WONDER WOMAN (2017)

Genre: Action / Adventure
Running Length: 2:21
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya
Director: Patty Jenkins
Screenplay: Allan Heinberg, based on a story by Zack Snyder, Allan Heinberg and Jason Fuchs

Right now as you're reading this, there are so many reviews out there lauding WONDER WOMAN (even Batman is baffled with Wonder Woman's Rotten Tomatoes Scores), I don't know how else to contribute except to recommend that you catch it in the cinemas real soon. As for the setting and to get a sense of the plot, watch the trailer below.

It's not a perfect movie. The finale here reminded me of last year's Batman V Superman finale, which I didn't enjoy. I can understand the loud and CGI heavy smack-down is necessary as this is a pop movie after all but...I digress.

But otherwise, this is a great origin super hero movie. I can sense that it was directed with much care and sensitivity, thanks to the inspired choice of employing a female director. The dialogue is clever and is peppered with enough humour to not take itself too seriously. But more importantly, there were enough "negative spaces" to let the movie breathe, allowing its characters to develop. As a result, when the emotional scenes kicked in, it paid off handsomely.

And speaking of handsome, Chris Pine is charming here as he provides the wit and reality of the situation. As for Gal Gadot (*deep sigh*), she IS Wonder Woman, just as Hugh Jackman is Wolverine. She has the strength and innocence just as how Christopher Reeve had for his Superman. She is elegant, beautiful and just simply mesmerizing. Pine and Gadot are believable as a romantic couple.    

To be fair, it's not all lovey-dovey as this movie is set during World War I. Although the horrors of war are not shown, some scenes are disturbing if the audience give it more thought. All in all, Wonder Woman is a solid debut (with a rousing score) and I can't wait to see Diana (trivia: nobody calls her 'Wonder Woman' in this film) in her second solo outing. I hope it would be as good as Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

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