The story as it exists involves a single mother Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son Travis (Chase Dillon) who move into an old mansion in backwater Louisiana. When it turns out to be haunted they enlist the help of scientist Ben Matthias (LaKeith Stanfield) to help rid the house of its unwanted visitors.

If anyone has ever actually ridden on the Disneyland ride, it is quite impressive how many of that ride’s visual elements are incorporated into the movie. This includes a ghost under glass, Madame Leota (Jamie Lee Curtis) who is trapped inside a crystal ball. When the film hits its stride the screen is busting with flying apparitions.

If you fancy yourself a film buff, you owe it to yourself to see Haunted Mansion as it will give you an almost lifetime supply of Razzie fodder and fill you with thoughts of nominations for one of those golden raspberries. It will also fuel many a discussion about the best of the worst.
Rob Hudson
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Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, “Haunted Mansion” is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. The film’s producers are Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, with Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman serving as executive producers.

Haunted Mansion will be coming to Australian cinemas August 31!
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Directed by Justin Simien, the film features an all-star cast ensemble cast including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Dan Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost.

Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, “Haunted Mansion” is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. The film’s producers are Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, with Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman serving as executive producers.
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Set after the fall of the Empire, “Ahsoka” follows the former Jedi knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.

In addition to Dawson, “Ahsoka” stars Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla. The series is written by Dave Filoni, who executive produces alongside Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, and Carrie Beck. Karen Gilchrist is co-executive producer.

“Ahsoka” will debut exclusively on Disney+ in August 2023.
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Directed by award-winning filmmaker Justin Simien, the film features an all-star ensemble cast including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Dan Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost.

Director Simien says, “As a lifelong fan of the Haunted Mansion attraction, I’m beyond excited to share the teaser trailer for our new film adaptation featuring an incredible cast. Our team has worked tirelessly to create a scary, funny and cinematic otherworldly adventure for both new and die-hard fans to enjoy! I can’t wait for audiences to experience this big screen version of the iconic Disney attraction.”

Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, “Haunted Mansion” is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. The film’s producers are Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, with Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman serving as executive producers.
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With Double Tap, you have the same core actors, the same director and two of the same screenplay writers but it just doesn’t consistently hit its targets. Adding new cast members doesn’t really enhance things either. Except for Rosario Dawson, whose new character is well written and gets to kick serious ass.

The script also makes some strange choices in structure with two of the main cast members (Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin) leaving the action after the second reel and one not even returning until the film’s final conclusion. They have wisely let Woody Harrelson do what he does best and he enlivens most of the scenes he’s in.

The filmmakers have really tried to keep thing fresh and there are a good number of laughs along the way. It just feels like it could have worked so much better with a more well thought out script. It’s like the chemistry was slightly off and the recipe was missing those final one or two ingredients to make a really memorable meal.

Rob Hudson
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A decade after Zombieland became a hit film and a cult classic, the lead cast (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone) have reunited with director Ruben Fleischer (Venom) and the original writers Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick (Deadpool) for Zombieland: Double Tap.

In the sequel, written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and Dave Callaham, through comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, these four slayers must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, as well as some new human survivors. But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own snarky, makeshift family.

Starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch and Luke Wilson, Zombieland: Double Tap will be released in Australian Cinemas October 17!
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In the sequel, written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and Dave Callaham, through comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, these four slayers must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, as well as some new human survivors. But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own snarky, makeshift family.

Zombieland: Double Tap stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch and Luke Wilson, and will be released in Australian cinemas October 17!
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In the sequel, written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and Dave Callaham, through comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, these four slayers must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, as well as some new human survivors. But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own snarky, makeshift family.

Starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch and Luke Wilson, Zombieland: Double Tap will be released in Australian cinemas October 17!
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Following his success in the original Lego Movie, voice actor Will Arnett reprises his role of Batman / Bruce Wayne as he’s an excellent choice. His voice has just the right amount of wit and snark and he plays it all to the hilt. Without getting all the Batman fanboys and girl’s knickers in a bunch, the whole billionaire crime fighting playboy with a dark side gets the send up it so richly deserves and what better way to do that than with a world built on plastic pieces.

The animation this time out is a bit more conventional than the Lego Movie. Things like running water now look more CGI than before. In past the effect looked more stop motion animation and was represented by cascades of blue coloured plastic pieces, now it looks like it was created by a keyboard. It’s a change that takes away a bit of the original’s charm but was probably done as a cost cutting measure.

The kid friendly storyline this time focuses on the value of family and having people to share things with both good and bad. This gives the experience an accessible young person element that will sit well with the olds. For the rest of us, there is still much to admire amidst a world where the jokes come flying at you and hit more often than miss.

Rob Hudson
www.legobatman.com