Staying true to the law of diminishing returns, part two trades those rewarding elements of surprise for a supercharged bad guy (or girl in this case) and even more extreme carnage. It’s not as much of a stand-out as part one, but it is still a lot of fun. The fun this time is provided by Sharon Stone as Lendina and her gang of deadly malcontents. She almost vibrates with ramped-up energy and neurosis.

Revolving around a much-needed family vacation, the Mansells land in middle America at a run-down and super cheesy theme park that Hutch (Odenkirk) and his brother Harry (RZA) had fond memories of having once visited with their father, David (Christopher Lloyd). The park and the surrounding town are run by corrupt police under the command of the more than crazy Lendina.

It is inevitable that the Mansells and the local authorities will clash, and clash they do. The ultra-violence is mostly played for comic effect, and to say it is extreme is an understatement. As the body count escalates, so does the humour, and you find yourself laughing at the most inappropriate things, this forms the film’s core appeal.
Rob Hudson
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The story circles back on itself and tells a tale not unlike the Russell Crowe-led version. We are introduced to Lucius (Paul Mescal) an honourable man very much in love with his wife. When the Romans attack his province he and his wife turn out to be warriors and travel to the coast to ward off the boat-bound invaders. The attack is led by Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal).

During the battle, Lucius suffers a horrible loss and vows revenge on Marcus Acacius. He is captured and transported to Rome where he becomes a slave fighting for his freedom in the Gladiator trade. The conniving Macrinus (Denzel Washington) buys Lucius and sets into motion a series of events that will define the future of the empire.

Amidst the running commentary of how power and privilege can corrupt completely, we get a simplified take on who is good and who is evil. There is little subtext to the story and director Ridley Scott expands the action to make up for the shortfall. That action arrives quickly and never lets up until the film’s end. It’s a thrill ride for sure but one a little lacking in depth.
Rob Hudson
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Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.

With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II will be released in Aussie cinemas November 14!
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Oscar nominee Paul Mescal – looking gloriously toned and reminiscent of a Gladiator-era Russell Crowe – triumphs in the lead role of Lucius, the young son of Lucilla, Connie Nielsen’s noblewoman from the original movie.

GLADIATOR II continues the story following on from the death of Crowe’s Maximus. Decades after Maximus sacrifices himself to topple corrupt leadership and society, Lucius has come of age far away from his mother who he grew to resent after she sent him to the northern coast of Africa when he was a child.

Now grown, Lucius lives a mostly peaceful life with his wife and child until conquerors from Rome begin to make their way to the region. Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius, a Roman general, leads the charge and is a symbol of everything Lucias is against. Following this conflict, Lucias is taken to be a prisoner of Rome and forced to enter the Colosseum as a gladiator.

Oscar nominated Mescal stars alongside a mighty ensemble cast that includes two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi. With this fighting-fit talent and pulse-pounding, sword-clashing action sequences, Scott delivers another superb instant classic of the genre.
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Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.

With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II is coming to cinemas November 14!
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Driven by wonderful performances from this exceptional cast, I’LL FIND YOU tells the story of childhood friends Robert, a catholic opera singer and Rachel, a Jewish violin virtuoso, who dream of spending their lives together and of one day performing at the legendary Carnegie Hall. When war erupts in Europe and Germany invades Poland, the young lovers are separated…and it seems their dreams are over. But Robert vows to be reunited with the woman that he loves, and he begins a dangerous quest to find her.

With Music by Academy Award winner Jan A.P. Kaczmarek (Finding Neverland), I’LL FIND YOU combines sweeping romance and compelling drama in a powerful story that should not be missed.

I’ll Find You launches digitally September 27!
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Bob Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, an everyday schmo whose family life is on repeat play until a home invasion turns things upside down and his past comes to the fore. For those that are fans of Mr. Goodman, it’s like seeing him transform into Rambo and play out an adult fantasy version of Home Alone.

There is a tie-in with the Russian mafia that doesn’t involve a puppy but might include a Van Gogh painting and one badass Grandfather (played with an infectious glee by Christopher Lloyd). The propulsive soundtrack also shows that rock songs from the past still have a place in the present and a few of those old chestnuts energetically push things along.

Not particularly challenging in storyline, it still builds a strong audience connection with the characters and you cheer them along even as the body count rises to ridiculous levels. Fans of the main actors’ previous works will be justly rewarded as the nods to the past are compelling and highly entertaining.

Rob Hudson
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Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, The Post, Nebraska) stars as Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody.

When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe, The Shack), is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen, Wonder Woman), seems to pull only further away.

The aftermath of the incident strikes a match to Hutch’s long-simmering rage, triggering dormant instincts and propelling him on a brutal path that will surface dark secrets and lethal skills. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must save his family from a dangerous adversary (famed Russian actor Aleksey Serebryakov, Amazon’s McMafia)—and ensure that he will never be underestimated as a nobody again.

Nobody is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry), from a script by Derek Kolstad, the narrative architect of the John Wick franchise, and co-stars legendary Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s father and multi-hyphenate musician-actor RZA as Hutch’s brother, whose own hidden talents aid Hutch in his quest for vengeance.

Nobody hits Aussie cinemas April 1!

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Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, The Post, Nebraska) stars as Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody.

When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe, The Shack), is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen, Wonder Woman), seems to pull only further away.

The aftermath of the incident strikes a match to Hutch’s long-simmering rage, triggering dormant instincts and propelling him on a brutal path that will surface dark secrets and lethal skills. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must save his family from a dangerous adversary (famed Russian actor Aleksey Serebryakov, Amazon’s McMafia)—and ensure that he will never be underestimated as a nobody again.

Nobody is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry), from a script by Derek Kolstad, the narrative architect of the John Wick franchise, and co-stars legendary Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s father and multi-hyphenate musician-actor RZA as Hutch’s brother, whose own hidden talents aid Hutch in his quest for vengeance.

The film is produced by Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, the filmmakers of Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Deadpool 2 and Atomic Blonde, for their company 87North, by Braden Aftergood (Hell or High Water, Wind River) for his Eighty Two Films, and by Bob Odenkirk and Marc Provissiero (Hulu’s PEN15) for Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment. The film is executive produced by Derek Kolstad, Marc S. Fischer and Tobey Maguire.

Nobody will be released in Australian cinemas March 2021!

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With director Patty Jenkins back at the helm and Gal Gadot returning in the title role, “Wonder Woman 1984” is Warner Bros. Pictures’ follow up to the DC Super Hero’s first outing, 2017’s record-breaking “Wonder Woman,” which took in $822 million at the worldwide box office.

WONDER WOMAN 1984 also stars Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen.

WONDER WOMAN 1984 releases in Australia in theatres on June 4, 2020.
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