LIGHTS OUT - made me shout in the cinema !

LIGHTS OUT

Coming off from a super scary film, THE CONJURING 2, shown only last June 9, here comes another one from Warner Bros. and Director James Wann (this time as a Producer).

LIGHTS OUT is about a supernatural creature named Diana, who only lives in the dark. It sets out to terrorize a family when its existence is threaten.

Maria Bello plays the mom who is somewhat attached to Diana. Gabriel Bateman is the son who is haunted by the creature, while Teresa Palmer is the daughter who had been distressed by Diana many years before, and has since moved-out of their home. Alexander DiPersia plays the boyfriend of Teresa. Strong performances from the main  cast.

This is an excellent horror film which makes good use of our childhood fears. "Don't be afraid of the dark" - our parents used to say. I remember I used to be afraid of being left in a dark room when I was a kid. I love the way they made use of different sources of light.

LIGHTS OUT, together with THE CONJURING 2 are two of the best horror films this year. Guaranteed to make you jump out of your seats. Directed by David F. Sandberg based on a short film. Rated PG-13.

STAR TREK BEYOND - Most fun of all !

STAR TREK BEYOND

The USS Enterprise is sent on a rescue mission which turns out to be an ambush. The crew find themselves stranded and separated on a distant planet while their iconic spaceship is shred to pieces.

This third film in the rebooted series is the most fun of all. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the first two films helmed by JJ Abrams - I did ! But this one feels like an expanded version of the classic tv series shot on a Big, Big Budget.

Director James Lin (of The Fast and The Furious 3 to 6) delivered what many Trekkies and true fans were looking for in a Star Trek movie. Lots of fast-paced action, funny/witty scenes, and amazing visual effects.

Kirk, Spock, Bones, Scotty, and Jaylah (Sophia Boutella of Kingsmen : The Secret Service) are standouts. The film is dedicated to Leonard Nimoy, who passed away last year, and Anton Yelchin, who died just last month in a tragic accident.

ICE AGE : COLLISION COURSE - Still Funny !

ICE AGE : COLLISION COURSE

It's the fifth chapter in the longest-running digital animation series. ICE AGE which started back in 2002 is still at it, amusing us with the now-familiar characters Mandy, Ellie, Diego, Sid, and of course Scrat.

This time Scrat is lost in outer space, still chasing the ever-elusive acorn. He accidentally creates the solar system, and in his wild, manic antics, he sets-off a chain reaction which catapults several purple rocks (asteroids) to our home planet.

Back on earth, unaware of the dangers that will befall them, Manny & Ellie are busy contemplating with their grown-up daughter's marriage to her boyfriend. When they finally realized that a giant asteroid is about to hit them, they have no choice but to move out of their home. Travelling to exotic new lands, where they meet a host of new colorful characters.

Featuring the voices of Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, Jennifer Lopez,John Leguizamo, Josh Peck, Seann William Scott, Jessie J., Simon Pegg, Wanda Sykes, Keke Palmer, Adam Devine, etc. Directed by Mike Thurmeier & Galen T. Chu (a Filipino !). Don't listen to the critics ! It's really funny, witty, and entertaining!

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN : Breath-taking !

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN

It's the next chapter of Tarzan's adventures. The writers have given the classic hero a modern touch by updating the man who was once known as Tarzan. After leaving the Congo for many years, he is now living the "normal" life as John Clayton/Lord Greystoke in London. But alas, he is asked to go back to the place he once called home.

Alexander Skarsgard brings a good Tarzan with his bulked-up muscles & all, while Margot Robbie as Jane is not your typical damsel-in-distress. She's feisty and brave. Samuel L. Jackson is the sidekick who delivers the comic relief. And Christoph Waltz is the superbad villain.

Director David Yates (who helmed the last 4 Harry Potter films) captures the action scenes in long unbroken shots, and presents the beauty and danger of the African jungle in breath-taking ways. You can feel the animals raw energy (beast mode) even though most of them are CGIs.

This Tarzan is more intelligent and sophisticated than what we know of the legendary hero. I certainly had a great time watching it !

INDEPENDENCE DAY : RESURGENCE - A Battle Royale !

INDEPENDENCE DAY : RESURGENCE

Can't believe it's been 20 years since Independence Day delighted us in theaters.  Had to check it on IMDb to make sure. Time flies fast indeed !

Yes the aliens waited for 20 years before they decided to invade the Earth once again. The people lived in peace and collaborated with different nations on an immense defense program using recovered alien technology.

Most of the cast from the 1st one are back. Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum,  William Fichtner, etc. mixed with a new batch of youngblood space pilots like Liam Hemsworth, Maika Monroe, Jesse Usher.

This sequel has all the elements that audiences loved about the first one. Several spaceships, lots of alien-butt kicking, massive destructions, but with a bigger Mothership and another kind of alien being.

I highly recommend that you go see in on IMAX. It's a Visual Spectacle !

The Golden Age of Comic Book Movies

The Golden Age of Comic Book Movies

20th Century Fox started the year right by showing us the most unlikely hero/anti-hero. Ryan Reynolds is perfect as the foul-mouth, immoral, and violent mercenary with a dark, twisted sense of humour. DEADPOOL broke some records and ended up as the highest-grossing R-rated film ever.

Next came the most anticipated battle of the two most iconic superheroes of our time, Warner Bros' BATMAN V SUPERMAN : DAWN OF JUSTICE. Although most critics slammed the first live-action film to feature Batman and Superman together, fans trooped to the cineplexes, crossing the $ 868 M mark. It also featured the first big-screen appearance of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, & Flash.

Walt Disney followed suit with CAPTAIN AMERICA : CIVIL WAR. The third installment of Captain America presented some of the members of Avengers in opposing teams, joined by new recruits Spiderman, Black Panther, and Ant-man.
This is said to be the best ensemble film of superheroes and has already earned $ 940 M worldwide.

Coming up in a few days is X-MEN : APOCALYPSE. With the awakening of the first and most powerful mutant, the young X-men must unite to fight their own extinction.

Still to come within the year are :
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
THE LEGEND OF TARZAN
SUICIDE SQUAD
DOCTOR STRANGE

Indeed, it's a great time to be living in the Golden Age of Comic Book Movies !

THE MARTIAN - One of the best films this year !

THE MARTIAN

If you haven't seen The Martian, head to the cinemas now.  Definitely one of the best films this year.  It tells the story of Astronaut Mark Watney who, after a fierce storm, is left behind by his crew and presumed dead. However, Watney survived and finds himself alone and stranded on a hostile planet. He must use all his wits and ingenuity to try to survive before any hope of rescue comes along.

Matt Damon is at his best here. He's funny, smart, and worth cheering for. Even the supporting actors are perfectly cast - Jessica Chastain, Sebastian Stan, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig, Donald Glover, to name a few.

It also has amazing visuals which make you feel like you're actually on planet Mars. This film will hold your attention as you find out what happens next. I didn't fall asleep even for a bit. It's got a good balance of action, comedy, and suspence. And by the way, I love the soundtrack too !

Based on the best-selling novel, and directed by Ridley Scott.
Watch it on the cineplexes !