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.

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! ^^

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.

Primal Fear (1996)

Edward Norton gives his great performance in this movie. It's his early movie and he's already that's great. Richard Gere gives some good performances too,but Edward Norton took the crown in this one! Basically Primal Fear is a courtroom thriller about a slick lawyer (Richard Gere) who takes the seemingly unwinnable case of a young altar boy (Edward Norton) accused of murdering a catholic priest. I appreciated the twist in the film: it doesn't at all feel forced and is genuinely believable. The court scenes to me are fantastic, really interesting to watch. Great movie! Great plot. I say - Watch it!

80% for this movie.