A Reel 50: JAWS

You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

This month marks the 50th anniversary of JAWS. 

 

Directed by Steven Spielberg and considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, JAWS was based on the best-selling novel by Peter Benchley, and told the (fish) tale of a killer shark that terrorized a summer resort town. With the summer revenue at risk, the town’s police chief enlists the help of a young marine biologist and seasoned shark hunter to head out to sea and kill the beast. 

 

The beast that would become JAWS began in 1973, when the rights to Benchley’s novel was picked up by famed producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown at Universal Pictures. Steven Spielberg, who was 26 at the time, had just finished shooting his first theatrical film, THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS for Zanuck and Brown…and would be chosen to direct. The first pass at the script would be done by Benchley himself, with further rewrites by Howard Sackler. Carl Gottlieb would come on board to do further rewrites during production. 

 

Veteran actor Roy Scheider would land the part of Chief Brody, with another veteran actor, Robert Shaw, taking on the role of the shark hunter Quint. Richard Dreyfuss would play the part of Hooper, the young marine biologist. The rest of the cast would include Lorraine Gray, Murray Hamilton, and Susan Backlinie. Carl Gottlieb would pull double-duty; revising the script on location and playing the part of the town’s newspaper editor. Shooting would take place across various locations on Martha’s Vineyard. Production problems would plague filming, ranging from bad weather to technical difficulties with the three mechanical sharks. John Williams would provide the score. 

 

Upon release, JAWS was an instant sensation with critics and audiences. It would spend 14 weeks as the top box office earner, swimming its way to the biggest selling film of all time; a position it would hold until STAR WARS arrived in 1977. At the 48th Academy Awards, it would be nominated for four Oscars and would win three: Best Editing, Sound, and Score for John Williams. Today, JAWS is considered to be one of the most influential films of all time, inspiring generations of filmmakers while holding the title of the first summer blockbuster. 

 

*

 

When Alfred Hitchcock delivered his psychological terror PSYCHO in 1960, the famous shower scene scared people so well that they were hesitant to enter their own bathrooms alone. Fifteen years later, Spielberg would pull the same cinematic miracle; bringing so much terror to the beach, vacationers avoided the water. Such was the impact JAWS had in 1975 and into today. 

 

Impacting culture and filmmaking is what JAWS has bitten into the most. The movie is endlessly quotable, with Scheider’s famous line of the bigger boat becoming a permanent part of our lexicon when facing an insurmountable problem. John Williams’ score is probably the most recognizable piece in cinema music, and to call the poster iconic would be an understatement. 

 

There is no understating the impact JAWS has had on the world, and in film. It inspired at least two generations of filmmakers, resulting in movies such as PREDATOR and even indie directors like Wes Anderson. The simple themes in JAWS, exploring fear and man vs. nature, hits our natural, primal nerves. The classic storytelling elements of three main characters representing science, order, and chaos, are ground zero for all stories. And scenes such as Robert Shaw’s chilling monologue about the doomed U.S.S. Indianapolis have set a template and a standard for blockbuster and action films. 

 

Today, action films are dominated by franchises and caped and masked crusaders. They keep the lights on for the big screens, and it was JAWS that primed our appetites for fun and adventure…with a little bit of scares along the way. When the fun of the Summer Movie Season begins, there is thanks to be made…and it wasn’t a Jedi, it wasn’t a superhero, and it wasn’t a Transformer…

 

“…It was a shark.”  

A Reel 20: BATMAN BEGINS

“I’m Batman!”

 

This month marks the 20th anniversary of BATMAN BEGINS. 

 

Directed by Christopher Nolan, BATMAN BEGINS was the first big-screen treatment for the famed superhero since the 1997 critically drubbed BATMAN & ROBIN. This new version, which would coin the term “reboot” for the next 20 years, would reset the franchise and track the origins of the Caped Crusader; the story of Bruce Wayne from the death of his parents, his training, and eventual confrontation with those looking to destroy his beloved Gotham City. 

 

After BATMAN & ROBIN made a mockery of superheroes, parent company Warner Bros. shelved any future caped films. After several stops and starts in the early 2000’s, WB hired up-and-coming director Christopher Nolan to bring the Bat back to the big screen. Nolan’s pitch of favoring humanity and realism would be the selling point, and he co-write the script with David S. Goyer, taking inspiration from famous Batman comics such as The Long Halloween and Year One. 

 

Actor Christian Bale, who had reached status as a cult-favorite after his chilling performance in AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000), would be cast as Bruce Wayne. He would be joined by an A-list cast including Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Ken Watanabe, and Katie Holmes. Filming would take advantage of stunning worldwide locations in Iceland and England. Hans Zimmer would provide the score. 

 

On release, BATMAN BEGINS was met with excellent reviews from critics and fans. The box office earnings would have it finish as the seventh highest grossing film in the U.S., and it still stands as the fourth-highest earning Batman film. It would be nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography. Today it is considered to be one of the most influential films of the 2000’s and one of the best superhero films, while giving the Batman character a new cinematic life for the next two decades. 

*

 

In 2005, superheroes on film were scarce. Spider-Man and X-Men were just getting going, and we were still three years away from the MCU. With the sour taste of the previous Batman films still in my mouth, I had little interest in seeing a rebooted Batman (little did I know, it wouldn’t be the first reboot). And then I got a phone call from my fellow cinephile, the late great Sid Michaels. I can still hear him telling me: It was tremendous. I trusted him, so I (bat)caved, and I was pleased to agree with Sid; it was tremendous. 

 

What made it so? Gone was the camp and cartoonish nonsense of the previous four Bat-films. In its place was a grounded hero that easily could have existed in our world. The death of Bruce’s parents sparked memories of JFK, Jr. standing at his father’s funeral, and the class-distinctions between the haves and have-nots hit hard. For the first time, Batman felt real. 

 

BATMAN BEGINS was also finely crafted. The non-linear storytelling was a challenge to the audience, but proved that a movie with capes and masks could be cerebral. The script boldly got into the psych of Bruce Wayne, and gave the character a depth he never had on the big screen before. The rest of the cast was perfect, and Zimmer’s score contained one of the most recognizable themes of all time. All the pieces came together correctly in BATMAN BEGINS, but we would still be unprepared for what would come next.

 

“…has a taste for the theatrical. Like you.”

 

 

 

 

A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2025 - Episode VI

The Summer Movie Season of 2025 has begun. As one of our favorite smugglers once said, this is where the fun begins, as theatres will be enjoying a full slate of releases ranging from franchises to horror to the return of some old friends. Here is a preview of what’s coming to the big screen in June: 

 

 

 

 

BALLERINA – Ana de Armas plays an assassin out for revenge in this spin-off to the JOHN WICK franchise, which takes place between the third and fourth films. The cast includes Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves. 

 

 

DOGMA: RESURRECTED – Kevin Smith’s fantasy comedy about angels and The Almighty returns to the big screen for it’s 25^th anniversary. 

 

 

THE LIFE OF CHUCK – Tom Hiddleston (LOKI), stars in this adaptation of the Stephen King short story. It is directed by Mike Flanagan, who helmed DOCTOR SLEEP (2019). 

 

 

THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME – Stylistic director Wes Anderson has his espionage film move into wide release this month. The massive cast includes Benicio del Toro, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johannsson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Rupert Friend. 

 

 

THE RITUAL – Two priests (Al Pacino and Dan Stevens), attempt to put aside their differences to help a possessed young girl. 

 

 

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – DreamWorks gets into the business of adapting their own animated films to live action with this re-do of their 2010 hit. 

 

 

MATERIALISTS – Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, and Dakota Johnson star in this rom-com. 

 

 

THE UNHOLY TRINITY – The Old West returns with a young man looking to reclaim his legacy in a frontier town. Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson star. 

 

 

28 YEARS LATER – Danny Boyle returns to the post-apocalyptic horror franchise with the third film in the series, which started with 28 DAYS LATER (2002), and continued with 28 WEEKS LATER (2007). It stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes. 

 

 

ELIO – Pixar Animation Studios is back with this sci-fi adventure about a young boy who accidently becomes the intergalactic ambassador of planet Earth. 

 

 

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN – Ang Lee’s Western/romance film gets an IMAX re-release for its 20^th anniversary. 

 

 

F1 – Joseph Kosinski, director of TRON: LEGACY (2010), and the magnificent TOP GUN: MAVERICK (2022), brings us this racing drama set in the Formula One World Championship. Brad Pitt is in the lead, and he is followed by Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem. 

 

 

M3GAN 2.0 – In this sci-fi/horror sequel to the 2022 hit, M3GAN the dangerous doll has her A.I. stolen by a defense contractor to create a military robot. Allison Williams stars. 

 

 

*

 

Next month, Reel Speak previews the super month of July. 

A Reel Opinion - Ranking MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE

In 1996, Tom Cruise elevated himself to the level of a genuine action star with the explosive MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE; a loose adaptation of the TV series (1966-1973), where his IMF (Impossible Mission Force) Agent Ethan Hunt races around the globe to prevent one global disaster after another. The series has proven to be resilient and immensely popular, earning over $4 billion at the box office and bringing the best pieces and parts of the franchise into pop culture. Arguably, it has nudged over James Bond with its worldwide locations and world-saving missions. This month, the eighth and (perhaps), final installment for Cruise landed (read Reel Speak’s review HERE), and with the series for Cruise ending, now is the time to accept the mission of ranking the franchise. 

 

 

This blog will self-destruct in…

 

 

 

8. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 (2000)

 

Hong Kong action director John Woo helmed the first MI sequel which had Hunt chasing down a genetically modified disease. This film started a 25-year tradition of each MI film trying to top the other in spectacle and stunts, and while some of the action here is pretty cool, other pieces come off as silly. To date it is the worst reviewed film in the series, and is fortunate it didn’t become a franchise killer. 

 

 

 

7. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III (2006)

 

J.J. Abrams took over six years later and delivered this serviceable, yet flawed entry. The action was decent but criticized for too much CGI and an intrusive romance plot. Still, there is much to enjoy here. The film looks great, and the late great Phillip Seymour Hoffman is electric. 

 

 

 

6. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING (2024)

 

The supposed final film for Cruise in the role of Hunt gave him and his team a proper sendoff, but it is often bogged down with way too much exposition that repeats itself. The plot of Hunt chasing down an A.I. before it takes control of the world’s nuclear arsenal does work, even if it pushes the realm of believability in places. But again, there is much to enjoy. Cruise dangling off a biplane is fantastic to see, and an extended sequence underwater with no dialogue literally leaves us breathless. 

 

 

 

5. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION 2015)

Hunt takes on an international group of rogue government agents in this hit directed by Christopher McQuarrie. This is where the series really started to get going, opening with one of the most impressive stunts of all time: Cruise hanging off a transport plane at 8,000 feet. Not to mention later on he holds his breath longer than a Navy SEAL.

 

 

 

4. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996)

 

The one that started it all with legendary director Brian DePalma. Hunt goes on the (ahem), hunt for the killer(s) of his team on a mission that had gone terribly wrong. Although the stakes seem low, it’s a tight look at international espionage and switching allegiances, and it gets to the point that we never know who to trust. It’s also the home to some of the most iconic scenes in cinema; the exploding fish tank, the helicopter and train chase, and Hunt’s dangling theft by wire. 

 

 

 

3. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL (2011)

 

Brad Bird of THE INCREDIBLES fame made this one his live-action debut, sending Hunt and his team on the run after the Kremlin gets bombed. Cruise stuns again by climbing up the side of the tallest skyscraper in the world in a scene that is an achievement in filmmaking. Highly praised in many areas, it would be the highest-grossing film in the franchise before FALLOUT in 2018. 

 

 

 

2. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT (2018)

 

McQuarrie was back for this one which served as a direct follow-up to ROGUE NATION, with Hunt and his team preventing a nuclear attack. By this film Cruise and McQuarrie had really hit a stride, ramping up the tension and dialing up the stunts to stunning effect; Cruise pulling a HALO jump at 25,000 feet is another cinematic achievement. The ensemble cast is terrific, and Henry Cavill is quite super. 

 

 

 

1. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING (2023)

 

When this Blogger reviewed DEAD RECKONING in 2023, I called it the best in the series and I’m still standing by that. Backed by a breakneck plot trotting around the world to stop that pesky A.I., the cast was beefed up by welcome additions by Hayley Atwell (CAPTAIN AMERICA), and Pom Klementieff (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY). Hunt gets some real characterization here, and Cruise’s real-time dirt bike jump off a cliff is another stunner. Action is top-notch, with extended scenes in an airport and a runaway train making for incredible cinema with a lot going on at once. So good that that the next film suffered in comparison. This is the film that accomplishes it all. 

 

REEL SPEAK’S MISSION IMPOSSIBLE RANKINGS

1. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING
2. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT
3. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL
4. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
5. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION
6. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING
7. MISSION  IMPOSSIBLE III
8. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2

A Reel Review - MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING (or MI:8), has two missions to accomplish. First, as the direct sequel to the outstanding DEAD RECKONING (or MI:7, from 2023, read Reel Speak's review HERE), it has several storylines to wrap up. Second, as the (supposed) final film in the series (or at least, the final outing for star Tom Cruise), it has the responsibility to end it all on a high note. This mission is chosen and accepted by Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie. Did they accomplish it…? 

 

Set just a couple months after the events of MI:7, Agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise), and his team (Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Pom Klementieff), race around the world to prevent Gabriel (Esai Morales), from letting a powerful A.I. called Entity from spreading into the world’s nuclear missile controls. 

 

Directed by McQuarrie and produced by Cruise, MI:8 continues the tradition set by the first MI film (way back in 1996!), of having a plot that feels denser than it needs to be. Stopping Gabriel and the Entity is the mission, but there are several layers and complexities to get through to make that happen. There’s a lot to do, and the film often has to stop dead in its tracks to explain everything that is going on. 

 

Once things get out of the planning stages and into the action, MI:8 delivers and delivers well. Sequences such as Cruise dangling off an airplane and exploring a wrecked submarine at the bottom of the ocean are incredibly tense, with the underwater scene amazingly done with zero dialogue for nearly 20 minutes (and also not healthy for any claustrophobic viewers to watch). Cruise is committed as ever to do the stunts himself, and the realism is excellent. 

 

The plot has a lot to do, so any deep character work is traded in for spectacle and getting everyone from one place to another. It’s not a dealbreaker but the film feels shallow. MI:8 also uses past events from nearly every previous film, with returning characters from MI:1 being put to great use. The worldwide locations are well-used and are stunning. 

 

Acting is great all around. Tom Cruise owns every scene he is in. Hayley Atwell is always excellent, as is Pom Klementieff…but both feel underutilized. Angela Bassett returns to the franchise, this time as POTUS, and is very good. 

 

By the time all the running and high-flying stunts are done, MI:8 settles into a quiet, and satisfying ending for Hunt, his team, and the franchise. The thick plot hinders the film in places, but once it gets going the tension is relentless with its massively high stakes and jaw-dropping stunts. It has its fair amount of nostalgia that works and is a love letter to the last (nearly) 30 years of impossible missions. This mission is accomplished. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it

 

A Reel 20: STAR WARS - EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH

“You were the chosen one…!”

 

Today marks the 20th anniversary of STAR WARS – EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH. 

The third and final episode of George Lucas’ Prequel Trilogy, REVENGE OF THE SITH covered the tragic fall of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker to the dark side and his becoming Darth Vader… along with the end of the Republic and the rise of the evil galactic Empire, and the birth of future STAR WARS heroes Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. It was preceded by EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002), and EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999). 

 

The roots of REVENGE OF THE SITH go back to George Lucas’ original story for the Saga in 1973. The climactic duel between Anakin and his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, would have its basis in the novelization of RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983). Lucas began the screenplay for SITH during production of ATTACK OF THE CLONES. Possible titles included RISE OF THE EMPIRE and BIRTH OF EMPIRE, before settling on REVENGE OF THE SITH…which was a nod to the original title of RETURN OF THE JEDI. 

 

Filming would take place in 2003 from June into September in the UK and Sydney. It would be the only film in the Saga with no location shooting (one location shot was actually captured during the ATTACK OF THE CLONES production). The cast would include returning actors Hayden Christensen (Anakin), Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan), and Natalie Portman (Padme, Anakin’s wife). Other cast members included Samuel L. Jackson, Jimmy Smits, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid, and Christopher Lee. Matthew Wood would provide the voice of General Grievous, taking over for Gary Oldman who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. John Williams would return to provide the score. 

 

Upon release, REVENGE OF THE SITH would be met with mostly positive reviews, despite criticisms on the writing and acting. The film would break several box office records, and it still holds the mark for the highest opening-day gross on a Thursday, at $50 million. It would finish as the highest grossing film in the U.S. and the second highest worldwide. It would be nominated for an Oscar for Best Makeup, and would win the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film. In April of 2025 it would have a re-release for its 20th anniversary, and would finish second for the week. It would be the final film George Lucas would direct. 

 

*

 

Two decades after release, REVENGE OF THE SITH has aged very well. It’s themes and storylines have served as a basis for further content on TV and streaming (CLONE WARS, OBI-WAN KENOBI, BAD BATCH, ANDOR), and its plot of a Republic falling to deception and authoritarian rule is suddenly, and frighteningly…hitting close to reality. 

 

REVENGE OF THE SITH is true to its title; the bad guys win and the hero of the Prequel Trilogy falls to the dark side. It is a tragedy that Shakespeare or the Greeks would have penned, but the closing shot offers that one thing that STAR WARS has always preached and loved: 

 

Hope. 

 

“Goodbye old friend. May the Force be with you.”

 

A Reel 25: GLADIATOR

“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius…”

 

This month marks the 25th anniversary of GLADIATOR. 

 

The 11th film from famed director Ridley Scott, who had helmed the classics ALIEN (1979), and BLADE RUNNER (1982). It would tell the story of Maximus, a former Roman general who is betrayed by the son of the slain Emperor. Reduced to slavery, Maximus becomes a gladiator and wins the hearts of Rome while plotting his revenge. 

 

The first draft of the script was written by David Franzoni, who was inspired by his motorcycle trip through Eastern Europe and the Middle East. During a stop in Iraq, he read the 1958 novel For Those About to Die, which gave him the idea for GLADIATOR. Years later, Franzoni would pen the script for Steven Spielberg’s AMISTAD, and pitch the idea of GLADIATOR to Spielberg. DreamWorks producers would suggest Ridley Scott, and the script would then go through many revisions…many of which would happen during filming. 

 

Scott would assemble an ensemble cast. Russell Crowe would win the role of Maximus, and he would be joined by Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris, Tommy Flanagan, and Spencer Treat Clark. It would also be the final film appearance of Oliver Reed, who would pass away during filming. Production would take place in England, Morocco, Malta, and Italy. Hans Zimmer would provide the score. 

 

GLADIATOR would be a hit with critics and audiences, finishing as the second-highest grossing film of 2000, behind MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2. At the 73rd Academy Awards, it would win five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. It is considered to be one of the best and most influential films of this century.

 

*

 

As a cinematic masterpiece of action, emotion, and scale…GLADIATOR deserves a top spot amongst the best films of this century. It masterfully blends epic storytelling, breathtaking visuals (thanks to some well-chosen international locations), and powerful performances. Russell Crowe’s role made him an overnight international star, and his moments have become cultural icons. GLADIATOR was a human story set against a massive backdrop, and that balance re-taught Hollywood how to do the classic epic; ushering an era of films that would bring us THE LORD OF THE RINGS, AVATAR, OPPENHEIMER, and DUNE.

 

For this blogger, GLADIATOR was a new, all-time favorite since day one. Every year, the night before the Oscars, I revisit it because it is everything that a Best Picture winner should be: big, epic, sweeping, emotional, and memorable. It’s themes of honor and redemption resonate, making it unforgettable and eternal. 

 

“What we do in life…echoes in eternity.”

 

A Reel 20: KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

“We are, all of us, what we do.”

 

This month marks the 20^th anniversary of KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 

 

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN was the 15^th film from famed director Ridley Scott, who had helmed the modern-classics ALIEN (1979), BLADE RUNNER (1982), and the Oscar-winning GLADIATOR (2000). KINGDOM would be a fictionalized take on the events leading to the Third Crusade, focusing on the battle to defend Jerusalem. 

 

Scott would shoot on-location in Morocco, where he had previously filmed GLADIATOR, and BLACK HAWK DOWN (2001). Orlando Bloom, who was enjoying tremendous success in the early 2000’s, appearing in high-profile franchises such as THE LORD OF THE RINGS and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, would land the lead role of Balian; a blacksmith turned knight. Scott would surround Bloom with an ensemble cast: Liam Neeson, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Marton Csokas, Michael Sheen, and Edward Norton. 

 

On release, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN would be met with mixed-to-bad reviews, and would be a box office bomb. However, in December of 2005 Scott would release a director’s cut, which was highly praised and considered to be one of Scott’s best works. 

 

*

 

Re-cuts have been the topic of much discussion in film over the last decade. Divisive director Zack Snyder has spent the last three movies of his career re-cutting until they got better reviews. Elsewhere, studios crank out editions of films labeled as Directors Cuts or Extended Cuts, which simply have deleted scenes put back in; which is often a showcase for why those scenes were cut in the first place. 

 

For KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, Scott showed how to do it right. His Director’s Cut, which added deeper insight and better character, has often been hailed as one of the best alternate versions of a film ever made. Overall, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is nothing short of epic. Similar to GLADIATOR, it is a film that calls back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, when films were shot with thousands of extras for battle scenes in exotic locations, and the story is balanced with character and massive scale. Ridley Scott has an impressive catalog of classics, and his own vision of KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is one that hovers near the top. 

 

“What man is a man who does not make the world better.”

 

A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2025 - Episode V

This is where the fun begins. 

 

The month of May holds Memorial Day Weekend, which is not only the start of Summer, but the start of the blockbuster season. It’s time to put the wretched months of Spring behind and embrace the lights, sound, and spectacle that only the big screen can bring. Here’s what’s coming to theatres this month: 

 

 

THUNDERBOLTS – The 36^th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a team-up of misfits assembled to take on a dangerous mission. The ensemble cast includes Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. 

 

 

FIGHT OR FLIGHT – Josh Hartnett continues his cinematic comeback, this time playing a mercenary on the job on a flight. 

 

 

SHADOW FORCE – In this shoot-em-up, Kerry Washington plays a former special forces op who goes on the run to protect her child. Mark Strong co-stars, and it is directed by Joe Carnahan (THE GREY). 

 

 

FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES – The horror franchise that won’t die is back for part 6, with a college student having dreams about her family’s demise. 

 

 

HURRY UP TOMORROW – This musical serves as a companion piece to Abel “The Weeknd” Testaye’s album of the same name. Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan co-star. 

 

 

LILO & STITCH – Disney continues their remake train, with another shot at their 2002 animated hit. 

 

 

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING – Tom Cruise is back as agent Ethan Hunt in this direct sequel to DEAD RECKONING PART ONE. This eighth and rumored final installment for Cruise has returning director Christopher McQuarrie, and it co-stars Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Nick Offerman, Angela Bassett, and Pom Klemenetieff. 

 

 

 

KARATE KID: LEGENDS – This sixth film in the KARATE KID franchise has the original kid, Ralph Macchio, and Jackie Chan reprising their roles. It also serves as a follow-up to the now-wrapped COBRA KAI TV series. Ming-Na Wen co-stars. 

 

 

*

 

Next month, Reel Speak previews the month of June. 

 

 

 

A Reel Opinion - STAR WARS: Revenge of the Box Office

The famed far, far away galaxy returned to cinema this weekend, and the Force was with it. STAR WARS: EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH, the third and final film in George Lucas’ Prequel Trilogy, was re-released for its upcoming 20thanniversary (May 19th), and earned a most-impressive $42.2 million at the worldwide box office. It pulled in $25.2 million domestically, helping it finish in second place for the weekend…beating out THE ACCOUNTANT 2. This is one of the top-grossing re-releases in history domestically, finishing behind the re-issue of STAR WARS ($36 million), in the 1997 Special Edition release, and THE LION KING ($30 million) in the 2011 3D release. 

 

The big numbers are seen as a victory for fans of the film. Response on social media (of all places), has been very positive, and fan reaction from seeing returning actors Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson making surprise appearances at screenings has been electric. For others, the reaction has been a surprise. Despite a healthy 79% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, many fans still consider it to be one of the worst STAR WARS films. Reel Speak ranks it 9th out of the 11 films (more on that below), and the film generally seems to get lumped in with the other two films. But now…it came back and made big money. 

 

How is this possible? 

 

Age, and time have been kind to REVENGE OF THE SITH. Fans who were kids in 2005 are now in their late twenties and early thirties, and a return to the theatre can be a big wave of nostalgia. Older fans who grew up with the Original Trilogy (1977-1983), who may not have loved SITH in 2005, now have twenty years of maturity to look at the film in a new light; it’s possible that its better than we remembered. Also, new owners Disney have done a fair amount of “rehab” work in recent years with their new films and streaming series; filling in gaps and beefing up old storylines that now gives SITH some better consistency in the overall Saga. 

 

And let’s face it: it’s STAR WARS. A year ago, EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE pulled in a respectable $14.1 million for its 25th anniversary re-release, showing that the franchise still has a presence on the big screen. STAR WARS has proven its resilience and can endure more than any other franchise. There is no better spectacle or feeling when that big logo slams on the screen and the music starts. No better sense of awe when Darth Vader’s breathing or the hum of a lightsaber fills the auditorium. This franchise is still a cinematic force. 

 

*

 

Read Real Speak’s ranking of the STAR WARS films HERE.

 

A Reel 20: SIN CITY

“This is blood for blood and by the gallons.” 

This month marks the 20th anniversary of SIN CITY. 

 

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, SIN CITY neo-noir crime anthology, based on Frank Miller’s comic book series of the same name. It adapted the first, third, and fourth books in Miller’s original run; The Hard Goodbye (about an ex-con hunting his lover’s killer), The Big Fat Kill (a P.I. caught in a street war), That Yellow Bastard (an aging police officer and a disfigured killer), and the intro and outro based on the short story The Customer is Always Right.

 

Shot in black-and-white with moments of color, SIN CITY was filmed mostly green-screen, with several scenes shot before any actors had been cast (they were added digitally later). Rodriguez re-created shots from the graphic novel so faithfully he shared a directing credit with series author Frank Miller. 

 

The cast was an impressive ensemble: Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Brittany Murphy, Josh Hartnett, Devon Aoki, Nick Stahl, Michael Clarke Duncan, Michael Madsen, Powers Boothe, Benicio del Toro, Carla Gugino, Rutger Hauger, Nick Offerman, Tommy Flanagan, and Elijah Wood. 

 

SIN CITY released to mostly positive reviews and opened at no. 1 at the box office. Mickey Rourke won a Saturn Award for his performance, and the film would win another Saturn for Best Action Film. A sequel would be released in 2014.

 

*

 

SIN CITY has come to be known as one of the most unique films of this millennium. Starting with the first thing we see: the look. Its vision is unlike anything we’ve seen before or since, and stands as a loving homage to the film-noirs of old. The anthology style of storytelling gives us a reset every 20 minutes or so, but each one is engaging, fun, emotional…and even a little grotesque in a glorious kind of way. 

 

SIN CITY’s uniqueness also comes from what it represents. It arrived in April of 2005. At this time, there was no Marvel Cinematic Universe, STAR WARS had only five films, and HARRY POTTER had only three. This was an era before big-budget franchises became the want and need of audiences and studios, and SIN CITY represents a time when studios, and movie-goers, would take a chance on something new. SIN CITY may have been based on a comic that had been around a while, but it was still fresh, and is the type of film cinema could benefit from embracing again. 

"And after I pull off that miracle, maybe I'll go punch out God."

 

Val Kilmer: 1959 - 2025

Actor Val Kilmer has passed away at 65.

 

Born Val Edward Kilmer in Los Angeles in 1959, Kilmer’s acting career got off to a hot start when he became the youngest person to be accepted into the Juilliard School’s Drama Division. He headed for the stage and in 1983 made his small-screen debut in an ABC After-School Special. His big break came in 1984 when he received top billing in the spy-spoof TOP SECRET! A year later he would appear in REAL GENIUS.

 

In 1986 he landed one of his most iconic roles, as the hotshot aviator Iceman in TOP GUN, opposite Tom Cruise. He would reprise in the role in the 2022 sequel, which would be his final film role. In 1988 he would play the self-proclaimed greatest swordsman who ever lived in the Ron Howard-directed, George Lucas-produced fantasy, WILLOW. In 1991 Oliver Stone would hand him another iconic role: the role of Jim Morrison in THE DOORS.

 

In 1993 he delivered what is probably the performance of the decade as Doc Holliday in TOMBSTONE. Two years later he would have a high-profile year, appearing as Bruce Wayne/Batman in BATMAN FOREVER, and in Michael Mann’s towering crime drama, HEAT.

 

Other notable roles would include TRUE ROMANCE (1993), THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (1996), THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS (1996), THE SAINT (1997), THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (1998), RED PLANET (2000), THE MISSING (2003), ALEXANDER (2004), KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005), and Francis Ford Coppola’s TWIXT (2011).

 

In 2015 he was diagnosed with throat cancer which damaged his vocal chords. In 2021 the documentary film VAL, which followed his health struggles and career, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim.

 

*

 

Val Kilmer was custom-made for Hollywood stardom. With perfect good-looks, talent, and a cool name that wasn’t made-up, there was nothing else he ever could have done. He acted against names such as DeNiro, Brando, Russell, and Cruise. He worked for directors with names such as Coppola, Stone, Howard, Schumacher, and Scott. He won fights with six-shooters and swords and brought Jim Morrison back from the grave. His rapid reloading technique in the famous gunfight in HEAT would be taught to Marines and Army Rangers. He would steal the show in MAVERICK by saying one line of dialogue. That is the stuff of legend.

 

For this Blogger, there was a period in the 1990’s where my friends and I were obsessed with TOMBSTONE, and Kilmer’s stunning performance was a big part of it. His Doc Holliday was the most quotable, and his quip “I’m your huckleberry” was quoted often then and now. In WILLOW, he was the owner of one of my all-time favorite lines: “Give me a sword, I’ll win this war for you”. But perhaps the best quote surrounding him came from his co-star Tom Cruise in their emotional goodbye in MAVERICK:

 

“Thank you, Ice. For everything”.