NikkoFranco

This film made me wonder about a few things, first - if Sasha Baron Cohen aka Ali G got the role would the story be much different from the version that it is now with Rami Malek, second- if Freddie Mercury was diagnosed at a later phase would he have survive to live today as is the case with Magic Johnson? , third - if the second case was true would Freddie approve of the " sanitized " version of his biopic. This film will make both Queen fans and non fans cry. Yes, I cry for the reason that there is no music like that today anymore, let alone no one can perform like Freddie and sounds brilliant as Freddie. As an impressionable student during the 80s, I have vivid memories of the Live Aid broadcast and the shock I had as a very gaunt Freddie performed with Queen onstage. I also vividly recall the scandals, gossips from former lovers, partners. Most of all , I am one of those millions who cried when Freddie passed on. Fast forward to twenty plus years later, now a middle aged person, I saw the remaining Queen members two years ago with Adam Lambert. There is a genuine longing for Freddie as there is only a legendary Freddie. This film will remind die hard fans how fast time flies. Rami Malek is stellar in his performance considering for a young actor he also acquired the nuances and movements. Solid internalization for someone who might have vague recollections of the band. Well written story for the big screen albeit cut short in some parts. Must see for 70s, 80s and real rock music lovers.

If you're a Marvel fan, you will certainly enjoy this film. The first fifteen minutes is not as seamless as other Marvel offerings when it comes to the character introduction but when the pace picks up, one can't help but guffaw at the funny lines and the action scenes which even though not as original as expected, it still provides adrenaline rush to the viewer. Tom Hardy fits the " sweet loser" role to a T. The main cast also delivered good, only noticeable that Riz Ahmed seems to be typecasted to roles as young billionaires who have grand schemes in their heads. All in all, seeing Tom Hardy as the reporter Eddie with an internal symbiote forming inside of him, becoming him, anti-hero sort of hero character will kind of remind you of people you might see or even know, whose attention seems elsewhere and there's a dialogue with himself and another version of himself talking to each other. The entertainment value is relatively high and recommendable to a wide audience.

For some reason , Billy Bob Thornton always gets casted as a lawyer, not just a lawyer, but a brilliant and tortured soul at that. In this series that can be viewed through Amazon, he plays a lawyer who is divorced, who fell from grace , who is constantly at odds with himself and an accidental semi-partner and his daughter and the top guns from his former firm he helped established where his ex-wife is still in the snake pit. Billy Bob playing McBride is like his second skin, as flawed and humane as he can be but very principled nonetheless . A born troublemaker one can also say. Maria Bello portrayed the ex-wife character to the hilt as in one of the most hilarious scenes where Billy Bob finds out in shock and in a not so sophisticated manner, that his ex-wife is in bed with another of their female colleagues and not a man as he assumed is very entertaining to watch, one will guffaw at the big reveal. This is a highly recommended show and here's hoping it doesn't get nipped in the bud.

Guillermo del Toro has built a formidable reputation as a director over the years, however I have some reservations about this film; First- When I saw the trailer for this film, I was reminded of the childhood classic " The Creature from the Black Lagoon " and " Children of a Lesser God " meets a gloomy little mermaid kind of familiarity sort of impression. Second- some of the actors have no character development so the viewer is left with the predictable protagonists outsmart the antagonists kind of pace. Of Olivia Spencer and Richard Jenkins , I can only say that these two are engaging actors albeit underrated most of the times. They are the most relatable actors in this film entirety as well. For some reason Sally Hawkins as the deaf mute can not elicit empathy from my general viewer's senses. This is because she lacks in her performance here the raw expressiveness that goes through an actor's eyes in a role like hers so that the lack of dialogue is not translated into intangible chemistry with the creature as was intended to be. It's either you kinda hate this film or you kinda like it. But it's not the unforgettable type and will not make one stop eating fish immediately.

I find it personally a pity, that this series is only available through Amazon as I think it should have been seen by a wider audience. Set in the early 60s and based on the book with the same title, this show is about an imaginary scenario if the Third Reich and the Japanese Imperial Army succeeded in their propaganda, ideologies and empire expansion , what could have been the state of affairs in the world ? Will you be in a constant paranoia or will you bend to the powers that may be? Utopia in Dystopia? For a small subversive group trying to spread the message that everything you see is based on lies, what will you do knowing there's eyes and ears everywhere? This is an intriguing show full of beginners and established actors wherein sometimes there's lack of emotion where there's supposed to be one but nonetheless forgiveable because of the unpredictable and interesting plot. Definitely intelligent and memorable.

This series is interconnected with The Iron Fist and Jessica Jones so the characters reappear and surface on all three separate series. To give this show merit where it deserves it should be based on the originality. They're from Harlem so there's not much pretentious vibe going on or high fallutin dialogue but rather Harlem as it is. Dark, brooding, sexy. At times some episodes are predictable but having said that it doesn't mean it misses on the action part. It is still a good watch and entertaining for the way it is. The club scenes features every now and then forgotten soul singers which also adds glitter to the show. If you're a Marvel fan you'll most likely forgive the flaws.

Deadpool fans have been waiting for this sequel, and yes , there is no deviation from the foul language, parody, cheesy one liners, hilarious one liners, action, laughter, tears and yes, drama! As a side note, it is interesting to see how Josh Brolin, so in demand as he is, tries to differentiate one Marvel character of his from another Marvel character of his. There are some tints but maybe that's the entire point as this is not the glossy, intense superhero like the first one , which many of the lead actors already portrayed in the past so there will be some mild confusion at one point. Indeed a new group of oddballs anti super anti super super anti heroes, it is entertaining and childish fun.

So the Wachowskis fulfilled their promise to Sense8 fans for a final, bombastic episode. As it is filled with beautiful colors and sceneries, it is sad to bid our goodbyes to these extraordinary humans who are bound by pain and love. It is a drumful of action and suspense, although one might be able to predict what happens next, it is still a guessing game what might happen in the end and it is a relief that the octagonal siblings by spirit survived, although , near finale there are some unexpected moments. In the final scènes where Nomi's mother finally learned to accept her for what she is, it is clear, Sense8 Finale ( and the entire show) is conveying the message of acceptance and diversity. The sex scène is , for me, hilarious and a bit cliché yet sexy at the same time. It is for the fans so need I say more?

I went to the movie theatre with my husband with very little expectations about this film and left feeling even less enthusiastic about it. The points I have given are for the effects and for Margot Robbie's acting. She's a tad exaggerated as Harley Quinn but appealing in her effort to justify her role. The rest of the squad looked like they had all been hired the last minute and did it for the obvious reason, in dollar signs. If there's a chance for you to watch it for free and you ain't got nothing to do then it's your risk. I normally don't regret anything but having spent my money on this ho-hum movie , I mentally crucified myself for that .

No one argues about the ingenuity of Steven Spielberg , if you first saw this film in the 90s, it is guaranteed you probably left the cinema in tears. It is brilliantly dramatized and shot , the actors shine , no doubt. However , some months later I read a lengthy article from Schindler's widow contradicting the veracity of Spielberg's film version of the events and then Spielberg even being interviewed admitting that he felt ashamed not having done more research hence my changed perspective about the film. As to what extent can we stretch the viewer's imagination to elicit empathy considering that this is a reboot of a film released ten years earlier. Ben Kingsley can take any role with his versatility so his underacting as the accountant deserves more accolade. Ralph Fiennes as the brutal officer is theatrical and Liam Neeson pulls off a surprise as Schindler.

This film recently is available on Netflix so it is always worth the try. Luc Besson is a director who seems to be from outer space because like many of his past films one will find no shortage of the outlandish, the hilarious and the vibrant colors, so maybe he takes a lot of inspiration from his dreams when going on holidays voila, giant seashells on a planet far away. Given the fact that Cara Delevingne is a model turned actress, I find the acting passable -as Laureline however she and the title role actor, Dane de Haan as Valerian have more of a sibling chemistry than lovers so there are points that come across as bland so the viewer does not sympathize nor feel with them. The intergalactic creatures, some Avataresque, some Star Warsy artsy , some remind you of something from another film are such a visual treat specially from the starting 15 minutes of the film because it is as if a Pantone color chart dream guide came to life. It helps that the soundtrack is so right on track with David Bowie's Space Oddity as it at least engages the viewer to try give this film a chance.

Personally I have too many favorite films from Russel Crowe , with lesser known roles coming to mind but this movie makes it to my Top 5 Russel Crowe films because of his flawless, as in flawless portrayal of a math genius who is battling paranoia. It only takes a bit of a push button from " conspirators' and his powerful imagination to create a mental havoc that takes its toll on him. Jennifer Connelly is also magnetic as the wife. This film is as beautiful and sad as it can be.

Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking is brilliant. This biopic has given the layman an illustration of the universe master, Stephen Hawking, how he was as a child,as a student, as a lover, as a husband and as everything. For those of us who are in awe of Stephen and his works, this film is a pretty close depiction of the man and his defiance of his debilitating condition which makes us all wonder if he could have lived longer to see some of his theories proven true. An awesome, humbling film.

When this film was released there was a lot of viewers who didn't understand what the purpose was. Instead of purpose , the viewer is advised to just watch the story unfold because there is stellar deliverance from many of the actors here e.g. Julianne Moore as an aging B movie actress, William H. Macy as the obsessed husband , Burt Reynolds as the sleazy producer. As a 70s child, I have a deep acceptance that the rules were not that defined and there's this transition from the flower power to the hippie era where the borders of sex are oftentimes too open and too easy to abuse. There is escapism to easy money but at the same time aspiration to make it better. Philip Seymour Hoffman is true to form as member of the film crew who lusts after Dirk Diggler ( Mark Wahlberg) . An entertaining film with sublime life lessons and heart-poking moments.

Maybe the producers intended the double pun with the title , a small gathering or a political party or another person, it is brought to immediate attention that with a limited number of people in a room, this is like a stage play except it is on film ( so one can choose to pause or stop if you watch it on home movie channels). With just seven people interacting melodramatically and theatrically with each other ( perhaps the producers were inspired by Glengarry Glenross ) with revelations about sickness, pregnancies, cheating, lying plus plus , it is just a matter of time before someone meets a tragic end. This film has not maximized its potential perhaps because it comes across overdone.

When I use the word weird, it doesn't necessarily mean weird-bad, coz I also see people use weird-beautiful, weird-crazy and they mean it in a positive way. For me it's just weird-weird leaning on the not so positive side of the scale. I am not sure if the people behind this film want to be classified as avant-garde but somehow stopped in the middle of the delivery , like someone who is delivering a wedding cake but claims to have a bumpy road as an excuse for a botched cake. With Paul Rudd portraying the thug as best as he could and Matthias Schoenaerts in the title role as the Mute, theirs is an oddball combination like spaghetti served with cranberry sauce, either one is very hungry or very experimental to give it a two thumbs up. If you're an insomniac - this film will act as your medicine for the night.

If there are viewers out there who have seen Cloud Atlas ( with Tom Hanks) or even Robocop reboot and original ( the reboot has also Joel Kinnaman in it) or Blade Runner or Universal Soldier, you will find the similarity in concept and ideas in here. Beware of your attention span watching this show otherwise you will get tuned out at one point, and this should be attributed to the fact that there are too many sub-characters and sub-plots which might be intended for cliffhangers or inconclusive open-end strategy thus leaving many viewers either dozing off or disappointed. Stunning visuals, punkish, rebellious , eclectic. If you watch but is not expecting sustained high paced action each time, you will appreciate this show whether you read the books or not.

With films coming at an AK 47 rate, seldom will an audience encounter anything like Alien ( all sequels are still as terrifying ) with all the gut-ripping, face-locking, seemingly more intelligent than humans creatures in a spaceship destined for doom. However , it is also interesting to note that Sigourney Weaver immortalized the character, Dr Ellen Ripley. When something is new, be it anything , a toy, a car, books , films - our curious nature is always triggered , with Alien our imagination and fear of what's out there has been called to the surface. A lot of cast members here went on to establish film careers as a result. If you're not a scaredy cat, this film must be in your library.

Anne Rice has written a real good book. But as a universal dilemma of book stories being adapted into the screen, there's always the danger of interpretation and it will either by abhorred or adored by those who read the novel. Such is the case with this film because in some parts , it was mellow acting and one can't help but miss the intense fear when reading it. The performances of Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and the young Kirsten Dunst borders on the forgettable for I can not recall a scène that has left its imprints on me. Watch it for the reason that you might be asking yourself the same question, what is the purpose of an eternal life?

The women who gushed to see this film are accused of objectifying the strippers, well, when men ogle at films with lap or pole dancers, no one says a thing. This is sadly a double standard world and if we can also look at the small dreams of a male stripper who has a daytime job at a construction site ( Channing Tatum) who recruited a colleague ( Alex Pettyfer) and gets smitten with the latter's sister, the viewer is not isolated solely on the club rather presented a plausible story of holding onto your dreams whatever the means may be. Matthew McConnaughey in my eyes has a devilish , hilarious face that he must have carried on from his romcom days. The coaching scène in the dance studio left me in stitches. This is an entertaining film though geared towards the ladies didn't give any warning indicating that the men can't enjoy this film as well.

There are three unfolding stories in this film from different perspectives. If you are the type of viewer who can't take harsh, brutal reality that in many parts of the world not everyone has a picture perfect home. How the lives of these people intersected with each other because of a dog ( a Rottweiler at that ) , the resulting complications and the brutality of the characters makes this film special, it is not your run of the mill storytelling. Gael García Bernal young as he was when I first saw this film has already potential to become a respected actor.

There is such an ambience in this film reminiscent of the great Charlie Chaplin, because what we did not hear from him, we understood through his expression and gestures. Here it is the eyes and enigmatic contact with the viewer that gave us the understanding of what goes on inside a troubled boxer's mind . As a boxing fanatic myself I have always wondered about the fall and rise of many boxers knowing that many of them , if not all , are from rags to riches. Dare I warn that this film is not like Rocky at all, so spin your expectations in another direction and let this film get into you, like it did with the heart of the viewer.

Loving the Beatles, loving George Harrison and his individual music and him as the separate artist from the Fab Four and loving Martin Scorsese and his method of directing is what this documentary sums up to me. There is such awe in watching old clips of George and the Fab Four sewn together with some never seen before footages to produce this special . But this also clearly shows that George , like many old school rocker is past the money and fame wagon but is more on to a higher ground of spiritual search for enlightenment. On a parallel level, the story about the evolution of the FF4 is also told, with recollections from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Indeed in one part, the narration has focused on the lyrics of the song While My Guitar Gently Weeps, because for me it is a bullseye description of how the four of them must have felt for each other when they tried to pick up where they left., as I tried imagining being in their shoes countless times. There is no turning back and two of them FF4 are long gone. For documentaries, rock and roll nostalgia and legendary music lovers, this is a highly recommended watch.

If you loved F.Scott Fitzgerald , then you will love this film. This is because the portrayal from the book to film is excellent. It has wonderful cinematography and special effects, moreover, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett have galactic chemistry on screen . What is of prime interest to viewers is the reversed-aging process of Benjamin , who was born old and hideous and was dumped by his rich father at an orphanage where the kind lady raised him as his own. He has seen the elderly die , heard them tell out of this world stories, until slowly it became evident that Benjamin Button is the opposite of all of us- he gets younger literally as time goes by. Nowadays I always hear men when complimented on their new haircut or after shaving, " I am Benjamin Button " , the common phrase that is born out of this excellent , heartbreaking movie.

Many a younger generation asked me why is a virus called a Trojan Horse, for those who love Homer or had some Greek mythology subjects, it is a no-brainer and we know why. This film is adapted from the tale about the lovelorn Paris and Helen- the face that launched a thousand ships. But it has been given some imaginative adaptations that Achilles became the center of the story. For all the ladies out there flocking to the cinema because there's finally an excuse to see Brad Pitt again , this time pumped up, rugged, muscular, glistening in sweat it's worth the wait and weren't disappointed. Resplendent cast of actors and as the story narrator, the reliable Sean Bean. Entertaining and admirable.