Boy, do I blab a lot in this review of Divergent! Divergent is amongst the many young adult adaptations that are coming out along with The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner. I was apprehensive about watching this film but was pleasantly surprised by the product even if the story was a little soft. I honestly think that maybe it was the story that was lacking rather than the film because execution-wise, everything was one par. The chemistry, the suspense, the action were clearly done perfectly to the beat. I am definitely now a fan and can't wait to see the next one! 

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The Raid 2: Berandal is one of my most anticipated films of 2014 and it did not let me down at all! I am overwhelmed with joy and ecstasy by Gareth Evan's masterpiece. The first film was incredible and this time, he hits us harder, faster, gorier, and just generally more badass!

Backstory to Hammer Girl & Bro:

Apparently when they were younger they were abused by their father and he would toss a coin and see which one would be his victim for the night. Until eventually, Hammer Girl & bro teamed up and killed him!

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I recently wrote a review for CAAMFest on Meera Menon's Farah Goes Bang which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last year. Farah Goes Bang is directed and written by first-time filmmaker Meera Menon and co-written by Laura Goode, who tell a female-centric story about what is means to be a multicultural person in modern America! Check out my review!

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The Grand Budapest Hotel is by far one of Anderson's most accomplished film in a decade! I had so much fun with this film in contrast to his previous films like Moonrise Kingdom and The Fantastic Mr. Fox. They were all imaginatively superb but The Grand Budapest Hotel is layered with such heart, nostalgia, and tragedy! New comer Tony Revolori as Zero Moustafa really carries his own next to the renowned  and revered Ralph Fiennes as Gustav H, the legendary concierge at the infamous European hotel.  Definitely a must-see! 

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You can say David O. Russell’s American Hustle is the All American film due to its themes of success, survival, and dreams. And of course, in high-powered American fashion, Russell constructs a incredibly razor sharp screenplay that spits fire in the perspective of his different protagonists that is deliriously intoxicating through its super-charged performances, screenplay, and editing. Russell’s ability to infuse serious themes with outrageously humorous dialogue not only propels the performances of his individual actors but his own “auteur” voice shines through and speaks aloud with uncanny clarity. All aspects of this film is of innovative and top notch quality, but it is the individualized rambunctious and powerhouse performances provided by every single cast member even down to an extra that propels the film to be one of Russell’s best. 

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Hana and Alice is a 2004 Japanese teen romance film directed by the multi-faceted filmmaker Shunji Iwai who also dabbles in video art and documentaries. Hana and Alice is about two average teenage girls who like most teenage girls are attached to the hip, goof around, and crush over boys whenever they’re not frolicking in their tutus.  Hana, an impulsive and manipulative girl (Anne Suzuki) falls in love with Masashi, a boy the girls have been teasing about on the train for some time. After one stalking spree by Hana, she witnesses Masashi hit his head and get amnesia. In lightening speed, she ceases the chance to convince him that she was his girlfriend before his “memory loss.” Naturally, a continuing series of lies leads Alice to partake in the deception by pretending to be Masashi’s ex-girlfriend.  Soon enough, all parties are involved in a love triangle, which tests their faith in their friendship, perception of love, and emotional stability.

Read the rest at JapanCinema.net!

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