently released L.I.A's, 2015's Cinderella was kept closer to the original story and was both fun & rather well grounded with with it's emotional input.
Although there have been many other versions of the Disney tale, this is personally the best to date.