Regarding Henry

My dad suggested I watch it because he also loves it. Henry is a hard working lawyer at the top of his career. His whole life is about work and social status. Then, something happens that changes everything and he must decide who he wants to be after all. The movie has a very simple, but meaningful message about what's really important in life. It's presented in a dramatic way with comical moments thrown in, just as life really plays out. Harrison Ford and Annette Bening are excellent as usual. Mikki Allen plays the daughter, Rachel, in a performance way beyond her years that was just unbelievable. I highly recommend this if you're looking to be inspired or just need a pick-me-up when you're down.

9

The Danish Girl

The story could have been very dramatic and deeply touching, as it is a true story of both the internal conflicts of a man and the deep love of a woman to her partner. Unfortunately the meticulous attention to image rather than screenplay (to me) resulted in a quite cold and un- engaging movie, where beautiful costumes, interiors and landscapes are the only highlights. I found that even the acting of the brilliant young Eddie Redmayne was not that good, as his constant smiles and shy blinking eyes after a while seem to be the only stratagem he has to portray such a complex character (and after the first dozen of them I couldn't stand it anymore). A more sophisticated psychological portrait of the main character and a more dramatic rendition of his/her troubled soul would have given more solidity to a movie which seems too superficial.

6

At Middleton

At Middleton shows what seems to be forgotten in contemporary movie-making: Actors performing the art of acting in front of a camera. There is an incredible chemistry between Andy Garcia and Vera Farmiga, culminating in the scene where they participate in a class led by Mirjana Jokovic.

This is a small movie that has a lot of pleasant surprises...

7.5

Creed

First off let me say that I have been a life long Rocky fan. With that being said I went into this film very cautious as almost the entire cast and crew were brand new. The trailers looked good, but today a good trailer is not necessarily an indicator of a good film. Sylvester Stallone killed it as a much older and more breakable Rocky. Michael B. Jordan's performance was as good if not better than Sly's. I think that from this day forward anytime I see Jordan, I will think of him as Creed and not whatever character he is playing. The story was engrossing and well thought out. The film pays a great amount of respect to the Rocky films while at the same time carving out it's own place in boxing film history. Honestly I have no idea how accessible this film would be to someone who's never seen a Rocky film, but I think the way the story flows it wouldn't be too much of an issue. Again, highly recommended.

8

Star Wars : The Force Awakens

I liked the introduction of new characters as well as reviving the older ones. This creates a huge nostalgia trip and gives you a very familiar setting.

The story is nothing new granted and I can understand avid Star Wars fans who are well versed in the expanded Star Wars universe that maybe disappointed. Having said that as a stand alone film it is far from disappointing and for the younger audience this is a new story.

What we end up with in story terms is a bit of a reboot of a New Hope with slightly different elements. This is not a terrible thing as for older fans its a great nostalgia trip and for newer fans its a great introduction to the Star Wars universe.

I just hope that the following films can find some emotion and spirit that is somewhat lacking in the Force Awakens.

7

Bajirao Mastani

Khamoshi, Black, Guzarish, Devdas and now Bajirao Mastani.

This enigma called Sanjay Leela Bhansali lives only so that he just make films which lives forever. With a stellar cast he unfolds another epic love story, 'Bajirao Mastani', which has been a 12-year long dream said by Sanjay. One of the best Directors of Hindi Films, his vision is big and presentation is a class.

The music of 'Bajirao Mastani' is very pure and quite amazing. Beautiful music, beautiful locations, mind-blowing costume and very energetic. Never saw a beginning of a movie as engaging as Bajirao Mastani. Its an epic film that leaves you wanting for more. I say, you must watch.

8.5

In The Heart Of The Sea

This is the most simple and quick review I can give you about this movie. It's like it moves in slow motion. It's another rehash of a book that has been made into a movie several times each time one more boring and unoriginal then the rest. Why they keep rehashing it I have no idea. The first 30 minutes of the movie can probably be skipped as not much really happens. The last 30 minutes are like pointless dribble. There is a little bit of action from a whale attack and then it's pretty much back to a snooze fest. No special effects can save how boring this movie is. No acting can save how bad the script was.

2

Bridge of Spies

Don't be fooled by the title. Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into when you watch this film. Bridge of Spies is literally about the Cold War Bridge of Spies, where Soviet/US spies were exchanged through negotiations.

Bridge of Spies is really a historical/legal drama. And based on my preliminary research, they seem to be getting most of their facts right. Obviously a little bit embellished for Hollywood's sake, Bridge of Spies does a fine job as a historical docudrama. There is a lot of talking, but it's meaningful talking. At times, the film can be a little slow {opening scene, especially}, but give it a chance and you might enjoy it. I really liked it, and Tom Hanks is on a different level, all the time.

9