Rookie Blue (2009-Present) TV series

8/10 [recommended]


Good drama supported by an amazing cast.

Rookie Blue follows the lives of five rookie cops from 15 Division in Toronto who have just graduated from the academy. They must learn not only to deal with their duties as police officers, but also deal with the problems and expectation of their families and friends. ( plot description from wiki)

Rookie Blue really captures the everyday lives both in uniform and out of uniform of the rookie officers. This series puts focus on the reality that these officers are people with their own concerns and life problems but they all share the same devotion to wanting to serve/protect.

The beauty of this show lies in the nice balance between character development and action. It doesn't have all the suspense and CGI of CSI but it has enough content to keep you glued to the screen. Rookie Blue is refreshing as it feels realistic and not overdone with special effects.

The cast is amazing, with many familiar faces. Missy Peregrym, whom I've been a fan of since Life As We Know (TV Series), is amazing as Andy McNally the tough rookie who rarely lets anyone in. Gregory Smith, from the old TV show Everwood that I watched when I was a kid, plays Dov Epstein is great. Eric Johnson, from season one of Smallville, portrays Detective Luke Callaghan.

Oh, did I mention, it's Canadian!

I really like this show for it's realistic appeal and simple editing technique. It is refreshing. I recommend people to give the show a chance, you may find yourself drawn into it.

Stick It (2006)

5.5/10

Fun, but could have been so much better.

After a run-in with the law, Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) is forced to return to the world from which she fled some years ago. Enrolled in an elite gymnastics program run by the legendary Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges), Haley's rebellious attitude gives way to something that just might be called team spirit. (imdb)

Directed/written by the same writer wrote Bring It On, Stick It tries to give gymnastics the same appeal as it did with cheerleading. Sadly, despite the strong performance by lead Miss Peregrym, this movie lacked iin the power that Bring It On had.

Stick It lacked in character development, which made it such a weak film in comparison to Bring It On. Bring It On focuses on a few characters but develops each character slowly so the audience can feel a connection to the character. Stick It focuses on Haley, but it does not give the supporting characters much background or development to Haley. For example, Haley's teammate Joanne is shown at first to hate Haley but towards the end of the film becomes friends with Haley. But we are never shown by any history between Haley and Joanne. At the same time Haley's parents, who plays such a big part in the story, are given only a few minutes on screen, which left gaps in the story.

Stick It spent too much time trying to capture gymnastics but failed to write a strong storyline. The thin storyline could have benefitted more by giving some flashbacks on Haley's history and family.

I watched Stick It mostly for Missy Peregrym, who plays Officer Andy McNally in the show Rookie Blue. Stick It is Missy Peregrym's movie debut and she gives an amazing perforance as Haley Graham. Peregrym saved this film from being a complete disappointment, I give Peregrym 5/5 for her performance and 0.9/5 for the weak script. I cannot believe Peregrym isn't in more movies.

Overall, a fun film but lacked in content

X-Men First Class (2011)

8/10 [highly recommended]

Loved it! Solid script with fantastic lead peformances.

In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start world war III. (imdb)

The story of how X Men came to be. I liked the first X Men film and X Men 2 starring Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart but X3 and Origins that followed were disappointing. This prequel, however, redeemed my hope for the X Men franchise.

X Men First Class succeded beacause it didn't only rely on a star-studded cast and action on attempting to create an amazing film. First Class had many new faces, powerful script, with much emphasis character development (which I believe is what this film quite powerful).

Even though First Class didn't have a A-list cast, the choice of young cast are still amazing. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender carried this film.

First Class not only brought to our attention some of the lesser known mutants (such as Darwin, Havoc, Banshee, Beast and Riptide) but it also put much focus on character development. We are told the story of how many mutant's history. The suffering and pain Magneto went through in his childhood to his friendship with Prof X. Mystique's struggles with her identity. Professor X's childhood and friendship with Mystique and Magneto. I would have liked it more if Prof X's life is given a bit more detail because we know much more of Magneto's past than we do of Prof X.

The action sequences and editing is thrilling but never over taking the script.

Overall, definitely a fantastic film that is worth watching! X Men First Class saved the X Men franchise, which should have stopped after Xmen 1&2.

Watchmen (2009)

9/10 [highly recommended]

Deep, compelling with a tone of content. Who watches over the Watchmen? We do

In an alternate 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it. (imdb)

I never read the graphic novel so my enjoyment of this film is based on the tone, camera work, story, set design, casting, music and editing. The movie is long, though when I sat down to view it I did not feel it to be long at all. The film does have some adult material and much gore, but these were done so they didn't overtake the story of the film.

Watchmen is dark, iconic, full of allegories and allusions. This film has a lot of content and themes that it needs more than one view to fully understand what is going on. There's more than one underlining message to be taken in. This film tugs at so many emotions from love, hate, betrayal, fear, anger, disgust, surprised, confusion...that's how powerful this film is. Everything on earth is connected and everything in this film is as well.

The choice of music is absolutely gold! The recognition of the iconic tunes from the 60s and 70s will make you pause to really listen to the lyrics and how befitting they are to this film. I love how Watchmen can get you reminiscing memories with just the recognition of the songs.

Watchmen was shot in Vancouver, at a studio that I've been to. When I first watched the movie, I never took notice of the set decoration and location. But upon my second viewing today, I took much notice of the set and am amazed how much of the film is shot in such a compact set.

The dark and errie use of lighting and rough design of the set is perfect in supporting the mood of the film.

Go watch the film yourself! It is brilliant piece of work! I am so going to get myself the DVD and the graphic novel!

Lady in the Water (2006)

4.5/10

Nice visually but slow story that is easily forgettable.

The Lady in the Water is about an apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep rescues what he thinks is a young woman from the pool he maintains. When he discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world.  (imdb)

Lady in the Water wasn't as good as I hoped. It has a neat concept and puts emphasis on the fact that it is a fairytale story..BUT sadly, the execution and pace of the story is slow and boarders boring. I felt myself distracted away from the movie quite a number of times throughout the film. The stories tries to make itself different in the sense that it refers to itself within the movie. This film is definitely bizarre one that left me bored but pondering.

The casting for the film is solid and believable. I am definitely a fan of Bryce Dallas Howard after watching the Village, but I'm not sure how to feel about Lady in the Water.

The cinematography is visually appealing in this film with nice choice of angles, pans and unique use of camera focus. The shots make the audience aware of the fact that a camera is present, which emphasizes the idea of the story referring to itself.

Overall, mediocre story with nice visuals that sadly didn't hold my interest. I guess this film takes a special kind of audience, who enjoys the slow bizarre plot and the neat camera angles.