The Secret Garden (2020)

 

I watched this film last night on HBO GO. I was utterly mesmerized by the heartwarming, fluttering feeling this movie gave me as nostalgia swept over me of how much I used to love reading "The Secret Garden", a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, published in 1911. 

 

Having lost both of her wealthy parents, young Mary (Dixie Egerickx) has to move and live with her cantankerous uncle Archibald Craven (Colin Firth, one of my most favorite actors) at the Misselthwaite Manor and even though she is sour about this fact, she soon realizes how magical the place is to her as she discovers and unlocks all the secrets in that place, thanks to her imagination, rebelliousness and love for exploration. Her own transformation is seen through her discovery of this garden, from her ill-tempered obnoxious self to a kind human being. She has a sickly and depressed cousin, but through the magical garden, they learn to see life in better perspectives.

The garden's idyllic beauty transcends our imagination with its recuperative power that comes with all the lush greenery, colorful flowers, a serene pond, and many more. “The Secret Garden” is a story of healing from loss and grief.  The film is fantastical and majestic - its detailed cinematography inspires awe from the audience. I absolutely recommend this!

8 out of 10.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

As a huge fan of the Harry Potter books, which I have read many many times, I have always found the movies to be a bit dissenting sometimes. Not bad, just sometimes disappointing. Maybe it's because I always feel they leave out some of the stuffs from the books I really like or the fact that the directors seem to always add scenes that aren't necessary. But I don't hate any of the movies, I just don't enjoy them as much as the books.

When the time came for them to announce that Deathly Hallows was going to be split into two, I was very happy, because out of all the books it's the one that feels like everything in the book is the most important. The first part of the movie is slow-paced like the first half of the book, but it doesn't stop it from being enjoyable and it sets up the movie for an excellent Part 2.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the final chapter in the Harry Potter franchise, as of right now, and it sets up what will ultimately be the final battle between Harry and Voldemort. This story is about our three heroes; Harry, Hermione, and Ron going after the items known as "Horcruxes" or items that contain Voldemort's soul and they all have to be destroyed so that Voldemort can eventually be destroyed. The first part of the movie is about our characters traveling around looking for them while trying to avoid the Death Eaters that are chasing after them. It's thrilling, it's just awesome.

There's also a nice scene with Harry grabbing Hermione's hand and doing a friendly dance to comfort her. It's a moment of peace, a break from the anguish these characters are going through. They are all caught in deep agony. The dance was delightful, complex, and original.

The cast is of course led by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint who have all become the faces of the main trio and when I read the books I always picture their faces as the characters in the book. Daniel Radcliffe of course plays the title character Harry Potter and he is pretty good in this movie.

Emma Watson of course plays Hermione Granger, who out of three actors is probably the most popular. She plays her part really well and as with Daniel Radcliffe, she is the epitome of Hermione Granger.

Rupert Grint plays Ron Weasley, who I think is the best actor out of three and I think he'll have a pretty successful movie career outside of Harry Potter, but then again who knows. But in this movie I really think he's the strongest actor out of three and he shines pretty well as Ron in this movie.

These three have been playing these characters for almost 10 years now and their on screen chemistry is great and what helps tie the movie together, because the movie is about these three characters struggle against evil.

I think for the Harry Potter book fan this is by far the most satisfying movie made so far and it really sets up what will be an epic confrontation for Part 2 due out next July. I think any movie goer will enjoy it. It is slow-paced but I don't think people should let that stop them from enjoying the movie. Strongly recommended!

I give "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" 100%.

Alien Autopsy (2006)

To my surprise I actually enjoyed alien autopsy! It's another refreshing and funny movie I should give two thumbs up. I definitely will watch it again! Ant and Dec are good actors, and i really liked the whole idea of the comedy. It's a great British movie having to deal with the fact or fiction of alien. Very well done story and plot, the acting is great from the whole cast. I also liked the way it was adapted from real life, their movement, the live situation which i thought was clever. Well done.

80% for this  good British, fun filled adventure!

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

The movie has a plot that becomes stale very quick. Nevertheless, the action scenes are well filmed but it seriously lacked the character development to give it the extra edge over this video game adaption. The ending is very predictable, and the whole idea about the hero being framed is illogical, in the sense of why he would murder his own father, the king, in front of everyone when there is no gain.

Anyhow, overlook the flaws, and you'll see a well staged action packed movie. This is a decent film and a very entertaining trip to the cinema. Like most entertaining films that are big on Special Effects, it's incredibly flawed, but I still enjoy the movie.

60% for the movie.

The Road (2009)

I just finished watching, just cos Juan asked me to watch this. He already told me how sad this movie was, and indeed it is sad and rather depressing. The Road is unrelenting. It is a film adaptation based on Cormack McCarthy novel. Performances were fantastic across the board. Various scenes which could have otherwise been shallow and transparent were fantastically rendered. The Road is one of those movies that haunts you for some time after watching it. However, it isn't a horror. The Road is a story of a man and his boy that are left in a post-apocalyptic world. Their goal is to head south, only hoping something will be there for them.

This is one of those movies that I have felt really emotional watching a movie. Just watching a single parent trying as hard as he could to protect his young son was hard enough, let alone everything else in the movie.

The Road is not for the faint of heart. It is definitely one of the most emotionally powerful movies i have ever seen, and it will leave you with thoughts I personally would care to not think of. It isn't an action-adventure blockbuster, but it is one of the best movies of 2009.

80% FRESH for this movie.