Now You See Me

(Movie, 2013)

I loved this movie. I watched it twice in an afternoon. Never saw the trailer before but I got interested when I read the synopsis. Fun and intriguing, I like it. 

By the way, the background music/theme sounds like The Hunger Games. 

Casting & Acting:        10.0

Cinematography:         9.0

Overall Production:      9.0

Plot/Story:                  9.0

Rating:                     9.25

NCIS Los Angeles S04E16 – Lohkay

(TV Series, 2013)

This is the worst episode by far. Lousiest acting ever! Even the main actors looked liked they got tired of what they’re doing. This episode is just plain horrible.

After watching the first 10 episodes, I decided I will not watch this series after this current one. I liked NCIS LA because it’s light and it’s non-episodical. However, every now and then they show personal stories of the characters. It’s alright to let the viewers understand them but it appears to be pushed too hard. I get goosebumps.

As always, the creators decided to make the season finale a major cliffhanger again. It made me think never to watch season finales again unless the new season starts OR not the watch the series altogether. I might go with the latter.

Casting & Acting:           6.0

Cinematography:           9.0

Overall Production:        7.0

Plot/Story:                   7.5

Rating:                      7.25

The Call

(Movie, 2013)

For a 911 operator to fail calling during an emergency/eminent threat, that’s grossly idiotic. The Last 30 minutes of the film was horrible (plot-wise). Other than that, the movie was great. 

Casting & Acting:        9.0

Cinematography:         9.0

Overall Production:      8.0

Plot/Story:                  7.0

Rating:                     8.25

Dark Skies

(Movie, 2013)

Not that it matters but I kinda predicted the ending. Acting was OK except maybe for the older brother/eldest son. This could have been better if they were able to cast maybe Thomas Jane, not that Josh Hamilton was bad or anything. Kudos to the music/production team! The background music was awesome. It gave me the creeps just by listening to it. 

Casting & Acting:               8.0

Cinematography:                7.0

Overall Production:             8.0

Plot/Story:                         7.5

Rating:                            7.625

I Give It a Year

(Movie, 2013)

One word: WEIRD. It gave me goosebumps. 

Casting & Acting:               8.0

Cinematography:                7.0

Overall Production:             7.5

Plot/Story:                         7.0

Rating:                            7.375

Beautiful Creatures

(Movie, 2013)

When you have Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson and Viola Davis in one movie, it should be great, right? It should be. They were great but the two main actors just gives me the icky feeling. I don't know why. If the male protagonist was played by the guy in Chronicle (Dane DeHaan), it could have been better. For the girl, they could have gotten somebody else. I don't know, those two just don't fit with the other cast.  

Casting & Acting:               7.5

Cinematography:                8.0

Overall Production:             7.0

Plot/Story:                         7.0

Rating:                            7.375

The Host

(Movie, 2013)

I never read the book in which this film was based on. Nevertheless, I could say that this is a love story. I was actually quite excited about this because I love sci-fi movies. It turns out to be a 98% romance and 2% something else. Anyway, the movie was not that bad although it could have made much better. 

Casting & Acting:               6.5

Cinematography:                9.0

Overall Production:             7.0

Plot/Story:                         6.5

Rating:                            7.25

Jack Reacher

(Movie, 2013)

The movie is a bit slow. It is actually borderline boring. It could have been made better. I think it has something to do with editing. 

Casting & Acting:               8.0

Cinematography:                7.0

Overall Production:             7.0

Plot/Story:                         7.0

Rating:                            7.25

The Apparition

(Movie, 2012)

It is one of those movies made with good intentions but bad execution. I can’t be sure if it is due to acting or directing… Maybe both. Definitely, the editing was crappy but it’s way better than Chernobyl Diaries.

Casting & Acting:               7.0

Cinematography:                7.0

Overall Production:             6.0

Plot/Story:                         5.0

Rating:                            6.25

Chernobyl Diaries

(Movie, 2012)

I do not need to finish the movie before I can utter my conclusion: It is about shitty people doing stupid things. It’s like a very bad rip-off of Wrong Turn. 

Casting & Acting:             3.0

Cinematography:             7.0

Overall Production:          4.0

Plot/Story:                      2.0

Rating:                           4.0