Inferno (2016) Review

 

Inferno was one of those movies that really made you think. Its cast of characters is lively and three dimensional. They aren't always what they appear on the surface. Half the time you don't really know who to trust and when you do figure it out you are still full of doubts.

The story was gripping. Grabbing you by your very throat and squeezing the very life out of you. You never knew what was coming and every idea you would have about its direction is gonna leave you scratching your head wondering how you didn’t see that coming. The writing and acting, too, was top notch. Everyone fit their roles perfectly and every plot point hit with significant force. My jaw hit the floor several times just wondering what else the film would throw at me.

The fight scenes, while not as frequent or as violent as something like a John Wick movie, were still exciting and kept you on the edge of your seat. Following the film was easier than predicting where it was going and you never really knew what the outcome of each altercation was going to be. Every plot point just left you wanting more. Every word said by every character was like a drug. All you wanted was more and this film was exceptional because of it.

9 out of 10

Constantine (2005) Review

 

Constantine is greater than it appears on the surface. At first it looks as though another generic action film about Angels and Demons, Heaven and Hell but deep down it is so much more than that. It tells a tale of redemption and what one man will do for it.

John Constantine is an exorcist caught in a war between Heaven and Hell. As he banishes demons back into Hell he is hoping to buy something with them. In short, he wants into Heaven. Years prior he killed himself but was brought back to life a few minutes after. Because of his suicide, however, he is condembed to Hell. His only future is one of suffering and pain. Yet by casting these demons back into hell he hopes to rewrite his future, however doubtful as that may appear.

Isabel, played by Rachel Weisz is dealing with the suicide of her twin sister. Trying to prove that she didn’t in fact kill herself and as she goes down the rabbit hole she teams up with Constantine, in an attempt to find the truth and ultimately find a way to end the war that heaven and hell has brought onto this Earth.

The fight scenes in this movie were epic but that wasn’t what held the picture together. The glue behind it was the struggles and difficulties between the cast of characters. The history of Constantine and the struggles of Isabel. What they were willing to do and the fears they were willing to face to right to wrongs and bring some sense of peace to their lives and those around them.

The writing of this film was extraordinary. The characters were lively and three dimensional. They were complex and brought a lot to the table. You were never 100 percent sure what they were going to do and as they film progressed so too did they. In the end they weren't what they were and in some ways they were almost different people.

This film is one of those that is worth a watch, even if you aren’t really into this type of genre. It has a lot of action and a few good scares and in the end you won’t be disappointed.

8 out of 10

Porco Rosso (1992) Review

 Porco Rosso is one of those films that are hard to find faults in. Just about most of it was flawless, telling a story about love and war. The consequences of being a coward and how it can change you and those around you. The characters were lively and fit their personalities perfectly. From the arrogance of the pilots and the hatred that was thrown Porco Rosso’s to the love he felt for his Gina. Porco Rosso’s role was surprisingly human. Here, though, is one of the few faults in the film, and it’s not even a major one, either. The voice of Porco Rosso wasn’t done with the level of care as you would expect. It was good, and Michael Keaton did an amazing job with it, it just felt like his heart wasn’t really in it. However, at the same time Michael Keaton's voice did happen to fit his character of Porco Rosso. It just took a few minutes to accept that and I feel like Michael Keaton could have just put in a little more effort. In short, even though it fit the character it seemed a little lazy.

The art style was of your typical Ghibli tone. If you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all but that isn’t a bad thing. The colors are bright and amazing. They lept out of the TV and straight into your eyes and soul. I still see them when I close my eyes and it’s rather peaceful. The music, too, was delightfully charming. One of Ghibli’s strengths is their sound and music and that is one thing that will never go out of style.

All-in-all this was a masterpiece. Hitting all the right notes that told a story not just to you on the surface but who you are deep inside.

9 out of 10

Maggie (2015) Review

 

“Maggie” is not your traditional zombie movie. In fact it holds very little in the horror genre, leaning more instead on drama than scares. The film revolves around a man and his daughter. The daughter had been infected with the zombie virus and was slowly turning due to it. The story is that of sacrifice. What are we willing to go through to stay with the ones we love and what are we willing to do to ease their suffering?

The acting was crazy good. Arnold Schwarzenegger who played the role of Wade came across perfectly as the worried and concerned parent willing to do just about anything for his daughter. His daughter Maggie, played by Abigail Breslin fit her role in the film perfectly as well. They played off each other's strengths and the film was better because of it. You could see the love in them, their love guiding you along the path that they were having to take.

This film is also about hard decisions and personal sacrifices. The film put you in their shoes and really made you wonder what we are capable of doing. It asks hard questions and offers difficult answers. What are we capable of and what are we willing to do for family.

8 out of 10