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:
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:
John Leguizamo, Emjay Anthony and Jon Favreau
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