22 JUMP STREET (2014)

Genre: Action/Comedy
Running Length: 1:52
Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Peter Stormare, Wyatt Russell, Amber Stevens, Jillian Bell
Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Screenplay: Michael Bacall and Oren Uziel and Rodney Rothman, based on a story by Michael Bacall & Jonah Hill

As I've not watched 21 Jump Street and very little of the TV series, I had no expectations at all going into 22 JUMP STREET and it turned out to be an entertaining ride. The narrative isn't much but a series of humourous situations strung together. Some of the sequences are outright laugh-aloud funny (and borderline brilliant and bizarre) but there were also a few hits-and-misses. The movie could have benefited more if they had more action sequences. But beneath all its craziness, 22 Jump Street is first and foremost a buddy film. And Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum on-screen chemistry is ridiculously great; especially poking fun of the modern day bromance bordering on homo-eroticism. It is impossible to imagine both Hill and Tatum not having fun during the filming process. A special shout out to Ice Cube who deliciously plays (or more of overplays) the "angry black captain" role - he steals every scene in which he appears. The end credits sequence is worth staying for as it pokes fun at just about everything.

Rating: 6/10

HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS (2014)

Genre: Adventure/Drama
Running Length: 1:54
Cast: Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Stellan Skarsgard, Ming Zhao, Barry Atsma, Jean Reno, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer
Director: Peter Chelsom
Screenplay: Maria von Heland and Peter Chelsom & Tinker Lindsay, based on the novel by Fracois Lelord

"We should concern ourselves not so much with the pursuit of happiness but rather with the happiness of pursuit." a quote from this movie. 

Although HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS shares a similar theme as Walter Mitty; a middle-aged man who lives a routine life reaches a mid-life crisis and thus, spurring him to go on an international journey to understand the meaning of life/happiness, this movie goes into darker territory than Mitty ever would have dared venture. Those who are familiar with Simon Pegg's movies may not be totally surprised that he can be taken seriously on screen, but as Hector, his work here is a revelation. There are some funny moments here and there but he generally plays it down - especially the very believable emotional last scene which was truly affecting. Although his search leads him to a mixed bag of adventure, the deliverables to viewers are a little uneven. This is no Indiana Jones or even Tintin. Some encounters worked but most of them felt somewhat cliché. Nevertheless, this film works nicely as a character piece.  

Rating: 6.5/10

WHAT IF (2014)

Genre: Romance/Comedy
Running Length: 1:35
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Megan Park, Adam Driver, Mackenzie Davis, Rafe Spall
Director: Michael Dowse
Screenplay: Elan Mastai, based on the play by T.J. Dawe & Michael Rinaldi

WHAT IF explores the age-old question of  "can men and women ever just be good friends". Well, the plot is predictable; Radcliffe's character decides to put his love life on hold after being burnt by a bad relationship and he meets Zoe Kazan's character in a party. They form an instant connection but they can only remain as good friends because the girl has a long term boyfriend (thankfully, he's not stereotyped as a jerk). But as their feelings grow, they struggle to keep things platonic. Yup, it's the guilty pleasure kind of movie. I think I was expecting the would-be couple to engage in clever and meaningful conversations rather than accidentally ending up in tight situations (twice) to generate sexual tension. Well there were a few sweet and tender moments during their dialogue but it was few and far between. Thankfully, the lead actors have chemistry and they do make a cute couple, to be fair. And the cast playing their "best friend" support is serviceable throughout especially Adam Driver. For those wanting a break from serious thought provoking and emotional wrenching films, I guess it OK to munch on cinematic junk food once in a while.

Rating: 6/10 

PREDESTINATION (2014)

 
Genre: Science Fiction
Running Length: 1:37
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor
Director: The Spierig Brothers
Screenplay: The Spierig Brothers, based on "All You Zombies" by Robert Heinlein

I don't even know where to start with PREDESTINATION. If I can summarize it, it's one helluva of "mind-***k" movie - not in a controversial kinda way but the premise is still disturbing nevertheless. It's a low budget science fiction film which demands the audiences' full attention and concentration. There are no big action sequences as the narrative is built around ideas and its characters. The story unfolds slowly revealing one puzzle at a time and if you're patient enough, you'll be pleasantly surprised with several "holy crap!" moments. It's difficult to talk about the movie because there are just so many concepts the film makers try to cram into the slim 90+ running length such as time travel and free will. It actually feels like an extended short film which focuses on tight story telling and beautiful photography. Although this film didn't garner the "likes" from mainstream audiences, it should be destined for cult status. 

Rating: 7.5/10

FOXCATCHER (2015)

 

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 2:14
Cast: Channing Tatum, Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Sienna Miller, Vanessa Redgrave
Director: Bennett Miller
Screenplay: E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman


"The father figure is something I love, but also suffocate from and want to work against." Ang Lee

FOXCATCHER is not your typical inspirational sports movie. In fact, it's quite the opposite. It's a dark drama which explores the effects of isolation, the search for significance and the absence of a strong father figure on human nature. What's really disturbing about this film is that it's based on true events. Although the setting is based on the Olympic sports of wrestling, but the narrative focuses more on the relationship among the principals' played by Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo. Carell plays Mr Du Pont, one the wealthiest man in America - and I must say, he deserved to be nominated as Best Actor this year. At times, the shoddy make-up was a little distracting but nevertheless, "Carell the comedian" completely disappeared into his character here. He is pathetic, awkward and unpredictable - a coiled serpent waiting to strike. In fact, Foxcatcher's main draw is its dreadful atmosphere - the whole time, I felt that something bad is going to happen anytime. And that's a testament to great filmmaking. Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo are equally solid here. Those looking for a feel-good sports movie about an underdog who overcomes all odds is recommended to look elsewhere as this is a very mysterious but fascinating psychological study on the warped side of human beings. 

Rating: 8/10

 

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (2015)

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 2:03
Cast: Eddy Redmayne, Felicity Jones, David Thewlis
Director: James Marsh
Screenplay: Anthony McCarten, based on "Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen" by Jane Hawking

There are many great performances this year nominated in the best actor category but none as uncanny as Eddie Redmayne's turn as Stephen Hawking in THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING. When you see him on screen, you don't see Redmayne acting as Hawking but you actually see Stephen Hawking himself. His physical transformation is astonishing but more importantly, viewers will actually experience the slow degeneration (due to ALS) of the brilliant physicist's motor skills and emotional breakdown unfolding in front of our eyes. It's painful to watch at times. By the end of the film, Redmayne's acting is only limited to his face and eyebrows but yet we can still sense his tenacity to lead a normal life. He is deserving of Best Actor in this year's Oscars. Felicity Jones' turn as his first wife is equally convincing as in the beginning, she truly believes that love will tide them over but by the end, as a caregiver, she is forced to admit defeat. The narrative presented is pretty straightforward but I'm glad that the angle the filmmakers took; rather than concentrating on theoretical physics, it focuses more on the real-life challenges of a couple faces when one of the partner is stricken with physical illness; it forces the viewers to re-evaluate the "theory of love" - to be together in sickness and health.

Rating: 8/10