#epic action films

[filmitalks454]

https://filmitalks.in/pushpa-2-vs-kgf-complete-movie-overview/

[agentnico]

The Count of Monte-Cristo (2024) review

Je suis Batman!!

Plot: Edmond Dantes becomes the target of a sinister plot and is arrested on his wedding day for a crime he did not commit. After 14 years in the island prison of Château d'If, he manages a daring escape. Now rich beyond his dreams, he assumes the identity of the Count of Monte-Cristo and exacts his revenge on the three men who betrayed him.

I’ve been really enjoying this recent wave of French blockbuster cinema creating these lavish big-budget adaptions of their nation’s classic literature, with the recent highly enjoyable duology romp of The Three Musketeers (D’Artagnan and Milady respectively) and now taking on The Count of Monte-Cristo. I was a major admirer of Alexander Dumas’ novels when I was a kid, and by admirer I mean my father used to force me to read those books which at the time I hated him for, as I much rather would have spent hours on end on my GameCube, but now am forever grateful that I have the knowledge of storytelling which I gained from reading those pieces of literature. So I’m eagerly hoping that now with these expensive modern movie takes we will also get some of Dumas’ other great works get the contemporary cinematic treatment, such as La Dame de Monsoreau and The Black Tulip (though the latter may be difficult as there is already an older film version starring Alain Delon, and would be hard to recast Delon, let’s not kid ourselves!). As for Monte-Cristo, I’m not even going to sugar-coat it - this is a fantastic modern adaptation of a classic!

The sets are great and really invoke the post-Napoleon era of France; the costumes are gorgeous; the music score is grandiose and epic, really engrossing you in this decade spanning saga of revenge; the classic story is reinterpreted so well with the themes and the emotion, and the acting across the board is superb. Oh and the cinematography is to die for - wonderful long shot landscape sequences, great use of lighting, gorgeous shots of interior palaces - you can tell this film has been given all the money in the world, only unlike Amazon’s Rings of Power TV series that looks expensive but lacks any narrative depth, this film is both great to look at but also has a great story with awesome performance. Look, I really really liked this movie, let me rave about it!! Of course if you’re not French, you have to deal with subtitles, however don’t let that sway you, as this move manages to tell so much using its visuals and powerful music score that at times you don’t even need to read the subtitles to understand the emotion the characters on screen are going through.

Pierre Niney is honestly superb as the titular Count. From how he showcases him in his younger years as the excited young sailor wanting to prove himself to years later being this highly intelligent and driven yet calm presence, as well as taking on the various alter-ego’s of the Count using his different masks (very reminiscent of Fantomas) such as the dastardly Lord Halifax - Niney does such a stellar job here. What I also loved is how this adaptation takes the “superhero origin” approach to Dumas’ classic, with the Count being showcased as this cool dark vigilante like Batman/Bruce Wayne or Zorro, and even his dark menacing suit (which is dapper as f*** by the way!!) emphasising that. All the props to Niney, he adds so many layers and nuance to his performance, that even when he is super reserved as the Count, you can tell in his eyes the disdain and pure hatred he has for the ones that wronged him, but at the same time being able to showcase his guard dropping slightly when he is in the presence of his beloved lost love Mercédès (played gracefully by Anaïs Demoustier).

As for negatives, as even though I absolutely adored this movie, the inner critic within me still can’t help himself. This is a 3-hour long movie, and granted that is a result of the weight of the original book, however you do feel the length of this thing, but at the same time certain parts feel a tad rushed (due to the writers attempting to cram so much story and character development into the 3-hour frame) that certain side-plots and narrative build ups aren’t given their proper space to breath. One does wonder if this would have worked better as a mini-series, however on the other hand they probably would not have had the budget to make this thing look as good as it does. Secondly, certain details/plot-holes frustrated me which I won’t spoil, but one example is when Edmond and Abbé Faria are digging the escape hole from their prison chambers all those years, where the hell did they keep getting all those candles from to light their workspace?? I highly doubt in mid-1800s France prisons had little kiosk shops to offer inmates various groceries and household items. Happy to be corrected here, but honestly seeing those candles reminded me of Deadpool proclaiming “that’s just lazy writing”. And final complaint (before we can get back to raving about how awesome this movie is) is the ageing, or lack of it more. The tale of Monte-Cristo spans from 1815 and ends in 1844, yet the movie makes zero effort in making the actors look older the further down the timeline we go. The Count does look aged but that is due to the mask he wears, so when that’s off he looks like his younger 20-something self again. One of the main baddies Prosecutor de Villefort (played in true dick-fashion by Laurent Lafitte) looks exactly the same at the beginning of the movie and then right to the end. You’re telling me the make-up artists and hairstylists couldn’t give him a single grey hair or a wrinkle?

Again though, that was me with my critical thinking hat on. With that off, I want to reiterate how I truly enjoyed this new version of a classic tale that has been done so many times before, however this one may be one of my favourites. Truly engaging and epic in scale, with a ridiculously cool Pierre Niney in the titular role. He is… the French Batman!

Overall score: 8/10

[theomenmedia]

Batman Ninja vs Yakuza League Trailer Out Now!

The caped crusader goes Eastern! Batman faces off against the Yakuza in a ninja showdown. Watch the epic trailer for "Batman Ninja vs Yakuza League" now!

Watch the trailer right here: https://www.theomenmedia.com/post/batman-ninja-vs-yakuza-league-the-dark-knight-takes-on-the-yakuza-in-epic-new-trailer

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

RoboCop (1987) directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"WHEN DESIGNING NICOLE'S COSTUMES... I ASKED, "WHAT DO YOU THINK MIGHT HAVE MADE A VIKING WOMAN FEEL SEXY?"

PIC(S) INFO: Resolution at 2000×3000 -- Mega spotlight on Australian-American film actress Nicole Kidman as Queen Gudrún in "The Northman" (2022). 📸: Aidan Monaghan / Courtesy of Focus Features.

""I was talking to [archaeologist and historical consultant on "The Northman"] Neil Price about Viking women when designing Nicole’s costumes, and I asked, for instance, "What do you think might have made a Viking woman feel sexy?"" Muir recalls. “And he kind of laughed and said, "No one has ever asked me that before."" To bring the Viking world to vivid, full-fleshed life, however, it’s exactly the kind of question the job required. Here, Muir tells "Vogue" about the difficulties — and the unexpected delights—of her extraordinary work on "The Northman.""

-- BRITISH "VOGUE," "How "The Northman’s" Costume Designer Brought the Viking World to Bold, Breathtaking Life," by Liam Hess, published April 25, 2022

Source: www.vogue.com/article/the-northman-costume-designer-linda-muir-interview.

[captaingimpy]

Gladiator II: A Worthy Sequel That Stands on Its Own

When a film as iconic as Gladiator gets a sequel, it’s easy to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. After all, the original stands as one of the great historical epics, seemingly complete in its story and themes. That’s the context in which Gladiator II arrives, a film that, while not strictly necessary, manages to surprise with its depth, emotional resonance, and updated approach to…

[schlock-luster-video]

Remembering film icon Charlton Heston on the anniversary of his death.

R.I.P. (1923 - 2008)

[tears-that-heal]

HUZZAH!!! I finally completed watching the Clone Wars series! It took me quite awhile since my life has so busy lately. I know, I'm so behind the times, too. Lol 😜 It really doesn't matter tho. I'm just seriously even more an Ashoka fan, now! It was her debut on The Mandalorian series that truly captured my attention, which lead me to watch the AHSOKA series. It was super great casting Rosario Dawson to play the role, and she did an excellent job. ❤️

I'll be starting the Star Wars Rebels series next, which I've been most eager to watch. I now even more wish George Lucas held onto the rights for the Star Wars Universe. Walt Disney Company; Bob Iger truly ruined the love and lore of this wonderful sci-fi franchise with their last three feature films. There's still Hope for further redemption with the success of The Mandalorian series and possibly more awesome Stars Wars series to come. I personally want to see a Season 2 of AHSOKA! 😉 Lol

[fearsmagazine]

Space Wars Quest for the Deepstar | Trailer, Poster & Images

SPACE WARS: QUEST FOR THE DEEPSTAR, starring Michael Paré (STREETS OF FIRE, EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS), Olivier Gruner (NEMESIS, SHOWDOWN IN MANILA), and Sarah French (PRETTY BOY, AUTOMATION).  The movie is set for digital release on May 2nd, with some theatrical play dates beginning April 21st, and has just been selected for screening at this year's Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival.

The film concerns a father-daughter team of space scavengers who must race against a band of evil mercenaries to reach the legendary treasures on board a lost mythical freighter.  Their quest will force them to navigate a universe filled with giant monsters, aliens, robots and a mortal enemy seeking vengeance.

The movie also stars Tyler Gallant (ALPHA WOLF), Rachele Brooke Smith (NIGHTMARE SHARK), Anahit Setian (AUTOMATION), Jed Rowen (BLIND), Elise Muller (DOLLS), and Sadie Katz (WRONG TURN 6).

In recent months, the film won the Golden Marquee Award for Best Feature Film and the Outstanding Producing Award at the Zed Fest Film Festival.  It also won the Gold Award for BEST Sci-Fi Feature at the Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards and Festival, a Gold Award and Silver Award for  Feature and Directing at the Hollywood Gold Awards, and an “Outstanding Performance” Award for Sarah French and Diamond Award for “Best Actor in a Sci-Fi” for Michael Pare’ at the New York Best Actor & Director Awards.

Garo Setian, producer / director of the award-winning sci-fi film AUTOMATION, directs and edits from a screenplay by Joe Knetter (BLIND), based on a story by Setian and Knetter.  Producers are Jeff Miller (THE RUSSIAN BRIDE), Robert Parigi (AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.), ‘Evil’ Ted Smith (GUARDIAN OF THE REALM), Ben Stobber (DEATH CLUB), and Joanna Fang (BRITNEY LOST HER PHONE), along with Garo and Anahit Setian, Joe Knetter, Sarah French and Bill Klinakis.  Miller also executive produces with Ronnie D. Lee (THE TOYBOX).

SPACE WARS: QUEST FOR THE DEEPSTAR is a co-production between Hungry Monster Entertainment, Millman Productions, and Ron Lee Productions.

Michael Su is Director of Photography, Anthony Pearce is Production Designer, Jo Anna Heckman is Costume Designer, ‘Evil’ Ted Smith is lead prop fabricator, Steve Clarke and Paul Knott provide the visual effects, Jeff Farley handles practical creature FX and the music is by Joel Christian Goffin.

Uncork’d Entertainment is handling distribution and worldwide sales.

[latestnews-now]

Christopher Nolan is set to adapt Homer’s legendary epic The Odyssey into a star-studded film, hitting theaters on July 17, 2026. With a cast including Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, and more, this IMAX-shot mythic action epic promises to be a groundbreaking cinematic experience. In this video, we’ll explore the plot, the cast, and what makes Nolan’s adaptation so unique.

[agentnico]

Gladiator II (2024) review

Been there done that.

Plot: Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.

So me and my wife only recently rediscovered the first Gladiator film and having previously only watched it once when I was a child I evidently did not appreciate the grandiose mastery at play, as that first Gladiator movie is fantastic. From the powerful performances to the epic action to the high spectacle set pieces to Hans Zimmer’s incredible emotional music score…. makes me think of that meme with Homelander proclaiming “it was perfect!”. Truly me and my wife would both now say that Gladiator has sky-rocketed to the top of our favourite films of all time, and also makes me appreciate how great of a director Ridley Scott once was. He still makes some decent projects now such as The Martian and The Last Duel, however he’s very much a hit and miss director at the moment. But back in the day with the likes of Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise and the aforementioned Gladiator, the guy can like REALLY make a movie! As such having grown a new appreciation for his Roman epic, I was really looking forward to but also sceptical over the upcoming sequel. For one due to so much time passing since the original, and also lack of Russell Crowe for obvious reasons and the trailers suggesting that this new one is essentially a copy of the original. The latter aspect especially was a concern, for the original film was a multiple Academy Award winning motion picture, so trying to recapture that same flame would be silly. So my hope was that Scott and the team would try and do something new and different whilst still in-keeping the world created by the original film. Question is, was it worth all this wait, and more importantly, was I entertained??

Look, I don’t one to be one of those snobs who compares a sequel to its original, but it’s difficult not to (so seems like I’ll be snobbing it today!) due to the reputation of the first one, as well as the fact that Gladiator 2 (or II if you’re into your Roman numerals) is in essence a repackaged version of the first movie. Well, part of it is. The whole plot line involving Paul Mescal’s Lucius going on his revenge quest into the Colosseum is that rehash, and unfortunately it is the primary storyline of the film. The issue with this is it naturally ends up living in the shadow of its predecessor. The other more interesting narrative is one that involves acting legend Denzel Washington (spawning a lovely American accent in Rome but the man is so entertaining to watch you cannot help but forgive him his transgressions) where he tries to take over Rome by weaselling his way to the top of Rome’s political hierarchy. That stuff is actually great, and him manipulating the two emperors and causing their eventual downfall was really intriguing to witness. Shame that this story beat only really came to full effect in the last 30 mins of the movie.

As for the performances, as this one boasts a stacked cast. I’m sorry to Paul Mescal fans, but he’s really stale and bland in the main role of Lucius, or more-so Maximus 2.0. It doesn’t help that the script by David Scarpa lacks any depth or character development that made the original Gladiator so compelling, but even on the basics of acting Mescal doesn’t do much with his role. Like his wife dies and I never really felt like he gave that much of a crap. Or whenever he had to deliver any level of emotion, I never felt it. In the original Russell Crowe manages to portray so much through his eyes. The versatility of his face with watching him switch from emotion to emotion was actually incredible. For example when Commodus tried to goad him into attacking him, and you can physically see this breaking Maximus’ mind and then taking every ounce of being to hold his composure and pulling himself back together and then saying “I will kill you but not right now” or something along those lines….like guys that was pure cinema! So yep, Paul Mescal has none of that. He delivers what is supposed to be an inspirational monologue at the end of the film about strengths and honour and I did not give a single dollop of a turd.

Pedro Pascal was in this film less than I expected. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Pedro, but here for the few scenes he’s in he spends moping about wishing for a better Rome, which was all good and sound only that that was his only character trait! Like seriously I cannot underline how weak of a script this movie has! Take the two tyrannical emperors for example. Joseph Quinn (aka Eddie from Stranger Things) to be fair as Emperor Geta was quite watchable, but his brother Emperor Caracalla played by Fred Hechinger was a straight up knock off of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus from the first film. Except that the brat that was Commodus was given the necessary build-up, as you could tell from the beginning of the movie that his dad (played by the late Richard Harris) was probably a terrible father who spent too much time wanting to build up the empire by endlessly invading everywhere rather than spend time with his children. As such Commodus is raised to be a wuss, so his actions in the film have sense. In Gladiator 2 though Caracalla literally is an unstable prick and that’s it. So again I cannot necessarily blame Hechinger as his performance was based on the limited info that was given to him, but this doesn’t result for a compelling character. Connie Nielsen is one of the only returning characters (aside from Derek Jacobi) from the first film, and I’ll give her props, she seemed to be acting her ass off, so much so that when she shared scenes with Mescal even he showed glimmers of emotion. Finally we have Denzel Washington, who to be fair from the trailers I expected a much more extravagant and absurd performance from, but nevertheless he seems to be having a lot of fun in this role, and to be fair the movie really turns up a notch every time he appeared. Also did not expect by the end of 2024 to be shipping Denzel with Tim McInnerny from Blackadder yet here we are.

The direction from Ridley Scott is strong to be fair, and the impressive set piece of the Colosseum and the tense blockbuster-level action fights in the arena were great to watch, now with the added flavour of baboons and sharks (yes, sharks). Costumes and make-up are all great and there was something nice about seeing a true historical epic at the movies. I give Scott props, he’s the only major filmmaker currently still trying to keep that genre alive, with his recent other releases being Napoleon and The Last Duel.

The music though by Harry Gregson-Williams is a very generic historical epic score, and very much a downgrade from Hans Zimmer’s masterclass work in the original. That’s the thing with Gladiator 2 - basically everything about it was done better by the original, and it really feels like it too. I’m still happy that this movie will be seen in the cinemas though (my screening was absolutely packed and most of the screening for the film on the day were sold out too) as it allows for the genre of historical epics to still live on. That being said though, I am not entertained.

Overall score: 4/10

[theomenmedia]

Henry Cavill Cast As Voltron

Henry Cavill is Voltron! The superhero of superheroes takes to the skies in a live-action spectacle. Get ready for a legendary adventure!

Link to the full story: https://www.theomenmedia.com/post/henry-cavill-soars-as-voltron-the-legendary-defender-takes-flight-on-the-big-screen

[filmfanaticfables1990]

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)

If you're a fan of action-packed horror and thrilling zombie apocalypses, then Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is a must-watch! Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, this 2016 film is the epic conclusion to the Resident Evil series, based on the popular video game franchise.

The story picks up immediately after the events of Resident Evil: Retribution. Alice (Milla Jovovich) is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity's final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began– Raccoon City– where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the remaining survivors of the apocalypse. In a race against time, Alice joins forces with old friends and an unlikely ally to save humanity.

Why You Should Watch

-Intense Action: The movie is filled with non-stop action sequences, from high-speed chases to epic battles against hordes of zombies.

-Strong Female Lead: Milla Jovovich delivers a powerful performance as Alice, a character who embodies strength, resilience, and determination.

-Thrilling Conclusion: As the final installment in the series, the movie ties up loose ends and provides a satisfying conclusion to Alice's journey.

Favorite Moments

-The heart-pounding opening sequence that sets the tone for the rest of the film.

-Alice's showdown with the Umbrella Corporation's forces in Raccoon City.

-The emotional and action-packed finale that brings Alice's story full circle.

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"FROM PRODUCER ZACK SNYDER. DIRECTOR OF "300" AND "MAN OF STEEL.""

NOTE: Not gonna lie, it took me nearly a decade to finally give this movie a go, and color me pleasantly surprised. I think I may have enjoyed it just a bit more than the first one as well, and it's definitely less memeable as the first one was parodied to the point of farce and/or utter ridicule.

PIC INFO: Resolution at 1200x1778 -- Spotlight on promotional movie poster to "300: Rise of an Empire" (2014), American epic historical action film directed by Noam Murro from a screenplay by Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad, based on Frank Miller's graphic novel "Xerxes."

[First Lines]

"The Oracle's words stand as a warning. A prophecy. Sparta will fall. All of Greece will fall. And Persian fire will reduce Athens to cinder. For Athens is a pile of stone and wood and cloth and dust. And, as dust, will vanish into the wind. Only the Athenians themselves exist, and the fate of the world hangs on their every syllable. Only the Athenians exist and only stout wooden ships can save them. Wooden ships, and a tidal wave of heroes' blood."

-- Queen GORGO of Sparta (portrayed by Lena Headey)

Sources: https://twitter.com/ZackSnyder/status/324325927704219650/photo/1, IMDb, & Wikipedia.