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.

Now Showing in Philippine Cinemas: 3rd week of November

Now Showing in Philippine Cinemas:

• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
• Thor: The Dark World
• Status: It's Complicated [Filipino Movie - Comedy]

Since, this is the opening week of Catching Fire, we have few choices of movies to watch.  Most cinemas are showing Catching Fire.

Happy weekend everyone.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire now showing in the Philippines

Hunger Games: Catching Fire has it's Premier Night last Nov. 20, and regular showing started Nov. 21.

Currently most Cineplex have in most of its cinemas Catching Fire, and only a couple cinemas showing something else from previous week.  I don't think any thing is competing with this movie.  There isn't anything this week that is newly released with this movie. It's a blockbuster movie, so be prepared to pay a little extra, around Php230 (Around $5).

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.

Movies Showing in the Philippines this last week of September 2013

The following movies are currently being shown in the Philippines, this last week of September:

• Runner Runner
• Prisoners
• Insidious 2
• Ang Kwento ni Mabuti (Filipino Movie - Drama)
• 2 Guns
• Momzillas (Filipino Movie - Comedy)
• Riddick

Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Movies Showing in Philippine Cinemas this 3rd week of September 2013

I have been busy last month and only got time to post again on this blog.

Here are the movies showing in Philippine Cinemas on the 3rd week of September 2013:

• Riddick
• Insidious 2
• Momzillas (Filipino Movie - Comedy)
• About Time
• We're the Millers

Yes, it's a slow week, nothing much to see in cinemas.  But there have been some Filipino indie films being released on selected theaters. Notably Puti (staring Jasmine Curtis-Smith; Anne Curtis' younger sister)

Some cinemas still probably show Elysium. Next week looks like another slow week.  Looking forward to Gravity movie on October 2.