Movies 2012: The Impossible (2012)

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The Impossible (2012)

Date seen: 27 March 2013

Rated PG-13, 114 mins

IMDB User Rating: 7.6

Metascore: 73/100 (User Score: 8.1)

Tomatometer: 81%, Certified Fresh (Audience: 85%)

Movie Notebook Score: 10.00/10

Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes:

A total "wow!". This film touches the deepest of emotions when it comes to family and love. This is unforgettable in every aspect. Best performance from Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. Excellent screenplay, cinematography, sound, and editing. Possibly the best film of 2012 and the-one-to-beat for the decade. 

After watching this film: 

Your love for family will be strengthened as well as faith and hope.

For your consideration:

• Acting: Naomi Watts as Maria
• Acting: Ewan McGregor as Henry
• Acting: Tom Holland as Lucas
• Film of the Year
• Ensemble
• Directing
• Cinematography
• Sound
• Editing
• Visual Effects
• Production Design
• Musical Score
• Screenplay
• Make-up

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Scores are as of posting.

Movies 2012: Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

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Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Date seen: 20 February 2012

Rated R, 157 mins

IMDB User Rating: 7.6

Metascore: 95/100 (User Score: 6.6)
Tomatometer: 94% Certified Fresh (Audience: 82%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.85
Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended
Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes:
Well, this one deserves a standing ovation for an almost perfect art from 2009 Academy Awards Best Director Kathryn Bigelow and staff. Slow-paced as it is, it will hook your eyes to the screen. Jessica Chastain delivers excellently. The only loophole is the political aspect, nevertheless, magnificent!

After watching this film:
You'll recall why it is entitled "Zero Dark Thirty".

For your consideration:

• Acting: Jessica Chastain as Maya
• Film of the Year
• Directing
• Screenplay
• Editing
• Sound
• Cinematography

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Scores are as of posting:

Movies 2012: Argo (2012)

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Argo (2012)

Date seen: 14 February 2013

Rated R, 120 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 8.0

Metascore: 86/100 (User Score: 8.3)

Tomatometer: 96% Certified Fresh (Audience: 93%)

Movie Notebook: 9.50/10

Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes: 

Commendably directed, costume-fitted, scored, and written. Standing ovation for Ben Affleck as director and Alan Arkin for his performance. This film is actually overrated, but admittedly among the best of 2012.

After watching this film:

You'll find time to use the phrase "Argo fuck yourself".

For your consideration:

• Acting: Alan Arkin as Lester Siegel
• Directing
• Musical Score
• Costume Design
• Adapted Screenplay
• Editing
• Sound
• Ensemble
• Film of the Year
• Cinematography

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Scores are as of posting.

Movies 2012: Taken 2 (2012)

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Taken 2 (2012)

Date seen: 12 October 2012

Rated: PG-13, 91 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 6.8

Metascore: 45/100 (User Score: 5.9)

Tomatometer: 21%, Rotten (Audience: 61%)

Movie Notebook Score: 6.00

Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended for those who simply want to watch something on the bigscreen.

Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:

Poorly written. Won't stand as a lone movie, relies much of its developments to its predecessor Taken (2008). 

After watching the movie:

You'll be reminded that Liam Neeson is not that young at all.

~~~

Scores are as of posting.

 

Movies 2012: The Bourne Legacy (2012)

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The Bourne Legacy (2012)

Date seen: 18 August 2012

Rated PG-13, 135 mins

IMDB User Rating: 7.2

Metascore: 61/100 (User Score: 6.6)

Tomatometer: 55%, Rotten (Audience: 59%)

Movie Notebook Score: 7.0/10

Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended

Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:

It is fair to say that the film deserves a credit in terms of achievement in action sequences whilst the weakest point is on the screenplay. While casting Jeremy Renner was a very good idea which resulted into a commendable performance, Edward Norton's character appears to have been deprived in terms of overall participation due to sloppy dialogues. They should have saved money if they've given the lousy role to someone with lower professional fee who could play the less-than-mediocre role other than the brilliant Edward Norton. 

For your consideration:

• Sound
• Cinematography

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Scores are as of posting.

Movies 2012: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

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The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Date seen: 24 July 2012

Rated PG-13, 164 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 9.0

Metascore: 78/100 (User Rating: 8.7)

Tomatometer: 87%, Certified Fresh (Audience: 93%)

Movie Notebook Score: 8.95/10

Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended for appropriate audiences.

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have a Quality Time

Notes: 

The strengths of this film rely on its all-star cast, excellent visual effects, cinematography, and screenplay. Noteworthy performances by Tom Hardy who plays opposite to Christian Bale's character while Anne Hathaway outstandingly delivers as Cat Woman--and not to forget the teary Michael Caine which convincingly moves you. Nolan's final installment to the Batman franchise may not have reached the bar set by its predecessor The Dark Knight (2008) but it is surely among the best movies this year. 

After watching this film:

You'll feel satisfaction and dismay at the same time.

For your consideration:

• Acting: Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne
• Acting: Tom Hardy as Bane
• Acting: Michael Caine as Alfred
• Acting: Anne Hathaway as Selina
• Ensemble
• Visual Effects
• Sound
• Cinematography
• Costume Design
• Directing
• Screenplay

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Scores are as of this posting.

Movies 2012: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

Date seen: 10 July 2012

Rated R, 105 mins

IMDB User Rating: 6.5

Metascore: 42/100 (User Rating: 6.6)

Tomatometer: 34%, Rotten (Audience: 59%)

Movie Notebook Score: 8.80/10

Recommendation: B - Recommended for appropriate ages.
Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:
The plot may be an oxymoron but this film deserves a nod not only in the technical aspects but  as well as in acting, writing, costume design, and make-up. It is a well-brewed fantasy-horror-drama flick.

After watching this movie:
You should always remind yourself of what you've learned about Lincoln in your history class.

For your consideration:

• Visual Effects
• Make-up
• Costume Design
• Sound
• Editing
• Ensemble

~~~

Scores are as of this posting.

Movies 2012: The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

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The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Date seen: 04 July 2012

Rated PG-13, 136 mins

IMDB User Rating: 7.8

Metascore: 66/100 (User Rating: 7.5)

Tomatometer: 71%, Certified Fresh (Audience: 84%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.0

Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes: 

Way much better than the previous films of the Spider-Man franchise. The cast delivers their craft in acting, a movie-goer does not usually expect that in a blockbuster movie especially when it's all about superheroes--and, that is surprising for those who does not know Andrew Garfield, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Emma Stone, and Rhys Ifans. The screenplay was satisfactory than the previous Spidey movies. Visual effects, editing, sound, and cinematography were commendable. The Amazing Spider-Man was amazingly moving, exciting, and undoubtedly entertaining.

For your consideration:

• Acting: Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man/Peter Parker
• Acting: Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben
• Acting: Sally Field as Aunt May
• Visual Effects
• Sound 
• Editing
• Cinematography
• Screenplay

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Scores are of this posting. 

Movies 2012: Man on a Ledge (2012)

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Man on a Ledge (2012)

Date seen: 05 May 2012

Rated PG-13, 102 mins

IMDB User Rating: 6.7

Metascore: 40/100 (User Rating: 6.4)

Tomatometer: 31%, Rotten (Audience: 54%)

Movie Notebook Score: 6.5

Recommendation: B - Recommended for those who just want to enjoy a movie.

Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:

This one is entertaining enough even though the plot is easily predictable. As the title implies, Man on a Ledge is not-that-heavy nor not-that-light--fit enough for movie-goers 13 years and above. May not be among the best of its type, but will certainly keep you eating that popcorn in front of the screen with occasional jaw drops.

After watching this movie:

You'll be reminded that Sam Worthington is Australian.

For your consideration:

None.

~~~

Scores from IMDB, Metacritic, and Rottentomatoes are as of posting.  

Movies 2012: Battleship (2012)

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Battleship (2012)

Date seen: 20 April 2012

Rated PG-13

IMDB User Rating: 6.5

Metascore: 43/100

Tomatometer: 49%, Rotten (No consensus yet.)

Movie Notebook Score: 6.5/10

Recommendation: B - Recommended for those who enjoy action/fight movies.

Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:

As expected, this one satisfied my expectations. The screenplay was not that bad but falls way lower than good. The acting was just fair--fit and what is usually expected for a science fiction film. The film's strengths include the satisfactory visual effects, sound editing, and sound mixing. Nothing much special compared to its Hasbro-game-turned-movie like Transformers and GI Joe, Battleship (2012) is worth-watching for a film of its genre.

After watching this movie:

You might think that they borrowed a metal from a Transformers movie.

For your consideration:

• Sound Mixing
• Sound Editing
• Visual Effects

~~~

Scores from IMDB, Metacritic, and Rottentomatoes are as of posting.  

Movies 2012: The Hunger Games (2012)

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The Hunger Games (2012)

Date seen: 23 March 2012

Rated PG-13, 142 mins

IMDB User Rating: 8.2

Metascore: 68/100
Tomatometer: 87%, Certified Fresh

Movie Notebook Score: 8/10
Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended for ages 13 and above.
Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:
With an immensely wonderful cast which include Academy Award Nominees like the lead actress Jennifer Lawrence, Stanley Tucci, and Woody Harrelson--who all of whom play their roles excellently--this certainly will be among the best of adaptations this year. The movie is well paced that the viewer will be able to understand its plot even he/she did not read the book. Though the shaky shots were helpful to minimize some of the scenes with violence, most of the "shaky" shots were annoyingly tiring to the eye. Nevertheless, this one's worth-watching. It has the power to move you in a touch.

After Watching this movie:
You might need to rest your eyes due to eye fatigue from the exaggerated shaky shots of the cinematographer. But, while your eyes are closed you feel the satisfaction of watching a good movie.

For your consideration:

• Acting: Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
• Acting: Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
• Acting: Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
• Acting: Amandla Stenberg as Rue
• Acting: Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman
• Acting: Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
• Ensemble
• Adapted Screenplay
• Costume Design
• Visual Effects

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Scores from IMDB, Metacritic, and Rottentomatoes are as of posting.