Jumper (2008)

7/10

Action packed, great cast, entertaing and not your typical superhero movie.

Watching Jumper for the second time today I noticed multiple elements that I never noticed in my first viewing. I paid more attention to the cast of the film as well as the characters portrayed. There's a message hidden in the movie that is different from the other superhero movies (Spiderman, X Men and Batman).

Casting is one element of this film that made me notice and liked the film. Hayden Christensen's portrayal is adequate and is able to keep the movie entertaining. Jaime Bell has always been one of my favourite actors thus I noticed him more in my re-watch of Jumper. Samuel L Jackson gives a fantastic performance as the much hated 'arch-enemy' type role in this film. His simple facial expressions tell so much. During one scene when he is stuck in the canons, you can read disbelief, humor and impressed look in his expression.

The concept of the film is simple but quite captivating. The action is non-stop, especially coming from the director of the Bourne Identity and Mr. and Mrs Smith. The special effects are not stunning but is believable and captivating in it's simplicity.

What I love about this film is all the different destinations the film takes you. We travelled the world within the two hours span going to Tokyo, Egypt, US and so forth.

I never liked the main character David (played by Hayden Christensen). I found him selfish and hot-headed. But his sly characteristics, I believe, is the hidden message that this movie is trying to unravel. Jumper questions whether if we had superpowers would we use it for the greater good and save the world? Unrealistically, everyone would say yes, but realistically we most likely would have done what David did with his powers.

At one point, when David is watching the news on TV he see footage of a flood. In superhero movies, the hero would go and save the day but David just smirks and flips off the TV. His actions demonstrate the exact opposite you would expect from a superhero. This is the beauty of this film, it doesn't play off typical 'save the day superhero' movies. The 'arch-nemesis' Roland (played by Samuel L Jackson) may be cruel in his actions but he is actually the guy trying to protect the world.

Overall a not-so-typical super power movie that is action packed, with a great cast and a fun concept that is definitely worth watching!

Dan in Real Life (2007)

7.5/10

Heart-warming and realistic

Dan in Real Life is about a widower who finds out the woman he fell in love with, while on a family gathering, is actually his brother's girlfriend.

I have seen the movie cover for this movie, but never really noticed it until it was shown on TV couple days ago. With barely any expectation for this film, Dan in Real Life surprised me. The acting, soundtrack and storyline caught my attention and made me fall in love with this film.

Steve Carell had a very different role than that of The Office and his other films. He plays a father who is trying to find a balance in his life while raising three daughters. He is very natural in his portrayal of a father who is still trying to figure things out for himself.

One of my favourite actresses, Emily Blunt, had a brief appearance in this film. Though her character is not significant, I still wish she had more screen time.

Dan in Real Life captures the love and conflict of family perfectly, allowing viewers to go into Dan's life to see happiness, mistakes and pain.

Simple cinematography accompanied by a playful soundtrack, which neatly emphasizes the tone of the film.

All together a love romantic comedy that wraps nicely around family.

Death Becomes Her (1992)

8.5/10 [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]

Hilarious, quirky and very clever!

Death Becomes Her revolves around a woman who learns of an immortality treatment, she sees it as a way to outdo her long-time rival [only for things to go horribly wrong.] (imdb)

Great acting, hilarious dialogue, great special effects (especially for 1990's) and quirky storyline makes Death Becomes Her a very unique comedy/fantasy.

This movie won an Oscar in 1993 for its visual effects and it sure deserved it. The effects are fantastically balance that it does not over use special effects but has enough of it to create a realistic and believable appeal.

The acting is spotless and made the movie powerful. The combination of Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn is perfect in their portrayal of two rivals trying to out-do each other.

The script and dialogue is witty and fairly well written creating a side-splitting and very engaging atmosphere. Every scene focuses on the idea that beauty does not mean happiness and this is emphasized by sharp and witty writing.

Many creative uses of mirrors and shadows in this film shows how much thought was put into this film to make this film not only entertaining but artistically appealing.

Every time I watch this movie, I find it more hilarious then the previous time. Death Becomes of Her will keep you staring intensely on the screen while bursting out in laughter.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Sophie's Revenge (2010)

6.5/10

Is it madness or is it love? I'd say, you can't have one without the other.

Sophie's Revenge is about two ex-lovers work together to win back their lost loves, but not everything goes according to plan. (IMDB)

The storyline is predictable and typical lover's triangle, but what romantic comedy isn't? However, what made this film very appealing is the post-production editing, the quirky characters and the funny dialogues.

A lot of cute animation is put into this film to support the quirkiness of this movie and emphasize Sophie's profession as a picture book artist. Toys come to life and thoughts are described as drawn caricatures. All very cute and funny when put together with the acting.

The animation/acting/dialogue together made me laugh out loud multiple times during the movie.

I am not a big fan of Zhang Ziyi, but she gives a fantastic performance in this movie as a wacky-cute-jealous girl who has lost her fiance to another girl. Ziyi is very genuine and balanced in her portrayal making Sophie lovable yet annoying at the same time. Her awkward facial expressions are hard too miss and impossible not to laugh at. The supporting cast Ruby Lin and Ai Wan as Lucy and Lisa, Sophie's bff, made the film even more crazy and funny.

Use of flashbacks and dreamlike-states is frequently used in this film, requiring viewers to pay close attention and not take things at face value.

If you like romantic comedies then definitely watch Sophie's Revenge. The movie is in mandarin and the subtitles are a bit fast to read as the dialogue moves along quickly, so it may take a second watching to fully appreciate this movie.

Four Brothers (2005)

6.5/10

drama, gun fights, car chase, fist fights and some twist...

Four Brothers revovles around (of course) four brothers looking to avenge their mother's death.

I was drawn to this film after watching the trailer and Four Brothers met my expectation. I am not one for revenge films but the relationship established between the characters in this film caught my attention. The drama is spot on, with high and lows throughout film. Has a bit of a twist, but overall is predictable.

The acting is mediocre, with Mark Wahlberg in his typical tough guy character. (PS I met Wahlberg at the premiere of Fighter).

Storyline and cinematography are very generic action film technique, nothing too spectacular but entertaining if you're looking for gun fights and car chases.

I recommend this film to those who like revenge films but with a good story line and drama. This film has everything to make a guy flick, but with the bonus addition of solid drama.

I Sell the Dead (2008)

6.5/10

Scary and funny at the same time.

I Sell the Dead is about a grave robber reflects on his life of crime. (imdb)

Interesting editing technique plus golden performance made this film quite appealing.

Dominic Monaghan (played Charlie on the TV show Lost) did a superb job in this film finding a perfect balance between when to be serious and and when to be comedic. He is quite brilliant in moving this film forward.

I Sell the Dead mixes humour with horror so well that at points during the movie I was laughing in fear. With so many movies about zombies/vampires/ghosts/slashers, this movie felt rather refreshing. It focus on ghouls and grave robbers told by a man on death row.

I Sell the Dead is great for those who wants to watch a horror but, like myself, cannot handle the intensity and need some humor. Light subtle humour mixed with thrillingly scary moments.

The Maiden Heist (2009)

5.5/10

Kind of film that makes you appreciate art.

A comedy centered on three museum security guards who devise a plan to steal back the artworks to which they have become attached after they are transferred to another museum. (imdb)

Golden cast. Freeman, Walken, and Macy as three middle-aged man who's spent most of their lives working as security guards inside a art museum.

Predictable story line but the cast made it a fun and engaging film.

This movie went straight to DVD (for various reasons) but that does not mean this film is not good. This film is a light and entertaining film with bits of humour. The Maiden Heist allows you to get to know each character quite well with focus on each character.

Not spectacular, but nevertheless a good film for those who like a clever caper comedy that is not overly thrilling but has a Oscar winning cast.

When In Rome (2010)

7/10

Quirky, funny and adorable romantic comedy with a good cast.

When in Rome revolves around Beth, a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, on a whirlwind trip to Rome, she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors. (IMDB)

I love the cast of When in Rome from the leads, Kristen Bell and Jason Duhamel to the supports Lee Pace, Will Arnett, Jon Heder, Dax Shepard and Danny Devito. The supporting cast of suitors are awkwardly cute and funny. Very genuine and believable performance. I wish Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) had more screen time, as I absolutely love him. Kristen Bell is such a great actress,

The storyline is very quirky and fairy tale like, which made the film very adorable and light. I fell in love with the characters easily, thus enjoying the film came naturally.

Like all rom coms (romantic comedies) the ending is predictable and follow similar storyline but When In Rome is unique in the sense that it had a very wide range of wacky but lovable characters. Because of the characters and the actors/actresses that portrayed them increased my appreciation for this film.

Also this film made me chuckle and laugh numerous times throughout...never failing to make me smile. Overall I really enjoyed it. There's also a bit of twist in the end, which I did not foresee.

The end credit scene finishes the film perfectly.

And there seems to be a lot of running in this film, made me want to go for a jog myself!

"To love someone is to put their needs above your own..."

The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

6/10

Great cast, intriguing story, detailed costumes but slow

Story about a young man, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friends," escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge.

Acting, costume and set decoration are the strong elements of this film creating a fairly realistic atmosphere.

Jim Caviezal and Guy Pearce are the perfect duo. Pearce made it impossible for you to like his character, which is perfect as he plays the heartless backstabbing best friend. Caviezal is just fantastic as the man driven to despair and out for revenge.

The storyline of the film (I haven't read the book to know how close the movie is to the book) felt slow and overly convenient. Edmond Dantes who is illiterate and can't sword fight happen to have met someone in prison who is well-read and a good swordsman. The convenience of the match is a bit humourous but, I guess, is necessary to move the story forward.

I found myself thinking about the film The Man Behind the Iron Mask (1998) and wanting to watch that film again.

Overall, entertaining movie that is slow and predictable. The built up of the suspense didn't suffice the ultimate ending. Nevertheless, worth viewing if you enjoy action mixed with a complex storyline but slow.

No Reservations (2007)

7.5/10

Cute and sweet romantic comedy that satisfies the taste buds :P

No Reservations is a heartwarming story about how the 'life of a top chef changes when she becomes the guardian of her young niece'(imdb).

Great storyline, wonderful soundtrack, visual of splendorous dishes that can make you salivate and topped off with a perfect cast. If you're looking for a heartfelt story with some depth, then this is the perfect gem.

The opera music and Nick's (Aaron Eckhart) playful characteristic set a perfect tone for the film; sophisticated and playful forming a very charismatic atmosphere.

I love the talent the cast brings to the table. Great chemistry between Aaron Eckhart and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Abigail Breslin is very realistic and sweet as the girl who is dealing with loss, grief and change.

I adore this film :) it is delightful and cute. I have had the pleasure of meeting both Aaron Eckhart and Abigail Breslin, both of whom are very nice in person, which made this film so much more enjoyable.

Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)

8.5/10 [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]
Cute and oddly uplifting

A film set in a strange afterlife way station that has been reserved for people who have committed suicide. (imdb)

Wristcutters: A Love Story, is a very interesting take on the afterlife. The story starts off quite depressing but builds up to be a beautiful story of love and loss. The film has many nice touches--such as great use of music and subtle elements of humor.

Character development is wonderful. Each character experiences, in their own way, a better appreciation for life in the afterlife.

The editing and cinematography is worth noting in this film. The film goes back and forth between life and the afterlife using the colour to distinguish life from the afterlife. The "afterlife" has a very desaturated colour scheme; dull and gray colours with the exception of red, which is made fairly saturated in comparison to the rest of the colours. In the "life" parts all the colours are very bright and saturated, making it appeal cheerful in contrast to the "after life".This clever editing of colours allows viewers to see transitions between the two worlds.

Not a typical romantic comedy, this movie has depth and is very emotionally driven. It is like an analysis of life and a focus on the idea of "not knowing loss, till you have lost."

Overall a very cute but unusual take of a story about the afterlife and love. Highly recommended...very well done film!

Across the Hall (2009)

6/10

Suspense , great editing (with a couple flaws)

I recommend this film to those who like thrillers that are a bit slow. I do warn everyone to avoid reading spoilers and revealing reviews before watching this film. I tried to keep this review as vague as possible so those who wish too see it will still find it entertaining.


The entire storyline takes place within a hotel, but is made exciting by great editing.

The plot is simple (without giving it away), it revolves around a 'standoff between a young man, his fiancée and his best friend who comes to his aide'.

Across the Hall gripped me from minute one and held my attention to some extent. The initial set up is my favourite part of this film. As the story unfolded it became somewhat predictable. Although the details remain suspenseful, the overall plot became apparent to me about half way through.

The acting is alright, entertaining to watch.

I recommend this to suspense/thrill/mystery lovers....the editing made Across the Hall amazing.

After Shock (2010)

8/10 [highly recommended]

Heartbreaking, breath-taking....

A bitter sweet movie that tells the tale of the Tangshen earthquake that tore a family apart.

After Shock is a masterpiece in capturing the aftermath of a devastating of an earthquake that left thousands dead and many broken families. The film tugs at your heart strings with many heartbreaking graphic scenes, leaving a tear in your eye.

The special effects in the earthquake scene is phenomenal. It is so real in capturing the fear that encompasses the devastation.

The cast brought After Shock to life. The acting by the two children is so real that you forget that you are watching a movie.

After Shock is filled with emotions. You can see each character develop throughout the movie as they come into contact with one another. The hatred, regret, anger and pain that built over the years seems to wash away as each character comes to terms with their grief.

The plot is so engaging that it pulled me in and held my attention from minute one. The movie does have over-dramatic moments, but it felt necessary and rightful for this film. When the mother had to make the difficult choice regarding the cement block (not to give anything away), it felt like the movie played off Sophie's Choice but does so in a effective way.

An emotional and powerful movie that is well worth a viewing!

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.

11:14 (2003)

7/10

Captivating, smart and edgy story revolving around a 11:14pm car crash.

Occurring roughly at the same time, a car crush is told from five very different perspectives. This movie demonstrates the idea of "small world" and how we are all somehow linked to one another, but told in a very unusual storyline.

Without giving anything away, this film demonstates the consequences and the irony of situations people go through. Parts of the story are very far-fetched and funny, making it a very entertaining movie.

The credit introduction to this film is well achieved. The clever blend of animation and text made the film interesting before the movie even began.

The collaboration of the acting are believable and well performed. Hilary Swank made me chuckle as the uncertain, not too bright,overly honest yet kind of cute store clerk. Patrick Swayze (rest in peace) is fantastic and fairly funny as the protective dad.

Characters kept running into each other resulting in bad things happening. The movie seems to be like the passing of a karma torch, everything a character does comes back to them minutes later. The actions the characters takes, at times, is very frustrating but necessary to propel the story forward.

Overall, a smart odd but compelling movie, with subtly comedic elements sprinkled throughout. Highly recommended to anyone who likes multiple storylines with a bit of gore and subtle humour.

127 Hours (2010)

8/10 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

[warning: gory, graphic]

Fantastic cinematography combined with a triumphant story and fantastic performance by James Franco!

The cinematography in 127 Hours is phenomenal. Multiple angles are used for one sequence, creating a very dynamic appeal to the scene. For example, in the the first driving sequence we see the car in three angles: we see it in an establishing shot of the busy highway, a medium shot of the car amongst the cars and a close-up of Franco driving. These three shots are brought together in one screen split into three sections, thus allowing you to really get the sense of Franco alone in the car amongst a crowded highway.

Throughout the film we see many shots f one scene alternating from extreme-close-ups to establishing far shots. The cinematography is very empowering element in this film.

James Franco's performance is astounding. He captures the essence of Aaron Ralston, a lone mountain climber, who faces the biggest challenge in his life perfectly. You forget that you're watching a re-enactment as Franco is so believable and natural in his expressions and gestures.

More to come...

Due Date (2010)

7.5/10 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

Sarcastic, blunt and just plain hilarious! LOVE IT!

The acting, from these two, made the film fantastic! There were moments in the film where I was hysterical from laughter from the duo.

Robert Downey Jr and Zach Galifianakis make a great duo, making it impossible not to laugh. Robert Downey Jr is brilliant as Peter Highman, a easily peeved- easily- stressed-enraged-father-to-be. Partnered up with Downey is Zach Gailfianakis as Ethan Trembley a tight-jean-wearing ignorant-but-doesn't-know-it hollywood-wannabe.

Due Date isn't just another dumb comedy with grotesque scenes and offensive dialogue to create laughs. RATHER the film is, to a great extent, quite smart and with real emotions. The film revolves around the theme family (about a man trying to get home to see the birth of his first child), sense of loss (one of the character's father just passed away) and about friendship (the main characters).

Overall a blunt, funny and very sarcastic movie that is definitely worth the watch. If you enjoyed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Pineapple Express...then definitely check out DUE DATE!

Trailer:

Dead Again (1991)

5/10

Great use of flashbacks, music and mystery...but wasn't greatly appealing.

Interesting idea, but could have been done so much better. By going back and forth between a previous life and the present life, Dead Again is about how Grace and Mike tries to solve a murder that happened in the past but as the mystery unravels, they become entangled in the mess.

The acting is mediocre, but believable. This is the first time I have ever seen a performance by Kenneth Branagh, it wasn't the best performance but it was suffice for the movie.

The use of music in Dead Again is quite well handled. In one scene the downstairs neighbour of Mike is practicing piano scales. Grace and Mike during this practicing of the scales got into a struggle. The scales started off as diegetic music but as the struggle scene began we realize that the music became non-diegetic as it was setting the mood for the scene. The piano scales reflected Mike's emotions from slow-and-understanding to fast-and-furious. Well use of music.
The sequence I am talking about starting at 5:30min:


The film goes through phrases of boringly slow to intriguingly action packed. If you like mystery/romance/flashbacks/use of music...and enjoy a slower film (with bits of action-packed sequences) but full of mystery then definitely check this film out.

Cypher (aka Brainstorm) (2002)

6/10

Twists and turns that is definitely worth deciphering

Cypher (also known as Brainstorm) is about Morgan Sullivan (Jeremy Northam) who took a job as a spy in the world of dangerous, high-stake world of corporate espionage., getting more than he bargained for.

The plot line to Cypher, at first, sounds cheesy but as the film starts rolling we can see it is not a typical action/spy film. Cypher is like an onion with multiple layers to plot twists and turns. And it doesn't take long for viewers to realize that it will take a bit of focus in order to fully grasp the storyline.

The acting is quite good, Jeremy Northam portrays a character who is continuously mislead and does so convincingly.

The cinematagraphy is quite well done. The saturation is dropped to a minimal, which puts emphasis on shapes and contours instead of colours creating very interesting shots.

Bits of Matrix, The Manchurian Candidate and Memento thrown together, Cypher definitely delivers a clever well put together spy movie. Cypher does take a bit of attention to understand...so be prepared! You never know who to trust.

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.

Just Buried (2007)

6/10

Morbidly intriguing.

Just Buried is very dark comedy about a Oliver (Jay Baruchel) who inherits his father's almost bankrupt funeral home. Not long after, he falls in love with the young mortician (Rose Byrne) who works at the home, who suggest they start offing people to keep the funeral home running.

The film is very twisted but at the same time very intriguing. The storyline grabs your attention right away and keeps you at the edge of your seat till the very end.

Jay Baruchel is very believable in the lead as the nerdy guy who inherits a funeral home with no experience in the field. Rose Byrne gives a great performance as the mortician who isn't slightly bothered by her profession.

The film is very quirky and has funny moments sprinkled throughout. But be forewarn, this film is gory...not for the squeamish.

I'm surprised Just Buried isn't more well known. The twist and turns in the film is quite shocking and caught me off guard a few times. I was unsure how it would end and was blown away by the course the story took.


If you enjoy comedy, twists, mystery, morbid all thrown together...and isn't bothered by blood and gore...THEN definitely check out Just Buried!

Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

7/10

Enticing, action packed, great music and hilarious.

I wasn't expecting much when I went to watch this movie, but found myself laughing and intrigued by the film.

A re-make of the Disney cartoon with same time, Sorcerer's Apprentice is quite humorous and action packed.

I absolutely love the fact that the movie referenced "Secrets" by Onerepublic...one of my favourite songs!

Jay Baruchel and Nicolas Cage makes a great team both giving a good performance.

If you enjoy fantasy, action, comedy or just want to kick back to a entertaining movie...then I highly recommend Sorcerer's Apprentice.

After.Life (2009)

6.5/10

Creepy, mysterious and thoughtful...but not fantastic

This film questions the meaning of life and death.

I love the cast, Christina Ricci, Liam Neilson and Justin Long make this film feel captivating.

After.Life lacks in depth, it failed to spend more time on the wonderment of what happens after life, moving close to the idea but sways away just as fast.

The scenes are made dark with heavy tones of gray and emphasizes on shadows to create the creepy atmosphere the entire film revolves around but not at all gory. The only red you see is the red dress Ricci's character wears. I like the gray overtone of the cinematography as it emphasized the dreary/dark mood of the film.

After.Life is very ambiguous, keeping you guessing throughout. The premise is appealing, but the storyline seem to have lost breath as the film went on. The film does have twists, but the pace at which it came lost its thrill.

If you like films that are mysterious with elements of horror, drama and don't mind a slow paced film...then I recommend this film. It is rate R, as it does have nudity and close up of dead bodies being mended

Dear John (2010)

6/10

Bittersweet

Having read many Nicolas Sparks books and watched most of the adaptations, I went into this film with the expectation of seeing another Notebook or Walk to Remember, I wasn't disappointed or overly impressed.

The storyline is heartbreaking (Sparks has a way with such things) but the movie didn't seem to reflect this aspect too well. The film felt really slow in parts but during some important moments it seemed rushed. The unbalanced emphasis made it hard to relate to the storyline and characters in the way it should.

Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried both gave fantastic performances, saving some of the imperfections of the film. They showed real chemistry in their portrayal of the characters and, like Shane West/Mandy Moore and Ryan Gosling/Rachel Mcadams before them, they make a cute couple.

My favourite couple from Nicolas Sparks books is Gosling/Mcadams, West/Moore then Tatum/Seyfried. But my favourite book still remains The Guardian (no film adaptions yet).

If you enjoyed The Notebook, A Walk to Remember or Message in a Bottle and the slow plot doesn't bother you then this will be film for you.

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.

The Village (2004)

7/10

Suspense..check
Mystery...check
scary elements that make you jump...check
Surprise ending...Check!

Fantastic movie that kept my interest from beginning to end...and also kept my nerves on edge.

I should have watched The Village a long time ago, but I am not one for horror so I left it alone. After watching Devil (2010) also by Shyamalan I decided to give The Village a shot.

Devil does not hold a candle to The Village.

Each character in the film is carefully developed to work with the storyline. Bryce Dallas Howard in the lead role is amazing and very believable. The film wouldn't be without her. Adrian Brody gave me goose bumps with oddness of his character.

The score and cinematography in The Village are absolutely top-notch. The entire suspenseful-fearful atmosphere relied on the score and sound effects...and they both delivered. The shots are perfect, never revealing too much and always presenting interesting angles to support the suspenseful mood.

The storyline is fascinating! Hats off to Shyamalan. I will not say much because I don't want to give anything away.

M Night Shyamalan is great with his genre. My favourite would always be Sixth Sense(1999), followed by The Village (2004), then Unbreakable(2000). I have yet to watch Signs (2002) and The Happening(2008)

However, I felt Devil (2010) fell flat...the storyline is not as well knit and lacked in the jaw-dropping surprise ending.

If you love Sixth Sense, then you must check out The Village. Be forewarned, it has its share of jumpy/scary moments!

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:)

The Constant Gardener (2005)

8/10

Haunting, heart felt and mesmerizing.

Beautiful use of the landscapes and a very well knit storyline.

Filled with emotions of love, pain, loss, fear and desperation. The Constant Gardener revolves around a widowers determined attempt to solve the murder of his wife and unveiling an explosive secret in his search.

Beautiful performance by the cast, allowing you to really connect with the characters. Oscar nominated preformance from Ralph Fiennes and Oscar winning performance from Rachel Weisz.

Great use of flashbacks embedded throughout the film, giving you a glimpses of the past and the present.

The film really captures the love and loss Justin (main character) experiences.

Salt (2010)

7/10

Entertaining and unique in its own way.

Finally went to watch the long anticipated film Salt today. Salt is not spectacular, unlike Inception, but it kept me glued to the screen from beginning to the end.

Car crashes, gun shootouts, hands on fight scenes along with a slight atmosphere of mystery makes Salt a decent Friday night action flick.

The twists in the movie aren't shocking or sudden, coming at you in a very mellow way. The storyline is not complex but is well equipped drawing from historical events and spinning off from there.

Wanted, Mr. and Ms Smith, Tomb Raider...now Salt. Angelina Jolie once again kicks butts on the big screen and again does it in a very cool fashion. I was quite drawn to the character Salt because of the mystery her character carries. Biggest difference between Salt and Jolie's other action film is a) the not-as-awesome costume in Salt and b) Jolie's unavoidable run ins with handcuffs.

---------warning spoilers follow--------------

The action in this film is quite unique. Aside from the hands out tactic of taking out people, there is this one scene where Salt (Jolie's character) uses her handcuffs (that are behind her) to choke a man using her weight from the landing on top of a flight of stairs. This is my favourite action sequence in this film, as I haven't seen this technique used before.

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The ending felt a little thin, but I guess it's a decent approach seeing the way the storyline is set up. There's no great way to end a film like this...thus I guess the decision was made to leave room for a sequel?

I recommend Salt to anyone looking for an entertaining and NOT cheesy action filled movie. Salt has just the right amount of awesome, gore and subtle sarcasm. If you liked Mr. Ms Smith and Wanted...then give Salt a shot.

Inception (2010)

9/10 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

Be Prepared to be blown away!

Nolan, the directer of Memento, Dark Knight, and Prestige again lives up to the hype and my anticipation!

Inception is mind-blowing and breathtaking! From the moment the film started I was hooked and by the end of the film I was in awe. I loved it! Inception has an superb story line with an amazing cast and I can say it is one of the best films I have seen all year.

The storyline works itself into your head and plays with the idea of dream and reality. Nolan is very careful about not letting any of the elements of the film be overwhelming. He balances action, humor, special effects and brilliantly crafted storyline nicely.

Fantastic casting! I never really had a film where I liked the entire collaboration of cast members, but Inception has made that happen. Leonardo DiCapio is fantastic as always in the lead. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, my favourite guy from 3rd Rock from the Sun, so glad to see more of him after 500 Days of Summer. One of my favourite actress Ellen Page gave a superb performance as well. Tom Hardy, a new face I love to see more of. Cillian Murphy, an excellent actor who has never failed to surprise me with his performance. Ken Watanabe, first saw him in The Last Samurai and have been a fan since. Michael Cane, loved him in Miss Congeniality, even made an appearance!

Do yourself a favour and go watch this movie. I've seen so many movies, but rarely has a movie struck me like Inception. I recommend this to everyone! Inception sits #3 on IMDB top 250 movies, that's how good it is!

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!!

Groudhog Day (1993)

9/10
(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

One of the best!

A hilarious movie filled with time-travel, romance, character study and witty plot line. If you haven't seen this film, you are missing out!

The storyline is cleverly written and does not overuse jokes. Its humor comes from characters and situations that is well crafted to compliment one another.

Bill Murray is fantastic in the lead role, as we watch his character evolve as the movie progresses. Murray will have you laughing.

Groundhog Day is not your typical light romantic comedy as it has much depth in character and plot development. The main focus is revolved around the idea of getting a chance (or in this case multiple chances) to redeem yourself and see how things you do impact others. The film has a deep meaningful message that is outlined with subtle but effective humor that is worth multiple viewings.

Groundhog Day is a beautiful film that is great for all viewers. For those who do not like romantic comedies, you should give this film a chance!! A gem for romantic comedy fans.

Retroactive (1997)

6.5/10

Great action-packed time-travel film that is worth watching!

A psychiatrist, played by Shannon Whirry, is given the chance go back in time to make things right after witnessing a murder in the middle of a desert.

Very simple premise, but very well executed. I was kept entertained by the action and the different interaction that occurs between the characters throughout Retroactive. A collaboration of car crashes, car chases, gun fights and time travel all thrown into one, making this quite an interesting film to watch.

However, I didn't feel attached to the main character as she wasn't very memorable. Nevertheless, she did a good performance in the lead that kept the movie rolling.

If you enjoy action, thriller, sci-fi films then this is definitely worth watching!

Secret Window (2004)

4/10

Tepid.

Secret Window, starring Johnny Depp, is about an author being accused of plagiarism by an odd man and must deal with the accusation/threats.

The film has an interesting premise, good acting and somewhat mysterious but it is much too predictable. Maybe it's because I've seen too many of this type of movie so the ending became obvious half way through the film. I felt there was really little mystery in the storyline.

Johnny Depp's performance is one one aspect of Secret Window that saves the film. I enjoyed the film mostly because Depp is so engaging in his role. He uses simple gestures and facial expressions to make his character Mort come alive. Depp is quite entertaining that I found myself chuckling at one point.

Secret Window revolves around writing, writers and story telling. At one point Mort (Depp) actually says "Ending is the most important part..." referencing to both the movie itself and stories in general. This reference is quite clever but Secret Window's ending did not succeed in surprising me. The film in entirety could have benefited from more twists and turns because even the thrilling moments lacked thrill. Maybe Stephen Kings story is quite exciting as a short, but in film form it falls flat.

If you want to watch a somewhat thrilling movie that has a rating of PG-13, then Secret Window will do. It is mediocre film is made interesting by Johnny Depp's performance, but not at all memorable.

Going Postal (2010) (TV)

7/10

This witty fantasy/comedy two-part TV short film is surprisingly decent and entertaining.

TV miniseries and TV movies can be surprisingly good sometimes, and Going Postal, a two-part TV adaption of the book by Terry Pratchett with the same name, is a good example of such. It is the 3 adaption following Hogfather and The Colour of Magic.

Richard Coyle, in the main roll as the Post-Master, puts on quite a performance. His comical portrayal of the main character reminds me a bit of Michael Sheen. The entire cast is very believable for a fantasy world.

The story is very cute, and witty. Having not read the book, I do not know how true the adaption is to the book, but very entertaining nevertheless. Going Postal takes you into one part of Pratchett's fantasy Discworld that makes you want to visit again.

Going Postal is a Brith slang for going mad/crazy, which is much like what is happening to the postal office in the show.

If you enjoy a easy going fantasy world with a comical side to it, then I recommend you visit Pratchett's Discworld with Going Postal

Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009)

10/10 [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]

Back to the Future meets Shaun of the Dead in this British comedy/sci-fi Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel.

All the elements of time-travel are explored in this clever, funny and witty film.

Brilliant film with similar time traveling style as Back to the Future, lingered with humor and twists, Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel takes you through time whilst remaining in the same setting, a local pub.

This film goes across the genres with bits of action, thrill, mystery, comedy, sci-fi and romance. The plot is well written, with bits of twists and overlapping time-traveling elements everywhere. The first 10 minutes of the film is fairly unexciting, as it introduces the characters and the relationships between the characters, however, the moment the characters reaches the bar the fun begins.

A good performance by a fairly unknown cast, that will have you laughing throughout the film.

The computer graphics aren't great, but the humor, dialogue and plot line makes it a minimal issue. The dialogue, underlined with British accent, is humorous and witty.

If you enjoyed Back to the Future I &II, Shaun of the Dead, and/or Hot Fuzz then Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel is definitely the film for you!

Unbreakable (2000)

6/10

M. Night Shyamalan and Bruce Willis strikes again, this time with Unbreakable. The duo that made Six Sense, the awesome thriller/mystery/horror film, teams up again in Unbreakable, a story about a not so typical hero.

Most of the storyline of Unbreakable is quite slow and would be considered dull for audiences who like action and explosion. The film requires viewers to be patient and see past the slow built up of suspense at the beautiful character development and cinematography. The idea of the film is gripping but the way the purposely executed style lacks in excitement.

When I was viewing the movie, I have to admit, I was quite bored and had to fight to stay focused. HOWEVER the best part of the film is the carefully planned and executed cinematography style. The camera movement in the train scene, for example, is wonderfully done as it not only explains the back and forth of the conversation but also directs your attention to the different perspectives of the camera. The framing of the movie is just fantastic. The different angles and focuses of the camera gives this film a very unique appeal. We see low( near the ground) shots, close up shots of characters and objects, reflection shots, fish eye shots...so forth. Pay careful attention to these elements when you're watching this film, it is a very astonishing aspect of this film.

The movie deals with its comic book style in a very sophisticated and unique that is never seen before in comic book movies. Unbreakable balances a comic book world and reality world, but not specifically explaining which world is really being depicted. On top of the camera angles, framing, comic style...you have M. Night Shyamalan's known story line ending.

Character development is very dense in this film, playing its part in slowly building up the suspense.

I recommend this to viewers who are interested in a sophisticated and different take on comic book movie. If you can withstand the slowness of the film, you'll quite enjoy this.

The Night Listener (2006)

6.5/10

A successful mystery/thriller/drama starring Robin Williams and Toni Collete (Six Sense) and Sandy Oh.

The Night Listener is suspenseful and very mysterious film following a radio host who started a phone conversation with a boy who's a big fan. When the identity of the boy is put to the question, the radio host's life is set into a spiral.

The plot line, based on a true event, is simple yet very gripping. You find yourself wondering and pondering exactly what the ending will be. The story is not the most exciting, BUT provides you just the right amount of mystery and thrill to keep you attached to the screen.

The title makes this film more scary than it actually is. The Night Listener is not scary at all, so if you watched this film expecting horror you'll won't find any.

The cinematography of this film is excellent. The different use of shadows, lighting techniques and silhouettes support the mysterious atmosphere of the film. The dark shadows and contrast used in this film is worth the note.

Robin Williams is fantastic in the lead as Gabriel Noone, giving a believable portrayal of a man suspicious of the identity of a boy, yet doubtful of his own suspicion. Toni Collete's performance is astonishing, giving you chills as you observe her interaction with the other characters.

The only complaint I have for the film is some of the bone headed decisions made by Gabriel Noone, but it's a minimal concern.

I recommend The Night Listener to those who likes mysteries and thrillers without the scary elements of sudden jolts and suspenseful music.

Memento (2001)

9/10 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

One of my favourite movies, A MUST SEE

Starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Ann Moss (from The Matrix) the film is about a man(Pearce), suffering from short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife.

Memento creates a new method of presenting thriller and mystery that puts you in the position of the main character. A simple storyline made much more complex and interesting through editing and story telling.

This film is phenomenal! Superb editing technique and great casting of Pearce and Moss.


---Below may contain spoilers, do not read further if you have not seen the film-------

In science experiments you have a hypothesis, an experiment than a conclusion. This film brings a new concept to the table by presenting the film backwards. We first see the conclusion, then we see the experiment and lastly we arrive at the beginning where we see the hypothesis....

Intermingled with this backwards storyline is flashbacks, which creates another storyline for viewers to follow. The beauty of Memento is technique of joining the flashbacks and the backwards storyline together in the middle of the film. This joining of the two parts makes the film even more complex and adds more mystery to the overall plot line.

It's rare, nowadays, to have movies that asks viewers to actively participate in trying to piece the plot together because of the tendency of movies to follow the straight forward and traditional way of story telling. Memento takes you out of this chronological way of thinking and plunges you into a narrative that needs viewers to piece the puzzle back together.

Memento is a rare and fantastic achievement to filmmaking that manages to be entertaining, thought-provoking whilst keeping the atmosphere of mystery. I have seen this movie multiple times, my suggestion is if you have it on DVD try watching it backwards...you will get another perspective by doing so :)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Exam (2009)

7/10

A clever psychological thriller that will grip you from beginning to end.

Exam is about eight candidates, seated at desks in a room, each with a sheet of paper...their task to answer the exam question.

This low budget film with a fairly unknown cast is gem of a find. The film uses clever psychology and mind games to keep the atmosphere of mystery throughout.

The greatest strength of this film is the overall tension and curiosity the film creates, even with a mediocre ending, this film is still quite entertaining. However, this is not the first of its kind, other thrillers has been done of strangers put to the test, however, this film does not fail in comparison.

If you like films with thrill and mystery with the content of horror then definitely give Exam a chance.

NOTE: Do not watch the Trailer for the film...it'll spoil it!

Community (2009-present)

9/10

Want a good laugh with well written dialogue and no laugh track forced upon you? If so, then I highly recommend Community, the show that defines LOL.

Community revolves around the members of a study group at a community college (Greendale), coming together to deal with everyday issues and creating a good laugh along the way.

Community is brilliant, sarcastic and tickles your funny bone in the right way. The show is able to balance its own story line with film references, and inserting hilarious situations all at the same time. You can literally watch a single episode multiple times in one night.The cliches and parodies used in the show is phenomenal and cleverly executed.

The cast is phenomenal and believable in their performance as they absorb their characters so well.

What I love about the show is that it is so real and relate-able. Unlike so many sitcoms now days Community does not use a laugh track to force a laugh. Community works at using dialogue, plot line and parodies to create humor and SUCCEEDS.

References in Community season 1.

Constantly referring to another piece of work, Community is an intertextual gold mine. Let's look at some parallels.

Die Hard referenced when Jeff Winger limps into the deans office in episode 23

Joel McHale in Community. In this scene Jeff actually limps into the office, in Die Hard, Jack's foot was cut...thus he was limping. Direct Reference

Bruce Willis in Die Hard

Ghost being referenced (they actually talk about the film) in episode 19.

Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in Ghost

Joel McHale in Community

Possible Wanted reference in episode 23

Ken Jeong in Community

James McAvoy in Wanted

Matrix

Gillian Jacobs in Community

Keanu Reeves in Matrix

Possible Charlie's Angels reference in Episode 13

Gillian and Alison in Community

Cameron Diaz in Charlie's Angels

Beast Master reference

Daniel Goddard in Beastmaster

Chevy Chase in Community

An amazing show, that wraps it references cleverly into each plot. Definitely worth the watch! Especially, for movie/comedy fans! Love this show :)