SPECIAL: My Top 10 Anticipated Movies of 2014 - Part 1

We can already see movies lined-up for an epic year of cinema with some well-known franchises, as well as some new ones, for an amazing 2014...

I will list down below my 10 most anticipated movies of 2014, while also listing out other movies to look out for when the year arrives.



10. Need for Speed (March 14)

          Being a gamer myself, I'm always interested to see games adapted into movies. While many were not successful, some are just among my favourites (Prince of Persia: Sands of Time), while some became established franchises (Resident Evil). Need for Speed is a well known franchise in the world of gaming for its high speed races and super cars. But now it will be interesting to see how these Lamborghinis, Koenigseggs, & Bugattis fare in the big screen.

9. The Expendables 3 (August 15)

          To see a stellar ensemble cast of big classic action stars is always a pleasure. While the first movie was a bit of a let off, the second one improved a lot, and it was a great joy to watch. With further additions of Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Antonio Banderas, and many more, this movie looks to be a blast when it hits theatres next August.

8. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (June 13)

          The first How to Train Your Dragon back in 2010 was a hit. It was one of my favourite all-round animation movie with some terrific action sequences, good story (drama & comedy), and excellent visuals & 3D effects as well. I really enjoyed it, and now I am eager to see what the sequel can bring. Plus, it is already planned for a trilogy, so that is something to look forward to as well.

7. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -Part 1 (November 21)

          While Catching Fire is not even out yet, eyes are already looking beyond, as they have planned their final adaptation to be split in two, as with the 'Harry Potter' series and 'Twilight' saga. The first 'Hunger Games' movie was a huge success, and with the second one; anticipations are high, as the trailers psych up audiences for what promises to be another epic journey. The third one will not be any different - if not better.

6. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (April 4)

          The next marvel movie (Thor: The Dark World) is still to come, but as an established superhero (Avenger), Captain America will be much anticipated, and this next one comes with a story that takes a darker turn of events (for comic book readers who know of the Winter Soldier). Although this movie will be much more grounded than the likes of Thor and Iron Man, it is still one of the movies I am looking forward to most next summer.

5. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (May 2)

          Another Marvel superhero also coming out next year. The first Amazing Spider-Man was, in my opinion, brilliant. The reboot was an improvement in terms of plot, action, and cast. Now, the story continues, as Spider-Man takes on a new enemy in Electro and encounter characters central to the story like Harry Osborn. Marc Webb did a great job with the first, we hope he can do better in this one. And with two further sequels already given a release date, it's just intriguing to see what Marc Webb have in store for us.

4. Transformers: Age of Extinction (June 27)

          Despite what the critics say about the first trilogy, the 'Transformers' movies are always a joy to watch with explosive robot actions. The commercial success of the movies probably led to Michael Bay creating this one. But more than that, the characters revealed are as interesting as it gets, with the Dinobot rumours psyching up fans, and hyper cars like Bugatti & Pagani joining the cast. This is one that will surely be a blast, and probably to be the most action packed of the summer.


Top three to come in the next post...
Want to hazard a guess?? Comment below and see if you can read my mind...

RUSH

Like telling an untold story...

Premise

          The story of the rivalry between Formula 1 drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda, during their most famous, controversial, yet dramatic season in the year 1976.

Review

          Rush is an excellent movie that thrills from start to end. With amazing visuals, brilliant story line, and great actors in the mix, this is one of the most fun story told in recent movies. I consider this a drama film because, despite what may seem to be some fast Formula 1 action presented, they were actually drama-oriented, as they were cut short & focused only on those affecting the main story line.

          What I'm really amazed with this movie is that, despite the results & outcomes which are unable to be altered (since they are based on true story), the way it is brought and how the plot unfolds is brilliant. What goes on in the characters' minds, what they do off the track, and how they feel about the events that occur, is essentially the core of the movie.   

          The character development seem a bit fast-paced in the beginning, but found its rhythm properly as the movie progresses. Initially it was a bit difficult to understand the main characters (James Hunt and Niki Lauda), but soon enough we get the feel to root for one of the characters, before finally getting the feel for both towards the end.

          Ron Howard is undoubtedly an amazing director, and his work in this one is no different. The visuals during the on track events are exhilarating. There are some well placed humours to keep it fun, and spicing things up is the soundtrack which is brilliant as well. Adding to that, Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl brought the two characters to life, displaying the two characters which are indeed two sides of the same coin.

          A drama film in its core, added with some exhilarating visuals, and characters that are truly amazing, makes it one of the best drama that I truly enjoy and highly recommend to watch.

VERDICT:

Good: Excellent plot, Exhilarating visuals, Great cast

Bad: -

SCORE: 8.0 

PRISONERS

A drama-thriller that serves its purpose well...



Premise

          The story follows Keller Dover, a desperate father attempting to recover her missing daughter and her friend. While Detective Loki have been assigned to the case and has the whole police department looking for them, Keller Dover feels hard done and takes matters into his own hands and captures and tortures a suspect, and begins to question his morality and lose his soul in the process.

Review

          As a drama-thriller kind of movie, Prisoners did amazingly brilliant. The story was great and full of emotional scenes, while the tension grows as the movie progresses, and some scenes were just very suspenseful. But the movie did seem slow paced, although it seemed deliberate.

          The best thing about this movie is that it makes us question about the sense of morality, about who's good or bad and what's right or wrong. In the end, we may feel that we have been rooting for the wrong guy after all, while also having the sense that every man and woman has their light and dark side after all. It's the kind of movie that is full of questions and ambiguity that we walk out most likely thinking back to what really happened back there.

          The movie felt slow paced, yet it may be deliberately so and I can see the reason behind it, such that they build up the tension and confusion in the audience. And the running time was without question very long, and though it may be good to serve the purpose, there are some drawbacks too. The movie went on very long, such that I gradually lost the sympathetic feeling of the family having a missing daughter, which wasn't supposed to happen. Audiences are supposed to be kept rooting all the way. It could just be me, however. 

          The acting was brilliant by most of the cast, and I have to say that Mr. Hugh Jackman, who displayed more rage than Wolverine ever did, really deserve another Oscar nomination. No proper action sequences and no comedy, since its a complete drama-thriller film. As an action lover, I didn't thoroughly enjoy the movie, but I appreciated what they brought, and I have to admit, drama-thriller lovers would really love this movie.

VERDICT:

Good: Complex story line, Sense of ambiguity, Tension and confusion, Brilliant cast & acting

Bad: A bit too long, Slow paced

SCORE: 7.0

PLANES

Not soaring high as other 'Disney' animations, but still enjoyable...

Premise

          From above the world of "Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater", comes a cropduster named "Dusty Crophopper" (not the most creative of names, but well...) who dreams of becoming a racer. The story revolves around Dusty who enters a round-the-globe race, as he met new friends and encounter enemies along the way to achieving his lifelong dream.

Review

          The movie is enjoyable in the sense of being an animated movie with touches of humour, drama, and action, however has an 'underdog' stereotypical plot, which is a bit far-fetched in this case, and predictable otherwise.

          Being a kids movie, Planes can be forgiven to have such a stereotype plot, but being a Disney movie, maybe not that much. If you have seen the likes of Wreck-It-Ralph, Brave, or Cars for that matter, you would be disappointed with this one.

          Wreck-It-Ralph or Brave comes with a strong story that actually amazes people, while giving the main characters problems you don't expect, and adds in the touch of drama in there. Planes is far too predictable, telling about an underdog who wants to be a racing champion, and you kind of know how it's going to end. However, it is also a bit far-fetched to even have Dusty qualified for the race in the first place without some proper explanation, aside from sheer determination & practices.

          The characters are as typical as you'd expect, with that one love interest, one rival, annoying side characters, one loyal friend, one new made friend, etc. There is one character that I feel is unpredictable at one point, but nothing else follows.

          The story adds touches of drama, although not as touching or depressing as other recent Disney movies. The action revolves around racing in the air, with a few smash & bash, banks & turns, etc, which provides decent entertainment for an animation. 

          Otherwise, typical characters, predictable plot and far-fetched turn of events became its downfall. For a Disney movie, it disappoints, and with a sequel to come up next year, we can only hope that they learn from this, to make it a movie that catches.

VERDICT:

Good: Enjoyable, Decent actions

Bad: Predictable plot, Typical characters, Far-fetched flow of story

SCORE: 5.5

RIDDICK

Seems too familiar, but is a fun ride throughout...



Premise

          Betrayed by the Necromongers, Riddick is left for dead on a dry and desolate planet inhabited with deadly predators. In order to escape, Riddick lures some bounty hunters to grab their ship, before things get more complicated in a turn of events.

Review

          'Riddick' is all but familiar, with deadly alien predators and bounty hunters, much like 'Pitch Black'. It's a good return as fans have always liked the first movie instead of 'Chronicles of Riddick', especially as it shows Riddick's true character, and more, in fact, on this movie. Compared to its predecessors, this movie have a lot more humour and intricate plotting as well.

          Character is one big aspect explored in this movie. Albeit the familiarity with the aliens and mercenaries, this movie reminded us again how cool Riddick can be messing around with the bounty hunters, yet also showed us that Riddick himself is vulnerable, and can be weakened and frightened, in his showdown with the alien monsters. Not only that, this movie showed more as Riddick displays his softer side, as he developed a relationship with his pet predator, that audiences will grow to like as well.

          Compared to previous movies, this one put a lot of effort in humour, as we see two groups of bounty hunters in a competition for Riddick's head. The rivalry between these two groups sparked many satisfyingly humourous scenes. Despite no progression in the storyline during these scenes, they are gloriously laughable and deeply enjoyable, that we can forgive the producers for not focusing on Riddick more.

          The plot is more intricate in this one, with several twists that changes the feeling of this movie more, and perhaps changes our thoughts of Riddick and other characters as well. Otherwise, everything else seems to familiar, and may be a bit too repetitive. But this movie is an enjoyable action science-fiction throughout.

VERDICT:

Good: Character development, Lots of humour, Decent plot

Bad: Familiar aspects

SCORE: 7.5