mlaimlai2 Reviews

Eye in the Sky (2015)

Sky high in thrills!

[8/10 · 13 March 2016]

Here is a timely reminder of the consequences of war, especially with so many battles taking place at the moment. As it's such a topical issue, the themes presented are realistic and engage the viewer in every aspect of the decision making process. It certainly helps when there's Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman (his final live action performance) in the cast. In fact, all the actors deliver stirring and memorable performances that highlight how ethical dilemmas can determine the choices people make. The story provocatively asks if conscience can affect the judgement of military personnel.

Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) is a UK-based military officer who is in command of a top secret drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya. Through remote surveillance and on-the-ground intel led by Jama Farah (Barkhad Abdi), Powell discovers the targets are planning a suicide bombing. As a result, the objective is changed from capture to kill. American drone pilot Steve Watts (Aaron Paul) is about to engage but discovers a young girl who is in the vicinity of the target. Powell contacts fellow military like Lieutenant General Frank Benson (Alan Rickman), politicians and lawyers to determine whether to take action.

It does take a while to set up the story with the opening scenes taking place in many different locations. All these places are represented by captions on the screen. Once the mission has been explained, the tension of the plot never lets up. The 'Eye in the Sky' of the title represents the drone or satellite imagery that provides a bird's eye view of what is transpiring on the ground. These scenes are expertly handled by director, Gavin Hood. It could have so easily been boring seeing images from the sky but the fluidity of the camera movements ensures that the thrills are maintained throughout the deliberations.

Credit must go to the cast for displaying the tensions and anxieties that some military personnel experience. Mirren hardly makes a poor choice when it comes to role selection and she is at her commanding best in this movie. Rickman will be missed after his untimely death earlier this year but this is a fine performance to bow out with. Paul also deserves recognition for expressing the uncertainty and morals that drone pilots can undergo. Abdi proves that his Oscar nominated performance in Captain Phillips was no fluke and acts with great determination here.

Eye in the Sky is a thrilling and exciting insight of modern warfare. The conversations exchanged between the participants might be technical at times but the viewer gets the gist of what is happening through the superior acting especially by Mirren and Rickman. There's also the action taking place on the screen that shows without a doubt how tense and indecisive things can be behind the scenes and on the ground.

Gods of Egypt (2016)

More like a dog than a god!

[3/10 · 26 February 2016]

The main news about this movie prior to its release was how no Egyptians were cast even though the story is about Egypt and its inhabitants. Now that it has finally been released the major talk should be about how silly it is. 140 million dollars was spent to make this? The poor and homeless in Egypt should have been given this money instead. Australian backers played a pivotal role in the funding of this production. It now seems like the stellar year of Aussie films in 2015 has been diminished by this so-called God hovering over its success. 'Gods' in name only, definitely not through merit.

Set (Gerard Butler) is a God of Egypt who has ambitions to reign supreme. He kills his brother Osiris (Bryan Brown) in order to ascend the throne. His nephew, Horus (Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau) seeks revenge for his father's death but cannot possibly do so without his eyes, which have been taken away by his uncle. Mortal hero Bek (Brenton Thwaites) finds one of Horus' eyes that has special powers, locates his whereabouts and teams up with him. Their mission: kill Set and restore order to the once peaceful and prosperous empire.

The acting is simply atrocious. There's Gerard Butler's Scottish accent which seems so out of this place in this movie. There's Chadwick Boseman who camps it up as Thoth, the god of writing and knowledge. There's Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau who delivers a wooden performance. There's Geoffrey Rush as Ra, the father of Horus and Set. He must have been in it for the money for this is one of his worst ever performances. At least Brenton Thwaites provides a hero that the audience can cheer for with his energetic and kinetic portrayal of the mortal who wins the trust of Horus.

Even if the movie is aimed at generating escapism qualities, it doesn't excuse the awful dialogue. Here is an example of the dialogue that will make you wince: While Set is battling Bek, he asks him where Horus' eye is. Bek replies with, "Up your arse along with the goats!" There should have been some script editing in the development process.

There are several exciting action scenes which try to cover up the deficiencies in script and acting. It's only when the actors start talking again that you realise you have to endure further pain. The action sequences keep you awake, unfortunately the acting and dialogue do not.

Where has the 140 million dollars gone? Most of it has probably gone to the visual effects which is predominantly CGI. It's not even state of the art CGI with some scenes looking decidedly fake. There is one scene involving a waterfall which is obvious to everyone that it has been generated by computer.

Alex Proyas is the director and he has made a few decent films like "I Robot", "Dark City" and "The Crow". "Gods of Egypt" isn't one of them. He has gone out of control with trying to make this a visual spectacle by bombarding his audience with as many CGI effects as possible. Movies intended for the big screen still need to have a reasonable script and half-decent acting performances!

The Brothers Grimsby (2016)

There's nothing grim about "Grimsby"

[8/10 · 23 February 2016]

The funniest movie for at least a year! Sacha Baron Cohen at the top of his game. Rude, crude, filthy, but absolutely hilarious with numerous laugh-out-loud moments. So many laughs in fact that I found myself wiping away the tears from laughing so much. It certainly helps if you are a Sacha Baron Cohen fan because he is politically incorrect and his humour is guaranteed to offend anyone who is sensitive to issues like AIDS, religion, sexual abuse and the disabled. Of course comedy is so subjective that you mightn't find any of this funny but I had such a fun time, I cannot wait to see it again to check out the jokes I might have missed out the first time around from laughing too much.

Norman aka Nobby (Sacha Baron Cohen) is an English football hooligan who is happily married to Lindsey (Rebel Wilson). They live together with their nine children in Grimsby in the north of England. He has a brother, Sebastian (Mark Strong), whom he hasn't seen for 28 years as they were separated when their parents died. What Nobby doesn't know is that Sebastian is a top MI6 agent who doesn't reveal his identity. He is on a case where is attempting to prevent the assassination of humanitarian, Kate (Penelope Cruz) when Nobby spots him and inadvertently causes him to kill the director-general of the World Health Organisation. With only Margaret (Isla Fisher) in the operations room advising him, Sebastian must rely on his brother to help him catch the real perpetrators of the crime.

There's plenty of gross out humour on display ranging from an elephant bukkake scene to Nobby sucking out the poison from his brother's scrotum. Other standout funny scenes include a case of mistaken identity when Nobby masquerades as his brother to obtain vital information and Nobby searching for Sebastian in a spa therapy centre. And if you like celebrities being lampooned, people like Bill Cosby, Donald Trump and Daniel Radcliffe are fair game for the jokes that are heaped upon them.

Not only are there laughs aplenty but there are also exciting sequences that would please action enthusiasts. The point of view scenes that help Sebastian with locating his targets might be frenetic but they inject variety into the typical chase scenes. There's even a touch of sensitive family bonding scenes when Nobby and Sebastian recall what they got up to during their childhood. Although the flashback scenes are helpful in providing their adult lives with a backstory, they do occasionally encroach into the comedy and action territory.

The people of Grimsby were apparently annoyed with the depiction of their town but what is a Sacha Baron Cohen film without a little controversy? The run down appearance of the town and hooliganism representing the townsfolk add a lot to the comedic appeal of the film.

Supporting actors like Isla Fisher and Ian McShane don't get much of a look in because "Grimsby" truly belongs to Baron Cohen and Strong. One could say that Baron Cohen is typecast as the unintelligent Nobby but he plays these sorts of characters so well. Strong is more of the straight man to Baron Cohen's bumbling fool but it's the situations they find themselves in that promote the laugh factor.

"Grimsby" is known as "The Brothers Grimsby" in America. The film could be called anything and it wouldn't matter for it's the material that makes it so much fun. This is one of the best gutter humour movies ever released and definitely worthy of repeat viewings if you're a fan of this type of comedy, and especially if you appreciate Sacha Baron Cohen's brand of humour.

Rocky Mountain Express (2011)

Rocky Mountain High

[8/10 · 19 February 2016]

Five years is a long time to release a film. That just happens to be the case with this IMAX documentary. After being released in North American cinemas in 2011, Rocky Mountain Express is finally going to be screened in Australian cinemas. It wouldn't have mattered if it was released in 55 years as it's a timeless story filled with inspiration and a triumph of the human spirit. It's an historical recount of the epic and arduous struggles to build the railway track across Canada which will appeal to trainspotting enthusiasts and anyone who likes a tale that promotes the mantra of mind over matter.

Stephen Low deserves credit for bringing this documentary to the screen for he has directed and photographed with precision. From the old black and white photographs of the people who built the railway to the interesting information presented about the ordeals they faced, there is a sense that he has spent a significant amount of time to research the archives. The steam train featured throughout allows Low to showcase the magnificent scenery that abounds. The overhead tracking plus the point-of-view shots he employs ensure that this is not only a documentary worth listening to, but also one that is aesthetically pleasing. There might be a few too many shots of the train itself but all can be forgiven when the rest of the documentary is so appealing.

There are no talking head shots for nobody is interviewed. The plight of many of the workers is sensitively handled in the narration while the script provides great insight into the many challenges that faced the construction of the tracks. The score is a beautiful combination of piano, violin and cello which effectively contributes to the varying moods of the documentary ranging from the exciting journey of the steam train to the sad reflections of the workers killed during the track construction.

If you have never seen an IMAX documentary before, Rocky Mountain Express would be a suitable introduction to this mode of entertainment. Trainspotters and IMAX enthusiasts rejoice to a documentary that informs, fascinates and entertains.

Zoolander 2 (2016)

You might have more fun spending time in a zoo instead of with Zoolander

[5/10 · 14 February 2016]

The original "Zoolander" accumulated a moderate US box office gross of $45,172,250. It developed a life of its own on video and DVD, becoming a cult hit. The sequel has finally arrived 15 years later. Was it worth the wait? Did it have to be made? The answer to both questions is a resounding 'no'. There's just not enough story material to stretch the length to over 100 minutes. It's a flimsy story with many unfunny scenes but there's still enough amusing moments to justify your time and money.

Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) has gone into seclusion after the death of his wife (Christine Taylor) from a building that he constructed for children with poor reading skills. His son, Derek Jr (Cyrus Arnold) has been sent to an orphanage in Rome because Derek has been deemed as an unfit father. Meanwhile, Derek's main rival in the modeling world, Hansel (Owen Wilson), has also retired due to a facial injury suffered during the same building collapse that killed Derek's wife. He has been living in a hippie commune which also includes Kiefer Sutherland playing himself. They are brought together when famous celebrities like Justin Bieber have been killed, but before taking their last breath, they post a Derek Zoolander 'Blue Steel' look on social media. Interpol agent Valentina (Penélope Cruz) recognizes that look and calls upon Derek and Hansel to investigate just who is killing all those celebrities. At the same time, Derek tries to reconnect with his son when his investigations take him to the same city where is now residing.

If you haven't seen the original "Zoolander", you could still see the sequel as the opening scenes are a news montage of what has happened to Derek since being the king of the modeling world. You get a fair idea of who Derek Zoolander is and what his accomplishments were from this montage. If you are familiar with the personality of Derek then you'll know that he is a child trapped in a man's body. And that's still the case 15 years later. He mangles the English language and finds himself in situations that test his limited intelligence. Stiller plays him to perfection and he maintains an excellent rapport with Wilson who delights in his role as Stiller's rival. Other cast members don't fare as well. Ferrell reprises his role as Mugatu from the first film and he is in overacting mode along with Wiig who is Mugatu's co- conspirator. Cruz adds sex appeal and sauciness in her sidekick role to Derek.

If you like to play the game of spot the celebrities, you will be in for a fun time. Just about every major fashion designer has a cameo along with celebrity appearances from the movie and music world including Benedict Cumberbatch (as an androgynous supermodel!), Susan Sarandon, Milla Jovovich, Macauley Culkin, Billy Zane, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Sting, Kate Moss...the list goes on! It probably has the most cameos ever in a movie.

The main problem with this film lies in the story. There's not much to work with and it doesn't help when a lot of the scenes linger to try to eke out any laughs from the jokes. When the actors are trying this hard to make viewers laugh without succeeding then you know that the original cult status should have remained untouched as the sequel might damage its credibility. What saves this film is the likability factor of both Derek and Hansel, plus the way they react together.

Many scenes of Rome were shot in an Italian studio and it's remarkable how real Rome looks. Some of the action stunts also add to the visual appeal of the movie.

I wasn't a huge fan of the original "Zoolander" but it was still better than this offering. Sometimes it's best to retire much-loved movie characters to preserve their 'dignity' and in this sequel, we have been provided with a classic example of this theory. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

Deadpool (2016)

A marvelous Marvel creation, one certainly to marvel at!

[8/10 · 11 February 2016]

Irreverent, twisted comic book hero (or antihero): check. Self- deprecating humor with references to actors and other movies: check. Action-packed scenes filled with blood-splattered violence: check. Ryan Reynolds at his wisecracking best: check. Gratuitous nudity with Marvel comic book writer Stan Lee as the strip club MC: check. Booming sound effects and amazing visual effects that make this a movie to be seen on the big screen: check. Customary comic book movie after credits scene: check. Unconventional comic book movie that is bound to annoy and frustrate tame, unadventurous viewers: check. 

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary who protects women from would-be stalkers. One night he meets female escort Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) in a strip club and they become romantically involved for about one year. His life is shattered when he discovers that he has multiple organ cancer. He undergoes an experimental procedure to cure his cancer but the serum injected by Francis aka Ajax (Ed Skrein) proves to be torturous and life changing, leaving him with special healing powers and a disfigured face. Not wanting to upset Vanessa, Wade leaves her and lives with a blind woman named Al (Leslie Uggams). With the help of X- Men Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) and Colossus (voice of Stefan Kapicic), the masked vigilante Deadpool as he is now known, seeks revenge and will stop at nothing to acquire a cure for his disfigurement.

The opening credits such as 'Directed by an overpaid tool" played over the song "Angel of the Morning" by Juice Newton are a precursor for the unconventional comic book antics to come. There's flashbacks, flashbacks within flashbacks, the protagonist talking to the camera, raunchy sex scenes, nudity, excessive profanity and extreme violence including severed body parts, all features that you don't expect from a comic book superhero. People expecting the 'normal' movie based on a comic book will be disappointed. Let yourself go and you're going to have some fun.

Ryan Reynolds makes up for the atrocities of his previous portrayal of a comic book character in The Green Lantern. He's in excellent form here, showcasing his comedic talents which even include poking fun at himself. He lives and breathes the part of Deadpool and is sure to please fans of this 'superhero'. The in-jokes involving the X-Men characters are just one of the many highlights of the unorthodox comedy strategy employed by the writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wenick. Credit must also go to the director. This is Tim Miller's first feature length film. He is better known as a visual effects artist and it's evident in his direction how much he knows about this field. Even the CGI creation in Colossus is a character you have to admire. 

Ryan Reynolds gets most of the best lines. The other human characters are adequate more than exceptional. They are merely pawns to Ryan Reynold's King. There are a few flat moments when the over- the-top humor doesn't always work and the violence becomes gratuitous. And of course if you're a prude, you won't be feeling comfortable during some of the scenes.

This is unlike any superhero movie seen before. It's definitely not for the faint-hearted and those who are easily offended. It's a fresh take on the comic book movie genre, breathing life and vigor, and most importantly, making up for the disappointment of the previous Marvel movie in "Fantastic Four". http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

The Himalayas (2015)

Climb every mountain...and cry!!!

[6/10 · 31 January 2016]

Those Korean men must be the most emotional males on Earth! That's how they are depicted in this Korean epic where just about every male actor cries! It would come as no surprise if Kleenex had sponsored the film. It's just a shame that these brave, intrepid explorers are reduced to a quivering, sobbing mess as it undermines their courage and tenacity to conquer mountains. If it's melodrama you want then this serves it up by the bucketloads.

Hong-Gil Um (Jeong-min Hwang) and Moo-Taek Park (Jung Woo) first meet in the early 1990s when they endure a grueling climb up Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. They become friends and later that decade, become the 14th team to scale the Himalayas. However, Hong-Gil is forced to retire after sustaining a serious injury. Several years later, Hong-Gil is a renowned lecturer and Moo-Taek takes up an assignment to climb Mount Everest. Disaster strikes and Hong-Gil must come out of retirement to again face the challenges of the world's highest mountain.

This is probably Korean drama at its best but would be considered excessive melodrama for English speaking audiences. The not-so- subtle acting just doesn't cross the cultural divide. There's no doubting that all the actors inject their emotions wholeheartedly into their roles but a sobfest is not the answer. I wouldn't know how other moviegoers reacted as I was the only person in the cinema. When the actors are not crying uncontrollably, it's quite an enjoyable film. I just don't want my emotions to be manipulated like this.

Although Sang-joon Hwang's music score is beautiful to listen to, it is clear that it has been designed to contribute to the melodrama. On its own, it's musical brilliance but when it is accompanied with the images it is overly sympathetic and manipulative.

The cinematography, particularly of the mountainous regions, is grand and spectacular. No expense has been spared in filming the climbs and the outdoor locations. The visual and sound effects also bring to life the treacherous conditions the climbers had to face.

Based on true events, "The Himalayas" wears its heart on its sleeve. There's nothing wrong with that in small doses but when it's close to two hours of everyone crying then it becomes repetitive. It is still an enjoyable film at times that will be appreciated by those viewers who are not fussed with excessive melodrama. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

The Hateful Eight (2015)

It's easy to see why some people would hate 'The Hateful Eight'.

[8/10 · 29 January 2016]

Before I begin my review, I'd like to emphasise that there are two different versions of Quentin Tarantino's eighth film, the 70mm print which runs for 187 minutes including an overture and intermission, and the 168 minute version I saw which has been released in digital cinemas. Now, on with the review!

Quentin Tarantino burst on to the scene with 1992's "Reservoir Dogs". Since his debut effort, he has made only seven other movies over a 22 year period and he insists that he will no longer direct after his tenth film. He has made some excellent films in that time including one of my favourites of 2012, "Django Unchained", and 1994's brilliant "Pulp Fiction". If you are familiar with his movies then you'll know that he includes terrific, often witty dialogue, and violence that can be stomach-churning. He's at it again with The Hateful Eight, especially with the violence, but not so much with the dialogue which isn't as biting as some of his other scripts, possibly because it loses its impact over such a long running time. In fact this is Tarantino's longest ever movie.

Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) is a bounty hunter whose progress has been halted by the blizzard-like conditions. He comes across another bounty hunter in John Ruth (Kurt Russell) who is travelling in a stagecoach with a criminal he has captured, Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Discovering that Ruth is heading in the same direction as himself, Warren asks Ruth if he can place his captured fugitives on top of the stagecoach to collect his bounty at Red Rock. Along the way, they meet up with the new sheriff of Red Rock, Chris Mannix (Walter Goggins). Before they arrive at Red Rock, they stop over at Minnie's Haberdashery, which is being patronised by an assortment of characters including Englishman Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), General Sandy Smithers (Bruce Dern) and Bob (Demián Bichir).

Most of the film is set inside the haberdashery which promotes a claustrophobic feeling and with the amount of dialogue that takes place, it occasionally lends itself to a theatrical setting. When the outdoor locations are used, the grandeur of the snow-filled landscape provides a sense of remoteness. Both the interiors and exteriors generate the tension that Tarantino's script doesn't always display. There are moments of intensity that are interrupted by a throwaway line. It is a sprawling story that meanders at times so an edit of about half an hour would have resulted in a tighter, more efficient production.

The acting is solid with spectacular moments provided by Jennifer Jason Leigh in particular. It's no surprise she has ended up with an Oscar nomination for her gritty performance. Jackson overacts at times with his grandstanding speeches but he is rather renowned for those in many of his movies. It's fantastic to see Russell in a different type of performance where he isn't embraced by the audience. In fact, the nature of many of the scenes makes it difficult for the viewer to embrace any of the characters so this may affect your opinion of the movie. If you are offended by women being beaten, men engaging in forced oral sex and innocent people being killed, then you will be turned off by several aspects of the story.

At the tender age of 87, Ennio Morricone composes the brilliant score which features his renowned violins and brass. He brilliantly captures the tension of the story and the score is reminiscent of his spaghetti western days. Perhaps that's why Tarantino decided to go with Morricone as this is rather like a western but if you are seeking end-to-end action you will be disappointed. This is more of a character piece with a mystery thrown in. Tarantino may have included too much but you cannot blame him for trying something different. He even includes himself as the narrator in the second half of the film but this was unnecessary and distracting. He is an exciting filmmaker and even if not everything works, he makes sure you have something to think about.

The violent bloodbath and the scene where one character is forced at gunpoint to perform fellatio have resulted in an R rating in Australia. Surely this is enough warning for people who are easily offended not to even bother seeing the movie. However, if you do not see "The Hateful Eight", you will be missing an intriguing, although slightly meandering film. It will be shame when Tarantino retires from writing and directing for he has provided some innovative and entertaining films in his time. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

Dirty Grandpa (2016)

Just about everyone is dirty in "Dirty Grandpa"!

[4/10 · 29 January 2016]

The title says it all! In fact, it should be called "Dirty Movie" because just about every character has a filthy mind and the majority of the situations they find themselves in lend themselves to crude sex jokes. Most of the jokes are related to sex so if it's variety you desire in your humour, you will have to see another comedy. I don't mind gutter humour but not at the expense of other forms of comedy. There are similarities with the recently released "Sisters" but at least that movie had the sense to include other types of comedy.

Jason Kelly (Zac Efron) is an uptight lawyer who is only one week away from marrying controlling and domineering Meredith (Julianne Hough). Jason's grandfather, Richard (Robert De Niro) is at his wife's funeral and asks Jason to be his chaperone to Florida. After debating the issue with his own son and Jason's father, David (Dermot Mulroney), he reluctantly agrees to let Jason drive his father. Little does Jason know that his grandfather has plans to explore and indulge in things he hadn't been able to do while he was married to his wife. Along the way, they meet up with college students Shadia (Zoey Deutch) and Lenore (Aubrey Plaza) who party with them during their spring break.

There are moments that provide genuine laughter but the initial impact of the sex jokes wears a bit thin due to their repetition. The biggest embarrassment is seeing an actor the calibre of De Niro hamming it up as the titular character. He was definitely in it for the pay cheque! If it wasn't for him in the movie, this would be reminiscent of one of those teen sex comedies that was rolling off the production line in the 1980s.

The script by John M. Philips is juvenile, one that would make you question if it was written by a horny teenager. The shock value of hearing De Niro utter lines like "I wanna f*^%, f*^%, f*^%, f*^%, f*^%" dissipates when most of his lines comprise sexual innuendo and puns. Efron is trying to escape from his "High School Musical" days but if he wishes to be regarded as a serious actor, he has to make better choices with his roles as he is still the hot bod of the movie.

Quite a few of the scenes are unnecessary as they are unfunny and extend the caricature of the characters, especially that of Grandpa's. It's not a totally lost cause however, with several scenes springing to life to entertain the audience. It's just a shame that the story reduces itself to dialogue about sex talk when there could have been other avenues explored. Let's just hope that this is not one of De Niro's final performances as he deserves better than being remembered as Dirty Grandpa. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

Sisters (III) (2015)

Twisted sisters are doin' it for themselves

[7/10 · 26 January 2016]

The Saturday Night Live (SNL) alumni are back...well, three of them at least. If you like the sketches from that iconic show which has provided the movie world with comedic actors ranging from Steve Martin to Eddie Murphy, you should enjoy this raunchy, smutty and crude comedy. It's definitely not for everyone's tastes with jokes likely to offend conservative viewers. Just like comedy skits from these types of TV shows, some of the jokes succeed resulting in uproarious laughter while others produce a mere snigger or nothing at all. At close to two hours, the movie tends to overstay its welcome and could have benefited from a 15-20 minute edit to eliminate the jokes that didn't work. 

The titular sisters are Maura (Amy Poehler) and Kate (Tina Fey). Both Ellis women are experiencing setbacks in their lives. Maura is coming off a divorce while Kate simply refuses to grow up even though she is the mother of a teenage daughter (Madison Davenport). They don't need any more complications but another one arises when the Ellis' parents (James Brolin and Dianne Weist) Skype Maura to inform her that they intend to sell the family home. Maura's job is to entice Kate to return home and together, they must clean out their bedroom which has remain untouched since they moved out of home. When they discover that their home has already been sold and their parents are now staying in a retirement home, they plan a farewell party at their family home before they must vacate the premises.

There's nothing subtle about this comedy here, mainly vulgarity of the highest order. Since this viewer doesn't mind sex comedies, there wasn't anything offensive although it's easy to see why many people wouldn't like this movie. Dirty jokes aside, the story does have something to say about the family unit but luckily doesn't preach to its audience. 

Sisters occasionally feels like an extended sketch comedy show, albeit raunchy in nature. Jason Moore is the director and his only other directing credit is Pitch Perfect, which is tame compared to the humour in Sisters. Paula Pell is the writer who has mainly written gags for SNL so this is probably the main reason why it feels like sketch comedy at times. 

It might frustrate some viewers to see some overacting from several cast members to extend the life of a particular joke but that can sometimes be representative of comedy sketches. When the jokes do fire, the overstated gestures, expressions and voices actually help. Maya Rudolph is one of the actresses who fits in this category of overacting at times but when she pulls it off, she is absolutely hilarious. She plays Brinda, the childhood enemy of the Ellis girls who hasn't been invited to their party but gatecrashes it anyway. Another larger than life character is Alex (Bobby Moynihan), the nerd who runs rampant when he takes some drugs supplied by drug dealer, Pazuzu (John Cena). Watch out for Greta Lee who plays Hae- Won, the Korean beauty consultant who steals some of the laughs from her more illustrious co-stars. 

Poehler, Fey and Rudolph are the ex-cast members of SNL and they seem to be having a riotous time, with their antics pleasing viewers who enjoy this type of comedy. Don't take it seriously, open your mind and go along for the ride, you're bound to experience more than a few laughs and even more so if you're a fan of gutter humour. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

The 5th Wave (2016)

Another wave of YA fiction!

[6/10 · 15 January 2016]

How many of these young adult fiction books are there? Over the past few years we've had a plethora of books made into movies like The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Divergent and Twilight along with their sequels. As long as they make money at the box office, Hollywood shall continue to make them. Another adaptation in the long line of young adult fiction is The 5th Wave which starts off promisingly but then becomes another generic teenage film with a romance subplot and unconvincing action scenes.

Cassie Sullivan (Chloe Grace Moretz) is just a normal teenage girl living happily in Ohio with her father (Ron Livingston), mother (Maggie Siff) and brother, Sam (Zackary Arthur). Their lives change when aliens invade Earth. The aliens inflict wave after wave of attack: the 1st wave refers to electromagnetic pulses being disabled resulting in a loss of communication and transportation; the 2nd wave is a flurry of natural disasters; the 3rd wave is an airborne deadly virus transmitted by birds; the 4th wave is the alien species inhabiting humans like parasites; the 5th wave is alien domination. The adults are separated from the children and the US army led by Colonel Vosch (Liev Schreiber) is taking control of the situation, placing children in quarantine so they can assist in fighting the alien species. Cassie finds herself isolated from her peers and must fight her own battles.

The plot is tense and exciting but that's just for the first half an hour. Once the children have been separated from the adults, things become a bit stale. It doesn't help when there's sizable plot holes throughout the movie. The story then drifts off into a romantic subplot which was just as boring as the Twilight series. When the children are trained to fight the aliens, there's a sense that all excitement has dissipated. If the focus was on Cassie fighting her own battles and trying to find her brother then it would have made for a more exciting movie.

The director is J Blakeson and this is his second directorial effort after The Disappearance of Alice Creed in 2009. It might be another seven years until he is employed again for he has some learning to do. Some of those close-up shots of the actors with their foreheads not in the frame were annoying and several of the fight scenes were difficult to see as they were filmed in natural lighting at night!

Chloe Grace Moretz is developing into a terrific actress if she hasn't reached that level already. She is convincing as the teenager who must make her own decisions when her family is no longer around to support her. The two actors who play her love interests, Nick Robinson and Alex Roe, are both devilishly handsome but their roles could be played by any young, unknown Hollywood heartthrob. Liev Schreiber adds integrity to the production and can always be relied upon to hold the fort in the acting stakes.

There are quite a few clever ideas in this film but the execution could have been much better. If you're a fan of young adult fiction, you won't be too disappointed but for people who have seen many movies, there's nothing new which will cause you to leap for joy. The story sticks pretty much to the generic formula and doesn't reach any great heights. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

The Force is strong with this one

[9/10 · 17 December 2015]

Welcome from Michael Lai's Magical Movie Reviews: "Ahhhhhh!" That's the sound you'll hear from the majority of Star Wars fans around the world breathing a huge sigh of relief. This is what Star Wars was meant to be, qualities not exhibited in Episodes I and II...characters you cared for, exciting action pieces not dominated by CGI, engaging plot twists and revelations plus a story that doesn't become bogged down with too much technical exposition. It's a combination of the old and the new with characters we remember and love from the original trilogy as well as new characters that have their chance to breathe a life of their own. We have the chance to reminisce with our beloved characters yet be intrigued by what will happen with the new characters. These characterizations ultimately drive the story with the action scenes helping deliver a spectacular and rewarding two hours plus of fun-filled entertainment.

Set three decades after the death of the Emperor, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) has vanished and the Resistance led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), is trying desperately to locate him before the First Order led by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) captures him, thus eliminating the main threat to their galactic dominance. Second in command is a Darth Vader figure in Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) who also has Force-like powers like his idol. The droid, BB8, has been entrusted with the map of the location of Luke. BB8's companion is Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), the best fighter pilot in the Resistance. Poe is captured by the First Order but his escape is assisted by a Stormtrooper in Finn (John Boyega). Meanwhile, BB8 is separated from his companion and winds up in the company of Rey (Daisy Ridley), a young woman living on a desert planet, who is hunting for spare parts to trade for food, just so she can survive. Finn and Rey eventually team up with each other along with old favorites like Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew).

This is the ultimate homage to the original Star Wars trilogy, which some people might complain about as playing it too safe. J.J. Abrams, the director and co-writer of the film, employs traits such as the slide swipe and 'eye' closing between some scenes, but it is this familiarity which will endear him to Star Wars fans. There are several scenes and plot points which you know you have seen before but you can forgive Abrams for doing this as it doesn't alienate the Star Wars fans. As a stand alone film and not comparing it to the original trilogy, it attracts the audience. For that, Abrams deserves credit for bringing in a new legion of fans. He also maintains an up-tempo rate, ensuring that there is never a dull moment.

We are emotionally invested in the characters. Daisy Ridley is a newcomer worth keeping an eye on because she portrays the heroine with conviction. Her scenes with Boyega are engaging and they make us care for the fate of their characters, something that wasn't always evident in the rapport between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman in the CGI trilogy. Harrison Ford appears in quite a fair bit of the film and shows here how much his acting has improved since the 1977 original. The major villain in Kylo Ren is brilliantly portrayed by Adam Driver and he capably exhibits the rage and angst his character is experiencing.

The abundance of CGI which detracted from the first three episodes is thankfully not in evidence here. It's a return to what made the visual effects so special in Episodes IV, V and VI. There are CGI characters (more like motion capture) like Snoke and Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o) but they're never as annoying as Jar Jar Binks was. Kudos also to the sound effects team for bringing all those space vehicles to life. You'll feel like you're involved in the action.

Other technical aspects to flourish include the superior set decoration, costume design, cinematography and editing, all contributing to the overall pleasures of this movie. Who could forget to mention the score by John Williams? Star Wars and John Williams go hand in hand and again, he has fashioned a score that is exciting and atmospheric. He is a living treasure and we must appreciate every score he composes, now that he is close to the end.

As a side note, this is the first Star Wars film not released by 20th Century Fox and it's sad to not hear the 20th Century Fox fanfare that introduces a Star Wars movie. It's a good thing though that Disney, the studio that has acquired the rights from George Lucas, didn't include its usual "When You Wish Upon a Star" tune and the image of the fireworks above the castle to introduce the film. Those iconic words to begin a Star Wars film..."A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" will give you goosebumps.

Disney plans to release a new Star Wars film in 2017. If the adventures of these characters, both and old and new are anything to go by, the next sequel promises to be an exciting chapter in the Star Wars franchise. The hype won't be as big for that installment but the hype for Episode VII has certainly been justified. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

Secret in Their Eyes (2015)

The secret is out..."Secret in Their Eyes" could have been so much better

[6/10 · 19 November 2015]

Hollywood loves to remake foreign language films and it's at it again with an Argentinian film that was made only six years ago. The Secret in Their Eyes received the Best Foreign Language Oscar but there's no chance for this production to be even nominated in any Oscar categories. I haven't seen the original so I can't compare the two movies but knowing Hollywood's track record with remakes, the Argentinian version would have been a superior production.

In 2002, a team of FBI investigators including Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Jess (Julia Roberts) along with a newly arrived district attorney, Claire (Nicole Kidman), are based in Los Angeles to prevent terrorists from inflicting more damage to the American way of life after 9/11 the previous year. The agency receives a call about an incident that has taken place in the vicinity of a mosque. Thinking this is terror-related they make the grim discovery of a murdered young lady who just so happens to be Jess' daughter, Carolyn (Zoe Graham). The agents make an arrest but the man is released as he is a snitch for the FBI, providing names of terrorists to the organization. For 13 years, Ray logs onto the criminal database and eventually finds the man who might have been responsible for Carolyn's death. Will justice be served after 13 years?

The main problem with the story is the ridiculous number of flashbacks throughout the whole film. There are even flashbacks within flashbacks. The flow of the narrative is constantly interrupted and there are occasions where you have to think when the story is being set. As for the story itself, it is rather lacking in thrills which takes away the dramatic impact of the whole situation. This is rarely edge of your seat material which is a shame as the story should lend itself to a tense and dramatic thriller. 

What the story does well is provide character interactions and depict why people act and behave the way they do. If you are after a character study then you will be happier with the development of the story. For characterizations to excel you need actors who you can empathize with. Ejiofor is the main star and he performs with distinction while Roberts doesn't have as many scenes but she is excellent in conveying her emotions. Kidman is overshadowed by her counterparts but still manages to bring her character to life. Dean Norris as FBI agent Bumpy Willis brings some humor to his role, ensuring that the tone of the story isn't dour for the whole film. Alfred Molina has several scene- stealing scenes as District Attorney Martin Morales.

A movie with two Oscar winning actresses and an Oscar nominated actor should have been better than this. Here is a definite case of the trailer being more exciting than the film itself. The final product only provides a fraction of what the intriguing premise had to offer.  http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

The Last Witch Hunter (2015)

While Vin Diesel is hunting for witches, you might be hunting for some sense

[4/10 · 15 November 2015]

If Vin Diesel is planning to star in another franchise after the successes of The Fast and the Furious and Riddick, he has another think coming. There is a fair bit of action that makes use of Diesel's physical presence but the movie is bogged down in expository dialogue and a story that is incomprehensible at times. It also doesn't help when the majority of the film is set at night with quite a few of the action scenes being difficult to see.

Kaulder (Vin Diesel) is an 800 year old warrior whose main goal in life is to rid the world of witches. Just before he succeeds in eliminating the Witch Queen (Julie Engelbrecht), she curses him with immortality. We next see him in present day where he is still fighting the evil forces, this time with a priest bestowed with the title of Dolan 36th (Michael Caine). Realising that he can't continue forever unlike his immortal friend, Dolan 36th introduces Kaulder to another priest in Dolan 37th (Elijah Wood) who will take over the reigns as Kaulder's sidekick. Joining them is a good witch named Chloe (Rose Leslie), otherwise known as a dream walker.

Vin Diesel has a limited acting range but makes use of it in this type of role where he is the action hero although he's not as convincing as he is in the Fast and the Furious series. That's probably because the wisecracks are funnier and the character of Dominic Toretto is more fleshed out. Two time Oscar winner Michael Caine has a small role and is in a coma for most of the film. He once said of his Jaws 4: The Revenge role that the house that Jaws built was terrific so the role of Dolan 37th must have financed his holidays. Elijah Wood displays his dramatic abilities and is involved in a twist which is preposterous.

The editing is fast and furious at times which makes it difficult to focus on what's happening in the action sequences. They seem to be well-choreographed with the exemplary sound effects bringing the fight scenes to life. Most of the visual effects are of the CGI variety and make a solid contribution to the look of the film. No matter how successful or unsuccessful a film is with the technological side of things, if the story is inferior like it is in this film, the overall impact suffers. There is a lack of tension for this particular genre and if you can remember the majority of the film after seeing it, you're doing much better than I am.

The Last Witch Hunter is a forgettable movie that has better action sequences than plot lines and dialogue. Vin Diesel has shown in the past that he can carry a movie, just not this one. The box office reception suggests that he should stick to the Fast and the Furious franchise. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

Man Up (I) (2015)

Man, you'll feel up after seeing this!

[8/10 · 15 November 2015]

Simon Pegg might not be your conventional romantic comedy actor with the devilishly handsome looks but his humor and charisma shine through in this funny British film that takes place over the course of one day. He is accompanied by Lake Bell who also delivers a heartwarming performance that will win over even the most cynical of romantic comedy viewers.

Nancy (Lake Bell) is a 34 year old single woman who hasn't had much luck with dating. While traveling on a train to attend her parent's 40th wedding anniversary, she meets Jessica (Ophelia Lovibond) who leaves her a copy of a self-help book. It is this book which Jessica will be holding when her blind date, Jack (Simon Pegg) sees her at the train station. When she goes into a shop to buy herself a new copy, Nancy bumps into Jack who assumes she is his blind date. They form an instant bond but how will this be affected when Jack finds out she's pretending to be someone else?

When comparing this to the recent Sleeping with Other People, the focus on the main couple is more riveting with the subplots being funnier and linking better to the main story. There are the occasional sentimental moments but what romantic comedies don't have any of those? The situations the main characters find themselves in contribute to the humor. One of the characters that generates numerous laughs is a creepy high school acquaintance named Sean (Rory Kinnear) who still fancies Nancy. There's also a funny sequence in the bar where Jack meets up with his ex-wife, Hilary (Olivia Williams) and her boyfriend, Ed (Stephen Campbell Moore). The dialogue is crass and witty during these scenes where Nancy reveals her sexual, pornographic exploits with Jack.

Pegg and Bell have excellent chemistry together. It's easy to see how their characters would be attracted to each other. Kinnear plays his sexual deviant role to perfection while the other support actors like Williams, Lovibond and Moore help shape the overall tone of the film.

The excellent location shooting helps bring the best of London to the screen. It's a virtual trip to the tourist attractions and along with the soundtrack, ensure that the movie will be enjoyed for more than just its plot, script and acting.

Although it might be a little predictable, the charm of the main actors along with their predicaments result in an entertaining romantic comedy that is guaranteed to make you laugh. If you're a fan of Simon Pegg, there will be the added value of seeing him react to situations that maximize his comedic talents. This is one of the better romantic comedies of 2015. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

The Dressmaker (I) (2015)

All dressed up with somewhere to go!

[8/10 · 15 November 2015]

Over the years there have been many quirky, eccentric characters featured in Australian films such as Muriel's Wedding, The Castle and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The stories have been uniquely Australian to be appreciated by Australian audiences but occasionally they become worldwide hits like Crocodile Dundee. It's the laid-back Aussie humour that international audiences sometimes just don't understand which prevents the majority of Australian films from crossing the cultural barrier. The Dressmaker has been successful at the Australian box office for it features a story where the underdog or misunderstood succeeds along with a story that promotes the Aussie dry wit with dialogue that appeals to the everyday Australian.

Myrtle 'Tilly' Dunnage (Kate Winslet) returns home to rural Australia after spending time abroad developing her fashion designing skills. As a child she was sent to a boarding school in Melbourne by Sergeant Farrat (Hugo Weaving) for she was accused of murdering a boy who bullied her. Her mother, Molly (Judy Davis) initially doesn't recognise her and isn't convinced she's her daughter. She eventually accepts her in her house and Tilly transforms it into a fashion factory where she makes clothes for the women of the town. In the meantime, she becomes romantically involved with Teddy McSwiney (Liam Hemsworth) whom she has known since they were children. The town still hasn't forgiven her for apparently killing the boy and believe she is cursed. Tilly will virtually stop at nothing to exact revenge on those who did her wrong.

The Dressmaker is a long way from being perfect but what it does offer is an entertaining two hours that is well-paced and beguiling. There might be a few too many flashbacks and slow motion sequences but the compelling storyline featuring a wide range of interesting characters allows the majority of the film to shine. Some of the depictions of the characters might be broad but that's just the perfect fit for quintessential Australians.

A lot of the dialogue is witty and adds much to the Aussie humour on show. Davis garners most of the laughs in a performance which demonstrates her sensational acting ability. Winslet perfects the Aussie accent with this being her second time playing an Australian after 1999's Holy Smoke! Many of the scenes she shares with her screen mother are hilarious. Weaving also has his turn in the spotlight with a wonderful performance as the cross-dressing police officer. Hemsworth plays it straight in comparison to his co-stars and reliably fulfills his role as the love interest. Support actors such as Shane Bourne, Sarah Snook, Kerry Fox and Barry Otto also succeed in projecting the individual traits of their characters.

Credit must go to the costume designs with the haute couture style befitting of the movie title. With the story being reminiscent of a Clint Eastwood western where the main character comes to town, mingles with the locals then affects their lives one way or another, the music score by David Hirschfelder has some resemblance to a western. It's an exciting score that perfectly sets up the moods of the characters and the theme of the plot. The cinematography by Donald McAlpine also enhances the look of the film, ensuring that the rural town maintains its 'western' appearance.

Although clichés do affect the characters and story, the overall quality of the film ensures that most viewers will be entertained. Jocelyn Moorhouse (the director and co-writer) should be chuffed with her film's box office success even though not all critics have praised her work. Sometimes it's the majority you have to please, not the minority. http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review

Spectre (I) (2015)

A Bond film that occasionally shakes but doesn't stir

[7/10 · 14 November 2015]

This is Daniel Craig's fourth outing as James Bond and it's true that he has resurrected the franchise. The previous Bond movie, Skyfall, probably showed Craig at his peak in a story that was deeply emotional yet filled with all the action scenes we have all come to expect from a Bond production. Bond number 24 has a fantastic introduction followed by quite a few boring bits before coming to life again in the final third of the movie. It's hampered by an epic running time of close to two and a half hours so a 20-25 minute cut would have done no harm. A middling James Bond however is still better than many films of this genre.

James Bond (Daniel Craig) is in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead Festival to track down an assassin. His pursuit leads him to a global threat called Spectre which is an acronym for Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion. This organization is headed by Franz Oberhauser (Chistoph Waltz), who is out to eliminate Bond and those closest to him. With the help of regulars M (Ralph Fiennes), Q (Ben Whishaw) and Moneypenny (Naomie Harris), Bond must eliminate this organization to prevent a global disaster and to stop Franz from killing his new love interest, Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux). To complicate matters, a new British intelligence official with ulterior motives, C (Andrew Scott), proposes that Bond and his colleagues are becoming obsolete.

The opening is promising with one tracking shot that lasts about five minutes, showing Bond on the streets of the Day of the Dead Festival in Mexico City and taking him to the roof of a hotel where he is about to kill his target. Thousands of extras were used for this sequence in Mexico with the helicopter hovering above the crowd adding to the tension and excitement. The customary Bond opening titles then give way to many scenes that simply cannot sustain the brilliance of the introduction.

There's been a lot of talk about how Bond finally seduces a woman older than him. In a role that lasts only a couple of minutes, Monica Bellucci has the thankless task of being one of Bond's conquests and you do ask yourself if this fuss was warranted. Léa Seydoux plays the other Bond girl and is more central to the story although there isn't the emotional depth between the two characters. It's frankly difficult to believe that they could fall in love with each other and there's no way this relationship can compare with the one that Bond had with Vesper Lynd in Craig's first Bond film, Casino Royale.

Waltz is menacing as the villain but he's missing for huge chunks of the film. The story becomes exciting again whenever he's featured and the scene where he tortures Bond is gripping. One of Franz's henchmen, Mr Hinx (Dave Bautista), channels Jaws from The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker in portraying the thug with a limited vocabulary. The scene on the train where he is fighting Bond is also another highlight of the film.

Ralph Fiennes replaces Judi Dench as M and has quite a large role although the rapport between Craig and Dench is sorely missed. Fiennes adds authority to his role but isn't as convincing as Dench was in portraying M. The other two regulars in Harris and Whishaw have their moments to shine. Craig is a more serious Bond so he doesn't quote as many puns or one-liners as the previous Bonds. His dramatic skill comes to the fore in numerous scenes and he also capably fills the action requirements. There is a large number of stunt performers to showcase the action scenes which are handled superbly.

What is a Bond film without scenic locations? Places like Mexico, Morocco, Italy, Austria and England contribute to the visual aesthetics. The sound quality is also amazing with the sound effects bringing many of the action scenes to life. Thomas Newman has his first stint as a Bond composer with a welcome return to the John Barry days of lush orchestrations and the inclusion of Monty Norman's Bond theme.

Craig has been quoted as saying that he doesn't want to play Bond for too much longer. It will be sad to see him eventually vacate his post as he is reliable and doesn't let viewers down again in Spectre but it's the story that lets audiences down with its many superfluous scenes. For this reason, it doesn't rise to the pinnacle of Craig's Bond as exhibited in its predecessor, but it's still an entertaining follow-up.