Author: Shani

The Minions are back for more!

This time we get some back story on the infamous Gru, voice by Steve Carell. I do have to say if you’re a fan of the tiny yellow comedians then this film is for you. But, if you’re not perhaps you should wait for the film to come out for rental.

Don’t get me wrong the film is cute and witty with some Easter eggs hidden throughout the film for the adults. The film is definitely catered for children and those who my want a good chuckle for an hour and half.

BThe film takes you back to the 70s, Gru had ambitions to become a super villain. After discovering the evil team the Vicious 6, whom he’s always looked up to is looking for a new member after they ‘supposedly’ lost their founding member, 11-year-old Gru ambitiously applies for the position with hopes of becoming part of the team. The Vicious 6 refuse to take Gru seriously, after discovering he was just a child. Gru successfully steals the prized medallion to prove himself to the Vicious 6, which they intended to use to conquer the world. During his escape he passes along the medallion to Otto, who’s just trying to help his little friend but unfortunately loses it and there begins the grand journey of finding the medallion and the start of Gru on his destined road to evilness.

Teaming with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, pop-culture sophistication, full-hearted emotion, bold music sensibility, and over-the-top action, Minions: The Rise of Gru features a thrilling new cast of stars, including, as members of the Vicious 6, Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance and Danny Trejo as Stronghold. The film also features Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad Kung Fu skills, and Oscar winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ʼ70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

Genre: Action-Comedy

Cast: Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, with Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin

Director: Kyle Balda

Co-Directors: Brad Ableson, Jonathan del Val

Producers: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy, Chris Renaud

Can we talk about how EPIC this film is?!

I had no idea this film was in the works and what a surprise it was.

Let’s start right off the bat… What a superb performance by Austin Butler to the ‘King of Rock N’ Roll’. A better actor could not have been chosen, Butler embodied and literally lived the life of Elvis in the film. As for the leading lady in the King’s life, Priscilla Presley who was portrayed by Olivia DeJonge in the film; what a splitting image she is. Also the mannerisms and emotion that was put in to the roll was uncanny.

It is difficult to see how the King of Rock N’ Roll lived his life, in a way it almost reminded me of Britney Spears and the #FreeBritney movement. Perhaps if more people who cared had been involved in his life, other than those who looked at him as a money bag and exploited him, his life could have been better. As an Elvis fan, it’s shocking to see how someone like Tom Parker portrayed by Tom Hanks, had his hooks in so deep to Elvis for his own convenience. Nothing was ever done in the best interest of Elvis or his family. You can see clearly in the film that all Elvis wanted to do was take care of his family and be loved. He seek affirmation and love from any place he could, the loneliness and desperation drove him down the dark path along with the selfishness of Parker.

What I admire most about this film, is that young star has the lead role, which let’s face it… ladies of all ages will agree he’s the perfect eye candy to watch for 2.5 hour while shaking the forbidden hips. This film will introduce the younger generation to the music of the King and will also bring all the other age groups in to the theater to reminisce. The other point that should be made is that this whole story happened during some of the most trying times in this country. Perhaps reflecting on what’s going on in the world today and how we can overcome it all.

Don’t miss out on watching ELVIS on the big screen, because the music, the moves and the atmosphere will be like you’re watching the King himself. If only he were alive to watch it all!

ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros. Pictures and visionary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

A thoroughly cinematic drama, Elvis’s (Butler) story is seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks). As told by Parker, the film delves into the complex dynamic between the two spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).

Starring alongside Butler and Hanks, award-winning theatre actress Helen Thomson (“Top of the Lake: China Girl,” “Rake”) plays Elvis’s mother, Gladys, Richard Roxburgh (“Moulin Rouge!” “Breath,” “Hacksaw Ridge”) portrays Elvis’s father, Vernon, and DeJonge (“The Visit,” “Stray Dolls”) plays Priscilla. Luke Bracey (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “Point Break”) plays Jerry Schilling, Natasha Bassett (“Hail, Caesar!”) plays Dixie Locke, David Wenham (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, “Lion,” “300”) plays Hank Snow, Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “The High Note”) plays B.B. King, Xavier Samuel (“Adore,” “Love & Friendship,” “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) plays Scotty Moore, and Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”) plays Jimmie Rodgers Snow.

Also in the cast, Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things,” “The Broken Heart Gallery”) plays TV director Steve Binder, alongside Australian actors Leon Ford (“Gallipoli,” “The Pacific”) as Tom Diskin, Kate Mulvany (“The Great Gatsby,” “Hunters”) as Marion Keisker, Gareth Davies (“Peter Rabbit,” “Hunters”) as Bones Howe, Charles Grounds (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Camp”) as Billy Smith, Josh McConville (“Fantasy Island”) as Sam Phillips, and Adam Dunn (“Home and Away”) as Bill Black.

To play additional iconic musical artists in the film, Luhrmann cast singer/songwriter Yola as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, model Alton Mason as Little Richard, Austin, Texas native Gary Clark Jr. as Arthur Crudup, and artist Shonka Dukureh as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.

Oscar nominee Luhrmann (“The Great Gatsby,” “Moulin Rouge!”) directed from a screenplay by Baz Luhrmann & Sam Bromell and Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner, story by Baz Luhrmann and Jeremy Doner. The film’s producers are Luhrmann, Oscar winner Catherine Martin (“The Great Gatsby,” “Moulin Rouge!”), Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss. Toby Emmerich, Courtenay Valenti and Kevin McCormick executive produced.