Movie Review: The Giver 2014 *Knowing Can Change Everything*

Intriguing title… I just wondered what this would be about. (I get that curious most times). So I decided to check this movie out. The trailer I had seen before going to watch this movie was quite….should I say boring or not promising. Either which way i was still willing to spend 97mins of my time to see this Sci-Fi Drama with an intriguing title…… Here are views on it.

The Giver…plays out a story based on a book by Lois Lowry, about a perfect world were everyone is happy without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice. A young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man (who happens to be the community’s holder of memories) about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world that includes sadness, war and all the unhappy truths of human nature. Confronted by this new reality this boy is introduced to, he faces difficult choices about his own life and the future of the entire community.

I know you are bored already…..Yes, I agree the whole story sounds boring and almost clearly something most people wouldn't be interested in. Unless you are a Movie freak like me. 

This title starred Jeff Bridges, Meryl Steep, Alexandar Skarsgård, Katie Holmes and Brenton Thwaites(Oculus & Maleficent).Not the usual widely known cast or fan favorites that most people look out for when they go see a movie. But they did deliver and I can’t think of anything bad about the way they embodied the characters they played. Oh…how could I forget the small cameo role from one of my sweethearts Taylor Swift. 

For something that was based on a book I feel it was too cliché making a movie like this… especially at this time when there are already a few Science Fiction franchises building ground. Yes… from the start of the movie all I could think about was The Hunger games and Divergent. The first few scenes with the narrative from the lead role Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) had so much of feel of those two movies I mentioned. It exuded another futuristic perspective very quiet similar to those two movies. Then I was beginning to wish I wasn't going to watch this movie…. but then I had already started and I just had to see my self through…. hoping for something unexpected to make The whole experience worthwhile.

I noticed that the movie started in black and white… confusing. A future in black and white? I thought it was a technical error or something of that sort…. But later on as I followed the story I got to understand the reason for this “Futuristic” story starting in black and white. Yes, the use of black and white with color later on did add a layer of depth to this story. In my books that was well played. But sadly enough those who might not be paying attention to the movie as it unfolds might not get this. The main story line of the movie or should I say the book itself is not something easy to figure out. (Paying attention makes everything simple). It wouldn't be a good Scifi if it was plain and easy to understand. 

Yes… I said GOOD. To my own surprise I ended up enjoying this movie more than I anticipated I would after the first few minutes in. Think about all the human emotions and imagine life without them. You would only understand me better after you have watched this movie. That is why I would rate it an average 5/10 which I think is fair. 

I didn't like the romance that was fused with the story though… not that I have so much disdain for love stories… but this one seemed too awkward for me. As much as I agree it also added some depth to the story I just didn't like it. Evidently this movie can’t be compared to The Hunger games and Divergent and can’t even stand toe to toe with them… but it did pack a little smidge of action to climax it which I feel was a thumbs up considering how otherwise boring my 97mins would have been without it. Everyone likes a bit of action. I In this case too much of it would have been unnecessary. I would love to read the book this movie was based on someday though.

I would certainly recommend this movie for anyone who wants to kill sometime provided that they are willing and ready to pay attention (Otherwise what’s the need) as the story unfolds. 

If you don’t like to pay attention this one is most definitely not for you.

You would love this movie….. Regardless of how boring it might seem. Take my word for it. 

Besides … I feel this title gives off a very thought provoking message…. 

We need the bad to be able to enjoy the good. 

You should go see this movie…. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Click Here to Watch Trailer]

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Movie Review: Lucy 2014 *Power of The Brain*

Ok so I finally got the chance to go watch Lucy. I know my review is late anyways but I am still going to share my thoughts on it.

I had seen a couple of pre –release date trailers and behind the scenes and nothing wowed me enough to make me so interested and eager in seeing this title. Well… I was curious about how this story would be told but I wasn't really interested. I had no expectations going to watch this movie.

Lucy tells the story of a woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal that turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic. 

One of my girlfriends (I wish) Scarllet Johansson plays Lucy. It also stars Morgan Freeman and a host of Asian and French cast.

I must say I was impressed with the story line of this movie….what I would describe as lovely cocktail of Sci-Fiction and thrill garnished with some Action. 

The story reminded me of one the hits of 2011, Limitless which starred Bradley Cooper. Just like Lucy they both talk about how a mysterious drug/pill that unlocks the full potential of the human brain. Apparently, us humans are only able to utilize up to 10% of the capabilities of our brains and anything beyond that is super human. (According to science… me I don’t know). Might sound silly to most people but it is quite informative… A movie that is informative is enough to keep me seated from start to finish. In this case… for 89mins. Another short movie by my standards… 89mins… is that all? Come on!!!

Either which way I would say the movie was OK. My girlfriend (Scarllet Johansson) played a role quite different yet a bit similar to her most famous role of Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff from the Avengers… and she best suited the character. No other person comes to mind that could have done a much better job. (Innocent yet lethal). 

It wasn't much of a big budget movie (40,000,000 USD) but it did deliver in terms of location setting and visual effects. Nothing too fancy/outrageous or minimal/mediocre….just right in between. We have seen movies that worked on a much bigger budget but still flopped as a result of outrageous visual effects. 

I just didn't like that I had seen a movie with a similar story and the repetition to me was almost a huge turn off. The biggest down side for this movie was the huge absence of action sequences. Well there were a few but…. they were not enough for me. I was expecting to see more gun fights and Scarllet kicking some ass. I didn't see enough of these to impress me on that side. That explains why it was that short. The ending too… (some way bi)… just left me asking “What happens next?”. I don’t think there would be a sequel to this movie (I would be surprised if there is)….But I feel the climax was a bit too more like….”figure it out for yourself” kind of. 

That is why I would rate this movie 5/10. Obviously, because I might have learnt a thing or two from it. Its’s certainly not one of those Sci-Fi movies that is more lies than facts.

If you haven’t seen Lucy yet ……You should… Good movie to de-stress with and certainly worth 89mins of your time. It still showing in cinemas.

Lucy: We've codified our existence to bring it down to human size, to make it comprehensible, we've created a scale so we can forget its unfathomable scale.

[Click Here To Watch Trailer]

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Top Five: Favorite Horror Movies of All Time

New job so I am still trying to adjust to my new schedule…. (Yh right)… But another blog post is finally here, Enjoy.

Horror…. This is one of the many genres for classifying movies. I had always wondered what qualifies a movie to fall under this genre and I have always guessed… “If it scares you enough, then it’s Horror”. 

These movies most often play around our hidden fears, nightmares, fear of the unknown or the unexpected to give you a thrill. Movie writers most often just infuse the idea of an evil force or supernatural entity, event, personality or situations into other wise everyday scenarios to achieve this.

I have seen many titles under this genre….the kinds that just leave you scared and afraid to sleep with your lights turned off, the kinds that just mess with your head and confuses you, those that make you know you are not supposed to trust anyone no matter the circumstances (my favorite) and the strange kinds that leave you asking “Can this really happen?”. 

Ok so in no particular order (Well except release years)…. these are my TOP Five Horror Movies of all time. 

1. Child’s Play [1988] 87mins

A serial killer on the escape from cops takes his soul and buries it into playful, seemingly good guy doll, Chucky. A single mother gives her son a beloved doll for his birthday, only to discover that it is possessed only after it has committed numerous murders. Once the adults accept boy’s story as truth, it's too late.

Starring: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent and Brad Dourif

I remember first watching this when I was quiet little on VHS … but I never forgot it…. It scared some sense into me. There are several equally good sequels (five) to this (the writers did build quite a franchise) and I have seen them all but the first one can’t seem to get out of my head. If you like dolls … you should see this movie. (You might just change your mind about them). I really want to watch this one again.

My name is Chucky, Do you wanna play?

[Click Here to Watch Trailer]

2. Final Destination [2000] 98mins

A group of students board a plane to France on a school trip, when suddenly one of them gets a premonition that the plane will explode. They are thrown off the plane before it takes off, to their horror, the plane does in fact explode. Death now hunts them, as each of the surviving students fall victim and dies in some strange circumstances one by one. 

Starring: Devon Sawa, Ali Later, Kerr Smith, Tony Todd and Roger Guenveur Smith

Honestly, I don’t know how this movie manages to scare this much…. Maybe it is the fear of death by unknown circumstances. All the other four installments that follow this one are indeed intriguing. It sure does mess with your mind a bit if you let. You might have seen one or two of the Final Destination movies but to get a better thrill of the whole series you have to see this one as well as all the others you might have not seen.

[Click Here to Watch Trailer]

3. Jeepers Creepers [2001] 90mins

A brother and sister driving home witness a mysterious person dumping something down a tunnel. Deciding to discover what was dumped down there; they discover a huge disturbing hideout full of modified bodies and set off to get help, unaware that the individual is now aware of who has been down the tunnel. They soon realize that their pursuer is not just a mysterious person, but something even more horrifying, who has more in store than they could possibly imagine.

Starring: Justin Long, Gina Philips, Jonathan Breck and Peggy Sheffield

I really loved this movie even though it did its job of scaring me (the idea of horror flick). The creature’s looks are definitely impressive. There was a follow up sequel to this one that I liked also… and that soundtrack Jeepers Creepers would definitely give you the chills each time you hear it after watching this movie.

[Click Here to Watch Trailer]

4. Saw [2004] 103mins

Two men wake up to find out that they are chained to pipes set facing each other in a dirty bathroom in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to survive and win the deadly game set for them.

Starring: Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover, Ken Leung and Tobin Bell

This movie has seven installments and there are already rumors about an eighth. The first saw was definitely a flick you can’t forget, unfortunately, for me, follow up sequels seemed to have diluted the adrenaline that the first two or three packed. But either which way…..once you get to understand the whole idea of the movie you are sure going to love it. It packs some gory scenes so be prepared for it… that is if you haven’t seen this one or any of the others in the series. There are so many twists to the story so doesn't just scare you but keeps you interested as well.

[Click Here to Watch Trailer]

5. The Hills Have Eyes [2006] 107min

A family travelling through the great American southwest but their trip takes a detour into an area originally used by the U.S. Government for nuclear testing that was intended to be empty...or so they thought? They are stranded and the family soon realize that what seemed like a car casually breaking down, might actually be a trap. This trap might be perpetrated by the inhabitants of the site who aren't pulling a prank, but are out to set up a gruesome massacre.

Starring: Ted Levine, Kathleen Quinlan, Dan Byrd, Billy Drago and Robert Joy

This is one of those “Run for your life and try to Survive” kind of horror flick. It is actually the remake of 1977’s The Hills Have Eyes which I haven’t seen. Would love to though….considering how much I enjoyed the scare and thrill of this one. There is also a follow up sequel to this that I enjoyed as much. It’s the disturbing type of gruesome killings but definitely provides some adrenaline rush….well it did that for me. If you don’t have the stomach for bloody scenes this isn't for you.

[Click Here to Watch Trailer]

Ok so... there you are…. My Top five Horror Movies of all time. 

They might not do it for you as much as they did for me but these are certainly some good horror titles that I have enjoyed and would recommend for any one who loves the genre but hasn't yet seen these. Other equally good movies that narrowly made it to my Top Five include, Drag me To Hell, Mama, The Conjuring, The Last Exorcism, Orphan, Insidious, Chernobyl Diaries and Hostel. 

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Review: Suits TV Series *Two Lawyers One Degree* No Spoilers.

I have always found it difficult to nurture any interest in TV shows and series. I have always preferred watching the same movie more that ones (Mostly 3 times in a row if it is that good) over following a TV series. Well…. A couple of times I have done my best to follow a few but…. to me they have always lacked the extra punch to keep me dazed and hooked for more than the first few episodes. Yeah, up until I found Suits… I didn't know what to expect and I didn't have any high hopes either, I gave it a shot and  4 seasons with 54 episodes down and I am still hooked and can’t seem to get enough of it. 

The 90mins pilot of the whole series was enough to interest me….

While running from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) a brilliant college dropout out with a photographic memory manages to slip into a job interview with Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) who happens to be one of New York’s best lawyers and manages to impress him with his raw talent and knowledge of the law even though he had never been to law school. Harvey takes a huge gamble and hires him; together they form an unstoppable team.

Yeah… sounds ridiculous but that is the underlining plot of this series that goes on to reveal many more equally intriguing sub plots and stories over the cause of it’s 4 seasons (So far) with the aid of several well written characters taking into consideration different human characteristics and personalities.

I had read some reviews from critics who felt that the series was not going to last more than a season because it was either too complex of too ridiculous. Two seasons in, there where unconfirmed reports that it would be discontinued. (Imagine my shock) Allegedly the producers felt that it was not gaining enough following. It went on a long break, the writers did some magic and it came back with a huge bang. (I thank God it did)

Besides the underlying plot which is the center of the whole series you get to see allegiances forged, friendships tested, betrayals, blackmails, heartbreaks as well as some kick ass moments. I don’t think there is any other series out there that packs all these in a good bundle of humor that is not just entertaining but very educative and informative as well. (I am always impressed when I get to learn something from the titles I watch). The cast I must say all ‘suit’ the characters they play… from expressing emotions to even fully embodying the character. Aside a few minor individual flaws I haven’t watched any other series that packs such a perfect cast… You could almost feel the synergy and chemistry between them.

The dialogue is always clear and clever. And you can never get tired of the Witt and humor. The suits…mehn….you have got to love the suits. The characters seem to never run out of style and suave… the fashion is always stepped up.

Story lines have been on point so far….  Almost always predictable to some extent (if you are paying attention, that is) but never lacks the usual unexpected twists that keep you on edge waiting for the next episode. You never get lost or caught up with some unnecessary law jargon's or technicalities so it’s easy to follow along as events unfold. 

Season Four has been a magnificent ride for me and any one who is as hooked as I am would definitely agree me.

We have seen Mike Ross try to succeed as an investment banker, well… with a bit of a mean streak, his relationship with Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle) (Mikes love interest) being tested, a not so cold side to Harvey, an unexpected love interest for Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres), Donna’s (Sarah Rafferty) hidden passion  and a climax with Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman) turning the heat all the way up. We have also seen some new characters (Played by some equally good actors like Eric Roberts and Neal McDonough) who have also added depth to the whole story.

If you want a TV series that properly incorporates legal matters into all aspects of human nature yet is still entertaining enough to keep you wanting more then this is for you. It’s currently on summer break so you can start and catch up before it returns.

If this series goes on for a life time I would be still be hooked provided it doesn't loose any of its qualities but only gets better and better. So far the status quo keeps rising for them.

I honestly can’t wait for Suits to come back with the rest of Season 4. I would pick this any day over some witches and dragons. (Yiee.. lol)

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Top Five: 2014 Movies You should have seen by now.

I am sure you would agree with me that 2014 has been a very great year for movies. Personally, I have lost count of the titles I have seen so far this year. Some good, some bad, some ok… some well not so ok. Some so good that I had to see more than just ones others so terrible that I don't even want to remember sitting through them. (That bad)

This is probably the hardest thing I have had to do so far with this blog….. Trying to sum up my 2014 so far with 5 titles. You might be wondering why I didn't a pick a top 10 instead… believe me that would have been much easier and I just wanted to challenge myself with this one.(Yeah right).

Ok.... so in no particular order here are my Top 5 2014 Movies you should have seen by now. 

1. Lone Survivor [Action, Biography, Drama] 121min

Marcus Luttrell, a Navy Seal, and his team set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, in late June 2005. After running into mountain herders and capturing them, they were left with no choice but to follow their rules of engagement or be imprisoned. Now Marcus and his team are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare. 

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster

Hmm…. You just have to love this movie….. A true story being told. If you are a sucker for movies like Black Hawk Down, Tears of the Sun and Act of Valor there shouldn't be any excuse for not watching this movie by now.

Watch Trailer Here

2. About Last Night [Comedy, Romance] 100min

Follow two couples as they journey from the bar to the bedroom and are eventually put to the test in the real world.

Starring: Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall and Joy Bryant

Yeah… a chick flick… so what? You will still love it anyways… The Story is good and definitely has some good humor for matured minds. Michael Ealy had to loose over 20 pounds just so he could play the character he was given and trust me when I say he did nail it.

Watch Trailer Here

3. I, Frankenstein [Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy] 92min

Frankenstein's creature finds himself caught in an all-out, centuries old war between two immortal clans.

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Jai Courtney, Bill Nighy and Miranda Otto

Well a kind of not so long movie I must say but I am sure you would love it. From the same producers as the much acclaimed Underworld franchise. A simple plot with decent nicely done graphic effects to match the well played out action sequences. You should expect an exciting twist to the Frankenstein stories you might be familiar with. 

Watch Trailer Here

4. Need for Speed [Action, Crime, Drama] 132min

Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross country race with revenge in mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins.

Starring: Aaron Paul, Domnic Cooper, Scott ‘KiD CuDi’ Muscudi and Imogen Poots

This is the official NFS movie backed by EA Sports. Yes….fast cars and good driving. Since we all couldn't get to see Fast & Furious 7 this year this movie just had to do it for us. A nice story told with some wicked cars. You have got to love the soundtrack at the end of the race scene. Linkin Park’s Road’s Untraveled… it was the perfect choice of song for that scene if you should ask me. 

Watch Trailer Here

5. The Raid 2: Berandal [Action, Crime, Thriller] 150min

Only a short time after the first raid, Rama goes undercover with the thugs of Jakarta and plans to bring down the syndicate and uncover the corruption within his police force.

Starring: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arafin Putra and Oka Antara

This is a direct follow up sequel to last years hit The Raid: Redemption. You might have or might not have seen it. Either which way… if you like movies with more than just impressive hand to hand combat then you would have to see this movie. The fight sequences are stunning. This one is twice the action and thrill of the first movie.

Watch Trailer Here

Well there you have it….my Top 5 2014 movies you should have seen by now. I did my best to cover most genres of movies in this list. Wasn't easy getting this top 5 at all believe me. The whole idea to was to get movies that would be easy to love by all. If you have seen them then cool.. if you haven’t… do well to check these titles out 2014 is almost coming to an end. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

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Movie Review: The Purge; Anarchy 2014 *Do you want to purge?*

This movie is the sequel to one of the hits of 2013, ThePurge that had Ethan Hawke in the lead role. It’s not one of those follow up sequels with the same cast to continue or extend the story being told in the prequel but packs an entire different cast and story line which maintains the original concept of the purge. 

The purge’s concept is…. A not so distant future (2023) where crime is low and unemployment has reached below 5% but one day in a year is set aside for the annual purge were all crimes including murder is legal and free from punishment for 24hours. Purposely to allow citizens to cleanse and purify their hearts and souls from all the hate, anger and resentments in side them by releasing aggression. (Sounds crazy right?)

This particular purge movie follows a couple, a police sergeant and a mother and daughter who are caught up in the purge based on different circumstances who meet up by chance and must help each other as they attempt to survive the night in Los Angeles.

Personally, I feel this story certainly has more content than its prequel but the good thing is you don’t need to have watched the 2013 prequel to get comfortable with this one. The movie starts with scenes to explain the whole idea of purging so you are basically prepared for what you are about to watch. Also, the story line does not have any direct link to the not so broad prequel. It’s simple and straight forward and you do not have to do any thinking to get what is going on or is about to happen. I feel the writers made a huge step up on the previous ones script, taking the whole concept a bit deeper and broader. The acting….well, the roles where simple but I feel the lead characters fell short on delivering the right emotions for certain situations they found themselves in ….nonetheless it was good. 

I would describe this movie as a beautiful combination of horror, thriller and action in controlled proportions. The writer had the mix right this time around.

I wouldn't say this was a perfect movie at all, for me…. there where no standout moments or performances since the story kept the same pace from start to finish. I also didn't like that a closer look at the details of this story hints a political back drop. (I hate politics that much.) It didn't ruin the movie in any sense at all but I didn't like the idea even though I feel it was necessary to broaden the depth of the concept this movie surrounds. Also I felt that some of the scenes weren't necessary at all. (Just to kill time.) For anyone who hates mindless violence you should expect to see some in this movie….lucky enough they are mild scenes and not vividly over done. 

Of course there is some decent suspense tactfully scripted to keep the viewer interested in the story as it goes on for 103mins. A lot of human elements such as fear, anger, revenge and heroism are exploited in ways not many movies of this kind have been able to perfect. 

That is why I would rate it ….. 6/10.

Although I would highly suggest parental guidance for minors, I recommend this movie for anyone who loves a good thrill even if they haven’t already seen the first film. (You should watch that one too if you can so you can also make your own comparison of the two.) This movie didn't disappoint at all…. It’s something you would definitely not mind watching more than once. 

I am still wondering if the whole idea of a Purge can be successful in real life. 

Do you want to purge?

Watch Trailer Here

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Movie Review: God's Not Dead 2014 *What is your believe?*

Honestly I have never been a fun of Christian movies. Not that I am against them but I have always felt the acting to be too mediocre and substandard (Except The Passion of the Christ)…this thought being based on the few Christian Drama movies I have seen. I didn't know what to expect from this movie but its title is what caught my attention and made me want to know what it was all about. (I would do my best to stray from giving of any spoilers)

God’s Not Dead

A college philosophy professor’s curriculum is challenged by one of his new students who happens to disagree with his disbelief of the existence of God.

The story pits a young college student with unshakable faith in God against an atheist professor who based on an event in his past no longer thinks God exists as the underlining plot. There are about five back stories that are all in a way connected to main plot.  I feel the writers did a good job finding a way to link all these back stories together. If it was just the underlining plot the movie I am sure would have ended long before 113mins.

Like most of the Christian movies I have seen, acting was mediocre but all the lead characters I believe did their best in portraying the roles they had been tasked to play. The only familiar face to me is Kevin Sorbo (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) who plays the role of the atheist Prof Radisson. It also boasts of cameo appearances from Willie Robertson and Christian rock band Newsboys.

What I like most about this movie was how attention was given to other schools of thought, particularly science in making arguments as to whether God exists or not. Some great minds where mentioned and quoted and for me that was a big plus. So if you pay attention you might end up actually learning a thing or two. 

Devoid of my own personal religious believes what I did not like most about this movie was that it was a bit too one sided and stereotypical. This you would only notice if you pay close attention to the back stories that supported the underlining plot. (No Spoilers) You would have to watch and figure this one out for yourself.

For any Christian or any one who believes in the existence of God this is exactly the movie you need to see to remind you of your faith and help revive your hope and believe in the Almighty creator.

I would score this movie 4.5/10 because regardless of the substandard acting  it did keep me seated and interested for the whole of 113mins. No wonder its estimated budget of $2,000,000 US has yielded a gross profit of $60,753,735 US as at August 1^st, 2014.

If I should be very honest, I would say this movie did a good job of reminding me of faith in God and His existence. I have no doubt that God’s Not Dead.

[From movie]

Josh Wheaton: How can you hate someone who doesn't exist?

Watch Trailer Here

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