Screensucked

Movie Review: The Artist (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:27:00 +0000

For a film that's silent, The Artist is making a whole lot of noise in public and critics' circles alike.

I recently caught the much-acclaimed film and I can say that it's real deal. And when I say real deal, the film that has a very good chance of winning Best Picture at the Oscars.

Director Michel Hazanavicius' film is really a throwback to Hollywood of old-- heck, even the Hollywood sign says "Hollywoodland." At its core, the film is about how people are caught up in an era transition. The Artist shows how silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) deals with the emergence of "talkies," or films with sound.

Speaking of sound, it's a constantly recurring theme throughout the film. Apart from being an important plot element, sound represents acceptance of the new era, both for Valentin and 1920's Hollywood. Pulling something off like this is just great cinema in my books.

The Artist is a unique film in an industry where 3D and CGI are all the rage. What sets this apart is the satisfying story-telling and terrific performances by the actors despite the lack of sound and color. It's an absolute must see.

Rating: 5/5

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Movie Review: The Descendants (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:59:00 +0000

Despite the mild buzz generated by the film, The Descendants is a simple story of a man coping with what he had lost and what he's about to lose.

There's nothing fancy about this film by Alexander Payne (Sideways)-- the plot is neither complex nor clever, but it's glued together by George Clooney. Playing Matt King, a wealthy man who is in the middle of nuclear and extended family turning points, Clooney comes up with a moving performance. Could this be his ticket to the Academy Awards? I'm still over the fence, but it's his best shot since Up In The Air.

The film does have a few unexpected moments, but it its intensity level never really reaches the high registers. But it does wrap up nicely, in a way that it will make the audience feeling good enough.

The Descendants is an acting vehicle primarily and a showcase of Clooney's acting talents. Folks looking for a steady watch can sit back and enjoy this film.

Rating: 3/5

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Movie Review: Take Shelter (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:04:00 +0000

Take Shelter is a drama about an impending threat, although it is unclear if that threat is real or not.

Michael Shannon plays Curtis, an Ohio man who does his best Noah impression by building a storm shelter after he had visions of a violent tempest sweeping his town. His family and neighbors cope with his seemingly irrational behavior and Curtis himself becomes a threat to his town.

I can't say that this film is a psychological drama because there's not much delving into Curtis' psyche but it's how he deals with his visions of doom and his paranoia that grips the audience. Michael Shannon makes the film his own and that can be a good and bad thing-- he's at his best when he goes ballistic but pretty unremarkable everywhere else.

Take Shelter may be too slow a burn for casual film fans but if you'd like to see an acclaimed performance by an actor, this film is not run away from.

Rating: 3/5

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Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:04:00 +0000

I was curious what Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson would do with the classic Tintin. After watching the film on the big screen, I say my reaction to The Adventures of Tintin is mixed.

In what could be the first of a string of Tintin movies, the first one sets up the coming together of Tintin (Jamie Bell), his dog Snowy, and Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) and solving the mystery of The Unicorn, a sunken ship that had loads of treasure. Daniel Craig voices Sakharine, the story's baddie.

The best thing about the film is the animation. Done by Weta Digital (The Lord of the Rings, Avatar), the computer-generated is superb. Executing life-like animation in films is one of the hardest things to accomplish these days and this film nails it.

On the downside, I felt the story could have been much better. I'm not saying the story is terrible, but I felt I was short-changed as I walked out of the theater. Maybe it was the anticlimactic ending that did it, or maybe the pretty uneventful quest. Whatever it is, this film gave a sense that it was just a teaser of things to come, the tip of the iceberg so to speak.

The Adventures of Tintin is a pretty good effort to introduce Tintin, Captain Haddock, and Snowy to a new generation and remind folks that Tintin has good adventures to share.

Rating: 3/5

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Screensucked.com's Top 10 Movies of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

2011 is the year Ryan Gosling dominated the Screensucked Top 10 Movies list. Top-billing three of the top films of the year, Mr. Gosling has solidified his stature as an actor that knows what projects to get involved with.

But the top film goes to Black Swan, on of my favorite psychological thrillers of all time. Natalie Portman won an Oscar for her performance and it a very well-deserved win.

Technically speaking, Black Swan was released in 2010, but I caught it this year. But for films released this year only, Drive takes the top spot.

This is also the first year that a non-Hollywood film cracked the Top 10. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Lady in the Septic Tank) may not be popular outside of the Philippines, but it's movie serious film fans should consider.

Here's Screensucked.com's Top 10 Movies of 2011:

1. Black Swan (5/5)

Black Swan earns all its praise from Portman's brilliant performance and Aronofsky's deft directing, as the two made ballet intensely watchable from where I sat in the theater. This movie is a definite "must watch" for serious film fans.

2. Drive (4.5/5)

Gritty and polished, this film is one of the best car films to date. Go watch Drive now.

3. 127 Hours (4.5/5)

James Franco is just terrific in the film and Danny Boyle continues his string of great movies. Regardless of the Oscar outcome, 127 Hours is a winner.

4. The Ides of March (4.5/5)

The Ides of March is one of the best political dramas of the year and it doesn't hurt that fan faves George Clooney and Ryan Gosling are there.

5. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (4.5/5)

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank is a smart and very likeable indie film that folks should catch at Cinemalaya Film Festival; I highly recommend it.

6. X-Men: First Class (4.5/5)

X-Men: First Class is well-executed and will make people look forward to the next X-Men films; a definite must-see!

7. Super 8 (4.5/5)

Super 8 is a must-watch in my books and I'm sure a lot of folks will find out that while it's not a superhero movie, it's really super in its own right.

8. Source Code (4.5/5)

I hope Source Code is a sign that Hollywood is making a trend of making smart action-thrillers that are high on concept. Source Code is a "can't miss" film that delivers.

9. Crazy, Stupid, Love (4/5)

None the less, I think there should be more rom-coms like Crazy, Stupid, Love.

10. Contagion (4/5)

Contagion is a film worth watching, and I wouldn't be surprised if you buy hand sanitizers after watching.

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Movie Review: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:15:00 +0000

I've followed the Mission: Impossible franchise since 1996 and I say that Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is the best film of the series.

It has been five years since Tom Cruise played Ethan Hunt, the Impossible Missions Force agent. This time, the IMF as an organization has been disavowed and it is up to Hunt and his accidental team (played by Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton) to clear the IMF's name and save the world from nuclear destruction.

Like most I:M films, the core of the story is the schemes the team design to achieve their mission. Director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) manages to reduce the complexity and make the seemingly complicated scheme understandable. The gadgets and the exotic locations (Moscow, Dubai, Mumbai) help make this popcorn flick extra interesting.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol has already hinted that there's a strong possibility of a sequel and I think this film is a very good sign of the things to come.

Rating: 4/5

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Movie Review: Margin Call (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:08:00 +0000

A lot of people lost money in the US financial meltdown in 2008. Margin Call is a drama is based on what triggered that market collapse.

Wonderfully acted and strongly casted, the ensemble of Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Zachary Quinto, Jeremy Irons, and Demi Moore makes the seemingly boring topic (finance and investment banking) a tight story that would keep people glued to the big screen.

The story shows how people and corporations go from greedy to survival mode in an instant and do everything not to be left "holding the bag when the music stops." The film can be likened to Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, but a lot smarter. While the movie does its best to simplify the subprime crisis and its dire effects, some people might get confused with the premise of the film.

Margin Call is a smart thriller that offers interesting points on ethics, greed, and how money makes the world go round.

Rating: 4/5

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Movie Review: Midnight in Paris (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Woody Allen writes and directs Midnight in Paris, a story that blends surrealism and charm in the City of Lights.

The film stars Owen Wilson as a reluctant American writer that finds inspiration in a different city and a different era. When Gil Pender (Wilson) is mysteriously transported to the 1920's Paris, he meets his heroes and idols. The inexplicable experience boosts his confidence in writing and brings him to Adriana (Marion Cotillard). Was Gil delusional about his time warp experiences or was it real?

The movie itself was pretty uneventful by Woody Allen standards, but its the main point the move is trying to make that struck me: Our boring era now, could be the Golden Era for the next generation. Ultimately, this fascination with bygone eras wrap the story up in a nice fashion.

Midnight in Paris makes use of the Paris' charm to bewitching results. Non-Woody Allen fans will find it very accessible and sweet.

Rating: 4/5

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Movie Review: The Ides of March (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:32:00 +0000

George Clooney stars and directs a very smart political drama in The Ides of March.

Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) is an idealistic campaign manager working with Democrat presidential aspirant Gov. Mike Morris (Clooney). When Stephen gets torn between party lines and personal scandals, he is faced with the prospects of throwing his ideals out the window and playing the dirty political game. Will he sink to the depths he had avoided or will he push his career to new heights?

The film is well acted and strong performances by Clooney, Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Evan Rachel Wood make the story very watchable, despite the heavy dose of American politics and election intrigue. Folks with little knowledge of the US primary process may get lost a bit.

The Ides of March is one of the best political dramas of the year and it doesn't hurt that fan faves George Clooney and Ryan Gosling are there.

Rating: 4.5/5

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Movie Review: The Muppets (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:47:00 +0000

Thirty-two years after the first Muppet movie, the lovable puppets are back in The Muppets.

Replete with references to the glory days of The Muppets, this will make the 30-something adults feel nostalgic. There's the rendition of the classic "Rainbow Connection," the iconic opening number from "The Muppet Show," and the Muppet gang doing what they do best.

But beyond rehashing the past and reminding people of how big the Muppets were, the story was a little flat. The human actors in the film (Jason Segel and Amy Adams) were given cookie-cutter characters and the result was the puppets in the film were more "human." I was also disappointed with the jokes in the movie-- I didn't connect with most of the gags.

I hope The Muppets will come up with new fans after this film because Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and the rest of the gang still have a lot left in the tank. They just need much better and funnier material in the future.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Movie Review: 50/50 (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:14:00 +0000

You're young, active, and risk-averse. What would you do if you find out you have a life-threatening disease?

This is what 50/50 is all about-- how a person, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, copes with cancer and how the people around him rise and falter to his situation. This light-drama-comedy is heart-warming, earnest, and touching, so it's great that there's enough funny banter between the leads (Levitt and Seth Rogen) to make it even more satisfying.

Similar to the sick-person love story Love and Other Drugs, this film plays on a person's mortality and sickness to generate emotion. The difference is that this movie also includes how family and friends deal with a tough illness.

50/50 could have stretched the premise too mediocrity, but the end result is a sweet and smart dramedy.

Rating: 4.5/5

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Movie Review: Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:44:00 +0000

I'm glad that the Twilight film franchise is almost over because Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 is toeing the line of being a big waste of time.

In an obvious money-making move by the film studio, the final part of the saga is split into two, similar to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The bad thing is this film suffers the ills of the HP movie-- over-all, this film is not satisfying at all. (Well, if you'd like to see Kristen Stewart uglified, you're in for a treat.)

This first installment is full of stretched story arcs, shallow melodrama, and mediocre action. Fans of Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner will love this film to death, but other than eye candy for teens, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 has little going for it.

Mark this date: November 2012. This is the date the Twilight film franchise will be over. Thank goodness.

Rating: 1.5/5

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Movie Review: Drive (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:06:00 +0000

Who says you can't mix drama and action? Drive is proof that the two can go together.

Ryan Gosling plays a stunt driver moonlighting as a mechanic and a getaway car driver in this very textured film by Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn. Feeling like a 1980's film, the story starts off with a tension-filled getaway scene that sets off the mood and never lets up.

The film is near-perfect if not for the lull-inducing scenes before the climax.I also felt this movie was very much like Ben Affleck's The Town-- good characterization for both the good and bad guys, plus good spread of action and emotion.

Gritty and polished, this film is one of the best car films to date. Go watch Drive now.

Rating: 4.5/5

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Movie Review: I Don't Know How She Does It (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:42:00 +0000

What happens when Sex & The City gets domesticated?It could be I Don't Know How She Does It.

Unfortunately, the future looks bleak.

Sarah Jessica Parker is Kate Reddy, a woman who is constant multi-tasking. If she's not hammering out investment banking deals, she's very busy being a mother of two. In the movie, this is the only place where the tension comes from-- it's the whole career versus family thing.

The film does try to be witty and smart, but no thanks to its lackluster plot and pretty predictable outcome, it stays in mediocrity for a good portion of its 89-minute running time. You'll feel that this film is more like a spruced up television double episode.

I Don't Know How She Does It is a head-scratcher of a film because I don't know how Sarah Jessica Parker ends up in a movie like this.

Rating: 1.5/5

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Movie Review: Praybeyt Benjamin (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:22:00 +0000

Vice Ganda stars as Private Benjamin Santos VIII in Praybeyt Benjamin.

Drawing inspiration from the fish-out-of-water comedy Private Benjamin, the film follows the military misadventures of a gay man leading a troop of misfits . With a group that includes a tomboyish army freak, an obese over-eater, a coward, and a person who claims he can talk to ghosts, you can expect the comedy to be low-brow.

The film has already referenced to a sequel and I'm scared of the possibility of another inane comedy that does provides cheap laughs. You're better off watching any Filipino comedy made in the 1980's as this film uses the same formula.

Praybeyt Benjamin should get the boot if you ask me.

Rating: 2/5

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Movie Review: Real Steel (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:46:00 +0000

What do you get when you get the good parts of Sylvester Stallone films and Michael Bay robot action? That combo is Real Steel.

Set several years in the future when Robot Boxing has replaced human boxing, Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) is a former main event fighter that has been relegated to peddling his wares in county fairs and running away from his creditors. His luck changes when he connects with his son Max (Dakota Goyo) and he learns about commitment, trust, and not quitting.

The film's premise and script are pretty down the middle (although they occasionally toe on sub-par), but folks always like an underdog story and Real Steel is a pretty good one. It also helps that the robot boxing action is very compelling.

Real Steel won't knock down boxing classics like Rocky or Raging Bull, but it's the real deal as far as robot boxing is concerned.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Movie Review: Puss in Boots (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:55:00 +0000

Puss in Boots started out as a supporting character in the Shrek franchise, but as I found in his solo movie, he can stand on his own.

Full of great action and a great performance by Antonio Banderas in the title role, the family-friendly adventure film presents the origin of Puss in Boots and explains how he became an villain in the eyes of the law but a well loved hero for the people. This is a huge departure from the Shrek storyline and I found this very refreshing.

The story is culled from the hero classics and it presents little innovation in the genre, but a good sprinkling of humor and emotion makes this very watchable. Zach Galifianakis as Humpty Dumpty is quite a complex character and provides a good foil for Puss in Boots.

Will kids like this film? I really think so. If there's anything Puss in Boots proves, it's that the kitty can lead a potential film franchise.

PS.

I caught this film in IMAX 3D and boy, does the movie pop out!

Rating: 3.5/5

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Movie Review: No Other Woman (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 08:59:00 +0000

I was pleasantly surprised with No Other Woman-- I thought that the simple and straightforward story wouldn't be as enjoyable to watch, but I was proven wrong.

To emphasize, the story about marital infidelity is as vanilla as they come. Ram (Derek Ramsay) and Charmaine (Cristine Reyes) have been happily married until Ram has an affair with Kara (Anne Curtis), a rich heiress who takes her flings lightly. Things get complicated when Ram and Cara get more serious and Charmaine becomes more and more suspicious. The whole situation builds up to a dramatic confrontation where all of them must make tough choices.

If you ask me, the movie is made watchable by Anne Curtis, who was a perfect fit for the role of Kara. In stark contrast, Cristine Reyes is a miscast as the "boring" housewife. (Cristine Reyes was FHM Philippines Sexiest Woman last year). I also can't wrap my mind around Derek Ramsay's character-- if you have a wife who is caring and pretty, why cheat? It didn't make sense to me.

No Other Woman, if taken lightly, can be a great watch. It's sexy, with a pinch of humor (thanks to Carmi Martin) and good enough drama. Not a bad offering from Star Cinema and Viva Films.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Movie Review: What's Your Number? (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:44:00 +0000

If you ask me, there a couple of things lacking in What's Your Number? : The romance and the comedy. And it's really too bad because Anna Farris and Chris Evans were great in the movie.

The source material and the premise of the film is really a stretch: Ally Darling (Farris) has an epiphany that she has slept with too many men and, thanks to a magazine article, comes to realize that the likelihood of her finding her match is inversely proportional to the number of men she's been. To keep her number from increasing, she seeks out her ex's with the help of her friend Colin (Evans).

See, I told you it's a stretch.

Crippled by the weak premise, the film slogs on through ineffective jokes and resorts to showing off the buff bods of Evans and Farris. I seriously think Anna Farris' cleavage should get mentioned in the film's credits.

What's My Number? is a sexy comedy that doesn't add up: Few laughs plus weak romance equals so-so rom-com.

Rating: 2/5

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Movie Review: The Change-Up (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:02:00 +0000

Body-switching is a tricky thing in films as this requires a good amount of believability to pull-off. The Change-Up simply takes the "Big" route and leaves little explanation how the polar opposite friends Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and Dave (Jason Bateman) get their bodies switched.

The film had "MAN" all over it (thanks to the guys who brought you Wedding Crashers and The Hangover) and this is both a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is that the humor is pretty much in the alley that most guys like. There's a lot of toilet humor and sex jokes, but the drawback is that the local censors have cut a lot of the "key" moments.

The wind-down is standard fare: the two, after enjoying their stints as the other and learning valuable life lessons on "being the man," realize that they want to come back to their original selves. The film loses a lot of its energy by this time and I felt rather impatient withhow things came together.

The Change-Up can be seen as a buddy film and the aforementioned "Big"mashed-up together. But it's clearly less than the sum of its parts.

Rating: 3/5

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Movie Review: Johnny English Reborn (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 06:38:00 +0000

I don't know about this "rebirth," but Johnny English Reborn is a comedy of stretching a gag.

Rowan Atkinson returns as the eponymous Johnny English, an obvious satirical stab at James Bond and the super-spy mythos. This sequel pretty much rehashes what Atkinson is very good at-- comic situations in very uncomfortable environments. I'm sure followers of Mr. Bean will see the similarity in the humor here.

Apart from the comedy of the bungling Johnny English, the film's story is pretty pedestrian. There's a plot to assassinate the Chinese Premier and English and his sidekick Agent Tucker (Daniel Kaluuya) finds a way to save the day. Not much innovation in this department, if you ask me.

Johnny English Reborn is a redundant comedy that will elicit laughs on a few choice moments but I'd rather wait for a reincarnation of this middling franchise.

Rating: 2/5

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Movie Review: Friends With Benefits (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Someone should come up with the Hollywood Book of Wisdom and include this item: "If two friends think they can have casual sex and keep things simple, they are absolutely wrong." We've seen this at work this year in "No Strings Attached" and now in Friends With Benefits.

The premise is pretty straight-forward: The story follows Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Mila Kunis) when they decide it would be a good idea to be "friends with benefits" (a.k.a "f*ck buddies). When both of them realize that they're slowly blurring the lines between casual sex and authentic romance, they take a step back and reevaluate their lives together.

The movie works for me because of three things: (1) the undeniable chemistry between the two leads, (2) great references to rom-com cliches, and (3) superb supporting roles (Jenna Elfman, Patricia Clarkson, and Richard Jenkins) and cameo appearances. Nevermind that things get a little dull when the main conflict between Dylan and Jamie arises-- the payoff was great.

Friends With Benefits would be a great date movie for the twenty-something crowd. It's sexy, funny, and mushy in the right places.

Rating: 4/5

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Movie Review: My Neighbor's Wife (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:28:00 +0000

With what transpired in My Neighbor's Wife, it may as well be called Wife Swap 2.0.

Two twenty-something couples, who happen to be all best friends, find themselves in a complicated web of sex, deceit, and betrayal. Bullet (Jake Cuenca) and Jasmine (Carla Abellana) are together but their marriage is on the rocks while Aaron (Dennis Trillo) and Giselle (Lovi Poe) are facing financial difficulty. Their respective marriages do down further when Bullet and Giselle have a one night stand after a night of heavy drinking.

The movie is too long for its own good, as I felt that the middle part wasn't able to keep the tension going. It also didn't help that I didn't feel rooting for anyone, as each of the characters had major flaws and then actors had some forgettable performances.

But you have to hand it to Regal Films for taking a risk with this genre. But it's a tough nut to crack and My Neighbor's Wife fails to deliver the goods. I'm sure a lot of people will leave the theaters shaking their heads.

Rating: 2/5

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Movie Review: Horrible Bosses (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:24:00 +0000

There's something about middle-class men finding themselves in extraordinary situations that seems to work for comedies like The Hangover (and its sequel) and now Horrible Bosses.

Stuck with sociopaths as bosses, friends Nick (Jason Bateman), Dale (Charlie Day), and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) decide that their lives and respective careers will better if their superiors were eliminated. They go about in finding ways to get rid of their bosses, but to humorous results, they find themselves in a bigger and crazier situation.

The film's plot is well-written and cast is great (espcially the villains Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Aniston)-- I feel the movie made the best out of its limited concept. There's also a dull patch in the middle where the guys go bungling their "mission," but the movie eventually pulls through.

Horrible Bosses is a good comedy for folks who are still looking for films like The Hangover. Word of caution-- there's a lot of profanity, raunchiness, and R-rated content.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Movie Review: Contagion (2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Regnard Raquedan) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:25:00 +0000

Powered by an A-list ensemble, Contagion is a gripping viral thriller.

We have Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet scrambling all over the globe dealing with an unknown virus with an alarming mortality rate. Their performances are great (special mention to Kate Winslet) and the atmosphere of the film is very contemporary.

If you ask me, what makes this film different from the disease/disaster movies in the past that it doesn't abuse the mass hysteria and dystopic view. It's very deliberate and feels very real, from the way people become paranoid (in the casr of the H1N1 flu outbreak) and the confusion about an unseen threat. What's affected are not just the virus-stricken people, but also their loved ones.

What I didn't like about the film is how it loses steam in the second half, where people are coming to terms with the virus and finding ways to combat it. There were also some threads that I felt were not resolved fully.

Contagion is a film worth watching, and I wouldn't be surprised if you buy hand sanitizers after watching.

Rating: 4/5

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