"Logan" Review by Tim Hellman

'LOGAN': Five Stars (Out of Five)

The third and final standalone Wolverine movie (and the 10th installment in the 'X-MEN' cinematic film universe); once again based on the popular Marvel Comics character, with Hugh Jackman reprising his most iconic role (for supposedly the last time). The film has an aging Wolverine traveling across a dystopian future America, in order to help a special young mutant girl. The movie also costars Patrick Stewart (reprising one of his two most iconic roles, once again, as Professor Xavier), Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Richard E. Grant and Stephen Merchant. It was directed by James Mangold (who also helmed 2013's 'THE WOLVERINE'), and it was written by Mangold, Scott Frank and Michael Green. The film has been a huge hit at the Box Office, so far, and it's received nearly unanimous positive reviews, from critics and fans alike. I enjoyed it as well.

The story is set in the year 2029, when mutants are almost entirely extinct. Logan (Jackman) is now aging like a human does, due to the fact that his adamantium skeleton is now poisoning his body (and it's stopped healing him as well). He's now working as a chauffeur driver, in Texas, and helping to take care of Professor Charles Xavier (Stewart); who's suffering from a disease which causes him to lose control of his telepathic abilities. Logan is approached by a nurse (Elizabeth Rodriguez), who wants him to help transport an 11-year-old girl (Keen), with very special powers, to a place in North Dakota. Logan reluctantly agrees.

The movie is surprisingly dark, and extremely dramatic. It's definitely a very serious character study, and not a fun action flick like it's predecessors. The movie is also shockingly violent; and it's the second 'X-MEN' film to be rated R, in as many years (following last year's blockbuster 'DEADPOOL'). Hugh Jackman is also fantastic in the lead, giving arguably his best performance in the role. For all of these reasons, I really respect this movie. Like I said, it's not a fun comic book flick (like some might be expecting), but it is a really well made drama film. It's actually the type of superhero movie that could finally get an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, but we'll have to wait and see about that.

Final Trailer for the Upcoming Wolverine Film "Logan"

20th Century Fox recently released the final trailer for the upcoming Wolverine film "Logan". The film stars Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant and Dafne Keen. Its marks the final film in which Hugh Jackman plays the iconic Wolverine.

"Logan" hits theaters on March 3rd.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at http://logan.movie

Plot Synopsis:

In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.

"Logan": Official Trailer

Official Teaser Trailer for Hugh Jackman's Final Wolverine Film "Logan"

20th Century Fox recently released the official teaser trailer for the upcoming Wolverine film "Logan". The film stars Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant and Dafne Keen. Its marks the final film in which Hugh Jackman plays the iconic Wolverine.

"Logan" hits theaters on March 3rd.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at http://logan.movie

"Logan": Teaser Trailer

Official Poster and Trailer for the Upcoming Drama "Eddie the Eagle"

20th Century Fox recently released the official poster and trailer for their upcoming release "Eddie the Eagle. The upcoming drama is executive produced by Matthew Vaughn (Kingsmen: The Secret Service) and stars Taron Egerton, Christopher Walken, and Hugh Jackman.

"Eddie the Eagle" hits theaters on February 26th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.EddieTheEagleMovie.com

Plot Synopsis:

Inspired by true events, Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good story about Michael "Eddie" Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself - even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. From producers of Kingsman: The Secret Service, Eddie the Eagle stars Taron Egerton as Eddie, the loveable underdog with a never say die attitude.

"Eddie the Eagle": Official Trailer

"Chappie" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'CHAPPIE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The new science fiction action/drama flick from Neil Blomkamp; about a police droid, in the near future, that gains consciousness. Blomkamp directed and co-wrote the movie, with his wife Terri Thatchell (who also co-wrote 'DISTRICT 9', with her husband). It's based on Blomkamp's 2004 two minute short film 'TETRA VAAL', and it also features a similar robot design to his 2006 short 'TEMPBOT'. The movie stars Blomkamp's usual partner in crime Sharlto Copley, as the voice of the robot, and it also costars Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Brandon Auret, Yolandi Visser and Ninja (Ninja and Visser are first time actors, from the South African hip-hop group 'Die Antwoord'). I love the film and think it's a near masterpiece.

The movie is set in Johannesburg, in the near future, at a time when violent crime is near obsolete; due to a new robotic police force. When a small gang (played by Ninja, Visser and Cantillo) find themselves in a huge amount of debt, to a local crime lord (Auret), they decide to kidnap the designer of the police droids, Deon Wilson (Patel). They want to force Deon to shut down all the robots; so they can commit a big heist, to raise the money they need. What they don't realize is that Wilson has stolen one of his droids himself, from his employers, in a plan to give it actual consciousness. When the robot comes alive, the criminals then steal the droid, from his maker, and kick Deon out of their hide out. They name it Chappie and devise a plan to have the living droid help them with their big crime. At the same time a rival engineer, named Vincent Moore (Jackman), wants to sabotage the gang's plans; in an effort to capitalize on them and gain funding for his own mechanized killing machines.

The movie borrows a lot from other popular sci-fi movies; most notably 'SHORT CIRCUIT' and of course 'ROBOCOP' (more so the 2014 remake). Still it has it's own unique feel and, like all of Blomkamp's movies, it's full of great social commentary and intriguing, well developed, characters. I love Chappie, as a classic robot character, and I think Ninja and Visser make great acting debuts as well; in this movie. Patel is always likable (and very relatable), Weaver once again does what she does best (playing a domineering woman, in yet another sci-fi movie) and it's awesome to see Jackman as an obsessive 'religious nut' bad guy! Blomkamp's directing is once again very stylized and always beautiful to look at. It's also cool to see such an excessively violent (R rated) kid's movie; that's what it feels like to me! I don't think it's quite as classic as 'DISTRICT 9', but it is a slight improvement over 'ELYSIUM'. It's definitely a little ways from a sci-fi masterpiece, of it's own, but I still absolutely love it!

Official Stills for Neil Blomkamp's Upcoming Film "Chappie"

Columbia Pictures recently released stills for Neil Blomkamp's (District 9, Elysium) upcoming film "Chappie". The film stars Sharlto Copley (District 9, Maleficent), Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionare, The Newsroom), Sigourney Weaver (Avatar, Alien) and Hugh Jackman (X-Men: Day of Future Past, Pan).

"Chappie" hits theaters on 3/6.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at:  http://www.chappie-movie.com

Plot Synopsis:

In the near future, crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. But now, the people are fighting back. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. As powerful, destructive forces start to see Chappie as a danger to mankind and order, they will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo and ensure that Chappie is the last of his kind.

Official Trailer for the Upcoming Summer Film "X-Men: Days of Future Past"

20th Century Fox recently premiered the official trailer for the upcoming film Bryan Singer film "X-Men: Days of Future Past". The upcoming film stars Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage and Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. "X-Men: Days of Future Past" hits theaters on 5/23.

Plot Synopsis: 

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. The beloved characters from the original “X-Men” film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from the past, “X-Men: First Class,” in order to change a major historical event and fight in an epic battle that could save our future.

"X-Men: Days of Futures Past": Official Trailer

New Stills for the Upcoming Summer Film "X-Men Days of Future Past"

20th Century Fox recently released stills for one of the most anticipated films of the year "X-Men: Days of Future Past". The upcoming film marks a Bryan Singer's return to the helm of the franchise since 2003's "X2". The film stars Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Peter Dinklage, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan. "X-Men: Days of Future Past" hits theaters on 7/18.

Plot Synopsis:


The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The characters from the original X-Men film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class in an epic battle that must change the past - to save our future.