dimanche 31 janvier 2016

The Holiday — A well done, sweet, light and funny romantic comedy — 8*/10

  • Scenario: Sweet and funny, this little romantic piece relies on the quality of the actors and the incredibly perfect settings the evolve in. The story is simple, yet compelling. The scenario doesn't innovate but has a few nice surprises. Light and very entertaining.
  • Known actors: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black and Rufus Sewell.
  • Visual & sound: Beautiful, in a too perfect way.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457939/
  • Who is it for? Anyone looking for a light romantic comedy that's well done.


samedi 30 janvier 2016

True Story — A well done low key crime drama — 7*/10

  • Scenario: As any true story, this one lacks punch. However, its cinematography easily draws you in and the intrigue just as easily captivates. Some scenes are very powerful, like the intro, but the final result doesn't have enough meat on the bone as do most biographical film. It certainly has some entertainment value, but it's more a psychological puzzle over which you'd look at on a lazy, grey and rainy afternoon.
  • Known actors: James Franco, Jonah Hill and Felicity Jones.
  • Visual & sound: Solid, very moody.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt2273657/
  • Who is it for? Those looking for a slow psychological crime puzzle seen from an outside perspective.


vendredi 29 janvier 2016

13 Hours, The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi — Propaganda aside it's great — 8*/10

  • Scenario: The production has too much American propaganda, a very one sided story and a serious undertone of G.I. Joe underlying its heroes. However, the rest is almost without reproach, another entertaining flick by Michael Bay, one of his better. Solid acting, excellently paced scenario, sound logic, interesting characters, captivating story, riveting suspense, good dialogs and astounding action with some touching drama and a few very minimal jokes.
  • Visual & sound: Great, nothing was spared.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt4172430/
  • Who is it for? Those who don't mind the gung-ho attitude, it's a great action suspense flick.


dimanche 24 janvier 2016

Avatar — An astounding sci-fi masterpiece — 10*/10

  • Scenario: James Cameron did it again. A smash hit, an almost perfect movie. The story is incredible, gripping, amazingly detailed and crafted with obvious genius. No aspect of this film is short of great.
  • Known actors: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi and Joel David Moore.
  • Visual & sound: Just spectacular. A perfection that will be difficult to match. Even the 3D was perfectly done, and I usually think it's just a gimmick, unnecessary.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/
  • Who is it for? Everyone. A must see unless you truly and deeply hate sci-fi.

I just watched it again for the second time and I can't believe it took me six years to do so. However, it might have been a good choice because I was able to see it on a very large TV with hi definition. The only way to pay tribute to this work of visual art. The only thing I could have wished for would have been a matching sound system. All the same, I'm in heaven right now.

samedi 23 janvier 2016

School of Life — A very touching if simple family movie — 6*/10

  • Scenario: This is not a masterpiece, but it's surprising how emotionally touching it is, in a very simple way. It's a bit cheesy, the dialogs aren't always good and some of the acting can be somewhat average. That being said, it's a heartfelt film that rings true.
  • Known actors: David Paymer and Ryan Reynolds.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0340331/
  • Who is it for? Anyone looking for something easy to watch and who doesn't mind a bit of sentimentality.


jeudi 21 janvier 2016

The Dark Crystal — A classic if old fantasy story full of details — 7*/10

  • Scenario: A great adventure story to save a mystical world from its evil masters. Lots of fantastic creatures, small and big, good and bad. Incredible level of details. Simple story, but entertaining and engrossing. A very high point for Jim Henson and Frank Oz's cinematic carriers as directors.
  • Visual & sound: Beautiful handcrafted decors and puppets. So, most of the special effects still look good today, to a few exceptions including the whole cataclysmique ending which was obviously beyond 1982 capabilities.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083791/
  • Who is it for? For fantasy lovers who don't mind a bit of old fashion special effects.


The Revenant — A brilliant if harsh movie and a must see — 10*/10

  • Scenario: Brutal and bloody, it's still an incredible film. The story keeps you riveted as the shit keeps piling up. The basic ideas are timeless, but this cinematic piece is unique. The end is superb, especially the last few seconds, no easy out. A brilliant masterpiece by Alejandro González Iñárritu, one more to add to his growing list.
  • Known actors: Leonardo DiCaprio (once again, he shows what an incredible actor he is), Tom Hardy and Domhnall Gleeson.
  • Visual & sound: The vistas will astound you, the soundtrack will plunge deep into its emotional ravine, the camera shots will make you live every moment as if you were there.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1663202/
  • Who is it for? A must see, not for sensible souls.


mercredi 20 janvier 2016

Labyrinth — A good old fantasy adventure classic for the family — 7*/10

  • Scenario: An imaginative story that takes in parallel universe where goblins rule. Lots of details with many varied characters and settings. A very entertaining movie by the great puppeteer Jim Henson.
  • Known actors: David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly.
  • Visual & sound: Nice. Some of the visual props aged well, others... not so much. Music, well, it depends if you like the 80s glam pop.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091369/
  • Who is it for? For those who like to dream, fantasy lovers and Bowie fans, if you don't mind that dates a little bit and has a some singing and dancing, 80s style.


lundi 18 janvier 2016

Semi-Pro — A silly and goofy basketball comedy — 6*/10

  • Scenario: This is not the kind of movie anyone should take seriously. It's obviously meant to make us laugh with absurd stunts and songs. It's the kind of film that is not as funny the first time you watch it as it is the second time, because it's only then that you hear and pay attention to the little comments that make that silly and goofy comedy good.
  • Known actors: Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Maura Tierney, Andy Richter, David Koechner and Rob Corddry.
  • Visual & sound: Nice.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0839980/
  • Who is it for? Anyone looking for a silly and goofy comedy, especially if you like it sport themed, or any Ferrell fans. Beware, though, language and subject matters are probably not appropriate for kids.


samedi 16 janvier 2016

Dodgeball — A truly silly comedy for the fans — 7*/10

  • Scenario: Completely silly, goofy and off the wall. It's hilarious if you can stand the uncomfortable situation the characters get in. The story can only exist in its own little world where we completely suspend our disbelief and go with the flow. The movie doesn't take itself seriously and you shouldn't either. Just have fun.
  • Known actors: Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Vince Vaughn, Rip Torn, Justin Long, Stephen Root, Alan Tudyk, Missi Pyle, Gary Cole, Jason Bateman, Hank Azaria, Lance Armstrong, Chuck Norris, William Shatner and David Hasselhoff.
  • Visual & sound: Nice.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364725/
  • Who is it for? Anyone looking for something really silly as well as any Stiller or Vaughn fans.


vendredi 15 janvier 2016

Paul à Québec — Triste et lent pour coeurs sentimentaux — 7*/10

C'est le type de film où il ne faut pas se poser trop de questions, car on ne sait pas du tout où il s'en va. Ce n'est pas nécessairement une mauvaise chose puisque le but de cette création n'est pas vraiment de nous tenir la main pour nous amener à destination. De plus, ce n'est pas non plus le genre de production qui plaira à tous. Celle-ci possède une charge émotive assez triste et pourtant le message ne l'est pas du tout. C'est un chemin que nous aurons tous à vivre un jour ou l'autre, et avec un peu de chance, nous pourrons le faire d'une manière aussi positive.

Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt4720674/



Star Wars: The Force Awakens — Same difference but pretty good — 7*/10

  • Scenario: Why create something new when you can just serve up the same thing just rehashed?  There are some ploy that shouldn't have been reused. Seriously, it had been done twice before, and you did it a third time? And that's just the biggest elephant in the room. That being said, they did bring some new elements to the table. The acting was also above reproach, to the exception of a few small scenes, making this the best acted Star Wars ever. The action is superb and the creatures imaginative. More important, there's nothing silly or childish to be found anywhere, a welcomed departure from the other chapters. Despite a rushed pace with scenes loosely tied to one another emotionally, the entertainment value is pretty high. Very easy to enjoy.
  • Known actors: Harrison Ford, Adam Driver (excellent performance, by far the best one), Andy Serkis (unrecognizable, but with a powerful performance), Max von Sydow and Gwendoline Christie.
  • Visual & sound: Incredible visual, just spectacular and breathtaking.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt2488496/
  • Who is it for? Anyone looking for some sci-fi or Star Wars fans.


mardi 12 janvier 2016

Daddy's Home — Turn your brain off type of silly comedy — 6*/10

  • Scenario: Funny and totally silly,  nothing serious or thought through about it. It's predictable and easy, but still entertaining even considering the ending.
  • Known actors: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Thomas Haden Church and Bobby Cannavale.
  • Visual & sound: Nice.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1528854/
  • Who is it for? Those looking for some brainless fun.


The Hateful Eight — A bloody, gritty, moody and intriguing western — 9*/10

  • Scenario: Slow and juicy development, full of details, great ideas and gritty humor with an enveloping setting that really puts you in there with those bastards. Blood and gore will be part of it, be assured, but the twists and turns of this little intrigue are what is interesting about the story. Very high entertainment value.
  • Known actors: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Channing Tatum, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern and Zoë Bell.
  • Visual & sound: Excellent! But what's that thing about 70mm that makes us pay extra? I don't see the difference.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt3460252/
  • Who is it for? Those looking for a nice gritty western or any Quentin Tarantino fans.


Absolutely Anything — A silly comedy that shows a few innovations — 7*/10

  • Scenario: Yes, it's over the top, but it's funny and the scenario takes some refreshing turns here and there. Quick paced, silly and witty. What more could be ask for?
  • Known actors: Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Robin Williams, John Cleese, Rob Riggle and Eddie Izzard.
  • Visual & sound: Fair warning, the special effects are nothing to brag about. They're effective, but just enough to play their role without distracting too much, nothing more.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1727770/
  • Who is it for? People looking for a good laugh and a few innovation, but not too demanding on special effects, or Pegg fans. I recommend it to anyone.


mardi 5 janvier 2016

The Big Short — A must see recounting of the subprime financial crisis — 9*/10

  • Scenario: Riveting. An almost documentary that introduce enough fiction to tighten the tension to a maximum. Star cast. Perfect acting. Much better than the preview can lead us to believe. The tone and the delivery are perfect. You are there and you get to understand.
  • Known actors: Christian Bale (he truly showed is acting capabilities here), Steve Carell (at the top of his game), Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei, Brad Pitt and Selena Gomez.
  • Visual & sound: Just what you need to make the colossal blunder the true star.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596363/
  • Who is it for? A must see. If you don't like documentary and would like to understand the 2008 crash in simple terms, this is for you.


Sisters — A cavalcade of hilarious moments — 7*/10

  • Scenario: Completely crazy in a completely silly way without become uncomfortably ridiculous. Lots of fun with just a tiny bit of under acting. Mostly, though,  it's hilarious and entertaining. A simple story with a single goal: making you laugh. An absolute success.
  • Known actors: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Dianne Wiest and Rachel Dratch.
  • Visual & sound: Very nice.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1850457/
  • Who is it for? Those who simply want to laugh.


lundi 4 janvier 2016

Gabrielle — Un film introspectif — 7*/10

Ce film nous immerge tranquillement dans un monde qui nous est peu connu. Tranquille, telle une longue vague au milieu d'un océan, le quotidien des personnages évolue au gré de paisibles courants avec son lot de petits problèmes qui nous semblent anodins si ce n'était du contexte. Bien que la fin soit un peu faible et que le contenu soit un peu maigre, vous serez touché par ces vies menées au jour le jour.

Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt3106846/

samedi 2 janvier 2016

Inception — A superb sci-fi of incredible proportions — 10*/10

  • Scenario: Incredible setting with mind-blowing concepts. This story takes you on a roller-coaster ride of action and mental gymnastics. A perfect ending. A sci-fi master piece by Christopher Nolan.
  • Known actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Tom Berenger, Marion Cotillard, Pete Postlethwaite and Michael Caine.
  • Visual & sound: Absolutely astounding on both counts.
  • Synopsis & informationhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/
  • Who is it for? A must see, unless you truly can't stand sci-fi.