#HOW CAN BE A 26 OLDMAN BE SO CUTE

[evmrellie]

no cuz why would be he sitting like this watching Emily interrogate the unsub ??? 😭😭😭 he's so sweeet

[a34trgv2]

Why It Worked: Kung Fu Panda 2

Introduction: Kung Fu Panda 2 is an animated action comedy and the sequel to Kung Fu Panda. Released on May 26, 2011, the film stars Jack Black, James Hong, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan, David Cross, Lucy Liu and Dustin Hoffman reprising their roles as Po, Ping Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Crane, Viper and Shifu respectively. Additionally, this film features the voice talents of Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride, Dennis Haysbert, and Jean-Claude Van Damme as Lord Shen, the Soothsayer, the Wolf Boss, Master Storming Ox and Master Croc. The film recieved positive reviews, though generally critics prefered the first one over the second. According to Rotten Tomatoes, 81% out of 182 critics aggregated gave positive reviews with an average score of 6.91/10. Even still, the film was a box office success, earning $165.2 million domestically and $500.4 million from other countries, bringing the worldwide total to $665.7 million. Since the films release, the film has been hailed as one of the greatest sequels ever made, animated or otherwise. Having rewatched over and over for the past decade now (feel old yet?), I definitely agree that this has all the hallmarks of a great sequel and definitely stands toe to toe with the likes of Terminator 2, The Dark Knight, and Toy Story 2 when it comes to outstanding sequels. So without wasting any more precious time, let's dive in to what makes Kung Fu Panda 2 even more awesome than the first one (leave a comment if you remember when Jack Black made that promise at the 2009 Kids Choice Awards).

The Plot: Lord Shen creates a new weapon that's capable of taking out kung fu masters with a single blow. As Po and the Furious 5 set out to stop this dastardly villain, Po learns more about his past and how to find inner peace. After the opening done in the style of Chinese shadow puppets, the film takes its time setting up the main conflict of the film, which goes much deeper into the vulnerable side of Po than the first. The film explores the feelings of pain, anger and trauma in a blunt and honest manner, letting moments such as Po's confrontation with Shen or him discovering his old village marinate  without breaking the tone of these scenes with a needless joke. That's not to say there aren't any funny moments in the film. This film is still packed with alot of funny moments of slapstick, clever one-liners and hilarious gags. The entire scene in which Po and the 5 don a dragon costume and devour wolves only to poop them out still has me in stitches. The best part about tge film's story is how it uses it's animation. Specifically how it utilizes 2D animation for Po's flashbacks as well as the really funny dream sequence. They also outdid themselves with the action set pieces, with Po and the 5 using great teamwork and comerodery with one another. Also, Hans Zimmer and John Powell deserve major props for their excellent score for this film.

Cast and Characters: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Jack Black is the ONLY man who can do Po justice. He really outdoes himself when portraying Po this time around. In addition to still being his lovable goofy self, Jack also sells Po's frustration and anxiety. The best moment for Po is easily when he finds inner peace in his old village. When the Soothsayer asks him who he is, he says this line: "I am Po...and I'm gonna need a hat." This line fits so well with Po and Jack Black delivers it with such confidence. This film also gives more screen time to the Furious 5, which I very much appreciated. Each of the members is given more time to express their unique personalities and share a bond with one another as a team. Monkey is smart and has some fun moments as well as funny lines (delivered by the one and only Jackie Chan). Crane makes good use of irony and is pretty chill generally speaking. Mantis is also given some unique quirks such as not like being called cute and nonchalantly mentioning that if he meets up with a lady mantis, she'd eat his head. Viper is also sweet and is always willing to catch Po when he falls. Tigress, though, shares the most screen time with Po, which makes perfect sense as she's very much everything Po isn't interms of fighting style. Tigress is strong, fierce, agile and when she wants to, she can be merciless. She also has a soft spot for Po, even if she doesn't always show it. The Furious 5 are all essentially Po's brother and sisters; they may not always agree with him, but they always look out for him. Then there's our main bad guy for this film, Lord shen. In contrast to Tai Lung, Shen has a more calm and calculated demeanor, and utilizes weapons such as knives, spears and canons to get the job done. He also has an army of wolves at his disposal to do his dirty work. What makes him one of DreamWorks Animation's best villains is how he doesn't hesitate to try and kill our heroes or innocent civilians, yet he realishes in taking what he wants even if the Soothsayer says he's wrong time and time again. He's also the catalyst for Po being found and raised by Ping and sealing his own fate.

Where It Falters: While I wouldn't change a thing about this film, I do think it's still unfortunate that Masters Croc, Ox and Shifu were given limited screen time, particularly Shifu. I 100% understand this decision though as the film needed to focus on Po and any additional scenes with these 3 masters would take away from the film's main story. Still though, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dustin Hoffman all gave really good performances as these characters and they more than serve their purpose in the plot, so it's not a true deal breaker.

Conclusion: Kung Fu Panda 2 does everything a great sequel should do and then some. In addition to having a well written story, a strong cast of characters and very funny moments, it doubles down on what worked the first time around an includes more character development, outstanding actions scenes and stupendous vocal work from Jack Black. This is indeed one of the select few sequels to an already great film that surpasses it in terms of quality. If you haven't watched it, definitely check it out next time you're in the mood for some laughs and intense action. Skadoosh!

[bekups]

Give me all the even numbers. Gonna keep you busy for a while, haha.

2:Do you ever get “good morning” texts from anyone? I did, not anymore though.

4:Do you find it easy to trust others? Yes and no. Really it all depends on how you treat me and carry yourself.

6:You’re drunk and lost walking down the road; who is with you? Probably Oldman Hiz

8:Are you close with your dad? Very far far away.

10:What are you listening to? Ghost - Dance Macabre

12:Do you like hickeys? Sure I guess I like them on spots where I am not tattooed better.

14:Is there someone who continuously lets you down? No man. I try to keep my expectations low on peeps

16:Do you always answer your texts? Yea! Usually I forget sometimes because something else distracted me aha.

18:When was the last time you talked to one of your best friends? I usually talk to them even if it’s a little everyday as of late.

20:What was your last thought before you went to bed last night? Why this thought at a time like this.

22:Do you believe what goes around comes around? Yea in a way I do. More like if it’s meant to happen it will happen.

24:Is there someone you wish you could fix things with? No

26:What colour is the shirt you are wearing? White t shirt with a black vest today.

28:Is anyone ignoring you right now? I don’t think so? If you are why?

30:Would it be hard seeing someone else kiss the last person you kissed? Honestly yea I would be.

32:Are you mad at anyone? No

34:How old will the last person you kissed be on his/her next birthday? 25

36:Do you have any summer plans yet? Ahah no

38:Are you keeping anything from your best friend(s) now? No if they want to know something they can ask, and knowing them they’ll ask.

40:Have you ever regretted kissing someone? No.

42:Are you available? Yea

44:If you had to get a piercing (not ears), what would you get? Uh my nose

46:Do you regret anything? No

48:Did you ever lose a best friend? Yea

50:Why aren’t you pursuing the person you like? It wasn’t the right.

52:Do you still talk with the person you LAST kissed? Yea

54:Did you get any compliments today? Nah and that’s ok man, they’re not needed all the time.

56:Do you own anything from other countries? Yea skatedecks actually aha.

58:Where have you lived most of your life? The UK

60:Have you ever played Spin the Bottle? No

62:Who do you text the most? Oldman Hiz

64:What’s preventing your current boyfriend/girlfriend from going back to their ex? They don’t have one?

66:Is the last person you kissed younger than you? Yea

68:Are you happy with where you live? Yea man it’s a tight little crib on the end of a street.

70:Are you a monogamous person or do you believe in open-ended relationships? The power of discussion and a open mind that withholds maturity.

72:What do you most like about making out? Uh that actually depends ahah. If I’ve kissed the person before and we are comfortable then the touching and body exploring and the moans or groans from the other and being able to feel how you’re making them feel in that moment.

74:When you kiss someone for the first time, is it usually you who initiates it or the other? I probably never have that power to kiss someone first...

76:Who was the last person you talked to last night before you went to bed? My ex

78:Had sex with someone you didn’t know their name? No, that will never happen.

80:Would you get involved with someone if they had a child already? Yea

82:Do you tell a lot of people when you have a crush? Aha, no.

84:Last time you slow danced with someone? Uh... when I was 15.

86:How can I win your heart? ??? Uh what

88:What were you doing last night at 12 AM? Trying to sleep

90:Have you ever gotten back in touch with an old flame after a time of more than 3 months of no communication? No

92:Do you prefer to date various people or do you pretty much fall into monogamous relationships quickly? Again the power of discussion and communication man, though if I get asked on a date I’m not going to go on another date with someone else till I know what the deal is with the other person.

94:Name four things that you wish you had! Uh never thought of wishes I’ve wanted ahaha.

96:Have you ever kissed 2 people in one day? Man I haven’t no ahah.

98:Ever meet anyone you met on Tumblr? Why not

100:Anybody on Tumblr that you’d go on a date with? Yea why not if they asked and that’d be like seeing a bowling ball in a baseball park.

102:Are you too shy to ask someone out? Definitely ahaha

104:Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you babe? Yea man it’s cute

106:Do you flirt a lot? Uh peeps take my honesty as flirting, when I am flirting It’s bluntly done ahah definitely ends with me blushing really fucking hard ahah

108:Have you kissed more than 5 people since the start of 2012? Aha no less than

110:If you could kiss anyone who would it be? That’s my secret. Ah honestly not really anyone at the moment.

112:Does someone like you currently? I feel weird answering this question, it’s complicated, though yea...

114:Do you like to be in serious relationships or just flings? Serious relationships man, that would have to be some special special ass vibe for me to trust someone to touch me that quick.

116:Are you happier single or in a relationship? Uhh what in my thoughts these are two different kinds of happy man. Being in a relationship brings way more different feels than what being single brings. Uhh I guess some peeps are sad single but in my opinion they’re not letting themselves out of their safety bubble or doing what makes them happy. Sure having someone else to do things with would be appreciated in many ways man but hey if it’s meant to happen and be then man it will be and it will be great ahah.

Man that was solid though, thanks man!

[chicagoindiecritics]

New from Every Movie Has a Lesson by Don Shanahan: CHECKLIST: 21 films to watch for the 2021 Oscars

(Image: goldderby.com)

In what has become an annual Monday morning Oscar hangover, this website looks down the calendar and into the crystal ball to prognosticate which 2020 films could be contenders for the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021. Who could possible top the history that was Parasite? Many will try and they may very well come from this scouting report. Last year, 11 films from the 20-film list (and six others from the honorable mention section) ended up with Oscar nominations this past month, including wins for Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood, Judy, Ford v Ferrari, 1917, Rocketman, and Little Women.  No sooner than the sun rises and coffee pots turn on, the next Oscar season starts now!  Here’s your eighth year of advance scouting courtesy of Every Movie Has a Lesson. Release dates are listed if known.

1. West Side Story

Everything Steven Spielberg touches gets automatic attention.  He’s become very selective in his projects, so many were surprised he chose a musical, let alone a remake of a legendary classic.  Baby Driver’s Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler are your new Tony and Maria in front of all the usual Spielberg powerhouse collaborators (cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, editor Michael Kahn, screenwriter/playwright Tony Kushner).  Its Christmas release will prime it for peak Oscar attention. (December 18)

2. In the Heights

You heard this movie and its creator Lin-Manuel Miranda name-dropped last night. Its emerging star Anthony Ramos was given the mic time. They weren’t kidding about hearing it in the same place next year.  Between this and West Side Story, you may have a toe-tapping 93rd Academy Awards. Be ready for the performances and inescapable summer soundtrack from Miranda. (June 26)

3. Tenet

Christopher Nolan is also on the “everything he touches” list for Oscar attention. The John David Washington and Robert Pattinson thriller may be an ominous summer blockbuster instead of small-scale prestige, but that has not stopped Nolan films before. Expect technical attention given to cinematographer Hoyte van Hotema, production designer Nathan Crowley, and composer Ludwig Goransson.  (July 17)

4. Dune

Someone emerging to become equal in clout in the technical prowess department to Nolan is Denis Villeneuve.  His massive undertaking of Dune may be the film that surpasses Nolan for that elusive Oscar prize.  Hopping headfirst into the fantasy realms of Frank Hebert’s source is a cast of zillions including Rebecca Ferguson, Timothee Chalamat, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Oscar Isaac, and Dave Bautista.  Someone get a bucket for the eyes popping out for this one come December. (December 18)

5. Mank

(Image: movieweb.com)

It’s been too long since we’ve had a David Fincher feature in theaters.  Gone Girl, The Social Network, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button amassed 22 Oscar nominations and 6 wins.  This behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Citizen Kane through the eyes of Oscar winner Gary Oldman’s screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz could be the Hollywood-celebrating-Hollywood epic that finally wins Fincher an overdue Oscar.  This may be #5 for list purposes, but this is my prohibitive most-anticipated awards season favorite for this coming year. (TBA)

6. The Trial of the Chicago 7

(Image: dailymail.co.uk)

Speaking of David Fincher, one of his former collaborators is screenwriter-turned-filmmaker Aaron Sorkin.  He’s following Molly’s Game flying solo with this legal drama about the charges leveled on a group of protestors from the 1968 Democratic Convention riots in Chicago.  Enjoy on-point rapid-fire dialogue and the big screen return of Joseph Gordon-Levitt next to Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Michael Keaton, Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Strong, J.C. MacKenzie, Sasha Baron Cohen, and Frank Langella. (October 2)

7. The French Dispatch

Speaking of another filmmaker looking for that next big picture that wins the highest honors, Wes Anderson has steadily and strongly become one of the best filmmakers of this generation.  He too makes the “everything” list and The French Dispatch brings the prerequisite monster cast of Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamat, Elisabeth Moss, Lea Seydoux, Willem Dafoe, Christoph Waltz, Benecio del Toro, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and, of course, Bill Murray.  Called a “love letter to journalists,” this could speak to auteurs and regular folks alike. Besides, like the embedded videos, there’s his usual mise en scene to marvel at in the meantime. (July 24)

8. Respect

Between Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, it wouldn’t be the 21st century Oscars without a musical biopic. The brightest and best contender of that genre for 2020 is the story of Aretha Franklin with Jennifer Hudson’s presence and pipes in the lead alongside Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and a renewed Marlon Wayans for director Liesl Tommy.  (October 9)

9. The Last Duel

Ridley Scott hasn’t had Oscar attention since The Martian, yet he is a veteran of pedigree where his movies garner serious consideration for praise.  Scott re-teams with Matt Damon who reunites with Ben Affleck and joins the fresh pairing of the red-hot Adam Driver for a showdown of knights, noblemen, and squires.  Period detail and Ridley Scott are a match made in Oscar heaven. (TBA)

10. Stillwater

(Image: ktul.com)

Spotlight director Tom McCarthy returns to the poignant legal realm after a cute Disney spin with Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made.  Matt Damon stars as a father looking to clear murder charges subjected to his estranged daughter (Abigail Breslin). Wrought family drama and powerful themes come out strong with McCarthy.  Let’s see if this can also be an acting breakthrough for Damon to seek the top trophy that has eluded him. (November 6)

11. Charm City Kings

Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk director Barry Jenkins is the story credit on this spring drama about the gangs of the Baltimore streets.  While it might not be mainline Jenkins, one has to think the potential for quality is there. Meek Mill, Teyonah Parris, and Jahi D��Allo Winston star. (April 10)

12. Those Who Wish Me Dead

(Image: metro.co.uk)

Ever since Hell or High Water, the respect for Taylor Sheridan as a writer and filmmaker has grown.  His latest neo-western is a Montana-set survival thriller set against a wildfire starring Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Tyler Perry, and Jon Bernthal.  If it can find and bring an edge, the acting and screenwriting categories could be in play. (TBA)

13. The Personal History of David Copperfield

Armando Iannucci’s The Death of Stalin might not have risen to Oscar love, but his follow-up raises the class up a notch by taking on Charles Dickens with Dev Patel leading Hugh Laurie and Tilda Swinton.  Advance buzz overseas is very positive as this comedy stands to drop as summer counterprogramming. (May 8)

14. News of the World 

(Image: abqjournal.com)

Let’s start the Tom Hanks train.  Revitalized with his first Oscar nomination in over a decade for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, the Hollywood icon stars in three 2020 films.  The first is the best Oscar hopeful of the trio. He re-teams with his Captain Phillips director Paul Greengrass for a western adapted by Lion filmmaker Luke Davies about a travelling reporter helping out his customers with a kidnapping matter.  Expect raw tension as only Greengrass can deliver. (December 25)

15. Greyhound 

(Image: youtube.com)

The second Hanks movie of the three comes from a World War II screenplay written by his own hand and directed by up-and-coming Aaron Schneider of Get Low.  The story surrounds a Navy captain trying to safely traverse a pack of approaching German U-boats.  Get your Captain Phillips and Saving Private Ryan tingles to have Hanks back on a boat and in WWII for a summer adventure.  (May 8)

16. BIOS

The third offering from Tom dives into science fiction mixed with a little love for dogs.  In a post-apocalyptic landscape, a robot is tasked with protecting a dying man’s dog, one of the few living survivors of the world.  Game of Thrones TV director Miguel Sapochnik leads his second feature film and first in a decade.  Let’s see if Hanks brings the golden touch. (October 2)

17. I’m Thinking of Ending Things

Every now and then, the Oscars notice quirky head-turners.  No one fits that description better than Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind writing Academy Award winner Charlie Kaufman.  His first directorial effort since Anamolisa and first with live-action actors in 12 years since Synecdoche, New York is a dramatic thriller about a woman at a relationship crossroads after an odd traveling detour.  Wild Rose breakout Jessie Buckley works with Toni Collette and Jesse Plemons for this future indie gem from Netflix.  (TBA)

18. Deep Water

(Image: journalposts.com)

It has been a long 18 years since noted master of eroticism Adrian Lyne brought Unfaithful to the masses with a Oscar-nominated Diane Lane.  Let’s how Lyne has become an aging fine wine to the tune of Terrence Malick and other filmmakers who have taken decade-plus breaks.  His newest film adapts mystery maven Patricia Highsmith with ingenue-of-the-moment Ana de Armas entangled in a murder and disappearance crime when one of her allowed affairs turns up missing and her open-relationship husband, played by Ben Affleck, becomes the prime suspect. (November 13)  

19. Mulan

The annual parade of Disney re-imaginings always find their way to Oscar nominations in the artistic categories.  With trailers promising more straight epic adventure and way less Eddie Murphy sidekick chicanery, Mulan might just be one of the rare cases where these remakes improve on the originals.  The Mouse House is betting strongly on female director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, North Country) to elevate this material into something special.  The trailers look phenomenal where future nominations look very viable.  (March 7)

20.  Soul

Pixar has two 2020 films awaiting release and both are in the first half of the year.  Onward feels like silly genre thrills, while Soul looks more like the assured Best Animated Feature contender of the two.  Colorfully bringing symbolism and emotion to out of out-of-body experiences, star Jamie Foxx and double Oscar winner Pete Docter (Up and Inside Out) look to squeeze hearts and tear ducts.  (June 19)

21. The Woman in the Window

The last entry on this list is a carryover from last year.  Director Joe Wright has been more hit (Atonement, Darkest Hour, Anna Karenina, Pride and Prejudice) than miss (The Soloist, Hanna) with Oscar voters.  So has his lead, namely 6-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams.  This long-delayed 20th Century Fox thriller in the vein of Rear Window finally sees the light of theater screens in the early summer.  (May 18) 

LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED

Permalink

from REVIEW BLOG – Every Movie Has a Lesson https://ift.tt/31J7BbV via IFTTT

from WordPress https://ift.tt/38he1kS via IFTTT