Reviews by Reno

French Canadian movie about a young woman with Williams syndrome. It was also the Canada's entry for the 86th American Academy Awards, but it did not find a place in the final nominee list. A great potential tale which speaks about an innocent love story in the cruel world.

22 year-old Gabrielle with Williams syndrome is good at music and one of the leading choirs who are preparing for an event. She comes to know her, fellow choir member Martin and fall in love. But, before the relationship going to be thicken get opposed by their parents. The reason won't convince them, so they decide to prove and that is the story this beautiful movie explores with great intensity.

I think it's great, everything you've done for your sister.
But you have to stop hiding behind her.

This is one of the awesome movie that I saw from the Canada. Unbelievable performances the character Gabrielle and Martin. This movie should have been at the Oscars, but the simplicity of the story might be the reason than the rest of the powerful execution for not making thus far. The real winners are these two lead characters, who made the movie into a splendid piece of art. It makes so sad for not widely noticed, could have been appreciated everywhere if it was a Hollywood product. So what I say is dub this movie and spread it because I don't want movie goer to miss this wonderful flick.

There are many things to learn from it, especially music was another highlight. Both, 'Ordinary' and 'The Passenger' tracks are my favorite. So two more songs to put into my movie song collection, though it was not composed specially for the movie, but I liked it. Anyway, a movie not to be missed if you like the dramas with emotionally appealing concepts.

Based on the true story which resembles 'Bonnie and Clyde'. That's what everyone says and expressing their displeasure over this movie. But it's nothing wrong with a movie to inspire from the true event even it is similar to other stories. In this movie they gave right credit mentioning the notorious criminals couple Bonnie and Clyde. But the reason I went for it is the director of 'City Island' expecting something similar feast and it did not upset me. I absolutely enjoyed it.

A couple who rob shops for a living come clean after spending few years in a correctional facility. Still, they are together and working hard, but not enough earn to pay bills. Meanwhile, the famous ongoing trial of a criminal gang that rocked the States attracts them. So they plan to rob the mob and it stunts both the end, mobs and the cops. Soon the couple becomes the target and how the story resolve is the rest which explained effectively.

Guns and wiseguys is a bad mix.

There's no doubt, this movie is fine, but the only disadvantage is that if you have already saw 'Bonnie and Clyde' then this would interest you less. Both the stories are completely different, but by the couple it is comparable. The lead couples were very good, especially Nina Adrianda and I think I saw best of her. Andy Garcia's show was missing. Being a powerful underworld kingpin, his character won't stand up to the standards of the title. When 'Bonnie and Clyde' meets 'Goodfellas', this is not what we anticipated, instead a crucial clash. In the end, I think it stood true to the real story, that is what all matters. I still feel it is a nice flick to give a try if you like the gangster theme.

7.5/10

The newer version of the '81 movie, which both of them were the adaptation of a book of the same name. This type of story is a kind of outdated, but this movie was updated according to the present time. So there's no doubt on convincing the teenagers and do like it. It was a mini version of the movie 'The Notebook', but everything happens in a very much soon, like in one summer and expands a bit in the last quarter. This movie got all the substance that teen romance theme should have like strong bond, emotions, resistance and a tragic.

I don't know still how many Hollywood is going to make a teen love story about a rich or popular boy and a poor or nerd girl, sometimes vice versa comes together. Recently I saw 'The Spectacular Now' which was not too far from it, but anyway cast and the story varied distinctly. This was the story of David, on his high school graduation day he reveals his crush on a rich geek girl that he waited for this day. The opposite had attracted each other and she finds the same feeling about him in her. Now they got one whole summer in front of them before moving on a different path to higher education or taking a job. Like the father from 'Father of the Bride', the overprotective father oppose the idea. But it only makes the stronger the young relationship. Somehow it has to end when summer is over, so what happens after that is the remaining.

I found what you said inspiring.
And inspiration has been in short supply these days.

The pair was good together, you can call it a fine chemistry. With the decent performances, music and cinematography, it looked a perfect movie to watch with your female (male) companion at the weekends. It was not, wow! sayable kind of movie, if you forget yourself, you will get into the movie's deep. Other than that probably you may not like it if you have already seen the '81 movie. I believe everyone had not seen that, so this movie is for those people.

Gabriella Wilde was so beautiful like I saw her first time in 'The Three Musketers' with that classical European royal house costume. Perhaps a better movie for Alex Pettyfer so far in his career as a lead actor. Except these two, the father character played by Bruce Greenwood was great. Definitely not it is his greatest execution, but one of his for sure that helped the movie to shape well. Overall, the movie might not be close to the earlier version or the book, but certainly not a bad one. Since I have not watched the old and not read the book, I give a go for it for those who are looking romance movies.

7.5/10

The Dutch's submission for 2014 Oscars and it did not find a place in the final five. This Dutch movie got good critical response and mixed from the moviegoer. A strange narration and excellent characters display by the cast make the movie very interesting. A similar movie to the recent ones 'Upstream Color' and 'Enemy'. A movie for grown ups and a hard concept to crack it down. A slightly disturbing which leaves lots of questions behind than answering it. You should choose carefully this movie to watch. If you know what this movie is all about then there won't be an issue when you begin to watch it.

This is not your regular entertainer, it is what people sometimes call an art movie. You need to be a little smarter in order to understand the movie with presentation like this. Because the movie won't conclude by saying its purpose, instead you should yourself decode it otherwise you will miss something hidden within and blame for the wasting time. This is the story of a mystery man Camiel Borgman and his gang who finds a place in a rich family house. Slowly conquer whole family by possessing and corrupting their minds. The gang is aware of what they are doing and what should be done like some secret mission of the secret organization. So how far it takes to accomplish and what are all methods used is the story that unfolds.

I am scared. It appeared suddenly.
I've been marked.

Other movies leave pretty wide clues of what it was dealing, but this one it is a tough to make a guess. What I got was the good versus the evil theme. What if the negative forces like ghosts and demons are not scarier ones like we have believed, but lives among us as one possessing and terrorizing the human. The opening scene was fairly convinced me to believe this way when a bunch of priest tried to hunt down the evils by digging their graves out. So they left no choice, but leave the place behind and find a new home to save themselves and their kind. That is how Camiel Borgman make to a rich house. Entering into their minds, psychologically affecting the characters and bringing chaos to fight each others.

Yeah, it won't look like any horror movie with scary pictures and sudden loud noises, but everything was told in a realistic manner. You would also find a werewolf kind of concept as well. Characters turning into a slimy dog (don't expect the computer graphical tricks because there is none) which won't exactly explains, but I assumed that way. Usually demons need an invitation, a scene in the movie explains it when a bunch of them try to enter the house as a gardener, but denied until Camiel Borgman makes it. I am not made for a movie like this, but sometimes I enjoy them and this movie looked better than what I had in my mind about it. Expected a little better in a few areas and wanted to like it. Still, I was not fully convinced, but somehow managed to like the movie.

This comedy-drama about the Mexican family living in America talks about a girl who wants to be an adult in a short period of time. With the usual teen comedy, the story goes all around showcasing a girlie side of mischievous behavior. This was not a great teen movie, but acceptable. It's just letting us know what happen when teens are not supervised carefully by their parents. Clearly to say, it briefs the differences between maturity and the word opposite to that.

A struggling poor family of mother-daughter's life is not getting better, instead becomes worse everyday. Grace (Eva Mendis) has been busy all day between her two jobs and a relationship with a married which put her daughter, Annsiedad in a negligence state. Since Annsiedad's mother is not giving any attention towards her, she grows a rebellious character within. One day she decides to become an adult by discarding all the childish character in her once she had experienced them all. So she makes a list to encounter 'coming-of-age' and leave behind her childhood. The plan won't end, according to she arranged. Takes a diverted path and the conclusion of the story is what delivers a message for parents who is so careless of their children.

So now I'm free to fly. And I hop on a bus to adult-ville.
My coming of age story is complete. Roll end credits.
Bring up the house light. I am not a kid anymore.

The whole first half was like a silly teen movie with usual narration and there is nothing special about it to highlight. The humors that is not really funny kind of stuffs. Maybe we get used to it for seeing in every teen movie. The last quarter is what makes the sense, a lesson is to learn from it, for that you have to watch the whole movie. Teens want everything to be done so quickly, slow and steady is not meant for them. In such a concept this movie happens which reminds a proverb 'Rome was not built in a day'. The casting was good, both, the mother character played by Eva Mendis and her daughter's was shelved very well. After seeing a fair end scene I thought the script should have had a little stronger in the initial portions to balance its overall strength. Anyway, an average movie, but can be enjoyed if you are not too serious about what you want to watch.

This movie was based on the life of an Italy born Belgian singer Rocco Granata. It briefs the story of his childhood to becoming an adult. His struggles being a foreigner and limited usage sources in the relocated place were told awesomely, but leaves sympathy with us. The first thing I wanted to clarify everyone is that the movie poster is misleading which gives the impression of the movies like 'Nymphomaniac' and 'Blue is the Warmest Color'. I saw this movie, so I am saying it was a very inspiring story about a hard working father and a music passion son. A very much family type movie, though there were a couple of sex scenes which is not exactly a distracting one. If you leave behind those, it is a great biographical movie for sure, and for tearjerkers



Poor little Italian family dreams to become a rich, for that the father decides to go Belgium to work in a coal mine for three years. Soon after the rest of the family, mother, son and daughter follows him to the north. But it is different than they all assumed, being a family of a mine worker and the foreigner, the society treats them as the illegal immigrants. Now this family is trapped within the boundary of limitation for everything. The father works so hard and extends his contract. But his son is so playful who is passionate about the accordion. After children become the adults, the life turns very hard with the small earnings. Will they get a chance to rise and stand tall from all the odds was told in the remain.

Romance, drama, music, sentiments, everything is there in the movie. The romance was so cute, but a very little and conclusion of this sub-theme was so painful. The drama that narrates the family's struggle over providing a better life for their children was remarkably displayed. Musics were so good, sadly I did not understand the meaning of the songs. Especially the title song was really good, now I am listening this track so often. It waited for the right time to bring all the emotions in at one point, where the turning point in the tale makes the way.

We are all passion in life. But sometimes
it's life that decides what we can do.

The father's performance captured my attention and so the Rocco. Others as well very impressive, especially Rocco's girlfriend given a solid performance with the great expressions. Now that is how a teenage love looks like, in the old days. The end was good, they told what Rocco did afterwards, but did not say what happens to the love life. I am so eager to know that. Beside that there is no complaint anything about the movie. If you are looking for an entertainment as well as inspiration, this movie will provide those so don't miss this. That means I recommend you this.

9.5/10

This movie was inspired by the true story of an Australian woman called Robyn Davidson. Her nine month journey with the company of four camels and her dog to crossing the Australian desert was told superbly. The earlier attempt to turn Robyn's memoir into a movie was unsuccessful, till now. It was a similar theme to the movie 'Into the Wild' and you must go for it if you liked that movie. But it is only the 50% of that, maybe, because of how it begins, proceed and ends. I mean no development in the earlier story and don't know what happens afterwards, but everything told was particular mission.

What an amazing movie, it kind of reminds the another Australian movie 'Last Ride'. Travelling across the Australian plateau, wow, simply breathtaking. In a movie everything are covered within the timeframe. That is why few movies fail to bring the real occurrence on the screen. This movie has the same issue like, feels everything happened so fast. But gives what we wanted to know, Robyn's daring challenge since her father was disappeared in a similar quest when she was a little girl. So she tries to fulfill her father's dream. Between that this story also recalls her childhood memories when her mother died and had a hard time while parting from a beloved pet dog.

Australia has the largest feral camel population in the world.
I just needed three of them.

This is the best performance by Mia Wasikowska I have seen since 'Jane Eyre'. Direction, music and technically everything looked so fine. As it was based on the wild side happening story they covered a few beauties of Australia, but in a harsh manner. The story demanded like that way. There is also an emotional scene, might bring tears in the eyes of tender-hearted. I hope they did not harm the animals during the making of this flick, because it looked surreal when wild camels were shot down. Every time we watch a movie, we learn something. I thought camels were so adorable creatures, but in this movie, it really scared me. Next time when I go near to a live camel I should be a careful. Anyway, this is one of the must see biographical movie, especially if you love nature and adventurous subjects. Of course an inspiring movie as well like 'Kon-Tiki' to show the world what our ancestors did in the early age.

9.5/10

From the director who always portray women's perspective of stories. Sadly, it was one of the final movie of James Gandolfini. He just came and go in his movie that I did not noticed him till 'Welcome to the Riley'. I praised his performance in that flick and again he was so great in this movie, I totally impressed. This movie is about the divorced parents and their second chance to commit in a relationship. Very nicely and realistically told story which had plenty of humor.

Eva, a middle aged single mother who works as a masseuse meets a divorced man, Albert at a party. It all starts as a casual meeting, then they begin to find similarities. Especially whose first marriage was broke and now they regret for that. So cautiously move their relationship to the next level who are desperately looking to work it out. In the end, every relationship got faults and how they are going to keep it going patching all the flaws is what the story explains.

I know this sounds corny... But you broke my heart.

I found it so good. When there are no popular actors, then it must be a B movie or television movie, but in this case it is hard to differentiate. It was top class in all the category. A specially made flick for middle aged people. It was a romantic-comedy, but make us contemplate back to our life. The lead pair was excellent together, perhaps chemistry between them worked out. This kind of low budget with not so popular actors won't do great commercial business, but get appreciated in a small circle gives a fine support for future similar projects.

Beside Gandolfini, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as well enchanted with her spellbind performance. She can make a good actress with story like this than being only a television star. She's not too far from taking a fine position like what Julia Roberts, and others doing now. I would love to see her again in a major flicks. This movie is not for everyone and I don't think teens (not every teen) would enjoy it than adults. It speaks about the life, the modern life crisis who faced divorce unintentionally. In one word, it is a beautiful portrait.

The first movie was a silent hit. One of the best animations on that year. Usually successful movies make comeback in sequels and I expected the 'Rio 2', but was not sure. 'Ice Age' series were the massive hit from the Blue Sky Studios. Other movies did not look like coming back in sequels. So 'Rio' gave them a chance to go on with a sequel. After this movie's success, now you can count on the 3rd as well. If it doesn't come then it will be a disappointment.

Nowadays the animation industry is not targeting only the children, but adults as well. So the contents, including the story must benefit all age groups. This movie series were excellent, good story with messages in it. Especially this second movie talks about wildlife conservation like the movie 'Happy Feet'. Showing to the kids would be an educational. What a cute way to learn something valuable.



Blu and Jewel with three kids enjoying the life. Jewel is an ideal mother who wants her kids to learn everything that birds can do naturally. But Blu who was once a human companion is not made for those. This is the issue wanted to be solved after all they are the last of their kind on the planet. One day they get a news that the explorer sighted a whole flock of blue macaw on the Amazon wilderness. Blu and Jewel decides to go and find them and let their kids to connect with their roots. So this adventure is our great entertainment. Lots of fun and even more than that. Just like in the 'Madagascar' movie, who discovers where they originally belong to.

Birds of blue feathers...
Have to stick together.

The songs were really good and my favorite track is 'let's come together (beautiful creatures)'. Beautiful jungle beats, it is the latest addition to my free time listening list. There was nothing special in digital 3D, but definitely not bad. I saw the first movie in the regular version, but I enjoyed watching this in 3D. The story was not great, but humors were. The human characters were avoided until it gets into a crucial stage. The expansion of characters was exceptional. The original sidekicks from the first movie set aside to make their own fun which partially detached from mainstream story. The newer ones opened another dimension of the family and friend related drama, with happiness found and the jealousy kind of stuffs. Overall, a good animation, hard to leave behind unseen and not to suggest others. So if you like animations then don't listen to anybody, just go for it.

7.5/10

The second movie in the rebooted 'The Planet of the Ape' series and the eighth movie in the franchise. After the excellent 2001 movie, it took a decade for a sequel. Long wait really looked worth and that success led to another quick sequel. I saw the night show before it makes debut in the next day. The crowd was in average number, but I did not bother for that and prepared to enjoy the show. Yes, I had a good time, but not a hundred percent satisfied. So I am going to tell what I liked and not.

This story commence after 10 years from the previous movie 'Rise'. It is now post apocalypse and no one rules the world. The apes are living in a group peacefully in the wild. One day they encounter half a dozen of human survivors who are working out to put back the human dominance. The humans and apes do not want a war, but some people inside thirst for it because of the past suffers. Like the tagline, it is one last chance for peace. Does it work or not is what the movie tries to disclose.

Have you seen the DisneyNature's 'Project Nim'? It is like what if something terrible happened to that project and Nim becomes a leader to his kind. Here it was Caeser who leads his race towards a fresh and civilized life. A leader must listen his followers and act according to the circumstances. In this story it reveals apes are not far behind in term of vengeance, betrayal and not believing in cooperation to build a better tomorrow together. It is all about the two different race wanted to dominate. This movie leaves a little clue before it conclude that next movie could be 'War of the Planet of the Apes'. I am already saying that will be a massive hit if it offers more action and especially to watch in digital 3D would be a treat for sure. Praying for it to hit the screen within the next two years of time.


One thing I don't understand is that so far three movies were made in this series, but every time when the sequels are made the story leaps too much forward. Don't get confused, what I am saying was between these three movies the story won't follow exactly where the before one ended. It commences very much ahead where we have to wonder what might have happened in between the gaps. Yeah, they explain those in a commentary mode in the opening, but I always felt that was not enough. Though, few things make sense, like, somewhere somewhat it reveals the connection between them all.

Last time, I thought the characters from the first movie going to meet and it did not happen. So in this movie as well thought all of them come together and again the answer was no. Like I earlier said it leaps a long way without proper explanation. Every time new set of actors hops in like a reboot movie. It is not bad, but the story was just okay in this sequel, I mean not a genuinely written screenplay so I think that is why the popular names were missing in the cast. That is, they rejected the offer, I guess. When the press asked about that to the producer in an interview, he said the previous characters are all dead and the story moved on. But the real question is are you convinced by that? If you remember the first movie well like how it ended, somewhere Mark Wahlberg is going to come back in a future installment. That is what I have been expecting all the time.

It's just not about power!
It's about giving us the hope to rebuild.
To reclaim the world we lost.

You know, this installment was largely ruled by animated ape characters. I can't say it was perfect, but almost. Those animated characters were in large numbers, I know the hard work behind, but still not convinced completely. Sometimes it looked made up of rubber and plastic than an organic body. World cinema is yet to give the best in that field. The master of motion capture performer, Andy Serkis had been brilliant like always. When there is a demand for character like this, he will be found in the front row. His skills really made those characters to display in a best way possible. So he was one of the highlights in the movie.

When it came to the digital 3D, it was below par. Reason might be, it was a more dramatized story than filled with lots of actions and thrillers. Except in a couple of portion, the opening and the end scenes. In my experience this movie is not worth watching it in digital 3D. Since it was made as one you shall not say no to it because that is the future of the cinema and you should take part in the road it travelling. At least you will get inside depth on the screen, not the pop-outs and IMAX like external depths. Even if you try it in an IMAX screen I afraid the result will be the same.

This movie was just good, not an awesome one like critics praising. The critics had a reason to do that, because they want 'Age of Extinction' fall behind so they are lifting this movie. For me, This movie was so simple, definitely not for who is looking for high octane stunt sequences and the story with twists. Entertainment is there and had great surround effects. I loved the first movie, the 2001 version and then the follow-up looked kind of afresh. So my rating kept falling movie after a movie in this series. Not in a large margin, but only by the fractions. Overall, one of the good movie that came in this mansoon. No need to be hurry to watch this, it will wait, but taking children with you I won't recommend that because it will bore them. Who knows, they may also get scared of the what they are seeing. Why I am saying? Because this movie is not all about human character.