I grew up watching movie greats and cinematic icons, and probably one of the most recognizable monsters and terrors I've encountered in my childhood is "King Kong" - the huge ape that is known as the "8th Wonder of the World" to man yet is truly just a creature from a lost age who is implied to be the last of his kind hailing from the fictional lost world of "Skull Island". I first got exposed to Kong and his world with a home video copy of the 1933 original directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and it was an eye opener in the history of Hollywood cinema that received critical acclaim for its portrayal of a giant monster ape and pioneering use of stop-motion animation by Willis O'Brien. As compared to the 1976 remake (which was alright and actually had Jeff Bridges in it) and the somewhat lukewarm 2005 one directed by LOTR helmer Peter Jackson, it can be argued that you "can't beat a classic" and the original still set the standard for other Kong films and copycats that followed.
Fast forward to 2017 and we have the THIRD REBOOT attempt to bring Kong to the modern world with "Kong: Skull Island" - a reimagining of the Kong franchise directed by Jordan Charles Vogt-Roberts (who is attached to direct a film version of Metal Gear Solid, but that's still in development). Other than reintroducing the giant ape to audiences with renewed vigor and style thanks to the advances of technology today, this movie is actually the second installment in Legendary Pictures' "MonsterVerse" - which started with the company's previous collaboration with Warner Bros. in the 2014 film "Godzilla" - which rebooted Toho's "King of the Monsters" for the second time and to much better reception as compared to the 1998 film by Independence Day director Roland Emmerich. The aim is to EVENTUALLY get these two titans together, in a "Let Them Fight" style versus flick that will finally see them clash in a Hollywood blockbuster unlike the 1962 Toho film that saw things taken less seriously as they should have been.
Now on to the review proper, and for the short gist Kong: Skull Island is nothing short of AWESOME and an absolute MUST SEE for fans new and old alike. Big thanks again to Warner Bros. PH for inviting me to the screening earlier this week!
“His Time Has Come.” Those words could not be more true with the release of 20th Century Fox’s “Logan” - the final film in the Wolverine trilogy of X-Men spinoff films that sees everyone’s favorite feral mutant facing his greatest challenge yet in life and legacy, as well as marking the final time Australian actor and Academy Award winner Hugh Jackman will play the role he carved into film history for 17 years since the original X-Men film released in 2000.
Last Monday, I got to see "Logan" c/o 20th Century Fox Philippines (and suited up with cosplay friend Mislaine as Wolverine and X-23 respectively to boot)... And to say it's breathtaking and X-CELLENT is just a few short descriptions of what is possibly one of the BEST films I have seen ever, going beyond the superhero genre even. That being said here's my review... And there may be slight SPOILERS here but nothing that gives away the main beats or ending to this powerful film in the X-Men film franchise.
This year's Oscars are done and February 2017 is coming to an end, and there have been a couple of movies I've seen through the course of this month that I've wanted to review in this page yet haven't gotten a chance to. With the month ending today, now's a good time to give some small short reactions to these films... And most of them are Academy Award nominated ones that did the trick! You can still catch these in cinemas, so here's a little feedback on these films on the big screen.
Movie: Hidden Figures Release Date: December 25, 2016 (US), February 22, 2017 (Philippines) Released by: 20th Century Fox Philippines
A biographical drama film that puts some of the best talents in Hollywood to portray an important time during the "Space Race" era of the 60's, "Hidden Figures" stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae as three historical African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA, along with supporting roles by Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, and Jim Parsons - all who worked to see through one of the most important space missions known in history. Between depicting the sensitive times of racial discrimination, the unstable nature of those working behind the scenes to calculate trajectories for the space missions, and the lives of these women with their families and careers - this is one film by director Theodore Melfi that hit the right notes in bringing emotion and triumph to an important time in man's quest to reach the stars and find some reconciliation and agreement between their own personal differences and biases.
Hidden Figures Official Trailer #2
Rating: 4/5
Movie: A Cure For Wellness Release Date: February 17, 2017 (US), February 15, 2017 (Philippines) Released by: 20th Century Fox Philippines
A film by Pirates of the Caribbean films director Gore Verbinski that literally dips into the well of Psychological Horror, "A Cure For Wellness" stars former "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" star and Harry Osborn actor Dane DeHaan in the lead as an ambitious young executive named Lockheart - who is sent to a "wellness center" in the Swiss Alps to find the CEO of the company he works for to finalize a merger. What was supposed to be a simple retrieval trip turns into a mystery and nightmare, as Lockhart finds out that not all is what it seems in the facility and hidden secrets and strange things unearth themselves that make him question his sanity. It's a film that doesn't break new ground and takes familiar routes in the same manner as classic horror films like The Invisible Man and Shutter Island, but it does give Dehaan new footing in playing the main role of a film. Definitely for those who like to see the strange in cinema.
A Cure for Wellness Official Trailer
Rating - 3/5
Movie: Hacksaw Ridge Release Date: November 4, 2016 (US), February 22, 2017 (Philippines) Released by: Columbia Pictures Philippines
A historical biographical film with a powerful cast and shows the true story of a pacifist who saved men in the battlefield while holding on to faith and courage, Hacksaw Ridge stars previous Amazing Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield as real life World War II hero Desmond Doss - A Seventh-Day Adventist Christian who enlists in the Army and becomes a combat medic who refuses to carry a gun. What follows in this film directed by Academy Award winner Mel Gibson is a story about a courageous man who was able to save 75 soldiers in the battle at Hacksaw Ridge, earning him the Medal of Honor for his bravery and efforts. The film also stars Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Hugo Weaving, and Teresa Palmer, and is arguably one of the best historical drama movies I have ever witnessed in cinema that is based on a true story.
Hacksaw Ridge Official Trailer
Rating - 4/5
Movie: Fist Fight Release Date: February 17, 2017 (US), February 22, 2017 (Philippines) Released by: Warner Bros. Philippines #TeacherFight had whole new meaning in the Ice Cube and Charlie Day comedy "Fist Fight" - where two very different teachers come to blows in a very chaotic public school setting where teachers are disrespected and the students keep on pulling pranks. When both men are brought together and a misunderstanding ensues where Ice Cube's Ron Strickland gets fired from his teaching position, he challenges Day's Andy Campbell to a fight after school... And the whole film spirals into hilarious moments and shenanigans that pretty much lets you laugh and watch a movie without taking anything seriously. This is one of the good ones, and certainly makes use of Ice Cube's mean looks as an uncompromising tough guy perfectly.
