TV Review: Breaking Bad (2008–2013)

Many love Breaking Bad so I know many people wont agree with my view on this show.

“When chemistry teacher Walter White is diagnosed with StageIII cancer and given only two years to live, he decides he has nothing to lose.He lives with his teenage son, who has cerebral palsy, and his wife, in NewMexico. Determined to ensure that his family will have a secure future, Waltembarks on a career of drugs and crime. He proves to be remarkably proficientin this new world as he begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamine withone of his former students. The series tracks the impacts of a fatal diagnosison a regular, hard working man, and explores how a fatal diagnosis affects hismorality and transforms him into a major player of the drug trade.” - IMDB

To begin with, I by no means thought Breaking Bad was a bad show. I simply felt like Breaking Bad was messy at times. What I mean by this statement is that, the story, performances and the direction was done perfectly well. Where I had an issue with show was that it felt like this show veered of the main story arch too many times. When we focused on the character of Walter White, it was fascinating and engaging but as soon as we cut to another character and followed them around, it felt too mundane.

I think that Breaking Bad would have heavily benefited from having fewer episodes. I know for a fact that many would disagree with me but I felt this show definitely required tightening up.

Apart from the pacing of the show, it was decently well made. This being said, I still struggle to comprehend why Breaking Bad developed such a cult following as it did.  I really resented the Skyler White, she was always nagging and just in a sour mood. This made a slow paced show like Breaking Bad even more tiresome and to be perfectly honest I could not care less about her subplot. Talking about subplots, this show seemed to love using them. All I really had an interest for was for the Walter White character and the development of his character.

Overall Breaking Bad is overrated show.

2.5/5 Starrs

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Movie Review: Zootopia(2016)

Once or twice a year a movie comes out aimed at children that have enough depth to where an adult can easily enjoy it. Zootropolis, is one of those films.

“From the largest elephant to the smallest shrew, the cityof Zootopia is a mammal metropolis where various animals live and thrive. WhenJudy Hopps becomes the first rabbit to join the police force, she quicklylearns how tough it is to enforce the law. Determined to prove herself, Judyjumps at the opportunity to solve a mysterious case. Unfortunately, that meansworking with Nick Wilde, a wily fox who makes her job even harder.” - IMDB

Its always a tad awkward sitting in the cinema screening where the majority of the audience are young but I had to give this film a chance, at least to be able to give my two cents. To my surprise this movie had a very adult theme. What I find particularly fascinating is that Disney has began making the quality of films that Pixar were making a few years ago. This films was visually beautiful, funny and full of heart.

Would kids get all the jokes? Of course not. Would adults find all the jokes funny? Probably not. However, a well-written film like this is able to entertain both groups of people.

If you have any doubts regarding this movie, I would urge every one of you to give this movie a change. Especially if you have a young person in the family.

4/5 Stars

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Movie Review: Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation (2015)

Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation directed by Christopher McQuarriei is the fifth instalment in the mission impossible series and maybe the best in the series.                                                                                              

"Ethan is labeled as a rogue agent after the IMF is disavowed by the CIA. The CIA believes that the Syndicate is a figment of Ethan's imagination so they try desperately to take him in. Meanwhile, the Syndicate grows stronger and a British Secret agent who is undercover as a member of the Syndicate, joins with Ethan and his team to take down the Syndicate at last." - IMDB

The last MI film exceeded my expectations mainly because I went into the film expecting it to be another low tier action movie film. I ended up having a great time watching the film. It was funny, with great action sequences and an interesting storyline. Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner were a great addition to the franchise and fortunately we get to see more this time round. Surprisingly Simon Pegg has almost equal screen-space as Tom Cruise. This is very interesting to see because MI films were always Tom Cruise heavy film.

The story was well written and executed. Even though Spectre had a similar storyline, MI5 managed produce a far better film. As well known in the MI franchise the fistfights, car and motorcycle chases were very well done. What particularly appreciated was the sequence that marketing team seemed to have heavily promoted (where Tom Cruise is hanging on to the outside of a plane) was shown at the start of the film. I was worried that this was climax sequence and we would as the viewer be made to wait for the whole film for that action sequence. By placing that scene at the start of the film, it allowed the film feel far more unexpected and unlike many other films of this kind; the pre credit roll action sequence wasn’t the highlight of the film.

Tom Cruise, even at the age of 53 gives a surprisingly action filled performance. It literally feels like that man does not age. Unlike many actors in his age range, he did not step back and let a younger actor perform the action sequences.

Overall, I believe that this is a very fun and enjoyable film to watch. As long its not taken too seriously that is.

4/5 Stars

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Movie Review: Deadpool (2016)

This year is going to be a big year for comic book movies with DC Comics Batman vs Superman and Marvels Captain America Civil War and X-Men: Days of Future Past. All big high budget movies that are required and will make big money for the studios. Deadpool, a considerably low budget superhero film has set the ground running for 2016 superhero films.

“This is the origin story of former SpecialForces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to arogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts thealter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense ofhumor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.” - IMDB

The Deadpool comics came out during the time when Spiderman and Wolverine were the top selling superhero’s of the time so technically Deadpool is a combination of Wolverines healing and fighting style (only with samurais words instead of claws) and Spidermans comedic one liners. This film actually shows how miscast and defectively written Spiderman has been in its movies.

Deadpool played by Ryan Reynolds is very much an anti-hero; perhaps they over played that fact. That being said, it is definitely one of the funniest comic book movies I’ve seen. I love the fact that Deadpool broke the fourth wall a multiple of times and his one-liners were just spectacular.

Watching the movie, it is clear to see that the studio had very little faith in this movie doing well clearly shown due to its measly  $58 million budget. For comparison Man of Steel, had a whopping $225 million. The budgeting issues are apparent in the movie but it doesn’t take away from movie at all. Clearly the lack faith that the studios had for this film boils down a couple of factors. The first being that last years Fantastic Four remake was such a disaster at the box office. Secondly this was the first R-rated superhero movie, which meant that half the superhero film fans being kids could not watch the movie in the cinema. Thirdly, Wolverine Origins had a Deadpool that fans did not like and that film too did badly. Fourthly Ryan Reynolds last attempt at a superhero film Green Lantern was too a very unsuccessful film. This being said, Deadpool has been one of the most successful superhero movies to ever come out, breaking many records.

To circle back to the actual movie, it is an exceptional movie. Very funny with pretty decent action and perfectly fine performances. If you haven’t watched it, I would urge you to go and watch it immediately.

5/5

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Movie Review: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

To be frankly honest, I had no real intention to watch this movie. Simply because it seemed like a standard, brainless, Hollywood remake of a movie that not many people even remember. What tipped the barrel for me was everyone absolutely raving about this movie. Even my favourite podcasters “/film” all put it as their top film of the year. I must say I was very disappointed.

“An apocalyptic story set in the furthest reaches of our planet, in a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken,and almost everyone is crazed fighting for the necessities of life. Within this world exist two rebels on the run who just might be able to restore order.There's Max, a man of action and a man of few words, who seeks peace of mind following the loss of his wife and child in the aftermath of the chaos. And Furiosa, a woman of action and a woman who believes her path to survival may be achieved if she can make it across the desert back to her childhood homeland.”- IMDB

I went in with somewhat high hopes. I knew the story wouldn’t be great but the action sequences were meant to the very well done. Particularly the combination of visual and special effects used in the movie.

The film was well shot and the acting was faultless, although Tom Hardy who played Max Rockatasky could have had more of a personality. Perhaps that was more of a script issue than an acting issue. Talking about script issues, I felt like it lacked one. It seemed that the movie was completely created using storyboards and then dialogue was just put in while filming.  There simply wasn’t much of a story, which alone made it very difficult to watch for me.

I know I’m being very harsh on this film and I know I am in the minority that feels this way but this is just a personal opinion of mines. I think if the movie wasn’t so highly praised by people then I wouldn’t maybe this critical.

To highlight some of the positives, the visuals of this movie were very nice. Possibly a little too much orange but then again it were designed to show a post-apocalyptic world. The special and visual effects were done very well; they were blended seamlessly apart from scenes that were mostly CGI, those scenes stood out like a sore thumb.

1.5/5

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TV Review: Jessica Jones (2015)

This is yet another living proof that the partnership between Netflix and Marvel is a profitable one. Similarly to Daredevil, Jessica Jones follows a gritty real superhero as they face a single villain throughout the whole show while dealing with their own internal mayhem.

Ever since her short-lived stint as a superhero ended in tragedy, Jessica Jones has been rebuilding her personal life and career as a hot-tempered, sardonic private detective in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. Plagued by self-loathing and a wicked case of PTSD, Jessica battles demons from within and without, using her extraordinary abilities as an unlikely champion for those in need... especially if they're willing to cut her a check. -IMDB

Just like Daredevil, this show has a very strong villain (Killgrave) played by a very strong actor (David Tennant). His breath-taking performance in this role has made this my favourite most memorable villain in both the marvel TV and Movie franchise. Marvel, as well as other superhero films seems to be struggling with creating distinguishable villains with any sort of depth. They all too much have been relying on Lowkey simply because has been a fan favourite but at this point he is oversaturated as a villain and no longer seems to be much of a threat. Every other villain has been more forgettable than the last, excluding Daredevils Kingpin. Kingpin playing Vincent D'Onofrio was robust; at least significantly superior to any of the marvel movie films but Killgrave has arguably outshines him in this web series. Perhaps being a fan of Doctor Who aids for my love of David Tennants character.

Both Jessica Jones and Luke Cages characters were done well. Overall the show is very difficult to fault. Killgrave seemed significantly a more interesting character than the lead character and the “hero” of the show. As the audience we are sent along with Jessica Jones in a rollercoaster of whether or not villain can be helped. There is no doubt that Killgrave is an awful human being but the show makers have purposely put story arcs and scenes in the show to make us feel somewhat sympathetic towards him.

4/5 Stars.

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