Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Review

4 Things I Liked About 'Dawn'

1. Andy Serkis - If you know me, you know my love for Mr. Serkis. Caesar is portrayed by Andy Serkis. He gives a brilliant motion capture performance and is best known for his performance capture roles such as Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (2001-2003) and for his portrayal of Caesar in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)." He deserves an Oscar and should be credited for, body language and limited dialogue. FYI -He was consulted on how to give an emotional quality to the character of Godzilla. 5 points for Andy Serkis

2. It centers on peace and conflict resolution (The Ape Camp) – Even though it ended with the beginning of a war. Caesar, portrays an element of concord, reciting phrases such as “If we go to war, we could lose all we've built", "Home. Family. Future” and “Apes together strong”. It has a fantastic voice of reckoning and captivating emotional core. Believe me when I tell you I would bring along Cesar and Maurice to one of my conflict resolution sessions.

3. Computer-generated imagery (CGI)- What firstly needs to be mentioned is what astonishing success 'Dawn' has done when it came to the use of CGI.

I'm normally very critical towards the (over-)use of CGI – but the level of craftsmanship displayed here simply has to be admired. It only took me seconds to forget I was watching digital characters (brought to life through the outstanding motion-capture performances by Andy Serkis, Toby Kebbell and Judy Grier – to name but a few), and I can't begin to imagine what a task it must have been for the artists and wizards in the animation department to work on every background and every tiny little detail of every character until this level of seamlessness and reality could be achieved. – Gogoschka-1

4. The story-line – Ten years after the worldwide pandemic of the deadly (known as the Simian Flu), human civilization is completely destroyed following martial law, civil unrest and the economic collapse of every country in the world. Over 90% of the human population has died in the pandemic, while apes with genetically enhanced intelligence have started to build a civilization of their own. The film's insistence on anchoring every event in strong, simple emotions...made [Dawn] surprisingly intimate and wrenching. Caesar was your entry point into the story. You identified with him completely, as you did with King Kong,.... You felt his pain, and cheered when he stood up for himself.- MS

Fantastic movie! Filled with great storytelling, wonderful special effects, and a captivating emotional core. Dawn of the Apes is close to perfection hence it’s score of 9.5/10

Ask Me Anything Movie Review

Britt Robertson, Molly Hagan, Andy Buckley

Release Date: December 2014

Directed by: Allison Burnett

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Katie, a brash seventeen year old is dating, (and then some), her high school boyfriend along with two older men. That is, her boss and an engaged 32 year-old a community college teacher who is living with his fiancé. Her promiscuity is a bit inexplicable- seeing that she knowingly has unprotected sex with her lovers while telling them that she’s “safe”. Only the Lord know what that means.

As the film unravels, I see where the breakdown in her life derives from. Her parents are divorced (her mom has yet to be married), her father is a dying, anti-feminist alcoholic and as a child she was.... you’ll find out when you watch. But the fact of the matter is that she has daddy issues - which is evident in her flashbacks during her sexual escapades - and when a female has daddy issues she’s bound to have man issues. 

To give her life structure Katie starts a blog, suggested by her guidance counselor. However, the only structure the blog has is detailing the different aspects of her life especially highlighting her sexual activities. She becomes famous, not only in her mind as she puts it, but on the internet.

So where are we? She’s sleeping with three men - her boyfriend, a soon to be married man and her boss. During her grieving process when the teacher “dumps” her, the teen becomes distant from her boyfriend and eventually moves onto her boss, a 43 year old man with a wife and newborn.

We come across other characters in the film, like the kind-hearted bookstore owner, portrayed as an advisor, her suicidal schoolmate who I considered her inner-conscience, and even her drug-addicted best friend.

The acting portrayal was...okay. I little strained for some, and confusing for others. In Ask Me Anything, I think Katie really needed to be loved but received it vicariously through sex and that is always a sad case.

It’s an edgy coming of age tale and while everyone can watch, by all means it’s not a family movie. Watch with a friend. I gave it a 5.5/10

***P.S. The ending will blow your mind

Into the Woods Movie Review

Movie: Into the Woods
Release Date: December 2014
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine

Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a musical format that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel-all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

So here’s what I actually liked about Into the Woods:

1. The Music- I was entirely unaware that the film was a musical. I was like, “Word, Meryl and Johnny finna sing?” Lol, I didn’t really say that, in fact I sound weird even talking in such manner. With that said here’s a toast to Stephen Sondheim (music composer); I was tremendously impressed by his work.

2. The Cast- Even though I thought Emily Blunt and James Corden were a quirky pair, (as I did Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman were in Identity Thief), they were actually pretty amazing. Can we have three cheers for Tracey Ullman? I haven’t seen Ullman played a role in forever, and to see her portray a grumpy old farmer got me even more pumped to watch.

3. The storyline- Yes! It was drawn out at times, for instance Red’s rant after she was rescued by the Baker and Prince Charming’s constant search for Cindy, but if you follow the movie pretty well there is a hint of dark humor.

I would recommend the film, however to a high-teen audience. I gave it a 6/10

Black or White Movie Review

Movie: Black or White

Release Date: January 2015

Starring: Kevin Costner Octavia Spencer, Gillian Jacobs

Black or White stars Kevin Costner playing Elliot Anderson, a grieving widower who is suddenly left to care for his biracial granddaughter (Jilian Estell). The drama begins when her paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody, causing the little girl to be torn between two families who no doubt loves her deeply. The root cause of this custody battle is that Rowena wants Elosie to explore the other side of her heritage by spending time with her African-American relatives.


Because its a racially inclined theme, I was a bit skeptical to watch. But, it's clearly coming from a sincere and honest place and not to mention it has an all-star cast.

With the best intentions at heart, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about race, forgiveness, and understanding (Relativity).

The cast did an exceptional job, but the story line rubbed me the wrong way, mainly because I knew Binder (Director) really wanted to touch on the race matter however, was somewhat fearful. Really Binder? We can take it! I think. Honestly, I was irritated at every scene, I kept saying “Are they gonna elaborate on the issue here? Oh, maybe here!...No?”

Black or White is the kind of failure that makes you frustrated and sad rather than angry. Its heart is in the right place, but its mind is confused (MZ). The movie failed to explore and took too many shortcuts, it lost sight of what actually is taking place.

I can’t take away the fact that this film is a decent family movie. I gave it a 6.7/10

Addicted Movie Review

Movie: Addicted
Release Date: October 2014
Starring: Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, William Levy

Disclaimer: This review is a SPOILER ALERT

I am just going to jump straight to the point. This movie begs the question: Is she really a sex addict?At a first glance I didn't think she was addicted to sex. (See my review of Shame: A Story of a Sex Addict). I actually thought, due to her promiscuity inexperience, she wanted to have SEVERAL SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS WITH SEVERAL MEN outside of her marriage, being that her husband was her “first and only". Let’s say she is finally testing the water...s. Honestly, I don’t think you are truly addicted to sex if you’re with only two men outside of your marriage. Take it up a notch, maybe five.

The movie stars Sharon Leal as Zoe Reynard. Owner of an on-the-rise marketing company, which soon fails because of her addiction. Her once happy life; faithful husband, two kids, beautiful home and sanity, is taken away due to this sickness.

During the film she falls for, well become obsessed with renowned artist, Quinton Canosa (played by William Levy). The two met at a gallery, where they openly flirt and soon become heavily involved. Zoe starts sneaking around on her husband, and things with Quinton quickly become too complicated for her to handle. *throws hands in the air in frustration*

Zoe is also into S&M and is quickly smitten with a new lover.

The performers are pretty game considering the ridiculous material. The characters aren't recognizable human beings, they are overwrought emotional states walking through immaculate settings wearing fabulous clothing (ready to be torn off at a moment's notice). Emayatzy Corinealdi plays Zoe's assistant, a straight-talking go-getter, frustrated with her distracted boss, and she brings a practical energy to the hothouse mood of the film that is welcome and often funny. She feels like a real person- SO

I was more annoyed than impressed with this picture, reason being it showed the truth about women. They are silly, they consistently fall deeply, suddenly and blindly into the booby traps set by men.

I gave it a 6/10.

Shame Movie Review

Movie: Shame

Release Date: November 2011

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale

When since sex was something to be ashamed of? Never! On the flipside, a sex addict’s life can be dreadful, overbearing and shameful. Filled with rage, anger and lust, Shame takes you to a dark place where sex entangles Brandon (Michael Fassbender) in its sticky web. This is a portrait of a man, who thinks he can fill the emptiness inside by having physical sexual encounters void of any romance.

Michael Fassbender is perfect. He takes on the role of a sex addict who fears companionship and lacks emotions. He is often alone, and when he is surrounded by company, he is normally in them. We are introduced to little characters in this film. However, he is visited by a woman we later assume to be his estranged sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan). Tension is present, as he sees Sissy as a burden in his home. Furthermore is broken herself.

The film suggests no help for Brandon, although toward the end, he moves somewhat in the direction of being able to care for another human being. For him, that involves being able to care for himself, despite the truth that he feels unworthy to be known. This is a great act of film-making and acting-RE

Shame was far from shameful receiving an 8.5/10.

Gone Girl Movie Review

Movie: Gone Girl

Release Date: October 2014

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris

I think we've found the movie of the year. I saw what the producers did, premiered the movie just in time to be nominated for The Academy Awards: Best Picture of the Year. The story wraps us into somewhat of a mysterious maze, causing us to want so much more than what we expected.

The “girl” in Gone Girl is Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike), East Coast socialite and daughter to two successful authors, who falls head-over-heels in love with journalist Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck). The movie tells a story of the married couple and their fairy-tale life, but five years later it turns out that they’re involved in a loveless, hopeless marriage.

Amy goes missing… and Nick gradually goes from sympathetic husband to suspected killer in the eyes of his family, their nosy Missouri neighbors, and the hovering, headline-starved media –SO. Gone Girl never crosses the line and becomes too much a deconstruction. It's a plot-obsessed picture that's determined to stay one step ahead of the audience at all times, and cheats when it feels it has to.

At times I felt ‘up in the air’ and didn’t know what to expect. You know, there were a few silly turn of events. Let’s say it is a film that shifts emphasis and perspective so many times that you may feel as though you're watching five short movies strung together, each morphing into the next -MS

Every character was brilliantly placed. I especially enjoyed the performances of Kim Dickens and Patrick Fugit, both played homicide detectives. Neil Patrick Harris was a bit *draws back mouth corners* but nonetheless he delivered. Even though I’ve never been a fan of Ben Affleck (or his work), he’s exceptional as a blocked writer, estranged husband, and a maybe murderer. He effortlessly compiled all three complicated flaws into one big KAZAM! A wonderful kazam. By the way I first came across Rosamund Pike in the beautifully written “An Education” a film which I recommend to all females. (I should write a review on “An Education”)

It’s complicated singing the praises of Gone Girl without spoiling the whole thing for the moviegoer. This is undoubtedly the best movie I seen all year and is deserving of a 9/10

See my review of A Madea Christmas