The LEGO BATMAN Movie - Coolest Batman ever !

The LEGO BATMAN Movie

Holy Guacamole ! This could be the best Batman you'll see onscreen. He's smart, funny, witty, and a whole lot of fun ! A far cry from the dark, brooding Batman we've been seeing lately. But he still retains the qualities that make him the Hero of Gotham City.

The movie was made especially for the younger crowd who obviously enjoys the building blocks of LEGO.
But the jokes and potshots looked like they were aimed at the dads and moms who grew up watching Batman all these years.
There were several references to the 60s tv series, the 90s movies, and the Dark Knight films of late.

Viewers will surely get a treat in naming the superheroes and villains who made their cameos. Even characters beyond the Bat universe ! 

With the voices of Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Sera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, etc. Written by a team of 5 ( ! ) writers, and directed by Chris Mckay.
Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictues.

FANTASTIC BEASTS And Where To Find Them

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

It's been five years since we last saw the Boy Wizard Harry Potter. And just when you think we're done with all those magic and wizardry,  here comes Fantastic Beasts . . . . From the author of all Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling wrote her first screenplay and came up with an all new magical world.

It's 1926 New York and great Magizoologist Newt Scamander is on a quest to find and deliver these fantastic beasts. But aside from the beasts, there's more to it than the title suggests. New characters, new creatures, and new dangers are in this new world which is actually a prequel to the Harry Potter films.

With names like Niffler, Erumpent, Obscurus, etc.,  only the mind of a J.K. Rowling can conjure. This promises to be another exciting film franchise that whole generations of fans would love to follow.  David Yates, who helmed the last four Harry Potter films, proves that he's got more tricks up his sleeves as he presents the first of five new films in this brand new series. 

Expect excellent performances from the stellar cast led by Eddie Redmayne,  Catherine Waterston,  Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell,  Ezra Miller,  Samantha Morton, etc.

This is truly Fantastic !

TROLLS - Infectious !

TROLLS

This is about the popular toys of yesteryears. Trolls with their candy-coloured hair that seem to rise to the skies. Definitely not the trolls on the internet who know nothing but put negative remarks online. By the way, the trolls in the movie are way cuter than the original 60s toys.

The Trolls are creatures who love to sing, dance, and hug. They lived in a world where they are always happy. However, there came a day when one ugly giant Bergen found their happy place and abducts some of the trolls to bring to her hometown. The princess named Poppy (Anna Kendrick) took it upon herself to rescue her friends with the help of a reluctant, grumpy troll named Branch (Justin Timberlake).
What follows is their adventure filled with laughter, danger,  bravery, love, & music.

             

Yes the music,  which is geared towards the adults accompanying the kids, is filled with 70s and 80s retro, plus some originals performed by Ariana Grande and Mr. Timberlake.

Even though the story is not quite original, the trolls are cute & cuddly.  Kids & grownups will still enjoy the movie.
And you gotta love the soundtrack ! 

DR. STRANGE - Amazing visuals, perfect casting !

DR. STRANGE

I've always been fascinated with magic since I was a little boy. I've been reading books and watching videos about magic when I was much younger. So when Marvel announced that it's coming out with a Dr. Strange movie, I've eagerly anticipated how it would turn out to be.

It's the story of a top neurosurgeon named Stephen Strange who lost the dexterity of both his hands in a fatal car crash. Wanting to find a cure, he travels to Nepal to meet the Ancient One - a master of Eastern Mysticism, who later teaches him more than what he is looking for, eventually becoming the Sorcerer Supreme.

Watching DR. STRANGE on IMAX made the long wait worthwhile. With spectacular visuals and the perfect casting of Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character, Marvel has done it again ! It's unlike any other superhero film we've seen so far. Combined with great storytelling, fine acting, and some of the best fight sequences on film, Marvel scored another breakthrough ! Inception + Harry Potter + Sherlock Holmes = Dr. Strange

STORKS

STORKS

Where do babies come from ? Many kids were told that  babies were delivered by storks from the clouds. And this is how things used to be at Cornerstore.com. Nowadays, the storks are delivering more consumer-friendly products, like smartphones.

The movie is actually more about finding your family, or belonging to one. We see a boy who feels neglected by his workaholic parents, wishing for a baby boy, to spend more time with Mom & Dad.

Writer and Co-Director Nicholas Stoller presents an animated film which is both heart-warming and hilarious.
Lots of cute and funny moments. Watch out for the wolfpack !

SULLY - A tribute to everyday heroes.

SULLY

This is the story of an everyman pilot named Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger who saved the lives of all those people aboard an Airbus A320 which crash-landed on the Hudson river on Jan. 2009; and the drama that comes after. 

Tom Hanks plays the titular character, while Aaron Eckhart is the co-pilot Jeff Skiles. Both Hanks and Eckhart give an understated, but warm portrayal of the two men responsible for the safety of US Airways Flight 1549.

Director Clint Eastwood presents the film in a simple, minimalistic way without lessening the courage and bravery of the pilots. Eastwood  and cinematographer Tom Stern make very good use of the IMAX technology by making us see the plane, the city, the river on this much bigger scale. They framed the crash landing of the airbus like it's happening before our eyes.

It's compelling, dramatic, with a little bit of comedy. This film is a fitting tribute to our everyday heroes.

PETE'S DRAGON - A classic updated and expanded.

PETE'S DRAGON

I have seen the original film way back 1977, but I can only recall a few
details since it's been so long. Now Disney has updated and expanded the story of a boy who's bestfriend happens to be a dragon.

This one starts with how the boy ended up in the woods, left alone in the dark surrounded by predators. And then fast forward six years later where a kindly forest ranger is doing her rounds.

Bryce Dallas Howard gives a solid performance as Grace, the mother figure; while Oakes Fegley is effective as the boy Pete.
Elliott the dragon is more like your favorite pet dog, only bigger and with wings.

This is a charming remake of an almost forgotten classic which will tug at your hearts and make you cry, in a good way.
Another gem in Disney's animation turn to live action.

Directed by David Lowery. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures.