Hidden Figures

Women handling numbers, physics, cars, other machinery and standing up for themselves? Yes, please!
Based on real people and events Hidden Figures shows us the time when NASA dealt with different problems in order to successfully complete first space missions. Here we get to follow 3 (well, one more than others to be fair) African-American women and their problematic "journey" as they are "colored" and segregation is in what they live in.
What I loved about it the most was how this movie managed to show difficult stressful situations, day-to-day unfairness with such lightness that it was impossible to get sad, angry or depressive. Big thanks must go to soundtracks for that. They could've just put in more dramatic (rather than something groovy and funky) songs and melodies but they didn't. I thank them.
Movie itself doesn't really show anything new, you know - it basically is any other space mission launching movie. The true story behind it is unique of course. What I want to say here is that the real life achievements of these women and their portrayal was very pleasurable and satisfying to see but what wasn't so amazing - how it was quite typically done (view points, dialogues, the whole picture itself, even saw some cliche scenes).
Although it is about three African-Americans Taraji P. Hensons character is seen way more than others. In my eyes Janelle Monáe was the one who popped out of the crew as the most interesting one to watch but unfortunately I didn't feel like her character was given a fair chance here. AND YET -
Octavia Spencer is the one who gets the Oscar nomination? REALLY? Don't get it but okay..
As I am bad in history and wasn't there at that time I can't judge how true or fabricated this movie is in reality and I don't even want to. Watched it, liked it very much and won't argue about "facts".
All in all - a very good, humane drama with splashes of lightness through tough times. Great main lady ensemble, soundtracks and overall feeling after the end credits. And feelings are what basically make my rating, so..

Rating: ★★★★

Patriots Day

This is a story, a somewhat true story about Boston Marathon bombing which took place on April the 15th and the search for the terrorists after. It's about some of the involved people (the police, terrorists, people who ran the marathon and people who came there to watch) - how they were either involved  or affected by this.
It's starts off with an introduction of these chosen people - who they are, where they are. We just get a glimpse, no deep character (real people? This is confusing..) development. Later on we get to see the bombs go off and then we follow how the police, ambulance, community itself, government and FBI work together to help people and work on finding those who caused this.
All in all movie is filled with action and bravery.
I did not really enjoy this piece and here is why:
a) Although I get to see how people can be and are brave, helpful and strong, which is really great, I could not "enjoy" this, because it somehow felt "forced on me". Like they were trying to make me feel emphaty and feel for everyone rather allowing me to reach that place on my own. I also get why they chose to show us some of the victims and their back-stories but that doesn't mean I liked it. I know it is a bit horrible to say (because it's based on true events and real people) but again - it just felt cliche, the way they executed everything about and around these characters. So yeah, forced and cliche.
b) Trent Reznor, oh dear Trent Reznor. I was let down. Hard. At some places in the movie it was like "I have heard this before" at others - it was just too predictable. I believe there are ways how to create suspense, create more stressful, dramatic scene without making it so obvious that NOW SOMETHING (and at the scene you know exactly what) IS REALLY GONNA HAPPEN. I really enjoyed (still do!) soundtracks from Social Network, I also do listen to Nine Inch Nails from time to time but this was....this was bad (still being subjective).
c) I WANTED TO SEE MORE OF THE "SEARCH". I wanted to see how the FBI (and maybe other instances, that doesn't matter how they are called) works - how they operate, how actually hard, intense it can be, wanted to see some conflicts (or just silent-working...as they probably know what and how to do everything) between different workers. How people contact and help the FBI for this specific reason.. Anything like that. I was left with this longing.
So, Kate the hater - what DID you like?
Well, Mark Wahlberg in his character (real person?) was doing a great, believable job to my eyes. He looked legit, acted like a real person (who he was portraying) who had his flaws and wonderful qualities. I also did enjoy some scenes at the end of the movie about which I won't say anything else...because they were very close to the end. All in all - I wasn't bored, didn't look at the watch or wonder off in my mind.

I can see critics are giving this movie good reviews (mostly)..So maybe it just wasn't my day and I was just unconsciously looking for reasons not to enjoy (PMS, you know) it. It is definately a whatchable movie, I just did not like it.

Rating: ★★½

Passengers

Before going to see it I knew it wasn't a good one (still wanted to see it). So I went in hoping it would be a sexy futuristic space movie (because of Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence and..spaceship and stuff). It wasn't. Instead I saw a film. It started, it went on but nothing really happened and then - about 20 minutes before it was supposed to end, SOMETHING started to happen. That is not a good pace.
Anways, the film started by Chris Pratts character unplanned awakaning in this spaceship which was set to go to another planet where mankind would develop a new world, new living space ect. J. Law was there too. All in all everything was quite bad, at points silly or illogical.
Good thingies - the spaceship was quite beautifully made. Pratt and Lawrence have appealing faces (and other features)..That's about it.
All in all - "Passengers" was quite boring, predictable, dumb and not at all intriguing. What was interesting - me and my friends thoughts of "what if-s". For example - what if NOW HE REALLY DID DIE (it was like 20 minutes in the movie)? Or - What if now it turns into a soft-porn movie? At least that would've been unpredictable... Needless to say our "fantasies" didn't make it.
Ugh, I just can't suggest it to anyone really. I won't judge you for going to see it though (because I did).

Rating: ★★

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