When The Legend of Gatokaca and an Eternal Conflict Returns…

The rich Hindu mythology brought to life in The Legend of Gatokaca requires some foreknowledge to truly appreciate what this film is about.

Legend of Gatotkaca Blu-Ray CaseAvailable to Stream on Hi-yah and purchase on Amazon USA

Indonesian filmmaker Hanung Bramantyo wants to show to the world that The Legend of Gatokaca is built from folklore. It certainly shows why superheroes were once gods a long time ago. This individual is from the Mahabharata, an epic tale which includes fascinating elements from Indonesian mythology that put others to shame. Much of it gets explained throughout the film from the eyes of Professor Arya (Edward Akbar) and a student Erlangga (Jerome Kurnia). They teach Yuda (Rizky Nazar) about the past, and why it all matters if he’s to be the reincarnation of a demigod hero, Gatotkaca.

To get new audiences up to speed and yet move the modern update forward is better paced than other works I’ve recently seen. Although, the details go by quite fast and the 130min run time is rather long, I’m glad to have the home video release so I can rewind or pause. That way, I can make sense of the lengthy exposition.

Continue reading “When The Legend of Gatokaca and an Eternal Conflict Returns…”

Is It Die Hart or Die Harter? Movie Version Review and Sequel News.

Kevin Hart’s manic exuberance in Die Hart gets played up for different reasons. Can he become a different kind of talent that he’s not?

Die Hart 2 Movie PosterNot everyone knows Kevin Hart starred in a TV series which follows a fictional version of himself as he learns how to become an action star. Die Hart was released in 2020 on Quibi as 10 minute shorts, and to find an edited together movie on Amazon Prime is more of a reminder. That’s because Die Harter is set to debut on Roku on March 31.

From the official synopsis:

After achieving his dream of becoming a bona fide action hero in Die Hart, Kevin Hart now wants to cement his legacy as the greatest action star of all time. He’s developed a concept for a revolutionary movie where the action is so unscripted and unexpected that even Kevin won’t know what’s coming next. But his myopic dream comes with a blind spot, and he soon finds himself the victim of an evil revenge plot, orchestrated by someone from his past.

In the sequel, Kevin must enlist the help of his favourite co-star Jordan King (Nathalie Emmanuel, returning for season 2), his over-eager assistant Andre (Ben Schwartz), Andre’s mom Cynthia (Paula Pell), and legendary Hollywood stuntman Mr. 206 (John Cena) if he wants to survive.

Continue reading “Is It Die Hart or Die Harter? Movie Version Review and Sequel News.”

Netflix’s We Have A Ghost is All About When Spirit Communications Go Awry

To hear someone say We Have a Ghost is the reason why the cat and mouse chase is on in this Netflix movie. The question is who can contain it?

We Have a GhostNetflix has been pumping out a lot of paranormal themed programming lately. And to say, “I ain’t afraid of no ghost,” because We Have A Ghost (who happens to be more comical than scary) suggests this distributor wants a hit for everyone to enjoy. Although this pet project by writer/director Christopher Landon doesn’t have the same vibe as Ghostbusters, what’s presented follows that formula from Casper.

When the Presley family moves into an old home and a member discovers it’s haunted by a phantom, he isn’t running. Fulton (Niles Finch) and his older brother Kevin (Jahi Winston) are opposites, and as for whom this entity attaches itself to is with the youngest. He eventually names the spirit Earnest (David Harbour), since all the clues propose that was his identity prior to death. As for why he’s stuck in this plane of existence, the mystery slowly unfolds to suggest he was murdered. That backstory doesn’t reveal itself well until much later in this very long movie. 

Continue reading “Netflix’s We Have A Ghost is All About When Spirit Communications Go Awry”

Martial Arts and Superheroics Collide in Legend of Gatotakaca

Legend of Gatotakaca debuts on Hi-Yah! streaming service today and it’s loosely based on the life and times of the heroic god of the same name.

Legend of GatotakacaDebuting on Hi-YAH Streaming Service
Feb 17, 2023

Indonesian superhero movies don’t get a lot of love abroad. That’s because there aren’t that many and to criticise them against the heavyweights from America isn’t fair. As a result, these works really need word of mouth to get known. Legend of Gatotakaca (Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca) released in its native country last year, and now has international distribution courtesy of Well GO USA.

Continue reading “Martial Arts and Superheroics Collide in Legend of Gatotakaca”

Looking at Lockwood and Co from a Realistic Paranormal Investigator’s Perspective

What we see from Lockwood and Co is in how often they fail to understand the needs of a ghost who was once human.

Lockwood and CoNow playing on Netflix

Lockwood and Co has a ghastly problem. They can’t put a stop to the numerous hauntings around London alone. That is, nobody wants to help this supernatural problem-solving agency since they are like the black sheep of the industry. They are not ghostbusters, and nor are they an offshoot organisation similar to the Society for Psychical Research.

In this world wonderfully conceived of by Jonathan Stroud, these ghosts have an agenda. They want to harm the living but I’m wondering if they’re united or just separately acting out. The five books Netflix plans to adapt will show what the plan is. I haven’t read them, but after watching the first season, I feel the need to.

Continue reading “Looking at Lockwood and Co from a Realistic Paranormal Investigator’s Perspective”

%d bloggers like this: