MOVIE REVIEW: The Good Dinosaur

The Good Dinosaur starts off with a promising premise: what if the asteroid that hit earth and drove the dinosaurs off to extinction missed the planet? From then, the animated  movie about a young Apatosaurus named Arlo's quest of conquering his fear is a mashup of previous animated classics: from the father and son relationship from The Lion King, a kid who grew up from the jungle (Tarzan) to even Finding Nemo's adventure, Dinosaurs and humans cohabiting in the same world was fun to see and since the giant reptiles survived that asteroid, they are the dominant species and let's just say that we became man's best friend. 

The Good Dinosaur does not belong to Pixar's groundbreaking films and some might even confuse it to The Land Before Time series but what it lacks in originality fully compensates in its gorgeous visual background (I saw it in regular 2D but from the way it looked, it's worth your hard earned money in 3D) and good sentimentality that hits you in the right spot. Don't be surprised if you and your kids both shed a tear at the same time.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

The first two books of The Hunger Games complimented the series fast paced and engaging narrative and splitting the 3rd and last book Mockingjay was the worst decision the producers ever made. Compared to its predecessors, it does not have the excitement of it's final act that's typical of any young adult adventure sci-fi series. It may had earned them more money but artistically last year's Part 1 was a snoozefest leading up to the conclusion.

The good news though is that Mockingjay Part 2 can stand alone as a film even without the first part. I had read the book and it stayed faithful to it. Those who weren't able to see last years Part 1 and were turned off by the negative reviews can come back to the big screen and enjoy the last act of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her allies against the head of Panem President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and his cohorts. Some parts were slow and dragging. Current Oscar Best Actress Julianne Moore's President Alma Coin is not given enough time to shine as well the characters we loved in the series: Woody Harrelson's Haymitch Abernathy, Elizabeth Banks' Effie Trinket and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman's Plutarch Heavensbee. Again blame it on having a Part 1. Lawrence is indeed the one who elevated the series into something Shakesperian and she saved the film with her usual arresting performance. That can't be said though of her two leading man: Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) and Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne). They can only do as much. 

The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2 is a satisfying but grim conclusion to the successful series. We can also give a sigh of relief to Katniss that her struggles are finally over.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Dressmaker

Brit Kate Winslet with a flawless Australian accent delivers a performance we never have seen before from her plays the titular character  Myrtle "Tilly" Dunnage in The Dressmaker, based on the debut novel of Aussie Rosalie Ham. 

Set in the early 1950's in rural New South Wales, the Academy Award winning actress (The Reader) plays a glamorous and talented lady who comes back 25 years later to her hometown of Dungatar to face the ghosts of her past, of what drove her out there and to reconcile with her slightly demented mother Judy Davis (who gave her best performance since her memorable Oscar nominated turn in Woody Allen's Husbands and Wives (1992)). As pieces unravel, Tilly set up shop to dress up the ladies of Dungatar with style she learned while in Paris, fell in love with a childhood friend Teddy (Liam Hemsworth) and exact revenge on those who wronged her.

Part Western with some drama and a lot of black comedy, The Dressmaker is one unpredictable film. Aside from Davis and Hemsworth, Winslet is ably supported by Aussie actors who gave wonderful performances and those who stood our include one of the best discoveries this year, Sarah Snook with her memorable turn as the frumpy Getrude whose transformation by Tilly set the dark comic tone of the film. Veteran Hugo Weaving is also great as the town's only police officer with a secret that channels his Priscilla: Queen of the Desert character.

With beautiful costumes, gorgeous shots of the Australian countryside and beautiful actors, The Dressmaker is Oz's most fun film since Priscilla and Muriel's Wedding.

MOVIE REVIEW: Spectre

There seems to be a trend here in Daniel Craig starred James Bond films: after his debut as the iconic British action hero in the critically acclaimed reboot of Casino Royale, the franchise then stumbles in Quantum of Solace, entertaining yet forgettable. It reinvigorates then in a big way thru Skyfall (which in my book is still the best Bond movie ever) and now here comes Spectre.

After a promising press release months ago about the cast that will join the franchise among them two time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux from the Cannes winner Blue is the Warmest Color and Italian beauty Monica Bellucci (Malena): make no mistake about it, the film is a great throwback to the old days of 007: from it's locations Rome, Morocco and Austria until to the reimaging of one of the most popular villains in the Sean Connery era - Blofeld (Waltz), Spectre is director Sam Mendes tribute to the earlier films of the franchise - it is entertaining and yet after Skyfall I expected more.

From it's great opening scene in Mexico City till its great climax back in London, Spectre sort of bogs down in the middle but it's still worth your time and money to marvel at it's glory on the big screen and format of your choice.