MOVIE REVIEW: Glass

Exactly two years, Director M. Night Shyamalan rebounded from his misfires (After Earth, The Happening and Lady in the Water among others) with Split. The film starred James McAvoy playing Kevin Wendell Crumb who's wrestling with multiple personalities among them, a mutant like persona with cannibalistic tendencies known as "The Beast". The beauty in Split aside from a tour de force performance from it's lead actor is that it's actually connected to another Shyamalan movie 2000's Unbreakable starring Bruce Willis as David Dunn aka the movie title, a reluctant superhero and Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price - the complete opposite of Dunn. His bones are brittle giving him the name of Mr. Glass. He is a comic book obsessed catalyst on the lookout for other people like him resulting in bringing in together Dunn and Crumb. This is a great setup on what could have been a brilliant film on the genre now dominated by films starring Marvel and DC characters.

Shyamalan though, took the wrong route and made Glass into an anti superhero film loaded with unnecessary lecture on the connection of comic book heroes, villains and psychology. It would have a treat if McAvoy, Willis and Jackson's characters were let loose outside on the streets of Philadelphia instead of being confined in a mental institution 90% of the film. It is headed by a sleepy and underutilized Sarah Paulson who plays a doctor that downplays the leads capabilities and strengths. 

 Movie buffs who loved Unbreakable and Split will surely be entertained by it. Those who didn't saw the two previous films prior to this will surely be confused. Better watch Unbreakable and Split first.

Glass isn't that bad. It could have been better.

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.