Flat on Story But Visually Appealing and Still Fun.

I loved the first movie. It was absolutely hilarious that its ridiculousness didn’t matter. For the sequel however, it is still ridiculous but the flood of Oscar-winning actors wasn’t enough to capture the charm its predecessor has. 

Sure, we still have Colin Firth and goodness the infusion of Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry and Julianne Moore? I was wondering if this is a movie sponsored by the Academy and don’t remind me if the completely useless role of Channing Tatum. These actors weren’t necessary and it kinda pissed me off. Pedro Pascal was here too, but who cares right? He’s from Game of Thrones so he must be relevant. 

I’m sick and tired of the spy movie genre because they are all the same. If so, the strategy should be execution and The Golden Circle just fell flat. The one thing I’m happy about is the now trademark fight scenes that is composed of hand-held camera and long shot sequence. That was actually fun. 

I’m sure we’ll see a 3rd Kingsman movie, now that it’s been dominating the box office but I’m really hoping they’ll wise up and stop downplaying Taron Egerton and let him carry the whole damn thing. 

A weak sequel to a strong start, still cheesy scoring, great music, funny cameos. Slick battle scenes, but altogether fails anyway as it falls into the Hollywood sickness for sequels. 

Grade: 3/5 stars

A Little Complex For Its Target Audience But Adults Will Burst Out Laughing

One of my favorite movie franchise ever, The Lego Ninjago Movie continues the winning streak of the Lego movie franchise. What I really loved about this is the growth of their stories. There is a certain cinematic maturity to this franchise inside the Warner Bros. think-tank and I absolutely adore it. 

The animation is pretty good too, and the humor is just spot-on. I really don’t believe this franchise is targeting the kids, for the humor in this film captures that of the adults. It’s one of those rare films that can make me laugh shamelessly inside a cinema. 

I have to say though that The Lego Batman Movie is far superior than this. That movie was the funniest animated movie I have ever seen but this one is a pretty decent successor. I cannot wait for what’s next. 

As expected, The Lego Ninjago Movie doesn’t only entertain but can also warm you up. The heart of the film is that of between father and son, making amends, and finding new perspective. Again, this formula added with humor and splendid animation is what makes the lego franchise better than those animation studios wanna bes with the exception of Disney and Pixar 

Wildly Entertaining, beautifully animated and hilarious, though not as great as its predecessors, The Lego Ninjago Movie is a solid addition to this growing movie franchise. 

Grade: 4/5 stars

The Mother of All Aronosfky Feature Films. A Masterpiece Worth Celebrating.

Once again I was rewarded of not googling anything about this movie, this includes plot and cast but I saw the trailer, which I can say frankly, was misleading and does not the movie any justice. 

You’re gonna be needing a lot of focus and imagination on this one, and I was at the edge of my sit from the beginning ’till the end. It was gripping, complex, smart and visually dazzling. 

Jennifer Lawrence proves once again how masterful she can be with the right story and direction. What really impressed me was Javier Bardem’s performance, which was absolutely exhilarating. Splendid acting. 

Though Noah was so-so, I was afraid mother! will be a little disastrous. This film is one of the best movies I have ever since. Brilliant and masterful. It is indeed a masterpiece and god bless Darren Aronofsky. 

Mother!’s imagery is at the top of its game. It’s a front runner for this award season and we can all expect recognition with everyone’s performance specially with Aronofsky’s spectular direction. It’s not for everybody. The movie is not a mess, it has a straight forward plot and once you get it, you’ll be blown away. 

Grade: 5/5 stars

Basically Stranger Things With The Diabolically Scary Pennywise

I remember watching this when I was a kid and how scared shitless I was after. I couldn’t go the bathroom alone, I couldn’t take my showers alone; I basically feared water as it go down the sink. Clowns are freaky but never scared me. Now, I think if I see clown staring at me so help I’d punch him in the face. 

It’s not a good horror movie per se; it’s a good movie in the general sense. The scoring is haunting, the acting is solid, the humor is spot in, and Pennywise is downright terrifying it gives me chills.  

I got reminded so much of Stranger Things, given that one of the actors is from Stranger Things but also the general vibe. It’s retro, we have missing kids, we have a gang of misfits teaming up to fight evil. It’s basically Avengers but so much better. 

This film is actually scary, hilarious, and grounding all at the same time. It’s full of heart and doesn’t resort to cheap scares and tricks, it’s creepy all in a good way. 

One thing that impressed me a lot is the cinematography. It’s very beautiful, it’s so playful and gorgeous. It captures emotions, whether scared or happy or in love, it’s eyegasmic, I love it. 

IT does pay homage to the classic movie paving the way for the new generation to discover the horrors of the equally classic, forever scary Pennywise the Dancing Clown and the 2017 remake is a marvelous showcase of fright. 

Grade: 4.5/ 5 Stars