sophaljonesy Reviews

Dune (2021)

I think we should make a rule that any movie with a name you cannot pronounce would be a good movie.

[8/10 · 12 February 2024]

I have only seen a few of Denis Villeneuve's works such as Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival. Both were visually stunning, so that was already expected when I in front of the movie screen waiting for Dune to begin. I knew nothing about Dune except a vague memory of a CGI giant sandworm featured in the 90s movie dubbed in Thai; a language I didn't understand at all. I was not a fan of Timothy Chalamet nor was I big on Zendaya so my expectations were pretty low. But I was surprised to see Jason Momoa, who stole the show. Oscar Isaac was brilliant as the father of Chalamet's character. He was noble but relatable. In fact, everyone in the cast was great. Chalamet proved he was a decent actor (to me) but Zendaya did not have much to do but stare into the audience or Chalamet, but her character did seem quite interesting despite having a few lines of dialogue. I wish Bautista had more screen time, he has a presence to him. Stellan Skarsgard is quite a menacing villain despite hardly moving. Josh Brolin was also great as Duncan, the trainer of Chalamet's character. The only weak point was Rebecca Ferguson's character, whom I feel is a bit inconsistent. Her character seems to veer from helpless in her scenes in her home but strong when she fights.

I must say the fight scenes and the sci fi elements in the fight make it feel more grounded and realistic than Star Wars. You feel hits in the fight, and feel the stakes. Being used to laser portrayed as colorful lights flashing in Star Wars, the laser in this movie is seen as more menacing. And the notorious sandworm is captured perfectly. Its menacing presence is felt, and its entrance is both spectacular and majestic. Villeneuve shows you why it is referred as The Hand of God by its characters. Every time it shows, you feel its power. I don't think any sci fi movie managed to make a sci fi monster as threatening and majestic as Villeneuve's sandworm. Storywise, Villeneuve took time for us to know who the characters are and what is going on. Once the action starts, it does not let up. Though the ending may be like a cliffhanger, it does not leave you hanging. You feel that a chapter has concluded satisfactorily, and you are ready for more. The post-credit scene, unlike Marvel, made you thirst for more. Villeneuve knows how to hook the audience with how to tell the story, and his pacing is consistent but does not feel dragged. The cinematography is just excellent. It feels real despite being literally otherworldly. I think we should make a rule that any movie with a name you cannot pronounce would be a good movie. Denis Villeneuve is one prime example.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

A true cinematic event with the most unnerving onscreen explosion ever

[10/10 · 25 July 2023]

I don't really know how to describe a cinematic experience but I think Oppenheimer should be counted as one. You are absorbed into the story, and feel immersed into this world. The movie plays like a thriller slowly revealing new details. Nolan is a master of playing the story non-linearly, but the use of colors contrasting with black and white clearly distinguishes the timeline. We see the lead up to the building of the atomic bomb, and the aftermath. Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer is just killing it (pun intended), needless to say. I see there is a solid casting and every supporting actor grabs your attention. Even Florence Pugh's small role in the movie is interesting. Emily Blunt's talent is not wasted even with the little screen time she is given. I can say every sensory experience you can get from a movie is fully exploited. The use of sound is very much part of the story, and keeps you feeling anxious throughout. You also feel Cillian's Oppenheimer. I mean Nolan literally bares his character just to show his state of mind and emotion. This is done in various scenes. I could feel the shock Oppenheimer felt when he was cheered on by crowds after learning of the deaths caused by his invention. Whatever emotional journey Oppenheimer is experiencing, I could feel it. I also like how the science is explained simply, and I could grasp the idea of how an atomic bomb works. It was great to see what physicists I had only heard of in name on screen such as Niels Borh, Heisenberg, and most importantly Einstein. It was like the Avengers of geeks, and three hours did not feel long. Robert Downey Jr was brilliant as Lewis Strauss, and I see he channeled a bit of Tony Stark too, but in the unlikable side. Matt Damon was great too, and I like his back and forth with Cillian Murphy. The best part is the explosion scene, and that is worth the wait. I could say they could have ended the movie shortly after the explosion though. Yet, the explosion scene was perfectly executed. It was tense, and showcases the most powerful and unnerving atomic explosion scene in cinema. Nolan perfectly shows how dangerous an atomic bomb is without showing any death, and the impact of it lingers even as the story continues after the explosion. I certainly believe that Oppenheimer will be one of the most important movies of the decade if not of all time. I may even watch it again on the big screen, and yes you do need to watch it on the big screen to fully enjoy it.

Renfield (2023)

Nic Cage steals the show in this fun, bloody, and action packed vampire movie.

[8/10 · 5 May 2023]

Anything Nic Cage is entertaining. When I saw the trailer, I did not know what to expect but I expected it to be good. Nic Cage steals the show as Dracula, and though I could not understand what he said at first, his Dracula is both charming, and menacing. And he is Nic Cage, so you would expect him to do Nic Cage stuff like screaming. Another scene stealer is Shoreh Aghdashloo, who plays the mother of the main villain. Nicholas Hoult is great at playing clueless help to his undead lord, while Ben Schwarz plays the villain. Akwafina is good playing tough cop who is slightly less comical than you would expect in her roles, but she fits the tone of the movie well. I like how they insert co-dependency as a theme in the story, and I believe it is used just for fun, and not really as a moral. The focus is Hoult's Renfield believes he is in a co-dependent relationship with Cage's Dracula and tries to escape. However, he is entangled with a mob family while picking his victims. The movie is funny, bloody, and action packed. Needless to say, I love it. It actually feels like a Nic Cage movie, even though it is titled Renfield.

The Invitation (II) (2022)

A romance story sprinkled with some kills to remind you it is a horror movie

[6/10 · 5 May 2023]

At first I thought it was a movie about a random woman who, by chance, is invited to a party full of vampires, and she resourcefully kills them all using her wits. So I was not really that interested when it first came out because I was tired of seeing all powerful vampires being easily killed just because our characters know they were vampires. However, the interesting thing about this movie, is that it plays like a romance movie mixed with vampire horror. There are a few kills sprinkled to remind you this is a horror movie, but a majority of the time is Nathalie Emmanuel romancing with Thomas Doherty in an aristocratic setting until the vampire horror stuff starts. This is where Emmanuel believably plays victim to circumstances, and she is not become an all powerful heroine who easily kills the villain in the end. She struggles in every thing. Another interesting is how the movie drops hints throughout the story, and you would see how it all fits. But I think the ending was too rushed and not impactful enough. The build up was slow and when it reached the part where the conspiracy unfolds, and everything is revealed, some characters change so inorganically to look menacing but it does not work. Fortunately, Nathalie Emmanuel's character seemed consistent, and many others too. So you even after the reveal, you could understand why they are acting that way. I also like the after credit scene. I don't know if it hints a sequel, or just an epilogue but it is interesting.

The Forest (I) (2016)

Predictable story, but Natalie Dormer makes it worth watching.

[7/10 · 5 May 2023]

What do you expect from a movie with a generic title: The Forest? There is someone entering the forest for some reason and bad things happen. Here we have Natalie Dormer looking for her twin in Japan's infamous suicide forest. With her twin sense, she knows her twin is alive and is teamed with a journalist to find the twin. The focus is mainly on Dormer, and though her character does stupid horror movie stuff like not listening to warnings, it does feel like what she suffers from in the forest is too much. The first part of the movie is dedicated to character motivation, and plays out like a mystery, while the second part feels like a rip off of the Blair Witch project. There are several problems to the movie, if they had focused mainly on Dormer's character and make the story seen from her point of view, we get to experience the horror and disorientation more intensely. The supporting character, played by Taylor Kinney, was not exactly ambiguous but seem to flip flop. Though the ambiguity was to build suspense, Kinney seemed to not really know if he what he was meant to be as a character, or make his character's motivation clear. Nor was there anything really outstanding about his character apart from being just another character for Natalie Dormer to converse with because there should be a handsome male present with our female lead. In fact, it might have been better if it was solely led by Dormer, as she is a very capable actress. Another problem is the setting. The lush landscape is not scary or creepy in anyway. The scarier scenes were in the cabin, and a cave. But what they did right was how they built up the story from beginning to the ending. Though the ending is predictable, it was shocking because I grew to care about Dormer's character and actually root for her. But though it was decent, and I enjoyed it, I still feel a lot of potential was wasted in this movie.

M3GAN (2022)

The character Megan is a combination of Chucky and the Terminator with some drama to move the story.

[8/10 · 26 February 2023]

After a fatal car accident killing both her parents, 9-year old Cady is sent to live with her aunt Gemma; where she gets to try out Gemma's prototype doll Megan. As Cady and Megan bond, accidents occur to those who threaten Cady. This makes for a rather generic plot, but the execution is top notch despite hardly any gore. Megan is unsettling without having to look or sound scary (she even has a nice singing voice). The acting is decent; though I would say the puppeteers behind Megan, or whoever were involved, should win an award because the character Megan can convey a range of emotions through her expressions. The human actors are decent enough to move the story forward. Comedian Ronny Chieng steals the show using his angry-man persona to play the company CEO. You find him hateful and funny. I also like how the tension between characters build up slowly from the beginning until the climax. We have the personal conflict between aunt and niece. We have the question of whether allowing technology to creep deeply in life is a good idea. Though the movie does not go deep in any of these issues, the themes are sprinkled throughout just to move the plot. I also like how they make Megan, an AI doll, seem almost supernatural. She looks like a combination of Chucky and the Terminator without looking scary or imposing. Can't wait for the sequel!

Legacy of Lies (2020)

The most vulnerable and human a Scott Adkins character has been

[7/10 · 15 December 2022]

This is a decent Scott Adkins movie, however do not expect his high flying style fighting. Adkins as an onscreen fighter is more subdued and vulnerable. He actually loses several times, which makes the viewing more interesting because you begin to wonder how he can get out of trouble. Another interesting things is you see Adkins try to focus more on acting, than in other movies. It is good that he tries to expand his acting range, and he looked almost like a combination of James Bond, Jason Bourne, and John Wick. The weak point of the movie is that despite Adkins being his most vulnerable, there are no clear threats to him. The villain is too quirky to be a menace, and though she was holding his character's daughter, you feel that the hostage is in safe hands, and that the villain is too nice. The strong point would be seeing Adkins try new things. These include him being human and vulnerable. WE understand his motivation. We see him getting beat up, and bloodied. We can even feel that he can easily be killed. Also we get to see Adkins match wits with his enemies, and there are times that he does not win. That is refreshing when you are used to seeing him as Boyka, and the Ninja. In the end, I actually like the story even though I believe that it could have been much better.

Troll (2022)

I was rooting for the troll

[7/10 · 6 December 2022]

The trailer made me think it was a sequel to Trollhunter, and some of the shots were almost identical to Trollhunter. But since I enjoyed Trollhunter, I would not mind it if it was a ripoff. Upon watching, I actually enjoyed it. It was like King Kong and Jurassic Park 3 starring the titular Troll. I like that they kept the scope smaller because it is obviously a small budget movie compared to Hollywood. What made the story interesting is the relationship between the main character and her father. They had had a falling out, and the father seems to be losing his sanity, while our heroine is conflicted with what she is seeing. If they had focused more on that, it could have made a compelling story. Another thing about the story they got right was giving the Troll a backstory and motivation. It may not sound good as an idea but I was actually rooting for the Troll. The action was great, but you do wonder how can a government know nothing about how to kill a troll and actually need a paleontologist? This is one of the weakness of the movies, another weakness were the almost identical shots to Trollhunter, which you could see from the trailer. However, they do manage to make the Troll interesting as a character, and that what makes it better that it could have been.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

The best Tom Cruise movie I have seen that also highlights his skill as a dramatic actor more prominently that his previous movies.

[8/10 · 12 June 2022]

I remember watching the first Top Gun as a kid, and I did not enjoy it that much. But the scenes that stood out was Tom Cruise smiling on his motorbike, and the beach volleyball scene. In this sequel, we have Tom grinning a lot on his motorcycle, and a beach volleyball scene. There are nods to the past movie, and somehow Cruise seems so different from all his other characters. It seems that Cruise is aware that he is getting old, and that message seems to be be clear in the movie. Though he is a top pilot, he is clumsy and does not fall in a heroic pose like a superhero. He sits back to watch younger people play. He even seems vulnerable. Here we do not see a self confident Tom Cruise like in the Mission Impossible franchise, or any Tom Cruise playing action hero. We see an aging fighter who is aware of his age and unable to let go. Cruise's character has to train a group of top pilots for a mission, but his past haunts him when one of the recruits is the son of his former team. This drama drives the plot of the movie and works well for Cruise. Both Cruise's internal conflict, and his conflict with the recruit makes the movie enjoyable, as you care for the characters. The action scene, and flying scenes were exhilarating. It is filmed like you are there flying, but without getting nauseous. This shows how well the flying scenes were well filmed. The mission almost feels like the Rebels planning to destroy the Death Star, only here, we see clearly how dangerous it is through the training, and when the mission starts, we actually fear for everyone. I honestly think this is the best Tom Cruise movie I have ever seen because we get to see Cruise showcase his acting skills more. Besides that, Val Kilmer's appearance was great, and Cruises chemistry with the supporting casts makes you believe they have actually gone through a lot together. John Hamm was ok, since he was not given much to do. I wish they had more Ed Harris. Oh, I forgot they do have Tom Cruise running, because that is what he always does in action movies. So go ahead and enjoy. Definitely recommend it.

Spiral (2021)

Delivers on the gore, torture, and twist but fails because of unlikable characters.

[5/10 · 5 June 2022]

The trailer got me hooked, and having a comedian play a serious character is always great. In fact, comedians can play serious roles very well, so I was already excited by Chris Rock being in the movie. I was even more excited when Samuel L Jackson was there too. It even had the original writer of Saw: Daryl Lynn Bousman. However, the execution was a bit underwhelming. The beginning sets the tone, but I guess the tone was set wrongly. They were correct to make the atmosphere tense, but they could have made the characters more likable so that the kills could have an emotional impact, and there could be stakes. These are what are extremely lacking in the movie. The movie does deliver on gore, and the twist (all Saw movies have a twist). While the twist seems implausible, the climax delivered because we had no stakes since the beginning of the movie. It seems like a puzzle no one cares about. Just an excuse to see one torture scene to another. Even Samuel L Jackson cannot save the movie; and he is great in all of them. Chris Rock does try hard in this movie too, and he becomes unlikable. You see him squinting and glaring a lot. You could actually feel his anger, but it does not seem justified. I guess if this had been released post Will Smith slap, we might want to see an angry Chris Rock in a horror movie. So, I guess you may enjoy the movie if you have plenty of time to kill because even a Saw fan like me feel underwhelmed.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

A wild, well written Nicholas Cage comedy/ action/ thriller featuring Nic Cage being Nic Cage for both fans and non fans

[9/10 · 21 May 2022]

I remembered hearing the idea of a movie where Nic Cage plays Nic Cage and was really excited. Now this idea has manifested into a real movie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, starring Nicolas Cage as Nick Cage, and I was more than happy. Playing another version of himself, Cage fully shows how likable he is as a star, an actor, and person. You see him do everything Nic Cage: screaming, getting emotional, being an action hero. Opposite Cage, is the great Pedro Pascal, who plays a suspected crime boss and a huge Nick Cage fan. He is likable from the beginning, and the chemistry he has with Nic Cage is impeccable. I could not think of anyone else handling the role but Pascal. Just seeing them interact is entertaining enough. Also, this being Nic Cage playing Nic Cage, you would expect some wildness in it, and the movie delivers. It veers from rom com, to crime thriller, to full blown action. I like the guy who plays the henchman too. He is actually smart and menacing; more than many action movie villains. In short, Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a well written multi-genre movie about Nicholas Cage in another universe. I think even non-Nic Cage fans, or people who do not know Nic Cage can enjoy this movie because the plot is simple, and everything seems straight forward. Any movie lover should see this.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

A wild trip with more Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Olsen, action and you can actually feel afraid for Dr Strange.

[8/10 · 6 May 2022]

Given the title Multiverse of Madness, and having Sam Raimi directing it, I was excited about the movie. Here are things I enjoyed about the movie. First, there is more Rachel McAdams. McAdams is a very talented actress and her talent was criminally wasted in the first Dr Strange. Here, she plays a more important role in the story, and I love every bit of it. Second, there is more Elizabeth Olsen. I have not seen her TV series (not everyone can access Disney Plus), and I always felt that Olsen's character is very under-used. Here, Olsen is able utilize her acting skills, and her character gets to use her powers even more. Third, there are tons of action. There are magical fights, and martial arts. I am surprised Dr Strange knows martial arts on top of magic. I also love the cameos. They were great fun. There are some Sam Raimi trademarks. We have the moving cameras, horror elements, and gore. There were times, I actually feel frightened for Dr Strange, and this is why the movie works. Dr Strange is just a guy who knows magic and he is actually challenged. You know he will win, (this being a superhero movie), but his abilities are stretched. He has to use his wit, magic, and fighting skills in order to save the multiverse. The only main problem about the movie, was I was expecting more universes involved. Though Dr Strange does travel through universes, the scope feels very limited. Another thing is that we care more about the villain than our protagonist. Dr Strange has problems, but Raimi seems more focused on the Strange running around than having the audience care about him. This is a drawback to the story because it could have elevated the story much more. But in the end I love the movie, and if you are an Evil Dead fan, you will love this. There are scenes which pay homage to the Evil Dead series too.

Don't Breathe 2 (2021)

Don't expect a plot, but good action and torturous fights

[6/10 · 30 April 2022]

I did not care too much about the sequel, but it did deliver on gore, and you get to see blind Stephen Lang punishing people. In this sequel, he is the good guy who has to protect his daughter from some ex military kidnappers. I was hoping his daughter would put up more fight but she was running all around; so much for her survival training. It is hard to feel threatened even though Lang's character is blind. Though he does get beaten up, we know he will survive and he can find whoever did him wrong. So in the end, it is hard to feel threatened for Lang's character, but the movie does deliver on gore, and torture. In the end, it is enjoyable if you shut off your brain and focus on the action and torture.

Pee Nak 3 (2022)

Not funny, or scary even with your brain shut

[2/10 · 25 April 2022]

I have watched the Pee Nak series, and this one is the worst. While the first was actually funny, and had some scares, the series declined in quality as it progressed. Pee Nak 3 has over dramatic acting, an incoherent plot, and unfunny situations. There is probably only one scene where I laughed but the rest of the movie was unfunny. The only reason I watched it was because I got to hangout with friends and I got free tickets. There is some effort in cinematography, as there are wide shots of the scenery. But this serves more as an advertisement of Thailand's natural scenery, and its festival than serving the story. I would not recommend this movie for any horror fan, or any movie fan as even with my analytical mind shut off, I cannot enjoy this movie at all.

Fantasy Island (2020)

Lots of twists, and great fun

[8/10 · 15 February 2020]

Fantasy Island is nothing like the TV series. It is a fantasy horror thriller with lots of twists and turns. I like how the story went. Judging from the trailers, it looked like Saw on an island, but it is definitely not that. I liked Michael Pena as Mr Roarke. He was quite a character. Though he does not possess the gentlemanly charm as Ricardo Montalban from the TV series, he is an interesting character. The other cast did a good job too. I also like the nods to the original series and hope to see the sequel.

The Queen of Black Magic (2019)

A bunch of horror scenarios threaded together

[6/10 · 2 February 2020]

Following a similar plot of haunted orphanages in horror movies, where an old wrong must be corrected to stop evil wreaking havoc, this movie goes for gore and blood. The frames are well shot, and the gore is quite effective. The acting is quite decent but the little boy comes off as most natural. Despite the gore, the movie fails plotwise and completely drops the supporting characters entirely at the end of the movie. It is basically a bunch of horror scenarios threaded together to make a movie. Scary for kids, but mildly entertaining for above average horror moviegoers.

Dark (2017–2020)

Engrossing till the end

[10/10 · 1 February 2020]

I don't know how I came across Dark. The series does not waste its time and you are gripped by the first episode. All characters have a motivation and are connected. I am surprised the movie tackles family drama with science fiction so well. The acting is excellent, and though I watch the dubbed version; which fails to convey the same emotion as the expressions, the acting and story more than makes up for it. Here we see four families whose fates are interconnected across time. The show is smart, mindbending, very well shot and perfectly casted. I am surprised how different actors portraying the same character in different times look so similar you know immediately who the person is. This is because of great care in casting, and acting. I can't believe I have binged through 2 seasons in less than 2 weeks.

Underwater (2020)

Wonderfully executed, and delivers in spades

[8/10 · 16 January 2020]

The trailer and poster promises a claustrophobic sci fi horror involving an underwater threat. On these fronts the movie fully delivers. After just a few minutes of the opening shots, the movie does not waste its time to get to business. It is my first time to see Kristen Stewart perform (since I consciously avoided watching the Twilight Series), and am amazed by her performance. She balances resourcesfulness with stoic vulnerability. Thus she leaves you worrying how she would get through the ordeal more than expecting her to kick ass or play hero. Vincent Cassel was also great and had a very commanding presence. Having seen him play villains, I am surprised that he could be such a soothing presence in face of danger. What is brilliant about the movie is somehow, they make us care. For this reason, every death, or impending danger keeps us at the edge of our seats. There is hardly any time for character development, but the movie knows what it wants and focuses more on suspense and scares. Within helmet shots, and underwater POV shots were very effective in delivering chills, a nd claustrophobia. So much so, you would gasp for breathe the same time Stewart literally gets some air to breathe. In short, Underwater is a very lean sci fi horror that delivers both slow burning, and thumping suspense. The ending also fits the tone of the movie well, so if you want to enjoy a good underwater horror, go see it.

1917 (2019)

A gruelling war, adventure that balances action with great performances.

[9/10 · 16 January 2020]

1917 is a truly riveting war movie about a messenger who has to brave through enemy lines to deliver a message. The plot sounds boring, but being a war movie, you can expect a lot of action. The choice for long shot was good because the audience is there with the character and fully sees the world from the protagonist's point of view. This limits the visual scope and creates suspense. There are indeed many suspenseful moments. Sam Mendes brilliantly captures the grimness and unpredictability of war amidst plush scenery. Though our character is sent to prevent a rash attack by British soldiers, through the journey we can feel the exhaustion and just want our hero to escape alive and forget about the mission. The performances were great, needless to say. These are men in battle at the spur of the moment, and the time span is practically the runtime, so there is no time for detailed character exposition or development. What is seen is what you would see from a real person. Of course you may note that all British characters are decent people, even in face of death. So there is some idealization of World War 1 British soldiers. Interestingly, German soldiers are portrayed as people out there to fight, and they are human too. One even has a name. 1917 is a gruelling war adventure movie that balances action, spectacle, and drama. A definite must watch for all

Inmate Zero (2020)

Generic plot but brilliantly executed horror

[8/10 · 8 January 2020]

When a bunch of deathrow mates have to team up with jail guards to survive because an experiment had gone wrong, you could expect a lot of violence and bloodletting. This is basically the plot of the movie, but somehow the scares are very effective, and the director manages to convey dread throughout the movie, even before any action begins. The setting is used brilliantly, and creates a gothic horror atmosphere. The protagonists, eventhough they are hardened criminals, are all relatable and you feel for them. Nothing much is told about the characters but their interactions is enough to reveal their humanity. Thus making their deaths very impactful. There is also a good cop and bad cop to make things interesting. There is violence and bloodshed but they are not used gratituiously, making it very effective. I must say I really loved this film and recommend it to all. This could have turned out to be a generic gory slasher but is in fact one of the better than some big budget horrors.

The Grudge (2019)

Subpar horror with too little horror

[5/10 · 7 January 2020]

The Grudge is a very flawed horror movie whose good charactetics are offset by the negative. For instance features brilliant performances by Andrea Risenborough, and Lin Shaye but that is not enough to make the story good. While Risenborough is the protagonist, her character has no arc. She is still the same detective from start to finish. We do feel for her, but her character could have been better utilized. As for Lin Shaye, there should have been more of her scenes, because she came off as both creepy and tragic. Second, there are some shocking death scenes, and effective scares. But they are too few to make the movie a proper scary movie. Having seen other Sam Raimi-produced movies, I was hoping for a lot of bloodshed and gore but that did not happen. In short, The Grudge is one of the lower tier horror movies to spend on an extremely boring day. I believe giving it an F score is unfair, but this is definitely sub par.

Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

A nice upgrade

[8/10 · 10 December 2019]

Jumanji: The Next Level is what it is. Our protagonists have to return to the world of Jumanji to retrieve one of their friends. However the game console is broken, and the game is even more dangerous. This instalment is well directed and focuses on action fun rather than story. They try to make it heart warming though. However, there is an added level of unpredictability to the game, so even if you know they will eventually win the game, you can never know what will happen. Furthermore, the characters lose their lives earlier in the film, raising the stakes. The villain is also more menacing and a scene stealer too. So there is everything to love about Jumanji.

Frozen II (2019)

If only they focused on the plot, and less songs

[6/10 · 25 November 2019]

The teaser was intriguing enough to get me interested, but there is much to be improved in this instalment. First, there are too many songs. The songs use up half the run time and none are as memorable as Let It Go, nor as fun. Second, some characters are just annoying and inconsequential to the plot. Third, the payoff does not deliver. The story starts off with a mystery and the revelation does not feel worth the build up. However, if you can enjoy these, the good elements include the visuals, and the few action scenes. Needless to say, Elsa is faced with the biggest challenge ever and we fear for her. But in the end, this is what we expect from a Disney movie: songs, and adventure. If only they focused more on the story, because the plot direction made the story a genuinely new adventure.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Excellent acting, exhilarating race scenes, relatable situations are what makes this movie absolutely ebtertaining

[9/10 · 17 November 2019]

I knew something great was going to come out from the pairing of Christian Bale and Matt Damon in Ford V Ferrarri and I was not disappointed at all. It had what I expected: interesting characters, great acting, thrilling car races. What I did not expect was corporate culture, which had Jon Bernthal play Lee Iaccocca. This added element made the movie even more interesting because you know the protagonists are already fighting an impossible task of beating Ferrarri while having to battle corporate interference. It is the battle between doers and the suits. Bale is one of the rare actors who transforms in every role he is and you immediately forget he was once Batman driving an insane Batmobile. The same goes for Damon and Bernthal. You completely forget Damon used to be Jason Bourne and Bernthal the Punisher. The funniest part is Bale's brawl with Damon as shown in the trailer. I like how Ferrarri is not vilified in the movie, since I am a Ferrarri fan. But on the other hand I truly root for Bale's Ken Miles and Damon's Carroll Shelby to win. This is a movie about two guys struggling to do the impossible while battling outside interference from non experts. This situation is very relatable. The race scenes are exhilarating. The soundtrack blends with the action resulting in a pulsepounding thrill ride. I am even more amazed that this is a true story, but am sure that without the capable directing by James Mangold, and the excellent performances brought by Christian Bale and Matt Damon, this movie would definitely fail.

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

Great action, acting, and character development but no gamechanger.

[8/10 · 12 November 2019]

Terminator: Dark Fate is a great continuation of the series, and is way better than any of its installment since T3. Arnold and Linda Hamilton's return is very welcome. They deliver great action scenes and some of the most emotional moments. I like how both their characters are handled. There is also a very interesting twist in the story, and it made you more invested in both Arnold's and Linda Hamilton's characters. The leads are great. Natalia Reyes and Mackensies Davies are great. Even Gabriel Luna's Terminator is interesting. He is as deadly as Robert Patrick's Terminator but with more charm and personality. There are great actions scenes and some may reference T2 but they are all tense. You fear for everyone because this latest killer Terminator played by Luna is convincingly more dangerous than any other Terminators in the franchise. Too bad they waited after several terrible Terminator sequels to make this. Terminator: Dark Fate is no gamechanger as the first two movies but it is a great addition to the Terminator universe and story.