30 for 30: This Magic Moment (Review)

Reviewed By Justin D Williams

In the mid-1990s, Orlando was the epicenter of excitement in the NBA. The young franchise, led by mega-stars Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway, beat the mighty Bulls en route to the 1995 NBA Finals. They lost that year but it was clear this team from Orlando was a dynasty in the making. But the Magic’s moment on top was never fully realize.

30 for 30: This Magic Moment was a story I was personally waiting for. It's the story of the most popular teams of 90's basketball the Orlando Magics. Just like previous 30 for 30 entries this gives full light on the true story of the team. The team focuses on two main figures Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway. One thing I really enjoy about the documentary is how they showed the origins of each player. We follow the rise of Shaq from his college days to when he was picked by the Magics. On the parallel side we see the rise of Penny and how was also chosen by the Magics. Each man had their own path and journey to get to the NBA. However both men had the same goal in mine and that was winning the NBA Championship. While the film first half is heavily focus on Shaq and his influence on Orlando and his career as a hall. It was great to see that Shaq himself didn't shy away from his faults. Shaq admitted that his ego and wanting to be in the spotlight played a hand in the fall of the Magics. His insecurity of when he was injured and how Penny's rise was making him envious. Don't get me wrong the film is not all about Shaq and Penny but it shows how much of an impact these two had on the team. The film also focuses on the franchise as a whole. It tells the story of the birth of the Orlando Magics and the fear and struggles of starting a brand new franchise. Interviews with past GM''s, players and coaches are all feature in this documentary. Key moments such as Shaq breaking the rim with a slam dunk to Nick Anderson missing foul shots are all touch and explored. 

The film is one of the best I've seen from the series. It paints a great story of triumph, heartbreak and ends with a bittersweet what if question with Shaq and Penny. What if Penny didn't get hurt? What if Shaq put his ego and pride to side and didn't leave? What if Nick Anderson made that shot? 30 for 30: This Magic Moment is a story of friends, brothers and team that shocked the world but ultimately fell short due to pressure and egos. This is a must see film for any 90s basketball fan and something that will be talked about for a while.

Final Grade 4.5/5 Stars

First look at Scarlett Johansson in Live Action Ghost in The Shell

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures have formally announced filming has begun on the live-action Ghost In The Shell movie with a still featuring Scarlett Johansson in the lead role of Major, a human/cyborg hybrid.

Johannson leads a cast comprised of Beat Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche, Michael Pitt, and others. The film is directed by Snow White & the Huntsman's Rupert Sanders.

Here is a look at her as Major:

We are so pleased to be in Wellington to shoot Ghost In The Shell,” said producers Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Michael Costigan and Jeffrey Silver. “The city boasts state-of-the-art production facilities and a rich urban landscape that make it an ideal setting for a sci-fi action film. The crew-base in New Zealand working on the film is first class, and working with Sir Richard Taylor and the team at Weta Workshop is inspirational on every level. The people of New Zealand have been terrific partners in helping us bring this story and its beloved characters to audiences around the world and we are thankful for their continued hospitality.”

Ghost In The Shell is scheduled for nationwide release on March 31, 2017

Hardcore Henry Review (The Fathom fan Experience)

Hey O&G fans, Thursday April 7th we were invited to Fathom Hardcore Henry Fan experience to see a early showing of the movie. The Fan experience featured a Q&A with the writer/Director and star of the film. Fans were also given a prequel comicabout the main villain of the movie. As always here is a synopsis of the film:

Hardcore Henry is a first-person action film from the eyes of Henry, who's resurrected from death with no memory. He must discover his identity and save his wife from a warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.

REVIEW

First I want to say in my opinion this film, that is a little over an hour and thirty mins was pretty awesome. I'm a fan of FPS games so this was something I would enjoy. Hardcore Henry was shot almost entirely with Gopro camera's (Which the director explained during the Q&A that the camera's are mounted just under the nose and not the forehead for an accurate view). Anyone who saw director Ilya Naishuller youtube short Bad Mother F%$ker will recognize a few of the scenes and characters in the movie.

The Russian-made action flick, mimics the experience of watching someone else play afirst-person shooter with sub-Duke Nukem humor. The title character, played by a team of stuntmen, is an amnesiac super-soldier who wakes up in an airship above Moscow and plummets into the city below in an escape pod so he can rescue his scientist wife, Estelle (Haley Bennett), from the clutches of telekinetic albino Akan (Danila Kozlovsky).

The action was good and pretty brutal (especially the last fight scene). Henry dispatches with his enemies with a number of weapons from Knives, Guns, Bricks, Sticks, etc... so the killings get very creative. The story didn't lag (C.O.D Joke) and had a cute song/Dance number whileone of the characters explains his Avatars. One of my two problem with the movie is the shaky camera at times, which can make you a bit dizzy if you're not used to it. You also start to lose the point of the story a few times, but it will all make sense when you get to the end.

Overall Hardcore Henry is a good movie that might not be everyone. The action is great and will appeal to anyone into FPS. My final review of Hardcore Henry is 3 stars.

by Sean Tucker

X-Men Apocalypse Trailer

20th Century Fox has released a brand NEW trailer for X-MEN: APOCALYPSE !Check out the trailer below, and get another look at Director Bryan Singer's new X-Men film starring, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Lucas Till, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alexandra Shipp, Josh Helman, Lana Condor, and Ben Hardy.

Ghostbusters Trailer

Who are you gonna call? The new trailer for the Ghostbusters reboot is here. You can check out the trailer below.

The Stockroom Trailer

Hey O&G fans, today's indie spotlight is Victor Cruz Entertainment's The Stockroom. We will be reviewing this movie later this week, so as always here synopsis and trailer for the movie.

SYNOPSIS: The year is 1998. Our story follows Joseph Rodriguez, a stockroom supervisor who once had a dream to be a stand-up comic. After a failed promotion, his original dream begins to resurface. Urban legend tells us, if you've been in the stockroom for ten years or more, you'll never leave. Joseph is about to hit that mark and he'll have to decide what he is going to do with his life before the clock strikes midnight.

Trailer:

After a failed promotion, A stockroom supervisor who once had a dream to be a stand-up comic. experiences his dream beginning to resurface.

The Ring vs The Grudge Teaser Trailer

Here is a crossover that I never thought was possible. To be honest I didn't think anyone wanted this. However we have it as Kadokawa Productions and NBC Universal have collaborated on this project. The Ring will take on The Grudge in a all out horror crossover. Check out the trailer below.

Justice League vs Teen Titans cover art

Warner Bros. Animation have revealed the box art and release dates for the upcoming animated film Justice League vs. Teen Titans. The animated feature will be available as a digital download March 29, with a physical release on DVD and Blu-ray following on April 12.

Additionally, the Blu-ray edition of Justice League vs. Teen Titans will also have a vast array of featurettes including an "exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Originam Movie." Although not mentioned by name, the animated adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke is scheduled for release sometime in 2016 according to producer Bruce Timm

Cabin Fever (Reboot) Trailer

Executive producer Eli Roth presents this reboot of his instant classic gorefest, which features all new characters and all new kills. This story is familiar: fresh out of college, a group of five friends retreat to a remote cabin in the woods for one last week of partying- only to become snacks for a gruesome, flesh-eating virus. What’s surprising are the ingenious new deaths, which offer a fresh spin on a horror-comedy milestone. With Gage Golightly (Teen Wolf) and Dustin Ingram (Paranormal Activity 3). 

Directed by: Travis Zariwny

Executive Produced by: Eli Roth

Starring: Gage Golightly, Dustin Ingram, Nadine Crocker, Matthew Daddario & Samuel Davis.

Dirty Grandpa Review

Hey O&G fans, Last week we got a chance to see a screening DIRTY GRANDPA starring Robert De Niro and Zac Efron. Now before I get into the review of the movie, here is a quick synopsis of this feature:

Dirty Grandpa

Right before his wedding, an uptight guy is tricked into driving his grandfather, a perverted former Army general, to Florida for spring break. Feat. Robert De Niro (Dick Kelly), Zac Efron (Jason Kelly), Zoey Deutch (Shadia), and Aubrey Plaza (Lenore) film directed by Dan Mazer and written by John Philips.

REVIEW

Ok first let me say I enjoyed this move!! Most people who will watch this, may not like the raunchy behavior or over exaggerated dick and fart jokes, but that's what makes this movie good. Funny one-liners like (“This entire state is licensed as a gun range!” Mantzoukas’ character says of Florida during a memorable introduction). This movie reminds me of the first American Pie (before it got sequel ed to death) You really had no Idea what it was about, but once it started it was fun till the end.

ACTING

The acting was ok. Everyone played their roles well so if you're expecting so Oscar worthy performance from De Niro, this is not the movie for you. That is not to say he didn't play his role well. This movie says it all in the title and that's what Robert De Niro was. Zac Efron was pretty funny in this role, even when he was trying to be serious (but he still can't top the character he played in Neighbors).

Over all the movie is entertaining with decent jokes. This is a good matinee or a night with friends and you just wanna watch a mind-less comedy. If you are easily offended this won't be the movie for you. I give Dirty Grandpa 2 1/2 stars.

Retro Animated X-Men series Debuts Today

Hey O&G Fans, Today the first retro animated X-men series by animator Joel Furtado premiered  the first episode, featuring Wolverine and Jean Grey vs a Sentinel. The series is inspired by the 90's X-men comic book and cartoon. Here is a look at the episode:
 

X-men: Danger Room Protocols - "Episode1: Part1" Disclaimer X-men: Danger Room Protocols and the following presentation is in no way affiliated with Marvel or Fox Studios. Characters remain the property and copyright of their respective owners.This is a fan series intended for private use only and not a commercial product.