McFarland (Movie)

Synopsis:

When a wealthy teacher from a prestigious high school gets fired due to certain circumstances, him and his family are forced to leave their home and reside in another area, McFarland. McFarland, being predominantly owned by Hispanics, is a place in which is notorious for crime and a strange way of living. The teacher is forced to teach at an unpopular McFarland high school in order to provide for him and his family. In an attempt to get his family out of this area, the teacher starts a cross country team, where if he wins, he would have the funds to move. He trains the team and sees potential, as most of them run to and from school to help with their family’s farm. The team surpasses all odds and makes it to the state championships where they also win, as McFarland a much more honoured school. The teacher, touched by the heart of the cross country team decides to stay in McFarland. 

Review:

The movie McFarland is based on a true story, which adds to the empathy that is invoked by the audience. The actors were chosen well to convey their personalities and traits, making the story relatable for an un-relatable circumstance. The producers and director did well to evoke feelings of compassion and empathy towards the runner, having the kind of lifestyle that not many of us would understand. Overall, it was a good film that invoked a strong emotional response and connection between the characters and the audience.

Rating: 8.5/10

Terminator: Genisys (Movie)

Synopsis:
When John Connor, leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline. Now, Sgt. Reese finds himself in a new and unfamiliar version of the past, where he is faced with unlikely allies, including the Guardian, dangerous new enemies, and an unexpected new mission: To reset the future.

Review:
I may be one of the flock, but I am a big fan of the Terminator franchise. This movie was appropriately delivered to fans of the franchise more than the prior 2 sequels. Arnold was Arnold and genuinely looked like he was having fun with the role. The story to me was pretty well written and despite lots of turns along the way, was engaging. There was plenty of comic relief. The battle scenes play homage to the aesthetic and look of the future wars in the 1st two movies. However, it has a very complex plot that may be hard to understand for some viewers

Rating: 8.5/10

Benjamin Button (Movie)

Synopsis:

Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flickers in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer. Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.

Review:
David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's story, re-teams the director with Brad Pitt, who takes on the title role. What makes Button such a curious case is that when he is born in New Orleans just after World War I, he is already in his eighties, and proceeds to live his life aging in reverse. This sweeping film follows the character's unusual life into the 21st century as he experiences joy and sadness, loves lost and found, and the meaning of timelessness. Cate Blanchett co-stars along with Tilda Swinton, Elias Koteas, and Julia Ormond.

Rating: 8.5/10

Spy (Movie)

Synopsis:

Despite having solid field training, CIA analyst Susan Cooper has spent her entire career as a desk jockey, working hand-in-hand with dashing agent Bradley Fine. Using high-tech equipment and a hidden earpiece, Susan is the guardian angel who helps Bradley avoid danger. However, when Bradley is assassinated by Bulgarian arms dealer Rayna Boyanov, Susan wrangles her way into her first undercover assignment to help capture Boyanov and avenge Bradley. However, she then gets in trouble, forcing her to lie and gain the trust of Rayna to save her life and the mission's. It was only until Fine walked out with Rayna when they Fine and Cooper realised they were both acting as double agents.

Review:
Overall, this movie was one of my personal favourite movies this year. Being mainly a comedic action film, they enhanced Melissa McCarthy's humorous personality to further add enjoyment for the audience. Action sequences were choreographed carefully to ensure they were not taking away the comedic theme of the film, while also inviting adrenaline. In conclusion, this is one of the better comedic films to watch this year.

Rating: 9/10

The Cobbler (Movie)

Synopsis:
Max Simkin repairs shoes in the same New York shop that has been in his family for generations. Disenchanted with the grind of daily life, Max stumbles upon a magical heirloom that allows him to step into the lives of his customers and see the world in a new way. Sometimes walking in another man's shoes is the only way one can discover who they really are. This causes problems, as he finds that one of his customers is a relentless gang member. 

Review:
The Cobbler represents a slight step up from Adam Sandler's recent comedies, but while its cloying sentiment proves a more palatable substitute for his usual crass humour, it still isn't terribly compelling. However, for an independent film, it is above average.

Rating:
7.5/10

Walking Dead Season 3

Synopsis:

When a group of people survives the zombie apocalypse, they find a prison which they clear out and eventually house themselves in. They just begin to be comfortable until another town close by called Woodbury sees this group as a threat and challenge them to leave, or to fight. When Woodbury arrives at the prison, expecting a fight, the group is no where to be seen until they are just about to leave. The group persist with heavy gunfire until they leave, with many casualties. 

Review:

Overall, this season is the first season where most of the original characters have passed away or turned into zombies. They have been replaced by people from a farm that they discovered one season ago. Since this series has only just started to inch its way into mainstream pop culture, the developers are able to experiment with more CGI through more money, which pays off because the special effects has increased in use and the way it has been used. The season has also allowed for a greater number of increased suspense as they attempt to up their factor in the genre of thriller. Furthermore, I have enjoyed watching this series as the producers have experienced and more money is available. 

Rating: 8.5/10

Walking Dead (Season 1)

Synopsis:
Adapted from a comic-book series, this horror drama follows the survivors of an apocalyptic holocaust who are searching for a safe haven while being tracked and menaced by zombies. In the first season, sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes emerges from a coma to find few people but far too many walkers (Zombies) who have died and come back to life. A fellow survivor tells him there's a refugee centre in Atlanta, so he heads there with hopes of finding his missing wife and son, eventually joining with others to fight off the walkers. 

Review:
Since the first episode focuses mostly on Rick, you will get chills following him on his adventure through this new world, especially if you don't know what's coming up.

Rating: 9.5/10