Tag Archives: 20th century Fox

Film reviews

Predator: Badlands Review

Leave a comment

Predator: Badlands is jolting and offers a thrill ride where creativity with CGI combined with a new beginning puts it at the top of the game. With a sci-fi direction that is unstoppable in its ability to deliver glorious imagery during exciting action sequences. Compelling motions weave back and forth and caused me to jump out of my seat frequently. Combats of landsand monsters take place in uncharted territory. The era of this franchise is on a track that I find amusing. Predator: Badlands exceeded my expectations.

The film is about a young predator that is not in his clan. His name is Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Things went awry with his team, and the planets and territories are shifted. He meets an ally named Thia, played by Elle Fanning. There is an alien creature dynamic in which the moving parts are colliding in the world. Teamwork is at hand, while also on the verge of clashing components. There are lots of monsters, lots of vast lands, and spaceships abound making Predator: Badlands quite unique.

There is fully a vibe of CGI taking effect. Its utilization creates scenes that feel like they are being correctly executed in a way that many would expect for a movie with “Predator” in the title. There are moving creatures, different ships, clans all over the place, and clashes and chaos everywhere. I was sold on this full throttle adventure because of how it evolved. While there is initially much disconnect, the film progresses into finding an ally and then working through complicated trails as the story continues. The duo has a strong force.

Director Dan Trachtenberg keeps stepping it up with his films and alien creatures. His ability to find connections amid conflict is highlighted by his writing which focuses on continuity. He can effectively bring connections into play for a purpose. Predator: Badlands was on-point. The “point” was “chaos” among clans and a creature ostracized. Predator: Badlands strikes up a new source of meaning. Typically, in sci-films, there is a bigger source of influence when an alien is out of their circle—that is what creates the wars among allies and politics in the fictional settings. Given that context, the question that is also asked is, “Is Thia trustworthy?” The journey of wrongdoings has many loopholes creating a mysterious sci-fi ride unlike any other in Predator: Badlands.

The ride of questioning components in crazy lands with new creatures is invigorating. Predator: Badlands was colorful in the way the film depicts skies and space as well as lands of intensemilitary action. Overall, it is stellar. For those who love the previous Alien or Predator films, this one is a treat. The graphics are well correlated with the levels of terror and suspense. There is accuracy with it. So many moves along the way in Predator: Badlands makes for non-stop fun. Lots of space, lots of adventure and tons of robotics too. I rate Predator: Badlands at three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Review

Leave a comment

With an astonishing portrait with honesty written all over it, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is by far one of the most breathtaking and surreal biopics I have seen in years. Jeremy Allen-White was born to play Bruce Springsteen. He delivers the personality, the emotional talent, and gifted tones of aching pains to play into his musical characterization. Directed by Scott Derrickson, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is bound to be one of the most talked about films of 2025. It does not only have the many musical moments of achievement, but also brings a flood of emotions into the backstory of Springsteen himself.

The film focuses on the early days of Bruce–his childhood and dealing with his abusive father. He goes back in his mind a lot as he is on the road and becoming famous. Dealing with the past leads to some dark roads ahead of him. Even though he has fame on his side, it is not always making him mentally positive. The road to success is not an easy one, as Bruce works with his agent Jon Landau with a lot of potential opportunity in limbo in the music business. Jon is played by Jeremy Strong, and as he pushes harder for Bruce to thrive on his musical fame and keep writing songs that sell, the momentum for Bruce tends to decrease. This leads Springsteen to go the solo album route. 

The relationship aspects of the film come on strong in the screenplay. Much of it gears a generous amount toward Bruce’s relationship with his father Douglas Springsteen. Stephen Graham plays the role of Bruce’s father. The conflict between his younger days of his father’s abuse and his increasing fame and public adoration fill his mind. This is where the film finds the balance of emotional and surreal resemblance—there is art from despair in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.

The film dives deep into Bruce’s psyche. The moments of how he captures the sadness in his song writing are conveyed through the talent of White. His performance shines with amazement as he delivers this role showing the resilience to still have a heart while also battling one’s own demons. It also dives into the commitment from Jon. Despite the frustrations Jon has with Bruce, he makes sure that things go according to plan. The dynamic duo of White and Strong creates a massive success in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.

With all the musical elements, the disconnect, and achievements, the film weaves to create an understanding that fame and popularity do not guarantee happiness. The life of Bruce is one that is hard to dismiss. The words of his voice telling his story via singing and songwriting is where Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere rises to inspire. Audiences will be inspired by this film. The early days of Springsteen show a world of sadness awaiting to become an artistic vision that will move many around the world. The film made me appreciate life. It also fascinated me with uncovering the amount of sacrifice that can go into one loving their craft so much. Four out of four stars for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.

 

 

Film reviews

How to Train Your Dragon Review

Leave a comment

This is one of the most inspiring and breathtaking remakes I have seen. I felt like I was flying with the CGI dragons in How to Train Your Dragon. This film is a fairytale adventure that really soars. Written and directed by Dean DeBlois whose style is magnificent and exhilarating as the story explores a portrait of wonders. Since I worked in cinemas during the first releases of many animated films, this remake made me feel like the storyline had evolved with a true sense of understanding. The story connects to audiences of all ages with messages beyond the love portrayed in the human/dragon relationship. DeBlois keeps the hope and positive vibes alive in How to Train Your Dragon.

The film is set on the Isle of Berk, a place for Vikings where their enemies and primary threat are dragons. The Chief is Stoick (Gerard Butler). His son is Hiccup (Mason Themes). Stoick depends on his people to kill dragons because they often find themselves in battles with them over research and lands. Hiccup, however, does not want to kill dragons, but insteadwants to learn how to fly and train them. With his father against this idea, the opportunity for new connections begins. Hiccup takes up mentorship from Gobber (Nick Frost). Gobber tries to get Hiccup in the mindset of a dragon killer. Instead, Hiccup learns his own techniques. Soon, he forms a friendship with a dragon he names Toothless. Moving forward, he trains Toothless and realizes that dragons can do good deeds. Hiccup ends up having a gift in his ability to tame dragons. Once he figures this out, he soars with Toothless on many adventures, one of which involves falling in love with Astrid (Nico Parker). The other adventure is trying to convince his father that he can train dragons and that they should not always be labeled the enemy. While featuring many obstacles Hiccup faces, How to Train Your Dragon is a two-sided adventure that keeps buildingmomentum as it encounters enchanting light.

The war between Vikings and dragons is the point of conflict that boils in the film and keeps igniting new beginnings. The story told in this version is still quite amazing. Although I love the animated versions, this remake blew me out of the water, especially in the scene where Hiccup flies with Toothless. The bonding moments in unexpected territory makes for a magical connection. The sense of continuity is uniquely brilliant. This film is a dazzling work-of-art which demonstrates that fairytales have realistic value. Will Hiccup and Toothless prove their point to Hiccup’s father? Will Hiccup get his wish? Are there more dangerous dragons? The possibilities and wonders will open the doors to exciting answers. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for How to Train Your Dragon.