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[filmdiagnostic]

The Lego Batman Movie  ★★★☆☆

Short Synopsis:

There are big changes brewing in Gotham City, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker's hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

-IMDB

Film Review:

A funny and packed with action animated movie about Batman and his fight against his enemies and himself. The Lego Batman Movie is an instalment of The Lego Movie, this time mainly focusing on Batman and other DC characters. When I first learned about the film, I did have high expectations, basing on the first Lego film which was incredibly funny with a cleverly written script.

Although this time, The Lego Batman Movie was funny too but not as much as the first one. However, considering all other elements of the film. This movie has great things to offer, such as the portrayal of a superhero doing regular things like heating food in a microwave and watching chick flicks by himself --probably one of my favourite scenes in the film. It just shows how regular anyone can be and it's hilarious- like thinking of yourself doing the same things while watching Batman heat his food.

There is that familiar outcast or misunderstood protagonist like the first instalment of this movie. This time it's more centred on mocking a narcissistic, immature and cynical vigilante of Gotham City- Batman who is not known to be this lonely man-child, afraid to be part of a family again. In the most of the entirety of the film, Batman is a solo player who doesn't fit in with the other Justice League Superheroes. However, eventually, he gets to be part of a family in the end. And he realises that he deserves it too like everybody else. This film brings a lot of simple yet important messages about life in a way Batman would deliver, and it's quite touching.  

Another film from The Lego Movie franchise that will be very memorable this year and years to come. I am very much looking forward to the next instalment. This movie has got great visuals and could have been funnier. Nevertheless, it's worth watching and again and again.

Out in NZ cinemas: April 6, 2017

[filmdiagnostic]

CHiPS ★★½

Synopsis: Jon Baker (Shepard) and Frank Ponch Poncherello (Peña) have just joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Los Angeles, but for very different reasons. Baker is a beaten-up former pro motorbike trying to put his life and marriage back together. Poncherello is a cocky undercover Federal agent investigating a multi-million dollar heist that may be an inside job inside the CHP. The inexperienced rookie and the hardened pro are teamed together but clash more than click, so kick-starting a real partnership is easier said than done. But with Baker’s unique bike skills and Ponch’s street savvy, it might just work…if they don’t drive each other crazy first.

-Written by Warner Bros.

Film Review:

Good cop, bad cop–Chips is originally an American TV dramedy series that aired in late 70’s that made six seasons until the 80’s. The film’s storyline is very similar from the series, Francis (Ponch) played by Michael Peña who is an FBI agent sent to go undercover, become a member of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and find the dirty cops behind the recent robberies and the death of a particular CHP officer. He was then assigned a partner, a former pro motorbike rider John Baker, played by Dax Shepard.

The two started off slightly awkward when John introduced himself to Ponch in the locker room while he was half naked. Ponch being very uncomfortable and avoiding close contact, John felt the need to say something and both went on the wrong way. This scene made it clear that the two of them will have a lot of fun working together as partners and drive each other mad or maybe become the best of friends?

The movie is mainly an action-packed comedy with a light touch of drama. It focuses on Frank, and John’s characters as the both of them discover each other’s personalities and eventually become good friends, despite their occasional rambles and yelling at each other. 

The film is written and directed by one of the major players in the movie, Dax Shepard did well writing a fun script for a light hearted comedy film about buddies. It has broken many stereotypes, like how the homophobia is used and misused in few of the scenes. As well as the standard types of looks for an 8/10 type of women. Not to forget about guys being in touch with their feelings and not being afraid to express them. 

There’s a lot more that Chips offers than just explosive scenes, comic reliefs and motorbike stunts. It has a good script, although not too witty but good enough to make you think to yourself about what the characters say. There’s also good casting with a balanced and believable antagonist character of Vic Brown, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. The film also showed that there are indeed clean and dirty cops everywhere. It’s a situation that is continuing to happen at present.

Overall, a film enjoyable and fun to watch. Not the greatest comedy film of the year but still a good movie to watch and laugh about with your friends.

Out in NZ cinemas March 29, 2017.

[filmdiagnostic]

Fist Fight ★★☆☆☆

Synopsis:

On the last day of the year,  mild-mannered high school English teacher  Andy Campbell (Charlie Day)  is trying his best to keep it together amidst senior pranks, a dysfunctional administration and budget cuts that put jobs on the line. But things go from bad to worse when he accidentally crosses his much tougher and genuinely feared colleague, Ron Strickland  (Ice  Cube), who challenges Campbell to an old-fashioned throw down after school. News of the fight spreads like wildfire and ends up becoming the very thing this school, and Campbell needed.

- New Line Cinema with Village Roadshow Pictures

Film Review:

The film is set to document the worst day ever. It starts off with Andy Campbell   (Charlie Day) going on his daily journey to school where he teaches. At the beginning of the movie, it’s clearly established that Andy is not the tough guy type. He gets mocked, bullied and embarrassed by his students on his way to work.  It seems that this goes on quite on a regular basis throughout the day. However, unlike any other today was probably the worst day for him and every other teacher - last day of school.

                              ***Spoiler Alert***

Everyone knows that the last day of school is the day of epic pranking. All the teachers including the administrators and coach get pranked the entire day! To make matters worse for Andy, he gets into a fist fight invitation by one of the scariest teachers in school, Strickland ( Ice Cube).  They initially got into an argument after a student named Neil (Austin Zajur) pranked them both, it became messy when Strickland who probably has anger issues, furiously stroke the student’s chair with an axe.

Both teachers were called and threatened of getting laid off unless someone tells the truth. Andy, of course, being the weak one snitched his colleague Strickland. Not liking what Andy did, Strickland wanted a fist fight to teach Andy and the students a lesson about consequences.

Of all the days Andy got into a real fight, it was also the day when his daughter needed him the most. Ally ( Alexa Nissenson ) played Andy’s daughter who has a talent competition on the same day. And he has been thinking about it all day and was trying his best not to miss it despite him almost losing his job, bribing students, buying drugs, jailed and getting into a fight.

It’s a messy, chaotic day for Andy. However, he finally found his courage and stood up for himself for the fist time. He showed up in time for his daughter’s talent competition where they perform a very interesting number. And then he finally decided that he would fight his colleague at the parking. He may not have won, but he put up a good fight and gained a new friend. In the end, his wife who was also pregnant was in labour when Andy was knocked out. Strickland helped him get to the hospital, and that’s how his worst day ended- not so bad after all.

The story seemed interesting enough to watch with a promising plot. But then it takes a turn to over packing crude jokes and depended solely on comic reliefs that were not effective -making the film lame and boring to watch. 

In general, the film did not seem very entertaining and funny at all. Some scenes didn’t make sense- somewhat unnecessary. Like when Andy’s other colleague Miss Monet ( Christina Hendricks ) kept popping in and out of the movie as a sexy character distraction but did not fit in well. As well as her odd portrayal of a Psychopath did not seem believable. Holly ( Jillian Bell) was unpredictable with her character as the supporting actress to Andy.  She was funny at times but was trying too hard on some of the scenes. It came across as a little cringy on some of her scenes. The script didn’t have much impact as a supposedly funny film.

The movie is clearly not a smart comedy and will not make you laugh your hearts out. There may be very few memorable scenes and certainly not an enjoyable film to watch. As well as enough off-color humour and profanity but does not guarantee even a chuckle.  There is a lack of wit, timing and proper execution that made the jokes a bit stale.

NZ Release Date:  Feb. 25, 2017 

[filmdiagnostic]

Moonlight ★★★★★

Synopsis:

A timeless story of human connection and self-discovery, MOONLIGHT chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.  At once a vital portrait of contemporary African American life and an intensely personal and poetic meditation on identity, family, friendship, and love, MOONLIGHT is a groundbreaking piece of cinema that reverberates with deep compassion and universal truths. Anchored by extraordinary performances from a tremendous ensemble cast, Jenkins’s staggering, singular vision is profoundly moving in its portrayal of the moments, people, and unknowable forces that shape our lives and make us who we are.

Film Review:

There has never been a film like MOONLIGHT. It resonates emotion in a deep and personal level as it tackles current issues faced by present day African American community–something to be celebrated as not many films like this have been made yet. It’s definitely a must see film of this 2017. An astonishing film to greet the new year–fresh, powerful, beautiful and above all authentic.

There is a profoundness emanating from the storytelling as it is captivating and highly affecting as we get to know Chiron, as portrayed by different actors throughout the movie. The scenes are strongest as we observe the characters left alone, left to be themselves, their natural state. It reminds me of moments when I’m alone as well, left with my own thoughts. It’s during times like these that we get to know the characters as we are given a window to these intensely personal moments in the film as they try to discover themselves. A brilliant example of observing the state of being.

Moonlight is outstanding in showing intense human connection with only a few words. When people feel alone and out of place, we tend to search for that space in ourselves that makes us feel safe enough or comfortable. Not only that this film perfectly captures those moments, but it also makes the audience experience it first hand. An experience that is not unfamiliar to us at all. The film is pure in its objective to shows us how different and similar we all are on the inside.

Jenkins (director/screen writer) brought us to a world where everything is true with raw human life experiences, relationships and emotions from Chiron’s life story, as he becomes Little to Chiron to Black. His story may not be different from others but its uniqueness lies in how it may affect the viewers and what we think of ourselves, others and the world.

Everything about this film is beautiful. From cinematography, direction, script, production and casting–all of which were stunning in many ways. This film is not just a film, but an experience that is true and human in all aspects.

In NZ cinemas January 19, 2017.

[basketballyeti-blog]

@basketballyeti loves the movies and this ones about @smallfootmovie is about Yetis and also stars @kingjames how coool is that ?! It is a delightful movie with that hilarious slapstick Warner Brothers style humour. Thanks for the invite @undertowmedia , @onetakekate and I loved it and what a rad event. #smallfoot #smallfootmovie #undertowmedia #yeti #yetis #basketballyeti #movieyeti #eventyeti #lebronjames https://www.instagram.com/p/BoD0A_klEgc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1shgy341loonq

[basketballyeti-blog]

@basketballyeti loves the movies and this ones about @smallfootmovie is about Yetis and also stars @kingjames how coool is that ?! It is a delightful movie with that hilarious slapstick Warner Brothers style humour. Thanks for the invite @undertowmedia , @onetakekate and I loved it and what a rad event. #smallfoot #smallfootmovie #undertowmedia #yeti #yetis #basketballyeti #movieyeti #eventyeti #lebronjames https://www.instagram.com/p/BoDz1UnFWh7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=njo0jbs7ri20

[basketballyeti-blog]

@basketballyeti loves the movies and this ones about @smallfootmovie is about Yetis and also stars @kingjames how coool is that ?! It is a delightful movie with that hilarious slapstick Warner Brothers style humour. Thanks for the invite @undertowmedia , @onetakekate and I loved it and what a rad event. #smallfoot #smallfootmovie #undertowmedia #yeti #yetis #basketballyeti #movieyeti #eventyeti #lebronjames https://www.instagram.com/p/BoDwK9JluZM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6kso0389vo4r

[basketballyeti-blog]

The @basketballyeti is off to see @rampagethemovie with @therock ! I’m old enough to remember the game so this will be ultra rad. Thanks for bringing me along @onetakekate and @undertowmedia 😎❤️👊🏽🤘🏼👌🏼#roadshow #rampagemovie #rampage #therock #movietime #movies #undertowmedia #basketballyetimovietime