The Martian
by Felipe Rosa
The Martian: Ridley Scott presents one thoroughly exciting and entertaining film. The story, in broad strokes,
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: adventure, sci fi
Tag: sci fi
Jurassic World
by Felipe Rosa
Jurassic World: Colin Trevorrow’s film is a great example of the difference between creating tension and simply having a scary moment;
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: action, sci fi
Jupiter Ascending
by Felipe Rosa
Jupiter Ascending: the Wachowski siblings present a high-concept story that doesn’t make much (or any) sense,
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: action, bottom, sci fi
Big Hero 6
by Felipe Rosa
Big Hero 6: Don Hall and Chris Williams present a typically polished and entertaining (if not completely inspired) animated movie; the story is touching and funny, but not fully earnest. The animation, by the other hand, is spotless; the environment is rich and great to look at, while the character design is varied, making each one of them unique. In particular, Baymax is a great character, with his looks greatly complementing his personality traits. The accompanying animated short, Patrick Osborne’s Feast, a lovely and great-looking […]
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: adventure, animation, sci fi
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
by Felipe Rosa
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1: Francis Lawrence’s film is heavy on set-up and light on payoff, a disappointing combination. The story continues to expand the world and its mythology, but what’s new is not particularly interesting (and it moves into a more generic dystopic setting); the main issue, however, is that there simply isn’t enough at stake for the main characters (in other words, the film is too light on action). Visually, it’s drab and unappealing. The veteran cast already […]
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: action, sci fi
Interstellar
by Felipe Rosa
Interstellar: this film is a typical, if not as complex, Christopher Nolan’s mind-bender. If, despite the heavy exposition at times, the nuances of the story may not be easy to grasp, there is a great emotional clarity to it. The emotional core is very recognizable, therefore relatable and touching. The cast is in great shape; Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Chastain are the standouts, but everyone else is solid. Lee Smith’s editing is a beauty, balancing the act of telling such a […]
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: sci fi
Lucy (2014)
by Felipe Rosa
Lucy: in equal measures vapid, pretentious and needlessly violent, Luc Besson’s film is an unpleasant spectacle. The high-concept plot feels almost an afterthought, simply being the vessel for a lot of philosophic mumbo-jumbo. Scarlett Johanson plays not so much a character, but an all-powerful cypher; not much is known about her, making it hard to care, relate or worry about her fate. Morgan Freeman is not given much to do. Visually, the film is slick; the early interludes end up being distracting […]
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: action, sci fi
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
by Felipe Rosa
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Matt Reeves’ is a great accomplishment in many levels. The most obvious one is, of course, the special effects that create such level of authenticity with the ape characters; it’s hard to know when the special effects end and when the motion-capture performances of Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell (just to mention the two that have more to do and therefore stand out the most) begin. Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman are good presences in the human side […]
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: action, sci fi
Snowpiercer
by Felipe Rosa
Snowpiercer: an interesting action film; Joon-ho Bong executes with great measures of violence what is a great concept of a dystopian world, one which violence is far from being simply a concept; as it so ofter happens with good science fiction, this one has also something to say about our present times. Set design is an important part of this film, and it’s quite well executed. The cast is generally interesting (and refreshingly mixed), but Tilda Swinton in particular is fun […]
Categories: Film reviews • Tags: action, sci fi
Fifth about The Seventh 