Guardians of the Galaxy

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Marvel Studios has done it again with another outstanding entry to its Cinematic Universe!! 2014 has really been a huge year for Marvel comic-based movies with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and X-Men: Days of Future Past scoring big in the box office. This time, Marvel Studios attempts to introduce a team mostly unknown by the mainstream public, making it one of it's riskiest film since Iron Man. But a movie about an epic and colourful space adventure with an old-school 70s vibe to it and a talking raccoon carrying a machine gun, who would want to miss it? 

Simply put, Guardians of the Galaxy is about a the unlikely alliance of a group of criminals, each with their own agendas, to save the galaxy against an all-powerful adversary, Ronan the Accuser, who plans to destroy it using a powerful orb.

What I am surprised by this film is that it uses a style practically unused by any other comic-book movie. It is colourful, upbeat, retro, witty, and it could be considered a comedy more than it is a thriller. Director James Gunn really nailed the tone of the movie, creating a spectacle that is entertaining in both its comedy and action. The plot is also great as well. Marvel Studio has been coming up with great stories with its films but the writing for this film is exceptionally incredible because they not only able to bring together the Guardians of the Galaxy, a ragtag team of misfits with different agendas, they are also able to introduce numerous supporting characters like The Collector, Yondu and Nebula and weave them seamlessly into the plot with each having their moment to shine.

The actors were really great in this film. Chris Pratt was perfect for Star-Lord as he brings a lot of comedy into the character, making him a lovable goof-ball. I also love the choice of Bradley Cooper as Rocket and Vin Diesel as Groot. It must have been a great challenge for Vin Diesel to bring so much life and expression to a character only through the use of three monosyllabic words. James Gunn mentioned that Rocket to him was the heart of this film but I felt that Groot was the one who stole the show. He is unexpectedly funny and simply adorable at times. 

Being thoroughly entertaining, there weren't many downsides to this film. However, one has to constantly pay attention to understand what is going on in the film, for they do not make use of any form of monologue to share details about the storyline or the cosmic universe but instead plant them through dialogue between the characters. Also being a very colourful film, some of the action scenes in space gave me a sense of motion sickness but it's a minor issue. 

In all, Guardians of the Galaxy may be one of the best films released this summer and it is definitely one to catch. I am totally excited for the sequel as well as the crossover between Guardians and The Avengers, even though it probably won't happen any time soon. 

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The summer blockbuster season is about to come to a close but Hollywood continues to deliver great films nonetheless!

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is set 10 years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes where most of humanity is being wiped out by the virus that made the apes who they are. The remaining humans immune to the virus reside in a colony in ruined San Francisco. Meanwhile, Caesar has become the leader of a thriving community of apes living in the woods. However, following an encounter that left both species threatened by the other, both sides are inadvertently brought to war to determine which species triumphs over the other.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes undeniably exceeds all standards set by its predecessor. It boasts a strong, well-written plot which is executed well on screen. Not a minute is wasted on scenes unrelated to the plot and the film continues to capture your attention from start to end with it's trilling action and the numerous twists and turns in the storyline. What I like about the plot is that there is more than two sides when it comes to the war between the humans and the apes, in fact there are conflicts among the individual communities happening simultaneously and it is amazing how the film managed to string all these elements into one seamless flow.

The film also invests a lot of screen time in bringing out emotional scenes which I am very impressed by. It is great how motion capture technology today is able to bring out the facial expressions of actors in computer generated characters, allowing to characters to behave more life-like. I never imagine I'd be more emotionally attached to the apes than I was to the humans.

In all, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes contains every aspect of an amazing summer blockbuster with a powerful story, adrenaline-pumping action and incredible special effects. It is definitely a step up from the previous film and I highly recommended this for it is a film that anyone can genuinely enjoy. 

Edge Of Tomorrow

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

The summer blockbuster season is in full swing and this time we get to see another sci-fi action-packed thriller movie starring Tom Cruise.

In Edge of Tomorrow, continental Europe has been invaded by an alien species referred to as Mimics. Tom Cruise plays Major William Cage, an officer who has never experience combat first-hand but is unceremoniously dropped into a suicide mission by the military to take back Europe. He is quickly killed but then wakes up the day before, realising that he is being thrown in a endless time-loop that forces him to re-live the day and then die, over and over again.

Edge of Tomorrow came as a surprise to me. I thought it would be another moderately good Tom Cruise action movie like Jack Reacher and Oblivion. However, it turned out to have a good plot, amazing CGI and enough action from start to end to make my heart race. The Mimics, I have to say, are the scariest alien beings I have seen so far on film, particularly because they are so fast and relentless.

What I liked about most about Edge of Tomorrow is how there is an endless number of ways the story could go and it gives the audience a feeling of suspense throughout. There were many times where I felt the movie was reaching it's climax but it turned out to be a dead end which forces the characters to take on a different lead. There was a couple of humour placed in the film, especially when it ties to him dying and resetting in several ridiculous ways.

For a movie where the plot repeats itself over and over again, Edge of Tomorrow clearly does not tire the audience out. It is thrilling, engaging, suspenseful and funny and will definitely earn the likes of audiences. I truly recommend this to anyone seeking out a good thriller. 

How To Train Your Dragon 2

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

You have to admit, Toothless does remind you of Stitch from Lilo & Stitch. That's probably because the director of the How To Train Your Dragon franchise, Dean DeBlois, and the executive producer, Chris Sanders, co-wrote and co-directed Lilo & Stitch back in the days. This aside, How To Train Your Dragon 2 is such a thrilling film to watch! I am glad that this sequel was able to live up to the expectations set by the first film. With no Pixar contender this year, I could easily see this film clinching the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. 

How To Train Your Dragon 2 is set 5 years after the events of the first film and Hiccup has grown into a confident, skilled, dragon-riding teenager. Together with his dragon, Toothless, he ventures into new lands and discovers more about his past when he inexplicably ran into his long-lost mother, who turns out to be a dragon rider as well. Reunited, they have to take on a powerful adversary who threatens to seize all of the dragons under his control. 

What I really love about this film is that is brought back everything you like about the first film and added new elements to it that kept the film fresh and exhilarating. There were several unexpected twists and turns in the story that kept the movie interesting throughout and the audience wondering how is this all going to end. It is packed with adrenaline-pumping action that young audiences would enjoy as well as a number of beautifully-done heartfelt, nostalgic moments that children and adults alike would love. The tones in the film were also well-defined and I am surprised by how brave the producers are to introduce darker elements to a film meant for young audiences.

The animation in the film was extremely well-done. One of the best I've seen yet. I could really tell that they paid a lot of attention on the skin texture for both human and dragons as well as the fabric, although I have to concede that Disney did a better job animating ice and snow in Frozen than DreamWorks did in this film.

In all, How To Train Your Dragon 2 is a film everyone, young and old, would enjoy. It is definitely a film I would recommend for parents who want to take their children out for a movie, or for anyone who loves animated films. 

X-Men: Days of Future Past

MY RATING: MUST WATCH

Bryan Singer returns to save the X-Men!!! In X-Men: Days of Future Past we get to see the cast of the original X-Men Trilogy meet the cast of the X-Men: First Class in a prequel/sequel/reboot instalment in the X-Men franchise. It can be a little confusing in terms of where this movie is placed in the timeline and how its events affect the overall sequence of events but I as far as I am concerned, this movie is just so incredible that I actually enjoyed it better than Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 

X-Men: Days of Future Past has all the elements of a great superhero movie. The script has to be one of the most well-done I've seen, especially with the element of time travel involved. Time travel tends to confuse the audiences but I am glad that the time travelling element of the story is well-thought out and well-executed. 

There was a lot of character development in the film too, which in a way made the film feel very mature. We see Wolverine step out of his comfort zone and be the person of guidance for once. We also get to see Professor X in is lowest point in his life and Mystique's internal struggles that has developed her from the innocent friend of Charles Xavier in X-Men: First Class to the cold-hearted figure we've known in the original X-Men Trilogy 

The action scenes were amazing, especially the battle between the X-Men and Sentinels in the future. I was so stoked to see Iceman's upgraded powers and also the new additions Bishop, Sunspot and Blink in action. The battle was both intense and heartfelt and the future sentinels do present themselves a formidable adversary. 

There was also a considerable amount of humour added to the film which helped lighten the tone a little. Most of it is tied to the character Quicksilver which is undeniably one of the highlights of the film. Quicksilver such a quirky character and the scenes of him running around in slow-motion is simply the most entertaining part of the film. 

In addition, with a huge ensemble cast, I am glad that the film managed to find the balance between characters and give each character an adequate amount of screen-time. The pacing was also well-done and no scene felt out-of-place or unnecessary to the story.

Lastly, what I am most happy about this film is the fact that it brings the X-Men franchise onto the right track after it has been messed around by several directors and writers. It is sort of Bryan Singer's way of saying "Move aside, this is my franchise!" Sure, there are going to be several minor continuity issues with this instalment of X-Men like where did Wolverine get his adamantium claws back after loosing them in The Wolverine, but its best if we look past these details and focus on the overall picture.

In all, X-Men: Days of Future Past is undoubtedly my favourite X-Men movie as well as my favourite superhero movie of 2014 thus far and it will definitely give anyone watching it a thrilling, entertaining and rewarding time at the cinema.

SPOILER WARNING FOR THE CONTENTS BELOW

Godzilla

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

We finally get to see the iconic Japanese Kaiju back on the big screen and simply put, it was one of the most rewarding monster movies I've watched so far, perhaps even topping Pacific Rim.

Godzilla hits all the right notes. I could really tell that the director Gareth Edwards took a lot of effort in ensuring that the beast and the story stay true to its roots and not repeat Roland Emmerich's 1998 Godzilla flop. The result was a well-balanced, well-written and well-paced monster movie with enough intensity, emotion and action to keep the audiences' adrenaline pumping. 

One of the great treats from the film was the introduction of a few other Kaijus to the story which opens up more possibilities to which the story can go. Unlike Spider-Man's villains, the law of diminishing marginal returns do not really apply here. The additional Kaijus actually helped enhance the story, leading to a great and fulfilling conclusion.

When it comes to acting, Bryan Cranston's stellar performance in the first act of the film really set the bar for standards which the subsequent lead actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson struggled to maintain. I am a little disappointed the Bryan Cranston did not have the amount of screen-time I expect him to have, but he delivered a strong performance nonetheless. Elizabeth Olsen and Ken Watanabe were also good but unfortunately movies like these do not offer much character development and interactions. 

In all, Godzilla is a fantastic re-imagination of the famous genre that is not only able to honour the legacy this beloved monster but also bring it to the modern age. It is definitely a film viewers would enjoy and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a great summer blockbuster movie. 

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

MY RATING: RECOMMENDED 

The second instalment to the Spider-Man reboot is finally here! Spider-Man returns in this sequel adjusted for inflation with more villains, more action and more emotional drama. In general, I really enjoyed this film, although there were several approaches and concepts I feel could have been improved on.

In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man has gotten used to his powers and his responsibilities in protecting the city of New York against crime. However, he still struggles to find the truth behind his parents leaving and struggles to keep the promise to Gwen Stacy's father to stay away from Gwen. Amidst this, he faces new adversaries, including Electro and his old friend, Harry Osborne. 

What I really liked from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 are the actions, acting, humour as well as the chemistry between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. The actions in the film are spectacular and the CGI is one of the most impressive I've ever scene. The fight scenes between Spider-Man and Electro and Harry Osborne are undoubtedly the highlights of the film. A lot of attention is being paid to detail in this film, especially in terms of Spider-Man's suit and Electro's skin, making a lot of CGI scenes look very realistic. 

The acting was also great and it made the film more compelling to watch. Andrew Garfield plays Spider-Man perfectly and at times I felt that he portrayed Spider-Man a lot better than Toby McGuire in the original trilogy as he is able to bring more charisma and humour to the character. Also, the chemistry between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy is so powerful and natural that you want to root for them to be together regardless of how complicated their relationship is. 

On the flip side, there were also many parts of the film that I felt could have been improved. I felt that the character developments for the villains could have been a lot better. Max Dillon (a.k.a. Electro) merely came across as a weird anti-social character who seems to be suffering from a mental disorder. This makes him quite unrelatable and thus failing to garner the amount of sympathy it should deserve. Harry Osborne came across as a jerk in a very superficial manner. The original series did a lot better in the character development of the Green Goblin. Harry's introduction in this film felt a little forced and his transformation to the Green Goblin also felt a little too rushed.

The mystery behind Pater Parker's parents' departure was resolved in this film, but after all the hype and suspense that has been built up around the mystery, the resolution felt a little too underwhelming. Many critics reviewed the film saying that the plot was too heavy with all the issues and villains coming into Peter Parker's life and that it made the storytelling clunky. There is some truth in this but I feel that such a problem is inevitable and that the director, Marc Webb, did his best to tie all of these together using the common theme of responsibility and making the right choices. 

In all, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will undeniably be an enjoyable time for all. Marc Webb did a good job with this film and I am eager to know what comes next in this franchise. 

The Other Woman

MY RATING: GOOD ONE-TIME CATCH

Revenge is sweet, yes. The Other Woman, at first glance, is like any other chick flick with the usual relationship drama, over-the-top characters, slapstick humour and and of course alcoholism. However, what I enjoy about this movie is that it deviates from the cliché of finding romance to instead, finding revenge. One can't help but feel good when revenge is served. 

The plot of the movie is very straightforward. 3 women plan to seek revenge on a guy who has cheated on them all. Each of the three main female characters have their own unique personality and I really like how the dynamics work between the three of them - the lawyer, the wife and the boobs - as it is mentioned in the film. 

Being a comedy, I felt that the film hit the right notes in ensuring that the audience sustain their laughter from start to finish. I was surprised to find myself laughing so hard at times. The film may not have the wittiest of humour but I still enjoyed the slapstick gags regardless of how shallow or retarded they may seem. There were also several emotional issues to address in the film and I am glad that they kept them sweet and not turn them into an emotional drag that does not fit into the tone of the film.

In all, if you looking for a good time with your friends and to leave the cinema with a good laugh, The Other Woman would be the movie for you.

Noah

MY RATING: GOOD ONE-TIME CATCH

Hollywood once again attempts to adapt the bible for the silver screen with the story of Noah. Noah is unlike the colourful and hopeful story told by children's books but a more realistic yet artistic take on the Book of Genesis. Director Darren Aronofsky brought in a sense of realism to the film, showing us first hand how wicked and cruel the world used to be that "The Creator" had to destroy everything. 

The film opens up with a disclaimer saying: 

“The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the Book of Genesis.”

This statement sent us a clear message that the story is going to be considerably different from the biblical version and indeed it was, with the addition of new details and characters as well as the unique interpretation of the "Fallen Angels". Despite that, I do feel that the film (in some way) still managed to bring across the essence of new life, the values of faith and goodness that it promised and maintain the general idea of the story. 

What I like about Noah is that I managed to step into the shoes of many of the characters and comprehend their feelings and emotions. We also get to see the dark side of human nature which is truly disturbing but not entirely surprising for we are indeed self-centred people in a dog-eat-dog world. We learn that Noah is actually not the perfect figure we always perceived him to be but a conflicted person who did not understand the true intentions of "The Creator", just like anyone else would be. Another thing I have to give credit to Aronofsky is his rather convincing attempt in marrying the concept of Creationism and Darwinism in a visual spectacle explaining how the world began.  

I really like the cast of Noah as they are each incredibly talented in their individual roles. Russell Crowe, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins - They all delivered an amazing performance that made you connect well to their characters 

Hollywood adaptations of biblical stories, however, will continuously be bombarded with controversy and criticism due to its divergence and inaccuracies. It is an unavoidable situation as film-makers have to make changes to the original in order to obtain as much revenue for it is in their agenda, especially for a film with such a huge budget. 

Noah, in my opinion, is an interesting and thrilling film. It was a good, scary take on the biblical story and it is very emotional as well. I am giving it a "Good One-Time Catch" for despite the thrill, it is not a film I have the strong urge to watch again.

Divergent

MY RATING: GOOD ONE-TIME CATCH

From the companies that brought you films from the disappointing Twilight Saga to the widely acclaimed Hunger Games Saga comes a new franchise based on a trilogy written by Veronica Roth. For starters, I felt that the movie was quite enjoyable despite the fact it was not everything I hoped it would be. It clearly could not compete with the likes of the Hunger Games films but I still felt  it was a good attempt at adapting Roth's thick, plot-heavy book for the big screen. 

Divergent is set in the dystopian future where people are categorised into five different factions based on their personality. Every 16-year old has to take an aptitude test to determine which faction they are best suited for, and eventually make their decision during the Choosing Ceremony. However, Beatrice Prior, born in Abnegation, found out that she possess qualities of more than one faction, making her "Divergent". Divergents are hunted in the society and thus we see her cope in the faction she eventually chooses, Dauntless, and struggle to keep her divergence a secret.

Every film has its good and bad and in this case I felt it was split quite equally. I felt that the story was well-paced but choppy at times,  and that the climax of the film was good but not impactful enough. The actors played their characters pretty well but I hoped there was actually better character development, especially for the supporting characters. However, I do like the action scenes in the film and the training sequences that changed Beatrice into a strong, confident and brave member of Dauntless.

Like I've mentioned earlier, the weakness of this film is probably the fact that it was unable to condense Veronica Roth's novel well enough for the story to appear smooth. There were many elements and characters in the book that the film failed to allude to and character development storyline appeared to have segments cut out. The relationship build-up between the two main characters also felt as if it skipped a few steps. 

Divergent isn't a great film, but it wasn't a bad film either. If you walk into the theatre hoping it would be like the Hunger Games films, I am pretty sure you would be deeply disappointed. But if you are looking for a good fantasy action film, Divergent would be what I could recommend. 

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The next instalment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is finally here and I can safely say that this is one of the best films that Marvel Studios has to offer. The film basically offers everything viewers want in a great action-packed movie - political drama, intense gun fights and hand-to-hand combat, spectacular car chases, great character development and impressive CGI. 

I thought that Marvel Studio has ruined their big surprise when they revealed the true identity of The Winter Soldier through their promotional campaigns. However, after watching the film I realised that, the identity of The Winter Soldier is merely the tip of the iceberg and that there are more revelations and plot lines that would bring about greater repercussions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Russo Brothers, Anthony and Joe Russo, did an amazing job directing the film and scaling down the amount of CGI used in the film. Many of the action scenes are done with actual set pieces and props which make the action look more realistic and intense. I also like the character development in this film, and how Captain America comes to terms with modern contemporary society and the blurred lines between good and bad. The interactions between the characters are also very interesting as Captain America, Black Widow and Nick Fury each have their own way of thinking and outlook on the world and they do not necessarily see eye to eye in every situation. 

Speaking of characters, the introduction of the Falcon played by Anthony Mackie, is an excellent touch the the film as the character brings charisma as well as great aerial dogfight scenes to the film. The Winter Soldier is also a great character and I consider it as one of the most 'badass' villains I have seen in the MCU, well apart from Loki. 

With a strong storyline, amazing action and great characters, Captain America The Winter Soldier is a true representation of what a great superhero movie can be. It is a must-watch for those who are fans of the superhero and it definitely worth the time and money for those seeking a good time at the cinema. I cannot wait for the next few instalments, Guardians Of The Galaxy and The Avengers: Age Of Ultron to hit the theatres! 

SPOILER ALERT FOR THE CONTENTS BELOW

X-Men: Days Of Future Past Trailer

The new trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past is out! It is a lot different than the first trailer as we get to see more CGI elements of the film. We get a first look of the future sentinels in action as well as what the post-apocalyptic world looks like. We also a quick look at all of the individual mutants in action, including the new characters like Sunspot and Blink. My favourite scene has to be that of Iceman doing his ice glide while freezing the sentinels. This trailer definitely showed us a lot more about the film and how 20th Century Fox wants to take this franchise seriously. I hope the film lives up to how incredible it looks in the trailer!

Saving Mr. Banks

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

From Walt Disney Studios comes a true story of how the beloved Mary Poppins came to be. This film is a beautifully crafted masterpiece I should say, with a well written script, great screenplay and a beautifully composed score. 

Saving Mr. Banks speaks of an untold true story of how Walt Disney convinces the uncompromising author of the "Mary Poppins" books, P.L. Travers, to grant him the rights to make a film adaptation. For 20 years, Walt Disney had been unsuccessful in persuading Travers to grant him the rights as she had no intention of letting her beloved character turn into one of Walt Disney's cartoon. However, due to financial constrains, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to listen to Disney's plans for the adaptation. Despite Disney pulling out all the stops trying to convince Travers, she remains unmoved. It is only when Disney learns about Travers' childhood he understands why Mary Poppins means so much to her. 

Saving Mr. Banks will undeniably pull your heartstrings with both sad moments about Travers' childhood and happy moments when she began opening up to the screenwriters. I am a fan of the Mary Poppins film and watching this makes me feel a great sense of nostalgia and warmth as it rekindles the light in me and made me sing-along to all the songs I've learnt in Mary Poppins. 

Toms Hanks is just amazing as Walt Disney. I think that he has reached a point in his career where is can pull off almost any conceivable character flawlessly. I also love Emma Thompson's portrayal of the curmudgeon and stubborn P.L. Travers as well as the entire supporting cast the brings life to the film. One other thing I absolutely adore about this film is its score. The talented Thomas Newman, composer of many well-known films like Finding Nemo, WALL-E and Skyfall, has successfully recycled the tunes from Mary Poppins while supplementing them with his own flair to it, bringing out the nostalgia and emotions in us. 

In all, Saving Mr. Banks, is a beautiful drama film for all that brings out the emotions and nostalgia in you. I highly recommend it to all who hold Mary Poppins dearly in their hearts as well as others who want to have an enjoyable time watching a film. 

86th Academy Awards Nominees

The 86th Academy Awards is almost here! This year we get to see nine films competing for best picture. From a sci-fi thriller in space to a sci-fi romance on earth, from an old man in pursuit of his million dollars to an old woman in pursuit of her long lost son, from a free-man kidnapped into slavery to a captain kidnapped for ransom and from a stockbroker addicted to drugs to a AIDS patient selling drugs. In one of the largest undertaking I have done on this blog, I would like to give my personal opinion of each of the 9 nominees. In alpha-numerical order here is my review: 

12 Years A Slave 

One word to describe this film: Heart-Rending. Set in the 1840s, 12 Years a Slave speaks of a true story of a free man, Solomon Northup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery where he spends the next 12 years trying to survive in the hope of freeing himself. There are many intense and heart-wrenching scenes in this film and one would sometimes sink into disbelief that such cruelty existed in the past. However, stories of American slavery is not new in film and is considered a safe and conventional route to an award-winning film. Nonetheless, it is still beautifully directed with countless emotional scenes that leaves your soul in pieces.

What is worthy of acclaim in this film is the fact that everyone played their role perfectly well. Chiwetel Ejiofor was great as Solomon but my praise goes mostly to Michael Fassbender for playing the merciless and cruel master, Epps, as well as to Lupita Nyong'o for playing the tragically pitiful slave, Patsey. There was an intense 5 minute continuous scene of Patsey being whipped by Epps as punishment which really left me in tears. In all, 12 years a Slave is a beautifully directed tragedy that is worthy of an Academy Award nomination.

American Hustle 

American Hustle, to me, is a film that requires a little bit more attention when watching because of its convoluted storyline and complex scamming schemes. Even I am not certain of what exactly is going on in the film to give a proper synopsis that will do the film justice. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable film with numerous twists and scams where you least expect it.

What is remarkable about this film is how talented the cast is. Everyone is the film was able to pull off their character very well. Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence are all nominated for an Academy Award for their performances in the film and I sincerely think they deserve it if they had won. 

Captain Phillips 

Captain Phillips was intense from the start till the very end. A adrenaline-pumping thriller that is as gripping as it is moving, I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. Captain Phillips is based on a true story of the Maersk Alabama Hijacking in 2009, where a group if armed Somali pirates hijack a cargo ship commanded by Captain Richard Phillips off the coast of Somalia, eventually taking the captain hostage on a lifeboat heading back to mainland. Captain Phillips is brilliantly showcased in a way that you also feel pity for these Somali pirates who were initially fishermen but were forced into piracy due to conflict and corruption in their country.

Tom Hanks is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors there is and it is evident is this film as he plays a smart, and professional captain who is able to keep himself under control as such frightening conditions. My favourite performance of Tom Hanks in this film is at the end when he was able to portray Captain Phillips in a traumatic and disoriented state. Barkhad Abdi who played the lead pirate, Muse, also did an incredible job considering it being his breakout performance. 

Dallas Buyers Club 

Dallas Buyers Club is the story of Ron Woodroof, played by Matthew McConaughey, a rodeo cowboy with a carefree lifestyle. He was blindsided with a HIV-positive diagnosis and is given 30 days to live. Unwilling to end his life so soon he desperately finds means to treat himself, eventually travelling to Mexico due to the lack of approved medication in the US and began smuggling drugs in. He later found an unlikely ally in a transsexual AIDS patient, Rayon, played by Jared Leto, and they started a "buyers club" where AIDS patience pay monthly dues for access to drugs he smuggles from Mexico. 

Dallas Buyers Club is an emotional journey of survival, dignity and acceptance. It is inspiring to see the characters' determination and fighting spirit in light of their predicament and  the fact that they would do anything to live. Matthew McCounaughey and Jared Leto have been nominated for an Academy Award each. I especially admire Jared Leto efforts in bringing such a unique character like Rayon to life. 

Gravity 

To say that Gravity is merely intense is a huge understatement. Gravity, despite being completely fictional, felt almost too real and the ordeal faced by Dr. Ryan Stone, played by Sandra Bullock, was so harrowing you can't help but share her fear and terror. Gravity's synopsis is a fairly simple one, Dr, Ryan Stone and astronaut Matt Kowalsky, played by George Clooney, are left stranded in space during a spacewalk when their shuttle was destroyed by orbiting debris. With precious oxygen running out, they must find a way back to Earth or be left to die in space.

Gravity boast one of the most stunning visuals I have seen to date and it amazes me how they managed to make the Earth look so life-like with all the little details put into it. Its amazing cinematography showed us how space can be both so beautiful and so dangerous at the same time. It is also splendidly directed, with director Alfonso Cuaron allowing us to experience the fear of spiralling out into space through the perspective of Dr. Stone. I also applaud the film makers for making the film as scientifically accurate as possible in order to boost its realism and believability. One downside to this film would be the lack of story behind the two main characters which could have helped us connect with them on a greater level.

Sandra Bullock is truly the star of the show. Despite everything being CGI and unreal, her performance made us so convinced it is filmed in outer space (acknowledgements to the director as well). There is little dialogue in this film, and Bullock spent half of the film talking to herself but her solo performance has nothing but wowed me with how incredibly real she could be. I really hope she wins an Oscar for her performance.

Her 

Her is a beautifully crafted film about a very unconventional relationship. The story speaks of Theodore Twombly, played by Joaquin Phoenix, a quiet melancholic man who for a living crafts love letters for lovers who are unable to express their emotions to each other. He happens to be going through a divorce and in his loneliness buys an OS, Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Programmed to be the perfect companion for its user, Samantha quickly evolves with increasing interaction with Theodore and began developing human characteristics. Both of them eventually fell in love with each other and the film then explores this unique relationship 

What I love about this film is how relatable the relationship is despite the fact it being between a man and an operating system. This films really relates to us as we always have this longing for a lasting companionship which seems almost perfect despite all the limitations and boundaries that exist. When Theodore and Samantha fell for each other, you cannot help but want to root for them to be together forever, regardless of how absurd the notion of the relationship is. 

None of the actors have been nominated for an Academy Award but nonetheless they are all worth mentioning. Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams were great in roles. However, I really love Scarlett Johansson's performance and her ability to bring a faceless character to life. In all, this film is really worthy of the nomination it received.

Nebraska

Nebraska is best described as a slow nostalgic family drama. It is sweet, full of heart and it makes you feel like an old person (in a good way). Shot in black and white to portray a sense of longing for the past, the film tells a story of Woody Grant, played by Bruce Dern, a cantankerous elderly father, who thought he won a million dollars after receiving a sweepstakes letter. He wrangles his son, David,  played by Will Forte, into driving him to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect the prize. Along the way, David learns more about his father and his past and help his father rekindle the happiness and pride which he had lost. 

I have to admit, I was not very comfortable with the film's slow pace at first but the film slowly grows on me and I loved every interaction between the father and son. It makes you reflect on your own family relationship. There is also something very comical about elderly people that makes them very amusing on screen. Bruce Dern did an amazing job portraying a lethargic yet ill-tempered elderly man but my favourite performance would be that of June Squibb who plays Woody's naggy wife, Kate. Kate is very vocal yet sweet at the same time and her conversations with her sons and husband made me chuckle. Both actors truly deserved their nominations for the Academy Awards.

Philomena

Philomena is one of the few films that made me tear up quite a bit. It is heart-warming and heart-wrenching at the same time and you keep wanting to know how everything plays out in the end. The film tells a story of a journalist, Martin Sixsmith, played by Steve Coogan, who decides to do a human-interest article about Philomena Lee, played by Judy Dench, a mother to a boy conceived out of wedlock and given away for adoption in the United States. Philomena kept the story a secret for 50 years but eventually decides to pursue the investigation. Together, they embark on an amazing journey to find her long-lost son. 

First and foremost, I have to praise Judi Dench's remarkable performance in the film. I absolutely love Philomena as a character as she is kind, positive and forgiving despite all the things that have happened in her past. I love how she gets so emotional and happy with every single fact she learns about her son, and I cannot wait to see her reuniting with her son. The story is a very touching one and it is hard to believe it is actually based on a real person. I really love this film and a part of me really hopes that it wins the Academy Award. 

The Wolf of Wall Street 

The Wolf of Wall Street has to be one of the most entertaining comedy-drama film I have watched recently. The film is almost three-hours long but the plot kept me going like a drug. It is a story of a New York stockbroker, Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who went from righteousness to a life of corruption and greed fuelled by too much success.

There is no high point in the film because every single part felt like it. What is interesting about this film is that you want to root for Belfort to be rich and successful but at the same time root for him to get caught and suffer the consequences of his action. Leonardo DiCaprio is spectacular in this film, he managed to portray the many characteristics of Belfort so well, from being comical to being serious and to being a down-right mess. DiCaprio has never won an Oscar and its about time he receives one for such a brilliant and real performance. 

The Wolf of Wall Street is indeed entertaining but it lacks the emotional depth the other films in this category are able to portray. 

My Pick: 
Best Picture - Gravity
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave) 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)

Guardians Of The Galaxy Trailer

The Guardians of the Galaxy trailer is finally out!!! I have to admit I felt a little uncomfortable when I first watched the trailer because it is done so unconventionally, especially when it comes to the audio. Seriously, the song "Hooked On A Feeling" was the last thing I expected in the trailer. It started off with a tone similar to other recent Marvel films like Thor: The Dark World and Iron Man 3 but 30 seconds in it totally dropped the tone and picked up a more whimsical tone, completely dismissing the signature "Inception Exploding Drum" sound effect that has become so common in blockbuster action films. However, I started to really like how this film strives to set itself apart from the conventional and gives us something totally fresh and unexpected. The action looks incredible but the whole tone of the film feel so different from the other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe I can see why that this film is a huge risk for Marvel. 

That being said, I was a little disappointed with how briefly the individual Guardians characters were being introduced as well as with the absence of dialogue between them. Nonetheless, trailers may not fully reflect the movie well and I shall not judge any movie by its trailer. I am still pumped up for this film and I sincerely hope that it will not be a disappointment to the already incredible cinematic universe. Enjoy! 

The Lego Movie

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

"Everything Is Awesome!!!" This phrase basically describes how I personally feel about The Lego Movie. It has been a long time since a movie has made me chuckle at almost every joke throughout. 

When I watched the trailer for this film I thought the writers are not going to take this film seriously and that they just plan to make it a fun and hilarious movie filled with mindless humour that draws comedic references to many other movie characters we have come to love. Well, I was right and I loved the humour the writers placed in the film. What I did not expect was the second half of the film where the story started getting deeper, more serious and emotional. At some point, I even felt as if the film were nearing the Toy Story calibre. 

The animation is spectacular! It is completely CGI but made to look like stop-motion animation which makes it very amusing to watch. What I also love is that everything is made of LEGO, even the waves and the explosions and smoke, and that we could really see these effects frame by frame. Seeing a world made entirely out of LEGO has once been a little dream of mine and watching this movie made me wish I was part of their minuscule world.

The casting was also perfect for the film. Chris Pratt was awesome as Emmett. He plays a character as optimistic and empty-minded as Emmett on the television comedy Parks And Recreation, making him perfect for the role. But my favourite castings have to be Morgan Freeman for Vitruvius and Liam Neeson for Bad Cop/Good Cop. Freeman plays wise characters hilariously well and I like how the film really showcases this aspect of Freeman. Making Liam Neeson voice Good Cop is downright priceless, especially when Neeson (the voice of Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia) is never known to play a jovial and affable character. The other cast members including Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Alison Brie and Will Ferrell were also individually amazing, and it is great to see how many characters with diverse personalities team up for a common cause, making the plot a lot more colourful and lively.

In all, The Lego Movie will be a great catch for people of all ages. Almost everyone would have played LEGO before and thus it would make the movie very relatable. Kids would enjoy the simple humour and colourful visual while adults would see it as a nostalgic yet enjoyable reminder of their childhoods. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to have a great time at the movies! 

SuperBowl Trailer Showdown

Last night was the Superbowl and this means that we get to see a whole lot of new trailers and TV spots for upcoming films!! I do not live in the U.S. so frankly I am not much of a Superbowl fan but I really like the idea of it being a commercial platform for multi-national cooperations and film distributing companies because it has such a high viewership. These companies would pay millions just to get a few seconds of air-time. We get to see the full trailer for two Marvel-based films: Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. We also get to see 30 second TV spots for several other fims like Transformers: Age of Extinction, Need For Speed, Noah and Pompeii. Enjoy!

TRAILERS 

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2

TV SPOTS

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

POMPEII

NEED FOR SPEED

THE MONUMENTS MEN

NOAH

Batman Vs. Superman Talk

I've been wanting to do this for a few days already. Let's talk some Superman. The release date for DC's Batman Vs. Superman (what a horrible name) has been pushed back to May 6, 2016. This is the exact same day that Marvel Studios has reserved to release their next yet-to-be-named film. Direct competition I would say. Marvel Studios reacted to this move by boldly bringing forward its Ant-Man release date two weeks forward to Batman Vs. Superman's original July 17, 2015 release date. 

I am still very sceptical about the entire Batman Vs. Superman movie. I do believe that it is going to be a huge commercial success for how often do you see Batman and Superman going head to head on the big screen. But, whether it will be as much of a critical success as compared to Christopher Nolan's Batman series, I am not too optimistic. Man Of Steel did not reach the level of acclaim it desired when it came out. I am still undecided on whether I liked the film or not. Zack Snyder has a unique way of envisioning his films. Look at 300, Watchmen and Man of Steel. They all have pretty much the same heavy, serious, humour-lacking tone which may seem a little too dreary for some. That being said, I am not sure how the film series would be able to hold itself together with such a shaky start. I also wonder how the directors of the future films based on this universe would deal with their films when Zack Snyder has started the series with his unique style of film-making.

My opinion on Batman and Wonder Woman joining Superman in the next instalment? I'm not convinced it will work out well. When Man Of Steel came out I thought that Warner Bro. would create a series that revolves only around Superman and the film does really show that it is supposed to be that way. To add Batman and Wonder Woman out of the blue would make us wonder whether they are jumping the gun with this one. You see, when it comes to Marvel Studios, president Kevin Feige has a vision or a direction with his Cinematic Universe as early as 2005 and had in mind the different phases the studio is going into when the studio released its first film, Iron Man. For Warner Bro. and DC, they seem as if they don't know where the future films will be headed. The fact that they pushed back the release for the film a whopping 10 months may be a sign that they are not yet ready to produce a quality film worthy to upkeep their reputation. 2015 would be a challenging year for them at the box office with highly anticipated films such as The Avengers: Age of Ultron and Star Wars: Episode VII coming out in the summer season. With such tough competition I could see why they prefer to push back the release date and allow more time for production.

However, their choice of the new release date has gotten me puzzled. Their new release date May 6, 2016 is the date Marvel plans to reveal their new untitled film. There are many less crowded timeslots in the year, why settle for a date that would entail so much competition? I do not know what film Marvel is planning to release and I have to admit that it is a little selfish of them to reserve a timeslot without even telling the public what movie it is going to be. If I were to be asked which film where to be more successful in the box office, I would have to say Batman Vs. Superman. The whole idea of Batman going against Superman is going to be extremely appealing to audiences and the only Marvel movies that can outwit this will either be another sequel to Iron Man or The Avengers, which simply would not happen that year. Marvel should be concerned about the move made by Warner Bros. but since Marvel's release date remains unchanged, I assume they are quite confident with their movie.

It's no doubt Batman Vs. Superman will be a huge commercial success but whether or not it is going to be a great superhero movie, I still have my reservations. It's still a long way to 2016 and I won't jump to conclusions. We'll just have to wait and see.

Maleficent Trailer

The trailer for Maleficent just came out and it really looks amazing! I love it when a darker version of "Once Upon A Dream" was played in the background, which was sung by Lana Del Rey for your information. I'm keeping my hopes up for this film. 

Disney has really been trying to stir up nostalgia within us by creating films related to the classic Disney films in the 1940s and 1950s. Their first attempt was, I presume, Alice in Wonderland in 2010 which was enjoyable but not worthy of acclaim. It did incredibly and unexpectedly well in the box office too which actually shows how much people do enjoy watching such 're-imagining' films. But at this point in time it is difficult to predict whether Disney will be successful with Maleficent for Disney has been known for its success with The Pirates of the Caribbean and Alice In Wonderland but at the same time been humiliated by the flops of John Carter and The Lone Ranger. 

How will Maleficent fare? I don't know but judging from the fact that it is based on a character that many people have come to know, I guess it will be quite a success. On top of that, I personally think that Angelina Jolie portrayed Maleficent really well in a way that is true to the original Sleeping Beauty film, for which I am glad. Here's the trailer! 

Let's Talk Marvel - Ep.1

A new year and a whole new and exciting line up of movies!! In this post I'm going to talk mostly about the line-up of Marvel Comic based films this coming summer season. We'll get a huge serving of four films including two sequels, one original film and one that can be considered both a prequel and a sequel. Here's the line up...

Captain America joins S.H.I.E.L.D after the events of The Avengers and struggles to cope with his new life. He is also faced with a new villain, The Winter Soldier. I won't give anything away for the character Winter Soldier because any information on him is one spoiler too many. What I am more eager to see is what S.H.I.E.L.D really is and, just like every large organisation, what its dirty little secrets are. It would also be interesting to see how Captain America would cope with this for he stands for integrity and righteousness but in this complex modern era there is not a clear distinction between what's righteous and what's not.

I am excited that Black Widow is set to return in this instalment and I am also excited for the introduction of a new superhero, Falcon, played by Anthony Mackie. I really hope that this film would turn out to be enjoyable and hope that it would play an important role in the overall storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Spider-Man faces his greatest battle yet with 3 villains coming his way - Electro, Rhino and The Green Goblin. I am very excited for this but at the same time fearful that 3 villains may be a little too overwhelming. Remember Spider-Man 3? Although Spider-Man 3 is an enjoyable film, the presence of multiple villains makes it difficult for the the film to develop each of them well enough, making the story-line (especially that of Venom) too shallow. I am hoping for a change in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and that writers would really develop the characters individually and how they would come to despise Spider-Man. 

Little is known about the plot of the film right now. But I am glad that the film is going to explore more of Peter Parker's past which was entirely forgotten in the second half of the first Amazing Spider-Man film. The trailer for the film looks amazing and I cannot wait to see this. 

Bryan Singer is back to (hopefully) save the franchise!!! Singer directed the first 2 X-Men films which were a huge critical success. However, he departed afterwards and the franchise took a turn for the worse, with the exception of X-Men: First Class. In this film, the mutants have to fight a war against Sentinels set to destroy them across two time-periods. The characters from the Original X-Men Trilogy have to travel back in time to team up with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class to change the past so as to save the future. 

I am not sure whether X-Men: Days of Future Past will be a critical success but is definitely going to be an interesting movie for it is something that a franchise has never been done before. It will also be a challenging film as time travel would be involved but I am optimistic about what will eventually become. I trust that Bryan Singer would live up to his accomplishments in the first two X-Men films and hopefully steer the franchise onto the right track. I am also glad that this will not be the last film of the X-Men Franchise as Bryan Singer recently alluded to us that X-Men: Apocalypse would be released in 2016. 

Guardians of the Galaxy would send the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the Cosmos. It is going to be a huge risk for Marvel as these characters are not well known outside the comics. But then again, Iron Man and Thor were equally unheard of outside the comic book world before their movies came out, so I am sure that Guardians of the Galaxy would do well in the box office. Directed by James Gunn, little is known what the story-line of the film will be like, or what the film would look and feel like, but judging from the post credits scene in Thor: The Dark World, directed by James Gunn himself, it is going to be a lot different and eccentric as compared to the rest of the Marvel films. It has an amazing set of cast including Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora as well as the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel as Rocket Racoon and Groot respectively. 

I am still waiting anxiously to see the trailer for the film and I hope that it will be a great instalment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.