12 Years a Slave: Movie Review

This is a good movie, it's more of a thinking and emotional movie than an entertaining one.  I must say it's good, but I can't say it is great.

Let me give the rating first, then explain why I gave such a rating.

I rate this movie a 4 out of 5 stars.

After contemplating about movie, I have to say it's a good experience to have seen a story about someone loosing their freedom with the rest of society is just fine with it.  It's really surprising to see a society that allows men to be slaves and some to roam as a freemen.  It's a good depiction of society in the US before the civil war.  At the start of the movie, the main character does not complain that others are treated as property while he is considered a freeman.  It gets interesting when even at that time, underground syndicates try to get profit from abducting freemen and selling them as slaves.  Something I was not aware of being done at all, until now.

The movie was based on a very old novel, that was published even before the American civil war and written by the main character himself, as a way to let some people be aware of things that are happening.  On what happened to him, and what is wrong with their society.

Movie really shows the feeling of lost and hopelessness.  We take for granted our freedom at times and only value it more when we have lost it.  That was what I felt watching this movie, that we often don't value or forget that freedom is something we should realize is very important and something we enjoy today.

The visuals are good, everything seems authentic for the period movie. Only thing that is a bit noticeable is that their clothes are always clean, too clean for a slave.

For a long length movie, I only found it a bit boring on some scenes.  I find it fascinating to watch, but I won't be watching it again soon.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Movie Review

Saw "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" on it's first opening week.  I have to say it is better than the first, if you saw the first part of this movie. Although I think this movie, does not know what it wants to be at times.  You still have head decapitation, then cutesy dwarf intricate actions.  Which make me question who is exactly is their audience?

How was the Visuals?
Visuals are good, although it's really cheesy on the camera angles at times.  You will think the angles are taken that way as if to make you awe at the action sequence.

How was the Story?
Story was good, and they made the right decision to create a new character, that is not in the book to make it more interesting.  You won't notice the changes if you haven't read the book.

How was it overall?
Overall, I rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.  It's better than the first, and far more entertaining.  But will not keep you awake if you are sleepy.

If you haven't seen it yet, see it in 3D, most say it is better viewed that way, especially the dragon scenes.  This movie is almost 3 hours long...

Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Movie Review

I have one thing to say. I freak'n liked this movie.  Saw it on it's first weekend release.

It's far from perfect, but this movie will immerse you and make you enjoy it from start to finish.  I have to agree, there are some scenes, that I wish could be better.  It's fun to watch previous characters reprise their roles.  And also to see the book characters come to life.

People who haven't seen the first movie, seem to enjoy it.  Everyone in the movie theater liked it and not a single one commented on hating it, after watching the movie.  In fact, most are looking forward to the next installment of the movie.  Which I heard will be another 2 part movie, a single book divided into two.

How was the story?

Story was pretty good. The pacing is good.  There was a bit of a dragging part for me.  But the story was awesome all in all.

How was the visuals?

Visual is also good.  Has the same feeling to it as the first movie.  You won't get distracted much by the visuals and it enhances this universe and make you believe it is all real.  In my opinion, this is much better than the first, but then again animal CGI has a long way to go before it could fool us completely.  But all in all a good balance of CGI visuals and real elements.

How is it overall?

Overall I rate this movie a 4 out of 5 stars.  It's better than the first movie and a full story on it's own.  Comparable to the Starwars: Empire Strikes Back movie.  Recommend as a must watch for me, even if you are not a Hunger Games fan.

Gravity - Movie Review

I was excited to watch this movie.  The trailer was very good.  But when I watched the entire movie yesterday, I was a bit disappointed.  Maybe, if I watched it in 3D, I might enjoy the movie more.

Now, the movie was good as far as visual effects are concerned , especially the way things explode.  As they say, there is no fire in space, since there is no oxygen to feed it.


How was the visual?

Visuals are okay, although for me there is something missing with the visuals.  I was kind of felt unattached during the movie.  Maybe, I was blown away by the trailer, and felt the hopelessness of drifting to vastness off space.  But, during the movie, I felt restricted and no feeling of hopelessness as I did during the trailers before.  To be truthful, I had to say that the trailer shots are the exciting parts and highlights of the movie.

How was the story?

It has lack of feelings, maybe for me the pacing is a bit fast, and there is no feeling urgency for me, as if I already knew what will happen next.  Maybe the acting?  The A list actors helped the film, but you have the feeling, that they are not afraid of dying.  Maybe the film was just a visual kind, there is nothing much of a story there.

Although, I give them credit on trying to be realistic as much as possible on the giving the facts.  I get they are trying to convey a point, that space is dangerous, that this is the worst that can happened to astronauts.  There is no way people on the ground can send a rescue right away.

How was it overall?

Overall, I give this film a 3.5 out of 5 stars.  The ending was kind of open ended for me, there is no closure.  I won't recommend this movie.  But if you want to see space and good visuals, by all means, this is a movie for you.

Maybe after watching a very good film before this, my review has been influenced.  But others also say, the visuals are good, but didn't say anything about the story.  It's just a visual movie, nothing much there for a character story.

About Time: Movie Review

It's a bit late for me to post this review for cinema goers.  But you should check it out if you have time (About Time).

This movie is great as a fairy tale fantasy movie.  None of those, wizardry, monsters, and dragons.  But more of a happy ideal love story that could have been wonderful and almost a dream state when you watch it.

I was going to skip this movie, due to a review from click the city: http://www.clickthecity.com/movies/a/20150

Good thing my girlfriend, pulled my arm and convinced me to watch it with her.  And usually she is right on good and bad movies.

This movie is good.  There is no loop holes in the story, even though some critics complain about the movie leaving out some elements in the environments and settings.  Seldom does it make sense to place political climate in a love story, making a mess of things.  Unless that event is significant for the story and character development.  It's just right the movie concentrated on a single concept, love with time travel, and it delivers on what it is suppose to be.

Let me give you my rating first, then I'll give the reason why.

I rate this movie a 5 out of 5 stars.  Why?

The story is great

Story wise it was solid.  The way it was told is very believable.  It made fun of time travel, the concepts, the financial rewards, the misgivings that we usually think when we can time travel was covered in just a single scene.  Sure, I could just go back in time and bet on a winning ticket, since I already know the numbers.  That was covered on the scene where the gift was revealed.

This is a true love story.  In many levels, that when you finish watching it, you will be glad you are human, and have learned many lessons from the film.

I have watched many love stories with my girlfriend, and not a lot of them have a solid story, most have weak, more unbelievable story than this one.  This one is simple, yet very straight to the point, well acted and very heart warming.  I smile, when I think about this film.


The visuals are good

There wasn't much of a CGI, seldom in a love story movie.  Since they try to be realistic and be like a dream state as possible.  The settings are very beautiful.  It coincide, with the usual love story settings, beautiful and romantic settings.  Lovely, even the junk they have where they play table tennis is beautifully arranged.

My eyes could have been smiling when watching this movie.  Not a single thing out of place in this dream movie.


Overall this movie is great

I like this movie so much, I would probably watch it again at home.  This is a keeper.  And is part of my top 3 love story movies to keep in my collection.

My top 3 love story movie list (No particular Order):

• Blast from the Past
• A Walk to Remember
• About Time

This is a recommended movie for me.  It's a feel good movie, which may need a bit of mental power.

Elysium: Movie Review

I recently watched Elysium in cinema, currently on its second week in the Philippines.  Not a bad movie, but it is rear to have a Matt Damon bad movie.  Everything he's in seems to be better, I haven't watch anything were he has a staring role which I didn't like.  Of course, I skipped some of his movies that I have no interest in but those that I have watched are good.

How was the Visuals?
The visuals are stunning, based on the trailer and the premise of the story, you already know it will have a very good computer generated graphics.  Best seamless integration of graphics and live action I have seen lately.  Also the cinematography is quite good.  Two thumbs up, they even made exploding people look like an art, and not that gross.

How was the Story?
Story is simple enough, it has the main character wanting something and reaching a goal.  The journey to that goal is what makes this movie fun to watch.  There are elements in this movie that, makes it fresh and a bit different from most of the science fiction I have watched before, I'm talking about you "Battlefield: Los Angeles".  Funny enough that is also the place the story revolves in the story, plus Elysium itself.

There are minor loop holes, but the story pacing and direct to the point makes this movie very good and easy to watch.

How was it overall?
Overall I give this movie a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  Because of it's beautiful visuals, simple story(but still interesting), good pacing, and better acting from all the actors.  A recommended film for me.

I would however advice, not to bring your kids to this movie, since there are a bit gore stuff as expected from this movie director.  Even though this is a PG-13 film, I still hear children in the cinema, how did they pass the ticket taker?

RIPD: movie review

Just watched RIPD on it's second week in theaters.  There wasn't anything else to watch on the last week of August, so we decided to watch RIPD instead.  Too bad Kick Ass 2 wasn't showing anymore, I could have watched that instead.

Fact is this movie was based on a comic book, from the start I knew this was just a so-so movie, nothing that will impress me and will probably bore me.  I was right, the movie is nothing new and very predictable.  But would be good for teens I think, if they are into mediocre movies.


How was the visuals?

Visuals are good.  The usual you would expect on a high budget film, but it just didn't deliver what it could have been.  I wish they could just have spent their budget on a Constantine 2 movie, that would have been better.  Nothing to complain much about the effects and visuals.  You will know which is computer generated and which are make-up, hint, most are just computer generated.


How was the story?

Story was predictable.  Writing was okay, but not that inventive.  I could see where the story is going a mile away.  There isn't much of the story, I was thinking this movie could just have been made into a game, since it's like shooting ghost that are even not that scary.  I just know they are targeting teens with this, but they really miss the target in my opinion.


How was it overall? 

Overall this movie is a pass, if you want my opinion.  It's not a complete waste of time, but you could spend better time watching The Conjuring.

The only saving grace they have, is Jeff Bridges.  Ryan Reynolds is again not acting the part that should have been the main character.  Micheal J. Fox could have played it better if it was 15-20 yrs ago.  Ryan Reynolds as the newly deceased "rookie" spirit cop just was wrong casting.  Other new actors could have given this movie more.

I give this movie 2.5 out of 5 stars.  It could go either way for you.  I enjoyed it, but it was borderline meeh...  Kids may enjoy it, not that scary, comparable to Men in Black.

The Wolverine: Movie Review

I was finally able to watch a movie on it's first week in cinemas.  The truth of the matter, this movie as far as comics go, is a none essential story or just a side story in manga terms.

This movie, have nothing to do with the X-Men, it's just a story about Wolverine and somewhat understanding him and how he feels about his powers.

The Wolverine movie is connected to the past X-Men movie to the point where Jean Grey died.  Yes, Jean Grey haunts Wolverine's dreams, since he did kill her on the previous movie.

The movie is a good popcorn movie, there is nothing much about it.  A little bit dragging, but not that much to make you bored to death.  Pretty much expected where the story was heading towards, I see the plot a mile away.  But still pretty good movie as a whole.

How was the visuals?

The movie has good visuals, there is nothing to complain about.  It pretty much a good effect for an okay movie.

How was the story?

The story was also OK.  I didn't find anything much to complain about story.  It's pretty much good pacing and direct to the point movie.  Just a bit of warning though, the action scenes only took place between start and middle and near the end.

How was it overall?

Overall the movie is good and passable.  Action was pretty good, you know they really thought out the fight scenes.  Unlike, the worst fight scene I saw from the Man of Steel.  The rating I give for this movie is 4 out of 5 stars.  It's good, but not that good.  I also pretty much like the scene after the ending credits.

Not for kids movie, though.  I smirked when a kid behind us asked his parents, "Where is Iron Man?" during the movie.

Despicable Me 2: Movie Review

I was hesitant to watch Despicable Me 2, since the first one was a bit off and a bit lacking for my taste.  To be honest this was not in my movie list to watch in a cinema.

I went to this movie without any expectations at all.  And usually when I see a movie without any expectations, I enjoy it and praise it afterwards (like Argo).

How was the Visuals?

Visuals are very good.  Better than the 1st movie.  I watch the digital version, and it was very good.  I liked the way the color and visuals they used all thru out the movie.  It was consistent.  The faces of the kids have unique distinct features.

Explosions, effects and objects are good and visually appealing to the eyes.  Visuals makes the movie come alive, I won't mind watching it again at home.


How was the Story?

Story is very good.  Unlike the first movie, where I was lost on how funny would it be to be evil.  The second one focused on Gru, his kids and his love life.  Of course, the minions are always in the picture, that's what makes this movie more fun, than only with Gru and family.  I liked the simple story and fun characters they created.  None of those obnoxious character like in the first movie.  Total fun, and very good written story.


How was it Overall?

Overall the movie is great. I give it a 5 out of 5 stars.  Yes, it is that good.  I was very tired and sleepy when we watched this movie.  And I was awake laughing the whole time during the run of the movie.  There was not a dull moment, in the movie.  I would recommend it for the whole family, especially a family with a good sense of humor.  It's on it's last week in Philippine cinemas, since currently there is another animated movie showing, Turbo.

Scary Movie 5 - Movie Review

We didn't plan to watch this movie at all.  But since, it was hard to get a cab, and I was feeling unwell due to my acidity, we are forced to watch any movie to pass the time.  I was curious about this movie, since how come a spoof franchise could be made 5 times.  I have mixed feelings about this movie.

How is the Visuals?
Visuals was good for a spoof movie.  They seem to have an okay budget for the effects.  The effects alone, seem to done professionally even if this is just a stupid spoof movie.


How is the Story?
Story is a bit low-brow, there are some part of the movie we get a few laugh, but overall it's a waste of time and money.  It's like your just watching this movie, just to identify which movie, they got that spoof from.

How is the Movie Overall?
Overall the movie is a meh... It's a good time passer.. and a total waste of one's time...  They should stop making this kind of film.

Star Trek Into Darkness: Movie Review

I was excited to watch the movie Star Trek Into Darkness.  And I was able to watch it on its first week in cinemas.  The usual lens flair effect is in there, in fact all the elements in the first movie is there plus some more.

How was the Visuals?

The visuals was pretty good, good as the first and even an improvement.  You won't be disappointed with the visual effects and the camera angles.  It's good, I even thought during the movie the film's budget must be way more than the usual, with the sets, props and effects it has are very elaborate.

The only disappointment I have is the make up, prosthetic and costumes.  It seems to look like far off the usual uniform design of star fleet.  More of the now design and almost none futuristic approach.  The Klingon make up is almost not organic, or I just got used Lt. Worf design of a Klingon.


How was the Story?

Story was good, I liked how they made it work.  But I was kind of disappointed near the end, it was almost predictable.  The first, and middle portion of the film was good.  But near the end, it became dragging for me.  I may watch it again, there are a lot of details I might have missed visually, action was good, but the drama aspect just isn't there for me.


How is the movie Overall?

Over all the movie gets a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, for me.  It's a good movie, but not that memorable.  It gives a hats off to the original, while making itself almost a remake.  I know, villains from the original will eventually show up.  But maybe they can make a villain more sinister than the original?  Where we expect the original villain, as the bad guy, but wait, there is even someone more evil.  That kind of story would have worked better.

I liked the movie for what it is, but hated the drama, since there is nothing for us to pull our tears from.  Since there is no series, where we see the characters grow and interact with each other.  I would have cried if Dr. Macoy (Karl Urban) died, that would have been unexpected, but wait he is the comic relief, together with Scotty, so they usually are in the sidelines.

This is a PG movie, so it may be safe for kids.  But if it was me, I would rather buy them a toy, than let them watch this movie.  They may get bored watching this movie.  If they are teens, they would probably like this movie.  I really think, this is a movie for Star Trek fans, and Sci-fiction enthusiasts.

Iron Man 3: Movie Review

I was able to watch Iron Man 3 on its second week shown in cinemas.  The cinema was full for the last full show, on a Tuesday (April 30) evening before labor day.  I was expecting to be entertained by this popcorn movie, and I was not disappointed with this installment of the Iron Man movie franchise.  Philippines got to see the movie before the May 3 release in the US.

How was the visuals?

The visuals were great as expected from an Iron Man movie, since the first Iron Man movie was release the visuals are great.  You get your money's worth in visuals, in fact every other scene in Iron Man is a an explosion or him flying in his armor or him fighting.  In this movie you get to see almost all his armor at one time.

How was the story?

Story this time around was very good.  Unlike, the second movie, which was very lousy.  This time, you get a good mix of story, comedy, action, and a bit of drama.  Let's face it, I never shed a tear on this movies dramatic moments.  But I laughed at the comedy portions of the movie.  Yeah, thanks to Josh Whedon, who I think made inputs on this movie.  You could almost see his kind of story writing all over this movie.

Iron Man 3 is in par with the first Iron Man film, and I want to forget I even watched the 2nd Iron Man movie.  As usual there is a short clip after the credits, but you won't miss much even if you don't view it.  It's not tied up to anything this time, but is fun to watch after agonizingly waiting for it after the long list of movie credits.


Overall

Overall I give the movie a 4 out of 5 stars.  I gave its rating as such, for its good visuals, and better story.  The only thing that didn't make me give it a perfect score, is the fact I never felt anything on Robert Downey's performance, almost like he just reads thru the lines and it's obvious.  Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin is enjoyable to watch, he really is a very good actor, and with just his few scenes he made the movie better.  The movie overall is enjoyable, and worth watching with the kids.

I think this movie has a G rating, which surprised me since there's violence in this movie.