When A Minecraft Movie Is Not All That Memorable

The big problem with A Minecraft Movie is that its various subplots don’t all come together nicely. Although Jack Black is entertaining in a musical sense, we’ve seen that character profile before.

A Minecraft Movie PosterI never fully understood the Minecraft craze, and after watching the movie loosely based on what the sandbox video game is about, I can say it certainly honours the spirit of creativity, building and … last-minute, isn’t this concept LEGO? The similarities between A Minecraft Movie to the storylines from Ninjago and A Lego Movie are blatant. This Dutch toy also introduced skeletons as one of the basic “enemies” and in Mojang Studio’s product, they’re also here too!

When this electronic game never had a properly defined mythos during its initial launch, I didn’t play for long. Other than creating random items for no purpose at all, I wondered when elements from Doom or Unreal Tournament would get incorporated. Thankfully, this cinematic treatment is quick to define all that because without a solid threat to face, and understanding the foundation this Swedish product developed from, not everyone will be interested in this film.

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Hopes and Dreams for the Future of Legendary Picture’s Monsterverse

It’s safe to say that not everyone wants more of Kong with Godzilla should the Monsterverse continue. Now that the film is leaving theatres, we offer some thoughts:

Godzilla King of the Monsters Movie PosterIf we’re supposed to believe all the Monsterverse films share the same DNA, then the slow reveal about an ancient civilization as Earth’s true guardians must hint at a greater plot. Now that the latest film Godzilla X King Kong is leaving theatres, I can offer some thoughts after repeated views. I’m willing to support this film franchise for so long, and hope it can be steered back to what it was.

When Gareth Edwards made his 2014 film, all he wanted to do was to make a movie that is a love letter to TOHO. His take had Yoshimitsu Banno‘s blessing and I’m sure the later instalments did not. This Japanese studio sent this director (best known for Godzilla vs Hedorah) to look at how Japan’s most iconic antihero, would be remade for American sensitivities. Back then, what he saw excited him. The idea of creating a shared universe didn’t happen right away and this film was considered a modest success before the King Kong movie revealed a greater concept. Michael Dougherty and Adam Wingard‘s take is decent enough where it made enough callbacks to the ol’ classic style, but it’s not as well thought out as Edward’s vision.

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Godzilla x Kong The New Empire, A Review and Thoughts the Monsterverse’s Future

After all that’s sand and done in Godzilla X Kong The New Empire, is it really over after Dr., Ilene says humanity must learn how to live with the Titans?

Godzilla x Kong The New Empire Movie PosterGodzilla x Kong The New Empire isn’t the best followup to a new set of films about these two titans begrudgingly working together. That’s because I’ve seen half the ideas before. The one about Kong exploring Hollow Earth and earning his place in ape society is to be expected. Elsewhere, when the trailers show Godzilla aware an unknown threat is coming, he’ll have to power up in order to defeat it. As for whom he targets and how savage he is, that’s the only part I truly liked.

And because I read Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong the night before, I get the sense fans are being groomed for what’s to come. In the Monsterverse, superheroes do not exist. Having people in power armour does, and when considering Mecha Godzilla was introduced the prior film, I suspect putting a human in battle armour ala Pacific Rim can make anyone look super powered like Lex in his giant robot! If my theory is true, I’ll keep watching despite how repetitive the ideas are getting in setting up the future for this franchise.

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Brains vs Brawns. Skull Island Impresses with Mystery and Kaiju Style Action!

What makes Skull Island a fine jumping in point is that one doesn’t need to know the live-action movie at all.

Netflix Skull Island Promotional PosterLegendary PicturesSkull Island is essentially a variation on a theme. I’ve seen this story in Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous; both tales concern teens and adults trapped in the worst place possible. They not only have to contend with rogue scientists but also giant monsters. When they wash up here, where they land is no Hotel California.

Although this animation is billed as a story for an older crowd, the teen elements are at the forefront, and the ape (i.e. Kong) simply lounging around. His presence is downplayed while another beast takes centre stage. I’m curious about Dog, who probably aids the mighty gorilla. This temperamental mutant has the features of a Pitbull, lion and armadillo.

He’d be the type of creature cryptologists and scientists would want to study. But instead, they’re more interested in riling up things from the sea and detonating explosives in places where they shouldn’t. Charlie (Nicolas Cantu) doesn’t like this life, and if it weren’t for his best friend, Mike (Darren Barnet) being here, he’d probably go crazy. This teen wants a normal life.

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From Storyboard Art to Film with Richard Bennett. Godzilla vs Kong Art on Kickstarter!

Clover Press is ready to rumble with Godzilla & Kong: The Cinematic Storyboard Art of Richard Bennett.

Book Cover
Final art subject to change.

Clover Press is ready to rumble with Godzilla & Kong: The Cinematic Storyboard Art of Richard Bennett. This book puts together a selection of the best sequences from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ blockbuster trio of hits Godzilla vs. Kong, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Kong: Skull Island, along with some never-before-seen deleted scenes. It’s sure to be a must-have for movie buffs, film students, industry professionals and, of course, all Kaiju aficionados!

All of these images are by Richard Bennett, one of the most respected storyboard artists working today. He’s collaborated with directors David Fincher, Christopher Nolan, Brad Bird, and JJ Abrams, among others. Now, Bennett and Clover Press are launching a Kickstarter campaign for a stunning hardcover coffee table book which showcases Bennett’s storyboard storytelling and two of the biggest stars in the history of cinema with.

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Is Dune Part One Doomed Because This Film is a Two-Parter?

Dune Part One is ambitious enough to lay the foundation of what’s to come, but it’s better to read the books to know the full story than to wait for part two.

Dune Part One Movie PosterStar power won’t necessarily make Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Part One the most memorable. Names like Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, and Jason Momoa will bring their fans in, but they’ll be disappointed. Just how often they are on screen is no different than the 1984 product. Back then, the stars included Sting and Max Von Sydow. Even Patrick Stewart had a role before becoming widely known in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Ultimately, this film’s success depends on a willingness to sit through a 150min long movie. The many introductions made the pacing tough to get through. Also, Frank Herbert’s very dense work is not for everyone. In a nutshell, the saga he created is about whoever controls the drug, Melange, can hold the galaxy hostage. It’s known as “The Spice” and it can give frequent users prolonged life and psychotropic abilities.

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