Moon

Director - Duncan Jones

Genre - Drama/Mystery/Sci-Fi

In theater, a one-man performance can be a very entertaining, intimate experience despite the lack of a supporting cast. It is our conviction however that in cinema, having only one single actor for its entire duration just doesn't work. Sam Rockwell performed valiantly here as did the director taking on such a perilous task but the whole movie just came up short. We have no doubt Duncan Jones (David Bowie's son!) the director will go on to helm better films in future based on the work he did here but Rockwell for us is still a welterweight. He can act but he doesn't have the commanding screen presence desperately needed in such a risky undertaking. Maybe they should take the script and adapt it for a stage play.

2.5 STARS!

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No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti

Director - Leon Dai

Genre - Drama

This is a story about love. Not the kind Nicholas Sparks writes but the immeasurable love between a father and daughter. Elegant and effective, with cinematography so artfully moving it may well rekindle a passionate bonfire for black and white features, this is certainly a cineast's must-see. Some say a parent's love for a child can never be described completely in words or pictures. We used to think so too, until this movie came into our lives. A fitting tribute to fathers everywhere and a stark reminder to appreciate their undying sacrifices.

5 STARS!

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Inglourious Basterds

Director - Quentin Tarantino

Genre - Drama/Thriller/War

Quentin Tarantino the American director who almost single-handedly jolted Hollywood into appreciating dialogue-driven films beginning with 'Reservoir Dogs' is back with another scorcher. Setting his original, self-written story in the midst of World War II in France, what we know from history is re-imagined here for a more dramatic twist. You can think of this as a graphic novel brought to screen or Tarantino's gleeful romp of what he wished had happened. Either way, it is a creative way of storytelling which did not make light of the war at all. In fact, it is one of the most gripping, terrifyingly realized pictures about war and its consequences we have ever watched. Oh, it is a rib-tickler in parts too. And Christoph Waltz? El brilliante.

4 STARS!

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The Hurt Locker

Director - Kathryn Bigelow

Genre - Action/Drama/Thriller/War

This is just waaaay overrated. It felt as if we were trapped in twilight zone when we finally watched the film and thought about the string of accolades it had received. Nothing about the story or the way it was directed hinted to us of a great movie. In fact, it was so disenchantingly unchallenging and typically mediocre that we were outraged. It goes on and on showing scenes and situations which highlight the dangerous nature of disposing bombs. Duh? And we had no idea that it wasn't a safe job before? If this movie wins for Best Picture we're not going to watch the Oscars ever again. It isn't bad per se, just not as good as it has been made out to be.

3 STARS!

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(500) Days of Summer

Director - Marc Webb

Genre - Comedy/Drama/Romance

Condescending and armed with an air of "we've made a clever little movie, haven't we?", this is a critic's darling we should have shunned away from. With all its disguises and efforts to be more than what it is, there just isn't that much originality in the script. A lovesick guy pining for a girl isn't exactly new and unchartered ground. Yet, the director treated this aspect as something so profound, so important that he had to dissect this mystery of life, in 500 DAYS!!! Recipe: put in a hard to hate soundtrack, 'it worked in that Anna Faris movie, why shouldn't it work here' comedy and likable leads... Then watch how those who are easily amused clamor like wolves to a deer. This to us is so awful it gives love a bad name.

2.5 STARS!

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