'Tintin' Triumphs in Hearts

I have never read Tintin but watching this movie, I suddenly want to go buy the whole series and start reading.

From the beginning to end, you're on the edge of your seats. There were quite a few little plotlines that all tied together in the end. It was risky because it could have confused the audience but Steven Spielberg kept it easy to understand. Usually within a story, there is a certain amount of build up where the audience can learn about the characters and setting. However, there was no build up here but it wasn't awkwardly done. However, even as a person who has never read a Tintin book, Steven Spielberg managed to find a way to give plenty of details about Tintin and the other characters through the story. There was nothing awkward about it. It was a complete adventure.

One of the biggest helps in the story too was that there was plenty of humor throughout. With plenty of action and adventure, it might have worked against the audience. However, the humor brought a balance to the story. You'd be laughing even as you're biting your nails in anxiousness. It was a different humor then what is currently popular. Instead of being dark or perverse, it was what I like to call "Old humor". Similar to the "Three Stooges" but also consisted of close calls and funny catchphrases. The audience ate it up though because the theatre was alive with laughter.

One of the things I loved about Tintin was the technology used. The animation was amazing. It was the perfect combination of realism and abstract. Looking back on the movie, I am a hundred percent happy that they did not do the movie as a live action. Some of the sequences in movie could not be done in by using real people and they would have to SGI it which would have been ridiculous and the audience would have hated it. But I'm glad they did not do a full on comic version of the movie either. This is really the perfect balance of the two. While Europe has done many versions of Tintin, both comic and live action, Hollywood has not. This is their first dip into this particular comic and it is beautifully done. They've set the bar high.

Even the marketing plan for this movie is brillant. Usually once a movie is made in Hollywood, it would be released in North America first then Europe. But Tintin was playing for two months in Europe before being shown in America. Perhaps this is a nod to the European roots of Tintin or a brillant marketing scheme. I've heard that movies that do well in America are not always as popular in Europe. I'm not sure why this is, maybe it is due to the difference in societal values. But Tintin was a hit in Europe, only time will tell if it is the same here in North America.

Personally, I loved every moment of it. It brought out the inner child in everyone - adult and teen. The characters were lovable and apparently true to the comics. The actors that portrayed them did an amazing job of bringing them to life. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost were hilarious as Thomson and Thompson. Jamie Bell was a brilliant Tintin. Andy Serkis was a hilarious Captain Haddock. Daniel Craig, played Red Rackham and Ivan Sakharine notoriously. Frankly, Snowy was the unsung hero in my eyes.

This is a movie worth seeing. Whether it is with your friends, family or even on a date - it's a good movie for all.

Stars: 4.5/5

Make Time for "In Time"

Time is money. Money is power. Thus, time is money.

It is such a simple concept yet it is a powerful one. The idea of using time, whether it is minutes or centuries, as a currency is amazing. I cannot imagine living a life like that where I am losing five minutes of my life just to buy a cup of coffee.

This concept also allows for a very young and good looking cast. Justin Timberlake, Amanada Seyfield, Olivia Wilde and Alex Pettyfer to name a few.

The storyline greatly reminds me of Robin Hood. Both Will Salas and Robin stole from the rich to give to the poor and thus were wanted by the authorities. Both of their fathers were murdered for their beliefs. Though, Robin Hood had his band of merry men to back him up while Will had Sylvia Weis to help him. Personally, I think Will got the better deal out of it. Not only does Sylvia have personal knowledge about the banks but she is very hot.

The storyline itself is nothing super original but the idea behind it is interesting enough. Like some of the great heroes, Will's turning point comes when his mother (played by the beautiful Olivia Wilde) died, flying into his arms. He chooses to fight the system that denied him his mother and along the way, finds and convinces the girl to abandon her world for him. Together those two change the world for all others. Quite cliche but well executed nonetheless.

This movie is honestly a breathe of fresh air compared to the movies that are coming through the cinema. It is (as far as I am aware) not based from a novel nor is it based off of a game or comic. It's an original concept.

This is a good movie to see, especially if on a date. There is romance that she will appreciate and action that he will enjoy.

Rating: 3.5/5

Breaking Hearts in 'Breaking Dawn'

Frankly, I'm not a fan of Twilight but I don't hate it either. I just don't think the hype behind it matches the popularity it received.

I went to see the movie with a couple of friends though who love Twilight. One actually loves Taylor Lautner (or rather, his abs) so she was giddy when his shirt was off in the first five seconds of the movie. I have to give them credit because Bill Condon (the director) certainly knows what the 'Twihards' want and gave it right up.

Honestly, the plot is quite cliche. There doesn't seem to be a great thought put into the storylines, just a basic love triangle plot line. But that's not really the fault of the movie because it is based off the novel.

In this movie, Edward and Bella get married at the tender age of 18 and just over a century. During their honeymoon, Edward gets Bella pregnant. Things become angsty as the family is divided. The vampire baby kills Bella but Edward revives her as a vampire in time.

I still don't understand how a vampire can impregnate a human. Isn't every part of them dead, so shouldn't the cells be dead too? It really doesn't make sense to me.

But the pregnancy was very well done. Bella had sunken features and darkened eyes. She really did at one point look like a skeleton. I was squirming in my seat because of the well-done special effects. In a way, it made me appreciate how much Bella loves Edward because there is no way you'd go through that much pain for someone without seriously loving them.

It was interesting to see the family divided about Bella's baby. Rosaline was the only one who from the beginning wanted to protect the child. Everyone else just saw the baby as a disease that was killing Bella. Edward only started loving his own baby after hearing his thoughts. It was interesting to see Bella and Edward actually in an argument. Now that they are married, they cannot run away from each other anymore and have to face each problem together. It was well done because I could see both sides of their argument.

There was a twist at the end though. The twist though is a make or break. For me, it broke. I won't spoiler it but it just gives me shivers. I did not like it at all.

Rating: 3/5

The End of Potter

At the end of the final Potter movie, there were very few dry eyes. It felt like the closing of the childhood to many of the Potheads.

J.K. Rowling's seven little books managed the impossible in generation addicted to gaming and television. She made kids read. Millions of children, teenagers and adults flocked to the bookstore every year to buy the new book in the series. Potter pandemonium erupted over the world and Hollywood capitalized on it. In 2001, the journey started and ten years later, in the birth month of the protagonist, the series came to the end.

A little after midnight of July 15, 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two started and from moment one, the audience was hooked.

Despite this being the most darkest book, they managed to find ways to lighten it up. From McGonagall's cute happiness at using a spell to Neville's complete kick-ass attitude. Heck, even Voldemort's behaviour brought out huge laughs from the audience. There was tons of romance from Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione and even Neville had a crush on Luna. Hollywood managed to even make the final battle more interesting then in the book - though there was still a lot of talking!

There were only a few places which I cringed at. One of them was during the moment when Harry was living them to face Voldemort in the forest. The interaction between Ron, Hermione and Harry was completely awkward. Ron especially, as he remained sort of aloof despite his knowledge that his best friend was going to his death. Yet at the same time I understand, because what can you say in that situation. While you don't want him to die, he has to. There is nothing to say that would help.

Another one is the Ginny and Harry romance. I can't blame this on the movie though because it's a factor in the books. But it still doesn't make sense to me, they were no clues in the books, though the movie showed subtle clues. The romance between Harry and Ginny came out of nowhere and just felt awkward and completely wrong. There was no attraction or chemistry. It's not just me, even the audience slighted in their seats in discomfort. Most people I talk to agreed that what is supposed to be a great romance is just weird.

Actually while it is realistic, most of Rowling romances were never as great as I wanted them to be. In fact, her greatest love story was never told. The love between James Potter and Lily Evans was never told in detail but of greatness. In a way, I appreciate that because I get to imagine what I want.

However, the part that always teared me up every single time I watched that movie, was ironically, a romantic part. But can you really call unrequited love a romance or heartbreak. Snape's unchanging love for Lily can make even the coldest of hearts melt a little inside. The moment you see, through Snape's memories, just how far he went for Lily is so moving. Snape's struggle is something everyone can relate too - the sting of unrequited love, heartbreak. That's my favourite love story from the Potter series.

Regardless, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two had a little bit of everything for everyone. There was romance, humor, adventure, triumph, loss, heartache, hope, life and death. One moment, you'd be scared for a character then you'd feel relieved when everything worked out for the best.

All in all, I'll mourn the loss of the Potter world as will every other child that grew up with it.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

"X-Men" - A "First Class" Movie

"X-Men: First Class" is undeniably one of the summer's most anticipated blockbuster movies, along side other names like, "Transformers 3", "The Hangover 2", "Thor" and "Green Lantern". That kind of hype is hard to live up to, many movies flop under the pressure.

While I was never looking forward to this movie, I always knew I'd go and see it. I love the "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and enjoyed majority of the X-Men movies (personally, I hated the third). Maybe it was because I had no expectations of this movie, that caused me to love it so much after watching it.

It had many elements that allow people to connect with it. It had romance, friendship, bromance, betrayal, a need to belong and a loss suffered.

Besides having cool effects and action, X-Men had a wonderful story that tied the ends that we always wondered. There were many relationships that were explored and even though there was many new mutants that were not there in the original trilogy, it was enjoyable.

I think my favourite part of the movie was the bromance between Eric Lensherr and Charles Xavier. Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy were amazing in their respected parts. Fassbender brought enough darkness and humanity to Eric's character. You could understand why he became what he is because of where he came from - the suffering he had to deal with. McAvoy showed Professor X's intelligence and empathy. Despite his flirty beginnings, it wasn't awkward. The young Professor Xavier was not everything I imagined but James McAvoy managed to sell his version of Charles so convincingly that I even forgot my old expectation! I loved how you could see how their friendship grew and evolved. How Eric would depend on Charles and Charles would trust Eric to do the right thing. You couldn't help but cheer their friendship on! And it was soooo bitter when you watched Eric finally become Magneto and become the direct cause of Charles' wheelchair. I teared up when I watched their friendship dissolve. There was no violent outburst on either side, just a bitter fact that both had to shallow. They calmly walked their separate ways with heavy hearts.

We all wondered why Magneto and Professor X were enemies yet they never tried to kill each other despite having many opportunities too. Their history is so much more complex then we originally thought. I knew there was begrudging respect on either side but this version is so touching.

Also, I like how Raven was friends with Charles first. That was a twist I never saw coming, because we always see Mystic with Magneto. She technically chose Xavier over Magneto at the end - it was because of Xavier's acceptance that she went to Magneto. I can understand why Magneto. Despite everything Xavier has done for her, he could never do what Magneto did. Magneto kissed her in her blue form and that was an acceptance Charles could never do for her. I'd like to believe it is because he's been friends with her for so long that he can only see her as a sister. But like any woman, they wanted to be accepted for all of themselves - including the parts that they don't like either.

I did not enjoy the face-off between Angel and Banshee though. Their flying around battle gave me a headache and felt kind of pointless.  Also, where was the 3D? This movie would have been an EXCELLENT choice for being shown in 3D. If "Avatar: Last Airbender" was in 3D, though it was only the title, why couldn't this movie?

Overall, it was an amazing movie and you would be missing out if you did not go and see it!

Rating: 4/5 stars