X-Men: First Class

Ratings: 7.8/10

Film Class: B+
Genre: Action Drama

Witness the beginning of the X-Men in this movie prequel of the highly acclaimed X-Men Marvel Series which took the world by storm when it made its first animated debut in 1992. X-Men: First Class takes you back to the beginning of the fictional world where mutants with special abilities exists among humans, and which resulted in a never-ending battle between the two "races" sparked from fear and hatred.

The main plot of X-Men has always been about two leaders, Professor X and Magneto, two archenemies who were ironically two best friends, leading both sides of the mutant race to protect and battle the human race respectively. It has a similar story to Superman, a familiar relationship between the Man of Steel and his archenemy Lex Luthor. Yet, X-Men has always led the pack from other superhero movies because of the large number of heroes and villians prevalent due to the nature of the storyline.

Its strongest merit, may also be its most dreadful demerit, because it runs the danger of a lack of focus. Thankfully, X-Men movies never ran that risk. X-Men 1-3's focus was wolverine, while this film, focused on the friendship between Professor Xavier and Magneto. While I didn't like the choice of mutants and the stars featured, the main leads managed to steal most of the limelight. Being an avid X-Men fan, I was unfamiliar with a handful of mutants... which I never knew existed or were even part of the Professor X's first X-Men team.

This movie had a very matured theme to it, even though it featured young stars and that it was set in a fictional world. Everything felt extremely realistic (then again, maybe only for 1 part of it... beast's "rubber" costume), and I liked how this movie was finally able to revive the kid in me. For the first time out of all the X-Men installments, this was the only one which managed to leave me wanting for more. So much so that I had this insatiable urge to re-watch the 1992 animated series once again.

Quite frankly, I didn't expect much. From all the reviews mentioned about how fantastic this movie was, I didn't think much of it. While I don't totally agree about how first class this movie is, I have a weird dilemma to admit it as such because of the way it left me feeling after the movie. It's a strange feeling altogether... almost like you don't totally like something yet you love it. The only thing I'm sure of, is that X-Men: First Class is definitely the best X-Men movie made so far and everyone (cast) did a great job on being mutant.

There was a particular scene which I really loved, an extremely strong scene which may have been overlooked by most viewers. *major spoilers ahead* I'm referring to the scene in which Magneto finally killed the villain Sebastian Shaw. Firstly, it was a very interesting way to kill a person, or mutant. Secondly, the scene put Xavier in an extremely difficult moral dilemma... because Professor X had to aid his best friend in killing another mutant for the greater good. And lastly, the physical pain he had to endure because everytime he controls another person, he's able to feel what the other person is feeling... Ie. he felt the coin went through his own skull. I was able to feel both his emotional and physical pain...

The cameo was highly refreshing... with only just 3 words... it was... classic. No after credit scenes, and no cameo from Stan Lee this time (not that I was ever able to spot him in most Marvel movies anyway).

To sum it up, the only X-Men movie to have successfully made me hope that it wouldn't end that quick, that had me longing for more even though it's a 2hr 12min long movie. Perhaps my favourite animated Marvel series might finally reclaim top spot as the real-life remake Marvel series in the years to come (currently the reigning champ is still Spiderman) after all...

Kung Fu Panda 2

Ratings: 7.4/10

Film Class: B+

Genre: Animation, Action Comedy

Well, while many have compared this to the its first installment, I shan't since I find them to be fairly independent movies. There's not many references made to the previous movie and definitely no flashbacks about part 1. But.. but... this time round, Kung Fu Panda 2 ends with a promising anticipation for another sequel.

The Dragon Warrior, Po together with the Furious Five faces a formidable foe who will put Kung Fu to the greatest test ever... a battle of "loaded arms" versus "bare fists". The first half of the movie felt a little kidish to me, and the humor wasn't overwhelmingly hilarious because the best bits have all been featured in the trailer already. However, the second half of it felt more refreshing and the jokes and storyline development added extra popcorn ratings to the movie.

*spoilers ahead* The ending, though predictable, was ironically unexpected. Because I was so immersed in the story, the possibility of the impossible happening in an animation didn't seem so expected after all since it felt so "realistic". The best bits about the movie must have come from the "cinematography. Or whatever you call it since I'm not even sure if there's such a thing as cinematography in an animation film.

I loved the depth of field created in most scenes, especially those scenic ones which exceptionally enhanced the overall feel of the movie. It was stunningly beautiful. Plus the vibrant vivid colors, the scenes were breathtaking, something which I wouldn't have expected from a family animation like Kunfg Fu Panda.

That to me, was the only factor which really impressed me. Comedy aspects, slightly above average. Storyline, pretty typical. Action, a good amount of it. Touching scenes, ok, a few bits but none too tear wrenching. Soundtrack, unoriginal but apt. Cinematography... Po-w WOW. AWESOMENESS!!

PS.: There's no after credit scenes so don't bother staying back. And there's a scene in the trailer which was cut out in the movie itself. See if you can find it (ain't tough though).

The Jacket

Ratings: 8.2/10

Film Class: C+

Genre: Suspense

This movie must have been inspired by The Butterfly Effect, since the former came out a year before this movie did. However, comparing both of them, though The Butterfly Effect was almost "legend", The Jacket didn't come in too far off either.

A Gulf War veteran who supposedly died miraculously survived a gunshot to his head. However, a murder incident of a patrol cop puts him as the prime suspect and failing to remember anything of the incident, the court decides to send him to a mental instituition for the criminally insane. Tied to a strait jacket and forcefully "imprisoned" in a morgue drawer as a form of his rehabilitation, he experiences a warped reality which will change his life and the lives of those around him forever.

The first impression this movie gave me was that it was a pyschotic horror film, well, I can't help but not think that because of the poster and the weird movie title. I had initially thought the jacket to be some sort of an animal, my bad, should be the jackal, but it stayed with me all these years and steered me away from this movie. After finally setting my mind to catch it, all I can say that it was one of the best decisions I've made about watching a film.

This movie really has more susbtance than it looks, and it deserves much more recognition than it has. Adrian Brody was sublime in his performance and Keira Knightley added a little bit of "sunshine" to this dark film. Daniel Craig did good whatever screentime he was granted as the only friend Adrian Brody has in the asylum.

I was pleasantly blown away with the development of the story and I honestly didn't "see it coming". The opening sequence gave us a short insight into the protagonist's background, and created a gradual build up of a spiralling trail of suspense with all the experiments and what Adrian Brody was experiencing. Fact or Fiction? You decide. Then it eventually veered off a different path from what you would expect and delivered a highly memorable closure.

Truly an unsung hero of its genre, and like how I've always put it, a hidden gem of filmology.

The Machinist

Ratings: 7.0/10

Film Class: C+

Genre: Suspense

A machinist who hasn't slept for a year begins to doubt his own sanity when he starts seeing things that no one else can and begins suspecting everyone around him. I can't help but compare this movie to Memento. Memento was one of the top provocative movies I've watched and so far, no other movie has been able to top that. The Machinist brings a similar flaire and genre, promising a ending with a twist to it.

The cinematography was intentionally and aptly dull, and the undertone colors brought out the raw character of the main protagonist, Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale). What was possibly the main reason why I decided to catch this rather unknown 2004 film is that it featured an anorexic Christian Bale... a jaw dropping skeleton-like character. Trivia has it that he lost a record breaking 63 pounds (about 29kg) just for this movie.

Taking that "Wow" factor aside, the storyline, while novel and provocative, didn't inflict that much of an impact to me. The ending was good, and though the trailer might have given the main twist away, it makes a good thought-provoking movie for anyone out there who's sick of slapstick comedies and wanna veer away from that genre for a bit. On the contrary, it seems watching excessive amounts of movies of such genres tend to condition me to predict a normally unexpected ending even before it comes, taking away whatever appeal it has left for a movie which highly depends on that aspect for its success.

Paul

Ratings: 5.8/10

Film Class: B

Genre: Action Comedy

Two geeky hardcore comic fans travel to US to visit the annual Comic Con exhibition. Planning their route to cover all the UFO hot spots in America, they eventually come head on with a real life alien... Paul. Paul's on the run, and the only way home is through the help of the two unknowing friends.

While I'm a huge fan of Hot Fuzz, this movie didn't work for me. Even though the talented cast reunites, I felt that the script and humor were weak.
The first half of the movie sent shivers of cold humor down my spine, and I forcefully let out short bursts of laughters to set the mood. However, things went a little draggy towards the middle but thankfully, the second half of the movie managed to salvage some grace to it.

For me, genre of such movies would work as long as they have witty humor or script, or as long as there's somewhat of a storyline behind it. Both of which Paul failed to excel in. The story was by far one of the most predictable and the only "twist" in the movie was really unjustifiable. Ie. It didn't make sense. The events that led up to it were inconsistent with the plot.

In essence, I was disappointed. I expected more even though I prep-ed myself for a lame movie. Sorry Paul, but you're no celebrity joker, you're just an excessively vulgar alien on the loose. An out of this world time waster.

Thor

Ratings: 9.1/10
Film Class: A
Genre: Action

Holy Thor. This movie is seriously under-publicized. It's so so much better than what it looks. The main character might not be "photogenic" in the poster but he's one hell, or heaven of an actor. The performance of this unknown actor was nowhere near mediocre. Oscar winning performances from the outstanding cast, Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Natalie Portman, Antony Hopkins (Odin) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki), another rather unknown actor. Perhaps one of Natalie Portman's best performances as well .

This is one of the best Marvel movies I've seen. Extremely unexpected, but it worked its magic on me. I love astronomy, and this movie's CG about the stars and galaxies allowed me to appreciate the greater grandeur of the beauty out there. It's like a superhero documentary action-packed movie. Superhero being Thor existing in our world, documentary because of the magnificant CG about space, and action-packed for the non-stop action prevalent throughout the movie. It was literally hard hitting, awe gasping action from start to end. And they weren't senseless scenes but contributed to the build up of the characters' development.

What I'm really impressed isn't just the storyline, the acting, the CG, or the scripting (which were exceptionally funny and relevant), but that the main focus of the film was kept on Thor. I was worried because of the introduction of the band of warriors fighting alongside with Thor, that the movie would lose its focus. *spoilers ahead* The 4 warriors had their limelights at the start of the movie, showcasing their different abilities. But towards the end, when the ultimate destroyer started havoc on Earth, they were cast aside easily because their powers were no match for the being and it was up to Thor, or not, to save the day.

Anthony Hopkins was also quickly "cast" aside and that spared screentime for the mortal Thor, which allowed us to indulge into his character development without much distraction. Though the sparkling of the romance between Thor and Natalie Portman was fairly accelerated, it was necessary to keep up with the pace of the movie.

The ending scene was totally breaktaking. The movie transported me into a different realm, a realm of the Gods and it's a movie that's gonna linger in my mind for a long long time. It's a very holistic movie, well directed, superb cinematography, and awesome fight sequences. It wasn't just a movie to me, it was a whole different experience. I had thought initially for it to be similar to Clash of the Titans, and even though I liked Clash of the Titans despite many negative reviews, the former is inferior to Thor. Thor is a mix of Clash of the Titans (touches on humans and gods), Avataar (a different whole experience) and Incredible Hulk (a mighty superhero in the making) combined to make the ultimate movie... Thor.

PS.: Do stay back for the after credit scene. *Major Spoilers ahead* For those of you who missed it, don't wanna spend another $8-$10 watching it again and cant wait for the DVD to be out, the scene was about 2 mins long, one of the longest I've seen. It's about the veteran male scientist, being invited to a secret hideout where he meets Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson cameos) speaking to him about an ultimate machine. There was no mention of a recruitment even though we all know Nick Fury is the one in charge of gathering The Avengers. After which, there is a mirror which shows the reflection of the scientist, but instead of his own reflection, it shows the reflection of Loki (means he's still alive but have no idea what that means... Possession? Metamorphosis?). Still it's a scene you wanna stay back for.

Thor ranks as one of my top favourite marvel movies of all time. Thor is not just a movie, it's an experience, it's a lesson and it's an eye-opener.

Orphan

Ratings: 7.1/10
Film Class: B
Genre: Horror

After much curiosity, I've decided to check out this critically acclaimed horror film which made its debut in 2009. Often confused with The Orphanage, I simply categorised both movies to be identical. While most people may term this under the Thriller genre, I find it too disturbing to group it as such. This is no Hannibal Lector or Scream style, more of the Exorcist type even though the storyline is based on a thriller concept. Perhaps the director was confused between what genre he really wanted to deliver. It isn't a demerit in any sense though, just that it left me with a feeling of cognitive dissonance.

A family decided to adopt an older child so that their presently adopted kids can have an elder sister. Haunted by the loss of their first child, they resorted to adoption to ease the pain. The entire movie is about the Mother moving on, and the breaking up of a "happily" adopted family.

I liked how the script included a mute daughter which created an additional element of suspense. Also, all the cast delivered a higher than average performance, and though the storyline wasn't that smooth, the script was decent and the suspense build up was murderous. It's no ghost story, but it's a horror film alright. Good stuff, but not my kinda stuff.

A little interesting trivia I read from imdb, that the poster looks disturbing because of the symmetrical portrait of Ester (the disturbed orphan). It's actually 2 mirror images superimposed to create that unpleasant feel. The ending was quite interesting, I would call it a slight twist which did more good than harm to the storyline. Overall, a pretty good horror film.