Cinematic Paradiso

Multi-talented actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut tells the tale of a man dedicated to his family, his friends, his church, his body, his house, the floor mat (whut?) and his porn. It shows how a man fascinated with watching porn got his life turn around after meeting two very special women.

Praise: Having been in several major box-office (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises), Joseph Gordon-Levitt has shown his remarkable talent as a director and screenwriter with Don Jon. Unpredictably funny and emotional, the film redefine how a rom-com flick should be made. By detaching itself from the familiar formula that gives us the jarringly repetitive and predictable films like Ugly Truth and Friends With Benefit, Don Jon wins the stage with a story that felt brutally honest and authentic.

Throughout the film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt demonstrates true flair and style in his performance, commanding immense screen presence. His co-stars Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore moves such suavely in and out the entire film, delivering powerful thought-provoking messages without knocking Joseph Gordon-Levitt off the centre stage. 

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Casts: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Paul Dano

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Release Date: 20 September 2013

Often I am taken aback by the never-ending clichés that crime and thriller films tend to offer. Take The Purge for example. The film offers a clever concept but was stripped of much of its merit with the implementation of gagging clichés. Then we have Paranoia with pretty much predictable plot and hero-gets-the-chick-ending. But I was utterly surprised that Prisoners offer none of the aforementioned, instead captivate the audience with gripping emotional complexity and cleverly plotted storyline.

The story revolves around two families' struggles after their daughter was kidnapped without a trace. When the only lead points to Alex Jones (Paul Dano), fathers Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) and Franklin Birch (Terrence Howard) take matters into their own hands when the police failed to get any form of information or confession from him. Unwilling to give up as well, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to take the case on a personal level, determined to solve the mystery and save the missing girls at all costs.

Praise: The plot is engaging and constantly twisting to keep you tugging the end of your shirt and cringing to know the truth. It is rare to find a plot so "alive" in an abduction film, full of unexpected turns that keeps you interested in the film all the way despite its lengthy 2 and a half hours run.

Prisoners' stellar casts synchronize well with the film's great plot. Never have I seen Hugh Jackman so emotionally vulnerable and exposed on screen. His play of a man struggling to keep his remaining family intact while desperately attempts to locate and rescue her daughter even at the expense of discarding his humanity is Oscar-worthy. Jake Gyllenhaal's take of a detective with a shadowy past is too powerful to overlook. He stands as a man not necessarily bound by values of virtues, constantly fighting his inner demons while at the same time doing everything in his power to bring justice and save the girls. The complexity of his character plays a crucial part in making the experience of watching this film sensational. Paul Dano's performance here elevates the thrill of mystery to a new height, coming off as a man that is in the borderline of creepy and sympathetic. Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, Maria Bello and the rest of the supporting casts each play their role well to give further depth to the film.

Everything is pieced together so well to create a masterpiece - the cinematography, soundtracks, atmosphere and even the creaky and shady buildings. Denis Villeneuve has just proved himself a director to be reckon with.

Complains: Honestly I can't think of anything I don't like about this film.

Rating: 8.9

Hit or Skip: A must hit

X-Men: Days of Future Past will be in cinemas May 2014.

I CAN'T WAIT!

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Casts: Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lily

That's right peeps! Earlier today, the manliest of man Vin Diesel himself posted on his Facebook page that production of F&F 7 will resume and the film will be released on 10th of April 2015.

As the first post of this as of now "under construction" blog site, I would like to tell a little of what I will write and blabber about in the future.

But first, let me get into the choice of name for this blog: Cinematic Paradiso. It's based on the title of the 1988 Italian drama film Cinema Paradiso, directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. 

For those who didn't have the privilege of watching this film, it's a piece about a filmmaker who recalls his childhood on how he fell in love with movies, and how he befriended the projectionist of the theatre he goes to as a child. 

Now that film is a masterpiece and a winner of the Academy Award. It brilliantly illustrate movies as a high form of art. Hopefully, through this blog, I will be able to convey my love for films and their artistic values to any future readers.

There will be movie reviews, updates, trailers, cast news and so on. I will post and update as regularly as I can, so stay tuned.