The Last Duel Digital Copy Review

 

Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) are friends and squires in 14th century France, who faithfully serve their count, Pierre d’Alençon (Ben Affleck), and his cousin King Charlies VI. When Le Gris viciously assaults Carrouges’ wife Lady Marguerite (Jodie Comer), she bravely and defiantly accuses her attacker. Jean challenges Le Gris to a trial by combat, a duel to the death, which places the fate of all three in God’s hands.

The Last Duel is literally Ridley Scott’s Rashomon. The story, told around the crime of a rape, is told three times from each perspective and plays with time and character development. The cast is stellar and delivers solid performances. There is also a focus on the process of film-making with the importance of camera angles, performance, direction and editing to bring the three perspectives of the same event together.

If you have seen Rashomon, then this will be a pale comparison of the Kurosawa classic. If you haven't then you may find this film perfectly compelling. At the end of the day, I still found Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel as a solid film. 

Video 

The Last Duel digital copy arrives on 4K Ultra-HD in Dolby Vision where available. The images are outstanding despite the dark and gloomy settings. Blacks are rich and there are quite natural in terms of shadows and darkness. Textures on fabrics stand out but the star here is anything with fire and the glowing effect they produce.  Another great transfer for 20th Century Studios.

Audio

The Last Duel comes with a wonderful Dolby Atmos mix. The sound stage is large and booming in the battle scenes. The rear channels provide steady ambiance to create a good sense of depth. The dialogue is also crystal clear and well prioritized. 

Extras

Surprisingly light on extras here. 

The Making of The Last Duel (HD, 33:48) – A collection of on set footage and photography from Ridley Scott’s daughter Cuba. It features some showcasing of Ridley’s directing, conversations on the set to figure out sequences and some actors giving thoughts on the the film. All done during Covid as people have various safety gear and methods going on.

Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:29)

Summary

Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel finds itself being a solid film with great performances. The digital 4K version looks pristine and the Dolby Atmos track creates and thoroughly immersive experience in your home. There is only one featurette, but its over 30 minutes and it is wonderful to see Ridley Scott making the film. Pick up one of the year’s best with The Last Duel on digital 4K now or the physical copy 4K UHD, blu-ray or dvd on December 14th.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER WORLD PREMIERE PHOTOS

Last night in Los Angeles, stars Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Naomi Ackie, Anthony Daniels, Richard E. Grant, Ian McDiarmid, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran and Billy Dee Williams were joined by director/writer/producer J.J. Abrams and producers Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan for a walk down the red carpet where they greeted enthusiastic fans at the world premiere of STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER.

     

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER opens in U.S. theaters this Friday, December 20.

D23 SPECIAL LOOK AT STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

Thousands of fans attending D23 Expo this past weekend got an advance viewing of this special look at STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. Feel free to share the special look with your readers!

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER releases in U.S. theaters on December 20.

  

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in U.S. theaters on December 20.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, and Billy Dee Williams.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was written by J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio.

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Star Wars: Episode IX Begins Production

STAR WARS: EPISODE IX CAST ANNOUNCED

RETURNING AND NEW CAST MEMBERS WILL JOIN TOGETHER FOR THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF THE SKYWALKER SAGA

Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming at London’s Pinewood Studios on August 1, 2018. J.J. Abrams returns to direct the final installment of the Skywalker saga. Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio.

Returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast of Episode IX are Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant, who will be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.

The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” says Abrams. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s A New Hope, will return to a galaxy far, far away with Episode IX.

Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Michelle Rejwan, and executive produced by Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin. The crew includes Dan Mindel (Director of Photography), Rick Carter and Kevin Jenkins (Co-Production Designers), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Neal Scanlan (Creature and Droid FX), Maryann Brandon and Stefan Grube (Editors), Roger Guyett (VFX Supervisor), Tommy Gormley (1st AD), and Victoria Mahoney (2nd Unit Director).

Release is scheduled for December 2019.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI EUROPEAN PREMIERE PHOTOS

Tonight in London, stars Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro were joined by writer/director Rian Johnson and producers Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman for a walk down the red carpet where they greeted enthusiastic fans at the European premiere of Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI.

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended the Royal Premiere, which was hosted to benefit The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The Royal Foundation invited more than 400 young people, military veterans and volunteers who have taken part in its programs to join Their Royal Highnesses at the premiere. The premiere was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate people who have worked so hard to change their lives and the lives of others.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens in U.S. theaters on December 15.

Spoiler-Free Review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

It has been two years since we last saw our friends and enemies in The Force Awakens. They are all back with new friends for the eighth installment of the Star Wars Saga, The Last Jedi. Just as in my review for The Force Awakens, this will be a spoiler-free review and I can tell you that the trailers and TV spots really give away nothing.

The Last Jedi takes the spirit and the energy of The Force Awakens and keeps right on running forward with it! The pacing is perfect and while listed as the longest running time of any Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi could have easily gone another hour and we would have never known it. Every shot is about moving the story forward. There is so much going on and so much to process but yet at the same time you do not feel overwhelmed. And while this is perhaps the most emotionally powerful of all the Star Wars films, I would even go out on a limb and say that it is the funniest as well. A perfect balance of emotion and humor keeps this movie rolling right along like BB-8.

Mark Hamill and Carrie Fischer shine here. This is easily both of their best performances in a Star Wars film.  But their performances are easily overshadowed by Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver. As Rey and Kylo Ren, they knock it out of the galaxy.  They take their characters to places I never thought they would go and they excel every step of the way. And new comer Kellie Marie Tran as Rose is a sensation. You will fall in love with her.

While some accuse The Force Awakens of paying too much fan service to A New Hope, The Last Jedi does pay some homage to The Empire Strikes Back but this is not a rehash of that film. The Last Jedi explores each of the characters more deeply as we learn so much more about each one of them. The characters are at the forefront, pushing themselves and the story forward. And there are some emotional payoffs that were decades in the making.

Immediately, I rank this as my third favorite Star Wars film right behind The Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope. The Last Jedi is powerful, emotional, funny and just epic. There are also some of the most spectacular action and stunning visuals of the entire saga.

Rian Johnson and his team move the saga forward in powerful and stunning ways. Never afraid to take big risks and the payoff is huge. I cannot wait to see what happens in Episode 9 and I cannot wait to see what Rian Johnson has in store for us with his own Star Wars trilogy.

My advice is to avoid spoilers at all costs!

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters December 15.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI WORLD WORLD PREMIERE PHOTOS (PHOTO HEAVY)

Last night in Los Angeles, stars Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro were joined by writer/director Rian Johnson and producers Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman for a walk down the red carpet where they greeted enthusiastic fans at the world premiere of Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens in U.S. theaters on December 15.

PHOTOS FROM STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI JAPAN RED CARPET FAN EVENT

Photos from the STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI red carpet fan event in Tokyo!

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens in U.S. theaters on December 15.

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. 

The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.            

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Training Featurette

Join Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie and Kelly Marie Tran as they are put through their paces learning how to fight for Star Wars: The Last Jedi in “Training Day.”

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in U.S. theaters on December 15, 2017.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI - HIGH RES TEASER TRAILER STILLS

Stills from the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi!

Spoiler-Free Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

It's been a little over three years since Disney announced they were purchasing Lucasfilm and making more Star Wars films. After years of hype and speculation, the first Star Wars film without George Lucas, is finally here. This will be a spoiler-free review. However, I must tell you that the trailers and TV spots have given away absolutely nothing!

Star Wars is simply back! Forget the awkwardness of the prequels and trying to bring The Force into the scientific world, this is the return to the spirit of the original trilogy! While there is nothing better than seeing old friends from the original trilogy back on the big screen, it is truly the action, the humor as well as the energy that has been recaptured here.

The Force Awakens introduces to us a whole new group of actors who will move the franchise forward. The new cast will impress you. The dynamic between John Boyega's Finn and Daisy Ridley's Rey is wonderful. It feels warmly familiar and yet different all at the same time. They seemlessly blend in with the established cast of Han Solo, Leia and Chewbacca. But the real strength is Adam Driver's performance as Kylo Ren. Kylo is powerful, cruel and angry. BB-8 is a complete joy and if you haven't fallen in love with him yet, you will.

The Force Awakens also recaptures the feeling of A New Hope. That feeling that just in front of you is adventure and greatness. These things were definitely missing in the prequels. The same sense of hope and wonder from the original trilogy is here in The Force Awakens.

The familiarity here has as much to do with the dialogue as it does with the use of both practical and computer effects. Lawrence Kasdan brought that level of familiarity to The Force Awakens. Having rewritten The Empire Strikes Back and co-writing Return of The Jedi, no one understands the characters of Han Solo, Leia and Chewbacca better and it shows here. J.J. Abrams brings with him his clear understanding of tightly controlled storytelling, with a fantastic ability of setting things up and paying them off and a real feel for action. The lightsaber battles feel more fluid and realistic than even the ones we witnessed in the prequel trilogy. Even the X-Wing and TIE fighter battles have a real sense of physicality that not even the prequels could come close to.

J.J. Abrams and his team have created a film that lives up to not only the Star Wars name, but to fan expectations as well. But perhaps the films greatest achievement is that the film can be enjoyed without having seen the original trilogy. I cannot wait to see what both Rian Johnson and Colin Tevorrow have planned for the following sequels.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - Tokyo Fan Event!

 J.J. Abrams, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Adam Driver attended a fan event in Tokyo, Japan!