BoxOffice101 Movies

  To start with, I got a headache going through this sci-fi venture. The first part was great, second was average but this was plain bad. I owe much of its commercial success due to Smith's star power (his last 10 films have grossed over $100m globally!) and starting the streak is MiB 2. Critically, I have no idea how this was rated 'fresh' on Rotten Tomatoes.

  MiB 3 follows Agent J (Smith) going back in time to save the entire planet from an outerworld invasion and his partner Agent K (younger version played by Josh Brolin and the present by Tommy Lee Jones). My main positiveness of this feature is Brolin's acting skills. Seriously, when you catch him at first sight he is the splitting image of the Jones' depicted Agent K. He would've gotten an Oscar weren't this film way below Academy Award status. 

  Some lines are entertaining and witty especially when Smith enters the late 60s New York but nothing seems original. Wisecracks are lame and the sense of humour, is well, senseless. Smith's theatricals are boring and except for Brolin there is no silver lining in the picture. All other actors except for the 3 in the poster are uninspiring and unwanted for any potential sequel (which has been confirmed).

  Plus the villain is disgusting and tedious. There was no hardwork done on his costume design or character innovation. Other aliens shown were quite few a number with good designs but highly weak personalities unlike what MiB is known for. And most of the cult characters, like Chief Zed and Frank the Pug (extraterrestrial dog agent). This goes to show that adding more humans to the mix like Agent O played by famous English actress Emma Thompson was disastrous.

  The plot is boring and even the back-in-time America is badly showcased and the 70s America was given more justice in this year's Dark Shadows. The ending was good but that does not manifest the one hour and 40 minutes of suicidal viewing.

  Let me also add that this is one of the worst sci-fi ventures I've seen of all time. If you wish to have an alien adventure this year it's better you try Disney's John Carter despite its flop status.

  In the end, MiB 3 might be the highest grossing film in the series outside North America but it is the worst according to my book. It was also shown in 3D which by watching the 2D version you can say was completely unnecessary. It is also made the biggest IMAX Memorial-Day weekend and I guess Smith can achieve anything (at the box office).

IMDB: 7.1/10.

Rotten Tomatoes: 69%.

BO101: 1/4.

  Based on the first of a trilogy of young adult novels by American author Suzanne Collins who also co-wrote the screenplay. You can judge the pace of the movie on the notion that it was based on a 374 pages book. Directed by Gary Ross (Seabiscuit) and co-written with him, Collins and Billy Ray. Not surprised the film grossed majorly in the US as the novels are very popular with teenagers there. This is the only factor that is leading to the Twilight movies' financial successes. The sci-fi film did have enough resourcefulness to double its production cost but I'm surprised it made so much.

  Sure, it has its pros. The story is OK and reminds me of common low-budget action movies. The story takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in the fictional nation of Panem. Here, 12 girls and 12 boys must participate in an annual televised event which is a fight to the death with only one survivor remaining.  

  Major critisism has been based on the plot where it has been closely linked to the Japanese novel Battle Royale and its film adaption. Nevertheless, Collins novel and film has also been granted the right of being based on other worldly and original aspects with survival of the fittest reigning supreme. Hunger Games, although seemingly unrealistic, is based on human politics and how emotions react to them in the whole of the country. Discrimination between the rich and poor is widely discussed. Characters were strongly developed and the lead played by Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: First Class) was the best performance of all. She could be America's next Jessica Alba (with talent). The ending is also unpredictable given the predictable nature of the storyline.

  Cast also includes Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland. Below is writer Suzanne Collins:

  However, there are many cons. First of all the plot pace is too slow. This has been a common negative of most official critics and an unofficial critic - that is me. This flick could've easily been 1 hour and 50 minutes long. But its 2h: 22m duration does push away viewers. The starting is very dull and it really kicks off after the first half-hour. Instead of focusing on the tedious and obvious themes of the games, it would of been better if dramatic areas were showcased more effectively.

  Overall, The Hunger Games is a great movie but not an awesome one. Maybe not the best of all time but a must-watch of the year. Teenagers who loved Harry Potter might not like this as it has a more grittier tone. Violent scenes involving children does more than justify its PG - 13 rating. My fingers are crossed for the sequel.

IMDB: 7.5/10.

Rotten Tomatoes: 85%.

BO101: 3/4.

  The last venture was directed by Sylvester Stallone himself. This time Simon West, director of one of my most fav. Nic Cage film Con Air, takes the director's seat. West is also having another movie released this year titled Stolen also starring Cage in the lead: