Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol
My Personal Rating: 3.5/4
Directed by Brad Bird
Starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg
This “Mission: Impossible“ is probably the best of the entire franchise. It had all the necessary elements that make a popcorn movie great and fun to watch. It had the action typical of a “Mission: Impossible” film but not overly stylized to the point of absurdity. It found this balance of excitement and sensibility that allowed the viewers to be excited and the same time not to shudder in disbelief about the impossibility of it all. One thing that surprised me about this movie that perhaps made this film stand out from the earlier three is its subtle yet effective use of comedy. I did not expect to laugh watching this movie but the sarcasms and quips of the actors and script just really blew my mind away. The witty humor just really added flavor the already old franchise.
The Adventures of Tintin
My Personal Rating: 3/4
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig
Before I start, I would just like to say that Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock, and all of the other characters of this beloved cartoon and comic book were a part of my childhood that I really missed. “The Adventures of Tintin” of my grade school days was always filled with exploits and mystery that was both mind- boggling and exciting to the senses. Although, I only remember bits and pieces of its many episodes, the enchantment of the cartoon, with its colorful personalities and plot twists, just stuck with me even up to this day. So when I heard that “Tintin” was being made into a movie, I was beyond myself. All the memories of watching it before and after school came rushing back. I was thinking that I would experience the adventure once again, only this time packaged into a 100 minute extravaganza.
But nostalgia and memories aside, I would have to say that the movie in itself, although entertaining, lacked a certain edge to it. Mind you, most of the parts of the film were exciting and were deserving of the Tintin brand but for me there was something missing. The plot and mystery could have been made more complex. It was quite straight-forward and predictable. The climax also could have been made more exciting, perhaps a sword-fight or a brawl would have added additional spice to it. But do not mistake me for saying this was a bad movie. On the contrary despite its flaws “Tintin: The Movie” was all that I expected it to be. It was an entertaining and fast-paced blast from the past that could be enjoyed by both fans of Tintin and those new to the orange haired journalist and his snow white dog.
My Neighbor Totoro
My Personal Rating: 3/4
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Starring Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning
This feature was not really about the plot, thus explaining its somewhat rushed conflict. The movie’s main draw instead was focused on the art itself. The sceneries and the characters were just amazing. The texture and colors simply a marvel to behold. The characters produced in this film even up to this day were iconic. These creatures were a story in themselves, a mystery that we are forever content to ponder and doodle about.
Furthermore, what this film lacks in a properly developed conflict it more than makes up for it in its honesty. It just leaves everything out there for viewers to see. Every element in the movie just speaks to the audience in a way a child would have spoken to a friend or a family member. It was as if everything about the film was flecked with pure curiosity and wonder, attitudes that people seemed to have lost by growing-up and being exposed to the extremely pragmatic and cynical reality of the world. What the film does then is to bring us back to a part of our life when we were just grateful for the day and are always amazed by the beauty that is the world.
50/50
My Personal Rating: 4/4
Directed by Jonathan Levine
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick
This film has two things going for it. First, with Seth Rogen in it, a person would expect that this would be a funny movie. Well, it is a funny film. It had plenty of light scenes that offered loud laughs and subtle giggles. The main characters also had amazing chemistry, especially Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anna Kendrick. They, as a couple just seemed so charming and natural. Also the banter between Seth’s character and Joseph’s exactly hit a balance of humor and sincerity. While watching them do their thing, you would laugh and be giddy sometimes but you will never really forget what is looming over them throughout the duration of the entire film.
The second good thing about this movie is that amidst its friendly and comedic face hides a work that is both deep and reflective. In a way, it is a trip that leads a person to look into his/her life and question if his/her priorities are really where they should be. It pointed out to people what really is important and essential. When facing the uncertainty of life and death, when the following day is a question of whether I will be alive or not, perspective is put into its straight path. It is not about what type of job a person does or how much he/she earns. The movie showcased magnificently that by the end of the day, life in its essence is truly about the people and everything else is just extra.
Beginners
My Personal Rating: 3/4
Directed by Mike Mills
Starring Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Melanie Laurent
Tragedy in one’s life and family is surely not a good thing. Heck, we make it a point to avoid them as much as possible. We strive at evasion despite the fact that all of us must go through that road in some way or another. However, it is really nice to keep in mind that despite this seeming black veil of tears and depression, there will eventually be something or someone to remove it and make you realize that being down and out was not really your thing. That for me was the entire point of the film, being lost in a sea of sadness, how bleak it may be, does not mean the end of everything. The contrary in fact is probably the truer statement. The peculiar yet more natural way of things is that out of this darkness is the seed of a new beginning. A start that not only helps you move on but also highlights the strength and will of an individual.
The movie showcases how ending a chapter leaves you distraught for a while yet inevitably allows you to grow and become more mature. It also features how misfortune and heartbreak unleashes the individual from the trap he himself created. If a person is just open-minded enough, tragedy may actually become the catalyst for him/her to further realize who he/she really is. In a way, tragedy is one of the ways to make a person realize how love really is. It is growth and the willingness to grow.
Our Idiot Brother
My Personal Rating: 3.5/4
Directed by Jesse Peretz
Starring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks and Zooey Deschanel
The film was simply meant to be enjoyed. The whole experience of watching it was fun and refreshing. A bit of escapist entertainment that offers laughs and respite from the daily hassles of everyday reality. It is the type of movie that makes you feel good inside and gives you the excuse to once again be naïve about the world and the people living in it.
The film showcases trust, devotion, relationships and unconditional love in its sweet and purest sense. It was a bit unrealistic, I will grant you that, but maybe that was the entire point. To make us remember that amidst the pragmatic, cut-throat and deceiving environment that we live in, there was a time that we actually believed that the world was really nice and honest. The film made us realize how we lost that purity and how a little of it back would bring us sunshine in an otherwise dreary and exhausting existence.
