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Cinderella (2015)
Back to the classics
Cinderela tells the story we heard at least a thousand times before about the gentle girl who is mistreated by her stepmother and thanks to the blessing of the fairy godmother goes to try and live her dreams.
So, when you go into this movie, unless you are a small child seeing the story for the first time, and if that is the case you'll probably have a good time, you already know what the story is about.
However, in this age of gritty reboots and realistic versions, it is actually refreshing seeing a film that doesn't try to be better by thinking that dark-serious equals great. Cinderela is as whimsical as the cartoon. Dreamy happiness is what Disney is known for and, from time to time, is exactly what we look for when we go to the movies. We want to live in a world where magic is possible, at least for a few hours.
The story went through a few changes to make it more reasonable for a live action movie and it does fell more reasonable. The characters are good and are portrayed by competent cast. I actually liked the girl Cinderela. Perhaps kindness is not a trait always valued in the real world as it can be seen as weakness, but there certainly is strength in being kind, even to whoever do us harm.
Kid's movies can be a overwhelmingly sweet with their "once upon a time" that can make some eyes roll, mine included. But this is Cinderela in a Disney movie, and I want it to be magical.
And there is nothing wrong with that.
Firefly (2002)
Something very special
I had always tried to avoid watching Firefly, because I knew I would lose either way.
If I didn't like the series I would waste my time watching and be annoyed. If I liked it, or worse, loved it, than I would feel sad and frustrated at the end of the last episode since I already knew the series had been cut short. But after so much good reviews I heard from friends and from the internet, I finally accepted that I should watch it. Is it better to have loved and lost or never to have loved at all?
And I loved it.
The setting is a great mix: futuristic sci-fi with its kind of dystopian future; a western with lawless lands; a pirate ship like adventures with its crew and spaceship. It all blended perfectly, the action, the comedy, the drama, the development of the characters... This was just a TV show and it aired before we had series like Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, with its great magnificence, but the sum of its parts made it huge. I fully believed in the universe.
I don't think there is such a great ensemble of characters in any other show. There is always someone you don't kind of like in shows like these, but I cared about all of them. Seeing them relate to each other and how their relationships grew, how the fought, how they tried to get along, it made me know that this crew was made of people that have to make the best of their situation. Just a quick highlight for Captan Reynolds, Nathan Fillion makes here the perfect cowboy-bad-ass-hero, hands down.
After the last episode ended I felt a little bit empty, like a great journey that was cut way too short just as it was getting to the best part. But now I am sure that I'm happier for having met Captain Reynolds and the rest of the crew, even if only for a few hours.
Monsters University (2013)
Pixar shines again in the end.
Monsters University builds on the world first introduced to us in Monsters Inc. and brings to us the story of how Mike and Sully first met. Nice to see you again guys.
I was a little bit unsure about how good this movie would be like as one of the reasons I love Pixar is their ability to create original stories. Sequels or prequels kind of feel like they are trying to squeeze the most out of a known lucrative fountain, even if they don't have the story to justify it. The completely forgettable Cars 2 is an example of it. But as I also felt that way about Toy Story 3 before seeing it and I HAD NEVER BEEN MORE WRONG in my life.
And so we have this movie. I have to say, it was very fun seeing young Mike and Sully. The production and attention to detail in a Pixar movie is staggering, specially in the way they create their worlds. We see them as teenagers. We feel they are actually in a college and how they deal with their problems.
My only problem with the script is that it feels a bit cliché. The college underdogs, the problems with the dean, and everything else felt like we had seen it before. True, it was well done, but apart from the fact that they are monsters, it is not different from what we had already seen in other movies. We even have a bit of a back story for Randy that feels unnecessary. When the shenanigans wrap up, I thought that would be the end of the movie. Had it ended there it would still be an enjoyable animation movie, albeit a generic and forgettable one, not in par with what Pixar can do.
But it goes on. The last scenes, right up to the climax, are the best part. We can finally see what this movie is about and the magic of Pixar storytelling. The final act has a maturity, a bittersweet taste that is characteristic of Pixar stories that show the world can be a harsh place, but you shouldn't give up.
Not when you have friends like Mike and Sully.
Prisoners (2013)
One of the best thrillers of recent memory
Prisoners tells the story of a family broken by the kidnapping of their small daughter along with one of her friends. Unsatisfied with the police actions in the case, the father tries to take matters into his own hands.
This is a very tense movie. We follow Keller Dover as he desperately tries to find the truth about what happened to his daughter. Right in the beginning we get a feel that this is a man that does what he needs and doesn't like depending on others, even the government.
On the other side, we have Det. Loki, a cop with his own personal problems that is assigned to this case. We see he is actually trying to get things done. I guess it felt nice seeing an investigator that is actually human for a change, and not a Super Deduction Machine. I love Sherlock Holmes as much as the next guy, but sometimes is nice to see a regular one, specially since this is an overused trope. Not that he is stupid or anything, he just feels more real in the way he follows clues and draws his conclusions.
Hugh Jackman is in full shape, showing the evolution of his characters desperation as he sees, powerless, his family falling apart. When he decides to act in a certain way, we may not agree with it, or even think he may be making a mistake, but we never doubt his motivations, and his choices feel authentic. Jake Gyllenhaal also does a great job as the detective trying to find the truth, and so we get a nice back and forth between these two characters, as in who should we trust, who should we root for?
All of this is sewed together by a great story. Mystery permeates the movie and the developments are made in a way that make you never completely sure about what the truth really is. Thus, even if this movie has a slow pace, with beautiful and calm cinematography, not packed with explosions, you still feel at the edge of your seat.
The script here is flawless both as a suspense and a crime story. When you get to the end you feel it in your guts. This is not a movie you will soon forget.
A great experience. 10/10.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Gentlemanly Awesome
Kingsman is a nod to the old spy thrillers, with its crazy gadgets, beautiful women, crazy bad guys... but turning it on its head in the best way possible.
I simply could not take my eyes off the screen. First we get some back story, a brief introduction to the Kingsman and how they kick-ass while wearing a suit (totally useless in real life fights, with all ties that can be pulled and pants that prevent any high kicking, but extremely awesome in movie fights). Than we meet Eggsy, a down on his luck kid that shows a hidden potential, and how he wants to turn his life around. He gets chosen and bam! Training. I just love training scenes. From Jackie Chan doing sit-ups upside down or Luke carrying Yoda (Mark Hamill is on this movie), give a few good training scenes and I know the master is a bad-ass and the student will become a bad-ass.
This film wouldn't work if we didn't connect with Eggsy, but Taron Egerton does a fine job. Not only him, but Colin Firth is great as the "Mr. Miyagi". I've never seen him as an action hero, but he takes part in the best fight scenes in recent memory. Part of the credit though goes to Matthew Vaughn and his great directing. The way he plays with the camera, not using all that "shaky cam" that is all the rage these days, but actually immersing the audience and showing the important parts makes the punches all the more enjoyable.
Also, Kudos for Samuel L. Jackson for the role of the megalomaniac villain, and all the supporting cast like Mark Strong.
And last, but not least, the story is amazing. The script is simple in the beginning, with the underdog story we all know and love. There is nothing wrong with going for the known archetypes, you just have to do it well. And this movie nails it, while also creating something new. The ending of this movie is just delightfully surprising. A great way of twisting the spy genre.
All in all, a great movie experience. 10/10
iZombie (2015)
What a fun show.
I started watching without actually knowing what this show was about. I heard the name in a some websites saying a few good words, but all I knew about it was that it had zombies (duh!).
But it really grew on me. The first minutes of the pilot felt a bit rushed, but pilots tend to be like that. They have to explain everything, including the past and the new status quo in the span of 40 minutes, so I tried not to hold it against them, and I was pleasantly surprised.
First, it was nice seeing the brain eating zombie again and a different methodology of zombies without all the hoards. Nice play on a overused genre.
After Liv Moore ("live more"? really?) settles down and start doing her police/psychic/zombie stuff the show got very interesting. And they played very well this introduction, as I started caring about the characters from the very first episode. And I don't mean the dreamy ex fiancée, who I have nothing against, but felt kind of way too perfect- dude, you are too nice... I do mean her boss, a total nerd, and her underdog but smart detective partner.
The investigating part of the story, aside from the psychic zombie visions, has let me a down a few times, but the apparent lack of logic wasn't anything a CSI episode hasn't done before.
And so, I am looking forward to see what this show has yet to offer. Bring more brains!!
Men in Black (1997)
Great fun sci-fi!
I recently re-watched MIB. It's been years since I had last seen it, I used to love this movie as a child, but only now I can actually see how smart it really is.
We follow Agent J as he discovers the truth: there is extraterrestrial life. We are just as surprised as him, and he serves as a guide to all these new crazy aliens. We also get to know the stoic agent K, with his own past and what he had to sacrifice just so he could do his job of keeping The Earth safe. We really like them throughout the movie. I don't even know if this works as a buddy cop movie, as K is more like a teacher and not only a partner.
During this last re watch I could see what I believe is the central theme: "Don't judge a book by it's cover", or the message that you shouldn't judge anyone by their appearance because they can be so much more and surprise you. It's everywhere in the film.
For example: The small gun that carries a big punch; all the aliens that look like normal humans; K's car that seems old; the aliens and the little girl in the test; and most of all, in J. In the beginning we only see him wearing these weird colorful clothes, and everyone thinks he is, well, not special. Then we see him in the suit, and he shows us what he really is about.
And in the end we get a glimpse of our own irrelevance in one of the best last scenes in the history of cinema. Even the universe may not be what it seems.
So, this is a great, smart movie, with a very solid story, great for children and adults alike. The effects, which stand the test of time, and details, are the cherry on top.
Song of the Sea (2014)
Charming
Song of the Sea follows Ben and his little sister Saoirse as they try to get a magical object and save magical beings... and why not their family as well?
The movie begins with a beautiful animation that sets the tone for the rest of the story. Ben is angry with his little sister. Their father is lost in sadness, and their grandmother feels powerless to help them but still tries to, but not in the best way possible.
And you believe in their plight. You want this family to get better. The way their story seamlessly mixes with the folklore is great. You believe wholeheartedly in the magic of their world.
Seeing Ben and Saiorse interact is great. They are just two kids and you see them act with innocence and curiosity just like any child. Watching them reminded of the relationship between me and my own sister.
And the animation is great. This movie does not go for the realistic approach, and instead goes for a more stylistic choice, but is still beautiful. Some of the scenes have such depth and contrast and color that could par with the work of the best cinematographers out there.
Kids and grown ups will like this one. Big brothers should watch it with their little sisters, at least to remind them not to be such jerks at times.
The Hurt Locker (2008)
On the edge of your seat!
This movie is not for the faint of heart. We follow an army bomb squad in their last month until their tour ends and they can come home. And unfortunately for them if they want to come home fine, they have a lot of work to do.
This movie has a great mix of suspense and surprise. The bomb defusing scenes are extremely tense. Usually those are left for the end of the movie, when the character has to choose between the red and green wires, but here they are spread throughout the movie. Not in this case. The explosions are beautiful, and there was more than one moment in which I suddenly found out I was on the edge of my seat.
Jeremy Renner does a great job playing a bomb disposal specialist who struggles with two different forces inside of him: the stress from violence of war; and the fact that fighting a war is what he knows how to do.
Personally, I don't have any idea about what the real day-to-day life of a soldier is like and I don't know if this movie is accurate or not. But I can say that 'The Hurt Locker' has given me a new found respect for the sacrifices a soldier makes and consequences a war can have on a person's life.
Well worth the watch.
Conspiracy Theory (1997)
Who doesn't like a good conspiracy?
We always try to look for explanations in the coincidences in our daily lives, trying to find meaning in our little world. But what if one of our crazy theories was right?
Jerry Fletcher is a taxi driver who spends his days telling his insane conspiracy theories to his passengers. He sees patterns everywhere and one day finds himself being chased by some shady guys in suits. Apparently he got something right. Mel Gibson does a fine job showing the vulnerabilities of Jerry, and it's pretty fun seeing how he lives his life of paranoia and how much that costs him. No friends, the fear, etc.
But the movie also follows Alice, Jerry's platonic love interest, and her determination to find out the truth about her father's murder. Julia Roberts does a great job playing someone who is suddenly thrown in the middle of a crazy man's theory.
There are no huge action scenes with big explosions, Richard Donner is contained and try to focus on the tension, which is good. We have the mandatory chasing scenes in which the guy avoids the unrelenting pursuits of the powerful organizations by incredible plans. And we do have some thrills in the form of imminent danger, but the payoff is not worth it in some cases.
The story plays with a few twists during the movie, which can be fine for suspense, but it distances the viewer from the characters at times. Who are we following? Who is the protagonist? Jerry or Alice?
From time to time, it feels good to see a 90's movie, with its "regular people have to go against bad super powerful organizations" like 'Enemy of the State', 'Mercury Rising' or 'The Net'. Thinking about it now, there are a lot of movies with this plot. Despite the name that could define the genre, "Conspiracy Theory" is not the best one there is about the theme, but it does a fine job.
It's a little too long, but hey, if you are in the mood for an older (yes 90's movies are old now... I am sad too) interesting movie, filled with phones that look like bricks, you can settle for this one. That is, if you have already seen 'Enemy of the State' first.
Insurgent (2015)
A bigger sequel. That's it.
Insurgent continues right after the ending of the first movie, with Tris and her companions looking for refuge from the attacks of the Erudites commanded by Jeanine.
If you didn't watch the first movie, and I don't know why you would want to watch this one, you will probably feel a bit lost, especially since the plot gets even more complicated than the one from the first movie. They do give little hints from flashbacks and information slips during the dialog to try and help without diminishing the pace of the movie. And what a frenetic pace.
The characters are always running for their lives, or hiding, or being charged with crimes, or dreaming. Early on in the movie there is an action scene, and right when you think it's over and you will be able to relax, BAM, new problem only solved through punching. The only stops are for the much needed dialogs, a weak B story, and for Tris to deal with the weight of being a divergent and its consequences to the world. By the way, Shailene Woodley does a great job as Tris and owns it (the rest of the cast is just fine).
You should not be bored in this movie. The pace, coupled with big special effects may make you feel excited at times. The action camera is pretty decent to, showing the action, but it does fall for the "fast cuts" trap at times, and you can't see exactly who is punching whom. The major problem here is the story, which at times feels a little convoluted. It was interesting seeing a little bit more of the "less important" factions that we didn't get to see in the first movie. For instance how they deal with problems: Amity hopes they go away on their own and Candid with their justice morals.
But we lost character development or a great finale. The writers had to do some tweaking to get the book into a movie. Some information and conflicts that were in the book are not there, so some developments feel a bit rushed or not as significant as they did not have time to grow. Parts of the story felt like they were put aside or dragged on just to show a feel more cool special effects, which, I can't believe I am actually saying this, felt unnecessary. Like they are showing off so you feel good about spending money to watch this in a movie theater. And because of that, they don't feel as exciting, or relevant.
Take for instance 'Inception', which had special effects for similar story reasons. There, they had a purpose. The room was turning because outside the dreamer's body was turning. And it affected the outcome of the action: How to drop someone when there is no gravity? Here the effects are distracting and kind of repetitive, they just... were there.
And if not for the last 30 seconds, it would seem the franchise could have ended here. The way it was done, there would be no need for two more sequels.
In the end, if you've seen the first one and enjoyed it, you should watch this one. At least to know how it goes. It's bigger, not necessarily better, yet you should have some fun. But if you are not that excited, wait for the DVD. Or the Bluray, and you can see all the effects better.
Dumb and Dumber To (2014)
Feels good seeing Jim and Jeff in shape again
I didn't know I missed them so much. I remember watching the first movie as a kid, and laughing a lot. I came to this one a bit worried that I am "too mature" for this kind of movie now, or that it may have lost its touch, but that was presumptuous of me. I had some good laughs in this one.
It felt great seeing Jim Carrey again in his top form, in a kind of movie that lets him be himself. As one of the favorite actors of my childhood, it feels good to see him back in action, funny as ever. And Jeff Daniels is a great actor. It surprised me seeing him as a serious Will McAvoy and now as Harry again he brings such innocence to fart jokes that it seems almost an art.
I got to say, even though the humor may be considered silly by some, they give it some smartness. I don't know how, but I guess it is in the details of how the idiotic actions actually have real consequences in the story.
In the end is a fun movie, with everything that a sequel must have, remembering the old days (even Billy the little kid is back) and creating more (see if you can spot a famous cameo in the movie, I didn't). Thumbs up.
Rio 2 (2014)
Rio in the Amazon
In this sequence to the enjoyable Rio, Blu and his new family go to the Amazon to see if there is any truth to the rumor says they are not the only blue macaws in the planet.
Seeing this movie as a Brazilian makes me feel a little conflicted. First there is a sense of pride of having my country shown in such a beautiful light, and in another it seems that the stereotypes are strong as ever. We don't only thing about Carnaval and Soccer. But that must be how the Chinese feel when they can all fight Kung Fu in movies.
Anyway, this is an entertaining film. It has a splendid animation, which is brought to life by the colorful dances and exciting songs practically all samba, we do have other music styles you know), and has some very funny moments, just like the first Rio.
However, I have to say the story is the weakest link. It does what every simple animated movie story does, without any surprises. You already know how it will end while you are watching, and since it is not a very interesting ending, I found myself hoping it would somehow find a way to twist my expectations and end in a more mature way. It doesn't.
The movie does explain in a quick and simple way why there are more blue macaws in the world and other things established in the first movie that were changed for this one, I'll give it that. But between an attempt of making a case for the deforestation, making a revenge story that gets forgotten in the middle of the movie, and a love story, it all gets a little too much. Not confusing, just unfocused.
The characters are all there, with some interesting additions, like the poisonous toad in love, an anteater and plenty of other animals of the Brazilian fauna. All these characters,together with the good jokes and beautiful scenery are what carry the movie. If they hadn't lost themselves with this many characters and fully appreciated them (Nigel was pretty intimidating in the first one)everyone would be better off.
In the end, it will entertain kids and adults (like me) who are fond of these kinds of movies. And it will not be a problem accompanying the little ones, if you don't mind some Brazilian propaganda in the middle.