(trailer review) - Jungle Cruise

(Trailer 2)

(Official Trailer)

(First Look Trailer)

There was another trailer I saw a little while back last year and I made an attempt to cover it, I did but I didn't have a lot to say because although we saw a trailer, i was kind of expecting more.  Then 2020 hit us with a pandemic and....silence.  Seeing this trailer though from the stories I've heard regarding this movie, this is a Disney doing another movie based on a theme park ride, the same thing they did with Pirates of the Caribbean, however this doesn't look too bad, well from this trailer of course!

So, gone are the use of practical effects like in The Goonies, something of which this movie reminds me of, a cross between Indiana Jones, The Goonies, Pirates of the Caribbean and Tomb Raider (the games).  Needless to say, as I like Indiana Jones and love the Tomb Raider games, The Goonies is a childhood favourite and Pirates has been decent for the most part, there is a chance, a slim chance that I might actually like this as well.  Ah yes, it also reminds me of Jumanji: The next Level ALSO starring The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson.  Emily Blunt is fab also, so, there is that!

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons & Paul Giamatti,

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(trailer review) - Gunpowder Milkshake

So, not only is this movie somewhat ticking all the boxes in regards to race, it seems to be ticking all the right boxes to what most filmgoers want in an action movie...an action thriller at that!  I'm not going to lie to you, the title is great, but what seems to be even better, is the vibe I'm getting with this movie.  I'm getting a Charlie's Angel's vibe, but more serious.  A John Wick vibe, but more sensational.  Something like a John Wick mixed with The Hitman's Bodyguard, maybe?  Maybe I need to come back to this, but the film looks great.

Although, I said ticking the boxes in regards to race, I do feel they should have done more.  But these days these things seem to be heavy handed so I'm not sure if I even want that any more, unless it IS in fact woven into the story as there seems to be a world with secret assassins.  I just mean to say, if we are seeing such a diverse group, maybe it should be throughout the film, but since I haven't seen it yet, there is hope.  It's nice to see Lena Headey as I think she's great, as well as Michelle Yeoh and Angela Bassett. But Karen Gillan is funny in Jumanji, incredibly serious in Guardian's of the Galaxy and I'm just really liking the things she pops up in or her performance at least.

Whilst this film is slightly stylised like Atomic Blonde, but there seems to be some funny comedic bits peppered in and some slow-motion as if Zack Snyder directed this or is at least producing, I am definitely keen on watching.  Let's hope another trailer doesn't unsell me.

Hmmm.....Maybe Suckerpunch!? I'm still thinking!

Directed by Navot Papushado and starring Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett & Paul Giamatti

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(trailer review) - Jungle Cruise

(Official Trailer)

(First Look Trailer)

It's funny, when I wrote my review of the first trailer, I said a number of things which were my first initial thoughts.  Watching this trailer, I found it interesting that although I didn't think "How many movies will Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson be apart of with the word 'Jungle' in it?" Or "How many movies a year? 28? Whilst working on 35?" This guy stays working and I don't think I've see a bad Dwayne Johnson performance!  The ratio probably balances our more IN his favour and considering he oozes charm, Dwayne is essentially a superstar and there is not many of them about. These days people go for the Director than the actor so with Jaume Collet-Serra, someone I am not that familiar with although I did watch The Orphan back in the day, it would be interesting to see how he pulls off this theme park ride.

For the most part this is looking decent but I think I for the most part I'm more shocked at how many movies Dwayne can find himself in with the word Jungle in it.  Two talented actors though, maybe another trailer will sell me more.

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons & Paul Giamatti,

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(film review) - San Andreas

Can The Rock do any wrong? Ummm, of course he can. He is not immune. I mean, there are actors all over the world and Hollywood who do nonsensical films. Maybe just for a paycheck as they simply 'Mail-It-In', but The Rock has been trying to choose his films wisely. I won't mention the film he did with the Lion on his head, Hercules, (Opps, I just did), although, I never saw it, I heard it didn't do very well. Ahh well, I'm kind of glad I didn't as the trailer didn't do much for me anyway. Anyway, this film, San Andreas, a film a lot of people thought it was a film based on a very popular 2004 video game by Rockstar North for the Playstation 2 called Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, this film is NOT that.

Raymond "Ray J" Gaines (Dwayne Johnson) is a Los Angeles Fire Department Air Rescue Pilot who does just that, rescue people who are in accidents. He has a wife, Emma (Carla Gugino) and a daughter, Blake (Alexandra Daddario), but their relationship has it's complications and is a little strained. When a Seimologist, Lawrence Haynes (Paul Giamatti) discovers a small earthquake which warns of an even bigger and mightier Earthquake yet to come which can potentially be felt on the west coast, Ray J must do all that he can to save the people he loves, his family.

A fairly simple plot and something we have seen probably a bagillian times, but this time it stars, Dwayne Johnson and everybody loves, Dwayne, right? Trying not to go into any spoilers, but it is plain to see that everything goes to sh*t and Dwayne has to save people. No plot twist. Nothing special at all, other than the special effects. From what you can gather in the trailer, all the destruction and falling/crumbling buildings, this film does exactly what 2012 does. It also had a Tsunami. However, with 2012, I really did feel that the film was more of an environmental advert once I left the cinema. With this film, I didn't.
The Rock doesn't do anything too grand here, but he doesn't just 'Mail-It-In'. I like his story and his relationship with his family, but other than his great charisma channeled through into his character, everything else is fairly redundant. None of the other characters have much gravitas or even add much to the story plot. But since the plot is a huge major earthquake whilst one guy tries to save his family, who really cares.

An entertaining popcorn flick with a lot of destruction and actually makes you think, "WOW" especially if you know the area (So I have been told). Have a watch. If you like this type of thing and if you adore The Rock. I mean, who doesn't Love what The Rock is Cooking?

(film review) - The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro

I chose this title because it made more sense after watching the film. However, before I get into it, I want to point out a few things first. I have been following these comic book movies for a while now. I try to get enough information about these films, their potential storylines, the heroes and the antagonists. Spider-Man's marketing was relentless and barely stopped for a breather. From shooting, set pics, clues, mythos, potential enemies and the future of Spider-Man. With that said, Marc Webb IS directing a trilogy. Spider-Man's universe is going to be dynamic. So dynamic, they have planned future films after the original trilogy when that is complete with two spin off films and Spider-Man 4. Yes, as I said, dynamic.

To the average movie-goer, Spider-Man is just going to be another Spider-Man film and people will not understand the contractual agreements these studios who have the rights to Spider-Man and people won't understand why Toby Maguire is not Spider-Man any more, unfortunately. As I stated in my last Amazing Spider-Man review, that film was 10 years too late and this Spider-Man universe is much better and had this been executed way back when, we would be on Spider-Man 8 or so by now.
In regards to the film and it's relentless promotion and if you are reading this before you go out to see the film, I want to make you aware of something before you watch. Not a spoiler per say, but something in which the marketing has advertised which could be misinterpreted.

Firstly, this is indeed Spider-Man's biggest battle. However, with the images displayed with that message, it may not be the battle you were thinking.
Secondly, in this universe, Spider-Man follows very closely to the Spider-Man comics, down to plot twists and storylines which are burrowed from the ultimate universe as well as the comics to provide a "realistic" and "grounded" story. When watching this film, you will need to bare in mind that this is only the start of Spider-Man's troubles.

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is the young intelligent student who had been bitten by a genetically altered Spider which then turns him into a superhuman kid with heightened senses, strength, agility and stamina. Now as New York's friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, he has defeated criminals and Supervillains as well as juggling his life as a student and trying his best to keep a promise he has given to the love of his life's father after the events of the first film. Realising that breaking his promise is more haunting than he initially expected, Spider-Man battles with this along with the loss of his parents as he still has unanswered questions about his parents disappearance and his father's work/connection to Oscorp. As Peter's childhood friend comes back into town, Peter tries to rekindle his friendship with Harry Osborn (Dane Dehaan) until he is caught in a sticky situation where has has to make some hard choices. With all this going on and his on again off again relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), Max Dillion (Jamie Foxx) falls tragic to an accident which leaves him unrecognisable and able to control electricity who is now hellbent on destroying Spider-Man.

From loving the first The Amazing Spider-Man (Although it was 10 years too late), this film basically continues where the last Spider-Man left off. Much more colourful, more comic book-like in visuals but still somewhat dark in tone and even the threats come across somewhat real. The on screen relationship between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are great. In my opinion, their story is soo touching that there were a few times in the film I could have been brought to tears. Peter Parker's trouble/stress with his parents leaving, his old friend coming back to town and his aunt doing all that she can to look after her nephew without her beloved husband Uncle Ben is a lot. Although the film wasn't purely made for 3D like Avatar, the 3D element not once took me away from the movie like other 3D films have, like 300: Rise of an Empire and Man of Steel.
The comedy in this film was decent as there seemed to be a consistent tone in the film without coming across too cheesy/corny. The camera angles were also great and the last battle was epic enough. Dialogue was fitting, apart from a time where Peter Parker says, "Don't get it twisted" which took me out of the moment. It didn't feel like it was fitting. Jamie Foxx as Max Dillion was also great. His acting chops, something I have seen before in a previous film but as Electro, Mr. Foxx was quite sinister as well as very smart like his alter ego, not to mention Dane DeHaan's depiction of Harry Osborn.

I would say, DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM THIS FILM as most of you would have seen Captain America: Winter Soldier and love it and then compare this Marvel film with that Marvel film. These films are NOT ALIKE.

Sometimes I feel that I have to defend Spider-Man too much etc etc, but in all honesty, although not as good as CA:TWS, this film is a great opening for the future films to come. Yes Spider-Man has his greatest challenge yet and this film did exactly what it needed to do to set up the Spidey Universe nicely. Watch out for the Easter Eggs.

(film review) - 12 Years A Slave

It is kind of weird that I am able to write about this film, but I cannot write about Django Unchained. I mean I have no real issues with the film and I have seen both of these films and where this film had basically brought me to tears, you would have thought the Quentin Tarantino one would have done the same, no? Well, I believe I know the reason for this.

Quentin Tarintino's film was advertised as a slavery film when it was merely a film with a love and Slavery was a sub theme. With 12 years a slave, this IS in actual fact, a slavery film. You might ask what the difference is, but it is not hard to understand or comprehend that although both men where trying to get back to their beloved partner/wife, Django's story centred more around his wife and his "struggle" in trying to locate her, save her and be back with her. This film on the other hand is centred around the character himself and his struggle in reclaiming his own identity so he can go back to his wife. I'll explain.

As the film starts, we see Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejifor) in the fields working in the blazing heat among other slaves while white slave owners relax in the sun watching the slaves work. The film then flashes back and tells the story until we meet up again at that point in the beginning of the film in the fields. Solomon is a prestigious black man in a town where everyone or most people know and respect him. He plays the fiddle, is a skilled carpenter, has a wife and two children. But without going into it too much, one day he wakes up in a dark room where he is chained to the floor and beaten badly. Shipped, sold, disrespected, beaten, abused and renamed, Solomon goes through a great deal with his slave owners throughout the film. However, just when you think he is having a hard time, Patsey's (Lapita Nyong'o) story is the one which drew tears to my eyes.

This film, while a lot of people may argue the events in the film were too harsh or too much to handle, I can only say, I am pretty sure these events were watered down. I do compare the brutality of Django infused with this film would possibly give you the closest we would get to an on screen display of how events were for slaves, but until that happens, 12 Years does a fine job and Steve McQueen should get all the respect and props he deserves. Random hanging, slaves being stabbed, shot or keeling over from heatstroke, it's all there. The film is very engrossing, entertaining and visually stunning. There are moments in the film where the visuals are captivating. At times, I thought to myself, "this is a beautiful film", with all it's colours, shades and imagery. Very artistic. The screenplay, acting and camera angles were all top notch. High performances from everyone involved in the film. Cumberbatch, relatively new to me but I'm starting to like what he turns out and Fassbender, forever growing with greater performances in almost every movie. Even Rhino (Spider-Man joke) Paul Giamatti, did pretty well and possibly, I might start to like him more as an actor, but the best acting throughout the entirety of this film goes out to Chiwetel Ejiofor. A very underrated actor with extraordinary talent which I hope does not go overlooked.

I've said before, if you don't feel some kind of way after watching Django, then you must feel some sort of way after watching 12 years, or something is terribly wrong. Also, if you feel Django Unchained was a mockery of a film which was advertised as a film about slavery, then you need to see this film. This film is an amazing film where the director had a great vision in his head and was able to bring it across in the film and made you enjoy the film for numerous reasons, if it wasn't just for one thing, it was for another. Bring your towel/tissue and be prepared to be sadden, shed a tear or even cry. I think, what hurts more regarding this film, is the time in which all of this has happened in our history. 1841, although seems like it was a lifetime away, it really wasn't. This film was a great film and very much worth the watch.