The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
IF goodbye is the hardest thing to say to a loved one then it should follow that a “hello again” is the easiest thing to say, right?
It has been three weeks since my last instalment and so much has happened in the world of film and television since; so much so that a simple hello just does not sound good enough to announce my return.
As far as film is concerned, the biggest story to come out in the last few weeks was the much anticipated release of “Terminator — Genisys”. Its release was initially characterised by a lukewarm reception, especially in North America.
Debuting with a modest US$28 million in its opening weekend, the film was slaughtered by the so-called top movie pundits, with prophets of doom doubting that the film would even make the US$450 million required for Paramount Studios to break even.
However, the same critics have had to swallow their words, the film has had phenomenal success worldwide such that Paramount Studios is reportedly contemplating revisiting their shelved plans for 2018 and 2019 prequels and get this — they have the Chinese to thank.
Only last week, the film saw a surge in sales and tickets, estimated to be at around US$350 million in China alone.
I finally managed to get my hands on a copy of the film and I completely disagree with some of the reviews that had been floating around on the internet.
While “Terminator Genisys” is no masterpiece, it should be put on record that the film is years ahead of the movie reboots released in the last couple of years.
Yes, the duo of Emilia Clarke and Jai Courtney are no Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn in their portrayals of Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese but I believe the Laeta Kalogridis-led writing team did a good job in giving these two a fresh take on the roles.
The writers actually took time into characterisation and this makes this movie one of my favourites. Clarke’s Sarah Connor has all the toughness and appeal of Linda Hamilton’s version but with less seriousness and a bit more charm and humour. The mere fact that she was well aware of future events and her role in the story saw her going through some internal struggle, which was a joy to watch unravel.
John Connor, who has been at the heart of the entire franchise, was by all counts the weakest and most unappealing character. The fact that he gets turned into a baddie and dies opens for the film progress instead of going in circles like we have seen it since 1984 when the movie was first released and later adapted to a television series.
Also, kudos to the likes of CK Simmons, Clarke and Jason Clarke for some solid and entertaining performances.
Much of the criticism levelled at the movie stems from critics’ failure to grasp the “time travel continuum” which even Clarke failed to explain during the film’s opening act.
In my opinion, when John Connor is attacked in the opening scene and Reese travels back in time, that event changes time in general, both the future and the past. I believe the writers opened up new dimensions, which when fully explored can take the film in a new direction.
However, what struck me the most is that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T800 Terminator claimed to have been sent back to an earlier time to save and protect Sarah Connor by some mysterious entity or being. Who is this entity, and is there actually an entity or is Arnie’s time travel a result of the altered future? Get a copy of this movie but please do not rush it, take your time and you will definitely enjoy it. And now for some television news — next month will see America host their 67th Emmy Daytime Awards and while the nominees have been public knowledge for some time now, an interesting historic battle and big disappointment lies in store for those who tune in.
Creators and fans of the ever popular fantasy series “Game of Thrones” are in for rude awakening if the just ended Season Five is anything to go by.
The series is in the running for five awards with the main being Outstanding Drama Series and Best Supporting Actor and Actress for Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey and Emilia Clarke respectively. All I have to say is that the sombre “Game of Thrones Season Five” did not do these stars any favours. Better placed to make a splash are stars from “Empire” and “How To Get Away With Murder”, two of the biggest runaway episodic series of the year by Taraji P Henson and Viola Davies. The two have both been nominated for the Lead Actress (drama) gong. Whoever takes it is set to make history and become the first African-American woman to win the award.
My money is on Cookie!
