Maleficent

USA 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 21 June 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.0

Rotten tomatoes 5.7

My impressions

A different take on the evil stepmother that is usually potrayed in fairy tales. She has a different background and we can emphatise with her actions. Circumstances took her to a different path and as always love saves the day.

The strong selling point is of course Angelina Jolie in the title role. You can sense that evil incarnate oozing from her every pore. A look from her is enough to strike fear. Enough said.

Godzilla

USA 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 18 June 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.5

Rotten tomatoes 6.6

My impressions

A fun evening watching good versus evil. Put aside the pyrotechnics, script or nothing to shout about acting, I just enjoyed the fighting sequences. How humanity depends on others to save them. No prizes for guessing who brought this all on themselves in the first place.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Ken Watanabe and Juliette Binoche here. Wonders never cease.

X-Men: Days of Future Past

USA 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 26 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.6/10

Rotten tomatoes 7.6/10

The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants

My Ratings .8.0/10

My impressions

The action sequence is adequate but the story depends a lot on the dialogue. The inner struggles of the Professor and Magneto during their younger days gives a glimpse of why they are such adversaries.

Would Wolverine be able to change the course of history. Everyone is rooting for him to succeed and we are still unsure until almost to the very end of the film.

Enjoyable.

Rio 2

USA 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 1 March 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.7/10

Rotten tomatoes 5.4/10

It's a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they're hurtled from Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel, and meets his father-in-law

My Ratings .6.0/10

My impressions

The chance encounter

That they might be others still alive

Leads the family into the wilds

The father is not too pleased

As he has never been in that environment

It takes such an effort to make the adjustment

Every step seems like a misstep

Every effort ends clumsily

Ever the laughing stock of others

Who do not regard him highly

Until he proves that

There can be mutual benefits

When one helps another

As some of the enemies

Are actually comrades in arms

Pompeii

Canada 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 1 March 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 5.7/10

Rotten tomatoes 4.5/10

A slave-turned-gladiator finds himself in a race against time to save his true love, who has been betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts, he must fight to save his beloved as Pompeii crumbles around him

My Ratings .5.0/10

My impressions

The special effects is commendable. The script does not add anything new to the well known tale of Pompeii being buried after Mount Vesuvius erupts. It is an uphill task trying to find a new twist to a well known tale. The actor who plays the main character is of course a pleasant eye candy for his well defined body.

That might be the main theme of the film. Eye candy for an evening at the cinemas.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

USA 2013

Details IMDB

Seen 30 December 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.1/10

Rotten tomatoes 6.8/10

The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

The adventure continues and the quest for the magical ring is fraud with danger. The good guys band together in their fight against the dark forces. We anticipate every move. Is it a step nearer to their goal or the end for all of them. A roller coaster thrill a minute awaits the audience. Enjoy.