Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

After the events of Man of Steel the people are divided about Superman. For some people Superman is a hero and for other is an alien that can destroy the world in any moment. For the side that believe that Superman can be lethal for the humanity is Lex Luthor. Lex, an eccentric and psychotic genius thinks that humanity needs a defence against Superman. Is for that reason that with bribery to some politicians achieve access to the General Zod's ships and very rare mineral that can be damage the kryptonian cells produced by the destruction of the World Engine Machine.

In a parallel events, Bruce Wayne also believes that Superman is very dangerous to the world. Many Bruce's friends died while Superman and General Zod was fighting in Gotham City. For him, Superman is a risk for the world because with his power can dominate the entire world. In one of his investigations discovers the Lex Luthor's plan to gain access to the rare mineral that can be a weapon against Superman. Is when, during a terrorist attack during a Senate interrogation to Superman occurred and explosion killing all people excepts the Man of Steel, then Bruce Wayne decided take action and assaults Lexcorp to obtain the mineral to confronts Superman. But the Lex intentions are more to have access to the Kryptonian technology. The combat between the Dark Knight and Superman is only the beginning of a Lex Luthor terrible plan to dominate the entire world.   

Batman: The fans and critics had many doubts around the capabilities of Ben Affleck to interpret the Batman. I think doubts are vanished now. Ben’s Batman is the best character in the movie and the most reliable interpretation of the Dark Night ever.

Superman: Vulnerable. Clark confronts many issues about the meaning of Superman for the World. Although he believes that he is doing good to the world, the evil is looking in the darkness and is moving pieces to bring Superman in a battle that can cost his life.

Wonder Woman: I loved it. Gal Gadot made an excellent job with the amazonian warrior. Diana begins with a mystery character that have some interest in Lex Luthor. The most interesting point in the movie is when Bruce shows Diana, not only that Luthor knows who is she, also who are the “others” meta humans….

Lex Luthor: The worst thing of the movie. Simply over acting character. Really I was waiting a Lex Luthor more near to the comics. I think the actor tried to a mix between the Joker and took something of Lex Luthor from the comics, but I think that he had failed.

In overall the movie is not bad, but neither is perfect. I think the major weakness of the movie is the introduction to many characters at once. It’s clear that DC is in some disadvantage against Marvel and his Phases. But the Marvel success is about in the introduction of his characters in an individual manner and linking the movies with the Avengers. DC decided make a major step and present his 3 icones to open the door directly to the Justice League movie. Despite of this, I think that Zack Snyder did a good in a challenge to manage a movie of this scale. I know many fans were waiting something more big that the plot of this movie. But we need to remember that this movie is an introduction to something big. Justice League Movie is coming and many other DC characters will be presented in the next years. Without mention the final Boss that all we know: Darkseid.

Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, Gal Gadot, Holly Hunter

Directed by Zack Snyder

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

Rate: 7.6

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Genre: Action / Adventure

Plot: After see this movie I think that Spiderman character in hands of Sony is a waste. Sadly, Sony still have the right over Spiderman avoiding that this original Avenger appears in the Disney/Marvel Super Heroe movies. In hands of Sony Spiderman character not have a potential that needs to be in a movie and be out of Marvel Phases is a totally stupid thing.

One of the principal problems with this movie is the cartoonish of the characters and situations. This movie presents Electro how a powerfull enemy, maybe invencible, that can destroy a city in some minutes. But Spidey helps catch this guy with a fireman hose causing him a short circuit, WTF? Electro was an employee that is suppose a genius in his work but a loser in his personal life (as many criminals). As well, he is a employee of Oscorp. The technology company that is managed by Norman Oscorp that is a scientific that made some crazy experiments and military technology. The drama of the movie counts when the Peter Parker father was the pal of Norman Oscorp, but something bad happens when he leaves his son, Peter Parker with this uncle and aunt and disappears.

Norman Oscorp leaves all this company to his son, Harry, in pain of death. But with a terrible news, that he have a terrible hereditary disease. A some disease that torn the skin in green and causing a terrible death. Green….terrible...yes, Green Goblin drama. The young Harry is menaced by the principal investors that do not believe that the young guy can manage the company, but when Harry knows about Electro, he ask for help. Harry offers to Electro his freedom for destroy all the city if he helps him to enter to Oscorp Laboratories. While Electro makes his revenge against Spiderman, Harry is in searching of a cure for his disease, his first choice was the Spiderman blood that contains healthy properties, but obviously Spiderman said not. Then Harry discover the experiment about Spiderman that converts Peter Parker in the Amazing Spiderman. Harry got the experiment that is a type of serum and injected the solution in his body. But the solution works differents on him. For some reason that is not clear, he converts in a crazy green man, yes, the Green Goblin.

The final battle of Spiderman and Electro is not memorable, and his encounter with the Green Goblin not interesting. The Green Goblin character in this movie have a terrible design. Truly the Green Goblin seems like a Meth addict. Well, great part of this movie is invested in the love of Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy, and when I mean great part is a great part. Thanks of this the final of this movie is so dramatically, supposedly. Well, really I waited a little more from Spiderman. And maybe little more from Rhino, that really is an asshole in a ridiculous machine.

There are plans for many sequels of Spiderman. The Sinister Six and Venom movies are now in schedule. I hope in a near future this character returns to Marvel/Disney, and see the Spiderman joining to the Avengers.

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHann, Colm Feore, Felicity Jones, Campbell Scott, Paul Giamatti, Sally Field

Director: Marc Webb
Studio: Marvel Studios
Distributed by Columbia Pictures (USA - 2014)

Rate: 5.6

Thor: The Dark World

Genre: Action / Adventure

Plot: The Dark World follows the events occurred after The Avengers. Thor is fighting with his warriors for establish the peace in the Nine Realms while Loki was imprisoned by Odin by his crimes at Earth for rest of eternity. In Earth, Jane Foster is retired from scientific investigations and try to get a normal life but his friend Darcy communicates with her for a possible great discovery. Jane accepts and she goes to an abandoned factory. In the factory occur rare events that disobey the law of physics. Jane accidentally enters to another world where encountered a rare stone with a mysterious power inside. This power enters into the Jane’s body causing her losing his consciousness . In Asgard, Heimdall feels that something is wrong, then, informs Thor that he can’t see Jane in Earth. Thor goes to Earth and finds Jane for take her to Asgard. Odin was furious and wanted to expulse Jane from Asgard because, for him, humans are insignificant beings for stay in the Realm. But he sees in Jane an incredible power. The worst was discovered. Odin counts the history of the Dark Elf Malekith. Before the Universe was created the Dark Elf Malekith created from darkness a terrible power called the Aether. Malekith tried to use this power for destroy all existence and covered with dark. But Bor, Odin’s Father, declared the war to Malekith. The Asgardians were winning the war and the Aether was snatched from Malekith. In a last effort to overcome the Asgardians, Malekith dropped all his power over the Asgardians causing many death including all his people. Malekith escaped but Bor won the war. Then the Asgardians hid the Aether in a place that nobody never found.

At same time the Asgardians learned that the Convergence, a rare alignment of the Nine Realms is imminent. Because this the reality in Earth was distorted causing a portal to another world where caused that Jane Foster find the Aether. The Aether's power awakened Malekith from his large sleep. Malekith feels that the Aether is in Asgard. Then the Dark Elfs attacks the city. Malekith fails in take the Aether, but is only a matter of time in recover the Aether and begins his plans for destroy the universe and complete his vengeance against the Asgardians. Odin orders to Asgardians protect the city and hide Jane from Malekith. Thor knows that if the Aether not leave Jane’s body she will die. Then Thor, disobey Odin’s order, seeks help from his warriors and Heimdall, including Loki for get out of Asgard and confront Malekith.

The Dark World movie begins a little slow. Thor's fighting for peace in the Nine Realms and Jane Foster in Earth trying to get a normal life is a little meh. That drama is not very interesting and sometimes boring. Other issue in the Dark World was the comedy and jokes. How comedy is in a movie where an ancient Elf wants destroy all live in the universe? Well, some jokes was ok. Obviously Loki is very good with that but in another moments is very annoying. And yes, is very effective against Thor. The relation between Thor and Loki is great. Although is the same drama of a trust relationship between brother, chemical between actors is very good. Odin take more scenes in this movie. Thor's father is very arrogant and have mixed feeling about humans. For one part, Odin imprisoned Loki for all eternity by his crimes at Earth, but wants expulse Jane from Asgard because for him, humans are insignificant and not deserve be in Asgard. That confuse me. For me, the character that rob the show was Dr.Erik Selvig. Oh yes, this guy really made me laugh. Dr.Selvig is a crazy man because events of Avengers. That was very much for him. It's symptoms are practically equals of feelings of Tony Stark in Iron Man 3. When the all events in Avengers, in certain manner, affect the psychology of human characters. Although Dr.Selvig have some little moments in the Dark World, is a very important character, and how in Avengers, Dr.Selvig will be the clue to avoid that the Nine Realms (that including the Earth) are destroy by Malekith. Amazing really!! The villain was good to me. An ancient Elf that wants destroy everything in the universe is a very good standard in Marvel Universe.

The Dark World is not a perfect adventure movie, but really have a very good moments. What about Eastern Eggs??...Jmmmm!!!…. in the mid credits in The Dark World have the most important scene for the Marvel future movies. Appeared an interesting cosmic and weird character that will be vital in the Avengers saga. I not will describe the scene here. But if you want knows the spoiler you can find it now in the internet ;)

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard

Director: Alan Taylor
Studio: Marvel Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios (USA - 2013)

Rate: 7.8

GasLand Part II

Genre: Documental

Plot: Josh Fox returns in this documentary film against the Gas Industry in United States. The Gas Industry, poison the american people in post of the substitute for oil. No Agency, the Federal Government or State do nothing for avoid this criminal acts against the people and nature. USA have the most great gas reserve in the world. Someone call USA Gas Arabia Saudíi. What is the cost for the people? In the second movie, the injustice, the criminal contamination, the protest banner and the expropriation are the final moves of Gas Industry. The Gas Industry are protected by federal government. EPA is only a puppet without any sense. The States are bribed. Nobody can help the american people that by generations works his lands and inheriting to generation to generation. All politics, including Barack Obama supports the Gas Industry with the argument that it’s the future of energy. It’s a fact that USA have enough gas for support country energy by 100 year. But, again, what’s cost?

Contamination, death, deserts, bad water, chemicals. The panorama is terrible. Most terrible is the effect of methane. The extracting Natural Gas from the soil releases enormous quantity of methane to atmosphere that contribute to the global warming. Methane is the principal reason of explosions in the factories and fire in the people water. How many power have the Gas Industry in USA for destroy the land? They are free of any law that force this companies disclose the chemicals and the technology behind all this disaster. Scientifics, journalist and affected people by his own methods, denouncing the methods of the companies. The principal problem with this methods is when the companies drilling the land for obtained the gas, a cement layer around the tube is broken causing that the chemicals enter into the earth contaminating the water. Other great problem is the liberation of methane in great quantities. Many people leave their houses and land because the risk of an explosion is very high. The documental presents a man that constructed a house of various millions dollars in a land that the Industry Gas made fracking. The man was never able to live his home. Measurements of methane was so high that any spark could cause an explosion.

USA wants replace the oil in some manner. This gas industry has convinced the White House that the Natual Gas is the principal solution for fight against the oil prices. With many influences the gas Industry has promoted laws for his own benefit. Another brutal detail is that some fracking (hydraulic fracturing for obtain natural gas) are very near that cities how California and New York. This documental establishes the great possibility that the great quantities of methane liberated continually in the nearby to New York had changed the climate. Hurricane Irene caused a great disaster never seen before in the city. Coincidence? The principal image that Josh Fox take was one simple. He recorded in a plane the USA lands with the Gas Wells. Was impressive. Thousands and Thousand of gas well have disfigured the USA land in a terrible manner. Wonderful lands, maintained by american people by generations. Now are own by the Gas industry. Nobody can help this people. No government, EPA, White House, not even Barack Obama? Nahh, he supports this shit. Certainly we need energy, but it’s possible get energy avoiding killing people, killing the nation, killing generations. It’s possible. But sure, the great interest not want this.

Cast: Josh Fox

Directed by Josh Fox

Distributed by HBO Documentary Films (USA - 2013)

Ranking: 9.0

Link to GasLand Review

Gravity

Genre: Drama

Dr. Ryan Stone is a Mission Specialist on her first space shuttle mission aboard the Space Shuttle Explorer. She is accompanied by veteran Matt Kowalski, who is commanding his final expedition. The mission was under control, however, the Mission Control base warns the team that a Russian missile destroyed one of his satellites causing a space junk, causing an imminent impact to Space Shuttle Explorer. Matt, orders to Dr.Ryan abort the mission, but was very late. The space junk, traveling into space more fast than a bullet impacted the Space Shuttle. All crew of the spaceship were deads with the impact, except, Dr.Ryan and Matt. Now alone in space, with a limit oxygen and without any communication with Earth they will need to survive.

Gravity is one of those strange movies that have ability to maintain and insert the spectator to movie itself. And rare in a positive description.Gravity is simply spectacular. The visuals of the space are magnificent and the perception of the reality rob the oxygen to any. It's about surviving, fight against the impossible and humans limits.

If you have the opportunity, see this movie in a IMAX 3D. Is a must. If not, see it anyway. Too, is a must.

Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Studio: Esperanto Filmoj

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures (2013 - USA)

Ranking: 9.4

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Genre: Action / Adventure

Plot: Bilbo Baggins es visitado por el mago Gandalf proponiendo una aventura. Bilbo, un Hobbit con una vida acomodaticia y hogarena rechaza las intenciones de aquel mago que decia conocerlo. Aun con el rechazo de Bilbo, una noche seria visitado por 13 enanos y Ganldalf para comenzar con las planificaciones de aquella aventura, que no seria simple. Smaug el Terrible, un infernal dragon habia despojado de las tierras y riquezas a los enanos. Smaug habia robado tambien el oro de los enanos. Los enanos liderados por Thorin y Gandalf irian tras el recate del oro, del reino de Erebor y la destruccion del dragon Smaug. Bilbo habia rechazado aque lla aventura. Pero Gandalf le habia recordado su linaje Tuk, el cual habia luchado valientemente y con heroismo contras los trasgos. Ese sentimiento de aventura fue despertado en Bilbo lo que acceder a unirse a los enanos y al mago. Lo que no sabria el Hobbit es que esta peligrosa aventura cambiaria su vida para siempre dando paso ha acontecimientos que serian el presagio de una lucha inevitable contra el mal.

Lamentablemente no tengo acceso a ver las versiones del Hobbit en 48fps o en IMAX 3D asi que es doloroso no poder juzgar la pelicula como quisiera. Ver el Hobbit en la version estandard en overall fue una experiencia, diria intermedia. En la version estandard si pude notar los arreglos digitales, demasiado obvios, en los personajes del viejo Bilbo y Saruman. En ambos casos hay que considerar que Ian Holm tiene 80 anos y Christopher Lee tiene 90 anos. Asi que supongo que tuvieron muchas tentaciones en dar retoques digitales a los personajes. Tuve la oportunidad de ver la pelicula con un proyecto digital lo que mi experienca visual fue mucho mejor. Los retiques digitales no fueron tan obvios. La gloria de ver el Hobbit en full HD fue fenomenal. Aunque no me puedo quitar de la mente lo roboticas que se veian las aranas que intentan atacar a Radagast, aunque estas solo fueron vistas por unos segundos en pantallas. En las sequelas espero que visualmente mejoren por mucho. En general los visuales del Hobbit son extraordinarios. Desde el reino subterraneo de los trasgos hasta los fenomenales efectos faciales de Gollum.

Realmente fue extrano para mi ver a Frodo antes de la aventura de Lord of the Rings. Un Hobbit inocente e indiferente. Pero asi debio hacer. Tengo varios conflictos con varios personajes. Principalmente con la actuacion del joven Bilbo interpretado por Martin Freeman. Su trabajo en la primera hora de pelicula la catalogo como demasiado “over acting” . Sus manerismos continuos, su interpretacion exagerada del personaje al fue hasta algo molesto para mi. Las inteciones del actor fue interpretar un Hobbit totalmente extranado ante situaciones que nunca habia tenido que lidiar creo que no tuvo control de si mismo. Aunque me parecio interesante que alrededor de la segunda hora de pelicula su actuacion se estabilizara cuando comenzo a manejar el drama de la pelicula el cual trabajo muy bien. Otro personaje, diria que muy extrano, fue Radagast el Pardo. La interpretacion de Radagast en pantalla fue algo muy extrano para mi ya que es muy diferente a como se refleja en el libro, un mago que ama a los animales y que es indiferente a los acontecimientos de la guerra del Anillo. En pantalla grande tenemos eso, pero ademas es un mago, algo desquiciado y muy muy extrano. Aunque puede ser chocante Radagast es parte de importantes acontecimientos como el haber descubierto el mal que se establecia en el Boque Negro y haber investigado el castillo de Gol Guldur donde logro neutralizar al espiritu del Witch King de Angmar y descubrir el Nigromante (Sauron). A pesar de ciertos desaciertos, el actor Richard Armitage, en mi opinion, se roba el show con su interpretacion del enano Thorin. Gran parte de la trama recae en su personaje el cual el maneja excelentemente. Por lo demas, tenemos lo estandard de Lord of the Ring con grandes actores como Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving y Cate Blanchett los cuales no hay cuestionamiento alguno.

Hubieron muchos cuestionamientos cuando se anuncio que el Hobbit seria dos peliculas. Como seria posible si el libro es uno corto y sencillo? Las justificaciones llegaron cuando Peter Jackson anuncio que desarrollaria la historia detras de la historia de las ausencias de Gandalf y haria referencias a poemas dejados por Tolkien e incluirlos en la pelicula. Pero cuando se anuncio que seria una trilogia, hasta yo me preocupe. Solo el tiempo dira si fue una eleccion correcta. Pero que podemos decir de esta primera pelicula? Realmente no se siente que su historia haya sido estirada a proposito. Todo lo contrario, profundiza e la historia de los enanos y su desgracia con el dragon Smaug, el drama de Thorin con el gran orco Azog, el extraordinario manejo del enfretamiento de Bilbo con Gollum en la competencia de acertijos y la preocupacion del concilio blanco con respecto al Nigromante y el bosque negro. Todo esto da un gran presagio de lo que nos puede esperar en los proximos dos anos. A pesar de las criticas, Peter Jackson ama a las aventuras de la Tierra Media. Eso me tranquiliza.

Dirigir a 13 actores (enanos), mas dos personajes principales (Bilbo y Gandalf) y hacerlo de manera expectacular? Peter Jackson trabajo sobre 10 anos con la pasada trilogia de Lord of the Ring asi que no es de sorprender su maestria en el Hobbit. La personalidad de los 13 enanos se refleja en pantalla sin problemas. No hay conflictos entre personajes. Peter Jackson utilizo muy bien el personaje de Thorin y la habilidad del actor para darle el trama a la pelicula. Realmente me senti privilegiado al precenciar la escena del concilio blanco y ver a grandes actores reunidos interactuando uno con el otro. Principalmente Christopher Lee, que debido a que avanzada edad, habia preocupacion su podia retomar su rol como Saruman, ademas del sin sabor de haber omitido su trabajo en Return of the King. Pero Lee acepto de nuevo el reto y podremos ver (deseando toda la salud del mundo a Christopher Lee) la caida de Saruman del lado del enemigo. Peter Jackson realizo un gran trabajo y espero mejore en las proximas dos partes. Hay que mencionar que parte del trabajo aqui fue comenzado por Guillermo del Toro el cual abando la direccion. Pero el destino es sabio y lo llevo a manos de quien unico puede contar la historia de la Tierra Media como se merece en la pantalla grande.

Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Manu Bennett, Barry Humphries

Directed by Peter Jackson
Studio: New Line Cinema / Metro Goldwyn Meyer
Distributed by Warner Bros. (2012 - USA)

Ranking: 9.0

Frankenweenie

Genre: Stop-Motion Animation

Plot: Victor Frankenstein es un nino que aunque no tiene amigos ama la ciencia. Su mejor amigo es Spaky un perro que es su fiel companero. Sus padres estaban preocupados que Victor no tuviera amigos e invirtiera todo su tiempo en sus experimentos. Y aun mas que competia en la feria de ciencia de su escuela, principalmente inispirado por el nuevo maestro, el Sr.Rzykruski. A cambio permitir participar a Victor en su proyecto de ciencias su padre le pidio practicar un deporte. Asi que comenzo con el beisbol. Sparky, su perro estaba muy inquieto. Victor bateo un hit el cual Sparky siguio hasta la calle, pero lamentablemente muere atropellado por un auto. Esto afecta a Victor gravemente. Un dia en una clase Victor ve como su maestro de ciencias, movia las extremidades de una rana muerta con electricidad. Asi que Victor emula ese experimento con su perro muerto obteniendo un resultado impresionante. Sparky volvio a la vida. No todo es felicidad ya que Sparky escapa y uno de sus companeros de escuela lo ve y lo chantajea de que le diria su secreto a todos. Asi que Victor le revela su secreto, que no lo fue por mucho tiempo. Los participantes de la feria de ciencias se sintieron amenazas por el descubrimiento de Victor, asi que cada uno lo emulara. Lo unico que no con el mismo resultado, sino con uno terrible que solo Victor, quizas, pueda resolver.

Victor y Sparky

Desde pequeno soy fan del Stop Motion y fan del trabajo de Tim Burton con Nightmare Before Christmas y James and the Gian Peach que son filmes, que aun se catalogan, como maravillas del Stop Motion. Burton se tomo varios riesgos con Frankenweenie (que es un remake de uno de sus filmes originales). El riesgo es que la pelicula es en blanco y negro. Asi que la imaginacion de los disenos de los paisajes y los personajes deberian tener un gran rol para atrapar la imaginacion. Muchos de los disenos de los personajes, me recordaron tal vez a jovenes emos. Pues todos en la ciudad son tenebrosos. Las referencias a la pelicula de Frankenstein y otras peliculas de terror es obvia y directa asi que veremos personajes con grandes parecidos a la momia, dracula y al propio Frankestein. Tambien y obviamente tendremos la representacion del Cientifico Loco que estuvo durante la edad dorada de cine de terror. En general los modelos estan bien pero no son memorables. Los monstruos tambien a los de las peliculas de terror de blanco y negro asi que en general todo sera bastante familiar.

Mi personaje favorito es el Profesor Rzykruski, que representa al cientifico loco. Este profesor es la principal inspiracion de Victor en las ciencias. Lamentablemente no se profundiza y sale pronto de la pelicula. Los demas son los comunes ninos molestosos que quieren vencer a Victor en la feria de ciencias emulando los experimentos con electricidad.

Mi momento favorito en la trama de la pelicula es la critica directa del profesor Rzykruski a los padres y al sistema educativo (indirectamente al sistema de USA) en no promover las ciencias como principales materias escolares, la generacion de pocos cientificos y no promover las matematicas. Incluso llamar ignorantes a todos aquellos que temen a los desconocido y diferente. Estas lineas me parecieron geniales. Pero nuevamente, este personaje sale muy pronto de la pelicula y todo vuelve a la aventura corrientes basada en la pelicula de Frankestein.

Spppoookkkyyyyyy

Frankenweenie tiene sus buenos momentos de critica social, pero lamentablemente no se explota esa tematica, y aunque tiene sus momentos, todo se concentra en la aventura de Victor con Sparky. Es una oportunidad desperdiciada.

Voices of Charlie Tahan, Frank Welker, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau

Directed by Tim Burton
Studio: Tim Burton Productions
Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures

Ranking: 6.7