Dredd (2012)

7/10

Plot: In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO. 

Based on the comic books, Dredd is a guy flick with a ton of violence, shooting, bloody gruesome gore, car chase and armoured hero ass kicking. The only thing missing is a romanic story to tie it all up.

Judge Dredd, played by Karl Urban, dominated the screen with a mean and serious growl the entire film. Urban brought more character to Dredd and is much more believable than Stallone in the first Dredd film in 1995. Urban, although I really wanted to see his face, kept the helmet on as Dredd the entire film keeping close to the comic books. The only part of Urban we saw is the lower half of his face, as his eyes were covered by the helmet. Even with most of his face covered, Urban was able to convey many deep emotions during some heart to heart moments with his fellow cast member Olivia Thirlby, who portrayed Judge Anderson. Thirlby, is fantastic, she reminds me of Camilla Belle in Push.

The graphics and visual effects in Dredd at times looked very animated but this worksin favour for the drug induced scenes and the comic book nature of this film. The slow-mo mixed with highly saturated imageries made the film feel like it stepped straight out of the pages of a comic.


If you hate gore and blood, this film is everything you'll hate. The slow colourful scenes of blood splatters and skin tearing scenes can make your skin crawl. Even though this film isn't as nasty as SAW or slasher films, Dredd still embraces similar aspects...just without the horror.

All in all, don't over think it and just enjoy this action flick!

The Door (Die Tür) (2009)

7/10

A second chance in life...but comes at a price.

The Door (Die Tur) 2009 is about a successful artist who loses control of his life after his young daughter's death. A chance for a new start appears, but all is not what it seems.

Intriguing idea that is well shot but with some loop holes.

The movie begins in what appears to be an innocent/peaceful residential street, which gives this film a very spooky feeling as it is nothing near innocent. The film's most important event, the death of the child, occurs in the first 10 minutes of the film, which sets the tone for the rest of the film.

Mads Mikkelsen was fantastic in the lead role as the father, who took his life for granted and wants to redeem himself. Mikkelsen is great playing a role that is fairly dynamic.
There are a few events in the film that brought up more questions than answers, but the overall effect of the film is fairly good as it keeps you pondering. I would recommend you to check it out and judge for yourself.

Delicatessen (1991)

7/10 [recommended]

Fantastic cinematography, with great editing, quirky cast and overall a wacky film.

Plot: Post-apocalyptic surrealist black comedy about the landlord of an apartment building who occasionally prepares a delicacy for his odd tenants.

I knew I was in for a treat when the beginning credits started. Instead of your typical text on screen fading in and out, Delicatessen used credits that was attached to pieces of labels on rubbish. This initial credits alone was inspiring and very creative.

This French film is an art piece, with many themes embedded and is not afraid to push the limit.

Not one character in this film is not quirky, thus coming together to form a very wacky film.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

8/10 [recommended]

the horrors of war

The Deer Hunter is An in-depth examination of the way the Vietnam war affects the lives of people in a small industrial town in the USA.

The Deer Hunter takes us through the effects of war with three close knit friends, showing us that there is nothing glamourous or glorifying about war. This film has some scenes of blood and violence but the uneasiness this film creates does not come from any of these elements. The sheer fear and unease comes from a single bullet and a revolver. Without revealing too much, the element of the bullet and revolver help to emphasize the horrors that comes with war.

Absolutely brilliant casting with Robert De Niro, John Cazale, John Savage, Meryll Streep, and Christopher Walken (all in their younger years).


This is not a easy relaxing film but one that is psychologically straining. Well shot and worth checking out.

Deja Vu (2006)

9/10 [highly recommended]

By far one of my favourite suspenseful thriller with time travel element.

An ATF agent travels back in time to save a woman from being murdered, falling in love with her during the process.

Deja Vu is a very realistic crime thriller with a clever sci-fi twist that will keep ou engaged. Acting is superb, plot is superb, but what makes this a great film is the mix in genres. Romance, drama, thriller, suspense, crime, action AND time travel.

The time travel wraps itself into the crime that is being investigated, so you are seeing bits of the ending throughout. I don't want to say too much as I might end up giving spoilers so I'll end it by saying WATCH IT and then REWATCH it and then repeat.

Daisy (2006)

6.5/10

beautifully shot, sorrowful Korean/chinese collaboration


Plot: "Daisy" is a story about the inevitable showdown between a detective and a killer who fall in love with the same woman.



Another well crafted sorrowful film starring Jung Woo-sung (from A Moment to Remember). I didn't feel much of an attachment to Gianna Jun's character Hye-young. She just seemed in pain most of the film, which wasn't a lovely quality in comparison to her character in My Sassy Girl. The connection between the three main characters was a bit out there.

Having met Jung Woo-Sung a while back. He has this very sincere and kind look about him both in real life and in films.

What I loved about the film was the beautiful scenery and mix of languages used. A large portion of the film was shot in Netherlands and the location chosen are breath taking. From the daisy filled fields to the European style buildings,

Recommended to those who enjoy action, romance, and korean drama mixed together. Not always my cup of tea as Korean romance films are a bit farfetched and aimed at jerking a tear out of you. I didn't mind this film so much for the location and cinematography but the drama wasn't too captivating.

Divided We Fall (2000)

8.5/10 [highly recommended!]

A fantastic film that makes you think

Plot: In Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, a childless couple agree to hide a Jewish friend at great personal risk of discovery and execution.


Divided We Fall is truly amazing. It examines human behaviour in the most abnormal situations, analyzes morals in tough situations and questions shades of grey. This film brings out people's most heroic as well as our most pathetic side.

During the course of this film you'll find yourself biting your nails in in suspense, shaking by nerves and keeling over in laughter. Bolek Polívka is superb in his portrayal of Josef Cízek, the childless husband who is torn between protecting his family, battling his morals and trying to stay sane during World War II. During the most intense scenes, where the audience's adrenaline is racing, Polívka is able to smooth over the situation with his silly facial expression and Chaplin like gestures. So many moments in the film I was actually laughing out loud. Anna Sisková and Jaroslav Dusek all deserve praise for their great acting in making this an intense yet hilarious film.

Spoiler Alert:

What makes Divided We Fall stand out from the many other films is that it doesn't try to create one die-hard-tough-fighting super-hero and uses humor in very sophiciated manner.This film is centred around characters who continuously had second thoughts about his/her actions but kept trying to do the right thing. What I love at the end of the film is we see how much each character needed the other. David Wiener, a jewish friend of Josef Cízek, desperately relied on Josef during the war. Josef, who was tormented by the danger of hiding David, found himself in several situations where he desperately needed David.

Doctor Who (1996) TV movie

6.5/10

Totally absorbing even if somewhat flawed in the story/character

Doctor Who follows the newly-regenerated Doctor (Paul McGann) takes on the Master on the turn of the millennium, 31 December 1999.

Out of the entire Doctor Who franchise, this 89min TV movie is the only one that was filmed in Canada and the one I decided to start my descend into the Doctor Who series. There's already 11 Doctors awaiting me, and I started at the 8th Doctor.

Starring Paul McGann and Eric Roberts, the film begins by planting us straight in the middle of San Fransico. The story takes flight right there with the Doctor being taken down and the Master escaping and all hell, pretty much breaking, loose at this point. With a plot like this how could anyone not get sucked right into it. I was right into the storyline from moment one. However, the strong plot is weakened by a flawed storyline  and some irrational characters. There are moments where I am dumbfounded at why a certain character would act in such a way resulting in the climax of the film.

Overall, this wasn't a fantastic perfect movie BUT this TV film does do the trick of generating interest for me towards the Doctor Who franchise..which will occupy my next weeks to month :)

Duplex (2003)

5/10

Not so much funny as really frustrating.

I like Ben Stiller as he always gives a good performance. In Duplex, Stiller again gives a well performed roles as a angry owner of a house with terrible a tenant.

This film sadly lacks in comedic element but has high dose of frustration. You would want to root for the couple but somehow they always get the short end of the stick.

This film will allow those with annoying neighbours to see the silver lining of things because if you have neighbours that drives you crazy...you should consider yourself lucky not having to be in Alex (Ben stiller) and Nancy (Drew Barrymore)'s shoes.

Duma

5.5/10

Great sceneries, beautiful animal but with a very thin storyline that just doesn't feel all there.

Dylan Dog (2010)

6.5/10

Funny, scary and better than IMDB's rating.

I loved most of the movie as it was very entertaining with scary and funny moments.

Brandon Routh isn't superman but nevertheless is still very eye catching as Dylan Dog, the centre man between the monsters and the 'breathers' aka humans.

The make up resembles that of Buffy the Vampire Killer, which I felt worked perfectly to create a world with hidden monsters and undead.

My only complaint is that the storyline is a bit flawed and the ending climax wasn't at all satisfying. I imagined the ending to be a bit different and that it would be able emphasize the relationship between the female lead and Dylan Dog. Nevertheless, the comedic appeal to Dylan Dog makes this film very enjoyable and corky.

This movie, based on the comic book, has a different approach to presenting a monster/gore/vampire/werewolf/zombie story delivering an entertaining hour and a half.I recommend this to those who would like to kick back and enjoy an action packed horror/thriller that can also create humor without being vulgar.

Despicable Me (2010)

8/10

Funny and cute!

Hilarious and just adorable!

Despicable Me is about a criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds himself profoundly changed by the growing love between them.

I love the concept behind this film of the protagonist being the antagonist at the same time.

I loved the Minions! Fred, Dave, Jerry, Tim, Mark, Stuart..... The rest o the characters had more unique names that I have never (or rarely) heard of such as Gru, Edith, Agnes....but the minions balanced out the names with their generic names.

I watched this back to back with Toy Story 3. I enjoyed both on different levels. Despicable Me was funny, impressive and a light animation. Toy Story 3 is a wonderful, heartfelt and absolutely amazing addition of the trilogy.

Highly recommended if you want a funny, adorable, laugh-out-loud and with many 'Awwww" moments movie...THEN definitely check this out!

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!

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.

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.