Jurassic Park

Movie Name: Jurassic Park
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Steven Spielberg

Stars: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Martin Ferrero, Joseph Mazzello, Ariana Richards, Samuel L. Jackson, BD Wong, Wayne Knight, Miguel Sandoval
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Steven Spielberg had a great year in 1993. He came out with two huge critically acclaimed films, both of whom were box office hits and won Oscars at the the Academy Awards: both "Jurassic Park" and "Schindler's List" were the films of that year.
"Jurassic Park" is an adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel and focuses the attention on an amusement park where the main attractions are dinosaurs that have been recreated genetically.  In order to get further funding for the park, it's owner and manager, John Hammond, assembles a team of experts to provide scientific backing and endorsement that he needs. He finds scientists Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler and Ian Malcolm, and alongside his grandchildren, he assembles a tour of the park during a weekend. However, all that could go wrong, eventually does, and most of the people in the park end up having to fight for their lives from those dangerous creatures.
Steven Spielberg is a fantastic film maker, and throughout his career the core of his work has always touched and emphasized the concept of broken families and the formation of different family units. "Jurassic Park" uses Michael Crichton's scientific take on the dangers of genetic manipulation, to build a film that is suspenseful and truly thrilling, very much in the tradition of what Spielberg had done with "Jaws". The film manages to create a sense of menace and excitement, also seen through the eyes of the children who are part of the cast and for whom, the experience of seeing dinosaurs is like the unfolding of a new universe. The cast is uniformly great, particularly Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern. The visual effects are stunning as is the cinematography from Dean Cundey (and the score from John Williams). A great film always worth revisiting.

Philadelphia

Movie Name: Philadelphia
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Jonathan Demme

Stars: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Joanne Woodward, Anna Deavere Smith, Ron Vawter, Bradley Whitford, Ann Dowd, John Bedford Lloyd, Charles Napier, Daniel von Bargen, Tracey Walter
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Following the critical and commercial success of the wonderful "The Silence of the Lambs", director Jonathan Demme tackled an original screenplay from Ron Nyswaner, one that focused on the emergence of the Aids virus. This was the first film to focus on that subject matter, with the backing of a big studio, in this case, Columbia Pictures (Norman Rene's "Longtime Companion" for instance also tackled the same subject matter, but it was a more independently financed film).
The film follows the story of corporate attorney Andrew Beckett, a successful young man, who suddenly sees himself laid off from his job with a very well regarded law firm. Andrew tries to find a lawyer to represent him, since he feels he was sabotaged by his former employers, who wanted him out of the office, once they realized he had Aids. Andrew manages to get Joe Miller to represent him - Joe is initially repulsed by the idea (particularly since he's homophobic and doesn't know much about the virus and how it is transmitted), but he comes to realize who Andrew truly is.
Jonathan Demme has been known to tackle very different types of stories throughout his eclectic directing career. One thing that remains constant throughout his films is the deep humanity that he allows his characters to have. His films always feel very authentic and genuine, where actors are fully able to flush out the characters they embody. Sometimes the tissue and the weaving of the story itself, isn't the most interesting, but the characters always seem alive and authentic. "Philadelphia" is no exception: Demme successfully makes a film that goes beyond propaganda - the film shows the reality of a mortal ailment that doesn't affect just a stereotype that people may have created in their minds. Andrew Beckett is a man that has a family life, who has a partner and whose life transcends the perceptions of what people may have of what gay life is about. The actors are uniformly good, in particular Tom Hanks, Jason Robards and Mary Steenburgen, all of whom bring their characters to life in a vivid and memorable way. The cinematography from Tak Fujimoto is beautiful as is the score from Howard Shore. A solid film worth watching.

The Piano

Movie Name: The Piano
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Jane Campion

Stars: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin, Kerry Walker, Genevieve Lemon, Tungia Baker, Ian Mune, Cliff Curtis
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

Director Jane Campion is one of the most interesting voices of contemporary cinema. Her films are fiercely personal and follow characters that are usually strong willed women, struggling to find their own path.
"The Piano" came on the heels of Jane Campion's previously fantastically accomplished films "Sweetie" and "An Angel at My Table". The film follows the story of Ada, a mute woman who alongside her daughter, gets sent to New Zealand to marry a man whom she's never met (in the 1850s). Ada uses her piano as a way to express herself, and she's forced to teach lessons to a local landowner, since her piano is used as a negotiating tool by her new husband. The proximity between these disparate souls creates a connection that has dramatic consequences.
Jane Campion has managed to create a career that is punctuated by films with central heroines that are strong and resourceful, though they are met with adversity in the shape of men who are insecure and frightened of female resourcefulness and sexuality. "The Piano" places the central character in an environment that is harsh and primal, one that contrasts with her poetic way of expressing herself through her music and piano. In this environment the blossoming of an erotic and passionate love story emerges, one that is all consuming. The core performances are fantastic, from Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel and Anna Paquin. Also worthy of plenty of praise are the beautiful cinematography from Stuart Dryburgh and the score from Michael Nyman. A classic always worth revisiting from a truly unique voice in modern cinema.

Love is Strange

Movie Name: Love is Strange
Year of Release: 2014

Director: Ira Sachs

Stars: Alfred Molina, John Lithgow, Marisa Tomei, Darren E. Burrows, Cheyenne Jackson, Manny Perez, Christina Kirk, Harriet Harris, Charlie Tahan, John Cullum
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Ira Sachs follows his latest film "Keep the Lights On", with the wonderful "Love is Strange". The film follows the story of George and Ben, a gay couple who have been together for 39 years and live in New York. After they both get married, George is laid off from the church he teaches in, and due to that the couple loses the apartment where they have lived for over 20 years. The logistics of finding a new apartment in New York is complex and forces the couple to seek a place to live within their family and close friends. Both George and Ben are split up, living with different family units while trying to navigate the process of overcoming the high cost of living and still stay together.
Ira Sachs has successfully built a film that anchors its strength on the performances of the actors and the core of the story that it depicts. The film showcases the amount of tenderness that exists between a couple that has lived together for a lifetime - this is superbly acted by John Lithgow and Alfred Molina, who both excel in creating characters that are alive and feel real. Sachs also successfully addresses the issues pertaining to aging and the difficulties of living in a city that is intrusively expensive. The film is simultaneously heartfelt, realistic and ultimately memorable - a celebration of a lifetime. A fantastic film worth watching.

Husbands and Wives

Movie Name: Husbands and Wives
Year of Release: 1992

Director: Woody Allen

Stars: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Judy Davis, Sydney Pollack, Liam Neeson, Juliette Lewis, Lysette Anthony, Ron Rifkin, Blythe Danner, Caroline Aaron, Nora Ephron,
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives" came out in 1992, to great critical acclaim, on the heels of the less well received "Shadows and Fog". The film follows the story of two middle aged couples, one of them, composed of Jack and Sally, announce their imminent split to their best friends, Gabe and Judy. Judy in particular receives the news of this breakup quite painfully, and as the relationships progressively move ahead, and Jack and Sally start seeing other people, Gabe and Judy also start to question where their relationship is.
Woody Allen in the 90s continued his rich streak of probing the relationships of well established couples in New York. "Alice" (from 1990) was a way for him to use comedy and a whimsy sense of wonder to depict the story of a woman's discovery of herself and personal ambitions, "Husbands and Wives" went in the direction of capturing the demise of a crumbling marriage and marital relationships. The film uses a documentary tone and feel, to capture a feeling of authenticity and immediacy which gives the relationships between the main characters a very realistic feel. All the actors excel in their roles, as is usual in Woody Allen films, particularly the fantastic Judy Davis (who was nominated for an Academy Award). The cinematography from Carlo Di Palma is also stunning. This is a modern classic, one that captures the emotional peaks and lows of any relationship. Worth watching.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Movie Name: Bram Stoker's Dracula
Year of Release: 1992

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Stars: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Cary Elwes, Sadie Frost, Bill Campbell, Richard E. Grant, Tom Waits, Monica Bellucci, Michaela Bercu, Florina Kendrick, Jay Robinson
Genre: Horror, Romance

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

"Bram Stoker's Dracula" was director Francis Ford Coppola's first big hit, after the previous decade (the 80s), where he tackled wonderful films that didn't find an audience (such as "One From the Heart" and "Cotton Club" to name but a few). The film is an adaptation of the Bram Stoker's novel, and follows the story of Count Dracula, an immortal bloodthirsty creature, who was at one point a respectable and reputed nobleman who fought the Turks in the 15th century. He lost his adored wife at the time, and has since tried to discover some re-incarnation of her. When Jonathan Harker, under his employ, comes to Romania to assist him, he accidentally sets in motion the attention of this creature towards his fiancee, Mina.
Francis Ford Coppola has had a fantastic career, one filled with true and unmistakable features that are now classics ("The Godfather", "The Conversation" and "Apocalypse Now" to name but a few). "Bram Stoker's Dracula" features some of his most interesting concepts, both aesthetically and thematically. He converts the Bram Stoker's novel, from a tragic and suspense story about a supernatural creature, into a love story that crosses centuries. It's a tragedy of operatic grandeur, with the lovers separated by time and by choices that they both have made. The film benefits from great central performances (even if some are borderline overacting), from Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins and Winona Ryder. The cinematography from Michael Ballhaus is unforgettable, as is the stunning costumes from the late Eiko Ishioka (who justifiably won an Oscar for her work). The film works on all levels, from the more suspenseful tone that it builds upon, while simultaneously developing the chore romantic relationship of the lead characters. Visually it's equally phenomenal, with the several camera tricks the director uses, to better paint his canvas. A modern classic always worth revisiting.

The Crying Game

Movie Name: The Crying Game
Year of Release: 1992

Director: Neil Jordan

Stars: Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker, Ralph Brown, Jim Broadbent, Tony Slattery, Adrian Dunbar
Genre: Crime, Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

When Neil Jordan's "The Crying Game" opened in 1992, it turned out to be the surprise of the year, earning accolades for both the director and the fantastic cast he had assembled (and earned 6 Oscar nominations and one win for Neil Jordan, in the screenplay category). The film introduces us to Jody, a young British soldier who is kidnapped by the IRA. During his captivity, Jody befriends Fergus, one of the men responsible for his imprisonment. When negotiations fail, and events turn for the worst, Fergus goes to London, seeking Dil, the woman who was involved with Jody. His goal is mainly to keep a watchful eye on her, but their relationship becomes more amorous and romantic along the way. However events from the past catch up with both of them.
Neil Jordan has made a name for himself, with an eclectic array of films in his filmography, where the range and style of films goes from the fantastic to the realistic (examples of these are "The Company of Wolves" and "Mona Lisa" for instance). Jordan is also a published author, and his films reflect his very unique vision of the world, filled with characters that are on an immediate perception, quite different (his films have focused on transgendered, vampires, ghosts, amongst others), they do manage to integrate into the web of every day life. "The Crying Game" came after Jordan's uneven Hollywood experience (that produced "High Spirits" and "We're no Angels"), and though a very small and independent film (budget wise), it managed to be nominated for the main awards of 1992 (Oscars and Baftas to name but a few) and dazzle for it's uniqueness and attention to the relationships between the lead characters. The cast was perfectly cast, with Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson and Miranda Richardson, each creating indelible characters. This is a film that has endured and lived beyond it's initial surprise and twists, to become a veritable classic. Unmissable.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Movie Name: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Year of Release: 2014

Director: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez

Stars: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, Powers Boothe, Eva Green, Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta, Christopher Meloni, Christopher Lloyd, Jeremy Piven, Jaime King, Juno Temple, Jamie Chung, Marton Csokas, Stacy Keach, Jude Ciccolella
Genre: Crime, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5

Synopsis:

"Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" is directors Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez sequel to their successful 2005 film, "Sin City". The original film made popular the concept of shooting a film in full green screen context, which allowed for the backgrounds and effects to be done in post production, and closely resemble the drawings and art direction of Frank Miller. The sequel basically focuses on three episodes that cross the multitude of characters that inhabit this universe. One of the stories focuses on Dwight and his relationship with a femme fatale by the name of Ava Lord, a woman of exquisite beauty who lures men to her web of deception. Ava successfully makes Dwight kill her husband upon which she sets her goals on destroying him. It's up to Dwight and his accomplices to try to stop her. Another episode focuses on Johnny, a young man who is a professional gambler possessed of an extraordinary amount of luck. He successfully wins every game, until he deliberately crosses paths with the corrupt and amoral Senator Roark. He humiliates the politician during a card game, prompting Roark to go after him for revenge. The final episode focuses on Nancy, the dancer, who wants revenge against Senator Roark, for the death of her protector and lover, the policeman Hartigan. She secures the help of Marv, and they both go on a death spree, trying to end Roark's existence.
"Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" is for all intended purposes a direct follow up from the previous film that brought the name of Frank Miller to larger audiences and introduced them to the aesthetic and concept of a live (and highly stylized) graphic novel. The stories on both films are quite similar - Sin City is a corrupt city, where men still hold their honor, the police and politicians are corrupt, and women are dangerous and menacing. The film anchors most of the focus on the visual style, which is as the previous one, stunning and meticulously created. However, as a fully fledged film, it feels incomplete and somewhat limited - it relies heavily on large chunks of character narration and description, which makes the stories feel under-developed. The cast assembled is impressive, but the highlight is definitely Eva Green - she truly creates a femme fatale that is irresistible and unforgettable. A flawed yet interesting film worth watching.

Basic Instinct

Movie Name: Basic Instinct
Year of Release: 1992

Director: Paul Verhoeven

Stars: Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Denis Arndt, Leilani Sarelle, Bruce A. Young, Chelcie Ross, Dorothy Malone, Wayne Knight, Daniel Von Bargen, Stephen Tobolowsky, Benjamin Bouton
Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Watch it on Amazon

Synopsis:

Following the huge success of 1990's "Total Recall", director Paul Verhoeven tackled another controversial screenplay from writer Joe Eszterhas (he had also written at the time Costa-Gavras' "Music Box" and Betrayed", to name but a few). The film follows the story of Nick Curran, a seasoned and experienced police detective, one with a murky past, who gets involved in a high profile investigation of the murder of a celebrity in San Francisco. The main suspect of the investigation turns out to be Catherine Trammell, a rich and beautiful heir, who is also a writer of suspense/thriller books. During the process of investigating the suspect, Nick gets personally involved with Catherine, whom he suspects is indeed the killer. It's up to him to figure out who murdered the victim, and avoid himself becoming one.
Paul Verhoeven has been an interesting director since his early films in his native country, Netherlands. His career in Hollywood has been met with both highly financially successful films, such as "Robocop" and "Total Recall", and some that have been big disappointments such as "Starship Troopers" and "Showgirls". "Basic Instinct" was a big hit in 1992, while simultaneously launching Sharon Stone's career. The film in itself was a basic standard noir detective story - an embittered lonely cop, falls for the femme fatale, who is also the main suspect of the case. Where the story tried to differ from so many previous incarnations, was the focus on the more erotic undertone of the main relationship, and the fact that the female character is given a duplicitous sexuality. Paul Verhoeven tries to bring some dynamics to the story, but ultimately the film features all the cliches known to the genre, without benefitting from any particular surprises or character developments of notice. Sharon Stone manages to create a character that exudes intelligence and seduction (much like Kathleen Turner in "Body Heat"), and the film does have its over the top moments, which makes it a delicious pulpy experience. It may not be "Body Heat", but it has become a classic of the erotic thriller genre due to its slick production and cast. Worth watching.

Howards End

Movie Name: Howards End
Year of Release: 1992

Director: James Ivory

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson, Samuel West, James Wilby, Prunella Scales, Jemma Redgrave, Nicola Duffett, Susie Lindeman
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

"Howards End" was James Ivory's third E. M. Forster adaptation, following the successful diptych that were "A Room with a View" and "Maurice". "Howards End" is from all three, the one that encompasses a larger and more dramatic canvas, one where E.M. Forster addressed issues of class, affairs and children born out of wedlock. The film introduces us to the Schlegel family in England at the turn of 20th century, particularly the older sisters, both of whom are highly educated and progressive women, known for their literary gatherings. After a misunderstood relationship between the younger sister Helen, and a young man of the Wilcox family, both families resume a cordial relationship, when the older sister, Margaret becomes friends with the matriarch of the Wilcox family. This relationship is suddenly broken by the unexpected demise of Lady Wilcox, whom unbeknown to her family, had decided to leave her family home to Margaret Schlegel. This starts a series of events that suddenly puts both families in even closer proximity.
James Ivory has always been a director who allows for characters to come to life in worlds that are built out of detail and order. In these worlds of intricate structure, there are usually characters that attempt to break these barriers - in this case, that is epitomized by both sisters, Margaret and Helen, both of whom in early 20th century represent the evolution of mentalities and feminism. The film successfully anchors itself in the dynamics of class, between these upper class families and the characters on the periphery that change these dynamics (specifically the characters played by Samuel West and Nicola Duffett). "Howards End" is a nearly perfect adaptation of the book, boasting a meticulous attention to the period, fantastic performances from the cast (in particular Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Redgrave), stunning cinematography from Tony Pierce-Roberts and score from Richard Robbins (the latter two, usual collaborators of James Ivory). A fantastic film always worth revisiting.

Body Heat

Movie Name: Body Heat
Year of Release: 1981

Director: Lawrence Kasdan

Stars: William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna, Ted Danson, Mickey Rourke, J.A. Preston, Kim Zimmer, Jane Hallaren, Lanna Saunders, Carola McGuinness, Michael Ryan, Larry Marko
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

"Body Heat" was a debut for many of the key players involved, namely for director Lawrence Kasdan (who had at the time been only responsible for the screenplay of "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back"), and for actress Kathleen Turner. The film follows the story of small town attorney Ned Racine, who gets involved with a mysterious and beautiful blonde, by the name of Matty Walker. He realizes she's married to a  much older man, but they embark on a torrid affair. As the relationship evolves, Matty slowly convinces Ned to kill her husband, so they can both resume their lives together, with her as the sole heir of his estate. However once the plan is established and executed, things slowly start unraveling for Ned.
"Body Heat" is a modern classic that updates a lot of the pulp stories from the 1940s and 1950s, with the concept of the mysterious femme fatale, who lures the gullible man to her deceitful web (much like Barbara Stanwyck in "Double Indemnity" for instance). Lawrence Kasdan successfully builds the environment where these characters exist - from the humidity of Florida, through the characters that inhabit this small town (where everyone knows everybody). The actors are also very well cast, particularly the central pair, played by William Hurt and Kathleen Turner - they have an instant chemistry and bring authenticity and credibility to situations that might have been otherwise ludicrous  (so much that Kathleen Turner had the femme fatale persona "glued" to her for most of the 80s). The fantastic soundtrack from John Barry also became associated with the genre. The film is a perfect combination of thriller, suspense and erotic relationship put on screen. A classic always worth revisiting.

Collateral

Movie Name: Collateral
Year of Release: 2004

Director: Michael Mann

Stars: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill, Javier Bardem, Irma P. Hall, Richard T. Jones, Bodhi Elfman, Debi Mazar, Emilio Rivera
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Michael Mann has forged a career, that though not very productive, has primed for its detailed execution. "Collateral" followed his well received "Ali" (the biopic on Muhammad Ali), but went in a direction of creating more of a suspense/thriller exercise. The film follows the story of Max, a cab driver who has the ambition of creating his own limousine business. Max on one of his routes, picks Vincent, an apparent businessman, who hires him to drive around all night while he finishes his businesses. Much to Max's horror, he accidentally discovers that Vincent is in fact a hired assassin. It's up to him to escape from that situation and simultaneously save the life of Vincent's last target.
Michael Mann has always excelled in creating atmospheres and situations that feel real and very tied to the scenario he is depicting. His attention to detail, paired with his ability to allow the characters to be flushed out and more than just cliches, allows "Collateral" to be more than just a cat and mouse story about a killer in pursuit of his prey. It's a film about the loneliness of living in anonymous cities, about the need to establish connections, and indeed a suspense story and a lesson of how quickly things and situations can change. The film has a great cast, starting with Tom Cruise playing a menacing figure, Jamie Foxx credibly creating an every day man filled with dreams and ambitions, Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo. The cinematography from Dion Beebe and Paul Cameron is beautiful, as is the score from James Newton Howard. A wonderful film always worth revisiting.

Hercules

Movie Name: Hercules
Year of Release: 2014

Director: Brett Ratner

Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Rufus Sewell, Aksel Hennie, Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Reece Ritchie, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan, Rebecca Ferguson, Joe Anderson, Nicholas Moss
Genre: Action, Adventure

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 3

Synopsis:

Director Brett Ratner is back, following "Tower Heist", his previous bid budget comedy that failed to get much traction (both with audiences and critics alike). "Hercules" follows the well known story of the mythological greek hero, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. The film portrays Hercules as a mercenary hero, with a group of allies, who help those in need in exchange for a proper amount of money. His resourcefulness and good nature is tested when he is called upon the King of Thrace, to help out battle a formidable enemy. However things, like most of his own stories, are not what they seem.
Brett Ratner has made a career for himself directing films that range from comedies to family films, where the common denominator seems to be a need to please the largest crowd possible. "Hercules" again follows this formula - the film is all too pleasing, slick, with efficient visual effects that create a level of credibility that is expected in big budget Hollywood films these days, but without any edge. Whereas John Milius' "Conan" for instance, went for a visceral look where the violence felt present, this "Hercules" is anchored more in a realm of fantasy (almost like the similarly mediocre efforts that were Louis Leterrier's "Clash of the Titans" and Jonathan Liebesman's "Wrath of the Titans"). What ends up redeeming this film is the fantastic supporting cast that Brett Ratner managed to assemble, namely Ian McShane, John Hurt, Peter Mullan, Rufus Sewell, which give the film both it's humor and sense of menace. Visually the film benefits from the beautiful cinematography from Dante Spinotti, but the production design is a bit all over the place (the tapestry of sets that was built feels almost too fake for it's own good). This is a film that though not terrible, would benefit from a director with a distinct vision (for instance Tarsem Singh's "Immortals" is a good comparison), to elevate it from instant oblivion.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Movie Name: Guardians of the Galaxy
Year of Release: 2014

Director: James Gunn

Stars: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Glenn Close, John C. Reilly, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Benicio Del Toro, Laura Haddock, Sean Gunn, Djimon Hounsou
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Synopsis:

Director James Gunn made a splash with the irreverent horror film "Slither" in 2006, which was followed by the independent "Super" in 2010. His new Marvel Studios feature, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is a definite jump forward - mostly in terms of budget and visual artistry. The film follows the story of Peter Quill, a young boy who is kidnapped from Earth in 1988, only to become a space mercenary in his adulthood. By force of circumstances, he's teamed with a group of individuals, all of which possess unique capabilities, in order to stop a menace under the name of Ronan, from destroying the entire universe.
Marvel Studios has become for the better and for the worse, a studio churning out new films at a regular pace. Like every production facility, it anchors the stories on hooks (and formulas) that keep their audiences engaged and traditionally instantly perceptive of where the heroes and their foes lie. The directors that have been hired to handle their properties, are for the most part, professionals with little or no experience in big budget films, which also means that their quest for a more personal and artistic vision is also severely kept in check. "Guardians of the Galaxy", for all of it's irreverence, and different cast of characters, also feels very formulaic and similar to what Marvel has already presented with "The Avengers", or even "Thor". Stories where these odd alien creatures of enormous power, are defeated by the resourceful hero (heroes), who team up to battle these towering foes. That being said, "Guardians of the Galaxy" manages to have a good balance of humor, while allowing the characters to interact, without being submerged in action set pieces where the special effects overtake everything. It's a film where the visual effects and production design are stunning, and where the actors, in particular Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Bradley Cooper, have fun with their characters, bringing some energy and humor to an otherwise cliche ridden screenplay. A film worth watching.

Lucy

Movie Name: Lucy
Year of Release: 2014

Director: Luc Besson

Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Min-sik Choi, Amr Waked, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Analeigh Tipton, Jan Oliver Schroeder
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5

Synopsis:

"Lucy" is the latest directorial effort from the always prolific Luc Besson. It comes after the mediocre "The Family", and focuses on the story of Lucy, a young American woman studying in Taiwan. Lucy erroneously gets involved with the local criminal underground, and is used as a drug mule for an experimental drug that is being smuggled throughout Europe. However Lucy is violently beaten, which causes a rupture on the drugs that she's carrying. This rupture produces side effects throughout her body, particularly in her brain, which starts increasing capability at a geometric rate. With her new found capabilities, Lucy seeks out Professor Norman, a specialist in brain knowledge, while simultaneously evading the criminals in her pursuit.
Luc Besson has become known in the recent years as a writer and producer of action films, that have become quite successful, but somewhat formulaic - namely "The Transporter", "Taken" and "Colombiana", to name but a few. "Lucy" has some faint contacts with his previous female centric action film "La Femme Nikita" (from 1990), but unlike the latter one, "Lucy" does not contain much development about the character - it focuses on the development of the human brain and how the concept of being human evolves accordingly. The film is scarce in character or story development, presenting mostly ideas and some interesting action set pieces. Scarlett Johansson manages to create an interesting character, going from a scared young woman, to an individual that is questioning herself, her humanity and gaining a sense of knowledge that is unparalleled. It's an interesting parallel to her character in Jonathan Glazer's "Under the Skin", and ultimately she gives the film the depth and authenticity that it has. This is an interesting concept, one that deserved a bit more development.