Sunday, January 5, 2014

Backlog Movies Digest

The last months were a bit overcrowded. Now I got some time to put everything together.


The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Acting: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Perception: 5/5

Rating: 5/5

That's what I'm talking about! This return trip to Middle-Earth is very intense and captivating from start to end with top notch action scenes. The end is everything but one, leaving the viewers with one of the best cliffhangers of recent cinema. If cliffhangers are not your thing probably you'll hate this one. The late change from two to three movies is quite clear but the cutting scene is most likely the best one, since it allows the spectators to fully apprehend Smaug's might. And the side stories that they put in to gain volume fit in quite good and add more intensity. On Gandalf's side some conflicts with the LOTR trilogy might emerge but there's still a movie left. Going to the execution part as well as the actors delivery was flawless with special props to Bilbo's and Thorin's inner struggles and Smaug's "performance" both CGIy and Cumberbatchy. The only thing is that maybe there were a wee bit to much jump scares for my liking.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Acting: 4/5
Story: 4.5/5
Perception: 4.5/5

Rating: 4.5/5

For someone who hasn't read the books this installment comes as a franchise boost. I really liked the first one but I was hoping it to be something more than a Battle Royale soft version. And Catching Fire does just that. In addition, it redeems Katnis' and Peeta's performances as a couple adding more consistence to their struggle and justifying what I first thought to be a cold acting. The more or less twisty plot got me very interested in the two movie finale. For the more technical aspects the movie is very well executed.
Gravity

Acting: 4/5
Story: 5/5
Perception: 5/5

Rating: 5/5

I'm not entirely certain about the scientific rigor of all the facts and premises but this movie is an unique experience. This is the kind of picture that gives reason to 3D cinema. And it will probably be the closest that this generation will get to space. From the first moments and until the very end you are entirely emerged living every moment as if you were there. Most of the credit fir this experience is to be given to the director, the filming and the editing team. Sandra Bullock is ok but any other decent actress would have been good for the part.
Snowpiercer

Acting: 4/5
Story: 3.5/5
Perception: 3.5/5

Rating: 3.5/5

This a very intriguing dystopic movie based on a comic book. At the end you get out with somewhat of a puzzled impression. This is because the scenes vary between pure psychedelic, wonderfully filmed or artsy long-winded all while pointing out some interesting ideas. The human factor plays an important role in delivering this mosaic of experiences, the actors doing a good job. Still some questions remain unanswered by the time the credits roll.
Turbo

Wits: 3/5
Story: 3.5/5
Perception: 3/5

Rating: 3/5

A classic animated underdog story. I found the premise of the racing snail a funny one. The movie is quite enjoyable but nothing more. There are some comic moments without excelling in any way.


Thor: The Dark World

Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 3.5/5
Perception: 4/5

Rating: 3.5/5

Definitely these Marvel Phase 2 movies are funnier than those from Phase one; and since it's a comics world which shouldn't take itself to seriously I like this cheeky tone. Plus this new installment is more visually spectacular with some sweet action scenes. And all this with a villain that's not so charismatic and a love story arc that is improving but still needs some work. Most of this was put aside by Tom Hiddleston's delivery of Loki. It will be interesting to see how his secondary villain status in the Marvel universe will work with the studio's need to please his fan base.
Welcome to the Punch

Acting: 3/5
Story: 2/5
Perception: 1.5/5

Rating: 2/5

Some "is it/is it not" nemesis chasing movie. The names of McAvoy and Strong got my attention but the story was so thin and the plot so unoriginal that their skills were lay to waste.

2 comments:

  1. Saw Snowpiercer yesterday. I did not know it was based on a comic book. But now that i think about it, I suppose that is the reason it does not translate that well to a movie. Some questions are indeed left unanswered - I would have been ok with that, if it would only apply to the ending, but it didn't - it covered the whole movie. The whole premise of the "engine" is flawed.
    I liked it for the idea, but, like I said, I don;t think it can translate well into a movie.

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  2. In my opinion, almost anything visual can translate into a movie; maybe not a cool, fun one all the time. For me it was the whole initial premise that needed more explaining, in order to understand the current situation. Afterwards, I mostly agree that a philosophical parallel is more delicate to be put on film.

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