Harper's Island (2009)

7.5/10 [recommended]

Great mini-series that will keep you engaged (though predictable but still very thrilling)

PlOT: Harper's Island was once the scene of a gruesome series of murders. Now, seven years later, family and friends gather on the island for a wedding, but one by one they begin to die.

I watched this mini-series a few years ago. It is such an exciting series that I watched all 13 episodes in less than 5 days. It's a horror shot in BC, where (spoiler alert) a character dies per episode. This mini-series is fairly predictable at times, but it definitely does not disappoint with the horror/thrills/excitement.

Haywire (2011)

5/10

Meh

Haywire is about  a black ops super soldier seeks payback after she is betrayed and set up during a mission.

ok, plot sounded exciting but the film was far from it. Many parts of Haywire didn't make sense, there was odd use of sound effects, and scenarios were extremely un-captivating .

The genre this film is labelled under are "action" and "thriller, so my expectation going into it was exactly that. I turned on this movie on a friday night, hoping to kick back to something similar to the Bourne films, but rather I received a rather dull movie and a very un-fulfilling performance from the main actress. This film felt more like a drama then thriller.

The main part of this film that captured my attention was the star-studded cast and the idea of a super spy film. I guess I had too high of an expectation going into this film but with a cast of Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, and Channing Tatum, can you blame me?

Haywire tried to hard to be a sophisticated spy film that it forgot to have a good storyline and thrill to go with it.

Hugo (2011)

7/10

Wonderful cinematography, good editing, beautiful scenes... predictable storyline.

Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

 From the moment the film started, I knew I was in for some incredible scenes and editing. During the first 5 minutes, you'll notice one continuous should of Hugo running through the mechanical back rooms/chambers of the train station. This single shot goes up, down, spirals around, through, and over...never missing a beat as the camera seems to float behind Hugo. I am very fascinated in how this shot was accomplished.

 The colours and lighting in HUGO made the entire film feel almost dream like, which fit really well with the theme of the film. The almost cartoon feeling really asks your brain to try and detect whether what you are watching is real or animated. I felt myself suspended in wondering whether a scene was CGI or real people.

The story is quite predictable. Several times during the film, I found myself guessing how that act will end and how it will tie in with the final conclusion....each guess I made turned out to be right. When I first read the synopsis,  I was expecting that Huge witness a mystery that was full of twists so I guess that initial expectation might have made this film a bit less exciting.

Overall, I would recommend this film to those who enjoy a feel good, good cinematography, and cheerful family film.

Headhunters (2011)

6.5/10 

 Action packed, keeps you on your toes, but the story was too disconnected.

Headhunter is a Norwegian about "an accomplished headhunter who risked everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary." (imdb)

 The description/beginning of the Headhunters set up the film to be about a family man needing to keep his luxurious lifestyle by stealing precious paintings. However,  after the first quarter of the film, the story seemed to have forgotten about the paintings and continued down a different path. Of course this diverge in story didn't make the film any less exciting, it was just distracting as I tried to make connections between the action packed "man hunt" with the painting robbery. The theft of the paintings, as you'll find out, is done to add flavour to the plot and not very necessary the Headhunters.

This movie is full of chase scenes, action packed gun fights, bloody & gore, love triangles, and some gagging (in a none cheesy but fairly gross) moments.

The main character is fairly similar to those action heroes that can retain a lot of injuries but are die hard.

Entertaining for sure, but not the most coherent storyline out there.

Horrible Bosses (2011)

2/10

horribly stupid film that made it by with one laugh

plot: Three friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness.

Unnecessarily crude throughout the entire film. It seems that so many comedies has lost all class and relies on sexual/drug/dumb jokes to try and get laughs. I was not laughing. 3 idiots sharing one unlit light bulb, no wonder the movie stunk. If you need to be crude, at least do it with style like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Try a bit of sarcasm, maybe a bit of dark comedy and some class.

Only kevin Spacey's acting and character made this film somewhat bearable because Jennifer Aniston's character just made me wonder what happened to Rachel?!

Prior to watching this film I read a few reviews. I should have listened to the smart ones that rated it low and said it was a waste of brain cells. BUT sadly, I decided to give the film a chance with the review that said this was "best comedy of 2011"..... Dear reviewer, you sir are an idiot.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II

9.5/10 [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED]
An exhilarating finish to a magnificent series. Nostalgia

Harry Potter has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It is the book that has allowed me to see the joy in reading, so I feel very personal appreciation for the series.

The action is non-stop in this movie while staying true to the book. Never did I once feel like the movie was rushing or dragging out the story.

The acting is prefect, refined and to the point. Every character is portrayed beautifully with a respectable send off to the series. The trio Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint has carried this franchise so brilliantly and finished with an emotional compelling performance. Alan Rickmangave one of the most powerful and stunning performance of a character so tortured by his beliefs and love.

There are many sequences where I would be baffled if people didn't stifle a tear or choke a little. The flash back scene withSnapeHarry's realization of the truth scene, Neville's opposing stance scene, Lupin and Tonks lying next to each other scene...

There are so many prevailing themes in the book and equally in the movie. Belief, trust, redemption, love, determination, life and death.

Cinematography was done perfectly to show us . The special effects was done exquisitely, , bringing us right into the middle of each battle scene and each scenery.

I have been excited about this movie ever since the book came out in 2007, the year I graduated from high school. The final installment of the 7th movie finally arrived this year, which is also the year I graduated from University. It feels like the end of an era.

The end of the movie brought a smile and a tear. Bitter sweet as I came to realize that Harry Potter franchise has carried me from childhood, into high school years and past my Bachelors degree. Harry Potter not only initiated my love for reading but the series will always be my key down nostalgia lane.

I am definitely going to miss seeing this amazing cast together...

Hanna (2011)

5/10

Action packed but thin storyline.

Hanna is about A 16-year-old who was raised by her father to be the perfect assassin is dispatched on a mission across Europe, tracked by a ruthless intelligence agent and her operatives (imdb).

The acting is not bad, film is action filled, with a simple storyline, rough characters but not too much meat.

There is a ton of action and killing, however, I felt there's little character development. The characters, though they experience some emotional changes, remain very flat. The acting by no means is lessened by the flat characters, as the cast gives a very powerful performance.

The music tends to take a back seat amongst the chase scenes and fights. But if you pay close attention, the music is quite nice to listen to.

The entire film felt like it was leading up to a big finish, only it never comes. Hanna seems to revolve around an old grudge that is passed down. The necessity of having to take revenge the grudge wasn't clearly establish that I felt the entire hunt was overrated. All the actions in this film will definitely satisfy an action lover but the story lacks in material.

The cinematography, editing and directing doesn't jump out at me. Overall, an entertaining movie but wasn't memorable and not very captivating.

Holocaust (1978) mini-series

6/10
Mini-series, 4 episodes, 1978

A Haunting short series

The saga of a Jewish family's struggle to survive the horror of Nazi Germany's systematic marginalization and extermination of their community. (imdb)

The details in using actual black and white pictures and footage from the war, gave this TV series a very haunting effect.

Meryl Streep is absolutely fantastic. I was not impressed with Michael Moriarty performance. He lacks in facial expressions and the entire series it feels as if his face has been pumped full of botox making it hard to read his emotions, but I guess playing a SS captain he needs to be expressionless. Moriarty.

The cinematography is well done giving us a range of different angled shots, close-ups and wide shots.

The story is hauntingly disturbing. The series focuses on the Weiss family and horror of what's happening around them. The jarring impact of the horrors are brought to life. We see the story told from both perspectives, from a Jew family and from a SS officer.

There are a few flaws to this series. Firstly, the poor makeup, which is not done very convincing, but for an late 70s mini-series I can bare with it. I feel that to every character's story is wrapped up at the end of the series, we are left expecting another episode to follow. Also, the audio and dialogue felt very dubbed and not natural. There's also some poor performances from certain actors/actress but none of which sways Meryl Streep's incredible portrayal.

Holocaust, definitely needs some fine-tuning but is worth watching for the content and script. The story will stick with you...

Hot Fuzz (2007)

9/10
(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

Action packed, just the right amount of gore, suspenseful, thrilling and humorous!

Hot Fuzz plot: jealous colleagues conspire to get a top London cop transferred to a small town and paired with a witless new partner. On the beat, the pair stumble upon a series of suspicious accidents and events. (imdb)

I have seen this movie multiple times and loved it with each and every viewing. Hot Fuzz incorporates the brilliant British humor, great performance of Simon Pegg and parodies American action films (Point Break and Bad Boys) perfectly.

Edger Writer and Simon Pegg are the perfect duo in creating Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (though I love Hot Fuzz way more!). Edger Wright with Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs the World has succeeded in getting my attention. I look forward to whatever else he has in store.

Hot Fuzz has succeeded in balancing out elements of many genres perfectly and has wrapped all of them perfectly around an intriguing storyline about a mystery in a small town. Hot Fuzz does not out do itself in any genres...almost like the little bear from the Three Bears....it was just right.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to those who love a bit of gore/action/suspense/British humor that is tightly knit around an great storyline and supported by fantastic acting.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part I (2010)

8.5/10

Dark, thrilling and plain awesome

Ever since the 7th book came out in 2007, I've been waiting for the film and it did not disappoint.

Although the movie didn't completely follow true to the book, for example the film did not use the invisibility cloak once, but nevertheless it did not fail to entertain. This is by far one of my favourite movies of the series. The graphics, effects and acting made this film one of the best and one of the darkest.

The acting are spot on! Emma Watson, especially, had a very strong performance capturing Hermione wonderfully. She propelled the story forward with her acting and made the torture scene very realistic. Bill Nighy did a chilling performance as Rufus Scrimgeour. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint were also stunning. Helena Boham Carter, in almost every one of her roles, is very creepy...so with Bellatrix,

The film's greatest achievement is the animated sequence detailing the "Tale of the Three Brothers". Using only animation of silhouettes to tell the story with Hermione's voice as the narration was bold move and worked magnificently.

Death eaters and Voldermort are portrayed fairly different from previous movies. There are a lot more interaction between them, allowing them to appeal very human.

The special effects, sceneries and cinematography made this an unforgettable movie. tThe special effects used on the 7 morphing Harry Potter is scarily awesome. As most of the film, for the first time, takes place outside of Hogwarts it permitted the use of stunning sceneries and landscapes.

The movie, we all know, will end at a cliffhanger and it concluded whetting your appetite for the final segment.

Growing up with the books and the movie series, I'm saddened that this is the second last movie of series. Saying goodbye to the series is going to be hard. July 2011 is going to be exciting and very emotional---feels like the end of an era.

Hereafter (2010)

6.5/10

Heartfelt, reflective and thoughtful.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, Hereafter is a beautiful film that reflects the lives of individuals who had been affected by death. Although a bit on the slow side, this film nevertheless, delivers a heartfelt story with sense of mystery.

The film presents fascinating characters, each with a riveting story that tugs at your heart strings. The relationships in Hereafter is very touching and genuine, reaching far beyond just surface emotions. You can really see the void of loss in the character's life after their experience.

Matt Damon, Cecile De France, and George and Frankie McLaren's performances are captivating and natural. The profound sense of loss and pain is well developed through the performances. I was left teary eyed at times during the film.

The camera angles vary subtly at times during similarly scenes, but captures each moment perfectly. Some scenes are almost done in one shot, really allowing viewers to focus on the person in the shots.

Hereafter does not offer an answer to the afterlife, but leaves viewers with a sense of hope for new beginnings. Life keeps going.

The graphics towards the beginning tsunami scene could use more work as it felt very stiff. But the characters, storyline and overall message of the film is able to cast aside this flaw.

Hereafter might not be to everyone's taste, but I recommend everyone to take some effort and try to appreciate a film for its message instead of for the fast-paced/graphics blockbuster qualities that seems to be standard for what is considered 'good' film nowadays.

The Happening (2008)

6/10

Started off great...but dwindled.

The Happening captured my attention in the first scene of the film with a fascinating introduction. M. Night Shyamalan kept me glued to the screen with the storyline and I was on edge to see what Shyamalan had in the ending. Sadly, The Happening fell flat...lacking in the surprise ending.

The acting is not great in this movie. Mark Wahlberg is believable but isn't able to deliver a heartfelt performance, same goes with the support. The characters are not captivating and I felt no attachments to them. There are no emotion in their voices when they spoke. Only bonus of the film is that if you look at some of the background actors, you can spot the actor for "Mr.Collins" from Six Sense.

There's slight humor lingering amongst the suspense, which I felt was refreshing. The suspense is present in The Happening, but there is very little fear element. The entire film revolves around the idea of not knowing and not having a place to hide. This unknowing feeling, I felt, is unnerving.

Don't get me wrong, this film is very entertaining and captivating. A great storyline full of mystery and suspense. Only down side is that the film falls flat after the first half and dwindles. Nevertheless, if you enjoyed Six Sense, The Village and/or Devil.....then definitely check this out.

Heart and Souls (1993)

7/10

A beautiful film about love, loss and second chances.

This fantasy/comedy/drama stars Robert Downey Jr as a business who is reunited with four lost souls and their search for purpose.

Robert Downey Jr is fantastic in this film, making the film both heartfelt and entertaining. I loved the cast and their interaction with one another a lot in this film. Downey Jr for parts of the film had to absorb a different character, and he did so wonderfully.

The storyline, although fairly basic, is captivating and wraps itself with elements of love and humor.

The special effects are worth noting in Heart and Souls, as it is believable without over-doing it.

Recommended for anyone in search of a warm, funny and endearing flick. 8 out of 10:)

Hard Candy (2005)

7/10

What a powerful film!

Hard Candy is a very mature film revolving around a 14 year old girl suspecting that a 32 year old guy as a pedophile, goes to his home in an attempt to expose him.

Hard Candy is a very very intense psychological thriller with great acting, powerful film making and well written. The film is, as the title indicates, hard to bite. The film is a disturbing and powerful look at the people we meet online and the issues that surrounds the accessibility of internet age.

The cinematography in Hard Candy is a masterpiece, working very well with the mature and disturbing content of the film. What makes this film so great is that it forces you to use your imagination as it does not present you with all the visuals. The film presents you with shapes, sounds, facial expressions and colours leaving the rest to your imagination. The disturbing moments of the film is actually not at all graphic or gory, the scenes only suggest of what is happening but never showing you anything. The film does not rely on gory/bloody/gross visuals, but on your mind. The uncomfortable feeling you get is all created is all in your head. The close ups to the characters is so gripping adding to the disturbing appeal.

The acting is brilliant! Ellen Page and Wilson's performance is magnificent, making their characters so real.

Hard Candy isn't for everyone as the subject matter and disturbing content is hard to take. That being said, this film is very powerful and thrilling! If you want a good drama/thriller and is prepared for surgical related scenes, then this is definitely your film!!

House of Sand and Fog (2003)

8.5/10 [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]

Everyone has something to defend, and something to protect.

Starring Jennifer Connelly, Ben Kingsley House of Sand and Fog is phenomenal movie, that asks viewers to feel what the characters feel and let the emotions wash over you.

The film tears apart then piece back together the remnants of the mess. But before anything can settle, it rips off the scab leaving an unattended and exposed wound.

Jennifer Connelly gives a sublime performance balancing despair, fear, hopelessness and strength in her portrayal of Kathy. Ben Kingsley is equally fantastic in his Oscar nominated role. His portrays his character's emotions subtly, never having one emotion overtake another. You can see it in his eyes, the pride, strength and beliefs that burdens him...yet never once does he openly allow the feelings to pour through.

I haven't had a movie stir such a strong emotion in me. The hardest part of watching this film is the constant desire to reject the all the different emotions that fill this film. House of Sand and Fog asks you to reach deep inside your heart and feel...and that's what you should do--feel