Recently, the Insidious and Conjuring scream king Patrick Wilson got the chance to sit in the director’s chair to direct the latest and potentially final Insidious film for the big screen, Insidious: The Red Door. As I wrote in that review, this series is the “lower-budgeted and less revered film series sibling” to The Conjuring, but it has a passionate fan base that always makes these films successful in movie theaters around the world. I quite liked Wilson’s film, but how does it compare to the other films in the franchise? Well, let’s have a look.
Patrick Wilson in Screen Gems’ INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR.
Directed by Patrick Wilson — Screenplay by Scott Teems — Story by Leigh Whannell and Scott Teems.
Insidious is just one of several horror film franchises kickstarted by modern horror icons James Wan and Leigh Whannell. Eventually, both Wan and Whannell have had to pass the director’s chair off to someone else whose job it is to not just continue the style of previous entries in these series but also someone careful and considerate enough to shepherd the values of the franchise. With 2018’s Insidious: The Last Key, the fourth film in the franchise, Wan and Whannell (who has a screenwriting credit on the film) passed the director’s chair to Adam Robitel, whose Insidious film was the second prequel film in the series, as well as the second prequel film in a row to abandon the Lambert family haunting in favor of focusing on the paranormal investigators and the psychic introduced in the first two films. But eventually, the Lambert family haunting narrative that Wan and Whannell made us so invested in with Insidious Chapters 1 and 2 (released in 2010 and 2013, respectively) had to continue. That’s where scream king and star of the original two films, Patrick Wilson, comes in — because he wasn’t just convinced to return in a significant role for the fifth and potentially final film, he also signed on for it to be his feature directorial debut.
The following is a review of The Nice Guys, a Shane Black film.
The Nice Guys, a crime buddy comedy, follows the enforcer Jackson Healy (played by Russell Crowe), who sees himself as an unlicensed private detective, and Holland March (played by Ryan Gosling), a miserable and cynical private detective. Healy and March start at opposite ends of the same case. March has been hired by the aunt of porn star Misty Mountain who recently died.
The aunt claims to have seen her niece alive after her death, and the clues point March towards a girl named Amelia (played by Margaret Qualley). Meanwhile, Healy has been hired by Amelia to intimidate a number of people who have been following her. This causes their paths to cross. As Healy and March inevitably team-up, they are now tasked to find Amelia, who is being chased by two thugs.
The following is a spoiler-free review of Jurassic World (2015).
It’s been 22 years since the original Steven Spielberg film, and it has been a bumpy ride for the franchise ever since. I, personally, enjoyed The Lost World – but understood why people disliked it. Jurassic Park III was, for most people, a disappointment. How good is Jurassic World? I think it’s actually very good. Continue reading “REVIEW: Jurassic World (2015)”→
As you may’ve noticed this post is for Kevin Feige. Now you may ask who he is. Kevin Feige pretty much is in control of the destiny of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phases, he is the one sitting next to Whedon and co., the man with the plan. I will be trying to come up with various ideas for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and these are the first propositions I present. Starting with the introduction of Sam Alexander, the new Nova, in Phase 4.
The Troubled Teen – Sam Alexander – Nova
Liam James – Nova?
Now, Sam Alexander isn’t the fan-favorite Nova – and I know this – but he is the one Marvel Comics is trying right now, and could easily make money for the Disney owned studios. The character of Sam Alexander would be the youngest leading man for Marvel, and has already been discussed somewhat. I believe there were rumours of Ty Simpkins’ character in Iron Man 3 actually being the introduction of a kid-Nova, like Sam Alexander. However, we’ve seen nothing of him since. Instead I propose two actors for the role of Nova, both being actors I’d label as ‘kids’ for a kid-character (which might actually just be tossed to the side, a la Radcliffe as Harry Potter). First and foremost, I’d like to propose Liam James (originally pictured above) of ‘The Way Way Back’ & ‘2012’ fame. James was born in 1996, and would therefore be at an acceptable age for Sam Alexander… And he looks the part too. I like the awkward portrayal he put forth in ‘The Way Way Back’, and I think his character from the aforementioend movie has some interesting features as a leading man, in a world where he (Nova) is not in charge. Now, I’ve also noted Kodi Smit-McPhee who is having a great year, starring in the new Planet of the Apes-film.
The Leading Men – Dr. Strange & Black Panther
With Marvel slowly, but surely, losing Downey Jr. as their main man – they’re going to need to replenish their cast of stars. The rumours of a Black Panther movie have been heard for a long time, and I suspect we’ll have it confirmed at San Diego Comic Con 2014. For the role of Black Panther, I propose Chadwick Boseman of ’42’ fame. I think this is a guy most people want, even ahead of a big name like Chiwetel Ejiofor, and that’s saying something. In any case, this is a character the MCU needs – we’re waiting, Feige.
As for Dr. Strange? Well, the movie’s confirmed – it’s got its most important ‘staffmembers’, in a director and Screenplay-writers. Now we need a leading man – someone to give us a new mature Marvel CU… Hopefully. Jared Leto’s been rumoured, and I’d like him – but I propose another guy, someone who’s a household name, of sorts. Joaquin Phoenix of ‘Walk the Line’ and ‘Her’ fame. Not only is this a household name, he also has the presence of a sorcerer supreme.
Hopefully Feige will listen… Who knows what we’ll see at Comic Con, and what about the Credit Sequences of Guardians of the Galaxy?
I'm Jeffrey Rex 