Callas Forever Movies

The Green Mile is a 1999 fantasy crime drama directed and written by Frank Darabont. The film was originally adapted from Stephen King’s novel of the same name that was released in 1996.

The movie stars Tim Hanks alongside the late Michael Clarke Duncan, with supporting roles from James Cromwell, David Morse and Bonnie Hunt. Told in a flashback format, the film tells the story of Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) and his time working as a death row corrections officer during the Great Depression. He recounts the many supernatural events that he experienced.

The film has received a number of positive reviews from critics over the years, and received four Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound, and Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published.

Clarke won the Best Supporting Actor award, while Patricia Clarkson won Best Supporting Actress, and the film itself won Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film at the 2000 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and horror. It’s as riveting as the gambling online NZ has to offer, and just as rewarding too.

The Story

The story starts in Louisiana in 1999, where Paul Edgecomb is residing as a senior resident. He begins to cry while watching the film Top Hat, and when his friend Elaine becomes curious as to why, he explains the experiences he had as a younger man working in death row, a facility still around today where only the worst of the worst go.

It flashes back to 1935, and Edgecomb is shown as the supervisor of the facility that houses a number of inmates sentenced to death. We meet his supporting officers, and before long a new prisoner arrives in the form of John Coffey, a physically imposing but challenged man who was convicted for the murder and rape of two young girls in the area. Despite his crimes, it becomes apparent that Coffey is a gentle and thoughtful individual, and becomes scared at night when the lights are turn off.

The officers witness John perform a number of miracles, including healing Edgecomb’s bladder infection, resurrecting a dead mouse, and completely removes the cancer that was killing Melinda Moores, the wife of the warden. Another inmate is received into the facility in the form of William Wharton, an extremely unhinged mass-murderer who causes endless trouble for both the officers and the other inmates. We learn that Coffey was falsely accused of his crimes, being blamed due to his colour, and that the two young girls were actually murdered by Wharton. Wharton, who is eventually murdered by another officer, Percy Wetmore, after Coffey takes the pain and suffering from Moores and transfers it to Percy. John is then executed shortly after, but does not struggle, welcoming the peace of death after a life of suffering and abuse.

After being taken back to present time, Elaine begins to ponder how old Edgecomb is, and he reveals that he’s 106 years old, and that when John healed his infection, he blessed him with longevity, along with Mr. Jingles, the mouse that John resurrected.

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont. The film was based upon a novella called Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption written by author Stephen King. It tells the story of a man named Andy Dufresne, a successful banker during the 1940s who was accused and subsequently found guilty of the murder of his wife and her lover before being sent to prison.

Starring Tim Robbins and Dufresne, Morgan Freeman as Red, along with Samuel Norton, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, James Whitmore, and William Sadler, Shawshank Redemption features of some of the greatest stars of the early 1990s.

As such, the film is often considered by many to be the best film of all time, with some citing it as better than Citizen Cane. It had such a positive affect on the film industry and pop culture that the film was selected by the United States Library of Congress to be preserved in the National Film Registry, finding it historically, culturally, or aesthetically significant.

The film was also nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1995, the most for any adaption of Stephen King’s. The nominations included Best Picture, Best Actor (Freeman), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Editing, and Best Original Score. Although it didn’t win in any of the categories, the film has had an undeniable impact on modern pop culture, with endless quotes and parodies over twenty years later, and represents for film what online blackjack Canada does for gaming.

The Story

In 1947, Andy Dufresne, a well-known banker, is convicted of the murdering of his wife and her lover and is handed down two life sentences, both of which he would need to serve at Shawshank State Penitentiary. Upon arriving at the prison, he quickly finds himself a victim to the gangs, being beaten and raped for two years. In that time, he befriends the local fence, Ellis “Red” Redding, who provides the inmates with items that are otherwise hard to get hold of.

Dufresne’s previous life as a banker sees him gaining favour with the guards and the warden, who make use of his financial services in return for safety from the gangs that harass him. He slowly becomes part of a group of friends, becoming especially close with Red. The Warden begins dealing in illegal activities, and forces Dufresne to help him launder the money he receives from undercutting local business by using his cheap prison labour.

After years working for the warden, who kills the only man that could potentially see Dufresne be set free, he one day disappears out of his cell. A thorough search reveals nothing until the warden throws a rock through his poster, revealing that for decades, Dufresne had been tunnelling through the prison, ending up in the sewer system before running to freedom, and cashing in all of the laundered money from the warden’s account. Some years later, Red and Dufresne meet up on a beach in Mexico.

Sixteen Candles was written and directed by John Hughes and released in 1984 and was an instant hit at the box office.

Things Go Wrong

Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald) wakes up to her 16^th birthday with great expectations for a special day, but her whole family has forgotten.  Her older sister Ginny (Blanche Baker) is getting married the next day and the family is preoccupied with the wedding preparations.  During class Sam takes a sex quiz and in the quiz she says that if she could have sex with someone it would be Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), a popular and very cute senior. When she passes the quiz back it falls on the floor and Jake picks it up.

Ted (Anthony Michael Hall) is in love with Sam.  Ted is a nerd and a geek and not at all part of the popular crowd.  Ted is forever hitting on Sam when they travel in the school bus.  When Sam arrives home after school all four grandparents are staying at the house to attend Ginny’s wedding.

One set of Sam’s grandparents have brought along a strange exchange student Long Duk Dong (Gedde Wattanabe) who is hilarious and adds some great humorous scenes to the movie.

Jake confides in his friend that his relationship with his girlfriend Caroline (Haviland Morris) is not what it used to be and that he is looking for something more in a relationship.  At a dance Ted’s geeky friends challenge Ted to hit on Sam and want proof – in the form of her panties.  Jake and Caroline are also at the dance and Jake notices Ted and Sam interacting.

Ted embarrasses Sam and she runs out of the dance.  Ted tells Jake that he intends to take Sam home after the dance and Jake thinks that Ted and Sam are an item.

Sam is mortified after Ted embarrasses her and she goes and hides in the auto shop.  Ted goes looking for Sam and she confides in him that she is in love with Jake.  Ted tells her that Jake has been asking about her and Sam is not quite sure what to do.  Meanwhile, Sam gives Ted her panties so that he can win the bet, although we bet that playing the online pokies NZ has to offer would have been less embarrassing, and still a sure winner!

The Party

Jake’s parents are away for the weekend and Caroline invites everyone she knows to his house for a party.  He tries to phone Sam but her grandparents keep answering the phone and he never gets to talk to Sam.  Sam of course is not aware of this.  Her parents realise that in all the busyness of Ginny’s wedding they had forgotten Sam’s sixteenth birthday.  Sam has a heart to heart talk with her Dad and all is forgiven.

After the party at Jake’s house Ted takes a very drunk Caroline home.  Before taking her home he first stops at his friend’s house so they can take a picture of Caroline in the car.

After Ginny’s wedding has taken place with a few hitches Sam comes out of the church and sees Jake waiting for her outside the church.  She can’t believe that he is there waiting for her.

This romantic comedy was released in 1999 and was directed by Gil Junger.

We are introduced to Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who is new to Padua High School and the first girl he sees is the beautiful Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) and falls in love.  Bianca’s father (Larry Miller) is very strict and it is common knowledge that she is not allowed to date.  Cameron decides that he will find a way to date her no matter what.  Bianca is interested in the very popular Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan).  Cameron and his friend Michael (David Krumholtz) devise a plan so that Cameron can date Bianca.

The Plan Unfolds

Bianca’s father will only allow her to date if her older sister Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) also dates.  This is however a problem as Kat is not interested in dating and is known to be different and not interested in the social scene at all.  They realise that it is going to take a certain type of guy to date her.  Together with Joey, Cameron and Michael decide on Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) who has a reputation for being a rebel and Joey makes a deal with Patrick.  If Patrick can get Kat to go out with him he will give him cash, which we suppose he otherwise could have tried to win by enjoying a bit of horse racing betting.  Patrick accepts the challenge and takes the money.

Patrick realises that is not going to be that easy to get Kat to go out with him and asks Joey for more money that Joey gives him.   After much persuasion from Patrick and Bianca who begs her to go to a party, Kat agrees.  At the party Bianca realises that Joey is actually very shallow and only talks about himself.  Meanwhile Kat gets drunk and becomes the life of the party.  We get the feeling that there is much more to Kat’s antisocial behaviour than meets the eye.

A Prom Conundrum

Patrick takes Kat home where she tries to kiss him, but he pulls away leaving Kat confused and very angry.  Bianca realises that Joey is not the guy for her and asks Cameron to take her home.  Bianca kisses Cameron.  Joey refuses to be defeated and decides to ask Bianca to the prom.  Bianca can only go to the prom if Kat also goes and he gives Patrick more money to get Kat to go to the prom with him.  Kat is angry with Patrick and refuses to go to the prom.

Bianca and Kat have a heart to heart where she shares with Bianca that she and Joey had been an item who had just used her and she did not want the same thing to happen to Bianca.  Kat decides to go to the prom with Patrick.  Bianca decides to go with Cameron to the prom.  Everyone is having a great time until Kat finds out that Patrick was only interested in her for the money.  She is furious and leaves the prom.

You will all have to watch this great film to find out if Patrick and Kat reconcile.

Dunkirk is a war film based on the events that took place during the Dunkirk evacuation during World War 2. The film was written, produced, and directed by renowned director Christopher Nolan, who is known for his other work such as The Dark Knight, Interstellar, and Memento.

Dunkirk is a portrayal of the three different perspectives of the famous evacuation, namely, see, land, and air. Although there is very little dialogue throughout the film, much of Nolan’s skill comes to bear as he tells a story through visuals and a powerful musical score.

The film was highly reviewed by critics and filmgoers alike, with many praising its direction, screenplay, and cinematography, and being cited as Nolan’s best work to date, as well as one of the best war films of the modern era.

Dunkirk received eight nominations at the Critics’ Choice Awards, of which is won for Best Editing. It also received a further eight nominations at the British Academy Film Awards, taking home the award for Best Sound.

At the 90^th Academy Awards, the film received another eight nominations, including those for Best Picture and Best Director, and won Best Sound Editing, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. It’s a moving depiction of the acts World War 2, and is sure to give film lovers a good 2 hours of entertainment before they get back to enjoying the real slots NZ have to offer.

The Story

The story starts on a bleak beach in 1940, with thousands of Allied soldiers standing in vast lines on the beach, waiting to board the passenger ships that have come to pick them up. We are then introduced to Tommy, a British private who is the only survivor of a German ambush.

After making his way on to the beach, he meets another soldier, Gibson just before Germans dive-bomb the beach in an attempt to kill the waiting soldiers. With many being wounded, Gibson and Tommy see the opportunity to take a wounded soldier on board a hospital ship.

The ship is destroyed by more dive-bombers, but the two soldiers manage to get off before it sinks into the bay. With only one military ship available for transport, the British government calls for civilians to begin making their way across the English Channel. We are then introduced to more characters as each of their stories is broken down and timed into a converging point during the film.

We follow a civilian man, his son, and his son’s friend as they cast off to reach France in order to evacuate soldiers, and come across a stranger floating on a wreckage in the middle of the sea. In the sky, we meet the pilots of three Spitfires as they make their way across the English Channel and encounter German planes before their leader is shot down.

By the end of the film, over 300,000 soldiers have been successfully transported off of the beach by the hundreds of civilian boats that make the rescue journey.

Well known actor Bradley Cooper makes his debut as a director (and also co star) with this sensational feature film, a well told story of love and dreams. This is now the fourth film version of this story, the previous having featured acting greats such as Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand as the star the story revolves around.

And Lady Gaga has herself made an amazing film debut in a difficult role, a role that highlights and focuses on the actress’s skills in detail. This risk taken by Cooper on the inexperienced Lady Gaga really pays off, and takes this movie to great levels.

Using original songs from Lady Gaga, Cooper has kept the compelling storyline but managed to infuse a new life into this thrice told story, while himself being an amazing presence on the screen. Cooper additionally spent a year and a half taking voice lessons, and this shows in his singing performance in the film.

Set for release in October 2018 at cinemas, this is a must see movie that outshines other recently released films – and has the ingredients to be a massive hit. This movie is a future classis, to watch so take a short break from your online betting NZ thrills and make a mem to visit a movie theatre in October.

The Story

We first meet Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), addicted to drugs and alcohol, Jackson is an amazing artist who is selling out shows but struggling with his addictions and the emptiness of the lifestyle he is living. Jackson stumbles across Ally (Lady Gaga) singing at a local bar while he is again out drinking. Though Ally is covering an Edith Piaf song, and is not an experienced artist like Jackson – she impresses him and he falls for her almost immediately.

Ally is a simple girl, with no dreams of super stardom – she is quite content with her bar singing gig and paying her bills with these earnings. She still lives with her father, who is a pessimist who believes luck is not on your side when it comes to finding fame and fortune – even if they are super talented like he believes his daughter is. In the end Ally makes the decision to trust in Jackson and leave with him, despite knowing he is an alcoholic – because he believes in her.

A great scene in the first third of this movies is Ally singing her song Shallow – it has a huge build up and the understanding if these two people meeting randomly and Ally having such a lucky journey to stardom is impressed upon viewers.

We learn more of Jackson’s abusive childhood, an alcoholic father who used to give his young children, we start to have an understanding of his lifestyle. Jacksons elder brother seems to be the only reason he made it out of childhood alive, but Jackson does not want his elder brothers help as an adult. The performance by Cooper as an angry jealous, broken person who only lives to hear his love sing is riveting – and sure to win him awards.

Though Lady Gaga gives a solid performance in her role as a new star, Cooper is the one who steals the whole show – both as director and co-star.

Films need to be pretty amazing to get rated a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, especially when they are not an original film but part of a franchise – but the latest Mission Impossible in the series has managed to impress even the most jaded reviewers with its slick and fast paced storyline and great action scenes.

With its great blending action and attention to every technical detail possible, this film has the perfect action film rhythm that makes the viewer feel like they are part of the film and immerses you in the film. Add to the slick film work, the great script and even better performances by some top actors means that this is one all great action film that is a definite must watch.

Director Christopher McQuarrie has made a direct sequel to the previous Mission Impossible film, with the narrative being explained and all details given in the beginning – so no misunderstanding about the direction of the film will occur. McQuarrie has cut any fat and unnecessary bloat from the film, leading straight to action and by the end of the movie you feel like you too have fought this battle.

The Story

A mysterious group calling themselves the Apostle threaten the world with their mission to create chaos – no other objectives for these bad guys. They strongly believe that suffering and war leads to peace – so they will usher in the next peaceful age. They have an inside person at the IMF, and using him the have attained weapons grade plutonium to create dirty bombs.

Enter Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) – tasked with getting the plutonium back, but with a ghost from the past haunting his every move. Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) is that ghost, the villain from the previous Mission Impossible movie – who did not kill Hunt when he could have.

Hunt is sent on his mission to find the hidden agent in the IMF by his boss Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin) but he is also given a sidekick by Hunley’s boss Erica Sloan (Angela Bassett). The Brutish, thug is August Walker (Henry Cavill), sent along by Sloan to have one of her own men on this mission as she does not trust Hunt or Hunley.

The new team mates head off to Paris, along with Hunts usual sidekicks – were the action starts fast but stays consistent, not fading away or being unnecessary to the actual storyline. While you do not have to focus on the plot to enjoy the movie, there is an actual plot that works and is interesting!

The Mission Impossible kind of action film does not bring to mind great acting performances, more great action scenes – but Fallout offers a way better than average acting performance from all those involved. The realness of the actors is allowed to show through on screen, with cruise showing his age and not being as physically tough as Cavill’s new brutish spy character.

Though there seems to be a sequel to every movie these days, and it can be hard to get really excited about another sequel – Fallout really pulls out all the stops. Mission Impossible: Fallout offers a great action movie to those who love that genre, Though not as big a thrill as winning a horse racing betting site, it is one of the top action films released this year – go see it!

Directed by John Chu, Crazy Rich Asians was released in the US on 15 August 2018.  The film is based on a novel written by Kevin Kwan.  Crazy Rich Asians has an excellent cast that includes Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Nico Santos, Lisa Lu, Ken Jeong and Michelle Yeoh.

The story begins with Rachel (Constance Wu) and Nick (Henry Golding) a young couple living in New York.  Their relationship becomes serious and when Nick is invited to Singapore to attend a wedding he takes Rachel with him.

Rachel has not met any of Nick’s family and what she does not know is that his family is extremely wealthy and that Nick will inherit a fortune.  The family also holds some sort of celebrity status in Singapore.  When Rachel meets the family she soon realises that she is not their first choice for a wife for the most eligible bachelor in Singapore.

Meeting the Family

Rachel understandably nervous now makes a few mistakes and soon finds out that Nick’s mother Eleanor does not like her.  Rachel is invited to attend the bride to be’s bachelorette party where she is embarrassed by a so-called friend who had previously dated Nick.  Rachel is treated very badly, which of course only makes her more endearing to the audience.

Astrid, Nick’s cousin who is also at the party befriends Rachel and confides in her that her husband has been unfaithful.  Meanwhile Nick confides in his friend Colin that he wants to propose to Rachel.  Colin is happy, but is worried, as he knows that Nick’s family are not happy with Rachel.

Things Do Not Go Well

Nick gets to hear about Rachel’s bad experience and he tries to make up for it by taking her to his family.  Unfortunately things do not go well and Eleanor tells Rachel that she does not believe she is good for her son.  Rachel is understandably hurt and decides to leave Singapore.  Her friend, Peik Lin convinces her to stay and does an amazing makeover on her.  Rachel attends the wedding, but once again things do not go well, making you think she should have stayed home and played online blackjack instead!

Nick’s mother and grandmother tell Nick that Rachel was born out of an adulterous affair and they tell Nick that he if forbidden to see Rachel.  They do not want him embroiled in a scandalous affair.  Rachel is hurt and runs out of the wedding.  Nick tries to stop Rachel even after his family threatens to disown him.

Rachel decides to go and stay with Peik Lin.  Rachel’s mother, Kerry, arrives and tells Rachel why she left her husband and explained that he was abusive.  Rachel finds out that it was Nick who asked Kerry to visit Rachel and she decides to meet with Nick who then proposes.

Rachel and Eleanor meet where she tells her that she has decided not to accept Nick’s proposal as she is afraid it will mean his being disowned by his family and his relationship with his family will be damaged.

Rachel decides to leave and you will have to watch the film to see if there will be a happy ending.

Dances with Wolves is a western film that was released in 1990. It was directed by Kevin Costner, who also starred in the film, and it won seven Academy Awards and a Golden Globe award for the best drama. It has as almost many wins as those who are successful in Bendigo Cup betting behind it, and when you watch it, you’ll see why.

John Dunbar, a Lieutenant in the Union army is sent to the frontier.  When he arrives he finds the post deserted and in bad shape.  He decides to stay.

He begins to restore the fort and writes in a journal every day.  His only friend is a wolf who he names Two Socks, because of his two white feet.

Dunbar Meets The Sioux

One day he encounters a Sioux man, Kicking Bird, trying to steal his horse.  He manages to chase the man.  Later a group Sioux Indians return once again to steal his horse.  Dunbar plans to visit the Sioux village and meets a woman on his way.

She is hurt and he takes her with him to the village.  The Sioux are wary of him and the warriors are ready to attack.  Kicking Bird persuades them not to.  After their first encounter the chief, Ten Bears and some of the Sioux begin a series of visits with Dunbar.

The woman, Stands With A Fist, was found by the Sioux and adopted when her family were killed in a raid and she acts as translator when the visits happen.  His relationship with the Sioux grows and he is given an Indian name, Dances With Wolves.

He also falls in love with Stands With A Fist who he also marries.  Dunbar aids the Sioux when the Pawnee attack them and helps them with firearms.

The Danger

Dunbar warns Ten Bears that the white man will soon be coming and that they should move their camp.  He also realises that he has left his journal at the outpost and will need to return to get it back as it contains evidence of the location of the Sioux.

When he gets back to the fort the US soldiers take him prisoner and because he is seen as a deserter he will be transported to Fort Hays to be hanged.

The Sioux find out what has happened and plan to rescue Dunbar when he is being transported.  They are successful and he goes back to the camp with them.  Dunbar realises that as long as he is with them they are in danger, as the US soldiers will continue to search for him.  Together with Stands With A Fist they decide to leave to ensure the safety of the Sioux.

It is a beautiful story adapted from Michael Blake’s novel and was applauded for including advice from Native Americans.  The film also incorporates the Lakota language and the actors were coached by a professional and this all added to the authenticity of the film.  It was filmed in South Dakota, which is known for its beautiful landscapes.

This is a wonderful love story as well and will appeal to adults as it does contain some violence and may not be good for sensitive viewers.

Gone with the Wind is based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel. This film was released in 1939 and is a historical romance set in the Deep South during the Civil War. This story centres on Scarlett O’Hara, the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner and her pursuit of her love interest, Ashley Wilkes.

Ashley is married to Scarlett’s cousin Melanie Hamilton.  Scarlett is played by Vivien Leigh, Rhett is played by Clark Gable, Leslie Howard plays Ashley and Olivia de Havilland plays Melanie.

The Love Triangle

The film is set on the plantation, Tara in 1861, long before the Internet, TV’s and Cox Plate betting was around, and Scarlett is most upset that Ashley has decided to marry his very “plain” cousin Melanie.  Scarlett’s plan is to get Ashley back by throwing herself at him at a huge family gathering despite warnings from her Father and servant Hattie.

Scarlett and Ashley find themselves alone together and Scarlett throws one of her famous tantrums.  What she does not know is that Rhett Butler is witnessing her outburst.  Rhett is from a rich Charleston family and is the so-called black sheep of his family and becomes fascinated with Scarlett.

To spite Ashley Scarlett decides to marry Charles, who she does not love, but he later dies during the war.  Scarlett goes to visit the Hamilton’s, her motive being to see Ashley.  While here she runs into Rhett who wins a bid at an auction to raise funds to dance with Scarlett.

Scarlett continues to pursue Ashley and they even share a passionate kiss.  The war continues and Atlanta is besieged.  Scarlett calls on Rhett for help and together with Melanie and her baby they return to Tara.

Scarlett’s Disappointments

On returning home she finds that her mother has died and her father has is not doing well.  Scarlett vows to keep her family together in spite of her home being invaded by the Union troops.   More sadness awaits Scarlett as her father is killed while riding his horse while fans of Australian betting sites were cheering him on.

Ashley returns and goes to live at Tara where Scarlett tries to persuade him to run away with her.  He confesses his love for her, but says he cannot leave his wife.

Scarlett accepts Rhett’s marriage proposal.  They have a daughter named Bonnie.  Scarlett continues to wait for Ashley and no longer wants anything to do with Rhett.  Scarlett and Ashley are later seen by Ashley’s sister, India, embracing and because India has an intense hatred for Scarlett she begins to spread rumours.  Rhett gets to hear the rumours.

Poor Melanie who thinks that Scarlett is nothing but good to her takes Scarlett’s side and refuses to believe anything bad about her.

Rhett and Scarlett argue where he forces himself on her, but the next day he asks for her forgiveness and says that he will give her the divorce that she has been asking for.

Scarlett says that divorce would be a disgrace and she refuses.  Scarlett finds out that she is pregnant and she tells Rhett and they argue and she falls down the stairs losing the baby.

Watch this wonderful film to find out if there is a happy ending…