20th Century Women — A powerful and uplifting movie about the reality of women — 9*/10

Slow and so well constructed. Extremely interesting. You can't help but smile and root for those women and that boy. Excellent feminist view port. It's emotionally complex, but it's not a downward drag. On the contrary, it's kind of inspiring.

Annette Bening, Elle Fanning and Greta Gerwig.

Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4385888/


You can hear the 98 sec of Jimmy Carter's speech about consumerism that's in the movie here (there's more too after): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-c4WSd2d9M

Hidden Figures — An inspiring historic film about black women in technology — 9*/10

Crisp, well-told story with a good dose of entertainment, especially through the humor, but also through character development and a bit of tension. Highly recommended.

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons and Mahershala Ali.

Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4846340/

Hacksaw Ridge — An amazingly well-told story of World War II — 9*/10

• Overall: Much better than the previews let on. A captivating story from end to end. A superb work by director Mel Gibson.
• Who is it for? Anyone not afraid of violence.
• Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2119532/
• Known actors: Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Vince Vaughn and Sam Worthington.
• Setting: Working class America and one World War II Pacific island battle.
• Style: An inspiring war movie and biography.
• Pacing: Nice and smooth transition from one event to the other, slowly cranking up the heat.
• Intro: It's probably its most grievous weakness. The initial scene is an overused stratagem that is not used to its best here.
• Story: I was riveted. I forgot I was in a theater. Let me be clear, though, all the elements of a cheesy story are there, but they're deconstructed, or maybe I should simply say they were put back together for the benefit of the preview. In a way it's a good thing, because by watching the it, you're not spoiled the really delicious elements. No single things follow the usual script, they're always a wild card or . It's touching, it's gut wrenching, it will make you spill a few tears. It's inspiring.
• Ending: Solid. Worthy of fiction.
• Epilogue: One of the rare occasions where I didn't mind the comparison with the real people.
• Dialogs: Great.
• Characters: Amazing. Great depth and well rendered. Even though the main character is religious, it doesn't turn into a preachy flick. More than that, even though those are American troops, it doesn't turn into a USA rally. It's a personal story. The story of one man dedicated to his principles and the battalion he's in with.
• Acting: Can't ask for more. Near perfect.
• Visuals: Excellent.
• Special Effects: They're good, but there are a number of occasions that you do feel that you are in a studio. Hugo Weaving’s best performance to date. Probably not Vince Vaughn's most convincing, but pretty good.
• Afterthoughts: I wasn't going to see it because it looked preachy and full of clichés. I would have missed a gem.

Me Before You — A great romantic flick — 8*/10

• Story: Sweet, touching, inspiring, interesting, captivating, funny, quirky. When it comes to romance, it has it all, even a touch of realism, if a very small one, within that almost fairy tale.
• Setting: Rich. Very rich.
• Ending: Solid, if you don't take into consideration the epilogue.
• Epilogue: Superfluous. Had to give the average viewer something sweet.
• Dialogs: Witty, interesting.
• Characters: Well built and nicely felt, if somewhat simple.
• Acting: Solid.
• Known actors: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin and Charles Dance.
• Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2674426/
• Entertainment value: Very good.
• Who is it for? Those looking for a romance with a few tears.

Concussion — The talent of Ridley Scott and Will Smith shining — 8*/10

• Story: Only the brilliance of Ridley Scott could possibly make it that interesting. The details are interesting and the technical aspects are done perfectly, but it is by no means thrill ride. There's a limit to what one can do with this story without distorting it.
• Setting: An incredible discovery of major importance for football and any other contact sport.
• Style: Like other historical or biographical flick, this one is simple and without any punch.
• Pacing: Solid.
• Dialogs: Excellent.
• Characters: You really get to know them well and they are well developed.
• Acting: I think this is one of the major reasons for this movie to be this good.
• Known actors: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Paul Reiser and Luke Wilson.
• Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3322364/
• Entertainment value: Very good.
• Who is it for? Scott and Smith fans or those looking for something quiet, yet relevant and are interesting in seeing this case with human faces.

Pride — Funny representation of the meeting of two very different world — 8*/10

• Story: Very interesting, compelling and inspiring. Lots of funny moments as well as a bit of simmering drama that doesn't turn into an enormity.
• Style: Biographical and historical, so, at times, it lacks a bit of punch.
• Ending: Nice, but as anything else based on real events, it kind of sputters out even if there's a bit of surprise.
• Dialogs: Sometimes witty, sometimes funny, but always to the point.
• Characters: Interesting, diverse, well built and nicely fleshed out.
• Acting: Solid.
• Known actors: Bill Nighy.
• Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3169706/
• Entertainment value: Solid.
• Who is it for? Those who like well done historical portrayals with a bit of humor.

Coach Carter — Inspiring basketball story based on true events — 8*/10

• Scenario: All real world sport Cinderella stories look a bit alike and this one doesn't escape that fact. However, it is full of nice details and excellent actors. The pacing is solid, the captivating story is touching and the end is extremely well handled.
• Known actors: Samuel L. Jackson, Rob Brown and Channing Tatum.
• Visual & sound: Very good.
• Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0393162/
• Who is it for? Those in need of an inspiring movie based on real events or those looking for a good sport or basketball story.

Tracks — A mind boggling trek of simple beauty — 9*/10

• Scenario: The story of an impossible journey that forces self understanding by the meticulous survey of limits. Slow, yet captivating, it also pushes the viewer to explore along. This movie surprises and is full of simple details.
• Known actors: Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver.
• Visual & sound: Superb, no question about it.
• Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2167266/
• Who is it for? Those who can appreciate quality at a slow pace.

McFarland — Well made for the genre, but nothing new — 6*/10

• Story: Your basic inspirational biographical sport flick, with a little bit of laughter thrown in.
• Characters: Well done.
• Dialogs: Realistic.
• Scenario: Typical to the genre.
• Actors: Very good work. The notable cast members are Kevin Costner and Maria Bello.
• Photography: Nice.
• Sound: Nice music and score.
• Special effects: None.
• Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2097298/
• Who is it for? Those looking for a biographical flick with an unusual sport.

Wild — A true journey or mind, spirit and body — 8*/10

• Story: Realistic, touching and inspiring. I could see my own hike in it as well as what differed.
• Characters: True depth.
• Dialogs: Realistic, simple, perfect.
• Scenario: Well pieced together, if at time a bit confusing in the beginning.
• Actors: Reese Witherspoon is just right. Solid performance by Laura Dern.
• Photography: Beautiful.
• Special effects: None.
• Synopsis & information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2305051/
• Who is it for? Those looking for something inspiring. Those in need of laughter or action should abstain.

Dead Poets Society - Life must be lived with a clear mind - 10*/10

Dead Poets Society is a coming of age movie about forging your own path, following your own beat, and thinking for yourself. The acting is extremely good, the story very compelling as well as touching, and the strong dramatic tone of the film is nicely, if only slightly, soften by a few well placed laughs. It has all the characteristics of a teen flick, but done in with solid and serious cinematic rigour.

For those who don't mind facing reality straight on.
10*/10

Save the Last Dance — A real touching romance with interesting subjects — 8*/10

Save the Last Dance is a good romantic movie, and even though the characters are teens, the subjects treated apply as much for adults. So, it's not teen-centric. I'd say most guys will find their groove in it. There are beautiful women, hot dancing, and testosterone fueled conflicts. The romance is real, there's no Hollywood tricks, all of this could happen in real life.

The acting is excellent. Julia Stiles really got established in the eyes of a wider audience with this film, and for good reasons. Sean Patrick Thomas is solid. And Kerry Washington seems a natural as Chenille.

The story is touching and very interesting. The scenario doesn't run in a straight line, and it touches lot of subjects. The hip-hop and classical music is great. The dialogs are nice and smooth, realistic. The characters have nice emotional depth to them, some complexities, and good backgrounds.

Quite frankly, I gave only 8* because there are other movies I'd rather watch before this one, but I can't really find anything wrong with it.

If you want to see a simple touching romance that will have men interested to watch, this is for you.

8*/10

The Visitor — Immerse yourself in a slice of a different life — 8*/10

The Visitor is a soft low key movie. Contrary to what one might expect after viewing the preview, it is much less confrontational and much more congenial. It is not contrived or forced. The tale really tells itself, flowing naturally from its source.

Nice scenario, good ideas, and good acting, with a story, emotions, and dialogs that are very realistic. The unconventional characters were a pleasure to discover, and the end is based on reality not on wishes.

I'm not rating it stronger, because it lacks a little bit of strength. It had a positive message, but nothing mind blowing.

A very nice movie to discover if you're not looking for action.

8*/10

What Dreams May Come — Hopelessly utopic romance in a fantastical version of heaven and hell — 8*/10

What Dreams May Come is an incredible take on life after death mixed with the subject of soul mates.

Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Annabella Sciorra all give good performances. The same can be said of Max von Sydow and Rosalind Chao in their more minor roles. The designs and cinematography are powerful and beautiful. The story is captivating and the intrigue well integrated. Overall, it's excellent.

Now, beside some slightly aging CG, the main problem of this picture is that it's pushing two ideas that are detrimental to our life. One, is the concept of soul mates, that love conquers all, which can lead romantics to stay in relationship that are not good for them. Second, is the idea of the perfect life after death, which robs any purpose out of life. However, those are my opinions and do not diminish the quality of the movie.

It's very emotional entertainment. It's a must for romance lovers.

8*/10

Pump Up the Volume — Teenage angst and raising your voice to defy the status quo — 9*/10

Pump Up the Volume might have been the true opening salvo of the 90s, and the voice of Generation X, but it speaks to every teen of every generation.

It is about raising your voice, being heard, but only with the advent of the Internet was its dream fully realized.

This is the type of movie that will make you want to write your own blog, make a video journal, or do a podcast. It has that quality that grip people attention and make them do things worthwhile with their lives.

It's an excellent performance by a young Christian Slater, and the rest of the cast. The whole story, every scene, each dialog, they all ring of authenticity. And the soundtrack is amazing.

It might be getting old, but it doesn't feel like it.

9*/10