Here is the list of 2012 movies that I've watched so far and my rating on each film, starting from my most favorable up to my least favorable one. I always tried to rate a movie from an audience's standpoint and gave my honest opinions to it, on how I actually enjoyed, felt and experienced the movie. Good or bad a movie is sometimes relative and will depend on each audience's taste and experiences. The simple science is, if you love a movie, then it's good, and if you hate a movie, then it's bad. That simple. And remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
I have my own taste and criteria on whether a movie is great, good, mediocre, bad or a disaster. Sometimes it's difficult to explain, sometimes it's purely based on my personal liking, but it's always there in my mind and heart everytime I watch a movie. And rating a movie is another delight, as you put your unmeasurable feelings into a measurable and mathematical expressions.
I realize that I haven't been writing for quite some time due to my time constraint, but it doesn't mean that I stop watching movies these days. Actually I kept watching a lot of movies, whether in the cinemas or dvds. Anyway, watching movies is always a fun thing to do. No, it's my addiction! I will surely write longer reviews again in the future, once I can put together the right time, energy and mood in front of my computer. And I will keep updating this humble list. Hope you have fun reading it and may dig for some movies worth seeing. (MJ)
I realize that I haven't been writing for quite some time due to my time constraint, but it doesn't mean that I stop watching movies these days. Actually I kept watching a lot of movies, whether in the cinemas or dvds. Anyway, watching movies is always a fun thing to do. No, it's my addiction! I will surely write longer reviews again in the future, once I can put together the right time, energy and mood in front of my computer. And I will keep updating this humble list. Hope you have fun reading it and may dig for some movies worth seeing. (MJ)
THE GREY (2012)MyRating: YYYY
A solid thriller about a group of oil workers survived from a plane crash in the middle of wild and cold Alaska, just to find out that they are stalked by a pack of deadly wolves. Great survival story that brings you into the middle of the chilling and intense situation yourself, served with a good character development that will make you care for the survivors, and enough actions. Liam Neeson gave his usual great performance. This movie also gave an interesting philosophy about life and dead. Loved it.
THE RAID: REDEMPTION (2012)
JOHN CARTER (2012)
MyRating: YYYY
A highly entertaining sci-fi/fantasy movie about a former Confederate Army Captain, John Carter, who finds himself accidentally teleported to Mars, right into the middle of the conflicts of the Martians. When he falls in love with a Martian princess, he realizes that there is no other way than to fight their war. The impressive and dazzling visual effects was backed with a good storytelling and action-packed adventure. This is a fun thrill ride to planet Mars that you may have never seen before.
MyRating: YYYY
24 teenage boys and girls are selected into a competition where they have to battle to the death on live television, until only one can survive. Captivating story and solid performances, with a brutal deadly game à la Battle Royale, and a love triangle as the background. The casting of the lovely Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen couldn't be more perfect, with other interesting performances from the supporting casts such as Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci. I liked it, and I'm already sold to this nicely set-up big new franchise.
THE VOW (2012)
THE RAID: REDEMPTION (2012)MyRating: YYYY
Finally saw it and convinced now that this is no overrated. A group of elite cops raiding into an apartment building to capture a ruthless drug lord, just to find themselves trapped inside with the most dangerous killers & criminals in town. Simple story, but the actions just never stop to amaze me. Extremely brutal violence, not for the faint of heart, with incredible choreography, stunts and nonstop all-style fight scenes, from guns, knives and breathless bare fist combats. Outstanding Indonesian martial arts movie that makes me proud. I was blown away.
MyRating: YYYY
A highly entertaining sci-fi/fantasy movie about a former Confederate Army Captain, John Carter, who finds himself accidentally teleported to Mars, right into the middle of the conflicts of the Martians. When he falls in love with a Martian princess, he realizes that there is no other way than to fight their war. The impressive and dazzling visual effects was backed with a good storytelling and action-packed adventure. This is a fun thrill ride to planet Mars that you may have never seen before.
THE HUNGER GAMES (2012)
MyRating: YYYY
24 teenage boys and girls are selected into a competition where they have to battle to the death on live television, until only one can survive. Captivating story and solid performances, with a brutal deadly game à la Battle Royale, and a love triangle as the background. The casting of the lovely Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen couldn't be more perfect, with other interesting performances from the supporting casts such as Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci. I liked it, and I'm already sold to this nicely set-up big new franchise.
THE VOW (2012)MyRating: YYY1/2
Channing Tatum has to win again the heart of his wife, the lovely Rachel McAdams, who losses her memory in a fatal car accident. Not an easy road for him as not only he has become a stranger to his wife now, but also her love for him may not be there anymore. A melodramatic flick? Why not? This romantic drama was a sweet and enjoyable watch, with a good chemistry and decent performances by the two leads, who shined. A perfect date movie for Valentine's Day.
A creative found-footage movie about three friends discovering their telekinetic abilities. When they are starting to abuse their superpowers and let them out of hand, their doom is just one step away. The interesting story, added with thrilling atmospheres and cool effects captured with camcorder, made this a fun experience at the cinema, including finding yourself flying in the sky with winds blowing around you. The destructions that these boys could create were massive.
THE WOMAN IN BLACK (2012)
Channing Tatum has to win again the heart of his wife, the lovely Rachel McAdams, who losses her memory in a fatal car accident. Not an easy road for him as not only he has become a stranger to his wife now, but also her love for him may not be there anymore. A melodramatic flick? Why not? This romantic drama was a sweet and enjoyable watch, with a good chemistry and decent performances by the two leads, who shined. A perfect date movie for Valentine's Day.
CHRONICLE (2012)
MyRating: YYY1/2
A creative found-footage movie about three friends discovering their telekinetic abilities. When they are starting to abuse their superpowers and let them out of hand, their doom is just one step away. The interesting story, added with thrilling atmospheres and cool effects captured with camcorder, made this a fun experience at the cinema, including finding yourself flying in the sky with winds blowing around you. The destructions that these boys could create were massive.
THE WOMAN IN BLACK (2012)MyRating: YYY1/2
A scary horror movie with a classic approach of a haunted house, weird footsteps sound upstairs, self-moving rocking chair, and sudden ghost sightings. Daniel Radcliff is a solicitor and a widower with a son, sent to a remote village to settle an old mansion, just to dicover that the village is terrored by a vengeful ghost of a woman dressed in black, who claims the lives of their young children. The creepy story and spooky atmosphere gave many scary jumps. An effective and a good horror.
SAFE HOUSE (2012)
SAFE HOUSE (2012) MyRating: YYY1/2
Ryan Reynolds is a CIA agent and the keeper of a safe house, where a dangerous criminal, Denzel Washington, is sent for protection. When the safe house is being attacked, they find themselves in the run, while the Agent has to do whatever he could to not let the Prisoner escape from his responsibility. A good and entertaining action thriller with intense actions and solid performances by both Washington and Reynolds. Not perfect, but it surely hit the required marks.
MyRating: YYY
I was prepared to hate this movie, but I found myself having some good time instead. This is a fun action comedy with a light story, never meant to be brilliant. Some of the jokes were hilarious and the actions were over the top. Chris Pine and Tom Hardy were fun to watch as two CIA agents and best friends, who ended up fighting each other and 'destroying a restaurant', so to win the love of Reese Witherspoon. Put away the logic, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the good looking cast.
MyRating: YY1/2
Mark Wahlberg is back to his comfort zone in this action thriller as an ex-smuggler who finds himself difficult to stay out of his dark past. To protect his family, he has to plunge into another crime by smuggling 10 million dollars in fake bills from Panama. A modest heist movie with a lot of potentials, but did not deliver enough punches to score it big. The story was fairly decent, but a bit flat, with interesting supporting cast such as Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster and Giovanni Ribisi.
MAN ON A LEDGE (2012)MyRating: YY
An interesting premise about a man threatens to jump from a ledge of a hotel top floor, but was poorly executed with a ridiculous heist plot, unnecessary scenes and dialogues, and annoying characters, resulting in unconvincing thriller. Sam Worthington again failed to impress with his wooden acting, he was not a charismatic leading man. The interest faded fast as too much nonsense logics. Maybe it was better for Sam to just slip from the ledge and end the movie halfway through.
JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (2012) MyRating: YY
Chasing by a big lizard, flying with giant bees and terrored by a gigantic electric sea snake. Then add Dwayne Johnson in it and the beautiful Vanessa Hudgens as the appeal. What else could go wrong? This is an unharmful family fantasy movie with a childish story, paper-thin plot and cheesy acting. Even though it has beautiful visuals and enjoyable 3D, but a movie with almost no weight at all will lose its fun for me eventually. Kids will appreciate this more.
UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING (2012)
MyRating: YY
Nothing was ever really special with the Underworld series, let alone standout. Indeed every movie just felt the same. And this latest installment of 'the stylist vampire versus werewolves' was another plain meal in the plate, with a weak and totally forgettable story. I did enjoy some of the actions, which this movie has plenty to offer, but nothing was memorable enough once you walk out of the theatre. Even Kate Beckinsale in her tight suit could not save this movie from boredom.
WRATH OF THE TITANS (2012) -
MyRating: Y1/2
Another big-dumb action-fantasy with non-stop battles, but almost no substance. This time Perseus (Sam Worthington) has to save his father, Zeus, from the underworld, and to defeat Kronos, the ancient Titan. The good visual effects and the Greek mythology creatures could not compensate for the bad story. No character interesting enough to root for. The acting was mechanical. This is a Hollywood product with no souls. I know I shouldn't expect a gem out of it, but I didn't enjoy it even as a no-brain entertainment. So many actions, yet so boring.
MyRating: Y1/2
Another big-dumb action-fantasy with non-stop battles, but almost no substance. This time Perseus (Sam Worthington) has to save his father, Zeus, from the underworld, and to defeat Kronos, the ancient Titan. The good visual effects and the Greek mythology creatures could not compensate for the bad story. No character interesting enough to root for. The acting was mechanical. This is a Hollywood product with no souls. I know I shouldn't expect a gem out of it, but I didn't enjoy it even as a no-brain entertainment. So many actions, yet so boring.
GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE (2012)MyRating: Y
OMG, this is really bad. Not only it was very difficult to like a superhero with a burning skull, but also it was painful to watch a movie with such a terrible and lousy story. The poor script has successfully made Nicolas Cage's performance looked ridiculous. Idris Elba ain't any good either. The more this movie tried to be funny, the more stupid it became. Antipathy feeling finally made all the actions became meaningless for me. The first movie was mediocre, this sequel was a complete disaster.
MYMOVIE CRITIC - REVIEWING MOVIES FROM THE AUDIENCE'S STANDPOINT
