Siberia, Monamour (2011) Russia

Adventure | Drama

Review:

Without a doubt one of a best Russian movie I have seen till date and one of a best among 2011 world movies. It tells the story of cruel Siberian natural environment and those men who are depending on it. Specially it deals between the good versus the bad, even some animals are in crucial part of this beautiful tale.

This movie distinguishes between the man, the animal and the nature. These three are the main ingredients of the story and the movie explains how they are related in this one world which they share for theirs survival by facing and defending each others all the time. The one who gain victory will be profitable for their survival and future. Of course it was concentrated more on human perspective which tells how the humans created borders within themselves by ethic, race, nationalism and all, who had to fight themselves others than the beasts and harsh mother nature.

This movie gives more meaning than what it was made of just like some modern art. If you had a vision you will get it just like an poet. The places where the movie was shot were amazing and breathtaking just like what I have seen in the other Russian movie 'Kray'. Camera work was good, a fine photography, it was the artistic capture of beautiful Siberia.

Similar movies:

Kray, The grey, Frozen, The way back, The hunter

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece

Game 1: Crossword Puzzle (custom)

Custom made crossword puzzle related to cinemas, created by me... to my blog visitors and movie fanatics... easy one, you will get all the answers online, enjoy...

Across:

02. Famous animated sponge character (3)

04. War of the              (6)

07. Two times Academy award winning filmmaker,          Lee (3)

08.          Misérables: 1935 movie (3)

09. Mamma 'I am' - anagram (3)

10. Batman villain (4)

13.       No: Bond movie (2)
14. April from 'Pieces of April' (5. 6)
16. Bieber's Ex (6, 5)
18. Jack and          : Famous on screen pair (4)
19. 'Jai ho' musician in short (1, 1, 1)
21. Nolan movie in short (3)
22. Men in Black (1, 1, 1)
23. Popular French actress: present era (6)
24. Food or American          : Teen comedy (3)

Down:

01. 'Lunam' anagram for an animated movie (5)

03.                   away: bicycle movie (8)

05. Jet Lee movie (3)

06. Altered             : Drew Barrymore movie (6)

11. Terry Gilliam movie with one 'M': The Brothers             (3)

12. An American actor India origin:          Penn (3)

13. Apocalyptic movie (8)

15. The A           : 2010 Action-thriller (4)

16.            Little: Animated character (6)

17. Changeling fame (5)

20. Bird movie: Animation (3)

Note: Save the image to your system and open it into paint and fill the answers.

The Strength of Water (2009) New Zealand

Drama | Fantasy

Review:

Last time I saw a New Zealand movie other than Peter Jackson's was 'Boy' and before that 'Love birds'. I actually found it interesting story of a community that we don't know anything about it. When we go deeper and deeper into a country's daily life we get to know a strange but beautiful culture that in use in present era. So this movie is here to take us to the one of that adventureland, more like a heaven with those beautiful sceneries. I felt like not enough to see through small camera lens, my eyes wanted more of it.

It is the story of a young boy called Kimi who live in the remote village of a coastal New Zealand. When he and his sister Melody forced apart by a new arrival to the town, he must let it go what he loves the most. The way he behaves, especially his family who are concerned about him must give strength.

If you are a children movie fan you would find it an interesting movie. Not only the beautiful locations, the performances by these two kids were very good. All the above the director who used these two to blend with the beautiful places where the movie shot was so pleasant for the eyes. The movie was a lot like an awesome poetry.

Similar movies:

Tideland, The Tree, Boy

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece

Til Death Do Us Part (2011) China

Drama | Romance

Original title:
Mo shu wai zhuan (Mandarin)
Love for life (Alternate)


Tagline:
"Life is a miracle."


Review:

Usually I love to watch Cantonese movies, I mean the Hong Kong movies, I have seen many, just love most them in those I have seen. And I occasionally try Chinese (Mandarin) too so saw this movie which earlier made me so curious because of its title 'Til death do us part'. The title was sentimentally appealing like most of Korean romance-drama does so thought to give it a try would be worth.

As I expected something, this movie gave me totally different experience. While listening to the words and dialogues I thought I was understanding it without subtitle, I went very close to the characters, just like living in the movie with them. The reason is I like emotional drama even the story or movie are not that good enough.

This story happens in the early 90s of a Chinese remote village which located in a mountain region. Where the HIV/AIDS hit persons are all together kept away from the village. Just like a village with two ethics, both of them live their own lifestyle within the border created by themselves and restricted to contact or have the relationship between these two groups even they are related by blood.

The plot looks really nice but the movie was bit slogging especially on initial parts then performance by the cast took the movie to the heights. Later half was very nice in fact very emotional. In my opinion tearjerkers would love to have it. I was not convinced for the ending part, the content they used for it was basically not true in the real World. But in a movie anything can possible, everything is up to the audience to decide whether they enjoy it as considering it an entertainer or complain like an they are expert. You can't just ignore the whole movie for the few flaws so giving it a try is really a good idea. That means it's not negligible nor a must see, for me it was like a half baked but I feel they could have made it better.

Similar movies:

Love in the time of cholera, The painted veil, A very long engagement, Amour

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece

The Host (2013) Hollywood

Action | Adventure | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller

Tagline:
"Destiny can change in the blink of an eye."
"Choose to believe. Choose to fight. Choose love. Choose to listen."
"You will be one of us."


Review:
A movie which is adapted from a novel wrote by 'Twilight' series fame Stephenie Meyer and directed by one of a promising sci-fi movie maker, Andrew Niccol. Everyone knows how famous the 'Twilight' series was, so like everyone else I had my expectation of this movie. It did not disappoint me, I actually liked everything about it. I thought the theme was good but the development between characters and story was excellent. That means I can't say it was a genuine but somehow very clever than Common mans smartness in thinking.

Most of the people are always expecting great adventures, breathtaking stunts and smart graphics when it comes to an alien invention theme movie. So I guess that's why this movie did not impacted among them. It was an alien invention movie which suits the family audience as well little kids who can understand the cinema.

The story of a teenage girl, Melanie (Saoirse Ronan), attempt to kill herself when enemies try to capture her alive but she fails. In her inquiry she tries hard to protect her dear ones. Once she breaks out from there the adventures begins to hunt her down, blah blah blah....... I love to say everything about the story but I don't want to spoil your own experience with the movie before a watch. So just rent it and decide yourself whether you liked or not.

In my personal opinion this movie was so good and better than 'Twilight' series. People liked 'Twilight' series because of Kristen Stewart-Robert Pattinson-Taylor Lautner combo, especially the chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson was really a good. This movie's story was far better than all the four Twilight movies. Actually I compared it because the same writer who wrote it both, other than that it won't fair in comparison. I really give you thumbs up with a smile to go for it.

Similar movies:

The deaths of Ian Stone, Surrogates, In time, District 9, City of ember

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece

Posters of the month (Volume 1)

These posters are not official posters but designed by me. Hope you all like it.

King King (2005)                                 Another Earth (2011)

 

            Restless (2011)                           Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

 

The Tree of Life (2011)                            The Descendants (2011)

Warm Bodies (2013) Hollywood

Comedy | Horror | Romance

Tagline:
"Cold body. Warm heart."
"He's still dead but he's getting warmer."
"There's nothing hotter than a girl with brain."


Review:

I think it is first of its kind. I never saw a movie which story was told from a zombie's perspective. Kinda fun, kinda cute, kinda enjoyable. The movie was made by the director of '50/50' and 'The Wackness' fame, I liked both of them. This movie probably will be his career best till he do better than this. The lead actor was excellent in performance, not so long ago I enjoyed his other fantasy movie 'Jack the giant slayer'. Performances like these definitely he will be a contender for the big league actor.

The surprise pack was Rob Corddry, who was seen in many movies in unnoticed roles and mostly negative role I guess, was performed so well. He was like a second hero of the movie, splendid.

It was adapted from a novel. Like a boy meets girl love story 'Warm bodies' tells a tale of a young zombie who fell in love with a living warm body, a girl. When she was in trouble he rescues her and takes care till she make into safer side.

Who wants a sequel? Please raise your hand, here goes my both the hand up. I love to see a sequel or prequel but should be better or equal to this movie and hope that should be done by the same director with same cast not some B director like 'Death race' and 'Darkman' went. The 'Warm bodies' will be one of a top ten movie of the year especially in my and many movie fanatic's lists. So don't wait so long, just rent it and give it a try, maybe you will own it in the next minute.

Similar movies:

Shaun of the dead, Doghouse, Zombieland, Planet terror

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece

Snitch (2013) Hollywood

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:
"How far would you go to save your son?"


Review:

I Think Dwayne Johnson should do more movie like this. By his physique he's an action hero, everyone knows that but to perform like a normal dad who is a law abiding citizen. Its really nice to see him like unusual avatar.

The story follows when a teenager put in the prison for the drug trafficking his father who lives with his second wife jumps into the issue and ready to take any task to free his son. So Dwayne Johnson is the dad here, in order to help his son he fights the criminals which puts his both the families into the threat.

This movie kinda reminds you 'Taken' where Liam was a pro in tracking people and stuff like that who hunts back his daughter's kidnappers but here Dwayne Johnson was an ordinary dad try to save his troubled son. I won't be surprised if a sequel is to be made because the initial story how the teenager gets the drug in his hand I mean the proper way. Actually it was told in very brief.

The background score was good and catchy which comes more often, sometime you will feel it was overly done. Other than that it is a nice drama, watchable with family except light drug offense scenes.

Similar movies:

Contraband, Runaway jury, Taken

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece

The Guilt Trip (2012) Hollywood

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:
"Get ready for one mother of a road trip."


Review:
This movie deserves a better rating than it was considered as poor. For me this movie was very charming, adorable and sweet. You would have seen many road movies on teen, chick and dude themes but 'The guilt trip' was so awesome about a mother and her son who are on the road. The mother-son combo is kinda rare gem especially on road theme so somehow it impressed me a lot.

If you see your mom just after watching it, definitely you will have a little smile. I had seen Barbara Streisand in many movies but she was here so adorable by her performance and cuter by her expressions. I think I liked her more than Seth Rogen in the movie.

They said it is a comedy movie but I felt it was more meaningful and thoughtful about life and relationships especially between parents and their children. The way the scenes shown between these two (Seth & Barbara) was kinda real fact even sometime it was sentimental.

I was totally falling for the love story she tells about when she was young, especially the twist at the end when they meet few people. I almost got tears in my eyes, it was touchy, emotional and very much true story of many. A good movie to have with family.

Similar movies:

Meet the parents, Meet the fockers, Little miss sunshine, Jeff who lives at home

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece

Pacific Rim 3D (2013) Hollywood

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Science Fiction

Tagline:
"Go big or go extinct."
"To fight monsters we created monsters."


Review:
I had many reasons to watch it, one, I was a huge fan of 'Godzilla' movie, saw it when I was a kid and being speechless for many days. Two, Guillermo Del Toro. Three, I always eager to watch a good visual effect movie on big screen, so I am graphic geek.

The story follows when giant monsters known as Kaiju rises from beneath the Pacific ocean, the war between human and them commences. Initially millions of humans lose their lives in the series of Kaiju attacks. To fight those monsters humans creates monsters like giant robots called Jaegers. This makes the war between them fair enough to compete each others and balanced until the monsters started to gain the fighting power back from the humans. So the years pass the apocalypse nears, the humans need to stand and fight one final time to defend the Earth and what happen next were the grand finale.

I feel deja vu now, wait, I have seen before these giant robots somewhere before. It took more than a moment to figure it out. In my childhood I saw them in the television cartoon show, Duckstales but I don't know what they are called. Those were kinda similar to these giants.

When 'Transformers' and 'Godzilla' comes together it forms 'Pacific Rim'. A $220 million movie which made lots of buzz on movie goers, including me. Wondered what was he (Guillermo Del Toro) planing all this year since 'The Golden Army' which released a half decade ago. The more gap between the movies, the expectation grows higher and I was just curious to see this movie than thinking how it could be. Even I had set countdown in my phone for this day (12-07-2013) since last 60 days. Finally the day came, as a movie freak I wanted to see it in IMAX, since there is no IMAX around me I had no choice but go for regular silver screen digital 3D version.

Does it worth seeing in digital 3D? is the million dollar question from the people who are looking forward to see this movie. I say definitely worth it, what is the use to see an advanced technique and a CGI graphic movie in the regular version. Movies like these are meant to see in digital 3D because it is not some comedy or sentimental drama but a huge action pact movie. Don't expect pop-ups, that's for amateurs who are new to experience the 3D illusions. It was shot in regular 2D then converted to digital 3D so it was better but not so awesome.

The movie had not serious big names in the cast. There is no one particularly to say who done great work but they all performed their best. The Japanese girl Rinko Kikuchi was kinda cute, as the movie was inspired from Japanese monster tales she added the Japanese flavour to the movie. Ron Perlman was good, expected little more screen space for him. Charlie Hunnman and Idris Elba, they both were okay especially Charlie Day has been so nice just like he was in 'Horrible Bosses'. Looks like he's a new sensation in comedy World, hope a great future ahead of him.

Geographically speaking I am happy that this whole movie won't take place in the United States itself after all it was theirs movie. Hollywood has a Worldwide fan base so when they make movie from outside the regular geographical stream the audience from the rest of the World will always welcome it.

It was not the best movie nor the worst that I have seen in this monsoon. For a $220 million movie the graphics were so awesome, the action and stunts were breathtaking but by far the story was so weak especially the character developments. Whenever you see Kaiju and Jaeger on the screen it will be the thrilling experiences but other than that the development happening around the human characters were little boring I mean it was emotionless. When it compared to 'Godzilla', 'Godzilla' was well balanced between them two while in 'Pacific Rim' it was one sided and that is all about graphic, actions and 3D. These modern movie techniques carried the whole movie with their shoulder and made to look better. I can say these special effects were the highlight of the movie.

Like my synopsis say it was decent till the end then confuses with few common logic. If you just ignore it, the movie will give you the best entertainment that you have paid for. If you are looking for a good story, twist and characters then it is not the right choice, this movie was totally an action packed with awesome graphics. This movie will more suitable for younger audiences. Hope my review helps you to make your decision on it.

Similar movies:

Transformers, Battleship, Godzilla, Real steel

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece