"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is an unevenly elaborate picture that combines brilliant fancy and crowd-pleasing mediocrity and a couple of things in between. In trying to weave together ambitious introspection, artsy humor and blockbuster charm, it turns out as a whimsical flick that plays heavy on the uplift, but gets a bit vague on its vision. This movie actually aims high that brilliance would apparently pop up every now and then. It doesn't make it to the top,
Tag: movies
‘Grudge Match’ Film Review: Seniority bout + gags
"Grudge Match" is a sporadically funny movie that clearly capitalizes on the legacies of the stars of two great boxing films. A guilty pleasure for those with nostalgia for Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky" and Robert de Niro's "Raging Bull," this feel-good sports comedy is best watched with a mindset that the material is average at best. A passable commercial work backed up by a strong cast, this movie mainly relies on comedy cliches. Yet, its sensitivity and perspective as a light comedy
‘Mga Anino ng Kahapon’ Film Review: The power on restraint
“Mga Anino ng Kahapon" (Shadows of the Past) — Alvin Yapan's entry to the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival New Wave Category — is a simple but affecting character study of the human mind and emotions. The story evolves from the physical to the spiritual to the psychological and mental as one family faces the unpredictable clash between a traumatic past and a series of recently alarming neighborhood events. This heartfelt tale examines the world of schizophrenia and its many hideous
‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ Film Review: Burning the sophomore flame
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is a smashing sci-fi commentary that is in many ways full of good old-fashioned escapism. It is often full of well-paced action, fluid drama and subtle romance, as well as ornate costumes and seamless CG effects. It is every bit an intense and gripping piece of entertainment with no line or character getting wasted on screen. Cleverly helmed by Francis Lawrence, this follow-up to the 2012 blockbuster film takes the popular franchise into a deeper
Jennifer Lawrence sports a towering updo for ‘American Hustle’
Jennifer Lawrence is best remembered for her brunette looks for two of her most memorable films to date, "The Hunger Games" and "Silver Linings Playbook." But going back to a blonde hairdo on screen has never been this glamorous until her new project "American Hustle" started filming. This time, she sports a towering and voluptuous hairstyle that easily catches attention. She wears a big blonde bouffant, '70s-style. The Big Blonde Bouffant For "American Hustle," the Oscar-winning actress showcased her long golden
‘Runner Runner’ Film Review: Draws and flops
"Runner Runner" is stacked with a deck of familiar stars. Unfortunately, these famous names, along with this crime flick's gorgeous locations, are only able to paint a good vibe for the first few minutes of the tale. It actually starts off with a solid draw, but it easily folds on the flop a couple of scenes later. Amidst the technically pleasing presentation, this cinematic offering is unable to hold up to the needed excitement and suspense expected for the material.
‘The Hangover Part III’ Film Review: Hanging expectations
There are some moments to treasure, but Todd Phillips' "The Hangover Part III" mainly becomes less a comedy and more a contract obligation. In trying to be different from its predecessors, the backbone story of this third installment breaks away from the pattern that made the first film a surprise hit, which actually has its share of ups and downs. With no wedding, no bachelor party, and no drug-induced amnesia to offer in its basic premise, it avoids becoming a genetic
Blu-ray Review: ‘The Great Gatsby’ (1974)
Releasing on a single-disc Blu-ray package, the 1974 film "The Great Gatsby" serves as the third adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 classic novel about a handsome and enigmatic millionaire betrayed by the American Dream. The book's first film rendition was a silent movie from 1926, just a year after its publication. A second remake came out in 1949. A TV movie released in 2000 became the fourth adaptation. The fifth version is already set for a 2013 theatrical release. For
Blu-ray Review: ‘Django Unchained’
The 2012 western picture "Django Unchained" arrives on a two-disc set featuring its Blu-ray, DVD, iTunes digital, and UV digital copies, along with a handful of supplements. This critically acclaimed film by Quentin Tarantino stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, and Don Johnson. It won the Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. It also garnered three other nominations, including the much-coveted award for Best Picture. Set two years before the Civil
Blu-ray Review: ‘Gangster Squad’
"Gangster Squad" debuts in home video format via a two-disc set housing the film's Blu-ray, DVD, UV digital, and iTunes digital copies. This 2013 picture's theatrical release was infamously delayed for a few months in the wake of the tragic Aurora theater shooting in 2012. The production decided to reshoot its mid-movie shootout in order to remove the sequence involving a massacre in a movie theater. Ruben Fleischer helms this period actioner that stars Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma