10. The Legend of Tarzan

The sheer epic-ness of the world’s original pulp hero was brought back to the big screen with immense scope and scale thanks to the grand vision of director David Yates. The Legend of Tarzan was fierce and uncompromising, and took audiences back to a long forgotten time and a mythical jungle landscape. Alexander Skarsgard was in full hero mode as the legendary Tarzan, and carried a physique of god-like proportions, while Margot Robbie was no damsel as his beloved wife Jane. The chemistry between these two was sizzling and not for one moment did my adrenaline stop pumping in this all-action adventure.

9. The Magnificent Seven

The west sure got wild thanks to this high-octane gunslinging adventure from director Antoine Fuqua that took one of cinema’s greatest ever films and re-imagined it for a whole new generation. Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Chris Pratt were all quick on the draw and steadfast in their actions, while Haley Bennett proved that she could wrangle the bad guys just as much as the boys, and was a crack shot with a long rifle. The Magnificent Seven was a thumping ride from beginning to end and was a terrific ode to the grand old westerns of the past.

8. Allied

Heart-wrenching love and terrible secrets kept me guessing every second in this ticking time bomb of a movie that delivered big bangs and even bigger shocks. The tension never eased for a moment in Allied, and director Robert Zemeckis sure knows how to keep his audience on edge. Stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard had undeniable chemistry together and brought incredible focus to this tightly wound thriller. Allied’s production design and costuming also brought back memories of Hollywood’s golden era, and I certainly did not anticipate that shocking ending.

7. The Light Between Oceans

Love is the most powerful force of all, and director Derek Cianfrance explored its ecstatic highs and heartbreaking lows in this emotionally evocative piece of drama. Michael Fassbender was at the top of his game, but it was Alicia Vikander who stole every scene as a woman and a mother who could not bear to let her child go. The tears certainly flowed while watching The Light Between Oceans, and Cianfrance also gifted us with the beautiful cinematography of Adam Arkapew, which made this film even more emotionally heartfelt.

6. Doctor Strange

The Marvel Universe’s greatest ever magician finally found his way to the big screen this year thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch, and man-o-man was Doctor Strange a mind trip! Director Scott Derrickson brought the hallucinogenic images of Steve Ditko’s art to life in all their vivid detail, and threw his audience head first into the astral plain. And as for Cumberbatch, the British thespian was all we could have wanted and more as the snarky, pretentious know-it-all who falls to historic lows before finally rising up and becoming the Master of the Mystic Arts. Wild, entertaining and very, very cool, Doctor Strange proved that Marvel certainly has plenty more surprises in store for its legions of fans.

5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

The force was indeed strong with Gareth Edwards’ standalone galactic adventure Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which told the hard-won battle of the Rebel Alliance’s fight to steal the Death Star plans, and turn the tide of the war against The Empire. A stunning ensemble cast lead by Felicity Jones provided plenty of terrific new characters, along with lots of heroic actions. But the real power of Rogue One came from Edwards’ ability to put his audience deep into the heart of the film’s climatic battle scenes, as the Rebel Alliance stormed the beaches of Scariff to put an end to The Empire’s super weapon in a desperate do-or-die mission.

4. Hunt for the Wilderpeople

This instant Kiwi classic was sheer laugh-out-loud hilarity thanks to the combined talents of Hollywood veteran Sam Neill and the charm of hell raising teenager and ‘bad egg’ Ricky Baker, who was played to perfection by newcomer Julian Dennison. This good’ol tramping movie struck out deep into the untamed bush of New Zealand, and followed the misadventures of these totally unique characters as they rebelled against a society that had given up on them, before eventually finding strength and a sense of family with one another. Once again director Taika Waititi’s comedic timing was incredible, and his surprise cameo appearance had me in stitches. You simply couldn’t find a better comedy this year.

3. The Nice Guys

There was no better team up this year than Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as mismatched hoodlum Jackson Healy and inept private investigator Holland March, who find themselves way over their heads in this laugh-out-loud black comedy from Shane Black. Packed with cracking dialogue, and tough guy swagger, The Nice Guys was a classic noir tale that sucked you into Hollywood’s seedy underbelly of the 1970s as these two ‘amateurs’ did everything they could to right a terrible wrong, along with turning a tidy profit in the process. The Nice Guys was a thoroughly entertaining watch and one of the best films I saw all year.

2. La La Land

The cinematic experience didn’t get more magnificent than Damien Chazelle’s lavish musical sensation La La Land. This throwback to the grand musicals of Hollywood’s golden era was packed with a terrific jazz-infused score and was bursting at the edges with pop energy. While Ryan Gosling channelled Fred Astaire’s dance moves and Frank Sinatra’s laid back cool, Emma Stone brought a great deal of heart and soul to this thumping movie. If ever there was a film to champion the magic of those who dream then it most definitely was La La Land. 

1. Deadpool

But it all it comes down to this. My favourite film of the year was undoubtedly the ultra-violent and incredibly crazy superhero action adventure love tale that was Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds knocked it out of the park as the Merc with a Mouth and proved that his snazzy one-liners were just as lethal as his sword skills. Reynolds, along with director Tim Miller held nothing back in this love letter to the cult comic book character, and it really showed on screen. Deadpool was pure, crazy, cinematic fun at its best.

The post Top 10 Films of 2016 – Sam’s Picks appeared first on SpicyPulp.

In a tale of high adventure and wild romance, Tarzan of the Apes lives again thanks to the genius and passion of director David Yates. Working from the idea that audiences know the basic history of Tarzan, Yates takes his story in a different direction, focusing on his central character’s return to nature, and rediscovery of his inner savage as he fights to save the ones he loves.

Holding his own on the big screen as Lord John Clayton/Tarzan is Alexander Skarsgard, whose physical commitment to the character is  clear to see. Skarsgard truly gives his all as this classic hero, and his transformation from mere mortal to jungle beast (which has been well documented) definitely shows on screen. Skarsgard is the truest representation of Edgar Rice Burrough’s character that I’ve ever witnessed, and he balances an animalist strength with grace and agility as he swings through the jungle. But while his physical skills are outstanding, it is his handling of the Tarzan’s emotional core that really impresses. He crafts the presence of a man who is lost between two worlds and racked by the pain of not belonging.

Joining Skarsgard’s Tarzan in his adventures is Margot Robbie as his beloved wife Jane Porter. But this is not the Jane of yesteryear, and this fiery redhead is no damsel in distress. Pragmatic, feisty, sharp, quick-witted and sassy, Robbie’s Jane is a fireball who throws back quick one-liners and gives as good as she gets, utilising her unique knowledge of the jungle to bring out the worst fears in her captors. Whether playing up the seriousness of her character’s kidnapping or the love she has for Tarzan, Robbie is completely committed to the character, and completely steals every scene she’s in.

Joining these two phenomenal young talents is Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson, who has plenty of fun as true life explorer and adventurer George Washington Williams. Williams uses Tarzan’s mission to the jungle as a way to right wrongs and uncover the misdeeds of greed and corruption of a foreign power. Giving both support and wisdom, Jackson’s adventurer provides the audience with a deeper insight into the character of Clayton as he transitions back to the man he once was as Tarzan, and he’s also first into every action scene with his own set of big guns.

Tarzan is always one to have a worthy adversary, and it doesn’t get much better than Christoph Waltz as the disturbing Captain Leon Rom, a mercenary with his own agenda and whose nastiness knows no bounds. Waltz definitely applies considerable creep factor in his face-to-face meetings with Jane, and his total lack of empathy for human life is chilling to watch.

The Legend of Tarzan combines amazing practical effects and CGI to bring to life the untamed wilds of the jungle, and the great apes who rule it. Skarsgard’s interactions with his ape family are beautiful to watch, and his challenge for leadership of the pack makes for a brutal action set piece. Praise must also be given to Henry Braham’s exquisite cinematography, which captures the rich colours and vast scale of the jungles of the Congo. Audiences will find themselves getting lost in the grandness of the sights that appear in front of them.

With a superb story, great characters, epic action and amazing visuals, The Legend of Tarzan is a film experience that will have you gripped from beginning to end.

Image: Roadshow Films

The post ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Check out the final trailer below:

The Legend of Tarzan will be released in theatres on June 30 in New Zealand and Australia, and on July 1 in the US and UK.

The post Skarsgard unleashes the beast in ‘Legend of Tarzan’ final trailer appeared first on SpicyPulp.

After teasing the song on his Instagram, Hozier has now released the full music video, which has the singer at a piano inter-spliced with some terrific new footage.

Hozier’s melodic voice accompanies the love ballad perfectly, and the new footage showcases the complex relationship that is shared between Alexander Skarsgard’s John Clayton, and his soulmate Jane Potter, played by Margot Robbie.

The Legend of Tarzan will be released in theatres on June 30 in New Zealand and Australia, and on July 1 in the US and UK.

The post Hozier music video offers new footage from ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

While star Alexander Skarsgard is sure to enjoy plenty of vine-swinging action as the mighty Lord of the apes, it’s his mission in the jungles of the Congo that draws out the historical implications of the film. Set during the height of the Belgian occupation of the Free Congo State, Skarsgard’s Clayton will find an ally in real-life Civil War veteran and African American historian George Washington Williams, played by the legendary Samuel L. Jackson.

Williams’ involvement in the plot is crucial to the story. Following the American Civil War, he travelled to the Congo and was witness to the atrocities inflicted upon the natives by the Belgian contingent on orders from King Leopold II. Leopold had invaded the Congo region in an effort to exploit the lucrative ivory and rubber trades that were established there, and he was not above using terror to get what he wanted. In 1890, Williams took steps to address these atrocities publically to both the king and the international community in a damning letter and legal case, where he called for an investigation to be carried out.

Williams’ real-life journey will provide the backdrop for The Legend of Tarzan, where he teams up with the fictional hero to bring down the Belgian contingent and save Jane. In the trailers released so far, Samuel L. Jackson’s Williams is shown as a dynamic man of action, who will do whatever is necessary to restore justice.

The film has been given another historical touch in the form of Christoph Waltz’s chief antagonist Captain Leon Rom. This debonair but twisted villain has the cadence of a big game hunter, and appears to bear some kind of personal vendetta against Tarzan. Waltz’s portrayal appears to be in keeping with his real-life counterpart, who was a sadistic Belgian soldier appointed to annex the Congo State. He personally enslaved many Congolese into forced labour camps, and showed no mercy to those who fought back. His villainy was so well known that he even inspired famed author Joseph Conrad’s infamous Colonel Kurtz in a Heart of Darkness. Waltz has long had a skill for villainy, and he should prove to be a worthy adversary for both Tarzan and Williams.

The Legend of Tarzan will be released in theatres on June 30 in New Zealand and Australia and on July 1 in the US and UK.

Image source: Roadshow Films.

The post The true history behind ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

In addition to showcasing the film’s breathtaking cinematography, the trailer also gives us an insight into Tarzan’s youth amongst the Gorilla tribes of the Congo, as well as showcasing more of the pulp hero as the gentlemanly Lord John Clayton the Third.

Alexander Skarsgård transforms into the King of the Jungle in our exclusive sneak peek at @LegendofTarzan.https://t.co/d8yKDSxYq1

— IMAX (@IMAX) June 6, 2016

Director David Yates appears to have done an amazing job with Edgar Rice Burrough’s iconic character, and Alexander Skarsgard has turned himself into a beast of a man to truly convey the strength and agility of this jungle warrior. With an excellent supporting cast including Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson, and two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz, audiences will be in for an awesome action adventure ride when The Legend of Tarzan is released in cinemas on June 30 in New Zealand and Australia and on July 1 in the US and UK.

The post IMAX trailer for ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ reveals the ferocity of the jungle appeared first on SpicyPulp.

The first spot focuses in on Tarzan’s animalistic fury, while the second zones in on his relationship with his true love Jane Porter (Margot Robbie), and their first meeting in the jungle.

In a third TV spot we finally get to hear Skarsgard speak, and his English accent as the gentrified Lord John Clayton III is spot on in terms of its British upper-classness. This spot also sets up what is likely to be one of the film’s central conflicts in the form of Clayton’s identity clash between being the gentlemanly Lord of Greystroke, while also fighting his base animal nature as the mythological Tarzan.

From everything we’ve seen so far it appears that director David Yates (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows) has crafted a film that will honour the source material and original writings of Edgar Rice Burroughs, as well as packing the energy and action that modern audiences expect from a summer blockbuster.

The Legend of Tarzan will be released on June 30 in New Zealand and Australia, and on July 1 in the US and UK.

Image source: Roadshow Films.

The post ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ unleashes fury in new TV spots appeared first on SpicyPulp.

The new trailer is packed with epic passion, and high action adventure, and introduces audiences to the Tarzan story from his birth in the jungle, to his adoption by the female gorilla Kala. It also reveals glimpses of his life in the wild, before he returns to the world of men to live out his life with his great love Jane Porter (Margot Robbie). Skarsgard looks absolutely heroic and at the peak of physical perfection as Lord John Clayton III, the man once known as Tarzan.

While Skarsgard holds the attention of the screen as the athletically gifted and silent hero Tarzan, his presence is magnified by the film’s supporting players including Robbie as the gorgeous and strong-willed Jane, who is definitely no damzel, while Christoph Waltz is perfectly villainous as Rom, who appears to have the cadence of a big game hunter who is looking to mount Tarzan’s own head upon his trophy case.

Packed with bone crunching fights and epic sweeping jungle swinging action, the world’s first pulp hero is back, and ready to enthral audiences when The Legend of Tarzan opens in theatres on June 30 in New Zealand and Australia, and on July 1 in the US and UK.

The post The wild roars in new trailer for ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Years have passed since John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke (Skarsgard), left the jungles of the Congo and he has now transitioned to the life of an English gentleman in 1880s Victorian London. Summoned by the Queen, Clayton and his beloved wife Jane (Margot Robbie) are dispatched back to the Congo as emissaries of Parliament. But when Clayton runs afoul of an old enemy, the despicable Captain Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), and Jane is taken from him, he is forced to return to his true nature as Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, and take back what was taken from him.

While Tarzan may have made his first appearance back in 1914, Yates is promising an entirely fresh. In discussing what audiences can expect, Skarsgard, in an interview with USA Today said, “it’s almost the opposite of the classic tale, where it’s about taming the beast. This is about a man who’s holding back and slowly as you peel off the layers, he reverts back to a more animalistic state and lets that side of his personality out.”

Yates is also promising a very 21st century take on the character of Jane Porter, explaining that she is “in no way a passive partner to Tarzan. She’s a really strong, assertive, beautifully knowledgeable, very sexy modern woman who can more than look after herself.”

Yates’ supporting cast are just as impressive as his leads with Samuel L. Jackson playing real-life soldier George Washington Williams, Djimon Hounsou as Tarzan’s ally Chief Mbonga and Christoph Waltz who is teasing another tantalizing and vile villain as Belgium mercenary Captain Rom.

The Legend of Tarzan is set to roar into cinemas on June 30, 2016 in Australia and New Zealand, July 1, 2016 in the US, and July 8, 2016 in the UK.

The post The lord of the jungle rises in first trailer for ‘The Legend Of Tarzan’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.