Assassin's Creed

Oh boy, went to a movie thinking I'm not gonna like it. Not because I haven't played the game but just because it was recieving negative feedback from critics.
I found it to be an okay fight-action movie. There were even things I liked.
The movies plot is pretty much explained in the first few minutes and you almost can guess what is going to happen (didn't bother me) and so it is easy to understand. It's filled with kicking and hitting and sharp objects entering peoples bodies.
What I liked:
- some fight scenes which were at points accelerated which made these scenes look more ninja-like (and I like me some ninjas and unbelievably fast reaction)
- "Parkour"!
- There were some female guards. They were not important at all but at least they were there. 
- It was entertaining
- Song when end credits rolled.
What I did not like - many things.
Overall I can't suggest everyone to go and see it but some of you may like and enjoy it, some of you - probably not.

Rating: ★★★

La La Land

Join me now or later on celebrating this years greatest musical drama (and definitely one of the best movies of the year) made by Damien Chazelle (he was the director for Whiplash) - La La Land!
This was something very colorful, beautiful, uplifting and cheerful yet it also had a well made romantic plot with substance. Theatrical, fairy tale-ish at times and music-filled phenomenon with stunning performances - that is how I would put it. It managed to make me feel happy and emotional at times. Job well done.
Story is simple and well made: it's about two people (an aspiring actress played by Emma Stone and a pianist whose role is filled by Ryan Gosling) who happen to find each other and go on a life journey together. They talk, they laugh, they sing and they dance through their lives in fascinating and sometimes off-putting scenes.About acting: There is no way I can imagine Ryan Gosling not getting an Oscar nomination. NO WAY (he might not get the prize, but he has to be nominated)!!! His facial expressions - just amazing. I watched him and smiled most of the time. Should mention that I'm not a fan of Ryan but in this piece he really did convince me to overlook his work again. As for Emma Stone - she was good but to me Mr. Gosling outshined her a bit performance-wise. This is the third time they both have been working together (previous movies include Crazy Stupid Love and Gangster Squad) and so there's no doubt they have good chemistry on screen - and that is always pleasant to see.
Nice editing, some scenes looked like they haven't even been cut and have been made in one long take. Nice music, nicely carried out cliche plot, excellent casting, stage designs, colors, color-combinations and style in general! I was very happy with the ending too.
So, yeah - if you have time and are not against musicals completely, I think you should go and see this film. WHIPLASH GUY MADE IT. Do it!

P.S. I know that with this positive review I'm heightening expectations but, you know, I do not care. I really liked the move.

Rating: ★★★★½

It's only the end of the world

There is nothing much I can say about it except that this one managed to hit me hard emotionally.

Juste la fin du monde (original title of the movie. Oh, it's in French! Not only the title, the movie too) tells a  story of a guy who returns home to his mother and siblings after not being there for 12 years. Everything that happens happens over one days time. Movie is filled with dialogues, some of them are delightful even through incomprehension, biterness and not so well hidden grudges. 

I was amazed by the cast. AMAZED. They all did a wonderful job. As I watched the characters I could understand and see where they were coming from mentally and why could they be acting the way they did. I believed everyone and pretty much felt for every one of them despite them being different from one another.
To me everything felt real and realistic at some points bits and pieces hit close to home. That family that was created was just the right amount of  dysfunction and weird and the mother reminded me a bit of my own which is always a good thing to watch, if some character resembles either yourself or someone you know. 

So yeah, that's about it. The story really got to me and that is all. It was nicely shot, some bits were needless, sounds were good. It wasn't like I loved everything about it but I was very happy that finally I cared for the story and characters. 

Rating: ★★★★

Manchester By The Sea

What Manchester By The Sea gives us is a slow-paced, deep family drama where Casey Afflecks' character named Lee has to look after his teenage nephew after his brother (not the nephews brother, Lees' brother) dies. The dying part is not a spoiler as it happens at the beginning of the movie and the movie is not about the guy dying rather it is about how it influences main people that were close to him (the dead brother). 
This is one of those time-jumping pieces where real time meets past several times and it is done tastefully. We get to see how Lee is where he is and why he is the way he is. We also get to see somewhat normal, reasonable nephew in his teenage years. And there are other important people in Lees life that maybe camera doesn't fixate on but they're there in spirit big time.
What drew me in were these more or less unexpected scenes which just cut right into the feeling department of mine. Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams did such a great, believable job with their roles. Lucas Hedges was a very lovely teenage boy. Actually everyone had good chemistry which made this story realistic. So - can't complain about actor choices.
What somewhat let me down - as this movie has had a bit of success already and many people around are saying it most surely will be nominated for one or more next years' Oscars, I didn't "see it". It was a good drama, but I was hoping it would be even more emotional. Maybe my expectations were too high, that could be possible, but yeah - it's always a letdown when you wait for something amazing and it never arrives. I don't mind if this film gets nominated but, pardon me, I hope it doesn't get any of those shiny gold figures. I wasn't also impressed (not that anything was bad, it wasn't. Just when "Oscars" are mentioned, the bar lifts in my head) with color themes, sounds, music, camera views, anything really that usually gets my attention.
I really hope there will be movies that will satisfy me and everyone else this year. I still haven't seen any "WOOOW" movie from this year. BUT! Many have with THIS ONE.

I will say this again - it is a good, realistic family drama to see, just..if you have expectations maybe lower them so there will be a bigger chance for you to come out crying.

Rating: ★★★½

Arrival

Oh, what a surprise for me - not only Denis Villeneuve (director of the movie) has made Sicario (knew that - awesome movie by the way) he also made Prisoners AND Enemy (both dark and also very good movies to watch) which I had somehow not noticed. So to find this out is a pleasant experience and I can pretty much add him as one of the directors whos work I should follow up.

I watched Arrival WITHOUT seeing any of the trailers (as it was suggested and it was the right call) and...it was this big, beautifully made piece with an interesting turning point which I was not expecting (which is always nice, when it comes to movies).

Arrival shows us how a linguist (played by adorable Amy Adams) is recruited by some sort of government authorities to translate alien language because aliens have just arrived in different places all over the world and "staying in" in their transportation and people of course want to know "what the f*ck?"

While watching I was also wondering if we ever are going to see those aliens and if we do - how they are going to look like in this film. And we did get to see them. All I can say - I liked what I saw.

What I really liked about it (besides how visually appealing it looked and how interesting enough the plot was) was how big and wide this movie felt. At times it was like the space had no boundaries. I don't even know if I can explain it better, go see the movie, you'll see.

Soundtrack was made by the same guy (Jóhann Jóhannsson) who also did it for Sicario (and other movies) which was noticeable. I liked the soundtrack - this guy can make some haunting sounds. And when talking about music and sounds - a moment of silence is a powerful thing when used correctly.

For me this movie lacked on emotional level. Although Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and others were doing a good job I just didn't feel for them. Also it could have been like 10-15 minutes shorter. I think they could've cut some bits and pieces out more or just used the time to reveal something more about characters so I could "cheer" for them. And that's it - that's all I didn't quite like.

I should also say that if you think (or know) you're not an "alien film" fan you should still go and see Arrival because it's not really about aliens. It's about Dr. Louise Banks (the linguist) and we mainly follow her journey through this particular madness.. And aliens are there.

DON'T watch the trailer (you can open IMDb and read the plot if mine was no good for you) and GO see the movie - that's my suggestion.

Rating: ★★★★

American Honey

Andrea Arnold has brought us one "American Honey" and gotten herself two prizes from Cannes Film Festival.
The movie started out very strong in my eyes. By seeing three kids (okay, one had barely stepped out of the "minor" league) dumpster diving for food and then just trying to get a ride took me in and I knew I will like this movie. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't just that image. Dialogues, colors and montage also did their magic.
Story itself is about a young woman named Star who when opportunity presents itself leaves her messed up home and joins a group of misfits who travel around and earn money by selling magazines and enjoy life with some help from different type of drugs. Boom! This is the story the movie is about! Lost youth.
I don't know what to say about characters because I think I already did that by saying they're misfits. I think you should get the picture. It was also nice to see Shia LaBeouf in a movie rather than in an article.
American Honey is not overdramatic, it feels quite real (when you take in the factor it's happening in the USA) and all in all is very pleasant to watch. There are no big twists and turns and it is somewhat amazing to understand that this type of movie can manage to get your full attention for 2 hours and 40 minutes (yes, it was that long BUT. But I did not feel it).
What I liked most was the beginning actually. Beginning "took me in", made me laugh and at one point my jaw dropped a little when I heard a specific sentence.
What I also liked was the ending. Unexpected (if you'll go and see the movie you'll understand what I mean by this).
Soundtracks were....ahm....very...very...modern? Yes. let's stick with modern (didn't enjoy them but the songs did fit in well with the story and mood).
I have said everything I could think of. Just one thing:
If you go in knowing it's down to earth type of a film (without any "big bombs") you should be in for a treat. I was. :) 


Rating: ★★★★

Captain Fantastic

I finally got my one candy piece to hold on to for the next great movie to come! Yay me!
Captain Fantastic (It's not a sci-fi superhero movie)!
I was taken by the first scene - it was full of nature and the mood was set so right I felt it right then it will be a good one. Finally.
The plot is also very appealing to me as I am a bit stressed out about all these new tech-specs and gadgets and wondering would it even be possible to raise normal, clever and not obsessed-with-phones/apps/computer games/junk food/etc children. So,
THE PLOT: A father of six children (age is quite different) lives in the forest and teaches them basically everything - they have very good knowledge about survival, hunting, music, literature, medicine, law, you name it. They also have physical training so they stay fit and strong not only mentally. In my eyes they're a pretty great family (watching them being blunt-honest made me smile and even laugh at times. I enjoyed watching them work, and DO THINGS - running, sweating, singing, playing instruments, such a treat for my soul - not seeing phones and sh*t, agh...) with one big flaw which you'll see and also might get already, as they are the only ones who live in this some sort of commune (without school, without socializing outside the family, not using phones, internet, eating only what they can get themselves etc). After a while something happens and the father with the kinds are somewhat forced to go into "the real world" and adapt. And here different obstacles appear. 
This movie had heart. The characters were different and well made, strong, so it was possible to get attached. It was full of nature and beautiful sights. Dialogues were almost always enjoyable and sometimes even laughable. The story kept building and developing and didn't get stuck (maybe it never happens in movies but I sometimes feel that way when I get bored or am not interested at all somehow). It was warm without being cheesy, it was also a bit comic and filled with appropriate amount of drama. 
What I felt was "not right" - close to the end of the movie it started to feel like it's being dragged to get more minutes or something. With this I want to say that for me it felt like they could've cut it 10 minutes shorter and it would've gotten a half a star more from me. Also some bits and pieces felt too overboard but they didn't ruin it for me.
Captain Fantastic is a very lovely drama with no real action/thriller (shouldn't have been, don't get me wrong) moments, filled with dialogues and scenes which can make you think about the past and how we live now.
Who would like this? I actually can't think who wouldn't find this movie interesting. You might agree, disagree about different things but all in all - it's good cinema. It was for me. Thank you Matt Ross (the director and writer) and all the cast --> everyone did an excellent job!

Rating: ★★★★