Wild (2014) Hollywood

Return to where we've come from to revive our life.

Genre:

Adventure, Biography, Drama.

What's in:

On-topic, Not much off-topic, Highly comparison, Mild spoilers, Dialogues.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.

Review:

     Ever since the movie 'Dallas Buyers Club' grabbed the three golden statues at the Oscars, the director has been in the spotlight. But I was enjoying his movies before that and yet this one is another remarkable adventurous-drama based on the real expedition into the wild. Cheryl Strayed whose story was this film based upon appeared in the beginning scene where she drops off her version of the movie character and wishes her a luck.

     The world is round, you can't runaway with your problems. If you do, you might end up where you have started. That's why its called a circle of life, goes round and round and round. You can hide your issues with yourself, but it may lead to a depression. Sometime when an experiment goes wrong, it's better to restart from the scratch with a different method. Here in our (human) lives some people do the same, return to where we've come from to restore the lost life. Of course I said all these, because this flick was inspired by such real incident.

     I prefer this film was very close to the Australian movie 'Tracks' than bringing 'Into the Wild' into the frame. Obviously the Australian movie and this one are about the two young women, but the thing is, the story deals with the different motivation for their decision to take part in the quest. The Aussie flick has an edge over this when it comes to the challenges faced during the journey and also I loved from narration to photography, music and performance.

     Since they both inspired by the true story, I appreciate the filmmaker's effort to bring them into the screen and salute to those two magnificent ladies. In both the films, both the women psychologically affected by their earlier stage of lives which was one of the reasons to step into the wild. I feel, 'Tracks' should have been nominated instead this movie for the Academy Awards.

 I've always been someone's daughter or mother or wife. I never got to be in the driver's seat of my own life. 

     It was a wonderful 2014 for Reese Witherspoon. Back to back career reviving; biographical and inspiring human emotion movies in this graphic, sci-fi and fantasy dominated era. The year's sweetheart for the critics and I doubt there will be another same year. Remember, she was nominated for the Oscars for her role in this film.

     The disappointment was the adventures. Not what I expected. The struggles were unable to reach for our deep heart compared to other self-discovery voyage films. Weight she carried and losing a toe nail, I don't see much impact because those are supposed to happen. This PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) is well planned and partially protected the hikers with all the needs supplied all along the route. The only thing they have to do is stay away from the wild lives and watch-out for the intruders between the checkpoints.

     In other end coping with depression was what I loved in the movie. Without those flashbacks this film was nothing. Literally, this story all about the mental healing. The pain she carried, she just wanted to eject it from her body and mind, and the journey helped it. The funny thing is I liked Laura Dern a lot than anybody in the movie. Her character as well as her dialogues was very inspiring. Her nominee for the actress in a supporting role was justified. I can watch this film again and again, only for her alone, sadly she won't appear for a long stay.

     I loved it, but not completely pleased with the product. The reason is 'Tracks'. I think the film came at the wrong time or maybe I saw this one when the other flick was still hot and fresh in my memory. An achievement is an achievement, I respect both the films. You like the movie or not, that's a secondary thought regarding movie's outcome.  But it's a must see for disclosing the extraordinary adventure of an ordinary young woman.

Similar movies:
Tracks, Into the Wild, 127 Hours, The Motorcycle Diaries, The Ultimate Gift, Eat Pray Love.


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


External link(s):
      

Colette (2013) Czech Republic, Slovakia

Exhausted, barely hanging for the sake of love.

Genre:

Drama, History, Romance, War.

Tagline:

"An engrossing story of love stronger than death."

What's in:

Obviously on-topic, There's nothing off-topic, Some unaffected spoilers, Dialogues.

Length:

Approximately 5-minute read.

Review:

     The story was told by an escaped Jewish from the Auschwitz concentration camp controlled by the German Nazi during the second world war. Obviously the film was based on the history, so the story must be true, but I feel there are some fictional accounts as well. Because it was the first called 'Colette: A Girl from Antwerp' from the three book series about three Jewish women. The author Arnost Lustig was the victim of the war crime and it was his story. All the confuse is for the male lead character named Vili Feld, not Arnost Lustig.

     It was a decent as a movie and one of the terrifying world war 2 horror as a story. Those who survived that outrage was lived to tell the stories, and just imagine how many more stories have not made its accounts. Despite it was about a young woman called Colette Cohen, the tale was narrated by Vili Feld by recollecting his memories of the prison camp events. Colette is the one he has fallen for. He gives up an easy job just to see her everyday. His secret love, suffering during held and deaths around, all these are the story's main ingredient told in a margin of the thin line between good and bad.

     Vili lived all his life looking for the reason for the some unanswered questions. Being in the prison and having an affair was like a chess game. The story was also told in a similar fashion, like pawns moving all around from both the sides and sacrificing a few to win the game. Ultimately, how the game was set up for the grand finale was ended casually before the original timeline's end come into the effect. Survival was the main intention, especially the King and the Queen in the chess format to say. That's the reason the deaths around, I mean the pawn sacrifices were not heartbreaking that we see easily throughout the film.

 The greatest thing a person could ever do... Is to save someone's life.

     Technically, it sounded a great; photography, editing, music all were depicted the 40s era precisely as for our knowledge of understanding. The performances were too not bad at all, but it was the second string end that looked so stupid. No complain if it was accurate to the real occurrence, though there are not enough evident to prove or the movie won't tell much at the end. In a such cruelty related theme I can't believe the shortfall of emotions and rawness. The screenplay was nearly comparable to the dark comedy, having a brutal war in the backdrop. It focused lots of thriller, but there are equally cool moments that actually calms. As a result, it seems not true to the novel, but borrows certain pages from the book, especially heavily on the romance bits and ignores everything else.

     After watching the whole film, still doubt remained with me in certain parts of the narrative. Maybe I need to have one more look, appears to be something I missed. The film, coming from a country like the Czech Republic is really remarkable effort, especially for it in the English language which makes the world look to on this direction. There's no argument about the international standards, the original touch is what's needed because I felt many scenes were directly inspired by the other second world war flicks. Other than that it was very close to 'Life is Beautiful', except it was not a comedy. Worth for a single time watch like any plot that related to this filthy war the man forever regretted for.

Similar movies:

Life is Beautiful, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, In Darkness, Pianist, The Bridge on the River Kwai.

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

External link(s):

    

Stand by Me Doraemon (2014) Japan

No gadget can edit the future, only hard work does.

Genre:

Anime (3D), Comedy, Drama, Science-Fiction.

What's in:

Strongly on-topic, Lightly off-topic, Mild spoilers, Dialogues.

Length:

Approximately 7-minute read.

Review:

     Honestly, I am not a Doraemon fan, I did not grow up watching the series. I was hooked up to the Cartoon Network and its all the shows. But this one, they never aired it, so I am not familiar with. However, I had a few glimpses while passing by when my niece watching it on the television set. She loves it and she draws it. It was an English dubbed version though, that did not excite me a much. Officially, this movie was my first encounter with this what millions of children love, Doraemon. I really, really liked it, almost loved it. Feel regret that I should have known it before the movie because it was so good like those I'd enjoyed in my childhood days.

     3D anime is a new market. It is an easy production compared to 2D animation where digital 3D is an optional advantage. That does not mean the regular Anime is losing its trade, but recent Studio Ghibli's decision to halt in production makes suspicious. Look, what has 3D animation done in Hollywood, a rapid growth in last ten years shrunk the 2D animations. The last film I remember I saw was 'The Princess and the Frog'. On one side, I am delighted because we are advancing, but in another it is very sad that Cartoons are losing its honour. The bright side is, all those flat characters we loved in our days are reshaping in the 3D avatar. The great successful example is the latest 'Asterix and Obelix' movie. 'Popeye' and many other films are too in the line, so something to cheer!

     First of all I did not know Doraemon is a science-fiction, in fact, I thought Doraemon is some kind of talking toy, like in the movie 'Ted'. Fans, don't mind, I am just a beginner, but quickly learning. The only criticism I heard so far from the Doraemon fans was that the story was not new, they have already seen it in the anime short version. This film was not a follow-up to any earlier films are TV series. It was a fresh beginning like from the scratch that really helped me to understand and would do same for anyone who are unfamiliar with this. It was based on the six Doraemon manga short stories. You would easily find splits between those parts while changing the phases, but overall, a fine assembles.

     Unlike television series, this Japanese Academy Award winner for Animated movie is for all. That mean adults as well can enjoy it besides the kids. There are many special things about the movie. Obviously it is very humorous, but unexpectedly so romantic and emotional with the matured materials used to tell the tale, even for the kids it is something to learn from. I loved many individual scenes, because those were not just beautiful and funny, but very clever indeed. Especially the end twist makes 'what the heck!', yet simple charmingly smart. Instantly I became the Doraemon fan, and now I want a sequel.

 It's hard saying goodbye. But... It's harder thinking that I'll be making her unhappy.

     The character Nobita was just like the one from 'CJ7' who is obsessed with his new beneficial friend. Because he is not good at anything, sometimes he begins well, but ends it in a disaster, so he always depended on the gadgets from his beloved robot cat. Besides, he's lazy and always get bullied by his classmates Gian and Suneo. But he do has a crush on a girl called Shizuka, a brainy student Hidetoshi stands between him and her. Now he has a competitor and to win her heart, which as well helps to fix his future, whatsoever he must work hard. Those efforts are pleasantly illustrated in the movie.

     I liked all the 3D converted characters, especially Shizuka was so cute. Doraemon looked little bigger and like a giant blue ball, in a nice, funny, acceptable way. The same energy was maintained from the anime, like the law of gravity is not applicable. Such as in situations when someone jumps in the air, he stays there for a while when he/she was in joy or shocked and tears drip sidewards. That's the difference between 2D and 3D animations, but it worked well in this film. After all, that's why the animations are for, making impossible to possible. Animals can talk and they can be our (generally children) hero. I enjoyed it as much any kid does. This movie is a revolution in Doraemon's history, an opportunity to get in to meet these adorable characters in the beginning itself if you're alien to this. I know Doraemon fans love it, hope others as well do the same.



Similar movies:
Mr Peabody & Sherman, CJ7, Meet the Robinsons, Astroboy, Big Hero 6, Planet 51.


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


External link(s):
    

The Girl with Nine Wigs (2013) Germany, Belgium

A chance to self-discovery, at the end of the life.

Genre:

Biography, Comedy, Drama.

Original title:

Heute Bin Ich Blond (German)

What's in:

All about on-topic, Very little off-topic, Strong spoiler alert, Dialogues references.

Length:

Approximately 5-minute read.

Review:

     It is one of my favourite genre, but all the cancer themed movies are not emotional, here it comes a tragicomedy. Based on the bestseller autobiography about a young girl Sophie Ritter, who after discovering she has a rare type of cancer, her daring method of dealing it is what this story expands all the 2 hours for us.

     Despite a dark humour it is still inspiring. One of the ways to tackle the disease with having a positive energy and of course the boost comes from the people around us who cares very much. After all, treatment is a long process, so those ups and downs too this movie shown very well. Especially, the family member's behaviour won't be the same right from the beginning to end. Those phases were the pivot in transformation of each character and their relationship. Including romance as it one of the obstacles which affects mentally beside the physical troubles. And the friendship, that is always there to share and do those mischievous stuffs.

     The movie opens on the new year's eve celebration in the Belgium city, Antwerp and moves to Hamburg, Germany. Sophie is confident to begin her new life who's going turn 21 the same year. She also meets her man on that night. Followed days, when everything was going fine, the tragic trikes and tosses her world upside down. That's how the real story commence, her journey in the bus of agony where only the rare people takes it and only a very few makes out. In this case, it is a life changing experience, in her expedition she discovers herself, writes a blog, shares, parties and meets other patients. What happens next is again a followed new year's eve where the story concludes.

Grandma says that every day I live worth ten years

     As for what the title says, Sophie is only a young, so she's enthusiastic and passionate in lifestyle, especially when it comes to exhibit her beauty. She won't let her sick to take it away. The idea of nine wigs with nine different names gives a distinct character together. So, 'Today I am Blonde', that's what the original title's meaning. The fake toy doll Stella is the first one you meet and then Daisy, who flirts, Sue, who fights, Fifi, who parties, followed by Lydia, Blondie, Uma, Pam and finally Bebe as a birthday girl. Each personality tells different tales of her new appearance which helps to enjoy the life and realise the world. When she meets an old patient, he tells his perspective of handling the illness and so a little boy along a girl with her own age.

     The movie '50/50' tells the importance of friendship. In 'The Bucket List', the importance of remaining precious days. So if you just look back any of the cancer theme movies you've seen, all of them briefs something valuable in life. Those achievements in a short period of time fulfills the life they are not going to live. That's the reason I always love this theme if it is narrated properly. This film was a slight different having attached comedy to the corner of the main plot which helped the portrayal to trim a bit of sentiments and adds a few fun portions. The contents are little stronger, so suitable for adults and maybe matured and older teens. Since it is established from a real life story definitely a good watch. Nice movie, not bestest among other awesome similar flicks, but worthy.



Similar movies:
The Bucket List, 50/50, Come As You Are, The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, Third Star.


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


External link(s):