MOVIE REVIEW: MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (2016)

From IMDB:

Storyline

A father and son go on the run, pursued by the government and a cult drawn to the child's special powers.

76 Metascore From metacritic.com

Reviews 48 user | 152 critic

From Rotten Tomatoes:

MOVIE INFO

Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, and Kirsten Dunst star in writer/director Jeff Nichols' drama about a father and his eight-year-old son who go on the lam upon discovering that the boy possesses mysterious powers. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating: PG-13 (for some violence and action)
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Directed By: Jeff Nichols
Written By: Jeff Nichols
In Theaters: Mar 18, 2016 Limited
Box Office: $1.0M
Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.

Warner Bros. Pictures - Official Site

TOMATOMETER 83%

Average Rating: 7.4/10 | Reviews Counted: 151

Fresh: 125 | Rotten: 26

Critics Consensus: Midnight Special's intriguing mysteries may not resolve themselves to every viewer's liking, but the journey is ambitious, entertaining, and terrifically acted.

AUDIENCE SCORE 76% liked it

Average Rating: 3.8/5 | User Ratings: 12,120

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL OPENS IS CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THE CINEMAS TO FIND OUT IF IT'S AVAILABLE NEAR YOU CLICK HERE.

This is Alton. He's not like other kids. That's why he wears those blue goggles. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

The movie where General Zod tells a little kid that Superman isn't real...

So a few days ago I had the chance to watch Midnight Special courtesy of Klips.my. Going in I had no idea what this movie was about and in fact I hadn't even seen the trailer for it. And also I kept confusing the title for the time the movie was going to begin. While I was waiting for it to start I decided to look it up and that's when I read that short little synopsis up there and found out that Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Jaeden Lieberher and Adam Driver. The average movie goer who's been to watch the recent big draws will recognize Michael Shannon most recently as the dead General Zod in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Adam Driver as the emotionally unstable leader of the First Order in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

This is Roy, Alton's dad. He's got a lot on his shoulders right now. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

So what is this movie about and can it be explained by just one sentence? Well, to answer the second part of that, yes. That's the whole story. A father played by Michael Shannon named Roy with the help of his best friend Lucas (Joel Edgerton) have taken Roy's son Alton on the run from a religious cult which they used to belong to. The cult believe that Alton has a direct link to God and that with his help they'll be able to get to heaven. On the trail of Roy, Lucas and Alton are also the government represented by the FBI and a representative from the NSA, a man named Paul Sevier. The want to know how the sermon's given by the cult leader, Calvin Meyer (Sam Shepard) contains secret government information which he says came from Alton. 

If this was a Marvel movie Alton would be considered a mutant but he's nothing like that. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

Right from the get go this movie puts right in the middle of the story. You see Roy and Lucas holed up in a motel somewhere and Alton hiding under a blanket reading comic books with a flashlight. Your introduction to the cult the left behind comes when their leader along with his assistants Doak (Bill Camp) and Levi (Scott Haze) watch a news report about Alton's abduction. As Meyer prepares to address his congregation the FBI shows up and carts everyone off to a high school to interview each member of the cult regarding Alton and his father. The interview is handled by Paul Sevier of the NSA 

Alton did this all on his own and no one knows how. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

Their escape takes them to a home of a former cult member but soon their stay is cut short when the former cult member isn't able to hold back his curiosity regarding Alton's ability. They run again heading to the home of Alton's mother, on their way they stop at a gas station and there Alton does something unbelievable because he doesn't want the government to follow him. Soon they reach the home of Sarah (Kirsten Dunst) where they rest and plan the next stage of their journey but unknown to them hot on their heels is Doak and Levi. 

The movie ends with Roy and Lucas drawing the attention of the government while Sarah and Alton head off by themselves to the location that Alton says he needs to be. 

His abilities are pretty impressive. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

As I mentioned before this movie drops you right in the middle of things. You don't see Alton and his father at the cult's ranch living their lives up til the moment they decide to leave, you don't even get flashbacks of it. You don't get to find out what exactly Alton's abilities are that the cult believes him to be their saviour and in fact you are only fed bits and pieces of Alton's abilities throughout the film. Your introduction to the main characters and what drives them aren't driven by much dialogue or exposition either. I found myself at times thinking was there another movie before this one? Is this movie a sequel? Why? Because it very much felt like it. Like I was missing an entire movie that told the story of what happened to Roy, Lucas and Alton before this. But of course there isn't one.

You get this feeling that he might be from out of this world but he isn't. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

So does that mean that I didn't like this movie? Or that this movie has a flawed narrative? Not at all. I totally enjoyed this movie. It's one of those rare films that requires an active participation of the viewer to fill in the gaps themselves. To use the few lines said by the actors and add to that the actions and expressions of the actors in the scene to make it a complete one. And that's where the true gem of this movie is, in director Jeff Nichols deft hands the story is told very subtly and brilliantly through a very expressive cast. 

When the NSA is interested in you, that's a huge deal. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

The story has been done before, a uniquely gifted individual who is misunderstood and is wanted by certain groups who will stop at nothing to get them back as does the government. The parent or a close friend who believes this gifted person is meant for greater things and who sacrifices everything to make sure that they meet their destiny. The way the story unravels is pretty predictable if you're familiar with the story but how it unravels is where this movie's strength is and by that I mean the brilliant performances of the cast. Michael Shannon was absolutely brilliant playing the concerned father Roy, his many emotions for the situation he finds himself and his son in playing on his expressions and body language. His reluctant reliance on his best friend Lucas when he had no one else to turn to when he needed help. And then there's Lucas who's trust in Roy and who's belief in Alton is in constant battle with his concern for the well being of father and son. 

Alton didn't make this room empty but he did do something else. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

Then there's the curious Paul Sevier who's interest in Alton goes from a guarded curiosity of Alton due to his work with the NSA to one of a child like one once he meets with Alton. And finally Alton's mother Sarah who's awe and amazement of her son can be seen just beneath her worry and love for him. 

I really enjoyed Midnight Special and I'm going to give it a solid 3.5 out o 5.

Here's the trailer for you to check out. 

BIG THANKS TO KLIPS.MY FOR THE PREVIEW PASSES TO WATCH MIDNIGHT SPECIAL!!

MOVIE REVIEW: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR (2016)

From IMDB:

Storyline

A family lives an idyllic existence abroad until a tragic accident takes the life of their young son. The inconsolable mother learns of an ancient ritual that will bring him back to say a final goodbye. She travels to an ancient temple, where a door serves as a mysterious portal between two worlds. But when she disobeys a sacred warning to never open that door, she upsets the balance between life and death. Written by 20th Century Fox

From Rotten Tomatoes:

Movie Info

Rating: R (for some bloody violence)
Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Horror
Directed By: Johannes Roberts
Written By: Johannes Roberts, Ernest Riera
Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min.

TOMATOMETER: No Tomatometer score yet...
Average Rating: N/A | Reviews Counted: 2
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 2

WANT TO SEE 84% want to see
User Ratings: 863

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR OPENS ON THE 4th OF MARCH IN THE US AND ON THE 25th OF FEBRUARY IN MALAYSIA. TO FIND OUT WHEN IT COMES TO A CINEMA NEAR YOU CLICK HERE.

So instead of seance you're supposed to travel on a train, hike through a forest, sit in an abandoned temple until nightfall to talk to your dead loved ones. Sounds like a good idea. ©20th Century Fox

Everything familiar but the location...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

MOVIE INFO

Henry Cavill ("Man of Steel") stars as Napoleon Solo opposite Armie Hammer ("The Social Network") as Illya Kuryakin in director Guy Ritchie's "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," a fresh take on the hugely popular 1960s television series. Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." centers on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization, which is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. The duo's only lead is the daughter of a vanished German scientist, who is the key to infiltrating the criminal organization, and they must race against time to find him and prevent a worldwide catastrophe. "The Man from U.N.C.L.E" also stars Alicia Vikander ("Anna Karenina"), Elizabeth Debicki ("The Great Gatsby"), with Jared Harris ("Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows"), and Hugh Grant as Waverly. The screenplay was written by Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram, who previously collaborated on re-imagining the classic detective Sherlock Holmes in two hit films. The story is by Jeff Kleeman & David Campbell Wilson and Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram, based on the television series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." John Davis ("Chronicle"), Steve Clark-Hall ("RocknRolla," the "Sherlock Holmes" films), Wigram and Ritchie produced the film, with David Dobkin serving as executive producer. Ritchie's behind-the-scenes creative team included two-time Oscar (R)-nominated director of photography John Mathieson ("The Phantom of the Opera," "Gladiator"), production designer Oliver Scholl ("Jumper," "Edge of Tomorrow"), editor James Herbert (the "Sherlock Holmes" films, "Edge of Tomorrow"), and Oscar (R)-nominated costume designer Joanna Johnston ("Lincoln"). The music is composed by Daniel Pemberton ("The Counselor").(c) Warner Bros

Rating: PG-13 (for action violence, some suggestive content, and partial nudity)

Genre: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

Directed By: Guy Ritchie

Written By: Guy Ritchie, Lionel Wigram

In Theaters: Aug 14, 2015 Wide

Runtime: 1 hr. 56 min.

Warner Bros. Pictures - Official Site

PLAYING IN CINEMAS NEAR YOU NOW. IF IT ISN'T CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHEN. 

The movie starts and this man looks like he just walked out of a GQ magazine cover. And it doesn't ruin the rest of the movie. ©Warner Bros. Pictures

So Superman and the Lone Ranger unite to fight a Paris Hilton clone during the cold war...

MOVIE REVIEW: JURASSIC WORLD (2015)

MOVIE INFO

Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure based on characters created by Michael Crichton. The screenplay is by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Derek Connolly & Trevorrow, and the story is by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers. (C) Universal

Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril)
Genre: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense,Science Fiction & Fantasy
Directed By: Colin Trevorrow
Written By: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Derek Connolly,Colin Trevorrow
Runtime: 2 hr. 3 min.

RELEASED WORLDWIDE ON JUNE 11, 2015. TO FIND OUT WHEN IT COMES OUT IN YOUR AREA CLICK HERE! 

So it's hard to tell what's happening and where everyone's running to or away from. Being chased by dinosaurs will do that. ©Universal

So it's been 22 years since the first one, 18 years since the second one and 14 years since the third but doesn't tie-in with the second and third. Been a dinosaurs age in coming...

MOVIE REVIEW: UNFRIENDED (2015)

From IMDB:

Storyline

While video chatting one night, six high school friends receive a Skype message from a classmate who killed herself exactly one year ago. At first they think it's a prank, but when the girl starts revealing the friends' darkest secrets, they realize they are dealing with something out of this world, something that wants them dead. Told entirely from a young girl's computer desktop, CYBERNATURAL redefines 'found footage' for a new generation of teens. Written by Anonymous

Ratings: 6.0/10 from 3,760 users Metascore: 59/100 

Reviews: 73 user | 99 critic | 30 from Metacritic.com

From Rotten Tomatoes:

MOVIE INFO

Unfriended unfolds over a teenager's computer screen as she and her friends are stalked by an unseen figure who seeks vengeance for a shaming video that led a vicious bully to kill herself a year earlier.

TOMATOMETER 59%

Average Rating: 5.8/10 | Reviews Counted: 91

Fresh: 54 | Rotten: 37

Critics Consensus: Unfriended subverts found-footage horror clichés to deliver a surprisingly scary entry in the teen slasher genre with a technological twist.

AUDIENCE SCORE 47% liked it
Average Rating: 3/5 | User Ratings: 16,443

FIND OUT WHEN IT COMES OUT IN YOUR PART OF THE WORLD HERE!! 

This was the original title and the original poster. The title is lame but the poster isn't too bad if a little too typical of the genre. ©Universal Pictures

So here's another teen thriller... But it's got cyber-bullying and supernatural stuff and lots and lots of windows... (THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT THEN SKIP OR SKIM, DO WHATEVER YOU WANT BUT DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU)

MOVIE REVIEW: MORTDECAI (2015)

MOVIE INFO

Juggling some angry Russians, the British Mi5, his impossibly leggy wife and an international terrorist, debonair art dealer and part time rogue Charlie Mortdecai must traverse the globe armed only with his good looks and special charm in a race to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain the code to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold. Written by Lionsgate UK

Everything in this scene looks British except for one. Guess which one it is? ©Lionsgate

MOVIE REVIEW: GONE GIRL (2014)

From IMDB:

Storyline

On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne reports that his wife, Amy, has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife? Written by Twentieth Century Fox

Movie Review: The Maze Runner (2014)

From IMDB:

Storyline

Thomas wakes up in an elevator, remembering nothing but his own name. He emerges into a world of about 60 teen boys who have learned to survive in a completely enclosed environment, subsisting on their own agriculture and supplies. A new boy arrives every 30 days. The original group has been in "The Glade" for two years, trying to find a way to escape through the Maze that surrounds their living space. They have begun to give up hope. Then a comatose girl arrives with a strange note, and their world begins to change. There are some great, fast-paced action scenes, particularly those involving the nightmarish Grievers who plague the boys. – Rating Unavailable as US Release Date is September 19, 2014

This happens once a month to some poor kid. The future sucks if you’re a kid. ©20th Century Fox Malaysia