MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015)

Genre: Action
Running Length: 2:00
Cast:  Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keough, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton
Director: George Miller
Screenplay: George Miller and Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD is the real deal. This movie will be up there with the modern action classics; Die Hard, Aliens, T2, Speed, The Matrix. Fury Road is big, brash and bizarre. For those who didn't see any of the earlier Mad Max films (granted that the last one was made almost 30 years ago), it's ok. I've not either but the plot is easy to follow. Although 90% of the entire film is wall to wall action, you don't feel bored. This is probably because very little special effects were used for the chase and fight scenes and thus it adds an element of grittiness and a sense of real danger. The stunt crew should be awarded or something. Also, the characters and rituals in George Miller's post-apocalyptic universe are eccentric, over the top and grotesque. It's like watching a 2 hours Lady Gaga music video but with more excitement and mayhem. Despite the intense emphasis on action, the characters are well defined, especially Charlize Theron's Furiosa. When the audience care for the protagonist in an action movie, we know we have a winner here. But the real star of the movie is Miller's mad and magnificent visuals and vehicles. The day scenes are bright with lots of orange and the nights are soaked in blue. And the vehicles...oh boy, it's so extravagant especially the truck with a concert stage on it (with a disfigured flame throwing guitarist tied to it). Absolutely i.n.s.a.n.e. And the hard-driving score here is off-the-chart. You must watch this spectacle on the big screen and I only wish theaters showing Fury Road would have seat belts installed to its chairs.

Rating: 9/10
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GOOD KILL (2015)

Genre: Drama/Thriller
Running Length: 1:45
Cast: Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Bruce Greenwood, Zoe Kravitz, Jack Abel, Dylan Kenin
Director: Andrew Niccol
Screenplay: Andrew Niccol

GOOD KILL, the title of this movie, is also a term/jargon used when an efficient air strike carried out by drones dispenses off potential threats cleanly at minimal risk to the dispensers. In fact, at one point, a character in the films calls out “Splash!” when a target is hit. Think first person shooter games. And that's what makes this movie provocative and troubling because this is not a game. People (sometimes kids and women) actually die. But what's even more interesting is an attempt to study Ethan Hawke's character, a drone pilot (and former F-16 pilot), where his daily job is to blow off the enemies 7,500 miles away on a game console like device while sitting in the comfort of an air-conditioned small container office in Vegas. Afterwards, he would drive home to his pretty wife and adoring kids and throw some meat on the BBQ for dinner. Of course, overtime, the stress of his dehumanizing routine kicks in and just like any effects of war, it takes a toll on him. However, the drama and ethics surrounding his meltdown is unable to keep pace with the cold and chilling air strike scenes; when Hawke's character squeezes the button on his joystick, you'll find yourself holding your breath and counting down to impact. The disturbing and powerful images of people being blown into pieces still lingers in my mind.

Rating: 7/10