Cinematic Paradiso

“I know they haven’t announced it, but one of them is Boba Fett,” Schnepp said on AMC Movie Talk. “I know. I know for a fact. Sorry, I will never reveal my source, but it is the one written by Lawrence Kasdan.”

Terrific news indeed. If you're like me and love the way the original trilogy's story is written then all hopes will be high for a great Boba Fett film that will quench the thirst of fans.

Source: Flicksided

Release Date: 27 September 2013

James Hunt and Niki Lauda's fierce competition in the 1976 Formula One Season is well orchestrated in the epic biopic Rush, starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl as Hunt and Lauda respectively. It tells the story of the two racers' dreams, struggles and competitive spirit even in the face of death; Hunt is a talented English playboy while Lauda is a brilliant Austrian technical strategist who's differences morph into strong rivalry as both aim for the title of World Champion.

Praise: Let me get this straight: I wasn't particularly a F1 racing fan nor do I have any prior knowledge on Hunt/Lauda's history as racers before watching this film. However, I found myself immediately captivated by the ever-presence rivalry between the two on screen. The story of their competition is exciting, well paced and presented in such endearing manner with enough jolt of thrill and adrenaline. Even the lives of the racers off track are told vividly, with just the right dose of drama to explain the essence of their individual believes and charisma.

The cinematography is excellent, particularly the racing scenes. Everything is captured with such breathtaking beauty; each angle and frame deliver perfect tension as the cars overtake each other with speed and grease. No nonsensical CGI are used so as to further fixate audience on the 70's period in which the drama took place. The 1976 Japan Formula One set in which the final race was held is illustrated ominously but so ever beautiful, the ever-presence grim atmosphere setting the perfect climatic centre-stage.

This is, in my opinion, Chris Hemsworth's best performance yet. The actor is able to bring such swift expressions and mannerisms on screen; his accent is music to the ears and natural acting highly convincing. This all makes for an authentic James Hunt, worthy of awards. Daniel Brühl too is impressive, his incredible gift in acting cultivate in a Niki Lauda that we can hate, love and feel for at the same time. The two actors share little screen time together, but nonetheless develop a strong, fierce, funny and emotional relationship as Hunt and Lauda; this relationship carries and piece together the film as whole. Several other casts such as Olivia Wilde and Alexandra Maria Lara played their role well in shaping Hunt and Lauda as human being and not just racers.

Director Ron Howard certainly outdone expectations of many with Rush. He established the direction of the film and then hands it over to the actors to guide it to glory.

Complains: There tends to be too much technical terms used in racing throughout the film, and as someone that is not familiar with the industry I tend to get a bit lost from time to time.

Rating: 9.1/10

Hit or Miss: As far as biopic goes, this is an honest interpretation of sports drama without gagging Hollywood-like cliché intervention. The film tells the story and gets the job done without much fanfare. The best biopic I have seen for a very long time. Even novice to the F1 sport like myself is thoroughly thrilled. Hit.

It is recently announced that Universal Studios, director James Wan and writer Chris Morgan has come to a sounding conclusion to retire the character of Brian O'Conner in the upcoming Fast 7.

At some point earlier, Denzel Washington was also rumoured to be up for the Green Lantern role. Both speculations could all melt down to nothing but it seems likely that Green Lantern will be in the yet untitled Superman vs Batman film, and further enforced the possibility of a Justice League film.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson can be seen in the upcoming Hercules: The Thracian Wars.

Source: Flicksided.com

Casts: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rinko Kikuchi

Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Drama

Release Date: 25 December 2013

47 Ronin sees Keanu Reeves leading a set of international casts in a fictionalised adaptation on one of Japan's most famous tales on bravery and loyalty. After Lord Asano, the overlord of Ako Domain in ancient Japan was framed and commanded to commit seppuku for attempted assassination on master of ceremonies Lord Kira, his now master-less samurais (ronin) gather together to plot revenge and gain justice for their fallen master. Kai (Reeves), an outcast for his entire life, decided to join the ronin not only to avenge the man who once saved his life but also to protect the one person he love most.

Praise: Despite being a Hollywood production, the set and costumes design maintained enough Japanese elements to give a sense of authenticity to its ancient feudal Japan backdrop. The special effects are neat and non-excessive, along with some impressive make ups that pretty much reminded me of the first Mortal Kombat film (aside from the fact that Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa playing as the Shogun, oddly maintaining the same authoritative notion as Tsang Tsung.). Oh and of course, watching Rinko Kikuchi as a seductive sorceress is always a plus point.

Complains: Now, where do I start....? The plot and narrative is horrendous. Despite being a fictionalised fantasy account of the 47 ronin, the film progressed in such a flat pace, completely void of excitement and adrenaline. Instead, it is full of cheesy, cliché dialogues that it became so hard to sit through the entire film without losing focus. In addition, some actions taken by the characters are illogical, even by science-fiction standards.

30 minutes into the film and I am stricken with how one-dimension every character is. There is zero depth and complexity in the characters; everyone is exactly what they came off as. Each role are played with such painful stereotypical portrayal that I have to constantly convince myself that maybe there will be some surprising creativity waiting at the climax, just to keep myself seated until the end. Which of course, there is none either.

One major agony in watching the film is seeing the Japanese actors so out-of-character in almost every scene. Each line spoken seem forced, as though they have no confidence in saying them. It is a fatal flaw to have the Japanese characters interact with each other completely in English rather than their mother tongue. Not only does it look and sound dubious but it also westernised the feeling and experience too much, causing it to lose its Japanese authenticity so carefully built by the sets and costumes. The casts are awesome but I feel that each of them (except Keanu) could not bring out their full acting potential to give off the necessary emotion and impact when conversing fully in English.

While some other disappointing fantasy films have, at the very least, breath-taking climatic fight scenes to compensate and reward you for enduring till the very end, don't count on 47 Ronin for doing just that. The final battle between the characters are simplistic, short and forgettable. It is akin to watching children settling their quarrels in the most unfashionable way imaginable.

Rating: 3/10

Hit or Miss: Unless you derive satisfaction from watching outright dull and unimaginative fantasy films or if you're 10 years old, this film is a must miss. Though you can simply watch it just to see Rinko Kikuchi.