HER (2014)

Genre: Science Fiction/Drama
Running Length: 2:00
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson (voice), Rooney Mara, Amy Adams, Matt Letscher, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, Portia Doubleday
Director: Spike Jonze

Spike Jonze has a beautiful mind indeed. His latest film; HER, is an ambitious cinematic endeavour which explores the unconventional relationship between human and sentient machines.  Jonze's universe seems to suggest that technology brings us closer but yet it also drives us further apart. We yearn to connect but yet somehow technology has literary driven a wedge between us causing our inability to connect in a real intimate face-to-face way with other human beings. It's only when we are engaging behind a "screen", we are our true self. This is heavy stuff and causes viewers to reflect on their relationships. The technical aspects of the movie is brilliant. As the events in the movie transpire at an unspecified time in the near future,  much details have been put in to ensure realism throughout; from the beautiful city skyline to the fashion and choice of furniture (it has a 70s feel). Viewers actually do not question the plausibility of Joaquin Phoenix's character having an intimate relationship with an operating system (OS), voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Phoenix gives one of his best performance - his character is vulnerable, sympathetic and lost. But Johansson (or her voice) steals the show as even a simple ‘sigh' is done with so much sincerity and ache. Also, the film is visually pleasing to the eyes (the little moments are never lost) and Arcade Fire's score is beautiful. All these aside, I felt the film would have been more powerful if it was a shorter, perhaps a 1 hour feature. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy 'contemplative science fiction', you'll thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Rating: 8/10

12 YEARS A SLAVE (2014)

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 2:13
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbander, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Adepero Oduye, Brad Pitt
Director: Steve McQueen

12 YEARS A SLAVE is a tough film to watch but a necessary one. This movie does not leave any room for imagination; some scenes of brutality are so unbearable I had to close my eyes. But what is most unsettling for me is the reminder of us humans - that we are capable of inflicting horrific acts on another human being in the name of righteousness and societal pressure (the public humiliation and crucifixion of Jesus, Nazi Germany, Rwanda etc). This true story is actually very straight forward - the main character (played by  Chiwetel Ejiofor in an Oscar worthy performance but personally, not as moving as Tom Hanks in Captain Phillips) who is a free and well-respected family man living in New York circa 1840s, but was abducted and sold as a slave to the south. During his 12 years of slavery, the audience is transported back in time on a journey where we are exposed to the inhumane conditions in which slaves lived and worked under their "masters". It's not all dark and dirty but the contrary as the ugliness of what was happening is told against the setting of the beautiful southern scenery - which makes it realistic (and not manipulative). The main cast is solid especially Michael Fassbander and Lupita Nyong'o. The only complains I have are these minor distractions - the "spot the stars" cameo and Hans Zimmer's score which is closely reminiscent of his work on Inception. Nevertheless, slavery was a very real and sad part in the history of America and 12 Years A Slave is the definitive movie on this subject matter.

Rating: 7.5/10

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (2014)

Genre: Thriller
Running length: 1:45
Cast: Chris Pine, Kiera Knightley, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh, Lenn Kudrjawizki, Alec Utgoff
Director: Kenneth Branagh

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT is a summer style blockbuster - Read: a thriller/action movie with car chases and shootouts starring who's who of today ie. safe, predictable and boring. I remember enjoying the earlier Jack Ryan movies because there is always this trademark high tension scene where the fate of America rests squarely on the shoulders (and quick thinking) of Jack Ryan. There is a similar scene here but the premise of it requires the audience to suspend all disbelief when it comes to Jack and his significant other in an espionage plot *roll eyes* The script isn't clever enough to elevate it to a place that makes this 'origin movie' feel like it's revitalizing the genre like what Casino Royale did to the James Bond series. Chris Pine is fine as he has the presence and physicality of a "Jack Ryan 2.0". Kevin Costner is solid in the "mentor" role - a part that seems well-suited to him at this stage of his career. Kenneth Branagh's villain is serviceable. However, Kiera Knightley seems to be miscast or I just find her distracting whenever she appears on screen.

Rating: 5/10

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