Interstellar

The movie Interstellar directed by Christopher Nolan, is a science fiction film that takes in a fictional universe where the world is undergoing a collapse and extinction of the human race due to crop failures and large dust storms.

 

The year is 2067 and the film follows a man named Cooper who used to be a NASA pilot but due to the world's conditions he was needed to become a farmer in order to keep up the dwindling supply of the worlds food. He is recruited by a team of extremely intelligent astronauts who have a last resort rocket and wish him to pilot said rocket and look for another home for humans.

 

Something that truly impressed me was the vast amount of attention to detail this was given to science and tries to simplify and explain to you complex theories of relativity and black holes. All of this is given to you on top of one of the best written narratives and best composed music. You can really feel the extend and vastness of space and the feeling of unknown and the curiosity behind it is felt deeply in this movie. All brining it so close together using the theme of love between father and daughter.

 

It is really amazing what Christopher Nolan was able to achieve in this less than 3 hour time span and I truly recommend this movie to anyone fascinated by the vastness and beauty of space this movie is an easy 10/10 for me and I believe it will be for most people. 

King's speech

The King's Speech beautifully tells the story of King George VI's battle with a crippling stutter and his relationship with an unorthodox speech therapist. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War II Britain, this historical drama takes us through a defining moment when King George VI gained his crown.

The cast in this movie was excellent. Colin Firth’sd performance as the Duke of York (King George VI) was fantastic. Firth projects the future monarch;s irritation and fragility effortlessly. Hisco-star, Geoffrey Rush also delivers a masterful and stand-out performance as Lionel Logue, who's boisterous Aussie speech specialist unafraid to treat the monarch. Furthermore, Helena Bonham Carter is also wonderful as Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother.

Tom Hooper, the director of the movie, utlizes fantastic cinematography and really effectively conveys the king's isolation through imagery between the grand palace halls and Logue's modest office amongst other scenes. And beyond the cinematography, the exploration of themes in this movie was fantastic, making it a very emotional watch and elevating it to the next level.

What makes The King's Speech really stand out is its ability to form a narrative when dealing with historical issues. And whether you're interested in historical dramas or well developed narratives, this film delivers an engaging experience that is worth the watch, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable movie.

Maze runner

The Maze Runner is about a young boy named Thomas. One day he wakes up in an elevator with no memory other than his name. Around him is The Glade. There is a vast field and maze surrounding it. A community of boys live in this area. The goal of these boys for the longest time was to escape the maze, but there has been no success. Thomas decides he will give his all to helping everyone escape and uncover the mysteries of where he is. The Maze Runner is a dystopian fiction. The movie takes place in The Glade and maze. Thomas is the main character. He is determined, helpful, brave, and very persistent to reach his goals.

 

Some other characters are Newt, Minho, Gally, and Teresa. Newt became good friends with Thomas from the start. Minho ran in the maze and faced many challenges with Thomas. Gally didn’t like Thomas much since he was frustrated that Thomas had made so much progress in uncovering the secrets of the maze in his short time being there. Teresa was the only female there and stood out.

 

The movie is very unpredictable and suspenseful. It creates a mysterious atmosphere throughout the movie. The maze helped symbolize that they were trapped and they will run into lots of trial and error before they make any progress. I also enjoyed the different dynamics of the characters. Overall the movie was amazing. Viewers should check out this movie because of how captivating and thought-provoking it was. 

Moana 2

Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 Moana and follows the titular protagonist on she embarks on a voyage to find the island of Motufetu and rid it of its curse. Accompanying her are her pet pig Pua, pet chicken Hei Hei, and demigod friend Maui, along with a new crew of characters featuring the islanders named Loto, Moni, and Kele. The sequel expands upon what fans of the original film already loved. Moana continues to be a strong and powerful character for children watching the film to look up to, as she is uncertain of what lies ahead and is still brave enough to go forward on this new journey to unknown destinations.

 

The new songs are just as enjoyable as the new locations explored. The best song out of the new editions is most undoubtedly Get Lost, which is sung by a new character named Matangi. Out of all of the new characters, she is the most intriguing and memorable one as not only is her song the best one, but she remains a mysterious and captivating character that leaves the audience wondering where her loyalty actually lies. Moana’s little sister Simea is another memorable new edition as she is adorable and a highlight of the film.

 

The movie is beautifully animated and every frame is breathtaking, especially the ones including the ocean. It is an overall very enjoyable film and if you have been wanting to see more of Moana, it is worth checking out.

A Minecraft Movie is a movie about a man named Steve who has a child who loves to go to the mines but was never allowed, so once he became an adult, he went and found a portal to the Minecraft world. There he had the time of his life and met his best friend Denny. Everything was amazing until he went to the old piglins' world, which is filled with evil and death. Steve is trapped, but he releases Denny to hide the orb so that no one will ever have to experience these piglins. Steve is trapped until another human comes, a young boy named Henry, who goes and saves Steve with his family, and they defeat the piglins once and for all.

 

I would rate this movie a nine out of ten because I enjoy the humour, especially the chicken jockey scene, and how each part of the movie is somehow filled with its type of magic. But I do feel that at times the movie can be a little childish with scenes of flying objects and the characters having to avoid the mountains.

 

I think the main idea of A Minecraft Movie is friendship, through all of these hard obstacles Henry, Steve, and the group of friends learned what it meant to have real friends and people there for each other.

Night at the museum

Night At The Museum is a 2006 comedy film about an aspiring inventor named Larry Daley who gets a job as the night guard at the American Museum of Natural History. Larry takes over for the previous guards, who give him a manual and tell him “not to let anything in or out”.  On his first night on the job, he figures out that all the exhibits come to life at night, and meets a mounted wax figure of Theodore Roosevelt who tells him that this has happened ever since an ancient Egyptian golden tablet arrived in the museum in 1952. Another two important characters were Octavius and Jedediah, a miniature Roman general and American Frontier sheriff who were attempting to fight each other for control of the exhibits.

 

Watching this movie is very enjoyable, the acting is great and so is the cinematography. The plot and entire concept of the film are incredibly creative, and it is very well produced. I would recommend this movie if you are a fan of simple, fun movies, or even interested in history. Overall I thought it was a great film that is underappreciated for what it is.

Paddington

Paddington is a PG rated movie that is based on the children's book series of this lovable bear. It is set in Peru and London, England. This is a family friendly comedy which can be enjoyed by every age group. The main characters are Paddington bear, the Brown family, and Millicent Clyde, the villain in the film. Paddington is an optimistic bear who sets off on an adventure to find a home and a family in London. The Brown family are the people who take in Paddington when he first arrives in London and tries to help him find a permanent home.

 

Paddington is an accident prone bear who often seems to find himself in clumsy situations. When he first arrives in London, he realizes that life there is more difficult than he had anticipated. He sets off to find an explorer who went to Peru many years ago and completed a documentary on Paddington's family but the only clue they have to find him is Paddington's red hat which was given to him by his uncle who got it from the explorer he is trying to find.

 

This movie was funny and cleverly scripted. This movie was action packed and kept you on the edge of your seat, rooting for Paddington to succeed. The Paddington movie is a classic family movie which can be enjoyed by all age groups and I recommend it for a fun, family movie night.  

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) is a story based on the life of Chris Gardner which includes his struggles as a salesman and ultimately his descent into homelessness. The movie is set in San Francisco, California in1970s depicting his ambition towards fulfilling his unpaid internship at a prestigious firm which would later help him secure a job. This movie vividly demonstrates the struggles of financial adversity and hardship and the grit it takes to power through those challenges. 

 

Will Smith beautifully captures the role of Chris Gardner and through his expressions, one can easily relate to him. His character represents a father who’s willing to do anything to ensure his son’s wellbeing which is truly heartwarming. Will Smith’s son, Jaden Smith, plays Christopher Jr., bringing a sense of authenticity to their bond. Other characters, like Gardner’s wife, portrayed by Thandiwe Newton, showcase how it is possible for some to be crushed by stress while others are motivated to keep charging on.

 

The most emotionally powerful part of the film is perhaps its most crucial aspect. The cinematography and the lighting depict Gardner's form of isolation spectacularly, and the musical score brings forth moments of hope beautifully. The film's pacing is spot on which results in the audience feeling engaged throughout the film. Each minor victory on screen feels important. The bathroom scene where Gardner tearily cradles his son in a subway restroom is one of the most touching scenes in cinema, representing hopelessness and boundless love. The only critique I can give is that there are some moments which feel a bit overly dramatized, but it is hard to doubt the sincerity. 

 

Will Smith’s portrayal of Gardner captures what The Pursuit of Happyness is truly about – motivation, dedication, and unending perseverance. The film is incredibly motivational and every single audience member can relate to the overarching messages of the film. It’s one of those films that you absolutely have to see regardless. It’s not a film simply centered around success, but rather the never ending effort required to achieve it. These are the factors that make The Pursuit of Happyness an amazing movie.

White Chicks is a comedy film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, where two FBI agents, Marcus and Kevin Copeland, played by Marlon and Shawn Wayans, respectively, go undercover as two wealthy socialites, Tiffany and Brittany Wilson. When an attempted kidnapping disrupts the Wilson sisters, they disguise themselves as the women to protect them and investigate. It would be based on the flashy, wacky world of the Hamptons, with a mix of slapstick humor and crime-solving.

Marcus and Kevin have to be hilarious as undercover agents, gifting outrageous humor to every scene. From makeup to antics highly exaggerated as rich spoiled women, their transformations as Tiffany and Brittany are over-the-top. The actual Wilson sisters had to be clueless and self-centered to heighten comic senses. Supporting characters like Lisa Anderson, played by Jennifer Carpenter, and the flamboyant Latrell Spencer, played by Terry Crews, steal the limelight in several scenes, especially Latrell's over-the-top obsession with "Tiffany." Each character, though exaggerated, serves to heighten the film's comedic tone.

The movie is full of absurd situations and outrageous humor, making it a guilty pleasure for fans of slapstick comedy. The tone is light, and the physical comedy is often laugh-out-loud funny, especially with the agents' awkward attempts to act like women. The scene-stealer has to be Terry Crews as Latrell in hilarious scenes where he sings along to A Thousand Miles. The humor sometimes feels dated with stereotypes and jokes that do not quite hit for every audience. While not a deeply meaningful movie, it does succeed in delivering laughs through its ridiculous premise and over-the-top execution.

 

White Chicks is ideal for those who enjoy silly, light-hearted comedies that contain ridiculous humor and memorable moments. If you enjoyed films like Scary Movie or Dumb and Dumber, then this is your thing. It's not a movie to be taken seriously, but it will keep you laughing. I'd give it a 3.5/5 for comedy, even though some of those jokes just don't land quite as well anymore.

Wicked (title as Wicked: Part 1) is an American musical fantasy movie I was able to watch in the movie theatre during Christmas break. The movie is directed by Jon M. Chu and written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. The movie budget was $150 million dollars. The movie was rated PG by the Motion Picture Association.

 

It is the first installment of a two-part film adaptation of the stage musical of the same name by Stephne Schwartz and Holzman. It is based on the 1995 novel,  the Oz books and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

 

Many believe this is one of the best movies of 2024. I agree. The singing is masterclass, and the acting is so touching. Everyone in this movie, in my opinion, did extremely well on screen.

I must admit it is a little bit too long but amazing! Never have I seen a play adapted into a movie so wonderfully.

 

Great performances, choreography and story! A person watching this for the first time with no interest in the musical genre will find it as probably one of the best musicals ever. I believe this movie should be the best picture academy award winner.

 

I cannot wait for the second part. I highly recommend watching this movie.