Se7en (1995)

A chilling, horrific and suspenseful mystery thriller that is unlike any other, Se7en takes on a young cop-old cop partnership that revolves around a series of murders committed by someone who holds a strong belief in the seven deadly sins. It's a game of cat and mouse that turns into a personal battle for both the detectives, making us question how far the killer is willing to go, to complete his masterpiece.

William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) is a veteran detective on the brink of retirement. Jaded by the constant violence and grimness of the place he has lived in, he yearns to move as far away from the blood stained streets of the city in hopes of a peaceful retirement. A new detective named David Mills (Brad Pitt) has just joined the force, transferring from another city's homicide department. Settling into the place with his wife Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow), Somerset warns Mills of the constant dangers and fears that come with living in a place such as this. They then get put on a murder case, and within the next couple a few more dead bodies show up. They all have one of the seven deadly sins written near the victim's body, causing Somerset to warn the police force that they could expect a few more of these to complete the circle. Doing as much research on the writings that feature these sins, the detectives are led on a trail after a murderer who has complex motives and performs his murders to perfection, patiently revealing the corpses during the span of one week. Caught up in the case, Somerset decides to finish it and at last bring the perpetrator to justice although he knows that the killer may plead insanity as cause for murder and be let free subsequently. Will they lose the trail they set out on or will they fulfill their mission for righteousness? Expect the unexpected when seeing this unforgettable film unfold to the final standoff and twisted manifesto of the killer.

You may think that this is a typical story of a relationship between a veteran and a rookie detective, and no doubt that it has been done before, but it is much more than that. The detectives start out on the wrong foot but eventually put aside their differences and put their heads together to solve one of the most uncanny series of murders ever shown on-screen. Freeman's character exudes wisdom on his half and teaches Mills the ropes of running an investigation in a god forsaken place such as this, while Mills is an ambitious, cocky detective who can't wait to get his hands on a murder scene and find the criminal as fast as he can. It's almost a father-son relationship, and despite all the gore around, it had a warm feeling to it especially after Somerset meets Tracy and gives her advice about her unborn child. The grime of the city and it's darkness contributes to the frightening events surrounding the people and makes it look like a living hell, exhibiting the fine cinematography of the picture. You could say it's a neo-noir film spiked with horror at every corner. David Fincher is an amazing director and this film is a winning moment for him. Filled with crisp shots and dialogue that he took with him to make Fight Club, Fincher is the master of thriller films and this one should have been nominated for more Oscars than it was. The soundtrack gave me goosebumps from start to finish and was a vital detail throughout the film, never releasing its grip on our throats and making the most of every minute. Probably one of the most memorable stand-offs in film history that captured every emotion humanly possible. The thrill of the moment turned to disgust that turned to sadness and despair.

What was most thought-provoking about this film is that in a way, John Doe was right that there are a lot of people in the world who are guilty of a lot of sins they committed, although it was him who caused all the harm and pain to the people he didn't even know, yet he assumed were not doing any good by God's standards. Clever of him to end his own life so swiftly with an addition of ruining the lives of the people around him. He took the sins way too seriously, showing himself as a psychopath to all the world and killing people who may have not done the right things in life but what was expected of them in such a city. And it's true that everyone is apathetic to what's going on around them, willing to live life as is but ultimately there is hope because of people like Somerset and Mills. Understanding that nobody cares if they lock away another criminal, they are willing to fight to make the world a better place and make a difference in the lives of people who are out there, scared and wondering if the next night they will be stabbed or shot. Humans sometimes seem wilder and more intimidating than beasts, with corruption, robbery, murder and drugs being the short-cut that everyone wants, to live an easier life. It is ultimately laziness that has eaten away at our ambitions and dreams, causing tumult and disorder wherever we go. There will probably never be a way out of these miseries, and the last thing we could do is hope. If we want to guarantee ourselves and the next generation a better future, we have to learn how to fight for it.

Overall, it's a brilliantly made and ingeniously crafted piece of work that will be remembered forever as a defining moment in the history of cinema from the 90's, and a turning point in the career of the director David Fincher. I warn you of the possibly excessive amount of grisly gore in this film, yet that's what keeps you on the edge of your seat, sitting there uncomfortably and lucky to be alive.

We Bought a Zoo (2011)

The wonderful, heart-warming story of a man who started his life anew after the loss of his wife, showing the account of his marvelous adventures renovating a rundown zoo and invigorating the lives of his children. A refreshing and courageous tale that manages to win you over from the very beginning, proving that there is hope of sunshine in life even after bereavement.

Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) is an adventure writer, but after the recent loss of his wife, his world has turned into a dark and hopeless cave of memories. Wherever he goes, he is always reminded of his wife and the many moments they shared together. His son is also having a hard time dealing with the loss, showing his grief through his somewhat gruesome artwork. He is ultimately expelled from school, causing Benjamin to search for another outlet for his family. He decides to move away from the city where he is constantly reminded of his wife, and start a new chapter of his life for not only his sake but his children's sake too. They happen to stumble upon an enormous country estate that happens to encompass a struggling zoo that needs a sufficient amount of help to get back on track. In hopes of making his kids' lives happier and livelier, he doesn't hold back on the opportunity to purchase the land and that's where his unforgettable adventure begins. He meets the small group of people who run the zoo including Kelly (Scarlett Johansson), who has witnessed many of the workers quitting while herself staying loyal to the zoo, sacrificing her personal life and enduring financial struggles. She is at first skeptical as to what Ben's true motives are for buying the zoo, but soon enough realizes that maybe he doesn't want to sabotage the zoo but rather bring it back to life. By buying this zoo, Benjamin bites off more than he can chew, yet on the other hand he is nurturing his broken heart and mending the lives of everyone around him as well.

The story no doubt brings back the winning charm of director Cameron Crowe and the realistic battles that his characters bring to the big screen. Matt Damon brings one of his most impressive performances to date, embodying the character of a real life person who has faced an arduous situation much like this. The scene that struck a nerve with most viewers would probably be his confrontation with his son at the new house. The frustration and genuineness of that scene was a turning point for both of them since their terrible loss of both a mother and a wife. I liked however that the tension was eased at the end of their verbal diarrhea by a humorous request. A climactic moment of distress can't always end in laughter, and the scene was skillfully crafted to evoke such contrasting feelings with the least amount of effort or strain. The cinematography was executed beautifully, delivering the raw and warm colors of the country as well as the town they lived in previously. Scarlett Johansson was great in her role as Kelly, delivering long monologues to the peak of perfection, but Matt Damon's performance is unmatched when it comes to this film. It was refreshing to see her play a down to earth character who is modest as opposed to the blonde bombshells that she is known for playing. The whole cast had a sort of meshed together attitude, making the focus of the film their holistic approach to restoring the zoo and I think that's a great feeling to experience during the span of the movie.

Throughout the film there are quite a few parallels drawn between the animals and the people. The bear named Buster, who wants to be a free spirit can relate to Benjamin's imprisonment in the city where all he sees is his wife; and his ultimate chance of expanding Buster's enclosure giving him the opportunity to roam a wider area is the interpretation of Benjamin's move to the country in order to let go of his insecurities about Katherine's death. As a result of moving to a place that has a zoo, Benjamin pours his heart and soul into its re-opening while still letting Katherine be his guardian angel who guides him in his decisions. Spar the tiger, who has a number of health issues could symbolize the pain and anguish that Benjamin has been going through since his wife's death and the decision to put him down finally means that he has somewhat let go of the past and ready to move on in his life. The opening of the zoo is his victory in defeating his inner demons and restoring his relationship with his son. Of course he will never forget Katherine and what she has given to him while she was here on Earth, but he had to manifest it upon himself that she is gone and he and his children are still there. There is no way out, but there is a way forward that can still honor her existence and at the same time, let other people into their lives to produce a positive impact.

The story shows that with a strength of a family, anything is possible and all you have to do is believe that life is an adventure with high waves, hazardous roads and of course rays of sunshine. I believe a lot of people who have lost a loved one, can look back on this film in an inspiring way. Poignant as a situation may be for anyone with such an experience, I hope that this film will remind them of the bigger picture and let them know they are not alone. Perseverance and hope in life is the remedy for your difficult circumstance.

Overall, a very memorable film although quite sad for a Christmas release. I enjoyed it very much and I hope you will too. I also congratulate everyone from the actors to the crew for taking part and completing a fine piece of cinema which is sure to elicit a fire in anyone's soul.

Coraline (2009)

From the man who directed The Night Before Christmas comes an eerie tale of a girl who wanted more out of her life and in return had to pay a heavy price. A motion picture that's sure to stop you in your tracks and make you think about the things you once took for granted.

Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) has just moved into a new house located in Oregon after living a happy life in Michigan. She sets out to explore the property and land that surrounds the place and meets Wybie, a talkative boy who lives with his grandma in a neighboring house. After coming home, her mom (voiced by Teri Hatcher) gives her a doll that looks just like her with a note from Wybie on it. She suspects him of deliberately making the doll look like her but he confesses that he found it in his grandma's trunk chest. With her mom and dad concentrating intensely on their business goals and apathetic to her requests, she explores their home and discovers a mysterious little door hidden behind the wallpaper in one of the rooms. She is absolutely restless in her attempt to get to know what wonderful world lies behind it and one night she finally finds out. It is a mirror image of where she currently lives except for the fact that everything is much more amusing and fun for a girl such as her. The only catch is if she wants to stay in this world forever, she must sew buttons into her eyes like the rest of the people living there. Once refusing to do this, the Other-Mother imprisons her and warns her that she will stay here forever if she doesn't sew buttons into her eyes. The Other-Wylie, who can't talk, rescues her and sends her back to the real world. The only problem is her real parents are nowhere to be found, which hints at the possibility of the inevitable. Coraline must go back to the dream world and rescue her parents so she makes a deal with the Other-Mother that if she finds the eyes of the other children that were lured into her trap, her parents, the spirits of the children and herself will be free. Will Coraline face up to the challenge and realize that her real parents are better than any other, or will she lose the game and share the fate of the other children before her?

First of all I absolutely loved that this film is so unconventional in style to so many other children's films. It's almost like a toned down horror film that lets children with an eye for scares get a taste of what a real horror film may be like. The characters are unforgettable, the score is perfect and the animation is eye-blowing. The shivers that go down your spine are no joke and the whole dark gothic look of the production emphasizes the frightening quality of the dream world and how it transcends its dark magic to the real world. I was really drawn to the elaborately put together outfits of the characters and how they made them so tiny yet compatible and stylish for the individual character. The Other-Mother's dresses were absolutely extreme and every time she lost a layer of cordiality, a new layer of dress came on that made her look rigid and terrifying in the eye's of the viewer but at the same time revealing her true colors. As far as the characters go I wanted to get to know a little bit more about the Other-Mother because she is such a secretive creature and the film didn't really explain why she turned out the way that she did. Did she lose a child of her own or something entirely different? We'll never know for sure, but I think that aspect would have made the film a complete to a much bigger extent. After finishing this film you would definitely feel like it should have been a little bit longer. The supporting characters were definitely whimsical and out-of-this-world, but some of the Russian Mr Bobinsky spoke was a little off.

I have to say that the message of the film is rather simple and has been done before, but the little twists and turns are what make this film truly unique. In the end she realized that there is nothing better than her real parents and the people who are there in person as opposed to how you want to see those people. You can't have what you want all the time, so hopefully Coraline understands the different personalities and difficulties other people have and she's got to learn how to be harmonious with them and her surroundings. Life brings many changes your way and some may be unfavorable or pleasant but you have to make it work to your advantage. It happens to everyone, but it was definitely beneficiary for Coraline to experience it while she is young. Like the slogan says, "be careful what you wish for", because after a while it may not be what you want entirely and you will regret it. Just be content with what you have and you will find that your life is the dream you want to live.

Overall, it's a darker fantastic, distorted version of Alice in Wonderland and brings back some of the magic that drew people to Henry Selick's previous films. The film might also remind people of the wild productions that Tim Burton staged such as Corpse Bride and his rendition of Alice in Wonderland. Definitely one of the top films on the stop-motion film charts and would delight anyone who is a fan of Selick's work and the genre it falls into.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)

An adaptation of a popular book series may be what's holding people's interests for this film but other than the exciting action and special effects, the story doesn't live up to its standards and is no match for the beloved Harry Potter films. The British may have something to do with that.

Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) is a regular kid in high school but he has some rather peculiar abilities and disabilities. For one, he can hold his breath under water for over five minutes but on the other hand, he has a rather severe case of dyslexia. He is unable to read and understand English and becomes frustrated and depressed about why this is happening to him. One day, his class goes on a field trip to a museum where Percy realizes he can read Ancient Greek and is subsequently attacked by a creature called a Fury who was disguised as his teacher. After the attack, he is warned by his Latin teacher Mr. Brunner (Pierce Brosnan) who is in fact a centaur named Chiron, that his life is in great danger and he needs to get out-of-town as soon as possible in order to go to Camp Half-blood. Percy is perplexed at the chain of events that transpired and is still confused about his true identity and why everyone was hiding it from him. At the camp he discovers a large group of teens much like himself, who are demigods. Bit by bit he grasps the notion that his long gone father is in fact one of the three big gods ruling Mount Olympus. He is Poseidon's son. Soon after, he is plunged into a quest to find Zeus's (Sean Bean) lightning bolt which the other gods have accused him of stealing. He must also save his mother, who is being held captive by the God of the Underworld, Hades (Steve Coogan). If he is to get inside the underworld, he must first find Persephone's (Rosario Dawson) pearls which will secure his escape. He is joined on his quest by his life-long friend and protector, Grover (Brandon T. Jackson) who is a satyr and another demigod named Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario), who is the daughter of the goddess Athena. They travel cross-country in a race against time to find the pearls, battling against villains such as Medusa and the Hydra but will they find the lightning bolt and the perpetrator who stole it in the midst of Percy's epic rescue attempt? The stakes are high considering if they fail, the gods will initiate a war between each other that threatens to destroy the world as we know it.

Promising as the plot may be, the story just didn't click together at all. From the beginning to the end everything seemed awkward and forced, from the acting to the special effects. The CGI just managed to bring the film out of complete oblivion but other than that, the characters and story had no depth to them at all. The only thing that kept me interested was basically wanting to find out who is the lightning thief. You obviously know everything is going to be alright in the end and don't really give much thought to the rescue attempt, only the mystery of the theft. I also wasn't in favor of the age change because in the original book he is twelve, whereas in this film they raised the age to about fifteen or sixteen. Just proves that they had to change one of the most obvious things about the novel in order to make the movie appeal to a more mature audience and bring in more money. Wickedly funny to see Hades aka the Devil in a get up that could have been worn by someone like Mick Jagger. Was it a deliberate attempt at comedy or just a mockery of the gods. A pure contrivance of the Hollywood fat cats that serves its purpose for the thrilled fans of the book series and the heedless teens that wanna see a fun movie on a night out.

I was somehow impressed by the various symbolism interspersed throughout the movie with the casino scenes and the numbing effects of the lotus flower implying the negative effects casinos have on visitors young and old because they turn them into addictive gambler's and blind them with the impressive prizes and treats that are offered to them. Definitely an interesting take on Los Angeles being the entrance to the underworld or in other words, hell. Some may think of it that way because of the endless traffic and smog although it is one of the country's biggest cities and cultural centers.

There was however a faint hint of a motive and moral in this chunk of a film. First of all, it was admirable to see Percy risking his life to save his mom even though I have no idea how he was able to do it without having at least a week of training at the camp he was in. I suppose he is the chosen one so he doesn't need any training like the rest of the flock, making himself invincible to any adversary. It was indeed very gallant of him to do what he did and in the end finally get to meet his father, but his father had no effect on him and he felt just as empty inside as he was in the beginning prompting us to think that the character of Percy has endured no state of transformation, rather the sense of belonging in life. It may not be much of a vehicle to interest many, but the teens and Percy fans are sure to enjoy it.

The Percy Jackson series doesn't make a winning start in its enigmatic endeavor, and is definitely not the new Harry Potter that we would want to see after the decade of adventure the young wizard has given us. These thieves definitely stole the lightning spark of this film and it doesn't look like Chris Columbus did himself justice, after being known for directing the first two films of the Harry Potter series.

Toy Story 2 (1999)

From the studio that brought many lovable animated films to our homes, Toy Story 2 has to be right at the top of the list for their unforgettable story including the two stars of the first film, as well as their memorable gang of toy friends, plus some new characters whom the kids will love just the same.

In the second film of the world favorite trilogy, the story starts out with Andy preparing to go to cowboy camp with Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks). In the midst of his excitement, Andy accidentally tears Woody's arm, leaving Woody at home on a dusty shelf while he goes to cowboy camp. Feeling abandoned and forlorn, Woody still has his toy friends who try to cheer him up in light of his unfortunate incident. However, Woody gets stolen by a desperate and covetous toy collector while trying to save Wheezy the penguin from being sold at a yard sale. His best friend Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen), who witnessed the rescue attempt and kidnapping, is determined to save Woody from a much feared fate and get him back home in time for Andy's arrival. He is willing to go the distance in order to save his friend's life while also keeping Andy happy but he can't do it alone, so some of the other toys come along for their next big adventure. Imprisoned by the toy collector who wants to sell Woody as part of a set from the once famous TV show called Woody's Roundup, Woody meets the other toys that co-starred in his eponymously titled show in the early days of television. He meets Jessie the cowgirl (voiced by Joan Cusack), Stinky Pete the Prospector (voiced by Kelsey Grammer) and a horse named Bullseye who are all ecstatic to see him. Once spending time with his new friends, Woody learns that they just want to feel loved and be part of a unit for once because they have been abandoned by their previous owners, who were kids that eventually grew up and didn't want them anymore. Woody starts to get that lingering feeling of portent too after what happened to him before cowboy camp, and decides to come along with the others on a flight to a museum in Japan. Will Buzz and the others come to the rescue in time to convince Woody that Andy still loves him and he's making a terrible mistake, or will Woody succumb to his current feeling of being rejected and ultimately become a prisoner behind a pane of glass for the rest of his life?

First of all this is one of the best movies for children to see because of not only the message that it sends but also the unforgettable characters that continue to inspire us all. The colors and movement of the toys and other characters brings out such an elated feeling to even those who have already grown out of playing with toys. The toys all have such distinctive personalities and backgrounds much like real people, yet they all strive toward one goal and that is to be needed and played with. I commend the story for creating and bringing to life more characters that show a more profound truth of the inevitable events that affect many toys and their owners. Whereas in the last story it was more about the jealousy and new friendship of Woody and Buzz, this film affects every singe one of the toys and touches upon a vastly known truth about the ways of life.

This film sends a very strong moral to kids about loyalty to others, and the will to help someone who is in trouble. Buzz is a considered a good friend because he did everything in his power to rescue Woody while keeping in mind the safety of others and how Andy would feel if Woody was lost forever. If only all kids would realize that from early childhood, neighborhoods would be much safer and there would be less fighting between kids and an increase in the amount of teamwork, justice and kindness. You could also say that the abandonment of toys by older kids can be related to how children treat their parents. When they are small and needy, they rely on their parents to help them do something that is still difficult for them. But as they grow up and year by year learn how to take care of themselves more efficiently, they start to in a way abandon their parents and spend more time doing what they want to do with their friends. It may seem like they are drifting away, but everyone has to grow up one day or another and soon they will be full-grown adults going off to college and pursuing their own goals and dreams in life. The toys are an abstract version of adults in this film, and you can see that by how hard they try to keep Andy happy in return for him to have a jolly good playtime with them all. You could say that this is just a silly story about toys, although that isn't entirely the case because the characters portrayed on-screen, transcend what their appearance may be and deliver to kids a funny, heartfelt and significant story that can crack the hard shell of anyone's hard-boiled soul and make them see what the terms "friend" and "family" really mean.

Overall, it's a film sequel that masquerades it's true colors by continuing to appeal to a much younger audience, which I have to say is a very clever move by the one and only Pixar. Their films are always thought-provoking and coax us to see what matters most in our short yet meaningful lives. No reason to fret, everyone! We all grow up but we never forget the people and the little moments in life that define us and make our stories unforgettable, whether they are good or bad. Toy Story 2 is a stepping stone for us to remember our past and how it will affect the future generation. This movie is an absolute must-see for anyone who is either a Toy Story fan or someone looking for an entertaining story with a good message for both young and old.

Marley & Me (2008)

A biographical look at the life of a neurotic and mischievous dog that changed the lives of the family who owned him. Adapted from the New York Times Bestselling book by John Grogan, the story of a human-canine relationship is tested to the stark, nonetheless managing to get down to the raw emotions and warm feelings a dog can bestow upon its family.

John Grogan (Owen Wilson) and his wife Jenny (Jennifer Aniston) are successful journalist living in South Florida. They have a steady life enjoying each other's company, writing thought-provoking articles and critiquing each other on them, but they start to wonder if it's time to start a family of their own. Jenny is dubious if she can carry out the responsibilities of being a mother yet, so John decides to give her a hands-on approach by getting them a puppy. They are instantly charmed by an adorable clearance puppy who they believe will bring them not only company, but happiness. Where did they go wrong? The dog, who they decide to name Marley after Bob Marley, turns out to be a walking nightmare who destroys their house and examines their patience and tolerance to the brink. Eventually, they decide that it's time to have a baby, but are disappointed to find out that they couldn't do it the first time. Disappointed and heartbroken, the Grogans go home without a tad of emotion other than despair, to find Marley had once again destroyed something. But as their emotions disperse throughout the house, they eventually reach Marley who sits there quietly with his snout on Jenny's lap. It is then that we truly realize that Marley isn't really a bad dog despite his wild actions. He is at heart the same adorable puppy who they picked out at the barn, only now proving to them that his heart is golden and devoted towards them and their happiness. Of course he doesn't realize that wrecking their home and peeing on their furniture is an offense, but they love him anyway and accept him for who he is regardless of his many strange antics. John and Jenny ultimately conceive their first child, then second, then third, with Marley always standing by throughout their experiences whether they are bad or good. But as we all know, a dog can only live so many years and by the end of his run, will Marley become appreciated and loved for what he really is behind all the various escapades he pulled off during his life?

It is definitely a film worth seeing for the whole family. There are some words and situations that may be inappropriate for younger children and a bit surprising for a PG rating. The movie compared to the book definitely is no competition but still captured the loving atmosphere of a family and the love a dog gave them. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston had a great chemistry playing John and Jenny and it shows by how they communicate with each other from the start of the movie till the end. Their romance seemed genuine, not only during the funnier moments but also the emotional ones as well. I don't quite remember the character of Sebastian being in the book, but I suppose they put him into the film to increase the comedy time as well as give John the bitter-sweet friend relationship because Sebastian is also a journalist, only he's a bit more successful than John and you can see that they are friends but John is a bit jealous towards him. This seems to be a catalyst for him because he is a family man and Sebastian is more of a loner, causing him to question whether or not having a family is all it's cracked up to be. From Marley's problematic behavior to Jenny's frustration with the kids, John wonders if he is on the right path not only in his life but career as well.

There were other flaws in the movie such as the conspicuous way that the "Marley" dogs were switched in nearly every scene. Sometimes it's so blatant it gets irritating to think about the fact that Marley isn't really Marley. They just switched them way too often to make the film really work. The more powerful scenes are probably in the second part of the film and the sadness and remorse the actors show transcend the screen to make the audience suffer with them and be just as involved in the moment as they are. That was probably the biggest highlight of the film. I also loved the documentary-style montage mid-film that listed all of Marley's misadventures, and events that affected not only the couple, but also their surroundings. It's almost like a diary account and makes the story seem more realistic and personal to the audience.

The moral of the story is to live in the moment and treasure it. Everyone has their ups and downs, although not many have such an abnormal dog. Although it could be interpreted as a bonus since they have so much to look back on and remember with pride and joy. So what if their dog caused havoc wherever he went; nobody's life is by the book and ultimately "normal". Everyone has a story share with others which is unlike anyone else's, and they need to be content with how their life unfolds. If everyone's life was by the book and planned, where would the amazing stories and challenges come from? There would be nothing to look forward to and nothing to inspire us, which would make life rather dull don't you think? It is the story's grand realism that makes the film so real and credible. Crude jokes, awkward romantic moments, pregnancy, professional struggles, family quarrels... that's what life consists of in most cases. One way or the other, we are faced with these hardships throughout our lifetime and there is no escape, however, the Grogan's learned from Marley that life is an adventure and the only way to be happy is to grab it by the balls and go with the flow. There is always a way to overcome any setbacks that may arise and hopefully while watching Marley & Me, Marley will hand over the recipe to you.

Entertaining, truthful, touching and spontaneous would be the words to describe this film and it manages to uphold its status as a worthy contender for a place in your movie collection by its down-to-earth quality and charismatic performances by the royalty of comedy, who happen to have some skills towards drama as well.

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

From the beloved children's series by Lemony Snicket comes the film adaptation of the adventures of the Baudelaire trio who had to use their strengths in times of hardship because of a series of unfortunate events.

The story is told from the point of view of the writer Lemony Snicket (Jude Law) who narrates his work as he is writing it. Violet (Emily Browning), Klaus (Liam Aiken) and Sunny are the children of wealthy parents. They all possess a certain talent such as Violet's ability to invent and problem solve, Klaus being an avid reader who remembers everything he reads about, and Sunny, who likes to chew on things. One day, they are informed that their parents have died in a fire that destroyed their entire mansion. They are devastated by the news and so, their unfortunate adventures begin. The family banker also tells them that they will be staying with their closest relative, an actor named Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). Little did they know that he is in fact a sordid and beastly human being who is willing to go the distance in trying to get their family fortune. The trio outlive many of his frantic attempts to get their money, even after they are placed with other caregivers, who are murdered cold-heartedly by the Count. But despite their bleak life after their parents' death, will the Baudelaire's see the big picture or just pity themselves and think they are unlucky orphans in this big world, with no one to turn to?

I'd like to first say that this was a greatly made movie. The attention to details was wonderful and I loved the gothic inspired costumes that were worn by the actors. Sometimes I felt as if it was a little bit unfinished, but was still focused on its storyline from start to finish. The make-up for Jim Carrey was transforming in so many ways, that it literally made him become Olaf without ever thinking he had make-up on; not to mention all the other disguises he had in store for his destructive schemes. The acting was great from all the child actors because you can really feel their emotional level adhering to each other. They all had the same sort of impact on the audience and it's very rare to see that, especially coming from children. Jim Carrey is an actor who plays an actor, and his interpretation of Count Olaf was larger than life and sometimes even a little overcooked. I'm sure it was definitely a challenge not only to play the ominous Olaf but also his other get-ups, and Carrey not only did it convincingly, but also made us laugh about how blatantly theatrical his character is not only in his life, but also his performances. I wonder why the children's latter caretakers didn't believe the children's wariness towards him, when you can make it out just by looking at him. But then I suppose it's because most of their other relatives are just as mentally unbalanced as Olaf himself. I really liked Meryl Streep's transformation into a woman that rather fearful of basic objects around her home, but we later learn she is scared of them for a reason. She is one of the finest actresses in film history and her performance demonstrated just that, in every moment she was on screen. Billy Connolly plays the children's eccentric uncle who is an eager herpetologist, and he exhibits the more generous and kind guardian for the children and possibly a glimmer of hope. The set designs were effective for the tone of the story and the cinematography really blended with that gothic and sometimes frightening sort of atmosphere that surround the children on their journey. Sinister, but at the same time fairytale like.

Many themes were conveyed in the story that I think are important to everyone. The siblings are confronted by calamitous events, but that doesn't bring them down and only makes them stronger. During these unbelievable events, they get to hone their individual talents to help each other, which really shows their commitment towards their loved ones. Sometimes bad things happen, and these children deal with the aftermath like adults, seeing a positive side to the darkest of days. It's not only a relevant message to children and families but also to adult individuals. Being faced with improbable dilemma's that threaten to destroy you, yet you can manage to overcome them using your knowledge and common sense. And in the end, they realize that no matter what happens to them, they must always have each other because that's really all they'll ever have. With the main focus of the story being the importance of family, it makes us see what's more important in this life. And it's definitely not money, which can ultimately devour your mind and soul.

It's definitely a keeper in the old stack because the focal point is aimed towards family, but also because of the great acting and the gloomily stylized way it was filmed, that made it look polished and rich in texture. And trust me, there is quite a bit of humor regardless of its grimness. Plus, I noticed Craig Ferguson playing one of Olaf's mates.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Having not seen the three previous films in the series, I didn't know quite what to expect coming into this one but was delighted to watch and grasp one of the most thrilling movies of the year starring one of the pinnacle actors of Hollywood, Tom Cruise.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is on a mission to halt the plans of a Swedish born Russian nuclear extremist code-named "Cobalt" (Michael Nyqvist), who believes that starting a nuclear war will bring about a wave of human evolution that is good for the ecosystem. After a mission to infiltrate the archives at the Kremlin go awry, Hunt's team is accused of the bombing, and in turn forces the US president to activate Ghost Protocol, a covert operation when the entire IMF is disclaimed and there is no back up available, forcing Hunt's team to become the black sheep and hunt down "Cobalt" as outlaws of the state. The stakes are high because if they are caught or killed, they will be convicted and arrested for their alleged crimes. They also acquire a new team member after the murder of the secretary of the IMF (Tom Wilkinson), William Brandt (Jeremy Renner). Brandt works as an analyst but was in fact a field agent for the IMF, never being able to continue as one because of the guilt he possesses from failing his last mission, which concerns Ethan and his wife. They travel to exotic locations such as Dubai and Mumbai, but will they be able to stop one of their most elusive adversaries and the damage he is willing to enforce on the world, in such a limited amount of time?

I absolutely loved this film and the diversity it brought to the screen. I really enjoyed all the action stunts, the most memorable being when Cruise has to climb the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world). It made my knees shake and my head dizzy just by seeing the unimaginable heights he was faced with. Vertigo was definitely in play right through the whole sequence! It's definitely one of those blockbuster hits where you know you're gonna get you money's worth, and I definitely did because not only were the stunts impeccable, the humor and emotional struggles Hunt's team possess really balanced the entire film and their motivations.

I have no idea why everyone is so snarky towards Tom Cruise. Everyone keeps on bashing him about his religious beliefs when they should just appreciate the movies he brings to people and the onscreen persona that he portrays with such dedication. I mean, who would have the guts to do their own stunts and having to do them at a height where I would pass out in an instant. Not only does he take on the risks that his film roles have to offer, he produced this monster of a film and really left his mark on it. He is a great actor and I admire him for everything that he has achieved with not only this feature film, but his entire film career. Jeremy Renner brought a character to the screen that had his charms but also a back story that evoked a sense of feeling for not only his internal guilt, but his courage to go back to the job that caused it. Paula Patton who plays a character also affected by recent loss, brings a great example of a strong woman out to do what she knows is right despite having a hole in her heart. It's definitely great to see such a character in the form of a woman, making us realize that Hollywood does want to show women as a powerful gender who are equally capable of the tasks that men are conventionally known to do. Simon Pegg brought a splash of humor to the gloomy and somber atmosphere surrounding his character and made the movie that much more fun apart from all the entertaining stunts that were shoved down our throats. His dialogue and comical wit kept the film moving right along its destined path but with quirky results in between.

Brad Bird brings some his best work to the table for this one, showing us glimpses of his professional work in The Incredibles with the fluid motions of the camera and the noir-esque lighting that we saw from his smash Pixar productions. He really conveyed a dark nature throughout the movie but kept it fresh and dynamic nonetheless. I absolutely loved the opening title sequence and how it sort of showed us what we can expect in the film. The opening title sequence is a work in itself, because it sets the tone of the film and can be just as exciting to watch as the movie and only the greatest filmmakers can truly execute such original pieces of art.

Underlying themes in this film are definitely friendship and being able to put your differences as well as emotional heart-breaks aside, in order to carry out something that can impact everyone around you. The chemistry between the team was truly unique because of their different backgrounds yet similar empathy for each other's losses. So it's not just an explosive thriller with suspenseful climaxes throughout, but also the story of revelation, loss and solace.

Ethan Hunt's mission may truly be impossible, but how he and his team members choose to confront it, conveys that their mission is accomplished at heart. Kudos to all the crew for making this smash hit and I must say that Cruise's Russian is pretty good (coming from a native Russian speaker).

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Guy Ritchie comes back to direct the sequel of his version of Sherlock Holmes and amps up the energy level to produce an exciting, intense and at times emotional account of Sherlock Holmes' struggle to continue his friendship with Doctor Watson while trying to catch his most elusive target, Professor Moriarty.

The story takes place just before the turn of the 20th century, when England is growing tense over their relations with Germany. Suspicions arise when bombings and murders start to occur. Newspapers link the violent events to the portentous ripples of war between Germany and England, but Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has an entirely different theory that links all of the events to his equally intellectual arch-nemesis, Professor Moriarty. Meanwhile Doctor Watson (Jude Law) is getting married and Holmes tenaciously warns him of the hazards of committing to such a relationship, with futile results. He does however have a meeting with Moriarty and is informed that the Professor murdered Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) because her love for Holmes was weakening her ability to accomplish his tasks and be in such a position of familiarity with him. He also warns Holmes that if he tries to sabotage anymore of his plans, Watson and his wife will become his next victims. Nonetheless, Holmes continues along the trail of crumbs and meets a palm reading gypsy named Simza (Noomi Rapace) whose brother is in the employment of Moriarty, wanting to know more about the contents of the letter he sent her. She gets away in the crossfires of a fight between Holmes and an assassin who was sent to kill her and Holmes doesn't get the chance to hear the story unfold. Later on, Watson and his wife Mary (Kelly Reilly) head off for their honeymoon and Holmes isn't too far behind. Disguised as a woman, he boards the train to protect the couple from Moriarty's henchmen and manages to get Mary off the train (in a humorous manner), getting her to stay in the company of his brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry). He and Watson then meet up with Simza to investigate further and learn the true intentions of Moriarty's schemes, as well as seeing if they can prevent anymore murders that could be costly for the future of their beloved England.

First of all I would like to say that this sequel is much closer in context to the short stories, particularly The Last Problem where Moriarty and Holmes have an epic standoff near a waterfall. It still is an independent story, but chooses to bring audiences closer to Arthur Conan Doyle's interpretation of him. I absolutely prefer the sequel to its predecessor because it is so much more rich in its storyline with the audience getting to see various locations that Holmes travels too, where in the first one you feel as if it was a lot more grounded in its setting. As a result, the audience gets to see a more profound side of Holmes as well as Watson, with Holmes putting on a lot more disguises and carrying out unimaginable escapes from situations that can only entail death. Watson is as loyal as can be, sticking by Holmes whenever a possibility of danger arises. The quality of a friendship is most certainly put to the test here, making it the most prominent theme in the film.

The sequel is definitely more dramatic in tone with Adler's character dying and as a result we get to see Holmes's agony towards the event and how he tries to hide his feelings when she was his one true love. It was sad to see her character go, because I missed her feisty nature and the fact that she outwitted the great Sherlock Holmes (twice). I suppose it was done to introduce new characters so as not to overcrowd the storyline with too many details and let Holmes have a certain target to aim for, without losing his way.

Much more than just fistfights are offered in this one, with massive explosions happening in slow motion, shrapnel and bullets flying past their ears and each of the main characters being on the borderline of death. It must have been an arduous ordeal to produce such captivating effects and it obviously paid off because I was entranced with the amazingly done CGI and the vigorous stunts the actors had to pull off to make the story come to life. The movie still preserves its dark cinematography which I really like because it maintains that aura of mystery wherever they may be and the ending was not only surprising, but humorous as well, making me eager to find out where their adventures will take them in the next movie.

Robert Downey Jr. is still the man when it comes to playing Sherlock. He is of course wonderful and really took on the challenge of not just playing Holmes, but having to achieve some rather difficult disguises while making them comical as well. His face expressions are what really sell his whimsical capers and tricks, and because he has such a great on-screen as well as off-screen charisma, he is always entertaining to watch. Jude Law really broke out of his shell for this role, where in the first one he sort of played second fiddle to Sherlock but in this one, he actually has a much more important role to play. Even though he is still considered more of an assistant and Sherlock being the mastermind, that is quite the contrary because without Watson, Holmes may not have survived the many deadly traps that their adversaries have set up for them. What I'm trying to say is, that Jude Law made the character of Watson more three-dimensional as opposed to the first film and I applaud his efforts. Noomi Rapace, who we know from her famous role as Lisbeth in the original film version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was very convincing in her role as a gypsy, and is surprisingly good at speaking English despite us thinking otherwise. Her accent did not put me off for one second, and it seemed like part of her character in a way. Well done Noomi for making a seamless transition into English films!

In conclusion, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is bigger and better than its predecessor with the same elements that we loved from the original, being brought to a story that is richer in texture, character development and of course action. I guarantee you, it's an exhilarating experience that you wish could continue much longer.

Young Adult (2011)

Young Adult brings to the screen an unconventional story of a woman who's slowly growing older, but doesn't want to grow up. Charlize Theron is absolutely splendid in her role as a cold-hearted, selfish and mentally unstable writer while Patton Oswalt really shines on his part, giving a performance that I thought was highly underestimated by most critics and viewers.

Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) is a writer who lives in the city of Minneapolis. Living all alone in her apartment with her dog Dolce, she struggles with writing one last installment of a young adult book series that has been cancelled by the publisher, and is in need of some inspiration. One morning she receives an e-mail with a photo of her ex-boyfriend's newborn baby. In a reckless fit, she decides to go back to her hometown in Mercury, Minnesota to get back what she had when she was a teenager and along the way, write her book according to what happened in her experiences with Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson). Upon arrival she takes on her mission head-on and doesn't lose any time trying to hook up a date with him. At a local bar she meets one of her high school classmates, Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt) who remembers her from their school days while she has no recollection of him until she realizes he was the victim of a hate crime where he lost one of his legs and received severe damage to his lower body. She informs him of her wicked plan and he immediately warns her that she is completely out of her mind and should seek professional help. Stubborn as a mule, she doesn't let up on her opportunity to finally be happy, but we start to question how soon will she realize her childish behavior and if she can ever change or avoid a public humiliation among her small-town peers.

After a three-year hiatus from acting, Charlize Theron chooses one of the most challenging roles in the 2011 film season to bring her back to acting glory. Managing to get back on top with an Oscar worthy performance of a character who is so deluded and out of this world while also being a complete opposite of what Charlize is like in real life, is definitely a daring feat to take on just as you get back from such a long break. But Charlize brings all the goods anyway, and doesn't seem to reveal any rust at all playing a character with a such a layered and complex mindset. What makes Mavis so interesting to me is probably that she has priorities that are similar to a teenager's, which makes it possible for her to write in the young adult genre yet completely destroy her personal life at the same time. What I don't understand is how her series can get cancelled. I suppose that's the price she pays for being so caught up in her past and not being able to grow up and face that what happened, happened, and that she should just move on. I wonder if people like her actually exist and how in the world did the writer Diablo Cody, come up with this concept?

Yet another comedy actor and comedian proves that they can also be great in dramatic roles, and Patton Oswalt gives an amazing performance as a crippled man who is kind in nature but hasn't had a good deal of luck in life. The scenes between him and Theron were so intense and at moments he completely leveled with her if not passed her in the amount of emotion he gave. Just plain great acting and totally unexpected.

Apart from the acting, the story wasn't really that exciting and at the end, it felt nothing but an introspective character study that seemed a little bit surreal as well as gloomy. We come all this way from a character that is obviously troubled and is willing to hurt anyone in order to be happy; want her to change so badly for her own good as well as for others' sake, and eventually getting nothing in the end. She continues life in the same manner and has no regrets just because she still believes that she is better than all those who still live in Mercury. The camera work wasn't so impressive either, but I do applaud the opening credits with the many different shots of a playing cassette. That is as good as it's gonna get, but I suppose that was the essence they were going for. Simplicity in the overall shooting process, while having a character focused base that balanced the film and gave it a distinct flavor.

I advise you to see this just for the sake of seeing some great performances which are funny and witty as well as being hardcore dramatic, but you might feel downright bad after it comes to a close, making it the feel-bad film of 2011.

Soul Surfer (2011)

A justifiable take on the story of a girl who had to change her perspective on life despite the chaos and turbulence caused by a life changing event that shook her family and friends most of all.

Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) is an aspiring surfer who is working her way up to start a professional career doing what she loves most. She lives in Hawaii with her family consisting of her mother (Helen Hunt), father (Dennis Quaid), and two brothers. As a child surf culture has always surrounded her as a way of life for her family. She sees surfing as something that she truly enjoys and can share with her family, while also having that competitive edge to be the best at it. Her best friend Alana (Lorraine Nicholson) is also very much into surfing and shares the same dreams of becoming a pro just like Bethany. They have been friends ever since they were little and their bond is something that most friendships lack in the long run. One day, the best friends go out surfing with a few others and by chance, Bethany gets attacked by a shark. The shark has bitten off her arm and the incident just so happens to coincide with her father's surgery. Those who are there with her immediately call her mom and take Bethany to the hospital. Everyone is perplexed and definitely shell-shocked by what happened and how someone like Bethany could be caught up in a near tragedy. Luckily, she survived despite losing a fair amount of blood in the process and the family are thankful to God that she is still with them. At first, it's really difficult for Bethany to adapt to her disability and see the brighter side of things but with a little encouragement from her family and her vehement determination, she decides to go back in the water and compete at Regionals. She is pummeled by the surf and loses all hope of returning to her usual form, even going as far as giving away her surfboards to fans. After giving up, she decides to give her time and help to the people affected by the tsunami in Phuket, Thailand by going on a mission with her church group. While there, she truly realizes that surfing is not the most important thing and figures that what happened to her, as opposed to seeing the tsunami aftermath is nothing compared to what these people had endured. After returning home from the trip, she is baffled by how much fan mail she receives and at the amount of people who have been in situations that are similar to hers, yet they are inspired at the path she is taking despite her circumstances. It opens up her eyes that she isn't doing this for just herself anymore, but for all those people who look up to her and the example she has set for everyone.

I think this is a great family movie for everyone but may seem frightening for younger viewers, so decide wisely if your children are ready to see a shark attack and a girl without one of her arms for most of the movie. I think that the movie did a great job portraying a real life event and stepping up to recreate the events of something that happened not too long ago with the people who were involved, being there to guide the movie making process. It was amazing to see how they made AnnaSophia's arm invisible by the use of make up and of course CGI, with the ending result being so successful. I wasn't even trying to look for any glimpses of the hidden arm after first seeing how it looks on screen. Oh, how far has technology come in film making!

AnnaSophia was perfect for the role of Bethany in many ways. I really felt her emotions coming through in every scene and I think she made a convincing surfer as well. She did meet with the real life Bethany, who provided some stunts for the movie, and really had a chance to step into her shoes and the ending result is rather impressive. Helen Hunt, who actually has quite a bit of experience in surfing also gave an impressive performance even though it seems she should have been given a little bit more screen time. Carrie Underwood makes her big screen debut in Soul Surfer and her performance doesn't receive any complaints from me even though her role was rather small but still vital to the development of Bethany's character. The ocean visuals were stunning and actually quite beautiful, making my love for the ocean rise a bar higher despite the shark hazard. The colors were beautiful and I think the poster is a little off-putting when it comes to the glorious color variations of Hawaiian nature. But I suppose it weighs on the dramatic aspects of the film.

There were of course some flaws and bumps along the way and every movie has them. First of all, I thought the night surfing scene was a little bit off-putting and redundant because it didn't quite fit in with the narrative I suppose. It just felt a little bit like they were going for a more commercial representation of teens going out to have fun without the consent of the parents and it didn't enhance the quality of the story. I also think the dialogue could have been a bit better during the first half of the movie. It felt a little sloppy and careless but after the shark attack it picked up on it and really had something important to say. Those were probably the main flaws, but other than that it sent out a truly inspirational message that is uplifting for those who do have a disability as well as those who feel thankful they still have two arms.

There are many religious references throughout because Bethany's family are devout Christians but some people might find it a little bit preacher-like although it is totally understandable because they had faith during that harrowing ordeal and it's just the way their family is. If their faith is what happened to get them through it all, then it's up to them to believe in what they want to believe in. You shouldn't judge them for it, and in fact there are a lot of inspirational quotes in the film that I think will speak to many even if you're not a Christian or go to church. Being the nature of the film that they all go through Bethany's struggle united and with courage, the notion of family is defined very clearly, and having those few good friends that are really close and have been loyal to you for a very long time, can help anyone get through difficulties in their own lives.

Overall, it's a breath of fresh air and gives you an excuse to see a sneak peek of life in Hawaii and the closely woven friendships everyone share. Family, love and faith are some of the vital keys that will open the door to happiness and hopefully everyone will find that it's true when viewing this film. It is definitely much more than a surfing movie.