Iron Man (2008)

Title: Iron Man

Year: 2008

Director: Jon Favreau

Rating by the MPAA: PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and brief suggestive content

Official Synopsis (from marvel.com): 2008's Iron Man tells the story of Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man.

Official Trailer

STEPH SAID

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Review:

Honestly, when I decided to watch Iron Man I didn’t know what to expect. I had never heard of him. I had never watch a story that featured him. And, knowing only that Robert Downey Jr. was to play the lead role of this movie, I decided that I didn’t want to do anything with it. I was pleasantly surprised. Then again, when you don’t expect much, anything will be alright.

I enjoyed Iron Man's origin story: how he was created and what he stands for. The war, terrorism, and violence, and the harsh reality it presented struck a chord in me. It is such a delicate and sensitive subject, that I was impressed it was lightly used in this type of movie.

I don’t like Downey because he seems arrogant, and he lets it show in every movie I have seen him in. They haven’t been many, granted. But, turns out, Tony Stark is arrogant! I couldn’t tell if it was Downey’s arrogance, or his acting skills, shining through. At least, that’s what I thought at first. By the end of the movie, Stark underwent a change of heart. He changed enough for me to like him, and that is saying something. Ironically, Downey’s portrayal of Tony Stark became the part I liked the most about this movie.

On the downside, I didn't enjoy the overall ending. First of all, Ms. Peppers comes out of Stark Industries and takes as much time to call Stark as it takes Stane get to Stark's home. If Pepper had called Tony and tell him about what she find out, maybe the ending of the movie would have been different. Also, Obadiah creating another suit was too much, too fast. It took the genius Tony weeks to create the fully functioning Iron Man suit. The geniuses at Stark couldn’t crack the arc reactor. Yet, Obadiah created bigger suits in days. To make everything seem even more unrealistic, Iron Man seemed to beat Stane too easily, even though he was using the old arc reactor, and he didn't have any power left.

Irrelevant to the bad ending, I am, most of all, grateful for this movie’s success. It is the beginning of something huge. If this movie had not been a success, maybe we wouldn’t have The Avengers, let alone Guardians of the Galaxy, right now. 

The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015)

Title: The Divergent Series: Insurgent

Year: 2015

Director: Robert Schwentke

Rating: PG-13 for intense violence and action throughout, some sensuality, thematic elements and brief language

Synopsis: The Divergent Series: Insurgent raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite. Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Haunted by her past choices but desperate to protect the ones she loves, Tris, with Four at her side, faces one impossible challenge after another as they unlock the truth about the past and ultimately the future of their world.

Official Page

Official Trailer

STEPH SAID

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Review:

This movie was way better than I expected. Having read, beforehand, the terrible book this movie is based on, I was expecting to snooze off five minutes into the movie. Yet, the plot was changed, and I was kept wide awake and interested for most of it.

Unlike in the book, the movie's story has a purpose. Jeanine needs a special Divergent – one that has aptitude for all five factions– to open a mysterious box. Unknown by everyone, even Jeanine, is that this box contains the ultimate truth, the answers to all the questions raised by the type of society they live in. Also, information about what is going on outside the fence. And, so begins the hunt for that one Divergent. Following the unspoken rule of YA stories, the protagonist, Tris, is the only person special enough for that task. Even though we know she only has aptitude for three factions. 

Jeanine's divergence continues to shine as she deceives the general public and does everything in her power to turn people against Divergents. During that time, Tris hides. She hides in Amity, Candor, and Dauntless. She even meets the Factionless, who are so in sync, they work as any other faction.

After many people die, Tris turned herlself in, because she had to, obviously. Once Tris gets to Erudite, we get to see the eye-popping simulations the box had to offer. They had too much dubsptep and Inception's-building-destruction for my taste, but the thought behind them, their ultimate goal, casts a fresh view of factions and human values.

I find it hard to belive, in a good way, that I was able to see and understand Tris' inner struggle better by watching an actress, than by reading Tris' thoughts in the book. Kudos to Shailene Woodley for her enactment.  Her performance during the truth serum scene, while she was in Candor, was so good it was difficult to watch. 

There are many things I didn't like about the movie. First, there is a sex scene that is completely out of place. Second, there is no explanation as to why half of Dauntless would betray their faction and follow Jeanine. Third, Tris and Four were conviently saved from tight spots. Thirty trained Dauntless soldiers are firing at Tris, Four, and Caleb but they all miss. Still, Four gets to knock down many Dauntless traitors. Then, Tris, Four, and even Caleb jump on a train, but the Dauntless trained don't even try it. This “luck” continues throughout the movie. It is all too convenient.

Last, but definitely not least, the message inside the box –the one that is supposed to explain everything, to give us the ultimate truth, the message that is supposed to convey meanning and purpose – makes no sense. It is a contradiction in itself. However, people didn't analized it too much because there were only five minutes left to present some visuals of the world and of people rejoicing in this newfound knowledge. The movie then ends on a high note, with every problem “resolved”. It gives a hopeful open ending to the series. Unfortunately, there is another book. I don't know what new problems the author created to extend the story for yet another book.

Of course, we have to rate and review this movie for what it is: a YA story. We can't expect from it what it will never give. Many people have rate this movie poorly because it doesn't have an intricate plot or layers upon layers of character development. This is not a drama, is a YA story. That is like expecting sex on a children's movie or a psycho killer in a romantic comedy. It could happen, but it probably won't.

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

Title: Insurgent

Author: Veronica Roth

Year of Publication: 2012

Official Synopsis: As the sequel to the 2011 bestseller Divergent, it continues the story of Tris Prior and the dystopian post-apocalyptic version of Chicago. Following the events of the previous novel, a war now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. While trying to save the people that she loves, Tris faces questions of grief, forgiveness, identity, loyalty, politics, and love.

STEPH SAID

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I cannot believe this book has been published. It means the writer wrote it, the editor must have edited it, and the proofreader must have proofread it. And still, with more than 500 pages, this mess of a book has nothing to say. There is no reason for this book to exist; no story within it. Instead of Insurgent, it should have been called Superfluous.

This book is only a combinations of plot devices to move Tris from one place to another in an attempt to waste pages and the reader's time. During the aftermath of Divergent's events, Tris goes to Amity to hide. After an attack, she goes to Candor to hide. After another attack, she goes to Dauntless to hide. After yet another attack, she decides to surrender to Erudite because that will mean "no one else is going to die". Right... like Jeanine will stop hunting and killing Divergents just because Tris surrenders.

That brings me to the next gigantic problem this novel has: the characters. One of the things I liked and praised the most about Divergent was its round main characters. Insurgent is the total opposite, especially when it comes to Tris. She went from a smart, layered woman, to a whiney, nonsensical girl. She argues with Four over stupid things, lies to everyone, tortures herself over something easily resolved, complains about almost everything, and stalks people, quite a lot. She does nothing to save her life, yet goes out of her way to save Peter's. On top of all that, she physically hurts herself and disregards her own life.

But, if that wasn't enough, the book is so poorly written, that you get lost every few pages. Commas are not where they should be, words are missing, and most of all, sentences are incomplete. Again, this is a book that went through the whole writing process, via a very big publishing house. It it unacceptable.

All that is wrong with this book – the painfully flat characters, the no-plot, the terrible writing – can be found on the book's most maddening scene: when Tris decides to trust Marcus over Tobias. Tris' logic and thought process become highly impaired as she decides to trust the man who used to abuse her boyfriend and mistreats her. According to the entirely reliable and believable Marcus, a file exists that, when made public, will change everything. Tris knows nothing about this file. But Marcus told her it is important, so, Tris decides to risk everything – her life, her relationship with Tobias, and her place in Dauntless – to find this file. What made it even worse is her rationalization and justification of her decision. Looking at it from a reader's perspective I knew Marcus was right. However, from Tris' vantage point the story was completely different, especially since Marcus doesn't give her enough reasons to trust him. She wasn't even sure about what to do, she just took a gamble. That made it all feel like another plot device.

It is such a pity, really, that this series has sinked so low. Divergent was a really good book. Insurgent is the total opposite. I am, definitely, not looking forward to Allegiant.

The Walking Dead - Season 4

Title: The Walking Dead

Year: 2010

Broadcasting Station: AMC

Official Page

Official Synopsis: Rick and the survivors foster a thriving community in the safe haven of the prison. In this brutal world, however, walkers and outside threats are no match for danger brewing inside the fences. The group's home and new way of life is thoroughly tested, and their struggle to survive becomes more perilous than ever.

ELL SAID

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The Walking Dead season four was flawless. It starts off a little slow, but it doesn't take from the story. Instead, it actually helps make the middle and finale be a thousand times better. I found myself constantly having to pause for a rest, because the emotions of the episodes I was watching were enormous, to say the least.

Rick, Daryl, Carol, and the rest of the characters just keep getting better and better, and the tragedy of their lives becomes the centerpiece of the season, showcasing the struggles these characters go through on a level far beyond that of other zombie-related stories. Furthermore, even on the less exciting  episodes, one has the constant desire to learn about what happens next, and keeps you constantly worrying about what happened to the characters.

The last couple of episodes were, in my opinion, among the best episodes of the series. The branching stories, the constant threat to the character's lives, and the final episode are the complete opposites of the beginning, toping the season with the proof that The Walking Dead deserves plenty of seasons more.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever (Book 6)

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever

Author: Jeff Kinney

Year: 2011 

Official Synopsis: Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he’s innocent. Or at least sort of.

The authorities are closing in, but when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he’s going to have to face the music, but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays?

Official Page

STEH SAID

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In this book, Jeff Kinney is back to his original writing style: Greg talks about many random things, then, halfway through the book, the actual story starts to develop. I don't like to read a book's synopsis and then, read a completely different story when reading the actual book. It just doesn't make sense; I was constantly expecting Greg to do something bad at school, only to read about the school yard or bullies.

On the other hand, those random anecdotes were really silly and funny. Greg's coming-of-age story is left forgotten and he is back to his wimpy ways. Kinney made some fun allusions to his own stories. And, he also made a Harry Potter allusion that was a pleasant surprise. It was completely unexpected, but fitting.

Divergent Movie (2014)

Title: Divergent

Year: 2014

Director: Neil Burger

Rating (by the MPAA): PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements and some sensuality

Official Synopsis: DIVERGENT is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy by a faction leader (Kate Winslet) to destroy all Divergents, Tris must learn to trust in the mysterious Four (Theo James) and together they must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it's too late.

Official Page and IMDb Page

STEPH SAID

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I watched this movie before reading the book. I hadn't even watched the trailer before I watched it, so, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I just knew it was a movie based on a big YA novel. The movie was also big enough to spawn the sequels. I knew I needed to watch it. At first, I was really confused about all the different names: Abnegation, Erudite, Amity etc. I couldn't remember what each of them stood for; which name was which group. Not even the colors helped. However, when Tris joined Dauntless the names became less important.

This movie is such a close adaptation of the book, that I might as well copy and paste the book review. My feelings and thoughts about the story are the same, whether it is in book form or movie form. That's why I decided to focus on the differences between the movie and the book. The movie improved some  things (like using “neuro-stim darts” in capture the flag), but damaged others that were perfect.

Mashing up the fear landscapes was one of the best time-saver changes the movie made. In the book the mental/emotional training is divided into two parts. For the first part initiates go into the fear landscape and try to control their emotions. During the second part, they need to confront their fears. The movie mixed these two training sessions into one, saving time, and pushing the initiates to the limit.

The main plot of the movie –

the Abnegation attack, led by Erudite

– saw a better ending in the movie than in the book. In the movie, the simulation was stopped, and

Jeanine's Divergence was implied. (Which would make complete sense considering her natural tendency to not conform to society and, thus, accept Abnegation's leadership.)

Whereas in the book the Dauntless soldiers are left haywire and shooting at each other, and nothing is mentioned about

whether Jeanine is Divergent, or not.

One thing I didn't like about the movie is the loss of Tris' abnegation side. She is Divergent; she has aptitude for Dauntless, Erudite and Abnegation. Even more so, she was raised as an Abnegation. Yet, she easily starts wearing tight clothes and getting tattoos, just as a an excuse to talk to someone. After reading the book I realized it is a fault of the movie. The book somewhat delves into Tris psyche and helps the reader understand the complexity of her transition from Abnegation to Dauntless.

If I had to choose between the movie and book, I will definitely choose the book. The movie is really good, its story is more compacted and action packed, yet the book's story is richer and more psychological, which makes it better in my eyes.

Orphan Black - Season 2

Title: Orphan Black

Broadcasting Station: BBC America

Official Synopsis: Season two of BBC AMERICA’s dramatic conspiracy thriller, Orphan Black, hits the ground running with Sarah (Golden Globe® nominee Tatiana Maslany, Parks and Recreation) in a desperate race to find her missing daughter Kira (Skyler Wexler) – a wild pursuit that brings her head-to-head with ruthless pro-clone, Rachel (Maslany). This season also rejoins Sarah’s clone sisters Alison (Maslany) and Cosima (Maslany) as they struggle to keep their clone world a secret and pick up the pieces of their broken lives – all while dealing with the harsh reality that no one around them can be trusted. 

Official Page

Official Trailer

  *This TV series has been rated TV-MA, for mature audiences.*


STEPH SAID

Rating: 

Review:

Politics and power plays are at the center of this season. This season is all about trust; the main clones, along with the viewers, won't be able to decide who to trust. Everyone seem to have a hidden agenda, which leads to many scams, betrayals and lots of suspense. The episodes were so packed, that many times the development of the story was implied through one line. For example, why waste time telling a new character the clone story when the viewer already knows it? Better skip ahead to when the character is fully informed and is O.K. with the idea of clones. This leaves more time for plot development. This is how TV should be: quick, resourceful, and rich in drama.

I still cannot believe that Tatiana Maslany hasn't received an Emmy nomination. She is so wonderful, that I regularly forget that it is her, the same actress, who portrays all of the clones. Maslany is so great, that you can tell when she is acting as a character who is acting as another. She can act as Sarah acting as Alison or Cosima, and you can tell. Maslany is also full of surprises. Just when you begin to believe you have seen it all, she goes on to act as a man. I was speechless. She even looked more “manly” Jordan Gavaris, than who plays her foster brother.

Thoughts about recurrent/minor characters are as follow. A) Angie is getting on my nerves. She is the character that I disliked the most. I dislike her even more that I dislike Rachel. B) I don't know what to think of Cal yet, since I barely know him. C) I was glad to see Helena again. I know she is evil, but, to me, she is only misguided. That is why she is so crazy, and yet so gullible and naive at the same time. D) Scott's personality added a nice touch to the story. The scene where he is playing a board game with his friends, and Cosima joins them was pretty funny. E) It was so nice to see Death – I mean Ben, as a minor character. F) Last, but not least, is Donnie. He surprised me this season. He went from an annoying idiot to a budding bad-ass in one episode.

The ending was both surprising and promising. I didn't see it coming. I was a bit lost during the final minutes of the finale. It had too much coded talk too fast, at least for me. Still, the big message came across easily enough. And, once I knew what is was, I was left craving more Orphan Black.