Behind the Blue Door (2016) Poland

A door to unleash the miracles!

Original title:

Za Niebieskimi Drzwiami (Polish)

Genre:

Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy.

Length:

Approximately 4-minute read.


Review:
     I did not expect another 'Narnia' here. But I knew once learning about the plot and seeing the film poster that I might feel the familiarity. Most of the fantasy themes revolve in a similar fashion, especially those about stepping into an alternate world. So basically it is a cliche than any other way around we think.

     As for children's perspective which this film was aimed for, there's nothing to whine about. Surely they would enjoy watching it. But us being the grown-ups, we must give up the adultness, if we want to have a good time with it. This is a harmless film in anyway and has to have in its way than ours.

     I can defend it if I want to, but the point is the grown ups should stop the way they look at such film and reject them like it was made for them or forced to see it. For me it was only just an above average. The attempt was great. The film originally based on the book of the same name. Colourful visuals, particularly in those required parts. But the depth was missing. The story was very simple. There were no big adventures or goes deep into the characters. But at the end, it all feels it had went through a lot. Every detail, the twist, all falls into a line.

     It was about a mother and her young son, Lukasz. They seem a little joyous family. On one morning while driving to the school, an accident happens. Leaving Lukasz fractured knee, but his mother in coma. Then his old school aunt comes in and takes him back to her place as she has a business to take care. Not knowing what would happen to his mother, while wandering around, Lukasz enters an alternate dimension. It was fun in the initial, but then a trouble follows him. Now with the help of his new friends, he has to fight back the dark force threatening to take over his world.

 It does not look curable. I reckon she's done for. 

     The visuals were not impressive. But then it does not matter if you get the twist correctly. Overall an acceptable quality for sure. The twist was decent, but it could be a surprising one of the kids. From all, the antagonist was really something to be scared of. I mean for the little one. Yes, the bad guys were terrifying. Something that you see in horror films. Graphics or make-ups, whatever it was, they have done a nice job. But surely the little kids would be frightened of it. I mean like below 7. That's what the parents should be careful of.

     I'm sure these youngsters are the fresh faces, but they were good. The filmmakers too did their parts very well. Since I haven't read the book I can't compare. Though looks it was not a bad adaptation. I did not see it digital 3D, that experience would have been another level. But it depends whether you favour that technology or not. The west has already given up on it, except for the mega projects. But in the east, the trend still remains. So I think it would have been nice to watch in 3 dimensions. Because such film somewhat relies on that kind of format.

     This is a Polish film and see it as the same way. Comparing it with Hollywood is what downgrades. Polish film industry is not as rich as Hollywood to stand to equal. But in its capacity, it had given a decent film. I respect that and expect the same from you as well, if you want to see it. Believe me, if this same film was made in Hollywood, even I would have said it's a poor film. That's the big difference here.

     I enjoyed watching this little Polish fantasy. I don't know it is a book series, but I'm happy with one-off. Not a bad idea to reveal previous accounts in a prequel. Either way it works for me. And finally, this is definitely a worthy film. In my personal opinion, it was much better than 'Fantastic Beasts', excluding production difference. Now you decide!



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


Similar movies:
A Monster Calls, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Pan's Labyrinth, Jumanji, Pete's Dragon.


External link(s):

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Growing Up Smith (2017) USA

The first crush.

Also known as:

Good Ol' Boy

Genre:

Comedy, Drama, Family.

Length:

Approximately 4-minute read.


Review:
     The film was completed back in the T15, but it only released recently. Another Hollywood's Indian connection theme. This is about an Indian family living is the United States. Everything was told from a young boy's viewpoint. Growing up in a traditional Indian house, daily facing the western society, his struggle on caught between two cultures were shown to us as a hilarious life adventure.

     I have been waiting for this film, at some stage I had forgotten its existence. When I came across an old trailer I've had saved in my hard drive, immediately I started to stream the film. It does not have big stars nor the big budget. It was a simple comedy about the culture collision. So there's no reason to expect it to surprise me. I enjoyed just as the way it was.

     The original title was 'Good Ol' Boy', upon release, it was renamed. Both the titles justifies on what the film had narrated. It was a 70s tale, a little Indian family in the United States is almost living the American dream had to face the cultural differences. A young boy from the family named Smith is obedient to his parents, but when love bug bites him, all are going to change forever.

     When a most famous family in their neighbourhood becomes close to them, kids from both the families develops a think friendship that goes all the way from their homes to the school. But it was more than a friendship for them. As the days of months of cultural exchange between them while their parents struggling to get along, finally, what brings the twist in the tale takes us straight to the finale.

 There she was, a touch of heaven a mere 30 yards from me, yet a heaven unreachable. 

     The story was a flashback. The old Smith recalls his childhood memory, particularly his first crush. The cross culture narratives are really fun, especially when they highlight the outcome. Because the outcome is not same for everybody, but how they make it for their comfort. It was a typical Indian parenting. But the kids wanted to experience the real America. Just like the Oscar nominated animated short 'Sanjay's Super Team'.

     I think the writing was good, that included writers from both the cultures. Yet there were some scenes, too offendable, if you are an Indian. Because Indians easily offend for everything. Since it was a comedy flick, those things do not mean anything so seriously. It was just a way to make it very funnier, but the things became sillier. That's a traditional way of making a Hollywood comedy. If you are familiar with that, you will get it. But they have pushed it hard, yet the film was not harmed with boring cliches.

     From the picture colour tone to everything, takes us to the 70s, like it was made 30-40 years ago. Nice casting too. Particularly the boy. And not to forget his father as well who might have been a supporting character, but a show stealer. Jason Lee too had a decent role and so the rest of them. A feature film directional debut for the filmmaker and he was not bad at all. He should only get better from here on.

     It is entertaining. A good timepass film, a good weekend film to watch with family and friends. It was a nice comedy that's gone unnoticed for several reasons which are common for such small titles. But in this digitally streaming world at your finger tip, that's should not happen. If you are reading this, then I say try it. Of course it was not a great film, but one of the best films of the year. The critics say it was a nice film and so those small chunks of people who saw it also thumb upped. Now it's your turn to join them or go against than totally ignore it!



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


Similar movies:
Anita & Me, The Namesake, Baaria, Echoes of the Rainbow, Little Manhattan.


External link(s):

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Descendants 2 (2017) USA

Make way for Uma!

Genre:

TV Movie, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Romance.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     The 103rd Disney Channel Original Movie. A sequel to the 2015 film of the same name. One of the most expected film, at least for a television film and by the Disney fans. And the children. I am not one, but ever since I was young, I loved Disney films and never stopped, yet. Especially after the massive hit song, 'Ways to be Wicked', the countdown for July 21st had began. So here we are!

     The first film was unexpected. I did not think it would work, but it did. Seeing from some fresh perspective, particularly the new generation of classic villains really brought a modern day flavour for the fantasy genre. BUT, this part was not as good as the previous one. An enjoyable film, no doubt on that, it had some decent moments. Yet what's really missing was the COMEDY. The original had lots of fun, whereas this film became more serious. Obviously it's still fall under PG. So in my opinion, the children might find it fun to watch than the grownups.

     From the same director, who had helmed many films for Disney Channel. A decent graphics too, which did not required in the big scale, excluding in the climax. Visually, that part was acceptable, but I expected a bit more spectacular. An average story. It is mostly about a rescue mission, that takes place equally at Auradon and Isle of the Lost. From all, Uma's big entry marks this film. So it is more like a clash of the villains, where the heroes are sidelined with a limited scope.

     As always, Mal led the entire film. Apart from her education, she's now more a Auradonian by appearance with a big makeover. Though, her relationship with Ben has been tested. And following that, the heartbroken Mal returns home. The real action-adventure began when Ben got into a trouble while pursuing his love. So the gang of the good villains and the bad ones had no choice, but to battle it out with all their strength. And with a small twist, the issue was resolved, revealing who ended where.

 You can stick a tiara on a villain, but you're still a villain. 

     Truly it was like watching some Indian film, mainly because of the colours. Yep, it was enchanting with those colours, as it could be costumes or the backgrounds and settings, but I loved it. It makes the teen girls envious. Only if it has a better screenplay, would have been an even better flick. The performances were wonderful. The old cast was good as always. And the new ones had granted the film to get more powerful. Especially I'm talking about Uma, the daughter of Ursala, a sea witch from 'The Little Mermaid'.

     The film opened with the YouTube hit song that I mentioned earlier. There are like ten songs and all were good that nearly covered the one-third of the film. Setting in different mood and place and with the characters, really it was well done on the musical side of the film. Crucially, none of them were annoying, because of placed in the right segment of the storyline. Usually I'm not the fan of modern musicals, but this was good, especially having short and sweet tracks.

     This is not simply a fantasy film that of the two decades ago. It borrowed the present world technology, like the 3D printing concept. That thing had some important role in the story segment. But when the dog could speak, it was like going back to the classic like in the animation. By the way I felt like there's some connection between Dude the dog and 'Dog with a Blog'. So there were some brief ups and downs, but the entire film rode on just over the average.

     It was telecasted simultaneously in all the sub-Disney networks, as well as worldwide in other kid's networks. So it is now the second most watched DCOM of all time. This ending was not perfect, yet opened the gate for possible widening its cast even bigger if there will be a third. As to how it was received, I don't see the Disney thinking to put a brake to the potential franchise. In my opinion, it might become the longest film series for Disney Channel, which could drag for coming decades. So, dear Disney, lets us know when's the next one's due. Meantime, you keep updated with the first two if you haven't seen them yet. Who knows, it might surprise you, but surely for your kids.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


Similar movies:
Descendants, Maleficent, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Tangled, The Little Mermaid.


External link(s):

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Red Dog: True Blue (2016) Australia

The Blue's tale, a true free spirit.

Genre:

Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance.

Length:

Approximately 5-minute read.


Review:
     The return of the Red Dog. It has been five years since the first film. Who knew it, I never expected a film like that could get a sequel. That was inspired by a true event, but not this one. It was actually a prequel that tells the story of Red's earlier life, where did he come from, his owner et cetera. No one knows the real story, but after the 'Red Dog's success, seems they were desperate for the one more shot, hence this fictional account was born.

     Not as good as the first. In fact, no way anywhere near to that. All they did was to add all the possible ingredients to it to make it appeal everybody. So basically it looks like another 'Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove'. With enough comedies, adventures, one Chinese guy, aboriginal legend, storm and obviously the sentiments that strike at the right time.

     From the same director and the writer, but not the dog. The original award winning dog, Koko, for the role Red had died after a year later the film got released. After hearing that, I got emotional as same as the film he had starred in. That was one of the best dog films ever and one of the best tearjerker as well. Then I wanted to see this one too, but I had knew it won't surpass the original. So I had to keep my expectations low for it.

     This new guy called Phoenix was as good as Koko, but his role had a lesser scope. The effort/dedication/performance was the same, which is highly appreciable. Besides, he was very adorable. In fact, I felt hurt whenever he run alongside the motorbike. It might be natural, but I thought it was inhumane. I believe it was the multiple shots, not a single run. Coming to the story, it was told from a boy's perspective, his relation with the Red, but the original name was Blue.

 True blackness has a power all of its own. It doesn't just swallow light. It's like it swallows your soul. 

     I did not like the opening scene. I thought it was very ordinary. So I guessed it's going to be a terrible film. But it did not take long to get back to the point. Once the flashback had started, it looked a different film. The entire narration was a recall. More a bedtime story. A father reveals to his son about the dog he'd lived with when he was at his age in the rural Australia in his grandfather's place. How he had found the dog and grew together, their friendship, mischiefs and other adventures. Then what happened later between them, all his life events with the Blue was told.

     As I said, the screenplay was average, but the performances saved the film. The boy, the dog and all the co-stars were very good. The locations were even better. Just like the previous film, it was an ideal setting. The overall film was enjoyable, but the ending was very emotional. Having seen the first, anybody would have an idea what might come at the end, but not knowing how. I thought the same, but was not expecting the sentiments. The film ended with high. It also closed at where the original film had started, to make a perfect flow.

     One thing I did not get was the unnecessary supernatural events. Yeah, I know the story sets in the Pilbara region, hence borrowed some local legend to stretch the storyline. But with the wildfire scene, it leans too much on that concept, making to slip away from the actual focus of the film. More than that, the film never clearly explained that segment.

     Now the real question is the story of Red/Blue ends here or can be expected more drag with a prequel and a sequel. First of all, I am not very happy with the fictional account. For that reason alone, it is not a must see. Because it could mislead the original film's die hard fans. So they should have given the statement at the opening that it was not based on the real. Other than that, it is a decent film in the 'Red Dog' series. Finally, I would say, it is a good film, but not the best.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


Similar movies:
Red Dog, Marley & Me, Hachi: A Dog Tale, Far From Home, Wendy & Lucy.


External link(s):

WCA geolocation:
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