Movies 2012: Men in Black 3 (2012)

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Men in Black 3 (2012)

Date seen: 28 May 2012

Rated PG-13, 103 mins

IMDB User Rating: 7.3

Metascore: 58/100 (User Rating: 7.0)

Tomatometer: 68%, Fresh (Audience: 78%)

Movie Notebook Score: 7.5

Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended for audience 13 and up!

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

Notes:

This film was not really expected to deliver much--just like how you should expect with every movie made for the money. But, this one has the ability to slap the face of a movie-goer who thinks that way about blockbuster-designed films. The screenplay is satisfactory and this is coupled with the convincing portrayal of Josh Brolin as the young agent K. Men in Black 3 is indeed a must-see and not-a-waste-of-time-and-money. 

After watching this movie:

You'll think that "finally, you saw a movie this year that feature fleshy aliens instead of mechanical ones".

For your consideration:

• Acting: Josh Brolin as Young Agent K
• Acting: Will Smith as Agent J
• Acting: Michael Stuhlbarg as Griffin
• Acting: Jermaine Clement as Boris the Animal
• Ensemble

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

Movies 2012: The Avengers (2012)

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The Avengers (2012)

Date seen: 25 April 2012

Rated PG-13, 142 mins

IMDB User Rating: 8.9

Metascore: 69/100

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

Movie Notebook Score: 5/10

Recommendation: B - Recommended for those who enjoy super heroes and action.

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

Notes:

With an undeniably powerful cast for a supposedly powerful ensemble, this one falls below what it is expected to be. There seems to be a consensus among film-makers on how aliens in science fiction or action movies must look like. Apparently, this one can't stand alone--one must see the prequels or else this would leave you in limbo. Although, this one's entertaining enough.

After watching this movie: 

You might ask if they hired those aliens from another movie.

For your consideration:

• Visual Effects

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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

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

Movies 2012: John Carter (2012)

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John Carter (2012)

Date seen: 24 March 2012

Rated PG-13, 132 mins

IMDB User Rating: 7.1

Metascore: 51/100

Tomatometer: 51%, Rotten

Movie Notebook Score: 6/10

Recommendation: B - Recommended for ages 13 and up.

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

Notes:

This one's an adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs' "A Princess from Mars" which was published almost a century ago. While the cast seem to fit their roles, their delivery falls between poor and fair. The costumes may be eye-catching, sometimes you'll get to think whether it was appropriate in a planet farther away from the sun compared to Earth. Anyway, we can not question that much since John Carter is sci-fi. The visual effects, sound, and cinematography are satisfactory. The movie brings a lot of memories from some of the famous movies with the same genre. Some spiels are way damaging. However, it still deserves a "good one".

After watching this movie:
You might remember other inter-galactic and inter-world movies sewn together for a fresh reboot.

For your consideration:

• Visual Effects
• Sound Mixing
• Sound Editing

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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. 

Movies 2012: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) 3D

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Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)

in 3D

Date seen: 06 February 2012

Rated PG, 94 mins

IMDB User Rating: 6.4

Metascore: Not yet available

Tomatometer: 58%, No consensus yet. (Audience: 79% )

Movie Notebook Score: 6.0/10
Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended for kids and the young-at-heart
Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:
The movie is perfectly baked for children, and perhaps for parents who want to spend a good time with their kids at the movie house. This sequel to the 2008 film Journey to the Center of the Earth is better than the latter except for the dull and obviously desperate attempt to highlight the tweenhood of Sean (Josh Hutcherson) by pairing him with Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens). However, that dullness is overshadowed by the rich visual effects in 3D.

For your consideration:
None.






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