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Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
A nice, if somewhat tame, ending to the franchise.
For me, the first two Kung Fu Panda movies are on a league of its own. Sure, at first look, they may seem like standard kiddie fare, but they're leaps and bounds ahead from it. Whether it's the impeccable production design, the amazingly choreographed fighting sequences or the deep, somewhat dark themes that lie under the comedic story lines, there's always been a handful of reasons why this franchise has the potential to appeal to both children and adults like myself. Which brings us to this last installment, which is not a bad film by any means, but certainly sets itself more on the kid's side of the spectrum.
The story picks up right after the ending of part 2, where we learn that Po's father, Li Zhan, is still alive and living in a secret village full of pandas. The action moves to this place with a new cast full of colorful and fun characters in addition to some returning faces that aid Po in his quest to stop the evil spirit warrior Kai from stealing the chis (energy) of all the warriors in China.
Kids will love the film, while parents and older folks in general will likely appreciate the detailed, gorgeous animation, some racy jokes and cultural references, the great score by Hans Zimmer and (if they're fans of the franchise) the fact that the franchise comes full circle. In conclusion, Kung Fu Panda 3, while more juvenile than the previous entries, still feels true to the spirit of the characters and settings previously established and provides a satisfying conclusion to Po's journey in what seems to be the ending (if Dreamworks doesn't get greedy...) to the film franchise.
8 out of 10.
The Babadook (2014)
Genuinely Creepy. One of the best films of the year!
"The Babadook" does two things that seem almost impossible for a modern horror film: create a tense, creepy sense of discomfort from beginning to end without resorting to lame jump scares or over the top gore, and develop its characters enough that we actually care about them.
Drifting away from the "cinema-veritas" style that seems almost a rule for horror nowadays, the film tells the story of a family that is haunted by the titular monster, the "babadook", a creature that, even when he doesn't make a "real appearance" on the screen, now rivals icons such as Michael Myers, Chucky and Jason Voorhees in my book. But the short appearances of the monster are all for the best, as in horror "the less you know, the scarier it is". Each shot is also beautifully crafted, each one guaranteed to build up momentum until the climax arrives. And finally, the performances are particularly strong for a horror film (someone get that kid an Oscar!).
There are still a few shortcomings, particularly on the effects department, but all is forgiven given its low budget, and, aren't all the best horror movies made with heart over money? The only other fault I see in the film is that it could have been a little shorter, but again, this is just a minor criticism.
If you're a horror fan or you're just in for a good scare, you should see this right now! (even William Friedkin, director of "The Exorcist" loves it!) Let's just hope Hollywood does not the turn the well dry ("Paranormal Activity" series, I'm looking in you direction...) and leaves this movie at is: a beautiful, nearly perfect little film that is not only the best horror film of the year (BY FAR!) but of the most wildly inventive horror features of the decade.
9 out of 10
Shrek the Third (2007)
So I watched this again after seven years...
I remember watching this film in 2007 on a packed theater and being extremely disappointed by it. In the words of the great Roger Ebert: "I hated, hated, hated this movie", I was like, 14 at the time, and I think it was actually the first time I had been let down by a film on my entire life (although I remember being quite sad after watching Godzilla 98', even at age 5). I had loved the previous two films and I was so angered that the third film had turned out to be so dull and unfunny that I lost my faith on the whole franchise.. and yes! i still watched the fourth film (Shrek Forever After, i think...) but I waited for the DVD (actually didn't buy it, just rented it) and kept my expectations extremely low... and it kinda worked because I remember being quite amused by it.
So, the other night I was surfing around the channels and I came across this film.. and I knew I swore I would never see it again but somehow I decided to give it a chance.. I didn't really have anything better to do... or to watch (thanks a lot basic cable!). So I watched the whole affair and once it was over I thought: "Hey, this isn't actually that bad". And don't get me wrong, I don't think this a good film, not by any stretch, nor does it hold a candle to the first two films. But I certainly find it funnier and much better that the first time I watched it (maybe it's the magical force of the low expectations taking place again... I don't know..). Maybe it's because now I get some of the more adult references this film has in comparison with its predecessors, or maybe I've come to appreciate more the raunchier humor. There are still two huge, huge problems with the film that I will simply boil down to two characters: Merlin and (specially) Artie. And... SURPRISE! They're practically the only two new faces that the movie brings to the table. They aren't funny nor special, their interactions with all the other characters feels forced and ultimately it feels that the film could do nothing but improve if they were absent.
There are other problems with the film (mostly jokes that don't land or characters that feel somewhat off) but in the end, it's not that bad of a movie. I can recognize my extreme disappointment with it on its original release because the Shrek franchise was a big deal to me back then, but now on the eyes of a full grown adult, I think of it as a silly little movie I could totally watch on a silly Sunday afternoon without feeling to fall asleep or check my phone all the time to not get bored, which is kind of a compliment given the extremely low quality of Hollywood's children entertainment nowadays (and that's pretty sad, the more you think about it).
5 / 10
28 Days Later... (2002)
Posiblemente la mejor película de zombies desde "El Amanecer de los Muertos" (1978)
Danny Boyle, más que todo conocido por ser el director tras la ganadora del Oscar de 2008, "Slumdog Millionaire"; nos trae este filme de zombies que a simple vista nos ofrece más de lo mismo: persecuciones, violencia y muchos litros de sangre.
Sin embargo, "Exterminio" (el título con el cual se estrenó en mi país), es más que eso, es una reinvención del género para este siglo XXI, ya los zombies no son los mismos personajes lentos que eran en sus comienzos en la pantalla; ahora son seres completamente desaforados, locos, llenos de rabia y al 100% de su potencial.
Es casi imposible hablar de lo que el filme tiene para ofrecernos sin mencionar los increíbles e inventivos planos de cámara, su fotografía impecable y sus actuaciones creíbles; todo esto obviamente sin dejar de lado los elementos clásicos del genero que ya traje a colación.
Si algo tiene en común esta película con la serie clásica de Romero, es que una vez más se nos exalta el hecho de que el verdadero peligro no está en las infernales criaturas; la verdadera amenaza para la sociedad es y siempre ha sido, el hombre mismo.
Altamente recomendable.
Calificación: 8/10
Saw (2004)
Saw before gore
This is my first review about a movie at IMDb, so I hope you like it.
I've been a fan of saw for over 3 years and this is my favorite movie of all them, it's a really shocking thriller about 2 men that wake up in a bathroom, their feet are chained and they don't why are there. As the movie goes, they have to remember some things and discover who took them in there and why.
For the ones that haven't seen it yet, I recommend you do, 'cause it's an amazing movie, I know you wouldn't be disappointed.
But I have to say that this is the better movie of the saga, because it doesn't centers in the gore, most of the saw movies( especially 3 and 4) have too much gore and in some cases (like saw 4) it is completely unnecessary on the story.
So I recommend the first movie( and so the 2nd)because they have good plots and not just stupid gore
Saw 3D (2010)
La saga se cierra...
Siendo esta la séptima entrega de los juegos macabros del enigmático Jigsaw, debo decir que es exclusiva para los fanáticos de la saga; así que si alguien no ha visto las entregas anteriores; es mejor que se abstenga de ver esta.
Dicho esto, empecemos con esta corta reseña: "Saw 3D" (o el "Juego del Miedo 3D", como prefieran) es, simplemente, un final medianamente satisfactorio para la saga, digo "medianamente", ya que no todas las preguntas planteadas alrededor de las otras 6 películas son debidamente respondidas, y en ocasiones, se siente la ausencia de uno que otro personaje; además que el 3D, aunque divertido en ocasiones, es totalmente innecesario (se puede ver la película en 2D, sin perderse de mucho).
Sin embargo, tal y como especifique arriba, es un cierre satisfactorio por varias razones: las trampas son muy creativas (tal vez las mejores desde "Saw III"), las escenas gore son brutales y muy bien elaboradas (me atrevería a decir que esta es la película más violenta de la serie), y, a la hora de la verdad, finalmente se siente que la serie "cerró un ciclo"; tal vez ahora no lo entiendan, pero cuando la vean verán a que me refiero.
En fin, para no arruinar más detalles; concluyo diciendo que es una buena entrega. Comparándola con el resto de la saga, la pondría debajo de Saw I, III, II, y VI pero encima de Saw IV y V: en otras palabras; si eres fan de la serie, no puedes perdertela.
Ahora.... lo que hay que esperar es que si sea el final de la saga, porque aunque fue promocionada como la entrega final, los altos números de taquilla, podrían indicar lo contrario....
Calificación: 7 / 10
Spyro the Dragon (1998)
One of my Favorite Games of All-Time. A Classic!!!!
Back in the 90's, when the gaming world wasn't dominated by FPS, fake guitars or sandbox-like GTA-gameplay, there were many great 3d platformers. But it was one of them which really, really got me since the first time I played it. No, I'm not talking' about Super Mario 64, neither Banjo Kazooie, it's all about a tiny purple dragon called Spyro.
"Spyro the Dragon" came out in 1998, a time where the industry move into 3d was almost complete and it was, IMO, a perfect example of this move done right. This game was awesome, it had everything a good platformer should have: interesting characters(mainly in design, but sometimes also in personality), huge areas to roam (pre-GTA), plenty of stuff to collect, several secrets to discover, inspired (if somewhat quirky) enemies to defeat, vibrant, colorful graphics and environments and the best part is that it didn't feel like another Mario clone!!!!.
So, if you are into platformers or just want good clean fun, you should definitely try this game or any of its great sequels ("Spyro: Ripto's Rage" or "Spyro: Year of the Dragon"). Highly recommended!!!!
El siguiente programa (1997)
Great Colombian Animated Sitcom
I've lived in Colombia all my life and this is one of the best colombian shows ever produced (if not the best).
I didn't watch it in its original run (1997-2000), because this is an adult show and at the time I was like 10 , but I've been watching online for a while and I think it's really stupid that the show have got canceled when there are really crappy shows still on air. (i.e "Sábados Felices" (Colombian SNL)).
It started as a critic of colombian TV (which was awful at the time and still is), but as the show kept going it became a critic of the whole colombian society: Politics, guerrilla, famous people; no one was safe from Martin de Francisco and Santiago Moure.
If you watch it at first, it may seem like a cheap copy of "Beavis and Butthead", but if you know colombian situation over the years, this show is a must-see for you.
Saw IV (2007)
It's a Crap
O.k, this is not the worst film I've seen, but it's definitely the worst of the series.
Once Again, Jigsaw(who is dead) has left a last trap on the making, or that's what he wants us to think.
Let's face it, if things keep going as they are, Saw series will last 4ever!!! I think it's time to let go and stop making movies now. The introducing of Hoffman as the new villain is simply pathetic and i'm sure it will be explained in the next 2 or 3 movies.
The new writers are just assholes, they must bring Leigh Whannell back, at least his plots made more sense.
I hope you see this and understand the difference between saw movies and $aw movies.
My Ratings: Saw 10/10; Saw II 7/10; Saw III 6/10; Saw IV 5/10
Saw (2004)
Saw before gore
This is my first review about a movie at IMDb, so I hope you like it.
I've been a fan of saw for over 3 years and this is my favorite movie of all them, it's a really shocking thriller about 2 men that wake up in a bathroom, their feet are chained and they don't why are there. As the movie goes, they have to remember some things and discover who took them in there and why.
For the ones that haven't seen it yet, I recommend you do, 'cause it's an amazing movie, I know you wouldn't be disappointed.
But I have to say that this is the better movie of the saga, because it doesn't centers in the gore, most of the saw movies( especially 3 and 4) have too much gore and in some cases (like saw 4) it is completely unnecessary on the story.
So I recommend the first movie( and so the 2nd)because they have good plots and not just stupid gore