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.

Movies Now Showing in the Philippines - Last week of June 2013

Now Showing in the Philippines on the Last and Final week of June 2013:

• Texas Chainsaw 2013
• World War Z
• The Heat
• Now You See Me
• 4 Sisters and a Wedding (Filipino Movie)
• Monster University
• Man of Steel

World War Z looks interesting, will probably watch it on its 3rd week in cinemas.

Hope you enjoy the weekend.

Man of Steel: Movie Review

I was excited to watch this new reboot of the Superman franchise.  Only to be utterly disappointed on the mid and end of the movie.

It started pretty good, but then it begins to buckle or get undone in the middle part and the end. Maybe I'm just being a comic purist, or a movie compare guy.  But even without comparing the comic book and previous movies.  This Superman has weak writing and lousy fight scenes.  I got dizzy during their fights and it becomes almost no feeling or pain between adversaries.

Spoilers ahead!!!

For me this movie lacks heart.  There is only conscience, and knowing right and wrong.

How is the Visuals?

Visually, it was stunning.  There is nothing wrong with the visuals for this movie.  Except maybe for the fight scene, they could have made it less dizzy for most viewers.

How is the Story?

Story was good at the start, you see superman being a nomad.  He goes place to place, using fake identities, trying to find himself.  He does things, that gets noticed at times, and then disappears.

What I don't like is how Lois Lane got to the real identity real fast in the story, there is no mystery and tension anymore between Lois and Clark.  Since, she already knew from the start who Superman really is.  I don't like them going about throwing away the love tension.  In fact, there is not much of a love story between Lois and Superman.  Only a kiss near the end, which make no sense.

Superman story should have been better, if people in the movie already accepted superman as their hero, when General Zod arrived.  But no, they have to keep superman a secret, then show himself as an alien, when an invasion force is looking for him.

Story was good at the beginning, but lost me at the middle and end.

How is it overall?

Overall, the movie is good.  How I wish they improve it on their next movie, but I doubt it.

I would not recommend it whole heatedly.  Because, this movie does not need recommendation, people will decide on their own to watch this movie or not.  Be the reason is they are a fan, or they want to see the famous director's rendition of the Man of Steel.  I like his movies the Watchmen & 300, but his latest movie is a disappointment to me.

I give this movie a 3 out of 5 stars.

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.

Philippine YouTube show, Enzo the Epic Poser

This is a little off topic for my blog page, but there is this YouTube show I really like and it is made by a Filipino about a poser.  The series title is Enzo - Epic Poser.  Where we see a guy trying everything he can to pose as a rich or well off person.

I laugh at the situations he gets himself into, especially the burger and coffee episodes.

New Horror Movie, now showing in the Philippines: Apartment 143

Apartment 143 will be shown in the Philippines starting today (May 22).  Although, I think this is a limited cinema release.  Some cinemas will probably not show this movie at all.

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.