The Fault in Our Stars (2014) Hollywood

It's unfair to let it go, what we love the most in the world.

Genre:

Drama, Romance

Tagline:

"They don't have forever, they have each other."
"One sick love story."

Review:

     The director might be soaring after back to back success. Interestingly, both the films dealt with writers, but the main themes were romance. He's just a two movie old and now the movie goers can expect eagerly for his next venture. This movie was based on the teen novel of the same name about a 16-years-old cancer patient.

     Hazel Grace, who is battling between life and death is also a strong fighter against all the odds. When her mother sends her to attend the group therapy she meets Augustus Water, a fellow member. As she is being sarcastic, Waters finds an interesting character in her. A friendship develops and they spend more time together. Even knowing there will no future together, the relationship progress and how everything ends is the rest.

     Usually cancer themed movies are called tearjerker films. Surprisingly, this movie's aim was different. Of course emotion strikes, but the story narration and character developments were the basic goal. Three-fourth of the movie was well told story about teen romance. The afterwards account begins with a twist which were portrayed in the usual manner. Like all the movies, kept sentiments in the last part. The last quarter was very predictable, but they avoided cliche as much possible.

‘‘Apparently, the world is not
a wish-granting factory.’’

     The parents' role was kind of mysterious one, that diverts viewer from their anticipation. Interesting it also creates some doubts. Compared to the previous movie 'The Spectacular Now', Shailene Woodley looked completely different. That means the physical transformed to look a perfect 16 year old was amazing. Her performance as well gives an impression that the Hollywood's future Academy award grabbing the female lead is on making. At this rate she can do that like Jennifer Lawrence did.

     As for the lead actor, it is a good breakthrough and expecting the same result from his next movie as well. This movie, which runs over a 2 hour was smartly sliced the contents and organized those on the right spots. Many had agreed it was a fine cinema transformation from a book. So you can try this, but be careful because nowadays most of the teens movies are overrated because of the overwhelmed teen audience. The warning meant only for the older people. I'm sure the youngster will love this movie, I mean most of them.

Similar movies:

Restless, 50/50, Now is Good, Third Star, Ways to Live Forever, Death of a Superhero.

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

External link(s):

      

When Wolf Falls in Love with Sheep (2012) Taiwan

When the wolf and the sheep finds each other.

Genre:

Comedy, Romance.

Original title:

Nan Fang Xiao Yang Mu Chang (Mandarin)

Review:

     This little Taiwanese movie was very stylish. The title would definitely seduce and invite those who love romantic-comedies. The same way I managed successfully and more importantly, I liked it very much. Someway the title also reminds me the Korean anime 'Stormy Night'. This was my second movie from the director. A lot different than the first movie, but nothing short in initiating creative ideas to present story in a style.

     It was a simple love story with an extraordinary exhibition of the film contents. The opening was so fast, you may need some time to get in and pick up the current situation in story narration. It kind of confuses us, especially those who are depending on the subtitle because of the presentation with the stop-motion mode. Soon after you will be well set to enjoy the rest of the voyage.

‘‘Count 1 to 100, if it does not appear, it will never do.’’

     I think the guy from 'You are the Apple of my Eye' enthusiastic to find his apple in this movie as well. A lot has improved from the earlier and his performance looks so promising that he can stay longer in this business. Opposite to him the 'One Day' girl did not stay long, sad because it was a lot like a cameo appearance. But the other chick who was the main lead was hypnotized me with her great performance and by her look.

     There are many things that can be praised, but when it comes to the flaws, not many except the cliche at the end. Actually, it was well handled that can please you overall. If you notice, this movie was not widespread and not rated better. I'd say it again this movie is for die-hard romedy fans and probably for lads and lasses. A good entertainer as we ask for and that's enough for a few people like me to have a variety of movies from the different parts of the world.

Similar movies:
Citizen Dog, Hot Summer Days, My Sassy Girl, Amelie, A Little Thing Called Love.


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


External link(s):
    

Miss Granny (2014) South Korea

About a second chance to accomplish what you'd missed earlier.

Genre:

Comedy, Fantasy, Music.

Original title:

Susanghan Geunyeo (Korean)

Tagline:

"She's back... in her twenties."
"I got a granny in me."

Review:

     A Korean comedy-fantasy. One of the most admired senior actors by me from the Korean film industry is that Na Moon-Hee. So far I have watched some of her films and loved all of them. The title says it is her movie, but she did not stay much longer as the script demanded replacement after the opening few minutes.

     If you know the movie's synopsis you will understand that it is a theme kind of switching back to younger ages. Yes, like the movie 'Big'. In her parts which were the opening portions she put a great performance. After that, the young 'Sunny' girl took over the role and led to another level of entertainment filled with music and fun. Her performance and expressions were so good like her previous movie.

‘‘That's why I want to take a photograph now.
Before I grow more ugly.’’

     As we know, the concept was too old, but the story wasn't, especially if you are a regular Hollywood movie viewer you would know that. But, surprisingly, this movie was enriched mainly because of the Korean flavor with the usual melodrama and a little cliche at some point. It was not a special movie and offers nothing new if you are familiar with Korean films. Because they applied usual Korean movie style of fun to present the story. The story was kind of predictable and that does not stop you from getting entertained.

     What fascinated me about this movie was the end. The solution at the final act was well designed to fit for a movie with a concept like this to end in a better way. And further, a clean open for a possible sequel generates eagerness among the viewers if they had liked so far of the movie. It is nothing more than having a good time, which offers a little inspiration about our dream and family value. A good Korean movie, the family type movie, but everyone can enjoy it.

Similar movies:
Big, 17 Again, 13 Going on 30, Opposite Day, Camille Redouble.


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


External link(s):
    

The Butterfly's Dream (2013) Turkey

A story of achievers whom vanished before the knows them.

Genre:

Biography, Drama, History, Romance.

Original title:

Kelebeğin Rüyasi (Turkish)

Review:

     A Turkish biographical drama selected to represent the country in the 86th Academy Awards and as we know it was not nominated. The 'Rhino Season' actor starred in a prominent role and directed the movie. This was not a based on the famous people, I don't know honesty, but it is only a my guess after seeing the movie.

     It is set in a small Turkish mining town around the time when the second world war was fought in Europe. It talks about two close friends Rustu and Muzaffer in their twenties who aspires to become poets. Craze about typewriters and their life depends on the poem they publish it in the book and weekly magazines. One day they meet a beautiful young women Suzan, daughter of a wealthy businessman and after that their life instantly change with lots of adventures and sorrow.

‘‘If a poet spends too long in a poetic setting
with a philistine, his poetry dries up.’’

     I loved the cast and performances. To see their act it was so real, a soul filling character representation. And then the fourth one called Mediha introduced when the story marched almost to the end, but she was good as well alongside the director himself as the fifth main role. The love story was very interesting, but can't say awesome, especially when it ends with a twist that was the moment in the narration peaks so high.

     So what's the wrong with the movie was, it did not strengthened exposing characters to the deep. Without initial development it moves on and on to the different set of places in the story. The romance portions were not quite delightful because the whole scenario related to that was like a friendship thing. But it had a reason that only comes out at the end that you have to wait until then.

     As from the literature perspective, it was one great inspiring biopic about two faded personalities from the history before the world knowing them. And as from romance and friendship side, it had different level of shades that one can go through in life, I mean like happiness, grief, adventures, survival, disloyal etc. One of the best Turkish movie so far I have seen. Those who are interested in biographical movies and literature should check it out, but remember it is about romance and friendship as well.



Similar movies:

The Last Samurai, 47 Ronin, Tom Yong Goong, Ip Man, Chocolate


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


External link(s):
  

Fruitvale Station (2013) Hollywood

One of the cruelty about having authority.

Genre:

Biography, Drama.

Tagline:

"Every step brings you closer to the edge."

Review:

     I never saw its teaser, nor read its synopsis, but straight went to see it. And I kind of not satisfied for the first hour of the movie. I just wondered what was the movies' idea to fulfill the viewer's desire. Right away I knew it was not an entertainer, then it must highlight something or give a message. Till the beginning of the end, I thought the same way. Then my perspective changed, actually it changed my previous stance about all the earlier narration.

‘‘I know y'all are upset, but got to lift him up.
Let's keep him lifted up.’’

     After witnessing the crucial last scene, I was stunned by the incident that was portrayed in the movie. Realized all the initial developments were got meaning in this part of the movie. So I came to know it was based on the real incident. First of all it was not a person's whole biography, though it is told from his critical time of life. The incident can be viewed in two ways. The fight definitely took place on the sub-way, it was not the Oscar Grant's (lead man) fault. But still the consequences are expected, especially on the new year's eve the alert against violence cannot be negligible by the law. But, what cops did was the over reaction to the situation.

     Such incidents happen in every country and many of them won't come into the lights. I'm glad about this movie, because it kind of creates awareness of such events. Hats off to all the cast and crew who brought it into the silver screen and now the whole world can know the truth. A must see movie among the 2013 releases.

Similar movies:
Labor Day, Rampart, The Railway Man, Empire State, Gimme Shelter, Mud.


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


External link(s):