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Geostorm (2017)

Published

5 years ago

January 24, 2018

When the network of satellites designed to control the global climate starts to attack Earth, it’s a race against the clock for its creator to uncover the real threat before a worldwide Geostorm wipes out everything and everyone.

Genre : SF/Action
Country : USA

Cast :
Gerard Butler : Jake Lawson
Jim Sturgess : Max Lawson
Ed Harris : Leonard Dekkom

Director :
Dean Devlin

My opinion on “Geostorm”

“Look, I know you’re not gonna like it but as I see it, there’s only one person to go after for this.
Your brother, Jake.”

“Geostorm” adresses an issue which is highly topical currently. The influence we have as human beings on the climate. And the consequences this has on our environment. Is it really true we’ll be bathing in the shadow of the Cologne Cathedral in the future ? And will polar bears slowly exchange their winter fur for a thinner version, in such a way that after a few decades they look like oversized hairless Sphynxes ? Or will we be continually plagued by natural disasters that’ll cause a multitude of victims among the population? The same problems are presented in “Geostorm“. Fortunately, they had more visionary spirits and they joined forces worldwide. An immense network of satellites spans the earth and scientists can always intervene in a focused and coordinated way (from the ISS), in case of out-of-control weather conditions. Until some things start to go wrong.

A disaster movie. Please no talking. Show some disasters.

“Geostorm” is a typical disaster film. There are some advantages while viewing this type of film. You can leave your brains at home because they aren’t really necessary. If you have to pee urgently during the film, you don’t need to watch the rest of the film with squeezed buttocks. It’s like a daily soap on television. If you miss something, you can still follow afterwards. But be honest. When you’re going to watch a movie like “The day after tomorrow“, “Twister” or this one, you don’t expect deep and ingenious written dialogues. You want to see impressive images with masterly designed digital effects on the screen. Not? The more dramatic and devastating the disasters are, the more successful the film. The footage of disasters on our planet aren’t always impressive and baffling in “Geostorm“. But the images from space, look incredibly realistic and enormously intense. You thought the images from the ISS space station being pulverized in millions of pieces in “Gravity” were impressive? Well there are some sequences in “Geostorm” that look even better.

A bunch of well-known actors … who cares … bring on the disasters !

The summoned actors aren’t the least either. Gerard Butler is not the best choice to play the part of the highly intellectual scientist Jake Lawson. I don’t think people see Butler as a person with an extraordinary I.Q. (although I’m not saying he’s as dumb as an ox). Physical efforts and situations where muscles are needed, fits better with him. And there’s plenty of that in this film. Jim Sturgess plays his brother Max. You can’t say their relationship is really friendly. But as expected, this improves as we approach the end of the film. If you want to see Sturgess shine as an actor, you better try “Upside down“. Abbie Cornish looked familiar to me and that was because I saw her shine next to Woody Harrelson in “Three billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” a week ago. Finally there’s also Andy Garcia as the president of the USA. And Ed Harris as the secretary of state. Not that it really matters how legendary some actors are, because the overall story told here really is a disaster.

A movie like a Belgian summer … not an everlasting impression

“Geostorm” isn’t a brilliant film. Sure, the movie isn’t completely boring. But there will be a few things that’ll annoy you. If it’s not the cliché content or the lousy, uninspiring dialogues, then surely the used special effects will cause annoyment. Because they are sometimes aweful and outdated. Like for instance the scene where an area was flooded by water and all of a sudden the water retreats. It felt as if it was filmed in a bathtub and suddenly the stopper was removed. And the U.S. behaving as if it’s the big savior of the world again, was enormously irritating. Especially when you realize they are currently the biggest deniers when it comes to global warming and certain agreements and guidelines are simply boycotted (every proposed measure gets opposition from the American Petrol Industry). You can’t say it’s all politically correct. But you shouldn’t expect something like that either when watching a simplistic spectacle film which was made solely for entertainment.

My rating 5/10
Links : IMDB

FILM RATING

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Five Reasons To Love ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

Published

2 months ago

January 22, 2023

Richard Schertzer

Back in 2014, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened into theaters with a mixed reception from critics and audiences and has been deemed as the least desirable of the Spidey movies. In the film, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) must face off against another villain who has been given the name Electro. Moreover, our brave hero uncovers some bizarre mysteries surrounding his parents.

Many fans of the series view the film as an overcrowded mess, but I think it might be the most entertaining of all the Spidey films, until No Way Home arrived, and here are five reasons why that remains true.

Andrew Garfield

First and foremost, Garfield is always a delight to have in the Spidey outfit. His charisma and witty banter is almost what makes the film truly great. I have always said that he was the best Spider-Man and this movie proves it with his ability to elevate any scene from dull slog to a comedic venture.

Spidey, in this particular movie, embodies the hero in the original comics with his incessant need to make a fast-talking quip to one of his enemies. There is nothing better than a comic-book character sticking true to his essence and spirit of its source material.

Electro

Despite what many people say about the villains, Jamie Foxx as the supercharged baddie Electro proves to be a formidable opponent for the web-head, with his omnipotent powers and overly-powered nature. More than that, Max Dillon is depicted as a quiet, shy loner who is invisible to other people. He is essentially a nobody, until he falls into a vat of electrically-charged eels and becomes the sinister villain Electro.

To better understand a villain, you must understand their plight and Electro’s plight is that of a rags-to-riches success story and the visual effects are certainly something to marvel at.

Action Sequences

This article wouldn’t be complete if I decided not to talk about the exhilarating action that embodied the film. Whether we see Spidey chasing down a truck with Oscorp’s product or a massive fight inside a grid that seems like a colossal feat for any Marvel film, the film can take a lot of pride in its action sequences.

One can also never forget the massive and iconic battle sequence between Electro and Spidey in Time Square that seems impossible to be made.

Green Goblin

While he remains a secondary villain, Dane Dehaan’s Green Goblin is still noteworthy. Dehaan portrays Harry Osborne who is left with his dead father Norman’s life work and stumbles upon a Goblin serum that enhances his speed, strength, and intelligence.

His little spat with Spider-Man is certainly befitting for the dark, moody tone of the film and entertaining for plenty of comic fans with zippy action and certified intensity. In the end, he is also responsible for the death of Spidey’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy.

Gwen Stacy Death

Speaking of Gwen Stacy, this is the only Spidey film that features his love interest dying. As he battles the Green Goblin, Spidey attempts to hold on to Stacy, literally, by a thread in the clocktower. However, when the thread snaps, Spidey is able to snag her in mid-air but the whiplash of the fall snaps her neck, killing her.

What might be the saddest moment in any Spider-Man film, was brought to life in this extraordinary scene that silenced an entire generation of Spider-Man fans.

FILM RATING

Action

Anthony Hopkins to Lead Peacock Gladiator Drama ‘Those About to Die’

Published

2 months ago

January 19, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

Peacock is one of the streamers that has yet to break through in terms of their original content getting recognized for awards contention. One such series that might change that fate for the streaming service is Those About to Die and it’s starting to build out its cast. According to Variety, 2-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Father) is the first to join the drama series which comes from Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow). Saving Private Ryan screenwriter Robert Rodat will script the series.

Hopkins will play the character known as Emperor Vespasian in the series which is set in the world of gladiatorial battle. It will be an ensemble drama following many different Roman characters that will set forth for violent affairs in the arena among other complexities such as political power and corruption so expect a starry cast for this Peacock drama. Hopkins’ character is described as “despised by the Patricians jockeying for position in the Empire and looking to supplant his heirs to the throne the first chance they get. Vespasian became the Roman emperor after a ten-year civil war. We expect to get more casting news soon as the show will begin filming in Rome in March.

Anthony Hopkins is coming off a terrific performance in James Gray’s Armageddon Time in 2022 after winning his second Academy Award for his role in The Father the year prior. He’ll next voice a character in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon for Netflix and also will star in British drama One Life alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Jonathan Pryce. Emmerich is coming off directing the sci-fi disaster film, Moonfall in 2022.

FILM RATING

Action

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Adds Oscar-Nominee William H. Macy

Published

2 months ago

January 12, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

The Planet of the Apes trilogy headlined by Andy Serkis from the 2010s can be argued as one of the best trilogies of all-time. The technological advances made from motion capture helped actors completely transform into the apes with their interactions with human characters making the story rawer and more emotional. Now, 20th Century Studios will jump back into the world of apes with their latest, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Deadline reports that William H. Macy (Shameless, Fargo) will round out the cast for the newest chapter of the franchise.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place many years after the conclusion of War for the Planet of the Apes being led by an entirely new cast that includes Owen Teague, Freya Allan and Peter Macon. Details are currently unknown on whether Macy will be playing a human character or an ape. The film series has grossed almost $2 billion dollars for the studio so it’s no surprise that they’re aiming to make more Apes fims.

Macy is coming off his biggest role ever in Showtime’s series, Shameless for which he played Frank Gallagher and was nominated for 6 Emmy Awards for his performance over 11 seasons. Macy is also a former Oscar-nominee for his lead role in the Coen Brothers classic, Fargo. Since then, he’s amassed tons of parts including most recently in Hulu’s The Dropout and a guest spot on the ABC sitcom, The Conners. Macy will next appear in the film, Maybe I Do with Emma Roberts, Diane Keaton, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon.

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