EYE IN THE SKY (2016)

Genre: Thriller
Running Length: 1:42
Cast: Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman, Aaron Paul, Phoebe Fox, Barkhad Abdi
Director: Gavin Hood
Screenplay: Guy Hibbert

EYE IN THE SKY is a very different take on drone strikes compared to Ethan Hawke's Good Kill. The latter explores the stress and psychological effects on drone pilots. As for this movie, it provides an almost real-time comprehensive inside look on the procedures, bureaucracy and dare I say, the humanity of the firing of a single hellfire missile from a drone.

The premise sounds boring but it's far from it. Although positioned as a political/military drama, it's first and foremost a thriller. And boy, what a thriller! It gets so tensed at times one will start squirming in their seat.

The story is straightforward. Key members of al-Shabaab, a terrorist group, have gathered in a small house in a village in Kenya and they are preparing for an imminent suicide bombing. A military mission involving three governments is launched to capture or maybe kill those involved with a hovering drone. However, it gets complicated with the presence of a little innocent girl in the blast radius and 3 of the terrorists are British and US citizens.

The strength of this film is definitely the quality acting. Characters are revealed through their actions and reactions rather than clunky "this is what I'm doing" explanations. Take for example, Aaron Paul (of Breaking Bad fame) plays the deeply convicted pilot who has never shot a missile but is presented with the potential of squeezing the trigger. He rarely moves from his pilot seat but yet managed to convey a range of emotions when orders from the top are forced down upon him. The rest of the cast; Helen Mirren, Barkhad Abdi, the late Alan Rickman and the other supporting cast are all effective.

Although it gets a tad manipulative at times, the filmmakers succeeds in providing a non bias perspective on the issue at hand. It's refreshing to watch such a well-made, intelligent and "entertaining talky drama" in the cinema these days in the midst of loud and mindless superhero flicks and sequels.  

Rating: 9/10

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (2016)

Genre: Science Fiction / Thriller / Drama
Running Length: 1:40
Cast: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Jaeden Lieberher, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Sam Shepard
Director: Jeff Nichols
Screenplay: Jeff Nichols

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL is a frustrating watch. It's a character driven low budget small film. The premise of the story is familiar; how would ordinary people of the world react if someone with special powers is placed among them. It reminds me of M Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable but the payout in the end doesn't justify the "what's going on" slow-burn built up. In fact, it implodes as it crosses the finishing line when the big reveal is made known.

I get it. It's not about the destination but the journey. It's about a study on "what would a father do to protect his loved one". I get it. But still, the story of getting there gets less interesting as it unfolds. Also, the audience is left with more questions than answers when the credits rolled.

The story is about a father and his young son (who possesses special powers) who is on the run from those who would want to take advantage of the boy's gifts. We are talking about the military and the Ranch, an ajaran sesat sect where the boy grew up.

The cast puts on a credible performance but it's disappointing how this movie falls apart towards the end after starting so remarkably.

Rating: 4.5/10

THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)

Genre: Adventure
Running Length: 1:45
Cast (voices): Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken, Neel Sethi
Director: Jon Favreau
Screenplay: Justin Marks based on The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

THE JUNGLE BOOK will forever change the way how CGI is integrated into a real world setting. Actually, this isn't even practical effects but full on graphics created on computers using motion capture techniques, layered into CGI trees, river and mountains. It is mind boggling to think that this film was shot in Los Angeles as it looks like a surreal India landscape.

The Jungle Book is one of the most beautiful movies to watch as it's visually stunning. Despite the obvious that these are talking animals, I was never distracted and totally convinced they could do so. The attention to detail on every animal is so vivid and lively - they look natural. Kudos to the hundreds of animators and artists involved in this project.

From a narrative perspective, it's definitely inspired by the 1967 animation and not Rudyard Kipling’s source material. There are even homages paid to the former, as fans will get to hear three famous snippets sung (and spoken); one of it being the famous "Bare Necessities". That said, it's not quite child-friendly as some of the images and themes are unsettling and pretty dark.

Another highlight is newcomer Neel Sethi playing the “man cub” Mowgli. He is the only human in this movie. Sethi's performance is energetic and animated. He is simply a delight to watch. And to think that he filmed almost every scene by himself in front of a green screen makes him even more impressive. Of course, his scenes wouldn't have succeeded without Favreau's direction.

Overall this film is not heavy on thought-provoking materials but it's visually captivating and immersive. (Oh, the animation accompanying the closing credit is so fun to watch!)

Rating: 8.5/10

TRIVISA (2016)

Genre: Thriller
Running Length: 1:37
Cast: Gordon Lam Ka-tung, Richie Jen, Jordan Chan
Director: Frank Hui, Jevons Au, Vicky Wong
Screenplay: Loong Man-hong, Thomas Ng, Mak Tin-shu

Trivisa; Sansrkit for "three poisons" in Buddhist teachings - delusion, desire and fury - which leads to suffering.

TRIVISA is a reflective and engaging 3 films in 1 movie by three first-time directors. It features three notorious Hong Kong criminals which are loosely based on real life figures; each one of the felon embodying a "poison".

What's intoxicating about this movie is how the narrative of the three leading characters (ably performed by veterans Gordon, Richie and Jordan) are convincingly fused together eventhough the 3 films were shot separately. Adding to that mix is the interesting setting - 1997, the year where British-ruled Hong Kong is returned to Chinese sovereignty.

Although the movie kicks off literally with a bang, don't expect it to be your typical cops-and-robbers gun-toting galore. In fact I'm glad it didn't go down that route but instead it explored how the city began to squirm in the shadow of the rise of mainland China, forcing the trio to kowtow to the effects of bullying Big Brother. It is indeed an interesting perspective.

Of course, it's not all indie as it feels cinematic. It's beautifully shot with shocking burst of violence. Each story has its own strength. The one with Gordon is intense and has the most edge of your seat suspense. Richie is unrecognizable as he plays a ringleader who turned over a new leaf from robbing banks to smuggling electronic goods across the borders, only to be severely frustrated by corrupt Chinese officials. While the flamboyant Jordan plays a big time kidnapper who is bored with intimidating tycoons and instead chooses to pursue an underground rumour.

Trivisa joins the recent wave of Hong Kong made films which are taking jabs at Big Brother as it seems to suggest that the city's struggle is in vain as it head towards its sociopolitical doom.

Rating: 8.5/10