hugorocksmy's Reviews

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

6/10

13 February 2015

5.3/10 Fifty Shades of Grey might not be as bad as people wanted it to be, or at least thought it would be. But it sure conveys a pretty bad message and overall feeling. Yes, it might be sexy at times but it was never arousing nor appealing. But instead it gives you this sense of worry for Anastasia-played very well by Dakota Johnson-because she clearly has no identity or self respect, and so it can be somewhat dark and disturbing. Meanwhile, Christian-portrayed blandly by Jamie Dornan-is clearly a control freak that wants to use and control her but it is all extremely sugar coated, that it might even seem as true romance, but it is not for the most part. However, the movie was indeed very well directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson based on its material, and it's cinematography looked very nice as well. Also, the soundtrack of the movie was fairly good, but sometimes too distracting when played in the more erotic scenes. That said, the movie is not as graphic as you might think in my opinion, but still it has its moments of roughness. Moreover, as I mentioned before, the performances were partially good, mainly from Dakota Johnson who gives this awkwardness and lightness to her character in a very dark movie, but it is Jaime Dornan that clearly misses the mark and comes out as more secondary and kind of empty, only depending on his looks and attractiveness. Overall, this is surely one of those movies that people will love to hate, or at least that's how I feel, even though I'm still undecided what to really think, because it has much more than just this masochistic relationship, it's not as simple as black or white, and so that's what really challenges me to really analyze it and see what it is trying to say. Thus, it was entertaining but not quite as shocking, and it might not be the healthiest romance on film but still it has a big impact on today's society and culture, so hopefully it won't influence as much. But still, it is something "fun" and out of the ordinary to experience at the movie theater by yourself, and decide if you like it or not.

~February 12, 2015~

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The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

9/10

Much More Than Okay!

6 June 2014

This was certainly one of my most anticipated movies of the year, simply because I had read the novel and I really liked it. Therefore my expectations were extremely high, and that is always a problem because for most of the times I end up being disappointed to some degree. And so, I did expect something a little bit different, in terms of emotion but the movie was extremely similar to the novel aside from a few changes. Still, I never got to reach that moment were I felt that this was an adaptation of the book I really loved and enjoyed in many levels. It was something I was hoping for, and it never delivered, except for a few crucial scenes. Moreover, the acting was excellent, Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort were spectacular and were the perfect choice for the characters of Hazel and Augustus. But the movie was Shailene's, she owned every scene and was great once again. While Ansel, he was great too in the way he acted and how he expressed himself and his mannerisms, but I didn't like his physical appearance for the character, to me he wasn't Augustus in the outside but only in the inside. But overall they had a very beautiful chemistry and it showed. Also Laura Dern was excellent too. The movie looked very beautiful, the cinematography gave another sense to the whole movie by not looking like another teen love story about cancer, but a real love story about real people. Furthermore, the ending was something that I knew was coming and that would give me chills, and it was everything I knew it would be. It was extremely emotional and just perfect. Therefore, this was a very good movie, that even though was just like the book, to me it lacked some of the pathos that really made the book very special, but maybe that was just because I knew it was coming. But still, its a very beautiful romantic movie that should please many fans of the book and also those who haven't, that will end up falling in love with Hazel and Augustus. ~June 5, 2014~

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X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

8/10

One of the Best X-Men Movies, But Overwhelming...

29 May 2014

Warning: Spoilers

X-Men: Days of Future Past is probably is the perfect movie for all the fans of the comics and the movies, but if you don't know much you'll either be lost sometimes or just start fresh with this movie -and I am one of the those who got lost, even though I have some previous knowledge from the franchise- because a lot happens, and changes everything from some of the previous X-Men movies. Therefore, my only problem with the movie was that everything happened so fast, that it almost felt as if nothing had happened. And that to me felt like a problem, because after the movie ended I still was trying to figure out what had happened and how it all affected and changed the timeline from the previous X-Men Movies. Also, I was trying to put the pieces together, but after I did some research and reading, it appears that there wasn't much to notice just that everything was back to normal, and maybe it was just me that felt like I had to pay extreme attention to every detail. Thus, I really liked all the action -which was a lot- and all the visual effects, which personally weren't as great as I hoped for, but for the most part they were really good. Moreover, the acting was also very good, and even though I enjoyed more watching all the originals X-Men instead of the ones from the First Class, which sadly weren't that much on-screen, it was still pretty cool to see both timelines intersect and happen subsequently. That being said, because there was too many characters sometimes it felt like there wasn't enough focus on some of them (Original X-Men members), because it felt like everything happened around the Wolverine and everyone else took second and third place. [**SPOILERS AHEAD**] And so, I would like to mention that the last sequence where everything is back to normal was what I was waiting for all this time, and just to see everything back to normal and everyone together felt right and just they way it should stay, and hopefully continue from there instead and continuing with the past and their younger-selfs. There is a scene after the end of all the credits which shows the future villain of the sequel X-Men: Apocalypse. Although it may be a brief one, it's quite interesting and different.

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Enemy (2013)

8/10

That Ending..!

28 May 2014

This is one of the strangest and more head-scratching movies I've seen, mostly because of the ending. This said, it's one of the most disturbing and shocking endings I've seen in a movie, but somehow made the movie better. Because even though I agree with the review from the Hollywood Reporter, that the movie set itself to failure, I think that was because of the route it was taking and by being frustrating and without any direction or explanation. But thankfully, in the last scenes it managed to capture my attention more than ever and simply twist the whole story in many different ways that it wasn't enable to to do in the whole first 3/4 of the movie. Also, the acting was really good, I did really believe in Jake Gyllenhaal performances as both or should I say one, I really don't know, but also Mélanie Laurent and Sarah Gadon were great. That being said, at first I wasn't sure if I was liking the movie because of how the story was unfolding, but because of the last 10 minutes or so, it changed my perspective and it intrigued me more than ever. Therefore, as a result of the ending, because I know that it's one I will always have on my mind, this movie was extremely mind-bending and a very complex one.

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Neighbors (I) (2014)

9/10

Surprisingly Great Comedy

9 May 2014

I went very optimistic about this movie, but I ended up liking it and enjoying it very much. It had very good acting and a very good story involving the whole feud between the neighbors. Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne were excellent and extremely funny, while Zac Efron and Dave Franco were good too, but nothing more. It had a very good camera style that added freshness to the whole concept of the movie, and even though there were some jokes that were overplayed and done before, most of the them were pretty laugh-out-loud funny and very well done. Overall it was a very good comedy, and one very original compared to other summer comedies and also one that will make you laugh constantly and repeatedly from beginning until the credits.

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The Double (2013)

9/10

Doble the Twisted

2 May 2014

After watching this movie and reading some insight about the ending, I understood everything more and now I'm sure that I really liked this movie! It had excellent performances from Jesse Eisenberg as both Simon and James, but also Mia Wasikowska was splendid as always. It had a very "unique" story in a way, about individualism and about finding your true self, that was played really well and with a lot of meaning, not only visually but also character-wise. I really liked the script and the whole story, even though at the beginning it was a little slow, it picked up very fast as soon as the doppelgänger appeared on-screen. Also, the style of image was extremely visually appealing and perfect for the movie, it was one of my favorite things about it. Overall, I liked a lot this movie, even more than I thought it would. Because not only has some comedy, but it also has some romance and suspense, it is a very complete film that like many others has it's flaws, but they weren't as important as the final product.

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Oculus (2013)

8/10

Twisted Story with Excellent Performances

1 May 2014

Even though it wasn't as scary or gory, as I wanted it to be. It still managed to creep me out and get on my nerves, with it's very creative and elaborate story and excellent performances from all it's cast. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two younger actors played by Annalise Basso & Garrett Ryan, and the relationship they had as characters, which added a lot of heart and sentiment to the whole story. Moreover, this movie was more a drama with some horror, because it didn't played with the whole scare and gore factors, but instead it was more about the the story behind the mirror and the effect it had with the people that surrounded it. It would be a good idea to make this a franchise because of how extensive its universe could be, as well as how many different stories and characters it could incorporate and continue to haunt, even though it's ending was melodramatic to me, it felt conclusive and eerily heartbreaking. Overall, it was a very good little drama-horror film that goes more farther than you could imagine and think.

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Nymphomaniac: Vol. II (2013)

9/10

Very Good Second Volume

18 April 2014

The second volume to Nymphomaniac was very good too, although not as good as it's predecessor. The acting once again was excellent, and Charlotte Gainsbourg delivered a beautifully complicated and crafted performance. The story started right from where the first volume ended, but this one was missing maybe the surprise factor or the once unknown character development. I did liked that it touched various aspects about her nymphomania, like the ups and downs and moving forward from her sexual discoveries. Also, just her accepting herself and embracing it was a wonderful scene. Moreover, the conclusion to this journey was very gratifying to me, because this was just her telling her story and understanding what her situation was and that she had the control over it.

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The Raid 2 (2014)

10/10

Espectacular Action Movie

11 April 2014

This was one of my most anticipated movies of the year, and therefore I had such high expectations. Therefore I must say, that even though it wasn't what I was expecting, it still was pretty effing amazing! I'm still amazed at how they managed to make all those stunts look so real, and just simple deliver more and more, every time going one step further. Although I still felt like the running time of 2 hr and 30 min, was too long, mostly because of all the plot and new characters being introduced. But once the action started going on one after another, I didn't want the movie to end. I felt like the second half was way better because it was all about the action instead of setting the story and characters. Two new characters that I really enjoyed and hoped they had more on-screen time were the 'Hammer Girl' and the 'Baseball Bat Man' because the way they fought was very new to the movie, as well as extremely refreshing and gritty. But my favorite, hands down was 'Hammer Girl', not only because it was the first female to be incorporated in both The Raid movies, but also because of her skills. I really was expecting her to be more on the movie, or just to have a more important role, but at least when she was on-screen she kicked ass. And finally, the last fight was one of the best I've seen, it kept me on the edge of my seat and it just made a knot out of my nerves. It was extremely well staged and just unbelievably full of adrenaline. Overall, it is one of the best action films I've seen, and even though I'm not quite sure if it's better than the first. I'm 100% that it's nothing less impressive and action packed than the first movie, if not it exceeds it in unbelievably creative action sequences, while the pace of the story is not as great as its prequel. 5/5 Stars

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Stage Fright (I) (2014)

7/10

Good Mix of Horror/Comedy/Musical

5 April 2014

I liked that it reminded to those good old horror movies from the 90's and giving that kind of vibe. But also, the addition of the musical element wasn't bad because it made more fun. However, I still felt like they could've played more with the whole theater/play situation instead of shying away with crowd-full musicals. The deaths were good, and had some very real makeup effects, but as they prefer eased with the story, they kept getting tamer and less over the top. Overall the acting was good, and even though the story and the whole killer reveal wasn't very impressive, it still managed to involve me into the movie and just enjoy it. And finally, I liked how the ending evoked many other horror movies with the mirror scene, by giving it that sense of suspense and horror without feeling too cliché.

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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

10/10

Wonderful Movie

4 April 2014

This was an spectacular getaway of a movie. Masterfully directed by Wes Anderson and beautifully looking, with his unique and branded style. It also had Avery engaging story that featured enough mystery and whimsical comedy to keep you entertained and amused. But more importantly, I really enjoyed the whole narrative and how it incorporated to the movie and revealed itself very gracefully. The acting was excellent as well, led by an exquisite performance from Ralph Fiennes and newcomer Tony Revolori, but also from all its main cast (F. Murray Abraham, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan, etc.) who was very vast and that were splendid in every bit of scene, even the most minimal ones, they were simply gems of the whole movie. This is one of those movies that not only is it visual but the whole package from beginning to end, and even during the end credits, you get to enjoy. Overall, this was a wonderful movie that surely its and addition to cult classic movies and to Wes Anderson's repertoire.

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Bad Words (2013)

8/10

Great Unconventional Comedy

29 March 2014

BAD WORDS: This was very funny and different to any other movie I've seen of this genre. It featured a great cast, and some very funny one-liners, as well as some great sequences with Jason Bateman and young actor Rohan Chand. This was an excellent first directed movie from Jason Bateman, who proved to have great potential making movies. Because not only is a very raunchy and not very ordinary comedy, but it also has a very important and meaningful back-story, that not only does it make you laugh but it makes you reflect and think about it. And even though it's main character played by Bateman, was very dislikable and a douche, he proved to be someone that had his reasons and this was just a way of entertainment in the most terrible ways, but nonetheless extremely funny!

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Divergent (2014)

7/10

Good Start for a Franchise

21 March 2014

Even though this movie wasn't as good as I thought it would be. It was a good start for the franchise. One of the best things about the movie was Shailene Woodley performance, she was excellent as Tris, and you could feel her every emotion in her face but mainly in her big beautiful eyes. And although it wasn't as very well showcased in the beginning, you could see it flowing out of her in the final third act. Moreover, the story felt kind of bland at times and as if it never reached its high point, which sincerely kind of came in the end multiple times, which led the ending to miss great opportunities to end ambiguously exciting. Therefore, it had an interesting premise, that can eventually become more interesting as the movies progress, but meanwhile this movie covered what probably any other franchise would've done in one. This never felt as good as Twilight or even The Hunger Games, and it might need to work more with its characters, because I found it hard to relate to any of them, but it isn't that far behind of any of the previous movies.

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Nymphomaniac: Vol. I (2013)

10/10

Excellent Movie

8 March 2014

Excellent movie, that never felt boring or silly. But instead very entertaining and with an excellent pace. It was better than I expected, and instead of being shocking, it felt more of a character study being told in a very artistic and delicate way. It had excellent performances from Stacy Martin, as a young Joe, but also it featured a great small role from Uma Thurman, who simply killed it with her performance. Also Charlotte Gainsbourg was very good, but her on screen time wasn't as much as I thought it would be. Once again, the direction and cinematography from Lars von Trier were outstanding and just made it flow beautifully. As well as the script that was very clever and just an excellent original story that was played in a very ordinary way without feeling to exploitive or unnecessary. It is another example of how some films can be great examples of what art is, and how a storytelling should be. It was just a great story and another great movie from Lars von Trier.

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Big Bad Wolves (2013)

9/10

Excellent Thriller

22 February 2014

I was very surprised at how good and nerve-wrecking this movie was, as well as twisted. I had previously seen many publications about the movie, but always thought it was more of a comedy, but I'm glad I watched it because it was great. It had a very good combination of dark humor and gore. It kept me entertained and on the edge of my sit through most of the movie, and about those last minutes of the movie, you have to see them to be surprised and get chills down your spine. It's one of the best surprises I've had in a movie this year because its way better than what you expect. With great acting, script and even the music, it adds a lot of tension until it comes to an end. Awesome thriller and study of how you can't never fight evil with evil.

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Cabin Fever: Patient Zero (2014)

5/10

Half Good :/

15 February 2014

It started out very well, and it seemed like it would be an improvement over the second movie. But as soon as it was half through the movie, it all started going downhill. The whole setting of how the virus started wasn't that great, and the whole overall story felt very dull and very bad. The only good thing were more technical features of the movie. Like all the make-up effects, which were great for this type of movie. Also, the quality of the movie and cinematography was way better compared to other movies like this. And finally, the acting wasn't that bad from the majority of the actors. So overall, the first half of the movie was building very well, but the second half was very disappointing and just not good story wise. At least I felt like it was a little better than the second one, although I don't remember that of much of the movie. Let's see if the fourth and last movie, Cabin Fever: Outbreak, will be an improvement or continue its downhill battle.

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Nurse (2013)

7/10

Bloody Good!

8 February 2014

Warning: Spoilers

Very comical and bloody. It had a very fun time watching this movie, with all its dark humor, over the top gore and nonsensical dialogue and situations. And even though it was filled of clichés and obvious plot, even to the point were it was stupid and silly B-movie type. It still managed to be sneaky and suspenseful. But mainly it was Paz de la Huerta who was the baddest nurse I've seen in a horror movie. She was very seducing and plain crazy, but added that extra something to her character that made it more "believable" and it actually made me root for her because she was exciting and fun to watch. It also featured some familiar actors in small roles, and that for me was cool. But I was disappointed with Katrina Bowden performance, because she seemed very weak in her acting skills in most of her scenes. Therefore, this was one of the craziest movie experience so far, very satirical, funny and not take seriously in any sense. And hopefully there will be of the Nurse in the near future.

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Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013)

10/10

Best Love Story

8 February 2014

I was really excited about this movie. It's been one of those that I was the most excited, and I finally got to do it. And it was just a beautiful piece of cinema. And even though it wasn't as I thought it would be, it still manage to kept my attention throughout and to get involve in Adèle's life. The acting was excellent, it had many ups and downs and a lot of emotion. I can only imagine how hard and dark it had to be for the actresses. Adèle Exarchopoulos was just perfect in the role of Adèle, and just how she managed to play her and be her in every possible way. It's one of those performances that feel so natural and raw. While Léa Seydoux, who was more intriguing and daring was excellent too, mostly in the break-up scene were you can see all that rawness and mixture of emotions on her. The direction was also very good, and also very natural. Because the acting and the characters are the ones that make you not look away and just concentrate on them all the time. And even though most of the scenes were longer than they would necessarily be, most of the time they felt very natural and necessary because of the type of story it was telling. Because you want to get involve with these characters in every possible way, and spend every second of their life learning their experiences and tragedies. It's one of the most heart-warming and breaking movies I've seen this year, but also one of the best ones and possibly one that will become a favorite of mine. I wouldn't mind watching it again, and get lost in the characters once more. And although it had some very intense love scenes, they were just an expression of the true love and rawness the characters were expressing. Overall, excellent movie about love and life in the most passionate and natural ways.

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Vampire Academy (2014)

8/10

Very Fun Movie!

7 February 2014

I had a lot of fun watching this movie, and even though it wasn't as much as I hoped, it was good enough. This movie is one that you're not supposed to take seriously, just the way the movie doesn't take itself. I was very surprised and amazed by Zoe Deutch, she was great and added an extra excitement to the movie. And even though the story was sometimes hard to understand because I haven't read the books and everything was half explained very quickly, it also it had a lot of clichés. It still was entertaining with its tongue- n-cheek dialogue, its characters and the pop culture references. And although it wasn't in the level of Mean Girls- because they share the same director- it still managed to look good but it had some issues with the editing and quality of some scenes. This movie wasn't near perfection, but it wasn't about that. Hopefully they'll make a sequel, because even though the endings wasn't as exciting to set the excitement or expectations. I still want to know more about the characters and just be around them, because they have that touch of fresh air and charisma that many other characters in other teenage movies lack. Just remember that you don't have to take it seriously and just go with it, because in the end it's all about having fun and enjoying.

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