romance

Another masterful Murakami novel that you can simply immerse yourself in. Props also to the translator, Jay Rubin, who conveys the Japanese atmosphere well. The novel isn't perfect, but fulfilling.

A visually fascinating setting gives this clichéd story a fresh feel. However, the plot just becomes silly, the direction is borderline poor, and the acting below par. This Jim Sturgess fellow (hero) should hang his boots and switch to lumberjacking or similar where he might find better use for his skills as a tree. Kirsten Dunst does what she does best—shows off her pretty dimple and delivers another upside down kiss. She's pretty cardboard-y otherwise.

Mildly entertaining Korean copy of Top Gun. Watch only if you've got nothing else going on.

A sequel to The Curse of Chalion, PoS (bad initialism?) is almost as enjoyable. However, it is a little too sappy and too, dare I say it, feminine in its atmosphere. The universe is nevertheless nicely developed.

If you enjoyed its prequel, you will enjoy this one as well.

There were a couple of funny moment. But, don't bother. Just stay away.

A movie that could have been far, far better if it had a better cast. Emma Watson was singularly poor. While I didn't think that she or any of the Harry Potter cast could ever plumb new depths, apparently, they have been reached. The screenplay and direction were just about par.

A bonus star for music and literary references.

I did not begin watching this movie with honourable intentions. While my primary goal was satisfied reasonably early, I did end up watching the rest of the film. The Sessions had many of the qualities required to become this decade's My Left Foot or Le scaphandre et le papillon. However, there really wasn't enough conflict in the script for this to happen. Helen Hunt was quite brilliant. However, the rest of the cast, while competent, did not really hit the upper percentiles.

I enjoyed this more than I expected to. I'm a sucker for movies about music and try to watch 'em all regardless of how good or bad they are. Pitch Perfect was a fence-sitter for me as it looked like some kind of teen college flick and yet had Anna Kendrick in it. The plot is pretty clichéd albeit with a USP of it being a movie about an a acapella band contest which is new, and the acting is average. However, every now and then, it surprises you with something ridiculous out of left field which results in a periodic revival of interest.

With a rather dull storyline which had its moments, Magic Mike is not really going to be remembered for much besides Matthew McConaughey who was surprisingly good. However, the rest of the cast was pretty average, especially one of the central characters named Adam who was ridiculously high-school. Cody Horn who plays this character's sister reminds me of Julia Stiles.

Moonrise Kingdom is a lovely heart-warming movie about (an almost) teen-romance set in a picturesque island with a small community. In typical Wes Anderson (director) fashion, the characters are all a li'l whacky or idiosyncratic. The story and plot is good. The cast is great and the acting is mostly above par. The screenplay and direction, however, does not flow in some places giving things a strained feel. I also had to sit through a very Hollywood-sy ending. That said, the film made for enjoyable viewing. It's a recommended watch.