Good films

I have recently watched a few good movies, both at home and at the theaters. These are the movies, arranged in no particular order whatsoever.

Sherlock Holmes : A Game of Shadows

This film is a must-see. I went to the theater with mom and dad to watch this film and it is perhaps one of the best detectives movies I've seen. The visual effects, though at times seemingly overdone, are superb and dazzling. I especially love the slow-motion scenes.

The sequel manages to keep its humour and pace, as well as its plot. Professor Moriarty is revealed and the battle of the minds begin. Despite the fact that the crossing of antlers between these two geniuses may seem less climatic than the fight between Blackwood and Holmes, which is more physical and heart-stopping, it is interesting how they can expect each other's every move, as though through a telepathic connection, but in the end, Holmes still triumphs.

 Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are proved to be a great pair in this film playing the two famous figures of detective fiction.

My rating for this film would be four out of five.

The Help

This is a comedy you don't see everyday. Emma Stone plays a young lady who attempts to help the black community of Jacksonville, who had been treated unfairly. Bryce Dallas Howard plays the bitchy Miss Hilly and Jennifer Chastain as a white lady who also is an outcast of the community. Viola plays the protagonist, Aibileen, who tells the story of her life as a black maid.

This is way better than 'The Blind Side'. The film is well-acted, humourous, tear-jerking and heart-wrenching. We hardly get films like this anymore.

If I do say so myself, this film deserves at least an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Chastain and Bryce Dallas Howard and Best Actress for Viola. Though I partially doubt this, but it would also be a pleasant surprise for this film to get a nomination for Best Film.

My rating : 4/5

The Adventures of Tintin
I am a Tintin fan and a Steven Spielberg fan since childhood. When I found out about that Spielberg is directing a film based on the Tintin comics, I had chills running down my spine.

I finally watched this and it blew my mind away. It's not exactly like the book, but a great adventure, all the same. Spielberg kept the true essence of the characters.

My thumbs up also to Peter Jackson in this collaboration.

John Williams has done a great score for this movie as well. In fact, he has made a tribute to his own works in this soundtrack. Some of the tracks had familiar tunes and parts which resembled those of his other scores like 'Catch Me If You Can', 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' and 'Star Wars'.

So my rating for this film : 4/5.


Tron Legacy

Okay, I'll have to admit it. I never thought so much about this film before. I wasn't particularly interested when I saw the trailer because I thought it might be all action and visual effects. Boy was I wrong. I got the movie and watched it at home. Beginning was okay, but after that, it got better. It gives us an insight to the life of programs in the Grid and then later it brings us to the protagonist's father's lair outside the Grid. It's an interesting story and very captivating as well, but I also have to admit, some parts were quite boring, but on the whole, beautifully done. The visual effects are astounding and script is good. The ending sent chills down my spine.

Like I said, I never thought much about this film until I've watched it. It's quite heart-wrenching at parts, which is good. The actors are good, but the lead actor could do better. Jeff Bridges is awesome, as always.

So my rating : 3.5/5

The Tree of Life

For this film, I'll say I thought too much about it. When the film began, I was beginning to feel that this film is very deep, but I never knew it was that deep. The prologue was fine, then the film plunges back to the beginning of Time, where the story truly begins. It soon leads up to the point where the family of the story is. The middle part of the film is something which I can relate to because I have felt that way before. When it reaches the epilogue, it seems to imply that the world has come to an end or something like that, and they are in heaven, but I kinda lost touch on the film by then. Stunning imageries and effects bewildered me, then the film ended with the mysterious glowing light, which appears episodically throughout the film.

I don't know what to say about this film, exactly. I was puzzled. Even 'Inception' was more comprehensible than this. The music was fine (bone chilling in fact) and the effects and art direction were astounding. But a question mark still hangs on the plot. Yes, it is very deep, but too deep for me to dive in, for fear that the mere pressure of thinking of it would crush me.

My rating : 3/5

Gladiator

I have watched a part of this film on television once, but never the full story, but seeing as it won Best Picture in the Oscars in 2000, I bought the DVD and watched it. By jove, this is perhaps one of the best films I've seen! Extremely well-acted with stunning effects and a great plot. The bloody violence, I can live with.

Russell Crowe brings life to the gladiator Maximus who is a general convicted of treason and is about to be executed when he escapes, only to find his wife and son murdered. He is taken in by Proximo, a man who buys slaves to be used as gladiators in bloodsports. He soon finds himself in the Colloseum of Rome, where his enemy, the current emperor of Rome, Commodus (who had killed Maximus' family) has revived an age-old game where gladiators fight and kill to entertain. Maximus plans his revenge and, of course, succeeds, but himself dies at the end as the emperor has poisoned him. The ending is tear-jerking, as he leaves the world of the living to meet his family in the afterlife. Triple thumbs-up to Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe, Richard Harris, Joaquin Phoenix and the rest of the crew for this excellent piece of film.

My rating : 4.5/5

A Beautiful Mind

Now this is truly a winner. I've never watched it before and I saw the DVD. Seeing as it too won Best Picture of the Oscars in 2001, also acted by Russell Crowe, I thought I gave it a try and the try is worth it.

The film is based on the real life of John Nash, who is a mathematic genius, but also a schizophrenic. This film is quite the total opposite of Forrest Gump, but still it produces buckets of tears. Scenes which got me crying are the times when he is in the Psychiatric Hospital, in his cell and during his treatment--which is insulin shock therapy--and the times when he tries to ignore his hallucinations. At one point he seems to feel that he should return to the hospital for the treatment again, but he doesn't. Jennifer Conelly, who plays his wife, shines in this movie as well. She supports her ill husband through the hard times, rendering a strong relationship between them. The film has its humours and its smiles.

Ron Howard should continue with films like these. It's his cup of tea, I guess.

James Horner also produces an excellent score for this film.

Overall, the best film I've seen to date.

My rating : 10/5.

Without wax,

SAM FRANCIS

The Start of a New Beginning...

I have just finished with my public exam, SPM, and I can tell you, I'm starting to feel useless now. Nothing to do. Well, at least I have my holidays planned till the day I enter university. Uncle's assignment to do, loads of own assignments as well.

Movies to look forward this December.

- Sherlock Holmes 2 (Guy Ritchie)
- The Adventures of Tintin (Steven Spielberg)
- War Horse (Steven Spielberg)

Sherlock Holmes 2 : Saw the first film and I loved it. So when I heard about the 2nd film, I was a little skeptical initially, until I saw the trailer. Talk about a film heavily laden with CGI, and I have to say, they were 'divine', not like those crappy ones in 'Immortals'. I suddenly felt the urge to drag myself to the cinema to watch this.

The Adventures of Tintin : Steven Spielberg's first animation film, and I felt it as a must-see of the month. Steven Spielberg has been and always will be my favourite director since childhood till now. So definitely going to watch this with my family, who has grown to love Spielberg's films too.

War Horse : Another Steven Spielberg film. Need I say more?

So three movies to watch this December. A Christmas treat, I will say. A mix of action, drama, childhood memories, perhaps some romance, definitely comedy, obviously some fantasy, apparently science fiction, and definitely the best films money can buy. Can't wait for their releases soon. Haven't been this crazy since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2.

Booyah!!! Looking forward to a wonderful December and a divine Christmas.

WITHOUT WAX,

SamFrancis

What A Day...

Today (Tuesday) was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life, but it turned out I was wrong. I had a row with my mum.

I have to admit that it was entirely my fault. I was driving home from school with my mum in the car and she asked why some of my friends were staying back at school. I told her it was because they had extra classes for History and she asked me why didn't I join them. I told her that up till now I had been having piano lessons on Tuesdays, with the exception of today of course. When she asked me about the extra class info, I could not tell her. I didn't know anything about it. She wanted me to go, but part of me, I have to admit, was lazy to attend the classes. I think she sensed that I was becoming proud and arrogant and she said, "My, my, Sam, you have changed."

It really got me there. I asked myself, "Really? What the hell is wrong with me?" We had a small row and we did not speak for the whole afternoon after that. Not even for once looked at each other.

I feel it was entirely my fault. Not the hormones, not the demon. Mine. I mean, I'm no longer attending piano lessons after this and I do have time for the extra class, yet I'm so lazy and expect good results to grow on trees. What am I thinking? Maybe I should go. It might be good.

So, lesson of the day: Get back down to Earth where I belong.

Without wax,
SAMFRANCIS

Harry Potter and everything else...

Just watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 a few weeks ago and I have to say: this is the best film of the series. Heck, probably the best of the year. I was open to the changes they made to certain scenes and it wasn't all that bad like everyone else was complaining. It was superbly done. Great visuals, as usual. Great acting, great script and lovely epilogue. What made the epilogue lovely was because I had been hoping that the whole movie ended with the track 'Leaving Hogwarts' from the first Harry Potter film playing. I thought it would be nostalgic. When the soundtrack was released, I listened to the last track, thinking it was the epilogue track and was slightly disappointed when it was the theme from the kiss scene between Cho Chang and Harry in Order of the Phoenix. So, I lowered my expectations. As the film reached the end, it turned out that the last track of the soundtrack was actually the music playing after Harry snapped the Elder Wand (a drastic change which I didn't mind at all; it was acceptable. Better actually). when it came to '19 years later' and the track 'Leaving Hogwarts' played, I had goosebumps all over me and I wanted to cry out in joy! It was a wish-come-true! The audience that night, luckily, was very sporting, so I joined them aplauding as the faces of the famous trio faded out. A great way to end one of the most captivating and best series every made. I loved it, my parents loved it... We thought we would want to watch it a second time, but hadn't got the time.

After years growing up with Harry Potter, it was really hard to say goodbye, but we all knew it was coming soon. An era has ended. I'm looking forward to the next era of another successful film series -- hopefully not about Harry Potter again. If they decided to make another Harry Potter movie, I will be pissed. Even if it's just a prequel, because the series is as perfect as it is. Another film would've ruined the whole thing. So in conclusion, a perfect end to a perfect series. Goodbye, Harry, Ron and Hermione for the years I've been with you and thank you, Miss Rowling, for the childhood.

Rating : 5/5

Without wax,
SAM FRANCIS

To Be or Not To Be....

I know I'm still seventeen, still studying, but I think I had my calling a few days ago. The calling to become a Franciscan Friar.

It started off a few days ago when I was watching a video involving two Franciscan Friars and I later went to research on Franciscan Friars, which sparked my interest. Usually, this would fade off after a day, but no. It's not like the obsession I had over books or movies or clothing. This feeling of desire has sat in me for quite a few days already. It could be a calling.

I don't know. For the past two years or so, my faith has been wavering. I felt far away from God. When I pray, my mind wanders off to other things. I talked and thought like a atheist, I'll admit it. I've sinned a lot of times. Too many times, in fact.

Maybe God wants me to turn back to him. It is possible.

So for that question: To be or not to be...?

Well, one thing's for sure. I'll keep my head in my studies first before I decide. It's still a long way. God, please help me in my studies and my MOCK and SPM exams. Amen.

Without wax,

SAM FRANCIS

Troubled day

Today can be considered a pretty bad for me. Four things happened to me today.

One:

I've forgotten to pack me reccess food. I didn't eat much and was so hungry after break time.

Two:

I've been asked to produce a coloured sketch for the High School Idol 2 stage decorations and they wanted me to do 4 copies....

Three:

I literally betrayed two friends today by talking to one behind the other's back. These two are in a cold war and one of them can't stop calling the other a bitch. I am in a dilemma. While I know one of them is wrong and the other is right, the one who is wrong is my best friend and I hate the idea of losing him. I guess I'm the bitch here.

Four:

We had YCS meeting and I fucking left the auditorium with the keys in my pocket. This problem has been solved. I returned it to one of the school clerks.

Without wax,
SAMFRANCIS

Updating Movies...

Been watching a few movies lately and, whoa! Some are good, some are bad...

1. Inception (Rating: 3/10) [Don't like this one. The idea is interesting but the whole thing is not really a good one]
2. Sorcerer's Apprentice (Rating: 8/10) [An okay Disney film. Wonderful effects and simply beautiful]
3. A Nightmare on Elm Street (Rating: 7/10) [DAMN! It is good! I just don't know why people say the original film is better. The original kind of sucked.]
4. Armageddon (Rating: 9/10) [Love this movie. The ending is really touching]
5. All Good Things (Rating: 8/10) [Gosh I love this film too! Great acting and interesting plot.]
6. Buried (Rating: 2/10) [Eww! Boring boring boring! Just one guy in a stupid coffin! I know it is scary but it is best to be a book, not a movie.]

So, there you go.

Without wax,
SAM FRANCIS