STACK June 2017 Issue 152

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The Great Wall of China was more than just a
fortification to keep out desert raiders, it was also built
to protect the world from something worse... That's
according to this hugely entertaining fantasy adventure,
in which a pair of Western mercenaries (Matt Damon
and Pedro Pascal) side with an Eastern army to prevent
an invasion by a horde of legendary beasts. Directed
by Zhang Yimou ( Hero, House of Flying Daggers), this
Chinese/US co-production is executed with artistic flair
and lavish production values. The battle scenes are
grand and frequent, the pacing is brisk, the monsters are cool, and
Willem Dafoe pops up as an added bonus. The Great Wall delivers
nothing more or less than its simple pitch: Matt Damon fighting
monsters on the Great Wall of China. What's not to like? SH
What were they trying to keep out?
THE GREAT WALL
Release Date: OUT NOW Format:
all Street climber Dane DeHaan is sent to retrieve
is errant boss from a health spa in the Swiss Alps,
nly to become a patient himself at the creepy
anitarium following a car accident and broken leg.
pecialising in hydrotherapy, the facility is built over
n aquifer of incredible purity, but as DeHaan soon
iscovers, there's something nasty in the water…
aving helmed three Pirates of the Caribbean
lockbusters and the US remake of The Ring, director
Gore Verbinski is at his most creative here, delivering
a surreal cavalcade of ghoulishness in the tradition of asylum-set
chillers like House on Haunted Hill and Shutter Island. Surrender to
its outright insanity and you'll discover a cult movie in waiting, and
possibly the year's biggest guilty pleasure. SH
The multivitamin of gothic chillers.
A CURE FOR WELLNESS
Release Date: 21/06/17 Format:
The origin story of Australia's favourite film pooch
flashes back to his first owner (also the film's
narrator) during his youth in the 1960s. Sent to stay
on his grandfather’s cattle station in WA, Mick (Levi
Miller) finds himself surrounded by quirky locals that
bring their own fair dinkum brand of humour to the
story. Friendships are formed but none can compare
with the bond that develops between the 11-year-old
and his canine best mate, Blue. Although a different
breed to its smash hit predecessor and primarily
aimed at younger viewers, this charming tale of a boy and his dog
will nevertheless still enchant the many who’ve already taken the
journey with Red Dog – and will relish the chance to discover where
the legendary Pilbara Wanderer’s journey really began. SC-H
Every legend has a beginning.
RED DOG: TRUE BLUE
Release Date: 07/06/17 Format:
Go Go Power Rangers! Based on the cheesy 1993 TV
eries Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, this big screen
pdate assembles five teenage outsiders (Becky G.,
acre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler and Ludi
in) into a colour-coded super group who must prevent
e evil Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) from getting
er mitts on a prehistoric crystal that contains the life
rce of the planet. Fortunately, they have former ranger
ordon (Bryan Cranston) and his trusty robot sidekick
lpha 5 (Bill Hader) to train them in the mighty art of
morphin’. Reimagined as a coming-of-age tale in superhero clothing,
Power Rangers dutifully captures the spirit of a show many will fondly
remember from their childhood, upping the quality of the VFX and the
Ranger suit designs – and just as importantly, the robotic Zords. AK
It's morphin time!
POWER RANGERS
Release Date: 28/06/17 Format:
REVIEWS DVD&BD