Movie Review: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire

When I reviewed the first film, I hadn’t read the book, but after I saw it, I went through the trilogy within a week! This is by far is one of my top favorite trilogies! To go and live it again in the Cinema is amazing! This is why I love it when they turn books into successful films! It doesn’t always work, but this one, it’s just perfect!

So the story continues for Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the Girl on Fire and Baker Boy, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) after they won the 74th Hunger Games. They start with the Victor’s Tour and somehow end up on the bad side of President Snow (Donald Sutherland). He is mad and he is furious, so naturally for the 75^th Hunger Games, he brings all the old Victors back into the arena, just to show them all who’s in control. A wise move or not? Well, that’s something for you to find while you watch.

I dunno about the rest of the trilogy fans, but I am ecstatic and happy, because all of my favorites parts in the book played before me in the screen! I just hate it when they sometimes have to cut good scenes to fit the whole plot in the 2 hours film.

The movie was so awesome and it just so exciting! My favorite part to watch was when Katniss dress turned into the mockingjay! That was so beautiful and the Arena!! Oh man! They really make it real!! To live through the Hunger Games all over again is so thrilling. It’s better for us of course, cus it’s not real, but I didn’t notice the time, the whole film just flew by! It’s that good, you’re so in it, that when it stops, you remember you’re at the movies.

I loved loved Jennifer portray of Katniss. If you haven’t read the book, this is who Katniss is, she’s strong but vulnerable. She is confused of whom to love between Peeta and Gale (Liam Hemsworth). So if you see Jennifer’s face, that’s Katniss. You really really have to read the books! On the other hand, Josh who played Peeta, was a bit stiff. Peeta for me is one of my favorite characters I have ever read in a book. His true character is so strong and powerful and his love for Katniss is so beautiful, fierce and magical. That wasn’t clear enough in the film. They have to fix it for the third film! My other favorite character in the book is the handsome charming, Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) the victor from district 4. I love him and I’m happy that Sam wasn’t disappointing in his role. He nailed it!

There is not a lot to say about this film. It’s just so inspiring. I loved the books. I’ll say it over and over again. It’s not just about the love story or the excitement of all the twists and turns of the plot. It’s on how Suzanne Collins, the writer of the trilogy depicted on the subject of survivor guilt and post trauma syndromes. It’s so gripping to just read on and see how Katniss’ character developed. The hurt and pain of going through two hunger games and a revolution is explored throughout the books. It's so emotionally hooking. 

Never mind me, just a bookworm and an aspiring writer yapping on character’s development. Anyway, the movie is amazing! It’s soooo soooo good, so go watch it. If you saw the first one, you’ll love this too and if you didn’t, buy it, rent it or borrow it, then head to Cinema to watch this one.

Till the next one!

Kemz
Twitter & Instagram: @kemzmovies

Movie Review: Elysium

A very intense, exciting and heartbreaking film!! Staring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, it’s the story of how after 100 years from now, Earth is so crowded and full of diseases, so everyone is sick and poor except for few Elites, who lives in a huge space ship, Elysium. In Elysium, no one is sick or poor. One Earth citizen, Max (Damon) gets exposed to deathly doses of radiation, so in 5 days he will die, unless he get into the highly protected Elysium.

With that, the crazy exciting story, the movie starts! It's filled with action packed scenes! It’s so intense and bloody. There are robots, massive guns and car chases! Even a love story and emotional scenes. The whole package!

The film other than being just an action sci-fi film, you will defiantly notice the representation of the immigration stiuation in America through this film. I mean the ones on Earth speak Spanish and they are “illegal” immigrants who want to cross the boarders to Elysium. It shows why these immigrants try to break the laws. They’re just trying for a better life for them and their loved ones. It also depicts on horrible work environment. It just heartbreaking to see it on the screen and then you realize, wait, this actually happens in real life. It’s an important message to convey.

It’s just shows how a movie always have something behind its scenes! And it’s made in a very awesome way with all the contrast between the characters of people and scenery on Earth and Elysium.

I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. I can’t believe it was released in August and we just got it! Typical!

Anyway, next week is, Hunger Games!!!!

Till then,

Kemz
Twitter & Instagram: @kemzmovies

Movie Review: Thor, The Dark World

So after not seeing any movie for 5 weeks, I went to see the new Thor! Oh, how much I love living in a time when sequels do not disappoint! It was so amazing, magnificent and magical!!!

The plot is the same as always, new darkness threatening the world, the need to save the world and the amazing superhero that just takes our breath away! Even though the story line is the same, each superhero movie has its own soul that shine through the screen and I love how in this sequel, the director still captured the essence of what Thor is really about.  It still has that air of royalty that just really mesmerizing.

The best part is that most part of the movie was in Asgard!! I mean the scenes were so beautiful. I love how that world capture the touch of ancient Greece with the touch of advanced technology. I’m so bored with war happening on Earth, so for me it’s perfect!

The movie is so so exciting! Like I said it didn’t disappoint. We see more of the other realms and more battles here and there. It’s so epic, exciting and heartbreaking! It’s also charming and hilarious!!

I didn’t expect it to be so awesome! I also have to applaud to Marvel and their amazing way to linking all their heroes’ films together. It makes it so real and enjoyable. Totally Genius!

I am so happy!! Thor is for sure one of my favorites superheroes of all time (alongside Iron Man and Wolverine)

Till the next one!

Kemz
Twitter & Instagram: @kemzmovies

Movie Review: Gravity

The Story of Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) in her first journey into space astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney).  As they fix one of the satellites an accident happens and they re left alone astray in the open space.

Even though the view and the special features are amazing, so beautiful, but it is one stressful film!! It’s amazing how the movie is made to make you feel and see everything Dr. Stone see or feel. It was done a bit too much tho. I was nauseating in the beginning. I saw it in 2D format, so I can only imagine how it could be for 3D viewers.

But I still enjoyed the film. It has its own rhythm and beauty. For a movie lover, I recommend this film, but for someone who can’t take stress or speed flashy scenes, it’s overwhelming.

My favorite thing in the film is Sandra Bullock! She is such a brilliant actress! I love her! She was so amazing in the film and the story was really interesting.

It’s a really good film, but it’s not for everyone!

Eid Mubarak everyone!

Kemz
Twitter & Instagram: @kemzmovies

Movie Review: Escape Plan

I saw this film in the IMDB coming soon list and I decided to watch it. It seemed interesting. For some reason I didn’t read the cast list, which was fortunate! Because if I knew the lead characters were Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger I would not want to watch it! I’d think it’s just some lame action film, but it’s not!!

I RECOMMEND this film!!! So much! Especially that we are now in the boring fall season. Even if we weren’t I’d still say ‘go watch it!’.

It’s the story of Breslin (Stallone), who break out of jails for security testing. The film starts with one escape attempt that hooks you right into the perfect mood!  Then the story escalates when he is hired to break from an unbreakable secret jail that he will find himself stuck in.

The film is so smart and thrilling!! You can’t feel the time moving because you want to know what happens next. The director Mikael Håfström, who I don’t know very much, played perfectly with the sounds and the setting to put us right in the middle of the action! I had panicking, claustrphopic moments when the prisoners were in the solitary cell!

What I loved about this film that it didn’t look too commercial or cheaply made. It was very professional and has its own soul. It was so much better than what I’d expect. Even Stallone and Arnold acted really well!! I’m so proud and happy!

The idea of the movie is smart, thrilling and has a new twist!! As I said, I recommend this! Also it has an unexpected ending! I duno if I was too tired today, but I didn’t expect what happened in the end. The plot fooled me and that is not easy to be done with me! I probably was too tired hahahaha.

Next film on my list: Gravity and Ender’s Game along with few others!

Till the next one!

Kemz 
Twitter & Instagram: @kemzmovies

Movie Review: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

This Saturday I was in the mood for a fun light film. After the intensity of Prisoners, I needed that hahaha. So, we went to watch the new Percy Jackson film. For those who didn’t see the first film ‘Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief’, it’s the story of a modern demi-God, the son of Poseidon to be accurate, who lives in a special camp for demi-Gods. There they find shelter from all the monsters and other mythical creatures, but of course adventure always finds them and a new quest is always waiting around the corner. The whole story is driven from the Greek methodology and it’s based on a 5-books series by Rick Riordan (same title).

It’s a really fun story. The Greek methodology and the whole Olympus Gods legends always interested me. I don’t believe in them for sure, but I’m really intrigued to know how that story was developed. It is very curious. But about the film, it was enjoyable and just the perfect film for something light and fun. It was also quite funny.

I just love how they took all those creatures and just reinvent them. Big cheers for the author who created this world. The special features also puts you in the right setting to make you feel you're deep in the story.

My only problem with the film was the focus of the camera. The whole screen wasn’t clear. The director kept focusing on specific things and the rest is a bit plury, but after sometimes u get used to it, so it’s not a big issue. It was just annoying for a bit.

I tried to find out if they’re going to do a third film, because the ending indicated the continuing of the story. So apparently there are talks to start filming The Titan’s Curse, but I guess the production house is just waiting for final revenue numbers to decide.

It was really fun and I’m happy I chose to watch it this weekend. If you’re a YA fantasy fan or just looking for a fun adventure, this is a really cool film to watch.

I bought ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘Star Trek into the Darkness’ DVDs, so let’s see what I’ll review next!

Kemz
Twitter & Instagram: @kemzmovies

Movie Review: Prisoners

Staring Hugh Jackman, Prisoners is the story of Keller Dover (Jackman) when his daughter and her friend got kidnapped. Disappointed by the performance of Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) he perssue the suspect and try to find his daughter.

This is such a suspense story!! OMG!! I was on the edge of my seat and screaming at the screen! Even though it’s the same kidnapping story, but so intense and thrilling! There are scenes that hook you up so much that you just stare in silence waiting for something to happen. Even the soundmix was thrilling. It was so calm that even some scenes didn’t have any sound but the click of a pen or the swish of a paper.

I’m a huge, huge Hugh Jackman fan!! I love how deep he gets into the character. He’s so passionate and emotional. There was a scene that just killed me as he screamed at Loki saying, ‘My daughter is there, waiting for me, waiting for me to save her’.

Also keep in mind that you need to go with your friends to see this. I really enjoyed the movie more because I had my sisters and friends with me and we kept speculating and trying to guess the plot! It was like we lived the mystery with them. It was nerve wrecking, but totally worth it!!

Awesome choice, Hugh! As always!!!

Let’s see what I’ll review this weekend!
Kemz
Twitter & Instagram: @kemzmovies

Movie Review: Django Unchained

As I tweeted the other day, I wanted to review an Oscar winning film. So, since winning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay is my ultimate dream, I chose ‘Django Unchained’.  I’m not a big fan of the Wild West films, but it’s a Quentin Tarantino film, so I was really excited to see it. I don’t know how to explain my take on Tarantino’s filmmaking style. He is famous of making unconventional stories in the most innovative way while keeping in mind, the artistic and in the same time commercial aspect in his film. See, I told you, I’m bad at explaining his methods, hahaha. Anyway what I mean is; his movies have a combination of elements that appeal to both critics and viewers.  

So, the film is about Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave in 1858 who was freed by a German dentist, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) who is a bounty hunter. Hoping to find his enslaved wife (Kerry Washington) Django join Dr. King and become his deputy. They finally find his wife under the ownership of, a ruthless plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).

It’s a long film, 2 hours and a half with some bloody scenes (well, if you saw Kill Bill, it’s not that much) but it’s a movie NOT TO BE MISSED! It’s very smart and sharp and Tarantino knows exactly the right moment for slow motion scenes to intrigue interest. It’s so thrilling and really moving.

The main theme in the film was slavery (that reminded me that I need to watch ‘12 Years a Slave’). It just shows you how much the African American suffered in those days and no matter how you tried, you can’t imagine the feeling of being owned and humiliated like that. I really enjoyed how the story (written by Tarantino) showed slavery and all that suffering through the eyes of a couple who will do anything for their love. It raised the issue of the ‘forbidden love’.

Since ‘Django Unchained’ won Best Writing, Original Screenplay, I paid attention to the dialogue. The moment you hear the doctor speaks in the film, you know how smart the script is. It gave the doctor’s character its unique voice and identity. Waltz also won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for playing the doctor. He was super awesome. He was brilliant! I totally approve the win.

Jamie Foxx was amazing in his role as well. He brought the character alive through his eyes. I always said that the success of an actor is shown through his eyes. He made me believe he was dying inside whenever something happened to his wife. I also always, always, always enjoy Leonardo’s acting. He needs an Oscar soon! His characters are always varied and his acting is just ah! Genius!

The movie is again not to be missed. It’s even has some funny scenes, so it has everything! If you’re looking for a good movie, here’s a film for you. But if you can’t take the blood and torturing, you shouldn’t watch it. It’s a bit disturbing.

Oh and it has an awesome soundtrack! I love it!

Tell I manage to see something good soon! (hopefully Prisoners!!)

Kemz
Twitter & Instagram: @kemzmovies