MOVIE REVIEW: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

My love for the movies began when my grandma brought me and my cousin to watch Return of the Jedi at the old Luneta Theater in Manila. I was mesmerized by the experience that I instantly became a fan of Star Wars. I saw the other first two afterwards at home with the Betamax format, collected the action figures and hope that there will be more films to come. 

Unfortunately, Episodes 1 - 3 were unlike it's predecessors. There wasn't any charm into and it relied too much on CGI effects. However luck shone upon  for Natalie Portman (Princess Amidala) who won the Best Actress Oscar for Black Swan 5 years later after Revenge of the Sith and Ewan McGregor became well-known internationally as a great actor.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens though brings back the charm and the look and feel of the first 3 films in the series and in the able hands of director J.J Abrams, who now holds the distinction of directing both a Star Wars and two Star Trek films, the series is in safe hands. The film begins 30 years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire and a new threat arises spearheaded by the First Order It's great to see the iconic characters and vehicles (Hello Millennium Falcon) back together with the brand new ones as they join forces to fight the new evil that plans to take over and rule the galaxy.

I saw the film on a regular 2D format and would't mind watching it again in 3D as well in IMAX. It's worth it.

MOVIE REVIEW: In the Heart of the Sea

I never thought that the classic American adventure novel Moby Dick written by Herman Melville was inspired by a true story of a whaling ship's encounter with a Sperm Whale in the Pacific until now. Director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind & Apollo 13) brings the actual story that inspired the book of the whaling ship Essex and it's encounter with the majestic creature that ended up as a tale of survival not only for the captain and the crew of the ship but also for the whale itself as it fights back due to man's greediness to acquire oil from them.

A good experience going to the movies is when you learn something new from it and In The Heart of the Sea succeeds because even in the past and when it involves something with oil, people tend to be greedy in everything regardless of the consequences. Howard delivers by creating an environment is which we are not familiar of and yet it is one entertaining and exciting Hollywood film by means of the awesome special effects and a great cast led by the charismatic Chris Hemsworth and Benjamin Walker (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) who plays the dueling first mate and the captain of the Essex.

I saw the film in regular 2D and I can say that with the awesome effects and beautiful shots that it's worth watching it as well in IMAX.

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.

                                       

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.