Present Perfect

Thailand 2017

Details IMDB

Seen 25 January 2017

My impressions

Two men thrown into each other’s path in a foreign land. Two men with an emotional baggage. The time abroad is a time of reflection. Thinking. Reflecting.

The change in their past lives affects how they cope with the present.

The first encounter might have been accidental but eventually a bond develops.

But will it have a happy ending?

A light hearted look at friendship, love and its consequences.

Live by night

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 22 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

 IMDB 6.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes 5.3/10

My impressions

The journey of a small-time thief caught in the middle of the fight between warlords for territorial rights. The 1920s was the prohibition years and the black market a mint. There was always a demand for prohibited items and the supply will find ways to satisfy those customers.

Joe has a good heart and being in love makes him an angel compared to others in the same profession. Nevertheless, there comes a day when he had to be as ruthless and cold hearted as his enemies.

Being Joe exerts a heavy price.

Choices.

Arrival

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 22 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8.4/10

My impressions

The arrival of alien spaceships puts the focus on a language expert. Her determination to understand the reasons behind their arrival rather then using an offensive approach takes up most of the action.

She finds a kindred spirit in a mathematician who is also involved in the project.

The scenes of her family life in between raised the repeated question. Has other intelligent beings had an influence on humans. In all the stories of encounters between man and those who come from other galaxies, it is usually the man who is portrayed as the uncivilized.

Even without these alien presence, that assumption may be considered uncontested.

Food for thought.

The Founder

 USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 22 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes 7.1/10

My impressions

The story of how MacDonald’s started.

The founder was not even related to the MacDonald brothers but he saw an opportunity to expand the business from just a neighbourhood restaurant.

Persistence was the key word for Ray Kroc, the founder of MacDonald’s as displayed on his business card. His methods may not be agreeable to everyone, but succeed he did.

Is there any room for being nice in the cut throat business world? Must it always be profits and expansion for its own sake?

Questions.

Lion

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 21 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes 7.3/10

My impressions

Based on a true story.

The journey to find your real parents after 25 years of separation. This is just one story of a missing child in India. There are others who did not fare as well.

The tragic circumstances were indeed unfortunate. The sheer number of missing children makes finding their families a daunting task indeed. But help we must, in whatever way we can.

The human survival instinct is strong despite all the challenges that come hurtling in one’s way. This is such a story.

An eye opener.

The Boy and The Beast

Japan 2015

Details IMDB
Seen 11 January 2016


Ratings from other sources

IMDB  7.6/10










My impressions

Both misfits and their first encounter did not start on a smooth footing. They grudglingly settled into a routine of learning from each other, knowing each had his own strength.

When it comes to the crunch, fighting the bad guy, sacrifices are made. This is also the moment to show that the good is worthy of support. The good despite having a valid reason to exert revenge rise above that basic instinct.

In the end we have to listen to our conscience.

Promised Land

USA 2012

Details IMDB

Seen 16 May 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.6/10

Rotten tomatoes Average Rating 5.9/10

A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources

My Ratings .6.0/10

My impressions

The big guys against the small guys

Someone is caught in between

There is always a line when

A word, an action pricks your conscience

Pushing, encouraging us to do the right thing

Money has always been such a powerful aphrodisiac

Many have succumbed to its allure

Yes, of course money helps in so many areas

But there comes a time when the price is too high

The benefits promised

May not be what we were hoping for

The Master

USA 2012

Details IMDB

Seen 3 January 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.1/10

Rotten tomatoes Average Rating 8.1/10

A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader

My Ratings 7.5/10

My impressions

Two individuals, linked by a bond

Dependent on each other

One might seem superior to the other

That is not quite true

They are of the same mould

Hosting demons lurking deep inside

Kindred spirits that recognise each other

Others are unable to see

They acknowledge each other

The strength and weaknesses

Inherent in the character

Unable, unwilling to change

Let the demons linger

Cloud Atlas

USA 2012

Details IMDB

Seen 31 December 2012

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.6/10

Rotten tomatoes Average Rating 6.6/10

An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution

My Ratings 7.0/10

My impressions

Our life is not what it seems

Our lives are interrelated

The past, present and future

All events linked

All in a continuing circle

Past, present and future influencing each other

Today effects tomorrow

That has always been the case

Alas we tend to forget the threads

The ongoing fight between good and evil

It never ends but good must always prevail

That is the eternal hope