THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)

Featuring: Bill Murry; Ben Kingsley; Neel Sethi

Director: Jon Favreau

One of my favorite childhood movies was the 1967 Disney version of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. However when I first learned the company plans a possible remake, naturally I was more than a bit apprehensive. So often when remakes are done from one of the old all time classics, the results are, so say the least, disappointing. Fortunately that was not the case this time round.

In stead, this turned out to be an absolutely amazing movie. Not only did they keep the iconic original songs ("The Bear Necessities", "I Wanna Be Like You" and "Trust In Me") in Neel Sethi they also manage to find a boy that actually looks like the original animated Mowgli (see image below). And then there are the voices of Ben Kingsley as Bageera, Bill Murry as Baloo and Edris Elba as Shere Khan which are as authentic and convincing as the life-like animation of the film itself. In short: this is a true masterpiece!

I therefore have no hesitation in giving this movie one of my very rare 5 out of 5 star ratings.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mkm22yO-bs

Mowgli meets...Mowgli

And on this high note I wish to bid you all a very merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Hope to see you all again in 2018!

     

GOING IN STYLE (2017)

Featuring: Morgan Freeman; Michael Caine; Alan Arkin

Director: Zach Braff

Zach Braff is of course best known for his role as JD in the TV sitcom Scrubs. And although this is not his first stint as director, this movie might be his behind-the-camera breakthrough as the critics generally had only good things to say about it.

Willie (Morgan Freeman), Joe (Michael Caine) and Al (Alan Arkin) are three retirees who find out the company they worked all their lives for is going bust and their pension fund will be used to pay off its debts. But even worse is the fact that the bank handling the whole affair is the same one that is about to foreclose on Joe's house. So, they decide to get even and rob it.

The plot is rather thin and predictable but to see three such iconic actors in action, makes it all worth while. Not recommended for adrenaline junkies but if you just want to have fun with a big fat smile on your face throughout, this one is for you.

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcdTN5soeQw

 The 'Rat-Pack' robbers

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (2016)

Featuring: Chris Evans; Robert Downey Jr; Scarlet Johansson

Director(s): Anthony & Joe Russo

It seems as if every now and then a bunch of superheros has to jump at each other's throats. So it was with that other Marvel Comics phenomenon, the beloved mutants in the X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). So too was the case recently in DC Comics' Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and which I reviewed a little while ago. And so is it for Marvel's Avengers in this movie.

After a number of incidents involving the actions of the Avengers resulted in the destruction of property and the death of innocent bystanders that got caught in the crossfire, some world governments want to reign in on the group's powers. While Tony Stark aka Ironman (Robert Downey Jr) can see a degree of sense in it, Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Chris Evans) will have nothing of it. This cause a rift between the rest of the Avengers with some backing Steve and others Tony. Inevitably this leads to war among themselves. The question is: who will win?

Again, nothing that we haven't seen before and even become accustomed to by now. But, hey, who cares? It is still a lot of fun to watch!

I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKrVegVI0Us

 The opposing sides...

FAST & FURIOUS 8 (2017)

Featuring: Vin Diesel; Charlize Theron; Dwayne Johnson

Director: F. Gary Gray

This remains to be one of my favorite action movie franchises. Even in its eighth guise it does not disappoint or fail to entertain. Sure, it is no pioneering masterpiece but then it was never intended to be any such. Non-stop unadulterated exhilarating fun is what it is.

This time round Dom (Vin Diesel) is forced by bad girl villain Cipher (Charlize Theron) to go up against his old team in order for her to get her pretty little hands on some nuclear missiles. The question is, will he betray his 'family' or will he find a way out of his predicament.

For this movie the whole familiar gang is back plus one or two new faces. The most notable new face however, is none other than that of dame Helen Mirren - and what a treat that is! Again, the story is put together quite intelligently with some interesting twists and turns but simple enough for any thirteen year old (age restriction for this film) to follow. And as expected the action and special effects are absolutely stunning. But for me the baby stole the show...

And that on its own elevates this movie to 4 out of 5 stars!

Trailer link:

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

Toretto's most bad-ass car to date...

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012)

Featuring: Christian Bale; Michael Caine; Tom Hardy

Director: Christopher Nolan

This might be the final film in this particular Batman franchise trilogy but I found it rather wanting. For one it seems to be somewhat of a repeat of Batman Begins just with a different villain. And then there is the unsatisfying ending... almost as if the whole affair so far was a set up for things to come like the pilot episode of a TV series. But we all know nothing ever came; not from Chris Nolan and company anyway.

Since the Batman took the blame for the death of Harvey Dent eight years ago, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) became a recluse hardly ever to be seen in public. But then, during one of these rare occasions, his interest is sparked by a mysterious woman called Selina (Anne Hathaway) who turns out to be a notorious cat burglar. And in an attempt to get closer to her he is led into a trap set by a dangerous criminal known only as Bane (Tom Hardy) who is hellbent on destroying Gotham City for once and for all.

Even though there is nothing new or unfamiliar to the recipe for the plot, the movie is gripping and sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. The special effects are spectacular and the action fast and furious... until you come to the final few scenes as already mentioned which is a real let down for an otherwise excellent movie.

Thus, I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8evyE9TuYk

 Batman's coolest toy yet: the Bat!