Year: 2015

Director: Wes Ball

Writer: T.S. Nowlin (Screenplay) & James Dashner (Novel)

Cinematographer: Gyula Pados

Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dexter Darden, Jacob Lofland, Rosa Salazar, Giancarlo Esposito, Patricia Clarkson

Country of Origin: USA

Rating: PG-13

Time: 132 min.

Arshad and I are back and this time we review the sequel to The Maze Runner (see review) called The Scorch Trials. The whole gang are still together and the maze was literally the beginning of their long-winded and dangerous escape from WICKED, the evil corporation behind the maze. While there were still some unanswered questions in The Scorch Trials like there were in the previous film, this film is undoubtedly a more action-packed and sensational film! The gang return with a few fresh faces that round the cast to a solid and diverse bundle of survivors. 

Under the hands of Ball, The Scorch Trials is a better sequel with palpable wall-to-wall action sequences, emotional character arcs, and picturesque cinematography that is swoon-worthy. Never have I felt so stressed watching another young adult post-apocalyptic film. The Maze Runner series is slowly becoming my favorite YA franchise right under the reigning champion, The Hunger Games. Let's just hope with the next film, The Death Cure, that they start to explain what the hell is going on with WICKED more in-depth. I was a little hesitant on the series where it just seems like all they are doing is runner away from the enemy, I am relieved and ecstatic to return to see what Ball has in store for us next! 

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Year: 2015
Director: Jake Schreier

Writer: John Green (author), Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber (screenplay)

Cinematographer: David Lanzenberg

Cast: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams, Justice Smith, Halston Sage, Jaz Sinclair, 

Country of Origin: USA

Rating: PG-13
Time: 109 mins.

If you know Arshad, you know that he is all about YA novel to film adaptations. So it's no surprise that we are reviewing John Green's latest book to film story, Paper Towns starring Nat Wolff and Cara Delevingne. Fans loved Green's The Fault in our Stars so obviously the studios hurried and planned to make two more films including this film and Looking for Alaska! We will be all well versed in Green's bibliography soon enough! Paper Town follows Quentin, a shy young man who embarks on a journey to find Margo, the rebellious and uninhibited girl next door of his dreams! 

If you watch the trailer, you can definitely pick up some Manic Pixie Dream Girl vibes but make no mistake because John Green apparently wrote the story to dismantle the very detrimental notion that many kids have today. I know that when I was young, I had the same complex but with a boy which ultimately spiraled out of control! So, I am glad that Green didn't try to sugarcoat or feed our love starved fantasies with just another love story. Instead, he strikes our hearts with honesty and sincerity. If only the pacing and overall tone had more energy, the film would've been solid. But regardless, I think it's an important film that should be seen by all teens. 

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Year: 2015

Director: Frédéric Tcheng

Writer: Frédéric Tcheng

Cinematographer: Gilles Piquard

Cast: Raf Simons

Country of Origin: France

Rating: NR

Time: 90 mins.

I've yet to have Arshad on my channel so when it came down to deciding who would want to watch Dior and I with me, he immediately came to mind as one of my few friends who is just as passionate about fashion and film as I am!  Frédéric Tcheng's sophomore feature film yet again dives into the world of Fashion and this time to show the behind the scenes of the iconic and colossal fashion brand, Dior. Raf Simons who is known for his minimalist style and for being the former creative director of Jil Sanders, embarks on an ambitious and tremendous task of taking over Dior as their creative director. With just eight measly weeks to create his first collection of dresses and suits, Tcheng takes us on an emotional and personal journey of the inter-workings of one of the biggest fashion brands in the world. 

Daphne Merkin of Elle Magazine said Dior and I was "simply the best movie about fashion I've seen!" And before you think that is an over-statement, just watch the trailer to get a glimpse of what is in store for you. Exceptionally constructed and directed, this story goes beyond the superficial glitz and glam of the fashion world to show an universal and intimate story about Raf Simons, the seamstresses, the models, and even Christian Dior himself that emotionally resonants with everyone. Arshad and I are madly in love with this film not only for its breathtaking visuals but for showcasing a truly inspiring and humanistic story about dreaming and achieving your wildest dreams. 

See the full spectacular runway show. 

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Year: 2015
Director: Robert Schewentke

Writer: Brian Duffield, Akiva Goldsman, Mark Bomback

Cinematographer: Florian Ballhaus

Cast: Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, Theo James, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Jai Courtney, Mekhi Phifer, Naomi Watts

Country of Origin: U.S.

Rating: PG-13

Time: 119 min.

Arshad and I are continuing our love of YA franchises with another full review of the  second installment of Divergent which is Insurgent. I had not read any of the books and Arshad is a huge fan of the novels and so it was incredibly surprising that our opinion of Insurgent were exactly the same: not good! Not only do we rip Insurgent another asshole but we dive in even deeper to discuss the core of the film's problems. The whole crew is back along with a few special and notable faces that really elevates the film's status to almost The Hunger Games level but obviously not quite. And what THG excel at, the Divergent series sadly falter under the plain filmmaking 101: develop your characters. As much as I would like to think that I won't continue supporting this franchise, Shailene Woodley's impeccable and ability to cry a single fat tear endlessly impresses me. And for that, I will most likely watch the series till the end. 

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Year: 2015
Director: Ari Sandel

Writer: Josh A. Cagan (screenplay), Kody Keplinger (novel)

Cinematographer: David Hennings

Cast: Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Bianca A. Santos, Skyler Samuels, Ken Jeong, Romany Malco, Allison Janney

Country of Origin: U.S.

Rating: PG-13

Time: 101 min.

Arshad and I are back to discuss the latest and hottest teen comedy, The Duff starring Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell. Adapted by the wildly popular YA novel of the same name by Kody Keplinger about an intelligent teenager named Bianca (Whitman) who realizes she is the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) of her group when the jock and her neighbor, Wesley, informs her of this fact. At first, I was like why the hell would I want to watch a teen comedy (which is so rare these days) about being labeled as something conventionally "undesirable." But my film critic friend, the fantastic Inkoo Kang shouted on top of the social media mountains that this film is one of the best teen comedies to come out as of late and even going so far as stating that The Duff is this generation's Mean Girls! That is a huge statement Inkoo! But I was not disappointed! Watch what Arshad and I have to say about the film! 

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Year: 2014
Director: Francis Lawrence
Writer(s): Peter Craig & Danny Strong
Cinematographer: Jo Willems
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore
Country of Origin: U.S.
Rating: PG-13
Time: 123 min.

"If we burn, you burn with us!" is probably my favorite line ever and I will be repeating this line to every person I see from now on! The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Part I) is the second to last installment of one of the best young adult franchises to have come along since Harry Potter. Naturally, the studios followed Harry Potter's footstep and the final book was split into two films which obviously has good and bad aspects to it. Inevitably, it's the split created a very lukewarm and inconclusive tone. But nonetheless, it packs a punch with it's thrilling action sequences, emotionally captivating performances, and supremely talented cast. As a fan, I loved just watching these characters return and expand their world that focuses on their grim and harsh realities back home that is politically charged. 

(See my Trailer Reaction)

EDIT (11/28):

Arshad and I had an in-depth discussion about The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Part I) as we are huge fans of the book and films alike! You saw my take of the film up above and now, you can see us discuss the film in terms of performance, structure, story, and the differences from the book and the film. We really get nitty gritty with it and geek out a little bit so take a look!

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This is a particularly special review because I had an extensive discussion all about the gripping YA novel/film, The Maze Runner with my good friend Arshad. Arshad does a lot of things (singer, songwriter, actor, director, etc!) and one of them is being a huge fan and expert on the YA novel and film movement that got sparked when The Hunger Games (2012) came out. We both caught The Hunger Games bug and while I drifted off especially with the hype of Divergent (2014) came around, Arshad increased his interest hence why he asked me to collaborate with him on The Maze Runner as a person who hasn't read any of the series. 

I caught a sneak peek of what to expect from The Maze Runner at this year's WonderCon and I was amazed. As far as YA adaptations go, everyone wanted to make something as great as The Hunger Games but just kept failing. The Maze Runner might be a close-runner up due to the fact that when they got something right, it was absolutely great with the incredible special effects (for their small budget), superb performances casting choices (KI HONG LEE!!), and overall pacing of the film. The only gripe I have with the film is their lack of an explanation to why the kids are even there and what the maze was even suppose to prove. Arshad and I really go into it so sit back and grab some coffee cause it's going to be a long one!

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