Jack Reacher Doesn't Reach High Enough

Being a volunteer of the TIFF festival, I was among the many who gained an opportunity to watch a film, that has not been yet released in theaters, for free. I walked into the TIFF Bell Lighthouse with no expectations (and thus - an open mind) as they never told us what movie we were going to be seeing. It was only in the opening credits where we saw "A Tom Cruise Production", did we realize it was Jack Reacher. The film is based off of Lee Child's novel called One Shot.

Unfortunately, I already knew the plot before watching the movie. Trailers are an important marketing technique as they offer a hint. A good trailer is like a tease - it leaves you wanting more. But some trailers give it all away. Case in point - Jack Reacher's trailer pretty much gave everything away simply because some of the best scenes are in the trailers. There was enough scenes for me to make an accurate guess at the story. From the trailer alone, I knew Jack was going to be a brilliant and dangerous loner who cares only for doing the right thing. I knew there would be action, romance, comedy with a pretty much standard plotline.

There was action. Car chases, gun violence and fist fights. Unlike his Mission Impossible series, there were no stunts that left the audience talking about as most of the violence and fighting has been seen in other movies that do it better.

There was hints of romance. The UST (Unresolved Sexual Tension) between Tom Cruise and the classically beautiful former Bond girl Rosamund Pike (who played defense lawyer, Helen) was there right from the initial beginning. And there is a glimpse of Tom's body (not bad considering he's 50) and the backside of a random blonde. Romance makes out about 2% of the film though.

The comedy was a surprise. It was funnier then I expected. There was plenty of dark and dry humor that Tom managed to pull off well. Even the crowd that wasn't that excited to see the film, laughed in appreciation.

The plotline was standard for a crime thriller. In the end, it's all about the money and to keep their secrets, Helen is kidnapped. Of course, you all should know what happens afterwards. But if you don't, well I won't spoil it for you.

It's decent enough but I doubt I would ever watch it again just for fun. A good movie for the guys and some ladies but I wouldn't recommend this for a first-date move.

I apologize for the review being brief but the movie did not do anything for me. I did not love it - I wouldn't watch it twice just for fun like I do with the Bond/Bourne series. I did not hate it - like I did the 2010 Takers which I spent days wishing back for the lost hours and ranting to everyone not to watch that film. I didn't like it and I didn't dislike it. It was just there - and in a way, that's the worst way you can describe a film because it didn't inspire any passion within their audience.

Rating: 2.5/5

Perks for Seeing the Wallflower

I consider myself to be a wallflower. I always slipped under the radar during high school. So, The Perks of Being a Wallflower caught my eye. It was a movie that celebrates being a wallflower! So I had relatively high expectations for this movie. Especially, since this is Emma Watson's biggest role after the finish of the Harry Potter series.

But I didn't quite meet my expectations. Maybe because I truly celebrated and embraced being a wallflower. I had friends and I had social skills but I was never connected enough to be sucked in by the gossip and as such, I had a realistic view of my peers and life in general. That's one of the biggest differences between Charlie and I - besides his other issue that you will just have to watch/read to find out about. Charlie was almost desperate for friendship and had a desire to fit in somewhere.

Putting aside my own experiences as a wallflower, the movie was good. I don't know if it was a completely accurate portrayal of high school but there were still moments where I could relate. Despite all that I mentioned above, I still connected with Charlie. His introverted nature and his difficulty to interact socially with someone is something I think everyone goes through at one point or another. Logan Lerman did fantastic job showcasing a realistic Charlie. He was adorable, awkward, shy and vulnerable. It is a delicate balance as too little of one characteristic would have been plastic, while too much would have been annoying. He is a talented actor that I'm going to keep an eye out for.

Emma Watson is another actor that I have great respect for simply because of the way she handled coming out of the popular Harry Potter series. She could have easily been typecasted but she managed to avoid all problems by changing her looks, modeling and picked supporting roles for a while. She made us notice her as an actor and not just as Hermione Granger. She did a brilliant job as Sam - just enough spicy to be seen as the rebellious character. She's still was a little too sweet for me to 100% see her as Sam who seemed like she should have been a little more wild.

But my favourite character was Ezra Miller's Patrick. He embraced the identity of a misfit completely. He was bold. He didn't let his sexuality define him. It was just a part of the puzzle. He was hilarious to watch. His actions and dialogue brought laughs to the audience easily yet he was not comic relief. Patrick had many problems that he had trouble dealing with. He was beautifully vulnerable during these times.

Emma Watson described this movie best: "this is adolescence on crack". In the span of an hour and forty-five minutes, we experience the exploration of sexuality, various types of abuse, mental disorders, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, the difficult transition of high school to college, bullying, the highs and lows of friendship, love and dating problems. I felt teenage angst, sadness, happiness, boredom and anger. It was a little exhausting to be honest.

This movie is good depending on your mood. But it has a little something for everyone, regardless of your age, gender or sexuality.

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