Reviews by Reno

I read comics and manga only that published in the newspapers and weekly magazine, other than that I am not into the comic books. So I must admit that I never heard before 'Guardians of the Galaxy' till this project start to commence. That means I had no expectations, I mean the expectation was nil. Especially after seeing the trailers and teasers I was totally repelled away to see strange characters like a tree, raccoon and other colorful skin tone human like creatures. Frankly, I thought it would end up badly as 'Green Lantern' did. I discarded my negative thoughts and decided to go after all I am a movie fanatic and that's what I do. I can say all these things were in my advantage when I went to sit in the cinema hall like an empty minded. The opening credits began to roll, me too slowly started to dissolve with the movie. It was not even 5 minutes passed, but I was into it and can you believe that I forgot to have a bite the junk food I purchased. In the end, I was very impressed like never before and how much? That's what I am going to explain in the below paragraphs.

I am Groot.

First, I never heard this director, kind of new in town (to me). When I checked his filmography on the movie database I came to know that I loved his movie 'Super' which was just like the movie 'Defendor'. What a breakthrough he got from this movie to enter into the big director's league list. It is a dream come true. He's also going to make a sequel for this as well and that is the real test to prove he's not just lucky to get away with this movie. Because many has predicted it won't stand tall in the box office. But what I witnessed was exactly opposite. The responsibility has become so heavier.

Secondly, its a another 3M or MMM. Don't get confused, I was saying Marvel's Marvelous Magic. Other side Disney and Pixer are battling each others in animation field to dominate. In superhero themes, is there anyone to challenge Marvel? It is like one man's pride walk on the streets of Hollywood. Recently I said in the 'Need for Speed' review that EA joined something like the same, but a unique league to transform their games into the feature films. Whatever they do, it is our gain for sure. It was Marvel's sixth movie series from 'comic-to-movie' conversion, after Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, including The Avengers. Remember 'Ant-Man' is in due early next years.


A story of a boy called Peter Quill, who was taken away from his home planet, Earth by the space pirates. 20 years later he becomes a skilled thief and calls himself Star-lord. As usual in one of his missions he meets some strange guys who are after the orb he stole from an isolated planet. Soon he realizes it is a bigger issue once he come to know what does orb do. Unexpectedly a five member team forms that includes him Quill the thief, Gamora as the assassin, Drax the destroyer, Rocket the genetically engineer-cum-bounty hunter and Groot the tree. They decide to work towards one purpose, but the thing is they are mismatched in everyway. That leads each others to get misunderstand, misuse and failures, in one word to say the losers. After the series of screw-up how they unite against the strongest villain in the galaxy Ronan was told before it wraps up with a grand final fight.

Yeah, I know the story was very simple. Men after the object that gives the power and strength is what's commonly known theme nowadays. But the beautiful cast and performances, including astonishing visuals will definitely change the viewer's perspective. It is going to be a game changer for the Chris Pratt's career. Congratulations to him to made his role unbelievably awesome. Now onwards its only look forward. Like always Zoe Saldana had been excellent and sexy under the alien skin avatar. If Andy Serkis is the master of motion-capture then Zoe is kind of a female version of him. Vin Diesel had the least display of all the lead characters, especially with his one and only dialogue that repeats all the time. It was so fun for the first time watch and hope it will remain same for repeat viewings. The character Rocket was another impressive, voice rendered by Bradley Cooper. Me too, to call him a raccoon kind of feel it is a racism remark. LOL. Definitely it is one of the top in the list of non-human or graphical character in a live-shot movie appearance. I think it was one of the biggest role ever Dave Bautista did. He was equally great to all the above, I stated. The cast was really a big, only those I mentioned in the above lines were having major portions in this installment. So expecting the others' time will come in the follow-up movies.

We are the bunch of jackass
standing in the circle.

Like I said the story was not the problem here because it was presented with plenty of fresh humor. Don't expect it like a serious movie with a serious mission that takes place travelling all around the galaxy in a spaceship. Especially it was far better than 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. It is what stands in the line after the movies 'Star Wars', 'Star Trek', 'Riddick' et cetera but filled with lots of fun. There was a scene in the end that comes before the credits, just for the fun and the post credit scene was resembled to what 'Pacific Rim' had one about a character who collects stuffs.

The visuals were very pleasing, it goes straight to the list of mine 'stunning digital 3D movies'. It got many long focus shots with sometime aerial views which give opportunity for the viewers to enjoy the inside deep depth. And the close-up shots with a very few pop-outs. So I am saying this movie is a must watch in the digital 3D version. Regarding picture rating, it was a PG13, but got some 'f' and 'a' and 'b' words. I feel kind of okay for children, but not sure. Overall, it was a great first movie in the franchise, that concentrated only the adventures which presented in a good pace. It also had a few minor flaws and leaves questions about the things that are not explained like Nova corps, the boy's background, especially about his parents and all. So expecting the sequel would cover up those. Hope it hits before 2017. In the meantime, don't miss this movie if you have not seen yet, who knows it could be a movie of the season and mean it is.

An independently produced from both the countries, Phillipines and United Kingdom which was selected to represent Britain at the 2013 Oscars. This crime-thriller is about a family's struggle and involvement in a crime affair. From the director of 'Cashback' another excellent and a different movie. When the movie 'Where God Left His Shoes' meets 'Armored', the 'Metro Manila' forms. But in a better way in every minute detail. With the beautiful dialogues and the performances the story makes you wonder how long it can drag. The value of sacrifice for the sake of the family's survive strikes with the unexpected twist.

A farmer family who failed to harvest in large quantity gets a little value for what they got in the hands. The savings are not enough to invest for the next season. So the whole family, father, mother and two children decide to travel to the capital city to earn money. They struggle to get a place to stay in the threatening Manila city where it is crowded, polluted and illegal activities are soaring high. Being a farmer family, they are the easiest target to get cheated. Both the parents get a decent job till they come to know the reason behind their recruitment. And what comes after is the family's only chance to put a full stop for all the struggles for once.

You have more chances of seeing an alien
than winning the lotto.

You know what impressed me in this movie, the reality. Everything I saw was like a documentary movie till the last quarter. In the last few minutes I realized that I am watching a movie. That is only because of the awesome twist and turn to end the story on a high note. From beginning to the end the narration was precisely defined about the life in Manila city, especially in the category of below poverty line. The honest was convinced me and so the great end with a line: I too want to save my family, but my plan was never based on a dream. One of the best dramas based on the innocent family. It won't try to convince you with the family sentiments, but stays true and unveils the brutality of the metro city which apply same proportion for any other metros in the world. A rare gem and won't be wrong to say it is a must see.

Much better than the first movie, I mean a lot seriously. Many people liked the first, but I was not because it was not my type. There was no story in it, but a game style of presentation which focused mainly on stunts and I had seen better than that. For a sequel to that, I mean this movie was no chance to complain about in any level. The story, stunts, performances, direction all were top notch and easily can surpass to grab the title for 'this year's best martial art/stunt movie'. I had no expectations before a watch and after a watch got so excited for having it.

After completing somewhat a successful rescue mission that took place in a tenement run by a ruthless gangster, now Rama is assigned to a new undercover operation. Temporarily says goodbye to his regular life and to his wife. To get in a position it takes months of hard work and he successfully makes into one of the members of the gang that he's after. Soon the ideas vary like to initiate new techniques to rule the underworld makes crack within the mob family. So the clash happens randomly to take over the top position from one another. In between the cop's role and the final stand brings the result to this story with plenty of awesome stunt sequences.



Worth to spend our time for this 150 minute long movie, especially if you are the greatest fan of the mixed martial arts then you got a solid reason to go for this. For every 10-15 minutes there is one stunt sequence, all I can say is it was very well patterned in a decent story. Yes, the story was not a brand new, it was what we have already seen many times in the Japanese Yakuza, Hollywood, European et cetera undercover cop stories. But to see the new cast from the new region of the earth's surface it was fantastic. I have not seen many Indonesian movies, so probably this could be the best movies from there to the international standards. This country should take cues from this movie to make consistent from now on like what Tony Jaa's movies did for Thai movies.

We may be after the same thing...
...But I'm not going to follow the path as you to get there.

Regarding the undercover cop theme, the lead character Rama was not the superior, but individually, many characters had produced incredible equality by exhibiting breathtaking stunt skills. Truly to say Rama vanishes in between all these guys. He's used only for the opening and the end portions, that's it. So that means this movie is beyond his presence that will definitely surprise the viewers. The gore was very strong, focused too deep details like ripping skin, breaking bones, smashing heads, hammering. Definitely there is going to be another sequel and my expectations rose high for that. There should be no 'I missed it' or 'not seen yet' in the mouths of movie fanatics because it is a must see.

Usually everyone knows what it's about after reading the title, but the thing is how much it will surprise us with newly initiated contents like visuals, story alteration, performance and finally 3D. There are many versions of 'Noah's Ark' story including animations. So I expected it wouldn't work as a full-length feature film, Especially in live-shot version. But got a good response by performing decently everywhere. A perfect way to say about the movie is it was an ancient version of the movie '2012'. No science involved, only fantasies. Remember the character Noah was not exactly a good guy either bad in this story. He was portrayed in such a dark and complicated personality who take the responsibility that was given to him by the creator.

After witnessing his father's murder, now Noah is a grown up lives with his wife and three children along with one adopted daughter. One night he dreams with the unclear visuals. The next day he visits his grandfather to know more what the dream is about. Then he comes to know the message and prepare to face it. In between, a war commence waged by a king to save humanity. Who wins, who loose and how it all happens comes later with a few brutal incidents.

I like this director's 'The Wrestler' and 'Black Swan' than his other movies which were a massive hit. I expected this particular story could be more realistic manner, but I was wrong and it was a fairy-tale kind of approach made for grown ups. Why it suits only for adults? Because so many elements were too rude, especially inclusion of all the intense violences were not in favor of children to view. Other than that there's no nudity or sex scenes. All this is because of Noah was exhibited in such a strange shade. That end scene where Noah was drunk I can't even believe it. In the last half an hour Russell Crowe's role turns into what he did in 'Les Misérables' versus Emma Watson (Hermione, who was defenseless).

The rain has stopped but the creator has not smiled.

This is the story that must inspire the viewers, though it won't do that. One thing it did right was it was completely a different. Awesome visuals and really I enjoyed watching it in digital 3D. The cast was not bad at all, as being in a main role Russell Crowe had large portion and others were just into it to show their presence. Overall, I feel it was taken as a challenge by the filmmaker, but a well done work, definitely not offensive, maybe slightly regarding religious perspective. Entertainment wise, it was a better movie, especially for a film adaptation. In my opinion, I believe it is okay to see at once.

Unknown cast and crew, probably could have gone unnoticed if it was not attended film festivals. Todays Sci-fi and Fantasy cinema world 'revenge movies' are the most rare. In those, all are not impressive, but now and then a movie like this would do. I am glad I saw this. It was simply a revenge movie that how it looks when horses and desert landscapes were trimmed out of the western genre and of course that set in a modern era.

Dwight is a homeless who lives in a car. One day he gets a message that the man who murdered his parents is to be out soon from prison. All these years filled with vengeance inside looking for this day finally arrives. He marks his target and goes after it by not thinking of the consequences of it. So the hunting game begins striking one after another shedding bloods between these two foe family. Takes turns and twists before it concludes.

I'd forgive you if you were crazy, but you're not. You're weak.

Revenge movie is not a man go and shoot all his enemies down. I saw in this movie the lead character Dwight was eager to avenge his parents' death, but fear in the eyes, trembling hands and amateur killing instinct, totally a realistic appeal. Indeed an excellent performance by the lead man. A simple story, but awesomely developed with every scene. Almost a masterpiece work of this director that quite reflects the Coen brothers style of filmmaking.

The word 'revenge' needs an explanation why it's taking place and here it won't bother to describe in a flashback, but makes sure that you get the reason behind it. It is kind of tricky to understand, it might be either make-up or graphics, but all those wounds, gunshots and bloodsheds were looked surreal. Kind of running and chasing type of tension movie, whenever those crucial clash happens, it pulls us to our seat's edge. It serves potentially what viewers would expect from this genre. A must see for those who like gore and vengeance themes.

It is not a remake of the '64 movie because of having the same name, but a story based on a novel of the same name. It is about the secret ethical war waged by the militant party against the Nelson Mandela's national party that set in the present South Africa. The theme was kind of true, but not the story which is totally a fictional. The movie talks about the unclassified mission, which is planned to solve the issue by a gang. As a socio-political suspense movie, does it fulfill what we expect? The answer is yes only if you do not desire for much bigger level like 'Bourne' movies.

A young boy Sokhela who witnessed the murder of his father escapes from the scene. After the years later the country is forgotten what happened in the past, the racism is abolished. The 50 year-old Sokhela is now a police officer live with his mother. He is assigned to a recent homicide case. He and his men follow the clue which leads them to a drug dealer, which changes the plan and pace of the movie and appears to be a bigger conspiracy than they had expected. Along with the crucial battle between cops and gangster the movie also focuses to tell the story of the personal lives of the lead characters like marital problem and sexual struggle. Fixing the trouble in a relationship, sacrifice, revenge, all comes in the later parts.

If you want to make peace with your enemies,
work with your enemies. Then they become your partners.

Good to see Orlando Bloom back in such a heavy role. If there is a sequel to it, then he's going to take the lead. I am praying for that because he has done a wonderful job in this movie. Could have anyone performed better than Forest Whitaker in a role he played? I don't think so, he was so incredible like always. A life giver for the characters he plays. Initially like all the detective stories the murder mystery was created enough curiosity about the upcoming events including the opening scene. Carried out well till the halfway, when it reveals so the gun fights takes the lead. The second half was a little stumble, but the pace was its advantage. I felt it was better than the recent Hollywood's cop movies like '3 Days to Kill', 'Shadow Recruit' etc. Overall a decent movie, which mostly favors because it was executed better.

Another direct-on-net release from the director of 'Time of Eve'. A very unique concept that resembles Hollywood's live-action 'Upside Down'. It should not be a reason to you to discard from watching. In fact a lot better than that and completely a different storyline. When I picked to watch it I did not think it will reach beyond my expectation, but it did. And now it becomes one of the top rated by me among a few others from the year 2013. Anime movie fans must not miss it.

Patema, a young girl who lives in the underground tunnels is curious about the outside world which is forbidden to enter. Her father, a pioneer who was disappeared trying to find a bridge between the worlds. One day while exploring on the danger zone she falls into a deep hollow pit. Wake-ups and finds in a strange world where people are upside down and to them she's. Meets someone who she can trust, and he saves her from falling further into the sky. The mystery about the inverted world and what cause it was told while Patema makes her escape while other men try to hunt her down.

The sky eats all sinners.

Initially I laughed because few scenes looked so funny, like a kid walking on the street having a hydrogen balloon in his hand. In the other end the story narration was pretty serious, so I put back my concentration to the movie. Falling in a hole and finding yourself in a different world is what basically inspired from the fairy tale 'Alice in Wonderland'. We could have expected that from Studio Ghibli, but this one was completely a science-fiction and that is what this director is famous for. The concept was not the fresh, the story created around it was. The animation was only a little disappointing in few parts. Art was great and I don't know what is the framerate, but the motion was not smooth, especially in the slow motions. Other than technical aspect, it can be enjoyed by anyone without age limit.

The end twist totally changes the perspective of the story that involved in the earlier. A nice solution, but it will not explain in detail the experiment that caused the world split with two opposite gravity forces. In my opinion, it is fine for not binding it to thoroughly on the science. As it now, everyone can understand it, even the common people. You know everyone can't be intelligent like who are, entertainment is the notion and this movie serves it well. I thought after the legend Miyazaki's retirement, the anime industry may fall behind, but his son and especially this filmmaker looks very promising and a few others I have noticed. We usually see quite a lot animation movies every year, but not that much anime movies. It is limited, so don't miss the opportunity if you get one for this movie.

The movie also known as 'The Golden Dream' is about the central Americans who try to cross the borders of their neighbor country looking for the opportunity to live a better life. From the Spanish filmmaker who is famous for his camera works on Hollywood's big projects carved this movie. This movie was based on the collections of the true information given by the immigrates. Like a documentary style it was told with many heartbreaking incidents.

The story begins with the three youngsters from Guatemala, set a one way voyage by foot to the land of opportunity leaving behind the life of poverty. They need to cross a couple of borders and in a halfway through a new member joins them. One of the longest expedition is the train journey travelling across the Mexico where the series of obstacles are waiting for them. Overcoming from all the dangers to reach the final destination is the remain half.

I feel that everything we will see on the
other side will be full of good.

Most of the movie is about the train journey. Since it was partially inspired by the real events there are some scenes which are hard to digest. It happens just like that, I once went mute for a scene. Half a world still live in a world like this which is not safer. Very realistic narration with the outstanding performances by the young actors given a great product output. It is just like the British movie 'In this World', except set in a different continent. Same youngsters with same notion who were ready to face odds to get a bright future.

For the director it is a fine debut. Looks simple work, but done lots of hard work to capture the images. The majority of the movie was shot in remote places like rail track, villages and jungle like landscapes. It might have not done a good commercial business, though the appreciation from the film festival circuit will boost the filmmaker's confidence for his future projects. The movie is slow and it is silent in most of the parts, but the strength is the powerful contents about the adventure.

If Marvel turns their comic books into the movies and WWE with their men then why not EA. It was co-produced by EA with the other leading production houses. Nice move for the first step and well done overall. I am not into the computer games, but I was playing when I was young and 'NFS Most Wanted' is one of my favorites. No need to say any further that I was looking for this movie.

I thought the story will be borrowed straight from the game and move a level after another to the peak till the end commence. But what I saw was only the 5%, I mean only the introduction with lots of drama than what the title symbolizes. Because it is a business, a smart move by the production house. The idea is to split everything into at least for 4 to 5 movies in the series. Like what the final part of the Harry Potter's 'The Deathly Hallows' and The Twilight's 'Breaking Dawn' did. They are going to do it here from the very beginning, so don't expect like the Himalayas, especially if you are NFS MW freak.



Tobey Marshall, a custom car maker who is behind the loan takes up the street race challenge to make few bucks quick. But the race ends in a tragedy and locked behind the bars for someone's fault. After out of the prison he's raged to avenge. Now he needs a car, the faster one, so the story proceeds with his new adventures which involves cops pursuing him. But he set his mind that to make the real offender to pay for his crime. This road movie, which commence in New York and ends in San Francisco was told grandly.

No offense, but I did not like the lead guy, except him the rest were great. It is not fair to find defect in him to blame, actually he was good, but I expected someone good looking than him or existing young popular star. If you see in other franchises in the middle of the movie series they replacing with industry's giant and I won't surprise if that happens in the future for this. In the game we are the protagonists and to see him in our position I kind of find uncomfortable. Maybe it could have happened same to me if the other guys were in his place. So it is not the lead guy, but he's not anywhere near to me is the issue. Lol.

The racers should race,
cops should eat donuts.

Overall movie is not one breathtaking entertainment. I liked the pieces of the movie, the scenes. There are a few great scenes that give excitement and pleasure. Commonly we see a computer hacker who hangs out with the movie's protagonist to assist in his expertise area. The same guy here was excellent who came up with extraordinary ideas, but not satisfied with what happens to him at the end. I could not believe this young and not-so-popular cast done the wonderful job. I don't know why I liked Imogen Poots a lot who even not had best shot from the movie, hopefully in a sequel she going to expose her physical strength for the stunts.

The first movie in a movie series is always very important & I don't know why they didn't go to complete the action-adventure pack with sufficient pace. To me the story was not pleased enough, but screen presentation with the game like the angle of the camera panning and all promised me to stick with it. There were no locations that are taken from the game except in one scene where the car jumps over the road. If you have played the game will know it what I am saying. The digital 3D was okay. What I learnt from this format is that only graphical movies either animated or live action are awesome to watch. The normal regular live shot movies are totally useless in digital 3D. In this movie the best effects came in those stunt sequences and rest were plain. So digital 3D is not that worth. The car movie that does not look like a where it belongs to. A decent one, hopefully the second movie could be what I am expecting. Better it should come up with something great or the franchise is going to fall in the pit. This movie is exclusively for youngsters & I see no reason for others to take interest on it.

7.5/10

Not so long ago I saw 'Backyard Ashes' and here another Aussie movie about the cricket. It was quite different than that which actually based on the true story of the Australian club team called Abbotsford Anglers. Basically the script was altered to commercialize which originally set in the 2001, in this flick it is the present time. The Anglers travel to subcontinent for a tournament which is labelled as the toughest challenge for any international team in this game. Cricket meets Bollywood, in another way to say CCL meets Big Bash. So colorful movie, you will know from the poster itself. This time it is not strictly for those who know the game because cricket was the part of the story and much more elements in it to enjoy.

Teddy Brown, who is a hardcore cricket fan and as well the little master Sachin Tendulkar's. The interest grown in him since he was a teenager and dreamt to play one day for the national team. Now he's at the late 30s who still believes his dream and inspire by the Tendulkar, who is still playing in his 40. His teammate hints that they are quitting and moving forward in life. But he insists and bring everyone together to tour India for a private tournament. So this trip, which turn into a spiritual journey that make him realize what he's holding has to go and move on in the life.

This is India. We are all Sachin's brothers.

A treat for the movie fanatics who love cricket as well, especially the subcontinent fellows. The movie discloses the Indian colorful culture, defines the system of the life and much more that inspires. Travelling in train and auto-rickshaws, foods, street market shopping, interacting with the people of the nation who are obsessed with the cricket, all these bring joy to watch. The clash between Aussie and Indian accents humors are really the highlight. If someone is not finding a way to blend in to have the nice occasion, then that must be pan-Americans. It is easy to enjoy like everyone else if they give a try. With a little Bollywood touch, it also exposes the musical side and ends with a fine track. The song was good which follows like this: I don't like Cricket. Oh, no! I love it. So far one of the best cricket and cultural exchange movie. Good for both these countries.