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MUSIC ★★★

When Ebo (Music's friend) described what kind of day Music (a young girl in the spectrum) has and how strong her hearing functions are and the way it travels back to her after days or weeks, gave me a sense of awareness of what it might be like for other people in the autism community. An additional thought of curiosity to learn more about people's lives in the spectrum, their family and caregivers.

As a musical film, Music in its form and aesthetic is dramatically engaging and delightful. Its artistic approach to a musical is refreshing and unique. However, the film gets a little bit inconsistent in terms of storytelling. Some of the scenes felt short and stiff; one loses the connection as a viewer. Nonetheless, the emotional rollercoaster portrayed in the fictional story is relatable and natural in its intent to show Music's complicated life and the lives surrounding her.

Dreambuilders ★★★

It may remind some of us another animated film in the past, but this one is unique in its own right. Dreambuilders is mainly for young audiences who may have been wondering about the dream world.

The story is about two small families coming together to make a bigger one. With its first encounter comes challenges and reassessment of things whether they belong with each other.

Minna is our protagonist who we spend most of our time observing in the film. She goes through internal struggles when coping with the changes in her life. However, she discovers something both extraordinarily significant and terrifying at the same time.  

Three Important Rules in John Wick III ★★★½

John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, is now on its third and most explosive franchise. If you haven't seen the prequels, it's probably time to watch them and start catching up.

The film begins as John runs for his life, knowing he doesn't have much time before his excommunication order gets activated. When it does, all the assassins will be relentlessly haunting him.

Here are the three rules of John Wick III:

Kill John Wick.

While the film is mostly about John Wick trying not to die, it also shows us who John Wick was and who his old friends were. Apart from the gruesome fight scenes with extremely amusing choreography. The story takes us to his past and what this means for his future.

Do not shoot the dogs.

While the main essence of the movie is survival, protecting the dog companions are equally as important.

Honour the pact.

When John Wick makes a deal, he never forgets to collect. Fulfilling a contract, no matter what, is what John Wick stands for.

On Chesil Beach★★★½

When young love ends in despair.

On Chesil Beach, is a film based on a novel by Ian McEwan. It is a dramatic story about two lovers encountering sexuality and their unpreparedness for what is to come.

Despite their deep connection and love for each other, the lovers seem under the duress of conservativeness, repression and troubled childhood. At first, the narrative does it's best to avoid the real underlying issues and hidden strains between the couple. Moreso, they tried their best to slip it under the rug but not realising that by doing so, they made it more significant than it has to be.

Films like this are rare and when accurately done becomes very memorable. The director has done an excellent job of making sure we see the picture as clear as possible, that we get to realise how simple things can be. Although when we are in the same situation, we become too ingrained in our individual feelings. One more thing to mention where the lead characters played by Saoirse Ronan as Florence was impeccable. Billy Howle as Edward was engaging in his role as a tired young man with ambitions but torn between his responsibilities as the eldest son.

A Simple Favor★★½

Favours are either small or big, but for this film, it's a bit more complicated. It starts off with a flashback of two very different women becoming 'best friends'. Like how usual friendships start, it begins with talking about each others' lives over a drink, and here, lots of Martinis I mean.

Based on a novel by Darcey Bell, this film is quite an entertainer. However, it only reaches a certain point, with its seductively high fashion statements. It is eye-candy for the moviegoer, but that's about it.  The engagement is not genuine enough to feel utterly interested in what is going to happen. But only what is distracting, which is Lively as Emily, beautifully dressed with the confidence of a real boss.

I would say Kendrick as Stephanie, stretched out from her usual character and this is a good thing. She has done well and made a good impression in this film. Known for her flair for adroit personas as well as charisma. Kendrick showed she can perform roles outside the usual comedy and romantic movies she's generally in. 

The Spy Who Dumped Me ★★★½

Classic arcade games, and fight scenes- interesting!

I'm not entirely sure, but whenever I come across a long movie title, it usually is good. Ergo The Spy Who Dumped Me, (TSWDM in short) got my attention. Not only for its slightly long movie title but the names Mila Kunis and Kate Mckinnon sounds exciting.  I somewhat had a feeling that this could be fun!

One of the things I like about TSWDM is their fluidity. It starts off by making you think that it's a movie that you've seen before. But then it transitions into something more meaningful. And not your usual comedy films about pretty girls and flawlessness. In this film, you'll get the "crazy adventure of a lifetime" theme but in a heartfelt way. A more down to earth approach armed with an amusing script. The film felt authentic and unpretentious- one of the things I like about it.

Synopsis:

MOUNTAIN is a unique cinematic and musical collaboration: an epic odyssey through the Earth’s most awesome landscapes, showing the spellbinding force of high places – and their ongoing power to shape our lives and our dreams.

-Madman

Film Review:

"TO THOSE WHO ARE ENTHRALLED BY MOUNTAINS, THEIR WONDER IS BEYOND ALL DISPUTE.  TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT, THEIR ALLURE IS A KIND OF MADNESS" - Robert Macfarlane

Mountain is a film about Life and celebrating one of the greatest wonders on Earth, our mountains. It is a fascinating collaboration between music, words and pictures that tell a magnificent story about mountains and how humans have evolved through time in search for bigger adventures.  

This film, directed by Jennifer Peedom and words by Robert Macfarlane with brilliant music lead by the artistic director of ACO Richard Tognett and narrated by Willem Defoe, created a one of a kind artwork. It is in itself a unique and breathtaking experience. The awe and astoundment in the existence of these massive buildings of nature in which humans were primarily afraid of and are now allured by its strength and beauty.

Most importantly, this film brings a powerful message of environmental awareness when it also documented a time-lapse of destruction and modification of these well-revered mountains, cheapened to accommodate personal leisure and sports.  A truly inspiring essay film that is both philosophical and mind blowing that brings us to a realisation of our limits as human beings. As well as our purpose on this planet.

Synopsis:

A woman discovers that severe catastrophic events are somehow connected to the mental breakdown from which she’s suffering. Gloria (Anne Hathaway) is an out-of-work party girl who, after getting kicked out of her apartment by her boyfriend, is forced to leave her life in New York and move back to her hometown. When news reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, South Korea, Gloria gradually comes to the realisation that she is somehow connected to this far-off phenomenon. As events begin to spin out of control, Gloria must determine why her seemingly insignificant existence has such a colossal effect on the fate of the world.

-Transmission

Film Review:

Gloria (Anne Hathaway) just came from a break up with her boyfriend Tim ( Dan Stevens), forcing her to go back to her hometown. Struggling with her alcoholism, Gloria aimed to go through detox but ironically gets employed to work in a bar owned by her old classmate, Oskar (Jason Sudeikis). Not too sure if they were old pals though, but Oskar seems like a nice guy until they get to know each other a little more.

Colossal, what appears to be a comic sci-fi thriller did not really translate well into the movie. A plot that had great potential as being original in its own present day cringe comedy science fiction story has only become confusing and weak. The film reminded me of the movie 10 Cloverfield Lane with both films going for a dark psychological thriller and having a sci-fi side in the end. However, the difference with both the films is that one tried to incorporate comedy which was also a nice touch, but it just did not work. Maybe there were too many ideas already making the story hard to follow. The comic scenes were a fail, and none of it was funny at all.

One particular scene that I thought would have been really hilarious was the firecracker scene. But the timing and editing made it appear flat and dull instead. The hard to follow story even became more confusing when the back story was finally revealed. It was probably one of the most important scenes in the film but was surprisingly insufficient in many levels. It made the whole movie pointless.

The casting seemed a little off as well. The acting was technically good, but the on-screen chemistry and portrayals were not convincing enough. This added more to the downside of the story. There were even parts of the film that felt slow and dragging. Such as the scenes where Gloria was trying to fit in with his new friends and blend in, trying to hide her personal problems from them.

In general, the movie did not turn out to be as successful as it could have been for many reasons. There was nothing to hold on to after watching the film but a question of “is that it?”  

Out in NZ cinemas April 27, 2017