THE 5TH WAVE (2016)

Featuring: Chloe Grace Moretz; Nick Robinson, Alex Roe; Zachary Arthur; Liev Schreiber.

Director: J Blakeson

This is the latest in a string of films based on popular young adult novels. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, published in 2013 was the first installment of a trilogy of books. The film came out earlier this year and was not received favorably by critics. However, its intended audience seemed to like it as it already made three times its production costs at the box office. So, who really cares what the critics think?

As with Independence Day (1996) the movie starts with massive UFO's suddenly appearing over major cities around the world. What is initially curiosity soon turns to terror as one after the other wave of devastation hits the earth that nearly wipes out humankind. Sixteen year old Cassie (Moretz) together with her nine year old brother, Sam (Arthur) and father seek refugue at a makeshift survivor camp in the woods. But when the army turns up supposedly to help, things go horribly wrong.

Like I said, I think this is a pretty cool movie. The mainly young cast is excellent and stalwart, Liev Schreiber, makes a very good baddie. Besides, this film is the perfect vehicle for Moretz to showcase her more physical acting skills - she is known for doing her own stunts ever since she was nine in Kick-Ass. The only negative comment I have is about its unsatisfactory ending, but as it is based on a series of books, one can only hope Sony will see its way clear to make sequels. I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMKg8-9pLlY

   Nick Robinson, Zachary Arthur and Chloe Grace Moretz

CHEF (2014)

Featuring: Jon Favreau; Sofia Vergara; John Leguizamo; Scarlett Johannson; Oliver Platt; Dustin Hoffman; Robert Downey Jr.; Emjay Anthony

Director: Jon Favreau

Every now and then a movie comes along and goes without much fanfare while in actual fact it is better than most mainstream blockbusters of its time. This rings true especially for many indies out there of which this film is an excellent example. And it is not as if it has a totally unfamiliar cast - just look at some of the names above!

Carl Casper (Favreau) is an accomplished chef at a posh restaurant owned by the character of Dustin Hoffman. But when Carl crosses swords on social media with a famous restaurant critic (Platt) he find himself at odds with his unwavering boss who then as good as fires him. Feeling totally humiliated and dejected, he reluctantly accepts an offer from the ex-husband (Downey Jr.) of his ex-wife (Vergara) to try his hand at the food truck business. But he soon realizes that not only does this offer him a way out of his rut but also an opportunity to reconnect and bond with his ten year old son, Percy (adoringly played by Emjay Anthony).

This little gem is on the one hand a satirical commentary on our current obsessions with social media and TV food shows. On the other hand it is a lovely story about love lost and found as well as discovering what is really important in life. I simply loved this movie and easily rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK-ZUFX5fnk

   John Leguizamo, Emjay Anthony and Jon Favreau

2010 THE YEAR ME MAKE CONTACT (1984)

Even though the 1968 Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey is widely regarded as an all time masterpiece (see review posted 28/04/15) not everybody was satisfied with its ending. Among these, so it seems, was the original author, Arthur C. Clark. Maybe that is what prompted him to write and publish the follow-up novel in 1982 called "2010: Odyssey Two". And it is on this novel that Peter Hyams based his 1984 sequel.

Starring Roy Scheider, John Lithgow and Helen Mirren a joint US/USSR mission to Jupiter is put together nine years later in an effort to find out what happened to Discovery and its crew. But just as the mission enters its most critical stage, our astronauts on the Russian Leonov spacecraft learn that their respective countries broke all diplomatic ties and are on the brink of war. This means that they too are now technically enemies which puts the entire mission in jeopardy and with that also their lives...

Some might reason that this film falls short from being a worthy successor to the original; that it is more concrete and less mystical; that it leaves more questions than answers. But taken on own merits, this is in all aspects actually a very good movie. However, as the say, the proof of the pudding is in its eating. Therefor, watch the DVD and judge for yourself if you agree with my 3 out of 5 stars rating. 

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfxP2Ct9aYs

    Roy Scheider 

WHITE WATER SUMMER (1987)

Although my DVD collection covers a wide range of genres, a good portion thereof consists of coming-of-age movies. This one is a very good example of this particular genre.

Alan (Sean Astin) is a fourteen year old nerd who is also a bit of a spoilt brat. But when his parents persuade him, a city boy through and through, to go on a wilderness adventure hike for the summer, he is in for a rude awakening. Together with three other teenage boys, his mettle is severely tested under the leadership of the rough and tough tour guide, Vic (Kevin Bacon).

Shot mostly on location in the mountains of Cromberg, Northern California, the photography is spectacular and the mainly youthful cast also acquits themselves very well of their task. But what actually stands out in this film is its soundtrack. Featuring some of the best 80's bands like Bruce Hornsby and the Range, Cutting Crew and Journey with songs like "Wild Frontier", "Life in a Dangerous Time" and "Be Good to Yourself" it brings back fond memories of a time gone by. So, as far as coming-of-age movies go, I regard this as one of the better ones and reward it with 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=white+water+summer+trailer

 Sean Astin (middle), Kevin Bacon (right) with the rest of the cast

MY ONE AND ONLY (2009)

Based on an early life experience of actor George Hamilton, this road trip movie is also a slice of life from fifties America.

Fed-up with her philandering bandleader of a husband, Anne Deveraux (Renee Zellweger) decides to leave him for good. So she takes all his money, buys a baby blue Cadillac convertible, loads up their two teenage sons and start searching for a new meal ticket for her and the boys.

Unlike most films of this genre, the pace of this one is rather low. And although it has its funny moments, overall it is a bit drab. The only standout is Logan Lerman. As usual, his mere presence makes this movie watchable. Therefor I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhRoiHKqg94

 Mark Rendall, Renee Zellweger and Logan Lerman