Taken

Rating: 8.2/10
Genre: Action
Overall value for money and time: 8.2/10

A former agent must save his kidnapped daughter from being sold to the slave trade in Paris within the next 96 hours before all hope of finding her is lost. This movie reminiscence previous blockbusters like the Bourne Trilogy as well as the Transporter Trilogy, and has the same "rawness" of The Brave One and Death Sentence in it. The greatest difference between this movie and the mentioned films is that there are no rules in this movie. The protagonist is not portrayed as the "perfect" lead, he breaks conventional stereotypes of the "hero" being all magnaminous and sparing the bad thugs' lives. In this movie, anyone who crosses his path dies. One can easily relate to his plight, and his love for his daughter. The pace of the movie spirals into seat gripping action sequences once the characters had been sufficiently developed; the director wasted no time in boring you with unnecessary character developments. Similar to Bourne and The Transporter, the protagonist was virtually "invincible", yet the director didn't make the fight too one-sided. Do catch the movie to find out more. The plot is predictable, but the cinematography was beautifully orchestrated and the acting was top notch. Easily one of the top films of the year.

Gran Torino

Rating: 7.0/10
Genre: Action Drama
Overall value for money and time: 7.5/10

There are times where I don't totally agree with majority of online reviews. This movie is one of them. This falls close to Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which I think are overrated movies. But where Curious Case didn't have a climax, Gran Torino had one, making this movie more superior than the former. However, all in all, it's prominently a dialogue driven movie that might bore some to sleep. A grumpy korean war veteran (Clint Eastwood) unknowingly helps bring justice and reform his neighbour's son (Thao) in a dangerous neighbourhood. The nicknames that Clint Eastwood calls Thao are exceptionally amusing. This movie reminds me of Rocky Balboa, both of which spans around an aged and almost outcasted individual who is struggling to keep up with society. Clint doesnt want to make a mark for himself, but he unknowingly opens himself towards Thao who gives him a reason for living. This is a soul hearted movie which may appeal to some, but not to others. Though I might belong to one of the "others", I would still reccommend this movie to those who are in for a heart felt movie. This movie doesnt have a twisted plot, nor are there blockbuster actions in them, but it's on of those feel good movie which might just work for you.

Push

Rating: 5.3/10
Genre: Action
Overall value for money and time: 5.0/10

This movie spans around a group of special abilitied individuals who must find a briefcase before a powerful organisation called the division does. The start of the movie explains the history of the special individuals and introduces different groups of them such as movers, watchers, pushers, etc. Movers are those with the ability to manipulate telekinesis, the watchers are able to predict the future and the pushers are able to mentally influence others. Well, it sounds amazing so far right? That was what I thought to myself as I sat through the first 5 minutes of the movie. But as the plot developed, this movie felt nothing more than a total waste of my time. The setting was badly thought of, and the cinematography cum soundtrack made this movie felt nothing more than a low (L) grade film. There aren't many L grade movies I can think ofhand, but one of the best examples would be Hunting Party. You'll know it when you come across it. Even though I wouldn't say that the movie is low budget, everything about the movie felt that way. Also, the plot of the movie had much potential for greatness, but the director didn't bring it out but instead slammed it straight to the slums. Imagine:

1. a Hollywood movie where a handful of cool abilitied americans are stuck in an entirely different country (Hong Kong)

2. where the lead spoke cantonese

3. where the cinematography felt like Chungking Express (a 1996 Hong Kong Blockbuster)

4. where there were occasional grainy screen shots which reminded you of Blaire Witch Project (a horror movie filmed entirely using a low grade handheld camera and where there was low light intensities)

5. where the tune of the music felt like a cheesy kiddo movie, all jumpy and cheeky, and being played throughout the movie even during serious dialogue scenes

It took the mood off everything expected of a decent movie experience. Not to mention major loopholes in the plot (similar to InkHeart). *spoilers ahead* Why can't the female pusher who escaped the clutches of the Divison just mindf*** everyone she sees? The difference in power between the lead and the Divison's head's right hand man was extreme, yet a screamer was able to cause death to the later. There were many scenes in the movie where the lead could easily have died but the reasons for sparing his life was lame. The ending and the concept saved this movie from utter failure. The movie will not fail to NOT disappoint you. Even though you may like Dakota Fanning or even Chris Evans, I suggest you give this movie a miss. Cos the best part of this movie, has already been mentioned at the start of this review.