Third Star (2010) England

Barafundle Bay, A beautiful place to expose yourself

Adventure | Drama

Review:
You might remember not so long ago I gave another review for a British children's movie called 'Ways to live forever' which was also released on the same year to this, what I was gonna say is this movie was kinda same but belongs to adult men. I have read somewhere online that a British newspaper quoted about it 'Facing death like men: with beer, jokes and a holiday', yes it was the movie will give you joyful time you spend for it simultaneously will break the heart. A true friendship movie which had an adventurous quest, the characters reveal their true nature while they all different from each other but as one gang. When they came to know each other what happen between their long term relationship is lay on the question mark.

The story follows when four friends take a camping trip to a coastal region called Barafundle Bay. While the journey bit by bit everything starts to reveal behind their trip which includes love, friendship and sometime pain. What comes at the twilight of the story was the emotional tale. The places where the movie takes us were breathtaking and stunningly captured on camera.

The screenplay was well written, the movie kick starts slowly without much development to know what's going on, then constantly picks up the pace towards its destined. Phase by phase it often delivers some laughing out loud comedies to not to fall on boredom side.

Couple of mysterious characters enters into the story, one was a winged boy like an angel and another one was a man on his quest to expose what he heard from someone who lost it. These two makes temptation on quick turn and twist to the story which was already in constant flow. It all brings the surreal to keep things moving and make audience to keep guessing on what's coming next. Believe me you don't wanna miss this movie, I know it was not a masterpiece but a pleasant surprising tale about four guys.

Similar movies:

Now in good, Ways to live forever, Into the wild

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

Kick-Ass 2 (2013) Hollywood

'Hit Girl' meets 'Mean Girls' while 'Kick-Ass' meets 'Crow Zero', totally entertainer.

Action | Comedy | Crime

Tagline:
"You can't fight your destiny."


Review:
I took time to review this movie after the watch. This movie was not what I expected, you know what the first installment was better than this sequel. This 'Kick-ass 2' had so many jokes which are adult comedies, sometime those were too disgusting especially the puking one, ew. Don't forget the powerful gangster Mark Strong, the villain of the first movie, that led the movie to its success. But in this part, there are many villains and too weak in strength, I think except the 'Mother Russia'. And other villains are hyped too much for their strength in the intro then they were no way near to as what they were supposed to. Too many bad words used in this movie compared to first which makes not a family and kids friendly movie, just like the 'Scary movie'. Of course it was R rated movie, just for your information.

The Jim Carrey's role was small but liked though expected lots more from him. When it comes to the story, it was not that great but okayish type, remember I loved first part story very much. 'Kick-Ass' was one of my favourite action movie, the end fights were breathtaking especially the bazooka and flying thing they used. In this story there are too many characters that use superhero costumes and too many superhero names which sometimes looks like some Halloween party. The main character 'Kick-Ass' was slightly disappears when other costume characters in action, that's so disappointing. On the other side of the story the 'Hit-Girl' meets 'Mean Girls' and that's an off the track of what this movie is supposed to be. Chloe was excellent, she was a little girl at first, now in this she has grown up and for the next she will be a woman. There was no time for character developments, totally randomized in its appearances, except the Mindy who gets the cooled portion of the movie but slightly drags her role with 'Mean Girls' stuff.

We can say this movie is kind of an American version of 'Crow Zero' with men and women in fancy dresses. This movie keeps you alive because of its adult comedies and of course the awesome stunts. I liked the movie but not as much of its first part. I felt somewhere between two movies the bridge misled us. Better the third one should be very appropriate for its title. I'll tell something that this movie will definitely entertain you, no doubt about that but it won't be your favourite product of the year. It is hard to recommend it for one, like I said if you need entertainment then go for it but don't expect like the first, it was more like a youngster's movie.

Similar movies:

Kick-ass, The green hornet, defendor, Super

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

Zen (2009) Japan

Dong Zenji, a man from Japan you must know.

Biography | Drama

Review: 
Just said wow after a watch, this was the true masterpiece. One of a must see biography movie from Japan. This movie is more than entertainment, about life, faith, honesty. It sets in time 12th century when Japan is obsessed with the evil power by the strong and powerful samurais where poor people pays for it when they are suffering from poverty.

It was the story of Dogen Zenji, a Japanese monk who brought the true Buddhism to his country. You might remember the Indian monk Bodhidharma, father of Shaolin who passed Hindu herbal medicine system and martial arts to China. In this case it was like similar quest by an another person from the Japan. The movie tells a young man from Japan travel to China in order to find and learn the true Buddhism and take back to his country to spread it among his people.

The movie was inspiring, Dogen Zenji is one of a great man lived on the earth. I am not a religious type but I liked this movie very much. This movie might be about Buddhism but there is a lot everyone to learn from it. You no need to travel to India to discover yourself, this life story of Zen master Dogen will teach something good. Some scenes and its meanings were so good especially when Dogen handles his ruler (king) and when he sends a mother of a dying baby to everyone's house in the village. Hope you will love it as much I did.

Similar movies:

Kundan, Gandhi

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

Where Do We Go Now? (2011) Lebanon

An appreciable message from the middle-east.

Comedy | Drama

Original title:
Ou halla la weyn? (Arabic)


Tagline:
"In a remote Lebanese village women bond together and cleverly scheme to prevent their men from killing each others."


Review:
It was a nice movie, the message was really good. The movie deals with the issue of religious conflict in the country Lebanon. The story happens in a small town where Christians and Muslims lives together with good bond while the rest of the country in religious tension.

This kind of movies definitely required to open the eye of the people. It was a very good effort by the 'Caramel' actress-come-director. The movie was not that serious but little funny alongside the issue it digs. The end was a bit emotional and heartbreaking, overall the movie makes sense of what it delivers to the audience but some people are not ready to accept the fact or ready to make a change in society.

It was represented the Lebanon's submission for the 2012 OSCAR but did not make into the shortlist. I have seen movies based on religious theme like the movie 'Bombay' so this movie requires a special appreciation for the great effort from the middle east. We know that the women and children are the future of humankind and so this story explains a tiny part of that.

Similar movies:

East is east, West is west

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

Little Nicolas (2009) France

Little Nicolas and co plans a big .

Comedy

Original title:
Le Petit Nicolas (French)


Tagline:
"Alceste eat all the time, Geoffroy's dad earns lots of money, Rufus has a lot of stupid things, Agnan is a darling of mistress, Clotaire is the last of the class, Eudes gives punch on the nose, Joachim's little brother is ugly as all, Nicolas is awfully nice."


Review:
The movie was so cute and fun. It has been 4 years since it was released and I wonder where is its sequel, because this movie deserves one or maybe those who loved it will anticipate like I do. The characters were very well created and developed, the timing of jokes was excellent. When I saw Kad Merad on the first frame of his appearance in this movie, I could not control myself from laughing and knew it would be an awesome and I gonna have a nice time with it. And I did.

This movie was based on a series of French children's books. It reminds me 'Diary of a wimpy kid', about a kid who had his own imagination and mistook the occasion he witnessed with his parents which makes him to act quickly to make it right. So the little Nicolas forms a little gang from his school friends and theirs adventure is ours (audience) fun ride.

As a children movie fan I loved it from my heart and wanted more of it which was lasted for just 90 minutes. Watching a movie like it make me a kid, sometime it will recall my childhood memories. I feel I am so lucky to see it and hope you won't miss after reading this review.

Similar movies:

Diary of a wimpy kid, Moonrise kingdom, Judy moody and the not bummer summer, Ramona and Beezus

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

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (2012) Hollywood

A best moment you spend on your life.

Fantasy

Review:
Really a spectacular movie, enjoyed every bit of it. After seeing action, crime, comedy, thriller, science fiction... movies this movie gave the new perspective of entertainment. It was a kinda fusion of all the world's best circus stunts, dance, light luminous with story in layers to cinematic extravaganza.

This movie had no borders for the human imaginations, for every 10 minutes something new-new remarkable visuals and breathtaking performance by the artists makes us the unforgettable moment of our life. An awesome artwork of the different category stunts teams of the movie. Totally a treat for the audience. Another highlight of the movie was the songs and background musics. It was like a lullaby, so melodious, worth to buy its OST.

This movie will take you far from our world to the dreamland while you are awake. A refreshing movie, you will miss something if you miss this movie especially as you are a movie fanatic you must not miss it. This movie was crafted by the notable New Zealand filmmaker for his work 'Shrek' and 'Narnia' series. Recommended movie by me.

Similar movies:

Pina

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 2)

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

 

A Cat in Paris (2010)                                           The Front Line (2011)

 

Sunny (2011)                                                          Sunny (2011)

 

The Strength of Water (2009)                                       A Separation (2011)       

 

    The Last Lions (2011)                                          An Invisible Sign (2010)     

The Hunt (2012) Denmark

A little lie and a giant truth which will never match.

Drama

Original title:
Jagten (Danish)


Tagline:
"A random lie can destroy an innocent man."


Review:
I have seen a few movies like this theme but I don't remember the names except 'The children's hour' and 'Atonement' but this movie will scare out for an adult man. 'A royal affair' fame Mads Mikkelsen was the lead character whose performance was so good, one of his career best.

The story happens between the two hunting seasons, what follows in between period of time is the movie. A much loved middle aged kindergarten teacher who is accused of the crime he's not committed. He has to deal it along with his messy divorced life who is fighting for parenting rights to his son. Because of a small lie suddenly that everything he loves will be against to him and how he overcome or whether he come or not is the rest.

It is a toughest theme to blend the two opposite characters in a movie, as one is an innocent other seems innocent and by both the perspective everything looks innocent. It was a writer's smartness to make the audience not to fall for either of sides emotion. But many movie watchers will pick a side, in those times it will make something uncomfortable to watch. Several intense scenes were so close to stop your breathing for a moment.

A must see movie of a man's courage to fight back when his friends, family and sweetheart ditched him in a dark place. A fine Danish movie not to be missed and one of a best of 2012. A must see movie and  deserves to be appreciated by world film fanatics.

Similar movies:

The children's hour, Orphan, The woodsman

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