"Lucy" (2014)

Synopsis:
A woman is captured and drugged and becomes a warrior evolved beyond logic.

Review:
First, let me start off by saying that this is one of the most twisted films that I have ever seen, but I think I really enjoyed it. I'm not going to spoil anything but it starts off as just another action thriller, then it's a scientific movie, and then it's a straight up bizarre acid trip.

For the most part, this was a very neat film. It's very creative and original, and also thought provoking. The story is very interesting, the action scenes are very neat and intense, the cinematography is great, the visuals are very stylish, and it leaves you thinking. I think this puts both "Transcendence" to shame. One negative thing about this film is that I felt that the last part was a bit rushed.

Overall, I really enjoyed Lucy, and I highly recommend it to those who are into science fiction and those who are looking for something bizarre. Just don't go into it expecting a straight forward action flick or everything to make sense.

In the end, I'll say "Lucy" is a very enjoyable and creative science fiction mind bender that should be able to satisfy big sci-fi fans.

Max Scale:
9/10

"Chappie" (2015)

Synopsis:
Chappie is a robot programmed with artificial intelligence who must fight for survival against the forces that plot to take him down.

Review:
I saw this film on opening night and honestly, I enjoyed every bit of it. It was a great combination of
RoboCop (original) and The Iron Giant, though it was more of it's own thing. It was very fun, had likeable characters, funny, violent, intense, heartfelt and emotional.

I actually cared for the robot. Like it's a scary robot but has the mind of a child, and is step by step learning about the world, and I think they captured that very well.

One thing that bugged me is that it felt a tad longer than it needed to be. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Do not let it's appearance fool you. This is not a kids movie. It has brutal violence and F-bombs, and it involves the robot being used for crime purposes. In other words, it's rated R for a reason.

I saw this as a dark and violent sci-fi fairy tale with a powerful message and I think critics were a bit hard on it. Also, I think it puts Spielberg's "A.I." to shame in which going into detail may spoil it.

Overall, I loved Chappie and I highly recommend it to anyone who is into sci-fi. Neill Blomkamp still has it in him.

In the end, I'll say "Chappie", while not Blomkamp's best work, is quite an impressive science fiction fairy tale that should entertain anyone who is into the genre and who is a child at heart.

Go see it

Max Scale:
9/10

"Gone Girl" (2014)

Synopsis:
A married man wakes up one day and finds out that his wife went missing. He goes on an investigation to find out the mystery of his missing wife.

Review:
I really enjoyed this film a lot more than I thought I would.

The story is very interesting and intriguing. I'm not going to give anything away but in the first act, it's just another mystery thriller, but still had me interested and held my attention. After that, it totally went a direction that I did not expect.

The acting is actually quite great. I am not a Ben Affleck fan but I thought he was very good in this, and I think this just might be the best film to feature him. I also really liked Rosamund Pike in this as well.

The direction was great. It really sets the tone and it's intense and downright crazy. It's also very beautifully shot. David Fincher has done it again.

One thing that bugged me though, is that it felt a tad longer than it should. O

verall, I found this film to be quite brilliant and I highly recommend it to those who are into psychological thrillers and/or are in the mood for a mystery.

In the end, I'll say "Gone Girl", while not Fincher's best film, is still quite an impressive psychological thriller that should be able to satisfy fans.

Max Scale:
9/10

"John Wick" (2014)

Synopsis:
John Wick, a former hitman, comes out of retirement to seek revenge against a group of gangsters that took everything from him.

Review:
This movie is just awesome. I really liked Keanu reeves in this. In fact, I think this just might be the best film to feature Keanu.

The story, while being your average revenge flick, is quite engaging. Our protagonist is a good and nice guy but he is someone who you do not want to mess with.

The cinematography is very beautifully shot and the action sequences are very neat, stylistic and intense. The dialogue is quite memorable, and during the foreign dialogue, the subtitles appear in a neat way. There is not a single moment where I was bored or uninterested. It really had me at the edge of my seat. I am not going to spoil the ending but it left me open for more.

Overall, I really enjoyed the crap out of this film and I highly recommend it to those who are into action flicks.

In the end, I'll say "John Wick" is a cult classic in the making, and hopefully a franchise starter.

Max Scale:
10/10

"McFarland, USA" (2015)

Synopsis:
McFarland, USA is based on the true story of Jim White, a high school coach who, in 1987, taught a cross country team and made them championship contenders.

Review:
I really enjoyed this film a lot more than I thought I would. It's very emotional, heartfelt, well acted and quite comical. I liked Kevin Costner as Jim White. I liked the way the team was portrayed.

For a biographical film that has a bit of comedy, I think the jokes here actually worked. I think the jokes here actually worked. For instance, there is this one scene where Jim and his family eat at this Mexican restaurant and he asks the register if they have any burgers.

I'm not going to spoil anything but the final scene was excellent.

Overall, I thought it was a very good feel good sports drama and quite better than Million Dollar Arm.

In the end, I'll say "McFarland, USA" is by far the most impressive Disney sports biopic to date.

I highly recommend this film. Go see it!

Max Scale:
9/10