Tag Archives: Dwayne Johnson

SKYSCRAPER (2018): The Things I Liked…

Skyscraper (2018), Dwayne Johnson
Skyscraper (2018), Dwayne Johnson

I definitely enjoyed Skyscraper much more than I expected to. Part of the reason is that I feel Johnson acted well in his role as Will Ford, an assessor of the security of skyscrapers, and a man who finds himself framed when suddenly the safest building in the world (The Pearl) is on fire.

Written/directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, I liked the story, the pace and the fact that I was engaged throughout. The action sequences were thrilling, which meant I had so much fun overall that I maybe almost didn’t notice the truly unbelievable number of near-death scenarios that Ford and his family seemed to conveniently escape.

Another thing that stood out for me as Skyscraper played is how much the young actors playing Ford’s kids looked like they could actually be Johnson’s children. I also noticed how little they looked like Ford’s wife (Neve Campbell). Lastly, I was surprised to find myself less annoyed by the instances of product placement than I usually would be. In fact, I doubt that I can think of Skyscraper in the future without remembering the products in question.

In addition to thoroughly thrilling me, Skyscraper now has me wanting to visit Hong Kong even sooner than previously planned. Before you start worrying though, I promise I’m very much aware that The Pearl isn’t real.

Also starring Pablo Schreiber, Roland Møller and Chin Han; watch it for the thrills, and so you can see how far Johnson has come as an actor.

Happy Film Loving,

G

JUMANJI – WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (2017): The Thing I Liked…

Jumanji (2017), Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Kevin Hart
Jumanji (2017), Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Kevin Hart

Starring Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Karen Gillan, I found Jumanji – Welcome To The jungle to be OK. It’s just the kind of silly fun that kids will likely love most. It’s well modernised and there were some amusing moments, especially courtesy of  Jack Black’s portrayal of a teenage girl and Kevin Hart’s one-liners.

The reason that Jumanji is OK and not great is because by the end, I felt as though something was missing from the movie. Perhaps it’s substance, heart, character development or a mixture and then some, but for me, the amusing and clever moments aside, something is definitely missing at the very core. It doesn’t help that I wasn’t wholly convinced of Nick Jonas’s acting skills.

As I watched the film, the jungle setting did have me reminiscing about how much fun I had while watching Kong Skull Island (2017).

Overall, I say watch Jumanji – Welcome To The Jungle if you’re curious enough. It may just be the kind of silly fun you need.

Happy Film Loving,

G

SKYSCRAPER (2018): New Trailer From Dwayne Johnson, Pablo Schreiber, Neve Campbell…

Skyscraper (2018), Dwayne Johnson
Skyscraper (2018), Dwayne Johnson

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Skyscraper (2018).


In new action movie Skyscraper, Dwayne Johnson is Will Ford, former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader and U.S. war veteran.

On assignment for his new job in China as assessor of the security of skyscrapers, Ford finds himself framed when suddenly, the safest building in the world is ablaze.

Also starring Pablo Schreiber and Neve Campbell, Skyscraper is directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber.

I like Johnson. I particularly enjoy watching him get better and better at his relatively new career as an actor. Hopefully, this movie will prove a winner.

I kind of feel as though I’m forgetting something as I type this, but my favourite of his acting roles so far is probably what he does in HBO’s Ballers series.

Skyscraper Release Dates: July 13th, 2018 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

RAMPAGE (2018): New Trailer From Dwayne Johnson, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Naomie Harris…

Rampage (2018), Naomie Harris, Dwayne Johnson
Rampage (2018), Naomie Harris, Dwayne Johnson

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Naomie Harris, Rampage is a new action/adventure/sci-fi movie that’s based on the classic 1980s video game that features apes and monsters destroying cities…

King Kong-like story combined with the end of the world, except that Johnson is playing a regular hero, not a super one with a cape.

I’ll probably watch just to see how much of Johnson’s one liners I can take before I’ve had enough. In other words, I’m tuning in on the strength of The Rock’s charisma. A great reason, obviously.

Rampage Release Dates: April 13th, 2018 (UK); April 20th, 2018 (US)…

Happy film Loving,

G

BAYWATCH (2017): The Things I Liked…

Baywatch (2017), Zac Efron, Dwayne Johnson
Baywatch (2017), Zac Efron, Dwayne Johnson

Random great one liners here and there are really the main highlight in the 2017 version of Baywatch.

Directed by Seth Gordon and starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Priyanka Chopra and Alexandra Daddario, this is a film that made me laugh, mostly when I watched the trailer. It’s also really unfortunate that Gordon’s movie happens to contain some seriously cringeworthy moments and dialogue. If by some chance you’re a fan of cringe, then you’re definitely in luck!

I remember people complaining about Ed Sheeran’s cameo on Game of Thrones, but I’d like to add that David Hasselhoff’s appearance in Baywatch is probably far more awkward. In fact, I’m at the point of thinking that the original Baywatch television series about a group of California lifeguards may have had a little more substance than this re-imagining.

The first thing about Gordon’s movie that disappointed me is the lack of sufficient character backstory. How else was I going to connect with them and become invested when I hardly know a thing about most of the key players? 

The way the story was written had me thinking about how dissatisfied the Baywatch characters must have been with their own jobs. Especially since, in Seth Gordon’s movie, they appear to be so unhappy that they assume the roles of police officers. I mean, isn’t that illegal? Did the TV series also take things this far, and I just didn’t notice?

I know that this is a movie, and things often have to be ‘bigger and better’ in movie versions and sequels. However, for me, it was definitely bigger, but instead of better, it’s beyond ridiculous.

If I had to pick a favourite moment, in this film, I choose the beautiful fireworks display towards the end. That’s really it because the trailer proved better than the finished product. A far too common trend with comedies, it seems.

Of course, watch it only if you absolutely must.

Happy Film Loving,

G