BURNT

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I want to be a Chef !

REVIEWED

Many dont quite like Bradley Cooper in this movie. They said this is not one of his good film or even one of his worser ones. Well I dont agree. I would put him better in this one than the acclaimed American Sniper.

Again in this movie he acted with a familiar female co star. We all know BC and Jeniffer Lawrence in Silver Lining and also Joy. Now this one him and Sienna Miller. The last time with her was in American Sniper. Hard working Alicia Vikander is in here too thou small part. Emma Thompson was also around.

Now what I like about this movie is its pacing and editing and how it covers the works and duties of a chef. How passionate and competitive they are to reviewers and their works. How a chef can be the center of a restaurant commanding respects and admiration from his subordinates. 

BC who played Adam Jones is an interesting character. How is temperament got him into trouble in the first place but how he fought back to be the person who everyone wanted to be. He is the type who can scold his workers if he dont like what is presented to him or even throw things in the kitchen. Not only that he is also a perfectionist who is never satisfied with what his workers' work.These bad management practices are the things that made him not to be the best or always letting him down when he is on top.

Come to think of it, see how perfection they wanted for a food to be presented in terms of food arrangement, cleanliness beside the taste of course. But after watching this movie when they are shouting and swearing in the kitchen especially when right on top and in front of the food, dont you think thats being disrespectful to the customers ? That is just my thought no doubt. 

Anyway, this movie is a pleasant surprise to me and could even be kept in my archive. Yes it has the "hurray" feeling at the end for me. Maybe because of my hope that AJ could change for his own sake.

STILL ALICE

REVIEWED ONLY
This is a heartbreaking story of a woman by the name of Alice who at the age of 40 has a rare kind of genetic Alzheimer. It was passed from her father and could possibly effect her children and generations after that. Based from a book, I wonder if this is a true story or not

Julianne Moore who played Alice won awards for her believable portrayal. Other known actors involved were Alec Baldwin as her husband, Kristen Stewart and Kate Bosworth as her daughters.

Alice was creative in her preparation for the inevitable, why not as she was a professor. She even planned things ahead before her Alzheimer got worsen and that she would not be remembering anything

Watching this made us understand the survival of Alzheimer patients better. As Alice had put it, she does not suffer rather than try to survive her problem. How they forgot dates, names, places etc? How they lost their way even couldnt find the toilet in her own house.

Good portrayal of a sufferer and deserving winning her recognition for her works here. The movie did felt fast paced as it tried to develop other characters rather than hers alone, her family members in particular. Kristen Stewart was good as her youngest daughter, the one that she misunderstood but the one who would be there for her mother.

Good and touching movie to the heart contributed by powerful acting.

BLACK OR WHITE

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 REVIEWED 

This movie is inspired by true events starring notable actors like Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer and hardworking Falcon A Mackie. About 2 hours long its about grandfather Eliot (KC) fighting to have custody of his mixed blooded granddaughter from her father Reggie and his side of the family after his wife was killed in an auto accident. Its pretty ok for a family movie but could have been better. Since its based on true events, would not recommend how the story should have gone or what else can be in the film.

First glance of the movie, I could not have imagined how forgiving and tolerant was Eliot to her granddaughter's father Reggie or the other side of the family. Here you have a black guy of 23 (at that time) impregnating his daughter, not of love but of abuse, of 17 and then died during giving birth. For me, you can't question Eliot's attitude towards racism because he is as good as anybody can get. Despite all that happened to his daughter, he did not despise blacks (especially the father) and raise and loving the child (lucky Eloise) as thou nothing bad had happened. And yet in the court room the opponents lawyer racing the issue of racism (initiated by their lawyer who happened to be a relative) ! I couldn't agree with Eliot more when he brought up that it has got nothing to do with racism rather than his granddaughter's father attitude and character. Typical blackish character of the Reggie and yes when that is being questioned one would say that you are being racist.

Read that Kevin Costner financed the film partly (it was on a $9 million budget only) to play the part because he wanted to prove his point in real life by being Eliot in the film. 

The ending was rather tame and nothing much of a ummph kindda of stuff. But it did fine.

Elouise remind me of Tristan of current American Idol. In fact if there is a film about her, she could play her younger self :)

The judge being too lenient who allowed Eliot to give that long speech (thou good) from the stand. Real Judge would have stopped it and instructed the witness to answer Yes or No. Well that's why you call it a movie.

Octavia Spencer is rather young to play a grandmother but good acting make up for that. She even won award for this film. So did Eliot's wife also looks young. I thought she was his daughter when first seeing his first hallucination in the kitchen. Anyway, Eliot could be a younger grand dad and KC could be playing a younger character as his daughter give birth when she was merely 17.

Good family movie on the theme of racism or you thought this is about racism kindda of thing.

THE DANISH GIRL

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REVIEWED

What awesome acting this film has. Impressed with Eddie Redmayne (Hawkin) and Alicia Vikander (Ex Machinia). Q (James Bond) was also here but in a small role.

Now after seeing this, I stand corrected that AV gave a powerful acting performance than Bree Larson in Room. But on checking IMDB, AV is not in the leading actress category thou she felt like one (as vouched by IMDB) she is competing in the supporting role. Even ER competing as leading actor is argued by IMDB as he should be in the supporting role. Jokingly, he could have been in the supporting actress category !

OK I have said that about AV and so in my opinion is ER as best actor against overrated Leonardo DiCarpio in The Revenant. In the Oscar, Eddie will be competing against Damon, Cranston, Leonardo and Fassbender. I have seen all the films and my bet goes to ER ! Not bias as he already won as S Hawkins last year. Just like Tom Hanks with Philadelphia then Forrest Gump, 2 years in a row. The only argument that I can think of he would not be qualified as he played a woman ! But I think Dustin Hoffman won for Tootsie a number of years ago playing a woman.

Well thats for the oscar now lets talked about the film..

It is loosely based on a true story about one of the first transgender operation and this happened in the 1920s.

My complaint was why not the dog grew bigger as the story progresses. Maybe its a kindda of small dog which I dont think so.

My salute is for someone to have a wife like Greda who stood and support both Einar and Lili.

This is a film with powerful acting. See it also to understand identity crisis.True Oscar material this one.

REMEMBER

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REVIEWED 

An alternative title for this movie is the "Dementia Assassin" (pun intended)

This stars Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau. His son and the sheriff are familiar actors too.

This is a straight forward Man on a mission movie. The difference is that he is really old and he dont really remember who he is because of his health problem.

The movie is again straight forward. Thou it has many references to the Jews holocaust in Austria in the 2nd world war, it never go to flashback. They could have done that but it didnt. Wait until the end of the film and you realized why. Also who is the cunning one in the movie.

Watching the movie you could understand Dementia much better.

A watchable movie only 1 1/2 hr long. CP brought the character really well. Lovable character from the beginning till the end. The music was like a Hitchcock movie which blended well with the film. You tend to appreciate how old people (Warga Emas here) are being cared for when they are in public even by the children.   

Twist in the very end which I didnt expect, make sure finish watching this.

ROOM

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REVIEWED

This is a beautiful touching movie based on a book. Brie Larson won many awards for her role as Ma/Joy and possibly the Academy awards also (next month) which I have to differ. To me the real star of the movie is the son Jack (played by Jack Tremblay) for his bravery and intuitive to progress in life. Thou only 5 years old in the movie (10 years in real life), without him movie/real life , there would not be a story. Or the story will not be as effective as it would be. He should win awards.

Ok back to why Brie Larson should not win awards ahead of Cate Blachett or even A Vikander and others, her role is not strong enough, fullstop. She did her acting part as best as she can which is good acting.But its not Oscar material for me. But I havent seen Blanchett or Vikander's film yet. But I am sure their roles (both as lesbians !) would be powerful than Brie in Room.

Back to the movie. Lucky for both of them they have a very supporting GrandMa (Joan Allen) and unfortunately bad divorced Grandpa (Will H Macey). Nevertheless, salute to Grandma's boyfriend Leo for being there for them to get back to the real world.

Now what 1 thing I think could have make the difference when they are in the room ?

Those keypad autolocks have a certain sound for each keypad. I dont think old Nick change them often. So thorough the years Joy could have memorized and tried her way out. But she would not.

Anyway, I enjoyed watching this. Just wanted something different from DeadPool which I glad I saw this. Movie stood on excellent acting and intriguing story line.

SUM OF HISTORIES

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REVIEW

This movie is another take on time travel. So they say in the reviews I came across. I beg to differ. This is not about time traveling rather the ability that you can alert someone in your past... by email.

The concept may be funny but then when you think about people actually can travel to the past is funnier still. But scientifically the possibility occurring in this movie might be much more possible than the usual "time traveling" we saw in movies.

But a few things straight. The movie is not in English as it is a Belgian production. As expected non of the actors I know of. However, the copy has subtitles. However, the subtitles have many consistent typo errors. But you can make them out. My only complaint due to the need to glance at the subtitles, the concentration on the acting kind of lessen. Then this is not a high budget movie. But the technology that we could have 25 years from now was only shown in a bicycle that Victor rides and the LED board when he gave lectures. But the film is clever enough not to show the whole thing there is to show 25 years from now.

To me this story is very good with thick plot which you must understand and not loose your concentration. If you do then you may not understand the head and tail of the movie especially as it is not in English. This movie prove that you dont need high budget to make a good film. This film has the mysteries and the surprises all right.

Also prove that when it comes to some edge like this, one tend to think of making some money. This film didnt touched on Trading or Forex but on abstract art.

One of my complain is on the make up. The part when the Victor saw Tom at the present time (25 years on). Tom looks young and Victor older even with the make up. The production could find an older actor to play Tom rather than try to make up Tom to be older which did not quite pull off.

Good movie at only 1hr 20mins. Sufficient to have your brain cells working thinking what this film is all about.

SECRET IN THIER EYES

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Link corrected 12Feb16 
Copy upgraded to BlueRay

REVIEWED

This movie definitely has star power with Ejiofor, Kidman and Roberts. It would not miss the target that far even if it did with the heavyweights in this. Its not an action movie thou there were shootings, punching and chasing, the scenes are mere essential and not to thrill you. Anyway those are brief ones but nicely done. The production is good with frequent flashbacks between current and what happened 12 years ago when 911 had just happened.

Acting....

Expect acting from heavy weights and you are not disappointed. NK got the least heavy acting but she did the best she could on the parts her charms was required. Still a babe in this one. Good to see her in modern times rather than the 30's in "Queen of the Desert". JR on the other hand is no more a babe. Definitely she was in character with less or no make up. But her acting was effective as expected very intense and absorbed in some scenes. CE as good as always and his part was not wasted. He sure looks like a guy with 13 years of regrets and revenge.

Thou this was done ok, the flashback between present and 12 years back got me confuse at times. Your que for the flashback is not film discoloration or frame effects but just on their hairs - receding, different style and white hairs. There's no indication when the scene changes timeline. Its your intelligence to switch or stitch between the two timeline. Not too difficult but if you dont concentrate it may spoil your focus on the film.

The story is based from a book and some sort of a remake from a foreign film. So hard for the director to get creative with the story line but stick it as it is.

The movie can be draggy at time but good acting save the day. Stay till the end when you expect everything was already over. Whats reveal can be a surprise on what the hell did happen ?

You will be disappointed if you hope this is a cop thriller movie. Its a fine drama needing concentration to watch and not get confuse.

SPOTLIGHT

PreREVIEW
8.6 on IMDB one of my awaiting film before 2015 closes. Hulk, Birdman and SabreTooth all in here but in human form. Dont forget Rachael McAdams too. Will give a watch and give review fast as possible.

REVIEWED
Got to see this film which went on to the wee hours of the morning. It is only a bit more than 2 hours. Definitely the few breaks in between for food and toilets, extended the time spent.
Before watching this, other than the review, had watched Chris Stuckman's review of the film giving it an "A" which is as good as Star Wars TFA. Of course you cant compare them both as they are in different genre. This film has more stars than one could count. Billy Kudrup was there too so does that guy from CSI. So there is no complaining about the acting. Like movies basing on true stories they got to keep it to the facts which I think they did. Like CS said, they dont look like acting rather than being reporters. That I agree except for Mark Ruffalo who at time blowing his top. Not over acting but his character required that. He looked skinnier with an accent as he is Portugese.
Yes the film is great if you are in the genre of course. But here are two main points I am raising.

1. Reporters who did their jobs to the best they can
They dont care about money nor recognition but finding and telling the truth. Nor can they be bribed or intermediated or threatened. At that time (2001-2002) internet was just starting out so the print version of their papers was vital in passing of information. Hand phones were already around but smart phone which help the spreading of news still aint. These are people who carry the responsibility and integrity of reporters. If we have reporters like them, our country aint shitty like it is right now. Amin. In the movie even the lawyers  and police asked the reporters where were they (reporters) when it began (the scandal is nothing new)

2. Take a look at the church institution
It should take the public by storm that the people you seek for guidance and teachings particularly for your kids are actually the devil who tormenting them. Its not merely a Boston problem as it is a US problem it is the world's own problem. This film should open the eyes, if it dont than you are either blind or deaf.

Kudos is actually with the new editor (Liv) of the Boston Globe because he was the one who initiated the story and backed it all the way until it was published.

BRIDGE OF SPIES

REVIEWED
This is one of my awaited movies of the year. Not about the action or special effects but on the drama and the acting. Directed by Spielberg and starred Tom Hanks at 2hr 20 mins long; it didnt feel that long. Its based on a true story about Donnovan (TH character) who from an insurance agent became a reluctant criminal lawyer to a skillful negotiator. Set after WW2 what can you expect to take place ? I am sure some parts cannot be real yet such as how fast and easy for Donnovan to call his wife in New York from Germany on a pay phone ! But the film feels real. Thumbs up !
BTW theres one thrill scene which was amazing during the spy plane shot down.

THE BUTLER

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PreREVIEW
An "old" movie of 2013 but noted to be good with good IMDB ranking with Whitaker and Oprah in it.

A matter of faith

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PreReview
The girl in the screen capture looks nice.
Sypnosis : A Christian girl goes off to college for her freshman year and begins to be influenced by her popular Biology professor who teaches that evolution is the answer to the origins of life.

End Of The Tour

This movie could be great with rating of 7.9 (wtf!) ! on imdb. The cast are good too - Jason Segel (How i met your mother (TV) and other forgettable movies) with Jesse Eisenberg (Social Network and the upcoming Lex in Batman vs Superman). Choose to see definitely.

 REVIEW
This is a true drama about a journalist who is also a so so writer following while interviewing another writer on his last book tour. It happened in 5 days (from imdb), quarrel along the way on very petty and misunderstanding matters but parted away as friends. Then 12 years Wallace (interviewee played by Segal) shot himself. So this is Lipsky (Jesse/interviewer) flashback of that interview.
Its a drama and a lot of yikity yak. Whats important to absorb oneself in this kinda of movie is to get the conversation and ponder on its meaning. Anyway, Wallace seem to be a great writer having written a book thats over 1,000 pages long and yet people buys and read it.
It also tell how friendship built in the course of knowing another person that one admired but due to a work project. Segal was different in this one thou he always play characters that try to be funny but not so funny. Jesse like his usual self. Wonder in real life is the contrast in height of both of them are for real ?
Good film if you expect the film to go this way. Also tells you how an interviewer operates.  Anyway he attended 8 years of interviewing degree (for real or joke ?)
Out of context, are houses in the US built like the one in the movie ? By the roadside with very large window with only glass no fence or grill. What no crimes expected ? 

Chleo and Theo

I saw this tonite thinking it was another movie. Short for normal length at just 1.21 (plus credits). Its a simple story with beautiful sceneries in between. The strength lies in the script where one that caught my ear was "you build cars but they dont move" (or something like that). This refers to the traffic jams. Other poetic quotes are direct from Bruce Lee.
Dakota Johnson can act and could be the prettiest homey around. Mira Sorovino does not age that much as compared when she appeared on TV series "Stalker".

Love, Rosie

Love this movie and finished it in 1 sitting ! The dissapointment after dissapointment of both rosie and alex is much more than "southpaw". Good british movie something like "love actually"

Bravetown

Some happenings really not real

Rudderless

Effective and the music was great especially sing along