Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

Mission: Impossible is by far my favourite action franchise. With the exception of Mission: Impossible II which was a huge misfire, I loved all the entries and, I don't know how they do it, but each movie they make is better than the previous instalment, and therefore I was very excited about Mission: Impossible - Fallout. And kinda pissed too because the film's release date here was moved from the end of July to the end of August. Thankfully, the long(er) wait did pay off. 

After choosing to save his team over rescuing three plutonium cores, IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is forced to work with CIA agent/assassin August Walker (Henry Cavill) to prevent the nuclear cores from falling into the hands of the Apostles, a terrorist group founded by the remains of the Syndicate. 

Although a little coincidental and one particular revelation came off as predictable (I'm not going to mention it but, whether you've seen the whole movie or just the trailer, I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about), Mission: Impossible - Fallout's is far from being your typical, brainless action flick plot. It is quite complex, maybe too complex for an action flick --you really need to pay attention while watching this one-- but it is so compelling and engaging, and the twists, although there's a little too much plot twisting, keep you guessing and glued to the screen from start to finish. 

The great plot isn't the only reason why this sixth instalment is better than its predecessor though. The characters play a huge role in that. After Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, I didn't think it was possible to humanize Ethan Hunt even more. Fallout proved me wrong as the Ethan Hunt we see in the film is an actual man with weaknesses and flaws --he chooses to save one life over millions-- but at the same time, he is also honourable and compassionate. However, it's not the writing but Tom Cruise's performance that makes the character more human and believable as he appears vulnerable and displays the right amount of emotions.

As for the supporting characters, Fallout does a great job by focusing on and developing the characters we already know rather than introducing plenty of new characters --there are some additions, like Henry Cavill's August Walker and Vanessa Kirby's captivating White Widow, but most of the characters are from previous movies. Ving Rhames's Luther and Simon Pegg's Benji are finally given more to do --while Luther still serves as the moral compass of the team, Benji, who finally gets to wear a mask, is no longer just a comic relief but a (more serious) man of action; Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa is still a very capable spy but there's more warmth to the character and Ferguson's chemistry with Cruise is amazing. Sean Harris returns as Solomon Lane and, although he doesn't have much to do, he still makes a pretty good, menacing villain.

Paramount Pictures

As for the action, it is simply spectacular. The sequences are more exciting and intense than ever. Jaw-dropping doesn't even come close to describing how good the action is. The fight scenes are great --although they are choreographed, the violence feels real--, and so are the car and bike chases, but it's the extended sequence of Tom Cruise running on London's rooftops --and actually breaking his ankle in the process-- and the halo jump that took my breath away --especially the latter as I was so anxious I almost forgot to breath.

The musical score by Lorne Balfe is outstanding. I still haven't read any review so I don't know how much he's been praised for it, but his score truly elevates the film as it adds suspense and fits every scene to perfection, and it's half the reason you'll be on the edge of your seat during the action.

Ultimately, Mission: Impossible - Fallout has the right balance of comedy, drama and action, it's fun and exciting, the cast share a great chemistry and Tom Cruise does all of his stunts --which makes the action so much more effective. What else could you ask for in an action flick?

Terminal (2018)

The fact that I haven't seen any promotion whatsoever for Terminal should have kept me away from the film. The fact that that it stars Margot Robbie and Simon Pegg who I both very much like, especially the latter, did not allow it. And here I am, struggling to write the storyline for Terminal as it barely has one. 

Basically, the film follows two assassins (Dexter Fletcher and Max Irons) who agreed to take on a high-risk mission for a mysterious employer, a fatally ill teacher (Simon Pegg) who wants to kill himself but does not have the guts to do it, a curious and crazy waitress (Margot Robbie) and a weird and creepy janitor (Mike Meyers). 

The lives of these people eventually intertwine and the outcome is a very, very predictable plot that feels dragged on and on forever. My wild guess is that writer and director Vaughn Stein has no idea what a proper noir/mystery story should be like. While there are some twists --actually, there's way too many of them--, their execution is terrible. They are delivered and explained to us through some dreadful dialogue lines. 

The characters didn't help with the effectiveness of the twists either. Having only five characters that are relevant to the story makes it pretty easy for us to guess who's who and how did they met in the past. Also worth mentioning is that every single character is as flat as a board. They are just a bunch of characters with dubious morals. They also are incredibly dull, and it's hard to care for any of them. 

The acting, however, is the aspect of Terminal that disappointed me the most. While she still is the best thing about this film, Margot Robbie overacts from start to finish in this and she is a little obnoxious as well. Not even Simon Pegg, who is criminally underused, nor Mike Meyers can save this.

RLJE Films, Arrow Films

Then there's this thing about Terminal that drove me insane. It's like the filmmakers couldn't decide whether they wanted to make a serious film, a dark comedy or one of those pathetic parody movies. Frankly, I don't know. 

It is visually stunning though, I'll give the film that. It's the futuristic neon, Blade Runner-esque cinematography many films have nowadays but it's beautiful nevertheless.

Spaced Gets the Axe, Dick Spared, Garcia Smolders

Well, it looks like The Dick Van Dyke Show's absence from streaming was only temporary. The series is officially back online. That means if you still haven't managed to check out this always funny and engaging program, you've got another chance to see what made it so special and such an integral part of TV history.

But before you catch up on the shenanigans of Rob and Laura Petrie & Co., take a few hours to check out the equally groundbreaking (if not as universally known) British comedy Spaced, scheduled to expire from Instant at midnight on the 17th (that's one minute past 11:59 P.M. on the 16th, for those who get confused by such things). As I wrote back in April, Spaced is far from your average britcom, and not only helped spawn the current era of post-modern television comedy (think 30 Rock and Arrested Development), it introduced the world to the talents of Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Nick Frost, who went on to make Shaun of the Dead and this year's The World's End (among many others). Less well-known but equally praiseworthy is their partner-in-crime, Jessica Stevenson, who co-wrote and co-starred with Pegg and offers a brand of endearing daffiness all her own. Made up of only 14 episodes spread over two seasons, Spaced is perfect for a binge watch before it takes its leave.

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Not Your Average Britcom: SPACED

Let's get Spaced

If you like your comedies smart and zingy and fueled with pop culture riffing, you're due for a visit to Spaced. Written by and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, Spaced is a British TV series that ran from 1999 to 2001 and still plays hummingly over a decade later. Long a cult favorite among geeks and filmmakers, it was well ahead of its time and credited as a major influence on the pace and comic style of such shows as Arrested Development, 30 Rock, and Community. What made it unique was not just the way it was made--more like a short film than a situation comedy--but its ability to mash together an offbeat, often surreal sense of humor with the pop culture-soaked psyches of its twenty-something leads.

Set in a suburban North London flat, the show's 14 episodes follow platonic roommates Tim (Pegg) and Daisy (Stevenson) as they learn to deal with living together, their oddball friends, and their larger place in the world. On its face that could describe any number of stories about slacker youth. But with its clever, finely tuned scripts and clueless yet sympathetic characters, Spaced brought a topical freshness to the drab sitcom world not unlike Quentin Tarantino's pop makeover of crime films.

Along with Pegg and Stevenson's scripts, equal credit goes to series director Edgar Wright, who went on to make Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. His resourceful touch utilized every ounce of ingenuity to give practically every scene a visual zip or ping, turning an ostensibly low-rent sitcom into a charmingly baroque cinematic funhouse.

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Exclusive Update: Alfonso Cuaron Lining Up For STAR WARS Ep VIII? Simon Pegg Going STAR WARS On Us?

You all know by now that we have some great sources embedded in key franchises - one of which is the mighty STAR WARS universe. Well the same source that gave us the exclusive that the third STAR WARS trilogy is going to happen, in 3D, without Lucas directing, that it will focus on the Skywalker offspring, and that the trilogy will follow in the original trilogy's tone is back.

So what's cooking now? How about Alfonso Cuaron getting up close and personal? I mentioned Episode VIII, but it could be Episode IX as well (or both for that matter). I would LOVE to see a STARS WARS movie directed by Cuaron. So many people are going to have the light turned on as to how brilliant a director he is after they see GRAVITY this year.

Anyway, I won't further spoil the spy info - so read on and we'll discuss afterwards!

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As far as I know Episode 7 was then, and is now, focusing on the Skywalker's offspring. As I told you before, I believe duel personalities develop, akin to Anakin and Obi Wan, and Luke and Vader in the first trilogies, which as far as I am aware, is the driving force behind the new trilogy. Things may change however, but I doubt it, this has been long in the making.

The focus is on the original trilogy in regards of reverence and tone. Remember I told you before that the tone was important, well I believe they are really taking that seriously. From everything I know, they're focusing on that directly. Remember everything has the ability to change drastically, as Star Wars right now apart from the twin trilogies is a huge blank canvas. However, the trilogies ongoing narrative will continue to focus on that particular branch, whereas the stand alone movies, will fill and expand the voids in between in multiple timelines, and have potential to then be franchised themselves in regards to the worlds they open up.

Yoda, Palpatine, Jabba, Boba, Plagueis etc.

I believe they are very clued into what fans would and wouldn't like, and considering Mr Ford himself may not be done with his character yet, I wouldn't start picketing Lucasfilm about young Han Solo movies being made just yet. Which I was led to believe couldn't be further from how they want to move forward creatively anyway.

Harrison Ford has been approached, he has not turned it down, and is from everything I hear, very interested in returning to the role of Han Solo again, but is not signed as was reported recently. Negotiating may be a better choice of words right now. Hope it shakes out.

Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher were also approached a long time ago, as was ford, and a few other key players. I would all but guarantee, they will be in Episode 7, and I would be confident that Ford will return too. If the universe aligns correctly.

J.J. Abrams name was brought up to me numerous times, but only in reference to re-brand and ground up respect for world building that the franchise was looking to take back then. Very sneaky. Interesting to see he was offered the most coveted and feared gig in cinema history. Ultimately he is the perfect choice to direct episode 7, and set up the franchise to steward through the first trilogy. The names I mentioned to you before, remember them (EDITOR'S NOTE: my source's director list can be found here). Alfonso Cuaron especially. Trust me.

J.J. Abrams mystery cube or whatever he is calling it today, is in full effect, Star Wars news is going to be very thin on the ground for the foreseeable future, but expect Simon Pegg to be involved in some capacity. Can't say why, but lets just say I have a strong feeling about that.

Star Wars fans, Kathleen and J.J have your interests at heart.

So, very interesting!! And what is Simon Pegg doing with STAR WARS? Ideas? Is he jumping with Abrams in some fashion? Clearly he is deep in STAR TREK but being the miracle worker that Scotty is, apparently Pegg is needed in the STAR WARS universe as well!

And Cuaron? Hopefully that happens. As of right now it is in the works, so fingers crossed! More exclusive STAR WARS, AVATAR and HOBBIT info when I get it!