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.

                                       

MOVIE REVIEW: Burnt

Bradley Cooper plays Adam Jones, a chef in Paris who had a notorious reputation in the past whose erratic behavior and drug use made him lose his restaurant in the French capital. After his self imposed exile in Louisiana USA to do his "penance", Jones then attempts to make a comeback in London to earn the elusive third Michelin Star and there he meets people involved with his past as he tries to rebuild his future.

Aside from the 3 time Oscar nominee, Burnt is blessed with an outstanding cast and among the standouts are Sienna Miller reunited with Cooper after American Sniper. She has more presence in the film compared to the blockbuster and Daniel Bruhl who plays Jones rival who secretly has the hots for him. 

Unfortunately though actresses Emma Thompson is wasted in a robotic role as the therapist who guides the lead character's road to redemption and Uma Thurman in a short glorified cameo as a restaurant critic. 2015's It girl Alicia Vikander (Ex-Machina and the upcoming The Danish Girl) is also in the film also in a few short minutes as the ex girlfriend.

With lots of beautiful food shots (it has the food shots feel of Instagram) and learning the basics on how Michelin gives its stars to chefs and restaurants, Burnt achieves that. My problem though is that like a good feast, there should be more servings.

MOVIE REVIEW: Crimson Peak

Just in time for Halloween, visual stylist director Guillermo Del Toro goes back to his Oscar winning Pan's Labyrinth look and feel with Crimson Peak, a gothic horror thriller that is also a glossy soap opera that's reminiscent of the twist and turns that prevalent in the telenovelas that's popular in the director's home country of Mexico.

The lead character Edith Cushing perfectly played by porcelain beauty Mia Wasikowska (Disney's Alice in Wonderland) is an American heiress living in Buffalo, New York at the start of the 20th century. Her simple ambition in life is to be a writer like Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein. She lost her mom to cholera at a young age and her father Carter (Jim Beaver) a self-made engineer only wants the best for her.

Edith also has the supernatural ability to communicate with ghosts and the one of her mom warns her "beware of Crimson Peak".

Against the wishes of her father who wanted their family friend doctor (Charlie Hunnam from TV's Sons of Anarchy) for her to settle down with, she met and got attracted to a mysterious British inventor Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and after a tragic situation marries and moves to his run down and desolate estate across the Atlantic. With his sister Lucille (the always great Jessica Chastain) always at Thomas' side, Edith will soon discover something that the ghosts had always warned and it's not what you expect.
The cast is first rate and the film's production design is vintage Del Toro. There are grotesque scenes but the visual splendor overpowers the carnage and bloodbath. Despite it's plot that mirrors the classic film The Heiress (1949), Crimson Peak is gorgeous entertainment best seen on the big screen.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Martian

Based on the bestselling debut novel of software engineer Andy Weir, The Martian is an exhilarating, exciting yet uplifting tale of human survival in a place where we haven't even conquered: the planet Mars.

When a space mission to the red planet was abruptly aborted due to a severe storm, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) was presumed dead by the crew when he was hit by debris and thrown out of sight. They left but he miraculously survived. With limited supplies left by fellow astronauts and unmanned space missions, Watney must use his ingenuity and apply his job and skills as a botanist in order to live and get back home. 

Beautifully shot by Dariusz Wolski ( the Pirates of the Caribbean movies) showcasing Mars as beautiful yet desolate place giving you the sense of being alone all the time and a lengthy yet tight screenplay by Drew Goddard (World War Z), The Martian is one of the rare films that compliments both its technical and it's acting aspects. Giving his best performance in years, Matt Damon anchors the film as Watney and the supporting cast, among them Oscar nominees Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave)  and Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids) are all remarkable.

This is iconic director Ridley Scott's best film since the Oscar winning Gladiator and it's so nice for him to be back in the game and helm one of 2015's best. Well worth your time and hard earned money to see it on the big screen.

MOVIE REVIEW: Everest

I had doubts about the film when I first heard about it and saw the first trailer that came out online and during previews in multiplexes. Memories of K2 (1991), Sylvester Stallone's Cliffhanger (1993) and Vertical Limit (2000) flashed before me but after watching Everest both in 3D and in an IMAX theater, this film tops them all and it is arguably the best film about mountain climbing that I had ever seen. 

Based on the true story of the 1996 expedition that ended up tragic for some and topped with an all star cast led by Jason Gyllenhaal and Jason Clarke who play rival tour guides who team up to bring mountaineers to the "top of the world", Everest is a visual delight to see on the big shot with awesome shots not only of the trek going up but also of the country of Nepal which we don't often see on the big screen. It also helps that its director Baltasar Kormakur is a native of Iceland so he knows a thing or two about beautiful snowy landscapes and vistas.

Also starring Oscar nominees Josh Brolin, Keira Knightley, John Hawkes and Emily Watson together with Sam Worthington and Robin Wright, Everest is the next best thing to see the top for I'm pretty sure most of us won't be able to make it up there. This is one of the movies that is best seen on the big screen and especially in IMAX.