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

Walking Dead (season 1 finale)

Synopsis:

A survival group of the zombie plague outbreak has just found something close to a Haven in which was a disease control centre, with food, shelter and even bathrooms and showers. Although, when the owner locks them in a room as a bomb ticks down, they seem to not have any way to escape until the group talk some sense into the owner and finally opens the doors. However, one person opts to stay for the reason that she would rather be exploded rather than want to be eaten by zombies.

Review:

Even though this season ending episode checks most of the criteria to be entertaining, the rest of the season, previous to this episode, produced a much more intriguing story line having lives in danger through zombies. Being a zombie movie, it should be that the ending episode has the biggest hardship with zombies, not bombs. The episode did, however, allow the audience to feel tension and suspension.

Rating: 8/10

Jurassic World (Movie)

Synopsis:

A jurassic world theme park owner has just been visited by her long time no see nephews, but when the theme park breeds a genetically modified animal which is intelligent, cunning and strong. It finds its way out which forces guests to evacuate, but the nephews are stuck. Later on, she saves her nephews with the help of her ex-partner. After that, they manage to turn the raptors against the modified dinosaur but it's too strong. The owner then turns to her last resort and releases her toughest dinosaur, the main villain of the previous movie. It is successful as the dinosaur is killed.

Review:

Overall, this is a very well created film which has a lot of easter eggs and references to the previous Jurassic park, most of which, significantly impacted the plot. Although, the first half of the movie is a little slow and mostly just wasting screen time, if they take the useless scenes away, the film would be benefitted.

Rating: 8.5/10

Phenomenon (Movie)

Synopsis: 
when a mechanic, George Malley, celebrates his birthday, he sees a flash of light from the sky in which travels to him. The next day, he starts to realise that his brain becomes smarter and that he is able to learn anything with ease, he and the town believes that the light he saw did this and that it was a UFO. As months past, he comes up with discoveries and inventions that will be able to help society. However, as time passes, he loses himself and starts to become insane. Luckily, he returns back to himself when he spends an afternoon with a girl that he is in love with. When he attempts to proclaim what he knows, he finds himself trapped inside a large group that is interrogating him on what he knows and passes out. When he awakes, he sees that he is in a hospital bed and he is told that he has a brain tumor and that normally it dulls the brain, but in George's case, the tumor seems to be enhancing its activity. This also explains the light he saw on his birthday, as brain tumors can create light hallucinations. A few days later, he passes away from the tumor and leaves behind his research and findings to a university where the can develop it further.

Review:
'Phenomenon' is a film that has a very original plot and story-line, never seen before. It explores a hypothesis that a brain tumor or a disease can enhance the activity of the brain, and what might happen if this is to occur. The film also encapsulates multiple genres including mystery, romance and drama, catering to most people's interests. On the other hand, it spends a lot of time explaining and revealing facts that were already inferred and too much time on repetitive and uneventful scenes that had no impact on the story. Overall I was satisfied with the film but would have benefitted from less scenes that served no relevance to the story.

Rating: 7/10

The Imitation Game (Movie)

Synopsis:
During WW1, the Germans have created a secret code that changes everyday called 'enigma', a code that is claimed to be unbreakable. The British attempt to put this to the test and hire multiple cryptologists to help solve this code, one of these men are named Alan Turing, a prodigy who prides himself for his intellectual ability. Although, he is someone who does not have many social skills. Even though he is isolated from the group, he creates a machine that successfully decrypts enigma everyday and attracts the attention and gains friendship with his group. This helps Britain win the war. 

Review:
I was genuinely surprised of the quality of this film. Unlike most other films, this one is based on a true story which allows you to sympathise for each of the characters, as you know they are based on real life people. The movie encapsulates many genres, mainly including drama with a 'dash' of comedy. There was never a dull or boring moment in the film as mostly only scenes in which had an effect on the story added, forcing you to be engaged and on the look out for every information you can find. The actors and actresses were also chosen very wisely because of the quality of which they acted. The actor who played Alan Turing was a performance which was one of the best I've ever seen.

Rating: 9/10

Hunger Games: Mockingjay P1 (Movie)

Synopsis:
Katniss Everdeen has now escaped the notorious, hunger games, twice after being taken by the rebellion. She is transported to district 13, a district that no one knew survived the war. She is asked by Plutarch Heavensbee and President Coin to be the face of the uprising that plans to take down the capitol. She stars in short films that are aired across the remaining 11 districts, in attempt to obtain more supporters. This attempt is sparks an uprising mindset when several people plant a bomb in the capitol's generator which shuts down all electrical equipment in the area. This creates an opportunity for district 13 to invade the capitol and save the remaining tributes that were captured in the games. When they are all transported back to district 13, one tribute, Peeta Mellark, has been brainwashed into thinking that Katniss, her close friend is actually an enemy. He is apprehended before he can kill Katniss.

Review:
Compared to the two other movies of the 'Hunger Games', this particular movie portrays a very different atmosphere that is a lot more dark and dramatic. In this open-ended sequel, the producers focus on less action and more drama and story-line. In my personal opinion, they should have made it less suspenseful and more action. You are kept in the dark about most of the things in this movie, which can be good considering that you are more intrigued, but can also be perceived as too suspenseful. Too much suspense can often lead to the audience zoning out because of the constant and the amount of pressure. The producers should have also placed more action scenes, especially in the first half of the movie because there is too much talking, talking that is unnecessary and won't affect the plot. More action scenes would have balanced it and would have been more enjoyable to watch. On the other hand, they did end part one well, keeping it open-ended and allowing the viewers to predict and discuss what might happen next.

Rating: 7.5/10

The Abyss (Movie)

Synopsis:
An army submarine has been destroyed by what is thought to be Russians, creating tension between the USA and Russia. Another submarine near the area is forced into finding the army sub and checking for any survivors, because a hurricane is making it difficult for SEALs to deploy their own ship to look for the army sub themselves. Instead, SEAL personnel who are already at the scene are joining the submarine squad to assist them in finding survivors. When they deploy themselves to look for the submarine, they find no survivors. This is also when  the SEAL commander realises he is being affected by the depth of the ocean in which they are in. The hurricane then arrives, damaging equipment making it impossible for them to go back up without assistance. The SEAL commander, who is now suffering from psychosis, begins to plant a warhead in an effort to destroy the thing that has taken the army sub down. This 'thing' is now thought to be, not Russians, but 'terrestrial creatures that have intelligent minds, after a number of meetings, between them and the submarine squad. They also interact with humans in such a way that does not make humans frightened, but comforted. They successfully stop the SEAL commander before the creatures show themselves to the human race, after the hurricane dissipates.

Review:
Overall, the story-line is one that has not been created many times. A strange and interesting setting and plot that almost entirely relies on the ocean's depths, its mysteries and its unknown. This setting and plot makes you want to watch more because of everything that you do not know. It is unpredictable. The main characters are admirable and relatable, making us think of how we would handle the situation. However, the movie was quite slow, too much not-needed talking that made the movie feel a lot longer than it is. The action sections were OK, but the dialogues were repetitive and unnecessary. When using dialogue, there should always be something that is revealed to the audience, intead of non-essential chatter.

Rating: 6.5/10

Interstellar (Movie)

Synopsis:

In the near future where global warming has begun to make drastic changes in the earth's atmosphere and weather, making the earth uninhabitable, especially in the field of agriculture where crops are becoming extinct because of blight. A secret NASA team has been assembled, in a mission to find another planet that the earth's population can refuge to, through a wormhole that is believed to be placed there by another being. The astronauts enter the wormhole and find themselves in another galaxy, which has three earth-like planets that they have to explore to find out which one is most suitable. These three planets are orbiting around a black hole called 'Gargantua'. In attempt to do this, the head professor confesses that his plan for the astronauts was for them to find a planet in which they could repopulate it and keep the human race from extinction, since he did not find the equation to control gravity and make it easier for the civilians in earth escape through larger ships. After finding out this information, they begin to head straight to the last, unexplored planet, although, one astronaut named Cooper sacrifices himself to let the other astronaut gain enough distance to arrive at this planet. While in the black hole, Cooper discovers that it was the future humans that built this wormhole and not another being, and that he could go back in time and move things around. When he wakes up from passing out, he discovers that he is in a space station, 87 years after he departed from earth because of how time is slow when you are near a black hole, as a result of the gravity that is created, effectively slowing time.

Review:

A science fiction that explores different types of theories. A unique story-line that explores the mysteries of space. Interstellar is a movie that responds to how the world can end and the ways we can postpone the extinction of the human race. The movie itself is a very original idea that has the ability to make an outstanding movie. Unfortunately, some ideas such as when you enter a blackhole, you are teleported to a world of how reality is created, allowing you to alter it seems a little far fetched and unrealistic. Blackholes are stars that collapse in on itself, creating a massive gravitational force that is so strong, not even light and time can escape. A gravitational force, that strong, would not make it fast to travel from the outside to the centre, but would 'stretch' you until you can't stretch anymore. You wouldn't be able to survive the trip from the outside to the centre. A force of that nature would pull you to bits. Overall this was an OK movie that explores the future in an entertaining fashion. Although, some theories seem unrealistic, and for the reason that this movie investigates realism in the future, it seems confusing and hard to understand.

Rating: 6.5/10

Speed (Movie)

Synopsis:
An LAPD bomb squad retiree is going through financial hardship. This causes him to use his last resort to earn enough money to live, which is by using hostages. He plans an elevator siege and threatens to let the elevator fall if the police doesn't give him 3 million dollars. Another current police officer finds a way to stop the elevator from falling before all the hostages escape. the criminal escapes the scene and then plants another bomb on a bus and threatens that if the bus doesn't go above 50 miles an hour, it will explode. The same police officer again finds a way to let everyone off of the bus before the bus explodes. The criminal is then found and disposed of.

Review:
This movie was not created for a good story and plot-line. The purpose it served, and did well keep in mind, was to keep the viewers entertained by creating a non-stop action film. There was not 10 minutes in the movie where suspense was not felt. Even though this movie was very mainly action, it did encompass a range of other genres including romance, comedy and crime. This made the film a lot less monotonous than it would be if it was only action, instead, it made it very entertaining to watch. If this movie would have had bits and pieces of background information exposed for the viewer, there would have been more sympathy for the characters, thus amplifying the emotion conveyed.

Rating: 8/10

Blast from the Past (Movie)

Synopsis:
In the year when a nuclear war was threatened, caused by the cold war between USA and Russia. A husband and wife were forced into their bomb shelter after a plane, that they mistaken for a nuclear bomb, ran into their house. The husband, panics and sets a lock on the shelter's door to 35 years (the amount of years it takes for the nuclear radiation to disappear). This lock cannot be broken inside or out, which means that they cannot escape until 35 years has passed. While they are in the shelter, the mother gives birth to a child. 35 years later, the locks release and the father has a stroke, which forces the wife to take care of him while the child has to go outside into the real world for the first time and collect supplies. In doing so, he finds a girl that later becomes his partner.

Review:
I believe that the plotline of this story is very unique and smart. A very original story that has no other movies like it. It was smart having a protagonist that does not know any 'people's skills' which makes for a funny, as well as cringe-worthy experience. Good use of history to create an event that, even though extremely unlikely, could have very well happened. There does not seem to be any confusing parts to this film, everything is very well explained and very easy to understand, which makes for an enjoyable time to watch.

Rating: 9/10

NBA 2K15 (Game)

Overview:
A video game that simulates a national basketball league game

Review:
Overall, I am disappointed in this game's gameplay. As a new version that substitutes the older 2k14 version, I was expecting an upgrade worthy enough for $79. Although, I was unfortunate enough to find that 2k15 is not much of an upgrade. The graphics were exactly the same and the overall fluidity of the game actually suffered. Although this is in an older console, I would have liked to see changes that made me not regret spending those $79.In the following pictures, you can see that the graphics were not upgraded in the slightest.

NBA 2k15

NBA 2k14

Rating: 4/10

Big Hero 6 (Movie)

Big Hero 6:

Synopsis:
This film is about a 14 yr old prodigy named Hiro, who is very talented in science and creating innovative inventions. He starts out earning easy money in illegal bot fighting matches but later on, his older brother inspires him to join college where he can further work on his talents. When Hiro is accepted on the night of the college showcase for inventing 'micro-bots' (a big group of small robotic 'arms' that responds to brain signals), a fire breaks out and kills his older brother. Devastated, Hiro rejects the invitation to go to the college. When he sits alone in his bedroom, he finds his brothers invention, Baymax. Baymax is a soft robot that is equipped to treat any sickly patients. Hiro then discovers a hidden warehouse where someone has been developing Hiro's micro-bots. Thinking that the unknown villain was the cause of his brother's death, he seeks revenge with help from his brother's colleagues. When he tracks him down, it seems that the villain is the college principal and that he is doing this to get back at his peer for losing his daughter. In the end, the principal is defeated but Hiro sees an opportunity to get the missing daughter through a portal which he flies through with the help of Baymax. They find the daughter and bring her to the real world, but Baymax had to sacrifice himself to protect Hiro, and the daughter.

Rating: 8/10

Miguel Howard's Reading Blog

Miguel's Blog:

This is my blog where I will be writing about books, movies and video games by reviewing them and sharing my personal opinions about them.