Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron

RECOMMENDED

The follow up to 2012's Marvel's The Avengers has finally arrived, and in a scale so huge that even the big screen can barely contain. Director Joss Whedon had been tasked with a daunting challenge, "How do you top the Avengers, the 3rd highest-grossing film of all time?" His answer: Ultron, a villain he wanted to put on the big screen even before the first Avengers film was finished. 

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron picks up the avengers from where they were left off in their solo films. Iron Man is still haunted by the events of the first Avengers film and began working on a peace-keeping project called Ultron. However, with Ultron realising that the only way peace can be achieved is through human extinction, the avengers must team up once again to thwart his plan for world destruction. 

To start off, the film was genuinely as fun and entertaining as you would expect from any Marvel film. The action was unlike anything I have seen and it showed us creatively what more the avengers could do as a team. The film likes to show off with numerous long takes that show the avengers fighting together as a team which make it really fun to watch. We get to learn more about the dynamics of the avengers, the friction between some characters as well as the internal struggles of each individual avenger. Hawkeye also played a larger role in the film, which is a plus considering how he was downplayed previously. 

On top of that, the scale of the movie is just massive. It is expected for a sequel to strive to be bigger and better than it's predecessor but there are so many things going on in Age of Ultron, it felt exhausting at times. I felt that the film served too many purposes and was bloated with content, making it difficult to keep up with every detail. It not only picks up where each of the previous solo films left off, but sets up the universe for future films in Phase 3, introduces new heroes and villains into the universe, while building a coherent story of it's own. It's a incredible task that Whedon pulled off pretty well, but not perfectly. 

Speaking of bloated, one thing that bothered me was the film's soundtrack, which was a confusing mix of music from the previous films. The music of the film is composed by two composers, Brian Tyler and Danny Elfman, both incredible artists on their own, but together made the soundtrack feel like it was at war with itself. Alan Silvestri's original Avenger's theme was weirdly interwoven with the themes of the Iron Man, Thor and Captain America and the essence of it got lost in translation. There wasn't a hook in the music that got me like the first film did. Perhaps the law of diminishing returns has begun to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

On the other hand, the film's main antagonist, Ultron is undoubtedly the most terrifying villain this universe has put to screen. Marvel Studios have been struggling with creating compelling villains for their heroes over the years, with their only major success being Loki. However, Ultron made himself a worthy contender in this film. What I particularly enjoyed about Ultron is the irony of how an artificial intelligence which is supposed to know everything, acts like a delusional newborn that knows nothing. He thinks he knows the solution to the world's problems and his recklessness in going about achieving his goals makes him simply frightening. 

One other thing I liked about the film is the fact that the essence of a superhero movie is still intact. Superheroes are supposed to be about protecting the innocent civilians from harm and it is the core of what this film is generally about. Amidst all the battles with Ultron, the avengers' main priority is the safety of civilians in harms way, a quality that some superhero films tend to forget. 

In all, I felt that although Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron did not top the original Avengers, it is still an impressive and entertaining film. It may have been better if Marvel stayed more grounded on what it wants the film to be and stop trying to build the universe too quickly and put everything in. However, director Joss Whedon still managed to pull everything together and create a film many will enjoy.

Furious 7

RECOMMENDED

I have not been an avid follower of The Fast and Furious Franchise but I wish I had, because Furious 7 was one of the most fun and thrilling films I have watched this year. The film not only boast strong cast of cool and fun characters, it is also densely packed with amazing action sequences while leaving room for some really heartfelt moments.

I went into Furious 7 not knowing what to expect other than the fact that the film is going to pay tribute to the late Paul Walker, who passed away in a tragic car accident before filming could be finished. Although I am not familiar with any of main characters, or what happened over the past 6 installments, they do not stop me from immediately connecting with the characters during the film. It was then I regretted not having followed the franchise more closely.  The film helped a lot in subtly and seamlessly introducing characters to non-followers. I greatly enjoyed the dynamic of the group, or should I say “family”, and how each of them had their moment to shine.

One thing that Furious 7 was never short of was action. The film was jammed pack with scene after scene of intense car chases. I’m not going to give anything away in this spoiler-free review but the scenes left me on the edge of my seat with adrenaline pumping through my veins. The film also incorporates a lot of humor into their action sequences and adopts light tone. The down side of this is that it made me feel as if none of the characters were in actual danger and that they were going to make it out of every scenario unscathed. Perhaps the franchise has already dealt with death in the past and wanted to avoid another similar scenario, especially after Paul Walker’s passing.

The film ended with a tribute to Paul Walker and I have to say that it was genuinely heartfelt and beautifully done. It clearly captured Paul’s legacy in this film and served as a touching goodbye to the series’ main star. The studio had made the right approaches on overcoming such a tragedy and managed to finish the film in memory of Paul. In addition, the visual effects team has also done a great job in creating a CGI version of Paul for the unfinished scenes, of which I could hardly notice the difference.

In all, Furious 7 has struck the balance between creating an action packed thriller and creating an emotional tribute to their late star. Viewers, regardless of whether they followed the franchise, are definitely going to be entertained and it is definitely not a film to be missed.

The Divergent Series: Insurgent

GOOD ONE TIME CATCH

Hello. I first have to apologize for being on such a long hiatus from blogging. The truth is, I went on a long overseas detachment at the end of last year and never had the urge to post new entries ever since. However, my mind changed after watching The Divergent Series: Insurgent. I am a fan of the novels written by Veronica Roth and watching the film has generated a lot of thoughts in my mind which I really hope to share. So, here is my review for The Divergent Series: Insurgent.

The Divergent Series: Insurgent takes off almost immediately after the events of the previous film, and we see Tris, Four, Caleb and Peter taking refuge in Amity. Tris plans to plot her revenge on Jeanine, the leader of Erudite.  Meanwhile Jeanine finds a box in the home of Tris’s parents which she believed contained a message from the city founders that could help end the divergent problem.  However, the box can only be opened by a Divergent and thus leading to Jeanine beginning her hunt for Divergents.

I think that people who have not read the books would find the film rather enjoyable to watch, it is action-packed, visually stunning and it conveys the themes of heroism and individual identity very well. But, readers of the Veronica Roth series would be slightly disturbed by the fact that the film differs greatly from its source material, especially with the addition of “The Box” (seen in the film’s trailer) in the film’s storyline.

I understand why the filmmakers have to change almost the entire narrative of the film. Veronica Roth’s Insurgent is a lengthy book crammed with vivid details of the numerous twists and turns in the plot. A 2-hour film simply cannot support such an amount of content and thus an enormous amount of story had to be cut out or changed and the concept of “The Box” had to be incorporated to make the storyline coherent. I personally enjoyed some of changes as it brought in some level of originality to the film. Despite reading the books, I still would have no clue as to how a particular scene or moment would turn out. However, I felt that some of the moments from the books that impacted me the most were lost in translation and made up for with visuals to make the film look nicer.

I was also disappointed that the film adaptation downplayed of many of the supporting characters. Veronica Roth’s novels introduced us to a diverse list of supporting characters from the start, each with a unique personality and connection with Tris, and many of them had an integral role to play in the plot of the Insurgent novel. However, the film decided to focus more on the relationship between Tris and Four, as well as the tensions between Tris and Caleb and Peter that these supporting characters were either completely cut from the film or given mere seconds of screen-time.

In all, The Divergent Series: Insurgent is an intriguing, action-packed with incredible visuals that would, at the very least, entertain the audience. However, the film compromised a more intricate plot that the source material had to offer, as well as the development of many supporting characters for a predictable plot that is easier to follow and a more focused development of the two main characters. The film hits you where it wants to hit you but when it does, it lacks the intensity to leave a lasting impression behind.

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