The Movie Buff in Me

The Purge Anarchy (2013)

 The U.S government mandated an annual purge which enables every citizen to kill anyone out on the street (for 24 hours) once the purge hour begins.  I know it sounds really crazy but whoever thought of this movie has a ridiculously dysfunctional mind. Nonetheless, it was never boring. 

The Awkward Moment (2014)

Bestfriends Jason (Zac Efron) and Daniel (Miles Teller) agreed to not get into any commitment/relationship with women (only flings and booty calls). Mikey (Michael B. Jordan), the only married guy in their bunch started to have marital problems thus advised he should join in their quest to not get romantically attached to someone. In the end they eventually failed and all ended up being in a serious relationship except Mikey because he got his wife back/regained his marriage.

The Giver (2014)

I don't know what's up with either post apocalyptic, Dystopian, Utopian kind of flicks nowadays. They're just growing in numbers. Anyways, this is another movie adaption from a book of the same title by Lois Lowry. The story is about 'sameness' and 'equality.'

Jonas was chosen to become the Receiver of Memory, someone who stores all the past memories of the era prior to Sameness (what the current society is called) thus, he would be useful when it comes to decision-making since he stores history. In this Utopian society, everyone adheres to rules thus privacy is out of the question because all households have an intercom to easily track those who disobey the rules. It was fun at first because of the order in the society and all but later on, I realized how demented things would be without chaos and opposition.

The Maze Runner (2014)

As oppose to The Giver's 'Utopian' society, The Maze Runner is 'Dystopian' which mean there's still order and structure however everything is allowed to decay and all the ugly extremities there is for the benefit of some, there's no equality.

The setting is called the Glade, enclosed in tall walls wherein no one can find the way out.

Every month, a new boy is sent through an 'underground service elevator' with no recollection of his past life and is only able to recall his first name. The Gladers all tried to find their way out but no luck. No one survives the maze because a techno-organic alien called Grievers live there and once stung you're dead.

In the end, the maze runners succeeded and defeated the Grievers which seemed to be the hindrance for them to find the way out from the Maze. Once out, they entered a laboratory where almost all scientist are already dead. They later on learned that the earth was hit by solar flares resulting to incurable virus of which some were immune and some weren't and they were used as experiments. They also found the experiment was a success and as the helicopter carrying all of them ascends they found out that the maze is nothing but a vast deserted area.

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire (2013)

Another Dystopian movie based from Suzanne Collin's novel of the same name and the book after The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark returns to District 12 after winning the 74th Hunger Games. Later on President Snow visits Katniss and warns that her actions seems to incite rebellion across districts thus she needs to redeem herself and divert the district's attention to her and Peetra's love affair. The two were mentored by Haymich Abernathy and was advised to keep their love affair 'show' going. They later on publicly announced their engagement at the Capitol.

Then came the 3rd Quarter Quell, a special Hunger Games which occurs every after 25 years wherein winners from previous hunger games will play but there's a different twist to the rules of the game. The previous winners were enraged as to why they were returned back to the game.

Let me fast forward, Peetra announced that Katniss is pregrant thus the audience fume mad and that the game must stop because of Katniss' condtion. The Quell pushed through despite the so called 'pregnancy.' A lot of challenges went wherein majority of the district victors died. Peetra almost lost his own life after he was electrocuted but was fortunately revived by Finnick, with whom Katniss couldn't trust. She found they were inside an arena, shot the arena forcefield with an arrow which brought about major destruction. Katniss was taken to an aircraft and afterwards attacked Haymitch after overhearing that Peetra was not rescued. Katniss found through Gale that District 12 is gone.

I love the special effects really and even though I wasn't able to watch Part I, I actually liked this movie because of Katniss' rad costumes especially the wicked wedding gown. I don't know what the hell is Lenny Kravitz doing in this movie though but what the heck I guess If I don't him as 'the' Lenny Kravitz then I could possibly mistake him for a real hollywood actor not a rockstar.

The Longest Week (2014)

Conrad Valmont (Jason Bateman), born with a silver spoon being the son of the Valmont Hotel owners, unemployed and was evicted from their very own hotel which already served as his home. He technically disinherited by his parents I think because he's old and he needs to learn to fend for himself. As a child Conrad's parents travel the world leaving him behind under the care of the hotel employees. In the subway Conrad saw Beatrice and was instantly attracted to her. Beatrice wrote her number on a ripped page of this book she's reading.

Homeless and unemployed Conrad crashed in his best friend's apartment Dylan Tate  who happens to be an artist. Beatrice happened to be already dating Dylan (yes, what a coincidence) and happened to be a model as well. Beatrice likes Conrad more than Dylan.

The two had this love affair behind Dylan's back. Conrad told Dylan about it and he was kicked out of Dylan's flat. Conrad went to Beatrice since he's homeless again and admitted he's broke. Fast forward, Conrad and Beatrice had an argument, Conrad was hit by a truck, he survived though.

Conrad finally finished the book he's been writing for ages, the book became a success.

He and Beatrice got back together but Conrad finally learn how to live life as an adult without any aid from his rich parents.

This movie is a classic. I thought t'was boring but it was done quite beautifully that you wouldn't even notice how boring it is really. I liked it though. I even noticed that Jason Bateman can dance haha.

The 'F' Word a.k.a What If (2013)

Main character Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), a med school drop out, with a terrible job and resides at his sister's apartment. Wallace was forced by his friend Allan to go to a party and later on met Allan's cousin Chantry. The two talked after Chantry saw Wallace playing with fridge magnets (made out of words). He walked her home and later on found that Chantry has a boyfriend. Chantry gave Wallace her number but he decided not to call her.

They met again at a movie theater after Chantry's BF was a no show so she went alone instead and what a coincidence Wallace was there too. They had dinner and chit chat. Chantry learned that Wallace was cheated on by her ex girlfriend.

Wallace met Chantry's BF Ben who works for the United Nations. Ben fell out of the window after Wallace accidentally bumped him whilst trying to find a cure for his eyes badly squirted by onion's juice I think. I actually noticed that Ben is kinda weird. To make the long story short Ben flew to Dublin due to a job commitment. Chantry decided to fly to Dublin to see Ben but she later on found that Ben will be extending his stay and is looking forward to possibly staying for good in Dublin. Chantry broke up with Ben. Chantry's relationship with Wallace though went deeper than friendship although she wouldn't acknowledge the fact that she's also falling for him.

Chantry and Wallace did not see each other after Chantry accepted a job offer in Taiwan.

Wallace continued med school.

Little did we know Wallace followed Chantry in Taiwan, proposed to her and yes the two ended up getting married.Oh wow. What a long and winding road.

Ok, enough of Utopia and Dystopia and let's go for love stories.

If I Stay (2014)

I could watch this movie over and over and I mean it. I like this flick a lot actually although it's tragic. Another movie adaption from this novel of the same name by Gale Forman. Movies derived from books are just good.

Ok, so Mia Hall (Chloë Grace Moretz) grew up with bohemian parents. Her Dad used to be a rocker/band member and quit his band to have a real job as a teacher after the birth of her younger brother Teddy who she thinks is the reason why her Dad quit his band.

The movie's chronology is fragmented as it used flash backs every now and then.

Mia became passionate playing cello as a kid thus her parents hired a music teacher to enhance her musical prowess. Later on when she was still little her Dad sold his own guitar to buy her a cello.

One day Adam Wilde, an upcoming rock  star who studies at the same school heard Mia playing cello from outside her classroom. He then instantly fell in love with her and pursued her. Mia liked Adam, although he's a little older than her. Adam was in good terms with Mia's family not because he's also a musician like her Dad but because she showed how affectionate he is with Mia.

Suddenly tragedy strucked the Hall family. One their way to visit the grandparents house one snowy day, their car collides to an upcoming truck and this is when Mia's astral journey starts.

Mia's life came to her in fragmented past from how her and Adam met etcetera. After senior high school Adam decided to leave town because his band got signed to a label and that's when their relationship went rocky due to frequent music engagements/travels.

One night whilst Mia is having dinner with her family, her grandpa advised why not she audition for Julliard, a prestigious music school. Mia at first was reluctant but she eventually decided to apply for Julliard later on. Mia told Adam about Julliard they had a fight because Adam felt disregarded after not having to consult him beforehand. In the long run Adam realized how selfish of him to stop Mia from pursuing what she loves the most, playing her cello. He paid Mia a visit later on and even created a replica of Julliard Hall's ceiling in her bedroom so she could get used to it prior to her audition. The two were able to patch things up until the accident happened. Mia went into a coma but her astral self travailed thus she saw everything that happened at the hospital, from her grandpa crying near her whilst her body lays in a coma telling her how proud of her he was while watching her as she auditions for Julliard and how he regret it that he never told her son (Mia's dad) how proud he was of him as well back during his band days. Mia finally learned that Adam wrote a song for her whilst at the hospital, the later even sang it as Mia listens without Adam knowing Mia's astral self yonders.

Mia lost her entire family due to the accident, the last to go was Teddy.

The movie ends as Mia wakes up from coma.

This movie will set you to tears if you're a little emotional because it's just really sad but yeah that is life's harsh realities, you lose those people you love sometimes because no one's ever ready for death anyways?

This is a must watch, if you believe in the power of love go watch this flick.

My favorite part? At the bonfire when Adam played Today (Smashing Pumpkins) acoustic version which happened to be one of my favorite songs and it even got better when Mia infused cello to it.

The whole crowed sang along. It was epic.

The Theory of Everything (2014 Film)

Adapted from the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Wilde Hawking.

A true story.

Stephen Hawking, a geek who studies astrophysics met Jane Wilde, a fellow student at Cambridge University who is studying literature at a party. Jane left Stephen her numbe but he was not able to call her because he was so busy. The two met again at a bar and that's when their liking for each other flourished.

Unfortunately, Stephen was afflicted by motor neuron disease which means although his brain will remain unchanged, his muscles will soon be uncontrollable and soon will be unable to walk, talk, swallow or do things on his own. He was given two years to live. Jane was heartbroken after seeing how Stephen's condition slowly deteriorates. Jane marries Stephen, had a child one after another and even surpassed the two years despite his condition. Stephen even finished his doctorate degree with flying colors.

Jane's mother told her to join the church and be busy with other things which she eventually did. Jane met Jonathan, a pianist at the church choir. Jonathan and Jane became good friends. Jane hired him to be her son's piano teacher. Jonathan was a widower and he's a good guy, he often helped Jane in taking care of Stephen but things took a different turn when Stephen's parents suspected Jonathan for fathering Stephen and Jane's last baby because of Stephen's worsening motor ability. Jane dismissed the accusation right away as there's no veracity to it.

Jane and the kids went on camping without Stephen one day, the supposedly camping turned awry when Stephen was rushed to the hospital whilst watching a concert in Bordeaux. The doctors told Jane that Stephen needs a tracheotomy, which will leave him unable to speak. She tells them to operate anyway because she strongly believes Stephen will be able to surpass it.

Jane bought a spelling board for Stephen to help him communicate and eventually hired Elaine, a helper who became really patient with Stephen. Elaine and Stephen went along really well. Stephen soon receives a computer with a built-in voice synthesizerr and used this to write his very own book called A Brief History of Time, it became an international best-seller afterwards.

Stephen fell in love with Elaine and took her to the States to receive an award, he asked Jane for a divorce. Jane although heartbroken agreed as she's already in love with Jonathan. The two married. Jane and Stephen nevertheless became good friends.

This is a very good film, also a must watch. Cheers to the power of love.  

Anddddd this wraps up my movie bloggie for now! I'll try to write more when I'm bored.