Action

Tomb Raider (2018)

Published

5 years ago

July 5, 2018

Lara Croft, the fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer, must push herself beyond her limits when she discovers the island where her father disappeared.

Genre : Action/Adventure
Country : USA/UK

Cast :
Alicia Vikander : Lara Croft
Dominic West : Richard Croft
Walton Goggins : Mathias Vogel

Director :
Roar Uthaug

My opinion on “Tomb Raider”

“Vogel can’t find the tomb without me,
and since I’m dead and…
since you’ve burned the rest of my research,
he will never find it.”

I was actually looking forward to watching this new version of “Tomb Raider“. Not only because I had a lot of fun with the PC game years ago (and amazed by the used graphics in those days). And not because Lara Croft was a hot and good looking video game character. Equipped with a couple of huge boobs, wearing tight hotpants and she used to make those horny little cries whenever she bumped into something. No wonder she had a large male fanbase. But also because I appreciated the film with Angelina Jolie. And at the same time, I was curious how her successor Alicia Vikander would handle it. And to be honest, that was the biggest letdown of the film for me. Not that Vikander acted badly (Good acting isn’t really a requirement when playing a part in Tomb Raider. Right?). She just looked like an innocent teenager who first got slapped around during kickboxing and has fun with a chasing-game on her bike. And before you know it, she’s traveling to Asia to follow a trail that leads her to a place where her father supposedly deceased and turns into some kind of ass-kicking female action-hero.

Let’s talk about boobs …

So they got rid of the sensuality and the over-the-top femininity. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think it’s really necessary, of course. But there should be a decent alternative instead. An intriguing and fascinating story, for example. Ultimately it’s a female version of “Indiana Jones“. But this time they’ve removed the facet of humor and replaced it with serious drama. Once Lara and her companion Lu Ren (Daniel Wu) arrive on the island, it’s just Lara who continuously runs, jumps, dives, fights and tries to survive. It wasn’t really exciting. And at certain times it seemed as if Lara possessed superhuman powers. I’m sure Wonder Woman would be jealous.

Don’t sulk Lara … you’re an adventuress.

Perhaps it was intentionally done to present Lara Croft in this film as more serious and humane. For example, there’s this dilemma about her signing some contracts which are important for the continued existence of “Croft Holdings”. Particularly because signing these documents is actually a confirmation that Lara’s father is really dead. Something Lara stubbornly denies since she’s convinced he’s still alive. But is a movie like “Tomb Raider” suitable for using such profoundly human themes? Not for me. I’m not waiting for that when I watch this type of movie. I want adventure and mysticism. A battle for life and death between heroes and “the bad guys”. A trip through jungles and caves full of booby traps and difficult puzzles to solve. And that’s the positive side of this film. The film is crammed with (sometimes slightly exaggerated) action scenes and riddles. And that corresponds to what one could experience in the PC game

A film suitable for a relaxing movie night.

“Tomb Raider” certainly isn’t bad but didn’t really impress me. This flick is perfect for a relaxing movie night. Even though the character Lara Croft has become immensely popular over the years thanks to the pioneering games from the 90s and the lascivious performance by Angelina Jolie, this film doesn’t succeed in eliciting that same feeling. This shows once again that making a movie of a video game certainly isn’t an easy task.

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB

FILM RATING

Action

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.

FILM RATING