Soul (2020)

 

 

 

This movie is just brilliant. How is it possible Disney and Pixar touch a very deep subject and present it in a colorful childlike visual feast? 

 

Soul is a movie that teaches us to celebrate and value our everyday life, things that sometimes many of us take for granted.
Is life only about a pursuit of purpose or ambition? As a teacher who deals with university applications and essays all the time, I have to say that this movie strikes the right chord in me as I believe the pursuit of so-called goals/ achievements in life are not necessarily filling up the cavities in us.

 

 

Soul is about a guy named Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), a middle school band teacher aspiring to be a jazz pianist, who falls into a hole and ends up in coma right after he nails a job and gets a gig of his life. He goes to in-between world and avoids going into the "Great Beyond" and chooses to go to the "Great Before" instead in a bid to return to Earth. He meets 22 (Tina Fey), who is nonchalant and refuses to be born again as she has no spark that motivates her to do anything in life despite the great mentoring from all the inspirational people/souls, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Carl Jung to name a few. He realizes that 22 can help him get back to Earth, and the story revolves around their adventures that shed light to their sparks in life. 

 

 

The animation is stunning. It delivers the comic relief amidst the profound philosophical question of life. It's touching and beautiful. Big thumbs up for this film!

10 out of 10.
 

 

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.

Schindler's List (1993)

 

 

 

 

• Rating:R (Language|Actuality Violence|Some Sexuality)
• Genre:drama, history
• Director:Steven Spielberg

I just finished this movie last night, and It was such a heartbreaking and disturbing experience. I have heard of how critically-acclaimed Schindler's List is, but never made my time to watch it. I am glad I did. This movie is the voice of millions of Jews in World War II and immensely significant to shed light into the historical atrocities of The Holocaust in which the Nazis persecuted the Jews mercilessly - truly one of the darkest and most harrowing times in history.
 

It tells the true story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German from Nazi Party whose initial plan is a practical one, i.e creating business that makes tremendous profit, but then he turns into someone who uses his money to save hundreds of Jews from the concentration camps. The storytelling, screenplay, acting, direction, everything is phenomenally powerful culminating into an emotional finale.

 

The young girl with a red coat creates a juxtaposition with black and white backdrop in this movie, and the girl is key for the transformation in Oskar Schindler, prompting him to save as many Jews as possible. His moral compass shifts as the result of the viciousness he witnesses.

One of my most favourite quotes from Schindler is "Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don't" when he tries to talk sense to the cruel Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes). Such courage! 

This is definitely Steven Spielberg's masterpiece with spectacular immersive performances by the casts.  It is necessary to watch this. A devastating realism. It does not feel like a195-minute movie at all.

10 out of 10.

Life of Pi (2012)

I just watched Life of Pi. It is a film adaptation from a novel by Yann Martel. I've got the book for a long time, but I haven't read it. The movie makes me want to read it soon! The novel was previously deemed unfilmable but it was brought to the screen in breathtaking fashion by Oscar-winning director Ang Lee. He cast Suraj Sharma — a 17-year-old with no previous acting experience — in the lead role of Pi Patel.

The story is a grand adventure on an epic scale, a survival story that takes up half the movie. Life of Pi is about a man named Pi who survived storm with a tiger. He confronts thirst and starvation, finds a modus vivendi with the fierce tiger, endures and wonders at a mighty storm, a squadron of flying fish, a humpbacked whale, a school of dolphins, a night illuminated by luminous jellyfish. The 227 days at sea are a test of physique, mental adaptation and faith.

This poetic Life of Pi concludes with a fascinating, deliberately prosaic coda that raises questions about the reality of what we've seen and confronts the teleological issues involved.

Life of Pi has contributed to one of 2012’s most memorable movie ever.

100% for Life of Pi

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Moonrise Kingdom is one of my favourite movies of all time. We should expect nothing less than from the talented Wes Anderson, an awesome storyteller who has a knack for creating characters that are very memorable. The film is a rare and beautiful feat to capture the essence of innocent first love in all its quirky grandeur. Wes Anderson brings this delightful story to life in dripping romantic hews.

It boasts the strongest casts of the year for example Edward Norton (my favourite), Bruce Willis and Bill Murray but the two central characters in Moonrise Kingdom are actors you won’t be familiar with – Jared Gilman as Sam and Kara Hayward as Suzy. The comedic performances are delivered with a terrific tenderness and sincerity from the typically powerhouse dramatic players. Edward Norton is  perfect as the sweet man-child Scout Master Ward. Bruce Willis’ Captain Sharp is caring, yet downtrodden local Sheriff whose characterisation infers a hard past filled with regret. Bill Murray's the father of the girl, also delivers comedic gold. Yet, the true triumph of the film is director Wes Anderson’s ability craft terrifically sincere and pure performances from the two debut leads in Gilman and Hayward. For both, it’s their very first acting credit.

At its core, this is a sweet, endearing tale about two prepubescent kids who think they’ve discovered love for the first time. They’re a delight to watch.

100% for this movie.

The Help (2011)

The Help is a emotionally-compelling movie. It has a great message, and though the outcome is predictable, the actors deliver performances. It's an ensemble piece. The film made me laugh, think and even cry.

It starts Emma Stone as Eugenia Skeeter, a college graduate living in Jackson looking for career in writing. She is the film heroine because of her dreams. She inspires people, and she observes things around her, i.e prejudices that inflict upon the help (or coloured domestic helper)

The ladies - Hilly, Mrs. Walters, and Elizabeth Leefolt - are their own coterie, discussing daily gossip and little whispers about their help and the strange diseases they may carry. Skeeter is the black sheep of the group. She stares mirthlessly at the help, not with repulsion but compassion. She talks to Aibileen (Viola Davis, who is so good expressing with her eyes) about divulging her stories working as a maid. Aibileen is at first hesitant. Speaking out could mean a loss of her job or worse - alienation from friends and family. Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), a difficult housemaid, is very outspoken towards her problems and is fairly willing in disclosing her work life.

The Help is Skeeter's story as much as it is Aibileen's and Minny's. These are silenced women allowed to speak, and Skeeter publishes their voice. The Help eventually becomes a book within a film.

It was based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett, which was - thus - a book within a book. The Help is a long movie, but it kind of earns it. Writer/director Tate Taylor uses his minutes to make every character unique in the storyline.

This is a female-dominated plot, and the story is not just a comedy, but it instills in our minds history and fascinating secrets awaiting to be unraveled.

The help are suffocated by the prejudices of society, but the white women are also subdued in how they are bound by social conventions and the obligation of marriage. It's all very interesting.

But most importantly, The Help is endlessly funny, remarkably entertaining, and it hits notes not always meant to uplift. The Help isn't a hard film to disagree with because the issues the film raises are now considered truism. This film is about a time where voices needed to be raised, and were. You feel like you've lived with these characters and, most especially, you enjoyed doing it.

Two thumbs up, 80% for The Help

War Horse (2011)

War Horse is a beautiful anti war movie, depicting the friendship of a man and a horse, and even separated by war, they manage to find each other in the end. I've just listed this as one of my most favourite movies of all time. I cried a lot when I watched some of the scenes and the film scores are just beautiful. The emotional depth is remarkable. It tugs my heartstrings so much with its stories and the ending is just moving.

War Horse is not always believable but is, I think, a cinematic achievement. Spielberg is a great commentator on the human condition and a masterful storyteller who always elicits an emotional response. The scene with Joey struggling through barbed wire brought gasps and tears from me. It's undeniably sentimental. This is for anyone who isn't grouchy or jaded. It's an old-fashioned epic that predictably tugs at your heart strings.


80% for the movie! A must watch! 

Conviction (2010)

Just finished watching this few days ago. The film is based on true story, which makes everything better, and not just schmaltzy sentimental film. More than that, it is a great testament to the power of determination, trust, and the bond between siblings. I love Hillary Swank's acting here. She delivers great performance. Rockwell is awesome too. The direction is okay, but not really all that remarkable or anything. Where this film really works, and where you'd expect it to (especially given the cast) is the acting. Love it!

80% for this movie.

Black Swan (2010)

Rated : R [See Full Rating] (Restricted) for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use

I heard of this movie from my workmate, Zak, and I agree with him that this is such a fantastic movie. It's a psychological thriller and the story is unexpected, psychotic, harrowing as it needs to be, yet exhilarating throughout it all. The plotting is crafted with great proficiency and the energy that provokes the carnality within us.
 
Director Darren, Aronofsky, tells Black Swan as a story about transitions of Nina (Natalie Portman) a metamorphosis within herself. It uses a little passion, melodrama as implicit layers eroding below the film's behaviour as a horror film. It demonstrates to us how such a disciplined, poised, and serene art like ballet could lead to such overblown madness. Such tribulation belongs to Nina, a martyr of her own ambition. Nina's shocking transformation disposes of her beauty and makes her a figure whose very success insinuates her downfall. The last line is enough irony to support the paradoxes of her dreams. For me, it's a fantastic finale that will haunt many.

In conclusion I think Black Swan is sophisticated and emotionally deep movie which provide both great aesthetical values and cerebral thrills. Black Swan loves to venture into the darkness in a way it truly succeeds. The blend of art & passion has never been so intense.  

90% for Black Swan.

Tron:Legacy (2010)

I just went to watch this in cinema two weeks ago with Yanty, and we both came to the conclusion that this is a decent movie. It's amazing mainly because of the sound and visual effect. It is a futuristic world that is definitely made to be state-of-the-art. And despite the ridiculous feeling at first when I watched this movie, it turned out to be fun action movie.

This is a sequel to the original Tron in 1982, it's been 28 years, but it is sufficiently presented as we can understand the story. It tells us about Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) wanders into his dad's old arcade after he was abandoned by him as a child. His father Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) claimed to have discovered a miracle, but he disappeared, and his corporation Encom went into massive financial debt. But Sam is sucked into the same virtual utopia his father is stuck in. There the story and battle begins.

The film is presented in 3-D, which helps bring the world to life for a time, but like other 3-D films, 3-D should be used in an effort to make the environment of the film richer, particularly for films like this one where such a thing really matters. Technical Oscars are assured.

Where Tron: Legacy is kind of disappointing in its pacing and story, the film starts off really well, filling us in on what we need to know, then immediately throwing Sam into peril the second he reaches the grid. But after this, the film slows way down for almost the entire remainder of the film.

The characters themselves aren’t developed particularly deep either, so don’t expect much of an emotional investment in them. Luckily, the story manages to get by, especially with the help of the strong visuals.

Hollywood has started to fill us with Blu Ray, High Definition, 3D, all of these things are trying to make our visual experience better. Audiences are changing, we expect visual grandeur from anything we watch. Tron: Legacy is a perfect example of that.

70% for this

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%.

Tears of the Sun (2003)

I don't exactly understand why it gets below average rating on rottentomatoes. For me, this is one good action-packed movie. It has the thrill, the suspense, the action, the gore, and also emotion. Bruce Willis does an awesome job playing tough and the tragic circumstances are very authentic. I was amazed by the story. Great acting, very good directing, this movie draws you in and keeps you entertained.

70% for Tears of the Sun. Recommended! ^^

A perfect world (1993)

It's quite unpredictable movie for me, that a escaping prisoner bonds with the child he kidnapped. Kevin Costner does a great acting there. The plot and the writing are awesome. And it's one of Clint Eastwood's great movies. The boy actor is outstanding. I strongly encourage you to watch this film through to the end and decide for yourself.
Eastwood is not the central character but he is like good seasoning to a dinner.

A Perfect World is outstanding, but you must get through most of it to realize it.

80% for this movie.

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 Karate Kid (2010)

The Karate Kid is a beautiful story with a nice script, nicely laid out scenes and amazing fighting by Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. I really enjoyed the plot line and most of the acting.

Not only because of the casting of Jackie Chan, a man who is always interesting for me always, his martial arts and stunt team has always been sublime, but also because of the choice of Jayden Smith, the son of Will Smith. This is a kid with the pedigree and potential to make it big.

Many people have said that the film is to long, but seeing some of the simply stunning scenery kinda made me forget about it, and to me, i never really felt the film dragged. The martial arts is cool.

All in all, I really really enjoyed it. Classic comeback kid movie, I was waiting to see that last battle and enjoyed it. Hats off to the young Mr Smith for his martial arts in the movie, absolutely great!

80% for the movie.

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

'The very word "geisha" means artist and to be a geisha is to be judged as a moving work of art.' The movie is very artistic indeed, visually and emotionally. It's pure absolute visual delight. We are brought to the geisha world, their beauty, their elegance, their skills, as well as their pain to not being able to "want", but to accept fate to be geisha.

The story is just very beautiful that leaves you feeling very emotional. It takes my heart away to just watch it. The movie is also very dark which really gives it more of a depressing feeling. The girl had to make through a lot to really be happy. The plot is truly mesmerizing. The story at the heart of this movie is poignant but beautifully told.

Overall, 90% for Memoirs of a Geisha, mainly for its fantasy (I'm a sucker at fairy-tale), its romance, its excellent costuming/setting and a superb soundtrack which result in a great visual and auditory treat.

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.

The Painted Veil (2006)

I watched this movie in cinema years ago, and It was such a touching movie, that I even got affected by the emotion here for days after watching. I just watched it again, and I wanna tell you how good it is.

The movie is based on the 1925 novel The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham. It comes with a theme "Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people". It's a beautiful story of a woman who tears the heart of the man who loves her so much out only to realize he is the man that she loves in the end! It's like loving someone too late. The end is heart wrenching.

The Chinese locale setting and landscape is so powerful and beautiful that the beautiful geography of the place seems to awe the cast and unite them, intensifying the performance chemistry between stars Edward Norton and Naomi Watts as middle-class Dr. Walter Fane and his restless upper-class wife, Kitty. They deliver such a great act, touching performance. The Painted Veil is a stirring lesson about transience and atonement. It is a fine fusion of romance with a shot of Eastern aesthetic thrown in for flavor; it is familiar yet unique, and certainly memorable in its own right. When I watched it, I simply thought "What an art!". The whole impact is exquisitely beautiful. The Painted Veil is still an emotional journey, for both the characters and the viewer. This movie does the book justice in adapting the literature and comes out beautiful and emotional like this. I LOVE THIS FILM!

100% FRESH for this movie. The best romance ever.  

Let The Right One In (1998)

I finally got the movie, I have been trying to get this movie since I read the book. And the book is better than the movie, with more details that can't be conveyed by the movie. Anyway, this movie is still worth watching. Let The Right One In is a Swedish vampire film about a human that gets in a close relationship with a vampire. I know what you're thinking, Twilight, hehe, but no this film is far from Twilight. The main characters in this film is a bullied 12 year old boy named Oskar (Hedebran). The other main character is a vampire named Eli (Leandersson). These two develop a friendship right off the start of the movie.

This film is better experienced by watching it not reading a review. But i'll still tell you how good it is. The soundtrack is beautiful and so are the camera shots. Who knew a horror movie could be so deeply moving and touching. Aside from that unfunny pun, Let The Right One In is complex, involving and freaky. This film deals with the complexity of preteen relationships as well as blending some horrific scenes of high tension and jolting attacks. The young girl who played the vampire was great and I loved how she portrayed it. There are so many depressing emotions mixed with a bit of happiness that makes your heart beat throughout this movie. The ending made the movie for me and was fantastic to see their relationship end up like that. Let The Right One In is near masterpiece of the depiction of preteen life and struggles and it is a complete and utter triumph. Though, maybe cos I have read the book, I still see the flaws in the movie, the movie is a little slow until the end, but every so often a scary scene or great new twist will come along in the plot and change the movie around and hence I can only give 80% fresh for this movie.