MOVIE REVIEW: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Marvel and Sony Animation leveled up the superhero movie genre with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film introduces us to Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) successor of Peter Parker. He is an Afro-Latino kid who also had the same fate as Parker in becoming the superhero. With a gorgeous animated backdrop of New York City plus some retro touches, the film also has a storyline that's never before been seen in previous animated films - the multilevel dimensions most commonly used in sci-fi films.

Into the Spider-Verse is a love letter to all the Spidey fans out there. Within the other dimensions exists other variations of Spider-Man. It's such a thrill to see Spider-Man Noir (voiced by Nicolas Cage), the Japanese anime inspired Peni Parker and even Spider Ham all together with Miles Morales in one screen fighting the common enemy led by Kingpin (voiced by Liev Schreiber). This is the best film in the franchise since 2004's Spider-Man 2 starring Tobey Maguire and James Franco.

MOVIE REVIEW: Ralph Breaks the Internet

Disney didn't disappoint with Ralph Breaks the Internet - a highly intelligent fun sequel that's perfect for the family of the internet generation.

Six years had passed since arcade game anti-hero Ralph (John C. Reilly) and his best friend car racing sweetheart Venellope (Sarah Silverman) saved the Sugar Rush arcade game from Turbo. This Time, the duo kept up with the times and discovered the vast world of the internet when the owner of the arcade Mr. Litwak (Ed O'Neill) installed a connection in the arcade. The duo needed a find a key component that can keep Venellope's game in good working condition. They ended up, as expected in EBay in a hilarious setup that worked.
The Disney brand was fully utilized in the film. The Marvel and Star Wars heroes and villains as well as the Disney Princesses all shine in one part of the film. Kudos to most of the original voice actors who reprise their speaking parts. This is one great homage to pop-culture that appeals to all generation. The most significant new character in the film is Shank (voiced by Gal Gadot) from a new game that's built for the internet. The interaction between Venellope and Shank is priceless.
Ralph Breaks the Internet is worth your time and money to see it on the big screen. It's highly entertaining yet it imparts lessons on a world lost in technology.

MOVIE REVIEW: Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody succeeded in which other musical rock biopics didn't. It introduced Freddie Mercury to a new generation of music lovers and made his band Queen more accessible to a wide demographic. The Bryan Singer helmed film also cemented the British group's legacy as one of the world's greatest bands. Some sectors complained that it should have gone into frontman Freddie Mercury's darker side, but in a world littered with negativity nowadays, Bohemian Rhapsody turned out to be an inspirational film without sentimentality and it may even encourage musicians to dream big.

Rami Malek (TV's Mr. Robot) was born to play Freddie Mercury. Both Malek and him (who has born Farrokh Bulsara) trace their roots in the Middle East. Malek completely disappeared into the iconic singer and he mastered all his movements and mannerisms well. He shouldn't be forgotten come awards season time early next year.

It was wise to make the film revolve to the days that culminated to Live Aid 1985. Queen's 20 minute set in Wembley Stadium is always remembered as one of the best live performances ever. Some musician friends of mine said that there were inaccuracies about Freddie's life. That can be disappointing to hardcore fans but all in all Bohemian Rhapsody is a commendable film that celebrates music at it's best. 

MOVIE REVIEW: Halloween (2018)

I had low expectations for the latest installment of Halloween. Ever since the first movie came out back in 1978, there had been sequels and reimagination (2007's Halloween by Rob Zombie comes into mind), you just feel saturated by it. When the buzz for this year's version was good and found out that Blumhouse (makers of the best films right now in the genre), I grabbed the chance to watch it. It is actually good!!

Halloween 2018 discards all the previous sequels and it's set in the present time. 40 years later, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is a traumatized woman from the events in the first film. She is shunned by her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) for being so paranoid and distances her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) every time and opportunity she can.

The iconic villain Michael Myers is now housed in a mental institution and when two investigative journalists came to visit, bringing them a part of him that attracts himself to killing, mayhem begins. 

Devoid of any effects and out of this world premises, Halloween 2018 is a great throwback of the horror/slasher films of the 70s in the age of social media. From the films intro, the music and the actors, Halloween brings authentic horror that's a good escape to the real horrors that the world is experiencing today.

MOVIE REVIEW: Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians is a heartfelt romantic comedy with a distinct emphasis on family customs and traditions on people that is sadly underrepresented in Hollywood. Based on the bestselling book by Singaporean Kevin Kwan, the film gives justice to the book (which I read) with it's perfect casting of the actors that matches to the characters quirks and wonderful cinematography that gives justice to the vibrant cosmopolitan island country of the author.

The situation of Rachel (Constance Wu), a Chinese-American professor living in New York City meeting his Singaporean boyfriend Nicholas Young's (Henry Golding) family in his home country is just like any typical situation Asians living in the USA go thru. What makes Crazy Rich Asians stand out is when she finds out about the wealth of her boyfriend's family which sets the pace for 2 hours worth of fun. From matrons who organize bible study groups as a way of gossiping about other people to gaudy Palace of Versailles inspired mansions. Michelle Yeoh playing Eleanor Young aka Nicholas mom is icy cold perfection. The role could have been a caricature but Yeoh's acting plus the outstanding writing prevented it from being one.

Gemma Chan, Chris Pang and Sonoya Mizuno are the eye candy cast members while Ken Jeong, Nico Santos and Awkwafina who's on a roll this summer after Ocean's Eight brings excellent comic relief to the film. 

It took Hollywood 25 years to make another film with a predominantly Asian cast. The Joy Luck Club, also based on a book was the last one. I won't be surprised based that the two books right after Crazy Rich Asians would be made into movies as well at the soonest possible time. 

MOVIE REVIEW: The Spy Who Dumped Me

Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon star in The Spy Who Dumped Me. They play two best friends in Los Angeles whose lives turn upside down when Audrey (Kunis)'s boyfriend Drew (Justin Theroux) split up with her just before her birthday. It turns out that he's living a double life as a spy and when he had to do it to spare her from harm. Things then started to be complicated and both Audrey and Morgan (McKinnon) are both on the run from both the law and the bad guys.

The Spy Who Dumped Me rises above the typical buddy for it's unpredictability and the perfect comic chemistry of the lead actresses. Kunis already proven her comic worth in previous films but it is Kate McKinnon who is the driving force of the film. The Saturday Night Live actress is still looking for her breakout role in film since her Ghostbusters reboot alongside Melissa McCarthy wasn't a big hit as expected. The film is gorgeously shot in Europe and it's fun to watch as it makes fun of Americans on foreign soil and backpackers among others. This is one smart female buddy comedy that can be placed side to side to McCarthy and Sandra Bullock's The Heat.

MOVIE REVIEW: Teen Titans Go! To The Movies

My nieces were excited when I told them that I had screening tickets for this movie. I absolutely had no idea who and what the Teen Titans are except I saw them in passing on ads on cable TV. I brought the two girls with me and I was pleasantly surprised. Teen Titans Go! To The Movies is the most Marvel among all the DC films there is.

Led by Robin (voiced by Scott Menville) forever in the shadow of Batman (voiced by Will Arnett), the Teen Titans must prove that they are worthy to have a movie of their own and step out of the shadows of DC's most popular superheroes. The Boy Wonder is supported by characters such as Raven, Starfire, Beast Boy and Cyborg. The team each have their own unique superpowers but they are still in search for that big break for them to be popular. There is enough humor for all ages: from the physical slapstick ones for the kids as well as some deep pop culture references for the adults. I loved it when they make fun of themselves and was shocked when they injected jokes really intended for the parents. 

The animated film is full of color and it reminded me of the Powerpuff Girls and that is a compliment. Teen Titans Go! To The Movies ranks alongside with the Incredibles 2 as the best animated films so far of 2018.

MOVIE REVIEW: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

It's time to go back to the island of Kalokairi and find whatever storyline there is to continue the story of Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep), her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and her "three dads" Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard). 

As shown in the trailer, most of us know that Donna has passed away and the sequel focuses more on flashbacks with Downton Abbey's Lily James as the young Miss Sheridan. The way Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again intertwines the flashback and the opening of Sophie's dream hotel honoring her late mom is pure genius. It's an ultimate summer escapist flick anchored by a great ensemble of well-liked actors and the addition of Cher as the grandmother of Sophie. The 70's icon number in the final act is the highlight of the film. The songs are rehashed but who cares when ABBA is well-loved worldwide plus an amazing cast singing and dancing to it. It is the film equivalent of going back to the karaoke bar with friends singing the songs and having a good time.

Just like when the first movie came out ten years ago when the US financial crisis is starting to hit the world, Here We Go Again provides great entertainment in a world of chaos.

MOVIE REVIEW: Incredibles 2

The 14 year wait for the Incredibles sequel was all worth it. Picking up where the first film ended, the superhero family aka The Parrs are forced to be integrated back to a normal life after the world banned superheroes for the wreck and havoc they caused after fighting villains. Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) aka Mr. Incredible, his wife Helen Parr aka Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) and their kids Violet and her brothers Dash and Jack Jack all felt disheartened but they can't do anything about it.

A glimmer of hope came from media-savvy mogul Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) who's a big fan of superheroes and hope to bring them back on the global stage. With his PR instincts, he feels that Elastigirl is the perfect fit to be the face of a superhero renaissance. She accepted it for the family thus relegating her husband Bob to be a stay at home dad taking care of their young kids. Deavor too has an inventor sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener having fun in her role) who's always behind his endeavors. 

Together with family friend Lucius Best aka Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson), it's fun to see him and Bob doing household duties and taking care of the kids. Moviegoers and fans of the first film will surely Jack-Jack's antics. Incredibles 2 came in the right time in Hollywood. It's all about women empowerment as the ladies in this animated film gets the best roles and the actresses (Hunter and Keener) gets the best lines as well. Fan favorite superhero costume designer Edna Mode (Brad Bird) is also in the sequel with one funny scene.

It's good to know that the director of the first film Brad Bird is back in the director's chair. With a smart script and entertaining characters, Pixar is back with it's best sequel since Toy Story 3.

MOVIE REVIEW: Ocean's 8

Ocean's 8 is the perfect movie at this very moment when women power is being questioned most especially here in the United States and back home in the Philippines. Led with Sandra Bullock who plays Debbie Ocean, the sister of George Clooney's character Danny in the previous films and Cate Blanchett who has the Brad Pitt role as the BFF, Ocean's 8 is one lighthearted fun heist fare catered in the age of social media.

After they assembled women with different backgrounds, ethnicity and skills, they plan to rob a very precious necklace that will be used by one of the celebrities (Anne Hathaway) in the annual MET Gala in New York City. Vegas is so old school, the gala with stars and those who became stars because of self promotion is the in thing to be in. The premise has a feel-good vibe to it because we actually get a chance to cheer women to get something from self-absorbed people. It's fun to see the three Oscar winners sharing screen time with a cast as diverse from Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina who is poised to be a breakthrough star this year with a role in the upcoming Crazy Rich Asians, Sarah Paulson and Helena Bonham-Carter. They all have awesome chemistry and I wouldn't mind seeing them all together again in a second act.

MOVIE REVIEW: Upgrade

Upgrade is the first pleasant surprise of this year's summer movie season here in the United States. The only prominent name in the cast is the breakthrough star of last years Oscar winning Get Out Betty Gabriel. With barely any promotions and under the radar in theaters compared to other blockbusters released at the same time, this sci fi action thriller with some good comedy is just good old classic B movie filmmaking.

The lead actor of the film Logan Marshall-Green is that guy we usually say that we saw in some other movies but we don't know his name. Upgrade will change all of that. In my book, he is a taller lankier version of Tom Hardy. His recent filmography includes Spider-Man Homecoming and Prometheus. Marshall-Green portrays Grey Trace a mechanic who after a carjack gets his wife Asha (Melanie Vallejo) killed and had him turned into a quadriplegic. With the help of his help of his big time tech client Eron Keen (Harrison Gilbertson) and his highly advanced computer chip Stem, Grey can recover at a fast rate. Now this is where all the fun begins as he seeks revenge.

Part Ex-Machina part Netflix's Black Mirror with a dash of John Wick, Upgrade is one smart, tight, sci-fi action thriller that's worth your time at the movies. There's never any dull moment and you'll be definitely cheering on Grey Trace as he fights back from all the evil that surrounds him. It also helps that it's also unpredictable until the very end. Kudos to Australian director Leigh Whannell who also wrote one of the best horror films in recent years Insidious. Blumhouse Productions has done it right again with Upgrade.

MOVIE REVIEW: Adrift

There's a good at the edge of your seat summer blockbuster somewhere in the new movie Adrift. Based on the memoirs of sailor Tami Oldham (Shailene Woodley), a free spirited young lady who sailed from Tahiti to San Diego in 1983 with her love Richard played by Me Before You's Sam Claflin. They never expected that the two of them would encounter a Category 4 storm within the route. Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur who also helmed another true disaster story 2015's Everest, knows what he's doing. The storm scenes in the Pacific was executed well and just like in his previous Hollywood film, he perfectly captured man's predicament when Mother Nature strikes at us. 

Woodley plays Oldham with a spark that she also brought to her previous films, most notably The Fault in our Stars. Claflin's role is so similar to Me Before You. I hope that he won't be typecast in his next films. 

The raw beauty of Fiji was captured well in Adrift. This isn't the tropical paradise we often see in its tourism promotion campaign. The film showed us the people living there, their lifestyle and vibe. One remarkable thing about Adrift too is that the insertion of a plot twist that we never expected. It worked for me as well as others who don't know details of the true story.

The movie though could use a little more excitement and less melodrama.

MOVIE REVIEW: Solo: A Star Wars Story

The expansion of the Star Wars cinematic universe continues in Solo: A Star Wars Story. To be fair, the iconic character immortalized by Harrison Ford deserves to have a prequel. A smuggler, pilot and a double crosser all in one, it sure would make one interesting film.

The good news is among all the Star Wars films released after Disney's acquisition of the franchise, this is the lightest, cheeriest and feel good film of them all. Oscar winning director Ron Howard brought the atmosphere that echoes similarities to the first trilogy of the franchise. Solo is an old fashioned summer entertainment that can actually bring more fans to Star Wars. Alden Ehrenreich captured the look and mannerisms of Ford. He brought the proper amount of wit and humor to the character. Before Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) came to the picture, Solo also introduced us to Han's original lady love Qi'ra played by Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke. The only issue I have with the casting is that she looks so similar to Felicity Jones' tragic Jyn Erso in Rogue One. 

As a Star Wars fan, it's such a delight to see how Han Solo and his sidekick Chewbacca the Wookie first meet. Kudos to the father and son writing team of Lawrence and Jonathan Kasdan for such an entertaining scene. Music's hottest male act Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover got his groove on

portraying Lando Carlrissian. Woody Harrelson, Paul Bettany and Thandie complete the supporting cast.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is a commendable popcorn fare that brings back memories of the original trilogy when we first saw it on the big screen.

MOVIE REVIEW: Book Club

Book Club is the story of lifelong friends Diane (Diane Keaton), Vivian (Jane Fonda), Sharon (Candice Bergen) and Carol (Mary Steenburgen) who formed a friendship while reading the same book they assign to each other hence the title of the film. The four have a story of their own in regards to their relationship with men and when one of them chose the erotic Fifty Shades of Grey as the next book in their club, that's where their lives get more interesting. 

Kudos to the producers for casting these four brilliant actresses in a movie that's a welcome diversion from the comic book genre that's saturating multiplexes right now. Book Club made us realize that there are thespians in the same age range other than Meryl Streep. Keaton has proved her natural comedic timing in The First Wives Club, Something's Gotta Give and her Oscar winning turn in Annie Hall. It's so nice to nice TV's Murphy Brown of my youth Candice Bergen in a co-lead role. Mary Steenburgen always has been a dependable character actress and Jane Fonda still works wonder in the ripe age of 81. They are ably supported by actors whom we don't recently on the big screen. Andy Garcia, Don Johnson, TV's Coach Craig T. Nelson as well as 90's icon Alicia Silverstone of Clueless.

MOVIE REVIEW: Deadpool 2

Deadpool 2 is the Shrek 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There are a lot of pop culture references most especially about old movies that worked well in the sequel. It almost felt like you're watching a Quentin Tarantino movie. Directed by David Leitch, who also helmed the underrated Atomic Blonde and an uncredited bit in John Wick, the sequel shows some similarities in his previous above mentioned works. Stylized violence and gore as well as good use of cheesy pop music. An outstanding tribute to James Bond films was also included that film lovers everywhere in the world will find it amusing.

Ryan Reynolds was born to play to antihero superhero. His deadpan style of comedy even works better in the sequel. His Golden Globe Best Actor in a Comedy win for the first film wasn't a fluke. Three weeks after Avengers Infinity War, Josh Brolin is back again in a Marvel film. In the poster, it looks like his Cable character in Deadpool 2 is the same as Thanos in the Avengers film. You'll be in for a surprise. TJ Miller and scene stealer Karan Soni (Dopinder) are back as well.

There are a lot of wonderful surprises in Deadpool 2. Fans of the first film won't be disappointed. I won't spoil the fun. No need to watch it on premium format. Just sit back, relax as well as like in any other Marvel film, stay till the end credits.

MOVIE REVIEW: I Feel Pretty

Amy Schumer plays Renee, a tech support of a popular make-up company owned by Avery LeClaire played by 4 time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams, who seems to be enjoying playing against type in a comedy. She longs to be in the corporate office, but seeing the other supermodel type ladies who work there made her continuously insecure about herself. It all changes after an accident in the cycling spinning class that she joined in which made her suddenly feel pretty good about herself. It brought her self-confidence to the point that it had alienated her longtime friends Jane and Vivian played by Busy Phillips and Aidy Bryant respectively. I Feel Pretty's supporting cast also

includes some of the most beautiful people in the world from classic supermodel Lauren Hutton, the stunning Emily Ratajskowski and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.

The premise may sound shallow and offensive to some but anchored by Schumer's affectionate performance, I Feel Pretty is a fun comedy that makes you feel good regardless of who you are and how you look. It teaches us there's beauty in each of us.

MOVIE REVIEW: A Quiet Place

Don't let the generic title and poster fool you. A Quiet Place is one of the best horror/suspense-thriller to come out in recent years. What's more surprising is that this is just the 3rd film directorial work of actor John Krasinski (TV's The Office) and how he made it all good in just 90 minutes is beyond wonder.

Krasinski and his real life wife Emily Blunt play Lee and Evelyn Abbott - who with their 3 children live in a world ravaged by creatures who hunt and kill when they hear sound from their prey. The film is mostly about the family and the uncertainty if they can make it out alive.

It is really living in a world of silence and until they find a way to know the creatures weakness, the Abbotts just simply live to survive.

With a premise like that, you know that you're in for a ride. Blunt is perfection as the matriarch of the family and Millicent Simmonds  who's deaf in real life, is the heart of the film. She plays Regan Abbott, the only daughter and her scenes stand out. There's some quiet dignity in it. 

I won't spoil any further but go see A Quiet Place and prepare to be jolted when you least expected.

MOVIE REVIEW: Tomb Raider

I had low expectations for the reboot of the original film that catapulted Angelina Jolie into superstardom back in 2001. She was born to play the British heiress/adventurer Lara Croft based on her looks and attitude alone. Unfortunately like most video games adaptation, the movie is mostly style less substance.

Fast forward this year when another Oscar Best Supporting Actress winner is tasked to portray the heroine. Alicia Vikander who made a career out of costume dramas (A Royal Affair, Tulip Fever and her winning turn in The Danish Girl) does action and she passes. There's life and vibrancy in her Lara Croft that Jolie lacked. Vikander elevated the reboot and without her it would look like just any other generic action movie. 

Tomb Raider has that The Mummy (Brendan Fraser's not Tom Cruise) vibe that's pure escapism at it's best. Given the right director though like Wonder Woman's Patty Jenkins perhaps, it could have been a better movie.

MOVIE REVIEW: Red Sparrow

Jennifer Lawrence plays Dominika Egorova, a Russian prima ballerina whose career ending injury forces her to look for work, since she's supporting her ailing mother. Her Uncle (Mattias Schoenaerts) forced Dominika to enter a state-run school who teaches spies in training the art of sexual manipulation. A run-in with a CIA operative (Joel Edgerton) that ultimately resulted with some romantic gestures is her true test as an intelligence agent.

At 2 hours and 20 minutes, Red Sparrow could have been an hour shorter. There were too much scenes that were literally translated from the book by Jay Matthews page by page and word by word. (I was able to borrow the book months before the film was released and it was a struggle to finish it.) The movie is directed by Francis Lawrence who also helmed  JLaw's last three Hunger Games movies. For me splitting Mockingjay into two parts was unnecessary. However, if it was made into just one film then it will be like as Red Sparrow. 

With a commendable performance with Lawrence, an esteemed supporting cast that includes Jeremy Irons, Charlotte Rampling and Mary Louise Parker and an elegant production design that captures cold Russia, Red Sparrow gets bogged down by it's long running time, confusing film editing and violence that's just too much for a film. After mother! and this, it's time for the Oscar winning actress to take on a light role.

MOVIE REVIEW: Black Panther

The Marvel Cinematic Universe hits the jackpot with Black Panther. The choice of Ryan Coogler, who for me directed two of the best films this decade with Fruitvale Station (2013) and Creed (2015) is perfection. He applied the grit and heart that was prevalent in those movies and with some remarkable effects and a great cast makes Black Panther the best among the films produced by Marvel Studios.

Continuing from 2016's Captain America: Civil War when we were first introduced to T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman). The film tackles his return back to his home, the African kingdom of Wakanda to succeed his Dad to the throne after his father's untimely death. His place may look like a poor country on the outside but inside Wakanda is a modern metropolis thanks to the element vibranium which powers the place and its people. Unfortunately, there are forces within the kingdom that want to challenge his leadership.

Black Panther may be a superhero movie but the issues it tackles makes it more human than any other Marvel film. There are some similarities of it with some governments in the world right now. This is also a film that showcase women empowerment at its finest. Aside from having Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o and a nominee Angela Bassett in the cast, there are also female warriors assigned the protect Wakanda's monarch.  Coogler regular Michael B. Jordan playing against type, is commendable as the film's protagonist Erik Killmonger. Movie geeks too will be ecstatic to see both Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and Gollum (Andy Serkis) on the same film and on a different cinematic universe altogether. Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Sterling K. Brown (TV's This is Me) and Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) are the other members of the acting ensemble.

Black Panther sets the stage for Avengers: Infinity War which comes out in a couple of months. Here's hoping that it continues the pace of T'Challa and company in the MCU.

MOVIE REVIEW: Winchester

I often see the Winchester Mansion in which this movie was based on, every time I was assigned to work in Santa Clara, California. I'd never been inside but I researched on it's colorful, infamous history and the people in it. After the success of The Conjuring films, it's no surprise that someone will make a movie about one of the most popular haunted house in the United States.

The great Helen Mirren stars as Sarah Winchester, heiress of the family fortune. The Winchester family made it big in the sales of firearms and after her husband and child died, Sarah purchased a land in San Jose, California to build a mansion whose history still fascinates people up to this day. The heiress believes that the restless souls of those killed by the rifles still haunt her and her family. Her beliefs resulted in building a house that is continuously being built and having a complicated architecture and interiors.

The film directed by The Spierig Brothers gives a very basic history of the family and the house. The movie is "inspired" by the events. It took the horror route. There are some genuine scares and a beautiful twist inspired by 2001's The Others.

Co starring Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty) and Sara Snook, Winchester could have been a better movie but it's still commendable for showing the history of the mansion in basic detail. Now, Il make an effort to tour the mansion once I'm back in the Bay Area.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Commuter

The Liam Neeson formula that started it all in Taken is again in full glory in The Commuter. He plays Michael MacCauley, an insurance salesman who takes the regular commuter train for the past ten years to work in New York City. A loving family man to his wife Karen (Elizabeth McGovern) and son Danny (Dean-Charles Chapman). Unfortunately, like most any other American family, they lost in the financial crisis in 2008 and live on a paycheck to paycheck basis.

After getting some bad news at work, Michael met a mystery lady (Vera Farmiga) on the train and offered him something that can ease up his financial burden. As the plot unravels, it is linked into something much more sinister.

The Commuter starts slow but just like a regular train during rush hour, it builds up speed to a highly entertaining climax. There are some loopholes in the story but Neeson's everyman in distress acting and some funny moments make The Commuter the better public transit train movie compared to The Girl on the Train.

MOVIE REVIEW: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

The trailers to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle did not do justice. It looked like an expensive cgi-loaded effects movie that is better suited at a discount bin in Walmart. Two weeks ago when it opened in the United States and in most parts of the world (no thanks to the annual Metro Manila Film Festival where only Filipino movies are allowed to be shown in local cinemas), the buzz is strong that the Jumanji reboot is great entertainment and it exceeded expectations. I saw it a couple of hours ago and yes it's all true - Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is fun fun fun!!

The original 1995 film, adapted from the book with the same name and stars the late Robin Williams in one of the iconic family films in the nineties. Getting stuck on a board game and coming out with wild animals on it to wreck havoc on a town?!! The concept sure is made for the big screen.

Two decades later, Sony Pictures decided on a different approach to the new version. In keeping up with the times, students who are in high school detention for various reasons, saw an old gaming console with the Jumanji name on it. They get into the game and the avatars they selected. The players are then transported to the jungle in a game of survival. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Guardian of the Galaxy's Karen Gillan and Jack Black all gave excellent comedic performances as the video game characters that are totally opposite of their characters in the real world. The four actors all had great chemistry and impeccable comic timing. It is best seen on the big screen.