Just Letting It In

So, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is here guys! You can now browse the Internet in peace and you can stop pretending you need all those Star Wars-tie in products to buy, because you don't. You watched the movie, and the only thing logical thing to do is watch it once again. Recently before opening day, I wondered whether the movie would match the crazy hype. If it doesn't what would happen with the spin-offs and the sequels? But at least we can go watch it in peace because one of Hollywood trustiest directors JJ Abrams is on the helm. For me, he has never made a bad movie in his career. He even starts straight from the highly under-appreciated Mission: Impossible III. He was handpicked by Tom Cruise for goodness sake. The movie stars old favorites Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill as well as new generation of heroes and villains Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver and Domnhall Gleeson. Probably mild spoilers will follow.

The story is about a new threat in the galaxy led by the organization First Order which was very much inspired by the Empire. The First Order seeks a map to the now vanished Luke Skywalker which was obtained by The Resistance's best pilot, Poe Dameron. This map eventually brings new faces and old, Rey, Finn, BB8, Chewie and Han Solo together on board of the junk Millennium Falcon. They need to face the First Order and the villain Kylo Ren in order to stop the new bigger, badder Death Star called Starkiller Base from destroying the planets.

The movie is amazing. In terms of filmmaking, it is the best modern blockbuster I've ever seen. This and Mad Max: Fury Road is this year's best blockbuster films. Starting from the use of film, not digital, it has a very nostalgic look that is very fresh but also serves as a good continuity for the original trilogy. The creature designs, location shooting and set designs are very vital to this film because it is perfect. It improves upon the original trilogy and probably serves as a big middle finger to the blue-screen extravaganza of the prequel trilogy. Note to self: seeing this movie after a prequel trilogy marathon is a bad idea. JJ Abrams directed this film masterfully, he would get the respect he didn't get when he directed the Star Trek films. I'd probably prefer him to direct Episode IX rather than Colin Trevorrow. Rian Johnson is a safe choice though for VIII. What I like from JJ Abrams is that he seemed to learn from his tenure in Star Trek, he relied to much on nostalgia on that one (featuring the original Spock twice is too much) but here he kept the nostalgia to the minimum that it doesn't feel like the filmmakers are wiping the original's ass or being too meta like in Jurassic World. This one feels natural.

The cast is great! I was so scared that the newcomers would ruin the film but Daisy Ridley and John Boyega fit in nicely. Daisy Ridley is a scene stealer in her major breakout role as Rey. She could be vulnerable but also powerful, it's so good. Oscar Isaac is cool in his role, he's probably programmed to be the 'new' Han Solo-type character for this trilogy. I still need more convincing on this Kylo Ren character, in my opinion he doesn't belong in the Darth Vader-great category, but definitely better than all the prequel villains combined, especially that stupid General Grievous. Oh, there are also three stars from The Raid films making very brief appearances in this film. It's so good. Overall, this movie has the same beats with the original Star Wars back in 1977. The stakes are not that high yet, and the story is pretty basic. But it's the characters that draw us in the movie and make us love the series. We just need to get to Luke fast. And we can all agree that the Starkiller Base is pretty garbage right? It took more effort to destroy the Death Star honestly. Also, what's up with R2D2? Anyway, the movie is worth at least 90% of the hype. There's space action. Lightsaber battles. Family drama. Nostalgia. Many Force action. Cool effects. Great majestic music by the legendary John Williams! (Check out Rey's Theme!) It's a satisfying adventure that leaves you wanting more. Bring on Episode VIII! Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens: rated 3.5/4.


In all seriousness, do you guys really want the spinoff films? Because I don't. Am I the only fan who doesn't like the idea of spinoff films? You die-hard fans say that less is more but wants the spinoff films? Those spinoff films belong at Netflix or an HBO special. It should serve as a companion piece to the main events. But we'll see the first trailer for Rogue One and let's see where that goes.


Next; probably Creed. or more Star Wars.

Trailers Galore

2015 is ending. So 2016 movies are invading us with trailers. Like they chose the same week to release all that. But which one caught your attention the most? Which one made you cringe? Which one is just bad? These orders are based solely on my reaction to the trailer and the movie presented in the trailer.

8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

I just remember the first one being a lot of harmless fun. And Megan Fox still being hot. It's a popcorn movie. I don't even care if they have Adult Mutant Wrestler Rhino in this movie. I don't even care about this movie. I just hope it's the same amount of popcorn fun.

7. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

I'm a huge fan of the Harry Potter films. But as of right now, this film seems like a cashgrab for me. Even for author J.K. Rowling whose inability to move on from her beloved franchise has tarnished the goodwill of the legacy. Why is it set in New York again? I probably am going to see this on opening day but still, why doesn't anyone learn from The Hobbit films?

6. Star Trek Beyond

It's more probably the tone of the trailer that makes it weird. The trailer sells it as Guardians of the Galaxy-type film, while the visuals is basically the two previous Star Trek films. Given all the promises, I was hoping they were going with the exploration theme rather than JJ Abrams' action-oriented films. But the rebooted timeline films are among my favorites (I've never watched the old ones except for The Wrath of Khan), so fingers crossed.

5. Independence Day: Resurgence

I actually didn't want this movie to happen because the original film is so badass it doesn't need a sequel. But this trailer is pretty okay. It sucks that Will Smith couldn't/didn't want to return. He returned for the mediocre sequels to Men in Black, why not this one? Everyone's coming back. (I read somewhere that his character died while 'testing' the alien tech, that's a crappy way to write off someone). Anyway, I'm actually psyched. I hope Liam Hemsworth doesn't ruin the film.

4. X-Men: Apocalypse

It's a solid trailer, but it didn't have the same awesomeness like the first Days of Future Past trailer, which makes me less excited, but still very excited for this film. I just wished we could see more Olivia Munn though. The trailer is normal but I'm actually really hyped for the film.

3. The BFG

I'm very much so-so with the idea of a big friendly giant. I didn't have a childhood with the character but the movie looks amazingly gorgeous from the trailer. It's Steven Spielberg and his full team with legendary composer John Williams, editor Michael Kahn, cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall and screenplay written by the late Melissa Mathison. It's so promising. Big Spielberg fan here.

2. The Legend of Tarzan

The poster for this film was hideous and this could be another Warner Bros misfire. But the trailer is crazy good. The music and visuals are on point. The cast is great--Christoph Waltz, Sam L Jackson, Djimon Hounsou and YESS, Margot Robbie! After Battleship I need more convincing from Alexander Skaarsgard but this movie looks rad. I hope it's not a flop.

1. Captain America: Civil War

This trailer is awesome. I don't really care about the heroes clashing scene with Black Panther, Hawkeye and all the B-grade Avengers but that last shot with Iron Man vs. Bucky and Cap is life. They could sell that as a 10 second trailer and would still get 30 million hits on YouTube.


Also looking good for 2016: The Huntsman Winter's War with Charlize Theron (yes!), Emily Blunt (yes yes!), and Jessica Chastain (YAASSS!) Whiskey Tango Foxtrot with Tina Fey and Margot Robbie (YEAAAH!) and Now You See Me 2 despite Isla Fisher being a no-show but Lizzy Caplan's in it now (YESS!). And you know we're all excited for all the big movies of next year. Yeah you two red cape and black cape. And also you, merc.

Spy Day

That title is a pun on spa day, or Spidey.. I'm sorry. That's not funny. Alright, so last Friday I had a spy day. I probably should stop saying spy day. So on spy day, I watched Guy Ritchie's stylish adaptation of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and James Bond's latest Spectre. I enjoyed both of them immensely. This has been a good year for spies. Kingsman: The Secret Service is still one of my favorites of 2015 and then Tom Cruise's Rogue Nation is also this summer's best. And the four of them remind me to get to the gym and work out. Unless Alicia Vikander or Lea Seydoux is also in the gym with me, going to the gym would probably be a dream.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E

The only reason I can think of as to why this movie flopped is that not many people care for this movie adaptation of a 60s TV show. Because, this movie is awesome. Guy Ritchie has been making stylish, cool movies since his first feature Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. His studio features are also amazing. Warner Bros has been struggling to produce a hit but I must commend them for keep shelling out quality movies like this. The premise is genuinely intriguing. A Russian spy and an American spy team up to stop a terrorist threat. Add that with great (and beautiful) actors at the lead Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill, and Alicia Vikander. Supporting cast include Jared Harris, Hugh Grant and the forever stunning Elizabeth Debicki. It's set in Europe, most particularly in Rome. What more do you need? According to Guy Ritchie and his writers, apparently so much more. The film has the coolest editing, score and soundtrack, costume design, and story. It's just the type of style you have come to expect from Guy Ritchie and I hope he can still maintain and repurpose it for next year's King Arthur. The score by Daniel Pemberton is amazing. The soundtrack is expertly chosen. The movie is a welcome attack of visual and audio that is gorgeous to enjoy. I hope Armie Hammer lands a hit though, he's actually the Taylor Kitsch in movies with two leading men (this and The Lone Ranger). If I didn't enjoy one thing from this film, that would be the half-assed romance between Armie's Ilya and Alicia's Gaby (I'm on first name basis yo). The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: rated 3.5/4

Spectre
I'm a big Bond fan. Casino Royale is royalty and Skyfall set the sky for its standard. Spectre has a lot of pressure to follow the $1 billion Skyfall. But right from the start, from the gunbarrel at the very beginning(!!), and the Day of the Dead sequence, the filmmakers have put us in the very top entertainment quality and they would gladly let us fall down gradually from there. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace might shy away from being 'your dad's' Bond film by doing a different variation of the gunbarrel opening, doesn't give a damn on vodka martini, and drinking Carlsberg. Skyfall tried to embrace the tradition back by numerous easter eggs and that mandatory Aston Martin DB5 cameo and of course the Bond tune all over the movie. Spectre is a full-fledged Bond film. The gunbarrel is at the very beginning, awesome opening sequence with women's bodies, Bond themes, shaken-not-stirred vodka martini, Aston Martins, mono-syllabic bad guy and of course Blofeld and his Spectre supervillain group which is like the white people ISIS in our modern day (is this racist? tell me if it is). The action is amazing starting from the nonsensical helicopter fight, majestic car chase in Rome, and the climactic MI5 maze. Best-directed sequence though is when we first see Oberhauser Blofeld for the first time in the Spectre meeting. It is intense af.

While all the action sequences, direction and acting are on point, the story might be a little unoriginal. It's like Fast & Furious 6 meets Star Trek Into Darkness. I hate to admit that. I hate to say that a Bond film copied Fast and Furious but it's true. Blofeld is the author of Bond's pain through Le Chiffre, Greene and Silva, much like Furious 6 baddie, who is like the big baddie who killed Letty and is the leader of this criminal organization. And Blofeld is Oberhauser but is Blofeld much like Cumberbatch's Khan is John Harrison but is Khan. Daniel Craig is so good at being Bond, that I don't see anyone but Idris Elba is worthy enough to succeed him. Damian Lewis? Come on, I'd be out of breath listening to him speak. Lea Seydoux is born to be in a Bond movie. She's so pretty but her romance with Bond is unlike Bond-Vesper, that when she suddenly says 'I love you' it doesn't make any sense. It's a good plot to see Bond in love again but I wish it would've been done better. And of course, I'd like to see more of Christoph Waltz terrorizing people and oozing menace on the screen more. He's just not given enough stuff to do and say. I hope they do him justice next time. Oh and Sam Smith's song isn't that bad when used in the film, because it fits the theme of the movie. And be happy it's not as bad as Madonna's. I'm giving 3/4 but I like this movie so much (objective reviewer point!). That Day of the Dead sequence alone is enough to guarantee a second viewing (which I will do). Spectre: rated 3/4.

Update December 20 I'm very much convinced that Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey or The Guest or Night at the Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb should be the next James Bond.

White Roses

I've been a fan of The Hunger Games films. I loved the first two books, but not the last one. I was hoping that the film could elevate the bad source material. This last film is still directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and an array of amazing supporting cast like Julianne Moore, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, and Elizabeth Banks. I had an okay-ish expectation for this film and the promotional material for this film doesn't hype me so, so I wasn't all that hyped. And most importantly, the movie scored a day-and-date release date for Japan that hasn't been seen since February's Fifty Shades of Grey, which is weird. The next day-and-date is more sensible though, you know, that film about people carrying long lightsticks they use as swords.

The film picked up right where Part 1 left off, after Katniss' being strangled by the Manchurian Candidate Peeta. Katniss then swore to kill President Snow herself and go to the Capitol. But rebel leader President Coin still wants her to be the symbol so she went with the star team, which is a waste of talent, considering you really need to fight and these guys know how to fight. President Snow knows this plan and rigged The Capitol with traps and weapons ala his annual Hunger Games.

If you hear other fans of other YA complained about how the Divergent series and Maze Runner series deviate totally from the book, you won't hear that with this The Hunger Games. The films have been so faithful to the book that even a crucial moment that I hoped to be more clarified is just like in the book. But not that it's a bad thing, because as a whole this film is great. From the performance, I almost forgot how I love Jennifer Lawrence in her usual kick-ass, awesome-acting mode and at last, I'm sold by Josh Hutcherson's acting in this film. However, Liam Hemsworth should consult his Norse God brother on how to share the screen with acting greats like people in this film. Donald Sutherland is creepily good and Julianne Moore is just as good. I also loved the fact that more and more TV people are creeping to the big projects like this. There are Natalie Dormer and Gwendoline Christine from Game of Thrones, Mahershala Ali from House of Cards, Mira (I forgot her name) from Homeland, and Robert Knepper from Heroes season four. 

The action is great in this film and it is expertly paced. The visual effects is so good. This series remains the best produced film from Lionsgate in terms of quality. The CGI or green screen is seamless unlike Divergent series. The ending for this film is grim just like people say, but it has so much more meaning than your average kick-ass ending. We've seen happy endings too much and Mockingjay Part 2 is taking the logical and mature way. This put The Hunger Games way further than the average young adult films. It has a class-of-its-own. I guess put it this way, the trendsetter is always the best one out of the trend, like Harry Potter films are of another level compared to Percy Jackson and so is Hunger Games, compared to Divergent or Maze Runner. Especially seeing that this post-apocalyptic dystopian setting has exactly the same plot points in general. Still the decision to split the film might hurt creatively if not economically. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2: rated 3.5/4

up next fast
spy games Solo, Kuryakin and Bond

Double Feature

I'm supposed to write a review about Joe Wright's Pan. Not in the mood, but I can safely say that that movie is pretty pointless and has the worst child actor in a movie since The Last Airbender. You know which child actor has a better performance in a movie? Those two girls from the racist Owen Wilson-actioner No Escape and the girl from Ryan Reynolds' latest Self/Less. I mean, those two movies are not big budget studio tentpole and they did a better job casting a child for a movie. This review is long overdue. Once again I have shamelessly been a lazy-ass person who just eats, sleeps, raves, repeat. I saw the disastrous Pan early this month and finally saw the ensemble cast in the based-on-true-story Everest like a week later.

Pan

I love Joe Wright. Apart from The Soloist, I can watch his films like a hundred times. Atonement is awesome, Hanna is amazing, Anna Karenina is magical, and Pride and Prejudice is beautiful. While Pan, um, is none of those positive adjectives. Let's start with the good part first, Hugh Jackman as the villainous pirate Blackbeard is on his over-the-top scenery-chewing game which is necessary for this film. He's the only life of the film. Rooney Mara is great to look at but her performance is so bland I could be watching a picture of her and still get the same reaction. Levi Miller as Pan is unbearable. He only has two expressions for everything. Garrett Hedlund also churns out a laughable kind of approach to Hook. I was hoping the film to be like Jupiter Ascending, getting bad reviews but a fun one-off event of movie-going. Nope it wasn't. I even fell asleep after the obligatory Tinkerbell cameo. This is probably one of the worst movies I've watched in cinemas of all time. Even I didn't fall asleep during Fant4stic. I didn't remember the movie had any standout scenes apart from Hugh Jackman. There was a Smells Like Teens Spirit rendition that is so weird and so out of time. Probably that stands out. But not really. Oh Amanda Seyfried has a cameo, but I doubt anyone would remember from this forgettable film. I wish Joe Wright goes back to smaller movies after this. It's best to stick to Hook as your go-to Peter Pan movie. Pan: rated 1/4

Everest
This movie is based on an incident that happened in 1996. The movie is directed by Baltasar Kormakur and starring a great cast that includes Jason Clarke, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, Keira Knightley, Robin Wright, John Hawkes, Sam Worthington, Emily Watson and so much more including the stunning Elizabeth Debicki. The movie feels real, like the feel of the mountain climbing is really there so that's a plus. I watched this movie not knowing that they shot some on an actual mountain. So I was hoping like obvious green screen all over. But then not at all. It was an intense experience. The cast are really good too. It's great to see Jason Clarke getting more leading roles because he can carry a movie. I would love to see more of Robin Wright and Sam Worthington though. The movie is also pretty respectful to the actual tragedy that killed several climbers without giving too much dramatization on the events. And the movie was really good in a large format 3D. Everest: rated 3.5/4


Next up quick Mockingjay Part 2