The Equalizer, Point Break, Carrie

Name: The Equalizer
Year: 2014
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Cast:  Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz
Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
Rating: R
Language:  English, Russian, Spanish
Country: USA
Time: 132m

Blurb:
A man believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and has dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her. 

My thoughts: 
     Mostly atmosphere, zero story.
     At the end of it all, I found this movie very boring. The story is old as dirt. The plot is so obvious that as soon as characters appear on screen one can identify what it is going to happen in the film. Denzel's character is likable. He's always friendly, always in a good mood, always smiling. Sorry Denzel, but not even your amazing talent could save this simple-minded, patronizing movie. Yet again a movie is about a lone (American) man that saves the day and kills all the (foreign) bad guys. Hollywood all over again.
       The movie is fast pace and most of it is very tense, and keeps you hanging on to each scene, waiting to see what happens next. But ultimately, we all know Denzel will kick ass.On the other hand, it felt very long. There's just no surprises here. We have seen those types of movie 100 times. Back in the days it was still cool, but now just not interesting any more.

Rating:  

    3/5 

 

Name: Carrie
Year: 2013
Director: Kimberly Peirce
Cast:  Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Gabriella Wilde
Genres: Drama, Horror
Rating: R
Language: English
Country: USA
Time: 100m

Blurb:
      A reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White, a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother, who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. 

My thoughts: 
     Firstly, let me start out by saying this isn't a terrible movie, but I can't help but feel disappointed from the 2013 version of Carrie. This movie does not really add anything new to the mix. It's basically a copy of the original 1976 film, just with a modern setting. I found myself bored throughout a lot of the movie. I've already seen the original, so why do I need to see the exact movie again? And I am not even talking about the book here. The main themes of the Stephen King's novel: the destructiveness of social isolation, religious fanaticism, bullying  were in no way conveyed effectively in this movie. There is a lack of connection in Moretz's performance and  she is unconvincing as a socially deprived and awkward girl. Even her rage is not believable, she seems soft in her frenzy. Julianna Moore as always delivers a competent performance.
      Overall, this wasn't a terrible film, but cannot even remotely compare to the original. Those that haven't seen the first film might very well enjoy it, but for those who have, you most likely feel disappointed. This remake was completely unnecessary.

Rating:  

    3/5 

Name: Point Break 
Year: 2015
Director: Ericson Core
Cast: Edgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey, Ray Winstone
Genres: Action, Crime, Sport
Rating: PG-13
Language: French, Spanish, English
Country: China, Germany, USA
Time: 104m

Blurb:
     A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists. 

My thoughts:
        Story revolves around Utah (Luke Bracey), an FBI trainee as he investigates a series of heists and their connection to a group of athletes led by Bodhi (Édgar Ramírez). Hardly surprisingly, it follows the same trail that Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze has placed. The new leads do what they can, although it's better not to compare, because it certainly doesn't have the same level of chemistry.
         If you like those 3 or 5 minutes GoPro or Red Bull videos of people doing extreme sports then you will certainly like most of the movie as a lot of it is exactly that and those moments were pretty cool to watch and very well done. But! I appreciate the stunts and stunt people for their quality work involved, but stunts don't make a movie. A good story, with quality characters with emotions and plots that pull the viewer into the characters' world is what makes a memorable film.The characters are bland, the plot makes no sense  I'll stick with the original "Point Break".

Rating:  

    2/5